A very important visit

The Bishop of Huntingdon came on Sunday. There hasn't been a Bishop's visit to St Helens at Little Eversden since 1983, and, dare I say it, since then bishops appear to be looking younger and younger. The Rt Rev John Inge came to give the address at a service of thanksgiving for the recently completed restoration of the church. Representatives of many of the groups and organizations who had made this massive project possible were among the large congregation. These included Henry Freeland and Tania Gomez Duran, of architects Freeland Rees Roberts, Diana Hunt, a trustee of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust, the Rev Dr John Holmes, dean of Queens College, Cambridge, the Ven John Beer, archdeacon and Frank O'Keefe, treasurer of the Friends of the Eversden Churches. The Rev Peter Hammond thanked English Heritage for providing almost half of the sum required, the generous support of the trustees of the Fossey Trust without which the impetus would not have been there for this scheme to be undertaken, and the continued support of the Friends of the Eversden Churches. He further emphasized how fortunate they were in their choice of builders, Bakers of Danbury, who had lovingly worked over many months. The National Children's Home will benefit from funds raised at this Saturday's Table Sale in Great Eversden Village Hall at 10.30am. What will be on offer? Details about this are hitherto vague so your guess is as good as mine. I just know that people are having a clear out. Whether or not this will reveal cash from the attic... who knows? Barbara will not be selling books, apparently she is selling "anything that will sell". I have booked a table to sell Brian's calceolarias, otherwise I will have them lining all my window sills. If you want to book a table top call Ann Bennet on 01223 262329. JILL MARSHALL