Auspicious date for fete

The worshippers picked the once in a lifetime occurrence of 07.07.07 for the fundraising event.

They are busily preparing for the day as Cara Hood (pictured) repairs the ten-year-old stall signs among other tasks. All the usual stalls and sideshows, for those who can remember the previous fete, will be available along with plenty of children's games, tours of St Mary's Church and churchyard.

The occasion, to be held at the Climping Street church, will have the theme of Anyone for Tennis? to co-incide with ladies' finals day at Wimbledon which will be screened on tv at the fete.

Its staging after ten years' absence has been prompted by the need to spend thousands of pounds on the church.

Major expenditure was required to renew the central heating system and repair the roof. This has drained the church's fabric fund.