ST MARY'S CHURCH: The annual meeting presided over by the Vicar, Canon Bill Merrington, was preceded by the annual vestry meeting at which Peter Coupland and Angus Chambers were re-elected as churchwardens.

The roll now stood at 41 members - a slight decrease on the previous roll. Mr Merringon encouraged more to join the list of readers.

The PCC secretary, Mrs Joan Murray-White, said there had been six meetings during the year. Various subjects had been discussed including the Diocese Springboard meetings, the harvest supper and the Archdeacon's concern about the non-payment of the diocesan share in some parishes. There had been a successful summer fete and poetry reading. A children's choir had been formed and a well-attended Alpha course run. There were after-school clubs and it was hoped to have a stall at the village August fete.

In her Deanery Synod report, Rene Sabin said three meetings had been held. At one there was a gloomy report about the sate of the finances of the diocese and its effect of the parish share. Incumbents were unlikely to be replaced in some parishes where there were at present vacancies. Some 32 parishes had not paid their quota in full.

The treasurer, Helen Sabin, indicated that income had exceeded expenditure and the quota had been paid in full. However, her warning that the church should not be complacent was borne out by the fact that income from collections was down by more than £1,000 and gift aid figures were also lower than the previous year.

Peter Coupland reported on the fabric of the church. There had been high expenditure on repairs to the clock and the outside light. There was appreciation of the work of David Sabin, Michael Vincent and Jeff Davies on mowing the churchyard. The appraisal of future work included heating repairs, the provision of a handrail at the entrance door, path repairs and rebuilding churchyard walls.

The provision of a toilet and running water was considered but the estimated cost (£20,000) ruled it out. The organ needs repair - a new solid state and wiring and this was being proceeded with at a cost of £6,000.

Mr Merrington thanked those who had contributed to the running of the church including the bellringers, the churchwardens, the magazine editor, the treasurer and the grasscutters. He went on to say that there had been a gentle increase in the church activities. Funds from the Old School House Trust had contributed to the school extension, school Bibles, the formation of a choir, and the support for an organ student.

After hoping that church would have increased support from villagers in the future, the vicar ended by thanking the support of his family and the church members.