VILLAGERS in Leverington enjoyed a festive weekend with events centred on St Leonard’s Church to raise money to repair its roof. Mary Watt, acting chair of the Friends of Leverington Church, describes the activities:

On Saturday morning Leverington Church was filled with pantomime dames, elves and stall holders wearing festive hats for our Christmas fair, the last mini mart until March 2012.

Santa was in his grotto and had a queue of delighted children all waiting to tell him what he would like. He patiently listened, promised to do his best and gave them a sweetie. Doreen Wheeler then gave the children a chance to try the lucky dip and they all went home happy.

The market was bustling, the coffee shop and cake stall did a roaring trade with seasonal delights baked by the ladies of the church and a jolly good time was had by all. �274 was raised for the church restoration fund - we may fix the leaking roof after all.

At 5pm a full bus left from outside the village hall taking Leverington Ladies, their husbands and friends to the Thursford Christmas show which as usual was a wonderful night. Julia Hatcher organised the outing and everyone had a wonderful evening.

On Sunday afternoon Fenland District Council held their annual Community Carol Service in our church organised by Michael Humphrey, chairman of FDC, and once again the church was full to bursting point. Reverend Janet Phillips conducted the service with readings by Richard Barnwell, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Marie Humphrey, church warden Derek Nightingale and Paul Medd, chief executive of FDC. Music was provided by Thomas Clarkson Community College and the combined choirs of Leverington and Tydd St Giles with Stuart Smith at the organ.

Wisbech Army Cadets took the collection having provided a guard of honour outside before the service. They then smartly ran over to the village hall to assist Marilyn and Peter Pryke and helpers in serving tea and

mince pies to the congregation.