Common Worship Communion service, relatively informal, with hymns and enjoy a coffee together afterwards.

Join Victoria for a relaxed, welcoming yoga session right here in the village — no experience necessary, whatever your age or fitness level. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or trying it for the very first time, you'll find a gentle, friendly space to stretch, breathe, and unwind. These will take place on Sunday evenings from 7.00 to 8.00 pm in the Sunday School Room.

Each session focuses on movement, breath, and a bit of calm in the middle of a busy week — a lovely way to look after both body and mind, and a great chance to catch up with familiar faces too.

Please bring a mat if you have one — spares are usually available if not. Wear something comfortable, and come ready to relax.

Everyone's welcome — just come along and give it a try.

Price - £30 for six lessons beginning on 20 September. Another block of six lessons will start at the beginning of November.

For more information, contact Victoria - Tel: 01460 240077

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Traditional Common Worship Communion service without hymns

Bring along some craft or artwork you enjoy — knitting, drawing, whatever you fancy — and work on it while you have a coffee and a chat. You can show others, share ideas, and learn from each other. Even if craft isn't your thing, just come along for a coffee, cake, and chat.

Our monthly activity is a relaxed, no-agenda chance to catch up with neighbours old and new — whether you're a regular face or popping in for the first time. Expect a warm welcome, a full teapot/coffee, and a delicious homemade cake(s) to choose from, plus craft ideas that may inspire you too.

£1.50 per person, which includes coffee and cake.

Everyone's welcome, whatever your background or belief — just come as you are.

For more information contact Belinda or Kate.

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We hold a Community Prayer at 5.00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month to include a short service of Evening Prayer, open to anyone in the Benefice, whatever your background or belief.

We come together simply to hold our community, its concerns, and each other in a quiet moment of reflection, a time of open Prayer for the life and future of:

Our World
Our Churches
Our Communities

— no experience or regular attendance needed, and no pressure to speak aloud if you'd rather just sit and listen. All are welcome, however you're feeling and whatever brought you through the door.

Revs Bob and Julia - Tel - 01460 76406

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Our speaker, Candy Adkins will relate the inspirational story of her mother, Jackie Moggridge, who was a pioneer for women in aviation. Discover how she played a pivotal role in the war effort, flying planes to where they were needed, even as far as Burma, with only a map and compass, finally earning her RAF wings in 1953 and a King's Commendation.

Tickets available in advance for £6 from Our Shop, Hinton St George or £7 on the door.

Doors open 7.00 pm
Cash bar only

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Our Benefice Choir

We sing across all six of our churches — Merriott, Hinton St George, Dinnington, Lopen, Haselbury Plucknett and North Perrott — bringing music to services, seasonal celebrations, and special occasions throughout the year. Whether it's a quiet anthem on a Sunday morning or something more joyful at Christmas, our choir adds something wonderful to the life of our benefice.

We rehearse bi-weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm during term time, at All Saints, Merriott Church.

Come along and give it a try. No commitment, just an open door.

For more information see the 16 Bells Choir website page.

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**Harvest Coffee Morning**

Join us for a warm and welcoming Harvest Coffee Morning — a lovely chance to catch up with neighbours over coffee, tea, and cake, and take home a little taste of the season too.

Browse our table of homemade jams, chutneys, and other seasonal produce, all made with love by our community. Whether you're stocking up the pantry or picking up a gift, there's something for everyone — and every purchase helps support our church.

Pull up a chair, have a chat, and enjoy some of the best homemade cake around. No agenda, no pressure — just good company and a warm welcome, whoever you are.

**The Sunday School Room, Lopen**
**10.00 am to 12.00 noon**

Everyone's welcome — come along and join us.

If you would like to contribute and help please contact Christine.

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**Harvest Festival Across Our Benefice**

Harvest is one of the loveliest times in the church year — a chance to pause, give thanks, and celebrate the abundance of the season together as a community. This year, each of our six churches will be marking Harvest with their own service, so wherever you are in the benefice, there's an opportunity to join us.

**Sunday 4 October, 11.30am**
Harvest Thanksgiving and Communion, Haselbury Plucknett

**Sunday 11 October, 11.30am**
Harvest at ARK, Egwood — for Merriott, Hinton St George and Dinnington

**Sunday 18 October, 10.30am**
Lopen Harvest Festival, All Saints, Lopen

**Sunday 25 October, 10.30am**
Harvest Festival, St Martins, North Perrott

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**Join Us in Lopen**

Our Harvest Festival at All Saints, Lopen takes place on **Sunday 18 October at 10.30am** — a joyful service giving thanks for the season's harvest, and we'd love for you to be part of it.

Afterwards, do stay on and join us in the Sunday School Room, where we'll be serving coffee, cake, and warm conversation. It's also a lovely chance to browse and buy some homemade produce from our community — a little taste of Harvest to take home with you. Any donations of cakes, scones, biscuits or other food items will be extremely welcome as well as any help on the day. Please contact Christine Hill.

Whether you're able to join us for the service, the refreshments afterwards, or both, everyone is warmly welcome — however you're connected to Lopen.

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Pop in for a cuppa, a slice of homemade cake, and a good natter. Our monthly Coffee Stop is a relaxed, no-agenda chance to catch up with neighbours old and new — whether you're a regular face or popping in for the first time. Expect a warm welcome, a full teapot, and plenty of delicious homemade cakes to choose from.

Everyone's welcome — just come as you are.

As we approach another Christmas, I will once again be working with a group in the Merriott Benefice that fills shoe boxes for children and adults in Ukraine, Kosovo and Albania, where there is still a desperate need. There is such joy and gratitude when the boxes are delivered. If anyone in the village is interested in helping, either donating or filling the boxes ready for dispatch, please contact Sally-Ann and/or Trevor.

Donate:
- a box filled for a chosen age and gender
- fillers from the items suggested in the leaflet
- gifts to help cover transport costs, and to buy more fillers
- spare, empty, medium-sized shoe boxes

We are deeply grateful for all your help. Closing date is 30 October 2026.

Message from Trevor and Sally-Ann:
We’re collecting *new items* to fill shoeboxes for those in need. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.

✨ *Essential Items*
Shampoo or shower gel • Deodorant • Sanitary products • Toothpaste & toothbrush • Razors • Underwear • Socks • Tights • Scarves • Hat & gloves

🔧 *Practical Items*
Household candles • Screwdrivers • Pliers • Sewing kit

🎨 *Gifts for Children & Young Adults*
Pens • Pencils & sharpeners • Rubbers • Rulers • Notepads & colouring books • Other stationery • Toys • Make‑up

Empty shoeboxes • wrapping paper, and cash donations are also vital to help pack and send these gifts.

Donations can be dropped off at our homes.

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All adult residents of the village and any friends for a regular meet up. More details to follow.

All adult residents of the village and any friends for a regular meet up. More details to follow.

Open to all adult residents of the village and friends. Regular meet up. More details to follow.