The church was busy for our Harvest Festival Songs of Praise on 18th October and the table was laden with goodies donated for the Soar Valley Food Project. We heard from Liz Wells about the life-skills and vocational studies, work-based training and other support that WHM (based at Hawley Farm) provide to people with disabilities of all kinds, and about Countryside Enterprises, a business owned and run by the Workmates. At their three Skills Centres, Workmates are able to develop independence and build confidence as well as acquiring practical skills. As Liz put it, ‘every person has a gift to offer’. Plenty of people visited their stall at the Seagrave village fete, but you can support them all year round at Six Acre Nurseries, Costock where, in addition to the plant nursery, farm shop and café, there is a play patch and nature trail. Find details on their web site of the ‘Christmas Weekend’ on 28th and 29th November together with information about sales of Christmas trees; there are plenty of gift ideas in the shop too!