Bishop Mark Rylands (pictured above), team rector, joined in the regular community soup and pud lunch club held on Saturday at Bickington.

Michael Hext, church warden St Mary the Virgin at Bickington, reports: ‘We combined it with St Mary’s Church fair here in bickington.

‘We raised a joint total of £660 for St Mary’s repair fund.

‘And we served a lovely homemade lunch enjoyed by many members of the community. The lunch is pay what you can which is a great success.’

‘The next lunch is on 14 th of January 14 and all are welcome,’ says Mr Hext.