Lots to do at Honiton churches during October.

We are into the season when harvest is celebrated. St Paul’s Church, Honiton, has a special Eucharist on Sunday, October 3, at the usual time of 9.30am.

A harvest bring and share tea will follow at 4pm, to be followed by Harvest Songs of Praise at 5pm.

Gittisham’s Harvest Festival service is at 11am, followed by coffee, and the offertory will be going to the Farming Crisis Network.

Gittisham’s Harvest Supper is in the village hall, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Doreen Wensley on (01404) 45774. Please bring your own drinks.

Buckerell is holding its harvest festival at 6.30pm in the church and this will be followed by an auction of produce at Armoury Cottage.

Honiton Community Church begins a new Alpha course on October 6. Details available from the church office on 43800 or email the administrator, sean@tcch.org.uk

On Saturday, October 9, in the Mackarness Hall, St Paul’s is hosting something different!

Something Special @ 7: A fashion show by Caramel with extras - Body Shop cosmetics, Little Venice leather goods, Pop Goes the Weasel hats, Coastline Jewellery, hair products. Tickets are �6 (including a lucky number and a glass of Bucks Fizz) from the parish office, (01404) 44035, or church members or on the door.

Please make a date to come to support your local businesses and the parish church

Honiton Community Church has a fancy dress disco on Friday, October 15.

On Saturday, October 16, Gittisham is holding a bangers and mash quiz night, �5, and bring your own drinks. Contact Hamish Hall for more information on (01404) 850793.

If you are feeling seriously competitive, the Team skittles evening is on Tuesday, October 19, 7pm for 7.30pm at Feniton Bowls Club. Numbers have to be limited and there are lists available in each of the Team churches, which need to be filled in by October 4. The cost is �6.50 per person, which includes supper. Teams of six people and substitutes are allowed!

The Crandon Singers will be performing in Combe Raleigh Church on Wednesday, October 20. Tickets are �5 and include refreshments. Further details from Margaret Williams on (01404) 42893 or Rosemary Mapleston on (01404) 47156.

Awliscombe is holding a village breakfast at the Otter Inn on Saturday, October 23, at 9am.

Another bangers and mash quiz night, this time on Saturday, October 30, in the Mackarness Hall, 6.30pm for a prompt 7pm start. Details and tickets from the Parish Office. (What a lot of sausages are going to be consumed in October!)

As an alternative to Hallowe’en, there is a Saints and Sausages Family Fancy Dress Party in the Mackarness Hall on Sunday, October 31, from 5pm until 8pm. Tickets and further information from St Paul’s Parish Office… No demons, witches or warlocks, please.This is an alternative party!

And, finally, with great sadness, on Sunday, October 17, St Paul’s will be saying farewell to choir director, Julie De’ath Lancaster, who has led the choir – and the congregation- with infinite patience, enthusiasm, humour and absolute professionalism for the last four years.

We will miss her enormously and all wish her well as her Sunday mornings cease to be a frantic dash from Willand to Honiton in all weathers, and her Friday evenings become her own once more.

Just to say “thank you” is not enough, but we do so anyway.