THE morning rain gave way to sunshine on Saturday (December 6) as the annual Christmas fayre in Hemyock began for St Mary’s Church with Culm Davy Chapel.

The event drew numerous visitors throughout the afternoon for attractions including guess the weight of a decorated Christmas cake, a tombola with every ticket winning a prize, cakes, savouries, and preserves, and children’s crafts and face painting.

Bottles wrapped in festive paper which won visitors either a bottle of wine or water proved popular, as did the refreshments as the event raised more than £1,600 for church funds.

An evening parade of the village’s Lights Brigade was followed by the church star being lit and a quarter peal of bells was rung to welcome new rector the Rev Vanessa Cole.