A REQUEST to South Tawton parishioners to form a choir for the Christmas carol service produced a musical response that highlighted the Christmas message at the pre-Christmas, Sunday service at St Andrew's Church.

The choir included a range of voices from all age groups, including children and senior citizens. The church, requiring extensive roof repairs to avoid permanent closure, reopened for the service to which families, groups, visitors and individuals flocked for a memorable evening.

Congratulations were expressed to those who rehearsed volunteer singers into a heart-touching choir, the shopkeeper and publican who added their readings during the service, those who performed church duties and those providing or serving refreshments.

AT the end of the old year members of staff at South Tawton Primary School reflect upon the help received during the year and express thanks to everyone for support given in a wide variety of ways.

Thanks go to the community that supports fundraising projects, activities and events and to those who give time to the school and inspire pupils: Sarah Miller who has given up many afternoons to do some gardening around the school; Andrew Paterson for keeping the school's website up to date; Lennon Foo for running Simplified Mandarin Club; Andrew Frangleton for running chess club and taking the children to competitions and Dawn and Danny for making the KS1 Christingles. Special thanks go to all the parents who have worked in the classes and supported trips or sporting events.

A recent sponsored spell organised at the primary school for Children in Need raised £440.45. Thanks go to all the children who took part and all the families and friends who sponsored them.