Youngsters in Hartington have handed out boxes of food and provisions to elderly members of the community following the village’s Harvest Festival.
The annual celebration of harvest to give thanks for crops that have grown and the hard work involved in gathering them, took place at St Giles Church on Sunday 4 October.
Children from Hartington C of E Primary School worked alongside local member of the community and volunteer, Mrs Bel Kerr, to pack boxes of supplies. They included fruit, vegetables, flowers and tinned produce and were distributed to elderly residents following the harvest service. Items for the boxes were kindly donated by villagers and local businesses.
The youngsters also spent time preparing the ceremony for the harvest commemorations including decorating the church with drawings and displays. Ministry Assistant, Sophie Etchells taught the children a poem around the meaning of the harvest loaf.
Over 100 people attended the event which included a service at the church followed by a pea and pie supper at the Village Hall.
Head Teacher at Hartington C of E Primary School, Tracy Blackwell said: “The Harvest Festival is always a wonderful event as so many people come together to celebrate this special time of year. It is nice to catch up with parents and local residents and for the pupils to interact with other members of the community.
“We had a great time packing the provisions boxes alongside Mrs Kerr and the children learnt more about why we commemorate the harvest time as its part of our church school heritage.”
