The congregation at Diggle allotments. Photo: Ray Withnall
by Ray Withnall
Although autumn mist and drizzle rolled off the Saddleworth moors, an impressive number of residents attended the fifth annual Diggle village harvest festival at Ward Lane allotments on Sunday morning.
Diggle band welcomed the arrival of the brownies, Rainbows and cubs as they joined children from Diggle School for the start of the service. Part of the service was led by the children’s charming rendition of the hymn ‘Thank you Lord’. Adult participation in the chorus was encouraged, but the well practiced children shone through.
Alan Rea enthusiastically read out a play called ‘An Amazing Harvest Rescue’. He required audience participation, which resulted in great humour amongst the congregation. The play told the story of how an African village was able to grow food through the efforts of the charity ‘Send a Cow’. You can read more about the charity on its website here (www.sendacow.org.uk). A collection was held at the end of the service in aid of the charity.
The final hymn was the traditional harvest favourite, ‘We ploughed the fields and scatter’. The Reverend Duncan Rhodes thanked the Diggle community for supporting the service and led the final prayers and blessing.
This is what makes Diggle special.