Melton borough schools' harvest festivals support important causes

Children at Waltham Primary School delivered 53 harvest boxes to Dove Cottage Hospice in Stathern, following their church service.

Headteacher Julie Hopkins said: “Our families were extremely generous; the boxes were very heavy and beautifully decorated by the children.

“Staff were very appreciative at Dove, and it’s always special to take the children to visit.”

Youngsters at St Francis Catholic Primary School joined the congregation of Melton’s Catholic churches in a joint effort to give thanks for the harvest and help those in need.

Parents and parishioners sent in donations of food items which made a beautiful display at the school. The items weremoved to St Peter’s Church, Welby Lane for a further harvest festival mass.

Headteacher Jo Anderson said: “We were delighted with the number of goods sent in, and I wish to thank parents and parishioners for their generosity.”

Although the school always has a harvest festival, this is the first time in recent years that it has been organised jointly with the church.

Helen Smith, one of the organisers, said: The church looked lovely. Special thanks are due to the local lady who baked and donated a sheaf of bread as a centrepiece.”

Some of the donated food was sent to Storehouse, (the Melton Food Bank) to help local people in need, while some was sold to raise funds for the needy overseas.

Parishioners also held a harvest fast day to coincide with the service which raised £446.77 of which £131 came from the harvest festival sale.

Mrs Smith added: “This was a great result, and we hope that this joint festival will become a regular annual school event.”