Get your walking boots on on Sunday April 27 at 2pm, and do a five-mile walk in Goldhanger to raise money for Essex Air Ambulance.

Start is at the village hall, with the end (and a hot snack) in The Chequers. Walk all or part of walk, with a £10 donation fee for adults and £2 for children. Please phone 788432 to book.

BINGO

Eyes down for more All Saints fundraising fun. There will be lots of prizes at the bingo session in Goldhanger village hall on Saturday, April 26, in Goldhanger village hall. It starts at 7.30pm and all proceeds to All Saints renovation fund.

ROGATION SUNDAY

Traditionally, Rogation was the time when villagers walked - or beat - the boundaries of the parish, prayed for a good harvest, and watched the rector hold one of the local children upside down.

In these politically correct days we dispense with the final ingredient, but All Saints does invite local people to join in a footpath walk to church on Sunday April 27.

Meet at the Swan car park at 10.30am, suitably shod, or go straight to church for the 11am service if you cannot walk.

OPEN GARDENS

Now is the time - snow permitting!

- that gardeners are planning for summer displays.

There are some excellent gardeners in the village and All Saints would like to hear from anyone who would like to take part in the Open Gardens weekend on June 7 and 8. If you're unsure what is involved, have a chat with Vivienne Smith on 891660.

ALL SAINTS UPGRADE

Work on a much-needed interior and exterior facelift for All Saints grade one listed building is due to start in just two month's time.

Churchwarden in charge of fundraising Francis Erridge writes: "Since the last update I can confirm that a good deal of progress has been made in raising funds for the necessary restoration work at All Saints.

"This is scheduled to start on June 1 and take 16 weeks to complete.

The major trust contributors to our fund are The Essex Environment Trust, £15,000 and Friends of Essex Churches £12,000.

"Essex Heritage Trust has provided £3,000 and five other trusts have given smaller amounts. Individual donations together with Gift Aid have provided £22,000.

"At the time of writing, of the £62,000 required for this project, we now have £49,000. We still have £13,000 to find. It is our hope and prayer that this remaining sum will be found by June 1.

"Our sincere thanks to all those whose generosity has brought our fund this far and I appeal to those who feel they can contribute, to help us find the remaining £13,000."