PARKEND and Viney Hill churches took over the gardens, grounds and kitchen at Lydney Park Estate recently.

Between 30 and 35 church members manned the ticket booth and ran cake, plant, book and bric-a-brac stalls, as well as a chocolate tombola and a pot luck ‘water or wine’ bottle stall.

Entertainment was provided by Pillowell Ladies’ Choir and Lydney Training Band and the day ended with songs of praise.

Parish church committee member Trevor Richings originally contacted the estate to ask if they could run the event.

He says: “We are so grateful to Viscount Rupert Bledisloe for saying yes. The event was a great success and it was very generous of him to allow us to do it.

We’d also like to thank our members for all the hard work that went into this event. It wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

The event raised £2,023 which will be used towards repairs at both churches.