Imagine 822 people singing carols, drinking tea and coffee and eating hot mince pies as they travel along the South Devon Railway.

The occasion is the annual Carols Down the Line event coordinated by Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church. Train crew and station staff from South Devon Railway Association enter into the Christmas spirit on board the train as well as at Buckfastleigh, Staverton and Totnes stations. Last year passengers alighted from the train to sing carols on the platforms. Salvation Army bands played for the carol singing with Totnes Town Band.  Plympton Clangers (handbell ringers) delighted folks with their tuneful ringing at Buckfastleigh Station before the train departed. A BBC Radio Devon journalist was also on board talking to passengers and volunteers. 

Over 200 school children took part in a Bible Fresh event featuring a pirate treasure hunt at Great Lumley Methodist Church. When the children arrived they were given a pirate map which they followed to different tables hosting activities such as making parrot fridge magnets and pieces of eight out of chocolate coins. They also learned how to write their name in Greek and put honey on biscuits decorated with a Hebrew letter. The event included a Bible story and quiz. Before they went home, the children collected words that said: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” – a Biblical reference to the path leading to the treasure chest!

Joanne Fearn said: “Everyone who came received a treasure bag which included a copy of a Gospel and a Bible story as well as some honey. It was all very exciting stuff and the children who came enjoyed it as did the teachers who wanted to know what we would be doing next!”
 

Bramhall Methodist Church has come up with a powerful fund-raising initiative to pay for improvements to its church buildings and help local retail businesses at the same time.
The Buy Bramhall scheme has engaged 41 retailers and a 400-strong congregation in working together for a better future. Organisers from the church have produced 2,000 “cheque books” with a page for each retailer. The idea is for church members, friends and family to take the cheque book with them when shopping and generate a 5 per cent contribution towards the Church Redevelopment Fund. With this as a motivation, shop owners are hoping to see an increase in shopping visits.

Janice Kennedy, who came up with the idea, said that the response from both the church and the shops had been terrific. “It’s time for churches to be practical in terms of connections with the community,” she said. “Everyone benefits. Our focus now is to get the cheque books out and in circulation quickly and encourage as many as possible to get involved.”

James Day, of Beards Butchers, also welcomed the scheme. “It’s good for the church and for the traders of Bramhall – we will give it maximum support,” he said.

All participating retailers have been briefed on how to administer the scheme. Purchases have to be itemised in the book and stamped as verification. When a page has been completed (between 20 and 40 visits per retailer) the cheque book user tears a page out and posts it in a secure box in the church building. Organisers will then recoup the 5 per cent donation from the retailers.

Bramhall’s Minister, the Revd Leslie Newton, said that the idea was to be applauded. “From every angle this scheme is about community building. In raising funds we can make the church more accessible for local people and in supporting local businesses we can ensure that Bramhall continues to be a vibrant place to live and work.”

Restaurants, beauticians, hair salons, delis, florists, greengrocers, butchers, opticians, interior designers, book sellers, pet suppliers, dry cleaners, fashion outlets, car mechanics, computer repairers, flooring specialists and even estate agents are all on board.