WEEKLY column of Fairford and Lechlade news by Chris Roberts MBE.

1. The hidden church celebrating 300 years 

 The date on the front of Fairford United Church is 1853, but this is the date when the church was enlarged and remodelled. It was actually built in 1724.

Members of the Church are now planning to celebrate the church’s 300th anniversary at an Open Weekend over Saturday and Sunday October 12 and 13. There will be various displays of photographs and memorabilia as well as artwork, history, photos, crafts, teas and cake.

The Chapel will be open to visitors on Saturday from 10am-4pm and for a Songs of Praise service on Sunday at 3pm.

Firstly Baptists, then the Congregationalists from The Croft and finally the Methodists joined forces to create the Fairford United Church, which is a joint Congregational/Methodist partnership. Unity is an important part of Fairford United Church’s makeup, which has been thriving since its further renovations in 2007.

Services are held every Sunday at 10.30am with a worship style that brings together both traditional hymns and more modern songs in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and offers a special welcome to those who have felt that church is not for them. Fairford United Church aims to be a church that is inclusive, serves all people and does not discriminate on age, wealth, disability, colour, gender, sexual orientation or any other grounds. It is also licenced for the solemnisation of same-sex and opposite-sex marriages.

The building has wheelchair access, accessible toilet, baby-changing facilities, loop system and comfy chairs! It also offers several rooms to hire for a private or community function. For more information, please contact Rachel Emmerson, Church Secretary, at emmerson1492@hotmail.co.uk.

2. Stall holder and story-teller 

 Sean Peter, who sells bread and pastries at Fairford’s Wednesday market, is also a fiction writer.

His first book, ‘The Wish Dogtor’, is a fictionalised account of his life as a young Irish boy running wild with friends in the countryside in 1960s Swaziland. His freedom is curtailed when he’s sent to a Draconian boarding school in South Africa and discovers apartheid.

He then attends veterinary school to help animals and, whilst he is happy with his work in the townships, he’s disturbed by the actions of government officials.

Torn between his dream to help animals and the need to do what's right, life-changing choices lead to his conviction as an ‘uninspired’ terrorist.

Now he has a sequel out entitled, ‘The Ruffled Owl’. This book follows Sean’s work as a veterinary surgeon and then as a member of a banned organisation and its armed wing.

Sean is assigned to move young recruits illegally across neighbouring borders but is arrested and sent to prison.

Sean says his books are not autobiographies but fictionalised narratives about someone trying to live a normal life but failing due to their own poor decisions.

Sean’s novels are available from Amazon and retail book outlets.

3. Harvest festival supporting Cirencester foodbank 

Fairford’s Harvest Festival – supporting Cirencester Food Bank – is on Sunday October 13 at 10am in St Mary’s Church. Are you able to donate: Long-life juice; Tea bags; Tinned fruit; Tinned rice pudding; Ketchup; Mayonnaise; Jam; Multi-purpose cleaning spray; or Men’s/women’s deodorant?

4. Next messy Church 

The next Messy Church is on Sunday October 13 from 4pm-6pm in St Mary’s Church. Crafts and activities are based on a Christian theme and, afterwards, there’ll be a Celebration on that theme. Drinks and biscuits are available before the Celebration, but no cooked meal this month. Everyone is welcome. Contact Sarah Bottomley: 01285 712074 or stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

4. Autumn budget talk 

JPA Financial Planning – based in London Street, Fairford (opposite the Plough Inn) – will be hosting an Autumn Budget talk on Thursday October 17 in The Plough Inn from 6pm-8pm and will be discussing how the budget scheduled for October 30 may affect you. Refreshments will be provided and there’s no need to book in advance, you can just turn up on the night to meet the team and have a chat.

5. Next meeting of history society 

The next meeting of Fairford History Society is on Thursday October 17 at 7.30pm in Fairford Community Centre. Bill King will be giving a talk on: ‘Industrial Archaeology in your Garage, Shed and Attic’.

Visitors welcome to attend at £3 per session. Contact Alison: 01285 711768, enquiry@fairfordhistory.org.uk or www.fairfordhistory.org.uk.

6. Plant swap and sale 

Kempsford Community Gardeners Plant Swap & Sale is on Saturday October 12 from 12 noon-4pm in Kempsford Village Hall. Bring up to six garden plants – in pots with labels – to swap for new plants for a small donation. Cakes, coffee and raffle. The event is raising money to convert the former playground behind the village hall into a productive community garden. The next stage is to install a path to make it more accessible for all. Contact Jacqui Howlett: 01285 712268.

7. Autumn craft market and Autumn fayre 

The Crafty Boaters Autumn Craft Market is on Sunday October 13 from 10am-4pm at Lechlade Memorial Hall. Free entry. Refreshments available. Proceeds to Lechlade Community Library.

The Palmer Hall Autumn Fayre is on Saturday October 12 from 1pm-4pm in the Palmer Hall, Fairford. A fantastic selection of stalls offering an assortment of gifts, early Halloween or Christmas presents. Come and support this historic hall that was built nearly 90 years ago for the people of Fairford. Last chance to buy tickets for the Palmer Hall Super Raffle to win a high-value prize. Draw will take place after 3.30pm. Tea/coffee, biscuits and cakes available. Details from Tracy Hatton: 07825 211850 or palmerhallsecretary@outlook.com.

Palmer Hall Super Raffle top prize Tour of horse-racing legend, Jonjo O’Neill’s Jackdaws Castle for 4 people worth £1,000