Tag: #Harvest

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Thank you Normandy Village School

Did somebody say Harvest? Look at this wonderful display! Congratulations to all involved at Normandy Village School with your Harvest decorations and foodbank collection. What a beautiful array of art work and brilliant donations for the local food parcels proect.

The Ash Villages Food Parcels Project would like to say a HUGE HARVEST THANK YOU to all the staff, students, parents and carers at Normandy Village School for this fantastic assembly of boxes, packets, jars and tins which will all go to local families in need in the local villages.

Your choice of items shows great care and thoughtfulness, as well as huge generosity. We received your gifts today and will be sending them out to families next week in their food parcels, to put food on their tables and smiles on their faces. Thank you from our team and from all the families whom this will feed.

Happy Harvest!

More about the school here on their website: https://www.normandyvillageschool.org

More about the foodbank here: https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/

#Harvest #Foodbank #HarvestDonations

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HARVEST THANKS

A huge HARVEST THANK YOU to all at St Mary’s Ash Vale, for the wonderful foodbank donations from the Harvest Festival on Sunday.

We collected your gifts on Tuesday and they went out in the food parcels today, with some items left for the parcels on Friday. The Wednesday team fed 22 families with your generous donations today, some large families, some single people in need, food for 61 people in total. And more parcels will go out on Friday to other families too.

Thank you for your support! #AshVillagesFoodParcelsProject


Our web page has more info here:
https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/

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Harvest Gifts from Northcamp Methodist Church

What a blessing this morning! The Ash Villages Food Parcels Team were delighted to receive Harvest donations today from Northcamp Methodist church. A lovely array of items, from tins to produce, and all just right for the food parcels that will be going out on Wednesday and Friday this week to local people in need.

Revd Anne personally delivered the donations to The Chapel, our wonderful local ecumenical project, jointly run by St Mary’s Church Ash Vale and the BlackwaterValley Methodist Circuit. The Chapel kindly hosts the Foodbank all year round, and allows us the space for our shelves, fridges and packing parcels. It is a huge blessing to people in urgent need locally in the villages of Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham.

A big harvest THANK YOU to Northcamp Methodist Church, your support is hugely appreciated! https://www.northcampmethodist.co.uk/welcome.htm

Image – Foodbank Team, and Monday Chapel Cafe members, receiving donations for the foodbank from Northcamp Methodist Church, special delivery by Revd Anne.

If you would like to read all about the foodbank… here is our page: https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/ We have been running for over 5 years now, and what started as the local covid support group now runs as a full-blown foodbank in partnership with Ash Villages Support Circle. There are lots of stories on our page, and details of how you can donate, or ask for a referral.

The Chapel Project is here to share Christ’s love with people of all faiths and none through Hospitality, Creativity and Worship. We are home to Monday Chapel Cafe (warm Welcome space), NWCLF church on Sundays, ChapelKids on Wednesdays, as well as the Foodbank mentioned above, also Musicians in Residence Matt and Dan Weeks, Artists in Residence Debi and Jono Retallick, plus seasonal events Picnic and Play, Light Party, Christmas Fair, and of course hall users from the local community. If you want to know more about The Chapel Project please contact Revd Neil Lambert, Revd Anne Day or our Project Manager Alex: projectmanager@ash-vale.org.uk or visit http://www.ashvalechapel.com

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Harvest Wrist Huggers (knitting pattern)

Harvest Wrist Huggers: Pattern by Rachel Watts
These fun wrist warmers are ideal for chilly autumn mornings. The aran weight yarn makes them quick to knit and perfect for gifting.

There are 2 versions of the pattern, the first is worked flat using straight needles and the second is worked in the round using double pointed needles. Choose the technique that suits you best – Happy Knittng!


Yarn: Aran weight yarn

Version 1: worked flat
Hayfield Bonus Aran: Fields of Gold 32g, 84m, 92yds approx

Version 2: knit in the round
Yarnsmiths Create Aran: Burnt Orange 32g, 64m, 69yds approx


Needles & other supplies
5mm needles (To work pattern flat)
5mm double pointed needles (To work in the round)
stitch markers x 2

Gauge: 28 stitches x 21 rows = 10cm in 2 x 2 rib pattern

Abbreviations
dpns = double pointed needles
K = knit
M1 = make one, (I used the backward loop method)
P = purl
PM = place marker
R/S = right side
SM = slip marker
Sts = stitches
W/S = wrong side

Techniques(You can find lots of videos and instructions for these techniques online)
Cast on: My preferred method is Long Tail Cast On, which is lovely and stretchy
Make one: I used a Backwards Loop method, but you could use Make One Left.

Mattress stitch
Cast off in pattern as follows
1. K2, pull the first stitch over stitch the second stitch
2. P1, pull previous stitch over the one you have just worked
3. P1, pull previous stitch over the one you have just worked
4. K1, pull previous stitch over the one you have just worked
5. K1, pull previous stitch over the one you have just worked
6. Continue round until all stitches have been cast off

Harvest Wrist Huggers: Version 1 worked flat

Begin Pattern
Using 5mm straight needles, cast on 34 Stitches
Row 1: R/S, (K2, P2) x 8 K2
Row 2: W/S, (P2, K2) x 8 P2
Work rows 1 and 2 nine more times

Thumb shaping
Row 21: R/S (K2, P2) x 3, K2, PM, (M1 P1)x 2,PM (K2, P2) x 4 K2 (36 sts)
Row 22: W/S (P2, K2) x 4 P2, SM, (K1, P1) x 2, SM, (P2, K2) x 3 P2
Row 23: (K2, P2) x 3, K2, SM, M1, (K1, P1)x 2, SM, (K2, P2) x 4 K2 (37 Sts)
Row 24: (P2, K2) x 4 P2, SM, (K1, P1) x 2, K1, SM, (P2, K2) x 3 P2
Row 25: (K2, P2) x 3, K2, SM, P1, M1, K1, P1, M1, K1, P1, SM, (K2, P2) x 4 K2 (39 Sts)
Row 26: (P2, K2,) x 4, P2, SM, (K1, P2) x 2 K1, SM, (P2, K2) x 3 P2
Row 27: (K2, P2) x 3 K2 SM, (M1, P1, K2) x 2 M1 P1, SM, (K2 P2) x 4 K2 (42 sts) Row
Row 28: (P2, K2) x 10 P2
Row 29: R/S (K2, P2) x 10 K2
Row 30: W/S (P2, K2) x 10 P2
Work rows 28 and 29 seven more times
Row 45: R/S Cast off in pattern
Finishing
Holding long edges beside each other and using mattress stitch sew seam together.
Weave in ends.

Harvest Wrist Huggers: Version 2: Worked in the round

Begin Pattern
Using 5mm dpns, cast on 32 stitches
Arrange stitches as follows; Needle 1: 8 sts, Needle 2: 12 sts, Needle 3: 12 sts
Join work to knit in the round making sure the stitches are not twisted.
Round 1: (K2, P2) x 8
Repeat round 1 nineteen more times

Thumb shaping (the increase stitches are worked on needle 1 only)
Round 21: K2, M1, P1, M1, P1, (K2, P2) x 7 (34 sts)
Round 22: K3, P1, k1, P1, (K2, P2) x 7
Round 23: K2, M1, K1, P1, K1, P1, (K2, P2) x 7 (35 sts)
Round 24: K2, (P1 K1) x 2, P1, (K2, P2) x7
Round 25: K2, (P1, M1, K1, P1, M1, K1, P1, (K2, P2) x 7 (37 sts)
Round 26: (K2 P1) x 3, (K2, P2) x 7
Round 27: (K2, M1, P1) x 3, (K2, P2) x 7 (40 sts)
Round 28: (K2, P2) x 10
Work round 28 sixteen more times
Round 45: Cast off in pattern and weave in ends.

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Harvest Festival time – come and join in! (And support the foodbank too!)

Harvest Festival is a wonderful service where we give thanks to God for all our blessings, the wonderful world He created, and the amazing crops harvested at this time of year. Please join us on Sunday 28th September 10:30am and see what it’s all about! All are welcome, whether you’re a regular or a first time church go-er!

One of the things we do to celebrate and give thanks, is to bring donations of food and produce. This year we are once again donating to the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project (local foodbank for Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham), which we run in partnership with the Ash Villages Support Circle and the Chapel Project. Whether you come to our service or not, you can donate for this wonderful cause! We have a box for donations in the foyer, or you can bring donations to the service, or donate funds online using our Give a Little link. https://givealittle.co/c/3ijYS6zC4gbOGqwer2tmdY

What food to donate? Anything in a tin is great, and can be used in the food parcels right away. We use 30-50 tins a week each of things like tomatoes, baked beans, sweetcorn, lentils, tuna, hotdogs, meatballs, chicken curry, soup, rice pudding, fruit, custard, carrots, peas etc. We can also use anything else that has a long shelf life so pasta, rice, cereal, tea, coffee, UHT milk, pasta sauce, even crisps and sweets as a special harvest treat will be appreciated by families. Fresh produce – fruit and veg – is great too, and will go out in the very next round of food parcels (we send parcels out on Wednesdays and Fridays every week.) Or perhaps you might like to put together some “meal packs” pasta and sauce, curry and rice, tinned fruit and custard, noodles and sauce, hotdogs and baked beans  – What’s your go-to storecupboard meal? Local families will really appreciate the thought that goes in to these.

What is most needed? If you would like to see the “live list” of what we most urgently need, we are also on the App called “Bank the Food” and we update this every couple of weeks to let our supporters know what we are most short of. https://www.bankthefood.com/  If you download the app, we should be easy to find (Ash Villages Food Parcels Project).

Before you go! We are decorating the church for Harvest Festival on Saturday 27th September. Would you like to donate flowers and produce for the display? Steph and the team would love to welcome you to come and help make the church look beautiful for Harvest Festival.

And finally – don’t forget Macmillan! Our coffee morning is this Friday 26th Sept 2025 10am-1pm, all welcome! Pop in for a quick cuppa and cake, buy Sue’s delicious array of jams and treats to take away, have a flutter on the raffle, or why not stay all morning and catch up with friends old and new over a slice of cake or stay for a cheese toastie or soup lunch.

See you there!

Thank you for your support.

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Harvest Letter from the Foodbank Team

Ash Villages Food Parcels Project & Ash Vale Community Fridge

Did you know we have our own local foodbank based at the Chapel? The Ash Villages Food Parcels Project is here to help anyone who is struggling in Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham. What originally started during Covid as a crisis project has become part of the furniture locally, and we will be here for as long as we are needed. Volunteers pack parcels twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, and occasionally emergency ones too.

We rely on grants & generous donations for our store cupboard items, and all our parcels are prepared and delivered by a wonderful team of local volunteers. We also receive food donations from Co-op in Ash & Ash Vale, Tesco and Bookers that add fresh items to the menu each week that would otherwise have gone to waste. Could you spare some time to collect donations from the supermarkets, or clean the fridges, or pack and deliver some parcels, or help us with fundraising? Please speak to us we would love to hear from you! Project team number: 07730 609446.

Know someone who is struggling? Citizens Advice can help with all sorts of things like benefits reviews, food bank referrals, advice and emergency loans. They can also refer new clients to us for a parcel. Citizens Advice: 08082787888  Website: https://casws.org.uk/  If you know someone who needs a food parcel we can also do a church referral from St Mary’s to the project. Text or phone the project team 07730 609446.

Your Harvest donations are amazing! They have been taken to the Chapel for sorting, and will be sent out in the food parcels in the next 2 weeks. We support over 100 families in the local area, and usually provide 15-25 parcels each week depending who needs us. The numbers are growing as the population locally grows, and winter is always busier due to people struggling to heat the home and feed the family on low incomes. At Christmas last year we delivered over 50 parcels with Christmas food, winter warmer items (eg gloves and hot water bottles) and toys for the children. In the last couple of years, we have also added “baby bank” items to the project list, including nappies and wipes for struggling families. Your donations are much needed and hugely appreciated. Thank you for your support!

With our best wishes to all our clients, the lovely volunteer team, and to all of you in our local community. Have a wonderful Harvest season 2024.

Wishing you every blessing,

Alex, Neil and Carla  

Alex Sanderson BEM (Project Manager) 07730 609446

Revd Neil Lambert (St Mary’s Church Ash Vale)

Cllr Carla Morson (Ash Villages Support Circle)

This is a joint project between the Ash Villages Support Circle (Carla Morson) and St Mary’s Church Ash Vale (Revd Neil Lambert) Charity Number 1152717 and we are kindly hosted at The Chapel Project on Wharf Rd GU12 5AY. foodparcels@ash-vale.org.uk Web: https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/ You can also find us on the App called “Bank the Food”

Photos: Parcels in progress, Food bank ‘wednesday team’ celebrating a recent grant from Co-op, some of your amazing Harvest donations 2024 at St Mary’s.

Introducing… Ash Vale Community Fridge This separate, very simple project opened in June 2023. The fridge is located in the community shed in the Chapel car park on Wharf Rd GU12 5AY. It’s open 24/7 for you to drop off food you don’t need, or take food home that you can use. It’s pot luck, no guarantees, but it’s free, and it is open to everyone. What a great way to reduce food waste!  One big ask – please do make a note in the red folder in the shed when you drop off or pick up food, so we can keep track of how much we save from being wasted and report back to our funders. In June—Dec 2023 we saved over 1000kg from landfill! We are grateful to Co-Op and Hubbub for making this project possible. This is a separate project from the food parcels and you do not need a referral to use the Community Fridge, just help yourself! Enjoy.

 
 
 
 
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A big Harvest Thank You to the 1st Ash Vale Beavers!

The Ash Villages Food Parcels Project team would like to say a big THANK YOU to the lovely 1st Ash Vale Beavers! We are super grateful for all your wonderful donations, which filled up the donation boxes at St Mary’s on Tuesday.

All these things that you donated will go out in the Food Bank parcels next week, and make a big difference to local families in need of a bit of help at this time.

It was great fun visiting you too, and we discovered that you are all very good at Kims Game! You remembered lots of the things we had in the food parcel box. I wonder if your friends in the Monday group will enjoy this game too?

Thank you too for the beautiful Harvest pictures. We will be sure to display them as part of the Harvest decorations at St Mary’s. The church is celebrating Harvest Festival on Sunday 6th Otober this year, all welcome at the 10:30 service, and we will have refreshments afterwards. Those of you who like to get creative are welcome to come and help decorate the church on the Saturday morning too, it’s lots of fun! See you there.

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Thank you Puttenham Infant School!

The Ash Villages Food Parcels Project would like to say an enormous THANK YOU to all the pupils, staff and families at Puttenham Infant School. Your wonderful Harvest donations are a huge blessing and will be a great help to local families in the coming weeks. Look at these shelves in the photo – what a lot of lovely food you have donated!

The team were very busy on Wednesday putting everything away, ready for the next set of parcels which will be going out on Friday morning. By this time next week your tins and packets, pasta and sauces, beans and spaghetti hoops, and all the goodies you sent will be on their way to our neighbours in need in our local villages. Thank you so much, what an amazing way to celebrate Harvest Festiveal.

We wish you a super term full of blessings, and thank you again for all your generous gifts.

From all of us at The Chapel and Ash Villages Food Parcels Project

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Thank you Frimley Green! 

We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone at Frimley Green Methodist Church this week. We were delighted to receive a wonderful delivery of amazing Harvest Festival donations for the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project today. What a great way to show love for our neighbours and celebrate our blessings. This week’s parcels will be extra special with beautiful fresh fruit and veg, bread and store cupboard items. 

THANK YOU! 

With our very best wishes from everyone at The Chapel and the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project. 

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Thank you Wyke Primary Academy! 

We were delighted to receive the amazing harvest donations from Wyke Primary Academy this week. Huge thanks to all the students, families and staff at the school. It was amazing to see all the donations arrive, and we could see that a lot of thought that went into what everyone donated. 

We will be delivering food parcels to lots of local families this week with your donations in them. How wonderful that your generosity is helping people who live nearby. It’s a great way to be good neighbours and make sure that no one in our community goes hungry. 

Best wishes and heartfelt thanks to you all from all of us at the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project.