On Sunday the 23rd November 2014, St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church in Biggin Hill held a ‘bric-a-brac’ sale in order to raise money for the committee within the church.

Charity came a calling and the local parishioners rallied together to donate numerous amounts of items and time volunteered to man the stalls and spread the word. The sale offered a collection of ornaments, such as elaborately decorated teacups and small vases, jewellery, porcelain figurines, painted miniatures or photographs in stand-up frames, clothing, cosmetics and so on. A spread of delicious cakes and confectionaries were made by the avid bakers within the local church community and offered with a warm beverage of their choice.

Collection of donations was also raised by the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver who sold Mission Calendars. The purpose of this collection was to raise money for an African Parish, which consists of 125 villages, to put money towards solar panels. The African church is great need of such resources as the current lighting consists of gas lamps and generators. Many a time, during masses and religious services, poisonous snakes have found their way into the darkened church and prayed on unsuspecting victims; causing panic and chaos within the parish.

The event was internally organised by the church itself. Some of the money collected will go towards future fund raisers, parish outings and pilgrimages. Notably the efforts of Jean Venosi are to be credited as without her input and organisation skills the event would have not been as successful as it was.

Phoebe Bellfield, Charles Darwin School.