CHURCH OF ST GERMOE: The second Sunday in the month saw the first service of the word led by new local worship leader, Trina Beckett with reader Joy Gunter preaching on the theme Sea Sunday.

The lessons were read by Tom Dearden and Julie Weeks; Andrew Bell was the intercessor; sidesmen were Muriel Somerfield and Tom Dearden and Gwynneth Willett played the organ.

A parish eucharist with wholeness and healing service was held in the evening with Canon Michael presiding and the Rev Peter Johnson assisting and anointing.

PRAA SANDS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB: At the July meeting members and friends were invited to the large garden of enthusiastic member Lorraine Thomas at Higher Drym. It was a perfect setting for a country garden around a cluster of farm buildings, with a back drop of Tregonning and Godolphin hills, but quite challenging to pinpoint through the narrow lanes.

Lorraine’s son was on hand to show us his poly tunnel of giant vegetables grown for competition, then we wandered across the vast, immaculate lawn (once a farm field) which was bordered on all sides by colourful planting. Hydrangeas of every hue, an abundance of roses and cleverly chosen under planting to reinforce the hues and shades, were much admired. But there was more – a cutting and vegetable garden, a shady area bordered by a rustic barn, a family veranda with exuberant pots, an aviary with newly hatched quails and everywhere serenity and colour and the right plant. Lorraine’s kindness extended to tea on the veranda where, once again, cakes loomed.

GERMOE & DISTRICT WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: Members meet on the second Tuesday of the month (except August) in Praa Sands Community Centre at 7.30pm. Visitors always welcome. Further details from Sheena 01736 761904 Members ‘Had a Go at Painting’ at the July meeting. Molly Hocking brought all the equipment and showed how to paint first a sunset in acrylic paints – the more paint the better as one could then get textures within the paint. Having completed the sky a silhouette was added. Although the title was the same, all the finished pictures were very different from a leaping dolphin and pirate ship to a coastline, hills and trees. Everyone agreed it had been great fun.

Arrangements were made for the visit to Carclaze WI, the paper craft session on July 22 and craft and chatter on July 29, and various county events were brought to the attention of members.

The competition for something beginning with P was won by Ann Stiles with her photo of Purdy the Pyrenean Mountain dog on Porthleven beach, 2nd was a pin cushion made by Joan Watts and a paper plate with a picture of Peppa Pig gave Barbara Hayward 3rd place.

The next meeting is on September 9 which will be the Harvest Supper and auction and the competition has reached ’Q’.