Special High Sheriff Awards were bestowed on four charity champions from the village of Silton for their tremendous fundraising efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Shortly after the first lockdown started in March last year Diana and David Masters of Bagmore Farm, Silton decided to set up a stall outside their front gate selling plants, produce and preserves to raise funds for the local charities supported annually by St Nicholas’ Church.

With an ambition to raise £1,000 in what has been described as ‘a bit like Captain Sir Tom Moore’s walk’ – the idea grew like Topsy!

In just five months, the pair had raised more than £4,600 and since reopening in March this year, have raised a further £5,700, a total well in excess of £10,000 of which nearly £9,000 has already been donated to charity. Many people in the community provided items for sale, often anonymously, but two in particular went well beyond the call of duty. Sue Matthews and Wendy Harris produced more than 900 jars of marmalade, chutney and jam last year alone and at least another 500 jars of marmalade this year. Paddington Bear eat your heart out.

In addition more than 200 cakes have been sold this year and well over 120 quiches, tarts and other pastries and the orders keep coming in. Visitors to the stall admit they often divert their journeys just to see what they can buy that day.

The community was also presented with the High Sheriff’s Award, which will be displayed in the village hall.