‘This Sunday we celebrate our Harvest Festival, and our focus at the morning Eucharist will be our support for Hereford Foodbank.

‘In this day and age, it’s an indictment of our society that we even need foodbanks but we are where we are – and I pay tribute to our local foodbank. I’m chair of the Trustees and never cease to be impressed with the time and energy given by the foodbank’s staff and volunteers – they do a wonderful job for our city and especially for those they help, week by week. Next year, we expect to distribute upwards of 2,000 food parcels – a huge number and one that’s rising, year on year.

‘I’m grateful to our congregation for their generosity in making their own gifts to the foodbank at our Harvest celebration.

‘Our preacher at the 10 am Eucharist is David Gwatkin, agricultural chaplain, and his presence with us gives us all an opportunity to remember our deeply rural diocese and the farmers and agricultural works who give so much to us, year by year.

‘That theme of our local farming community is continued at the 3.30 pm Songs of Praise, when representatives of the NFU will be taking part, and a collection is taken to support the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and help those in need.

‘Songs of Praise is followed by refreshments – bara brith and local cider (kindly given by Westons) and apple juice (given by Jus).

‘Do come along to one of our Harvest celebrations – you’ll find a warm welcome!’

Michael Tavinor

Dean of Hereford