HABERDASHERS’ Monmouth Prep School gathered to celebrate their annual Harvest festival at St Mary’s Church recently.

The occasion began with an opening address from the Head Boy and Head Girl before a joyful processional hymn filled the church.

Reception students carried their colourful offerings of fruit and vegetables to the altar all which will go towards Monmouth food bank.

Year 1 and Year 2 sang The Harvest Samba with gusto, while reception pupils delighted everyone with their performance of Pop a Little Pancake. The school choir gave a lively rendition of the traditional American song Pick a Bale of Cotton followed by a reading from St Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 22-23.

Mother Alycia praised the generosity of the Haberdashers’ Prep Community. There were so many donations the food bank team needed to return with a larger van to collect everything.

Year 3 captivated the congregation with a choral reading of Jay from The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane. Year 6 followed with prayers before the church filled with a powerful rendition of The Rattlin’ Bog, with Years 3 to 6 and the choir.

The festival came to a close with a hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful which rippled across the church, creating a joyous ambience throughout the community.

The retiring collection supported Farms for City Children, a charity offering immersive, nature-based residential experiences at farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Pembrokeshire. Special recognition goes to pupils Lasir (Year 3) and brother Lorcan (Nursery) and Laurie (Year 4) with brother Sam (Year 6) who raised impressive sums for the cause.

Laurie and Sam alone raised over £100 by transforming apples from their orchard into homemade chutney, selling each jar for £4. Year 2 also payed their part, completing a sponsored walk up the Sugar Loaf on Sunday to support the same charity.