Harvest Festival Takes A Day Off Fast To Celebrate Feast

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday March 21, 2006

By FRANCES THOMPSON Upper Hunter Reporter

THE ancient tradition of the harvest festival is being revived in Aberdeen this year.

Historic St Marks Anglican church is expected to be full of Upper Hunter produce, including animals, as people from all walks of life gather to give thanks this Sunday.

The timing of the event may be a little unorthodox.

Muswellbrook parish assistant priest Stephen Moore said that for the sake of convenience the festival was organised in the middle of Lent, even though it was normally a time of fasting for Christians.

"We are taking a day off," Father Moore said.

Pledges of produce have been made from some of the region's more isolated areas.

Honey and a sheep is expected from Davis Creek east of Scone, rabbits and budgies from Dartbrook and chillies from Upper Rouchel.

Farmer Rex Adam, famous for his beautiful roosters, has pledged three sets of laying hens and pullets.

"It is a celebration of the abundance of creation and to thank God for all that we have," Father Moore said.

There have been good and bad times in the past year.

The region has been hit hard by drought, some farmers saying it is the worst they have experienced.

President of the St Marks ladies' guild Peggy Claydon is preparing for gifts of hay, pumpkins, jams, preserves and cakes.

The guild will decorate the church with the produce.

The Crofts, Aberdeen bakers, are cooking cake-sized hot cross buns, their first for the Easter season, Father Moore said.

After the thanksgiving service, the ladies guild will prepare lunch and then the produce will be auctioned to raise money for the church.

"The fundraising keeps the church going," Mrs Claydon said.

Father Moore agrees.

"It is a nice way to keep the community going," he said.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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