VILLAGERS raised more than £1,300 for Weldmar by holding a plant sale.

The annual event in Buckland Newton has been supporting the hospice for more than 20 years and this year raised £1,320.

Many people in the village contribute to the event either by growing and selling the plants, baking cakes, making willow plant supports, organising and serving refreshments and of course the ever popular raffle. It is very much a community effort and much enjoyed too.

The newly re-opened Gaggle of Geese Pub was the venue for handing the cheque to Weldmar.

After being closed for three years and a complete makeover, villagers were delighted that it had opened in time to host this special event.

Diane Bentley was warmly welcomed from Weldmar to receive the funds and villagers were very interested to hear about the new scheme that the money was going to help - a 24-hour helpline which people could ring for advice. Diane said that for many years Weldmar have wanted to introduce a scheme like this but had never been able to afford to do it. A very satisfying and worthy project for the Buckland Newton fundraisers to be able to support. Diane Bentley and her husband were also very impressed by the atmosphere and quirky decorations in the Gaggle, modern, but still very much a country pub.