AS Christians across the country prepare to give thanks for God’s gift of food this month, St Mary and St Nicholas Church in Littlemore has been celebrating a different kind of harvest.

Now in its eighth year, the Harvest of the Talents festival draws to a close today after three weeks showing off artistic works produced by local people.

Paintings, poetry, knitting and sculptures have been among the displays at this year’s Harvest, which has been more popular than ever since it began on September 27.

Parishioner Tom Bower, who has lived in Littlemore since the late 1980s, has contributed regularly since the Harvest began.

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He said: “It is very important to me in my life. It is a very important part of the church as well.

“It is one of the occasions when the public are made aware of us.

“Anyone who wants to take part can take part and there is such a variety of work, from knitted figures to abstracts.

“I have put some poetry in and a couple of plywood reliefs.One is of a train and one is of a retro science-fiction object.”

The dad-of-two, who teaches design technology and art at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, said it is an opportunity for everyone, not just Christians, to get involved with the church. He said: “What I really enjoy about it is that it is such a vibrant mix. There are no entry criteria and no committee saying yay or nay. I can’t remember anything being deemed unsuitable.

“We have a fairly relaxed view about what gets shown, people who do it are very enthusiastic.”

Assistant curate Rev Tom Albinson said: “I am not aware of any other art festival that has professional artists along with nursery children. It opens up to everybody because we want to celebrate the love God has for everyone.

  • The festival will conclude tonight with a concert at the church at 7pm.

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