Dear Faithful Supporters,

You will be pleased to learn that Tony McMahon's Auction of Promises was a resounding success. All 21 promises were sold (along with a couple of impromptu additions) and in excess of £3,000 was raised in the auction to go toward the Save Milverton Fighting Fund with a further sum raised from receipts at the door and from the bar bringing the total to over £4,000 after costs.

Helen Bromovsky very graciously provided a dozen copies of her newly published anthology, 'How to be a Writer', with the proceeds going to the Fighting Fund. The books sold out very quickly and the various authors present - Alexander Waugh, Angie Sage and Katherine Reynolds - had the opportunity to sign their contributions to Helen's work.

Keith Amor executed his duties as auctioneer with a humour and aplomb that elicited admiration from all.

There was only one dark moment when yours truly, in thanking the various members of the Action Group Committee who were present for their efforts on behalf of the village, omitted to mention the most hard-working and dedicated of us all, Penny Price. Penny, being the gracious lady that she is, readily accepted my apologies (made on bended knee) for my humungous faux pas.

Those 'behind-the-scenes' volunteers who made the evening run so smoothly deserve to be singled out for praise and thanks. First and foremost amongst them, Jenny Fry, who provided a most elegant and delicious three-course meal; Peter and Gwen Baldry who acted as sou-chefs, expertly dishing out what was a complex and beautifully presented main course; Tim and Rachel Bidlake-Corser who kept the wine flowing in abundance; Ann Bosworth who tirelessly and graciously served table; Julie and Sarah who tackled the enormous pile of washing up and all the present who, on an ad hoc basis, assisted in the various duties of the evening.

We owe a debt of thanks to those who provided the promises and for those courageous souls who bid for them and, finally, to Tony and Jo McMahon for organizing and arranging the event - Jo's beautiful flower settings on each table were a particular treat.

We will keep you posted on developments when they happen.

Warmest regards,

Michael Reynolds