HARDY members of the Brent Island Trust braved gale-force winds to man their fundraising Christmas stall last weekend.

Setting up shop outside the Premier newsagents in the centre of the village, a large group of members raised more than £350 for trust funds.

Carols were sung, cakes and Christmas gifts were sold, and two tombolas helped raise the vital funds that will go towards the maintenance of Brent Island, for the benefit of the village.

The trust looks after the three acres of meadow and woodland, after it was bought through a public appeal in 1994. The Christmas stall has been a fixture in the trust’s calendar for more than 20 years, and is one of its major fundraising events of the year.

Island Trust Secretary Guy Pannell said: ‘The strong winds made life uncomfortable and a little difficult, with items blowing off the tables at times.

‘We had a group of musicians accompanying the carols on their stringed instruments and they bravely battled on despite numb fingers. We were fortunate it didn’t rain!

‘The carol singing raised £59.55, the adult and children’s tombolas made £164.35, the cake and gift stall £25.90 and we received an amazing £110 in donations, giving a grand total of £359.80. We were delighted with the result in those conditions.’