POUNDSTOCK Gildhouse recently held a Christmas coffee morning to show off the new garland, celebrate the twinning of the second loo, and raise money for those living in poverty around the world.

It has become traditional to have a garland in the Gildhouse, and this year the committee decided that it needed renewing. In the spring, several packets of flower seeds were distributed to gardeners around the village, and the results of their growing efforts, plus many heads of hydrangea flowers, were gathered together in early November, ready to be made into a new garland.

A dozen or so flower arrangers and willing labourers transformed the flowers into a magnificent garland to grace the Tudor feasting hall for the coming months.

For the last 18 months, those using the Gildhouse loos have been generously giving the odd penny or two for the Toilet Twinning fundraising. Toilet Twinning is a charity that works to provide clean water and basic sanitation for developing parts of the world. The committee has now raised enough money to twin the toilets with ones in Uganda and Malawi, and the framed certificates, with photos, now grace the toilets.

As well as being a celebratory event, the coffee morning raised enough money for Oxfam to provide two goats, clean water for 100 people and several mosquito nets for those living in poverty in the developing parts of the world. In addition, the committee is joining with St Winwaloe’s church in its annual appeal in aid of St Petroc’s Fund for the homeless in Cornwall.

As usual, the Tudor Gildhouse will be open to visitors on a Wednesday from Easter to the end of October, so everyone will get a chance to see the beautiful garland.