TEN-year old Liam Evans was reunited with his toy, Rebel, after the bear had to be rescued from the roof of St Michael’s church, Buckland Dinham, during Saturday’s “Ready, Teddy, Jump” competition.
Rebel’s first parachute flight from the top of the 90ft church tower had already completed what proved to be the winning jump, landing closer than any other teddy to the target pegged out on the ground below, when he had a second go. Sadly, Rebel was caught by a gust of wind and drifted off course, landing on the roof.
However, once the competition was over, Liam’s dad Jon and fellow villager, Paul Cary, were on hand to clamber on to the roof to rescue Rebel and another teddy who had also been blown off course.
Almost 30 teddies took part in the event, with some of them having two or even three tries, whilst PCC member, Stuart Harrison, remaining gamely at his breezy post at the top of the tower, launching each one into space.
The competition was followed by cream teas in the church and by the end of the day, more than £360 had been added to the funds being raised for the restoration of the centuries-old lychgate at the church.
