·            Weekly Vigil for GAZA and PEACE from 5.30 – 6pm continues outside the Village Shop (the last 10 minutes will be spent in silence). This has been running as a weekly event, and while we hope that the current cease fire agreement may develop into a lasting peace, those of us who have been part of the vigil recognise that genuine peace in the Middle East is still a dream. We will therefore, continue to arrange events in support of the people of Palestine, as they return to the rubble which used to be their homes and in support of those who continue to give them medical aid despite the destruction of their hospitals and healthcare infrastructure and ongoing imprisonment by Israel of medical and nursing staff.

The war upon Gaza has raged for two years, with over 67,000 dead (a huge underestimate as nobody can record the numbers of people still trapped under the rubble, or blown to pieces, and therefore missing from any records). 1.9 million people are displaced within Gaza, and tens of thousands more in Lebanon.  2.1 million people - the entire population of Gaza - do not have enough to eat and there is verified famine in Gaza - the deliberate starving of a population, over 50% of whom are children. The treatment of the Palestinian people over the last century is clearly one of the greatest injustices of our time and shows no sign of ending. In Israel too, and among Jewish groups there are many voices for peace and demonstrations against the brutality.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) provides immediate medical aid to those in great need, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system, and works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees; see: www.map.org.uk/.

The Soup Lunch fundraiser held in the Old School on 26 October raised over £1000 for MAP

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal is providing lifesaving aid in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria. The ceasefire agreement in Gaza brings hope and relief. DEC charities are now preparing to scale up their work but urgently need more funds. See www.dec.org.uk/appeal/middle-east-humanitarian-appeal.