To our friends and neighbours,

As many of you know, in July we suffered a gas explosion and fire at our home on Aldworth road next to the pub. Although we lost our home and possessions, we are all incredibly fortunate to be alive and to be able to rebuild our lives following the fire.

After initially staying with relatives in Whitchurch we have been living in nearby Compton. James has recovered well from his burns after several week in hospital and we are all doing well.

We are so immensely grateful for all the help, support and love on the night, and in the days, weeks and months following the fire. We are incredibly lucky to live in such a close knit community, with such an amazing network of friends and neighbours. Offers of help and support flooded in and it was thanks to this that the children were able to return to school (in full uniform donated by the village!) just a day after the fire.

We look forward to returning home as soon as possible - we miss village life but we are currently in the process of planning our replacement house. All being well the builders will start in the coming few months (apologies in advance for yet more building work in the village).

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped, we really do appreciate everything you have done.

With best wishes,

The Masterton-Smith Family (Liz, James, William and Emma)