Allensmore

CHURCH DRAW – Winners of the Allensmore Church 100 Club draw for January are 1st 66 Roger Orgill, 2nd 74 Steve Williams, 3rd 83 Heather Davies and 4th 47 Sue Townsend.

Almeley

FLICKS IN THE STICKS presents Les Miserables (12) at 7.30pm today (Thursday), at Almeley village hall.

Tickets £4, doors open at 7pm, cabaret seating, bar available, short interval with this film, ample car parking. Come and enjoy an evening out.

Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

PUB GAMES NIGHT – Tomorrow (Friday) there will be a pub games night in the parish hall. The fun starts at 7pm and will be a chance for people to try their hand at the old traditional pub games such as dominoes, bar skittles, table-top football, quoits and darts etc.

Home-made soups and puddings are served in the interval and all for an entrance fee of just £5.

Just turn up and pay on the door.

AYMESTREY PARISH HALL – The annual general meeting will take place on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Nominations are invited for officers and committee members and should be sent to secretary Mrs R Scamp, Hillside Cottage, Aymestrey, HR6 9SX .

PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of Aymestrey parish council will be on Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Parishioners are warmly invited to attend and have their say.

NATURE TRUST – The Aymestrey branch of the Nature Trust meets on Thursday, January 30, at 7.30pm when Bill Laws will give a talk, People and the Land of Herefordshire.

COMEDY NIGHT – March 22 will see the return to Aymestrey of the very popular comedian, Andy Oakley.

Tickets are now on sale at £10 each, to include a ploughman’s supper, and are available from Ruth Scamp 01568 709031, Ken Holland 01568 770367, Helen Roberts 01568 770486.

Bishopstone

VILLAGE WALK – Saturday, 10am.

Meet at the Nags Head, Canon Pyon, on the A4110 in the village.

Total distance: 4.5 miles with several stiles, one steep section, very muddy in places, please wear appropriate footwear.

Bodenham

LEISURE CLUB – The Leisure Club will meet in the parish hall at 2.30pm on Monday when the featured attraction will be either a guest speaker or a bingo session.

FLOOD PROTECTION GROUP – The Flood Protection Group will hold its next meeting at the Siward James Centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Everyone is welcome.

Anyone unable to attend or who has points they would like to raise is asked to call Babs Mitcheson on 01568 797170.

The group will be holding a coffee morning at the same venue on February 8 from 10am until noon.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, 01432 820074, commnews@ymail.com.

Bredwardine and Brobury

100 CLUB DRAW – The Friends of St Andrew 100 Club draw will take place on February 6 at 8pm at the Red Lion Inn. We look forward to seeing you at the event and good luck to all ticket holders.

Contact Jen Maddison on 01981 500048 for further information about the club.

WYESIDE GROUP NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – The Wyeside Parish Neighbourhood Plan launch meeting has been arranged for Wednesday at 7.30pm (arriving from 7pm) in the Moccas meeting-room.

It would be really good if you were able to come along and to bring anyone who you believe may be interested in getting involved or finding out more about the process. The evening will be informal and light refreshments will be served.

Please contact Alison Wright on 01981 250860 for further information.

LOCAL NEWS – If you have Bredwardine and Brobury news or events that you would like to appear in the County Times section of the Hereford Times , contact Kari Lawson on 01981 501077 or email karimlawson@me.com

Bridge Sollars

LOCAL HISTORY EVENING – Next Thursday, January 30, our speaker, Julie Orton-Davies, will be recalling Rotherwas Women - the story of the Rotherwas munitions factory and the people who worked there.

Established during the First World War and operational from 1916, it was used for filling a variety of munitions with explosives.

It was also used for filling H.S. (Mustard Gas) shells towards the end of the war - and was one of only 25 factories retained by the government. In the late 1930s it was used for filling sea mines which were used in the Second World War.

At its peak in 1918 the factory employed nearly 6,000 from all over the UK, including Ireland.The talk begins at 7.30pm at the New Bridge Community Centre, admission £2 to include coffee and biscuits. Everyone welcome.

Eardisley

COMMUNITY LIBRARY – The community library will be open on Tuesday. Do come along and choose books provided by Hereford Library Service, then stay for a cup of tea and a chat.

GRAPELLI AND VIVALDI – On March 7 the village hall committee is hosting the Arts Alive show Grapelli and Vivaldi featuring Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis and his international trio.

This production combines some jaw-dropping virtuosity with mesmerising improvisations and a beautifully varied repertoire from classical music, gypsy jazz and folk.

Tim was classically trained at the Amsterdam Conservatoire and started his career as a gypsy jazz violinist in the style of Stéphane Grappelli.

Other influences include saxo - phonist Stan Getz, guitarist Joe Pass and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty.

He combines classical, folk and world music with gypsy jazz and regularly performs outside the jazz world, in classical halls such as the Concertgebouw, a prestigious concert venue in Amsterdam, as well as folk festi - vals including Celtic Connections.

A truly renowned musician, he has recorded with Angelo Debarre and performed with Martin Taylor, The Rosenberg Trio, Paulus Schäfer, Richard Galliano but also celtic traditional musicians Frankie Gavin and Charlie McKerron. Keep March 7 free for what will be a thoroughly enjoyable night.

Ewyas Harold

BMS STAMP BUREAU - Thank you to all who helped collect stamps. Up to October 2013 over £12,500 was raised through the sale of stamps, postcards and other collectibles and passed to BMS to support their work. We are still collecting and they can be left in the chapel vestry.

CAFE SERVICE - At the Baptist Chapel at 10.30am led by the Rev Andrew Harter.

CHURCHES TOGETHER - In the Baptist Hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

RAINBOW ARTS - In the Baptist Chapel at 10am every Wednesday in term time.

Eye

FILM - This Saturday at the Cawley Hall, Eye (satnav ref HR6 0DS). The film is Tortoise in Love (12A), starting at 7.30pm.

There will be a pre-show meal starting at 6.15pm which must be prebooked. Tickets for film £5, children £3. Cash bar and meal extra. Phone 01568 615836 in advance for meal.

Hereford FREE HEARTSTART COURSE - Would you know what to do if your loved one suffered a life- threatening emergency? If not, book a place now at a free two- hour Heartstart course (CPR, etc) at Hereford United Starlite Rooms, Hereford, on February 13 from 7pm to 9pm. Booking essential. To book your place email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.

uk or contact the co-ordinator Loraine Coleman on 0845 6060654.

Simple skills to save lives. www.herefordshireheartstart.org, Twitter @HeartStart_HFD.

Donations important.

Kingsland

SHOW - ‘If the Shoe Fits’, February 23, 2.30pm at the Coronation Hall, Kingsland, HR6 9QS. Performed by the brilliant CScape Dance Company and brought to us by Arts Alive, If the Shoe Fits is a delightful show which uses physical theatre, dance, storytelling and music to transport children into the magical world of a very special kind of shoe shop where every box contains its own special story. For all the family from three years upwards. Doors open at 2pm for great value refreshments.

Performance starts at 2.30pm and runs for approximately one hour without an interval. Tickets, all at £5, are available from Kingsland Post Office, The Garden Tea Room or tel: 01568 709579. This perfor - mance is generously sponsored by The Playhouse Company www.

theplayhousecompany.co.uk

Kington

FREE HEARTSTART COURSE - Would you know what to do if your loved one suffered a life- threatening emergency? If not, book a place now at a free two-hour Heartstart course (CPR, etc) at Lady Hawkins’ School, Kington, on Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm. Booking essential. To book your place email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or contact the co-ordinator/project manager Loraine Coleman on 0845 6060654.

Simple skills to save lives.

www.herefordshireheartstart.org, Twitter @HeartStart_HFD.

Donations important.

WINE AND CHEESE TASTING EVENING - 7.30pm, February 7, at the Burton Hotel, Kington. Enjoy a relaxed evening sampling fine wines and delicious cheeses presented by local wine merchant John Villar from Wigmore, and Kathryn Genders of George’s Deli in Kington.

Tickets £10 from George’s Deli or the Burton Hotel, or to reserve a table contact Liz on 01544 370 338 or email lizspeyer@gmail.com.

All proceeds to the Performers Fund of Kington Choral Society (registered charity 1103552).

Knighton

COMMUNITY MARKET - The last Knighton community market was unfortunately cancelled at short notice due to problems getting sufficient stalls together.

However, Saturday’s market at Knighton community centre should have no such problems, with all the popular bread, fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, lamb, deli items, cakes and desserts purveyors in attendance. In addition there will be live folk music from a group of local musicians in the café area and a wide range of craft stalls. Opening hours are as usual 9.30am to 12.30pm.

CHURCH SERVICES FOR SUNDAY - St Edward’s church, Knighton, 9.30am, holy communion led by the Rev Petra Beresford -Webb. St David’s church, Whitton, 9.30am, morning worship led by Linda Watson. St Andrew’s church, Norton, 11am, morning worship led by the Rev Petra Beresford-Webb. Knighton Baptist church, 11am, led by the Rev Maggie Rich. Knucklas Baptist church, 6pm, led by the Rev Maggie Rich. Knighton Catholic church, celebration of holy mass, 11am.

Knighton Methodist church, 11am, led by Mr P Woodhall.

KNIGHTON AND DISTRICT CONCERT SOCIETY - There will be a concert by baritone Maximillian Fuhrig who will perform Schubert’s Winter Eise accompanied by Gavin Roberts at the church hall, Knighton, on Sunday at 3pm. For further information telephone 01547 520756.

WHIST DRIVE - At the first whist drive of 2014 in Knighton Bowling club the results were: First lady Doreen Bowen, 2nd Olive Mival, 3rd Connie Bright and booby prize Rose Farmer. First gent Dorothy Edwards, 2nd Oliver Griffiths, 3rd Mildred Shepherd and booby prize Sue Price. Draw winners were Olive Mival, Ruth Wilding, Jess Price and Phil Ammonds. The prizes were pre - sented by Dorothy Edwards; the MC was Shirley Moorhouse.

100 CLUB DRAW FOR JANUARY - Knighton Town Silver Band 100 club winners in January were 1st (£15) Joyce Boundford, Knighton, 2nd (£10) Mervyn Newton, Llanaran Fawr. There will be no 3rd prizes awarded until more of the subscriptions have been paid.

Ledbury

LEDBURY BLOG - What do people do all day? Find out on Tinsmith’s Cuttings. The 2014 blog includes monthly interviews that describe the working lives of people who surround us in Ledbury. People who make beautiful things that work well, or people like hairdressers or upholsterers, who simply do something really well.

We ask how they began their career, how their work has changed, what maintains their interest, who their customers are and what are their hopes for the future. January’s subject is Martin Clark, a letterpress printer who has worked at Tilley Printing for over 50 years. Martin describes how he became a print - er and what he does all day. The piece is amply illustrated with photographs of his printing works, the presses and the products. Next month, February, will look at (and hopefully taste) the work of Ben Boyle, Ledbury chocolatier. If you would like to receive the letterpress calendar, which shows all the jobs that will be covered during 2014, and sign up for our blog posts, send your direct email to press@tinsmiths.co.uk. Tinsmiths Cuttings can be found at http://blog.tinsmiths.co.uk/

Lingen

ST VALENTINE’S SUPPER DANCE - February 15 at Lingen village hall,(SY7 0DY). Dance the evening away to live music by Soul Supply. Cold supper table included in the ticket price, bar available. Adults £25 includes a glass of fizz. Dress code: black tie, carriages at 1am. Tickets are on sale now and available from all village hall committee members and Claire on 01568 770472.

Proceeds in aid of Lingen village hall. Registered charity no 219377.

TEDDY TOTS - At the village hall on Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am.

YOGA CLASSES - On Wednesdays with Nora in the village hall 7pm- 8.30pm.

CARPET BOWLS - Thursday from 7.30pm at the village hall.

VILLAGE EVENTS - For info on Lingen village (SY7 0DY) events please visit www.lingen.org.uk

Madley

PARISH COUNCIL – The last meeting was held on January 7 in the parish hall.

The current lengthsman will be retiring at the end of March 2014 and thanks have been expressed to him for his services to the joint lengthsman scheme for Madley and Eaton Bishop over the last 12 years.

Comments on three planning applications were agreed and the precept and budgets for 2014/15 were set.

Iris Price had organised a bingo night and generously donated the proceeds of £185.20 towards equipment for the recreation field.

The parish council has said it is grateful for this kind gesture and is currently consulting the young people in Madley on what improvements they would like to see at the recreation field with a ‘Design the Recreation Field’ competition.

Grant funding will be sought to help fund any improvements.

Anybody who would help with this project, please contact the clerk, Carla Boyles, on 01432 271209 or clerk@madley.org.uk for further information.

The next meeting is February 4, at 7.15pm in the parish hall.

All welcome.

Moccas

RAILWAY CLUB - Moccas Railway Club will be meeting on January 31 at 7.30pm in the village hall for a talk by David Ross on the lives of George and Robert Stephenson (TBC). Everyone welcome, adults £2 accompanied under 16 free, licensed bar. For further information please contact Phil on 01981 500675 (7 to 9pm please) or check the Moccas village website: sites.google.com/ site/moccasvillage and go to the railway club page. On the website you can also view forthcoming Flicks in the Sticks and Borderlines film festival details.

Michaelchurch Escley

COMMUNITY MEETING – Today, 8pm at the Escleyside Hall.

Friends of Michaelchurch Escley Primary School invite you to attend a meeting to discuss the future of the school.

Mordiford

COMMUNITY CHOIR – Beat the winter blues and join the new Mordiford Community Choir.

Tuesdays (term time only) in the Mordiford school hall. Choir master is Tommy Hughes.

Enthusiastic male and females (over 14s) required. £2 per session, 7.30pm-9pm.

For more information please contact Ali Watkins on 07973 278292.

Peterchurch

BURNS’ NIGHT CEILIDH – January 25 in St Peter’s Church.

Bar and dancing to Bandemonium plus a buffet supper and addressing the haggis. Doors open at 7.15pm for 7.30pm start to dancing. A great night for all the family. Tickets £10 per adult or £25 family ticket. To book, call 01981 550462 or 550669.

Presteigne

A SELECTION OF MUSICAL REMEDIES – Sunday at 3pm Assembly Rooms, Presteigne.

An afternoon of jazz compositions by Andrew Morris inspired by the Bach Flower Remedies.

Performed by Theo Jobst (saxophones) Sam Powell (bass) and Andrew Morris (piano).

Tickets £10 on the door.

THANK YOU – The family of the late Constance (Connie) Mather would like to thank everyone for their messages of sympathy, attendance and donations to Cancer Research on the occasion of her death.

Special thanks to Brecon and Knighton hospitals and her carers and to Geoff Hall for the funeral arrangements.

CARNIVAL – Would you be interested in forming a new carnival committee to help resurrect Presteigne’s carnival?

It will only be possible with your help. So please come along to an informal meeting at The Assembly Rooms on January 29 at 7pm. For further details call Beverly Baynham on 07977 042517.

FUNDRAISER – Presteigne Film Society are holding their annual fundraiser by showing the film Blue Jasmine (12A) starring Alec Baldwin at The Assembly Rooms on January 31at 8pm.

Admission is £7 at the door. For further details call Pete on 370202 or Alex on 260577 or visit www.presteignefilms.org.uk/

COMMUNITY DRAW – Presteigne and Norton Community Support recently held their monthly community draw. Jill Jarvis drew the following winners: £20 Mrs P Moodie, £15 Mr and Mrs Goodley and £12 Mrs M Holst.

The committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support.

SEED SWAP – Transition Presteigne are holding a seed swap at the farmers’ market on February 1 from 9.30am-1pm at the memorial hall. Do you have any seeds spare?

If so, come along and swap them.

Flowers and vegetable seeds are welcome.

There will also be gardening inspirations and information available on the day.

MUSIC IN NEW RADNOR – The Music In New Radnor season continues on February 8 at the community centre in New Radnor at 7.30pm. The Denner Ensemble will be performing music by Thomas Vincat, Handel and Sammartini.

It will be a concert for oboe, bassoon and harpsichord.

Tickets are £12 for adults and £3 for under-14s. For further details call 350268.

MARKET – The monthly market takes place at The Memorial Hall on February 1. All the usual stalls will be there for you to pick up a bargain or two.

COMMUNITY GROUP – The East Radnor Community Group meet on Friday mornings at the Methodist church hall from 10.30am-12.30pm. There will be appropriate activities. The aim is to promote the health and wellbe - ing for everyone and have a cuppa and a chat with new and old faces.

There is a small charge for refreshments and activities. For further details call 01597 824411 or visit www.midpowysmind.co.uk/

SERVICES - There are services of holy communion this Sunday at Kinsham at 9.30am and at St Andrew’s Church at 11am.

Everyone is most welcome.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR – The monthly arts and crafts fair will take place at The Assembly Rooms on February 1, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

All the stalls are by local artists showing their own work.

Refreshments will be available.

For further details call Rosamund on 260777.

BALLADEERS AND CHANCERS – You are invited to a balladeers and chancers evening at The Dukes Arms on Thursday, January 30, from 8.30pm. To perform or for more details call 07837 944090.

100 CLUB – The football club will be holding their January 100 club draw at The Duke’s Arms on January 31, from 9pm.

Pudleston

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – Presents The World’s End (15) next, Thursday, January 30 at 7.30pm, bar, tea and coffee.

PUB NIGHT - On January 31 at 7.30pm, there will be a midwinter “pub night” in the village hall – table football, shove ha’penny, dominoes, darts, cards etc. Free entry, no need to book, just bring a cold plate to share. The bar will be open with soft drinks too. For directions and further details see pudlestonvillagehall.com

Stoke Lacy

THE GARDENING CLUB – Will meet in Stoke Lacy village hall on Tuesday, at 8pm. The guest speaker will be Roger Umpelby who will talk on Weeds – Useful, Beautiful But Unloved.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, 01432 820074, commnews@ymail

Stretton Sugwas

PARISH COUNCIL – Meeting tonight in the village hall at 7pm.

Withington

GROUP PARISH COUNCIL – Will be holding open forums to listen to views of local people concerning the neighbourhood plan.

Meetings will be held at Preston Wynne village hall tomorrow, from 7pm to 10pm, and on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

Further discussions will also take place at Withington village hall tomorrow, from 7pm to 10pm and on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm and at Westhide village hall on January 31, from 7pm to 10pm, and February 1, from 10am to 4pm. Parishioners are encouraged to have their say about their village and planning its future.

For more information, visit with - ingtongroupparishes.co.uk

Woolhope

FARMERS MARKET – The farmers market will take place in the village hall on Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm. Many providers will be present, selling locally produced meats, preserves, flans and ready meals, breads, cakes, cheeses, vegetables, pies and pancakes, pate, cakes, liqueurs, cards and prints, books, candles, chocolate, birdfood, upholstery, Bach flower remedies and blade and tool sharpening. The kitchen will be providing large full English cooked breakfasts, all locally sourced, the most important meal of the day.

Dorstone History Society

DORSTONE Village Hall was packed for the first meeting of Dorstone History Society, where the latest information on the Halls of the Dead was given by Tim Hoverd, of Herefordshire Archaeology. His excellent talk gave a surprisingly detailed picture of the purpose and construction of the Halls of the Dead and the society in which they were created. One surprising fact was just how far afield people travelled and traded thousands of years ago, as evidenced by the artefacts that have been discovered so far. Over 30 people joined the society as members at this meeting, which has given a flying start to this new group. The February talk will be Rorke’s Drift and Robert Jones VC by Bill Cainan, curator of the Welsh Regiment Museum at Brecon.

Hereford Ringcraft Club

HEREFORD Ringcraft Club held its grand final match and Christmas party at Bosbury parish hall. Winners were David Coode’s labrador puppy Warringah’s Maalki, who beat off stiff competition to get best puppy in Club 2013 and Glenise Hyslop’s irish setter, Gwendariff, I’m on Show got best adult in Club 2013.

The match was judged by Claire Chryffolor who comes from California in the USA. Hereford Ringcraft Club meet for training every Tuesday at Bosbury parish hall, 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Llanbister WI

BARBARA Gayther welcomed 12 members to the January meeting and wished everyone a happy new year.

Apologies were from Eunice Nichols and Marion and Carol Thomas.

Members voted individually on the fourth resolution for the AGM in June. Olwen Bowen is to attend the Welsh Conference in Wrexham in April.

A lunch was organised for Tuesday at the Gwystre.

Member June Pettitt then showed members a selection of very interesting photos taken recently on her holiday in South Africa.

The mystery prize winner was Glyn Allez, Irene Goodman and Maureen Gayther were hostesses.

The Christmas dinner was held at the New Inn, Llanbadarn, on January 11.

Eleven members attended and the overall competition winners for the year 2013 were announced.

First was Maureen Gayther, second Olwen Wilson and third Glyn Allez.

Marine Conservation Society

COUNTY and West Midlands Euro MP Phil Bennion visited the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) headquarters in Ross on Wye on January 10.

Phil Bennion sat down for a round table discussion with the various policy teams from the organisation.

Topics covered included the recent EU vote on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reforms, plastic bag waste, Marine Coastal Zones (MCZs) and renewable energy.

Phil Bennion MEP said: “This was a productive and enjoyable visit. The team at MCS are well briefed and work very hard to make a difference. Their campaign, alongside Lib Dem MEPs and the Fish for the Future group, to successfully reform the Common Fisheries Policy and end the wasteful practice of discards was a major victory.

“It is a tragedy to see the way our seas have been so badly depleted over recent decades.

“Only robust international action like this can reverse the damage.”

Dr Bennion also repeated his strong support for a five pence levy on all plastic carrier bags brought in by 2015, or earlier if possible, to tackle the scourge of bags littering the seas worldwide and causing increasing damage to marine wildlife.

He added: “It was very reassuring to see how much thorough, evidence-based research MCS con - ducts for their campaigns. You can understand why their opinions are held in such high regard.”

The Marine Conservation Society works to secure a future for our living seas and to save our threatened sea life.

They recently won a prestigious charity award for their partnership with Marks and Spencer.

The charity’s part in the Forever Fish campaign won the Corporate National Partnership of the Year with a Retailer award in the 2013 Charity Times Awards.

Presteigne Ladies hockey report

PRESTEIGNE played Kington at Llandrindod last Saturday in the Marches league. Presteigne were strong from the start attacking the Kington goal and it wasn’t long before Jess Goodwin opened the scoring.

This was quickly followed by a goal from Tina Sparey from a well-worked short corner. Kington then had a good spell putting the Presteigne defence under pressure and pulled a goal back to make the half-time score 2-1.

The second half saw end to end play with both teams having chances but it was Presteigne who found the net again with Goodwin putting a super ball in for Rita Tomkins to put it away to make the final score 3-1 to Presteigne.

The player of the match went to Tina Sparey.

Presteigne have their first match of the new year this Saturday in the South Wales Division 1 against Saints 3rds.

Tupsley Townswomen’s Guild

THE autumn session of the guild opened with Tales from the Potting Shed, a talk by Philip Carr from the Forest of Dean. The next evening took members to the Far East when they heard about a Chinese Buddist wedding in Thailand complete with illustrations and costumes. Then, back to Hereford, for the harvest supper, a social evening with a quiz, a talk and of course a ploughman’s supper complete with apple pies. The second meeting in October brought Brian Draper back to give another talk on the River Wye, full of interesting anecdotes, history and humour as always.

At the next meeting Brenda Allen told members of her research on her family history by internet, archives and country churchyards.

Lt Colonel Tomlinson gave a glimpse of life as an army bandsman and how he had progressed to becoming a head of the School of Military Music. The talk was illustrated by pictures of regimental bands and recordings of military and classical music, and was enjoyed by all. In December Julie Orton-Davies came to talk on the Rotherwas experience of Women at Work. This was very interesting as quite a few members had associations with people who had worked at the Rotherwas munitions factory in the two world wars and it was an eye-opener to those who knew little of the history which lies on Hereford’s doorstep. On December 7 members joined Whitecross Guild for the annual carol service held this year in Eignbrook Church.

December 10 was the last meeting before the holiday and was a social evening with a quiz, readings, a short sketch and delicious mince pies made by members. On December 17 several members travelled to Coventry by train to take part in the National Carol Concert.

January brings the New Year lunch and the beginning of an interesting series of talks and activities for 2014.

Burghill and Tillington WI

IN 2014 we have another exciting programme of activities planned for the year ahead, which we hope will tempt you to come along. You might be surprised to find just how friendly and informal an occasion a WI meeting is. Not sure that membership is for you? Then why not join in one evening as a visitor? This can be any meeting, not just those featured as open meetings. All meetings, apart from visits, are held in the Simpson Hall Burghill at 7.30pm and end with splendid refreshments. January 21 – Julie Milsom will be talking about the work of Warham Farm and the therapy it provides for a range of people.

February 18 – Sally Robertson will be enlightening members on the work of local government and in particular her role as a councillor.

March 18 – open meeting – David Griffith will be explaining how to propagate plants and for those who want the easy route, he will also have plants for sale.

March is also the month when members become ‘Ladies who Lunch’ – at a venue yet to be arranged.

April 15 – The Fastershire initiative will be introducing us to the wonders and mysteries of using the internet, through a hands-on session with computers and tablets. This is a have-a-go session for both novices and web users alike.

May 20 – Gill Hollingsworth will be giving us a practical demonstration of her Passion for Patchwork. This is the meeting when we also consider the resolution to be proposed at the National Annual Meeting, which will then become the focus of WI campaigning.

June 10 – We will be visiting Stapleton Castle Court Gardens, near Presteigne, for a leisurely ramble followed by tea and cake.

July 15 – Open Meeting – Bob Skelt will be giving what promises to be a fascinating talk about the wartime work of Bletchley Park.

September 16 – One for all the Bake-Off fans amongst us – Marjorie Hesketh will be showing us how to decorate our cakes in style.

October 21 – An evening of laughter as Roger Pugh transforms into Sylvester to tell us about The Life and Times of a Jester.

November 18 – This is our annual meeting when we review the year but there is also time for enter - tainment from the Burghill Handbell Ringers and a chance to try your hand at this musical skill.

December 16 – We end the year with Rowan Mconegal on The Spice of Life, exploring the medicinal and culinary use of spices.

You can now find us both on Facebook and on the parish website.

Hereford Rotary Club

MONEY raised at a Hereford Carol Concert is helping to feed the destitute and disadvantaged street children of a deprived area of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Profits from the Hereford Wye Valley club’s annual All Saints Church Christmas concert have been sent to the Hillbrow Rotary Club in the South African city as part of a joint initiative to alleviate the poverty of the children living rough in their area and to assist in keeping them out of the clutches of the drug, crime and prostitution barons.

The New Nations School, a Johannesburg school set up to cater for the special needs of potential pupils living on the streets, has been a life-saver for thousands of children. The school, run with a minimum of government support, aims to give children attending a basic education, supplemented with food and sustenance.

It also serves to keep the mainly destitute children away from the drugs, crime and prostitution racketeers that thrive in the inner city area. Many charities support this school, but Rotary International, in conjunction with the United Sisterhood organisation, supply the hot food daily, and assist with the daily homework, giving encouragement, counselling and support to the pupils.

The Hereford Wye Valley cash, which attracted further support from the Rotary Charity Foundation, will supply over 16,000 hot meals for the 900 children who regulary attend and further supplies of fresh fruit.

The South African government gives enough money to the school for one slice of bread a day per child.

The children are all “street children” who live in shelters and squatter camps – Twilight, Streetwise, Paradise, Hope etc.

They are encouraged to attend school by feeding them one good hot meal a day, five days a week, during the school term. School attendance has improved dramatically because of the food and school performance has been immeasurably enhanced by the attendance.