Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

CHURCH - There will be a service of holy communion (BCP) on Sunday at 11am at Aymestrey.

FILM CLUB - The film to be shown on Sunday at 7pm is Mandela – Long walk to Freedom.

Tickets are £5 on the door and home-made ice-cream and popcorn will be available. You are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

If you would like to get involved or be kept informed of film showings please send an email to filmclub@aymestrey.org.

We are looking for a few people to help set up the hall, sell tickets, serve ice cream and select the next film etc.

QUIZ NIGHT - The next quiz night will be April 11. Start time 8pm prompt and a charge of £5 per team of up to four members will be made.

There will be a cash prize for the winning team and refreshments will be available. Contestants are welcome to bring their own alcoholic drinks if desired.

Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill

THE PARISH PLAN - The Community Led Parish Plan for Bishop’s Frome and Fromes Hill has been completed and it will be formally launched at an open day in the village centre on Saturday from 1-3pm.

There will also be an opportunity to look at some of the regular activities taking place in the centre, with demonstrations from some local groups including dancing, crafts, mums and tots and computing. Free bacon butties, tea and coffee will be on offer.

EASTER CRAFT FAIR - April 13, 10am to 3pm in Bishops Frome village hall. Stalls will be offering: fabric boxes and knitted items, cards and wrapping paper, pickles and cheeses, woodwork designs and original paintings, handmade cards, pearl/semi precious jewellery, scarves, wedding accessories, cupcakes, painted furniture, Usborne children’s books, patchwork and soft toys, handmade pork pies, pottery items and homemade sweets.

Bodenham

FASHION SHOW - Lugg Valley Friends Cancer Research UK have arranged a fashion show in association with Wyestyles at Bodenham parish hall tomorrow(Friday) at 7.30pm.

Tickets £8 each, to include a buffet, available from Ann on 01568 797932, Pat on 01568 797994, Thelma on 01568 797557 or Jenny on 01568 797280.

LITTER PICKING EXPEDITION - There will be a litter picking expedition this Saturday from 10.30am till 12.30pm, starting and finishing at the parish hall. Free hot soup and rolls for lunch. Litter picking sticks and high viz jackets will be provided. For further details contact Chris Smith on 01568 797132.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - The next film in the current Flicks in the Sticks season will be Captain Phillips (12A) on April 11 and refreshments are available during the interval.

Admission is £4 on the door. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm showing.

Any suggestions for future films are always welcome.

Contact Chris James on 01568 797451.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next parish council meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday in the Siward James Centre.

There will be an opportunity for residents to raise matters of local concern.

It would be helpful if the parish clerk, Dr Christopher Smith, could be informed in advance of any topics to be raised by telephone on 01568 797132 or via email at bodenhampcclerk@gmail.com.

Bredwardine and Brobury

APRIL 100 CLUB DRAW - The Friends of St Andrew 100 Club draw will take place today (Thursday) at 8pm in the Red Lion Inn, which is serving a delicious curry buffet for anyone who wants to eat before the draw.

Organisers 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.

COFFEE, CAKE AND MARKET - There will be a coffee morning in Bredwardine village hall on April 11, from 10am until 12 noon.

This is a chance to meet up with old and new friends over coffee and cake.

Included in the market are a number of stalls selling vegetables, home-baked cakes, jams and chutneys and we have regular visits from Noggins, a local pork butcher.

There are also stalls selling arts and craft, music and film created by local artists.

Bring along something to sell; it only costs £1 to rent a table for the market and everyone is welcome.

Contact Philip Bauer on 01981 500398 with requests or queries.

AGE UK AT THE MARKET - Age UK is there to help with the challenges people face in later life, and their representatives will be at the Bredwardine market this month to offer advice on benefits, paying bills, care for the elderly and staying fit and healthy.

The visit is sponsored by the Jarvis Eleemosynary Charity.

Contact Philip Bauer on 01981 500398 for more information.

PARTY FOR ACORNS HOSPICE - Do come and join the fun at Bede and Aine’s tea party on April 12, at Bredwardine village hall, from 2 - 4pm.

This will be an afternoon of nostalgic family fun, in aid of Acorns children’s hospice.

There will be tea and fabulous cakes, a pop-up museum of interesting curios, the teeny weeny Tin Hill sweet shop at which to spend your pocket money, raffle, crafts and music from the Marvellous Mr Travill’s Gramophone Wind Ups.

Do dress up (or down) in whatever vintage style you fancy, and be transported back to your childhood; there will even be an appearance from Mrs Pepperpot the Lucky Hen.

Organisers very much look forward to seeing you. Contact Charlotte Sellar on 01981 500281 for further information.

CORRESPONDENT - 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.

Bromyard

SPRING CONCERT - Bromyard Choral Society will perform a varied programme of music on April 12 at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Bromyard.

With a small orchestra including the harp and the newly refurbished church organ, the choir sings Rutter’s Requiem, Schubert’s Mass in G with the exciting and surprising sounds of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.

Tickets cost £10 and are available on the door.

Burghill

BEST OF BRITISH BIG BREAKFAST - Will be held on April 12 from 9am to 11.30am at the Simpson hall, Burghill. Price £7.50, includes cereals, fruit juice, limitless tea/coffee, breakfast menu, raffle and sales table in aid of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burghill.

For tickets contact 01432 769337.

Dilwyn

YOGA - At Dilwyn village hall on Tuesdays at 4-5.30pm. Drop-in sessions. Cost £3 per session. For further details contact Sue Harris on 01544 318604/07799 832657 or email sue@sueharrisananda.co.uk DILWYN SHOW - On May 5, Dilwyn Show will include a woodcutter extraordinaire who shapes/carves fallen tree trunks and branches.

If you live within five miles of Dilwyn and have a fallen tree with a trunk or branches greater than 300mm in diameter and are willing to donate them to the show, please phone Tim on 07974 249285 to arrange collection.

The Dilwyn community website: www.dilwyn.com includes all the latest show information or alternatively telephone David on 01981 541058.

Dinedor

COFFEE MORNING - Thanks to all who attended last month’s coffee morning, the helpers and all who donated prizes, delicious cakes and items for the bring and buy.

What a wonderful happy occasion, many thanks to all who made it such a success, raising £930 for Riding for the Disabled.

Eardisley

WHIST DRIVE - There was a very good attendance at last month’s whist drive at the New Strand and everyone was pleased to welcome Rona back after her recent sad bereavement.

The prize winners were: Muriel Fenton, Chris Hortin, Keith Hortin, Marjorie Phillips, D Jenkins and Bryn Thomas. The next whist drive will be held on Monday at the New Strand starting at 7.45pm. All are welcome.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY - The library has been meeting on the third Tuesday of the month for two years now, giving the 30 regular users a very friendly welcome.

After consultation, it has been decided to make the opening time 2-3.30pm.

ST GEORGE’S DAY – Come and join in the celebration for St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday with a good English meal – sausage and mash with onion gravy followed by homemade apple pie.

Tickets are £6 from the WI or from Eardisley Village Stores.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – A huge thank you to everyone who came to the options open days.

You have shown the steering group and theplanner that there is broad agreement on most of the options and have helped find a way forward where the issues, especially concerning housing, are more contentious.

The aim is to have one more open day in each village, possibly in late April so you can read the draft and decide about housing before the plan goes into its final form for submission.

Eaton Bishop

TOTS GROUP – Every Monday morning at the village hall – phone Rosie on 01981 251928 for details.

YOGA – Every Thursday 10am at the village hall – phone Nicky 07817 268689 for details.

KARAOKE EVENING – Tomorrow (Friday) 7.30pm – tickets £6 (£3 children) – to include supper. Bar available. Tickets from Kathee 01981 250357. To book the hall for your event phone Gerry on 01981 251527.

Ewyas Harold

EASTER BINGO – Ewyas Harold preschool is hosting an Easter bingo game to raise much needed funds. To be held at Ewyas Harold memorial hall tomorrow (Friday).

Doors open at 7pm eyes down at 7.30pm. Refreshments available.

NSPCC VINTAGE FAIR – Many thanks to all who supported the event in Ewyas Harold on March 22.

It was a great success and to date has raised over £1,800.

If you would like to volunteer for future events, please phone Carol Powell on 01873 860550.

PRIMARY SCHOOL – A big thank you to all the children who helped sort and stamp all of the new books.

The school has received really great feedback from the children about their new reading books.

After the Easter break the school will be able to offer a hot lunch five days a week, packed lunches will also be available to purchase.

The next date for FA Soccer Skills will be tomorrow (Friday).

Class three will be having an assembly today (Thursday) at 9am and the Easter assembly will be on April 10 at 2.30pm.

PRE-SCHOOL BINGO – In the Memorial hall on tomorrow (Friday), doors open at 7pm eyes down 7.30pm. There will be a raffle and refreshments will be available.

LENT LUNCH - At the Baptist hall from12 noon, soup lunch at 1pm today (Thursday) and April 10.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY – Come and see the display of gardening books and enjoy a cup of coffee with our compliments from10am - 12 noon on Tuesday at the community library in Horsecroft.

Books on any subject will also be available to loan or purchase.

WOMENS INSTITUTE – At the March meeting members learned that the new pairing WI would be Eardisley, they look forward to meeting them soon.

Letters were received from the parish council regarding local flooding, repairs to the phone box and repainting the village sign.

The speaker Heather Gorringe of Wiggly Wigglers explained about the life of earthworms and told members that there are 27 different species in this country then tested their knowledge with a simple quiz .

On Tuesday David Harrison will show a film entitled The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. This is an open meeting so all are welcome, 7pm in the Memorial hall.

Goodrich

THEATRE – The Bare Bones Theatre Company will be presenting Deckchairs’ – four short plays by Jean McConnell, each set at a seaside, at Goodrich village hall on Saturday.

Curtain up 7.30pm. Tickets £5, available on the door or call the box office on 01981 540820.

Hampton Bishop

THE SPIRIT OF TAIZE – A candlelit service of prayer, music and silence with music led by students of Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School. St Andrew’s Church, Wednesday at 7pm.

Hereford

HEREFORD RIVER CARNIVAL – There will be an open meeting about the South Wye Community Picnic and Hereford River Carnival at 7pm, today (Thursday) at The Kindle Centre.

Please come along to find out more and how you can get involved with the South Wye Community Picnic and Carnival Foot Procession that is being planned by local residents as part of The Hereford River Carnival on May 3.

This is a community led event and needs your support.

There are lots of ways you can help make this event a success.

For more information please email hrc@gmx.co.uk or call Rebecca on 01432 265 464.

MAKERS AND ARTISTS – There is an amazing opportunity for six local artists to take part in some free, ground breaking workshops lead by MACNAS, an international street performance company from Ireland.

On offer is the chance to learn new skills and art forms; to work alongside other local artists to develop and create amazing carnival structures that will be an integral part of first Hereford River Carnival to take place for 41 years and the inaugural Wye Valley River Festival.

If you are interested in this opportunity please get in touch: hrc@gmx.co.uk or call Rebecca and Leo on 01432 265 464 or 0797 333 5010 or 07816686856.

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 The Starlite Rooms, Hereford on April 29 from 7-9pm.

Booking essential. To book your place email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or call 0845 6060654 (please call before April 10, as the office will be closed for Easter until April 28). Simple skills save lives www.herefordshireheartstart.org Twitter @ HeartStart_HFD

Kingstone

BINGO - Friday April 4 at Kingstone village hall, Eyes down at 8pm. IAO Senior Citizens CHOCOLATE EVENING - Kingstone village hall on April 10 at 6pm - 8pm in an evening of stalls all with a Chocolate Theme.

Thank you for supporting 1st Kingstone Guides - ring Nikki on 01981 251720 QUIZ NIGHT – With fish and chips (and other) supper options.

April 11 at the village hall - raising funds for Kingstone Surgery Charitable Trust. Doors open 7pm, arrive early to book a meal.

Bring your own bottle.

Kington

KINGTON MUSEUM – Opens for the new season on Saturday at 10 30 am. Admission free. Opening times: Tuesday to Friday 10.30am to 4pm; Saturday 10.30am to 1pm.

Many new displays.

Kinnerton

KINNERTON WI – Will present a talk on Upcycling by Marietta Alcer at Kinnerton village hall, LD8 2PE, today (Thursday) at 8pm,teas, coffees etc. Contact Liz 01544 260 315 for more information.

Knighton

CHARITY CAR WASH – Knighton firefighters will be hosting a charity car wash on Saturday from 10am till 1pm in Knighton community centre car park. The fire fighters will be raising money for the fire fighters charity www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.

This charity supports serving and retired fire-fighters, and their families without any government funding.

FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL BINGO - The annual bingo organised by the friends of Knighton Primary school will be held tomorrow in the school hall.

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

There will be lots of great prizes including many Easter eggs.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA - Knighton Children’s centre at the primary school will be holding an Eggstravaganza on Saturday from 10am till 12 noon. At the event there will be an egg hunt, raffle, tombola, refreshments, craft stalls and lots more. Entry 50p.

(Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult) BINGO - There will be a session of bingo in the church hall, Knighton on Saturday starting at 7.30pm.

CHURCH SERVICES FOR SUNDAY - St Edward’s church, Knighton 9.30am, holy communion led by the Rev Peter Cope. St David’s church, Whitton 9.30am, morning worship led by the Rev Melia Cope. St Andrew’s church, Norton 11am, holy communion led by the Rev Melia Cope. St Michael’s church, Cascob 3pm, holy communion led by the Rev Melia Cope. Knighton Methodist church 11am.

Knighton Baptist church 11am, the 149th church anniversary service led by the Rev Dr Peter Stevenson. Knucklas Baptist church 6am led by the Rev Maggie Rich. Knighton Catholic church, 11am celebration of holy mass.

FARM AFRICA - The Tower House Gallery in Knighton has sent £180 to the charity Farm Africa. The money was donated by customers and will be used to buy six goats. In Africa’s rural areas, many poor families rely on their land to survive. But with such barren earth to farm and unreliable rains, they struggle to harvest enough food to stay healthy. Through a Farm Africa goat project, Farm Africa can transform life for a poor community. They provide poor families with goats and training in how to care for them.

They also give one member of the group Toggenburgs to breed with local goats, so the hardier offspring produce lots of nutritious milk. This can be drunk or sold to help pay for medicine and schoolbooks. Plus, the goats’ manure is a great fertiliser for the families’ crops. Julia Llewellyn-Roberts who runs the gallery with her husband John had a letter from Farm Africa to thank them and their customers for the generous donation.

Ledbury

HEREFORDSHIRE ADVANCED MOTORISTS - Second Older Driver Day of 2014 comes to Ledbury on April 25, aimed at restoring older drivers’ confidence.

Older people in rural counties like Herefordshire tend to rely more on their car for the basics of living – visiting family and friends as well as shopping. It is often the only way they are able to take advantage of Herefordshire’s many leisure activities. But ageing can also cause changes in ability to enjoy driving, such as difficulty negotiating roundabouts, junctions and manoeuvring.

Tina Lawrence, an expert from Southside Driving, who will lead the day, covers a wide range of topics, such as hazard awareness, speed, observation and how to stay safe on the road. Tina said “Older drivers need their confidence reassured – which is the very aim of this course.” There will be plenty of opportunity throughout the day to ask questions and seek advice.

“I learnt a great deal and it was all great fun” was how Shirley Cambell summed up the event held a few weeks ago in Leominster.

Most people take advantage of a short assessed drive, in their own car, by a qualified Advanced Driving Observer and are given friendly help and advice on their performance.

David Williams, chairman of HAM sums up the need for Older Driver Days by saying “Being able to improve your driving is not rocket science. It’s about learning the skill of being in the right position, at the correct speed and choosing the appropriate gear.

Driving on today’s roads should be every bit as enjoyable for the older driver as for anyone else.”

Cost is £15 and places are limited.

Contact Mary Bevan on 01874 712267 marybevan@dsl.pipex.

com. Herefordshire Advanced Motorists is the safe driving charity affiliated to IAM - the Institute of Advanced Motorists, and runs courses throughout the year for drivers of all ages, who wish to improve their skills and safety on the road.

Lingen

LINGEN HISTORY GROUP - An illustrated talk on the Deerfold Forest and Lingen Valley Wood by David Lovelace at the village Hall on Monday at 8pm.

A history of the North Herefordshire woodlands from Doomsday to the present focusing on the woods in and around the parish of Lingen especially the Forest of Deerfold and the parish’s largest wood Lingen Vallet,lingen.org.uk.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Philomena (12A), April 11 at 7.30pm at the village hall. £4 on the door. Refreshments available beforehand and during the interval, lingen.org.uk.

Little Dewchurch

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - About Time (12) tomorrow (Friday) at the village hall. Doors open 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm. Enquiries to 01432 840760.

Llanbister

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE - Eleven members were welcomed to the March meeting of Llanbister WI.

The list of competitions for the county show to be held in May were read out and a lunch was arranged for members at the Gwytre. The speaker for the evening was Jenny Bright who spoke about Forever aloe vera, and also brought several products for members to see.

The company was founded in the USA.

The plant is grown in Texas with millions being grown for the manufacture of the products. She was thanked by Olwen Wilson. The winner of the competition for the most words made from Gretna Green was Irene Goodman, 2, Glyn Allez and 3, Jo Herford. Glyn also won the mystery prize.

Hostesses were Olwen Bowen and helpers.

MOTHERS’ UNION - Members and guests Muriel and Ron were welcomed to the March, meeting by Pat Allen.

Olwen Bowen announced the hymn Be Thou My Vision - Pat said the prayers and readings.

The guest speaker Anne Cummings was introduced.

She gave a most interesting talk and by reading members handwriting she told them about their interests and other things about them.

This was enjoyed by all and Olwen gave a vote of thanks.

At the business part of the meeting, minutes were read and signed.

The members had been guests at Rhayader when slides were shown of the early stages of building the first dam at Élan Valley.

In the next month’s, members will be guests at Bucknell, Llandewi and other local Mothers Unions.

The May 14 meeting will take place at 2pm in the community hall, Llanbister.

Mansel Lacy

ALL IN THE APRIL EVENING - An evening of words and music will be hosted by the Mansel Lacy Singers on Saturday at 7pm, in the community centre.

Light refreshments will be available, bring your own drink and glass.

Tickets are priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children These are available from Jane and Robin Cox on 01981 590269.

Alternatively you can buy them from the Mansel Singers.

Ocle Pychard and Much Cowarne

QUIZ NIGHT - From 7pm Saturday there will be a quiz night at Burley Gate village hall in aid of St Mary’s Church at Much Cowarne. Entry will cost just £5 per person, to include a ploughman’s platter, and there will be a bar available. Contact Cris Hooper on 01531 640516 or at cris2hooper@yahoo.co.uk for details or to book a table.

Pembridge

WI MEETING - Will be held on April 9 in the Pembridge village hall at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Dick Alford with a talk entitled My Role as a Community Support Officer. Details 01544 388409.

Presteigne

MUSIC - Curtis Ellers’ American Circus will be at The Assembly Rooms tomorrow from 8pm.

Curtis is an excellent and highly intriguing banjo playing singer/ songwriter based in New York and draws on influences from the 1920s, 30s and 40s plus a healthy dose of rock and roll.

Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from No 46 Wine Bar or at the door. Please note this event is a club night with cabaret seating with space to dance, so you are advised to purchase your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

MARKET - The monthly farmers market takes place this Saturday at the Memorial hall from 9.30am - 1pm. All the usual stalls will be there. This month there will also be new chocolate maker stall selling hand-crafted chocolate eggs ready for Easter. There will also be a skill-share session for children and adults. The bicycle repair workshop will also take place.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Philomena (12A) at Lingen village hall on April 11 at 7.30pm. Admission is £4.

Refreshments will be served before the film and during the interval.

CRAFT AND CHAT - The new craft and chat afternoon takes place at the Arkwright Hall in Kinsham on April 15 and fortnightly after that from 1.30pm - 4pm. Bring along something that you want to make or something you have had in the draw and want to to do or just come for a cup of coffee. Admission is £2 which includes refreshments and hall costs. There is also free wifi.

SERVICES - The following services of holy communion will take place this Sunday, at 8am and also 11am at St Andrews Church and at 9.30am at Lingen and also at Knill churches. Everyone is most welcome.

LENT LUNCH - The first Lent Lunch at the Methodist Church raised £50 for Knighton Food Bank which supports Presteigne.

The second lunch will take place on April 12, 12 noon – 1.30pm when a selection of soups and crusty bread will be served followed by tea and biscuits. The cost will be £2 and your company would be most welcome.

LINGEN 100 CLUB - Lingen are starting a 100 club. For the chance of winning one of three prizes each month you will need to subscribe to the £15 annual fee. Half of the subscription fee will go towards the monthly prizes with the remainder going towards the upkeep of Lingen village hall. The first draw will take place on May 1, so don’t delay in signing up.

Forms are available at lingen.org.uk, in the village hall foyer or by calling 260865.

FLORAL ARTS - The next meeting of Presteigne and Borders Floral Arts Society will take place on Wednesday at the Memorial hall from 7.30pm. This month Sue Blandford will give a demonstration entitled All on a Summer’s Day. The monthly competition will be a hand-tied arrangement.

Visitors are welcome for £5.

Please note the annual subscriptions of £22.50 will be due at this meeting. For further details call 01547 529244.

FURNITURE BARN - The newly formed PCNS Furniture Barn in The High Street, next to the launderette, will be officially opened by Kirsty Williams AM on April 19. Pop in and have a cuppa and a chat and have a dip in the Easter egg bag and browse at the bargains on offer. Furniture is now needed to make this project a success. Please pop into the community support office at The Drill Hall, Hereford Street for further details.

HISTORY GROUP - Lingen History Group will meet at the village hall on Monday from 8pm.

David Lovelace will give a talk on Deerfold Forest and Lingen Vallet Wood. The illustrated talk will give a history of the north Herefordshire woodlands from Doomsday to the present.

Admission is £3.50 at the door or call 260865 for further information.

BINGO - The Bowling Club are holding their annual Easter bingo at the Memorial hall on April 14.

Eyes down will be at 7.45pm (doors open at 6.30pm). There will be loads of prizes including £200 cash and a 32 inch LED colour TV.

Please arrive early to get a seat.

ALLOTMENTS - There is still time to apply for the vacant allotment at Wentes Meadow and to also put yourself on the waiting list for future allotments when they become available. You can down load forms from presteigne.

org.uk or call the town clerk, Tracey Price on 01547 528575 for a paper copy. Please note that you need to be a resident in the current Presteigne and Norton boundary to be eligible

FILM SOCIETY - Presteigne film society are showing the film Le Week-End (15) at The Assembly Rooms on April 11 at 8pm.

Admission will be £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for students with ID. For further details call Pete on 370202 or Alex on 260577 or visit presteignefilms.org.uk.

WOMEN TOGETHER - The next meeting of Women Together will take place in the judges lodgings on Wednesday at 2.30pm. Gaby Rivers will give a talk on The Restoration of The Shire Hall.

Everyone is most welcome.

DRAGONFIRE CLUB - This club is for children from age three to 14 years after school and holidays.

The leader is Jane Bartlett and can be contacted on 07968349456 or you can email dragonfireclub@ hotmail.co.uk or their website address is dragonfireclub.btuk.co.uk.

COFFEE MORNING - There is a coffee morning at St Andrews church hall on April 12 from 10.30am –12pm. All proceeds will go to St Andrews Church. There will be a raffle, cake stall and bric- a-brac. Everyone is welcome.

ARTS AND CRAFTS - The monthly arts and crafts fair takes place at The Assembly Rooms this Saturday from 9.30am – 3.30pm.

All the usual stalls will be there.

Staunton on Wye

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – Philomena (12A) tomorrow (Friday). Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Cabaret seating and refreshments available. All welcome.

EASTER BINGO – At the village hall on April 11. Doors open at 7pm, eyes down 7.45pm.

Proceeds in aid of village hall funds. Donations of prizes would be gratefully received. Contact Jane Andrews on 01981 500027.

Stoke Lacy

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST – The Stoke Lacy village hall committee will be putting on a full English breakfast on April 12 from 9.30am till noon.

This will be a great opportunity to be waited on and to have the cooking and washing up done by someone else. Everyone is invited to meet up with friends and neighbours for a relaxing chat over breakfast.

LENT LUNCH – There will be a Lent lunch at The Farm, Moreton Jefferies, hosted by Tina and Simon Lifeley, tomorrow (Friday), from noon till 2pm.

HANDBELL CONCERT – Christine Anderson, an internationally renowned solo handbell ringer from the USA will be giving a concert in Stoke Lacy Church on Wednesday at 7pm.

Tickets are £10, to include supper afterwards at Nethercourt, and proceeds will be divided between the church and a charity that has yet to be chosen. Call 01432 820068 for tickets.

CAPTAIN NOAH AND HIS FLOATING ZOO – On April 26 at 7.30pm, Village Voices will be putting on their annual concert in the village hall in aid of village hall funds.

David Huke and friends will be accompanying, with Sheila Houghton conducting. The concert will be followed by supper.

Tickets at £10, including supper, are now available by telephoning 01432 820068.

MUCH COWARNE WI – Much Cowarne Women’s Institute has a wide and varied agenda for the coming 12 months. They meet at 7.30pm on the second Friday of every month at Stoke Lacy village hall, and they are always pleased to welcome new members.

On April 12 the guest speaker will be Dr Malcolm Russell, who will be talking about Mercia Accident and Rescue Services. The competition will be ‘first aid tip’.

WAR MEMORIAL – As part of the village commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, research is currently under way to produce a booklet about the local lads who gave their lives in the conflict.

Some of the casualties’ names are recorded on the memorial in the church – others have graves in the churchyard. However, only names are available. The men’s personal histories, their family backgrounds, war experiences and, in some cases, final resting places, were lost, as those who knew them passed away or moved out of the area.

The aim is to throw light on this neglected page of history – the community’s local history – the better to pay due respect to the men’s sacrifice.

If anyone can provide material on any of the men or their families, it would be warmly welcomed.

The names on the memorial are: (from the First World War) Edwin Bishop, William Boucher, Robert James, William Racster, Alban Walker and William Newman; (from the Second World War) Vincent Wyer. Also of interest are 54597 Private Charles John Aylett, 19, who died on December 29 1917.

Devonshire Regiment and S/68730 Private FJ Burfoot, December 16 1944. RASC.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact John Caiger on 01432 820272 or jcaiger@btinternet.com

Wellington

MEETING – The April parish council meeting will take place today (Thursday) at 7.30pm in the community centre.

The agenda will include an update on the new building to house the shop, post office and parish room which is now nearing completion.

WI NEWS – February’s talk on patchwork and quilting was a visual feast with speaker, Jill Hollingsworth, showing dozens of examples of the craft, with many bed spreads that members wished they had in their own homes.

Members followed her descriptions of cutting out, and the patterns that are put together to create a quilt, and envied Jill’s creativity and aptitude.

In March, Janet Wall let members in on the secrets of life in service during the seventies, eighties and nineties.

Through her husband’s career as a live-in gardener, and answering job adverts in The Lady , Janet had experience of cooking in several different households.

Members heard about many interesting, particular and peculiar characters, and the tale of the dropped salmon.

March 8 was International Women’s Day and to mark this, one of the members held a cake sale outside Wellington Delights with her children to raise money for Association Country Women of the World (ACWW).

The ACWW is an umbrella organisation for women’s groups around the world which provide small scale financial assistance to projects that benefit women.

It has been a long standing beneficiary of “Pennies for Friendship”, the small change used in voting in the competitions each month at Wellington WI, and many other institutes.

Weobley

PLANT MEETING – The Hereford and Mid-Wales Hardy Plants Group’s next meeting will be held at Weobley village hall (HR4 8SN) starting at 2pm on April 12, visitors welcome, £4. The speaker is Timothy Walker, director of Oxford Botanical Gardens, talking about ‘Bordering on insanity – creating an all year round border’.

There will be teas and plants for sale, and there is ample car parking. Telephone 01544 267154.

BINGO – Weobley and District Bowling Club will be hosting their Easter prize bingo on Monday at the Hopelands village hall, Weobley at 8pm. Doors open 6.45pm.

Whitney on Wye

LENT LUNCH – In Whitney village hall on Sunday, noon til 2pm.

Please come and enjoy soup and a roll and cheese, tea or coffee.

Admission is £5. All proceeds to go to charity to be decided by those present on the day.

Withington

PIMM’S AND PUDDING EVENING – There will be a local joint charities event on June 20, Withington village hall at 7pm.

Donations of puddings welcome.

Please call 07761097147 or 07751893510 if you would like to get involved.

Hereford Breathe Easy Group

THE Hereford Breathe Easy Group met for the first time this year on March 26 at Hampton Bishop hall at 2pm.

The meeting started with a short sing-a-long (research has shown that singing can have a beneficial effect on those with lung problems).

Mr David Hill was then welcomed, and he gave an illustrated talk entitled ‘Lost in Herefordshire’. He showed many pictures of sites of interest in the county while inviting his audience to identify where the pictures were taken.

The talk was very informative and enjoyed by all. Tea and biscuits were served and a raffle was held of prizes donated by members.

The next meeting will be held on April 29, when the community matrons will talk about ‘The Virtual Ward’, a new concept of care in Herefordshire. New members are always welcome.

If you are interested in attending, please contact membership secretary Roger Taylor on 01432 360957 for more information.

Hereford Rail Male Voice Choir

THE choir is delighted to announce that it is hosting the first visit of the Gwent Police Choir for many years, on April 12 at Holy Trinity Church in Hereford at 7.30pm.

The 40-strong choir was founded in 1969 and has a similar ethos to the Rail Choir. It largely performs for charities in smaller venues across Gwent but has sung as far afield as Durham and Salisbury Cathedrals. They also performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on her recent visit to Gwent.

The choir is led by musical director Roger Appleby and accompanied by Nicola Coker.

The Rail Choir has had another successful year of performing for charities across the county and as far afield as Cornwall, where it performed for two Cornish charities.

The money raised at the annual concert will be divided between the Holy Trinity Church and its own costs.

The Rail Choir will perform a selection of songs both secular and religious, including a new medley of First World War songs specially arranged by Alwyn Humphreys to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the war.

There will be a joining of the two choirs for two pieces, Morte Christe and Speed Your Journey.

The choristers will be conducted by Derek Gough and accompanied by Cath Evans.

The choir continues to be supported by Hereford City Council.

Admission will be £6 by tickets available from members of the choir, from Outback Records on Church Street or on the door on the night. For more details contact choir press secretary Colin Archer on 01432 276911.

Longtown and District Historical Society

DAVID Harrison will be the speaker at the next meeting on Monday 7.30pm in Longtown village hall and his topic will be Monmouth and the Chartists.

Provisional bookings for the summer visits to Raglan Castle, on June 2, and to William Morris’s Kelmscott Manor, on July 10, may be made at the meeting.

The Mortimer History Society

SPRING conference on May 17.

Britain and Ireland: Conquest and Colonisation 1200-1500.

This year we will be exploring the relationship between Britain and Ireland during the 13th to 15th centuries. Dr Brendan Smith of the University of Bristol on the Mortimers in Ireland; Dr Colin Veach, of the University of Hull, on the Lacy family, another important Marcher family that built Trim and Ludlow castles; Dr Beth Hartland of the Victoria County History on the Geneville family and Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, who inherited extensive lands in Ireland through his wife Joan de Geneville; Dr Jessica Lutkin of the University of York will talk about the immigration of Irish people into England at this time.

Jessica is part of a team working on an AHRC-funded project - England’s Immigrants 1350- 1550.

The later Mortimers and other Marcher lords spent a lot of time in Ireland.

Was it good for them or was it a burden that wasted life and resources?

Come to the spring conference to find out.

The Earl Mortimer College, South Street, Leominster, HR6 8JJ, 10am to 4pm. Members £20, non-members £25. Ticket prices includes welcome drink and buffet lunch.

Purchase tickets online at www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/ or send a cheque made payable to The Mortimer History Society along with an SAE to: Spring Conference 2014, St Mawes, 151 Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JR.

Whitecross Townswomen’s Guild

AT therecent AGM Joan Hughes was elected chairman, Audrey Loynes secretary and Marion Poole treasurer.

Thanks were expressed to Ellen Saunders for all the work she has done over the past five years as chairman.

The secretary outlined the various events and activities which had taken place during 2013 including outings, coffee mornings, arts and crafts and social studies events.

The monthly competitions proved popular and Margaret Rudd was the overall winner for 2013 with June Timson second.

Joan Hughes won the national TG Scrabble competition having come second on two previous occasions.

Thanks were given to all who had held coffee mornings and to Mary Halls who arranged outings.

At the first meeting following the AGM Alex Nicholas of Herefordshire Council gave an excellent talk and slides regarding recycling.

It was interesting to see where all the rubbish goes and Alex’s enthusiasm will encourage members to think more about recycling. A coffee morning was held at the Cider Museum and the guild would like to thank all who attended.

The guild was amazed at the numbers who attended despite the stormy wet weather, and The guild would like to thank the women at the Cider Museum for making them so welcome.

The competition held at the March meeting of a costume jewellery necklace was won by Joyce Hill.

A coffee morning was held at the home of Audrey Loynes.

A visit to the Hop Pocket was arranged for March 25 and a short holiday arranged in September to Llandudno.