Allensmore

BELL RINGING – Bell-ringing practice takes place every other Wednesday in St Andrew’s Church at 7.30pm. A practice was held yesterday for the service on Sunday celebrating St George’s Day. If you would like to join, please feel free.

We are learning ring methods (for those who have been ringing a while), but also have several beginners who are just getting the hang of handling a bell. Contact Steve Williams on 01981 570568.

FINAL SERVICE – Sunday will be the Rector Clare’s final service with us. This service will be held in St Andrew’s Church, Allensmore at 10.30am and followed by a bring and share lunch at Pateshall Hall. Please join us in thanking Clare for her past five years in the parishes of Allensmore, Clehonger, Eaton Bishop, Kingstone and Thruxton.

Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

NATURE TRUST – The Nature Trust meets tonight in Aymestrey parish hall at 7.30pm when Mark Sissos will talk on Wild Herefordshire.

FILM CLUB – On May 4, Aymestrey Film Club will be showing American Hustle (15). Start time is 7pm. Homemade ice-cream and popcorn will be served. £5 per person.

Bodenham

CAFÉ @ CHAPEL – The Café @ the Chapel in Chapel Lane, Bodenham, is open on Thursday, from 10.30am to noon, and provides an opportunity for anyone to call in for an informal chat with friends and neighbours over a cup of tea or coffee. Callers are welcome to stay for as long as they wish. No charge is made for refreshments but donations are welcome and given to a charity at the end of each year. This is a joint venture between St Michael’s Church and Bodenham Christian Fellowship and is hosted by residents and by members of both churches. Help in hosting the Thursday event is always gratefully received.

BODENHAM LEISURE CLUB – Another year has gone by and on Monday the club will meet in the parish hall for its AGM. After business has been completed there will be light refreshments, along with a raffle and a sales table. Call secretary Gwenllian Bowden on 01568 797868.

FLOOD PROTECTION GROUP – The Bodenham Flood Protection group will hold its monthly meeting at the Siward James centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. Anyone with a particular issue they would like to raise is asked to notify the secretary, Babs Mitcheson, in advance so it can be included in the agenda.

Contact 01568 797170, BabsMitcheson@aol.com VINEYARD FOLK CLUB – The folk club’s next meeting will be at Broadfield Court, Bowley Lane, at 7.30pm tomorrow. On the programme will be traditional music by East West Infusion, featuring flute and accordion, supported by other musicians. Admission for adults £2.50, admission for children £1.50. Food and drink will be available.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, Hereford. Contact 01432 820074 or martinfield@ ymail.com.

Bredwardine and Brobury

MAY 100 CLUB DRAW – The Friends of St Andrew 100 club draw will take place next Thursday, May 1, at 8pm, in the Red Lion Inn, which is serving a delicious curry buffet for anyone who wants to eat. 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.

APRIL COFFEE, CAKE AND MARKET – There will be a coffee morning in Bredwardine village hall on May 9, from 10am to noon.

This is a chance to meet with old and new friends over coffee and cake. Included in the market are a number of stalls selling fresh vegetables, home-baked cakes, jams and chutneys and we have regular visits from Noggins, a local pork butcher. Alongside this there are stalls selling arts and craft, music and films, knitwear and jewellery created by local artists. Bring along something to sell – it only costs £1 to rent a table. Contact Philip Bauer on 01981 500398 with requests or queries.

FOOD DONATION BASKET FOR HEREFORD COMMUNITY LARDER – The community larder is Hereford’s Food Bank and provides bags of food to those in urgent need. Every week this organisation gives emergency food parcels to families who find themselves in serious and sudden hardship. There will be a basket for donations of tinned and dried food at the coffee cake and market events in the coming months.

Please give generously. For further information, call Sarah Morgan on 01981 500155.

LOCAL 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

Bridge Sollars

BONUS BALL – Elizabeth Ravenhill won £25 with her number 32 on April 12.

Dilwyn

YOGA – At Dilwyn Village Hall, from 4pm to 5.30pm, Tuesdays.

Cost £3 per session. For further details contact Sue Harris on 01544 318604/07799 832657 or email sue@ sueharrisananda.co.uk.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE TO MUSIC – Tuesday, 6pm to 7pm, all ages, all abilities.

ZUMBA FITNESS – Thursday, 6pm to 7pm, both sessions are pay-as- you go. Contact Mandy 01544 387958 or mandys.mail@virgin.net.

Eaton Bishop

GUIDED TOUR OF MADLEY SATELLITE STATION – Nick and Ron have offered to guide two groups of 25 people around Madley Satellite Station on Wednesday, starting at 6.30pm. The two-hour tour will be followed by supper in Eaton Bishop village hall and tickets are available for £15 from Mary on 07899 808161. All profit raised will assist in the maintenance of the church at Eaton Bishop.

CURRY AND QUIZ – Do go along to the next curry and quiz evening on May 16, at 7.30 pm, in Eaton Bishop village hall. Tickets are £6 per person (max five a team) and include a tasty curry. There will be a bar and raffle, and all funds raised will go to the village hall. Tickets are available from Val on 01981 250111, Mary on 01981 250691 and Maggie on 01981 251889.

Hereford

CARNIVAL - Free carnival sessions for families. Come and make something and join in the fun of the Hereford River Carnival on May 3.

The Carnival Arts Group is leading family sessions 10am-noon today (Thursday), at Hereford Library, 10am-4pm tomorrow (Friday), at The Kindle Centre (next to Asda) (kindly funded by Community First).

All children must be accompanied.

For more information contact Rebecca 01432 265464, email: hrc@ gmx.co.uk.

HEREFORD PROBUS THREE - Meeting at The Bunch of Carrots, Hampton Bishop, were highly entertained by the excellent illustrated talk Remembering the Swinging Sixties, given by Ray Sturdy.

Ray has a variety of illustrated talks and does much to raise money for Cancer Concern.

Members found so much to enjoy as Ray’s pictures recalled so many memories of the 60s decade, truly a time of much change.

Hereford Probus Three meets every Wednesday morning at 10.30 till noon at the Bunch of Carrots and new members are welcome to join us. If interested, please contact either Roger Rowell on 880294 or Peter Worthington on 01981 251158.

STREET COLLECTION - On April 12, a street collection in aid of Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE) was held in Hereford town centre to raise awareness and funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of greyhounds and lurchers. A fantastic total of £649.10 was raised. Many thanks to all who helped make the day such a success and everyone who donated so generously.

Promoter Jenny Cranton.

ANCESTORS, ANTIRRHINUMS AND ANTICS - Hereford Cathedral Flower Festival present a one woman show by international designer and speaker, Katherine Kear, which is witty, fascinating and fun.

It is taking place at The Pavilion Garden Room and Griffin Theatre at the Hereford Sixth Form College on May 9, starting at 6.30pm for fizz and canapés.

Tickets £15 all inclusive.

HOME-START - With a spring in their step. Six new volunteers have completed the volunteers’ preparation course ran by Home- Start Herefordshire.

All potential volunteers are requested to attend and complete a course of preparation before they can be matched with a family.

The courses are run by the qualified staff at Home-Start. The purpose of which is to explain the ethos of the charity and to learn about the many different situations that families find themselves in and how new strategies can be put in place to help.

The new volunteers are now eager to support vulnerable families in the county, and become part of this major service that provides help to families in crisis.

Home-Start is a local charity that supports families who are experiencing difficult times.

The scheme has been in Hereford for 32 years. Volunteers have to be a parent themselves or have parenting skills and be able to give between two to three hours a week of their time to visit a family.

If you would like to join the team of committed volunteers, they are running two courses that both start in May.

The day course starts on May 6, 9.30-2.30pm.

It will run every Tuesday for ten weeks, and for people who can’t make the day course the second one starts early evening on May 7, 4.30-7.30 every Wednesday for ten weeks.

If you would like to know more please call 01432 371212 homestart.

hereford@virgin.net www.home- startherefordshire.co.uk.

Kingsland

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE TO MUSIC - Luctonians RC, Monday 9.45-10.45am, all ages, all abilities.

ZUMBA FITNESS - Luctonians RC, Monday 6-7pm, both pay as you go sessions.

Contact Mandy 01544 387958 or mandys.mail@virgin.net.

Leominster

ZUMBA GOLD, LOW IMPACT VERSION - Halo sports centre, Bridge Street, Tuesday, 11.30am- 12.25pm.

Contact Mandy 01544 387958 or mandys.mail@virgin.net

Lingen

VILLAGE HALL -Arts All Inclusive annual general meeting April 29 8pm at the village hall. St Michael and All Angels annual parochial church meeting April 30 7.30pm. To book Lingen village hall please email: lingenvillagehall@gmail.com or phone 01544 260865 for hire rates.

100 CLUB - Don’t forget to renew your membership before May to give you a chance to win one of three monetary prizes each month for £15 per annum. Forms are available from village hall foyer table and online from www.lingen.org.uk

Marden

CONCERT - At Marden Church.

Village Voices will perform Captain Noah and his floating zoo with help from Scene To Change puppets at 7.30pm tomorrow.

There will also be a display of hand bell ringing. Tickets on the door £7 for adults - children under 14 years go free.

MEETING - Annual parish church meeting will take place on Tuesday in the Community Lounge at 7.30pm reporting on church activities and finances over the past 12 months.

Election of officers. All welcome.

Newton St Margarets

INSPIRATIONAL PAINTINGS FOR EASTER - St Margaret’s Church in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley, nationally famous for its 16th-century carved oak rood screen, is this year hosting a special event until May 1.

The Worcestershire artist Nigel Groom is lending the church 11 of his paintings.

These together form the stations of the resurrection, and may be used for meditation on the new life signified in the message of Easter.

These inspirational paintings have previously been displayed in the Cathedrals at Worcester and Wells, at Buckfast Abbey and in churches elsewhere in the UK; this year this tiny church, in the remote rural village of St Margarets, will have them as a focal point for events at this joyous point in the Christian calendar.

The paintings will be on view from 9am to 6pm daily and will form the backdrop to the service on Easter Day. Later in Easter week Nigel Groom will be involved on two separate occasions in leading meditations on the paintings (see details on poster).

The vicar of St Margaret’s, Revd Nicholas Lowton, says: “We feel very excited and privileged at St Margaret’s that these wonderful paintings will be illustrating our worship during Easter Week.

Their strength, power and beauty will help draw many, I am sure, to the heart of the Easter story. We are especially lucky that Nigel Groom will be with us during the week. We do hope that many people, even if they won’t be able to share in our worship, will be able to come and see these paintings in their glorious surroundings.”

The Revd. Nicholas Lowton can be contacted on 01981 510675 or at lowton.nicholas@virgin.net

Ocle Pychard and Much Cowarne

QUIZ NIGHT - From 7pm tomorrow (Friday) there will be a quiz night at Burley Gate village hall in aid of St James’s Church at Ocle Pychard. Ideal for teams of four. Entry will cost just £5 per person, to include a ploughman’s supper, but please BYOB. Pay on the door or contact Mrs Ecroyd on 01432 820305.

CORRESPONDENT - Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, HR1 3QR. 01432 820074. commnews@ymail.com.

Orcop

BINGO – Orcop churchyard bingo will be held tomorrow (Friday), at Orcop Parish Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm, eyes down at 8pm. Everyone welcome.

Pencombe

EASTER BINGO – Pencombe Young Farmers are holding an Easter bingo on Saturday at Pencombe and Little Cowarne village hall. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm.

Presteigne

BIG BREAKFAST – The fundraising big breakfast returns on May 3, in Lingen village hall, from 9am to 2pm. Go along and have breakfast and help raise money for the Walk Breast Cancer Charity. The works will cost £8 and the plate will cost £6.

RADAR KEYS – Are you disabled or entitled to a radar key to enable you to use disabled toilets when you are out and about? If so you can purchase one for £2 from the community support office in Hereford Street. Pop in for more details.

SPRING CLEAN – Can you spare a couple of hours on Sunday morning to help spring clean the Ligne Garden at Wentes Meadow? If so please turn up with any tools you have, from 11am to 1pm.

ARTS AND CRAFTS – The monthly arts and crafts takes place at The Assembly Rooms on May 3, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. All the stalls are by local artists. For more details, call Rosamund on 260777.

FUN RIDE – The annual fun ride will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, at Norton Manor Park. The first horse will leave at 10am with the last leaving at 1pm.

You have a choice of six miles or the longer 12-mile course taking in the beautiful scenery around Radnorshire. Adults will pay £14 with children paying £7.

Refreshments will be available. To book a slot or for further information call Anna on 267221. All proceeds will go to St Andrews Church in Norton.

COMPOSERS CONCERT – Local composers John Hymas, Camilla Saunders and Nicholas Benda will perform a concert of original music at The Assembly Rooms on Sunday from 3pm. The three will be joined by other local musicians.

Admission will be £8 at the door.

All welcome.

WHIMBLE GARDENS – Whimble Gardens and Nursery reopens for the summer season on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, from 10.30am to 5.30pm. There is a formal garden with parterre and fish ponds, wildlife pools and the meadow walks. You can also visit the nature reserve and toposcope.

Admission is £4 except for the plant nursery and the café which is free. Whimble Gardens is at Kinnerton on the B4372 road between Prersteigne and New Radnor.

Please visit whimblegardens.co.uk

CHURCH SERVICE – There is a holy communion group service at St Andrews Church Sunday at 11am. Everyone is most welcome.

CRICKET NETS – Presteigne cricket club is holding pre-season nets for juniors and seniors at the leisure centre on Sunday, from 4pm to 6pm. The session is free for new members and coaches will be present. The new season begins on May 3.

For more details, call Will on 07771 259539 or Billy on 07971 359447. New and old faces welcome.

QUIZ AND SUPPER – There is a grand quiz and supper evening at Kinsham village hall next Thursday, May 1, from 7pm.

Teams consist of up to six members. Tickets are £5 each.

There will be a bar and a raffle.

To book a ticket/team or for more information call June/ Tony on 231627 or Martin/ Marilyn on 01568 709299. All proceeds will go to All Saints Church in Kinsham.

MARKET – The monthly market will take place on May 3, at The Memorial Hall, from 9.30am to 1pm. All the usual stalls will be there for you to pick up a bargain or two.

ZUMBA FITNESS – Memorial hall, Wednesday, from 7pm to 8pm, Pay-as-you go sessions.

Contact Mandy 01544 387958 or mandys.mail@virgin.net

Staunton-on-Wye

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – There will be a special children’s showing of Disney’s Frozen (PG) on Sunday at the village hall. Doors open 4pm for 4.30pm showing.

All welcome – children must be accompanied by an adult.

Refreshments will be available.

Stoke Lacy

CAPTAIN NOAH AND HIS FLOATING ZOO – Saturday at 7.30pm Village Voices will be putting on their annual concert in the village hall in aid of hall funds. David Huke and friends will be accompanying, with Sheila Houghton conducting and the concert will be followed by supper.

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

SPRING INTO SPRING – Saturday, from 10am to 1pm, there will be a plant sale and coffee morning at Stoke House, Herb Lane, Stoke Lacy. Funds to Stoke Lacy Church.

GARDENING CLUB – The Stoke Lacy and District gardening club will meet in the village hall, at 7.30pm, on Tuesday, and members will hear Will Scott give a presentation on Walled Kitchen Gardens.

New members and curious visitors are always welcome.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, HR1 3QR. 01432 820074.

Stretton Sugwas

FUN WHIST DRIVE –Tomorrow, 7.30pm at Stretton Sugwas village hall. Light refreshments available.

£2.50. Proceeds in aid of church funds.

Ullingswick

LUNCH AND FAMILY FUN DAY – There will be a lunch and family fun day in a marquee at The Oast House, Ullingswick, from 1pm, on May 4, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Champness. Adult tickets will cost £12.50, with children being charged £5. Bookings available through Sue Wright on 01432 820127 or Heather Hadley on 01885 400337. Soft drinks available, otherwise bring a bottle.

Proceeds to the churches at Little Cowarne and Ullingswick.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, HR1 3QR. 01432 820074. martinfield@ymail.com

Upton Bishop

BARE BONES THEATRE COMPANY – Will be presenting Deckchairs, four short plays by Jean McConnell with a seaside setting, at the millennium hall on Saturday, at 7.30pm. Tickets £5, available on the door or call our box office 01981 540820.

Vowchurch

VOWCHURCH COUNTRY PRODUCE MARKET – Saturday, from 10am to noon, at Vowchurch village hall, will feature top local produce including organic vegetables, artisan breads, sausages, cheeses and preserves, plus seedlings for your garden.

There will also be a cafe serving home-made cakes and bacon butties.

Winforton

JAZZ – On May 16, the acclaimed ‘glam jazz’ singer and songwriter Juliet Kelly will be performing at Winforton community hall at 7.45pm. She will be celebrating the divas of jazz by singing the songs of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holliday.

The community hall is part of St Michael and All Angels Church, which has excellent acoustics.

Tickets at £8 for adults, £5, children and £25, family (two adults/ three children under-14) are selling quickly and can be purchased from Alun and Sue Roberts 01544 328425.

To make the evening extra special, The Sun Inn, Winforton is offering a pre-concert meal for £10 per head.

The Village Alive Trust

FIRST chance this year to see heritage buildings.

May 4 sees the first open day this year when the public can visit heritage buildings restored by The Village Alive Trust Ymddiriedolaeth y Pentre Byw, in the Abergavenny area including Cwm Cider House at Llangattock Lingoed.

Other restored listed buildings which can be visited on the same afternoon are St Cadoc’s Church, Llangattock Lingoed and the Well House at New Inn Farm, Cross Ash.

The sites will be open between 2pm and 5pm, and teas will be available at the church. Stout footwear is recommended.

The locations will be signposted off the B4521 Skenfrith to Abergavenny road and full details, including grid reference numbers can be found at www.villagealivetrust.org.uk The Village Alive Trust has been instrumental in restoring farm buildings through grant aid projects involving Monmouthshire County Council, Cadw, the Welsh Assembly, the EU and local bodies since it was formed by local residents in 2004. The group’s secretary, Rev Dr Jean Prosser, was also instrumental in a £600,000 restoration project to save St Cadoc’s Church at Llangattock Lingoed and was awarded an MBE for her conservation work.

Woolhope

FARMERS MARKET - will take place in the village hall on Saturday from 10-12.30pm.

All the usual providers will be present, except the blade-sharpening service.

Orchard Grove Preserves is passionate about creating different and innovative flavours when making chutney and jams to accompany foods such as cheeses, meats and sweet treats.

The business was launched in 2010 at the Grove farm where the surrounding orchards and gardens brought the inspiration for the name.

Just outside Woolhope is the small holding of Alumhurst, the home of Pork and Two Veg, which supplies the market with tasty seasonal vegetables that are grown with the assistance of the natural fertilisers provided by free range pigs, ducks and hens.

Contact Joe and Sally Brandt,www.porkandtwoveg.co.uk.

Refreshments will be available at the market, please come along.

BARE BONES THEATRE COMPANY - will be presenting Deckchairs, four short plays by Jean McConnell with a seaside setting, at the village hall tomorrow (Friday), at 7.30pm. Tickets £5, available on the door or call the box office 01981 540820.