Allensmore

COFFEE MORNING – At St Andrew’s Church, Allensmore 10am-12 noon. Tea, coffee, and cakes, plus bric a brac.

Church open.

Almeley

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT – The organisers of the open gardens and woodland walk, held at Oakland, Almeley Road, July 26, were delighted with the widespread support they received.

To date £1557 has been raised as a result of this event. This includes many generous donations, more of which will be welcomed for this very worthy cause.

They would like to thank everyone for their excellent support, which helped to make it such a happy and successful occasion.

Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

CHURCH – There will be a Lammas Day celebration at Leinthall Earls, Sunday at 3.30pm incorporating making bread from the first wheat harvested this year.

The service will be followed by a picnic in the Parkland.

CEILIDH – A summer ceilidh and supper will be held at Hall Farm Leinthall Earls, August 30, from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15 (£5 for under 14s) and are available from Bronwyn Hutchings 01568 770536 or Meg Thorpe 01568 780384. Proceeds will go to Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls Churches.

TILL THE COWS COME HOME – On September 5, at 7.30pm Aymestrey parish hall will welcome back for the third time the Mikron Theatre Company who provide very entertaining and clever productions with a versatile cast.

This time they will be presenting Till the Cows Come Home a further tale in the ongoing saga of the Thistledown allotment holders.

Mikron Theatre Company has been going for over 40 years travelling around the country in a narrow boat.

The company gets to Aymestrey by mooring their boat in Kidderminster or Worcester and travelling here by road.

Tickets are £10 and on sale now.

Tel 01568 770367 – 770486 – 770224 – 709031.

Bishop’s Frome and Fromes Hill

PLANNING APPLICATION – On August 6 there was a well- attended meeting at the village centre, organised by the parish council, at which councillors and residents discussed a proposal for 30 new homes which are to be built on land adjacent to Broadfield Close.

Those present were advised how to make comments to the Herefordshire Planning Office.

For those unable to attend, assistance is available from any councillor or from the clerk.

After the meeting it was hoped that the plans could be left on display in the village centre.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate.

Tel, 01432 820074, email parishclerk@ymail.com.

Bishopstone

VILLAGE LOTTERY – Heather Kennard won £25 with number 25, August 2.

Bodenham

GARDENING CLUB - The gardening club’s 32nd annual produce show will be held in the parish hall this Saturday. Entry forms are available from the usual sources.

Set-up for the show will take place between 6pm-7pm tomorrow. The show is open to club members and to non-members who live in the parish.

Schedule will be available fo you from the usual places.

Staging of exhibits must be completed between 9am-11am on the morning of the show. Last entries are accepted no later than 10.45am.

Public admission, 2.30pm.

Admission , £1 (children free) to include light refreshments.

The presentation of prizes and the raffle draw will take place at approx 3.30pm-3.45pm.

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

Bredwardine and Brobury

BREDWARDINE BARBECUE – Join us for a friendly, family barbecue on Bank Holiday Monday in the orchard opposite the Red Lion Inn. The fun starts, 4pm and there are plenty of games, raffles and stalls to entertain children and adults. There is a licensed bar providing cool drinks and alcohol from 4pm and food will be served from 4.30pm. Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the barbecue and drawn at 7.45pm. If it rains the event will take place in the village hall so don’t let bad weather stop you. Contact Sarah Morgan on 01981 500155 or Philip Bauer on 01981 500398.

FRIENDS OF ST ANDREWS 100 CLUB – The Friends of St Andrew 100 Club draw took place in the Red Lion Inn on July 3. It was drawn by Paul and Diane Furlong.

First prize of £50 was won by Pat Blandford with ticket number 108.

Second prize of £25 was won by Jack Walsh with ticket number 29.

Third prize of £15 was won by Clare Wolsencraft with ticket number 25. The winner of the In It To Win It prize of £10 was Paul Stewart. Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to everyone for their support and making this such a lively evening. The September draw will be held, 8pm, September 4 in the Red Lion Inn.

Contact Jen Maddison on 01981 500048 for details.

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, 01981 501077 or email karimlawson@me.com.

Breinton

BREINTON VILLAGE HALL – On September 11 at 7.30pm Bowjangles will be presenting their performance On the Box .

Inspired by the success of the Bowlympics, this witty and dynamic television stage show sees Bowjangles developing further their roles as television presenters for the BJBC (Bowjangles Broadcasting Corporation).

In a comprehensive television listing like none you have ever experienced before, the group follow a schedule which includes morning television, news and weather as well as a soap opera, Strictly dance competition, and a late night horror film. The four performers take on all the necessary roles between them, all of course whilst playing their instruments to a fantastically high level, in a clever and unique take on the cultural phenomenon that is television.

Tickets adult £8, children (over eight years old) £5 from 01432 350919 or artsalive.co.uk bowjangles.org.

BREINTON VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE – Are putting on a display of commemorative memorabilia of the First World War in Breinton Village Hall on August 24 between 2pm and 5pm. There will be tea and cakes. Donations to The Royal British Legion.

If you have any information, photographs or memorabilia about any aspect of the First World War please contact Ann on 01432 266432.

We would be particularly interested in any information about people who loved in Breinton at the time and to know of any relatives of the men and women who were involved.

Bridge Sollars

BONUS BALL – Shiela Walker won £25 with number 25 on August 2.

Bromyard

ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE OPEN GARDENS – From August 22 - 25, Ralph Court Gardens, Edwyn Ralph, HR7 4LU will be open from 9am-6pm each day. Admission: Adults £7.50, senior citizens £6.50, children (five to 16) £4, concessions £4, family tickets (two adults and up to three children) £20, children under five free.

Tea room with refreshments. 50% of entry goes to St Michael’s Hospice.

No dogs allowed. Accessible to wheelchair users.

Credenhill

FUN DOG SHOW – Credenhill Court Rest Home is holding a fun dog show on August 17 in their grounds at 2pm. Rachel Hyde will be adding her unique singing style to the afternoon and all proceeds go to the residents’ social fund. Entries on the day so bring your family pet along.

Enquiries to 07807 343209.

Eardisland

RIVERSIDE OPEN GARDENS – August Bank Holiday weekend, open daily from 11am to 5pm admission £5. Large free car park, teas and facilities at the village hall (Satnav HR6 9BP).

Information on 388226.

ANNUAL DUCK RACE – Come and join the fun at the Annual Duck Race on Sunday. The first race starts 2.30pm at the Mill Stream next to the Dovecote/ Community Shop.

There will be prizes for the winners of each race, there are also riverside stalls. Free parking at either the village car park or the village hall car park (satnav HR6 9BP), we have local hostelries and cafes and a great exhibition in our church all this set in the lovely surroundings of Eardisland.

Eaton Bishop

VILLAGE SHOW – The annual show (flower, fruit, vegetable, cookery and craft, with a special section for children) will be held in the village hall on Sunday.

The show is open to amateur gardeners, with exhibits being accepted at the village hall from 9am to 11.30am.

Entry to the show will be from 2.30pm with prizes being presented from 3.30pm.

Show schedules available from Locks Garage, Allensmore: Village Stores, Clehonger: Madley Post Office or Charlotte Marshall on 01981 251435.

SCARECROW COMPETITION – The competition will be held over the weekend of the village show.

There is no particular theme this year, just create a scarecrow.

Full details and entry forms available from Edna Fleckner 01981 250175. Judging from 12 noon Saturday. Prizes awarded at village show on Sunday.

Ewyas Harold

WALKING FOR HEALTH – Every Friday meeting 10am outside the fish and chip shop for short gentle walks around the village with a qualified leader. Walks are one to two miles and end with a cup of coffee in Koffi Pot.

KOFFI POT – Opens at 10.30am in the Baptist Chapel Hall and lasts until 12 noon. Everyone welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea and cake in friendly company.

LIBRARY – Stock up on your summer reading by visiting your local library at Horsecroft, open Tuesdays 9.30am to 12 noon and Thursdays 2-4.30pm. Also books and DVDs for sale.

OPEN FOR TEA – Between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday tea will be served in St James’ Llangua, the little church on the banks of the river Monnow.

INFORMAL SERVICE – At Bryn Barn on Sunday from 8pm, with a ‘Focus on Farming’.

AFTERNOON GARDEN PARTY – Kingstreet Farm will be open for cream teas, with various stalls on August 23 from 2pm.

Eye

GALA EVENING – The film, Five Years in the Fifties, made by The Rural Media Company of Hereford working in conjunction with the North Herefordshire Archive Film Group, features old and new film from the Frank Dale collection, enhanced by specially composed music and a poetry narration, both performed live. The screening will be at Cawley Hall tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 to include Pimms and party bites.

Please phone 01568 615836 to reserve a seat.

Garway

BELLA COLLINS – On Saturday Garway Live is back after a summer holiday with the very talented Bella Collins and The Blue, 8pm. A fast emerging blues based band from Cardiff highlighting the unique and soulful young voice of Isabella Collins alongside three of Wales’ top class musicians. Be sure to soak up some of their smokey, blues vibes with a little soul, jazz and pop added into the mix. Garway Village Hall, doors and bar open from 7.30pm.

Tickets £8, call 01981 580056 for more info or to book. Doors and bar open from 7.30pm, garwaylive.com.

Hereford

GUIDED WALKS OF HEREFORD – Weekdays at 11.30am, on Sundays at 2.30pm; ghost walks on Wednesdays at 7.15pm. All walks start from the main entrance to the cathedral and take place every day until the end of October. They last about an hour and a half and cost £4 per adult; £1 per child aged six to 12. Tickets from cathedral shop when open, otherwise from the guide. Booked walks for groups by arrangement.herefordguidedwalks.org.uk.

SERVICES AT THE WEST HEREFORD TEAM OF CHURCHES – Tomorrow, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford.

Sunday, 10am Team Eucharist at St Michael’s Church, Breinton.

Monday, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford.

Tuesday, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 12.10pm, Said Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

Wednesday, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 12.10pm, Said Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

Thursday, August 21, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 10am, Eucharist with Hymn and Address at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 12.10pm Said Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

HEARTSTART – 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 – including CPR – at The Starlite Rooms, HUFC, Edgar Street, Hereford, September 25, 7pm to 9pm.

Booking essential, to book your place email herefordshireheartst art@btconnect.com or call 0845 60 60 654 (office closed August 7 to September 3).

You will learn how to call for help, help someone who is unconscious, recognise the warning signs of a heart attack, deal with choking or serious bleeding and perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Simple skills save lives. her efordshireheartstart.org, Twitter @HeartStart_HFD.

Knighton

TREORCHY MALE CHOIR TO RETURN TO KNIGHTON – Following their sell out performance in 2012, the world famous Treorchy Male Choir will return to Knighton Community Centre on September 13. This concert, organised by Knighton Rotary Club, will begin at 7.30pm and doors will open at 6.45pm.

All the profits will go to charities including the Air Ambulance and local groups.

Tickets cost £20, but are discounted to £15 if bought before August 31, and are available from The Tower House Gallery in Knighton or from Kim Smith on 01547 540593.

The Treorchy Male Choir was formed on October 16, 1946 under the baton of the immortal John Haydn Davies. Since then, Treorchy Male Choir has literally toured the world delighting audiences in places such as Australia and New Zealand, USA and Canada and across Europe as well as throughout UK. The forthcoming performance will feature a wide-ranging selection of music together with songs by the honorary lady member of the choir, soprano Iona Jones.

The choir is a registered charity raising thousands of pounds each year for worthy causes.

They remain bound together and united in the common purpose of the enjoyment of music making and of giving pleasure to others.

CHURCH SERVICES OR SUNDAY – St Edward’s Church, Knighton 10.30am, family service.

St David’s Church, Whitton 9.30am holy communion.

St Andrew’s Church, Norton 11am, morning worship.

Knighton Baptist Church 11am.

Knucklas Baptist Church 6pm.

Knighton Methodist Church 11am.

Knighton Catholic Church 11am.

HEYOPE LADIES GUILD – The next meeting of the Heyope Ladies Guild will be on Tuesday in Knucklas community centre at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Liz Savage on The Bowen Technique and Bach Flower Remedies.

UNDER FIVES CHARITY AUCTION – A charity auction at the Knighton Hotel to raise money for Knighton Under Fives raised £4,300. Jackie Shaw, chairman of the Under Fives Committee thanked everyone for their support including those who attended the event, everyone who donated raffle prizes or items for the auction and those who bought them on the night.

Lea

70TH LEA SHOW – Preparations are well under way for the forthcoming Lea Show on Bank Holiday Monday to be held at Mitcheldean Road, Lea, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs G Savidge and family.

To access schedules for the horse show, exemption and companion dog show or the flower, vegetable and craft marquee please download them from the show’s website – leashow.co.uk, alternatively, schedules are available from Lea Stores or Lea Garage.

There will be a wealth of activities going on at the show field throughout the day and the exhibition ring will include displays by Paws for Thought Dog Display Team, vintage tractors, a fancy dress competition for riders and walkers, and a mounted games team challenge.

Around the site there will be a variety of trade stands and sideshows, promising a lovely day out in the countryside.

Admission for entry will be £5 for adults, and free to children under 16. For all general enquiries about the event please call 01989 750334.

Ledbury

GHOST WALK – The Ledbury ghost walk will be taking place on all Thursdays in August. No need to book, meet at the Market House, Ledbury at 8pm.

Adults £7, children £3.50. Not recommended for children under the age of ten.

For further details please contact Elisabeth Galvin 01531 650414, 07760472186, email info@ledburyw alks.com.

Marden

CHURCH DISPLAY– There is a display about the soldiers who are commemorated on the village war memorial in Marden Church.

Marden History Society would welcome any information or personal details about these soldiers for the Marden History Archive.

See mardenhistory.co.uk or ring 880427.

Mordiford

ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE OPEN GARDENS – On Sunday, The Old Rectory Barn, Mordiford, HR1 4LW will be open from 2pm - 6pm.

Admission £3, children under 12 free. Refreshments will be available. Guide dogs only. Due to the terrain, access to these gardens are limited for some people with a mobility impairment and/or wheelchair users.

Much Birch

HEARTSTART COURSE – Free two-hour Heartstart Course – including CPR – At Much Birch village hall, September 18, 7pm - 9pm. Booking essential, to book your place email info@herefords hireheartstart.co.uk or call 0845 60 60 654. Please note the office will be closed until September 3.

You will learn how to call for help, help someone who is unconscious, recognise the warning signs of a heart attack, deal with choking or serious bleeding and perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Much Cowan

FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW – Will be held on August 30 starting at 2pm at Tan House Farm. Food, fun and games for all the family.

Ocle Pychard and Much Cowarne

MUCH COWARNE AUTUMN FETE – The Much Cowarne Autumn Fete will be held at Tan House Farm from 2pm on August 30. There will be all the usual stalls and refreshments Cris Hooper, 01531 640516, is making the regular annual appeal for items to be donated to the craft stall. They can either be sold with all proceeds going to St Mary’s Church at Much Cowarne, or the donors can return a percentage.

Items can be dropped off at the stall on the day, or Cris can arrange for collection.

OPEN GARDEN – Rupert and Elly Ecroyd will be hosting an open garden at Lyvers Ocle, Ocle Pychard, on August 23 from 2.30pm. Cream teas, produce and cake stalls. All funds to go to Ocle Pychard Church.

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

Orcop

ORCOP FETE – Will be held on bank holiday Monday starting at 2.30pm at Orcop Parish Hall.

Family entertainment by Ace Entertainment. Display of vintage and classic vehicles.

Competition open to all – decorated bicycle. Lots of stalls, cakes, preserves, tombolas,, refreshments and more. For more details contact Mrs C Garlick 01981 580365.

Peterchurch

BANK HOLIDAY DASH – Peterchurch Grasstrack Club proudly presents on bank holiday Monday the Bank Holiday Dash at Stall House, Vowchurch.

Herefordshire, HR2 0QD. Practice at 1pm, first race at 2.30pm.

Grasstrack solo’s, side-cars, youth and MX. Admission adults £10, OAP £8, five to 16 £5, under fives free.

Enquiries to Sheila Swain 01981 550621.

Presteigne

BEER FESTIVAL – Presteigne Football Club are holding their annual beer festival and music evening at their football club headquarters on August 24 from 4pm, gates open at 3.30pm. This year’s music will be provided by Dave Luke, Steady Edd and The Boogie Men, Fight the Bear and The Lone Wolves. There will be a large selection of real ales and ciders to try along with refreshments. For further details call 260485.

COMMUNITY DRAW – Presteigne and Norton Community Support recently held their August community draw. Barbara Masterson drew the following winners: £20 Margaret Preece, £15 Dorothy Hankin and £12 Anne Davies.

RELAY FOR LIFE — The Presteigne Relay For Life Committee are holding a final get- together at The Memorial Hall on Sunday from 2-4pm.

The final total of fundraising will be announced. Teams are reminded that donation forms need to be returned along with any outstanding monies as soon as possible so a true figure can be announced. Light refreshments will be supplied.

Please let your team leader know if you are attending so numbers can be given for catering purposes. Everyone is welcome to attend.

POPPY PICNIC — You are invited to a charity fundraising poppy picnic at 16 Appletree Meadow on August 23 from 2-6pm.

All you need to do is bring something to help raise funds to support our armed forces community.

For further details, call Pat on 262820.

CREDIT UNION — The newly formed Red Kite Credit Union is your local mutual financial co- operative for savings and loans in central Powys.

You can save regularly, borrow wisely, repay easily and avoid the loan sharks.

For further details call 01982 551000 or 01597 824000 or visit redkitecreditunion.co.uk EXHIBITION — The 14th Lingen art and craft exhibition and sale will take place at Lingen village hall on Bank Holiday weekend, August 23-25, from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday and 11am- 5pm on Monday.

If you need any further information, call Mary on 01568 770920.

SERVICE — There is a service of morning prayer at Kinsham this Sunday at 9.30am.

There is also a morning prayer service at St Andrews at 11am and Holy Communion at 6.30pm at Discoed.

Everyone is most welcome.

SHOW — The Annual Norton Show and Sports will take place at Home Farm Lane on August 23.

MP Roger Williams will officially open the event at noon.

There will be horse, dog and pony shows, a horticultural show, a vintage car and tractor run, sheep shearing, Punch and Judy, a bouncy castle, children’s races, a circus workshop, a car boot sale, competitions, games, a bar plus lots more.

For further details on the horticultural show, call Linda on 267879. For the horse and dog shows, call Dan on 07798 928909 or Ann on 267221.

HEARING AIDS — Need free help with your NHS hearing aids? If so, pop into the hearing aid clinic at The Youth Centre in Hereford Street on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1.30-3.30pm.

For further information, call 02920 333034 or contact paul.chappell@hearingloss.org.uk FLEA MARKET — The monthly crafty flea market will take place at The Memorial Hall this Saturday morning from 9am.

Have you any unwanted items in your garage or loft you want to get rid of ? If so, why not have a stall?

There will be refreshments. All proceeds will go to a local charity.

CHESS CLUB — Do you play chess? Would you like to learn to play chess? If the answer is yes, come along to the chess club on Tuesday evenings at The Farmers Inn from 7.30pm. It is an ideal way to improve your game by playing different opponents or to learn from an expert. For further details, call David Hancock on 231208.

CHARITY WAREHOUSE — Do you have any unwanted household items you no longer use, such as settees, beds, cabinets etc? If so, the Presteigne and Norton Charity Warehouse would love to hear from you. Pop into the warehouse in the high street by the old launderette. House clearances can be arranged and they will pick up any larger items.

MUSIC — The virtuosa “Pipa”

(Chinese Lute) player gives her only 2014 performance at The Gallery at The Sidney Nolan Trust at The Rodd on Friday evening at 7.30pm.

Admission will be £12. To book, or for more information, call 260149.

FESTIVAL — The Annual Presteigne Festival will take place in several venues over six days from Thursday, August 21, until August 26.

For a full programme or further information, visit presteignefestival.com or call 267800.

Stoke Lacy

STOKE LACY GARDENING CLUB — The club will meet on September 2 and members will take part in a visit/demonstration at Stoke Prior, from 2pm-5pm featuring Campanulas at the t3 plants nursery.

Cost will be £12, including refreshments. For more information call Jo Wells on 01885 400200 or e-mail jo@folly.free-online.co.uk

THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB — The Friendship Club will meet in Stoke Lacy Village Hall at 10.30am on Tuesday. The presentation for this event will be Darjeeling – Shangri-La. A hot meal will be available at the Plough Inn after the meeting, but will need to be booked in advance on 01885 490658. New members are always welcome.

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

Stoke Prior

ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE OPEN GARDENS — On Saturday, the Post Office and Monkerton House will be open from noon to 5pm.

Admission £4 for both gardens.

Traditional children’s garden games at The Post Office. Guide dogs only. On Sunday, the Post Office, Monkerton House, plus five properties at The Bury will be open from noon to 5pm.

Ticket price covers entry to all seven gardens. Adults £5 and children under 14 go free. Tickets can be purchased for each day at Monkerton House.

Teas, ice-cream and plant stall at the Old Farmhouse at The Bury.

Children’s traditional garden games at the Post Office.

Free parking will be available at The Lamb Inn, by kind permission of the landlord. Guide dogs only. Due to the terrain, access to these gardens is limited for some people with a mobility impairment and/or wheelchair users.

Weobley

SINGING WORKSHOP — Tuesday, 2.40pm at Weobley Parish Church. We will be singing old Weobley folk songs influenced by the psalms. Cost £3.50. All enquiries to Lydia Wells, GRSM, on 01544 319138.

Dorstone History Society

MEMBERS of Dorstone History Society recently visited the dig site on Dorstone Hill to learn more about this year’s fascinating discoveries. The team from the universities of Manchester and Cardiff spent a month on the site, where they uncovered the remains of a long barrow which had been flattened to enable cultivation at the end of World War Two. Evidence of deep post holes was found, as well as more evidence of burning, so it is probable that yet another large ‘hall of the dead’ was underneath the barrow.

The next meeting of the society is on September 3, when Laura Norris will talk about the Vivat Trust’s plans to stabilise the remaining structure at Snodhill Castle. All meetings in the village hall begin with refreshments at 7.30pm, followed by the talk at 8pm. Non-embers £3 — visitors very welcome.

Eardisley Tennis and Croquet Club

EARDISLEY Tennis and Croquet Club are holding a charity Zumba-thon and breast cancer strawberry tea on Saturday at 2pm. It will be great to see lots of lovely ladies shaking their stuff and even some men too. For further details see the website www.eardisleytennis.co.uk.

Kington Horticultural Society

KINGTON Horticultural Society’s next meeting is Thursday, August 21,at 7.30pm in the Masonic Hall, Headbrook, Kington HR5 3DY. The speaker is Mr M Brasher on clematis, doors open at 7pm, visitors welcome £2.50.

Vaga Probus Club

THE social highlight of the year for members of Vaga Probus Club has always been the annual President’ s Day when members and their wives celebrate the year of their president. On this occasion Mike Thompson, whose presidential year is close to completion, was delighted that the visit to Broadfield Court at Bodenham resulted in such an entertaining and high-value experience.

At Broadfield Court the party were able to enjoy a tour of the vineyard and gardens and at the lunch that followed, in the care of host Alexandra James, who with her husband Mark are the Court’s owners, everyone was thoroughly entertained by larger-than-life Alex through her keen knowledge of wine and her past acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Vaga’s social secretary Paul Mason was warmly thanked for this, the latest in a long list of highly effective social events.

Later that week 56 members and wives from Vaga, Kyrle and Ross and District Probus Clubs enjoyed a dinner party at the Ross Golf Club restaurant to make the various awards for their annual golf match, which is in its 25th year.

The Kyrle Club team headed by Dennis Calder claimed the top golfer of the day in their ranks, Martin Barr, whose outrageous 44 stableford points haul enabled him to receive the Trevor Lane Cup from Kyrle president Brian Wozencroft. Norman Duffield provided good team support with 33 points.

The Vaga squad in the care of team captain Keith Ray were runaway winners of the inter-club trophy, with Keith starring with 37 points to make him winner of Vaga’s Elwyn Hayward Cup, and Anthony Priddis (31 points) and Tony King (30 points) playing key supportive roles.

Vaga Probus Club, Ross-on-Wye

AT the July 22 meeting Martin Davies gave a talk on the causes of the First World War.

Martin has spent 30 years researching the subject and has written two books on the causes of the war. He commenced by saying that even today, 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War, there was no absolute cause of the outbreak.

There is a perception that the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, followed by Germany’s violation of the 1839 Treaty that guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality and independence, were the main causes of the First World War. However, these were just the culmination of a long and complex series of alliances and power struggles that emanated from Europe throughout the 19th and earlier 20th centuries.

It is interesting to note at this stage that a letter has emerged detailing a previous undocumented meeting between King George V and his Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey just before the outbreak of war where the King informed Grey that it was absolutely essential to go to war to prevent Germany from achieving domination of the UK. Grey then advised the King that the cabinet had yet to find a justifiable reason for this, whereupon the King replied “find a reason”.

The very next day a letter arrived from the French president urging our participation in the war and simultaneously a telegram arrived from King Albert of Belgium about the German violation of his country’s neutrality, thus triggering, because of the 1839 Treaty, the state of war with the UK.

Martin continued his talk going back to the earlier periods by describing the convoluted political unrest throughout continental Europe from the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s formation in 1867. A power struggle consequently emerged with Serbia for control of the Balkan region. The Austro-Hungarian Empire’s power based throughout the region was eroded by Serbian politics, which sought to create a pan-Serb state uniting all the Serb communities living within the Balkan region. Both sides had powerful allies, with the Prussian- dominated Germany actively supporting his Austro-Hungarian neighbour, while Russia championed the cause of Serbia. The Southern Balkans was also dominated by the Ottoman Empire which was eventually challenged and driven out following the two Balkan Wars (1912-13). As a result of these wars, Serbia almost doubled the size of its territory and the impressive Serbian army, backed by French financial loans, emerged as a major force whose efficiency and effectiveness directly challenged the supremacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the region.

As the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia faced off against each other, the wider European situation was exacerbated by alliances and treaties which proclaimed one thing in public but contained secret clauses which would ultimately shape the opposing sides during the Great War. By July 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Send news, events, pictures and club reports to reach us by 10am Wednesday for consideration for publication county times clubs and societies Thursday, August 14, 2014 136 herefordtimes.com THE HEREFORD TIMES Empire was backed by Germany, the main military force in Europe, while Serbia had its ally in Russia. The Ottoman Empire, Italy and Bulgaria were now aligned with Germany, while there were alliances between France and Russia. France and Great Britain (the entente cordial) and Russia and Great Britain, with the balance of power finely poised across Europe, the people of Great Britain failed to comprehend the impact this would ultimately have on their lives.

With the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Hapsburg throne, by Serbian terrorists, the Austro- Hungarian Empire issued an ultimatum to Serbia designed to be unacceptable, whose rejection would provide the excuse for a declaration of war which would restore its influence in the region.

However, Serbia, for the most part, was conciliatory, but ignoring the possibility of a diplomatic solution, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia on July 28. This triggered a declaration of war based on the alliances and treaties and within days war had been declared by Russia, France, Germany and Great Britain, the latter after the German invasion of Belgium, a move which was needed for the success of the German army’s Szhlieffen plan for the invasion of France.

With the declaration of war, the War Office in Britain mobilised its regular soldiers and its reservists. Within six days the regulars of the British Expeditionary Force, supported by the reservists, travelled across the English Channel, with the reservists being transformed from civilians to soldiers in a war zone within days, thus depriving families of bread-winners and employers of employees. With the realisation that war would be a long drawn- out affair, Lord Horatio Kitchener issued his now famous call to war “Your country needs you”, and hundreds of thousands of civilians enlisted in the army.

Hence by September, 80 years of obscure political machinations across Europe had within a matter of days transformed the lives of British citizens, a transformation from which over 700,000 would not recover.

Martin was thanked for a most informative talk, which sparked many questions by members who agreed, that even today, in spite of the publications/books/media articles available there is still no absolute understanding of events leading up to the First World War, and it is hoped that current events such as those in the Middle East and Ukraine are contained for the sake of humanity. Let us hope that in the future the path of wisdom and diplomacy will prevail.

Weobley and District Bowling Club

THE Weobley and District Bowling Club are holding a Hereford Big Band Picnic on Sunday at the bowling green, Weobley, 2.30pm for 3pm. The tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children. They are available from Diane Rice on 01544 318178 or any club member.