CHARITY FUNDRAISING - The Richards Castle village hall committee have recently donated £500 to the St. Michaels Hospice out of the year's profit from the Country and Western dances held monthly and run by committee member Stan Cadwallader. A further charity dance held on Easter Saturday raised £641 for the Air Ambulance. In addition another committee member, Jane Hill, and a team of helpers are running monthly Sequence and Ballroom dances to raise money for charities chosen by the dancers.Home made refreshments are provided at these dances but those attending must bring their own wine. A Bring and Buy stall is also planned to raise extra funds.The next dance will be tomorrow (Friday, May 27) at 8pm. For more information please ring Jane on 01584 831439. Another fundraising event, in the village, will be the Richards Castle Soap Box Derby on July 10 when the main beneficiaries will be the Severn Hospice and Riding for the Disabled.It is hoped to make sufficient profits to give smaller donations to other charities. Anyone interested in entering a soap box in this event should ring Chris on 01584 831570 or Robin on 01584 877914 without delay.

TV GARDENS - Shaun Greetham, from Richards Castle, and Matt Williams, of Shobdon, have successfully won through to the third round of the Great Garden Challenge being shown on Channel 4 being televised from Blenheim Palace.