ST MARY'S CHURCH CHOIR - During three nights of hearty carol singing prior to Christmas Day, the choir raised £850 to be donated to the Hereford Breast Cancer Haven. A coffee morning organised in November by the parish council raised money for the purchase of Christmas presents for the village children, which were given out during the first evening at Carols on the Green. More than 100 village children braved the cold, windy but dry weather to receive their gifts from Santa in his grotto outside the Crown Inn and later sang carols and played brass instruments and recorders between music from the Dilwyn Brass Band and carols from the choir joined by a large gathering of villagers. During a second evening, they sang in private homes and collected donations. On the third evening the choir sang to shoppers in the foyer of Morrisons in Leominster.

CEDAR CLUB - Leader of the Cedar Club, Anne Gerrish, organised the annual Christmas lunch for its 40 members on December 20 in the Cedar Hall, using outside caterers who produced a delicious meal using the recently installed kitchen equipment.

PLAYGROUP - The group's 30 children were thrilled to receive gifts from Father Christmas when he made an early visit to Dilwyn. Thanks go to Leominster Lions Club. The reindeer, sleigh and Santa were directed to the Cedar Hall where the playgroup's end of year party for the under-fives was in full swing.

NEW YEARS EVE - One Voice, John Rowley, was due to be the star turn at The Crown Inn on New Years Eve with landlords Hazel Hinson and Dave Baker hosting their first New Years Eve party in the village since moving to the Crown earlier this year.

HUNT MEETS - More than 500 enthusiastic supporters flooded into the centre of Dilwyn on New Years Day to witness the annual Radnor and West Hunt meeting outside the Crown Inn. Chairman Roy Baker, Dr John Davies, The Huntsman David Morgan, Senior Master Henry Marfell, Joint Masters Miranda Lee, Robert Jones, John Goodwin and Penny Corbet along with amateur whips David Bufton and Belinda Brown toasted in the New Year with the 65 mounted hunters. Brian Hamilton-Russel from Shropshire was celebrating the 27th birthday of his mare, appropriately called Toast, whilst 77 year old Bob Dewhurst from Weobley collected donations in the Cap for his 51st time. A total of £ 2,000 was raised and will be sent to the Tsunami Appeal. Senior Master Henry Marfell addressed the crowd thanking them for their donations and for supporting the hunt.