WOMEN'S INSTITUTE -- The annual meeting was held in November in the village hall, and the secretary, Jean Parsons was able to report on a very successful year, starting with the 80th anniversary of the WI, which was celebrated with a New Year lunch, birthday cake and lavender bag mementos for all, made by Mrs Spragg. Outings to Pebble Mill and the Forest of Dean College were among the many and varied events taking place. Members supported many worthwhile charities, including a sponsored knit of woollen squares to provide blankets for the Winged Fellowship Trust; sending shoe boxes of gifts to Romanian children; table sales in aid of the Stroke Fellowship and Acorns Trust, and contributions to the Association of Country Women of the World. The committee was re-elected and Margaret Watson was welcomed back as president for 2002.

ARTS AND CRAFTS -- The group, which closed on November 26 for the Christmas break, will start again on Monday, January 27 from 2pm to 4.30pm in the village hall.

BELL RINGERS -- The spire of Mitcheldean church has been declared unsafe, so the team of bell ringers will be ringing the bells of St John the Baptist church at Aston Ingham for the next month or so while repairs are being carried out. Practice nights will be held on the second and fourth Thursday evenings, from 7.30pm-8.30pm. If you would like to learn to ring, why not go along at these times and see how it is done - you will be made very welcome.