Almeley

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Tonight at 7.30pm in Almeley village hall.

Belle (12A), a period drama.

The fictional film centres on Dido’s relationship as a young woman with an aspiring lawyer; it is set at a time of legal significance, as a court case is heard on what became known as the Zong massacre, when slaves were thrown overboard from a slave ship and the owner filed with his insurance company for the losses.

Lord Mansfield rules on this case in England’s Court of King’s Bench in 1786, in a decision seen to contribute to the abolition of slavery in Britain.

Tickets £4. Doors open at 7pm, bar available, cabaret seating, warm hall.

Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

AGM - The Parish Hall AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday in the committee room of the parish hall.

Nominations are invited for officers and members of the committee and should be sent to: The Secretary Mrs R Scamp, Hillside Cottage, Bacon lane, Aymestrey, HRS 9SX. The Parish Hall Committee would welcome any member of the public who would like to attend.

PARISH COUNCIL - Aymestrey Parish Council meets at 7.30pm on Wednesday in the Parish Hall. All parishioners are welcome.

NATURE TRUST - The next meeting of the Aymestrey Branch of The Nature Trust is at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 29 in the parish hall. Mike Williams will talk on The River Arrow Project.

Bishopstone

VILLAGE LOTTERY - Esme Hunt won £25 with number 39 on January 10.

Bodenham

CAFÉ @ THE CHAPEL - The regular Thursday morning Café at the Chapel at the Chapel in Chapel Lane has returned and will be available every Thursday (including today) from 10.30am till 12 noon. The Café provides an opportunity for anyone to call in for an informal chat over a cup of tea, coffee, etc, on Thursday mornings. Everyone is welcome to stay for as long or as short a time as they wish. No charge is made for refreshments though donations are welcome and are given to a charity at the end of each year.

This is a joint venture between St Michael’s Church, Bodenham and Bodenham Christian Fellowship and is hosted by members from both churches (and other local residents). Details from Dave Hill on 01568 797531.

TRAVELS WITH A CAMERA - The next Travels with a Camera event will be on Monday at 7.30pm and will feature The Road to Mandalay. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby anybody?

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Tomorrow, from 7.30pm, Flicks in the Sticks will be showing the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (PG) in the Parish Hall, as directed by Don Siegel in 1956. This is the way that films should be seen and a large turnout is anticipated. Doors open at 7pm. Prices remain unchanged and there will be refreshments available during the interval.

THE LEISURE CLUB - The Bodenham Leisure Club will meet in the Parish Hall on Monday from 2.30pm and members will enjoy an afternoon of puzzles and chat. New members are always welcome.

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

Breinton

VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE AGM - Thursday, January 28 in the village hall, 7.30pm.

Refreshments available. All welcome. For details contact 01432 266380 or 01432 350919.

BREINTON RINGCRAFT SOCIETY - We were treated to a wonderful grand final on December 16 with everyone doing their bit to ensure the evening was a success. The Ringcraft Club is indebted to Mike Vines for being such a wonderful judge and choosing two exceptional dogs as the overall winners for the year.

The Best Puppy in Match winner was Britbull Forbidden Fruit who turned one on December 22.

Chester (as he is known to friends) is an English Bulldog owned by Shaun and Joanne Bennett and their son Zack. Best Adult in Match is owned by Fuffy King, a really stunning Labrador called Meadow Live Morning Glory to Mikmaq, a beautiful quality bitch just over two years old who then went on to win Best Adult in the Grand Final. Gill Bray’s little Shetland sheepdog Lianbray Locked in Love, who is just 20 months old, got Best Puppy in the Grand Final. This little girl was Best Puppy at Crufts 2014 and gained her junior warrant at just 11 months.

A cheque for £50 was received by Hilary Bubb on behalf of The Greyhound Rescue which was the club’s chosen charity for the year.

I am sure they can put this to good use.

As always, thanks go to the committee and members for the lovely food which they provided, for the many gifts donated for the raffle and special thanks to David Coode for stepping in at the last minute to be our MC for the evening. On behalf of our chairman Paul Glithero, may we say happy new year to the committee and members of Hereford Ringcraft Club which meets every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at Bosbury Parish Hall.

Bridge Sollars

BONUS BALL - Winning £25 with number 39 on January 10 was Leonora Malins.

LOCAL HISTORY EVENING - On Thursday, January 29 we will be showing Chewing The Cud a film of memories from Hereford Old Livestock Market.

Warm and funny, this gives everyone a reminder of an important part of Hereford’s history and a chance to see and hear familiar figures from the local farming world. At the New Bridge Community Centre at 7.30pm, admission £2 to include coffee and biscuits.

Clehonger

WHIST DRIVE - February 3 at 7.30pm at Innesfield Hall, Clehonger. Entry £2.

Refreshments available. For more details call 01981 250377.

Ewyas Harold

PARISH COUNCIL - The December meeting was held in St Michaels Hall with Councillor C Pogson in the chair, also present were Terry Griffiths, length’s man, the clerk and three members of the public. An e-mail resignation had been received form Councillor and Chairman Judith Webb. Members thanked Councillor Webb for all her hard work during her term in office.

Her replacement will be discussed at the next meeting.

Open Forum; a written report was provided by ward councillor Graham Powell including information of the Southern Link Road, Affordable Housing, the Wellbeing Innovation Fund and road signs. Reports were received from the Neighbourhood Plan and Kemble site working group.

A detailed agreement has been drawn up by the Parish Council for the running of the recreation ground, the pavilion and all sports clubs and users of facilities thereon. The precept for 2015/16 will be set at the January meeting.

PRIMARY SCHOOL - At the start of the spring term we welcomed two new pupils and Mrs Brookson who has started as a lunchtime supervisor. The children have started to plan for a forthcoming show in February when Miss Wallace is organising Ewyas Harold’s Got Talent. Swimming classes have restarted and we will continue to go outside for PE throughout the winter, weather permitting. On Thursday, January 29 at 9am, Years 3 and 4 will be leading the assembly.

PRE SCHOOL - We are currently interviewing staff for two new ventures - breakfast and after school club. We hope to start after February half term. Booking and admission forms will be issued shortly. We will offer breakfast club from 7.30am - 8.45am and after school from 3.20 -5.30pm. For further information go to ewyaspre@googlemail.com.

PILGRIM COURSE - Continues at the Rectory today from 7pm.

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION - There will be a working party on Saturday meeting 10am at the northern Cwm Hill end of Ewyas Harold Common adjacent to top cattle grid. Come for as short or longer time a time as you like, equipment will be provided.

LUNCH CLUB - The next Lunch Club will be in St Michaels Hall on Monday from 12noon - 3pm.

This is a fun club for over 50s with a hot meal and entertainment.

Hay-on-Wye

BELL BANK CLUB - Maddie (the dog) is great and passed her MOT but has to eat only her ration if she wished to keep her slender slim figure. Father Christmas brought her two presents; a rugby ball with a squeak and a doll with a body made from twisted cord.

The year 2014 ended with a wonderful party arranges by members with lots of delicious festive fare placed on tables sporting nicely arranged candles surrounded by holly, fir, coloured baubles and of course crackers.

The afternoon commenced with Pat Darlinson a very well know woman and chorister from Glasbury who came to entertain us. She told of being the daughter of parents who were from London, being born in Kent and becoming a teacher of history.

Her grandfather loved classical music and played the clarinet and flute. Her mother gained a scholarship to the Royal Academy to study piano and voice training which may explain where Pat inherited her voice. Pat then performed wearing a hat and using some humorous props including a chamber pot and sang songs including Nobody Wants a Fairy When She’s 40 and My Old Man with everyone joining in. What hilarity.

Then with carol sheets kindly printed by John Hanson (as well as the programmes all year) the singing commenced with Pat leading the way. She was determined to test our memories before she left and so she burst out with The Twelve Days of Christmas to which we all sang along without too many mistakes. Everyone partook of the goodies and a raffle followed. Pat was presented with a gift and thanks were given.

After supping John’s hot mulled wine and quips of happy Christmas it was homeward bound until the New Year.

January 8 having arrived, saw everyone at Albion Terrace where Dorothy and son John kindly invited members to tea. A sumptuous meal was thoroughly enjoyed and of course Dorothy, being the daughter of the world champion snooker player Joe Davies, some years ago, caused a lot of interest as a photograph of him graced one of the room walls.

If anyone wishes to taste a very good scone spread with jam and clotted cream then get in touch with John who did a superb job of cooking it.

They were thanked for their hospitality and were presented with a gift and of course we asked “when can we come again”?

A happy and healthy New Year to all readers and Adrian and your team keep up the good work.

The Bell Bank Club offers an opportunity for blind and partially-sighted people to get together and support each other.

They meet every Thursday from 2pm - 4pm in the parish hall, Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye.

Contact Eileen Bufton on 01497 820897.

Hereford

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

Sunday, 9.30am Parish Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford; 9.30am Parish Eucharist at St Michael’s Church, Breinton; 11am Parish Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, Hereford; 8am Holy Communion (BCP) at St Nicholas’ Church, Hereford; 11am Choral Communion at St Nicholas’ Church, Hereford; 6.30pm Evensong (BCP) at St Nicholas’ Church, Hereford.

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 Low Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

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

Thursday, January 29, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 10am Parish Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, Hereford; 12.10pm Low Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - Leading pet charity Blue Cross has revealed the hidden role its thousands of shops, admin and educational volunteers have played giving injured and abandoned pets a second chance. As it celebrates their priceless support, Blue Cross in Hereford is calling on others to give an increasingly valuable donation - time.

The charity, which has a shop on St Peter’s Street, claims that an hour volunteering in one of its charity shops can raise the funds needed to give lifesaving vaccinations to a litter of eight abandoned puppies.

Recent research by the charity showed that over 50 per cent of people surveyed thought the best way to help a pet charity was to directly care for sick and abandoned pets. Only four per cent highlighted the benefits of behind the scenes admin support and two per cent working in a charity shop. With increasing demands on its services, Blue Cross wants to double the number of pets it cares for by 2021.

The charity is appealing to pet lovers that you don’t need to live near a rehoming centre or animal hospital, pick up a poo bag or clean out a kennel to make a difference to a pet’s life.

The Blue Cross shop is currently recruiting for retail assistants to help customers and keep shelves stocked. For those unable to get to the shop, almost 14 per cent of the charity’s volunteers work remotely providing education talks at schools, carrying out vital research from home, offering short term care for pets in their own home or supporting pet owners over the Pet Bereavement Support line.

Elaine-Mari Hyde, manager at the Blue Cross Hereford shop said: “Gone are the days when the most of our Blue Cross volunteers helped out at one of our centres or hospitals. Now if you want to help the pets that need you most, there is almost always a way to do it.

Basically, if you’re for pets, we’re for you.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for Blue Cross can visit bluecross.org.uk/volunteering, email volunteering@bluecross.org.uk, or call 0300 7909903.

HUNTINGTON-HEREFORD WI - The December meeting was the last meeting of the year and the last meeting at St Johns Methodist Church Hall for Huntington-Hereford WI. After a short business meeting and with no speaker booked the members enjoyed a Christmas social afternoon doing a flower quiz and playing games. They were also able to study Huntington’s Year Book compiled from 2008 to 2013 by Miss Beverley Powell, which has now been taken over by their president, Pat Amos from January 2014 and would be ready to browse at the next meeting.

Several members had been double booked with other organisation’s Christmas functions, but those present had time to reminisce about the happy days spent at St Johns while enjoying a Christmas tea. It was a sad day to leave the old home but due to rising costs it was move venue’s or have to close down, but the members had voted in November to carry on in a new venue.

January 8 was the day of Huntington-Hereford’s first meeting in their new home, The Herdsman Public House function room, where we were made most welcome by our hosts Mark and Doreen Higgins. To start the year off Mrs Eileen Dilley came and gave a very interesting talk about National Trust’s property, Berrington Hall where she volunteers as a house guide. Telling members the history of the hall and bringing along photographs of the hall at different stages over the years and the different families from the Harleys who built the new house in 1778, to his daughters husband Admiral Rodney a notorious gambler, to the Cawleys in 1901. The business took place after tea with the announcement that the first outing of the year will be to Burton on the Water for the day on May 19 and members were asked to ask friends and family to help fill the coach. The meeting finished with Beverley Powell the winner of the 2013 Competition Trophy, presenting the cup to the president who was the overall winner for 2014.

ADVICE FOR TEENAGERS - Herefordshire teenagers will soon be able to take advantage of careers, educational advice and guidance at a month long series of drop in sessions.

Cake @ The Common Room brings careers, advice, knowledge, enthusiasm and a free slice of cake to young people at a time when they may be reflecting and making decisions about their current education or training provision.

These decisions can often be difficult to make but with the right information and support informed choices with a positive outcome can be made.

Herefordshire Council will be working in partnership with The Common Room to provide Cake @ The Common Room until February 18.

These informal drop-in sessions are aimed at young people and their parents or carers who have questions around education and training.

The partnership sees volunteers from The Common Room, on Commercial Road, Hereford (next to the Baptist Church) working with staff from Herefordshire Council and local colleges to provide support and sign posting to young people, their parents and carers, about their options whether that be post 16 college applications, Year 9 choices or even where to go after college.

The sessions will run from 12.30PM – 4.30pm and are open to young people, parents, grandparents and carers or anyone who has a query about education or training choices.

For more information please email Louise Tanner, ltanner@ herefordshire.gov.uk or welcome@thecommonroom67.org.uk HEREFORDSHIRE AND MARCHES ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL TRUST - Meetings are held in the Gardner Hall, Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT. The next meeting is Saturday at 2.30pm. A talk entitled Blanche Parry, Gentlewoman to Queen Elizabeth 1st by Ruth Richardson, ‘The Foundling Hospital, Florence’.

Admission £2 (including tea and coffee). Further details from Sheila Taylor on 01432 268243.

CROHN’S AND COLITIS UK HEREFORD GROUP - Would like to invite you to a coffee morning on Wednesday at All Saints café (upstairs) from 10.30am until 11.30am. Come along, have a chat and a cuppa. All welcome.

IAM HEREFORDSHIRE - Local charity aims to increase your confidence on the road.

Is it really true that anyone can learn to drive more safely, more cheaply and still have more fun?

IAM Herefordshire’s campaign is to help everyone to do just that.

They aim to improve your driving skills by reinforcing things like hazard awareness, correct steering, gear choice, cornering and overtaking techniques and is affiliated to the IAM, the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Regular local courses are run at Much Birch and Leominster and are aimed at motorists, of all ages, who are wanting to improve their driving skills and become an ‘Advanced Driver’. The course is titled ‘Skill for Life’, as the methods they teach are never forgotten. The course is run over three weekly evening sessions, followed by practical driving advice, in your own car, from one of their fully qualified mentors.

Based on the system used by all advanced drivers (including police response drivers), the technique takes a methodical approach to driving hazards leaving nothing to chance, and increases your safety by giving you more time to react. The smoother driving that results also saves you money and makes driving more enjoyable for you and your passengers. This combined theory and practical approach to driving means that drivers are able to turn the theory into practice immediately - on the way home from their very first evening session.

Along with the kudos of being an Advanced Driver, there are practical benefits - such as free RAC membership, discounts on insurance, and lower fuel bills by being a better driver.

IAM-Herefordshire’s team of qualified and highly experienced observers will coach, guide and mentor you with no limit on the number of drives, or the time taken, and sessions are at your mutual convenience.

The next courses begin on February 24 at Much Birch, just south of Hereford and on February 25 near Leominster.

To join and book a place, or for more information, call David Williams on 01981 580382 or email: chief-observer@iam-herefordshire.org.uk Their highly successful Mature Driver Days will be repeated again this year. Aimed at older motorists who have fallen out of love with driving and want to restore their confidence. Phone 01432 840835 or email: saferdrivers@iam-herefordshire.org.uk.

IAM-Herefordshire is a charity developing safer drivers.

Kington

JOB-SEEKING SUPPORT - New year, new direction? MAP’s free job club offers help with CV and letter writing for applications, telephone skills, IT skills, English sessions to improve skills and confidence. All in a small, supportive group. Free. Wednesdays 11am to 1pm at Marches Access Point. For more details contact MAP on 01544 231771 or email info@map-kington.co.uk.

Kinnerton

KINNERTON WI - At the New Year`s luncheon on January 8 we once again chose Dunfield House, Kington, HR5 3NN as our venue for 2015. It was good to see and meet so many members and other halves.

Jenny won the achievement cup for all her hard work as secretary keeping our group together over the years, as WI presidents have come and gone. You could liken her role to that of our Queen, presiding over her many prime minsters. Jenny has certainly taken her job with the same level of grace. Monica won the salver for winning most of our monthly competitions. Audrey announced there would be now a 50p fine for those who failed to enter the 2015 line up! One way to boost our speaker kitty I suppose. Andrea thanked Monica for the day’s arrangements and Audrey thanked all 28 of us for coming. A final thanks, again, for Dunfield’s warm and homely hospitality.

Notes for your diary all at Kinnerton Village Hall, LD8 2PE; February 5, Willow with Mary Zammitt, 8pm. March 5, Butchery with Mr Bufton, Kington Butchers, 8pm. April 2, Wine Tasting with Denis Coleman.

Virgin wines.

Knighton

KNIGHTON AND DISTRICT ROTARY CLUB - Last month was an enjoyable and productive one for club members. We were pleased to raise over £600 from our annual Christmas collection in Knighton and Presteigne. As was mentioned in an article in the local papers, the money raised will donated to charities supporting our local community, including St Michael’s Hospice and the Knighton Food Bank. The generosity of everyone that weekend is greatly appreciated, especially at this time of year. We are proud to be able to support charities that help those less fortunate. We have also been able to help those less fortunate in Sierra Leone this month. By developing a relationship with a Rotary Club in Freetown we will be able to help children in outlying areas access education through wind up radios. You can read more about this exciting project on our website and it shows, yet again, the power of Rotary connections the world over. And it is only because of your support that we can do as much as we do.

Why not find out more about the Knighton Rotary at knighton.

rotary1150.org. If you want to enjoy the company of like-minded people, as well as possibly get involved in what we do, come along to any of our Wednesday meetings. For more details contact us Norman Thorp on (01547) 529666 or Cathy Jones on (07813 ) 733240 email cathleenj2001@ yahoo.co.uk.

CHURCH SERVICES FOR SUNDAY - St Edward’s church, Knighton 9.30am. St David’s church, Whitton 9.30am. St Andrew’s church, Norton 11am.

Knighton Baptist church 11am.

Knighton Methodist church 11am.

Knighton Methodist church 11am.

CONCERT SOCIETY - Knighton and district concert society will be presenting Alessandro Fisher (tenor) accompanied by Ricardo Gosalbo on piano at a concert in the church hall, Knighton on Sunday at 3pm. This young duo have recently won the Paul Hamburger Prize for voice and piano at the Oxford Lieder Young Artist (2013). Their repertoire ranges from Schubert Lieder and Tosti Canzoni to Poulenc melodies and Britten songs. Tickets £10 and students £2 (on the door).

For more information telephone 01547 520756.

KNIGHTON TOWN SILVER BAND - 100 Club draw for January: 1st (£15) Lesley Speakman, Knighton; 2nd (£10) Paul Milward, Knighton; 3rd (£5) Mai Ellis, Llandrindod.

Lingen

LINGEN CARPET BOWLS - Tonight at the hall 7.30pm. For more information Richard 01544 267508.

TEDDY TOTS - Every Tuesday at the hall 9.30am - 11.30am, mum and toddler play group £2 per family. Lots of toys for the tots and a coffee for the mums and dads 01544 267498.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - New Spring Programme: The Love Punch (12), February 6 at 7.30pm.

Paddington (PG), March 22, 3pm (special children’s price £3).

My Old Lady (12), March 27, 7.30pm.

The Imitation Game (12A) April 10, 7.30pm.

Refreshments available including tea/coffee, homemade cakes and the obligatory ice cream. Join the Flicks mailing list and keep up to date with our showings. Further information 01544 267736.

LINGEN EVENTS - For more information on all of the above events, as well as news and views, log on to lingen.org.uk.

Little Birch

ANNUAL PANTOMIME - This years pantomime, Peter Pan, will be performed by the very popular local drama group on February 6 and 7. Tickets can be obtained from Jackie on 01981 541027 and Margaret on 01981 540734.

Old Radnor

WI - The New Strand Inn at Eardisley was the venue for members of Old Radnor WI’s Christmas dinner in December.

A good meal was had, followed by president Anne Goodwin’s account of the successful events of the Old Radnor WI calendar year 2014.

Carols were sung, which got everyone into the festive mood. An enjoyable evening .

The next meeting will be held on February 3. The talk will be on Working in Forensic Science, by speaker Heather Carrington.

The competition will be for the highest number of items in a match box 3.5 x 5.5cm. The hostesses will be Megan and Ros.

New members and members’ guests are most welcome.

Pencombe

PENCOMBE YOUNG FARMERS SKITTLES NIGHT - Will be held tomorrow at Pencombe and Little Cowarne Village Hall, 7.30pm start and £2 entry.

Anyone is welcome and a perfect opportunity for new members to come along. Bar and light refreshments available.

Presteigne

CHESS CLUB - Would you like to learn how to play chess? Or would you like to improve your game by playing other chess players? If so why not come along to Presteigne Chess Club at The Farmers Inn on Monday evenings from 7.30pm.

All abilities are welcome. For further details call Kevin on 01547 560473.

MUSIC - The Velvet Violin, a monthly music evening will take place at The Assembly Rooms on Sunday from 7pm.

This month the performers will feature the secret love child of Richard Digance and Victoria Wood, Terrance Blacker along with Dutch singer songwriter Vera Van Heeringen. Also appearing will be MC, author and singer, Ian Marchant and The House Band, Dave Luke and John Hymas. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from Courtyard Antiques or from calling 267163.

DRIVERS REQUIRED - Can you spare a few hours each week to drive the needy to hospital appointments etc? If so please call in at The Community Support or call 267961. More drivers are urgently required. Fuel money will be paid.

CONCERT - A concert Winterreise by Frank Schubert featuring Tim Cranmore on baritone and Andrew Morris on piano at The Assembly Rooms on February 6 from 8pm. Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling 07761 660244.

MODEL AIRCRAFT BUILDING - Are you interested in building and flying model aircrafts? If so Chris Smith would like to hear from you. Chris would like to hear from anyone in the Presteigne/ Norton/Knighton/Kington area.

Please call him on 260146.

ZUMBA - You are invited to Zumba classes at the memorial hall on Wednesday evenings from 7pm - 8pm. The Latin inspired dance fitness workout is for all ages and abilities and will be taken by Mandy who can be contacted on 387958 or email mandy.mail@virgin.net.

POPULAR TRICKS SHOW - Entertaining duo Morgan and West are a brand new comic show, full of jokes and jaw-dropping feats of magic that you won’t believe.

The show will take place on January 31 from 7.30pm at The Assembly Rooms. Ticket prices are £8 for adults and £4 for children. You are advised to purchase your tickets in advance from The Workhouse or from wegottickets.com.

CREDIT UNION - The Red Kite Credit Union is your local mutual financial co operative for savings and loans in Central Powys. It is an opportunity for saving regularly, borrow wisely and repay easily avoiding the loan sharks. For further details call 01982 551000 or 01597 824000 or visit redkitecreditunion.co.uk.

FILM - Presteigne Screen are showing the film Boyhood (PG) at The Assembly Rooms on January 30 at 8pm. Admission will be £4.50 for adults and £3 for students. For further details call Pete on 370202 or Alex on 260577.

QUIZ - The Primary School are holding their annual fund raising quiz in the school hall on Thursday, January 29 starting at 7.30pm. Teams of up to five members cost £2 per person. Please bring your own refreshments.

Everyone welcome.

WRITERS CIRCLE - The new group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at The Assembly Rooms from 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

Members read pieces of their own work for other members to discuss and make constructive criticism. Members take turns in supplying refreshments. For further details call 260255.

SERVICES - There is a Morning Service this Sunday at Kinsham at 9.30am. Then there is a service of Holy Communion at St Andrews at 11am. Everyone is most welcome.

MARKET - The monthly market takes place on February 6 at The Memorial Hall from 9.30am - 1.30pm.

Pudleston

PANTOMIME - The Pudleston pantomime 2015 will be Sherlock Holmes and the Problem of Maria by Robin Clarke.

Performances will be on February 27 and 28.

Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7.30pm, adults £10, under 12s £8. Saturday matinee at 2.30pm, adults £8, under 12s £5.

Tickets reservations can be made by contacting linfryer@hotmail.co.uk or 01568 750303.

Alternatively, the box office will be open at Pudleston village hall to buy (cheques to ‘Pudleston village hall’ or cash) or collect tickets on February 7 and 21 between 9am and 10am.

Ross-on-Wye

VAGA PROBUS CLUB - Award winning national newspaper journalist Ken Gibson gave a talk on his 44 year career in journalism, that took him all over the world.

Ken was the motoring editor of the Sun for 24 years until he retired last year, during which time he became one of the world’s leading motoring journalists.

But his career started at the age of 11 ½ years old when he started writing football reports for his local paper, the Hexham Courant in Northumberland.

He went on to work as a trainee reporter for the paper covering everything from news stories to weddings and funerals.

It was the start of a fascinating career that saw him become a sports editor, news editor, industrial reporter, film critic and assistant editor on a number of newspapers, including the Birmingham Post.

During his career Gibson interviewed a wide cross section of people from the man in the street to Prime Ministers, sports stars, Hollywood actors to military heroes.

He also covered major stories like the Lockerbie plane disaster and the collapse of the MG Rover car giant.

During his years at the Sun , Ken had some spectacular driving experiences, he had a passenger ride in the world’s fastest truck at 370 mph, nearly died when he crashed a Land Rover in Bolivia.

He finished his career on a high by driving a Moon Rover at the NASA Space Centre in Houston, across a simulated lunar land surface.

There followed many questions and comments by the membership, particularly on the motoring industry, and his thoughts on the many other motoring reporters as it was felt there was really insufficient relevant information given to enable the motoring public to access pertinent facts about the car they were considering purchasing.

It was agreed that there is a wealth of local newspaper reports which mainly represented the opinion of that particular writer only. Other reports in the national press plus TV advertising and features i.e Jeremy Clarkson and associates showing them speeding on test tracks in expensive exotic locations whilst being entertaining were not of the general publics needs.

Ken’s talk provoked many such comments and the membership applauded his most enjoyable presentation.

Stoke Lacy

THE GARDENING CLUB - The Stoke Lacy and District Gardening Club will meet in the village hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday when members will be given a presentation entitled ‘The curious history of vegetables’ by Bill Laws.

The club has an exciting agenda for the coming 12 months, and new members are always warmly welcomed.

BURNS NIGHT SUPPER - The annual Stoke Lacy Burns night supper will be held in the village hall from 7.30pm tomorrow and will include a two-course meal plus entertainment.

Tickets, at £10 per head, are available on 01885 400601.

This is always a popular event and early booking is vital.

Bring your own booze.

CORRESPONDENT - If you have any news or events for the Stoke Lacy area to be included in the County Times please contact Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, 01432 820074, commnews@ymail.com.

Stretton Sugwas

JIVE CLASSES - There will be jive classes for beginners on Tuesday evenings in the village hall from 8pm - 9pm, £5.

LINCH CLUB - The lunch club will be on Wednesday at 12.30pm in the village hall, £4.

MEETING - There will be a Parish Council meeting on Thursday , January 29 at 7 pm in the church.

FUN WHIST DRIVE - There will be a fun whist drive on January 30 at 7.30pm in village hall, £2.50 with light refreshments.

EVENTS - For further details of all events, go to the website strettonsugwasparishcouncil.co.uk .

Wellington

WELLINGTON WI - Will meet on February 3 at 7.30pm. Following institute business we will have a talk on The Social History of Tea given by friend-of-the-institute, WI member and past county chairman, Eileen Dilley.

Following the talk we’ll sample some tea, and light refreshments.

All are welcome at the Wellington Community Room for the first event of our 2015 calendar.

In this, the WI’s centenary year, why not come along to see what it is all about.

WELLINGTON PARSH COUNCIL - There will be an extraordinary meeting of Wellington Parish Council on Thursday, January 29 starting at 7.30pm in the main (school) hall at the Community Centre.

This meeting is specifically to discuss planning application number 143792 for land at Kingcup Cottage, Wellington Marsh.

The regular Parish Council meeting will be on February 5, also at 7.30pm in the Community Hall.