LEDBURY WEA recently marked its tenth anniversary with a party to celebrate the past and to look forward to the future.

The next decade will begin with a new chairman and a new committee, after the old committee decided to step down after years of dedication.

A spokesman said: "A thriving WEA has been established in Ledbury for ten years, thanks to the foresight and enthusiasm of Jenny Silcock and her committee, who have successfully planned and stewarded the courses, under the auspices of WEA, West Midlands during this period.

"This year Jenny and her colleagues have decided to step aside from their hard work, enjoying the fruits of their labours: continuing to subscribe to WEA courses, but passing on the organisational baton to a new chair and committee."

The spokesman added: "As a celebration of the success of WEA Ledbury, and as an end of an era celebration, Viv Arscott, the Ledbury group's secretary, hosted a tea party on August 5, at her home for both the 'old' and the 'new'. The scones and strawberries were mouth wateringly delicious.

"There was a big thank you, toasted with champagne, to all of the committee for their hard work in maintaining a WEA presence in Ledbury and district."

The new programme for the Autumn and Spring term is now available in the Ledbury Library, Tourist Information Office, the Heritage Centre and Balfour News.

The spokesman said: "The workshops and courses offer a diverse range of subject material catering for a range of interests. They include a trip to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter & Coffin factory, an introduction to Ethics, Urban Realism, an Orson Wells film day, Buddism in practice, the Russian revolution, and many more."