Abbeydore

CEILDH AT HOLLINGWOOD FARM – Live band and caller.

Tickets including food £8.50 in advance or £10 on the door, under 16s free. Concert for Craswall will be at Dore Abbey on Saturday starting at 7.30pm.

Allensmore

RAMBLE AND BARBECUE – At Bewford, Cobhall Lane on Saturday at 3pm. Walk around Allensmore footpaths followed by a barbecue of local produce and a taste of the local apple juice.

Almeley

VILLAGE WEEKEND – The Almeley village weekend will be on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, 12 village gardens open from 11am-6pm, get tickets, maps and refreshments from the church in the village centre.

Sunday is Almeley village fete in the village hall and the common, to be opened by their own George Clooney. Lots of stalls, dog show classes (entries by 2pm), barbecue, bar, teas, jazz band and children’s competitions (contact 01544 327396 for details or see parish magazine).

ALMELEY WHIST DRIVES – Will be continuing through the summer, starting at 7.45pm. The next date is Tuesday and then every fortnight in Almeley Village Hall.

New players are always welcome.

Ashperton

OVERGROWN HEDGES – The parish council has received complaints about properties throughout the parish where hedges have been allowed to overgrow and are currently restricting access to pavements and thus causing a traffic hazard. All residents are reminded that they are responsible for hedges on their property, and that it is up to them to keep them trimmed. Otherwise the district council has the power to have the work done and then charge the householder.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, Hereford, HR1 3QR, 01432 820074, martinfield@ymail.com.

Ballingham

BALLINGHAM VILLAGE EVENT – On July 12, starting at 6pm. A fun evening with live music from Fownhope band The Slippermen. There will be a barbecue and bar, games stalls and sideshows, a fun run, rodeo cow and lots more. Draw tickets with fantastic prizes will be available before and on the evening.

Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill

PARISH COUNCIL – Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill Parish Council will meet in the church at Fromes Hill on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Among topics to be discussed will be the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. There is currently a vacancy on the parish council caused by the resignation of Councillor Mann. Anyone who would be interested in filling the vacancy is asked to contact the parish clerk at the usual address.

There have also been complaints about matters as diverse as the speed limit down Fromes Hill and parish council proposals to limit access to motor vehicles in and around the Bishops Frome children’s playground by installing lockable chain barriers. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

CORRESPONDENT – Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, 01432 820074, parishclerk@ymail.com.

Bishopstone

VILLAGE LOTTERY – John Pinches won £25 with number 19 on June 21.

Bodenham

PLOUGHMANS AND PUDDINGS – The Lugg Valley Friends – Cancer Research UK – will be holding a Ploughmans and Puddings event at the Siward James Centre on July 11 from 12 noon till 2pm. Tickets £7.

PARISH COUNCIL – The next parish council meeting will be held at the Siward James Centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday. There is currently a vacancy for a parish councillor and for a local footpaths officer. Anyone interested in filling either post is asked to contact the parish clerk at the normal address.

THE PARISH HALL – The Parish Hall Management Committee will meet in the hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Everyone is welcome, particularly anyone with ideas as how to extend the life and the profitability of the hall.

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

Bredwardine and Brobury

JULY 100 CLUB DRAW – The Friends of St Andrew’s 100 Club draw will take place tonight (Thursday) at 8pm in the Red Lion Inn, which is serving a curry buffet for diners before the draw.

Contact Jen Maddison on 01981 500048 for further information.

JULY COFFEE, CAKE AND MARKET – There will be a coffee morning in Bredwardine village hall on July 11 from 10am until 12 noon. This is a chance to meet up with old and new friends over coffee and cake. Included in the market are a number of stalls selling fresh vegetables, home-baked cakes, jams and chutneys and they have regular visits from Noggins a local pork butcher.

Alongside this there are stalls selling arts and craft, music and films, knitwear and jewellery created by local artists. Bring along something to sell, it only costs £1 to rent a table for the market and everyone is welcome. Contact Philip Bauer on 01981 500398 with requests or queries.

HEREFORD COMMUNITY LARDER – The Community Larder is Hereford’s food bank and provides bags of food to those in urgent need. Every week this organization gives emergency food parcels to families who find themselves in serious and sudden hardship. There will be a basket for donations of tinned and dried food at the coffee cake and market events in the coming months.

Please give generously. Sarah Morgan on 01981 500155 for more.

BREDWARDINE SUMMER – Organisers have started collecting items for the tombola stall, which is part of the village fete to be held in August and need your help. Items can be of any description as long as they are new. They can be dropped off at Yew Tree House (Charlotte Sellars) Glebe Cottage (Wendy Middleton) or Holly Bush Cottage (Kari Lawson). Contact Charlotte Sellars on 01981 500281 for more.

CORRESPONDENT – Kari Lawson on 01981 501077 or email karimlawson@me.com.

Bridge Sollars

BONUS BALL - Edna Fleckner won £25 with number 19 on June 21.

Burghill and Tillington

OPEN GARDENS - July 12 and 13, 2 until 5pm. This summer you are invited to visit eight lovely gardens in sunny Tillington. As well as enjoying the gardens, there will be traditional cream teas, cake stall, book sales, plant market, art gallery, hand bells, donkeys, croquet and Pimm’s, scarecrow competition and more. For more information, please contact 01432 760961.

Burley Gate

BURLEY GATE VILLAGE HALL - The AGM of the Burley Gate Village Hall Committee will be held in the hall at 7.30pm tonight.

Everyone is welcome, particularly anyone wanting to join the committee.

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

Credenhill

IMAGINATION STATION EVENT - Sunday from 11am until 2pm at Imagination Station, Station Road, Credenhill.

Organisers will lower the drawbridge and invite you all to eat, drink and joust with them at the Medieval Family Fun Day. With the opportunity to purchase bespoke items from the manor market such as Nepalese Jewellery and Andi’s Candy Trees, the fun day’s special selection will tempt you to spend your groats and guineas.

There will be prizes for the best dressed knights and maidens and the chance to make a beautiful headdresses and noble shields before starting target practice and putting a baron or two in the stocks. Halo will be visiting the realm to help children have some Gym Tots fun in the green grounds while the more leisurely members of the family can hook a duck from the moat or crash a castle.

There will be chances to win some fantastic prizes in the raffle such as a day out at Symonds Yat Butterfly Zoo or Newbridge Farm park, not to mention some golf at Alexander Park for the lords of the manor. For tombola fans there will be lots of goodies to scoop.

Or for those of you who would just like to share the feast there will be a delicious barbecue and cakes to enjoy amongst your brethren.

So join the Imagination Station at this fantastic rural pre-school.

Dorstone

CROWN GREEN BOWLS - On June 22 a mixed team of bowlers from Dorstone travelled to Ludlow, Shropshire, to play a friendly match. Dorstone emerged victorious by winning 107 points to Burway’s 101 points.

A return match is arranged for August 17.

Eardisland

GARDEN FETE - Saturday from 2pm to 6pm. Entrance beside Eardisland Bridge across from the Dovecote/Community Shop.

Admission and parking free.

There will be a “dress for less” boutique, wide variety of stalls, barbecue and teas, competitions and grand draw. All this in the idyllic riverside gardens of Glan Arrow (see National Gardens website). Info lines 01544 388810 or 388226.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - Trains and more — open garden, train rides, barbecue, cakes and refreshments, bric a brac, books and more. Black Barn, Eardisland, July 19 from 10pm to 4pm. Info line 01544 388810, postcode HR6 9AS, 01544 387972.

Ewyas Harold

PRIMARY SCHOOL - Talented artist Caroline Slough came in to school for Buddha art day and assisted all the children in decorating mandalas on a large display, the result is amazing.

Jump Rope for Heart is the British Heart Foundation’s popular event designed to encourage young people to be more active while having fun.

All children will be having a sponsored Jump Off tomorrow, although Reception children are not expected to get sponsorship for this event as they have a different sponsored event this term.

Classes 1 - 6 have taken home their sponsor forms so please encourage them in this worthy cause.

The school will be hosting a family treasure hunt and barbecue on July 13 starting at 10.30am from the school. Barbecue and bar back at school, bouncy castle and school based treasure hunt for children in the afternoon. On Tuesday, Years 5 and 6 will give their end of term performance.

Eye

FIVE YEARS IN THE FIFTIES - Old and new films from the Frank Dale collection, presented by Eye’s North Herefordshire Archive Film Group and the Rural Media Company, will be screened at Lyde Court on Wednesday (booking: 01432 357753) and at Cawley Hall, Eye, on August 14 (booking: 01568 615836). On both occasions, the film will be enhanced by specially composed live music and a poetry narration.

Garway

CONCERT - At Tennersfield Farm in Garway on July 12, 6pm for a 6.30 start. Cwmbach Male Voice Choir with soloist Jane Bovell and the Garway School Singers.

Tickets £8 to include a drink at Broad Oak Garage, Garway Moon Inn. Call Janet on 01600 750266.

Hereford

URGENT CALL - Association members urgently need volunteers for the charity shop Wye’s Buys at the Oval. If you have a few hours to spare please help.

It’s a good way to make friends and gain some new skills. For more information please contact Newton Farm Community Association, 21/23 The Oval, Newton Farm, Hereford, HR2 7HG or telephone 01432 279116.

HEARTSTART COURSE - Free two hour Heartstart Course at The Starlite Rooms, HUFC, Edgar Street, Hereford on July 31 from 7pm to 9pm. Booking essential, to book your place email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or call 08456060654.

Kingsland

VILLAGE EVENT - There will be a village event in Kingsland on Saturday at the Coronation Hall at 2pm to commemorate the start of the First World War. Teams are invited to take part in the rounders tournament organised by Kingsland Fire Fighters. The WI and RBL members will be providing refreshments, plus there will be stalls and activities for everyone to have a fun afternoon.

MUSIC - Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte will be performed by the fabulous Pop Up Opera on July 19 at 7.30pm. Kingsland Church, HR6 9QW. Why not picnic on the green?

Dress code black tie/smart casual.

Tickets £25 (£10 under 18) available from Kingsland Post Office or phone 01568 709579.

Kington

KINGTON REMEMBERS - Tomorrow sees the launch of Kington Remembers, a programme of events taking place over the next five years commemorating the First World War. The events are being organised by groups across the town and will include a series of talks by invited speakers on First World War topics under the heading of Kington Conversations.

The inaugural event will be an illustrated talk by Tim Butcher on his new book, The Trigger, about the teenager Gavrilo Princip, whose assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914 was the spark which lit the conflagration we call the First World War.

Tim Butcher made his reputation as a Daily Telegraph foreign correspondent in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, where he became inspired to write his book. After the talk he will be available for questions and book signings.

The evening will take place at Lady Hawkins Community Leisure Centre, Kington at 7.30pm tomorrow. Tickets are £6 at the door, under 16s and Lady Hawkins School pupils free.

Knighton

STRAWBERRY TEA - The Knighton Macmillan Cancer Support committee will be holding their strawberry tea at the church hall, Knighton on Sunday at 3pm. Admission £4, everyone welcome.

Forever Living aloe vera products will be on sale with all profits going to thecharity. Church services for July 6: St Edward’s Church, Knighton, 9.30am; St David’s Church, Whitton, 9.30am; St Andrew’s Church, Norton, 11am; Knighton Methodist Church, 11am; Knighton Baptist Church, 11am; Knighton Catholic Church 11am.

Little Dewchurch

FASHION SHOW - Love Labels fashion show and clothes sale.

Catwalk fashion show with up to 70 per cent off retail prices. Raffle includes £50 voucher to spend on the night. High street store surplus stock — White stuff, Fat Face, M&S, Boden. Saturday, doors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pm. Little Dewchurch village hall, HR2 6PN.

Tickets £6, includes free glass of wine. For tickets and info ring Little Dewchurch School office, 9am and 1pm on 01432 840645.

Madley

PARISH COUNCIL - The last meeting was held on June 3 in the parish hall. Planning applications for Gelpack Industrial Ltd, Fields Place Farm and Lower Lulham Farm were commented on. It was agreed to have a planning page on the parish website at www.madley.org.uk, that will be updated with planning applications the council is being consulted on.

An ambitious plan for the recreation field was approved and grants/funding is being sought to pay for this. If you have any fundraising ideas you could help with, please get in touch with the clerk.

The internal auditor’s report and annual return for 2013/14 was approved for submission to the external auditor. The next meeting is on July 1 at 7.15pm in the parish hall. Everyone is welcome.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY CENTRE NEWS - Local charity Madley Environmental Study Centre (MESC) received a fantastic boost this week in the form of a generous £2000 donation from the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA).

MESC provides environmental education to all ages and abilities at a seven-acre nature reserve, consisting of a diverse mix of woodland, wetland and meadow.

The donation will go towards funding the completion of two new log cabins on the site, ready for the charity’s next event – the Summer Sizzle, which will take place on July 27.

The cheque was presented by Mark Osborne from Outback Barbecues, who secured the funding from LOFA. Pupils from Kingstone Primary School who were visiting the site joined Mark and charity trustees Jon King and Maureen Venn for the presentation.

The Summer Sizzle event is set to be a great family day out – Outback Barbecues will be back at the MESC site, kindly donating a barbecue to be used as a raffle prize and offering free demonstrations and tasting sessions.

There will also be a number of craft and food stalls, refreshments, tractor trailer rides, demonstrations, entertainment, wildlife exhibits and free children’s games.

Entrance on the day is just £3 for adults and £2 for kids.

For more information visit MESC’s website www.mesc.org.uk, or Facebook and Twitter pages.

Marden

FUN WEEKEND - Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, between 2pm - 5pm, in aid of Marden Church Tower and Bells Appeal. There will be: seven open gardens, cream teas, walks, a quiz draw and refreshments around the Marden village and surrounding area. Plus tower tours at Marden Church, for £3 (Saturday 10am-12.30pm only). Entry tickets are £5 to include £1 off a cream tea, £1 off a tower tour and a free quiz entry to win a beautiful handmade Welsh rug. For further details phone 01568 797227.

STRAWBERRY FAIR - There will be a strawberry fair/big event/car boot in aid of Marden Pre-School on Saturday from 2pm - 4pm.

To book a table or boot ring Paula on 07985576230. Boots to set up as of 12pm at Marden Community Centre.

There will be refreshments, a barbecue, tea, coffee, strawberries and cream, ice creams, soft drinks, and bottle stall. Also tin can alley, coconut shy, wellie wanging, bouncy castle, book stall, raffle and much more for everyone. Then, there will be a children’s disco 5pm till 7pm.

Then a disco for all the family, 7pm till late (with a bar).

Come and join in the fun.

Strawberries kindly provided by S and A Davies, a fun day for all the family.

Mordiford

CHURCH FETE - Will be held at Sufton Court on Saturday at 2pm. All the usual stalls including homemade cakes, chutneys, books, bottles, plants and bric-a-brac.

The Mordiford Community Choir will entertain from 3pm while you enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with the now-famous cream scones.

The Lugg Valley Archers will be there to demonstrate and to encourage your skills.

Come and see the beautiful classic cars on display.

Games for the children and a bouncy castle.

The July draw for the 200 Club will take place at 4pm and there is the usual grand draw. Everybody welcome.

Peterchurch

COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS - At the public open meeting held in the community centre there was a unanimous vote in support of the community centre moving from its current building to the Old Magistrates Court.

More details to follow.

Pipe Cum Lyde

SUMMER FETE - Saturday at Lyde Church, Lyde, 11am to 1pm. There will be a First World War display plus bric- a-brac, cakes, books, etc.

Refreshments and draw, free entry. Parking at Kenchester Water Gardens (left-hand side as you enter car park).

Further details from Sally Robertson 01432 769459.

Presteigne

DRIVERS REQUIRED – Presteigne and Norton Community Support require volunteer drivers to help transport the needy people to hospital appointments etc. Can you spare a few hours a week? Drivers are reimbursed 45p per mile towards their expenses. If you can spare a few hours or would like more information please call the community support office on 26961 or email transport@pncs.org.uk.

Last year 43,000 miles were driven by volunteers over 1511 journeys with 2882 voluntary hours used.

CARNIVAL – The newly reformed Presteigne carnival is coming soon. The procession leaves John Beddoes School at 1pm through High Street to the carnivalsite at Wentes Meadow on July 19. The carnival opens at 1.30pm. Floats and fancy dress need to assemble at John Beddoes School at 12 noon for judging. Admission to the carnival will be is £2.50 for adults, under 16s and fancy dress entrants go free. There will be a bouncy castle, music, refreshments, a bar, a bucking sheep, crazy golf, a kids’ football tournament, Paws for Thought – a dog display team, games and competitions. For details see the carnival Facebook page or any committee member.

MUSIC – Macadam Piano from the Loire Valley will be playing ragtime, Chopin, Fats Waller or Debussy at a concert at The Workhouse on Thursday, July 10 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 which will include a two-course dinner. More details and tickets can be obtained by calling 267864.

FLORAL ART IN THE GARDEN – There will be floral art displays, modern and traditional, in a lovely garden setting at Stocklow Manor Farm (between Byton and Presteigne) this Friday and Saturday from 10.30am-4pm.

There will be a plant stall, floral tombola, refreshments, plus lots more. There is ample parking.

Admission is £5 with all proceeds going to P&BFAS funds with any donations gratefully received in aid of St Michael’s Hospice. For further details call 01547 529244.

TOWN COUNCIL – The next meeting of Presteigne and Norton Town Council will take place at the Shire Hall on July 16. The public are welcome to attend.

DANCING CLASSES – Alanya will be taking belly dancing classes on Monday evenings from 7.30- 9pm at St Andrews Church Hall.

For further details call Abbie on 07962 161081 or info@alanyabellydance.com or www.alanyabellybance.com CHESS – Would you like to learn how to play chess or do you play and would like to play someone different to improve your game?

If so, then why not join the chess club? They meet on Tuesday evenings at The Farmers Inn from 7.30pm.

For further details call the secretary David Hancock on 231208.

FARMERS’ MARKET - The monthly farmers’ market will take place this Saturday at The Memorial Hall from 9am-1pm.

All the usual stalls will be there as well as refreshments so please come along and support the local traders.

MUSIC - Locally born Benji Kirkpatrick is taking a break from his band Bellowhead and will be playing at St Michael’s Church in Discoed this Friday from 7.30pm.

Benji is a multi instrumentalist singer-songwriter.

Tickets are £7.50 and can be purchased from Winnies or by emailing davidhiam@aol.com or visiting www.discoed.org.

SERVICES - This Sunday there will be services of holy communion at St Andrew’s at 8am, Kinsham at 9.30am and Knill also at 9.30am.

Then there is a family service at St Andrew’s at 11am.

Everyone is most welcome to attend these services.

WOMEN TOGETHER - The next meeting of Women Together will be a planning and social meeting at The Assembly Rooms on Wednesday at 2.30pm.

For further details about the meeting please call Helen on 267082.

Please note that there will be no meeting in August.

THANK YOU - This year a massive £1,516 was collected for Christian Aid 2014.

And there is still money being donated!

The total figure will also increase in Gift Aid.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who gave and collected over the week.

This amount is an increase on last year’s total so a big thank you must go to everyone.

CONCERT - The community choir Whitton Voices based in Presteigne will be playing a concert with merry music from Bandamania and led by Sue Harris in Discoed Church on July 13 at 7pm.

Admission will be charged at £5 on the door.

If you would like further details please call 01547 560246.

FLORAL ARTS SOCIETY - The next meeting of Presteigne and Norton Floral Arts Society will be on Wednesday in the Memorial Hall from 7.30pm.

This month Victoria Martin will give a talk about her cut flower garden at Stokesay Castle and also demonstrate a hand tied bouquet.

Visitors are welcome.

Refreshments will be available at this event.

For further details call the secretary on 01547 529244.

ARTS AND CRAFTS - The monthly arts and crafts will take place at The Assembly Rooms on Saturday from 9.30am-3.30pm.

The stalls are by local artists presenting their own work.

Refreshments will be available.

For further details call Rosamund on 260777.

MUSIC AND BEER FESTIVAL - This year’s annual music and beer festival will take place at Presteigne Football Club on August 24 from 4pm.

This year the bands playing will be The Lone Wolves, Steady Edd and The Boogie Men, Fight The Bear and a special appearance from Mr Dave Luke.

There will be a wide range of local real ales, beers and ciders on offer along with refreshments.

Admission will be £10 at the gate.

For further details call 260485.

Put the date in your diary.

HOME PRESTEIGNE - You are invited to the grand opening of Home Presteigne at St Andrew’s Church hall on Wednesday from 3-6pm.

You are welcome to drop in and have a cuppa and a cake.

Then in the evening at 7.30pm there will be a guest speaker from award winning LILAC Housing Project in Leeds as well as a Q&A session with the specially selected panel plus the results will be announced from the Home Presteigne questionnaire.

For further details call Jane Walsh on 260693 or visit www.

home-presteigne.co.uk ST ANDREW’S APPEAL - St Andrew’s Church have finally been given permission to replace the antiquated wiring system, allowing for modern user friendly lighting and power points to be installed.

For this to take place there will be a need to raise much needed funds and the church will be launching the mayor’s fund raising appeal in the near future.

Can you help?

Please watch out for further information over the coming weeks.

Rowlestone

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN - The Group Parish Council have reached the stage of compiling the first draft, which will then be sent out to everyone in the parish for further consultation.

However, before then there is going to be a further opportunity to have your say about what goes into the plan.

The Group Parish Council will be holding a drop-in public meeting on July 15 at the Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall from 3.30pm-8pm.

All welcome - refreshments available.

Tarrington

TARRINGTON FETE - Saturday from12 noon-4pm in the glorious garden at The Vine, Tarrington.

Unfortunately, due to a clash of commitments, Tarrington Brass will be unable to appear at the annual fete to be held at The Vine (HR1 4EX), by kind permission of Richard Price.

The fete organisers are actively pursuing alternative entertainment to replace the band, but otherwise the attractions remain the same as previously planned – home made cream teas in the courtyard, an opportunity to wander through and wonder at the glorious garden, a treasure hunt, silent auction, archery, hot food and bar for the adults, loads of fun things for the children with bouncy castle, face painting and more.

Find it on the A438, halfway between Hereford and Ledbury.

Follow the signs from the main road. Car parking at the Lady Emily Hall.

Weobley

SUMMER GARDEN FETE - Weobley Church, July 12, 2pm, at the vicarage/Glebe House.

Come along and enjoy some good old fashioned fun. Stalls, games, raffles, fabulous prizes galore and wonderful refreshments.

Best yet – definitely not to be missed.

MUSICAL - Weobley High School presents the musical The Wiz retelling the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and July 11 at 7pm in the school hall.

A lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul which will whisk you away on a magical journey down the yellow brick road.

Tickets are available from the school office or call 01544 318159 to book. Adult £7, child £3.

Yarkhill

THE BIG TEA - In aid of St Michael’s Hospice which will be held on Thursday, July 10 from 10am to 12pm at Yarkhill Village Hall.

Come and enjoy tea/ coffee and cake and help us raise money for this great cause.

SUMMER BARBECUE AND PARISH PLAN LAUNCH - Will be held on July 13 from 12pm at Yarkhill Village Hall.

Please bring your own alcoholic drinks; barbecue food, soft drinks and accompaniments for sale.

Bouncy castle for the children.

CHURCH FETE, PRODUCE SHOW AND FUN DOG SHOW - Will be held on July 26 from 2pm - 4.30pm in the field opposite the church, Watery Lane, HR1 3TD.

Lots of fun activities for all the family.

Breinton Ringcraft Society

KEN Francis (Sawheaten) judged the match on June 18 and selected Caroline Scott’s miniature smooth haired dachshund - Wolferlow Mary Quant for Best Puppy and Best in Match. Reserve Best Puppy was Lorraine Carter’s lhasa apso - Labweiller Real Opal for Vowchurch and Best Veteran was Brenda Piears’ cardigan corgi Tyci Tegwen. Best Adult in Match was Ann McGuigan’s miniature smooth haired dachshund - Thyth C’est La Vie and Reserve was Lorraine Carter’s lhasa apso - Vowchurch Viva la Diva. At Chepstow Show, Daniel O’Learys pug Princess Porcha from Mopszawawa won 1st in graduate, Best of Breed, Best Puppy and shortlisted for Best Puppy in Show at her first show. At Blackpool Show Hans and Amy Baranzeck’s long coated chihuahua - Happyhouse Solo at Capevidle was Best Dog and Best Opposite Sex. Jazzroyal Alexie at Capevidle was 2nd in Junior Bitch. Ringcraft is held every Wednesday at Stretton Sugwas Village Hall from 7.45pm - 9pm.

Next match, July 16. Call Anthony Brooks 07776 150212, loofahsa@ hotmail.co.uk or Jeanette Shepherd 01544 327117.

Hereford Wye Valley Inner Wheel Club

MEMBERS have welcomed district chairman Sherry Phillips to a meeting, and also had a talk from Janet Wall entitled “Not Quite Downton Abbey”. Past members joined in for lunch in April and members have visited the Pershore, Malvern and Royal Forest of Dean Clubs. They travelled to Slimbridge in May for the final of the district skittles competition and were runners up to the Thornbury Club.

In May members handed over to pupils at Blackmarston, Hereford’s special needs primary school, a tricycle given by the club to mark the 90th anniversary of Inner Wheel – as part of the nationwide Wheels Project – and this was enthusiastically received. Members also enjoyed two anniversary events involving clubs throughout the district – a lunch at The Gables Hotel in Falfield and a trip to Weston- super-Mare for a ride on the big wheel and tea on the pier.

The club’s year runs to the end of June, and fund-raising events throughout the year have led to donations to St Michael’s Hospice, Haven Breast Cancer Support Centre, Herefordshire Nature Trust, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Parkinsons UK, Marie Curie and Eric Bayliss Nurses’ Fund. Members also supported overseas charities Water Aid and School in a Bag, which provides back packs to children containing all the items they need to enable them to go to school. The June meeting will see president Patricia Hooper handing over the chain of office to incoming president Christine Starnes.

Leominster U3A

AT June’s meeting Joy Ardy, from Wigmore, gave an amusing and inspiring account of her life in teaching which was particularly appreciated by the large proportion of ex-teachers among the membership. Coming from a poor background herself, she achieved a degree in English, then  started her career in a tough inner-city school amid swearing and fighting. In later schools she taught both low-ability and extremely able pupils, inspiring one group, through an after-school creative writing workshop, to win national poetry competitions. At the next meeting on July 15 in the Royal Oak, Paul Smith will talk on The Trans-location of Wildlife for Development and Conservation.

Visitors are welcome - £2.


Marden Gardeners Association

THE Marden Gardeners
Association visit to Stockton
Bury Gardens at Kimbolton on
June 11, was wonderful. The gardens were laid out in a series of
‘rooms’, each with its own character. This featured a superb water
garden, beautifully laid out and
full of colour. Everywhere were
plants that members had not seen
before and all in glorious profusion. To cap it all, the weather was
very good and the cafe/restaurant
excellent. This garden is well
worth a visit, open Wednesday to
Sunday, and is only just north of
Leominster.
Members will be visiting The
Orchards at Bishops Frome,
Worcester, on July 16. The garden
includes a Japanese tea-house
and a Mediterranean area as well
as 16 water features and a large
bird aviary. Members will be car
sharing and plan to meet at
Marden School car park at 1pm.
Cost is £3 entry plus £2.50 for tea/
coffee and homemade cake.
Anyone interested in joining the
tour should contact Len Day on
01432 880657.
Westonbury Mill Water Gardens
visit has been arranged for
August 13. Situated between
Pembridge and Kington, this garden has many splendid features,
buildings, dingles and dells with
beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Cost is £5 for
entry with refreshments extra. A
big part of the outings is always
the coffee and cakes. Car sharing
as above, meeting at 1pm in the
school car park.
The above garden visits are open
anyone who wants to come along
and have a very enjoyable and
relaxing afternoon but please contact Len Day as organisers often
have to provide an estimate of
numbers.
The autumn show is September 6.
Over the past two years the spring
and autumn shows have been very
well supported with record numbers of entries, all of excellent
quality. So members hope that you
will all feel inspired to enter one
or more categories this autumn.
As well as the usual categories for
fruit and veg the following will be
included for this show:-

Floral displays:

• an autumn arrangement (novice class)

• arrangement of floating flower heads in a bowl

• arrangement in a cup and saucer

• arrangement depicting a sport

• an arrangement for a Harvest Festival

Note. All arrangements not to exceed 20” wide.

Cookery:

• a jar of jam

• three sausage rolls

• six cheese straws

• five cup cakes

• a Victoria sponge

• jar of chutney Handicrafts:

• something new from something old

• photograph of a wild animal or bird

• an item of needlework

• a knitted item

• an item crafted from a hard substance (wood, metal, glass etc.), children up to 12 yrs

• an edible necklace

• seaside on a plate, children 12-16 yrs

• a selfie made from sliced vegetables (max A4 size) Of course members would welcome children of any age to enter any show category.

This village has an abundance of imaginative and skilful people so organisers are looking forward to a large number of entries and a very enjoyable afternoon. Entries are open to anyone in the parish and entry forms can be had from Peter Mann, Carol Rawlings or Len Day closer to the date.

Visitors and new members always welcome. Members meet every second Tuesday of the month in the community centre at 7.30pm commencing again on September 9. For more contact secretary, Len Day on 01432 880657.

Whitecross Townswomens Guild

IN May a group went walking in Queenswood among the bluebells and rested in the cafe for refreshments after a leisurely walk.

Mary Halls received her 50 year badge via headquarters which was presented by the chairman.

Flowers were also presented and photos taken. Mary has been a stalwart of the guild having served on the committee as chairman. She was obviously a very young and busy woman when she joined, having a young family and also working.

The speaker for May was Penny Platts who gave a talk on her visit to Russia and she brought Russian dolls, icons and other memorabilia for the members to see. Penny is always an enjoyable and interesting speaker. She was thanked by Jan Jones. The competition was won equally by Mary Halls, Ellen Saunders and Joan Hughes. The raffle of a basket of fruit was won by new member Pam Nicholls. A coffee morning was arranged by Mavis Matthews.

At the June meeting members discussed the mandates, for the AGM in Cardiff on June 18, which were for the proposed lowering of the voting age from 18 to 16 and also the proposed discussion regarding female genital mutilation.

Eight members attended the AGM and a report was given at the last meeting. The speaker at the June meeting was Valerie Fitch of Herefordshire Carers Support.

Her talk was entitled “Unpaid Carers and the importance of them”. It is surprising how many unpaid carers there are in Herefordshire and rather upsetting to learn that some of them are young children. The speaker was thanked for an informative talk by Brenda Lindesay. The competition for the best rose was won by Mel Foster. The raffle was won by Maureen Price. New members welcome. Ring Joan Hughes on 357236 or call at the hall on the first Wednesday of the month.