Almeley

BINGO - Almeley village hall Easter bingo evening, March 20 in Almeley village hall, HR3 6NE.

Doors open at 7pm. Eyes down at 7.30pm, lots of prizes to be won, an Easter raffle, bring the children and friends for a bit of fun.

Ashperton

WINNERS - The Ashperton Church 100 club winners for March were 1st Sharon South, 2nd Andrew Cummins, 3rd Jenny Parfitt and 4th Roly Eustace.

Aymestrey and Leinthall Earls

CHURCH - On Sunday (Mother’s Day) there will be a service of Holy Communion (CW) at Leinthall Earls at 3.30pm.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of Aymestrey Parish Council will take place on March 25 at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Bishop’s Frome and Fromes Hill

LENT LUNCHES - The next Lent lunch will be tomorrow from noon till 2pm and will be hosted at the vicarage. It will be in support of the Ledbury Food Bank.

BINGO - There will be a bingo session at the Bishop’s Frome Village Centre on Monday from 8pm, with proceeds going to Fromes Hill Church. There will also be an Easter bingo in aid of ME at the same venue on March 30 from 8pm.

INTERNET CAFÉ - The Internet Café is open at the Bishop’s Frome village centre from 10am to noon.

Anyone is welcome, regardless of their level of knowledge or experience.

COFFEE MORNING - There will be a coffee morning on March 20 from 10am in the village centre.

They will then be held every fortnight.

OVER 60s LUNCH CLUB - The Lunch Club meets on Tuesdays in the village centre from 12.30pm for 1pm. Details from Joan on 01531 640587.

QUIZ NIGHT - On March 27, opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, there will be a quiz night at the Bishop’s Frome Village Centre. £6 per head – half-price for under 12s – and this will include a simple supper. Bring your own booze.

Teams of three to five are welcome or players can team up on the night. Bookings taken now via Wendy on 01885 490496 or Isabel on 01531 640981. Proceeds in aid of the village centre.

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

Bishopstone

VILLAGE LOTTERY - Nora Wintour won £25 with number 43 on February 28.

PARISH COUNCIL - There will be a meeting of Bishopstone Group Parish Council tonight at 7.30pm at the New Bridge Community Centre. The agenda will include discussion of a proposal to build 12 houses on a site at Bishon Farm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and to raise matters of local interest.

Bodenham

BODENHAM LEISURE CLUB - On March 23 the club will meet in the parish hall at 2.30pm for a talk entitled Bees and Honey presented by Jane Matthews. This promises to be a delightful talk. As well as the normal raffle there will be a bring and buy table, and light refreshments will be served.

CAFÉ AT THE CHAPEL - The regular Thursday morning ‘Café at the Chapel’ at the Chapel in Chapel Lane is available every Thursday from 10.30am until noon and provides an opportunity for anyone to call in for an informal chat over a cup of tea, coffee, etc. 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).

BODENHAM CARERS GROUP - The next meeting of the carer’s group will be on Monday from 2pm to 3.30pm at the Siward James Centre, when there will be a talk entitled Health Watch.

Enquiries to Helen Whitmore on 01432 256068.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - The next film in the current Flicks in the Sticks series at Bodenham Parish Hall will be Mr Turner (12A) showing at 7.30pm Saturday (as part of the Borderlines Film Festival), and will be followed by The Imitation Game (12A) on April 17. Adult tickets remain at £4. There will be an interval, with light refreshments available.

BIG BREAKFAST - The First Marden and District Scout Group, in conjunction with St Michael’s Parents Association wants to raise money to pay for new camping equipment. They have therefore organised a Big Breakfast in Bodenham Parish Hall Saturday, from 8am till noon. Adult breakfasts will cost £6.50, whilst those for children will cost just £3.50.

TRAVELS WITH A CAMERA - The next Travels with a Camera presentation will be at the Bodenham Chapel (HR1 3HR) at 7.30pm tomorrow, and will feature Brian Skinner showing views of The French Riviera. Light refreshments provided.

Admission £3 in aid of Hope Carriers Trust (unless stated).

Everyone is welcome. Tel: Dave or Jenny Hill 01568 797531.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS - The New Leaf and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust community consultation events about the proposed changes in the management of Queenswood and Bodenham Lake are continuing. At 7.30pm on Tuesday, in the parish hall, following the earlier sessions in Bodenham, there will be a ‘Have Your Say’ group consideration of the HWT and New Leaf plans, involving the local community.

The event will be hosted by Friends of Bodenham Lake. The next consultation event will be next Thursday, March 19, in Hope Under Dinmore from 3-6pm and 7-8pm at Hope Under Dinmore Village Hall.

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

Bosbury

HEREFORD RINGCRAFT CLUB - February 24 saw the first match of the year. Our judge for the evening was John Clare (Mabellene) John has owned, bred, showed and judged Boxers for 30 years and now has WH Dachshunds and a basset Fauve de Bretagne.

John chose, Best Puppy in match Joyce Burford’s six month old Bearded Collie Heleview Harmony, lovely little pup full of enthusiasm and promise. Well done Joyce, she is a little star in the making.

Best Adult and Best in Match, was Meadowline Morning Glory to Mikmaq, a lovely sleek Labrador owned and trained by Fuffy King.

Well done to both of you on a wonderful performance.

We have started to do a junior handling training evening and held our first junior handling class which saw Scott Bridgewater go through his paces and win with Sheldonora Lightening Bolt. Well done Scott and to all our junior handlers for taking part, you should be very proud of yourselves because the standard of handling was very high. Big thank you to Fuffy King for judging this for us and also to John Clare who judged the main matches, really appreciate it.

Thank you to all who brought food for the buffet and prizes for the raffle and indeed to the people who work on the committee, couldn’t do this without you.

Hereford Ringcraft Club meet every Tuesday evening, 7.30pm start at Bosbury Parish Hall. All enquiries to Paul Glithero (chairman) 01432 880553 or Noz Barrett 01568 610744.

Bredwardine and Brobury

COFFEE, CAKE AND MARKET - In Bredwardine village hall tomorrow, 10am and noon, for fresh coffee and home-baked cakes. There are stalls selling fresh vegetables, free-range eggs, cakes, jams and chutneys, arts and crafts, knitwear and jewellery created by local artists and ideal for gifts. You can pick up a movie, a book or some music to take home or just browse through a magazine while you sip your coffee. And if you feel like it, bring along something to sell; it only costs £1 to rent a table. Contact Philip Bauer on 01981 500398 with requests or queries.

HEARTSTART TRAINING IN BREDWARDINE - Heartstart training evening at Bredwardine village hall from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday. You will learn how to call for help in an emergency, help someone who is unconscious, recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, deal with choking or serious bleeding and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The course is free but there are only a few places left so you will need to book by ringing Heloise Kirby on 01981 500160. We’re serving tea and coffee during the evening and you are encouraged to leave a donation to help Herefordshire Heartstart continue this vital programme.

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

Breinton

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS - The consultation period for the public to comment on the draft Neighbourhood Plan ends on March 30.

The plan is on the website breintonparish.co.uk along with some other supporting documents. It is also on deposit at Hereford Library, on Herefordshire Council’s website (in the planning section), as well as from the parish clerk and councillors. We will also have copies at the public meetings.

The next public meeting is in the village hall on Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm, when we will explain the plan and answer any questions you have.

We have learnt a lot over the last few months, and improved the plan by people saying “have you thought about..?” and “what if...?”, so please get involved and let us have your feedback and comments by March 30.

As you probably know, there are Parish Council elections in May 2015. If you are interested in standing for election as a parish councillor, please have a look at the Herefordshire Council website, or contact the parish clerk on 01432 340129 in the first instance.

Residents of Breinton will have noticed that Balfour Beatty have carried out several road repairs on the lanes in Breinton in the last couple of weeks – great news.

There is still a stretch on the Upper Breinton road which needs urgent repair, and we hope Balfour Beatty will prioritise this stretch over the next 12 months.

Bridge Sollars

BONUS BALL - On February 28 Rupert Oliver won £25 with number 43.

Bromyard

BROMYARD HISTORY SOCIETY - There will be a talk on March 18 entitled The Real ‘Allo ‘Allo’ - his father’s escape in 1944 by John Pittwood.

John’s father, a navigator with 207 Squadron, was amongst the thousands of allied airmen who had to bail out over occupied France following a bombing raid on an enemy target. Fortunately for John his father survived and based on his recollections and on the research work which John has since undertaken he has managed to piece together the story of his fathers meeting with members of the SOE resistance and of his journey to freedom 7.30pm at the Conquest Theatre Bromyard.

Members free, non members £3.

Clifford

BIG BREAKFAST - Busy Bees Nursery are holding a Big Breakfast fundraiser at Clifford Community Hall on March 22, from 8am until noon.

Adult prices are £6 and child prices are £3. Everybody welcome.

Credenhill

CREDENHILL SOCIAL CLUB - Residents of Credenhill can now turn up to see their favourite sports at Credenhill Social Club, who have recently installed BT sport TV. They have already shown a number of top soccer and rugby games and are scheduled to show more in the future. This is in addition to all the regular activities taking place at the club.

Arrangements have already been finalised for the Irish night on March 21 when top Irish folk band The Box Band will be performing live. Further in formation can be had by telephoning the social club on 01432 760600.

Dilwyn

PLAY - A spellbinding evening of witches, murder and mayhem is promised at the Crown Inn, Dilwyn on Wednesday and Thursday, March 19, starting at 7.30pm, when The Witches of Dilwyn written by Tony Hobbs is to be shown. Presented by the Dilwyn Amateur Dramatic Academy and directed by Donna Reid, the play revolves round three actresses who, tired of playing the witches in Macbeth, travel to the village of Dilwyn and stay with the mother of Mavis, their leader. In the local pub they meet up with Berenice, a foreign strawberry picker/working girl, the landlord, Sebastian, and Mr Pong, leader of a Chinese tourist party.

They soon become involved in murder, not one, but three, leading to the arrival of Inspector Sidebottom and a visit to a local Wicca Coven.

Tickets, priced £10 to include a curry supper, are available from the Crown 01544 318 063.

Eardisland

WI ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING - March 21, no entrance fee and free parking. To be held at the Eardisland Village Hall starting at 10am until noon. There will be a book stall, brac-a-brac and clothes, bottle stall, raffle and wide variety of cakes available for purchase. Coffee/tea and a biscuit £1.50. A donation to Parkinson’s UK from the proceeds.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE CLASS - For all ages, starting Monday, village hall 10am - 11am. Contact Mandy 01544 387958.

Eardisley

EARDISLEY YOUNG FARMERS - Arrangements are being made for a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the formation of Eardisley Young Farmers Club.

There will be an evening supper and dance on July 4 at Upper House Farm, by kind permission of the Preece family. It is hoped as many past and present members and friends will be able to join us so please spread the word. For more information please contact Holly Preece on 01544 327378.

WHIST DRIVE - At the last whist drive at the New Strand the prizewinners were: Janet Davies, Gwen Thomas, Brian Harris, Marj Phillips, Rona Jenkins and Kath Jenkins. The next whist drive is on Monday at 7.30pm.

Everyone welcome.

Ewyas Harold

PARISH COUNCIL - The February meeting was held in St Michaels Hall with Cllr C Pogson in the chair (acting chairman elected at the meeting. Also present Ward Cllr Graham Powell, the clerk, the lengthsman Terry Griffiths and two members of the public.

In the Open Forum Ward Cllr G Powell gave a detailed report covering the council budget, Callowside planning, highways, mobile infrastructure and Herefordshire Cone strategy. A request to cut grass on the cricket pitch with no cost to the parish council was made. Permission for a one-off cut to be made, this was granted. A decision on permanent permission would be made at the next meeting.

Purchase of the Kemble Centre site had now been completed. An extra meeting will be arranged to discuss an agenda for its future running and management.

PRIMARY SCHOOL - Class 2 went on a school trip to Noah’s’s Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol. They walked around the animal enclosures, saw lions, elephants, giraffes and other animals. The pupils stroked a snake and a bearded dragon and they also had a chance to feed the meerkats. Pupils are asked to wear something red or put on a funny face and donate £1 for Red Nose Day tomorrow. There will be a cake sale in school, donations of cakes to be brought in on Friday morning - they’ll be sold for 20p each in school. Mothering Sunday celebration on Sunday will be a family service at 3.30pm in St Michaels Church followed by cream teas in school £2.50 and a hamper raffle. Class 2 assembly will be at 9am on Thursday, March 19. There will be a ladies night on March 21, 7pm in the Memorial Hall. Tickets obtainable from the school office cost £20 each to include cocktails, canapes and entertainment.

WALKERS - Every Friday morn- ing meet at 10am outside the fish and chip shop for short gentle walks around the village and local area. For more energetic walkers there will be a walk of four to five miles around Longtown today.

KOFFI POT - In the Baptist Hall 10.30am - noon open to all.

Tomorrow there will be chance to purchase Traidcraft goods.

PANTOMIME - A big thank you to all who supported the Kilpeck Pantomime in 2014. All four performances were sold out weeks before the show, the matinee within 48 hours of the tickets being released.

MOTHER’S DAY - A special service in St Michaels Church at 10am on Sunday with a surprise for all mothers.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY - In Horsecroft every Tuesday 9.30am - noon and every Thursday, 2pm - 4.30pm. No tickets required to borrow books, some DVDs and books for sale.

LENT LUNCH - On Thursday, March 19 at noon in the Baptist Hall with soup lunch from 1pm.

This is not a series and all are welcome.

Fownhope

ST MARY’S CHURCH - A Coffee Morning is being held this Saturday in the church from 10.30am until noon. As well as delicious refreshments there will be a cake stall, raffle, cards and inexpensive gifts for mums for Mothering Sunday. All proceeds towards the Christmas Tree Festival to be held at the church in December.

Garway

GARWAY HERITAGE GROUP - The county boasts a wide range of river bridges constructed in a vast number of ways, and those attending the March meeting of the Garway Heritage Group will be able to learn more about them from John Faulkner, a civil engineer with wide experience of major projects across the world.

From Hereford’s Old Wye Bridge, built in 1490 to replace a timber one and much repaired and altered over the centuries, to the steel beam bridge at Bridge Sellars, one of the county’s newest, John’s illustrated talk will widen listeners’ appreciation of the range and variety of such structures in our county.

The meeting will be held at Garway Village Hall and will begin at 7.30pm on Tuesday. All are welcome – an entrance fee of £3 for visitors includes refreshments at the end of the meeting.

Further information from garwayheritagegroup.co.uk.

Goodrich

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Fury (15) today at the village hall starting at 7.30pm, £4.50, 01600 891249. Coming on April 2, The Imitation Game (12A) and April 30, Mr Turner (12A).

Hereford

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

Sunday (Mothering 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 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, March 19, 8.15am Morning Prayer and Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 10am Eucharist with Hymn and address at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford; 12.10pm Low Mass at All Saints’ Church, Eign Gate, Hereford.

HAMPTON DENE TABLE TOP SALE - Saturday at Hampton Dene Primary School, 10am to noon. Tables £5 each; payments can be made at the school office.

Sellers can set up from 9am.

HEREFORD CIVIC SOCIETY - Question time - Politicians and local experts discuss important issues of planning, landscape, architecture, conservation and engineering in Hereford. Join us at 7pm at the Kindle Centre by Asda, Belmont tonight to discuss Hereford’s health (County Hospital etc), on Thursday March 19 to discuss Hereford’s education (schools, new university, free schools etc), and on March 26 to discuss Hereford at work (Enterprise Zone, highways, Business Improvement District).

Send your questions to chair@ herefordcivicsociety.org.uk. For full details of speakers see our website herefordcivicsociety.org.uk.

CRAFT FAIR - The Golden Valley Craft group will be in All Saint’s Church in Hereford until Saturday. You will find crafts made locally. The quality is good, the price is good, the ambience is good, the refreshments in the lovely church are good, so visit us, we always enjoy meeting you all.

HOMER WI - Our previously advertised talk for the March meeting ,’Undercover for 20 years’, was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

At very short notice, George Thomas stepped in, a local man and former journalist, as well as being the devoted husband of Gwenda, one of our members. Mr Thomas spoke about The History of Theatre in Hereford.

Following a very warm welcome, our members heard about some famous Hereford actors from the 1700s including David Garrick (born in the Angel Inn, now Neals Yard Apothecary), Sarah Siddons - known as the Queen of Tragedy on the London stage, Mr Kemble who had a Hereford theatre named after him and which was demolished in 1963 and Nell Gwynne, who sold oranges to theatregoers in London, went on the stage, became King Charles II mistress and whose great grandson became Bishop of Hereford.

George informed the women present of the old Alhambra theatre, which became the Crystal Rooms(now apartments) where the likes of Vera Lynn, Ken Dodd and Norman Wisdom performed.

Tickets were one guinea.

Mr Thomas also related the poignant and tragic tale involving the deaths of eight children in a fire in Forresters Hall, now the site of the multi story car park. We also heard about the Palladium cinema, later the County Theatre where Arthur Lowe, Captain Mainwaring of Dad’s Army, made his debut.

The Newmarket tavern, now Zizzi’s restaurant, had an extension known as the Theatre Royal, now the site of the Odeon cinema.

George also took to the stage himself. In pantomime, he was savagely murdered, only for everyone to hear a small voice from the front row saying plaintively, “leave my daddy alone!” - George’s youngster.

Mr Thomas and a group of friends and family were very keen to continue the long tradition of live theatre in Hereford and jumped in at the deep end, converting the old public baths into the Nell Gwynne theatre, using fixtures and fittings from many local buildings that were being demolished. After 25 years, the National Lottery offered a grant of £4.5 million, provided the building was demolished and a new one built. The Courtyard theatre was born.

Finally, George was given a huge round of applause, his talk and slideshow left us all with fascinating memories of aspects of life in our wonderful city of Hereford.

Holmer WI will meet again on April 2 at 7.30pm in Holmer Parish Hall, next to the church.

The speaker, Julia Orton Davis, will talk about the munitions factory at Rotherwas. Ladies, you are most welcome to join us.

HEREFORDSHIRE HEARTSTART - Free two Hour Heartstart Course (CPR etc) at Holmer Park Spa and Leisure, Hereford on March 24 from 7pm to 9pm. Booking essential, to book your place email herefordshireheartstart@btconnect.com or call 0845 6060654 .

Kempley

DAFFODIL WEEKEND - The 40th anniversary of Kempley Daffodil Weekend is taking place on Saturday and Sunday. At the village hall there will be homemade refreshments and ploughman’s lunches until 4.30pm, home produce, plant stall and raffle until 5pm. Free guided walks (bring good walking shoes): 10.30am Secret Valley walk (four miles), 11am Daffodil Way (six to seven miles) – bring packed lunch, 2pm local history walk (two miles).

Free Daff and Ride bus to see the sites at roughly 20-30 mins intervals. St Edwards Church - free exhibition – The Nine Sons of Kempley. A reflection on the lives of those who died in the two world wars. St Mary’s Church - free and open to view the ancient frescoes.

Come and enjoy a free day out and contribute what you can.

Kingsland

LIVE MUSIC - Saturday, Whiskey River, Kingsland Coronation Hall HR6 9QS, 7.30pm. The Whiskey River five piece band play their eclectic mixture of retro rock and roll, southern style Zydeco blues, rocking Cajun country with superb harmony vocals. Licensed bar. Tickets at £10 from Kingsland Post Office or 01568 709579. All profits in support of the restoration and improvement of Kingsland Church.

Kingstone

BINGO - At Kingstone Village Hall tomorrow, for hall funds.

Very good prizes. Doors open 7pm, eyes down 8pm.

Kington

CRICKET CLUB - The Cricket Club AGM is happening at the club tomorrow at 7pm. Lots to discuss ready for the new season. All welcome.

CLEAR UP DAY - Did you know that the government has designated March 21 as Community Clear Up Day? Check it out at facebook.com/clearupday. As part of this initiative the Kington Local Environment and Energy Network (KLEEN) is holding a special tidy-up at Hatton Gardens Industrial Estate (just off the Tavern roundabout). They are meeting there at 10am and expect to finish about lunchtime, so why not consider joining them? You will need to wear sensible footwear and strong gloves. Buckets, barrows and brooms would also be useful.

Alternatively you could organise a local clear up of your own on that day.

If you need black bags or any other assistance ring Tina Davison on 01544 262762.

KLEEN holds regular litter picks all through the year and would welcome volunteers - contact Tina if you are interested.

HEREFORDSHIRE HEARTSTART - Free two hour Heartstart Course (CPR etc) at St John House, Kington on Thursday, March 19 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Booking essential, to book your place email herefordshireheartstart@btconnect.com or call 0845 6060654.

Knighton

DISTRICT TWINNING ASSOCIATION - A special meeting was held recently of the Knighton and district twinning association to start finalising the exchange trip to Varades in France at the end of May when the association is taking some 16 senior schoolboys over to play Varades the French twin town of Knighton. Final arrangements will be made at the weekend of March 7 when a small group from Knighton has been invited over for the Loire wine festival.

More passengers for the May trip are urgently wanted to help fill the coach, the cost of the trip is £85 which includes reclining seats on the overnight ferry (cabin are available at extra cost) the only extra will be a small gift for the French host you will stay with.

The coach will leave Knighton at 3pm on May 28.

Anyone who is interested please contact Roger Bright on 01547 528037 or Roy Williams on 01547 529993.

Plans are also in hand for a special VE celebration when the Teme Spirits will be putting on a Second World War show in the Community Centre depicting the war from 1939 to 1945, the Knighton and District Twinning Association will help and have part of the profits for future twinning. Look out for posters advertising this event.

CHURCH SERVICES FOR SUNDAY - St Edwards’ church, Knighton, 10.30am Family service. St David’s church, Whitton 9.30am. St Andrew’s church, Norton, 11am. Knighton Baptist church will join with Knighton Methodist church at 11am for Mothering Sunday. Knighton Catholic church, 11am.

SPRING CONCERT - Knighton Town Silver band’s spring concert. This will be held on Saturday in Knighton Community Centre starting at 7.30pm. The Band, conducted by Sarah Freeman, will be welcoming Rhayader Male Voice Choir as its guests. The choir will be conducted by David Hatton and accompanied by Bethan Rees.

Tickets are £7 available from Band members or on the door.

HUNDRED CLUB - The results of the Knighton Town Silver Band hundred club for March are: 1st, (£15) Colin Phillips, Knighton, 2nd (£10) Hayley Lewis, Knighton and 3rd (£5) Helen Bennett, Montgomery.

HEYOPE ST DAVID’S LADIES GUILD - The next meeting of the Heyope Ladies Guild will be on Tuesday in Knucklas Community Centre at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Mr Gethin Williams - Life in Burma. For further details contact Maggie Lloyd on 01547 528358.

COFFEE MORNING - There will be a coffee morning on Thursday, March 19 at Knighton Baptist church from 10.30am till 11.30am.

Coffee, tea, bric-a-brac stall, cake stall. Admission is free – there is a box for donations. This month the proceeds are for Water Aid.

Contributions for the stalls are much appreciated.

EASTER LILIES - Easter Sunday is on April 5 this year. Members of St Edward’s church, Knighton will be decorating the church with lilies and other exciting spring flowers for this important weekend in the church calendar.

If you would like to donate the cost of a lily (or lilies) in memory of a loved one, please see Pauline Parker of Jean Price. A list of those remembered will be placed in church over the weekend of Easter.

Leominster

CAFE AND FAIR TRADE STALL - 2nd Saturday of each month, the next being this Saturday, in the Forbury Chapel from 10am to 14pm. Come and join us for coffee or lunch.

TRANSITION CYCLING GROUP - 3rd Wednesday each month, the next being March 18, meeting in Corn Square at 10am for a gentle ride around local lanes with a cafe stop half way. All are welcome.

Madley

MADLEY PARISH HALL - At last the refurbishment of the toilets at the parish hall have been completed and what a wonderful job has been done. All new cubicles and welded flooring, new LED lighting, low wattage water heating and new double glazing makes them energy efficient and easily cleaned. All this was achieved with funds from the hall and a very useful grant of £4000 from Severn Waste Environmental Fund. This certainly enabled our project to be accomplished without budgeting too much. This completes the renovations undertaken this year when thieves removed lead from the roof and two side rooms were flooded and floors had to be renovated. The main hall floor will be done later this month.

MEETING - At Madley parish hall, on March 25, the parish hall AGM will take place at 7.30pm.

New blood is always welcome to help keep the hall in use for the community - a couple of hours a month if you can spare it. Any one can come along or telephone Ian on 01981251613.

Marden

MARDEN HISTORY SOCIETY - The Marden Bell is the subject of our meeting on March 16 at 7.45pm in the community room at the school.

Our Speaker is Samantha Craig, collections officer (documentation) of the Herefordshire Museums Service. Her illustrated talk comes highly recommended to anyone interested in this mysterious subject. The bell itself is currently on display in the Hereford Museum. Non-members are invited to attend for the small charge of £2 to include light drinks/refreshments.

Michaelchurch

MICHAELCHURCH FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Before I Go To Sleep (15) 92 mins. Director: Rowan Joffe Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Mark Strong.

Wednesday at Escleyside Hall.

Doors open 7.30pm with licensed bar. Lights down at 8pm. Tickets: adults £4 children (15) £2.50.

Mordiford

CHURCH 200 CLUB DRAW - Took place in Mordiford Church after the service on March 1. Winners were: 1st £90 No.17 Mark and Helen Gladwin, 2nd £60 No. 181 Mal Stallard, 3rd £30 No.87 Roger Moss, 4th £15 No.37 Jan Ashton Jones.

Much Birch

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Borderlines Film Festival - Much Birch Community Hall, today at 7.30pm - Before I Go to Sleep (15) - Mystery thriller starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. A woman wakes up every day, remembering nothing as a result of a traumatic accident in her past. One day, new terrifying truths emerge that force her to question everyone around her.

Adults £4.50, under 16s £3.50.

Doors open 7pm for refreshments (including hot dogs), film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets available on the door or in advance, please phone Bryony on 01981 580298.

Much Marcle

SPINNING GROUP - Will be held at Awnells Farm, Much Marcle, Ledbury, HR8 2NW, every 3rd Sunday of month (except December) from 11am to 4pm.

Small charge for tea, coffee.

Lessons available, experienced and beginners welcome. For more information contact Hazel 07811643115 or hazelandrew60@ hotmail.com. Traditional spinning and other related crafts - we promote the use of wool from rare breed sheep.

THE HISTORY OF SEWING MACHINES - A talk and workshop by Paul Verney at Awnells Farm, Much Marcle, March 22, 2pm – 4pm. Mr Verney will be giving a talk on the history of sewing machines. He will be bringing along a collection of sewing machines of different ages and everyone will have a chance to make a pin cushion using these vintage machines. Numbers will be limited on a first come first served basis. Tickets £4 to include refreshments and materials.

Awnells Farm, Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2NW. Further information from Hazel Andrew 07811643115 or hazelandrew60@hotmail.com.

New Radnor

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY - Most people will be familiar with the story of Les Miserables written by Victor Hugo but not everyone will know that a Lenten Bible Study has been written based upon it.

Jonathan Meyer, Priest-in-charge of St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme, received a call from a location manager asking if the church could be used for some filming.

After checking that the subject material would be suitable, the go ahead was given by the church authorities and part of the film version of Les Miserables was shot at St Mary’s, Ewelme.

The storyline hinges on grace and forgiveness. A hardened criminal, Jean Valjean, has been in prison for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed a starving child. On his release, he is shown love and respect by a bishop who allows him to take his silverware on condition Valjean uses it to turn his life around. This amazing story has been made into a very successful theatre production and film.

Jonathan Meyer had the idea of writing a study for Lent, looking at some of the characters in the story showing how the grace and forgiveness of God can and does change people for good.

Meyer writes: ‘But just as Hugo didn’t write Les Miserables simply for us to enjoy a good story about the deprived and dispossessed, Lent should not only be a time for reflection on our inner natures, but a time to reassess what we can do with our lives and for those around us....’ Lent Bible Study, ‘Another Story Must Begin’, takes place at the Rectory, School Lane, New Radnor, LD8 2SS at 11am and is led by Rev Mark Beaton. For further information please contact Mark on 01544 350342 or revmarkbeaton@gmail.com, everyone welcome.

Ocle Pychard and Much Cowarne

LENT LUNCH - Much Cowarne and Ocle Pychard are jointly hosting a Lent lunch in Burley Gate Village Hall on March 20 from noon till 2pm. Proceeds will go to Mercy Ships. The organisation was founded in 1978 and purchased a retired ocean liner called Victoria for £600,000. Over four years the vessel was gradually transformed into a hospital ship with three operating theatres and a 40-bed ward. In 1982, the vessel sailed as the newly christened Anastasis – the first Mercy Ship – carrying a volunteer crew of 350 from all over the world. Since then, vessels in the Mercy Ships fleet have visited more than 451 ports in developing nations around the world, bringing lasting change to millions of lives.

Mercy Ships provides the world’s largest charitable floating hospital and brings free medical care to some of the world’s poorest people.

LITTER PICK - Much Cowarne Parish Council has organised a litter pick in the village on March the 21. Participants are asked to meet up by the Burley Gate Post Office at 10am on the day and will be provided with litter pickers, bags, hoops, gloves and some high-viz jackets. Anyone with supplies of their own is welcome to bring them along.

Weatherproof clothing and strong shoes/boots are recommended.

Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be available at the end of the ‘pick’.

CHURCH CLEANING - The women who clean Much Cowarne Church are having trouble reaching areas 6’ to 10’ off the ground and would appreciate the help of anyone who can help them during a special cleaning session this Saturday from 9.30am for two to three hours. Details from Stamford Cartwright on 01531 640608.

QUIZ NIGHTS - From 7.30pm on March 28 there will be a quiz night in Burley Gate Village Hall in aid of St Mary’s Church, Much Cowarne. Teams to consist of up to six people. £5 per person, to include a ploughman’s supper. A bar will be available. Tickets are now available from Cris Hooper on 01532 640516 or by e-mail to cris2hooper@yahoo.co.uk There will also be a quiz night at the same venue on April 17 from 7.30pm. Entry costs just £10 per table of four. A light supper will be included, but please bring your own booze. Proceeds in aid of Ocle Pychard Church.

THE MILL LANE PHONE BOX - The telephone box in Mill Lane has been out of use for some time and is being vandalised and looks tatty. Should it be retained and brought back to its former glory?

Should it be used to house a defibrillator, a library – as has been introduced elsewhere in the county - or an art gallery? Your views are sought by the Much Cowarne Parish Council Clerk on 01885 482543.

PARISH WALKS/FOOTPATH MAINTENANCE - Ted Parkes, the Much Cowarne Footpaths Officer, is holding his next walk through selected areas of the parish on Monday from 10.30am. He would welcome company and details of any local problems with stiles or gates. Contact on 07854024662.

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

Peterchurch

PTA PUDDING EVENING - To be held at Peterchurch School tomorrow at 6pm.

Peterchurch Primary School PTA would like to invite you to join us tomorrow to enjoy some delicious puddings donated by local businesses and PTA members. So come along and sample as many scrumptious puddings as you wish! The doors will open at 6pm (tickets available on the door).

There will be tea, coffee and juice available and also a raffle will be held during the evening. Please join us and bring your family along too.

Cost: adult £3, child £1. All money raised will go towards PTA school funds.

Presteigne

COFFEE MORNING - There is a coffee morning in aid of cancer research at The Royal British Legion Club on March 28 from 10.30am until noon. Please come along and have a cuppa and a chat and support this charity at the same time. Everyone is most welcome.

BINGO - The Bowling Club are holding their annual Easter bingo on March 28 at The Memorial Hall with eyes down at 7.45pm. The doors will open at 6.30pm. There are many fantastic prizes including a LED colour TV and a cash ticket valued at £200. There will be a bar. Please arrive early.

TALK - There is a talk entitled War versus Diplomacy by professor Jack Spence OBE at The Assembly Rooms on March 25 from 7pm. The entrance fee is £10 with all proceeds going to St Andrews Development Appeal.

MUSIC - Jeremy Fisher, Ruth Watson and John Hymas are Romantic Trio and will be playing at The Assembly Rooms on March 22 from 3pm. They will be playing lush sounds from oboe, cor anglais, violin and piano of Brahms, Yvon and Klughardt.

Tickets are £10 which includes tea and cakes and can be purchased from The Workhouse Gallery or from wegottickets.com or at the door if there are any left.

100 CLUB - The football club recently held its 100 club draw for February at The Royal Oak. The following winners were drawn: £100 Marg Weiland, £50 Shelia Middleton, £40 Martin Chambers and £30 Mike (Nobby) Lockwood.

The next draw will take place at The Bowling Club on March 27.

Everyone is welcome to attend and watch.

BINGO - The cricket club are holding an Eater bingo at The Royal British Legion Club on Bank Holiday Monday, April 6 from 8pm. There will be loads of festive prizes along with the last house of £50. All welcome.

SPIN-A-THON - Presteigne Fire Station fire fighters are doing a charity 24 hour spin-a-thon from 6pm on April 10. The crew will be raising funds for The Fire Fighters Fund and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. To make a donation fill in one of the many sponsor forms in the shops and pubs in the town, see one of the crew or visit the Just Donate website.

RACE NIGHT - There is a race night at the football club on April 11 with a first race starting at 5.30pm following the Grand National. Would you like to buy a horse? They are £3 each or two for £5. For further details or purchase a horse contact Tom Ammonds, Alan Stocker or Glyn Price.

Everyone is most welcome and there will be a bar and free entry.

SERVICES - The following church services will take place this Sunday. Holy Communion at Lingen at 9.30am. Morning Prayer at St Andrews at 11am and Holy Communion at Discoed at 6.30pm.

Everyone is most welcome.

FILM - Presteigne Screen are showing the film Cycling with Moliere (15) at The Assembly Rooms tomorrow evening at 8pm.

Admission is £4.50 for adults and £3 for students. For further details or future film details call Alex on 260577 or Pete on 370202.

BALLADEERS AND CHANCERS - There is a Balladeers and Chancers session at The Dukes on March 26 from 8.30pm. Its a chancer for new artists/groups to play in front of others. If you would like to perform or want more information call Steph 07837944090 or 388015 or swatty.yikes@virgin.net.

MUSIC IN NEW RADNOR - Balinerie, a student ensembles from RWCMD present a concert of music and readings at New Radnor Community Hall on Saturday evening from 7.30pm.

Admission at the door will be £8 for adults and £3 for under 14s.

Please bring your own refreshments. For further details call 350268.

VELVET VIOLIN - This months cabaret evening will feature top Australian singer songwriter Nuala Honan, cellist Beth Porter and Miss Maud’s Folly. Admission will be at The Assembly Rooms on March 29 from 7pm. Admission will be £10 and tickets can be purchased from The Courtyard Antiques Shop or by calling 267163. This event is promoted by Full Circle.

MOTHERS DAY LUNCH - There is a charity Mother’s Day lunch at Titley Village Hall this Sunday from noon. The two course beef carvery will cost £10 (vegetarian option will be available) which will include a drink. All proceeds will go to Titley Village Hall Extension Fund. To book or for further details call 230886 or 267342.

FILM - Free screening of Sell Off - new film about the privatisation of the NHS. Thursday, March 19 - 7.30pm film, followed by discussion. Upstairs room - Radnorshire Arms Hotel, Presteigne.

Ross-on-Wye

VAGA PROBUS CLUB - Linda McGill gave a talk on the purpose of OFSTED. Linda began her talk by describing the purpose of OFSTED. Basically, it is a non- ministerial government department reporting directly to Parliament but appointed by the Privy Council.

Linda has been one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) since 1999, and was a headteacher prior to that, giving her an excellent understanding of how to implement any necessary improvements in the running of schools etc. OFSTED is made up of 1,270 employees, all being civil servants where 386 are HMIs. Of these, 190 are for schools and the remainder concentrating on early years training and skills.

The title OFSTED relates to the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills which regulates to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages in England. It regulates and inspects child care and children’s social care, and inspects the children and family court and advisory service that is called CAFCASS. Also schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work- based learning and skills in training adult and community learning with also education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses local council children’s services and inspects services for looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

In any school found to be seriously inadequate, emergency inspections are conducted, giving only half a day’s notice, where the presence of school governors and local authority inspectors are requested. These inspection teams look at four issues: leadership and management, behaviour and safety, teaching and achievement.

It should be noted that OFSTED has no powers to close such schools but can arrange/recommend the rapid replacement of school management and teaching staff. Overall, by December 2014, 21,000 will have been inspected with 20% found to be currently outstanding, 62% good, 16% requiring improvement and 2% inadequate. It is worth noting that Herefordshire is one of the poor performing Local Authorities in England for the attainment of disadvantaged children aged five to seven years. Obviously there is still a considerable amount of improvement required. However, Linda did finalise that OFSTED has now confirmed some of the most significant changes to the inspection of education in its history, following an extensive programme of public consultation.

Linda was thanked for this most informative presentation and in dealing with the many questions and comments by the membership, particularly those from a professional teaching background, but congratulated her on fulfilling this wide ranging role.

St Weonards

BINGO - Tomorrow, St Weonards Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm, eyes down at 7.30pm. Lots of great prizes, house draw, bar, and refreshments. Six local ladies are walking the London MoonWalk full marathon in aid of Breast Cancer on May 16. Funds raised will be going directly to the cause.

For further details please contact Anna Williams, Imar, Three Ashes, 01981580195.

Staunton-On-Wye

WHIST DRIVE - On March 27 at the village hall (HR4 7LR). Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. £2 per person including light refreshments. All welcome.

Thank you for your support. In aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice and Midlands Air Ambulance.

Donations or prizes welcome.

Please contact Kath Jenkins.

PARISH CLERK VANCANCY - A vacancy has occurred for the post of parish clerk to the Staunton- on-Wye Group Parish Council to be effective from May 2015. This is a part-time position with the hours being worked flexibly and will total about 120 hours per year.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the local area and have organisational and computer skills. Contact parish council chairman, Austin Powles on 01981 500661or 01981 500327or the retiring parish clerk, Gordon Valentine on 01544 327535 by Thursday, March 19.

Stoke Lacy

LENT LUNCH - There will be a Lent Lunch at Stoke Lacy on Wednesday from noon - 2pm at Stoke House, Herb Lane, Stoke Lacy. The cost is low. The food is simple but tasty and the company is excellent. All are welcome.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of Stoke Lacy Parish Council will be on Wednesday from 7pm and will be held in the village hall. Anyone with topics they would like to see discussed, or who would like to consider joining the parish council as a councillor is invited to contact the clerk, Alma Westwood, on 01885 490286 or via westwoodja@hotmail.com.

THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB - The next meeting of the Friendship Club will be on Tuesday. To join you need only be aged 50 years or older and there is a good diary of events for the next 12 months. It costs just £2 to join and there’s then a charge of £1.50 per month which includes a raffle ticket and refreshments. The club meets at Stoke Lacy Village Hall at 10.30am on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, with any changes being advertised in advance. In March the guest speaker will talk about ‘A Holiday in Finland’. After most meetings there is a hot meal on offer at the nearby Plough Inn.

Anyone wishing to book a meal is asked to call 018854 490658 in advance on 01885 490658 and, by the same token, have to be cancelled on the same number in advance in the event of any problems. New members will always be made very welcome.

LODON VALLEY EASTER ART EXHIBITION - Supported by the Wye Valley Brewery, there will be an art exhibition in Stoke Lacy Village Hall (HR7 4HG) daily from 10am till 6pm from April 4 to April 6. It will be opened by Charles Morgan at noon on April 4. Local artists displaying their work will include Brian Gorst, Tony James, David Mckeeman, Nigel Montandon, Tony Muckle, Annabelle Oppenheimer, Colin Simmonds, David Spurrier and Kim Williams. There will also be contributions from Burley Gate and Pencombe Primary Schools CORRESPONDENT - Martin Field, The Old School House, Burley Gate, 01432 820074, email commnews@ymail.com.

Tarrington

FILM - There is another Borderlines Film this week, with a showing of Before I Go to Sleep (15) in the Lady Emily Hall (HR1 4EX) at 7.30pm, on Saturday.

Refreshments will be available before the film and at the half- time interval. Tickets will be £5, on the door, on-line and from the Courtyard box office. Early arrival is recommended as tickets are selling well. Contact John Tallis for further details on 01432 890720.

Wellington

WELLINGTON GARDEN CLUB - Wellington Garden Club will meet on Thursday, March 19 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when the speaker, Gareth Edwards will share his knowledge of fuchsias and how to achieve the best ways of growing them. Visitors are always welcome and tea and coffee are served after the talk and of course there will be a raffle.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN - An informal consultation event will be held at which parishioners will be able to see and comment on the first draft of the plan prior to its formal six week consultation later in the spring. The event will be held in Wellington Chapel (close to the shop) tomorrow from 4pm-8pm and again on Saturday from 11am - 4pm.

Weobley

COMPANION DOG SHOW - On March 22 at Hopelands village hall in aid of Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary. Entries from 11am, refreshments, raffle, tombola.

Contact Paul Glithero on 01432 880553 for further information.

Wigmore

WIGMORE AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB - On Thursday, March 19 at 7.30pm there will be a talk by Dr Anthony Evans of the Hereford Cathedral Gardens. A retired GP, Dr Evans has always had an interest in gardening and he is a member of the RHS, the Alpine Garden and Hardy Plant Societies. He has a special interest in Species Peonies. For the last 10 years he has, on behalf of the Hereford Cathedral Friends, taken on the management of the Cathedral Gardens which are extensive; they are 10 volunteers and open regularly twice weekly as well as for the National Gardens Scheme.

On retirement he took the RHS Diploma in Horticulture and did some research into the uses of medicinal plants, the subject of this talk. Venue: Wigmore Village Hall, HR6 9UW. Cost: £2 for non- members, with membership being £5 per annum. All welcome.

Contact Cathy Jones (07813)733240 for more details.

Woolhope

HEREFORDSHIRE HEARTSTART - Free two hour Heartstart Course (CPR and more) at Woolhope Village Hall on Wednesday from 7pm - 9pm.

Booking essential, to book your place email herefordshireheartstart@btconnect.com or call 0845 6060654.

Yarpole

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - The film Pride (12A) will be showing on March 21 at 7.30pm at Yarpole village hall.

CONCERT - A spring concert, The Birchpole Singers. March 27 at 7.30pm, £7 (to include a drink) at St Leonard’s Church. Conducted by new musical director Andrew Morris. Information about our parish and shop opening times are on the village website yarpole.Com.