Films

Scary Movie 3 (15) Dir: David Zucker.

Third in a strain of spoof thrillers that have not been a resounding favourite with the critics. If hits The Matrix, The Ring or 8 Mile have passed you by then so will so most of the jokes in this 84-minute movie.

Showing: Hereford Odeon

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (12a) Dir: Peter Jackson

Another third, but this time somewhat more ravished by critics, the final piece of this celluloid jigsaw incorporates spectacular battle scenes and a wonderful summing up of previous story strands. At three-and-a half-hours you are advised to take a cushion, and be prepared for the butterflies and saccharine ending.

Showing: Ludlow Assembly Rooms

The Last Samurai (15) Dir: Edward Zwick

Tom Cruise is back, slashing heart strings as he leads an historical epic that follows his personal journey from disillusioned cavalry man to glorious battle. Romance included.

Showing: Malvern Theatres, Wyeside Builth Wells

Cold Mountain (15) Dir: Anthony Minghella

Oscar-nominated Jude Law is separated from sweetheart Nicole Kidman by the traumas of the American Civil War, and it takes them a lot of celluloid minutes to find each other again. Based on the novel by Charles Frazier, it'll prompt endless dinner party conversation over which is the better.

Showing: Hereford Courtyard, Wyeside Builth Wells, Coliseum, Brecon

Paycheck (12a) Dir:

John Woo

Sci-fi thriller in which Ben Afleck finds he's a wanted man with a big gap in his memory and an envelope of clues to help him fill it. A-grade action movie.

Showing: Coliseum, Brecon

Swimming Pool (15) Dir:

Francois Ozon

Sensuous, elegant, and fun to watch. A tale of an uptight British mystery author who becomes embroiled in an unsettling chain of events while staying at her publisher's French home.

Showing: Hereford Courtyard

Events/talks

January 30 Bring and Buy in aid of Age Concern Leominster and District, 10.30am-12noon, Training Room, 30 West Street, Leominster. 01568 611054.

31 Bring and Buy Sale in aid of the Blue Peter Appeal, 10am-12noon, Eignbrook Church Hall, coffee/tea available.

February 3 'Day of Special Interest', Theatre Brychieniog, Brecon, 10.30am-3.30pm. 01982 560205.

3 'Offa's Dyke Footpath,' Illustrated talk by Mr Ian Bapty, Hereford Geographical and Historical Society, Hereford Bowling Club, Bewell St, (rear of All Saints Church), 2.30pm. 01432 274871.

4 Talk by David Tovey, 'Creating A Splash': the St Ives Society of Artists, Woolhope Room, Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, 7pm. 01432 264366.

5 Hereford & District U3A: Talk by Olwyn Price - Dressmaking workroom of yesteryear, St John's Church Hall, St Owen Street, Hereford, 10am-noon. 01432 356231.

7-8 Flowerpots and planters, weekend workshop, Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury. 01531 633886.

Theatre

January 29-31 'Humpty Dumpty,' The Conquest, Bromyard, 7.30pm, also 31, 3pm. 01885 488575.

31 'Shadows', Courtyard Youth Theatre, 6.30pm and 8pm. 01432 359252.

February 1 Beyond The Barricade, The Courtyard, 7.30pm. 01432 359252.

2-7 The Holly and the Ivy, by Wynyard Browne, The Swan Theatre, 7.30pm, Mat-Sat 2.30pm. 01905 611427.

2-4 Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, The Courtyard, 7.30pm, Mat Wed 2.30pm. 01432 359252.

3-7 'Sugar Daddies', by Alan Ayckhourn, Malvern Theatres, 8pm, Wed/Sat/Mats 2.30pm. 01684 892277.

5 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen', Arts Alive, Outrageous Nonsense, Wigmore Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01568 770337.

6 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen', Arts Alive, Outrageous Nonsense, Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01568 760380.

6 'Meat and Two Veg', Cartoon de Salvo, Eardisley Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01544 327877.

7 Born African, The Courtyard, 7.30pm. 01432 359252.

7 'Meat and Two Veg', Cartoon de Salvo, Moccas Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01981 500421.

7 'A Mouse Called Cheddar Gorge' Children's Theatre, Swan Theatre, Worcester, 10.30am, and 11.45am. 01905 611427.

7 'Selfish Giant', ages 4-10, Malvern Theatres, 11am and 2pm. 01684 892277.

9-14 Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood, Malvern Theatres, 8pm, Wed and Sat Mats, 2.30pm. 01684 892277.

13 'I Do', Blue Eyed Soul, Pencombe Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01885 400255.

14 'I Do', Blue Eyed Soul, John Masefield School, Ledbury, 7.30pm. 01531 631012.

14 'Scenes from the 7:08 To London Paddington', The Courtyard, 6.30pm and 8pm. 01432 359252.

Musical

January 31 Piano Concerto with Carl Attwood and Violante Strings, The Downs School, Colwall in aid of St Michael's Hospice. 01432 851000.

31 'Petite Messe Solennelle' by Rossini, Ross-on-Wye Choral Society, St Mary's Parish Church, Ross, 7.30pm. 01989 768953.

31 Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music, The Courtyard, 7.30pm. 01432 359252.

31 Abba Mania, Theatr Brycheingiog, 8pm. 01874 611622.

31 Bluegrass, The Bridge Inn, Michaelchurch, Escley, all day/evening. 01981 510674.

February 3 The Sorrel Quartet & Martin Roscoe, Milhaud La Creation du Monde, Elgar Piano Quintet, Malvern Priory, 1pm. 01684 892289.

4 Killorglim, The Dukes, Presteigne, 8pm. Traditional Irish music.

5 Nightjar Folk Club, Steve Tilston, The Courtyard, 8pm. 01432 359252.

5 Martin Carthy, Family Concert, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, 8pm. 01905 611427.

6 A pre-St Valentine's Evening, The Britten Singers in aid of The Mayor's Charity, The Town Hall, Hereford. 01432 272259.

6 Jazz for Bam, Left Bank River Terrace Banqueting Suite, Hereford. 8-midnight, in aid of British Red Cross - Iranian Earthquake Appeal. 01981 240273.

7 Border Marches Early Music Forum Workshop, The Great Hall, Bishop's Palace, 10am-5pm. 01432 341154.

7 Border Marches Early Music Forum Concert, All Saints Church, High St, Hereford, 7pm. 01432 341154.

7 Gordon Giltrap, Family Concert, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, 8pm. 01905 611427.

10 The Lindsay String Quartet, Debussy String Quartet, Elgar String Quartet, Malvern Priory, 1pm. 01684 892289.

14 Perdido Street Jazz Band, The Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 8pm. 01885 488575.

15 Welsh National Opera, New Radnor Community Centre, 7.30pm. 01544 350301.

17 Catherine Leonard (violin) & Charles Owen (piano), Ravel Violin Sonata, Elgar Violin Sonata, Malvern Priory, 1pm. 01684 892289.

20 Hereford Rail Male Voice Choir, Clehonger Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01432 357169.

24 The Galliard Ensemble, Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin, Milhaud Le Cheminee du Roi Rene, Elgar Hamony Music No 5, Malvern Priory, 1pm. 01684 892289.

27 Concert with The Classic Buskers, Lion Ballroom, 7.30pm. 01568 611232.

28 Concert - Evelyn Tubb (voice) with viol consort and harpsichord, 7.30pm. 01568 611232.

28 Hereford Police Male Voice Choir, Colwall Village Hall 7.30pm. 01432 357169.

29 Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Leominster Priory. 01568 613286.

Exhibitions

January 29-Mar 13, 'Creating a Splash', The St Ives Society of Artists Exhibition, Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, 10am-5pm. Tues-Sat.

Clubs/classes/societies

January 29 Hereford Scottish Dance Club, Hampton Park Church, 7.45-9.45pm. 01432 267356.

29 Herefordshire Ornithological Club, Talk 'Wild in West Wales', Holmer Parish Centre 7.30pm. 01432 273167.

30 Ross Barn Dance Club, Dave Parsons, Bridstow Parish Hall 8pm. 01432 359354.

30 Ross Barn Dance Club, Bridstow Parish Hall, 8pm. 01594 543042.

31 St Paul's Sequence Dance Club, Scouts Hall Tupsley, 7.30pm. 01432 357434.

February 4 Hereford Accordion Club, Black Swan Hotel, Leominster, 01432 840608.

5 Hereford & District U3A, 'Dressmaking Workroom of Yesteryear,' by Olwyn Price, St John's Church Hall, St Owen Street, 10-12noon. 01432 356231.

5 Hereford Scottish Dance Club, 7.45-9.45pm, Hampton Park Church. 01432 267356.

6 Ross Barn Dance Club, Robert Moir, Bridstown Parish Hall 8pm. 01989 764357.

7 Herefordshire Ornithological Club, Wapley Hill and Titley Pool. 01432 273167.

7 St Paul's Sequence Dance Club, Scouts Hall, Tupsley, 7.30pm. 01432 357434.

7 Herefordshire Gardeners' Association, Salvial, Mr J Sutton, St John's Methodist Church Hall, 6.30pm. 353334

8 Falconers Country Dance Club, Club Callers, Falcon Hotel, High Street, Bromyard, 7.45pm. 01743 872182.

8 Wye Valley Miniaturists, Hats, Bonnets and Gloves.

8 Richmond Country Music Club, Canada Country, Edgar Street, Hereford. 01432 357131.

9 'The Challenge of Immanuel Kant,' Weobley Philosophy Society, Weobley Methodist Church, 7.30pm. 01544 318322.

10 Herefordshire Flower Guild, Talk by Katherine Kerr, 'Tales from the Potting Shed', RNCB, College Road Hereford, 7.30pm. 01989 566200.

11 Hereford Folk Dance, Bishops School, Tupsley, 8-10pm. 01432 268791.

12 Hereford Textiles Crafts Group - 'The Beginning of Purple Sue', by Susan Turner, 2-4.30pm. The Young Farmers Club, Hereford. 01432 840559.

13 Cercle Francais De Hereford, M Philippe Cherbonnier (AF), La Barbe Bleue (one man performance), 1 Castle Street, Hereford, 7.30pm. 01989 780421.

14 St Paul's Sequence Dance Club, Scouts Hall, Tupsley, 7.30pm. 01432 357434.

16 'The Challenge of Immanuel Kant,' Weobley Philosophy Society, Weobley Methodist Church, 7.30pm. 01544 318322.

18 Bromyard and District Garden Club, national Gardens Scheme, a talk by Mrs Judy Berrow on Gardens to visit in Worcestershire.

18 Hereford Accordion Club, Black Swan Hotel, Leominster, 01432 840608.

21 St Paul's Sequence Dance Club, Scouts Hall, Tupsley, 7.30pm. 01432 357434.

22 Falconers Country Dance Club, David Burke, Falcon Hotel, High Street, Bromyard, 7.45pm. 01743 872182.

23 'The Challenge of Immanuel Kant,' Weobley Philosophy Society, Weobley Methodist Church, 7.30pm. 01544 318322.

25 Hereford Folk Dance, Bishops School, Tupsley, 8-10pm. 01432 268791.

28 St Paul's Sequence Dance Club, Scouts Hall, Tupsley, 7.30pm. 01432 357434.

28 Sophie Holroyd - Needlework of Mary, Queen of Scots. Herefordshire and Marches Association, Great Hall, Royal National College, 2.30pm. 01432 264366.

Groups

January 29 For six meetings, W.E.A Leominster branch, Abstraction v Surrealism, The Old Priory Rooms, Thursdays, 2pm-3.30pm. 0845 603 9089.

February 2 Macmillan Cancer Relief, Ross-on-Wye Committee, AGM, Larruperz Centre, Ross. 7.30pm. 01989 567445.

2 HUG, The Stonebow Unit, County Hospital, 7pm. 01432 270050.

Listings must be received by Fax (01432 845897) or by post to The Hereford Times, Holmer Road, Hereford. HR4 9UJ, by Monday at 10am for that week's publication.