UNLUCKY AGAIN -- After last week's robbery in Westhope, it came as something of a shock that a house in Canon Pyon should be raided for the third time in the last few months; this time in broad daylight, when the building was, for a few minutes, unoccupied. Though the house was locked this proved no barrier; perhaps an alarm may be a deterrent in these circumstances. The Hereford Crime Prevention Panel is offering subsidised personal alarms which can be attached to door frames - the 130dB screech should discomfit any would be thief. The alarms can be ordered through Geoffrey Vaughan on 01432 830441 for £6; ultra violet marker pens are also available for only 50p. Perhaps Canon Pyon should follow Bush Bank and Westhope in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to enhance the effectiveness of any light or sound equipment introduced.

TASK AVOIDANCE -- Had it not been for the appearance of Frankie and Anthony Perruzzo, this Sunday's track builders in Westhope would have been well and truly frazzled. Offered a large pile of builders rubble to construct a new surface on a particularly boggy stretch of lane, the logistics were daunting; a fleet of wheelbarrows propelled by increasingly clapped-out pushers doing round trips of what seemed about a mile was no-one's first choice for Sunday morning... nor was there a great rush for the stone breaking to follow. Frank, atop his Ferguson with Anthony, changed all that, and transhipping the rubble became a doddle. Despite Trish breaking her sledge hammer suspiciously early, the new surface took shape rapidly and should keep feet out of the mud for the foreseeable future.

BLITHE SPIRITS -- For many, the high spot of the day came during the evening, but, for their fundraiser, the Sports Field committee had organised a full day's entertainment on Saturday and were lucky enough to enjoy perfect weather throughout. Perhaps, though, and it's the mildest criticism, they could turn down the thermostat during the afternoon next time and wind it up a smidgen as the beer cools during the evening. Football kicked off the day, with five teams playing a round robin tournament. The event, organised by David and Helen Price and Hayley and David Millichap, was, nominally, for all ages but the 'veterans' seemed to suffer from heat exhaustion rather more than their younger opposition. Football now goes into recess from June 17 until July 21 when the weekly training will begin again. The coaches are always looking for new faces under 11, but to make up a team they really would welcome more nine- and 10-year-olds. Cricket followed on from the football, with a shortened 16-overs-a-side match; it was definitely an all-ager, with some, from a distance, scarcely able to peer over the stumps, while some at the other end of the spectrum probably had difficulty seeing them. It was an enjoyably lethargic afternoon, where the result mattered little, but the field bathed in sun was at its best. As soon as the cricket was over the equipment was set up for the music-fest. Harry's Jazz Monkeys, Magpie and Pottin Shed provided something for everyone, but as a taster of what was to come we had Harry and Blythe... and we'll be hearing a lot more of Blythe in future. Meanwhile, across the way, Ray and his gang were sizzling the steaks - and Marcus and Mike were dispensing wit and repartee to the queue at the bar tent. So by the end of the day the Sports Field had benefited to the tune of around £350, but more to the point several hundred people enjoyed all that the field had to offer.

KINGS PYON FETE -- Join in the traditional style of fete at the Buttas on Saturday this week, starting at 2pm. Live music, camera obscura and all the usual stalls.