GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME -- The WI is hosting a 'Question Time' on April 23 in the village hall. There will be a chance for any budding gardener or old hand to get that difficult question answered. Not being blessed with green fingers personally, but more than willing to admire the endeavours of others, my queries would border on the simplistic.. when is a weed not a weed, or closer to home, what plant can stand up to being backstop at cricket. And it's not peonies, that's for sure; as father's prize exhibits succumbed to cover drive or missed googly, we pinned the heads back on. This constant flower wilt was put down to too little water or too much dog, and, helpfully, Bill the cairn looked pretty guilty at the best of times, so the finger of suspicion passed us by. But I now view every drooping bloom with particular interest. But back at the hall, in addition to the question and answer session with Mike George and Reg Moule of BBC Hereford and Worcester, there will be a bring and buy stall. Doors open at 7pm and the WI look forward to a large and vocal audience.

RECORD SKITTLED -- After another record-breaking performance the hospital is set to benefit by around £7,000. The money raised by the annual skittle marathon in aid of the Gordon McLeod Leukaemia Fund will procure new equipment for Hereford County Hospital. Appropriately enough the Pyoneer team based at The Plough and captained by Gordon came top of the fund-raising table with more than £2,000 in their kitty; but it's never too late to donate to such a worthwhile local cause,the fund will welcome pennies or pounds at any time.

MUSICAL DATE -- Knowing how busy mid-summer becomes a date well worth noting is Sunday, July 13,when Tarrington Brass will provide a concert in the gardens of the Great House; the band, currently playing for the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, is in great demand. The event, sponsored by Canon Pyon Branch Conservatives is open to all, with the proceeds to one of our local good causes; details are to be fixed, but it's likely to be a picnic with tickets around £5; they can be pre-booked on 01432 830441.