NCCPG: Nicholas Wray, writer, broadcaster, TV personality and curator of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, gave a delightful evening to the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens Worcestershire Group, conveying through his slides his love of the Western Cape. Members were pleased to welcome many visitors to the meeting.

Next Tuesday will give an insight to the design of Capability Brown when Jamie Whitehouse will be talking about the restoration of Croome Park. This was the first complete landscape design by the famous garden designer.

Visitors are welcome to join the meeting in the Frank Parkinson Centre at Pershore College at 7.30pm, for an opportunity to see the rest of the programme for 2004, which offers a range of interesting lectures and private visits.

ARTS THEATRE CLUB: At the Arts Theatre's Club's first meeting of 2004, on February 20, Simon Lawton, curator of the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, gave a talk on the Life and Books of John Moore and described the work of the museum in promoting the countryside by means of talks to local organisations and by encouraging school visits to the museum.

In January members had enjoyed a visit to Birmingham Repertory Theatre to see The Wizard of Oz. Visits are planned for the spring to the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham and to Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

The next meeting will be on Friday, March 19 at 7.30pm at Pershore Town Hall when Derek Aldridge will talk about the Everyman Theatre and its past, present and future. Visitors and prospective new members are welcome. Contact Ann Buckley on 01386 860014 for further details.

GARDENING CLUB: The February meeting took place at Wulstan Hall on February 26.

The chairwoman, Mrs Jean Norcott, welcomed everyone, it was the first meeting of the year, this was due to the bad weather being responsible for last month's meeting being cancelled.

The quiz team were congratulated on coming third in the annual inter club quiz, hosted by Evesham, the winner being Broadway and Harvington second.

The new president, Jack Proctor thanked Mr and Mrs John Glazebrook, (the outgoing president) for all their support, encouragement and work they had done for the club. Jack Proctor then presented them with a Royal Worcester Wall Clock.

Members enjoyed a talk by Daphne Everett about Heathers, which she illustrated with slides. Betty Loach then told of arrangements for the two outings she had organised, one to Abbey Gardens in Malmesbury and the other to Colegrave seeds.

The next meeting is on March 25 at Wulstan Hall commencing at 7.30pm, when Frank Hardy will give a talk entitled Vegetables Without Tears. Visitors and new members are welcome.

CABARET EVENING: Enjoy an exciting, elegant candle-lit dinner in the Hallmark Suite at Worcester Rugby Football Club, Pershore Lane, Worcester on Saturday, March 20. Entertainment by Tessa, Pershore's own talented professional artiste in cabaret, accompanied by pianist, Brian Giles. Local auctioneer Richard Williams will conduct an auction.

Tickets £25 available from Number 8, Maxine's Bookshop, High Street, Pershore or telephone 01386 555028/553303. This is a fund-raising event in aid of Number 8 Community Arts Centre.

HERITAGE AND HISTORY SOCIETY: The annual meeting will be held tonight, 7.30, at St Wulstan's Hall, Priest Lane, following which Mr. David Phillips will be speaking on the Castle at Elmley. All Welcome. Visitors £1.