AT the April meeting, members of Powick Women's Guild were given a demonstration of life in Bahrain, where Hazel and Ivor Pond had lived for many years. Dressed in traditional costume, they explained the rituals of hospitality in receiving guests and described various cooking methods. They displayed items used regularly on that small island in the Gulf. Mr and Mrs Pond were thanked by Dorothy Applebee, who gave them a donation for Acorns Children's Hospice on behalf of the Guild in appreciation of their interesting talk. Refreshments were served by Joan Roper and Ethel Wood. On Thursday, the guest speakers are Jill and David Purdom who will speak on their work as missionaries in Spain. On March 11 members enjoyed their visit to the Malvern Theatres to see Fiddler on the Roof. The next visit is to Ironbridge and Blists Hill Museum, the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. This is on Tuesday, June 10, and there are still a few places left. The cost is £13.50 to cover entry and coach fare. For information ring Rita de Boer on (01905) 830256.

Next week May 11-17 is Christian Aid week when a house to house collection takes place in the villages of Powick and Callow End. Please give generously to relieve poverty and injustice in the world. Last year a record amount was raised locally.

Powick Playing Fields Association holds its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 17, from 9am-noon at Powick Parish Hall. There will be a variety of bedding plants, vegetable plants and plants for hanging baskets on sale at bargain prices. Any donation of plants for sale would be welcomed. Please ring Hazel Peters on (01905) 830945.

The monthly meeting of the local group of the RSPB will take place next Wednesday at 7.30pm at Powick Parish Hall. This will be the first visit by the speaker Helen Williams, whose subject will be birds in Zimbabwe.

The first walk of May by Powick Parish Ramblers took place around the local area of Powick Church and Hams, covering five miles, and was led by Chris Evans. The next walk takes place on Saturday, May 17, and will be in the area around Cradley. Meet at the Crown Inn, Powick, at 9.30am to share transport or at 10am at Cradley Church. The walk of five miles will be led by David Allen. For details ring (01905) 831988. Powick Ramblers are holding their annual dinner next Monday at Mulbury's, St John's, Worcester.

The regular book fair is being held this Sunday at Powick Parish Hall from 10am till 4pm. As well as bargain books there will be refreshments of tea and home made cakes.

Congratulations to Mark Grizzell of Powick who represented Hanley Swan Young Farmers at a pre-show county competition held at the Young Farmers HQ at Hawford recently. Mark won the intermediate stock judging (sheep) competition. The winners will take part in the Young Farmers county rally next week. Mark was a pupil of Powick Primary School and the Chase High School.

Congratulations to Sarah Pritchard, formerly of Colletts Green, who with her fiance Bryan Sandy, took part in a sponsored motor cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End over the Easter weekend. They covered more than 850 miles over 16 hours, and raised in excess of £650 for the Acorns Children's Hospice.