I used to be an arts journalist with a group of London/Surrey newspapers but retired to Madley, Herefordshire, a few years ago.

Since moving here my husband and I have joined Clan Moffat UK & Eire (my husband's family tree includes Moffats) and the group has asked me to be their press co-ordinator for the area.

The group was formed just over two years ago, during which time the membership has increased rapidly, by over 100 in the first year alone (including two from New Zealand and Saskatchewan) and for the past two years we have taken part in the Moffat border clan gathering, at the same time holding the annual meeting, attended by the clan chief.

On the day of our AGM in the town of Moffat (Scotland) in August, sadly we saw the large obituary in The Daily Telegraph of that colourful Bosbury character Hamish Moffat (who was actually not one of our members but whom my husband and I already knew through my husband's connections with vintage/veteran vehicles) and this was followed by the write-up of his funeral in your own newspaper. Hamish and I had corresponded last year and he had sent me details of his family's history.

We would be glad to hear from anyone who has an interest in the name of Moffat and its variants (Moffet/Muffet etc). Those joining Clan Moffat UK & Eire receive a

regular newsletter with up-dated research and numerous articles.

I am currently doing a series of articles on centenarian Thomas Moffat, Weaver of Wigton, and Moffat, the African missionary, whose daughter Mary married David Livingstone, what adventurous lives they led!

I would be very keen to hear from anyone in the area with Moffat interests, details of family trees etc. Our own family's connection is with Moffats (1700s-1900s) of the Scottish-Cumbrian borders.

The society has a news page on their site http://www.clanmoffat. info.

Betty Telford, The Old Meadow, Brampton Road, Madley, Hereford, HR2 9LX. E-mail telfordBM@aol.com.