Women In Business Club: The first meeting of the Evesham and Pershore Women In Business Club took place on Wednesday 24th April 2002 at the Waterside Hotel, Evesham. A total of 17 women from various businesses and professions took part in the meeting and many more women from around Worcestershire wish to attend future meetings. The Group has been set up by Rachel Jones, who believes such a club will act an excellent support network for professional and local women who own their own businesses. The aim of the club is to provide monthly social events to encourage like-minded women to get together to discuss relevant business issues and to provide a good networking opportunity as well as the possibility of making new friends and having fun.

Already the club has been a great success and thanks go to Jane Edwards, one of the club's members, for developing the group's new logo. Everyone is welcome and it is hoped that as many different types of businesses and professions will join. Rachel herself is an Independent Financial Adviser and there are members from a number of different areas including- graphic design, reflexology, chiropody, sports therapy, fitness instruction, soft furnishings, interior design, business consultancy, marketing, telecommunications, secretarial support, picture framing and gallery owner and events and exhibitions organisation. The next lunchtime meeting will be held at The Bakehouse Restaurant, Evesham at 1-2pm on Thursday, May 23, the cost will be around £10 per head for a two-course lunch. The following evening meeting will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th June, the venue and further details will be confirmed.

For further details about joining the club or if anybody has a suitable venue for future meetings please contact Rachel Jones on 01386 48530 or e-mail racheljones@globalinternet.co.uk.

RAMBLING CLUB: Thirty members of Evesham Rambling Club set off from Clun climbing briskly uphill on a little road which gradually became more rural.There was a dampness in the air which wasn't quite rain, but patches of blue sky came and went.

Just when we were beginning to feel there couldn't be any more contours left to cross, the road turned sharp right and we left it for open high moorland. Another stile, and we were on a broad stony track leading straight into a forest of conifers. This sheltered us so well from the wind that we marched on comfortably for quite a time before emerging onto a hillside with the higher ground still sheltering us. Here the leaders called a halt and we gazed out across the valleys to the south and east and the ranges of hills beyond to a faint outline of little hills on the far horizon which some confidently claimed were the Malverns.

Down a long lane now and out onto a little road through a farm called Cwm Bydd before branching off into grassy fields along the valley side rising up to Llan Farm. A steep descent to the valley bottom, then along the road to Twitchen, where we doubled back onto a gently rising little road until we stood above the little village of Clunbury, through which we then passed. Crossing the River Clun, a gentle stroll brought us to Purslow and the welcoming Hundred House Inn.

The afternoon began with a road walk along the valley of the River Kemp, which we crossed to join the Shropshire Way. This immediately led us back over the river up a steady incline then through parkland, where a sudden very brisk shower had us all frantically unpacking rainwear.

Still climbing steadily, up through National Trust land we climbed Sunnyhill to the Bury Ditches viewpoint. Here we found ourselves huddled round the toposcope, backs to the view, in absolutely blinding rain and a howling gale. Yet not long after, as we descended the valley to Clun, the sun came out and by the time we reached the ruins of Clun Castle, our clothing had dried out. It was just a short stroll then back to the Parish Room and a welcome WI tea.