U3A: Evesham U3A monthly meeting to be held in the Public Hall on Thursday, May 2 at 2pm. The speaker is Frank Hardy and his subject is Preparing a Garden for the Chelsea Flower Show. New members and visitors are always welcome.

CIVIC SOCIETY: The 30th AGM of the Vale of Evesham Civic Society was recently held at the Friends Meeting House and the existing officers and committee were re-elected - Brian Barry as chairman; David Way and Wolff Wahle as secretary and treasurer respectively.

In his report, the chairman praised the improvements that are transforming the appearance of Waterside and Abbey Road, important approach roads to the town. The riverside clearance has restored the views across the river to the Bell Tower; the new railings on Waterside have restored a caring look to this long neglected area. The first phase of the new lighting feature in Workman Gardens is now in place and he urged members to go and see it for themselves. Further improvements to the riverside and Abbey Park are among those promised for next year.

He also reported on the progress of ongoing building and planning developments and said it was expected that the Town Quay in Castle Street would be restored before the end of the year.

On a lighter note, Brian Barry referred to the success of the social events and meetings held during the last year and hoped the programme for the forthcoming year would be just as attractive to members. The main summer outing will be a trip around the black and white villages of Herefordshire, ending in Hereford.

After the formal business, Wychavon Head of Planning Jack Hegarty gave an interesting talk in which he outlined Wychavon's response to the Government's new Green Paper on Planning Reform. He went on to explain the changes in the operation of the local planning system which is being brought about by the new cabinet system of control that Wychavon is now having to implement, expressing his confidence in eventually meeting the set targets, despite the difficulties they faced.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday the Vale of Evesham Camera Club meeting will be entitled MCPF Portfolio, prints and slides selected from Photofolio 2001, at the Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome.

RAMBLING CLUB: The club's March walk was a ramble of two distinct contrasts.The morning was a long but nevertheless pleasant and easy walk over the level fields of the Vale of Evesham, whereas the afternoon involved attacking the Cotswold ridge from lowly Willersey.

Evesham Rambling Club has vacancies for membership. Our new programme runs from April 2002-March2003. Ring for details on 01386 553661.