Evesham Rambling Club: Fourty ramblers assembled at Salwarpe Village Hall and set off at a cracking pace because it was so cold. We marched under the ancient yew arch of the local churchyard, then along the Salwarpe canal running beside the Salwarpe river where anglers could be seen fishing amongst the ice (hoping for seals perhaps). We passed a stable housing donkeys - very seasonal - through a farmyard where Jill Price gave us a brief history lesson on the construction of the canal. Begun in l673, it was finally completed in 1771 and opened by James Brindley. We walked past a lovely old mill complete with water wheel and had a brief chat with the owner. We carried on alongside the reed-filled canal to our coffee break, where the latest technology by way of a coffee can which when shaken generated its own heat was much admired.

As we continued with the canal on our left and the river on our right it was a very tranquil and peaceful scene until the sound of traffic assaulted our ears. This was the A449 across which we had to dash risking life and limb. Cars coming from the north were covered in snow and there was a large grey cloud hovering in the distance. Past Kings School and a field containing yet another donkey, geese, ducks and hens towards the Severn. Jill gave us another brief history about Bevere Island, where according to legend the citizens of Worcester gathered to avoid paying Danegeld and then later to dodge the plague. The island didn't look very big but then perhaps Worcester wasn't either. On through the snow we wound our way to the Mug House at Claines where we were welcomed by a log fire. Soon the room was steamed up with damp clothes and ramblers drying off. The cruck beams of the Mug House could be seen as we left on the stroke of 1.45 and in brilliant sunshine. Snow could be glimpsed on the Abberley hills with the clock tower in the distance. We rejoined the canal on an extremely muddy towpath! This one was the subject of a dredging programme and we slurped and slid through the mud which had been dumped on the path. Eventually we came to Ladywood lock with its very pretty lock cottage and stopped to admire a very chunky heron (the fishing is obviously good hereabouts). We made the village hall in good time to sample tea provided by some of our members. As the sun set and the moon started riding on a cloud, thanks were given to the leaders for a lovely walk. Contact no. for ERC is 01386 553661.

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP: Thirty-three members gathered at Evesham Library for the January social get together. Mrs Anne Innis, chair, asked for volunteers to serve on the committee, and in particular for a group secretary. Our current secretary, Mrs Brenda Marsh will be stepping down at the next AGM in March to take on the duties at branch level of Newsletter editor to ensure the continuance of newsletter deliveries throughout Worcestershire. At conclusion of business, all members enjoyed seasonal goodies provided by the group committee. The next meeting will be held in the upstairs function room of Evesham Library on Tuesday, February 12 at 10am when our speaker will be Gordon Ottewell 'Nature all around us'. You can also find us on our website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/csrf

PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The Vale of Evesham Camera Club will be holding 'Club Competition No 3, prints, at the Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome.

Evesham Mayor's Diary:

MONDAY: 6.30pm, Promotion Committee Meeting, Town Hall.