DIAMOND WEDDING: Congratulations to Ray and Betty Chandler who celebrated their diamond wedding on May 3. Both are well known in the village for their contributions to community life. For many years, Betty played the piano for the local ballet classes which kept her in touch with generations of young enthusiasts. Amongst other local activities Betty worked unstintingly to raise money for Tewkesbury Hospital. During Ray's many years of work for the parish as district and county councillor, Betty worked as unpaid telephone receptionist, and had to endure irregular meal times to accommodate Ray's many meetings in Pershore and Worcester. After many years in local government, Ray continues to be a parish councillor. His local knowledge is invaluable and he surprises everyone with his insights into matters of planning, finance and local history.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Please try to attend the annual parish meeting next Monday at 7pm. This is your chance to discuss parish matters with your local government representatives. If you have particular subjects you would like to raise, please contact the parish clerk, Tim Foster at Brown Edge, Kingham in advance, or simply speak from the floor on the night.

POEM: I congratulate 'P Scooper' on his or her poem in the parish magazine. I only wish I could claim authorship of 'Doggerel', but if permission were granted, I would gladly put it in this column so that a wider readership could appreciate it.

VOLUNTEERS: If you have a little time on your hands, and you are a driver, willing to join the band of volunteers who take people to hospital appointments etc, then please 'phone Pippa Cluer on 772295 .