NCCPG: (National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens). At our well attended meeting on January 9, Mr Michael Jefferson-Brown the well known grower and breeder of lilies showed beautiful slides and inspired many to grow better lilies. Of particular interest were the new hybrids he had grown. On February 13 we look forward to meeting Dr Andrew Ward a nurseryman from Newark who will talk about the science of perfumes in plants and flowers in a talk 'More than Meets the Nose'. We are inviting any students who may be interested to attend free, and non-members £2. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the Frank Parkinson Centre, Pershore and Hindlip College at 7.30pm. We have an interesting and varied programme throughout the year and visits by many well-known garden experts. Visitors are very welcome. Contact number 01562 777014.

HERITAGE AND HISTORY SOCIETY: 'A Fairground Year' will be the subject of the talk at the February meeting of the society. From long experience and research, Mr G Downie will give us a fascinating insight into the life of travelling fairs which should be quite an eye opener. As usual the venue is Wulstan Hall, Priest Lane, Pershore, at 7.30pm on February 1. Admission £1 for visitors, free to members. Tea/coffee available. Raffle.

NUMBER 8 GALLERY: An exhibition by the Villages Art Group entitled Pershore Bridge Kaleidoscope.

FILM AT NUMBER 8: Pershore and District Film Society, Maybe Baby (15), starring Hugh Lawrie, Joely Richardson, Dawn French, Joanna Lumley. Written and directed by Ben Elton, January 27 at 7.30pm.

VELO CLUB DE PERSHORE: January 31 - Evening T/ride - The Bell, Cropthorne, 20 miles, start 7pm Broad Street, lights required.

AFTERNOON CONCERT: In aid of Pershore Abbey Appeal - the concert is being held in Pershore Abbey and is entitled 'Music for a Foreign Land', will be played by the Cecilian Players and conducted by Martin Hall. The concert featuring Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, (better known as Fingal's Cave), and music by Bizet and Dvorak, begins at 2pm on Saturday, January 27. Tickets are available, adults £7, children £5 (including refreshments) are available from Blue, Broad Street, Pershore and also by ringing 01905 840433.

VOLANTE STRINGS: Are presenting 'Music for a Winter's Afternoon' in Pershore Abbey on February 17, commencing at 2.30pm. The Volante Strings are a locally based Chamber Orchestra, with Michael Campbell (flute) and Shelia Joynes (organ and harp). They will be playing Mozart's Divertimento in D. Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on Greensleeves, Bach Suite in B minor for flute and strings, Albinoni Adagio for organ and strings and Grieg's Holberg Suite. Tickets are £6 (£2.50 for children) and are available from Blue, and A la Carte, Broad Street, Pershore, or by phoning 01886 812282.

PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL: Student, Chris Cornes, has been selected to join the Worcestershire County under 14 Rugby Squad. Chris (14), of Worcester, is a talented all-round sportsman who will represent his county on the wing. Head girl, Lisa Matthews (17) of Pershore, has been chosen as a Worcestershire member of the UK Youth Parliament. She was chosen at elections held at Worcester's County Hall on December 16. Lisa is currently nearing the end of her A level studies, prior to taking up a degree course at University. As a leader of the senior student team, she will soon be on duty at the Pershore High School sixth form centre open evening, scheduled for the evening of February 1. Another Pershore High School student, Adam Hoskins (16) has been chosen as the winner of this year's Vale of Evesham Lions Clubs International Youth Award. Adam, who is also from Pershore, takes an active part in the St John's Ambulance Brigade and Youthcomm.Worcester, as well as helping in a range of school activities. Adam now goes forward to the district final and, if successful, will receive £500 to donate to the charity of his choice. For further information about these and forthcoming events please contact Clive Corbett on 01386 552471 (email-office@pershore.worcs.sch.uk)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - WOMENS SECTION: The next meeting of the Pershore branch will be on Tuesday, February 6,when Mr Kearsey will give a talk and slide show of his travels to Singapore and his visit to the War Graves whilst there. The meeting will commence at 7.30pm, St Wulstans Hall, Priest Lane, Pershore.