WHIST DRIVE: The whist drive was organised by Miss F Ricketts and Mrs B Hodges, to raise funds for the County Air Ambulance Service. Mr John Chester, was MC, Mr C Bromfield, drawmaster. An extra dinner and wine etc raffle was held and raised £47 for the Air Ambulance fund. Winners included, Mr C Griffin, Mrs J Jackson, Mr D Crook, Mrs M Jones, Mr J Chester, and Mr B Jones. The whist drive continued with 11 tables, and whist, raffles and mystery prizes were won by Miss F Ricketts, Mrs M Gill, Mrs B Errington, Mr B Jones, Mrs F Williams, Mr D Crook, Mrs M Jones, Mrs D Hickmott, Mr D Jeffries, Mrs G Crook, Mrs D Bunn, Mrs H Archer, Mrs J Rose, Mrs E Edwards, Mr R Davies, Mrs J Washbrooke, Mrs T Stamp, Mr E Willis, Mrs P Griffin, Mrs N Bennett, Mrs P Miles, Mr G Errington, Mrs P Jeynes, Mrs O Wells, Mrs J Palmer, Mrs N Green and Mr G Bennett. Mr Chester announced that at the next weekly drive, it was hoped to hand over a cheque to the Air Ambulance Appeals officer.

GARDEN CLUB SKITTLES EVENING: The Eckington Garden Club skittles and buffet evening, was held at The Bell Inn, Eckington, on January 16. The event was well attended, Mr F Fincher and Mr C Harvey organised skittles, with teams of Wallflowers and Pansies. The competition was fast and furious and three hands of skittles were played. Mrs E Fincher was top lady with 24 points, Mr D Walton, top gent, with 24 points. Both received a prize of garden flowers. Alan and Liz, hosts of The Bell Inn produced a supper of ham, beef and various salads, which was appreciated by club members and friends. Mrs E Rayner organised the evening's raffle and winners were, Mr J Ball, Mrs L Harris, Mrs M Gill, Mr C Harvey, Mrs M Charles, Mrs E Rayner, Mr P Eyden, Mrs E Fincher, Mr D Walton, Mrs B Clayton and Mrs B Cullwick. Mr P Eyden, club chairman, thanked all present for their support and attendance. He also announced that help was being asked for planting the village hall car park border in the spring.

PARISH COUNCIL: At the parish council meeting held at the village hall on January 10. All present were informed that the Worcestershire County Council Countryside Service, had delayed the start of their plans for the upgrading of Eckington Wharf, due in part to the prolonged spells of flooding. The Countryside Service hoped they would be able to look at the site in late spring/summer.

The meeting ratified Birlingham's parish council nomination for the position of the minor authority governor at Eckington CE First School. Mrs Gillian Goodlad of Birlingham was appointed.

Following concerns raised over the safety of the Cedar tree, outside Holy Trinity Church a safety report had been commissioned, but it had been recommended no attention was necessary at present. The parish council agreed that inspections of the tree would be regularly carried out.

The parish council had received the housing needs survey, ready for issue to all households within the parish. This would be carried out by January 14, to enable responses to be collated in time for consideration, at the March council meeting.

A site meeting with county council representatives had been held on January 8, to consider the proposed bus stop, and lay by sites. The parish council meeting approved the two proposed lay-by sites outside the cemetery and in Tewkesbury Road, by the bungalows. It was agreed that a Perspex shelter would be installed at the Tewkesbury road lay-by.

The footpath to the new stop in Tewkesbury Road, would be extended from the junction of Station Road. The parish council would also request the footpath be extended from the New Road junction to the lay-by outside the cemetery.

A number of highway issues were raised at the meeting, including the flooding along B4080 at Holland Road junction, and near to Clatsmore Farm, plus the poor condition of the cats eyes along that stretch of road. The pot holes in Upper End, the flooding on Nafford Road and the lack of a 'Give Way' sign at the junction of Hollands Road with the B4080 were discussed. The council would also pursue with Railtrack the accumulation of litter beneath the footbridge.

A vote of thanks was proposed for Mr Nils Wilks, who had recently produced a book of walks around Eckington, which is now on sale at the Village Stores and Post Office. The next meeting of the parish council will be held on March 14.