Inkberrow

Reverting to the topic that has been uppermost in all gardeners' minds this year, Mr Tromans said he had sought the help of the Internet to see exactly what weather conditions had been and found the first quarter of the year mild with January and March being very dry, April was the wettest on record since 1766 and a warm wet May and dry warm June gave way to cold and rain in July with the greenest lawns for many a year showing only too clearly what August had in store.

The cups were then presented by Mrs Marion Willis and the raffle organised by Mr Harry Betteridge was drawn. Visitors also made sure a brisk trade was done on the plant stall and the refreshments.

Judges: Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables - Mr Duncan Coombes; Flower Arrangements - Mrs Stella Wallis; Cookery - Mrs Ann Derbyshire; Handicrafts - Mrs Feeeman; Art - Mr John Harris; Children's Classes - Miss Hilary Bainbridge.

Cup Winners: The Society Challenge Cup for most points in flower section - Mr F Hunt; The Dormston Challenge Cup for most points in the Rose section - Mrs Mary Sweeting and Mrs Joan Goodall; The Society Cup for most points in the pot plant section - Mr H Betteridge and Mrs Col Shaw; The Community Cup for most points in the fruit section - Mrs B Quinn; The Society Challenge Cup for most points in the vegetable section - Mr F Hunt; The Worrall Challenge Cup for most points in the Flower Arrangement Classes - Mrs W Betteridge; The W Ganderton Cup for most points in preserves, cookery and handicrafts - Mrs J Richardson; The Charlotte Hopkins Trophy for most points in the children's section - 1 Charlotte Betteridge, 2 Jennifer Allan & Annabelle Davies, 3 James Allan. The Barnes Challenge Cup for the most points in show - Mr F Hunt; The Worrall Memorial Trophy for the Best in Show - Miss R Jackson; Top Tray Award - Mrs B Quinn; Banksian Medal - Mrs M Jones.

Mickleton

MICKLETON GARDENING CLUB ANNUAL FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW: Mickleton Gardening Club held a successful show in spite of it being on a disappointingly wet Bank Holiday. Overall the number of entries had increased from last year, but the vegetable and fruit section needed more entrants.

The flowers in the showing and floral art classes gave a beautiful display so near to the end of the growing season.

There were two outstanding arrangements depicting the "Millenium".

The Cookery section was strongly represented, 12 cakes made to recipe were all slightly different in appearance, and 8 brave men had made appetising teabreads.

The Handicrafts was the most impressive section, showing many lovely things, especially exquisite cross stitch and patchwork, and among other entries was a Victorian sewing box which opened out into petal like sections.

The presentation of the awards was made by Mrs Chambers from Kiftsgate and the winners were as follows:

Class 1 (Garden News Award for Top Tray of Vegetables) Mr R Russell; Class 37 (Garden News Top Vase of Mixed Flowers) Mr R Russell; The RHS Banksian Medal, Mr E Moss; The Dr Snelson Cup, Mr E Moss; The Lady Pollen Cup, Mr A Kitchen; The Committee Cup, Mrs B Kitchen; The Novice Cup, Mrs A Powell; £5 Voucher (Rose Classes) Mr A Kitchen; The George Bell Cup, Mr E Moss; The Playing Field Cup, Mr E Moss; The Edwin & Ethel Hall Memorial Trophy, Mr W Brain; The Joyce and Pamela Wallis Memorial Bowl, Mrs T Hunt and Mrs J Gill (jointly) £5 Voucher (Handicrafts) Mrs A Powell; £3 Voucher (Pot Plant) Mrs A Powell. Thanks went to the judges who were Mr Hutchins from Stratford upon Avon, Mr R. Lloyd of Blockley, Mrs B Broughton of Shipston on Stour, Mrs J Spencer of Newbold on Stour, Mrs J Brimblecombe of Broadway and Mr G Phillipson of Mickleton. Thanks also to Mrs B Kitchen and her committee and to everyone who helped behind the scenes to produce such an efficient show.

Pershore

TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD: A damp September morning did not deter the many members who arrived for the first meeting of the Townswomen's Guild, after the summer break.

The chairman welcomed everyone, also two visitors, Mrs A Moore and Mrs Saraffy. Thanks for cards and support were received from Mesdames Vale, Wilkes and Ludlow. Mrs Rubbra reported that the outing to Berkeley Castle was very enjoyable and a great success.

She outlined brief plans for some future outings. Further details were given regarding the coffee morning on October 27, at Wychavon Civic Centre, from 10am to 12 noon, when, as well as a cake stall and raffle, there will be an arts and crafts exhibition, for which members are asked to bring some of their own work. Tickets are now on sale at 50p each.

A reminder was given that names were being taken for the millennium lunch at the Vale Golf Club, on Friday, December 8, £13 each, to be paid for at the November meeting.

Mrs Banbury said that the choir will be meeting fortnightly from September 7, at 10am. The Drama group will be rehearsing at Mrs Wilkes house on September 18. September 19 is the date for the next ramble, around Upton-on-Severn, when members will meet at the Abbey car park at 10am. Scrabble will be played next on September 22, but skittles has been deferred until October 10 at 10.15am. The Literary Appreciation Group will be discussing 'Jude the Obscure' and some poetry at their next meeting on October 2. After coffee, members were enthralled by an inspiring talk on the Home Farm Trust, given by Mrs Gillian Aspey, who made particular reference to her own Son and her experiences on a trek across Jordan, to raise money for the trust. Mrs O Hendrick gave the vote of thanks, saying it had been a lesson to all. A raffle was held which raised £72. The next meeting will be on October 3 at 10am in Wulstan Hall, when Mrs A Moore will talk about 'Curiosities of Gloucestershire'. The sales table will be Harvest produce.

ARP 50: Members of the Pershore and Evesham ARP have had a busy two weeks, firstly the monthly meeting was in the form of a quiz and bring and buy and was well attended by members, guests and visitors who were welcomed by the chairman. A member gave a short talk about her exciting years in retirement and the daring escapades she has undertaken focusing on her more recent adventure of flying on the outside wings of a bi-plane. On September 3 members enjoyed a visit to Bletchley Park (Station X) which proved very interesting and on September 6, a small group of the more strenuous members undertook a morning walk along the River Avon and through Tyddesley Wood taking lunch in Pershore. The next monthly meeting held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Pershore Football Club, commencing 10.30am for 11am when the speaker will be Brian Draper (ex Severn Trent) his subject 'The River Teme'.

VELO CLUB DE PERSHORE: Sunday Audax - Four Counties Made Easy. 100 km, leader Mike Webster, meet 7.30 am Broad Street (Car Assist). Refreshments on course, lights required. Wednesday September 20, trainig ride, 20 miles, leader Martin Cowley, meet 7pm Broad Street, Pershore, destination The Star Inn, Ashton under Hill, lights required.

NUMBER 8 GALLERY: An exhibition of paintings by John Milsom entitled 'Sky, Trees and Water'.

PERSHORE AND DISTRICT FILM SOCIETY: Film at No.8. 84 Charing Cross Road starring Anthony Hopkins Saturday at 7.30pm.

Sedgeberrow

SEDGEBERROW BRITISH LEGION WOMENS SECTION: After the business Marion Freeman was introduced, who gave an interesting and detailed talk on "Collage and Creative Embroidery", and displayed many items she had worked. Marion was thanked by Mrs Kearsey. Mrs Kearsey proposed Mrs Muriel Carter as deputy Standard Bearer, Mrs Brown seconded and approved by all members, as it is many years since we had a deputy, welcome to the branch.

Stratford Mayor's Diary

FRIDAY: 2.30pm, Mayor to attend Policy Review Group Meeting at Town Council. 6pm, Mayor to attend Stratford Library Reading Relay Presentation Evening at Stratford Library.

SATURDAY: 9.45am, Mayor to attend Jennifer Trust for SMA National Conference Opening at Stratford Manor Hotel. 7.45pm, Mayor and Consort to attend Jennifer Trust for SMA National Conference Dinner Dance at Stratford Manor Hotel.

SUNDAY: 10.35am, Mayor to attend The Aircrew Association Battle of Britain Thanksgiving Service at Guild Chapel. 10.15am, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort to attend Mayor of Leamington Spa's Civic Service at Quaker Meeting House, Warwick.

MONDAY: 11am, Mayor to attend meeting at Mayor's Parlour.

TUESDAY: 6.30pm, Mayor to attend Trustees Meeting at Town Hall.

WEDNESDAY: 11.30am, Mayor to attend Meeting with Mayor's Chaplain at Mayor's Parlour. 6.30pm, Mayor to attend Mayor's Fund Meeting at Mayor's Parlour.

THURSDAY: 7.30pm, Mayor and Consort to attend Rudolfe Kempe Society Concert at Shakespeare Institute.

Wick

WICK FETE: The organisers, Jill and Martin Williams, must have had a nail-biting time on September 2, because the weather forecast had been none too good and there were heavy clouds in the sky. But they needn't have worried. It stayed fine all afternoon. There was an excellent display in the church of pictures, cardboard models, all relating to St Mary's, and of course the now famous pew cushions labelled with the names of their creators. There was also a Scarecrow Competition. Music was provided by Silver Lining Brass. The Millennium Committee had a stand selling the picture cards, the Wick 2000 AD booklet and the photographic montage of people in -the village. In charge were Bryan and Joyce Broome and Angela and Gordon Storey. Helpers at the event included: Alf Parsons helped by Tony Dodd (Gate); Alex and Clive Brown, Ann and James Latchford (Tombola); Roberta Cleland (Bean Bags); Daphne Brown with Julia and Marie Brown (Sweets); Ray Day and Colin Martin (Five-Pin Bowling); David and Irene Sutton (Books); Alan and Elizabeth Castle (Toys); Betty Cave, Glenda Ellis, Ros Gowing, Angus and Margaret Macdonald, Alice and Peter Macdonald, Maureen Martin (White Elephant); Charlotte Burton, Chris Hickman, Ann Latchford, Hilary Ridsdale, Pat Stone (Cakes); Joyce Broome, Doreen Day, Agnes Kennedy, Bridget Robertson, Sheila Simons, Joan Heald (Gifts and Crafts); Anne Harvey and Audrey Robards (Baskets and Gingerbread Men); Audrey Davis, Eric Davis, Marjorie Donaldson, Kathleen Smith, Sue Bradley (Plants and Produce); Vicky Cosnett, Alan and Barbara de Ville (Raffle); Rob Roberts (Shooting Range. A new feature was donkey rides, donkeys by courtesy of Harold Roberts and with June Scott helping. Teas on the lawns of the Manor were served by Nesta Everall, Doris Hartland, Alison Kinehan, Adam Pokorski, Clive Simons, Dawn Simons, Kerry Simons, Kim Simons, Frank Powell and Muriel Powell. Competition winners were: Representation of Wick Church: 5-8 years: 1 Marie Brown, 2 Peter Roberts. 9-12 years: 1 Simon Roberts, 2 Christopher Rowberry, 3 Julia Brown. Adults: 1 Alan de Ville, 2 Joyce Broome, 3 Betty Cave. Family Entry: 1 The Oakey family, 2 The Moore family. Scarecrow: 1 Clare and Catherine Oakey, 2 Leah James, 3 June Scott. Five-Pin Bowling: Ladies - Sylvia Geary, Men - Cliff Clarke, Children: 4-year-old Jay Gibbs.

MILLENNIUM COMMITTEE: The committee announces that copies of the photo montage 'Faces of Wick, 2000' are now on sale price £2 and available from Alex Brown or Gordon Storey.

Weston-sub-Edge

SHOW 2000: Class winners at Weston-sub-Edge Flower and Vegetable Show 2000 were as follows:

n Basket of vegetables: 1 S Norton, 2 C Wagstaff; carrots: 1 C Wagstaff, 2 P Clarke; shallots large: 1 S Norton, 2 P Baldwin; shallots small: 1 P Clarke, 2 P Baldwin; potatoes round: 1 S Norton, 2 C Wagstaff; potatoes kidney: 1 C Wagstaff, 2 P Clarke; tomatoes: 1 P Clarke, 2 C Wagstaff; tomatoes small: 1 P Baldwin, 2 S Norton; marrow: 1 S Norton, 2 P Clarke; beetroot: 1 J Bird, 2 C Wagstaff; onions: 1 S Norton, 2 C Wagstaff; runner beans: 1 P Norton, 2 J Bird; dessert apples: 1 P Clarke, 2 S Norton; cooking apples: 1 S Norton, 2 P Clarke; dessert pears: 1 C Wagstaff, 2 P Clarke; plums/damsons: 1 C Wagstaff, 2 P Baldwin; soft fruit: 1 J Bird; home grown fruit: 1 S Norton.

n Dahlia pom pom: 1 S Norton; dahlia cacti: 1 S Norton; roses with foliage: 1 S Norton; houseplant flowering: 1 C Wagstaff; potted geranium: 1 J Bird; fuchsia: 1 S Norton; houseplant (non flowering): 1 C Wagstaff; decorative group: 1 P Keightley, 2 M Knight.

Lemon curd: 1 M Cliff; marmalade: M Cliff; soft fruit jam: 1 M Cliff; any other variety: 1 P Keightley; jelly: 1 R Robbins; chutney: 1 R Robbins; chocolate sponge: 1 L Spittle, 2 H Osborne; Victoria sponge, 1 M Cliff; quiche: 1 H Osborne, 2 L Spittle; embroidery: 1 M Dow, 2 P Keightley; canvas work: 1 M Cliff, cross stitch: 1 M Cliff; knitted garment: 1 M Bird, 2 F Wilkinson; any other craft: 1 M Wells, 2 M Knight, 3 P Keightley.

n Photography: R Dow, R Cross, M Bird, C James, J Titterington, P Baldwin, M Webb, B Robbins.

n Children's winners: Amy and Jack Bird, Lucia Hudson-Evans, Henrietta Knight, Kerri and Rachel Newman.