NORTH COTSWOLD FRIENDSHIP CENTRE ARP O50: Members spent a day at the fire college in Moreton. They were met by Michael Kernan QFSM, honorary historian and archivist for the Fire Service, and after tea/coffee and biscuits he gave an illustrated talk on the history of fire fighting and prevention. With a mixture of the necessary seriousness of the subject and inherent humour he took members through the developments of fire fighting through the centuries to the founding of the college in the 1960s.

After a fine lunch in the college mess the afternoon was devoted to a tour of the training grounds in the college bus.

T he day ended again with tea and biscuits when the chairman thanked Mr Kernan and the fire college for an inspirational and fascinating day.

HOSPITAL FETE Moreton Hospital Fete takes place on Saturday from 2-4pm in the hospital grounds. Donations for stalls of cakes, books, plants and bric a brac will be welcome and can be left at the hospital beforehand.

LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY: The annual coach tour of churches, one of the society's most popular events, took in the remoter churches of Hampnett, Salperton, Naunton, Temple Guiting and Guiting Power.

Tea was provided at Longborough by the WI and the 46-strong party headed homewards with a tribute from Joyce Rees to their guide, Guy Stapleton.