WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB KIDDERMINSTER BRANCH - It was a cooler day than anticipated for the family day at Venus Pool Reserve. The morning of bird watching resulted in 43 species being identified. The highlights included a curlew, little ringed plovers, a nesting oystercatcher and a great spotted woodpecker family.

The afternoon of wild flower, butterfly, damselfly and dragonfly identification around the old-fashioned hayfield proved not so rewarding as the main flowering season appeared still to be a couple of weeks away. Pathside wildflowers included orchids and scarlet pimpernel.

The last event of the 2005/2006 season will be an evening field meeting to Upton Warren Nature Reserve meeting on The Moors car park on Wednesday, July 5 at 6.30pm. The first indoor meeting of the 2006/2007 season will be held at St Oswald's Church Centre, Broadwaters, on Wednesday, September 27 at 7.30pm.

For details or further information contact 01562 67748.

FRIENDS OF ACORNS CHILDRENS TRUST WYRE FOREST GROUP - Kidderminster Carnival Committee has decided that the charity to benefit from last weekend's carnival will be Acorns Children's Hospice Trust.

The friends group was involved with the duck race which took place on June 3 and raised more than £400 and in a bucket collection at Sainsbury's on June 10.

Members are also supporting the Severn Valley Railway Junior Club, who are holding a sponsored walk from Kidderminster to Bewdley along the railway track on Thursday, July 13. For details, telephone Margaret Taylor on 01299 826256 or email

margaret@sevenhills.

freeserve.co.uk.

ORETON BEER FESTIVAL - Farlow and Oreton Village Hall will be running its first beer festival on Saturday, July 8 at 2pm to help raise money for a children's play area.

Attractions will include a dog show and entertainment for the children with face painting and a bouncy castle.

Tickets are available from 01746 718626.