LEGION FAIR: THERE was once again a good attendance at this year's annual fair held at The Royal British Legion in Moreton. Despite atrocious weather and competition from the Rugby World Cup Final, all stalls did well and a magnificent total of £1,778 was realised for the funds of the Royal Lifeboat Institution. The branch president, Admiral Sir Peter Herbert, received from Kathy Illingworth of Blockley a cheque for £522, the sponsorship proceeds for completing the Great North Run in September.

HISTORY SOCIETY: At the society's Christmas party at the Swan, a half-hour entertainment was provided by former members of The Strangers, the first local amateur society to bring regular theatre to the Redesdale Hall. An exhibition of Cotswold Journal photos and reviews of their shows in the 70s and 80s was on display and Mike and Joyce Rees and Patsy Hemming performed various excerpts from past productions, with Paul Webber at the piano.

The winter number of the history society's quarterly bulletin includes articles about the old town cross, which stood where the Redesdale Hall is now, a history of the Playhouse cinema at Moreton and life in the town during the Second World War.

The next meeting will be the AGM on Wednesday, March 10, when Mark Turner will be presenting Moreton Then and Now.