Pershore

NUMBER 8 GALLERY: The Tantalus Project (15th preview).

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CAMPAIGN: Pershore branch held a social and coffee morning at Charlton Old School Room, Charlton, and were delighted to have raised more than £500 including sponsorship money. The Three Peaks Challenge will be held again this year, details of which will be announced shortly. Helen Fowler and the rest of the Pershore Committee wish to thank all those who attended and gave so generously and also all the helpers.

VALE HARMONY SINGERS: Presented Showtime at Evesham Arts Centre on Saturday. A total of £250 is being donated to Acorns Trust, which was raised from the event.

ARTS THEATRE CLUB: The next evening meeting will be tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm in St Agatha's Hall, Pershore, when, after a brief AGM, a home-made programme of words and music will take place.

A visit to Birmingham Hippodrome to see Birmingham Royal Ballet in Hobson's Choice is planned for May 23. This will be the club's first visit to the Hippodrome since the major refurbishment.

Visitors and new members are always welcome to Arts Theatre Club meetings. Please contact Jean Norcott on 01386 561624 about future events.

PERSHORE ABBEY: Is the venue for Worcester and Wychavon Rotary Club where Top Brass meets up with top choir Flowers Band (national finalists at Albert Hall 2001) Male Voice Choir in Pershore Abbey on Saturday, April 27, 7.30pm. The evening is to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Care, and tickets are £8 each. Music to be played will include William Tell, Lion King, Soldiers in Chorus and In The Mood, plus many others. Tickets are available at various venues in the town.

CANINE FRIENDS: Held a successful Garage Sale on Saturday, March 23 raising more than £160.

The next major event will be the annual garden party which will be held on Sunday, June 23, at 65, Cherry Orchard. This falls in line with the seventh annual draw for animal charities which also takes place on that day. Draw tickets are available from members or from Cookery Nook, High Street. Canine Friends is a Pershore-based charity which donates to local dog rescue centres and charities, including Greyhound Rescue, National Canine Defence League, RSPCA and many more. Donations are also sent to other animal organisations in the UK and abroad.

FLOWER AND CRAFT SHOW: Are now circulating programmes, schedules and entry forms for this year's show which will take place on Saturday, August 10, between 1pm and 5pm at the Angel Hotel Riverside Gardens, High Street, Pershore by kind permission of Mr Juan Mendez.

GARDENING CLUB: The March meeting was well-supported by more than 40 members. The speaker for the evening was Mrs Valarie Brooks, whose subject was Some Less Usual Vegetables, which gave comprehensive coverage of every section of vegetables - legumes, roots, squashes, salads, and so on, which in view of the current concern for organically-produced vegetables, should have given encouragement to all members to try their hand at some home-grown produce.

The monthly competition, A Selection of Home-Grown Vegetables, was won by Jean Norcott, with Ann Shepherd second.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 25, at Wulstan Hall, when there will be no speaker, but a session of Ask Our Own Experts, when various members will endeavour to answer. There will be a plant bring-and-buy sales, and a buffet supper. There will be no competition. New members welcome.

MICROCHIPPING YOUR DOG: The Evesham National Canine Defence League, with the support of Wychavon District Council, will be microchipping dogs for only £9.50 at Pershore One Stop Shop, Civic Centre, on Tuesday, May 21, between 10am and 2pm. Microchipping is a permanent way of identifying your dog.

WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST: Spring Open day at Tiddesley Wood Nature Reserve, Pershore on Sunday, May 5 between 10am and 5pm. You can go and enjoy the spring flowers, butterflies and pleasant walks in the large wood which is owned by the Trust. There will be many attractions including Shire Horse and Cart rides, live music, children's competitions and demonstrations plus stalls, raffle and tombola. Admission is £2.50 adults and 50p children, parking is free.

COBOLT UNIT APPEAL FUND: Are holding a sale on Saturday at Eckington Village Hall, 2pm, admission free.

GOLDEN JUBILEE CONCERT IN THE PARK: On Monday, June 3, 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Featuring the Allen Francis Big Band followed by fireworks. For information ring 01386 554235.

FRIENDS OF PERSHORE COTTAGE HOSPITAL: Are having a coffee morning on Thursday, June 13, 10am at St Andrews Church Hall, the annual raffle will be drawn with many fabulous prizes donated by the tradespeople of Pershore in support of the Local Cottage Hospital.

The Friends of Pershore Cottage Hospital also invite you to a summer barbecue, pig roast, at The Star Inn, with music provided by the Oxford Classical Jazz Band. Tickets are £12.50 per head and the evening begins at 7pm. Tickets are available from The Star Inn, Bridge Street, and Pershore Cottage Hospital 01386 502070 and ask for Chris Jones.

WORCESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Are presenting an afternoon concert in Pershore Abbey. They will be playing Wagner's Overture - Die Meistersingers, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor and Beethoven's Symphony No 7 in A.

The concert is being held on Saturday, May 18, 2.30pm. Tickets are £6 (concessions) £5, students £3, children free admission.