GARDENING CLUB: The February meeting was well attended by some 50 members, including several new members, and after a welcome from chairman George Featonby, he announced the result of the inter-club quiz, which had been held at Wickhamford on February 13. The Pershore team, of Caroline Abbey, Richard Jones and Malcolm Humphreys had succeeded in winning the cup for the fourth time, and were to be warmly congratulated. Before the quiz the presentation of an engraved tankard had been made by the Wickhamford chairman to John Glazebrook, and a bouquet to Jean, for their enormous contribution in running the quiz since 1995.

The secretary announced details of a proposed trip to the Van Kampen Gardens in Herefordshire on May 17. The cost would be £10, places could be booked now, and money collected at the March meeting. After coffee, Julia Scott gave a fascinating talk on Enjoying and using Herbs, followed by questions. The competition - A Posy of Herbs - was won by Ann Shepherd, with Frances Watson-Smyth and Jean Norcott joint second, with Mary Giles third.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN PERSHORE: Local Ecumenical Covenant formerly Pershore Christian Council. The Lent Project 2001, which benefits Charity 'ACES' - Aid for the Children of El Salvador. Lent lunches, at the Baptist church, are being held on Fridays commencing March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 and then April 6. Starting at noon until 1.30pm (soup and roll). Everyone will be welcome.

WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST: Wood chip sale in Tiddesley Wood, Pershore on March 10 and 11, 11am to 2pm. Collect your own chips for garden, mulch, paths or to suppress weeds. Quantity discount bring your trailer or fill your car boot! Only £3 a bag.

CHARITY EVENING: Has been arranged by Betty Hughes on March 30 at Pershore College of Horticulture. The tickets are £16 each and the evening commences with a reception at 6.30pm, the evening meal commencing at 7.15pm. Dress is optional. There will be the usual grand raffle with lots of prizes, entertainment will be by Perscoran Brass, Pods Cabaret group.

The main proceeds of the evening are for Perscoran Brass and Podys. Plus donations to St John Ambulance Cadets, 233 (Pershore) Squadron Air Training Corps, and Pershore Troop Army Cadet Force. Tickets are available from Betty Hughes on 01386 552547.

ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION: Chairman, Ken Rowe hopes to be finishing putting up the seed orders over the weekend and they will then be ready for delivery or collection. He hopes to be delivering them towards the end of the week.

If you require any further information regarding the allotments please contact Ken Rowe, at Cookery Nook, High Street, Pershore, telephone 01386 556655.

NCCPG: (National Council for the Conservation of Plant and Gardens). Dr Andrew Ward made us aware not only of our sense of smell but also of the diversity in smells of leaves as well as flowers.

The presentation at the February meeting was enjoyed for not only the beautiful slides but also the relaxed atmosphere created by this enthusiastic young man. We are pleased to welcome John Dodge on March 13 who will talk about 'Wild Flowers of Tenerife: Familiar Genera in Unfamiliar Places'. Mr Dodge was professor of Botany at London University and we should have another informative and interesting evening taking us to an island in the sun. Anyone interested in joining us will be welcome. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the Frank Parkinson Centre, Pershore and Hindlip College at 7.30pm. We have an interesting and varied programme throughout the year and visits by many well-known garden experts. Contact telephone no 01562 777014.

NUMBER 8 GALLERY: An exhibition of paintings by Yardley Art Society to Saturday. Next Monday, exhibition by Sue Lee for three weeks.

FILM AT NUMBER 8: Pershore and District Film Society - The House of Mirth (PG) based on the novel by Edith Wharton. An excellent evocation of New York society at the beginning of the last century, Saturday, at 7.30pm.

VELO CLUB DE PERSHORE: Sunday - Windmill 100 - Audax Ride, 62 plus miles, leader Mike Webster, depart 7am Broad Street, Pershore, (car assist to Kidlington, Oxfordshire), meals - Audax organised en route, lights required, entry fees to Mike (£4) ASAP.

Tuesday - Easy Rider ride to Lower Moor, 18 miles, leader Sue Webster, start 11am Broad Street, Pershore, lunch - The Chestnut Tree, Lower Moor, lights not required.

Wednesday - Evening ride - The Bell, Cropthorne, 20 miles, start 7pm Broad Street, Pershore, lights required.