Evesham

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP: The CSRF met in the function room of the Library in Oat Street on February 20. After welcoming all present, Mrs Anne Innes, chairman, extended a special welcome to Miss Mavis Salt, branch president who had joined us for the first time in her new appointment and congratulated Mrs Phyllis Etheridge on being elected branch vice president. Mrs Innes referred to the group AGM to be held on March 13 when new committee members will be sought and asked for some thought to be given to this annual problem. Mrs Brenda Marsh, secretary, asked members to put forward suggestions for ways in which to mark the 25th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the Evesham group, which we are planning to celebrate in November 2001, and stressed that "we want to make this a big one!" Mrs Innes then introduced Mr Reuben Lynch, the only black professional toastmaster in this country, who entertained the group with stories of his childhood on sunny Montserrat, his arrival in England on a bitterly cold November day and of his 22 enjoyable years in the British Army which trained him in the skills necessary to become first, a banqueting manager and then a toastmaster. His many anecdotes were spiced with humour which were enjoyed by his enthusiastic audience. The group will next meet in the Library on March 13 for the AGM.

CYCLISTS TOURING CLUB: Sunday - Windmill 100 -Audax Ride, 62 plus miles, leader Mike Webster, depart 7.30am Great Mills, Evesham (car assist to Kidlington, Oxfordshire), meals - Audax organised en route, lights advised, 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.