THURSDAY CLUB: At the meeting of the Thursday Club, held at the village hall, the club's chairman, Mr J Mole, welcomed all present and introduced the speaker, Mrs A Moore, who was re-visiting the Eckington Club, to give an illustrated talk of more 'Curiosities of Worcestershire'. Her first photographic slide of Eckington Bridge, was well received, as was the quotations from the poem by Quiller Couch about the River Bridge. Mrs Moore, then showed the curiosities found in Worcester Cathedral, such as the Watchman's Window and other objects with much historical interest. The villages of Ombersley, Stourport, were all endowed with past history, especially the Wyre Forest with it's curly whirly tree. Members enjoyed Mrs Moore's talk especially about the 'Dolls of Droitwich', which was both informative and was of great interest, and enjoyed by all present and appreciation was accorded to Mrs Moore, by all present. Afternoon refreshments were organised by Mrs V Mills and Mrs J Vaughan and helpers, and appreciation was shown to Mrs Mills for her donation of home made cakes. Birthday congratulations was accorded to Mrs Mills. The club's theatre outing would be held on March 7. Mrs G Allen, organised the club raffle, which raised £33.50. Winners were, Mrs D Edwards, Mrs W Palmer, Mrs J Bulford, Mrs D Pritchard, Mrs G Gill, Mrs B Ross, Mrs P Beadle, Mr J Mole, Mrs M Wood, Mrs E Bonnes, Mrs J Perrett, Mrs P Henry, Mrs E Jones, Mrs M Hussell, Mrs J White, Mrs J Cowley, Mrs M Bush and Mrs D Hickmott.

GARDEN CLUB: Mr P Eyden, chairman of the Garden Club, welcomed the stalwart members, who had braved a cold February 22 evening, to hear from Mr Frank Hardy in an entertaining way, his experiences of teaching Horticulture in the Seychelles. He also showed some beautiful slides of wild shrubs and gardens including the Presidents' garden, where some 80 gorgeous plants displayed and 20 tortoise live. Tortoises are a symbol of wealth. Mr Eyden accorded Mr Hardy appreciation for a most informative and entertaining evening, held in the village hall. Refreshments were organised by, Mrs O Newbury and Mrs P Beadle. Club raffles were held and winners included, Mr G Gill, Mrs B Clayton, Mrs P Beadle, Mrs E Rayner, Mrs E Fincher, Mrs O Newbury and Mrs B Cullwick. The next meeting will be 'Dutch Bulb Fields' on March 20, to be held in the village hall. The date of the April meeting is now changed to April 24.

WHIST DRIVE: Fifteen tables were in play at the whist drive, held at the village hall, on February 22. The event was organised by Mrs B Hodges and Miss F Ricketts to raise funds for the County Air Ambulance Service. Mr John Chester was MC, Mr C Bromfield, drawmaster. Whist, raffle and mystery prize winners were: Mrs O Wells, Mrs R Sowerbutts, Mrs J Baimbridge, Mr P Macarthy, Mrs D Yarwood, Mr M Quiney, Miss L Booth, Mr B Jones, Mr C Bromfield, Mrs M Jones, Mrs D Quiney, Mr F Jeffries, Mrs M Halling, Mr G Quiney, Mrs E Hawkes, Mr L Gunter, Mrs P Griffin, Mr K Batchelor, Mr G Errington, Mrs J Palmer, Mrs B Bromfield, Miss A Thompson, Mr J Whitehouse, Mrs F Williams, Mr J Chester, Mrs D Daves, Mr L Gunter, Mrs J Kostiuk and Mrs E Edwards.

COBALT UNIT APPEAL PRESENTATION: On February 22, a party of visitors led by Mrs D Ludlow, of Eckington, visited Lynton House, Cheltenham. Mrs Dorothy Ludlow is the chief organiser of Eckington sales to raise funds for the Cheltenham Hospital Cobalt Unit Appeal Fund, and the Crack Cancer Campaign. Over 50 people were in attendance and were welcomed by Mrs Jeane Ramsbottom, co-ordinator. Mrs Ludlow presented DR F A Hanna OBE with a cheque for £54,000.24, monies raised at sales, held at the Eckington Village Hall. Dr Hanna expressed warm appreciation to Mrs Ludlow and her family and helpers and for the total of £102,000.85, throughout the time Mrs Ludlow organised the money raising. Mrs Ludlow was presented with a floral tribute by Mr Howard Crooks, administrative director, in recognition of all the work for the money raising effort for the Cobalt Unit. Many of the units staff were present. Continuing the money raising, Mrs Ludlow announced her spring sale, would be held on April 21 at Eckington Village Hall.

Evesham

n PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday the Vale of Evesham Camera Club will welcome Don Maslam DPAGB to give a photographic lecture entitled 'Printers Pie' at the Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome.

n 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.

n 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.