PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The Vale of Evesham Camera Club will welcome Terry Harrison and Ron Curtis to give a photographic lecture entitled Glass Slides, at The Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome.

Evesham Rambling Club: Members completed the last section of the Heart of England Way on October 22 with a fine ramble across Cannock Chase.

The day was dull and misty with just a hint of mellow fruitfulness, with leaves turning from green to gold to copper red.

We walked near Boney Hay, Burntwood, past The Nelson Inn, with the sound of a nearby clay shoot disturbing the peace, and on to Gentleshaw and Beaudesert.

Lunch was in the sheltered ditch of the Castle Ring Iron Age Fort, with acorns ripening on the oaks, the panoramic landscape blotted by the phone mast and the Rugeley Power Station pumping out smoke on the horizon.

We saw some fascinating bright red spotty mushrooms, and read warnings of fissures, probably remnants of ancient mineral mines rather than the coal mining which gave the name to Colliery Road, crossing Cannock Chase.

Next we walked up Kitbag Hill climbed by many aircraft men in the 1939-45 war, and Marquis Way, named after the Marquis of Anglesey.

On through bottle brush conifers to the Katyn Memorial commemorating the 14,000 Polish Army Officers and professional classes killed on Stalin's orders in 1940.

The walk ended with a bonus viewing of Shugborough Park Farm and its well-preserved water mill.

Val and Mike Taylor, Simone Silcock, Roy Pritchard, Martin Wheatcroft and Zetta Flew were congratulated by the club for completing the whole of the Heart of England Way - more than 100 miles in total.

Our next ramble is on November 26 and will be a 12-mile circular ramble in the Belbroughton area.

Phone Kath Morris on 01386 553661 for details

SSAFA-FH: On October 21, the Evesham division of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA-FH) held its first coffee morning at Willersey Village Hall.

We raised £750, including £275 in donations, all of which will be used for the benefit of our clients who are in the Evesham area.

A big thank-you to Willersey for its well-known warm hospitality and generosity, and to the many people unable to attend who showed their support through their various donations.

Here's to the next time !