LADIES' GUILD: A short silence in memory of the tsunami victims was observed at the start of the January meeting. The vice-chairman, Mrs A Brown, introduced the speaker, Ray James, who talked about the lighter side of his work when he was a vicar. Mrs Hunt gave the vote of thanks, and Mr James donated his fee to the tsunami appeal, to which members also contributed.

Mrs Rubbra was welcomed back after illness. It was announced by Mrs Ambler that the community minibus had been organised for the outing to Slimbridge on Wednesday, January 26.

Letters of thanks for hospitality at the guild's Christmas dinner had been received from the Mayor, Councillor Parsons and Mr and Mrs Price.

Last year's charity, for the Macmillan Nurses, has raised £750 and it is hoped the cheque will be presented at the AGM in February. Pershore Talking Newspapers was chosen for this year's charity.

The choir and drama groups are rehearsing for their performance at the annual dinner of the Talking Newspaper.

The literary appreciation group met at Mrs Bateman's home when they discussed the book Unless by Carol Shields.

The skittles group continue to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am.

The sales table raised £25.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 1, at 2pm in Wulstan Hall and will include the AGM and the first birthday party with a cake, raffle, and quiz.

PHERITAGE AND HISTORY SOCIETY: At the first meeting of the new year, Robin Whitaker from Worcester Record Office gave a talk on Worcestershire Medieval Records. Members were able to see deeds dating back hundreds of years and were quick to take advantage of the question time that followed. The next meeting of the society will take place on Thursday, February 3.

EMBROIDERY GROUP: The next meeting takes place on Tuesday at the Riverside Centre, at 10am and will take the form of a Sit and Sew morning when members are invited to take along any work with which they may need help, or just to enjoy a friendly social morning - an ideal opportunity to get to know other like-minded folk and to share their projects. During the morning members will be entertained by short readings from the latest book by Janet Daniels and Marion Freeman on Pershore People, and poems by one of their members, Heather Llewellyn

PROBUS CLUB: The year was rounded off by two talks and a Christmas lunch.

The first talk was by Julia on behalf of her mother Betty Cross, who with her late husband had driven a remarkable journey with two friends from Nigeria to Tangiers in 1953 in two old stripped down Standard Vanguards.

The second by Michael Evans covered the development of cameras, films etc from 1800 to today's digital cameras.