HERITAGE CENTRE: The centre has concluded another successful year when more than 2,000 visitors were welcomed between Good Friday and the end of September. They came from as far afield as Australia, China and the USA, a number from regions all over the UK and many local residents.

The c entre is manned entirely by volunteers who mount the exhibitions, clean, catalogue and undertake the numerous odd jobs needed to run such an organisation. Thanks also went to the many who donate artefacts and papers and who go to the trouble of writing down memories of the town as they remember it. The winter break will allow for new exhibitions and displays to be prepared, among them items on The Gunpowder Plot and Pershore's Industries. Members would be grateful if anyone with knowledge of these, particularly those no longer in existence, would contact Pershore 552482.

In the meantime the monthly meetings continue on the first Thursday of each month at St Wulstan's Hall, Priest Lane. The meeting on December 1 will be a light-hearted quiz by Robin Hill, county museums officer. Subscriptions for the year are £5, visitors £1 a meeting.

The centre will re-open on Good Friday 2006 but there will also be a special opening on the day of the Christmas Farmers' Market - Sunday, December 18. Group visits during the closed period can also be arranged by contacting Pershore 552482.

GARDENING CLUB: The last meeting of 2005 took place on Thursday, November 24 at 7.30pm in Wulstan Hall and took the form of a wine and mince pies party, which was enjoyed by all the members who had provided various edible treats.

Toni Smith stepped in at the last moment to demonstrate some ideas for Christmas decorations.

The next meeting will be on January 26 at 7.30pm in Wulstan Hall and the speaker will be Bob Hares talking about the Garden in January.

ARTS THEATRE CLUB: At the meeting of Pershore Arts Theatre Club on November 18, the Rev Kenneth Crawford gave a talk on Heraldry, bringing with him samples of very detailed designs, some of which were his own work.

Outings have been arranged to Malvern on Saturday 4 to see Snow White on Ice and to Stratford in January to Great Expectations.

Evening meetings are held in the Courtyard Room at Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Pershore. The next meeting will be on Friday, December 16 at 7.30pm when Mary Croxon will talk on William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Visitors and prospective new members are always welcome. For further details contact Dot Chapman on 01386 552989.

Wick

WICK CLUB: The annual quiz took place on November 21, and as usual was a hard-fought battle in front of a packed audience. Angela Storey opened proceedings by reminding the audience of the long history of this occasion, and displaying the trophy that was about to be contested. Adam Knowles devised the questions for the three teams and Tony Kelly was the quiz master. After a slow start, the Wick Wives team of Alex Brown, Elaine Young and Lynne Raymer established a slight lead at half time. The Wick Club team of Alan Young, Owen Griffiths and Larry Claridge put in a late sprint, showing a wide knowledge of Wellington, HMS Victory and trombones, but the Men's Lunch Club team of Tom Shaw, Brian Phillips and Clive Brown nearly got ahead at the end with particularly detailed knowledge of the Bible. However, the Wick Wives just held on to their lead, and were awarded the trophy by Anne Illingworth. Alan Young won the raffle, and food was prepared by Sue Young.

PLAYGROUND: Playground maintenance will take place on Friday at 10.30am and more help would be appreciated. The slide that has provided such fun and entertainment for many children for many years must be replaced. This could cost up to £6,000 so villagers are asked to attend the playground Winter Warmer on Saturday at 10.30am at Wick Club where there will be games, card and face painting, raffle, tombola, bring and buy and drinks.

PARISH COUNCIL: At the meeting on November 22, it was reported that several improvements were being made to communications within the village: new notice boards were being made, the quarterly Wick News was being given additional effort and resources, and additional efforts were being made to welcome newcomers to the community.

A tree warden was being appointed, and some diseased trees were to be cut down.

To allow for expected increases in cost, the precept for the next financial year was set at £5,150. In view of the need for significant upgrading and replacement to playground equipment, it was agreed to use some of the special funds that had been built up in the past from one-off grants to provide some additional financial support to the playground committee. Particular attention was being paid to the regular inspection and maintenance of the playground equipment.

Wychavon District Council would be asked formally to deal with growing disrepair of some footpaths alongside the roads in the village.