ACTIVITIES in late spring have taken place in locations from the Lake District to the ''Big Apple'' country near Hereford, from the Burton Dassett Hills near Banbury to the Cotswolds south from Painswick.

A good turnout enjoyed the views from the sixth stage of the long-distance walk for the year - the Cotswold Way, on April 4, and 27 followed this by taking part in some idyllic Lake District walks over the Easter weekend.

Jean Nokes took the leading role in organising these events, which enjoyed very good weather.

By way of complete contrast, the next meeting was a gardener's forum and plant exchange on April 15.

After buying and selling more than 200 plants, members went on to offer advice on how to deal with a particularly damp and shady patch of garden and consider some humane - and some draconian - ways of getting rid of slugs and snails.

An 11-mile and scenic walk in the Dovers Hill area on April 18 was followed by a much gentler five miles in the Great Alne area on April 25, with breaks for looking around the well known Kinwarton Dovecote and a couple of churches.

The changes continued to be rung in the remaining April and May events. A sociable skittles evening on April 23 was followed by a short walk and trip to the ''Big Apple'' Cider Festival at Putley, near Hereford, on May 2, which ended with members sampling some of the hundreds of ciders and perrys from local small producers and dozens of cakes made by local ladies.

Back to earth, the last event of this period was an eight-and-a-half miles of undulating Warwickshire countryside around the Dassett villages near Banbury.

The highlight for many was a look round Burton Dassett Church, which has a very unusual sloping floor.

Thanks went to members Dave Donovan, Cynthia Warren, Mike and Margaret McNicholas, Brian and Renee Phillips, Lin Fraser and Alex and Helen Koscica, who have all organised walks or social events recently.

In the next few weeks, activities will include brushing up on map reading skills, completing further stages of the Cotswold Way and some short evening strolls.

If you are interested in taking part in any of these or would like to receive a copy of the programme, call Jill Hitchcock on 529716.