CABARET TIME: HATS' latest offering, an evening of fun, frolic and food in the village hall on Saturday played to a sell-out audience. Based on the idea of cabaret, the atmosphere was skillfully achieved in a hall mysteriously dressed in draped curtains, discreet and imaginative lighting, candlelit tables and potted plants, all owing much to the hard work and creative skills of Tracy Howard. Directed by Roger Beard, and hosted by Michael Von Bowen, the evening got off to a flying start with a lively welcome-to-cabaret number which set the scene for the whole evening. Individual acts by members of the HATS company, supplemented by talented guest artistes, were interspersed by the serving of a three-course meal, devised and prepared by Rozanne Beard, Pat Stephens and Rosemary Hirst. Sketches included a delightful take-off of a parish council meeting, and a home-made version of the scene from The Full Monty in which the characters start dancing in the dole office. In this, Gordon Whittemore, editor of the Harvington News, made a guest appearance, as caretaker complete with broom. Steve Ostler, was in charge of lighting.

ROGATION GATHERING: Rogation Sunday, on which by tradition the important parts of a village, particularly the fields and pastures, are blessed and prayers offered for their continued well-being, was marked by a visit from a group composed of members of the congregations of both Baptist and Anglican churches. Assembling at St James' Church, the party visited the centre of the village, the school, the hall, the playing field, and then the orchards and allotments, arriving back at the church where the service concluded and was followed by morning coffee. Elderly members of the congregations, or those unable to face the walk, stayed in church where a companion service took place.

AFRICAN EFFORT: On Saturday, May 29, from 2pm to 4pm, cream teas are being served in the village hall by Hannah Small, Sophie Langdon and their helpers to raise money for these two young women to go out to Ghana in July and August. There they will be involved in building, teaching and other activities which are designed to bring help to the poor people of that area.