THIS Sunday is the start of Christian Aid week when money raised will be used to improve people's lives in more than 50 countries worldwide. Christian Aid works among the world's poorest peoples, providing agricultural training projects, providing health education and setting up women's advocacy groups. Each project is concerned with the needs of the local community. Please give generously as during this week there will be house-to-house collections. Alternatively you can donate directly to Frances Betts (01905) 830816, who is the local co-ordinator.

This Sunday, the family service at St Peter's Church, Powick is at 11am and will include baptism.

Make a note in your diary for Saturday, June 5, as this is the day of Powick Church fete. Donations of gifts - crafts, plants, produce, toys, books, white elephant goods etc will be welcome. Church representatives will be calling in the near future for any donations of items for sale. Contact Jenny Hull (01905) 830672 or Thea Wild (01905) 831048. This year it is hoped to raise enough money to enable building to start on the new facilities of toilet and small kitchen at Powick Church. The amount raised to date is £22,650 and the target is £24,000.

Powick Ramblers' first walk this month was on the Old Hills, a distance of four miles, which was led by David Allen. The next walk is on Wednesday, May 12, and will take a five-mile route around Powick Hams, led by Chris Evans. Please meet at Powick Church at 10am. Details from Chris on (01905) 831415. Other walks this month take place on Thursday, May 20 at 10am, meeting at the Wheatsheaf Inn (on the A44) at Whitbourne, a walk of four miles led by Joy and Phil Bunyan and on Tuesday, May 25, at 10am, a five-mile walk starting at Hanley Swan green.

The grand jumble sale held last Saturday in Powick Parish Hall raised over £500 in support of the Macmillan Brazil cycling challenge. This is just one of the many events being held locally.

Powick Guild is planning a visit to Attingham Park on Tuesday, June 8, leaving Colletts Green at 9.30am, with various pick-up points. The cost of the coach fare is £6.50 and the house tour is £4.50 (but free to National Trust members). For more details contact Rita de Boer on (01905) 830256. Non-members and spouses are also welcome.

The next meeting of the local branch of the Royal British Legion will be held at the Madresfield Club on Tuesday, May 11, at 8.15pm. Details and times of the Group 3 Rally to be held at Madresfield on Sunday, June 13 will be disclosed. A band has been booked to accompany the march and a good turn out of standards is expected. Sports fixtures have included a 12-a-side skittles at Claines RBL, where Claines won by 15 pins. The six-a-side matches were held at Madresfield against Offenham and also against Hanley Swan. The crib team defeated Offenham 8-7. Plans are being formulated for a poppy collectors appreciation social evening, possibly in June (details at next meeting).