FOES FEAST: Was held last Saturday, in the village hall, for the second year running, and was another wonderful night of fine food and live entertainment, 55 villagers enjoyed a three course meal and the home-grown entertainers that followed.

Many thanks to Sarah Fincher for organising this event and to Jane, Christopher D, Christopher F, David and Alex for volunteering their help on the night. About £350 was raised to help school funds.

The next event FOES are organising is the Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 5, 2pm to 6pm. This has now become a traditional yearly event and is by way of being a thank you for all the support received throughout the year. There will be a pig-roast, tug-of-war, bouncy castle, crazy golf, welly wanging and much more. Entrance is £5 per family and BYO drinks. For more information please ring Sid Ellis on 01386 750039.

A new event for FOES this year will be the Eckington Raft Race on Saturday, July 12. The race will run along the village stretch of The Avon, with teams of four building their own rafts. For more information please ring Richard Salisbury on 01386 751524.

VILLAGE HALL: A jumble sale will be held in aid of Village Hall funds on Saturday, May 17 at 2pm in the hall. There will be a raffle, tombola and cake stall. Donations can be taken to the hall during the morning.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Mrs Cilla Cameron, chair of the parish council, chaired the annual parish meeting held at the village hall, at which there were 22 electors present, including five parish councillors.

Since the meeting in April 2002, the skip facility for bulky household refuse was stopped, following persistent misuse of the service. Wychavon District Council now provides a bookable collection service for the bulky household refuse.

Mrs Cameron gave the parish council report - particular mention was made of the amount of planning matters placed before the council, especially the planned development of affordable housing in Pershore Road.

Thanks were recorded for Mr Tony Smith and Mr Tom Bloomfield, who were retiring from the parish council, for their unstinting work over many years.

Parish Plans: Karen Humphries from Community First, gave a presentation on the role of a Parish Plan.

Other matters: Concern was expressed that an area of land off Hollands Road had been purchased for motorbike scrambling.

Comment was made about the footpath along the east side of Tewkesbury road being in a poor condition with water no longer draining away.

Several electors present expressed their concern at the suitability of the bus route for service 382 along Jarvis Street and Cotheridge Lane, The road surface is deteriorating and the narrow roads are inadequate for the size of the buses. The electors felt strongly that pedestrian safety was an issue. Concern was expressed at the suitability and safety of the designated Bredon Hill Middle School bus stop by the shop.