FLOWER CLUB: Members held their meeting on Thursday, February 27, at Broadwell Village Hall. Demonstrator for the evening was Mrs Glenice Yates, who gave an enjoyable evening with her colourful flowers and sense of humour.

The next meeting will be on March 27 at 7.30pm. The demonstrator will be Mrs Elaine Freeman, her title will be A Dickens of a Tale, new members and visitors are welcome.

FOLK SONGS: The legendary folk song collector, Cecil Sharp, found many of his tunes in the North Cotswolds, Moreton and District Local History Society was told at its March meeting. The speaker, Paul Burgess, musician and broadcaster, not only showed black and white slides of local fiddlers whom Sharp consulted at the beginning of the last century, but also sang and played folk music discovered at Lower Swell, Longborough, Stow and Moreton. Mr Burgess was thanked by Josie Burford, whose husband, Colin, is great-grandson of Harry Taylor, of Longborough, who played for Sharp and gave him a number of tunes. This was the annual meeting and it was reported that for the first time the society had made a loss on the year, totalling £187, and it was agreed that the annual subscription be raised to £5 after many years without an increase. Mrs Susanna Peake was elected president and Mrs Zoe Lockyer, the Rev John Hills, the Rev Ralph Mann and Dr David Edwards, vice-presidents. Guy Stapleton was re-elected chairman, Margaret Shepard, secretary, and John Barnes, treasurer. The chairman congratulated Miss Shepard on having been secretary for 20 years, since the society's inception.

INTEREST AND LEISURE CLUB: The March meeting was held at the Royal British Legion, Moreton, with Mr Ben Jeffrey in the chair. He asked members to stand for a minute's silence in memory of Mrs Nancy Weale, a valued member.

After completion of the business, Ben Jeffrey introduced the speaker, Mr Peter Milford, who gave a fascinating talk on the Origins of English and Welsh Surnames.

Because of the many invasions of the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans many names were introduced here. Other names came about due to location and landmarks near which small groups lived ie a hill, an oak or wood (thus Hill, Oak or Wood became surnames). When tax was first paid, identification again was essential. One good rule, Mr Milford stressed, to trace a name or names was Location, Occupation, Relationship and Description (LORD).

He has an extensive knowledge of his subject but had only a limited time to pass this on and deal with all aspects. He also had a great sense of humour and had his audience laughing. He left about 80 envelopes containing information on members' names.

Ben Jeffrey gave the vote of thanks.