PRE-SCHOOL: The children had an enjoyable time on Comic Relief Day when, at the staff's instigation, they did their bit for this worthy cause. Children arrived sporting red coloured hair and clothes to match, and after playing with red toys, duly consumed their refreshments while biscuits and cakes, generously donated by the parents, were sold to help raise funds. They made £14.50 for which the organisers wish to thank their supporters.

ST JAMES' CHURCH: Starts its regular monthly tidying and smartening of the churchyard next Saturday, when Bob Young will be back in charge, heartily welcomed by all concerned after his period of incapacity because of knee problems. There are ambitious plans to level the grassy churchyard and for this, the regular group of workers need help. If you can give any time and muscle-power you are asked to report to the church at 10am next Saturday bringing wheelbarrows, spades, rakes and forks ready to assist in the planned two-hour shift. This is a most urgent and heartfelt appeal - the job is too great for the usual small (and, in many cases, elderly) bank of workers.

VILLAGE HALL: The management committee met on Tuesday evening and were faced with another blow to add to the existing problem of having been unable to find a treasurer, when the chairman, David Clarke-Sykes, regretfully informed the members that as soon as he and his family can sell their house, they will be leaving the village. This puts great pressure on the rest of the committee, several of whom were also looking to resign if replacements could be found from the organisations which they represent. There are several excellent plans in prospect for improving the hall, with possible applications for grants for renovations being looked into, while preparations are still going ahead for fund-raising events in the near future but it is difficult to see how the hall can survive unless people are willing to come forward and take on the responsibility of running it. The committee consists of representatives from all the organisations which use the hall but most of these members already hold office elsewhere and cannot add the chairmanship or treasurership of the hall to their workload. Is there a public-spirited resident somewhere who would be willing to take a turn at assuming some responsibility for this important, essential village asset?