A SERVICE of thanksgiving for the life of Miss Betty Merville Rogers, who died on Advent Sunday at the age of 83 years, was held in the parish church of St James, Staunton on Monday, December 10 and was conducted by Canon John Evans with Mrs Margaret Riley accompanying the singing of Betty's chosen hymns.

The church was filled with family friends and neighbours, amongst which were a large number of Betty's colleagues from the world of education which she had been connected with all her life, a large part of it in Gloucester at the Gloucester College of Education until its closure. Betty had endeared herself in the village of Staunton and was a member of the WI and was also a member of Staunton Parochial Church Council until the last year when ill health forced her reluctant resignation but she kept in close touch. She was a woman of deep spirituality and had contributed to the services on a number of occasions. Members of her family gave readings during the service. Cremation had preceded the service and her ashes will be scattered at sea off the Pembrokeshire coast in the country of her birth.

At the last meeting of the year members of Staunton & District Over 60's Club were shown some lovely slides of the surrounding countryside - from the old Severn Bridge land crossing by Aust to the Cotswolds. Mr and Mrs Lane were thanked and coffee and mince pies were served. The Christmas lunch was held in Hartpury Village Hall on December 10, the delicious meal having been cooked by Gwen Pugh. Despite the entertainer not arriving it was a good day said club leader Nanette Bevan and she reminded everyone of the first meeting of the New Year on January 7 at 10.15am in the lounge at Johnstone Close when new members will be most welcome.

It's been a round of enjoyable events leading up to Christmas and the Staunton & Corse CE School plays were a delight to see, in fact the best ever many people said, including head Rosie Miller when she thanked the children.

The Infants play was Snowman at Sunset and what happens when there isn't enough snow. With 50 plus children on the stage, organisation played a crucial part and as the delightful story unfolded every child knew their role and position. The Juniors play Angels on High was a truly Biblical story enacted with great feeling by the children and here again with more children taking part it all went like magic.

Congratula-tions to the teachers, Mums and Dads and all who worked so hard, not least the children.