Rambling: Evesham Rambling Club gathered at Hidcote Manor car park for their October ramble There was promise of a fine day - and later the mist disappeared, giving way to sun and blue skies. Passing Hidcote Manor and Hidcote Bartrum village pond - and its lovely thatched cottages - we climbed a stile to traverse a field to Hidcote Boyce and on towards Ebrington. Broadway Tower was clearly visible on the hills opposite. We passed 'Ebrington Arms' and went on towards Paxford across a ploughed field at Marfurlong Farm which, surprisingly after all the recent rain, was quite easy to cross. By a bridge just out of Paxford we stopped for coffee before going through a plantation of young trees, over a railway line and up an incline to cross the road into a narrow wooded strip carpeted with sweet chestnuts. Broad Campden looked almost as pretty as summer, many flowers still surviving in the unusually warm temperatures. We took a path off to the right to lead us to the pretty church of St. Michael and All Angels, then past the Quaker Meeting House to reach the outskirts of Chipping Campden. After a delicious lunch in 'The Volunteer' we meandered through Chipping Campden. Passing shops crammed with pumpkins and witches' outfits we started to climb a slope alongside a large hall now owned by the Landmark Trust and originally built by the same wealthy wool merchant who built the woolmarket in the centre of Chipping Campden. Arriving back in Ebrington we had a quick stop to admire the sundial commemorating the millennium, then strolled through the village past some very attractive cottages to cross the best and oldest stile of the day, a stone one, into a field where three Thurber type ponies were grazing. We negotiated a live electric wire to climb up Ebrington Hill, where we paused to admire the view and the Persil washed sheep. On past Foxcote Manor, which has a steam engine named after it in Llangollen, and on over the biggest coalfield in the UK. It has enough coal to supply the country for 300 years. Now, as we walked back to our starting point the setting sun cast a beam of light through a hedge, shining over millions of silken cobwebs layering the fields. Interested in rambling with ERC? Phone the club secretary on 01386 553661.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The Vale of Evesham Camera Club will be holding a 'Members Evening' at the Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome.

ART SOCIETY: There was a good attendance at the October meeting for a demonstration in watercolour by Elizabeth Chalmers. This year the autumn exhibition was held for the first time in Evesham Town Hall from October 24-30. There were nearly 200 well displayed paintings on most media and of a wide variety of subjects. The autumn exhibition has previously been held during November at the Evesham Library but the reduction of space became impossible. Two EAS members have taken the space and will be exhibiting during November. Three other members have a display at the Evesham Day Hospital until the end of December. The meeting on November 21 is an oil demonstration by the ever popular John Lines. He always produces a large painting in an evening. Whether boats, landscape or village scene, the evening is sure to be informative and entertaining. Evesham Art Society meets at The Friend's Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month. Non-members welcomed - entrance £2 to include coffee and biscuits. Reminder to members: Bookings for Christmas lunch by November 21 please.

Evesham Mayor's Diary:

November 22: 6.15pm, Mayor to switch on Christmas lights at Riverside Shopping Centre.