IT is 80 years since the Royal British Legion was formed - in May 1921 - with the purpose of the welfare and care of ex-servicemen and women and their dependants. The need for the RBL goes on year after year as world conflicts continue, and demand for help increases annually. In the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire the welfare expenditure for 2001 increased by 51 per cent over the previous year, an increase of £93,000 in welfare funding over the year 2000. As Remembrance Day draws near poppies will be on sale for the 2001 Poppy Appeal.

The service of Remembrance takes place on Sunday, November 11, at St Peter's Church, Powick, with the service commencing at 10.50am. Members of the Powick & Callow End Branch of the Royal British Legion will assemble at the Red Lion car park at 10.30am, marching off at 10.40am to the church. Members of the uniformed organisations - 1st Powick Brownies, 7th Worcester Beavers, cubs and scouts - will be assembling at Powick Church drive at 10.30am to join the British Legion members for the service. A rehearsal for the standard bearers will be held at the Church on Tuesday, November 6, at 7pm. The next branch meeting of the RBL will be held on Tuesday, November 13, at the Madresfield Club, at 8.15pm. This will be the AGM.

On Saturday, November 10, Powick Parish Ramblers' walk will be in the Mathon/Cradley area. Meet at the Crown, Powick at 10am.

Several working parties have been in action on Powick Playing Field over the past weeks, involved in a wide range of maintenance and improvement projects. These have included removing dead elm trees from hedges, removing moss from the tennis court, painting and repairing the play equipment, and making the equipment and play area safer. A generous grant of £200 has been received from the parish council. An Autumn fund raising event is planned for Saturday, November 10, a Sounds of the 60s and 70s Dance in Powick Parish Hall from 8pm. There will be a bar and raffle. Tickets are £5 and on sale by members of the Powick Playing Fields Association.

Congratulations to Sharon Dawe, of Bowling Green Road, on completing her challenging walk along the Great Wall of China in September/October, where she encountered rain, snow and sunshine! Sharon raised nearly £4,000 for Acorns Children's Hospice and would like to thank everyone who sponsored her or helped with the fund raising.