HARTPURY Girls' Friendly Society members have crammed quite a variety of things into their meetings over the past weeks such as learning a short drama - The Alternative Lord's Prayer - which they used in church.

They also paid a visit to Maisemore pantomime and at half-term, together with other Gloucester membersk, they spent the weekend at Exmouth, Devon, where they joined others from Looe, Liskeard, London and Clevedon. In all, 80 members of all ages.

The theme for the weekend was 'Journey into Space' and included workshops with thought provoking subjects to illustrate different types of space, including music and singing, making clay candle holders, bracelets and a treasure hunt on the beach.

On the Saturday evening, they were joined by the Bishop of Truro for a Sabbath Supper enjoyed by all.

At meetings a talk was given by PC Simon Bailey on crime prevention, members bicycles were postcoded and they also enjoyed a demonstration of Irish dancing, later joining in. Special gifts were made for Mothering Sunday and an Easter Egg hunt brought an interesting end to the term.

Hartpury Methodist Church will be holding their Saturday Lunch this week on May 5 from noon to 2pm. Profit will go to Christian Aid and there will be a Fair Trade stall.

Hartpury Methodist Church is situated in Over Old Road, Hartpury just off the A417 Gloucester to Ledbury Road.