RUMMAGE SALE: Sales of new, nearly new and rummage goods, was held at the village hall on the afternoon of April 21 to raise funds for the Cobalt Unit of Cheltenham Hospital. Organised by Mrs Dorothy Ludlow, family and friends, on a sunny spring day, the wide variety of stalls were manned by many willing helpers. A tombola stall was a great attraction and refreshments plus a cake and vegetable stall was organised by Mrs K Clark, Mrs M Perkins and Mrs D Hickmott. Raffles were held and the selection of prizes were won by Mrs Brewer, Mrs B White, Mrs Aldington, L Harman, 'Jane at Blue', Mrs E Bonnes, Mrs A Mole, Miss P Mayne, Mrs K Ricketts, Miss C Andrews, Mr G Ludlow, Mrs M Hussell, Mrs J Vaughan, Mrs K Aldis, Miss J Weatherup, Mrs M Bickmore, Mrs M Swinbourne, Mrs J Ramsbottom, Mrs S Lannigan and Mr J Bickmore, Mrs Jean Ramsbottom an officer for the Cobalt Appeal, was in attendance. Mr N Took was sales co-ordinator and drawmaster. Mrs Ludlow expressed appreciation to all helpers and donors, £500.57 was raised. To date Mrs Ludlow has raised from the Eckington sales, a total sum of £100,798.83, for the Crack Cancer Campaign.

WHIST DRIVE: To raise funds for the County Air Ambulance Service, the whist drive held at the village hall on April 19 was organised by Mrs B Hodges and Miss F Ricketts, 13 tables were in play. Mr John Chester was MC, Mr C Bromfield drawmaster. Whist, raffle and mystery prize winners were, Mrs B Errington, Mrs E Edwards, Mrs J Knight, Mr C Bromfield, Mr G Errington, Mrs P Miles, Mrs J Rose, Mrs N Bennett, Mr T Jeynes, Mr B Jones, Mrs M Jones, Miss F Ricketts, Mr P Macarthy, Mrs J Baimbridge, Mrs J Kostiuk, Mrs W Norris, Mrs B Bromfield, Mr F Jeffreys, Mrs M Halling, Mrs O Timm, Mrs M Gill, Mrs H Archer, Mr P Timm, Mrs E Hawkes, Mr D Bartlett and Mrs F Daley. Mr Chester announced dates of future drives. Refreshments were served during the evening's play.

THURSDAY CLUB: At the meeting of the Thursday Club, held at the village hall on April 19. Mr J Mole, club chairman, welcomed 40 members and accorded a welcome to new member, Mrs P Rudd.

It was noted that the club was well represented at the recent 'daffodil tea' and appreciation was accorded to Mrs Joan Green, the PCC and the Thursday Club catering committee. Members were informed of the plant sale, to be held at Overbury, in aid of the Tewkesbury Roses Theatre seating. The speaker at the meeting was Mr R Jaynes, who showed a wide variety of slides, of 'Old Worcester', many of which were taken, in the 1900's of the interesting streets of that time, the shops, now gone and the gloving and porcelain factories. Scenes of the river, and many of the historic buildings, were of great interest and brought back many old memories of the transport of those times, especially Marks Bus Service during World War II. Appreciation was accorded to Mr R Jaynes for a most interesting afternoon. Afternoon tea was served by the ladies of the catering committee and appreciation was expressed to Mrs E Rayner and Mrs E Jones for their donations of cakes, for the refreshments. Birthday wishes were accorded to Mrs E Rayner and Mrs E Jones. An iced cake was presented to member, Mrs E Herbert for a special birthday. Names were taken of members wishing to join the club's lunch outing to the Wheelbarrow pub lunch at Inkberrow. The coach for the outing will leave the village at 11am on May 3. Raffles were held and winners were, Mesdames, M Stephens, F Daley, J White, M Bulford, K Welch, A Smith, J Vaughan, P Beadle, M Charles, E Herbert, E Jones, D Edwards, A Mole, and Messrs R Berwick, J Mole and W Parry. At the club's next meeting at the hall, Mr J Malloy will speak on Wildlife Photography.