NORTH OXON AMATEUR VIDEO CLUB: Dennis Weeden gave a very interesting, informative and illustrated talk on filming and editing a wedding video. He started by saying that many families purchased a camcorder in order to record such an occasion. He went on to point out that at such an event you 'only get one bite of the cherry' so for that reason you must plan well in order that you do not miss any of the many different parts of this important occasion. Not only do we have to plan for the actual wedding ceremony itself, but there are also other arrangements that have to be made in advance such as permission to video in the church (if that is required), going to the home of the bride to get some shots of her with her bridesmaids before she leaves, getting to the church in time to get some shots of the groom and best man arriving, and also some of the many relations and other guests arriving for the ceremony before the bride arrives herself. After the wedding service we may be expected to go along to the reception, if we plan well we should arrive here in time to film the newlyweds arriving at the venue for their reception then we will also get some shots of the guests arriving for the wedding breakfast together with the cutting of the cake. Finally we have to go home to sort through the days filming and endeavour to edit an acceptable account of a very important occasion. This we recommend is done in two parts. First a shorter version lasting of about 10 minutes for showing to outsiders and then a longer version including all the aunts and uncles who expect to see themselves as 'film stars' on this occasion. The next meeting of the club will be on July 18 in the drama room at Chipping Norton school at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome, when the subject will be members own videos. More details of the club can be obtained form Dennis Weeden on 01993 830 786.

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PLAYGROUP: Chipping Norton Playgroup are celebrating 25 years of serving the community with a garden party on Saturday. Anyone who has been connected with the group with the past or present are invited to attend the event, which runs from 4-8pm. For more information please contact Clare Bridges on 01608 643161.

BLOOMING TREAT: Local residents have the opportunity to make the town burst into colour over the next month with the Chipping Norton in Bloom Competition. Classes include best front garden, best back garden, best window box, tallest sunflower and best commercial premises. There is also a class for children with the best garden on a plate. Judging takes place on July 16. And entry forms are available from the Town Clerks office or June's edition of the Chipping Norton News. All entries are free.

FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS: 'Hymns through the Ages' will be the theme to a festival of flowers being held at the Methodist Church on July 8 and 9, 10am to 7pm. Staged by members and friends of the church, coffee, ploughman's lunches and teas will be available on Saturday and on Sunday a Faith Tea will be held at 4.30pm. All donations will be shared between the church and The Lawrence Home Nursing Team.

RAILWAY TALK: The next meeting of the Railway Club will be held next Tuesday in the Methodist Church hall, starting at 7.30pm. An illustrated talk on Railway Films will be given by Dave Baker.

COFFEE MORNING: The Horticultural Association will be holding a coffee morning on July 12, in the Methodist church hall in aid of Parkinson's Disease Society.

HORTICULTURAL REPORT: Members of the association travelled by car to visit Jenny Steel's wildlife garden on the evening of June 21. Jenny, a wildlife consultant, has developed her garden since 1992 in a former apple orchard. We were able to see a wild flower meadow, tall grass areas, ponds, traditional hedges, orcharding and an organic kitchen garden with cottage style borders. These are all designed to encourage wildlife, birds, animals and insects which have all returned to the area in very encouraging numbers. Unfortunately our tour was rather curtailed after a while by the weather but we enjoyed a talk and discussion on aspects of her garden and her work over refreshments in the summer house. We are all very grateful to her for sharing her garden with us and for a most enjoyable evening.