Eckington

COBALT UNIT APPEAL FUND: The grand sale is on Saturday, October 8, 2pm in the village hall. Stalls will include new and nearly new clothes, as-new shoes, bric-a-brac, toys, books, bedding, curtains, plants, shrubs, produce, cakes, many new items, tombola and a raffle.

If anyone would like to donate in any way, items can be delivered to 11, The Close. This will be the 56th sale.

PROMISES WANTED: Foes are starting to organise the auction of promises for this year. This is the main fund-raiser for Eckington School and people with a talent such as painting, gardening, juggling, cooking, are asked to donate.

There are many different kinds of promises that help make the auction the success it is every year. For information call Liz on 751613.

MUMS AND MINNOWS: Next meeting is on Thursday, October 6, in the North Aisle at church for a short service, toys, making and refreshments, from 2-3pm. All pre-school children with parents/carers are welcome. The collection goes to the Children's Society.

HARVEST SUPPER: Is being organised in the north aisle after the 6pm Harvest Festival service on Sunday. A limited number of tickets at £3.50 will be available in church or from Joan Green on 750396.

PARISH COUNCIL: PC Stuart Toms attended the open forum held on Tuesday, September 13 and gave a talk on rural safety issues. He had recently conducted a speed check in the centre of the village during the middle of the day. He advised that during the hour he monitored the traffic; six vehicles were stopped and warned about their speed. PC Toms confirmed that he would continue to make sporadic speed checks within the village at various times of the day.

The parish council dealt with the following issues:

BT Public Call Box, Pershore Road: Notification had been received from BT that it was considering replacing the call box with a cashless payment box, which would still permit operator and emergency calls, but would hopefully deter vandalism. The council agreed that it would be preferable to retain a cashless payment box than to lose the call box.

Highways: A letter of complaint has been received regarding the road condition in New Road, Upper End and Hacketts Lane. It was agreed that the matter would be pursued with Highways, and an insurance would be sought for the roads concerned to be included in the maintenance programme for the next financial year.

Glass collection: Wychavon District Council has confirmed that all households within the village should receive a glass recycling box and details of the kerbside collection by the end of October.

The next parish council meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11. Electors are reminded that there is an open forum immediately before the council meeting at 7.30pm prompt, when the council welcomes issues and concerns to be raised.

THURSDAY CLUB: October 13: Eckington Village Hall at 2.15pm. Guest is Nils Wilkes on Memory Lane. October 27: Carvery at The Belfry Inn, Littledean, followed by a tour of the Forest of Dean, 10.30am start, coach £7, carvery £4.45. Non-members welcome. For information call Janet on 750066 or Margaret on 750316,

CAR BOOT: The car boot sales at the Recreation Centre this year have been a success and the final sale raised more than £300 for school funds.

Foes is aiming to buy new PCs throughout the school and the support of the boot sales has been a big help. They will start again in late May or early June of next year.

COFFEE MORNING: The coffee morning on September 10 had a good turnout and £602 was raised to be split between the village hall and the County Air Ambulance.

BABY AND TODDLER SALE: Baby and toddler clothes, toys, books, equipment and maternity wear are needed for the sale on Saturday. For information call Suzanne on 01386 751021. This is a fund-raiser for Eckington Baby and Toddler Group.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH: There will be a meeting for anyone interested in church youth work on Tuesday at 7.45pm at the Hollies, Cotheridge Lane. Call 750401 for information.