ON a fine sunny morning last week, 14 members of Powick Parish Ramblers met at Kempsey Church. The circular walk of 5.5-miles was led by Sally Linsey and took in the site of the former Pixham Ferry and Napleton Grange, where Sir Edward Elgar once lived. The next walk on Monday will be around Knightwick, meeting at the surgery slip-road at 10am for a 4.5-mile walk led by Joy and Phil Bunyan, (01886) 832774.

Congratulations to Thom Washbourne who has gained his degree of BSc in agriculture with land and farm management from Harper-Adams University. Thom was a pupil at Powick Primary School and the Chase High School, Malvern.

Congratulations to Judith Dendy, formally of Colletts Green Road, who, after several years of nursing, has now gained a degree in district nursing from Wolverhampton University. She now works in Leckhampton, near Cheltenham. Judith was a pupil at Powick Primary School and the Chase High School.

A coffee morning at the home of Chris Hipwell raised £250 for the NSPCC by selling various items and raffle tickets.

The Modern and Sequence Dance Club, which meets at Powick Parish Hall, held a Christmas tea dance last Sunday afternoon and raised £200 for St Richard's Hospice.

At the November meeting of Powick Guild, the late Olive Bishop was remembered. Although her health had been poor for some years, she was a regular attender at meetings. Guest speaker was Harold Hyatt, who read two poems on gardens by Pam Ayres. He described his life on the railway, bringing with him samples of old timetables dating back to 1901.

The Christmas party, to be held in the committee room at the parish hall, is on Tuesday (December 13), at 2.30pm. The January meeting is on Tuesday, January 14, and will take the form of a beetle drive. New members welcome.

Powyke WI meet to celebrate Christmas with a party on Wednesday (December 13) at the Orchard Community Centre at 7.30pm.

The RSPB (Malvern and Worcester branch) meets on Wednesday at Powick Parish Hall.

The regular book fair is on Sunday at Powick Parish Hall. This Sunday's morning service, the third in Advent, takes the form of a family service at 11am. Last Sunday's Advent candle was lit by Sally Gurney.