• MEMBERS of Wyke Sisterhood recently held a special service in Wyke Methodist Church to celebrate the group's 85th anniversary.

Visitors representing eight other local societies were present.

Vice president Mrs. Gwen Stone chaired the meeting.

The guest speaker was Mrs. Vera Jacobs of the Mothers Union, who spoke on the subject of prayer, and the soloist for the afternoon was Iris Morris.

The service was followed, as always, by a splendid and generous tea.

Octogenarian Mrs. Rene Woodlands came up trumps with her much appreciated bridge rolls, well over 100 of them with a selection of delicious fillings. She is famous for these apparently!

There were also various scrumptious cakes, courtesy of several talented cooks.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a very special occasion.

  • ON MONDAY, May 12, from 10am to noon, there will be a coffee morning at 10, Rosecroft Road, for members and friends of Lanehouse Methodist Church.

This will replace the annual plant sale which is usually held in May at the church.

There will be no charge for entry or refreshments but donations towards church funds are invited instead.

  • ENCOURAGED by the tremendous support for their recent table top sale, which raised just over £500, members of the Society for the Protection of Markham and Little Francis will be holding a Bring and Buy outside Alfs Fish and Chip Shop, Fiveways, on Saturday, May 17, (the outside space for this being kindly provided courtesy of John and Karen Pearce).

You are invited to bring good quality items for sale from 10am. Come and browse and buy from 11 am to 3pm.

Supporters badges will be on sale at this event and you will also be able sign up as a volunteer helper or to have newsletters emailed to you to keep yourself up to date with progress and forthcoming events.

  • THE protection society is delighted to announce that Up & Running', Dorset's premium Ceilidh band, has been booked along with popular caller Trevor Morgan, to play for a Barn Dance, to be held on Friday, June 6, at 7.30pm at St. Edmunds Church Hall, Lanehouse Rocks Road.

Tickets are priced £10 for adults, £7 for under 16's and can be booked in advance from any committee member or by telephoning 01305 779936 or 01305 775553.

The Up & Running musicians have a well established reputation. They are very experienced with a professional approach and play at bookings all over the South of England, sometimes even as far north as the Midlands.

Most of their bookings are for society weddings or festivals and they rarely play for public events.

This is therefore a rare chance to enjoy their music as well as have fun and network with other local people who are concerned about the future of the Town Green.

No previous dancing experience is needed, just come and have go, but if dancing just isn't your thing or the knees really are past it, you could come and simply sit and listen to this very special band.

All money raised at this event will go towards funding the campaign to preserve the Town Green status of the open space behind St. Augustine's school, between Westham and Wyke which is presently under threat.