LAST Thursday morning, 17 members of Powick Parish Ramblers, plus dogs Tilly and Clive, had a delightful four-mile walk in sunshine.

Starting at the attractive Hadley Bowling Green Inn (off the A449), the route led over recently harvested fields and across pasture and joined the Droitwich canal towpath towards Salwarpe, following a short section of the Monarch's Way.

At Salwarpe, the Church of St Michael, with its medieval floor tiles and ancient trees in its well-kept churchyard, was opened especially for the walkers.

The walkers crossed over the River Salwarpe, past Westwood Park entrance and lodge, to return across fields to the famous bowling green, the oldest in Britain. The ramblers thanked Peter and Isabel Brandt for leading an interesting walk in a different parish and then adjourned for refreshments.

The next walk will be on Tuesday (September 5), at 10am, meeting in the lay-by at Tedstone Delamere Court and church. The four-mile walk around the Sapey Brook will be led by Joy and Phil Bunyan (01886) 382774).

Steve Dawe, of Bowling Green Road, Powick and his brother-in-law, Steve Noton, of Chippenham, are at present on a cycling challenge, riding from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Steve, who recently retired from West Mercia Police, set off last Sunday, August 20, by rail to Penzance and cycled to the start of their journey. A week later they had passed Monmouth and reached Church Stretton. Hoping to complete the journey in 14 days, they will return by rail from John O'Groats to Inverness and fly home.

Locals were keen to sponsor this mammoth effort and donations are towards a pressure mattress from the psychiatric-geriatric ward in Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Contributions have been received along the route by Steve and extra donations can be made to Ann Eynon, 9 Colletts Green Road, Powick or the Three Nuns pub, Colletts Green.

Please sponsor Rosemary Wells, of Callow End, who is taking part in the Worcestershire and Dudley cycle ride event on Saturday, September 9. She will be visiting local churches on foot, accompanied by her dog Milly. Money is donated to the Historic Churches Fund, which gives grants to old churches in need of repair.

It is hoped this weekend will be fine for two outdoor events. First, tomorrow (Saturday), the Whole Caboodle Band will play on the hall car park, Powick from 8pm (bar, barbecue, raffle and tombola). Tickets, £7 and £3, are available on the door. On Sunday, the Shakespeare tragedy Hamlet is being performed at 2.30pm on the playing field behind Powick School. In the event of rain, both events will move into Powick Parish Hall. Tickets for Hamlet (£12.50 adults, £6 students/children) are available from (01684) 573901 or (01905) 831889. Proceeds to Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

People are busy making scarecrows for the two-day festival on September 16-17 at Callow End and Powick. To date, there have been 62 entries! There are many prizes to be won and a chance to vote for your favourite scarecrow. Judging cards, plus locations of scarecrows, will be available at St Peter's, Powick and St James', Callow End between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, September 16 and noon and 5pm on Sunday, September 17. More details from Peter Gedge on (01905) 831089 or Sally Gurney on (01905) 830756.

On Saturday, September 16, an exhibition of art by local artists will be held at St Peter's Church. Refreshments will be available there too. For details of the art exhibition, ring John Mason on (01905) 830805.