POWICK

The hall was full as over 90 people sat down to an afternoon tea, with members of the local Scouts serving at table. Prior to tea, a flower arranging demonstration was given by Virginia Davis who entertained with amusing anecdotes as she arranged different floral displays which were later raffled. Virginia had been one of the team to arrange flowers on the Queen's Jubilee barge. The hall was also filled with stalls selling handbags, jewellery, scarves etc by craft people. From the sale of tickets and the raffle £1,104 was raised by the Friends with £50 going to the Seventh Worcester Scouts and £150 to St Richard's Hospice.

The Link Nurseries were also represented in the West Midland Network Flower Show held this month in Stourbridge. 25 clients attended along with staff and won seven Gold, s

five Silver and six Bronze Medals along with best scarecrows. In a separate competition, the nurseries scooped the Best of Britain in Bloom 2015 gaining Level 5 Outstanding in the category of In your Neighbourhood (where opposition included park departments). These achievements show how important the Link Nurseries are in providing horticultural therapy and support for adults who are recovering from mental illness. But this valuable NHS asset is under threat of closure by the Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust because of cuts to the budget of Vocational Centres in Worcestershire. Car and professional training are given to the clients who gain new skills and qualifications. The feeling of isolation and stigma is reduced and as the centre is open to the public for sales of plants and vegetables and for the regular coffee mornings, the clients gain confidence in meeting the public. The Friends of Link Nurseries are appealing to you, the public, to support the work of the nurseries by making your views known to Sarah Dugan, Chief Executive of Worcs Health & Care NHS Trust at Isaac Maddox House, Shrub Hill Road, Worcester WR4 9RW and to your local MPs, councillors and the media.

A lunch of homemade soup and bread rolls is available in St James' Church, Callow End on Saturday, October 24 from 11am to 2pm. Drop in on your way to or on return from shopping to meet friends in warm surroundings. There is no fixed charge but donations are in aid of the Worcestershire &Dudley Historic Churches Trust and National Churches Trust which give our parish church grants for repairs.

Today, Friday, Lord's Alive meets at St James' for the activity of decorating a jar and candle, to light the darkness from 3.30pm to 5pm, Cost is 50p per child.

Advance notice is given on the children's activity morning at St James' Church on Friday, October 30 from 10am to 1pm - lots of activities and lunch included. Ring Frances on 01905 830816 or Meg on 830746 to register.

For those newly bereaved in the parishes, the Annual Memorial Service is being held on Sunday, November 2 at St Peter's Church at the special time of 4pm. Anyone wishing the name/s of loved ones to be remembered and read out is advised to contact the Church Wardens Lindall Brown on 830373 or Lin Snook on 830 266.

MEG ALLSOPP 01905 830746