ACORNS' HOSPICE - Please come and join in Britain's biggest tea party, for Tea at Three at the Bells Inn, Almeley, on Saturday. Afternoon tea will be served from 3pm and there will be a raffle. This is another event organised by the Almeley Whist Club to raise money for the Acorns Children's Hospice. They held a whist drive in Almeley village hall on Tuesday, May 31, when the prize winners were Mrs E Exton, Mr R Harris, Mrs M Thomas, Mr B Beavan, Mrs I Hill, Mr P Mokler, Mrs B Lane and Mr P Hall. The last in this series of whist drives will be nwxt Tuesday, June 14 at 7.45pm. At the end of the last whist drive, the MC, Mr Rick Harris, announced with great regret, that Miss Natalie Davies the cancer sufferer for whom the club had raised £100, had died. Players expressed their sympathy for Natalie's family.

GARDENS - Despite heavy rain when the gardens at Old Quarry, Almeley Road were opened to the public, for the first time, on Sunday, May 22, 116 visitors braved the elements and spent an enjoyable afternoon in idyllic surroundings. The rain ceased after an hour and the visitors had the added bonus of music provided by the Jazz Group, Saxophony.

Proceeds from the afternoon are being divided between the National Gardens Society (£432), and St Mary's Church, Almeley (£150). Mr and Mrs John Davis would like to thank everyone for their support.

CHURCH - Almeley Parochial Church Council have planted a Sorbus tree, in the lower churchyard, in memory of the Rev Jen Pollock. This year the church fete will be held in the village hall and on Spearmarsh Common on Saturday, July 2, from 11am-3pm. Coffee will be served from 11am and light lunches after noon. Tickets are currently on sale for the summer draw.