VILLAGE CHARITY - The distribution of the Garrold Bread took place at the evening service held at the parish church of St. John the Baptist, Aston Ingham, last Sunday. The Garrold Bread is one of three charities set up in the village many years ago. Richard Garrold was born in 1790, one of many children born to Richard and Jemima Garrold, reasonably wealthy residents of the village. In the terms of his will, dated 1859, he left £100 to be invested in Consols, the interest from which was to provide, annually, a loaf of bread for each poor family of the village.The bread was to be given on each Candlemas, that is February 2, and was distributed at a church service. This practice was later changed to distribution via the children at the village school, but when this was closed in 1982 the original format was reverted to and has continued to this day.Originally, the bread was supplied by a local baker and was a large white loaf. Nowadays, miniature loaves are crafted each year by Mrs. Janet Potter and are much enjoyed by all those who attend the service or who receive them from kindly neighbours.The evening service was conducted by the Rev. Owen Williams.

DOWSERS - The South Herefordshire Dowsers, who meet monthly in Aston Ingham on the first Wednesday of each month, held their annual meeting last December. A very successful year was reported on, with several very well known speakers from the Dowsing world being booked, together with training classes being run by members of the group. Successful site visits had also been made to Lydney Park, and to local farms, and a trip to see the year's offering of corn circles was also made. These were somewhat disappointing, which begs the question: "Have we seen the last of these phenomena?" Time will tell. Anyone who would like more information about the Dowsing Group can ring the secretary, Rob Campbell, on 01600 716115.