SCHOOL - Almeley Primary School PTFA has elected Chris Startin as chairman, Anita Bright as secretary and Nikki Gill as treasurer. The school is hoping to achieve Charitable Status thus enabling donations made by gift and declaration to recover 28p in each donated £1, from the Inland Revenue. The Christmas Fayre will be in Almeley village hall on Saturday, December 6, at 11am. It has been decided to once again have a school calendar. Those wishing to sponsor this production by advertising should contact the secretary, Anita Bright. Pupils at the school are once again taking part in the shoebox collection for the Christmas Child Appeal.

WHIST DRIVE - The second whist drive organised by the Almeley Whist Club to raise funds for the Air Ambulance was held in Almeley village hall on Tuesday, November 18. Once again the player with the highest score was presented with a bottle of whisky. The winner was Mrs M Fenton. MC Rick Harris also presented prizes to Mrs A Allen, Mrs M Price, Mrs G Thomas, Mrs J Cadman, Mrs M Price, Mrs G Thomas, Mrs J Cadman, Mrs M Drew, Mrs M Gates, Mrs D Dyke and Mrs G Thomas. As a result of the two whist drives, £200 was raised for the Air Ambulance. Mrs S Payne wishes to thank everyone who supported this worthy cause. She also announced that the next whist drive on December 2, will be the last in the current series. However, the annual whist drive for church funds will take place on Tuesday, December 16, at 7.45pm. Almeley Whist Club will resume play on Tuesday, January 6, 2004.

Cinema - Today (Thursday) at Almeley Village Hall, Flicks in the Sticks presents the Oscar-nominated drama Gosford Park, cert 15. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £3 adults, £2 children.

Christmas Fayre - Almeley Primary School Christmas Fayre is to be held in the Village Hall on Saturday, December 6, at 11am when the grand raffle will be drawn.