Regulars of the Hope & Anchor will be pleased to know that the pub is open for business as usual and with the usual staff.

Bridstow Parish Councillors are delighted at news that the Highways Agency is to review the A49 outside Bridstow School as a matter of Urgency. Parish Councillors have been campaigning for action to be taken for years to increase the safety of children crossing the road to get to Bridstow School. Points of concern are the speed of traffic and poor visibility for pedestrians trying to cross as well as vehicles which undertake through the bus stop. The councillors have also heard from many parents who live close to the site but choose to drive their children to school as they see it as the safer alternative.

The speed limit on the approach to Wilton roundabout is legally sixty miles per hour and although it is used as a route to school, it does not qualify for the guidelines set out by the government initiative, 'Safer Routes to School'. If it did, the limit could be lowered to twenty miles per hour, as it is near to other schools.

The Parish Council is pleased with the continuing publicity and that the MP and representatives of so many agencies visited to see the problems for themselves.

Pictured below are Councillor Jenny Hyde, Shirley Preece, Joan Robertshaw - School Governor, Simon Brewer, Margaret Lewis, Henry and Paul Stevens by the crossing on Saturday Morning.

Experts may be predicting that the housing market is cooling but sales of a particular kind of desirable residence are still red hot in Broad Street, Ross.

Sue Ryder Care, the leading healthcare charity, has become the largest importer of dolls houses in the UK, selling more than 6,000 a year.

The charity retailer is also struggling to keep up with demand at its shops across the UK for furniture, lighting and 'people' for their range of six houses, which help to add that individual touch. Many items, including fine china, grandfather clocks - even Hilda Ogden style flying ducks sell out before they reach the shelves.

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Demand for the dolls houses has grown so much, that on Saturday 24th September the charity launched the Hickleton Collectors Club to reward loyal customers.

By signing up to the club, which costs £4.99 a year, people will receive a quarterly members newsletter, special discounts, a first peek at goods not available in store, advance notice of new products and the ability to beat the queues at the tills by pre-ordering. There will also be the chance to meet fellow dolls house collectors as local groups will be encouraged to meet, stage events and swap tips.

Dolls houses first became popular in the 16th century and were often exclusive copies of wealthy family homes and were not built for play. It was in the late 1800s that dolls houses became a popular addition to Victorian nurseries. One of the most famous dolls houses is that of Queen Mary, built in the 1920s. It contained real champagne by Veuve Clicqout, clocks by Cartier and cars from Rolls Royce and Daimler. More than 1,500 architects, craftsmen and artists were involved in the project.

Although dolls houses are often seen as toys, they are in fact very popular with older collectors. Indeed, many of the items on sale at Sue Ryder Care shops are intended for children aged fourteen and above only, owing to their intricate nature. Most dolls houses are built on a one to twelve ratio.

The Hickleton Collectors Club takes its name from Hickleton Hall in Doncaster, a Sue Ryder Care Centre for people living with severe neurological conditions. A full list of Hickleton Centres is available on request.

Sue Ryder Care is a leading provider of palliative care, neurological care and homecare. Last year Sue Ryder Care cared for 4,222 residents in seventeen care centres, welcomed 9,200 patients to day care centres and made 418,000 home visits.

John Kyrle welcomed four trainee teachers from the Marches Consortium Training Agency this week as part of its School Centred Initial Teacher Training programme and will take in a further two trainees from the University College of Worcester next week.

As a Lead Training School, John Kyrle has helped to develop twenty two successful graduates, demonstrating excellence in training across all areas and a commitment to the belief that schools provide the best environment to nurture and develop teaching professionals of the future.

Headteacher Nigel Griffiths said, "We are pleased to announce that following an Ofsted review of its training provision, John Kyrle will become a Post Graduate Centre of Excellence for Initial Teacher Training and Professional Development. One of its key areas will be specializing in sixth form placements and supporting other schools in this area. The school will also continue to promote professional and personal development for all staff in order to maintain and enhance excellence across the whole school. Mr Griffiths praised the work of Training Manager, Diane Docherty, and Deputy Head, Brent Vinall, for their outstanding work in gaining this new status.

Mr Griffiths' belief is that high performing schools such as John Kyrle have a responsibility to help provide teachers for the future. He said that John Kyrle also develops internally from its links with the Marches Consortium and Worcester University School of Education. "High quality, cutting edge learning and teaching is at the heart of our success and we are always keen to share with and learn from others." The school has employed former trainees as teachers once they qualify. Currently, teachers in the Maths, English and science faculties impressed during their training and have been recruited in this way.

John Kyrle is also involved in the Fast Track Programme where excellent young teachers are given opportunities in whole school issues in order to develop their leadership skills for the future.

Following a successful holiday club with the theme 'Famous Stories', Abacus 2000 has started the autumn term by welcoming Maddison Cooke as the 1000th child to join the nursery since it was established in September 1990 by Amanda Gething-Lewis.

The nursery has expanded and now provides wraparound care, including the popular 'Fabacus' after school club. The present owners, Kathie Jones, Amanda Colwell and Sue Davies report a very busy start to the new school year. Maddison is pictured being welcomed to the nursery by Amanda Gething-Lewis, and has received a special edition of Beatrix Potter Nursery Rhymes and a teddy bear to mark the occasion.

Tara's part-time post is funded by Advantage West Midlands, as part of the £500,000 package recently agreed under the Market Towns Initiative for the Ross Area Partnership's regeneration strategy, with match funding provided by Arts Council England.