An Advent Market and official switching on of the Christmas lights took place at Ross-on-Wye Market House on Sunday, 27th November. Ross Town Band played Salvation Army Christmas Carols while Christmas gifts, wreaths, plants and cards were on sale at stalls owned by both individual traders and by local charities. Ross Christmas lights were switched on by Mayor Gordon Lucas towards the end of the afternoon.

Ross Heritage Centre is getting into the spirit of the forthcoming Christmas Season with 'Cards for Good Causes' on sale as well as Wrapping paper and Gift tags.

From 1st December to 6th January, Lesley Riches will be displaying her collection of jewellery. Lesley is attending a college course to learn how to make, display and sell jewellery and part of her course is to have an exhibition of her work at a public venue. Ross Heritage Centre is very pleased to be able to help her with this. Lesley will be selling some of her unique work.

Ross Lions Tree of Memories is on display in the Heritage Centre. Visitors can dress this tree with labels remembering those they will not be seeing this Christmas. Labels are on sale from the staff and all proceeds go to local people through the Lions Charity.

Looking forward to Christmas, the Heritage Centre now has its Christmas Gifts and Books stock available for sale, as well as plenty to fill those stockings. The main exhibition for this year is the return of the annual display of paintings and prints by local artists. Doug Eaton, Jerry Whitehouse and Lawrence Hughes have joined forces with Rex Foley, Hermione Gardener and Rodney Beecher-Roberts. This exhibition is wide and varied with something there for everybody. Visitors will be able to purchase the paintings until 17th December.

The Halfway Community Theatre's Concert at Much Birch Community Hall on Friday and Saturday evening was a resounding success.

Playing over the two nights to packed appreciative audiences, the Musical Director, Shirley Coates said that this was the best attended concert yet. The audience participation, including the Singalong with Rosemary Kitchin on the Accordion was equally spaced between solos, duets, ensembles and Company items.

Shirley Coates and her father Sid played duets on two keyboards. The Company were joined for a couple of items by the Troubadours a local group comprising of five gentlemen.

The catering by Ann Banks and Jenny Wrigley was mouth watering and well in tune with the theme of 'Stars and Stripes', including Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie for dessert. This was a concert too good to have missed!

Pictured below are the Halfway Community Theatre Company before Saturday's show.

On 20th November, Ross Town Ladies First Team progressed to the next round of the Herefordshire County Cup after a comprehensive victory over Shropshire County League side, Woofferton.

The visiting team kicked off the game, but Ross gained possession and attacked through Jade Powell and Emily Colwell, winning a corner in the process. Michelle Elliott's header was blocked by a defender as Ross looked for an early breakthrough, which did not happen, despite continual pressure.

Donna Hyndman hit a shot over the bar after Heidi Venables flicked-on from Emily Colwell's cross. Heidi also had a shot blocked soon after. Jade Powell was brought down in the box, but Captain Gemma Wadley was unable to convert after the keeper saved her spot-kick.

Ross finally took the lead 25 minutes into the game, when Gemma chipped a 25 yard shot over the keeper's head. Six minutes later Jade Powell scored an identical goal, then two minutes later was gifted a second from Heidi Venables' flick on. Heidi Venables had a goal ruled out by the off-side flag and so the score remained at 3-0 going into half time.

Early in the second half Jade Powell also had a goal ruled out for offside, but Gemma Wadley added to her tally on the 52 minute mark, when she put through on goal by Donna Hyndman. Emily Colwell opened her account just 3 minutes later, before Ross made two substitutions with Donna Hyndman making way for Leilah King and Bev Smith for Kate Lang.

Michelle Elliott hit a shot wide, Michala Powell, making her 100th appearance for the club, hit the cross-bar and Katie Hill shot wide. Michelle Elliott scored on the 62 minute mark but Leilah King's fine solo run soon afterwards was thwarted by the opposing keeper. Jade Powell scored her hat-trick 77 minutes into the game and her fourth goal at 83 minutes.

Heidi Venables was set up for a goal by Emily Colwell just one minute later and Jade Powell rounded things off with her fifth goal at 87 minutes. The Ross Town "Player of the Match" was defender Katie Hill.

Ross Town: Vicky Watts, Caz Dowdeswell, Michala Powell, Bev Smith, Katie Hill, Michelle Elliott, Gemma Wadley (Captain), Emily Colwell, Donna Hyndman, Heidi Venables, Jade Powell. Subs: Kate Lang and Leilah King.