With Saturday being a busy day I did not have time to do the usual and go to Asda in Hereford. Our food supply was running low however, so I popped into Morrisons just to pick up a few essentials to tide us over. I am so glad I did . . .

I discovered that it's Christmas! Christmas began on Saturday, 8th September this year and I would never have known, had I not gone shopping in Morrisons. It's got me all excited and now I can't sleep for thinking about snow, mulled wine and carols in the Maltings.

Just to put you in the Christmas mood, I rushed back to the car, got the camera and took a photo of some of the Christmas goodies on offer.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, tra la la la la, la la la la ....... I've been singing that tune ever since Saturday.

Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A special Country Market was held at the Royal Hotel on Saturday, 8th September, when the organizers celebrated the 60th anniversary of the event.. The market first opened in 1947 and was then known as the Ross W.I. Market Group. The first day's takings amounted to between £6 and £7. These days the takings are much higher as the public go along to buy fresh, local fruit and vegetables, delicious home-made cakes and savouries, jams and chutneys, plants and crafts

Mrs. Sheila Dewdney was the Controller between 1971 and 2001, when the Market was held at Merton House annex. The group later moved to Ross Youth Centre but now hold a market every Saturday in a function room at the Royal Hotel between 8:45am and 11:15am.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the market, a special cake was made, the first slice of which was cut by Ross Town's Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Davies. John thanked the W.I for inviting him to cut their cake and congratulated them on running such a successful market.

In the photograph immediately below are Councillor John Davies, Viv Nutt, Anthea Knight, Audrey Sealey, Sue Frew, Christine Brandram-Jones, Sheila Dewdney and Margaret Hughes.

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The Chairmen of Herefordshire in Bloom, Gill Churchill and Mary Sinclair Powell, along with other members of Herefordshire in Bloom travelled to Cheltenham on 7th September to hear how they how they had got on in the Heart of England in Bloom Campaign during the summer. There was success for all of those members who had entered, with 14 awards being given out across the county. Bromyard, Leominster and Ledbury gained Gold for their entries in the 'Town' and 'Small Town' categories. Tarrington not only received Silver Gilt for their 'Small Village' entry but also were Category Winners. Ross-on-Wye gained Silver Gilt in the 'Town' category.

There were seven entrants in the Neighbourhood Award Campaign, all of whom did exceedingly well. Eardisland and Ross Court each got an Outstanding Award for their hard work. The Garden of Remembrance, Dean Hill Gardens (both in Ross) St James and Bartonsham (Hereford) and Leominster Flower Pot Kids gained Merit Awards. Tudorville Cemetery in Ross achieved an Improvement Award. Ryan Holland of Leominster Flower Pot Kids also gained a Heart of England in Bloom Discretionary Award with a Certificate of Merit.

Herefordshire in Bloom was formed for all entrants and prospective entrants to the Heart of England in Bloom campaign to give each other support, encouragement and swap ideas, especially those which can cause problems.

If you would like to know more about the work and the possibility of joining in for the coming year, Gill and Mary would be more than happy to hear from you. They can be contacted by telephoning 01989 563056 before 8pm daily or in writing to 4 Greytree Rise, Ross-on-Wye. They are always looking for new entries in all campaigns no matter how large or small the workforce is.

Following five years with Ross Town Band, Philip Shaw is leaving, to go to university in Plymouth and on Sunday, he was surprised by a gift from the band, which was presented mid performance at St. Mary's Church.

Well done, Philip and good luck with your studies in Plymouth.

At 2 pm on Saturday, 15th September, Sir Peter de la Billiere will open Linton Church and Village Fete, which promises to be a great day of fun for all the family. There are lots of competitions to enter including: make a scarecrow, flower arrangements, enter your dog or caged pet into the pet show and a photography competition, which the organizers have asked Alan to judge.

The day's programme of events is as follows:

Pet Show Classes:

Best Groomed Pet - (Dogs, plus caged pets)
Most Alternative / Unique Pet - (Dogs, plus caged pets)
Happiest Pet - (Dogs, plus caged pets)
Best Behaved Dog
Fittest Dog

Enter on the day at 50p per class between 2:00 - 2:30pm There are some super prizes to be won. Sorry, we can't accept birds.

Produce Section:

1. The most unusual shaped vegetable
2. A basket of apples, or a basket of pears
3. A jar of Jam
4. A jar of Marmalade
5. A jar of Chutney

Cooking Section:

1. 4 Fruit Scones
2. A chocolate sponge cake with a butter cream filling made in an 8" round tin.
3. For men only: 6 pieces of Flapjack made to a set recipe (on application)

Flower Arrangements: A mixed arrangement of any flowers or foliage - maximum size 18" x 18"

Photography Section: The subject is 'Any scene in Linton' - maximum size A4 including mount. This competition will be judged by Wyenot's own Alan Wood!

Childrens section: (Age up to 12 years)

1. Painting or drawing of 'A Village Fete in the eyes of a Child'
2. A plate of decorated biscuits
3. A home-made Birthday Card

Scarecrow Competition: Make A Scarecrow: Competition for adults and children. There are instruction leaflets available from Linton Post Office, St Mary's Church, Linton and local schools.

COMPETITION ENTRIES WILL BE BOOKED IN BETWEEN 12.30pm AND 2.00pm AT LINTON VILLAGE HALL

And there's more. . .

· Guided tour of the Tower to see St Mary's Church Bells
· A talk by an expert on The History of the Yew Tree in the Churchyard
· Flower Displays - on sale in St Mary's Church
· Stalls selling cakes, plants and sweets
· Games, face painting, tombola and a skittles competition for adults and children
· Barbecue - for those with large appetites
· Teas and other refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Hopefully we will see you there.

The Little Greene Paint Company (1773) in association with English Heritage have produced a range of beautiful paints called 'Colours of England.' This range of paints reflect the colours that were used during certain historic periods, such as Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian etc. as well as being in historic and stately homes today.

Architectural Ironmongery, in Kyrle Street, Ross is now stocking these paints and the staff there will be happy to advise you. There is a 120 colour palette from which to make your choice, with the English Heritage colours being clearly marked. For every can of paint purchased from this range a donation is made to English Heritage to help them to keep our Heritage alive. Architectural Ironmongery also stock Heritage paints by the famous Morris & Co as well as Spectrum whose paints are designed to complement the entire Sanderson range of soft furnishings..

The absolute deadline for Wyenot News stories and other items is 12:00, midday on Tuesday, for inclusion in the following day's edition.

PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: This is an absolute deadline and not the time I am asking for articles to be sent in. Mondays and Tuesdays here at 'Wyenot News' are Hell with by far, the most events I cover occurring at the weekend. The photography that the public sees happening is only one tiny part of the whole picture (please excuse the pun) of running this weekly news publication and the bits of prep that people do not see, are actually the most time consuming part of getting the story out.

If at all possible, please send your story in as early as you can, rather than wait until the very last minute, so that I can have at least a fighting chance of getting to bed before 3:00 am every Tuesday and Wednesday morning after what has lately become two 18 hour working days on the trot.

Thank you very much for your understanding and help.

Alan

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