n AUTHOR: Local writer Gerry Kennedy has been invited by the Friends of Bishop's Castle Library to talk about his newly published book The Voynich Manuscript, on Monday, November 1, at 7.30pm.

During the evening there will be a chance to ask questions about the intriguing subject.

Wilfrid Voynich was a distant relation of the author, and claimed to have discovered an ancient book, written in a pictorial language that has never been deciphered.

n HARVEST LUNCH CASH: Lydham and More churches held their harvest lunch in Lydham Village Hall at the end of last month. Nearly 100 people attended and the event raised £700 for the two churches.

n SEPTEMBER WINNERS: Peter and Ellen Norton, from The Ridge, Bishop's Castle won £25 in the September draw in aid of the parish church. Elizabeth Morris won £10 and Joyce Bason £5.

FIRE SERVICES BINGO: A recent bingo evening raised £272.30 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.

n HARVEST GIFTS: The Rev Paul Collins led a harvest festival celebration at Bishop's Castle Primary School last Friday.

As is the tradition at the school, children brought harvest gifts of food, which were then packed into decorated boxes by Year 6.

Later, the children visited elderly people in the town and distributed the harvest gifts.

n SPONSORED SKIP: All the children at Bishop's Castle Primary School took part in a skipping session at the end of last month.

Jump Rope for Hearts was a nationwide charity event aimed at raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

n LYDBURY NORTH GOES WILD

Well-known wildlife photographer Michael Leach will be the guest speaker at the meeting of the South West Shropshire Gardening Club, on Wednesday, October 27. Starting at 7.30pm in Lydbury North Village Hall, Michael will talk about his career as one of the country's top photographers of wildlife and he will show some of his beautiful slides. Call 01588 6660309.

n METHODIST NEWS: SERVICE: Kinnerton Methodist Chapel was full to capacity last Sunday for the Harvest thanksgiving service conducted by the Rev Michael Newman (Clun). Two items were presented by the Littlehale sisters and two by the Kerswell band.

At the end the Rev Norman Evans shared in the serving of bread to the congregation.

On Monday evening, after a short service, the sale of gifts and harvest produce was held.

n LITTLE FISH: Twenty 'little fish' gathered in the Methodist Hall on Tuesday for their weekly get-together to play with the toys provided or hear a story. Mums (or dads) enjoyed a cup of tea.

n PRESIDENT'S VISIT: A month after the birth of the Marches Methodist Circuit, the president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev Will Morrey, visited the area.

Accompanied by the chairman of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District, the Rev Peter Curry, Mr Morrey went to Minsterley for coffee and lunch and saw how the traditional chapel building had been adapted to meet today's needs.

They then travelled to Clun to meet and talk with Methodists and Anglicans working together there. Finally, they went to the Marches Circuit Centre, in Bishop's Castle Methodist Church, where they were greeted by the centre warden, Miss Hilary Morgan, and enjoyed a meal with representatives of local churches.

They were joined by a larger number in the evening. The Superintendent Minister, the Rev Jon Chesworth, led the opening worship, with prayers led by the district agricultural chaplain, the Rev Eleanor Reddington.

The president talked about his own life and work in the Church and about wider issues confronting the Church today.

The new Methodist publication Presence is being distributed to all churches in the Circuit, and there was some discussion about this.

The Marches Circuit Centre, in Station Street, Bishop's Castle, is open every Wednesday morning, with worship at 11am, followed by refreshments. This provides an opportunity to meet with the circuit ministers, the Rev Jon Chesworth and the Rev Mike Langstaff