HOST FAMILIES: Host families who can offer accommodation, support and guidance, either on a permanent or respite care basis, to an adult with a learning difficulty, should ring Sarah Lloyd on 01743 154080 to offer help or to find out more.

CRAFT CLASSES: Day and evening classes in rug-making, using fabric oddments to create colourful rugs, are on offer at the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme premises, in Burway Road, during January, February and March.

On Saturday, February 21, there will be a workshop in Willow Work for Gardeners which offers a change to learn how to make frames the garden.

The cost is £30 plus materials, but concessions are offered. Ring SSFS on 01694 724464 to reserve a place at any of the above courses, or call in at 11 Burway Road.

GARDENING CLUB: The club meets next Tuesday, in the Silvester Horne Institute. Doors open at 7pm when coffee and biscuits are served before the speaker is introduced at 7.30pm.

This month John Trinder, a former lecturer in horticulture at Manchester Metropolitan University, will invite his audience to Consider Ferns. Admission for non-members is £1.50.

LITERARY SOCIETY: The society, now in its 10th anniversary season, will host a Saturday Surprise when Tony Crowe will give a talk about Hesba Stretton, Shropshire's forgotten Victorian novelist, in the Silvester Horne Institute, on Saturday, at 2.15pm. Refreshments will be available and entry for non-members is £2.

Next Monday, the society will meet in the Information Centre, at 7pm, for the AGM. Afterwards, members and visitors are invited to speak about their own particular favourites in "A Novel I have Enjoyed".

Refreshments are available and all are welcome. Admission for non-members is £2.

ART TRIP: Rosie Read and Chris Taylor are organising a trip to Birmingham on Friday, February 6, to visit Birmingham Art Gallery to see Turner's Britain.

Tickets cost £5, or £3.50 concessions. For those who prefer to shop, the time can be spent in the new Bull Ring Centre.

The coach leaves Mayfair at 9.30am and returns at 6.30pm, and fare is £9.50. Reservations can be made at Mayfair.

HISTORY: Tony Crowe continues his series of illustrated talks on the Aspects of Church Stretton History at the Silvester Horne Institute on Thursday, January 29, at 2.30pm Admission is £2.

ENTERTAINMENT: Three Men in a Bow Tie will be presenting hilarious songs and monologues in Church Stretton School on Saturday, February 14.

Tickets cost £7.50 and are available through John Thomas Florists.

The event has been arranged by the Tourism Group.

The Big Band Sound will be presented by the Jackfield Elcock Reisen Brass Band in Church Stretton School, on Friday, February 20 starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets for this event cost £6 and are on sale at Burway Books, the Longville Arms, All Stretton Stores and Wrights Estate Agents.

Refreshments are included in the cost, and the event is in aid of Royal British Legion Funds.

OPEN MEETINGS: A community meeting, in Church Stretton School, next Tuesday, has been arranged with a view to shaping the future of the Church Stretton area, and producing the Church Stretton and Area Regeneration Plan.

The meeting opens at 7.30pm and closes at 9pm.

If anyone can give a lift to a friend or neighbour it would be appreciated, otherwise lifts can be arranged by ringing Laura Watson on 01694 723244.

The Church Stretton Food Fair Committee will hold its annual general meeting in Mayfair Community Centre on Monday, February 2, at 7.30pm.

This year's event is due to take place from July 9 - 11 and ideas and offers of help are invited.

COOKLEY: Millie Bricknell will again be demonstrating cookery at Mayfair on Tuesdays from 10am - noon.

QUIZ NIGHT: A quiz night in Hope Bowdler Village Hall is planned for next Wednesday, at 7.30pm.

The quiz master will be Ken Willis. Everyone is invited to go along whether as an individual or part of a team of six.

Admission is £2 and refreshments will be available.

BIRDS: The Shropshire Ornithological Society is due to meet in the Methodist Hall, next Monday, for the annual general meeting at 7.30pm.

This will be followed at 8pm by a talk on A Tale of Two Islands by C E Wright. Non-members are welcome.