PAT Lea, Violet Morrissey and Eamon Smyth sold cards at the Stella Maris One World Group coffee morning at St Augustine's church hall and raised over £100.

These events are held on the first Saturday of each month from 10:30am until midday in support of Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and local charities.

There are plenty of homemade cakes, bric-a-brac and books to buy plus an opportunity to have coffee and a chat with friends.

Cakes not sold at the coffee morning are available to purchase after Sunday's Mass with all the proceeds sent to CAFOD, providing relief for the Pakistan flood disaster.

PAT Lea has now retired after 15 years of leading the St Augustine's line dancing sessions.

It is hoped that they will recommence under a new leader in the autumn.

THE Radipole Park and Gardens Friends' annual general meeting was very well supported and there were some good discussions.

It has been a busy year at Radipole Park and Gardens (RPG) with many improvements particularly at the bottom end of the old tennis courts.

Borough Parks Manager Carl Dallison spoke of the conversion of the tennis courts into a multi-use games area as well as the new overflow car park, renewal of fencing and numerous other improvements.

The two adjacent courts have also been brought back into use.

Members considered future plans, which include providing bollards and a shelter by the field entrance, surveying the trees for safety and possibly changing the shape of flowerbeds in the gardens if funding for bedding plants should be reduced.

There was discussion of these proposals and support for the idea of solving the problem of the wet area in the playing field by planting wild flowers there.

A vote of thanks by all present was expressed to Council Gardener Melvyn Butler for producing a wonderful display this year.

Chairman Philip Grout Smith reported good progress of work by the Friends Group, including the provision of picnic benches in the children's play area, the planting of shrubs by the basketball court, two successful litter picks and a very enjoyable quiz.

He outlined long term plans for toilets and a café, which will need considerable funding as a lot of help will be required.

A summer fete is being planned for next year together with other fundraising and social events.

After the re-election of the committee and a lively exchange of ideas, the meeting concluded with a walk through the gardens led by Melvyn.