• WITHOUT the effort of going to a stadium, the Springfield Social and Snooker Club held a dog racing evening at the Reynolds Community Centre, organised in memory of Bob Rankin who had been a regular snooker player there for many years.

This family fun event was attended by 54 people and raised over £300 for the Brain Tumour Trust.

  • FEW OF US know where Uzbekistan is – but now 40 people who attended a presentation by Ken and Jenny Gale at the Old School, have learnt quite a lot about this central Asian country.

We visited Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand, their spectacular architecture, ancient mosques and madrassars; we travelled the Silk Road through deserts and stopped at the caravanserais providing facilities for refreshment – a bring-your-own food system and cook it here. Ken told the stories of those legendary despots – Tamerlane, Genghis Khan and Stalin who had all influenced the history of this strange country.

Colourful dress, lively music and appetising menus seasoned the excellent and expressive photographs along with Ken’s commentary. A very English tea, provided by the committee of the Upwey Society, followed the presentation and nearly £100 was raised for the local branch of the MS Society.

  • LOOKING FORWARD, on Saturday, March 5, the First Radipole Ranger Unit are holding an Italian evening at the Old School Village Hall in support of one of their members who is taking part in an expedition to Nepal.

The purpose is to help provide appropriate equipment for local schools and medical centres and also to improve existing facilities. And, of course, it will be a test of strength and endurance through very rough country.

There’s to be a two-course dinner, a raffle and a quiz on Italy. Tickets are £8 from Diane on 01305 8120030 or diane@crumbleholme.plus.com. Bring your own drinks.

  • CRAFT Workshops – and that’s for people who want a little advice and encouragement, as well as opportunity, to try their hands at all sorts of crafty creative works.

Bill Crumbleholme is running a workshop at the Old School Village Hall on the weekend of March 12 and 13. Call him for details on 01305 812030 or e.mail bill@upweypotters.com.

  • DON’T forget the Horticultural Society’s Spring Show at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 12, starting at 2pm.

Contact Eve Morris on 01305 813942 for details if you wish to exhibit your beautiful spring flowers and plants, or cakes and craft items.