On Thursday February 7, a group of volunteers loaded the first container of 2008 to be sent out to Lesotho in Africa.

The container was filled to the brim with clothes, shoes, bedding, toys and cuddly animals, all regularly and kindly donated by local people and also jumble sale clearances made by John and Harry.

It took well over an hour and a half to fill the container, after which all volunteers retired to Viv's kitchen for a welcome cup of tea and a hot cross bun.

This is the first of many containers which will be sent out this year, as the organisers of Aid 2 Africa stress that this is an on-going concern and items as above are always so urgently needed.

Last year, eight containers were dispatched to Africa, so this year will probably be the same, if not more.

Please keep your donations coming in - either leave them at 13 Barnhall Road at any time, or take them along to the village hall on Wednesday evening between 7pm and 8pm. Thank you.

COUNTRY AND WESTERN DANCE

The next country and western dance being held in the village hall will take place on Saturday February 23.

Doors to the hall will be open from 7pm, with dancing taking place between 8pm to 11.30pm.

It is advisable to book in advance, as these dance evenings are very popular, so get your tickets, priced at £5.50 per person, by telephoning either 816641 or 01245 491252.

Line dancing and freestyle dancing also take place and there is always a good raffle.

Please take along your own food and drinks.

All profits from these regularly-held dances go towards Essex Air Ambulance.