UPHILL BRUSHSTROKES: We are a group of amateur artists who meet once a month to enjoy an evening of painting. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm at Uphill Village Hall. To find out more, come along to our next session on October 13 at 7pm and talk to our members and join us for a little painting. Beginners and experienced painters will be made welcome. For further details telephone Gerry on 01934 812611.

THE BRIDGE PROJECT NORTH SOMERSET: All aspiring writers are invited to ‘A very relaxed writing workshop’ on October 27 from 10am-3pm at the Purple Sheep Centre in Weston. Debby Grice, well known local writer will be running this fun and inspiring day. The workshop is free but places must be booked in advance. Contact us on thebridgeprojectns@hotmail.co.uk or ring 01934 416717. If you would like to find out more about what we do, come along to our drop in on October 15 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Carlton Centre, Carlton Street, Weston.

RAFA CONCERT BAND (THE BLAKEHAY RESIDENT BAND): The band and its guest artistes have been rehearsing for the Night at the Oscars concert – a musical journey through some of Hollywood’s great movie themes and would advise booking tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Future engagements include: October 8, Night at the Oscars concert, Blakehay, Wadham Street, Weston – 7.30pm; October 15, RAFA concert and two Welsh choirs, Barry Comprehensive School, Barry – 7.30pm; October 23, German band – private gig; November 9, RBL March-4-Honour and Poppy Appeal in the grounds of Cardiff Castle; November 12 RAFA concert, Melksham Town Hall – 7.30pm.

Visit our website on www.rafaswconcertband.org.uk or ring 01934 820205 for more details.

WESTON MUSIC APPRECIATION SOCIETY: The speaker on September 28 was the eminent composer and Bristol University lecturer Professor John Pickard who gave a fascinating talk on the life, operas and custom built concert hall (in Bayreuth) of Richard Wagner.

The” Flying Dutchman” was his first real breakthrough which laid the foundation for future compositions. Tristan und Isolde was a tragedy whilst “die Meistersingers” was a comedy.

During his life Wagner was exiled for political activities, he was anti-Semitic and a follower of Buddhism and was inaugurated into the Hitler family.

‘Mad’ King Ludwig II helped financially in building Wagner’s dream concert hall in Bayreuth which was styled on Greek classical lines with the orchestra invisible to the audience being 3m below stage. There is currently a three year waiting list to see a performance at Bayreuth!

At the next meeting on October 12 in St Jude’s Hall adjoining St Peter’s Church, Baytree Road chairman Dennis Darling will give a talk entitled ‘Backroom boys and girls’ – 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start,

For further information contact the Secretary on 01934 814752.

MOOSE INTERNATIONAL’S WINSCOMBE LADIES CIRCLE: More than 60 guests flocked to a charity Cabaret Night organised by Winscombe Ladies Circle last Friday at Mooseheart in support of The Fragile X Society.

This little known organisation supports families who have children with this condition, which can cause severe behavioural, learning, social and concentration problems, to name but a few. More information can be found at www.fragilex.org.uk With the help of the Black Country Boys the profit from the night boosted by a popular raffle, raised over �300, all of which was donated to the charity there and then.

SOROPTOMIST INTERNATIONAL OF WESTON: Graham Smith was welcomed at Weston Golf Club to talk about his life as an explosives expert in the British Army. His role took him to many trouble hotspots around the world where his skill and expertise undoubtedly saved the lives of both his comrades and members of the public. He finished his career at the Home Office training others in counter terrorism. The vote of thanks was given by Mandy Brown.

Members are now looking forward to the autumn programme including a Murder Mystery Evening, Christmas goodies event and taking part in the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Midnight Beach Walk for Weston Hospice.

Soroptomist International is a worldwide organisation for Women. If you would like any information please contact us on sigbiweston@hotmail.co.uk

UNISON NORTH SOMERSET BRANCH RETIRED MEMBERS: The next meeting is on October 13 at 2.30pm in the Old Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Weston. The speaker will be from Sanders GardenWorld. Members will be saddened to hear of the death of their chairman Mrs Valda Tysall. Our sympathies go out to her husband Dave.

MDF BIOPOLAR ORGANISATION SELF HELP GROUP: The group next meets on October 11 at FRIEND 39, Oxford Street, Weston at 7.30-9.30pm. People who suffer from bipolar and/or their supporters are very welcome to join us. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For further information call 0845 4349915 or email mdfwestonsupermare@gmail.com

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HUTTON, OLDMIXON AND LOCKING BRANCH: With the Poppy Appeal year coming to an end the Hutton based branch has received news that its efforts in 2010/11 raised over �7,000 – an all-time record. The retiring Poppy Appeal organisers, John and Kath Sparks are warmly thanked for their dedicated service to the appeal over many years.

Hutton’s new appeal organiser, Norman Poole is planning a special event on October 22 starting at 10am to launch the 2011/12 appeal locally. It will be a coffee morning with a difference in Hutton Village Hall.

The next meeting is on Tuesday and the annual meeting is on November 8, both meetings in the Legion Room at Hutton Village Hall.

CHEW VALLEY PROBUS CLUB: We meet monthly for fellowship, lunch and a speaker at the Mooseheart, Winscombe. If you are a retired professional or businessman and would like to join us please ring our secretary George Reed, on 01934 842609, for further information.

At our most recent meetings chairman Liam Kirwan inducted new members Derek Swift and Alan James and the speakers were club member David Evans telling us about ‘China revisited’ and Brian Aston on ‘The SS Great Britain’.

CHEDDAR MALE CHOIR: Audiences at Victoria Methodist Church on Saturday are in for a special treat when the Cheddar Male Choir will be joined by the Cheddar Valley Music Group Brass Ensemble for the National Voice for Hospices Day commencing at 7.30pm.

This evening promises to be one to remember with a combination of a range of songs to suit everyone’s tastes and a selection of brass music which is bound to entertain. Knowing the concert is to benefit hospices, it is anticipated the concert will be well supported.

Tickets are very reasonably priced at �6 for adults and �3 for children under 16. They may be purchased direct from Weston Hospicecare or purchased on the door.’

BLEADON PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP: Members held their first Judges’ Forum for the new season.

A big thank you to Keith Spicer who was our judge for the evening from the A1 Camera Club.

The A1 Camera club will be visiting on Tuesday.

The results were as follows: Colour Prints section, first - Carol Wilson – ‘Evening Light’; Mono Prints section, first - Sally Green – ‘And in her eyes I saw the woman she was to become’; Digital Images section, first - Connie Wakley - ‘Cow Parsley Sunset’.

The next meeting will be a members’ workshop – ‘Portrait Evening’ to photograph models that will be in attendance.

Why not join us at the Coronation Hall, Bleadon. New Members are always welcome, please visit the website bleadonphotographicgroup.moonfruit.com or contact Carol Wilson on 01934 628070.

CONSERVATIVE LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB: The next meeting is on October 14 in the Winter Gardens with speaker Chris Cudlipp talking about bee keeping.

Reservations to Christine Gamble on 811709 by Monday.

WESTON BREATHE EASY: This is a local part of the British Lung Foundation. We are a friendly self-help group for anyone with a lung condition.

We meet at the Hutton village hall on the third Wednesday of each month at 2pm.

Our next meeting will be on October 19 and our speaker will be Jim Hew from Phillips Respironios talking about nebulizers followed by a light exercise session.

Anyone with an interest will be welcome

Contact Sue on 01934 521259 or Nick on 01275 873322.

BLEADON WI: We started our autumn meetings in style - literally - when we welcomed a team from Marks & Spencer who gave us a preview of their new autumn/winter range.

There was something for everyone to appreciate, plus we all now know what’s best to wear ‘underneath’ too!

We will have two skittles teams for this year’s federation tournament - so the competition is going to be lively!

We enjoyed our recent visit to Yeo Valley at Holt Farm and plans are now in hand to visit the Good Food Show in November.

We hope to welcome our 80th new member at our next meeting on October 13 - meetings are held every second Thursday in the Coronation Hall.

Congratulations to WOW WI - the newest WI in Weston - we wish them good luck on their formation.

THE WESTON FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY: Members met on September 26 at St Georges Hall where members and visitors enjoyed an afternoon with Mary Keeley. Her demonstration gave us a wonderful ‘Floral Feast’ at the end of which the displays were raffled.

A date for the diary - October 24 at 2.30pm, with the renowned national demonstrator, Michael Boyer who will give us his interpretation of ‘This changing season’.

Tickets �10. This is an afternoon not to be missed.

The venue for this will be at St Paul’s Church, Walliscote Road, not at St Georges Hall.

MDF THE BIPOLAR ORGANISATION: Mental health organisations worldwide will be marking World Mental Health Day on Monday in a great variety of ways. Each year has a different theme and this year it’s ‘People power’ and will focus on four elements: unity, visibility, rights and recovery.

The Weston self-help group is marking the day with a fish ‘n’ chips supper before the usual meeting on the following day, Tuesday.

Bipolar Disorder can be a frightening and exhausting illness both for people with the condition and those close to them. Your world often seems completely upside down when you receive the diagnosis, typically after a number of years of mental health problems. By that time, for many, it is not only our health that is in jeopardy, our financial security, relationships and employment may also be compromised. Fortunately, when the condition is well-managed, there is every hope of leading a happy and fulfilling life.

For more details telephone 0845 434 9915 or email mdfwestonsupermare@gmail.com

WAVES OF HARMONY: For any local ladies who feel a burning desire to sing - fret no longer! There is a new group in Weston who is looking to expand its membership.

Singing four-part acapella chorus, the group meets every Tuesday evening at the Victoria Methodist Church Hall in Station Road, Weston.

You don’t have to be able to read music or have an amazing voice - as long as you can hold a tune and want to make new friends and have fun you will be more than welcome.

For more information ring 01934 511569 or email - wohwsm@aol.com

WESTON PHILATELIC SOCIETY: The first meeting of the new season is on Tuesday where committee members will give a 10 sheet display on subjects beginning with P, Q or R.

Our thanks once more to the Conservative Club and committee members for their kindness in extending the use of the upstairs meeting room to the society. Their support is much appreciated by all of our members.

Anyone interested in collecting postage stamps or other items of postal history will be made very welcome and will find the members friendly and only too happy to share their interests.

The society meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, October to April at 6.45 for 7.15pm in the upstairs meeting room of the Conservative Club, 24/26 Alexandra Parade.

A programme for the year will be available at this meeting – please ring Graham on 01934 622318 for further details.

BANWELL WI: The September speaker was Chris Cudlipp talking about the bulb fields of Holland.

There were slides showing the fields of most beautiful tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and narcissi and slides illustrating the visit made to Keukenhof where the nurserymen display their individual exquisite flower beds in coordinated colours.

We were told that each year every bulb is replaced by new specially selected varieties. This month we celebrate the club’s 70th birthday by going for a meal and being entertained by Tim May telling us of his life as the pantomime dame. November is our annual meeting and members are reminded that this will start at 7pm prompt. There will also be a craft and bring and buy stall.

On October 30 we are running a treasure hunt with a Halloween theme, starting from the village car park at 2pm. Cost is �2.50 per person to include a jacket-potato supper in the Scout Hut (at the bottom of the car park) afterwards.

Come in Halloween fancy dress – everyone is welcome, so come as a family and enjoy the afternoon with us – tickets available at the post office or 5 East Street, Banwell.

WESTON CHESS CLUB: Members held their annual lightning tournament last week.

With only 10 seconds allowed for thought play was fast and furious.

Games were hard fought and after the first three rounds only Peter Chaplin remained unbeaten with the following six players on two points each. After five rounds Peter retained his lead and, for the final round, was drawn against Pavel Madry.

Peter won this encounter to win the trophy. Pavel took second place, only separated from third placed Joe Haines by one point on sum of opponents’ scores.

The Somerset League matches begin this week as well as Weston’s own club tournaments and new members will find a welcome on Thursday evenings at the Victoria Bowling Club, Albert Quadrant starting at 7.30pm.

NORTH SOMERSET MODELLERS’ SOCIETY: The society continues to attract new members at its meetings at The Woodspring, Worle High Street, from 8.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month.

The next meeting is this coming Tuesday.

The society also holds an all day ‘model-in’ at The Helicopter Museum one Sunday each month, which is proving increasingly popular.

All modellers are welcome to either meeting, regardless of age, experience or area of model- making interest.

For further information about the meetings or the model shows, please telephone Fred Tooke on 01934 416798, or email fredtooke@freenetname.co.uk

NORTH SOMERSET MACULAR DISEASE SOCIETY SUPPORT GROUP: Members enjoyed a trip to Barnstaple Honey Farm and Rosemore Gardens.

The local group was given a grant from Preanes Green Community Centre and Grassroots. It relies on grants and the money is spent on trips, guest speakers and meetings. The group meets at St Saviours Church in Locking Road and offers help to blind and partially sighted people who suffer from the eye disorder, which causes loss of vision.