GARDEN open: Caroline Hughes has bowed to public demand and will be opening her garden at 17 Ash Grove on Fridays July 23 and 30, from 2pm to 6pm.

There will be no plant sale, and she warns that her monster new puppy has wreaked some havoc, but she hopes to have a good display of at least 200 fuchsias.

Entrance costs £2, and is in aid of St Mary's Church.

HOLIDAY care: If you need help with holiday care there will be a scheme operating at The Clere School (Watership Down After School Club). Call the community office at The Clere for details (278129).

SUMMER fete: The annual summer fete in St Mary's churchyard will be on Monday, August 30.

To book a stall, call Tony Savin on 297248.

PARISH council: The council is recruiting a minutes secretary to assist the parish clerk with activities.

If you are interested in a 20-hour a month job with some evening work, call Barbara Smith on 298634.

CHILDREN'S craft: There is a childrens' craft club at the Village Club on Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5pm.

This is a lively little club who are learning all sorts of art and crafts things. Call Sam Abinger on 299248 for details.

KEW Gardens: Book your place on the gardening club coach trip to Kew (free admission). Sylvia Pennington would like to fill the coach by the end of July, so call her on 298880.

BIG dig: To register for the excavation of the Roman site at Tidgrove in early September, you can call 01635 299460.