ELLISFIELD'S Bluebell Walk: Last Sunday attracted 70 hardy walkers who braved soggy, squelchy conditions underfoot.

Stout boots and wellies were the order of the day and we were rewarded by some splendid vistas, particularly in High Wood and Lower Preston Oakhills.

Congratulations to Paul Turner for devising an interesting route, much of it across private land - thanks to our local landowners. For the first time in my memory we went through Cannon Wood.

The youngest walker was five-year-old Odette, Sheila Brown's granddaughter, who completed the walk for the second year. And thanks to Peter and Diana Mitchell's grandson, Christian, we now know how many bluebells there are in Ellisfield - "trillions" he declared.

Another mathematical whizz was seven-year-old Bernard Hutchins, whose prowess at mental arithmetic took away what remaining breath I had.

As part of the "Discover Hampshire" programme, the walk attracted many visitors. Mike Twomey, of Ealing, said he'd never seen so many bluebells.

ADVANCE notice: I hope residents will support our five splendid Wine Walk hosts on June 18. Details to follow.

PARISH council: At Monday's AGM, Paul Turner was re-elected chairman and Steve Gould is our new vice-chairman.

DON'T forget! The Memorial Hall committee's AGM is on Tuesday, at 8.30pm.

LASTLY: Many thanks to Paul Turner, for standing in for me all these weeks. I'm very grateful.