IT was good to see a good crowd out for the Remembrance Sunday service at the war memorial. It was a typically damp November morning for the solemn ceremony. Afterwards, the Stocksfield Guides served teas and coffee in the community centre and raised £128.53 in donations to the Royal British Legion. Thank you to the Guides for serving and for washing up, and those who helped with tables and chairs.

STOCKSFIELD Guides are delighted to announce that Grace Fisher has been selected to be part of the North-East of England’s service camp to the Philippines in July 2016. This is an amazing achievement and a great opportunity to represent the Tyne Valley. Grace will be involved in community work whilst in the Philippines and needs to raise £2,000 to get there. You can help by buying a raffle tickets from Balls fish and chip shop in Prudhoe, or come along to Balls tomorrow (Saturday) for a charity night supper where the raffle prizes will be drawn.

THE Stocksfield Retired Men’s Association will meet on Thursday, November 19, assembling for coffee as usual at the Baptist church hall from 9.30am. The speaker at 10.30am will be David Morris, and his subject is Richard Branson’s Balloon Flight Across the Atlantic. New members and visitors are always welcome.

STOCKSFIELD Plants and Gardens Society will meet on Tuesday, November 17, at 7.30pm, in the community centre. Gary McDermott, from Harperley Hall Farm, will be talking on Preparing a garden for Chelsea and describing success in achieving gold medals at the last two Chelsea Flower Shows. Guests welcome.

LOCAL artist George Skelton is holding an exhibition of both original paintings and limited edition prints in the Dr Syntax at New Ridley, Friday, November 20, from 6pm until 9pm; Saturday, November 21, from noon until 9pm; and Sunday, November 22, from noon until 9pm. Prices range from £1 to £450, and 10 per cent of all sales will be donated to the Great North Air Ambulance. Admission free.

DON’T forget to book your tickets for the Stocksfield Players’ presentation of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion which will be performed in the community centre from Thursday, November 26, until Saturday, November 28, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available form Karen telephone (01661) 844119 or Joy, (01434) 682547.

AS Christmas is approaching fast and diaries get filled up quickly, please make a note that Churches Together in Stocksfield and Mickley will hold their annual community carol service, The Big Sing, on Sunday, December 6, at 2.30pm, in the Stocksfield community centre. This is a chance for all villagers to join in communal carol singing, supported by Prudhoe Community Choir. Hot drinks and mince pies will be served afterwards, and this is always a really enjoyable social event. Admission is free,with any voluntary donations given to the work of Christian Aid.