Auction sale A FISHING rod set and tackle fetched £45 while a cast-iron fireplace surround realised £20 at the pre-Christmas sales held by Collingwoods at the Palace Hall auction rooms. Auctioneer Neville Blackwell says the sales continue to attract many

Auction saleA FISHING rod set and tackle fetched £45 while a cast-iron fireplace surround realised £20 at the pre-Christmas sales held by Collingwoods at the Palace Hall auction rooms. Auctioneer Neville Blackwell says the sales continue to attract many buyers from across the region. Other prices included £64 for a modern CD rack, £200 for a kneehole desk, £46 for a pair of single beds and £20 for a damaged organ.Probus ClubNEW vice-chairman Ken Rogers welcomed 401 members, and one prospective member, to the latest meeting of March and District Probus Club and reminded members that after the annual meeting on November 15, and the subsequent death of chairman Keith Lincoln, the positions of chairman, welfare officer and social secretary remained unfilled.Mr Rogers volunteered to be chairman and Ron Webber, reception officer, offered to become social secretary. Both were elected positions. Cliff Goakes offered to take on the position of attendance officer and combine this with his post of reception officer and was elected to that dual role. It was agreed a letter of appreciation be sent to the wife of the the previous chairman, and secretary Haydn Pelling reported that he had been in contact with a number of speakers for 2006, but the two meetings in March remained unbooked.Treasurer Peter Long announced the club entered this financial year with £100 more than expected thanks to a discount negotiated with the coach company that made the trip to Parliament.On behalf of the catering secretary, Evan Jones announced that arrangements for the winter lunch on Tuesday were complete.Speaker was Graham Mills, who showed aerial reconnaissance film from the Second World War.St Mary's Mothers' UnionST Mary's Mothers' Union held its annual meeting at the home of Mr and Mrs K Scotney, in Creek Road.In the absence of the Rev Anthony Chandler, the meeting was chaired by group leader Margery Payne.A short service of praise and prayer included readings by Joan Shepherd, Margaret Martin and Elsie Riches.Margery Payne gave her annual report and announced that she had attained her accreditation as a parenting group facilitator. She reported that two St Mary's members had completed the Mothers' Union speakers course. Pat Quince and Margaret Martin were both awarded their speakers badges and Mrs Payne presented their certificates.Secretary Margaret Scotney gave members printed copies of her report.Treasurer Joan Shepherd said the branch was just able to meet its demands, especially for transport which takes a large part of the funds. St Mary's had been able to support development and literacy projects overseas and contribute to the premature baby units and Time Stop, thanks mainly to the industrious knitting circle.The branch leader, secretary and treasurer continue in office for the third year of the triennial.