Gordon Stevenson, the branch vice-chairman, is keen to spread the word about the group's Support Our Soldiers (SOS) shoe box appeal.

Shoe boxes, or similarly- sized ones containing the small everyday items most of us take for granted, are being collected for distribution directly to our troops in Afghanistan.

The most welcome items include basic toiletries (no aerosols), warm weather gear (hats, gloves, socks), and sweets, chewing gum, cup-a-soups, travel games, as well as notepads and pens.

Personal messages of support, photographs and even drawings from children are also appreciated; in fact, any small thing you consider may really help make a big, cheering difference.

Aware of rising daily living costs, Gordon is quick to point out that a group of friends can join together to fill a box, or that smaller quantities of suitable items are welcome in bags which can be packed at the main depot.

Your filled shoe boxes or bagged items can be taken to Dennis Sneezum Court between 8.30am and 4.30pm; alternatively, contact Gordon on 01366 347585, or Maureen Howling, the manager of Dennis Sneezum Court, on 0870 192 4835.

Meanwhile, the Legion branch has decided that funds from a coffee morning it is holding in the town hall on Friday, August 1, will go towards landscaping and the refurbishment of the War Memorial area.

• On behalf of Friends of Clackclose, a big public thank-you to all the local shops which supported the school's summer fair last month by donating prizes for raffles etc.

Julie McGee, for the group, says to the traders and supporters: "You all know who you are, and with the help of your generosity we managed to raise £750."

Julie also thanks all those people who, despite suffering a soaking by the afternoon's torrential rain, turned out to enjoy and help make the event the success that it was.

An added bonus of the afternoon is the donation, by a local Body Shop at Home representative, of £200 worth of goods to use at future events.
Acutely aware of extra funds making a real difference, Friends of Clackclose runs a regular clothes recycle system and welcomes any donations of unwanted and/ or outgrown good quality clothes – adult and child. For any further information, or to arrange collections, please contact Julie on 01366 388440.

• And finally, a reminder that Downham Methodist Church flower festival opens today and continues through the weekend.