Air Crew Association: The weather was not at its best for the ACA annual picnic held in Marwood.

Luckily with the help of a large marquee, the showers, some of which were torrential, did not dampen a very happy occasion. Despite the Chivenor weather forecast, 30 members attended, together with their wives. It was also a great pleasure to have the widows of past members join the gathering to make it another memorable occasion.

Barnstaple Link Rotary Club: A tour of the Chivenor RAF Air Sea Search base and an in-depth look at the Sea King Helicopters, was one of the year's highlights for the members of the Barnstaple Link Rotary Club. More than 30 of its members were split into three groups for the tour. They later enjoyed a meal at the Williams Arms, Braunton.

Barnstaple Probus Club: At today's meeting, members were very fortunate to be addressed by a specialist from 'Capture', Nathan Billings, who had travelled all the way up from Redruth in Cornwall. The topic was 'captive natural energy'. The talk, supported by slides, covered all aspects of using natural sources of energy-including solar, heat pump, biomass and wind-the relative advantages relating to all these forms together with outputs, and the cost effectiveness coupled with guidelines on their respective installation requirements and costs.The questions raised from the floor, although many and varied, were dealt with in a very competent and professional manner. Following a vote of thanks by the sponsoring member, Brian Shaw, Chairman, Colin Maw, closed the meeting and led the group into the dining room for lunch.

Langtree Re-Unites: Jade Ash, Zoe Toop and Morgan New have written to the Journal with the following plea: "We play netball for Langtree Re-Unites. We are the only Torridge Club offering the opportunity to play netball at 3 levels: High 5s, Junior and Senior. Langtree is a well established club and would like to invite prospective team members for the new season commencing September 2010.

Jade says, 'I have been playing for the club since the age of 7 when I started out in the High 5s. From there I progressed into the Junior Squad at the age of 11, I still remember my first night; it was a great evening and I felt welcome straight away'. Zoe also enjoys the club, 'Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. It doesn't matter what level of netball you're at, the club will always find a place for you. I'm really looking forward to moving into the Seniors section next year.' Morgan has high hopes for the future, 'I'm a regular player in the junior squad and I'm also an assistant coach with the High 5s section. My dream is to become an international umpire as I have seen this happen amongst several players in the Torridge League'. Langtree Re-Unites offers you: Fun. As well as playing in the North Devon League, we regularly hold fund raisers such as games' night and quizzes. With 60 members currently in the club there's always someone to talk to.

Training, matches and tournaments ensures that you can achieve a high standard of personal fitness, though not compulsory.

The club is keen to encourage more players from Primary School Year 3 and upwards, of all abilities. We have Primary School Players from all over the Torridge area. The High 5 sections have their first training session of the season on Wednesday, September 8, 6-7pm at Torrington Sports Hall, come along and enjoy a free session. It's great fun.

Would you like to join our thriving club? For a club information sheet and details about the new season, please contact head coach Tess on: 07971083510.

Meddon and Welcome WI: In July, Mandy Baker came to give a demonstration on how to look good with the aid of her vast array of cosmetics. While giving us hints and tips and various techniques she skilfully transformed willing volunteer, treasurer Lisa Wade. The ladies all agreed that she looked lovely after the demonstration and all were inspired to make a little more effort in future.

No meeting in August, but a very successful cream tea afternoon was held at Lana Park on Sunday, August 8. Despite several other events taking place on the same day, a large number of friends and family enjoyed a warm sunny afternoon and a very good cream tea, thanks to Lisa Wade and her family.

The next meeting is September 14, 7.30pm, at Welcome Village Hall. Speaker Steve Wall will be entertaining with a talk and presentation entitled Short Legs And Country Miles. Visitors are welcome.

PAWS Puppy Class: Several people have recently completed Kennel Club courses. If you would like further information about these Puppy Classes, please contact Anne Rayner on: 01271 346043.

South Molton Rotary Club: Barnacott Farm, Brayford, was the new venue for the hog roast this year. Held on a fine afternoon between spells of wet summer weather, a large number enjoyed a delicious meal centred on a splendid roast pig. With music to enjoy as well as stalls and amusements, young and old were kept happy and well fed.

As a bonus over £400 was raised for Rotary charities.

Rotary Club ShelterBox collections in the South Molton Pannier Market have continued twice each week since the Pakistan flood disaster. Well over £1,000 has been raised so far for ShelterBox from their efforts and the generosity of South Molton people.

The Rotary Charity Shop continues with great support of members who volunteer to serve behind the counter, and in many other ways to keep business brisk and to ensure money is raised to support a wide range of local good causes.

South Molton Rotary Club welcomed two speakers to their recent meeting. Bill Allen and Amanda Webb, Exmoor Search and Rescue team members, described the history and work of their group. Their role is to support the police when called in to organise and carry out search and rescue operations across a very wide area of Devon and Somerset. Exmoor and rural deployments are actually in the minority as they are often called to find lost children or vulnerable adults in urban situations. Formed in 1992, and with currently 27 highly trained volunteer members, they have been fortunate to have recently been able to find a permanent base in South Molton.

Their purpose adapted HQ on the Pathfields Business Park gives them an effective presence in a key location to be able to mount efficient searches throughout the area on a 24 hour basis.

As a charity, run by committed volunteers and funded without government help they are always looking for offers of help in fundraising and support. They would welcome any one able to help in any way. With a new base in South Molton they are looking to create links with their home town. Making contact and seeking help from the Rotary Club they believed was an effective way of tapping into their membership skills and contacts and is another example of how Rotary can enhance community strengths.

The Rotary Club of Bideford Bridge: In response to the Pakistan flood crisis, the Rotary Club of Bideford Bridge is funding two ShelterBoxes.

Club spokesman Robert Walker of the Club's International Service Committee, said: "Helston based ShelterBox already have their specialist team on the ground out there co-ordinating the charity's efforts'. With a dire need for clean drinking water, large quantities of water filtration systems know as 'LifeStraws' have already been sent, helping thousands of families. Water carriers and 1,900 tents are amongst other aid already deployed. 624 ShelterBoxes, are also on their way.

Pakistan is now entering the third week of floods and the need for aid is becoming increasingly urgent. The ShelterBox website is: www.shelterbox.org

Torrs Ladies' Club: All met at June White's house for a garden party. The garden looked lovely, even though the weather was not but the ladies did not let this spoil their afternoon. Members enjoyed a lovely cream tea, looked for bargains at the bring-and-buy stall and had a go at the quiz. Later, they gathered to present vice chairman Joan Mills with flowers and a cake to mark her 90th birthday. It was a very relaxing afternoon with plenty of time for a good gossip.

The club's choir, art group and keep fit group start again in September, dates to be announced at the meeting at the club's usual venue, Brookdale Church Hall, Brookdale Avenue. Guest for the afternoon will be Betty Johnson, who is coming along to entertain members with a selection of songs. The club is always pleased to see new faces at the meetings. If you would like to join then please just come along on Monday, September 13, at 2pm.