The yearly Roam walk in Colchester for Tolleshunt D'Arcy WI took place on June 12, on what turned out to be a very pleasant evening.

Twenty members met Marcus the centurion and his lady at the castle gates, transporting the WI back to Roman times. The centurion asked the walkers to ignore the Norman castle built on top of his temple and through superb grounds, WI members were soon traversing the Roman roads around the settlement.

Their Roman guide supplied maps of how it had once looked and pointed out where the buildings stood, including some very modern sounding amenities. The party were shown the remains of his house, or at least some of the flooring, while the wife of the centurion gave an insight into the way they lived and the food they ate.

The members then went on to see the remains of the large amphitheatre which would have been able to accommodate at least 2,000 spectators.

Moving on and escorted by Marcus the centurion, who bemoaned the loss of his beloved chariots, the party crossed the High Street to Culver Square and the mock-up of a Roman temple. The trip concluded with farewells to their guides and a fine dinner in the Roman Cavern.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On June 18, many members of Tolleshunt D'Arcy WI attended a very moving memorial service in St Nicholas Church to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Fairhurst, who died after a brave fight against cancer on June 7, in Farleigh Hospice.

Elizabeth was a delightful person and much loved, as was apparent from the many tributes spoken by her relatives and friends from many aspects of her life.

She will be sadly missed and D'Arcy WI members were pleased to carry out Elizabeth's own wishes by preparing and serving refreshments in the village hall after the service.

MORNING SUCCESS

The Houlding family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to everybody who attended their recent coffee morning, all who gave donations and everyone who helped to make it such a success.

The amount raised was £1,100, which will go to the patients' fund for Jefferson Ward (cancer treatment) at the Essex County Hospital, in Lexden.

FLOWER SHOW

The sun shone down on a recordbreaking Horticultural Society Show on Saturday, July 7, held on Tolleshunt D'Arcy recreation ground.

Despite - or perhaps because of - the recent wet weather, the crowds turned out in force to enjoy a wonderful array of exhibits that included no less than 260 entries in the photographic section alone.

The show chairman would like to thank the hard-working committee, volunteers and stall holders for making such a wonderful contribution to the successful show. In particular, thanks must go to Leslie Heard, who volunteered to man the barbecue at the last minute and who did such sterling work all afternoon.

The major cup and trophy winners were: S Mallows, Perennial Flowers; V Brown, Sweet Peas; J Wells, Table Decoration; C Gray, Wild Flower/Grasses Arrangement; L Arnold,Photographic Section; G Cottee, Highest Points Vegetable Class; S Mallows, Best Kept Garden; F Arnold, Highest Points Cookery Section; P Laurie, Best Handicraft; G Barber, Best Children's Exhibit; P Hudson, Best Exhibit Sections1,2,3 & 5; D Beal, Best Section 11; D Wilkin, Highest points in Rose Classes; R B Clark, Best Geranium; A Heigham, Best Handicraft in class 105; G Cottee, Best Cooking Vegetable; A Morris, Highest Points Potato Classes.

The Joan Scott Memorial Trophy for Children's Handwriting, Class 113, went to M Smith, the Presland Trophy, Class 113A, went to joint winners, J Wales and L Layzell, and the Youngman Carter Cup for the highest points in the show went to R B Clark.