I PEOPLE AND PLACES ... PEOPLE AND PLACES ... PEOPLE AND

PLACES PEOPLE AND PLACES ... PEOPLE AND 1 CRUSE, the organisation which helps widows and their children, is to open a new branch at Ewell, Surrey, next Thursday. Bereavement counselling, practical advice and social activities are among the services that the branch will offer. Anyone seeking help or wishing to assist in the work of the branch should contact Mrs M. W. Frost, 4 Woodlodge, Woodfield Lane, Ashtead, Surrey. Speakers at a conference on "Third World Action" held in Oxford last weekend included Malcolm Caldwell from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. The conference. organised Third World First, was chaired by Mary Dines, general secretary of War on Want. There were also "workshops" led by visitors from South-East Asia, Argentina and Rhodesia. More than 150 couples renewed their marriage vows at the Annunciation Church, Burnt Oak, Middlesex, recently during a reunion for former members of the youth club which opened in 1942. Sean Kerr. the club's first leader, sent a tape-recording from Canada which was used as the second readjpg in the Mass.
A choir of schoolchildren sang a specially composed Kyrie at the recent consecration of St Augustine's Church, Handsworth, Birmingham. It was written by David Rosser, a teacher in the parish school. 400 people attended the service, which included a presentation of the Rene Merenti Medal to Mr Albert Fryer in recognition of his services to the Church.
Four lectures — on religious education. abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality — will be held next week at the New Gallery. 123 Regent Street, London, WI. Each one starts at 7 pm. and there is a 50p entry fee. The series has been arranged by the Festival of Light. For full details telephone 01-499 5949.
Patrick Murphy, aged 17, from Fulham. and a nunil at the London Oratory School, appeared recently in the London 'Amateur Boxing Association finals at the Royal Albert Hall, in the featherweight C lass. Jimmy Savile will lead the field in a sponsored charity walk in aid of handicapped children and the elderly On Sunday. May 14. The walk. organised by the Knights of Malta and the Kent Messenger. will take a route round the grounds of Chilham Castle, near Canterbury. and through adjoining Forestry Commission land. Details and sponsorship forms from Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, Runhams Farm. Harrietsham. Maidstone, Kent.
* * *
Michael Goulding, who was responsible or the Royal Horticultural Society arrangement at the Westminster Cathedral Festival of Flowers. is to speak on Flower arrangements at the Society's Old Hall, Cireycout Street. London, SW I , at 2.30 on Tuesday. August 8.
The success of a concert given by Michael 0*Duffy at the Irish Club, Eaton Square. London. in January has prompted the club to arrange a repeat performance there on April 21 at 7.45.
* * *
Fr L. M. ZucoL SJ, of Kerala. India, is appealing for help to build no% and better housing for people in the area. Spiritual hooks. magazines, and papers are also
welcome. Any lifts should be sent to him at Pariyaram 670502, Cannanore District, Kerala. India.
Bishop Emery of Portsmouth is at present leading 80 pilgrims from the Portsmouth diocese on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land organised by the Diocesan Pilgrimage Director, Canon Raymond Lawrence. The pilgrims are spending a few days at both !Nazareth and Jerusalem, and are praying especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
wo handicapped people in wheelchairs are to be pushed 295 miles from Peterlee, Co. Durham, to London to raise money for a transit van to help visitors to Lourdes. A total of £5,000 is needed. and anyone interested in sponsoring the pushers should eontacc Rosaleen Nicholson, Marist College. Cottingham Road, Hull (Tel: Hu11425191.
Oxfam, the London Technical Group and the Disasters and Human Settlements Group of the Department of Architecture at Oxford Polytechnic, are jointly sponsoring a conference at Oxford Polytechnic from April 19 to 2 l on "Disasters and the Small Dwelling".
The conference altos to present new ideas on suitable housing to delegates from the Third World. Details from Ian Davis, Department of Architecture, Oxford Polytechnic, Oxford. (Tel: 0865 64777,)