OUR man in Cairo....and many other places!: Friends and family packed Rotherwick church last Thursday, to say farewell to former British Secret Serviceman Anthony Cavendish, aged 85.

At one time, Anthony was the youngest-ever member of MI6, and also had a colourful career as a foreign correspondent and merchant banker.

His adventurous spirit led him to break his back twice – once in a racing car crash, and once tobogganing on the Cresta Run in Switzerland. He will be sorely missed as village stalwart and much loved friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with wife Ellie, and children Charlotte and Julius.

ONCE more with feeling: The skirl of the bagpipes will be heard again at the village hall tonight, when the Rotherwick Conservative branch will be hosting another of their famous Burns Night celebrations, hard on the heels of the parish one last weekend! Tickets, to include a sumptuous three-course meal, piping and reeling (to the music, not the whisky!) may still be available by ringing branch president Edith Patch on 763700 or emailing Rob Blay on robblay@aol.com.