There is shiny and coloured paper and there are baubles, glittery ribbons, bows and much more at the Crow scrap store. So if you're in charge of children who can't wait to make Christmas sparkle with their home made decorations consider a visit the scrap store. Membership costs £10 a year for individuals, groups or organisations. Members can browse through a huge hoard of craft materials donated by local businesses for reuse. Everything is individually priced and nothing too expensive. The Scrap store is open Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 3pm and Fridays 9.30am to 12 noon. Find the scrap store at Crow Recycling, Orchard House, Sparkbrook Street, Hillfields, Coventry, CV1 5LB. The telephone number is 0247655 2444. The e mail is crow@talktalkbusiness.net.

There was a double celebration for Crow Recycling volunteer John Gatter. He celebrated a 70th birthday as well as 25 years of volunteering at the Coventry charity. John thought he was stopping work for an ordinary mid morning break but instead found himself guest of honour at a surprise party. Friends and relatives joined staff and volunteers for the party at the charity's base in Sparkbrook Street, Hillfields. John Gatter is one of a team of volunteers who sort and shred unwanted office paper. Much of the paper John recycles becomes comfy beddding for retired racing greyhounds. Many of the volunteers including John have a disability. The charity exists to provide placements for people with disabilities.