Volunteers needed to help clean Abbotsbury Beach (From Dorset Echo)

Volunteers needed to help clean Abbotsbury Beach

10:44am Wednesday 6th April 2011 in Community

Abbotsbury

• THE Great Dorset Beach Clean takes place on Sunday, April 17 for the 23rd consecutive year.

John Hayes, Senior ranger for the Dorset Countryside Coastal Ranger team, who has been Beachmaster for the past 20 years, tells me that it would be great if more local people got involved.

Anyone wanting to help clear our fabulous Chesil beach is invited to meet at Abbotsbury beach car park – free parking for volunteers –between 11.00am and 1.00pm staying for as long or short a time as wished.

All gloves, bags etc will be provided.

This unique beach gets a regular covering of flotsam and jetsam brought in on the tide as well as rubbish dropped by visitors to the beach.

There is also the danger to wildlife from fishing line and hooks which although lost at sea get thrown back by the tides.

Further information can be obtained from www.dorsetforyou.com/greatdorsetbeachclean

• A Basket weaving course will be held in Strangways Hall on Saturday April 23.

Places are limited to 10 so now is the time to book a place.

The cost of this Simple Frame Basket course is £20.

The course runs from 09.30am – 4.00pm starting promptly at 10.00am This is a fundraiser for the Abbotsbury Playground Group.

Call Lucy on 01305 871820 for more details and if you would like to join their committee.

• On Good Friday, April 22nd there will be a Walk of Witness to St Catherine’s Chapel.

The cross will be carried from St Nicholas church, processing through the village leaving at approximately 3.00pm after the solemn service in church.

Prayers, readings and meditations will take place en route ending with a short service in the chapel during which the cross will be planted.

For further details contact Rev Ada Whittock on 01305 871217.

• THERE will be a special service of celebration for the Royal Wedding on Saturday, 30 April at Abbotsbury’s St Catherine’s chapel.

The service takes place at 5.30pm.

All are invited, good dogs too on leads.

There will be the opportunity for visitors to sign the congratulations card, which will be sent to the happy couple.

Local resident Jean Channon who is a skilled calligrapher has written the card.

• ABBOTSBURY and Portesham Diamond club are holding a Bingo session on Friday, April 15 in Strangways Hall.

Doors open at 7.00pm for eyes down at 7.30pm.

Their first trip of the year will be to the Garden Centre at Ottery St Mary on Tuesday, April 19.

The coach leaves Abbotsbury at 11.10am, leaving Ottery for the return at about 4.00pm.