CERNE VALLEY ENJOYING this time of the year in this area's beautiful countryside, may I take this opportunity to wish all my readers a very Happy Christmas!

I hope you are celebrating the festive season with your loved ones as you are reading this and looking forward to a prosperous and joyous New Year.

I will endeavour to keep informing you promptly about any newsworthy events and happenings around the Cerne Valley.

Do get in touch with me if there is anything you would like to see reported in this column, any suggestions or feedback are equally valuable.

CERNE ABBAS A NEW Year’s Day service will take place in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday, January 1.

It starts at 11am and will include a Family Communion.

WASSAIL will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 5, Twelfth Night at Cerne Vicarage.

Revd Jonathan Still invites everyone to gather at 4:45pm for 5pm sharp to celebrate this occasion.

The word “Wassail” may be originating from the Old English “Waes-Hail” (“Be thou whole”) or Old Norse “Ves Heill” (“Be in health”).

It is to do with apple trees, driving away disease and waking the trees up from their winter sleep.

Therefore please bring something with you that makes a lot of noise and a small bottle of cider if you wish!

Please also wear suitable clothing for the outdoors and don’t forget a torch.

There will be cake to share afterwards.

SID stands for Speed Identification Device, one such replacement device has just been bought by the Parish Council.

SID will be equally shared between Charminster, Godmanstone and Longburton, when it is in the village it will be located in Acreman Street.

Volunteers to look after SID when in the village are now needed – if you think you might be able to help contact Duncan Fergusson on 01300 341979.

FLOODING can be a serious issue especially given the increasingly marked weather changes.

Fortunately Cerne Abbas has an excellent website, created by Andrew Popkin, which gives information about flooding in the village.

Please visit https://sites.google.com/site/cerneabbasfloodplan to find out more.

MOVIOLA: Unfortunately the November film had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.

Please bear in mind that Moviola require a minimum amount of audience so please give your support in 2012 to avoid it pulling out altogether!

Films like “Jane Eyre” with Judy Dench await you after the New Year, watch this space for further information.

BUCKLAND NEWTON NEW Year’s Day Service: This will take place in the Holy Rood Church on Sunday, January 1 at 11am and will include Holy Communion.

GAGGLE of Geese: This popular village pub will be open on New Year’s Eve for both food and drink!

Come along and celebrate the New Year in a fun atmosphere, live music will be provided.

You can even bring along your instrument and join in if you wish!

Food will be shared out so anyone wishing to eat is asked to call The Gaggle of Geese on 01300 345249 to find out further details.

Alternatively you are welcome to just pop in for a drink.

SYDLING ST. NICHOLAS ADVANCE notice: Villagers Penny and Charles Cordy will once again serve up their delicious Full Dorset Breakfast on Saturday, February 4.

This is an extremely popular event so early booking is essential!

Enjoy a traditional cooked breakfast featuring Dorset produce as well as home-made muesli, jams and fresh fruit salad!

A vegetarian option is of course available, tickets are £ 10 per person.

Several sittings will be organised, starting at 8am with the last sitting at 1pm.

All profits go to good causes, for further details call Penny and Charles on 01300 341618.

SYDLING Fish Lunches at the Village Hall are celebrating with a Christmas Party on Tuesday, January 17!

For just £ 5.50 per person you can choose between Fish, Pie or Sausages and Chips, followed by a dessert trolley and accompanied by wine.

This event is open to all, newcomers are particularly welcome.

For any enquiries or to place your order call Claire Birch on 01300 341523 by Friday, January 13.

NETHER CERNE RIGHTS of Way Officer David Burgess would like to thank everyone who helped clearing blackthorn and bramble on FP 14 which leads towards Pound Farm and Nether Cerne on Saturday, November 12.

This enables this path to be used more easily by the general public.

With its carpet of primroses it is particularly attractive in spring!

Furthermore, comments have arisen regarding notices restricting public access and asking dog owners to keep their dogs on leads, particularly in Up Cerne.

Whilst this may not always be convenient, David Burgess would like to point out that some Estates (like Up Cerne) have a large Game Shoot and roaming dogs can easily frighten game off the Estate.

It takes time and effort to rear game and maintain other activities, for example the numerous pheasant shoots in the area so your co-operation is much appreciated!

Blue or yellow way markers show public rights of way, other tracks are likely to be on private land.

David is always happy to answer any queries or receive notifications of any problems regarding access or obstructions.

He can be contacted on 01300 341878.