CROSSWAYS youngsters are celebrating receiving a Grant of £2,000 towards a youth shelter for the local playing field from the West Dorset Partnership.

  • Dorset Community Action Community workers' Pauline Trimming and Kris Hallett identified the funding for the project as part of their work supporting the Dorchester Area Community Partnership and Crossways Parish Council.
  • At the recent parish council meeting a vote was carried to accept the offer of funding. The next stage will be to finalise the details of the proposed structure and where it will be placed on the field.
  • LOCAL young people have been actively engaged for the past year in raising the profile of the main action identified in the 2004/05 Crossways village plan. The sections on leisure, sport, children and young people revealed the need to maximise opportunities for villagers whilst encouraging greater use of the sports field' - including a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area).
  • IT ALSO stated to work and encourage greater involvement of the children and young people in the village and partnership working.'
  • TO THIS end the youngsters have been attending parish council meetings and consultations. They have relished taking part in the debates on the issue of open spaces. They have recently taken parish councillors to visit skate park installations in the Bournemouth area, presented a petition and hosted a car boot sale to kick-start funding.
  • THEY have made their own presentation on the activities, which they enjoy taking part in, and worked closely with CSO Vickie Hedges and DCA's Kris Hallett in support of more facilities and activities in Crossways.
  • They can be seen celebrating this good news with CSO Vickie Hedges and Daniel Smy, Chairman of Crossways Parish Council.
  • COUNCILLOR Smy said "I am particularly pleased that the Parish Council have supported the idea of a youth shelter on the sports field and we welcome this grant of £2,000 from the West Dorset Partnership. We will now look forward to working with the young people and the parish council to identify a suitable place for the shelter to be located. This will be a marvellous facility for young people, and others using the field, as identified in the findings of the Village Plan."
  • DISCUSSIONS on the new facilities are scheduled to take place at the next meeting of the council on Thursday, 24 April starting at 7.00pm. The council will also be presenting community award certificates to many of the young people who have been involved in this work.

Moreton THE Village Hall Annual Meeting has been postponed owing to various clashes with other events. It is hoped this will now be rescheduled for Wednesday, 14 May.

  • FOLLOWING the success of last year's event another car boot sale is being organised to raise funds for the village hall. It will take place on Sunday, 4 May from 10.00am and 1.00pm and from 8.30am for traders to set up.
  • THERE is a change in the charging structure from last year. Cars are £5 but vans larger vehicles and cars with trailers are £10. Admission charge for buyers is 50 pence. If you would like to book a pitch or have any questions call Catherine on 01929 462475.