AFTER all the hype and headlines at long last the day of the scout football tournament arrived. It appears it was also the cue for summer to arrive with temperatures soaring into the 80s.

  • As the scout motto is be prepared' the arriving teams brought with them those clever gazebos which can be put up very quickly and provide instant shade. Whatever Baden-Powell would have made of it I am not sure.
  • The morning saw the beaver scout competition with a highly competitive field of youngsters ranging in age from six to eight years old. The matches were hard fought and well supported by parents and friends alike.
  • By lunch time central Dorchester beaver scouts were victorious with Crossways as runners-up. The prizes were awarded by the chairman of Crossways parish council Cllr. Daniel Smy and the chairman of Crossways football club Alan Brown.
  • Cllr. Smy used the opportunity to thank all who had supported the event and welcomed those who have ravelled from the Dorchester district to play at Crossways. To applause he told the crowd that the playing field is here to be used by young and old and I hope to see many more events like this.'
  • He mentioned the exciting development plans for the field with the recent agreement to site a multi use games area and skatebowl together with a youth shelter. He concluded by stating that he looked forward to the tournament once again being held at Crossways in 2009.
  • The all day barbecue was manned by member of the Crossways scout group leader team and did brisk business. Bacon butties, burgers and hot dogs with teas and coffees were on hand to fortify the players and their supporters.
  • SEVERAL villagers stopped by and commented on what fun the youngsters were having. It was especially good to see neighbours from around the field pop across to say how much they enjoyed seeing energy being channelled in a positive way.
  • SEVERAL members of the church congregation came across to see us after their Whit Sunday celebration. It was also lovely to see Jo Maidment, the very kind lady who sponsored the event by paying the fee for the field.
  • The afternoon session saw the cub scouts in even greater numbers. The field was packed with people and two pitches were kept in full operation. The five a side games of ten minutes each were played in scorching sunshine.
  • In between the matches the cubs were able to cool off with bowls of cold water and sponges on hand to help. Crossways fielded a good team smartly dressed in the group strip of yellow and green.
  • Unfortunately they were not in contention for the shield this year which went to a combination team of Broadmayne and Maiden Newton. However all are to be thoroughly congratulated on their sportsmanlike attitude throughout a long and tiring day.
  • POPPING her head over the fence was rector, Jacquie Birdseye. As usual for a Sunday the hours are a blur of racing between services and I think I detected a wish that she had the time to stop for a cup of tea.
  • It had been a very busy weekend with Bishop Tim Thornton and Archdeacon Paul Taylor. The previous day they had both walked the 50 miles from Sherborne Abbey to St Aldhelm's chapel.
  • Jacquie has promised to let me know how they got on and how plans for the new church are progressing. I gather that both Bishop and Archdeacon were trying to outdo each other with tales of monster blisters on their feet !