• Predictably St Martin's Church was full to overflowing when villagers from far and wide joined family and friends on the occasion of the funeral service for Harry Bowering.

Henry Thomas Bowering, or Harry, as he was always known, was born in 1911 and apart from his war service spent most of his life in Martinstown. Even his war service in the army proved to be a bonus, for during this time he met his Yorkshire born wife, Ethel, who became his beloved companion and wife for over fifty years.

Pre World War Two Harry worked as kennelman for the Cattistock Hunt and cut quite a dashing figure when he rode to keep the hounds in order and how he did enjoy his day out only last year when a friend drove him to follow the hunt for what was to be the last time. Now, without any disrespect, Harry has, in a way, 'gone to earth' himself.

Harry served the village of Martinstown both as a parish councillor and also as a member of the Blanchard Trust, a local charity founded to render aid to any villager in an emergency. Post war years saw Harry employed by the Ministry of Works as custodian of Maiden Castle and The Nine Stones at Winterbourne Abbas.

A visit to the castle was not complete without calling at the little wooden hut to pass the time of day with him and maybe buy a picture postcard or two. Those in the know suspected that Harry's successes at the local garden shows owed much to the way his seeds were nurtured in lovely fine soil, so different from our own chalky dirt. Will we ever really know for certain if it was the Maiden Castle moles which provided the contents of those little bags of earth strapped to Harry's bicycle carrier each work day? One thing is for certain, had Harry been a few years younger the Martinstown Garden and Craft Society would still be a flourishing concern to this day.

Those who accepted the family's invitation to join them after the funeral found that memories of Harry brought many a smile as old photos were circulated and anecdotes exchanged. Harry and Ethel's son, Howard, can take comfort in the fact that he has been a wonderfully supportive son who ensured that his parents were able to stay in their own home. What a wonderful example to set us all for without such families our whole community would be so much the poorer.

  • Having an influx of visitors I was unable to attend the licensing service for the Rev Prebendary John Good as Team Vicar and the Rev Harold Stephens as Priest in charge of the Benefice at St Martins, but I gather it was a memorable occasion. So was a celebratory lunch at the weekend. Again I have to blame family commitments for missing out on what must have been a wonderful occasion.
  • I have been asked to mention the WI outing to be held on Monday, June 8, with a coach trip to Poole Quay and a cruise around Poole Harbour with an opportunity to visit Brownsea Island and return to Poole by one of the regular boats. Those not wishing to land on Brownsea will carry on to spend the remainder of the day in Poole and visit the Pottery or shopping centre.

Our WI members are also blessed with a number of talents, which are not confined to the traditional making of delicious jams and cakes, although the proof of those skills will become apparent when members man their 'Made in Martinstown' stall on the village green between 2pm-4pm on Saturday, June 13.

The National Federation of Womens Institutes decided to compile a book of walks with each county contributing. Martinstown appointed Margaret Barden and Maureen Marchant to organise a walk for Martinstown and to everyones' delight the Martinstown walk has been accepted for the book.

  • On a sympathetic note all best wishes for a speedy recovery for those about to have the painful experience of replacement joints. No names mentioned but the future will reveal their identities by the spring in their step and beaming smiles.

The dates for the Community Support Officer Sarah's visits will be revealed as soon as she lets me know when she visits both the Farm Shop & Manor Grove Community Room.