• IT is good to know that Martinstown WI is still playing a vital role in the life of the village community and beyond the Parish boundaries too. This was definitely the case when the opportunity to join members on their annual outing resulted in a full coach load leaving the village in perfect weather conditions. This really was heaven sent considering that the main objective happened to be a cruise around Poole Harbour, where amazingly there are a total of nine islands including a few hosting a des res hideaway, while another gives proof to a successful oil drilling project and pipeline to a distant refinery.

The largest is Brownsea Island, owned by the National Trust, which saw most of the party land rather than stay on board for the rest of the cruise on the way to Poole. Glowing reports were given of the sighting of one of those famously elusive red squirrels, when it seems that they were raiding the bird feeders for nuts. Happily the less walk orientated members were catered for as The National Trust supplies a comfortable seated trailer to take people on a tour of the island, stopping at viewing points along the way, although the lagoon is not included. It is a wonderful place to observe bird life, including on occasion the Avocets, which winter there.

The coach met the party at Poole where sadly the famous pottery is no longer situated, although there was an opportunity to make a purchase in one of the retail outlets. On looking around it seemed that most of the party were enjoying the chance to relax with an ice-cream. Thanks were expressed to Margaret Hearing for her hard work organising this event.

  • THE July WI meeting will take place on Monday, July 13 at 7.45pm in the village hall when Mrs Jill Bryant will be giving a talk entitled 'Laurence, Laurence & Moreton Church' and visitors will be welcome to attend after the business of the meeting has concluded. This talk will be followed by a visit to Moreton Church itself at 3pm on Wednesday, August 12.

THE Martinstown WI members were once again in action when they held their fund-raising event with a Made in Martinstown stall on the village green, when once again the weather, like the support, was excellent. Thanks to all who came along to support this event and who were amazed at the outstanding selection of goods on offer. Not only the expected traditional cakes and jams but also fruit, flowers and other garden produce. Better still was the craftwork, including some most professionally produced notelets from a very talented Jean who will take orders for more.

Nice to see our Community Police Officer, Sarah, finding time to fit a visit into her busy schedule. That the event was a success was given proof by the beaming smile on Treasurer Jan's face. Grateful thanks from Martinstown WI to all who supported this event, especially the customers and maybe it will encourage more ladies to join this flourishing group.

  • THAT very special Prince of Wales School in Dorchester has been delving into the history of WW2 in contrast to their wonderfully imaginative Iron Age village. Dig for Victory has been on the pupils agenda and a flourishing vegetable garden bears witness to Lauries greatly successful enthusiasm as he works with the pupils.

Naturally some farming was on the agenda which is why I was persuaded to shake the mothballs out of my WLA uniform when I was invited to go along and chat to the pupils and what a wonderful experience it proved to be. I was left full of admiration for the dedicated work, which is being carried out in such an imaginative way of teaching those children who may not be so academically gifted as others. What is more to the point, it really does work. Well, if it came to the matter of survival after a disaster I know who I would put my money on and I would be off like a shot to join Laurie and those fantastic children.

Well done Prince of Wales School.

  • SADLY, with a clashing of events, I was unable to attend a workshop at the village hall regarding the welfare of the population of voles along the Winterborne streams. All know that the vole is really Ratty of Wind in the Willows fame.

However, I did learn that they do not like fast flowing water but a gently ambling stream with nice banks and those little islands of river vegetation. Hopefully, the Martinstown riparian owners will not be too fussy about removing river weeds from within their patch and of course that goes for the DDC as well. A plea to them that hopefully they will concentrate their efforts on clearing the local bridleway for I fear that one of these days I will become trapped on my daily walk with Fern and my bleached bones will be found only as the vegetation declines.

  • MAKE a note of the Winterborne Valley School Summer Fair 11am-2pm on Saturday, June 27 in the school playing field.

LOVELY to see that our Vicar John has settled in with his wife, Rebecca. A warm welcome from us all.