Martinstown

  • MANY years have passed since those days when people travelling throughout rural areas were fascinated by the appearance of those mystical crop circles, which became ever more extravagant as time went on.

Not quite so entertaining for the farmers whose crops were damaged by an ever increasing variety of designs carried out in the dead of night.

A much more imaginative celebration of the moon mission's fortieth anniversary appeared on a local farm recently.

Here two space-suited figures can be seen striding across the skyline in a most convincing manner! If they keep going they could well meet up with that dinosaur on that other farm!

Congratulations to these wonderful folk who spare time from their hard work to give the rest of us something to smile about.

  • THE same could be said of the bellringers who recently spent a day in St Martin's Church, superbly ringing the changes. It certainly made my task of weeding the garden easier.

It was dedication to that task that made me completely forget the WI lunch date at the Brewers Arms & with my mobile stuck on the kitchen table all efforts to contact me sadly failed. A tragedy as I missed out on an enjoyable occasion when members were joined by at least four brave husbands.

  • MEANWHILE the Parish Council has been working hard on our behalf to judge by their agenda, which plans to deal with the eroding of the banks bordering the Winterborne stream.

Most of this is due to the volume of heavy vehicles, including the larger modern day tractors. These, of course, have a perfect right to use the road, more than can be said for those heavy lorries which use it as a shortcut to Weymouth via Upwey.

  • AT the recent AGM of the Parish Council Patrick Jeffery was re-elected as chairman, a wise choice.

The village itself must be more than happy with their council members since only four parishioners were present on that occasion when it was interesting to learn that the Brewers Arms has approval to turn the skittle alley into holiday accommodation.

A sign of changing times when thinking how it was once the centre of village activities, especially when Martinstown was cut off by heavy snow.

  • A HEALTHY lifestyle is obviously top of the agenda for several people with the planned provision of at least four allotments to the western end of the village. One cannot beat the flavour of vegetables making their way straight from the garden to the dinner table.
  • MOST villagers of long standing must have learnt of the recent death of Jean Maclean, in Benderloch, near Oban, in Scotland, and remember the days when she and Rhona Bruce were the owners of Park House Residential Home.

The January meeting of the WI took place here since a few of the older members, including Janet Coffin & Norah Taylor, were residents, which made these meetings a bit more special especially if a gentle fancy dressing up was involved.

On one occasion the Victorian era proved most sucessful. Naturally it was always rounded off with a display of Scottish dancing by Rhona, who soon had most joining in with her.

Those who wish to remember Jean in a practical way may do so by sending their contributions to the British Heart Foundation, which is a good way to give thanks for happy memories.

  • THE enterprising Bride Valley Youth Club have produced a British Isles Quiz, cost £1, closing date September 30. Available in local points and the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre.