WHAT could be more typically English than to celebrate St George’s Day than sitting in the garden in the spring sunshine enjoying a cup of tea while my modest little flag fluttered from the clothes post as did the ones on the village hall flagpole and St Martin's church tower.

The sound of church bells provided the finishing touch to a patriotic afternoon thanks to those dedicated ringers who well deserved the reward of tea in the village hall.

UNFORTUNATELY family commitments prevented me from attending the evening concert of English music and recitations in the village church, so I am unable to report on what must have been a wonderful outpouring of talents.

Neither can I say just how many roses would have been worn with patriotic pride. At the moment the only flowers flourishing in my own garden & no doubt many others are the prolific explosion of dandelions.

THE lovely little church of St Simon & St Jude at Winterborne Monkton was recently filled to capacity for the funeral service for Elsie Frances Hallett.

That she had so admirably played her role as mother and grandmother was proved by those wonderfully moving tributes paid by each generation of the family. It was fitting that she should have been laid to rest in that peaceful churchyard near Maiden Castle for she was as much a part of our county history as those who watched from those mighty ramparts centuries ago.

The connection with Martinstown lies in the fact that Elsie's daughter-in-law, Alison, runs the Martinstown Guide Company. We may not always let Alison and Fiona know how much we appreciate their dedicated hard work so it may well be a suitable opportunity to include 'thank you' with our sympathies.

THE recent Martinstown Village Hall AGM saw every organisation represented, with the Valley Club members sprinting in after their garden centre visit had overlapped with the start of it.

The hall is in very great demand as a venue for a wide variety of meetings and other functions especially since the refurbishment resulting in a state of the art kitchen and other catering facilities. Even so, chairman Ann Matthews will not be happy until she gets a new set of saucepans.

THANKS to Ann Salmon for arranging the Artsreach productions which attract a maximum attendance from a far reaching area.

The profits from these allowed many improvements to be made to things like the stage curtains.

Sadly, Short Mat Bowls seems to have come to an end due to lack of interest in the younger members of the community who cannot hold a candle to ninety-year-old Ted who is still on target.

Equipment may have to be sold since it takes up valuable storage space.

MEANWHILE, the Martinstown WI will move to the vacant Wednesday evening slot which will provide an earlier start to meetings for both members and speakers alike.

A great benefit in the winter months.

THE Blanchard Trust have made thier Village Project the provision of a Loop System for the village hall.

A wonderful idea since many who are a little hard of hearing do not bother to attend things that they would otherwise enjoy.

To this end the Trust will be holding a fund-raising barbecue on Saturday, June 19 in the garden thus adding to the attraction of the occasion and I am certain that the previous owner will look down with approval.

FINALLY, a big thank you from all users of the hall who are apt to take for granted the fact that it is always sparkling with cleanliness throughout every nook and cranny.

Linda does a fantastic job - much appreciated by every single one of us who uses the hall.

Thank you also to our bookings secretary, Tessa Clark, who can be contacted on 889493 between 9am-8pm.