RECENTLY Holy Trinity Church, in Dorchester, was filled with those who had joined the family for the Requiem Mass for Dennis Norcombe.

Amongst the congregation were many from Martinstown since Dennis and his wife Margaret were two of the founder members of the Martinstown Mileaters.

It is hard to believe that the first walk took place in 1995, although to put the record straight, the Mileaters did evolve from the Martinstown WI walkers who started the ball rolling in 1990. No doubt husbands felt they would get lost without the female expertise in map reading.

However, as a result we have all been left with the very happy memory of not only Dennis and the Mars Bar but also his close encounter with a duck pond!

Special sympathies to Margaret and sons Adrian and Michael and families and as long as Mileater boots tread the footpaths of Dorset, Dennis will be remembered with a smile.

ALTHOUGH that very special village panto is not due to be staged until next February there is definitely a buzz of activity in the village hall on a Sunday afternoon.

This is when those dedicated thespians are engaged in rehearsals.

HALLOWE’EN sent shivers up my spine when a gathering of ghostly figures materialised on my doorstep.

The effort they had made in dressing-up and make-up was just fantastic.

Well done indeed all you mothers and children.

MARTINSTOWN WI members will be in a crafty mode at their next meeting on Wednesday, November 10, at 6.45pm.

The challenge will be “So you think you can’t draw?”

After a session run by Joan Haine everyone will be sure of carrying home a masterpiece worth framing.

All are reminded to bring a 2b or HB pencil, a ruler and a rubber.

Visitors are always welcome to attend a meeting.

COMMUNITY Beat Officer Sarah Pilcher will be in Martinstown on Wednesday, November 10.

She will be at Stevens Farm Shop, 1pm-2pm, and then Manor Court Community Centre from 2pm-3pm.

THE Martinstown Craft and Gift Fair is on Sunday, November 21, 10.30am-3.30pm, in the village hall.

This year it is in support of Marie Curie CancerCare.

MARTINSTOWN Guides Christmas Fair will take place in the village hall on Sunday, December 5, 11am-4pm.

MARTINSTOWN Patronal Festival will be celebrated with a community supper at the Brewers Arms, 6pm for 6.30pm.

The supper will be stew and dumplings and the cost will be £5 for adults, accompanied children free.