• IT seems like a good idea to write some village news whilst keeping an eye out for this eclipse of the sun supposed to be visible from Dorset.

However, the cloud blanket as yet shows no sign of lifting higher than a hopeful glean towards the next county boundary.

Having been whisked away to spend Christmas with number one son and family I missed out on Martinstown under its blanket of snow. I did, however, catch up with the very many kindly acts that seem to be the natural order of things in our community at such times.

  • SHOULD the editor of the Echo doubt the value of the Your News pages he is more than welcome to read the comments on my Christmas cards from friends around the area who often tell me that they know certain facts from reading the village news.

Happy New Year editor, and please keep up the good work that helps so many of us keep in touch.

  • THE village panto, Little Red Riding Hood, will be performed on February 11 and 12.

Call Ann Matthews 01305 889248 for your tickets. It’s advisable to book as early as you can or you could miss out on some fantastic entertainment!

  • ON a spiritual note the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will soon be taking place, when people of all Christian traditions are invited to come together.

The one’s to be held in St Martin’s Church are as follows:- Thursday, January 18, 8.30am, Morning Prayer, 12 noon, Midday prayers, followed by a lunch of soup, bread and cheese. Sunday, January 23, 6pm, Service prepared by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Tuesday, January 25, 8.30am, Morning Prayer, 12 noon, Midday Prayers followed by a lunch of soup, bread and cheese.

  • WOMEN’S Institute meet on Wednesday, January 12, 6.45pm in the village hall.

The speaker will be Victoria Lawford on “Victorian Closet,” a unique dress agency.

Visitors are always welcome.

  • THE Valley Club will be given a talk on Gardening for Wildlife by James Foster Pegg of the Poundbury Garden Centre on Monday, January 17, 8pm, in the village hall.
  • FREE film evening showing Crocodile Dundee at the Brewers Arms on Sunday, January 30, 7.30pm.
  • COMMUNITY policewoman, Sarah Pilcher will be at Steven’s Farm Shop, 1pm-2pm and Manor Court Community Centre, 2pm-3pm on Wednesday, January 12.