THANKS to the Parish Council a public meeting had been arranged in the village hall where display boards showed detailed plans for the proposed Park and Ride to be located at the Monkeys Jump site. It seems that there would be 953 car parking spaces, 30 cycle spaces and public toilets. The whole area is to be screened by tree planting.

A steady stream of local Valley residents were there to view the plans and make their written comments made known to the WDDC with suitable comments with regard to the dubious relocation of County Hall and town centre car parks to Monkeys Jump.

Hopefully local views will win the day or will all be totally ignored. There has been a suggestion that it would be useful if our parish councillor made their views known and declared any personal interests in this scheme.

Valley residents were very concerned that traffic trying to avoid any Park and Ride queues would take the route through the villages to the bypass or Weymouth road.

NORMALLY the Martinstown Village Hall AGM attracts a little more than one representative from every organisation using the hall. However, this was a very special occasion to make a presentation to Ann Matthews who was retiring after serving eighteen years as the village hall committee chairman.

Under her truly inspirational dedicated leadership the hall and its facilities has become the envy of many other Dorset villages.

Improvements over the years have resulted in a well used play area, car parking facilities and a patio, not to mention those wonderful hanging baskets and plant container. The most outstanding achievements of all must surely be that modern well-equipped kitchen.

Good to know that Ann will remain as a committee member, which brought a look of great relief to the the new chairman Vince Jones.

Tessa Clark was also thanked for her hard work as the keeper of the keys and to mention juggling with the demands for hall bookings.

ANYONE reluctant to explore the countryside on their own is more than welcome on the Mileater fortnightly walks.

Just give Margaret a ring on 889346.

NEXT WI meeting is on Wednesday, May 11 at 6.30pm.

Mrs Patricia Goodwin will give a talk on fashion “Putting on the Blitz”, pre-war 30s, 40s and 50s.

WI outing to Sidmouth is on Wednesday, June 8. Details from Eileen on 889459.