SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax will join Parish Council chairman Mike Read to light Osmington’s Christmas tree at 4.30 on Saturday, December 1, in the grounds of the Sunray.  The event is part of a two day Christmas Carol festival sponsored by the Friends of the Parish with the cooperation of the Sunray management.  An open-air market will be open on the Saturday and on Sunday, December 2, from 12 - 5.30pm each day.  A great festive occasion is promised, with novelties, fancy goods, crafts, toys, food, mulled wine and mince pies on sale, plus plenty of seasonal action.  Santa Claus is booked until 4pm each day, and there will be a feast of music from 3 till 5pm – on Saturday from the Durnovaria Silver Band, St Andrew's School Choir and Dorset for Singing, and on Sunday with the Millstreet Jazz Band.   The Sunray will host Santa's Christmas Party for children 3 - 5pm on the Sunday.    All profits go to local charities and to the upkeep of St. Osmund’s parish church.
ALSO to help raise funds for St. Osmund’s Church, a fun quiz night will be held at Osmington Village Hall on Saturday, December 8, from 6pm till 9.30pm.  The cost will be £5 for adults (£2.50 for children), including a ploughman’s supper.  There will be a licensed bar and a raffle - if anyone would like to donate a raffle prize, it would be greatly appreciated.  Tickets are available from June Reed (01305 814472) or Hilary Ballard (01305 832168).
AS previously forecast, December sees an extended Arts & Crafts fayre in Osmington Village Hall on Saturday 15, open from 1pm until 5pm.  It should be a great day, full of Christmas festive cheer with a great array of stalls – there may even be hot toddies to keep out the cold.   To add a musical note, the Christmas Sparkles choir (a section of the popular Quangle Wangle choir) will be there around 4pm for some seasonal carol singing.   For more information, please contact the event organiser Naomi Vincent on 07833 410552
THE Osmington Society is hoping to raise approximately £500 to renovate the Osmington Village Pump. The work will include replacing the handle and top of the pump and the repainting of it, fitting a replacement vintage trough and tidying the stonework.
Donations can be made to the Osmington Society by cash or cheque and sent to Jane Lock, Purple Haze, Chapel Lane, Osmington, (01305 835777).