DESPITE a bone-chilling wind, the sun shone for the formal opening of the Osmington White Horse viewing point by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers, on 12 March, signalling completion of the final stage of the restoration of the carving, and giving the public a safe parking area from which see and to learn about the monument and its history.    Representatives of all the groups who had contributed to the project were gathered on the site off the A353 which has been generously made available by Paul and Jan Critchell of White Horse Farm.   However, in view of the temperature, formalities there were kept to a minimum.   The Lord Lieutenant cut the tape around the information plinth with a few brief words, but further speeches were postponed until people had gathered in the more welcoming atmosphere of The White House, to which Geoff and Christine Codd had kindly invited the assembled company.   There, glasses were raised to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 4-year restoration project, which has involved so many elements of the local community, as well as attracting the support of national authorities and organisations..  
The Lord Lieutenant congratulated Geoff Codd, as  project chairman, on a great community achievement and Geoff, in his turn, paid tribute to all those who had contributed their time, effort and funds to make it possible.   In formally winding up the restoration project, he committed the future care of the monument to a group to be led by the Dorset Ranger Service under John Hayes and the Osmington Society, under its current chairman Sally Little, who will ensure that King George III and his favourite charger Adonis continue to dominate the local landscape for many generations to come.
For the full story of the horse and its restoration visit the project website at www.osmingtonwhitehorse.info.

IF you would like to sing with a newly forming group of songsters in Osmington, yet to be named, please get in touch.
Depending on interest and enthusiasm (and the ability to carry a tune without using a bucket), we are hoping to form a group to sing together, all types of music; just for fun and because we can.  The ability to read music isn’t essential - friendliness and a love of singing are.   We’d also like to find a pianist or a guitarist – any offers?
Contact Ian on ianhickmott53@gmail.com or Eileen on eileenbramley@hotmail.co.uk

IT’S not too soon to start thinking about Osmington’s 2013 Fete, due on Sunday, August 4.
As always, the committee relies on well-wishers from Osmington, Osmington Mills, Upton, and Ringstead to run the biggest village event of the year, and they need your help in all sorts of ways – the energy and stamina to help set the Fete up, and again to strike camp and tidy up when it’s all over, as well as cake baking skills, chutney, donations of bric-a-brac, toys, books, raffle and tombola prizes and volunteers to help run the stalls.   You can also support the cause just by coming along for a cream tea and enjoying all the fun of this traditional English Fete, so make sure that it is in your diary.
The Fete did very well last year, despite competing with all the excitement of the Olympics, and the team are hoping to beat their own record again this year by raising £6,000 to help keep the building of St Osmund’s lovely church in good repair, and to support their chosen charities.
Give Eileen a call on 01305 833108 or 07816 832554 or email eileenbramley@hotmail.co.uk – she will be delighted to hear from you.