THE roadsides of Osmington played host to a varied selection of exotic individuals in May, when residents competed in a scarecrow competition, held in association with a garden sale day in aid of church funds. Congratulations are deserved by all those who took part in creating such an artistic gathering, but especially to Emma and Alexandra Stevenson of Osmington Mills, whose bride and groom entry won them first prize for the second year running. Well done!

Thanks and congratulations are also due to the team of Denise Flynn, Caroline Cheeseman and Tracey Reed, who organised the whole event, with the garden sale making a contribution of over £500 to St. Osmund’s funds.

  • TO complete a successful day, on the evening after the garden sale, a crowd of cool cats got in the groove and let it all hang out at the 60s/70s disco in the village hall. The music was far out and the energy electric. The period clothes the dancers glammed-up in may yet feature in Crimewatch under the heading “crimes against fashion” - to see the pictures, why not log on to the Osmington website www.osmington.info
  • AN inaugural meeting of all those interested in forming a new youth club was held on April 20, chaired by Terry Vine from the Dorset Youth Association. The committee was voted in, Phil Symes is the primary Youth Worker, and the team is full of ideas to make this a great facility for the young people of Osmington. Accordingly, the village hall will open its doors to young people aged 8 – 17 years old on Tuesday, June 8, from 7pm – 9pm. The team is looking forward to welcoming them all to the first session of the new Osmington Youth Club.
  • The second season of programmes from the Osmington Recorded Music Society ended on May 10 with the AGM, followed by a short recital by Arthur and Margaret Werrett. It was announced that there is to be no change to the annual subscription, and that the committee are looking at increasing the number of programmes, possibly starting in September and going on later in the Spring. Full details of these changes, and a complete list of programmes for next season, will be produced as soon as possible, with members being kept fully informed.

Several committee changes were announced, with chairman Brian Bishop standing down in order to concentrate on the role of secretary, and deputy chairman David McCririck taking the chairman’s post. Isabella Jones has taken over as deputy chairman, and two new committee members, Dudley Harris and Anne Cleveland, were brought on board, giving the Society a full complement of officers and committee members. Society President John Davis has agreed to continue in his post for the coming year.

Arthur and Margaret Werrett sent everyone home happy with a programme that included plenty of Haydn, a stirring “Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a quartet of balalaikas and a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody. For information about the Society, ring Brian Bishop on 833225, or e.mail blbishop@waitrose.com.

  • AT the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on May 11, Mike Reed was elected as the new Chairman in succession to Michael Hart, with Nick Ireland as Vice-Chairman. The various other officers agreed to continue in their posts.
  • NAOMI Vincent, at The Haven on Village Street, has now taken over as booking secretary for the village hall. For all future bookings or enquiries regarding hall availability, please contact Naomi on 07521966252, or e-mail naomivincent@rocketmail.com.