The village hall stomps again (From Dorset Echo)

The village hall stomps again

11:27pm Sunday 20th March 2011 in Community

On Saturday, March 12, the Sunset Café Stompers made a very welcome return to the village hall for an evening of their foot-tapping New Orleans Jazz. With a full house, the hall was suitably decorated for a jazz party atmosphere. Whether listening or dancing, a packed and enthusiastic audience were entertained by this popular band, whilst the bar and hot snacks provided welcome refreshment.

This is now an established annual event which, this year, raised over £700 towards the costs of the recent redecoration of the hall. Keith Pratt, who organised the event on behalf of the hall trustees, expressed thanks to all who supported this event and to the Smugglers Inn, Craig’s Farm Dairies, Waitrose, Dorchester Hair Studio, and the trustees and friends of the hall for donating all the raffle prizes.

The Stompers will be returning next year on Saturday, March 10 - put the date in your diary now.

• PLEASE support the Parish Council in their annual spring clean effort, in association with the district council and other local parishes, to clear the local roadsides and surroundings of litter on Saturday, April 2. As many people as possible are asked to gather at the village hall car park from 9.15 am. Sacks and gloves will be provided and individual areas allocated.
• A PLANT sale in aid of St Osmund’s Church is going to be held on Sunday, May 8 from 2pm to 4pm in Osmington Village Hall. Any unwanted plants, shrubs or vegetables are requested. Maybe you have some surplus seedlings, could split a clump that has become too big, or could strike some cuttings?

Refreshments, a raffle and a Home-made produce stall will all be there. Any plant, produce or raffle-prize donations will be gratefully received (please label plants if possible to aid identification). The hall will be open from midday on the day of the sale for delivery of any items. Collection of items can also be arranged- please contact Denise Flinn (835640), Tracey Reed (832687) or Caroline Stevenson (832222) for details.

Throughout the preceding week, there will also be a Scarecrow Competition. Entry/ Voting forms for this will be available from Betty Abbott at Cosy Cottage and will also be downloadable from the Osmington Online website, www.osmington.info. The entry fee is £1.00 and the prize will be awarded to the person or group who collect most votes for their scarecrow (at 50p/vote). Scarecrows should ideally be displayed for the full week before May 8 to allow time for voting, and the results will be announced at the plant sale. All proceeds will also be in aid of St Osmund’s Church funds.

Happy sowing/scarecrow-making!!

• OSMINGTON Recorded Music Society has enjoyed healthy attendances recently and continues to attract new members, which is very encouraging.

Programmes in February began with “Pick ’n’ Mix” by Arthur and Margaret Werrett. Among other choices, Margaret included the classic piece for treble voice “O for the Wings of a Dove” and the voice of Dominique, the Singing Nun, while Arthur’s contribution was entitled “The French Connection” and included Bizet, Saint Saens, Berlioz and Offenbach. On 21 February, Ken Stone of Wimborne Recorded Music Society presented “Fortissimo, Pianissimo, Fortissimo”. There was plenty to quicken the pulse and stir the blood, from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor to the Vaughan Williams arrangement of the hymn “The Old Hundredth.” The pianissimo elements of the programme included “The Rustle of Spring” by Sinding and a piece for bassoon “Variations on Lucy Long” by Frederick Godfrey.

March’s programme plan included “A St David’s Celebration” from Geraldine Morgan, a new presenter, followed by Jim Davis of Dorchester Hospital Radio with “The Beethoven Symphonies as Written” on 21 March.

For April, the recitals continue with a joint presentation by Joan and Geoff Linton from Shaftesbury Music for Enjoyment club on Monday, April 4. Their programme will in fact be split into two halves - “On the Lighter Side” and “Across the Pond”. Joan and Geoff can always be relied upon for a cracking afternoon’s entertainment. April 18 sees a welcome return visit by Gilbert Satterthwaite, an astronomer and very great friend. His programme will have the apt title “Music of the Spheres” and will include a few surprises.

The end of the season looms with the AGM on May 23, preceded on May 9 by a visit from Basil Devenish-Meares of the Weymouth Classical Recorded Music Society, presenting a programme of complete works.

Meetings start at 2.15pm on alternate Mondays and last for about two hours - refreshments are included. For more information call Brian Bishop on 833225, or e-mail blbishop@waitrose.com.

• The recent season of Tuesday night pub quizzes at The Smugglers, Osmington Mills has proved to be a popular event. On March 8, the all-star team of Osmington Wenches finally took the honours.

The last quiz night before the summer break will be on the 12th April. Entry is £1.50 per team member and on this night, all entry proceeeds will go Naomi House which is a fantastic children’s charity (more information at www.naomihouse.org).