ST. OSMUND’S church will be holding its annual Patronal Festival on Sunday, July 10, with choral evensong at 6.30pm, followed as usual by a social gathering with refreshments. The choir from All Saints, Wyke Regis will be joining the choirs from our own benefice to lead the singing, and the visiting preacher will be the Reverend Deb Smith, Vicar of All Saints.

I AM indebted to Eileen for the following inspiring verses: "The Village Fete is coming, it’s looking pretty good - We’ve got games and fun and bouncing things, cream teas and other food.

We’ve got burger vans and popcorn stands, and candy floss to sell, Lots of stalls, with lots to do - and Splat the Rat as well!

The pubs are shaping up to get the Tug o’ War in gear, The Dog Show’s taking centre stage - the highlight of the year.

The Beer Tent’s all arranged now, ‘twas the first thing on the list, ‘Cause we’ve heard that thirsty villagers – um – er – well, they might like a drink! Or two!"

So don’t forget – Sunday, August 7, 12.00 to 4pm. Regrettably the art competition has had to be cancelled, but the photographic one is still very much alive, with a theme of ‘Dorset Landscape’ and entries at the Hall on the day. There are still plenty of opportunities to be part of the team, so if you can help to man (or woman) a stall or a game, or have any queries, please get in touch with Eileen on 01305 833108 or 07816 832554, or email eileenbramley@hotmail.co.uk.

MAY 23 saw the end of the third season of the Osmington Recorded Music Society, with its AGM and a short programme – “End of Term High Jinks” - from the chairman, David McCririck, who was also able to announce that, because of the society’s success, next season’s subscription rate would be reduced from £15.00 to £12.00, with proportionate reductions in part-season rates and visitors’ fees. It is hoped that this will attract even more members.

Farewells were said to Arthur and Margaret Werrett, who are leaving the area. Both the chairman and the secretary expressed their appreciation of the support and hard work that Arthur and Margaret had put in to the society in the past three years. Their departure created a vacancy on the committee, and Serenna Davies was elected to fill the vacant post. The chairman also expressed his appreciation of the help and support that he had received from the committee during his first year in the chair.

The chairman’s “High Jinks” contained many surprises, including the Dudley Moore Trio and a “stride” pianist, Donald Lambert, giving a jazzy twist to various classical pieces. This trend continued with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra from Trinidad playing “The Dance of the Hours” by Ponchielli, and “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin. Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald sang excerpts from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, which contrasted with Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy American eccentric who thought she could sing and who was so truly awful that her concerts were always a sell-out. The programme ended with two movements from Mozart’s 4th Horn Concerto played on a rare instrument, the “hornbone”, literally a cross between a French horn and a trombone.

Brian Bishop will launch the society’s fourth season on September 19, with his programme “Will You, Won’t You Join the Dance?” - a pot-pourri of music from around the world inspired by dance. And if you have ever wondered where the word “Cajun” comes from, as in Cajun chicken, and what on Earth that has to do with music, come along to the village hall to find out! Anyone requiring information about the society can ring Brian Bishop on 833225 or e-mail blbishop@waitrose.com.

THE parochial church council are keen to explore the possibility of installing a solar photo-voltaic cell array on the roof of St Osmund’s church. It would be on the lower part of the south facing roof, below the parapet and not all visible to anyone (except in a helicopter!). The existing Feed-In-Tariff scheme means that not only would it be generating electricity for the local community, but it would provide a much needed income stream for the parish.

The PCC has applied for funding from Energyshare, and the more supporters that can be identified, the better the chance of receiving a grant. Please take the time to register your support, which can be done via the Osmington website (www.osmington.info)