THE Olympic Torch Relay, with all its accompanying fanfare, will be coming through Osmington on Friday, July 13, and is due to arrive at 10.22am. It will be carried by two torch bearers, Ann Daniel and Carmel Ryan, from the entrance to the village (at the Preston end) down the hill to Chapel Lane. All are welcome to line the road and cheer! Children from Frome Valley and Broadmayne schools, as well as from PGL at Osmington Bay, will be joining the throng to wave and cheer before they have their own games event and picnic in the village hall. The Sunray will be open from 8am to welcome all and sundry both before and after the relay. Hedley Kaye will be singing and playing there from 11am to 1pm. From 12 noon there will be a beer festival, and live entertainment from 8pm with a firework display from 8pm (no rockets because of our lovely thatched cottages!) The school children have entered a competition and designed the posters to be placed around the villages in the area advertising the event. The overall winning poster was designed by Jennifer from Broadmayne School and it can be seen by visiting the Osmington website www.osmington.info, together with any further information as it comes to light.

Parking in the village is very limited, so if you have to come by car, please share if you can.

IT’S not all about the Olympics this year, though – there’s a great day out to be had at the Osmington Fête, on Sunday, August 5, from 12 – 4pm.

As well as all the attractions of a traditional village fête, this year’s event will feature music from the fabulously talented local fiddler and singer Nina Garcia, who will draw on her wide repertoire with a set to suit all tastes. Festus Derriman Morris Side will be dancing in the arena to warm things up for the Fun Dog Show (does your pooch have the waggiest tail or can he/she perform an amazing trick?). Other highlights include Tug o’ War, Art, Photography, and Miniature Garden competitions – and don’t miss the famous Osmington Egg Toss! And if you build up a thirst with all that excitement, you can refresh yourself in the beer tent or visit the village hall for a sumptuous cream tea or a ploughman’s lunch.

There will be barbecues and burgers, while Kerry from Higgledy Piggery will be cooking her delicious porky products. Vegetarians will also be catered for, so there will be mouth-watering food to suit all tastes.

The stalls will feature traditional delights such as a raffle, bric-a-brac, tombola and coconut shy as well as the popular Splat the Rat, so save the date and don’t miss this wonderful family occasion.

The fête organisers always welcome volunteers to help on the day, and there is always a demand for good quality items to sell on the stalls (bric-a-brac, books, or items of pre-loved jewellery) so if you can lend a hand or donate some goods, please contact Eileen Bramley on 01305 833108 or 07816 832554