Portesham ends the year on a high! (From Dorset Echo)

Portesham ends the year on a high!

3:31pm Tuesday 29th December 2009 in

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A RECORD 68 members and friends attended the Abbotsbury and Portesham branch of the Royal British Legion ‘Pie and Mash’ supper in early December with a splendid evening of food and entertainment.

Following the supper a selection of songs, poems, comedy and music directed by Malcolm Pugh, provided some entertainment with Malcolm, Chris Rod, Jean Baker, Joyce Pugh, June Edwards and me participating.

David Clark provided the final music on his guitar with a local version of “Country Roads” sang by everyone.

• THE CHAIRMAN John Perry of the RBL Abbotsbury and Portesham branch has forwarded to me a press release as follows:- “This branch is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the County Membership Trophy and Certificate for the largest increase in membership for a small branch in the year 2009.

The award is to be presented at the County Annual Conference in Blandford on Sunday, January 10.

It is not necessary to have been a member of the armed services to be a member of the League and they have a lively programme of social and entertaining events and anyone wishing to join this successful branch, please contact the Chairman John Perry on 01305 871346 for details.

• A CHRISTMAS PARTY for the Portesham WI was well attended by members and invited guests from local WI branches.

A large table in the centre of the hall was heaving with food which was very appetising plus a bar serving mulled wine and soft drinks, members having arrived looking very smart for the theme of the evening “Dress to Impress”.

There followed an entertainment by the drama group, which created some great amusement in the audience and a quiz of photographic pictures taken of items from unusual angles, plus the well-stocked table of raffle prizes.

• PORTESHAM CHRISTMAS BARN DANCE was a huge success this year and the hall was packed and keen to dance to the band “Teasing the Cat” which has proved a firm favourite with the villagers, a 4 piece band and a caller who had his work cut out organising the dance routines!

The bar was kept busy, lots of laughs, many mistakes but all part of the fun, an American-style buffet supper and a “Portesham Mummers Play” to add to the amusement on the theme of the Battle of Trafalgar with our local hero, Captain Hardy, Nelson and Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Mummers cast were:- Graham Moore (who produced this delightful piece), Peter Craggs, Simon Titley, Chris Rod and John Surowiec and this production injected local tradition into a hugely successful evening.

Everyone left the hall at the end of the evening feeling elated and ready to celebrate the Christmas season.

• MONDAY, January 4 sees the commencement of the Portesham Bridge Club sessions in the Ron Doble room in the village hall at 1.30pm.

• THE DIAMOND Club whist drive season will start on Wednesday, January 6 at 2.00pm in the Methodist Church Hall.

• THE WALKING Group commence their 2010 programme of monthly walks on Thursday, January 7 meeting at 10.00am in Winters Close - any queries please contact Mary Robins on 01305 871408.

The short walk will continue on the 3rd Thursday of the month if there is enough demand and most of us should make the effort to get some exercise following the excesses of the Christmas season and get fit for 2010!.

• ON that note I would like to wish all my readers a very happy, peaceful and healthy New Year.