KEY STAGE 2 pupils from Portesham Primary School joined over 102,000 others to create a new Guinness world record for the most people signing and singing at the same time.

With the help of Olli the monkey on a DVD, the children had been learning to sign and sing the New Seekers song “I’d like to teach the world to sing” and at 2.45pm on Wednesday, February 9 they joined with hundreds of other schools to smash the previous world record of 13,000.

  • PORTESHAM school are asking for unwanted clothes, shoes (tied together please), bags, belts, bedding, soft toys and curtains for their Bag2School initiative. The last collection raised £240, so take advantage of this opportunity to have a spring clean and help raise funds for the school at the same time!

Please drop bags off at the school by 9.30am on Wednesday, March 16 or ring Jackie on 871832 to arrange a collection.

  • THE SCHOOL are also asking for help in collecting vouchers from Sainsbury and Tesco stores to help them purchase sports and other equipment.

Please hand them into the school office.

  • WEATHER permitting, Portesham school will be having their morning assembly at 10.30am at St Peter’s Church, Portesham on Monday, 7 March as part of their regular half termly visits to the church. Family and friends are always welcome.
  • EXCITEMENT in the village is building as the World Championship synchronized pancake tossing to music event draws near!

It takes place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 8 in Portesham Village Hall at St Peter’s Church Fish ‘n’ Chip supper.

Tickets at £7.50 sold out on the first day of sale but contact Liz Draper on 871316 for any returns. Price includes fish and chips and pudding. A licensed bar will be available.

We hope to have a full report next week!

  • ST PETER’S church, Portesham will again be having a display of lilies at Easter time. If anyone would like to make a contribution towards the lilies in remembrance of family or friends please contact Liz Draper on 871316.
  • ST PETER’S church is also the venue for one of the five Lent Safari lunches taking place between Monday, March 14 and Monday, April 11 at 12.30 – 2pm.

Please contact Rev Ada Whittock on 871217 for more details.

  • CHESIL Scout group will be holding a jumble sale at Portesham Village Hall on Saturday, 19 March from 2.30 to 4pm.

Admission is 20p and tea and coffee will also be available.

Clean jumble can be brought to the hall between 5.45 and 8pm the day before, Friday, 18 March.

  • THE DIAMOND club will be holding their AGM at 2.30pm on Tuesday, March 15 at Portesham Village Hall when they hope to have a list of trips and events taking place.

Also at the village hall on Monday, March 14 the RBL Women’s section will be hosting a “Feather Stitching” event – an original Dorset craft. 7.30pm start.

  • CONCERNS have been raised over the start of demolition of the precinct of the bus shelter in Bramdon Lane with the planning application still awaiting approval. With such an infrequent bus service the shelter is a much needed village amenity.
  • FINALLY I’d like to send a huge thank you to Val Hensby for the many articles she has written about Portesham for the Your News pages and the help and information she has given me. I’m sure I shall be picking her brains for many months to come!