WHAT a contrast to last year’s snow and ice for the very successful village carol singing on 22 December this year! Over 60 people joined in accompanied by fabulous music from Graham Moore’s concertina and Leslie Smith’s trumpet.

The King’s Arms was the starting point with mulled wine and mince pies courtesy of Phil and Pat – very many thanks – and after progressing part way through the village more mulled wine was enjoyed at Geoff and Lorna Hawton’s house. Again a massive thank you for providing so much for so many at such short notice!

Following yet more singing many returned to the pub for an excellent supper, a few more carols and more alcohol!

£110 was raised for The Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester. Well done to everyone involved.

DORS-TO-INDIA, a local charity supporting underprivileged families in South Indian coastal villages, will be hosting the village cafe this Saturday, 21 January at the village hall where all the usual goodies will be on offer between 10 am and 12 noon. Please come along and support them there or you can also support them by joining Des and Jean Baker for a fully escorted 8 day tour of Northern Portugal from 13 to 20 May, travelling by scheduled flight, luxury coach and river cruiser.

Please contact them for details and a full itinerary on 01305 267617. All profits to be shared between the Poppy Appeal and Dors to India, both registered charities.

If you’d like to stay a little closer to home then why not join the RBL on an escorted 3 day tour visiting the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas from 28 to 30 April.

The Memorial Park honours the fallen and is emerging as a world-renowned centre for remembrance.

Again contact Des Baker on the above number for details. Profits from this trip will be in aid of branch funds and branch chairman’s fund.

This is the fourteenth year Des and Jean have been involved in running tours independently or on behalf of the Legion.

A PROFESSIONAL production of the pantomime Sleeping Beauty takes place at Portesham school this Friday, 20 January at 6pm. Tickets costing £3 for adults and £1 for children are available by contacting the school office on 01305 871283.