Festivities raise money for local charities (From Dorset Echo)

Festivities raise money for local charities

1:03pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Community

Although it seems a long time ago now, Christmas on the Green was certainly an evening to remember. The five local businesses at Chalbury Corner - Chalbury Wine Stores, Get Cycling, Head Style and Goadsbys teamed up with the Spar Shop along Preston Road to put on quite an extravaganza in ideal weather.

It was a lovely traditional start to the festive season, with a colouring competition for the children (I’ll let you know the winners) and the arrival of Santa, plus sizzling sausages, mulled wine and carols led by the Preston Pantomime Group all around a roaring fire in front of a brightly lit tree.

And last but not least, a marvellous total of £600 was raised which will shared between the Preston Village Hall, in memory of Roxanne Moss who sadly passed away recently, the Claire Clements Trust and the Weldmar Trust. Well done to everyone who contributed to make the event such a success.

The mention of the Preston Pantomime Group reminds me that they their latest offering, ‘Bluebeard’, will be taking place on Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 February in the Village Hall.

Andy Nineham says that this pantomime has a long history going back as far as at least 1816 – no, I don’t mean about quarter past six in the evening – but he assures me the PPG have added their own bang up to date interpretation to the script. I’ll try to sneak into a rehearsal and let you know what’s going on, but if you can’t wait, ring 834410 for tickets.

In the past it was always touch and go whether daffodils would bloom in time for me to wear one on the first day in March, St David’s Day, the patron saint of Wales. But this year large clumps of daffodils are already blooming in a neighbour’s garden, and have been doing so for well over a week. Mine aren’t out yet, so perhaps she has especially green fingers or could it be the dreaded global warming?

The Extra Special Bonus Christmas draw of the St Andrew’s School 200 club took place in Mr Cobb's Year 2 class.

Phoebe Wilson drew the £150 prize for Val Midmore, Jemima Crossey helped Denise Pocock to £75, Amy Hunt selected Mrs Anderson for the £50 prize and Ollie Sydenham drew the £20 prize winning ticket for Laurie Eaton.

All the money from the monthly draw goes towards facilities for the children, so contact Helen Webb at helencwebb@fsmail.net if you would like to join in.