A village driving scheme is discussed at a public meeting at Puddletown (From Dorset Echo)

A village driving scheme is discussed at a public meeting at Puddletown

3:11pm Monday 1st March 2010 in

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Puddletown

• AROUND thirty people from Puddletown, Tolpuddle, Dewlish, Affpuddle and Crossways came along to a public consultation meeting in the village hall to hear all about plans to develop the present Friends of the Practice volunteer driver scheme to offer a wider service to the villages of Puddletown, Tolpuddle, Tincleton, Dewlish, Affpuddle, Briantspuddle and Bockhampton.

Practice co-ordinator Sue Brazier welcomed everyone, and introduced NHS Patient and Public Involvement Development manager Elise Ripley.

Elise praised the present scheme, and said she was bowled over by the hard work Sue put in.

She added how very much the work of the volunteer drivers was appreciated.

She went on to say that the NHS recognises the enormous benefit to the well-being of isolated people when they are able to get out of their homes for social activities.

Fifty-nine such schemes are already in existence, and a sheet of printed details of three such local schemes was circulated for everyone to see.

Funding would be available to start the scheme off.

Practice manager Carol Taylor said that the present scheme was most successful and valued very highly by everyone at the surgery.

Widening this service would be a very big improvement and will help to combat loneliness, she added.

Dawn Jones, community leader for POPP, the Partnership for Older People Project, spoke of the similar schemes locally, and added that all volunteer drivers are CRB checked.

Sue Warr and Anita Busby, project leaders for POPP, each addressed the meeting, explaining how a scheme could be modified by its own local operators to suit local unity needs.

The service is not charged for, but donations, a guide for which was around 40p per mile travelled, helped to fund the scheme.

Questions from the floor included the prioritising of medical appointments, possible opposition from taxi firms, and availability of the service to wheelchair users.

• A SPRING flower and vegetable show will be held at the village hall on Saturday, March 27, open to the public at 2pm.

Prize giving is at 3.15pm.

This is organised by the horticultural association.

All classes are open.

If you would like a schedule, these are available from the library, the Londis stores and the hairdresser, or contact Val Hutt at 7 Trent Close, Tolpuddle, DT27HA.

• A FOOTBALL club for boys and girls from the age of six to 13 is run on Saturday mornings between 10am and noon.

There are many qualified coaches.

Enjoyment is the main reason for running the club, so please bring your children down for a run around.

If you would like more information on the football club, contact Barry Knight on01305 848380 or Rob Brunt on 848383.

• PRE SCHOOL-AGED children and babies are welcome with parents and carers at Puddletown Pumpkins on Thursday mornings from 10am until noon in term time in the village hall.

The cost is just £1 per family.

This is a great opportunity to meet others over a cuppa, with healthy snacks, organised activities and free play for the little ones.

A big thank you goes to the volunteers who open the library once a fortnight for borrowing books and storytelling, and a very big thank you goes to Lucy who is stepping down from running the club after two very productive and committed years.

A volunteer is sought to help with making teas, slicing cake and washing up for an hour or so from approximately 10.30am until11.30am at the meetings on Thursday mornings.

For all information on Puddletown Pumpkins, call Penny on 01305 849249.

Tolpuddle

• SOUP and sweet lunches in the village hall continue on Friday, March 19 from noon till around 1.30pm.

Homemade soup, and a wide selection of desserts, together with a bottomless cup of tea or coffee is just £3.50.

• AN EASTER coffee morning will be held in the village hall on Saturday, March 27 from 10am until noon in aid of St John's church.

Stalls will include cakes, plants and a raffle.

Entrance is £1 to include coffee or tea and a slice of cake.

• MARK Read is giving a talk in the village hall on growing and selecting and exhibiting produce for a village show on Friday, March 19 at 7.30pm.

Entry is £2.50 to include refreshments.

• BINGO with lots of prizes, a raffle and refreshments will take place in the village hall on Friday, March 26 at 7.30pm.

Entry costs £3 to include three bingo cards, and more can be bought on the night.

Book ahead to avoid disappointment by contacting Clare Angus on 01305 848286 or email clare.roger@virgin.net.

• BEES and candle rolling is the subject of a talk by Allen Sillars in the village hall on Friday, April 23 at 7.30pm.

All profits will go to the village hall restoration fund.

Contact Clare on 01305 849569 for tickets