Bere Regis

  • LIZ Teather has been telling me all about the toddler music group she established in the village four years ago.

Liz says:

Music is a great pleasure to me, and I’ve never been stuck for something to sing to my children.

When my son was two I set up a local music group for babies, toddlers and pre-school children, to sing songs, learn about rhythm, and also about joining in and sharing instruments to have a lot of fun.

We have built up a good collection of percussion instruments and other props to use for different themes throughout the year.

We dance round a maypole in the May, make sea sounds in July, and sing through a Nativity play each Christmas.

We use traditional nursery rhymes, folk songs, new songs, and we make-up songs as we go along! We also sometimes introduce the children to real instruments, and most of them have had a go on a harp and a flute.

Around 13 children come each week, but we sometimes have over 20, as there is no booking and anyone is free to turn up or not – it is difficult to make a weekly commitment with young children!

During school holidays we hold craft and sing sessions, and make something to take home from prepared materials.

This summer our theme is animals, so we have made jungle masks and farm animals, and we will be making wild wood sock puppets and cakes for a teddy bear’s picnic.

Socialisation is as important as the music, and after about 45 minutes of singing, noise and action we have drinks and fruit – then biscuits!

The children make the mats into a trail and play with the drums and instruments, while the adults have a chance for a coffee and a chat.

We are an entirely voluntary group, and we make, hire and buy our instruments with the money we charge for the sessions, or receive instruments as gifts.

We are always looking for additional percussion instruments, and we would love to hear from you if you have any lying around that you no longer want.

If you want to come along and see what we do, you will be very welcome to come along to the scout hut on Friday mornings from 10am until noon.

The cost is £2 per family per session

Contact Liz on 01929 471216 for all information.

Puddletown

  • JUST a last-minute reminder about the five churches fete at Athelhampton House on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30 from noon.

A bouncy castle will keep the children happy, along with face painting, a duck race, coconut shy, putting, splat the rat, basket weaving and milk the cow.

This will give the adults time to browse amongst the books, bric-a-brac, cakes, produce and preserves, plants, Traidcraft, tombola and more.

There will be a barbecue, and entertainment will be provided by the Memory Lane Swing Band.

Help to run the stalls is also needed.

Contact Jim Burg on 01258 837466 if you can help.

  • COUNTRYWOMEN'S club meets next on Wednesday, September 8 at 2.30pm in the village hall.

Mrs Murray will talk on Hats of Distinction.

There will be a bring and buy stall, a raffle and tea and biscuits.

Do come along - you will be made most welcome.

For all information, contact Wendy Cox on 01305 848360.

Tolpuddle

  • SEPTEMBER sees the first anniversary of the opening of the Orchard Meadow, and a celebration party on the site is planned.

This two-day event will be on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5.

There will be a buffet supper in the marquee on Saturday with live music, and barbecue on Sunday, again with live music.

For children and families there will be pony rides, a basketball competition, skittles, climbing wall, treasure hunt, face painting, wildlife painting, totem carving, discovering how a moth trap works and more.

Tickets for Saturday's buffet supper are £10 adults, £5 children including pre-supper drink.

Pre-book with Peter Walton on 01305 848034, email pdwalton@btinternet.com or Sally Slocock 01305 848460, email sallyslocock@virgin.net

  • A CRAFT weekend is going to be held in the village hall on Friday, October 22, Saturday October 23 and Sunday, October 24 to raise funds for the village hall and St John's church.

All hand-crafted items are welcomed including knitting, woodwork, art, card-making, needlecraft, pottery, homemade produce and any others you may be able to think of.

If you are interested, and would like to know more, please contact Avril on 01305 849178 or Clare on 849569.

  • TAI-CHI group has just reformed with coach Patrick Harries.

The original group was available to the over-fifties, but it is now open to any age.

Sessions are held on Wednesdays at 4pm in the village hall.

Email Patrick for all information: thetaichiman@aol.com