UPWEY’S Midsummer Fete brought crowds of people to enjoy a really delightful afternoon, full of all the sorts of things such an event should traditionally provide – and the sun shone throughout with sufficient breeze to keep us all comfortable.

There were stalls of all sorts and many people went home with goodies they’d bought ranging from cakes and produce to pretty jewellery pieces and holiday books; there were even some very fancy hats to buy or have made to order.

Music, gymnastics, morris dancing, drumming and singing, terrier racing, belly dancing and the tug-of-war kept us all amused along with skittles and cup cake icing, races and games for the children.

And when thirst needed quenching, the Old Ship Inn bar was the place to go or the Pimms stall, teas were served with delicious cakes and scones and bacon butties were a sure hit.

Many thanks to Annabel and Jackie for their brilliant organisation, and to all their helpers, to the Foot family for the car parking field and, of course, to the owners of Upwey House for use of their grounds.

There was a lovely easy relaxed atmosphere, as there usually is at Upwey’s events and everyone was extremely well-behaved leaving no litter. Thank you!

  • OUR NEXT event is the Upwey Society’s ever-popular Open Gardens weekend which takes place around the village on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12 from 2.00-6.00pm each day.

As always, there will be twenty or more gardens open for you to enjoy – some are acres with lawns and water and deep herbaceous borders, others are tiny with old walls and there’s all sorts in between. Whichever ones you visit, you’ll find keen gardeners with green fingers and very knowledgeable.

Plants will be for sale at several and there are some other attractions – a sculpture trail and pottery demonstration, an art exhibition at the Old School and quiet and calm in St. Laurence Church where there will be some lovely flower arrangements.

The tea garden is at Upwey Mill this year, by kind permission of Richard and Sue Willett, and there you will find our usual splendid spread of scones and cakes. Cold drinks will be available to keep you going on the way round at several other gardens.

Entry is by programme which costs £3.00 per person, children free, at the car park which will be well signposted and several other places. We welcome all our visitors from near and far – there are some people who book their holidays especially to coincide with this event – and every penny we raise goes back into the village.

We look forward to seeing you there.

  • RUNNING concurrently with Open Gardens, there is an exhibition of art at the Old School Village Hall.

Ron Karley is showing his lively and colourful gouache portraits of fungi painted from life in their natural habitats.

And this year, Sally Pinhey is showing her own work; many of her paintings are the original plates for the recently published book “Natural Dyes” which will also be on sale.

This exhibition is open from 11.30am-6.00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and again on Monday, July 13th from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

  • UPWEY AND Broadwey W.I. have been busy as usual with discussions of resolutions raised at the AGM, reports of meetings, fund-raising, displays of interesting collections, lunch and teas and plans for the future.

This month’s speaker was Mrs. V. Stevens whose subject was the Fifties and the Festival of Britain – that would have stirred a lot of memories amongst the older members.

Their next meeting is on Thursday, July 9, 2pm in the Memorial Hall when, in true summer style, there will be a cream tea followed by a game. The competition is for any unusual item – now that should set everyone thinking and hunting in the attic.

  • Looking forward, on Thursday, July 16, at 6pm, the Hardy Singers under their leader Peter Oakes, are giving , a concert in St. Laurence Church entitled ‘A Celebration of Summer’. They came last year and are truly not to be missed on this second visit.

Tickets, which include a glass of wine and nice light refreshments, are £10 each with proceeds going to the St. Laurence Church windows appeal and the Hub in Dorchester , a centre for homeless people.

Contact Pru on 812341 or Evelyn on 812282.

  • BEN WATERS, that brilliant Upwey boogie-woogie, rock ‘n roll pianist is giving a concert in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 10, for the windows appeal.

Ben is known internationally for his music and has played with many of the jazz greats.

Entry is by ticket only, and they’re going fast, from Dave on 812897, at £16.00 each to include a good ploughmans. There will, of course, be a bar.