OUR local Horticultural Society held its summer show at the Memorial Hall in mid August and what a fantastic display there was.

Perfection was the name of the game and one would have had to travel far to find blooms in the peak of condition, as most of us would expect to find only on garden centre advertisements.

Here they all were, however, along with succulent vegetables which it seemed a shame to cook and eat!

In addition to the garden produce, members of the society showed their skills in cake making, flower arranging, photography and various other handicrafts.

It’s largely thanks to Mrs. Eve Morris, the show secretary, that this event is so successful year after year – she’s responsible for encouraging the competitors, local as well as those from away, managing the displays and generally overseeing the procedures.

There’s always room for new members to enjoy the varied activities of the Horticultural Society which has a full programme of lectures and visits throughout the year.

At the next meeting on Thursday, September 10, Anna Pavord of tulip fame will be speaking on ‘The Naming of Names’.

If you are interested, turn up at 7.30pm at St. Nicholas and St. Laurence Primary School.

Meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of the month, except in school holidays.

HAVE you sorted out and oiled your bike, walking boots or horse ready for the Dorset Historic Churches annual cycle ride on Saturday, September 12?

You’re invited to visit as many churches in the county as you can to raise funds for the care of our unique country and town churches.

Half of what you raise in sponsorship goes to your designated church and the other half to the general fund.

It’s great fun. Once you’ve got up the hills it’s lovely freewheeling down.

There’s usually a welcome whenever you stop and refreshing drinks available, and you get to feel nicely, fitly proud of having done it!

Contact Derek Cope at copebrookehouse@aol.com or any church.

HERE’S a date for your diary – the Upwey Society is hosting a concert by that brilliant locally-born and raised jazz pianist, Ben Waters, on Saturday, October 10, at the Memorial Hall.

Ben’s been on the international circuit for a number of years now and has a great following.

We’re delighted to welcome him and the members of his band to entertain us.

The bar opens at 7.30pm and music starts at 8.30pm.

Tickets, which include a very good ploughman’s supper, are £16 and are available from Dave on 01305 812897.

THE Memorial Hall hosts a great number of different activities – lots of clubs and societies meet there either in the large main hall, to which an excellent kitchen is attached, or in one of the smaller rooms.

The hall has recently undergone considerable refurbishment and maintenance work and is now in tiptop condition.

It has the added attraction of a decent-sized car park too.

For bookings, contact Eve Morris on 01305 813942.

ANOTHER hall in our neighbourhood is the Frank Reynolds Community Centre on the corner of Springfield and Dorchester Road.

It, too, has good rooms and hosts a variety of interesting activities.

The centre has recently received a Grassroots grant of £800, with which the management committee has bought new deluxe padded chairs for the function room, making the Reynolds a very attractive venue for classes, meetings and parties.

Now, what have they done with the old chairs, one wonders?

Contact Sam Hoskins on 01305 812655 if you have any ideas – it would be a shame to waste them.

THE annual exhibition of paintings by Justin Cooke, and those of his wife, Nicola, continues at the Old School Village Hall until Monday, August 31, open daily from 10.00am to 6.30pm.

Well worth a visit.

A SUMMER supper was held at Island Garden Nursery for some 60 people in aid of the St. Laurence Church Windows Appeal.

Guests enjoyed a superb supper, beautifully prepared and presented by the proprietor, Janet Willment, in the delightful surroundings of the one of the fuchsia houses.

The appeal benefited from nearly £500.