Upwey

The first to get going was run by St Laurence Church and a great crowd turned up at the Old School Village Hall and went home laden with all sorts of plants, cakes, books to enjoy in summer gardens and some nice bits of household stuff.

The treasurer reported a very successful effort and a nice boost to church funds.

THE Horticultural Society were next with their plant sale at the memorial hall and again a report of excellent support and financial success raising funds to cover the costs of the interesting speakers engaged through the year.

It was particularly interesting to hear from stall holders that many more people this year were looking to eat their gardens and not just show off wonderful floral displays – how practical we are all becoming!

The next meeting on Thursday, June 3 will be a visit to Kingston Maurward to see round the gardens and greenhouses with the head gardener, but this is for members only. Meet there at 4.30pm.

It’s never too late to join and if you are interested you should contact chairman Mrs Ros Gant 814887 or secretary Mrs Sheila Seal 816915.

OUR local WI held its AGM recently and elected Mrs Sheila Williams to be their president for this year.

Sheila moved to Dorset some 20 years ago after long years’ service to the WI in Surrey where she had held several important posts in the movement – she was a national judge and controller of the largest WI market in the country. One of her proudest achievements was to be invited to plant up the new herb garden at Highgrove when Prince Charles was first developing it.

Upwey and Broadwey are certainly very fortunate to have such a vibrant and experienced leader, she welcomes ladies who would like to join an organisation which can and does bring considerable influence on matters of national as well as local importance.

At their last meeting, the members were treated to a talk and demonstration on facials and skincare by Lydia Johnston which they all found very relaxing. Even better, the display for the month featured each member at her most glamorous.

For more information, contact secretary, Peggy Riglar 01305 812160.

FROM Saturday, May 29 Dorset Art Weeks are under way and Upwey makes a substantial contribution to the marvellous exhibitions of exciting new creative work undertaken by so many talented people in this area and throughout the county.

As always, the Old School Village Hall will host an exhibition of the work of the Upwey Potters and other local artists for the whole period, with the additional interest of seeing the artists at work and maybe having a go yourself – nothing like getting your hands into the clay.

The exhibition will be open every day10am-6pm until Sunday, June 13.

LOOKING FORWARD to mid-summertime, on Saturday, June 19 as St Laurence Church will be holding its Summer Fete at the Old School Village Hall,10.30am-3pm.

As usual, there will be all the stalls you expect to find including really good bric-a-brac, some competitions, a raffle, coffees, light lunches, teas, competitions and a chance to chat to the people you always see at these events and some new friends you may not have met before.

Do come.