I HAVE got to know Laura Barison - a 17-year-old student from Italy who has been studying at Budmouth and living in Westham since August 25 last year.

She chose to come to England with EF but did not initially know where she was going to stay.

Since being in Weymouth she has made many friends from school, both British and other nationalities.

Her impression of Westham was that it seemed a safe and friendly place to live, although she felt it would be a good idea if there was a direct bus route to school from the estate, at home she travels to school by moped.

Laura said her school here and her school in Italy were very different, at home they do not wear a uniform and have to study more subjects.

Laura has many memories to take home with her, the helpful teachers, her relations with friends and most of all the family that she stayed with. She was impressed with their local knowledge and the things they do to help to make Westham a better place to live.

Living and studying in Weymouth has improved her English but she really would have liked to stay a whole year.

  • MEMBERS of Fiveways Centre were treated to a meal to celebrate Burns' Night.

The meal was provided by John Pearce of Alf's fish and chip shop, the money being raised by donations collected from local people.

The meal consisted of faggots, mash and turnips followed by ice cream. Everyone was given shortbread biscuits and free raffle tickets, prizes donated by local businesses.

It took John three months but he eventually found a piper who piped in the faggots. The members would like to say a big thank you to John and all those who donated the raffle prizes and the money.

  • The Fiveways Centre are holding a table top sale in March and donations are welcome, please contact John Pearce with any donations.

If anyone has an old washing machine they want to dispose of, John Pearce knows of an elderly gentleman in need of one.

  • Westham 125 will be celebrating 125 years of Westham's history at a spring fayre to be held on Saturday, April 26 at Conifers School.

Westham COPS, who are co-ordinating the event, are delighted to have received funding from the National Lottery Awards for All Fund to help them stage the fayre.

This will enable the whole of Westham Community from the backwater through to the Granby to celebrate in style.

A planning meeting to start finalising ideas for the day is being held at Conifers School on Thursday, February 6 at 7pm and everyone interested in helping is welcome to attend.

  • Westham COPS have also received some funding from the Weymouth and Portland Partnership to enable them to sustain and support the community group in their various projects.

To find out what the group do anyone is welcome to attend one of their meetings. The next meeting is on Tuesday, February 19 at the Fiveways Centre at 7pm.

  • Westham resident Clive Hancock has set up the Weymouth Epilepsy Group to offer help and advice or information about epilepsy.

He is prepared to offer talks to schools, day centres and different health groups for people to understand awareness and how to help someone cope with epilepsy.

The group is linked with The National Society for Epilespy. They cover south Dorset and have a members' group in Weymouth.

For further information contact Clive on 01305 785776 Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.