THE annual village quiz night for the Rod Brewer challenge trophy took place in a crowded village hall.

This has become an important date in the village calendar and a fundraiser for Crossways Scout Group.

The warmth of the support from villagers made for a truly enjoyable evening, with plenty of head-scratching and a fair share of laughter.

Several of the regular players were unable to attend but generously donated items for a truly magnificent ploughman's supper or raffle prizes which was very impressive.

After rounds which tested general knowledge, sport, TV and films, geography and history a winner was declared.

The champions for the last two years couldn't make it three in a row.

Instead Scout Group president Vic Myers led a team named the three generations' to a resounding victory.

They have been previous winners and so the salver will have a home in Crossways for the coming year.

Vic puts the success down to the construction of the team with his daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter providing a breadth of knowledge which matches the eclectic mix of questions that the quiz is renowned for.

Well done to all those who took part.

  • IN JUNE 2007 the church was host to the St Aldhelm Pilgrimage, which was combined with the launch of the appeal for the building fund.

A whole week of events in and around the village was very popular and aimed to appeal to all ages.

I gather that a follow up is planned from June 1-8 this year.

There will be a concert in the village hall on Wednesday, June 4 with the Casterbridge Male Voice Choir.

Then Bishop Tim Thornton and Archdeacon Paul Taylor are letting their feet do the talking as they lead a sponsored walk.

The route will start at Sherborne Abbey and end at St Aldhelms Head, a grand total of 50 miles.

They are planning to do it in one day so it won't be a gentle stroll I think!

Rector Jacqui Birdseye is distributing sponsor forms to raise funds for the church appeal.

The business plan for this project is being drawn up with the church looking to raise £100,000 towards the total cost.

Some funds have already been put into the coffers but as for Tim and Paul on May 10, but there is a long way to go!

  • THE village handbell team did not allow themselves much respite after a very heavy and hectic Christmas programme of engagements.

The year has started well, with the recruitment of two new members and the return of a former ringer.

Already the diary is filling up for 2008 and not just in the run-up to Christmas.

The team started in 1985, with 15 bells bought from America, and have since added to the set to the current size of 37 bells of three octaves to those of you who are musically-minded.

With the number of ringers increasing the team are hopeful that they will soon be increasing by the addition of a further octave.

It will take a little while for them to arrive from Pennsylvania but will enable the group to widen their repertoire still further.

  • THE parish council received contact from the company proposing to develop the land adjacent to the West Links Road known historically as the Hippy Field.

The four separate applications have been withdrawn pending the carrying out of a land contamination survey.

Those residents adjacent to the area are, of course, concerned and interested in the results that will come from this work.

There has been speculation that the contamination; might be something to do with the old aerodrome.

When RAF Warmwell closed in the 1950s the rules and regulations concerning the disposal of waste were much less stringent than today.

Much of the debris from the airfield and the base was disposed of in landfill. Some of these dumps had to be cleared when the housing developments began in the 1970s.

  • LOOKING forward, the council is to look at the condition of the bus shelters in the village to see the merits of repair or trying to have them replaced.

The ownership of the track which forms part of Combe Way and runs alongside Crossways Court was discussed.

Councillors were wary that if they came into possession of this land that large sums of money for improvements and maintenance of the trees would be needed. In response to this they agreed to seek a meeting with other authorities to see if there could be a way forward for the benefit of all.

  • THE recent meeting of the village hall management committee reported on the new car park.

A problem was being experienced with water accumulating and causing large puddles on the access road.

The contractor who had installed the new car park was being consulted on remedial work to address this problem.

The other major item has been the rumours with regard to the building of a new village or community hall.

The committee had received no contact with regard to any proposals. In the meantime it was the intention of all involved to continue in the present location continuing with the ongoing programme of maintenance and improvements.

Bookings continue to be strong with many village organisations making very good use of the facilities.