THIS ARTICLE is coming from the Fiji Islands, where we have recently arrived to continue with our charity work.

After a very pleasant short break in Australia, it is straight into work.

The first day or so was taken up with the usual red tape.

Nothing ever goes smoothly here, so a task that should take a few minutes usually ends up taking a day or two!

However, we can now turn our attention to the real reason for being here - to help needy children wherever we can. Already we have organised to take boxes of much needed basic resources to schools on the island of Beqa and we shall be going over to personally deliver those in the next day or so.

This afternoon we have made a visit to the Fiji School for the Blind and spent a lovely time with the children there.

We were able to donate many resources to the school, including a Braille machine. The staff and children were thrilled!

On Thursday we are having a meeting to arrange for the construction of our third Sunny Smiles Kindergarten to begin.

Apart from numerous other visits to schools and children's homes, we are also taking some basic medical resources to the hospital on the island of Taveuni.

  • CALLING all budding artists!

The Maiden Newton Art Group meets weekly from 2 to 4.30pm and membership for 12 weeks costs £20.

In addition to the usual meetings, there will be the Michael Chappell workshop on Wednesday, September 24 (subject to be announced later). On Wednesday, October 1 there will be a meeting to discuss this year's exhibition (October 17/18 - on Friday 6-9pm with cheese and wine and on Saturday 10am-4pm with refreshments available).

On Wednesday, October 29 there is the Marilyn Allis workshop, when the subject will be using colour/colour crazy.

  • THERE will be a Supper Auction in the Savill Hall, Cattistock, on Friday, September 26 at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 and should be bought in advance from Nicola (01300 320671) or Pam (01300 320340).

The evening will start with supper and a glass of wine and this is followed by an auction of promises.

Have your car valeted, hire a babysitter, enjoy a meal, cheer Yeovil footballers with the vicar, sail along the Dorset coast, buy a barrow load of manure and much, much more.

Any further offers of promises would be warmly welcomed by Nicola or Pam. Profits from this event will go towards Cattistock church tower funds.

  • ANYONE who is registered at Maiden Newton Surgery and will be aged 65 and over by April 30, 2009 is invited to attend a walk-in flu clinic to be held at the surgery on Saturday, October 4 between 8.30 and 10.30am.

No appointment is necessary. Patients aged 65 and under with pre-existing at risk medical conditions are also welcome to attend the clinic.

  • A TOP TO TOE Ladies' Night will be held in Melbury Osmond on Friday, October 10, starting at 7pm.

There will be complementary therapies, professional beauty treatments and advice, as well as gifts for the girls. This will be a fun relaxing evening not to be missed! The event is being organised in aid of Melbury Osmond playground.