THE Friends of Lodmoor Country Park recently took part in the Dorset Wildlife Trust's Community Scarecrow Competition, to support local wildlife and draw attention to both groups’ work.

Their Lady Litter scarecrow was built using materials collected by the children of St John’s School, some of whom helped with the construction.

Event organiser Dinah Ellis said: “Dorset Wildlife Trust will be an important partner as we work to promote and protect our park and it was great to involve local children.

“The finished scarecrow excited curiosity, giving us the opportunity to talk to people from all over the area about joining The Friends and emphasising our message that litter scares our wildlife.”

Judging takes place soon and photographs of the finished scarecrow will be on the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s website.

The Friends of Lodmoor Country Park warmly invite those who enjoy the park to become members.

For more information, telephone Fran Davies, secretary, on 01305 774839 or Dinah Ellis on 772075

  • THE Southill Community Centre was crowded with about 80 members and visitors for the March meeting of the Radipole & Southill Horticultural Society, which took the form of a talk and powerpoint presentation entitled Four Go Wild in Chile.

Stephen Griffith, the curator of Abbotsbury Gardens, gave an excellent, entertaining talk about his travels in Chile, with three other senior gardeners in search of plants which had been introduced to British gardens over 150 years ago.

All present were transported by the beautiful photographs Steve had taken of the landscape, plants, and wildlife of that lovely country, which clearly demonstrated the achievements of the early plant hunters!

The society’s next meeting is on Monday, April 20, which is a week later than usual because of Easter, and takes the form of a talk and slide show about the lovely National Trust Gardens in Wessex, by John Hallett from Bournemouth.

Visitors are always welcome at the meetings, which are held at 7.30pm in the community centre.

Further details about the programme for the year, which includes a coach trip to the gardens at RHS Rosemoor in Devon and a Summer Show, are available by calling Julie or Peter on 01305 772533.