Martinstown

THE eagerly awaited trip to Moreton Church by Martinstown WI, as a follow-up to Jill Bryant's memorable talk, was a great success.

Although most had seen the Whistler windows before, much more of the fine etching was revealed and hitherto unnoticed details pointed out, such as the two dancing figures and the cruising destroyer.

This visit was followed by tea at the nearby tearooms and a few visited the grave of Lawrence of Arabia nearby.

STILL on a spiritual note there is a draft proposal to amalgamate the three parishes to form the united parish of The Winterbournes and the Benefice to be The Winterbournes and Compton Valence.

More details later.

THE village hall alterations hold a magnetic attraction for passers by, as does the skip full of redundant materials, and I slipped up by not rescuing a useful piece of wood which would have made an excellent Fern-proof gate.

The enlarged well-designed kitchen will be the envy of other villages.

When all is complete Ann and Ron and their helpers Ann and Cedric plan to put their feet up.

Hopefully all future hall users will realise how much we owe these true villagers.

There will be an official opening and every household will be invited to a Tea Party in the hall at 4.30pm on Sunday, September 13.

MORE celebrations will be held on Saturday, September 26 when the Harvest will be celebrated with the Over 7's Young Peoples Big Breakfast at 9am and the Benefice Harvest Supper at 6pm.

Both events take place in the village hall when the new kitchen will prove its worth.

I WAS chuffed to learn from our new farmer’s wife, Mrs Tom King, that an Echo cutting has been put into their wedding album.

This told of the ferret-racing event at the reception which raised over £50 for charity.

DORCHESTER Oddfellows must have breathed a huge sigh of relief when the early morning gloom gave way to brilliant sunshine on the day of their Bank Holiday fete at Martinstown Cricket Ground.

Hopefully it was a good money-spinning occasion with its many sideshows and stalls.

It seems that this may be the last such fete unless more volunteers come forward next year, for it places a burden on shoulders that become a little weaker each year, unlike those dancers who performed splendidly on the grass when they should have been in some stately home of the Jane Austen era.

TUESDAY, September 1 saw a somewhat depleted attendance at the monthly Valley View Lunch Club at Stevens Farm.

It would have been akin to disaster without the support of those lovely Poundbury ladies who regularly attend St Martin's church and our own Rev John Good, for he contributes a great deal to the convivial atmosphere.

TIME again for Maggie Robertson's Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Appeal.

The idea is to fill a medium-sized shoebox with gifts suitable for a boy or girl, age range 5-9 years or 10-14 years.

More details later.

THERE will be an Art and Craft Exhibition in St Martin's church from noon-6pm on Saturday, September 26.

All exhibits and competition entries to the church after 4pm on Friday, September 25.

ON Sunday, September 27 there is a free showing of the film 'Charade' in the Brewers Arms at 7.30pm.