THERE are only a very few days to go before Upwey enjoys another concert by Ben Waters and his Band.

He’ll be performing at the Upwey and Broadwey Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 10.

Ben was born and brought up in Upwey, his mum and dad still live here, and he comes back from time to time to entertain us and help raise funds for local charities – this time it’s for the restoration of the windows at St Laurence Church.

Ben’s internationally known and highly acclaimed, he plays jazz and boogie-woogie piano with the greats and you may have tuned in to hear him on the Jools Holland Show on BBC2 recently.

There are a few tickets still available at £16.00, to include a good ploughmans supper, from Dave Mountjoy on 01305 812897. Doors open at 7.30pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Come and join us for a great night out

BIG machines are always a draw and, recently, in Upwey there has been land clearance work going on along hedgerows and where scrub has overgrown.

These machines are not playthings and the owner, Kevin Talbot, has been very concerned that a group of young chaps have been mucking about on them – you can’t just tidy them away into a garden shed at the end of the day.

Happily, Upwey dog walkers and other residents keep their eyes open and know who to contact when there’s a whiff of trouble – several of these youngsters got an unwelcome surprise when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by three landrovers and some very angry guys, and they knew who those lads were and where they came from.

The word is – just don’t do it.

UPWEY and Broadwey Horticultural Society have enjoyed a very good start to the new season.

Welcoming at the September meeting, the distinguished speaker, Anna Pavord, gardening correspondent of the Independent newspaper, a Dorset resident for some 40 years and the author of several books on aspects of gardening.

She gave a most interesting and entertaining talk about the naming and classification of plants on an international basis – the subject of her latest book.

Several members were very successful at the Dorset County Show in early September and some even entered exhibits for the National vegetable section, which was held at the same time.

Meetings are held at St Nicholas Primary School on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.

On November 5, the speaker will be Neil Lovesey whose subject is the history of the cottage garden and its future.

Visitors are welcome. The programme is varied and interesting and several visits are arranged through the year and, of course, those marvellous shows.

OUR WI ladies are back after their summer break and very pleased with their new photograph gallery compiled by Marian Squibb and Theresa Fairbanks.

It’s a great record of the events that have taken place over the years and now members have to find time to identify all those people – how we all wish we remembered to label photos as we get them!

At the September meeting the business was completed swiftly and plans for the future laid out. Afterwards Mr R G Allwood spoke about colour in the garden and illustrated his talk with slides.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2.30pm, at the Memorial Hall in Victoria Avenue when Mrs Elizabeth Buckler-Gale will talk about the sale of a village – that sounds intriguing.

The WI welcomes visitors and anyone interested in joining should contact secretary, Mrs Annie Edwards on 01305 813137.

THE QUANGLE WANGLE choir will be holding its final concert of the year on Saturday, October 10 at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

They’re a group of very lively singers whose repertoire is innovative and exciting – lots of harmonies and great fun.

There’s a workshop before the concert, running from 6-7pm and then the concert itself at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6 from 01305 814940.