THE quickest way to the heart of a village news correspondent is to give them a handout of forthcoming events.

MANY thanks to the Martinstown Cricket Club for the news that they will be holding a barbecue and Auction of Promises at the Brewers Arms, Sunday, May 30 from 7pm, with the auction taking place at 8pm.

On offer are a Day at the Races or a County Cricket Match, a Sunday lunch, golf days, gym club membership and lots more.

Who could resist joining them for fun and good food, plus the opportunity to pick up a bargain.

FOR the first time since their formation in the late '40's the Martinstown Womens Institute has changed the day of their monthly meeting from a Monday to a Wednesday evening.

This will enable members to start meetings earlier and deal with business before the 7pm deadline for the speaker.

The situation will be reviewed in January 2011 after the darker evenings.

The annual outing will take place on Monday, June 14 with a trip on the West Somerset Steam Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back with a two-hour break in Minehead for lunch. The coach departs at 8.15am, returning by 5pm, cost £21.50.

To book call Eileen on 01305 889459.

If space allows non-members from the valley area will be welcome to come along.

It was agreed that the WI gazebo could be made available to other village organisations, which would no doubt be an asset in a scorching summer!

Both book clubs continue to flourish with opinions of members as diverse as the books read.

ALL unanimously agreed to support the Blanchard Trust Summer Barbecue by running a cake stall on Saturday, June 19 from noon until sold out.

The event takes place in 'The Secret Garden', which in itself is an added attraction.

IT was a great pity that more local people did not take up the offer to join WI members for a most enlightening illustrated talk on Road Safety given by Joyce Peel, an ex-Metropolitan Police officer.

Good drivers are those who drive with NO distractions and, usually the worst drivers are those in their own locations, as motorways only account for 4 per cent of all accidents.

The magic formula was neatly summed up as 'Coast'.

Concentration - Observation - Anticipation – Space-giving and Time to Plan; tailgating is definitely to be avoided and it was enlightening to learn that third gear in a 30mph situation was more fuel-efficient.

The casualty figures from fatalities to slightly injured provided ample proof as to why road safety is so essential.

IT is nice to learn that allotments have been provided by the kindly owners of West End House and even better to notice that the workers included children too.

Well done indeed.

I felt slightly better on learning that I was not alone in having my early potatoes caught by a recent hard frost. Was it to be expected after the few fogs in March?

HOPEFULLY everyone who uses the Martinstown Post Office will now be aware of the reduced opening hours.

Your views can be made via a form at the counter.

However, one must give thanks that we still have one in our village and long may it continue to serve us, since not everyone can get into Dorchester at a moments notice.

SURELY the weather, this time, will be kinder to the Martinstown Mileaters so that they may fully enjoy the beauty of those wonderful bluebell woods around Milton Abbas.