Cerne Abbas

  • SOCIETY for Horticulture: This year’s Show takes place on Saturday, August 14 with Village Hall doors opening at 2pm.

The Show celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year but has never compromised on standard – it is still very high!

Visitors will be able to admire a large range of fruit, vegetables and home produce and also two novelty classes!

The entry to the show is free of charge, the prize giving at 4pm.

Who knows, you might be able to purchase one or two fabulous items – if the proud owner is prepared to let go!

Come and see for yourself what the people in the Cerne Valley are able to grow, refreshments will be on offer and a rather good raffle, too!

  • FLOOD precautions: Voluntary Flood Warden Andrew Popkin would like to remind everyone of a few ways in which villagers could help with his duties.

Firstly, it would be of great value if everyone concerned could help maintain a channel for the river Cerne.

The increased growing of weed has allowed water to back up which could result in a flash flood.

Please clear the weed without disturbing wildlife wherever possible, it can easily be composted.

Secondly, tree cuttings, stumps and pruning have been noticed making their way down the river.

Again, they could become lodged at the waterfall sluice or under Duck Street bridge and cause a local flood.

Such debris would be difficult to move due to the increased water pressure.

Andrew is therefore offering the loan of a strong, one metre cubed fabric bag, free for village use to collect garden refuse and take it to the recycling depot.

If you have any question or would like to loan this bag please call 01300 341084.

The above suggestions and precautions are certainly full of common sense and should be observed by anyone whose garden or land backs onto a river.

Thank you all for your co-operation!

  • MOVIOLA: Looking ahead to the coming autumn season, screening dates are as follows: Monday, September 20, Monday, October 18 and Monday, November 22.

The following films will be shown, in no particular order: “Invictus” – Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela joining forces with South Africa’s Rugby team captain to help unite their country.

“The Ghost Writer” is a thriller and drama starring Pierce Brosnan.

He plays a former British Prime Minister hiring a ghost writer for his memoirs.

This film is directed by Roman Polanski.

Finally, “Letters to Juliet” is a romantic comedy with Vanessa Redgrave and filmed in lots of beautiful Italian countryside.

There you go – mark these dates in your diaries, I will marry each film up to a date in one of the coming columns.

Minterne Magna

  • ARTS and crafts will soon be a highlight on the calendar for anyone local and visiting this lovely village!

The Minterne Arts and Crafts Exhibition takes place on Friday, August 13.

You will be able to admire the work of local artists with an additional flower design competition that has been organised for the under 16s.

For more information or last minute entries contact Sylvia Drinkwater on 01300 341077 or Heather Smith on 01300 341711.

  • A BIG Thank You to everyone who helped with the Minterne Gardens Open Day on Sunday, May 23.

The event attracted over 600 visitors and raised £ 2,700 for St. Andrew’s Church.

The Digby family would like to commend everyone who helped in whatever shape or form, especially everyone who brought out their classic cars!

The team spirit is such that a goodly number of Minterne residents also helped at the Cerne Abbas Open Garden week-end, particularly with serving teas – many thanks!

  • CORRECTION: Continuing with the subject of Minterne Gardens – a presumed villager pointed towards a possible error in one of my last columns.

Thank you for the (albeit anonymous) message - let’s set the record straight!

The “lost Victorian flower” had apparently not been discovered by Head Gardener Ray Abrahams, as reported, but its existence had been known of for a while.

Nonetheless, this “resurrection” of a 100 year old Rhododendron beanianum is certainly worth admiring, so do make a point of visiting soon!

Please note that Minterne Gardens are open until Tuesday, November 9.