• MORE than 100 voices raised to sing choruses from Handel’s ”Messiah” at St Laurence Church recently, and what a wonderful sound they made.

Singers were invited to come for rehearsal in the early afternoon, then relax with tea before the performance. Under the baton of Sue Bruce-Payne, with her husband David playing the organ – a whole orchestra of music – the church was filled with very happy people.

In recognition of the generous grant made for the restoration of the church windows we were able to donate over £800, the proceeds of the concert, to the Dorset Historic Churches Trust.

  • UPWEY’S big bonfire always attracts a lot of people, but on November 5 this year we greeted an enormous crowd, with lots of children well-equipped with sparklers and colourful torches, who tramped across the field and enjoyed a fun evening.

The fireworks went off with many bangs and whooshes, the hotdogs and burgers sold out and the Upwey Society was again grateful both to the owners of the site and to the Foot farmers who give us so much help and support.

  • LOOKING forward now, on Saturday, November 20, at the Old School Village Hall, the Upwey craftspeople are holding their Winter Craft Fair, featuring artwork, ceramics, felt work, jewellery, soft toys and wood-carving.

Entry is free and the exhibition runs from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Many of the exhibitors run classes at the Old School , you can contact them through Fil Cooke on 01305 812665.

  • A VERY special exhibition is running at the Memorial Hall on the weekend of November 20 and 21 when our local historian, Sue Virgin, will again be inviting anyone with any connection with Upwey and Broadwey to come and capture memories of days gone by.

It’s some time now since the last of these superb displays and Sue has gathered even more material from folk far and wide recalling incidents, activities, people, places and tales of the times.

Entry is free and light refreshments will be available, the exhibition is open from !0am-4pm each day.

  • WEST COUNTRY Embroiderers are holding their exhibition and sale at the Old School Village Hall on Wednesday, November 24th, 11am-3pm. Free entry.

Their exquisite and exciting work is always a joy to see – come and marvel at the skills displayed, buy some raffle tickets and choose lovely gifts from the sales table.