MINTERNE MAGNA MINTERNE Gardens Open Day: This ever popular Open Day takes place on Sunday, May 20 this year, from 11am – 5pm.

Now is the time to go through your unwanted gifts to donate to the tombola, donations for the plant stalls are also much appreciated.

Would you like to help run a stall?

You don’t need to live in the village, just contact Hilary Charlesworth on 01300 341845 for further information.

The cake stall is always one of the most popular – if you can donate a cake please call 01300 341371.

Finally, please contact Gail Knight on 01300 341096 if you have any second-hand, well kept toys, games or books as this stall was also very well visited last year.

In any case, do come along for a visit and bring the whole family for a pleasant day’s entertainment!

SPRING Evening Walks with Head Gardener Ray Abraham are being held again in Minterne Gardens this year.

The walks have just started and are taking place on Thursday evenings up until and including Thursday, June 7.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful gardens free of charge but be sure to book as numbers are limited.

The walks commence at 5:30pm for a 5:45pm start, meeting on the front drive.

For further information and to secure your place call Mrs Maureen Panchen on 01300 341370 or e-mail enquiries@minterne.co.uk.

BUCKLAND NEWTON OPEN Gardens will take place on Sunday, June 24.

About ten gardens in the village will be open in all their glory.

Plants will be for sale as of course refreshments.

All monies will benefit Julia’s House, Dorset’s only children hospice, and the Holy Rood Church.

So please note the above date in your diary, if you would like to help during the afternoon on that day get in touch with Sue and Richard on 01300 345586.

VILLAGE Fete: Planning for this yearly event is under way and your support is needed!

If you would like to contribute, whether you are new to the village or live in its surroundings, call Sue Bonnie on 01300 345586.

Equally, if you are able to sponsor a hamper or can donate raffle prizes the village would like to hear from you!

In such a case please contact Jenny and Steve Workman on 07900 366770.

CERNE ABBAS THEATRE Club: The forthcoming outing will be to see “A Man for all Seasons”, taking place on Tuesday, May 22.

The cost of this outing is £ 15.50, the coach will be leaving the New Inn at 6:45pm prompt.

New members are always welcome.

If you are interested and would like to take advantage of the above trip contact Chairman Yvonne on 01300 341421 or Secretary Trish on 01300 342058 – and why not bring along a friend as well?

JUBILEE celebrations: A Street Party will be held on Monday, June 4 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Several ideas for entertainment have been brought forward and would have been discussed in the recent planning meeting.

More ideas and help are always welcome though!

Call Nic or Adam on 01300 341349 if you wish to contribute to this much looked-forward to event.

More information can be obtained in the coming two months from notices in the Bus Shelter in the village or by visiting www.beneficenews.co.uk.

OPEN Gardens: The annual Open Gardens event in Cerne Abbas will be held on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 and will be spearheaded by Bob Foulser as usual.

Leaflets of the event are available outside Barnwells in Abbey Street – please help yourself and pass them on to your friends as well!

For further information and if you are considering opening your garden for the first time call Bob on 01300 341311.

MOVIOLA: The last film of the season will be “The Iron Lady” starring Meryl Streep.

It will be shown on Monday, April 23 in the Village Hall with doors open at 7pm.

Demand for tickets will in all likelihood be very high so be sure to book yours soon!

They are £ 5 and available from Shirley Reeve in Cerne (01300 341839) and also Ghislaine (01300 341352), Heather in Minterne (01300 341711), Yvonne in Godmanstone (01300 341421) and Jill in Buckland Newton (01300 345116).

CERNE VALLEY MOBILE Library: Please note that the Mobile Library will be visiting as follows, from Monday, April 23 onwards and on alternate Mondays: It will be at The Royal Oak in Cerne Abbas from 11:20am – 12:40pm and at Acreman Street Bungalows from 1:55pm – 2:30pm.

Godmanstone will be served on Fry’s Lane from 2:45pm – 3:05pm.

Please note that due to Easter there will only be one visit in April.

SYDLING ST. NICHOLAS “FITNESS with Fun” is the title of a weekly fitness session starting Monday, April 16 and again on Thursday, April 19 in the Village Hall.

Classes start at 7pm and are £ 4 per session.

Everyone is welcome regardless of ability.

For further information call Sally on 01300 341092.