RESIDENTS are celebrating after Weymouth businesses rallied round to sponsor an event in aid of a threatened beauty spot.

Following an appeal in the Echo, veterinary surgeons Fielding and Cumber came forward to sponsor the annual event, run by the Society for the Protection of Markham and Little Francis.

Members of the group are fighting to have the Curtis Fields site designated as a Town Green to prevent development.

Mary Larkin, one of the organisers of the show, said: “We are so grateful to everyone – businesses and the public – for their support.

“The donations will be used to cover our running costs and mean that anything we make on the day will help our campaign.”

The £250 donation from Fielding and Cumber will be used to hire gazebos and pay for prizes and advertising posters, which will include pedigree and fun dog classes. Dave Cumber will be a judge.

Colleague Malcolm Cumber, practice manager, said: “A lot of our clients will be attending, so we were only too happy to support it.”

The Lobster Pot restaurant will also food, as well as members of staff to cook it, and Dennis Spurr, of the Fantastic Sausage Factory, is donating sausages.

Larkin Windows have donated £160 to cover the cost of rosettes and Karen Croad will pay for prizes for the obedience trials.

Site owners Betterment Properties LTD have submitted plans for public consultation to build 600 homes on the site. The society is waiting to hear if their application to the Supreme Court will be allowed.

If successful, their legal team will challenge the decision to revoke the Town Green status.

The dog show takes place on July 29 from 11am on Marsh Fields and registration for classes is at 10am.

Have your say on development

RESIDENTS are reminded about a public exhibition that will be showcasing development plans for the area.

Betterment Properties, which owns Curtis Fields near Lanehouse, is making its ideas for the site known in a roadshow at Weymouth Community Fire Station in Radipole Lane today and tomorrow.

Views will be taken into account before a planning application is submitted.

The exhibition is being held in conjunction with public events arranged by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in order to obtain views on the Draft Local Plan, a blueprint for future development.

The Curtis Fields exhibition will be held at the fire station’s safety centre today from 11am to 8pm and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm.

Forthcoming planning events for Weymouth and West Dorset will be held at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange on June 26, Portland St George’s Centre on June 27 and Redlands Community Sports Hub on June 28, from 1pm.