ON THURSDAY, Friday and Saturday, February 17, 18 and 19 Broadmayne Players will present their pantomime Little Red Riding Hood by Paul Reakes in Broadmayne Village Hall.

Performances commence at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) and admission is £5 per adult with a reduction of £2 on each night for a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 16.

Tickets are available from the Corner House Store or by telephoning 01305 852795.

STAN Harland is delighted to report an item of good news.

The Broadmayne Surgery Patient Support Group has recently responded to its 500th request for assistance, a remarkable achievement since the formation of the group in October 2008.

This level of response is unprecedented in Dorset and reflects positively on the unselfish public spirit which exists in this community.

Financial support to form the group was initially provided by Dorset PoPP, the parish council and the Broadmayne Players who all recognised the need for the well being of those in the community less able to access medical care and welfare support.

Currently there are 17 active volunteers who provide a wide range of services, involving transport to the surgery, hospital, dentist, optician, chiropractor and delivery of prescriptions, which was very necessary over the Christmas/New Year period when heavy snowfall caused treacherous conditions.

Perhaps the most poignant observation comes from an elderly resident, who is the primary carer for his wife in the early stages of dementia and wishes to be unnamed, who said “Without the volunteers I would have had to go to Dorchester and I love living in this village and would have hated to move”.

Such sentiments are so graphic, nothing else needs to be said.

During the first year, requests equated to 13 per month, they now equate to 40 per month.

Stan would like to thank all volunteers for their support and the staff of Broadmayne Surgery who provide an invaluable link between the patient and the voluntary service.

If you are a patient you can access the service through the surgery on 01305 852231 but if you are not registered please telephone Stan Harland on 01305 852115.