SOUTH WEST QUILTERS Dorset Branch will be coming to Portesham to run a workshop programme for 2011 in the village hall.

The workshops will be held once a month commencing in March with Anne Baxter and her course on “Seminole Bag” which will run from 10am-4.00pm at a price of £18 for the day.

The Dorset Branch of S.W. Quilters has run workshops all over Dorset on patchwork and quilting of every kind and members who live i Bridport and further afield in Devon, may also be interested in the courses.

There will be a starter session on December 14 (which will have taken place before this is printed) but is a course which Maggie Howell told me is a “fun day” geared around Christmas with four tutors teaching the making of small gifts and decorations and if the day proves popular they may try and fit in another similar session before Christmas.

A full programme of workshops for 2011 may be obtained from Maggie Howell on 01305 771850 or Desira Smith on 771450.

  • THE VILLAGE Hall Committee will be organising their Christmas Barn Dance again this year on Saturday, December 18 in the village hall from 7.30pm The Band “Teasing the Cat” led by John Dike will again be playing and the tickets are £7.50 (£3.50 for children) to include a ploughman’s supper, with a licensed bar for buying drinks.

Tickets are available from the village hall PO between 10-12noon on Tuesdays from 23rd November or can be obtained on 871892 or 871392 with early booking advisable, as numbers will be limited.

  • THE VILLAGE CAFÉ to be held on Saturday November 20 is being organised by the Children’s Society from 10-12noon.

The village has a special interest in this charity and the Café will be with “Christmas in Mind” so do come along and join in the social atmosphere with refreshments and the library as usual and perhaps a few extra surprises.

  • THE PREVIOUS Village Café run by the RBL Abbotsbury and Portesham Branch was very well attended with a huge array of raffle prizes, produce stall and bric a brac, all in aid of the Poppy Appeal, and stalls and raffle did brisk business with a good sum raised towards this charity.
  • PLEASE remember our Pop In Coffee shop at the Village PO on a Tuesday morning 10-12noon with coffee, cappuccino, tea or hot chocolate and biscuits (a biscuit free with each hot drink) and a bit of company, especially on a cold windy morning to cheer you before heading back home.
  • ST. PETER’S CRAFTY Christmas Tea Party will take place in the village hall on Saturday, November 27 at 3.00pm The afternoon will include a ‘Christmas theme’ raffle and tombola, the usual stalls and games, ‘Possum kitchen’, Christmas decorations, toys, sweets and lots more.

As well as the tea and mince pies there will be scones and cream and ‘posh’ cakes to enjoy with friends so come along and enjoy the afternoon.