Bere Regis

  • AFTER very many months of being completely sign-less, the residents of Shitterton can now find their way home again

The wonderful new stone sign has been initiated by the parish council chairman Ian Ventham, and funded by a number of the residents.

The magnificent Purbeck stone rough hewn block has now replaced the former traditional street sign which once again had had its front plate misappropriated for the umpteenth time.

Not only will any would-be thieves need a crane and truck to carry away the new sign, but they will also be somewhat dissuaded by the fact that it has been firmly concreted to its base thanks to Eddie Butterfield and Martin Debenham.

Discussions have been held at the parish council about the possibility of a similar signage for the main entry points to Bere Regis.

  • RAGAMUFFINS pre-school is to hold another dog show and fete on Saturday, September 18.

Gates will open at 1pm, and the dog show starts at 2pm.

The dog show has proved to be a very popular and successful event for Ragamuffins.

As this has developed over the past two years to include a village fete, it is proposed to open it up to other village organisations to run stalls and make it an even better community event.

Choose a stall from a list of available ones on a first-come first-served basis.

Proceeds for individual stalls will go directly to the organisation running the stall.

Please contact Cathryn Packham on 01929 4771752 to book a stall or discuss your requirements.

  • BROCHURES for Ragamuffins pre-school are now available.

Reserve your child's place for September and beyond as places fill quickly.

Visits are always welcome..

The pre-school is open from 8am until 5pm during term time.

Contact manager Debbie Greatorex on 01929 472125.

  • DORSET Archives in Dorchester is the destination for the WI on the evening of Tuesday, July 20.

The visit will be followed by a fish and chip supper.

If you would like to come to this, or any of the WI's meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, please contact Sally on 01929 471022 or Lesley on 471732.

  • FAIR Waved the Golden Corn is the title of a flower festival to take place in the church on Saturday, August 28, Sunday August 29 and Monday, August 30 from 11am until 4.30pm daily.

Refreshments are available throughout.

All proceeds will go towards the church roof repairs.

  • MOTHERS' Union members will be having a wave of prayer in the church on Wednesday, July 29 at 10.50am.

For all information, contact Nancy Gibson on 01929 472105.

  • YOUNG at Heart is a group of people of all ages who have been working on the new church allotment.

This project is the brainchild of Paula Kent and Sarah Welton

On a pleasant evening recently, four adults and four children dug, weeded, planted and watered.

They also had a lot of fun deciding what to plant where.

Seeds were sown, plants were donated, and the allotment now grows lettuces, broad beans, runner beans, pumpkins and flowers to be sold in aid of church funds.

  • CHURCH tours have started again this year with the help of local parishioners who act as guides.

The tours are on Tuesdays at 11am and Thursdays at 3pm each week

Featured this year is the brilliant biodiversity of lichens on the church building and on the gravestones.

Over 80 lichens have been identified.

  • A PUBLIC transport service to Wareham has been requested for a number of years.

However, numbers have not been sufficient to keep previous bus services going.

Dorset county council has been experimenting with shared taxi schemes for communities with a low level of demand.

On Mondays to Saturdays, except public holidays, a shared taxi service will run, departing Bere Regis at 9.30am and departing Wareham at 12.30pm.

The taxi will also take you out to Bere Regis to arrive at 9.30am and return you to Wareham at 4.30pm to give connections with the service 40 bus from Swanage.

The taxi needs to be pre-booked by ringing 0845 241 0117 between 8.40am and 5.20pm Monday to Thursday, and between 8.40am and 3pm on Friday, at least one hour before the departure time.

Pre-booked passengers will be collected from Bere Regis Southbrook, Elder Road,/Manor Farm Road and the Drax Arms bus stop, and at Wareham Forest caravan park, Birchwood caravan park and the Silent Woman.

They will be delivered to Wareham station bus stop and Wareham South Bridge.

The fare will be £1.50 each way.

Purbeck concessionary fare passes will be accepted, but will need to be shown to the driver.

If you wish to make further inquiries about this service, please contact Peter Impett of Dorset county council on 01305 224535.

All bookings on 0845 2410117.