Bere Regis

  • PANCAKES got tossed at the annual WI pancake race at the sports club.

The children from Years three and four at Bere Regis school came along to take part, and Nathanial Hobbs was the winner, with Catherine Crocker winning the ladies’ race.

The sum of £180 was made from this fund-raising event, and this will go to a local charity.

  • PARISH council agreed the appointment of local family man, Paul Critchell, to take on the important role of Bere Regis parish lengthsman following an advert that attracted 15 applicants.

Widely skilled and versatile, craftsman Paul will be employed on a part time basis and undertake a variety of tasks around the parish in the communal areas including maintenance, gardening, repairs and projects to bring and maintain not just the village but the surrounding areas of the parish as well, to a high standard of cleanliness and safety.

If there are jobs you think need doing parishioners are asked to contact Councillor Martin Howard on 01929 472841 rather than approach Paul directly.

The planning application to install a wind turbine on the hill to the East of Rogers Hill Farm which we discussed last month has now been withdrawn, and will presumably be resubmitted in due course.

Whilst we fervently hope we will not experience weather as bad as that which we suffered in December, we are taking steps to improve our situation by putting in three more grit and salt bins around the village over the next few weeks.

  • A ROYAL Wedding Celebration is to be presented by the Woodbury Hill Singers on Saturday, April 16 at 2.30pm in the Drax Hall.

Tickets cost £3.50 to include a cream tea, so put on your posh hats and buttonholes and come along to enjoy some old favourite songs in aid of the village hall.

  • FIVE Weddings and a Funeral is the title of Susie Edwards’ floral arrangement demonstration to the WI on Tuesday, March 15 at 7.30pm in the Drax Hall.

For all information on the WI, contact Sally on 01929 471022.

  • WILDLIFE Watch group has a meeting on Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm at Turberville Court.

This will be an illustrated talk by Tony Bates on the Wildlife and Scenery of Bere Regis Through the Seasons.

Contact Tony Bates on 01929 471563 for all information.

Affpuddle

  • GWEN Yarker is to give a power point talk on Picturing Dorset: The Public Catalogue Foundation which includes the unique village hall portraits.

This is to be on Thursday, March 24 at 7.30pm in Briantspuddle village hall.

Tickets cost £3 for what promises to be a very interesting evening.

Puddletown

  • A RECITAL by internationally-famous classical guitarist Michael Partington will include works by Rodrigo and Scarlatti.

This will be held in the conservatory at Athelhampton House on Wednesday, March 23 at 7.45pm. Arrival from 7pm.

All profits will go to Friends of Puddletown Library, who are fighting to retain the village’s library.

Patrick Cooke is generously making no charge for the use of the conservatory for this recital.

Tickets cost £10, and are available from 11 High Street Puddletown, 01305 848352.

  • COUNTRYWOMEN'S club had 22 members at its February meeting when Alastair Chisholm came along to talk about his life as a town crier.

Maureen Lush, who died just after Christmas, will be greatly missed by club members.

She worked so hard to sell items on our monthly Bring and Buy stall to boost club funds.

The annual points cup was won by Thelma Coombes with Shirley Hart second and Barbara Scanlon third.

The afternoon competition, An item of old Dorchester, was won by Brenda Jenkins with Shirley Hart second.

The next meeting of the countrywomen’s club is on Wednesday, April 13, in the village hall.

This begins earlier at 2pm when Mr and Mrs Taylor will present Scrabble Man- team game.

For all information, contact Wendy Cox on 01305 848360