Cerne Abbas

  • OPEN Gardens week-end: Despite the poor weather, a larger number of gardens than usual opened their doors for visitors , 25 in all!

Their owners were rewarded by an equal amount of tickets sold and it is hoped that the chosen charities will receive a sizeable donation soon.

Many thanks to everyone who enjoyed the gardens and the week-end and of course to the garden-openers!

  • NEW school: 13 speakers supported put forward points for and against the planned new school at the recent Parish Council meeting and it was unanimously decided to support the application at the outline stage.

Further clarification will be sought on issues of traffic management, parking, the future of Simsay Field etc.

The full letter is available on www.cerneabbas.org.

At the time of writing this column, a decision on the planning application is imminent.

  • THIS year's church fete will take place on Saturday, July 12.

The venue, as usual, is the Vicarage gardens, doors will open at 12:30pm.

The admission charge is £ 1, children go free and there is free parking.

The success of this hugely popular fete depends on the generous contribution made by people to the different stalls and this is how you can help, whether you live in or near the village or a bit further away: All non-perishable items can be delivered to stallholders by Friday, July 11 (collection can be arranged).

Perishable goods should be taken directly to the stalls between 9:30am - 11am on the day of the fete.

A list of people to contact for your donations is enclosed in the July edition of Cerne's parish magazine "The Newsletter".

Stalls include books, cakes (usually exceedingly popular!), home produce, surprise parcels, new-to-you clothes and many more.

Cerne Abbas First School is running a stall this year to promote healthy eating.

Please support them and everyone else and mark Saturday, July 12 in your diary, the fete is great fun and a real family event!

Buckland Newton

  • A PARISH Clerk is urgently required by the Parish Council.

The successful applicant needs to be computer literate, with knowledge of keeping manual accounts.

Good communication skills, an ability to organise and keen time management are important aspects of the job.

It goes without saying that openness, honesty and trust are the foundations upon which the position is based.

Jacqui Cuff, current Parish Clerk, is leaving albeit with much regret.

This is due to increased personal and professional commitments.

She is, however, highly recommending this position, of particular interest are the prospective play area improvements and the proposed allotments.

Please contact her, if you are interested, on 01300 345405 or send her an e-mail: jacuff@talk21.com.

  • AFFORDABLE housing: Those of you who have followed my reports on the above will have noticed that an update is long overdue.

Unfortunately, the planned start day in May has been missed, due to a last minute change of heart of the building firm.

Efforts are in place to secure new contract arrangements as soon as the costing has been re-assessed and a competitive price by a building firm has been received.

It is hoped to "get the ball rolling" by the end of the summer.