SOUTHILL Community Centre is where the short mat bowls club meets from 2pm to 5pm every Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

They also meet on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm Since starting over ten years ago, this club continues to thrive, always keen to attract new members of all abilities.

This includes beginners right through to those who compete at county level.

Right now, they are celebrating the success of their Mariners team, who came close runners-up in the recent Dorset League finals.

The club offers a varied programme of friendlies, competitions, coach trips and social activities.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to drop in to one of the sessions and see for themselves, or for more information, telephone 01305 784018 or 01305 772739

  • THE St Aldhelm's Church harvest gifts will be going to the Tearfund this year in order to address the food shortages in East Africa.

Tearfund church partners are already distributing food and have ongoing projects helping communities to be more resilient to drought.

Church members are supporting the newly-launched appeal in response to this crisis.

This is graphically described on www.tearfund.org/news/east+africa+food+crisis

  • THERE have been many comments regarding the dilapidated state of the bus shelter outside the old police station on Dorchester Road.

The situation is that this shelter is one of a number that Adshel have agreed will be suitable for replacement by one of their advertising shelters.

The council's agreement with the company is being revised and is currently being ratified.

Once this has been finalised, Adshel will proceed with seeking the planning approval required for the adverts and then once this has been obtained they can go ahead and build the new shelters.

  • PLANS for a pedestrian crossing on Dorchester Road, North of Lodmoor Hill are proceeding very slowly.

This is disappointing, as it was previously stated that, following the due procedures required construction of the crossing would be carried out at the end of this year or early in 2009.

The crossing is urgently required, as there have been numerous incidents which could have had tragic consequences, so it is necessary for the project to be brought to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.

  • PUPILS at Radipole School recently discovered an unusual wasp spider in their school nature reserve.

Radipole School Nature Reserve began in November 1969, when two teachers and six ten year old boys constructed a wooden hide.

Later a few shrubs were added.

It has developed considerably since then.

In May 2000, the reserve was officially given the status of Local Nature Reserve.

This does not mean it is open to the public, but it helps to secure the long term professional management of this valuable resource of which the school is justifiably proud.

Reserve founder Neil Arnold's booklet contains detailed information on the plants and animals that can be spotted living and feeding in the reserve, which also features a well-established pond.