• New toddler swings are installed in Radipole Park children's playground.

The old swings had to be removed some while ago because they had become rusty and unsafe.

As there were no funds to replace the swings, the. Friends of Radipole Park & Gardens set about raising the money.

The target was £6000 of which £1000 was to come from sponsorship and local events with the remainder subject to a ‘Grassroots’ organisation grant.

The Friends Group reached the £1000 target at the end of March, and were advised by ‘Grassroots’ that their grant application appeared to meet the necessary criteria for an award.

However, a decision on this was unlikely before the summer and even if successful grant funds would not be available until next year because the 2009 budget was already exhausted.

This would have caused an unacceptable delay in replacing the swings so the Friends Group asked the Council to consider lending the money until the grant funding was secured.

In recognition of the Friends Group efforts in raising funds themselves, it was agreed to divert some money from later projects, so the new swings could be provided for the children, who are now enjoying them!

  • At their April meeting, members of the Radipole & Southill Horticultural Society enjoyed a talk and slide show by John Hallett, a volunteer from the National Trust. He had excellent pictures of the Gardens of the National Trust in Wessex and took the members on a tour of Kingston Lacy, Stourhead, Tyntesfield, Hidcote and Dyrham Park.

John Hallett was very informative about the history and new developments in these lovely gardens and inspired the members to revisit these properties.

There are now plans for a special meeting of the society in May.

It is to be called “Showtime” and Daphne Smith, who leads the Flowers for Fun Group has invited Mark Read along to demonstrate his floral art.

There will also be displays from the shows by the ladies in the group, and these will all be raffled to raise funds for the children of Bytom in Poland, which is supported by members of Weymouth Baptist Church.

The group invite all those interested along on Monday 11th May at 7.30 pm to enjoy the floral arrangements and support this worthy cause.

  • The Friends of Lodmoor Country Park next open meeting is set for 6.30 pm on Thursday 14th May in the Lodmoor Country Pub function room.

It is hoped that there will be good support and all are welcome to attend.

  • People are advised to come early to the Big Plant & Garden Sale at Radipole United Reform Church in Spa Road on Saturday 16th May, at 2.00 pm Plants on offer include annuals, perennials, shrubs, vegetables and fruit bushes.

Also, there will be tools, garden paraphernalia, produce and refreshments.

The event is in aid of Church Funds.

  • Southill Community Centre is where the Leukaemia Research Spring Fair takes place on Saturday 23rd May.

Starting at 2.30 pm, there will be tea and cakes, bric-a-brac and a plant sale.