Abbotsbury and Langton Herring

Abbotsbury

  • BLEATING and baaing are just a couple of the sounds you hear, and come to expect, when you live the country side.

For a few days now, with Middle Farm behind us, and the lambs recently separated from their mothers, these rural sounds have been with us day and night.

  • RECENTLY I got lost in the Great Dorset Maize Maze.

This is situated on a working farm in Rodden, part of the parish of Abbotsbury.

I confess that I made my way out of the labyrinth by cheating feeling too embarrassed to wave my flag for help!

However there are quiz stations that will guide you to the exit and a little maize map, the cost of which will be refunded if it is unused.

The visit was made in the spirit of research for the visit of two small relatives.

They will not be disappointed.

The Maze has been in existence for 9 years, changing its theme each year.

For 2009 the theme is Eco friendly, ‘Saving the planet from the Junk Monster’.

Besides the Maze this family run business provides masses of activities for young and much older and when I visited it was very busy.

There are also all weather indoor barns for those wet days too.

Jacqui, the manager, told me that they also run team building and corporate events.

Their website www.greatdorsetmaizemaze.com will give you much more information.

  • ABBOTSBURY resident and walker, Peter Evans, secretary of the South Dorset Ramblers is spearheading a campaign to improve rural access from the Poundbury estates into the surrounding countryside.

This involves opening up two existing underpasses beneath the A35 and A37 trunk roads.

Peter tells me that good progress is being made concerning the A37 underpass with the Duchy agreeing to open it up for pedestrians and to link it with a new footpaths and open up the existing bridleway which has for many years been obstructed.

The Duchy has agreed in principle to opening the A35 underpass, but the access routes to Maiden Castle as agreed in the 2006 Poundbury Development Brief are proving to be more problematic.

  • TRICIA and Torben Houlberg held their second fundraising Casino Party for friends at Strangways Hall on Saturday, August 8.

Black ties and posh frocks were the order of the day for an evening of charity gaming and a light supper.

This year, sadly, we had to give it a miss as our children and grandchildren arrived from their home in France.

However Tricia and Torben tell me that it was a splendid bit of a do that raised £1100 to be donated equally to the Weldmar Hospice Care Trust and Strangways Hall.

Grateful thanks are given to all who helped made it such a fun evening.

  • AN INVITATION to the Artemesia Gallery in West Street, found me admiring their new exhibition of art work.

This runs until the end of September.

Vicky Finding is exhibiting oils and watercolours. Many of her atmospheric scenes are of the Dorset coastline showing the awesome power of the elements.

David Atkins, who lives in Dorset with his family specialises in landscapes.

At this exhibition you can see his oils of Weymouth Harbour, views over the Chesil and other local scenes.

I was impressed by his beautiful skies.

  • I HAVE received an email forwarded from Dorset County Council regarding the B3157 road safety partnership project which I have reported on recently with regard to our village.

Public drop in sessions for our villages will be held on Wednesday, September 16 in Portesham village hall between 2pm and 8pm and in Burton Bradstock village hall between 2pm and 8pm.

The public will be able to see for themselves what is suggested to make our coast road safer and to enhance our villages.

They will be able to talk to members of the project team and partners, including representatives from highways, engineering design and road safety teams, Dorset Area of Natural Beauty Partnership and an advanced driving instructor.

Questionnaires will be available for people to give their views.

This will be the opportunity for us all be involved in this very important project.

  • SAMANTHA Miners is holding a Cheese and Wine evening at Strangways Hall on Thursday, August 21 from 7pm – 9pm.

Village girl Sam, daughter of Mike and Wendy Miners will soon be going to South Africa to work in an orphanage as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Tickets are £3. All are welcome

Fleet

  • A LOW- TIDE walk at Pirate’s Cove will take place on Friday, August 21.

This will be an opportunity to look at the wildlife exposed at low tide with a local guide. Meet at Camp Road at 1.30pm. Adults £3, children £2.