Preston Ladies Circle held their Christmas Party at the Village Hall. They were entertained by the Crossways Handbell Ringers, who played a delightful medley of Christmas music which was ideally suited to the melodious bells.

Following a tasty buffet the decorated hat competition ended in a draw between Wendy and Doreen. Thanks are due to Renee Crowson, Mary Warran, Rose Cooke and Josie Weston, among others, for organising such an enjoyable event.

The Ladies Circle meet on the fourth Wednesday in the month at 2pm in the Village Hall, and welcome new members to all their meetings.

After all the money has been counted, I am pleased to be able to say that the collection taken at the annual carol service around the Christmas tree at Sutton Poyntz raised £154.00 to support the work of The Salvation Army.

Mike Browne of the Foresters also reports that the collection at Mrs Madge's Christmas Display in Brunel Drive/Seven Acres Road came to £540.68. He says that the Salvation Army will be using this money to support local people who are in genuine need this winter.

Both events show the generosity of everyone in Preston and Sutton Poyntz – so well done to all concerned.

Since I mentioned the lack of fencing around the newly constructed holding pond at Heron Close car park, it is pleasing to see that the area has now been securely fenced.

Thankfully this was carried out just before the cold snap, when the ice on the pond might have attracted youngsters. The path alongside the pool is extensively used by locals on their way from the housing estate to Overcombe Corner, and the state of this path still gives cause for concern.

Clearly it was dug up during the work and then re-laid, but the level is too low, and there is now always one huge pool of water, sometimes two, right across the walking area, preventing access to anyone not dressed in waders!

One person who contacted me believes that the run-off pipe carrying water from the pond onto the Lodmoor may not be doing its job, so the holding pond gets too full.

The work is now the responsibility of W&PBC, as I understand that a sum of money to carry out the work was deposited with them by Swan Homes, the Streamside flats developers, who have now gone into receivership.

It is a shame when improvement work actually reduces local amenities, and hopefully the path will soon be restored to its former state.