Affpuddle

  • HOT Fingers, the vintage acoustic string band from the north Cotswolds gave a hugely entertaining performance to a packed hall in Briantspuddle.

This was yet another high-quality Artsreach performance.

After expenses had been paid, £177.74 was made for village hall funds.

  • SEVEN Years in Nepal is the title of an illustrated talk to be given in Briantspuddle village hall on Wednesday, February 24 at 7.30pm.

The talk will be given by local villagers Allan and Andrea Smith, who not long ago returned to Briantspuddle from Nepal.

Tickets for the talk cost £3, and can be bought at the door on the night.

There will be a bar, plus tea and coffee before the talk and during the interval.

  • FILM nights in Briantspuddle village hall continue with a showing of 1974 film, The Sting, starring Robert Redford on Wednesday, March 17 at 7.30pm.

The film won seven academy awards including Best Picture.

Puddletown

  • YOUNG Farmers’ Club is holding its fourth annual ploughing match on Saturday, March 13 at Puddletown.

This will be held on land just off the A35 Troytown Junction by kind permission of Mr A Turney.

If you are heading out of Puddletown, it is past the recreation ground and on the left. The event will be signposted.

The general public are most welcome to come and watch the seven classes taking place starting at 10am and finishing at 1.30pm when the judging will take place and prizes given out to the best competitors.

The event is in aid of charity and for club fundraising.

There will be a raffle and the Young Farmers will be selling refreshments. Come along to see large modern tractors, and old vintage tractors and ploughs at work, being used by both old hands and young novices!

For an Entry form please contact Anthony Cox on 01305 848514 / 07917526462 .

Everyone is welcome to take part from commercial ploughmen to vintage tractor lovers.

The deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 3.

  • AN AUCTION of promises in aid of St Mary's church for the restoration of the church tower and repair to the roof is to be held on Tuesday, April 27.

The auction will be led by Garry Batt of Hy Duke, fine art auctioneers.

Offers of promises and other donations for this event are now being gathered.

If you would like to make a contribution ,please contact Jim and Diana Wilson on 01305 848510 or Glad Antell on 848646.

Bere Regis

  • FLORAL group members congratulated their president, Joan Herridge, on her ninetieth birthday at the February meeting of the club.

The club gave Joan a gift of an arrangement of Cherry Brandy roses, tulips, carnations, and hypericum berries.

Every member signed a birthday card for Joan to mark this very special birthday.

The demonstrator for the day was Jean Allcroft from Corfe Mullen, who had also celebrated her birthday the day before the meeting.

The next meeting of the floral group is on Tuesday, March 9 at 2pm in Winterborne Kingston village hall.

Visitors are welcomed without charge to this meeting.

The demonstrator is Julia Harrison from Exmouth, and her title is It's Still Fun.

For all enquiries about the floral group, telephone the secretary, Sonia Honeywood on 01258 881345.

  • BERE REGIS - A Step Back in Time is a photographic exhibition to be held at the Drax Hall on Easter Monday, April 5 from 10am until 4pm.

Admission is £2. Refreshments are available.

The exhibition will include lots of exciting new images.

  • A STEP Back in Time is also the title for the photographic competition to be put on by the village hall.

The subject is My Favourite View in the Village of Bere Regis.

The competition is in two sections - under 16 and adult.

Photographs can be either in black and white or colour, and the maximum size is ten inches by eight inches.

Entries must be submitted to Alison Bennett, 3 Rye Hill Close, no later than Sunday, March 14.

There will be prizes for the winners.

All entries will be displayed as part of the Step Back in Time exhibition on Easter Monday, April 5 at the village hall.

Please include your name and telephone number, and age if under 16.

For all enquiries regarding the competition, telephone Alison Bennett on 01929 472023.

  • ARUNDEL Castle is the destination for the church outing on April 24.

The castle was built at the end of the eleventh century, and has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 900 years.

The cost of tickets is £23.50, or £22 for over 60s.

If you would like to go, contact John and Pat on 01929 551266.

Book now, please, but pay by March 20.