OUR Horticultural Show was a brilliant success at the weekend (176 entries!) – the floral displays a veritable feast to the eye, and the produce a temptation to the taste buds, wonderful animal sculptures, cakes, preserves & shortbread to die for! – everyone has worked so hard, especially Mandy & Martin who were ‘in charge’, and all those who helped set up and do the myriad jobs that go into a good show - well done everyone.

That is before I mention the BBQ that followed – organised by the Hall Committee – chicken, sausage & burgers, accompanied by scrumptious salads and crusty bread – THEN the deserts – well I won’t describe them except to say ‘how does one choose???’ A lot of the entries were auctioned for the East Africa Appeal, and hot off the press, I’ve heard £190.00 was raised! What a generous crowd.

THE RAG-BAG collection was on the same day and I’m now waiting for them to collect the THIRTEEN bagsful you donated – well done all who participated – I will let you know how much we raise for the Village Hall & Church.

Do NOT start throwing away your old fabrics etc because I begin collecting for the next one immediately – either hang on to them or bring them to me to store.

THE AUTUMN season of Clubs and Meetings has started with a speaker from the Dorset Wildlife Trust telling us about their work to preserve, encourage & increase the very important and diverse Grasslands of our amazing county.

Each type of grassland has to be managed in a specific way to form a suitable habitat (allowing certain types of wild flowers to flourish) for some of the most endangered invertebrate species which, in turn, form the food chain for other important animals, that thrill us when we see them.

They spend a lot of time on farms encouraging and educating the farmers in the best ways to improve on the good work they already do in feeding us and looking after or heritage, also leading walks on farms, pointing out to the general public the benefits of sustainable husbandry.

Next month we have Valerie Stevens talking about “The Festival of Britain ‘51”, which is very appropriate as it is the 60th Anniversary.