• The Scout & Guide Autumn Jumble Sale in the Scutt Hall was a great success. Betty Hennessey tells me that they raised just over £600 which will go towards the upkeep and repair of the Hall, used by so many youngsters. She would like to thank everyone who donated items that they could sell, everyone who helped prepare for the event and those who turned out on the day to make sure everything ran smoothly. I think that Betty herself also deserves a big “thank you”, for she works tirelessly for the benefit of our local youngsters.

• The 31 Bus Service normally ran from Weymouth to Dorchester (and beyond) via Chalbury Corner, but before 9am and after 6pm it would go straight up the Dorchester Road, omitting Preston. This was a considerable inconvenience for many people, but David Mannings tells me that has he been speaking to the relevant authorities and shortly ALL 31 buses will go via Chalbury Corner. Full details are being posted at bus stops or on the First web site.

• Have you noticed the long vertical pole with something – perhaps a camera? – at the top plus a large bag padlocked to the pedestrian lights at Chalbury Corner? If you know anything about this please give me a call. I suspect somebody in authority is recording something, and if I find anything I’ll let you know next week.

• There was a good turnout for the monthly coffee morning in the Mission Hall. In addition to the coffee, homemade cakes and the chance to catch up on village news, there is always an exhibition of local interest. This time it was a display of information and photographs about the funnel of Brunel’s SS Great Eastern, which was used for many years as a water filter at the Sutton Poyntz Waterworks. Wessex Water gave the funnel to the SS Great Britain Trust in Bristol in 2004 where it is now on display as the only remaining iron part of the ship still in existence. The next coffee morning is on Friday 7 December, 10.30 to noon. Admission, which includes refreshments, is £1.50 and the exhibition will be ‘Toys from Times Past’.

• The first draw of the St Andrew’s School 200 Club is scheduled for Friday 16 November. All proceeds go to help the children, so if you would like to join please contact the St Andrews School Office (832346) or Helen Webb (834908) for an application form