• The mysterious equipment on the pedestrian island at the Chalbury Corner lights that I mentioned last week has turned out to be a CCTV camera. But what’s it there for? Surveying teams have also been sighted out and about in the same area. This perhaps suggests that DCC is on the move with regard to the Preston Road ‘improvements’, though the results of the public consultation have yet to be announced.

• Thousands of starlings have been delighting bird watchers – and my In-house Adviser – in the sky above the Lodmoor Bird Reserve. These events, known as a ‘Murmuration of Starlings’ are seen around dusk, and make a magnificent sight as the huge black cloud of tiny birds change direction in the blink of an eye. Apparently they need reaction times of 100ms (which is, apparently, very quick) to avoid bumping into one another. Though how you can actually tell they are not colliding the experts don’t say.

• Walking on the coast path and in the valley at Sutton Poyntz has proved very difficult recently. I have never known the fields so wet, and anywhere that walkers have little choice over route, or where livestock have been kept, has been trampled ankle deep in mud. The Sutton Poyntz pond has also turned brown, an unusual occurrence which, I have on good authority, was due to a burst water main in a field adjacent to the Water Pumping Station. It’s not too wet for the deer though, which according to reports from one resident with a web cam in his garden, are back in force in Sutton Poyntz!

• Overcombe WI will be holding a Christmas Coffee Morning on Thursday 22 November in the Mission Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. On display will be homemade jams and chutneys, fabric bags and gifts, gemstone jewellery, crafts, Phoenix cards, delicious cakes, glassware and framed local photographs. It only costs £1.50 to get in, which includes coffee and a slice of cake. Perhaps the place to go for that elusive Christmas present?

• Barbara Mills tells me that the Abbeyfield Society Coffee Morning will take place on Saturday 24th November in Macpherson House in Wyke Oliver Road from 10am to 11.30am. There will be a wide range of stalls, and all proceeds go towards the Residents Amenities Fund. Entry is 50p, which includes a cup of coffee. Everyone is welcome.