• Bonnie Symonds reports that the recent Preston Save the Children coffee morning raised a wonderful total of £275. This was despite the fact that some members were unable to attend, and demonstrates how dedicated and hard working the group is for this deserving cause.

• I have just learnt that there is an evening Reading Group which meets regularly in the Village Hall. The next meeting is on Wednesday 4 December, so if you are interested, give Marian a call on 246359 for full details.

• The Weymouth & Portland Holzwickede Society is holding a coffee morning in the Church Rooms starting at 10.30am on Friday 7 December. There will be a talk on magic (and perhaps a trick or two, who knows?) given by Dr Alan Chitty, who is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Everyone is welcome, and admission is £3.50 which includes coffee, tea and cakes. If you would like more details, give Tony a ring on 832694.

• Also on Friday 7 December the regular monthly coffee morning takes place in the Mission Hall between 10.30am and noon. Admission, which includes coffee and delicious homemade cakes, is £1.50. This is your chance to catch up on village news, and browse an exhibition of ‘Toys from Times Past’. • Later that day, at 7pm, the Salvation Army Band will be leading carols at the junction of Brunel Drive and Seven Acres Road, where there is one of the best displays of Christmas decorations in the area!

• The Preston Village Christmas Market will be on Saturday 8 December in the Church Rooms between 10am and 12.30pm. There will be lots of interesting stalls – craft, cakes and savouries, preserves, jewellery, plants, fresh produce, eggs and probably a lot more this close to the festive season. Refreshments will be available, so why not drop in and perhaps pick up a present or two?

• The 10am service at St Andrew’s Church on Sunday 9 December will be a very emotional occasion, for that will be the time that goodbyes are said to the Wilshere family. After making an enormous contribution to life in the parish, Daile is moving on early in the New Year, so her sermon on the 9th will be very special. She will be greatly missed, and I know I speak for everyone when I wish her, and her family, all the very best in their new parish and home.