• Preston resident Terry Fowler - 49 years in computing and still learning himself, he says – tells me that every week he is a mentor at a Silver Surfers Club in Broadmayne Village Hall. He helps the 'mature’ people attending with advice on the setting up and use of computers and the benefits of access to the internet. If there is sufficient interest, he has volunteered to set up a weekly daytime meeting to do the same thing in our Preston/Sutton Poyntz area. He would apply for a grant to cover the capital cost of a suitable laptop, printer and internet access, while attendees would be expected to contribute towards the running costs - internet access, printer paper etc. Anyone with an interest, either as a learner or a mentor should contact Terry on 835330.

• The Special December draw of the St Andrew’s School 200 club took place in Mrs Guerney's year 2 class. Leon Reed drew the £150 prize for Mrs Holland, Imogen Mould helped Mrs Lane to £75, Eloise Morris selected Mrs Rosemary Sargeant for the £50 prize and Katy Stone provided Laura James with the final prize of £20. All the money from the monthly draw goes towards facilities for the children, so contact Helen Webb at helencwebb@fsmail.net if you would like to help.

• I am delighted to report that the Springhead Pub in Sutton Poyntz is once again throbbing with activity. New owner Karen tells me that the Christmas Dinner, mainly for locals, was fully booked, and tickets for the New Year Fancy Dress Party and buffet were hard to come by. A village needs a pub with a roaring fire, warm welcome, real ale and good food and I hope that Karen gets the support she needs to continue to supply just those. Make it your New Year resolution to drop in for a pint and see what plans she has for the coming months, and I’ll try to keep you up to date on these as well.

• After all the rain recently it was a delight to be able to get out – with care – onto the Coast Path towards Osmington. The ground is wetter than I have ever known in my 40+ years here, and the path has suffered from landslips as you could see from the pictures in the Echo recently, but we are still blessed to have some of the best scenery in the country right on our doorstep. It was a delight to enjoy the warm sunshine and good wishes of so many other local hardy souls during my New Year day’s walk. May 2013 all you would wish for you and yours.