• In order to carry out resurfacing work, Dorset County Council will be closing two local roads. The first is Wyke Oliver Road, between the Preston Road and Oakbury Drive junctions on Wednesday/Thursday 2/3 October. The second is 300 metres of Coombe Valley Road from 44 Coombe Valley Road northward to 60 Coombe Valley Road, on Thursday/Friday 3/4 October. Both closures will operate between 09:00hrs to 16:00hrs and the roads will be open outside of these times. If these are on your local routes, alternatives will be signposted.

• I recently reported that Margaret’s Seat, a stone bench high on the hill above Sutton Poyntz commanding beautiful views of the bay, had been vandalised (though there are those who believe this could be down to cows scratching themselves on it!). Passing again recently I note that someone has made a determined effort to put it back into one piece. This must have taken some effort, as the seat and back rest are separate blocks of Portland stone. Unfortunately the whole structure now seems very unsteady, and although you can just about sit on it, further work is necessary to make it safe. At least now everyone is now aware of the problem, and hopefully a benefactor with the skill and lifting equipment might come forward to restore the seat to its former glory.

• Walking along the coast path shortly after the campers had departed from the Eweleaze farm fields I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was not one piece of litter in view anywhere. It can get a bit cluttered with all the tents, but we can hardly begrudge the campers one month when we have it to ourselves for the other eleven, especially when afterwards there is no sign of their occupation.

• The hedge alongside the pedestrian walkway between Wyke Oliver and Chalbury Close has been cut back, this time well before it had become an overgrown nuisance. The County Council, who are now responsible, are right on top of the job.

• The September draw of the St Andrew’s School 200 club took place in Miss Caddy's Year 1 class. Amelie Napier drew the £50 prize for Joe Reynolds, Amelia Enticott helped Jason Chambers to £30 and Anna Miles-Simmonite selected Mrs Mulholland for the £15 prize. The new year for the club starts in November, so now is the ideal time to join in this worthwhile exercise. 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.

• National Trust members and non-members are invited to a get to know you coffee morning in the Church Rooms at 10.30am on Saturday 5 October. This is a chance for members to meet informally, and for non-members to learn something about the work of the National Trust. The cost is £2.50 for members and £3 for non-members. Contact Michael Watson 773855 for further information.