• The recent AGM of the Preston Village Hall Management Committee was an occasion tinged with sadness, for Terry Marsden, the longstanding Chairman, was stepping down after nearly 23 years in office. In that time he has overseen many improvements to the Hall, including a major extension, the roof refurbishment, internal changes and a host of smaller projects that have kept the hall in tip top condition. In his annual report he paid tribute to all the dedicated members who had contributed to the smooth running of the hall over the years, and he expressed his gratitude for their efforts in making the Hall a true community facility. He said that rental had remained buoyant and investments provided growth, and they continued to benefit from Stan Baileys' legacy, in being able to meet financial demands without too much arduous fund raising. However he did urge that fundraising continue in case major works or repairs were needed in the future. He wished the incoming Chairman, Dave Geary, and the remainder of the Management Committee all the best, and he hoped that the Village Hall would go from strength to strength in the future. Terry was, of course, also involved in many other local activities, one notable being the Preston Pantomime Group, where, amongst other characters, he made a wonderful pantomime dame, and doubled as scenery creator back stage! To warm applause Terry was presented with a cut glass wine flute and a bottle of Dorset Champagne in recognition of his services. I know that I speak for myself and everyone who knew him, and especially the users of the Village Hall who for more than two decades have benefitted from his chairmanship, in sending him all our good wishes for himself and wife Jackie in their move to Swindon.

• Although it has been well covered elsewhere in the paper, I couldn't let the event pass without congratulating Peter Jones on his sterling work in getting the fingerpost direction signs reinstalled at the top of Plaister's Lane. They are a very welcome sight, and let's hope they remain there for many a year to come.

• Major works have taken place at the pedestrian crossing on the Preston Road between the Haven Holiday park entrance and the Preston Village Hall. When I find out the reasons for these you will read about them here first. At the time the crossing was initially suggested I wrote to DCC with a series of questions about it. This resulted in a very polite request to withdraw them, as the time taken to answer would have resulted in a delay into the next financial year by which time funding would not have been available! For this reason I like to think that I was a major influence on the construction of the crossing.

• In Sutton Poyntz seventeen gardens, plus all the front gardens of Old Bincombe Lane, will be on display on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June from noon until 5.00pm each day. At £5/person (children and parking free) this has to be good value, with a host of other events - an Art Exhibition, Children’s Hunt the Butterfly Competition, craft stalls and refreshments available in the Mission Hall. Proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK and Water Aid and entry will be by programme, available from local venues or the Mission Hall on the day. Those of you who know how beautiful the village is will need no urging to attend, but if you haven't been before then you are in for a real treat.