Sydling St. Nicholas

  • SHARP'S annual duck race takes place on Sunday, May 11.

The venue lies between Ham Farm and the Old School House.

The duck race starts at 3pm, with ducks at £ 1.50 or £ 4.00 for a family of three ducks.

These are available from SHARP members.

There are five cash prizes, afternoon tea and cakes will be available in the village hall from 3pm onwards.

All proceeds will be divided between the West Dorset branch of The Motor Neurone Disease Society and Practical Action's work in Zambia.

  • FRESH meat is the key to one of the best kept secrets in the village: The Sydling Brook organic farm shop.

Organic meat can be butchered there at your request, the shop is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm.

This farm shop also stocks a wide selection of other organic produce; their vegetables are grown freshly on the Estate.

Ring them on 01300 341992 or visit them on www.sydling.co.uk

  • SYDLING community space - an update: A total of £ 75.81 was raised for the community space through the Moviola nights.

Funding from the West Dorset District Council Leisure Development Fund has been received to the sum of £ 5,000.

All this takes the total up to about £ 20,000 and it is hoped to start some of the work this summer.

  • MATTRESSES are urgently needed by the Sydling St. Nicholas Fete Committee.

They will be laid under the Greasy Pole which is coming back by popular demand.

Unfortunately, due to the poor harvest, straw bales are unavailable.

Please contact Nick Hopkin on 01300 341252 if you can help, collection can be arranged.

Cerne Valley

  • DORSET Art Weeks are fast approaching: They take place from Saturday, May 24 until Sunday, June 8.

Many studios will open their doors to delight the visitor with all forms of creative visual art.

The Cerne and Frome Valley group boasts without a doubt some of the most beautiful venues and everyone is encouraged to view what's on offer.

From printmaking, textiles, sculpturing, photography to woodturning, stick-making or ceramics: 15 venues in total are set to welcome local visitors and those from further afield.

Free of charge catalogues are available from your local outlets.

Look out for the distinctive red and yellow venue signs when Dorset Art Weeks approach.

Buckland Newton

  • LYDDEN Walker's next walk will take place on Saturday, May 10.

A walk based on Bulbarrow will be organised.

Further proposed dates are as follows: Saturday, June 21 around Lyscombe/Folly, a walk in July to be agreed with a walk incorporating Tyneham village and a barbecue afterwards, Saturday, August 16 with a walk yet to be decided and Saturday, September 13 when the walk will take place around Moonfleet.

It has been suggested to fit in some extra walks due to the evenings staying light longer now and suggestions are always welcome.

Please contact John and Gill Nell on 01300 345825 if you have any suggestions or if you would like to take part in a walk.

Everyone is welcome to join and if an area particularly interests you but you come from further afield, please give John and Gill a call as well to receive more details.