SOUTHILL School took part in the Biathlon Challenge at Claysmore School with other local Primary Schools.

With three in a team, each team member had to run 400 metres and then swim 25 metres.

Southill School pupils also took part in the local schools orienteering challenge.

Competitors visited different schools to take part, navigating themselves around the grounds and buildings.

Well done to all the youngsters who took part in these events!

  • SAT-NAV has a lot to answer for!

It appears that vehicles of all sizes are using the road over Radipole Bridge, in spite of its obvious unsuitability and legal weight limit of 7.5 tonnes.

The recently introduced elaborate traffic calming is thwarted if large vehicles continue to make a habit of using this as a through route.

The road is grossly unsuitable for artics and juggernauts, but they still find their way down there all too often!

The weight limit was introduced many years ago on most of Radipole Lane (from Dorchester Road to Wessex Roundabout) as a means of keeping heavy vehicles away from the village.

As with all such restrictions, there is an exemption which permits access to properties that can only be reached from that road, including delivery and removal vans, tankers, milk lorries for farms etc. So an overweight vehicle can legitimately use this road.

Enforcement of this and all such orders is down to the Police, but unfortunately it is an extremely difficult operation for them, as they do not have the necessary manpower to be there on a regular basis.

If the controversial scheme for traffic calming in Radipole Village is to have the desired effect, heavy vehicles must be discouraged from using Radipole Lane as a through route.

  • THE Friends of Radipole Park & Gardens Committee has been discussing the sponsorship recently agreed with local businesses to enhance features in the Park and Gardens including the provision of new litter bins.

The Friends are appealing for information about Radipole Park and Gardens from people who may have stories and photographs to show any aspect of the area from a personal or by-gone point of view.

Please let me know if you have any material that might be of interest and I will pass it on.

It was decided to produce an information leaflet for the Friends and it is intended that it will be finished and ready for distribution with AGM notification in July.

In noting that the drainage work for the field has been completed successfully, the committee chairman thanked members of the Council's Parks Department for their continued support.

The junior goal posts have been ordered and new backboards have been fitted to the basketball nets.

  • SOUTHILL School took part in the Swimming Gala held recently at Weymouth and Portland Swimming Pool.

Year six boys won relays in Front crawl and mixed stroke. Individual 100 m freestyle was won by Connor Aitken and individual 25 metres Butterfly was won by Oliver.

Well done to the whole team!