IT MUST have been most disappointing for village hall chairman Ann Matthews to welcome such a small attendance to the hall for the AGM, when the committee was re-elected en bloc.

Without this well-used meeting-place the life of the community would struggle to survive.

The hall is well used on a regular basis as reported by bookings secretary Tessa Clarke.

Bingo sessions are extremely popular and continue to be a prime source of revenue for the hall. Thanks were recorded for the many years Michael Read has organised the bingo.

Sadly Michael has had to give up through ill health and future sessions will be organised by the hall committee.

At the moment the short mat bowls has been put on hold until the numbers build up again. There is a great need for younger members of the community to become involved in this game of skill, for contrary to belief it is not a sedate sport for the elderly!

On the down side of the report was the fact that in spite of those notice boards, certain people still allow their dogs to foul the grassy play area around the hall.

Ann was disappointed that the treatment of the floor surface was not quite up to previous standards.

Tessa also pointed out that some users of the hall did not bother to clean up after their meetings. This meant that there was a knock-on effect of extra expense by the extended time spent by the hall cleaner.

Future plans include building a storage annexe so that the kitchen may be extended to provide better catering facilities for functions.

Ann Salmon will get a list of Artsreach shows on offer for next season. Some may be fully booked already whilst others may not fit our own hall.

There will be many others that are available. To see what is on offer contact Ann on 01305 889059 or email samandann@googlemail.com

  • COMPUTER Connect has made a successful start in the village hall and is free to all users.

However, sadly, someone vandalised the outside cable shortly after installation. This has now been repaired and encased by Ron Matthews, adding yet another task to the many he undertakes on a purely voluntary basis.

He and Ann will soon be planting out the borders around the hall using their own reared plants.

  • HARD to credit the fact that the Hundred Club is in its tenth year.

This has proved to be an unrivalled steady source of income necessary to maintain the running of the hall.

Very many thanks to all involved with the organisation of this asset.

  • THE local walking group will be meeting on the Green at 10am on Tuesday, May 29.

I gather Margaret B will be leading a coastal walk of about six miles with a break to enjoy your own packed lunch whilst admiring the sea views in the Chaldon area.

  • A REMINDER that the Dorset Arts Weeks in Martinstown start on May 24.

Visit the website for more details, especially of work by locals Vicky Finding and Keith Lee.