Bere Regis

  • EASTER bonnets were on parade at the Pop in Place held at the Drax hall on Good Friday.

There were so many beautiful bonnets, all hand-made by their wearers (with some help from mums for the children’s entries) and richly decorated with crepe paper flowers, chicks, eggs, baskets, rabbits, and ribbons.

All the entrants paraded around the stage whilst Kath Jeeves struck up a rousing chorus of Easter Parade on the piano.

Judges Alison Bennett and Billy Cleall had a very challenging time to select the winners, and a great deal of deliberation had to take place before the winners were announced as Rene Bastian for the adults, and three-year-old Hayden Benjafield for the children’s class.

Pop in Place leader Alison Bennett thanked everyone for supporting the event, and said how thrilled she had been with the standard of all the bonnets. They must have taken hours to make, she added.

A total profit of £320 was made, and this will go to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

If you would like more information about Pop in Place events, telephone Alison on 01929 472023.

  • BERE Regis parish church is to present a spring concert by The Light Cavalry Band on Wednesday, May 20 at 7pm in the church.

Tickets cost £5 if bought in advance, or £6 at the door, and include light refreshments.

For tickets, telephone Bob Croom on 01929 471905.

Affpuddle

  • GARDENS throughout Affpuddle, Briantspuddle and Throop will be opened to the public on Sunday, June 7 from 10.30am until 6.30pm.. There will be over twenty gardens of all sizes to enjoy.

In addition this year, there is to be a special sale of work by local Briantspuddle artists including Anne Forty, Mary Sherwood, Nigel Lord, Sue Taylor, Taisie Russell and Trish Kilbank.

Their work will be displayed in both the village hall and the gallery at Bridge House, near the centre of the village.

The Open Gardens itself will include all the attractions that have helped to make it such a successful event in previous years including vintage bus rides between the three communities, plant stalls, jam and preserve stalls, bric-a-brac and second-hand books.

The catering team will also be on hand will cakes and morning coffee, light lunches, snacks and afternoon teas.

The village hall committee would be pleased to hear from anyone who could lend a hand on the day. Help is needed on the car park, stalls, and refreshments.

New gardens to add to those opening are also welcome, so please telephone either Stephanie Klejdys on 01929 472709 or Philippa Thorniley on 471497 if you can help in any way.

  • ANTHONY Braine reports for the parish council: The parish council met on April 8 and was told that the village would be entered for the best kept village competition. There are many important aspects to the best-kept village standard, not least of which is the recognition of the value of community within the village. Another important aspect is the standard of tidiness. Residents’ efforts are always appreciated in this area but it would be helpful to maintain extra vigilance towards rubbish in the parish.

The parish council also received details from Purbeck district council on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) which details land that has been put forward for potential future development, but this is no indication that the land will actually be developed. The document details land within the parish, and is available for inspection through www.purbeck.gov.uk or it can also be viewed at the next parish council meeting.

Please note that the next meeting of the parish council, details below, will be the annual general meeting and annual statutory meeting. As always, members of the public are invited to attend to listen to the debate or to make representations on matters that are of interest or concern The next meeting of the parish council will be on Wednesday, May 13 at 7pm in Briantspuddle village hall.

For more information, look at www.briantspuddle.info

Puddletown

  • THERE was a very good selection of homemade soups served at the six Lent lunches and Jim's delicious hot cross buns appeared on the menu at the final lunch. Thanks go to Glad, Sue and all the helpers.
  • THE next monthly lunch will be held in Puddletown Village Hall on Monday, May 11 from noon to 1.30 pm. There will be bangers and mash on the menu - then forget your diets and join the pudding queue!
  • EASTER egg chickens, made by Kathy Cheetham and helped by Diane Richardson, appeared for sale at nearly every gathering in the weeks before Easter, and they raised over £150 for Church Funds. Many thanks for your hard work.
  • THANK you to everyone who made donations for Easter lilies and flowers to remember loved ones. It's always good to fill the church with flowers again after Lent.
  • POP-IN Coffee Mornings are held every Thursday morning, 10 am to noon in the church room.