AS the credit crunch hits our pockets and the cost of fuel rises inexorably, it is time to look at how we can save energy in the home and even generate our own. So come along to the special energy event being organised in Osmington to find out what you can do.

The event runs in the village hall on Saturday, April 25 from 10.30am to 2pm.

There will be stands with lots of information about what you can do to save energy in the home, including the most cost-effective forms of insulation, energy saving measures and devices, with information about grant schemes.

You will also be able to fill out a free home energy check, and learn what you can do to generate renewable power and heat in your home, including solar panels, wind turbines and biomass heaters.

A special ‘eco-house’ display will be there to show how to do it all, and there will also be two short talks.

At 11am, the Energy Saving Trust (a non profit making organisation providing free impartial local energy saving advice) will talk about energy saving in the home with a particular focus on hard-to-treat houses, like solid walled cottages.

At 11.30am, Pete West, renewable energy officer for Dorset County Council, will tell us more about the potential and comparative costs for renewable energy technologies in the home There will be a range of free handouts - low energy light bulbs, other potentially energy saving devices and cotton shopping bags.

Fair trade refreshments will also be available.

Come along and find out more. Start putting these ideas into action, save yourself some money and reduce your carbon footprint.

This event is organised by the Osmington Renewable Energy Working Group with support from the Osmington Society. For more information contact Mary Kempe (01305 834095), or Peter Wyman (peter@wyman66.freeserve.co.uk)

  • DID you live in Osmington in the 1940s or 1950s - or even the ‘60s or ‘70s? Do you wonder whatever happened to all the others you knew then?

If so, you can gather in the Sunray on Thursday May 14 at 12 noon for a re-union over a buffet lunch (£5 a head).

The success of the previous re-union a few years ago has prompted a repeat performance, and it is hoped that former residents will come in from all over the place. A special welcome is reserved for former pupils of the village school.

If you are interested, please contact Veryan Brunner on 01305 852706.

  • Dorset Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team now visit the village most months in their community contact vehicle. Their next visit is on Thursday, May 7, and the van will be parked outside the village hall from 10-11am.

This is a chance for anyone to meet their neighbourhood team of PC Charlie Dale and PCSO Vicky Hedges, tell them of any local problems, or seek their advice on any security concern.

  • There has been a lot of chainsaw activity in the village in recent weeks and months - some of it with district council permission and some without.

All mature trees within the conservation area are protected, and owners of live trees who cut or lop them without approval could incur a heavy fine.

If you wish to cut down or pollard a tree or trees and you are unsure how to go about it, or of your legal position, you are welcome to seek advice from either Osmington Parish Council’s trees officer, Susan Biddiss, on 01305 833567, or the West Dorset District Council trees officer, Graham Cox, on 01305 251010.