Affpuddle

  • BLADEN social club members and friends gathered for a coffee morning in aid of the club’s charity for 2009, Help for Heroes.

This is a new organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.

£230 was made at the coffee morning, and this will go to Help for Heroes.

Last year, the club raised funds for Julia’s House, and club treasurer Sue Jeanes presented a cheque for £1,050 to Ali Thompson, a carer from Julia’s House.

Sue Jeanes thanked everyone who supported the morning, and reminded everyone that most of the funds that the club raises for charities comes from the collection of newspapers and magazines, so please do save yours to add to this. (No junk mail, please).

Details are available from Sue on 01258 837267.

  • BRIANTSPUDDLE has been entered into the small village category of the Dorset Best Kept Village competition.

Judging will take place in May, June and July.

The village hall committee asks for your co-operation and help with litter picking, clearing up dog and horse fouling on verges and roadways, and keeping the verges and gutters clear outside your properties.

Please help the committee members who will be concentrating their efforts on the areas around the village hall and shop, including car parks and grass areas opposite around The Ring, Bladen Valley war memorial and coronation tree area by School Lane, and the approach roads to the village and the river bridge.

Volunteers will be very welcome, and their help will be much appreciated.

Last year, the village was awarded Highly Commended and it is hoped that it will do better this year.

Any prize money will go to village hall funds.

Judging will take place from the beginning of May onwards, so a continuous effort is needed to demonstrate pride in the village and good community spirit.

Further information about the competition is available on the DCA website at www.communityaction.org.uk If you would like to help, telephone either Richard Gibbs on 01305 849161 or Jenny Beedle on 01929 471002, or contact any committee member.

Bere Regis

  • A QUIZ night is to be held at the sports club on Saturday, June 20 from 7.30pm.

Come along for an evening of fun and laughter with regular quiz master chirpy Geoff Adams.

The cost is £10 for a team of four, and you can book your place by contacting Roger Duncanson on 01929 472141 or Peter Cheeseman.

  • YOUTH cricket takes place on the recreation ground from the beginning of May.

Contact Andy Kent on 01929 471079 for all details.

Puddletown

  • HUGH Ashley, previously of BBC Solent Sunday mornings will present a Songs of Praise in St Mary’s church on Sunday, May 10 at 6pm.

Everyone is welcome.

All donations will go towards the cost of repairing the church tower.

  • THE next monthly lunch in aid of church funds will be on Monday, May 11 from noon until 1.30pm in the village hall.

There will be bangers and mash, followed by the usual amazing array of desserts, tea or coffee.

The cost is £5.50.

Tolpuddle

  • SOUP and sweet lunches continue in the village hall.

The next one is on Friday, May 15 from noon until 1.30pm, and the following one – the last before the summer break - will be on Friday, June 19.

  • ALL Things Bright and Beautiful is the title of the flower festival to be held in St John’s church on May 30 and 31 from 9am until 6pm.

It is hoped that lots of village groups as will as the other churches in the benefice will produce an arrangement for visitors to see.

Cream teas will be served on Sunday afternoon from 2.30pm, and in the evening there is to be a musical evening at 7.30pm.

Local musicians will play and sing a varied programme of music.

Tickets cost £10, and will include a fish and chip supper.

These are available from Jane Evans on 01305 849484 or Clare Dean on 849569.

  • A CREAM tea afternoon will be held in the village hall on Saturday, May 16 from 2pm until 4pm to launch the first Tolpuddle village show to be held in August.

Come along and enjoy a cream tea, and find out more about the show.

Schedules and entry forms will be available.

There will be plant and cake stalls, a tombola and lots more.

  • THE AGM of the village hall will be held in the hall on Thursday, May 21 at 7.30pm.

Come along and share your thoughts and views on the village hall.

If you would like to join the committee either as a representative or as chairman, then please contact Sue Chapman on 01305 848053, or any other committee member.

Any help you can give will be much appreciated.