AFTER the grey days of winter it was good to be cheered up by the wonderful display of daffodils along the verges throughout the village and the approach roads too. A big 'thank you' to the Parish Council; we do appreciate your hard work, well, most of the time!

  • THAT is not the only cheerful note throughout the village, for Ann Matthews had a beaming smile when she imparted some good news at the recent Village Hall Committee AGM.

Thanks to her untiring efforts permission has now been granted for the building of a small annexe to house the equipment of the various organisations using the hall, especially that belonging to the popular playgroup.

As soon as this has been accomplished then the long awaited extension of the kitchen will take place. This is vitally necessary in order to help cater for the various functions that vie to fill every space in the booking calendar.

  • THE Valley Club is actively flourishing with members recently taking advantage of a special offer on purchases made at the Poundbury Garden Centre after enjoying a cup of coffee on arrival.

Look out for notices of their proposed outing later this year to Bicton Gardens when there could well be places on offer to non-members too.

  • MAKE a note of the Martinstown Women’s Institute outing on June 8, which will take the form of a boat trip around Poole Harbour with the possibility of visiting Brownsea Island or Poole.

As usual this will also be open to non-members if spaces are available.

  • S0ME amazing memories came flooding back on the day I picked up my Echo to read that Her Majesty the Queen is due to visit Dorset this summer. How many locals can remember that day in 1969 when Her Majesty and Prince Philip came to Martinstown?

To be precise not exactly into the village itself but to a local farm. In the July of that year they made a visit to Clandon Farm Stud to inspect the racehorses owned by the late Mr Lisle Hawkins who bred some most successful steeplechase runners.

Villagers lined the field fences opposite the bungalow whilst all the farm workers were lined up to the left of the driveway past the two flagpoles on either side of the entrance. Wives were seated to the right all dressed in their Sunday best complete with hats and gloves even though they were to be merely spectators. Incidentally, amongst the cheering, flag waving crowd were members of the newly formed Martinstown Scout Troop & Cub Pack.

The horses duly met with the Royal seal of approval & the Royal Entourage departed amidst more waving & cheering. Hospitality was then freely available to the Clandon workers and their wives with the liquid refreshments being served by a guest who was non other than the well known favourite jockey, Sir Gordon Richards. A perfect gentleman who deserves an accolade for his natural down to earth friendliness towards everyone which made it an even more memorable occasion for a small village, as photos remind me of that special day.

  • THE Lenten Lunches raised the sum of £300 for Julia's House, the children’s hospice. Thanks to all who made those delicious lunches and those who enjoyed eating them.
  • TO finish on a patriotic note, it was great to see that England's flag was flying from the church tower on St George's Day, as well as on our village hall.