• WHERE the pools are bright and deep, Where the grey trout lies asleep, Up the river and over the lee That's the way for Billy and me.

So goes James Hogg's poem, 'A Boy's Song' and the theme from which Maggie Cooke has designed this year's well-dressing: a look back to gentler quieter times, The mood has been well caught in the two panels which are hung within the well building, made from twigs, leaves, grasses and wools to paint a nostalgic picture.

Visitors are invited to make a donation towards a local charity, to take refreshment at the Wishing Well cafe and to wander in the beautiful gardens - they really are at their best just now.

Many thanks to John and Pauline Waring of the Wishing Well for being so accommodating, and to Peter and Mark Read for supplying flowers and plant material for the panels, and to all the people who made it work. With luck and good care the dressing should last until the end of the month.

  • WHILST visiting the well-dressing on Saturday, May 16, you may like to drop in to the Old School Village Hall (just opposite) where St. Laurence Church will be holding their Spring Sale.

This is now a well-established event which attracts lots of people seeking an opportunity to buy plants, from seedlings to mature, and of many different varieties - fruit and vegetables, flowers and shrubs and quite a few of those bits and pieces that gardeners always need.

Along with the plants, there will be the usual well-stocked cake stall, homemade produce, a book stall, a table of nice linen and the ever popular bric-a-brac.

Refreshments come in the shape of teas and coffees, cold drinks, cakes and biscuits and, of course, Jackie's scrumptious bacon butties - never to be missed.

Entry is free, the sale begins at 10.00am and goes on to 12.30pm. Do come.

  • LOOKING forward a little, do make a date in your diary for the Upwey Midsummer Fete to be held on Saturday, June 20, from midday to 5.00pm.

Find us in the grounds of Upwey House, by kind permission of Andy and Candida Silver, at the bottom of Elwell Street with ample parking arranged.

There will be all the fun of the traditional English summer fete (we'll do our best with the weather) competitions, games, activities for all ages, teas and Pimms, lots of stalls and things to buy and the highly entertaining terrier racing.

More information later.

  • IT'S GOING to be a very busy summer in Upwey - keep an eye open for posters advertising our many events.