THE TODDLER Group held the first Village Café for the month of May and the tots were there to enjoy an extra playtime on their very large colourful play mat/carpet laid out across the hall floor covered with all their toys.

The day was very blustery and unsettled but there seemed to be a good turnout for coffee, bacon butties and social chat with an additional enormous choice of delicious homemade cakes!

Also a large display of prizes on a tombola and raffle tempted everyone to ‘have a go’ to help raise some funds for this group, and the now popular village library which is proving to be quite a valuable amenity for the local residents.

  • ARTSREACH certainly put on a very popular evenings entertainment on Saturday when Alec Dankworth (of the well known Dankworth jazz dynasty) performed with his concert named “Spanish accents” based on his long-standing love of all things Spanish.

The hall was packed with the “Sold Out” notice on the door and people had come from not only the village but also much further afield, and the bar was kept busy all evening.

Five very experienced and talented artists and some of Europe’s leading jazz musicians made up the quintet, Alec on double bass, Chris Garrick on violin, Ben Castle on saxophone, Phil Robson on guitar and percussionist Fred Thomas, and my personnel favourite number of the evening was a version of a Dizzie Gillespie composition. Thanks again goes to Barbara Fraser who unstintingly organises these evenings with her team of helpers and provides wonderful entertainment right on our doorstep!

  • DATES to note for your diaries and calendars are:- Village Café on Saturday, May 30 in the hall from 10 - 12noon being run this time by the Methodist Church with the usual refreshments and library plus more!
  • ALSO please note that Liz and Ken Draper will be holding an Open Garden event in Winters Lane on Sunday, June 28 when the proceeds will go to Dorset Wildlife Trust and I will let you have more details of this nearer the date.