Buckland Newton

  • FAMILY Barn Dance: On Saturday, June 6, this ever popular barn dance will be visiting the village again.

Caller Will Antell and band will guarantee a hilarious evening, as will a bar, raffle and barbecue!

Tickets are £ 6.50, family tickets £ 16 and proceeds will be shared between the village church and the Esme Godwin Fund.

This fund, established by Gill and Chris Godwin in memory of Esme supports the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton Hospital.

Don’t worry if you have no “barn dance experience”!

Will is an excellent caller and you will enjoy the evening tremendously.

To book please call Richard or Sue on 01300 345586.

  • BUTTERFLY Reserve: The next event will be a very special one – a guided walk on Cerne Giant Hill!

This hill is a splendid downland habitat with 35 butterfly species recorded over 15 years.

Everyone who wants to take part is asked to meet at 2pm at the Old Abbey entrance Map Reference ST665013.

Please contact the following number for more information: 01935 872047.

Sydling St. Nicholas

  • SHORT Mat Bowls: This club is looking for help from any kindly and reasonably fit gentlemen in the area who have 20 minutes to spare at 2pm on occasional Wednesday afternoons.

Bowling equipment needs to be moved from the store to the village hall and anyone who might be able to help with this task is asked to contact the Chairman Tony Briggs.

Thank you very much.

Cerne Abbas

  • CHRISTMAS appeal!

The trustees of the Cerne Valley Young People Trust must soon decide on the 2009 Christmas card cover.

They are therefore looking for photographs depicting snow scenes from the colder weather earlier on in the year.

If you took some photographs please do go through them and submit your best efforts – the Christmas cards sell out every year so your photo could take pride of place on many a mantelpiece!

Photos should be e-mailed as soon as possible to tuckercerneabbas@tiscali.co.uk.

  • WEBSITE: The village website has now moved to DorsetForYou but can still be accessed by www.cerneabbas.org.

It is now edited by the parish clerk of Cerne Valley Parish Council and offers substantial information.

Please contact the clerk Andrea Schafer on 01300 341464 if you wish any timetables, events etc. included.

  • CADS: Cerne Abbas Dramatic Society is busily planning its next production, to be shown in the autumn hopefully!

“A Comic Confusion”, its first production for a year was a resounding success and a cheque for £ 250 could be sent to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

This is due entirely to the efforts of all involved, including the audience of course!

The next production will offer a contrast – it will be a more conventional play.

In addition, members would really like to stage a pantomime early in 2010.

A pantomime, however, is a huge undertaking and will only be possible with lots of help.

Musicians in particular are wanted!

If you love pantomimes as well and are willing to help, please contact Sandy or Alan Morell without delay on 01300 341332.

Planning and preparation take up a lot of time!

  • MUSIC Festival: The organisers are delighted to welcome the Gaudier Ensemble once again for this year’s festival.

It will last from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26.

Highlights include the Friday night concert of music from the 1920s and a late night concert on Saturday.

Booking for the general public opens on Monday, June 8 and tickets may be obtained from The Booking Office, The Dairy House, 7 Barton Farm, Cerne Abbas.

Please call 01300 341518 for further information about this hugely popular festival and book tickets in good time to avoid disappointment!

  • CHURCH Fete: Not long to go now until the grand annual church fete of the village!

It will take place on Saturday, July 4, commencing at 12:30pm and is a must-date for your diaries!

This day is also American Independence Day and there will be an American feel to the proceedings.

More information will appear in this column nearer the time but I can already promise an afternoon packed with entertainment!

Entry is just £ 1 for adults, children go free.

Should you wish to obtain any further information in the meantime please contact the Chair of the Fete Organising Committee Peter Neal on 01935 814801 or e-mail him on peter.neal2@virgin.net.