SITTING in the garden over the Bank Holiday weekend I began thinking of the unsung heroes living in our village and realised how their interests have been turned around and not only give them great pleasure still, but have achieved tremendous good through their tireless work. The following are just two of many such villagers.

  • THELMA Mentern and her husband are real garden lovers and continually reinvent their large garden to produce plants, vegetables and fruit not only for their own consumption but to make money for the local church which she has done for many years and raised thousands of pounds over that time.

Thelma. a retired school teacher who taught many children at Portesham C of E Primary School when it was situated in Front Street, now spends much of her time raising money with her plants:- perennials and bedding plants, but also sells any excess produce from their garden such as apples, tomatoes and runner beans in season and also makes chutney, jams and marmalade. Thelma occasionally is to be seen at the Village Cafes and church fete selling her preserves, again all proceeds for the funds of the church or school.

At present she has a selection of annual bedding plants for the patio pots, borders and hanging baskets so please give this lovely lady support. All the plants are very reasonably priced and all monies donated to charity and the garden is located in Church Lane through the arch in the high wall.

  • MY second lady has worked with great enthusiasm over many years to raise awareness and help for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Hilary Morley comes from a nursing background and has spent more than 20 years developing the Weymouth and Dorchester branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the UK, one of over 300 branches nationwide that will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year under the theme “It’s time we found a cure for Parkinson’s”.

The local branch now has a Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist in West Dorset and a PDS Information and Support Worker and three weekly exercise classes are held in term time as well as a monthly social/informative meetings in both Weymouth and Dorchester.

A number of members have Careline equipment provided by the Branch and home visits can help in many ways. PDS Freephone helpline can be accessed on 0808 800 0303 and the Weymouth and Dorchester branch telephone contact is on 01305 871554 or 813884.

Thank you Hilary for all your work towards establishing such a caring and supportive branch of the Society and the wonderful help and guidance now available for this intolerable condition.

Therefore, please give lots of support by visiting the ‘Open Garden’ being held and organised in Liz and Ken Draper’s garden at their home in Winters Lane on Sunday, July 12 all proceeds to the Parkinson’s Disease Society - more details of times nearer the date.

  • THE Walking group are setting off from the Sunray Inn at Osmington on Thursday, June 4 at 10.30am for a walk to the coast and around during the morning before returning to the inn for an optional lunch. Anyone needing a lift from the village, please meet at 10.00am in Winters Close.
  • THE Royal British Legion members of the Abbotsbury and Portesham branch are busy over the summer with a full programme of events commencing with a 3-day tour on Sunday, June 14 when the coach leaves early morning for Stoke on Trent.

Monday they visit Trentham Gardens which is in the process of being refurbished in the Italianate Gardens followed by a viewing of the Wedgewood Museum which was re-opened at a cost of £10 million and through to the Wedgewood factory for a guided tour. On Tuesday they will visit the Alrewas National Memorial Aboretum in the morning followed by lunch and a trip to Lichfield Cathedral which is well worth a viewing.

Saturday, June 20 the group will take a coach to Bishops Lydeard to pick up the Steam Train Special excursion to Minehead which should be a very exciting day out.

An itinerary of both these trips are available from Des Baker who can be contacted on 01305 267617 for further details. These outings are open to non members.

FINALLY but most importantly the Church Fete will take place in and around the Village Hall on Sunday, June 21 opening at 2.00pm with The Mill Street Jazz Band playing to liven up the scene, plus the usual raffle, tombola and refreshments.

There will also be the usual Fun Dog Show with registration for entering in any of the classes at 1.00pm with the judging commencing at 2.00pm. Classes include dog or bitch in best condition, most appealing eyes, most like its owner, most adorable puppy, etc.

A FREE tea will be given to the ladies wearing an Ascot style hat, and a teddy bears picnic for the children in the Ron Doble Room plus a BBQ in the garden.

Something for everyone so come along and have fun - see you there!!