WITH THE arrival of summer and (hopefully) some fine weather, there is suddenly an increase in the number of exciting and varied activities organised within our area.

Do read through to find something that interests you and use the opportunity to visit some of our picturesque villages at the same time.

  • WEDNESDAY June 24 sees the return of the popular Quiz Night at the Saxon Arms in Stratton with proceeds going to the Dorset Air Ambulance.

Teams of 4-6 will compete and entry is just £1 per person.

For further details, enquire at the pub or phone 01305 260020.

  • STRATTON has a thriving Youth Club and young people in the area might be interested in some of the activities coming up.

On Wednesday, June 17 the activities include making cards for Father’s Day and a badminton competition.

The action van will feature on Wednesday, June 24 and on Wednesday, July 1 there will be space hopper football.

Come along on Wednesday, July 8 to try your luck in the Talent Night.

On Wednesday, July 15 there will be a barbecue, as well as the action van.

If you wish to find out more about the Youth Club or find out details of how to join, please call Clive Moore on 07938 809902

  • THE LIBRARY van will be visiting the lay-by in Dorchester Road, Stratton (opposite Furbers Paddock) between 10.05 and 10.20am on Monday, June 23 and Mondays July 7 and 21.
  • STRATTON Summer Fayre takes place on Sunday, June 28 at 2pm on Stratton Village Green.

There will be Punch and Judy, the Durnovaria Band, a bouncy castle, police dogs, teas and cakes, toys, tombola, a treasure Hunt, bric-a-brac, a plant stall, tin can alley, face painting, a coconut shy, children’s games, raffle, tool shed, exhibitions and displays, a book stall, ice cream, bottle games … and much, much more!

There surely must be something there to suit everyone!

All enquiries to Andy on 01305 260054

  • ANY VOLUNTEERS to help with the quarterly clean-up in Chilfrome should assemble at Chilfrome Church at 9.30am on Saturday, June 27.

It is hoped that lots of people will come along, so the work can be carried out quickly and efficiently.

  • GREENFORD School is taking part in National Sports Week from Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 3.

During this week the school has arranged a variety of sporting activities, some sports new to the school.

The week will commence with an Olympic style opening ceremony and anyone is welcome to come along to this at 8.45am on the school field.

The week will close with a ceremony at 2pm on Friday, July 3.

  • CREAM teas and beautiful gardens are the order of the day in Frome St Quintin on Sunday June 28.

The event takes place at Manor Farm and Manor Field from 2.30pm. Cream teas will be served in Charles and Gigi Richardson’s garden at Manor Farm, while produce and plants will be available in Penny Aikenhead’s garden next door at Manor Field.

If you have never visited Frome St Quintin, now is your chance, with a guaranteed warm welcome at the end of your journey.

  • IN NEARBY Cattistock there is a Gardens Festival, also on Sunday, June 28.

There will be approximately 20 gardens open to the public, as well as at least four art studios.

The event starts at 12.30 and runs until 5.30pm.

There will be a barbecue between 12.30 – 2pm and WI teas from 2 until 5.30pm.

Throughout the day there will be tours of the church and organ music.

There will also be an opportunity for you to buy from the plant and craft stalls or take part in a grand raffle.

The Cattistock Gardens Festival is sponsored by Poundbury Garden Centre. The open studios include: Vanessa Bowman with oil paintings of domestic interiors, Nichola Butler with her botanical watercolours, Virginia Day with semi-abstract sculpture and Liz Somerville with hand-coloured linocuts.

The Patronal Flower Festival takes place between 10am and 6pm on Sat June 27, Sunday June 28 and Monday June 29 at St Peter and St Paul Church in Cattistock.

Judging by previous years, the flower arrangements will be well worth a visit, and this will also be an ideal opportunity to appreciate our beautiful church.

  • THE CATTISTOCK Hunt Midsummer Ride takes place on Sunday, June 21 between 10am and 12 noon.

Come and enjoy another spectacular ride from Puncknowle (signposted access off the B3157 Abbotsbury to Bridport road). There is no need to book, just turn up on the day.

There are two marked routes, five or twelve miles.

Cost for children under 12 is £6 and for adults is £15.

For more information, please phone Gigi Richardson on 01935 83293 or 07879624948.

  • AS EVERYONE in Cattistock must be aware, Fete Day is fast approaching and that means a plethora of activities leading up to the big day!

These events begin on Saturday, June 27 with a Family Sports Day starting at 2pm in Cattistock Playing Field. A fun way to start getting into the swing of things! The cost for taking part is just £1 per child.

On the evening of Saturday, June 27 you will need to take your partners for a barn dance with Ruth Thompson in the Savill Hall (7.30 for an 8pm start). Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children.

Get together a team and pit your wits against the others in the pub quiz on Sunday, June 28. The quiz takes place in the Fox & Hounds and will start promptly at 8pm. The cost is £2 per person and there is a maximum of 6 people in a team.

Great fun is always had in the car treasure hunt. If you want to take part this year, please meet at the Fox and Hounds at 7pm on Monday, June 29.

The cost is £3 per person or £10 for a car of four.

If you follow all the clues carefully, the route should bring you back to the Fox and Hounds at the end of the evening, where you can find out how well you have done and celebrate/commiserate with a welcome drink. Also on Monday June 29 there will be Morris Dancers performing their traditional dances outside the Fox and Hounds from 9pm.

If bingo is more your cup of tea, you need to arrive at the Savill Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, June 30, ready for a 7.30 start. The evening will include a £50 cash game.

The skittles tournament starts at 8pm in the Fox and Hounds on Tuesday, June 30, so make sure you are there if you want to take part.

There is a grand jumble sale in the Savill Hall on Wednesday, July 1. Do have a sort through your clothes and drop off anything you can spare at the Savill Hall between 10am and 12 noon. For 50p you can come back at 7pm and find yourself something different!

Skittles continues in the Fox and Hounds at 8pm on Wednesday, July 1 Thursday, July 2 means pub games night and continuation of skittles, starting at 8pm in the Fox and Hounds.

The Skittles Grand Final takes place at 8pm on Friday, July 3.

  • THIS leads us to Saturday, July 4 and Cattistock Fete Day itself!

The theme this year is the ‘American Idol’, so that gives plenty of scope for sorting out a suitable costume. Feel free to dress up as an American superstar or famous person and enter into the spirit of the afternoon!

The activities take place in the Savill Hall and on the playing field, and everything starts at 2pm. There will be ample free parking in the village.

Activities include the Durnovaria Silver Band, beat the goalie, a book stall, curiosity corner, children’s games, a bouncy castle, a plant stall, home produce, a barbecue, ice creams, cream teas, a chocolate fountain, a cake stall, a silent auction, pony rides and plant tombola.

All proceeds will be divided between four village groups, the Cattistock Community Space Committee, the Maiden Newton and Cattistock Football Club, the Cattistock Cricket Club and the Savill Hall.

For more information, please contact Sophie Sennett on 01300 321311

  • ON THE evening of Fete Day why not round off the hectic week of activities by relaxing in the Fox and Hounds to the sound of Mojo performing live. The music starts at 9pm.
  • THE PENGUINS will be playing against Cattistock Select XI at 2pm on the village cricket pitch on Sunday, July 5. This promises to be a fun occasion, especially if the weather is kind to us, so do come along and give your support.