• ON Saturday, June 20th, from midday-5pm, you’ll be able to find everything you always thought goes to make a traditional English summer party. There will be stalls of all sorts, the tea tent with refreshments throughout the day including a Pimms bar, raffle and a superb tombola.

There are things to do as well – skittles, tug-of-war, bouncy castle and children’s games, cup cake decorating and flower arranging; and, by popular request, another visit from those racing terriers .

Music throughout the day will keep your feet tapping and hands clapping, Morris dancing accordions, and there’s a drumming workshop with a chance for you to have a go with the sticks.

A full programme indeed, entry is £1 each for adults and the children come free. Parking won’t be a problem – just follow the signs. For all this, from the Fete committee and all of us who’ll be there, our heartfelt thanks to Mr and Mrs Silver for a perfect venue.

In the evening there will be music at the old Ship Inn with Errol Linton and his three-piece group who will be playing from 9pm. Then Sunday afternoon, if you missed the gig, or want to hear more, they'll be performing again from 2pm-4.30pm.

  • FRIENDS of Upwey Station, a local amenity group, recently had their regular meeting with SouthWest Trains and the local police.

Concern has been expressed about the amount of garden rubbish being tipped over the station car park fence onto railway land. This is an offence and fines can be imposed, a letter is being sent to local residents asking for this to stop, then the railway can clear the verges, trim the grass and keep it all tidy.

Faded directional signs are to be replaced at the approach to the station and new signs are to be erected on the platforms, clearly signalling direction of travel.

We look forward to these improvements, the station itself is looking reasonably smart apart from the footbridge which we hope Network Rail will repaint in the near future.

The litter situation has greatly improved thanks to the efforts of both SWT and our station volunteers. It also seems that many more rail customers are using the station car park – one of the very few free ones – now that CCTV has been installed.

If you see our volunteers busy litter-picking, do have a word with them about any other improvements you would like to see at our increasingly important local station – and some words of encouragement will be welcome too.

Thanks to Richard Putnam for this information.