The village grit bins have all been installed by Pete Hallet ready for villagers to use when the cold weather sets in.

The exception is the one for Muckleford which will be in place soon. Muckleford was going to get the existing old one from the Bradford Peverell access road but as this is very firmly fixed the Council agreed to buy a new one.

Cllrs David Ackerman and Neil Howard were thanked for their efforts over this project.

It was also suggested at the meeting that a village record is put together.

Stuart Ackerman has a good collection of photographs and it was proposed that a collection of tape recordings, logs, scrapbooks, photographs, written descriptions and church records could be made.

An exhibition and coffee morning could be held in the spring to raise much needed funds for Dorchester Museum.

It was announced that some changes were going to be made to the Parish Council website as 'Flash' was not picked up by all browsers or search engines - more news of this anon.

There has been a further meeting over the drainage problems in Church Lane.

Cllr Neil Howard attended the meeting with Capita Simons, WDDC engineers and Environment Agency representatives.

A full survey has been carried out of the project and options put forward however questions have been raised over the need for major works in the current difficult economic climate.

Cllr Jan Wilson reported that the Millennium Field had been tidied up and all rubbish taken away and it was agreed that the cost would be shared between the Amenity Fields Fund and the Parish Council.

The Apple Day and Farm Walk held recently at Lower Muckleford Farm has been a great success and it is hoped to repeat it next year.

Cllr Dr Andrew Buck said that a number of people had come to press their own apples and to enter the apple cake competition - all this being part of Dorset Food Week.

Two representatives are urgently needed for the Council one being a flood warden and the other a transport representative.

One needs to have a house not in danger of flooding and the other needs to use the village bus service at least occasionally so please get in touch if you can help.

Various payments were then authorised and the next meeting announced - Thursday January 6th