SINCERE apologies to all readers of the Abbotsbury news for the dirth of local events over the past few weeks while I have been babysitting my little grandsons in the depths of rural Burgundy.

What a joy it was to return and be welcomed back to our village by verges bright with daffodils and to see the gardens filled with blossom.

AS I write the road is closed through Abbotsbury for the resurfacing of West Street I find that while I was away the date for the works had been revised to Wednesday, March 16 – Friday, March 25.

The road will be closed between 8.45am and 15.30pm from Monday to Friday and open at the weekends. Work has already started and they are skimming off the top surface. Walking along the road with the contractors I was informed that the new surface would be 40% quieter than the old one. That certainly will be good news for those who live along West Street. At the moment the road is blissfully quiet without the traffic.

THE road between Abbotsbury and Portesham will also be closed from Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1 as they resurface the Elworth corner section.

This area of the road has seen numerous accidents in the past.

WHILE away I received an email from Nigel Melville of Wheelwrights tearooms informing me of their new village community venture.

They have opened a village book exchange in the teashop. Anyone is welcome to drop in and borrow a book or two or bring in any books that they can add to stock. They are open every day, bar Thursdays and Fridays, from 1.00pm – 5.00pm

THAT ‘secret society’ the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is to have an open meeting at last on Wednesday, March 23 at 7.30pm in Wheelwrights tearoom.

Nigel Melville tried to set up a meeting of co-ordinators some years ago but was foiled by the Data Protection Act! Only the police know who all the co-ordinators are and having been the wife of one of them for some years we know how frustrating that can be – little communication. Our local Community police officer Sarah has now contacted all the co-ordinators and invites anyone else who would like to take part in the scheme to attend the meeting on Wednesday, March 23 at the tearooms.

LILIES for Easter will again be on sale from St Nicholas Church this year.

They are arranged in the church in memory of loved ones, whether friends or family, as part of the Easter decorations. They can be purchased from Peggy Ford on 01305 871269.

TALKING of flower arranging, three ladies from St Nicholas church will be arranging flowers in Salisbury Cathedral in June for their big Flower Festival.

Joyce Pugh, Peggy Ford and myself will be depicting the twinning of Salisbury with Saintes in the France. We are very excited and have already been up to the cathedral to see our space and to meet the organisers. Now comes the planning!

OUR splendid local Chesil magazine faithfully reports the local rainfall - amongst other interesting facts – monthly in its issue.

This has been recorded at Gorwell for the past 21 years. A surprising little article in this month’s magazine informs us that 2010 was the driest on record with just 724mm/28inches. Michael tells us that this is the sort of average that prevailed in the fifties and sixties but more recently the years have been much wetter overall.

THE revised date and venue for the Auction of Promises hosted by Oliver Letwin MP is Friday, June 3.

The original date clashed with Red Nose Day. The Auction will now be held in the Ilchester Arms. More details later.

ST NICHOLAS Church roof appeal was launched in January after the theft of lead from the roof in December.

A target of £15,00 was set for the new comprehensive security system, now in place, and the repair. There are collection boxes in most of the village shops and donations can be made on line through www.abbotsbury.co.uk where a link has been set up to the appeal page and a Pay Pal button. A gift aid form can also be downloaded from the website. Donations are coming in, so grateful thanks go to all who have contributed so far.

ABBOTSBURY and Portesham Diamond Club will be holding their next Bingo session on Friday, March 25 in Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury.

Doors open at 7pm, eyes down at 7.30pm. The road will be open.