Planning is already underway for the most important event in the Weymouth & Portland calendar for 2012.

I refer, of course, to the Sutton Poyntz bi-annual Village Fete. The date to mark in your diaries is Sunday 24 June, and those of you who have been before will know what a great day out it is, and those who haven’t been are in for a treat.

One of the items under consideration is a recipe book of those tried and tested family favourite meals which can be guaranteed to be a delicious success. If you have such a recipe, Pam Dawson-Hollis, Maureen Morris and Judy Backwell are would be delighted to hear from you.

The September draw of the St Andrew’s School 200 club took place in Miss Scott's NEW year 1 class.

Eloise Frazer drew the £50 prize for Mrs Zoe Fowler, Anwin Kenny helped Mrs Wendy Carter to £3, and Charlie Westlake selected Mrs S Holland for the £15 prize.

All the money from the monthly draw goes towards facilities for the children, so contact Helen Webb at helencwebb@fsmail.net if you would like to help.

The first of this season’s monthly coffee mornings will take place in the Mission Hall on Friday 7 October between 10.30am and noon.

This is a great opportunity to meet friends old and new over coffee and delicious homemade cakes (some of those recipes I mentioned earlier being put to good use!). There is usually an exhibition relevant to village life, and the coffee mornings take place on the first Friday in the winter months. Something to look forward to in the autumn and winter days!

The Preston Village Market will be in the Church Rooms on Saturday 8 October from 10am to 12.30pm.

You are ensured of a friendly welcome as you browse amongst the wide variety of stalls and refreshments are on hand when you start to wilt. Dare I mention that Christmas is coming, and this is the ideal place to start shopping for those gifts which will delight the eye?

The local RSPB Group meeting on Tuesday 11 October in the Church Rooms at 2pm will feature a talk on ‘Water Birds’.

Given our proximity to the reserves at Lodmoor and Radipole with their abundant permanent and migrating flocks this should prove most interesting. Entry is £3 or £2.50 if you are a member of the RSPB.

The St Andrew’s Community Lunch is a monthly lunch club to bring people together and raise funds for their very important work.

The next lunch is on Monday 10 October in the Church Rooms. You will need to get there at 12 for a 12.30 start to the lunch, which comprises two courses plus coffee, all for the very reasonable cost of £5 a head.

Ring 05601 792 905 to book your place, enjoy the meal and help the Angels in their very important work.