Mary Millard is one of the many interesting and charitable people that abound in our local area.

At her ‘open house day’, I learnt that she usually visits Rwanda twice a year as a voluntary worker with the Anglican Church. Her last visit was in February and she will be returning in October for 3 weeks this time on her own, as her husband, Rev Malcolm, is unable to travel for health reasons.

Mary told me that the genocide in Rwanda has created many orphans, and some of these have formed themselves into ‘child headed families’ in which the orphan children look after one another. Sometimes the head of the ‘family’ is as young as 10 years of age! Initially she was connected with the charity ‘Signpost International’ which built a 35 house village for these children, and she now works with ‘Mission Possible’ in the field of health education.

Mary is totally self funded for her work, and she has raised over £7000 through the sale of artwork in St Mary’s Church and events such as her open house, with items for sale as well as tea and delicious homemade cakes on offer. She is something of a celebrity, having recently broadcast on Premier Radio Women’s’ Hour in London.

Mary, a Weymouth girl, born and bred, is also an author, having published 3 biographies. Her latest book 'The Birthday Shoes', published by Dernier was chosen by the distributors, Kingsway, as their book of the month. This is her second children’s book, aimed at 7 to 11 year old girls, and reflects her time spent in Africa. Another 3 children’s’ books should be out later this year!

Mary is always happy to give a talk on her experiences. If you would like to know more about her work in Rwanda, give her a call on 834060. She would welcome your support.

The ‘new’ year comes early for the St Andrews 200 Club because it starts on Tuesday 1 November!

The 200 club aims to have 200 members each paying £12 per year for a ‘lucky number’ which is entered into a draw every month from November to October. The usual prizes are £50, £30 and £15, but in December and May the prize money rises to £150, £75, £50 and £20, and the schoolchildren enjoy picking the winners from the tombola drum.

You may enter anytime but if you are in it from the start you have more chances of winning!! Every penny raised goes to fund projects which benefit the education and well being of the children in the school and Helen, the organiser, would like thank everyone who supported the 200 Club last year. The £430 raised will be put towards St Andrew’s ‘Multi Use Games Area’, which will allow the pupils not only to try a wider range of outdoor sports, but to access them more often.

Everyone is welcome to join - parents, grandparents, former pupils and members of the community who want to support St Andrews Primary School PTA. The new club starts soon and payment can be made by cash or cheque or by a monthly standing order of £1 per number. Contact St Andrews School Office on 832346 or Helen on 834908 for an application form. Recently I reported that Yvonne Emery and Gill Caddy were organising a Barn Dance on Saturday 8 October at the Village Hall for Boost, the campaign to raise money for a Digital Mammography machine at Dorset County Hospital.

Sadly they have had to cancel the event due to disappointing ticket sales, but they are to be commended for their efforts in trying to help such a good cause.