I now have details of the Flower arranging festival and art exhibition which will take place at the Abbotsbury gardens. Anyone in the Chesil bank area can take part and this year there is an Olympic theme. The exhibition runs from 23rd to 24th June with the set up taking place on Friday 22nd June from 11am.

The classes are as follows:- !) A Decathlon Event, choice of any of the 10 events, (24inches allowed).

2) The Olympic Torch (18inches allowed).

3) Her Majesty’s Jewels (petit) (9 inches overall).

4) Boxing clever (20 inches allowed) A Novice class (For anyone who hasn’t won a class previously) And finally, a children’s class for ages 5 to 11 5) Weymouth Water (a boat made from vegetables, fruit or plant material or a combination of all) (12 inches allowed) For further information and to enter please contact Peggy Ford on 01305 871269 Abbotsbury and Portesham Diamond Club’s next annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th March at 2.30pm in the Portesham hall. Anita would like to remind members that the membership fees will be due and there will be news of future trips this year. The next bingo will be on Friday 9th March 7pm for 7.30pm start at the Strangways hall in Abbotsbury.

Royal British legion Abbotsbury and Portesham branch quarterly branch committee meeting will take place at Ron Doble room Portesham village hall 7.30pm 22nd March. The Branch annual dinner will also be at the hall from 12pm on Friday 30th March. Booking and full menu is available through John Perry 01305 871346. Visitors are welcome but by advance booking only.

A public meeting for residents of Abbotsbury is to be held to discuss arrangements for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Abbotsbury. All are welcome, in order to discuss ideas and get volunteers, on 19th March at 7pm in the Strangways hall. Please attend so everyone’s input can be gained and everyone can put forward their ideas etc. It should be an event for the whole community and not just the usual few!

Reminders of events this week, Chesil bank parish council meeting Monday 5th March (Portesham village hall) a short presentation on Neighbourhood planning from Jo Witherden (WDDC) Flower arranging with Bunty at the Swan Inn on Tuesday 6th at 7pm Bingo at Strangways hall 9th March Finally, if you wish to have an Easter lily in memoriam of a loved one please contact Peggy Ford as soon as possible, so the flowers may be ordered, on 01305 871269.

Please remember to contact me with future events at clare29051@btinternet.com. That’s it for now, Clare James.