Letters

Support urged for our town society

The Wimborne Horticultural Society needs your support. An urgent appeal is being made to all those interested in horticulture and gardening. The Wimborne Horticultural Society has been running in one form or another since the 1850’s and for many years now has run both a successful spring and summer/ autumn show. Monthly meetings are held with interesting speakers and outings have been arranged to places of interest. At the recent AGM, the chairman reported on the success of the two shows held this year but he also reported on a dwindling membership; so for this reason an urgent appeal is being made for new members in order for the society to continue into 2023 and beyond. With an increase in new housing all around the town and with at least half a dozen allotment areas, there must be mnore people interested in all things horticulture. The annual shows have always incorporated arts, crafts and flower arranging as well as horticulture, flowers and vegetables, cookery and even photography.

Other categories can be included, such as exhibitions of arts and crafts made by local people. So please consider this matter so that we can be ready to put on shows in

2023. The next two meetings both taking place in the Allendale Centre, Hanham Road at 7.30pm, on Monday, December 12 and Monday, January 9. Why not come along and find out what it’s all about? Further details can be obtained from the show manager, Tony Beard on 01202 880116.

Anthony Oliver Wimborne

Get ‘scatter’ brains ready

On Friday, December 9, at 7pm for 7.30pm, there will be a festive edition of ‘Scattergories’ at Godshill Village Hall. Scattergories is a team word game which is fun, fast and this time, festive! It is suitable for all ages and abilities, so everyone can join in. (Teams of 6 - mix and match!) Tickets, at £10 each, include a homemade pudding at the interval as well as lots of fun and laughter! There will be a licensed bar and a seasonal raffle. Don’t miss this highly entertaining event - see you there! For tickets and information contact Alison on 01425 650770 or Anne on 01425 657664 or email hippotrain@btinternet. com. All proceeds will support the village hall (Registered Charity No 301830. See more at godshillvillagehall.co.uk.

Derek Ayling Godshill

OFF THE WALL...

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

Have a coffee! A jolly good job

Members of Colehill Methodist Church are busy collecting food to make up Christmas Parcels for the Blandford Food Bank. But we take a break tomorrow morning, Saturday, December 3, to welcome visitors for our Christmas Coffee Morning. Tea, coffee and the alwayspopular home-made cakes will be on offer at the Lonnen Road church from 10am to 11.30am.

Paul Allen Colehill

In Jolly Good Company is a Community Interest Company and since 2019 we have been working to alleviate loneliness and isolation for older people. We do this through our creative and engaging dementia friendly ‘Jolly Days’ and ‘Step Outside’ groups. There is a steep rise in demand for our services and we’re delighted to have funding from Comic Relief and the National Lottery for an additional team member. See page 56 in this magazine or visit injollygoodcompany.com.

Oops! Society contact details

Thank you for publishing my article in this week’s magazine. I cannot believe it but I made an error in my article! Of course, our winter programme can be viewed on the society’s website: dorsetcricketsociety.co.uk and not the website of the Dorset Cricket Centre! We recently had an excellent speaker in Bargain Hunt and Indian Premier League auctioneer Richard Madley.

Paul Pearson Dorset Cricket Society

Christmas Tree Festival is back

After an enforced delay of two years, St Mary’s Church , Sturminster Marshall will be holding our 12th Christmas Tree Festival. It is on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, from 10am-4pm. The festival features beautifully decorated trees entered by groups and individuals in the community, each tree dedicated to a local or national charity to whom donations will be invited. St Mary’s Annual Toy Service will be held on the Sunday at 9.15am with the toys being donated to the Salvation Army. Refreshments and children’s activities feature with Carol singing on Sunday afternoon. Entry is free.

Sue Crowfoot Sturminster Marshall

Help us relieve burden

This December, on top of the devastating reality of facing cancer at Christmas, families of children and young people going through treatment have increasing costs to get to hospital as well as a devastating rise in energy bills at home, when they need to keep their child warm. For families supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, life is getting even harder with the pressures of the cost of living. As the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, we are seeing families we support in Dorset having to deal with uncontrollable costs. Young Lives vs Cancer has launched a Crisis Fund appeal to offer families grants to help lessen the burden of bills this winter. There are still families and young people out there who haven’t received the relief of a grant. We can’t support them without your help. Readers can visit younglivesvs cancer.org.uk to donate today. As well as donating, there are other ways the community in Dorset can support Young Lives vs Cancer’s vital work this Christmas. You can also visit our online shop to buy Christmas cards and gifts at: younglivesvscancer.org. uk/join-our-fight/get-shopping. We also have a range of festive pin badges with various designs available online and at JDWetherspoon for a suggested £1 donation.

Liz Blunt Young Lives vs Cancer

Platinum Award-Winning Care 2022

We have been awarded this much sought after accolade for our work with Gold Standards Framework

“Your staff are exemplary in every way. They care for my every need, showing genuine kindness and always go above and beyond the call of duty. The excellent chef caters for my special diet - all cooked to perfection. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Current resident

A season of services at town church

St John’s Church in Wimborne has an exciting series of services for all ages this season. Vicar Peter Breckwoldt said: “There’s a warm welcome waiting for you at St John’s again this year! “Join us for our Christmas Events and Services.”

These are:

Sunday, December 18 and Monday, December 19,

7.30pm: Carols by Candlelight – with coffee and mince pies Friday, December 23, 4.30pm: Outdoor Nativity Carols – with refreshments

Christmas Eve Holy Communion at 11pm Christmas Day Celebration at 9.30am and 11am

Visit stjohnswimborne.org.uk.

Comfort &elegance

Loyal staff

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Exceptional Care in Stunning Surroundings

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