Bring your dog(s) along to the FUN DOG SHOW on Saturday. All well-behaved dogs are welcome to enter.

• Best Simple Obedience;
• Prettiest Bitch;
• Most Handsome Dog;
• Waggiest Tail;
• Best Young Handler;
• The Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home;
• Best in Show (for the winners of the above classes).

Entry is just £2 per class; sign up at the dog show arena on the day, the earlier the better!  Rosettes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places; certificates for Commended dogs. And there are special doggy prizes!

Lucky Brian Holdstock has won the 100 Club draw for the second time this year.  After his first win in March (which he decribed then as “a good return on his investment”), Brian won the draw again in July.  If you’ve not yet joined the 100 Club for this year, it’s not too late; just get in touch with Robin Ratciffe on 01424 892674.

Percy Ratcliffe arrived on April 9th, a little brother for Charlie. And Penelope Wellard arrived on 14th April, a little sister for Florence. A big village welcome to both of them! And our congratulations to Katrina and Adam, Jessica and Kitson.

The March and April winners of our “100 Club” draw were Nicky Bishop, who put her prize money towards fixing her shower, and Brian Holdstock who made a very businesslike comment about “return on investment”.  You can join the 100 Club at any time durng the year, for a mere £1 per month. Contact Robin Ratcliffe (on 01424 892674) if you’d like to join in.

Don’t forget the jumble sale this Saturday moring in the Village Hall. If you’ve got stuff you don’t want any more, take it along to the hall on Friday evening between 6 and 8 or phone Gill on 01424 892674.  If you love a bargain, then come along on Saturday between 10 and 12 noon.

• Make sure you have a torch handy, and that you can find it in the dark! Have you got alternative sources of heat?
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, so you can be prepared.
• If there’s a power cut, please check on your neighbours.
• 105 is the number to call  in a power cut. You can call (free of charge) from landlines and most mobiles, and you will get put through to your local electricity network operator. Uee 105 to report a power failure or safety concern, or to get information during a blackout.
• Vulnerable customers, who rely on electricity for medical equipment, can get extra support by signing up to the the Priority Services Register.

Mary Harmer is the lucky winner of February’s 100 Club draw. “Mary’s been in it since the start,” said Robin, “so it’s good her turn has come around.”

Planning for PANTS’ 2018 show starts now!   The PANTS “AGM” will be held at The Ash Tree Inn on Tuesday 20th February at 7.30pm.

The meeting is open to all who would like to be involved in PANTS activities – either on-stage or behind the scenes. We have lots of non-acting roles if you’re not stage-struck!

We also invite anyone who is interested in being part of the PANTS ‘family’ or anyone who has ideas about how PANTS might develop.

The December 100 Club winner turned out to be … Robin Ratcliffe!!  A well deserved win for Robin who has organised the 100 Club for the last 2 years. Membership for 2018 is now available from Robin (01424 892674) at £12 for a full year’s subscription – the perfect Christmas gift for the friend who has everything!

Saturday’s Christmas Tree Festival organised by the WI raised an amazing £937 for Snowflake, a local charity which provides night shelter and food for homeless people throughout the winter months.

It was heart-warming to see so many organisations, families and individuals taking part, and wonderful to see our village hall looking so twinkly and magical.  Fabulous catering by the WI provided fuel for the difficult business of voting for just one tree when there were so many worthy contenders.

The People’s Vote for Best Tree was won by the Bellringers. Their tree incorporated buttons to press which would then play bell-related christmas songs, small cuddly toys pulling on miniature bell ropes (with sallies just like the ones at St. Peter’s) attached to crocheted bells, and paper chains made from “methods diagrams”.

Second place went to the tree from FarmYard Nursery with lovely decorations made by the children.  In third place was Alex and Emily’s “Christmas on Campus” tree, featuring baked bean cans, pasta and lots of empty bottles!