BE WARNED: Cock Lane is to be closed for two weeks commencing on Monday. The closure is from Pimms Grove to its junction with London Road.

Signs are out at the bottom of the lane and at Pimms Grove, but at the time of writing there are no warning signs in the Barnes Corner area. It would seem to be very sensible to have signs there as it would prevent cars having to turn round at Pimms Grove, return to the village, and then find another route.

OFFICIAL OPENING tonight of the new doctors' surgery on Elm Road is by Earl Howe. Tomorrow all are welcome to visit the surgery and see the facilities. It will be open from 10am until midday for visitors and you will also see that the new pharmacy is also open on the site. To my mind you wouldn't notice the pharmacy is there unless you already knew, maybe it has been designed that way, I hope to find out this evening.

SOME LADIES in the village will be relieved that the cricket season is at an end, no names, they know who they are. However one more mention for the club's Sportsman's Dinner at the Causeway Stadium on Friday, September 30. Tickets are still available by contacting Steve on 01494 815151. You will be able to hear from Mark Illott (Essex and England)and the evening is being hosted by Paul Dickinson (International Hammer Thrower and TV Athletics commentator), who lives locally.

There will be an auction of memorabilia and it should be a great evening.

SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS and with the autumn fast approaching it's now time to think about your Christmas fundraising activities and there are two excellent ways to advertise them to get maximum success. Village Voice and this column are the places to be and I am determined that the schools will send me information on their functions, one day. I am sure there will be Christmas fairs and bazaars in the villages and I am keen to promote them here.

Contact Ron Hedley on 01494 812645 or rhedley2001@yahoo.co.uk