VILLAGE LOTTERY - Pauline Jordan won £25 with her number 35.

RURAL THIEVES - Research undertaken on behalf of NFU Mutual indicates that criminals are leaving the cities and moving to rural areas where the “pickings are easy”. An estimated 84,500 crimes are said to take place in the countryside every month. There was a 17 per cent rise between 2010 and 2011 and a further rise is expected when new figures are released in August. One convicted thief said “They’re asking to be done, aren’t they? Keys left in tractors, a cheap pad lock on the shed door and spare house keys left under the mat or a flower pot.”

Richard Percy, chairman of NFU Mutual said, “It is a sad fact but rural communities face an ongoing fight against crime.” A house in Bishopstone has twice experienced the theft of heating oil. The answer is to make things harder for the criminals.

THANKS - The parishes of the Bishopstone Group celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a tree planting ceremony in each parish, and a tea party for the children followed by an evening barbecue at the New Bridge Community Centre. On behalf of everyone who attended these events the parish council would like to thank the jubilee committee and all who helped with the organisation and worked so hard to make the celebrations so enjoyable.

MID-SUMMER QUIZ - on Wednesday at 7.30pm at, and in aid of, St Andrew's Church Bridge Sollars. All Welcome. Tickets £5 to include refreshments, call Claire Hancock 01981 590252 or Nancy Malins 01981 590601. Enter as a team or join one on the night.