In these unprecedented times we are sadly unable to plan any meetings for the foreseeable future.

We had hoped to carry over 2020 meetings into 2021 but cannot yet offer speakers possible dates or guarantee suitable arrangements in any local venue. We have also ruled out trying to provide ZOOM talks, as these would not reach all our membership, or other members of the public, and not all speakers can offer this technology.

However, we hope everyone who has explored the links on YouTube has enjoyed and learnt new facts about our village from Malcolm Airs’ three live walks around the village – perhaps you have now walked round yourselves to look at the features he has shown us. Thank you so much to our Honorary President for providing us with these stimulating, informative and fascinating guides to our heritage.

We also hope our members have enjoyed receiving news from the Oxfordshire Local History Association, which offers a wide range of talks and information online and draws attention to events and new publications.

If anyone is interested in pursuing their own local research – on their family or house, for example – or have questions on Dorchester history they would like answered, we’d be happy to help.

We shall postpone our customary January AGM until February or later. Meanwhile, your committee will continue to monitor the situation, and hope to give you better news in the New Year.

Margot Metcalfe, Chairman