SAVE the date for Colden Common's scarecrow festival in October.  It will be held around the village on Sunday, October 6 from 10am to 3pm. In a Facebook post, organisers said: “Our popular annual community event returns. Join us for a scarecrow hunt around Colden Common. With tasty chocolate treat (allergy alternatives available), wonderful arts and crafts and fab raffle prizes. Great family fun for all ages, with riddles to solve for older children. Everyone is invited! £5 per child. Price includes entry to the trail and prize, entry to the arts and crafts and colouring competitions and a drink and a biscuit. “Hot drinks will be served in stoneware cups. If you would like to purchase a drink to take away with you, please bring your own reusable mug.”

MESSY Church is held on the third Sunday of the month at Otterbourne Village Hall. It is held from 4pm to 6pm for toddlers to 12-year-olds. Children must bring an adult. The next Messy Church will be on Sunday, September 15. 

LOOKING ahead, the Twyford pumpkin revival is returning. 
It will be held at The Bugle Inn on Sunday, October 13 from 5.30pm. 
There will be food drinks, weigh the pumpkin competition and more. 

COLDEN Common Community Pantry is appealing for donations.
They need - tinned food: e.g. meat/vegetarian stews, curries, soup, fish, baked beans, tomatoes, Fray Bentos pies. Unopened packets of dry food: e.g. breakfast cereals, tea, biscuits. Sachets of rice or pasta. Jars: e.g. coffee, jams, marmalade, sauces, frankfurters. Cleaning and personal hygiene items: e.g. sanitary products, nappies, toilet rolls, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo. Tinned vegetables are not in demand except tomatoes. For more details, email coldencommoncommunitypantry@proton.me or call 01962 712610. 

THERE are currently temporary road closures in Colden Common in place on part of Uppers Moors Road between its junction with Spring Lane and its junction with Tees Farm Road; and the part of Tees Farm Road between its junction with Uppers Moors Road and its junction with Church Lane. There is a diversion in place from Spring Lane, to Main Road B3354, Church Lane, and Colden Common Community Centre can be accessed from St Vigor Way.

SET building and painting is now underway for the Otterbourne Theatre Company's Murder Mystery evening on Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21 at 7pm. The name of the production is Dig for Veangance. Tickets for the Saturday are nearly sold out but there is still plenty of availability for the Friday. You can book tickets at ticketsource.co.uk.