Last Tuesday St. John's Church has a full congregation on the occasion of the funeral of Noel Rider who lived on West Cliff.

For many years, Noel and his wife Sue ran a shop in Somerset, and he was choirmaster at the local church.

In retirement to West Bay, he became the organist for the local branches of the Royal Naval Association and the Royal Air Force Association, as well as 'relief' organist at St John's.

The question was asked of the congregation, what's the difference between a politician and an organist?'

The answer is, of course, that you can negotiate with a politician!

However, Noel was full of fun and laughter and always had an amusing anecdote to tell.

Whilst I was enjoying a cup of tea and a delightful slice of coffee and walnut cake at the Mountjoy fundraiser held in the Salt House on Sunday afternoon, I encountered Shirley from Broadwindsor.

Shirley had spotted my appeal in this column several weeks ago for natives of Southall to make themselves known.

Although not truly a native of Southall, having grown-up in neighbouring Hayes, home of EMI and Nestle, she attended Southall Grammar School from 1954 until 1959.

I am sure there are still more readers who have a Southall connection, don't be afraid, make yourselves known, I can be contacted on philipringer@aol.com

The season of outdoor services on Harbour Green drew to a close with an uplifting act of worship led by members of the Christian Fellowship.

The next services organised by Churches Together in Bridport and District at West Bay will be the dedication of the six silent soldiers on All Saints Day (November, 1) at 4pm.

On Sunday afternoon, between 1pm and 5pm, there was a second hand bookstall at St John's Church to raise much needed money for repairs to the church.

St John's will be 80 next May and it would be good to have the building looking spick and span for that milestone anniversary.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution held their summer gala day in the Salt House and on Fisherman's Green last Sunday.