The parishes that make up the Blackmore Vale Deanery are responsible for organising the Church's involvement with the major local shows: the southern parishes of the Deanery are concentrating on the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival, while the northern parishes take care of the "Church Rest Tent" at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show. It has been agreed that Shaftesbury and Gillingham (and their neighbouring parishes) should take it in turns to take on this task – and this means that it is Gillingham’s turn this year!

Lots of help will be needed to run the tent and later in the year we shall be asking for volunteers. If you plan to go to the Show anyway, please would you consider giving an hour or so to help serve refreshments? Meanwhile, please make a note of the date in your diary.