TODAY it is absolutely quiet in Verwood. I asked was something happening, The lady serving in the Co-op said: “Hot weather, they would all be down to the beach.”

I suddenly had a picture of Pinocchio, who was persuaded, against his better judgement, to go and join all the people going out to have fun.

It was lovely all eating and drinking playing games. Then suddenly they started to see things that were most unexpected. People started to grow tails, then donkey ears started to grow.

Will the people close to one another on our beaches start finding changes? Perhaps not turning into asses, but quite a lot turning into stupid asses.

LAVINIA EARL

Noon Hill Road, Verwood