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Bride Valley News April 2005


Diary of events for all Parishes April 2005

Church Services April 2005

             FROM THE CLERGY             

Thank God for new beginnings.

But what are old ones like?  I think that old beginnings are the attempts we make to dig ourselves out of the rut that we have fashioned for ourselves as we trundle down the well worn tracks of living happily enough year after year. All the same, this year, we say to ourselves, will be different. I will do different things and become a new and a better person. And we make an effort. We really genuinely do, only to find that circumstances are much the same as they were before, and that the reasons we made the choices that we made last year are still as sensible as ever they were. There is always a nagging thought that perhaps this time we don't want to be sensible, and don't see why we should. But that is just childish, we remind ourselves, and settle for re-ordering the garden, buying a new car or having our hair done in a slightly different way. The wheels scrabble up the sides of the rut and then fall back, digging themselves each time a little deeper.

New beginnings are so very hard to make. The old ways, dressed in wisdom and comfort will always throw us back into line. And they disguise themselves as well so as to trick us too into think we have made a real change, when have not. The addict has not stopped, he has merely changed his addiction. The leopard is still spotty, albeit for a moment invisible in his jungle disguise.

And then, just as we thought there would never be a change, the wind had gone about and we were stuck like this for ever, Christ changes everything. Nothing else touches the kind of change he makes. Not moving house, or being ill, or general elections, or the great events of history or even the circling of planets round the sun. We are still the same person as ever we were through all of these, and will be even at the moment of our death. But Christ changes our lives by changing death itself. He changes death by planting life in the heart of it. He changes us by believing in us, and how we can change, even when we hardly believe it any more ourselves.

Since the beginning of the world, and after all the ways in which things go round and round, Christ is the only true new beginning that there has ever been. Thank God for new beginnings. 

Bob Thorn

      Valley Notes     

From the Registers

The Funeral of Ronald Victor Moye of Hibernia Close, Bridport took place on  Friday 25th February at St Martin's, Shipton Gorge

Tiny Tots/Pram Service

The next service will be in St. Mary's Burton Bradstock at 11.00am on Friday 8th April. You are all welcome; we would love to see you..

A Family Service at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock

See page 11 for details of this week-day service to be held after school on Fridays during term time. The first one takes place on 15th April at 3.30pm.

Mothers' Union

Monday 4th April  11.00 am- Archdeanery Festival at Sherborne Abbey

Thursday 28th April 2.30pm

5, West Court, West Allington

Miss Katherine Marr will speak on "Building Relationships"

The Bride Valley (Thursday) Fellowship Group

The group meets on Thursday evenings.  Arriving from 7.30pm we begin at 8.00pm aiming to finish by about 9.30pm.  Our studies leading up to the celebration of Pentecost will be on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  For further details contact Paul

April 7 No Meeting

April 14           2 Myrtle Close, Puncknowle

April 21           6 Baglake, Litton Cheney                      

April 28           7 Norburton, Burton Bradstock

Bride Valley Team Council - vacancy for Hon. Secretary

People with secretarial and minute taking skills are most welcome to apply for this post which commences at the beginning of May.  Up to six meetings per year which are held in Puncknowle Church Hall. 

If interested please contact the Rev'd Bob Thorn on 01308 898799 for further information.

LYME BAY DEANERY

QUIET DAY

'Looking towards the Ascension'

Leader:  The Rev'd Jean Thorn

St Peter's Church, Eype

Saturday 30th April 2005  10.00am - 4.00pm

Cost: £7.50 to include morning coffee and biscuits, afternoon tea and cake.  (Bring your own sandwiches and drink for lunch.) 

Further details from, and reservations to:

The Rev'd Anthony Ashwell at Litton Cheney Rectory or telephone 01308 482302 (answerphone cuts in eventually). 

A Knit-in for Uganda.

Following Ivy's plea in February's BVN,* we have organized a knit-in at the Rectory to encourage all you knitters and would-be knitters to get your needles out. It will be happening on Monday April 18th and you are welcome to turn up any time from 9.30am to 4.00pm. We will also be serving a hunger lunch and holding a cake and produce stall to raise funds in order to ensure that the hats safely reach their destination. We will be happy to collect any pre-knitted hats and, if you are a non-knitter or non-crocheter, you are still welcome to come, chat, bring and buy produce or cakes and cheer us needlemen and women on our way. To get you started, there is a simple hat pattern below.

God speed your fingers!

Jean Thorn. 898799. jeanandbob@jeanandbob.demon.co.uk

* See Ivy Platt's up-date on page 21

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Use DK wool in bright colours either plain or striped and size 10 (3¼mm) needles and 8 (4mm) needles.

Cast on 80,96,104 sts on size 10 (3¼ mm) needles,

Work 17, 23, 27 rows k1, p1 rib

­Change to size 8 (4 mm) needles.

Work 20, 24, 26 rows in stocking stitch.

Decrease row. K6, k2 tog to end of row.

Purl next row.

Next row:- K5, k2 tog to end of row.

­Purl next row.

Continue decreasing in this way until 20, 24, 26sts remain.

Next row:- P2 tog to end.

Thread wool through last 10,12, 13 sts & sew up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Burton Bradstock CE VC School

Easter is upon us - the time when we reflect upon the promise of new life and new hope - very fitting at a point when we can all feel particularly low and tired.  In common with other schools, the very fact that the past term was so short had a concertina effect on all our activities.  Hence the break is timely and most welcome.

The Spring term was a highly successful one for our football team who progressed to the final of the Kenway Cup.  By the time the match has been played the BVN will have gone to press so more news of the result will come in the May edition.  Perhaps the most satisfying result so far was the 4-0 semi-final victory over Charmouth - they beat us at the same stage of the competition last year.  Revenge is too strong a word but it was nice to even things up!  My thanks go to Chris Wilkinson who once again this season has given so much of his time and energy to coach and manage the team.

Our netball team has had a resurgence this year - narrowly missing out on the knock-out stage of the Cluster Tournament on goal difference.  Their huge improvement has been largely due to the efforts of Jenny Gape, Jacqui Keith and Elaine Kenway.  Thank you all.

The Pyramid Tsunami concert seems a long time ago.  We are most grateful to Paul Curtis for rehearsing a choir for this event and hope that this new venture can continue.

In addition to the Tsunami appeals, many readers will have been moved by the pictures of suffering shown on television during the Comic Relief events.  That so little can mean so much is a sobering reminder of how easily we can take life for granted.  Maybe it should also help us to keep some perspective in our busy lives.

Mark Stratta.

100 Club

February Winners were:

            £20      K. Varndell

            £10      M. Burwood    £10      J. Symes          

£10      P. Coombes     £10      N. Bushell        £10      L. Farrow

  £5      J & D. Reeves

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

Once a year at this time, Thorner's School plays host to heroes, villains, princesses, fairies, ballerinas, aliens, ghosts, historical characters . I could go on, the list is long! It is of course the ever  popular Dressing-up Day in the middle of our annual Book Week. Each year the costumes seem better and better, such a wonderful effort is made and such ingenuity shown in putting bits and pieces together, so that when we are faced with the whole school in their costumes during the special assembly, many faces are unrecognisable and it takes some puzzling to work out who is behind the mask or make-up!

Imagination is a wonderful thing which hopefully we do not lose with age and this special day reminds us how fertile young imaginations are, the children have no problem in filling the role of their characters, fairies fly noiselessly around the playground, heroes walk with a new air of authority and villains menacingly skulk amongst us making grisly noises.

We hope that a spin-off of this activity will be some wonderful creative writing where children find it easy to believe in the characters they create and can communicate with the reader through their work. Also, that they develop a love of reading and come to know that wonderful feeling of being 'lost in a book'.

Other activities during Book Week have included a visit by Dorset's Traveller Support Service helping us to understand the way of life for travellers' children and leaving us a travellers' wagon or "vardo" to explore for a fortnight; various adults visiting school for story and poetry reading; local invited friends of the school reading to individual classes during a Quiet Reading session; visits from Hattie the Clown, and David James, almost our storyteller in residence now on this his third visit and a Book Fair where children may browse and buy books if they wish.

I feel sure that all of this goes to show that the 'day of the book' is far from over and there is still great pleasure to be had from reading and being read to and magic to be found as a story unfolds, or as we learn about our world from non-fiction reference texts and picture books.

I hope all our pupils will increase their Literacy skills as a result of our Book Weeks and also that they will have happy memories of the fun of Dressing-up Days at Thorner's.

 Maggie Hooper

Literacy Co-ordinator -  Thorner's School

100 club winners for March

 £15 Nic Armstrong

£10 Tess Mulhall

Bride Valley  Fledglings News

We continued with our Theme of "Opposites" throughout March whilst including Mothers' Day cards and Easter celebrations. Hattie the Clown came to visit and helped one morning while I was away for a couple of weeks recovering from a minor operation - many thanks to Sue Brown. The children learned about "Big and Small", "Long and Short" etc. with her - in a fun way!  Sue Talbot was in charge while I was away and did a good job with help from parents on a rota. So thanks go to you all, too, for keeping everything running smoothly. Jean Thorn also visited to help us learn about Easter - a godly play session!

We have a date for our combined Coffee Morning and Photographer coming which will be on Saturday 25th June this year so please put it in the diary - I can recommend the photographer from Weymouth - the results are always excellent. Anyone at all is welcome to come along - maybe for a family group or other photo - we had some lovely ones taken last year as well as the children's photos.

Our pre-school children will be staying on an extra hour on Tuesdays  during the Summer Term - to join in activities and lunch together, which prepares them in a small way for starting school in September.

Please contact me or Sue for any information re Playgroup - places still available.

Carol Bennett (Playleader)  01308 897771 or Playgroup Mobile 07967 400385

Coffee Morning for Colfox School Minibus Appeal/Save the Children Fund

A Coffee Morning will be held at the Church Hall Puncknowle, on Saturday 16 April starting at 11.00am.  There will be stalls selling cakes, toys, books, children's clothes, etc plus a raffle and refreshments.  There will also be a quantity of fabric for sale at reasonable prices.  If anyone, particularly students, can help with manning stalls or with refreshments please contact Ruth Brierley (898283).  Any donations of cakes, goods or raffle prizes would be very welcome - please deliver to Dairy House, Puncknowle, or ring 898283 to arrange collection or bring on the day.

The Sir John Colfox School recently had to replace the minibus.  The replacement cost was £11,000 and now is in regular use.  The school still has to raise £2,000 plus to finally pay off the minibus.  Save the Children Fund is the adopted charity of Colfox School.  All proceeds will go towards the Minibus Appeal and Save the Children.

Litton Cheney Youth Club meets on Tuesday evenings, for those between 8 and 17 years in Litton Cheney and the surrounding villages.  For information contact Paul Kingston 482384

First Steps Parent and Toddler Group

Hello, parents and carers - are you getting a little tired of 'Please can I have some more chocolate?'  Leave the chocolate at home and come to our small and friendly Toddler Group. We start the summer term on Wednesday 13th April. This means the Health Visitor won't be visiting -  However, if you would like your baby weighed, there will be a clinic at Portesham Surgery on Thursday 7th April from 1.30 to 3.30pm as usual.

Don't forget to come to our Coffee Morning- Saturday 30th April, 10.00 - 12.00 with a bigger and (even!) better cake stall, games, tombola, children's toys and more besides.

We are open to anyone in the Bride Valley and meet at Long Bredy Village Hall every Wednesday during the school term. Each session starts at 10:00 and finishes at 12:00. We have toys and activities for all pre-school children (0-4years). For parents and carers we offer coffee and friendly chat and the chance to meet others. For further details, please contact:  Julie 897178 or Rachel 482246.

Madalina Rusu Concert  Dorchester    Thursday May 19th 8.00pm

See page 18 for details

Ladybirds

Ladybirds will be held at 8.00pm on the 13th  April at Hazel Stirgress' house in Swyre to hear about the work of MacMillan nurses.

Royal British Legion

This month's social will be held on Monday 18th April at the Bull Inn, Swyre, 7.00 for 7.30pm

ngs

gardens open

for charity

The Old  Rectory  Litton Cheney

Sunday 1st May

2.00pm - 6.00pm

Bride Valley Gardening Club

Spring Check List

·                    Spring pruning of relevant plants

·                    Plant bare root varieties

·                    Collect up last of fallen leaves to prevent diseases on planting

·                    Prepare soil for new beds

·                    Take root cuttings

·                    Prepare hardy annual beds

·                    Check tree stakes, plant supports and ties

·                    Lift and divide congested snowdrops

·                    Place plant orders

·                    Prepare areas for new lawns

·                    Feed and mulch relevant plants                       Dianne ffoulkes

Sea Britain 2005

The Trafalgar Ride

Sunday 21 August  2005

See page 19 for details

Do you have TV or radio reception/coverage issues/problems in the Bride valley? WEDBAG is there to help you!

As you will have seen in the BVN recently, there were 31 Burton Bradstock parishioners who indicated on the Parish Plan form that TV or Radio reception/coverage was an issue for them.   I imagine there are many more in the whole valley.

However, help is at hand as Oliver Letwin MP is already chairing the West Dorset Broadcasting Action Group (WEDBAG) to resolve these problems right across West Dorset.   And he has started a dialogue with OFCOM and the BBC, who expressed surprise and concern that it was as bad as we believe it to be.   But we need solid feedback from people so we can quantify the problems.   The Action Group has a large number of people from West Dorset who have added their names to our list of unhappy residents, but we still need to get many more if we are to have enough weight to influence the BBC/ITV.

Having said that, the town councils have also joined in and appointed representatives on our committee and this will be a great help.   Our next step is to send out a questionnaire via all town & parish councils in West Dorset to get as many people with problems/complaints as possible to give us the information we need to fight the case - this covers existing and digital TV, FM and digital radio and the lack of local news/events/programmes on any of them.

It would be very helpful if those of you who have concerns would contact either Adrian Wood on 01308 897 087 or myself on 01308 897 550.   Or you can e-mail us on wedbag@aol.com.   We will add your issues to the list and will then be able to keep you informed of our progress as well as ensuring you get a questionnaire to detail your concerns when we distribute them.

I am confident that WEDBAG can really get something done this time!

Ken Pett

BURTON BRADSTOCK                                                 

Village Correspondent  Mr Basil Dent

2, Norburton, Burton Bradstock. Tel:- (01308) 897125

********************************************************

Mid Week Worship -                                                                    

Holy Communion                Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.

*********************

Choir Practices                       Fridays at 6.00 p.m.

Bell Ringing Practices           Thursdays at 7.00pm

Gift Sunday                            17th April          C.M.S.

For the work of  Steve & Cathy Burgess

The next Service of Prayer for Healing at St Mary's will be held on Monday 11th April  at 7.00pm.

Tiny Tots / Pram Service will be held at 11.00am on Friday 8th April at St. Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock.

A Family Service at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock.

Jean and I have had occasional chats with some of the parents about the possibility of starting a family service at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock. We have been very encouraged by the enthusiasm with which the idea has been received. The next thing was to plan a time.

Sunday morning is the best time for everyone except Jean and me, because we conduct services up and down the valley. Saturday mornings are best for us, but hopeless for many people whose children have commitments on Saturday mornings. Saturday afternoons are a bad option, not least because 4.30 is in the middle of the afternoon in the Summer and after dark in the Winter.

So we have decided to have a go at an after school time of 3.30 pm on a Friday. This will mean that we can run a short service through until about 4.10 when some people will have to leave to collect children who are involved in after school activities.

The plan will go something like:

3.30                                  meet for a drink and biscuit

3.40                                  start a service

4.10                                  end of service

but we will have to see how we go with this, and change it if it does not work. The service, in any case, will be an informal affair in which we hope to make disruption an integral part of the worship. Please do come along to give it a try. We will look forward to seeing you.

The services will begin on Friday the 15th April, and will run during school term times, with a week off for half term.                         Bob Thorn

The Rector recently wrote in the pew news of St Mary's, Burton Bradstock:

The P.C.C. (of St Mary's, Burton Bradstock) met again on Monday 28th  February to discuss the Church fete, following the resignation of many of the members of the fete committee. Members were fully aware of how badly the P.C.C. had handled the matter, and are very sorry indeed for it. They were very aware too that many members of the congregation have voiced their objection to the proceeds of the fete not being given to "the Church"

In the light of these representations, the P.C.C. resolved that the proceeds from this year's Church fete should indeed go to the Church. No resolution was made that money from this year's Church income should go to the Sudan link project.

There are no more meetings scheduled for this P.C.C. before the meeting of the A.P.C.M. on the 4th April. This means that the new P.C.C. will have to begin work to plan a fete for the 4th of August. It is recognised that the fete is likely to be different this year. The new P.C.C. will not have the experience and expertise of the fete committee, and will have to recognise that, such has been the hurt and cause by the mismanagement of this matter by the present P.C.C. support from within the Church and the village is unlikely to be as strong as it has been in years past.

It will be up to the new P.C.C. to decide if it should form its own fete committee. Should it do so, it will have to learn from past mistakes, and arrange matters so that such offence as has been so needlessly caused cannot occur again.   

The question of whether or not the Church should be giving money from its income has not gone away, and will be for the new P.C.C. to consider. The question is of itself the tip of an iceberg, the submerged part of which is the question of "what is the Church for?" Even that is but a part of the question "what is the Church?" which is probably nonsense, because it is likely that it should be "who is the Church?" The new P.C.C. will do well, as would we all, to spend time in prayer and consideration of these things.

Salisbury                           Sudan

St.Mary's Sudan Project 2005

Our thanks go to all who attended, and helped with, the Lent Lunch which raised £410 towards our project.

The next main event will be on Friday 20th May at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Full details will appear in next month's BVN but it will be a " May Miscellany" of musical fun and other items, so book the date in your diary now!

A Huge Thank You to everyone who came and supported the Charity Lunch in the Village Hall on 26th February, to the many who donated the food, to those who helped to set up and clear the hall, and most especially to the excellent team in the kitchen - Ann Read, Pauline Woodford, Betty Champkins, Barbara Ivall, Thelma Skues, Irene Smith and Gill Redford, and not forgetting our star waitresses Jessica and Lucy Haley and their mum Rachel.  The sum of £410 was donated to St Mary's Sudan link project for 2005.                                            Lesley Dove

Of treacle mines.

Last month, in the interests of not using too much of the editor's valuable space, I decided to stick to the facts about the process of treacle mining. I now realise that this was a mistake.

In response to enquiries that people have been making:-

There is Cornish mine established in part of the old Delabole slate quarries, where the natural polysaccharides are squeezed by the huge weight of the very dense rock through occasional fault lines. This mine is in the possession of a local family, who guard the mine's location very carefully. It is not, therefore, open to the public.

Moving east, I am grateful to Peter Broomhead for the loan of a book on the geology of Devon, Geology Explained in South and East Devon by John. W. Perkins, which notes the mine at Dunchideock. "The beds" he writes "were sought at night, being detected by their fluorescence in ultra-violet light." He goes on to mention other sites; Daccombe near Newton Abbott and Tamerton Foliot in Plymouth. Of all these mines he writes of "their treacle coming from beds rich in the remains of moss-like plants which lived millions of years ago."

Len Green, on reading of the treacle mine in the Rectory garden, has kindly given me a newspaper cutting of another ecclesiastical mine, by St Margaret's Church, Bisney, near Oxford, once the place of "Fair Rosamund's bower."

I have not visited, but have information on a mine as far afield as the outskirts of Palermo in Sicily. By all accounts there is a very narrow seam of treacle, which in the heat of that country becomes sticky. Being sweet as well, many insects are attracted to the place, only to find themselves caught by their own greed. This thin seam, stuck with flies and emerging from the local limestone, is believed to be the inspiration for the original idea of the Garibaldi biscuit.

I hope that these few examples will help answer those questions I have been asked.                                                                                   Bob Thorn

Burton Bradstock Village Society

In his welcome return visit to the Village Society on 18th Feb, David Barnikel gave us a wonderful insight into the geography and inhabitants of Greenland and Iceland.

He showed us some stunning slides of icebergs, the northern lights, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, and fertile coastal plains warmed by the Gulf Stream.

He also showed us how the local people live in centrally heated wooden houses, display their sculptures and spend their time sledging with dogs. Certainly a land of the midnight sun as was proved in his final image.

We all can't wait until he goes away again so that he can come back and tell us all about it.                                                                                    Peter Dutton

 

Burton Bradstock Village Hall

Quiz Night - Saturday 9 April 2005 - 7.30 pm

Come and test your general knowledge at a Quiz Night in the Village Hall.  Bring your friends and make up a team of 4-6 people and enjoy complimentary light refreshments, a cash bar, raffle and prizes for the winners.  A wide variety of subjects will be covered and your specialist topic is bound to be there.  Tickets, just £2.50 per team member, are available from the Post Office now.  The bar will open at 7.30 pm and the quiz will begin at 8.00 pm promptly.

Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.

Application for an Occasional Licence

Please note that the following notification of application for an Occasional Licence is displayed on the Burton Bradstock Village Hall Notice Board

Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.

Tea Dance - Sunday 8 May 2005 - 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Subject to the Occasional Licence above being granted, the Village Hall Committee is planning an afternoon Tea Dance in the Village Hall to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of VE Day.  There will be dancing to "Two's Company" playing and singing the music of the 1940's and a tea will be served featuring the foods which you might have had in 1945 - don't let this put you off as they knew what a proper afternoon tea was in those days despite rationing.  We aim to make this a really special themed occasion and hope that people from all generations in the village will attend to make this event go with a swing and commemorate a very significant day in Britain's history. Further details will follow.

Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.

Village Fayre - Monday 30 May 2005 - 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

This year's Village Fayre, replacing the WI Spring Fair, is to be held in the Rectory Gardens on Bank Holiday Monday 30 May 2005 opening at 2.00 pm.  The Village Hall Committee hopes that all villagers will want to be involved in making this event, the first Village Fayre, a success.  We will need help from volunteers to run activities and much goodwill from donors to provide goods and produce to sell on the stalls.  Through having such events as this, with the full involvement of all villagers, we hope to maintain the Village Hall facility for all to use and enjoy so it can remain an integral part of the village.  Further details will follow in the May BVN.

Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee

Village Clean-Up     Saturday 23rd April

Volunteers are required to help tidy up the village. Meet at the Reading Room at 10.00am. Gloves, waste sacks etc. will be provided. Just one hour will be a great help.

You are probably aware that we are entering the Dorset Best Kept Village Competition so it would be helpful if parishioners could tidy up around their own properties, be aware of parking in dangerous or restricted areas, e.g. around village greens and avoid dumping litter around Wheelie Bins at the beach.

The Parish Council has space on its four notice boards for advertising Charity events and would prefer organizations to use these notice boards rather than decorate telegraph poles.

Many thanks for your help in these matters.

Fel Moore - Parish Clerk

Burton Bradstock - Meeting of Coordinators

On Tuesday 17th May at 7.30 p.m. at 16 Hive Close, there will be a meeting of all coordinators at which Sgt Colin Mathias, P.C Nat Cameron's replacement and Mr. Malcolm Davenport the new Ringmaster Manager will be present.

Freddy Tame. Tel 897957

N.C.H. Collection

Many thanks to all residents who gave to this year's N.C.H collection in Grove Road and Grove Orchard. We raised £50 which will be put to the many good projects for children in which the N C H is involved.

Thank you all.                                                                          Joyce Roberts

Hooray! Village Hall "100" Club becomes "200 Club"!

The first Draw will have taken place on 15th March with 100 members on board! So now we head for 200! If you are not a member yet please join in the fun - membership forms at the Post Office or from John Grantham 01308-897935. Your sub (£1 per monthly draw) is £9 to year-end before the draw on 1st April, or £8 before the draw on 1st May.                                          John Grantham

Madalina Rusu Concert    Dorchester    Thursday May 19th 8.00pm

Madalina Rusu - the Romanian girl who learned the piano by playing on keys painted on a large sheet of paper on a table, and imagined the music in her head! - now a scholar at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, plays Beethoven, Rachmaninov etc. at the Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 8.00pm Thursday 19th May. Return coach available from Burton Bradstock. Ticket + coach details available from John Grantham (01038­897935)

Burton Bradstock WI

We met on the 15th March, too late to be included in this report, but a thank you goes to Mary Burr who, for the past few years has organised the '100 Club', raising money for the WI hall, the last draw was held at the March meeting.

On February 26th a very enjoyable skittles evening was held at Freshwater; future events include a Safari Supper and a Barbeque.

The WI Spring Council meeting is to be held in Weymouth on April 19th, guest speaker Kate Adie; and there is an outing to Salisbury and Cranborne House on July 20th, contact Audrey Hayward on 898528 for details.

The annual general meeting is to be held on April 12th at 7.30pm, new members are welcome.                                                         Heather Seadon.

Burton Bradstock and The Trafalgar Ride

"Sea Britain 2005" is a year of commemoration of Britain's Maritime Heritage and the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar the effect of which was to remove the threat of invasion from our shores for more than 100 years. Admiral Collingwood, Nelson's second in command, entrusted the account of the battle to Lieutenant Lapenotiere in command of the schooner HMS Pickle which arrived in Falmouth early on 4th November. Lapenotiere, carrying the Trafalgar Dispatch, hired a post chaise and set off for London 265 miles away. Records show that travelling over appalling roads and with frequent changes of horses, he passed through Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorchester, Blandford, Woodyates thence to Salisbury and beyond to arrive at the Admiralty after 38 hours at 1.00 am on Wednesday 6th November 1805. Handing over the Dispatch to the Secretary of the Admiralty Board he said "Sir, we have gained a great victory but we have lost Lord Nelson".

As part of the National Programme of Events during "Sea Britain 2005" Lapenotiere's Trafalgar Ride will be replicated during late August 2005 using a specially built Post Chaise. "Lieutenant Lapenotiere" will be played by an actor carrying "The New Trafalgar Dispatch" to be presented at Civic Ceremonies to Mayors of the towns en route. Because of particular connection with Captain Hardy, approval was given for a diversion from the original route to Portesham.

But Burton Bradstock also has a particular connection with the Battle. Midshipman Richard Roberts, the son of the mill owner living in Grove House was serving in HMS Victory and was Captain Hardy's clerk recording Victory's part in the battle. When it became known that he had survived, his mother celebrated by providing ale for all the villagers and the bellringers rang the church bells with such gusto that several bell ropes were broken.

It has now been specially arranged that after completing ceremonies in Bridport and on its way to Portesham, the Post Chaise carrying The New Trafalgar Dispatch will visit Burton Bradstock in the early afternoon of Sunday 21 August 2005. A copy of the Dispatch will be presented to the Parish Council in a short civic ceremony, a celebratory peal of bells will be rung and who knows, Ale and Tea may be available!

This will be a unique, historic and exciting occasion to add to the history of our village and one worth making into something of an occasion. Any ideas and offers of help please contact either the Parish Council representative, Celia Cummins of Grove House or myself.

                                                                                            Gwyn Pritchard

"The Wind in the Willows"

Our congratulations go to Liz Slater, David Woodford, the actors and the entire production team. You entertained us, lifted our spirits, gave us a delightful break from reality (we all had empathy with Moley's " bother spring cleaning!") and sent us away with a song in our hearts and a spring in our step. Thank you!

Liz Derryman & Heather Thomson

Not "three little maids from school" but  much loved ladies from Burton who have looked after us in the shop and the library for countless years. There cannot be anyone in the village ( and  probably  in the entire Valley ) who has not been the recipient of their help at some time over the years. Our very best wishes for their future, love and thanks go to them both.

Ann & Mike wish to thank all their dear friends for the greetings, messages and gifts sent to them for March 6th. Thank you for making our day special.

Burton Bradstock Village Website Address

www.burtonbradstock.org.uk

Loads of information on the village including maps, videos, current events, useful contacts and history.

And, did you know that the Bride Valley News is published on this web site every month?

It  includes every back issue of the magazine, as far back as January 2000.

 All this, and it's in colour too!

SHIPTON GORGE                                                         

Village Correspondent: Mrs. Joy White

Eastcote  3 Gullivers Orchard  Shipton Gorge

Tel: ( 01308 )897974

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Easter Family Service

All are welcome to our celebration of Easter at St. Martin's church on Sunday 3rd. April at 4p.m. and afterwards in the village hall for Easter treats.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place on Wednesday 6th April, at 7.30p.m. in the village hall, for the election of Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors, and to receive various annual reports. This year we are also electing members to the Deanery Synod.

We shall need nominations for two Churchwardens (which must be received in writing by the Rector before the commencement of the meeting - ask him for a form). Nominations for PCC may be made verbally at the meeting.

Tower News

A visiting team from Somerset will be ringing at St Martins on Thursday 28th April for an hour from 11.30am.

Hats for Uganda

I would like to say a very big thank-you to all the ladies in the Valley who have responded to my notice last month for woolly hats. The response has been terrific and we now have several hundred hats - the hold-up now is just getting them out to Uganda. We have tried several channels - the main H.Q. of the M.S.F. is in Amsterdam. One parcel we posted in January and which cost £22 still has not arrived; we are reluctant, therefore, to send any more via this route for fear the hats drop into the wrong hands. However we have now had several suggestions to solve the problem and are following up on those; a name has been passed to us from the Ugandan Embassy. I will keep you all informed of progress.

With many thanks to you all.                                                    Ivy R.Platt

See page 4 for details of The Knit-in at Burton Rectory on Monday 18th April.

Shipton Gorge Village Hall 100 Club

March Draw Winners

£20

No. 94

Geoffrey Howlett

£10

No. 53

Gerald Benselin

Shipton Gorge Village Website

www.shiptongorge.org.uk

SWYRE                                                                          

Village Correspondent: Sid Marshall

3 Green Barton, Swyre Tel: 897318

s.marshall@which.net

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Church Annual Meeting

This will take place during and after Evensong at 6.30pm on 3rd April.  All Swyre Parishioners are most welcome to attend. 

Anthony Ashwell

Best Kept Village Competition 2005

The Parish Council was disappointed that the Village did not improve its position in the 2004 competition but has entered the 2005 competition. It has been suggested that some villagers might like to volunteer to improve the appearance of the Village and hopefully its position in the competition. If anyone would like to do so, please telephone Ken Martin on 897622.

Swyre Churchyard working party.

Saturday 9th April, 10am - 12noon.

Come along and give a hand for just as long as you can manage, to help keep our churchyard in good condition. There are jobs to suit most abilities. Bring along tools and gardening gloves if you can.

I'm one of the poets and you don't know it!

(i)

To live in Swyre I think is great

No need to rush just contemplate.

Until one day in the Bride Valley News

Appeared a Poem to which I mused.

(iv)

Now Steve the Cheese can pen a rhyme

But has he really got the time?

Or Pauline Smith the district Nurse,

I'm sure that she could write a verse.

(ii)

One month later a second appeared

The start of an epidemic I feared.

To find the poet is my aim

And put an end to his wordy game.

(v)

And further on there's Peter May

Now on the club he'd have all day.

Or maybe Steve who climbs the Trees

I'm sure he would write a verse with ease.

(iii)

First Mike was mentioned as the scribe

An honour he would take with pride.

And I know Mike can be satirical

But I'm not sure that he'd Wax Lyrical.

(vi)

Or look at the Bull both Chris and Sue

At this time of year have little to do.

Now the only thing playing on my mind

Is who is out there writing the rhyme.

Disability Discrimination Act questionnaire.

Thank you to all villagers and other church goers who completed and returned these. There was at least a 30% response rate, which has given us a good idea of the needs of the people who use, or may use, Swyre Church. Briefly, mobility access did not seem to be a big problem, with all but one person being able to access the church unaided, provided the path was dry, and just one person needing assistance to push their wheelchair up the sloping path. Hearing was a bigger issue, with 1/3 of the respondents admitting to a hearing difficulty and feeling that some form of sound amplification would help. Although only a few people said they had a visual problem, the biggest issue was the need for large print hymn and service books. We will address this issue as soon as possible. If you would like a full analysis of the results please contact me by tel. 898492 or e mail: dandy@dandyhollybush.plus.net

Yvonne Buckland

SWYRE WEBSITE

Temporary address:- http://www.geocities.com/swyre1/

PUNCKNOWLE      SWYRE      WEST BEXINGTON

Puncknowle and Swyre Parish Council

Parish Council Meeting

There will be a meeting of the Parish Council on Tuesday 5th April in the Puncknowle Church Hall at 7.30pm.

Annual Parish Assembly 2005

The Annual village Meeting will be held on the 19th April. This is an open forum for villagers to hear how local groups are operating and to express their opinions and make suggestions.

The Church Hall will soon be managed by a team of villagers and your ideas for its future use will be welcomed. The present Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee will be telling us about progress and your ideas for its future use will be welcomed.

You will have noticed that the Napper Field is now an established Allotment Gardens site. Funds will still be generated for charitable purposes which will be distributed at Christmas as usual. The Parish Council would like Parishioners' views on how these funds should be shared. In recent years the gifts have been given to elderly residents, but the Charity was set up very many years ago for the relief of poverty, and does not necessarily only apply to older persons. With the change of use and a more businesslike manner of managing the asset, now would seem to be a good time to discuss the criteria for the future allocation of the fund.

Representatives of the Western Area Transport Group will be telling us about how the Travel needs of villagers are being met and how it is hoped to meet their needs in the future.

We hope to see as many villagers as possible at the meeting Now is the time for you to put your point of view on any subject, and to learn what is happening in the villages. If you would like to have a subject put on the Agenda please let the Parish Council Chairman, Madeline Marshall, 897318, or the Parish Clerk Carolyn Buckland, 897726, know by the 5th April.

Village Barn Dance

Saturday 16th April, 7.30pm. Puncknowle Church Hall

with live music from David Powell and friends.

All are welcome - no experience necessary!

Fun for young and old, dancers and spectators!

Bring your own drinks - light refreshments provided.

Donations appreciated.

Coffee Morning on Saturday 16 April at 11.00am, Puncknowle Church Hall, to raise funds for Colfox Minibus Appeal and Save the Children Fund - see Valley Notes for further details

Puncknowle Swyre and West Bexington Homewatch

Community Vehicle -  will be at Puncknowle Bottom  on Tuesday 12th April 14.00 - 15.00

"Traffic Light Warning System" -    We shall be piloting the Traffic Light warning system in Springfield and Looke Lane in April. A series of small signs will be positioned at each end of Looke Lane and in Springfield. Each sign will have a coloured poster in them.

If the poster is green there will have been no Crime Incidents in our area. The telephone number for your local Homewatch representative will appear as well as mine as Coordinator.

If the poster is amber. There will be a warning message stating that there may be a crime or a Police report relating to crime scenes in areas near our village. Again the telephone number for your local Homewatch representative will appear as well as mine as Coordinator for more information.

If the poster is red then there has been a reported crime within the Parish. Information will be given about the crime and what preventative measures should be taken. Telephone numbers of Homewatch representatives and the Police will be given for more detailed information.

Since our area thankfully has a low rate of crime the signs will mostly be green but please look out as they may change. The pilot scheme will last for three months and if successful it will be extended to the rest of Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington.

I will be giving a brief report about the scheme and Homewatch activities over the last year at the Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington Parish AGM on the 12th April.                                               Andy Marshall 897732

Puncknowle and Swyre Summer Fete

30th July 2005

 We are still keen to hear from anyone who would                           like to help with stalls on the day. Please contact a Puncknowle & Swyre  fete working party member who will be pleased to                  Summer Fete    hear from you.

This year we are organising a village band to play before and during the fete. Peter Thorpe or fete organisers would like to hear from all budding musicians of all ages and abilities from the 3 villages who would like to be part of the group.

Raffle tickets will be available from Easter. These will be offered round but if you would like some or some more please let me or one of the team know.

David Buckland 898492

PUNCKNOWLE & WEST BEXINGTON                          

Village Correspondent:  Elizabeth Slater

1, Lytton Close, Puncknowle, Dorchester DT2 9BH

Telephone: ( 01308 ) 897751

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting

This will take place during and after the Morning Service at 9.30am on 17th April.  All Puncknowle Parishioners are most welcome to attend.                                                                                        Anthony Ashwell

Puncknowle & West Bexington

A big thank-you to all those who supported the Frugal Lunch in The Church Hall at Puncknowle.  The sum of £135 was raised in aid of Send-a-Cow (or goat or chicken) and has now been sent to the society who will give an appropriate animal to a needy family. The family will be trained in its management and its welfare followed after being given.

Ann Roberts

Bride Valley Fledglings Playgroup

See Page 7 (Valley Notes Section ) for report. 

Puncknowle Art Group

Our first meeting in February was held at Bridport Arts Centre to see Kit Glaisyer's exhibition of paintings. We met with the artist who gave us an interesting talk about his work. Many thanks to Sallie for leading our next meeting and bringing in a collection of natural colours in the shape of stones, pottery and bark. We then attempted to recreate these lovely colours in paint.

Meetings for April are:- 1st bring favourite pictures for comment

                                    15th work in progress (at Patria)

                                    29th video (at Crosstrees Farm Cottage).                                             

                                                                                         Christine Molony

LITTON  CHENEY                                                      

Village Correspondent:

Elizabeth Kingston  5 Manor Farm Close, Litton Cheney

news4litton@bridevalley.net

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting

This will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th April at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.  All Litton Cheney Parishioners are most welcome to attend.                                                                                                   Anthony Ashwell

Fete '05      30th May at Court House

Although it's only just April, it's not too early to start preparations for the Fete! If you are skilled at handicrafts, now is the time to get busy making things.  How about spring-cleaning your freezer?  If there is fruit lurking at the bottom, then please turn it into jam or chutney.  Too many books cluttering your shelves?  We'll be happy to have them.  Then there are plants - we need lots of them for our Plant Stall, so while you are planting seeds, potting on, splitting clumps and preparing your gardens for the summer, please put some things aside for us.  There will be a full list of all stalls and stall-holders in the May edition of the BVN.

Litton Archaeology Group

This informal group, which formed following the Vital Villages Survey, will be meeting at the Bus Shelter at 10 am on Saturday 2nd April for a walk around and discussion of the Medieval Sites in Litton Cheney.  All welcome. 

Interested in Community Composting?

Come along on Thursday 7th April to The White Horse Inn at 7.30 pm to find out about and join the small group who formed after the Vital Villages survey to take this project forward.                                                                                               482102/482384

 

Litton Cheney Social Committee

The Committee were deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Neil Jeffrey on the recent village walk.  Neil and his wife Valerie moved to Litton Cheney in December 2001 and Neil promptly joined the Social Committee in the following May.  At the first meeting he attended he volunteered to be Treasurer.  He discharged these responsibilities with a professionalism and diligence which were his trademark.  Neil was a conscientious member of the committee, totally reliable, always encouraging and interested in the social life of the village.  His friendly welcoming face was ever present at our events helping people to part with their money with a smile!  He was such a nice person that we shall miss him greatly and remember him with happy memories.

We would like to thank Hugh who was such a great help on the fateful day and also to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who arrived within minutes.  One of the last duties Neil had undertaken was the writing of a cheque to the Air Ambulance as a donation from the Committee, funds you had all helped to raise.  We will also be making a further donation in memory of Neil.

This month - Saturday 16th April - Litter Pick weather permitting - meet at the Bus Shelter at 10.00 am.                Kathy Kourik Secretary LCSC 482552

Shop/Producer's Market

As a result of the village survey and an open meeting in January, a working group has now been set up to investigate the possibility/viability of having a shop in the village.  In addition the group is also looking at creating a Producer's/Farmer's Market over the coming months, with the first one possibly in June.  Watch this space - more news in May's BVN.  For more information and if you would like to be part of the market, contact John Firrell 482313                                                                             

www.littoncheney.org.uk

Visit the web site for the latest news.

The group meets at The White Horse Inn

at 8 o'clock on the first Monday of each month.

All welcome.

LONG BREDY                                                         

Village Correspondent:

Mrs. Elinor Frost, Bridelands  ( 482269 )

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Frugal Lunch   As a result of everyone's kindness £200 was gratefully received by Hope and Homes for Children.  Thank you all very much indeed for making lovely soups and for coming and giving so generously.

An important date for the diary is Saturday 16th July, the Village Fete.  Mr & Mrs Carter have kindly agreed to have the fete in their lovely gardens.

 

Fete Meeting Last year some villagers expressed their disappointment in not being approached to help with the fete.  To ensure this does not happen again everyone is invited to attend a Fete meeting in the Village Hall on 4th April at approximately 8:15pm.  This follows the AGM of the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Village Hall AGM This will be at 7.30 in the village hall, try to come along and help maintain the valuable facility for the village

Eve Bailey has made a very pretty kneeler for the church.  It is in memory of Jack and Susie Bailey; their names are worked around the sides and with flowers on the top.  It was dedicated at our Palm Sunday Service.  Thank you very much for this lovely gift.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Trevor and Hilary Green are going to run in the marathon on Tresco in the Scilly Isles on April 17th, which is the same day as the one in London. Trevor ran in that Marathon when he was 40; this year, to celebrate their 50th birthdays, they are going in for the Tresco.

The Tresco marathon is held entirely in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which is a charity close to their hearts because of Duncan's condition. If anyone would like to sponsor their efforts they would be very grateful.

There is a sponsor form at the reception desk at the Southfield Veterinary Centre in Dorchester, and a clipboard will be left at the front door of the Old Garden in case no one is at home. The CF Trust can reclaim tax paid on donations if people will give their full name and address and tick the " Gift Aid" box on the form. Money back from the Taxman. If donations are put through the door please could they be cheques for security and made payable to "The Cystic Fibrosis Trust"

Tresco is only a small island, so the 26.2 miles of the marathon has to be run in 3.5 mile circuits. This is about the same as running from the Old Garden, Long Bredy to Litton and then back along the valley road. People now know why they have been running round in circles.

Long Bredy Spring Clean

The Parish council would once again like to invite everyone in Long Bredy to come and help spring clean the village on Saturday 9th of April. To pick up litter around the village (not the A35). Turn up at 10.00 by the telephone box in the centre of the village, gloves and sacks will be provided. Free refreshments will be available in the garden at "Maybyrne", the invitation to join us for coffee is also open to those people who are unable to help with the spring clean but would like to meet up for a chat.

Dorset Mobile Library

The new timetable starts in April, the van will be parked in Long Bredy by the telephone Box on Thursday 7th and 21st of April, 2.25-3.10pm. Did you know the mobile library is open to everyone and is free to join? As well as books you can borrow videos, talking books, large print books and even buy stamps. Books can be ordered and returned, even when borrowed from other libraries.

Long Bredy and Litton Cheney WI

This month is on the 5th of April at Long Bredy Village Hall, it is the AGM plus card games etc.

Our congratulations and best wishes to David and Win Reed, on 2nd April they are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

LITTLEBREDY                                                         

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

This will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th April at a venue not yet decided as we go to press.  Please check the church notice board for further information.  All Littlebredy Parishioners are most welcome to attend.                                                                                             Anthony Ashwell

LITTLEBREDY NOTES.

As Littlebredy residents will know, the frugal lunch announced in last month's magazine was scrapped, in favour of a Village Hall supper on the same day.  That was a tremendous success, so thanks and congratulations to all those who organised it and/or contributed food.  £140.00 has been sent to Christian Aid for ongoing Tsunami relief as a result.

There are two welcomes to record this month.  Peter and Carrie-Ann Jackson have moved from Charminster into Littlebredy Farmhouse, with Chloe (18), Barnie (15), Isabel (12), Alice (9) and Jemima (6), plus a menagerie of ponies, dogs and cats.  We hope they will all enjoy village life and be very happy in their new home.

Church Walk is also re-occupied.  Edward and Christine McFadden are moving from Bath during April.  Likewise, we trust that life here will be enjoyable and fulfilling for them both.

Rohan Bate has a few weeks of his Royal Naval College Dartmouth career to go, before he passes out and joins the Navy proper.  He has some leave in April, during which he is running in the London Marathon on April 17th, in aid of King George's Fund for Sailors.  He gives due notice that he will be turning up on doorsteps with a sponsorship form beforehand, and craves the generosity of his neighbours.

We hope this magazine can be distributed - and read! - before the end of March, because the Social Club's regular event on the first Friday evening of the month falls on the 1st April.  There is no special event planned when the Hall and bar are open that night, but it will be the second attempt to hold the A.G.M., deferred from February following an unusually small turnout on that occasion.  Please can as many members as possible attend to hear the committee's report and vote in any elections which are held.  Short notice, admittedly, but not too short we hope.