FROM THE CLERGY             

The fourth of June is the feast of Pentecost when Churches remember the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples and to Christian people in all generations since.

Pente is because of the 50 days since Easter, marking the end of what is called the week of weeks. Counting Easter Sunday as a Sunday of Sundays, the Sunday after is counted as the Monday of Sundays in the week. The next Sunday counts as the Tuesday and so on. Forty days after Easter comes the ascension, the forty days matching the forty days of Lent leading up to Easter day. Ten days later, seven sevens being forty nine, brings us to the final Sunday of the week of weeks and to the feast of Pentecost, or Whit Sunday.

It is a special day for us in the valley this year, because in the evening we will be having a service of confirmation. Bishop Tim will be coming to St Martin's, Shipton Gorge, to confirm in their faith and Christian life:

            Jake Dove, Charlie Wheeler, Andrew Moore,

            Charlie Rowen, James Rowen, Natalie Sorrel

            and  Gemma Arnold-Baker

I hope that these young people will help us all to remember our calling to serve God and to pray, and remind us that this calling is new in us every day.  Please pray for them on the day, and in the next and for always.                                                                                                 Bob

The Team Council decides things on behalf of all the Parishes of the Valley - things that would be difficult or repetitive to decide in each of the seven Parochial Church Council meetings. On the 8^th June members will be looking at a revised Sunday service plan for the valley, preparing for the retirement of the Rev'd Anthony Ashwell in the beginning of 2007. We are very fortunate in that Anthony has given us long warning of this, and we have had time to prepare carefully. A lot of Clergy leave all of a sudden, and this can make life very difficult. Anthony has been very considerate, and we are trying to make best use of the notice he has given us.

Having said all of which, I do not suppose that the new service plan will be so very different from the one we have been using until now. We are blessed in having the ministry of Jean, Mike and Ryder to rely upon, and in addition that of the Lay Worship Leaders who have increasingly been coming into their own since their commissioning back in January. I have been suggesting at Annual General Meetings and on other occasions that there may be fewer services of Holy Communion throughout the Valley, but that the number of services would not decrease. This is what the Team Council will be talking over.

Anthony has suggested that we should begin the new service pattern quite shortly; in August. This begins the holiday season when we would need to have an altered plan in any case. To change, and then to change back, and then to change again when Anthony waves the tear stained hanky would be to court confusion. Better to make one change and stick with it.

So we will see what the Team Council comes up with. In the meanwhile if there are comments and representations you would like to make, have a word with Team Council members. If you do not know who they are, buttonhole me. We will all be glad to hear what is wanted.               Bob

Lay Pastoral Assistants to be commissioned.

Over the last year L.P.As, as they are known, have been taking part in training sessions to help them offer Christian ministry on behalf of the Churches of the Valley. These are people who have responded to a calling and a need among us. The Church language talks of "vocation," which is the calling of the Holy Spirit. The next stage is of "discernment;" of reflecting on what this calling is about; what it is for and what should be done about it. Then there is "formation" which is to do with the creative process of taking the inspiration of the calling and turning it into work and service for God and his people. This is a form of Lay ministry which is becoming increasingly important in the life of Churches throughout the Diocese. There are currently over 1000 of them in Salisbury Diocese, and so our people will be joining a strong and growing ministry.

Their course has been run by Beth Buckland, on behalf of the Diocesan Board of Ministry. I have been involved, and so has a sponsoring group of people from the Valley Parishes. On Monday, the 19^th June our L.P.As, along with others from several Parishes in the Deanery, will be commissioned by the Archdeacon, the Venerable Paul Taylor in St Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock. The service starts at 7.30 pm, and afterwards there will be a bit of a do in the Rectory garden.

Please come to the service. You are most welcome. And please continue in your prayers for:

            Ann Read, Pauline Woodford, Carol Lindsay,

            Yvonne Buckland and Lesley Dove.

Thank you. Bob.

The following article was written by the Vicar for the Symondsbury Magazine, but is included here for your interest.

Somebody has stolen the contents of Symondsbury Church's heating oil-tank, and somebody (maybe the same person) has done the same at Eype Church, and somebody (maybe the same person) has done the same with a Symondsbury villager, and maybe this has happened at or near your home too...  Now I wonder what would make somebody do this sort of thing.

Unless one has got sophisticated equipment, one would imagine that thieving somebody else's oil is a dirty business.  Heating oil is smelly, sticky and attracts dirt, and is extremely unpleasant to taste, which one might inadvertently have to do as part of syphoning the oil from tank to barrel in the back of a van.  The thief would need to be a very desperate and determined person.  Perhaps he is very poor, with a family to feed and a house to heat.  Perhaps he has an addiction to stealing, or drugs, but more likely an addiction to money - the more he gets, the more he wants.  Perhaps he is a member of a family who know nothing else but thieving, or part of a group or gang who steal because that's what they do.  Perhaps this, and perhaps that, but at the end of the day the thief, presumably a human being, has a choice.   He will know that what he is doing brings unhappiness and suffering to others, and however much others might try to explain away his actions, deliberately to cause suffering is wrong, very wrong.  Such is the message which must be passed down from generation to generation, by word and example.  As crime rates generally continue to rise, and as yobbish behaviour shows no sign of subsiding, I do really wonder if the message of concern and respect for each other is being effectively passed on, as they must be, if society is not to grow increasingly sick.

"Nobody bl.. tells me what to do" I once heard a man shouting at another who had asked him to pick up a discarded empty bottle.  Then there is the practice with children not to say "No" when they are doing something unacceptable; better instead to divert them.  But the unacceptable action is not then recognised by the child as unacceptable.  There's an implication behind such thinking that it is not civilised or even politically correct to inform others when they are being unpleasant.  This raises huge questions about our culture and laissez-faire attitudes.  The Christian message which must be heard, includes the call to speak out against and resist acts which bring suffering and unhappiness to those around them.

Holy Baptism

Scarlett Alice Jenkins was baptised in St. Mary's Church, Puncknowle on Easter Day 16^th April 2006.  Another lovely granddaughter, who lives in Canada, for David and Janet Jenkins.

Wedding

April 22^nd at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock

            Christopher Noel Seddon and Katherine Louise Matthews.

Tiny Tots / Pram Service The next Service will be held at 11.00am on Friday  9^th June 2006.

The Bride Valley Team - Wednesday Housegroup

Meetings start at 7.30pm; we will be studying the prayers in the first four chapters of the Acts of the Apostles

The Bride Valley (Thursday) Fellowship Group

The group meets on Thursday evenings and alternates between Bible Study and Prayer.  On one Thursday of each month we also have a time of worship and praise, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".  (See Ephesians 5.19-20).  Arriving from 7.30pm we begin at 8.00pm aiming to finish by about 9.30pm.  For further details contact Paul

Plant Sale

Very warm thanks are given to all who supported the Plant Sale in Burton Bradstock on the 12^th May. This realised £234 divided equally between the Church Mission Society and The Bible Society.

Hilary Mousley

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

I am really looking forward to June, a month where we can enjoy outdoor lessons .. and am hoping this year to spend more time in the conservation area, especially pond dipping; this will be the first year we are able to do this as it was only created 18 months ago with the help of Dorset Wildlife Trust and we have allowed it to develop naturally (well almost).  It is hoped that the weeds will be under control by then, please don't forget that any help is welcomed in order to keep it useable. 

We have spent most of this term so far watching blue tits building their nest and laying their 9 eggs (this is the stage we are at while I write this article) so are looking forward with great anticipation to the hatching and fledgling of the young.  Having the ability to watch what is happening inside the nest 'live' has brought out the mothering instinct in many of us and brought a new dimension to dinner times for the children.  Mornings see a number of children running into school to look and see the development of our family. It is a great time waster . as many of you know when you come in for meetings etc. We have also planned events such as moth trapping, identification of butterflies in their natural surroundings and we hope to make the pupils in the valley much more aware of their environment.  I'm not sure how many of us appreciate the truly magnificent area we live in. 

Another new venture this year is the cultivated garden; I am looking forward to eating some of the produce.  The children have been working hard planting flowers and vegetables, caring for them and will hopefully obtain a good crop.

Alison Johnstone   Headteacher

Burton Bradstock CE VC School

As I write the birds are singing, the sun is shining and there is a gentle breeze.  I start to reflect and allow my thoughts to wander...  "What a shame that we are stuck indoors.  This is a lovely day for some outdoor learning.  Oh but wait a minute, the children are doing SATs at the moment.  Perhaps we can go when they've finished?  Hold on - we can't - haven't let the parents know. What about tomorrow?  Need to get a risk assessment: correct ratio of staff to children; how to negotiate hazardous dogs' mess on the footpath; protection from harmful rays of the sun; emergency strategies in the event of attack by bull, escaped convict; dust created by passing rescue helicopter; and air-borne bacteria.. actually I think we'll give it a miss."

The final football tournament of the year, the West Dorset 5-a-side competition, took place last month.  In the early stages we finished top of our group with victories over St. Mary's Bridport 'A', St Catherine's and Salway Ash 'B'.  We scored 10 goals and conceded 2.  The first quarter-final knockout stage drew us against Parrett & Axe who earlier this year defeated us in the semi-final of the Kenway Cup.  This was potentially an opportunity to straighten the record though alas, it was not to be.  Having gone one goal down we pulled the score back to 1-1 before a nervous spell which saw us conceding another three goals.  4-1 down we looked right out of it but a late surge ended with a final score of 4-3.  Parrett & Axe went on to lift the cup whilst we were left to ponder what might have been.  Nevertheless we played some good football and can look forward to a fresh start next season.

It's too early to tell you about our Dartmoor trip - we go next Monday but if last time is anything to go by we'll have a great time.  The 24 hour care of children is a huge responsibility and I am really very grateful to the staff who give up their time to join us.  More mention of our adventures in next month's BVN.

We very much enjoyed our involvement in David Powell's book launch last month, which was a resounding success.  Copies are still available from the school office with all proceeds going towards the village 

Mark Stratta                                                                                                                                 

100 Club   April         

£20      - Kathryn Ball               £10      - Derek & Anne Maude          

£5        - Leslie Wilson

'Unless you are a seeker.' by David Powell               

A glimpse of twelve years of village school life through the pages of the Bride Valley News.

'My name is David Powell and for twelve wonderful years I was the headmistress of the small but vibrant village school that nurtures the young people of Burton Bradstock and surrounding hamlets and villages.'and if you've bought a copy of my book, you will have discovered what led to this apparent gender switch!

My grateful thanks to the children of Burton Bradstock School and Mark Stratta, to my fine band, Bridget Pearse, Rosi Brewster, Katy Woodrow, Simon Douglas and soundman, Richard Hewlett, to thespians John Surry and Susan Paul, to my wonderful wife and daughters and especially School secretary Jean Bowles for their huge contribution to my book launch evening.

We sold over 140 books on the day, and many more since, raising over £700 so far for our twin causes, the Playground Appeal and Joseph Weld. Books continue to be available at £5.00 each from the Post Office, the School, Jaynes Hairdressers, Burton Garage and the Bridport Book Shop.

Finally, my thanks to all in the Bride Valley and beyond for your support for the evening, the book and the charities.

Pip, pip

David Powell

Bride Valley  Fledglings  Playgroup  News

Sue's Winter Quiz raised £108 and the first prize of £20 went to Miss R. Edwards of Dorchester (who scored 70/70!) - second prize of £10 went to Mrs Hayter of Bridport. The money raised has gone towards new resources such as an Interactive Globe, water and sand play equipment and a lock puzzle.

Our sponsored Trike Ride will have taken place on 15th May - more on this next time - another fund-raiser, as we are still an independent community playgroup at present.

Our Nestlings sessions have been carrying on - with Musical activities in April and May, followed by Physical play activities in May up to half term. Please bring your baby or toddler along to join in on Friday afternoons, starting at 1.45pm, followed by activity, free play and snack - finishing at 3.15pm.  

We have been out and about to Modbury Farm, not only to see the animals and poultry but also to see the vegetables growing - thanks Julie and Tim for the hospitality - not forgetting the Farm Shop!  Will tell you about visitors to playgroup next time.  In the Hall at  the  school, we were also able to watch a blue tit in it's nest on the school roof - thanks to a camera placed in the nest  - very interesting, watching the comings and goings.

Two new children have joined in our regular sessions - a big welcome to William and Olivia who are getting used to the rest of us. Our pre-school children have continued with their extra activities on Mondays, separate from the younger ones, and are all doing well.

Our next fund raiser is on SATURDAY 24th JUNE At 10.00am :-

PHOTOGRAPHER and  COFFEE MORNING / RAFFLE at  our base at THORNER'S SCHOOL - have the family taken together, then relax!

For any information re Playgroup sessions/Nestlings, please do not hesitate to ring  01308 897771/ 482410  or Joy Laver, our Chair,  on 01308 897055.                                                      Carol Bennett  (Playleader)

 Litton Cheney Youth Club  - The Youth Club is open to everyone between the ages of 8 and 17 years who lives in the Bride Valley.  For further details please contact Paul Kingston 482384 or read the Litton Cheney notes.

First Steps Toddler Group

We meet every Wednesday morning (10.00 till 12.00) at Long Bredy Village Hall.  There are toys and larger play equipment for all pre-school children.  The sessions also give parents and carers the opportunity to meet and chat (we have dads and child minders so don't be shy!).  A healthy snack for the children and welcome hot drink for the adults is provided.  Further details from Sam (482315) or Debbie (898506).

The Health Visitor joins us on the first Wednesday of each month (7th June) to weigh babies or give advice.

Hope to see you there!

The Very Unusual Classical Concert

If you had been in Litton Cheney on the evening of the 20th April you would have heard the haunting echo of bagpipes; if, like me, you had struggled up to the church you would have been greeted by Lewis Findlay in Highland Dress piping us into the concert. It was a fine sight and I knew, then, we were in for a special evening. The church was full, bustling with colour and excited children. All of us were anticipating something a little different, knowing the concert had been billed as "unusual".

Bridget Pearse (violin and viola) and Elizabeth Thornburn (organ, virginals and piano) did not disappoint with their carefully chosen and varied programme which contained works from three centuries, with composers from Gibbons to Bloch. The children were included throughout, being encouraged to draw or dance while they listened. The delightful sight of the little girls (not forgetting the one big one!) dancing up and down the aisle with colourful ribbons will be an abiding memory.

The concert raised £275 for the Special Care Baby Unit at the DCH and was dedicated to the memory of Theodora Craucher who gave Bridget the violin on which she played.

Congratulations and thanks to Bridget, Elizabeth, the children and all concerned - may we please look forward, some time, to another "Very Unusual Classical Concert"?                                                                                                                 S.P.

Litton Cheney Butterfly and Moth Festival 2006

Saturday June 24^th 8.00am - 5.00pm

The Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation is holding a Butterfly and Moth Festival in Thorner's School, Litton Cheney on Saturday June 24^th to which everyone is invited! This has been sponsored by the AONB Sustainable Development Fund. In addition to the Butterfly Festival, the project also includes moth trapping and a field visit for the school during June.

Saturday June 24^th will be a day of identification sessions, guided walks to record butterflies in the vicinity of the village, children's activities and a moth trapping session. It will start at 8am with the analysis of the previous night's moth catch (they will all be released in the evening) and finish with tea at 4 - 5pm, but people are welcome to join in for as much of the day as they want and have time for. Refreshments will be provided including breakfast, but you should bring your own picnic lunch. You are recommended to wear stout footwear and long trousers to protect against nettles!

The programme for the day will be as follows:

8.00am Breakfast will be available while the moths trapped locally the previous night are analysed and displayed. If the night has been poor, we shall use moths caught elsewhere or museum specimens. Checklists will be available to compare with other villages.

10.00am Introduction to butterfly identification and monitoring, followed by refreshments.

11.00am Guided walks in the vicinity of the village using recording and ID sheets.

11.00am   Wildlife Discovery activities for children - under 8's should be accompanied by an adult.

1.00pm      Return to the school for lunch (bring your own picnic).

2.00pm     Brief introduction to Butterfly Identification and a review of the morning's survey work, followed by more local walks on different routes, with the opportunity for those who attended the morning session to carry out their own survey with or without guidance. There will also be a Family Butterfly walk for parents and children.

4.00pm     Tea and cake and a review of the day's achievements. We will be giving out Village Butterfly recording sheets and encouraging people to take part in our competition.

9.00pm    Moth trapping session if the previous night was postponed because of poor weather.

There will be displays and stalls and anyone with insect attracting plants for sale or sharing is welcome to join in.

As well as being a celebration of these beautiful insects, this event also aims to encourage people to notice and record the butterflies they see around them. All records are vitally important; without them we cannot assess how well different species are doing. It is easy to submit records (and you do NOT have to be an expert!) - just find www.dorsetbutterflies.com on the internet and click on the submit sightings button! There is one village where the only species recorded is the Orange Tip! We hope to meet more people who will send in records during our Village Festival.

For further information and for offers of help, please contact:-

Nigel Spring 07981 776767, or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk.

Public Transport

The Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) have issued an information sheet giving details of the  73A service which operates on Wednesdays from Littlebredy to Bridport. There is also a tear-off slip for those who wish to register an interest in using this service if it were to run to Dorchester instead, on some Wednesdays in the month. Completed slips should be sent to Anna Lovell at - The Reading Room, Swyre, DT2 9DN. Copies of this form may be obtained from Geoff Parr, tel: 01308 -897351.

 Burton Bradstock Players

          A Murder is Announced

Village Hall

Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8^th, 9^th and 10^th June 7.30pm

Tuesdays in June and July The Scented Garden, Littlebredy (2.30-8pm)

Tues 13 June The Old Rectory, Litton Cheney, (2-5.30pm)

Sun 18 June Tithe Barn House, Litton Cheney (2-6pm)

Bride Valley Gardening Club

Summary of the Gardening Club AGM:

Our President Brian Prentice opened the meeting with the conclusion from 'Chair' of a few changes to the committee as follows:-

Eddy Miles left as Little Cheney Village Representative but will continue as Wine Rep.

Anne Miles left as Programme Secretary to retire as Little Cheney Village Representative.

Dorothy Randall left as Club Vice Chair to retire but will be a support to her successor.

Norma Millard left as Club Secretary to be Club Vice-Chair

Valerie Cameron was elected as Club Secretary

Hazel Sturgess was elected as Swyre Village Representative

Dianne ffoulkes was elected as Kingston Russell Village Representative and will continue as Club Chair.

All other positions were re-elected and will kindly stay in their positions.

We urgently need a programme secretary and need someone in the gardening club to come forward to take this position on to organise our five speakers for 2007. Please save me the embarrassment and waste of time of having to ring around asking everyone personally!

Anne has an extensive file of speakers to help in the selection  so the job should be relatively  straight forward and has done this job for five years;  now retired from this position Anne has other responsibilities to pursue. This job could be shared and organised in advance.

Happy summer gardening; I look forward to hearing from my volunteers, who will be coming forth....... and seeing you all again in October for our meeting with Anna Pavord on the 9th October 2006!

Our ethos for the club is a friendly atmosphere with people coming to be entertained for an experience as well as a learning opportunity. Since I started coming to the club people have been very friendly and supportive. I hope this is the same for everyone and I anticipate new people, young and old, coming to this unique gardening club!

Jobs for June

I expect like John, my husband you are really busy mowing the lawns. Remember to raise blades if the weather is dry.

Trim escallonia hedges for a late summer display.

Watch out for pests and diseases on plants and treat accordingly.

For quality blooms remove small side buds from rose flower shoots and pull away suckers ( remember I shall be looking for the most beautiful blooms at our Summer Show as they are one of my favourite flowers)!

 Happy gardening!                                           Dianne ffoulkes 01308 482420

 "Over the Rainbow" is the theme of the Flower Festival to be held in St John's Church, West Bay on Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th June.  Opening times will be from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and from 1:00pm on Sunday.  Light refreshments will be served.  All proceeds will go to Barnardos.

A New Venture after 35 Years

Jayne's Salon in Burton Bradstock re-opened last month after closing for refurbishment and decoration. This is the first time in 35 years that the salon has been closed for so long; apologies for the inconvenience caused. The "New Style" salon is now able to accommodate not only "Hair" clients but also "Beauty".

Jayne's daughter Philippa, a qualified beauty therapist and hairdresser, will have a clientele of her own.

We would like to welcome all our existing clients and look forward to seeing anyone who feels they should be spoilt with a "Special Treatment" by Philippa.

Jayne would like to thank everyone who was involved with the refurbishment of her salon, in particular her husband, Alan, without whose hard work the project would not have been possible.           Jayne

New  BVN Editors in July

Goodbye from me

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported John and me as we took over the editorship over eight years ago and me for the last four years since his death? The whole experience proved to be a very steep learning curve, particularly for me!

My thanks go to the correspondents (especially the three who were there at the beginning of, and throughout, our stint), the huge network of distributors, contributors, the four advertising managers, advertisers, proof readers and to Creeds the printers. I wish the new editors all the very best and I much look forward to reading the July copy for the first time after it drops through my letter box!                                                                                             Susan Paul

..and 

A big "HELLO" to all our readers

Firstly, we would like to thank Susan for her marvellous work over the years as Editor of the BVN.  She has single-handedly made sure that the Parish magazine made it to your doors every month - no small feat that!  As testament to her time and unstinting efforts she will be replaced by no less than three of us!!!  We are Wendy, Claire and Angie and we will do our very best to keep the magazine as lively and informative as always.

Inevitably there will be some changes and as we are going to take it in turns to edit the magazine we will have to standardise all submissions. This will mean that everything must be e-mailed to us and we can no longer accept CDs, floppies or hand-written articles.  The email address is bridevalleynews@yahoo.co.uk   If you do not have access to a computer please beg, bribe or plead with someone who does!!!

Due to other commitments we will not be able to get the magazine out by the first day of the month, but it will be with you during the first week of every month.  So to be sure that no one misses any events we will include dates for the beginning of the following month in the current month's edition.

Please be patient and kind to us as we find our feet in this new task.  If anyone has any suggestions about what they would like to see included in the BVN please drop us a line. 

Remember the deadline is strictly the 12th of every month (with the exception of December which will be earlier). We cannot guarantee to include anything sent after that date.

The BVN Team

BURTON BRADSTOCK                                    

Village Correspondent  Mr Basil Dent

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

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Mid Week Worship -                                                                    

Holy Communion          Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.

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

Bell Ringing Practices Thursdays at 7.00pm

The next Service of Prayer for Healing at St Mary's will be held on Monday 12^th June  at 7.00pm. There will be no service in July.

Tiny Tots / Pram Service The next Service will be held at 11.00am on Friday  9^th June 2006.

Burton Bradstock Playground Appeal

A big "thank you" and "well done" to everyone for your hard work and generosity, which has enabled us to be on track with our fund raising for the playground refurbishment!

We now invite you to come and celebrate with us on the official opening day, July 14^th at 4.00pm.   There will be a free hog roast for all villagers but, for catering purposes, we do require an idea of numbers so you will need a ticket for the food.   These will be available free to villagers from the Post Office and the Village Stores from June 1^st. Don't miss out on this great village celebration!

                                                                                   Playground Committee

St Mary's Burton Bradstock Church Fete 3^rd August 2006

Another reminder    -    The Church Fete this year will take place in the Rectory Garden on Thursday 3^rd August.

The St Swithun's Silver Band will be playing and will be helping to provide a suitably festive atmosphere.  Sponsorship is needed to pay for their costs and generally towards the other costs of the day.

Grand Draw prizes, Auction items, bottles, cakes, preserves, produce, White Elephant goods, plants and handicrafts etc. will be needed for the event.   Now is the time to think about what you may be able to donate.   Next month we will be able to tell you to whom and when your generous gifts can be given.

In the meantime further ideas for attractions, particularly linked to our Jurassic Coast/Dinosaur theme, will be most welcome; as will names of new volunteers.

Please contact any member of the working party, detailed below, with your thoughts for sponsorship, gifts and/or offers of help or if you have any queries which you would like to be resolved.   

Treasurer and Administration    Ian Wigglesworth          897083

Grand Draw                             Pauline Woodford        898327

Auction                                    Susan Moores              897673

Stalls                                        Susan Paul                    897381

Publicity                                   Alan & Judy Clarke      897051

Co-ordinator / Sideshows         Peter Broomhead         897408

Thank you in advance for your help and support.

Peter Broomhead    Co-ordinator

26^th BURTON BRADSTOCK  MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL 

FUND RAISING CONCERT

Friday 16^th June     7-30 p.m.    Village Hall.

David Juritz, Caroline Dowdle, Mary Ryan and John Surry will perform a programme including works by Mozart, Schumann, Finzi, Sarasate and Fauré.  ( See posters for full programme.). A glass of wine and light refreshments will be provided after the concert.

TICKETS:  £10 (unnumbered) - available from Burton Bradstock Post Office and at the door.

MAIN FESTIVAL  16^TH - 20^TH AUGUST

MOZART DINNER Wednesday 16^th August at 7-00pm A concert of Mozart's orchestral music and operatic excerpts combined with a three course dinner and wines (all inclusive) in the village hall.

CONCERTS Thursday 17^th, Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th August all at 7-30pm   and Friday 18^th August at 12 noon at St Mary's Church. The programmes will celebrate the anniversaries of Mozart, Schumann, Shostakovich and Finzi and will include many of their compositions as well as the works of other composers.

The London Festival Players will be performing with Pumeza Matschikiza (soprano), Monica Brett Crowther (mezzo-soprano), James Oxley (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone) and The Occasional Singers

ART EXHIBITION  18^th to 20^th August. Paintings and other craft works from over forty west-country artists will be on display in the village hall.

TICKETS Tickets for all events at the main festival will go on sale at the Fund Raising Concert, thereafter from Mike Southgate          

(tel no: 01308 897487)  and at the Post Office from Monday 24^th July.

Mike Southgate 897487

SAVE OUR LIBRARY!

You will all have heard that Dorset County Council is recommending the closure of Burton Bradstock Library.  I have already written to D.C.C. on behalf of the Village Society protesting against its closure.  To make an impact on the County Council, I urge everyone to write a letter, even if you have signed a petition.  Personal letters have far greater influence than petitions.  The person to address is Mr. Paul Leivers, Head of Cultural Services, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ.  Please write by the end of June, as the decision will be made in July.  If you are not a member of the library, go along and join.  And keep on borrowing books, you can take out at least eight at a time.  Do this weekly.  PLEASE SAVE OUR LIBRARY.

Peter Colbert, Chairman, Burton Bradstock Village Society

. and further information from the Clerk to the Council

Probably by now you will all be aware that Burton Bradstock Library is threatened with closure. The recommendation will come before The Corporate Services Overview and Policy Development Committee of the County Council on 15th June 2006, and The Council's Cabinet will make a decision on the 12th July 2006.

We hope that if you are against this proposal you will have written objecting, but there is still time to do so. Letters should be addressed to:-

Elaine Taylor

Director of Corporate Services

County Hall

Colliton Park

Dorchester DT1 1XJ

Please note that the services of Burton Bradstock Library are available to all the residents of the Bride Valley.                                            F.Moore

Burton Bradstock W.I.

The proposal that our esteemed President should be voted in as Prime Minister of the country in order to ensure a high profile of the WI wasn't taken entirely seriously by the forty-five members and one guest at the Resolutions Meeting on 9^th May. We felt we couldn't spare her. The two other Resolutions, Sport for a Healthy Population and Renewable Energy, were passed after some discussion. We were then entertained by Barbara Pursey's report of the Spring Council Meeting at which the laugh-a-minute Gervase Phinn was the guest speaker. More seriously again, we discussed the letter and questionnaire sent by Somerset Federation on the bereavement allowance and it was agreed to support them in their campaign. Concern was also shown about the proposed closure of the library and members urged to write in protest.

Chris Clarke's dicentra won the flower of the month competition. Plans are going ahead for the Barbecue in July and we are promised a theatre visit in the autumn and a Christmas shopping trip in late November.

                                                                                      Sheila Spencer-Smith

Home Watch - Burton Bradstock

Massive thanks to Freddy (and Elaine) Tame on their superb work in spearheading the campaign in Burton over the last 18 years. The fact that crime in the village fell sharply soon after Home Watch was introduced and has stayed relatively low is a tribute to them and to the working of the Scheme. I have now taken on Freddy's role and will be working with the other co-ordinators (you have one in your area) to ask every person in the village to do 2 things:

·        To use our eyes and ears every day around our homes, gardens and whenever we go for a walk.

• On spotting anything that we think just might be suspicious, to phone the Police immediately on 01305-222222 to give them the opportunity to check it out or advise on action. (You are not 'bothering' the Police - they implore us to give them this opportunity every time, even if it turns out to be a false alarm).

Hard work on Prevention is undoubtedly the best way to go on keeping crime away from the village.                         John Grantham    01308 897935

Burton Bradstock Village Hall

200 Club - Congratulations to:

1st Prize:          No.      148      Mr John & Mrs Joyce Tillman       £35.20

2nd Prize:         No.      126      Mrs Anna Eastwood                         £17.60

3rd Prize:          No.        26      Mr Geoff Adderley                           £  8.80

Anyone wanting to become a member in time for the June - December draws should telephone Alan Clarke on 01308 897051 and let him have £7 - one pound for each of the remaining 7 draws in the year. There are double prizes in the December draw.

The Village Hall Trust is a trust registered with the local authority, the West Dorset District Council. Lotteries Licence No. LA005.

Playground Appeal Event

As a result of the live music event held at the Village Hall on 25^th March, the Village Hall Committee has been able to donate £585.06 to the Playground Appeal funds.  Although the turnout was less than was hoped the evening went very well and everyone was most generous in their donations.  Many thanks to the Shipton Gorge contingent who came in large numbers to support this worthwhile event.

Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.

Artsreach - KOKORO presents "Mainly Minimal" - Saturday 1^st July

Kokoro, the contemporary music group of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, highlights the work of some of the most notable 'minimalist' composers of the 20^th Century, such as Michael Nyman, Philip Glass and Arvo Part.  In this performance Kokoro's string quartet format will offer works of great beauty, simplicity, energy and vitality.

Tickets will be available 1^st June from Post Office and also from Norman Saunders-White (01308 897214).

Norman Saunders-White - Promoter for Artsreach - 01308 897214

 SHIPTON GORGE                                                          

Village Correspondent: Mrs. Joy White

Eastcote  3 Gullivers Orchard  Shipton Gorge

Tel: ( 01308 )897974

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Family Communion    Please note that on 4th June the 11.00am service will not take place - Holy Communion will be celebrated during the Confirmation Service, which begins at 6.30pm.

St. Martin's Church Summer Fete   Saturday, 15th July  2 - 4.00pm

 Preparations are well under way for our annual fundraising event, with stalls, games and attractions for everyone. Full details will appear in the July issue, but now is the time to start thinking about our contributions to the fete. For those who will be away on the day, but would like to donate plants - don't worry - John and Diane Bredemear have kindly agreed to look after them for you. Please contact the churchwardens if you have any queries.

Church Flowers

We are very lucky to have a superb team of flower ladies who provide beautiful arrangements for St. Martin's Church during the year, and Mrs Doris Benselin has been co-ordinator of the team for many years, creating many spectacular displays for all occasions. She has now decided to relinquish her responsibilities as co-ordinator, although she has kindly agreed to continue using her flower arranging skills for festive occasions. All of us at St. Martin's extend our very grateful thanks to Doris for all her dedication and hard work over the years.

New Inn Support Group

The Hanging Basket Demonstration was very successful and John gave us plenty of ideas and tips. All 24 of you who collected baskets for the competition will be advised as to the date for judging, which will hopefully be in the 1st/2nd week of July.

The Viennese Evening and Supper will be on Saturday June 3rd at 7.30p.m. and the Midsummer Ball and Supper on Saturday June 24th. Tickets for both evenings are £6.50 and can be obtained from Sally Parker telephone: 01308 897168.

New Inn Support Ltd    May 2006

Shipton Gorge Ramblers

We meet on 16th June by the telephone kiosk in Brook Street as usual, but at the earlier time of 10.00a.m., as we will be driving to the Isle of Portland (sharing transport and parking fees). This will be a circular walk of approx. 4 miles, starting at the "Bill", and no hills! The local flora and fauna are especially interesting at this time of year, so come and join us for a fascinating morning out in a spectacular area. Bring a picnic lunch.

Homewatch News

There has been another computer scam reported, this time emanating from Singapore.

It is similar to other recent scams, in as much as that the users' bank details are requested along with other personal information. However attractive the offer appears, it is a scam and if any details are provided they will be used to gain access to bank accounts and funds in the account will be cleared.

Another scam that has recently been advised is where people are informed that they have a parcel awaiting delivery and a telephone number is given to ring to claim it. The number given is in fact a premium line number and by the time the call is ended you are out of pocket by many pounds. Needless to say no parcel is forthcoming.

A further spate of break-ins from garages and sheds have occurred although, luckily, not within the village. For your own peace of mind please ensure that garages and sheds are locked at all times whilst unattended.

This is the time of year that casual callers offering to do odd jobs and garden clearance are around.        They will usually do a "bodge-job" or even disappear before finishing the job along with your money as they invariably ask for cash up-front. You should never employ cold-callers however cheap the quote, it is far safer to use the services of a reputable tradesman.

Dave Curtis  Homewatch Co-ordinator

Shipton Gorge Village Hall 100 Club

April Draw Winners

SWYRE                                                                              

Village Correspondent: Sid Marshall

3 Green Barton, Swyre Tel: 897318

s.marshall@which.net

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Holy Trinity Church

 June is a very special month for our church, as Trinity Sunday is on June 11th this year. We plan to make that weekend one of celebration with a Flower Festival, and on the Saturday, afternoon teas and a sale of plants, cakes, home produce etc. During Morning Service on the Sunday Peter and Shirley Northover are to have their marriage blessed. A very special occasion for Holy Trinity Church. Please do come and join the weekend's celebrations.

We would be most grateful for offers of help of any kind towards this weekend. Donations of cakes, home produce and plants for sale will be particularly welcome. Scones and jam to serve with cream teas will be needed. Help on the Saturday to set up in the morning, serve and sell in the afternoon and clear up afterwards will be much appreciated.

The flower festival will require many helpers during the days before hand. Obviously we would like anyone who can help with arranging flowers to do so. It would be a good idea if you could contact Vera or myself to discuss what is to be done and when you can spare some time. Even if flower arranging is not your "thing" there is always work to be done to make the church look at its best. We may also need people to write or type out notices etc. If you have any memorabilia from past weddings which we could display or photocopy to use amongst the flowers we would be interested in that, as our theme is "Weddings through the Ages".

As well as this being a time of celebration, it is also an opportunity to raise some much needed funds to help towards the improvements we are beginning to make to the church.

Other notices for June.

Saturday 3rd June, from 10.00am, Churchyard working party. We would particularly like a good turn out this month to get the churchyard looking its best for the following weekend.

Sunday 4th June. There will be no service at Swyre this week, as we are all invited to St. Martins, Shipton Gorge at 6.30pm when the Bishop will be coming to conduct a Service of Confirmation.

 Yvonne Buckland, Churchwarden. Tel. 898492.

PUNCKNOWLE & WEST BEXINGTON                           

Village Correspondent:  Elizabeth Slater

1, Lytton Close, Puncknowle, Dorchester DT2 9BH

Telephone: ( 01308 ) 897751

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Archdeacon's Visitation

This will take place on Thursday 1^st June at St Swithun's Church, Allington, Bridport at 7.30 pm.

Team Council

The next Team Council Meeting will take place on Thursday 8 June at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall at Puncknowle.

Help  -  Deliverers Wanted for Bride Valley News

Beach  Road,  West Bexington - other parts of West Bexington are well served. The present deliverer cannot continue and we ask that someone volunteers from this road to deliver BVN once a month  - only about an hours work once a month!! Please telephone 897716 , 897774 or 898860 to give your name. 

Puncknowle Art Group

We have been concentrating on drawing skills lately and we must thank Pam for leading the last session. Both Sallie and Jennifer are taking part in Dorset Arts Week this year (May 27th - June 11^th).

On June 2nd we visit Sallie's studio, on June 16th we are painting wild flowers at Sue's and June 30th at The Crown.                                                                                                    Christine Molony

Puncknowle Festival Weekend - Village Fete  - Saturday 29^th July

Planning is now at an advanced stage - but there are still one or two slots where we could do with either help on the day or in running a stall. Contact any of those named below if you would you like to be involved in making this an exhilarating weekend.

Ann Roberts and Chris Gregory would particularly like to hear from you

Contacts:-    David Buckland Tel 898492 - Malcolm Bush Tel 897959 -

Christine Gregory Tel 898596  - John Holker Tel 898261- Mick Lawless Tel 897711

Barry & Val Pye Tel 897426 - Ann Roberts Tel 897716 -Elizabeth Slater Tel 897751

Stallholders who would like to hear from you

Bottles  -  Nick and Debbie 898506    Bric-a-brac Please ring 897716 or 898596

White Elephant  - Mr Jarvis 897280       Cakes  - Sue Collier  897044

Clothing  -  Lois Edwards  898132       Plants  -  Ken Martin  897622

Produce  -  Liz Slater   987751  

Teas - Madeline Marshall (897318) would like to hear from anyone who can help on the stall or would bake some cakes.

We are also looking once again for  musical volunteers to join the village band - rehearsals start soon - contact Peter Thorpe on 01308 897739

Householders in Puncknowle may wish to note that Church Street will be closed to traffic on this day between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm.

Proceeds from the fete go to support the village churches, the village hall, and the charitable works of the Crown Puncknowle Fundraisers.

PUNCKNOWLE      SWYRE      WEST BEXINGTON

Puncknowle and Swyre Parish Council

Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting will be held in Puncknowle and Swyre Village Hall on the 6^th June 2006 at 7.30pm.

Crown Puncknowle Fundraisers Party

Saturday 24^th June from 3.00pm

Celebrating ten years of fundraising in the Bride Valley

.. to say a big thank you to everyone

for supporting us over the years in raising funds for    good causes

Everyone will be made most welcome

 in the gardens of the Crown Inn, Puncknowle

Music, Cheese and Wine (cheeses kindly donated by Ford Farm).

Raffles etc

entrance freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ...(but donations gladly accepted!)

Puncknowle and Swyre Village Hall

We are very pleased to let you know that the Puncknowle and Swyre Village Hall Committee, who have been working for some time to take on the management of the Puncknowle Church Hall, have now been granted a lease by the Salisbury Diocese.

We will be undertaking a programme of repairs to bring the Hall in line with current legislation concerning disabled access and improvements in general. Please look out for our further reports. Anybody in the locality who may have skills to offer in the refurbishment of the building would be very welcome.

Contacts David Buckland 898492, Sid Marshall 897318, Malcolm Bush 897959

Homewatch

If you receive a card through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) saying that they have a parcel awaiting delivery instructions and can you contact them on 0906 6611911.
Do not call the number as this is a mail scam originating from Belize

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £15 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact
Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or your local trading standards office. This is a genuine scam.                                                            Andy Marshall

LITTON CHENEY                                                           

Village Correspondent: Josie Belasco,

11 Manor Farm Close, Litton Cheney

Telephone: (01308) 482484

jo.belasco@tiscali.co.uk

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Producers' Market - Saturday 17^th June

The White Horse Inn

Our third market of the season gets underway on Saturday 17 June, hopefully under a summer's sun with a slight cooling breeze. Fresh produce will be in abundance and all we need is you. See you at The White Horse from 9.30am to 12.30 pm.

More information either as a producer and an interested bystander from Wendy Taylor on 482532 or John Firrell 482313.

Litton and Thorner's Community Hall (LATCH) News

An extremely well attended meeting was held on Thursday 4 May at Thorner's School to discuss ideas for fund raising. A wealth of ideas were forthcoming, reminding us that the entrepreneurial spirit of Litton Cheney is alive and well, with many people prepared to put their energies into this very worthy project.

Over the coming months, you will see many of these ideas emerging. They range from the ambitious to the modest but all with the avowed intent to get the hall built in the shortest time possible. How long it takes depends very much on the good people of Litton Cheney and the surrounding areas.

The first fund raising event will be a Jazz Evening on Friday 7 July in the grounds of The Cottage, Main Street, Litton Cheney. There will be a sizeable marquee (to guard against inclement weather), a pretty decent jazz band, a bar, no doubt a tasty picnic at your side and some nice folk (village residents) to share the evening with.  Tickets are priced at £10 if  purchased in advance or £12.50 on the night. Tickets can be obtained from Ron Davidson, David Taylor, Freddie Spicer, John Firrell, Alison Johnstone, Paul Kingston and Eddy Fry. See you there!

For more information on LATCH please call John Firrell (Secretary) on 482313.

Litton Cheney Social Committee

Friday 2^nd June 7.30 meet at the Skittle Alley, the White Horse Inn.  See BVN May for full details.  An entrance fee of £2.50 will cover a buffet which Cassie has kindly agreed to prepare. The cost to each player will be £1.00 per game.  A maximum of 30 people will be able to play on the night and then additional Friday dates will be arranged for the following games.  All ages welcome.

Saturday 1^st July Summer BBQ at the Cottage 6.30 for 7.00pm.

Route 66 will be back again with their music by popular demand, after their success at this event last year.

We will be calling on you with tickets which are £7.50, under 14 free.  If we miss you please call Eddy on 482260 or Ron on 482661.  It does help us with catering if you can purchase your tickets before the day.  Please bring your own cutlery.

There will be fireworks at the end of the evening.

Please note there is no walk in June.       Kathy Kourik Secretary LCSC 482552 

Litton Cheney Youth Club

Two outdoor sessions will take place in June - weather permitting.  Both sessions will be at the Playing Field in Litton Cheney.  The sessions are open to young people between the ages of 8 and 17 years.  On Tuesday 6^th June there will be a Bouncy Castle and Football from 7 - 8.30 pm.  On Tuesday 20^th June it is the Midsummer Family Picnic - bring all your family and a picnic tea for a great get together evening 7 - 9 pm.  If you would like to go canoeing on Sunday 18^th June, or information about the Youth Club please contact Paul Kingston 482384. 

Lithe Litton Ladies               
Exercising with other people can reduce your levels of stress and increase your brain power, according to recent research. So why not come along on Monday evenings (6 - 7.30pm) and feel the benefits. If you can make it up the footpath to the Church Hall where it is held then you're fit enough to enjoy the class. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a bottle of water -Alex provides the mats and other equipment. Each session just £4 - every Monday except 5th June. For more details ring Alison Davidson on 482661.    

The Litton Cheney Relief in Need Trust

- as in previous years the Trustees of this Charity invite applications for a Grant from students residing in Litton Cheney who have recently finished their full time education and intend to commence either full time employment or a course in higher education such as university.

- please apply by letter in confidence explaining your need for a grant to Mary Anderson at Talisman, Main Street, or one of the other Trustees.

LONG BREDY                                                                

Village Correspondent:

Mrs. Elinor Frost, Bridelands  ( 482269 )

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The first churchyard working party was a big success.  Thank you very much to all who came and joined in.  There is a lot more to do and so a second date to continue the good work is Saturday 17^th June at 10:30.  Please bring tools and gloves and join this happy group.

Our Moviola evening showing the film "Mrs Henderson Presents" proved to be very popular, and as a result, there will be more films in the future.  The next will be in mid-October.

The Village Fete Sunday 16^th July at Kingston Russell House

*********Please note change of date*********

Stalls already arranged:

Bottle Tombola John and Claire Cook

Books, CDs, Tapes      Jane and David Dowling

Plants                           Ann and Brian Peppiat

Bric-a-Brac                  Alan and Gwen Kinghorn

                                    David and Jane Peretz

Cakes                          June Clewlow

Teas                             Jackie Cain

Ice Cream                    Mike and Valerie Shepherd

Grand Draw                 Elinor and A N Other               £100 First Prize

There will be competitions and games.  We will need lots of manpower on the day to set it all up and help to run the stalls and teas, so please volunteer to make this the usual happy village day.

The pre-fete meeting will be Monday 19^th June at 7:30pm in the Village Hall.

 LITTLEBREDY                                                                  

LITTLEBREDY NOTES.

Because of the late Easter, it wasn't possible to comment on the arrangements last month.  But the Church looked as lovely as ever with its floral decorations, and the Social Club's Easter Egg Hunt on the evening of Maundy Thursday was greatly enjoyed by the children of all ages who took part.  Thanks and congratulations to all who contributed - they know who they are.

Ditto the Race Night in the Village Hall at the beginning of May.  Several of us beat the bookies, but none to the extent of Robin Cuff, who carried off the prize.  Let's hope there is a similar event - no doubt involving different televised races - before too long.  The first Friday in June is June 2^nd - just giving time for residents to read this and turn out, we hope  -  when the Club's event is a routine Social in the Village Hall, beginning at about 7.30 p.m.

West Hill Farmhouse is not technically in the parish (by the width of the A35), but the Coombes family there have had long links with the village.  Therefore it is right to mark the departure thence of Jean and Roger for their new homes, after a lifetime's residence there in both cases.  We wish them well in the future.

Has there been a season like this one for blossom for many, many years?  A riot of colour on all the trees, and the laurels which infest Littlebredy have done their best to make a case for themselves by competing with the apples, cherries and the rest.

Regular readers of the B.V.N. may not need reminding that The Scented Garden will be open to the public on Tuesdays (2.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.) throughout June and July, as part of the National Gardens Scheme.  At times this may mean congestion in the village when visitors park on the Green or try to get nearer to Chris & Judy's entrance.  Please can everyone be tolerant if this happens, and bear in mind that, if these same visitors stay for a cream tea in the Village Hall (thanks to those who provide these), both the Church and the Hall benefit as a result.  Best of luck, as ever, to Chris and Judy in their efforts to have the gardens looking at their best.  Locals and neighbours will be especially welcome to see the fruits of all the work that has been put in. 

Spring