Bride Valley News
The world is changing, fast. For some, perhaps mainly the young, this is very exciting, with new discoveries and inventions opening up all kinds of opportunities. Older people have seen other times, bad as well as good, but times when the rate of change was not so great.
Is it true that older people always dislike change? One cannot generalise. It is at least wise to understand that, for good or bad, the past is a foreign country where they do things differently. It may be a painful realisation, but not to change is to die.
Some people think that the Church (and therefore God?) is so far behind the times that it is totally irrelevant to this age. Others, and not only church members, complain that everything is changing so fast in the Church - you can't follow the services these days, parsons can never visit their parishioners, and they've changed the hymn tunes - and even the Bible!
'The Church' is people, people living in the modern world, in modern ways, each one different from what he or she was even ten years ago. Eternal truths remain, but their means of expression must change to meet the needs of changed people.
Great changes are coming to Anglican forms of worship. The Alternative Service Book will be withdrawn at the end of this year, to be replaced by 'Common Worship' as an alternative to The Book of Common Prayer, continuing the steady process of change in these things over the past forty years. Plans for the future of our Deanery of Lyme Bay will mean change, too, in the way parishes are linked and the availability of stipendiary priests (Rectors and Vicars). Then, the Church of England may change its rules about marriage in church after divorce. A good thing, many would say, but not by any means all.
'Stop the world, I want to get off!' Or, is there an even better future in store?
John Atkinson
Church Calendar - March 2000
| 1 | David, Bishop of Menevia Patron Saint of Wales, c.601 |
| 2 | Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672. |
| 5 | Sunday next before Lent |
| 7 | Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203. |
| 8 | ASH WEDNESDAY Joel 2 v. 1 - 2, 12 - 17. Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910. |
| 12 | The First Sunday of Lent. |
| 17 | Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c.460. |
| 18 | Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher, 386. |
| 19 | The Second Sunday of Lent. |
| 20 | Joseph of Nazareth. Matthew 1, v.18-25. Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687. |
| 21 | Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556. |
| 24 | Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustinian Canon, Mystic,
1396. Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980 |
| 25 | The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Luke 1, v.26-38 |
| 26 | The Third Sunday of Lent. Harriet Monsell, Founder of the community of St. John the Baptist, Clewer, 1883 |
| 31 | John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631 |
Rosemary Earnshaw
| WOMEN'S WORLD DAY of PRAYER Friday 3rd March 2000 St. Swithin's Church, Bridport 10.00a.m. Speaker: Helen Griffith ( Mission Link Worker ) All Welcome |
Bridport Youth for Christ
Bridport Youth for Christ is an offshoot of the National Body that has its headquarters at Halesowen. It is not a church in the conventional sense, but a body that touches each and every church through its youth work.
Maggi Sutcliffe and David Sutcliffe are its two workers who spend their time at any place where young people congregate. Thus it is no surprise to find them in schools and youth clubs. They only come in by invitation, but once in are willing to take assemblies and lessons as a matter of routine, relieving pressure on the teaching staff. In addition they run After Schools clubs and in David they have an excellent football coach. Maggi and David argue that if it is football that young people are interested in then it is better that they learn skills from them, together with an opportunity to hear the good news, than from a non-believer.
Bible study comes naturally to them so they support young believers through Bible Study groups. Just as important is their role in supporting young people when they face a crisis in their personal life. They also point young people to the poverty that exists in the World, particularly the Third World, and help to overcome it.
All this takes money, up to £33 a day. Obviously they would like to hear from you if you would like to support their work with a donation or a covenant. Just as important is the support that they receive by way of prayer and voluntary work. Any help you can give any of these respects will be more than welcome.
Further information on the work, or on giving, can be obtained from:- David or Maggi Sutcliffe,
5 King's Square, East Street, Bridport.
01308 420162
Astrologers in the Gospel ( Discussion led by Rev'd.Anthony Ashwell )
March lst at The Rectory, Litton Cheney ( 482302 )
Commencing at 7.30 pm with coffee: should finish in time for "home" at 9.15 pm.
Ash Wednesday 8th March 2000 |
HOLY COMMUNION WITH THE
IMPOSITION OF ASHES |
| 10.00 am |
Burton Bradstock (BCP) |
| 10.00 am |
Puncknowle (BCP) |
| 11.30 am |
Shipton Gorge (BCP) |
| 7.00 pm | Burton Bradstock (Rite A Holy
Communion for the Beginning of Lent) |
| 7.00 pm |
Littlebredy |
Lent Course for the east end of the valley.
All are warmly invited to the Lent Group which this year will meet at 7.30pm on the Wednesdays in Lent (excluding Ash Wednesday and the Wednesday in Holy Week). The course entitled 'All Together Now' has been prepared by CTBI (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland), and explores the Journey of Faith in words and music.
Dates, themes and venues as follows:
| 15th March | 'Beginnings' | at The Rectory, Litton Cheney |
| 22nd March | 'Following' | at The Old Rectory, Litton Cheney |
| 29th March | 'Challenging' | at Hillside, West Bexington |
| 5th April | 'Believing' | at 11 Barges Close, Litton Cheney |
| 12th April | 'Dying' | at 8 Coombes Close, Litton Cheney |
Anthony Ashwell
Lent Course 2000 - West end of the Valley
LOST FOR WORDS is the subject of our Lent Course this year. The course will take place in St.Mary's, Burton Bradstock on the following Wednesdays in Lent:-
March 15, 22, 29 April 5, 12, 19
Time 7.30 - 9.30 pm (inclusive of coffee)
|
Diocese of Salisbury Board of Church & Society RURAL FORUM Broadmayne Village Hall Saturday March 11th 10 am - 3pm FAIR TRADING FOR BRITISH AGRICULTURE? Speakers from Christian Aid, National Farmers Union, Waitrose and North Dorset District Council ( Farmers Markets ) Can the principles of fair and ethical trading be applied to farm produce in this country; an opportunity to hear the arguments and ask your questions. Bookings -Jean Davies, Board of Church and Society, Church House, Crane Street, Salisbury, SPI 2QB 01722 411966. £5 per person to include lunch |
Christian Aid Lecture
A public lecture will be held at Bournemouth University on Thursday 23rd March 2000 at 7.30pm, entitled 'The scandal of poverty, inequality and injustice in a world of plenty'. The speaker is the Director of Christian Aid, Daleep Mukatji, and free tickets are available by 'phoning 01202 - 940764.
Anthony Ashwell
|
Keswick in Devon 6th March to 10th March 2000 All Saints Church, Sidmouth Speaker: The Rev'd Alistair Begg (Parkside Church, Ohio ) Mornings 10.45a.m. (not the 6th) Evenings 7.30 p.m. Details available from the Secretary 01395 568420 |
SEEING SALVATION: The Image of Christ
THE NATIONAL GALLERY'S MILLENNIUM EXHIBITION To mark the year 2000, the National Gallery is mounting an exhibition exploring aspects of the representation of Jesus Christ over two millennia. Admission to the exhibition is free.
Christ is readily recognisable in all sorts of images, in painting, sculpture, film and illustration; his likeness is familiar, and yet the Gospels and the early Christian texts do not provide any information about his appearance. This exhibition will investigate how the challenge of representing Christ has been confronted. How do you represent someone who is both God and man, human and divine, immortal but with a mortal body? Every act of representing Christ requires a choice about what kind of Christ to show. Every image is laden with assumptions about who Christ is. The making of the image of Christ becomes a statement of belief, a sort of visual theology.
The exhibition includes paintings from the National Gallery's own Collection by artists such as Bosch and Brueghel, Bellini and Velazquez, as well as important loans dating from the 4th to the 20th century. Among the themes which are explored are: the symbols and visual metaphors - such as the fish and the Good Shepherd - used to stand for Christ; the legends of miraculous images of Christ 'not made by human hands'; and the different approaches and responses to the depiction of the Passion and suffering of Christ. The final section will consider the continuing fascination with the imagery of Christ in the 20th century with paintings by Stanley Spencer and Salvador Dali.
The exhibition, supported by The Jerusalem Trust, is open until May 7th. If you do miss it, don't miss this: a landmark BBC 2 television series, also entitled 'Seeing Salvation', to be broadcast on the four Sundays leading up to Easter. It complements the exhibition at The National Gallery and is written and presented by the Gallery's Director, Neil MacGregor. A book will accompany the series.
The Rector has more information. Do tell him if the idea of a Valley coach trip to the exhibition appeals to you. Further details also available from Ann Roberts (897716). John Atkinson & Anthony Ashwell.
Mothers' Union
In place of the meeting this month, there will be an Admission Service for two new members at St. Mary's Church, Puncknowle. This will be at the earlier time of 2.15 pm on Thursday, 23rd March, followed by tea at The Scrubbings, Hoopers Lane.
Bride Valley Scout Group
We are pleased to say that we have received full Planning Permission for our new hut at Bredy Gate and are in the process of getting estimates to prepare grant applications. Now comes the hard work to raise the money. We will be holding lots of fund-raising events over the next year, so please come and support us. Our church parade in January was very successful and we would thank the Church and the congregation of St. Mary's, Burton Bradstock, for their generous donation. Pam Atkinson kindly gave a Coffee Morning in the Rectory in February and our next two events are a Lent Lunch at the home of Lesley Dove, 7 Norburton, Burton Bradstock from 12 noon till 2.0 pm, everyone welcome, and a Coffee Morning at Puncknowle Church Hall on Saturday, 25th March at 11.00 am. Bring-and-Buy and cakes to Ruth Brierley, tel. 898283 or Pat Tucker, tel. 897197. The Beavers visited the Police Station in January and the Cubs gained their First Aid badges, thanks to the instruction of Phil Lathey of St. John's Ambulance.
Pat Tucker, Group Scout Leader
BRIDE VALLEY BROWNIES : S.O.S.!
The Bride Valley Brownies are in need of your help. The present Brown Owl is standing down after 4 years' service and the Bridport District are currently seeking a replacement, to begin in September 2000. No qualifications or experience are necessary.
Perhaps you have happy memories of being a Brownie or Guide and would care to give something back to Guiding? The pack presently meets on Wednesday evenings, but the day and time could change to suit the new leader.
If you, or anyone else you know of, are interested and would like to know more, please contact the District Commissioner, Mrs. H. Purse, on 01308 423220 or the present Brown Owl, Mrs. H. Fox, on 01308 482501.
Burton Bradstock School
As those of you know who enjoyed history lessons at school the subject is best taught with a mixture of fact acquisition, and empathetic learning. Today's child is fortunate that facts can be discovered from a variety of rich and exciting sources. These include beautifully illustrated textbooks written at appropriate levels, posters, C.D.'s, educational T.V. and the Internet to name but a few, but none of these sources are quite as stimulating and relevant as the one that is invariably on all of our doorsteps… our local area.
Bear with me, faithful reader, and I will shed some light on what Queen Victoria became in the latter years of her reign, according to one of my young scholars.
Class 4 is currently studying the Victorians and we have found our school logbooks and admissions registers to be a mine of information. The earliest admission register starts in 1872 and the first child to be registered was Annie J. Chainey. She was 3yrs and 4 months old and her father was a labourer. We used the first 160 registrations to draw up a chart of parents' occupations in the village from 1872 to 1875 and this information then sent us on investigations to discover what the jobs entailed. Not surprisingly farming, fishing and flax/net work dominated the village in those days with other notable jobs being brakesman, carter, sea- captain, manservant and charwoman.
This work also lends itself to comparison with village work patterns today and we have just completed a survey of current parents' jobs. This throws up all sorts of interesting questions about our changing world.
There is much more for the children to discover about Victorian Burton Bradstock from available records and it really does bring the subject alive!
As for Queen Victoria… My scholarly student wrote that 'for most of her reign, Victoria was a window.' I would like to think that the student was using the term as a metaphor for how Victoria's loyal subjects saw her as a 'window' to the Empire beyond our shores, but I suspect that Albert's death may have been on his mind!
Pip pip
David Powell
100 Club Winners January 2000
B.L.E. Lingley. £20
Mr & Mrs D Jennings. £10
Mrs V Hanson £5
Thorner's School, Litton Cheney
I would like to start this article on very personal note. Thank you to everyone who stopped and offered their assistance to me in January (it seems a long time ago now), when I slid on the ice and my car ended up on the bank not far from Clayhanger Farm. It was very dark and cold while I waited an hour for the recovery vehicle, luckily the mobile phone did work! (As it is virtually useless in the valley it is not always charged up). I was very impressed by the number of people who did ask if I needed anything, including the local householder who lived up the drive, and the lady who returned just to reassure herself that I was okay, sorry I do not know your names. What a caring community you are. I was very pleased to think I was not isolated. This had been a major concern to myself and family before moving down here. As I write this now my car is still being mended…I do not tend to do things by half.
Last issue I was able to report that we had a new first kit for our football matches, having been sponsored by Fry's; and this issue all of class 4 would like to say an enormous thank you to Puncknowle Fundraisers who have provided us with a further 14 shirts. We will definitely be the smartest class in future 7 a side matches, as there are sufficient shirts for all members of Thorner's teams to look the part.
Our cluster 7 a side matches have resulted in success for us. We beat 3 of the schools and only drew with 1 school, meaning that we were the overall winners. Just before Christmas we linked with Burton Bradstock to field a full team in the Kenway Cup. Having progressed to the second round we are hoping for great things.
Thank you to everyone who helped collect Safeway vouchers.We decided to use them all for reducing travelling costs during the next few months. This means that all pupils and parents will benefit.
As part our RE topic classes 3 and 4 visited St Mary's Church, Litton Cheney and here are some extracts from the follow up work in class 3.
Ryan Kingston: We walked to the church because we went to see Mr. Ashwell, the vicar. Mr. Ashwell showed the clothes he wore at Christmas and weddings. The oldest grave stone is 1671.
Adam Paulton: When we went in the church and sat down on the pews, the vicar told the children why the church was built in the shape of a cross.
Daniel Brewster: 'He' told us all about the items like the chancel and the nave. The organ pipes look real but they are not, they are just for decoration.
Rosanna Brewster: The walk to the church was beautiful. It was one of those days when the sun was shining and there was barely a cloud in the sky…….. The pathway up the final stretch to the church was even better. The stream continued slowly flowing beside the path. Next to the path was a beautiful garden. It was certainly noticeable. The colours were of the finest quality.
April Foot: Then we had a chance to ask the vicar questions. We found that he had had five jobs before he became a vicar, making bombs, breadmaking, making toothpaste, making cow feed and making cough medicine.
100 club winners:
£15 Liza Adams-Smith and
£10 Janet Letherby
Alison Johnstone Headteacher.
THORNER'S SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
Swimming pool -We have succeeded in raising enough money for relining the pool and work should start shortly. Thank you for all the generous donations and support with fund-raising. Unfortunately we were refused a Lottery grant towards refurbishment.
We will be holding a BINGO EVENING at Thorner's school on Saturday April 8th, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be plenty of prizes and everyone is very welcome. School is collecting 'Books for Schools' tokens from crisp packets and newspapers and the 'Tesco computers for schools vouchers' . There are collection boxes at school.
100 CLUB We desperately need new members. It only costs £12 per year and all profits are used to buy 'extras' for the school. Phone Mandy Quincey (01305 889496) for details.
Bride Valley Ladies Choir - Advance notice
The Bride Valley Ladies Choir is holding a Spring Coffee Morning at the Village Hall, Shipton Gorge on Friday 14th April, - 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. There will be a bring-and-buy cake stall, home-made biscuits and fruit pies, and also lots of plants for sale. Please come along and help support our choir.
Janet Lane
Ladybirds
Our next meeting will be on March 8th at 8.00 p.m. at the home of Jenny Prentice, Steddings, Chalk Pit Lane, Litton Cheney.
Our Speaker will be Fiona Gibson, Chief Dietician for West Dorset - new members most welcome.
Margaret Elliott
Bride Valley Gardening Club
The next meeting will be on Monday 13th March when Mrs Anne Stevens will give a talk on "Showing". The venue as usual will be Thorner's School, Litton Cheney at 7.30pm. Members who ordered seeds should by now have received them or been informed they will arrive later. If there are any queries please contact Ann Shaw (Tel No 897580). Many thanks to Ann for organising the seed order. For advance information the Summer Outing will be to Hadspen House, Castle Carey on Thursday 8th June.
John Rowlands
Village Correspondent Mr Basil Dent
2, Norburton, Burton Bradstock. Tel:- (01308) 897125
Mid Week Worship -
Holy Communion Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m. followed by coffee in the Rectory
Choir Practices Fridays at 6.00 p.m.
Gift Sunday 28th March, West Dorset Youth for Christ
The next Tiny Tots / Pram Services will be held on Fridays 3rd March & 7th April
The next Healing Services at St Mary's. The Lent Course will be taking place in church on the Wednesdays in Lent, so Healing Services will be on Mondays 13th March and 10th April, then Wednesday 3rd May.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place on Monday 20th March at 7.30 pm in church, for the election of Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors for the coming year, and a Deanery Synod representative to fill a casual vacancy, amongst other annual business. Every member on the Church Electoral Roll may attend and vote. I would like to see there as many as can possibly attend.
John Atkinson
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
Funerals
21st January Norman Leach
24th January Edward(Ted) Hutt
3rd February Edna R. Lawrence
Lent Lunches are again being provided on the following Fridays from 12 noon to 2 pm:-
| Date | Address | Charity |
| 10th March | 7 Norburton | Bride Valley Scout Group |
| 17th March | Porthkerry, Shadrack | The Berdoe Memorial Trust |
| 24th March | St Catherine's Cross, Shipton La. | The Alzheimer's Society |
| 31st March | The Rectory | British Diabetic Association |
| 7th April | Manor Cottage, Church Street | MacMillan Nurses |
| 14th April | Westfield, Shipton Lane | Church Mission Society |
Do please support these lunches. Everyone is most welcome. Soup, rolls etc. and coffee will be on the menu.
Pam Atkinson
Church Flowers for Easter If you wish to give a donation for Easter lilies in memory of family or friends, please put your donation in the envelope provided, which you will find on the table in the south aisle of the church, and give to Pam Atkinson or deliver to the Rectory.
Decorating the Church for Easter We shall be decorating the church with flowers on Saturday 22nd April from 10 am. Everyone is most welcome to decorate the church for this festival, so do come along, and if possible please bring a little greenery. Thank you.
Pam Atkinson
Organist / Choirmaster We may have found a successor to Jim Wilmot! A very well qualified and most experienced organist / choirmaster has expressed interest in the post at St Mary's. Should this be the right thing for all concerned, then we shall have to wait until at least May before he could take up the post.
Meanwhile, we continue to have the assistance of a number of local organists, and our own church members' skill at both piano and organ. We are very grateful to them all.
John Atkinson
Edna Lawrence R.I.P.
Mrs Edna Lawrence came to live in Burton Bradstock in 1972. The wife of a farmer in South Gloucestershire, she had to make a new life for herself after her husband died and she chose this part of the south coast of which she had fond memories from rare childhood holidays. At this time one of her younger sisters was living in North Chideock and later her four other sisters came to live in Seaton, whilst her daughter Jane and her family settled along the coast in Wool. She became completely identified with her new community and took part in many village activities and loved her daily walks to the beach. Sadly, failing sight confined her to her own home and her talking books and newspapers. Her son Tony lived in Scotland and her two great-granddaughters, Josephine and Elinor, were always in her thoughts. Her last years and months were greatly brightened by her team of 'girls' from the Social Services who tended her with care and compassion and, above all, lively conversation.
Church Electoral Roll - Revision
The Church Electoral Roll is revised each year (except when a new Roll is prepared every sixth year) in time for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. A new Roll was prepared in 1996 and no further action is required from those people whose names are already entered on the current roll as displayed in the church porch.
The revision period leading up to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting provides an ideal opportunity for those who wish to have their names added to the roll to apply for enrolment. The requirements are very simple. You must be baptised (christened) a member of the Church of England or of a church in communion with it, be aged 16 or over, and either be resident in the parish or have regularly attended church there for at least six months.
Being on the Church Electoral Roll of the parish means you can attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (to be held on Monday, 20th March 2000) and vote in the elections to the Parochial Church Council or stand for election yourself if you are a communicant member of the Church of England. It enables you to have your voice heard at Deanery and Diocesan level as well as in your own parish.
Application forms for enrolment on the Electoral Roll will be available in church in the weeks leading up to the annual meeting, or if you wish to contact me on 897872 to discuss any aspects of enrolment, I will be pleased to help.
Maurice Ackland
St. Mary's Sunday Club
Sunday Club meets in the W.I. Hall every Sunday during term time at 11.00 am (except the first Sunday when we meet in church for the Family Service). Children of all ages are very welcome. Please just turn up one Sunday if you would like to join us. Visitors are very welcome too.
There is a "Pebbles" group for the younger children and a "Rocks" group for the older children. Parents are welcome to stay with younger children if they wish to. Sunday Club joins with the rest of the Church Family on the 2nd and 4th Sundays for the last part of the service, followed by refreshments with everyone.
We have the help of two teenagers as leaders alongside at least two adult leaders each week. Our band of adult leaders is very small at present and more offers of help would be gratefully appreciated. Leaders may only be on the rota twice a term if there was more help. If you feel you could give some time to Sunday Club, please contact Lesley Dove (897695) or Sheila Spencer-Smith (898012). Thank you very much.
Lesley Dove
Dorset County Arts & Crafts Association
There is an exhibition at Bovington taking place early Summer. If anybody would like to submit an item either for judging or purely as an exhibit, would they please contact Mavis Cruickshank on 424487. All classes £1 per item and will be collected from home.
Doreen Crawford
Parkinson's Disease Society
Bridport Branch of Parkinson's Disease Society is holding a Coffee Morning/Bring & Buy in Salway Ash Village Hall from 09.30 am to 12 noon on Thursday, 16th March. If you wish to help or contribute, please ring Norman Foster on 897555.
New Bus Service - Mike Halford - Route 110
Wednesdays & Fridays: Depart 09.25 am TheAnchor, B'ton Bradstock
Arrive 10.30 am Dorchester
Depart 1.30 pm Dorchester
Arrive 2.35 pm TheAnchor, B'ton Bradstock
You can also go to Bridport at : 2.35 pm.
There is an Extra Bus Service on Saturday evenings, leaving Bridport at 9.20 pm and travelling to Burton Bradstock. This is a chance for school children to use the bus with parents' permission. Also they could catch the 6.53 pm service (Route 210) to go into town and come back on the 9.20 pm (Mike Halford's 110). Timetables are available from libraries. IF YOU DON'T USE THESE BUSES YOU WILL LOSE THEM!
Home Watch - Meeting of Co-ordinators
The Burton Bradstock Home Watch scheme continues to be effective in deterring crime in the village. This has only been achieved in the last decade of operation by the co-operation of residents, work by co-ordinators and local police. Unfortunately, criminals are always watching for an opportunity to steal, cheat or short-change members of the public, so we must not relax our vigilance.
On Tuesday, 11th April at 7.30 pm there will be a meeting of all co-ordinators at which Inspector Tim Warren, Sgt. Colin Matthias and other police officers will be present. As in the past, we shall be brought up to date with crime in the area and action being taken to combat it. Anyone in the village who would like to assist our Home Watch is most welcome to attend by ringing me on 897957.
Finally, residents of Grove Orchard should note that Mr. John Ivall of No. 6 (897470) has kindly agreed to take over the responsibility of their area from Mrs. Feltham. Also please note that Mr. Steve Dove of 7 Norburton (897695) has replaced Mr. Gordon Whitehurst who has left the area.
Would co-ordinators kindly confirm that they will be able to attend this important meeting.
Freddy Tame, 897957
Burton Bradstock Women's Institute
President Wendy Green welcomed 62 members and 1 visitor to the February meeting and introduced Mr. Malcolm Howell, who had come to speak to us about badger watching. He immediately began reciting Shakespeare, including the appropriate "Many a watchful night" then focused on a slide of a £2 coin whose side bears the words "Standing on the shoulders of Giants", a wise saying attributable to Sir Isaac Newton, amongst others. We sat up and listened, this was no ordinary wildlife lover. Mr. Howell's idea of a good night out is to lie for several hours on damp grass in a dark wood, preferably by full moon, camera shutter cocked and ready to photograph the badgers coming out to play and search for juicy earthworms and beetles. He admits to laying trails of peanuts and raisins and so great is their trust that they actually feed from his hands. We learned a great deal about this timid animal with its powerful claws, ferocious bite and pointed sausage-shaped body; that it is a distant relative of the polar bear and comes from the same five-toed, flat-footed family as the otter, weasel, stoat, European mink, marten and polecat. He told us how to spot badger trails, how to tell the difference between boar and sow and where to go to watch them. Perhaps Margaret Holmes can be persuaded to organise a nocturnal outing, when she plans our next country walk.
Daphne Dean and Marj Banks were congratulated on having won the first stage of the whist tournament. However their places at the final in March will be taken by close runners-up Jill Spinney and Joan Allan. Next month should see a transformation in a group of 12 members who are shortly attending a special Denman tutored course to learn how to make the best of ourselves and avoid the pitfall of appearing as mutton dressed as mutton. A small W.I. drama group is in embryonic stage and will be no threat to the well established and highly reputable Burton Bradstock Players. Heather Munn won Flower of the Month with a fragrant Daphne odora and 100 Club winners were Marj Banks, Jean Cradduck, Jill Spinney and Wendy Green. The meeting closed with a special mention of Mary and Frank Bailey who are celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss and congratulations also to Sheila Spencer-Smith who has just had a novel published.
Carol Lumley
W.I. Hall Rebuilding Fund
Please support us by seeing how many quotations you recognise in a special quiz to swell our fund. First prize of £15, with £10 to the runner-up. Entry costs £1 per sheet and quiz forms are available from Jonathan Wyatt in the Burton Bradstock Post Office, as well as from Wendy Green. Closing date is Saturday, 25th March. (Thank you, Jonathan, for your help yet again).
The Yetties are Coming to Burton Bradstock - Advance Notice
As part of our W.I. contribution to the fun and activities during the week of Millennium Celebrations, we have booked The Yetties to come and perform in the marquee on Tuesday evening, 11th July. Tickets will be £5 each and will be available nearer the time from the village Post Office. Please make a note in your diary now.
Wendy Green, 898119
Tea and Chat in the W.I. Hall
Anyone in the village is most welcome to join us on Thursday, 2nd March and, if you enjoy it, again on Thursday, 30th March from 2.45 pm to 4.00 pm. Why not come along for a cup of tea then visit the Library, which is open at the same time?
Wendy Green
Report on the January meeting of the Burton Bradstock Village Society
With the prevalence of influenza and winter viruses together with a cold night, only 35 members attended the January meeting of the Burton Bradstock Village Society. But those who had braved all the elements were treated to the latest stunning display of Colin Varndell's renowned professional skills as a wildlife photographer. His talk, entitled 'Millennium Wildlife Special', included 80 slides selected from his collection of 110 thousand. The collection has taken Colin 25 years to assemble and he hopes to have 250 thousand slides before he retires. When you take into account the fact that Colin can sometimes spend several days obtaining the perfect shot, you begin to realise the total amount of dedication required.
The next meeting will be on 24th March when Mr Gerald Hollington will speak on 'Canals of England and Wales'.
Sheila Pett
Norman Leach
"May I say a most sincere and heartfelt Thank you for your past kindness and concern for Norman, and now for the many messages, cards and letters of condolence received on his death. Many thanks also to those who attended the Service of Thanksgiving for his life, and to those who made donations to the Alzheimer's Disease Society. All these expressions of love and sympathy have been a source of great comfort to me and to our family.
In gratitude, Jean Leach."
Thanks from Thelma Aylott (nee Hawkins)
"Thelma Aylott, Ruby Stevens and the Hawkins family thank all who sent messages and cards of sympathy on the death of our dear sister, Phyllis Mary, on December 28th 1999 at St. Margaret's Hospice, Taunton. The Service of Thanksgiving was held at Yeovil Crematorium on January 10th 2000, attended by her family, friends and teaching colleagues."
Village Correspondent: Mrs.Gilly Doar
Paddock Lodge Swyre
From the Registers
Wedding 6.11.99 Debbie Pye and Rodney Poole
Funeral 24.6.99 Michael Earnest Evans aged 59
The Annual Church Meeting will be immediately after a shortened Evensong on Sunday 2nd April in church. The service begins at 6.30pm.
Anthony Ashwell
Welcome
To Dave Ford who has now finally moved into number 16. Also a warm welcome to Margaret and Peter May who have come to live at Knoll View.
Speedy Recovery We send best wishes to Madeline Marshall after her recent accident when she broke her arm, and wish a speedy recovery to Gordon Gleave from his back operation.
Village Correspondent: Mrs Dorothy Barlow
Collingbourne, Hoopers Lane, Puncknowle
Telephone: (01308) 897761
From the Registers
Funerals
17.9.99 Emily Charlotte Cox aged 85
1.10.99 Betty Margaret Ruddle aged 94
21.12.99 Grace Mary Laver aged 83
6.1.00 Colin Geoffrey Pike aged 71
The Annual Church Meeting will be on Tuesday March 21st at 7.30pm in the Hall.
Ash Wednesday is on 8th March and there will be a Holy Communion Service in church with the Imposition of Ashes at 10.00am.
Anthony Ashwell
Village Social Evening
Many thanks to Arthur and Josephine Pearse for the fascinating talk and slides on Australian Aboriginal Art and rock paintings and for showing us the great variety of bark paintings which they brought back with them in October. The last meeting of the season will be on Wednesday March 1st at 7.30 p.m. in the Church Hall. Gus Gaskin will talk to us about "The Lighter Side of the Met." (Metropolitan Police). Everyone is most welcome.
The Frugal Lunch
This will be held in the Church Hall on Friday March 17th at 12.30p.m.
Come and join us for home-made soup and home-made bread. The collection will be for Water Aid Overseas.
New Scout Hut Appeal
A Coffee Morning will be held in the Church Hall on Saturday March 25th at 11 a.m.
Contributions to the stalls - cakes etc. or donations will be most welcome.
Do please come to give them your support.
Mrs. Hilda Laver
Many thanks from Betty and Ray Lee and Daphne for all the cards and presents sent from family, friends and neighbours to celebrate her 93rd birthday.
Puncknowle Art Group
The meetings for March are on the 3rd at the Crown, Gerry Calleja, artist from Bridport, talking about Life Drawing and work done by his students. 17th and 31st to be arranged. Christine Molony (Secretary)
Puncknowle Parish Council
The Parish meeting on the 7th March will commence with a presentation by Mr. Simon Ludgate, Senior Planning Officer for West Dorset District Council, who will advise us on planning in general and grounds for objections, and will then address questions raised by the public. As we seem to be getting a greater number of planning applications these days, this should prove a valuable and informative addition to our usual monthly meeting.
"Clarence System"
A freephone system 0800 232323 has been set up by Dorset County Council, as a clearing house for the reporting of road problems, potholes, obstructions, street lighting defects, blocked drains, etc. Do use this new initiative to report problems that you see.
Village Correspondents: Mr & Mrs. N.Gardener
1 Rose Cottages, Litton Cheney
Tel: ( 01308 ) 482323
From the Registers
Funerals
31.8.99 Rachel Greening aged 30
22.12.99 Victor Ernest Samways aged 82 (at Askerswell)
24.12.99 Eileen May Cox aged 93
The Annual Church Meeting will take place in the Church Hall on Friday 24th March at 7.30pm.
Anthony Ashwell
Sunday Club Litton Cheney
The Sunday Club are holding an Open Session on March12th. Anyone between the ages of 3 and 12 are invited to come along to Litton Cheney Church Hall between 10.45 and 12 noon. Accompanying parents are very welcome to stay and join in the informal mix of singing, playing, painting, sticking and praying. We will be surprised if you do not enjoy the experience. For further information please contact Trevor Green The Old Garden Long Bredy 01308 482381
Millennium Dinner in aid of the Joseph Weld Hospice
A most enjoyable dinner was held at the Manor Hotel, West Bexington, on Monday 24th January, to mark the 6th anniversary of the opening of the Hospice. Pre-dinner drinks were served in the lounge, after which 68 guests sat down to an excellent a la carte dinner, served by an attentive and friendly staff.
Before dinner, Jayne and Richard Childs, proprietors of the Hotel, presented the organisers with a cheque for £646 as a donation to the Hospice, representing half of the total cost of the meal.
After dinner a superb raffle, master-minded by Jane Ross and Kate Wilkinson, raised the magnificent sum of £216, which together with all the other donations, totalled £902.
Lavinia Barbour and Reggie Edwards would like to thank Jayne and Richard Childs, and all those who contributed to the success of the evening, for their tremendous generosity and for their continued support for the Hospice.
West Dorset Conservative Association - Bride Valley Branch
The Annual General Meeting of the above will be held on Tuesday March 28th at 7.30 p.m. in Litton Cheney Church Hall.
Litton Cheney Village Society
Meeting - Tuesday March 14th 2000 at Thorner's School at 8.00 pm. As stated last month, Mr. P. Westgate is unable, through ill-health, to talk to us. Mr. Nigel Spring, Centre Director of Kingcombe Centre, has kindly agreed to take his place. He will be speaking on 'Kingcombe Centre and its Valley'. This should enable us to learn more about the Centre, its projects, and its relationship with other environmental bodies. It may also encourage us to make personal exploration of courses available and take part in their wide and varied commitments to the ongoing developments.
Litton Cheney Playing Field Advisory Committee have been obtaining the views of the 8 - 18 year olds who live in Litton. Fifteen young people put forward ideas and views at a meeting in January and a questionnaire has since been delivered to all the young people of the village. The Advisory Committee welcome the ideas of anyone interested in improving the playing field and would welcome the help of someone able to make concrete for seat bases.
The young people of the village are very keen to improve their playing field. A Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday 11th March at 11a.m. in the Church Hall. Please support this fund raising event.
Elizabeth Kingston (482384)
Litton Cheney Parish Council.
No doubt you will have noticed the new village name and "pedestrians in road" hazard signs at three of the main approach roads. These are an attempt to reduce traffic speeds in the village. If they are not effective then no doubt there will be requests for official 30mph speed limits which are the only other practical option. No doubt this would lead to criticism for the proliferation of signs as they will not enhance the appearance of the village.You are welcome to state your views on this and any other topic relating to the village at the Village Assembly in the Church Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 7th March.
Millennium graph Albums
The Coffee Morning on 5th February was enjoyed by all who came to see the albums and raised £200 for the Millennium Party fund. A generous villager has offered to copy the albums on to a CD disk which could be stored away until such time as the original photographs become faded and decayed, so that a new copy of the albums could be produced. Should anyone object to their photograph being stored in this way, will they please contact Diana Spicer (482617) by the end of March. The next viewing of the albums will be at another Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday 25th March at The Cottage. Other Millennium events are the Duck Race on Easter Monday 24th April and the Millennium Party itself on Saturday 29th April; full details next month and see notice boards.
Village Fete
So that further use can be made of the proposed marquee for the Millennium party, and to help keep costs down, it has been decided to hold the Fete this year on the May Day bank holiday rather than at the end of that month. Please enter the new date in your diary now! VILLAGE FETE - MONDAY lst MAY. By kind permission of Eddy and Sheila Fry the venue will be their garden at The Cottage where the marquee will already be erected. Please start looking out, making and saving items for the selling stalls NOW! In due course please deliver to the following or as they direct:-
Books - Jim and Sue Holden, 8 Manor Farm Close (482541)
Plants - Carol Lindsay, The Old Rectory (482383) and Malcolm Munro, 2 Litton Hill (482618)
Provisions and Sweets - Diana Spicer, 1 Litton Hill (482617)
Handicraft - Sheila Fry, The Cottage (482260) or Mary Slark, The Old Stable, Barges Close (482280)
White Elephant - Jenny Prentice, Steddings (482535)
Cakes - Betty Champkins, Pins Knoll (482421)
Bottle Tombola - Richard Punter, 1 Garden Close (482522)
DIY - Frank Whillock, Court Farm House (482457)
Raffle - Sue Theobald, Old Orchard (482479) or Nancy Collins, Corn Rigs (482396)
Would volunteers who can look after sideshows, games etc. or who would like to help in any other way please contact Freddie Spicer (482617).
Long Bredy & Litton Cheney Women's Institute
Twenty two members met in February to learn of the history and activities of the Citizens' Advice Bureau from Mr. Freddie Spicer, a voluntary adviser.
President Elinor Frost presented birthday posies to Peggy Cuzens, Chris Smith and Lavinia Palm.
Members were asked for names of those wishing to attend the Spring Council Meeting in Poole, and Group meetings and outings were discussed. A June outing to Compton Acres was agreed.
Mr. Spicer told how the C.A.B. started in 1939 with 200 branches nationwide, growing to 1,000 in 1942. In the 1980s recessions caused problems and the Community Charge doubled the number of enquiries. Today, problems include housing, employment benefits, debts and consumer affairs. In 1998/1999 six million questions were raised by five million people in 700 Bureaux.
The Bureau in Bridport opened in 1977 in the Council Offices, where it remained until 1997. Enquiries grew from 1,067 in 1983 to 9,311 in 1999. Three or four volunteers are on duty at any one time, with an army of researchers in London working to provide them with up to date information. Most enquiries are from personal calls, although it is occasionally possible to make home visits and provide representation at Tribunals. It costs £57,000 per year to run the Bridport office, with the bulk of funding coming from West Dorset District Council. Mr. Spicer was warmly thanked by the President.
The flower competition was won by Phyllis White with a sprig of witch hazel.
The next meeting will be at 7.30 p.m. on March 7th at Long Bredy for a craft evening.
Betty Champkins, 01308 482421
Village Correspondents: Mr & Mrs Patrick Frost
Bridelands
Tel ( 01308 ) 482269
From the Registers
Wedding
4.9.99 Bruce Maltby and Rachel Frost
Funerals
22.10.99 Charles Greenfield
1.11.99 Harold Coe aged 68
The Annual Church Meeting will take place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 4th April at 7.30 p.m.
Anthony Ashwell
Welcome A warm welcome to Shaun and Sallie Mealing, who have come to live at Greenford.
A New Baby: We are pleased to announce the arrival of a sister for Rachael, and another daughter for Pete and Rosemary Dewhurst. Francesca Kate was born on the 28th January, weighing in at 9lb. 15oz. [What price metrication?!]
Frugal Lunch: A Frugal Lunch will be held at Langebride House at 12.45 p.m. on Thursday 9th March, in aid of the Millennium Centre, which gives advice and information to young people in and around Bridport. "The Mill" opens every day for two hours after school, plus Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. There is an Outreach Project, and experienced advisers are always on hand.
Wall of Words: The Wall of Words is a project to celebrate the Millennium, currently being undertaken by the Dorset County Hospital. Ten patients, each one born in a different decade of the last century, will work with writer Paul Hyland. He will write their stories, whilst an artist and a stone-cutter will design the Wall of Words. Rachael Dewhurst, of 9, Long Bredy, has been chosen to represent the 1990's. The project is due for completion in the summer.
Bring and Buy: Bride Valley Young Farmers are holding a Bring and Buy Sale at Longbredy Village Hall on Saturday 11th March, 2.00 p.m. - 4.30 p.m., in aid of Young Farmers' Club funds and a local charity. There will be cakes, teas, a raffle and games, in addition to the actual Bring & Buy. Please come and support this event. Rachel & Alison Batchelor.
The Village Road: Because of blocked drains, the road in the main part of the village has been wet for several months. This area froze over during severe cold weather, and became lethal for pedestrians and cyclists. As a result of several telephone calls to the Helpline "Clarence", a gang of Council roadmen started work during the first week in February. A section about the length of a cricket pitch north of the Littlebredy junction had to be renewed because of roots which had grown into the drainage pipe. Another section further down had to be cleared with a blasting machine during the following week. There were probably blasts of a different nature when the team was unable to free this area with drain rods! However, the area is now clear of running water, and we are grateful to the Highways Department for its work.
'First Steps' Toddler Group
We meet every Wednesday morning during term-time from 10 a.m. till 12 noon in the Long Bredy Village Hall. There are games and activities for the children, and coffee and chat for the grown-ups!
We welcome all parents, carers and pre-school children.
Phone 01308 ... or 01308 482763 for more details, or just come along.
S.J.JevonsPuncknowle 897068
Funeral
16.12.99 Rosemary Clarke aged 73
The Annual Church Meeting will be on Thursday March 16th at 7.30pm in Bridehead by kind permission of Sir Philip and Lady Williams.
Ash Wednesday is on 8th March and there will be a Holy Communion Service in church with the Imposition of Ashes at 7.00pm.
Anthony Ashwell
LITTLEBREDY NOTES.
A warm welcome indeed to little Jemma Merritt, who was born on the 1st February, and congratulations in the same breath to her parents, Steve and Clare at 1, Yew Tree Cottage, as well as her sisters, Katie, Rebecca and Harriet. Our very best wishes to them all.
Trivia Question: Jemma's birth was on the very last day of a sequence of nearly 370,000 days which have something in common - i.e. a particular feature of the following day had not occurred for over 1100 years. Trivia quiz lovers will find the answer below.
Not trivial at all - in fact highly commendable - is the performance of Annette Hallett, whose team of 3 has again won through to the Finals of the Ladies' Triples National Bowls Championship. "Zone 14" stretches from Dorset to Sussex, and the Dorchester team has qualified by winning heats against clubs throughout the Zone. They now meet the winners of the other 15 Zones in the Finals at Northampton later this month. The result will be known before this magazine is distributed, and we trust that the skills Annette and her colleagues possess will have come to the fruition they deserve.
Those who have wondered when the Grand Canyon in the north aisle of the church is going to disappear will be glad to know that the broadside delivered to the church architects after January's P.C.C. Meeting has at last produced a specification for the works required to reinstate the floor, which can now be sent to builders for their quotations. In Churchill's phrase, this may not be the beginning of the end, but it is at least the end of the beginning. We hope progress will be swifter - and indeed apparent - from now on. Other items discussed at the P.C.C. included the decision to give our Christmas collections to the Church Missionary Society, and our reluctance to part with the Baptism and Burial Registers in the Church, both of which date from 1813, are in good condition, and are coveted by the County Records Office.
We bid farewell in March to Toby Christensen, whose stay at 1, Longlands Cottage has turned out to be shorter than we might have hoped. We wish him all good fortune on his return to Oxfordshire, in whichever direction his future lies.
Trivia Answer: The 2nd February, 2000, is the first date without an odd number in it, when written as 2.2.2000, since the 28th August 888 (28.8.888.), more than 1111 years ago. [I am bound to be wrong about this - fellow nerds, please feel free to send corrections to Bridehead!]
Village Correspondent: Mrs.Joy White
Eastcote
3 Gullivers Orchard Shipton Gorge
Tel(01308)897974
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place on Thursday 23rd March at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, for the election of Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors for the coming year, amongst other annual business. Every member on the Church Electoral Roll may attend and vote. I would like to see there as many as can possibly attend. John Atkinson
Flower & Vegetable Show
As last year's hastily arranged fun show was such an outstanding success, it has been decided to hold a similar show on 12th August this year (2000). Further details covering the schedule of classes etc. will be published shortly; so please keep 12 August in mind and participate in this excitingly different type of show.
Geoff Shepherd
Shipton Gorge Hall 100 Club
Winners for the February Draw:
£20 No. 27 Margaret Mitchell
£10 No. 39 Brian & Brenda Lavelle
Annual Whist Drive
As a result of the Whist Drive held at 15, Rockway on 21st January the sum of £90 has been sent to the Cancer Care Macmillan Nurses in Dorchester. Many thanks to everybody for their support and generosity.
Phyllis Penney
Frugal Lunch
The Frugal Lenten Lunch in Shipton will be held on Wednesday 5th April, 12 - 2 p.m. at 15, Rockway - in aid of the Pilsdon Community.
Phyllis Penney
With Spring now just a few weeks away we shall all soon be thinking once again of our gardens and the colour and pleasure that they will give us during the long warm summer days. The Village Plant Sale, together with Cakes and Preserves, will be held adjacent to the Hall on Saturday 29th April from 10 a.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the morning and all receipts will be donated to St. Martin's Church. Offers of plants and cakes to sell will now be greatly appreciated, and Jan or Brian Shaw will be pleased to hear from you on 897524.