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Bride Valley News

June 2003	Index
	Church Service Times
	From The Clergy
Main BVN menu
	Valley Notes - all the other 'whats on' bits
	Burton Bradstock - The Church + other village organisations
	Shipton Gorge
	Chilcombe
	Swyre
	Puncknowle & West Bexington
	Litton Cheney
	Long Bredy
	Littlebredy
	Editor's Extras
	Diary of Events for all Parishes - This month - check it out

FROM THE CLERGY

Birth and death are the two most natural things in the world.  For plants, animals and people life begins, and it ends.  It has a natural span, though accident and disease may cut it short or good fortune prolong it.

It is the great privilege of priests to be allowed to share something of the intimate moments of families around times of birth and death.  We share the joy of birth and baptism, the sadness of death and funeral services.

Over the past few weeks we have had quite a number of deaths in the Valley.  Some of them might have been expected, others not.  Sometimes a family tells the priest that grandfather doesn't know he is soon to die, and please don't tell him.  Grandfather tells the priest that he knows he is going to die soon, but please don't tell the family, it will only cause them pain.  Grandfather might have been better prepared for death, and some of the initial pain for the bereaved family eased, had they all been able to talk about it together.  We should speak more often with our loved ones - of plans and expectations, and of death.

Yet, however much a death may be expected soon, when it comes it is a shock.  Then, death itself is covered by silence.  It should not be.  Talking is a most important part of the process of bereavement.  In a misguided attempt not to cause further grief, some avoid the recently bereaved, denying them the healing opportunity to talk, particularly of the one who has died.  And tears should be no embarrassment.  If talking is too hard, simply to be there, listening, is helpful.  Immediately following a death, there is shock, numbness, an inability to think clearly and quickly, at a time when so much has to be decided and done.  To receive help with some of these practical things is a great strength - the making of tea, the running of errands or the provision of transport.

Sooner or later we all experience the death of someone we love. We should prepare ourselves for such an event, thinking and speaking together of the probabilities, and of our understanding and our fears.  Those responsible for coastal defences prepare in times of calm, in readiness for the storm.  It is too late to be trying to build sea defences when the storm is raging.  One day the storm of bereavement will come.  It is well to have prepared for it on sunny days.

It is again the privilege of priests to talk of these things, often with those who do not share their faith.  We are always glad to be asked, where people think we may possibly be able to help.

John Atkinson

We have been asked by the Church Commissioners to include the following report:-

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS' FINANCIAL RESULTS IN 2002

Financial results in 2002

In a dreadful year for stock markets the Commissioners achieved a total return of -9.3%. This was much better than the average of -13.9% for UK pension funds. Over the long run, whether annual returns are better or worse than the average makes a big difference to how much money we can produce for the Church. Our property holdings, which make up a higher share of our assets than for most funds, did well. Once again this lessened the impact of the continuing stock market slump. Total assets stood at £3.5 billion at the end of 2002 - some £160 million higher than if we had achieved only average results in the year. Over the last ten years our returns have been more than 3% better each year than the average for comparable funds.  Stock markets are still weak at present. But our current view is that equities should remain the largest share of the fund as we judge that they offer the best prospects over the long term.

Spending in 2002

The Commissioners' fund provides money for a range of purposes: all clergy pensions earned before 1998 - the Pensions Measure allows us to spend some capital on these - and other support for the Church's work especially in areas of need. In total we spent around £165 million in 2002:

.        £97.7 million for clergy pensions already in payment

.        £8.1 million to help dioceses and parishes with the cost of building up the new fund to meet pensions earned from 1998

.        £25.5 million for parish ministry, mainly in payments to dioceses for clergy stipends. £18.3 million of this money was directed to the poorest dioceses

.        £17.2 million for bishops' stipends, housing, office and working costs

.        £6.0 million for the stipends of cathedral clergy and grants mainly for cathedral staff salaries

.        £11.1 million towards church buildings, administration and helping other Church bodies

Our actuaries update their advice on our fund every year to help us gauge how much we can safely plan to spend in future. The latest update confirms that, thanks partly to relatively good performance in 2002, current assumptions are still sound and our spending plans for 2002-04 remain on track. We know this assurance is important for dioceses' financial plans.

Targeting the Commissioners' support

We try to spend our money in ways that will do most good. The parish mission fund, which began in 2002, offered new flexibility in the use of £10 million of our support for parish ministry in 2002-04. Some dioceses are using this money for parish evangelism to build new congregations and churches. Some plan to attract new funds from other sources.

In November the General Synod agreed we should take steps to refocus the almost £5 million we pay towards individual clergy stipends, and around £3 million in clergy retirement housing costs, on support for parish ministry where today's needs are greatest.

Value for money

Getting the best value out of our assets is vital. 2002 was the first full year of our new letting policy for some of the London housing estates. The public service employers we are now working with have no shortage of workers - nurses, teachers, classroom assistants, for example - who need to live locally and wish us to house them. Market lettings too have been steady. Work to repair and improve the properties has started on two estates and is going well.

We have cut our running costs by 30% in real terms in the last 10 years. Over 2002-04 we and the Archbishops' Council will hold costs at 2001 levels. In July many Synod members supported taking a fresh look at the work of bishops' legal officers, which we help to fund, again with the aim of making the best use of resources. We carried out a review, talking to people close to this work, and have now made recommendations.

On the communication front, a new quarterly newsletter from 2002, available on­line at www.churchcommissioners.org and at www.gazette.cofe.anglican.org, now gives dioceses and parishes regular updates on our asset management.

Copies of the Commissioners' report are available from the Policy Unit, Church Commissioners, 1 Millbank, London SWIP 3JZ.

                  tel: 020-7898 1135/1619/1623 fax: 020-7898 1131                                    e-mail: commissioners.enquiry@c-of-e.org.uk                                                     website: www.churchcommissioners.org

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Valley Notes

June 29^th : United Valley Service and Picnic                             ”

This day is St Peter's Day and it's also a fifth Sunday, so we are going to have a special Celebration. 

The only mid-morning Service on this day will be a Family Service at Littlebredy at 11o'clock, and every Church indeed every village is not only invited but strongly encouraged to come along.  There is plenty of parking on the green and it would be lovely if everybody could bring a picnic lunch to consume afterwards by the lake.  (There are toilets in the Village Hall as well!) 

So please do consider joining us for what promises to be a truly wonderful Feast Day.                                                         Anthony Ashwell

Mothers' Union 
Wednesday 11^th June (Please  note date) Quiet Day with the Pilsdon Community - arriving at 12 noon for the Midday Eucharist. Bring a packed lunch.
Monday 30^th June In & Out & Roundabout at St. Mary's Hall Bridport 10.00 for 10.30 am. A chance to meet our Officers from Salisbury and to ask questions about what we want in the Mothers' Union etc
 Yvette Smith ( 898219 )

 

The Bride Valley (Wednesday) Bible Study Group

Our courses continue this month, with the west end following the east end's Lent course on the Passion according to St Mark, and the east end looking at the west end's 'Seven Deadly Sins', which the latter also examined in Lent.  All the sessions begin on Wednesdays at 7.30pm * with refreshments and can last for up to two hours or so.  Please do come along if you can, you will be most welcome. 

East End

11^th June          The Rectory, Litton C.  St Mark, Chapter 16

25^th June          Hillside, W.Bexington   'Yet two more Deadly  Sins'

9^th July             Pitcombe, Littlebredy                'The last Deadly Sin'

West End

4^th June            St Catherine's Cross, S. G.       St Mark, Chapter 13

18^th June          Windy Gap, Shipton Lane         St Mark, Chapter 14

1st July (2pm)  7 Norburton, B. Bradstock       St Mark, Chapter 15

16^th July           Westfield, Shipton Lane            St Mark, Chapter 16

* Please note: the Bible Study session at the West End for the beginning of July has been changed to Tuesday 1^st July instead of the Wednesday and the time of meeting has also changed to 2.00pm in the afternoon instead of the evening.                                                                Anthony Ashwell

THE BRIDE VALLEY (THURSDAY) FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The group meets on Thursday evenings and alternates between Prayer and Bible Study.  Arriving from 7.30p.m. we begin at 7.45p.m. aiming to finish by about 9.15p.m.  All are most welcome. For further details contact Paul ..., Tel ...

JUNE 5            COLOSSIANS 2. 16-23          6   Baglake, Litton Cheney

JUNE 12          PRAYER                                  The Threshing Barn, Higher                                                 Kingston Russell

JUNE 19          COLOSSIANS 3.1-4              12  Napier Close

JUNE 26          PRAYER                                 West Lodge, Littlebredy

THANK YOU!                                            

Many of you will have noticed a new look to this month's magazine; owing to the generosity of The Burton Web Site Committee and Burton Bradstock Parish Council, The Bride Valley Team Council have been given money towards a new computer for the production of the B.V.N. Up till now the editor has been struggling with her nine year old machine, which has been causing many a headache! I am extremely grateful to those who appreciated the difficult situation; my particular thanks go to Tim and David Linford who ordered, set up and installed the new computer and spent many hours patiently teaching me to use it. I have much to learn but the hope is that, as time goes by, the hours of practice will bear fruit! I apologise now for any mistakes or omissions there might be in this issue.

Susan Paul   Editor

Burton Bradstock School

Having just completed one of the shortest first 'half' terms on record, for Year 6 children, June marks the beginning of the end of their primary careers.  Hopefully it is a time when they can reflect upon some happy memories.  My thanks go to Abbie Waite and Olivia Denning for their report on one such memory during the Easter Holidays:

On Thursday 24^th April many children arrived at Bryanston School for a day of singing in style.  They came from many different places. even France.  Including us: Olivia Denning and Abbie Waite!

We learnt many different singing styles with the help of Christine Page and her talented colleague Kathy.  We learnt the words at home and put them to the tune at Bryanston!  We also learnt some new songs during the day: 'Time for change', 'Fever' and 'Can you hear me?'  We also learnt two African songs and a Hebridean song.  It was really interesting.

During the day we were allowed to wander around the grounds which was also very interesting!  There were so many different things to do that we were always amused: swimming, eating in the cafeteria or simply exploring the grounds!

But there was no more time for wandering.  It was concert time!  We ran to take our seats in the theatre and get prepared for our singing.

First we listened to the orchestra who were all very talented.  A French lady sang a few opera songs with the orchestra.  She sounded just like a professional, even though she was only about 18!  She was wearing a wonderful white dress.  It was now our turn!  We hurried down to the stage, with butterflies in our stomachs.  Luckily Kathy was there and she made us feel better!

We were singing the African songs first, which we had to give a lot of Oomph to.  It was okay though because we managed to make it sound fabulous (or so Kathy said!)  Next we started our Hebridean song, which was actually used to call to seals.  We did that well too.  Next Christine Page took over and we sang 'Can you hear me?' (a song where we used sign language while singing as it was actually about a deaf person), then 'Time for Change' (along with the orchestra).

It was certainly a long day but certainly worth it as we learnt so many new ways of singing that we will never forget!

Well done girls for making the most of such a wonderful opportunity.

This month also heralds our Summer Fair on Saturday 14^th June from 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. at the school.  We are most grateful for the hard work already put into this event by the P.T.A. committee and hope that you will be able to join us.

Mark Stratta

April 100 Club Winners:

            £20 - Mrs J Bowles

            £10 - Mr D Sorrell

              £5 - Mr & Mrs Venn

 

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

During this coming month we are looking forward to a number of sporting events, both in school and within the cluster.  Let's hope that the weather is kind to us and does not stop the Sports' afternoons. 

Having completed our SATS last month we await the results but in the meantime can continue our education in the widest  possible of senses.  I feel that school is where pupils can put into practice some of the early lessons taught by parents, before they even start school and then build on them to create a rounded person.  You may wonder what I am talking about ... manners, concern for others and the environment etc;  one of the things I still notice to this day is how clean the villages are, very little litter is evident in comparison to towns.  It is mainly due to the fact that children here are encouraged to dispose of their litter in the proper place, pride is taken by everyone to ensure that the villages are pleasant to live in.  This is maybe one reason for all the tourists we get!  It is not so obvious how much pupils care for one another, they have their ups and downs, arguments and disagreements, changing of friendships but if anyone of them is hurt all rally round to do all that they can.  If they are finding it hard to complete some work or a task there is usually someone there to encourage, guide and even give a helping hand without being asked.  Generally children take routine tasks and do them with a smile, what does annoy is when one person fails to pull their weight and do a fair share.  Working together as part of a team is an important skill to learn as very little can be achieved in life without the help of others.  Giving a little of yourself in certain situations will reap rewards when you least expect them.  These lessons are started at home where each member of the family is given tasks, it could be setting the table, keeping their bedroom tidy or going on errands and when games are played, taking turns, being 'out' or winning!  Each one of us needs to be responsible for our own actions to ensure that the litter around does not mount up; it does not matter if you are small or big, young or old, unemployed or the Prime Minister.  I see this as part of their education, being aware of others, how we can make the environment and the World a better place for all to live, understanding the reasons for events and their consequences.

Alison Johnstone  Headteacher

Thorner's Parent and Teachers' Association                            

Events coming up
26 May    Caribbean village and school fete
14 June    Rounders fun evening
23 July     Years 4/5 End of term party                                                         

100 CLUB
Lucky winners -- Sarah Nobes and Jill Neil                                                   
 New members always welcome

LITTLE CHENEY VILLAGE AND THORNERS FETE -  CARRIBBEAN THEME 
Please remember to come whatever the weather for a fun packed event.    There are lots of prizes are to be won.

Thank you to:- C. G. Fry & Sons Ltd who have kindly agreed to sponsor the steel band 
Harmony Music who have given an electric guitar for 1^st prize - Grand Draw
Steven Spurrier for the case of fine French wine 2^nd prize - Grand draw 
A. C. Moxom Ltd who will generously cover the Grand Draw 3^rd prize of £50
New this year:-     Decorated knees competition - let your imagination go with the swing ~  Quad bikes - for those with a racing fantasy
Other:     Tug of war - flex those muscles!    Stalls  ~   Home bake stall~             Maypole
Sunny weather - lets hope and pray 
All bakers please send in your fresh produce in time for the fete as always - many thanks to all of you 

I hope you have enjoyed the bank holidays with the pleasant weather and that you will join us in this fun packed community affair.

Thank you to the fete committee and to all those who have contributed in any way. I hope I have not missed any kind persons.

EVERYONE welcome!                                         Dianne ffoulkes (chair)

First Steps Parent and Toddler Group meets on Wednesdays from 10.00am till 12 noon during term time.  We offer toys and activities for all pre-school children, coffee and chat for parents and carers.  The group meets at Long Bredy Village Hall on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of the month.  On the second Wednesday we meet in Little Bredy Hall and on the fourth Wednesday we meet in either Little Bredy or Puncknowle.  For further details contact:  Jo (Litton Cheney) ... or Julie (Puncknowle) 897178 or Rachel (Kingston Russell and Long Bredy) 482246

Ladybirds will meet in June for their Annual Barbeque.

Giant Sunflower Competition

Potted sunflowers are available (£1 each, all proceeds going to Litton Cheney Youth Club) from Paul Kingston 482384.  As of May 10^th the leading contenders had reached the grand height of 60 cm.

Litton Cheney Youth Club is open to all young people between the ages of 8 and 17 years from Litton Cheney and the surrounding area.  For details of their meetings in June please read the Litton Notes.

N.G.S.Gardens Open in June & July

                          

June 3^rd           Innsacre,   Shipton Gorge*

                    The  Scented Garden, Littlebredy**  Roses  &  delphiniums.

June 10^th        Innsacre,   Shipton Gorge

                    The  Scented Garden,  Littlebredy** Roses & delphiniums.

                    The Old Rectory, Litton Cheney    Teas in aid of  the Church

June 17^th         The  Scented Garden,  Littlebredy** Roses  &  delphiniums.

June 24^th          The  Scented Garden,  Littlebredy** Roses  &  delphiniums.

July 20^th      Tithe Barn House, Chalk Pit Lane, Litton Cheney   2.00-6.00  Roses, climbers and herbaceous plants.  Teas

* See May B.V.N.   ( page 24 ) for further details

** The Scented Garden is also open every Tuesday in July

23^rd   BURTON BRADSTOCK FESTIVAL

Mary Ryan is bringing the LONDON FESTIVAL PLAYERS to Burton Bradstock to play for us in another series of concerts this summer.

21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd August - St Mary's Church.

Programme includes:-

J.S.BACH                    Brandenburg Concerto No 2

J.S.BACH                    Cantata, No 51

BELLINI                      Oboe Concerto

MENDELSSOHN       Octet, Op 20

TARTINI                     Devil's Trill Sonata

             

Performing as soloists with the London Festival Players will be David Juritz (violin),Adrian Bradbury (cello), Neil Black OBE (oboe), Janice Knight (oboe), David Mason (trumpet), Stephen Cutting (trumpet), Mary Ryan (flute), Hilary Kenway (soprano) and Hubert Dawkes (keyboard).

Tickets  -  prices and arrangements for purchase will be published in next month's BVN.

Mike Southgate.

THE WEST DORSET DIVISION OF THE FRIENDS OF THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOSCIATION urgently needs a Secretary.  The committee meets about 4 times a year in and around Bridport and organises fund raising events.  For further details please ring Miss Sandra Brown on 01308 423 078

LIBRARY SERVICE TO HOUSEBOUND READERS:

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT DAY

Weymouth Library on Monday 2nd June 2003 at 2.00 p.m.

Weymouth library is holding an information afternoon on Monday 2nd June at 2.00 p.m. for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer to help deliver the library service to readers who are housebound.

This service is aimed at the many people in the Weymouth area who are not able to get to their local library. The library works with volunteers who take a selection of material out to people's homes on a regular basis.

Tracy Long, West Division Manager for Dorset County Library said, "We are hoping to enlist a number of volunteers so that we can start to answer the growing demand for this service. The service contributes to improving the quality of life for those who are housebound - through a regular visit from a volunteer and by having access to books and books on tape"

The recruitment afternoon is designed to ensure that people are fully informed about what's involved. Light refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of opportunity to talk to the people who run the service.

Paul, a volunteer explained, "It's certainly an interesting and rewarding job because people do appreciate their library visit and I enjoy spreading the word ........ but you do need to be prepared to climb a few stairs and carry bundles of books which can be quite heavy."

Please contact Nicola Brown or Jenny Nicholson at Weymouth Library on 01305 762416 if you would like to attend the session or would like more information.

Communications Unit, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. Tel 01305 224491.

E-mail: d.e.croxson@dorsetcc.gov.uk 
www.dorsetcc.gov.uk/press

    PIANO RECITAL    

Madalina Rusu will give a PIANO RECITAL in the W.I. Hall, Burton Bradstock, on Wednesday 9th July at 7.30pm. Admission £5.00 at the door; all proceeds to assist with her studies.

PROGRAMME:	Bach	Prelude & Fugue in E Flat No: 7
	Mozart	Sonata in A Minor
	Chopin	Fantasie in F Minor Op 49
	Schumann	Scenes from Childhood
	Schubert/Liszt	Waltz
	Rachmaninov	Study Op 33  No:7  in E Flat
		Op 39 No: 5 in E Flat Minor
		Prelude Op 32 No: 12 in G Sharp
		Prelude Op 23 No: 4 in D Major
		Musical Moment Op 16  No: 4

Madalina will also perform this recital at the Beaminster Festival on 3rd July, and in St. Mary's Church, Dorchester, on 12th July. On 25th October, she will appear as soloist with the Dorset Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No: 25.

GARDEN PARTY

IN AID OF CANCERCARE DORSET
&
DORSET & SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE

SATURDAY 5th JULY 2003 2.00pm

 
WHITEHILL COTTAGE   LITTLE BREDY 

 Totally under cover if wet ~ plenty of free parking

ADMISSION £2.50 PER ADULT £1.50 PER CHILD TO INCLUDE CREAM TEA

    RAFFLES: TOMBOLA: PLANTS: CAKES: FOOTBALL MEMORABILIA:
        NAME THE BEAR: CHILDREN'S LUCKY DIP: FIND THE MONEY:
               GUESS THE WEIGHT OF THE CAKE: TRAMPOLINING

 COME AND ENJOY THE FUN AND HELP TO MAKE IT A BUMPER FUND RAISING DAY

SPONSORED BY JOHN HOWARTH HEATING SERVICES LTD

Science Museum

Fifteen kids from the Bride Valley were loaded into a mini-bus for a journey into the unknown at the Science Museum in London.  They joined 360 kids, sleeping amongst the exhibits in sleeping bags.  This was one of those rare instances when learning changed from a chore into an unexpectedly exciting adventure.  There was something for everyone. from making rockets launch to Mars to viewing an IMAX production of life on a satellite.  There was a show "Feel the Force" where Phil the stunt frog demonstrated a variety of forces and motion.

Our Dorset children won the Night Owl Quiz, which resulted in winning a book each about electricity at prize-giving in the morning.

The trip was organised by Liza Adams-Smith and a group of enabling parents who were keen to enrich their children's experience of education.  "We are hoping to join with schools in the Bridport cluster and fill a coach next time.  It is a shame that excessive red tape and fear of litigation prevents teaching staff from organising such trips."

Simon Baxter from Little Bredy drove the bus conscientiously through the London traffic.  We attempted to make easy identification of our kids by having them wear red bibs and the mobile phone numbers printed on their arms in indelible ink.  Our efforts were a little over zealous because once we entered the museum everything ran like clockwork with ushers guiding us through the experience.

"I expected Science night to be good but I could never have imagined how absolutely fabulous the whole experience would be. 

I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone.

Having visited this museum in 'normal circumstances', I realise how much we actually missed.  Upon reflection I see that previous trips to the museum would have been greatly enhanced by this approach."

The Science Museum organises about three nights per term and changes topics regularly.  Thanks to U-Haul Vehicle Rental for providing the mini-bus at a special rate to help with costs.

Science Night Trip

I would like to express my gratitude to those adults who accompanied the children to the sleep over at the Science Museum in London:  Jo Lee who managed to capture the adventure on film, Jim Armstrong who assisted in Galileo's gravity experiment, Ross Jones and Simon Baxter who bravely endured Hyde Park Corner traffic to ensure safe delivery of the passengers.  I would also like to thank all the youngsters who demonstrated exceptionally excellent behaviour and were a joy to accompany.

Special thanks to Nathan Baxter and Ryan Kingston who volunteered and successfully cleaned up the mini-bus at the end of the venture..WELL DONE!

We all have great memories to cherish.

                                                                                    Liza Adams-Smith

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BURTON BRADSTOCK

Village Correspondent Mr Basil Dent

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

London Marathon 2003  
I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me and the many people who gave their support in my London Marathon Run. I finished in 3 hours & 29 minutes and have raised £1800 for CRY ( Cardiac Risk in the Young  )                                                                                Martin Hewlett                                                                        

On behalf of all the residents of Shipton Gorge we congratulate Martin Hewlett on his achievement in theLondon Marathon 2003.Well done, Martin! 
( & congratulations from all our readers, too. Ed. )

From the Registers
Funerals and Burials
16^th April 2003            Vera Mary King        aged 96
Although Mary left Long Bredy about 20 years ago, after the death of her husband Lionel, it was good to have so many people come to church to say their goodbyes.  Mary had set up the gardens of Longbride House, still so beautiful today, and we gave thanks to God for a fascinating life. 

28^th April 2003            Peter Anthony Palm   aged 48
Just about everybody locally will be aware of the tragic circumstances under which Peter was killed, and the church really needed room in the rafters to accommodate the 250 or so people who came to the Funeral.  We were pleased to hear the Village Singers and privileged to hear wonderful tributes to such a friendly, enthusiastic, hardworking and community-minded person.  We send our deepest sympathy to Lavinia and Alice, and Peter's mother and sisters. 

EASTER DAY

Our Family Service with Holy Communion was not very joyful just three days after Peter's death.  But many people came along praying that Resurrection would be for Peter too. 

Anthony Ashwell

Congratulations to Helen Horsley on being made Programme Manager at Weymouth College.

Sponsored Tractor Pull

This event will take place on Wednesday 11^th June.  Our young farmers will meet at Long Bredy Village Hall at 7:00 pm and pull a grey Ferguson tractor through the village along to Litton Cheney and finish at the White Horse, hopefully collecting a few pounds along the way!

Please look out for us on the night and throw some coins into the bucket, all proceeds will go towards new goal posts for Thorner's School.

For more information contact Rick on 01308 482549

Village Fete - 12^th July 2:30 - 4:30pm

By kind invitation of Mr & Mrs Carter in the gardens of Kingston Russell House.

This is the most important day in the village year so let's all join in and make it a special one.

The principal stallholders are:

                        Books                          Juniper Green & Nick Brown

                        Teas                            June Clewlow & Chris Smith

                        Children's Stall         Harriet Sykes & family

Plants & Produce       Helen Fox, Pat Tucker, Ann &               Brian Peppiatt

                        Ice-cream                    Ray Winter & Sara Deane

                        Cakes                          Jackie Cain

                        Bric-a-Brac                David & Jane Peretz,

Gwen Kinghorn for collection point

                        Bottle Tombola          Mike & Valerie Shepherd

                        Grand Draw               Tracy Linwood

Peter Palm

Peter and Lavinia came to Long Bredy fourteen years ago and Peter was very soon getting involved with village life.

Peter put so much enthusiasm into everything he did.  He was on the Parish Council and was the most efficient Church Treasurer for ten years and only recently handed over to Mike Shepherd.  The Village Hall has flourished under his Chairmanship and as Treasurer.

The Bottle Tombola at the Fete was always a great success, especially with the extra 'duty free'.

Peter leaves a large gap in this village and we all sadly miss him.

Our deepest sympathy goes to Lavinia and Alice.

Lavinia wishes to thank everyone for their support and for the refreshments and flowers at the Village Hall after Peter's funeral.

Long Bredy & Litton Cheney Women's Institute

The May meeting began with birthday posies being presented by President Jackie Baker to Jenny Cox and Jackie Cain.

Arthur Pearse and his wife, Josephine gave the group a fascinating history of Tamarisk, their organic farm, and the surrounding area of West Bexington, an area that was sacked by the French and from the 15^th century was no longer recognisable as a conventional village. Mr & Mrs Pearse went to live there in the 1960s and since then have become enthusiastic and successful organic farmers, despite some initial mistakes.  The National Trust were impressed by their efforts and have gradually encouraged all their other farmers to adopt similar methods.  A wealth of local maps showed how the farm has expanded and the beautiful photographs they provided displayed the wide range of their produce.

Janet Cuff spoke for the whole group when she thanked Mr & Mrs Pearse for such an informative and interesting evening in which we all learned something new.

Our next meeting in June will be a visit to Forde Abbey.

                                                                                       Valerie Shepherd

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Editor's Extras

Dolphins

Many people on Hive Beach on 22^nd April were privileged to watch about eight dolphins playing a few yards out to sea. Sadly I did not see them then but noticed some later in the morning about half a mile off shore.

Having made enquiries I reported the sightings to the Durlston Marine Project who would be most grateful if we were to report any further sightings to them either on 01929 421111 or by e-mail:-                 dolphinsightings@hotmail.com.

Alternatively let me know and I will pass on the information to them.

They have sent me the following information to help in their research.

Dolphin Watching Tips

With your naked eye, scan the sea from the cliffs to the horizon. Look out for these signs:

White Water; was it a wave or a dolphin splash?

Seabirds: Gulls circling in the air and gannets diving are often  signs of dolphins below.

Fins: is there a dorsal fin?

Don't be surprised if you lose sight of them for a while - dolphins often dive for up to 5 minutes, so you may have to wait a while before they return to the surface to breathe.

Make a note of the following details:-

date and time

estimated number of dolphins

species (or a description and photo/sketch if you're not sure)

location first sighted (as accurately as possible)

direction the dolphins were swimming

their behavior - slow/fast swim, leaping, direction of movement

the weather and the state of the sea

Do not swim with, touch or feed dolphins, for your safety and theirs. Remember they are wild creatures!

If you have never been to the Information Centre at Durlston, Swanage it is really worth a visit. Their displays on the flora and fauna of the area are fascinating and beautifully displayed .Further information can be found on their website www.durlston.co.uk

S.P.

50 Years Ago

Those of us who have entered our second half century will never forget the momentous year of 1953. For me, personally, it was the year I reached double figures and had my appendix out. Consequently, I received my first bouquet (from my father who was abroad at the time!); this was followed by two weeks off school to recover. England won the Ashes, Everest was conquered and, of course, our Queen was crowned at Westminster Abbey. For years, until I stopped to work it out, I thought 1953 was also the year of Roger Bannister's great triumph - a MILE in four minutes. The year, in fact, was 1954. I know this because we did not have our tortoise until then and we called him Roger because he managed a YARD in four minutes. 

My father worked for the P & O and we had the great good fortune to be entertained on Coronation Day in their offices in London. The windows looked down over one of the few places on the route where the Coronation Procession passed twice, on the way to and from the Abbey. A lavish breakfast awaited us when we arrived at the bidden time of 6.30am and this was followed by scrumptious food throughout the day. It was also one of  the first days I remember watching television; one had been organised so we could watch the Abbey ceremony between the two processions.

What memories of 2^nd June 1953 most stand out in my mind? I vividly remember my new cotton dress and as I am the younger sister this was a bit special. I remember, too, before going to bed early the previous night, being allowed to iron my special hankie that had a Union Jack embroidered in the corner. We were up at 4.00am ( in the dark ) and were taken by taxi to the station where we saw a billboard saying "Everest Crowned." I could not understand this as I imagined that Hillary and Tenzing had carried a huge crown to the top, but my Mother explained what it meant.everyone was jubilant. What a way to begin the day! Years later I learned they had kept back the news so it could be announced on Coronation Day. When we arrived in London we were greeted by the sight of huge crowds in Trafalgar Square; they were all so cheerful but I felt sorry for them as it was so damp and cold. When we arrived at our destination I was very glad we were inside because if we had been outside my new dress would have been ruined and, almost as bad, I would have frozen. There must have been several hours before we saw the procession but I don't remember the time dragging as there was so much to see. Gradually the police and troops lined the route and for hours they never seemed to move a muscle. At last we heard music in the distance.. they were coming! Of course I remember the Gold Coach and the tiny figure of the Queen waving from inside, after all we had been painting and talking about it in school for weeks. What also clearly stays in my mind is the wonderful sight of the colourful procession  moving as one down the hill towards us and then seeing the individuals as they turned and came past us. Queen Salote of Tonga waved cheerfully, enjoying herself, ignoring the rain and the offer of a closed carriage. Her diminutive husband sat hunched and miserably cold opposite her. We read in the papers the next day that the reporters had also noticed the contrast between the two of them. Rank after rank of service men and women went by and I can remember being very proud that it was a women's service, the Wrens, who wore the most immaculate uniform and whose marching was the smartest, and that was before I knew anything about the battle of the sexes!

As we left I can remember my mother being worried about missing the train and not getting home in time to hear Winston Churchill give his Prime Ministerial broadcast on the radio or rather the wireless as we called it then. While crossing the Square I just could not believe that so many thousands of people could disappear so quickly, nor that after such a special day they could leave behind so much litter; it seemed as if the wet, soggy newspapers, when collected, would make a mountain almost as high as Everest.

Had I been fifty years older no doubt my recollections of the day would be very different, new dresses and flag embroidered hankies would have faded into the background of my mind; perhaps some of my memories have been jolted by pictures and talk over the years; some may even be inaccurate and enhanced by a vivid imagination, but however old those of us were who witnessed this amazing event none of us will ever forget the atmosphere. It was a day of enormous contrasts: the fluttering of thousands of flags along the route, the still solemnity in the Abbey: dazzling gold against rain soaked roads: guardsmen's scarlet tunics, damp black bearskins: faultlessly groomed horses, grey and black: clatter of hooves, rumble of carriage wheels. We won't forget that silence as the Archbishop paused holding the crown above  the Queen's head, nor, moments later the jubilant chorus of "God Save The Queen" that echoed throughout the Abbey over and over again after the crown was placed on her head. "Vivat Regina," and thank you, we all say fifty years on.                                                                

 

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Anniversary Events for June 2003

Sat 14th - Royal British Legion Fete

Wed 25th - Bridport Heritage Forum Talk, Town Hall, Bridport in the 1800s

Sat 28th - New Elizabethan Singers, with the Maddison  Boys, in association with the Lions Club.

Don't forget The Flowers of Dorset Exhibition at The Dorset County Museum, Dorchester; it has now been extended until the end of August.

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Editor: Susan Paul Windy Gap Shipton Lane Burton Bradstock DT6 4NQ