Bride Valley News April 2005
Diary of events for all Parishes April 2005
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gardens open for charity |
The Old Rectory Litton Cheney Sunday 1st May 2.00pm - 6.00pm |
Bride Valley Gardening Club
Spring Check List
· Spring pruning of relevant plants
· Plant bare root varieties
· Collect up last of fallen leaves to prevent diseases on planting
· Prepare soil for new beds
· Take root cuttings
· Prepare hardy annual beds
· Check tree stakes, plant supports and ties
· Lift and divide congested snowdrops
· Place plant orders
· Prepare areas for new lawns
· Feed and mulch relevant plants Dianne ffoulkes
Sea Britain 2005
The Trafalgar Ride
Sunday 21 August 2005
See page 19 for details
Do you have TV or radio reception/coverage issues/problems in the Bride valley? WEDBAG is there to help you!
As you will have seen in the BVN recently, there were 31 Burton Bradstock parishioners who indicated on the Parish Plan form that TV or Radio reception/coverage was an issue for them. I imagine there are many more in the whole valley.
However, help is at hand as Oliver Letwin MP is already chairing the West Dorset Broadcasting Action Group (WEDBAG) to resolve these problems right across West Dorset. And he has started a dialogue with OFCOM and the BBC, who expressed surprise and concern that it was as bad as we believe it to be. But we need solid feedback from people so we can quantify the problems. The Action Group has a large number of people from West Dorset who have added their names to our list of unhappy residents, but we still need to get many more if we are to have enough weight to influence the BBC/ITV.
Having said that, the town councils have also joined in and appointed representatives on our committee and this will be a great help. Our next step is to send out a questionnaire via all town & parish councils in West Dorset to get as many people with problems/complaints as possible to give us the information we need to fight the case - this covers existing and digital TV, FM and digital radio and the lack of local news/events/programmes on any of them.
It would be very helpful if those of you who have concerns would contact either Adrian Wood on 01308 897 087 or myself on 01308 897 550. Or you can e-mail us on wedbag@aol.com. We will add your issues to the list and will then be able to keep you informed of our progress as well as ensuring you get a questionnaire to detail your concerns when we distribute them.
I am confident that WEDBAG can really get something done this time!
Ken Pett
BURTON BRADSTOCK 
Village Correspondent Mr Basil Dent
2, Norburton, Burton Bradstock. Tel:- (01308) 897125
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Mid Week Worship -
Holy Communion Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.
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Choir Practices Fridays at 6.00 p.m.
Bell Ringing Practices Thursdays at 7.00pm
Gift Sunday 17th April C.M.S.
For the work of Steve & Cathy Burgess
The next Service of Prayer for Healing at St Mary's will be held on Monday 11th April at 7.00pm.
Tiny Tots / Pram Service will be held at 11.00am on Friday 8th April at St. Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock.
A Family Service at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock.
Jean and I have had occasional chats with some of the parents about the possibility of starting a family service at St Mary's, Burton Bradstock. We have been very encouraged by the enthusiasm with which the idea has been received. The next thing was to plan a time.
Sunday morning is the best time for everyone except Jean and me, because we conduct services up and down the valley. Saturday mornings are best for us, but hopeless for many people whose children have commitments on Saturday mornings. Saturday afternoons are a bad option, not least because 4.30 is in the middle of the afternoon in the Summer and after dark in the Winter.
So we have decided to have a go at an after school time of 3.30 pm on a Friday. This will mean that we can run a short service through until about 4.10 when some people will have to leave to collect children who are involved in after school activities.
The plan will go something like:
3.30 meet for a drink and biscuit
3.40 start a service
4.10 end of service
but we will have to see how we go with this, and change it if it does not work. The service, in any case, will be an informal affair in which we hope to make disruption an integral part of the worship. Please do come along to give it a try. We will look forward to seeing you.
The services will begin on Friday the 15th April, and will run during school term times, with a week off for half term. Bob Thorn
The Rector recently wrote in the pew news of St Mary's, Burton Bradstock:
The P.C.C. (of St Mary's, Burton Bradstock) met again on Monday 28th February to discuss the Church fete, following the resignation of many of the members of the fete committee. Members were fully aware of how badly the P.C.C. had handled the matter, and are very sorry indeed for it. They were very aware too that many members of the congregation have voiced their objection to the proceeds of the fete not being given to "the Church"
In the light of these representations, the P.C.C. resolved that the proceeds from this year's Church fete should indeed go to the Church. No resolution was made that money from this year's Church income should go to the
There are no more meetings scheduled for this P.C.C. before the meeting of the A.P.C.M. on the 4th April. This means that the new P.C.C. will have to begin work to plan a fete for the 4th of August. It is recognised that the fete is likely to be different this year. The new P.C.C. will not have the experience and expertise of the fete committee, and will have to recognise that, such has been the hurt and cause by the mismanagement of this matter by the present P.C.C. support from within the Church and the village is unlikely to be as strong as it has been in years past.
It will be up to the new P.C.C. to decide if it should form its own fete committee. Should it do so, it will have to learn from past mistakes, and arrange matters so that such offence as has been so needlessly caused cannot occur again.
The question of whether or not the Church should be giving money from its income has not gone away, and will be for the new P.C.C. to consider. The question is of itself the tip of an iceberg, the submerged part of which is the question of "what is the Church for?" Even that is but a part of the question "what is the Church?" which is probably nonsense, because it is likely that it should be "who is the Church?" The new P.C.C. will do well, as would we all, to spend time in prayer and consideration of these things.
Salisbury
St.Mary's
Our thanks go to all who attended, and helped with, the Lent Lunch which raised £410 towards our project.
The next main event will be on Friday 20th May at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Full details will appear in next month's BVN but it will be a " May Miscellany" of musical fun and other items, so book the date in your diary now!
A Huge Thank You to everyone who came and supported the Charity Lunch in the Village Hall on 26th February, to the many who donated the food, to those who helped to set up and clear the hall, and most especially to the excellent team in the kitchen - Ann Read, Pauline Woodford, Betty Champkins, Barbara Ivall, Thelma Skues, Irene Smith and Gill Redford, and not forgetting our star waitresses Jessica and Lucy Haley and their mum Rachel. The sum of £410 was donated to St Mary's
Of treacle mines.
Last month, in the interests of not using too much of the editor's valuable space, I decided to stick to the facts about the process of treacle mining. I now realise that this was a mistake.
In response to enquiries that people have been making:-
There is Cornish mine established in part of the old Delabole slate quarries, where the natural polysaccharides are squeezed by the huge weight of the very dense rock through occasional fault lines. This mine is in the possession of a local family, who guard the mine's location very carefully. It is not, therefore, open to the public.
Moving east, I am grateful to Peter Broomhead for the loan of a book on the geology of Devon, Geology Explained in South and East Devon by John. W. Perkins, which notes the mine at Dunchideock. "The beds" he writes "were sought at night, being detected by their fluorescence in ultra-violet light." He goes on to mention other sites; Daccombe near Newton Abbott and Tamerton Foliot in Plymouth. Of all these mines he writes of "their treacle coming from beds rich in the remains of moss-like plants which lived millions of years ago."
Len Green, on reading of the treacle mine in the Rectory garden, has kindly given me a newspaper cutting of another ecclesiastical mine, by St Margaret's Church, Bisney, near Oxford, once the place of "Fair Rosamund's bower."
I have not visited, but have information on a mine as far afield as the outskirts of Palermo in Sicily. By all accounts there is a very narrow seam of treacle, which in the heat of that country becomes sticky. Being sweet as well, many insects are attracted to the place, only to find themselves caught by their own greed. This thin seam, stuck with flies and emerging from the local limestone, is believed to be the inspiration for the original idea of the Garibaldi biscuit.
I hope that these few examples will help answer those questions I have been asked. Bob Thorn
Burton Bradstock Village Society
In his welcome return visit to the Village Society on 18th Feb, David Barnikel gave us a wonderful insight into the geography and inhabitants of Greenland and
He showed us some stunning slides of icebergs, the northern lights, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, and fertile coastal plains warmed by the Gulf Stream.
He also showed us how the local people live in centrally heated wooden houses, display their sculptures and spend their time sledging with dogs. Certainly a land of the midnight sun as was proved in his final image.
We all can't wait until he goes away again so that he can come back and tell us all about it. Peter Dutton
Burton Bradstock Village Hall
Quiz Night - Saturday 9 April 2005 - 7.30 pm
Come and test your general knowledge at a Quiz Night in the Village Hall. Bring your friends and make up a team of 4-6 people and enjoy complimentary light refreshments, a cash bar, raffle and prizes for the winners. A wide variety of subjects will be covered and your specialist topic is bound to be there. Tickets, just £2.50 per team member, are available from the Post Office now. The bar will open at 7.30 pm and the quiz will begin at 8.00 pm promptly.
Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.
Application for an Occasional Licence
Please note that the following notification of application for an Occasional Licence is displayed on the Burton Bradstock Village Hall Notice Board
Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.
Tea Dance - Sunday 8 May 2005 - 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Subject to the Occasional Licence above being granted, the Village Hall Committee is planning an afternoon Tea Dance in the Village Hall to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of VE Day. There will be dancing to "Two's Company" playing and singing the music of the 1940's and a tea will be served featuring the foods which you might have had in 1945 - don't let this put you off as they knew what a proper afternoon tea was in those days despite rationing. We aim to make this a really special themed occasion and hope that people from all generations in the village will attend to make this event go with a swing and commemorate a very significant day in
Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee.
Village Fayre - Monday 30 May 2005 - 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
This year's Village Fayre, replacing the WI Spring Fair, is to be held in the Rectory Gardens on Bank Holiday Monday 30 May 2005 opening at 2.00 pm. The Village Hall Committee hopes that all villagers will want to be involved in making this event, the first Village Fayre, a success. We will need help from volunteers to run activities and much goodwill from donors to provide goods and produce to sell on the stalls. Through having such events as this, with the full involvement of all villagers, we hope to maintain the Village Hall facility for all to use and enjoy so it can remain an integral part of the village. Further details will follow in the May BVN.
Susan Moores - Secretary, Burton Bradstock Village Hall Committee
Village Clean-Up Saturday 23rd April
Volunteers are required to help tidy up the village. Meet at the Reading Room at 10.00am. Gloves, waste sacks etc. will be provided. Just one hour will be a great help.
You are probably aware that we are entering the Dorset Best Kept Village Competition so it would be helpful if parishioners could tidy up around their own properties, be aware of parking in dangerous or restricted areas, e.g. around village greens and avoid dumping litter around Wheelie Bins at the beach.
The Parish Council has space on its four notice boards for advertising Charity events and would prefer organizations to use these notice boards rather than decorate telegraph poles.
Many thanks for your help in these matters.
Fel Moore - Parish Clerk
Burton Bradstock - Meeting of Coordinators
On Tuesday 17th May at 7.30 p.m. at 16 Hive Close, there will be a meeting of all coordinators at which Sgt Colin Mathias, P.C Nat Cameron's replacement and Mr. Malcolm Davenport the new Ringmaster Manager will be present.
Freddy Tame. Tel 897957
N.C.H. Collection
Many thanks to all residents who gave to this year's N.C.H collection in Grove Road and Grove Orchard. We raised £50 which will be put to the many good projects for children in which the N C H is involved.
Thank you all. Joyce Roberts
Hooray! Village Hall "100" Club becomes "200 Club"!
The first Draw will have taken place on 15th March with 100 members on board! So now we head for 200! If you are not a member yet please join in the fun - membership forms at the Post Office or from John Grantham 01308-897935. Your sub (£1 per monthly draw) is £9 to year-end before the draw on 1st April, or £8 before the draw on 1st May. John Grantham
Madalina Rusu Concert Dorchester Thursday May 19th 8.00pm
Madalina Rusu - the Romanian girl who learned the piano by playing on keys painted on a large sheet of paper on a table, and imagined the music in her head! - now a scholar at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, plays Beethoven, Rachmaninov etc. at the Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 8.00pm Thursday 19th May. Return coach available from Burton Bradstock. Ticket + coach details available from John Grantham (01038897935)
Burton Bradstock WI
We met on the 15th March, too late to be included in this report, but a thank you goes to Mary Burr who, for the past few years has organised the '100 Club', raising money for the WI hall, the last draw was held at the March meeting.
On February 26th a very enjoyable skittles evening was held at Freshwater; future events include a Safari Supper and a Barbeque.
The WI Spring Council meeting is to be held in Weymouth on April 19th, guest speaker Kate Adie; and there is an outing to Salisbury and Cranborne House on July 20th, contact Audrey Hayward on 898528 for details.
The annual general meeting is to be held on April 12th at 7.30pm, new members are welcome. Heather Seadon.
Burton Bradstock and The Trafalgar Ride
"Sea
As part of the National Programme of Events during "Sea Britain 2005" Lapenotiere's Trafalgar Ride will be replicated during late August 2005 using a specially built Post Chaise. "Lieutenant Lapenotiere" will be played by an actor carrying "The New Trafalgar Dispatch" to be presented at Civic Ceremonies to Mayors of the towns en route. Because of particular connection with Captain Hardy, approval was given for a diversion from the original route to Portesham.
But Burton Bradstock also has a particular connection with the Battle. Midshipman Richard Roberts, the son of the mill owner living in Grove House was serving in HMS Victory and was Captain Hardy's clerk recording Victory's part in the battle. When it became known that he had survived, his mother celebrated by providing ale for all the villagers and the bellringers rang the church bells with such gusto that several bell ropes were broken.
It has now been specially arranged that after completing ceremonies in Bridport and on its way to Portesham, the Post Chaise carrying The New Trafalgar Dispatch will visit Burton Bradstock in the early afternoon of Sunday 21 August 2005. A copy of the Dispatch will be presented to the Parish Council in a short civic ceremony, a celebratory peal of bells will be rung and who knows, Ale and Tea may be available!
This will be a unique, historic and exciting occasion to add to the history of our village and one worth making into something of an occasion. Any ideas and offers of help please contact either the Parish Council representative, Celia Cummins of Grove House or myself.
Gwyn Pritchard
"The Wind in the Willows"
Our congratulations go to Liz Slater, David Woodford, the actors and the entire production team. You entertained us, lifted our spirits, gave us a delightful break from reality (we all had empathy with Moley's " bother spring cleaning!") and sent us away with a song in our hearts and a spring in our step. Thank you!
Liz Derryman & Heather Thomson
Not "three little maids from school" but much loved ladies from Burton who have looked after us in the shop and the library for countless years. There cannot be anyone in the village ( and probably in the entire Valley ) who has not been the recipient of their help at some time over the years. Our very best wishes for their future, love and thanks go to them both.
Ann & Mike wish to thank all their dear friends for the greetings, messages and gifts sent to them for March 6th. Thank you for making our day special.
Burton Bradstock Village Website Address
Loads of information on the village including maps, videos, current events, useful contacts and history.
And, did you know that the Bride Valley News is published on this web site every month?
It includes every back issue of the magazine, as far back as January 2000.
All this, and it's in colour too!
SHIPTON GORGE 
Village Correspondent: Mrs. Joy White
Eastcote 3 Gullivers Orchard Shipton Gorge
Tel: ( 01308 )897974
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Easter Family Service
All are welcome to our celebration of Easter at St. Martin's church on Sunday 3rd. April at 4p.m. and afterwards in the village hall for Easter treats.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place on Wednesday 6th April, at 7.30p.m. in the village hall, for the election of Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors, and to receive various annual reports. This year we are also electing members to the Deanery Synod.
We shall need nominations for two Churchwardens (which must be received in writing by the Rector before the commencement of the meeting - ask him for a form). Nominations for PCC may be made verbally at the meeting.
Tower News
A visiting team from Somerset will be ringing at St Martins on Thursday 28th April for an hour from 11.30am.
Hats for
I would like to say a very big thank-you to all the ladies in the Valley who have responded to my notice last month for woolly hats. The response has been terrific and we now have several hundred hats - the hold-up now is just getting them out to
With many thanks to you all. Ivy R.Platt
See page 4 for details of The Knit-in at Burton Rectory on Monday 18th April.
Shipton Gorge Village Hall 100 Club
March Draw Winners
| £20 |
No. 94 |
Geoffrey Howlett |
| £10 |
No. 53 |
Gerald Benselin |
Shipton Gorge Village Website
SWYRE 
Village Correspondent: Sid Marshall
3 Green Barton, Swyre Tel: 897318
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Church Annual Meeting
This will take place during and after Evensong at 6.30pm on 3rd April. All Swyre Parishioners are most welcome to attend.
Anthony Ashwell
Best Kept Village Competition 2005
The Parish Council was disappointed that the Village did not improve its position in the 2004 competition but has entered the 2005 competition. It has been suggested that some villagers might like to volunteer to improve the appearance of the Village and hopefully its position in the competition. If anyone would like to do so, please telephone Ken Martin on 897622.
Swyre Churchyard working party.
Saturday 9th April, 10am - 12noon.
Come along and give a hand for just as long as you can manage, to help keep our churchyard in good condition. There are jobs to suit most abilities. Bring along tools and gardening gloves if you can.
I'm one of the poets and you don't know it!
| (i) To live in Swyre I think is great No need to rush just contemplate. Until one day in the Bride Valley News Appeared a Poem to which I mused. |
(iv) Now Steve the Cheese can pen a rhyme But has he really got the time? Or Pauline Smith the district Nurse, I'm sure that she could write a verse. |
| (ii) One month later a second appeared The start of an epidemic I feared. To find the poet is my aim And put an end to his wordy game. |
(v) And further on there's Peter May Now on the club he'd have all day. Or maybe Steve who climbs the Trees I'm sure he would write a verse with ease. |
| (iii) First Mike was mentioned as the scribe An honour he would take with pride. And I know Mike can be satirical But I'm not sure that he'd Wax Lyrical. |
(vi) Or look at the Bull both Chris and Sue At this time of year have little to do. Now the only thing playing on my mind Is who is out there writing the rhyme. |
Disability Discrimination Act questionnaire.
Thank you to all villagers and other church goers who completed and returned these. There was at least a 30% response rate, which has given us a good idea of the needs of the people who use, or may use, Swyre Church. Briefly, mobility access did not seem to be a big problem, with all but one person being able to access the church unaided, provided the path was dry, and just one person needing assistance to push their wheelchair up the sloping path. Hearing was a bigger issue, with 1/3 of the respondents admitting to a hearing difficulty and feeling that some form of sound amplification would help. Although only a few people said they had a visual problem, the biggest issue was the need for large print hymn and service books. We will address this issue as soon as possible. If you would like a full analysis of the results please contact me by tel. 898492 or e mail: dandy@dandyhollybush.plus.net
Yvonne Buckland
SWYRE WEBSITE
Temporary address:- http://www.geocities.com/swyre1/
PUNCKNOWLE SWYRE WEST BEXINGTON
Puncknowle and Swyre Parish Council
Parish Council Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Parish Council on Tuesday 5th April in the Puncknowle Church Hall at 7.30pm.
Annual Parish Assembly 2005
The Annual village Meeting will be held on the 19th April. This is an open forum for villagers to hear how local groups are operating and to express their opinions and make suggestions.
The Church Hall will soon be managed by a team of villagers and your ideas for its future use will be welcomed. The present Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee will be telling us about progress and your ideas for its future use will be welcomed.
You will have noticed that the Napper Field is now an established Allotment Gardens site. Funds will still be generated for charitable purposes which will be distributed at Christmas as usual. The Parish Council would like Parishioners' views on how these funds should be shared. In recent years the gifts have been given to elderly residents, but the Charity was set up very many years ago for the relief of poverty, and does not necessarily only apply to older persons. With the change of use and a more businesslike manner of managing the asset, now would seem to be a good time to discuss the criteria for the future allocation of the fund.
Representatives of the Western Area Transport Group will be telling us about how the Travel needs of villagers are being met and how it is hoped to meet their needs in the future.
We hope to see as many villagers as possible at the meeting Now is the time for you to put your point of view on any subject, and to learn what is happening in the villages. If you would like to have a subject put on the Agenda please let the Parish Council Chairman, Madeline Marshall, 897318, or the Parish Clerk Carolyn Buckland, 897726, know by the 5th April.
Village Barn Dance
Saturday 16th April, 7.30pm. Puncknowle Church Hall
with live music from David Powell and friends.
All are welcome - no experience necessary!
Fun for young and old, dancers and spectators!
Bring your own drinks - light refreshments provided.
Donations appreciated.
Coffee Morning on Saturday 16 April at 11.00am, Puncknowle Church Hall, to raise funds for Colfox Minibus Appeal and Save the Children Fund - see Valley Notes for further details
Puncknowle Swyre and West Bexington Homewatch
Community Vehicle - will be at Puncknowle Bottom on Tuesday 12th April 14.00 - 15.00
"Traffic Light Warning System" - We shall be piloting the Traffic Light warning system in Springfield and Looke Lane in April. A series of small signs will be positioned at each end of Looke Lane and in Springfield. Each sign will have a coloured poster in them.
If the poster is green there will have been no Crime Incidents in our area. The telephone number for your local Homewatch representative will appear as well as mine as Coordinator.
If the poster is amber. There will be a warning message stating that there may be a crime or a Police report relating to crime scenes in areas near our village. Again the telephone number for your local Homewatch representative will appear as well as mine as Coordinator for more information.
If the poster is red then there has been a reported crime within the Parish. Information will be given about the crime and what preventative measures should be taken. Telephone numbers of Homewatch representatives and the Police will be given for more detailed information.
Since our area thankfully has a low rate of crime the signs will mostly be green but please look out as they may change. The pilot scheme will last for three months and if successful it will be extended to the rest of Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington.
I will be giving a brief report about the scheme and Homewatch activities over the last year at the Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington Parish AGM on the 12th April. Andy Marshall 897732
Puncknowle and Swyre Summer Fete
30th July 2005
We are still keen to hear from anyone who would like to help with stalls on the day. Please contact a Puncknowle & Swyre fete working party member who will be pleased to Summer Fete hear from you.
This year we are organising a village band to play before and during the fete. Peter Thorpe or fete organisers would like to hear from all budding musicians of all ages and abilities from the 3 villages who would like to be part of the group.
Raffle tickets will be available from Easter. These will be offered round but if you would like some or some more please let me or one of the team know.
David Buckland 898492
PUNCKNOWLE & WEST BEXINGTON 
Village Correspondent: Elizabeth Slater
1, Lytton Close, Puncknowle, Dorchester DT2 9BH
Telephone: ( 01308 ) 897751
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Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This will take place during and after the Morning Service at 9.30am on 17th April. All Puncknowle Parishioners are most welcome to attend. Anthony Ashwell
Puncknowle & West Bexington
A big thank-you to all those who supported the Frugal Lunch in The Church Hall at Puncknowle. The sum of £135 was raised in aid of Send-a-Cow (or goat or chicken) and has now been sent to the society who will give an appropriate animal to a needy family. The family will be trained in its management and its welfare followed after being given.
Ann Roberts
Bride Valley Fledglings Playgroup
See Page 7 (Valley Notes Section ) for report.
Puncknowle Art Group
Our first meeting in February was held at Bridport Arts Centre to see Kit Glaisyer's exhibition of paintings. We met with the artist who gave us an interesting talk about his work. Many thanks to Sallie for leading our next meeting and bringing in a collection of natural colours in the shape of stones, pottery and bark. We then attempted to recreate these lovely colours in paint.
Meetings for April are:- 1st bring favourite pictures for comment
15th work in progress (at Patria)
29th video (at Crosstrees Farm Cottage).
Christine Molony
LITTON CHENEY 
Village Correspondent:
Elizabeth Kingston 5 Manor Farm Close, Litton Cheney
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Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th April at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. All Litton Cheney Parishioners are most welcome to attend. Anthony Ashwell
Fete '05 30th May at Court House
Although it's only just April, it's not too early to start preparations for the Fete! If you are skilled at handicrafts, now is the time to get busy making things. How about spring-cleaning your freezer? If there is fruit lurking at the bottom, then please turn it into jam or chutney. Too many books cluttering your shelves? We'll be happy to have them. Then there are plants - we need lots of them for our Plant Stall, so while you are planting seeds, potting on, splitting clumps and preparing your gardens for the summer, please put some things aside for us. There will be a full list of all stalls and stall-holders in the May edition of the BVN.
Litton Archaeology Group
This informal group, which formed following the Vital Villages Survey, will be meeting at the Bus Shelter at 10 am on Saturday 2nd April for a walk around and discussion of the Medieval Sites in Litton Cheney. All welcome.
Interested in Community Composting?
Come along on Thursday 7th April to The White Horse Inn at 7.30 pm to find out about and join the small group who formed after the Vital Villages survey to take this project forward. 482102/482384
Litton Cheney Social Committee
The Committee were deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Neil Jeffrey on the recent village walk. Neil and his wife Valerie moved to Litton Cheney in December 2001 and Neil promptly joined the Social Committee in the following May. At the first meeting he attended he volunteered to be Treasurer. He discharged these responsibilities with a professionalism and diligence which were his trademark. Neil was a conscientious member of the committee, totally reliable, always encouraging and interested in the social life of the village. His friendly welcoming face was ever present at our events helping people to part with their money with a smile! He was such a nice person that we shall miss him greatly and remember him with happy memories.
We would like to thank Hugh who was such a great help on the fateful day and also to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who arrived within minutes. One of the last duties Neil had undertaken was the writing of a cheque to the Air Ambulance as a donation from the Committee, funds you had all helped to raise. We will also be making a further donation in memory of Neil.
This month - Saturday 16th April - Litter Pick weather permitting - meet at the Bus Shelter at 10.00 am. Kathy Kourik Secretary LCSC 482552
Shop/Producer's Market
As a result of the village survey and an open meeting in January, a working group has now been set up to investigate the possibility/viability of having a shop in the village. In addition the group is also looking at creating a Producer's/Farmer's Market over the coming months, with the first one possibly in June. Watch this space - more news in May's BVN. For more information and if you would like to be part of the market, contact John Firrell 482313
Visit the web site for the latest news.
The group meets at The White Horse Inn
at 8 o'clock on the first Monday of each month.
All welcome.
LONG BREDY 
Village Correspondent:
Mrs. Elinor Frost, Bridelands ( 482269 )
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Frugal Lunch As a result of everyone's kindness £200 was gratefully received by Hope and Homes for Children. Thank you all very much indeed for making lovely soups and for coming and giving so generously.
An important date for the diary is Saturday 16th July, the Village Fete. Mr & Mrs Carter have kindly agreed to have the fete in their lovely gardens.
Fete Meeting Last year some villagers expressed their disappointment in not being approached to help with the fete. To ensure this does not happen again everyone is invited to attend a Fete meeting in the Village Hall on 4th April at approximately 8:15pm. This follows the AGM of the Village Hall at 7:30pm.
Village Hall AGM This will be at 7.30 in the village hall, try to come along and help maintain the valuable facility for the village
Eve Bailey has made a very pretty kneeler for the church. It is in memory of Jack and Susie Bailey; their names are worked around the sides and with flowers on the top. It was dedicated at our Palm Sunday Service. Thank you very much for this lovely gift.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Trevor and Hilary Green are going to run in the marathon on Tresco in the Scilly Isles on April 17th, which is the same day as the one in London. Trevor ran in that Marathon when he was 40; this year, to celebrate their 50th birthdays, they are going in for the Tresco.
The Tresco marathon is held entirely in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which is a charity close to their hearts because of Duncan's condition. If anyone would like to sponsor their efforts they would be very grateful.
There is a sponsor form at the reception desk at the Southfield Veterinary Centre in Dorchester, and a clipboard will be left at the front door of the Old Garden in case no one is at home. The CF Trust can reclaim tax paid on donations if people will give their full name and address and tick the " Gift Aid" box on the form. Money back from the Taxman. If donations are put through the door please could they be cheques for security and made payable to "The Cystic Fibrosis Trust"
Tresco is only a small island, so the 26.2 miles of the marathon has to be run in 3.5 mile circuits. This is about the same as running from the Old Garden, Long Bredy to Litton and then back along the valley road. People now know why they have been running round in circles.
Long Bredy Spring Clean
The Parish council would once again like to invite everyone in Long Bredy to come and help spring clean the village on Saturday 9th of April. To pick up litter around the village (not the A35). Turn up at 10.00 by the telephone box in the centre of the village, gloves and sacks will be provided. Free refreshments will be available in the garden at "Maybyrne", the invitation to join us for coffee is also open to those people who are unable to help with the spring clean but would like to meet up for a chat.
Dorset Mobile Library
The new timetable starts in April, the van will be parked in Long Bredy by the telephone Box on Thursday 7th and 21st of April, 2.25-3.10pm. Did you know the mobile library is open to everyone and is free to join? As well as books you can borrow videos, talking books, large print books and even buy stamps. Books can be ordered and returned, even when borrowed from other libraries.
Long Bredy and Litton Cheney WI
This month is on the 5th of April at Long Bredy Village Hall, it is the AGM plus card games etc.
Our congratulations and best wishes to David and Win Reed, on 2nd April they are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
LITTLEBREDY 
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th April at a venue not yet decided as we go to press. Please check the church notice board for further information. All Littlebredy Parishioners are most welcome to attend. Anthony Ashwell
LITTLEBREDY NOTES.
As Littlebredy residents will know, the frugal lunch announced in last month's magazine was scrapped, in favour of a Village Hall supper on the same day. That was a tremendous success, so thanks and congratulations to all those who organised it and/or contributed food. £140.00 has been sent to Christian Aid for ongoing Tsunami relief as a result.
There are two welcomes to record this month. Peter and Carrie-Ann Jackson have moved from Charminster into Littlebredy Farmhouse, with Chloe (18), Barnie (15), Isabel (12), Alice (9) and Jemima (6), plus a menagerie of ponies, dogs and cats. We hope they will all enjoy village life and be very happy in their new home.
Church Walk is also re-occupied. Edward and Christine McFadden are moving from Bath during April. Likewise, we trust that life here will be enjoyable and fulfilling for them both.
Rohan Bate has a few weeks of his Royal Naval College Dartmouth career to go, before he passes out and joins the Navy proper. He has some leave in April, during which he is running in the London Marathon on April 17th, in aid of King George's Fund for Sailors. He gives due notice that he will be turning up on doorsteps with a sponsorship form beforehand, and craves the generosity of his neighbours.
We hope this magazine can be distributed - and read! - before the end of March, because the Social Club's regular event on the first Friday evening of the month falls on the 1st April. There is no special event planned when the Hall and bar are open that night, but it will be the second attempt to hold the A.G.M., deferred from February following an unusually small turnout on that occasion. Please can as many members as possible attend to hear the committee's report and vote in any elections which are held. Short notice, admittedly, but not too short we hope.