Bride Valley News August 2001

One hot summer's evening in the late sixties Anna and I stopped off for a bowl of spaghetti in West London on our way home to Wiltshire. Exceptionally in the capital at this time, there were tables out on the pavement, and we sat out enjoying our increasingly polluted pasta and watching the world go by. And it did go by! This was a Sunday evening, yet people were out en masse, and none too quiet about it either. A policeman walked by and commented "It's the hot nights when the boys and girls come out to play." How wise, and obvious when you think about it, but we'd never thought about it.

In the news on the hot nights of this summer have been Oldham, Accrington, Burnley, Bradford, and sadly probably more before this article gets into your living rooms (I hope it gets that far!). But no, these apparently racist riots are not confined to the north; they are recurring all over the country, but not to such a newsworthy extent. London, Bristol, with disturbances even in Axminster and Bridport, all brought on by a combination of many factors, particularly heat, cultural differences, and ignorance, with hearty helpings of alcohol, poverty and politics.

It seems to me that perhaps the biggest problem is being different in some way from others, and people cannot help noticing differences. Have you noticed that if somebody has a particularly large spot on his or her face, you can't help staring at it? And have you noticed that when you have a particularly large spot on your face, others stare at it? People notice too different skin colour, or a physical disability, or odd clothes, or an unusual personality, or a different language, and so on. Unfortunately our animal origins tend to make us suspicious of differences at best, and rejecting of it at worst. Noticing turns comment into teasing, even into abuse and violence and murder. This is what can happen when boys and girls come out to play because they have followed basic instincts, and have not been able to stop and think about their actions.

We, though, are not animal, we are human. God has given us minds to think with; most of the time we don't have to do what we feel compelled to. Perhaps you feel compelled to reject this article! You don't have to: think about it!

Thinking about being stared at (see "From the Clergy" article) I go to give blood in Dorchester every four months or so. This really is a painless (but slightly time consuming) way of loving one's neighbour, who in this case will never be known. If I appear at their sessions in my clerical collar I'm really stared at (I'm used to this now), which is odd because aren't clergy about helping to save lives anyway? Do think about being a donor.

The Revd. Helena McKinnon, a chaplin to Bristol University students, led our Guild of Health's Meditation and Prayer Group's annual Quiet Day with gentleness and inspiration.

There were forty of us, and we felt bathed in God's love. He loves us with passion, and we receive this at all levels of feeling: in our hearts, our guts, our souls, our minds. We need to recover the knowledge of our own uniqueness, our likeness to God; we need to recapture the nature of the sacred in this busy and muddled world, to 'stand and stare', to be and not only to do; we need to make sacred the meeting between people.

With our minds we need to seek wisdom and not just be clever, and we are blessed to want to thirst after the spiritual in all things. We are, in fact, on a journey, and it is this journey which is the place of discovery. We are at all times in touch with the eternal: the past is the past, the future is dreams - but we are given the NOW, and the gift of living fully with heart, soul, mind and strength right now.

Thank you, Helena. And thank you everyone at Othona for the welcome, the soup, the beauty of the place and the space to be truly quiet. What a jewel we have in the Bride Valley!

Eighteen years ago, whilst on a residential visit to Cornwall, I was one of a group of Staff and children exploring coastal rock pools on a calm day when I gradually became aware of a rumbling sound. Turning towards the sea I was literally frozen to the spot by the sight of a huge breaking wave bearing down on us. The wave swept up the beach to within inches of a group of children and their teacher. It was totally unexpected and no one could adequately explain where it had come from. Had we been a little further down the beach the results could have been tragic.

Over the Summer Term all of our children from 6 years old upwards have been on residential visits. Every year our Y.2's have a gentle introduction to the experience by spending two nights at the well-organised and secure Hooke Court residential centre. Our younger juniors use Leeson House in East Dorset to explore environmental studies, and our older juniors alternate annually between a four night Dartmoor residential and two nights in central London.

To enable this to happen all of my teaching and many non-teaching staff and other volunteers are prepared to accept the responsibility of caring for the single most precious thing that my parents own, something that it is simply impossible to put a price on, their child.

This responsibility is simply awesome and can only be accepted with the full trust of the parents. We strive to achieve that through the rigorous checks and balances we put into these residentials.

Following the seemingly inevitable headlines again this year about tragedy and loss on school visits, many of you may ask WHY? We are not required to run these trips. In fact we are not required to do much more than teach the prescribed curriculum from 9.00 a.m. - 3.20 p.m., but most teachers have a burning desire to develop to the best of their ability the full potential of each child. This includes nurturing and guiding the children's need to gain greater independence as they grow older and their ability to co-exist collaboratively with each other.

Good parents understand their role in this process but it is emotionally difficult to push your own child away. Burton Bradstock School residential trips provide a safe structure within which children can explore these issues whilst also having wonderful and stimulating learning opportunities. I shall continue to promote and support the running of residential visits within the strict safety guidelines laid down by my school governors, the L.E.A. and the government. There will always be the potential for an accident, just as there is at home or in school, but we cannot sterilise our children against this by surrounding them in cotton wool. Calculated risk taking is part of life.

When each class returns from their visit we offer a prayer of thanks for their safe return.

The summer holidays are here with us again, but that also means that we have said goodbye to a number of our pupils. This year we have had to say cheerio to one of the biggest, if not the biggest cohort to go through Thorner's in recent times: 22 year 6 children, (too many to name individually), all of whom are going to Sir John Colfox School in September. A number of these children have been at Thorner's since they started school, so they know one another well. In the past seven years they have become familiar with their surroundings and gained in confidence both academically and socially. Others, seven in fact, have joined the school as I arrived, or since I started two years ago. It is not always easy to fit in with new people and new ways, sometimes having moved home, leaving friends behind. They will now be moving on to a much larger school and experiencing new areas of the curriculum, coming into contact with more teachers and possibly meeting up with 'old friends'. We wish you all the best as you embark on the next educational steps towards your future. Don't forget us! To those of you who have already made the transition, remember what it felt like and be sympathetic.

There are others who will be leaving us too, some to move to other schools or take up different challenges, wherever you go, good luck!

This term sees us saying farewell, but not goodbye, to Daphne Hawkins as she retires to spend more time with her family. We have persuaded her to keep in touch and hopefully we will have many visits from her and possibly her 'Pat' dogs in the coming years. It is an end of an era as she has been part of Thorner's for some considerable time, encouraging and cajoling pupils to achieve the best that they can, with a sympathetic yet firm manner. Her calmness and quiet efficiency will be missed.

To everyone we hope that you have a pleasant summer and come back refreshed and ready to start anew.

Cream Teas will be served in the "Garden by the Sea " - Bethany, 7 Hammonds Mead, Charmouth, on Wednesday 8th August ( Not 1st August as printed in last month's B.V.N. ) from 3.00 - 5.00 pm. There will also be a craft stall. Everyone welcome. The proceeds will go to the Bible Society.

The Dorset Historic Churches Trust Annual Sponsored Cycle Ride

Saturday 8th September 2001

If you enjoy cycling and would like to help raise some money for your own church as well as helping to preserve many other churches, why not take part in this Sponsored Cycle Ride?

Although hundreds of cyclists take part in this Ride, it is a very individual event. You can visit as many (or as few) churches as you wish, any time between 10.00am and 6.00pm on Saturday 8th September, 2001. Half of your sponsorship money is raised for your own nominated church and the other half goes to the Dorset Historic Churches Trust which provides financial support to churches in need.

The Wessex Chamber Ensemble, will be giving a string quartet concert in St. Martin's Church, Shipton Gorge on Saturday, August 4th at 7.30 p.m. All the proceeds from this event will go towards the 'New Scout Hut' Appeal. The programme includes the popular Adagio for Organ & Strings by Albinoni, an aria from a Handel opera & two string quartets - Quartet in D Major Op.76 No. 5 by Joseph Haydn and Quartet in F Major Op. 96 by Antonin Dvorák.

Admission is by programmes, price £4 (including a glass of wine). These are available from Brian & Janet Lane (897241 ), or at the door. Brian & Janet Lane

The young Romanian pianist, who visited us in 1999, will give a recital in the WI Hall, Burton Bradstock, at 7.30pm on Thursday 9th August. Programme will include works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninov and Enescu. Tickets and programme £4 at the door. All proceeds will go towards Maddie's studies.

If you are unable to attend on 9th August, her recital will be repeated at St. Mary's Church, Beaminster, on Friday 10th August at 7.30pm.

And another note for your diary ....... on Friday 31st August, 7.30pm, WI Hall Burton Bradstock, a recital given by Ionut Ulita (piano) and Ioana Peteu (cello) - watch out for the posters!

21st Burton Bradstock Festival

The festival this year will be on 9th to 11th August and as usual in St Mary's church. The concerts will be given on Thursday 9th August at 12-45 p.m., Friday 10th August at 7-30 p.m. and Saturday 11th August at 7-30 p.m. There will be no concert on Thursday evening as the Romanian pianist Madalina Rusu will be giving a recital in the W.I.Hall.

Performing at the festival concerts will be the London Festival Players and Counterpoint with soloists David Juritz (violin), Neil Black (oboe), Colin Bradbury (clarinet), Hilary Kenway (soprano), Mary Ryan (flute), David Mason (trumpet) and Hubert Dawkes (keyboard). The programmes will include music by Bach, Charpentier, Grieg, Handel, Mozart, Monteverdi and Weber.

Tickets are on sale from the Post Office, Burton Bradstock; The Book Shop, South Street, Bridport or from Mary Ryan, The Rookery, Burton Bradstock. Applications for tickets to The Rookery should include a stamped addressed envelope. Ticket prices for the evening concerts are £7-50 and £5-00, for the lunchtime concert £5-00 and season tickets are £18-00.

There are further details of the Burton Bradstock Festival in STOP PRESS on Page 27

A Barn Dance will be held at the Burton Bradstock WI Hall on Tuesday 21st August from 8-11 p.m. Families welcome. Admission £3 adults and £2 children. All proceeds to go to the Joseph Weld Hospice. For more details tel.01308 897650 or 07956 180258.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Bride Valley Brownies Bring-and-Buy Sale on 4th July. £122.27 was raised for A.I.O.S Orphans in Africa.

There will be another chance to visit the gardens at Manor Farm on Thursday 16th August, when Cream Teas will be served during the afternoon in aid of Cancer Research.

Monday 27th August from 2.00pm on The Green by the church. Cream teas, stalls & games, new - to - you fashions, produce, fun for ALL ages.

The Ladybirds are having their summer break so their next meeting is in September.

The Branch would like to thank all those who helped on the day, donated items for the various stalls or supported the event on the occasion of the Annual Garden Party held on July 5th. The total raised, including donations, was £833.36, which, after deducting expenses, came to £790.12 for the Society. Special thanks to our Rector and Pam for the use of their garden. Basil Dent

Askerswell Church Flower Festival Saturday & Sunday 1st & 2nd September 11.00 am - 6.00 pm

R.B.L.Women's Section will be holding their Summer Sale on Thursday 16th August in the W.I. Hall, Burton Bradstock from 2.00 - 4.00pm. There will be cakes for sale, stalls, a raffle and refreshments. Admission is free; items for sale will be gratefully received.

Mrs.Elizabeth Gale will conduct a 'Village Walk' on Tuesday 21st August, commencing at 2.00pm. The walk will last approximately 2 hours.

BRIDPORT OPEN STUDIOS 2001 25, 26, 27 August 2001

Includes artists living and working in the Bride Valley.

Over 50 venues to visit, including the Open Art Exhibition at Bridport Arts Centre and 'Art on the Walls' of Bridport Community Hospital and 60 artists and craftspeople, who live and work in Bridport and the surrounding villages, invite visitors into their studios, workshops and homes to view the outstanding range and quality of art and crafts being produced in this small area of West Dorset.

Free guide booklets are available from local arts centres, libraries and tourist information centres. There will be displays showing details and photos of work by all the artists taking part in Bridport Arts Centre and Bridport Town library the week before the Bank Holiday Weekend.

In the Bride Valley, John Hubbard will be opening his studio at Chilcombe to view prints and drawings made over the last 25 years; in Litton Cheney, Mary Court will be showing her vibrant Expressionist Paintings. Jasper Shackleton of Top Parts, Little Bredy is opening his workshop to show his remarkable furniture with decorative inlays. Brian Cocks at West Bexington will be showing his powerful paintings of the sea and skies over Chesil Beach. Tim Sage, who lives in Long Bredy, will be sharing a venue in Bridport this year to show his lively pastel life drawings.

I think that this promises to be a very exciting event this year, with almost twice as many artists as last year, with something for everyone's taste and an attraction for local people and visitors alike.

Special services are being held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 3.30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, Walditch for people who have a hearing loss. The services are taken by the Chaplain for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, the Reverend Peter Aves.

Full communication support is given including a loop system, so nobody should miss anything that is going on.

Please feel free to join us on any of these Sundays where you will be assured of a warm welcome.

Don't wait until it gets worse; come along and join the lip-reading class and learn how to cope in these sort of situations. Meet new friends, learn a new skill and, more importantly, have fun.

Classes are held at the The Adult Education Centre, St. Andrews Road, Bridport on Tuesday afternoons from 2.00p.m. - 4.00p.m., starting Tuesday 18th September.

For more information please ring Mags Chue on 01308 897543 or the Adult Education Centre on 01305 251400

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 19th August The Pilsdon Community.

Tiny Tots / Pram Service There will be no service in August. The next service will be on Friday 21st September at 11 am.

The next Healing Services at St Mary's will be held on Monday 6th August ( Holy Communion with Healing on The Feast of The Transfiguration ) at 7.00 pm, and Monday 3rd September at 7.00 pm.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Wedding 30th June Nicholas C. S. Lowe and Caroline E. C. Fenton

Funeral 11th July A. Joan Forsey

St Mary's Church Fete A warm welcome awaits our readers and holidaymakers at The Rectory garden on Thursday 2nd August at 2.00 pm. There will be a variety of stalls and sideshows, and much more - plenty to amuse and enjoy.

Patronal Festival On Sunday 12th August we celebrate the Feast Day of our patron saint Mary the Virgin with a Parish Communion at 11 am, followed by drinks in The Rectory garden; and Evensong at 6.30 pm.

BURTON BRADSTOCK PLAYERS

The Burton Bradstock Players are pleased to announce that following the break in productions last winter, they are planning to present two shows this coming season.

First on November 8th, 9th and 10th we plan to stage the Noël Coward play "RELATIVE VALUES", directed by Daphne Ekins and then well into the new year, the pantomine "ALADDIN", directed by Mike Read, during the week 25th February to 2nd March.

The dates for Readings, Auditions and Rehearsals are ;

"RELATIVE VALUES"

Readings Tues 28th and Thurs 30th August, 7-30pm. Reading Room

Rehearsals Start on 4th September, ( Tues & Thurs )

"ALADDIN"

Reading Thurs 11th October, 7-30pm. W.I.Hall

Auditions Thurs 18th October, 7-30pm. W.I.Hall

Rehearsals Start on 15th November.

The dates have been arranged so that members can participate in both productions if they wish. As always, the success of these shows will depend very much on getting the necessary level of enthusiastic support, both on-stage and back-stage. If you are interested in joining in with either or both these productions, please come along to the relevant start-up meetings or get in touch with me or any other member of the committee.

Mike Southgate, Chairman BB Players. - 897487

From Clare Viney

Some of you will know that I have been living and working at the Othona Community House for the last three years.

In September I am leaving the Community and plan to live in Bridport. I shall be taking up full time gardening again, having been a self employed gardener for many years before I came to Dorset. I shall continue to come to St Mary's and hope to take a fuller part in church and village life. So see you there or in your gardens, see advert!

BURTON BRADSTOCK PARISH COUNCIL

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

As from 1st August the new Clerk to the Parish Council is Mr F MOORE. All correspondence for Burton Bradstock Parish Council should be addressed to: Mr F Moore, Clerk, Burton Bradstock Parish Council, 261, St Andrews Road, Bridport, DT6 3DU.

Telephone: 459001.

Your Councillors are:

Mr N. Thompson Chairman - Tel: 897670

Mr F. W. Tame Vice Chairman - Tel: 897957

Mrs G. Heal - Tel: 897539

Mrs V. Bull - Tel: 897209

Mrs E. Ripley - Tel: 897010

Mr J. D. Ivall - Tel: 897470

Mr M. E. Southgate - Tel: 897487

Mr D. Batten Tel: 897944

Mr B. Tebbs Tel: 898025

Burton Bradstock W.I.

A meeting was held on Tuesday 10th July when 40 members were welcomed by the president Mrs Joan Dady.

A very interesting and enlightening talk was given by Professor Duncan Harris, Chairman of the West Dorset Group of the Dorset Wild Life Trust. He talked about the chalk downlands stretching from Eggardon Hill to Cranborne Chase, The Vales of Marshwood and Blackmore and the Heathland east of Dorchester, with its amazing variety of wild life. There are now 40 Nature reserves in the West of Dorset which the Public can visit. It was excellent to feel that the Trust is preserving our heritage in the countryside.

The Vote of Thanks was given by June Fox

100 Club Winners 1st Jenny Conway 2nd Joan Gillett

3rd Jean Cradduck 4th Janet Holmes

Flowers for the President's table Jean Leach

Flower of the Month was won by Shirley Parker with a beautiful double petunia.

DORSET CANCER CARE AND BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

GARDENS OPEN DAY, 24th JUNE 2001.

We would like to say how grateful we are to everyone who attended the Gardens Open Day and who helped to achieve the magnificent sum of £2,455 which will be shared between the above two Charities.

Very special thanks to all 21 "gardeners" who had obviously worked so hard prior to the event and to everyone who helped us to make it such a success. It proved to be a very happy occasion and we are very grateful to you all.

Heather Thomson and Veda Bull

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SHIPTON GORGE St Martin's Shipton Gorge

Village Correspondent: Mrs.Joy White

Eastcote

3 Gullivers Orchard Shipton Gorge

Tel(01308)897974

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Baptism 8th July Charlotte C. A. Marley

SHIPTON GORGE HOMEWATCH

Just a reminder to all Shipton Gorge residents.

PLEASE do not leave garden tools and machinery at the front of the house, especially if you go inside for any reason, as they have a tendency to wander off.

Keep front doors and lower windows closed, even if it is hot weather, as the opportunist thief is always on the prowl.

IF there are any problems regarding security or any suspicious activities, please contact the police, me, or your local homewatch contact.

Frank Rogers. 03108 897821

SHIPTON GORGE VILLAGE SOCIETY ARE HAVING A STREET FAIR ON SATURDAY 18th AUGUST IN AND AROUND THE CAR PARK OF THE NEW INN. THERE WILL BE A BAR-B-QUE, BOUNCEY CASTLE, CAKES, TOMBOLA, PLANTS, JUMBLE, PRODUCE, BRIC-A-BRAC, CHILDREN'S TOMBOLA, RAFFLE AND GAMES. IF ANYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE ITEMS FOR ANY OF THESE STALLS, HELP IN ANY WAY OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SALLY PARKER ON 897168 OR JILL PARSONS ON 897324.

MONEY RAISED WILL GO TO THE BRIDE VALLEY NEW SCOUT HUT APPEAL AND THE 8 TO IO CLUB

SHIPTON GORGE 100 CLUB

Winners for the July Draw

£20 No.13 Edward Burt

£10 No. 23 Betty Darby

Saturday 4th August at 7.30 p.m. in St. Martin's Church Concert in aid of the Bride Valley Scout Hut Appeal. Further particulars from Mrs. Janet Lane (897241).

SHIPTON GORGE VILLAGE SOCIETY SUMMER SHOW

SATURDAY 4 AUGUST 2001

IN THE VILLAGE HALL

PROGRAMME

CLASS

1) VASE OF ANNUALS - cut flowers

2) VASE OF PERENNIALS - cut flowers

3) VASE OF 6 SWEET PEAS- cut flowers

4) 1 SINGLE ROSE - HYBRID TEA

5) A FLOWERING CACTUS- in a pot

6) 3 POTATOES, evenly shaped and unblemished

7) 4 TOMATOES, any variety, on a stem

8) ONIONS: 1 LARGE OR 3 SMALL, unpeeled

9) 4 RUNNER BEANS

10) ANY ODDLY-SHAPED VEGETABLE- the funnier the better!!!!

11) MAKE A 3 EGG SPONGE, iced and decorated

12) MAKE A FRUIT FLAN

13) FLOWER ARRANGEMENT - in a saucer

14) FLOWER ARRANGEMENT- CENTREPIECE for a small dinner table

15) ARRANGEMENT OF HERBS /GRASSES in any container

16) PLATE OF ANY SOFT FRUIT, on stalks

17)PHOTOGRAPHY: TREES/WILDFLOWERS OF DORSET, prints must NOT have any identifying marks on the back.

YOUNG PEOPLE:

18) UNDER 11YRS - MAKE A SPACESHIP ) using kitchen products e.g. egg boxes,

19) 11 YRS AND OVER - MAKE A CAR )cardboard tubes and cereal boxes

A) THERE WILL BE AN ENTRY FEE OF 10p PER EXHIBIT no entry form required

B) EXHIBITS TO BE STAGED ON THE DAY BETWEEN 8:30AM AND 11AM

C) PLEASE NOTE ALL QUANTITIES AND SIZES MUST BE ADHERED TO

D) JUDGING WILL BE BY THE POPULAR VOTE OF ALL WHO CARE TO

COME ALONG TO THE HALL BETWEEN 1 1 AM AND 1. 3 0PM

E) RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT APPROX. 3:30PM WITH A CUP OF

TEA; PRIZE MONEY AND TROPHIES WILL BE PRESENTED FOR EACH CLASS

OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS OF SHIPTON GORGE.

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT BOTH TO ENTER AS MANY CLASSES AS POSSIBLE AND TO JOIN IN THE VOTING

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Chilcombe Church

CHILCOMBE

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SWYRE Holy Trinity Swyre

Village Correspondent: Mrs. Julie Lewis 4 Green Barton, Swyre

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St Mary's Puncknowle PUNCKNOWLE & WEST BEXINGTON

Village Correspondent: Mrs Dorothy Barlow

Collingbourne, Hoopers Lane, Puncknowle

Telephone: (01308) 897761

Puncknowle Art Group

There will be no meetings in August.

Christine Molony

THE BRIDE VALLEY FLEDGLINGS

A time for good bye's ........ A time for thank you's.

By the time you read this, we will have said good bye to the eight youngsters who will be going to Thorner's in September. The Committee and Staff of the Playgroup would like to wish them all the best for the future. Good Luck, Jason Lacombe, Aaron Sinclair, Rebecca Talbot, Ellie Timms, Flora Jevons, Georgia Fournier, Annabel Armstrong and Sarah Bird.

I personally would like to thank all the parents for their loyal support whilst their children have been at the Playgroup. THANK YOU. I must not forget the Staff, Carol Bennett and Maria Bowen-Ashwin, who have achieved great things with the children and the Playgroup. WELL DONE. Also thanks go to John Bennett who helps the ladies each session by lifting the heavy items to be stored away.

We have had a couple more people into the Playgroup this term who also deserve a thank you for giving up their time. Thank you to Ellen the Farmer and to Dave the Baker [ Bird ] who baked some delicious rolls. Also to Ann Roberts who came in to read a story. My thanks to Betty Arnott for donating a large bag of toffees. Last of all my personal thanks goes to my Treasurer Robin Fry, Secretary Helen Timms and the rest of the Committee, without whose help the Playgroup would not have achieved so much in the last year. THANK YOU.

The Sponsored Trike Ride finally took place on the 5th July which, because of bad weather, had to be postponed from the previous week. My thanks to Mick, Ann and staff of The Crown, who had to put up with these changes of plan.

Just a reminder about the Quiz, the final date for returning the quiz sheet is the 31st August.

Sue Talbot [Chair ] 01308 482204

Trevor & Anna Ware would like to thank everyone who supported the Garden Tea & Sale at The Old Rectory, Puncknowle, held to raise funds for Remote Area Medical. We raised £2759.00 towards the total of £10,000 which we have promised to find for Remote Area Medical. We are very grateful for the tremendous help we received in raising this sum.

Historic Churches Cycle Ride Saturday 8th September

Make a note of this date for a cycle ride and pic-nic. Sponsor forms are obtainable from Ann Roberts.

See Page 6 for futher details.

Puncknowle Community Website ... Launch! ... 25th August

The Puncknowle Village website will be launched on the 25th August. The event will be held at the Crown Inn, Puncknowle, between 3pm and 5pm. You are invited to drop in at any time during these times.

There will be regular demonstrations of the website throughout the 2-hour event and visitors will be able to navigate their way through the pages. Members of the website management team will be there to answer questions and listen to any suggestions.

Puncknowle Villagers should look out for invitations coming through their doors within the next few weeks. Production of these on the day will entitle them to an entry in the free draw to win a tabletop Connection box to the Internet.

There will be a cash prize for the best suggestions for a youth page. Entries open to young people only!

Every one in the valley is welcome to attend the event. Tea and coffee will be provided.

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St Mary's Litton Cheney LITTON CHENEY

Village Correspondents:

Mrs. Gaynor Jones, 10 Manor Farm Close Tel.482517

Mrs. Elizabeth Kingston, 5 Manor Farm Close Tel.482384

paulkingston@tinyworld.co.uk

Dedication of Sundial

The Church's Millennium Memorial has been designed, crafted and positioned over the south porch.

It is a fitting monument not only to 2000 years of Christianity but to Geoffrey Teychenne's skills and generosity. Our sincerest thanks to him for all that he has done for us, and especially for the gift of the sundial.

This will be dedicated at our 11o'clock Service on 12th August, and then continuing the theme of dedication, the usual Matins Service will be replaced by Holy Baptism with hymns, readings and an address.

Anthony Ashwell

Litton Cheney Social Committee

A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped in any way to make the Wine Tasting Event held on Saturday 30th June at Court House so successful. As a result £267 has been added to social committee funds.

Special thanks to Steven Spurrier for giving us the benefit of his expertise on what to look for when wine tasting. It really was great fun and we're all on the way to being amateur wine buffs now!

Next event is: The Harvest Supper on Saturday 20th October M.A. (Secretary)

Litton Cheney Playing Field Association

THANK YOU to the Bride Valley Young Farmers who raised £80 for the improvement of the Playing Field.

Congratulations to visitor Bonnie Higgins-King the winner of the Design a Logo Competition. You will see the logo on all our future posters etc. Thank you to the judges who had a difficult job because of the high standard of entries and thank you to all those who entered.

The next fundraising event is the Family Fun Day on Sunday 9th September. The 6-aside football tournament will take place again, so teams, start your training and give your details to Paul Kingston 01308 482384. Further details for the day will follow.

A very enjoyable afternoon for Frank Whillock's family and friends took place at The White Horse Inn for his 80th birthday.

Congratulations to Hugh and Carol Lindsay on their 40th wedding anniversary.

Congratulations to Rosanna Brewster for achieving a Distinction in her Grade 6 cello exam at the age of eight. Well done.

Juliet Potter was due to make her international track debut in an under 23 match against Spain. However the late cancellation of her event saw her run at the BMC/Nike Grand Prix where she achieved a qualifying time for 5000m for the European under 23 championships. Well done.

We wish Caroline Smart luck when she swims with the British University team in Beijing at the end of August.

A reminder that the majority of footpaths are now open and that dog owners should please be responsible for their pets' actions.

LONG BREDY AND LITTON CHENEY INSTITUTE

In June the Institute enjoyed a meal at the Crown in Uploders, when birthday posies were presented to Dorothy Randall and Betty Champkins. Several members volunteered to provide teas at Long Bredy for a visiting group from Weymouth to the Scented Garden in Littlebredy.

Five members hoped to attend the Bride Valley Group's Ploughman's lunch at Burton Bradstock and the Group's Antiques Roadshow in September was also discussed.

On a warm and sunny evening in July members gathered in the lovely Litton garden of potter Mollie Gardener to try their own hands at potting. She demonstrated the use of her wheel and showed examples of her fabulous work with clay.

Wall plaques, dishes, bowls, mushrooms and pea pods were among the articles produced with much help from our tutor. The evening was pronounced a huge success, much enjoyed by all in delightful surroundings.

A birthday posy was presented to Sandra Akehurst and farewell cards to Rosemary Teychenne and Mildred Trenchard on leaving the village.

The next meeting will be at 7.30 p.m. on 4th September at Long Bredy.

Betty Champkins

By the time this issue is published we will have taken part in the "Great Dorset Churches Roadshow", with many, many other people and groups concerned with the life of Churches Together in Dorset. Pilsdon was invited, Mediation Dorset was invited, and we felt honoured to have been asked also. Although we always have to be concerned about being professional, we have great trust that we fulfil a real need in the Christian, and local community.

We feel privileged, too, to be recommending a book this month which will surely ring a bell with many readers. Edna Hunneyset, a mother of 8, and a grandmother, has written a personal account of her "year of hell" in helping her teenage daughter face serious mental illness. The book, "Carers in the Community: Why have you forsaken me?" shows what she describes as the gap in help for carers like herself from both the State and even the Churches. This book is £12.95; we feel that in supplying books like this we are fulfilling our vocation in the community.

More happily, another side to our mission in the community, we are giving for the first time in recent years, a Children's Holiday Morning on Wednesday, 8th August, from 10am to 12 noon. We do hope that many Mums and Grannies will pop in with children of all age groups that day, for squash and biscuits. There will be colouring books around to be used, many activity and small gift books at sale prices, sparky music to dance to, and quiet music to sit with. You are always warmly welcome at Good Books, St Mary's Old School, Gundry Lane, Bridport.

Do note our telephone number which, despite special notice, is incorrect in the Telephone Directory: 01308 420 483.

If, like me, you have lived in Dorset for all, or most of your life, then you may be unaware of some of the fantastic history which lies beneath your fingertips. Since working in a Tourist Information Centre, it has been vital not only to know present day facts but also to have a basic knowledge of the past: when working in Dorchester, Thomas Hardy is a strong feature.

I'm not one for reading books, I need practical information, so I decided one Monday morning to head off on Alistair Chisholm's Thomas Hardy Explorer. It's fun, friendly and you learn so much about Dorchester, or Casterbridge as it was called in Hardy times. Along the journey, there are readings from a selection of Hardy's poems and stories, which add a real atmosphere. Alistair provides a valuable and humorous commentary along the way, pointing out all the not-to-be-missed sights.

The first visit is to Thomas Hardy's Cottage set in the idyllic location of Higher Bockhampton. For a small fee of £2.60 you can venture inside the cottage, steeped in history, to see where he and his family lived. After leaving Hardy's Cottage, you travel around in Alistair's fantastic bus through small villages to discover more of Hardy Country.

There is a coffee stop in the village of West Stafford and after this it is off to Stinsford Church where the Hardy family is buried. This is where Thomas Hardy's heart was laid to rest.

You get a glimpse of Max Gate - another of Hardy's residences. Then it's back to Dorchester.

I hope what I have written has whetted your appetite to discover Hardy Country for yourself. Remember, there was not just one Thomas Hardy, there were three. To discover who they were I strongly advise you to book a place on Alistair's tour. Alistair is a registered Blue Badge Guide and it is an experience not to be missed.

For further information and more details contact Dorchester Tourist Information Office.