Bride Valley News Aug 2003

Though many people already know, this is an informal announcement of my impending retirement as your Team Rector. I shall be 65 in September, and will retire on the 30^th. Various services are planned so that we can make our farewells. My last services will be on Sunday 28^th September, and I plan to end my ministry in the diocese at the meeting of Salisbury Cathedral's College of Canons on the 30^th. It is a lovely coincidence that the Canons meet then, attend Evensong, and dine!

Pam and I will be moving to the delightful old market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire, where we shall be nearer some of our family in Gloucester. We shall be pleased to see there anyone who might like to call on us. Our address will be:-

48 Prince Rupert Road, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2FA - no telephone number as yet.

I confess to not having heard previously of Prince Rupert, but I know now that he was an English cavalry officer, born in Prague, the grandson of James I and nephew of Charles I. In the Civil War Ledbury, like most of Herefordshire, was strongly Royalist. Around the church and in the streets of Ledbury on 22^nd April 1645 a brief but vigorous battle was fought between Prince Rupert and General Massey, the Roundhead commander from Gloucester. It ended in the rout of the general, his retreat to Gloucester, and Prince Rupert's enjoying the hospitality of the big house, Ledbury Park. The parish church boasts of bullet holes in its door!

Pam and I have enormously enjoyed our nine years in the Bride Valley. It has been for me the greatest privilege and joy to minister to the people of our seven parishes, and especially to those with which I have been most concerned, Burton Bradstock (with Chilcombe) and Shipton Gorge. We have made many friends and acquaintances, and enjoyed so many happy times in church and community, that while it will be very painful to leave, we shall take with us lots of good memories. Thank you for more things than you can possibly know!

Rector's Retirement

Yes, it is happening, our Rector John and his lovely wife Pam are retiring at the end of September, and moving out of the Rectory to a new home in Ledbury soon afterwards. But we are not saying our goodbyes yet. Instead this notice is to inform the people of the Bride Valley (and beyond) that we are now collecting for a leaving present for Pam and Canon John. If you would like to contribute, please do this through your churchwardens who will give you further information. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

THE BRIDE VALLEY (THURSDAY) FELLOWSHIP GROUP

There will be no meetings during August. Meetings will resume again in September. For details contact Paul ..., Tel ...

Burton Bradstock School

Last month I promised news of the summer term so here goes! Firstly congratulations to Thorner's who won the Cluster Swimming Gala. We were very pleased to come second. It was an exciting and fun afternoon and the children taking part were a credit. Following this event was one for the early years children, the 'Cluster Teddy Bears Picnic', held at St Catherine's School. A good time was had by all.

Our annual Music Concert was held in the W.I. Hall on Thursday 3^rd July. We enjoyed a wide range of contributions from 'Handel' to 'Girls Aloud', classical to pop, traditional to contemporary. Thus the programme contained a blend of Class, individual and group performances, including the recorder groups and band. The children in Reception and Key Stage 1 sang some sea shanties and Class 3 performed their own pentatonic scale composition. Class 4 sang a couple of songs based on Science concepts. (Incidentally, the composer of these songs is a teacher friend of mine from my early days in Kent.) These went with a fair swing and by the end the younger children were joining in the actions during the chorus. All the children took part in some capacity and it was also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of instrumentalists and their tutors from the Dorset Music Service.

At the time of writing we are shortly to embark on the Class 4 London trip which should be a lot of fun. Likewise the Year 2 children are about to visit Hooke Court for a short break of fun activities. More news on these next month. We still have the Cluster Sports and Leavers' Service to look forward to and by the time this month's BVN is published we will have broken up for the summer break. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Claire Procter for teaching 'Sails' this term - she has done a super job. In September Miss Louise Brine, a Foundation Stage and Early Years specialist joins the staff in the capacity of Assistant Headteacher.

Again thanks go to the PTA whose activities have continued to provide us with those extras that make a huge difference to the opportunities the children receive. This year we have purchased a keyboard, reading books and paid for coach travel from PTA funding.

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

I hope that as you read this you are enjoying the glorious sunshine of the summer, it is the school holiday so there may well be lots of noise from children playing and having fun. School has broken up with one group of children preparing for Secondary education and another group looking forward to joining Thorner's. We trust that both groups are anticipating the next step with enthusiasm.

The last few weeks of term were busy with various events, sports days, parent consultations, SATS results, reports, swimming galas and our handball team travelled to Manchester where we met teams from the Wirral, Haslingden, Bristol and Manchester; the journey was long, the accommodation limited but the games were lively. The team learnt how to defend and attack with meaning, showed good sportsmanship, even in defeat, eventually ending 6^th out of 10. The experience prepared us well for the beach handball the following Thursday, here the teams were from Loders, Powerstock, Bristol, Portland and Weymouth areas. Even though the surface is restricting in that you cannot bounce the ball, what is good is that the sand allows more diving! Harder for the goalkeeper as the players can reach that much further! The day was enjoyed by us all and one of the first opportunities for our spectators to stand alongside encouraging us, many of our parents had been hearing handball, handball, handball without having watched a game! This day was more rewarding for us, we won our group of 5 teams, beat Loders in the semi-final and then lost to Southwell in the final 6-4. I preferred the atmosphere on the beach, with players supporting each other. In the same way, support from the local community is valued.

At the end of term, as we do every term, we walked to church for our last assembly together, where we join as a community, pupils, staff, parents and members of the church, to thank God for the caring of our school and all the pupils in it. One of the advantages of being a church school is that sharing together, in church or side by side at the Caribbean Fair in May, working together members of church and pupils bell ringing greeting the rest of the school as they walk through the village or actually in school with all the volunteers who come in and work with groups or individual children. The links with the church are important, not just today, but for the future of our pupils; it gives them positive values to take with them through the rest of their lives, gives them good role models and offers a choice which they may never obtain otherwise. Thank you for sharing and extending those values, your contributions towards school are appreciated throughout the year, each and every year in many different ways, from the joint fair in May to the individual care shown to each and every one of the pupils and staff.

As the summer term draws near to an end I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with Thorner's School; Mrs Johnston, teachers, staff, helpers, governors, parents, and children have all put a lot of time and effort into the school. They have been caring, hard working and giving an input, all of which have been very much appreciated.

There have been a lot of enjoyable events this term including Beach Day, cooking and a surprise for the children.

I would like to wish everyone a happy summer time, what ever you are doing, and may God watch over you all. The next PTA meeting will be:

Everyone is welcome so please try and come. New and Established members are always welcome!

First Steps Parent and Toddler Group will not be meeting in August. 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. The first session is free so why not come along to Long Bredy Village Hall on Wednesday 3^rd September between 10.00am and 12 noon. For further details contact: Jo (Litton Cheney) ... or Julie (Puncknowle) 897178 or Rachel (Kingston Russell and Long Bredy) 482246

Cycle or walk around some of Dorset's churches and chapels to raise money for the church of your choice and for the Dorset Historic Churches Trust.

Over £35,500 was raised by the Cycle Ride last year and half of this was returned to parishes immediately. The Trust has been able to help churches (of all denominations) in Dorset with grants and loans for repairs and it is essential that this work can continue. Rarely is a request turned down.

Those who take part, on a bicycle, on foot, in a wheelchair or indeed on a horse, will be helping to raise money not only for the Dorset Historic Churches Trust, but also the church of their choice. The great thing about this sponsored ride is that it is very flexible - you can visit as many (or as few) churches and chapels as you wish and start and finish at your choice of times. Those unable to take part in the actual ride, can help out by staffing their local church to welcome visiting cyclists and if that is impossible, anyone can be a sponsor! So there really is a part for the whole community to play.

Organisers ( from whom Sponsorship forms may be obtained ) are as follows:- Burton Bradstock Howard Bongers897029

Litton Cheney Youth Club is having a summer break during August and sessions will recommence in September. In the Giant Sunflower Competition the leading contenders have reached 1.35m so keep watering and contact Paul Kingston 482384 if you need your sunflower measured.

There will be a Sale of All Sorts in the W.I. Hall, Burton Bradstock at 2.00 pm on Thursday 21^st August 2003 with all the usual stalls. Donations of items for any of the stalls will be greatly appreciated.

Bride Valley News readers may be interested to know that over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th August, six of the Valley's local artists will be opening their studios to the public for Bridport Open Studios.

Peter and Anna Southall, at Chilcombe, will be offering refreshment, demonstrations and a view to end all views. Cece Mills, Jane Ashdown, Barbara MacKay and Tim Sage are showing a large collection of paintings in various mediums, as well as a variety of printing techniques. Tea and scones are also on offer in Cece's wild Swyre garden. Brian Cocks will open his studio too, just a few steps from the car park on the beach at West Bexington

Cece is giving 10% of her profits to Swyre Church. You can obtain a free guide to the event from her. Tel. 01308 897073.

Once again this ever popular afternoon occasion will be held at Bethany, 7 Hammond's Mead, Lower Sea Lane Charmouth ( by kind invitation of Jan and Roger Williams ) so come along and enjoy this very traditional event in a beautiful garden close by the beach on Wednesday 13^th August from 3.00 - 5.00 pm. There will be a White Elephant Stall and Christian literature. Bibles will be on sale.

Practical advice and support from your local health professionals on subjects such as:-

Hello to all our members, potential members and gardeners in our area. As you will have noted, our Mini Plant and Vegetable Show this year will be on September 14th rather than the usual mid summer one.

The Committee felt it would allow for a different range of flowers, vegetables and fruits this year and would make a pleasant change. We do hope you are having success in your gardens, after a mild if not wet winter most seem to be flourishing!

Dorothy, our Chairman asks that all cup winners from last year's Show return their cups either to her in Litton Cheney or pass them to the village representative in your village.

Mr Michael Michaud of The Chilli Farm, Lyme View, Swyre Road, West Bexington has kindly invited the Club members to a special meeting at the farm on Wednesday 27^th August starting at 7.00 p.m. On the basis of Michael's talks to us previously this will be an interesting and lively evening. Please phone Ann Miles on 482301 if you wish to go and if you need transport.

We hope to see you at the above outing or at the Mini show. The usual indoor meetings with speakers start again in October.

Mid Week Worship - Holy Communion Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m. followed by coffee in the Rectory

There will be no Tiny Tots / Pram Service in August. The next service will be on Friday 12^th September at 11.00 am.

Thank you very much indeed to all my helpers at the Tots Service, especially to Elaine Tame, who is now retiring; Elaine has made the refreshments since we started in February 1995. From September the Mothers' Union is taking over the running of the service, under the leadership of Yvette Smith, the Branch Leader of the Bride Valley Mothers' Union. I thank the Play Group leaders and children for their gift of a lovely bowl, together with a card signed by all the play group children, which they gave me on Friday 4^th July, a lovely surprise.

I wish Yvette and the Mothers' Union well in running the Tiny Tots/Pram Service in the coming years. Pam Atkinson

The next Healing Services at St Mary's will be held on Mondays 18^th August and 8^th September, each at 7.00 pm.

The Parochial Church Council next meets on Monday 15^th September at 7.00 pm.

St Mary's Church Fête A warm welcome awaits our readers and holidaymakers at The Rectory garden on Thursday 7^th August at 2.00pm. There will be a variety of stalls and sideshows, and much more - plenty to amuse and enjoy.

Patronal Festival On Sunday 17^th August we celebrate the Feast Day of our patron saint Mary the Virgin with Holy Communion at 8 am; Matins at 11.00 am, followed by drinks in The Rectory garden; and Evensong at 6.30 pm. Do come and join in the day at St Mary's.

About People We send our best wishes to those who are ill, at home or in hospital. We hope you will soon be well again. Please be assured that you are remembered in our prayers.

A warm welcome to those moving into the village. We hope you soon feel at home here, and find Burton Bradstock a good place to live. Our good wishes also go with those moving away to new homes.

The last service to be taken by our Rector before he retires will be the 11.00 am Parish Communion on Sunday 28^th September. Following this service there will be a presentation made to John and Pam in the W.I. Hall and financial donations towards this presentation are invited. A buffet will be provided and whilst attendance at this event is not dependent on having attended the service or made a donation, it is imperative that all names must be given by Sunday 21^st September in order to facilitate the catering.

Names and donations to either Basil Dent or Howard Bongers, cheques payable to St. Mary's P.C.C. Churchwardens

Grand Draw prizes and items for the Hamper to be delivered to 7 Norburton, please.

Wanted: Help to set up stalls at 6pm on Wednesday 6^th August. If you can assist please contact Tom Holmes on 897046.

After the president Pat Raven had welcomed 41 members and 4 visitors to the meeting on 8th July we were harmoniously entertained by Mrs Dee Thorne and Mrs Hilary Charlesworth with their entertaining talk and singing presentation "Two's Company." They have been singing together for five years, cutting their teeth in folk clubs. We enjoyed their delightful arrangements of such old favourites as Linden Lee and Scarborough Fair as well as some songs less familiar to us. They soon had us joining in too.

A Quiz Night (open to all) is to be held on 10th October. Tickets price £2.50 to include refreshments can be bought from Joan Allan and Heather Thompson. The Christmas Lunch is at Highland End on Thursday 11th December and bookings will be taken in September.

Margaret Holmes said that she will arrange a walk for the Walking Group on 19th August if members are interested. Please see the notice board for details. Anyone interested in Pitch and Putt please contact Wendy Green.

Although it has been decided to purchase new stage curtains for the WI Hall with some of Trudy Hodgson's legacy suggestions are still needed for the money remaining.

Pat Raven thanked Joan Gillett and Lilian Brown who were in the kitchen and the tea hostesses Margaret Ackland and Shirley Gilbert.

Hundred Club winners were: 1. Jeanne Hill 2. Mary Burr 3. Jill Spinney 4. Brenda Cheney. Margaret Ackland's salpiglossis won the Flower of the Month competition. Anne Rees was thanked for her flower arrangement.

Dates for your Diary: Walking Group 19th August. Quiz Night: 10th October. Christmas Lunch: 11th December.

The speaker at the next meeting at 7.15 pm on 9th September is Inspector John Pollock who will talk to us about the work of the RSPCA.

Sincere thanks to all those who supported the Garden Party on 10^th July, and especially to those who helped with setting-up and clearing away and to the many kind friends who gave items and donations. Special thanks to our Rector, John and his wife Pam for the use of their garden. Whilst the total for the event is not to hand in time for insertion in this month's issue, we know that it was our best effort yet.

Following the Open Evening in May, local education and training providers have been contacted to see which courses they can run locally. Thank you to everyone who completed a questionnaire to enable us to reach this stage.

As you will see from the table below, most of the courses will be held during the daytime together with a couple of the more specialised areas in the evening as the availability of trainers is more limited for the evening sessions, although, this is an issue that the providers are looking into. Some courses receive higher subsidies through government funding and you will see that Burton Bradstock Website Committee has been able to offer these at particularly low prices.

The first courses including Word Processing, Databases and Digital Photography will start during the week commencing 8^th September. Introductory courses for complete beginners or those of you that wish to develop more confidence in computing will start the following month, on Tuesday 14^thOctober. All courses will need a minimum number of people in order to run and in the case of the introductory courses the minimum is as high as 10.

We intend to offer courses in response to demand throughout the year with a gap through the summer months and will keep you informed through the Bride Valley News. For details of the next courses please see the table below. You will see from the number of sessions indicated that the Digital Photography courses are only single sessions whereas the other courses all have multiple sessions, up to a maximum of 6, running for consecutive weeks.

* The introductory course is offered by Weymouth College and is subsidised as a taster course consequently we regret that we cannot take bookings from people who have already attended this particular one.

Bookings can be made by e-mailing Karen Venn on venn@boltblue.com or phoning 01308 897094 between 5pm and 7pm weekday evenings.

Keen cyclists are invited to take part in this annual event Details and sponsorship forms are available from Howard Bongers - 897029 ( See page 6 for further details )

I would like to thank everyone who very kindly sponsored my grandson, Jonathan Carrivick, and his friend Hugh Deeming who successfully trekked across the Vatnajokull ice cap in Iceland - the largest ice field in Europe. They did the trek in June over ten days in aid of Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

FESTIVAL

A series of three classical music concerts

The LONDON FESTIVAL PLAYERS

Programme highlights

Thurs 21^st Aug Schubert - Quintet in C, op 169, Gaubert - Sonatine for flute and piano,

Sat 23^rd Aug Bach - Brandenburg Concerto no 2, Bellini - Oboe concerto in Eb,

TICKETS

· Mike Southgate, Applegates, Grove Rd, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4QT. Tel no: 01308 897487.

Please note:- SAE, please, for return if requesting by post. Make cheques payable to "Burton Bradstock Festival"

The Parochial Church Council next meets on Wednesday 10^th September at Burgay House.

There have been three trees planted in the Playing Field over the past 20 years or more as memorials for residents who used to live in the village. These trees each had a commemorative plaque with the name of the person in whose memory they were planted but over the years these plaques have been lost. The playing field committee would like to replace these but needs the help of villagers who may be able to recall the names and trees allotted to each person. We know that a turkey oak tree was planted in memory of Matthew Thompson and that one of the other trees was in memory of Ralph Mansell but we do not know about the third tree.

Can anyone help us with the name for the third tree and/or the dates for the other two as well? If you can help please contact either Mary Boughton on 01308-897958 or Richard Hewlett on 01308-897278.

THE STREET FAIR will be on Saturday 23rd August in and around the New Inn starting at 2.00pm. All donations of items for the following stalls would be much appreciated Cakes, BricBrac, Tombola, Books and Raffle. People to contact are Sally 897168, Bob Simpson 898317, Terry Hunt 898301, Sue Hawksworth 897106 or Heather Puttock Rosamond Ave. On the day, anyone wishing to have their postcode engraved on cycles, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, or any gardens tools etc, will be able to have them done at 50p per item.

The Village Society would like to say thank you to John and Jean at the New Inn for the lovely meals they have done for us once a fortnight. It has been much appreciated by everyone and we all look forward to October when they start again. Thank you very much from us all.

May I say "Sorry it's late".. but on behalf of the Village Society Committee may I say a big thank you to Jill Parsons and Geoff Shepherd for all their hard work as committee members over the years.

Keen cyclists are invited to take part in this annual event. Details and sponsorship forms are available from Janet Lane - 897241. (See page 6 for further details)

During September members of the Village Hall Management Committee will he inviting current participants to renew their membership of the 100 Club. In the event of there being any vacancies the Committee would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to support this important fund-raiser and become a member. The cost is £10 for one year's membership If sufficient new entrants register an interest the Committee will consider increasing the membership of the Club.

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Matrimony

What a wonderful day this was! We started with a most moving Service of Joy and Blessing at the Chapel in the Woods (with glorious weather), moved on to the formalities in Holy Trinity Church, and finished at the barn with partying into the night. We wish Annmarie and Martin every blessing and all happiness in their life together.

Songs of Praise Season

This is upon us, and we look forward to five glorious Sunday evenings on 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th and 31^st August. Each 35 minute or so Service begins at 7.30pm and includes eight (!) hymns, prayers, reading and a poem. At the time of writing the arrangements look like this:

Anthony Ashwell

One of the youngsters in the village has put together a web site for the village, which has a temporary address of:- http://www.geocities.com/swyre1/

It was mainly constructed for viewing the progress of this year's archaeological digs in the village. Pay it a visit and see what you think.

Dr Peter Northover has kindly put together an historical walk around the village. It is hoped that it will be available at various establishments throughout the valley and all proceeds will go towards the church at his request.

The community support vehicle will be at Puncknowle Bottom on Thursday 28^th August between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

Please also be aware there have been a large number of thefts from motor vehicles in recent weeks in the West Dorset area. Always ensure that valuable belongings are safely hidden from view. Also be extra vigilant in August with the increased numbers of visitors over this period - remember this little rhyme:-

FROM THE REGISTERS

Burial of Ashes

10^th July 2003 June Audrey Bryant aged 70

We laid Audrey's Cremated Remains quietly to rest with those of her husband Fred. Audrey died in hospital on 15^th June, and her neighbours in Looke Lane especially will miss a cheerful, chatty soul. We send our commiserations to her family (two sisters, two brothers and their families).

Anthony Ashwell

In June we were lucky with a fine day for painting in Punknowle. Spots of rain however could not dampen our trip to the Pierpoint Gallery in Bridport where we had coffee, cakes and a talk on framing. There are no meetings in August.

Friday 29 August, 7.30 - 10pm at Puncknowle Hall. The theme for August will be 'Holidays'. If you have any memorabilia or tales to tell please bring them with you along with your tipple. Nibbles will be provided. Everyone welcome. Come and go as you please. Donations towards cost of hall/evening would be appreciated. Contact Nos. 898492/897751

The Dorset Historic Churches Cycle Ride will take place this year on Saturday 13 September. It is a great day out for young and old alike so please support your local church. Sponsor forms may be obtained from Ann Roberts of Burwell Cottage, Puncknowle - phone 897716. ( See Valley Notes page 6 for further details ).

The community support vehicle will be at Puncknowle bottom on Thursday 28^th August between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.Please also be aware there have been a large number of thefts from motor vehicles in recent weeks in the West Dorset area. Always ensure that valuable belongings are safely hidden from view. Also being August be extra vigilant with the increased numbers of visitors over the period and remember this little rhyme:-

Firstly, I would like to thank Mick and Anne for letting us again use their car park for our sponsored trike ride. Our end of term outing was to Monkey World on the 10th July; all the children, along with their parents, enjoyed a really lovely day. The end of term party took place on the last day of term when a bouncy castle was the high‑light of the day. There were ten leavers this year and I would like to say good bye and best wishes to them all:-. All leavers received a PE bag embossed with their names and a certificate of their time with us. Fun Night news will appear next month.

The Summer Quiz is on sale from the end of July at the usual places, including Bridport and Dorchester TIC

FROM THE REGISTERS

Leonard, as many Litton Cheney residents will know, was one of the great village 'characters', and although he became increasingly eccentric in his latter years, we were able sincerely to give thanks to God and remember a kind and sociable man.

Evensong - 31^st August

We try, when we can, to have an Evensong on a fifth Sunday, and here we are at 6.30pm. It cannot be too long, as both organist and Vicar have to get to Swyre's Songs of Praise by 7.30pm! Anthony Ashwell

You are invited to join us at 6 pm for a BBQ on Saturday 16^th August at The Cottage. There will be live music, plenty of food and drink and hopefully some sunny weather. Committee members will visit you to sell tickets at the beginning of August but please ring 482552/482260 after the 10^th if we miss you. (Tickets are limited.)

Future events include a walk via a pub on 13^th September, Harvest Supper on 11^th October and Carol singing on 18/19 December. We are also hoping to arrange a trip to a show or panto later in the year. We look forward to seeing you all at these events. Kathy Kourik LCSC Secretary

The Mobile Library visits Litton Cheney fortnightly and stops by the Bus Shelter between 3.25 pm and 4.10 pm. The dates in August when the library van will be visiting are 14^th and 28^th so why not go along.

The Dorset Police Community Support Unit will be in Litton Cheney by the Bus Shelter on Thursday 14^th August from 7.00-8.00 p.m.

Congratulations to The White Horse Inn Abseil Team who jumped from the top of the Hardy Monument a few weeks ago. The event was in aid of The Anthony Nolan Trust, the leukaemia charity, and with over £600 in sponsorship already received, it looks as if our team's contribution will be in excess of £700. The event in total raised over £7000. In addition to jumping from a height of 70 feet, the team also had to endure the threat of being struck by lightening as a thunder storm rumbled away nearby! Well done again to Rachael, Dave, John and Paul. What's next?

Calling all cyclists - visit as many (or as few) churches as you wish on Saturday 13^th September between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00p.m. - half the money you raise through sponsorship will go to the Dorset Historic Churches Trust (which provides financial support to churches in need in the county) and the other half will benefit your own nominated church. There is an existing record for the most number of churches visited by a Litton rider - 38 - can you beat this? Details of participating churches and sponsorship forms are available from Freddie Spicer 482617. (See page 6 for further details)

The Annual Family Fun Day will be taking place on Sunday 21^st September. On the day there will be a Silent Auction, for which we would be grateful for more items. If you are able to help on the day we would be most grateful and those wishing to take part in the 6 a side football tournament or the volleyball competition please contact Paul or Elizabeth Kingston 482384.

A test pit was excavated in The Paddocks as part of the Time Team 'Big Dig' ably assisted by several enthusiastic junior archaeologists from the village. There were a large number of interesting finds but most were comparatively recent.

Well done to Ross Jones who completed the London to Brighton cycle for the Heart Foundation raising over £160.00.

Parish Communion - 31^st August

This 5^th Sunday gives us an opportunity to have a Sung Communion, which will be the United Service for the East End of the Valley. We will use the modern order but in either traditional or modern language, and I would be pleased to hear preferences before the day.

A fine day and a beautiful setting set the scene for a successful fete. Thank you to Mr & Mrs Carter for letting us have the use of their beautiful gardens and to Mrs Carter for declaring the fete open.

Financially, we are looking at £2,780, a quite wonderful result. A copy of the completed result will be put on the notice boards when we have all the details.

The team of men, boys (ladies, too) who were at the hall at 10:00 am, had the trailers loaded very quickly, the fete was set up and packed away at the end of the day so efficiently. Thank you all very much.

The stallholders worked wonders with the amount of produce, cakes, bric-a-brac, plants, toys and books weighing down the tables. The tombola table did a roaring trade, as did the ice-cream on a hot day. Teas in the cool pool area with the musicians playing were a delight. Our young people ran the games so well and the Thorner's Maypole dancing was excellent.

Long Bredy & Litton Cheney WI

July's speaker was Ethne Conlon, who joined Earthwatch about three years ago and began work in South Africa helping to clean penguins that had been victims of oil spillages. If the birds have not ingested the oil they are washed which takes about an hour; this is a mammoth task when the numbers involved are in the region of twenty thousand. Her travels included the notorious Robin Island, originally a leper colony and just five miles off the coast, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. However, most of the work took place on Dassen Island, and together with other voluntary workers she used the opportunity to ring the penguins to help record their movements, age and future offspring.

The ringing continued on Midway Island, twelve hundred miles northwest of Hawaii and virtually on the international dateline. The birds here include the Albatross, a large sea-bird of which there are seventeen species, but the Short-Tailed Albatross, for example, currently numbers only three recorded throughout world. Their numbers are diminishing mainly due to fishing practises that entangle and drown the birds as they dive for food. The Albatross has a huge wingspan of eleven feet and weighs five pounds; as it is five years old before it breeds, and it only produces one egg each season, its survival is seriously threatened. Volunteers like Ethne who travel the world and spend their free time working with professionals, dedicate their lives to helping birds that have become the victims of their worst predator, man.

Being the leader of this Service, I'm not the best person to report on it. What I can say is that the church was full to overflowing; many helped brilliantly with the Service; about half of those who came stayed on for a picnic in the park ( thank you Sir Philip and Lady Williams for

allowing us to use your land in this way); the weather was perfect; and we shall do it again!

George and Louise who are to be married in our church next year are being baptised at our Family Service on 10thAugust at 11.00am. Do come and support them if you can. Anthony Ashwell

What a wonderful occasion the Combined Valley Family Service at the end of June was. Even with all the Village Hall chairs pressed into service, there was standing room only as the service began. Many thanks to the musicians for their vivacious offerings, and to everyone who took part. A highlight was the ceremony of repeating the Promises of the Bride Valley Cubs and Beavers, who, with parents and friends, were in the Church in force, after their weekend camp on the cricket ground. The communal lakeside picnic in the Bridehead grounds, in glorious sunshine, was a fitting end to a great event.

Congratulations to Lucy Tweed, Calum Armstrong and Ryan Kingston, who formed the Littlebredy contingent among the team of 8 from Thorner's School taking part in the National Mini-Handball Tournament in Haslingden, Lancs., recently. A very creditable sixth place put Thorner's even more on the map of sporting achievement. The team excelled this, though, in the National Beach Handball Championship at Weymouth, where they were runners-up. Well done indeed.

This is being written on the day of Pat Cooper's annual fundraising Garden Party at White Hill Cottage - this year in aid of CancerCare Dorset and the Dorset Air Ambulance. It is too early to forecast results yet, but all who have driven past recently will have seen the publicity and road signs, and will recognize just how much Pat and her team of helpers have put in to making the event a success. An overcast day did not deter the crowds, who turned up in droves for the stalls, teas, tombola and raffle - where the donated prizes were of tremendous range and value, thanks to the persuasiveness of Pat and her friends. Congratulations to them all.

Celebrate an angel moment in verse and enter it for this competition. Closing date 29 August. Winners will be notified week commencing 15 September and their poems will be read at the Askerswell Michaelmas Festival Concert on Saturday 27 September. Entries from schools welcome as well as from individuals. Good prizes. Entry forms available from Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport Library or send an SAE to the competition address:

Askerswell Angels Poetry Competition, Village Hall, Askerswell, Dorchester DT2 9EW.

Sun 3rd - RNLI Songs of Praise, The Green, West Bay (weather permitting)

Wed 6th - Carnival Bingo

Sun 10^th - RNLI Fun Day and Trawler Festival

Thurs 14th - Carnival Darts Final

Sat 16th - Bridport Carnival

Sun 17th - Carnival Fete and Torchlight Procession

Thurs 21st -- Melplash Agricultural Show

Sun 24th - RAFA Summer Fayre, Haddon House Hotel, West Bay

This book is taken from the Parish Notes 1953-1968 by the Rev'd Oliver Willmott. It is the sequel to Yours Reverently, which covered the years 1948-1953. Oliver Willmott was for many years the vicar of Loders, Askerswell & Dottery.

The English summer is wet often enough to support those who argue that we should stop growing hay and corn and confine ourselves to silage. But hope springs eternal, and we go on trying to make hay when the sun doesn't shine. So it is with outdoor functions. We go on holding garden fêtes because of the lovely things they could be, turning our backs on the painful memories of what they often are. Our hearts went out to our neighbours in Bradpole over their recent experience of a garden fête. Much thought and work had been put into it. Sir G.. G.. had brought his garden to the peak of perfection for the occasion. The morning of the fête was sunny, warm and cloudless, but in the afternoon when the jollity was about to begin a wetting drizzle descended, punctuated by sharp showers, and fog fell on the neighbouring hills. Stallholders had to put their wares under the counter if they had no covering ofcellophane. But those who queued for tombola tickets could not be put off by the dripping down their necks of each other's umbrellas. Under the circumstances the fête did well to bring in £100. As might have been expected the Saturday following behaveditself and was gloriously fine, when it wasn't required to be. We hope that the long run of good luckenjoyed by Loders fête may hold this year, though we must not grumble if it does not.

Don't forget The Flowers of Dorset Exhibition at The Dorset County Museum, Dorchester.

The Exhibition is a celebration of the life and work of J.C. Mansel- Pleydell and is open every day in august from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm

Bride Valley News - August 2003

Rector's Retirement

THE BRIDE VALLEY (THURSDAY) FELLOWSHIP GROUP

Burton Bradstock School

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

FESTIVAL

A series of three classical music concerts

The LONDON FESTIVAL PLAYERS

Programme highlights

TICKETS

Please note:- SAE, please, for return if requesting by post. Make cheques payable to "Burton Bradstock Festival"

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Matrimony

Songs of Praise Season

Anthony Ashwell

FROM THE REGISTERS

Burial of Ashes

10^th July 2003 June Audrey Bryant aged 70

Anthony Ashwell

FROM THE REGISTERS

Evensong - 31^st August

We try, when we can, to have an Evensong on a fifth Sunday, and here we are at 6.30pm. It cannot be too long, as both organist and Vicar have to get to Swyre's Songs of Praise by 7.30pm! Anthony Ashwell

Parish Communion - 31^st August

This 5^th Sunday gives us an opportunity to have a Sung Communion, which will be the United Service for the East End of the Valley. We will use the modern order but in either traditional or modern language, and I would be pleased to hear preferences before the day.

Long Bredy & Litton Cheney WI

Bride Valley News - August 2003

Rector's Retirement

THE BRIDE VALLEY (THURSDAY) FELLOWSHIP GROUP

Burton Bradstock School

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

FESTIVAL

A series of three classical music concerts

The LONDON FESTIVAL PLAYERS

Programme highlights

TICKETS

Please note:- SAE, please, for return if requesting by post. Make cheques payable to "Burton Bradstock Festival"

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Matrimony

Songs of Praise Season

Anthony Ashwell

FROM THE REGISTERS

Burial of Ashes

10th July 2003 June Audrey Bryant aged 70

Anthony Ashwell

FROM THE REGISTERS

Evensong - 31st August

We try, when we can, to have an Evensong on a fifth Sunday, and here we are at 6.30pm. It cannot be too long, as both organist and Vicar have to get to Swyre's Songs of Praise by 7.30pm! Anthony Ashwell

Parish Communion - 31st August

This 5th Sunday gives us an opportunity to have a Sung Communion, which will be the United Service for the East End of the Valley. We will use the modern order but in either traditional or modern language, and I would be pleased to hear preferences before the day.

Long Bredy & Litton Cheney WI

10^th July 2003 June Audrey Bryant aged 70

Evensong - 31^st August

Parish Communion - 31^st August

This 5^th Sunday gives us an opportunity to have a Sung Communion, which will be the United Service for the East End of the Valley. We will use the modern order but in either traditional or modern language, and I would be pleased to hear preferences before the day.