FROM THE CLERGY            

My father died, it seemed to me, a good death.  He had been finding things increasingly difficult, and in his flat in Bradpole was becoming less organised.  His hearing and sight were deteriorating so badly that to listen to or watch anything was an effort, his speech was not easy to understand, and his movement ever more constricted by arthritis.  In his loneliness however, he was determined to retain his independence, and even the thought of residential care was to be avoided. 

He loved company and especially meals with Anna and me most Sundays and Wednesdays.  Every other week the Wednesday meal would precede my taking him to our Bible Study Group, which this autumn is discussing the First Letter of St Peter.  On his last Wednesday evening we got embroiled in a discussion on 'living in reverent fear' as encouraged by the letter.  My father, along with most of the group, did not want to accept this, despite that evening's leader trying to persuade them that God who gave them life, brought into being the whole universe; and that the God who has destroyed death, will be the judge of those who are to enter Heaven.  Instead the group majored on trust : "we do not really know what lies ahead, we must trust in God." 

Geoffrey and I continued this discussion in the car afterwards as I took him home.  "No" he said "I'm not afraid of death."  He was even slower than usual as he made his way along the path to his flat, but I knew his many ailments could render him almost immobile on some days, yet capable of a half-mile walk on others. 

Sometime the next morning he had a heart attack, but was not discovered until the afternoon when the ambulance and I were called.  He was clearly very ill but conscious, and after stabilisation was rushed to hospital.  Here Anna and I were warned that he probably would not live very long, but this was not my father's thinking.  With erratic blood pressure and swinging pulse rate he was soon whispering instructions, and smiling at the nurses as Anna and I held his hand.  We felt it safe to go home for a bit, but it wasn't long before we were summoned back to find him in a coma.  In the early hours of Friday morning he died so very peacefully, as with Anna and I gently holding him, his breathing became light and erratic and he simply faded away.  At the moment of death his face looked lived in, but ten minutes later he had clearly 'gone', and a few days later when I took my brother to see him in the Chapel of Rest his eyes were tightly shut, the end of an era. 

Of course tears were shed.  In our family he was the last of his generation, but now my generation takes over, and our end-times approach.  This for the Christian, and so for my father, is not to be feared.  Geoffrey lived a good life and died a good death.  It is our belief, trust and joy, that as our earthly life ends, so our heavenly lives continue ..... forever.  This is enormously reassuring, comforting, and hopeful.  Although any death is sad, it is those who are left behind who mourn, the one who has gone on ahead rejoices.  Should we not rejoice with him? 

In all this there is one particular sadness for me.  We live in times where religious belief and trust is on the wane, with earthly life considered to have no purpose beyond the immediate, and death seen as absolutely final, to be avoided at all costs.  I will rejoice with my father, but I grieve for all who have no hope, Christian or otherwise, to sustain them in the valley of the shadow of death. 

Anthony Ashwell

Holy Baptism

26 June            Benjamin George Fry               Burton Bradstock

26 June            Maisie Evelyn Hansford            Burton  Bradstock

Funerals

24th May         Arthur Ankrett              Burton Bradstock
28th May         Stephen Hebden                       Burton Bradstock
11th June          Barbara Chanin                        Burton Bradstock
19th July           Jane Wyatt                               Burton Bradstock

23rd July          Janet Anne Gosbee                   Litton Cheney
7th October      Nancy Ruth Copp                    Burton Bradstock
8th October      Pamela Heather Moye Shipton Gorge

Burial of Ashes

15th July           Delia Mary Turnbull                   Burton Bradstock
                                                                                                     Bob Thorn    

Holy Matrimony

At St Michael and All Angels Church, Littlebredy on

11^th September 2004, Daniel Barrett and Emma Byrne. 

At St Michael and All Angels Church, Littlebredy on

18^th September 2004, George Powditch and Louise Kirby. 

At the Church at Chilcombe (Burton Bradstock) on

25^th September 2004, Jerry Ash and Lucy Fry. 

Our warmest congratulations and best wishes to these three lovely couples.  

Burial of Ashes

The Cremated Remains of Eileen Elizabeth Clarke were buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock on 28^th September 2004.  Eileen, who died on 10^th September, moved away from Burton Bradstock some years ago now, but her family enthused about the love and friendship she both gave and was given here. 

Funerals

On 8^th October 2004 at St Mary's Church, Litton Cheney, Jonathan Francis Gili, aged 61, after a long illness.  Jonathan was married to Phillida, one of the four children of Reynolds and Janet Stone, late of the Old Rectory, Litton Cheney. 

 On 4^th October 2004 at All Saints Church, East Budleigh, Geoffrey Percy Ashwell, aged 93, father of Anthony and Nigel.  Anthony and Anna are deeply grateful for the many supportive letters and messages they have received.  

Anthony Ashwell

Tiny Tots/Pram Service

The next service will be at 11.00am on Friday 12^th November. All welcome.

Mothers' Union       Thursday 25^th November at 2.30pm

"Holidays" by Pam Montgomerie to be held at St. Catherine's Cross, Shipton Lane, Shipton Gorge.

Bride Valley (Wednesday) Bible Study Group

Meetings begin at 7.30pm with coffee and biscuits and finish by about 9.15pm

Peter's First Letter

The Bride Valley (Thursday) Fellowship Group

The group meets on Thursday evenings and alternates between Prayer and Bible Study.  Arriving from 7.30pm we begin at 8.00pm aiming to finish by about 9.30pm.  All are most welcome. For further details contact Paul

Nov 4     Bible Study   Matthew 7.24-29   (How to build a secure future)

12 Napier Close, Puncknowle

Nov 11    Prayer                      2 Myrtle Close, Puncknowle

Nov 18    Bible Study              (Passage to be decided)

                                               6 Baglake, Litton Cheney

Nov 25    Prayer                      West Lodge, Littlebredy

The Bridport and District Bible Society Action Group

The Bible Society Annual Lecture   This year's lecture will be delivered by Bishop John Baker, formerly Bishop of Salisbury, in St. Mary's Church, South Street, Bridport, on Thursday 18^th November, at 7.30pm. His subject will be "How should we use the Bible?" All are welcome.

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

I cannot let this edition go past without mentioning the recent death of Jack Bailey, a previous Headmaster of Thorner's for many, many years.  I was lucky enough to meet him on a number of occasions including the celebration of his 90^th birthday earlier this summer, where he was in his element, amongst friends and former colleagues.  When I first started he welcomed me and wished me 'as happy a time at Thorner's as he had enjoyed'.  He could not have been kinder. Each time we met he would talk with pride of the school and how things had changed since his day.  There was always some story he could tell, naming specific pupils and of parents rallying around to dig the swimming pool or the digger which came on to the field to create a football pitch which was reasonably level . well at least our team do not have to play on hillsides.   His knowledge of the people and area both past and present was extensive.  The numerous books he wrote will ensure that he remains in our minds for years to come.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all his close friends and family at this time.

One addition that Jack would have appreciated is the development of the conservation area. In the last few weeks many people have voluntarily worked really hard to clear it, move trees and help lay a wildlife pond in the hope of our pupils being able to extend their studies in many areas of the curriculum right here in our own grounds.  With the area being 'opened up' it will be possible for the children to watch developments during playtimes from a safe and secure distance too.  This is going to be a great resource for future pupils and we thank you for giving us that commitment and dedication to move things forward.

For budding flower arrangers in the valley we have organised another demonstration evening Saturday 27^th November, tickets, to include wine and nibbles, available from the school office.

Alison Johnstone

Headteacher

100 Club Winners for September : 

 £15  Iain Johnstone                  £10 Mrs Bowen-Ashwin

Burton Bradstock CE VC School

 In October's BVN I mentioned an event to launch the 'Friends of the Jurassic Coast'.  Miss Breach accompanied two children on the trip and here are their reflections:

            'A few weeks ago, we went on a trip to see the Waverly paddle steamer in Weymouth.  It looked exactly the same as it did in 1947.  We met Mary Anning, who talked to us about fossils.  The boat was quite slippery and looked like it was about to tip over when we went out to sea.  We got lots of salt on our legs from the seats.  We watched the engines start up and the big paddles were quite fast.  It was great!  We also listened to a very interesting talk about the rocks and cliffs along our coast.  We found out that different layers of rock are different ages.  The ones at the top are the youngest and the ones on the bottom are the oldest.  Our beautiful coast is millions of years old and is England's only natural World Heritage Site.  It's very important so we need to take care of it and visit it, so we can appreciate and learn from it.'                                                                             Tilly Dixon and Leanne Gale. 

A note for November's diary is our PTA Quiz Night on Friday 25^th.  Further details are available from the school office. 

Mark Stratta.

Burton Bradstock Playgroup      See page 11 for report

Bride  Valley  Fledglings  Playgroup

In September we welcomed some new children to Playgroup who have all settled in very well.  We have managed to go to the playing field/park several times to play when the weather was still warm, and one day we collected lots of things on our Nature Hunt.  Some of our other activities have been based around our Nursery Rhyme theme such as making "Humpty Dumptys" and our own little gardens for "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary".  The children also painted a box which we filled with fruit, vegetables and herbs for Harvest Festival. 

Playgroup A.G.M. was held and a new committee was organised - thank you from me to parents who are continuing to run Playgroup and welcome to new parents. Our visitor from the Pre-School Learning Alliance has been to observe the quality of our Playgroup for Accreditation.  There are still places available for children from 2years 9months - do call in on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings to Puncknowle Hall or ring me for information - see telephone nos. below.

The winner of the Summer Quiz was Mrs Cledow from Weymouth who scored 76 points. Our next fundraisers now being planned are a Sponsored Sing -  "Sing a Song of Sixpence" by the children on 16th November - and our ever popular Bingo Night on Friday - 26th November  - Eyes Down at 7.30pm in Puncknowle Hall.   Any further kind donations for bingo prizes would be most welcome - please ring Sue on 01308 482204.  Hope to see you all on the night - families most welcome.

Bingo Night  -  Friday  26  November  -  Eyes Down  -  7.30 pm

 Carol Bennett (Playleader) 01308 897771

Playgroup Mobile Phone  : 07967 400385

First Steps Parent and Toddler Group 

In November we have our AGM which will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 2^nd   at Joy's house, 27 Springfield, Puncknowle. Anyone who has ever been to the group is welcome to come. The Health Visitor will be coming on the first session of the month (3rd) for baby-weighing, advice etc.  The group will meet at Long Bredy Village Hall every Wednesday except the second one (10^th November) when we will be at Littlebredy Village Hall.  Each session will start at 10:00am and finish at 12:00 noon.

The group has toys and activities for all pre-school age children (0-4years). For parents and carers we offer coffee and friendly chat and the chance to meet other parents in the area. Parents with new babies are especially welcome. For further details, please contact:  Jo 482346, or Julie 897178, or Rachel 482246.

Litton Cheney Youth Club meets on Tuesday evenings, for those between 8 and 17 years in Litton Cheney and the surrounding villages.  For information contact Paul Kingston 482384.

Royal British Legion

Wednesday 3^rd November - A.G.M. at 7.30pm

Thursday 4^th November - Women's Section Poppy Appeal Coffee Morning in the W.I. Hall, Burton Bradstock at 10.30am. 

Saturday 13^th November - Annual Valley Pilgrimage, meeting at Burton Bradstock Library at 10.00am. 

Sunday 14^th November - Remembrance Service at St Mary's Church, Litton Cheney starting at 10.40am. 

J.Reeves (Hon. Secretary)

Bride Valley Gardening Club

Our November Meeting  willbe on the 8th at 7.30 p.m. at the usual venue of Thorner's School, Litton Cheney -when Peter and Gill Pitman will be talking on "A Year at Mews Cottage, Including  Propagation of Penstemons".

Do come along and join our Club; membership is only £3.00 per year and for this you can enjoy many interesting Speakers, Social Evenings, Plant Sales, Gardening Shows and have discounts on seeds and composts. Visitors to the Club are welcome and we charge £2.00 a session for this.

                                Norma Millard  (Secretary.  West Bexington  [ 01308] 897774)

Local Computer Training - Getting the best out of Word Processing

A new computer course is going to be offered to anyone interested in using Microsoft Word, a Word Processing program, to produce professional looking documents such as letters, posters and invitations.

The tutor will be from Weymouth College and the course will be held on Thursday mornings in the Reading Room in Burton Bradstock from 9.45-11.45am.  The course programme will consist of 5 sessions running from Thurs 17^th November until Thurs 9^th December and will cost £20.  At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognised qualification entitled eDCC (eDigital Competence Certificate) in Word Processing.

It is an intermediate level course which incorporates many areas including creating files and folders to help you to organise your files and find your work quickly, inserting, deleting and modifying text and the printing of documents. Overall, it covers everything from the initial concept through to producing and printing the finished article e.g. a letter or poster and the course is suitable for anyone with some basic computer experience.

Bookings can be made by e-mailing Karen Venn on venn@boltblue.com or phoning 01308 897094 between 5.30pm and 7.00pm weekday evenings.  After booking, please make cheques payable to 'Burton Bradstock Website Committee'.

Litton Cheney Social Committee's walk will take place on Saturday 20^th November.  Everyone very welcome. 

New Opportunity - the chance to be a 'Lithe Litton Lady' - read the Litton Notes for more details

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.

Choir Practices                    Fridays at 6.00 p.m.

Bell Ringing Practices        Thursdays at 7.00pm

Gift Sunday                         14^th November   The Royal British Legion

21^st November    The Children's Society

The next Service of Prayer for Healing at St Mary's will be held on Monday  22^nd November at 7.00pm.

Tiny Tots / Pram Service will be held at 11.00am on Friday 12th November at St. Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock.

Harvest Supper

Many thanks to Sue Linford, Barbara Powell and their team for organising such a happy evening and to David Powell and the band for helping it to go with such a swing.

Casterbridge Male Voice Choir

Our thanks go to the choir and all who supported this splendid evening. The sum of £467 was raised for Chideock Aid for Romania which will almost cover our travel costs later this month.

                                             Ann and Mike Read. 

Burton Bradstock Playgroup  would like to say a very big thank-you to Louisa Harding for all her hard work as Chair of our Playgroup. It is great that Louisa will continue the very successful cake stall that is held outside the school once a month. Welcome to Cathy Parsons as the new Chair.

Don't forget to drive yourself crazy with the new simile quiz, price £1.00, that is available from Burton School Office and the Village Shop. The prize is a large hamper of delicious food.

The Playgroup is held in the W.I. Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 12 noon during term-time. All pre-school children over the age of 2½ are welcome. Feel free to drop in.

Bridget Pearse

Determining the Future of our Village - The Burton Bradstock Village Plan

Our forbears have done much to ensure that our village has survived through years past as a delightful place and we, the current inhabitants, must do all we can to ensure that it does so in the future. The pressure, and often the need for, development and change will increase and it is now up to us to ensure that this is a managed process and that all the key factors that make Burton Bradstock a really good place to live in are either unchanged or improved.

A village plan will help us do this and recently there were moves towards its production in a meeting, organised by the Parish Council, of some individuals[1] willing to help put it together. This reawakens the start made in 2001 but put on hold because of more immediate projects such as the Post Office purchase and the WI Hall transfer.   To take the compilation of a plan further will require the participation of many people and the whole process is likely to take up to a year.  Make no mistake this has to be a whole village evolution; everyone can and should contribute if they wish.

When complete the Village Plan will be the key document used to ensure that the Bridport Local Area Partnership, West Dorset Partnership, West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council take account of the needs of our village in their higher-level strategic plans. These provide the framework for the development of the wider area. The Plan, as a living, dynamic statement, must reflect the views and aspirations of the entire village and highlight the issues of concern to the village as a community and identify what needs to be done over a period, of say, twenty years. It is our chance to state what is good and not so good about our village and what we would like to happen to make it even better.  If we do not have a robust and comprehensive Village Plan, we are in danger of being sidelined and changes being made that are not to the benefit of our village or community.

In a nut-shell that is what the Village Plan is all about.  If you would like to help put ours together do give me a call.  Meanwhile, the start-up

 group will get the ball rolling and hopes to be able to have an open village forum on the subject at which you are invited to have an input and find out more about the process.  This is likely to be held on Saturday 29 January between 10.00am and 4.00pm in the WI Hall.

Anthony Gosnold, 5 Beach Road,  07970 228 029

[1] Attendees were Elise Ripley, Celia Cummins, Karen Venn, Fel Moore,  Richard Overend, Archie Mackie, Ken Pett, David Dixon, Mike Southgate & Anthony Gosnold                                                  

Affordable Housing in Burton Bradstock

Following on from the questionnaire on affordable housing earlier this year, a report has been prepared by Andy Lloyd of Dorset Community Action. This will be presented by him and discussed at the next Parish Council meeting in the Reading Room on 3^rd November at 7.30 pm.

Mike Southgate Chairman Parish Council

Bequests to the Village

The Parish Council have adopted a policy not to install any new memorial seats around the village.  However, they are very interested in using bequests in other ways, such as:

Commemorative trees

Replacement of playground equipment

Specific village areas, notice boards, etc.

Signposting

Entrance to village signs

Improvements to the Village Hall.

There are probably lots of other areas to list as well.  If you wish to have further details, please contact the Parish Clerk. 

Fel Moore (Parish Clerk)

Dorset Police Community Support Unit

The next visit of the above unit will be on Friday 9^th November.The vehicle will be located near the gates of the Rectory Garden or if unable to park there, it will be in the bus lay-by opposite The Three Horseshoes car park.                                                                            Freddy Tame

Burton Bradstock WI.

At their October meeting, 41 members and 3 guests listened with amazement to Mr. Leslie Phillips as he described his busy and interesting life, firstly as a farrier and then 40 years as a Dorset councillor and the youngest ever Mayor of Dorchester. It culminated in him receiving an MBE for services to Dorchester.

Following a break for refreshments, details were finalised for the Christmas Coffee Morning, on 27th Nov. 10.30-12.noon. Entrance 60p. (inc. coffee/mince pie). There will be stalls for cards and decorations, cakes, gifts, raffle etc. It was agreed that 50% of proceeds should be donated to the new hall committee.

A Quiz night is to be held on Fri. Dec. 3^rd at 7.00pm. Tickets £3 from Heather Thompson. Tables of four or six: savouries and coffee provided, but please bring own drinks and glasses. Come and join us and have fun - Colin Barham will be Quizmaster as before..!!Proceeds will be split between Air Ambulance and RNLI.

Other dates are Christmas lunch on December 8th, Carol Service at Sherborne Abbey on December 15th and a New Year Party on 22nd January.

Our November meeting will be on Tuesday, 9th Nov. at 2.15pm (note change of time). Mrs. Kate Greenaway will address us - "Enjoy Being a Woman". New members are most welcome.

Bridge Club meets in November on Tuesdays, 2nd, 16th, 23rd and 30th at 2.00pm. New members welcome, some experience necessary. For further information please ring Chris. Clarke. Te1.898117

Joan Dady

Thank you

I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me so generously for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk in September.  It is such a good cause. 

Greta Heal

SHIPTON GORGE                                                          

Village Correspondent: Mrs. Joy White

Eastcote  3 Gullivers Orchard  Shipton Gorge

Tel: ( 01308 )897974

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Dorset Historic Churches Trust Cycle Ride

Eleven keen cyclists set off on a sunny Saturday in September to visit all seven churches in our beautiful Bride Valley. We enjoyed our picnic by the lake at Littlebredy, watching the rainbow trout hiding under the ducks, and by the time we got back to our village we had clocked up 22 miles! It was a great day out, and we raised nearly £400, to be divided equally between St. Martin's Church and the D.H.C.T.

Many, many thanks to all our kind sponsors who give us such marvellous support and motivation every year and congratulations to our terrific young people who took part in the cycle ride, namely: Jason, Natalie, Gemma Tommy, James, Jessica, Sam, Merrilyn and George. Once again, they provided good entertainment for my sister Penny and me along the way - we wouldn't miss it!

Family Pet Service - Sunday, November 28th, at 3.00 p.m.

All pets with well behaved owners are invited to join us at St. Martin's Church for this special service of thanksgiving for all animals, which will include poems and prayers for our much loved pets. Tea and treats will be available after the service in the Village Hall.

Reminders

Artsreach

Moviola Wednesday 3rd November 2004 at 7.30pm, Shipton Gorge Village Hall

Saturday 27^th November at 7.30pm, Shipton Gorge Village Hall

Parish Meeting     10^th November

Pre-Christmas Get Together

Sunday 5th December in the Village Hall from 12 noon onwards.

Shipton Gorge Village Hall 100 Club

Winners for the October Draw

SWYRE                                                                         

Village Correspondent: Sid Marshall

3 Green Barton, Swyre Tel: 897318

s.marshall@which.net

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Best Kept Village Competition

I am pleased to tell you that Swyre was "Very Highly Commended" in the small village class in the Best Kept Village Competition for 2004. We also received a cheque for £20. A big thank you to everyone who has helped to keep the Village looking neat and tidy. Next year we must see if we can do even better.                                                              Ken Martin

The Bull Inn, Swyre - Nights to remember- All in aid of Dorset Air Ambulance

6^th November It's Bonfire Night! Starting at 7.30pm.

The Bull Inn is pleased to announce it is creating a Bigger and Better Bonfire Bash to raise funds in aid of the Air Ambulance.

There will be fireworks, food, side-shows, stalls and more fun.

Donations of Raffle prizes would be gratefully received at The Bull Inn Swyre.

Painting Competition.

There are three Categories: 5 and under: 5 to 11: 11 and over. The theme must be Fireworks Night on no larger than A4 size. All entries must be taken to The Bull Inn before Friday 5^th November. Judging, by a local celebrity, will take place at 8.00pm

Guy Competition

Judging for the Guy Competition will take place at 8.30pm.

Bonfire

The bonfire will commence at 9.00pm. There will be a nominal charge of £2 to enter the bonfire field. All proceeds to go to the Dorset Air Ambulance.

13^th November - Play your cards right.

Come along for a great evening and guess those cards. Higher or Lower?

27^th November - Hot Pot Competition

Just cook a Hot Pot to serve 4 people. You try the rest and vote who is best.

Hot Pots by about 8 o'clock.

Further information please ring Chris or Sue at The Bull Inn on 01308 897250

PUNCKNOWLE      SWYRE      WEST BEXINGTON

Correspondents: Elizabeth Slater & Sid Marshall

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Puncknowle and Swyre Parish Council

 The next scheduled meeting of Puncknowle and Swyre Parish Council will be held in the Puncknowle Church Hall, at 7.30pm on the 2^nd November 2004.

Puncknowle Swyre and West Bexington Homewatch

The Community Vehicle will be at Puncknowle Bottom on Tuesday 9th November afternoon at 2.00pm - 3.00pm.             Andy Marshall - 897732

Pre Christmas Social

For all the people of Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington

Friday 3rd December 7.30 - 10.00pm in the Hall

Swop the pre Christmas blues and concerns for a friendly social evening in the Hall with friends and neighbours.  Newcomers especially welcome - come and make new friends. Bring your own drinks and nibbles.  Donations towards cost appreciated.                   Contact Nos. 898492/897751

PUNCKNOWLE & WEST BEXINGTON                           

Village Correspondent:  Elizabeth Slater

1, Lytton Close, Puncknowle, Dorchester DT2 9BH

Telephone: ( 01308 ) 897751

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Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Cycle Ride

Thank you to everyone who joined the cycle ride and to those who so generously sponsored them. We raised £456, a record amount, which will be divided equally between The Historic Churches Trust and St Mary's, Puncknowle.                                Ann Roberts

Social Evening, Thursday 18th November 7.30 pm

Stephen Griffiths, Curator of Abbotsbury Gardens, will be giving a talk with slides entitled 'An Island Odyssey'. A journey by cruise ship, visiting coastal gardens and archaeological sites in Scotland, Southern Ireland, Isles of Scilly and Channel Islands. This should be an interesting evening. There will be coffee, tea and biscuits, and a collection to cover expenses.

Ann Roberts

Bride Valley Fledglings Playgroup

See Page 7 (Valley Notes Section ) for report. 

Puncknowle Art Group

We must thank Doreen Print and Jennifer for sitting for our "quick life sketching" meeting. These were ten minute poses in which members managed to draw complete figures at some speed.

Meetings for Nov.-12th work on the proportions of the human face                26th a slide show by David and Mary Cantrille                                                       Christine Molony

 LITTON CHENEY                                                        

Village Correspondent:

Elizabeth Kingston  5 Manor Farm Close, Litton Cheney

news4litton@bridevalley.net

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Many of you enjoy coming to Church at Christmastime for the Carols and the Crib Service or the Midnight Service and are happy to find the Church looking clean, bright and festive.  Could you spare an hour or so on the morning of Friday 3^rd December to come and join in a working party to get everything shiny-bright, ready for the festivities?  Do come along if you can, refreshments provided!

Dorset Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Cycle Ride

Thank you and congratulations to Ross Jones and Sons and to Alexander Gross and his fellow cyclist Rupert Rutland who between them raised £255 for the Trust.  Half the money comes back to St Mary's Church who are very grateful for this help towards maintenance of the building.  Thanks also to the many longsuffering sponsors without whose generosity little would have been achieved.

Would you like to be a  'Lithe Litton Lady'?

then come along to the Church Hall on Monday 1^st November from 6.00pm until 7.15 pm for a unique blend of exercises combining yoga, Pilates and Callenetics.

The instructor, Alex, was trained and taught in London and now runs classes in Bridport and Burton Bradstock.

Come in comfortable clothing and bring a small towel and some water.  We exercise in bare feet.  Yoga mats are provided.

Classes are £3.50 each or £3.00 if booking a course of 4 classes.

The regular time and venue may change according to demand.  So why not come along and give it a try - if you would like to know more please ring Alison Davidson 482661.

Litton Cheney Vital Villages Steering Group invite you to a presentation of the results of the survey carried out in June this year.  The presentations are likely to take place on Saturday 13^th November at 11.00 am and on Wednesday 17^th November at 7.30 pm at Thorner's School.  Every household will receive an invitation and there will be posters around the village - about 78% of the residents responded to the survey so come along to find out what everyone said!

From the PCC:

At the meeting in September with some of the Church Hall 'volunteers', it was decided to set up a rota of people who would be willing to look after the Hall on a monthly basis.  This would involve a little cleaning and generally keeping the place ship-shape - not too much of a burden.  If anyone else would be prepared to help us in this way, please ring Wendy Taylor (482532).  Many thanks.

On Wednesday 24^th November at 7.30 pm Paul Kingston (Ancient Monuments Liaison Officer for the Parish of Litton Cheney) will present a slide show and talk about the many and varied Ancient Sites of the Parish.  The talk will take place at Thorner's School.  Everyone is very welcome.

BBC Children in Need Appeal

On Friday 19^th November, Litton Cheney Social Committee, will be hosting an evening of poetry and prose at St Mary's Church to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

We cordially invite you to read a favourite poem, a poem you have written, or a short piece of prose, and time permitting, we may call on you again.  If you would rather not read please nominate a reader.  Each reading will cost a pound, or more!?

The evening will begin at 7.00 pm with the children reading, and they will be followed by a musical interlude.  After that there will be a social break for refreshments, wine, cheese, etc.  Next it's the turn of the adults to entertain us.

Admission will be a pound, and there will be a Pudsey Collecting Box, he wants your money!  Everyone please bring your Pudsey Teddy look alike.  For information or donations please ring Frank Whillock 482457.  Please come.

Litton Cheney Youth Club will meet on Tuesday 9^th November and Tuesday 23^rd November in The Church Hall, Litton Cheney.  The junior session for those aged 8 - 12 is from 6.30 - 8.00 pm.  The senior session for those 13 - 17 years is from 8.00 - 9.30 pm.  For further details contact Paul Kingston 482384

Litton Cheney Social Committee

The Harvest Supper was again very well attended this year.  Special thanks go to David and Ursula who provided the meat and Modbury Farm who supplied the cream.  Thank you to everyone who helped with the event - it was much appreciated.

Saturday 20th November - meet at the bus shelter at 10.00 am to join us for a walk of about five miles - weather permitting.

December 16th and 17th  - Carol singing around the village.  More details next month.                                    Kathy Kourik Secretary LCSC 482552

From the Parish Clerk:

The Highways Office has requested Wessex Water to suspend the work on the water main replacement over the Christmas and New Year period, so all the village roads should be open during that time.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Hearn on the marriage of their daughter, Jenny to Andrew Staley on 11 September 2004.  After a quiet wedding in Bath the couple went to Iceland for the honeymoon.  Double congratulations are due as Jenny passed her degree in Osteopathy at Oxford with a first and has started working with Liza Adams in South Street, Bridport.  We wish her every success for the future.

A warm welcome to Malcolm and Sheila Davison who have moved into Pins Knoll.

LONG BREDY                                                         

Village Correspondent:

Mrs. Elinor Frost, Bridelands  ( 482269 )

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Long Bredy and Litton Cheney WI

The 2^nd November meeting at Litton Cheney will be a talk entitled "China - Not Just a Great Wall".  Visitors very welcome.

Don't forget the W.I. Tabletop Sale at Litton Church Hall on the 6^th November at 10:30am.

The W.I. Group Carol Service is at Litton Cheney Church at 2:30pm on Thursday 2^nd December.

Long Bredy and Kingston Russell Parish Council

As you may have noticed Long Bredy has a new notice board, made and erected by Russell Randell.  This notice board will be kept locked and used by the Parish Council to advertise the Parish Council Meetings, new legislation, crime warnings and important information that might otherwise get covered up.

To tidy up the old notice board would advertisers of eggs, B&B, odd jobs, etc in the village like to update their advertisements.

The Parish Council is sent a wide variety of leaflets, if anyone could come up with an idea of where we could put them, so people can take what is of interest please let us know.

The Parish Council meeting in September discussed an unprecedented seven planning applications for Long Bredy and Kingston Russell.  If you would like to know what changes are proposed in the village, please do attend the meetings.  Parish Council meetings are advertised on the notice board.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has a cut-off date for adding rights of way in existence before 1949 to the definitive map.  This not only includes paths across open countryside but also town and village back lanes, alleyways, drongs, cut-throughs and snicketts.  If you know of any such right of way, please let the Chairman or Parish Clerk know so it can be checked and recorded if necessary.

Chairman: Adrian Harrison 482413

Parish Clerk: Gwen Kinghorn 482270

Congratulations and best wishes to David and Ruth Cullingford who were married at Long Bredy on the 23^rd October.  We wish them great happiness in their life together.

John Bailey

Sadly, John Bailey, known to many as "Jack", passed away peacefully in Dorchester Hospital on 5^th October, aged 90 years, after a very short and unexpected illness.

Eve and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make his latter years so happy and enjoyable, especially Joan who became both his carer and companion.  Our thanks also to Dr Blake and the staff of Barnes Ward who made his last few days so comfortable. 

Andrew & Eve Bailey

LITTLEBREDY                                                         

LITTLEBREDY NOTES.

The two weddings in the village in September went off fantastically well.  Two beautiful brides - and handsome bridegrooms, of course, Daniel & George - gorgeous Church decorations, large congregations and - albeit elsewhere - very convivial receptions, which Littlebredy friends enjoyed to the full, by all accounts.  A shower of rain on the second Saturday did not dampen the spirits.  Renewed best wishes to both couples for the future.

Congratulations to Sarah and Margaret Williams, who ran together in the Great North Run in Newcastle, and finished in the creditable time of 2 hours 26 minutes.  They were raising sponsorship respectively for an orphanage and a school for cerebral palsied children in South Africa, both of which charities have greatly benefited as a result.  One sponsor offered to double her contribution if they finished ahead of Kelly Holmes, but it was not to be - Kelly Holmes was the starter, but didn't run.  The girls' subsequent claim that "they passed her at the start and were never caught..." did not wash.

Many will know by now of forthcoming changes at Foxholes Farm.  The first main outward and visible sign will be a major Farm Sale there on Thursday 25th November.  This will undoubtedly create a great deal of extra traffic, congestion, etc., in and around the village that day and probably for a few days either side.  If there are any difficulties, goodwill and tolerance will be the key.  All best wishes to Bernard & Val Fry and family for a highly successful occasion.

Littlebredy at last produced the winning team (well, 50% of it, anyway...) at last month's enjoyable Quiz Night in the Village Hall - no prizes for guessing where the rest of the team came from!  This month, the Club celebrates Guy Fawkes Night in the traditional way.  On Friday 5th November, the Hall will be open from 6.30 p.m. onwards, and people attending are asked to bring a large firework for Glenn Wilkinson or Simon Baxter.  Entries for a children's Guy Fawkes competition should also be brought to the Hall.  The bonfire will be lit at 7.00 p.m., with fireworks shortly afterwards.  There will be a barbecue supper later, and of course the bar will be open.  All welcome, of course, with temporary Club membership available on the night.

Dorset Conference -Gateways to the Imagination!

Six inspirational children's authors will be among the keynote speakers at a major reading conference which takes place in Dorset on Saturday 13th November 2004.

Award-winning writers Kevin Crossley-Holland, Celia Rees and Philip Reeve will join Susan Gates, and the illustrator Giles Andreae as guest speakers. The conference will be opened by Nicholas Tucker and will culminate in a talk by Philippa Pearce, author of the acclaimed children's classic, Tom's Midnight Garden.

"Gateways to the Imagination", is the fourteenth Dorset Teaching Reading Conference, the well-established regional event promoting children's literature. The conference will be held at Bovington Middle School, near Wareham, and is intended for teachers, literacy governors, teaching assistants, Volunteer Reading Helpers, librarians and other enthusiasts of children's books.

Conference organiser Philip Browne said: "This year's programme is particularly exciting and offers an unmissable opportunity for anyone involved in promoting literacy to hear nationally acclaimed writers for children talking about their work. Our conferences are always inspiring and, thanks to the support of Puffin Books and other publishers, we have been able, once again, to secure the involvement of leading writers for young people."

The programme will also include a bookstall, publishers' displays and plenty of opportunities for book signings by the visiting authors.

Further details can be obtained from Philip Browne, Conference Organiser, The Dorset School Effectiveness Centre, Bovington Middle School, Bovington, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6NU.

Tel: 01929 405060. E-mail: p.browne@dorsetcc.gov.uk

What was said about last year's conference:

.   Outstanding speakers and inspirational authors - a day which left me bubbling with enthusiasm for books.

.   All of it was quality input and every session so different. Something for everyone, surely!