Sutton Poyntz

It's not too late to get your tickets if you act quickly!  I'm told we only have a dozen or so places remaining! (Note that due to popular demand, we have had to use the bigger Preston Village Hall and even then we have to limit numbers to 60 so that we have space for eating and dancing!)  

 

We'll have professional guidance and musicians and, by the end of what promises to be a fun evening, we'll all be able to 'honour your partner' or practise a 'figure of eight'.  Or walk home on crutches.

 

To remind you when and where - the Barn Dance will be on Saturday October 29th at 7pm in Preston Village Hall.  For just £15 you will get a Stracey's fish and chip supper and a fun evening of dance, and even if you have two left feet, a lot of laughs (for us watching).  Bring your friends and family, as well your preferred tipple, but remember to get your tickets a.s.a.p - and certainly by the end of next week, October 21st.

 

Book with  Hilary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07707 830846, or from Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07813 267788, or from Linda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07785 534212

 

S & J

We told you that The Springhead had announced their special Village Christmas Party date (Dec 9th). 

If you’re on their mailing list you will have just heard that they are now taking bookings! 

It’s an event not to be missed but places are limited so call to book now!

 

J & S

Liz Balfe, from Little Acorns, Puddledock Lane, is fundraising for Dementia UK.

Liz and Tara are undertaking the Dementia UK October dog walking challenge, by walking 100k in the month of October.

This is a cause very close to Liz's heart, as her sister died early from dementia. Liz would really appreciate your support.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-balfe?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=elizabeth-balfe&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=f6871b8cad9a47b49d8c027e663a09e2

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Dementia UK, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Liz Balfe

07816415212

Earlier this year the Biodiversity group on behalf of the SPS were successful in an application for £1500 from the government Strategic Development Fund to plant a new hedgerow in the surrounds of the village. The objective is to follow the line of the Millennium Oaks now that they have grown sufficiently to form a classic oak hedgerow with the hedge being kept at a height so as not to detract from the oaks themselves. The bid was strongly supported by the office for the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty who manage the grants and oversea the SSSI ridgeway. The hedgerow will contain a diverse mix of a dozen species which will form an attractive colourful boundary to field as well as providing a wild life conduit linking up to ridgeway down land.

 

This project will be supported by the village, the local farmers George and Sally and the Muntsy’s special needs group. John Waterman has also successfully bid for some support the Woodland Trust.

 

The project will involve moving the existing wire fence over to the field side of the oaks, this work will involve the biodiversity group and the farmer and will start as soon as the sheep have been moved.

 

The main activity will involve planting well over a 1000 trees (saplings) starting in about November. We are keen for this to be a community project with an emphasis on the young (children and grand children) so they can over the years  follow the progress of their efforts and also the young at heart members of the village who can become involved in an activity that is both accessible as well as being reasonably manageable labour. If anyone in the village is interested in getting involved please contact Dave Emery 832907 or Colin Marsh 833892.

 

J & S

Some of you will remember the sterling work done in 2014, led by Peter Jones, renovating this ancient signpost. It was partly funded by villagers if I recall correctly, with a little something from the Dorset AONB.  It's one of only two surviving finger posts in our area, the other being at the Cartshed junction.

 

 

For anyone out there who wants to contribute a bit more to making SP a nice place to live, we have an active committee that has just lost one of its 12 members. 

 

Kevin Pearce has been part of the team for two years and as well as regular help at society events, pond clearups, etc., has been working tirelessly on a new website.  Unfortunately his other committments, including his new start-up business, his three children, cubs/scouts etc., have led him to resign from the committee.  We offer him all our heartfelt thanks and wish him well.

 

We'd like to fill his place with an enthusiastic individual who can offer a bit of time and creativity.

Contact Hilary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07707 830846

 

For reference, the full objectives of the Society are spelt out here (on the current website!):

 

J & S

 

The Mission Hall was built in 1892, and has been owned by Salisbury Diocese since 1925. Since 1999, it has been leased to the village, who created a Charity (the Mission Hall Trust) to act as leaseholders and to manage the Hall. One of the first activities by the Trust was to raise money (through events and in the form of a Lottery Grant) to build a  kitchen extension and disabled toilet. Much volunteer effort was also expended on improving the hall and garden, and continues to ensure the Hall is clean and in good order.

 

The Mission Hall Trust lets the Hall out to village groups and for events, and uses the income to maintain and improve the Hall and for heating, lighting etc. The Mission Hall is a service; it hosts or has hosted all sorts of village social, educational  and entertainment events as well as organisations such as the Village WI, art, whist, bridge and yoga groups, dog training, and private parties. The Mission Hall is also a business: over the 23 years, rental income of £71k has been received and used to fund running costs of £36k and maintenance bills of £26k; at the same time event income, grants and bequests have totalled another £70k (including a recent £10k bequest) which were used for improvements and equipment costing £42k (with plans to spend another £10k or so).

 

The initial lease was for 30 years, and so ends in 2029. However, the details of the current lease have some problems, including acting as a slight blocker in finding new members for the Management Committee. We have therefore decided, with Church encouragement, to start trying to negotiate a new lease a bit early, and to use this as an opportunity to try to make the Lease work better for all parties. Before we go too far, however, we want to get the village’s assurance that they support us in trying to extend the lease, that there are enough people willing to help make the Mission Hall a real asset for the village, and to establish how the Hall is of value to the village and what can be done to improve it.

 

That is the purpose of this Newsletter, which we are distributing to houses in and near the village of Sutton Poyntz. Please have a think about the questions below, and send in your thoughts and answers, either by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by dropping a note in to one of the following: Anthea Heathershaw (86 Sutton Road), Linda Kirkpatrick (Dunelm, Puddledock Lane), or Sue Wintle (Harwin, Mission Hall Lane).

 

 

Replies please, if possible by the end of October, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to Anthea Heathershaw, Linda Kirkpatrick, or Sue Wintle.