8 July 2022 - A Thank-You Newsbite
Many villagers will have woken up on Monday morning feeling very tired after their hard work to make the Victorian Street Fayre on Sunday such a resounding success and had a well-deserved lie-in. We thank them all: the stall holders, the cooks, the counters of money, traffic marshalls, entertainers etc. etc. Some people however jumped out of bed on Monday to finish the chore of clearing up after the event! Many folk had been involved in the planning for months, helped with setting up, stringing up bunting, collecting items to sell etc. etc. To all those people who were involved in the Fayre in whatever capacity, many many thanks. And wasn't it fun - when do we start planning the next one?
And thank you to all those folk who, unbidden and often overlooked, do work around the village: the strimmer handlers who help to keep the verges clear, the gardeners who plant and tend the boxes, the DIY-ers who mend the benches, signposts, notice boards and litter bins, those who look after the phone box, the defibrillator... and and ... we know we will have forgotten someone!
Thank you to all who make this village such a special place to live in.
And a message from Revd. James Menzies (who hopes to come to a coffee morning very soon):
"On behalf of St Andrew's Church, I just wanted to thank everyone in the local community who has supported our refugees from the Ukraine. Many people I know have given generously of time, money and resources to prepare the Rectory in Sutton Poyntz. The resident family are really grateful for everything that has been provided - you should have seen their faces when they arrived! Having been here for a few weeks now, they are settling in to life in Weymouth. Thank you so much for contributing - your efforts are very much appreciated by everyone involved. It's a great example of when church and community work together to make something really worthwhile happen" - Rev James Menzies, Rector, Weymouth Ridgeway Team
J & S
4 July 2022 - The Party's over - it's time to go home...
We have one car left in the Fayre car park (i.e. the field besides the Waterworks). It is a Blue Suzuki Swift VK57CKX. They will need to call David Langridge on 07990 508355 to get the gate unlocked. We cannot leave the gate open any longer as it is not our field and the sheep are queueing up to use it again.
Thanks
J
24 June 2022 - Twiddling your thumbs on Monday mornings?
A new week, another Monday morning, may I suggest you start your week with a cheerful group of ladies either crafting or playing games? Apart from the £2 subscription you are not going to lose your shirt as no gambling is allowed - officially. Worried you don’t craft? Everyone is always eager to discuss what they are doing and encourage another crafter. Join us Monday 10.00 to 12.00 at the Mission Hall, coffee or tea and posh biscuits included.
S & J
18 June 2022 - Up-coming festivities
It's certainly turning out to be a very busy summer for us all! Here is a round up of the festivities coming up soon.
The Mission Hall AGM is on June 29th 7pm - in the Mission Hall - of course.
Because of the preparations for the Victorian Fayre on Sunday July 3rd, it has been thought wise to cancel the coffee morning on July 1st. Which reminds us, if you haven't already volunteered to help at the Fayre, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 'More hands make light work' - and more money for the charities!
You can then have a short break before the Vegetable Show on July 30th. I hope your spuds are already growing well in their tubs! Categories are as usual: Selection of herbs, 3 carrots, 3 tomatoes, 1 lettuce, 3 courgettes, heaviest marrow, longest cucumber, longest runner beans (submit 3), 5 soft fruit, Anything grown in a greenhouse, Any other vegetable, Bunch of flowers, Bunch of different leaves, Wonkiest fruit or veg, 3 Onions, 3+1 Eggs, PLUS Spud-in-a-tub.
We are being asked to take part in the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan. Consultation closes on July 31st so make sure you have your say in this important survey.
And finally, for now, if you are reading this important and life-enhancing newsbite, you should have paid your 2022 subscriptions to the Sutton Poyntz Society. If you have ‘forgotten’ - before we have to send the boys around - please pay any committee member.
J & S
12 June 2022 - Donations still needed for Victorian Street Fayre stalls
All the village stalls (which generate the money that will go to this year's charities) need more stuff to sell!
Please have a dig in the back of those cupboards, get up into the loft, poke around in the garage/shed/greenhouse/... and then drop off those goodies at the Mission Hall. Just the best stuff of course, this is not a Civic Amenity Point!
Let's make it a great Fayre this year!!
J & S
8 June 2022 - Newsbite /Newsfest – Two weeks of Festivities and Community
Just two weeks ago, May 24th on a beautiful Spring evening, 30 + villagers enjoyed a five-mile walk, ably planned and led by Richard Backwell around the countryside ending up at “The Black Dog” at Broadmayne for supper. Great fun with lots of chat after a three-year break from this event. Thanks Richard - and when's the next walk?
The Bunting's up!
Skip forward to June 2nd and once again we were walking, this time to the Beacon to celebrate the start of the celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 100 + gathered there to watch the lighting of our Beacon, to raise a glass to Her Majesty and to see the fireworks from Weymouth. Thanks to Jon and Ian for transporting the fuel for the fire and the 'Fizz', (kindly supplied by ‘The Springhead’).
June 3rd the monthly coffee morning was particularly well attended as many of us were eager to see the exhibition in the Mission Hall of 'Coronation Memories'. This had been lovingly and beautifully put together by Caroline Crisp. We were delighted to see the display, which included some of our residents as children in fancy dress in 1953 or acting in Hardy's plays or pantomimes circa?? Bill Egerton had compiled a fascinating video for this event again including shots of villagers and interviews. This can now be downloaded from the History>Images page. Well worth another look. This continued until June 4th and it was lovely to see so many locals and visitors enjoying the memorabilia and indeed the cakes on offer! Thanks to all the bakers, contributors, Bill, and Caroline of course.
June 5th and then...the long awaited 'Street Party'. The planning for this started many months ago. Hilary Davidson led an enthusiastic committee who took on various roles. Many of you will know that there were some unexpected hiccups with the venue! We are all so indebted to Erica and Tony Ferrari who at the last moment offered us their beautiful garden in which to host this event. It was the perfect place! So it rained? That never stops a Brit! Who can forget the sight of certain villagers dancing in the downpour? We want to see a photo display of this very soon! [Editor’s note: here’s a few: https://adobe.ly/3Mz1w7L ]
So many people were involved that we cannot mention them all by name: the heroes and heroines who offered transport; set up; cleared up; washed up; shopped; baked etc. etc.
Especial thanks though to the Ukuladies and to Charlie for entertaining us.
And how do we thank Hilary who conceived the idea, led the committee, hired Portaloos (did she help put them up? Probably!) and so many other tasks behind the scenes. Well done and heartfelt thanks from us all Hils.
Just when you thought we'd finished! More good news and thanks.
On May 24th we put out an appeal for help to get the Rectory ready for a refugee Ukrainian family. On June 5th they moved in and are delighted with their new, safe home. So many people from our community have helped with gardening, decorating, donating furniture, toys, food and money.
What a wonderful, caring community to be part of. How lucky we are!
And next? Watch this space...
J and S
P.S. Three fold-up tables are awaiting collection from Erica and Tony's garage!!
26 May 2022 - Helping the Ukrainian refugees
No apologies for sending out another call for help.
The Ukrainian family are sheltering in Poland after the trauma of escaping Mariupol with only what they could carry. Now we can do ourselves proud by equipping The Rectory and having a secure home ready for them asap. A lot of offers of help have come in after the last Newsbites (thank you) but there are still many items needed. Just because you don't have a spare sofa or washing machine doesn't mean you can't help - they need a potato-peeler, a torch, some coffee cups etc. Or a blank cheque.
The list is attached [N.B. not attached here]. They don't need two potato-peelers so please tell Sue Sadler This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. what you can offer - or what you plan to pick off the shelf when you're in the 'homeware' aisle at the supermarket this afternoon...
See you at The Rectory on Friday morning at 9.30.
J & S
24 May 2022 - Help for Ukrainian family coming to The Rectory
As mentioned in the previous Newsbite, Sue Sadler is leading the Task Force to get The Rectory ready for a refugee family.
Alas - it seems the dot from her email address was missing - but good news - we found it!
The correct address (as most of you worked out) is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meanwhile a little more information from Sue.
If you are able to offer a little help (or even a lot!) please come to The Rectory at 0930 on Friday 27th May. The first tasks are to sort out the garden and clean the house. There is already a lawnmower organised but bring hand-tools for gardening. If you prefer to help with the cleaning, get those Marigolds on and bring the normal stuff you'd need for a good spring clean. That will leave it ready for some badly-needed decorating and then donated furnishings can be installed as quickly as possible.
If you have items from Sue's list they can also be left in the garage on Friday. (Contact her if you haven't seen the list, alternatively it's posted at the Church.) You can also drop in on Friday with cheques and bags of used fivers.
The family are coming from Mariupol, and were contacted by St Andrew's via the local Pastor. There is a husband and wife, a 16-year-old girl and a boy of 9. They have thankfully escaped the fighting and are currently safe in Poland and will be driving here as soon as the house is ready. So it's all pretty urgent!
Thanks in advance for your generous help.
J & S