27 February 2022 - Snowdrop bulb planting tomorrow; Biodiversity leaflet; Tree
Hello everyone,
Don’t forget the snowdrop bulb planting tomorrow morning. Your Village needs you with trowel in hand at the Cartshed tomorrow, Monday 28 February at 10am. Or even without a trowel, for I am sure trowel sharing can be organised. See you there.
I attach some rather nicely presented information about the SP Bio-Diversity Group’s activities. Very interesting they are too. The only personal drawback is that there appears to be a lot of counting involved. It’s not that I can’t count, just that I have trouble remembering the total at the end.
Thank you to everyone who sent me pictures of the tree that fell outside the Mission Hall. Report to follow. Thankfully nobody was hurt but it could have been quite serious.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
24 February 2022 - Village bulb planting day; Appeal for photo
Hello everyone,
A recent Newsbite mentioned the Village Platinum Jubilee Committee’s wish to “ …..to enhance our very beautiful village by planting snowdrops now and in the Autumn. Perhaps organising a village bulb planting day?” and asking you to let them know if “….you would like to help plant …. bulbs …… or provide some bulbs”. Thanks to everyone who pledged support, and advice on planting snowdrops. Jon went on to purchase a large quantity of snowdrops for the SP Society and these have now been delivered. I know how many, but it is such a large amount that Jon probably hasn’t counted them all and we wouldn’t want to be sued if it turns out we are a couple short. Anyway, enough back covering. So, the first village bulb planting will take place on Monday 28 February, meeting at 1000 hrs at the Cartshed. This is opposite the Village Information Centre and Library (or the Phone Box for those more literally minded). If you can spare a little time and have a trowel – so no heavy digging - then please turn up and lend a hand. The more volunteers the less time it will take. I hope to see you there.
The recent storms caused havoc across the country and in the village. I’m told that a tree fell across the Mission Hall “passenger drop off” area. By the time I carefully ventured out, being so light that I could easily have been knocked over by the wind, it had disappeared. If you have a photograph of it, could you forward it to me so I can share it.
Some more information about the Village Bio-diversity Group to follow soon.
Stay safe
Chris
20 February 2022 - Join the Bio-diversity Group; SPAM Event
Hullo everyone,
You might have noticed the posters around the village put up by the Sutton Poyntz Biodiversity Group. Over the last 13 years the members of this Group have performed sterling work throughout the area, especially in husbanding the Wessex Water land to the north of the waterworks. The Group founders have a wealth of experience in bio-diversity matters but could now do with some more members to help with their important voluntary activities. These include a garden bird watch week every month, a weekly butterfly count round the hill, maintaining a moth trap and monitoring many types of wildlife and in 2021 they completed a survey of the waterworks fen for Wessex Water. Much of what they do is reported in a monthly newsletter and I can personally vouch for the fact that the Group is a useful source of knowledge on our local flora, fauna and wild-life. If you would like more information then get in touch with John Newbould via his email address
The Sutton Poyntz Action Men (SPAM) recently held their annual Liquor Tasting at the home of the Spam President (or is it Chairman?) Clive in Plaisters Lane. Thirteen members delivered their home made liquor to Colin who ensured the anonymity of the offerings. After a strenuous evening of tasting approx 15cls of each offering, cleansing the palate with light snacks and much banter he announced the preferences of the assembly. In equal third place were Mike Haine (Damson Gin) and Peter Joslin (Blackberry Gin and apparently his first ever attempt). Second Place went to Nick Powell (Damson Gin). This was something of an upset as Nick has won on the previous two occasions. And in first place – pause for roll of drums – by a considerable margin was Geoff Bacon with his Red Berries Gin. A full list of the competitors would disclose where my offering was placed, so it’s not going to happen. But it was another marvellous evening spent in good company. Considerable thanks are due to Clive for hosting us and to Colin for all his considerable organisation.
Stay safe in this windy weather
Chris
16 February 2022 - Village Pond Clean; History evening reminder; Platinum Jubilee date correction
Hello everyone,
Attached are some words and photos on the recent Village Pond Clean-up, in a format which hopefully is easily readable on all platforms.
And a reminder about the History Evening talk on Friday 11 March. Historian ffiona Perigrinor will be giving a talk on Dame Alice de Bryene, who was a significant landowner in the early 15th Century. Her lands included the manor and village of Sutton Poyntz. The talk will take place in the Mission Hall on Friday 11 March, starting at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 which includes refreshments afterwards. They are available from Caroline Crisp (832529), Bill Egerton (833728) or via
And a thank you to those who reminded me that the Village Platinum Jubilee showpiece event, the village hog roast, is on Sunday 5 June, not as stated in the last Newsbite.
Keep smiling
Chris
13 February 2022 - Update on Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in the Village; Defibrillator
Dear everyone,
Hilary has provided an update on the plans to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in the village. She says that after several committee meetings the organisation of the various events is well under way. These start with of the lighting of our beacon on Thursday 2 June. It’s nice to think that ours will be one in a vast chain of beacons stretching throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and British Overseas Territories including for the first time the capital cities of all the Commonwealth nations. On Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June the Mission Hall will host an exhibition of memorabilia of the Queen’s reign, particularly her Coronation (which I remember very well). The showpiece event will be the village hog roast on Saturday 5 June. Hilary reminds us that in keeping with Queen's wishes you were asked to plant trees in gardens or containers and to send photos to Jez Cunningham. So far he has received four photos, so there is a just a little bit of room left for some more! Please get planting.
She goes on to say “You may have heard of the wish to create a Village Jubilee orchard for everyone to enjoy. With the help of Wessex Water and our local farmer a site was identified but unfortunately, we have learnt that there is a water main under the area which sadly makes tree planting undesirable. We haven't given up and are still communicating with the relevant parties. However, we have other plans to plant trees around the village and we need your help to suggest locations for them. We would also like to enhance our very beautiful village by planting snowdrops now and in the Autumn. Perhaps organising a village bulb planting day? Last but not least we hope to instal a Jubilee bench in the centre of the village. Please let us know if you would like to help plant trees or bulbs or sponsor a tree or provide some bulbs. The next Jubilee planning meeting is on Thursday 10 March at 10am at Hawthorns, Plaisters Lane and everyone is welcome. Thank you for your support.” I know I speak for everyone when I say thank you to Hilary and everyone involved in the planning. They have given us so much to look forward to in the coming months.
Jez Cunningham reminds us that the Village defibrillator is located behind the Springhead Pub. To find it go through the lower car park on the right of the pub, up the ramp to the higher car park and turn immediately left. The defibrillator is at head height (it is to someone as short as me) about ten yards away fixed around the corner of a fenced area. Using this literally lifesaving machine is very straight forward, but Jez has also supplied a link to a short video on its use which shows how easy it is to use. Worth a watch, as no one can tell when they might need the information. Control/click on this link
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av-embeds/60358296/vpid/p06gwvzm
Best regards
Chris
6 February 2022 - Coach trip to Exeter; History evening; Misplaced wheelbarrow
Sue Davis, President of the Sutton Poyntz Village WI, mentions that in December they had to postpone a planned coach trip to Exeter Christmas Market due to stormy weather. The rearranged date for the trip is now Tuesday 8 March. Sue says that while they can’t promise a Christmas Market (unless presumably you stay on for 9 months. Ed) it will be a great day for shopping, including a John Lewis store, loads of interesting restaurants and sightseeing, including the wonderful Exeter Cathedral. She would like to welcome anyone who fancies a day in Exeter to come along. Non-WI members and gentlemen are welcome. The cost is £12 per person and the coach will pick up in Sutton Poyntz and at Chalbury Corner. To book a place or for more information phone either Sue on 568804 or Val Dawe on 562807.
A while ago I asked you to mark the evening of Friday 11 March in your diaries for a History Evening talk. Bill Egerton takes up the story “We have invited ffiona Perigrinor to give us a talk on Dame Alice de Bryene, who was a significant landowner in the early 15th Century. Among a number of other villages and land in Suffolk, Essex, and the West Country, she owned the manor and village of Sutton Poyntz between 1390 (when her father-in-law, Lord Guy de Bryene, died) and her own death in 1434. ffiona is the author of a book, "Medieval Gentlewoman - Life in a Gentry household in the later Middle Ages". This utilises Dame Alice's household accounts (which have survived in the National Archive at Kew) in order to build a fascinating picture of her lifestyle. ffiona has also written a novel "Reluctant Pilgrim" based on the life of Margery Kempe who was an almost exact contemporary of Alice de Bryene and who left behind a quite extraordinary autobiography with a really detailed account of her life. How this autobiography survived is almost as extraordinary as the biography contained in the book.” The picture shows the Brass on Dame Alice's tomb in Acton Church, Suffolk.
The History Evening will take place in the Mission Hall on Friday 11th March, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets cost £3 which includes refreshments after the talk. They can be obtained from Caroline Crisp (832529), Bill Egerton (833728) or via
Best regards
Chris
PS After the pond clean up yesterday (full report to follow) Bill Egerton took home what he thought was Ruth's wheelbarrow - a green plastic body on a galvanised steel frame and single blow-up tyre. Unfortunately it is not Ruth’s but very similar style with a slightly larger body and a bit heavier as a result. Would you check your wheelbarrow please. If it seems to have shrunk slightly then please get in touch with Bill on 07734 040883.
5 February 2022 - Sutton Poyntz - Community of the Year
Dear all,
In autumn last year Wessex Water and Newsquest set up a Dorset Community of the Year competition with five categories to highlight the very best of Dorset life – the people and things that make a difference. You will remember – or not, if you have the same memory problem as me – that in December you were asked to vote for Sutton Poyntz in the Community of the Year category. A lot of us must have done so, because the results have just been announced and Sutton Poyntz has come first, with Bridport and Sturminster Newton as runners-up.
It was Tony Critoph who nominated the Village in the first place so let me leave it to him to tell you how it all came about. Tony says “I first saw about the competition on a post on the Dorset Echo Facebook page where they post regular news items. The competitors were selected by members of the public who had to nominate a community group, area, village or town and write a short statement as to why it was such a special community. As I love Sutton Poyntz and think it has one of the best communities in every sense of the word that I have ever been privileged to be a part of, I nominated Sutton Poyntz in the category ‘best community’ . In November I was told that Sutton Poyntz had been selected as a finalist.”
The rest is history but with the award goes a £500 donation for Sutton Poyntz to pass on to a local charity or charities of our choice. So thanks to Tony’s efforts and some voting help the Village is now officially Community of the Year.
Best regards
Chris
4 February 2022 - Pond Clean-up tomorrow
Dear all,
Don’t forget that the village clean-up of the Pond takes place tomorrow, Saturday 5 February, starting at 9.30am. Many hands make light work, or in this case, wet work, and the weather looks set fair so do come along and lend a hand. It is always a fun morning – I would say that – but it is nice to meet everyone out in the open air helping with such a worthwhile activity. The pond needs to be looking its best because in the summer it will be the centrepiece of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Village Fayre. By the end of a morning in the fresh air you will be more than ready for the bacon butties and hot drinks provided courtesy of the Springhead. I will see you there in my important role as duck whisperer, keeping the pond inhabitants informed about what is going on. Memo to self - send them a Newsquack.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris