28 January 2022 - Craft and Chat; Coffee morning; Pond clean-up
Dear everyone,
I have been asked to let you know that “The Craft and Chat Group are up and running again meeting on a Monday morning 10am to noon in the Mission Hall. The cost is £2 and that includes coffee and biscuits. Come along and bring your crafting with you and have a chat at the same time. Don’t worry if you don’t craft we also have some lively games of RummiKub etc. As we have a surplus of funds we donated £50 to the food bank this week and we regularly donate cash to charities. All welcome. Just come along or contact 01305 835776 for more details”
It's going to be a busy couple of days towards the weekend, starting with the monthly Coffee Morning on Friday 4 February between 10.30am and noon in the Mission Hall. For just £3 you can have a cup of tea or coffee, a piece of delicious homemade cake (a take away service is also available) and all the chat you can manage. In addition this month Peter Jones tells me that PCSO Matt Barton, a member of the police safer neighbourhood team covering our area, will also be attending This is part of the Chief Constable’s requirement that safer neighbourhood teams make periodic contact with communities in their area. Matt will be able to answer questions on matters that might concern you and he has a wealth of advice on home and personal security.
Then the following morning, Saturday 5 February, you will have to be up bright and early for the village clean-up of the Pond which starts at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier, just turn up prepared to work out in the open air. Wellington boots, a rake, secateurs and/or a wheelbarrow might be useful but the vital element is you. Tony has any power tools needed so you won’t need to bring any of those. Then afterwards there will be bacon butties and hot drinks courtesy of the Springhead. So I’ll see you there on Saturday 5 February at 9.30am, Now where did I put my wellingtons?
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
23 January 2022 - Footpath reopened; SP Platinum Jubilee Celebration Update
Dear all,
If you read yesterday’s Times from cover to cover “like wot I do” you will have come across a local story on Page 21. It concerns Dave McCune who lives at the top of Verlands Road. Dave fought for 12 years to reopen a footpath, closed by local landowners, which runs from the top of the road to opposite Top Gear Garage on Osmington Hill. Dave’s work came to a successful conclusion late last year. I was one of many people who sent in a letter a decade ago saying that we had used the right of way for at least ten years - in my case it was more like 40 years. Dave’s research unearthed a 120-year-old map which outlined the route. He also told me that he had discovered a WWII aerial photograph taken by a German plane which clearly showed the footpath. DCC eventually ruled that the path should be re-opened but the landowners appealed so the case went to the Planning Inspectorate. I was present, together with Dave and the landowners, when the Inspector visited the area to see for herself what was involved. She later confirmed the DCC decision. Well done Dave. Many people will be grateful for your persistence and hard work.
And some more good news. I am remiss for not updating you on the exciting progress in planning for the Village celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5 June 2022. With the owner’s generous permission this will take place on the green space just over the bridge at the bottom of the pond, starting at 1pm or 13.00 hours for those of a military mind. Festive bunting will decorate the village, and chairs, tables and gazebos – to protect against the fickle British weather – have been promised. Other necessities such as cutlery, plates and bowls are also on the way. The hog roast will be followed by dessert and village baked cakes, but please bring your own liquid refreshment. There will be entertainment from our village troubadour Charlie, who will be singing songs from the 50s vintage onwards, with contributions from the Village WI ukulele group and others. The cost is still to be finalised but tickets will be available from Tuesday 3 May, money with order. In addition to regular Newsbite updates there will be a leaflet drop with full details to all homes on 4/5 April. Caroline Crisp is organising a display of Queen's coronation memorabilia on show in the Mission Hall on Friday/Saturday 3/4 June. If you have anything suitable please contact Caroline at
Keep smiling
Chris
17 January 2022 - Good news and thanks times three; Grants available;
Hello everyone,
Three items of good news resulting from help for villagers by villagers. The last Newsbite mentioned the village clean-up of the Pond on Saturday 5 February starting at 9.30am. Karen replied immediately to say that as on previous such occasions the Springhead will supply complimentary bacon rolls, tea and coffees for the pond clear up team. Just the thing after spending a morning working in the wet. Many thanks Karen for that generous offer.
The Village Noticeboard on the Cartshed wall was suffering, like me, from the ravages of time and it was decided that a new one was needed. As he has done so many times before Dave Buckley volunteered to manufacture one and the result of his labour has now been installed, as you can see. Dave is a skilled craftsman who has made many items to grace the Village and we are most grateful for all his work on our behalf.
It seems like a long time ago, but it is only just under two weeks since Twelfth Night when, according to tradition, all Christmas decorations should be down and packed away. Hence it is not too late to say another thank you to village residents Tamzin and Pete who donated one of their lovely Trinity Street Christmas Trees, fifteen feet high with lights, which was erected opposite the Telephone Box. Not only supplied but taken away before the due time of 6 January, thereby avoiding any chance of the bad luck which my dear old Mum believed came from allowing decorations to remain beyond the due date. So thank you Tamzin and Pete for your generosity.
Tony Ferrari tells us that Dorset Council has a fund available to help community projects. If you are part of a group that could benefit from funding for project in the pipeline then he suggests that you visit this link New grant for community projects in Dorset - Dorset Council news to see if you are eligible for a grant. Don’t delay, do it today.
Stay safe and smiling – easier now as there is a lot more to smile about -
Chris
15 January 2022 - Good news, a postponement and a request for help
Dear all,
A lot to get through, so let’s start with some good news, which is nice as there isn’t much about at the moment. Late last year Karen hosted another of her charity Coffee, Cake & Brunch events at the Springhead in memory of her dad John. She invited everyone to join her for brunch or coffee and a slice of cake in the Springhead, with the proceeds going to the Fortuneswell Ward at DCH. This was a chance for a chat, to enjoy refreshments and help a very good cause all at the same time. Such was the support on the day that Karen has been able to send £700 to the Fortuneswell Ward to help with the marvellous work that has figured in so many of our lives. Well done everyone, and especially Karen.
To be on the safe side the Quiz Night planned for the end of January has been postponed for a month until Saturday 26 February. Hopefully things will be a little more normal by then. It has been billed as a ‘Retro Quiz’. Not quite sure what that means, but if the questions are more retro than modern it will certainly help as my memory is better with things than happened decades ago whereas yesterday is something of a mystery. Anyway, sign up for the Quiz Night at the Mission Hall on Saturday 26 February starting at 7.30pm by contacting Sue on 07813 267788 or by emailing her at
And last but not least Your pond needs YOU! The annual (but I know there wasn’t one last year) village clean-up of the Pond will take place on Saturday 5 February starting at 9.30am. This has been timed to avoid complaints from the residents, as the ducks and moorhens won’t have begun nesting by then. There’s always lots to do and many hands make light work so the more the merrier - etc, etc. I think that the focus will be on raking debris from the bottom of the middle-third of the pond, and tidying around the edges so no boat activity is likely - though there may be more planned? What is definitely needed is your and perhaps a rake, secateurs and a wheelbarrow but the vital element is you. Tony has any power tools needed so you won’t need to bring any. This is always a very enjoyable morning with a practical outcome and a chance to meet up in the open air. So I’ll see you there on Saturday 5 February at 9.30am, when I will wear myself out taking photos for the Newsbite. Somebody has to do the difficult jobs.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
7 January 2022 - The Monday morning Chatty Crafty Group
Hello everyone,
The 'Crafty Chatty Group' will be starting up again after their Christmas break with a meeting this coming Monday 10 January between 10am and noon in the Mission Hall. The Group met for the first time back in January 2018 and have flourished ever since, despite all the obstacles thrown in their way by fate. The regular weekly meetings, open to everyone, are a chance to meet for a chat and refreshments, make new friends, and perhaps learn a different hobby - even to pass on expertise to others. We know there are many very talented people in the village with a wide range of skills to impart. So drop in for a chat and a cup of tea, or to enjoy watching the arts and crafts being worked or even, dare I say it, to have a go yourself. They will be very pleased to see you and you will be made to feel very much at home this coming Monday morning and every Monday morning thereafter.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
3 January 2022 - Cancellation of Coffee Morning; Jubilee Meeting will be held; Quiz later in the month
Hi everyone,
Earlier today Marianna, who now organises the Coffee Mornings at the Mission Hall, conducted a straw poll among those who help her with the many necessary tasks of setting up, baking cakes, personing the kitchen (very PC that last) and more. The consensus of opinion was that in light of the increasing number of Omicron cases it would be prudent to cancel the regular ‘First Friday in the month’ Coffee Morning planned for this coming Friday morning, 7 January. This is a shame, but that’s the bad news. The good news is that if anyone does turn up in error they should be safe enough as they will be outside on their own.
The Jubilee Planning Meeting with smaller numbers involved will still take place as intended at Hilary’s house on Wednesday morning at 10am, masks to be worn please.
Hopefully by the end of the month things should be returning to some semblance of normality, so it’s nice to be able to give advance notice of plans for a Quiz Night. I have it on good authority (mine) that the topics chosen will suit all abilities. The Quiz will take place in the Mission Hall on Saturday 29 January. Further details a bit later on, but pencil the date in your diary now and don’t waste the opportunity to swot up on lots and lots of answers to likely questions. To be crowned “One of the outstandingly knowledgeable people in Sutton Poyntz” will be difficult but worth all the effort.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
30 December 2021 - Correction to Jubilee Planning Meeting start time
Dear all,
Mea culpa (That’s Latin for ‘Chris brain freeze’). An apology for wrong information, and thanks to Jon for spotting it so quickly.
The Jubilee Party Planning meeting next Wednesday, 5 January is actually taking place at 10am - that’s 10 in the morning - at Hilary’s house, Hawthorns on Plaisters Lane. For everyone’s wellbeing Hilary asks that you please wear a mask during the meeting. Sorry for any confusion.
Stay safe, smiling and in my case, sensible
Chris
29 December 2021 - Appeal for the Cycling Without Age Weymouth Charity; Change of venue for Jubilee Planning Meeting on 5 January
Dear all,
I was going to start ‘You will remember….’ But then thought that you won’t if your memory is anything like mine so I’ll recap. When things were normal – back in the year 2019 – Keith Johnson visited a Friday coffee morning to tell us about the Cycling Without Age charity that has a branch in Weymouth. The charity started in Denmark – where they know a thing or two about cycling - with the purpose of enabling people with reduced mobility to enjoy a bike ride. It is now well established in Weymouth, where a purpose-built trishaws take up to two passengers (as per the glamorous local ladies in the photo) on a bike ride, piloted by a cyclist who steers a slow enjoyable ride around Weymouth, along the Esplanade or up the Rodwell trail. And worry not about the pedaller, for the trike is electrically assisted. Nick Powell has sent an account of how he has been raising money for the charity. He says “On Christmas Day I entered the harbour swim for the first time to raise money for Cycling Without Age, Weymouth. The swim was brilliant, even though I was the last out of my group. Afterwards I was interviewed by the Echo, and the subsequent article on their website describes me as "a brave pensioner", complete with photo. I don't know whether to be pleased or insulted! I'm still raising money for this worthy charity so if anyone would like to donate then they just need to google GoFundMe, search for my name and the link will come up. Thank you”.
And closer to home, there is a Jubilee Party Planning meeting next Wednesday, 5 January which was to be held in the Mission Hall. The Hall is booked for that night so the meeting will now be held at Hilary Davidson’s house Hawthorns on Plaisters Lane starting at 7pm. For everyone’s wellbeing Hilary asks that you please wear a mask during the meeting.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris