14 August 2021 - Summer Picnic and Art Exhibition
Dear all,
Next Saturday 21 August is the Village Summer Picnic between noon and 3pm at the Mission Hall. I believe that all the tickets have been sold but it might be worth phoning Hilary (07707 830846) to be added to the waiting list and with enough demand my two tickets could be on offer to the highest bidder! A couple of things to note if you are going along. The food will be served at 12.30 prompt – it’ll all be plated up so shouldn’t take long to distribute – and you will need to bring along your own drink, be that soft, alcoholic or other as to ease the logistics in these difficult times teas/coffees will not be available. See you there.
Then on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 28/29 August our local art group will be holding their Summer Art Exhibition in the Mission Hall between 11am and 4.30pm each day. Due to lockdown they were unable to hold an Exhibition last year, which was our loss as they are a really talented group. Coffee and cake will be available so do drop in and see them. You’ll find it very worthwhile.
Best regards
Chris
9 August 2021 - Neighbourhood Plan walkabout; Summer Picnic; Mea culpa
Dear all,
Colin Marsh tells me that as part of the development of the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan a series of walkabouts are being organised. The first Sutton Poyntz walkabout is this Saturday 14 August starting from the Springhead Pub at 10am and ending between 12 and 12.30. Of course Sutton Poyntz already has a 'made' Neighbourhood Plan and it has been stated repeatedly that "the Sutton Poyntz policies will be respected" . The primary purpose of this first walkabout is to familiarise members of the Weymouth NP Steering Group and Forum with the character of the local area and issues that influenced the Sutton Poyntz NP policies. They will also gather information that may influence future Weymouth NP policies. Public - that means you and me - attendance is welcome so see you there.
And there’s more to look forward to. The SP Society Summer Picnic featuring a Ploughman’s Lunch and Dessert will take place on Saturday 21 August from noon until 3pm in the Mission Hall Garden. Tickets for this prestigious event – well, I’ll be there so it must be – cost £8 and are available only in advance from Linda at
And last but not least, I am reliably informed that second place in the Spud in a Tub competition at the recent Village Vegetable Show did not go to “John Welsh” but to Julie Walsh. Julie herself let me know, but thanks to Ros who also pointed out the error.
Best regards
Chris
5 August 2021 - SP Village Vegetable Show
Dear all,
Attached is a .pdf version of the report on the Village Vegetable Show. This was a most successful event and a tribute to the SP Society Committee and their volunteers who worked so hard to .achieve that success.
Best regards
Chris
29 July 2021 - Village Veg Show; Water works
Dear all,
A reminder about the imminent Village Vegetable Show at the Mission Hall this Saturday 31 July. Competition entries to be in by 9.30 with the public voting between 10 and 11. The public entry fee is £1 for voting only or £2 for voting plus coffee and biscuits. The exhibitor fees are 50p per entry or £2 for four or more classes, only one entry per class of course. The Spud in the Tub competition which is always a stirring spectacle will take place outside the Mission Hall between 11 and 11.30. The presentations to the winners, including the Scarecrow Competition, will be at 11.45. Even the weather looks set fair so see you there.
And some advance warning, courtesy of Tony Ferrari, that Wessex Water will be carrying out a couple of days work on stream/river alignment in Sutton Poyntz during the first two weeks in September. So if around that time you have any concerns about a change in water colour or fish emerging from your kitchen taps you know the probable cause.
Best regards
Chris
19 July 2021 - Beacon and Vegetable Show details
Hi everyone,
Lots of you turned up to the lighting of the Beacon yesterday to celebrate a giant step forward in the Covid saga. I counted over 50 at the beacon itself and there were about 20 on the Millenium Walk so it was a very good turnout. The welcoming glass (well plastic cup actually) of Prosecco was enjoyed by most, although I did spot the odd tin of lager or two. With a buckets of water available in case of sparks the fire burnt well but the extra heat was just for once unnecessary. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the organisation, especially to Jon for transporting all the necessary gear up to the beacon site. It was nice to be able to get together after so long apart.
The next really good news is that the Mission Hall Trust Committee have announced that the Hall has reopened – hurrah - so the next confirmed event is the Village Vegetable Show at the Mission Hall on Saturday 31 July. The public entry fee is £1 for voting only or £2 for voting plus coffee and biscuits. The exhibitor fees are 50p per entry or £2 for four or more classes, only one entry per class of course. All the usual classes:- longest runner bean; longest cucumber; heaviest marrow; selection of herbs; 3 carrots; 3 tomatoes; single lettuce; 3 courgettes; 3 beans (any kind); 5 soft fruit (same or mixed); any other vegetable; a bunch of flowers; a bunch of different leaves; 3 onions; 3 eggs; any funny-shaped vegetable or fruit. Entries are to be submitted by 9.30 with the public voting between 10 and 11. The Spud in the Tub competition will take place outside the Mission Hall between 11 and 11.30 while the votes are counted. The presentations to the winners, including the Scarecrow Competition, will be at 11.45. And you know the old saying “You’ve got to be in it to win it” so see you there.
Best regards
Chris
17 July 2021 - Beacon lighting
Dear everyone,
A reminder about tomorrow evening’s (Sunday 18 July) celebration of the lifting of lockdown. The beacon overlooking the village will be lit at 8pm with a glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative on offer at the beacon itself or on the Millenium Oak Walkway down below. That’s for those like me who couldn’t trust themselves on the descent after a glass of bubbly. Weather is set fair so see you there.
I will continue wearing my mask after Monday because a number of people have said I look much better with it on.
Another update on the Nextdoor app. Purely by chance there was an article about it in the Sunday Times describing it as hyperlocal social media platform combining aspects of a local Facebook group and a village ducking stool. So if that’s your thing then enjoy. Apparently it is just about to become a public company, netting the originators a tidy sum. Personally I’ll stick to sending letters.
Best regards
Chris
10 July 2021 - Scarecrow; Nextdoor
Dear all,
I am sure that you had all seen Keith’s tremendous entry in the scarecrow – or should that be scaremotorist – competition at the Puddledock Lane/Sutton Road junction. A policeman with, as you can see from the photograph snapped by Jez, a splendid Emiliano Zapata moustache, shades, a speed gun and if my eyes do not deceive me, a seagull (the latter probably to take aerial shots). In my opinion, which as you know counts for very little, this would have been a front runner in the trophy competition. But not now. Sadly I have to report that the scarecrow has been stolen. Yes, I know it’s difficult to believe, but he really has been stolen. Presumably by the same sort of person that Boris is expecting to behave responsibly when all Covid restrictions are lifted. Fat chance of that then. It is a great shame for as Hilary says “It’s very sad that people like to spoil other peoples’ simple fun and hard work”. I do hope that scarecrow competition organiser Liz has a Highly Commended ‘Scarecrow in Absentia’ certificate to award to Keith at the Village Vegetable Show on Saturday 31 July.
In my last email I mentioned that letters had been posted through letterboxes about “Nextdoor”. Ros has contacted me to say that she uses one set up in Preston. Apparently it is a sort of neighbourhood Facebook which generates emails asking for advice and is full of hints, tips, alerts, items for sale etc. Some people use it a lot and make posts about anything and everything but there is usually something of interest about the locality. So there you have it. Probably nothing sinister but the golden rule is never to put sensitive personal information on the Internet unless you are very sure of the destination and of the purpose for which it will be used.
Best regards
Chris
9 July 2021 - Neighbourhood Plan, Events, Take care
Dear all,
Colin Marsh tells me that a number of folks have been asking him about the status of the Sutton Poyntz Neighbourhood Plan following the Town Council decision to develop a Weymouth-wide plan. He has a prepared a full report which is attached. After reading it I know that we are all grateful to Colin and Peter for watching out for the interests of Sutton Poyntz.
There are a number of odd looking characters lurking in people’s gardens, but that’s no cause for alarm as they are scarecrows taking part in the Scarecrow exhibition around the village. I intend to walk the walk in the near future and will report back. But make sure you read it, for I will write it only once.
Do come and celebrate the lifting of lockdown at the lighting the beacon overlooking the village at 8pm on Sunday 18 July. Prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative will be available at the beacon itself or on the Millenium Oak Walk down below. See you there.
I promise an update on planned events after next week’s SP Society Committee Meeting, with details of how to take part to follow.
And lastly a note from a concerned resident about a letter that came through her letterbox asking for people to join "Nextdoor Sutton Poyntz". Peter Jones, with his Neighbourhood Watch hat on, has determined that “Nextdoor” is a national "organisation" on social media and has asked the local Police for comment. In the meantime it is probably advisable not to respond to this letter until the provenance is established. Which is a posh way of saying do nothing until Peter gets a reply from the Police.
Best regards
Chris