1 July 2021 - Village events in the pipeline
Dear all,
There seems to be more certainty about the lifting of lockdown restrictions on Monday 19 July, so this is a good time to let you know what the SP Society Committee have in mind for the coming months. The ideas have been in development for some time but have had to be repeatedly shelved as the Government changed its collective ‘mind’.
So what’s occurring, as they say in Barry Island. Well, the Scarecrow “Competition” on a seaside theme has already started –I have noticed a fetching snorkel and life jacket ensemble already – but there’s still time to create your own dazzling display; contact Linda Kirkpatrick at Dunelm in Puddledock Lane or by ringing her on 07785534212 for an entry form. The displays last until Saturday 31 July when the Spud in the Tub competition will take place outside the Mission Hall, while inside the Village Vegetable Show will be in full swing. All the usual categories will be on display:- 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.
But before these, it is planned to celebrate the lifting of lockdown by lighting the beacon overlooking the village at 8pm on Sunday 18 July, with an appropriate toast of Prosecco (spelt it correctly this time, but it was not a word used much in the Welsh valleys in my youth). The energetic can walk up to the beacon itself, everybody else can join me on the Millenium Oak Walk down below for a glass of the bubbly stuff, or a non-alcoholic alternative.
The next – and first for over a year – Village Coffee Morning will be in the Mission Hall on Friday 6 August from 10.30 am until noon. Coffee, tea, cake and cheese scones (whoopee) will be on offer, and there was talk of this first event being on the house by way of celebration.
Further ahead the Village Picnic in the Mission Hall Garden will be on Saturday afternoon 21 August. Mark it in your diary with further details to follow.
And even further ahead there are plans are already afoot to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee in the summer of 2022 with an appropriate outdoor extravaganza.
Best regards
Chris
23 June 2021 - Thanks for replanting work and how about scaring a crow?
Dear all,
How nice it is to see that the vandalised planter has been reinstated, and made a lot more secure. Mo has replanted it and Dave has cleared the grass away from around the base.Thanks are due to them for their hard work and their patience.
As you will also see on your walks around the village, there are posters up inviting you to create a scarecrow for the Scarecrow exhibition (that’s not quite a competition!) which will take place between Thursday 1 July and Saturday 31 July. You can obtain an entry form from Linda Kirkpatrick at Dunelm in Puddledock Lane, by ringing her on 07785534212 or from the Village Library and Information centre aka the Telephone Box opposite the Cart Shed. The suggested theme is “By the Seaside”, but I am sure you would be welcomed with open arms even if you went for a original idea all of your own. And if you do go on a tour of the exhibits and find what you see pleasing to the eye then donations will be gratefully received on a Just Giving page for the charity Home Start. In fact, why not make your own Scarecrow AND make a donation.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
11 June 2021 - Reminders Spud in the Tub, Vegetable Show
Dear all,
You will know from previous Newsbites that the Spud in the Tub competition will take place outside the Mission Hall on Saturday 31 July. Hilary and Shirley, amongst others, will be conducting the weigh-in with scrupulous fairness to avoid the tensions that can creep in during such a prestigious event.
Despite the uncertainty caused by the current situation your SP Society Committee have other planned events in the pipeline. As mentioned yesterday, one of these, Government regulations permitting, is the Vegetable Show at or in the Mission Hall on the same Saturday, 31 July. It is hoped to have all the regular categories:- 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. After all, you can always eat your entry (except for the flowers) if the show doesn’t go ahead - and even if it does, come to that. So log the day in your diary.
I’ve also had word from Karen in the Springhead that they are looking for staff to help over the summer. If you are interested I would drop in and see them for further details.
Best regards
Chris
10 June 2021 - Scarecrows return to the village
Dear all,
Many normal facets of life have taken a back seat recently so if you have lived in the village for less than couple of years you may not have seen - or if you have a memory like mine, you may remember - the marvelous Scarecrow exhibits that used to pop up the front gardens of houses up and down the village in the summertime. I include a couple of examples to show the high standard of the creations. But now Liz Balfe is asking everyone to put on their thinking caps and create their own Scarecrow on the theme of “Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside” for display in your garden from Thursday 1 July and until the Vegetable Show on Saturday 31 July. In the past this much loved event raised lots of money for charity but due to covid restrictions it won't be possible to have a formal competition this year, so it will just be for fun - but believe me it will still be serious as the Spud in a Tub - and Liz is encouraging everyone to donate to a Just Giving page for the charity Home Start. There will also be an opportunity for locals to vote for their favourite entry at the Vegetable Show, so that the trophy can be awarded then. Liz will have entry forms available in the phone box from Tuesday 15 June onwards and these should be returned to her by Friday 25 June. If you have any questions you can contact her on 07816415212, and there will be posters placed around the village shortly. Give it a go – if you are not fit enough to win an Olympic gold medal the Scarecrow Trophy is the next best thing.
Best regards
Chris
17 May 2021 - Two cases of anti-social behaviour
Dear all,
After Newsbites about delightful downy ducklings it’s back to reality. Sadly vandals have once again caused damage to planters and benches in the village so please keep your eyes peeled for unusual or anti-social activity and report any incidents or problems to the police by telephone on 101. You should be given a crime number for your call, and perhaps like Nectar points if we generate enough crime numbers we might win a policeman!
Also there have been problems with people actually driving into the village with their car boots full of unsuitable books e.g. hardbacks and/or encyclopedias, text books etc which they have been dumping – there’s no other word for it - in the telephone box. In two cases they did this despite being asked to take them away to a charity shop or the recycling centre, which will take paperbacks as recycled paper or other books in household waste. It is extremely dispiriting to those who work hard to keep the library in good order.
On a cheerier note the ducklings are growing apace and it won’t be long before they go to duckling swim/play school. Plus as of today it is not illegal hug someone - just make sure they are expecting it.
Stay safe and smiling
Chris
13 May 2021 - Ducklings
Dear all,
Following the Newsbite about ducklings, John in Sutton Close sent me this picture he took on 16 April.
This shows 12 ducklings with Mother Duck. Regarding my count of eight ducklings on Friday last, he says that in the past small ducklings have been swept over the various mill weirs and cannot get back easily. And of course the alligator lurks in the waters lower down! John suggests that we should ask Dorset Council to put up some railings and ‘ducklings beware notices’, but somehow I don’t think this will appear on the agenda at the next SP Society Committee meeting!Best regards
Chris
7 May 2021 - Sun, volunteers and meetings
Dear all,
It was very pleasant as I walked through the village this Friday morning with the sun on my back. There was a real feeling of spring in the air after all the recent cold weather and stopping to chat found that there were some worries about the effects of the frost on vulnerable plants. We were passed by a lady sporting a fishing net, who explained that there were ducklings that needed rescuing up at the pond. When I arrived there all seemed calm, and I counted eight now quite large babies around their mother. When I say eight this actually means that she has more than six ducklings but less than ten, for they dived underwater and moved around so much it was hard to be exact. A little further up the road the Springhead staff were preparing for lunch time opening and the general feeling of normality returning cheered me up no end.
A word of thanks too for those unsung volunteers who work hard to maintain the village in a pristine condition, varnishing benches and rubbish bin lids, maintaining planters, bug hotels, and other street furniture. I’d like to provide a roll call but my memory these days isn’t what it was and I would hate to miss someone out. But you know who you are, and we are very grateful for the effort you put in on our behalf. Please keep up the good work.
The next SP Society Committee Meeting has been put back a week in the hope that by then everyone can gather in one place to discuss matters face to face. Virtual meetings are just not the same.
I’ll see you around but until then stay safe and smiling
Chris
29 April 2021 - Wessex Water work; Spud in a Tub
Dear all,
On Monday I was walking up Sutton Road as is my wont and just outside the Cartshed came across a number of large Wessex Water vans. Being curious on your behalf - and not just because I am nosy – I enquired of one of the engineers what was happening. He told me that the sewers in that area were being flushed out with high pressure water. As the vans were obstructing the road there were two Stop/Go board men in Sutton Road and another on Plaisters Lane, linked by radio despite the fact that they were almost within touching distance of one another. The half a dozen or so cars I saw pass were barely impeded in their forward progress because with a flurry of swinging Stop/Go signs safe passage was swiftly arranged for them. It was however veritable triumph of organisation, even if a little manpower heavy.
It is still the intention of the SP Society Committee to hold the judging of the Spud in a Tub competition on Saturday 31 July, so do I hope that your seed potatoes are being tended with loving care and have been well-watered during the dry spell. If possible it is hoped that the Village Vegetable Show will take place on that day as well, so you keen gardeners might want to consider which of your possible prize winning vegetables should also be brought to their peak on that date. I’ll let you know as soon as details are finalised.
Best regards and stay safe
Chris