21 September 2020 - Car damage, Pond Clean up
Hi everybody,
I reported recently that there had been a spate of car break-ins locally. Now Karen from the Springhead tells me that two of their staff had their cars ‘key’ scratched on Saturday night while they were on duty. One was in the car park and one out on the road towards the Mill. Karen was wondering if anyone else had suffered in the same way? Let me know if you have, on Saturday or anytime recently.
On a brighter note, it was lovely to see such an excellent turnout for the village pond clean up. The good weather helped of course, and everyone was in excellent spirits cutting out the reeds and tidying the verges. The chain of wheelbarrows ferrying the pond detritus to Peter Jones’s garden – much thanks to him for this service – seemed never ending. The industrial strimmer and power cutter for the willows helped, but I suspect that some villagers found that the water was too high, or alternatively that their welly boots were too low, and water ingress occurred (in short, their feet got wet). Even the ivy was trimmed off the bridge at the top. Apart from a few bemused ducks, all went smoothly, assisted by supplies of cake and bacon butties – thanks to the SP Committee and Springhead respectively for these. Tony Critoph puts it nicely with his email “Just wanted to say a huge thank you for such a fabulous turnout and such tremendous effort shown by all to transform the village duckpond into a thing of beauty once more. As the focal point of our village it is so important that we preserve it and manage it so that it may be enjoyed both by people and wildlife. Working as a team, a fantastic amount was achieved in a relatively short space of time and everyone should be proud of their contribution. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it as it was a lovely social gathering as well. Many thanks also to the Springhead for supplying bacon rolls for the hungry masses, most welcome by all. Now for the next team project, clearing the riverbanks of all of the overgrown shrubs and foliage. Anyone interested?” Thanks Tony.
Regards
19 September 2020 - SP Society Virtual AGM
Hi everyone,
Hilary Davidson, Chair of the Sutton Poyntz Society reports that
“The Sutton Poyntz Society have decided to send out our annual reports to you as it seems very unlikely that we will be able to hold our AGM until next year. The committee has managed to meet once since lockdown which was good. Due to work commitments Dave Burge decided to step down from the committee but Jon Waterman and Kevin Pearce have agreed to join us which is very welcome news. In these difficult times it has been great that our community has continued to support each other through shopping for neighbours, collecting prescriptions, making masks, using the book swap, supporting the food bank, continuing to make the village look lovely with communal planters and last weekend working so hard to clear and tidy up the pond area which it so badly needed. Thank you everybody and let's hope we all stay safe and eventually get back to our popular social events and normal life.”
Attached are the Chair’s Report and the Annual Accounts.
Best regards
Chris
14 September 2020 - Any video stars out there?
Dear everyone,
Our very own Balfey the Baker also wears another hat, as a PPG ambassador – don’t ask because I don’t know. What I do know is that the title is concerned with the NHS, and he has been asked to help promote the flu jab campaign by finding volunteers to make videos to encourage people to be inoculated.
Balfey has forwarded the following which he received in connection with this (see also the attachments [N.B. not included here])
Dorset Flu Campaign
Please can we ask for your help with our flu campaign? As part of our local flu campaign in Dorset we are sourcing a series of videos featuring local community members and PPG ambassadors, asking people to get their flu jab.
- If you, or anyone you know locally from the following target groups, would like to be part of the video campaign to encourage others to get their flu vaccine we’d love to hear from you.
- We really need to get as many local people as we can, particularly those over 65, and those with long term health conditions.
- The following are the groups within which we are specifically trying to increase the uptake of flu jabs.
- If you know of anyone who would be willing to take part in the campaign please do ask them to get in touch as soon as possible. We really would be so grateful!
- I’ve attached a couple of hopefully helpful explanatory documents which our Comms Leads have put together.
Those who are eligible to receive the free flu vaccine this year:
· Pregnant women
· Children aged 2- 11 years old
· Member of a shielding household
· 65+ years old
· Frontline health and social care workers
· Those with a long-term health condition (LTHC) such as:
-
- a heart problem
- a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
- a kidney disease
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
- liver disease
- had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- diabetes
- a neurological condition, e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- a problem with your spleen, e.g. sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed
- are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
If you have enough information and would like to make a video then go for it. If you need more information, give Chris Balfe a ring on 07969781145 or email him at
Regards
Chris
9 September 2020 - Please Prettify the Pond
Hi everyone,
A reminder about Pond clearance this coming Saturday 12 September, starting at 09.30. Please do try to find the time to assist for, as someone once said (not me I hasten to add, though I don’t mind repeating it) many hands make light work. You will need to bring some suitable tools e.g. a rake, secateurs and/or wheelbarrow. The latter are especially welcome to help take the debris away. In addition to the promise of home-made cakes the Springhead have offered bacon butties as well, a lovely and much appreciated gesture. This is a marvellous Village tradition, with a serious purpose, and a chance to meet your neighbours in a socially distanced and responsible way. And it’s fun! Hope to see you on Saturday 12 September circa 09.30.
Best regards
Chris
7 September 2020 - Thefts for cars; Food banks
Hi everyone,
After the news that a car had recently been broken into another three residents have contacted me with the same problem. Ready cash kept to pay parking charges seems to have been the main target, though some other items were taken. Mike tells me that any car that can be opened remotely by radio signal can also be opened by a device purchased on line that ‘talks’ to your remote device. For this reason your car keys, and any spares, should always be kept in a tin box or a ‘Faraday’ purse. Mine certainly are now, as I had money stolen from my car some time ago, but I thought then I must have left it open. Thank you to everyone who got in touch.
Tony Ferrari tells me that before Covid-19 local food collections went to The Lantern, an excellent charity in town. They cook food as one of their ways of helping the homeless. However now all the food banks across the town are merging under the umbrella of the Weymouth Foodbank. They will be based on the Granby and have satellite operations in the town centre, Westham, Lanehouse and Littlemoor. This means that the local foodbank operation will now be collecting for Weymouth Foodbank though anything with a short shelf life will go to the Lantern. Collections will continue into the Autumn to see how things develop. Tony would like to thank everyone who donated food and/or money over the last few months; your generosity certainly made life easier for so many people.
Best regards
Chris
PS I only use forenames in these Newsbites unless there is a particular reason to give a full name, and then only with express permission (which can delay publication whilst being sought).
31 August 2020 - Pond clearance
Hi everyone,
Those of you with memories better than mine will remember that the planned Pond clearance had to be postponed because of the late arrival of a some baby moorhens. The proud parents Wilhelmina and Eric have now seen their offspring fly the nest (or more accurately paddle away) and they are looking forward to a quiet Autumn. This means that the Pond Clearance and Village tidy-up can now go ahead on Saturday 12 September, starting at 09.30. So if you can spare some time that day, then please turn-up at the pond, not necessarily on the dot of 9.30 with some suitable tools e.g. a rake, secateurs, wheelbarrow and lend a hand. The more helpers the easier the job at this socially distanced but, on past experience, very pleasant occasion. There is even a promise of home-made cakes for those who assist, provided by your committee. I’m hoping that the promise extends to any Newsbite writers who just happen by to take photographs (if that’s not too obvious a hint).
See you on Saturday 12 September circa 09.30.
Best regards
Chris
30 August 2020 - Theft from cars
Hello everyone,
Sue tells me that she had money stolen from her car in Sutton Poyntz very recently and suffered damage to the interior. She is almost certain that the car was locked when she left it, because it is linked to her phone which alerts her when the car is open without the engine running. There is a rumour that cars can be opened from someone else's phone if the keys are left near a house door, but there is no factual evidence to substantiate this. Sue urges you to double check that your car is locked when you park it and don’t leave the car keys near a door or window. Wise advice.
Regards
Chris
17 August 2020 - The Mask Ladies of Sutton Poyntz
Dear all.
You will be pleased to learn that the ‘mask ladies’ - Hilary’s description, not mine; it makes them sound like a band of highwaywomen - made 180 beautiful masks and have raised over £230 for the Lantern Centre. A very big ‘well done’ to everyone concerned.
Production has now ceased, but there are still a few left. These won’t be found in the telephone box, which now has the description Medical Centre added to its list of titles, but if you would like a mask, for a suitable donation of course, give Liz Balfe a call on 07816415212 or Hilary on 07707830846.
Stay safe, socially distanced and suitably masked
All the best
Chris