10 August 2020 - Exciting pond rescue
Hello everyone,
I mentioned the dramatic rescue at the pond in both of my last two Newsbites, so I hope that by now you are at fever pitch to learn what transpired. If you are sitting comfortably I’ll begin. You will remember (but not if your memory is like mine) that the village pond clear up had to be delayed because Wilhelmina the moorhen and Eric the proud dad had produced a late collection of chicks. Well, after some days of relative calm, unbothered by villagers up to their boondocks in water, disaster struck. After clinging on to the side for as long as they could, two of the chicks, were swept over the waterfall. Luckily Dean and his fellow workers from Spetisbury builders witnessed this potentially tragic event and decided, with no thought for their own safety, to mount a rescue attempt. Erica, to whom thanks for this graphic account, rushed to Maureen the Mill who with that great aplomb for which she is renowned, immediately produced a large net (previously used for catching alligators. Sorry, an in joke) Then at great personal risk, pausing only to remove his shoes and one sock, Dean strode into the raging torrent and scooped up the errant chicks in the nick of time. On their return Wilhelmina ushered them back to the safety of the nest, and has since asked me to thank Dean for his rescue, and to Erica and Maureen for their assistance. This is a heart-warming story of concern for our local wildlife. Well done to all concerned.
Best regards
Chris
2 August 2020 - Exciting results of Spud in a Tub
Hello everyone,
As you are probably aware, my preferred exercise is walking, often around the village. Luckily on Saturday I just happened to be passing the Mission Hall car park when I stumbled (literally on the way home) across the Village Spud in a Tub competition. This normally takes place at the Village Vegetable Show, sadly cancelled this year. However Hilary Davidson, Shirley Davies and Sue Smith had organised all the necessary weighing and recording equipment to judge the seven entries which arrived by car and wheelbarrow from all parts of the village. After much digging through rich compost and debates on the difference between stones and potatoes, the results slowly emerged and the tension grew. All the entries were creditable, but Mick Haine, Dot Emblen, Margaret Sykes and Ros Evans were all nudged off the podium. The top three – in reverse order – being Joyce Faraday with 33.57oz (as I have no use for these modern measurements), Mabel Sleightholme by just 0.03oz and out in front Duncan Sleightholme with 36.95oz. So congratulations to him, thanks to all the competitors and especial thanks to Hilary, Shirley and Sue. I have to say that this all lady team performed their task with great skill and panache. The photo shows Mabel receiving the Des Evans ‘Spud-in-a-tub’ trophy on behalf of her very proud father.
Regards
Chris
PS Stay tuned for news of the daring pond rescue.
29 July 2020 - Potato in a suitable container Weigh in
Hello everyone,
A reminder that this coming Saturday 1 August (incidentally my birthday, cards and especially presents welcome) the socially distanced Spud in a Tub weigh in will take place at the Mission Hall at 11.00 am for all those keen potato growers. If you intend to enter Hilary asks that you contact her on 07707830846 or 832632 so she knows how many to expect. To limit numbers please don’t attend if you don’t have a spud to enter. I did think about planting one last week, but even with Miracle Grow it probably wouldn’t amount to much. However this year you could be the proud winner of the Des Evans ‘Spud-in-a-tub’ trophy, one of Sutton Poyntz highest honours.
Best regards
Chris
PS Big news to follow of a daring rescue at the pond. Watch this space.
20 July 2020 - Events off and on
Hello everyone,
First some not so good news. The village clean-up of the pond planned for this coming Saturday has been postponed and will now take place at a later date. Apparently a very distraught lady moorhen – let us call her Wilhelmina, not her real name – appeared on Hilary Davidson’s doorstep to plead for a delay in the pond work. Wilhelmina said that her newly hatched litter, hatching, brood – Hilary was not sure which is the correct term (neither is Jez, who offers chicklets, ducklets or moorlets) – would be greatly disturbed by villagers in and around the pond, so please could the work be delayed. Hilary of course agreed immediately. So if you are walking around the pond in the near future, keep an eye out for Wilhelmina, dad Eric and the youngsters. But remember – NO pond clean-up this coming Saturday.
On Saturday 1 August the Village Vegetable Show would have been held in Mission Hall, but sadly this had to be cancelled for obvious reasons. The good news is that at 11.00 am on that day there will be a spud in a tub socially distanced weigh in at the Mission Hall carpark for all those keen veg growers who bravely planted and nurtured a spud. To limit numbers please don’t attend if you don’t have a spud to enter, which rules me out, but if you have an entry get along to the car park for 11am on Saturday 1 August. There will be a full report in a later Newsbite, including the names of all entrants, the weights of potato achieved, the name of the proud winner of the Des Evans ‘Spud-in-a-tub’ trophy and perhaps even a photo or two. I won’t see you there though.
Best regards
Chris
12 July 2020 - The Pond and Masks
Dear all,
Now that we are allowed out into the open air in groups, with distance between us of course, it has been decided that the village clean-up of the Pond will take place on Saturday, 25 July starting at 9 am. Peter Riley has again generously volunteered his field as the resting place for the pond detritus, so if you could turn up, not necessarily on the dot of 9 but as near as you can manage, with if possible a rake, secateurs and/or a wheelbarrow, your assistance will be greatly appreciated. The more the merrier, as many hands make light work - no platitude knowingly missed. This event has always been a pleasant neighbourly occasion, and the weather looks set fair. I’ll give you a nudge nearer the date, but mark it in your diary before it becomes totally full.
Hilary tells me that nearly 60 masks have so far been supplied via the Telephone Box, thanks to the efforts of the sewing ladies Liz Balfe, Pat Bellis, Yvonne Emery, Ros Evans, Sue Locke, Lyn McLeish and Hilary herself. Donations for the local charity have been a little slow, but it all helps. After my plea in the last Newsbite Hilary even presented me with a tasteful green mask to remind me, as my friend Tom sings, of “The green green grass of home”.
Regards
Chris
5 July 2020 - Masks and Missing Moments
Hello everyone,
Recently I mentioned that under the new Government rules facemasks have to be worn by travellers on public transport and preferably when we are in other enclosed spaces where social distancing is not possible and where we will come into contact with people we do not normally meet, for instance in shops. Well, a group of local ladies have sewn some very attractive face masks, in a variety of colours and different designs, which will shortly be available in the telephone box. If you would like one they are free but it is hoped you might leave a donation in the collection pot in the phone box. The money raised will go to the Lantern Centre. So stay safe and help a local charity into the bargain. Personally I’m hoping there’s a mask in the colours of the Welsh rugby team, so I can be safe and supportive at the same time. I don’t know who the local ladies are, but I will try and find out, because they deserve our thanks for their efforts.
Last Friday would normally have seen one of our monthly get togethers at the coffee morning in the Mission Hall. This is the fourth such event that has been cancelled – it seems like more - and I really do miss them. It was always a real pleasure to be able to exchange news and views with a wide range of friends over a cup of very weak of tea – my choice – and a piece of delicious homemade cake. But in the context of the much larger picture of tragedy and disaster, really only a small loss.
Stay safe
Best regards
Chris
28 June 2020 - Village Fayre
Hello everyone,
Today would have been the Village Fayre 2020.
In 2018 it was reported that, blessed with marvellous weather, large crowds and tremendous support from everyone in and around the village, it was a Fayre day to live long in the memory. It even started with a bang, courtesy of the Nothe Fort gun. Car parking was in the safe hands of Spam, and the many villagers in Victorian costume added greatly to the atmosphere. Wherever you turned there was something to interest, to amaze and to delight. The two stage entertainment was varied and always first class, as was the separate area for the children, with rides, toy stalls and Punch and Judy. The bread stall, one of nine separate village stalls, made a profit of over £560! The new Pimms in the Garden venue was full to overflowing, and extra volunteers were needed to meet the demand. The Mission Hall and the Waterworks refreshments were equally well patronised, with tea (or something stronger at the Springhead) needed to quench thirsty bodies. The Wessex Water Museum received complimentary remarks, and the BBQ eased many hunger pangs. Although it was on for just one day, the planning and preparation in the days/weeks before, plus the clearing up afterwards, made it more of a marathon than a sprint. Dave Langridge, Fayre Chairman, praised the community spirit of the village which made his job so much easier, and was proud to announce that £16,000 had been raised, mainly for the DCH Cancer Appeal.
But take heart. In 2021 the Village Fayre WILL be back, bigger, brighter and better than ever. I know we’ll all work hard to make sure that happens.
Best regards
Chris
25 June 2020 - Balfey's bread bonanza
Hello everyone,
Back in 2018 our very own village baker Chris Balfe recruited a number of us for a series of bakery classes in the Mission Hall, at which we would learn how to bake a variety of breads. Good fun they were too, as we would willingly testify. The aim was that by the time of the Village Victorian Fayre we would have sufficient experience to provide loads of loaves for sale, thereby raising money for local charities. This worked extremely successfully. Except that my dough hook broke just before the day and I had to knead all my dough by hand. The results were not quite as consistent as I would have liked, but on the stall there was bread in abundance, and every loaf sold (though I had to buy the last one of mine myself). Pleasingly a considerable amount of money was raised.
This year Balfey set out to do the same again, but of course the lockdown intervened and the Fayre was postponed. Undeterred Balfey, encouraged as ever by his wife Liz (I promised her a mention) decided to send out emails on a regular basis to help us all keep smiling and to bake for ourselves. Over the last twelve weeks he has expanded our expertise, found flour for us when it was in short supply and generally helped to keep morale high. He has just announced his last such email
“Good Morning Bakers.
This is my last post for this year. I hope you enjoyed trying the recipes. I hope you learnt a new skill and had something to help you pass the time through the last twelve weeks.
This is my last post, but if you need any help and advice on your baking projects, just send me an email or give me a call.
I look forward to baking with you all, and new recruits, next year when we will be baking for the 2021 Street Fayre Bread Stall.
Tarrah for now
Chris”
I know that I speak for everyone concerned when I say thank you Balfey for your help and support during the recent dark days. We look forward to working with you again next year. Until then, as Liz would say, keep baking.
Best regards
Chris