Sutton Poyntz

21 June 2020 - Mask making

Dear all,

The relaxing of lockdown has led to new rules for the wearing of facemasks. These have to be worn by travellers on public transport and we are also asked to wear them when we are in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where we will come into contact with people you do not normally meet, for instance in shops.

This will mean that all of us will need to obtain at least a ‘few’ masks, and Hilary Davison has suggested that these could be made in the village by those with the necessary sewing skills – which rules me out – and sold locally, with all the proceeds going to a suitable local charity. She says that this idea is working well in other villages, so if you would like to lend a hand, give Hilary a ring on 07707830846 or 01305 832632 or contact me by replying to this Newsbite with your contact details and I’ll put you in touch.

I’ll have to have a couple myself - should improve my looks no end.

Stay safe

Chris

10 June 2020 - Problems out walking

Dear all,

Some years ago I was walking on a footpath near Dewlish when I went through gate heading for the stile across the field. A very large herd of heifers were initially some distance away, but curious, they came running towards me. I backed away from them, waving my walking poles to try and keep them away, but the rear of the herd kept pressing forward. Had I not been close to the stile I would have been knocked over and possibly trampled. I was extremely upset by the incident, and it has long remained in my memory.

So I was very concerned to hear that a lady had recently been attacked by cows when out walking near Sutton Poyntz, even though her dog was on a lead. The cows knocked her over into a stream. Although very shocked she was able to phone for assistance, but her cut head later required hospital treatment. I am sure that I speak for everyone in  wishing her well.

But please take care. If entering a field with cows in it, especially if they have calves, keep an eye on them and note your possible escape routes. If at all concerned, take an alternative route. A dog should be on a lead, and current advice is to let the lead go if the cows become agitated.

Stay safe out there.

Best regards

Chris

7 June 2020 - Correction to Wessex Water working hours

Dear all,

Yesterday’s information about the changing working hours at the Wessex Water Pumping Station was slightly incorrect. Wessex Water will start two hours earlier than stated in yesterday’s Newsbite. Hence they will actually be working from 6 am to 10 pm every day, including weekends, but will restrict noisy work and HGV deliveries to normal working hours in order to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Look after yourselves and best regards

Chris

6 June 2020 - Extra work for water

4 June 2020 - Planters and Pushkin

Hello all,

It’s nice to be able to pass on some good news, and like buses, none appear for a while then two come along together.

So firstly some very good news. Erica Ferrari tells me that back in the days when life was normal, and the Village Victorian Fayre was due – round about now, actually - Ray Aggett kindly made some garden planters and bird boxes for sale at the intended Plant Stall. Nothing daunted by the postponement of the Fayre, Erica and Linda Kirkpatrick painted them and put them up for sale outside their houses. All have now been purchased, despite a distinct lack of footfall in the ensuing weeks, which suggests that residents have been the major purchasers. They raised £230 which has been sent from the village to Dorchester Hospital for their cancer fund. Erica would like to thank Ray for all his hard work and all those who bought the items and donated money, sentiments I am sure we would all echo. Well done indeed, with a word of thanks to Erica and Linda as well.

Secondly, I received a heartfelt plea from Sharon & Chris, asking  the village to look for their much loved cat ‘Pushkin’ who had gone missing. Described as quite small, friendly, black and white, micro-chipped and very vocal, he normally returned home at mealtimes and overnight. Mindful of how the quick thinking of the villagers rose to the occasion when Peter Jones’s dog disappeared and was found in the nick of time, trapped in a bush and severely dehydrated, a Newsbite was swiftly underway. However, as the words were being composed, another email pinged its way into my inbox to say that thankfully Pushkin had returned after 48 hours, “as large as life and twice as natural” to quote his owners. I don’t think we can claim another success for the Newsbites and detective skills of the village, but it’s a good result anyway. It’s also nice to know that villagers are erudite enough to name their cat after a great Russian author. Certainly a step up from Blackie or Spot.

Best regards and don’t take unnecessary risks

Chris

31 May 2020 - Memories of Pat and Tony Bugler

Dear all,

The Newsbite at the beginning of April which contained the sad news of the passing of Sutton Poyntz resident Tony Bugler and his beloved wife Pat has prompted a number of memories

Local resident Keith Hudson asked if Tony had had been the owner of the floats and changing tents at the Pier Bandstand back in the 1960s. In those days Keith, then a 12 year old lad, regularly helped there in exchange for a free ride on a float.

As Pat once told Bill Egerton that when she first met Tony he looked like a bronzed Greek god, Keith says “The Tony Bugler I remember from my early teens was indeed ‘bronzed’, as one would expect from someone working on the beach during the warmest months of the year.  But my particular memory of him is of a distinguished, bearded man, dressed in a somewhat nautical style of white shorts and blue polo shirt with a leather money bag across his shoulder.  It was undoubtedly a thriving business. In those days people came in their droves to stay at the town centre's hotels and guest houses, rather than the now extensive holiday parks, so the local economy was very buoyant. In my late teens I worked as a beach attendant and was always amazed how men would just pull out their holiday pay - a wad of ‘tenners’ - from their back pocket when hiring deckchairs or windshields. Weymouth was certainly a very different resort in the '60s, before the advent of the cheap Mediterranean package holidays.”

Bill, font of all things Sutton Poyntz, says “Tony and Pat lived for a time at the beginning of Preston Road, in the house now occupied by Councillors Ian and Hazel Bruce. They bought Sutton Lodge in the late 1980's from Paul Critchell, who had renovated and divided the old Sutton Farm farmhouse. Tony was a member of the SP Society Committee from 1989 to 2012 and was Chairman from 1992 to 1997.  Occasionally he used to wear a Royal Artillery tie, suggesting at his military service, but no more is known about that”

As Hilary Davidson, Chair of the SP Society said about her predecessor  “He was a leading light in the Sutton Poyntz Society for many years, a wise man with a lovely sense of humour with an interest in everything and everybody.”

I hope the above adds a little more to your knowledge of Tony and Pat’s life and times.

Stay safe and best regards

Chris

23 May 2020 - Road closure and Springhead pizza

Dear everyone,

Thanks to Tony Ferrari for the news that in order to carry out maintenance work in preparation for resurfacing, DCC plan to close Coombe Valley Road at the point at which the houses end going north, past the junction with Plaisters Lane to the crossroads at the top. The road will be closed daily between the hours of 0900 and 1630 on Thursday 4 June and Friday 5 June. I suppose you could say – and I’m going to – that this is the bad news. The good news is that I will be able to walk safely up the road on those two days, and eventually there will be a brand new surface to enjoy.

A little more good news on the slow return, hopefully, to normality. Karen tells me that the Springhead are open for pizzas from today, until 9pm each day until and including Monday. Please order in advance and collect from the back car park, remaining in your car when you do so.

Stay safe and well

Chris

17 May 2020 - Weekly calendar of events

Dear everyone,

Recently your SP social committee have been holding virtual meetings as many as three or four times a day. I gather that Jez can only get an adequate Wifi signal in his downstairs loo, which is the bad news. The good news is that he at least has somewhere to sit. They have been discussing events in the immediate future and I have been taken to task for not letting you know about these. So, hoping that I can preserve my free entry to a coffee morning, I hasten to correct my error. Here goes.

Tomorrow Monday 18 May nothing is happening. Tuesday is a little quieter, but on Wednesday things pick up a little, with merely a complete absence of activity. Thursday’s events have all been cancelled, and Friday’s planned march through the village by the massed bands of the Blues and Royals Guards Brigade is almost certain not to take place. We think that the band master has sprained his ankle and can’t walk, let alone march. On Saturday we take a breather from this hectic schedule, but on Sunday watch out for news of the week ahead. Remember to record all these non-events carefully in your calendar, making sure you get the times correct i.e. never.

Some more good news. Good friend John has offered to pay for me at the next coffee morning – I will let you know when, but not anytime soon – so I am not so reliant on the committee’s largesse. This means you may be spared a flood of similar Newsbites in the future.

Stay alert and stay safe.

Best regards

Chris