Sutton Poyntz

Dear all,

 

A reminder of the village cleanup of the Pond which will take place this coming Saturday, 24 March, starting at 10 am. If you are thinking of volunteering for this - and I do hope you are - then there is an added incentive to do so. Karen from The Springhead emailed me to say "If it would be of help we would like to offer complimentary teas, coffees and bacon rolls to all the helpers on Saturday. They just need to pop in and say they are with the pond clear up." Many thanks to Karen for this very generous offer, and thanks in advance to everyone who turns out to help. Although it doesn't seem to adversely affect the ducks when they paddle about in the water, human beings are different, and a warming hot drink and bacon butty will be very welcome after the job is done. See you on the day.

 

 

Regards

Chris

 

Dear all,

 

On Saturday 24 March another village cleanup of the Pond will take place, starting at 10 am. A good turnout of helpers would be appreciated, for many hands will make light work of clearing the debris and removing some of the greenery. This is not a formal occasion so wellies/waders, jeans and waterproofs are considered acceptable, even desirable, wear. The ducks will soon start nesting so the work has to be done now to avoid disturbing them, otherwise there might be complaints to the International Court of Aquatic Life Rights.

  

With winter behind us and the lighter nights ahead the Winter Coffee Mornings have ceased, but we move seamlessly into the Summer Coffee Morning season. The first of these is on Friday 6 April in the Mission Hall between 10.30am and noon. Please do come along and support these neighbourly gatherings which will take place on the first Friday of the month throughout the summer. Mark them in your calendar now. If you can help or make a cake please contact Maureen (835533); she would be very grateful for your support, as would the charities that benefit from the Coffee Mornings.

 

Regards

Chris

Dear all,

 

The Sutton Poyntz History Evening at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 March in the Mission Hall will feature a talk entitled "The Sutton Poyntz Waterworks" by John Willows. Now (semi) retired, John's connection with the Sutton Poyntz Pumping Station goes back to June 1976. He was working for Wessex Water, and tasked with preparing the listed Turbine House and Pump Room for public visits. This sparked his interest in industrial archaeology, and after other roles within the company he returned to Sutton Poyntz to set up a museum to satisfy the newly drafted Water Act requirement that water companies paid due regard to heritage. The waterworks was still, of course, Weymouth's primary water supply source. Later he oversaw the refurbishment of the Steam Room, and the building of the new Chlorine Pump Room, the design of which won a civic award. Latterly John worked for the Public Relations Department, based in the Superintendent's house, to oversee the Museum and to lecture on and demonstrate its contents. You can imagine from this brief account that there is no-one who knows more about the Waterworks, or is more practiced in recounting its history, than John himself. So do make a point of coming along to his talk, which will be interesting, informative and well worth listening to. Tickets can be obtained from Bill Egerton (832872) Caroline Crisp (832529) or Jill Kelsey (835605). There is no charge for these, but there will be a collection at door, with the proceeds going to the Water Aid Charity. Refreshments will be available. See you there.

 

Mo and Dave Martin will once again be organising the Weymouth East Scout & Guide Jumble Sale. This major annual fundraising event supports the venue used by so many of our local youngsters. It will be held in the Scutt Hall on Saturday 7 April at 2pm. As ever they need good quality items so if you have anything that they could sell - clothes, bric-a-brac, books etc - or are likely to be turning out such items in the near future, or know anyone who is, please contact Mo/Dave on 836322.

 

Regards

Chris

Dear all,

 

Sad to report that Elizabeth Saunders passed away peacefully in hospital after a brief illness on Wednesday 24 January 2018. Elizabeth, an 'original inhabitant' of Sutton Poyntz,  lived in the village all her life, for many years in the farmhouse where she was born, and then in the cottages built by the Saunders family across the pond.

 

Elizabeth was never particularly active in Society affairs although she acted as hostess to many Committee meetings while her father Ernest, the Society's first Treasurer, was still alive. She helped him to run some of the village evening walks. The Society has been organising walks for almost 50 years, and in that time there have only been two organisers, Ernest Saunders and Richard Backwell. She was a long time member of the Village WI, who remembered her in silence at their recent meeting.

 

Elizabeth looked after the 'tame' village  ducks before Dave Caddy took over. More recently she allowed the village to hold several of their 'Teas on the Lawn' (now called the Cream Teas) on the lawn between her house and the pond. She had a wealth of information on village life but was very reticent in passing on that knowledge. Sadly she did not take part in the 'Dorset Voices' oral history project about 8 years ago.

 

A thanksgiving service will take place at St. John's Church, Greenhill, Weymouth on Wednesday 21 February at 2pm. No flowers at Elizabeth's request. Donations, if desired, may be given to the Tear Fund or Crosslinks c/o Dennis Mould at Abbott & Rees Funeral Directors 247 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, DT4 0LY Tel 01305 766711.

 

Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy go out to her family.

 

Regards

Dear all,

 

Also, if anyone would like to have a go at playing the ukulele, and possibly forming a beginners, informal, fun group, she will be along at the Chatty Crafty Group on Monday 12 February between 10am and noon in the Mission Hall. Some members of the Group have started making items to sell at the Victorian Fayre, so it sounds as though they could well be working to music. Again, drop in to talk to Liz if are interested.

 

Regards

Chris

Dear all,

 

January has disappeared in a flash, so apologies for these not appearing earlier.

 

The next Coffee Morning is tomorrow, Friday 2 February, between 10.30 and noon in the Mission Hall. PCSO Clive Joyner and other members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be there to address any security matters, including your personal safety or that of your computing/communication systems, that you may be concerned about. Don't miss this opportunity to meet the team who look after us so well.

 

And the next 'Crafty Chatty Group' meeting is this coming Monday morning, 5 February, between 10am and noon in the Mission Hall (and each Monday morning thereafter). Come along for a chat and refreshments with old friends, or perhaps make new ones, and maybe learn another art or craft to add to your already long list of abilities. At only £2 per session there can't be a better way to start the week.

 

Regards

 

Chris

Dear all,

 

The third 'Crafty Chatty Group' meeting is this coming Monday morning, 22 January, between 10am and noon in the Mission Hall (and each Monday morning thereafter). Everyone is welcome to attend for a chat and refreshments, make new friends, and perhaps learn a new skill - or pass on yours for others to enjoy. It's only £2 per session and is a good way to banish those Monday morning blues. Do give it a try.

 

Also some advance notice about the next Coffee Morning on Friday 2 February between 10.30 and noon in the Mission Hall. Peter Jones, our Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, says that PCSO Clive Joyner and other members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be there to address any security matters you may have. Interesting items to assist with your personal safety will also be on display. This will be a valuable opportunity to meet the team who look after us so well, so don't miss it.

 

Regards

 

Chris

Dear all,

 

The first 'Crafty Chatty Group' meeting was a great success, with an excellent turn-out covering a wide range of skills. These included knitting, crochet, embroidery and plans for the future for such things as upholstery. Joyce Peel tells me that other activities aimed at meeting community needs e.g. in the medical field are under discussion. The next meeting of the 'Crafty Chatty Group' is this coming Monday, 15 January between 10am and noon in the Mission Hall. and each Monday morning thereafter. Open to everyone, this is your chance to meet just for a chat and refreshments, make new friends, or perhaps learn a new skill - or pass on one that you have for others to enjoy. It's only £2 per session and you are sure to find it most enjoyable and worthwhile.

 

And from Mike Blee :- Members please note that the planning application deadline for comments to the Council in respect of a new dwelling on land between Limoncello and Morlands in Plaisters Lane has been extended to Wednesday 24 January.

Regards

Chris