February 2020
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Thomas Kenrick Re-pointing Re-Pointing Specialist. Building Conservation. Stone Masonry. 01749 831568 / 07746 218062 www.Repointing Somerset.co.uk 2 This Month Advertisers Index 58 The Editor’s Letter Alhampton News 5 Annual Litter Pick 14 Our planet has started its rotation towards the sun and Benefice Prayer Pyramid 29 Britis Legion 38 every day provides about a minute more daylight than Broadband too slow? 19 the one before. Whoopee! And another bonus - to even Candlemas Service 31 out things astronomical and calendrical, this month we Charity Theatre Trips27get a whole extra day to play with. I hope you have Christmas in Dicheat 8 Church rotas 54 plans to make good use of it - if you are an unmarried, Church Services 30 die-hard, female, traditionalist it could always include Diary dates 4 going down on bended knee to propose to your man. Directory 56 Supposedly, in medieval times, there was a law that Ditcheat Big Screen 24 required a forfeit if you were refused… Ditcheat Book Group 35 Ditcheat Church Room 55 st Ditcheat Church Treasures 52 Safely back in 21 century Fosse Trinity land there’s a Ditcheat PC notes 46 combined Candlemas service in Ditcheat on the 2nd, a Ditcheat School 6 meeting to ascertain interest in faster broadband for Ditcheat Weather 20 outlying villages on the 6th and also a chance to join in Easter Bingo26 Fosseway Gardening Club 27 a village sing along honouring Brenda Jones, grand and Fraud Warning 44 great grandmother of over 40. (See Dates for your Gardening 22 Diary). Horse Sense 25 Jubilee Hall AGM Report 50 Learn Life Saving Skills 27 You can read the first of our Trinity Tales on page 42; Men's Breakfast 17 if you have a short story you’d like to share do get in Mothers' Union 35 touch, but please be aware that, to support our Natural World 10 excellent printer who is undergoing treatment, we are One Hundred Club 41 bringing the copy deadline forward to the 12th of the Picture from the Past 34 Pylle News 32 month. Rector's Note 28 Rendezvous 16 It would be great to hear from you. Shepton Experience 49 Happy Valentine’s day. Somerset Independence+ 45 Sudoku (Easy) 31 Sudoku (Medium) 40 Margy Cockburn Tim Sanders Trinity Tales 42 Village Lunch 17 Village Sing Along 40 The Fosse Trinity News is a community magazine Waste Not Want Not 14 delivered free to all households in Ditcheat, Wild West Evening 33 Alhampton, East Pennard and Pylle. We reserve the Wildlife Group Update 36 right to edit but welcome contributions from everyone Winter Fuel Payme nt 41 in the community. Editorial and adverts should be received by the 12th of Front cover: Spring Purples by Margy Cockburn © 2020 month preceding the issue. Please send your cover Contact: [email protected] or photos to the editor [email protected] 3 Dates for your Diary Regular Events Weekly Monthly Pilates (9.00) Linda 860067 Tai Chi for Health (10.30) Richard 880308 Mon Ditcheat Badminton Club (8.30) James 860355 Ditcheat and Pylle Singers (7.00) Di 07831 289945 2nd Rendezvous (10.00) Linda 860067 Tue 1st 3rdDitcheat Art Group (10.00) Liz & Stewart 860755 Ditcheat Badminton Club (2.00) Gaye 860081 Wed Ditcheat Short Mat Bowls (7.00) Martin 860780 Ditcheat and Pylle Singers (7.00) Di 07831 289945 Keep Fit (9.15) Linda 860067 1st Thu Alhamptonians (8.15) Louisa 860252 1st Skittles at Ditcheat Manor House Inn 860276 Fri 2ndFolk Dance Club (7.30-9.30) Ama/Peter 672911 Ditcheat Yoga (8.00) Clare 07843 079209 Sat 2nd Men’s Breakfast Roger 860551 Feb 2020 Thurs 6th 8.15pm Alhamptonians, The Inn Louisa 860252, P5 Thurs 6th 7.00pm Broadband Meeting, Jubilee Hall Roger P19 Tue 11th 10.00am Rendezvous, Jubilee Hall Linda 860067 P16 Fosseway Gardening Club (Climbers Tue 11th 7.30pm Janet 331306 P27 Gallore), Pylle Village Hall Thurs 13th 2.30pm Mothers’ Union, Baltonsborough Jill P35 Fri 21st 7.00pm Village Sing Along, Jubilee Hall P40 Cheltenham Festival Preview, Castle Danielle 07969130816 Fri 21st 7.30pm Cary Rugby Club (pre-book only) P50 (FTN Dec–Jan) Sun 23rd 9.00am Learn Life Saving Skills, Langport Chris 01458 27308 P27 Tues 25th 12.30pm Village Lunch, Jubilee Hall Jessica 860205 P17 Ditcheat Big Screen: Downton Abbey, Thurs 20th 7.00pm Anne 860444 P24 Jubilee Hall Further Ahead British Legion Annual Dinner, Fri 6th March 7.00pm Charles 860336, P38 The Den Sat 21st March 9.00am Annual Litter Pick P14 Sat 21st March Pylle Wild West Night Jo 838757 P33 Fri 27th March 6.30pm Easter Bingo P26 4 Alhampton News A new decade and a lot to look forward to. Among other things we have a provisional date for the fete – Saturday 4 July. It has been suggested that this year the profit be split with a share for the school, a share for the air ambulance and a share for Macmillan nurses. This last as a way of thanking them for their care for Nancy Llewellyn who played such a large part in village life during her many years living here, whether opening their lovely garden with Arthur or helping make teas, put up tents, cooking delicious cakes and many more of the jobs that make life run more smoothly. Much more detail to come but put the date in your diaries. If you would like to be involved whether with ideas or with offers of help please let Gemma Travis know on [email protected] or phone 860019. Thank you to all of you who supported the ball we ran in December. It was a really good night and much enjoyed by all who attended, thanks in no small part to the Shepton Big Band who provided a feast of music which was good to dance to but also good to listen to if you weren’t a dancer. And it made a good profit! A compliment to pass on from somebody who lives some miles away… ‘Always a good night in Ditcheat, whatever the occasion. Also it’s great because everybody helps with the clearing up! Wish all villages were the same.’ Also another busy Christmas Eve carols at the pub. Unfortunately, we couldn’t have the musical accompaniment to the carols that was so appreciated in 2018 as Chris was away and Joe rushed off his feet behind the bar. This made it difficult to pass on the numbers of which carol we were singing which meant some people only joined in half way through but, hopefully, it was still a chance to exercise the lungs and wish each other a good Christmas. We’ll try and have music next year if we go ahead with it. We will try returning to Alhamptonians - evenings again now that the hectic few weeks are past. As always the first Thursday in the month – 6th February and 5th March – someone is always there from about 8.15pm but come whenever suits you for a drink or a coffee and a chance to catch up with neighbours. And don’t forget that we welcome everyone, whether our side of the river or not! Louisa Oborne 5 Ditcheat School At the time of writing, we have just returned from our Christmas break. Looking back on our last term, I realise just how busy we were! Willow class visited Bovington Tank Museum as part of their topic about the Battle of Britain. The day started with the children learning about the roles undertaken by people at home such as the land army, the home guard and ARP wardens. They had a chance to dress up and sound the air raid sirens. The children then had the opportunity to build a replica tank next to a real tank. Following this, the children went to see the rest of the museum and were particularly moved by the trench experience where they were able to walk in the footsteps of a soldier from recruiting offices to the front line trenches. 6 Last term we also had the 'grand opening' of our library with author Joffre White. The library was completely refurbished by Kate Knowles, Hannah Mascall and Chloe Mason who all work at the school. It is now a wonderful place for children to read and share books. Maple, Cherry and Holly classes had a visit from an architect and experienced constructing different buildings and habitats linked to their topics. Holly class even built a mini Stonehenge! Then, of course, we had our wonderful nativities performed by Maple, Cherry and Holly classes while Willow class wrote and ran the carol service in the church. This term we are looking forward to trips to see the starling murmuration, a visit to Bristol and a science explorer dome! 7 Christmas in Ditcheat A record number of people from across the benefice joined the Christmas lunch in the Jubilee hall on December 13th. Our two local police constables helped to serve and we were entertained by the children from Maple Class at Ditcheat School, who came with their head teacher Victoria Withers to sing carols. Their rousing rendition of ‘Ding dong merrily on high’ put us all in festive mood and everyone loved having them. As in previous years we made a donation of £500 to the Julian Trust Night shelter for the homeless in Bristol. Maple Class setting the atmosphere for the lunch We gave a donation of £200 to the Food Bank in Midsomer Norton at the beginning of December, together with donations of food towards Christmas hampers they make up for needy The village lunch team: Liz Gould, Chrys families.