The Pennant Edition 502 December/January 2018 Printed by J H Haynes & Co Ltd as a free service to the community
Welcome to the Christmas and New Year edition of The Pennant. A big thank you to all villagers who organise and take part in the fundraising events to support our local community and make Bradford Abbas a truly special place to live. Thank you all for your support! Please keep sending your entries, I will try to the best of my ability to include all submissions, ok there might be some mistakes occasionally but remember this is a voluntary service from myself and I do have a full time job, so bear with. Please email [email protected]. By 17th of each month, all hand delivered entries should be delivered to Jeanne at 26 Manor Close. A HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF THE AIR AMBULANCE
They saved the life of Dot Heald’s son in August 2017 who sustained 60% burns in a boat accident. Dot would like to invite to Rose Cottage, Church Road on Saturday 9th December For Coffee, Cakes and Christmas goodies.
Calling all flower arrangers to decorate the church for Christmas Friday 15th December 9.00 – 11.30am, prior to the Carol Service. Foliage and flowers greatly appreciated if they could be left in the church on Thursday 14th and help in any way on the 15th some flowers will be provided. Many thanks in anticipation. Ann Evans 01935 476071
Peter Webb, Poppy Appeal Organiser for Bradford Abbas & Clifton Maybank, on behalf of the Royal British Legion, would like to thank all local collectors and organisations, together with everyone who contributed, to the Poppy Appeal 2017. Their help and contributions are most appreciated. Totals amount collected will be included in a future issue.
Clubs & Societies
Bradford Abbas Sports & Social Club Thank you to everyone involved in organising an excellent Halloween party. Lots of family fun was had.
BONFIRE NIGHT Many thanks to Mark and Merys Hopkins and Ross and their team of helpers for another superb fireworks display and bonfire. A great community event. This event continues to gain in reputation.
We still need folk to join our events committee and also volunteer for the occasional bar duty. If you are available to help in anyway please contact Sue Drayton, Marie Trott or Beth Fall.
Sunday 3rd December 12.00 Christmas Lunch Club, everyone welcome, £10 for 2 courses. Call Garry to book 431366. Thursday 7th December 12.00 senior citizens lunch £7.95 for 2 courses. Friday 16th December 7pm family Christmas disco, everyone welcome, father Christmas, gifts, nibbles, optional fancy dress, happy hour 7-8. Sunday 24th December Christmas Eve disco family and everyone welcome, 6pm start, bring own nibbles. Christmas day 12.00-13.00 Club open
Friendship Club Our next meeting will be our Christmas Lunch at The Rose and Crown on Tuesday 5th December at 12-30 for 1pm. This is our last meeting of the year and thank you all for your support during 2017. There will be no meeting in January. The first meeting of 2018 will be on Tuesday 6th February in village hall from 2-4pm. New members always welcome. Happy Christmas to you all.
Bradford Abbas History Society A week earlier than in other months, our December meeting will be held on Tuesday December 12th at 2.30pm in the village hall when speaker Mike Bolton will talk on “How we Used to Live”.
If stocks still last, our “Then and Now” calendar for 2018 will be available for £5 from the pub or from Richard Hann 01935 477410.
On Tuesday January 30th 2018 at 2.30pm in the village hall we will have a short AGM, when annual subscriptions of £10 will be due and the programme of talks and visits for 2018 will be available. It will be followed by a talk entitled “All Aboard the Mary Rose” to be given by Anne Gray. All welcome. Visitors £2.
Please note that the History Society is always pleased to receive any photographs, items, anecdotes or memories of the village, which would add to our knowledge and archive record of the village’s history.
Bradford Abbas Women’s Institute A big thank you to all who supported our Coffee Morning in November making it an enjoyable occasion.
December 2017 This month we don’t have a regular meeting but instead enjoy a Christmas lunch together at the Social Club on Tuesday 19th December. Business is kept to the very minimum but we enjoy a very special lunch, a raffle and of course Secret Santa. This brings our Centenary year to a fitting close and we wish all members, past and present, a very happy Christmas.
January 2018 Tuesday 16 January 2018 our first meeting of the year will take place in the Village hall at 7.30pm when Mr Francis Watson will return to give another of his hugely appreciated talks about his Mother if Pearl collection. Further details from our secretary Debbie Rylands on 01935 473334, all welcome. NB Don’t forget our Jumble Sale in the Village Hall on 3 February, 2.00-4.00 pm. Details about bringing jumble etc will be on the usual house-to-house notices.
The Rose and Crown
December Music Nights at the Rose and Crown. All music starts at 9 pm Saturday 2nd No Fixed Abode Saturday 9th B J Smith, back by popular demand Saturday 16th Dali Fender Band, something new rd Saturday 23 ‘Stuart as Elvis’ impersonator, new act!
Other dates for your diary Saturday 16th December Skittle for a turkey. All proceeds to local charity. Friday 22nd December Christmas Draw. Lots of prizes, come and help draw the prizes. Sunday 24th December Christmas Eve. Christmas carvery from 12 until 2 pm. Limited seating so pre- bookings only. Book early to avoid disappointment.
26th December Boxing Day Major Afternoon Christmas Quiz. Lots of prizes, starts at 14.30.
Sunday 31st December, New Year’s eve. Sunday carvery as normal or join us in the evening and see the New Year in. Snacks provided. Monday 1st January, New Year’s day. Evening opening only.
A full list of opening times are in the pub or on our website [email protected] Don't forget we open at 11 am on Every Saturday morning for Coffee and a chat. Thursday afternoon at 2pm Coffee and cake. All proceeds from Thursday go to charity.
January Music Nights at the Rose and Crown. All music starts at 9 pm
Saturday 13th Bud Martin. Moor music to be arranged watch out for the boards or check the Website AT Rose and [email protected] Saturday 28th Quiz Night
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year from Mary and all the staff at the Rose and Crown
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
Tuesday 12th December we will be hosting a Social evening with Elizabeth’s mince pies and a Quiz – ‘Who took that shot?’ How well do we know the members?’
Tuesday 9th January: Critique evening: landscape photography. Tuesday 23rd January: Internal judging by Club members Competition ‘Shoot a theme’ – Wood.
We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Start the New Year by checking our new website for further information and see what we do sbacameraclub.co.uk If you like what you see then come along and join us. Everyone welcome.
Yeovil Railway Centre at Yeovil Junction
Thursday 14th December: Main Line Steam from London Victoria to Sherborne and Yeovil Junction, where the locomotive is turned and serviced. Further details on the Railway Touring Companies can be found on the website railwaytouring.net Our ever popular Santa Specials will run this year on Sunday 3rd, Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th and Saturday 23rd December. It is advisable to book early for the date and time of your choice. Full details on how to book are on www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com
Friday 29th December Steam Train Day, the ‘Mince Pie Special’ with our Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 steam engine ‘Lord Fisher’. Passengers travel in an historic guards van or coach along the third of a mile former GWR Clifton Maybank branch line. Full details are on our website as above.
As well as our website www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com you can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com@yeovilrc
There are no public events for January whilst work continues behind the scenes for the coming year. ------Other Notices
Bradford Abbas Village Hall Bookings – Please contact Trevor Jacklin on 01935 700001, or email [email protected] - Further details are available on the Village Hall website @ www.bavh.org.uk
Salty Sea Dogs Grooming Parlour – can be found at 14 Wessex Drive, Bradford Abbas, DT9 6SH 07882 867718
Beckley News Delivery Service - Delivery of all morning newspapers and magazines to your address in Bradford Abbas, Silverlake, Wyke and Clifton Maybank 7 days a week. New customers welcomed. Orders and enquiries can be placed on our answerphone 01935 814287 or email [email protected]
Christmas Carol Service at St. Michael’s Church, Beer Hackett Thursday 21st December at 6:30pm.
Our service of six carols and lessons this year will have a special traditionally Dorset theme. We will be joined by Eddie Upton and singers from Folk South West. You are warmly invited to come and share our celebration. The service will be followed by seasonal drinks and festive edibles.
Village Notices Parish Council News The Parish Council continues to meet with Wriggle Valley Community Transport to discuss community transport options. NORDCAT is providing a 6 week trial service that began on 13/11/17 providing service to Sherborne on a Monday. Information to other NORDCAT services can be found on the noticeboards and the Parish Council website www.bradford-abbas.uk Feel free to ring the Clerk on 01935 473833 if you need any other assistance. There is also an established Car Share scheme in Dorset and this may help those who need to make a journey if you are travelling on a non-bus day. Details of this can be found at https://liftshare.com/uk/community/dorset
The Parish Council continues with the application to add a footpath from East Farm Lane to the road by Coombe Cottages. This application has been processing with Dorset County Council for over 7 years and is slow in moving forward. The application for the footpath can be found on the Parish Council website.
Finally don’t forget that Helping Hands is there to help with Hospital and other similar appointments and they can be reached on 01963 210953. Tricia Chapman Church News Church Services: Friday 1st December 09.30 School Christingle Service Sunday 3rd December 11.00 Holy Communion Sunday 10th December 11.00 Holy Communion Friday 15th December 09.30 School Carol Service Sunday 17th December 18.00 Carol Service Sunday 24th December 16.30 Nativity and Carols Monday 25th December 11.00 Christmas Communion Sunday 31st December 10.00 Beer Hackett Holy Communion Sunday 7th January 11.00 Holy Communion Sunday 14th January 11.00 Holy Communion Sunday 21st January 08.00 Holy Communion Sunday 28st January 09.30 Family Service For a complete list of all Three Valleys Team Local Church Services go to www.threevalleysteam.org
Dear Friends We, who are members of the Three Valleys Benefice parishes, are very fortunate because we live in the peace and quiet of one of the most beautiful and little changed parts of England. Furthermore, each one of our villages has a beautiful church in which we come together to celebrate the important annual festivals, and in which we also celebrate significant family events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals.
But have you ever thought about who is responsible for keeping our churches alive? The simple answer is that it is all of us who live in the villages. You may be surprised to know that the Church of England merely act as custodians of our churches, but do not finance them in any way. This means that there are two homes in our villages that we have to provide for; the one in which we sleep at night and the one we share with all our fellow villagers, which is our house of worship. Thus we, as individuals and families, have to cover the various expenses incurred in keeping both homes going.
Sadly, those volunteers who act on your behalf to run our churches are now finding that they are facing huge financial difficulties in doing their task, because the generation who once provided them with the financial support necessary to pay for the various costs in maintaining and running our churches are now passing on, and the subsequent generations are not taking up the challenge. The stark fact is that if more villagers do not take up that challenge, some of our churches will have to be closed in the foreseeable future. This would be a tragedy, particularly for those generations who have yet to come.
We ask you please to consider adding your church to your Christmas present lists this year and in the future. If needed, advice on how to make a donation can be provided by our Team Rector, The Reverend Tony Gilbert, whose telephone number is 01935 873044; alternatively you can ring me on 01300 345375.
In the meantime, I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Michael Anderson.