Be neath the Vale

Published on behalf of Upper Marshwood Vale

Parish Council

Flood Stories Ali Edwards, her family and friends beat off the weather – just!

uly 7th 2012 is a J memorable day as rain and the flooding hit Dorset with such The River Marshalsea in full flow relentless vigour. Many in the county suffered with flooding into their the water into the fields at the end of homes or businesses but, thanks to the cul-de-sac and down into the neighbours, not me. valley. Not only did they quickly Marshalsea, Marshwood is source and utilise lots of materials positioned on a high point looking including bagged carpet off-cuts from over the Vale toward Shaves Cross a skip, scaffolding planks, used drain and Bettiscombe you’d assume we pipes, a few breeze blocks and even are safe from any flood risk, an old worktop, but one had years of however the rain water runs down lots of dam building experience at the the two side of the village and beach as a child. comes straight to MY front door. There was a steady and at times On this particular morning the heavy flow created down the vale, water went from larger puddles to which would have been in my home licking the lip of my door in less and probably at least one of my direct than an hour. Working hard to clear neighbours without the support drains to keep water away was received. limiting as they were at saturation point there was no way to alleviate this easily; thankfully I have the best neighbours who rallied and gathered materials to build a dam to channel 1 Dam good stuff – well it worked! Community spirit is very much alive and kicking here in Marshalsea and it’s a fantastic thing to know that you have. Collectively we are now talking about a more practical flood defence being ready to use quickly in the event of more heavy rain. Instant garden pond Ali Edwards - just add water

Throughout the vale the weather Bob Wyatt the parish councilor who tested all our flood precautions. co-ordinates Steve’s usual efforts Parish lengthsman Steve Lee was claimed several phone calls thanking noted by many residents as he Steve: moved from flood to flood ensuring “ All the work in clearing both his cleared drains remained drains and access to the drains has unblocked. Over the time he has been worthwhile. With rain like last been the parish lengthsmen he has weekend we should have had many gained an unrivalled knowledge of roads blocked and bridges down but where flooding may occur and how instead the efforts paid off and I’ve best to deal with it. had calls thanking Steve for all his But this was not an easy task and work.” many residents noted our Superhero One only has to see how other waist deep in floodwater removing neighbouring areas have suffered to debris to allow water to flow safely appreciate how fortunate Upper away. Marshwood Vale has been. In Norway Lane, Stoke Abbott No wonder other parishes water started to threaten the home of throughout Dorset want to get Mr & Mrs Howard. Seeing this involved with the lengthsman idea. elderly couple in such peril, Steve Some even want a time-share of ours. set to and dug deep to build up a Bob cautions: “It’s not the system protective bank, diverting the water that should be copied but it’s about safely away. getting the right person in the first place.” Thanks Steve.

2 Contents Page 1- 2, Flood Stories 12,13 Bottle opens 3, Council News 14 Beaminster Job Club 4, Stoke Abbott Street Fair 15 Editorial 5 Register for Broadband 16 Announcement: CLT 6, 7 From the fields: neospora 17 Bettiscombe Parish Hall news 8 Council Annual Report 18 Events, District & County 9 Chairman’s Report Councils, Editorial Board 10, 11 Stoke Abbott in 1895 19 Parish councillors

Council News New Notice Board A smart new notice board for The first few weeks in place have Bettiscombe replaces the old one certainly tested out the weather which was in a very poor state of resistance design. We hope to repair. replace or repair the one at Marshwood in the near future.

Jubilee Celebrations We were pleased to be able to District Council. West Dorset assist Marshwood with securing Council provided the maximum grant funds for a Diamond Jubilee party of £250 towards this very special for the residents of Marshwood event. It is understand that a good through West Dorset time was had by all!

Marshwood’s Diamond Jubilee party

Photos by Alastair and Patrick Shapland

3 Stoke Abbott Street Fair 2012

The weather leading up to the Vic Rus, who ran the (very successful) Street Fair was abysmal. As the rain gift tombola, had these thoughts after poured down and the roads flooded the day: we wavered. Should we cancel? “We had a good flow of punters – I Luckily we held our nerve – the wish we could have given everyone a sun shone and the crowds turned prize. It was heart-wrenching to see the out in their hundreds. After all the youngsters walk away so disconsolate, financial calculations were done, but perhaps a little disappointment there was a surplus of £4800 – a early in life will leave a message that record, and a fitting tribute to chief with games of chance one has to be a organiser, Lucia Borradaile. This is little wary. her last year in charge and she has “My real purpose in writing is to gone out on a high. thank all the contributors for their gifts, At the post-Street Fair meeting and all delivered and of good merchantable barbecue, thanks were expressed to quality too, which saved me a lot of her and everyone who put in so running about and very few were much effort, organising stalls, passed on to Granny’s Attic. We took making things, putting up signs and £272, which I’m told is a reasonable posters and serving teas. It was amount for this stall. Thank you decided to give £2,100 each to the everyone, without your help it would church and village hall and to make not have been a success.” a donation of £500 to the Rex Trevett Band for its charity work For those of you who like statistics: with young musicians. Following the 95 leaflets delivered, 20 ladies and three gentlemen made Sue Roberts donations and we had 164 gifts to offer as prizes.

Beneath the Va le now does video reports

You can see them on the Parish Council website

http://www.uppermarshwoodcouncil.org

Superfast is coming ? Now available Street Fair 2012 On website soon Bottle opening On website soon Nettle Eating Shot, now editing

4

Do something important now - Register for Broadband s superfast broadband for It doesn’t cost you to do this - it is a ADor set would seem to be a survey to determine your intentions year or two away why should we and wishes, not a form to sign up to worry about it now? the new service. That will No contractor has been be coming from your appointed, so we don’t present service provider know what we will get or and competition should when it will happen. mean it won’t cost any But one thing is more for a substantial becoming very certain – improvement in speed some parts of Dorset will and service. not get the top level And even if you are lucky service that has been and are getting an adequate promised for the majority and it is the service for your needs now, think about rural areas that will loose out in this those in our community who live in postcode lottery. For more on this go black spots and cannot get proper to the Parish Council website and broadband. If we can persuade the watch the Superfast video. contractors to give us all an upgrade, But there is something you can do they will get the greatest benefit. Think right NOW! Something which will too of the future and of your children help all our rural internet users – you, and grand-children. your neighbour and the whole What you think is good now will not community. seem so good in a few year’s time when Both contractors, BT and Fujitsu those in the towns have got something want to know the sort of demand for better and we won’t. The contractor will these better services in each area only pass by here once. around every exchange and all So register for yourself, your family, for villages. Our County Council is me, for your neighbour and for Upper running an on-line survey to register Marshwood Vale. Go on line, fill in the the demand for Superfast. It can be survey and do something really found at the second website below. important today – and then go and get Put simply, the more people from your neighbours to do the same. Upper Marshwood Vale who answer And if you want to help but don’t do this survey, the better the service we computers, contact the editor who will will get because the contractor will ensure your registration counts. know Marshwood has enough people who will use the Superfast service

Check out these websites http://www.uppermarshwoodcouncil.org http://www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast-dorset/register-interest 5

From the Fields – from vet Terry Girling here is growing evidence of within a herd. The parasite can be T the links between a specific picked up by dogs through the disease in livestock and the ingestion of contaminated livestock presence on grazing land of material, such as placentas from faeces from infected dogs. newly calved cows, or by being fed Caused by the parasite neospora contaminated raw meat. caninum, the disease is now Neosporosis – which can cause thought to be responsible for the abortions in cattle was not highest percentage of all cattle discovered until 1984 in Norway, abortions reported in the UK. where it was found in dogs. Now Once neosporosis infection has found worldwide, it is highly occurred in a cattle herd it can transmissible and some herds can persist within the herd due to have up to a 90% prevalence. transmission of the parasite Neospora causes abortions in cattle between cows and calves. and up to 33% of pregnancies on a However spread of the disease single dairy farm can result in between unrelated females only aborted calves. occurs where a dog acts as host to the parasite – such point sources of transmission can cause ‘abortion storms’ Fox Transmission cycle neospora caninum

6 The prevalence of Dog owners should: the disease in herds, Always remove your and its potential dog’s waste from all impact on farm locations, including economics make this grazing land; it may an important disease not be a legal to try to control. requirement as As there is no way to effectively agricultural land is not a public prevent through vaccination or to place and there are no £1,000 treat neosporosis, the farmer’s main fines, but by safely disposing of line of defence is to manage the dog waste, you will help minimise likelihood of Neospora the risk of passing on disease to contamination: livestock and you could be saving Feedstuffs, hay, bedding, and your pet’s life. water should be kept free of Don’t let your dog eat remains of contamination by dogs and other dead animals or leftover birth carnivores as well as vermin. materials such as placenta whilst Prompt disposal of placentas, out walking. Your dog may be foetuses and stillborn calves will infected by parasites if you allow also limit the spread of disease. it to eat animal material such as Embryos from a cow infected with carrion that it may find whilst out Neospora can be transfered to an on a walk. uninfected cow. If you choose to feed your dog Dogs are seen as the definitive raw meat, make sure that it is host of the parasite, as faeces from parasite-free. infected dogs can contaminate To summarise: There are no drugs pasture, cattle feed, water or currently available to control this bedding. Your pets may develop disease in cattle or to cure infected symptoms of the disease, which animals. No vaccine is currently include progressive lameness and licensed in the UK to prevent paralysis in pups less than 6 months neosporosis in cattle. Current of age. Infected bitches can pass knowledge suggests that Neospora the parasite to their puppies during does not cause disease in human pregnancy by infection. If dogs do beings. But both cattle and dogs are develop symptoms, most of these at grave risk so farmers and dog cases are fatal or require owners alike have a common cause euthanasia. in eliminating this vile disease. 7 Council Annual Report

Photo credit Meliss a Edwards

There were two candidates to fill the pper Marshwood Parish vacancy created by John’s sad Council is one of a number of U departure, and the Council were grouped Councils in Dorset. The pleased to welcome Mrs Jane group includes the parishes of Gillingham on board. Marshwood, Stoke Abbott, Unfortunately, due to poor health, Bettiscombe and Pilsdon. Councillor Wendy Nightingale had to The Council has 12 councillors and resign from the council, and her one member of staff, being the Clerk position, which was for Marshwood to the Council. was filled in July by Mrs Sandra The Clerk is John Vanderwolfe who Hutchings. It is pleasing to note in is a fully qualified clerk, having these times when it is often difficult to obtained his Certificate in Local fill rural council seats that there were Council Administration a number of three candidates for this position. years ago. The Council is in a very rural area; Sadly, towards the end of last year, however, it tries to be as active as Councillor John McClellan, who had possible within the local community. been the representative for Pilsdon for a number of years, and was a retired Police Officer, passed away following a short illness.

Quality Council update Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Council’s application is still being considered by the County Accreditation panel. 8 A message from Matthew Bowditch, Chairman of Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Council was elected as Chairman of The Lengthsman has been very busy I the Council in May 2011. clearing verges and ensuring that our I have enjoyed being chairman but gullies are maintained. With all the wet have found it a steep learning curve. I weather that we have been having this am grateful to the Clerk to the Council is such an essential task. for the guidance he has provided to The Council is represented on the me both at the meetings, and indeed Affordable Homes project, which is between meetings. There is always so hoping to be able to provide this much to learn. facility in Marshwood in the very near Councillor Robert Wyatt continues future. A councillors has also been to do a wonderful job in co-ordinating working with Charles Somers on a the Parish Lengthsman scheme. project to provide rural Dorset with I understand that the scheme that Superfast Broadband. we are operating is looked at as a The Council now produces four ‘flagship’, and it is hoped that other newsletters a year. These are of a very schemes will follow that route. We high quality; and once again our have arranged for our Lengthsman to thanks to Councillor Cameron for his receive Chapter 8 training, which assistance in the publication of these ensures that they operate in a safe documents manner whilst on the highway. Both The council has dealt with a number Robert and the clerk also underwent of planning applications and has been this training. consulted on numerous issues by both This scheme is sponsored by Dorset the district and the county council. County Council, with our parish and Finally, I would like to thank all the our neighbours in the Char Valley councillors for their efforts during the making a financial contribution. year. Mathew Bowditch Chairman

Latest News: more democracy for the Marshwood Vale Our parish clerk John Vanderwolfe many of the pointless restrictions that has achieved an upgraded used to apply. qualification that will allow our Flouting planning officers council to adopt Power of recommendations widely reported Competence. Councils are limited in locally, district councillors what they can do, but Power of unanimously approved plans for Competence means we can do affordable homes in Whitchurch, thus anything an individual can do that is backing both our neighbouring parish not actually illegal, if deemed good council and the majority of resident’s for our community. This will reduce wishes. 9 A century of Stoke Abbott Characters Frederick Swaffield tells of a drunk and disorderly past As transcribed by Dr Stephen Jones - website www.dorsetbay.plus.com.

hat times the people used to He used to come to our club with a big Wha ve at Stoke Club - it was basket full. Somebody would give him far livelier than it is now. They used so much money and he would throw to have barrels of beer down in the the nuts all over the lawn. There was a corners of the passon’s lawn and the rare scrabble for the children. farmers used to treat their men and The pubs were full of people singing have a proper good time together. and dancing, accordians and The lawn was full of people tambourines playing. In front of the dancing the old fashioned dances. Anchor was several standings. In the George Canterbury got hold of New Inn yard swingboats and different somebody's perambulator and amusements. Old Fred Winter always started dancing round with it and had a standing there from Beaminster. then all at once he jumped up into it Mr Trump used to be a caterer at one and Jimmy Lansom wheeled him all time and then Mr H Weaver of about the lawn - all in and out the Beaminster. Mr Edward Smith used to dancers. Two growed up fellers too! do a great deal towards making our Somebody challenged Tom club a success. We used to get a good Swaffield that he wodn as spry as he number of visitors. A lot of the men used to was. Tom was getting on for didn't do much work the day after club seventy. He chucked down his stick - it was very lively on the Saturday. and started climbing a tree. When Of course the pubs were open all day he got someway up, the limb broke. then. I could tell of some lively goings Down comes Tom, limb and all, on. right down across the tables - upset all the cups and glasses beer all over the place. Poor Tom had a nasty jar. Then there was Old Dick Day from Beaminster he used to go to all the fairs and clubs selling nuts.

Jim Webber another Stoke Abbott charactor

10 ester was a teetolar. He only When you go up there ader any drank gin. He used to send me more gin, tell the landlady I want the Lup to the Greyhound two or three ordinary gin. I don’t want none of times a day after a so much in a that strong stuff what her sent medicine bottle. The boys used to smarning - us I shall take my custom very often those days fetch drink for elsewhere. the men. Gin was only about And when you go out to the pump fivepence halfpenny a quarter pint go a bit quicker us there going to be a then. shortage of water." And that was all When I came back with it I he said about it. always had to go to the pump at the Once there was a furniture sale in the back and fill the rest of the bottle village, so in the New Inn Yard there with water and then take it up on was a lot of men with horses and traps the scaffold to him. - when a strange woman came in One day when I came back and round and drunk as a lord. What a going through to the pump, I met going on there was! John Canterbury the boss. He said After a time they tried to get her to go "Less see the bottle Fred." So I gave on but she wouldn’t go. She said she it to him. He had a drink out of it so wanted a ride - so she got up in Alb H I went on out and filled it with trap and sat back in the bottom of the water. cart with her head hanging out over the When I came back John said "Less tail board - "Gie me a ride". have en." So he had another good So Alb said "I’ll gie thee a ride." swig so I went back an filled it He got up in cart and drove out again with water and took it up to round yard so hard as his pony could Lester. He had a drink never said gallop and from one end of the village nothing only looked at me and to the other. Her head was swinging made a face at me. As much as to from one side to tother as if he was on say that’s good and I didn’t know a swivel, but she wouldn’t get out. how to keep from laughing. The policeman said "Better drive her When I went up with some mortar on down Union." Nobody knew who just after he was leaning up against she was nor where she came from. the wall and wiping the sweat off his forehead. I said "Wassa madder According to long-standing Stoke wi thee?" Abbott residents, ‘Union’ refers to He said "Go beant I bad, I dunno Stokewater House which was once the whatever da do." I said "Well, wass old Beaminster Union workhouse. gon wrong wi thee?" "Ah!" he said "tis the drink.

11 Marshwood gets ‘best Bottle yet’ the Nettle Eaters led by Simon Slee who wanted their world championship back and the date for that was fixed for Saturday, August 4th. Sensibly they had hoped to open quietly a few days before this so as to get things sorted and settled down. Plans to for a quiet opening by changing the signs and ay it be recorded that, on swinging wide the doors M August 3rd 2012, Chrissie on the Wednesday but things slipped and Nigel Blake along with and the trio were let down once more. Chris Thomas gave Marshwood By now stalls, marquees and the beer tent were erected and no less residents back their pub. Not than 24 different beers and ales racked content with that, the very next up ready for refreshment, enjoyment day they returned the World Nettle or both. Your reporter saw no smoke Eating Championship to its home in signals, while the internet did its bit, our Bottle Inn. TV crews from Germany, Mexico, Residents had watched the national ITV and Marshwood arrived restoration, as first the thatch was and, most important of all, something made if not perfect, ‘pretty darnn primeval told Marshwood residents good’. Then Tommy - landlady that their Bottle was OPEN. Chrissie’s daughter’s father in-law So after 20 months of decay and from Sunderland - set to with the degradation on the Friday the Bottle paint-pot. Slowly things happened – was back and better than ever before. the licence was restored and even In the hall Steve Black and Dean extended to 24 hours, extra permits Barnes struck a chord and the people now allow beverages such as coffee came. after midnight, kitchens cleared refitted and finally the hall was cleared. But still glitches remained and supplies stuttered. But with the tourists seeing progress and stopping to see if they were open a key part of their market was slipping away. Add in 12 Sunset on the re-opened Bottle The weather held and the avant- Both had a similar approach- strip the guard of Marshwood arrived to see, 20” stalk of leaves, fold them into sample and enjoy their pub once a compact ball and, dunk in beer for again. One immediate consensus lubrication and swallow. Both slowed was that it had never looked so towards the end of the happy hour good nor felt so welcoming – smiles when Tony had cleared 64 feet of all round then. Soon our Bottle was nettle stalks to win the overall prize. full to overflowing. Second overall came Eleanor who Next day was even better; more took the ladies prize by a country mile people plenty of food - burgers, hot to keep the prize in the family. dogs and roasted hog - and the four Behind the busy scenes the dispute cameramen filmed everyone, over the lease rumbles on as their everything especially the stylish lady landlord, still absent in Australia, has Mexican reporter for posterity and the failed to make the promised repairs Nettle Eating. leaving Nigel and Chris to pay for that Luke from ITV told us that he was as well as the considerable extra costs shooting for a new series next spring in getting the pub open and running provisionally called Harbour Lives. the World Nettle Eating No not Harbour Lights - the one shot championships more or less at West Bay with Nick Berry as the simultaneously. Nigel though is harbourmaster, a sort of Eastenders adamant, they have shrugged off this meets Summer Holiday. ITV have setback, turned the Bottle into a real grabbed the new name for a series of pub and are looking forward to getting events around the UK rumoured to be in the passing tourists and the locals linked by local star Martin Clunes. dropping in for their favourite brew. At a little after 6 pm the Simon Slee And from September, when the took up the mike to start the Nettle kitchens are up and running, for Eating. Two top nettle anyone after good pub food. eaters soon drew the crowds; Eleanor Slee - a striking young lady of the gothic persuasion was accompanied in the competition by her mum. For a while she kept pace with Tony Wellman of Axminster whose supporters and family dominated the cheering. Eleanor Slee congratulated by Nigel and Chrissie B13lake Beaminster Job Club starts work A special kind of club has Councillor and a co-founder of the opened in Beaminster; it is club. “And we see ourselves as part designed to help local people of the longer-term economic find work, whether they are regeneration of west Dorset.” school leavers just starting out, or The club, the third to be set up in anybody people looking for west Dorset, has strong backing employment in the town and from Beaminster and District surrounding area. Business Chamber, Beaminster Beaminster Job Club is a charity School, and local MP Oliver manned by local volunteers from Letwin. It will help jobseekers all walks of life, the club will identify their strengths and interests, provide free advice, practical search on-line for vacancies or help and moral support to work experience, write their CVs, jobseekers at a difficult time in prepare for interview, or seek their lives – and especially further training if they need it. difficult in the present economic Starting on 20th June, climate. Beaminster Job Club opens for “We want to make sure anyone your business every Wednesday who wants to live and work in from 12.30 – 2.30 p.m at the their home area can do so,” said Yarn Barton Centre Rebecca Knox, County

Bettiscombe Village Hall

Curry Night Friday 5 OCTOBER 2012 7.30 pm

Why bother to cook at home tonight. Come & join us for a curry

Selection of curries available from mild to medium hot with accompaniments

Drinks available or bring your own Table quiz Raffle

£6 per head 14 Editorial Ch…Ch…Ch…Ch…Changes We will have the events (David Bowie) When the Bottle set the date for the We have colour Nettle Eating World Championship it Not obvious to those who receive was the earliest date they could open – BTV via their computer as we have but this coincided with the Vale’s long always used colour in preparing for standing Mini Marathon and only a publication, but, thanks to our first stalwart few were able to attend both. advertiser, we now have a colour Bottle landlord, Nigel Blake is happy printed outer cover on the posted to move next year’s trial by nettle to its copies. Support from other traditional dates and avoid such a community-minded businesses is also conflict of local highlights. expected, so further changes, even Most magazines do have an events improvements, are possible. page to keep the readers informed. But We have the content with a three-month publication cycle, Once again some material has been BTV would need to look at events up dropped from this issue! And in the to 6 months in advance. pipeline are new stories that may just So why doesn’t someone compile a knock your socks off. So perhaps we calendar of events that happen in the need more pages. A jump from 20 Vale every year? That way new or pages to 24 is practical but is not occasional events could avoid a clash cheap even with the valued support of dates as we tell residents from all the of Creeds our printers. four parishes what’s happening. We have the video We can build up a database of dates Its only a Sony camera and some events and contacts and draw on this clever Chinese bits along with a very for each issue. But we need organisers basic computer edit programme but it to get their event on that database. And lets BTV make video shorts about if you want to find a clear date just ask local events and to dig a little deeper us. Please contact me. into subjects that affect us all. And if OK that sounds like another job for you have a story for us to cover, get the BTV team. in touch. For more details see page 4 No longer just advisers and We aim for a lighter touch community representatives, each Some of the events we have member of the editorial team has reported have been solid news stories directly contributed in some way to of our community. But important as this magazine and its ethos. these are, life needs to be a bit funny And that’s very welcome change - so so perhaps BTV needs to be a bit thanks from your editor. sillier! Now if we have a budding Ali Cameron cartoonist amongst us… Editor, Beneath the Vale 15 Announcement

Community land trust to be formed An application has been submitted to the Financial Services Authority to authorise the formation of the Marshwood Community Land Trust (CLT). The decision to create the CLT was taken at a public meeting held at Blackdown Village Hall on June 28. It will have the power to bid for funds to build affordable housing and could in the future be used to create other community facilities. It was agreed that the CLT should have the same catchment area as Marshwood School. The communities it will cover are the villages and hamlets of Bettiscombe, Birdsmoorgate, Blackdown, Fishpond, Kittwhistle, Marshwood, Monkwood, Newnham Farm, Pilsdon, Racedown and Templeman's Ash. It is hoped that approval for the CLT to come into force will be obtained within a month. Mike Robinson, the district councillor for Marshwood Vale, Mark Van de Weyer and Rob England have agreed to be the founder directors with Emma Turner as the secretary. Everyone living in the catchment area will have the opportunity to join and a special general meeting has to be held within six months when all members will have the opportunity to choose who they want to run the CLT in the future. In the meantime, the affordable housing steering committee, which was formed in 2010, will act as the management team. A number of potential sites for affordable housing in Marshwood have been considered and the meeting at Blackdown accepted a recommendation from the steering committee that a site at Thane Farm, about halfway between the school and the main part of the village, was the most suitable. Up to seven properties are planned, which will be offered only to people with strong local connections and who are on the Housing Register. A decision was also made that the new CLT would work in partnership with Hastoe Housing Association. Representatives for Hastoe are currently in negotiations with the owner of Thane Farm and providing these are successful, approval will then be sought from the Homes and Communities Agency which is responsible for agreeing funding from a budget it has specifically for community-led affordable housing projects. Before planning permission is sought from West Dorset District Council, a further public meeting will be held to enable everyone in the community to comment on the proposed designs of the properties.

Affordable Homes Steering Group 16 Bettiscombe Parish Hall Joy McClellan writes Over the last year or so the hall have installed an efficient, and committee have been working hard to hopefully less expensive, heating make our hall more comfortable and system in the hall itself, the store room, attractive. kitchen and cloakrooms (including A new large cooker and kitchen hand dryers in both cloakrooms). units have now given users a clean Those who have used the hall have and spacious environment to work in. been impressed with how much more A water filter system has been installed comfortable they feel. So we are now and the Social Group, which meets on fully prepared for a cold winter the third Friday of each month during 2012/2013. the winter months has kindly bought a The outside walls have been re- microwave for the use of all who use stained and the outside is generally the hall. The kitchen has also been much smarter. We also have a sensor painted and smartened up. light in the car park area to help Bridport Round Table have kindly visibility after dark. donated money to enable us to The Parish Council have arranged for replace some rotting flooring at the a new notice board to be erected main entrance. Also at the main outside so that we can advertise entrance there are new double doors functions and messages clearly. and a tongue and groove wall has The hall is now a very pleasant venue been built. An unused side door has for anyone who wishes to hold a been filled in. private function for around 100 people We have obtained a large grant or less and we hope that it will be put from The Big Lottery Fund (thanks to to good use for many years to come. John McClellan) to enable us to

Bettiscombe Social Group During the dark winter months of Occasionally we arrange a function. October through to April the Whatever we do we all enjoy it and Bettiscombe Social Group meets on would love to see some new faces. the second Friday of each month for The first meeting will be on Friday a drink and a chat in the cosy 12th October from 8pm. Bring a bottle newly heated and renovated hall. and some nibbles and any games you We play cards or darts or whatever think we would enjoy. takes our fancy. If you would like further details, Sometimes we just chat. please phone Joy on 01308 867410.

17 Events for your diary - Council meetings This year September 20th Full Council Stoke Abbott October 18th Planning Shave Cross November 29th Full Council Bettiscombe Next Year January 17th 2013 Full Council Stoke Abbott February 21st Planning Shave Cross March 21st Full Council Bettiscombe April 18th Planning Shave Cross May 16th Full Council Bettiscombe

No Secret All council meetings are open to the public and we start at 7.30pm. As well as parish matters, District and County councillors give their reports on matters affecting Upper Marshwood Vale. Members of the public are invited to have their say and to hear the councillors’ debate. Agendas and minutes are displayed on notice boards or can be downloaded from the PC’s website.

Your District Councillors Marshwood Vale Mike Robinson 01308 868979 [email protected] Broadwindsor Jacqui Sewell 01308 867145 [email protected]

Your County Councillors Marshwood Vale Geoffrey Brierley 01297 560660 [email protected] Beaminster Rebecca Knox 01308 863365 [email protected]

Beneath the Vale: Editorial Board Matthew Bowditch [email protected] 01308 862758 David Corneloues [email protected] 01308 868094 Joy McClellan [email protected] 01308 867410

Annie Wyatt [email protected] 01297 678165 Newsletter Editor Ali Cameron 01297 678546 [email protected] [email protected] 18 Your Parish Council website: www.uppermarshwoodcouncil.org

Chairman Clerk Matthew Bowditch 01308 862758 John Vanderwolfe 01297 34444 Stokewater Farm, Stoke Abbott Newenham, 5 Halletts Way, Axminster, DT8 3JL EX13 5NB [email protected] [email protected] Stoke Abbott

Councillors Councillors Fred Bailey, 01308 868015 Christopher Rabbetts 01308 867474 Meadowrise, Bettiscombe DT6 6HP Gerrards Farm, Pilsdon DT6 5PA [email protected] [email protected] Marshwood Pilsdon

David Borradaile 01308 868424 Michael Rowe 01308 868726 Lewesdon House, Stoke Abbott Waterhouse Farm, Bettiscombe [email protected] DT6 5NT Stoke Abbott [email protected] Bettiscombe Roland Bugler 01308 867796 Vale End, Lower House Farm, Trevor Richards 01308 868848 Bettiscombe DT6 5NT Deer Park Farm, Marshwood Vale, [email protected] DT6 5PZ, Bettiscombe [email protected] Marshwood Ali Cameron 01297 678546 Blue Haze, Marshwood, DT6 5QB Roy Warburton 01308 868358 [email protected] Shave Cross Inn, Shave Cross, DT6 6HW Marshwood [email protected] Marshwood Jane Gillingham 01308 867197 Mabeys Cottage, Pilsdon DT6 5NY Robert Wyatt 01308 868249 [email protected] Blackney Farm, Blackney, DT6 5PB Pilsdon [email protected] Stoke Abbott Sandra Hutchings 07870 647108 Golden Cap View, Harmshay, Marshwood DT6 5QJ [email protected] Marshwood

19 Enjoy Fine Dining & Real Ale in the heart of the Vale at the historic 13th century inn

T he

Sha vers

Rest au rant a t t he

sh ave cro ss inn

situated in the picturesque Marshwood Vale near Bridport

Why not com e along and enjoy some of the most exciting choice of food to be found anywhere in Dorset. Our British, Caribbean and Inte rnational food is being talked about everywhere!

If you hav en’t tried it, you must! We know you will enjoy it. Now with 5* accommodation comprising of 7 luxury en-suite rooms.

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Friday Nights – 2 8/10 ounce Steaks or 2 Cajun Chicken or 2 Chicken Curry and a bottle of wine (or a mix of any) £20 Veggie option available. Must be pre-booked for this offer.

Our British Bar and Garden menu has even more Caribbean food by request. So we have a choice for everyone including healthy eating for children. Why not organise a friendly Skittles night and Buffet with your friends and colleagues?

Reservations 01308 86835820 www.theshavescrossinn.co.uk DT6 6HW