FIPPENNYFIPPENNY NEWSNEWS The Parish Magazine of St. Andrew’s Church Okeford Fitzpain e 30p THE OKEFORD BENEFICE serving the parishes of:- St. Nicholas, Child Okeford: St Paul, Hammoon: St. Nicholas, Manston: St Andrew, Okeford Fitzpaine: Church of the Holy Rood , Shillingstone. In the Blackmore Vale Deanery of Salisbury Diocese . The Ministry Team Licensed Lay Minister - Mrs Sue le Riche - 01258 861830 Email: [email protected] (Off duty Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) During the Vacancy all enquiries relating to Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals should in the first instance be directed to Sue le Riche St Andrew’s Okeford Fitzpaine. Churchwarden Mrs Zoë Goddard 01258 861046 Church Mrs Carol Landricombe 01258 860858 Treasurer P.C.C. Mrs Zoë Goddard 01258 861046 Secretary Closing time & date for copy is 5.00pm on the 20th of the month . 2 I have ‘retired’ three times! First from education, next from running a Diocesan Retreat House, and then 3 years ago, from ministry. Not a rec- ord, perhaps, but retirement suggests slippers and leisurely cups of tea in the garden. Why doesn’t it work like that in reality? I still seem to be happily busy – taking services, occupied with voluntary work, singing in choirs, taking music lessons, and having a wonderful social life! But there is a cautionary note. A recent health scare caused me to con- sider – as one frequently does at a certain age – my own mortality. Death holds no perils, but I’m just not ready for it yet, so I thought I’d write my- self a letter and share it with you, as you may be in the same situation. Dear Sue Do you remember that poem by W H Davies? ‘What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’? Why are you always so busy? Every time you go into the garden, you spot the weeds – why not sit down and appreciate the col- ours and the scents? Don’t you realise that time is not on your side? The best you can expect is another 20 years, so why not take more time to experience the full palette of sight, taste, touch, sound and smell? Just BE for a change. Kipling got it wrong: it’s not necessary to ‘fill the unfor- giving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of dis- tance run.’ There is so much to experience in the world, but often you don’t appreciate it all because you are too busy with living to live! If you must do some- thing, why not visit somebody? There are plenty of lonely folk out there with time on their hands and too much time to stand and stare. Do you remember you once read that when you finally meet your Creator, he won’t say, ‘Have you lived a good life?’ but rather ‘Did you enjoy 3 my creation?’ Slow down.. Look around.. Be ready to answer yes’ to that question. With love Sue My best wishes to you all for a happy and restful summer. The Vicarage, Church Street, Amesbury, Wilts. Sunday 19th July Dear Friends Greetings from Amesbury! On this first Sunday since leaving the Okeford Benefice I wanted to write briefly to acknowledge with thanks and gratitude the many kind wishes and prayers, cards and generous gifts we have received since my appointment here was announced. A big ‘thank you’, too, to those who were able to come and share in my licensing service here last Thursday: it was lovely to have you there and your support is much appreciated. With my prayers and best wishes for you all. Fr Darren 15th August 2015 To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of V J Day a programme of events will take place in London over the weekend of 15th /16th August Two useful web sites giving information about services of commemoration, parades and other events are www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/vj-day www.gov.uk/government/vj-day-70-plans Is anyone willing to organise something in the village ? Village Bring & Share Picnic on the Rec, games for the kids, for example …..anything? 4 Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall Fippenny Fayre - the final figure made for the Hall was £1,601, a rec- ord amount in the 28 years since we started our annual fête in this form at the Recreation Ground. Many thanks to everyone, and there were lots of you, who helped make it such a success. Your efforts were very much appreciated by all of the management committee. Blandford Stour Rotary were extremely happy with what they achieved as well. With 27 cyclists doing the road course and 16 using the static bikes they clocked up 872 miles and to date have collected £740 for Pros- tate Cancer Research. Hopefully I will soon be able to tell you what Ro- tarians did nationally. Our next big fund raising event is the Race Night on Saturday September 12th – 7:00pm for 7:30pm start, don't be late, or you may miss the first race. It's been 5 years since the last outing so its high time we got under starters orders. Tickets are £7 each and will be on sale from Mid August at Ye Olde Bell Stores, from committee members, 'phone me on 863474 or email: [email protected] Tickets include supper and a bar will be available. Prizes for the 'best dressed' table or individuals will be awarded during the evening so get your Ascot hats out ladies! There will be 7 races with 8 horses in each race these are on sale NOW at £2 each, you name the horse/s, the names will be put in the race pro- gramme along with your name as owner and, new this time, the owner of the winning horse in each race will get a bottle of wine, all the more rea- son to 'buy' a horse, contact me or a committee member. Diane Burt, Treasurer/Secretary & Bookings Tel: 01258 863474 or email: [email protected] 5 Race Night th Saturday September 12 7:00pm for 7:30pm start, don't be late, or you may miss the first race. Tickets are £7 each and will be on sale from Mid August at Ye Olde Bell Stores, from committee members, or 'phone me 863474 or email: [email protected] tickets include supper and a bar will be available. Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School Autumn Fair Hot food from the B-B-Q Pony rides Traditional fair games Cream Teas Tombola Bouncy castle Face paints Saturday 12th September 12-2pm Lots of fun for all the family 6 Skinny Minis Homemade Treats Freshly Made Breads & Delicious Healthy Flapjacks. Delivered Straight to your Door! Derek J Andrews Call Jo on: 01258 863 785 Electrical Contractors Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/ skinnyminishomemadetreats Paul R Andrews (Partner) [email protected] Self-Catering Holiday Cottage 7 Nethermead In Okeford Fitzpaine Dorset Okeford Fitzpaine DT11 0TP Converted 2 bedroom Coach House Sleeps 4. 01258 863744 Graded 4 star VISIT BRITAIN 07792 613383 Linen◦Heating◦WiFi◦TV provided Small Private Garden Details: Proprietor Sue Godden No job too small Email: [email protected] Tel: 01258 860763 7 The Olde Bell Stores & Post Office Okeford Fitzpaine 01258 860414 General grocerieslocal produce. Bakery serving breadcakeswarm savouriestake-away tea & coffee Off Licence Traditional sweetshop Opening Hours Shop & Post Office:- Tuesday, & Thursdays 9am - 5.00pm Closed 1pm - 2pm. 8 Village Community Group The Barn Dance organised by the Village Community Group (VCG) attracted 55 people and raised a total of £329 in aid of the village defibril- lator appeal. The total amount raised with other donations now stands at £600 towards the target of £2500. Anyone wishing to arrange a function or event on behalf of the appeal or would like to make a donation please contact Mike Wood 01258 860146. email mike@nutmegcottagenet We are looking at arranging another event in the near future and will post details when finalised. We look forward to support from the commu- nity in this venture which will serve the whole community should the need arise. In addition the VCG have entered the Dorset Best Kept Vil- lage and we urge everyone to be extra vigilant in the control of litter. If you see any litter please pick it up and deposit in the bins. We will be having regular Litter Picking days and notices will be displayed by the Post Office. Mike Wood. In aid of Belchalwell, Ibberton and Woolland Churches Saturday, 1st August. Open at 2.30pm Family Dog Show at 3.30pm In and around the Village Hall at Ibberton Look what’s coming… Blessings on thee, little man, barefoot boy with cheeks of tan, Trudging down a dusty lane, with no thought of future pain. You’re our one and only bet to absorb our National Debt. Little man with cares so few, we’ve got lots of faith in you. Guard each merry whistled tune, you are apt to need it soon. Have your fun, boy, while you can, you may be a barefoot man! 9 Okeford Fitzpaine Neighbourhood Plan Development Update Would you like to influence the content of the Neighbourhood Plan for Okeford Fitzpaine? Do you want to have a say about the number of houses built in the village in the future? The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group for Okeford Fitzpaine Parish invites you to an open afternoon and evening on Tuesday 21st September 2015. This will be held in Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall from 4pm-7.30 where residents can hear about the plan and meet potential local developers.