Litton Cheney Parish Council The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 14 th January 2025 in the Meeting Room of Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall at 7.30pm. All residents are welcome to attend. At this meeting the 25/26 Parish precept will be decided. We will also welcome our new Parish Clerk, Debbie Hollins, whilst saying a sad farewell to outgoing Clerk Lucy Beasley. Like Lucy, Debbie will also look after the clerking requirements of Shipton Gorge. We thank Lucy for her all too-short time as our Clerk, but appreciate other pressures that have resulted in her early departure. Litton Cheney Parish Council wishes all residents of the Bride Valley and Chesil Bank a wonderful Christmas and bountiful New Year. Charging Up – Thorner’s now has an EV charging unit and it is available for local residents to use at a reduced rate by registering your details with the school - office@thorners.dorset.sch.uk More details in January’s BVN, village website and FB. Events at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) – for December Weekly: Mondays: 3.30 – 4.30 pm Big Q Church (2nd only) Tuesday: 4.45 pm. Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661) Wednesdays: 4.45 pm - Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 482661/Paul Kingston 482162) 7.00 pm – Mindful Movement with Jane Hutchins (07882 527697) Thursdays: 9.15 – 11.15 am First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only) Special: Friday 5 th : Film Night “Save the Cinema” Doors 7.00. Film starts 7.30 pm. Saturday 7 th : Christmas Wine Tasting with Mark Banham. Booking required: morrishandbanham.com/product/christmas-wine-tasting-bridport-mb Tuesday 17 th /Wednesday 18 th : School Christmas production. Village Cafés: The hall is available for hire free of charge on Saturday mornings for a Café to raise funds for any group. It’s a good social event for the community and always popular – contact me to book a date. Hall Bookings/viewings: Wendy Firrell 01308 482532 wtlitton@gmail.com Bride Valley Films THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER SAVE THE CINEMA ‘a funny heart-warming film, based on a true story’ Inspired by the campaign run by Liz Evans, a hairdresser and linchpin to the local Carmarthen community. In 1993 her mission is to stop The Lyric Cinema being demolished. Together with the mayor and a local politician, they enlist the help one of Hollywood’s elite to offer a very special treat for Carmarthen, but will this save the cinema? Starring Samantha Morton, Jonathan Pryce, Tom Felton, Susan Wokoma. Cert.12 1hr 45” Our next film will be on THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY (2025) THE HOLDOVERS ‘A heart warming, life affirming black comedy’ From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during the holiday break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them, a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa), and the school's head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). Cert.15 2hrs 13” Doors Open: 7.00 p.m. Films start 7.30 p.m. TICKETS: £5.00 (to include a glass of wine) Tickets in advance from: Sally Dyke 482752, Elizabeth Kingston 482162, Bella Spurrier 482367 or on the door. (All nos. 01308) Other Dates for 2025: 6 March; 3 April, and possibly 1 May. Look out for further details on posters, on the website and in the BVN. The Bingo Fundraising Group would also like to thank everyone for their continued support over the past 5 years and helping us raise money for worthy causes. We hope you will join us for future events in 2025 to give Dorset based charities much needed funds Lastly – Thank You – Throughout 2024 various individuals and groups have contrived to make our lives in Litton a little less traumatic, often bringing a smile to our faces but most of all helping us get on with our lives and those of others. Let’s start with those who every month contribute to the contents of the BVN, informing us of events and providing information that we might otherwise have missed. David Hearn who continues to administer the village website, Sarah Catahan and Steve Kourik who moderate the village Facebook pages. The Premier Crew who help keep us tidy and orderly, organise the village Christmas tree, plus stand by for any needs over and above the norm. To Patricia and David Charlton and their helpers for bringing us the talents and entertainment contained within the Artsreach productions. To Beverly and Pete Dennis who maintain the wonderful village exchange kiosk at the foot of Whiteway. Liz and Andy at “The Horse” who provide beverage, sustenance and bonhomme for all, and in the approaching colder months, the cosy warmth of a log fire to warm the cockles of your heart. Sam and Ralph Daubeney who in concert with Liz and Andy organise the Easter Duck Race that produces much needed funds for Julia’s House. To those who maintain the churchyard through which you can trace the history and life of the village over the centuries, and those good people who administer St Mary’s, making it available to all whenever there is a need. To St Mary’s church choir, under the direction of Paul Cheater, who sing in wonderful harmony, plus bring carols to our front doors in the lead up to Christmas. To Headmaster Mike Sitch and the staff of Thorner’s Primary School, held in high regard for its achievements and as an effective springboard for our youngsters as they set off on life’s journey. The Trustees of LATCH, our community hall, a much prized shared asset of the village and school, and the Parish Council who strive for the common good and often battle against petty bureaucracy to achieve what to sensible minds is plain common sense. Lastly, to those stalwart individuals in the village who go about their business on a day to day basis, assisting those in need, being a good neighbour, and generally ensuring the world goes round for others, rather than themselves. Thank you one and all. Thorners School Merry Christmas to all in the valley from everyone here at Thorner's! The end of term has been the usual riot of rehearsals, trips, carol concerts and church outings. The children have been on outings to a range of places this term starting with trips to the Tank Museum at Bovington, Hive Beach for a series of climate workshops, the Tutankhamun museum in Dorchester and the Fleet Air Arm Museum. It is wonderful to see the children get so much academically out of these visits and activities as well as giving them the chance to go on trips together and experience visiting new places with their classmates. We are looking forward to our carol service in church, it promises to be a special night with a selection of favourite carols all sung by (electric) candle light. The children selected the hymns and carols and many thanks to all in the village for helping with the setting up of church and organising the bell ringing - an element of the service the children look forward to taking part in immensely. Our Christmas production will likely have been performed by the time you read this and many thanks to both Paul Cheater and Claire Shaw for their help in making the music sound so wonderful in rehearsals. Thanks also to all the teachers who have written the scripts and scenes from scratch this year and who have organised some superb Christmas end of term parties to send the children off full of Christmas spirit. We also look forward, in the last week, to having our whole school Christmas dinner - where the children and staff all have a special lunch together with crackers, sprouts, pigs in blankets and all the other trimmings - accompanied by Christmas music and a decorated lunch hall. Huge thanks to Jeanette Wills, Abbie Derbyshire and our cook Clare Turnbull, for working so hard to put together Christmas lunch for 120 people! Whilst we often hear each year of the latest must-buy toy or craze - it is lovely to still see the children get so excited about and enjoy all aspects of the Christmas celebrations - from the food to decorating our school tree, and from carol singing to dressing up as wise men (with the obligatory tea towels!). Long may all these aspects of the Christmas magic continue! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Mike Sitch Headmaster

The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is here for the community. Current members of the partnership include Bridport Town Council, 10 Parish Councils and more than 80 community organisations and individuals working to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of Bridport and surrounding areas. For information or if you have a piece for the bulletin, please contact Jo Hughes by email at jo.hughes@bridport-tc.gov.uk Bridport Cohousing - Organised Tour An organised tour of the new cohousing development (next to the Community Hospital) at the top of Hospital Lane, North Allington will take place on Saturday 16th November at 2.00pm. Individuals who wish to take part in the tour must book in advance which can be done by emailing: info@bridportcohousing.org.uk Dorset Council - Community and Culture Project Fund Round 8 of Dorset Council's Community and Culture Project Fund which welcomes applications for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity is still open with up to £5000 available for projects that bring communities across Dorset together. Applications close at midnight on Monday 18th November. Dorset Police - Safety Event for Older Drivers Dorset Police will be holding an older drivers' stay on the road safety event on Thursday 21st November at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester Baptist Church, 2 Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RR. The free event will be split into two sessions with presentations showing at 10.00am and 1.00pm. The event will provide safety information and other recommendations for the elderly driver to stay safe while driving. Individuals can confirm their attendance by emailing: olderdrivers@dorset.police.uk The Living Tree - Charity Auction & Raffle The Living Tree will be hosting a charity auction and raffle on Thursday 21st November, from 6.00pm at The Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport to raise much needed funds for: • The Living Tree - funds for a memorial garden at the allotment and • Stepping Out - your local cancer support group The auction of over 40 lots will be available to view from 10.30am on 21st November and raffle tickets can be purchased from the Ropemakers Bar. The raffle will be drawn after the auction. From Bridport Harbour to West Bay - Talk Local author and historian Richard Sims will be at the Salt House, West Bay on Thursday 21st November at 7.30pm to give an illustrated talk entitled 'From Bridport Harbour to West Bay - the story of its industrial past.' Come and find out how Bridport Harbour has changed over the centuries. Tickets cost £6.00 and are available online from Bridport Tourist Information Centre or by calling the TIC on 01308 424901. Bridport Town of Culture - November Events 21st November, 7.00pm-9.00pm at Bridport Arts Centre - The 3rd Culture Café will continue to encourage new dialogue with creative practitioners, following an engaging and well attended October event. The final café of the year will take place on the 19th December. 23rd November, 8.00pm at Bridport Arts Centre - Theo Sudbury Slight’s play ‘Wrist’ will debut at the Arts Centre. Directed and produced by Theo, a member of the TOCIYA collective, the play will platform the collective’s collaborative ambition. Book tickets here. 27th November, 7.30pm at Bridport Arts Centre - the Arts Centre welcomes Bournemouth based theatre company Vita Nova and their brand new production ‘Heath’. Drawing on Shakespeare’s King Lear the play, performed by a cast of recovering addicts, addresses the idea of losing everything to discover the truth about oneself. Book tickets here. Bridport Christmas Cheer - Bingo Night Bridport Christmas Cheer will be holding the annual fundraising Bingo Night on Friday 22nd November at Bridport Town Hall. A bar and refreshments will be available with eyes down for a 7.30pm start The main Christmas Cheer event will be held on Wednesday 4th December from 4.00pm-8.00pm with stalls throughout the town centre, food, drink and entertainment. Housing Needs Survey - Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington A Housing Needs Survey has opened for the parish of Puncknowle and Swyre which includes West Bexington and can be completed by all residents and anyone with a local connection to the parish, regardless of their housing situation. The survey will help the Parish Council who are working with Dorset Council and Dorset Community Action to understand the current housing in the area and identify the need for affordable housing. A local connection means you or your family live or have lived in Puncknowle, Swyre or West Bexington, or you currently work in the parishes. The survey is also for businesses in the area and for property and land owners. Residents of neighbouring parishes and towns are also being encouraged to participate, to capture the experiences and views of anyone with links to the parish. This includes past residents or people who want to move to Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington or have a connection through family, friends, or work. The survey closes Monday 25th November. Bridport Stage Company - The Snow Queen In aid of the Samaritans, the Bridport Stage Company, an all inclusive group for all ages and abilities will be performing 'The Snow Queen' at The Bull Hotel on 28th, 29th and 30th November commencing at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from The Bull reception. Bridport United Church - Christmas Tree Festival This year's Christmas Tree Festival will take place from Wednesday 4th December until Sunday 15th December at Bridport United Church, East Street. The opening hours are:Monday - Thursday 10.00am-1.00pm, Fridays 2.00pm-6.00pm, Saturdays 9.00am-3.00pm, Sundays 2.00pm-4.00pm The opening service will take place on Tuesday 3rd December at 6.00pm. Bridport Town Council - Workspace and Business Needs Assessment Bridport Town Council is looking to engage with local businesses within the BLAP area covering Bridport, Burton Bradstock, Char Valley, Charmouth, Chideock, Litton Cheney, Loders, Netherbury, Puncknowle & Swyre, Shipton Gorge and Symondsbury to define local business needs and in particular, to ensure that future workspace provision meets the needs of existing and new business activity. With funding support from Locality, the council is working with Bridport based Stir to Action - an organisation that works with local government and communities across the UK to promote thriving economies - to undertake an assessment of workspace and business needs over the coming years. A questionnaire has been launched which will be open until 10th December 2024, asking local business to respond to workplace needs. The results of the survey will be used to review and update key parts of the Bridport Investment Plan. West Bay Car Boot Sale - Grants Scheme The West Bay Car Boot Sale Grants Scheme for 2024/25 is now open. Bridport Town Council manages and distributes the funds generated from pitch fees in the form of grants to community and voluntary organisations whose work benefits people living in the Bridport Local Area Partnership area. The deadline for applications is 9.00am on Monday 6th January 2025. Further information including the guidance notes and application form can be found here. West Bay Discovery Centre - Winter Opening Times The West Bay Discovery Centre winter opening times: November - Saturday & Sunday 11.00am-4.00pm December - Open selected days from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day January - Closed February - Half-term open 7 days, 15th - 23rd February March - Weekends until 15th March Dorset Library Service - Borrow an iPad Dorset Library Service are running an iPad loan scheme for customers who want to find employment or improve their health and wellbeing. The scheme is being offered by Dorset Council libraries, who are working with Citizen’s Advice and the Department for Work and Pensions to help people search and apply for jobs online. They can also be used to access online training to gain skills and knowledge, as well as for claiming financial support such as Universal Credit, and to look for health and wellbeing support. The devices are easy to use, with an instructional video, and support from library staff and digital champions. There is no need for broadband as the tablets have free data and are fully loaded with information about looking for work and learning new skills. The iPads can be borrowed for up to 6 weeks free of charge. You need to be a full member of the Dorset Library Service to borrow a device and can apply online or by visiting your local library to get started. Further information about the scheme can be found at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/borrow-an-ipad. Energy Outreach Advice - Advice Sessions Are you a volunteer or frontline worker supporting under-represented communities who may struggle to pay their energy bills this winter? Dorset Community Action has been successful in securing funding to deliver Energy Insecurity Awareness Training for frontline workers, staff and volunteers in partnership with the Big Energy Saving Network and Citizens Advice Bureau. The training is free and takes one hour to complete and provides an opportunity to learn the latest on how you can support your under-represented communities covering topics such as: • Energy Efficiency • COL & Fuel Poverty • Fuel Poverty and Health Impacts • Debt Advice & Grants • Yours Rights as a Consumer • Support & Signposting The training can be delivered to teams in-person or online and monthly sessions are also available for individual access. To arrange a training session, please contact Julie Johns by email at: julie.johns@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk The Health Hub - Over 65's Fitness Sessions Whether you’re looking to improve strength, fitness, or just move a little easier, the Health Hub offers lower-intensity and rehabilitation-focused classes designed specifically for seniors including specialized sessions for medical conditions - perfect for everyone, no matter your age or ability. The classes are a friendly, social group of like-minded people who support each other while improving fitness. Classes take place in Bridport on a Tuesday and Thursday and your first session is free. To find out more visit The Health Hub. Rural Services Network - Rural Funding Digest This month's edition of the Rural Funding Digest features grants for community tree planting, warm homes, funding for places, building improvement grants, defibrillator grants, grants for heritage and lots more. Eggardon & Colmers View The November edition of the Eggardon & Colmers View is now available and features updates from local parishes and villages including Askerswell, Broadoak, Dottery, Eype, Loders, Powerstock and Symondsbury.