BRIDE VALLEY NEWS
The deadline for copy for any month’s issue is mid-day of the second Thursday of the preceding month. All material for
publication must be sent to the Village Correspondent. For Litton Cheney this is: John Firrell, Tel: 01308 482313
email: jfirrell20@gmail.com
VILLAGE INFORMATION
VILLAGE INFORMATION
NEWS
Village Newsletter June 2024
Photo by Claire Moore 3_7_2021
Bridport Local Area Bulletin 9
th
July 2024
PARISH COUNCIL
ABOUT LITTON CHENEY
VILLAGE FACILITIES
LOCAL SERVICES
VILLAGE INFORMATION
The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is here for the community. Current members of the partnership include Bridport
Town Council, 13 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 Claire Peters-Way on 01308 456722 or by email at: Claire.Peters-Way@bridport-tc.gov.uk
Helplines
NHS Dorset Health Care - 0300 123 5440
Dorset Together Helpline - 01305 221000
Dorset Adviceline - 0800 144 8848
Harmony Mental Health Support - 07597 379290
Dorset Digital Hotline - 01305 221000 (Mon-Fri 10am -12noon)
Litton Cheney Parish Council
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 9
th
July, 7.30pm at LATCH. Residents are actively encouraged to
attend. Democratic time allows for local points and concerns to be brought to the attention of the council at the meeting.
Our thanks to David Hearn and Gwen Kinghorn for their assistance in providing detailed information on the part played by
Litton, Long Bredy and the Bride Valley in the lead up to the D-Day Landings in 1944. Lest we forget.
At Thorner’s School, Local Food Links laid on a D-Day Lunch on 6
th
June for the school children commemorating the 80
th
Anniversary, and Headmaster Mike held a special Assembly ensuring the children were aware of the happenings on that day
and why we should never forget.
Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH)
Weekly:
Mondays: 3.30 – 4.30 pm Big Q Church (Term time only)
Tuesdays: 6.00 pm – Pilates (johanna@larkpilates.com 07920 421783)
Wednesdays: 4.45 pm - Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 01308 482661)
7.00 pm – Mindful Movement with Jane Hutchins (07882 527697)
Thursdays: 9.15 – 11.15 am First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only)
Fridays: 10.00 – 12.00 Art Class in meeting room (5
th
and 12
th
)
Special:
Thursday 4
th
: General Election Polling Station in Meeting Room
Saturday 6
th
: Grand Village Café in aid of St. Mary’s 10.00 am – 12.30 pm.
Tuesday 9
th
: Parish Council meeting 7.30 pm
Friday 26
th
: Bingo Night
Note: The hall will be unavailable from 29
th
July to 2
nd
August for floor maintenance.
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
Artsreach Entertains - the whole family in one day Save the date! Three shows in one day from Artsreach!
THURSDAY 8
th
AUGUST, AT LATCH in Litton Cheney
11.00 am.: Children’s show (4+ years), first sitting: ‘The Indian Story Den’.
3.00 pm: Children’s show (4+ years), second sitting: ‘The Indian Story Den’ with colourful myths and music inside a bell-
shaped tent.
Book now, places limited! Under-18s, £5; adults, £7; families, £20.
7.30 pm.: Adults’ show: ‘HOLY COW!’ Heroes, mothers and tenderness are found in stories of a world held up by elephants.
Bursting with humour, dance, occasional bubbles and unpredictable watermelons.
Featuring Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee (sitar). Tickets £12 from www.artsreach.co.uk or Patricia, 01308 482 514.
Thorner’s School
The last half of the summer term has started brilliantly with an action packed week for the children. We had a Fossil themed
week with a Theatre Production, from As One Theatre, looking at the incredible story of Mary Anning - covering everything
from being struck by lightning as a child up to her battle to win recognition from the scientific community for her discoveries -
the children were in no doubt afterwards how hard a life Mary had been through and how difficult it was for her as a women to
gain the plaudits and respect her incredible work and discoveries clearly merited. After the whole-school performance, Bredy
and Eggardon also took part in a drama workshop where they themselves took to the boards to explore and convey the
incredible discoveries Mary made at that time.
On Friday we also took the older children to Lyme Regis for the Fossil Festival organised across the weekend. There was an
incredible range of speakers and presentations from organisations such as The Natural History Museum, Bristol University,
The British Antarctic Survey, Steve Etches and Lyme Regis Museum. The children loved all the activities and talks and the
experts were impressed with how much the children knew about evolution and the dinosaurs that lay under their feet!
On Wednesday we started our Forest School sessions with Rachel Ellman in our wildlife area - with each class building on
their skills from last year when they also worked with Rachel. We are most grateful to Rachel for her sessions and knowledge
about the Discovery Area as well as to Sian Hennessy for his contribution of woodchip to school for the paths in that area. We
look forward to more sessions such as cooking and forest art as the weeks continue. We also continued with our whole class
Violin lessons and the children are working towards a concert for parents at the end of this term. Lastly, on Wednesday we are
delighted to report that the children were victorious in the Bridport Kwik Kricket tournament - winning all their matches. The
children played brilliantly and also enjoyed the chance to compete against other schools after such a wet start to the summer.
The swimming pool also opened this week and the children are having lessons from both staff and Dan Drew, our local swim
teacher, who is coming in on Mondays to work on the children's confidence and strokes. Thanks again to parents, the TSA,
Cresta Leisure and Nick Bowring for all their help and support in getting the pool ready for the swimming this summer. Our
sailing series after school on Mondays also starts this week and we are taking approximately 20 children to Portland Harbour
for sailing for the next 6 weeks - so we hope for some sunshine and a gentle breeze or two as we learn the ropes (sheets)!
Mike Sitch
Headmaster
The Duck Race by Quentin Blacke
Episode 3 – The End is in Sight One Way or Another!
Our two intrepid heroes, Frank and Ida Down, drifted on downstream, contented now that they had been reunited by their new
friend, Dave, the Heron.
They sailed past the pumping station, under Chick Bridge and across the meadows, past Modbury Farm.
The river began to flow much faster now, boosted by the rains of the last few days and the waters of the numerous waterways
that flowed into it.
By the time they reached Burton Bradstock, it had turned into a raging torrent and the two plastic ducks shot under the bridge
like two white water rafters!
‘Whahey!’ thought Frank, ‘this is fun,’ but he was unaware that they were heading straight for Freshwater Bay, where the
stormy waters of the English Channel were crashing mercilessly against the beach.
Where sea met river, the water was like a washing machine; a maelstrom of relentless churning in which the ducks would
stand no chance.
Frank and Ida reached the final bend in the river. The roar of the storm ahead filling the air. They were helpless!
Will the two survive?
Is their bid for freedom over?
Will there be yet more plastic waste on the beaches of Dorset?
Find out in the final episode of The Duck Race, in August’s edition of the Bride Valley News!
Bridport Swift Town - Summer Events Programme
Bridport Swift Town has a number of free events taking place in July including:
•
Tuesday 9th & Tuesday 23rd July - Swift walk with RSPB's Luke Phillips from 6pm - 8pm from Bridport Arts Centre.
•
Monday 15th July - A swift dance and movement session with dancer Anna Golding from 11am - 12.30pm at the
Millennium Green, Bridport.
•
Wednesday 31st July - Swift town tales from 2pm at Bridport Community Orchard, South Street.
There are a limited number of spaces, to register your free place please email swiftmail@commonground.org.uk. More
information can be viewed here.
Dorset Police - Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team
The Bridport Police Team covers the towns of Bridport, Lyme Regis & Beaminster and smaller, dispersed communities of West
Dorset. Residents will have the opportunity to speak to PCSO Alex Bishop on scam prevention and any other matters on
Wednesday 10th July at 10.30am - 11.30am at Burton Bradstock Village Hall, Church Street, Burton Bradstock. For a
full list of events and for details on the Neighbourhood Policing local priorities please click here.
Bridport Food Bank – Donations
Bridport Food Bank's annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday 10th July at 5.30pm in St Mary's Church, South
Street, Bridport. The meeting will include information on the work of the food bank and how it is organised.
The Food Bank is also currently in need of tinned meat, fish, soup, vegetables, fruit, jam, rice pudding, breakfast cereal,
coffee, toiletries and hygiene products. (They have plenty of stocks of baked beans, pasta, tea and toothpaste.) Financial
donations can also be made via the website.
Bridport Millennium Green Trust
Bridport Millennium Green Trust's annual general meeting will be held tomorrow Wednesday 10th July at 7pm at the WI Hall,
North Street, Bridport. This will be followed by the Friends of the Bridport Millennium Green's annual general meeting.
Everyone is welcome.
Bridport Album Club - Jurassic Coast PCN Social Prescribing Team
Bridport Album Club is held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Chapel in the Garden, East Street, Bridport. For
anyone who loves music, may find socialising hard or for anyone who doesn't have someone to talk to with a similar interest. If
you would like to join the group please contact the Jurassic Coast PCN Social Prescribing team on 01308 428943 or by email.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre - Beach Clean
Charmouth beach clean will be held on Sunday 14th July at 2pm from the sea front car park, Charmouth. Help clean the
beach and make it a better place for wildlife and visitors. If anyone would like to help please bring gloves and a litter picker if
you have one. All children need to be accompanied by an adult.
West Bay Discovery Centre - Pop-up Exhibition
The 2024/25 pop-up exhibition 'West Bay: The Resort to Rival others' has now opened at West Bay Discovery Centre. The
exhibition will reveal what happened 140 years ago when a group of local businessmen thought that Bridport Harbour could
become a seaside resort to rival Weymouth and others. Admission is free.
The Harmony Centre - Bridport
The Harmony Centre provide welcoming, friendly support for adults 18+ who are wanting to improve their mental health and
wellbeing. Open for drop-ins on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am - 1pm. Alternatively they also hold a number of
wellbeing sessions throughout the week and the timetable can be viewed here. Please note that the Centre has recently
moved to Units 1 and 2, The Tower Building, St Michael's Estate, Bridport.
Bridport Town Council - Annual Grants
Bridport Town Council's grant scheme is now open. Grants are awarded each year to local charitable, voluntary or other
similar bodies. They are not for private organisations or individuals. For 2024/25, the Town Council particularly welcomes, but
not exclusively, applications that demonstrate a benefit in terms of youth, inclusivity, culture and the arts.
The application form and guidance is available on the website. If you would like a paper copy please call 01308 456722. The
closing date for applications is Thursday 22nd August 2024 at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
Bridport and District Citizens Advice - Volunteer vacancies
Bridport CAB are looking for volunteers to help with providing advice on issues including energy prices, household bills, debt,
employment and housing. No experience needed and full training is provided. The next training session starts in September.
Various roles are available including advisors, trustees and support positions. For more information please email
advice@bridport-cab.org.uk call 01308 456594 or visit their website.
NHS Dorset START (Support, Transition and Recovery Team) - Bridport events
START offer support to people across the central Dorset Locality. Supporting people in the community with engaging in
therapeutic activities, voluntary work, education and employment. START's open groups meet weekly in Bridport, Dorchester
and Lyme Regis. Bridport events include:
•
• Tuesdays - Talking café at The Chapel in the Garden, East Street from 2.15pm - 3.30pm.
•
• Wednesdays - Swimming group at Bridport Leisure Centre at 12pm.
•
• First Monday of the month - Book club at Bridport Library from 2pm - 4pm.
To view the full list of events please click here.
Dorset Library - Opening Hours changes
As part of Dorset Council's library strategy new opening hours have been introduced. Bridport library's new (extended)
opening hours are:
•
Monday: 10am to 5pm
•
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
•
Wednesday: 10am to 6pm
•
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
•
Friday 10am to 5pm
•
Saturday 10am to 4pm
•
Sunday Closed
Dorset Council's customer services desk (in the library) will be open Monday - Friday from 10am - 5pm. For a full list of
opening hours for each of Dorset Council's libraries and for information on the strategy please click here.
Dorset Council - Trial reduction of parking charges
Dorset Council have reduced the parking tariffs in three car parks, which are West Bay Road (West Bay), Swannery
(Weymouth) and Charmouth Road (Lyme Regis). The summer tariffs in these car parks are now the off-peak winter rate. The
trial is to help Dorset Council to understand the impact through numbers using the car parks, impact on the highway network,
and the financial impact on Dorset Council’s budget.
South West Highways & Balfour Beatty - A35 Road Closures
As part of the maintenance strategy for the A30/A35, South West Highways and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services (who
are the managing agent contractor for Connect) will be implementing road closures throughout July and August. All works will
be carried out under a full road closure, please see below:
•
Axminster to Bridport until 18/07/24 – between 8pm and 6am.
•
Bridport to Dorchester - 18/07/24 to 31/07/24 – between 8pm and 6am.
•
Stinsford to Bere Regis - 31/07/24 to 01/08/24 – between 8pm and 6am.
•
Honiton to Axminster - 01/8/24 to 24/8/24 - between 8pm and 6am.
A dedicated phone line has been installed for enquiries about the works 01404 823871. The residents closure letter can be
viewed here.
Rural Services Network - Rural Funding Digest
The July Rural Funding Digest includes grants for historic building projects, energy resilience fund, VCSE energy efficiency
scheme, community ownership fund, historic houses foundation grants, open grants programme, etc.
Mayor of Bridport Blog
The latest edition of her Mayor's blog is now available and features St Mary's School edible garden, Jurassic Coast PCN
wellbeing event, Bridport Beer and Food Festival, Art unlimited and more.
The Living Tree - Newsletter
The latest newsletter is now available and features the special art exhibition from the 25th July, an afternoon cream tea
fundraiser on the 28th July, amblers walks, the allotment, support and more.
The Bridge Magazine
The July/August edition of the Bridge Magazine includes updates from Bridport and surrounding parish churches, celebrating
George Biles Bridport's sign writer, Walditch gardening group, an update on St Swithun's church repair & renewal, information
on local clubs and groups.
Eggardon and Colmers View Magazine
The July edition of the Eggardon and Colmers View magazine features updates and events from Symondsbury, Powerstock,
Loders, Eype, Dottery, Broadoak and Askerswell.
Bride Valley News
The latest edition of the Bride Valley News includes updates and events from Burton Bradstock, Litton Cheney, Shipton
Gorge and Puncknowle & Swyre. With parish council updates and information on a wide range of groups.
