The May 2025 edition of the Bride Valley News can be read HERE

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

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Litton Cheney Parish Council The Next Parish Council Meeting will be on Tuesday 8 th July – 7pm Come and join us at the next PC meeting in the Meeting room of LATCH. Democratic Time allows you to bring up various points that concern you, or make you happy (praise and occasional brickbat accepted). At our July meeting, Andrew Price will be standing down from the Parish Council. Since joining the council, Andrew has used his considerable experience from his many years as Dorset Council’s County Planning Officer which eventually led to his well- earned retirement. As a result we have managed to deal with numerous issues with a fair degree of expediency and know- how which clearly has helped produce the appropriate solutions. We thank Andrew for his tremendous efforts on our behalf and wish him more peace and time not having to worry (too much) about HGV’s taking the short cut through the village on their way to and from Parks Farm Cheese Dairy. IT Matters – Are you ready for Windows 11? With little to report on Full Fibre provision to Litton Cheney as it is almost complete with the exception of the properties in Chalk Pit Lane which are awaiting the overhead cabling to be completed, my attention is now focussing on Microsoft Windows 10 With the Windows 10 Operating System nearing end of support during October this year, what does that mean to those of us still using it…? Well for starters it doesn’t mean that your PC/ Laptop is going to stop working, but it does mean that because Microsoft will stop producing updates and fixes that you will become more and more susceptible malware, hackers and the such like. There is the option of a free upgrade to Windows 11 if your current PC configuration is capable of supporting it. The best way to check this is to use Microsoft’s own PC Health Check app to check your system requirements through Windows Update. If it fails Microsoft's compatibility test for Windows 11, saying its hardware doesn't meet the requirements, then it may be that you will need to purchase a new PC or laptop that does…… Or do you…?!?! If your test results show that your PC failed the compatibility test for Windows 11 primarily due to the absence of a required " Trusted Platform Module v2.0 " or TPM, be aware that this is often disabled by default on older hardware. If this hardware is included in your hardware, the TPM can be enabled within what is known as the BIOS to make their systems compatible without needing to purchase new computers, thereby avoiding unnecessary expenses. Changes to the BIOS should really only be carried out by someone with in depth computer knowledge. Rob Matthews rob.matthews@littoncheney.org.uk Considerate Parking There are times during the various days and weeks in the life of a village like Litton Cheney, when trying to find a convenient place to park your car, that is close to your house, and unlikely to be blocked in by other vehicles becomes nigh on impossible. Like most villages possessed of narrow lanes and few parking spaces, and totally lacking a regular bus service, the question of where to park often bubbles to the surface. All we can ask of you is to be considerate, and if it is possible to park your car in your garage or on the drive please do so. Also, on Thursdays and alternate Fridays, you need to leave space for the bin lorries. Many thanks in anticipation of your considerate parking. What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in July REGULAR EVENTS Mondays 3.30 – 4.30 Big Q (term time only) Tuesdays 4.45 – 5.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661) Wednesdays 4.45 – 5.45 Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 482661 or Paul Kingston 482162) 7.00 Mindful Movement (Jane Hutchins 07882 527697) Thursdays 9.15 – 11.15 First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only) OTHER EVENTS Tuesday 8 th 7.00 Parish Council in meeting room [NEW TIME] Saturday 5 th Gardening Club Social for members and guests Time t.b.c. .Monday 21 st 7.00 Gardening Club meeting Tuesday 22 nd 7.00 CPR Training Sunday 27 th 10.00 Yoga with Nadiya Wynn (nadiyasime@hotmail.com) CPR Training – Learn How You Might Save A Life – Tuesday 22 nd July at LATCH Everyone is very welcome to join a training session on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of a defibrillator which is being held on Tuesday 22 nd July commencing promptly 19:00 at LATCH. Following a cardiac arrest, time is of the essence and intervention at the earliest opportunity can help to significantly improve survival chances and recovery outcomes. The sooner CPR is administered and professional care in attendance the better the prognosis. Learning CPR and the use of a defibrillator may help to save the life of a family member, friend or neighbour. Even if you have undertaken similar training in the past this may well act as a useful refresher. The session is free but donations to the Royal Life Saving Society will be very welcome. For further information please contact Pete Dennis on 01308 482 760. Thorner’s School Report Apologies for the absence of a report – Gone to the Fete. Back in full flow next month. Thorner’s Litton Cheney Fete – Sorry about the deluge! From our valiant reporter on the spot – Claire Moore:- 2025 will be a Fete to remember!… this one is sure to create memories to last a lifetime amongst Litton’s history books that’s for sure!! Let’s just say… the torrential rain and threat of thunder and lightening certainly didn’t wash away the smiles of those braving the elements to run the day’s events including a dog show, hobby horsing, welly wanging…. and BBQ!…but the Chef’s at least kept dry under the Ford Farm (thank you FF for donating the amazing cheese hampers for the raffle!) marquee - whilst flippin’ burgers that went down a storm (pardon the pun!). Let’s hear it for the BBQ chefs – Jay & Andy! Despite the weather, we, in true village style, ploughed on in waterproofs and wellies and had a splashing time! Headmaster Mr Sitch probably didn’t even notice the heavy rain whilst getting totally drenched on the Soak the Sitch stall!! A huge Well Done to Eggardon pupils for opening the fete with fantastic Maypole dancing…. big thanks to all those who did the teas and plants and cakes as well as the wonderful tombola and all the local businesses who supported the raffle! Teachers, TSA, your contributions to this event are hugely appreciated as is that of the School Governors. Finally, to the drenched gatekeepers, car park attendants and helpers, plus all those who came in support, and contributed their hard earned cash. Thanks to Treasurer Graham working through the night, it seems at the time of going to press that the fete has produced net takings of £3,700 – an incredible result! Bravo Zulu to all who came, went, toiled, got ever so slightly damp and with forever smiles. One last word – To those furry friends who didn’t manage to win a prize at the dog show, and arrived back home wet and bedraggled. Your very presence made the day – maybe next year it will be your turn, and perhaps even the sun will shine and tails will wag! Bride Valley Gardening Club Having been lucky enough to visit the Chelsea Flower Show this year I came away with my head buzzing with a wealth of new plant names. 67 to be precise, jotted in my note book and all needing investigation to see if they would be suitable for our chalky soil - when they would then be added to my wish list. Not for me the Show Gardens displaying unlikely combinations of plants that would never successfully grow together and which regularly have us fooled and mean mistakes are discovered a little too late! Enjoying a wide range of speakers and garden topics, club members will always be sure to hear an expert on the chosen subject, learn something new and have their questions answered. Our next speaker will be Sally Morgan, organic gardener, small holder and writer, talking to us about 'Creating a Kitchen Garden'. She is a contributor to Amateur Gardening, Bloom and other garden magazines and we are very much looking forward to her visit. An experienced and much in demand speaker Sally has spoken at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival and last year travelled much further afield as speaker at the Northwest Pacific Flower Show in Seattle. The meeting, open also to non members (£2) will be on Monday July 21st at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7.00 for refreshment, chat and plant sales. If any of the new members who joined at our last meeting read this and come along please make yourselves known if we don't instantly spot a new face. Ali Halliday (balletboots@live.com) EXCITING AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN DURING AUGUST Creative clay .Friday 8 th August 10.00am – 12.30am Age 7+ £6.00 Dress for mess and make sea-life clay pinch pots and perhaps create your own octopus Booking is essential as places are limited. The Mushroom Show by Scratchworks Theatre Monday 18 th August 2.00pm – 3.00pm Physical comedy and interactive games, bringing together the world of fungi with science music and puppetry.Age 5+ Children must be accompanied by an adult Children £8, Adults £6, Family £24 Both events to be held at LATCH in Litton Cheney and tickets for both are available from Patricia, tel./text 07799612941 / 01308 482514 or book online via Artsreach.co.ukth

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