The March 2021 edition of the Bride Valley News can be read HERE
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
Want to contribute to the well-being of Litton? Why not join the Premier Crew, a group of well-intentioned citizens of our village who
clean and tidy up areas when they need a little bit of care and attention. Your ability to help will undoubtedly depend on your
availability and you are not expected to turn up everytime there is a call to arms. Gender equality is alive and well, as is the
bonhomie or bonfemme on offer whenever we meet. With enough volunteers we could even become the Grand Crew! If you would
like to join us, please contact John Firrell on 01308 482313.
Premier Crew – Come & Join Us
Our Digital Hotline is helping even more people get online thanks to a new arrangement with Age UK North, South & West Dorset.
Anyone can call the Dorset Digital Hotline with a digital question on 01305 221048 weekdays from 10am to 12noon.
The Hotline is manned by a team of volunteer Digital Champions, who can help anyone in Dorset with a wide range of enquiries
that come through to the hotline, including:
•
setting up video calls such as Skype and Facetime to keep in contact with friends and family
•
providing help to get online for grocery shopping
•
setting up and using new devices
•
support for all digital NHS services and e-Consult
•
support to use all digital appliances and solve problems
Dorset Digital Hotline
VILLAGE INFORMATION
VILLAGE INFORMATION
NEWS
Plant Sale
Ultrafast Broadband News Update
Village Newsletter February 2021
Hello everyone. We thought you may be interested in getting an update on our progress which, it has to be said, has been rather
slow.
Dealing with BTOPENREACH ( BTO) has not been easy, with ongoing difficulties communicating with them (ironic for sure),
unanswered correspondence and obstructions. Initially they wanted the organisers (us) to have a Legal Entity and to be
responsible for any shortfall in the cost over the vouchers. Not surprisingly we said no. Fortunately BTO have changed their mind
and said we can now individually sign in to an online page pledging our vouchers to BTO. At the time of writing this has yet to be
set up. One can speculate as to how long this will take.
How much will full fibre cost? As far as we understand it there are two answers! First the cost of installing the cables down the
street and into your home. If we can sign up enough people then there will be enough vouchers to fund the scheme for FREE.
The second cost is the internet service provider’s ( ISP’s) monthly fee which everyone pays for their internet. You will be able to
choose which ISP you’d like (from a limited list which may not include your current one); you will also be able to opt for a higher
internet speed up to 1,000 mbps. I currently get between 16-26 but would like 300. Higher speeds will cost more, but the level will
be your choice.
We initially had 57 addresses register their interest from Long Bredy, Litton Cheney and Kingston Russell. BTO have now
identified over 350 properties that could be included. Puncknowle, Swyre and Burton Bradstock are also busily catching up
(courtesy of Jackie & Louis) and they have also submitted their initial numbers to BTO.
We understand there is an option of radio broadband. We have investigated this but we prefer a system that is permanently hard
wired with fibre directly to our homes without the reported vagaries of weather or interference and with the option of choice of
different ISPs.
Lastly the current voucher scheme ends in March, but apparently another starts in April although there’s no info about it at
present. Hang on in there and get talking to people as the more on our list the more BTO will want to connect us.
A phone meeting next week has finally been suggested by Openreach, so hopefully there will be more clarity after that.
Angus Handoll. bvfibre@yahoo.com
Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) AGM and Newsletter
The minutes of the WATAG AGM, held virtually on 28 January, can be read HERE.
Useful travel information is given in the latest WATAG Newsletter which can be read HERE.
Litton Cheney Trust
The Litton Cheney Trust was formed in 1992, combining several historic charities in the Parish. While its formal purpose is to
relieve “either generally or individually persons resident in the Parish of Litton Cheney who are in conditions of need, hardship or
distress by making grants of money”, the trustees have more recently also made grants towards projects which benefit the village
generally.
In 2020, grants were made to young people in higher and further education, and as Christmas gifts to older residents on limited
means or who live alone. Grants were also made for the renewal of the turnstiles and gates in The Rocks, and to Thorner’s School
and the White Horse to support them during Covid-19 restrictions.
The current trustees are Freddie Spicer (Secretary - 482617), Richard Jones (Treasurer), Penny Dewar and Lyn Lacey. The
trustees welcome enquiries and grant applications, which should be made to the Secretary.
Census 2021
On Sunday 21st March a census will be held in England and Wales. Census 2021 will be the first digital-first census. It’s easy to do
and can be done on any device. You’ll get an access code from the Office for National Statistics. Simply go online and enter the
code into the secure website to get started. You will be contacted nearer the time to let you know what you need to do. You will
also receive guidance as to what to do if you cannot go online.
Litton Cheney Social Committee – Duck Race Plans
It does seem as if we will not be able to have our annual Easter Sunday Duck Race, and the DUCKS are fretting, even moulting,
that they will not have an outing this year. They have indicated they will try to keep their distance apart and may even wear beak
covers - Amazon stock such things apparently – if some sort of arrangement can be put in place.
Do not despair as we hope to have a video special from (King) Kieran Mulhall on the Village website…please keep checking the
website for more news and detail.
Keep safe and Happy Easter everyone – when it gets here.
Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall – March 2021
At the time of writing no restrictions have been lifted, so the hall remains closed. One thing we do know, however, is that the
meeting room will be used as a Polling Station on Thursday 6th May when the election of the Police and Crime Commissioner for
Dorset will take place – there’s something to look forward to!
Once restrictions are eased we very much hope that events at LATCH will resume, probably with Yoga classes being the first to
return. We’ll keep you posted.
The White Horse rides to the rescue!
As we move into March we unfortunately don't see any sign of lockdown easing, especially for the pub industry.
We do however, in March, still have Joy and Steve coming every other Friday from 9am to midday with their fantastic fruit and veg
stall with superb quality and great prices. Put these dates in your diary so as not to miss it. 26th Feb, 12th and 26th March.
We're still doing takeaways every Friday (Fish 'n Chips) and Saturday 5.30 to 8pm (Saturday Special). Booking is essential so that
we can give you a collection time.
The Saturday Special changes every week. The menu is normally posted on a Tuesday or Wednesday on The White Horse
Facebook page and in the local Facebook village groups and is written up on the Blackboard on the pub sign. Your prescriptions
can be collected on Saturday mornings between 10am and midday. It is lovely to catch up with people albeit rather briefly so keep
coming, it helps keep us sane!
There is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines rolling out so quickly and here's a great piece of news - by the time the next
issue of BVN comes out the clocks will have gone forward, there will be more sunshine and we'll be well into Spring! Stay safe
everyone.
Andy & Liz
Portesham Surgery Vaccination News
To keep up with news on vaccinations, the latest update can be found here
Scam Alert
Several local residents have reported scam calls purporting to be from Amazon Prime and using the telephone number 01323
657901. Beware – several scams have even used 01308 as a calling from exchange.
Village Kiosk – Our Very Own Civic Building
As we hopefully emerge from our winter lockdown, and we begin to see evidence that Spring is on the way, expect to see signs
that the village kiosk is taking on a new identity as and when restriction relaxation allows, courtesy of Beverly Dennis and Liz
Pinfield.
Covid19
Lastly, please continue to take care. Even when everyone who wishes to be has been vaccinated, Covid will still be with us, so the
need to continue to take care, stay safe and stay well remains imperative. If you have a need please contact a neighbour, friend,
family or community organisation whose details you will find on the village website or notice boards. We are all here to help – you
are not alone.
Stages for Exiting Lockdown
