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
EVENT CALENDARS
NEWS
Village Newsletter April 2025
a village in the Bride Valley Litton Cheney Dorset
Photo by Claire Moore 3_7_2021
Bridport Local Area Bulletin 3 rd June 2025
CONTACTS LIST ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
Litton Cheney Parish Council The Next Parish Council Meeting will be the Annual Meeting and Parish Assembly on Tuesday 20 th May commencing at 7pm. The Annual Parish Assembly is a meeting of village residents and a chance to discuss the local issues of the day affecting the village, a chance to put forward any cracking and inspirational ideas you may have that allows the community to come together and get involved and, if you really must, to have a moan, or more hopefully celebrate local services and happenings. Have your say, but more importantly come and meet your fellow villagers! Openreach have mostly completed the infrastructure in the village. There are however some planned works coming up, which involve traffic management: 10 April Closure of Cow Lane to allow for overhead works. 23 June request made to close Chalk Pit Lane, although this has not yet been granted and I have no information as to what works are to be carried out. Apart from that, as said before, if you have signed up via the voucher scheme then that is an obligation to do so. I would also recommend to anyone who asks, that the upgrade to Full Fibre is well worth doing, not only because of the performance, but also because of the connection benefits (fewer dropouts). If you have any questions or problems then please contact me, Rob Matthews robertmatthewslcpc@gmail.com 80 th Anniversary of Victory-in-Europe (VE) Day - 5 th to 8 th May Plans are now coming together to enable as many residents/families as possible to enjoy commemorating this event during the week 5 th to 8 th May. Monday 5 th May is a Bank Holiday and current thoughts centre around a Bring your own Picnic (Street Party) Lunch at LATCH when we hope the Litton Cheney Community Choir comes together again as we celebrate and relive the songs of the 1940’s. A little later, and for those a little older, there will be jollifications, music and food of the period – did we hear Sausage & Mash? - down at the White Horse. On VE Day itself (8 th May) as well as aligning ourselves with the national events of the day, there will be a special school church service at St Mary’s (see church entry above for more details), and at lunchtime the school children will have their own street party. In the evening there will be a chiming of church bells across the nation, a lighting of beacons and lanterns of peace and we will pause in silence remembering those whose ultimate sacrifice made victory in Europe possible, an event we still celebrate and remember in 2025. More details closer to the day, but be prepared to celebrate, and also remember. What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in April REGULAR EVENTS Mondays 3.30 – 4.30pm Big Q (term time only) Tuesdays 4.45 – 5.45pm Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661) Wednesdays 4.45 – 5.45pm Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 482661 or Paul Kingston 482162 7.00pm Mindful Movement (Jane Hutchins 07882 527697) Thursdays 9.15 – 11.15am First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only) Fridays 10.00 – 12.00 am Art Group (4 th ) in Meeting Room OTHER EVENTS Thursday 3 rd 7.30pm Film Night “Conclave” Saturday 5 th Morning Village Café run by the W.I. Monday 7 th 7.00pm Pastoral Skills Course (Main hall) Friday 11 th 7.30pm Bingo Night Monday 14 th 7.00pm Gardening Club meeting (Main Hall) 7.00pm Pastoral Skills Course (Meeting Room) Monday 24 th 7.00pm Pastoral Skills Course (Main Halll) Sunday 27 th 10.00am Yoga with Nadiya Wynn Monday 28 th 7.00pm Pastoral Skills Course (Main Hall) Coming up in early May: Thursday 1 st Film Night. A very special showing of “Bottle Shock” – the story of Steven Spurrier’s “Judgement of Paris” which rocked the wine world. 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. Hall Bookings/viewings: Wendy Firrell 01308 482532 wtlitton@gmail.com Thank you to everyone who supported the ‘pop up’ Coffee and Chat in LATCH on Thursday 20 th February. The donations raised £70 for Fledglings. We are grateful for the village’s support of the event. Thank you Elizabeth and Sarah for organising. ‘Litton Cheney – It’s Historic Sites and People’, a history of the extended parish of Litton Cheney, is a 276-page A4 book and is available from the author Paul Kingston. paulkingston1440@btinternet.com A fascinating and intriguing detailed record of Litton’s days of yore. Bingo Evening – April 11th On Friday 11 th April Bride Valley Bingo Fundraising Group will be holding an Easter Bingo Evening at LATCH, School Lane, Litton Cheney to raise money for University Hospitals Dorset NHS charity towards their BEACH Appeal (Birth, Emergency, Critical Care & Children’s Health). Doors open at 6.30pm and eyes down at 7.30pm. Great prizes, raffle, refreshments and bucket draw. All welcome! Since we started the Bingo Nights in 2019 we are very proud to announce that this will be Fundraiser Number 10 for Dorset based charities and we always have great pleasure in welcoming you all, and truly appreciate your continued support. Please tell your friends to come too – don’t keep it to yourself! Easter Sunday - 20 th April. An important date for your diary everyone! This year’s Annual Great Litton Cheney Duck Race will take place on Easter Sunday 20th April. We will be selling ducks in aid of Julia’s House from 10.30am at the start line ready for the off at 12 midday. If you want to be super organised, Andy and Liz at the White Horse will be selling ducks during the week before the big day, Thursday 10th to Thursday 17 th April. There will be a BBQ at the pub from 11.30 until 2 pm, either indoors or outdoors depending on the weather, and from 1 pm you can also enjoy musical entertainment from Greg Agar - The Piano Man. Really hope to see you all there! Ralph, Sam, Liz and Andy The White Horse After a difficult start to 2025 we are beginning to get back in the driving seat and working on future plans for the White Horse, particularly the food offering. For now, we are continuing as before with the pub menu, and the highlights of Friday night "Traditional Pub Night" with Fish and Chips from 5.30pm, Happy Hour from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and our popular Meat Draw at 8.15pm, and Sunday Roasts from midday to 2.30pm. We really do advise booking for both of these to avoid disappointment - 01308 482539. We have Pizza Basilico food van every other Tuesday to coincide with our fortnightly Snowball Quiz (drinks only on the alternate Tuesdays). We also have lots of other activities going on in April, with Live Music every Sunday afternoon at 4pm, and don't forget we are the finishing post for the Great Litton Cheney Duck Race on Easter Sunday, 20th, at 12 o'clock with a BBQ from 11.30am and the fantastic Greg Agar, Piano Man at 1pm. Easter Monday we have Knock 'n Run at 4pm, a band of young teenagers with amazing musical talent - not to be missed! For May, keep an eye open for news on celebrating the 80 th Anniversary of VE Day. We look forward to seeing you all in April. Andy & Liz Bride Valley Garden Club The sun is out, the sky is blue – but still very cold. Hopefully by the time this plops through your letterbox the weather will be warmer and gardening will be tempting again. With the tidying up completed there are usually some newly discovered spaces and 'planting opportunities' and this means good reason to visit one of the many plant fairs on offer locally. If you are already a member of the club you'll know that good plants are regularly for sale at monthly meetings and on TUESDAY 22 nd April (a departure due to Easter from our regular Monday spot) there will also be opportunities to buy young fuchsias when our speaker Derek Dexter will talk to us about the care and growing of these plants. Be sure to keep some pocket money for visiting some of the other plant sales which often support a local charity as well. Saturday March 29 th 9-12.30 outside Bridport United Church. Bridport Garden Club offer plants for sale as part of their Spring Show with proceeds going to The Harmony Centre, supporting those with mental health issues. Easter Saturday morning, April 19 th From 9 am. Stepping Out – the local cancer rehabilitation exercise scheme - celebrates their 10 th anniversary in Bucky Doo Square and has a large plant stall offering a huge variety of plants, many of them unusual or hard to find. Grown by just two enthusiasts, of whom I'm one ,100% of sales will be donated. Sunday April 13 th 10-4 on a more grand sale, will be the annual Mapperton Plant Fair offering a range of profesional nurseries and a wide selection of plants. £7 admision includes seeing the garden and a % of sales will go this year to Weldmar Hospice. Our club meeting on TUESDAY 22 nd April will begin with the AGM at 7pm followed by drinks, plant sales and the Fuchsia talk at 7.30. Doors open at 6.30. As always, visitors welcome , £2. Of course I'm biased but hope to see you in Bucky Doo square! Ali (balletboots@live.com)
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 you would like included in the BLAP Bulletin, please contact Jo Hughes by email at jo.hughes@bridport-tc.gov.uk BLAP Members' Meeting Open to all BLAP members, The BLAP Members' Meeting (formally known as Steering Group meeting) will take place this Thursday 5th June at 2.15pm, Mountfield, Bridport where we will be joined by Bev Thornton and Terry Barker who will talk about the work of the Bridport Community Kitchen. Farewell to Bridport Town Clerk Will Austin BLAP members may or may not be aware that Will Austin will be leaving Bridport Town Council this week after seven years as Town Clerk. On behalf of BLAP, we thank Will for the significant help and support he has provided over those years and wish him all the best for the future. Will's successor, Sally Freemantle will be joining Bridport Town Council in August. BLAP Members' Assembly A date for your diary - the BLAP Members' Assembly will take place early evening on Thursday 11th September (exact times to be confirmed) at the Town Hall where we will be joined by guest speaker Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council who will talk about Dorset Council's priorities, ambitions and challenges. Further details will be made available nearer the time. Bridport Vegan Market Celebrate all things vegan and eco-living with a range of traders selling everything from street food, cakes and bakes, deli items, ethical clothing, cruelty free skincare and homeware, arts and crafts and more! Entry to Bridport Vegan Market is free (dogs welcome) and will take place on Saturday 7th Bridport History Society - Talk The next meeting of Bridport History Society is on Thursday 12th June when the Society will be holding a small celebration to mark 30 years since its founding. The central attraction will be a talk which will be delivered by well-known Bridport historian Bruce Upton. Bruce has put together a special talk 'A Celebration of Bridport' just for BHS’s anniversary. The talk will explore how aspects of Bridport’s history have made the town the exceptional place it is today. There will also be some special guest appearances at the meeting. The talk will be held at the United Church Hall on East Street, Bridport. Doors open at 2.15pm for a prompt 2.30pm start. All are welcome, members £1pp, visitors £5pp. Bridport History Society meets on the second Thursday of each month (except July and August). Membership is open to all (£12 individual / £18 couple). For more information visit: www.bridporthistorysociety.org.uk. Bridport Swift Town - Swiftwalking The hugely popular Swiftwalk is back! Why have swifts returned to Bridport for 100's of years? What is it about the town's architecture and nearby green spaces that make it a good place for swifts to be? Join RSPB’s Luke Phillips for an evening swift walk around town, exploring the urban habitats that make Bridport perfect for swifts. Free and open to all, the Swiftwalks will take place on Thursday 12th, Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th June, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. Register your free place by emailing swiftmail@commonground.org.uk. Bridport Food and Beer Festival This year marks the 21st birthday of the Bridport Food Festival which takes place at Asker Meadows, Bridport DT6 4SB on Saturday 14th June, 9.30am - 5.00pm showcasing the local food scene this area is famous for, from classic favourites to appetising innovations. Nearly 100 traders will be selling award-winning local food and drink as well as delicious street food, from wild venison burgers to Shuka Calf's oysters, Indian sweets to Dorset cheeses and there will be plenty of samples for foodies to graze. Adult tickets cost £3.50 in advance (£5.00 on the day) and can be purchased here. Children 17 and under go free. Prior to the big day, Friday 13th June is the start of the very popular Bridport Beer Festival commencing at 6.00pm. An impressive selection of over 100 different ales and ciders rub shoulders with cocktails, wines, fizz and Pimms all accompanied by live music and joining the event for the first time is the special fundraising 'Friday Feast' created by local restaurants and suppliers. Entry to the Beer Festival on Friday and Saturday is free from 6.00pm. Volunteer Centre Dorset - Understanding DBS Checks DBS Checks are one of the things Volunteer Centre Dorset (VCD) receive most enquiries about, with groups and organisations wanting to find out if DBS checks are needed for their volunteers and staff and if so, what level of check is required for their role. Join VCD at 12.00pm on Wednesday 18th June for this free online event to find the answers from Mel Berry, Regional Outreach Adviser (South West England) from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Book here. Topics covered will include: who can request a DBS check the different levels of DBS checks available what is ‘regulated activity’ and regulated activity provider responsibilities rechecks and renewals portability of certificates DBS Barred Lists who has a legal duty to make a barring referral to DBS and when this applies Bridport Refugee Support Campaign Organised by Bridport Refugee Support Campaign, enjoy an evening of unity, culture and connection to celebrate Refugee Week from 16th - 22nd June. Everyone is welcome to this free event (donations welcome) to enjoy music, food, stories and the spirit of togetherness on Thursday 19th June, 4.30pm - 7.30pm at Bridport Youth & Community Centre (Upstairs), Gundry Lane, Bridport. Bridport Cohousing Tours of Hazelmead Tours of Hazelmead, the new cohousing development located next to Bridport Community Hospital take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month with future tours taking place on 19th July, 20th September, 18th October and 15th November. Tours run from 2.00pm - 4.00pm, beginning with an introductory chat followed by a tour around the site before tea and cake and an opportunity for questions and answers. To book your place, please email info@bridportcohousing.org.uk Bridport Museum - Exhibition A new temporary exhibition runs from May to July at Bridport Museum in partnership with Bournemouth University Archaeological Research Consultancy. Called Archaeology Then and Now: Unearthing Waddon Hill, it explores how excavation methods have evolved over the past 150 years. Journey through the site’s history, from the Roman Hill fort's 19th- century discovery by quarry workers to 1960s excavations and today’s cutting-edge technology revealing earlier periods of occupation. The exhibition features exciting finds, including a newly conserved Roman dagger, offering a unique opportunity to see how archaeology has uncovered the secrets of Roman Britain. Allington Hillbilly Volunteers Anniversary Event Next year the Allington Hillbilly Volunteers will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the volunteer group and the 40th anniversary of the Bridport Community raising money, allowing the Woodland Trust to purchase Allington Hill. We are inviting the Bridport Community to take part in our “CELEBRATE 2026” project with micro events running from January 2026 until the main events held on Friday 1st May and Saturday 2nd May 2026, in Cooper’s Field, Hospital Lane, Bridport. On the Friday, community events will focus on youth projects, local food and entertainment in the evening. The main event will be on Saturday with a Country Fair, speakers marquee, craft demonstrations and activities. We are inviting organisations that have a clear link with nature, wildlife and country crafts to take part as activity providers, stall holders, speakers and sponsors. To register an interest in taking part, please email allingtonhill@gmail.com. Bridport to Yeovil Bus Service Expanded Dorset Council has made improvements to the CR6 bus service, enhancing transport links between Bridport, Beaminster, and Yeovil. Commencing Saturday 31st May, the service will now operate six days a week, providing greater flexibility for passengers and supporting local communities. Key service enhancements: The CR6 bus, which previously ran Monday to Friday, will now operate on Saturdays as well, following the non-school day (NSch) weekday timetable. The 1710 service from Bridport, which previously terminated at Beaminster, will now continue through to Yeovil, offering passengers more travel options. These changes will allow residents to spend the day in Bridport or Yeovil and return conveniently, improving access to shopping, leisure, and essential services. Dorset Council Funding - Closing Date Thursday 5th June Community and Culture Project Fund - If you’re looking to kickstart a new project that will make a difference for people in your community, Round 9 of the Community and Culture Project Fund is now open for applications. This fund offers small grants ranging from £1,500 to £5,000 to organisations who want to start new activities or events to benefit their community. The fund is for 'not for profit' community groups including: Museums Arts Heritage Physical Activity Sport Play They prioritise applications that support residents and those groups that are marginalised, disadvantaged or hard to reach. The closing date for applications is Thursday 5th June. Apply here. Small One-Off Capital Grants Fund - The Small Capital Grants Fund to improve, adapt, or refurbish community spaces, village play areas, sports pitches, local greenspaces, arts, or museum venues is open for applications. They can fund small one-off capital projects that support community facilities and the places we live by improving our infrastructure, access to local amenities and our sense of belonging. Examples might include: village hall or community building enhancements, alterations or improvements improvements to greenspaces, nature trails resulting in better access and experiences improvements to sports pitches and playing fields (including Play equipment) small capital projects that improve accessibility to local amenities for communities outdoor play areas including multi-use games areas (MUGAs) new public art improvements to visitor experience when visiting local heritage, arts and museum venues projects that improve the social fabric and foster pride in local towns and their communities projects that improve health outcomes and enable people to access local amenities. This fund provides one-off grants between £5,000 and £15,000. The closing date for applications is Thursday 5th June. Further information is available here. Dorset Council - Towards a New Model for Day Opportunities Dorset Council is proposing changes to day opportunities services across Dorset and would like to share their ideas with you about their proposed hub, spoke and specialist model. These are services currently delivered at or from Bridport Connect in St Andrews Road. Dorset Council want to hear your thoughts and understand how this might work in your local community. No one will lose access to a day opportunity but if, following consultation, the proposals are agreed there may be changes to how they are delivered. The proposed changes in West Dorset can be viewed here. The formal consultation period is open until midnight on 9th June 2025 and the online survey can be accessed here. There is also the opportunity to join an online event to share your thoughts this Wednesday 4th June at 6.00pm. The event will start promptly with a presentation about the proposed model. Please click here for further information and to join the event. Dorset Council - Social Housing Tenants Survey Dorset Council is wanting to engage with local residents who live in social housing to understand their views & feedback, specifically regarding downsizing - it is aimed at people who are living in social housing and under occupying their home. Social housing tenants can provide their feedback by following this link to the survey which is open until 30th June 2025. Dorset Council Housing Allocation Policy Consultation Dorset Council has launched a 12-week consultation to examine how people are prioritised for the housing register. All responses received will help shape the council’s next housing allocations policy. A new housing allocation policy will have to factor in local need alongside national regulations and guidance. The consultation is open to everyone and local organisations that have a view on affordable housing are also urged to have their say. To take part, visit the website at Housing Allocation Policy Consultation - Dorset Council - Citizen Space or complete paper copies available in your local library. The consultation ends at midnight on 24th August 2025. NHS Urgent Dental Care South West Survey The NHS is gathering public views on urgent care dentistry in the South West. Your feedback will be used to inform a review of Urgent Dental Care across the region. Take part in the survey by clicking here. The Bridge The June edition of the Bridge Magazine is now available to read and features articles about Bridport Town Council's annual meeting, the restoration and redecoration of St Swithun's Church, an interview with Funeral Director Simon Wakely and updates and events from Bridport and the surrounding parishes. Eggardon & Colmers View The June 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 Bride Valley News The June edition of the Bride Valley News includes updates and events from Burton Bradstock, Litton Cheney, Shipton Gorge and Puncknowle & Swyre including parish council updates and information and news on a wide range of groups and events.
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
The Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington History Group hold monthly meetings to discuss the local history of our area, and during the spring and summer months also organise history walks. Recently there was a presentation by our own historian-in- residence Paul Kingston on Litton. If you would like to know more about the group, and learn more about your local surroundings please contact Paul Bullen 07527141560 paul.bullen@icloud.com
Local History Group