Litton Cheney Parish Council The next meeting will be on Tuesday 14 th January, 7.30pm in the Meeting Room of LATCH when the PC will determine the village precept. We will also officially welcome our new Clerk, Debbie Hollings who takes over from our sadly departing Clerk, Lucy Beasley. Thanks, Lucy. Village Christmas Tree Thank you to the merry band of festive folk, gnomes and elves, who erected the village Christmas tree at the Triangle, festooned it with lights and decorations and brought Christmas for all just a little bit closer. Happy New Year to all! Cheney Village Fete At the time of going to press, we are happy to announce that plans are being put in place for a Village Fete in 2025, organised via a partnership of the LATCH committee and Thorner’s School Association. Date and more details in February’s BVN. Thank you LATCH and TSA for stepping up to the plate. Litter Pick – Our grateful thanks to those valiant souls who armed with litter pickers, gloves and bag went in search of litter, found it and bagged it. Full Fibre Update Not a great deal to report this past month, Openreach did finally complete an installation that had been outstanding for a few months through complications around digging a trench across a well-used road, but, apart from that, fairly quiet. We would like to remind those who signed up for full fibre via the voucher scheme and who have not yet switched over, then you might want to do so as soon as possible. By signing up to the scheme you have committed to making the switch. Should you not do so, then Openreach may enforce the terms of the voucher scheme. You do not have to stay with your current provider and you may find that if you switch, your new provider may well buy out the remainder of your existing contract. For those who would like Full Fibre but are being told it is unavailable to you, please get in contact with me and I will investigate on your behalf. robertmatthewslcpc@gmail.com Litton’s Seven Benchmarks Rome has its seven hills – Litton Cheney has its seven benchmarks, and in these early months of 2025 when resolutions are made, if you fully intend to be more active then our very own Mr Motivator aka Quentin Blacke has come up with a “tour” that if completed will not only get you sitting on all seven of the village’s community benches, but offer a grand tour of the village as well. For details visit the home page of the village website. What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in January REGULAR EVENTS Mondays 15.30 – 16.30 Big Q (term time only) Tuesdays 16.45 – 17.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661) Wednesdays 16.45 – 17.45 Table Tennis (Ron Davidson 482661 or Paul Kingston 482162) 19.00 Mindful Movement Jane Hutchins (07882 527697) Thursdays 09.15 – 11.15 Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only) OTHER EVENTS Tuesday 14 th 19.30 Parish Council (in Meeting Room) Thursday 16 th 19.00 – 21.00 Bride Valley W.I. Monday 20 th 19.00 Benefice Safeguarding Training Thursday 23 rd 19.30 Artsreach production - Bojangles - details here COMING UP……. Thursday 6 th February – 19.30 Film Night “The Holdovers” Tuesday 18 th February – 11.00 Artsreach production for children 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 Our next film will be on THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY (2025) - details here THE HOLDOVERS ‘excellent acting, direction and cinematography’ 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) On THURSDAY 6 MARCH we are hoping to show... THE CRITIC Set in 1930’s London, The Critic is a thrilling tale of ambition, blackmail, and desire with a dazzling anti-hero at its heart. When the most feared and vicious theatre critic in town Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) finds himself suddenly in the cross hairs of the Daily Chronicle’s new owner, he strikes a Faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton) who is desperate to win his favour. More films on 3 April and possibly 1 May. Look out for further details on posters, on the website and in the BVN. Bride Valley Bingo Fundraising Group A heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the Village Bingo at LATCH on November 29th to raise money for RSPCA Taylors Rehoming at Kingston Maurward. We were delighted to be able to hand over proceeds of £855.00. Our next bingo will be on FRIDAY 11TH APRIL. Also, thanks to the " A Team " - my wonderful and loyal co-hosts; without these wonderful people the bingo events wouldn't happen. They are the lynchpins of the whole operation. Thank you all. Jackie Horsley. Village Correspondent’s Note – Thank you, Jackie, for your wonderful fundraising efforts. Thorner’s School This Term We look forward to an action-packed term ahead! Currently planned are a Stone Age Survival Workshop, a Puppet Theatre watching and making session for the younger children, Dance and Yoga sessions across the school as well as some Clay Pigeon Shooting Tuition for the older pupils to finish off the half term. EV Car Charger As many of you may now know we are delighted to confirm that our EV Car Charger is up and running at school!. Readers of the BVN are most welcome to come and use the charger (out of school hours). The charger is faster than typical domestic supply (22kw as opposed to 7kw) and is considerably cheaper (approx. 20-25% cheaper) than other local chargers. Crucially - it will be taking power directly from our own solar panels on the roof of school so when the sun is out the electricity will be as renewable and local as it is possible to be! Details of the charger can be found here and it will operate via the "tap" e-charger app which can be uploaded onto your phone or use the QR code on the charger to get started. https://www.tapelectric.app/ At present we will limit and control use to only local users so if you want to use the charger - please email me your details (full name, car registration and email address) and I will add you to our closed group of users. If you know of others locally who would like to make use of the charger at weekends and during the holidays - then please do forward their details and I can add them to the group of approved users. The charger is located in the school staff car park on the side of the Victorian classroom. LATCH Solar Panels I'm delighted to share the news that we were successful in our bid to Low Carbon Dorset for a grant to have solar panels installed on the south facing roof of LATCH. LCD were impressed with both the details of our bid as well as the support of local residents and the school's own Eco- committee - all of whom wrote letters of support which made clear how much of a joined-up effort the application was. Huge thanks also to the LATCH committee who worked very hard to prepare all the details and projections as well as its sub- committee who worked to identify local contractors for the project. With the grant (as well as contributions from School, LATCH, Parish Council and other local sources), installation was possible over the summer holidays - with huge thanks to those on site for the works. As you may know, LATCH is unique as a shared site between the school and the village, and it is fantastic to see this new addition which, alongside its current heat pump, will make it completely fossil-fuel free to run for large parts of the year. There will also be financial savings for both school and LATCH which will help us put more of our money into school resources for the children. Although we are a very old school and some of our site buildings go back to the 1700's, it is wonderful to show the children that we can make these new, green, upgrades and how they are possible because of the lovely way school, village, LATCH, governors and pupils all worked together. Swimming Pool Huge thanks to The Litton Trust, Litton Cheney Parish Council as well as local residents who have responded so generously to our Swimming Pool Restoration Fund. As I type, alongside parent and school fundraising, we have now secured enough funds to be able to proceed in the spring so that the children will be swimming in a completely refurbished pool by the start of the summer. Thank you so much again to all who have made this possible for both this current group of children at the school and all those who will attend in the years ahead. The children cheered loudly when we said we had hit our target! Happy New Year to all! Mike Sitch Headmaster Bride Valley Garden Club What's in a name...........? Although we won't be meeting together until March I'm sure many members will be making the most of any decent weather to be out in their gardens, maybe lingering to admire an early snowdrop or even wondering about the name of something. Do you know the names of the plants in your garden? If you do, or think you do, are they the names you learnt as a child – a local name probably or one handed down by friend or family? If you don't, where do you turn to find out? I remember the insignificant rectangle of garden from my own childhood. A narrow border on each side, grass between and a path down the middle: the narrow beds filled with blocks of just a few varieties and colourful only in summer. I picked up the names – rose, daisy, daffodil but not a lot more, reluctant to be too inquisitive in case there was work to be done! It was only when we had our own overgrown patch that I discovered the diversity of plants about which I knew next to nothing. I don't know how it came to be in my possession but I became the proud owner of a book that was to become my plant 'bible'. 45 years later and on to my second well thumbed copy of the Reader's Digest Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and Flowers (still available, used) it is still my desert island winner. With it I set about identifying the humble assortment of plants discovered beneath the weeds. Looking at the pictures, trying to match them up opened a whole new fascinating world – mostly of Latin! Thousands of plants including ferns, mosses, lichens etc have been given Latin based names since in the 18 th century the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus pioneered a botanical naming system. So, self-taught and pronouncing many of them incorrectly I began to learn botanical names. I have never regretted learning the names this way rather than adopting the more frequently used common names which so easily lead to confusion. As I've progressed, both in experience and in study it has stood me in good stead. A common response is often “Oh I can't be doing with all those fancy names” and people often think of it as showing off but it is the only way we can be sure we're talking about the same thing. In any country, from books to nurserymen the same botanical name identifies the same plant. For instance the Harebell is known in Scotland as the Bluebell (both names refer to Campanula rotundifolia) and some, such as Arum maculatum have as many as 90 common names recorded – how confusing that is. So next time you identify a plant or examine a plant label, read the botanical name as well. Don't be put off, learn its proper name - and if you remember it, try it out on your friends! Best wishes for the New Year everyone, and happy gardening. 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 Bridport History Society TalkThe next meeting of Bridport History Society is on Thursday 12th December when the Society will be welcoming researchers from Bridport Heritage Forum who have been investigating the ‘lives’ of houses in Bridport. The latest Bridport Heritage Forum project has been “A House Through Time” and for the last year, over thirty people have been researching their houses and eighteen books are now complete. They will be on display for the meeting and researchers will present aspects of their findings. 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 and all are welcome, visitors are £5pp. Bridport History Society meets on the second Thursday of each month (except July and August) and membership is open to all (£12 individual / £18 couple). For more information, please visit: www.bridporthistorysociety.org.uk Bridport Library - Knit and Natter A free, lively and friendly knit and natter group on Saturday 14th December and Saturday 21st December, 2.00pm-3.00pm at Bridport Library. A great place to learn and develop your knitting skills, to pass them on to others or simply have a good natter. Everyone is welcome and booking is essential by calling 01308 422778. Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club The next Armed Forces Veterans breakfast club meet-up will be held on Sunday 15th December from 9am - 10.30am at The Greyhound Hotel, East Street, Bridport. For Serving Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, their partners and relatives - all welcome, no subs or joining fees, just breakfast and banter. Bridport United Church - Christmas Tree Festival This year's Christmas Tree Festival will take place 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 Bridport Arts & Crafts Fair The next Bridport Arts & Crafts Fair will be held on Saturday 21st December, 10.00am-2.00pm at the Bridport WI Hall, North Street, Bridport. For further information, please contact: bridport.tic@bridport-tc.gov.uk Bridport Museum Bridport Museum will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00am - 3.00pm until 21st December 2024, and will then close for the winter from 22nd December. The museum will reopen on 18th February 2025. Bridport United Church - Christmas Day Lunch Churches Together are helping to provide a sit-down Christmas lunch at the Bridport United Church Hall on Wednesday 25th December. To book a meal, please contact Sue Herman on 01308 422598. Guests should arrive around noon ready for the meal at 12.30pm. If you would like to help with preparation, serving and clearing the meal, or transporting people to and from the United Church Hall, or if you can lead the singing of carols and other Christmas songs after the meal, please contact Sue. Bridport Warm Winter Venues, Clothing & Food Support A number of venues will be open to everyone over the winter period offering a warm welcome and refreshments (free of charge or for a small donation). Venues include: • Mondays at 1.00pm - Bridport Christian Fellowship, 4 Kings Street, East Street car park DT6 3QE • Wednesdays, 10.00am-12.00pm - Coffee morning with hot drinks and biscuits with a drop-in knitting and crochet session, Bridport United Church, East Street DT6 3FG. The 4th Wednesday of the month is lunch club from 12.30pm-2.30pm. • Wednesdays and Fridays, 11.00am - 2.00pm - Community Kitchen cafe and lunches at the Beacon Church, Priory Lane, DT6 3RW. Freshly cooked lunch and dessert with showers and washing machine available. There is also support available for those in need of food or clothes. This includes Bridport Community Fridge, Food Glut Stall, Cupboard Love Foodbank and Bridport Clothes Bank. For full information please click here. Bridport Clothes Bank Bridport Clothes Bank have outgrown their current premises and are looking for a new storage space to rent. Ideally the storage space needs to be in Bridport and 300-400 square feet with good access 24/7. If you know of any empty storage units to rent, please contact the Bridport Clothes Bank by email at: BridportCB@outlook.com Bridport Tree Planting Bridport Tree Planting are offering free trees for this planting season. They are about to take delivery of 150 saplings to add to the 80 already in their Bridport nursery. The saplings on offer include: Downy Birch, Rowan, Dogwood, Dog Rose, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Blackthorn, Goat Willow, Silver Birch, Common Oak, Green Beech, Hornbeam, Alder, Hawthorn, Hazel, Elderberry and Field Maple. There are two options available: • Three native species per household for planting on private land e.g. gardens. • Groups of trees for a community project such as a hedge or piece of open space. If you are interested, then please email the Bridport Tree Planting Coordinator Joe Hackett at: joe@thehacketts.uk with your request and the trees will be available in the early New Year for collection from the nursery. Bridport Dance Festival 2025 - Save the Dates Bridport Dance Festival 2025, a community project of performances, workshops, flash mobs, dance busking, dance jams/open mic and much more, will be taking place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th May so save the date! The project is looking for support for the event in the form of volunteers, donations, sponsors and fundraising. If you can help or are interested in getting involved, please email: elegantmovement@gmail.com West Bay Car Boot Sale - Grants Scheme The West Bay Car Boot Sale Grants Scheme for 2024/25 will be open until 9.00am on Monday 6th January 2025. 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. Further information including the guidance notes and application form can be found here. Dorset Council Christmas Bin Collections Rubbish and recycling collections over the festive period will change with collection days returning to normal from Monday 13 January. Details of the revised bin collection days can be found here. Festive collection reminders: • Dorset Council will collect up to two extra sacks of rubbish beside your bin on your first rubbish collection after Christmas Day. • No garden waste collections will take place from Christmas Day until Wednesday 8 January. • Household recycling centres are open from 9am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. • Extra recycling, including glass and food, will be collected on your recycling collection day, provided it has been separated correctly and placed in a suitable sturdy container (no bags) that can be easily lifted by one person. Please help the crews by putting your glass out for collection before Christmas. Western Area Transport Action Group WATAG'S Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 30th January at the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport. Full details will be available nearer the time. WATAG are also still looking for a volunteer secretary. If you are interested in this role, please email: watag@hotmail.co.uk Aged 40-74? Free NHS Health Checks As we get older, we are at a higher risk of developing health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. An NHS Health Check can help reduce these risks and make sure we stay healthy. NHS Health Checks are usually carried out at GP surgeries or pharmacies, and you will be told if you are due to have a check. Checks happen every five years and everyone who is eligible will receive an invitation either by text or letter. LiveWell Dorset is supporting this important work by delivering targeted NHS Health Checks - a new mobile service offering these checks direct to local communities and workplaces, targeting people who are most at risk of developing these health conditions. Please use the link here to check eligibility and book an appointment. Stay Well Dorset - Stay Well Financially This Winter Discover resources and assistance tailored to retirees, older adults, and anyone facing financial challenges later in life during winter 2024. From essential support like housing and food programs to guidance on saving energy and managing money, find services available across Dorset. Dorset Council Economic Growth Strategy - Have Your Say Dorset Council want your views on the local economy as they develop their Economic Growth Strategy. Can you help to shape a sustainable and prosperous future for the county? The strategy will aim to increase wealth, create more opportunities, improve living standards and boost funds for public services. Your views and insight - not least if you own or manage a business - will ensure the strategy reflects the needs and strengths of the community. Read the newsletter to find out about the challenges and opportunities we face as a county and share your experiences by completing the survey to help shape the future of economic growth in Dorset. The survey is open until 17th January 2025. Dorset Council Children's Centres and Family Hubs Consultation Families across Dorset are being asked to share their views to help shape improved support delivered through Family Hubs. Dorset Council has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on how it plans to evolve the new Family Hub model. This development aims to enhance support for families by providing improved access to services across more community spaces. Dorset Council is committed to listening to the voices of local families, making sure that proposed changes reflect their needs and wishes. The consultation will run until 21st February 2025. Families can share their views via an online survey or by completing physical copies available at local existing children’s centres and Family Hubs (such as the one in Bridport). Mayor of Bridport Blog The latest edition of the Mayor's Blog is now available and features the community project "A House Through Time", the Bridport Literary Festival, the Remembrance Day Parade, Blandford's Civic Day event and Weldmar's "Light Up A Life" event at Groves Garden Centre. The Bridge Magazine The December/January edition of the Bridge Magazine is now available featuring updates from Bridport and surrounding parish churches, events, St Swithun's Church piano "play dates", Bridport Town Council's five-year plan community engagement events, West Dorset's Beekeeping Association and information on local groups and organisations.