The March 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 – Next Meeting Tuesday 11 th March – 7.30pm We can’t quite promise you the excitement of Prime Minster’s Questions but very often we can provide greater clarity should you have a question you would like answered – you do however need to attend the meeting where you would be made most welcome. The village precept is being increased this year to £12,000 as it needs to take account of a reduction in funds being available from other sources such as the unitary authority (Dorset Council). This means that around £65 of your total council tax (it will vary dependent on what band your property is in) is returned to the village to pay for its general upkeep, administration (parish clerk) and ongoing expenses. No councillor receives any form of remuneration whilst serving. New Parish Clerk Debbie Hollings has just been awarded her CiLCA qualification which is effectively an “A” level in local council administration – well done, Debbie! Our thanks to the Premier Crew who cleaned up at the bottom of Whiteway after several deluges, and also to the Dorset Council team who removed the considerable spoils after the clear up. VE Day - 80 th Anniversary Plans are afoot to celebrate the 80 th Anniversary of Victory in Europe on Thursday 8 th May. We are hoping to involve the school, and the pub, although not necessarily together!. More details as they become available, but stand-by to celebrate, and commemorate. Full Fibre A gentle reminder that if you registered via the voucher scheme then you are obliged to follow through with the commitment to sign up for Full Fibre broadband. You do not have to stay with your existing provider if you are out of contract and in some instances if you are towards the end of your existing contract then you may find the remainder could be bought out by whoever you choose to sign up with. What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in March REGULAR EVENTS Mondays 3.30 – 4.30 Big Q (term time only) Tuesdays 4.45 – 5.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661) 7.00 – 8.30 NEW Dance Connection (4 th and 18 th ) 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) Fridays 10.00 – 12.00 Art Group (7 th and 21 st ) in Meeting Room OTHER EVENTS Thursday 6 th 7.30 Film Night “The Critic” Tuesday 11 th 7.30 Parish Council Meeting in Meeting Room Monday 17 th 7.00 Gardening Club meeting (Main Hall) 7.00 Pastoral Skills Course (Meeting Room) Monday 24 th 7.00 Pastoral Skills Course (Main Halll) Sunday 30 th 10.30 United Benefice Service for Mothering Sunday. Coffee/Croissants and family craft from 9.45 Coming up in early April: Thursday 3 rd Film Night. Saturday 5 th Village Café run by the W.I. 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 BRIDE VALLEY FILMS - Next films at Litton Cheney Village Hall. THURSDAY 6 MARCH - THE CRITIC ‘British film at it’s best’ 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. THURSDAY 3 APRIL CONCLAVE – ‘brilliantly shot and extremely atmospheric’ Cert.15 1hr.40” Conclave is a masterfully crafted thriller that delves into the clandestine world of the Vatican, offering viewers a gripping portrayal of the papal election process. Directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. Cert.12+ 2hrs. 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) Thorner’s School The children are looking forward to their half term break and finished term with a lovely trip to the Electric Palace to watch this year’s pantomime, a laser clay pigeon shooting day and a fairy tales tea party for the little ones. After the break, we will all be back ready to start new topics such as Computer Programming, Landscape Painting and Sikhism to name but a few. The older pupils are also training hard for upcoming sports competitions such as a dance festival and a handball tournament alongside our usual weekly clubs. In the coming term we will be visiting some local churches to develop our understanding of stained glass - with a view to the children creating a collective design that we then hope to install at school in the summer holidays. Having recently visited a super RE conference in Bristol, we also look forward to updating our RE curriculum this year - to ensure that our pupils have a richer understanding of all faiths and other world views. We are planning visits out, and visitors to, our school to help the children develop an understanding of religion in the modern world and the big questions it raises for all. Lastly, In March, we will be undertaking some CPD training to improve the way in which we help the pupils talk about their learning and how they talk to one another about their reasoning and debating skills - we hope this will lead into livelier assemblies in which pupils take more of a lead role and discussion sits at the heart of how they learn about the world around them. Mike Sitch Headmaster Bride Valley Garden Club It seems only yesterday that the notice board was packed away at the end of another season of garden club meetings, yet already it's coming out of hibernation for the start of another year. We meet on Monday March 17 th to pay subscriptions and receive the programme card before the talk – a busy half hour for village reps and secretary Liz. It would help get the business side of things over with quickly if renewing members would please arrive with £8 per person in a named envelope. With this chore dealt with members will be able to meet up with friends, have a drink and settle down for the main event. I'm ashamed to admit that after 30 years of living locally I had not known we have an award winning specialist nursery in Toller Porcorum. Proprietor David Ennals of Coach House Cacti will be talking to us about caring for cacti and succulents - and is bringing plants to sell. As a lover of succulents I'm hoping he will have some that I need to add to my collection and can't resist! Gold medal winners at county shows over many years says it all and we hope to see a good turn out for David at the start of our 2025 programme. The club meets at the Litton Cheney Community Hall (LATCH) in School Lane. Doors open at 7pm. Visitors (£2) will be made very welcome. For further club information contact either me or Liz Gibbs – Secretary - on 07751 942588 Hope to see you there.