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
NEWS
Village Newsletter May 2026
Bridport Local Area Bulletin 23
rd
June 2026
The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is here for the community. Current members of the partnership include Bridport
Town Council, 9 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
Millennium Green - Annual Open Meeting
The Trustees of the Bridport Millennium Green will be holding their Annual Open Meeting on Wednesday 24th June in the WI
Hall, North Street, Bridport at 7pm. Annual reports will highlight what has been going on in the last year, while proposed
projects to be carried out over the next 5 years will be outlined. There’s also a chance to ask questions of the Trustees.This
will be followed by the AGM for Friends of the Millennium Green who will report on all their recent fund raising activity plus a
preview of the future programme of events.
West Dorset Mencap AGM
West Dorset Mencap are inviting members of the public to attend its AGM at Bridport Town Hall on Wednesday 24th June
2026. The AGM is a fantastic opportunity to hear about the work West Dorset Mencap does in the local area and how our
charity supports people with a learning disability.
Also joining us will be Julia Gannaway, Learning Disability Screening Practitioner with Dorset HealthCare University NHS
Foundation Trust . We will hear about the work being carried out to improve uptake of NHS Screening for people with learning
disabilities in Dorset. The talk is for anyone who supports a person with a learning disability and will raise awareness of
screening and reasonable adjustments that could support access.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will be held upstairs in Bridport Town Hall. Lift access is available if needed by entering the
building via the Tourist Information Centre below.
West Dorset Mencap is an independent charity which aims to provide help and support for people with a learning disability
living in West Dorset and we strive to offer support to their families, dependants and carers.
Dorset High Sheriff's County Line Walk
The High Sheriff of Dorset, Helena Conibear, and her dog Z, are preparing to embark on the County Line of Dorset Charity
Walk to raise awareness of County Lines (drug gangs exploiting young people) and to raise £10,000 for 10 Dorset charities
that provide skills, safe spaces, hope, opportunities, and awareness for young people.
The journey involves more than 200 miles around the county and begins at Charmouth on Thursday 25th June,
accompanied by Coast Watch and the Coastguard, before continuing on to West Bay. They will be welcomed by the Mayor of
Bridport at the West Bay Discovery Centre at 3.30 pm.
You can start donating to support this important cause and help make a difference to the lives of young people across Dorset.
To donate, please visit:
CROWDFUNDER:
Walking The County Line of Dorset for County Lines - a Charities crowdfunding project in Dorchester by High Sheriff
of Dorset
JUST GIVING:
High Sheriff of Dorset Charity walk to tackle County Lines - JustGiving
Bridport Swift Town Walk & Talk
Come and join Luke Phillips from the RSPB on a guided walk to learn about swift populations and their habitats in Bridport on
Thursday 25th June. Meet at 6.30pm in front of Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport. The walks last
approximately 1.5 hours.
Bridport Netball Club
Join our new women’s friendly Bridport Netball Club! All abilities welcome:
•
Fun, friendly & supportive
•
Improve mental well being through fun fitness
•
Make new friends, stay active, have fun!
•
18+ welcome
The Bridport Lions Club have kindly supported our club by paying a month of hall hire fees so all of July you can train for free.
Training will take place on Thursdays, 7pm - 8.30pm at Bridport Leisure Centre commencing Thursday 25th June.
Message us to book onto our sessions: sophiebutcher@hotmail.com.
Bridport Vintage Market
Whether you are looking for vintage items such as clothing, art, decor or anything else, the Bridport Vintage Market is a great
way to find unloved items that can fit seamlessly in your home. The markets take place on the last Sunday of the month from
10am - 4pm at St. Michael's Trading Estate, St. Michael's Lane, Bridport, DT6 3RB. The next market will take place on
Sunday 28th June.
Sustainable Bridport Repair Cafe
Bring items to the Bridport Youth and Community Centre, Gundry Lane on Sunday 28th June between 2pm and 4pm
and we will try and help repair and restore them - small electricals, furniture, toys, textiles, and bikes in need of repair and
tools in need of sharpening. Tea & cake while you wait!
We are still building up our volunteer team of repairers and general volunteer helpers. Please contact us if you would like to
help by email to: RepairCafe@sustainablebridport.org.
Spinning Wool and Flax Workshops
Would you like to learn a new skill? The spinning wool and flax workshops provide an opportunity for free lessons on how to
spin locally grown flax to make Bridport linen. Beginners will start with wool and progress to flax. Spinning wheels provided.
Spinners are welcome to bring their own wheel and move straight on to flax. To book, please email:
bridportregenerativefashion@gmail.com
The workshops take place at Bridport Youth & Community Centre from 7pm - 8.30pm on the following Mondays: 29th
June, 13th and 27th July.
Bridport Museum - Workshop
Led by Artist in Residence, Carrie Mason, An Introduction to Looping will take place at Bridport Museum on Tuesday 30th
June. The workshop costs £30 and there are two workshop sessions available: Morning Workshop 10.30am - 12.30pm or
Afternoon Workshop 1.30pm - 3.30pm. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners where you will learn techniques
used in the 'Short Ends' exhibition that can be scaled up to make coasters, baskets, bags and mats. All materials are provided
(twine and tools) and tea and coffee is also provided. Book your place here.
Bridport Primary School Colour Fest
The Friends of Bridport Primary School present BPS Colour Fest on Friday 3rd July, 3.20pm - 6.20pm. Colour run entry £5,
spectators £1 - tickets must be prebooked. Run, walk, hop or skip around the Colour Run course with fun obstacles, colour
powder & water stations. Start in your whitest whites & finish as a rainbow!
Key Information:
•
Gates open 3:20pm, Choir Performance 3:30pm
•
Colour Runs begin 4pm (4×30 min waves, time selected at online booking). All ages welcome!
•
Eyewear must be worn by participants, bring your own or available to purchase on the day.
•
Children in Year 2 and younger MUST be accompanied around the course by a paying adult.
•
Music, BBQ, Licensed Bar, Ice Cream Van, Face Painting, Raffle, Games & Tombola.
Bridport Clothes Bank Giveaway
On the first Saturday of every month, from 12pm - 12.45pm, Bridport Clothes Bank hold a giveaway of FREE clothing,
bedding, shoes and much much more at the Bridport Youth & Community Centre, Gundry Lane, Bridport DT6 3RL. The
next giveaway is on Saturday 4th July so come along, you might just find what you need!
For more information visit us on Facebook or email: BridportCB@outlook.com or call: 07596 077385.
Bridport Swift Town - Buglife
Bridport Swift Town presents Buglife! Join Martin Maudsley, ecologist & storyteller extraordinaire for an afternoon of
excitement with bugs in the Community Orchard behind St Mary's Church, Bridport on Sunday 5th July, 2pm - 4pm.
This is a free event and who knows what you might find! For more information visit us on Facebook or email:
bridportswifttown@gmail.com.
Bridport Carer Peer Support Group
The Help & Care managed Carer Peer Support Group is a welcoming, informal space to meet like-minded people who
understand the highs and lows of being a carer. The group meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 10.30am - 12.30pm
at The Bull Hotel, 34 East Street, Bridport DT6 3LF
Take some time for your own health and well-being, join us for a cuppa, a chat and the chance to meet others locally and build
your support network. Share experiences and feel heard and connect with others who understand. Drop in as and when you
can, there's no need to book.
Bridport Museum - Short Ends Exhibition
A creative response to the Sanctuary Rope & Net Collection by Artist in Residence Carrie Mason. This exhibition shows
Carrie’s response to the Sanctuary Rope & Net Collection researched during her residency at Bridport Museum in 2025. This
residency forms part of her Time & Twine project during which she is exploring rope as a three-dimensional line with the aim
of “taking drawing off the page” and learning basketry techniques to make sculptures
The exhibition runs at Bridport Museum until 16th July and admission is included in museum entry.
Bridport Town Council - Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan Review Consultation
Dorset Council, as the local planning authority, is required to carry out a consultation on the submitted Bridport Area
Neighbourhood Plan Review. People are being given six weeks from Monday 1st June until the end of Monday 13th July
2026, to comment on the content of the plan or how it was produced. Any concerns submitted during the consultation period
will be passed on to the independent examiner for consideration. The consultation can be found online here and a hard copy
of the updated Neighbourhood Plan is also available for public inspection at Bridport Library, Bridport Town Council Offices at
Mountfield and the Dorset Council Offices in Dorchester during their usual opening hours.
Bridport & West Bay Proposed 20mph Speed Limits Public Consultation
Dorset Council proposes to make Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended. The effect of the Orders
will be to introduce 20mph and 30mph speed limits along sections of various roads in Abbotsbury, Bridport, Broadmayne,
Burton Bradstock, Charminster, Leigh, Loders, Maiden Newton, Portesham, Warmwell and West Bay.
Please click on the following links for more information:
Notice of Proposal
Information Note
Draft Order - Bridport and West Bay
Proposed Order - Maps
The notice is scheduled to be published in the Bridport News, Dorset Echo and Western Gazette on Thursday 25th June
2026 and details of the full proposal are scheduled to appear on Dorset Council’s website on this date – this is when the
public consultation will begin; Comment on moving Traffic Regulation Orders – Dorset Council
West Dorset Western Area Transport Group (WATAG) Survey
The West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) campaigns for better transport in West Dorset. Its current
priority is to achieve an hourly service on the X51 between Bridport and Dorchester instead of the current two-hourly one. To
support the case for this a survey has been launched to get as much public backing as possible, and we would encourage
you to complete this please. It can be found on the WATAG website: watag.org.uk but if you would prefer to complete a paper
copy this can be obtained from the Bridport Tourist Information Centre in the town centre or Bridport Citizens Advice in South
Street.
Bridport Mayor's Log
The first log by the new Mayor of Bridport, Jonathan Bourbon includes the Bridport Mayor Making Ceremony, Weymouth Civic
Day, Wimborne Minster Mayor’s Thanksgiving Service, Bridport Charter Fair, West Dorset Singers, Houses Through Time
Book Project, Angel Carers New Premises & Wellbeing Space, Bridport Branch RBL Spring Party, Yeovil Civic Service and St
Wite’s & Dorset-Day Celebration Service.
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
Litton Cheney Parish Council
The Parish/Village Annual Assembly was held on Tuesday 12
th
May, several days after the BVN deadline. More details on this
event will be included in July’s BVN, and in early June the draft minutes will be available on the village website.
Can you offer up a maximum of three hours a week for the benefit of your community? That’s pretty much what it takes when
you are a parish councilor. If you would like to contribute to the well-being of your community and fellow residents, we would
love to hear from you. Please contact our Clerk, Debbie, at clerk@littoncheney.org.uk
Parish Plan – This was never going to be dealt with in quick time, and neither should it. Our last plan was formulated in 2005,
over 20 years ago, and what was relevant then, may have shifted somewhat to this point. We have therefore decided to revisit,
revise and re-issue. If you consider yourself a forward thinker, and believe that you, in concert with others of a like-mind, could
come up with ideas as to how our village and the community might develop over the next ten/fifteen years, then, at your earliest
convenience, please contact John Firrell – john.firrell@littoncheney.org.uk
Litton Cheney Trust
There have been recent changes to the trustees of The Litton Cheney Trust.If you wish to apply for a grant from The Trust,
please could you make your application to Madeleine Hickling (secretary). Email mandghickling@btinternet.com
What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in June
REGULAR EVENTS
Tuesdays 4.45 – 5.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661)
Wednesdays 4.45 – 5.45. Table Tennis (Paul Kingston 482162)
19.00 Yoga with Jane (Jane Hutchins 07882 527697)
Thursdays 9.15 – 11.15 First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only)
OTHER EVENTS
Sunday 7
th
10.00 – 13.00 Restorative Yoga with Nadiya Wynn
Thursday 11
th
18.45 - W.I. Craft in meeting room
Monday 15
th
19.00 -Gardening Club meeting
Sunday 28
th
16.00 - Community Fellowship
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
At the recent LATCH AGM, Chairman Ron Davidson stood down after twenty years in the role of Chairman. Ron has been
involved from the very beginning when LATCH was just a drawing on the back of a beer mat. Thank you Ron for your
perseverance, patience and diligence – a true LATCH Original!. At the AGM Andrew King was voted in as the new Chairman,
and Sarah Matthews as Vice Chair.
The White Horse
We’ve run out of time this month to write more than this! All been a bit hectic with all the bank holidays. Had a great time
though. Still here, still going. Look forward to welcoming you when you can. Thank you. Liz and Andy xxx
Thorner’s School Report
Since returning after the Easter break the children have been getting stuck in to a huge range of activities.
The older pupils have been putting the finishing touches to their SAMBA and vocal performance - ready to share with parents
and to also perform at the start of the Abbotsbury Tree of Strings Festival next month in the Tithe Barn. Younger ones are also
strutting their stuff and will soon perform their dance routines to the school and their parents after their great sessions with Amy
our Dance Instructor.
Our Book Fair was a triumph - many thanks to Mrs Biggins for organising and for Governors and Staff for manning the stall to
enable children to select from a wide range of titles and authors. This also raised some most welcome funds for the school
which we then used to refresh our school library.
In the same week the TSA held a brilliant disco for the children and it was a fantastic evening for all to dress up and have great
fun together in the LATCH hall. Thank you to the TSA for all their hard work again in organising events like this for the school.
In the office we were pleased with the good results from our Health and Safety Inspection and can report that no major issues
were identified and we have a short to do list to remedy some small snagging items and we are also pleased to report that the
swimming pool was given a clean bill of health as we look to reopen that in the summer.
The eldest children are due to sit their SATs tests shortly and we wish them well with their assessments and then look forward
to their last long (and hopefully sunny) half term of being at primary school!
Mike Sitch
Headmaster
Bride Valley Book Club Review
The Escape Artist by Jonathan FreedlandThere was much to discuss about this extraordinary book. The Escape Artist is the
true story of how two young men escape Auschwitz to inform the wider world of the Nazi’s industrial process of mass
extermination. An introductory chapter takes the reader immediately into the danger and tension of the escape bid and the
confined hiding space under a woodpile of planks next to the rail tracks inside the camp. A key part of Walter and his friend
Alfred’s strategy was to hide inside the camp for three days and nights allowing the Nazi security guards to believe an escape
had already taken place. Once the high alert and subsequent search had taken place it became easier to then breach the
security fence under cover of darkness. Much of the first half of the book records in horrific detail what was happening in
Auschwitz, the cattle truck transport, the separation on arrival into those who will imminently perish in the gas chambers and
those who will labour as slaves, the systematic theft of Jewish property, the appalling conditions of the camp and the brutality of
the Nazi officials. All this was a very tough read and we found it distressing. Against all odds and with tremendous endurance
and plenty of luck, Walter and Alfred manage to make it over the border to occupied Slovakia. Here they are helped by the
underground resistance and given forged (Walter becomes Rudi) identities.
The second half of the book documents the long and complex journey Walter/Rudi and Alfred’s report - documented and
verified legally - makes to reach the international audience who can take action. Walter/Rudi knew that thousands of Hungarian
Jews were about to sent to Auschwitz and he believed they had a right to know what fate awaited them. His report does
circulate but initially it is met with disbelief, procrastination and excuses. Action is slow to materialise but eventually the Jews
from Budapest were mostly saved from the camp. Walter/Rudi’s story is continued post war, he becomes an organic chemist
and works in various universities before emigrating to Canada. However he is a traumatised man and cannot sustain his
marriage or responsibility for his two daughters. He is especially bitter about the allied failure to sabotage the camps earlier and
the extent of compliance and collaboration which saw some Jews survive and others murdered. Those of us who did read this
book through to the end could appreciate its worth as a testament to this unspeakably evil episode in 20th Century history. The
timing of our reading seems very prescient in the light of current world events. Some of us just did not want to read about the
abject misery of this period and we respected that choice. Our conversation was wide ranging with travel reminiscences and
personal stories - a really good discussion about a difficult book. Liz Pinfield
BRIDE VALLEY GARDENING CLUB
At long last it looks as if summer is on its way! I can’t believe we’re saying that, when I’m writing this at the beginning of May,
we need rain, but the ground is already so difficult to dig into!
We are very much looking forward this month (Monday 15
th
June) to welcoming David Hurrion as our Celebrity Speaker for
2026.
David is Associate Editor of BBC Gardeners World. Gardening Journalist, Tutor, Lecturer and RHS Judge. He is
knowledgeable, experienced and entertaining.
He will be talking about “Creating a Jungle Garden”. This should be an excellent evening.
Tickets in advance are £5 each from Liz at bridevalleygc@gmail.com. All welcome.
The meeting will be at LATCH (Litton and Thorners Community Hall) DT2 9AU. Doors open at 7pm for drinks, nibbles and chat
and the talk will start at 7.30 p.m.
In April we held our AGM with an excellent attendance followed by a very interesting talk by Bryan Madders on Dahlias. David
brought along tubers for sale which were quickly sold. Unfortunately no volunteers came forward to help on the Committee. We
are still looking for a Chairman and Programme Secretary (this latter position could be done by two people working together to
organise next year’s programme if that would be easier). Please come forward if you feel you could help out as without a
committee this long standing local club will have to fold in October.
In the meantime we have some excellent speakers lined up. Meetings are held on the third Monday evening of every month at
Litton and Thorners Community Hall, DT2 9AU. Doors open at 7pm for drinks and chat, and the talk / demonstrations begin at
7.30 pm. Guests always also welcome for £2.
We are looking forward to (and will have had by the time this drops through your letterbox) our May meeting, when we have
James Cross, Head Gardener at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells.
For more information please contact Liz, Secretary
bridevalleygc@gmail.com
