Parish Newsletter - April 2023

Compton Dundon and Littleton

Simon Dore has a group trawling newspaper archives for stories about the village, collecting many interesting snippets - murders, drunkenness, poaching, disputes over various things, fines for driving pigs on the highway without the appropriate licence and many more.

Over the months to come, you will read blow by blow accounts of these past happenings in our village. So far, investigation has covered 1797 to 1896!!

(Wells Journal April 1852)

“Shock of an Earthquake - On Saturday morning last, at ten minutes past six, the shock of an earthquake was most distinctly felt this city and neighbourhood. Many were startled by the shaking of their beds beneath them, and the apparent rumbling of heavy waggons. At Compton Dundon, the shock reminded its inhabitants of a similar event about 15 years since, which rent in twain the church wall.”

Village Lunches

The village lunches are at 12-30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every ALTERNATE month.

**Next Lunch: - May 31st**

Other dates for 2023: -

July 26th September 27th

November 29th + Christmas lunch

Please contact either: - Ally Dore 01458 840595 (allydore51@gmail.com) or Pauline Atkins 01458 272485 (paulineatkins1944@gmail.com)

Trish and Michelle would like to thank all of you who supported helped and donated to the coffee morning for the Childrens Hospice South West. A huge success. A nice atmosphere and a chance for a chat. The cakes were delicious and thank you to those of you who baked and donated them. The amount raised so far is £366-00.

Newsletter deadline for April issue

Friday 21st April 2023

To submit news items/information for the newsletter, please contact Alan Dean either by telephone (01458 270057), or email to alangdean@btinternet.com

Submissions for publication: - The quality in print of your submitted items depends on the standard of the image or documents if in PDF format. Items of poor quality may prove to be unusable.

Meadway Village Hall

Weekly Events

Short Mat Bowls - Monday evening and Thursday afternoon

Dance group - Monday afternoon and Thursday evening

Toddlers & Baby group - Tuesday morning

Pilates and Kettlebells groups - Tuesday 4 to 6.30pm and Friday

morning 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Line dancing - Wednesday morning and evening

Table Tennis - Wednesday afternoon

Yoga - Thursday morning

Music With Mummy - Thursday morning

Fortnightly events

U3A sewing bee - in meeting room Tuesday afternoon

U3A quilting for all - Thursday morning in the main hall

Craft Club - 1st & 3rd Tuesday 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Monthly events

Avalon Quilters - the first Saturday in the main hall

Women's’ Institute (WI) - second Wednesday - the meeting room

CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) - Coffee mornings 1st

Wednesdays 10-30 a.m. to 12 noon (see page opposite)

Gardening Club - first Monday - Meeting Room at 7-30 p.m.

Parish Council - first Wednesday (not Aug.) - Meeting Room 7 p.m.

All groups are open for you to join (Hall timetable - please see the website:https://comptondundonvillagemeadwayhall.co.uk/)

Hall monthly meetings 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Are you able to give some time to help in some way?

If interested please contact Janet Davies ( Chairperson) 01458 272877 or Tiffany Kearton ( Secretary) 07855 328979



Meadway Hall - No Dogs

To protect the health and well-being of children and all other field and Hall users, no dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) are permitted in the Meadway Hall or on the playing field and the children’s play equipment area at any time. New signs to reflect these restrictions will be in place soon.

Meadway Hall AGM - 14th March 2023

The meeting was very well attended and the following officers were elected: -

Chairperson: - Janet Davies (also 100+ club, WI)

Vice chairperson: - Tiffany Kearton

Treasurer: - Gary Millner (Co-opted- support by Simon Dore)

Secretary: - Greg Jones (also Cricket Club)

Minute secretary: - Angie Roberton

Booking secretary : - Tracey Hole

The other trustees are:

Kevin Fleming (Parish Council) Fay Ridgill (Gardening Club)

Helen Miles (Toddlers)

Steve King (PCC)

Brian Leyshon

Will Carley

Lynne Sandbach (SMB)

Ally Dore (Lunch Club)

Pete Matthews

Angela Harper (Co-opted)

Coronation Coins

If you would like your youngster to receive a Coronation coin from the Parish Council and they are 18 and under and LIVE in Compton Dundon or Littleton please can you send an email asap with their name(s), address and age to diane.churches@live.co.uk

Compton Dundon Women's Institute OPEN MEETING

Come and join us! Bring husbands and friends!

Wednesday 12th April - 2 p.m. Meadway Hall

Our WI meeting this month is an open meeting so please feel free to come and join us, bring your neighbours, husbands, partners and friends.

Our speaker, Michelle Blackmore is a Massage Therapist in Street and previously ran a personal training gym; Michelle was an endurance athlete, running Ironmans until a serious injury. She has a dog sled team and keeps herself fit running with her dogs and with crossfit. In addition to this Michelle keeps Owls and even uses them for patient therapy and she will give an illustrated talk on her life with these incredible birds. She may even bring one along to meet us!

We'll be serving tea and delicious cakes, do come and join us!

Members competition this month: An Owl in any medium. and Flower of the Month.

Next meeting on 10th May - Speaker Barbara Spencer Jones “Hanging up my pen". Cake & Tea, followed by a short AGM. Members competition: - Wartime Memorabilia

We have plenty of outings and activities planned and new members will be most welcome to help us reach our 95th birthday in 2024!

Please contact our Secretary, Janet Davies for further information: - 01458 272877.

Compton Dundon Women's Institute

Report of meeting of Compton Dundon WI held on Wednesday, 8th March 2023

Members of Compton Dundon WI met at the Castlebrook Inn for a lunch meeting. Sally welcomed all including two visitors, Sarah Chant and Jane Hill who we were very pleased to meet. There were two apologies. There was a brief session covering business matters before our lunch.

• Somerton WI are celebrating their 90th year on the 21st March and names were requested of those wishing to join Somerton’s meeting.

• The Spring Group Meeting is on 14th April at Puriton. The speaker is Damien Boyd, the author. Names requested of those interested in attending.

• 100 Club draw was held with four winners, 1st, Ian Marshall, 2nd Angie Castle, 3rd Sue Kirby and 4th Steve Collins. After this brief business section, those present were happy to be able to enjoy the Carvery luncheon and a selection of deserts. All enjoyed the opportunity for good conversations plus a very enjoyable meal.

The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, April 12th at 2.00 pm at Meadway Hall. The speaker’s subject will be “Owls – An illustrated talk.” There will also be a Bring and Buy. This will be an open meeting so visitors welcome to join us.

100+ Club

March 100+ club winners:

1st £20 # 8 Ian Marshall

2nd £15 # 10 Angie Castle

3rd £10 # 40 Sue Kerby

4th £5 # 37 Steve Collins

For more information, please contact:janetdavies123@btinternet.com or 01458

272877/07971 834166

Compton Dundon and Littleton Gardening Club

The speaker booked for the March meeting was unable to attend due to a double booking. Celia Linney kindly stepped in to complete her talk on “Flora and Fauna of Madagascar”. Madagascar split from Africa and India some 88 million years ago, and its isolation has produced many species unique to the island. The first part of her trip was spent in the west of the island and then flew back to the capital, known locally as Tana, to pick up a vehicle and head eastwards.

Throughout the capital, large spiders hang from trees which looked very menacing in the photos. Along the journey was shown the lush green vegetation and lemurs, chameleons and crocodiles (from Africa). Fossa, a cat-like animal, and snakes are the main predators of the lemurs. Small hamlets showed villagers who live in huts made of wood and straw about 8'x6' to house whole families.

Rivers course through much of the country and are used extensively for transport of goods. One noticeable absence was any sign of birds, they are eaten for food. Vanilla from a type of orchid is one of the main cash crops, ants take the place of bees in pollination of the plants. Fishing is done on the lakes.

The purpose of the trip was to the island of Sainte-Marie some 8 miles offshore of the mainland. This had been a pirate stronghold in the 17th and 18th centuries and the island has a large pirate cemetery. The seaward side is surrounded by a coral reef and mangoes which protects the island from storms. A trip out to sea in the hope of seeing whales was rewarded when a pod of 4 males and one female was spotted. They put on a magnificent display and produced some wonderful photos as they interwove through the waters. An exhilarating end to the trip. Celia was warmly thanked for her engrossing talk.

Hopefully all members now have their petunia plug which will be judged at the Village Show.

The April meeting will be a talk on 'Success with Rockeries', There will also be a Bring and Buy so please bring your split perennials etc. to the meeting.

On 15 May will be the Club outing to Brimsmore Garden Centre, Yeovil at 2.30pm for a seasonal talk with tea and biscuits. There will be 25% discount on purchases of plants etc.

Golf Society Report April 2023

So our season has begun and the start bodes well for the future (tongue firmly embedded in cheek!). After the abnormally dry winter we chose a wet day to begin. Our 2022 Champion, Nikki started it all off with her fine drive from the first tee – she later reverted to previous form by trying to take out both of her team mates at different points during the round. She does a fine version of the unsuspected 90 degree shot – (note to self - stand behind her when she is playing a shot)

Kevin, joining us for the first time, auditioned to be Nikki’s sub-assassin (to be known as an assassinistant), when he creamed a drive that hit a tree way off to the left, it then took a right hand turn and flew some 60 yards and just missed Jim as he walked towards the tee on the next hole.

A couple of the groups were in Eurovision mode, scoring nul points on some of the holes. Andy regaled us with a tale of how, on the sixth hole, he once managed to hit the fountain in the middle of the pond just in front of the tee, but they had since removed the said fountain – he then proceeded to hit his ball to exactly that spot in the middle of the water – I think they call that muscle memory!

Peter managed to hit his tee shot onto the groundsmen’s roof, but when they went to look for it, there were 10 more balls there and they couldn’t tell which was his! It makes us feel a bit better to think others play like us.

Nigel Hembrow had a laugh at Jim’s expense when he saw him chasing an electric trolley down the fairway and then he realised it was his own trolley.

You may think from reading these reports that there is little skill involved in the Society – but No! At the above-mentioned 6th hole, not ONE but FOUR people managed a tribute to the World stone skimming championships and Barnes Wallis’s bouncing bombs to get their balls across the pond.

As to the “prizes” (there weren’t any because Peter forgot to get any!!!) Royston scored most points, and Royston, Nigel Boobyer and Alan accumulated the top team score.

The next outing is on Monday 17th April at Orchardleigh Golf Club, near Frome. Newcomers welcome – contact simondore545@gmail.com if you would like to join us.

The other visits this year are to Minehead (May), Honiton (June), Long Sutton (July), Warminster (August), Brean (September) and Wheathill (October).

Quiz Night

Tuesday 4th April 7.30pm for an 8pm start

£2 per player

(food will be available to purchase)

Teams of up to 6 (no minimum size)

You MUST book in your team with Rob at the pub 01458 781178 for a place

On the first Wednesday of month (5th April)

10-30 a.m. to 12 noon

Compton Dundon Village Hall

Meeting Room For Everyone

Coffee, tea, delicious cakes

VILLAGE CALENDAR 2024

It is hoped to produce a Village Calendar next year so any photographers, please send your photos, in landscape format, of activities and places around the village for the months of January to December 2024 to linney.chris@gmail.com

On 11th March, Compton Dundon hosted their second Repair Café. We saw 24 items for repair, ranging from a china dog with broken paws to an industrial sewing machine, a water pump to a fishing bag. Scissors were sharpened and a beloved hairdryer fixed. A bike was brought into working order and a clock ticked again. Thank you so much to all those who supported us by bringing your items for repair or turning up for a cup of coffee and homemade cake. We are still in search of more repairers so please do get in touch if you could help. We especially need people with skills to repair electrical items.

FUTURE REPAIR CAFÉ DATES

April 8th Castlebrook Inn

May 13th Meadway Hall

June 10thCastlebrook Inn

July 8th Meadway Hall

August - NO Repair Café

September 9th Meadway Hall

October 14th Meadway Hall

November 11th Meadway Hall

December 9th Meadway Hall

Speed Indicator Device

20th February to 18th March 2023

Work for Comic Relief

We are incredibly proud of our pupils' efforts on Friday last week to raise money for Comic Relief. Various activities took place during the school day, including the purchase and wearing of red noses, wearing something red, playing games including 'Name the Rabbit' and 'Guess how many sweets are in the jar' and washing staff cars. Our pupils brought money in or generously donated their tokens to raise funds for people who face adversity all over the world and a whopping £131 was raised! By far, the most popular activity was taken up by staff, who paid a fine to leave early!! As you can see from the photos, Newton class did a thorough job with their car cleaning activity. (Sharon Love - School Manager)

The Parish Council

Parish Council Members

Cllr Geoffrey Walker (Chair) 446487 geoffwalkercdpc@gmail.com

Cllr Diane Churches 442078 diane.churches@live.co.uk

Cllr Kevin Fleming

Cllr Steve Lawrence (Vice Chair)

Cllr John Rowlands 07976 631321

Cllr Martyn Say

Cllr Chris Swain 440405 Cjswaintransportservices@gmail.com

Clerk: Helen Richardson Email: comptondundonclerk@gmail.com

Tel: 0789 9970173 Website: www.comptondundon-pc.gov.uk

The next Parish Council meeting is on Wednesday 5th April 2023 at 7 p.m. In the Meadway Village Hall, Ham Lane, Compton Dundon

Dean Ruddle is our County Councillor and a District Councillor for the Wessex Ward (Somerton and Compton Dundon)

For an appointment call 07976 556054 or email at deanruddle@icloud.com

Tim Kerley is South Somerset District Councillor for the Wessex Ward (Somerton and Compton Dundon)

For an appointment to see Tim, email at tim.kerley@southsomerset.gov.uk or call 07949 798507

For the latest community news and information, follow Compton Dundon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/comptondundon. Most past issues can be seen at this website:https://issuu.com/gregjones44/docs

Please report all crime and vandalism - phone 101 Make your local police support officer aware of what is happening in the village.

Neighbourhood Watch Reports

If you wish to contact the Police about an incident, please call 101 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Local village contacts for concerns or to report problems or about participation in the local scheme: -

COMPTON – Simon Dore – simondore545@gmail.com

DUNDON – John Gordon – johngordon1952@hotmail.co.uk

Parish Council Planning Business

The following planning items were discussed at the Parish Council meeting held on 1st March 2023: -

a) To receive notifications of district council planning determinations:

i) 22/03541/FUL: The Mallards Peak Lane, Compton Dundon. Change of use of land for the Installation of tennis court, associated groundworks and landscaping. Approved

ii) 22/02816/HOU: Mullions Compton Street, Compton Dundon. Repair and alterations to existing dwelling. Approved.

b) To agree responses to planning and legal consultations:

i) 22/03513/FUL. Compton Dundon Cricket Field, Hayes Road, Compton Dundon. Construction of patio and associated ramps for use in association with the existing cricket pavilion and pitch and to improve disabled access thereto (Re-submission of 22/02931/COL)

ii) 22/03461/HOU. Mead Run, Compton Street, Compton Dundon. Erection of a detached double garage in the front garden of property.

iii) APPEAL REFERENCE - APP/R3325/D/22/3300186. Appeal in respect of application decision reference 21/03862/HOU. The Old Farmhouse Compton Street Compton Dundon. Removal of a small 20th Century extension and the construction of new single storey extension to southwest corner of property.

c) Enforcement issues:

i) Access to Aphrodite House/Clarendon house

ii) Blocked Footpath L7/30

Chairman’s Blog

May I remind you please that there are only 100 coins commemorating the Coronation for distribution, so please get your names to Di Churches as soon as possible. Please see the advert elsewhere in this newsletter on how to apply for the coins.

By the time you read this blog, South Somerset District Council will have ceased to exist and we are now part of Somerset Council – our new Unitary Authority.

The Herald

Newsletter of St Andrew’s Church - Compton Dundon

If you need to contact the church, about Weddings, Baptisms or anything else, we'd love to hear from you: -

Reverend Ana Lawrence –Rector

Tel: 01458 841373 or email: revanalawrence@gmail.com

Mrs Sonia Beaty - Benefice Administrator

Tel: 01458 442671 or email: churchoffice8@gmail.com

Church Warden: Pat King 01458 274926

Services & Events - 2nd to 30th April 2023

All services start at 10.00am unless otherwise stated

Check ‘Upcoming Events’ at www.swcd-churches.org.uk

Date Service

Sunday 2nd April

Palm Sunday

Friday 7th April

Good Friday (11-45 a.m.)

Sunday 9th April

Easter Sunday

Holy Communion

Reflection & Crosses to Lollover Hill

Holy Communion

Sunday 16th April Morning Worship

Sunday 23rd April

Sunday 30th April

Holy Trinity, Walton 10-30 a.m.

Holy Communion

Benefice Service

Easter Monday Benefice Walk

All are welcome to come and join a walk of around 90 minutes, starting at ‘The Castlebrook Inn’ car park at 4 p.m. on Easter Monday 10th April, followed by early evening drinks in the pub on our return.

For further details please contact Pat King on 01458 274926. Hope to see you there!

New Life in Jesus

Dear Friends,

One of the real joys of my ministry is going into our local schools, whether for taking assemblies or collective worship as it is now known, for taking RE lessons or simply supporting and meeting with staff, students and their families, it is always a privilege to engage with new generations on matters of faith.

On one occasion recently, I was in the classroom with around fifty or so year 5’s (9- & 10-year-olds) with the question posed for my visit ‘How significant is it for Christians to believe God intended Jesus to die?’ Wow that was some question! We talked about sacrifice and the way that many parents and carers give up so much for their children which led to my telling them that God loved the world so much that he would do anything for His children. We then talked about the world in which things have gone wrong and what happens when we do things wrong. God had a plan for making things right when we do things wrong which was why he sent Jesus to die on the cross. As I read the story of the crucifixion (‘The dreadful day’ Storyteller Bible) you could have heard a pin drop. I was able to tell the class the end of the story up to Easter Sunday with a lot of help from them too.

One of the many questions I was asked was if Easter is all about Jesus, why do we eat chocolate eggs? Great question, to which I responded, explaining that eggs are a symbol of new life.

We have this new life that Jesus offers to every person because of what happened at Easter – the cross and the resurrection – Jesus is with us and lives in our hearts always. As the angel said to the women “He is not here, he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew chapter 28 verse 6). This was part of God’ s plan, and we can celebrate the risen Jesus not just on Easter Sunday morning but every morning!

I am thrilled that this year in addition to our two Messy Church Easter events (in Walton & in Street) that we are also hosting Elmhurst School for ‘Experience Easter’ in the Parish Church.

Please do be praying for all those who will hear the Easter message perhaps for the first time this year and also be praying for our local school communities as they continue to explore different aspects of the Christian faith.

My prayer for you is that you will know the risen Jesus in your hearts & lives this Easter & beyond.

With my love & prayers, Ana

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM 2023)

Our Annual Parish meeting is due to take place this month on 18th April, at 7 p.m. in St Andrew’s Church. This annual gathering is an opportunity to give thanks for all that has been over the past year and look to what God might be doing in the coming year. It is also the occasion when new PCC members, deanery synod members and church wardens are elected. Ana Lawrence

Joint Benefice Service

As you will probably know, we hold joint benefice services four times a year and these occur in months where there is a 5th Sunday.

In April, our benefice service will also be in Walton Church and can I strongly encourage you to join us. Whilst we have our individual churches with their unique styles it is good on occasion to meet together as a wider church family and to build new relationships as we worship and grow together.

March Cream Tea

On the first Saturday in March St Andrew’s Church was pleased to organise an afternoon cream tea in the Village Hall Meeting Room. It was a lovely occasion, with 45 teas served to villagers and friends, as well as to some of the quilters from their gathering in the hall next door. A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped, whether baking scones, setting up tables, serving, or washing up at the end. Thank you especially to those who came along for tea, scones and conversation. We didn’t watch to see who put on cream or jam first! £171 was raised for St Andrew’s Church funds, for which we are very grateful. We hope to repeat the cream tea during the Summer months -watch this space.

Refreshing the Diocesan Vision

For the past seven or so years the Diocese has been ‘living and telling the story’ of Jesus across Bath and Wells. With a new bishop in place, now seems like a good time to ask ourselves how we are doing that, and how we want to do that in the next season of our diocesan life together. The Diocese are keen to hear your views, by the end of April 2023. To let them know what you think please complete the survey below. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?

id=pmobfwCRBE20OeGHO2pcC54rjIEgtPRErIvuy2nktnlUNFVVQ1NaMkxTM

EhURFlZTlJDMFQxMUpPQy4u&web=1&wdLOR=c94FB0252-DFF0-45A0-

A9E9-19DECAA97267

To celebrate 10 years of A Cappella adventures, The Sons of Pitches are back on the road to bring you their ‘Best Bits’. Expect some of your favourite tunes from the last decade of SoP shenanigans, including songs from their debut TV appearance on Gareth Malone’s Naked Choir and favourites from all 5 of their UK tours. There’ll be a selection of ridiculous skits that should probably have been left in 2017 and of course, their trademark improvised numbers that you ’ll help to inspire.

Whether you’ve followed the boys on their journey or you’ve always thought A Cappella was a beach in Mexico, you’re in for a real treat with this show.