THE PARISH NEWS (Sparkford, Weston Bampfylde and Little Weston) (with Sutton Mantis)
February 1986.
Vol. 1, No.9
Editor: Mark Berry, Bridge Cottage, Sparkford, North Cadbury 40778 There's a lot of it about! Rain, as if you hadn't noticed this for yourselves, and 'flu - a particularly unpleasant strain, which leaves the legs feeling like rubber. To all who have been inflicted, a speedy recovery to full strength and fitness. And, dare we mention it, a certain amount of apathy and a Willingness to let someone else do the work. May we humbly suggest that we all look around and see if there is some small way in which we can help in one or more of the many activities taking place in our community. Items for the next issue by February 18th, please.
SPARKFORD
PARISH COUNCIL
At the meeting on 7th. January, it was with shock and much sorrow that the Parish Council learned of the death of Mr. Swainson, the Headmaster of Ansford School. For so long now Ansford has offered a natural and happy progression for many of our children on leaving the security of their primary school at Queen Camel, and letters of sympathy are to be sent to his grieving family and the Chairman of the Board of Governors. The street lights outside 43 and 55 Church Road and the second one along from the entrance to Manor Close are either not working or working incorrectly and Mr. Thistlethwaite, the County Street Lighting Engineer, is to be informed. Grave concern was expressed at the proposed intention of the South Somerset District Council to abandon its policy of regular street sweeping and replace it with an annual clearing of accumulated rubbish, probably at the end of each winter. It is understood that this proposal, if implemented, is to be reviewed when finance becomes available. . Meanwhile it is intended that resources should be diverted to the shopping and commercial areas of the towns within the district. A letter strongly protesting at this unfair decision which penalises country dwellers, who lack many of the facilities which are supported wholly or in part by the rates, and are available in urban areas, is to be sent to the South Somerset District Council. Work on the perimeter fencing of the playing field is in hand, but is being hindered by weather conditions. Mr. Cluett said that surface water on the field is also due to the recent heavy rainfall, but a careful eye would be kept on the situation. Comments by the judges of the Best Kept Village Competition are listed separately in this publication and parishioners are asked to note them carefully, particularly the one which concerns weeds. A letter is to be sent to British Telecom pointing out that the litter left in the telephone box at Sparkford lost the' parish marks in the competition, whereas in the past the tidy state of the box had earned marks. This can only be put down to the fact that this box is no longer cared for locally but by outside contractors. There will be no competition in 1986 because the organisers, the Community Council for Somerset, are assessing and adapting the competition to embrace an expanding entry in time for 1987. Avril Ward. Clerk to the Council.
BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION As mentioned above, here are the judges' comments on Sparkford and Weston Bampfylde for the 1985 competition, together with a copy of a letter from the Community Council concerning the future of the competition:-
SPARKFORD
& WESTON
BAMPFYLDE
Sparkford and Weston Bampfylde received sufficient marks to go through to the second round of the competition.
BUS SHELTER Mostly clean and tidy, but standard varied through summer.
TELEPHONE
KIOSKS
Weston Bampfylde kiosk tidy, and cared for, but kiosk at Sparkford had varying amounts of litter.
CHURCHYARDS Both Churchyards excellent, and a credit to their communities. Nice conservation area at Sparkford.
VILLAGE
HALLS
Both halls well cared for, and their surrounds neat and tidy.
PLAYING
FIELD (CRICKET
GROUND)
Beautifully kept. Pavillion in very good order, also seats.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS The shop, pub and both garages well cared for and no litter.
NOTICE BOARDS Boards generally in very good order, with the exception of the one at Sparkford Village Hall, which badly needs attention.
TIDINESS
OF RESIDENTIAL
STREETS
Unfortunately the streets had mainly weeds, which detracted from the overall appearance.
MAP Good, but it would help if small items such as seats, notice boards etc. could be marked.
GENERAL COMMENTS Good signs of continued community effort in both villages, but more effort is needed in some areas as shown above, with these taken care of you could be in business again. [The Sparkford notice board, referred to above, has, of course, since been repaired and repainted by Messrs. Nurse and Toop, and is now in fine shape - Ed.]
COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
FOR SOMERSET 18th. December. 1985
Dear Clerk,
BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION
1985
I am pleased to enclose the judges' comments on your entry in our 1985 Best Kept Village Competition. The comments are intended to be helpful and I hope you find them so. I am also writing to let you know that the Community Council has decided not to hold a Best Kept Village Competition in 1986. The competition has been expanding rapidly over the past few years with a greater number of entries and a higher standard of entries than in the past. There, therefore, has to be discussions about whether the present categories of entries and what is judged, is flexible enough for the future. Clearly the Community Council needs time to assess and adapt the competition to these changed circumstances. It has therefore, been decided to spend 1986 reassessingthe way the competition is run and how it can best promote its aims in the future. I can say, however, that we fully intend there to be a Best Kept Village Competition in 1987 and we look forward to visiting your village in the competition that year. Yours sincerely. (Sgnd) David Smith. Field Officer.
CHURCH SERVICES 2nd February - Sexagesima (Presentation of Christ in the Temple). 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion Sutton Montis 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion (Joint) Weston Bampfylde 9th. February - Quinquagesima. 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sparkford 11.15 a.m. Morning Prayer Sutton Mantis 6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer Weston Bampfylde 12th. February - Ash Wednesday. 6.30 p.m. Holy Communion (said) Sparkford 16th. February - lent 1. 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer Sparkford 11.15 a.m. Morning Prayer 'Weston Bampfylde 6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer Sutton Montis 23rd. February - lent 2. 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sparkford 11.15 p.m. Holy Communion Sutton Montis 6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer Weston Bampfylde 2nd. March - lent 3. 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion Sutton Montis 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion (Joint) Sparkford
Rev. L. Golledge. Rev. K. Reeve. Preb. J. Swingler. Rev. G. Waldron. Mr. E. King. Rev. R. Snowsell. Rev. R. Snowsell. Rev. R. Snowsell. Mr. C. Hemborough. Canon M. Raikes, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer Mrs. R. Hoskins. Preb. J. Swingler. Rev. R. Snowsell.
SPARKFORD CHURCH ROTAS Feb. 2nd. Feb. 9th. Feb. 16th. Feb. 23rd. Mar. 2nd.
Flowers Flower Guild Flower Guild Flower Guild Flower Guild Mrs. Chappell
Cleaning Mrs. Baker & Mrs. North. Mrs. Singer & Mrs. Norris. Mrs. Deacon & Mrs. Ridout. Mrs. Spencer & Mrs. Hoddinott. Mrs. Snelling & Mrs. House.
Sidesmen Weston Bampfylde. Mrs. G. North. Mr. N. Toop. Mr. N. Yeates. Mr. G. Chappell.
LENT BIBLE STUDY The first three dates for the Lent Bible Study course, all to be held at Springfields, Weston Bampfylde (Alan and Rose Hoskins) at 7.30 p.m., are February 20th and 27th and March 6th.
SUTTON MONTIS
CHURCH
We were pleased to welcome the Bishop of Bath & Wells to take our midnight service on Christmas Eve. The parish much appreciated his coming with his wife and family.
SUTTON MONTIS
100 CLUB
ÂŁ50 Christmas Draw winning ticket: No. 31, held jointly by Catherine and Christopher Davis.
CH RISTMAS
SERVICES
The services at both Sparkford and Weston Bampfylde during the Christmas period were well attended, and our thanks are due to those who gave of their time to lead them for us: Preb. L. Walsh, Preb. J. Swingler, Rev. L. Golledge. Thanks are also due to the Sunday School, who presented their nativity play during the morning service at Sparkford on December 22nd. It was a joy and pleasure to see the children taking such an active part in the service.
IN BRIEF The Christmas bingo at Sparkford Parish Hall on December 22nd raised ÂŁ93 for the Playing Field Fund. Thanks to all who helped and participated therein. We hear that the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve jollifications at the Sparkford Inn were very successful and that a good time was had by all. Herbert Dowell, late of Green Close, Sparkford, was buried at Sparkford on December 30th. Our deepest sympathy is extended to' all his relatives and friends.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY February 6th 6th 8th 8th 15th 15th 19th
Evergreen (Over-60's) at Sparkford Parish Hall (and then fortnightly). Keep Fit at Sparkford Parish Hall, led by Mrs. Eileen Snelling, 7.45 p.m. (and then weekly). Jumble Sale at Sparkford Parish Hall, in aid of the Hall Roof Fund, 2.30 p.m. Contributions will be received in the Hall from 10.30 onwards. Sparkford Parish Hall bingo, 7.30 p.m. Coffee morning in aid of Sparkford Church, at Duneagle, Church Road (Mr & Mrs Bob Dick), 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. Bring and buy stall. Coffee morning at Sutton Montis Village Hall, with Bring and buy stall, 10.30 a.m. Including 100 Club £10 January and February draws. Mobile Library at Sparkford.
THIS MONTH'S
RECIPE
After the excessesof Christmas and the New Year, back to basics! BREAD PUDDING Ingredients 12 ozs. stale bread 1 large egg 4 ozs. sugar 4 ozs. margarine 6 ozs. mixed dried fruit Mixed spice (to taste) Method Soak the bread in cold water for 15 minutes. Squeeze as dryas possible and put in mixing bowl. Add the sugar, fruit, spice and beaten egg. Mix well, then add the melted margarine. Put in greased pie dish and cook in the middle of the oven for 1'/2 hours at 325°F (160°C) Chris Longman. As a variation, try it as a steamed pudding - Ed.
STOP PRESS Sparkford Church will be spring-cleaned on Saturday, February 22nd. Volunteers to help will be welcomed, and are asked to parade at 6.00 a.m. or 2.30 p.m. - or both!