The Parish News Vol.31 No.13 NOV & DEC 2013

The Parish News VOL.31

NOV / DEC 2013

Magazine www.sparkfordvillage.co.uk

LOCAL CONTACTS VILLAGE HALL For Hire of Items, Bookings & Queries Please contact Victoria Rogers Tel: 01963 440475 SPARKFORD PARISH COUNCILLORS CHAIRMAN: Mr Justin Crawford, The Old Rectory, Weston Bampfylde, BA22 7HT Tel: 01963 440878 email: justincrawford@waitrose.com VICE CHAIRMAN: Mr Trevor Tuck, Elmhurst, 5 Manor Close Sparkford BA22 7JZ Tel: 01963 440860 email: Trevor.Tuck@hills-group.co.uk CLERK: Mrs Karen Bourke, Marberry House, Ainstey Drive, Sparkford, BA22 7JT Tel: 01963 440112 email: sparkford.clerk@gmail.com Mr Tony Bourke, Marberry House, Ainstey Drive, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7JT Tel: 01963 440112 email: tony.bourke1@btinternet.com Mr David Braithwaite, Greystones, Church Road, Sparkford, BA22 7JZ Tel: 01963 440848 email: david.braithwaite@btinternet.com Mr Larry Piper, Long Hazel Farm, High Street, Sparkford, BA22 7JH Tel: 01963 441431 (Day) 01963 441446 (Eve) email: larwpiper@btinternet.com Mr Kevin Davis, 35 Church Road, Sparkford, Somerset, BA22 7JH Tel: 01963 440068 email: d.k.davis@btinternet.com Mr Peter Downton, Wychwood, Church Road, Sparkford, Somerset, BA227JN Tel: 01963 441423 email: peterdownton@btconnect.com SOUTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL The Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 22HT Tel: 01935 462462 CHURCH WARDENS Mr Andy Voysey Tel: 01963 441010 Mr Ted Marsh Tel: 01963 440634 Beat Manager and Police Community Support Officers for Sparkford .

PC Sara Stephenson Tel: 0845 456 7000 (ask for Wincanton Police Station) Voice Mail: 01935 402268 ext 7 1164 email: Sara.Stephenson@avonandsomerset.police.uk PCSO 7815 Thelma Mead Tel: 0845 456 7000 (ask for Wincanton Police Station) Voice Mail: 01935 402268 ext 7 7815 email: Thelma.Mead@avonandsomerset.police.uk Queen Camel Medical Centre West Camel Road, Queen Camel, BA22 7LT

Main Tel: 01935 850225

Dispensary Tel: 01935 850379

Post Office The Supply Stores, High Street, Queen Camel, Somerset, BA227NG Tel: 01935 850432 2

FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the new look Parish News. A MASSIVE THANK YOU to the generous people of Haynes Publishing who have agreed to continue & publish the new feel Parish News.

I hope that I will not have upset too many of you whilst making these changes. Please continue to contact me with Ideas or items you wish to be included in the Magazine at peterdownton@btconnect.com

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Dates For Your Diary Craft Fayre Saturday 2nd November 10am – 12:30 Craft Fayre to be held in the Queen Camel Village Hall a lovely range of hand-made gifts. Raffle with fantastic prizes, refreshments, children’s games, luxury hampers to be won and much more.

Everyone Welcome – FREE ENTRY Come along and start your Christmas Shopping. All proceeds to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance ART WORKSHOP Sparkford Village Hall 9th Nov 10:00 – 2:00 Contact George Lawson 01963 440551 _____________________________________________________________________________________ BREAKFAST VOLUNTEERS - CHEESE & WINE EVENING There will be a Cheese and Wine evening, with raffle, on Friday 15 November at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall for all helpers at this year's Breakfasts. _____________________________________________________________________________________ CaféXtra The next CaféXtra Village Breakfast Gathering Will take place on Sunday 17th November.

Breakfast served 9.30am – 11.00am Sparkford Church welcomes everyone for good coffee, Toast, Croissant, milkshake bar & a round of bacon rolls.

This venture aims to provide a monthly meeting point for our village, with the option too To pray and hear a Bible story at one point in the morning. No charge for breakfast but contributions welcome.

CaféXtra dates will be as follows: Christingle themed one on December 8th ANNUAL EVENING CHRISTMAS FAYRE The Annual Evening Christmas Fayre is being held on Friday, 22 November 2013 in Sparkford Parish Hall between 7pm – 9pm This year supporting Diabetes UK and Royal United Hospital Bath Oncology New Build Fund.

On offer are unique and special gifts from local makers and businesses that include Christmas Decorations & Cards, Hand Crafted Wooden Gifts, Candles & Jewellery, Sweets, Cakes, Stocking Fillers, Books, Pre-loved Toys, Refreshments & Mince Pies, Tombola & Raffle and much more ….

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Davis Hall, West Camel Wednesday 27th November 8pm–11pm - £4 Doors open 7.30pm Please note there will not be a December Music Night so we wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you again on the last Wednesday of every month in the New Year Enjoy an evening of music ranging from classical, traditional, blues, country, folk, boogie, jazz and more. Each month anything from 8 - 12 different extremely talented performers entertain on a variety of instruments, from guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bazooki, flute and keyboards etc.

The artists range from local young groups or soloists, to established groups visiting from all over the South West. Raffle & bar. Find Camelot Music Night on Facebook or contact Martine/Iain on 01935 851556 or martine.hardy@live.co.uk if you would like to play and for more details.

Come and play a night of Cash Bingo at Sparkford Village Hall On Friday 29th November & Friday 20th December In Aid Of Cary Comedians Carnival Club Doors open 6.45pm. Eyes down 7.45pm. Under 16’s to be accompanied by an adult.

Contact Donna Osmond On 01963 440477.

Sparkford Neighbourhood Watch Mince Pies & Wine Evening Come to our “Get Together” on Friday 6th December 7:30 pm in the Sparkford Village Hall.

Mince pies & wine for all See You There.

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Castle Cary Choir Castle Cary Choir will be performing their Christmas Concert at the Queen Camel Church on the evening of FRIDAY 13th December at 7:30 pm For Ticket Prices & More Details Please contact Mr Ted Marsh 01963 440634 or Mr Andy Voysey 01963 441010

Sparkford Playing Fields Association are holding a Santa’s Grotto at Sparkford Village Hall on Sunday 15 December 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

Full Details will be circulated to all properties in the village so please return the reply slip to Lisa Davis, 35 Church Road as soon as possible for all children wanting to visit Father Christmas.

There will be lots of festive fun for all the family during the afternoon so please come along with or without children. For more information please contact Lisa on 01963 440068 or d.k.davis@btinternet.com

DID YOU KNOW ???

Did you know that you can Hire Tables, Chairs, Kettles, Crockery, Glasses, Cutlery & More from the Sparkford Village Hall.

Just make a Donation to the Village Hall Committee Contact Victoria Rogers Tel: 01963 440475

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What’s On At Sparkford Village Hall….

Galhampton Preschool (term time) Monday 9:00am – 3:30pm Wednesday 9:00am – 1:00pm Thursday 9:00am – 3:30pm Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm Contact Fiona Hooper Tel: 01963 440626 Monday & Tuesday Evenings ( Term Time ) Scouts Cubs & Beavers Tuesday Yoga 10:00am – 12:00pm Contact Marjorie Rourke Tel: 01963 350452 Wednesday & Thursday 6:00pm – 8:00pm Dog Training Classes Contact Lucy Roberts 07817 487901 Friday Men’s Barber in Committee Room 12:00pm – 6:00pm

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3rd Sparkford Scout Group Beavers: We have had a lot of new starters to beavers this term so we have covered lots of the basics, learning about the promise and the meaning of beavers, with great excitement!

We have a visit planned to Wincanton police station at the beginning of November and a couple of parties planned for Halloween and Christmas.

Cubs: Cubs has started back well and already we have been up to the local woods and been on a night hike. We continue to have great support from parents on these outside events. In the coming months we are planning on taking the cubs pack forward with lots of preparation for camping next year. This is an exciting time for us with Luke Bugler now taking the role of Cub Scout Leader and Rob Butcher has rejoined the section as Assistant Leader. We are always looking for people to help out, either as an occasional helper, leader or even just one evening sharing an interesting hobby or interest with the Cubs.

Please contact us if you can help with any of these.

Luke Bugler Tel: 07817 809886 or Rob Butcher Tel: 07901 774584.

Scouts: As always Scouts has started back into the Autumn term with lots of enthusiasm and fun starting with a couple of campfire sessions where the Scouts developed their open fire cooking skills and some fun at the swimming pool. Most recently Scouts have been developing their own ideas for fundraising for the 'Toilet twinning' charity (part of Tearfund - working to provide safe sanitation for people in developing countries). This will help them achieve their global challenge badge whilst learning more and actively helping to support an international charity. The programme for the rest of the term is full of a mixture of new and classic Scouting activities with tempting titles such as 'Dish and Dash' (Cooking combined with a night hike), Tentastic (competitive skill development in safe and competent tent erection) and much more.

Beavers 5 ¾ – 8 years, cubs 8 – 10 ¼, scouts 10 ¼ plus.

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SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH When you read this it will almost be Christmas and many of us will be collecting presents ready for the day. Hopefully all these will end up in the right hands. The dark evenings provide good cover for all those on the lookout for easy pickings, so don’t leave anything on view either in your car or through a window. Lock doors, close windows before settling down for the evening and leave lights & radios on when we go out.

There have been an increasing number of cold callers and unwanted phone calls.

Some even purporting to be able to stop these calls! Don’t get involved in anyway.

We are hoping to buy the Sparkford defibrillator and have it installed at Hazelgrove Services before Christmas and will be arranging CPR & AED training.

Please all come to our “Get Together” on Friday 6th December 7:30 pm in the Village Hall.

Bill Westcott

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SPARKFORD PARISH COUNCIL REPORT The last Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 7th October.

No Planning Applications had been received.

The following planning decision had been received: 13/02807/FUL – Erection of a new calf house. Land at Middle Farm, Weston Bampfylde. This application was heard at the Area East Committee meeting.

The application has been granted but with conditions relating to landscaping.

For those of you who regularly walk in Sparkford Copse we would request you look out for anyone fly tipping. There was a large amount of rubbish dumped at the Copse recently. If you spot anyone please ring 101 to report the matter.

There have been a few complaints recently about people not being able to walk their dogs in the cricket ground. Please note that although the main gate is padlocked there is a wicket gate further down Brains Lane, passed the oak tree, that is always open. We would request that all dog walkers be responsible and clear up after their dogs. There is a dog litter bin at the top of Brains Lane.

We have been advised that there will be a temporary closure of part of Footpath WN 27/2 starting from a point 30 metres west of the railway line and running in an easterly direction for approximately 80 metres to allow for works on the water main. The order becomes effective on 28th October and works are due to take 5 weeks.

The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be Monday, 4 th November 2013 at 8.00 pm.

Karen Bourke Clerk to Sparkford Parish Council sparkford.clerk@gmail.com 01963 440112

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FROM THE BISHOP Rt Revd Peter Maurice, Bishop of Taunton As many of you will know, this period in the Church’s year between All Saints and Advent is known as ‘The Kingdom Season’, and it invites us to reflect on what we believe the church is for.

You will have your own views, but at the heart of my response to that question as I look forward to Advent and Christmas is my continuing belief in a God who chose to come and make his home among us.

In other words the church is called to be a sign of the God who has come to earth to dwell with his people. Our purpose as a church is not only to make better the lives of individuals, but through them to enable local communities to flourish as well. It is only when a community flourishes that the individuals who live there can live well, which is why the church is right to be so concerned at the levels of increasing poverty and debt that we are witnessing across the country.

‘Seek the welfare of the city’, God told the exiled Jews through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, because in its welfare you will find your welfare. On a recent visit to the Halcon Estate in Taunton that is what I witnessed. The church at the heart of one of the most deprived parts of our diocese working in partnership with the school, the police, social services and other willing partners to enable the community to flourish – the Kingdom of God at work!

For all its weaknesses and foibles the church is still populated by Christian people who quietly go about the business of being Christians in their workplaces and communities, transforming them by their patience, kindness and generosity often over long periods of time. May God give us grace to continue to give evidence to the Kingdom by seeking the welfare of the communities in which we are set. +Peter Taunton

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Coffee Break Puzzle

Across

Down

1 Terminal battle? (8) 6 Drink - and suffer, by the sound of it (3) 9 Animal embraced by trainspotters (5) 10 Former prime minister gets cold on a holiday island (7) 11 Reduce tenderness, making one thug worse! (7) 13 Inferior note held by fellow (5) 14 Someone too concerned with book learning and pet training (6) 15 What thief might do - and how thief ends in awful peril (6) 18 Small room leader of orchestra needed for instrument (5) 20 Here is a gift (7) 21 Pernickety calif in trouble (7) 22 Wireless announcement in port (5) 23 Mongrel copper found by river (3) 24 Wear flowers - or loaves! (8)

2 Amaze Tory leader with a noise outside (7) 3 It's involved in hearing organ (3) 4 Regret mental lapse? (6) 5 Thing I've seen in goal (9) 6 Terribly eager to be consistent?

(5) 7 Annoyance in Texas open-air gathering (12) 8 Pole, peaceful and musical (5,7) 12 Bacon and ham's brought round in old vehicle (6,3) 16 Cricketer seen if going round tree (7) 17 Everyone goes over river with love for Greek god (6) 19 A solitary person - one between left and right (4,4) 22 The odd drink? (3) 13

Church Service Calendar Sunday, 3rd November 2013 - 4th Sunday before Advent (Red or Green) Readings: Isaiah 1.10-18, 2 Thessalonians ch.1, Luke 19.1-10, Psalm 32.1-8 9.30 am BCP Holy Communion at Sparkford 9.30 am

BCP Holy Communion at Sutton Montis

9.30 am

Village Service at Corton Denham

4.30 pm 6.30 pm

Tea Time at West Camel (Davis Hall) All Soul’s Service at Queen Camel

Wednesday, 6th November 2013 10.30 am Cleaveside Community Service at the Community Hall 7.00 pm Sacred Space at Sutton Montis Sunday, 10th November 2013 – 3rd Sunday before Advent/Remembrance (Red/Green) Readings: Job 19.23-27a, 2 Thessalonians 2.1-5, 13-end, Luke 20.27-38, Psalm 17.1-9 10.55 am Remembrance Service at Queen Camel 10.55 am Remembrance Service at West Camel 10.55 am Remembrance Service at Sparkford 10.55 am Remembrance Service at Sutton Montis 10.55 am Remembrance Service at Corton Denham 6.30 pm Remembrance Service at Weston Bampfylde Sunday, 17th November 2013 – 2nd Sunday before Advent (Red/Green) Readings: Malachi 4.1-2a, 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, Luke 21.5-19, Psalm 98 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion at Queen Camel 9.30 am BCP Holy Communion at Corton Denham 9.30 -11.00 am CaféXtra at Sparkford Village Hall 11.00 am 6.30 pm 6.30 pm

BCP Holy Communion at West Camel BCP Holy Communion at Weston Bampfylde BCP Evening Service at Sutton Montis

Sunday, 24th November 2013 – Sunday next before Advent/Christ The King (Green/White) Readings: Jeremiah 23.1-6, Colossians 1.11-20, Luke 23.33-43, Psalm 46 10.00 am Together at 10 Holy Communion at CORTON DENHAM 14

Sunday 1st December – 1st Sunday of Advent (Purple) Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5, Romans 13.11-end, Matthew 24.36-44, Psalm 122 9.30 am BCP Holy Communion at Sparkford 9.30 am BCP Holy Communion at Sutton Montis 9.30 am Village Service at Corton Denham 10.00 am Family Service at Queen Camel 4.30 pm Tea Time at the Davis Hall, West Camel 6.30 pm CW Evening Prayer at Weston Bampfylde Wednesday, 4th December 2013 10.30 am Cleaveside Community Service at the Community Hall 7.00 pm Sacred Space (with Communion) at Sparkford Saturday, 7th December 2013 2.30 pm The wedding of Tim Clark and Caroline Clarke at West Camel Sunday, 8th December 2013 – 2nd Sunday of Advent (Purple) Readings: Isaiah 11.1-10, Romans 15..4-13, Matthew 3.1-12, Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19 9.30 – 11.00 am CaféXtra(Christingle) in the Village Hall, Sparkford 10.00 am

Holy Communion at Queen Camel

11.00 am

BCP Holy Communion at West Camel

11.15 am

SMILE at Sutton Montis

4.30 pm

BCP Evening Prayer at Corton Denham

6.30 pm

BCP Evening Prayer at Weston Bampfylde

Sunday, 15th December 2013 – 3rd Sunday of Advent (Purple) Readings: Isaiah 35.1-10, James 5.7-10, Matthew 11.2-11, Psalm 146.4-10 9.30 am BCP Matins at Sparkford 11.00 am BCP Matins at West Camel 4.30 pm Carol Service at Corton Denham 6.30 pm BCP Holy Communion at Weston Bampfylde 6.30 pm Carol Service at Queen Camel 6.30 pm Carol Service at Sutton Montis Tuesday, 17th December 2013 6.30 pm

Carol Service at Sparkford 15

Thursday, 19th December 2013 7.00 pm

Carol Service at Weston Bampfylde

Sunday, 22nd December 2013 – 4th Sunday of Advent (Purple) Readings: Isaiah 7.10-16, Romans 1.1-7, Matthew 1.18-end, Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20 9.30 am BCP Holy Communion at Sutton Monits 10.00 am Holy Communion at Queen Camel 3.30 pm Carol Service at West Camel Tuesday 24th December 2013 - Christmas Eve Readings: Isaiah 9.2-7, Titus 2.11-14, Luke 2.1-14(15-20), Psalm 96 6.00 pm Christingle Service at Queen Camel 11.30 pm Midnight Communion Service at Weston Bampfylde 11.30 pm Midnight Communion Service at Sutton Montis 11.30 pm Midnight Communion Service by extension at West Camel Wednesday 25th December 2013 - Christmas Day Readings: Isaiah 9.2-7, Titus 2.11-14, Luke 2.1-14(15-20), Psalm 96 10.00 am Family Communion Service at Queen Camel 10.00 am Holy Communion at Corton Denham 10.00 am Holy Communion at Sparkford Sunday 29th December 2013 – 1st Sunday of Christmas (White) Readings: Isaiah 63.7-9, Hebrews 2.10-end, Matthew 2.13-end, Psalm 148 10.00 am Together @ 10 The Cam Vale Benefice Holy Communion at QUEEN CAMEL

Advent / Posada As of previous years if there are any families that wish to have the illuminated Nativity Scene in their homes during the period of advent Sunday 1st December Till Christmas will you kindly let me know so that I can arrange the required rota Ted Marsh 01963 440634

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Sparkford Church Rotas Flowers Nov 3rd

Cleaning

Sidesperson

Church Service

Mr & Mrs Marsh

Mack Wright

BCP Holy Communion

Nov 10th

Flower Guild Remembrance

Mrs Spencer & Mrs Hoddinott

Café Xtra

Remembrance

Nov 17th

Mrs B Cottier

Mt & Mrs Tallon

Norman Yeates

Café Xtra Sparkford Parish Hall

Mrs Altoft & Mrs Marsh Mr & Mrs B Goodland

Together @ Ten Bill Tallon

BCP Holy Communion

Nov 24th Dec 1st

Mrs A Tuck

Dec 8th

Flower Guild

Mrs Rankin & Mrs Sanders

Café Xtra

Café Xtra (Christingle)

Dec 15th

Mrs B Cottier

Mrs Voysey & Mrs Braithwaite

Rene Carpenter

BCP Matins Sparkford

Mrs Rogers & Mrs Skinner Mrs Carpenter & Mrs Yeates

Together @ Ten

Dec 22nd Dec 29th

Flower Guild

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Ellen Marsh

Is anyone in the parish of Sparkford interested in buying a one or two bedroom retirement park home at Long Hazel Park?

Please call Alan or Pamela on (01963) 440002, email us at longhazelpark@hotmail.com, write to us at Long Hazel Park, High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JH or call up and see us.

" Just Cakes" " Let me create a cake for your special occasion."

Justine Spacey Mandeville Green Close Sparkford Tel 01963 440785 or 07779 609613.

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The Village Cookbook..

Summer-in-winter chicken Ready in 25 mins Skill level Easy Servings Serves 4 1 tbsp olive oil 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 200g pack cherry tomatoes 3 tbsp pesto 3 tbsp crème fraîche (half fat is fine) fresh basil, if you have it Method Heat the oil in a frying pan, preferably non-stick. Add the chicken and fry without moving it until it takes on a bit of colour. Turn the chicken and cook on the other side.

Continue cooking for 12-15 mins until the chicken is cooked through. Season all over with a little salt and pepper.

Halve the tomatoes and throw them into the pan, stirring them around for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.

Reduce the heat and stir in the pesto and crème fraîche until it makes a sauce. Scatter with a few basil leaves if you have them, then serve with rice and salad or mash and broccoli.

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Copy deadline for inclusion by noon on 15th of each month The Parish News Editor: Mr Peter Downton, Wychwood, Church Road, Sparkford, BA22 7JN Tel: 01963 441423 Email: peterdownton@btconnect.com Printed by JH Haynes & Co Ltd, Sparkford, Nr. Yeovil BA22 7JJ 20