October - November 2022 edition of The Stourton Caundler magazine

The Stourton Caundler

Clubs and Committees in Stourton Caundle

Bell Ringing Clive Jones

Monday

Cycling Group

Mon &

Eden

Garden Club Linda Walters

Wednesday (Sep

Events Committee John Waltham

Knit and Stitch Linda Walters

Mondays Oct to May

League of Golfers Roger Paull

Monthly, 3rd Sunday

Music and Song John Waltham

Fortnightly, Sundays

Parish Council Sue Harris

Monthly

Sports Club Weekly Pete Smith

Tues,Thurs

St Peter

s Church Andrew Reed

Village Hall Committee Chair

yearly

Pritchard

Welcome Club Margaret McKay

Club

Front, Back pages,

Queen

Oliver

The Caundler Team

Neil Gillard

Rob Page Treasurer

Jane Waugh Advertising

Rachel Page Production 363886

Cicely Diack Proof Reader 363694

Andrew & Anna Oliver Distribution 362109

Sarah Kwiatkowski

Editor 362251

Rachel Page Editor. 363886 Jane Yandell

Dear Readers

Editor 362376

A message From the Editors

This edition celebrates the wonderful artistic talents of some of our neighbours. Next edition is from our PCC, but don’t forget, we would love to hear from you too. See below to get involved.

A Royal Encounter or Two

2012 will go down in history for me not just as the year of the London Olympics, but also the year that Her Majesty the Queen came to Hatfield as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour and visited Hatfield House to celebrate its four hundredth anniversary which had taken place the previous year. Hatfield House is the home of the Marquess of Salisbury and the Cecil family and was where the future Elizabeth I grew up when she was sent away from Court after the death of her mother, Anne Boleyn.

The public part of the royal visit took place in the grounds of Hatfield House and afterwards the Queen, a friend of the Cecil family, had agreed to meet estate workers, the local great and good, residents of Old Hatfield (the posh part of Hatfield which is a post-war new town) and then have lunch in the House.

My company was based in recently built offices on the estate (more about this later) and we did some work for the Estate Office and helped out the House textile conservator who was promoting the work done to conserve the famous Four Seasons tapestries. The estate staff must have thought we were a reliable bunch to work with because they enquired if I would be prepared to meet the Queen and introduce 10 local people to her when she made her much anticipated visit to Hatfield. I was very surprised to be asked and blurted out that I’d be delighted to do this without thinking properly about what was involved.

A couple of days beforehand I was given my security pass, car parking sticker and the instruction to be in the Long Gallery in the House early in the morning to be briefed.

I am ashamed to admit that I spent more time worrying about what to wear than about what I was being asked to do. I duly turned up at the Long Gallery in my best frock in good time. Picture a very long Jacobean gallery hung with Old Masters where hundreds of years ago the ladies of the Court would walk to take exercise. Both sides of this very long room were lined with people. I was shown to my spot, told not to move away and met for the first time the ten people I had to introduce – name, job or link to the proceedings and what they had done to warrant the honour of an introduction.

Panic stations! Nothing written down. I had to memorise the names, attach them to the correct face and think of something succinct and appropriate to say. I ‘interviewed’ each person and tried to find something odd or funny about them to help jog my memory as by this time I was quaking in my shoes.

Eventually there was a kerfuffle at the far end of the room and I saw Lady Salisbury, who is even taller than me, escorting a tiny person in a lilac coat and hat along the line of excited and nervous people. Everyone has heard about the natural

beauty of the Queen but when I was introduced to her, I was stunned by what a very beautiful woman she was even in her 86th year. She was tiny about 4ft 10in, I would guess. She really did have gorgeous skin, clear sparkling blue eyes, a wonderful smile and the ability to appear animated and interested in everyone she met. She must have worked her legendary magic on me as I managed to remember the names and connections of my group of ten and they all responded appropriately to her enquiries. By the way, never once did I hear her utter the immortal words ‘And have you come far?’ All too quickly she moved on to the next person in the line leaving me feeling incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet such an extraordinary woman.

The following year I got a phone call from the Estate Office to tell me that Prince Charles was making a private visit to his friend Lord Salisbury to see how they were redeveloping Old Hatfield and that the Prince might want to visit my offices.

Lord Salisbury and his team always considered how potential new buildings would look and perform in 300 years’ time. They were also very environmentally aware and keen to create sustainable mixed-use developments that looked as if they have evolved naturally. Echoes of Poundbury, perhaps? The heart of Old Hatfield is listed so the plans for a mix of new homes and offices using the latest green technology, including ground source heat pumps, had to be very sensitively handled, particularly with local and very vocal residents. The finished buildings looked wonderful and functioned well and Lord Salisbury was naturally very proud of them and wanted to show them to Prince Charles.

I was sworn to secrecy because the visit would be judged a complete failure if any press or members of the public turned up to see him.

Well, the first person I told was my husband who was highly amused by the instructions I had been given. I was to wear normal office clothing; in other words, I was to appear surprised by the visit! I was to lurk at 1.30pm outside the door to my office in case Prince Charles happened to walk past but of course I had to realise that this might not happen.

How could I not tell the staff in my office? They were very excited when I told them but disappointed when I explained that they had to stay inside and not tell anyone or else I would be dogmeat! They all gathered at an upstairs window which gave them a great view along the only road to the building.

I stood awkwardly outside, waiting. It is very difficult to loiter without intent when you can spot the heir to the throne in his familiar light grey, double-breasted suit strolling towards you, accompanied by Lord Salisbury who performed the introduction. I was less nervous this time and asked His Royal Highness if he would like to come in, look around and meet the team.

The Prince was very enthusiastic and said he’d love to come in. I led him up the stairs to the office, showed him around and together with Lord Salisbury and my colleagues tried to answer his many detailed questions. He was impressed with the building which I am sure pleased Lord Salisbury. The staff were amazed that the Prince of Wales was visiting our small company and thrilled to be introduced to someone who was so relaxed and friendly with them and keen to find out what they thought about working in such a modern, yet traditional building.

Given the recent sad news about the death of Queen Elizabeth II and my links to Hatfield House, I have thought a lot about the second Elizabethan age and realised how fortunate I was to have been born not long after the end of the last war. My first childhood memory is as a four year old on Coronation Day on the Isle of Arran, attending a children’s party with egg and spoon and sack races and jelly and ice cream afterwards! My daughter, Harriet, invited me to accompany her to a garden party at Buckingham Palace at the end of May 2019 where I saw the Queen but didn’t have a chance to meet her. Looking back I believe it was the last garden party she attended in this country.

Melanie Lillie

I Love Hedgehogs So Much I Wanted to Help

My name is Alice, I’m 12 years old and I live in Singapore but am in England for the holidays, staying with my grandparents in Stourton Caundle. I love hedgehogs so much and I know that their numbers are decreasing so I wanted to help them.

I decided to do a bake sale where all the money raised goes to The Hedgehog Rescue of Hazlebury Bryan. I would like to thank everyone so much for coming and contributing to the £150 raised!

I was so glad that later I got to visit the hedgehog rescue; thank you, Jeanette, for introducing me to your hedgehogs! Also thank you so much to Jo and Chas Williams for your encouragement and support for the bake sale.

Alice

Welcome Club Report

There was no meeting in August.

In September we had a trip to the Watercress line in Hampshire. A very enjoyable day made so much better with some lovely weather.

At the September meeting on 21st we were entertained again by Brian Bates talking about Tales from Dorchester prison. He had many stories of prisoners in the first world war.

Our AGM is scheduled for October and in November, Luke Mouland will be talking about Dorset Red Cross.

Dear Stourton Caundle Parishioners

Ride & Stride is the annual fundraising event for Dorset Historic Churches Trust and is their main source of income. Last year it raised £106,000, of which Stourton Caundle contributed £1059. This year Tom Eden and the cyclists of the Caundle Velo Club plan to do a 53 mile ride taking in 22 churches. I know we are living in difficult times, but I do hope you may nevertheless be able to help by sponsoring them. If you can make your donation through the Just Giving website, that would be greatly appreciated, as it makes the accounting and claiming gift aid so much simpler.

The link to the CVC's Just Giving page is:

You'll come to a box headed 'Add a public message (optional)'. If you put 'Stourton Caundle, St Peter's' at the start of your message, this will ensure that half of the sum raised will come back to our own Church Maintenance Fund. The rest, plus any gift aid, will go to Dorset Historic Churches Trust.

If you prefer to give by cheque (payable to DHCT R&S) or cash, please drop it in to me at Golden Hill Cottage, or ring me/leave a message on 01963 362109 and I'll call round and collect it.

Andrew Oliver

Collect Your Sand Bags’ to be Prepared

It was on October 31st last year that a number of houses in the village were seriously affected by flash flooding, as well as The Trooper. At the request of the parish council, we have been supplied with 400 filled sandbags by Dorset Council, free of charge. These are now being stored in a dry barn at Manor Farm, by kind arrangement with Oliver Simon.

When wet weather returns, or before it does, if you wish to collect some sandbags to protect your property please contact Oliver on 01963 362471. Alban Harris may be able to assist in delivering to you, if you are not able to arrange collection.

The extremely heavy rainfall of last October may have been part of predicted extreme weather events, due to climate change, so it is possible that we may experience flooding more often than in the past.

Jane Westbrook Flood Warden

Village Hall Internet

Please do not be jealous, but we are now pleased to offer unlimited full fibre broadband in the Village Hall with download speeds of up to 100Mbps. It is available throughout the hall and sports room.

Details of username and password are posted in the hall.

Do you work from home or are the kids driving you mad? Do you need an office or meeting room for the day or part of the day. Our meeting room is now available for hire with unlimited broadband. Just complete the booking enquiry on the village website or speak to me directly for more information and hires.

Rob Page 363886

We have received this opportunity for unlimited full fibre broadband thanks to funding from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership and the Government. Anyone with any ideas how we can make the greatest use of this facility please speak to the village hall management committee.

Rob Page

NATURALLY THINKING

BY Margaret Waddingham

Remember the days when moths joined you in your bedroom the moment you put the light on, even when curtains were tightly closed? And did you find this year that only a few arrived? Warm summer nights and moths seem to go together like fish and chips (well, sort of), so I suppose that we can only deduce that they have joined the sad ranks of declining species. Although that sudden flutter and flapping and zooming can be a nuisance if you’re trying to read before you drop off to sleep, it has always fascinated me the way they suddenly disappear when you plunge the room into darkness. They obviously find their way in through the merest chink, and they seem to find their way out just as quickly but as our village has no street lights to head for, what lights can they see? As I have said many a time before, I am no professional in these matters, I just look things up when curiosity gets the better of me, and here, with a bit of imagination from me, is what I found.

As it is primarily nocturnal, a moth evolved to travel by the glimmer of the moon, and the bright, garish lights of today have thoroughly confused it. It was probably still trying to adapt to other forms of lighting that man had invented over the years, when along comes Thomas Eddison with his dazzling electric light bulb. Maybe that was one step too far for the poor little thing. It thinks that our lights are lots of artificial moons and finds them irresistible, but isn’t it remarkable that it manages to exit as quickly as it entered once the room is plunged into darkness? Presumably it has seen the faintest glimmer somewhere outside that is far too faint for human eyes. Heaven help it if it is anywhere near a brightly lit town.

In the last week of August, I watched swallows and house martins gathering on the power lines opposite me. At least, I assume there were swallows amongst them but there haven’t been so many of them around this summer. More and more gathered, sat quite still for a good a quarter of an hour, then suddenly took off as one, swirled around in a practice flight, then, a few minutes later, returned, a few at a time, to the same power line. To begin with, there weren’t so many, but there was one anxiously going up and down the line, looking as though it were checking to see who was missing. Gradually, the line filled up, and I looked away for a few minutes. When I looked back they had all gone, and this time they didn’t come back. They don’t usually leave our shores until the middle of September, so perhaps they are preparing to meet up with other colonies before they all take off in one huge flock to warmer homes.

There was a thatched cottage opposite us when we lived in Devon and it was on this roof that I saw one of the most amazing sights. The roof gradually became completely covered with house martins and swallows so that eventually hardly a

straw of thatch was visible. However, as you might guess, I went away to do something else for about 10 minutes, and when I came back, every bird had vanished. It was as though I had dreamed the whole thing.

By the way, did you know that the collective nouns for house martins is ‘a richness’ and that for swallows it is ‘a flight or gulp‘? Nice - I like those.

My daughter, like many others, loathes wasps. Many don’t like them with good reason because they are allergic to their sting, but most of us are just very wary of things that are likely to cause pain. Righteously, I try to point out all that is good about them but my daughter is very sceptical. There is a lot going for them though. They help to keep down spiders, woodlice and aphids and other pests and they are great pollinators. And for those who are still not convinced, wasps could also be credited indirectly with the invention of paper. Whilst watching wasps build a nest one day about 2,000 years ago, a Chinese eunuch was so fascinated by what he saw that he began to mulch wood. Result? The first rudimentary piece of paper. The nicest thing I saw in the last week in August six tiny frogs, the size of my thumb nail, sitting on lily leaves in my pond. And the collective noun for a group of frogs is called ‘an army’. This was a very, very small army.

AUTUMN DRIVE IN TWILIGHT

by Margaret Waddingham

Trees are dark against the sky, hills a misty dream, mud escapes beneath field gates, lanes have turned to streams. An anxious, homeward flying bird, a pallid slip of moon, a narrow band of day’s last raysnight will be here soon.

All about the countryside, darkness spreads around, and leaves the world to floating owls and chilly, night time sounds.

Garden Tips

I started this article on August 11th, and it was Hot as Hell. I sat writing in complete darkness. The drawing of the curtains really helped, and come 7.00pm I could draw them back. It was 6.30pm and outside it was still 30 degrees! Yikes, if this is not a warning to us all about climate change I don’t know what is!

It’s now early September, and although it’s cooler, still no rain… I find it hard going round my garden at the moment, as so many of my plants are really suffering and I don’t mean just perennials, it’s shrubs and trees too. I’m just hoping that they will eventually recover once the rain comes. It’s tempting to cut back everything that’s gone over or looking half dead, but then you expose them to more suffering. Best to wait till that rain comes!

It’s worth making a mental note of what is coping in these conditions, and what’s thriving. Most Mediterranean plants will be loving the heat/dry. Some of us will be saying “I’m getting rid of my pots”, or removing plants that haven’t coped. But next year we could have a wet summer! A good variety/range of plants is what we should all be aiming for.

With regards to watering in these conditions; I have only been watering my few pots and new plants, with the exception of the odd favourite plant that’s been looking desperate, using all my waste water (water butts have been empty for weeks), using tap water to top up my pond. It’s agony as all I want to do is pour water (gallons) on the whole garden!

We can all learn from how our plants have coped, and the questions you have to ask yourselves (assuming all your plants were put in by you are A) did I plant it in the right place? And B) did I give it the best start ie prepping the hole/adding compost, watering (not letting it dry out in its first year) mulching round the roots? All the above will give it a much greater chance of survival in stressful conditions such as these. The other point we should return to is Autumn Planting. You know I’m going to mention mulch, so there’s lots to think about and do this coming autumn. Make lists and plans, and don’t despair!

On a different note “plants connected to people”. So many plants in my garden were either given to me by my lovely Mum, friends and fellow enthusiasts, or I’ve taken cuttings of plants where I work, seeds too. One such plant is a white Mallow that freely seeds around, I absolutely love it and how I came to acquire it! Rose, someone I used to work for, wanted to go and see a garden where I was working at the time (owners both at work!) So we arranged a secret visit and I prayed no one saw us! But there in their drive was the white Mallow. Rose said “We must have some of that”! So that’s the story of one of my plants! But I love that connection, especially if you then pass on cuttings or plants to someone else. Well, that’s all for now! Your Garden Guru

Flower & Produce Show and Garden Club Programme

Flower & Produce show

The extraordinary weather this summer had a major impact on the flower and produce show on Saturday 3rd September, with vegetable entries particularly down on normal years; no entries at all in the onion and carrot categories, only one entry each of courgettes and shallots, and two entries in the beetroot, runner bean and french bean classes. By contrast, there seems to have been a glut of fruit, especially apples, with entries higher than normal, and plenty of tomatoes. In an attempt, perhaps, to compensate for these shortages, extra efforts seem to have been made with the ‘domestic’ entries (baking, jams/jellies/marmalade, chutneys and alcoholic drinks). Overall, however, entries reduced to 241, compared to 324 in 2021, and, sadly, there were only two entries in the children’s classes, against seven last year, of the Ken Moore watering can for the best children’s entry.

The Tea Party

The tea party, which followed allowed members and friends to enjoy some of the entries in the cake section of the show, while raising some £156 for the club by the sale of tea tickets. An auction of some of the produce shown on the day, conducted with their normal high style, by Neil Gillard and Harry Dike, raised over £140 for the village defibrillator fund. Thanks as always are due to the committee and supporters for organising the event, as well as arranging and serving the tea, and to the exhibitors for making the show a success.

Forthcoming Programme

The garden club has organised another fascinating season of talks and demonstrations for members and visitors, the details of which are now on the village website. However, as a reminder, the first of these will be on Wednesday 12th October, when Katherine Crouch, a Chelsea Gold Medal winner in 2013 and BBC Gardener of the Decade in 2008, will be talking about the self seeding garden. The meeting will start at 7:30 and membership subscriptions will be collected at the door from those who haven’t already signed up.

Broken Nails

See centre page for full cup and prize winners.

Thoughts from Carolyn’s workshop

Many people take up painting for relaxation, which is funny as I see varying levels of stress in the class, when things are not working out! One thing that is definite is that painting is all consuming. Life problems and stresses are pushed out completely from the mind during the creative process. There are very few things in modern life (not on prescription!) that can do that. There have been numerous times I have forgotten to pick up my children from school, because I have become so immersed in a painting. This complete escape is for me the reason to paint. Not to produce a picture worthy of a frame at the end, but to feed the soul with the creative process and get a busy, over active mind completely absorbed in something pure.

An artist friend once asked how long I had been painting, and then after my reply asked, “...and how long since you started seeing”? I often think of this question when teaching. I find we all hesitate and falter at the same hurdles. Much of what I teach is how to turn off the all knowing part of the brain which dominates most of our interpretation of the world around us, and turn on the part of the brain which interprets pure electrical impulses from the eyes. The classic left brain/ right brain struggle. How to truly see in observational painting. I teach techniques to achieve this. A simple one is to turn the canvas and the reference upside down. The dominant brain gives up at this point and allows us to see our subject as it truly is. Sometimes it’s just a case of being aware of the traps. Know that, if left unchecked, you will paint those grasses evenly spaced, and the head of that distant figure too large! After 30 years of painting I still have to consciously make head smaller and randomise my grasses!

Fear rears its head often in the studio. Students are worried about having their work judged, not by other members of the class but by those helpful partners at home! This stops students working on the canvas as a whole, and, instead, making sure ‘that bit looks ok before I take it home’! Students are too often concerned with the end result while they are painting. My father, a professional artist for over 30 years used to say “they’re not waiting for this at the Tate you know!” I believe every piece should be viewed as practice then the pressure for it to fulfill our expectations, is reduced. Students can then enjoy the process, and invariably when this happens, the end result exceeds expectation.

Other things taught in my classes are merely technical short cuts to achieve certain colours and effects. Over 25 years I have developed a bag of tricks, through trial and error. They are techniques that I am able to share so that my students have a short cut to success. Some of them involve which colours to use, others

involve simple steps to achieve a look, for example reflections. They are tried and tested and are able to be adapted to suit whatever subject the student is painting. Some of my students have never exhibited before, and this is the reason for mounting exhibitions. Again, fear is the culprit, and like anything in life, it’s usually never as bad as we expect. So, my first timers exhibit with some experienced painters at the Guggleton, particularly during Dorset Art Weeks. Seeing their work framed on the wall being enjoyed by the public raises their self confidence and help them to value their skill as artists.

I have just set up South West Art Courses Ltd which has now become accredited as a City and Guilds Centre for delivering both Level 1 and 2 Certificate in Creative Techniques. Located at The Studio, Grassroots Garden Centre in Henstridge, these courses are aimed at those wishing to embark on a creative course which leads to a Nationally recognised qualification. The next intake will be January 2023. If any of you are interested here is my email Carolyn@southwestartcourses.co.uk if you would like more details.

Carolyn Finch Corlett

VILLAGE HALL ‘100’ CLUB AUGUST & SEPTEMBER DRAW WINNERS

Drawn at The Trooper on 10th August 2022:

First Prize: £25.00 No.135 Jane Yandell

Second Prize: £20.00 No.149 David Jeanes

Third Prize: £15.00 No.249 Clive & Cindee Taylor

Drawn at The Trooper on 14th September:

First Prize: £25.00 No.182 Mark Fenwick

Second Prize: £20.00 No.6 Geoff Heffer

Third Prize: £15.00 No.131 Ron Tite

It’s come to that time of year again when we shall be knocking on your door to ask for your annual subscription. The cost is £6 per number and you can have as many numbers as you like. If you would like to make your annual payment by Bank Standing Order please phone me for the details. Thank you, in advance, for continuing to support the Village Hall in this way.

Anna Oliver 01963 362109

The Joy of Painting

I would certainly never refer to myself as an artist, rather someone who is learning to paint. I often still feel like a beginner, although I have been painting, very much on and off, for almost twelve years! I have always appreciated art, enjoyed visiting galleries and art shows and have even been known to purchase a modest piece here and there! There is now no space left on our walls at home!

Art was not encouraged at my school in Devon and to be honest, I don’t remember feeling I really wanted to paint. For many years, I taught modern dance and drama, mainly in Colleges of Further Education and so I suppose I did possess some sort of creative flair. However, it was not until much later in life, that I began to think that I would like to learn to paint. Possibly, it was the idea that when I could no longer get on a horse or tear around a tennis court, I would still be able to pursue this more sedate hobby!

A friend in Hazelbury Bryan told me that she had met someone, newly arrived to Stourton Caundle, who taught art. Out riding one day, I bumped into Carolyn Corlett and we had a chat about starting a small art class in the village. A while later, four or five of us began to gather once a week at her home studio in Cat Lane. I believe I was the only one who had literally never picked up a brush before. It was a little daunting to begin with, but the rest of the group were encouraging and Carolyn, wonderfully patient and helpful. I was without doubt quite hopeless to begin with, displaying no natural talent! I was, however, completely hooked from day one! I loved mixing the colours, started to see my surroundings with a completely different eye and just generally became so much more observant. I began to collect cards, cuttings from newspapers and magazines of scenes that I thought I might like to attempt to paint. When visiting a gallery, I looked at the brush strokes made by the artist. What sort of brush or possibly a palette knife had been used, how was that colour mixed? It quite literally opened up a whole new world to me. The possibilities were interesting, thought provoking and potentially endless!

Initially, I thought I would like to paint in water colour. It is a

difficult medium and I quickly realised it was not for me. With Carolyn’s guidance I moved onto oils, her preferred medium. It is a versatile, flexible and rewarding medium and I slowly began to enjoy a little success. I loved painting skies, clouds, seascapes, but also started to push myself to move out of my comfort zone and attempt other more challenging subjects, experimenting with different surfaces, tools and materials.

Over the years, I have attended many different classes and workshops with a variety of teachers, working in both oils and acrylics, developing skills and techniques, almost without realising it. Dorset has a wealth of talented artists, many willing to teach. It was some years before I had a painting framed, as I never felt anything was good enough. When it was first suggested that I put some work into an exhibition, the idea seemed unthinkable! However, once done and with a painting sold (how wonderful that someone liked the work sufficiently to buy it!!) I was so pleased to have agreed to take part. Almost imperceptibly, I realised that I had acquired some skills and knowledge that allowed me to paint more freely and with greater confidence and therefore move forward.

I am fortunate enough to have a little studio at the bottom of our garden. It is my special space. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the hours pass and the utter absorption I feel when I am working on a picture. Yes, it is frustrating at times, always challenging, but hugely rewarding. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has ever considered the possibility of learning to paint. It will bring you joy!

Wendy Keenan

Painting classes at the Gugg Michele Geiser

When retirement arrived, I suddenly had plenty of leisure time on my hand. Over a drink at the Trooper one day, Terry Taylor (a great watercolourist, incidentally) convinced me to join Carolyn’s painting classes, which at the time were taking place at her home in a lovely studio above her garage. So I did, and never looked back. This must have been around 10 years ago.

Like most of Carolyn’s students, I started with watercolour because it is a cleaner medium than oil, and because I thought it was easier. Little did I know! Although I did manage to finish some of my early watercolours, most of them went straight into the bin. Migrating to ‘gouache’ (watercolour with chalk mixed in) was more encouraging in that I could complete more work than I was throwing into the bin. However, after a lot of coaxing from

Carolyn, I eventually joined my fellow painters in the art of oil painting after I constantly heard them rave about how much easier it is to correct mistakes when using oil. And again, I never looked back.

Carolyn’s painting classes are now happening at the Guggleton in Stalbridge, which consists of several old barns hosting, amongst other things, art classes and exhibitions. For instance, in addition to painting classes, anyone can join pottery classes, printing classes, and more recently a City and Guilds painting course held by Carolyn and Jenni. I do enjoy my Tuesday morning art class with Carolyn. Time flies by when I get immersed in something I really enjoy doing, amongst like-minded people I enjoy sharing stories with. When I am away or take a

short break from painting, I miss the whole experience.

We all come to class with our own project in mind (whether it be a landscape, seascape, still life or portrait) and work on it, under the watchful eye of teacher, until we feel reasonably satisfied with the result, before moving on to the next project. We are encouraged to step outside our comfort zone by Carolyn. I started painting still life and landscapes, and gradually migrated to portraits (human and animal). I know I could never have achieved what I have achieved to date without Carolyn’s guidance, advice and gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) criticism. I don’t think any of us would have been confident enough to display our art at exhibitions, and even sell it, without her support. I am proud of my portraits but know that I could never have done them without her help.

A lot of my friends say they are ‘useless at art’ and have never been able to draw anything. But I do believe, with the right attitude and under the watchful eye of a teacher, we can all learn to be so much better than we think we are. We cannot all be natural artists, but we certainly can improve. For me, the whole experience is enriching, fun and therapeutic.

Wendy Keenen

I feel when I am working on a picture. it is frustrating at times, always challenging, but hugely rewarding. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has ever considered the possibility of learning to paint.

It will bring you joy!

The full list of Cup and Prize winners:

Julius Cup (gentleman highest points)

Bond Cup (lady highest points)

Salter Cup (best in vegetable section)

Baillie Cup (best floral art exhibit)

Barnes Cup (best box of vegetables)

Firth Cup (best handicrafts exhibit)

Hukins Cup (best domestic exhibit)

Ken Moore Watering Can (Children’s section)

men only)

Neil Gillard

Linda Walters

Neil Gillard

Ann Rowland

Tanya Tree

Win Gillard

Linda Walters

Jenny Harris

John Barrett

Ruby Harris

Neil Gillard

Howard ffich

Gillard Walters Gillard Rowland Tree Gillard Walters Harris Barrett Harris Gillard ffich

Art for Art’s Sake

I joined Carolyn’s art class at Guggleton Farm in January 2020. I had not painted since my schooldays but had always wanted to give it another go, so I took the plunge and went along armed with all my new gear but no idea! As I had never used oil paints before it was rather daunting but I needn’t have worried, with Carolyn’s patience and encouragement I grew in confidence and now enjoy my weekly endeavours with a lovely group of fun people. We all have our own style some turning out fabulous pictures at lightning speed and others like me, being a little more pedantic, taking somewhat longer to complete our master pieces!

I would highly recommend this way of bringing out your creative side and also enjoying good conversation and laughter with like-minded people, so give it a go!

Kate Duke

Such Fun!

Now my children have flown the nest, (okay, a few years ago) the alarm no longer rings at a silly hour in the morning and that frenetic pace of life has passed. I thought I would give painting a go. The fact that I have never painted before and I have never been able to draw hadn’t cross my mind to be a negative. I day dreamed in the hammock under the willow tree one hot lazy afternoon, while listening to the hum of the bumble bees. If anything I paint looks wonky, or wrong, I reasoned to myself, I could always start up a new art movement. I could perhaps take a leaf out of Roland Penrose book. The art critics didn’t liked his paintings, they said they where all wonky and wrong, so he opened a gallery in London, Cork Street to be exact. Yes I could do that. He and his mates, Pablo Picasso and Max Ernst along with a few others started their own movement, they called it Surrealism. I could be a world famous millionaire this time next year. Humm, what to call my new movement. I will have a think about that after my nap.

But hey, what a result, who would have thought, with a lot of patience and encouragement from Carolyn on Friday morning art club, I’m not so wonky after all. Nor, will I be a world famous or a millionaire this time next year, oh well, sorry Rob.. Just as well I couldn’t think of a name for my new movement.

Rachel Page

Well done Alexander

Many friends and neighbours gathered to enjoyed delicious tea and cake in David Jeanes Open Garden. Having strolled across lawns, around flowerbeds and gazed across great vistas of the Dorset countryside, (the views are amazing, what a treat). A whopping £660 was made on this sunny afternoon. Alexander is raising money so he can go to the 2023 World Scouts Jamboree in South Korea, where scouts across the world will meet and share scouting adventures together. Half the money raised will go to St Peters Church. Thank you Alexander, we hope you have a wonderful time.

Village Diary - Oct 2022

Day Date Event Venue Time

Mon 3

Bell ringing

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 4 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 5 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Thurs 6 Short mat bowls Village Hall 2.00 pm

Sat 8 Harvest Supper Village Hall 7.00pm

Sun 9 Harvest Festival Service The Church 11.00am

Mon 10 Bell ringing The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 11 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 12 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Wed 12 Garden Club The Self Seeding Garden Village Hall 7.30pm

Thurs 13 Short mat bowls Village Hall 2.00 pm

Sun 16 Village Golf Morning

Mon 17 Bell ringing

Folke GC 10.30 am

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 18 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 19 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Wed 19 Welcome Club AGM Village Hall 2.30pm

Wed 19 ‘100 Club’ draw

The Trooper ~7.00 pm

Thurs 20 Short mat bowls Village Hall 2.00 pm

Sun 23 Holy Communion

Mon 24 Bell ringing

The Church 11.00 am

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 25 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Thurs 27 Short mat bowls Village Hall 2.00 pm

Sun 30 All Saints Holy Communion

The Church 11.00am

Mon 31 Bell ringing The Church 7.00 pm

Village Diary - November 2022

Day Date Event Venue Time

Tues 1

Badminton and Table Tennis

Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 2 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Thurs 3 Short mat bowls

Mon 7 Bell ringing

Village Hall 2.00 pm

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 8 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 9 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Wed 9 Garden Club - Great Foliage Plants for outside in Dorset Village hall 7.30pm

Thurs 10 Short mat bowls

Sun 13 Rememberance Service

Mon 14 Bell ringing

Tues 15

Village Hall 2.00 pm

The Church 10.55am

The Church 7.00 pm

Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 16 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Wed 16 Welcome Club Dorset Red Cross WW1 Village Hall 2.30pm

Wed 16 ‘100 Club’ draw

The Trooper ~7.00 pm

Thurs 17 Short mat bowls Village Hall 2.00 pm

Sat 19 Welcome Club Christmas Bazaar Village Hall 2.00pm

Sun 20 Village Golf Morning

Mon 21 Bell ringing

Folke GC 10.30 am

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 22 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 23 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Thurs 24 Short mat bowls

Sat 26 Quiz night

Sun 27 Matins service

Mon 28 Bell ringing

Village Hall 2.00 pm

Village Hall 7.00pm

The Church 11.00 am

The Church 7.00 pm

Tues 29 Badminton and Table Tennis Village Hall 7.30 pm

Wed 30 Pilates / Pilates (Gentle) at 10.45am Village Hall 9.25 am

Stourton Caundle Parish Council

The Parish Council met on 22nd August mainly to discuss flood prevention measures which resulted from the well attended meeting in The Trooper for flood affected residents and attended by Justin Neely and Nicola Hopkins of Dorset Council. This resulted in an action plan which includes appointing a Flood Warden, organising a sandbag store, walking the water course of ‘The Brook’ to check for obstructions and liaising with Highways to try and improve road drainage. All to be acted upon quickly before Autumnal Storms begin. Arrangements to meet with Highways are also being made which will include concerns about road safety as well. Sandbags are to be delivered to people who have already requested them, if anyone else needs them please e mail Jane Westbrook who is organising supplies in her role as temporary Flood Warden: westbrookjane@yahoo.co.uk .

A planning application at Acorn Cottage for dormer windows in the roof was not objected to. Also discussed was a request for a bus service to Yeovil. Details have been passed on to the Bus Back Better scheme at Dorset Council.

A meeting at the end of September to discuss the defibrillator replacement has been arranged and donations are being collected towards the cost by the Parish Council. The Garden Club have generously donated £140.50 raised at the auction of produce at the Summer Show with an additional £40 donation as well so far.

The Parish Council already gives £200 annually to the Village Hall to help with costs and it was agreed to add a further £200 in lieu of rent for meetings.

The noticeboard repair, much delayed by Covid is now complete; many thanks are due to Mark Paull for picking it up off the road after it fell over, an anonymous villager who has restored it to its former glory and Jonathon Mortimer ably helped by son Ellis for re setting it in the verge with new sturdy legs. Clive Jones has also restored the fingerpost at Jubilee Oak. In addition to those skilful people, there is another anonymous person who is restoring fingerposts in the district which started as a lockdown project, supported by Sydenhams in Gillingham. All the noticeboards are kept locked, the village organisations have keys or ring the Clerk who will put posters up for you.

TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR CUTTING THE GRASS IN THE VILLAGE

Church News

Our Church services are as follows:

October

October - 11am Harvest Festival Service

23 October 11am Holy Communion

30 October 11am All Saints Holy Communion

November

November 10.55am Remembrance Service

27 November - 11am Matins

Future dates for your diary:

Saturday 8 October Harvest supper

Sunday 9 October Harvest Thanksgiving 11am

Sunday 13 November Remembrance Service

The harvest Festival service is on 9th October. We look forward to seeing you there. If you would like to bring an offering it would be very helpful to have food which will keep [tins and packets] as all contributions are taken to the North Dorset Women’s Refuge after the service.

The Remembrance service on 13th November will start at the War Memorial at 10.55am

Vinny Taylor

Contacts at St Peter’s Parish Church; Rector - Canon Richard Hancock. TSSF phone 01963 363367

The Rectory, Stalbridge High St, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton DT10 2LL

Licensed Lay Minister Mrs Judy Waite phone 362945 Wynhill, Gold Street, Stalbridge, DT10 2LX

Churchwarden Mrs Vinny Taylor 362692

Churchwarden Mr David Jeanes 365828

Lay Pastor Assistant Mrs Rachel Page 363 886

Church Secretary Mr Andrew Reed 23917

Stourton Caundle Golf Society Monthly Report

August 2022

Almost no rain since last month, so the fairways were still dry and the ball went far, so some good scores this month. There was a good turnout of 25 players, the weather was bright and warm. We played the front 9, with a random draw for teams The Des Austen Challenge was lowest score.

Joint winners this month, both with a very strong 20 points each. Congrats to both Peter Blundell and Jeff Winter. A two point cut for you both.

Team winners were Team Wrong Hole, with 44 points. Congrats to Ben Pattle, Brian Pattle & Roger Paull.

The Des Austen challenge was won by Jake Goodfellow. His first time out, and he managed a lowly 2 points. He did enjoy himself though, and won a prize.

Stourton Caundle Golf Society Monthly Report September 2022

Another gorgeous autumnal morning, and there was a big turnout of twenty nine golfers at Folke to enjoy it. We’ve had some rain since last month, and the course had greened up accordingly. We played the back 9 holes this month. The Des Austin Challenge was going to be lowest score, until something better came along……

Our winner this month was Shane Cherrington, with 20 points. Honours, the trophy and a 2 point cut are his rewards.

Team winners were Team Retired & Retarded, with 45 points. Well done to Pete Woodman, Marty Stone, Pete Hallam & Lawrie Yandell.

The Des Austen challenge was won by David Jeanes. On the 18th tee, he took a big swing, hit the ground with the club, missed the ball altogether and in the follow-through, his false teeth fell out. It was quite the funny spectacle, and laughable in a way Des Austen would have liked.

food and garden waste

Waste,

HAVE YOU MADE A WILL & LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY IS YOUR EXISTING WILL UP TO DATE?

ROSE &

The Annexe at Triangle Cottage is available for short term holiday lets. Separate double bedroom with king size bed, shower room, living area/kitchen and lovely patio garden area. Contact Jane on: 07845

for details or via Airbnb

Stalbridge Post Office

Post, Banking, Cash, Stationery, Passports, Photos, Photocopies, Cards, Calendars, Diaries and much much more, all with a friendly smile.

Thank

Ma’am

I declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong.