Valley News October 2022

Her

Queen Elizabeth

Tributes to Her Majesty The Queen

The Valley News community will have been as shocked as the rest of the country to hear the news of the Queen’s passing. Although we have printed the magazine at the beginning of each month and her funeral has already happened, we could not ignore the occasion and wanted to add our condolences to the Royal Family. The way that they have coped with their private grief whilst continuing to represent the nation in the most public of ways has been remarkable.

The sense of loss that the country feels has been best epitomised by the huge numbers of people who felt the need to join the queue passing by her coffin whilst it lay in state, or stood at roadsides all over the UK to witness the various processions - or to show respect to our new Monarch, as he toured the UK. The Services held in each of the four nations have been opportunities for quiet reflection and a chance to begin to process the loss that is felt. Significantly, we have heard during tributes paid to the Queen’s unrivalled length of service that we must also be thankful for her ‘life well lived’. Her devotion to duty was a shining beacon throughout her reign; her constancy, an inspiration; and the way she conducted State affairs an example for her successor. We wish His Majesty King Charles III a similarly successful reign. God save the King.

Winterborne Stickland Parish Council

The last meeting of the Parish Council was on 22nd August at Pamala Hambro Hall and the minutes are available at the website www.winterbornestickland.org.uk/meetings and the notice board by St Mary’s Church, West Street, Winterborne Stickland. Business included discussions on road signage around the village. We are please, and, a little surprised , that Dorset Council Highways have so quickly replaced the Water Lane sign, which was looking very sad and rather old. We continue to press Highways for verge and road repairs.

Two planning applications we discussed, P/HOU/2022/04491 Little Stickland Cottage, erect 2 bay car port, demolish existing –Cllrs felt that as no planning conditions are being breeched they would not to object to the proposed plans. The second was P/HOU/2022/03710 Moonhill, raise roof pitch, install dormer windows, erect car port – the applicants attended the meeting and spoke to Cllrs about their plans for the property. All Parish Cllrs agreed that they had objections to the application.

Further discussion was conducted concerning River Winterborne and clearing of the Water Lane, Clenston Road and the village green sections of the river as all need clearing of weed. A date was set for the Water Lane clearance - 17th October 10am meeting at Water Lane stretch of the river. Please do come along to help, as we need desperately need volunteers to make this work for the village, especially with the winter months just around the corner. The last clearance on 27th July had only a couple of volunteers so we have not been able to do as much as we need.

If you recall we asked our current grass contractor to strim the foliage from the riverbank at the village green in preparation for the clearance. This has been done and looking much more tidy.

Also discussed was the ongoing issue with speeding in Stickland. The Parish Council are in the process of launching the Community Speed Watch in the village with several willing volunteers. We have the radar gun and yellow jackets and are ready to go! We are still in need of more volunteers to make this project work, please email the Parish Council Clerk at wsticklandpc@gmail.com. The first session was planned for the beginning of August, but rain cancelled the session. Speedwatch can only take place in good light. The Police will attend the first session. If the Police are operating the speed gun & a driver is speeding, then they will be prosecuted. If the speed gun is operated by a Speedwatch volunteer the driver will receive a caution letter. There is a separate protocol for tractors, but their speed is still recorded and monitored (interestingly some tractors apparently are limited to 20mph). The 1st session will be re arranged by Cllr Williams as soon as possible.

Speeding along the Fairmile Road was discussed. Several ideas were put forward to explore. The issue of ‘continuity of signage’ was raised eg: footpaths, horse warnings, road signs etc. Three Cllrs (and

1 resident) agreed to meet and walk the village and compile a ‘snag list.’ A date was set for Wednesday 7th Sept meeting at 6pm.

The Sports & Social Club continues to expand and prosper. Last month a ‘locals’ rounders match took place recently on a Sunday and this was a great success. Another match is planned on the 11th of September against Houghton, all are welcome adults and children.

No recent applications for funding have been received by the Solar Fund Committee. They have received an application from a resident stating their wish to join the SF Committee as a member. The PC supports this application. The applicant has been invited to meet the current SF members and discuss what they feel that they can bring to group. If the applicant is recommended, then their joining the group will be ratified at the September Parish Council meeting.

The PC still waiting to hear from the War Memorial Trust with regards to a refurbishment grant. The final stage, cleaning the memorial and re-leading the inscription, will cost approx £800. It was agreed to go ahead and organise this final stage, paying the cost and recouping the money in a grant at a later stage. It was suggested that the village should have a flagpole. Cllr McCormick agreed to investigate the cost of this, hopefully one can be purchased in time for this year’s Remembrance Sunday. An application could be submitted to the Solar Fund for the flagpole funding.

Cllr McCormick suggested a ‘curry lunch’ or something similar for Remembrance Sunday. It was agreed to discuss the idea with the Sports Club who may like to be involved.

You may notice signs popping up around the village, to encourage residents to sign up to the free email-based newsletter with details of planning applications, local news, clubs, events and matters of local interest. Please sign up with the a simple form on the website where residents will be able enter their email address (GDPR compliant) so can have easy access to the newsletter and local information and news. Go to www.winterbornestickland.org.uk/newsletter

Please do sign up, so we can all benefit from better understanding of our community.

As part of our ongoing communication in the village the Parish Council would like to expand the village website www.winterbornestickland.org.uk by adding a directory of Local clubs and associations, Local businesses and Local meetings.

This will be a free service to inform parishioners of what is happening and available in the village and surrounding area. We hope that this will be an ongoing update with notices available to send to those who sign up to the village newsletter on the website.

If you wish to be included in the directory please can you send a brief summary of your club, business or association to wsticklandpc@gmail.com for the attention of Councillor Dunn. This will also form the basis of a ‘welcome pack’ to those that move into our lovely village and surrounding parish.

The Parish Council is keen to extend the coverage of the website with local and interesting information. If any residents have ideas on what we might include or have historical information, please do get in touch with the Parish Council by email wsticklandpc@gmail.com.

The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 26th September at 19:30 in Pamela Hambro Hall. It will be really good to see you.

More information can be found on the website www.winterbornestickland.org.uk.

Blandford Group Practice

Book your flu vaccination

Visit our website to check your eligibilitywww.theblandfordgrouppractice.co.uk

Call our dedicated booking line on 01258 444526 or pop into any of our sites to book your appointment or If you have signed up for e-mails/sms from the practice click on the link sent to you via e-mail/sms inviting you to book.

Clinicswill start from the 24th September at the WhitecliffSurgery

Patients over 45 years old will be offered a blood pressure check & patients over 65 years old will also be offered a pulse check.

Flu Clinic

Milton Abbas Surgery

This year’s flu clinic will be held at Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall on Saturday 8th October 2022 between 8.30am and 4.00pm. Patients who are eligible to have their vaccination at this clinic will receive an invitation. These are patients who are over 65yrs, or 18-64yrs and in at-risk groups.

50-64yrs who are eligible but are not in an at-risk group will be invited for their flu vaccination after October 15th as we are not able to vaccinate you before as per NHS England.

As per the invitation, you will be invited to attend the clinic at set times according to the first letter of your surname. If you are giving others a lift or you cannot make that time, then you can come anytime between 8.30 and midday or 12.30 and 4pm. If you can stick to the allocated times though this would be useful.

Just a few things to bear in mind. Face coverings will be required. Be prepared that there may be a queue so please bring an umbrella if it is raining. Parking is limited at the Village Hall and there are a lot of patients attending, so if you can car share, walk or be dropped off that may be helpful. Please wear clothes that mean we can easily access the top of your arm

No COVID boosters will be given at the clinic – further details will follow about these clinics.

Wellbeing Team Activities

Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. Only by looking after our own wellbeing do we become stronger and better able to support others. Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It can be as simple as taking a walk in the fresh air, trying a new activity or spending some time in good company. Why not try one of our Wellbeing Team activities?

Beginners Line Dancing group is on Mondays at 2pm at Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall Walking group is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am (please see our website or pick up a leaflet from the surgery for details of the meet up point.)

Nurtured by Nature is on a Thursday at 3pm at Luccombe Hub Farm.

No need to book a space, just turn up on the day. Our Wellbeing Team would love to see you!

Our Allotment group currently meet on a Thursday morning 9.30 - 11am. Even if you would just like to come along for a chat and company you would be most welcome. If you would like to join, please let Reception know or send an email to mawellbeingteam@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

For more information, please see our Wellbeing Team page on our surgery website: www.masurgery.co.uk

Milton Abbas and Winterborne Benefice

In Loving Memory

As I write this article it is the week following the sad news of our dear Queen’s death. Whilst we all knew it must happen, I doubt any one of us was prepared for the suddenness when we saw pictures of her still working on the Tuesday and she had died two days later.

More and more people are working until much older these days and I’m always reminded of a plaque on the wall of Stickland Church which reads: “Fell asleep, his work for the Lord completed.” I have a picture in my head of the Reverend Gentleman writing his sermon, putting his head on his arms, and quietly dying. Years ago, at a morning service, an elderly stranger introduced himself as the great nephew of the said gentleman and was astounded at my being able to recite the memorial. But I explained that it is how I would wish to die. My work in the Lord completed. For me, that is exactly how our Dear Queen has left this world.

I imagine that we all, both young and older, loved the sketch with Paddington Bear at Her Majesty’s Jubilee. This week there is a new picture of the queen and her handbag with the marmalade sandwich, Paddington and the Corgi walking away from us and the caption, “Paddington, will you take me to Philip now.”

Death when it comes to a loved one affects us all in so many ways because we are all individuals, and our relationships are very

personal. Each year I have an odd week in my year because the first week in November is when my Dad died, my Grandparents died, my God Mother died, even two of my Cairn Terriers died. But the 6th is also a Happy Day because it was my Parents' wedding day.

This year our Service of Light falls on the 6th November when we each remember those we have loved and lost. It’s a time to allow us to reflect and ask our Dear Lord to take care of those whom for the time being we have been parted from. But our Christian Faith tells us that our dear Queen has been met on this her last journey, by her beloved husband, her Father and Mother, and her Sister. Surely there will have been great rejoicing in heaven for a life of such selfless devotion to duty.

May our Dear Lord take care of our Sovereign Queen until we all meet again. Amen. Blessings, Rev Sue Quote from The Servant Queen, a book published on the occasion of her 90th birthday:

“Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.” Queen Elizabeth II

Service of Light - In Loving Memory

Sunday 6th November, at 3pm, St Mary’s Church, Winterborne Stickland

This service offers everyone a time to come together to remember our loved ones.

If you have lost a loved one and would like the opportunity to remember them in a special way this service consists of prayers, readings, music, and silence, with the names of those who have died read out and candles lit.

This short service will help us to renew our faith and trust in God; To pray for those who mourn and to seek God’s grace, that we may know his love and the hope he gives us, through faith in Jesus Christ.

For more details, please contact Rev Sue Litchfield 07885 786590

Puzzle Library

I have a collection of about 500 puzzles in my puzzle room and have the idea of having a loan library in aid of Cancer Research at my home in Stickland.

With Winter coming, I thought that many people do puzzles and as they are now quite expensive, you could borrow them for just a donation to the charity. If interested call Mary Fripp on 880416.

Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall

Hall maintenance is still ongoing, maintenance includes a new fire exit pathway, new guttering, new entrance porch, new arch window and painting the hall outside. We are still looking for quotes please for any of the above.

We now have our new front doors, and they look fabulous. All work carried out on our hall is paid from our events which includes the bar.

We had a couple of great events in August including Quiz Night and Race Night. Both were very successful and lots of fun.

A few dates for your diary: Bingo is Sat 15th October, Sat 19th Nov & Sat 10th Dec.

If you have not tried New Age Kurling on Thursdays at 10am then please do pop along, all welcome - it’s lots of fun.

Crafty Natter is fortnightly, pop along with or without a craft, chat, drink tea, make friends. Learn to crochet, knit etc. we have crafters happy to show you how. Next sessions are 7th & 21st Oct 4th & 18th Nov.

We are thinking of running a pop-up tabletop sale so please keep an eye on social media for details. Also, we will be running our wreath making workshop in December, if you are interested please contact us to book as places are limited.

Please see our new website for details of all events & activities.

Our hall is a great venue for your private hire too.

100 Club Winning numbers: Aug: 94, 55, 84 (Sept numbers not being drawn until 16th so will appear in next issue)

WWVH Committee Email: info.wwvh@gmail.com Tel: 01258 881416 WEBSITE: www.wwvillagehall.com

The house had been empty for years....

The drive to the small holding had been something of an adventure. She had lived in that house in 1944, as a five year old evacuee. Now she was retiring, she wanted to recapture memories of the idyllic fifteen months spent in the cottage with Aunt Irene who doted on her, out of harm's way from the German occupation, lost deep in the heart of Burgundy. She managed to lose her way several times as the roads narrowed to single tracks despite the array of maps she had bought specifically for the journey. Finally, she stopped at a small local café by a crossroad.

All conversation stopped when she entered the darkened cafétabac, three pairs of brown suspicious eyes following her every movement, the scent of coffee and brandy strong in her nostrils fighting the heavy smell of Gauloises cigarettes, some held in the farm workers' fingers, some dangling from the corner of their mouth.

"Irene Grosjean? She died some years ago! Who wants to know?" the aggressive looking café proprietor blurted out. Alice cleared her voice and started hesitantly to explain her purpose. One of the men standing at the bar added, "You'll find the place at the end of the lane opposite, and watch out for the snakes, Pet!"

Chuckles and knowing looks all round. Alice retreated towards the door, near to tears. She hadn't anticipated such uncouth treatment from people whose parents might have been her playmates so long ago. As she was about to get back into her car, a voice came booming down from the café's direction: "Oh, by the way, I'm Dédé and the key's hanging in the loo hut. Don't worry about any snakes, we were pulling your leg!"

Driving her Fiat 500 carefully down the lane, she followed the tractor ruts for a short while, flinching left and right every time tall vegetation or brambles swung into her path and hit the bodywork of her precious car. Gradually, the greenery got taller and more impenetrable. Alice stopped the car and eased herself out.

There it was! The house had been empty for years. She took in the bramble bush obscuring the front door entwined with the dishevelled honeysuckle reaching as far as the top window. What she could see of the door and shutters showed the aggressive work of the sun, the bleached green paint pealing off the splintered oak. The climbing grape vine beside the door was long dead, shooting long gnarled fingers of barren twigs in all directions.

Still upset by her encounter with the locals, Irene started to fight her way through a jungle of years-old vegetation to reach the hut at the back of the house. "Make a lot of noise with your feet!" she whispered to herself. "Snakes can't hear but they'll feel vibration, they'll scarper", she whispered to herself. “Pet,” she murmured, “pet, how dare he?" She suddenly started to laugh nervously at what she had just said. "How silly is this old girl getting?" she thought "What's the matter with me?"

Key securely in her hand now, she was contemplating the front of the house, wondering how she was going to get to the door through so much growth. “Let me get by, Pet” the booming voice belted at her from behind. She let out a little yelp of fear and turned round to see the man from the café bounding forward brandishing a sickle. "I'll have you cleared of all this in no time Pet”, he shouted. Indeed, it didn't take long before the key was pushed in the lock, to the indignation of a clutch of earwigs. Both the lock and the hinges of the door were stiff with rust but finally, thanks to booming Dédé's brute force, doors and windows were open wide to let the sun and fresh air in.

Tears started to trickle down Alice's parched face. She recognised the fireplace where Aunt Irene used to sit in her straw chair at dusk, telling her so many folk tales (young Alice liked the scary ones best even if they gave her nightmares). No furniture remained from those happy days, just detritus accumulated over years of neglect. A dead desiccated pigeon, spectacular cobwebs worthy of a Hitchcock film set, a spent wasp nest, dead butterflies and other insects, rubble, stones, broken bricks and the musty smell of an old dying house. A couple of opportunistic lizards came in via the open window, the only sign of life. Alice remembered so many years ago when she'd caught a big one and Aunt Irene had given her an old aquarium to make a new home for it. What name did they call it? "Oh yes, Croco,

because I could pretend it was a crocodile,” she recalled. Alice had made a lovely home for Croco, with fresh grass and a few dead leaves, and a stone, and a china egg cup with water in. She had even hunted and killed a few flies to treat the poor beast. She had been told lizards like to be in the sun, so Croco had claimed pride of place on the sunniest windowsill, in his glass house, behind the windowpane. Alice still remembered when, to her horror, Croco had been found cooked in the sun, dry, light as a feather, smelly and bristly stiff.

Booming Dédé was leaning his vast frame against the door jamb, staring at Alice's back. He'd realised the visitor was trying to come to terms with her emotions. "So, you're posh Alice then, are you?" he said with a grin on his face. "Did you say posh Alice?" she uttered in dismay as she turned to face him. "First it was Pet, now it is posh! How dare you?" She was outraged by the familiarity of such a perfect stranger. "Pet is the term I use when I speak to the women in my family,” declared Dédé. Alice was quite taken aback but before she could pick him up on that remark, he added: “As for the posh bit, we've always called you that. You live in Paris, and you travel a lot, don't you?" She felt there was too much to deal with here, where to start?

Dédé took pity on her and suggested she went back to the car to sit down and collect herself. After he'd closed the house up, he went back to her and invited her to get back to the café where she could have some refreshments.

Moments later, Alice was sitting with a cool drink at a table outside the café, in the company of Dédé, under the curious gaze of the café owner. "You see, Pet, Aunt Irene was my ancestor too, my great aunt on my dad's side, just the same as she was yours! That makes us cousins of some sort. My dad used to play with you when you were little. There is a story about him trying to teach you how to catch frogs in the pond and you fell in!" he added for a bit of light relief.

Alice was shocked to find she still had family in the area and what more, family who knew of her existence. While on a flying visit from China where she worked at the time, she'd heard that Aunt Irene had passed away some time back and then she had lost contact with the distant family in Burgundy. "Her house was left to you when she died but we didn't know where you were and besides, we didn't think you'd be interested in a back of beyond little shack like this!"

Alice had always fantasised about returning to her aunt's cottage to rekindle the idyllic memories she had of her dear Aunt Irene, where maybe she could hide away and write her book about the Far East, and teach her grand children to enjoy unspoilt nature. She had thought the cottage might have gone to direct descendants and she had been too busy to find out then. To think Aunt Irene had left the house and presumably the land to her!

"Of course, we realise that a townie like you wouldn't want to claim the legacy,” Dédé added wryly. Alice, stunned by the news seemed to barely take notice of her cousin's demeanour. How come no one even tried to let her know, was there a dishonest plot going on here? How disappointed she was! The magic of the place seemed to have died with Aunt Irene. "I have a proposition for you,” he said, bringing his chair closer. She instantly focussed on him now. "The house needs a lot doing to it. I am quite willing to rescue it and to see to the work," he said magnanimously. "All you'd have to do would be to sign it over to me. You don't want to be saddled with all that at your time of life, do you? No money needs to change hands between us. I'd just like to use the house as an outbuilding."

Even in her state of disarray, Alice could see through him. He had only mentioned the house so far, what about the fields, thirty acres or more, she estimated, all this rich land spreading as far as the eye could see in this rolling landscape?

"That sounds quite a good idea to me,” she added after a pause. She felt his body tighten with excitement. She continued: “I am interested. We are family after all and I am feeling generous.” He brought his chair even closer and, was that an intake of breath? "You are right, I couldn't possibly cope with the repairs." Did she catch a slight tremble of his hand now as he raised yet another cigarette to his mouth?

"Tell you what, you can have the house but I'll remain the owner of the land that you so kindly cultivated for the estate over the years.

10am

COPIES AVAILABLE

Mary’s Church, East

MILTON ABBAS Post Office, The Hambro Arms,

James’ Church, Steeptonbill Farm Shop,

Abbas Surgery

STICKLAND St. Mary’s Church, The Crown BLANDFORD Tourist Information Centre,

& Woodhouse Visitors Centre

CONCISE

Polly 'Bs'

Local lady doing:

Holistic Treatments, Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Ear Candling. Also Beauty Treatments Facials, Waxing, Eyebrow/Lash tinting. Manicure and Pedicure Nail cutting and Hard Skin Removal. Appointments available during the day and evenings. Some treatments can be done in your home.

Ring Pauline on 01258 880084 / 07760 303332

Gift Vouchers available.

The Winterborne Stickland Solar Fund Committee would like to remind residents of Winterborne Stickland that funding is available for community projects.

Applications for funding should be emailed to sticklandsolarfund@yahoo.com

Decisions are made every 2 months. The basic criteria are that ideas should have benefit to the community. A committee of volunteers select successful projects.

You really looked after those fields as if they were your own and I am grateful for that. You could continue to work them as my tenant farmer though. I would only claim a reasonable percentage of the profit on the crops."

She paused a fraction again so that he could absorb her offer. "On the other hand, you must be nearly retiring too now. You might not want to carry on slaving away on land that's not yours, might you?" There was a deathly silence. Dédé stood up and stared at Alice, sparks in his eyes. The Posh cousin had caught him out. AnnieThom

Hello from Corfe Mullen

Well, greetings from Corfe Mullen, once again.

What a sad time, yet again we have had - first Covid, then the economy, plus obvious signs of global warming, and the war in Ukraine and now the death of our beloved Queen.

The outpouring of emotion has been incredible, but my hope and indeed prayers are that our nation can learn from the integrity, compassion, understanding and love shown by the Queen. As a member of the public on TV said - if only the world leaders would emulate the Queen's attitude to all people, what a different world we would be living in!

On a personal note of sadness, I will be faced with saying goodbye to my beautiful old pony, now living at the Margaret Green animal sanctuary - he is very old now and not in the best of health and the vet thinks he will not easily go through another winter, so the time may be near when we have to say our goodbyes to him..

God bless you all, and hope you are all keeping well. HeatherSims

A Brief History of Wine

Readers are invited to a lecture on the history of wine to be held at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne on Monday 17th October at 2.15 p.m. This forms the opening event of the new season for the Wimborne & Blandford Arts Society, part of a global arts education

Are you building a new extension?

Are you doing alterations to your home?

Do you need some free advice & a quote for drawings?

jo d designs

Posters Advertising Planning Drawings Building Regs Drawings Call me: 01258 721347 or 07703 034127 or email: kempo79@sky.com

Chimneys

Professionally Swept

Traditional brush and vacuum sweep. No mess or fuss and nothing to do before or after.

Woodburners, inglnooks and Agas etc. Reliable prompt helpful service. Cowls fitted

charity with the Duchess of Gloucester as the patron and Loyd Grossman as President. The mission of The Arts Society is to bring together like-minded people for lectures given by experts in their fields, often published authors and occasionally media personalities.

Our local Society organises ten lectures each season as well as study days, visits to exhibitions and places of historic interest and membership includes the quarterly national magazine. There is also an informal monthly coffee gathering at The Cafe Aroma in Wimborne. As one of the Arts Society's accredited lecturers I can testify to the high standards of the Powerpoint presentations, at least by others if not myself!

If you would like to come along on Monday 17th October as a free taster of what is on offer please let me know at john@historystore.ltd.uk or ring me on 01258 880841. John Scott

DEADLINES for the November Edition

(Business and Events)

Articles and all other

J.P.L Gardens

Professional Garden Services Lawn Mowing • Hedge Cutting Garden Maintenance • Garden Clearance Mole Catching • Landscaping and fencing Small tree work Call Jerry Legg 01258 489977 • 07940 895803 23 May Grove, Charlton Marshall, jplegg48@googlemail.com

Complete Pest Solutions

Commercial and private sector, professional, discreet and punctual All pests dealt with including rodents, moles, rabbits, wasps, ants and flying insects etc.

Contracts undertaken Pubs, Farms etc. 07952 991966

Winterborne Whitechurch Old School Room is available to hire. This beautiful large room, ideal for parties, meetings and family or community gathering. Come and visit to appreciate the charm of this lovely venue.

Full kitchen and cloakroom facilities. Disabled friendly. Booking charges £7 per hour. Liz Platten 881650 lizplatten@hotmail.co.uk

Stickland Framing

ALL FRAMING OPTIONS UNDERTAKEN

PHIL HARLOCK

4 West St, Stickland

Blandford, Dorset DT11 0NT

Telephone: 01258 881290 philharlock@hotmail.com

Winterborne Scouts have a busy summer

Much has happened for the boys and girls in our local scout group which meets in three of our villages.

Towards the beginning of July the Scout Troop set off to the River Wye to undertake a major expedition to canoe downstream. This event was highly successful and Scout Leader Paul Andrews said, “We were lucky with the weather, and the river wasn’t in a high rate of flow so that meant excellent canoeing conditions for all – whether or not they had canoed before.”

The Valley Gardening Club Summer Show

Congratulations to everyone who entered our first Summer Show at the Pamela Hambro Hall for 2 years.

Despite the heatwave and drought, there was still an incredible display which was admired by our independent judges.

A big thank you goes to Peter Yeates from Bridport who stepped in at the last minute to judge the horticultural sections.

AWARD WINNERS

SWEET PEAS

Shield for most points

Karen Marchant

The Murray SimpsonTrophy Karen Marchant GLADIOLI Cup for the most points

Richard Osborne DAHLIAS Cup for the most points

Patricia Oakley

The Sid SmithTrophy for best exhibit Patricia Oakley GENERALPLANTS Cup for the most points

Richard Marchant THE PRESIDENT’SVASE

Early in August all sections of the group set off for the annual summer camp which was held at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre in the New Forest, not far from Beaulieu. The centre, across thirty acres, boasts a host of supervised outdoor activities including climbing, rafting, woodcraft, nature trails, hiking and others.

Currently there are some places for new members in our Beaver (6 – 8 years) meeting in Milborne St. Andrew and the Cub Scout pack (8 – 10 years) which meets in Winterborne Whitechurch - for further details please see our website: https://thewinterbornesscoutgroup.com/ or email us on: thewinterbornes@gmail.com

Bananas in the Valley!

Lynne Rainford VEGETABLES

For best exhibit in the above sections

The Jubilee Bowl for the most points

Chris Fielding RHS BANKSIAN MEDAL

for most points in Horticulture

Richard Osborne HANDICRAFT Cup for the most points

Philippa Smith

The Beatrice Watson Cup (best exhibit) Richard Marchant PHOTOGRAPHY Cup for the most points

Lynne Rainford

The W.I. Bowl for the best photograph Lynne Rainford CHILDREN'S SECTION Cup for the most points

AlbertYoung

More photos, details of the club and our upcoming events can be found at sites.google.com/view/valleygardeningclub

I thought people might be interested in this picture - my banana plant which is at the front of my house actually has fruit on it. This is the first time ever, and is obviously a result of the hot weather this summer.

Tricia Dawson