Yetminster

YETMINSTER REP: Michaela and Graham Plaice: gplaice@gmail.com 872921

I couldn’t start my piece without mentioning the horrendous situation in Ukraine. I have never felt so privileged to live in Yetminster, surrounded by green fields, living in a warm home, having fuel for my car and able to feed and protect my family. I applaud the hundreds of thousands of people who have offered to support Ukrainian families in their homes and there are wonderful stories of local people driving to Ukraine with vehicles full of humanitarian aid. The people of Ukraine are in my thoughts and prayers.

Well done the Neighbourhood Plan team, finally over the line, to successfully conclude the recent Referendum. There is more information on page 43. We are so lucky to live in a village where people care and volunteer their time and resources to safeguard our way of life.

Planning is underway regarding celebrations for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer. The Committee (I'm sorry if this is not the correct title) met on the 15 March (too late for our deadline) to outline plans and to give advice and guidance for a leaflet to be produced and distributed in April. If you are able and want to volunteer to help, look on the Parish Website to find out more details. There are a couple of articles provided by Toby in this edition.

I can only repeat what superstars the 1st Yetminster Scout Group are. The Cubs have received a letter of commendation

from the Queen recognising their efforts in the design of their own Platinum Jubilee congratulation cards and celebratory stamp.

Make sure you mark 4 April in your diaries. The Old School Gallery and Café team celebrates their 10-year anniversary, not bad for Sarah who was only going to open it for six months. There will be celebrations on the day and on Saturday 10 April, Ray D’Inverno will be playing jazz at the Gallery in the afternoon. The Gallery is preparing for Dorset Art Weeks in the middle of May and will also have an exhibition of St. Andrew’s School artwork throughout April.

The White Hart pub team go from strength to strength, Ellis is proving to be a great landlord. The next initiatives are taking shape with acclaimed chef Bakerman Dan now operating the catering kitchen at the White Hart. The initial trial run of the Gourmet Burgers on a Saturday has been a wonderful success, despite minimal promotion either locally or on social media. The famous English Sunday Roast is now in full swing, with service both for standard lunch time and throughout the afternoon for those who need sustenance after a bracing Sunday walk.

They have almost doubled the number of external seats and fingers crossed for some decent warm weather next month. The pub is sponsoring the Yetminster Scout Group to design and build two big upright planters for the suntrap rear patio. Progress reports as and when. The free to enter FORMULA ONE club is up and running with full details at the bar.

Initially I had a few doubts/fears regarding the running of the pub, in such a difficult commercial climate, recovering from Covid and other external pressures. However, I must commend Ellis on his vision and hard work, well done.

The refurbishment of the Hamcrate play park is almost complete. The new matting is down and the painting of the equipment started on 7 March and should be complete by the time you read

this. Favourable comments are already being received, with one mum saying she felt that the new surfaces to the equipment were great and had much improved the play space. She was also happy to demonstrate its ‘springiness’ and praised the painting of the equipment, provision of the bench and a replacement bouncer as being good ideas. Well done the Parish Council.

I would like to appeal to the younger generation to get involved in village life. Make your voice heard. I am very amenable to creating a page (not running it) for families and those who have recently moved into the village to have a place specially for them. I talk a good job, but I would have to get the rest of the Committee to approve – but I like the idea.

Mercy Ships’ new vessel, Global Mercy (37,000 tons) arrived in the port of Rotterdam in the last week of February. She sailed from her boat yard in China, through the Suez Canal, with a short courtesy visit in Malta, and on to Antwerp for further fitting and crewing. Sue Footner from Ryme Intrinseca was invited to Rotterdam where the ship was to be presented for public and private viewing, rubbing shoulders with Princess Anne and the tenor Andrea Bocelli. Sue has a long history with Mercy Ships and I have asked her to provide an article for the May magazine. Finally, the church has organised ‘Secrets of an Antiques Auctioneer’, a morning with Garry Batt, Duke’s Senior Valuer, on Saturday 9 April, 10.00am–12.30pm - see the poster on p37.

Michaela and Graham Plaice

Coffee, Cake and Chat

Coffee, Cake and Chat is Tuesday 5 April 2.30-4.00pm in Yetminster Village Hall and we look forward to seeing many of you. Peanut the pony will be joining us - how exciting! We will also be holding an Easter raffle; any prizes will be gratefully received, bring along on the day.

We will be collecting for the Sherborne food bank so please bring any dry food/ toiletry donations. We had a good turn out last month when the School choir joined us to sing some lovely cheerful songs. They will be back again soon, watch this space. Thank you for your continued support.

Angela and Grace

St. Andrew’s Church

Easter Day on Sunday 17 April brings the Church’s most joyful day, not to mention a few Easter eggs!

On Maundy Thursday, 14 April, there will be Stripping of the Altar with Holy Communion at 7.30pm, and then Meditations at 2.00pm on Good Friday. We will be preparing the church on Easter Saturday, and if you would like to bring some flowers and join in with the flower arranging, you are very welcome.

Before the Easter preparation however, please come and join us on Saturday 2 April for our spring churchyard clear up from 10.00am. Please bring your own weapons of choice, and coffee and biscuits will be served at 11.00am.

Thursday 7 April will see the School choir giving their concert, The Three Trees, at St. Andrew’s Church at 6.00pm. This is open to the whole community to enjoy, with free entry, and a donations bowl in aid of our year-long FUN raising for church and clock repairs.

Are you fascinated watching the Antiques Roadshow? If you are, then come along and discover the secrets of an antiques auctioneer on 9 April. Join us for a morning with Garry Batt, partner at Duke’s of Dorchester. Garry is hugely entertaining and with his wealth of knowledge, the morning promises to be informative, as well as having lots of laughs. Have you ever wondered how a 50p car boot purchase could turn into being worth three figures, or even more? Garry will have some stories to tell.

This FUN raising, fundraising event is for church repairs, including the clock. Tickets are £10 and are available from the Spar shop and The White Hart, by ringing 01935 873421 or emailing pccsec.yetminster@gmail.com Fresh coffee and delicious croissants will be served on arrival at 10.00am. The Friends of St. Andrew’s look forward seeing you and welcoming you on 9 April.

As I write in April, there is hopeful news of a new Churchwarden, to be elected at our AGM ... you will know by now! With my best wishes

Churchwarden Clare

Churchwarden.yet@gma

Memorial service at St. Andrew’s Church Anne Bayley

Anne died suddenly but peacefully, at home in Yetminster, on 18 December 2021. All are most welcome at her memorial service on 25 April at 2.00pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, Yetminster. Enquiries to annebayleyestate@gmail.com

Some may be under the impression that our local church is closing but this is not the case at all. We have recommenced our regular services on the second and fourth Sundays in the month. We are also holding a coffee morning on Saturday 23 April, 10.00am–12noon, to which you are cordially invited.

The Church – to those who are new to the village – is at the end of Chapel Lane and was built in 1849, for £200. Just imagine that. At a time when there was no electricity, no telephone and no cars. Yetminster’s existence was based on farming.

Over the following 173 years the Church has seen many changes. Heating and lighting of course plus the addition of a kitchen, removal of the pews (after much discussion) and an access ramp instead of steps. We have a WWI Memorial of which we are very proud and a poppy from the Tower of London display donated by a local resident.

We have donated to the Food Banks in Sherborne and Yeovil over many years and continue to do so with a collection basket in Church. Even with a small congregation I have been amazed at the generosity of people to this cause.

We intend to hold our Candlelit Carols again this year which is a very popular event in the village.

Times are hard for everyone and even threatening now, as I write, but we continue to offer a welcome at our services for as long as we can. We hold on to our faith in every situation in these most difficult of times.

So please come along to our Coffee Morning on the 23 April. You can be assured of a warm welcome.

Barbara Driver

Church Secretary

Saturday 23 April 10.00am–12noon

Enjoy a coffee and conversation with friends, old and new.

Dorset Moviola In association with Yetminster Film Nights

presents THE FRENCH DISPATCH (15)

Tuesday 5thApril 7.30

From the director of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and sharing its idiosyncratic visual and narrative style, The French Dispatch received a 9-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festive. It brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of a fictional American magazine published in a fictional 20th century French city – described by the critics as an eccentric delight.

Jubilee Hall, Doors Open 7.00 pm Tickets £6 available from the Spar Shop, Yetminster, or on the door.

Yetminster Fair Association 50/50 Club draw

MARCH 2022 WINNERS

1st prize of £100 No. 64 Mr D Thomson 2nd prize of £50 No. 23 Mr H Robothom 3rd prize of £30 No. 06 Mr B Crumpler 4th prize of £20 No. 06 Mrs S Goldsworthy

Yetminster Fair is back this year after a successful delayed event last August. This year’s Fair will take place on Saturday 16 July at the Yetminster Sports Ground.

There will be something for all the family during the afternoon with children’s activities, musical entertainment and an even wider range of stalls. The dog show will return as will the classic car and motor bike display.

A lipsmacking range of food, cakes and drink will be on offer and, from late afternoon through the evening, there will also be live bands performing at the Sports Club. It promises to be a great day out!

The proceeds of the show are distributed to groups and organisation around the village and last year the following benefitted from the funds raised. • Guides and Rangers • St. Andrew’s PTFA • Yetminster Jubilee Hall • St Andrew’s Church Clock • Art for All Group • Abbey Radio • Yetminster Table Tennis Club • Yetminster Methodist Church

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Plans are underway for the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Yetminster. A recent meeting of volunteers keen to help came up with a number of ideas for the extended 2-5 June Bank Holiday.

It is hoped that the lighting of a beacon on Thursday 2 June will kick off the weekend, joining over 1,500 others being lit around the country at 9.35pm.

Friday 3 June sees a Treasure Hunt and tea for children and families around the village and on Saturday 4 June, there will be a family fun and sports day at The Sports Ground. Plans are at an early stage but expect a range of activities for during the day which will culminate with some musical entertainment in the evening.

Music is a bit of a theme throughout the weekend with a special church service in St. Andrew’s which will feature some stirring hymns and anthems; some of which were sung at the Queen’s Coronation. The church will also host a flower festival over the course of the extended holiday.

On Sunday 5 June, it is planned to hold the ‘Big Lunch’ along a buntingstrewn High Street, subject to Dorset Council approving the road closure. Villagers will be invited to bring food, tables and chairs and line the street for the day. There will be music from the decades of the Queen’s reign during the afternoon and then a band to get everyone on their feet and dancing in the evening. A crowdfunding site has been set up to support the costs of the events and raise money to plant trees in support of the Queen’s ‘Plant a tree for The Jubilee’ initiative.

The events are open to all residents of Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca and if you would like to help with any of the activities, there is a special Jubilee Facebook site set up (just search for ‘Yetminster Jubilee’) or you can message 078 1236 2238 and leave your details.

The next edition of the Wriggle Valley Magazine will include the full programme of events and timings. 40 Each year the Yetminster Summer Show is a glorious celebration, not only showcasing the green fingers in the community, but also their craft skills and artistry. This year’s Show is on Saturday 20 August and is genuinely a community event. Entry is not confined to members of the Yetminster & Ryme Garden Art & Craft Society and their family but is open to all residents in Yetminster and Ryme and surrounding villages.

To give everyone plenty of time to plan their entries we are publishing, below, the classes for the craft, art and photography sections. So, don’t leave it too late. Now is the time to start planning your entries and help make the 2022 event a real showstopper.

Craft Classes

Jubilee Bunting – minimum of 10 pieces A greetings card using pressed flowers Knitted or crocheted garment A soft toy A picture using cross stitch An upcycled product – something new from something old A small piece of embroidery

Junior Classes (12 and under)

A landscape collage made from recycled bits and pieces Create a model bumble bee in any form Decorate a crown for a Jubilee Queen

Photography Classes

Any subject The Coast Inside a building Transport

Junior Classes (12 years and under)

What I saw on my walk Party time

Painting and Drawing Classes

A botanical painting An abstract painting. Any medium A collage incorporating a found object(S) or media A portrait in ink or charcoal (not pencil) on the theme of a hero (or heroine) A land or seascape. Any medium A painting on the theme of emotion.

Any medium A painting in one colour only. Any subject or medium

Junior Classes (12 years and under)

A picture of a wild animal A silhouette A self-portrait

Yetminster and Ryme Walking Group

The Yetminster & Ryme Walking Group had a wonderful walk up on Ham Hill, above Stoke sub Hamdon. A short walk but so much history and beautiful views. Finishing with coffee and cake in the car park.

Paul Birbeck is running Part 2 of the Autumn History Walks at the end of March but is also running another History Walk in Yetminster on Thursday 14April. Contact paul@sherbornewalks. co.uk to book in.

On Easter Saturday, we are organising a Treasure Hunt around the village, with lots of treasure to find and prizes to the winners. Starting at the Pub at 3.00pm, we will be raising money for maintenance of our Rights of Way and the church clock and renovations. So bring the family or come on your own and have some fun.

The April Walk will be from Montacute around Hedgecock Hill Wood and up St. Michael’s Hill.

Please feel free to join us – just turn up or contact yetpaths@gmail.com

Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca Parish Council

Chairman’s Notes – February Meeting

After a process lasting over six years which required over 3,500 hours of work, the residents voted in the Referendum to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan, which will now go to the County Council for final approval. A Planning Working Group will take on the role of monitoring its progress and implementation.

A meeting led by Councillor Hartwell to discuss activities to be delivered as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations was attended by 30 people. Outline information on the activities planned can be found on p40.

The meeting approved the terms of reference for the Community Infrastructure Working Group and, in doing so, has created clear guidelines on how the group will work towards delivering the projects approved previously by the Council. Pleasingly, the first of the CIL projects has, with the recent installation of the new surfaces to the play area, now been completed. CIL funds were used to partfund this, and other projects are now being finalised and it is hoped that they will start in the next few months.

Having taken on full time employment, Charlotte Blocke has resigned from her position as Parish Clerk. We would like to thank her for the enthusiastic way in which she has performed her duties and wish her every success in her new job. Please see the advertisement for this paid position below; anyone interested in further information should contact us at yetminster-ryme@outlook.com.

I end this report with the very sad news that Councillor Garth Hentley passed away on 1 March after a long illness. Garth has served on the Parish Council for over 10 years, taking an active role in planning matters and as a representative on Boyle’s Trust. Our thoughts are with Garth’s family and friends at this sad time.

Andy Perlejewski

Chairman of Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca Parish Council

Looking for something?

“Why not look on the Parish website?” – simply masses of information on all things local! yetminsterparishes.gov.uk

The Parish Council has been petitioning Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Overview Committee over the community’s concerns about excessive speeds on the roads through our villages. We have been keen to seek the introduction of a 20mph speed limit for the High Street and Melbury Road in Yetminster and for the Ryme Road where this passes through Ryme Intrinseca. Potential speeding is also of concern on the Thornford Road at the junction with Stoneyacres, although it is hoped to use CIL funding to install ‘Wig Wag’ lights with the legend ‘20mph when lights show’ to limit speeds here during school times.

We now understand from Dorset that it was previously decided to develop the initial draft guidance on the principles and criteria for 20mph limits (to enable officers and councillors to assess and prioritise requests objectively through the Highways Board) and that this work has been completed. The revised guidance is now due to be considered by the Committee at their meeting on 21 April.

Whilst we have not had sight of the guidance, it should be available with the agenda for the meeting when this is published; we hope to provide a further update, having read the guidance, for the May edition of the Wriggle Valley Magazine.

We would also remind residents that we are always keen to welcome new volunteers to help with the Community Speed Watch initiative. At present we have a team of about 10 volunteers who have been trained. We conducted patrols in the late autumn last year and will resume in the next few weeks once the days get longer. Please use the contact form on the parish website to register your interest.

Cllr Stuart Hughes

YRIPC Transport (Lead)

Yetminster & Ryme Intrinseca Neighbourhood Plan

Report from the YRIPC Neighbour Plan Working Group

The results of the Referendum on 22 February, as to whether, ‘Dorset Council should use the Yetminster & Ryme Intrinseca Neighbourhood Plan when considering development within the parish,’ are as follows: Electorate: 1095 Total Votes Cast: 361 Turnout: 32.97% Votes in favour of Yes: 348 Votes in favour of No: 13 Ballot papers rejected: 0

It was therefore declared by the Returning Officer that the vote was in favour.

Now that the Referendum results have been announced, the \plan has gained full weight in the planning decision making process and is due to be considered in Cabinet at Dorset Council on 5 April 2022.

The Working Group would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who took part in this important referendum.

The work to archive the substantial number of documents that were created in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan has been completed. A copy of the plan has been placed on the Parish Website with the earlier YRIPC Parish Plan.

YRIPC Neighbourhood Plan Group

A Tale of Two Towers

Dr Amy Frost, Senior Curator at the Bath Preservation Trust, recounted the fascinating life of William Beckford, remembered for building the tower (now gone) at Fonthill Abbey and Beckford Tower at Bath. Born into a family of, by today’s standards, oligarch’s wealth in 1760, by 1822 he was heavily in debt and had to move to a cheaper Bath where he started again, as it were, buying and selling property, leaving behind at his death the building known as Beckford’s Tower.

Having inherited vast wealth at the age of nine, he was educated at home for his own protection. He was brought up by tutors and Royal Academicians. But according to William he was taught music by Mozart – he would have been six at the time!!

At the age of 17 he went on an extensive Grand Tour of Europe, collecting fine objects all the way. He also got involved in relationships with both men and women. On his return home at 21 and, as head of an extremely powerful family, there was a formal party for society. However, after this, the house was closed for a three-day bash with his friends, following which he wrote a semi-autobiographic novel in French, called Vathek, which had a great influence on later Gothic novels.

When his relationship with William Courtenay was exposed, he had to escape to Switzerland (homosexuality at the time was punishable with death). It was ten years before he was able to return to Fonthill. Once back, he built a spire to rival Salisbury Cathedral. It collapsed three times and each time it was rebuilt higher. After the abolition of Slave Trade Act in 1807, he had to sell off objects to pay for the upkeep of the estate. By 1822 he was £140,000 in debt and auctioned off his property – the auction of the year – and moved to Bath. With judicious buying and selling of real estate there, finances improved, allowing the building of Beckford Tower, his version of the garden shed. With the passing of the 1834 Abolition of Slavery Act, compensation for the loss of Jamaican properties flowed in and the buying of fine objects continued apace. He died in 1844 but only after designing his own sarcophagus, arranging for his body to be embalmed in the authentic Egyptian process, creating a scene of his treasures around his death bed and commissioning a painting of it – a showman to the very end.

Next Event: 6 April 2022, a tour of the Dorset Museum, Dorchester. For further information or booking, contact us at yetminster8@gmail.com

New members are always welcome: contact us at yetminster8@gmail.com

John Ferretter

Algernon Charles Swinburne, (18371909) was as famous in his day as Ed Sheeran today, though not always forthe right reasons. Now out of fashion, save for a few of his epic poems, his subject choices later in his career would make even today’s critics blanche. However this poem, reflecting on a lost love, has a resonant beauty.

‘April’ACSwinburne

But the grace I have long time sought Comes never in sight, If in her it abideth not, Through thy mercy and might, Whose heart is the world’s delight. Thou hast sworn without fail I shall die For my heart is set On what hurts me, I wot not why, But cannot forget What I love, what I sing for and sigh.

When the fields catch flower And the underwood is green, And from bower unto bower The songs of the birds begin, I sing with sighing between. When I laugh and sing, I am heavy at heart for my sin I am sad in the spring For my love that I shall not win For a foolish thing.

She is worthy of praise, For this grief of her giving is worth All the joy of my days That lie between death’s day and birth, All the lordship of things upon earth. Nay, what have I said? I would not be glad This profit I have of my woe, if I could; That I know, as I sing, My dream and my dread I know he will needs have it so Are of her, and for her Who is master and king, sake I would Who is lord of the spirit of spring That my life were fled. I will serve her and will not spare Till her pity awake Lo, sweet, if I durst not pray to you, Who is good, who is pure, who is fair, Then were I dead; Even her for whose sake If I sang not a little to say to you, Love hath ta’en me and slain unaware. (Could it be said) O my love, how my heart would be fed; O my lord, O Love, Ah sweet who hast hold of my heart, I have laid my life at thy feet; For thy love’s sake I live, Have thy will thereof, Do but tell me, ere either depart, Do as it please thee with it, What a lover may give For what shall please thee is sweet. For a woman so fair as thou art. I am come unto thee To do thee service, O Love; The lovers that disbelieve, Yet cannot I see False rumours shall grieve Thou wilt take any pity thereof, And evil-speaking shall part. Any mercy on me.

Swinburne: Sheeran lookalike?