Chetnole

CHETNOLE with REP: Liz Tebbatt 873140 tebbatt.towers@gmail.com Hamlet, Melbury Bubb & Stockwood DISTRIBUTOR: Stan Darley

A special Chetnole welcome goes to Judy Malone who moved from Cambridge to Treetops in Neals Lane before Christmas. She’s settling in well and enjoying redecorating whilst we all wait for our freedom again. Judy’s sister is Josie Mitchell who lives in Mill Lane with her husband Jim, so it’s lovely for them to be so close. Judy, we wish you many years of happiness in your new home and look forward to seeing you in the village come freedom day! We also welcome Jim and Clare Walder and their children, Jacob and Lucas, who moved from Milborne Port into Bridge House, Neals Lane in the rainiest week in history so lots of best wishes to the Walders!

The next Chetnole and Stockwood Parish Council meeting is on Wednesday 10 March at 7.30pm. Instructions for joining the Zoom meeting can be obtained by emailing parish clerk Sue Woodford at clerk@chetnoleandstockwood-pc.gov.uk

Referring people to Sherborne Foodbank is a part of my job that has become increasingly common as the pandemic continues to affect livelihoods. It’s an unfortunate but absolute necessity to have such a safety net at this time so if you can spare some items to drop into St Peter’s church, they will be greatly appreciated (see news from St Peter’s). Tins of fruit and everyday vegetables (not pulses), instant mash, and toothpaste are examples of what’s needed or you can check their website here: https:// www.sherbornefoodbank.org/what-weneed/ for more details. They also have a Facebook page.

It’s difficult to believe (or is it?) that we have been dominated by Covid-19 for a whole year now. Looking back at last year’s issue for March, I can see local events postponed left, right and centre. But this year comes hope with the vaccine and we’re all going to have to sit it out a little longer until we’re eventually allowed some degree of freedom. The roll out of the vaccine has so far been a great success and I look forward to receiving mine.

Have a great March and don’t forget the clocks go forward on Saturday 28 March.

Liz Tebbatt

Photo: Gwen Adair

For now, St. Peter’s will continue to open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 10.00am – 4.00pm for private reflection, or to drop off food bank items and book and puzzle swap. Thank you for your continued generous support for the food bank.

Until the church can hold regular services again, they are available online through the benefice website: http:// www.threevalleysteam.org/ (click ‘services’ on the left-hand side).

St. Peter’s annual meeting (APCM) will be held on Wednesday 21 April 2021 at 8:00pm. This meeting is open to all. At this time, we expect it to be by Zoom, so please contact PCC secretary Aly at kozowyk@btinternet.com for the link if you would like to attend.

Aly Kozowyk

Chetnole fuel group

If you would like to order some domestic heating oil, please call John Sanford on 01935 872973 at least five working days before the next delivery date which is 15 April.

Chetnole Post Office

A reminder that the outreach Post Office is open 9.30am to 12 noon every Wednesday morning in the Village Hall. It offers a comprehensive range of Post Office services, including parcel returns.

Chetnole Village Hall only opens for this service and follows all the current Covid-19 guidelines. Volunteers from the Village Hall Committee attend each week to make sure that all procedures are followed. Where you can, please support this vital community resource.

Gwen Adair

Wriggle Valley Voices

Wriggle Valley Voices have begun the new year with a return to Zoom singing sessions. Kate Hawnt began leading the choir about a year ago, and what a year it’s been for choral singing – or what a year it hasn’t been. You would think a pandemic might have dampened the choir’s enthusiasm, but quite the opposite! Although it’s not been possible to meet as a full choir since March last year, WVV have met up in small groups, either on Zoom or in-person, to continue experiencing the joy of singing. The choir’s zeal to meet up and sing somehow has meant that at least a core group has persevered, with the help of Kate, despite the ever-changing safety guidelines.

The group is always keen to welcome new members. If you are interested in improving your singing voice, learning more music and meeting up with others on a regular basis, why not give it a try? There are no restrictions on who can join – any age group, any standard of singing, and you don’t even need to be able to read music! We gather on Thursday evenings, currently on Zoom, but in ‘normal life’ in Chetnole Village Hall. If you’re curious to try it out, write to wrigglevalleyvoice@ gmail.com to find out more.

Secrets of the ancient Withybed Wood

From her fun composition, Chetnole author and artist Linda Carroll examines the recently discovered species, Furtivus Paulolum Sylvester.

It is one of the most intriguing to study. The creatures belonging to this group are distinguished by their ability to totally camouflage themselves within a woodland setting of ancient origin. They have a red glow within their eye colouration and are totally synchronised within their environment to the extent that bark, moss or lichen grows on their bodies. They seem to have a particular affinity with younger humans.

Records of Furtivus are found within old stories and folktales and it was always assumed that such creatures were a fiction. Only in the last 20 years, due to the dogged persistence of Professor Malcolm F.P. Wade, has the scientific community has accepted their existence. Professor Wade, his faithful followers and students are determined that these unique creatures will not go the way of many and become totally extinct. We are grateful for permission to include extracts from Prof. Wade’s recent book.

Linda Carroll

The Tree Paddler (bratus possonium)

Description

The Tree Paddler has, since its discovery, often been called a tree seal. Although there may be visual similarities, the genus of the two creatures is quite different. The Tree Paddler has a long, solid body with distinctive flat panels which aid its covered, camouflaged state. Its head is rounded with large eyes and it has whiskers. It has two short powerful front limbs which are used to great effect as it moves rapidly along broad branches. These limbs have frond-like tendrils which, it is believed, have great sensitivity of touch and perhaps also help in sensing movement or even smells.

There are no lower limbs, but the body narrows to a powerful “foot” which seems to aid balance and movements. Colouring is black-brown through to moss green. Like other Withybed fauna, the Paddler often has lichen and moss attached to its outer skin. The Paddler has a cat-like mewing call.

Behaviour and habitat

The Tree Paddler moves rapidly. It can reverse by creating an undulating motion and pushing with its limbs. It can move along quite narrow branches with little trouble. Its quick movement and strong grip mean that its weight seems to have little impact on weaker trees.

Tree Paddlers are sociable. Up to five have been observed in one large oak tree. They are twilight lovers and that is the best time to try to make observations. Large oak trees are its main habitat. Numerous acorn shells have been found beneath.

Sylvia Ruth Frampton 1928 – 2021

Sylvia Ruth Ford was born on 31 October 1928 to Joseph and Nora Ford in Yarde Mills, Monksilver, Somerset, where she spent much of her early childhood. At the age of nine, she moved with her family to Foys Lodge, Chetnole, where her father worked as head gardener at Foys.

Sylvia attended Chetnole School and finished her education at Lord Digby’s school in Sherborne. Following her education, she worked as a Cashier for Southern National Bus Company. While working for Southern National, she met Doug, a young bus driver working for the company. In 1951 the couple were wed in St. Peter’s Church and, soon after, they moved into their lifelong home at The Nook, a few doors down from where Sylvia had grown up.

In 1955 Sylvia and Doug welcomed their son, David, into the world. Sylvia left her role at the bus company to raise David. During this time, Sylvia embraced village life and discovered many of her lifelong passions.

Sylvia loved the social aspect of Chetnole life. She was a parish councillor, treasurer of the Tuesday Club and played a key role in the infamous Chetnole Flower Show for many years – just a few of the roles that we could list which demonstrate her fondness for this village. Sylvia was approachable, kind-hearted and the greatest of listeners, enabling any villager to come to her with a cause and who felt that it would be represented.

A memory Joseph and I will always hold dear is delivering the Wriggle Valley Magazine with Grandma, come rain or shine. We would venture door to door with Sylvia and she would regale us with stories and facts of the village that she loved dearly.

Sylvia was a religious woman who dedicated much of her life to St. Peters Church, as Church Warden for 10 years and the organist for 40 years. Sylvia also wed the love of her life, Douglas, at the church and it is the place where she, Douglas and her parents now lie peacefully in rest.

POETRY PAGE Christina Rossetti’s ‘The Pageant’ cont.

Rossetti’s text for APageant included a cast of ‘personifications’ (the months), to be played by boys and girls, along with stage directions - we include only those necessary to follow proceedings. This month has the text for March; each WVM in 2021 will feature the verse Rossetti wrote for that month.

February: Come, show me what you bring; For I have said my say, fulfilled my day And must away. March: I blow an arouse Through the world's wide house To quicken the torpid earth: Grappling I fling Each feeble thing, But bring strong life to the birth I wrestle and frown, And topple down; I wrench, I rend, I uproot; Yet the violet Is born where I set The sole of my flying foot,

March hands violets and anemones to February, who retires into the background

And in my wake Frail wind-flowers quake, And the catkins promise fruit. I drive ocean ashore With rush and roar, And he cannot say me nay: My harpstrings all Are the forests tall, Making music when I play. And as others perforce, So I on my course Run and needs must run, With sap on the mount And buds past count And rivers and clouds and sun, With seasons and breath And time and death And all that has yet begun.

A voice and a twittering of birds is heard. April comes along, singing, and stands outside finishing her song.

April: Pretty little three

Sparrows in a tree,

Light upon the wing;

Though you cannot sing You can chirp of Spring:

Chirp of Spring to me,

Sparrows, from your tree.

Never mind the showers,

Chirp about the flowers While you build a nest: Straws from east and west, Feathers from your breast, Make the snuggest bowers In a world of flowers

You must dart away From the chosen spray, You intrusive third Extra little bird; Join the unwedded herd! These have done with play, And must work to-day.

April: (addressing March)

Good-morrow and good-bye: if others fly, Of all the flying months you're the most flying. March: You’re hope and sweetness, April

to be continued