Hermitage

Faith Hervey

Our flag is flying at halfmast for the third time in five months; now for Faith Hervey, who died on 31 January. We are sad to lose someone who was a friend to so many of us and was much-loved in our community. Faith lived up to her name, not only serving as churchwarden but also quietly offering help wherever there might be need.

Faith and Roger have been such strong supporters of our community, preserving our village green in trust, hosting croquet in their garden and taking part in village events.

She faced her last years of illness with great dignity and determination, continuing to come to church whenever she was able. She will be greatly missed in Hermitage; we send our condolences to Roger, Victoria, Bella and their family.

There is a website with lovely photos of Faith and a link to donate in her memory to the charity ‘Parkinson’s UK’. Go to www.muchloved.com and search for Faith Hervey.

Elizabeth Kenton

Easter Bingo …

… Returns on Saturday 2 April. Eyes down 7.30pm.

Come and join us for a fun evening and maybe win a prize.

All welcome.

HILFIELD

Six generations at Hilfield

Six generations of the Vickery family have lived in Hilfield and worshipped in Hilfield Church.

The six generations are: Sydney, Edward, Hubert, Richard, David and Jack. My dad, Hubert, talked of many happy memories of Hilfield Friary, and Marjorie, the eldest, was recently asked to plant a tree at the Friary as part of the celebration of its Centenary. She has clear memories of going up to the Friary for parties and other activities.

Hubert was one of four generations who lived together in Church Farm; Ernest, Henry, Hubert himself, Nellie (who was the teacher at Hermitage School), and Iva.

Dad had a point-to-point horse called Spotless, and there was great excitement when he won the Hunt Cup in 1932. His girlfriend, Olive Gale, had to take the cup home with her to Ilsington Farm, Puddletown as Hubert had to ride his victorious horse the six miles home after the race. A month later he met Olive in Dorchester Market to bring his wonderful Cup home to Hilfield. The following year they were married in Puddletown Church. They lived at Church Farm, Hilfield and Marjorie was born a year later, followed by Greta and Norman. David and Jack In 1941 the family moved to Lower Butterwick Farm in Holnest and went on to have five more children: Henry, Edward, Richard, Leonard and Joyce. In keeping with family tradition, Richard and Sally Vickery moved to Hilfield in 1969, and Andrew, Stephen and David still farm at Manor Farm. Joyce Dibble (nee Vickery)