Batcombe

REP & DISTRIBUTOR: Johnny Gibbs jg@intramar.co.uk 83187

Gorse on Batcombe Down Photo: J Gibbs

Batcombe Church

We enjoyed an uplifting Easter Day Service in Batcombe church with a good mix of young and old, together with some welcome visitors from outside the village. There was lovely spring weather and we sang a hymn outside the church at the end of the service. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers.

Mothering Sunday

On Mothering Sunday, a kind group from the church made 30 posies and delivered them to all the Batcombe households with women in them. A lovely and much appreciated gesture.

Photo: J Gibbs

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

On Saturday 10April our church warden, Susie Graham, tolled the church bell 99 times in honour of, and as a tribute to, the life of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The little Church of St. Mary Magdalene, dating from the 11th Century, is beautifully sited under Batcombe Down. Batcombe is a tiny village with a population of about 70 adults; we have no shop or pub and our Church is the only community building.

The roof has been attacked by deathwatch beetles, which have chewed through the historic oak roof timbers and wall plates. We must stabilise and strengthen the structure and treat all the woodwork against further damage. The PCC has spent £16,000 of its own funds over the last 21 months for an architect, a structural engineer and other specialists to assess the damage and find a solution for bolstering the roof structure. We expect the repair project to cost a further £75,000 and we anticipate starting the work in 2022.

Hence the Bolster the Beams (BtB) fundraising. Anyone wishing to help with a donation, please contact PCC Treasurer, Julie Gibbs (email: julie.m.gibbs@gmail. com). You can also help the fundraising by supporting the events we run as a parish community such as the Batcombe Cream Teas on 27 June at Hilfield Friary, the jumble sale on 9 October, quiz nights and talks; bring friends to events; spread the word about events. You can also sign up to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and support the Batcombe Church Bolster the Beams campaign when you shop online with over 2,700 retailers. A percentage of what you spend will be donated to BtB, at no additional cost to you.

Batcombe Church has stood for more than 800 years, through the reigns of numerous monarchs, and seen the impact on the country of the Black Death, the Plague, Covid-19, of wars at home and wars abroad. Thousands of village people have taken comfort from its presence in times of celebration – weddings, baptisms, festivals – and sadness – funerals, memorial services. It seems unconscionable that we let the ravages of a bit of weather and the jaws of a tiny wood boring beetle win the day.

Easter daffodils Photo: J Gibbs

Bailey Drove

The saga of Bailey Drove has moved into a new phase. As you may know, Bailey Drove is a footpath from south east of Scotley Farm (in Batcombe parish), becoming a bridleway (in Leigh parish) and running to Wriggle River Lane. Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) are seeking to turn it into a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT). The case has been fought up to the Supreme Court and Dorset Council (DC) has now issued an Order, the effect of which will be to make Bailey Drove a BOAT. There will 7

be an objection to the DC Order on behalf of Green Lanes Protection Group (GLPG). Both Leigh PC and Batcombe PC have objected in the past and I hope that they will successfully object to the DC Order. I will keep you updated!

Proposal for 272 holiday lodges at Clay Pigeon

The original proposal last year was for 313 holiday cottages. The resubmitted proposal is materially the same, with some fiddling at the edges. All the issues remain, i.e. a ludicrously huge holiday park in the wrong location, with significant traffic and other issues for Batcombe and the surrounding countryside. It beggars belief that anyone thinks they can shift 14,000 weeks of holidays per year with no local attractions other than the A37. It is shown on the planning website that the decision is delegated to be made by the planning officer; whereas many of us think that such a large and contentious project should, as a minimum, be heard by a full committee with public representation. Objections can be made to https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk up to 10 May. See note in Planning on p.59.

Thought from the Rise of the Wriggle

“To have been spared in the war and seen victory, to have been given the chance to rest and to re-adjust myself, to have fallen in love completely and unreservedly, makes all one’s personal and even the world’s troubles seem small and petty.”

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Johnny Gibbs