Edition 574 November 2024
Printed courtesy of Mrs Annette Haynes as a service to the community
Please email your entries for the December 2024/January 2025 combined issue to: ThePennant@mail.com by 21st November 2024
Bradford Abbas Parish Council
Proposed solar farm at Wyke:
RWE, the company behind the proposal, will be giving a presentation on “the results of our consultation, our response to feedback, and our updated plans for Wyke Solar Farm" at the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 5th November 7pm at the Village Hall. The presentation will be at the top of the agenda and will be followed by a 15-minute public period for comments and issues on the agenda, including the solar farm proposal.
(Please see below for details of the upcoming public meeting regarding the proposal.)
Gollops Ground - Application to add a Footpath along the River Yeo, DMMO T725, Public Consultation:
- The deadline for submitting evidence of use of the riverside path in the Gollops Ground is 15th November 2024. Those of us who completed forms at the consultation sessions in 2022, and do not have anything to add, do not need to submit anything else, as these forms will be taken into account and included in the report.
- If anyone new wants to submit evidence or if you need to add extra information, then please send this in writing to the Case Officer, Andy Hughes, either by email: andy.hughes@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by post: Definitive Map Team, Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. If you have any questions, you can email Andy or call him, tel: 01305 224778.
- Please note, he may contact those who have completed forms or submitted new evidence.
- The application can be viewed by accessing the Dorset County Council website at: https://mapping.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/rightsofway/definitivemap/register and entering the reference number T725 into the DMMO reference box.
East Farm Right of Way, DMMO T474:
There was a good response to the Parish Council's request for evidence of use over the years of the above.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made the effort to provide Witness Statements for the Inquiry, to be held on 10th December 2024 in Dorchester.
Special thanks go to Diane Coffin for organising the gathering of evidence and for being host for the day.
Solar Farm Public Meeting – Thursday 14th November
There will be a public meeting in Bradford Abbas Village Hall to discuss the proposed Solar Farm at Wyke Farm on Thursday 14th November at 7pm.
Although there hasn't yet been a formal planning application made it is felt that there should be a forum to share information and concerns about such an important new development so close to the village. All will be welcome including residents of other nearby villages, especially Thornford.
St. Mary’s Church, Bradford Abbas
CHURCH HEATING – Our fund-raising efforts for a new infrared heating system in church (launched in the Pennant last month) has exited some interest. If you didn’t receive your flyer about this initiative (or if you have lost yours), please email us at BradfordAbbasChurch@gmail.com and we will send you a copy. We are trying to raise £50,000 to turn these plans into reality. Any contribution you might be able to make or any help you can offer in other ways will be gratefully received.
UPCOMING SERVICES - EVERYBODY IS WELCOME
SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 10am Morning Worship (lay-led)
SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 10:50am Remembrance Service (lay-led) - starting at the War Memorial, continuing in church
MONDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 10:50am Act of Remembrance (led by George Moody) - at the War Memorial
SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 10am Holy Communion (led by David Dunning)
SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER 10am Morning Worship (lay-led)
SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER 6pm Carol Service with choir (led by David Dunning)
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30pm Outdoor Carol Service (gather in Church Road – which will be closed to traffic)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10am Christmas Eucharist (led by Richard Kirlew)
On Sundays when we are without a service here in Bradford Abbas, we encourage villagers to take in a service at one of our neighbouring churches. There is always a list of these on display in the church porch.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE AND CHOIR – There will be a Carol Service in the church on Sunday 15thDecember. We are planning to have a choir in church that day. If you have sung with our choir in the past or would like to join us for the first time this year, please speak to Anne Hurrell or Gary Siggins to confirm your interest or email us at BradfordAbbasChurch@gmail.com . If you have the skills or experience to lead our practices or conduct at the service, please do get in touch and let us know.
St Mary’s PTA Christmas Fair
St Mary's School Bradford Abbas PTA are holding our annual Christmas Fair on Friday 29th November from 3.15-5pm
We have a visit from Santa, children's games, tombola, refreshments, a raffle and external stall holders.
Please look out for future posters around the village or visit our Facebook page for further information about how to purchase raffle tickets.
If anyone is interested in holding a stall, all we ask for is £10 per pitch.
Please contact the PTA Chair Nat Franks for more info. nat.franks@gmail.com.
Save our Village Hall!
We need to recruit a chairperson to help manage the village hall with a supportive committee. Without a full committee the village hall will close. This means losing valuable services to the community, young and old. Please attend our next meeting, Wednesday 13th November, 7.30pm, at the Village Hall.
Bridge
We play duplicate bridge in the Village Hall every Wednesday at 2.00pm.
If you would like to join us please contact Chris Jones 01935 47500 for more information.
St Mary’s Community Trust
Sadly our Harvest Breakfast on 6th October had to be cancelled. Events conspired against us and we realised we were going to be too short-handed to run the event to the quality you have come to expect from us. Sorry. It was a good reminder to us that community events only happen with a group of people who are in a position to commit their time and effort. We’d very much like to add a few extra pairs of hands into our family of helpers for 2025. Might you be willing to commit to one or two of our events to help out for a few hours? If so, have a word with one of us (or email us on StMarysCommunityTrust@gmail.com) and we will sort out which events work best for you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday 6th December 7:30 start – CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING
As in previous years, we are planning an evening in the village hall when we will supply everything you need to make a Christmas Wreath for your front door (or anywhere else). You will have the option to make a natural twig window instead of a wreath. Bringing your secateurs from home might be a good idea. We will ply you with Prosecco (or other drinks) and force feed you a variety of yummy puddings. Price £25 per person. We’ll need payment to reserve places. You can email us on StMarysCommunityTrust@gmail.com OR call or text Gary on 07799 430400 to book.
Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December 5.30pm – OUTDOOR CAROL SERVICE
We will again be staging the perfect start to your Christmas. Come and enjoy singing along to your favourite Christmas carols. Church Road will be closed to traffic and the carol lyrics will be projected onto the wall of the church tower. Dress up warm and kick off your Christmas with a glow inside.
Christmas Raffle
We will be running a Christmas Raffle this year with cash prizes to cheer up some lucky winners’ Christmas. Any profits made by this raffle will be given into the church’s fund-raiser for a new heating system. We plan to post tickets into every letter box in the village end November / early December. Please look out for them. Winning tickets will be drawn at the Outdoor Carol Service on Christmas Eve.
See you soon.
Jo, Alan, Rob, Ruth, Trevor and Gary, The ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST team
Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard
Our Churchyard continues to improve and we are making progress in terms of clearing areas ready for planting. Ian and Liz could do with help weeding the longer graves, covering with membrane and spreading the chipping. All the materials are at the church. Saturday mornings still a good time to pop in for coffee, biscuits and an hour of gardening, or call in when you have a gap.
You may have spring bulbs to share? If you wish to purchase plants, shrubs etc. please contact Jenny, Rita or myself, we have money available. This is a community project and if you wish to take responsibility or help improve the appearance of a particular area or grave, please come along at any time. We are also looking to locate areas for benches. The trees will be coming down in the near future
Please share the good news about the improvements around the churchyard.
Peter is clearing and has exposed part of the northwest wall, marvellous!
Alan Fall
Bradford Abbas History Society
This month’s meetings are on Tuesday 26th November at 2.30pm or the same presentation is also on Thursday 28th November at 7.30pm. Both meetings are in the Village Hall.
The presentation is by Tony White who will be speaking on the Fires during the 1830-1840s in Bradford Abbas. There was indeed an Arsonist operating in the village during this period. Try to imagine what it would have been like, there was no Fire Brigade or local Police force to investigate.
Tony will be naming some residents of the village of that time and describing where the properties were. This should be an interesting presentation if you are interested in the history of our village.
We are still looking for nominations for the Chairmanship of the Society. Please
contact Tony White, 01935 424441.
The Friendship Club
Our next meeting in the village will be on Tuesday 5th November at 2pm at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club. There is Bingo, a small draw, Tea Biscuits and a chance to have a chat and laugh with fellow villagers. New members will be warmly welcomed. As mentioned before, we always meet on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month.
Yeovil Railway Centre
There are no public events this month but behind the scenes it is a hive of activity with continued improvements and maintenance. There is also preparation for Tea with Santa and the Santa Specials. Full details at yeovilrailway.freeservers.com.
Musical Fundraiser in aid of the Village Hall – 30th November
Join us for a musical fundraiser evening with Trinity Choir on Saturday 30th November at the Village Hall. Get in the Christmas spirit with some festive tunes, and a complimentary glass of mulled wine. Drinks and refreshments available for purchase (cash only please). Doors open 6pm for a 7pm start.
Tickets are £7 per person.
To book contact Tricia Chapman 01935 602279 or bacmvh@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting the village hall.
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
Tuesday 12th November: Post-Production Challenge
Members are invited to take one of their out of camera images and post process it. This will give the member the opportunity to experiment and develop many avantgarde techniques perhaps turning the image into a drawing or cartoon, changing colours in light channels, creating a mono conversion, or perhaps even employing an Infrared technique. On the evening the before and after images will be shared, critiqued and the techniques used discussed.
Tuesday 26th November: The Overton Cup
Our annual black and white competition for Digital and Print images,
Further information on our smart new web site at sbacameraclub.co.uk
Monday Night Bingo
Every Monday at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club at 6.45pm with eyes down at 7.15pm. Everyone 18 and over is welcome to our weekly light-hearted evening which also includes a small draw a chance to win the SNOW BALL and of course a laugh and chat, we finish just before 9.00 pm.
Mixed Ability Yoga
Saturdays 8.30am-9.30am Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Come along and join us! These are friendly and fun classes, suitable for most. Start your weekend with movement and relaxation. £9 per session.
- November dates: 2nd/16th/23rd
- December dates: 7th/14th/21st
- Yoga is back Saturday 4th January 2025 after the Christmas break.
Emma Riley
https://www.facebook.com/Emma-Riley-Yoga-112642420645325; https://www.instagram.com/emma_riley_yoga/
Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Village Hall
In order to book the village hall please go to the Parish Council website (https://bradford-abbas.uk/hall) to see if the hall is available and how to book, alternatively please email bacmvh@gmail.com or ring the Booking Secretary (Tricia Chapman) on 01935 602279.