Bradford Abbas Paris Council
Unfortunately, the multi unit climbing frame in the Playing Fields must be removed. The Parish Council is in the process of replacing it but from the most recent inspection report it requires numerous repairs in order to keep it going. The repairs will be costly and delay the replacement. Updates will be available on the website and noticeboards.
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 1st February 7pm in the village hall. There is still time to contact the Clerk and join in! (Tricia Chapman, Parish Clerk, bradforabbaspc@hotmail.co.uk, 473 833)
In honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee the Parish Council plans to plant a tree, most likely in the Playing Fields. Please contact the Clerk if you have any suggestions concerning the type of tree or where it should be located.
Cake Sale: Friday 11th February 3:15pm in front of the village hall. The hall will be open for tea/cake after 3:30pm. Profits will go to the new piece of equipment, all support is very much appreciated.
Parish Council contact details: Tricia Chapman, Parish Clerk, bradforabbaspc@hotmail.co.uk, 473 833 or go to the Parish Council's website: bradford-abbas.uk
Philip Hopkins MBE
Philip Hopkins MBE sadly passed away peacefully on the 12th January. The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support at this difficult time. There will be a service at St Mary’s Church on Thursday 3rd February at 1pm in memory of Phil, followed by a wake at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club. Everyone welcome.
Rectory Tea Rooms
A bit of midsummer madness in the depths of winter! Saturday 5th February, 10.30 am – 4.30 pm at The Rectory, Holwell.Tea/coffee/cakes/light lunches/cream teas. All welcome, bring your friends. In aid of Benefice funds, The Agricultural and Rural Chaplaincy and DorSAR (Dorset Search and Rescue).
Bradford Abbas History Society
We have again organized a choice of either an afternoon meeting on Tuesday 22 February at 2.30pm. or an eveningmeeting on Thursday 24 February at 7.30pn. Both are in the Village Hall. The two dates are on the same subject presented by Tony White which this month will be on The Lords of the Manor of Bradford Abbas. This will be set out in chronological order with a slightly more in depth look into The Harvey family who owned the village from 1649 to circa 1780.
Tony will again be trying to convey his knowledge of the history of the village across to a likeminded audience.
These meetings are open to all at a cost of £2 per person per meeting or you can join the History Society at a cost of £10 for the year starting in January 2022. For those 16 and under you are free.
St.Mary’s Community Trust
When we started, our aim was to organize a week of events once a year. We now find ourselves organizing several events spread across the calendar and decided a change of name was required. So, what was Bradford Abbas St Mary’s Week Charitable Trust has now become St Mary’s Community Trust (SMCT). It is still a charitable trust and has the same aims: to stage entertainment events, trying wherever possible to put our church at the heart of our community and using surpluses raised to support good local causes. We were delighted so many people joined in with displaying Santas around the village and that so many of you came to our events in December, culminating with (we estimated) 150 to 200 people in Church Road on Christmas Eve, joining in with the outdoor carol service. Here’s a flavour of what is coming up.
Saturday 19th February THE BIG BREAKFAST - Come to the church for a cooked breakfast. We are also inviting all village organisations to join us that morning and set up a stand or a video display to promote the work that you do and to help you raise new members/volunteers. To reserve a spot for your organization, please text Gary on 07799 430400 or email us on info@StMarysWeekBA.org.uk . (Yes, we know the email address still has “week” in it – we need to think about changing that!)
Open Meeting – On the same day, you are welcome to stay after breakfast while we have an open meeting of St Mary’s Charitable Trust (starting at 12 noon) when you will be able to ask any questions you have about the trust and its activities.
2nd to 5th June JUBILEE WEEKEND - There is an organising group for the village’s Jubilee plans. SMCT is heavily involved and are planning The Church That Rocks, providing live music in Church Road and inside the church on a big day of fun on along Church Road. More details to follow in the coming weeks and months.
Look out for posters and notices on the Pennant’s Facebook page for details of all these events. If you are willing to help with anything, please speak to one of us or email.
Jo, Alan, Rob, Ruth, Trevor and Gary, The ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST team
Bradford Abbas Variety Club
After getting very excited about the prospect of a 2022 variety show, it is with regret that the Variety Club committee have decided that we cannot go ahead with the show. The pandemic continues to scupper us and with rehearsals due to start, it feels too risky at this point to commit to our normal February dates.
Maybe at some point later this year there may be an opportunity to put on a mini-show, so watch this space!
Thank you to everyone who showed interest, volunteered to help out, came up with good ideas and even started to write sketches....our time will come. Stay safe, Merys Hopkins xx
Rose and Crown, Bradford Abbas
Firstly, A very happy new year from all the staff here at the Rose & Crown. December and Xmas was a busy month with the various activities and meals etc going on in the pub and despite just over a hundred cancellations, mainly due to the pandemic, we kept going with all the lovely customers and parties booked which kept everyone’s spirits high!
So, into 2022 and let’s hope it will be a good year for us all so just as a reminder here is what we have at the R&C:
- Seniors two course lunch Weds to Friday 12-2pm (starter or dessert free)
- Happy hour Tues-Thurs 5-6pm (50p off all draught pints)
- Thursdays 6.30pm – 8.30pm theme food night (see boards for each week’s variations)
- Live music usually first Saturday of the month from 9pm
- Quiz night usually third Saturday of the month from 9pm
- Pub Games night usually last Saturday of the month from 9pm quarterly only (29/1/22 the first one in 2022)
Hope to see you all soon and best wishes for 2022, from all the staff at the R & C.
Telephone Box News
Thanks for your continuing support, especially over the bulb planting initiative. There are signs of daffodils coming up all round the village. Themes for the Spring include: children’s week, hobbies, non-fiction, biographies, travel etc…..and of course in the summer a special display to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, both in the telephone box and with the planting. So, if you have any red, white or blue plants that you can spare in late spring we would love to hear from you.
A belated Happy New Year from all the team and thank you for your support over Christmas. We would like to plant a Christmas tree for future years so if you, or your friends or relatives, have a Christmas tree growing in your garden that is getting too big for you we would love to give it a new home. Tel 01935 706419.
Friendship Club
Our first meeting this year is the Tuesday 1st February, which is the first Tuesday afternoon of the month at 2pm in the Village Hall. There will be Bingo, a draw, Tea & Biscuits and a chance to buy Eva’s cakes and quiches from our trading table. Also, there is a chance to have a chat and laugh with fellow villagers. Everyone is more than welcome.
Monday Night Bingo
Every Monday at 6.45pm with eyes down at 7.15pm at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club.
Bradford Abbas Women’s Institute
Our regular meeting in February will take place at 7.30p.m. on Tuesday 15th in the Village Hall when we hope to enjoy a return visit by Dr Francis Burroughs who will advise us: “Don’t put your daughter on the Stage”. We have welcomed several new members recently so if you are thinking of joining us, come along and hear this amusing and experienced speaker – all welcome.
Our delayed Jumble Sale will take place on Saturday 19th February from 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Entrance 50p, refreshments will be available – cake, biscuits, tea, coffee and squash. Jumble may be left at the Village Hall from 10.00 a.m. We look forward to seeing you.
St.Mary’s CE Primary School
It seems that every term seems to start at a sprint, rather than a gentle jog! The children have come back to school so eager and ready to learn. It is always such a treat to be able to spend time in the different classes and see the children hard at work.
This term, our approach to story writing has really captured the children’s imaginations. Listening to the youngest children in the school retelling the story of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ from memory, with actions is such a joy; especially when you think some of them have only been in school for a single term! Our older classes have been extending their writing into other areas of the curriculum, such as creating story characters out of clay, or thinking about making wishes and creating a beautiful butterfly display. Writing is about so much more than just putting words on a page. We are lucky that our children still enjoy the act of telling each other stories and a lot of effort goes in to developing that art in school.
If you would like any further information about our wonderful school or to see some photos of our events, please visit or school website at www.bradfordabbasprimary.co.uk.
Many blessings from the staff and children at St Mary’s CE Primary School, Graham Simpson (Deputy Headteacher)
St.Mary’s Church, Bradford Abbas
We have the following services coming up in Bradford Abbas - Please join us:
SERVICES IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH
SUNDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 10am Welcome2Worship (lay-led)
SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 10am Holy Communion
SUNDAY 13TH MARCH 10am Welcome2Worship (lay-led)
SUNDAY 27TH MARCH 10am Holy Communion
On weekends when we are without a service in Bradford Abbas, we encourage villagers to join a service at one of our neighbouring churches. The services in Thornford and Beer Hackett can be found on the notice board in the church porch. For other churches in the Three Valleys Benefice, please see the benefice website: www.threevalleysteam.org
The church’s ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING (or “APCM”) is an open meeting when people can hear and comment about the running of your village church. The more people attend, the better we like it. This year’s meeting in B.A. will take place in the church at 6pm on Sunday 24th April. We hope to see you there.
On weekends when we are without a service in Bradford Abbas, we encourage villagers to join a service at one of our neighbouring churches. At the time of going to press, we did not have all these details. Once known, they will be posted on the Pennant’s FB page and on the notice boards outside the church.
World Day Of Prayer 2022
Friday March 4th 2022 10am, St Andrew’s church Yetminster, followed by refreshments.
I know the plans I have for you
In the midst of all the uncertainties we are living under due to the COVID-19 pandemic the World Day Of Prayer
Service comes like a balm of confidence. It is an invitation to place our trust in God at times of suffering.
This year’s program is based on the letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylonia and uses the theme of hope. As in previous years there are many reading parts for the service and anyone who would like to participate please contact me at Liz.kirlew@btinternet.com or 01963 23570. If we are able, I hope we can arrange a short meeting/ rehearsal nearer the time.
I have very much enjoyed co ordinating the WDOP service over the last few years but as I’m sure most of you know by now Richard and I are retiring in a few months and I would like to pass the baton to someone before I go. If anyone is interested, please get in touch.
Should we have to change these arrangements they will be posted on the Benefice web site at www.threevalleysteam.org or via your churchwardens.
Looking forward to getting together for what will be a wonderful service. Liz.
The Three Valleys Benefice wishes to appoint an Executive Administrator to work with the existing Administrator in running the Benefice Office. The work is for 3 x 3 hour sessions per week and is intended to lift the burden of administration from the clergy team. Two of those sessions, Thursday and Friday mornings will be in the office, the third session is more flexible requiring the incumbent to attend meetings, brief the clergy and sometimes to take minutes. This requires a degree of flexibility and management skill in handling such things as the maintenance of the benefice database, and website and answering phone queries to ensuring that the paperwork for weddings, baptisms and funerals is accomplished in a timely manner.
This is a paid appointment at £11.50ph rising to £12.21ph in April. If you wish to discuss this further please call the Rev Tony Gilbert on 01935 873044. Applications close on 1st March
Celebrating the Season
As I write, the Christmas decorations are coming to an end, with needles falling off the tree in clumps and paper chains looking tatty as they droop. A new year has just begun and the unusually late nights of the season are still causing a dullness in the brain. It all seems a strange end to a season of celebration, especially as it feels like the sun hasn’t shone in months. Maybe it sums up the whole of 2021 for many.
As you read, we are well into 2022, of course. I am sure Christmas decorations are long gone, unless you celebrate Christmas all year. I expect you’ve had other reasons to be over-tired, what with the effect of a new term, or a new business season, or the advent of even greater busy-ness on the land. Hopefully the sun has finally come out, and you’ve had a moment to enjoy it. You may even be looking forward to the Easter holiday.
As I am sure you are aware, Christmas and Easter are connected by one story, the story of Jesus. This story also has darkness, of running from the paranoia of one Herod, and of being handed over to the cruel humour of another, of being unwanted and abandoned, of innocence murdered. However, it also has the brightest of lights, of love great enough to give up all, of power strong enough to conquer death. And the good news is that it is a story in which we can all share, for in Christ we can all walk that path from darkness to light.
Rev George Moody
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
Thursday 3rd February: The 3rd Keith Lane Memorial Lecture – Walking with bears by Andy Skillen (note the change of date). Andy will give us a pro-eye’s view of working with bears, and some of the more hair-raising encounters that he’s gone through in his pursuit for recording ursine behaviour.
Tuesday 22nd February: Postproduction Challenge, members are invited to take an out of camera and process it in the style of an artist or well-known photographer, or in your own style. Also, a live demo in post-production editing.
The meetings will be held in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Now that there is broadband in the hall we hope to broadcast the meeting for those still isolating from Covid.
Yeovil Railway Centre at Yeovil Junction
There are no events planned for this month whilst essential maintenance is carried out, however the shop on platform 3 is open on Sundays 10am to noon.
I know it is a bit premature to start thinking of Santa Specials in December 2022, but bookings open in June for the 2022 season! We sold out in advance for the 2021 season, so book early for your preferred dates.