The Pennant
Edition 547 June 2022
Printed courtesy of Mrs Annette Haynes as a service to the community
Please email your entries for the July 2022 issue to ThePennant@mail.com by 21st June 2022
Jubilee Celebrations in Bradford Abbas
Friday 3rd June – From 1.00pm, Street Party in Church Road (the road will be closed to traffic). Children (and brave adults) are invited to come along dressed as a king or a queen. There might even be a prize for the best costume. Some tables will be set up in the street. Villagers and their friends/families are invited to bring a picnic from home and a chair. (If you have a light fold-up table you might like to bring that too). The Rose and Crown will open at lunchtime and will have live music in the pub garden and will be serving BBQ food. The school will host entertainments for children. From 3.00pm, the W.I. is serving afternoon tea in front of the Village Hall. From 4.00pm, it’s THE CHURCH THAT ROCKS run by SMCT. There will be live music in front of the church and later inside the church. There will be a bar in the village hall and food available.
Saturday 4th June – From 4.00pm, the Sports Club will host an afternoon of sporting activities which everybody can join in. The bar will be open and there will be music and a BBQ into the evening. The club is inviting villagers who fancy camping out to pitch their tents on the club’s field and avoid that wobbly walk home at the end of the evening. They will have hot drinks and breakfast available for you on Sunday morning.
Sunday 5th June – At 11.00am, there will be a Commonwealth Brunch in the church. Join us for a bite to eat and to hear some tales of life from the early part of the Queen’s reign.
DECORATING THE VILLAGE – We are asking everyone to help brighten up the village by decorating their houses and leaving the decorations up through the four-day holiday. Please follow a Red, White and Blue theme. You might have a royal scarecrow or a model of a king or queen from history or make your house look like a palace or anything really.
RAFFLE - There is a big raffle (to be drawn at the pub on Sunday afternoon) and we are asking for donations of prizes.
We also hope there will be displays/exhibitions across the long weekend. Details to follow.
Please tell your family and friends and join us to make it a memorable weekend.
A Message from the Telephone Box Team
Thank you so much to all the generous residents who have contributed towards the Platinum Jubilee planting and decorations. We hope that you enjoy spending a few minutes by the telephone box and we send our grateful thanks to Her Majesty the Queen for 70 wonderful years of service.
Bradford Abbas Sports & Recreational Club
New members are always welcome. The Club Function Room can be hired for Private Parties. For bookings please contact the club, Tel: (01935) 420575, or see our website: www.bradfordabbasclub.co.uk
- Bingo - Every Monday night - Starting at 6:45 pm with eyes down at 7:15pm
- Mixed Ability Yoga - Thursdays 7:00pm-8:00pm and Fridays 11:15am-12:15pm - Everyone is welcome to join these friendly, fun classes! To book or for further information, please contact Sara Goodchild on 07850 477661.
- Saturday 28th May 2022 - Quiz Night - General knowledge; £2 per person entry with a max of 6 per team, in aid of Ukraine.
- Saturday 4th June 2022 - The Queen's Platinum Jubilee - An afternoon of sporting activities for everyone to join in; Music and BBQ in the evening; Camping on-site with a cooked breakfast in the club on Sunday morning. Pitch your tent. caravan or motorhome so that you can enjoy the evening without having to drive or wobble home!
- Friday 17th June 2022 - Mama Mia under the stars - Bring your own blankets and chairs to enjoy this Project Play presentation. 8.00pm start; £5:00 per ticket; Drinks and BBQ and of course popcorn will be available from 6.00pm. Only food and drink purchased at the event will be permitted. Tickets available from the club, Clare 07484 136717 or Emma 07592 610222
- Saturday 6th August 2022 - 80's Charity Party in aid of Weldmar Hospice - Tickets £10 (under 16 free). Small Buffet included; Raffle; Optional Fancy Dress with a prize for best dressed. Please contact either Jemma 07956 918792 or Tania 07807667466 or Sarah 07805884825.
St.Mary’s Community Trust
Friday 3rd June THE CHURCH THAT ROCKS (as part of the village’s Jubilee celebrations).
There will be musical entertainment in front of the church from 4.00pm. Later in the evening there will be a band playing inside the church. Bar and hot food available.
Can you help out for an hour or two? We need to recruit a team of volunteers for various jobs on the day. Nothing too hard, just a bit of your time. If you can help, please let Ruth Jacklin know by phone (01935 700001) – evenings only please. Alternatively, speak to any of the other trustees and we will put Ruth in contact with you.
Jo, Alan, Rob, Ruth, Trevor and Gary, The ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST team
email: info@StMarysWeekBA.org.uk.
Bradford Abbas History Society
Tony White will be continuing with the second section of his historical tour of the village this month, the dates and times are set out below. Plus, next month there will be a tour of the Church at the end of July. It is expected that these will be well subscribed so therefore a few dates have been arranged to cater for a maximum of 20 people per tour. A small fee of £2 for members and £4 for non-members (per tour), all towards the society funds plus a donation to the church for the July tour.
The dates of the above tour are Tuesday afternoon 28th June, meet at the end of Back Lane at the “T” junction with Church Road starting promptly at 2.30pm OR….
The second date is Thursday evening 30th June, meet again at the end of Back Lane at the “T” junction with Church Road starting promptly at 7.30pm
If there is a demand, I will arrange an additional date for Friday 1st July. Families are welcome. Those 16 and under are free.
For the June tour please drop a note of interest with names and contact details including fees through the door of Wisteria Cottage, The Cross, Bradford Abbas. Dates for the July tours will follow next month.
Bradford Abbas Allotment Holders Association
We are keen to invite you to join our community. There are full plots and half plots available, with the opportunity now for a shed or green house. Renting an allotment gives you the chance to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as improve your physical and mental health among new friends. Whether you are already a keen gardener, recently retired and looking to get stuck into something or have a family and wish to spend some quality time outdoors getting a plot is a way in which you can stay healthy and save a fortune. Please contact Jane Purchase at pugbury@gmail.com
Message for Dog Owners
As a dog owner I feel blessed that we live in such a beautiful area and have access to so many walks on our doorstep. However, it incenses me that there are dog owners who consistently bag their dog mess and then leave the bag on the floor for someone else to pick up...
Do you not realise that plastic bags don’t rot! It would be better as the National Trust suggests to flick your dog mess with a stick into the hedgerow out of the way or use your dog waste bag as glove in the same manner so the waste can rot down naturally.
Please be a responsible dog owner follow the code of ‘bag it and bin it’ and stop littering our countryside.
Jane Purchase.
Bradford Abbas Women’s Institute
Our regular meeting in June will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st at the Village Hall. We will have a demonstration of ‘Fun with Scarves – ways of tying, scarf swap etc. The competition will be ‘Your favourite Scarf’ – all welcome.
Babysitter Available
Hi, I'm Megan, I'm available for babysitting evenings and weekends, £5 per hour. I'm a kind, sensible teenager who is very good with children of all ages.
Text 07800515320 (Sarah parsons) for booking and more details.
Yeovil Railway Centre at Yeovil Junction
Steam Train Days in June are Sunday 5th and Sunday 19th, providing train rides along the ex-Great Western Railway Clifton Maybank branch. Passengers travel in our coach (accessible via ramp for standard-size wheelchair). Pre-booking will not be necessary for this event, please pay at the gate. Gate opens at 10.30am and train rides start at 11.00am (last admission 3.15pm). Trains run at 11.00am, 11.20am, 12.20pm, 12.40pm, 1.50pm, 2.10pm, 2.45pm, 3.10pm and 3.30pm. Turntable demonstrations at 12 noon and 2.30pm. Other planned attractions include a shop, light refreshments, model railway, miniature railway and exhibits and displays (including the Chard Signalling Panel).
Admission: Including Steam Train ride, £10 per adult for those UK taxpayers eligible and willing to add a voluntary donation to enable us to claim valuable Gift Aid (your admission is then worth £12.50), otherwise adults £9, children aged 5-15 £4.00 (£4.50 Gift Aid), children under 5 are free. One child (aged 5-15) is admitted FREE with a full-paying adult. More details will be given on arrival.
Saturday 18th June: UK Railtours - The Devon Pullman hauled by two class 50 diesels will be passing through Yeovil Junction on its return journey from Exeter to London Victoria. Timings not yet known. For further information see our website http://www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com/
Bradford Abbas Parish Council
The Parish Council has a vacancy for the Clerk to start as soon as possible.
- This is a part-time post of 20 hours a month
- To start as soon as possible to commence a handover from our present Parish Clerk
- The work is mostly home-based with regular meetings normally held in the Village Hall
- This is an interesting and varied position with a laptop provided
- Work with a friendly team of Parish Councillors
- Experience preferred but not essential as training will be available
- Excellent literacy, numeracy, communication and computer skills required
- Salary will reflect level of experience and relevant qualifications
Please go to the Parish Council’s website, https://bradford-abbas.uk/vacancy, for information and an application form. Applications close on Thursday 30th June.
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
Throughout the summer we will be holding a monthly photoshoot.
Wednesday 12th June: Bridport & West Bay Photoshoot. Unlike many of our shoots where we try to avoid people, this would be the opposite! Wednesdays are market days-, so lots of people, stalls and buildings. In the afternoon we will be at West Bay with all that has to offer. More information at sbaclub@yahoo.com.
Friendship Club
The Friendship Club meets on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month at 2.00pm 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.
St.Mary’s Church, Bradford Abbas
SERVICES IN JUNE/JULY
We have the following services in Bradford Abbas in June and July. EVERYBODY IS WELCOME
SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 11.00am BRUNCH & REMINISCENCES (part of Jubilee celebrations)
SUNDAY 12TH JUNE 10.00am Welcome to Worship
SUNDAY 19TH JUNE 10.00am Holy Communion
SUNDAY 10TH JULY 10.00am Welcome to Worship
SUNDAY 17TH JULY 10.00am 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. These are posted on the notice boards outside the church.
A message from the Vicar
There is an old saying, “Never give up”…
As I came to write this letter for the magazine, my thoughts wandered towards retirement. I would imagine that most folk already know that Liz and I are due to retire from 25th June. We will be leaving our lovely home here in Holwell and moving to East Chinnock in Somerset to be nearer our family.
My mind also wandered on to thinking about Lent and wondering what I should sacrifice as part of the “forty days and forty nights”? I suddenly realised that these two things were intrinsically linked. There were two words that very easily linked the two thoughts together, and those words are ‘giving up’. We need to ‘give up’ something for Lent or do something more!
Liz and I are also thinking of what ‘giving up’ parish ministry will mean and what the Good Lord is leading us towards now. I am not intending to ‘give up’ everything, as I am to retain my work in chaplaincy, particularly across at Salisbury Livestock Mart. Liz also has thoughts about ‘giving up’ working at Yetminster Health Centre. This is a role that she has enjoyed immensely over the last six years or so, being in and part of that community. We will both be ‘giving up’ several things.
Equally, the news over the last few days has also highlighted the words ‘give up’. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Ukraine, probably giving up for ever homes and lives that they have loved and been part of for years. Much as I hate to admit it, many folks in Ukraine have ‘given up’ their lives for a country in which they believe. Please hold them and the whole situation in your prayers from now on.
This will be the last piece that I write for the magazine. Liz and I would like to thank you most sincerely for your love and prayers that you have given us during our time here. They have been appreciated hugely. We, in turn, continue to pray for you all, hold you in our hearts. So, it is farewell for now, but perhaps, knowing us as you do, we haven’t really ‘given up’, well not totally anyway!
Vicar Richard & Liz