The following planning decisions have been received:
07/02823/S73 - Application to vary/remove conditions of decision notices 860140, 97/01611/FUL and 02/02508/FUL ie to permit all year round tourism accommodation provider and caravan storage for touring caravans and motorhomes (GR360176/126277) Longhazel Caravan Park, High Street, Sparkford Mr & Mrs A & P Walton. APPROVED.
07/037744/FUL - Alterations to openings and installation of 3 roof lights - Mill Farm, Weston Bampfylde Road, Weston Bampfylde. APPROVED
07/05244/FUL - Demolition of conservatory and erection of garden room and replacement garage. The Coach House, Ainstey Drive, Sparkfard. Mr & Mrs Nurse. APPROVED

The date of the next Parish Council Meeting will on Monday. 4^th February in the Parish Hall commencing of 8.00pm.
Karen Bourke Clerk to Sparkford Parish Council

FLOWER ARRANGERS REQUIRED

Whenever one goes into the church at Sparkford there is usually (apart from weeks in Lent) a beautiful display of flowers to welcome worshippers and visitors and to delight the eye. The Flower Guild cover many of the weeks but if you would like to contribute flowers and join the existing band of volunteers you will be most welcome. This entails ,just one week per year. You do not have to be an expert flower arranger. Please contact Betty Yeates 01963 440693 or Barbara Cattier 01963 440408

POSADA
The Posada crib travelled from house to house over the Advent period and could be seen in church aver the Christmas period and was a part of the Christingle and Carol Service. This new idea proved to be a success and we hope that even more families will join in next Christmas and that if will become a tradition in the village.

CONGRATULATIOMS - TO ALL AT ST BARNABUS, QUEEN CAMEL
Bath & Wells churches win Church Times Green Awards.
In a ceremony at St Mary le Bow Church, London on Monday 2Oth November two churches of the Bath and Wells diocese won Church Times National Green Church Award. Holy Trinity, Cleeve gained its award for ‘Campaigning to Cut Carbon’ and St Barnabus, Queen Camel gained ifs for ‘Action within the Community’.
The Bishop of Ely presented the churches with the cheques for £500 each and an award certificate.

Commenting on the awards, vicar of St Barnabas, Queen Camel, Revd Dr Michael Perry said: ‘They were a celebration of the really good things going on in churches across the country and were a joyous affair — a good pattern for environmental work in our churches.’
St Barnabas won the award for its churchyard allotment scheme.
‘The church recognized a need within the wider community for an allotment space and decided to use f he reserve churchyard plot to create the allotment. This was in line too with our church’s ‘green strategy’ arising particularlyfrom our young people, to celebrate God by caring for the environment.’
BrianKellock

The Diocesan &,vtronment 6roup is a/ways interested in hearing about environmental events and projects from around the diocese, in particular work being done in individual churches and deaneries. (01934 624787).

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces
Another New Year and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to demonstrate to us on a daily basis the need for us to care for the soldiers, sailors and airmen who are serving us and serving their country.
Furthermore, the lives of many of those who are returning from these theatres of war, having sustained physical injury, emotional trauma or both may be altered forever..and so too the lives of their families.

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help is committed to helping and supporting those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve, reservists, National Servicemen and the families of all these people. We provide a reliable, caring and c&ring service to more that 50,000 people each year
Our network of 7,000 volunteers provides practical and financial assistance, emotional support and a wide range of services to ensure that SSAFA Forces Help makes a real difference whenever anybody turns to us for help.

All enquiries from those seeking help will be dealt with confidentially. Volunteers may direct veterans to other organisations, whilst offering low-level emotional support, such as a friendship visit when the need for support is special ised. There is also a great need for volunteer help - whether that may be as a fully trained caseworker, treasurer or fund-raiser. Please think about helping SSAFA Forces Help - you will be welcomed!
The Somerset Branch of SSAFA Forces Help can be contacted on 01984 624564 or homeshaw@ btopenworld.com and our national website is at www.ssafa.org.uk

SUTTON MONTIS 100 PLUS CLUB DRAW
Winners in the draw were as follows:
October ‘07        £10  No.119 P. Scrancher
November ‘07 £10  No.89 Viv ruckert
December ‘07 £50  No.123 John Righton
Vic Walker

WALKIES! Dog walking service for when you are.at work, on holiday or just out for the day. Plus feeding and minding of dogs, cats and other pets. Call Fiona Morgan 01963 220 416

BED AND BREAKFAST
"A captivating 17"’ Century cottage standing within a garden courtyard"
The Dairy House Little Weston Somerset BA22 7HP phone 01963 440987 e-mail Grahambarnett@lineone.net

In October the scouts entered the County Scout Challenge at Huish Woods, near Taunton, 44 teams tpok part and had to attend ten bases. Our district ran a base where the scouts had fifteen minutes to make, cook and eat a pancake and wash up, other bases included chopping wood, throwing objects onto targets and many more. Our scouts finished in second place again this year. The Camelot District swimming Gala was held in November at Sexey’s School, Brufon, we failed to hold on to the shield, this year only managing fourth place. At the end of November, six patrols from the district took part in a practice day hike from East Lydford to Holfon, the two patrols from Sparkford were the only patrols to complete the hike.

In December both Cubs and Scouts attended the Sparkford Carol and Chrisfingle Service and afterwards enjoyed a Christmas Party at the Village Hall.
As we go to press Scouts are entering two teams in the District Master Chef competition, two winning teams go forward to the County Competition at the end of January more about this next month.

We are still in desperate need of leaders and’helpers in both sections and we would love to have leaders to re-open a beaver sect ion, if you have a few hours to spare please contact Trevor Tuck, Group Scout Leader on 01963 440860.
New members are always welcome cubs aged 8-10.5 years, Scouts aged 10.5 - 14.5 years boys & GIRLS.

SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Your Watch held its Christmas ‘get-together’ on Wednesday 112th December in the Village Hall. Over 60 people came and enjoyed mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls. Many thanks to all who came, to those who helped and those who provided such good raffle prizes.

There have been no major incidents reported lately but that does not imply that we can relax or be complacent. The main problems still lie with the bogus callers. Please report all suspicious callers - it is only by logging their activities that a picture can be built up and action taken.
Numbers to call:
999 to report a crim taking place or you believe one is about to.
0845 4546 7000 for all crimes that have taken place, for information and advice or to talk to a police officer.
0800 555111 - Crimestoppers - for other advice and information which can be given anonymously

PARCEL DELIVERY SCAM A card is posted through your door from PD5 saying they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). Do not call this number - it is a scam originating from Belize. If you do call and start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15. if you do receive a card with these details please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655.
May we all have a happy, peaceful and crime free New Year.
Bill Westcott

MORE ABOUT UNCLE CHARLIE (Rector 1874-99) from Edith Bennett’s Memoirs.
Uncle Charlie’s eccentricities included means of transport. He tried a donkey, fitted with shafts on to Aunt’s bath chair and arranged a plank under it which reached out behind and on which he stood and drove the donkey, hansom-fashion, over her head. The donkey always went better when there was something before it, so the next phase was that in which Aunt Mary drove and Uncle Charlie rode a bicycle, very slowly, in front A pair of donkeys, sometimes driven tandem, followed and made little side-show amusements at garden parties.
Guy Bennett

When God had made the earth and sky
the flowers and the trees
He then make all the animals
and all the birds and bees.
And when His work was finished
not one was quite the same,
He said "I’ll walk this earth of mine
and give each one a name".
And so He travelled land and sea
and everywhere He went
a little creature followed Him
until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said, "Dear Lord,
there’s not one left for me."
The Father smiled and softly said
"I’ve left you to the end
I’ve turned my own name back to front
And called you DOG my friend".

Contributed by a dog lover/walker/owner