Editor:Carol Lock, 7 Twines Close, BA22 7JW

SPARKFORD PARISH COUNCIL REPORT
The last Parish Council Meeting was held on 7^th April 2008.
No planning applications have been received.
One planning decision has been received:
08/00947/FUL – Change of use from garage to recreation room, erection of garage, store and greenhouse at Little Weston House – APPROVED.

The consultation period regarding the proposed closure of Sparkford Post Office has now closed and we are awaiting a decision. The Parish Council wrote a letter objecting to the closure. The Western Gazette sent a photographer along to take some pictures of Sparkford residents protesting and a petition containing nearly 1,200 signatures was also sent off.

There is a website www.fixmystreet.com where you can report potholes, fly tipping etc. This information is then sent on to the local Council concerned who will then contact you to confirm they have received the report. The website has extremely explicit maps to enable you to pinpoint exactly where the problem is.
The following are the Bank Holiday Household Recycling & Refuse Collection Day Changes for 2008/09:

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday, 12^th May at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Members of local groups have been asked to attend to report on their group’s activities over the past year. All parishioners are most welcome to attend.

The Parish Council have been approached by some residents complaining about their poor broadband service and we have been asked to contact BT about this. If any parishioners are having similar problems would they please contact the Parish Clerk on 01963 440112 or sparkford.clerk@googlemail.com so that a consolidated approach may be made to BT on behalf of the village.
The date of the next Parish Council Meeting will on Monday, 12^th May in the Parish Hall directly after the Annual Parish Meeting has concluded.
Karen Bourke Clerk to Sparkford Parish Council

A NOTE FROM ROSE

Just a note to say many thanks for all the very kind cards, good wishes and prayers for a speedy recover following my recent surgery. I am making steady progress and hope to be back with you all before too long.
With many blessings and best wishes, Rose Hoskins.

ST. MARY MAGDALENE – SPARKFORD
The Annual General Parochial Church meeting will be held on Wednesday 30^th April commencing at 7.30pm and is being held in the church. This meeting is open to all residents of the parish and it gives an opportunity to hear what is taking place concerning the spiritual aspirations as well as the practical life of the church. All parishioners are most welcome to attend.

The renewal of the tower roof, re-pointing of the exterior walls of the tower and other remedial work has now been completed. Two substantial legacies that had been left to the church over recent years has allowed for this urgent work to be done sooner rather than later. There is a set of photographs inside the church for persons interested to see at close hand areas of the work that has been completed.
Ted Marsh – Church Warden

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK – 11th -17th MAY
Due to the difficulty of enlisting door to door collectors (an unenviable task at any time) it has been decided that envelopes for donations will be circulated around the village via the Parish Magazine. It is hoped that residents will place their donations in the envelopes and return them to the persons listed below or placed within the prayer box inside the church:-
Ellen Marsh – Green Close, Betty Yeates – Church Road, Carol Lock – Twines Close
Sally Strelley – High Road, Rene Carpenter - Church Road, Eileen Carter-Wescott – Manor Close
Or at Sparkford Post Office. Thank you for your co-operation
Ellen Marsh

FLOWER GUILD COFFEE MORNING
Will be held on Saturday May 17^th at Grey Gables from 10.30 – 12 noon with our usual Bring and Buy and Raffle
Betty and Norman Yeates

DISPLAY AND SALE OF ART
An Exhibition of work by the Sparkford Art Group will be held in The Parish Hall from 11am to 6pm on SATURDAY 14TH AND SUNDAY 15TH JUNE.
There will be over 100 framed and a large number of mounted but unframed paintings and drawings on sale at extremely attractive prices. This event is now established as a very popular exhibition.
Entry is free; there will be a raffle and light freshments available.
Your support for this local activity would be much appreciated.

SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Once again the clocks have sprung forward, bringing longer days and more time to spend outside. Lawns will be mown, gardens planted, barbecues wheeled out, patio chairs and swing seats re-assembled.
Whilst we are doing all these things, others are waking up to the possibility of easy pickings, as they go about, seeming to enjoy a trip around the countryside.

Don’t leave all those things lying on the lawn or on view in the garage or shed. Remember to mark everything with your post code, in case it is stolen.
Please remember to come to our barbecue on Saturday 19^th July at 6.00pm at Weston Bampfylde Village Hall. Bill Westcott

3rd SPARKFORD SCOUTY GROUP
 Scouts have taken part in the County Mountain Bike Challenge at Street, enjoyed using the climbing wall at the Blue School Wells and have taken part in an expedition hike, camping Friday and Saturday nights, waking to find the tents covered in snow in Sunday morning. Any young person between 10.5 and 14.5 years who likes D of E type activities contact us we have places for more scouts.

Cubs have been practicing first aid, taking part in a district football competition at Ansford School and rehearsing for the St Georges Day Parade and service. Jarad Ogborne came 3^rd in the county cubs chess and draughts.

We are holding an Auction of promises evening on Saturday 17^th May in Sparkford Parish Hall,  starting at 7.00pm. All welcome to come along and bid, for an up to date list of promises, check the notice board inside Sparkford Parish Hall, promises so far include a cake a month baked for you for a year, free tickets to local attractions, A meal cooked for four people and delivered to your door, tickets to Yeovil Town football match, baby sitting, hair cuts, donations of bottles of wine to auction  , 25 lots so far... if you can’t come along why not make a silent bid – or if you can offer us a promise please telephone the number below.

Some people have come forward to help and we hope to be able to start a Beaver Colony in September for 6-8year olds, boys and girls, if you have an interested child call Trevor or Anne Tuck, on 01963 440860, if you have spare time we can still use additional help in each section.

DUCK RACE
This year's Duck Race will be held in Sparkford on Sunday 18th May at 3pm.
Cream Teas and refreshments will be available along with various stalls, tombola and more!
 Access to river via footpath next to garages in Church Road (follow signs on the day).

All proceeds of the Duck Race go to the Sparkford Playing Fields, which as many of you will have seen, has recently benefited from some fantastic new equipment.  We  need funds, however, to maintain the facility on an on-going basis.  Please therefore come along to support our event so that we can continue to provide an attractive area for children to play. We look forward to seeing you there.                   
Sparkford Playing Fields Committee 

EVERGREEN CLUB
At the April Meeting we held the AGM (very quickly), the accounts were presented (Thank you Karen), we paid our subs, voted in El Presidente, the members decided not to have a Committee but all chip in and help. With the AGM over in just under 5 minutes we then made earrings – even Bill got involved. Carolyn brought along boxes full of beads and crystals every shade and colour of the rainbow and some examples of her wares for sale. Everyone enjoyed making and playing with the beads and most took on what they had made. Tea and biscuits were served by Jamie Bradford and Victoria Nurse, our young helpers for the afternoon, as they were on half term. Between them they also organized the raffle, selling the tickets and drawing and shouting the numbers. They did a marvellous job and both made earrings for their Mums.

FUTURE EVENTS:
Thursday, May 8^th - Chair of the Parish Council Justin Crawford. Lord C will be talking about local issues and what a perfect opportunity to hear the views and concerns of the older residents of the village who quite understandably do not go out at night when the Parish Council normally meet. Hopefully Cllr Mike Lewis will be able to attend but understandably he is a very busy man, working on the behalf of our community and may not be able to. Fingers crossed. This meeting is open to all.
Wednesday, June 4^th - Dr Huins 2 - 3.30pm. PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE OF DAY AND TIME. A favourite visitor to all in Evergreenland. Dr Huins again will be talking about joys of old age and answer any general questions and giving general advice. He is very cheap and only wants a chocolate cake as his ‘fee’. If memory serves, he took away 2 cakes at his last visit with us!!!
Thursday, 12 June – We are off up to Woodlands (Bluebell Woods) for Tea by kind invitation of Anne and Reg again. As this is an extra meeting members are asked to make their own way there. Lifts can be arranged. As there are lots of Birthday’s near this time it is normally a Birthday party!! They do like a party in Evergreenland.
Thursday, 10^th July - Garden Party. There was talk of holding a BBQ at this Meeting – watch this space and prepare to evacuate Green Close.
TO BE ARRANGED: JULY – The annual outing/coach trip. Destination unknown as yet!!!

If you have any suggestions or would like to make a contribution of time or even sign up for the driving rota please let Sharon know. Contact: Sharon Bradford Tel: 440110 sharbrad@tiscali.co.uk

Sparkford Breakfasts – Advance Notice.   It will soon be time to ask you all for help with the Breakfasts during the summer holidays again.   In the coming months you will receive the usual form asking you for help.  This is the big money earner for the village, with the money made over the past couple of years going towards the new equipment in the playing field and the new kitchen in the hall and the insurance of Weston Bampfylde Village Hall.  We do not ask you for money but we do ask for a few hours of your time as the travellers on the A303 kindly provide the money.  Thank you - The Breakfast Committee.

 QUEEN CAMEL (MORNING ) W.I.
The April meeting of our branch is, traditionally, a luncheon get together, and this year, we decided to have an indoor picnic, with each member bringing in their favourite food. The tables were beautifully laid and the wine and fruit juice flowed. Our speaker was Jenny Peet, who brought a wicked twinkle to our eyes with a talk entitled "No Knickers!" However, it proved to be far more decorous than we first thought, with a delightful, illustrated talk on life in Elizabethan households, both rich and poor. The interesting subject and her perfect, professional delivery, meant that the time passed so quickly, and all too soon it was time to leave our friends in W.I. for another month. If you would like to join us or come along to one of our meetings, you would be made most welcome. We meet in the Queen Camel Memorial Hall on the first Tuesday of the month at 10.30am. Alternatively, give us a call. Jo German, our president, can be found on 01935 851592 or Carole Carter, the press officer, on 01963 220608. Why not give us a try.

ST. MARGARET’S HOSPICE
St Margaret’s Hospice 7^th Spring Fair ,- 4^th May Bampfylde Hall at Hestercombe Gardens.
Ticket Price  £2.50 (children free) to include 2 for 1 entrance to Gardens

Complementary Therapy Day – 3^rd May
at Huish Episcopi Primary School 10.30-5.00pm
Reiki-Crystal healing- Reflexology-Indian head massage and more.
Sessions £5 to book tel Helen 07834 211722

CASTLE CARY CHOIR – 9^th May at St Mary’s Church, Huish Episcopi ticket £10 tel.01935 709485
Tea at 3 – Join Britain’s biggest tea party in June. For a free pack tel 01935 709485
Power of the Parrett- 17^th May - Gentle walk along the River Parrett with Dot Walford. £5 to book your place tel 01935 709485.
4^th Annual Charity Walk – 25^th May –sponsored walk, pick up a leaflet from our Hospice shop.
Yetminster Group of Artists 24 May-8 June present their exhibition for Dorset Art Weeks.10.00-4.00 at the Mill, Chetnole

CHARITY SALE
All proceeds to the Cary-Mulfulira Partnership Trust
Saturday 24^th May 10.00am – 12 noon
Sparkford Village Hall please come along and support us Alan Trott

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 Floss Morgan at WALKlES - 01963 220 416

BED AND BREAKFAST
"A captivating 17^th century cottage standing within a garden courtyard"
The Dairy House Little Weston Somerset 01963 440987 e-mail grahambarnett@lineone.net

FROM THE MEMOIRS OF EDITH BENNETT OF SPARKFORD HALL

Edith Bennett (1869-1946) of Sparkford Hall recalls one of several ghost stories:

I used to wander down weekly to the lodge at the gate and read to an old woman living there, Eliza Field. Eliza recalled when she was returning from school with a companion, a girl who lived where now Tuey’s house stands. It was a somewhat tumble-down place and the girl asked Eliza to go in and "sit a bit". Her parents were working in the fields and she did not like being alone in the dark. "It be queer" said she. So the youngsters went in and sat, snugly enough, either side of the fire. Opposite Eliza’s corner a dresser stood open and upon it a tiny tray leant against the wall. Presently she saw this slip from its place to the floor and there settled. She jumped up to replace it, but the other girl stopped her. "Don’t ‘ee mind he" she said, "he’s no down. It’s nobbut the ghost". Truly enough the tray was in its place unmoved. Guy Bennett

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY