· 09/02131/TPO – Application to carry out tree surgery works to a hornbeam tree in Ainstey Drive.
Mr. Templeman, 22 Church Road, Sparkford. GRANTED
· 09/02806/FUL – Erection of 9.4m of 1.8m high closeboard fence to side of property and replacement closeboarded fencing to rear of property (retrospective application). Mr. Martin Cole, Willow Lodge,
Brains Lane, Sparkford. GRANTED
· 09/03169/ADV – Renewal of application 04/01315/ADV for projecting illuminated sign. Mr. A Walton,
Long Hazel International Caravan & Camping Park, High Street, Sparkford. GRANTED
· 09/02755/LBC – Removal of a 1.9m length of stone wall from the south-east corner of property (retrospective). Mr. Martin Cole, Willow Lodge, Brains Lane, Sparkford. GRANTED
· 09/03357/AGN – Erection of an agricultural building for storage of hay, straw, and farm machinery.
Mr. J & M King Brain, Little Weston Farm, Little Weston Road, Sparkford. PRIOR APPROVAL IS NOT REQUIRED

The following planning applications have been received:

· 09/01773/FUL - Change of use of land from agricultural to mixed agricultural and equestrian use and erection of a building for stabling and keeping of livestock. Land OS 8041 Sparkford Road, Sparkford.
· 09/01766/FUL - Erection of a temporary agricultural dwelling for equestrian and agricultural purposes.
Land OS 8041 Sparkford Road, Sparkford.
· 09/03681/ADV – Display of one non-illuminated post mounted banner. Land adjacent to McDonald’s, Sparkford Hill.

The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Monday, 2^nd November, in the Parish Hall.
Karen Bourke Clerk to Sparkford Parish Council sparkford.clerk@googlemail.com 01963 440112

SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The evenings are closing in again, providing ideal cover for those who are intent on stealing and other illegal acts. Remember to lock doors and windows, check the car and garden shed before settling down for the evening.

Be on your guard against bogus callers and telephone scams...and make a note of our Christmas ‘Get Together’ on FRIDAY, 11^th DECEMBER, 7.30pm, in the Parish Hall. Bill Westcott

Very many thanks to all those who supported our Harvest Festival activities, for the flowers and produce taken to the church and then sold after the harvest supper and for the delicious spread at the supper provided by Geoff, Eileen, and Heather, together with their assistants. A total of £300.00 was raised of which £200.00 was forwarded to Harvest Help, a charitable organisation which assists small farming communities in Central Africa. The remaining £100.00 to cover the cost of food for the supper was donated by Eileen and Heather towards the cost of re-planting of the two heather beds each side of the church path. I am most appreciative of the donations that have been given towards the cost of removal of the old heathers, preparation of the site, purchase and re-planting of the new heathers without incurring any cost to church finances. Thank you, everyone. Ted Marsh, Churchwarden

PLAYING FIELDS GAMES AFTERNOON

The Playing Fields Committee would like to thank all those who contributed to making the games afternoon on Sunday, 13^th September, such a success. We hoped luck might be on our side when the day dawned bright and the afternoon turned out sunny, but the day just got better and better when we realised what a fantastic turnout there was. Our aim primarily was to get people together and have some fun – hopefully there was something for everyone whether it being a boules match, children’s races and activities, tea and cake, a long cold beer and a barbequed burger, or a browse of the cards, craft, jewellery, and plants stalls. The highlight of the afternoon however had to be Kevin’s wheelbarrow races – the simplest things are often the best! Although we saw the event as a ‘fun’ raiser rather than a fundraiser, we did raise £270.00, thanks to the generosity of those who attended – and this is a very welcome addition to our funds so that we can maintain and improve the playing fields facility. Our thanks go to several non-committee members who helped enormously in preparations and on the day itself, to the stall holders for their lovely wares and, again, to all those who came along and supported us - we hope to hold a similar event next year and look forward to seeing you there. Sparkford Playing Fields Committee

Christmas is a special time of the year when we inevitably come together and remember those who cannot be with us. We know of many reasons why families and friends are apart at this time - distance, work, or bereavement.  ‘Light Up a Life’ provides the opportunity to remember and celebrate those whose 'light' cannot be with us this year. Join us for a ‘Light Up a Life’ service near you: All Saints Church in Castle Cary on Sunday, November 29^th, at 6.30pm, or St. John’s Church Yeovil on November 29^th, at 6.30pm.

November 4^th Christmas Fair at Wells Town Hall, 9.30am-3.30pm, Gorgeous gifts, refreshments, tombola and much more, free entry.
November 7^th A Musical Evening featuring Harold Britton and Trevor Bolshaw at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, South Petherton, tickets £8, to include glass of wine. To book, tel 08453 459671.
November 10^th Hospice Christmas card sale at Mark Church Hall, 10.30am-12.00pm, noon, entrance £1.
November 21^st Craft Fair at the Liberal Club, Yeovil, 9.30am-2.30pm.
November 22^nd Music & Mulled Wine at The Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill Nr. Crewkerne, tickets £10,
tel 0845 345 9671, music by Gillian Cliffe, John Clarke, Trisha Perry, and friends.
November 29^th Christmas Dolls House Fair at the Digby Hall, Sherborne, 10.00am-4.00pm.

Join us on a trip of a lifetime and celebrate 30 years of caring by St. Margaret’s Somerset Hospice by walking 80km along the Great Wall of China, raising money for the work of the hospice. For more details, please call 08453 459671 or visit www.somerset-hospice.org.uk/china.

Relax, revitalise, and nurture yourself! Regular classes day and evening in Queen Camel. All stages taught from I to V. The next term's classes begin on Monday, 2^nd November. We also offer Antenatal Yoga and Yoga Teacher Training Courses. Join us for silent meditation any evening, Monday-Saturday, from 8.30pm and on Sundays, from 7.30pm.
Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel. Tel 01935 850266.

3rd SPARKFORD SCOUT GROUP

Beavers have been out and about, playing cricket, spending their 1^st birthday party in the playing field, and they have adopted Betty - she is a baby giant African land snail. Each week, one of the beavers takes Betty home to care for her. Cubs have been hiking, rucksack packing, constructing models, and had a conker competition. Scouts competed in the District Scouts swimming competition and came in 2^nd place this year and have taken part in a first aid evening and a night hike. Our assistant scout leader, Andi Tuck, has been selected to attend the World Jamboree in Sweden in 2011. The selection for scouts and explorer scouts takes place in the spring. To start his fund-raising for this, we are holding a Coffee Morning, Sparkford Parish Hall, Saturday, 7^th November, 10.00am-12.00pm, noon. We will have a cake stall, new toys, Christmas and birthday cards, a raffle, and a lady from ‘Chocolates for Chocoholics’ in attendance (with some wonderful inexpensive ideas for stocking fillers and Christmas presents). All are welcome! Trevor Tuck Group Scout Leader - 01963 440860 or 07775 666155. Anne Tuck

‘SAFE AT HOME’ HANDYMAN SERVICE

Elderly, disabled or low-income residents can look forward to calling upon the services of a third handyman when Steve Pittard joins the local team. The Handyman service, run by South Somerset District Council, is expanding so that it can help even more residents who are unable to carry out essential household tasks, following an increase in referrals. Steve will join Bruce Denney and Stuart Foster who have proved a hit with many residents using the service and have been described as "fantastic" by one East Coker resident. Cllr. Ric Pallister, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Environmental Health and Inclusion at South Somerset District Council says, "This is about providing for those with support needs who want to continue to live in their own home but occasionally need some help because of disabilities
or advancing age. It’s for the small jobs such as fitting smoke alarms, completing minor repairs, or replacing garden gates. "By calling on South Somerset District Council’s Handymen service they know they will get things done by reliable workmen they can trust in their homes and at a low cost they can afford." The three Handymen who respond to calls from the public as well as those referred after a stay in hospital will soon begin to visit households with young children which may require fireguards, stair gates, and cupboard locks fitted as part of a new ‘Safe at Home’ scheme.

The Handymen can:
·       Replace light bulbs ·         Fit door chains/spy-holes ·        Fit new or replacement locks
·       Fit smoke alarms ·                 Fit draught excluders ·                Unblock sinks
·       Change tap washers ·         Replace broken toilet seats ·        Fit doorbells
·       Re-hang doors ·                 Undertake small areas of decorating ·       Repair garden gates
·       Fix security lights ·                 Powerwash patios/pathways ·Supply and fit keysafes
·       Take down/put up curtains · Put up curtain rails ·               Put up shelves
·       Put up/take down pictures · Replace electric fuses & plugs ·       Move small pieces of furniture
·       Prevent small water leaks · Renew bath sealant ·                 Tile small areas of kitchen/bathroom
        Repair small areas of fencing ·Replace small window panes · Repair rotten window/door frames
        Fit small grab/handrails and banisters

South Somerset District Council’s Handyman Service can be contacted on 01458 257425. Additional information on the Handyman Service can be found at www.southsomerset.gov.uk. The ‘Safe At Home’ scheme is overseen by ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

BRITISH RED CROSS - OPEN DAY

Normally associated with first aid and disasters, the British Red Cross undertakes numerous day-to-day activities supporting local people in this area facing a short-term crisis in their lives. Our volunteers operate the hospital transport service for patients to the Bristol Oncology Centre, support people on discharge from hospital, and provide on-the-spot support for those affected by house fires and other disasters. During last winter’s snow, in Somerset and Dorset, our four-wheel drive vehicles, manned by our trained first aiders, supported the emergency services in treating and transporting patients unable to be reached by normal ambulance.

Could you spare just a few hours a month to become one of our volunteers? On November 19^th we shall be holding an Open Day at our Yeovil Centre at 72 Grove Avenue between 11.00am-3.00pm. Representatives from all our services will be on hand to talk to you about volunteering and free tea/coffee and cakes will be available. So why not take a break from your Christmas shopping, join us for a few minutes and maybe make a difference to your life and someone else’s. If you’d like more details, please contact Jess Meale on 0845 054 7111.

Once a month, the Cary Comedians Carnival Club hold a Cash Bingo at the Sparkford Parish Hall. 7.30pm start (doors open at 6.15pm). Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The next bingo night will be on Friday, 20^th November, and then on the 18^th December. Please mark your calendars! We hope to see you there.

On the 4^th July, five thousand people from across the diocese attended a special Day of Celebration in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey. It was a lovely day - the sun shone, Bishop Peter completed his 330 mile pilgrimage walk around the diocese, hundreds of children told and sang the history of the diocese in a specially written pageant, Youthful Spirit inspired, Roly the Clown clowned and Bishop Stephen Cotterill challenged. All in all, we: Gave thanks for the past, Celebrated the present and, Challenged the future. And, furthermore, we captured it all on film. The 4^th July DVD is now available for only £8.00 per copy (free postage). To place an order, please write down your name, address, postcode, along with the number of copies requested, and address it to ‘A Day of Celebration – 4^th July 2009 DVD’ The Old Deanery, Wells, BA5 2UG. An invoice will be sent to you along with your DVD order. What a truly special gift this would make for someone at Christmastime! We at the Diocese of Bath & Wells thank you for your support.

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

BRAMBLE & SAGE: DELI ON THE FARM

A superb country shop! Purveyors of luxury delicatessen foods, fresh meats/cheeses, bread/milk/eggs, fine chocolates and gifts, and a remarkable selection of local fruit preserves, chutneys, honey, cider – and so much more! Enjoy a nice coffee or tea with friends in the café. You are most welcome to drop by and experience for yourselves Sutton Montis’ deli on the farm, Bramble & Sage.

Opening Times: Monday, Closed; Tuesday, 9.30am-5.00pm; Wednesday, 9.30am-5.00pm; Thursday, 9.30am-6.00pm; Friday, 9.30am-6.00pm; Saturday, 9.30am-6.00pm; Sunday, 10.00am-4.00pm.
Bramble & Sage, Home Farm, Sutton Montis. 01963 220120 http://www.brambleandsage.co.uk