Editor:Shauna Greed ‘Catalina’ Church Road, Sparkford, BA22 7JZ email: s_greed@yahoo.com |
SPARKFORD PARISH COUNCIL REPORT The last Parish Council meeting was held on 2nd November. No planning applications or decisions have been received. It has now been confirmed that South Somerset District Council have rolled out their green waste collection. Anyone who wishes to subscribe to this service can sign up to receive a garden waste wheeled bin with 25 fortnightly collections per year. For those subscribing now the joining price is £60.00, to cover October 2009 through to March 2011. For people who produce smaller amounts of garden waste there is the option to buy bundles of garden waste sacks at £15.00 for 10 sacks. To register for this service, contact South Somerset District Council at 01935 462462. Anyone wishing to learn to swim and between 11-17 or 60+ years of age are now eligible for FREE swimming lessons at Wincanton, Goldenstones, Chard, and Crewkerne. Please contact South Somerset District Council on the above telephone number for more details. The first phase of scheme activity was successfully completed on the A303 Willoughby Hedge to Mere in June and July. The next stage will commence during the week 16th November, 2009, and will continue for five weeks which will entail preparation for the widening, continued drainage works, signage, and safety fencing. During this time, the A303 will be closed overnight from 10.00pm to 6.00am and traffic will be diverted. We have been contacted by BT with a proposal that we adopt the telephone kiosk at the top of Church Road. This scheme is being offered to all Parish and Town Councils due to the decline in usage. The phone box in Church Road has been used 16 times in the past year. If we agree to adopt the kiosk, the telephone will be removed although the power supply will remain. The adoption will cost the parish £1.00 but we will have to take on the cost of electricity, maintenance, and insurance. We would like the village to decide whether we take this on and if anyone has any suggestions as to what it could be used for this may help the decision. Please contact me by telephone or email as to whether you wish us to adopt the box or not. It is highly likely that the box will be removed if we don’t adopt it. The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Monday, 7th
December, in the Parish Hall.
***SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES*** Dec. 22nd Carol Service, 7.00pm, Sparkford; Dec. 23rd
Carol Service, 7.00pm, Weston Bampfylde.
THE SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH *CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER* Come to the Sparkford Neighbourhood Watch Christmas ‘Get Together’ on FRIDAY, 11th DECEMBER, 7.30pm, in the Parish Hall. Meet with your neighbours and partake in MULLED WINE and MINCE PIES...and a RAFFLE! All are welcome. Please come. Bill Westcott
3rd SPARKFORD SCOUT GROUP Beavers are progressing nicely. They are starting to think about Christmas. Betty the snail continues to spend weeks with the beavers in their homes. Cubs won the District Quiz and are going this weekend to participate in the County Quiz – Good Luck to them. Scouts are getting ready for the district and county cooking competitions that take place after Christmas and are participating in Group cooking competitions over the next two weeks to see who will represent us at the next level. This weekend sees eight scouts taking part in the County Shooting competition to see who will represent the county at regional level. Next weekend we take part in the County Scout Challenge at Huish Woods, Taunton. In our spare time we will be planting 1000 crocus and 100 daffodil bulbs in the Sparkford Parish, again courtesy of South Somerset District Council. Thank you to those who attended the coffee morning or gave us a donation. Andi has raised £360.00 towards his cost of the Swedish World Jamboree 2011 – another coffee morning will follow in the spring in time for Easter orders from Chocolates for Chocoholics. The Cub and Scout sections of the group are currently FULL – should your child wish to join us please phone and their names will be added to the waiting list. Children will be moving from one section to the next within the next year and spaces will become available. And, we still require adults to help in Cubs and Scouts. Please contact Trevor Tuck, Group Scout Leader, on 01963 440860 or 07775 666155. Anne Tuck
SSAFA FORCES HELP AND RAFBF – A THANK YOU The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association and the RAF Benevolent Fund have both asked to convey their gratitude and appreciation to all who contributed to the generous donation of £840.00 given and received in memory of the late Air Commodore John Davis, OBE, and shared equally between them. These gifts are a vital part of the current nationwide need to support our Armed Forces and their families, as they continue to sacrifice so much in today’s high pressure military environment. For 120-years, SSAFA Forces Help has been reaching out to men, women, and children of the serving and ex-Service community, relieving the suffering and distress of anyone who has served just one paid day in the regular or reserve Armed Forces and their families; often helping those for whom there is nowhere left to turn. Similarly, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, formed in 1919, is answering increasing demands for help; from providing specialized care equipment for children of serving air personnel and paying tuition fees to those who have lost parents in the RAF, to providing 1,100 scooters to World War II veterans. This gift will be put to good use, helping those most in need. With grateful thanks to all who contributed, from SSAFA Forces Help and RAFBF. To request or to give help, call 01963 220459. Alison Davis A *FESTIVE CHRISTMAS CONCERT* AT ST BARNABAS CHURCH! Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel proudly present ‘A Christmas Concert: Two Castles Youth Band & Countess Gytha School Choir’ at St. Barnabas Church, Queen Camel, Thursday, 17th December. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm Start. Tickets, £3.00 Adults and £1.00 Children, to include mulled wine and mince pies! Tickets available from the school office or by contacting Jane Raymond at 01963 440021. Parking will be available on the school playground. Please come and join in the festivities while showing your support for our lovely village school. Thank you. PLEASE SLOW DOWN…WHEN DRIVING ON OUR ROADS The other day, my friends’ kitten was killed by a tractor that was driving too fast through Sutton Montis. The kitten would probably still be here if the tractor had been driving at a ‘safe speed’. I, too, have seen vehicles driving far too fast down our roads. Please slow down. What’s the rush…think about it? THANK YOU I would like to thank all members of my family who made my eightieth birthday so memorable. Wishing that no presents were forthcoming, my expressed wish was that donations, as desired, were given to the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance. I had great pleasure in presenting a cheque for £500.00. Thank you all very much. Ted Marsh ST MARGARET’S SOMERSET HOSPICE: UPCOMING EVENTS Dec 5th Music for Christmas, 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil, featuring ‘The Yeovil Concert Band’ and ‘The Trinity Entertainers’, Tickets £8.00, tel 01935 709485. Dec 6th Christmas Pub Quiz at the George Hotel, Castle Cary, 8.30pm. All welcome! Dec 9th ‘Light up a Life’ Service, 7.00pm at All Saints Church, Langport. Dec 10th ‘Open-Air Light up a Life’ Celebration at the Quedam Yeovil, 5.00pm-7.00pm with a balloon release. Dec 12th ‘Light up a Life’ Service at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Wincanton, at 4.00pm. Dec 13th ‘Light up a Life’ Service 3.00pm, at Ditcheat Parish Church. Dec 13th Quiz night at the Lamb and Lark, Limington, 8.30pm. QUEEN CAMEL (MORNING) W.I. – NOVEMBER MEETING The November meeting was, as always, a busy one. As well as having a speaker, November is AGM time, with all that that entails. This year we had plenty to discuss, because along with many other clubs, the question arose as to whether we want to stay within the National Federation of Women’s Institutes or opt out, to form a Ladies Group. The vote seemed to go in favour of opting out, as fees get ever higher and questions are raised as to what one actually gets for the subscription. However, there is still a way to go yet, so watch this space! After the business part of the meeting that saw Jo German re-elected as chairman and the other officers staying in post, we welcomed Mrs. Pitt, who gave us a beautiful talk about gardens in Japan. The slide show was excellent and gave one the sense of peace and calm associated with the subject, whilst instructing and informing at the same time. As ever, the time passed by too quickly. We always enjoy ourselves and always welcome new members (to whatever we are, or become). 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 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. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PLAYING BRIDGE? Castle Cary Bridge Club is looking for new members. We meet every Thursday except the first Thursday in the month at 7.00pm in the Methodist Hall Castle Cary. It is a very friendly club and welcomes players of any ability. Cost is £1.00 per member, or £2.00 for non-members, to include half-time refreshments. Turn up on the night or call us at 01963 351689 for details or to arrange a partner. Geoff Carter-Wescott SOMERSET ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: AIDS AND PRODUCTS MAKING LIFE EASIER Assistive Technology is the term used to describe a range of products or services which help people continue to live normal lives and remain as independent as possible. NHS Somerset, Somerset County Council, and WyvernHealth.Com are consulting users, carers, and staff on how to expand the use of Assistive Technology in Somerset. Feedback is important to help us decide what equipment and services should be provided in the community and how they may best be used to provide maximum benefit for patients. If you would like to give us your views please complete a consultation document, which can be found by visiting our website at http://www.somersetpct.nhs.uk/welcome/have-your-say/consultation-events/ or by contacting Ben Hewlett at 01935 385060. CASH BINGO IN THE PARISH HALL Once a month, the Cary Comedians Carnival Club hold a Cash Bingo at the Sparkford Parish Hall. Doors open at 6.15pm for a 7.30pm Start. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please come to our next cash bingo night on Friday, 18th December. We hope to see you there. LADIES PAMPER NIGHT IN AID OF PROJECT TRUST The Manor Hotel, Hendford, Yeovil, Tuesday 1st December, 7.00pm-10.00pm. Use your ticket to claim FREE mince pie, mulled wine and 15-minute pamper treatments! Manicures, nail treats, hand treatments, reflexology, massage, make-up, bath & body, Virgin-Vie, Ann Summers, cakes and chocolates, handmade Christmas gifts, raffle with luxury prizes, and lots, lots more...Tickets £10.00, Available from Nails & Co., 6 Bond Street, Yeovil, or tel 01935 706683 for more info. All proceeds of the evening will be donated to Project Trust. For additional information go to www.projecttrust.org.uk. BED AND BREAKFAST 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. EDITH BENNETT’S MEMOIRS Memories of the Bennetts who built Sparkford Hall and lived there until 1918. Edith’s grandparents, Henry (the builder of Sparkford Hall) and
Emily, spent a great deal of time doing the then fashionable tours of the continent. In
1826, the young couple with their three children visited Emily’s parents in St.
Petersburg. They took with them an English nurse who shepherded the small folk to play in
some gardens where they were spotted with the little Royalties. The Czar took a great
fancy to the nurse and when, in 1827, the grandparents left St. Petersburg, he requested
to be allowed the nurse if Granny ‘thought of parting with her’. This was, of
course, equivalent to a command and the nurse took charge of the little Princes and
Princesses. Many years later, being again in St. Petersburg, a lady was shown into the
room. She stood for a moment in the doorway and dropped a real Zummerzet curtsey, being
indeed Nurse. She had married a Russian colonel and had two sons in the Russian army. |
Copy date for the
FEBUARY issue: NOON – January 13th 2009 |