Month: April 2021

Not All Is As It Seems . . .

At the beginning of the month, Broadwindsor published a Happy Easter post with this beautiful image crediting Ernesto Murguia with how in June 2020, an artist published on Twitter saying her parents are beekeepers and they sent her this image from a fellow French bee keeper.  Such a beautiful image understandably went ‘viral’ on the internet – but not for the first time.  It has now come to light that the image is not a hive created entirely by bees. The story of this image, of bees, an artist, the National Trust, a folklorist, in South Africa and more…  Many thanks to Steve Byrne for his research and the thread on Twitter.

A post from the UK’s National Trust back in 2015 claimed to be the original source of the photograph.

After the image had been shared thousands and thousands of times, someone on Twitter challenged the National Trust, but they confirmed it was real:

National Trust Challenged

Then, as it begins to circulate again, a bee keeper named Brian Fanner replies to the National Trust:

Brian Fanner - "I made this"

Brian then proves this by sending his post from 2013:

Bee Heart - Brian Fanner

The inquisitive Steve Byrne then addresses both the National Trust and Brian Fanner on Twitter – the National Trust did not respond but Brian Fanner did!  He sent Steve this image –


with the following words:
“The things that come up are really funny from how bees have “artistic sensibilities” to bees creating that shape “to increase airflow”. I’ve seen companies using it in their websites and so many claiming it came out of their hive somewhere in the world. 
I used this board, routed in the slots… a rush job I’ll admit… waxed in some foundation strips into the slots and screwed inside a deep langstroth hive lid and stuck it on the hive. The bees made do best they could…”
Brian continued, “The lines are slots into which a foundation wax with the comb pattern on it can be placed…secured with melted beeswax. Normally…a sheet…to guide the bees as to where to build. So they just come across this weird pattern of foundation strip and start building onto it.  After that they just fill it out best they can. It’s a simple manipulation.
The bees are Capensis. The honey was most likely early season succulent type plant called a ‘vygie‘. [mesembryanthemums]. Even @Pinterest use this as the cover image for ‘bee art’“.
“I called the image ‘a sweet heart‘ dedicated to my wife…per the very first post of it on my Facebook page in 2013. We scraped all the comb off the board, strained out the wax and consumed…not a very practical artwork to keep.”

So it is possible that the National Trust‘s social media person got it wrong in 2015 – the image would appear to have been around since 2013.

Steve commented: “It seems to have travelled to many countries & the story has been told and retold. As a folklorist, the giveaway was in the “beekeeper forgot the frame” wording. It kept coming up again & again. That is classic folklore, where a memorable snippet repeats and is passed on. And that, folks, is what we call Internet Folklore, where stories spread and change quicker than ever, and involve communities of people experiencing a simple yet heartwarming tale.”

He concluded: “The thing to take away? On the internet, search behind what you see. Don’t take things at face value. Don’t let your “aww” gene get in the way of thinking, hmm, is this for real? Because there are people out there who seek to use such kindly human instincts in unkind ways.“

It’s still a delightful story. The artwork was made for his wife and they ate it together 🙂

You can download Steve’s full thread in a readable format HERE.

AristotleIn 2011, Brian Fanner was profiled on social media as keeping bees and was “a smallholder in the Hopefield district of the Renosterveld” in the Western Cape province of South Africa.  He was also mentioned in publications as a bee keeper.

In 2014, Brian, with his brother Mark started making their own electric Ukulele’s, based on the southern tip of Africa, and out in the countryside to boot, they became expert in-sources. They pretty much make everything themselves. They also have an office in Cape Town. To learn more about them and their rocking Ukuleles – Click HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,,#Community,#Bees,#Honey,#NationalTrust,#ByMeSong,#SteveByrne,#BrianFanner,#FannerElectricUkulele,#MyModernMet,#ErnestoMurguía,#BeeKind,#BeKind,#Art,#Viral,#WhatIsReal,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

 

Break In At Outreach Post Office

Outreach Postmaster, Peter Blakie arrived at the Comrades Hall this morning and discovered that the Post Office locked cupboard had been broken into and the locked cash box was emptied of £30-40 cash, which will no longer be left at the Comrades Hall.

Entry to the Hall can only be accessed by a key code which allows access to the key to open the front door.  The key was in the box this morning and the Comrades Hall Management Committee have taken the precaution of removing the key and the box is now covered should forensic evidence be required by the Police.

Nothing of value remains in the Post Office. The CH Management Committee meet next week. It is proposed that a new lock be put on the door as so many individuals and groups now have a copy of the key.  Anyone holding a key to the Comrades Hall is asked to return it to Jacqui Sewell at Krumbs, in Broadwindsor’s High Street.

Peter, who is celebrating his 64th birthday today was both surprised and saddened.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Village,#PostOfficeOutReach,#BreakIn,#Crime,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Happy St. George’s Day

St. George’s Day is also known as the Feast of Saint George. As well as England, St. George is a Patron Saint of several countries: Portugal; Cyprus; Georgia; Serbia; Bulgaria; Bosnia & Herzegovin, and the Republic of Macedonia, all of who fly the red cross flag on the day.
St. George is also the patron saint of The Scout Movement, which has held St. George’s Day parades by Scouts (and now Girl Guides) since its first years.

Not much is known about Saint George’s early life, and what is known has been argued for centuries. It is believed that he was probably born around 280 AD in Lydda, Syria Palaestina, an area which is now in modern-day Israel and that he was probably born to noble birth.

St. George Slaying DragonThe Legend:

The myth of St. George & the Dragon became popularised around the time of the Crusades who brought back tales of a dragon-slaying Christian who saved a princess and her village from the flesh eating monster. It is said that the local villagers had offered up sheep everyday to appease the monster, but when that failed they tried feeding it their children, chosen by lottery! Until, on one occasion, it happened that the lot fell on the king’s daughter.  Distraught with grief, the King told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter was spared. His people refused and the daughter was sent out to the lake, decked out as a bride, to be fed to the dragon…
By chance, George rode past the lake. Noticing him, the dragon charged for George, who fortified himself with the Sign of the Cross and charged on horseback delivering a grievous wound. With the dragon harnessed, George rode the princess back to the village, subsequently telling the villagers that he would only kill the dragon if they all became Christians. Unwilling to subject themselves back to the terror of the dragon, the king and his people agreed to convert to Christianity and George slew the dragon.  On the site where the dragon died, the king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. George, and from its altar a spring arose whose waters cured all disease.

George became a solider, and ultimately an officer, in the Roman army under Emperor Diocletian. When the Emperor ordered the systematic persecution of Christians. George refused to take part, which resulted in his torture and subsequent death on 23rd April 303 AD. The Emperor’s wife was so inspired by George’s bravery and loyalty to his religion, that she too became a Christian and was subsequently executed for her faith.

The earliest documented mention of St. George in England comes from the Catholic monk the venerable Bede (c. 673–735). His feast day is also mentioned in the Durham Collectar, a ninth-century liturgical work.  The will of Alfred the Great is said to refer to the saint, in a reference to the church of Fordington, Dorset. At Fordington a stone over the south door records the miraculous appearance of to lead crusaders into battle. Early (c. 10th century) dedications of churches to St. George are noted in England, for example as well as Fordingham, Dorset, at Thetford, Southwark and Doncaster.

St. George's ChapelSt. George’s Chapel at Windsor castle was established by Edward III in 1348. The chapel, which is in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle, had a big refurbishment started on it by Edward IV in 1475 that wasn’t finished until his grandson Henry VIII was on the throne in 1528.
It is both a Royal Peculiar, that is a Church of England parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the Diocese and the province in which it lies and subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch.  It was where the recent televised funeral of H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place.

Order Of The GarterThe chapel also serves as the Chapel of the Order of the Garter. The Garter Service takes place at St George’s chapel every year because St George is the patron saint of the Order of the Garter. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. It is granted by the Sovereign to people who have either served her well or contributed something special to the nation – such as Sir Winston Churchill.   The annual ceremony takes place in June.
The motto in gold lettering  ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ translates as “Shame on him who thinks evil of it.

St. George’s Day was a major feast and national holiday in England on a par with Christmas from the early 15th century. The tradition of celebration St. George’s Day had waned by the end of the 18th century after the union of England and Scotland in 1707.

English FlagA traditional custom on St. George’s Day is to fly or adorn the St. George’s Cross flag in some way: Pubs in particular can be seen on 23rd April with garlands of St. George’s crosses adorning them inside and out.
It is customary for the hymn “Jerusalem” to be sung in cathedrals, churches and chapels on St. George’s Day, or on the Sunday closest to it. Traditional English food and drink is likely to be be consumed.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Village,#Fordington,#StGeorgesDay,#PatronSaint,#England,#GeorgeAndTheDragon,#FlyTheFlag,#OrderOfTheGarter,#2021,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The Prout Project Successfully Reach Their Target

Together we did it!

🚌🌈👏 TOGETHER WE DID IT!!! 👏🌈🚌

We are speechless with excitement and overwhelmed with thanks to all of our supporters!

We just now found out we’ve reached our target thanks to a contribution from the Power of Change Community Business Crowdmatch fund providing us with an additional £4,000 in funding pushing us over the line. We can now buy and kit out an outreach vehicle and make this happen at last!!

We wouldn’t have got here without all of you, our super crowd – you’ve showed compassion towards our community, dedication to sharing our message and an abundance of encouragement and heart – THANK YOU!

Our campaign remains open until next Friday and any additional donations will be used directly to fund additional staffing so that we can extend our reach and offer a wider programme to our community.

Thank you so many times. We can’t wait to celebrate with you soon! 🙏👏🙏👏

#pbpreachingout #proutbridgeproject #PowerToChange #sportengland #Beaminster #crowdfunderuk #togetherwedidit #BuildBackBetter

Posted on Facebook by Prout Bridge Project on Thursday, 22 April 2021

Congratulations!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#PBPReachingout,#ProutBridgeProject,#Congratulations,#PowerToChange,#SportEngland,#Beaminster,#CrowdFunderUK,#TogetherWeDidIt,#BuildBackBetter,#2021,#BeSafe,BeKind,#StaySafe

Lyrids Shooting Stars Peak Tonight

Tonight until dawn, the Lyrids reach their peak. The Lyrids can produce up to 18 meteors per hour at the peak, with occasional fireballs, producing up to 100 shooting stars an hour.

Make sure you are warm. Find a place with no or minimal light pollution, get comfortable and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Be prepared to wait. Look to the North East. Also high in the Eastern sky until dawn – by where the meteors are coming from – is the bright star Vega, the brightest star in the constellation of Lyra.

The annual meteor shower is derived from particles dropped by comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) and will continue until the end of the month. The meteors come from comets’ debris exploding once it enter Earth’s atmosphere. Their disintegration causes the bright, fiery streaks across our sky.

The waxing gibbous moon will certainly not make it easy this year but as the moon sets at 5am – there will be just 45 minutes of darkness before dawn.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Lyrids,#MeteorShower,#LookUp,#StarryStarrynight,#BeWarm,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Annual Parish Online Meeting – Tuesday, 27th April

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council are holding their Annual Parish Meeting online using the Zoom platform at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 27th April 2021.
This meeting welcomes Groups and Organisations wishing to present or submit a report.  All are welcome to attend.

The full agenda is available to download HERE.
Minutes of previous Group Parish Council meetings can be found online HERE

The meeting can be accessed HERE.
The Meeting ID: 834 9495 2686
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.

Welcome and Introductions from Chairman Rowland Hibbard will be followed by any apologies for absence and approval of the minutes from May 2019.
The Chairman will then deliver the Annual Report of the Parish Council.

Reports will then be submitted from the following:

  • Dorset Council Report.
  • Marshwood Vale.
  • Community Policing Report.
  • Broadwindsor School.
  • Blackdown, Broadwindsor and Burstock Churches.
  • Village Halls Report : Blackdown; Comrades Hall; Drimpton.
  • Broadwindsor Group Parish Climate & Ecological Emergency Group.
  • Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust.
  • The FMR Trust.
  • The Blackdown Educational Trust.
  • The Sick Poor Fund.
  • Broadwindsor Allotment Group.
  • Broadwindsor Community Stores.
  • BroadwindsorRainbows, Guides and West Dorset Rangers.
  • Post Office Users Group.
  • Drimpton & Netherhay Youth Club.
  • Clapton, Wayford & Drimpton HorticulturalSociety.
  • Broadwindsor Cricket Club
  • Broadwindsor Community Sports Field

Please be aware:
The APM is recorded in both visual and audio formats.  They are stored securely for twelve months then deleted.  If you have any issues or queries about this – please contact the Clerk to the Council at hello@broadwindsorgroup.gov.uk.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#FMRTrust,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#BWCC,#GirlGuiding,#PostOffice,#OnlineMeeting,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

A Plea From Local Farmer Re: Dogs

Prompted by a lost dog plea (which was subsequently found), local farmer, Rachel Hayball of Speckets Knapp Lamb posted her plea on social media, on behalf of all farmers dealing with their new lambs at this time –
“This is not aimed at anyone. Please do not take offence. I am so glad that today’s missing dog is back safe and sound.
Many of us [farmers] are getting very worried by the number of dogs going missing around Pilsdon and Lewesdon hill.  Areas where dogs should be on lead due to sheep grazing on and near the hills.
Obviously, no one ever intends to lose their dog. But it happens. Dogs can get disorientated when following a scent, they can see something and give chase. Or they can just lose sight of you.
Once they are lost and away from you, who knows what they get up to?
Even the best trained dogs in the world can become over aroused and start chasing and even attacking sheep. They may go up to sheep just being inquisitive and the sheep, being sheep, will run away. This is often enough to get a dog to chase.
A sheep doesn’t have to be attacked to die. Just being chased can cause them to drop dead from shock. They can also abort their lambs…
Newborn lambs also have no chance to get away from a dog.
Please, please keep your dogs on lead on and around Lewesdon Hill and Pilsdon Pen. We [Farmers] shouldn’t have to constantly worry about our livestock potentially being at risk and your dogs need to be kept safe too.
I am a dog lover. I spent years working with dogs. My dogs are well trained and guess what – they stay on lead unless we are in a secure area.
Thanks for taking the time to read.“
– Rachel Hayball
#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Farmers,#Livestock,#Sheep,#DogsWorryingSheep,#KeepYourDogOnALead,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Happy 95th Birthday Your Majesty

Born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, our Queen celebrates her 95th birthday today.

However, as the family are still in mourning, there will be no gun salutes at the Tower of London or Hyde Park which usually happens on this day. Neither will there be an official portrait of Her Majesty released.

The solitary image of our Queen attending her beloved husband’s funeral only 4 days ago touched us all. today, she will be remaining at Windsor Castle and have her family with her.  Our best wishes go out to her.

The Queen’s second, ceremonial birthday celebration is marked on the second Saturday in June, which this year falls on the 12th June.

The ceremony of an official monarch’s birthday has been in place since 1748, during the reign of King George II. His birthday fell in November, with the inclement autumn weather hampering his desire to mark the occasion with a large-scale public celebration, he made the decision to combine his celebration with Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade in the summer. The Queen initially marked her “official” birthday on the second Thursday of June, the same day as her father, King George VI. However, she changed it to its current position in 1959 after seven years into her reign.

She ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25yrs, and surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in September, 2015.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#QueenElizabethII,#Monarchy,#HappyBirthday,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Marshwood Country Beef

Marshwood Country Beef is a local, small business run by Claire Hayball & her family supplying beef to the surrounding area. Their well loved cows are bred on their family run farm in the West Dorset hills. They aim to supply cuts of beef from the beginning of June 2021. 

They are starting up with a Special Introductory Offer:

Marshwood Country Beef Cows

They will have DIY Burger boxes which will be available to Pre order.
In the future, they will have Beef cuts/boxes available but will only know what beef they have when their butcher tells them what the prime cuts are.

Look out for their special offers and future products by ‘Liking’ and ‘Sharing’ their Facebook page HERE.

Contact: 01297 678362 or email: marshwood.countrybeef@outlook.com

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Marshwood,#MarshwwodCountryBeef,#DIYBurgers,#SpecialOffers,#SocialDistancing,#DorsetHills,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

Books! Books! Books!

Obviously, our well used Telephone Book Exchange has a limited capacity.  🙂
Each time, when tidied and cleared, excess books have been taken to the Comrades Hall.  There are now too many and the time has come to donate.

Lyme Regis RNLI Week which, all being well, will run from 24th July to 31st July this year, will be running a large secondhand book stall to raise funds that week.  They have arranged to collect our boxes of books from the Comrades Hall on Tuesday, 27th April when the Post Office Outreach service opens at 10am.

If you have any books you would like to donate, please bring them to the Comrades Hall, this Friday, 23rd April between 10am and 12 noon in order for them to be included in the donation.  Thank you.

Keep up to date with Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Books,#TelephoneBookExchange,#Donations,#RNLI,#LifeboatWeek,#LymeRegis,#Fundraising,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe