Tag: #Broadwindsor

Local Elections – Thursday, 2nd May

The Comrades Hall operates as the Polling station on Thursday, 2nd May 2024 from 7am – 10pm

You will have two ballot papers to fill out:

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset.
You will have one vote, and can choose from four candidates:

  • Howard Legg (LibDem)
  • David Sidwick (Con & Unionist)
  • David Stokes (Lab & Co-op)
  • Marianne Storey (Ind)

Dorset Council local election: Marshwood Vale ward.
You will have one vote, and can choose from four candidates:

  • Steve Chapman (Lab)
  • Simon Christopher (Con)
  • Jane Gregory (LibDem)
  • Jacqui Sewell (Green)

You don’t need to take your poll card but remember to take some photo ID with you. Every voter is required to do this.

To read more about the candidates listed above – Click HERE.

 

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Dorset #Village #Community #LocalElections #Vote #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

It’s Time To Enrol/Renew And Show Your Support

With thousands of visitors to the village website each month from all around the world, Broadwindsor.Org celebrates 4 years! 🙂

Local business’ support is invaluable as Broadwindsor.Org (affectionally referred to as ‘The Org‘ by many) is a not-for-profit organisation. £300 was donated to the Comrades Hall following a successful music promotion in September ’23.

The QR code above is for a £20 payment.

If you are a visitor and would like to donate a different amount, please use the QR code below.

SCAN TO DONATE.

 

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #WestDorset #Dorset #Village #Community #Support #Celebrate #4Years #ThankYou #RegisterNow #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

For Whom Do The Church Bells Toll In Broadwindsor?

There are many angry and disappointed village residents in response to the church bells at St. John the Baptist church being ‘silenced’.

The Parochial Church Council met last week and have released the following statement:

The Church Clock Chimes

The church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, Broadwindsor has a clock which sits in the 15th Century tower, striking the hour day and night.

After a relatively recent failure, the striking had been silent until, thanks to a local engineer, the chimes of the village church clock were to be heard once again. Many local residents were delighted to have the sound of the clock back in their lives. However, some were not as thrilled and have asked whether it might be possible for the sound to be silenced during the night when people are asleep.

Investigations have been made and it is possible to purchase a device which will allow the chimes to be heard by all at certain times of the day whilst silencing them for certain periods of the night to allow the lightest sleepers a peaceful rest.

At the annual meeting of the Parochial Church Council the opinions of parishioners were heard. It became clear that many had views one way or the other on the subject. The PCC heard that the cost of purchasing and fitting the device had been reduced from an initial estimate of over £2,600.00 to a figure just over £800.00. This would enable the chiming of the clock to be set between certain hours of the day/night.

The feeling by many members of the PCC that although the aim of the Church in our villages was to “make Jesus known,” it was not felt necessary to remind everybody of his presence throughout the night.

The members of the PCC took a vote and decided that as a good neighbour the church should for the good of the whole community, and taking all views into consideration it would be most important to compromise, and those who wished to hear the clock chiming should be allowed to do so, whilst those who wished for an uninterrupted nights’ sleep should also be allowed their wish. By a majority, the PCC elected to keep the clock chiming from 6.00am in the morning until 9.00pm at night.

– The Parochial Church Council of Broadwindsor with Blackdown and Burstock.

It truly seems incredible that just one complaint can bring about this outcome when it appears most of the village want the clock to chime throughout the night. (What will happen on Hogmonay? – Editor)

When asked, Rev. Jo Neary commented “I didn’t attend that meeting so I wasn’t part of the discussion But I support the decision of a compromise and finding a way forward that is kind, considerate and makes Jesus known by sharing his values of love, compassion, kindness and mercy. The clock will still chime.”

To contact Rev. Jo – please email revneary@gmail.com

Rev. Canon David Baldwin, who conducted last week’s meeting commented “...I have always turned to the very useful advice from the Council for the Care of Churches (now called the Church Buildings Council). Amongst other points they suggest that you consider your neighbours and be reasonable so as to avoid your neighbours bringing a claim against you and to prevent the possibility of the local authority bringing a prosecution against you on the grounds of noise abatement.”
He added “On dealing with complaints about bell ringing and Clock Chimes issued by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers they advise that reactions, for example, “the church was here first” and ” we have been doing this for hundreds of years” are not helpful.”

To contact Rev. Canon David – please email revdavidbaldwin@gmail.com

From local poet, Peter Roe:

A Townie goes Wild in Dorset

“Stop the church clock…” he said
“My children lie awake in bed
Disturbed by the chimes in the night
I’m telling you, this place isn’t right

We left the city with planes overhead
Now we have screaming foxes instead
Then the noise from people leaving the pub
I’m telling you this place isn’t any good?

Harvesters working through the night
All those animals fornicating in plain sight
Shit on the field that God awful smell
Creeps into the house makes us unwell

Bloody great, tractors blocking the lane
Refusing to back up drive me insane
Hooting owls and Cockerels crowing at Dawn
This incessant noise is making me yawn

Escape to the Country, get a new life?
It just isn’t worth all this trouble and strife
This village is not the haven promised to me
I’m going back to the city where I can just be!”

Peter Roe – April 2024

Main photo: Ruthie Stevens

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Dorset #Village #Community #ChurchBells #StJohnTheBaptist #ForWhomTheBellTolls #PCC #Compromise #BeKind #BeSafe #BeaminsterChurches #PeterRoe #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 to noble birth, around 280 AD in Cappodocia (Turkey) and died on 23rd April in Lydda, Syria Palaestina, an area which is now in modern-day Israel.

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 funeral of H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in 2021.

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 #Dorset #Village #Community #PatronSaint #StGeorge #GeorgeAndTheDragon #Celebrate #BeKind #BeSafe #AvoidDragons #StaySafe

 

Broadwindsor Cricket Club 2024 Fixtures

Here are the 2024 Fixtures at Broadwindsor Cricket Club 🙂

You can download the pdf file HERE.

They always welcome new players and anyone interested in being involved with Broadwindsor CC. If you would like to find out more, please use the contact form HERE.

#Broadwindsor #Blackdown #Burstock #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Dorset #WestDorset #Community #Family #Sport #Village #BWCC #CricketClub #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

Funeral Arrangements For Paul Miller

The service for village resident Paul Miller will be held at Yeovil crematorium at 13.20 hrs. on Tuesday, 9th April.
Anyone who would like to come along and raise a glass in his memory, are welcome to join the family at The White Lion from 15.30 hrs. onwards.

“Thank you to everyone for all the kind thoughts, cards and flowers we have received, we are overwhelmed with kindness.”

– Chris and family x

Our Deepest Condolences
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris, Jo and all the family at this sad time.

❤ Paul Miller 04.09.1947 – 15.03.2024  ❤

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #WestDorset #Dorset #Village #Community #SadLoss #Family #Love #Thoughts #Prayers #Funeral #Celebration #Farewell #MissYou #PayRespect #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

Announcement

Due to personal reasons and after 4 years continual work, I am stepping back from chief editorial duties at Broadwindsor.Org until Easter. I will endeavour to keep the What’s On up to date in the interim.

Annual registration fees, for local businesses & organisations cover basic overheads, will be £20/year and due in April. I hope I can continue to count on your support.

Registration fees and donations are motivating, inspiring and always most welcome.

Thank you!

Wendy Shields.
Editor.

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Drimpton #Dorset #Village #Community #WestDorset #Lent #TimeOut #BeKind

An Interview With Richard Wakely, AJ Wakely & Sons

Interviewed by Tracey Beardsley and first published for the online BV Magazine, Richard Wakely is the fourth generation of the family’s funeral director business.
(All images are by Courtenay Hitchcock.)

In 1897, in the small village of Broadwindsor, carpenters and gatemakers Arthur and Ernie Wakely turned their skills to making coffins.
Arthur’s son Jack helped his father and uncle in the family business and, with an entrepreneurial eye, he purchased a small funeral business in Bridport. Fast forward more than 120 years and that funeral business has burgeoned into 14 offices covering an area from Sidmouth to Wincanton.

Jack’s grandson, Richard Wakely, is the fourth-generation funeral director to join A. J. Wakely & Sons. Richard says: ‘It wasn’t my plan to come into the family business. My dad, Clive, a director in the firm, never pushed me or my three sisters. It wasn’t like TV’s Succession! Dad wanted it to be a natural progression. This is more of a vocation than an actual job. You’ve got to want to do it.’

David, Simon, Clive and Jack at Sherborne office in 1999.
After leaving school, Richard worked in the Philippines for the charity Mercy in Action. ‘That experience was life-changing for me,’ he says. ‘I grew up so much in three years.’
Working in the charity’s homes for vulnerable children in the Philippines, Richard ran a summer programme for street kids and a drop-in centre for orphans. ‘We’d feed them and give them a basic education.’
A keen sportsman, Richard spent time going into the community and playing basketball with the kids. This success led him to run an after-school programme as a full-time job. ‘A lot of the kids had no electricity in the evening and were doing their homework by candlelight. Opening the day centre at night gave them a safe space to study.’
We’ll find a way
Returning home, a casual chat while walking along the beach with his dad led to him joining the family business aged 21. Richard began learning the ropes as a general employee. He worked on the fixtures and fittings of coffins, having inherited his great grandfathers’ craft skills, and he shadowed experienced funeral director Matthew Paterson.
Richard juggled working with studying for his funeral director’s diploma. ‘Incredibly, you don’t legally need any qualifications to be a funeral director. It’s scary to think anyone can set up – without the right facilities, knowledge, or empathy that this work requires. Hopefully regulations will be coming in soon.’
After nine years, Richard now runs two of the Wakely offices. ‘Our motto is: “we will say yes and then work out how to do it”!
If a family wants it done and it’s legal, we’ll find a way.’
This includes unusual requests – Richard researched if a lady could keep her husband’s skeleton hanging in her office (she couldn’t).
He’s also been asked to dress down in shorts and a t-shirt rather than the usual funeral attire of tailcoated suit.
‘The taboo of talking about death has changed. People are keener to organise their own funeral and take the burden off loved ones. People want a personal touch. We now have a Land Rover Defender converted into a hearse for funerals on private land. Sometimes it’s just in a field with hay bales for the mourners.’
What is the reaction when Richard says what he does for a living? ‘I always say it’s either a conversation starter or finisher. Some people are surprised and hesitant, not wanting to know more. Others ask questions – lots of them!’
Tough days
Richard’s faith helps him handle the emotions of dealing with death every day. ‘Praying through things really helps. My wife Emily is also a fantastic support. And as soon as I walk through the door, I’m bowled over by two young children and a baby. Work goes to one side for family time and that helps a lot.’
Organising a funeral for a baby or child is the toughest part of his job. ‘You feel for the parents.
‘Also, I’m always struck by non-attended funerals, where the deceased has outlived all friends and relations so there are no mourners. You become the congregation, and when you hear about their incredible lives, it’s very moving. I remember one chap who had been a spy gathering intel during the Second World War. We’re coming to the end of that generation. Such heroic stories will be buried forever – I’m very privileged to hear some of them.’
Quick fire questions:
Top dinner party guests?
My rugby heroes, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter. Jesus would be cool … and my great grandfather, so I could thank him for starting the business!
Book by your bedside?
Imagine Heaven by John Burke
It’s FREE to subscribe to the BV Magazine – Click  HERE and receive it direct to your inbox every month 🙂

 

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Drimpton #Dorset #Village #WestDorset #BVMag #AJWakely #TracieBillbeard #History #FuneralDirectors #BeKind

Lent Lunches Begin Thursday, 15th February

Broadwindsor, Blackdown and Burstock churches begin their Lent Lunches this Thursday from 12.30pm – 2pm at the Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor. This will continue every Thursday for six weeks:

  • 15th February
  • 22nd February
  • 29th February
  • 7th March
  • 14th March
  • 21st March

Good Friday is on 29th March and Easter Sunday on 31st March.

The £5 charge will fetch you a hot bowl of soup with fresh bread, cheese and pickle, tea or coffee and a warm welcome with a smile 🙂

The mobile Post Office Van will be in attendance as usual on Thursdays, 9.15am- 10.45am.

However, the Coffee Club that normally runs from 9am-11am will be cancelled for Lent Lunches and begin again in April.

 

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Drimpton #Dorset #AONB #Village #WestDorset #LentLunches #PostOffice #Community #Outreach #Mobile #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

5 New Dwellings & Formation Of Access On Drimpton Road?

Our Parish Council promote themselves by stating:
Broadwindsor Group Parish Council represents the views of local people, negotiates and influences the decisions which directly affect the community and delivers important services to improve the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area.

The Neighbourhood Plan became a statutory part of the development plan for the area and carries significant weight in how planning applications are decided. You can read the October 2018 Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan, in full HERE. (The Editor could not find the approved plan on the Dorset Council website.)

The next meeting of Broadwindsor Group Parish Council will be held at Drimpton Village Hall on Monday, 12th February at 7.30pm.  All are invited to attend.

The full agenda is not yet published but one planning application in particular, which has a deadline of 15th February for comments, has received much attention on social media… Councillor Steve Chubb commented as below:

The following application P/FUL/2022/05832 has been received from Dorset Council and will be discussed at our next meeting on 12 February. A Case Officer was only appointed at the end of last week and an extension to the deadline for comments has been requested in order that the Parish Council can discuss collectively and seek the views of those living close by. Members of the public can make comments to the Parish Council or comment directly to Dorset Council online. The deadline is 15 February.In November 2022 Chapman Lily Planning Ltd attended a Parish Council meeting to discuss the proposal prior to submission to Dorset Council. The published minute of that item is below (main image).
https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx…
<<<

Let YOUR voice be heard:
  • You can comment now directly on the application on Dorset Council’s website HERE, up until Thursday, 15th February.
  • You can voice your comments to the local councillors by attending their meeting on Monday, 12th February.
  • You can email the parish clerk: hello@broadwindsorgroup.gov.uk
  • You can telephone the parish clerk: 01308 488440
  • For more details on Broadwindsor’s Neighbourhood Plan – please visit HERE.
  • For more information on Chapman Lily Planning Ltd – please visit HERE.
Broadwindsor Group Parish Council
There are 15 elected Councillors who represent the five wards of Blackdown, Broadwindsor, Burstock, Drimpton and Seaborough.
Do you know who your parish councillors are?
They can be viewed HERE.

 

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #Drimpton #Dorset #Village #WestDorset #BGPC #BGPCLT #Community #Farmers #PlanningApplication #ParishCouncil #NeighbourhoodPlan #DorsetCouncil #AffordableHousing #ClimateChange #CllrSimonChristopher #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe