Tag: #memories

New Bench At Cross Keys Donated By The Late Julie Steele

Today, Sunday 21st July would have been Julie Steele’s 59th birthday but sadly she left us, too soon, on 12th December 2022 following a long struggle with cancer and its treatments.

Julie sat on the old bench – 2022

Julie loved living in Broadwindsor and said this was where she said she belonged. Julie was enthusiastically involved with many activities in the village, of note was her role as President of the local W.I. group who described her as “a real leading light at our WI.”
To read Julie’s full Eulogy presented by her friend, Cath Booth – click HERE.

The old bench at Cross Keys junction.

Julie frequently rested at the old bench at Cross Keys, which is across the road from the war memorial, en route to our village shop or visiting friends.
One of Julie’s final arrangements was to choose, purchase from her estate and donate a new bench which is now situated there.

The new bench at Cross Keys junction

Thank you to Martin Burt for putting it in place 🙂

Soon to be added is a memorial plaque which reads:

In Memory Of Julie Steele
1965 – 2022
A Much Loved Friend & Broadwindsor Resident
Greatly Missed, Never Forgotten

 

The next stage of the ‘facelift’ will happen once the wild flowers have died back. The grass will then be cut and a rose bed will be put in which, once in place, the W.I. have kindly agreed to maintain ❀

 

 

Julie was laid to rest in St. John the Baptist church graveyard
on 6th January 2023.

21.07.65 -12.12.22

❀ Happy Heavenly Birthday Julie
& Thank You! ❀


#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #WestDorset #Dorset #Village #BGPC #Community #WI #Bench #Memories #Celebration #HappyBirthday #InMemorium #MissYou #Love #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe

Where Did The Tin Hut Go?

This was the question and discussion at this morning’s Post Office Coffee Group from the village’s older residents.

The blue Tin Hut which was situated outside at Wall Farm on the B3164 towards Marshwood has gone. Some were shocked. Many were surprised.

So many wistful, memories were voiced:

  • “It was an icon.”
  • “It has been there since time immemorial.”
  • ”I remember the beautiful lilac that used to grow around it”

All understand that it may have been removed and the gate put in place to allow the farmer to move his cattle across the main road safer as it is a blind corner.

Image taken from Google Maps.

Nonetheless, another piece of local history lost
.


#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Village,#Community,#Memories,#History,#Research,#Wellbeing,#B3164, #TheTinHut,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Remembering The Broadwindsor Pram Race

It is rumoured that the Broadwindsor Fun Group may hold a pram race as part of their 2022 Jubilee celebrations.  Village resident, Pip Cadwell recalls his memories…

The Broadwindsor Pram Race was founded in the late 1980s and it was the idea of a small group of regulars of the Cross Keys Pub.

The idea of the race was that teams of 4 had to push their hand made craft from Broadwindsor to Drimpton and back again. The vehicle had to be home made, with no  form of propulsion (motors, pedals, Elastic bands, etc etc)  whatsoever. 1 member of the team had to be seated on the vehicle at all times. The vehicle had to have at least 4 wheels in contact with the ground at all times.

Now, as we all know, going down to Drimpton is very easy, coming back from Drimpton to Broadwindsor is a different story. The race started at The Comrades Hall, and each team had to stop at The Cross Keys, The White Lion, and The Royal Oak , and had to consume at least half a pint of Beer. or Cider, or a soft drink for the under 18s, there was no limit on the alcohol intake at each Pub.

There were roadside drink stops on the road whish were supposed to dispense soft drinks to the teams as they passed. I took part in every race , and I seem to remember the Barley water at these roadside stops tasted very ‘strange’, almost ‘Apple based’ and it affected my speech and my legs…

By the time we got back to the Comrades Hall all that running affected our legs and our ability to talk sense, we soon got over that after a few refreshing glasses of ‘Barley Water’ or whatever it was.

The record holders in a time of 41 minutes , (there and back) were the Whacky Racers from Beaminster.

Over the years we raised many thousands of pounds for local good causes , and a lot of fun was had along the way.

 

Thank you to Pip for the photographs too!

And from 1988 – (Rev) Richard Thornburgh – the In-Flight Catering team and plane visible at the back with him as the chef and Chris as Pilot.

1988: The In-Flight Catering team

 

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Village,#AONB,#PramRace,#1994,#1997,#Memories,#Fun,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

Memories Of The White Lion

Village resident Annie Collins shared a memory today on social media of ex Landlord and Landlady of The White Lion in Broadwindsor, Dick and Pam Corbett. Another village resident, then barmaid Rita Haggett is in the background.

The photograph shows Annie celebrating winning the ladies Rosebowl Singles Table Skittles competition. Annie cannot recall the year (in the 1980’s) as she won that compeitition ten times in all!

You are invited to send your Broadwindsor pub photographs, memories and stories in via Messenger on Facebook HERE or email to: info@broadwindsor.org.  They will be collated and published later in the year. 🙂

It prompts comments from those who remember when Broadwindsor had three pubs: The George. The Cross Keys. The White Lion.  Now we are struggling to hang onto and reopen the last remaining pub in the village – The White Lion.
You can read the latest on the White Lion HERE.

Look out for Annie on Broadwindsor’s Fun Day when she’ll be roaming the area capturing the fun of the day 🙂

Dancing From Musical Films

Here is a 6 minute compilation of some of the best ever dancing from films – many of them in black and white, all to the tune of ‘Footloose‘. It was posted on Facebook very recently by Kevin Bacon.  It should bring back memories for some and get your toes tapping! Enjoy!


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#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Footloose,#KevinBacon,#Dance,#Musicals,#FredAstaire,#GetYourDancingShoesOn,#Memories,#StayHome,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

1958/59 Broadwindsor School Photo

This photograph appeared on a Crewkerne Facebook page, thanks to Christine Frost. It is from 1958/59 at Broadwindsor School.

The names put forward by Christine are:
Front row, left to right: Richard Frampton, Phillip Guppy, Keith ?, Roger Green, Keith Rendell, Tony Hawkins.
Next row, Girls Susan Hill, Hilary Hutchings, Carol Roberts, Barbara Hammond, Christine Holt.
Next row, Robert Dawe, Dave ?, Brian Forsey, Shirley Cable, Christine Frost (Stone) Mike Dawe, Dave Rawle, Dave Bagwell.
Back row, Mike Rodway, Robin Sibley, Bruce Crabb, Mike Cooper, Richard Neal.

This should certainly prompt a lot of memories and conversation of when the world was black and white.

#Broadwindsor,#WestDorset,#School,#1958,#1959,#Memories,#SocialDistancing,#BeKind,#StaySafe

Melplash Memories

The popular Melplash Show, due to take place on 27th August is unsurprisingly cancelled this year.  However, the Bridport Museum Trust are in collaboration and from the 13th – 27th August they are sharing Melplash photographs and objects from their collections online.  They are inviting locals to do the same.
There are old photographs already being submitted to their Facebook page including the black and white one below where they are asking for identification of the prize winning lady in the photograph!

Melplash Lady

“You can share your favourite memories, anecdotes, memorabilia, photos or videos
. anything at all. We want to see your fluffy sheep, handsome cows, massive tractors
..just post on our Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram @bridportmuseum using the hashtag #MelplashMemories.”
Thankfully, if you’re not a fan of social media – you can simply email your images to  director@bridportmuseum.co.uk and they will post it up for you.

Melplash Safe 2020Cancellation of the show does not mean no show badges! For 2020 they have produced a limited edition badge which is available to pick up from Bridport Tourist Information Centre.

#Broadwindsor #WestDorset #MelplashShow#MelplashMemories #BridportMuseumTrust #Bridport #Farmers #Festival #Memories #Photographs #Summer #Covid-19 #StaySafe

Procession for Harry Isaacs 7.30pm This Evening.

Harry Isaacs, the young farmer who tragically lost his life earlier this week, will be celebrated this evening by a tractor procession from Mosterton to Beaminster Square for a Memorial service and tributes from family and friends.

As you’d expect, things are subject to change but the plan is . . .

  • 6.45pm – Marshall meeting in Beaminster Square.
  • 7pm – Procession gathering in Mosterton.
  • 7.30pm – Procession departs Mosterton. Slow drive.
  • 8pm – Arrive in Beaminster Square
  • 8pm – Tributes and speeches
  • 8.30pm – Candles lit and one minute silence.
  • 9pm – Start to clear the Square

Please remember face coverings and social distancing where possible.
The Highways and Police are informed and are in full support of this but would respectfully ask that the town is cleared by 9.15pm.
You are invited to bring “Flags, flowers, photos, banners, candles, cheers and good vibes for this special young man and his family and all of us grieving at this very sad time.”
A true and fitting tribute to such a beautiful young man with the biggest smile of anyone we’ve ever known.
Hearts together.❀

Harry’s Tribute Page is HERE.

The fundraising page for a Memorial Bench for Harry (with any surplus going to his parents) can be found HERE.

Broadwindsor News Back In Publication

Broadwindsor News July 2020The Broadwindsor News is now out – being delivered to households who subscribe and there should be some available in the shop.
Containing lots of updates from village organisations, this edition also includes Margery Hooking’s ‘Broadwindsor in Lockdown 2020′ poem.

You can download the poem to your computer in PDF format: BROADWINDSOR IN LOCKDOWN 2020
or you can read it below . . .

BROADWINDSOR IN LOCKDOWN 2020 

Nature, you were never lovelier,

when the world stopped, but the Earth kept spinning.

And then the world turned upside down, freedom could not be found

We all became experts at social distancing – no grandparents would be visiting.

Sunshine, birdsong, a much quieter life but life still went on.

Thursday night clapping for our hard-pressed carers,

a ripple of applause from one end of the village to the other.

The Sound of Music every day at one o’clock.

Business booms at the community shop

as sales of fruit, veg and alcohol go pop.

Takeout drinks from the pub

and Vikki’s quiche and coleslaw in the shop.

The Tuesday night chip van at Comrades Hall,

Friday morning Post Office, chairs six feet apart.

Anxiety calmed by WhatsApp and Zoom, meeting family and friends by the touch of a button.

People chatting with new friends while standing next to bollards in the shop queue.

Heart attacks, cancelled operations, masks, gloves and Perspex screens.

Food deliveries for the vulnerable.

Our church went blue for the NHS.

The Sound of Music every day at one o’clock.

And we had time to just be with the one we love without duty or obligation stealing the day.

Doing all that we can to keep a company viable,

sorting wages and furlough staff, all reliable.

Farmers cut the fields for silage and tractors trundled through the village.

Up on Lewesdon Hill, bluebells didn’t know about coronavirus.

VE Day flags and afternoon tea outside our homes.

Socially distanced wildflower planting – digging, sowing and watering.

A beautiful sight to welcome visitors to our village when all this has passed.

The Sound of Music every day at one o’clock.

Lock down with the family – fantastic at the start, learning through the struggles, stresses and worries, tears, laughter and love.

Dusting flour from my hands, I pick up my book;

to bake or read, my lockdown dilemma.

There’s only one village in the west for me, Broadwindsor is the place I love to be.

It’s music at one and clapping at eight to rid us of the virus we love to hate.

Virtual Bananagrams, with gin, on Skype; virtual birthday parties on Zoom; virtual running – for medals – on Strava.

Virtual life.

The village roads, now used much less, speeds traffic onward faster;

too fast for the slowworm outside the shop, who is now not just slow, but flatter.

The sun beckons and mocks. Enjoy what you have, count your blessings.

The Sound of Music every day at one o’clock.

The church buildings are silent, dusty, locked, empty, paused.

God is active, loud, renewing, unrestricted, present, recreating and filling us every day.

Time to listen to the birds, watch the flowers grow, to smell the air, walk up the hill and to be still.

The warmth, love and friendship uncovered and blossoming as we all work together through this strange, uncertain  time.

House quiet, headphones on, five laptops glowing, each immersed in our own virtual business and learning,

waiting for the next punctuation point in days we can’t name.

Then kettle on, frisbee out, meals prepared, conversation flows, reconnected again.

The Sound of Music every day at one o’clock.

Free loo rolls from the village shop. The kindness of strangers.

And then a huge blue ball hurtles down the road, like the ever-present Rover bubble in The Prisoner.

A small army of tireless volunteers, stacking, selling, delivering.

Painting, writing, reading, decorating – my furniture has never been so upcycled.

The village phone box becomes a book exchange, tales of a community bound up on donated shelves.

Take-outs from the pub, food and drink, got to keep it going.

The call of rooks from their satellite rookery at the Old George,

while the parish councillors discuss village affairs over Zoom.

The space station goes over, the sun’s fading light makes it glow for all to see.

Endless sunshine, we will never see this blue a sky again.

The Sound of Music on the World Service and Desert Island Discs.

Slippers or flip flops worn all day.

The garden glorious in all this sun.

A tank of petrol lasts for months.

A time of reflection for the things that really matter. The birdsong and beautiful countryside.

Teaching the children, online bitesize that doesn’t bite back.

A fish van arrives in the Square at half past eleven, a shoal of customers in single file down the road.

Gardens and allotments provide solace and colour.

The Sound of Music at one o’clock

Afternoon briefing, highlight of the day.

What day is it, by the way?

– Margery Hookings, June 2020

The Sound Of Music Through The Square Window On YouTube

Many of us didn’t know what to do with ourselves when Margery’s Sound Of Music Through The Square Window ended. It went on for 72 days and made local and national news. Simon Emmerson’s video tells the story . . .

Photography: Jamie Dawson and Simon Emmerson.
Editing: Simon Emmerson
Music used with permission: Zorbing by Stornoway, Cascade (Mass re-mix) by The Afro Celt Sound System, Let’s See What The Earth Has To Say by Emma Gale.

#Broadwindsor #StaySafe #Lockdown #Memories #Music