Piddle Valley News & Views - Piddle Valley Community Website

Piddle Valley News & Views 

May / June 2012

top left The refurbished Plush 

finger post © Ben Browning 

top right Rev Tony Monds with 

Piddle Valley First School children 

© Cath Rothman 

middle Piddlehinton Brownies 

enjoying Hallowee’n party 

© Sue Hennessy 

below left ‘The Boyfriend’ 

below right Gardens Club 

Spring Show © Elizabeth Joliffe

Join Happy’s Circus for an evening of Daring Aerialists, Magical 

Illusions, International Artistes and lots of Clowning Around! 

 

THURSDAY 3 RD MAY 2012 

GATES OPEN AT 5.00PM 

(PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT 6.00PM TILL 8.00PM) 

ON THE PLAYING FIELDS OF 

PIDDLE VALLEY CE FIRST SCHOOL, 

PIDDLETRENTHIDE, NR DORCHESTER, DT2 7QL 

(CARPARKING AVAILABLE NEARBY) 

JOIN IN THE FUN THAT THE WEATHER 

 

CAN’T SPOIL! 

TICKET PRICES: 

£7.50 PER PERSON OR £28.00 PER FAMILY OF 4 WHEN BOOKED 

BEFORE 18 TH APRIL 2012 

£8.50 PER PERSON OR £32.00 PER FAMILY OF 4 WHEN BOOKED 

AFTER 18 TH APRIL 2012 

(UNDER 2’S FREE – IF SITTING ON PARENTS LAP) 

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE NEW CURIOSITY SHOP, 

DORCHESTER AND FROM THE PIDDLE VALLEY FIRST SCHOOL OFFICE 

(DURING TERM TIME, 9.00AM-4.00PM DAILY) 

DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE PRIOR TO THE 

PERFORMANCE AND DURING THE INTERVAL 

PRIZES FOR CHILDREN WHO COME DRESSED AS THEIR FAVOURITE CIRCUS 

CHARACTER! 

SEE YOU THERE, COME RAIN OR SHINE! 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE LOG ON TO 

HTTP://WWW.PIDDLEVALLEY.DORSET.SCH.UK/PAGES/PTA.HTML 

Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Outdoor Classroom 

project at the School

FOR ALL YOUR TENNIS NEEDS & Solutions 

Tel/Fax 01300 348277 M 07887856462 

E cgtennisacademies@hotmail.com 

Did you know that you can learn how to play tennis in hours not days? Improve your child’s 

attention span and problem solving skills as well as agility, balance and co-ordination? Improve 

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play against? CG Tennis Academies can help with all this and more plus we provide: 

- Tennis Lessons (All ages: Beginner to High Performance training) 

- New Tennis Equipment ( Clothing, shoes, rackets and accessories) 

- Racket Restringing, Repair and Customisation (24 hr service) 

- Expert Advice (Training Programs, Nutrition, Weight management, Coach Training) 

- Psychology (Mental Skills, Motivation training for High Performance) 

- Physiology (Fitness, Conditioning, Speed training) 

Private Court, Individual or Groups Welcome! Qualified Performance Coach, LTA Licensed, CRB Fully Insured

For an ever changing market... 

Are you unsure about which way to turn? 

For an expert view on any property matter, 

speak to one of our experienced teams to see 

how we can help. 

Dorchester O ce 

Sales Richard Taylor 01305 265058 

Lettings Emma Jane Shelton 01305 261171 

Professional Patrick Woodford 01305 264172 

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£70 small load, £150 large load

£70 small load, £150 large load

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Sturminster Newton 

Tel: 01258 472564 

A B M 

59 Cheap Street 

Sherborne 

Tel: 01935 389665 

STARTERS & ALTERNATORS 

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for further information and a location map 

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Dates for your diary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

May 

3 Thurs Happy’s Circus 

Piddle Valley First Performance 

Gates open 5pm 

School 

6.00 pm 

4 Fri Coffee morning P’thide Mem Hall 10.30 - 12 

7 Mon National Gardens Scheme Ivy House, P’thide 2 – 5 pm 

9 Wed P’ton Village Hall AGM P’ton Village Hall 7.30 pm 

9 Wed P V Tennis Club AGM Piddle Inn 

7.30 pm 

10 Thurs Over 60s Mystery Tour coach leaves 

with lunch time carvery Piddletrenthide at 10.00 am 

11 Fri Coffee morning Wightman’s Orchard 10.30 - 12 

12 Sat Rachmaninov Vespers St Mary’s Church, 7.30 pm 

The Occasional Singers Dorchester 

13 Sun National Gardens Scheme Butts Cottage, Plush 2 – 5 pm 

14 Mon Mobile Library AP, P’thide, P’ton Various 

15 Tues P’thide Village Meeting P’thide Mem Hall 7.30 pm 

18 Fri Coffee morning P’thide Mem Hall 10.30 - 12 

25 Fri P’thide Lunch Club P’thide Mem Hall 12.30 pm 

26 Sat Alton Pancras Village Fete The Manor Garden 2.00 pm 


29 Tues PV Parish Council Meeting P’thide Mem Hall 7.30 pm 

June 


4 Mon P’ton Diamond Jubilee P’ton Village Hall 7.30 

4 Mon Plush Jubilee Celebrations Jock’s Field opp Brace 4 pm 

5 Tues AP Diamond Jubilee Sally Dangerfield’s field 3 - 5pm 

Celebrations 

adjacent Old Rectory 7pm on 

7 Thurs Over 60s trip to Swanage Jubilee Cream Tea at Time to be 

Durlston Castle advised 


10 Sun National Gardens Scheme Butts Cottage, Plush 2 – 5 pm 


15 Fri Coffee morning 

P’thide Mem Hall 10.30 – 12 

15 Fri Charity Bingo 

P’thide Mem Hall 7 pm 

22 Fri P’thide Lunch Club P’thide Mem Hall 12.30 pm 

25 Mon Mobile Library 

AP, P’thide, P’ton Various 

25 Mon Music for a Summer St Mary the Virgin, 8 pm 

Evening 

P’ton 

26 Tues PV Parish Council Meeting P’thide Mem Hall 7.30 pm 

29 Fri Coffee morning 

P’thide Mem Hall 10.30 – 12 

29 Fri ‘JubOlympic Summer Fair’ St Marys Middle School 6 – 8 pm 

July 

1 Sun Dorset Gardens Trust Waterston Manor 10 – 5 pm

JUBILEE CONCERT 

(HERE COME THE BOYS!) 

At All Saints Church, 

Piddletrenthide 

Saturday 14th July 

At 7.30 pm John 

Hudson 

Tickets £10 adult, £6 child 

Available from Sue (01300 348865) or Janet (01300 348851) 

and from Piddletrenthide Post Office from mid June. 

Price includes canapes. 

Wine not included in ticket price, 

but available for you to buy. 

PROCEEDS TO ALL SAINTS CHURCH, MEMORIAL HALL, 

PIDDLE VALLEY FIRST SCHOOL 

AND DUCKS AND DRAKES 

(supporting local young people with cancer)

From the editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

There is something comforting about the seasons and as I write, the April 

showers raining down are welcomed by us all but particularly farmers and 

growers. We hope that May and June will have an abundance of warm and 

dry weather for all the coming celebrations up and down the Valley. 

Happy’s Circus is a ‘must go to’ for me (and a reminder of my own family 

connection) - a wonderful opportunity for all to enjoy the Big-top atmosphere 

as well as supporting Piddle Valley First School’s Outdoor Classroom scheme. 

Wherever you live in the Valley you can be part of the Queen’s Diamond 

Jubilee Celebrations and the chance to see and be with your neighbours and 

friends and reflect on a truly memorable reign. Are you going to be enjoying 

a Hog Roast dressed in 50s style, or part of the DIY BBQ and music scene, or 

opting for the dulcet tones of the Dorset Police Male Voice Choir ? So where 

were you in 1952 and 53 and do you have photos of you then and now ? If 

so send them to us. For children there are games and the ‘Plush Olympics’, 

and also for budding young photographers with a home in the Valley and 

aged between 10 and 18, a competition, so lots to read about in this issue. 

Congratulations to Rachel Olley (not just for her ‘Boyfriend’ directing abilities) 

but the honour of representing Dorset as the ‘Olympic Torch’ passes through 

on the Iwerne Minster stage. Sadly we have too much content again to 

include a fascinating holiday account of a Dorset cottage being exchanged for 

a villa high above the Pacific west coast of Mexico complete with butterflies 

fluttering in the bougainvillea, lizards sunning themselves in 90F sun and 

humming birds flashing from flower to flower in the hibiscus. Please see the 

article on www.piddlevalley.info or contact david.janetmartin@btinternet.com 

Dot Browning 

Contents ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dates for your diary ~ News from the Vicarage ~ Services ~ News from the 

Villages ~ General News & Notices ~ Clubs, Organisations ~ Letters ~ Localism 

& Piddle Valley Neighbourhood Plan ~ Parish Council ~ Surgeries ~ Piddle 

Valley First School ~ PVNV & Young Photographers Competition ~ Sport 

Photographs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Front cover Hattie Olley, Annabel Trim + Jennifer Tindall in ‘The 

Boyfriend’ directed by Rachel Olley © Jonathan Gooding 

Inside © Bridget Bowen, Ben Browning, Ian Condon, Jonathan 

Gooding, Elizabeth Jolliffe, Cath Rothman, Sue Hennessy 

www.piddlevalley.info for back issues, current diary, new events, 

Ringmaster information and more. Webmaster / Andy Howard / contact 

mail@whitepuppy.co.uk

The Occasional Singers 

Directed by Rick Birley & Richard Hall 

Present 

Rachmaninov 

Vespers 

And selected piano music by 

Rachmaninov performed 

by Duncan Honeybourne 

Saturday, 12th May, 2012 at 7:30 

St Marys Church Tickets £8 in advance 

Dorchester DTI 2HL £9 on the door 

Students £2 

(Light refreshments included) 

Tickets available from Dorchester TIC 

Antelope Walk 

Tel: 01305 267992 

From any Choir Member 

or visit our website at www.occasionals.org

News from the Vicarage ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 

The Easter season lasts for 50 glorious days. We have 40 days to observe 

Lent but 50 days to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus which gives 

us our sure and certain Christian hope that we too will be resurrected 

ourselves when we die. The season ends on the Feast of Pentecost (meaning 

‘the fiftieth day’), which falls this year on the 27 th May. 

Pentecost celebrates the coming of God the Holy Spirit on those first disciples 

who were gathered together when ‘suddenly from heaven there came a 

sound like the rush of a violent wind’ and ‘divided tongues, as of fire 

appeared among them ...’ (Acts 2.2,3). Because of this reference to fire, the 

liturgical colour for Pentecost (and for other occasions associated with the 

Holy Spirit) is red which sometimes extends to the colour of the flowers in our 

churches as well. 

The Holy Spirit enabled those first disciples to speak in different languages so 

that they were able to tell all who were listening, regardless of their native 

language, about the wonderful works of God in the creation of the universe, 

in becoming a human being in Jesus and in making it possible for us human 

beings to share for ever in his divine life. 

The Holy Spirit is the third ‘person’ of God the Holy Trinity, the one that gives 

us life and that makes Jesus known in the world today. At our baptism, we 

receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live a new kind of life, a life 

which is joined with the resurrected life of Jesus. Whenever we pray, we are 

able to do so only in the power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we read 

scripture, we are able to begin to understand what God is saying to us in it 

only through the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we gather to worship 

God, we are to offer acceptable worship only through the Holy Spirit 

preparing our hearts and minds and inspiring our worship. 

The Feast of Pentecost at the end of the great Christmas and Easter cycle is 

the start of that season (which lasts through to the autumn) when we reflect 

upon the significance of those two great defining events in our history that 

Christmas and Easter celebrate. Jesus promised us that the Holy Spirit would 

lead us into all truth. May he indeed guide our reflections over the coming 

months. 

Rev Tony Monds 

The Vicarage, Piddletrenthide 

T 01300 348211 E tony.monds@btinternet.com 

Disclaimer Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of 

advertisements and copy in this magazine, we cannot accept responsibility for any 

information given or claims made by our advertisers

SERVICES and 

READINGS 

6 th May 

Easter 4 

White 

Ps 22.25-end 

Acts 8.26-40 

(use as OT lesson) 

John 15.1-8 

13 th May 

Easter 6 

White 

Ps 98 

Acts 10.44-48 

(use as OT reading) 

John 15.9-17 

20 th May 

Sunday after Ascension 

Day 

White 

Psalm 1 

Acts 1.15-17, 21-26 

1 John 5.9-13 

John 17.6-19 

27 th May 

Pentecost 

Red 

Psalm 104.26-37 

Acts 2.1-21 

(use as OT reading) 

John 15.26-27, 16.4b-15 

 

THE BENEFICE of THE PIDDLE VALLEY, HILTON, 

CHESELBOURNE and MELCOMBE HORSEY 

Hilton Melcombe Horsey 

8.30am Holy Communion 11.00am Morning Prayer 

Cheselbourne Piddletrenthide 

9.30am Family Eucharist 11.00am Morning Prayer 

Piddlehinton Alton Pancras 

9.30am Family Service 6.30pm Evening Prayer 

Cheselbourne Melcombe Horsey 

8.30am Holy Communion 11.00am Family Eucharist 

Hilton Piddlehinton 

9.30 Family Eucharist 6.30pm Parish Communion 

Alton Pancras 

11.00am Parish Eucharist 

(Patronal festival) 

Alton Pancras Hilton 


Piddlehinton Melcombe Horsey 

9.30am Parish Communion 11.00am Parish Communion 

Piddletrenthide Cheselbourne 


Piddletrenthide Melcombe Horsey 



9.30am Family Eucharist 6.00pm Evening Prayer 

Cheselbourne Piddlehinton 


From the Registers 

Holy Baptism Isobel Jean Sutherland was baptised at St Mary the 

Virgin’s, Piddlehinton on the 25th March 2012. 

James Beresford Langlands was baptised at All Saints’, 

Piddletrenthide on the 8th April 2012. 

Confirmation Charles Davies and Amelia Davies were confirmed by 

Bishop Nicholas Holtham in Salisbury cathedral on the 

8th April 2012. 

Holy Matrimony Ashley Wolf Lamoral Pocock and Meloney Frances Retallack 

were married at St Mary the Virgin’s, Piddlehinton on the 

14th April 2012.

SERVICES and 

READINGS 

3 rd June 

Trinity Sunday 

White 

Psalm 29 

Isaiah 6.1-8 

Romans 8.12-17 

John 3.1-17 

10 th June 

Trinity 1 

(Proper 5) 

Green 

Psalm 130 

Genesis 3.8-15 

1 Corinthians 4.13-5.1 

Mark 3.20-35 

17 th June 

Trinity 2 

(Proper 6) 

Green 

Psalm 92.1-7 

Ezekiel 17.22-24 

2 Corinthians 5.6-17 

Mark 4.26-34 

24 th June 

Birth of John the Baptist 

White 

Ps 85.7-end 

Isaiah 40.1-11 

Acts 13.14b-26 

Luke 1.57-66, 80 

 

THE BENEFICE of THE PIDDLE VALLEY, HILTON, 

CHESELBOURNE and MELCOMBE HORSEY 

Hilton Melcombe Horsey 


Cheselbourne Piddletrenthide 

9.30am Family Eucharist 11.00am Morning Prayer 

Piddlehinton Alton Pancras 


Cheselbourne Melcombe Horsey 

8.30am Holy Communion 11.00am Family Eucharist 

Hilton Piddlehinton 



11.00am Family Eucharist 



Piddlehinton Melcombe Horsey 

9.30am Parish Communion 11.00am Parish Communion 

Piddletrenthide Cheselbourne 


Piddletrenthide Melcombe Horsey 




Cheselbourne Piddlehinton 


Funerals The funeral of David Herbert Christophers of West Stafford took 

place at St Mary the Virgin’s, Piddlehinton on the 16th February 

2012 followed by cremation at Weymouth. His ashes were 

interred at St Mary the Virgin’s, Piddlehinton on the 8th April 2012. 

The funeral of Richard John Hardy of Melcombe Bingham took 

place at St Andrew’s, Melcombe Horsey on the 2nd March 2012 

followed by burial. 

The ashes of Roy Kenneth Halverson of Dorchester were interred 

at St Pancras’, Alton Pancras on the 3rd March 2012.

Funeral Service 

126 years in Dorchester, 

Weymouth & throughout Dorsert 

24 Hour Service 

•Chapel of rest 

• Pre paid funeral plans 

Tel: 01305 250425 

11a Icen Way, 

Dorchester 

DT1 1EW

Obituaries 

David Christophers (1943 – 2012) – A Ringing Tribute 

David Christophers died on Snowdrop Sunday after a short illness. He was a 

church bell ringer and Tower Captain, having been taught by his father when 

he was a youngster living in Bickington, Devon. Suzanne, David and their 

family lived in Piddlehinton for 33 years and he had regularly rung the bells at 

St Mary’s Church, Piddlehinton. He passed the skill on to his own sons, and 

he, Ashley and Simon had rung together on occasions. At David’s funeral on 

16 th February in Piddlehinton, bells were rung “half muffled”, remembering 

their Tower Captain, Churchwarden and organist for many years. 

David was also a member of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers, 

represented at his funeral by the Dorchester Branch Chairman, Janet Ranger, 

along with members of churches at Fordington, Charminster and 

Puddletown. A “band” was organised to ring before and after the service, 

and as is customary for funerals the leather shoes/cups strapped to one side 

of the clappers in the bells so that a “dull thud strike” alternated with a 

“normal bell tone strike”. With six bells at Piddlehinton Church, eight ringers 

took turns before the Service, ringing “call changes” and a Method called 

‘Grandsire’. Respect for David was such that at the end of the Service the old 

tradition of striking the age of the deceased was upheld, with Richard Ellis 

(who had rung with David for many years) tolling the Tenor (heaviest bell) 69 

times, which was immediately followed by the Treble (lightest bell) and the 

other bells ringing “rounds”. This was truly fitting and special way for David’s 

friends to pay tribute to him, and honour his memory and a lifetime’s service 

to the Church. 

A Quarter Peal was rung in his memory, a week after his funeral, on Thursday 

23 rd February at the same church. The Method, ‘Grandsire Doubles’, his 

favourite, was rung in 46 minutes. 

The Christophers family wish to give thanks for the support they have 

received, particularly from Revd Jane Culliford of West Stafford and Revd Tony 

Monds of Piddle Valley. 

On 24 th August Simon Christophers starts a four day walk along 90 miles of 

the Dorset Coastal Path to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support 

charity in memory of his father. The sponsorship opportunity is 

on www.justgiving.com/simonchristophrs or you can text UHLR98 by the 

amount to 70070. 

Suzanne Christophers 

Benefice Policy for Protecting the Vulnerable 

The Benefice of the Piddle Valley with Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe 

Horsey’s ‘Policies and procedures for the protection of children and young 

people and of vulnerable adults’ can be viewed on www.piddlevalleyinfo - on 

the Church Information page, index on left hand side.

For all your Plumbing & Heating Requirements 

OFTEC Registered 

Pressurised Systems 

Indoor and Outdoor Oil Boiler 

Servicing and Installations 

Certified Thermal Solar Power Installer 

Bathrooms & Kitchens 

Call Jock Beaven Portesham 

Tel: 01305 871678 

Mb: 07970 891755

CLEAN SWEEP 

JON CRANE CHIMNEY SWEEP 

Any Flue Swept - 

Agas, Gas, Open Fires, Ingle Nooks, Multi-Fuel 

Burners. Nest Removal 

 

MOBILE: 

07825 027051 

Fully Insured 

Member Of the Institute Of Chimney Sweeps 

email: jon_crane_cleansweep@hotmail.com

dorchester framing 

We are an established picture framing business offering an excellent 

service and a wide range of frames and mounts. For more info look 

at our website or give us a call. Free advice & estimates. 

The Old School House, Tincleton, Dorset DT2 8QR 

OPEN MOST SATURDAY MORNINGS 

(but please call first to check!) or by appointment 

Tel: 01305 848909 mob: 0790 1946102 

joan@dorchesterframing.com www.dorchesterframing.com 

Specialists in Carpentry & Joinery 

J & A Ridell 

Friendly family business since 1970 

For prompt, reliable service 

new and repair work 

doors/windows/built-in furniture 

Email: john@ridell.co.uk 

Tel: 01300 348161 

Holcombe Mead, Alton Pancras, DT2 7RT

Come and join us, it will be great to see you. 

By kind permission of Mr Andrew Graham

News from the valley villages ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Alton Pancras 

AP The village is proud to boast one of the official Olympic torch bearers. 

Rachel Olley was chosen from among tens of thousands of people nominated 

for their community activities, particularly her involvement with young people. 

She will be running the Iwerne Minster stage on the route between 

Shaftesbury and Blandford between 9.30 and 11am on 12 July. Check details 

closer to the date. 

AP Our church gains many compliments. It is regularly kept clean, tidy 

and decorated for services by a surprisingly small team, currently comprising 

Nancy Titley, Gill Greenslade, Susan Cheyne, Rachel Olley, Sally and Dr Sally 

Dangerfield, Charlotte Gerard, Jill Shattock, Clare Clarke, Angela Trevis, Elaine 

Potts, Julie Squires and Sue Dean. Now, after 30 years co-ordinating this 

team, Jillie Edwards is taking her well-earned ‘retirement’. 

AP The Parochial Church Council (PCC) for AP has paid tribute to its 

retiring (in both contexts!) treasurer Rex Goddard for his 30 years in post. 

These two items indicate just how much the village relies on volunteers to 

keep it as pleasant and efficient as it is. 

AP We were very sorry to lose the Boniface family. Each had friendly and 

entertaining dispositions and boosted the social interaction among us 

villagers. Gamekeeper Nick, wife Ann and daughter Hannah have returned 

to pick up their previous careers on Exmoor. We wish them well, and thank 

them for all they did in such a short time. 

AP The recent kidnapping and blindfolding of a young lady named Jen 

Tindall from Glanvilles Wootton had a happy ending. She was driven across 

rough terrain to a remote spot and when the blindfold was removed she was 

able to read a message carved on a hillside which read “Marry Me”. Tom 

Ferret, the perpetrator, was released following a caution from the 58 AP 

villagers and friends who were present! 

Colin Dean colinsuedean@btinternet.com 

Alton Pancras Village Fete – Saturday May 26 th 

Set in The Manor walled garden, a great afternoon for all the family with 

teas, books, plants, cakes, dog show, children’s games, entertainment, jumble 

and more. 

Rachel Olley

ENTERPRISE PARK, PIDDLEHINTON, DORSET DT2 7UA 

Light Industrial units and storage available to let 

from 700 sq ft to 3300 sq ft. 

Rents from £283 per month to £1300 per month 

Some units have office space included 

Containers available to let at £60 per month 

Please address all enquiries to: 

THE CONDUIT MEAD COMPANY LTD 

3B NETTLEFOLD PLACE, 

WEST NORWOOD LONDON SE27 0JW 

TELEPHONE: 020-8655 7650 FACSIMILE: 020-8655 7659 

MOBILE: 07961 162276 E-MAIL: nick@conduitmead.co.uk

The Thimble Inn 

Piddlehinton, Dorchester, DT2 7TD 

Stuart & Heather welcome you as your new hosts 

Warm friendly welcome, real ales & log fires 

Menu & daily specials board, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients 

Selection of Dorset cheeses 

Re-launch of the brain teasing Thimble Quiz, & special theme nights 

Traditional Sunday Roast Lunches 

Now open again on Sunday evenings 

For bookings or enquiries, please call 01300 348270 or email 

thethimbleinn@gmail.com

Diamond Jubilee Celebration 

Where Sally Dangerfield’s field by The Old Rectory 

When Tuesday 5 th June from 3pm – 5pm and then again 

from 7pm onwards 

What Bring and share High Tea at 3pm with games and 

conversation followed by a DIY barbeque at 7pm with 

music and dancing, a bonfire and perhaps some singing. 

If you live in Alton Pancras or environs please put this date in your diary. The 

plan is to have High Tea at 3pm and follow it with some games for the young 

at heart, or conversation for those who prefer. We will then have a break 

from 5pm – 7pm at which point the DIY BBQ will commence. Bring your own 

food and liquid refreshment and if you have a portable BBQ please bring that 

along too. If you don’t have a BBQ there will be some communal BBQs 

available. We hope to have some music playing which will suit all ages and 

tastes and if you fancy a dance – then why not! 

There will not be any parking available but there will be some drop off and 

pick up points for blue badge holders on site. This activity will take place in a 

field, a full risk assessment will be done and a First Aider will be available but 

please note that if you are coming it is at your own risk and if you are 

bringing children you remain responsible for them at all times. 

A flyer with the final arrangements and requests for numbers will be coming 

out in mid May but if you know now that you will be coming you are 

welcome to ring me on 348112 or email me on heather.bland@talk21.com 

and I can tell you a bit more. 

Heather Bland 

Piddlehinton 

Piddlehinton Village Hall 

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 th May 2012 at 

7.30pm in the Village Hall. 

Sue Jennings 

Thursdays POST OFFICE 2.00 – 4.00pm 

To Hire Contact Vickey Steven / 01300 348294 

Piddlehinton Church Fete at The Old Rectory on July 21 st 

The Church Fete is not that far away so we would be very pleased to have 

donations for this annual village event :

Books, records, DVDs, CDs 

Toys, soft toys, games, jigsaw puzzles 

Bric a brac. (sadly we cannot take clothes and large furniture items) 

Bottles suitable for the Bottle Tombola 

On fete day : 

Cakes, pies, home made preserves 

Plants, shrubs, flowers, fruit and vegetables 

Any help you can give on the weekend of the fete will be much appreciated : 

Friday afternoon – moving tables and chairs 

Saturday morning – setting up including erection of marquees and 

gazebos 

Saturday afternoon – help on stalls and with games and attractions 

Saturday after fete – re-arranging site before the evening BBQ 

Sunday morning – final clear up and removal of all items 

If you can help in any way please contact any committee member : 

on 01300 : Honor Brown / 348252, Fay Lord / 348335, Di Rogers / 348405, 

Gay Hanbury / 348465, Susie Harland / 348272 

on 01305 : John Ottaway / 848501 


Charity Bingo Friday 15 th June at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall 

In aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and Elenor Lions Hospice 

Doors Open 7pm Eyes Down at 7.30pm Good Prizes 

Ann Hawker 

Piddletrenthide Village Meeting 

The annual village meeting will be held at the Memorial Hall, Piddletrenthide 

on Tuesday 15 th May 2012 at 7.30pm. The new Localism Bill gives residents 

the power to shape development within the village and will be a major item 

on the agenda. Please do come along to the meeting to learn more about 

this and to discuss any other matters relating to village life. 

John Cox 

National Gardens Scheme at Ivy House 

Our first two ‘openings’ for 2012 demonstrated just how capricious our 

Spring weather can be. At 23C, March 25 th was the hottest opening we’ve 

ever experienced so early in the year. Visitors who arrived in shorts and Tshirts 

seemed over-dressed and scaling the dizzy heights to the garden-top 

summerhouse brought on near sunstroke. By contrast, just two weeks later, 

on April 9 th , a midday hailstorm was followed by severe windy weather and 

driving rain. One elderly grandmother, abandoned by her family as they

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strove to reach shelter in the summerhouse, had to be persuaded to return 

early to base and her threatening hypothermia averted by a warming cup of 

over-sweet tea offered in the comfort of our dining room (usually out-ofbounds 

to NGS visitors, who are kept at a safe distance in the pop-up tea 

room erected in our garage.) 

But the wildlife visitors carry on regardless of the vagaries of climate. The 

Greater Spotted woodpeckers display their gluttony at the peanut-feeders, 

noisily driving away all competitors, a female blackbird scoops up beakfuls of 

the newly formed mud to line its nest in the honeysuckle and now a robin has 

built a ‘Des Res’ in our copper bird sculpture by the wildlife pond, ignorant of 

the irony. (see photo inside front cover) 

If you feel you’ve been missing all the fun and would like to join us for our 

final ‘Opening’ of 2012, please show up promptly at the garden gate at 

2.00pm on Bank Holiday Monday May 7 th to be entertained by all the other 

visitors of both a human and wildlife nature. Plants and luscious teas will be 

available. 

Bridget Bowen / 01300 348255 

Remembering Piddletrenthide 

Have you ever been a member of any of the village sports teams ? Have you 

taken part in any of the Piddle Valley Players shows or pantomimes ? Do you 

have fond memories of the W.I ? Were you a member of the Piddletrenthide 

Youth Club or even the toddler group ? Well in our next exhibition, which 

will probably be the last before we write The Book, we hope to include 

photos and memories of happy times spent following our hobbies and 

pastimes with fellow villagers, putting on a show, beating the other team or 

just growing up amongst our friends and neighbours..... 

Please search your photo albums and memories to help us make this last 

exhibition THE BEST YET ! We hope to stage this in the Piddletrenthide 

Memorial Hall this November, the date to be confirmed in the next PVNV. 

Dave & Bridget Bowen / 01300 348255 

Piddle Valley Players casting starts in June 2012 

We would like to thank the audiences that support us. Our Raffle raised £266 

which will be equally divided between our four chosen charities: Age UK, 

Combat Stress, Mencap and the MS society. Many thanks. 

If you would like to come and join the Piddle Valley Players, we would love to 

meet you; willingness to be part of a team, have fun and work hard the only 

requirement. Please ring Rachel as soon as possible on 01300 348758. 

Rachel Olley

‘The Boyfriend’ 

Hey Chaps, Spiffing Show ! I never fail to be 

amazed at the huge pool of acting talent in the Piddle 

Valley and its close environs. Once again the Piddle 

Valley Players entertained and entranced sell-out 

audiences at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall with their 

production of The Boy Friend. 

In Sandy Wilson’s musical set around a French Riviera 

Finishing School in the Roaring Twenties, Director 

Rachel Olley demonstrated again her gift of drawing 

out the natural talent from all to create an excellent 

show, especially noteworthy for the younger members 

performances, particularly Alex Brazier as leading lady 

Polly Browne, who showed maturity and ability well 

beyond her 15 years, demonstrating comedy and 

pathos in equal measure. This combined with a lovely 

singing voice that already has depth and emotion, 

will surely only get better as she gets older. 

Congratulations to Tom Ferrett, her leading man and 

love-interest, who played the nice-but-rather-dim Tony 

and whose lisping aristocratic accent must have taken 

some effort to maintain. Tom’s ability to play his lines 

for laughs while also preserving the poignancy of lost 

love in his voice was just right and he too has a singing 

voice that deserves to be heard more often. 

Stalwart PVP, Peter Lindsley, was joined in this production for the first time by his 

daughter Catherine, who played French maid Hortense. The acting-talent gene 

must run in the family as apparently someone thought she was French and asked 

how she was finding life in the Piddle Valley ! Her rendition of ‘Nicer in Nice’ was 

one of the show highlights. Peter’s accent never wavered as wealthy American 

Bobby van Husen, and, he is not bad at the Charleston! 

Musical Director Elizabeth Sweetnam, coaxed some really good performances 

from the cast and her piano playing almost non-stop for two hours enhanced the 

production. This was a team effort, everyone’s contribution critical to its success. 

Chris Walbrin and Stuart Bland’s ‘Carnival Tang’ will remain in the audiences’ 

minds for time to come! Well done also to younger members of the cast Annabel 

Trim, Connor Dooley and Max Gooding and Hattie Olley as Dulcie, whose duet 

with Lord Parkinson-Hardman, was another highlight. 

Special mention for youngest cast member, Jenna Freak who played Maisie with 

confidence, ability and sheer stage presence well beyond her 13 years. She can 

sing, dance and hold the audience by the force of her personality and has a talent 

that deserves to be nurtured - a leading lady of the future, and not necessarily 

restricted to the Piddle Valley. Heather Bland 

Photographs © Jonathan Gooding / above : John Parkinson Hardman + Prue 

Jakeman; Gill Greenslade, Jenna Freak, Max Gooding + Peter Lindsley


Hey Chaps, Spiffing Show ! I never fail to be 

amazed at the huge pool of acting talent in the Piddle 

Valley and its close environs. Once again the Piddle 

Valley Players entertained and entranced sell-out 

audiences at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall with their 

production of The Boy Friend. 

In Sandy Wilson’s musical set around a French Riviera 

Finishing School in the Roaring Twenties, Director 

Rachel Olley demonstrated again her gift of drawing 

out the natural talent from all to create an excellent 

show, especially noteworthy for the younger members 

performances, particularly Alex Brazier as leading lady 

Polly Browne, who showed maturity and ability well 

beyond her 15 years, demonstrating comedy and 

pathos in equal measure. This combined with a lovely 

singing voice that already has depth and emotion, 

will surely only get better as she gets older. 

Congratulations to Tom Ferrett, her leading man and 

love-interest, who played the nice-but-rather-dim Tony 

and whose lisping aristocratic accent must have taken 

some effort to maintain. Tom’s ability to play his lines 

for laughs while also preserving the poignancy of lost 

love in his voice was just right and he too has a singing 

voice that deserves to be heard more often. 

Stalwart PVP, Peter Lindsley, was joined in this production for the first time by his 

daughter Catherine, who played French maid Hortense. The acting-talent gene 

must run in the family as apparently someone thought she was French and asked 

how she was finding life in the Piddle Valley ! Her rendition of ‘Nicer in Nice’ was 

one of the show highlights. Peter’s accent never wavered as wealthy American 

Bobby van Husen, and, he is not bad at the Charleston! 

Musical Director Elizabeth Sweetnam, coaxed some really good performances 

from the cast and her piano playing almost non-stop for two hours enhanced the 

production. This was a team effort, everyone’s contribution critical to its success. 

Chris Walbrin and Stuart Bland’s ‘Carnival Tang’ will remain in the audiences’ 

minds for time to come! Well done also to younger members of the cast Annabel 

Trim, Connor Dooley and Max Gooding and Hattie Olley as Dulcie, whose duet 

with Lord Parkinson-Hardman, was another highlight. 

Special mention for youngest cast member, Jenna Freak who played Maisie with 

confidence, ability and sheer stage presence well beyond her 13 years. She can 

sing, dance and hold the audience by the force of her personality and has a talent 

that deserves to be nurtured - a leading lady of the future, and not necessarily 

restricted to the Piddle Valley. Heather Bland 

Photographs © Jonathan Gooding / above : John Parkinson Hardman + Prue 

Jakeman; Gill Greenslade, Jenna Freak, Max Gooding + Peter Lindsley

Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall 

The Trustees of the Hall are pleased to 

announce the completion of the reroofing 

project. The work, grant aided 

by the Big Lottery Fund, was completed 

just in time for the Piddle Valley Players’ 

performances in the Hall in February. 

The grant, amounting to £9,312, paid 

for the bulk of the work but the Trustees 

were able to fund the rest of the work 

from their own resources. While the 

roof was off, the decision was also taken 

to replace the gutters and fascias and 

although this added to the costs of the 

project, it was agreed that this would 

save money in the longer term. 

The Trustees would like to thank Mark Chutter of D J Chutter Ltd for 

managing the project on site, liaising and negotiating with the roofing 

company and the expertise. His contribution was invaluable and instrumental 

in bringing the work to a successful completion. Grateful thanks also to all 

those people who made financial donations towards the cost of the work 

over the past couple of years – you can now see the fruits of your generosity. 

The tiles on the roof are a direct like-for-like replacement of the original tiles 

that were put on the Hall in 1923 when it was first erected. 

In addition to the new roof the Hall also has a fairly new kitchen (courtesy of 

Awards for All), a modern floor and fully accessible facilities. It is available to 

book for private functions at a very reasonable cost and is well used by local 

organisations. Please see details on the Piddle Valley Community website: 

www.piddlevalley.info/mem_hall.php 

Heather Bland, Secretary / Photograph © Ian Condon 

Remembered - Plane Crash on 22 nd May 1982 

Saturday 22 nd May 1982 was a pleasant spring day, sunny though windy, and 

it bore no hint of the tragedy which was about to unfold. In the early 

afternoon a small Cessna plane flew low over the village, heading east. 

Suddenly, with a crack, a parachute blossomed out of the side of the plane, 

dragging a man with it. He hung limply from the parachute while it tangled 

itself around the tailplane. The aircraft immediately nose-dived and crashed 

into a field adjacent to Tullons Lane, the parachute and its burden falling 

away before the crash. The sight awaiting rescuers was horrifying. Pieces of 

the plane were scattered across the field and the pilot still sat in the wreckage 

of the cockpit. From his injuries it was obvious that he had been killed 

instantly.

THE BRACE OF PHEASANTS 

PLUSH, DORCHESTER, DT2 7RQ 

Phil & Carol welcome you to 

“The Brace” 

Dorset Dining Pub of the Year 

The Good Pub Guide 2011 

Recommended in Jamie Oliver Magazine’s 

Top 100 Best British Boozers 

8 Fabulous En-Suite Letting Rooms Available 

One of Eleven Nominees for ‘Inn of the Year’ Good Pub Guide 2011 

Sunday 

2 course traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings for £14 

Open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 3pm & 7pm to 11pm 

And Sunday 12pm to 4pm & 7pm to 10.30pm 

Tel: 01300 – 348357 

www.braceofpheasants.co.uk

Many people had seen the plane’s descent and numerous 999 calls made. 

First on the scene were the Fire Brigade who took one brief look and covered 

the wreckage with a large tarpaulin. They then stood back and lit up 

cigarettes. Police and ambulances arrived shortly afterwards and sightseers 

were gently moved away. Later the Civil Aviation Authority’s investigators 

came to start their detailed examination into the cause of the crash. 

The investigators would not allow anything to be removed from the site until 

they had completed their work which meant that the two bodies also had to 

remain. To ensure nothing was touched, the police provided a 24 hour guard 

and a police caravan was parked in the field. 

The plane had come from a parachute display at the Royal Devon Show and 

was returning to Hurn Airport. The two men who were killed, both in their 

early forties, were members of the Spreadeagles Parachute Club which 

practiced at Melcombe Bingham. 

At the inquest some months later, it was shown that the parachute had 

accidentally opened inside the plane. There was no door on the plane and 

the parachute was immediately sucked out, taking the parachutist with it. 

From evidence near the tail it seemed he had struck his head severely when 

he was dragged out and was either unconscious or dead as a result. The 

inquest’s verdict on both men was accidental death. 

Bin K Roy 

Plush 

P Comings and goings so far this year, saw first David Leigh leaving and 

in March Audrey Hammet moving to Poundbury. We wish them both well in 

the new chapters in their lives and offer a warm welcome to Heddy and 

Adrian at West Hill House, and to Claire Treanor and Jennifer Ross seeking a 

respite from their busy London working week at West Barn. 

P Those of you who have ventured to Plush recently will have seen the 

immaculate ‘new’ finger-post at the centre of the village, which has been 

painstakingly restored. The signpost is greatly admired and John Browning’s 

initiative much appreciated. Tom Munro, Dorset AONB Manager emailed his 

“congratulations to all on an excellent fingerpost restoration”. 

P The end of the derelict farm buildings at the approach to Plush may 

be in sight after the PV Parish Council’s site visit. Ashley and Emily Rawlings 

have applied for planning permission with Peter Hiscock to remove the 

collapsing metal and asbestos barns around Lower Farm and create their new 

home within a former milking parlour near the top of the site and to restore 

the decaying former brick and flint stables for visiting holidaymakers. 

P For details of Music At Plush season, see www.musicatplush.net or 

contact Kat Brendel on 0203 286 1885.

Slimming World 

 

 

 

Dorset Youth Association 

Lubbecke Way 

Dorchester 

Mondays 5:30pm, 7:30pm 

Tel: Sharon 01300 320299 

Dorchester Community Church 

Acland Road 

Dorchester 

Wednesdays 5:45pm, 7:30pm 

Tel: Lynne 01305 772509 

Dorchester Community Church 

Acland Road 

Dorchester 

Fridays 10:00am, 12:00pm 

Tel: Tracie 01300 348589 

 

 

Join a warm and friendly group near you today... 

0844 897 8000 

www.slimmingworld.com 

Frome Valley CE VA First School 

School Drive 

Crossways 

Thursdays 7:30pm 

Tel: Sue 01305 757020 

Cheap Street Church Hall 

Cheap Street 

Sherborne 

Wednesdays 10am 

Tel: Linda 07813 987604 

West End Hall 

Littlefi elds 

Sherborne 

Thursdays 7pm 

Tel: Michelle 07725 072746 

SAVE 

up to 

£5 

FREE 

online 

support

Plush Fingerpost Pilot Project for Dorset 

Back in January when the subject of the focal but rotting Plush fingerpost arose at 

the monthly village supper in the Brace, I offered to look into how it might be 

renovated and who might do it, little realising then I might be doing it myself ! 

On investigation, it was clear that the letters were raised and probably made of 

metal, the whole post had been repainted many times but the underlying problem 

was the use of softwood, probably treated at some time with preservative but 

now in parlous state. After dismantling, with permission, owners Dorset County 

Council offered to publicise as a pilot project to establish methods for use 

elsewhere, the letters were removed and taken to Wally at Blastech who bead 

blasted and powder coated them black. I then refixed them with brass screws on 

to new seasoned oak fingers, painted with eight coats of breathable primer and 

white microporous paint, reassembling them with stainless bolts. Meanwhile, the 

DCC helped by lifting out the pole, taking it to Wally for the same treatment and 

then replanting in position for the reassembly to take place. The crowning glory is 

the cast aluminium roundel with village name and map reference prominently 

displayed. 

Many thanks go to the AONB and the Parish Council who have helped fund the 

costs, though these were modest for such a community managed project. 

John Browning 

National Gardens Scheme at Butts Cottage - 13 th May, 10 th June 

The long dry spring gave us our best ever show of snowdrops, then primroses 

and daffodils and now camellias. We long for some rain, however, to 

encourage our wild marsh orchids to put in an appearance. April is always a 

nail biting time as nothing is certain with these orchids and they can turn up 

in all sorts of unexpected places. Anyway , there will certainly be a good 

show of late spring and early summer flowers and blossom and the 

vegetables should be showing promise. Do come along and enjoy a walk 

around the garden and our views of the village and the valley and some 

homemade cake and a cup of tea. All proceeds go to the NGS charities. 

We will be open from 2 - 5pm on Sunday 13 th May and Sunday 10 th June. 

Cars can be parked in the paddock opposite the Brace of Pheasants. 

John + Jane Preston / 01300 348545 

Plush Jubilee Celebration - 4 pm Monday 4 th June 

If you have forgotten to reply but would still like to come, please phone Ann 

Jordan on 348015 so that you don't miss the fun. We need to know numbers 

to make sure we order enough food ! Plans for the day are moving ahead 

and there will be competitions for adults and children, a quiz, treasure hunt 

and 'Plush Olympic Sports' for the children. Full details of the day's events 

will be sent to all those who are coming in due course. Jane Preston

Professional Decorator 

All aspects of Painting, Decorating 

and Paper Hanging 

FREE ESTIMATES 

5 London Close 


Dorchester 

Dorset 

DT2 7TQ 

Telephone : 01300 348143 

Mobile : 07833 927 746 

Email: 

graham.giddings@btconnect.com







Dorchester 

Dorset 

DT2 7TQ 

Telephone : 01300 348143 

Mobile : 07833 927 746 

Email: 








Dorchester 

Dorset 

DT2 7TQ 

Telephone : 01300 348143 

Mobile : 07833 927 746 

Email: 








Dorchester 

Dorset 

DT2 7TQ 

Telephone : 01300 348143 

Mobile : 07833 927 746 

Email: 


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General News + Notices ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dorset LINk (Local Involvement Network) 

During the last few months Dorset LINk visiting team has been busy visiting 

hospitals and community hospitals to observe mealtimes. 

This project wants to ensure that patients have every opportunity to eat and 

drink without any risk of becoming malnourished or dehydrated during their 

hospital stay. Dorset LINk wants to find out whether staff are trained to use a 

screening tool to identify malnutrition and know what to do to help a patient 

leave hospital well nourished. 

The visiting team, made up of volunteers, are now visiting residential care 

homes across Dorset. We are keen to hear from relatives and carers about 

their experiences as they are our eyes and ears in the community. To find out 

more, please contact Dorset LINk at contact@makesachange.org.uk or 

telephone 0300 111 0102. 

Sarah Peters, LINk Development Officer 

Rising Fuel Costs | Car share 

Are you concerned about the rising cost of your journey to work? Would you 

be interested in a car share? I could be your sociable travelling companion 

and we could share our costs. I live in Alton Pancras and travel to Poole 

central Monday to Friday; I need to be at work between 8 am and 8.30 am 

and I leave work between 4.30 and 5 pm. 

If this would fit in with your travel arrangements please contact me to discuss 

a plan. We could be flexible around our respective changing needs as 

necessary but you must be reliable as I cannot be late for work. 

Please contact me at buntyuk@aol.com or telephone 01300348318 

Pat Tomlin 

Mosaic 

Mosaic is a dedicated charity supporting bereaved 

children, young people and their families 

throughout the County of Dorset. Since they 

began in 2007 Mosaic have supported over 350 

children. Mosaic offers individual and family support to children struggling to 

manage their strong emotions and overwhelming feelings of grief after the 

death of someone special, whether it be from illness, accident, suicide or 

murder. They also support children facing the death of somebody close. 

Mosaic organise Residential Weekends twice a year at Leeson House,

Swanage where children and young people can experience new activities, 

remember their special person, make new friends and have fun. While they 

receive some statutory funding to cover support work for many of the 

children and young people referred to Mosaic, Residential Weekend Camp 

costs and social events organised for the children are funded through 

donations and fund-raising. Katie Hensman is planning a fund-raiser in the 

Valley and would welcome your support. Alternatively, if you have some free 

time and would like to volunteer with Mosaic, please telephone for more 

details or see www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.uk. 

Katie Hensman, Administrator / 01258 837071 

Blood Donation 

You can make an initial check to find out whether your health allows you to 

donate blood by calling 0300 123 23 23 or on the Blood Transfusion website 

(www.blood.co.uk). The website also explains what to expect at a donation 

session and how blood is used. You can book an appointment as well, which 

minimizes your waiting time at the session. 

DORCHESTER sessions are held at the United Church Hall, South Street (near 

Goulds household store). The next dates are: 

Monday 7 May Thursday 17 May 

Thursday 7 June 

10.30 – 12.30 13.30 – 15.25 

13.30 – 15.25 

13.30 – 16.00 16.30 – 19.00 

16.30 – 19.00 

The blood donation website also has links to websites giving information 

about registering as a potential donor of tissues such as skin, bone and bone 

marrow. 

Rosalyn Charlton 

The Bridge Educational Trust 

(Registered Charity No 1068720) 

Up-to-date details of the Trust and its objects are given on its website: 

www.bridgeeducationaltrust.org.uk 

Those wishing to apply for grants should obtain an application form by 

writing to: The Administrator, Bridge Educational Trust, c/o Piddle Valley First 

School, Piddletrenthide, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7QL or by emailing 

admin@bridgeeducationaltrust.org.uk. If you are thinking of applying for a 

grant for September 2012, the right time to send in your form is during April 

for consideration at the June 2012 meeting of the Trust. 

Rex Goddard

Clubs, Groups, Organisations ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Piddle Valley Over 60s 

We will now be starting on our trips programme for this year after two very 

successful presentations by Bonnie Sartin and Alistair Cook. The first trip will 

be on May 10 th and will be a Mystery Tour that will include a two course 

lunch time carvery. The coach will leave Piddletrenthide at 10.00 am; the cost 

of the trip will be £15 for members or £18 for guests. 

The second trip will be on June 7 th to Swanage and will include a Jubilee 

celebratory cream tea at Durlston Castle. More details to follow. 

Hilary French / 01305 848501 

Piddle Valley Gardens Club 

Spring Show March 31 

The Spring Show is always a challenge. The preceding weeks 

are either too cold or too warm. This year’s exceptionally warm 

weather saw a slight drop in entries as many flowers were past 

their best. There were 140 entries making a lovely floral display 

of spring flowers and blossoms in Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall. 

Judge Roy Hayward, a member of the National Daffodil Society, commented 

on the high standard achieved for a small village Show. The club had 

purchased special “Bikini” display vases giving a uniformity of presentation to 

the daffodil classes. Competition was keen and despite Eric Groom being on 

holiday, 1 of his 7 entries, “A pot of Bantam Daffodils” achieved the Best in 

Show award. Elizabeth Jolliffe gained the Challenge Cup, for the highest 

number of points gained overall, followed by President Peter Chance and 

Richard Agg and John Preston tying 3 rd . There was a good selection of 

vegetables with Peter Chance’s entry “Cooks Choice” gaining the Certificate 

in that class. Sadly Floral Art only produced 4 entries and Shirley Allen’s 

depiction of the title “High Jump” gained her the Floral Art Certificate. 17 

photographs featuring diverse images challenged the judge but eventually 

Richard Agg’s photograph of several “Blue Footed Booby’s” earned him the 

Photographic Certificate. 

No Garden Club event would be complete without the committee serving tea 

and delicious home made cakes which were greatly enjoyed by all who 

attended. 

An early reminder of the Summer Show on 18 th August to be held at West 

Lodge Piddlehinton by kind permission of Mrs Susan Belgrave. Schedules will 

be in the Village Shop in May and the Show open to all. 

Elizabeth Jolliffe, Show Secretary

Piddletrenthide Lunch Club 

The details of the Lunch Club for May and June are 

Friday 25 th May Buffet 

Friday 22 nd June Menu to be arranged 

As usual, our volunteer ‘cooks’ have produced some lovely scrumptious meals 

which have been thoroughly enjoyed by all. It’s always nice to see new faces 

and we’ve had a few lately but of course we also appreciate seeing our 

‘regulars’ who come along and enjoy the lovely meals and good company. 

Thank you to all our volunteers who help in various capacities. 

If you would like to join us for lunch or volunteer to help please contact 

Sue Jennings / 01300 348076 

Weymouth Radio Control Club 

We meet for races just after 6pm on Fridays at Piddlehinton Gym. See our 

website, www.weymouthrc.co.uk or contact info@weymouthrc.co.uk 

Al Mailer | Chairman Weymouth RC 

The Piddle Valley Tiddlers 

For Bumps, Babies and Toddlers 0-3 years. This group is held every Tuesday 

morning 10.00 to 11.30 am at The Piddle Valley First School during term 

times. The group is independent of the Pre-School and there are 12 babies 

and toddlers currently registered. We are happy to welcome any new parents 

/ carers with their babies / toddlers. 

Alicia Eysenck | 01300 348932 

Girlguiding in the Piddle Valley 

Over the years many Piddle Valley girls have enjoyed the great benefits of joining 

in with activities of Girlguiding UK, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and 

young women in this country. I am sure that some of you reading this will recall 

happy memories of your time in the Brownies and Guides ! 

Today we have 2 units operating in the Valley; Rainbows for girls aged 5 to 7 

years and Brownies for girls aged 7 to 11 years. Both groups meet weekly in 

Piddlehinton Village Hall during school term time. 

Our Brownies are looking for a new Brown Owl - can you – or someone 

you know – help please ? 

From September 2012, our current leaders, Kerry and Claire, are retiring. Both 

ladies have for the past 2 years run an excellent Brownie unit, providing our girls 

with an imaginative range of activities, challenges, and learning experiences

….while having a great deal of fun. Our community has much to thank them for 

but the 16 very keen Brownies – very understandably - want to carry on ! So, 

how could you help? 

We need one person to take over from Kerry as Brown Owl. Better still would be 

to create a small team – say 2 or 3 women, aged over 18, who are willing to work 

together, contributing a few hours a week to enable the girls to enjoy a varied 

programme and make the most out of Guiding. 

You need not have been involved in Girlguiding before because there is plenty of 

support and training on hand to help – I myself returned to Guiding after a break 

of quite some years and I can vouch for the fact that the support networks are 

excellent. Interested… or want to find out more ? Please contact me - I shall be 

very happy to explain and answer your questions. 

Do you know any girls who would like to join Rainbows ? Rainbows meet 

once a week during term time and have a lot of fun together. There is currently 

space for more girls to join in so please do contact me to learn more. 

Sue Hennessy, District Commissioner Piddle Valley 

01300 348286 / sue_hennessy@tiscali.co.uk 

RAINBOWS (for girls aged 5 – 7 years) 

Wednesdays Piddlehinton Village Hall 4.15 – 5.15pm 

Contact Sarah Goddard / 01300 345 413 

BROWNIES (for girls aged 7 – 9 years) 

Wednesdays Piddlehinton Village Hall 5.45 – 7.15pm 

Contact Kerry Moore / 01300 345117 

Claire Hudson / 01300 348284 

The Twinning Association, 

twinned with Longueville, Normandy 

We shall be welcoming 21 Longueville friends of all 

ages, from May 17 to 20. They will be staying with 

host families up and down the Valley, after spending 

two nights in London and visiting the major sights 

there. Plans for the weekend include visits to local 

places of interest with hosts and day trips to 

Salisbury, Lytes Cary and the Fleet Air Arm Museum. We shall also be playing 

a French team at skittles on the Friday evening and entertaining everyone 

with a dinner in the Memorial Hall and a concert by Magdalena Atkinson, 

Dave Bowen and Mike Bottrill on the final evening. 

We are all keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather ! 

Please say hello if you come across our French visitors and call Jo Thornton on 

348670 if you would like to join us over the weekend. 

Jo Thornton

Dorset Gardens Trust 

2012 Garden Day at Waterston Manor 

Sunday 1st July from 10am – 5pm 

£5 entry (children free), no dogs 

Waterston is a magnificent setting for a great day out 

There will be about 40 stalls including many selling specialist 

plants and garden crafts, as well as displays, lunches and 

cream teas. 

Waterston Manor is on the site of an earlier property recorded in the 

Domesday book as belonging to King Harold. The present house is 

Elizabethan and the River Piddle runs beside the formal gardens with water 

meadows, woodland, walled orchard, pollarded lime walk, sunken garden, 

and water garden. The owner has been developing the garden since 

acquiring the property in 2007 and it is a delightful garden to visit. 

The novelist Thomas Hardy used Waterston in “Far from the Madding 

Crowd” as the model for Bathsheba Everdene’s Weatherbury Farm. There 

will be a lecture by Dr Tony Fincham, Chairman of the Hardy Society, at 

11.30am 'Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy & Waterston Manor'. 

Tickets £7.00, available on the day, via www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk or 

from Rosemary Agg. 

The funds raised from the garden day will enable DGT to continue its work in 

protecting the historic parks and gardens of Dorset and supporting many 

nursery, primary and special schools in Dorset in their educational gardening 

projects. Recently a grant was awarded to the Piddle Valley School to develop 

their school grounds. 

More background about the Trust and its activities can be found on 

www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk 

Rosemary Agg (01300 348835) 

Letters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dear Editor 

I would like to express my irritation at being confronted with a full page 

advert for Sunninghill Preparatory School on page 1 of News and Views. 

I understand that advertising revenue is vital to the running of the publication 

but surely a community magazine should have at the heart of its ethos, a 

desire to support its local school. On the contrary, by its very nature this 

advert is designed to encourage parents away from the school that we are so 

lucky to have and which needs all the support it can get. To put the advert on 

the first page of the magazine is beyond belief. What a shame. 

Yours faithfully Lucy Mitchell

Dorset Gardens Trust 

2012 Garden Day at Waterston Manor 

Sunday 1st July from 10am – 5pm 

£5 entry (children free), no dogs 

Waterston is a magnificent setting for a great day out 

There will be about 40 stalls including many selling specialist 

plants and garden crafts, as well as displays, lunches and 

cream teas. 

Waterston Manor is on the site of an earlier property recorded in the 

Domesday book as belonging to King Harold. The present house is 

Elizabethan and the River Piddle runs beside the formal gardens with water 

meadows, woodland, walled orchard, pollarded lime walk, sunken garden, 

and water garden. The owner has been developing the garden since 

acquiring the property in 2007 and it is a delightful garden to visit. 

The novelist Thomas Hardy used Waterston in “Far from the Madding 

Crowd” as the model for Bathsheba Everdene’s Weatherbury Farm. There 

will be a lecture by Dr Tony Fincham, Chairman of the Hardy Society, at 

11.30am 'Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy & Waterston Manor'. 

Tickets £7.00, available on the day, via www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk or 

from Rosemary Agg. 

The funds raised from the garden day will enable DGT to continue its work in 

protecting the historic parks and gardens of Dorset and supporting many 

nursery, primary and special schools in Dorset in their educational gardening 

projects. Recently a grant was awarded to the Piddle Valley School to develop 

their school grounds. 

More background about the Trust and its activities can be found on 

www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk 

Rosemary Agg (01300 348835) 

Letters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dear Editor 

I would like to express my irritation at being confronted with a full page 

advert for Sunninghill Preparatory School on page 1 of News and Views. 

I understand that advertising revenue is vital to the running of the publication 

but surely a community magazine should have at the heart of its ethos, a 

desire to support its local school. On the contrary, by its very nature this 

advert is designed to encourage parents away from the school that we are so 

lucky to have and which needs all the support it can get. To put the advert on 

the first page of the magazine is beyond belief. What a shame. 

Yours faithfully Lucy Mitchell

Editor’s response 

PVNV encourages contributions from Piddle Valley First School and children 

throughout the Valley and we include notices, posters, news and wherever 

possible colour photographs submitted. Advertising revenue is vital and means 

more pages for articles and photographs in a community magazine which is 

free for all. Though our policy is to vary the placing of advertisements in each 

issue, this is not always possible. The outside back cover is booked on an issue 

by issue basis. 

Localism & Neighbourhood Plans ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Since the Piddle Valley Neighbourhood Plan Working Group (PVNPWG) was 

formed early in February, meetings have become fortnightly and members 

exercised in absorbing the details of scope, remit, funding and impact of the 

prospective plan. Chaired by Richard Drewe, the NPWG is currently 

represented by members of the Parish Council John Cox (Chair), Jane Willitts, 

Terry Cowley and David Saxby; and by John and Dot Browning, Peter Chance 

and Sue Hennessy. As the Plan progresses, we will need to involve others in 

the community with specific expertise. 

There has been significant contact with WDDC and with the leaders of the 

Cerne Abbas Neighbourhood Plan (with Sherborne the two West Dorset pilot 

NP projects); with PVNPWG members invited to attend the forthcoming May 

Open Day at Cerne Abbas and also the Cerne project leaders attending in the 

Piddle Valley to pass on advice they have gained to date. Members have been 

separately tasked to establish access to the draft Local Plan (for public 

consultation June/July 2012), and to consider costs and funding, precise 

procedures and timescale, planning audit and specific areas of interest. 

Agreement has been reached to go ahead with a Neighbourhood Plan while 

adhering to the advice to ‘keep it simple, be realistic and concentrate on 

developing the needs of the Valley’. Members are concentrating on John 

Browning’s ‘Key factors and actions’ before moving on to consider the 

specific needs of the separate village settlements and gathering specific 

expertise within Alton Pancras, Piddletrenthide, Plush, Piddlehinton, and 

White Lackington. 

Dot Browning / 01300 348280 


Editor Dot Browning T 01300 348280 } E editor@piddlevalley.info 

Co Editor Ros Charlton T 01300 348063 } 

Hon Treasurer Susan Chance T 01300 348311 E peter_chance&btinternet.com 

Distribution vacant 

Deadlines 15 April, 15 June, 15 August, 15 October and 10 December 2012 

By post or PVNV Postbag, Piddletrenthide Post Office & Village Stores, 

by hand Piddletrenthide, DT2 7QF 

Printed by Henry Ling, Dorchester

Street Services Killara Piddletrenthide 

Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7QL 

Call John or Maria 

Telephone 01300 348008 

Mobile 07779 860258 

Garden Maintenance Garden Designs Tree Surgery 

Grass cutting Decking Felling 

Hedge cutting Patios Tree Pruning 

Rotivating Pergolas Hedge cutting 

Pruning Rose Arches Hedge Laying 

Border Clearance Trellis 

Home Improvements Building Maintenance 

Painting and Decorating Guttering Repairs & Cleaning 

Tiling Repairs Paving 

Carpentry Concreting Garden Walls 

Plumbing Block work Wooden or Metal Gates 

New Bathrooms BBQ’s Stone Work

Parish + District Council ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Piddle Valley Parish Council 

Meetings 

The Piddle Valley Parish Council meets in Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall, 

normally on the last Tuesday of the month, at 7.30pm. Meetings start with a 

“Democratic half-hour” during which any local resident may personally raise 

direct to the Council any matter that affects the Valley community. So, if you 

have something important to say, please either contact your local Parish 

Councillor or raise it during the start of the next meeting. 

Next Parish Council meetings May 29 th and June 26 th 

Piddletrenthide Village Meeting 15 th May at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall 

Closure of Rectory Road, Piddlehinton 30 th April-8 th June 

Highways have advised that the C128 (Rectory Rd) will be closed from Paynes 

Close to the Top Sherborne Rd between 30th April and 8 th June between the 

hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday – Friday, for rebuilding of the road edges. 

Access to the farms only will remain. The diversion route is via Cerne Hill, 

Piddletrenthide. Any issues, please contact Jerry Gerlach on 01305 228152. 

Rubbish in the River Piddle 

There are continuing problems with the amount of rubbish being found in the 

River, throughout the valley. Especially noticed are the number of 500ml 

glass vodka bottles and a high number of plastic “Cola” bottles. Residents are 

asked to keep an eye out for anyone dumping such rubbish, or discarding 

used “fast food” containers as they drive through the Valley. Please contact 

our local PCSO Vicki Hodges on 101 if you have any information. 

Bench Maintenance. 

Two benches placed at the entrance to Wightman’s Orchard and on the verge 

by the river bridge in Piddlehinton are both in need of maintenance. Anyone 

wishing to volunteer to undertake, please contact your local Parish Councillor. 

“Finger Post” direction signs 

If anyone knows of exact locations where there used to be the old fashioned 

finger board direction signs, but these have now been removed or replaced 

with modern signs, please let your local Councillor know. English Heritage 

are investigating a project to get these old signs renovated and/or renewed. 

High Speed Broadband 

Dorset Councils have been successful in bidding for funding for this scheme. 

Tenders are being invited; the project should be completed by end of 2014. 

Parking in Piddletrenthide High Street 

With the increase in long-term parking on the Old School side of the High 

Street (and particularly in the bus stop area) between Jaspers and Tullons 

Lane, which is on a blind bend, severe traffic problems are now being 

experienced with many vehicles having to reverse to allow traffic through. It

will not be long before there is an accident. Would people please not park in 

the bus stop area and also avoid filling all the spaces on that side of the road, 

to leave passing places. There has already been a suggestion of putting 

double yellow lines there if problems continue. 

Localism 

The www.piddlevalley.info website now has a section dedicated to reports 

from the Localism Working Party. Please see separate report in this issue. 

Police Watch Notices “Ringmaster” warning messages are now listed on the 

www.piddlevalley.info website. 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

Approved 

1/D/11/002085 Hanford Plc, Bourne Park, Piddlehinton; installation for 

a 27 year period of an array of photovoltaic array for 

use at Bourne Park. 

1/D/11/002019 2 Whites Close, Piddlehinton; rear single storey 

extension. 

1/D/12/000110 7 Holcombe Mead, Alton Pancras; new double garage. 

1/D/12/000029 Hill Dairy, Rectory Rd, Piddlehinton; first floor extension, 

alter Dormer window, re-locate access, change 

1/D/11/001987 

Refused 

boundary fence to a wall. 

Clubhouse, Enterprise Business Park; erect Site Storage 

Container. 

1/D/11/001862 

Pending 

Land Adjacent Church Lane, Piddletrenthide; erect 

barn/stable/tack room. 

1/D/11/000164 Piddlehinton Camp, Church Hill, Piddlehinton; erect 

building for use classes B1 & B8 (light industrial/storage 

& distribution) – APPEAL 9 May 2012. 

1/D/2012/000150 Field to South East of Enterprise Business Park, 

Piddlehinton; DCC application to create temporary 

Gypsy and Traveller site for 9 week period during the 

Olympics. 

Andy Howard 

Surgeries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Cerne Abbas Surgery 

Long Street, Cerne Abbas DT2 7JG 01300 341666 

In emergency when the Surgery is closed please telephone 0845 600 1013 

To contact the Dorset Emergency Care Service (DECS) or for health nformation 

or advice, please contact NHS Direct (24 hour advice line) on 0845 4647 

Puddletown Surgery 01305 848333 

See full details on facing page.

will not be long before there is an accident. Would people please not park in 

the bus stop area and also avoid filling all the spaces on that side of the road, 

to leave passing places. There has already been a suggestion of putting 

double yellow lines there if problems continue. 

Localism 

The www.piddlevalley.info website now has a section dedicated to reports 

from the Localism Working Party. Please see separate report in this issue. 

Police Watch Notices “Ringmaster” warning messages are now listed on the 

www.piddlevalley.info website. 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

Approved 

1/D/11/002085 Hanford Plc, Bourne Park, Piddlehinton; installation for 

a 27 year period of an array of photovoltaic array for 

use at Bourne Park. 

1/D/11/002019 2 Whites Close, Piddlehinton; rear single storey 

extension. 

1/D/12/000110 7 Holcombe Mead, Alton Pancras; new double garage. 

1/D/12/000029 Hill Dairy, Rectory Rd, Piddlehinton; first floor extension, 

alter Dormer window, re-locate access, change 

1/D/11/001987 

Refused 

boundary fence to a wall. 

Clubhouse, Enterprise Business Park; erect Site Storage 

Container. 

1/D/11/001862 

Pending 

Land Adjacent Church Lane, Piddletrenthide; erect 

barn/stable/tack room. 

1/D/11/000164 Piddlehinton Camp, Church Hill, Piddlehinton; erect 

building for use classes B1 & B8 (light industrial/storage 

& distribution) – APPEAL 9 May 2012. 

1/D/2012/000150 Field to South East of Enterprise Business Park, 

Piddlehinton; DCC application to create temporary 

Gypsy and Traveller site for 9 week period during the 

Olympics. 

Andy Howard 

Surgeries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Cerne Abbas Surgery 

Long Street, Cerne Abbas DT2 7JG 01300 341666 

In emergency when the Surgery is closed please telephone 0845 600 1013 

To contact the Dorset Emergency Care Service (DECS) or for health nformation 

or advice, please contact NHS Direct (24 hour advice line) on 0845 4647 

Puddletown Surgery 01305 848333 

See full details on facing page.

Jon Dimmick MICB CB.Dip PM.Dip 

Bookkeeping & Payroll Services 

Why labour over your own accounts 

Let me look after your business figures 

Leaving you free to look after your business 

Example Services Include: 

Accounts Preparation Payroll 

Invoices Payslips 

VAT Returns Budgets 

Income Tax Returns NI Reports 

Project Costings Payments to HMRC 

Bank Reconciliation HMRC Submissions 

Tel: 07501 977541 

Email: jondimmick@fsmail.net 

Full Practice Licence and Indemnity Insurance Practice Licence 

9101 

Dorchester Mobile Library 

Mondays May 14, 28 

June 11, 25 

Alton Pancras 

Holcombe Mead 11.25 – 11.45 


Poachers Inn 11.55 – 12.10 

Wightmans 1.20 – 1.50 

Orchard 


Paynes Close 2.00 – 2.40

Piddle Valley CE VA First School ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

What a term it has been ! 

We had an Ofsted inspection in late March. Our inspector was in school for 

two days observing lessons, listening to children read, analysing data and 

talking to children, staff and governors. As the official report hasn’t been 

published yet I am only at liberty to say that it went really well and everyone 

at the school is pleased with the result! 

After the excitement of Ofsted it was a relief to be able to enjoy the spring 

sunshine as we took the school to All Saints church to celebrate Easter. It was 

one of those times when we all appreciated just how fortunate we are to live 

and work in such a beautiful part of the country. The children walked to the 

church along the back lanes and through the fields. They were in their house 

groups rather than classes which meant the older children were able to help 

out with the little ones. The Rev Tony Monds was there to greet us and 

explain that this year we were going to have an outdoor Easter experience 

because actually most of the events of Easter week did take place outside. 

There were four stations built around 

the church grounds and the children 

made the journey around the 

stations. Adult leaders presented 

aspects of the Easter story and lead 

responsive activities that helped the 

story unfold in our imaginations using 

a few props and words as stimulus. It 

was a wonderful experience and 

many thanks go to Rev Tony Monds 

and his team who worked very 

hard to make it so memorable for 

the children. 

Children in the Churchyard © Cath Rothman 

Congratulations to Joel and Charlie Higgins on the birth of their baby boy on 

22 nd March. Welcome to baby Seth. 

Thank you to all of you who have been kind enough to support the school at 

our various fundraisers. All money raised is gratefully appreciated. The PTA 

recently bought lots of new play equipment so many thanks. 

Soon it will be summer term and we will be able to enjoy our fantastic 

gardens and grounds. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Cath Rothman 

Assistant Headteacher

FRIENDS OF PIDDLE VALLEY FIRST SCHOOL 

The circus is coming to town ! 

The Piddle Valley CE First School, Piddletrenthide, near Dorchester is thrilled to 

announce that Happy’s Circus will be performing their brilliant family show on 

Thursday 3 rd May 2012. Gates open at 5.00pm with the performance starting 

at 6.00pm until 8.00pm. This traditional Big Top, all-human show has been 

delighting audiences around the UK for 20 years and they are sure to have 

you gasping in wonder and in stitches with their clowning around! 

During the interval enjoy some delicious food and drink, enter our fantastic 

raffle, have your face painted like a clown or just enjoy the wonderful 

atmosphere. 

Children are invited to come dressed as a Circus character and join a 

procession with prizes for the most imaginative costume. 

Tickets are on sale now from The New Curiosity Shop, Dorchester or via the 

Piddle Valley First School office (during school hours). For details of prices, 

including our Early Bird Booking offer (available for a limited time only), see 

http://www.piddlevalley.dorset.sch.uk/pages/pta.html Ticket/general enquiries 

can also be made to katie@ajadesign.co.uk Tickets available on the door 

(depending upon availability). 

All proceeds from the evening will be donated towards the Piddle Valley First 

School Outdoor Classroom scheme. Do join us, come rain or shine, for some 

good old-fashioned family fun. 

Katie Hensman (01963 210537) katie@ajadesign.co.uk 

Piddle Valley News & Views ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The editorial team met in April to review the Accounts for year ended 31 st 

December 2011. While income from advertising renewals and new 

advertisers is encouraging, the increase in ‘News & Views’ content means 

more pages and higher print costs for some issues. With the benefit of 

forward cashflow projections, it was agreed to hold the current advertising 

rates. The community website statistics were encouraging particularly the 

Parish Council pages and PVNV is grateful for the Parish Council’s financial 

support. Prizes for the two age category winners in the Young Photographers 

Competition were agreed. Our thanks to our Hon Treasurer Susan Chance 

and to Rupert Edwards for his helpful advice and for the examination and 

approval of the Accounts.

PVNV are very grateful to all who distribute News & Views in the Valley and 

hope to hold a Tea & Croquet afternoon later in the Spring. Our thanks too 

to Linda Hoyle for organising the Distribution, and we wish the Hoyle family 

well on their move to Hampshire. 

Linda’s departure does leave a gap in the PVNV team, and we would 

welcome a volunteer to take the delivery from the printers (delivered to your 

door), count out the copies and deliver on to the various distributors, and 

organise the postal mailings, just six times a year. And if anyone in the Valley 

has a working knowledge of Quark Xpress and could help with the 

advertising and layout, you would be very welcome. Just see the contacts 

information earlier in this issue and get in touch. 

2012 PVNV Young Photographers Competition 

an invitation to young photographers in the Valley 

Guidelines 

Submissions should have a strong connection to the Piddle Valley. Subjects 

can include the environment, buildings, landscape, people or animals. Photos 

taken on overseas holidays or events outside the Valley will not be accepted. 

Entry details 

You have to have a home in the Valley 

You have to be between 10 – 13, or between 14 - 18 

You can use any sort of camera, film or digital, but not smartphones 

You can submit up to 6 pictures 

Pictures should be A4 photographic prints, colour or black and white 

Your submission should be accompanied by your details - full name, age, 

address, telephone number, email, camera used and printer/paper used 

Children under 14 should have their parent’s permission to enter 

Prizes The winner in each age group will receive a £30 Amazon voucher. 

Judging 3 judges (headed by Piddle Valley professional photographer, 

Jonathan Gooding) will select a winner in each age group. The winning 

entries will be displayed at Piddlehinton Village Fete on the 21 st July and it is 

hoped that all those submitting entries will be able to attend ! 

Printing advice We will not exclude home printed entries, but if they are 

on poor quality paper, they may not be doing the photo the justice it 

deserves. Local establishments offering photographic quality prints 

Wessex Photographic, 2A Cornhill, Surrey Close, Dorchester / 01305 257117 

Sherborne Photographic, 17 Cheap Street, Sherborne / 01935 817290 

Profolab Imaging Ltd, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth / 01305 774098 

Deadline for entries 13 th July 2012 

Entries in A4 envelopes (ie not folded) should be posted or hand delivered to 

PVNV Postbag, Piddletrenthide Post Office & Stores, Piddletrenthide, DT2 7QF

Charminster Garage 

THE FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE 

Servicing MOT’s & Preparation Repairs 

_ 

Diagnostics - Alternators - Radiators - Clutches – Brakes – Batteries – Exhausts 

Welding - Timing Belts – Tow Bars & Accessories 

_ 

All Makes & Models – New & Old 

Cars, 4x4’s, Imports, Sports & Light Commercial 

_ 

Free Courtesy Car & Collection Service Available 

01305 268858 

Wanchard Lane, Charminster DT2 9RP

Dorchester Choral Society 

Registered Charity No. 285911 

Celebrating the joy of singing ! 

OUTREACH CONCERTS 

A free 40 minute concert in a Church near you 

Music for a Summer Evening 

Sacred, Secular and Madrigals 

Monday 25th June 

St. Mary the Virgin Church 

Piddlehinton 8 pm 

Director of Music Christine Page 

Accompanist Heather Reed 

Do come and join us. Everyone is welcome !


Advertising rates, deadline + contact 

Plush Cricket Club is always on the 

lookout for new players to join our 

enthusiastic cricket team. 

With the brilliant pavilion, 2011 was a 

great year, so if you are 14 years 

or older, then please contact us. 

We will be more than delighted to 

explain what Plush Cricket Club is all 

about. 

Graeme Stephens 07899 663773 

Tim Mitchell 0779 857744 or 

Riou Baxter 07976 328916 

Dimensions (mms w x h) page proportion annual (6 issues) single issue 

128 x 180 Full page (b/w) £95 £25 

inside front + back (colour) ------ £35 

back cover (colour) ------ £50 

128 x 88 Half page £80 £20 

128 x 58 1/3 page landscape £60 £15 

62 x 120 1/3 page portrait £60 £15 

62 x 88 1/4 page £50 £12 

62 x 56 1/6 page £40 £10 

62 x 42 1/8 page £38 £10 

Small ads per line £4 

Advertising deadline – 10th February, April, June, August, October, December. 

Editorial deadline - 15th February, April, June, August, October, 10th December 

Advertising + Editorial contacts 

Co-editors | editor@piddlevalley.info 

Dot Browning on 01300 348 280 | Ros Charlton on 01300 348063

M A R Q U E E H I R E 

AND MANY OTHER ITEMS 

The Churches have for hire 

Two marquees (38ft x 28ft) which can 

be joined together. 

A large (30ft x 15ft) tent. 

A Hog-Roast (with hog if you want!) 

A Skittle Alley 

Folding chairs, tables, catering items 

Discounted rate for events within the 

seven parishes of Piddlehinton, 

Piddletrenthide, Alton Pancras, 

Cheselbourne, Melcombe Horsey, 

Hilton & Milton Abbas 

Contact: Roger & Meg Gray 

Tel: 01258 837152 

email: saniwitch@btinternet.com

LADIES !!! 

Introducing Wingz TM - As seen on Dragon’s Den 

Wingz TM are exclusively designed, pretty sleeves that are worn under a 

sleeveless dress or top. They fit comfortably under the bust and follow your 

bra line at the back. They can be worn with any or no neckline. 

They come in different colours and styles, long and short sleeves, floaty and 

fitted, and in three sizes (covering from size 12 to size 28). 

I can come to your home and show you a brochure and some styles or you can 

get together with friends and I will come with different styles and sizes for you 

and your friends to try on. Discounts available for party bookings (and also for 

fundraising). Prices start from £15.99 - £24.99 and are great value – you can 

make up different outfits as you like or if you don’t like showing your arms you 

can simply cover them up and look good at the same time ! 

Please email, text or call me if you are interested. 

Jo Holdsworth on 01300 321675 or 07592 413916 

jehdorset@gmail.com

Sport ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

BADMINTON Mondays Piddle Valley Monday Evening Badminton 

Club, Piddlehinton Gym, 8.15 – 9.45 pm 

Alan + Christine Wiseman / 01258 817512 

Tuesdays Piddlehinton Gym, 2 pm – 4 pm 

Contact Hilary French / 01305 848501 

CRICKET CLUB Contact Graeme Stephens / 07899 663773 

SHORT MAT Thursdays Piddlehinton Village Hall, 7.30 – 9.30pm 

BOWLS Contact Sheila Hornyak / 01300 348264 

TABLE TENNIS Tuesdays Piddlehinton Village Hall, 7.00 – 9.00pm 

Contact Beryl Ellis / 01305 267394 

Plush Cricket Club - the start of the 2012 Plush 

CC season so news and dates for the season ahead 

with hopefully less rain than in 2011! 

We finished bottom of Division 2 in 2011, so for this season we will be in the 

Dorchester & District Evening League Division 3 where we will now be playing 

several new teams for the first time in this league. Graeme Stephens is Captain of 

the evening league side, so please make yourself available for Graeme. He can be 

contacted on 07899-663773 or 01305-756625. 

Youth Cricket Tim Gillett (07722074048) has started U9 & U11 youth teams 

and they are entered in respective leagues for this season. Training is on Friday 

evenings at our ground 5.30pm to 7pm for 6 to 11 year olds – all welcome. 

Helpers will also be welcome, please call Tim for further details. 

Dates for your Diary First Evening League game against Puddletown 

Reseserves on 2 nd May, at 6.15pm. Longest Day Game at Plush on 22 nd June v. 

Hazelbury Bryan. Annual cricket tournament will be held on Saturday 14 th July 

2012. Clay Pigeon Shoot Sunday 15 th July 2012. 

Subscriptions now due £30.00 for adults, paid in full or in two equal amounts 

ie £15 payable in April, followed by 3 x payments of £5 at each game played. Life 

Membership is only £250.00. Match fees now only £5.00 per player for 

afternoon games and £2.00 per player for evening league and evening friendly 

games. Please pay by cheque payable to Plush CC, or CASH and send/give to 

Treasurer, Tom Atkinson, 17 Coronation Cottages, Piddlehinton DT2 7TD. 

Graeme Stephens / 07899-663773 or 01305-756625 

Welcoming new and old 

members for only – £28 

per year Family / £17 per 

year Single Adult / £10 per year Single Junior. Call 01300 348277 or come to 

the AGM on 7.30pm on Wednesday 9 th May at The Piddle Inn. See 

http://piddlevalleytennis.googlepages.com

N J Barrett & A L Barrett 

Carpentry & Joinery Painting & Decorating 

For all your home & garden carpentry & decorating needs, 

Loft conversions & cut roofs, Fitted kitchens, 

Extensions & door hanging, Decking & pergolas, 

Interior & exterior decorating, Paper hanging, 

Experienced & reliable. 

For free quotations please call: 

Home: (01300) 348748 Neil: 07789907398 Anna: 07786659783

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The Piddle Valley above Ivy House NGS ‘Des Res’ 

Players Production 

© Bridget Bowen 


© Jonathan Gooding: 

Alex Brazier, Tom 

Ferret, Max Gooding, 

Coner Dooley, 

Annabel Trim, 

Catherine Lindsley, 

Max Gooding, Hattie 

Olley, Alex Brazier 

below some of the 

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P 

Achieved ed Sailing Silv Silver er & Bronze Medals at IAPS Regatta, 

Won Taunton Drama 

Trophy, y, Celebrated National Poetry Da Day, y, 

Performed erformed ‘T ‘The Tempest’ at Poole Lighthouse. 

or email secretary@sunninghill.dorset.sc 

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www www.sunninghillprep.co.uk 

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