11:41am Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Abbotsbury and Langton Herring
My regular email from The Chesil Beach Centre alerts me to two interesting walks in and around our area in February
The first, Fossils at Ferrybridge, is on Saturday, February 13.
You are invited to meet at the Crab House cafe (OS reference SY666763, post code – DT4 9AE) at 11.am. and to wear wellies and warm clothes.
The second is The West Fleet Walk on Saturday, February 20.
Meet at the Abbotsbury Swannery car park (OS reference SY577846. post code DT3 4JG) at 10am.
Your guide will be Don Moxom the warden of the Chesil Beach Nature Reserve.
The cost for each of these events is £3 adults, children £2
Dorset County Council is repeating its free-of-charge ‘Refresh your Driving Skills’ course which is part of the B3157 Chickerell to Bridport, Road Safety Partnership Scheme
The practical course is a 1.5 hour one-to-one driving session along the route in your own car with a trained instructor the other a theory course aiming to update your knowledge and skills.
The courses will take place in Chickerell on Monday,16 February and in Bridport on Friday, 19 March.
For more information or to book your place e-mail roadsafety@dorsetcc.gov.uk or ‘phone 01035 224558 and speak to Clive Greening or Sue Virgin.
SADLY during January the village has seen two long standing residents laid to rest
The first was Cecil Lexter, known as Lecky, who was born and lived in the village for all of his 70 years.
Son of Fred Lexter the Swanherd at Abbotsbury Swannery and his wife Vi, Lecky’s interesting life revolved around Abbotsbury and the sea.
From the village school to Hardy’s, through national service and as a regular in the army Cecil was drawn back to work at the Swannery as assistant Swanherd and Decoy man and later on his trawlers.
He was passionate about fishing and would join the Abbotsbury Seine Crew with his young friends when he got back from school.
In the early ‘70s Lecky left the Swannery to go trawling full time and in the ‘80s he began his own net-making business supplying customers all over the country.
His last eighteen months were quite difficult. During this time Jenny his wife of 43 years, the Nurse Plus team, Essential Carers, Marie Curie, the community nurses and the doctors at Portesham surgery, cared for him at home Lecky died peacefully with his family around him on January, 9.
Our thoughts go out to Jenny, their children and grandchildren.
Our second sadness was the death of Peter Sones
A service of thanksgiving was held for the life of Peter, aged 86, on Friday, January 29.
Hardly a seat was to be found in St Nicholas Church as friends and family travelled from far and wide to pay their respects.
An Abbotsbury resident of 24 years, Peter had worked tirelessly for the village hall and was instrumental in raising funds its restoration during his time as treasurer.
Peter had remembered this area from holidays spent here as a boy and, with his wife the painter Margaret Sones, moved to Abbotsbury for his retirement in the 1980’s.
Born in Hampstead Peter then spent his formative years in Buckinghamshire.
In 1940 he began his long career with Lloyd’s bank broken by service with The Royal Artillery.
A keen sportsman, Peter joined the Came Down golf club and his golfing buddy Tom Lane was just one of the family and friends who recounted fond memories of this very generous man.
Peter’s last years were sadly dogged by ill health and he spent his last weeks in the Weldmar Hospice where he died peacefully.
Our thoughts go out to Margaret, their four children and the grandchildren.
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