Children’s hospice benefits from local generosity (From Dorset Echo)

Children’s hospice benefits from local generosity

5:51pm Monday 15th February 2010 in

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Late last year the Sutton Poyntz Mission Hall Trust asked the Sutton Poyntz Society if it would be prepared to supply and pay for a village Christmas tree for the outdoor carol service.

Accordingly Graham Embley approached Trinity St Christmas Trees proprietor and village resident, Peter Hyde, for a large tree. Peter generously refused payment, but asked that any cost savings be passed on to Julia's House, the Dorset Children’s Hospice.

Graham set about raising as much money as possible and the result was a staggering £470 donated by members of the public, the Sutton Poyntz Society, some proceeds from 'The Gnomes' Village Christmas Lunch and Roy Winstanley on behalf of The Mission Hall Art Group.

The Claire Clements Trust also provided money to support the Hospice's 'Sibling Days’ - outdoor activity days for brothers and sisters of Hospice patients, who sometimes feel overlooked.

Graham said: 'I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the project. It was a tremendous community effort.' And oh yes, Peter has offered to donate the village tree for Christmas 2010!

Councillor David Mannings contacted me to say that with the take-over of the Sureline bus services by South West Coaches the school term time morning and afternoon service from Brackendown Avenue will cease as from Thursday, 1 April.

Apparently the new owners say that the service is unprofitable, with an average of less than ten passengers per trip. They did offer a bus into town at 8.36am, but David pointed out that with no return in the afternoon and no chance to use a Senior Citizen bus pass this would be even less popular!

Dorset County Council will not help with a subsidy, and although David will try W&PBC he holds out little hope of a positive response.

The Sutton Poyntz History Group will be holding a history evening on Wednesday, 24 February in the Mission Hall at 7.30pm.

There will be three short talks covering the families that have owned Sutton Poyntz from the 12th century up to 1925, the houses in the Village and those who have lived in them and finally the South Dorset Ridgeway ‘Voices of Dorset’ project.

Wine and cheese refreshments will follow, during which there will be an opportunity to discuss the present work of the History Group, possible expansion and future programmes. The evening is open to all, and should prove most interesting and informative.