Nepal comes to Sutton Poyntz (From Dorset Echo)

Nepal comes to Sutton Poyntz

7:50pm Wednesday 31st August 2011 in Community

The Wessex Waterworks in Sutton Poyntz became, for one lovely summer’s afternoon, a Nepalese village!

300 people attended a fun filled, water based event organised by Richard Backwell in support of his Okhle Village Trust charity, which helps to bring fresh water to villages in northern Nepal. These villages need 3000 litres of water a day from a spring a mile away, and Richard set those attending his event the task of carrying the same amount of water one mile around the Sutton Poyntz spring head.

In addition to some authentic Nepalese water carriers he had gathered 500 2 litre milk cartons, which resulted in over 2000 litres being carried. One visitor commented that the effort clearly demonstrated that we tend to take for granted a supply of water to our homes.

There were also games for the children - duck racing and pond dipping – plus delicious cream teas for all. Many of the over 120 local people – adults and schoolchildren – who have visited Nepal with Richard over the last 10 years were in attendance.

Richard will next be escorting a party to Okhle village in November for three weeks, and will then be joined by a party from Wey Valley School for another three weeks. Amongst those going will be a water engineer and two structural engineers, for the aim of the trip is to replace a hand operated water pump with two electric ones, and to construct a community centre.

The £1500 raised in Sutton Poyntz will be put to good use half the world away.

The Bosworth Care Home summer fete took place on a beautiful sunny afternoon, which meant that everyone could take full advantage of the many side stalls and games, including, sweets in a jar, tombola, name the bear, play your cards right, plants and guess the baby amongst others.

There was also a raffle with kind donations of prizes from Tesco, Finns, Daniel's fish and chips, Boots, Bookers, South Coast Catering and many more. The fete has expanded so much that St Andrew's Church kindly loaned trestle tables for the extra stalls. The afternoon was enjoyed by the residents, their families, staff and everyone who dropped in for the fun. Over £300 pounds was raised, which will go towards the residents’ amenity fund enabling them to get out and about and to take part in more activities. Yvonne Connolly, Manager at Bosworth, would like to thank everyone involved.

Yvonne Emery and Gill Caddy are organizing a Barn Dance on Saturday 8 October at Preston Village Hall.

The Band will be "Jump at the Sun”, and the doors open at 7pm with the dancing starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 each, and this includes a light supper. A bar will be available for those necessary cooling drinks!

The proceeds from the event will go to Boost, the charity that is raising money to purchase a Digital Mammography machine for installation at Dorset County Hospital. Dig out your ten gallon hat and give Gill a ring on Preston 832595 to reserve your tickets.