Funeral of popular and highly respected Sutton Poyntz resident (From Dorset Echo)

Funeral of popular and highly respected Sutton Poyntz resident

12:32pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Community

John Harrison, a popular and much loved resident of Sutton Poyntz passed away recently after a long illness.

At his funeral his three children Stephen, Anthony and Emma gave eulogies to his happy and fulfilled life. John was born in the village in 1932 and went to St Andrew’s School, which was then located near the church. On leaving school he became an apprentice carpenter at Portland Dockyard, following in his father’s footsteps, also a ‘chippy’ who built the family home in Plaisters Lane. During his National Service in West Malling, Kent he met Barbara, and three years later, in 1957, they were married. John returned to his job in the dockyard and they lived in Weymouth for four years, his only home away from Sutton Poyntz. On the death of his father in 1962 they returned to the family house and John continued to work on Portland until his retirement. John was always very active in village life, including the darts team at the Springhead, and skittling with the Poyntz Pirates, for which he received a cup after 30 years service. With his lovely Dorset accent he appeared in the Thomas Hardy plays put on by Sutton Poyntz Players and went on to become a founder member of the Preston Pantomime Group. His faultless comic timing is remembered with great affection. Devoted to his family, he will be greatly missed by them and his many, many friends. Our thoughts are with Barbara, Stephen, Anthony, Emma, and grandchildren, Lewis, Mathew, Daniel, twins Sean & Ronan, Rebecca and Heather at this sad time.

The ‘official’ route into Weymouth route for those travelling west from Osmington is to turn right at Chalbury Corner Roundabout, travel up Littlemoor Road and then left onto the ‘new’ road.

This means that the Preston Road from Chalbury Corner into Weymouth has been reduced in status, one of the consequences of which is that apparently road resurfacing will be carried out less often than if it were still a major route. New white lines were painted on the road not so long ago, which also suggests resurfacing is not imminent. This is very bad news, because the surface is very poor in some places, especially as you approach the Lodmoor Skate Park, where there are holes and numerous cracks, some stretching across the road width. Pothole problems can be reported via an online report form at www.dorsetforyou.com/reportingroadproblems. Use the interactive map and drop down menus to enter the location and type of problem, and with the 6 digit number provided you can track the action taken. Not only that, but if the reported pothole subsequently causes any damage to a motorist’s car then they are entitled to financial help with repairs.