Puddletown celebrates the completion of repairs to St Mary's church (From Dorset Echo)

Puddletown celebrates the completion of repairs to St Mary's church

8:06pm Sunday 23rd January 2011 in Community

Puddletown

• A SERVICE in St Mary’s church was held to celebrate the completion of the repairs to the church tower during which thanks were expressed to all who enabled this work to take place.

Rev’d Benny Hazlehurst welcomed everyone and said how lovely it was to hear the church bells again.

He paid special tribute to all the work done by Jim Wilson during the project.

The Archdeacon of Sherborne, the Ven Paul Taylor, also paid tribute to all those involved in what was a huge achievement for a small community in raising £111,472 necessary for the restoration.

Energetic fund-raising by church members over the past three years had contributed to this together with donations from many individuals.

Grants were received from the Lewin Bequest, Ricardo Crawley Trust, Dorset Hisotric Churches Trust, Erskin Muton Trust, St Andrew’s Conservation Trust, the Headley Trust and Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme had contributed to this.

Thanks were also expressed to architect David Illingworth, building contractor Brian C Riglar and the Cumbria Clock Company.

Archdeacon Paul Taylor concluded by bestowing a blessing on Benny Hazlehurst and his family and warmly praising Benny for all he had done for the benefice in his five years in Puddletown.

• A PIDDLE fair in the square is an exciting event to be resurrected from centuries past and held this coming October!

The village was granted a charter several centuries ago giving the right to hold an annual fair, and the church events committee is hoping to revive the idea in order to raise funds for work on the rafters, walls and floor of the Athelhampton aisle in St Mary’s Church.

We would like to have your support for the idea of holding a fair on Saturday, October 1 from 11 am to 4 pm.

There will be stalls, displays and entertainment along the road and in the church, and food served in the church room. We hope to involve the schools, local clubs, organisations and businesses. We would have to obtain permission to close the road through the Square for the day, from the corner where it joins Mill Street to the end of the north wall of the church..

Please contact Jim Wilson, telephone 01305 848510 or email: jd@jdgwilson.plus.com if you have any queries or concerns

Bere Regis

• THE January meeting of the parish council began with the presentation of certificates of thanks to three members of the village community who have each made a huge contribution to village life, in their own distinctive ways.

The first was made to Megan Stone for her work with the gardening club, the women’s institute, and in countless other ways over many years

. The second was given to Tony Shave for his unfailing helpfulness and assistance at all village events.

The third was presented to Liz Gale for her commitment in all weathers to the safety of our children, as our school crossing warden.

• ANOTHER meeting of the village forum is planned for Saturday, February 19 at 10am.

Topics on the agenda will include the development of a simple emergency contingency plan for the village, better communication between the council and residents, and possible Royal Wedding and Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations.