Chair: John Sugg 863435
Secretary and
Newsletter Editor: Lesley Lindsay 862868
Treasurer:
Keith Helliar 863700
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Village Clubs and Organisations
EAST COKER
PLAYERS
East Coker Players are looking for dry storage
space in or near the village. So if you
have a shed or garage that you are not using and would be prepared to allow
Players to store stage building equipment there, could you please let us know. Please ring Don or Nora
White on 477897.
Following the success of our Pantomime, 'Babes in
the Wood', we are now planning our event in May. This will take place on Saturday 15 May and
we are calling all Players, past and present and new, to help prepare for this
evening. Please come along to the
Dampier Room at 7.30 pm on Monday 2 February, bringing with you (if you can) a
poem or song etc that you may like to perform in May. We look forward to seeing you there.
Chris Hollis
EAST COKER HALL
Your Village Hall Needs You!
East Coker can boast that the Village Hall has good
facilities and is well used. A little
time and effort from the committee, who are all volunteers, ensures the hall is
available to all.
However, two of our team are about to take well-deserved
retirement, so we are urgently looking for volunteers to take on the roles of
Chairperson and Secretary. Full
‘training’ is offered (if needed).
If you feel able to give some free time, and put
something back into the village in the bargain, we would like to hear from
you. Meet new friends and have some fun
at the same time.
To find out more, please contact Ray 862214, or
Andy 863976, or e-mail boofins@btinternet.com
Without volunteers the future of our village hall will be in jeopardy!
EAST COKER TIME TO SHARE CLUB
Another year has gone by, so perhaps it's time to draw your attention once more to the fact that "Time to Share" meets on alternate Mondays from 2.30pm. - 4.00pm.in the East Coker Hall, starting on 12 January 2004.
As you will remember from previous reports in this
Newsletter, we are a happy, friendly crowd, and the programme provides
something for everyone to enjoy. In
addition to the talks and presentations, we have competitions and outings,
visits to St. Michael's Church, to sing our favourite hymns and carols and, on
a more energetic note, Line Dancing and the occasional Tea Dance!
Please
Note that at 2.30pm
on 5 April 2004 we are having our
annual Spring Fair with Stalls; including Bring and Buy, Competitions and
of course, our usual Tea With Homemade
Cake. This will be an Open Meeting - Why not come and
join us? You may be certain of a warm welcome.
If you would like to find out more about "Time
to Share", please contact Alison Charles 863137, Jean Bicknell 478733 or
Mary Baker 862132
EAST COKER
PAVILION FUND
The
project for the new pavilion at Longfurlong Lane is making good progress. The committee have met with the planners on
site, who have agreed to our proposal to replace the existing building with a modern,
custom built pavilion. We shall, within
weeks, have the plans available to display to the village, so you will all be
able to see what we are getting so enthusiastic about!
On
the fundraising front, there will be an Auction
of Promises at East Coker Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 30 January 2004. There is no admission charge, yet there will
be a free drink on arrival and a cheese and wine supper available, so please
come and spend the evening with us, and perhaps pick up a bargain! Some generous offers of services and wares
have been donated for auction. Examples
include accommodation for a holiday in Spain, catering services, minibus hire, a soft-top car for a weekend and many more. A programme detailing all the items will
shortly be distributed so you can decide what you fancy bidding for in advance!
Our
next event will be a Race Night,
with a casino, on 20 March 2004 at East Coker Hall at 8.00pm. The auctioneer
will be Tim Edmonds. Tickets will cost
£10, to include chips for the Casino, and we hope to have them on sale at the
Auction of Promises. We are also looking
for sponsors for the races; any interested parties can contact myself on 864410, Paula on 862264 or any of the committee
members.
We
hope to provide some excellent entertainment with these events, but we also
hope to raise funds to provide a much-needed facility for recreation and the
children of the village. All proceeds from these events will contribute towards
making this project achievable.
The
next meeting will take place on Thursday 5 February 2004 at The Pavilion at
7.30 pm.
Emma
Trickey
EAST COKER ROYAL BRITISH
LEGION
Poppy Appeal
Yet again The East Coker Branch has come up trumps,
topping last year's total with a magnificent £4,575.63. East Coker's total being £2,536.11. Many thanks to all
collectors and all who gave so generously.
As you may know, Barry and I are now living in Bridport, but nothing will change, I shall still be doing
the Poppies, and I hope to have your continued support.
Dates for your
Diary –
Cheese & Wine 30 April 2004 Coffee
Morning 9 October 2004
Sue Hounsell
EAST COKER ACTION MEDICAL
RESEARCH
Fashion Show
and Lunch
The East Coker Committee of Action Medical Research
are organising a Fashion Show and Lunch, on Wednesday 28 April 2004, at East
Coker Hall, starting at 11. 00am. Coffee
and biscuits will be served on arrival; next will be the Fashion Show, followed
by a two course lunch, which includes a glass of wine or soft drink.
The clothes and accessories are by the Fashion
House of Azur.
They are exclusive designs by the Countess of Caernarfon, who wanted to
design clothes and accessories for the sort of woman who wants to shop at
Harvey Nichols but can't afford it, or lives to far away! You will have the opportunity to try the
clothes on, and either buy or order items on the day.
Tickets are £15 and are strictly limited, so book
early to avoid disappointment. The
tickets are available from Leigh Mead, 863466.
Michaelmas
Fair
Once again we are holding our very popular
Michaelmas Fair at East Coker Hall on Tuesday 21 September 2004. The majority of stalls this year will be new
but a few old favourites will be returning.
EAST COKER GARDENING CLUB
On 11 December, Beverly Benham,
from Golden Acres Nursery, came to give a talk on houseplants - apparently
Aspidistras are back in fashion as they go well in minimalist rooms. The evening was rounded off with wine, tea,
coffee and seasonal fare. At the end of
the year the membership stood at just over 60, which is very pleasing.
I would also like to draw your attention to our Open
Evening on 13 May 2004 when we make a special effort to raise money for our
charity, which this year is St. Margaret's Hospice garden. We are delighted that Ann Swithinbank,
of T.V. and Radio fame will give a talk entitled "Plants, People and
Places".
We are also planning a visit to the Hampton Court
Garden Festival in July.
The Club meets on the second Thursday of each month
at 7.30pm in East Coker Hall. Anyone is
welcome to join as member or to come as a visitor.
Forthcoming
Meetings: 12 February – The Scented Garden – Chris
Yates
11 March – Bulbs From Around the World –
Chris Ireland –Jones, Avon Bulbs
8 April – Organics – Paul Hending
Any queries regarding the club, please telephone
Rachel Blow 862849
Young People
EAST COKER PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
After a 'restful' Christmas holiday, we are back to
a busy Spring term.
The end of last term saw a visit from Santa on his bus, Christmas
parties and a wonderful performance of the Nativity by the children and staff.
The playgroup is open from 9.15am to 12 noon,
Monday to Friday for children aged 2½ up to 5 years. From January 2004 we are also open Tuesday
and Wednesday afternoon for a session from 1.00pm to 3.30pm.
Every day there is lunch time cover available,
where for £1.50 on the day, children can bring their own lunch and stay on from
12 noon to 1.15pm.
The playgroup is Ofsted registered
and works with the Foundation Curriculum.
Nursery Education Funding is available when children become eligible
(presently the term after their third birthday).
Spaces are limited and we urge anyone with a child
requiring a place to get your baby's name on the waiting list as early as
possible. Contact Kay Strode on 872126 (evenings) for further information and
an application form.
Thank you to all those who supported our Craft Fair
in November, the village hall was full of stalls and we raised £1,200 for
funds. For information on our Craft Fair
in November 2004, please contact Eve Dudden 862357.
Many thanks for your continued support. Eve Dudden Administrator
EAST COKER BROWNIES
Sadly, East Coker Brownies had to say goodbye to
their three leaders at Christmas as work and family commitments have taken over
their time. All the leaders will be
missed as they were each hardworking, fun and enthusiastic. Luckily a new leader has been found (Jo Lock
412030) - but more help is still needed.
Anna White Assistant Division Commissioner for
Yeovil Guides
EAST COKER SCOUT GROUP
This year is a special year for East Coker Scout
Group. Having originally been formed
early in the last century, the Group was re-formed in 1964 and so we will be celebrating
our 40th Anniversary this year.
The group was re-formed by Bill Williams (who sadly passed away last
year) and Max Bugler (who continues to help as our Treasurer). We eventually moved to our current building
in 1984, when an old army hut was re-located from the Houndstone
Camp. We hope to arrange a special
celebratory event later in the year.
2003 passed well for us, including a Group Camp at Huish Woods, Taunton.
On the Saturday, we had all of our sections together on site - covering
an age range from 6 – 20 years old.
Our Beavers have gained in strength under their new leader,
though the numbers we can take are held back by the need for additional regular
help. We are currently without a Cub
Scout leader, but the Scout Leader and myself are
covering this role until we can find a new leader. The Scouts continue to grow in skill, and all
sections will be preparing for the year’s forthcoming events.
David Webber Group Scout Leader 474648
Waste Paper Collections
The collection of waste paper in East Coker has
long been an important source of funding for the Scout Group. We have recently been informed by the
recycling company that our tonnage must increase to be cost effective. We have been given three further collection
dates as follows:
7 FEB 3 APRIL & 15 JUNE
We appeal to all villagers to support the Scout
Group by recycling their paper. The
collection point is opposite East Coker School from 9am - 11am. It is helpful to us if newsprint is flat
packed and kept separate from glossies as the newsprint is more valuable to us.
If you have any queries regarding waste paper please contact Max Bugler 862186
Scout Jumble Sale Dates for 2004
Spring: Saturday 17 April. Autumn: Saturday 9 October. Both will be held at 'East Coker Hall at
2.00pm. Please start saving your Jumble
now.
REMEMBER WE WlLL COLLECT Max Bugler 862186.
Thank you for your continued support.
YOUNG PEOPLE
East
Coker Primary School serves a wider community than just our village children,
and its newcomers are from a number of pre-schools.
Hardington
Mandeville is one of the closest pre-schools feeding into East Coker Primary
School and at present it has several vacancies for children aged 2 ½ to 5
years, Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 12.30pm.
The
pre-school prides itself on a caring and individual approach to childcare. Sessions are held at Hardington Mandeville
village hall, and the team provides a very happy and stimulating environment in
this spacious, relaxed setting.
For
more information, please contact Sarah Quinton on 01935 864296 (evenings) or
07792 513122.
The Churches
ST.
MICHAEL’S CHURCH
Services
Ash Wednesday 25
February 6.00pm
Holy Communion
Mothering Sunday 21
March 8.00am
Holy Communion; 10.00am Family Service; 6.00pm Evensong
Passion Sunday 28
March 8.00am
Holy Communion; 10.00am Eucharist; 6.0pm Evensong
Palm Sunday 4
April 8.00am
Holy Communion; 10.00am Family Communion; 6.00pm Evensong
Maundy Thursday 8
April 6.00pm
Holy Communion followed by 'The Watch'
Good Friday 9
April 10.00am
Stations of the Cross
Easter Saturday 10
April 6.00pm
Service of Light & New Fire
Easter Sunday 11
April 8.00am
Holy Communion; 10.00am Sung Eucharist; 6.00pm Evensong
St Michael's
Bookstall Plant Sale – Bubspool House – 15 May 2004 -
10.30am - 12.30pm
We are hoping for the usual marvellous support in
the growing of plants etc for this year's event.
Many thanks John Darling
THE MID WEEK
MEETING
Since October the Mid Week Meetings have been held
in the East Coker Hall. This has greatly
helped parking problems, and elderly folk have benefited from the easier
access. The high point of the year was
the December Carol Service, where we enjoyed singing traditional Christmas
Carols (to the accompaniment of the Coker Nuts?) and an excellent talk by
Jonathan Fletcher on the true meaning of Christmas. Mince Pies, Tea, Coffee and Mulled Wine were
served.
The dates of
meetings the first five months of 2004 are:
Wednesday 21 January 7.00pm; Wednesday 18 February 7.00pm;
Wednesday 17 March 7. 00pm; Wednesday 21 April 7. 00pm;
Wednesday 19 May 7. 00pm
Please do come and join us. After each meeting there are refreshments and
plenty of time to chat. For further
details please contact Edward Armitstead 862785 or
Roy Hodder 862519
Village News
THANK YOU
Can
I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their cards, gifts and best
wishes for our retirement. Missing East Coker like mad, but settling in
at Bridport.
Luv,
Barry & Sue Hounsell
PARlSHLENGTHSMAN
From the beginning of March 2003 we have had the
Lengthsman Richard Thorne working in our Parish one day per week. During this time he has been involved with
cleaning the highway; emptying dog and litter bins; cutting down nettles and
weeds (especially the path from Tellis Cross to the
School); painting the sign-posts and some road signs; the fence by the river,
near the phone box has been repaired and painted; the bus shelter has been
varnished; small fly tips removed and various repairs carried-out on Parish
property. During August, with the help
of his wife Sharon, he has completely redecorated the interior of the Pavilion
It would be greatly appreciated when the Lengthsman
working sign is set up on the highway if motorists could slow down and be
patient. The delays are kept to a
minimum and we are trying to improve the area to the benefit of us all.
Roy Hodder
N B Pilates
for All
As
well as the notice above a new Pilates for All class
is starting from the 21 January 2004 at East Coker Hall from 9.45am –
10.45am. For enquiries call the numbers
above
EAST COKER
PARISH COUNCIL
Plans for the new Pavilion have been downscaled to
a single storey construction, with the same amenities as before: changing rooms
(home and away); toilets; kitchen area; and two rooms with dividing doors to
make a larger area if needed. These
plans have not been finalised and are still under discussion. The Pavilion will provide improved and much
needed extra space and facilities for the Playgroup and other clubs, with the
emphasis on sport and recreation for the parish. The newly purchased land for the football
pitch has been reseeded and will hopefully be ready for use in the autumn. This will allow the existing land to be used
as the cricket pitch, with a well protected cricket square.
Costs for building the Pavilion will still be in
excess of £100,000 - an enormous amount of money has to be raised, so please
support all fund-raising activities.
A grant of £12,500 from South Somerset District
Council has greatly helped the speedy purchase of replacement play-equipment at
the Pavilion. This is now being
installed by Wicksteed. Further grants have been received from Wyvern
Environmental Trust (£5,000) and the Community Chest (£750), so extra
equipment, to include a picnic table from a local supplier, stepping stones,
and a roundabout, have been added to the original plan. A new gate will provide security for the play
area, and more equipment can be purchased when funds become available. Bridget Mead, Sarah Rashley
and Roy Hodder have put a great deal of time and
effort into pushing this project along, and it is thanks to them that we have
succeeded with the grant applications.
It is hoped that the recycling black boxes are now
being more efficiently handled by the Council Recycling Services. Anyone who still has problems should consult
Beth Prince (Waste Service officer) at the Council offices.
The Parish Lengthsman Scheme is now well into its
stride (see earlier in this Newsletter).
Our Lengthsman, Richard Thome, spends a day
each week in the parish catching up with the jobs that the local council never
quite seems to get around to doing! This
is a pilot scheme, and the success of this venture is being noted by other
authorities. Former parish councillor,
Barrie Hartley, was instrumental in setting up the scheme, working with
District and County Councils to finance its innovation. Roy Hodder (862519)
now co-ordinates and organises a schedule of work for Richard. Hopefully the village will be tidier and
safer as a result, but please back up all the good work and keep the village
litter free. If you think there are
urgent jobs to be dealt with, contact Roy.
At its December meeting, the Parish Council was
informed by District Councillor, Alan Cornelius that no modification should be
made to the local plan. This confirms
that the proposed development in the north part of the parish has been rejected
by the Local Planning Enquiry thus endorsing a concerted effort by East Coker
residents and the ensuing, well publicised Referendum which objected to the
plans. The Parish Council was adamant
that correct procedure should be followed and that the support of local,
district and county councillors should be maintained in achieving this
favourable decision.
Looking forward to the spring, Daffodil Day, on 1
November 2003, was a great success, as all generations of planters spread
themselves around the village. In a
month or so we shall be able to see the first results of our efforts, and in
future years we shall all benefit from a colourful spring display. Thank you to everyone for your support.
BREAKING THE
HALF-TERM BOREDOM
Looking for somewhere to take the kids during Spring half term? The Community Council
for Somerset's Altogether Now? Roadshow
may be the answer. The Roadshow is a response to a report recently published by
the Community Council which highlighted a lack of access to advice and
information for families living in
rural areas. Bringing together a range of organizations,
visitors to the events will be able to talk to experts on a range of issues,
from affordable housing and village halls to welfare benefits, employment and
careers.
The Roadshow will also
include a crèche and activities for children up to the age of 11, while the
Somerset Rural Youth Project will provide 'cool stuff' for teenagers, allowing
parents to spend time looking at the displays, and information provided by a
range of organisations.
Free food and
soft drinks will be available throughout the events, which run from 1.30pm -
7.30pm at each of the following venues:
Monday 16 February - Milborne
Port Village Hall
Tuesday 17 February - Bishop Henderson School, Coleford
Wednesday 18 February - Westonzoyland Primary School
Thursday 19 February - Stogursey
Victory Hall
Friday 20 February - Churchinford
Village Hall
Free transport will also be available from
surrounding villages. For more
information visit the Community Council for Somerset's website: www.somersetrcc.org.uk or email info@somersetrcc.ora.uk or
telephone 01823 331222