Marshwood

At last year’s harvest festival at Marshwood, children from the school paraded up the aisle carrying gifts of fruit and vegetables which they handed to the Rev Stephen Skinner at the altar and then took part in a series of songs and readings on the theme of making sure we have enough to eat and looking after the countryside.

This year the school decided to revert back to its traditional celebration in the school during the week, rather than at the weekend.

Head teacher Helen Whitehead said: “Traditionally the school has had a separate harvest festival to the church.

“Last year we tried to join it together and then parents afterwards suggested they would prefer to have it in school time rather than at the weekend.”

A long tradition in Marshwood of holding a Christmas pudding stir-up has come to an end.

The event, held at the home of Ann Studley, had been running for more than 30 years and has raised significant sums for Marshwood Church and local charities.

But she has told villagers: “Unfortunately we feel the time has come to hang up our aprons and bow out gracefully before anno Domini really catches up with us.”

Tributes have been paid to Mrs Studley both for the success of the stir-ups and also for the magnificent village events that she organised to celebrate the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the following year.

STELLA Workman, right, enjoyed her 103rd birthday party, given by Sallie Else at Lower Farm on September 30. Her son John was at her side and gave a toast after the delicious tea.

He said that he could envisage Stella celebrating her 110th birthday in the future. Stella still walks around quite well and even goes up and down the stairs. She needs no medication. She is fortunate to be able to stay in her own home having an excellent live-in carer. Every week she looks forward to going to Halstock village hall for the pot luck lunch which she has attended for many years, outliving many of her friends that went to the lunch.

Seven of her close friends attended the tea party at Lower Farm.

As her son slowly drove her back home, a few of us stepped aside on the road and saluted her.

She gracefully gave the royal wave as she enjoyed all the attention.

Please don’t put your waste paper in the new council bins. It needs to be taken to the village hall paper shed. This provides valuable money for your village hall. If you find this difficult, a number of people have offered help, so please ring Paula and Colin on 01935 891494 if you need it taken to the hall shed.

DEBBIE Winston will be running a course at Charmouth Central Library which is aimed at those coping with a long term illness, or those caring for them.

The course – which is free – sounds as if it could be a real help, so if you would like to find out more or reserve a place for the session on Thursday, October 16, contact Debbie on 01297 561001.

Last Sunday The Lions Club in Bridport staged a Swimathon at Bridport Leisure Centre.

A team of children who regularly use the Bopper Bus, most of whom live in Charmouth, showed great enthusiasm and effort in taking part, helping to raise money for the Lions Club charities.

Next Sunday, St Andrews and St Marys Churches are combining to hold a harvest lunch at the village hall. All are welcome to attend and enjoy a home-cooked meal – arrive at 12.30pm, with food being served at 1.00pm. There is no fixed price for the meal, just leave a suitable donation. Last week’s meeting about the state of St Andrew’s Church was certainly eye-opening for the approximately 40 attendees.

The Rev Stephen Skinner opened proceedings by outlining the current problems, chiefly caused by unseen water ingress over many years, causing a host of problems, in particular dry rot and damage to the stonework.

Archdeacon The Right Rev Paul Taylor, highlighted the difficulties and discussed what help could be offered by the diocese.

Sadly I had to leave during the debate about how we came to the current state of affairs and what can be done to remedy the situation. Certainly, the small congregation cannot be expected to raise the required £250,000, so much of the discussion was based around the availability of grants.

The Rev Skinner remained up-beat and positive throughout, but accepted the difficulties ahead.

Greater community involvement and imaginative uses of the building are essential if the village is to ‘seize the moment’ and save the church.