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April 2022 April 2022

since. Their cities under siege; their neighbours forced to flee; their children taking the wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables in the shop – we really are not your
up arms: it is difficult to be hopeful for them. normal village shop.
Of course, in both Lebanon and in Ukraine glimpses of hope are clearly visible. In For those who are new to the area or who are perhaps not familiar with the
Beirut the streets are full as people meet, drink the best coffee in the Levant, eat village shop we are a community benefit society. We are a not for profit
kebabs, converse, and go about their business. The graffiti is poignant: Martyr’s organisation and we mark up the produce by a small amount to cover our
Square contains portraits of the 200+ citizens who were killed in the 2020 blast, overheads which in themselves are minimal. No one takes a wage or claims
bearing the hashtag ‘They Matter’. We hear similar stories from the cellars and expenses so that we can make sure are prices are as low as possible. In fact our
trenches of Kyiv and from Ukraine’s other cities, stories of great courage and Curtis’ meat, Italian and Williams bread are all the same price as if you purchase
great compassion. Faced with desperate odds men and women retain their from their own shops.
humanity; they dig deep and discover the resilience that they need to help them
survive. We collect fresh bread from Williams in Wool on Monday’s and Thursdays. Meat
from Curtis’ and Bread from Italian Bakers on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
But these are only glimpses. What about secure and lasting hope for Lebanon, for Watercress on Fridays (did you know we are the only local shop to sell “The
Ukraine, for South Sudan, for Syria? Contrary to my taxi driver’s fatalistic Watercress Company”.
resignation the Easter hope promises that “We will not all die, but we will be
changed”. Where is that hope to be found in these acutely distressed corners of Newspapers seven days a week. The post office is open Monday to Friday and
our world? the shop 7 days a week.
I have no answer. All I can do is read the Easter story again. All I can do is No mean feat for a small parish.
remember that on Palm Sunday the disciples of Jesus surely had no thought Its success is dependent on 2 key things
whatever of his imminent arrest and trial. All I can do is remember that on Good
Friday they surely had no thought whatever of the future of their mission – no 1 – you coming into shop – we can’t maintain the wide range of fresh produce
thought at all beyond the cold, solid certainties of his deadly wounds and the unless it is sold each week
rock-hewn tomb. All I can do is remember that on the first Easter morning their
earth-shattering realization that Jesus lived must have been beyond description – 2 – volunteers working in the shop and collecting from our various suppliers.
a new reality that none of them had imagine or foreseen. We are happy to take orders either by phone or email.
I think that’s what hope looks like - this Lent. We would like there always to be a wide range of fresh produce, fruit and veg,
bread and meat. Not just for those who find it difficult to go to the supermarket
but for all of us. So please add “use the village shop” to your list of weekly
reminders. It really does make a difference.
THANK YOU BELLRINGERS We had to delay our AGM from January and it is now on Friday 29th April 2022 in
the village hall at 7.00pm. This will cover 2 financial years and bring us up to date.
It’s a great opportunity for us to all meet and recognise the value the shop brings
A big thank you to the bell ringing team of St to the community. And if you don’t want to come just to hear the update please
John The Baptist church in Bere Regis. come and join us for a glass of Wine and some nibbles – all are welcome! – after
I wanted to say a very big thank you to the all, the opportunities to socialise over the last couple of years have been limited.
bell ringing team for their special gift of a Thank you for continuing to support our Village shop.
wedding peal recorded for my daughter,
Rebecca, to be sent to Melbourne, Australia. To place an order please contact us on 01929 472000 during opening hours and
by email Briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com. You can collect or we’re happy to
Unfortunately, no-one from the UK was able to deliver.
be present at the ceremony in Melbourne
when Rebecca married Nicholas Chan. As Ali Chorley, Chair, The friends of Briantspuddle post office and village shop.
you can imagine this was very sad for us.

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