Page 8 - br-dec-2020

December 2020 December 2020
CHURCH NEWS concrete blocks which were produced on the estate and used in the construction
of the estate housing and some of the other buildings.
ADVENT IN WORDS AND MUSIC Ernest Debenham died in 1952, and on the sale of the Bladen Estate in 1956 the
Parish Council bought the village hall on behalf of the community. It is interesting
to note the clubs and activities that used the hall at this time were the Women’s
We can't now hold the service, Institute, Bladen Football Club, Affpuddle and District Slate Club (savings club),
we had planned for Advent Bladen Table Tennis Club, Affpuddle branch of the Dorset Agricultural Union, Folk
Sunday (29th November) but we Dancing and Choral Singing Evening Classes, Girl Guides, Parochial Church
are still hoping to have it at 6pm Council, and the Parish Council.
on Sunday 6th December.
The hall was scheduled as a Grade II Listed Building in 1959. A side extension was
Do come along and hear your added in 1961, paid for and built by the Bladen Social Club which had been
favourite Advent hymns and formed some 4 years earlier and had been using the Old Granary (now the village
readings. Let me know, if you are Shop and Post Office).
planning to come so we can seat
you safely. WATCH THIS SPACE! In 1983 a charitable trust was set up to run the village hall and to raise funds for re-
thatching and maintenance. By 2010 after many years of fund raising the long
Sarah Welton, Churchwarden Tel. 471562 Email: sarahwelton@oceans.f9.co.uk" awaited, and very much needed, modernisation of the kitchen and toilet area
could begin. The original extensions were demolished and work began on the
new entranceway, kitchen, store rooms, meeting room and toilets. In May 2012
the village hall was formally re-opened by the High Sheriff of Dorset and since
RICHARD SMITH - BERE REGIS CHURCH then has had a new lease of life that saw all the well-loved activities returning and
other new ventures starting up for folks to try out.
TREASURER RETIRING Over the years the village hall has provided a base for many clubs and

associations and has seen all sorts of celebrations, including community parties
At the Annual Parish Church Meeting of our Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, and national celebrations. Prior to the pandemic the clubs and activities using the
that took place on Sunday the 11 October, Richard Smith confirmed his hall included Keep Fit, Yoga, Pilates, Bladen Social Club, Parish Council, Village
th
retirement as Treasurer to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and as a member Hall Committee, Community Group, Briantspuddle Singers, Short Mat Bowls and
of the PCC. Mike’s Evening Talks. Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic the use of
the hall had been extremely restricted but the community spirit is still thriving and
A presentation was made by Mr John House of one of a limited edition* of a wall before too much longer our village hall will once again be echoing with the sound
clock that features an etched picture in stainless steel of our beautiful church. This of people enjoying themselves and having a great time.
was also accompanied by an envelope containing a tangible expression of past
and present Clergy and PCC members' appreciation of Richard's invaluable The history of Briantspuddle can be found in the following books, however
contribution to the security of our Church's financial and spiritual wellbeing. although they are no longer published there are quite a few copies around in the
parish, if you ask someone may well be able to lend you a copy. Joan
Richard has been Treasurer for 13 years for our Parish Church in Bere Regis, as well Brocklebank’s book is sometimes available from second-hand book sellers.
as spending 23 years as a member of our PCC. During this time he has employed
his professional skills into keeping the Church finances on as even a keel as our ‘Affpuddle in the County of Dorset’ by Joan Brocklebank - 1968
th
collective offerings have allowed. Not an easy task. ‘The Story of Briantspuddle, a 20 Century Model Village’ by Campbell de Burgh,
John Snoxall - 1983
Our Parish Church has had to fund major repair works during Richard's time as ‘A Short History of Affpuddle, Pallington, Briantspuddle, Throop and Turnerspuddle’
treasurer, necessitating a huge effort in fundraising from several sources. It was, in by Sue Taylor - 2014
no small matter, Richard's guidance to the other parties in these endeavours that
helped the Parish raise sufficient funds to put a new roof on the Church Nave in Angie Talbot.
2018.

8 89