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July 2018 July 2018

This happened over an extended period whilst I was on both the Parish Council
and the V Hall Committee, and eventually the Social Club Committee also as a OBITUARIES
gesture of friendship and goodwill. Planning permission was finally approved, and
I left the committee once more. Peter Talbot as the new chair, Philippa Thornily as Mum was also a member of the WI and the Mothers Union, and gave
treasurer and the committee worked tirelessly planning applying for grants taking her wholehearted support to these institutions too.
quotes, giving out contracts etc. They saw the plan through to fruition giving us
the lovely Hall we have today. In 1967 Mum decided she would return to work and initially worked at Astron
Birds at Sterte, Poole working on PCB’s. We were all still at School so when we
I eventually resigned the Chair of the Parish Council also, feeling that I had done got home in the evening – which was before Mum and Dad got home, Nanny
my bit for the place of which I had grown so very fond. and Grandad Day (who lived by now at No. 1 Shitterton) would “baby-sit” us
This is a precis of the history of the Village Hall and latterly my involvement with it. and give us our tea until Mum was home. Mum worked here for about 7 years
The reality is of course much more extensive and complicated as you can before joining Dad, Lesley and Maggie at Hamworthy Engineering Ltd, where
imagine. she was an expeditor until she was made redundant at the age of 59 years –
just shy of having completed 21 years service and therefore missing out on her
So now here I am, yet again, giving a chairs report, and it doesn’t get any easier. gold watch.
At the last AGM I was able to report how our small committee and wonderful What next for Mum she did not know. Dad had already retired by this time and
community had pulled together to stage a fabulous Open Garden Event. What a Mum did wonder how they would cope being in each others company 24/7.
lot of stress that was but this year has been a lot more steady and predictable, As it turned out Dad had his model aircraft - which he built - and would often
with our regular hirers carrying on enjoying our superb facilities as well as a fair be off up the fields with his pal Eric flying them, whilst Mum contented herself
number of occasional hirings. Basically we try to cover day to day expenses from with her home and garden. Mum was always happiest at home. Several
regular and occasional hirings and profits from Hall arranged events goes holidays followed not least to South Africa to see the growing family which Jan
towards capital projects and I hope you’ll agree we’re doing ok. was producing – ultimately going two better than Mum by having six boys of
her own – and a shared interest of Bowling. Incidentally, Mum was very much
The Hall committee have hosted and organised various other events from that better than Dad at this, despite the fact that Dad would often tell Mum where
time, such as the Burns Night celebration, The Purbeck Film Festival, Artsreach
performances, The Xmas Fair, Xmas Lights Competition and New Years’ Party, she was going wrong.
some made profits to add to funds and others simply provided entertainment for Mum remained in relatively good health, despite what life threw at her and it is
residents. a shame that after Dad died it became apparent that despite dealing with all
things physical that she endured with her health it would be the cruellest of
Our hirings include Pilates, Keep Fit, Briantspuddle Singers, Short Mat Bowls, Coffee illness’s which no matter how stoic Mum was, she would have no chance of
Shop, Talks, Lets Lunch, Skittles, Village Hall Lunch as well as Parties, Celebrations overcoming.
and Wakes.
In 2014 Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and for the last four years has
As any Village Hall representative will tell you that catered events are a mainstay steadily declined until May this year when she was hospitalised and for which
of hirings, the offer of food is one of the things guaranteed to get people off the Mum never came home.
sofa and into the Hall. Fortunately we have a lovely kitchen and a number of
excellent cooks and helpers here in Briantspuddle who willingly assist with their We have to thank Rowan and Jo of Bettercare At Home and their lovely ladies
expertise when asked. for all their care and support, ensuring Mum was able
to remain at home for as long as possible.
There are many other supporters who help by organising events to boost funds,
and yet more who offer assistance with repairs and maintenance. You know who We would also like to thank Bere Regis Surgery for all
you are and my thanks go out to you all for your kindness and community spirit. their care and support not only given to Mum but also
their support given to Lesley and Maggie so helping
Obviously there are items which need updating, repairing and replacing from them to care for Mum at home.
time to time. Allan here has manfully taken charge of most technical aspects
whilst being thoroughly advised by the rest of the committee and volunteers. And finally our biggest thanks must go to Audrey
Painter and Jean Gibb, who both over these past few

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