Page 25 - BR May 2023

May 2023 May 2023

the sodden water meadow, illuminated by
the moon and enhanced by the BERE REGIS NEWS
monochrome of night.

I am briefly reminded of the old black and BERE REGIS PARISH COUNCIL
white version of Hound of the Baskervilles,
Basil Rathbone as Holmes tracking the
diabolical hound across the moor. Mist Chairman: 07900 906278 BereRegis.ParishCouncil.Chair@gmail.com
Moira
hovering just like tonight above the boggy Mathers
terrain of Dartmoor.
Vice Bryan 07969 770890 bryan@cheapprintingdorset.co.uk
No mournful howling hound tonight though,
just the whispering chalkstream and a silent Chairman: Benjafield
Piddle valley. No owls either, the water
meadow is waterlogged and their prey is Parish Amanda 07855 396073 bereregispc@gmail.com
elsewhere. I head back across the meadow to Gully Lane and retrace my Clerk: Crocker
footsteps to the Kite Hill turning.
Websites: www.bereregisparishcouncil.co.uk www.bereregis.org
I walk up the hill, Piddle Wood looms black ahead. Probably foreboding to many
but it holds no danger, just a nocturnal world to be explored and immersed in
once that instinctive fear of the dark is overcome. Reaching the old chalk pit just The Parish Council met on Thursday 13 April 2023 in the Village Hall for our April
th
before entering the wood I turn and look back. This is one of my favourite Dorset Meeting. Two members of the public were present. Members of the press and
views by day or night. The Piddle valley below, the great forest and heath above, public are welcome and there is a period for public participation at the start. If
stretching seemingly all the way to the Purbeck hills. A lifetime of work for the you are unable to attend but wish to submit a comment or question, please
nightwalker right on the doorstep. contact the Clerk or any member of the Parish Council.
Entering the wood the black perspective as seen from the foot of the hill
disappears as the moonlight penetrates and lights the way. On into the wood I King Charles III Coronation
go, climbing uphill again the path twists and snakes ahead. I feel the eyes upon
me from the left, it is steeply banked and a favourite spot for sika. The odd rustle The Coronation of King Charles III is on Saturday
gives them away, no warning cry or bolting just acceptance and observation. 6 May. To celebrate it has been agreed to
th
On I go passing the little water hollow and rope swing, the moon is bright enough hold a community picnic at the Sports Club
to make out the shapes of sika down by the water. Go there in daylight and you Recreation Ground on the Bank Holiday,
will see their hoof prints in the mud all around their drinking spot. I keep meaning Monday 8 May from 2pm. Music has been
th
to go there at dusk one night, tuck away and watch them emerge from the confirmed, with a BBQ and the bar will be
shadows to drink. open. We do ask if anybody wishes to park
near the site, that they are mindful of access for
Walking on I reach the woodmans hut. Across the valley somewhere near Rogers North Street residents, and leave access for
Hill a fox barks, I stop to listen waiting for an answering call. I never tire of hearing emergency vehicles down the lane alongside
foxes communicating with their variety of calls. When the return call comes the Long House. Ongoing thanks to Judy Newton for organising the day and co-
closeness catches me unawares, not twenty feet away from me another barks in ordinating all the various groups.
response. Now that lets you know you are alive and makes the skin tingle....those
old instincts can be suppressed but never leave you fully!
Onward again, senses still alive from the close encounter I pass on through the Parish Council Vacancy
wood emerging eventually on the pathway alongside the field. That is another
fine view in daylight, all the way to the Purbecks. I soon pass the old dairy, Following a period of four years on the Council, including the last two as Chair, we
testament to better times and values and am again on Black Hill. Another regrettably received the resignation of Councillor Moira Mathers at the meeting.
We would like to thank Moira for her constant hard work and devotion to the role,

76 25