Page 26 - BR May 2023

May 2023 May 2023
always making sure items were discussed properly and fairly, whilst ensuring
meetings run smoothly and without distractions. reflection and that of the trees and hedgerow.
Through gaps in the hedgerow I see the geese, silent
This does mean we have a vacancy arising for a Parish Councillor. If you would be now in the water meadow as they take their rest in
interested in this, please contact the Clerk on bereregispc@gmail.com. the cold, marshy, frost encrusted meadow. With the
mist hovering above the meadow it is a beautiful

scene bathed in moonlight. Such scenes are
Neighbourhood Plan impossible to photograph so must be savoured and
We have finally received some communication from the representatives for the committed to memory, more special by the fact that
Drax Estate, regarding potential developments on the land at Back Lane and just like the geese arriving I am probably the only one
North Street.They have informed us that Wyatt Homes have been confirmed as who will see it on this cold moonlit December night.
the preferred developer for both but the legal arrangements are still being Reaching the end of the path I step out onto Gully
finalised. Lane, the old moss encrusted finger post offers
familiar options. I turn left and head towards the Kite

Hill turning a short distance away. Reaching the
Annual Parish Forum turning I stand by another old moss covered finger
We will be holding our Annual Parish Forum on 15 July in the Scout hut from post, right for Kite Hill and Piddle Wood or straight on
th
10am. The Forum provides an opportunity to find out more about what else to follow the Piddle valley water meadows to Tolpuddle.
happens around the parish and local groups will be invited to attend and give an It is now closer to 2am than 1am so I have a dilemma. My heart says on down the
outline of their activities over the last 12 months. The Forum is not a Parish Council valley to Tolpuddle then cut up to the Roman road and back through Rogers Hill
meeting but provides an opportunity for residents of the parish to find out more Farm to Bere.
about what happens around the parish and to raise any issues they may have. I know it well and love to walk the Roman road at night, imagination of those who
went before flows easily and you can feel their presence. My head says turn up
Kite Hill and into the welcoming darkness of Piddle Wood and its nocturnal
secrets. In the end compromise wins. I will head on down Gully Lane and cut
through the pathway across the water meadows to Briantspuddle stopping at the
wooden footbridge over the Piddle. It is a fine spot to see owls hunting the
meadows, some time there then back to Kite Hill and up into Piddle Wood
eventually heading back to Black Hill and Bere.
Gully Lane is bathed in moonlight as I make my
way down. The monochrome landscape as
detailed as daytime so bright is the moon, the
shadows as long as at sunrise. Reaching the
pathway I turn left towards Briantspuddle.
Crossing the water meadow I soon reach the
wooden footbridge over the Piddle, just the odd
light still on in the sleeping village ahead. There is
something about being out whilst others sleep
that gives an even deeper appreciation of a
world that many never encounter.
or Brenda House on 01929 471255
Leaning on the bridge I again look down into the
silver water, the river mist even thicker now. The
ghostly scene is almost supernatural. The mist
hangs seemingly suspended and hovering over

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