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November 2021 November 2021

congregations of over 100 for seasonal special services at Easter and Christmas. Speed Limits and Traffic Concerns
Since the start of the pandemic the whole Christian Church has had to become a The Parish Council will be discussing the speed limit
“Church Without Walls”. Services and activities have often moved online and in on the B3390 through Briantspuddle next month,
our benefice they started early on and have been really well attended. Benefits along with other concerns regarding the volume
to this new way of working have included: of traffic and size of some vehicles. Any residents
who wish to input into the discussion are welcome
 A huge rise in numbers accessing church activities online
to contact the Clerk in advance or attend the
 Services and events increasingly accessible to people within their home meeting to speak during the item for public
participation.
 Outdoor services created and some other additional activities developed

 Developing the home delivery of door-to-door activities such as Easter Parish Council Meetings
bags for Holy Week and for Messy Church events
The Parish Council will continue to meet in the
There are some who struggle to access such new events. And some activities main hall in Briantspuddle for the time being. Although it can be difficult to hear in
connect with others best, when face-to-face.
this room clearly, the Jubilee Room is not big enough to safely accommodate the
Overall numerically, the number disadvantaged by moving online was probably Council and any members of the public who choose to attend. In order to
balanced by the number newly able to take part. Obviously we would love to reduce difficulties in hearing discussions, tables and chairs will be arranged as
include both but constraints remain. close together as possible, whilst ensuring that we can all keep a safe distance
from others. This will be kept under review with the intention to move back to the
For people who are unable to access technology, isolated, or on the fringes of Jubilee Room as soon as it is no longer necessary to socially distance.
church life, we have various locally based schemes to give them small gifts from
the churches at festivals (e.g. Lent or Holy Week thoughts and activities each day
– and a small Easter treat). Copies of readings and sermons have also been Council Vacancies
distributed to those who cannot access online worship.
There are two vacancies currently on the Parish Council. Any parishioner over 18
What have we as a benefice learned from Covid? (and what might we consider interested in supporting their local community is eligible to apply. In the first
to take forward?) instance, please contact the Clerk for an informal discussion about what the role
involves.
 A surprising number of people have newly learned how to use Zoom and
mostly have enjoyed the opportunities it gives us.

 We have become accustomed to seeing one another frequently, even Parking
when scattered across the many different areas in the benefice, at online The Parish Council reminds all residents and visitors of the importance of parking
services. We would not have, if we had stayed exclusively in our own parish considerately. Anyone with concerns about a particular parking problem may
churches. find information on the Dorset Council website helpful:
 Even closing all the churches did not prevent Christians meeting together – www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/parking/parking/on-street-parking-in-dorset
the total worshippers on Zoom have typically now settled around the 70-80 Sue Jones, Chairman
mark.

 Some groups (e.g. disabled, unwell, people with care needs for children or
adults) have been able to take part in online services, in all weathers. They
would otherwise have been excluded.
 We have had the benefit of different and varied high quality teaching from
our ministry team, and have shared in different traditions.

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