Bransgore Village Newsletter

The traffic calming measures are now complete. We need to give them time to see if they are working. The "pinch points" in Ringwood Road are not pedestrian crossings as such. Cars do NOT have to stop for people to cross the road. I have noticed that some do, but it is not obligatory. So please wait until the road is clear.

I have noticed that if the road is blocked with traffic, cars are using the service road as a way through. This is an accident waiting to happen. Please be patient and wait for the road to clear. The Parish Council would welcome your views on the calming measures either by visiting the Parish Office when it is open in the New Year, or by attending the Parish Council meeting on 20th January 2004.

All Parish council meetings, plus Planning and Amenity Committee me4etings, will take place in the Committee Room of the Village Hall in future. The Annual Assembly in April will remain in the Community Church in Shackleton Square.

At the last Parish Council Meeting on the 18th November, we set the Precept for 2004/5, a copy of which is in this Newsletter.

In the Parish Office window we have a drawing of the Village Hall and the changes we propose to make over the next year or so. We hope that you will look at them and let us have your views.

"Raising the Roof" which was put on in the Village Hall in October, appeared to be enjoyed by all who attended, and we hope that the Christmas Show which is to be put on by the same company in December will be as successful.

Thank you to all who made the Annual Village Quiz such a success. 36 teams entered and the event made a profit of £308.55. This sum came at an opportune time as one of the two boilers gave up the ghost in September and the money goes towards its necessary replacement.

In the last Newsletter we had an item on trees. We are in the Heritage Area which is slightly different from a Conservation Area. We would ask residents to please think before cutting trees down, especially oaks. We have in the office a leaflet from New Forest District Council regarding tree pruning and tree care. If you would like a copy please call in when we are open.

The next Parish Council Meeting is on 20th January 2004. Come and have your say in the democratic half hour.

All the Parish councillors would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Clerk to the Parish Copuncil : Mr C E Beattie 01425 618679

SALLY OWEN Chairman 672596

MRS HELEN WHITE, MBE

Are you asking yourself who Mrs White is? Well, you probably know her affectionately as "Nellie", our school crossing patrol lady at the Crown crossroads. She has seen literally thousands of Bransgore school children (and grown ups) safely across the road for 40 years, come rain or shine. Her dedication to duty was rightly recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List this year when she was awarded the MBE.

The Chairman of Hampshire County Council gave a tea in her honour in October and Nellie will be going to Buckingham Palace on 27th November to receive her well-deserved honour.

Many congratulations, Nellie.

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FROM THE VICAR

My recurrent health problems since August and the uncertainties this has created encouraged me to discuss with the Bishop of Winchester and the Archdeacon of Bournemouth the future of ministry in our Parish. The successful completion of Helen Griffiss' training as a priest in the Parish meant that the Bishop would be soon encouraging her to develop her ministry and ;astoral gifts in a different context. This process has now taken place and the news of Helen's new work was announced by Bishop Michael on 16th November (see below).

To minimise speculation and unseemly rumour, it seems right now for me to take retirement from full time ministry somewhen in mid-2004 , the exact timing to be announced in the New Year. The Bishop of Winchester has written to me to endorse this plan. As Interregnum (Incumbent Vacancy) starts from the resignation of the existing incumbent and ends with the appointment of a new incumbent (or whatever is planned). In that time (it may be as long as a year) the authority normally vested in the Vicar is transferred to the Sequestrators of the Benefice - the elected Church Wardens. They are assisted by the Archdeacon and the Rural Dean. In these four people is vested all the authority needed to run the Parish, PCC, services and every routine matter. Registry Clergy and Readers will take services with lay help. Meanwhile it will be business as usual until I retire and beyond.

We pray for our Parish and village and bless God for all those who witness faithfully to Christ by their words and their manner of life. May God bless you all richly in his service.

I send you all my best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful New Year.

The Revd. Canon PATRICK C ELKINS Vicar of Bransgore and Honorary Canon of Winchester

THE REVD HELEN MARY GRIFFISS, MA.., CURATE OF BRANSGORE

It was officially announced on Sunday, 16th November 2003, that the Rt. Revd. Michael Scott-Joynt, Lord Bishop of Winchester, Prelate of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Provincial Chancellor of the Archsee of Canterbury, has personally nominated the Revd. Helen Mary Griffiss, Master of Arts, Assistant Curate in the Parish of St Mary with All Saints, Bransgore, in the Deanery of Christchurch, to be Assistant Priest in the Parish of Milton (New Milton) with special charge of St Peter's Church, Ashley in that parish. Following selection processes, the Rector and Church Wardens of Milton with the representatives of St Peter's have warmly welcomed the Bishop's nomination. The Revd. Helen Mary Griffiss has relinquished her work with USPG and accepted this stipendiary post. The Bishop has now confirmed this as an official appointment in his Diocese. The licensing will be conducted by Bishop Michael with the Venerable Adrian Harbridge, Archdeacon of Bournemouth at St Peter's Ashley, on January 29th 2004.

It is also announced that the Bishop of Winchester has appointed the Re3vd. Helen Mary Griffiss MA to be his personal representative on the Overseas Partnership Panel of his Diocese.

It is further announced that the Bishop of Winchester has appointed the Revd Helen Mary Griffiss MA to be Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers' Union within his Diocese. Wolvesey, Winchester, November 2003

We offer Helen our warmest congratulations on this ringing endorsement by the Bishop of Winchester on the successful completion of her training in our parish, the development of her pastoral and ministerial gifts as a priest. Our prayers go with her in these new ministries and our heartfelt thanks also for all she has done in and for our parish over 19 years. There will be an opportunity later to say farewell but for the moment her parochial ministry in Bransgore will continue as usual until early January 2004 when she will have a short break before taking up these responsibilities.

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BRANSGORE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

As you may know our school year began with a visit from the OFSTED Inspectors. We were one of the first schools to be inspected under the new OFSTED framework, which is regarded as being tougher than the previous one. Inspections are of course stressful times for all con-cerned and as a staff we were very thankful for the supportive comments we received from so many parents. The children were superb throughout the Inspection and helped us to show the team what a great school we have. The summary report has just been published to parents and we are very pleased with the outcome. Overall we scored a 2 (very good) with no individual aspect being less than 3 (good). The full report is available for parents to look at in the school office and is now available on the internet for all to read at www.ofsted.gov.uk

Congratulations to Helen "Nellie" White, who was deservedly awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Nellie has been seeing our children safely across the road for over thirty years and is a much loved figure in our village. We wish her all the best for the 27th November when she has her big day at the Palace. She has promised to show the children her award in an assembly early in the New Year.

Work on our school grounds continues apace through the support of the Bransgore School Association (BSA). David Stone who designed and built our Willow Arbour last summer has returned to create a Nature Walk along the back of the rear playground to replace the tyre wall. The project was launched with a Community Digging Day on the Saturday before half term. There was a tremendous turnout of parents and we achieved a great deal in a short time. Many hands make light work! Thank you to all the children and parents who came along. Thanks to the assistance of Mr Richard Frampton the footings have also been dug for the second phase of work, our Amphitheatre. It will be fantastic for the children to have a space in which to rehearse and perform dances, plays etc informally during playtimes. The Amphitheatre will seat several classes of children so we will use it as a formal theatre space as well.

As ever at this time of year we are all in the midst of rehearsals for Christmas Productions. The Infants will be presenting "Cock-a-doodle Christmas" to parents and Years 3 and 4 will be performing "Puss In Boots".

Thank you to all the people from the school and wider community who came along to support the school and raise money for the BSA on Bonfire Night. A terrific total of over £3000 was raised! Thanks to Steve and Mary Biss and their staff at the Three Tuns for so ably hosting the event. Merry Christmas from all here at school.

DAVID GREEN Community Links Manager

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BRANSGORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Welcome to the Autumn newsletter. It has been a tremendous start to the new school year.

We started off the fund raising with the Craft Fair. This year we had trampolines set up as a trial amusement and all the kids enjoyed it (including Joy Rose and Kevin Dawson). Maybe next year we will have more child friendly activities. This was Anne James's last year of organising the fair and we would like to thank her for the many years she spent organising this event. Joy will be taking over next year.

As you may know, the fund raising for last year is going towards the development of a Science and Nature Walk plus an Amphitheatre. To reduce costs, we decided to remove the tyre wall in the playground ourselves, so we held a Community Day which was held on Saturday the 26th October. It was most heartening to see so many families helping out. The kids were of great help with the moving of tyres, painting the trellis, and clearing up the playground when we finished. Many in the committee had expected that the work would take most of the day, but due to the tremendous support, we managed to finish the majority of the work by 1 pm. It was hard work but very satisfying. Thankfully we had a beautiful day. I would like to thank the men folk who helped, as we do not see you very often. I would also like to thank JP Morgan Chase for donating £500 towards the development. David Stone has made a start and things are progressing so long as the weather holds. I hope to be able to report its completion in the next newsletter.

The last event was Fireworks Night. It was a tremendous evening and unlike last year, a fabulous dry day. It was very well attended, so much so that I have been told that it was a record year. I had the relatively easy job of setting off the fireworks and lighting the bonfire so I did not really notice the growing crowd until the end. I really must thank the Dawson family for their help with setting up the fireworks. I also thank all the volunteers who helped with building the bonfire (a whole Saturday morning), security, marshalling, ticket selling and manning the stall. I must also thank the Scouts for running barbeque and Steve and Mary Biss of the Three Tuns. Without you all the event would not be possible.

After our Christmas Fayre at the beginning of December, we look forward to more successful events in the New Year. The first will be on 31st January when we celebrate the Chinese New Year with a dinner dance. We have also planned a Race Night for 20th March. Our popular Quiz Night will take place in February/March, the date to be confirmed. Please make a note of these and come along and join in the fun. GREGORY CHONG Chairman

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WELCOME TO ST. MARY'S CHURCH and ALL SAINTS CHURCH

SERVICES at ST. MARY'S

Sunday: 8 am Holy Communion (BCP) 10 am Parish Eucharist (CW1) 7 pm Evening Worship (various forms of quiet, reflective worship)

Wednesday: 10 am Holy Communion (CW1)

Occasional services : Baptisms by arrangement, usually in the 10 am Sunday service Marriages, funerals by arrangement Choral Evensong, Carol services, etc: see separate posters School services: mid-week: as arranged by school and church

SERVICES at ALL SAINTS, THORNEY HILL

Sunday: 11.15 am Matins on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Sunday in the month Holy Communion (BCP) on 4th Sunday

Pastoral care: contact initially The Revd Canon Patrick Elkins, VICAR 01425 672327 or The Revd Helen Griffiss, CURATE 01425 672519 St Mary's also has a team of lay pastors willing to visit, bring Home Communion, etc.

(BCP = Book of Common Prayer, CW1 = Common Worship Order 1, modern language)

DECEMBER SERVICES at ST MARY'S

Sunday, 14th Carol Service - 6.30 pm Monday, 15th Townswomen's Guild Carol Service Wednesday, 17th Holy Communion - 10.00 am Wednesday, 24th Holy Communion - 10.00 am CHRISTINGLE SERVICE with Nativity Play - 4.00 pm MIDNIGHT EUCHARIST - 11.15 pm Thursday, 25th Holy Communion - 8 am Holy Communion - 10.00 am

DECEMBER SERVICES at ALL SAINTS

Sunday, 21st Children's Service and Nativity Play - 3.00 pm Carol Service - 6.30 pm Thursday, 25th Holy Communion - 11.15 am

MOTHERS' UNION Diary Dates for December

Wednesday, 17th Christmas Lunch at the Resource Centre - 1.00 pm Tuesday, 23rd Christingle Making at the Resource Centre - 10.00 am

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BRANSGORE METHODIST CHURCH

Minister - Rev. R. Clarke. Telephone: 673304

"And Christmas comes once more."

Since last Christmas the world seems to have suffered so many disasters, so many upheavals, so many problems, that it is difficult to recall all of them. The war in Iraq, war in the Holy Land stand out in the mind, but the real fear of acts of terrorism throughout the world, perpetrated by fanatics is equally in our thoughts. Certainly 2003 has not been the peaceful year for which we hoped.

As we approach Christmas once more, we remember that the Infant Jesus was born into a world of upheaval and poverty, that He was "cradled in a manger meanly", that He was forced to become a refugee to avoid Herod's jealousy, and that His life ended on a Cross.

But we can also remember with gratitude and thankfulness that He came to earth to redeem us from our sins, to lead us into the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake, and eventually to take us to dwell with Him in Life Eternal.

Sop., as we celebrate with families and friends, as Our Lord would want us to do, let us remember those who find little about which they can rejoice - may they know the peace and comfort which passes understanding.

A Happy and Joyous Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from all friends at the Methodist Church.

ARNOLD MASON Bransgore 672788 Christmas Calendar (in addition to normal services)

Sunday, 14th December 10.30 am Nativity and Toy Service Wednesday, 17th December 2.30 pm. Christmas Singing and Readings, with guest choir. Mince Pies during interval Sunday, 21st December 7 pm Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve 11.30 pm Christmas Communion Christmas Day 10 am Family Service

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BRANSGORE YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB.

Well the march forward continues at great speed.

As detailed before, Bransgore Youth are looking to raise the profile of the Club both within the Village and throughout the County. The most important development over the last few months is the strong alliance now being made between the Senior Bransgore Football Club sides the Cricket Club and most importantly the Parish Council.

We have had some very successful meetings over the last month or so with representatives of all of the above and we are confident that we are all now singing from the same song sheet.

Once again, Councillor Richard Frampton has been instrumental in bringing all the elements together and we cannot thank him enough for his invaluable assistance.

We are putting in place all the elements required for the Club to gain Charter status from the FA. The constitution required is already in place as is the Child Protection, with both my wife, Sara, and myself, having passed the required examination. We still need all our Club Coaches to pass the Junior Coaching Badge but this is also in hand as we now have the assistance of Russell Beardsmore who has pledged to assist us in this respect. It is now our intention, with the assistance of Councillor Richard Frampton, to go to meetings both at District and County level to try to obtain sufficient funding to employ Russell as our Club Coach. We would like to thank Russell for putting both his name to our campaign and his faith in us.

There is also a great deal of funding available for Grass Roots Football and again, Russell, Richard and I are already looking into what Grants are available. These Grants are not just for Bransgore Youth as they will be for the benefit of both the Recreation Ground and the new Cricket/Football Ground. If any of you have or know of any contacts, which may help us in this respect please do not hesitate to contact the club, as any help will be much appreciated.

We will also be registering for the "Kingsmeal" Bread offer. So if you could please collect and kindly donate these tokens to us then again that would be of great assistance as we have a number of teams who are having to wear a mixture of kits due to the lack of funds and sponsorship. Anyone wishing for details on how to sponsor a team (or for any other information) should contact the Club Secretary, Lynn Wheeler on 01425 674462. Bransgore have now had a kit of our own design registered with the FA. and in due course all Bransgore Teams will wear the same style kit making us stand out from the crowd.

In the last month we have lost our Chairman, Brian Cole, who has had to step down due to work commitments. Brian has been a large part of this Club for around 20 years and we owe a great deal of thanks to him. His experience will not be totally lost to us as he has agreed to being made an Honorary President of the Club. I would also like to welcome in our new Chairman, Keith Wheeler. Keith is a great ambassador of the Club and will make a fine Chairman. He is of course also married to the Club Secretary so they are bound to have a close working arrangement!

Finally, I would like to thank all those involved with the Club for their continued support and as mentioned before if you wish to help in any way at any time please feel free to contact us,. especially if you are a retired or under used Ref. We never have enough Men in Black to fill all the matches that are played on a Sunday.

ARF SCAIFE

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BRANSGORE FLOWER CLUB

After an enjoyable outing to the flower festival at Winchester Cathedral in September, it was back home to the Resource Centre for our October meeting. "Trend n' Blend" was the title of Angela Turner's demonstration. Angela's five very varied contemporary arrangements showed us how attractive and fun modern flower arranging is. It was a lovely relaxing afternoon enjoyed by the members.

Well done to Pauline Temple, Marcia Neil, Mary Humphreys and Carol Dove, the team that represented our Club at Highcliffe Castle flower festival in October. Their beautiful display transformed a corner of the Castle library into a Victorian Garden - part of the 'Nostalgia' theme of the festival - and was much admired.

A demonstration by Barbara Hudson entitled 'It's Christmas Tyme' on 27th November put us in the festive mood.

We end the year's programme with a Christmas Luncheon on the 11th December. To complete the afternoon, our own committee member, Joan Skyrme, is going to show us the art of "Flowers in Sugar Paste".

"It's a Wonderful World", a demonstration by Christine Wright sounds an ideal start in January to our 2004 programme.

Do come along and join us, as a guest or hopefully as a new member. It's an enjoyable way to spend a grey winter's afternoon and a warm welcome awaits you. We meet on the fourth Thursday in the month at 2 pm at the Resource Centre, Bransgore.

'Friendship through Flowers' is the N.A.F.A.S. motto.

	Diary of Events for 2004
	22nd January Christine Wright, demonstrator. "It's a Wonderful World"
	26th February Button Holes and Corsages - Workshop - tutor Beryl Churchill
	25TH March A.G.M. followed by 'Pot Luck' MARGO CROUCH Chairman 01425 672612 (Return to Top)

GIRL GUIDING - Bransgore District

We currently have almost 100 girls involved in Girlguiding in Bransgore, as Brownies, Guides and, new from September, Rangers.

In January we are hoping to re-open the Rainbow unit which had to close last year due to the Rainbow Leader leaving. For further information, please contact me, Jenny Carr (District Commissioner) on 01425 673490.

To enable us to offer varied activities suitable for all girls, we are dependent on our dedicated Leaders. If you can spare time to help with the units, you will be assured of a very warm welcome.

ENQUIRIES:

2nd Bransgore Brownies : Kate Diment 674755 Wednesday - Resource Centre 5.30 - 7.00 pm

3rd Bransgore Methodist Brownies : Ann Dean 673445 Tuesday - Methodist Church Hall 5.00 - 6.30 pm

1st Bransgore Methodist Guides : Rev'd Barbara Jeffries 673212 Thursday - Methodist Church Hall 6.45 - 8.15 pm

Bransgore Rangers : Claire Stokes 07879 685006 Thursday -Methodist Church Hall 6.45 - 8.15 pm

JENNY CARR District Commissioner 673490

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R.N.L.I.

SEASONAL SOUVENIRS

RNLI Christmas cards and 2004 calendars and diaries are still available at Bransgore Wines. We are most grateful to the proprietors Jackie and Trevor Andrews who have been staunch supporters of our fund-raising since they first came to the village, and we are very sorry to hear that they are leaving. We wish them Good Luck and every success in the future.

NEW MILTON BRANCH

We are working to strengthen ties with the New Milton branch of RNLI, and Alisdair Murray, who was treasurer of the Bransgore Guild, has been co-opted to serve on the committee. We shall continue to bring you news of fundraising events in the area, as it becomes available.

NEW LIFEBOAT STATION AT MUDEFORD

Mudeford's new RNLI lifeboat station was officially opened on Saturday 24th October by John Batchelor, former crew member and long time RNLI fundraiser. The new station cost £600,000, and building was made possible by a combination of fundraising by the crew and local supporters, alongside the generosity of four local people who had made substantial bequests. As well as housing the Atlantic 21 lifeboat and its trailer, the station now has somewhere warm and dry for the crew to change, a training room, and plenty of space for storing equipment and stores

LATEST FIGURES

The latest figure available show that so far this year lifeboats have saved 172 lives, with 2704 persons being brought ashore.

DAVID LYTTLE 01425 673581

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BRANSGORE SUPPORT GROUP

DO YOU NEED A LISTENING EAR?

This Group exists to support those suffering bereavement and loss, whether through the death of a loved one or through a disability, divorce, etc.

Please join us at our monthly meetings which are held in the Methodist Church Room on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10 am. Dates for the next few months are :

15th January 19th February 18th March 15th April

If you can't face a group situation yet, we can visit you in your own home on a one to one basis.

Leaders' contact numbers - Christine 672495 and Melinda 673915.

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BRANSGORE YOUTH CRICKET CLUB

The Under 11 side eventually played the Under 11 Cup Final in September against a Parley side boasting a number of county players. Parley batted first and although they batted well, excellent bowling and fielding by Bransgore especially Taylor and Helliar meant that they were bowled out for 99 runs - an excellent effort by the boys. Bransgore set off steadily, but despite some stout resistance the stronger Parley attack stopped the Bransgore innings at 49. A decisive win for Parley, but an excellent effort from Bransgore.

September saw the youth presentation nights (we've so many players we now have to split over two nights) take place at "The Carpenter's Arms". Many thanks to Matt Jones for overseeing the Under 13 presentation at very short notice. Trophies were awarded to the development (Under 10), Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 16 squads. Once again our thanks go to 'The Carpenters' for their hospitality and the wonderful buffets they provided on each night.

The colts finished their season respectably in mid table, and a number of the lads posted career best performances. Many of the squad joined the adult side in October for the senior presentation evening - also held at The Carpenters Arms. More details of this in the adult article.

The indoor seasons at Hurn Bridge are now well underway. The Under 11 squad, led by Greg Thew, have played four games and although they have yet to win a game the young squad are showing great promise. The Under 12 boys have lost their two opening games narrowly whilst the Under 14's have lost one and won one. The Under 15's have started very well winning all their matches so far.

Indoor nets have already been booked to take place at Hurn Bridge next spring. Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 will practice on Tuesday evenings from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.; Under 14 and Under 15 will practice on Tuesday evenings from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Colts will practice on Wednesday evenings from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Nets commence in February and continue weekly throughout March and April.

We still need players to bolster our squads at all ages, especially Under 12, Under 14 and Under 17. If you would like to join us, please contact me on the number below and I will provide details of the practice sessions arranged for your age group.

Dave Lay - Bransgore 6732432 or e-mail lay_dj@btopenworld.com

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BRANSGORE ADULT CRICKET CLUB

The adult side's season was definitely one of two halves. We ended the season in mid-table after winning six and losing seven matches. Our final match against Ampfield Second XI was noteworthy in that Mike Manley, who has played for the club for 42 years, finally scored his first half century for the club, finishing on 74 not out. Well done, Mike.

The Bransgore Ashes were recaptured by the Rotary Club in an exciting game which they won by three runs. Due to the enthusiasm of those wishing to play, the fixture was played by 13 a side - true village cricket. Thanks to Richard Frampton for running the post match barbeque.

The senior presentation was attended by a record 46 players, wives and friends who squeezed into (and overspilled) the back room of 'The Carpenters'. An excellent meal was enjoyed before the season's awards were presented, including bouquets of flowers to the 'tea ladies'. The club's thanks go to all who help to make the club such a success including umpires, scorers, groundsmen and tea ladies. The club has greatly enjoyed its first season in the Hampshire leagues and we look forward to next summer with anticipation. The pavilion and facilities are a great asset to the village and we thank the Parish Council and our groundsman, Richard Frampton for their efforts on our behalf.

Spring indoor nets have already been booked and will take place weekly on Wednesday evenings from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. throughout February, March and April.

If you would like to come and play for the club, please register your interest with the colts' manager, Richard Jones, on 673880 or me, Dave Lay, on 673242. We look forward to welcoming you to the club.

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Thorny Hill & Bransgore W.I.

President: Mrs Vera Murray 01425 274686

Since the last newsletter WI members have enjoyed some interesting speakers at their meetings. In September Miss Norma Cails talk entitled 'Dogs for the Disabled' was both interesting and enlightening. She bought her dog Tara, a Finnish Lapphund, with her, and demonstrated how very cleverly Tara helps her cope with her many everyday problems. Tara is a very talented and pretty dog and Norma's only complaint is that when she goes shopping, which used to take one hour, now takes half a day because everyone stops to speak to Tara! 'Delicious Dips' was the demonstration given by Mrs G Wright in October. The dips were easy, quick to make and very tasty as we discovered when Mrs Wright invited us to sample them.

At the Annual General Meeting in November the Committee was elected. Mrs Vera Murray was re-elected President. The WI Adviser, Mrs Pam McKinley, supervised and for her talk gave us a game of consequences. Many joined in and all enjoyed the repartee. Mrs Sheila Hayden gave a report on the Autumn Council Meeting at Portsmouth. Mrs Helen Creese amused us all with her very funny account of our performance at the recent Group Skittles Match on Halloween for which she dressed up as the Wicked Witch.

Also in November the Institute celebrated their 84th birthday. Members, husbands and friends were taken by coach to the Thomas Hardy Restaurant at Bournemouth University where they enjoyed a superb lunch.

We have also had several very good Quiz evenings - watch the notice board in the village for future dates. All welcome. The lunches once a month at the Carpenters Arms are also very popular.

The December meeting will be our Christmas Party followed by the Carol Service later in the month.

DIARY OF EVENTS:

	January 7th 2.15 pm. Monthly meeting at the Resource Centre 'Memory' by Mr K Greenaway
	January 13th 12.30 pm Lunch at the Carpenters Arms
	February 4th 2.15 pm. Monthly meeting at the Resource Centre 'Fitness in Retirement' by Dr D Brown
	February 10th 12.30 pm. Lunch at the Carpenters Arms
	March 3rd 2.15 pm Monthly meeting at the Resource Centre 'Mini Road Show' by Mrs G Henderson
	March 9th 12.30 pm Lunch at the Carpenters Arms

MRS P D PITT

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PROJECT RUSOVA

For the third time this year, in the middle of October, my wife and I set off on the 1500 mile journey to Rusova Noua, the village in Romania where our project is based. On this occasion our team of five went with two vehicles - a Landrover Discovery on loan from a friend in Shropshire and our own work van. The vehicles were loaded with computer systems and photocopiers for the village schools. All the Pentium based systems were given by individuals who live in or around Bransgore and printer cartridges were donated by Neat Ideas, the mail order office supplies company. The photocopiers were supplied by the Bransgore Community Church and Century 21, the business machine company based in Ringwood. Also we carried medical equipment for the clinic and many new knitted clothes & toys, which will form the base of a Christmas present for each of the 50 families in the village.

As always, the border crossings into both Hungary & Romania were a challenge and tested our patience and grace! However we were eventually allowed safe passage with our cargo intact. The only condition this time was that the Minister of Health had to give his personal approval for all the equipment we had taken.

By the time we left Romania we had been able to install the computers and photocopiers so that every school now has a good computer for the children to learn on and the main schools also have a photocopier at their disposal.

Back in the summer money given to the project for our schools link, by Mudeford Junior School, was used to sponsor a computer-training course for teachers, pupils and anyone interested. In the searing heat, 62 people walked up to 5 kilometres every day, for a month, to attend the training classes. As a bonus, the course organisers gave 3 computers to the secondary school; this brings the number for the teenagers to use up to 7, so we really have installed a 'computer lab' for them. Add to this the units already installed in the Mayor's office, clinic and police station and you can see that we have started to bring this group of 19th century villages into the 21st century!

One of the main reasons for our trip was to hold a project director's meeting to discuss the vision for the future of the Semanatorul (The Sower) Centre. Our unanimous decision is for the site to be developed as a safe environment for supervised groups of children from orphanages to have a country retreat. It could also be used for supervised groups of street children and for summer training camps for both local and UK groups. That's our vision, so now we are just beginning to look into the viability of such a venture and making contact with all the necessary groups, charities and officials who could have some input in the future.

It was our joy to meet with the new batch of students that we are now sponsoring. It is so good to think that this scheme that was started just 18 months ago is now helping 5 students at high school and 2 at university. One family said, when we visited them for the first time, "We had heard someone from the West was going to pay for the schooling but we did not believe it would really happen". One of the 14 year old boys wrote to his sponsor "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the cash you have given me and I pray that God in his goodness and love may bless you today and each new day".

If you would like to know more about our project or would like to help sponsor a child's education, please contact us on 672495.

BRIAN and CHRISTINE MITCHELL.

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BRANSGORE AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION

Warm Greetings and sincere Desires for a great year in 2004 to all Residents of Bransgore

The Residents' Association - your Association - recently held its Annual General Meeting. Although attendance was low, three new members were elected onto the Committee, which is now composed of :

Bill Cotton, Chairman Floyd Crosby, Committee Member* Bill Bowling, Secretary Lesley Manley, Committee Member Mike Burridge, Treasurer Sally Owen, Committee Member Deirdre Casey, Committee Member* Janice Perry, Committee Member* Alison Clark, Committee Member John Rees, Committee Member June Richards, Committee Member

* These are the three new committee members, to whom we give a warm welcome.

Our major contribution this year has been to launch the new notice board by the Post Office. This board had been vandalised numerous times over the past few years, and it was felt necessary to install one which would have a reasonable guarantee of resistance to vandals. So far, over six months, it has not been touched as far as we can see. If it has been 'touched' it has firmly resisted.

There are now about 15 charitable societies which have signed up to use the board. The initial fee is £25, which is basically to pay for the construction of the board, and £5 a year after that. If you wish to join, please look on the notice board and you will see the telephone number of the Treasurer, who will handle your request.

The Association exists to further the interests and concerns of the Residents of Bransgore. We invite you to join us. The subscription is a mere £1 a year, £2 per family. It is the major public forum of the village, through which we are able to approach authorities for improvements in our conditions. Any suggestions as to concerns we might direct our attention to will be warmly received.

Thank you for taking time out to read this letter.

BILL COTTON Chairman

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Bransgore Community Church

Autumn is always a busy time in church life, and there's certainly been much work and excitement at the new Bransgore Community Church, as we have got under way with a variety of activities, and as we prepare for the forthcoming Christmas season.

We have revamped our Sunday services in an attempt to make them more relevant and "user friendly" particularly to young people and those new to Christian faith, and we have planned our services specifically around how we should live as Christ's people in today's challenging world. The current series of sermons, based on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapter 5), covers those subjects which affect everyone trying to live effectively in today's world - from coping with different human relationships, dealing with stress, anger, honesty, marriage, being "salt and light" and so on. We're trying to learn what the Bible actually teaches about relationships and how to cope with life's problems and difficulties.

The church has been busy with a number of activities taking place both in the church building and also in members' homes throughout the week. In addition to people who hire the premises (for things like Art Club on Tuesday and Post-Natal Group on Wednesday) we have specific church activities such as the Discipleship Course meeting each Monday evening. Our work with children and parents covers COSMIC (Children On Sunday Morning In Church), a children's group on Monday to look at helping children be a Christian in home and school; SKIDS and Crusaders (7-14 year olds) on Wednesday evening, and Scallywags - parents and toddlers on Thursday morning. In the Spring we are looking to the possibility of running a Parenting Course and perhaps a Family/Marriage Workshop to help parents and families.

Our Christmas programme begins on 14th December with a Youth Christmas Service (10.30a.m.); 20th December in the afternoon a Children's Christmas Party; 21st December a Testimony and Carol Service (10.30a.m.) and our special Carols by Candlelight (6.00p.m.); Christmas Day Service (10.30a.m.) and on 28th December a Christmas Service (10.30a.m.)

We extend a warm invitation to everyone to join us for any of these activities. Please contact one of the church leaders for further information.

Doreen (674322); John and Helen (674062); Brian (672495); Melinda (673915); David (672927).

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BRANSGORE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

'Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made By singing - "Oh, how wonderful" and sitting in the shade'. - Rudyard Kipling

The above, taken from "The Glory of the Garden" reminded me that we should make the best of the winter's 'rest' period (that is of course once the leaves are cleared, the old bedding plants removed, the perennials tidied, the vegetable patch dug over, the soil prepared for over-wintering and all the tools cleaned and oiled), time now to sit around the fire and enjoy Christmas while Jack Frost takes over for a while. He can break up the soil for us and provide the mysterious trigger that many plants need to ensure next year's growing and fruiting season. , which we can then take the credit for!

We do wish you all a very relaxing and Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year. Hopefully you managed to get along to the Christmas party (December 4th), if not, we will see you at the lecture 'Cultivated Orchids' on 5th February.

Autumn Lectures

'Plants for the shade' The September lecture was by Irene Bowron of Macgregors Nursery, Romsey. I thought this would be an easy lecture at which to take a few notes - straight forward - just a list of plants. I was wrong! It started OK and I listed Skimmia, Astibe, Acer, Rhododendron, Pyracantha, Holly, etc., etc., but then it became a bit more complicated - like "some cope better with morning shade, others with afternoon shade", "if under an oak or the like, you had better concentrate on spring flowers to get some job before the canopy opens". A good lecture with plenty of information. If you didn't manage to get along and you have particular shade requirements, it might be worth a visit to Macgregors Nursery as "shade" is their speciality.

'Fuchsias' were the subject of the October lecture by Derek Luther of the Bournemouth and Poole Fuchsia Society who, after just an hour, left me thinking that my garden would greatly benefit by being filled with fuchsias. An interesting tip I remembered was that when planting hardy fuchsias, plant them in a shallow 3" wide depression which should be allowed to fill up naturally through the year, thus gradually deepening the plant's root system and providing a little more water. (It's certainly worth a try!).

Annual General Meeting

For those of our members who couldn't make it to the AGM, here is a short summary of the main items:

The chairman, John Snelling, thanked the committee and members of the society for their enthusiastic support which had made his first year in office so enjoyable, especially as he had originally been a little apprehensive about taking over the post. Particular thanks were expressed for the work done by Peter Foulds, our secretary, Mark Dove and Tony Skeggs, our show secretaries and Dennis Swallow, visits organiser, for his superb organisation of the three day visit to the Eden Project and other gardens in June.

The Treasurer, Philip Bloy, (who thankfully has survived more than his fair share of major surgery during the year) distributed copies of the audited accounts and talked us through the main points, which showed the Society to be in sound financial health.

The existing committee and officers of the Society were re-elected along with a new member, Wendy King. Also, two well known members and village personalities, Pat Patterson and David Lyttle, were appointed Vice Presidents.

Following the business of the AGM (and for the particular benefit of those of us who missed out on the June trip) Douglas Patterson took us on a very enjoyable pictorial "Walk around the Eden Project".

Forthcoming Events

We hope the following events will brighten the winter months for you. Don't forget there is a Table Pot Plant competition at each lecture - why not have a go?

	December 4th Our Christmas Party will have gone by the time you read this; we hope you enjoyed it.
	February 5th 7.30 pm. Resource Centre, St Mary's Church, Ringwood Road. 'Cultivated Orchids' - an illustrated lecture by Roger Grier
	March 4th 7.30 pm, also at the Resource Centre. 'Hardy Perennials', an illustrated lecture by Jane Sterndale-Bennett
	March 27th SPRING SHOW at the Village Hall Staging 9 till 10.30 am. Show open from 2 pm. Plan for it now to help pass the winter months. Titles for the photographs are 'Texture' 152 x 102 mm (6" x 4") maximum size, unmounted and 'An Indoor Scene' 305 x 204 mm (12" x 8") maximum size, mounted.

JIM DUDLEY Publicity Officer 673202

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6th Christchurch (BRANSGORE) SCOUT GROUP

Anybody who has used the Scout Hut recently will have noticed that it has had a well-deserved facelift. A group of willing volunteers met up over a weekend in August and gave it a good 'spring' clean in readiness for the decorating a few weeks later. We were lucky enough to get a £300 grant from B&Q to buy the materials we needed. This enabled us to buy all the paint, rollers etc. for both inside and outside. Having the bit between my teeth I took the direct approach and managed to recruit enough volunteers to take on this mammoth task! Many, many thanks to everyone who came along to help. It was a great weekend despite the hard work and everyone had fun and came away with a sense of deep satisfactions at having done such a fantastic job.

Back in July we held a Quiz Night which was well supported and very successful. Thanks to Jane Safe for her usual skill as Question Master. We raised £200, which was split between Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and the money has gone towards subsidising trips to Brownsea Island, Bowling and Cheddar Caves.

SUE BOYES Scout Group Chairman

BRANSGORE BEAVERS

We have 22 boys at the present time and are always busy. We went to Christchurch Police Station and were shown the cells and climbed over and in a police car. The boys loved it. We have also been to Holfleet Dairy and saw how cows were milked. We've been on a walk, made different items and tasted crisps. All in all a good time has been had by all.

LESLEY MANLEY Beavers Leader

BRANSGORE CUBS

The Cub Pack has had a very busy year with various outings and District events. In February we took a group of boys to Osmington Mills Activity Centre which included climbing, abseiling, archery, tunnelling, quad biking and circus skills, to name but a few, and all the boys had a fantastic time.

The camping season started in May at Avon Tyrrell with a sports day theme in readiness for the District Sports Day, which the boys really enjoyed. This was followed by the Sixers and Seconders camp at Braggers Wood.

Our summer camp at Harry's Island in Burley was called "I'm a Cub Scout, get me out of here!' with a pirate theme, which was great fun and included building a pirate ship, rafts and looking for buried treasure!

We entered the District Sports Day and won the group relay competition. We also entered the District Swimming Gala which we won again this year, a tremendous achievement and a very big thank you to all the boys who participated and swam so well.

As part of the Cub programme, we have completed the fitness, global, outdoor and creative challenges which have involved numerous activities and badges, and we took the boys bowling in October.

With Christmas looming, we are looking forward to our festive events and Christmas party for the boys.

We would like to thank the rest of our team for their continued help and support, and especially Colin Birch, our right hand man.

GINNY HEBDEN TRUDI BUTCHER (Akela) 01425 674721 (Chil) 01425 672830)

BRANSGORE SCOUTS

After the Summer recess we have taken in 9 new boys to give us 29 boys. We have been learning map and compass as well as hiking across the Forest. We took part in the District Swimming Gala and came second to Mudeford. We also won the Group relay with the Cubs.

We have been down to Cheddar Gorge where the boys have done Adventure Caving. We stayed for two nights in Cheddar Scout hut.

We have put three teams in the District night hike and came third. There was a Craft night in November followed by an International cooking night, judged by Sally Owen, Parish Council Chairman. With backwoods cooking and cyclist badge, we have a full programme.

MIKE MANLEY Scout Leader

We have a large Marquee for hire plus various large Mess tents that are ideal for parties etc. Enquires to Dennis Hughes 01425 672019

Enquires for the Hire of our Headquarters to Liz Holroyd 01425 673398

Enquiries: Explorers - Graham Pedder 01425 672914 Scouts - Mike Manley 01425 672667 Cubs - Ginny Hebden 01425 674721 Beavers - Lesley Manley 01425 672667

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BRANSGORE THEATRE GROUP

Our Autumn season closed with a very successful visit to the refurbished Mayflower Theatre in Southampton where we enjoyed a spectacular production of 'Miss Saigon'. As all will know, this is based on Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' but set in Saigon in more recent times. Despite the fact that final numbers had to be advised many months before the show date and tickets were more expensive than usual, on balance we feel that the effort had been worthwhile.

In September we visited Salisbury Playhouse for a performance of 'The Hired Man' written by Melvin Bragg with music by Howard Goodall. This was the first musical pout on by the Playhouse for some time but despite earlier misgivings it was much enjoyed by the majority of our members.

October saw a return visit to Salisbury for a comedy 'Quartermaine's Terms' written by Simon Gray. Set in an Oxford prep school it centred around a headmaster who receives no help or understanding from his petty self-absorbed colleagues.

The Poole & Parkstone Musical Theatre Society entertained us in November with their presentation entitled 'Cool & Classic'. As always a show of the highest standard which impressed us with its sheer professionalism.

Now we must look forward to our Spring season but at the time of going to press our two main theatre venues have not announced their programmes. However, we have booked an Ice Show choreographed by Robin Cousins MBE, entitled 'Celebration'. It will take place in a heated arena close to Canford Magna on Saturday 17th April at 4.15 pm. The advanced publicity gives us every hope that memories of Torville and Dean will be reawakened. Details will follow in due course.

We have had a successful 2003 with an average of over 50 attending our outings, despite increased costs. We look forward to 2004 with confidence.

New members are always welcome and the annual subscriptions is now due at £2 per person.

Have a happy and healthy New Year.

LESLIE SEWELL Hon. Secretary 01425 674026

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SCALLYWAGS

Scallywags is a Parent/Carer and Toddler Group which meets at the Community Church, Shackleton Square on Thursday mornings in term time between 10.00 am and 11.30 am. We have various toys and activities for the children to enjoy and an informal atmosphere for Mums, Dads and Grandmas to get to know each other.

On 18 December we will be holding our Christmas Party when Father Christmas will be paying us a welcome visit. You'd also be welcome to join us any Thursday.

We make a nominal charge of £1.00 per family.

For more information, telephone Ruth on 673147 or Liz on 674231.

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THORNEY HILL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Since 1993 the Forest Bus team have been visiting a mixed community at Thorney Hill together with New Forest District Council social workers and housing officers. A number of the residents have small children, some of whom have literacy problems, while others have disabilities in other ways. Many in the larger Thorney Hill community are elderly, and some are lonely.

The village is served by All Saints Church but is otherwise isolated, being some 1½ to 2 miles from Bransgore where there are a number of community facilities and two medical centres as well as the shops, of course.

Since 1998 a scheme has been developed, in consultation with the villagers, to provide a community centre on the playing field next to All Saints Church for the use of the whole community. Donations and grants, together with sterling work by some residents, has raised over £60,ooo towards the cost, and we applied for a grant from the South East office of the National Lottery Community Fund.

Although our submission was successful in eliciting a grant offer early in 2002, this was insufficient for us to commence work on site due to our inability to raise sufficient additional funding before the expiry of the grant offer to match the eventual lowest tender. Community Fund exceptionally extended their grant offer by three months to the end of June 2003 by which time we were either to raise a further £25,000 or make a new submission with undated costs, or withdraw.

We opted to re-submit and our secretary, Jane Peacock, has been leading discussions with Community Fund officers to complete our new submission. At the request of Community Fund, a clarification meeting was arranged for 14 November 2003, but unfortunately they have had to postpone this meeting at short notice to a later unspecified date. We are hopeful that Community Fund will make us a realistic grant offer based on updated tender costs by the end of this year in order that work on site can start in the Spring of 2004.

A fund raising 5 mile sponsored "hobble, walk or jog" commencing at the Thorney Hill cross-roads on the morning of Sunday, 30 November, has been planned which we hope will have been as successful as last year's event which raised several hundreds of pounds for the prop0osed community centre.

BOB WOLTON Chairman

Postscript

The meeting arranged with CF (Community Fund) for 14 November was postponed at their request until 21 November and was held at Marchwood Industrial Park, the home of Forest Bus. CF informed us that our previously successful application for grant if now submitted in the same form would fail due to their revised requirements. Apparently in the past CF unwittingly approved buildings that were built in a location where people did not want to go, or on poor ground with inadequate foundations. As a result CF have increased their demand for more information relating to technical and user requirements.

Compared with the estimated cost of other schemes, it was said that ours was thought to be too low. However, it is an economically designed single storey building of simple construction with normal foundations approved by New Forest District planners and building control.

The CF Committee awarded us a large but inadequate grant almost two years ago and then delayed giving us permission to go out to tender for about twelve months due to a funding gap. As a result, rising tender costs meant that we had little choice but to prepare a new application for funding.

CF have no building professions on their staff (specifically no architects or surveyors) and it appears that most of those submitting applications for grant are in a similar position, whereas we have a full complement of building professions together with a solicitor and an accountant whose services so far have been provided for next to nothing.

There are, of course, in any design possible shortcomings in provision. For example CF spo9ke of fire alarm bells being provided in a hall for deaf people; also the non provision of a loop system in our case to save money and because it is a small hall. The provision of Braille signs for the blind may be desirable and gravel paving is not suitable for wheel chair users.

It seems to me that it would be far better to go ahead without CF if we could afford to, but we cannot expect to find approximately £140,000 to £150,000 additional funds without their help. CF did say, however, that our project is one they would like to support.

To avoid failure we will have to re-vamp our application for submission in January 2004 with revised costs and a more detailed business plan so that the CF Committee can consider our new application when they meet in March 2004. BW

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BRANSGORE PROBUS CLUB

Our September meeting saw Mike Phipp come and talk about Hurn Airport. He traced the history of the landing strip from grass to concrete, recently extended so that Concorde could land there. His slides were a complete record of one, two and four-engined aircraft which over the years have provided the planes used there commercially.

October is the month in which we have our AGM and change our President. We said goodbye to David Hargreaves and thanked him for a good job well done. We really are very lucky with our Presidents and we are sure that Ernie Stokes will be another good choice. The AGM is kept short; the Treasurer and Honorary Auditor give big sighs of relief when the accounts are accepted and heigh-ho for another year.

Our speaker was our own Frederick Shail. His subject was 'The Greatest Englishman' who, in his opinion was Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex from 871 to 899AD. By 899 Alfred controlled the whole of Southern England and it was through him that the Kings of Wessex came to rule all England. Alfred was a very good military commander but was also an educated man and a thinker. He issued a new code of laws, wrote and translated religious texts and created England's first naval force. He ordered the rebuilding of the Wessex capital of Winchester, as well as Oxford, Chichester and Wareham, with streets laid out in an orderly grid fashion and massive walls to deter the Danes.

Our November talk was also given by one of our members, Douglas Patterson, and entitled 'All about Wood'. It seems that all trees are classified as either flowering angiosperms or non-flowering gymnosperms. Hardwood trees are angiosperms and most are deciduous, and all softwood trees are gymnosperms including most evergreens. The chief characteristic of the tree is the trunk of wood which grows outward as well as upward. Forests across the world are threatened by logging and clearance for agriculture. This problem is most acute in the tropics where human population growth is greatest and where many of the most economically valuable trees occur. Longer term consequences may include exacerbation of the greenhouse effect as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas normally removed y trees, builds up in the atmosphere. Trees are both the largest and the oldest living things on Earth and are vital to the Earth's ecology. This was a most interesting talk by Douglas that proved once again how ignorant most of us are about what goes on around us.about what goes on around us.

PROBITY II

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JACK AND JILL PRE-SCHOOL

Bransgore Village Hall, Burley Road, Bransgore Phone 01425 673903. Charity No. 1028854

A successful year thanks to Matthew Lawrie, P.C Linford, Dr Jenkinson, Dee Mead and Ladies from Make N Chat Circle coming to Pre-school to explain their roles - Helping People in the Community. We are also grateful for supportive parents in being able to take children on outings to Blashford Lakes and 'Make it there Workshops ' to make candles for Christmas.

We were delighted to be invited once again to join Ballet Creations Workshop. Our Chocoholics party sold over £2000 worth of Chocolates which funded our Christmas party and entertainment. Thanks to everyone in the village who supported us.

We are Ofsted inspected and receive funding for our four year olds, this will include three year from the term after their third birthday.

Jack and Jill is a community based Committee run group, catering for all children from 2.9 years to school entry and are registered with Ofsted and are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

Our sessions are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9.30 - 12.00 , Wednesday and Thursday 9.00 - 11.30.and 12.30 - 3.00pm. We also run a lunch Club on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and are open on We during term time.

Your child can be offered a safe, secure and stimulating environment, with a full curriculum leading to the Early learning goals. There are also computers where your children can practise their keyboard skills ready for school. We have a high adult to child ratio including parental involvement. In the warmer dry days we have outside play.

Jack and Jill regularly liase with Bransgore Primary School so that your children may get to know the School before they start.

You are welcome to visit us any morning, or contact our Registration Secretary Elaine Waters, on 672719 for a prospectus.

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KIDDIWINKS PLAY GROUP

KiddiWinks is a voluntary-run Play Group meeting at Bransgore Methodist Church on Chapel Lane every Wednesday during term time - 10 a.m. until Noon.

We offer a warm and friendly environment for the whole family! A range of toys and activities as well as light refreshments. And all for 50p per family!

For more information, contact Marta on 674051.

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BRANSGORE LUNCH CLUB

The Lunch Club re-convened at the beginning of September after its summer break. We were delighted to welcome back existing members and helpers and to meet a sprinkling of new ones.

Planning and preparation are currently under way for the Lunch Club Christmas Lunch, which will be held on Wednesday, 10th December. We look forward to welcoming both members and helpers on that day. We hope that both the meal and the atmosphere will be as festive and enjoyable as ever.

We are still short of helpers, drivers and cake makers. If you feel you could spare the time to assist, we would be delighted to hear from you. Likewise if you would like to become a member, we do have one or two vacancies. For further information please contact Shirley Tobias - telephone number 01425 673078 or Pat Newman - telephone number 01425 673678. We look forward to hearing from, you.

Finally, grateful thanks go to everyone who continues to support the Lunch Club and ensure its ongoing success.

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GREAT WALK OF CHINA

You will remember that in the Summer edition of this newsletter Amanda Gibson told us of her intention to join the Women's Great Walk of China to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign following the loss of her twin sister to the disease. Well, she's done it and here is her story of taking part in the first ever attempt for women to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China.

A WALL HELD TOGETHER WITH LIME AND STICKY RICE

A huge thank you to all those in the village who so generously supported me in raising well over £4,500 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Few of us are untouched by cancer these days. It is a disease that has affected nearly every family - including my own. One in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, and every month more than 1000 women die of the disease in the UK. That is why I decided to get involved in this enterprise and raise as much as I could for cancer research. On 8th October I set off for Heathrow to meet 16 other women who were to join me in walking a section of the Great Wall of China that westerners had not walked before. The women had come from all over the country and many had never left their families before or embarked on such an adventure. My involvement started in April when I heard that Karen Churches had set out to be the first woman to walk the complete 4000 km length of the Great Wall of China - from Yumenghan in the eastern Gobi desert to the Shanhaiguan pass on the shores of the Yellow Sea six months later. She invited other women to raise funds for Cancer Research and join her on what would have been an historic first. Unfortunately, the restriction of travel through SARS spoilt her plans but she still continued treks each week throughout the summer in Mexico, Peru, Thailand and Tanzania, to raise funds for Breakthrough. Fortunately, in September, she was able to return to China and, with my fellow travellers, I was able to join her, and actress Josie Lawrence, in the Hebei province in early October. Unlike most charity walks on the Great Wall, we were in 'uncharted' territory. We were unable to camp because we would be trekking through military zones and there were icy winds coming from Siberia! We were initially disappointed but were to be glad of the comfort of our guesthouses in days to come. The first day trekking was the least mountainous and allowed us to ease into our stride and shed our jet lag. We passed through stubble fields harvested with stacks of corn and linseed in neat rows. Sunflower heads lay drying and sweet corn was strewn across the roofs of the small settlements. These Chinese villagers had never encountered westerners before and certainly not a bunch of tall marauding female trekkers! Whenever they spotted us, they'd stop working and stand mesmerized by the apparitions that approached them. The wall here is very different from that seen by tourists. It is a mere ridge of soil meandering snake-like through the dry scrub covered hills; turrets looking like termite mounds punctuate its path. The bricks inside these turrets are cemented together with lime and sticky rice! This is peculiar to this region. In other areas, lime and sheep's blood are used!

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BRANSGORE EVENING TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

Members of the Townswoman's Guild met on September 22nd after the summer break. Our speaker was Mr Hawes who came along with beautiful collection of Bedouin costumes and jewellery. He gave a very interesting talk and it was lovely to be able to handle the items. For our October meeting Mr Graham Rapley gave an amusing and informative talk about his job as Health and Safety Officer with Asda.

Visitors and new members are always very welcome to our meetings on the 4th Monday of each month. 8pm. at The Resource Centre.

Dates for your diary.

Our Carol Concert with the 'Candlelight Singers ' is on Monday 15th December. 7-30pm. St. Mary's Church. This was a great success last year, so please come and join us again this year for the Concert and for coffee and mince pies afterwards in the Resource centre. Please bring the children along to sing for us.

There will be Christmas Cake Stall outside the shops on Saturday 20th December from 10am.

On Thursday 12th February 2004, we are planning a 'Pamper Yourself ' evening when you can come along and sample some of the health and beauty treatments available in our own village and surrounding areas.

All the profit from the above events will go into our charity account. This year we are hoping to raise money to help the staff of K Ward {Rehab.} at Christchurch Hospital, to renovate the garden outside the ward for the use of the patients and visitors.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

PAM SHIPPERLEY Chairman 01425 673057 .

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BRANSGORE TWINNING ASSOCIATION

"Interesting" does not do justice to the enthralling evening Janet Burn gave us in October with her slides of the area from Southampton to Bournemouth including Lymington, the New Forest, etc., which were taken by her great-grandfather and grandfather in the period 1880 to the 1920s. It is amazing that they are in such good condition. My favourite was the picture of the ladies in their Edwardian dresses standing on the ferry which plied the Stour where the Blackwater junction now exists on the Bournemouth spur road. Thank you to all who came to join us.

And if you enjoyed that evening, why not make a date for Saturday, 28th February when after our AGM we hope to stage a "soirée". Hopefully this will be as entertaining and hilarious as the one we held two years ago.

In the meantime we are looking forward to our trip to France on the last weekend in April next year. We know that our friends there are already making plans for our visit. We know we will be having a good time.

Have you thought about joining the Twinning Association. We can thoroughly recommend it. We always have a very warm welcome and staying with a family means you really get to know the people and the country. We know that St Georges has a couple of families with young children who are hoping for families. Don't be put off if you feel you do not have room to accommodate a family - the first time ours came, we were 10 in number so we slept our son and one of theirs in a tent in the back garden! We go to France all together one year and they come back to us the next. It's our turn to go in 2004 so if you did decide to join us you don't have any worries about having them back until 2005, and even then there is tradionally an outing and meal organised on the Sunday. By the way, you don't have to speak French - every one seems to manage to make themselves understood. If you are interested and would like more information, please telephone me or get in touch with our membership secretary, Peggy Green, on 672989.

Joyeux Noel et meilleurs voeux pour 2004.

JANE SAFE Chairman 672640

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NEWS FROM AVON TYRRELL ACTIVITY & RESIDENTIAL CENTRE

Avon Tyrrell has had a busy 2003 season at time of writing with thousands of young people visiting from all over the UK. The visiting groups are mainly from schools and youth clubs and can stay residentially for a weekend or week, or if local just come in for the day. When here, they can take part in a wide variety of outdoor activities like; climbing, abseiling, canoeing, archery, ropes courses, environmental studies and team-building courses.

The past year has seen our main Grade I listed house undergoing much restoration work and our main 2 acre lake has been repaired following a large leak. We hope to re-open the lake for fishing early in the New Year.

Our 'Friends' group have a Christmas carol concert with Ringwood Salvation Army Band booked with a meal and quiz on Friday 12th December at the main house at Avon Tyrrell; tickets available from Gwen on 673208.

If you want to catch up with other news, events, jobs available and generally what else we're up to, check out our website at www.avontyrrell.org.uk or give us a ring on 672347 if you would like a brochure or want to have a look around the site. Remember to contact us if you want to be put on the mailing list for school holiday fun-days.

R.L.BONNEY Director

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BRANSGORE & DISTRICT TOY LIBRARY

The Committee Room, Village Hall, 116 Burley Road, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 8AY

Sessions are run from Bransgore on the first and third Friday of the month, 10.00 - 11.00am in the Committee room at the side of Bransgore Village Hall. We have a wide variety and selection of toys including Special Needs and are in the process of expanding by buying Game boy, Playstation games. Membership is £4.00 per year and you may rent the toys for a month at a time - rental prices vary from 30p - £5 depending on the cost of the toy.

You may also come for a coffee and a chat while the children play and you need not feel obliged to take out a toy at every visit. We are open to everyone - Mums, Dads, Carers, Grandparents, Childminders and Playgroups etc.

We are a registered Charity and are members of the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries.

For more information contact Julie Clark 01425 674520

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FRIENDS OF SOPLEY SCHOOL

A big "thank you" from Friends of Sopley School to all in Bransgore parish who came along and supported the Sopley Primary School Fete in June. As in years gone by a mammoth effort by staff, parents and friends of Sopley has now enabled the school to buy play equipment for the Reception children while state of the art whiteboards (the 21st century version of blackboards!) are to be installed for Infants and Juniors.

The 2004 Summer Fete will be on Saturday 26 June and will be the school's 29th as it all started in 1976. The editor of this very newsletter, Jane Safe, organised the first fete which sadly turned out to be held on the only wet Saturday in that long hot summer; hence a marquee has been hired ever since! The 1976 Summer Fete was though a great success as the grand sum of £230 was raised and Jane recalled recently to me that the school benefited from new playground equipment.

As for the 2004 fete, along with a welcome return by the (original) Plonkers and Ivo the Clown, planned arena events include a historical re-enactment group, judo display, circus acts as well as the traditional Maypole dance. It is also hoped there will be a vintage air display too - confirmation of the final programme will follow in next year's newsletter.

ANNE COLLINS 2004 Fete Co-ordinator (674204)

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STEPPING STONES OF SOPLEY PRE-SCHOOL

Sopley Village Hall, Priest Lane, Sopley Telephone: 07773 237667 Charity No. 1077865

Stepping Stones pre-school offers education and care for children between 2.9 years and school age. We have a specially tailored curriculum aimed at achieving Early Learning Goals whereby your child will learn through play. We have a computer and an outdoor play area. We recently had an excellent Ofsted report. We are registered for 26 children per session and we can offer your child a stimulating, happy environment with our friendly, dedicated staff supported by an enthusiastic, parental-based committee. Our term-time sessions are on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9.15am - 12.15pm, with a very popular Lunch Club following each session through to 1pm. The 'Rising School' sessions operate in the Spring and Summer terms on Tuesday afternoons, which help to prepare children for Primary School the following term. We have strong links with all the Primary Schools in the local area.

If you would like a copy of our prospectus or to come along and visit us, please give Marie Waugh a ring on 01425 673259.

STEPPING STONES OF SOPLEY PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP

A warm welcome awaits toddlers and babies as well as their Mums, Dads, Grandparents and carers at the Stepping Stones Parent and Toddler Group on Tuesday mornings 10-11.30am at Sopley Village Hall. Babies and toddlers are welcome to come and play, join in with story-time, singing, running races and creative activities. Everyone can also enjoy a drink, biscuit, fruit and a chat during snack-time

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