Here we are March 2004.  It seems only yesterday that we were celebrating the start of the Millennium!  Spring flowers are brightening gardens throughout the village. he traffic calming measures in Ringwood Road seem to be causing different reactions..  Some say they do not work, others say they do.  Please could you all put p[en to paper and let us have your views, whether they are for or against.  We are hoping to review the effectiveness of the measures in a month or two with the Highways Authority at Hampshire County Council.  You do not need to post comments to the Clerk or myself - just put them through the letterbox at the office.

The dog fouling on the playing field in Burley Road has increased again.  Please, if you exercise your dog there, clean up after it.  How would you like to get do faeces all over YOU when you play football.  There are notice with regard to this and you may be fined if caught!

The drains at the end of Brookside/Ringwood Road will be cleared by the Highways department.  This will take time as roots are blocking the pipes so it is quite a long job.

The Parish Council has been negotiating with Hampshire Highways and the footway (pavement) by the War Memorial will be extended to improve visibility when crossing the road.  Flashing lights to indicate that the school is "there" will be installed on the approach from Neacroft.  Work has begun on the footway from the school to Neacroft.  We first started these negotiations in August 2001.  Persistence does pay!

A path from the cattlegrid at Thorney Hill down towards Walkers Garage is due to start in the next week or so.  This will be s8imilar to the paths in Burnt House Lane.  This project is jointly funded by the Highways Department, New Forest District Council and the Parish Council.  HORSE RIDERS - please do not use it!  There is also to be a similar path from Meyrick Close to West Road.

Councillor David Stoddart will be holding a meeting on 30th March.  A Village Plan is needed to ensure that the future of our village will be in accordance with the wishes of those who live here.

NEW FOREST PRIDE WEEK  17th to 25th April inclusive.  Volunteers to pick up litter on Saturday 17th April would be appreciated, meeting in the car park, Betsy Lane at 2 pm.  Bring the children along.  Bags and gloves will be provided.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS to be held in the Committee Room of the Village Hall, unless otherwise stated.
Meetings start at 7.30 pm and include a Democratic Half-hour

Tuesday, 16th March
Tuesday, 20th April - Parish Assembly at the Community Church, Shackleton Square at 7.30 pm.  The speaker
                                  Will be Stephanie Sutton, the Community Safety Officer of the New Forest District Council
Tuesday, 18th May

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

Happy Easter to you all.

SALLY OWEN
Chairman   672596

BRANSGORE - A PARISH PLAN

The Government's Rural White Paper "Our Countryside - the Future {2000}" proposes that all Rural Communities should develop "Town, Village and Parish Plans to identify key facilities and services, to set out the problems that need to be tackled and to demonstrate how distinctive character and features could be preserved".

Parish Councils are asked to lead the preparation of Parish Plans, but we need to demonstrate that we have the support and involvement of our community.
 

We therefore invite you to a Meeting in the Village Hall on Tuesday 30th March, at 7.30 p.m, to discuss how these Plans are to be formulated.

 								CLLR D. STODDART

FROM THE VICAR

EASTER in these last years has become characterised in many people's minds as the one Sunday in the year when the supermarkets are closed.  I have seen notices displayed by some businesses apologising to customers that this closure is not their fault but due to government legislation.  It is tacitly blamed on the Christian community - a sop to their sensibilities and religious convictions.  I am "agnostic" (i.e. a "don't know") about the wisdom of this particular restriction on people's weekend habits, though it could be put to good use as the original intention was - to have at least one day in the year when the shop-workers could claim a breather in the "retail therapy routine".

Easter is so much more to me than this negative picture.  It coincides in this part of planet Earth with Spring.  New life is all around us and flowers appear, birds begin to pair for new families and all is a symbol of the dark dismal days of winter passing to warmer and more pleasant times.  No matter how dead-looking the landscape, new life is just there under the surface waiting to burst forth to delight us all.  So it is an advantage to Christian preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ that Nature itself seems in tune with this message.

Though I have been in the service of our national Church for 44 years continuously as a priest, there has never been a time when I can remember not being close to the Lent and Easter message through worship in words and music and action.  Going through my books recently, I found my first music book of the Psalms which I bought with my first quarter's choir pay (7 shillings and 6 pence) in 1944 - 60 years ago.  The first sermon by our local Vicar in Winchester I can remember even now - both content and context - when he gathered us children round on a Good Friday in 1940 when I was just five!  I wonder what is going through the mind of my thoughtful grandson, whose father is now the Vicar of that same church, as he now hears the message, in a very different age from the days of the Dunkirk rescue and the D-Day Landings.  But it is the same message of new life and new hope as the gift of God - whether we hear or forbear to hear God speaking to his people.  Then we were rescuing Europe from unspeakable darkness, a devouring hatred of humanity elevated into a form of government.  Now, only one sentence from any news bulletin, local, national, international, alerts us to a general devouring meanness of spirit, a "heart of darkness" threatening to consume us all.  People are going about their lives burdened, not so much with guilt, as with corrosive disappointed hopes and dreams, and determined to blame someone - whoever is there - and hurt them in revenge for their own pain, their own loss.

David Kossof, that great Jewish raconteur of Bible stories, tells of a day in the 1930s when with his father he was walking down an East End London street.  A burly docker coming the other way made a violent "pass" at them.  Kossof senior stood his ground and said to the man who was about to strike out again - "Why are you so sad?" - at which this strong violent aggressive fearful giant crumpled into a sobbing wreck - if I remember correctly, begging the Jew to pray for him.  John Wesley and so many preachers of God's good news since the dislocation of the industrial revolution to human community has experience the same thing.  The modern "Alpha" courses in our Christian faith have had a remarkable effect on many lives - re-acquainting us with God's love.  "Those who came to scoff stayed to pray".  Easter offers us once again a chance to re-engage with the God who made us and still loves us.

But many Christians, too many, have built themselves a protective shield to keep the needful world at bay!  Through routine worship and the thoughtless mingling of Bible teaching and their own personal prejudices, they have created the new religion of "Churchianity" - the small and intricate life of Christians, who seem not to have met Jesus Christ and who reject the message of his ministers and ambassadors as being too way out and radical!  To whom Jesus still extends his arms of live and the warmth of his heart to melt frozen hearts and minds.  There's nothing new under the sun - Jeremiah, over 2500 years ago, said of God's promise that He would takeaway his people's hearts of stone and give them instead a hart of flesh that throbs with life, that feels and overflows with love.  All of us need to return to the God of love who does not accuse us of sin but asks why we are so sad, so fearful - the question, according to all the Gospel writers, Jesus himself asks us.  A few arrogant and defensive faces crumpling into tears might not come amiss as we "let go - and let God" as that great teacher and former Bishop of Winchester, John Taylor, used to say.

When, on the first Easter morning, the women, marvelling and fearful at the empty tomb, saw the messengers in dazzling white clothes, they also heard the message, "Why are you looking for the living in this place of the dead - Jesus is not here - he is risen - as he promised.  Go and tell your friends".  When Polycarp, a disciple and friend of St John was about to be killed for his faith, he was offered a last chance of reprieve - new life.  He had to curse God and Jesus to get a "pardon".  But he bravely replied in frail old age - "Jesus has only ever loved me and done me good.  Why should I curse my friend and loving Saviour who has remained faithful to his promise?"  So he died, turning his back on darkness and fear to embrace life indeed.

It is in this faith and this hope that, joining with all other Christians in our lovely village, I wish you all a fruitful Lent and a joyful Easter.  Wherever there is "Daggers in men's smiles" (Macbeth) then "May Christ the Son (Sun) of Righteousness rise upon you and scatter the darkness before your path, and may his blessing rest upon you, and all those you love and serve, now and always".  This is my blessing from God to you all.

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

As announced in the local and national press recently, I am retiring as Vicar of Bransgore on May 31st 2004.  On that day the Bishop has appointed me as Canon Emeritus of Winchester Cathedral.  Taking holiday and removal leave, I give notice that my last Sunday duty will be Easter Day.  Though legally I remain Vicar till May 31st ALL parish matters, without any exception of any kind MUST be referred to the Church Wardens from April 211th onwards - c/o Mrs Margaret Longman -
01425 672108.

Note - Choir concert and free refreshments (but please get a ticket) 7.00 pm, March20th.  Myh leaving event - May 17th - at which the Bishop of Winchester hopes to be in attendance.   PCE

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, etc., by arrangement
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

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

Following Canon Elkins' retirement as Vicar of this Parish at the end of May, it is hoped that the above services will remain the same.

Pastoral care:  Contact initially after 11th April :  Churchwarden - Mrs Margaret Longman on 672108
If for any reason changes need to be made, these will be noted in the inside cover of the Monthly Parish Journal, and the Sunday Sheets.		

EASTER SERVICES 2004 at St Mary's, unless otherwise stated :

Sunday, 21st March	Mothering Sunday.  10 am Parish Eucharist with Baptism
			Communion Service at All Saints, Thorney Hill

Thursday, 8th April	Maundy Thursday  8 pm service

Friday, 9th April	Good Friday - 10.00 am

Saturday, 10th April	Easter Saturday.  For services please see notices on Sunday Sheets or posters in the village

Sunday, 11th April	EASTER DAY - Canon Elkins' last Sunday
			8.00 am	Holy Communion
			10.00 am	Parish Communion
			11.15 am	Holy Communion at All Saints
			7.00 pm	Special Communion Service when Canon Elkins will rededicate the Font

Other Diary Dates

Saturday, 20th March	Farewell Choir Concert at Canon Elkins' invitation

Monday, 17th May	Celebration of Canon Elkins' ministry - 7.00 pm.  Further details on Sunday Sheets or
			contact one of the Churchwardens

Thursday, 20th May	ASCENSION DAY Service at 7.00 pm

Saturday, 29th May	An outstanding professional Quintet Concert at All Saints, Thorney Hill at 7.00 pm, followed by
			a meal at the Resource Centre.  Tickets £16.00 pp.  Do look out for posters with more details
			nearer the time.

THE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE, NAOMI HOUSE

I was delighted that so many people from the village visited Naomi House during the Open Days in September.  Some came with me and others made their own way.  All were very impressed with the entire set up.

There are other Visiting Days during the year and if anyone would like to come, please contact me and we will find a date convenient to all.

The Carpenters Arms have almost filled another whiskey bottle with donations, which is superb.  Many thanks again to Lynn, John, staff and customers.  The Fish and Chip Shop in the village also sports a collecting box - thank you to the owners, Connie and Paul.

There are a couple of forthcoming functions being held for Naomi House :

Sunday, 14 March - PLOUGHING MATCH at Plumley Farm, Somerley near Ringwood.  Anyone interested
                                 Ring Gordon and Ina Philpott on 01202 822228

Sunday, 27 June    -  GARDEN PARTY in a superb 10 acre garden in Harbridge.  More details later.

								SHIRLEY TOBIAS
								Bransgore 673078

BRANSGORE  METHODIST  CHURCH

Minister - Rev. R. Clarke.   Telephone:  673304

Spring must be on the way.  Today we sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine as we drank a cup of coffee.  Admittedly, we were wearing coats, but how good to enjoy the fresh air.  A buzzard was gliding in the gentle breeze, scarcely moving its wings, as if to show its delight in its freedom, and the birds in our aviary were chirruping happily.  What a delightful scene!

As if to tell us that time is hastening by, I saw two other reminders in a supermarket, in the middle of February.  One was to tell customers that Christmas is well and truly over, by using up outdated plastic bags wishing everyone a merry Christmas and the other was a large notice stating that "Pancake Day" will be on 24th February.  (No mention of "Shrove Tuesday").  Although the religious significance was not emphasised, it is important to realise once more just how dependent we are upon the Christian festivals even in this 21st century.

Lent will be upon us by the time you read this.  "Lent" - derived from the old word meaning "Spring" - a name which the church gave to the forty days before Easter when Jesus went into the wilderness to pray and meditate.  It is a time when once more, we can prepare ourselves for the events of Palm Sunday, of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and ultimately for the triumphs of Easter Sunday and His rising in majesty leaving behind an empty.

We invite everyone to think of the Easter story - re-read it in your Bibles, and finally, "Rejoice that the Lord is arisen" on Easter Sunday. We warmly welcome you all to our Church to join us in our Eastertide services.

A Happy and Joyous Easter to you all!
								ARNOLD MASON
								Bransgore 672788

BRANSGORE METHODIST CHURCH - SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OPEN TO EVERYONE

Friday, 19th March at 7.30 pm in the Church Hall

Beetle Drive with Fish and Chip Supper - £5.50  Beetle Drive only £2.50.   Tickets must be obtained beforehand.

Saturday, 8th May

Walking Treasure Hunt - leave Church at 3 pm - Refreshments to follow

Friday 25th June to Sunday 27th June

Church Flower Festival   -  Friday, 	10.30 am - 6.00 pm
                                          Saturday 	10.30 am - 6.00 pm
			      Sunday	12 noon - 4.00 pm
Entrance fee £1.00.  Accompanied children under 12 free.  
Morning Coffee and Cakes - Light Lunches - Cream Teas
All profits to Church Funds.

We look forward to seeing you at these events!  For tickets and further information, please contact Mrs Jean Pearson on 01425 673122

BRANSGORE YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB.

The exciting times at BYFC continue at full speed.

I am sure that you have now seen our crest proudly sitting next to that of the Cricket Club. We are very proud of this and now really feel part of the structure of the new pavilion and recreation ground.

I have written before of our hope to re-unite with the Bransgore Senior Teams and this is now moving forward at last. Both clubs have a lot to offer to each other and working together can only improve the football structure in the village.

As always, we are still looking for sponsors for next season, so if you are a business looking for a cheap and rewarding way to advertise then please contact our Secretary, Lyn Wheeler on 01425 674462. 

We are very pleased to announce that one of our Coaches, Matt Parker, has been successful in his application to Coach in America and will be both representing and spreading the word of Bransgore on the other side of the pond. We wish him every success and look forward to his return to see what we can learn from them.

The Club is still very lucky to have the assistance of our local hero, Russell Beardsmore. I know from experience that the players and coaches alike are learning so much from the man who has played the game at the highest level.

Although the season is coming towards its end as I write this letter, we are already looking for new players for next season. In particular, Phil Dupres is already training and recruiting for next season new Under 7s team. Phil can be contacted via Lyn at the above number. A directive from the Football Association dictates that the Under 7s  are not allowed to play in a competitive league. However, the Hants FA will be setting up a "league of teams" to play friendly matches against each other. Why not come down and see if you are the next David Beckham.

We also have a Summer Camp coming to Bransgore over the summer arranged by AFC Bournemouth which we hope will bring in revenue to both the Club and the Community. The dates are to be confirmed but keep an eye out for it on the recreation ground.

We will of course also be having our 5 a side tournament in the summer, which is one of the best organised and best attended in the Forest. If you wish to help over the weekend then please contact Lyn who will take your details and contact you again nearer the event. This tournament really puts Bransgore on the map and brings in hundreds of players and parents to the village. Teams travel from all over the Country to take part in the tournament. 

ARF SCAIFE
Vice Chairman/Press Secretary             .

BRANSGORE FLOWER CLUB

To complete a successful year, 48 members sat down to an enjoyable Christmas luncheon, cater for by the Committee.  This was followed by Joan Skyrme showing us the art of making flower and Christmas cake decorations in sugar paste.  It certainly inspired us to do a little more than a snow scene on our own Christmas cakes.

The New Year started with Christine Wright demonstrating her 'Wonderful World'.  Having traveled far and wide, Christine took us to exotic places via her flower arrangements.  - orchids in her Thailand arrangement, beautiful glowing colours for the feel of an African sunset, and variety of texture and shapes for an underwater look on the Barrier Reef.  With all the colour and feel of sunshine, plus Christine's description of all the lovely places she had visited, the grey winter's afternoon outside was completely forgotten.

Our February meeting is a workshop, when we will be making buttonholes and corsages under the guidance of florist, Beryl Churchill.

March 25th brings us to AGM time once again.  This will be followed by 3 trainee area demonstrators each doing 2 arrangements for us.  This will be a trial run for them before taking their final test the following week.

New members and guests are always welcome at our monthly meetings.  We meet on the fourth Thursday in the month at 2 pm at the Resource Centre, Bransgore.

DIARY OF EVENTS

March 25th    AGM followed by demonstration

April 22nd       Jenny Winstone, demonstrator - 'Winds of Change'

May 27th       Coach outing to Stourhead
	

                                                                                  MARGO CROUCH
                                                                                  Chairman    01425 672612

BRANSGORE DISTRICT                             
 

 
The Ranger Unit is very much up and running; in February we held a Flag Dedication Ceremony at the Methodist Church and had our first enrolments at the same time.  Anyone interested in joining or helping please contact Claire the Ranger Guider.

I am pleased to announce that the Rainbow Unit will be restarting at the end of February.  Rainbows are aged 5 to 7 years and will be meeting on Tuesdays 3.45 to 4.45pm at the Methodist Church Hall.  The Rainbow Guider is Sharon Knight.

Brownies are "90" years old this year and we hope to have celebration events in the village in the summer.

Anyone interested in joining the units or helping in any way, or just need information, please contact me or any of the Guiders.

Unit Guiders

Rainbows	Sharon Knight	673432
		

2nd Brownies	Kate Diment	674755
		

3rd Brownies	Ann Dean	673445
		

1st Guides	Rev'd Barbara Jeffries	673212
		

Rangers	Claire Stokes	07879 685006

	                            JENNY CARR
	                                                                  District Commissioner  673490

"COFFEE BEANS"

Many residents take the opportunity to pop into "Coffee Beans" in Betsy Lane for a cup of tea or coffee or a snack.  Visitors to the area also find it a welcome stop. But like many of our local organisations and clubs, it can only function with the goodwill of the volunteers who give up two or three hours now and then to cook, serve, clear tables, etc., and generally keep the premises in good running order.  But again like many of the other concerns we do NEED HELP NOW!

Perhaps now is a good opportunity to remind residents how we came to have such an amenity in the village.  "Coffee Beans" was a Millennium Project in the village when a small group of people from all the churches came together committed to working in partnership with "Fairtrade".  (If you don't know what "Fairtrade" is, come to the café and read all about it).  Besides selling produce such as tea, coffee, cereals, sugar, dried fruit, chocolate, cocoa, etc., money has also been raised to provide a much needed water irrigation system in a remote village in the Indian desert.  Local organizations are able to purchase catering packs of many commodities.  Every time you visit you are supporting a much appreciated local amenity and a more just global economy - that has to be a good thing to do, doesn't it?

Our appeal for help comes at an appropriate time because the Project Co-ordinator from inception in 1996 was Helen Griffiss, the Curate of St Mary's, who has just left us to become Assistant Priest in the Parish of Milton - you will have seen the reports in the last Newsletter.  It would be a fitting way of saying "thank you" to Helen for all her work in Bransgore to make sure that "Coffee Beans" continues to provide a service to the village.

So if you would like to help, please call in during the day or telephone Mrs Ruth Perkins on Bransgore 672785.

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 :

			18th March
				15th April
				20th May
				17th June

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

BRANSGORE  CRICKET  CLUB - YOUTH 

The indoor seasons at Hurn Bridge are now drawing to a close. The Under 11 squad have now registered a win and a number of young players have been introduced to this fast and furious game. At the time of writing, the Under 12 side are about to play their quarter-final match versus Corfe Mullen - the squad have played very well to reach this stage. The Under 14's have played well, but did not progress to the knock out stages. The Under 15's won all but their final league match and will play Bashley in the semi-final of their competition - we wish them well.

Indoor nets have already commenced at Hurn Bridge. The Under 11 and Under 13 squads practice on Tuesday evenings from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. The Under 14 and Under 15 practice on Tuesday evenings from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. The Under 17 and Colts squads practice, with the adult squad, on Wednesday evenings from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. All net sessions continue weekly throughout March and April.

Outdoor nets will be held when days get longer and the weather warmer, probably starting in April.

This summer the club will be running youth teams at Under 11, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 17, and the Colts side - a total of six teams. This is a tremendous achievement for a small village like Bransgore and thanks are due to all who help the club in any capacity.

The club AGM takes place on Friday, 19th March at 8.00 p.m. in the back room of 'The Carpenters' Arms'. All parents of players are encouraged to attend and hear how the club is progressing.

We still need players to bolster our squads at all ages, especially Under 13, Under 14 and Under 17. If you would like to join any of the squads, 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

BRANSGORE CRICKET CLUB - ADULT

February is here and, in time-honoured tradition, indoor nets have commenced at the Dorset Cricket centre at Hurn Bridge. This year the adults are sharing their practice with the Colts and Under 17 squads on Wednesday evenings from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The nets run weekly until the end of April.

The team's mid league finish last season meant that we were neither relegated nor promoted. League fixtures commence on Saturday May 8th and run through until the end of August. With the colts XI also playing on Saturday afternoons, this means that there will be a game each Saturday throughout the summer at the new rec. Do come along and support your village teams - you'll probably get a cup of tea as well!

In addition, the club is attempting to arrange a number of Sunday friendly fixtures

It has been decided to hold the adult AGM at the same time as the Youth AGM - Friday 19th March - with a view to integrating the two clubs. Please could all players try to attend?

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. 
BRANSGORE FRIENDSHIP CLUB

For personal reasons several officers stood down from the Committee late in 2003, but replacements have since been nominated.

On behalf of the members, we thank Mary Melville, Janet Henson and Brenda White for the sterling services and hard work carried out by them to make the Club very successful and interesting.

The "Peewits" visited on January 27th and put on a very entertaining show with singing, poems, tap dance and a short pantomime of Cinderella.  A truly great show for a dull day, with cold winds and snow forecast.

On February 10th Ringwood Handbell Ringers gave a very varied musical programme including waltzes and Church music, two examples being "Amazing Grace" and "The Eton Boating Song".  Four Club members attempted to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  My advice to them is - keep the day job!  The Leader gave an interesting short talk on the group's history and an insight into bell ringing in general.

Entertainment has been booked through to August and includes :-

March 23rd		Easter Bonnet Parade
April 13th		Bill Boyd with organ music
April 27th		Concord Singers
May 11th		Musical World
June 8th		Tea Dance

Coach outings have been arranged for the whole of the year including :-

April 20th		Mystery tour and lunch
May 18th		Bridport and Abbotsbury Tropical Gardens
June 15th		Isle of Wight, Osborne House

Meetings are held in the Village Hall at 2.00 pm for 2.30 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays in the month.

	BARRIE HENDON	01425 673546

BRANSGORE AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION

At the 9th February open meeting our guest speaker was Parish Councillor Richard Frampton, who gave an interesting update on improvements to the village hall and future prospective improvements.  If anybody has any further questions or views on this subject, especially with regard to ventilation and lighting at the hall, please get in touch and the Association will endeavour to provide the answers.

Your Association has approached N.F.D.C on the possibility of road edge white lining along Forest Road that leads past Holmsley Airfield.  However we have been informed this is not feasible given the low amount of vehicular traffic.

A letter has also been written to N.F.D.C for an update on the Thorney Hill/Bransgore footpath, and this work is due to start shortly.

Our next open meeting is at 7.30 pm on Monday 26 April at the Bransgore Community Church in Shackleton Square, and if anyone has suggestions for a speaker, or would like a subject to be considered, please get in touch.

BILL COTTON Chairman 673261
BILL BOWLING Secretary 672875

BRANSGORE COMMUNITY CHURCH

It is with great pleasure that the Community Church announces the appointment of Phil and Shirley Cole.  They will join us early in April 2004, with Phil in the role of full-time leader of the church, and Shirley working for the church on a part-time basis.

Phil is currently employed as full-time Pastoral Director at Greyfriars Church, Reading, and Shirley is involved in various church activities on a voluntary basis.  Prior to their move to Reading in 2000, the couple were students at Moorlands College in Sopley for three years.  

Both Phil and Shirley were brought up in farming families in Devon, and they are looking forward to moving back to a smaller, more rural community after their time in inner-city Reading.  Before training for full-time ministry, Phil worked as an auctioneer and later became a partner in an accounting firm.  Shirley has worked as a Teaching Assistant/ Special Needs Assistant in primary schools, as well as having been a nanny and a Bluecoat!  Her current interests include playing the guitar and keyboard; Phil hopes to be able to continue his interest in sport after they move to Bransgore.

They are a truly delightful couple and we are sure that our community here in Bransgore will make them welcome as we get to know them.

MELINDA MUIR

BRANSGORE EVENING ART SOCIETY
Have you heard of the evening version of the daytime Club?  Our aims have remained the same; 'paint as you please' probably sums it up.  However, members improve their techniques by practice, experimenting and asking colleagues for advice and comments.  Books, specialist magazines and videotapes are available for borrowing.
We are a very democratic organisation: if we want to have a demonstration by a professional artist or hold life classes we go ahead and organise them - and these have taken place very successfully in the past.  For example, last year we held five Life and Portrait sessions using professional male and female models.  Some members from the daytime club attended and also other members of the public. All who attended rated the sessions as artistically stimulating and worthwhile.
In the modern world leisure time is scarce and work gruelling.  Dragging oneself out on a cold Monday night may be inhibiting but two hours of creative pleasure in a friendly atmosphere at the well-equipped St Mary's Resource Centre should be (and is) relaxing and enjoyable.  If you want further details (the charges are very reasonable), please phone Stephen Mitchell on 01425 674530

BRANSGORE  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY

FEBRUARY LECTURE - Cultivated Orchids

What an excellent start to our 2004 programme this was. One of the most exotic of flowers for our subject and one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable speakers as our guide for the evening.  I would certainly have given this a 10 - 10 mark for content and presentation.  Roger Grier, an orchid grower for more than 30 years, a natural and unaffected speaker, entertained a full house for a couple of hours with a really first rate lecture which could well have been entitled "The no-nonsense guide to orchids".

SPRING SHOW - March 27th - Village Hall - 2 pm

SPRING AT LAST!  We seem to have waited so long for it to arrive so let's welcome it in with a bang at the Spring Show on the 27th.

There is an entry class for every flower and flowering shrub and tree in your garden and for those of us with an artistic flair or practised in household arts, there's cooking, flower arranging, needle work,. Photography, painting and drawing.  In fact any article of handicraft you can turn your hand to can be entered.  You don't even have to be a member!

Children under age 17 have their own classes of entry and this year for the first time these will include a class for handwriting (the poem to be copied "Excuses" is in the show schedule).  With a class to cater for virtually every horticultural and homecraft interest, the Village Hall should be packed with exhibits once again this year.

Whether exhibiting or not, why not make a date to me4et your friends in the hall from 2 pm when it opens to the public.  There will be tea and biscuits and plenty of chairs and tables in the refreshment area where you can sit and chat about the show and the wisdom or otherwise of the judges' decisions whilst awaiting the presentation of the trophies at 3.45 pm.  We hope to see you there.  (Exhibitors may obtain entry forms from the Show Secretary, telephone 674441 or 674329).

PLANT SALE - Friday, May 7th (6.30 to 8 pm) and Saturday 8th (0 to 1030 am.  Village Hall

Put these dates in your diary!  Don't miss out!  Best quality plants!  Best local suppliers!  Best value for money!  What more could one ask?  There will be a wide range of popular bedding plants, a selection of top class shrubs from Andrew Boulton, specially chosen herbaceous and other plants from MacPennys Nursery and a miscellaneous plant stall.  Give your gardens a treat at bargain prices.  Remember May 7th and 8th.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

March 27th	Spring Show  Village Hall  2 pm  (Staging of exhibits from 9 to 10.30 am)
May 7th/8th	Plant Sale  Village Hall  Friday 6.30-8.00 pm.  Saturday 9.00-10.30 am.
June 3rd	Lecture - Soil Maintenance.  Resource Centre, St Mary's Church.  7.30 pm
June 9th	Day trip to West Green Gardens, Chichester
                                       

JIM DUDLEY
						Publicity Officer   673202

SCAD (Sopley Camp Anti-Development) COMITTEE

The Committee receives numerous enquiries about activities at the Camp {now re-named Merryfield Park}.
The villagers continue to be concerned that the vital green lung around Bransgore is not contaminated by uncontrolled
housing development. 

Most residents are aware that the Local Plan stipulates that the 'Local Planning will encourage the full and proper
restoration of the Site to Forestry or Agriculture'. The same Plan also allows the Site to be established as a
'Training Site and rest camp on an occasional basis. The local press has recently recorded a Planning Application
for the Site to be used as 'day and residential training, educational and activity courses, ancillary dances, shows,
exhibitions and displays'.

The Committee is in contact with the NFDC, to discuss these Planning Applications for the Site.

                                             			DERYCK BLYTHE 
                           				Press Secretary 672504

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.

				
BRANSGORE  PROBUS  CLUB

The December meeting is either the last in the old year or the first of the new year, but as always it was a very pleasant function - good food within good company.  Our speaker was Andrew Moncrieff on 'Science and Justice'.  He pointed out the weaknesses of our legal system and suggested some possible ways of improvement.

We started off the year with a most interesting talk about life at the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy.  Our speaker had to cry off, but she sent her mother, Mrs Yvonne Nelson.  This was probably a good swop because Mrs Nelson was the founder of the Fortune Centre.  It is recognised that horses are able to motivate young people with special needs and Mrs Nelson recognised this way back in 1976 and has been at the forefront in some way or other ever since.

Our February speaker was Celia Burgess who told us all about the Citizens Advice Bureau.  The CAB is an exercise in the science of the associated life of humanity.  People live very complex lives and it is important for them to co-operate with others.  The CAB leads us through these complexities.  It is certain that without the CAB people would live increasingly in a society dominated by the most aggressive individuals.  For full co-operation it is necessary for the people concerned to agree on certain ideas and share a similar pattern of behaviour.  The CAB is free and is staffed by people willing to give up their time for the good of others.  Long may it continue.

									PROBITY II

JACK AND JILL PRE-SCHOOL

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

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.