Three things to bring to your attention today:

 

Firstly, many congratulations to the Sleightholme family for winning the 2024 Scarecrow Competition!  I say 'family' so that Mum and Dad aren't forgotten because we know that Ivy, Violet and Mabel did all the hard work.  (Pictures below.)

 

Secondly, the St Andrew's Flower Festival - on the wedding theme "With this ring..." - was an enormous success, raising close to £1000 towards the cost of repairing the lychgate.  Many thanks are due to the raft of unsung-hero volunteers!

 

And thirdly, there have been some concerns raised about how overgrown the pond is becoming.  The spring clean-up was unexpectedly cancelled as a precocious moorhen decided to hatch a clutch of eggs - and she and her mates have been doing it ever since.  You'll have noticed several adolescent chicks are enjoying that overgrown-ness.  Once they have (literally) flown the nest we'll announce a clean-up date.

 

And don't forget: Cream Tea (Game of Scones) next Saturday, August 10th at 2.30pm.

 

J & S

Some news from our local councillor:

"This is just a quick update for residents about a couple of issues within Sutton Poyntz

- We have submitted a report proposal to First Bus about a trial service for Sutton Poyntz as discussed in previous residents' meetings and newsletters. We are awaiting a reply from First on this matter.

- The verges on Sutton Road are due to be cut back using the council's tractor thresher - hopefully this week. This is to improve lines of sight and hopefully re-widen the road slightly. We will be looking at further works after this is done.

- The first stretch of Sutton Road and Plaisters Lane were treated to a surface dressing last month. We did receive mixed feedback about this to begin with but negative feedback has died down. We would be grateful for any more views on the matter or any issues.

- We are waiting for a date on the second half of Sutton Road leading up to the pub. This will be re-tarmacked as opposed to the other method used, due to the fact this section is in a particularly bad state.

Please feel free to get in touch with us at any point and wishing you all a lovely August summer.

Regards

Cllr Louie O'Leary on behalf of Preston and Sutton Poyntz councillor team
07809905412
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."

And while we're here - and you're there - a quick reminder that it's the Monthly Coffee Morning on Friday. 

I understand there will be a guest appearance of cheese scones, especially to whet your appetite for the Cream Tea  next weekend.

 

J & S

 

 

Many of you will have seen the poster below about the Flower Festival at St Andrew's Church on the theme of "With this Ring" - i.e. it's all about Weddings.

Well, if you haven't seen the posters, then this Newsbite is just for you!

It's all pretty self-explanatory but there's an additional reason that this is being sent out - there's a critical line on the poster that says: "Refreshments in the Church Rooms".  The volunteers running the show would be very happy to accept your donation of a cake.  You can bring your cake donations (they don't have to be in the form of Wedding Cakes!) to the Church Rooms on Friday (26th) or Saturday morning (27th).

Thank you!

 

J & S

 

 

Dear all,

 

We could not announce this at the recent AGM, because the National Lottery has an embargo on announcing new grants during a General Election campaign. This grant is specifically for the replacement windows (which will now be timber rather than UPVC), minor roof repairs, and heat insulation and woodworm treatment for the roof space above the hall. The grant will allow us to do more work this year that we would otherwise have had to put off until next year, and will therefore minmise the time the hall will be unavailable. Among other things, we now intend to upgrade the hall's heating system, fit brighter, dimmable, lights, fit a more compliant fire door at the north-east corner of the hall, and get the hall fully decorated. We are in the process of getting quotes for an expanded set of works, and will let you all know more when we have a schedule for the work.

 

Best wishes

Bill

Maureen asks me to inform you that there will not be a lunch date this month (it was due on Thursday).

Normal service will be resumed in August, or September, or...   (Watch this space!)

 

J & S on behalf of Maureen

 

Some items to bring to your attention today...

 

The Scarecrows are all in place - sadly only about 10 of them this year (where's yours?) - and attached you'll find a map to help you get around to see them all.  They will be judged by you - in another vote.  Yes, first that referendum, then some elections, but now the most important one for your favourite scarecrow.  The returning officer and poll clerks will be present in the Mission Hall for the August 2nd Coffee Morning - and I understand cheese scones will also be attending but you can't vote for them.

 

The following weekend, on Saturday August 10th, there will be another vote - between Devon and Cornwall.  The Cream Tea will be open for your delectation and delight and we will re-enact the cream-first vs. jam-first battle.  Drop in to the Mission Hall (inside if wet - if! huh!) at 2.30-4.30pm and bring £4 for delicious Dorset scones, Craig's clotted cream and Wimbledon jam (if there are any strawberries left...)

 

And if you've read this far (congratulations, both of you) some reminders of a couple of forthcoming events:

Do I still have your attention?  Accepting Society subscriptions by bank transfer has been very successful so if you're still in debt to us, here is the info again:
Bank details are:
Account name: Sutton Poyntz Society
Sort code: 60-23-35
Account number: 06822584
Reference: please include your surname, house name / number and road name. Include as much as you can before you run out of space!
And of course it's £5 per household (or £2.50 if you live alone) for the period April 2024 - April 2025.
The more folk who pay by bank transfer, the less door-knocking we’ll have to do later in the year.
Thanks for your help.

J & S

 

 

July 12th 7.30 - "Meet Joanna Quinn" event at Sutton Poyntz Mission Hall.

A reminder to bring CASH for:- £5 for entry; donation for a drink as we have no alcohol licence (there will also be fruit juices); and if you wish to buy a cost price Whalebone Theatre book at £8.

Bring your own book if you would like Joanna to sign it.

There are now just 4 places available! Tickets from Sue Cottam, 833582 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Best wishes,
SueC

HELP!  We're seeing a lot of crows (or maybe rooks) around this year - my lawn is full of holes, and it's driving the dog mad!  We urgently need more scarecrows around the village - dressing them with the theme of "Sport" will make them work a lot better.

If you're planning on joining the crowd and making a nice scarecrow and you haven't contacted Liz Balfe yet, please do so as soon as you can.  That way she can include your scarecrow on her map and we can all come and have a look at it!

 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone/text: 07816415212
Or put a note through the door of Little Acorns, Puddledock Lane

 

J & S

 

ps - just a little reminder that the weather has been threatening to stay dry and sunny.  Fire-risks are high so please be thoughtful when you consider lighting up a barbeque or a bonfire.  These are also the times when we all like to be sitting out in the garden so please think about your neighbours and don't smoke them out!  As a thatched house owner I'm particularly sensitive to such stuff so please let me sleep at night!