BRIDE VALLEY NEWS
The deadline for copy for any month’s issue is mid-day of the second Thursday of the preceding month. All material for
publication must be sent to the Village Correspondent. For Litton Cheney this is: John Firrell, Tel: 01308 482313
email: jfirrell20@gmail.com
VILLAGE INFORMATION
VILLAGE INFORMATION
NEWS
Village Newsletter May 2026
Bridport Local Area Bulletin 12
th
May 2026
The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is here for the community. Current members of the partnership include Bridport
Town Council, 9 Parish Councils and more than 80 community organisations and individuals working to improve the social,
economic, and environmental wellbeing of Bridport and surrounding areas.
For information or if you have a piece you would like included in the BLAP Bulletin, please contact Jo Hughes by email at
jo.hughes@bridport-tc.gov.uk
Grace and Growl - 10th Anniversary Performance: Collect 3
Grace & Growl are a Bridport-based mature dance performance company. To celebrate our 10th year of dance performance
for over 55's, join us for an evening of live dance, films and magic at Bridport Arts Centre this Friday 15th May at 7pm. Also
collaborating with No Limits and Bridport Youth Dance, Collect 3 will showcase older dancers and evidences how movement
is so important for our health and wellbeing. Tickets are available here.
Bridport Community Charter Fair
The Bridport Community Charter Fair will take place this Saturday 16th May from 9.30am - 3pm at Millennium Green,
Mountfield and Bucky Doo Square. A full programme of events is available here and will include music, food & bar, community
stalls, children's area, maypole dancing and presentation of awards.
From Street to Sea - Bridport's Mass Litter Pick
Please join the Street to Sea litter picking teams across town this Sunday 17th May at 10am. For an hour of your time you can
show how much you care for our wonderful town. This is the 11th town-wide litter pick by members of the community and it
helps stop litter making its way to the streams, rivers and the sea. Just turn up at one of the locations detailed below, kit is
provided:
•
Bradpole Seal's Cove
•
Bothenhampton Pasture Way
•
Allington One Stop Shop
•
The Ropemakers Car Park
•
Morrisons Car Park
•
The Black Hut on East Pier at West Bay
Salway Ash School May Fete
The Salway Ash School PTA May Fete is taking place this Sunday 17th May from 1pm - 4pm at Salway Ash School and will
include:
1.
1.15pm – Burton Bradstock Male Voice Choir
2.
2.00pm – Country Dancing with Teresa Grinter
3.
3.00pm – Martial Arts Demonstration
4.
3.30pm – Draw the Raffle!
Strawberry Jam Entertainments with free balloons! Entry - adults £1, children free!
Bridport Library - Dementia Action Week
Dementia Action Week runs from 18th - 24th May. Pop along to Bridport Library on Monday 18th May between 10am and
12pm and chat to a Dementia and Carer Support Lead. There is no need to book, just drop in. For more information call
01308 422778.
Spinning Wool and Flax Workshops
Would you like to learn a new skill? The spinning wool and flax workshops provide an opportunity for free lessons on how to
spin locally grown flax to make Bridport linen. Beginners will start with wool and progress to flax. Spinning wheels provided.
Spinners are welcome to bring their own wheel and move straight on to flax. To book, please email:
bridportregenerativefashion@gmail.com
The workshops take place at Bridport Youth & Community Centre from 7pm - 8.30pm on the following Mondays: 18th May,
1st, 15th and 29th June, 13th and 27th July.
Bridport Youth & Community Centre - The 'Not So Youth Club'
A brand-new social club aimed at the over 50's will be starting at Bridport Youth & Community Centre from Wednesday 20th
May, 11am - 2pm. Happening on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, the 'Not So Youth Club' has something for everyone
including sports, crafts, book club, puzzles, cooking and more. Sessions cost £3 and a shared lunch is available for £5.
Connect, create, laugh, move, learn and most importantly shape something special together. We look forward to seeing you
there.
Jurassic Pride - Monthly Queer Socials
A social for LGBTQIA+ folk on the third Wednesday of every month at the Goose & Badger Cafe & Bar, 35 South Street,
Bridport from 7pm - 9pm. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Future dates: 20th May, 17th June, 16th
July, 19th August, 16th September.
West Bay Days Pirates Weekend
The West Bay Days Pirates Weekend will take place on Saturday, 23rd May, from midday to 10:00pm with a Barbeque, Bar
and Live Music on the Mound and on Sunday 24th May from midday to 11:00pm with Pirate Games on the Green, Café in the
Salt House, Barbeque, Bar and Live Music on the Mound. There will also be fireworks at 10:00pm. View the full eventt details
here.
Bridport Stage Company - Juliet & Her Romeo
‘Juliet and her Romeo’ an all new edit of the classic with the focus on the young 14 year old girl caught up in a spiral of events
and a family feud. In a first for this staging we are going with ‘gender blind’ which actually Shakespeare himself had in all his
performances. Songs and music have been added with a cast of all ages from 9 to 69. As always Bridport Stage Company
are raising funds for Samaritans - they have raised over £8,000 in the past few years.
Performances will take place on Thursday 28th May & Friday 29th May, 7pm, at Bridport Town Hall, East Street, Bridport DT6
3LF. Ticket Price: £10.00 available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre or online here.
Loders & Uploders Scarecrow Festival
The Loders and Uploders Scarecrow Festival is back until Sunday 31st May. Walk the villages to spot your favourite villainous
scarecrow. If you wish to vote for your favourite, complete the voting slip available from the Crown Inn, Uploders and both
village telephone boxes and post in one of the available voting boxes before Sunday 24th May. Prize giving will take place
from 5pm on Sunday 24th May at the Crown Inn.
Symondsbury Parish Council - Community Champion Awards
Nominations are open for the Symondsbury Parish Council Community Champion Awards 2026. If you know someone who
has performed a task that has improved the local environment or the wellbeing of Symondsbury parishioners, someone who
has given up their time to support local organisations in a voluntary capacity or someone who puts themselves out and gives
their time unselfishly to enhance and benefit the local community and its surroundings, then please nominate them for the
awards.
Individuals must be nominated by another person, people or organisation and the nominee’s activities must benefit the
community living or working in the parish. Nominations need to be submitted by Sunday 31st May 2026 with a Prize Giving
event taking place before the end of the summer school term. The nomination form can be found in the ‘News’ section of the
Symondsbury Parish Council website.
Sustainable Bridport Repair Cafe
The first Sustainable Bridport Repair Cafe will take place on Sunday 31st May, 2pm - 4pm at the Bridport Youth & Community
Centre. Stop by for a drink and piece of cake and bring along an item for repair. If you are interested in volunteering, we are
still recruiting for a range of roles including those with specialist repair skills, cake makers, tea and coffee makers and general
help on the day. To get involved, please email us :repaircafe@sustainablebridport.org
BLAP Members' Meeting
The next BLAP Members' Meeting which is open to all BLAP Members will be held on Thursday 4th June at 2.15pm,
Mountfield, Bridport. There will also be the option to join via Zoom. The meeting agenda will be circulated nearer the time.
Bridport History Society - Talk
The next meeting of the Bridport History Society is on Thursday 11th June when the Society will be welcoming Dr Paul
Lashmar who will give a talk on “Drax of Drax Hall: Researching the Landed Gentry in Britain and The Caribbean.” The talk
will be held at the United Church Hall on East Street, Bridport. Doors open at 2.15pm for a prompt 2.30pm start. All are
welcome. Members £1pp and visitors £5pp. Bridport History Society meets on the second Thursday of each month (except
July and August). Membership is open to all (£12 individual/£18 couple). For more information visit:
https://www.bridporthistorysociety.org.uk
Wyld Morris Danceouts
Wyld Morris are a Bridport based, mixed Morris side of dancers and musicians dancing in the Cotswold tradition. The side
was born in the autumn of 2010 out of a love of the Morris and the lack of a local side that would accept a woman dancer! The
side made its debut performance in 2011. They will be performing across various Dorset events this summer - the full event
programme can be viewed here.
Dorset Council Capital Leverage Fund
Funding is available for community groups across the Dorset Council area to improve their local facilities and spaces. Grants
can help with a range of initiatives, including:
•
enhancing or renovating village halls and other community buildings
•
creating facilities such as car parks, play areas, and multi-use games areas
•
upgrading theatres, sports clubs, pitches and outdoor spaces.
Not for profit organisations are invited to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 through Round 7 of the Capital
Leverage Fund. It is open for applications from 5th May 2026 until 10th January 2027.
Want to contribute to the well-being of Litton? Why not join the Premier Crew, a group of well-intentioned citizens of our
village who clean and tidy up areas when they need a little bit of care and attention. Your ability to help will undoubtedly
depend on your availability and you are not expected to turn up everytime there is a call to arms. Gender equality is alive
and well, as is the bonhomie or bonfemme on offer whenever we meet. With enough volunteers we could even become the
Grand Crew! If you would like to join us, please contact John Firrell on 01308 482313.
Premier Crew – Come & Join Us
The Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington History Group hold monthly meetings to discuss the local history of our area,
and during the spring and summer months also organise history walks. Recently there was a presentation by our own
historian-in-residence Paul Kingston on Litton.
If you would like to know more about the group, and learn more about your local surroundings please contact Paul Bullen
07527141560 paul.bullen@icloud.com
Local History Group
Litton Cheney Parish Council
The Parish/Village Annual Assembly was held on Tuesday 12
th
May, several days after the BVN deadline. More details on this
event will be included in July’s BVN, and in early June the draft minutes will be available on the village website.
Can you offer up a maximum of three hours a week for the benefit of your community? That’s pretty much what it takes when
you are a parish councilor. If you would like to contribute to the well-being of your community and fellow residents, we would
love to hear from you. Please contact our Clerk, Debbie, at clerk@littoncheney.org.uk
Parish Plan – This was never going to be dealt with in quick time, and neither should it. Our last plan was formulated in 2005,
over 20 years ago, and what was relevant then, may have shifted somewhat to this point. We have therefore decided to revisit,
revise and re-issue. If you consider yourself a forward thinker, and believe that you, in concert with others of a like-mind, could
come up with ideas as to how our village and the community might develop over the next ten/fifteen years, then, at your earliest
convenience, please contact John Firrell – john.firrell@littoncheney.org.uk
Litton Cheney Trust
There have been recent changes to the trustees of The Litton Cheney Trust.If you wish to apply for a grant from The Trust,
please could you make your application to Madeleine Hickling (secretary). Email mandghickling@btinternet.com
What’s on at Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall (LATCH) in June
REGULAR EVENTS
Tuesdays 4.45 – 5.45 Short Mat Bowls (Ron Davidson 482661)
Wednesdays 4.45 – 5.45. Table Tennis (Paul Kingston 482162)
19.00 Yoga with Jane (Jane Hutchins 07882 527697)
Thursdays 9.15 – 11.15 First Steps Toddlers (fortnightly, term time only)
OTHER EVENTS
Sunday 7
th
10.00 – 13.00 Restorative Yoga with Nadiya Wynn
Thursday 11
th
18.45 - W.I. Craft in meeting room
Monday 15
th
19.00 -Gardening Club meeting
Sunday 28
th
16.00 - Community Fellowship
Village Cafés: The hall is available for hire free of charge on Saturday mornings for a Café to raise funds for any group. It’s a
good social event for the community and always popular.
Hall Bookings/viewings: Wendy Firrell 01308 482532 wtlitton@gmail.com
At the recent LATCH AGM, Chairman Ron Davidson stood down after twenty years in the role of Chairman. Ron has been
involved from the very beginning when LATCH was just a drawing on the back of a beer mat. Thank you Ron for your
perseverance, patience and diligence – a true LATCH Original!. At the AGM Andrew King was voted in as the new Chairman,
and Sarah Matthews as Vice Chair.
The White Horse
We’ve run out of time this month to write more than this! All been a bit hectic with all the bank holidays. Had a great time
though. Still here, still going. Look forward to welcoming you when you can. Thank you. Liz and Andy xxx
Thorner’s School Report
Since returning after the Easter break the children have been getting stuck in to a huge range of activities.
The older pupils have been putting the finishing touches to their SAMBA and vocal performance - ready to share with parents
and to also perform at the start of the Abbotsbury Tree of Strings Festival next month in the Tithe Barn. Younger ones are also
strutting their stuff and will soon perform their dance routines to the school and their parents after their great sessions with Amy
our Dance Instructor.
Our Book Fair was a triumph - many thanks to Mrs Biggins for organising and for Governors and Staff for manning the stall to
enable children to select from a wide range of titles and authors. This also raised some most welcome funds for the school
which we then used to refresh our school library.
In the same week the TSA held a brilliant disco for the children and it was a fantastic evening for all to dress up and have great
fun together in the LATCH hall. Thank you to the TSA for all their hard work again in organising events like this for the school.
In the office we were pleased with the good results from our Health and Safety Inspection and can report that no major issues
were identified and we have a short to do list to remedy some small snagging items and we are also pleased to report that the
swimming pool was given a clean bill of health as we look to reopen that in the summer.
The eldest children are due to sit their SATs tests shortly and we wish them well with their assessments and then look forward
to their last long (and hopefully sunny) half term of being at primary school!
Mike Sitch
Headmaster
Bride Valley Book Club Review
The Escape Artist by Jonathan FreedlandThere was much to discuss about this extraordinary book. The Escape Artist is the
true story of how two young men escape Auschwitz to inform the wider world of the Nazi’s industrial process of mass
extermination. An introductory chapter takes the reader immediately into the danger and tension of the escape bid and the
confined hiding space under a woodpile of planks next to the rail tracks inside the camp. A key part of Walter and his friend
Alfred’s strategy was to hide inside the camp for three days and nights allowing the Nazi security guards to believe an escape
had already taken place. Once the high alert and subsequent search had taken place it became easier to then breach the
security fence under cover of darkness. Much of the first half of the book records in horrific detail what was happening in
Auschwitz, the cattle truck transport, the separation on arrival into those who will imminently perish in the gas chambers and
those who will labour as slaves, the systematic theft of Jewish property, the appalling conditions of the camp and the brutality of
the Nazi officials. All this was a very tough read and we found it distressing. Against all odds and with tremendous endurance
and plenty of luck, Walter and Alfred manage to make it over the border to occupied Slovakia. Here they are helped by the
underground resistance and given forged (Walter becomes Rudi) identities.
The second half of the book documents the long and complex journey Walter/Rudi and Alfred’s report - documented and
verified legally - makes to reach the international audience who can take action. Walter/Rudi knew that thousands of Hungarian
Jews were about to sent to Auschwitz and he believed they had a right to know what fate awaited them. His report does
circulate but initially it is met with disbelief, procrastination and excuses. Action is slow to materialise but eventually the Jews
from Budapest were mostly saved from the camp. Walter/Rudi’s story is continued post war, he becomes an organic chemist
and works in various universities before emigrating to Canada. However he is a traumatised man and cannot sustain his
marriage or responsibility for his two daughters. He is especially bitter about the allied failure to sabotage the camps earlier and
the extent of compliance and collaboration which saw some Jews survive and others murdered. Those of us who did read this
book through to the end could appreciate its worth as a testament to this unspeakably evil episode in 20th Century history. The
timing of our reading seems very prescient in the light of current world events. Some of us just did not want to read about the
abject misery of this period and we respected that choice. Our conversation was wide ranging with travel reminiscences and
personal stories - a really good discussion about a difficult book. Liz Pinfield
BRIDE VALLEY GARDENING CLUB
At long last it looks as if summer is on its way! I can’t believe we’re saying that, when I’m writing this at the beginning of May,
we need rain, but the ground is already so difficult to dig into!
We are very much looking forward this month (Monday 15
th
June) to welcoming David Hurrion as our Celebrity Speaker for
2026.
David is Associate Editor of BBC Gardeners World. Gardening Journalist, Tutor, Lecturer and RHS Judge. He is
knowledgeable, experienced and entertaining.
He will be talking about “Creating a Jungle Garden”. This should be an excellent evening.
Tickets in advance are £5 each from Liz at bridevalleygc@gmail.com. All welcome.
The meeting will be at LATCH (Litton and Thorners Community Hall) DT2 9AU. Doors open at 7pm for drinks, nibbles and chat
and the talk will start at 7.30 p.m.
In April we held our AGM with an excellent attendance followed by a very interesting talk by Bryan Madders on Dahlias. David
brought along tubers for sale which were quickly sold. Unfortunately no volunteers came forward to help on the Committee. We
are still looking for a Chairman and Programme Secretary (this latter position could be done by two people working together to
organise next year’s programme if that would be easier). Please come forward if you feel you could help out as without a
committee this long standing local club will have to fold in October.
In the meantime we have some excellent speakers lined up. Meetings are held on the third Monday evening of every month at
Litton and Thorners Community Hall, DT2 9AU. Doors open at 7pm for drinks and chat, and the talk / demonstrations begin at
7.30 pm. Guests always also welcome for £2.
We are looking forward to (and will have had by the time this drops through your letterbox) our May meeting, when we have
James Cross, Head Gardener at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells.
For more information please contact Liz, Secretary
bridevalleygc@gmail.com
