GOODBYE
We are sad to be saying goodbye to so many friends in the Parish and across the wider Benefice as we move to southwest France on 26th September. We have had so many happy times at the Old Rectory and it’s now time for a new adventure while we are still young enough to make the most of it. Thank you to everyone who has been so kind and generous to us over the years we’ve been here. It’s been lovely to see our little church being used by the village for so many things other than the monthly service. We’ve enjoyed being part of the wider community and it’s been a particular privilege to sing in the Benefice Choir under Martin’s expert guidance and get to know so many friendly faces in the other 8 churches across the Wylye and Till Valley.
Jonathan and Olivia Dutton
We say goodbye to Olivia and Jonathan Dutton as they leave the village to embark on a new adventure in France. We are so grateful for all that they have done for the village and church while they were living at the Old Rectory. Jonathan has completed over 1000 miles of his pilgrimage from St Peter’s Winterbourne Stoke, to St Peter’s Rome and the considerable funds he has raised will enable us to start the repairs to the roof of the church.
Olivia has been a driving force within the village working as part of a team to help promote village life and the community, both as a Churchwarden and a member of the Village Preservation Society. She has played a vital role leading events, including the Village Pancake Race, Christmas Wreath workshops, Mothering Sunday posies, and coffee mornings. She secured a National Lottery IIkea grant to enable the Village Hub to be established in the church vestry as a non secular meeting place. The grant has helped with the Hub set up providing additional heating, hot water and a ramp for easier access amongst other items. We are so grateful to her and hope to continue many of the events she has instigated. Thank you for everything!
We will miss them and wish them good luck and safe travels for their new life in France.
WELCOME
A big welcome to Joe and Alannah Parkin and their three children: Emma (9), Jemima (5) and Wilfred (2) who are moving to the Old Rectory on 30th September. We hope you will all be very happy here.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Lorenzo Monachesi and Natasha Brown who were married in St Peter’s Church on 27th August.
Congratulations to Keith Ewert and Tracy Knight, of Church Cottage, who were married in St Peter’s Church on 3rd September.
THANKS
A service to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II was held on Sunday 11 September, many thanks to Jonathan Plows who organised it at such short notice.
PETER LANE
It is with sadness the village heard that Pete had passed away on Monday 22nd August 2022. He had lived with his wife Jean at Cleeve View for twenty years, moving there on retirement after spending all his working life in the building and construction industry. His main hobbies were his fish, he built a swimming pool size koi tank in his garden for his carp and other expensive fish. He also had a talent for building wooden dolls houses of which he had a very impressive collection. Pete had just recently celebrated his 80th birthday and 60th wedding anniversary with wife Jean and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; they will all sadly miss him. Our thoughts are with them all at this very sad time.
BOOK CLUB
As Summer is almost at an end and the days are getting shorter, Sara is looking to revive the book club. The chosen book is The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine …. a new Sunday Times Best Seller. Meeting date and location has yet to be agreed but if you’d like more information you can contact Sara Zacks McGoldrick through Facebook or Messenger.
BUG HOUSE – September/October
We are looking to spend a few hours building a big bug house using recycled materials for the insects to shelter over winter in the hub grounds. If you would like to come and take part please start saving suitable materials ie dry leaves, sticks of all sizes, bamboo canes, fir cones etc. Please look out on Facebook and notice boards for further details.
FACEBOOK GROUP: Winterbourne Stoke Notifications Group
The Village Facebook page is a way to keep in touch with each other, find out about: A303 updates, up and coming events like the Harvest supper and Halloween, Sell it Saturday, Village pantry updates etc.
It’s a private group but you can join through invitation from a friend or neighbour. Alternatively, you can email the Clerk at the Parish Council on Clerk@winterbournestokepc.org,uk or the VPS at winterbournestokevps@gmail.com who can add you to the group.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Harvest Supper – 15th October
Following the same successful format as last year, please bring a plate to share and your own favourite tipple, soft drinks will be provided.
VW Festival – 21st and 22nd October Stonehenge Campsite.
Friday evening is disco night followed by live music on the Saturday night, tea and cake will be served Sunday morning in the barn. All villagers are welcome to come along.
Halloween pumpkin trail – Monday 31st October.
Every year the village children go Trick or Treating around the village. As most of the children are quite young it generally starts from just after dark for about an hour or so. This year we are looking at providing a map for the children of all the houses who would like to take part, as some of the children can be a little shy in door knocking or some houses get missed out. If you would like to take part please contact Teresa on messenger or email on winterbournestokevps@gmail.com with your address to be included on the map. If you’re taking part please could you leave a decoration or pumpkin outside so we can easily spot the right house in the dark. Alternatively, if you are away or don’t want a door knock but equally would like to take part, you could leave treats at the end of the drive or on the door step. It is always a delight to both the children and accompanying adults to see the houses that have been decorated.