Newslet1

CONTEMPORARY - GREEN - PASSIVHAUS STANDARD - AUTONOMOUS - CSH5/6 - Sustainable Construction - Carbon Neutral - Passive solar. If you are interested in the above descriptions and their possible application to a proposed house design and build in Norton sub Hamdon, then we invite you to come to the Reading Room on Saturday, 4 ^th October 2008 , between 10.30am and 12.00 noon . We are preparing a Planning Application for the construction of an innovative, low profile, low impact, single storey house on our land, which will aim to achieve the above heading. A floor plan, coloured computer generated elevations, perspectives and a supporting specification will be on display. Our Project Architect will be there to explain and discuss the proposals. Whatever your views and opinions, all comments will be valued and, where feasible, taken into account during the preparation of our application for planning permission. Simon and Linda Weir, Mill Farm, Rectory Lane.

ACTIVE STOKE WALKING GROUP. Gentle walks; well behaved dogs welcome. Tuesday, 7 ^th October. All walks meet 10.30am by the Sea Wall in Stoke . Please wear supportive footwear and warm clothing or waterproofs if necessary. Phone Janet Wharton - 825928.

BRITISH LEGION POPPY DAY. Our collectors will be calling at your home on Sunday, 9 ^th November, or Monday, 10 ^th, in the early evening. We hope to make this a record year and your generous donation will be very much appreciated. If you would like to be involved, please ring me, Jack Green, on 881228. Thank you.

NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB is holding its Autumn Jumble Sale at Norton Village Hall on Saturday, October 11 ^th at 11.00am. There will be loads of bargains, New/Nearly New Jumble, Bric-a-brac, Books, Toys and much more. Refreshments and Raffle. Admission 20p. Everyone welcome. If anyone has any donations for this sale, we will be at the Hall on Friday, October 10^th from 7.00pm. We can collect if necessary. Contact either Jennie Harris on 881718 or Anne Brodie on 881614. Proceeds in aid of Football Club funds.

STOKE SUB HAMDON GARDENING CLUB. Wednesday, 22 ^nd October at 7.30pm in the Stoke Memorial Hall. Talk on Barrington Court by Christine Brain.

HAM HILL COUNTRY PARK. Booking is essential for all events, which are at the Ham Hill Centre unless stated otherwise. Phone SSDC on 01935 462282 from Monday to Friday to book and Grace at the Ham Hill office on 01935 823617 for costs and detailed information. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

WILDLIFE WALK - Thursday, 23 ^rd October - 10.00am - 12.30pm. (No dogs please).

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY BUS - Monday, 27 ^th October - 1.30pm - 3.30pm.

JUNIOR RANGERS - Tuesday 28 ^th, Wednesday 29 ^th, and Thursday, 30 ^th October - 9.00am - 3.30pm.

HAUNTING HALLOWEEN WALK - Thursday, 30 ^th October - 7.00pm - 8.30pm. ALL children must be accompanied by an adult.

MAMMAL TRACKING - Friday, 31 ^st October - 10.00am - 12.00 noon.

NORTON MOVIE NITES at the Lord Nelson will delight us all on Tuesday, 14 ^th October with Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Cert PG, starring Frances McDormand - a thoroughly entertaining film to banish the autumn gloom. Doors open at 7.30pm , film starts at 8.00pm. Tickets at £5.00 on sale now from the Village Stores. To save cooking supper in a rush, have a special bangers and mash meal for £5.50 at the Lord Nelson (please book by 12^th October, 881473). Next film is Ruby Blue on Tuesday, 11 ^th November.

CALLING ALL NORTON FILM BUFFS - Norton Movie Nites needs you! Are you interested in helping with marketing, front of house, managing events, organising and selecting films, projecting? Our aim is to show a mix of challenging and mainstream films along with special events such as outdoor films and silent movies. Last season we had over 300 guests averaging 8 events at 40+ per night. Since Norton Movie Nites started in September 2004 we have shown 30 films, donated nearly £900 to village organisations, and we now have our own equipment available for hire in the village. Contact us at any Movie Nite at the Lord Nelson, or phone John Bailey on 01935 881227. Looking forward to seeing you all during our 2008/2009 season.

LOW C NORTON. We are hoping to produce some information on home energy saving and insulation soon - a very hot topic (no pun intended). Some points we have been discussing: a ‘village car’ for occasional use, a ‘village skip’ for all that cardboard, best compost procedures, stifling those draughts, capturing solar power. If any of these ideas interest you, come along to the next meeting of Low C Norton at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 15 ^th October at 5, New Road . LCN is an informal group of locals discussing and hopefully implementing ideas on how to reduce environment damage and make the best of natural resources. Topical tip for October gardeners: put fallen leaves into a bin liner, squash out all the air and tie tightly, wait for three months - hey presto, wonderful free compost (then re-use bin liner). General tip for greenness: plastic bags are just so passé, get the fab long lasting cotton bags available now at the Village Stores.

NORTON LADIES’ GROUP. At our September meeting Mr. Groves gave us a very informative talk, with slides, on Vietnam, a most interesting country, and we had a very enjoyable evening. Our outing to Brimsmore Garden Centre for a talk ‘Autumn Colour in the Garden’ followed by supper was on the 23^rd September, too late for feedback to the Newsletter. Our meeting this month has a talk by the Stroke nurse/consultant. This is a subject we all need to know more about. The Meeting is in the Reading Room on October 21 ^st at 7.30pm. Visitors and new members are most welcome.

SUPPORTING NORTON SUB HAMDON RIGHTS OF WAY. We have a wonderful network of footpaths and bridleways around the village which needs to be maintained and kept open. The Parish Council has taken the major role in this alongside volunteers who have promoted walking through the Health Walks brochure and also organising monthly village walks. In October our monthly walk is in the village as we celebrate our annual Bounds Walk. If you would like to actively help support our rights of way, come along, enjoy the morning, and find out how you can get involved.

NORTON ‘BOUNDS’ BREAKFAST WALK - Saturday, 25 ^th October 2008 - starting at 8.30am at The Lord Nelson. Enjoy an early morning autumn walk followed by ‘Full Monty’ breakfast at The Lord Nelson. The walk will start and finish at the Pub and circumnavigate the village following the rights of way nearest to the village boundary, covering about 6 miles and taking about 2/2.5 hours to complete. However, there are plenty of shortcuts for those who don’t want to do the full distance. At the end of the walk (available at 11.00/11.30am) the Lord Nelson will have a full English Breakfast, including coffee and toast, at £5.00 per head. Please book direct with the Pub beforehand to avoid disappointment. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES CONTACT JOHN BAILEY (01935 881227).

AUGUST HEALTH WALK. The August Health Walk took place on one of those rare fine and sunny days! Nine of us set off from Nether Compton Village Hall and after a short but steep climb on to the ridge backing the village, were rewarded with a fine view of Yeovil. Eventually we reached Sherborne Golf Club and then descended into a gorgeous valley with fine views of Corton Denham Ridge and Cadbury Castle. After skirting round the edge of Corton Denham we climbed back on to the ridge and later descended to the village of Trent and a welcome lunch break at the Rose and Crown. Here it was warm enough for us to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and some really good food served by this well recommended hostelry. A long morning walk was followed by a short stroll back to Nether Compton.

NORTON CHURCH COFFEE MORNING. On Wednesday, 29 ^th October at 10.45am we are invited to the home of Ann and Richard English at ‘Hobsons’, 1 Broadmead Lane. There will be a Bring and Buy Stall, a Raffle (donations appreciated) and the Greetings Card basket. All are welcome. All proceeds go to Norton Church Funds.

ADVANCE NOTICE: Norton Church Coffee Morning on Wednesday, 26 ^th November at 10.45am. Come to The Manor House on Great Street, home of Shelagh and Myles Wickstead, for the Christmas Coffee morning. Please try and bring a festive contribution for the Bring and Buy stall and/or Raffle. Greetings cards also on sale. Proceeds from this coffee morning go towards the Church Fabric Fund which keeps Norton Church looking beautiful and provides flowers at Christmas and Easter. Open to all. Please come and support.

HOPE AND HOMES. The South Somerset and Dorset Support Group invites you to Sunday Lunch with The Rt. Hon. The Lord Ashdown of Norton sub Hamdon GCMG KBE PC at East Coker Hall, East Coker on Sunday, November 2 ^nd, 2008 - 12.15pm Reception (1 free glass of wine), 1.00pm Lunch, followed by an Address by Lord Ashdown. Cost - £15.00. Admission by ticket only. RSVP. Tickets from Susan Molesworth, 3 Barrow Hill, Stourton Caundle, Sturminster Newton, DT10 2LD, Dorset. Cheques payable to Hopes & Homes for Children. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

THE NORTON SUB HAMDON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY AGM will take place on Monday, 3 ^rd November at 7.30pm in the

Village Hall. Any member wishing to be nominated for election to the Committee should advise Roger Webb on 881096. There will be free refreshments and nibbles at the end of the meeting. All are welcome.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - Shed Thefts. There have been a number of thefts from sheds and outbuildings in the Castle Cary and Hinton St. George areas recently. It may well be our area next. Please review the security of your sheds and outbuildings and consider marking your property accordingly. If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111 OR, if VERY URGENT, ring 999.

TRINITY SINGERS CONCERT (In aid of the Norton and Chiselborough Flower Show). Come and enjoy an evening with the Trinity Singers, a group of talented people whose repertoire includes singing in harmony, various solos, poetry reading and instrumental items. They have performed in many different locations around the south-west and come very highly recommended. We are delighted that they will be performing for us in Norton Village Hall on Friday, November 28 ^th. Join us from 7.00pm for a glass of wine and canapés, included in the price of your ticket, followed by the concert at 8.00pm. There will be a licensed bar available before the concert and during the interval, and also a raffle. Tickets available from Norton Spar Shop, the Village Salon, or by calling 01935 881932 from October 20^th.

THE SEPTEMBER WINE DRAW FOR THE FRIENDS OF NORTON CHURCH WINE CLUB took place in the Lord Nelson on the 19^th September. The winners are: 1^st prize of 4 bottles - Brian Frosdick. 2^nd prize of 3 bottles - Jeremy Reid. 3^rd prize of 2 bottles - David Robbins. 4^th prize of 1 bottle - Richard English. 5^th prize of 1 bottle - Jenny Harris. 6^th prize of 1 bottle - Rowena Alsey. There are still shares available at £1. each. Contact Roger Webb on 881096 to join in this exciting adventure in wine!

CHARLES AND SOPHIE CAMPBELL would like to thank all those kind people who have phoned about, returned, or reported their missing Rescue Greyhound. Flight is gentle but very curious about her new world! With thanks. Sophie

NORTON VILLAGE STORES (SPAR SHOP AND POST OFFICE). Since we introduced a charge for plastic carriers, only 23 bags were ‘sold’ in the first week, with a total number of customers exceeding 1,500. WELL DONE! Our customers have clearly got the message and are already helping to save our environment. Administration of a bag charge is complicated, particularly as we are donating the money raised to charity. The small amount raised does not warrant the additional work involved, so we have discontinued the system. Instead, we have introduced a ‘green’ collection tin and hope that customers will donate a small sum when requesting large carrier bags. All money raised will be spent on environmental projects. Thank you again for your co-operation.

SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. Congratulations to Georgina and Eric Greenham who celebrate their Silver Wedding on October 9^th. They were married at Norton church on October 9th 1948, officiated by the Revd. Douglas Ballard. Georgie was born at Hill Close, Little Norton. Love from sisters Joyce, Mauvyn, Ardis and family.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF CHERRIDA. Cherrida was a part of our lives. As young children we visited the Post Office where her mother, Mrs. Hamlin, or Cherrida would serve us with our sweets. My mother gave each of us five sisters a farthing with which we could each buy either Bulls’ Eyes (black and white mints), Red Aniseed Balls, Lemon Sherbet or Liquorice Skipping Ropes. Looking back it was amazing what we could buy for a farthing. Cherrida was a great collector of local history which we could talk about for hours. We knew nearly all the same people and everyone who lived in the village. She was a stalwart of the W.I. and ran the committee for several years. She was most upset when the Norton group folded. I, for one, will miss Cherrida very much as when a question regarding local history arose we always said “Ask Cherrida”. Regrettably, with great sadness, that will no longer be possible. As a founder of the Local History Society, it makes one realise how important it is to record as much as possible while one is still ‘compos mentis’. Unfortunately, my memory leaves a lot to be desired! However, Cherrida will always stay in our memories. History is but yesterday. Mauvyn Greenham

Newcomers to our village. If you know of anyone who has moved in to Norton, please ring one of the editors on the phone numbers below with their details so that we can welcome them to our village.