| ‘People make Places. Places make People’.... In 2011 villagers began an online Open Archive on an informal basis. We have been recording events, logging images, sharing ideas and making comments for several years. You are welcome to browse its entries and view its pictures. The archive was closed for submitting new entries in February 2019. |
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| Submitted by: Barbarella On: 2/8/2011 at: 07:50 Location: Drimpton Dawn Redwood Ian Woods invited me to see his fabulous garden in Crewkerne and to gather some bark for a project. He showed me the most magnificent Dawn Redwood he had grown from seed. It was truly amazing and such an accomplishment. It was a very inspiring afternoon. |
| Submitted by: stanleyG On: 1/8/2011 at: 09:44 Location: Drimpton July rainfall 2011 RAINFALL IN JULY 2011 AT DRIMPTON CROSS 50. mm.( 2010 44.5 mm.) or 1.99 inches (2010 1.77 inches) Our weather of late has been quite even tempered, mild and mostly dry with of course a few showers to settle the dust. It could easily be summed up as ‘Average’, in fact by comparison to last year, very similar. But then this is an English Summer. |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 31/7/2011 at: 09:21 Location: Drimpton "Where are we?" “Where are we?†These words were asked at speed as a large group of lycra-dressed cyclists raced through the village soon after 8.00am this morning, Sunday 31st July. A fellow cyclist announced it was “Drimptonâ€, and the conversation ended. More and more cyclists raced through in large groups, in ones and twos, some solo. “Good morningâ€, several called out to prove how fit they were. No signs of breathlessness. What was going on? This was the first Euro-style Gran Fondo event to be held in the UK complete with the world-famous Eddy Merckx. A field of 1000 riders – yes, 1000 – were competing on either a short course of 64miles or a longer one of 104miles through much of Dorset and part of Somerset. From their weekend base at Cricket St Thomas the riders set off in groups of 50 with a 2-minute interval between groups. All riders had to set off between 8.00am and 9.00am and the ones on the longer route came through Drimpton on their way via Bridport, Dorchester, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Castle Cary, Somerton, Martock, Hinton St George before returning to Cricket St Thomas - riding a ‘secret course’ revealed to the riders as they went. As the racers rushed through the village a couple of motorbikes carrying cameramen filming the event swept by. Another motorbike – worryingly labelled as ‘Ambulance’ – reminded everyone that not everyone might be going to have ‘a good day’ ! Where are they now at 10.15am? Racing through the leafy lanes of rural Dorset, amazing villagers in other villages. |
| Submitted by: Amos On: 27/7/2011 at: 13:28 Location: Drimpton St Mary's Church, Flower Festival Once again the Flower Festival in St Mary's Church was a wonderful success. The theme 'Who Were You,' from the book by Andrew Pastor, produced some very exotic, and memorable flower arrangements, again showing how much talent there is in the community. The weekend finished with a Combined Songs of Praise in St Mary's Church which was very well attended. Well done to everyone who participated in this annual event. The sermon preached at the service now follows. The Pharisees asked Jesus, which commandment in the law is the greatest. He told them, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The Flower Festival this year has chosen a theme that we can all relate to, and that is people. Andrew Pastor's chronicle is primarily about people, their jobs, their lives, and their interaction with those around them. It describes how people's lives were changed with the passing of time, some of whom remained in the community, and continue to do so, whilst others, particularly in the 19th century, made their way into the wider world looking for work, as working patterns changed. This to some extent fractured previously tightly knit communities. As I read the book, and I have to admit not having read it all, sorry Andrew, I wondered if those named in the book ever wondered that their lives would become the focus of so much interest. Would they have considered whether they had anything of value to pass on to the next generation or would their values, their aspirations, and their culture just continue? Then of course there is the community which we are a part of today, will it too be explored by another Jane Marsden, and Andrew Pastor in say a hundred or so years time? Doesn’t this lead us to think about how vitally important our community is to our well-being and the general well-being of those around us, as well as how our relationship with our neighbours will be perceived by future generations? Although I was born in the County, I have no recollection of my brief stay here. It was only when I successfully applied for a position with Bedfordshire County Council, a link developed when it became evident that my boss Eric Crabb had a noticeably different accent from the rest of us. ‘He comes from Dorset,’ I was told. ‘They all talk like that down there.’ Surprisingly, very little was known about Eric. What we did know was that periodically he headed to somewhere in the County, where he spent time on his allotment, and did repairs to his house. It was also known that he attended Oxford University. That was it. It was only when I moved to Drimpton that much more began to be revealed about Eric, and how extensive the Crabb dynasty really was, and how important the community was to him, and how much the community thought of him. Thanks to Andrew we can all find out about families such as the Hills, the Bussells, the Studleys, the Forseys and many others that lived in this area and who continue to do so for many generations. For someone like myself who takes funerals, such a reference book is of enormous value. Looking back, what made Drimpton a closely-knit community? Undoubtedly it was this interdependence. The men went out to work on the land, some worked as wheelwrights, dairymen, carters; some of the women working in the flax mill at Greenham; and boys worked as plough boys even as young as 8. In all these examples they were working for an employer through which strong ties were formed. The employer needed them, and they needed the employer. Social mobility was not always an option. Others of course serviced the community by making and repairing shoes, running the school, the pub and the church. This collective responsibility nurtured a caring and responsible community. As I believe Andrew says, it would be naïve however to suggest that this was a form of Utopia; our different personalities, and social upbringing always bring positive as well as negative results. Like all communities there were good times, hard times, family breakdowns, family celebrations, and no doubt village rows. Quoting Andrew's very succinct observations, 'Like some clockwork machine, the community worked, oiled and maintained by everyone in their own ways. It survived hardship. It built, it grew. It celebrated when it could. It pulled together when it had to.' Change to this equilibrium was gradual, but nevertheless change did take place. And it is this interaction, which is so important; because the more you have of it the more vibrant and caring is that community. For me, as a newcomer, Drimpton continues to be a caring, and very friendly community. Some of us new arrivals in our enthusiasm to participate in village life may try and change things too quickly; and perhaps I have been guilty of that. But nevertheless new ideas are vital for the growth of a community. Such changes, however, must be done sympathetically, and communicated effectively to gain the support of all sections of the community, the young, the middle-aged and the elderly. Some aspects of life described in Andrew's book have sadly been lost across all communities in our country. People did pay more attention to their spirituality, perhaps because life for many was harder, and very unpredictable. Religion had something to offer across all social classes so that worshipping God was considered essential. This, of course, is what Jesus tried to get across, that first of all we should love God. Gospels' writers nurtured the ‘Jesus habit’ of drawing out of a treasure of past as well as present events, the new and the old, so that the good news could be relevant to their own times. So what is this good news? Well, it is about loving God. Loving God does not mean that we do not question; God does not expect us to lapse into mental slavery. To love God is to turn to God and this involves the heart, which is the seat of the intellect. In other words our brains, our talents, our minds and all our thinking are to be offered up to God in love. To achieve this we have to engage steadfastly, sincerely and intelligently with scripture in order to find out what God has in store for his creation, and our role in it. This is a costly calling, and that is where strength, might and soul come in as this embraces all the resources in its diversity that we bring, together with that of our neighbours, to the task, with energy, passion and perseverance. Strength and might is not about power, force and domination. That is the logic of the world. The gospel logic is the power of love that propels us to get up and act. That is why the second command is so closely linked to the first; 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' To love and serve God means that we must mirror God’s nature in our obedience. We must love others. This is not love in some abstract way. It must be expressed in pragmatic acts of open hospitality, honest and just living, exercising fair and just relationships between people as well as nations, managing our creation with integrity, welcoming those on the margins of our society, respecting those whose lives are different from us. Loving ones neighbour could be equally translated as ‘you shall love your neighbour, for he or she is as you are'. Referring back to Eric Crabb again, as Head of Personnel he used to continually remind us to treat people in the same way as we ourselves would like to be treated. What can be more straightforward than that? A Persian poet has put it all in a single stanza: No one could tell me what my soul might be I searched for God and God eluded me; I sought my brother and found all three, My soul, my God, and all humanity. A small boy wrote to God for help. His letter addressed simply ‘To God.’ Asked if he could send £50 to buy food and clothing badly needed for his family. He said that his father was out of work and his mother was ill and they had no money. A Post office official intercepted the letter and read it. He decided to give it to the local Rotary Club. The Club investigated and found the family was indeed destitute. However as they only had £40 in their benevolent fund they gave that. Some weeks later the post office official noticed another letter addressed to God. He opened it and read, 'Dear God, thanks for the money you sent, but next time could you deal direct? Those Rotary blokes took a commission out of it.' |
| Submitted by: Norman On: 25/7/2011 at: 21:19 Location: Drimpton Red Arrows over Drimpton - it really happened! The eagle-eyed of Drimpton may have spotted the Red Arrows in two formations flying over the village on Saturday (23rd July). Timed at 11.55 am they were on their way to perform a display at Lyme Regis at 12 noon. So we may be confident that The Red Arrows will be able to find Drimpton on Fun Day! We can just hope the weather is as good as it was on Saturday. |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 24/7/2011 at: 09:44 Location: Drimpton RAF Red Arrows Over Drimpton Part 2 Last year the world famous RAF aerobatic team, which has appeared in the skies across the world, was due to fill the sky over Drimpton, on our annual FUN DAY. But low cloud got in the way! Well, fingers crossed for sunshine on SATURDAY AUGUST 20th this year, because the Reds are due to fly past at 3.50pm precisely to close the day of traditional fun and games. And not only that, but they have offered a very special, once-in-a-lifetime prize for the Grand Draw - ‘A DAY FOR 2 with THE REDS’! Mike S, the chair of the Fun Day Committee, and formerly with the RAF, says: “Last year the Reds couldn’t fly because of the weather. They realised how much the village had been looking forward to them appearing, so they wanted to make up for it. This prize is an amazing offer. The lucky winners will travel to the Reds’ base in Lincolnshire. They will meet the pilots and their engineers, watch a display from the control tower, and have their photo taken with the pilots and one of their iconic planes. Then they will be involved in the debriefing session before having a light lunch with the pilots. It doesn’t come any better! The village is amazed to have such a prize in our Grand Draw. At a time when money is tight and village communities are under pressure The Red Arrows are helping us help ourselves. We cannot thank them enough.†Mike S also says: “The Red Arrows are great supporters of charities in the UK with various sponsored events on the ground and in the air. For example, when I saw them on Friday 22nd July they were preparing to display at Lyme Regis the following day in support of the RNLI. Zane (Red 9) and David (Red 6) are very pleased to be supporting their mentor Silverback (a.k.a. Mike S) and Drimpton good causes. They are particularly pleased to support the development of the Village Hall disabled toilets and the Youth Club. They remember the village very fondly from their visits and look forward to coming to Drimpton at the end of the season for a weekend to say bon voyage to Zane who is off to Australia to fly F18 fighters with the Australian Air Force. David also finishes with the Reds but he is going to Afghanistan to support our efforts there.†Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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| Submitted by: Heskie On: 21/7/2011 at: 06:44 Location: Litton Cheney Horticultural Society visit to Ourganics Litton Cheney may seem somewhat off the village archive map, but the Garden Club [a.k.a. The Clapton, Wayford & District Horticultural Society], holding their Wednesday evening meeting there, brought it much closer to home. Rather than invite Pat Bowcock, whose brainchild and labour of love "Ourganics" is to be found at Litton Cheney to talk to us here in Drimpton, we travelled the 15 miles to see permaculture in action. There she runs 7 acres of managed water-meadow, with no mains water or electricity. Pat says: "I grow food, chop wood, cook over an open fire, collect water, share food with others, use a compost loo and live in a simple building with basic material possessions using energy directly from the wind and sun. I have learned to trust that all my needs will always be perfectly met - though not always in the way I expect." It is a demanding way of life, which we witnessed for ourselves, some inspired, others daunted, and all grateful to Pat for showing us her work and lending us her wonderful hospitality. Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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| Submitted by: Heskie On: 20/7/2011 at: 16:17 Location: Drimpton Royal Oak Folk Session Last night (Tuesday) was the second of the monthly Folk Sessions in the Royal Oak, to which Chris and family have invited anyone who enjoys playing or listening. There was a bigger crowd last night, with more musicians, including Harry from over the road on keyboard. Chris and the girls kindly provided some food too - so it was a brilliant evening all round. Instruments (and I am sorry if I have missed any) included: human voice, guitar, accordion, recorder, castanets, flute, concertina, didgeridoo (made from a solid piece of oak) fiddle, tambourine, mouth organ and a bodhran. Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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| Submitted by: Barbarella On: 15/7/2011 at: 17:25 Location: Beaminster Visit to Forde Abbey A group of primary school children from St. Mary's, Beaminster, together with their teachers, came to visit Forde Abbey on Thursday, 7th July. I am a guide there and we began their tour in the Great Hall. Sue told the children about the Cistercian monks who had built the Abbey in 1148 and the important work carried out by the last Abbot, Thomas Chard. I then told the children about the changes made by Edmund Prideaux, MP for Lyme Regis and Attorney General to Oliver Cromwell. Prideaux made the Abbey his home in 1649. Les came into the Hall in a Cistercian monk's costume to show the children how they used to dress. The three of us then took the children around the house, showing them the Mortlake Tapestries, the 21' long refectory table felled in 1948 from a 400 year old oak tree and the children showed great interest in the many things they saw in every room. They were taken into the monk's dormitory and we explained to the children how the monks spent their time in prayer and how they worked on the farm We concluded their visit in the Chapel where they were allowed to play the organ with the Master who happened to be there that morning. We took them into the gardens to feed the fish in the Great Lake, although it was mainly the ducks and swans who enjoyed the food. The children visited the kitchen garden and identified the produce, picking a few broad beans to try. Heather had made shortbread and flapjacks for the children, so after their treat, we took them into the kitchens where they guessed the uses of things from Victorian times, warming pans, irons and knife sharpeners, amongst other things. All the children were extremely well behaved and they said how much they liked Forde Abbey. It was a very successful visit and will, hopefully, help the children to appreciate their local history. |
| Submitted by: Heskie On: 11/7/2011 at: 19:02 Location: Drimpton Visit to Highgrove The Horticultural Society, members and friends, over 50 of us in all, enjoyed a fascinating trip to Highgrove Gardens. HRH The Prince of Wales has spent 30 years transforming the grounds of Highgrove through a mix of the traditional and the imaginative - his imagination and that of designers and gardeners. Who else for example could have received a gift of carved doors from India and then designed and had built a garden building to hang them? Our guide, Caroline brought out the detail of how the gardens have reached their present state and continue to develop. Cameras are not allowed in the gardens, for security reasons, so the photograph is of our happy band snapped shortly after departure. Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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