South Perrott and Chedington Newsletter
Issue 82 April/May 2025
Spring is in the air; the days are getting longer and the hedgerows are beginning to turn green. The early blossom has been very impressive. Let’s hope that it doesn’t turn too cold so that we can enjoy the great outdoors in our wonderful surroundings The Editors
Chedington Village Hall
Our coffee mornings in Chedington Village Hall take place on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30am. The next ones are on Saturday 5th April and Saturday 3rd May. Tea, coffee and delicious homemade cakes are served and all are welcome. Donations towards Village Hall funds are appreciated.
South Perrott Village Hall
The Village Hall hosts the SP Café on most Saturday mornings from 10am until midday. Everyone is welcome to come along, enjoy a coffee/tea and a cake, have a chat with your friends, use the internet (free of charge) and generally relax. PCSO Alex Bishop will be with us on 5th April and 3rd May 2025. Alex hopes to meet many residents so please come and enjoy a coffee and a chat with your local PCSO. Please note that there will be no café on Saturday 26th April.
On Saturday 26th April, we will be holding a St George’s Day dinner. We will be serving a traditional roast beef meal with a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival and, of course, there will be a cash bar throughout. Ticket price is £16 and we require a £5 deposit. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. If you would like to attend, please contact Chris on 892330.
Family Bingo – Friday 25th April in South Perrott Village Hall. Doors open at 6pm with eyes down at 6.30pm. Lots of prizes. Contact Ann 01935 891224 for more information
SPLottery – 2025/26
Thanks are extended yet again to all our SPLottery supporters over the past year and to all those people who are continuing for another year. The first draw of the new year will be held in April. If you would like to join our very own “SPLottery”, each number costs £12 per year. Please email Hilary on hilary.spvillage@gmail.com for further details. The lucky winners for February and March were the holders of numbers 44, 75, 71 and 41, 25, 27 respectively. Hilary
South Perrott Coffee Club
The next coffee clubs are on Monday 7th April hosted by Ella in Barn Cottage (01935 891065) and on Monday 5th May hosted by Patsy and Peter in Pattens Cottage (891292).
South Perrott Annual Village Meeting
The Annual Village meeting is being held on Tuesday 29th April at 7pm in South Perrott Village Hall (doors open at 6:30). This is NOT a Parish Council Meeting although it is chaired by the Chair of SP Parish Council. It is a residents’ meeting to raise issues that you wish to discuss and which will be taken forward to a future Parish Council meeting as appropriate. Please come along and have your say or maybe just listen. Everyone is welcome. Invited guests include Wessex Internet, presenting on full fibre ultrafast broadband, BT, presenting on Digital Voice, and Dorset Councillor Craig Monks. Yvonne Sullivan will also be available to discuss South Perrott’s progress towards becoming a ‘Plastic Free Community’. This year’s meeting will be different to those held previously as tables will be arranged in groups (not chairs in theatre style) to provide an opportunity to share comments and information. There will be a licensed bar and nibbles available making it a social as well as an informative occasion.
Big Breakfasts 2024/25
A big thank you to everyone who came to support our Winter season of Big Breakfasts in South Perrott Village Hall. Our newly introduced Jumbo Big Breakfasts proved to be very popular, and we shall be continuing those in our next season. The four Big Breakfasts together raised a total of £794 to support the running of the Village Hall.
The BB Team
Chedington and South Perrott Gardening Club
On Wednesday 9th April, Bridget Knightly will be talking about plant propagation and on Wednesday 7th May, Corinne Price will be telling us about Marble Hill Gardens. Meetings start at 7.30pm and all are welcome.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you rely on off-peak electric storage radiators for your heating, your electricity meter will have a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) to control the switching pattern. This technology will no longer work after 30th June 2025. Contact your energy supplier who will need to fit a Smart Meter. This does not apply if you already have a Smart Meter.
South Perrott Village Fête – Sunday 3rd August 2025
Planning is beginning for this major event and we are looking for volunteers to help in whatever way they can. If you able to volunteer and would like to help, please let me, Dave McSkelly, know on 01935 891891 or davemcskelly@gmail.com.
The Church Electoral Roll 2025
A completely new electoral roll is prepared every six years (the last one was in 2019) and 2025 is Year 6. Being on the electoral roll offers you the chance to be heard on matters associated with the church. It costs nothing to join and doesn’t commit you to anything; it simply gives you a voice on the future of the church in your community – in this case South Perrott and Chedington. As the secretary of the PCC, I will be issuing forms in South Perrott and Chedington. Please return to Sue by 25th April 2025.
Sue Coutanche, Secretary (sue.coutanche@btinternet.com)
Footpath Update
The sandstone tracks are being regularly used, in all weather and at all times of the day, by walkers from both South Perrott and Mosterton. This is not surprising as the official footpaths are often waterlogged and, in places, ankle deep in mud. The farmers have erected gates to prevent their use by motor vehicles. I have been informed recently that a gate for pedestrian access to the track that starts opposite the Engineer’s Road in Picket Lane has been ordered.
Bailey’s Lane Bridleway through the river and the steps leading down from the permissive path are very overgrown. This is due to lack of use as access to the Millennium Green can be gained across the Environment Agency’s flood control area now that they have unlocked the pedestrian gate on the Engineer’s Road.
I’m pleased to report that Lecher Lane is currently almost mud free! This is thanks to the tenant farmers, who have purchased a bucket and brush (not suitable for the kitchen floor!) that fits onto a tractor to scoop mud off of the road and into the bucket. This equipment is being kept permanently at Hill Farm in Lecher Lane.
In late January Dorset Council were busy in South Perrott clearing ditches and drainage grips which, together with Martyn’s diligence in unblocking drains and gullies, has prevented any significant flooding in the village despite the recent severe storms.
Cllr. Sue Coutanche, Footpath Officer
Volunteers Needed
South Perrott Parish Council has allocated money to purchase two planters to be placed at the bottom of School Hill where it joins Pipplepen Lane. Before these planters are purchased the PC needs one or two volunteers to commit to maintaining them. Can you help? Please contact Mark, clerk@southperrottparishcouncil.org
South Perrott Parish Council (SPPC) Meeting – 5th March 2025
Below is an outline of the main topics covered in this meeting. Full details are available in the draft minutes which are posted on the Parish Council noticeboard and on www.southperrottparishcouncil.org. In attendance were four councillors, Clerk Mark Payne and DC Councillor, Craig Monks. Apologies were received from Cllr. Robin Ketteridge and PCSO Alex Bishop. Alex will be in SP Village Hall (Saturday Café) on 5th April and 3rd May to provide an update and meet the parishioners (see the “What’s On” page).
- Maintenance of verges: Terence has agreed to maintain verges in Manor Close, including the hedges.
- Wessex Internet have informed SPPC of forthcoming road closures in Pipplepen Lane from 10-17th March and in Church Hill from the 12th – 23rd May, and have confirmed that access will be maintained for residents. Wessex Internet has been invited to the Village Meeting on 29th April so it is an opportunity for clarification and questions on implementation and timescale.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger: It was suggested that the Village Hall Car Park might be a suitable location for a public EV Charging point. The VH Committee are currently considering the viability of this site as further investigation has raised a number of issues, which would need to be resolved before it could go ahead.
- Digital Voice: SPPC have spoken to a BT Official and they will give a presentation either in person or via video link at the Annual Village Meeting. Some residents have already been transferred to Digital Voice.
- 5G Signal: The installation of a 5G Mast for the village is being pursued by SPPC.
- Annual Village Meeting 29th April at 7pm in SPVH: See details on the front page.
- Finance: SPPC Bank Balance as at 05/08/2025 was £7,936.99.
- SPPC Precept 2025/6 – this has been agreed as £6,000, a 0% (zero) increase on last year’s budget. SPPC’s budget accounts for a very small percentage of the total Council Tax paid by residents which, due to significant pressure, especially from adult social services, Dorset Council has increased by 5%.
- Neighbour Car Scheme: A budget of £527.32 has been transferred to SPPC and ring-fenced to enable further discussion about continuation of the scheme.
- Environment: Plastic Free Community – Yvonne Sullivan reported on the progress in making South Perrott a plastic free community. Information about the initiative can be found on the Surfers Against Sewage website. A steering group has been set up and some first steps have been agreed to raise awareness. They have also agreed to organise a village litter pick.
- River/Flood Warden’s Report: The start of the New Year had seen a further two major storms to hit the UK and Ireland and Martyn was pleased to report that, apart from the usual A356 road flooding in the dip on the way to Crewkerne, no other flooding problems were experienced in the village.
- Dorset Councillor’s Update: Cllr. Craig Monks reported on the following:
- Dorset Council budget – 5% increase; SPPC 0% increase!
- 24-hour parking charges have been postponed subject to a review;
- Rural Bus services – Following extra funding from Central Government the CR6 to Bridport will operate on Saturdays and the CB3 timetable will be reviewed to link with the CR6 service through Beaminster;
- Damaged railings by the River Parrett on A356 – Craig has taken up their repair with DC Highways and will follow this up if no action is taken in the next few weeks.
- Other matters covered were the arrival of donated trees and closer working Town & Parish Councils.
- Footpath Officer’s Report: See Footpath Update for information.
- Planters in School Hill / Pipplepen Lane: See item “Volunteers”
- Deputy River Warden: Louise Syddell has been appointed as deputy to Martyn, the River/Flood Warden, and will be concentrating on the south side of the village i.e. Pipplepen Lane, School Hill and its vicinity.
- Tree Warden: Andy Syddell has been appointed to this role.
- Welcome Pack: SPPC have produced a ‘Welcome Pack’ containing leaflets, publications and information, which will be issued to new residents.
- First Aid Course: – Ten residents attended this course on 1st February held in SPVH and paid for by SPPC. The feedback was positive. It may be repeated in the future.
- Parish Council Website: Tom Scott-Malden is responsible for maintaining the website and regularly uploads all the relevant information including contacts and minutes.
- Planning: Full details of all applications plus public comments can be viewed at:
www.planning.dorset.gov.uk/online-applications/
- P/FUL/2024/06664 Shepherd huts at Picket Lane Nursery – Decision is awaited.
- WD/ENF/20/00041 Parrett Hotel Enforcement notice – Cllr Footitt confirmed that following an inspection the Enforcement Notice had been lifted. The property is now a 9-bedroom hotel plus living quarters registered as one property.
- P/NOTP/2025/00915 Telephone Box – BT has applied to have this removed despite another part of BT reinstating the line to the box. SPPC have responded objecting to its removal.
Date of next meeting: Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 6th May 2025 at 7pm in SP Village Hall followed by the Ordinary Meeting.
South Perrott Parish Councillors
| Councillor | Telephone No. | e-mail Address |
| Richard Footitt (Chairman) | 01935 891115 | cllrrichardfootitt@southperrottparishcouncil.org |
| Robin Ketteridge (Vice Chairman) | cllrrobinketteridge@southperrottparishcouncil.org | |
| Tom Scott-Malden | 07830 115743 | cllrtomscottmalden@southperrottparishcouncil.org |
| Martyn Gillingham | 01935 891931 | cllrmartyngillingham@southperrottparishcouncil.org |
| Sue Coutanche | 07971 979155 | cllrsuecoutanche@southperrottparishcouncil.org |
Clerk to the Parish Council
| Mark Payne | clerk@southperrottparishcouncil.org |
Dorset Councillor for Beaminster Electoral Division
| Craig Monks | 01305 225968 | cllrcraig.monks@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk |
Parish Champions
| Digital Champion | Jonathan Baker | 07903 995696. | jonathan@southperrott.com |
| Listed Buildings Champion | Martyn Gillingham | 01935 891931 | mcvgillingham@btinternet.com |
Editors – Pump and Pound
| Dave McSkelly | 01935 891891 | davemcskelly@gmail.com |
| Sue Coutanche | 01935 891019 | sue.coutanche@btinternet.com |
What’s On in South Perrott and Chedington?
| April 2025 | Time | Event | Venue | Contact | |||||
| Saturday | 5th | 10:30 | Coffee Morning | Chedington Village Hall | Sam | – | 07939 106381 | ||
| 10:00 | Alex Bishop @ SP Café | SP Village Hall | Dave | – | 891891 | ||||
| Monday | 7th | 11:00 | Coffee Club | Barn Cottage | Ella | – | 891065 | ||
| Wednesday | 9th | 19:30 | Garden Club with Bridget Knightly | Chedington Village Hall | Dave | – | 891891 | ||
| Friday | 25th | 18:00 | Family Bingo | SP Village Hall | Ann | – | 891224 | ||
| Saturday | 26th | 18:30 | St George’s Day Dinner | SP Village Hall | Chris | – | 892330 | ||
| Tuesday | 29th | 18:30 | SP Annual Village Meeting | SP Village Hall | Mark | ||||
| May 2025 | Time | Event | Venue | Contact | |||||
| Saturday | 3rd | 10:30 | Coffee Morning | Chedington Village Hall | Sam | – | 07939 106381 | ||
| 10:00 | Alex Bishop @ SP Café | SP Village Hall | Dave | – | 891891 | ||||
| Monday | 5th | 11:00 | Coffee Club | Pattens Cottage | Patsy/Peter | – | 891292 | ||
| Tuesday | 6th | 19:00 | SP Parish Council | SP Village Hall | Mark | ||||
| Wednesday | 7th | 19:30 | Garden Club with Corinne Price | Chedington Village Hall | Dave | – | 891891 | ||
Regular Events –Spring 2025
| Day | Time | Event | Venue | Contact | ||
| Every Saturday | 10:00 | Café (not 26th April) | SP Village Hall | Dave | – | 891891 |
| Every Monday | 19:00 | Short Mat Bowls | SP Village Hall | Doreen | – | 891431 |
| Every Wednesday | 09:30 | Yoga | SP Village Hall | Jane | – | 07925148222 |
| Every Thursday | 18:00 | Steel Drums Session | SP Village Hall | Mike | – | 07762 260582 |
Future Diary Dates
Sunday 22nd June Strawberries & Cream Teas at Bridge Farmhouse.
To keep up to date with village events view:
| Facebook Pages (“like” and “share”): | |
| South Perrott | www.facebook.com/SouthPerrott |
| Chedington | www.facebook.com/ChedingtonVillage |
| South Perrott Parish Council website | www.southperrottparishcouncil.org |
Local Contacts:
Chedington Village Hall: South Perrott Village Hall:
Chairman Sam Mackenzie-Green 07939 106381 Chairman Dave McSkelly 01935 891891
Bookings Rosemary Sanderson 07813 983821 Secretary Angela Gillingham 01935 891931
Email chedingtonvh@gmail.com Bookings SouthPerrottVillageHall@gmail.com
or Chris Kennett 01935 892330
Wynyard’s Gap Lucy/Bron 01935 891244 Parrett Hotel James/Yvonne 01935 891355
St Mary’s Church: Millennium Green
Church Warden Christine Howard 01460 76405 Secretary Martyn Gillingham 01935 891931
Treasurer Matthew Godley
Secretary Sue Coutanche sue.coutanche@btinternet.com
South Perrott Footpaths Officer
Sue Coutanche 07971 979155/01935 891019 CB3 Bus Service (Saturdays) 07716 643087
Issue 83 of The Pump & Pound, covering June and July 2025, will be published at the end of May. Contributions should be sent to Sue or Dave by Friday 23rd May.
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