| ‘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: andrew On: 2/12/2013 at: 11:25 Location: Drimpton Clarence Hooper's Land-Rover - further news From Andrew Munden, the current owner: "As is usually the way when researching history some information comes to light which helps to build a better picture and some generates further questions! In the world of old Land-Rovers Clarence’s vehicle is quite unusual in its originality. The original Land-Rover was introduced in 1948 and remained in production until 1958 when it was improved – at which point the original vehicles became known as Series Ones. These are now highly sought after but by people who still like to use them as they were intended, very few sit in collections or museums. Given that the youngest is now approaching 56 years old, the vast majority of survivors have been restored, rebuilt or significantly changed in some way with most having new paintwork and canvas hoods. Clarence’s vehicle on the other hand has survived 57 years still with its original paintwork, seats and hood which makes it pretty unique. Since we have owned it we have overhauled the engine, replaced the wiring (the original was covered in rubber insulation which unsurprisingly had perished) and replaced the spare tyre which was original (but again cracking and perishing). We are therefore conserving and preserving carefully it rather restoring it. The original story passed down to us when we bought it, was that Clarence had a smallholding in addition to the pub and used the vehicle just around the village, looking after it carefully hence its condition. I wonder whether some of this could be true – from the references in the Village Voices extract it seems that he was noted for his home-produced cheese? Equally there is the intriguing reference from Pat Read to Clarence’s ‘little truck’ that he used in connection with work for the Council during the day. I wonder whether this was pre-war or whether it might have been his Land-Rover that he used? By 1988 care of the vehicle had passed to Mr Philip Read of Thorns Farm, Chaffcombe near Chard, Somerset and it first appeared in the records of the Land Rover Series One Club in their Newsletter No 45 of October 1988. It appears to have been stored for the next 12 years during which time ownership formally transferred to Mr Read on the 1 March 1993. This might confirm that he was a relative of Clarence as if the vehicle had been sold ownership was transferred in 1988. In April 2000 the vehicle was overhauled by Mr J Churchill of Horse Shoe Farm, Hawkchurch near Axminster, Devon to return it to the road. We understand that sadly Mr Read died at a young age and the vehicle was therefore transferred to his father Mr Ben Read of Moorings, Shiremoor Hill, Merriott on the 3rd August 2005. We have tried to track down Mr Read but received no reply when we wrote (he was still shown in the phone book for Merriott in 2010). So every small piece of information is valuable in establishing the history of this rare survivor that will now remain in our family for good. If anyone remembers anything – as Mark did – we would be delighted to hear from them. Who knows we might always be able to bring it back to the Royal Oak one day! As an aside, when I wrote to the website I mentioned my family connections with the area. My great great aunt (I think!) was Emmy Case who lived in Broadwindsor for most of her life. She died in the late 1970s but not before being interviewed by Rolf Harris when the BBC radio programme ‘Down Your Way’ came to Broadwindsor in about 1974 or 1975. Another relative was the Methodist Minister in Bridport in the early part of the 20th century so I still feel a great affinity for that part of Dorset." Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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| Submitted by: andrew On: 1/12/2013 at: 15:49 Location: Drimpton extracts from December Village Newsletter MON 2nd DEC: ADVENT LUNCH at the Village Hall from 12.30pm Hot Meal only £7 per person - Everyone Welcome - Grand 100 Club Draw, Raffle To be sure of a place, telephone Jane Marsden - For St. Mary’s Church SUN 8th DEC at 11.00am: CHRISTINGLE at St Mary’s Church A Service for all children aged 0 to 100+ Led by Neville Adams…………Supporting The Children’s Society **** WED 4th DEC: FILM CLUB at the VILLAGE HALL at 7.30pm ‘FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD’ – the classic film Julie Christie as the beautiful and fiercely independent, Bathsheba Everdene; Alan Bates as the wise and caring Gabriel Oak; Terence Stamp as the greedy, unstable Frank Troy and Peter Finch as the isolated, but well-meaning farmer Boldwood. ***** Volunteers needed at the HALL on SAT 30th NOV from 10.30am: Helping shift stuff to the brand new SHED! and on FRI 6th DEC from 10.00am: DECORATING THE VILLAGE HALL for CHRISTMAS SAT 7th DEC: COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING At the Village Hall from 10.30am to 12.00pm With Special Christmas Hot Dogs! ….Real Coffee & Great Cakes Sale of the Youth Club’s Christmas Cards in aid of the NSPCC & Christmas Draw And THE LAST FEW TICKETS FOR THE VILLAGE HALL’s 90th BIRTHDAY PARTY **** WED 11th DEC: CHRISTMAS LUNCH at the Village Hall from 12.30pm….This is a reminder to ALL ticket holders. FRI 13th DEC: YOUTH CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY at the Village Hall from 6.30 to 8.00pm – Lots of FUN & GAMES. Plus PRIZES! **** MONDAY 16th DEC from 6.30pm C A R O L S R O U N D T H E V I L L A G E Each year Drimpton Carollers meet up to sing. No previous experience and precious little musical talent are needed! We always raise funds for charities for the Homeless. Wrap up against the cold, wear wellies, and bring a torch to help light our way and read the words. We also need door-to-door collectors. If you’d just like to rattle a tin, please come along. Our starting point is at the end of Applefield Road, by the bollards. The carollers will then divide into two equal groups and hope to sing to the whole village! Please, everyone, listen out for us. Finally, refreshments at the Village Hall for the Choir! **** SUN 22nd DEC at 6.30pm: CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE at Netherhay Methodist Chapel Enjoy singing your favourite Carols! Followed by coffee and mince pies All welcome. **** WED 25th DEC at 9.30am: CHRISTMAS DAY at St Mary’s Church A Family Eucharist led by The Very Revd. David Shearlock on this special day in the Christian Calendar………………………All welcome **** PUB NEWS & EVENTS: SUNS DEC 1st & JAN 5th: QUIZ NIGHT from c8.00pm – Bring a team or join one TUES DEC 3rd : FOLK NIGHT from c9.00pm – For Musicians & Audience v NO FOOD SERVED from 23rd DEC to 2nd JAN inclusive v HOURS over the Christmas period: 25th DEC – 12 till 2pm 26th DEC – 12 till 6pm 27th DEC – 12 till 2pm, 6pm till late 28th DEC – 6pm till late TUES DEC 31st : NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY! 6.00pm till very late! With FREE FOOD & Dancing in The Square at Midnight Steak Nights on Wednesday Evenings **** Wessex Water Works Work continues at a steady pace. Major work under both streams is complete. Extra digging has been required due to presence of BT lines, but hopefully that requirement will reduce. Work is still running according to the schedule. |
| Submitted by: stanleyG On: 1/12/2013 at: 11:31 Location: Drimpton Rainfall at Drimpton Cross in November 2013 RAINFALL AT DRIMPTON CROSS- NOVEMBER 2013 54.75 mm (2012 217.mm) OR 2.17 inches (2012 8.63ins) The very dry weather in the latter part of November has resulted in the much reduced rainfall figures in comparison to the same period last year, but we could probably do with some more frosty weather to kill off some of the bugs that trouble us next Spring, and which would help break up the soil in our vegetable plots. That of course is balanced out by the need to keep warm ! |
| Submitted by: Admin On: 3/11/2013 at: 15:31 Location: Drimpton Clarence Hooper and his Land Rover This message was sent to the Drimpton website from Mr Andrew Munden A few years ago my wife and I bought an old Land Rover that was first registered on the 14th February 1957 and it remains in virtually original condition, having been carefully looked after for many years. We have slowly been tracing its history and a copy of the original registration record from the Somerset County Archive in Taunton shows that it was supplied by Land Rover to Males Garages Ltd in Yeovil and first registered to Mr Clarence W Hooper of The Royal Oak Inn, Bridport Road, Drimpton. We understand that Mr Hooper used it until the late 1980s and after 10 years in store he passed it on to Mr P Read who may have been his nephew. We wonder if anyone in the village remembers Mr Hooper as the landlord of the Royal Oak and whether they might recall his old Land Rover? Coincidentally, although we didn't know where the car had spent most of its life when we bought it, I had family connections with Bridport and a relative who lived in Broadwindsor until the 1970s so we are particularly interested in filling in as much history of both the car and its owners as possible. I believe that Mr Hooper was living at Netherhay by the time he passed the vehicle on to Mr Read in 1993. We would love to know whether he was the landlord of the Royal Oak and if so when? The story goes that he was something of a hobby farmer as well and used the Land Rover for this; it has only driven around 29,000 miles since 1957. In case it would help jog anyone's memory I have attached a photograph showing it today. Thank you for any assistance that you can offer us. If anyone has information that would help Mr Munden in his research, please let the Village Voices team know via the contact page of this website or post a reply using the 'Add a comment' option of this entry (option only visible if you are logged in as a contributor). Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
Comment from: Admin On: 10/11/2013 at: 15:22 Email from Mark Doble Just read the piece about Clarence Hooper. Remember the land rover going round Drimpton, as I lived at Greenham from (1962-1984). Back of the land rover had the brown sheet for the roof, as it would have been when it was new, and you could look right in there and see him driving, as their was no partition between the cab and the back. |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 2/11/2013 at: 14:56 Location: Drimpton THE VILLAGE HALL'S 90th BIRTHDAY VILLAGE HALL’s 90th BIRTHDAY PARTY On FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th from 7.00pm till LATE Including TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS SHOW (with Special Seasonal Guest!) SPECIAL ONE-OFF VILLAGE PLAY with a cast of 1000s (almost!) GREAT FOOD (for which Drimpton is famous!) DANCE (for those with ‘Strictly’ skills!) All this for just £3.50!! - Tickets are limited. Early booking is advised. Available from Committee Members, The Pub and at the Community Coffee Morning. [Event part-funded by grant from Fun Day.] [£1.50 per ticket to support Clic Sargent, Cancer & Leukaemia in Childhood.] |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 2/11/2013 at: 14:53 Location: Drimpton extracts from November newsletter Thanks: Quiz & Puds Evening 18th October, on a balmy evening, 13 teams took part in eating a wide range of delicious puddings, and even finding time to answer some quiz questions! The Red Dragons team was once again outright winners with two teams sharing second place and third place close behind. Many thanks to Bob for organising the Quiz and to Rosemary and the ladies who prepared and served the puddings, which were too numerous to list. **** PUB NEWS: SUNS NOV 3rd & DEC 1st : QUIZ NIGHT from c8.00pm – Bring a team or join one TUES NOV 5th: FOLK NIGHT from c9.00pm – For Musicians & Audience SAT NOV 16th: LIVE MUSIC from ‘DOUBLE DEALING’ from c.9pm Starting on SUN 3rd NOV: ROAST SUNDAY LUNCHES - 2 for £12 **** WED 6th NOV: FILM CLUB at the VILLAGE HALL at 7.30pm ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’ – Jos Whedon’s take on Shakespeare’s play set in California. Filmed in black-and-white over 10 days. A charming and witty triumph! FRI 8th NOV: COFFEE MORNING from 10.30am to 12.00pm At Easterhill, Bridport Road, Drimpton (By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Roy Harding) Bring & Buy, Raffle, 100 Club Draw - In aid of St. Mary’s Church - All Welcome FRI 8th NOV: YOUTH CLUB at the Village Hall from 6.30 to 8.00pm A special session making Christmas Cards. **** ANNUAL CHARM CHRYSANTHEMUM CLUB'S PLANT SALE and AUCTION being held at THE ROYAL OAK on SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER viewing to start at 6.30pm and the AUCTION at 8pm. Everybody welcome. Auctioneer will be Ernie. **** WED 13th NOV: LIGHT LUNCH at the Village Hall from 12.30pm Enjoy a bowl of home-made soup (or two!) with good company Cheese table, Raffle - No booking necessary - just turn up - Only £3.50 - extra soup 50p **** From JOHN O’GROATS to LAND’S END in ‘GYPSY’ SLIDE SHOW By Anne Mosscrop of a journey in her 1934 Austin Saloon **** On FRIDAY 15th NOVEMBER at 7.30pm At NETHERHAY METHODIST CHAPEL TICKETS £3.00 – contact Beryl LIGHT REFRESHMENTS In Aid Of Christian Aid & Chapel Funds **** SAT 16th NOV: COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING At the Village Hall from 10.30am to 12.00pm - Hosted by Drimpton & Netherhay Youth Club Real Coffee & Great Cakes Including sale of the Youth Club’s unique Christmas Cards in aid of the NSPCC **** SAT 16th NOV: COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING At the Village Hall from 10.30am to 12.00pm - Hosted by Drimpton & Netherhay Youth Club Real Coffee & Great Cakes Including sale of the Youth Club’s unique Christmas Cards in aid of the NSPCC **** WED 20th NOV: GARDENING CLUB at the Village Hall, 7.15pm for 7.30pm ‘A WORLD OF GARDENS’ – speaker, Graeme Mitchell Inspiration from around the world brought right into our back gardens. MON 2nd DEC: ADVENT LUNCH at the Village Hall from 12.30pm Hot Meal only £7 per person - Everyone Welcome - Grand 100 Club Draw, Raffle To be sure of a place, telephone Jane Marsden - For St. Mary’s Church, Drimpton **** WESSEX WATER WORKS Programme update The WWW is ahead of plan by a couple of days so Phase 2a will start on time with the school bus back to normal timing MON 4th NOV. For up-to-date programme go to www.drimpton.org.uk and click on Calendar. Waste collection will continue as normal with every effort being made to allow access for waste collection and recycling at 7.30am on THURSDAYS. Should this not be possible your rubbish will be moved to an appropriate location for collection. Please ensure that your rubbish/recycling is outside your house in time. Bridport Road Experience- Good communication, courteous behaviour and loads of cups of tea have resulted in trouble free progress and a wonderful atmosphere of “we’re in this togetherâ€. **** DRIMPTON NOTICE BOARD A new Drimpton Notice has kindly been donated to the Village by the Parish Council. It is planned to replace the board by the post box. Anyone who has a popular alternative please email Mike Saunders. **** Does anyone require well-rotted Horse Manure delivered in bags at 50p each? If so, contact Steve Chubb. |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 2/11/2013 at: 14:45 Location: Drimpton Otter Activity - message from Joanna Medley “Having recently been on an otter surveying course with the Dorset Mammal Group I am now the 'official otter spotter' for the area. I would therefore be most grateful if anyone sees any signs of otter presence could they kindly let me know. There are national surveys twice a year - the last one was on 13th Oct 2013, which I took part in and there were definite signs that otters are in the village. The next is to be held in March / April next year. I would also be interested in hearing about any historical activity that has occurred or if anyone has any photos that would be great too!" |
| Submitted by: stanleyG On: 1/11/2013 at: 10:20 Location: Drimpton Rainfall in Drimpton Cross Rainfall in Drimpton Cross, October 2013 198.25(2012 143.25) OR 7.87 inches (2012 5.68 ins.) After our very mild and often dry Autumn, the month of October has been wetter than expected with some very high rainfall at the end of the month, and of course we experienced “The Stormâ€. In this area we seem to have been spared the damage caused in other southern areas, but I’m sure not many of us appreciate the high rainfall. |
| Submitted by: andrew On: 29/10/2013 at: 16:24 Location: Drimpton Acorns I cannot recall a season like it. Acorns are clogging drains, filling roadsides, building up in drifts, crunching underfoot, being swept up and wheeled away by the barrow-load. Where are wild pigs when you need them? Are we to expect whole forests of new seedling oaks in 2014? |
| Submitted by: Jane On: 19/10/2013 at: 19:06 Location: Drimpton Quiz & Puds Evening 18th October on a balmy evening 13 teams took part in eating a wide range of delicious puddings, and even finding time to answer some quiz questions. The Red Dragons team were once again outright winners with two teams sharing second place and third place close behind. Many thanks to Bob and Rosemary for organising the Quiz and Rosemary and the ladies who prepared and served the puddings which were too numerous to list but the attached photos give a good idea. Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph. Click on the photograph when finished. 
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