Compton Dando News

Annual Litter Pick

The annual litter pick made it to the pages of Keynsham Voice this month – here are the volunteers. Sarah Wilson commented: Luckily the weather was kind and we covered all the lanes including the one to Burnett. Big thank you to #KeynshamWombles for the equipment and #BANES cleansing team who pick up the litter we collect. Also thank you to those villagers who collect litter regularly throughout the year. All in all, it was a great effort to keep our beautiful village litter free.

Report on Winter Craft Days run by Harriette

Thank you all who came on Saturday 4th Feb: with 29 people through the door and a wide range of ages, it was another friendly, creative day.  We had about 22 for lunch and I’m very grateful to Jenny for her butternut soup and to Diane who kindly brought a chocolate cake, much enjoyed by young Chris when he took a break from his block printing in the morning.  My soups were parsnip and sweet potato (very simple), and leek and potato.
I have just done the sums and over this winter we have made a profit of £228 which I have just paid to the Compton Dando Community Association who publicise and support our events and also provide insurance for our activities.  They not only support the villagers, holding monthly coffee morning open to all, provide our tea and coffee for the Craft Days, help organise our fete in the summer, occasional Open Garden days, raise funds for support for the church, hall and information for visitors to the area: about walks, wildlife and local events.
Mary suggested we make a recipe book of soups and cakes we provide.  Anyone wishing to take this idea on?  Perhaps we could have recipes illustrated by the wonderful artists in the group?  Or with decoupage from the card makers?
Anyway, I’m also grateful to Jenny for warping up my loom and this seemed to fascinate a few people so if you want to find out more, then check this link https://ridgewoodcommunitycentre.org.uk/listing/ridgewood-weavers-spinners/ for the group Jenny runs near Yate, which is an excellent place to learn not only weaving but skilled people there are happy to share their knowledge too.  A number of us also belong to the Wiltshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers and they meet in Steeple Ashton and hold classes to learn all sorts of crafts as well as talks and exhibitions.  To find out more check out their website here: https://www.wiltshireguildswd.org/.
Photo courtesy of Ros Anstey

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Just WOW! The xmas wreaths made at last weeks Compton Garden Flowers workshop are amazing.

A big thank you to Sarah and for the donation to the Compton Dando Community Association. You can see some of them at http://compton-dando.org/archive/

Village Quiz Night 2022

Thanks to everyone who came to the evening: nearly 50 people attended. The winners were Atrophy, and the wooden spoons were Clayley Clots.

We had 8 teams and topics were: Flowers, Travel, Food, Sport, Music, Christmas, Politics and TV & Film.
Also, thank you to all who donated raffle prizes. Alice took a healthy amount on the raffle, and there were some super prizes!
Again, thanks to Steve Bell for fetching the fish & chips, and to everyone who helped serve and clear up. – many hands make light work.
From comments we have had, Alice and I are pleased with the outcome – it is about providing a fun evening for the village, although we have made a decent profit, due to the raffle.

Fete Results 2022

Thank you all who contributed to this year’s fete as volunteers, participants, helpers, visitors, donors, supporters, and in so many ways.  The opening of the fete by Jack and Jess at the end of their wedding service was a special occasion.  The morning’s downpours had dried up, and held off until a brief deluge for about 20 minutes mid-afternoon. Thereafter it was all clearing skies for a lovely evening.

The highlight events included the egg-throwing contest with 40 pairs taking part. After the winners of the fantastic raffle prizes had been announced, the 300 ducks were released on a tsunami of water from outside the Parish Hall, and Nigel Gale captured the first three to escape downstream, with number 8 being the winner. A few escapees are somewhere nearing Keynsham by now.

Takings are expected to be around £4000 to be split between the Compton Dando Community Association, the Village Hall, and St Mary’s Church.

Great Raffle Prizes at Village Fete this Saturday 2-5

At the village fete Saturday 2nd July top raffle prizes are: 2 tickets to Glastonbury Extravaganza August 6th; a Radley Orange Street bag; lunch for two at The Pig Near Bath, £50 voucher for the Bocabar Restaurant in Bristol,  a tour for two of Compton Garden Flowers [plus make your own handtied bouquet], an offer of ‘Somerset Brunch’ for six, £30 voucher towards a meal at The Compton Inn in the village, Neal’s Yard goodies bag from Vanessa Withey Beauty & Holistic Therapist, plus many more, so #SaveTheDate #villagefete #raffletickets #prizestobewon

Special public meeting – discover how to stop the supersized digester plant

Special public meeting – discover how to stop the supersized digester plant

A few months ago, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Planning Committee unanimously rejected a planning application to build a supersized anaerobic digester plant, south east of Compton Dando as you head to Keynsham.  This decision was welcomed not only by residents but also councillors from all parties, the local Conservative MP and the Labour West of England Metro Mayor.

Unfortunately, that is not the end of the matter because the developer, Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited (REAL), have lodged an appeal against that overwhelming democratic decision.  A renewed campaign to counter the developer’s attempt to override local democracy is now needed.  This is being led by Protect Our Keynsham Environment (POKE) – the group behind the highly successful campaign to oppose this development at the earlier planning stage.  POKE have already got off to a flying start, calling for money to fight the appeal at a 3-week public planning inquiry starting in October 2022.

POKE is holding a residents meeting on Monday, 27th June at Compton Dando Hall from 7pm to 8pm to provide an update of what POKE has done so far, what they intend to do to fight the appeal and what you and the public can do to help.  The meeting will include a question-and-answer session where representatives of POKE and your local councillors will reply.

Kerry Morgan of POKE said: “The public have been brilliant in their support of POKE as we fight to stop this supersized anaerobic digester.  Local politicians of all hues have also stepped-up to oppose this inappropriate power station in the heart of our irreplaceable Green Belt.  We have successfully resisted the developer up-to-now, but we are redoubling our efforts in light of the appeal.  It is a fight we have to win or Compton Dando will be changed for the worse for ever.”

Ward Councillor Alastair Singleton, said: “This is an important meeting and I thank POKE for setting it up.  It is an excellent opportunity for local people to learn about the current situation, and how they can best play a part in the campaign to fight this appeal.  To achieve success, affected communities need to come together and present a united front.”

POKE spokesperson Kerry Morgan added: “If the development were to go ahead, there will be around 28,500 extra two-way HGV movements every year – meaning more noise, traffic and pollution!”

Summer Sunday Teas at St Mary’s Church

Sunday afternoon teas will be starting again at the beginning of June and running every Sunday till the end of August, but

will include the Bank Holiday Monday.

2.30-5pm each Sunday in St Mary’s Church

We look forward to seeing you all again.

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Exhibition/Floral Display and Teas

Our Jubilee week begins on Thursday 2nd June with an tribute exhibition in Church and floral displays. Teas will be served from 2.30pm to 5pm. The exhibition and teas will also run on Friday and Saturday 3rd and 4th June again 2.30pm to 5pm. Please note there will be no Church Teas on Sunday 5th June.

Sunday 5th June

There will be a celebration service at St Mary’s Church at 11.15am to mark the 70 year reign of our beloved Queen.

Village Picnic

Please join us at 1pm on Sunday on the Millennium Green (opposite the Compton Inn) for a  village picnic to mark our Queen’s Platinum jubilee. Please bring your own picnic, drinks, seats and rugs and any ideas you might have to celebrate this occasion.

We look forward to seeing you at all or some of these events, we will not have a platinum Jubilee again for a very long time so lets make it a good celebration!