Greetings to all on a truly autumnal day: colours of the leaves making a walk on the Lane a rewarding experience!
NOTES FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING
Held on Friday 14th October 2016 at Corscombe Village Hall.
Present: Richard and Heather Harding, Diana Staines, Eric Tregarth, Kevin Walden, Henry Lovegrove, Tony Hill, Edna Leonard, Charles and Dot Gaskell, Freda Hennessy, Paula and Colin Denham, Jo Vassie, have I missed anyone out?
Apologies: families Knox, Pryke, Dalton, Dearlove, Nethaway, Harknett, Betty Harris, John White.
This was really the AGM of the Friends of Common Lane but formalities were abandoned, a new committee was not elected, it being assumed that for another year the administration of the project should be in the hands of the Parish Council.
Freda reported a quiet year except for great works by contractors on draining and resurfacing parts of Ocean Hill and Woodfold Hill. A section to the south of Woodfold Hill was also relaid. The Parish Council loaned the project £3,010 to pay for this!
One very effective working party cleared overgrowth and ditches near the Roman Villa. Many thanks to the workers.
The Parish Council has established a public seating area at the Roman Villa site and hope to maintain it and put up an information board.
Newsletters are being sent out. Many members are catching up with their subscriptions.
The bank balance at 31 August 2016 (end of our financial year) was £315.89. Donations had been received from the Trailriders Fellowship, Kay Russell and Halstock Fete. Most of the funds in hand were put towards the costs of resurfacing. Since 1 September the Project has received a most generous donation of £500 from Eric Tregarth, and subs are coming in.
We need several thousands of pounds to pay off the Parish Council loan and to complete the resurfacing on Woodfold Hill.
There was a quiz on all matters Common Lane – won by Edna, wooden spoon to Paula and Colin – and welcome refreshments.
In discussion some issues raised include;
1. Publicity leaflet. Agreed that the present leaflet is too general and needs to entice visitors to the Lane. Work to be done on this asap. Distribution to TICs shops etc.
2. Working parties. Now it is more a matter of clearing odd bits of undergrowth and ensuring that ditches and drains are not blocked. It was asked that a list of ‘black spots’ be drawn up so that volunteers could go out when will and weather prompted, rather than as an organised group. Please report any trouble spots.
3. Social activities. The opportunity is there. Organisers needed!
4. Grants and funding. Desperate need for cash to complete works on the Lane and perhaps put up information points, signposting etc.
We were programmed to have a literary slot with readings of lane and countryside related extracts. Apologies to anyone who brought their contribution. Perhaps another time? (I also have the makings of a cabaret/revue – a substitute for the non-existing pantomime?)
From Holloway by Robert McFarlane et al;
“Holloway – the hollow way. A sunken path, a deep and shady lane. A route that centuries of foot-fall, hoof-hit, wheel-roll & rain-run have harrowed into the land. A track worn down by the traffic of the ages & the fretting of water...... ”
From Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household:
The hero has failed in an attempt to assassinate Hitler and is on the run from Nazi agents in the Dorset countryside. He plans to hide out in a sunken lane.
“The section of lane that I had chosen was so damp and dark that the roots which crept over the earth were white. In the evening I moved my possessions farther down into a tiny glade of bracken where the sun shone for three hours a day. It was protected by high banks, topped by untrimmed hedges of ash, and...... buttressed by bushes of blackberry and sloe....I scraped out a channel for the stream that ran down the lane after every shower...... he hollowed out a den and made a sleeping burrow......
As soon as my beard had grown, I walked to Beaminster and came back with knapsack full of groceries...... I aroused no interest in Beaminster – a mere untidy holiday-maker with dark glasses...... ”
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Sorry to nag (not really). The new year for subs is from 1 September, so, bad news, if you caught up before that it was for last year and it would be brilliant if you could pay again!
Cheques to ‘Common Lane Project’ or cash. Leave in Halstock shop community room mailbox or drop in to me at Lilac Cottage, Corsombe. Or fill in a standing order form.
To use a cliché: every penny counts!
Freda Hennessy, Lilac Cottage, Corscombe DT2 0NU 01935 891448