Kingston (near Corfe Castle)
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DORSET OPC
News from Kingston -
The following ‘News from Kingston’ is provided courtesy of ‘The Dubber’ which is published monthly and which also includes news from sister parishes of Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers and Harman’s Cross.
September 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
Concerts
This year’s season of five concerts in St James Church was brought to a happy conclusion at the end of July by Vocal Point, a talented group of 14 singers based in Farnham, who earned warm applause for a programme ranging from the sublime Bach and Bruckner to the somewhat less spiritual Paddy McGinty’s Goat.
Previous concerts by The Davenport Ensemble, a young wind quintet led by Andrew Huntriss
from Blandford; Canford School Orchestra; and staff and students from Dorset Rural
Music School, also Blandford-
However, the undoubted high point of the season came one Sunday morning in June when over 150 people, young and old, filled the church to overflowing to hear an arrangement for strings of Bach’s Goldberg Variations played by Natalie Clein and friends. They were not disappointed. Tears of wonder and joy were shed by more than one awestruck listener.
All told, the concerts attracted nearly 400 attendances and raised some £1,500, all of which went towards the cost of a new boiler for the church apart from a donation of £230 to the Dorset Rural Music School appeal.
For this, thanks are due not only to the musicians and the audiences but also to
many others: notably to Purbeck Art Weeks for arranging the Natalie Clein concert;
to Mary Haysom and Roderick Rayley for their crucial help in organising the season;
to George Pitman for much-
Robin Stringer
Songs of Praise
During the interregnum, the third Sunday Service at Kingston ceased temporarily. The PCC have now decided to reinstate the service but it will take a range of styles.
The first of these will be an informal service at 11.15am on Sunday, 18 September incorporating Songs of Praise… an opportunity for people to select a favourite hymn or chorus.
Most of us have a special reason why a certain song means so much to us and it would be an opportunity for us to contribute. Often the words have been particularly helpful at a special moment in time. It may be that we feel God’s presence more when thanking him.
We hope more people will choose to come along on the third Sunday of each month. Since Gaynor joined us in the Spring, at Kingston we have seen a few new events – the exhibition continues to grow, we held an Open Day which gave people an opportunity to see the bell tower in action.
And yes! We had a well-
So watch this space – there will be more surprises in the Autumn. In the meantime, remember to make a note of the third Sunday and perhaps think about choosing your own favourite hymn or chorus. We are compiling a list in the Church, so please add your choice.
Judy Forgan
Kingston Church Summer Fête 20 August 2011
This year was a great success with the sun shining to welcome the many visitors.
The event was very well attended and colourful. The scene was of peace and rural
tranquillity and enjoyment – a happy day. There were events for all with the ‘ferret
racing’ and ‘fun dog’ show vying for popularity. There was the ever popular ‘splat
the rat’, the absolutely loaded book stall, the bric-
The views from the Church Tower were greatly appreciated on this beautifully clear day and visitors could see the Purbeck hills and surroundings gleaming. And of course there were burgers and buns and teas and cakes and all tings nice. A wonderful day!
Terry Hardy
August 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
I hope that you will all have been to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic after the Patronal Service in July. I do know a group of Teddies was coming from Lymington, so I hope we shall have been well represented at the party in the Churchyard.
The last concert of the season will take place in St James on Saturday, 30 July and the Group Vocal Point from Salisbury should appeal to all tastes. As I mentioned earlier, there will be a review of all the concerts in the next edition.
The Fête is nearly upon us. Pray for the right weather – a sharp wind to drive people off the beach and lots of sun to enjoy the Fete. Come and enjoy the day. Peter Buckle can do with all the help he can get.
The other evening, there was a very odd sight in South Street. A military looking vehicle was standing across the road, at right angles to the pavement and unable to move. One wonders how it got into that position. The problem was resolved when the drivers parked in South Street were called out of the Scott Arms to move their cars and the truck then had some wriggle room to get out. It was just possible to get up and down South Street when the cars were moved from the Green and you could then skirt warily round the walnut tree. What excitement!
After nearly ten years contributing to the Kingston section of the Dubber, I feel that I should step aside. Is there anyone out there who would be prepared to take on the job? There is no need for it to be done as I have. Greta Hardy and Judy Forgan already gather information and forward it to the Editor. They would be prepared to continue to do this, especially for those with bits of interesting information and who might not have access to a computer.
This would mean that individuals or organisations would have to take the initiative themselves and either email the Editor (ed@thedubber.co.uk), put their copy in St George’s, Langton or the Post Office, or refer to Greta or Judy .
If anyone is interested in taking up a central role and search for local news, please contact me as soon as possible. This August edition will be my last effort.
I have enjoyed my time and have got to know a number of very interesting people and heard some good stories – not all publishable, sadly! Thank you all for being so helpful and tolerant.
George Pitman
KINGSTON FÊTE
The plans for the Kingston Fête are progressing. We shall be most grateful for items for the following village stalls. Please contact the stallholder as listed below. If you would like items to be collected, contact Sue Ireland and she will collect if you give her some notice. Peter Buckle can arrange for storage of donated items. There will be a collection point for cakes at 16 West Street, Kingston or take cakes to the Church on the morning of the Fête.
We shall be most grateful for volunteers to help on the day. If you can find time and are willing to help us, please contact Peter Buckle. We need volunteers to help set up the Fête site and to dismantle at the end of the day. We shall also be grateful for volunteers to work with us during the afternoon.
STALLS
BOOKS – HONOR VASS
BOTTLE STALL – ANGELA LARDNER
BRIC-
CAKES -
GOOD QUALITY CLOTHES , PLANTS, PRODUCE – to be confirmed
RAFFLE – SIMON PHILLIPS
TOMBOLA – SUE IRELAND
TOYS – FIONA WAKE-
PLEASE CONTACT GRETA HARDY with enquiries in regard to the Dog Show .
July 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
The Concerts will be written up at the end of the season. Natalie Clein’s concert should have an immediate mention. It was a great success; the Church was full and the playing was outstanding.
Two nature notes: Saharan sand is brown, so it is likely to have been pollen on our cars (see the June issue) and green finches seem to have returned to our garden after last year’s distressing scenes of them expiring on the grass. I shall now leave space for news of forthcoming events.
Rural Music School
Of Dorset’s many claims to fame, its rural music school based in Blandford is one of its least trumpeted. That seems unjust. Dorset Rural Music School, as it likes to say, has been ‘keeping Dorset in tune since 1947’.
On Saturday, 2 July, the school’s director Richard Hall is bringing some of its best
students to St James Church for a concert that will demonstrate the diversity of
their talent in a mixed programme of music dating from 1700 to the present day. Including
a guitarist and a flautist, they range in age from a brilliant 13-
The school, which has been teaching music in all forms to people of all ages in the
county and beyond for the past 63 years, currently has 150 students on its books
taught by two full-
Being unsubsidised and entirely self-
Not surprisingly, the school struggles to make ends meet. Hence the appeal now underway to modernise its home, an old converted stable in Blandford which is desperately in need of upgrading.
George Pitman
June 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
The wedding took place and it did not go unnoticed in Kingston, despite the grumblings of your correspondent. The Scott Arms wet the head of Isaac, Cynthia and Simon’s latest addition to their family, and the celebrations turned into a wedding party.
Easter was celebrated, Canford School played, Joyce Lock came home and the Church Open Day was much enjoyed, especially Terry Hardy’s exhibition of the history of St James. Plans are going ahead to see if it can become a permanent feature.
At the PCC’s AGM, Davril Greatrex was elected as a member. She and Liz Forgan were elected as our representatives at the Deanery Synod. David Scott and Simon Philips continue as Church Wardens.
You may have noticed a green powder on your cars. At first, I thought it was pollen, but then it was suggested to me that it might be sand from the Sahara. It has happened and it came after a prolonged period of south winds. Any ideas? Is Saharan sand green?
Sadly there will be no Open Gardens this year. Maybe next year, after a rest?
George Pitman
May 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
The Kingston Concerts Season has begun with the Davenport Ensemble, wind quintet and will continue on Friday, 6 May in St James’ at 7.30pm with Canford School Symphony Orchestra. They will be playing, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Grieg and Bloch.
They were very good when they came last time and they only come out when they are in top form. Come and support the young.
Further enquiries reveal that Dorset County Council is not quite so bound by red tape as other counties, with regard to Street Parties. However, there was a six page form to be filled in, insurance was a serious consideration and someone had to sign the form and take responsibility. Corfe have done well to keep off the highway. Apparently for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee the village was allowed to hold a party in the grounds of Kingston House.
At the AGM of our PCC we were pleased to welcome Mr and Mrs James Gaggero of Encombe House. The house may be some way from the village, but we think of it as part of the village.
Don’t miss our Open Day on Easter Monday. There will be an exhibition of outstanding photographs of the church – parts you may never have seen before, plus tea and Organ Music.
George Pitman
April 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
It has worked! The sun has come out, as have the daffodils, the wind has, at times, been almost balmy, the Vicar has been installed, we have to wait for the Bullen wedding until September, but there are concerts in plenty on the horizon. As a result your grumpy correspondent is much more cheerful, which is just as well.
The bells have been busy recently. The ringers managed to complete a full peal which
had failed previously. It was great to hear the bells on a sunny day. It was much
appreciated by passers-
We may have missed a trick in Kingston. Our neighbours in Corfe were well organised to have a Pancake Race and are preparing to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Is it too late? What do you have to do to have a Street Party? Where would you hold it? What about a picnic? I believe that there were village celebrations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Does anyone have memories of what happened then? Don’t look at me, I shan’t be here, I’m going to another wedding. What about a Pancake Race next year?
There seems to be a man going around Purbeck digging potholes. If our information is correct he should be in our area on the Friday before Mothering Sunday. If you see him, just tell him to stop, he is quite harmless.
Sue Ireland would be grateful for any help with decorating the church for Easter. If you can help, just turn up at the church after 10am on Easter Saturday. Flowers may be left in the church or porch.
Terry Hardy is still functioning at full speed with his project on St James. He is going to mount an exhibition of his work on Easter Monday in the church. Having had a sneak preview, I can assure you of the excellence of the photographs and text. You will see parts of the church you have never seen before. There will be refreshments throughout the afternoon. More details elsewhere.
Robin Stringer has put together an interesting mix of concerts for 2011. They cover
all kinds of performers both amateur and professional, ranging from young Dorset
aspirants to the international star, Natalie Klein for whom we are indebted to the
Purbeck Arts Week. Here is the list for your diaries: Saturday, 16 April at 7.30pm
-
George Pitman
AGM OF ST JAMES’ CHURCH PCC
All Kingston Residents -
Community Project Update
We would welcome all who have connections with our village, past and present, as we shall also hear about recent developments of the Kingston History Project Currently, historical contributions are being gathered together to create an interesting new display in Kingston Church.
We hope you are able to attend the AGM and will be inspired to share in this new community project. A short business meeting of the PCC Committee members will follow.
Judy Forgan
March 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
I am happy to say that Terry Hardy is recovering well after a minor stroke. He is rattling on with his plans for a display in the church. John Cole has had a brief visit to Swanage Hospital. There may be others of whom we should be thinking, but unless I know, I cannot mention them, short of knocking on everyone’s door, which would not be a good idea. Just feeling your age and creaking a bit affects most of us of a certain age and doesn’t count. There are quite a few though who are soldiering on bravely and are to be admired.
The church is closed and rightly so. I cannot believe that any insect could last five minutes after they have been sprayed. The building is soaked with a toxic fluid. They should be finished very soon, but it will take time for the air to clear. However we can be cheered by the emergence of the snowdrops and daffodils in the churchyard.
It says something about your correspondent when all he can talk about is health,
death watch beetles and flowers. What a sad case, he really should get out more.
The prospect of spring, a new vicar, a Bullen wedding and the start of the concert
season ought to rouse him. Let’s hope so -
George Pitman
February 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
The Christingle service was well attended, but some may have been deterred by the weather. They need not have worried as it was warm inside. Unfortunately, the temperature had dropped for the Christmas Eve Communion Service. The problem is being rectified.
At some time during this month or next month the church will be closed for a fortnight so that the timbers can be treated for woodworm and other nasties. It will take a certain amount of preparation, emptying cupboards, getting out the altar frontals and removing the ‘cushions’ from the chairs. If anyone can come to help on Monday, 7 February, from 10am till lunch time, or any part of this time, they would be very welcome.
Unfortunately, the bell ringers failed in their attempt to ring a peal. They were going really well until one of their number faltered physically and it was not right to try to continue. They will be having another go.
It is good to know that we shall very soon have a priest in charge. The Rev. Gaynor Burrett will be installed in St George’s Church at 7.30pm on Saturday, 4 March. As a nice touch, the bell ringers will ring a quarter peal at that time to welcome her to Kingston. As yet, we are not sure when she will take her first service in Kingston. She comes from being a curate in Poole.
It appears that an offer has been received on the land facing the pub car park. Machinery has been on the land and one wonders what it will be like if they start building.
Further to the news of our own British Champion, Zac Chapman of the Old Church, I can give you some interesting statistics concerning his Toyota MR2 Championship win. There were 10 rounds, he was in pole position nine times, won eight times, came second twice, and had nine fastest laps and five lap records. It all sounds very fast, skilful and not a little scary.
George Pitman
HISTORY OF ST. JAMES’
There is an ongoing proposal to construct a long term small display depicting St James’ Church, Kingston. The display, which is to be sited in the church, would show the early origins of St James’, the very inception and the gifting to the Village. It is proposed that the design would add to permanent archive as well as interest to the increasing numbers of visitors who now enjoy the church being open most days of the week. It is hoped that the display would include the background design and plans and drawings, reference to the architect, George Street, the design of the beautiful stained glass work and pictures of areas not normally viewable such as the belfry and the bells and the area beneath the church to show the workings of the organ. Other items of interest such as the types of stone used and the seams from where it came from, the tools which would have been used to hand carve it and also illustrations of wrought iron work, locks and keys and material specific to St James’.
It is hoped that this will be an ongoing project for the villagers of Kingston, made
by the people of Kingston. Much material is already available but may need to be
re-
If anyone has any items or records or photographs of ‘old times’ which they feel may be of interest they can be photographed and recorded.
If you can help in any way, please contact Terry Hardy in the first instance by telephone (481197) or email (tlh@hashi.plus.com) or simply bang on the door at ‘Badgers’ in South Street.
Terry Hardy
January 2011
KINGSTON NEWS
Winter wonderland it may be, but life has to continue. This time the snow was not a problem for too long, the roads dried out quickly and as I write we have not had another fall.
However our requests for a bin of salt and grit at the bottom of South Street do not attract any positive action. Our Parish Council in Corfe have done considerable research into the problem.
They would have to get permission from the Conservation Department, the County Council would have to check the location. The Parish Council would have to obtain and pay for the bins themselves and provide a concrete base with bolts. But most importantly, the Parish Council would have to take out extra insurance against accidents because the salt was being distributed by non County Council personnel.
There is no way that the Parish Council can afford this. As a result the Corfe PC has decided not to attempt to take the matter any further. Are we, as private individuals, covered if someone slips on the path outside our house which we have cleared? What a world we live in! Is there anyone out there with the experience and skills to take on the County Council? The Corfe PC has gone as far as they can go. Perhaps my insurance company would take action if a car slides into my car, because there is no salt or grit.
Nora Gould’s tree is looking good in the churchyard. It is growing apace which causes problems with the lights. We have to keep buying extra lights and then it might grow so high that we cannot put the lights on to. Perhaps it needs some judicious pruning.
As you may know, we have our very own British motor racing champion in Kingston. Zac Chapman of the Old St James is 2010 Toyota MR2 champion. You may have seen his red car near the church. It is looking for a home for the winter. Has anyone got any garage space for a much loved machine? If you have, please phone 480154. Zac would be very grateful.
It is good to know that Jerry Cole is home for Christmas, though he is likely to be returning to Africa soon. He has very much enjoyed the experience. John Cole is driving his car, but is not right yet.
There was a good crowd at the Christmas Party and the Scott Arms looked after us
very well. We were welcomed by the charming children from the Corfe Pre-
The mulled cider in half pint glasses was very acceptable and we enjoyed the food contributed by the party goers. Father Christmas made an appearance with presents for all the children.
He seemed to have come from the South rather than the North, but then he is a very busy man and has to travel long distances. Thank you Peter and Sue for all your hard work.
A happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers.
George Pitman