News

Lots of people showed up at the Pig & Whistle for this year’s final Lottery Draw on 28th November. After an excellent meal, landlady Donna drew out the lucky ball, and organiser Ken Wood was able to ring the lucky winner Val Hoare with the happy news that she had won £260. A cheque for £260 was also given to the Community Space. Ken was presented with a bottle of wine and given a big thank you for all his hard work in setting up the lottery and raising over £1000 this year to help get the Community Space going. It has been so successful that Ken has decided to continue to run it in 2013. The first draw will be on Wednesday 30th January and Ken is currently distributing full information to all villagers. There’s more detailed information on the Lottery page of this website’s Useful Info section, and you can also download the rules and an application form there. This is a great way of supporting the Community Space, so please join in if you can.

Would you like an exercise class that offers low impact stretch and tone? Starting on Monday 7th January, there’ll be a gentle exercise session every Monday afternoon from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, led by Annette, for a trial period of 6 weeks. Those who can get down on the floor are asked to bring a towel or a mat. Alternatively you can do these exercises seated on a chair. So come and give it a go! There’s no obligation to come back!  It’ll cost £6 per class. If you’re interested or want more information, contact Jill Todd.

Have a good night out and help support Littlehempston Church and Berry Pomeroy School! Donna and Phil at the Pig & Whistle have organised a Quiz Night on Tuesday 11th December with proceeds going towards church and school. Teams of 4 will be competing and it’ll cost £1 per person to play. And you won’t go hungry.  A “Pig Out” pile of sausage and chips will be provided costing only £10 per team. Alternatively you can book a table to eat beforehand anytime from 6pm. Call 863 733 or send an e-mail to book a table.

A beautiful array of handcrafted gifts awaited those who came to the Christmas Craft Fair at the beginning of November, as well as a wicked variety of delicious cakes. Sadly, the car park was waterlogged and out of action, which meant some people could not come. (The car park is now back in action). Despite this setback, a very welcome £342 was raised to help pay for the improved heating in the Community Space. A huge thank you to those talented and creative people who offered their craft and also to all who baked and helped set up and man the stalls. A grand time was had by all.

What better way to spend the dark winter evenings than sitting around nattering about books over a glass of wine? If better ways have popped into your head, do not read on…  The first get together of the new village reading group is on Thursday 29th November at 7.30pm. A big thank you to Jude Allen for setting this up – the aim is to meet monthly, though not necessarily on Thursday nights. That can be decided at the first meeting, which will take place at Jude’s house at Tophempston Farm in Uphempston. All are welcome to come along to this informal gathering and to bring along any ideas on an appealing selection of titles. Contact Jude or phone her on 867 392 or 07895 192202 for more information.

Just one or two more people are needed to start a new exercise class on Monday afternoons. It’s aimed at those who like things gentle and easy – you can even exercise sitting down. The classes will run for a trial period, so why not give it a go?

There’s lots of support for the Zumba classes, so these are continuing on Monday nights at 6.30pm.

Both classes cost £6 per head. If you’re interested or want more information, contact Jill Todd.

A grand spread of tempting craft awaits you this Saturday 10th November from 10am to 2pm, when the Space at Littlehempston Church will be brimming with lots of lovely handmade goods and produce, all destined to help you with early Christmas shopping and to part you from your money. (All the proceeds go to help keep the church open for community use.) A big thank you in advance to all those who have promised to bake cakes and edibles – please bring between 6 and 7.30 on Friday evening or on the day before 10am. More thanks to those who have volunteered to man Refreshments or the Village Stall. There’s room for more, if you can spare the odd hour – just contact Ali Taylor. There’ll be a Creative Corner for the younger ones, so the adults can shop or just sit and have a cuppa and scrummy cake in peace. Look forward to seeing you there!

All are most welcome at the traditional Villagers’ Night, which this year will be held in the church on Friday 21st December at 7.30pm. It’s a Bring & Share meal and Lesley Colley has kindly offered to co-ordinate food, so we don’t end up with 2,000 sausage rolls and a mushroom vol au vent. You can bring hot food for the main course or a dessert. The church can only squeeze in 60 people, so please contact Lesley or call her on 01803 849 008 to book your place and let her know what you’d like to bring. There’ll be a small charge of £5 per head that will include a glass of wine and help towards the heating costs. Bring your own wine, if you want to drink more. If you can spare a little time to help set up during the afternoon, that would be grand – again let Lesley know. And James Drummond has kindly volunteered to sort a raffle – contact James if you can donate a prize. We’ll gather at 7.30pm and eat soon afterwards, so the food doesn’t get cold. And if you’re new to the village, do come along – it’s a great opportunity to meet people.