THE DUNTON BASSETT NEWS
April 2008
Issue 23
DUNTON BASSETT PARISH PLAN
During the past few months you will have been aware that a group of people have been getting together to devise a
questionnaire which will ask for your ideas and thoughts on Dunton Bassett.
From April 28th these will be delivered to your house personally by a volunteer and collected by that same volunteer
during the week beginning 12th May. This is your chance to have a say on how your village should develop in the future.
The information gathered from the questionnaire will form the basis of a Parish Plan which will inform the District and
County Councils and also service providers such as the Police how we want our village to be.
Please fill it in, or, if you want, ask for help from our volunteers. It is important that you take this opportunity to have an
influence on the place where you live.
Peter Fuchs District Councillor 01455-202370
Dunton Bassett Parish Plan Steering Group
The next meeting will be a social event for members of the Steering Group. This is to be held on Saturday 10 May, in the
Church, from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.
Members of the group and their spouses are cordially invited to attend.
For catering purposes, RSVP to Steve Blackburn by e-mail
or telephone (209398), by 3 May, please.
The next formal meeting of the Steering Group will be on Wednesday 4th June, again in the Church, at 7.30 pm.
Women's World Day of Prayer 2008 was celebrated at All Saint's Church Dunton Bassett with a service on Friday March
7. The service, entitled "God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding" was, this year written by the Christian Women of
Guyana and was led by pastoral assistant Sheila Wiggins. 37 women (and men) took part in the service, including some
from other parishes nearby. Rev Carol Brennand gave the address on the theme of Wisdom, Helen Potterton played the
organ and the singing was led by Kathryn Spiers, Barbara Taylor and Claire Hurford. Tea coffee and biscuits were served
after the service. Next year's Theme is "In Christ there are many members but one Body" and will be prepared by the
Christian women from Papua New Guinea.
Women’s Institute
Members and guests of Dunton Bassett W.I. heard a very interesting talk by consultant Dermatologist Rob Burd as part of
their meeting on March 11. Rob spoke about dealing with skin conditions and how many can be prevented by use of a
suitable sunscreen. The competition for a skincare tip was won by Claire Hurford, runners up were Ramona Cockerill and
Sue Ensor Keen. As part of their meeting on Tuesday April 8, members heard J.P. Mrs Sandra Blackburn talk about the
life of a magistrate. This was a fascinating talk and members were asked to pass sentence after hearing all the facts on
a case, the results from groups were quite different, some more lenient than others! The competition for a bracelet was
won by Linda Archer, with Margaret Wrathall and Claire Hurford as runners up. The group's next meeting on 13 May will
feature a discussion on resolutions to be voted on at an A.G.M. later in the year. In June, Tony Ward will talk about Life
and Times at the Little Theatre And how it started’.
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Dunton Bassett History Group met in the village hall on Tuesday March 18 to hear Richard Adams talk about A county
Lost and a County Regained, the story of Rutland, Richard talked about Rutland losing and then regaining it's county
status and also spoke about the loss of land flooded to make Rutland Water, a very popular tourist attraction. Richard
then showed some of his beautiful slides set to music, ending his talk with slides of bluebell woods.
Members met in Dunton Village Hall on Tuesday April 15, to hear Dr Anne Beck give an interesting talk about St Nicholas
Church in Leicester. The Group plan to visit the church in May, and Dr Beck will show them round. On June 17th, Felicity
Austin makes a welcome return visit to the group, and will talk about toys and games. The group are also planning an
outing in July, and will then take a break until their A.G.M. at the Village Hall on September 16.
All Saint's Church was open for viewing the Easter flower displays on Sunday and Monday 23rd and 24th March.
Despite the snow showers a steady stream of visitors called at the church to admire the beautiful arrangements, and to
enjoy refreshments. Just over £340 was raised during the 2 days for church funds.
John and Claire Hurford will once again be holding their plant sale and coffee morning at 15 Main Street Dunton Bassett
on Saturday May 10 from 10 - 2pm. A variety of plants will be on sale, hanging baskets and tubs can be filled by
arrangement, and there will be a cake stall, bring and buy and raffle as well as coffee being served. All profits from this
event will go to All Saint's church.
The Parish Council meeting in November 2007 decided that the precept for 2008/09 would be unchanged at £7,323.
This is an increase of 0.0% but your Council Tax demand appears to show an increase of 2.8%. This calculation is
based on the 'Band D equivalent' figure which is used to calculate the tax base for the District and on which the rate for
other Council Tax bands is calculated. The increase for Band D properties from £23.28 to £23.94 has arisen because the
number of houses in Dunton Bassett which are in Band D has declined compared to other (higher) bands. £23.94 is the
annual contribution to Dunton Bassett Parish Council from a Band D property and other bands pay a proportion ranging
from 1/9th for Band A to 18/9ths in Band H.
DUNTON BASSETT WAR MEMORIAL
The parish council are hoping to regild the lettering on the war memorial. In order to get a grant from the War Memorials
Trust it was necessary to do some research at the Record Office. Fortunately much information was found as a
committee log book was kept.
In July 1919 a public meeting was held for the village residents to decide how they wanted to commemorate those from
the village who had been killed during World War One. There were five suggestions: A Celtic Cross; a public clock ;a
recreation ground ;a tablet in the churchyard or a captured gun! The last item was discarded as Major Aikman couldn’t
guarantee delivery of a big one! The first was chosen and it was arranged that Kelly & Co, of London would supply it.
They quoted £95 for packing and despatching it by rail.
It was decided by a small committee that it was to be sited near the old wash pit (where it is today)and that it would be
erected by Arthur Baum a monumental mason in Broughton Astley who would also do the lettering . The plinth, made of
Leicestershire granite, was supplied by Croft quarry and on it was inscribed ‘To the memory of our fallen’ 1914-1919. It
was decided that the names on the memorial should be placed in order of the seniority of the regiments in which the
soldiers served.
The total cost amounted to £144.16 and the residents raised £86.69 from a village collection and other donations. To
raise further money a sub committee was formed who organised dances, whist drives and other entertainment in the
village hall
On Saturday January 24th1920 it was dedicated and Mrs Aikman unveiled the cross, according to the log book ‘without a
hitch of any kind ’ The whole process from start to finish had taken six months.
This was kindly written by Mrs Millie Smith.
Leire and Dunton Scout Group
In summer the group looks forward to getting outside and this started with the celebration of St George’s day at
Ullesthorpe camp site when 35 group members from all the sections together with other groups from the District had an
enjoyable day of activities based on the theme of Transport. Our base was “Air”. Don’t try guiding balloons through hoops
when it’s windy !!!!!!!!!. Two teams were entered in the annual District Staghorn event which is for scouts and older cubs
and this year was based at Stanford Hall, and the weather luckily held out. Cubs failed to retain their District Quiz trophy
by half a point from Claybrooke and Ullesthorpe, the same result as two years ago. The group AGM was held two weeks
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ago and a new executive committee was elected to support the leaders. Anyone who would like to get invoved in the
group should contact any leader. Beavers have a large waiting list but cannot increase the size without more leaders.
Eric Pridding - Akela
Dine at Dunton.
Carol Roberson and her team of cooks rustled up yet another mouth watering feast on Saturday 19th April in the village
Hall. If you have not yet been to one of these evenings you can contact Carol (202425) and ask to go on to the waiting list
for the next function due October/November time! John Roberson organised the quiz and John and Claire Hurford the
raffle. A little over £700 was raised and will go towards the village hall kitchen refurbishment.
Carol is collecting the green tops from plastic milk bottles for charity. If anyone has some please let her know (202425).
From the Dine in Dunton, Carol now has wine glasses and water glasses for hire. A minimum donation of £5 is required
plus any breakages at 50p a glass.
Neighbourhood Watch.
A couple of editions ago I tried to find out who are/or were road leaders for Neighbourhood Watch. I did not receive one
reply, yet I know of at least two who carry out this essential service! All we were trying to achieve was to create a list and
try to fill in the gaps so that the whole village is covered by Neighbourhood Watch!
Under 12s’ Play Ground.
A big thank you for the team who put the children’s play area together. A lot of thought has gone into the equipment eg, if
it rains – a shelter under the slide. It really is a lovely place high enough to see the cows across the fields and seats at
the right height for mums and dads.
I’ve lived in Dunton for 35 years and had at times wanted a play area for my children to play and let off steam! But
grandchildren will do just fine as the next best thing. Going to the play area is part of coming to see granddad and nana
(five times to date!) Thank you! PS. We love the sign!. From Liz Harris-Baker.
A committee is being formed to manage the playground and helpers are required to do regular inspections. If you are
interested a number of courses are being held in June to train you as to what is required. Please ring Eric Pridding on
01455 209208 if you are interested.
Ashby Magna Dog Festival.
If you are a dog lover please come and join our new venture. Pedigree and Fun classes, demonstrations including
obedience, grooming, agility , hounds, Gun dog scurry (open to all) with Matt Robinson. Refreshments, stalls etc. entries
on the day from 12 noon. Schedules and enquiries to Frances Attfield, Manor Farm, 2, Perveril Road, Ashby
Magna.Lutterworth.LE17 5NQ. Tel. 01455 209742 or 07880 926 334,
Calling all Group Chairman or Secretaries
Through the newsletter I would like to be able to publish the contact name and number for all the groups within our parish.
There are many new people living in our village and they need to know what is going on, where and when and there are
many groups who could do with new members! So let me know please! My details are at the end of the newsletter.
Diary Dates.
Saturday 10th May.
Plant Sale at 1`5 Main Street. 10.00am – 2.00pm.
Saturday 10th May
Parish Plan Social. 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Monday 12th May . Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting. Dunton Village Hall.7.15pm
Tuesday 13th May.
W.I. Village Hall. Resolution.s 7.30pm.
Tuesday 20th May.
History Group. Visit to St,Nicholas Church.Leicester.
Wednesday 4th June Parish Plan Meeting. Church. 7.30pm
Saturday 7th June
All Saints Church summer event – look out for posters for further details
Tuesday 10th June
W.I. Village Hall. Talk on Little Theatre.
Wednesday 17th June. History Group. Village Hall .Felicity Austin Talk on Toys and Games.
September 15th
History Group. AGM.
All reports News, diary dates please to the Editor by 27th June please:
Editor: Judi Pridding Tel:209208 or E Mail judipridding@yahoo.co.uk
Remember - No reports, no news
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