Thorncombe lies in a very beautiful part of West Dorset, bordering Devon and Somerset.
It falls within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) . The Parish is over
5,200 acres in extent and is principally agricultural land.
Fields tend to be small and hilly with ancient hedgerows, while the access roads
to the village are very narrow lanes, shaded in summer by tall trees including oaks,
beeches and sycamores, and fringed with primroses, bluebells and cow parsley.
Applications for Grants from TVT
Under the terms of its amended constitution, Thorncombe Village Trust (TVT) is now
able to invite applications for grants from individuals or organisations wishing
to undertake a project or activity which reflects one or more of the aims of the
Trust.
Namely to:
i) encourage and promote a greater interest in, and understanding of, the local environment
and its history
ii) protect historic buildings in the Parish and especially to conserve the character
of the village of Thorncombe and of the other settlements in the Parish
iii) oppose unsuitable development in the Parish
iv) safeguard and enhance the countryside in the Parish.
The money granted must be used for the direct benefit of the Parish of Thorncombe
only and for the public good, in such a manner and place that the Trustees can verify
the grant has been appropriately used.
If you wish to make an application for funding, please request an application form
in one of the following ways:
- Email the Secretary of the Trustees on su7882@eclipse.co.uk
- Pick up a form from inside the porch at The School House, Chard Street, Thorncombe
(opposite the church)
- Download an application form and the guidelines from the TVT website Application
form Guidelines for applications
Completed application forms need to be received by the end of September for an October
decision and by end of February for a March decision by the Board of Trustees.
For any further information or if you have any questions, please talk to one of the
trustees: Kate Cahn (30054) (Chair), Mark Agnew (30385), John Higgs (30994), Richard
Holt (30428), Neil Croton, Jan Walker (30212), John Whitbread (30525).
Sheila Moreland 1926 - 2019
Sheila and Peter moved to Gough’s Barton in Thorncombe in 1974, and delighted in
renovating the old house and barn, as well as creating a beautiful garden. They both
became deeply involved in village life, and were instrumental in the formation of
Thorncombe Village Trust in 1986. Many in the parish will remember Sheila at TVT
plant sales, behind the stalls, giving advice on plants and cuttings. She was a great
plantswoman as well as a keen conservationist. She and Peter instigated the regular
invitation to Dorset Wildlife Trust at the TVT annual Plant Sale, and took time researching
and organising speakers and events for the Trust’s programme.
After Peter’s death in 2007 Sheila took on the Presidency of the Village Trust and
became very involved in the committee. She enjoyed discussing conservation and planning
issues. She was actively involved in drawing up the Parish Plan in 2014, and thoroughly
enjoyed the intellectual challenge.
Sheila was also a member of the W.I. and took pleasure in going to meetings and getting
to know the newer members of the community. She was a very sociable and friendly
person, and everyone who met her warmed to her.
In recent years she was confined to her house, which she found extremely frustrating,
but was always quick to look on the bright side of a situation. Her sadness at seeing
her lovely garden become thickets of brambles and nettles was countered with her
pleasure in providing such a wonderful haven for wildlife. She was a keen bird-watcher
and quite a wildlife expert. She loved Thorncombe and the Dorset countryside, and
missed walking in the fields and lanes.
She was amazed and delighted by the kindness and generosity of local people especially
those that provided her weekly meals from the shop and also those from the lunch
club. Having a home-cooked meal meant such a lot to her, and she was deeply impressed
by the many volunteers who cook the meals so cheerfully, saying how this was true
village life, and how lucky she was to live in such a wonderful village.
Sheila was bright and full of life right up to the end, taking pleasure in watching
discussions in parliament so she could keep up with the latest Brexit developments.
An essential part of her was her sense of humour, and she was quick to laugh at herself.
She never complained about her health, but was cheerful and positive.
She was an example to us all, and those of us who were her friends will miss her
deeply.
