Marshwood+ Mid-Month Special September 2020

Marshwood+ September 2020 Mid-Month Special Issue

The best from West Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon

No. 258 - 2 September 2020

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UP FRONT There’s no end to what we can learn after the event. If we could just bottle hindsight and always have a little when we need it, we might all be in a much better place. Looking back on past issues and reading stories that we publish again in these Mid-Month Specials, I was a little shocked to read my opening line about an interview I did with the late publisher Felix Dennis. I mentioned that he didn’t expect to live to a ripe old age, but when we chatted about that at the time, I don’t think either of us knew that he would be dead within four years. I also had no idea then, that in those short years, I would get to know him very well or that I would spend so many hours talking with him to write his official biography. However, his death is one of those situations where, even with the benefit of hindsight, it may not have been avoided. When we embark on the more adventurous years of our lives we are often be too busy to listen to good advice.

By the time Felix and I were first chatting, the cancer that eventually killed him had already made headway, and, alluding at the time to his heavy smoking, perhaps that’s something that he already knew. But he left an extraordinary legacy. He decided that all profits from his businesses were to go to a charity he had set up whose sole aim was to plant trees. The Heart of England Forest has already created 4,000 acres of new woodland.

That’s more than 1.8 million trees. Their aim is to create huge broadleaf forest – ‘a place of tranquillity and natural beauty that’s open to anyone’ – up to 30,000 acres of forest.

Felix talked endlessly about his passion for tree planting, his love of trees and how much he liked the thought of people enjoying the benefits of nature. He may not have lived to see his dream come true, but with the benefit of foresight, I think he knew it would.

Fergus Byrne

Published Monthly and distributed by Marshwood Vale Ltd Lower Atrim, Bridport Dorset DT6 5PX For all Enquiries Tel: 01308 423031 info@marshwoodvale. com

THIS MONTH

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24 26 28 30

Bill Bowditch By Ron Frampton - Sept 2005 Event News and Courses Discover St Michael’s Julia Mear By Peter Park - Sept 2005 Knowlton Church By Gordon Hall - Sept 2005 Sir Ranulph Fiennes By Fergus Byrne - Sept 2005

34 36

House & Garden Property Round Up By Helen Fisher

38 38

Food & Dining Spicy Pork Tantanmen By Amy Kimoto-Kahn

40 42

Arts & Entertainment Galleries

44 46

Health & Beauty Services & Classified

Beer Quarry Caves By Steve Rogers News & Views David Longly By Robin Mills - Sept 2010 Felix Dennis By Fergus Byrne - Sept 2010

“When all else fails, read the instructions.”

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Editorial Director Fergus Byrne

Contributors

Deputy Editor

Helen Fisher Ron Frampton Richard Gahagan Gordon Hall

Victoria Byrne

Design

Fergus Byrne

Advertising

Fergus Byrne info@marshwoodvale.com

Amy Kimoto-Kahn Robin Mills Peter Park Steve Rogers

The views expressed in The Marshwood Vale Magazine and People Magazines are not necessarily those of the editorial team. Unless otherwise stated, Copyright of the entire magazine contents is strictly reserved on behalf of the Marshwood Vale Magazine and the authors.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of dates, event information and advertisements, events may be cancelled or event dates may be subject to alteration. Neither Marshwood Vale Ltd nor People Magazines Ltd can accept any responsibility for the accuracy of any information or claims made by advertisers included within this publication.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Trades descriptions act 1968. It is a criminal offence for anyone in the course of a trade or business to falsely describe goods they are offering. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. The legislation requires that items offered for sale by private vendors must be ‘as described’. Failure to observe this requirement may allow the purchaser to sue for damages.

Road Traffic Act. It is a criminal offence for anyone to sell a motor vehicle for use on the highway which is unroadworthy.

FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

Images of everyday life Compiled by Ron Frampton in September 2005

Abraham (Bill) Bowditch, photograph by Ron Frampton

FOR this issue of Images of everyday life, Ron met Abraham Bowditch (Bill) at his home near Axminster. This is Bill’s story: “I was born ninety years ago, at Holscroft Farm, on the edge of the Marshwood Vale in Dorset. A wild and remote place – and still is. My family have farmed in this area for hundreds of years. There are still a lot of people here with the name Bowditch, probably all related, and many live to a good old age. I’ve been lucky too.

In summer, I work six days a week and my church on Sundays is a car boot sale. I’ve never smoked and I don’t drink, apart from a drop of farm cider that I make myself. I didn’t get married, but I’ve always had good friends. I help look after a neighbour’s four-acre garden as well as doing my own. I keep about twenty hens and grow a lot of vegetables; I’ve got three green houses and lots of good tomatoes this year.

When I was young, I went to town with a horse and cart, now I drive a car and trailer. I work with a biggish ride-on mower, petrol hedge cutters, strimmers, rotivators and a chainsaw. I’ve made a high top and drop-down

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FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

Continued from previous page Bill Bowditch by Ron Frampton

back for my trailer, and quite a few gates lately—I like working with timber, always have.

My car’s getting on a bit now, and starting to rust - I decided to buy a new one: drove a hard bargain with the man in the Honiton showroom.

I wanted something that would last me for a good few years—I’ve never had any luck with second hand things.

Once a year I drive down to Holscroft Farm, where I was born. Memories come back: some of the old trees are still in the apple orchard; the cider house hasn’t changed, but the old cider press has gone. The outside yard, where we used to milk about 20 cows by hand, is still there. I remember the old field names: Halter Path, Higher and Lower Shave, Dog Hill, Longmead and Plot.

On warm Sunday evenings my aunts, uncles and cousins would walk over from Stonebarrow Farm, at Hawkchurch. Here my grandfather’s brother, Amos Bowditch, was a yeoman farmer. We were a close family, I was the youngest of four children: Clair, Edward and Anna. My father, Abraham, was born in 1870. He married my mother, Sarah Anna Willmott Greening, a school teacher from Washingpool, in the spring of 1901. I’m told my (5x) great grandfather, Robert Bowditch, married Sarah Loring, at Hawkchurch in April 1769.

Many of our family had biblical names; some were born in the adjoining parish of Whitchurch Canonicorum—a place of pilgrimage to the holy shrine.

At Holscroft we were a family of six. Our farm house had no running water, electricity or telephone. All water had to be pumped by hand from a thirty-foot well outside. We walked to Marshwood school in all winds and weathers, well over an hour’s walking a day.

As a young man, one of the summer highlights was Lambert’s Castle Races, on the old hill fort, with fairground rides and horseracing. I heard the

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band playing, so I wandered from our farm up through the footpaths into the fairground. As I walked over the top, two policemen came into the crowd and caught me. They marched me, one each side, to the entry gate—I had to pay a shilling.

Dad, and my mum, died in 1944; we buried them in January and May, at Marshwood. I was left on my own in the farmhouse; the rest of the family had married. My brother Ed and his wife Meg lived up the lane at Holscroft Lodge. One morning they got up, looked out, and the cows were still out in the field. I hadn’t brought them in for milking.

Meg came down, shouting that if I couldn’t get up in the morning I should come and live with them at the lodge. We all got on very well together so I jumped at the chance. I lived with them until the end of their lives.

In the late 1940s we applied to the ministry for one of the new rubber-tyred tractors. Rubber was still rationed. Most tractors at that time had iron wheels, which couldn’t be driven on the roads. A man came down to look at the farm, issued a permit, and we bought a new David Brown.

We ran a mixed farm of about 130 acres, mostly owned, part-rented. We kept horses on to the 1950s - you can talk to a horse; you can’t talk to a tractor. Dad said one of our farm horses was taken by the army to pull a gun-carriage in World War One. Terrible, to go from a Dorset farm to being shot at on the battlefields. Seventy years ago I worked with a lovely horse called Topsy. I still have one of her shoes; it’s unusual, with studs inserted for using on the road. Our last horse, Doll, was bought from the inn-keeper at Hunters Lodge near Axminster.

In those days most pubs had a holding of thirty or forty acres.

When you get older, you have to keep going as long as you can. Today I’ve been cutting grass, the trailer is loaded, and I’m off down to John Ody, at Forest Farm.”

Wild swimmers to feature in new book

A

local entrepreneur has captured his local wild swimming community in a book to celebrate their passion for sea swimming.

Simon Jordan of West Bay, Bridport was swimming early each morning as lockdown began to ease and started to see regular faces at the Bay. People of all ages from 35 to 76 were meeting up between 6 and 8 am to take a dip in the sea—in all weathers.

Continued over page...

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... continued from over page — Wild Swimmers in new book

‘I was struck by how happy, energised and refreshed everyone was after swimming in the sea’ said Simon.

He decided to capture the swimmers by photographing them as they emerged from the sea. ‘It was so wonderful to be allowed to photograph the spirit of these early morning swimmers. I wanted to document this time during the pandemic and to celebrate our little community and the joy the sea gave us all’.

The book shows each person and explains why they swim, with most saying that it’s for wellbeing and it makes them feel alive. ‘We have swimmers who’ve had hip replacements and some others new knees, but it hasn’t stopped them taking their morning dip.’

Simon also remarked on diversity of the group.

‘We’ve even got a small group of NHS nurses who come down for a dip before work and some who’d never swam before. And we all agree that its life affirming. Chatting to them and listening to their stories was wonderful’ he said. ‘We didn’t know each other at first but the sea brought us all together.’

Simon decided that the book should also benefit others, so he has decided that all profits are going to a local mental health charity in Bridport.

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To see a video of the book and to find out more visit www.WildSwimmingBook.com

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Small businesses get a helping hand

O

ver half of a £50,000 investment from Dorset LEP in a new Crowdfund Dorset Business initiative has already been allocated to small, Dorset-based businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investment in the match-funding initiative by Crowdfunder is part of Dorset LEP’s on-going response to support businesses during the pandemic.

Crowdfund Dorset Business provides businesses with up to £5,000 of match-funding. Dorset LEP has committed just over £29,000 of match-funding to seven small businesses across the county, with a total of £17,811 already issued to organisations including heritage site, Nothe Fort, Parley-based family-run shoe designer and manufacturer, Sole Buddy, Bournemouthbased classic rock bar, Zephyr, and the Dorset Artists Emergency Fund—a campaign that is helping Dorset artists to cover overheads and loss of income caused

by COVID-19. It’s expected that the funds committed to date will help protect 44 existing jobs and create five new jobs.

Nothe Fort, a museum and family attraction in Weymouth attracting 70,000 visitors a year, was the first company to benefit from the scheme. Support for

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the heritage site, alongside Dorset LEP investment, enabled Nothe Fort to re-open, safely, within a week of the of lockdown restrictions being relaxed.

James Farquharson, Nothe Fort Chair, said: “I am overwhelmingly grateful to our staff, visitors, Dorset LEP and everyone who donated to re-open Nothe Fort safely. With the money raised, we have been able to make essential safety alterations to the museum’s entrance and display areas, including new barriers and hand-sanitiser stations throughout. We are over the moon to be welcoming visitors again.”

SW Coast Refills, a ‘zero waste shop’ selling sustainable, locally produced, food items in Weymouth aims to crowdfund £3,000 to receive a further £3,000 in match-funding from Dorset LEP to make changes to their shop to accommodate social distancing.

The Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign is still open for applications and Dorset LEP hopes to have issued the full amount by the end of the year.

If your business needs a cash injection to bounceback from the effects of COVID-19, or you know of someone who could benefit from this scheme, find out more at crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/crowdfund-dorsetbusiness.

September

EVENT NEWS AND COURSES

September 3

Axminster Country Market. Starting at a new time of 9am. Back with their cakes, pastries, meals, crafts, jam, flowers, veg and free-range eggs. After a few retirements over the past year, the market was running at a slightly reduced capacity, but with 4 or 5 new producers ready to take up the challenge, the future is looking exciting. Country Markets are a nationwide co-operative, growing and cooking to high standards, with full supervision from Environmental Health, and everything is made from genuine ingredients in home kitchens. Customers become life-long friends, and there is always a friendly welcome. Held in the Masonic Hall on South Street, between Halff Project Food & The Nail Studio. Parking in Coombe Street.

01460 30938. Your support for our club is much appreciated as we begin to welcome back our members.

September 19

West Dorset Group, Somerset and Dorset Family History Society, Zoom meeting 2.00. Mark Bayley, The Genealogist ‘The Future of Family History’ Mark will be available for questions after the talk. If you want to join the meeting contact Jane via email jferentzi@aol.com and she will send you the link.

September 20

September 4

West Dorset Group, Somerset and Dorset Family History Society, Zoom meeting 2.00 topic ‘Things that families might not have spoken about’ like illegitimacy, bigamy, second marriages, divorce criminals etc. If you want to join the meeting contact Jane via email: jferentzi@aol. com and she will send you the link.

September 8

Bridport History Society, Zoom meeting 2.30. Bruce Upton ‘Lewd Wenches’ and ‘Loose Living Fellows’, Bruce will be available for questions after the talk. If you want to join the meeting contact Jane via email jferentzi@aol.com and she will send you the link.

September 10

Willow Workshop with Jo Sadler 9am - 3pm. Chickens £65pp. Skyrm Room, Beaminster Town Hall, Dorset.

September 15

Dillington House, Ilminster, day course ‘West Country Migration in the 1800s’. Local historian Jane FerentziSheppard is the tutor. For more details contact Dillington House on 01460 258613 or the website www.dillington.com

September 17

Thorncombe Gardening Club is very pleased to be able to welcome back all members and visitors to our meeting on September 17th at 7.30pm in Thorncombe Village Hall.

The speaker will be Mary Benger on her ‘Passion for Plants’.

Visitors £4. For further details please contact Mary Morris

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Mapperton House Autumn Plant Fair 10am – 4pm.

After a gardening season with limited opportunities to buy plants the Mapperton House and Garden autumn plant fair is scheduled to go ahead. Naturally, a range of measures will be in place to help keep everyone safe, including hand sanitisers around the site. Organisers ask everyone who comes along to respect other people’s socially distanced space and not to come if they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. There will be a range of nurseries, from across the South West selling a diverse set of plants; fill your garden with late season herbaceous perennials and grasses, bulbs for autumn planting are always popular, there are bound to be Salvias in flower and more unusual pitcher plants catching end of summer flies. Also available metal plant supports and structures plus a range of Acers and shrubs. More details, including nurseries, attending at www.plantfairs.co.uk. All visitors are strongly advised to purchase tickets in advance from https://mapperton.com/online-booking-mappertontickets Tickets £5 each includes entrance to garden. House remains closed to visitors. The Coach House café will be selling limited refreshments. Check with organiser’s website for details www.Plantfairs.co.uk https://mapperton.com

September 21 or 25

Art History course online on ‘Zoom’, 2pm-3.40pm with 20 minute break in the middle for 6 weeks. The Nabis were a group of post-impressionist painters, for example Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Marguerite Serusier, Maurice Denis, Paul Serusier, and associated artists like Suzanne Valadon, active from c1888–c1900, whose bold painting and use of colour and strong use of line, created new approaches in art. These are striking and beautiful alluring paintings. On line course Fee £51. Tutor is Pam Simpson MA, Associate Lecturer Bath Spa University. Contact email chris.pamsimpson@btinternet.com or tel 01300 321715.

September 24

Creative Process and Self Expression Workshops (Level 1) begin today in Bridport - The Chapel in the Garden. 10 Thursday mornings. Thursdays 9.30am-12.30. ‘Serious play’ with art materials & group discussions. Max 10 participants.

Successful course at London’s Central St. Martins’ College for 20+ years. Suitable for artists & designers as well as beginners wanting to explore + develop creativity and self expression further. Great if you are: looking to find or change creative direction; feeling creatively stuck etc. Fun and challenging. Contact M. Caddick (MA DipAT) asap to discuss the course & to book a place 07557 275275. For course flyer email m.caddick@gmx.net “In 10 weeks I learnt more about my own creative processes than in 6 years at art school.” “A deeply enriching experience. All COVID 19 Government guidelines will be implemented. N.B. Participants attend at their own risk.

Willow Workshop with Jo Sadler 9am - 3pm. Bee or Dragonfly - £65pp. Skyrm Room, Beaminster Town Hall, Dorset.

September 27

Angels of Sound Voice Playshop 10am -12.30pm.

Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA advance booking only social distancing limited numbers 01935 389655 ahaihel@live.com www. centreforpuresound.org/events Divine Union Soundbath 2pm-4pm. Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA. Advance booking only social distancing limited numbers www. centreforpuresound.org/events The Arts Society West Dorset. September lecture regretfully cancelled, but you can get your arts fix with online lectures at: connected.theartssociety.org Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 15

S

et within the wider community of Bridport, St Michael’s Trading Estate has long been known as one of the most fascinating cultural trading centres along the South-West coast.

A community in its own right, the estate hosts a fascinating mix of traders that includes artists, designers and makers, as well as offering retail furniture, bath and shower showrooms and a school meals provider. You can also find textiles, upholstery, stonemasonry, carpentry & joinery, tailor-made garden furniture, glass & ceramic tiles and even a waxwork sculptor and a recording studio.

Not forgetting the many antiques, collectables, retro and vintage shops that attract thousands of people to the town.

Trade in the area stretches back more than 200 years and it has been a key part of the pioneering West Dorset

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net making and rope making industry, providing equipment for Nelson’s fleet as well as familyowned early fishing vessels along the South West coast.

The Hayward family became owners in 1968 and have nurtured and managed the estate through many difficult and traumatic times. It is said that without the Haywards, the estate may not exist, as when they first arrived planning permission already existed to turn St Michael’s into a housing estate.

But its not all about the past, or even the present: the estate is planning an exciting future for St Michael’s, a future that they say will carefully mix trading and work with living and home.

Martin Ridley of Hayward & Co sees St Michael’s Trading Estate as a community within a community—and if there is one thing we have learned in the last five months, it is the value of community.

And that doesn’t just apply to near neighbours—although for many, neighbourliness has been the difference between very bleak times and survival recently. What has become clear is that the wider local community relies on economic interaction, and that plays an important role in both the social and economic wellbeing of an area.

The thousands of visitors from nearby towns and villages that come to enjoy the atmosphere created by the shops, artists and artizans on the St Michael’s Trading Estate, become part of the lifeblood of the town. Both the buyers and sellers need each other for all to prosper, both socially and economically.

There is little doubt that the buzz created by the crowds that visit the vintage markets, the Alleyways and the eclectic mix of vendors on the estate, makes St Michael’s one of the most attractive places to visit. It is a haven for those that like to browse, buy and feel part of something more real than a shopping mall.

In an era when social distance means finding a new way to spend a day out, discovering St Michael’s in Bridport should be high on everyone’s list.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

September 2005

Julia Mear, East Devon, photograph by Peter Park

JULIA Mear grew up on Fawnsmoor Farm in Axminster, Devon, a holding farmed by her family for three generations. She now lives a few miles away at Kilmington. Julia takes up the story: “I’ve lived in the picturesque village of Kilmington for ten years. It’s a traditional East Devon village, with a friendly community. It still has two thatched pubs, and a village shop that has been owned by the same family for over one hundred years. The things that are important to any community are still here: the school, church, chapel, farm shop, filling station and garage. The village cricket team, which has had only three secretaries during the past hundred years, is an asset.

I have a close family network around me, and I’ve always enjoyed listening to individual family stories—it’s so important to discover where we come from and how our families lived. It grounds us and gives us a sense of who we are. I’m now in my early thirties and my life is quite different from my forebears.

My grandmother (nan) grew up on local farms where they had all kinds of animals: pigs, sheep, cows, hens and two carthorses, Smart and Duke, who did all the heavy farm work. Nan was very fond of the animals, and as a child she was known to nurse the odd orphaned piglet under her bed. Nan became the first woman chairman of Axminster Young Farmers Club. During a railway strike, probably in the 1930s, no milk could be taken out of Axminster, so great grandfather opened a shop in Chard Street, Fawnsmoor Dairy. Until recently the sign could still be faintly seen.

Nan married a local farmer in 1936; he was originally from Ashill in Somerset. They had four children and farmed at Fawnsmoor until the late 1960s, then my mum and dad ran it as a dairy farm.

My mum’s family was one of the first to be housed in the American-built Nissen huts at Millwey Rise, Axminster. The huts were provided as temporary accommodation in 1948, at the end of World War Two. My mum’s father was an AA man (Automobile Association) on the Axminster to Bridport beat, posted at Hunters Lodge. He started his AA work in 1950 with a yellow BSA motorcycle and sidecar, and later, a yellow mini van. It was the custom for AA men to salute all motorists displaying the AA badge.

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September 2005 My own childhood, growing up at Fawnsmoor with my sister and brother, brings back fond memories. In the winter of 1976 we were snowed in and had to take our milk up our winding lane for the tanker to collect. The highlight of all this was being taken to our local primary school on the tractor and trailer—we were the envy of all our school friends.

I went on to Colyton Grammar School but found it quite inconvenient when exams coincided with haymaking time; I always wanted to be helping collect the hay bales from the fields before it was too dark, as it was bound to rain the next day.

After school, and a few short-term jobs, I set off to work as an au pair in Morges, Switzerland, looking after three French-speaking young children. At first, we communicated using signs and drawing pictures, but by the end of the year my French was fairly good. It was great to learn another language. I returned home to attend nursing college in Winchester but only lasted a few months. I missed life in Switzerland, so returned again the following year.

When I came back to Axminster I worked as a nanny for a family with four lively children. I loved working with children, but felt I wanted a more permanent career. Ten years ago, I started work with Axminster Power Tool Centre and now work part-time as Human Resources Manager.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a keen interest in black and white photography, a passion shared with my grandad. But most of my time is spent with my beautiful two-year old son, Jack. Yesterday, we were over at the fields picking blackberries and exploring the wildlife. For me, farming and family life in Devon will always be very special.”

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FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

September 2005

Knowlton Church, Dorset, photograph by Gordon Hall

SITUATED some two miles south of Cranborne and six miles north of Wimborne stands the ruin of a twelfth century church.

It was built at the centre of a 2500 BC neolithic embankment and ditch, now called the Church Circle, which forms part of a Bronze Age complex of henge monuments or ditch enclosed earthworks, known as the Knowlton Rings. Close by is the Great Barrow, the largest round barrow or ancient burial ground in Dorset, nearly twenty feet high. Repeated burials have raised substantially the level of earth above that of the adjacent land. That the whole area was a religious site is indicated by the large number of other nearby barrows and the proximity of yew trees.

There is little doubt that long before Christianity reached Britain, burial places were used for communal and secular, as well as religious purposes. The notion of spiritual regeneration by association with the dead persisted for many centuries and the simple agricultural people, very much concerned with rebirth, would have used the sites at Knowlton as religious meeting places as well as for their seasonal activities.

The value of religious and cultural continuity was recognised

by Pope Gregory when, in 601, he instructed Abbot Mellitus (later Bishop of London) that pagan shrines should not be destroyed ‘but rather that they should be purified with holy water so that in time they would become temples of the true God’. This would ensure that the powerful religious associations of a site would be sustained in the minds of the people.

For this reason, numerous ancient burial sites were adopted by missionary priests as centres of worship and, once established, 20 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

they were used as Christian burial grounds and eventually acquired permanent churches. It is most likely that this is how Knowlton Church came to be built. The henge in which it is situated almost certainly once featured a stone circle. At least two large stones are built into the base of the church, and the altar could well have been cut from a third. The stone fabric of the church has replaced the circle and one of the buttresses clearly has the energy spiral normally associated with standing stones running up it.

It was once the parish church of the medieval settlement of Knowlton, located in a river valley a mile to the south-west. In Norman times it was an important village and was named as a royal manor in the Domesday Book. During the early part of the fourteenth century, extensions and alterations were carried out to the church which tends to suggest that the village was growing. Immediately afterwards, however, the village fell victim to the Black Death and was totally wiped out.

There is little information about the church over the next few hundred years but it seems that it largely fell into disuse.

There is evidence that some repair work was carried out in the eighteenth century. It was not fully restored, however, and in the same century the roof collapsed, the church was abandoned for good and, sadly, allowed to fall into ruin.

Legend has it that, at some stage when the church was disused but not yet ruined, its bells were stolen by the people of Sturminster Marshall who needed them for their own church.

The theft was soon discovered by the people of Knowlton who set off in pursuit of the thieves. As the bell-thieves reached their

own village they heard the Knowltonians gaining ground behind them and, in panic, dropped the bells into the river near White Mill Bridge, which spans the Stour near Sturminster Marshall. They tried several times to recover them later but their efforts were in vain as the bells always slipped back. According to the legend the bells can still be heard ringing today.

Knowlton Church remains an abandoned ruin and although much of its tower and walls of flint are still intact, it is without a roof. It is the only surviving memory of a once thriving village and its setting is quite magical, though sometimes moody and oppressive. Conservationists have now cleared the centuries of bramble growth which once made entry into the ruin almost impossible. Before this, many people who visited it described it as a dank and evil-smelling place with a sinister atmosphere.

In fact, relatively little is known about the church, which adds to the mystery, and over the years it has certainly succeeded in firing the imagination. Visitors cannot fail to be filled with curiosity about its history, especially when they discover that it has been listed as one of the most haunted places in Dorset.

Story by Gordon Hall

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FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

September 2005

Living Dangerously In September 2005 Fergus Byrne spoke with Sir Ranulph Fiennes He was the youngest captain in the British Army and a member of the elite SAS regiment. He went on to lead over 30 expeditions, including the first polar circumnavigation of the Earth and the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic continent.

He was awarded the OBE for human endeavour and charitable services and after a heart attack in 2003 he ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. His home in the West Country, though often bathed in good old British drizzle, is a far cry from the sub-zero temperatures that Sir Ranulph Fiennes has endured in an already extraordinary life.

S

ir Ranulph Fiennes is one of the world’s top inspirational and motivational speakers and he will be speaking at St Anthony’s Leweston near Sherborne at the end of September.

Part of a series of talks organised by Minnie Churchill, Wendy Hannam and others, the evening promises to be an entertaining journey through tales of adventure, as well as source of inspiration to anyone lucky enough to attend.

Sir Ranulph has been described by the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘World’s Greatest Living Explorer’.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales called him, ‘mad but marvellous’, and the chief executive of the multinational conglomerate Unilever said after hearing him speak, “I have attended a number of keynote speeches to the UK Marketing Forum. We have had top-level business leaders, the best educationists, knights of the realm and American gurus. None of them approached your address to us in range, content or inspiration. On rare occasions, something happens

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that one feels will live in memory for years to come and your address to us emphatically fits into this category.”

Born in England in 1944 and brought up in Africa, he joined the Scots Greys before moving to the elite SAS regiment. He is said to have been dismissed from the regiment for blowing up a section of the film set of Doctor Dolittle in Castle Coombe in Wiltshire. After a period with the Sultan of Oman’s forces, where he won the Sultan’s Bravery Medal, he began leading the expeditions that would make him a household name.

Today Sir Ranulph Fiennes is an inspiring speaker, tirelessly working to raise money for various charities.

He has raised millions of pounds for Multiple Sclerosis and Heart Disease and has inspired many with debilitating illnesses to persevere through difficult times.

Although to many he is an effective icon of bravery, a need to inspire is not something that drives him.

Referring to some of his most recent adventures he told the Marshwood Vale: “I took part in the Everest trip and the 7x7x7 marathons for a number of different

reasons, including an ongoing desire to raise cash for chosen charities. If, as a result of these projects, anyone who reads about them is helped in their own challenges, that is an additional bonus.”

Photographer Martin Hartley, who’s photographs from various exotic locations around the world have uniquely captured the majesty of nature, cites Sir Ranulph as a key influence on his career. “He is the ‘Clint Eastwood’ of the polar world without doubt” said Martin. “You’d always want him on your side.

When I saw him ‘in action’, ice climbing in the Alps, I could see something about him that defines him and possibly guides him through his hardships; and it is a simple combination of sheer determination, focus and willpower.” Martin, who himself has seen some extreme conditions on his photographic journeys went on to pay tribute to Sir Ranulph’s ability to persevere under duress. “His breathtaking ability to carry on when his physical being is under the kind of extreme duress that would make most people crumble instantly and his uncompromising determination to get ‘the job done’ is what I find most inspiring.”

In between adventures Sir Ranulph has also managed to write numerous highly successful books, including his autobiography Living Dangerously, The Feather Men, Secret Hunters and the bestselling biography Captain Scott.

One journalist remarked that he ‘slotted books into his schedule the way most of us make time for lattes or movies: in the downtime when nothing else is pressing.’

His most recent effort to climb Everest may not have been one hundred percent successful—despite reaching over 27,000 feet he was forced to turn back only hours from the summit —but that doesn’t detract from the main point of the expedition, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Sir Ranulph, President of the Ranulph Fiennes Healthy Hearts Appeal, said: “I know first-hand the lifechanging difference that research makes—my own heart bypass operation saved my life and has allowed me to carry on doing the things I love.”

Although he hardly needs any more adventure in his life Sir Ranulph is keeping his future plans close to his chest. When we asked him whether there were any challenges he would like to tackle in the future he

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Photograph by Martin Hartley

replied: “I am working on one or two personal aims for possible future challenges but none are definitely on the cards as yet.”

Though he claims to have had a ‘soft’ childhood and was bullied at school, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has more than proved himself an extraordinary human being. His family motto is ‘Look for a Brave Spirit’. This motto may well ring in the ears of many who admire him but it will have a special meaning for those who aspire to create a greater contribution to their own legacy. Those that will strive to push themselves that extra mile, whether for personal goals or to help others.

In October he will be sharing the podium at ‘Leaders in London’ with people like Mikhail Gorbachev and Bill Clinton.

To get a chance to hear him speak at St Anthony’s Leweston on September 26th send a cheque for £15 per person with a SAE to Mrs Wendy Hannam, Totnell House, Leigh, Nr Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HT.

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Beer Quarry Caves HISTORY AND REMEMBERING. HOW NOT TO REPEAT THE PAST—AND WHY History, according to the Italian historian Roberto Calasso, is an enigma. According to the Irish writer James Joyce history is a nightmare from which he wants to wake up.

But history, however you find it, is inescapable. Its where we come from. It’s what made us. According to the philosopher George Santayana “Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it”. This is a warning that Winston Churchill called attention to but it is also an invitation. History is why we invite you come to visit us at Beer Quarry Caves.

Just recently we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe and then Victory over Japan. We heard, again, the terrible catastrophe brought upon Europe by Hitler and the Nazis, with a loss of almost 50 million human lives, most of them Russian but many of them our own during the battles to win back Europe, the blitz in London and in Exeter in 1942. We heard, wonderfully presented by Johanna Lumley, of the suffering in the Japanese prisoner of war camps and then the ultimate horror of the two atomic bombs, killing almost 200,000 people in less than the blink of an eye. As a result of the worst war humankind has ever known, we had found out how to destroy the human race, all of it.

BEER QUARRY CAVES AND THE FUTURE. On a more optimistic note we reopened the caves on the 4th of July, as permitted by the coronavirus regulations.

Even that day we had 3 visitors !! and the numbers have grown nicely since. We are getting help from the British Museum as to how to manage our tours. That marvellous place, the B M, re-opens on the 27th August. Like us they have a relatively narrow entrance, then the Great Court, just like our caverns. They used to get slightly more visitors than us though, about seven million a year. Not quite what we will ever have, but you never know, see below.

BATS AND SPECIAL WINTER TOURS We will not be locking down this Winter, but with the help and advice of our Devon Bat friends we will be running special tours. We are often asked where our bats are in Summer. They are out, foraging all over Devon, stocking up for Winter. But in Winter they come back home to our caves to hibernate. There has been a huge growth in interest in bats in recent years and the Caves are home to a large colony of common and some rare species of these extraordinary little animals, of which we know far too little.

longer than a normal tour, starting around 17.15 culminating in a ‘round the tables’ barbecue, cooked by our resident chef Alice Rodgers. We hope this will encourage visitors who want to go into the local history more deeply, and the history of the caves a bit more, contributing as well as learning.

Flint. We will also be starting flint knapping and information courses. It is not widely known that the scientists still haven’t quite worked out how flint is formed.

Science knows the ingredients but not quite how the cake was baked. Flint, which provided mankind with its sole source of tools for over two million years, was Beer’s first major industry, apart perhaps from fishing. For those in Beer and the local area who have never visited the caves we now have a small but expanding flint collection. We are hoping to start knapping (cutting) sessions in the Autumn, perhaps at weekends. We would welcome expressions of interest via by way of emails to our web site.

BEER QUARRY CAVES AND LOCAL HISTORY. THE LARGER PICTURE. A STONE AGE CITY. Our knowledge of the remote past is increasing at an amazing rate. Hardly a day goes by without the BBC reporting new finds that tell us more about where we came from and how. In the last few weeks some of the earliest cave ‘etchings’ in Britain have been found on the island of Jersey, a probable route for the post Neanderthal human species, homo sapiens, back to Britain after the last ice age.

And a staging post to Devon. There are very similar cave drawings at Creswell Crags in Cheddar Gorge not too far away from us, only discovered in 2003. This is all tending towards a picture of Stone Age Britain that is becoming increasingly complex, and much more informative. But for us at Beer Quarry Caves the real holy grail is to establish more clearly what the great necropolis at Farway was, how it links to Beer Quarry and Beer, and then how it links to Stonehenge. To those of us who grew up thinking that the great stone circle at Stonehenge was just a nice picnic site on the way west, what has been found there is simply staggering. Huge new burial and ritual sites, the source of the standing stones themselves, and all the human habitations that surrounded the area. What we are seeing is how our ancestors organised their first cities. We are reasonably certain that Beer and Farway were also a much larger human community, much more closely linked than seems. And one day we hope to be able to show where East Devon fitted into the history of modern humans in Britain and how they made their first cities.

BARBECUE SPECIAL EVENING TOURS.

Stephen Rodgers Curator and manager of Beer Quarry Caves. Member of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall.

Most of our tours are run during the day but we are looking to have an evening special tour, perhaps slightly

Kevin Cahill, Historian in residence at Beer Quarry Caves. Fellow Emeritus of the Royal Historical Society.

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News&Views

AXMINSTER Pool to reopen The Flamingo Pool, a self-funded charity in Axminster, announced that it was reopening on August 24th after it had been hit extremely hard financially by the government enforced lockdown.

The charity estimated the pool had lost around £50,000 whilst ensuring all amenities had been scaled back as far as achievable, to save as much as possible.

After a successful fundraising effort a statement on the pool’s Facebook page said: ‘There will be a few changes in places including a basket system for your belongings, limited numbers in both pools and sanitising stations around the building as well as social distancing being undertaken as a must.

We can’t wait to welcome you all back to swim with us in a safe, friendly environment.’

WINSHAM Cycling for APP Simon and Jude Hill from Winsham are cycling 2500 miles to raise awareness and funding for Action on Postpartum Psychosis. When their third daughter suffered from Postpartum Psychosis, after the birth of her daughter in 2018, they were so grateful for the support she received whilst in Leeds Mother and Baby unit. That support has continued to help her towards making a full recovery. Simon and Jude are riding from Lands End to John O’Groats and Simon will ride back ( Jude will be doing a few less miles as another Grandchild is due in late September!). ‘Our hope is to be back at our home in Somerset by early October’ said Jude. To support their efforts vist their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ridefor-recovery.

LYME REGIS Theatre weathering storm The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis has been working hard to weather the COVID-19 crisis through its small reserves, generous public donations, and grants. It is hoped that socially distanced live events may be allowed in the medium term. However, in the meantime, the theatre has a selection of outdoor events planned. Organisers are asking those attending to observe social distancing, have clean hands, and use provided hand sanitiser on arrival. There will be a one way system to maintain distancing when visiting the bar or toilet. Tickets must be booked in advance online on the theatre’s website. For full details of events, as well as an opportunity to donate to its reopening fund, visit the theatre’s website at www.marinetheatre.com.

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DORCHESTER Hospital asks for support Clinicians at Dorset County Hospital are asking local residents to register their support for the first phase of plans to expand key clinical facilities on the Dorchester site. The plans include the expansion of the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as the establishment of an Integrated Care Hub as part of a long-term project to deliver the recommendations of Dorset’s Clinical Services Review. Dorset County Hospital has been allocated £62.5million of Government funding for the expansion plans as part of the national Health Infrastructure Plan and the project has been recognised as a priority. To show your support visit https://dchft.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/dch-support or go to the hospital’s website www.dchft.nhs.uk.

LULWORTH Human chain saves a life An extraordinary effort of support and bravery helped save a life at Durdle Door recently when a human chain assisted a swimmer in distress. Up to twenty people linked arms to reach a man caught in dangerous wave conditions on the popular Dorset beach. Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team warned against entering the sea in dangerous conditions.: ‘With the large waves and spring tides of late, we strongly discourage sea swimming and playing around in the surf, especially on exposed beaches such as Durdle Door. The undertow is very powerful and will have no trouble taking you off your feet.’ Eyewitnesses to the incident said people applauded the bravery of those that assisted the swimmer.

Coastguard Rescue urged people to call 999 and ask for the Coastgaurd if they see someone in difficulty.

A leading charity is looking for cyclists

DIABETES UK is looking for people from Dorset to get on their bikes and take on the UK Wide Cycle Ride this September.

This September take your fitness up a gear and complete our coast to coast virtual challenge. You can pick your distance from one of four routes.

Beginners may want to tackle the 120-mile Route One—the equivalent of Dundee to Fort William or experienced cyclists who are after a challenge may find the 950-mile Route Four, the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats, more their speed.

The aim is to challenge yourself—at your own pace—and pedal towards a stronger, healthier you. You can also get family, friends or colleagues along for the ride.

During the past few months, demand for our services has reached unprecedented levels and our own funding has been significantly impacted.

People with diabetes need us now, and so we need your support to be able to continue fighting. Join us, and your support can change lives.

There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK—a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed carefully, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke. There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes.

Phaedra Perry, Regional Head Diabetes UK South West, said: “Cycling is a fantastic way to help you get fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge. Whether you’re a novice in the saddle or a cycling fanatic, our team will be on hand to offer cycling tips and fundraising advice.

Every mile you complete and every pound you raise brings us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm. Sign up and get pedalling—your support can change lives!”

To register, visit diabetes.org.uk/ride There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

In September 2010

Robin Mills met David Longly in Sydling St Nicholas

David Longly, photograph by Robin Mills

“ORIGINALLY I come from Hythe, in Kent, where I was born 83 years ago. My father was a builder, and I had two brothers and a sister. We lived there until 1940, about the time of the evacuation of Dunkirk. That was when my school was evacuated also, but we went to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, where it was thought to be a lot safer for children in case there was an invasion. I was there for two years, and when I came back, I started my apprenticeship as a plumber, working for my father. When I was old enough, I registered for National Service. If you waited until they called you up, you went where you were told, including coal mines, which wasn’t very appealing, but since I’d volunteered, I was able to join the Navy, just before my 17th birthday.

After training, we went over to Ostend, to join a minesweeper. By now the war was over, and we spent 3 months or so sweeping German mines, up and down the coast of France, Belgium and Holland. One job we had was to retrieve a sunken German armed trawler from St Peter Port, in Guernsey. It had been raised from the seabed where it had lain for two years, and we had to tow it back to Willhelmshaven in Germany. The trawler was classified as a war grave, with the bodies of German sailors still on board, so it wasn’t pleasant, and after we crossed the North Sea we were met by 7 German E-boats, who escorted us into port. After that, we were transferred to fishery protection, going with the fleets from Grimsby and Aberdeen up to Bear Island in the Arctic. We also went to Loch Fyne, helping the herring fleets find their catch with our Asdic echo sounders, which we had been using to detect mines.

I spent 3 years in the Navy in all and enjoyed it, so when I came out I finished my plumbing apprenticeship. Things weren’t too good in the building trade at that time, and I found it hard to settle down. In 1949 Mary and I got married.

Then in 1953, my brother-in-law, Bob Browning, who was farming here in Sydling St Nicholas, offered me a job.

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He wanted quite a bit of building done, so we moved down from Kent, and I built a dairy for him, converted buildings for calf pens, and in between times I did general farm work and lorry driving. The farm was about 1500 acres, and there were 2 dairies, milking Red Poll cattle, and we also grew corn and potatoes. We hauled all our own cattle cake, and later fertilizer, which was why we ran the lorry. Like many of the farms up this valley, it was tenanted; Winchester College owned a lot of land in those days.

When I started, I was the 23rd member of staff on the farm, which gives an idea of how labour-intensive farming was then. 3 of the staff were Lithuanian displaced persons; there was the keeper and his boy, and the strappers who were the old boys who did the hedging and ditching. It was like a small army coming up the road in the mornings, with everybody coming in to work, mostly on bicycles. We grew mangles and swedes for the cows, which meant a lot of back-breaking hoeing, and at one time we had 160 acres of potatoes – we were very big potato growers. Over at Martinstown, there was a camp of Nissen huts, where people from all walks of life came for a holiday picking potatoes, and I’d go over there to pick them up with the lorry. I turned up at the farm once with 30 Swedish girls on the lorry from the camp, and that certainly made the blokes’ eyes pop.

There were about 60 cows in one dairy, and 80 in the other, quite large-scale for those days, and each dairy was looked after by 2 dairymen and a helper, and they’d sometimes help out with the potato harvest; the boss would say “I need 10 ton by breakfast-time”, and we’d go out and pick them. After breakfast the dairy staff would haul them in, and later we’d weigh them and bag them up. The farm had a sales outlet in Poole, and they would collect the potatoes and distribute them to shops around that area. In winter we’d be busy riddling out potatoes from the straw-covered clamps in the barns. It was a cold job sometimes, but working with a good crowd you could always have bit of a laugh.

After I’d been on the farm about 3 years, I took on tractor-driving. We used crawler tractors for ploughing, and we’d try to plough everything by Christmas. Apart from a couple of Fergusons, they were all American.

There were 3 Case tractors, 2 Allis-Chalmers, and 2 International TD-9’s. The first one I drove was an AllisChalmers Model M. It was only 35HP, but it would lug on a 4-furrow plough quite comfortably, doing about 7 acres in a full day. With no cab it could be bitter, and I remember one day when, after a day’s ploughing on the top of the hill, my ears were so cold nobody dared touch them in case they fell off. We always reckoned it was 3 coats’ difference between the top of the hill and down here. For harvesting the 500-odd acres of corn, we had 3

combines. There was a Massey-Ferguson 726, with an 8ft cut, and 2 Massey 21’s which were 12ft cut. You could guarantee that if there were 3 combines in a field one of them would be broken down. I also drove one of the two balers, an Allis-Chalmers Rotabaler, a machine which could drive a man crazy. If the crop was fit, it went ok, but if it was a bit damp it was constant trouble. I pulled that behind a crawler, and every time it made a bale you had to hit it into gear, and out again, using a hand clutch.

We made 20-30,000 bales of hay every year, which was a lot of gear changes, and somehow we must have had the fine weather to make that much hay, which doesn’t seem to happen these days. Of course, if a machine broke then, you fixed it, and I always enjoyed the machinery side of the job. Bob Browning was a clever man, who could turn his hand to anything, and he taught me a lot about mending machinery.

There were always plenty of rabbits; in fact, there were so many we were almost farming them. I was told that the rabbits paid the keeper’s wages, and his rent, and for all the shooting. Trapping rabbits was mostly what the keeper did, with about 500 traps which had to be moved around the farm, and there were two ex-army jeeps to do that. At their peak, we trapped and shot 26,000 rabbits one year, and then of course the myxomatosis came and the keeper was pretty much out of a job, although he worked more on the farm after that.

Gradually, through the sixties and seventies the machinery got bigger and better, and there were less people working here inevitably, despite the fact we still farmed dairy, corn and potatoes. The Red Poll cattle were replaced by Holstein Friesians, combined into one dairy. In 1984, Winchester College decided to sell the land, and it was bought by Mr Langley-Pope. He said he thought I’d be more use to him in the workshop, and that suited me down to the ground, so that’s where I worked up until the present owner, Mr Cooper, bought it. When I first worked here it was farmed more or less organically, which was how everyone farmed. From then on it got gradually more and more intensive, and now, Mr Cooper’s converted the whole farm to organic production. So I’ve seen it go full circle, with the main difference between 1953 and now being the amount of paperwork.

Sadly Mary died in 1986, but we brought up four children on the farm. Vanessa, the oldest, came with us from Kent, and Russ, Mark, and Nicola were born here.

I had to pay 3 shilling a week rent for the house we lived in then, and the wages were just over £5 a week when I started. I’m still doing one day a week, looking after the farm water supplies, which keeps me out of mischief.

Seeing all the changes in farming over the years, it’s been an interesting life.”

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FROM THE ARCHIVES A Look back at some of the people we have featured in the Marshwood Vale Magazine

In a Soho Garden In September 2010 Fergus Byrne met us with Felix Dennis at his London flat

FELIX Dennis doesn’t believe he’s going to live to a ripe old age. It’s something he’s been acutely aware of for a very long time. He is now 63 years old, has had at least three very close brushes with death already, and abused his body to such a degree that there is sometimes debate on whether he has lost, not one decade, but two. As we sit drinking a prelunch rosé in the kitchen of his flat in Soho, he chain smokes and prowls the room like a caged beast, snatching gulps of fresh air from the tiny veranda he likes to call his London garden. “It’s titchy!” he exclaims, as he gazes across the horizon. “It must be the smallest garden in the world”. One imagines his voice booms across the Soho rooftops, disturbing the occupants of tiny bedrooms, where many past tabloid headlines were born.

His fear of death is, however, nothing new. In fact it may have been the driving force that saw him rise from growing up in a house with no electricity, no central heating and an outside toilet, to becoming one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs. “I think I’ve gone through my life as an utterly fearful worm, believing that every day is going to be the last day of my life,” he says. “There is no question that I have lived my life, ever since I can remember, in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety, and that is what drives me. But it does something else you know.

Because it’s with you continually, all day every day, nothing frightens you. It means that I will do things that other people, far more sensible, will not do.”

He remembers how, in his younger days, he would

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earn or save money with dangerous antics—running across canals on sewage pipes to earn ten shillings, or climbing a drainpipe to avoid paying rent. It’s a habit that followed him on through his business life.

He cites a recent example of spending $48M “of money that I had already paid tax on!” to make a magazine a success in America. “When I could have just stopped!” he says.

Regardless of how long his life has been, or even will be, his list of achievements is quite remarkable.

Born in 1947 in Kingston-upon-Thames he never knew his father. With a degree of pride he tells me that his mother worked hard to give himself and his brother a decent life. She was one of the first women to become a chartered accountant, allowing the family to move to a house with electricity. He remembers showing his brother how a light switch worked. Today he has moved his mother into a house near his home and cut back on his travel so he can see more of her—she is 91 and has recently suffered a serious stroke.

To the complete dismay, and somewhat annoyance, of his head teacher he passed the 11 plus and went on to grammar school. His teacher told him there had to have been some kind of mix-up in the results, because he was an ‘idle boy’ that couldn’t possibly have passed on his own merits. His teacher wasn’t to be the last person to make the mistake of underestimating him.

After spending many years playing in R&B bands and living a hipper than hippy lifestyle he joined the team producing the underground magazine, Oz, and found that his drive to make money could go to good use. While all his colleagues sported Afghan coats and psychedelic shirts, Felix got himself a three-piece suit and went out looking for income for the magazine. “They didn’t know anything about money!” he exclaims. He retained the long hair but his natural negotiation skills and business acumen helped keep the magazine afloat; at least until the now famous ‘Oz trial’ that got him banged up in Wormwood Scrubs. An issue of Oz, produced mostly by contributions from school kids, had resulted in one of the longest conspiracy trials in history. He recorded a single with John Lennon

to raise money for a legal defence fund at the time, and the three co-editors were eventually acquitted on appeal.

Whilst many believe it was the experience of the British justice system that forged Felix Dennis’s drive for success, he believes it was already inside him.

“Maybe I believed I was indestructible.” he says. “Even though I lived in fear and anxiety all my life—fear of what? I have no idea. Fear of extinction? Fear of failure? I have always turned my back on fear of failure. But nevertheless this undercurrent has always been there, where I’m constantly attempting to prove to myself that I will not be disabled by fear—which is nuts!” When it comes to making money he believes that drive has been very good for him. Although with the wisdom that only comes with age he admits, “It’s not a good life—it’s not a good way to live.”

However when it comes to writing poetry, Felix Dennis’s drive has produced extraordinary results.

Some might say it has eclipsed anything he has achieved in his business life. In his younger days he used reciting poetry as a method of getting girls into bed, but after a life-threatening illness, he began writing his own verse and published his first book of poems, A Glass Half Full, in 2002. He has since published five more books, all to enormous critical acclaim. He spends up to three hours a day studying and writing and knows that success can only be achieved by solid effort. He chuckles at those that can’t believe he really writes so much, saying, “There are quite a lot of people that do not believe that I can do all the things that I do in my life—and still write this much poetry. Maybe they think I’ve got some gnomes hidden away in the broom cupboard who are writing it all for me.”

With a new book of poetry, Tales from the Woods, just out, he is about to embark on a 21 date tour of Britain and Ireland, starting in Exeter. Although it’s a gruelling tour of 2-hour performances, crammed into 32 days, he is excited at the prospect. “I want to give people two hours of solid entertainment” he says. As he fixes me with eyes partly hidden by heavy tortoiseshell bifocals, I can see his natural penchant for drama will ensure a great show. More than forty years

playing R&B has trained him for the stage and anyone listening to recordings from the Mustique Blues Festival, where he still plays a set each year, will know that Felix Dennis knows how to use a microphone, and work an audience.

As we wrap up to get on with our respective days, I am drawn to ask one more question. Has he any regrets? There is a long pause, giving me time to wonder if the question is just a little too close to the bone. But he is open and honest and delivers an answer that hangs heavily in the air. “I should have opened my heart to one person” he says. “I should have taken that risk. That was a cowardly and pathetic thing not to do. Too late now—it really is too late…

I think I should have had children, I love children, I’ve got so many god children. That was foolish and idiotic... I think I should have started writing poetry when I was twenty-five or thirty years old... Also, it would have been OK to have four or five years on crack cocaine, but having two lost decades is utterly stupid and totally ridiculous. And it doesn’t matter how many hundreds and hundreds of beautiful whores and concubines you’ve been to bed with, because in the end they all just merge into one. It’s just a complete waste of effort and time—ludicrous and dangerous, for them as well as for you.” He stops, attempts a smile and says. “But hey, on a scale of one to ten… nine point five!” His booming laughter fills the room.

“I don’t really think that”, he says. “But let’s say it, let’s keep our chin up.”

As I head back through the throng of London commuters, with his booming laughter still ringing in my ears, I can’t help thinking that although he reckons he won’t live to a ripe old age, Felix Dennis will probably still cram more into whatever years he has left, than a whole bunch of the rest of us put together.

Tales From The Woods is published by Ebury Press ISBN: 9780091937676.

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Exciting Autumn Line up for Shute Festival

S

hute Festival, a boutique literary and arts festival based in a small village in East Devon, has announced its autumn line up for 2020. The Festival, now in its fifth year, was in the throes of planning for 2020 when the pandemic caused its directors to re-think the entire Festival. Instead of cancelling this year’s event, they decided to take it all online, spacing out events and making it free to all. This has led to larger audiences and people being able to join from all over the world. The Festival remains committed to paying its author speakers and donations from its followers as well as its reserves have guaranteed this for 2020. The Festival has also been able to make donations to the local food bank in Axminster and to Shute Community Primary School thanks to speakers who kindly waived their fees.

“We have had such enthusiastic feedback from our audience, which is ever growing, for what we have done so far in 2020 that it has made this very difficult period worthwhile. We hope that we can bring live events back to Shute at some point next year but in the meantime we are trying to make our live online events as engaging and interactive as we can,” said Bijan Omrani writer and co-director of the Festival.

The Festival aims to bring a diverse programme of events— writers, journalists, musicians, and other speakers—to its audience. The autumn line up will begin with Martin Hesp, one of the west country’s best known journalists, on his new book Tales from the Lockdown: Six Stories of Rural Life Written During Coronavirus. Other speakers include fiction writers Abi Dare and Tracy Chevalier, Guardian journalist Luke Harding, and curator Susan Owens on their respective newly published books. There is also a panel event on the Future of Farming in Britain, and two music events: a sitar concert with Ricky Romain and a classical and folk trio The South Country.

So far in 2020 events have included Sunday Times war correspondent Christina Lamb on her new book Our Bodies, Their Battlefield, James Crowden on his epic year in a Himalayan roadless village as told in The Frozen River—Seeking Silence in the Himalaya, Sophy Roberts on her travels to Siberia and her new book The Lost Pianos of Siberia; travel writer Robert Twigger on Walking the Great North Line and writer Peter Fiennes on Footnotes: A Journey Round Britain in the Company of Great Writers.

It has also included a panel event moderated by Samantha Knights QC on human rights in a Covid-19 climate. Recordings for all past events are on the Festival’s YouTube channel.

The Festival has had the great support of local organisations and businesses to date and has been able to use a donation from the Axe Vale Show fund to cover part of the costs of this year’s festival. It has no employees and all the work and administration is being done on a voluntary basis at present.

Full details of all its event for 2020 past and present and how to register are at www.shutefest.org.uk. It also includes details of how to donate to help the Festival remain online and free to all at this time.

Photographs from the top: Abi Dare, Martin Hesp, The South Country, Luke Harding and Tracy Chevalier

32 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 33

House&Garden

Happy Winners now Sitting Spiritually A beautiful Rainbow bench was delivered recently to the happy winner of the Sitting Spiritually raffle in aid of Dorset County Hospital’s Covid-19 Appeal.

Winners Kate Robinson and Chris Case who live in West Dorset were delighted to receive the bench which was assembled for them in their garden.

Kate said, “We’re thrilled to win this beautiful bench for our garden—it’s like a dream. And, as many of our family work for the NHS, we know how valuable the donations that everyone made will be. At this difficult time for all of us, we’ve never been more grateful for our incredible NHS.” The DCH Covid-19 Appeal continues to support the ongoing wellbeing and resilience of staff at Dorset County Hospital. For more information and to make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/DCHCOVID-19Appeal.

Financial donations may also be sent to: DCH COVID-19 Appeal, DCH Charity, Williams Avenue, Dorchester DT1 2JY. Please do not bring financial donations in to the hospital at this time. To contact the Charity for further information ring 01305 253215 or email Charity@dchft.nhs.uk. For more about the beautiful garden seats visit www.sittingspiritually.co.uk.

34 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 35

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Houses with Home Offices

By Helen Fisher

CHARDSTOCK £570,000

A very appealing 3 bedroom detached house with spacious kitchen, lounge with Inglenook fireplace and large study/playroom. Sound facing with views over the garden and countryside beyond. Garage/workshop plus semi-detached barn with PP to convert into a 2 bedroom cottage.

Gordon and Rumsby Tel: 01297 553768

BOTHENHAMPTON £575,000

A substantial semi-detached village house dating from 1929 with 5 bedrooms.

Extended while retaining original character. With far reaching countryside and town views. Large garden with greenhouse, small trees and wild meadow garden leading down to a stream. Detached double garage block suitable for workshop/storage or home office. Ample off-road parking.

Kennedys Tel: 01308 427329

UPLODERS £950,000

A handsome, period house with 4/5 bedrooms with annexe/guest wing, previously used as a successful Airbnb. Farmhouse style kitchen with Aga and many character features throughout. All set in an edge of village location with landscaped gardens, veg bed, greenhouse and paddock. Plus large outbuilding/barn for conversion.

Stags Tel: 01308 428000 36 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

BEAMINSTER £775,000

A beautiful 3 bedroom detached home offering space and light filled rooms. Open plan family kitchen and sun room with wood burning stove.

Landscaped mature gardens with ornamental pond, fruit trees, woodland and pretty stream. Large garage and workshop plus outside studio/office.

All set in an idyllic location yet a short walk into town. Ample parking.

Jackson-Stops Tel:01308 423133

LONG BREDY £600,000

A unique, 4 bedroomed stone-built house with characterful features inc: vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, multi-fuel burner and family bathroom with roll-top bath. A converted loft space with mezzanine area suitable for office/studio or hobby room. Private rear garden with store/workshop, fruit cages, mature apple trees and greenhouse.

Parkers Tel: 01308 420111

LITTON CHENEY £700,000

An individual property with 4 bedrooms and galleried entrance hall. Sitting room with stone fireplace and dining room with double doors onto terrace and gardens. Large gardens with apple trees and featuring a 2 room lodge/summer house with amenities.

All set in an elevated position with wonderful views.

Symonds and Sampson Tel: 01308 422092

Last chance to comment on Dorchester Tourism DORCHESTER’S Heritage and Tourism Community consultation on new tourism strategy closes at end of September.

Dorchester has over 6000 years of history and is seeing significant investment in heritage assets in the north of the town. The Town Council and the Dorchester Joint Heritage Committee are working with businesses in the town to encourage visitors to come and experience and enjoy the history of the town. A new strategy and action plan has been produced and the town council would love to hear your comments. Consultation on the strategy will remain open until the end of September and can be viewed at https://www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk/Services/ Heritage+Tourism+Project Chairman of the Dorchester Joint Heritage Committee Cllr Gareth Jones said” The strategy has been a long-term ambition of the town council, featuring in its corporate plan since 2015. I would encourage anyone interested in the celebration of Dorchester’s history and heritage to take part in the consultation.”

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 37

Guest Recipe

Amy Kimoto-Kahn Amy Kimoto-Kahn was born in Fullerton, California. She is Yonsei or fourth-generation Japanese-American and a mum of three. She is a graduate of the Miyajima Ramen School in Osaka, Japan and has taught a popular series of Asianinspired cooking classes for Williams-Sonoma.

SPICY PORK TANTANMEN INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • •

1 red bell pepper 2 tbsp sesame oil 1 lb (455 g) ground pork 2 tsp chili oil 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp shoyu (soy sauce) 2 tbsp chili paste 1⁄4 cup (60 g) sesame paste or tahini • 1⁄8 tsp ground Szechuan peppercorns (you can substitute Tasmanian pepper) • 3 cups (700 ml) chicken stock Additional Toppings • 6 green onions, chopped (1 tbsp per serving) • 6 tbsp unsalted peanuts, crushed (1 tbsp per serving) • 1 bunch daikon radish sprouts (you can substitute alfalfa sprouts; small pile per serving) • Sesame oil • 3 tsp chili paste (1⁄2 tsp per serving) Serves 6

DIRECTIONS Simply Ramen

By Amy Kimoto-Kahn (ISBN: 978-1-63106-144-8)

1. Heat the whole pepper over an open flame on a gas stove or grill until all sides are completely black and charred.

2. Remove the skin from the pepper and slice open, removing the stem and seeds.

38 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

3. Purée the pepper in a food processor or a blender. Set aside.

4. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

5. Add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Remove the pork and pulse in a food processor until it becomes a fine mince.

6. Warm the chili oil in the wok at medium-high heat and add the minced pork.

7. Stir in the salt, sugar, shoyu, chili paste, sesame paste, and ground peppercorns and fry until all of the aromatics combine.

8. Boil a pot of water for your noodles. Add in the chicken stock, bring to a boil and turn down to simmer for 10 minutes to absorb all of the spices. Stock should evaporate a little and the sauce will be thick.

9. Boil the noodles—if fresh, boil for about 1 minute; if packaged, boil for about 2 minutes. As soon as they’re done, drain well and separate into serving bowls.

10. Pour 3⁄4 cup (175 ml) of the sauce into a bowl, top with noodles and garnish with green onions, peanuts, daikon radish sprouts, a drizzle of sesame oil, and chili paste.

Another addition to the Electric Pub stable THE Elm Tree Inn at Langton Herring was purchased by Electric Pubs in February this year, and re-opened recently after a dramatic six month overhaul and refurbishment.

This 17th century village pub is positioned on the Jurassic Coast between Weymouth and Bridport. It is a place full of character and history and is said to have frequented by smugglers. It is also said to be haunted. During the war, Barnes Wallis stayed there when the bouncing bomb was being tested on the Fleet and it was even the secret rendezvous for Russian spies during the 1960s Portland Spy Scandal.

Located in the beautiful village of Langton Herring and next to the Fleet, Sarah Killingbeck will be the new landlady.

Alasdair Warren, Chairman of Electric Pubs, said ‘When I was growing up, the Elm Tree was always one of the best pubs in the area—well known for its lovely garden and great food. We are aiming to bring all that back and more.’ Sarah Killingbeck, the new Landlady, added ‘The Elm Tree is a wonderful place, and we are really excited to be reopening. We look forward to welcoming back our locals and also attracting visitors from further afield.’

The Electric Pub Company is privately owned and currently operates five venues with a range of rural and town centre locations: the Pymore Inn, Bridport, the Antelope Inn, Hazelbury Bryan, The Elm Tree Inn, Langton Herring plus the The Bridport Electric Palace and Electric Lounge Bar/restaurant. The company has also acquired Morrish & Banham, Dorset’s leading independent wine merchant and is also developing a seafood-focused restaurant and bar, to be located within the Bridport Arts Centre, which will open next year.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 39

Arts&Entertainment

Somerset Reacquainted

A COLLECTIVE REFLECTION BY 63 SOMERSET ARTISTS DURING LOCKDOWN

‘SOMERSET REACQUAINTED’ is a project which captures the essence of a rural county in lockdown from the perspective of more than 60 artists. It seeks to reflect and communicate the experience of isolation we all shared. The artists’ responses are at once deeply personal but also more widely applicable.

Opening at Somerset Rural Life Museum on 19

40 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

September the exhibition will include a display of images, text, digital work, objects, sketches and original artworks produced through the project. It is an opportunity to gain an insight into an artistic exploration that is rarely seen by the public.

Set within the boundaries of Somerset, the project presents a collaborative document of a rural county in

An Event that did go ahead

isolation—capturing our relationship with the local environment and redefining the role of artists within their communities. It also reflects each artist’s world during this unique time.

Somerset Art Works aimed to engage and support artists across the county in response to the unprecedented challenges they faced during lockdown. ‘Somerset Reacquainted’ arose from conversations between the artist Sara Dudman and Zoe Li, Artist Development Manager at Somerset Art Works. It encouraged artists to refocus their practice by refreshing their engagements with nature, locality and community, using the idea of reacquaintance as a starting point for rediscovering the excitement and purpose of making art. Artists were invited to explore the rhythms of their daily life and surroundings, responding in ways which suggested new engagement with familiar places and activities.

More than 60 artists took part in the project through a process of cascaded invitation issued by artists to artists.

In times of crisis, artists have always sought to use their unique methods and visual language to articulate, document and interpret experience. The artworks resulting from this project can be viewed as a time-capsule in which feelings and experiences are captured and preserved, but also as a way to allow anyone to share the same events. You can see the artists’ sharing on Somerset Art Works website and Instagram @somerset_art_works #somersetreacquainted.

The Exhibition will be open at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, 19 September – 21 November 2020. Visiting hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm (pre-book only).

A series of podcasts by artists sharing their thoughts will take place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 Sept & 2 Oct 6-7pm, during the Somerset Open Studios event. To find out more, visit somersetartworks.org.uk/ somersetreacquainted

A

n afternoon of sunshine and breeze but more importantly, a programme of wonderful live music performed by clarinet player Chris Gradwell with the ISCA String Quartet took place in the garden at Old Harbour House down at Axmouth Harbour on 30th August.

Due to the Covid19 pandemic, the numbers attending were limited with seats all socially distanced for the 24 ticket holders. The venue for the “New Life” Classical Garden Concert was identified over a coffee by Chris Gradwell, who considered the lower deck at Old Harbour House to be ideal for five particular musicians to perform.

Within a very short time, he had the agreement of the ISCA Quartet so the Concert date was confirmed and arrangements began though it soon became apparent that this event could not be publicly advertised and the numbers attending would have to be far lower than pre pandemic.

The programme included a range of composers—in the first half BBC TVs Victorian Kitchen Garden, Prelude and Summer by Paul Reade, then the Argentinian Bandonian player, composer and Tango specialist Astor Piazzola’s Oblivion, Gordon Langford’s Two Variations on an Irish Folk Song, Dvorak’s Humoresque for Strings and then Gerald Finzi’s Fughetta.

The second half of the concert saw the breeze increasing and Roger Hendy, the viola player, being repeatedly buzzed by a wasp and endeavouring to deflect it by his moving bow! The musicians though continued with the second half of the concert, quite undaunted by the wasps and the breeze, performing Amadeus Mozart’s wonderful work.

The String Quartet then performed Edward Elgar’s Chanson de Matin for Strings and finally George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm arranged by the late Gordon Langford who was also a Seaton Tram owner.

Outside on the crabbing point families were busy, others heading for the beach, but all appreciative of the music, lingering to enjoy the wonderful sound and joining in the applause. One young girl, with her family crabbing, showed her appreciation by continuously dancing to the music. Dot Browni g commented: ‘I am only sorry not to have been able to capture that on camera! My thanks particularly to the musicians and all who supported this event with such generous donations to be distributed between Seaton Music Club, Devon Air Ambulance and East Devon Fishermen’s Association—and particular thanks to Chris Gradwell for organising this event.’

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 41

September

GALLERIES

September 3 - 21 Contemporary Crafts The Gallery and The Space Symondsbury Estate, Bridport. A rich variety of handmade crafts by experienced designer-makers will be on show in this exhibition, which will highlight skilled craftwork, traditional methods and contemporary designs. The Britishmade crafts on display will include hand-forged metalwork and decorative ironwork, an array of Dorset Buttons, with designs going back to the mid-17th century, traditional willow basketry weaves, wood-turned bowls from British hardwoods and traditional handmade quilt hangings. A choice of ceramics including delicate blue and white vases, hanging pots and earthenware, slip decorated pottery and framed tiles. There will also be felt wraps, local wool snoods, jewellery and striking silk scarves as well as hand-printed lampshades, cushions and books. Not to be forgotten, there will be fused, painted, etched and stained glass hangings and sculptures. All these craft makers work in Dorset, Devon or Somerset. Free admission and parking in the estate car park; open 10.30-16.30 Thursdays through Mondays. For further information, contact Lyme Bay Arts on 01308 301326 or email phil@lymebayarts.co.uk.

September 4 - 13 Artbeat Kennaway House, Sidmouth. The 8th annual exhibition for 10 East Devon artists. Affordable, original art, prints & cards. An exciting and varied show from this talented group. Kennaway House, Coburg Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8NG. www.kennawayhouse.org.uk 10am-5pm. Free admission.

September 11 to 24 Time and Tide Howard Flanagan. This time, his exhibition is centred on the sea and exploring our atmospheric natural

42 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

world through time, through the seasons. 10:00am to 5:00pm Malthouse Gallery Town Mill Galleries Lyme Regis DT7 3PU howard.s.flanagan@gmail.com September 11 - 26 Chasing Cloud Shadows Richard Pikesley. Richard will be present on September 11 and 12. Tuesday to Saturday. The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN. +44 (0)1935 815261. www.jerramgallery.com Until September 12 The Summer Exhibition A delightful showcase of diverse Artworks feature in this annual popular mixed exhibition.

The show will include brand new oil paintings by the President of the Pastel Society, Jeannette Hayes and long awaited paintings by Kathy Little, a Gallery Artist that has exhibited with Artwave West for nine years. There will be numerous other artists and, as customary for this season, the exhibition will be constantly changing as pictures leave for their new homes and different pieces fill the gaps! Open Tues-Sat 10-5. Artwave West, Morcombelake, Dorset DT6 6DY 01297 489746. www.artwavewest.com Never and Always David Inshaw Recent paintings and works on paper. the consummate painter of the English landscape, peopled by dreamlike figures, birds and animals.

Called ‘perhaps the greatest living proponent of the English Romantic tradition’ (Spectator), Inshaw invokes the powers of nature, the moon, trees, stars, birds, animals, men, women, ancient landscapes and the sea to create his powerful intensely personal paintings. Sladers Yard Gallery and Café Sladers, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. 01308 459511. https://sladersyard.wordpress. com/

September 12 - 25 The Aviation and Maritime Art of John Finch.

Scheduled to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, this exhibition brings together a large body of work in oil, consisting of aviation paintings covering biplane fighters of the 1930s, to the jet age of the 1950s, and includes the much-loved spitfires and hurricanes of the 1940s.

Also showing are maritime paintings which span from the Age of Sail to the express liners of the 1930s. Exhibition open daily 11am-4pm. Opening reception (socially distanced) 2-4pm Saturday 12th September. Guggleton Farm Arts, Stalbridge, Dorset. DT10 2RQ. https://guggletonfarmarts. com/ September 18 - January 10 Autumn Mixed Show Work by gallery artists & Chloe Fremantle. The exquisite Tincleton Gallery will be holding a four-month mixed show of their gallery artists, plus London-based artist Chloe Fremantle. Periodically some of the works will be taken down and replaced by others so that the show can remain fresh for the 4-month run irrespective of how the Covid-19 pandemic evolves. Tincleton Gallery, The Old School House, Tincleton, nr Dorchester, DT2 8QR. Opening times: Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon from 10:00 - 17:00, no admission fee. Venue contact number: 01305 848 909. Website: http://www.tincletongallery.com September 19 – October 2 Emotional Response Contrasts with Visual Essentials: A Joint Show by Nigel Sharman & Mel Cormack-Hicks. Marine House at Beer.

Accessible online from the end of August, the show will be available to view in the gallery daily from 10am – 5.00pm. The joint show will present new artworks by two artists who in distinctly different ways have, in their contrasting but innovative artistic prowess, made themselves very popular and collectable. Marine House at Beer, Fore Street, Beer Nr Seaton, Devon, EX 12 3EF. 01297 625257, info@marinehouseatbeer.co.uk, www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk September 24 - October 14 20 20 Vision (Brass & Copper paintings) Julie Oldfield. New paintings and in situ copper sheet sketches, inspired by the mixed emotions of Lockdown and the freedom to explore new country walks as nature and quiet reclaimed my surroundings. 10:30 to 4:30. Malthouse Gallery Town Mill Galleries Lyme Regis DT7 3PU www. julieoldfield.com Courtyard Gallery

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 43

Health&Beauty New phone app supports people with suicidal thoughts

I

nstant online help is now available for people in Dorset who are struggling to cope and may be contemplating suicide.

Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday (10 September), Dorset HealthCare is promoting distrACT – a new NHS phone app which gives easy, quick and discreet access to proven coping strategies and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

The free app, which has been developed by doctors and mental health specialists, also signposts users to the wide range of support available locally.

Gifty Markey, Head of Nursing, Therapies & Quality for Mental Health & Learning Disabilities at Dorset HealthCare, said: “We’d like to encourage local people to download the app to find out more and also use it to signpost others.

Just search distrACT on your phone’s app store and select Dorset under the settings button – our services are here for you and your loved ones.

“The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is all about working together. Please also take notice of your friends, family and colleagues, and how they are feeling—you never know what might be going on under the surface. By just taking a minute to ask how

they are, you could really change their life.”

The distrACT app, which has won a British Medical Journal award for ‘best digital innovation in healthcare’, has been successfully rolled out in Bristol. Now Dorset HealthCare has provided funding to help make it available locally.

As well as coping strategies, the app offers practical self-help guides and a ‘chill zone’ with ideas on how to focus on more positive thoughts. There is also information about local support for people in crisis – in person, online or via the 24/7 Connection helpline on 0300 123 5440.

Comments from health professionals and local people who have used distrACT have been very positive: “Great app with extremely useful information.”

- “Very well laid out and I really love the chill zone section.” - “This app is well thought out and structured.

It’s a must if you are concerned about self-harm or feeling suicidal and don’t know what to do next.”

Download distrACT to find out more, or read further information on the NHS website.

You can also visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ access-mental-health for further information about support available in Dorset.

Yeovil Breast Cancer Unit Appeal needs your jewellery

I

n March 2019, Yeovil Hospital Charity launched an appeal to raise the funds needed to build a £2 million dedicated Breast Cancer Unit right here in Yeovil.

They have secured almost £1,500,000 so far, however building work will only start when they have enough money.

Breast care services are currently spread around the hospital, which means that patients need to move around the hospital and undress in multiple locations. The appeal hopes to raise the money needed to change this and develop a dedicated unit next to the Women’s Hospital, which will allow patients to have a biopsy, a mammogram, an ultrasound and a consultation all in one place.

During this current time, as like many charities, Yeovil Hospital Charity’s

44 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

fundraising events have had to be postponed or cancelled, making fundraising quite challenging. With that in mind, to help the appeal raise the much needed funds, the organisation is asking people if they might like to look in their jewellery boxes for any unwanted jewellery, broken pieces of jewellery and watches, which they may like to donate.

If you would like to support the appeal through donating any unwanted or broken jewellery, please contact Maggie Hague, Breast Cancer Appeal Volunteer, on 01963 250108.

If you’d like to find out more about the appeal, please go to https://yeovilhospital. co.uk/get-involved/support-us-yeovilhospital-charity/ or call Sarah Cherry, on 01935 383020.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 45

Services&Classified

YEOVIL IN WARTIME

CHIMNEY SWEEP

A personal look back to the Somerset town of Yeovil in the Second World War IN a new book published

by Fonthill Media, Jack Sweet takes a personal look back to Yeovil during the six momentous years of the Second World War and during the time when he grew up.

He tells of the air raids, how people rallied to civil defence, welcomed thousands of young evacuees in 1939 and again in 1944. How people dealt with the many trials of a population facing and enduring total war. Sitting for hours in uncomfortable air raid shelters hearing German bombers flying overhead and wondering where bombs would fall on Yeovil. How the townsfolk saved to buy a destroyer and a Spitfire, and ‘Saluted the Soldier’, as well as hearing the roar of aircraft engines from the Westland Aircraft works and watched Lysanders, Whirlwinds and Spitfires flying overhead. Also, they enjoyed the ‘friendly invasion’ of the US Army preparing for D-Day, saw them go off to battle and finally the joy of VE- and VJDays. Total war meant that no-one in the town, young and old alike, escaped unaffected.

Jack Sweet was born in Yeovil and on leaving the RAF in 1958, became a local government administrator and took early retirement in 1992.

In 1997, his first Somerset-themed book, Shocking Somerset: Murders of the Nineteenth Century, was published followed by ten more, including three with co-author Robin Ansell, and Yeovil in The Great War 1914-18 published by Fonthill Media (2014).

Sweet’s interest in military history has taken him to many former battlefields from South Africa to the Crimea via the USA and Europe.

Yeovil in the Second World War, ISBN: 978-1-78155-7907 is illustrated with many rare and unpublished images and is now available. For more information visit www. fonthillmedia.com

46 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

ELECTRICAL

SPACE WANTED

Private Tutor offering face to face or online lessons. Qualified teacher specialising in Primary and ESOL. Lessons from £18 per hour. Tel. 07580065879 or email me at vikkihillier@gmail. com

Artist: wanting workshop space; everything considered.

Phone 07535105471.

Thank you

TO LET Beautiful three bedroom house attached, with garden, at Eype available for longterm rent. Special conditions re age, noise levels is reflected in rent Looking for quiet self contained couple ideally, no families. Available early next year.

Email veronicahudson@ hotmail.co.uk/ 07817586683

FOR SALE

Table, 1930s mid oak, 3ft square extends to 5ft x 3ft, £35ovno. Colyton 01297 551455.

Walling Stone, un-faced flint, mixed sizes. Buyer collects. About 2 tons. £80.

01297 598794.

Boxed M/E. Engineer’s lathe on metal base, single phase supply, many extras plus tools. Price £600. 01308 863060.

CURTAINS White cot-bed with mattress, Little used. £40.

Mama & Papa’s cot bed Little Curtains. £20. Electric tile cutter £10.

Handmade Curtains, Whole set (8) ‘Gardens of Blinds and Cushions.

Beauty’ wall plates, new £20.

Contact 07443 516141 or 01297 34547.

01308 485325 Sharp 50” smart LED TV with Freeview Play (black) with glass stand. £200. ALRESTORATION KO Briggs + Strattonn 650e series 190cc petrol lawn FURNITURE. Antique mower (17” cutter) £200.

Restoration and Bespoke 07717 416316.

Furniture. Furniture Tilting window, as new, large and small carefully double glazed. Width restored and new 122cm, Height 103cm, commissions undertaken. complete with sill. Donation City and Guilds qualified. required for charity. 01308 Experienced local family 427479. firm. Phil Meadley Man’s Harris Tweed jacket 01297 560335 Dec 20 44” chest, 32” length, £50.

Cavalry twill trousers 36” SURFACE PREPARATION waist 31” inner leg, £45, both in perfect condition.

01305 266273. Dorchester.

Alberny Restoration Old Observer’s books In-house blast cleaning many subject, 35 total for home and garden in 2 boxes £100. Comfy furniture, doors and Victorian easy chair, high gates. Agricultural/ back autumn colours, construction machinery small strip clean, £60ono. and tooling. Vehicles, Sidmouth. 01395 514026. parts and trailers etc.

Men’s Felldale real 01460 73038, email sheepskin, vintage, light allan@alberny.co.uk, FB brown jacket. Lakeland Alberny Sandblasting sheepskin centre. Chest 42” Apr 21

WANTED

TUTOR AVAILABLE

Books Wanted. We buy all types of books, particularly 20th Century Art, Architecture and Design. Tel Karen Jakobsen: 01258 471249

FOR SALE 107cm. £60. 01404 814094.

Flute silver, model 861E, 228, Cooper Scale E. Low C serial No 744601. £120ono.

Mob 07463 610810.

Odhams Pictorial History of World War II 1939/1945.

All in good condition, 5 volumes. £20ono. 01297 489725. DT6 6EN. Style & Mobility scooter, blue, excellent condition, used approx 6 times, comes complete with all accessories. £300. 01460 250999. Ilminster.

Wall mounted display cabinet containing 46 assorted Dinky toys including private cars, commercial vans, fire engines, buses & army vehicles. Send for photographs. £100 post free. 01297 489133.

X2 Metal detectors, mint condition, one ‘Laser Hawkey’ + ‘Simplex’, little used, £220 each to include first class recorded delivery and insurance, or collect for £200. Honiton area. 07594 687485 anytime.

Integrated kitchen, £300ono. Only two years old, ex Germany (£850) sink, hob, fridge, microwave, enormously space efficient, plugs into normal wall socket. 01297 34477.

Walking sticks (different woods). Well made. Thumb sticks & walking sticks (red deer handles). £15 each.

01297 33066.

Router/ orbital sander & transformer. All good working order, £50 ono the lot. 01297 489725. DT6 6EN. ‘The Second World War’ Winston Churchill, 6

volumes in covers. Good condition. £20ono. 01297 489725.

Single Futon sofa bed.

Wood. £30. Adjustable double clothes rail, suitable for car boot. £5. 01297 552683.

Dog cage for sale. Pine, ½ slatted sides, bolted door, size: length 92cm, width 70cm, height 72cm. £35ono.

01308 488442.

Large pine farmhouse table. £195. Good condition, 6ft long, 3ft wide, solid pine chunky construction, legs removed for transport. Little used, reluctant sale, free delivery within 10 mile radius of Honiton. Small charge for delivery further afield. 01404 831896.

Simple rocking chair, seat cushion complies with fire safety. £10. Bow fronted cabinet, 3 shelves, small crack in one panel of leaded glass door. Has key. £20.

Table saw with spare blades, good working order, variable tilt and depth, H 36” W 28” D 20” £70. Help with local delivery if required. 07919 661226. 01308 424618.

Fridge, Beko, 50cm, free standing, model HC 110.

Tidy. £15. 07463 610810.

Chesneys - Fire grate with Polished Steel Wavy Front decor and ash tray cover.

Spherical polished steel fire dogs. Very attractive item.

Grate brand new in box RRP £1600. Dogs used but VGC. Grate Size: 78 x 30 cms 07748967070 Stones from demolished wall. Free to good home.

Taker to collect. 01460 61772

Vinyl Records Wanted All types and styles considered. Excellent prices paid. Please Phone Roy 07429 102645 Clocktowermusic.co.uk Bridport

May 20

Postage stamps. Private collector requires 19th and early 20th century British. Payment to you or donation to your nominated charity. 01460 240630.

Old sewing machines, typewriters, gramophones, phonographs, records, music boxes, radios.

0777 410 3139. www. thetalkingmachine.co.uk

May 20

Dave buys all types of tools 01935 428975 Jul 20 Wanted to buy - field, or part field and part woodland, any size, to about 5 acres. Not top grade grass. Private, local resident wants to ‘do their bit’ for the environment. Anything considered. Please help.

07508 106910 May 20 Vintage & antique textiles, linens, costume buttons etc. always sought by Caroline Bushell. Tel. 01404 45901.

Jun 20

Secondhand tools wanted. All trades. Users & Antiques. G & E C Dawson. 01297 23826. www.secondhandtools. co.uk.

Oct 20

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 47

FREE ADS for items under £1,000 This FREE ADS FORM is for articles for sale, where the sale price is under £1000 (Private advertisers only — no trade, motor, animals, firearms etc). Just fill in the form and send it to the Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX or email the text to info@marshwoodvale.com. Unfortunately due to space constraints there is no guarantee of inclusion of free ads. We reserve the right to withhold advertisements.

For guaranteed classified advertising please use ‘Classified Ads’ form

Name .............................................. Tel. ............................................

Address ................................................................................................

Town ................................................ County......................................

Postcode ..................................

Monthly Quiz –

FOR SALE Pond Equipment Used Hozelock Ecopower 2500 Cyprio Filter and UV lamp £20.ONO Oase Swimskim 25 £50.00 Both c/w instructions. Reason Upgraded.

01460 65849 Boys/Girls mountain bikes 16 inch wheel suit 4-7 years 5 gears £60-00 o.n.o. 20 inch wheel suit 7-10 years 18 gears £70-00 o.n.o. Excellent condition Photos available Tel: 01308 281200 Gents Trek T30 hybrid cycle; 51cm. aluminium frame; 700x35c wheels; 21 gears; rack; panniers; prop. stand. Ideal for day rides, pottering, shopping. VGC. £150. 01305 871863 Orbea Aqua gents lightweight cycle; 54cm aluminium frame, carbon forks; 700x23c wheels; Shimano Tiagra and 105 derailleur 3x10 gears; Look clipless pedals. Good for sportifs and triaths. VGC. £250.

01305 871863.

Peugeot 3008 Spares – Complete unused toolkit and Spacesaver wheel with 16”x135x90 tyre. £80.00

ONO. must go asap Tel: 01460 65849 Brand New Kitchen Worktops - light grey ‘mirror chip’ 1860mm x 610mm wide £100 and black ‘starry effect’ 2000mm x 610mm wide £120. 01308 459694 Small Dog Crate - hardly used. H 48cm, L 58cm, W 43cm. Folds flat. Free delivery within 5 miles of Broadwindsor. £15 ovno 01308 867163 Weetabix Corgi Classics: Articulated Volvo Lorry, Leyland Van & Truck, Ford Cargo Box Van, boxed. £15.

01308 423177.

Chesterfield Style Sofa.

Red fabric, DFS. Comes with 2 cushions in the same fabric. Very good condition.

Non smoking household, no pets. £250.00 ono.

Crewkerne. Tel : 01460 279646 New Franke Sink Drainer Fraganite Diamond white 97 x 50cm. Still boxed Cost £389. Will Accept. £190. Tel : 07484689302

Win a book from Little Toller Books

Send in your answer on a postcard, along with your name and address to: Hargreaves Quiz, Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX. Study the clues contained in the rhyme and look carefully at the signposts to work out which town or village in South Somerset, West Dorset or East Devon is indicated. The first correct answer drawn out of a hat will win a book from local publisher Little Toller Books.

There is no cash equivalent and no correspondence will be entered into.

Last month’s answer was Marnhull. The winner was Mrs Price from Seaton.

48 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031

BUSINESS NEWS New business with bespoke solutions A new business has launched in Dorset providing companies with outsourced safety, quality and engineering management solutions.

A3C Management has extensive experience across a variety of sectors including nuclear, construction, military, aviation, shipping, local government and education sectors. The company enables businesses to become safer, more resilient and reliable because they understand the challenges businesses face when trying to create a safer, more efficient and cost-effective environment.

Director and Founder, Simon Jubb said: “We pride ourselves on providing solutions that integrate into your business. Our core values are integrity, honesty and transparency in everything we do. If a process is not right, we will say so and together we will work to create a better, more logical and efficient system for you.”

Simon himself has more than 30 years’ experience in health, safety, engineering and quality management and wanted to create a truly collaborative approach with A3C Management. He said: “What makes us different is that we don’t want to create something bespoke for your company that will then require a lot of tweaking and cost to maintain. We want to give your company something you can use and run, without the constant need for upgrades. Therefore, a key part of any work we do is to consult with your employees—they are after all the hub of your company.”

One of the key areas for businesses, at the moment, is ensuring their health and safety practices are in-line with the ‘new normal’ of Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines. A3C Management can help businesses navigate the myriad of guidelines and create a tailor-made workable, practical and useful solution.

To find out more visit www.a3c.co.uk or email enquiries@a3c.co.uk.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 49