Marshwood+ September 2023

Marsh wo o d

© Alice Kennard Photograph by Robin Mills

Robin Mills met Alice Kennard at Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey has been in my family indirectly since 1864. It came to us, the Ropers, through the Evans family; the last Evans left it to a cousin who was married to a Roper in 1905. When my grandparents first arrived here, they lived at one end of the house, and the older generation occupied the other end. My grandparents lived here until 1975; my grandfather Geoffrey Roper spent almost 80 years of his life at Forde Abbey, during which time he planted around 350,000 trees on the estate. My parents Mark and Lisa inherited it, developed the fruit farm, established a herd of pedigree Red Devon cattle, and eventually turned the Abbey into a glorious visitor attraction.

The Abbey was a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century. During the next four centuries it flourished, becoming one of the wealthiest and most learned institutions in England. However, it suffered the same fate as most other similar monasteries under Henry VIII’s Dissolution in 1539, when it was handed over to the Crown. For about 100 years it remained empty, falling into disrepair and plundered for its stone. Salvation came in 1649 when it was bought by Edmund Prideaux, Member of Parliament for Lyme Regis. He converted it into his residence, while retaining and repurposing the structure of the medieval Abbey buildings. He was largely responsible for transforming Forde Abbey into a beautiful country house, much of which would still be recognisable to the monks who

© Alice Kennard Photograph by Robin Mills

Alice Kennard

lived here over 500 years ago.

A monastic atmosphere still pervades this place, which is hard to describe, but there is a sense of serenity and peace as one wanders around the Abbey and its grounds. Some might describe the Abbey as a hidden gem; of course, we try quite hard to make it less hidden, our livelihood depending on more people knowing about it. However, we also know its appeal comes partly from a sense of wonder and discovery when approaching through the ancient sunken lanes of the Marshwood Vale.

We moved here when I was 7, along with my two younger sisters. We went to school in Uplyme, then to another in Oxfordshire. After school, I went to the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester for three years to study Land Management, later working for the Duchy of Cornwall, during which time I passed my professional qualifications as a Chartered Surveyor. I returned home in 1992, which felt right. I found I was happier as my own boss, perhaps a preference you’re either born with or not.

That coincided with the need for new ideas on the estate. We had toyed with the idea of new dairies but didn’t go down that road. Dad had a partner running the fruit farm, who retired a couple of years after I came home. I spent a season understudying him, then took over his job, aged 25. We were supplying fruit to the supermarkets, seldom making a profit, despite working 16- or 17hour days. As growers of outdoor main crops our harvest period was intense and short, often employing 100-odd seasonal workers on site picking and grading in June/July; one year, to make things even more interesting, in the middle of fruit picking our first child was born. To protect our crops from spoiling in bad weather we considered putting up polytunnels and glasshouses; the alternative

was pulling out, so we stopped commercial fruit growing in 2002, and now concentrate on pick-your-own production, which my husband Julian runs. It’s still very labour intensive—we hardly ever see him from May onwards—but people seem to enjoy it, and these days there are very few pick-your-own fruit farms in the area. Recently it has become much harder to find people who are willing to do the physical work that is still a big part of farming. I have always made my children work and they help pick the fruit each summer for the local farm shops.

My job now covers so many areas of the estate that I am never completely sure what each day will bring. Julian manages the farm, and I am responsible for the gift shop, tenants, and employees. Since Covid I have taken the gardens under my wing. When travel was banned, I had to maintain the 30-acre gardens with no staff and minimum knowledge; I made a lot of mistakes but learnt a lot during the process. I am technically head gardener now and manage a team of 4 who are mostly part-time. Before then, I didn’t want to tread on Dad’s toes, so I only did a bit, mostly introducing new ideas, while he managed the day-to-day tasks.

Losing gardening staff because of the Covid lockdowns in 2020/21 in fact turned out to be a fantastic opportunity to change and refresh the garden, involving quite a lot of heavy duty clearing and introducing some new features, such as the Wildflower Swirl, the Winter Garden, and extending the Rock Garden. A visitor said to me the other day how much they love the way we keep changing the garden. I think I just get bored—it might be perfectly fine, but change is constant here to keep it exciting. We have wildflower meadows, areas we don’t mow, all the practices that are rightly emphasised for biodiversity today, but then we’ve always focussed

on it. The Centenary Fountain, installed to celebrate 100 years of the Roper family at Forde is a major feature, reaching a height of 160ft twice a day.

We grow a lot of vegetables in the walled Kitchen Garden, as the Cistercian monks, who were a strictly vegetarian order, would have done. We put our produce out for the visitors, and they are welcome to purchase it for a donation, which avoids creating a weights and measures problem. I’m now spending a bit less time working in the garden than I was, probably three days a week, the other two sitting at my desk.

We also farm goats, milking a large herd of around 2500 animals. It is contracted to the Dorset based Frost Family, and the milk goes to a company called Delamere, supplying cheesemakers and liquid milk outlets. Julian manages all the enterprises on the farm including woodland and grassland management, maize, and wheat crops.

My dad sadly passed away in 2022, after a life doing an incredible job keeping the estate afloat. That does put a bit of pressure on us, and I always strive to live up to his expectations. His problems were the same as ours—lack of capital, and large repair bills. The estate which we farm, as did the monks, is around 1700 acres, and although sizable, it is not big enough to support the upkeep of the house. Whatever profit all the enterprises generate is spent on the upkeep of the Abbey. We could spend half a million on this house every year for the next 100 years, and it still wouldn’t be enough. However, it is such a

unique place I feel it is important that as much work as possible is continually carried out to preserve this wonderful house for the future. We do our best to move with the times, and although we’re not great planners, we try to look at what goes on around us and jump when we need to—for example installing both solar panels and woodchip boilers on the estate, both helping the Abbey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

The oldest of my children Ben works in Honiton as a chemist for a company called Augean. Sam, the middle one, is at Cirencester University studying international business, and Marcia is still at school doing A levels. It’s hard to believe that as parents this is our last school year. So much of life has revolved around the school calendar, so many hours spent on sports field touchlines, so many friendships made through those shared experiences. Marcia wants to leave school but doesn’t want to leave her friends, whilst the two boys just wanted to leave school. I hope each of them will find rewarding careers gaining essential experience and knowledge before coming home and taking over in the years to come. I think it’s important to have a career before taking on a job like ours, to have that outside experience so that when given the huge responsibility of running this type of enterprise you have gained the diversity of skills required. I probably didn’t have enough, my dad had almost none, but he did a wonderful job none the less.

© Alice Kennard

Photograph by Robin Mills

In last month’s issue we published an imaginary ‘Letter from the Future’ where a great grandchild wrote to ask their forebears what they had done to help mitigate the effects of climate change. On page 40, Philip Browne, who wrote the original letter, explains his reason for drafting it. He also mentions one reply which contained an impressive list of personal actions that benefit the climate. As part of their efforts, one reader had bought a small field which had been used for pigs and he has since been learning about improving biodiversity and soil structure in order for it to support many more invertebrates and soak up much more carbon dioxide. He has removed docks and bracken to replace them with plants, bushes and trees with the flowers, as well as fruit and berries that nourish wildlife. Already, he has seen masses of insects, butterflies and birds as well as deer, rabbits, squirrels and woodpeckers. In an election he says he will actively campaign against those who have lost interest or who are going back on their commitments to mitigate the effects of climate change. Another reader wrote about an idea he had to help better understand the patterns of human movement and the impacts and resources wasted. He presented his idea to the House of Commons Transport Committee and is hopeful that it will be implemented. There are many things that we can all do as individuals to make incremental changes to our environment, at varying levels, but Philip points out that none of us can stop climate change on our own. ‘Changes we make in our personal lives’ he says—such as eating less meat, flying less often or buying a hybrid car can help—‘but only governments can take the big decisions that will make a real difference.’ In 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass into law a domestic requirement for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Philip calls for us to ensure that our vote in the next election is for those that have climate and environment at the heart of their vision. With The UK Export Finance Department citing a list of ‘Strategic Pillars For Achieving Net Zero’ which include mitigating climate-related financial risks along with transparency and disclosure, it will be interesting to see who that might be.

Fergus Byrne

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.

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EVENTS AND COURSES

September

26 August

André Rieu’s 2023 Concert: Love is All Around 4pm. The Beehive Honiton. 01404 384050 beehivehoniton.co.uk.

Car Boot Sale & Annual Horticultural Show Winsham community club (TA20 4JN) from 2.30pm. For more details tel Debbie 01460 432815.

Hawkchurch Fete 2pm start, contact details Peter Kleyn 01297 678468.

Roller disco first session 5.30-7.15. 2nd session 7.45-9.30. Lyme Regis Woodmead Hall, Hill road, DT7 3PG. £10. prebooking only Lymeskating@outlook.com.

Books, Jigsaws and Games Sale Bridport Millennium Green, off Rax Lane, near Mountfield, from 9.30am. In support of the gardens, green and woodlands. Details from Sue, 01308 425037.

26 - 28 August

Abbey Farm Flower Festival 10-4, Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury DT3 4JJ. All info at www.abbey Farm Abbotsbury.co.uk

27 August

Car Boot Sale Symondsbury Cricket Club Bridport refreshments available and live music 7am - 2pm.

‘Andre Rieu 2023 Maastricht: Love Is All Around’ screening –Gateway Theatre, Seaton, doors 2.30pm, screening 3pm, Tickets

Adults £14.50 Under 16s £7.50. Tickets from 01297 625699, www. thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

East Devon Ramblers A fine 11 mile walk in Somerset. 10.00. Wellington. Telephone 01395-512973.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at Meerhay Manor The gardens will be open for picnics from 1.30 pm. Kindly sponsored by Mr and Mrs Michael Ryan, in aid of the RNLI. Start at 3.00pm. Tickets (£18 for adults, £10 for under 18s) may be purchased online from crbo. co.uk/12night or Yarn Barton Centre, Fleet Street, Beaminster on 01308 862715. For further information about the venue, please call 01308 862305. Guide dogs only.

28 August

East Devon Ramblers A 10 mile walk up steep and stony paths. 10.30. East Hill Ottery. Telephone 01404-45944.

29 August

Lunchtime concert 12:30 with light refreshments from 12 St. Andrew’s church, Charmouth. Contact: liz@elizabethsansom.co.uk.

Weather Weaving pop up art workshops Clare Smith 10.30am to 12.30 for ages 7 to 12 years Cost: £7/£5 concessions and siblings. Venue: A lovely local garden. To book please contact Nikki Northover at bridportyouthdance01@gmail.com.

30 August

East Devon Ramblers Moor, river, sea and cliff 8 mile walk. 10:30 Sidmouth. Telephone 01404-831143.

Bridport Scottish Dancers 7.30 Church House, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN. Cost: £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and soft drinks + biscuits.All welcome, no partner required but please wear soft shoes. Our regular dancing evenings will recommence on Wednesday 13th September. First evening free, thereafter £3.00, which includes soft drinks, tea, coffee and biscuits. Contact:

Malcolm on 07790 323343. Check out bridportscottishdancers for more information.

1 September

Riccardo Pes and Alexander Boyd Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Tickets: £18 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www. ilminsterartscentre.com/performances

Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse 2pm. The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050. 7.30pm. Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny (12A). The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton. co.uk 01404 384050.

Three Cane Whale Highly acclaimed multi-instrumental acoustic chamber-folk trio, featuring members of Spiro, Get The Blessing and Scottish Dance Theatre, whose spare, intricate compositions combine ancient folk with modern classical ideas. Sladers Yard, West Bay. Bridport. Dorset DT6 4EL. 8pm (doors 7pm). Tickets: £15. 01308 459511. https://sladersyard.wordpress.com/3-cane-whale-2/ Mission Impossible: Dear Reckoning Part 1(12A) Gateway Theatre, Seaton - Picnic Night screening – 7.30pm, doors at 6.30pm, tickets adults £7.50, Under 16s £6.50. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

2 September

The Stanchester Quire are moving over the border into Dorset and reformulating their practice sessions. The first of these will be at Leigh Village Hall, Nr. Sherborne, DT9 6HL. Doors open from 10am for registration and tea/coffee. The fees for the Saturday sessions are £10 each session and the revision meetings £3. For further details please visit our website: stanchesterquire.org, or email:stanchesterquire1@gmail.com, or phone Eddie on 07813 089002.

The Friends of Weymouth Library’s talk at 10-30a.m. will be by Kevin Pateince and is entitled “Operation Mincemeat and The Man Who Never Was”. Kevin reveals the secrets of Operation Mincemeat, one of the most famous intelligence cover-ups of WW2 Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7 mile walk from Symondsbury. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

Jo Burt and The Lazy Farquars 7.30pm The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Sweet&Hot Quartet Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £20 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www. ilminsterartscentre.com/performances

3 September

East Devon Ramblers Woods and River walk. 6 miles leisurely. 10.30am. Near Sidmouth. Telephone 01395-577651

‘Oppenheimer’ (15) Gateway Theatre, Seaton, Picnic Night screening – 7.30pm, doors 6.30pm, Tickets adults £7.50, Under 16s £6.50. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

4 September

Bridport Choral Society meet on Monday evenings at 7.30 until

EVENTS AND COURSESSeptember

9.30 in the United Church Hall in East Street, Bridport. To find out more phone 01308 425987 or visit our website or Facebook page: Bridportchoral.wordpress.com facebook.com/Bridport Choral Society.

Hawkchurch Film Nights in association with Devon Moviola, proudly presents ‘Allelujah’ Doors open 6.30pm, film starts 7.00pm at Hawkchurch Village Hall, EX13 5XD. Ticket reservations £5.50 from csma95@gmail.com or leave a message on 01297 678176 (socially-distanced seating available if reserved in advance); tickets also available for £5.50 from Hawkchurch Community Shop or £6.00 on the door (cash only). Subtitles for the hard-of-hearing provided. Home-made cake and other delicious refreshments available.

5 September

Scottish Country dancing at Horton Village Hall Nr Ilminster TA19 9QR every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 pm with break for refreshments. Please wear soft, flat, comfy shoes if possible. Pay on the door £3.00 per evening. For further information contact Anita on 01460 929383 email anitaandjim22@gmail.com or visit our web site at www.ashillscd.wordpress.com. All welcome.

5 - 14 September

Artbeat 11th annual exhibition for this popular group of 10 East Devon artists. Kennaway House, Coburg Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8NG. www.kennawayhouse.org.uk Open daily 10am-5pm. (N.B. First day open 11.30 a.m. Last day close 3.30 p.m.) Free admission.

6 September

East Devon Ramblers 9 miles moderate walk. 10.00am. Newton Poppleford. Telephone 07578-413003

Bridport Scottish Dancers Church House, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN. 7.15 for a 7.30 start. £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and soft drinks + biscuits. Newcomers first evening is free. Contact: Malcolm on 07790 323343. Check out bridportscottishdancers for more information.

6 - 7 September

‘Light’ by Landance free Landance performances animate the landscape above Swanage Bay at dusk. Professional and local emerging young dancers Thursday evening’s event is designed to be wheelchair accessible. Details and free tickets: landance.org.uk 7:30pm Meet at Broad Road car park, Swanage: BH19 2AP. 07817 908964.

7 September

Dance Connection Block for well-being, 7:15pm, Bridport St Mary’s CHH, 07787752201.

Tar (2022) Doors 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm start. Clapton & Wayford Village Hall (TA18 8PS).). Membership £25, guests £5 per film. For more details, contact mickpwilson53@btinternet.com or ring Mick Wilson on 01460 74849 or Di Crawley on 01460 30508.

Folk dancing at Combe St Nicholas village hall (TA20 3LT) on at 1930 hrs. Caller Simon Maplesden along with Mitchell and Vincent will be providing the moves and music. It’s £4.00 per person which includes a cuppa and cake, all welcome and it is a lot of fun! Further details from Elaine on 01460 65909.

St. Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport Community Coffee

Morning in the Church Hall at the new time of 9.30 - 11.00am. The surplus food stall and clothes bank is open to all every Thursday at St. Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport in the carpark or hall from 9.30am.

Dorchester Art Club’s autumn programme is starting today. It meets most Thursday afternoons from 2 – 4 pm at St. George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester. Each session is £2.50, to include refreshments. For more details see the Club’s website or phone 01305 264568.

Shute Festival Sir Ghillean Prance on Plants, Fruits and Fables of Amazonia 7-8:30 PM, St Michael’s Church, Shute EX13 7QR. Book by emailing shutefest@gmail.com

‘Chevalier’ (12A) Gateway Theatre, Seaton, Matinee screening –2pm, doors 1pm, All tickets £5. Tickets from 01297 625699, www. thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

The Yeovil Concert Band Martock Church; TA12 6JL

7:30pm Admission fee: Tickets: £12 or £10 at Guardianstickets@ gmail.com /07547 213992/Martock Gallery/ Martock Newsagent (Cash Only) Website:www.martockonline.co.uk/events; danceconnectionwessex@gmail.com

8 September

New Orleans jazz event at Litton Cheney, Village Hall, School Lane, DT2 9AU. Doors open at 7.00 p.m. with Cajun snacks and bar. Admission £10 or (under-16s) £5. For advance bookings text 0748 764 0339 with name and number, or email D.Charlton@rhul.ac.uk.

Simon Mark as Peter Kay – The Tribute plus support - Gateway Theatre, Seaton, live comedy, 8pm, doors 7.30pm, tickets 20 (£22.50 on door). Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

The Kieron Garrett Quartet 7.30pm The Beehive Honiton www. beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

A Journey into French Music Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £20 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www. ilminsterartscentre.com/performances

Cinechard at Chard Guildhall 7pm for 7.30pm start. Allelujah (12) Tickets from Eleos, the PO and Barron’s for £5 and £2.50 or on the door for £6 and £3; or on ticketsource/cinechard. Refreshments, confectionary and raffle.

East Devon Ramblers Leisurely 5 miles walk. 10.00am. Kilmington. Telephone 01297-21797

9 September

The Songs The Beatles Gave Away BBC’s Bob Harris and author/music journalist Colin Hall. 7.30pm. The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Yarcombe Village Market 10-12noon at The Yarcombe Village Hall, fantastic local produce – cakes, plants, pies and pasties, locally produced meat, fresh farm eggs, beautiful pottery, crafts and much more. Enquiries 07858625421

‘Miss Sasha Blaze: Hot Stuff’, Gateway Theatre, Seaton - drag show. Over 18s only. 8pm, doors 7.30pm, tickets £15, students £12.50. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

EVENTS AND COURSESSeptember

Jumble Sale with refreshments, 2pm. Contributions gratefully received, & may be left at the hall between 10am & mid-day on the Saturday morning. Clapton & Wayford Village Hall. Further information from Jackie (01460 72324) or Mary (01460 74849). Open Studio: Susan Clarke Some work for sale but mainly a chance to connect over sketchbooks. 2 to 5 pm. Studio behind 195 St Andrews Road, Bridport, DT6 3BT. Susanmerylclarke@gmail. com 0776 520 2421 susanmerylclarke.squarespace.com. Also 10, 16 and 17 September.

Yandles Autumn Handmade Craft Market 10 - 4pm. Yandle & Sons Ltd. Martock TA12 6JU. www.yandles.co.uk.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 8 mile walk from Hawkerland. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

10 September

Dance Connection Day Workshop, 11-4, 07787752201. danceconnectionwessex@gmail.com.

Divine Union Soundbath 2-4 PM The David Hall, Roundwell St, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA £15 Please book in advance via 01935 389655 or email ahiahel@live.com

East Devon Ramblers Lots of Combes. 8 miles leisurely walk. 10.30am. Sidmouth. Telephone 01395-577651

11 September

Winsham Art Club 2pm at Jubilee Hall TA20 4HU. The theme this practical session is How to Present Your Exhibition Pictures. It is a tutor led 2.5 hr. session. Small friendly group of mixed abilities. Members £5, non-members £7. Annual membership £15. All welcome. Contact: Email : elfridevaughan@gmail.com for further details.

Wareham Whalers Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild, after a short business meeting at 2. p.m. Sea Shanty Singing Group, Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3DF, Visitors £3. 01305 832857.

Bridport Folk Dance Club dance sessions in the W.I. Hall on Monday evenings from 7.15pm-9.30pm. Musicians and new Callers always welcome. Tea and biscuits. Tel: 863552 or 459001 for more information.

Scottish Dancing in Chardstock An evening of Scottish Dancing in Chardstock Village Hall 7.30-10.00 p.m. Tea and coffee provided but please bring your own mug. No partner required. Cost £2.00. For more information contact David on 01460 65981 www. chardscottishdancingclub.org

12 September

Parkinson’s Lyme Regis District Support Group Meeting with guest speaker from Parkinson’s UK. We welcome anyone from the Lyme Regis, Axminster, Charmouth or Seaton area living with Parkinson’s to come along and share anecdotes, ideas and wisdom in an informal, friendly environment. Complimentary refreshments. 2pm - 3.30pm at the Lyme Regis Powerboat Club, Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis DT7 3LE. For more information email lymepdhelp@gmail.com.

Chard Royal Naval Association The association will be holding

their official meeting at Chard Cricket Club Dening Field Zembard Lane Chard TA20 1JL at 7.30 pm. Further information can be obtained via Chair Paula 07929291401

Scottish Country dancing at Horton Village Hall Nr Ilminster TA19 9QR every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 pm with break for refreshments. Please wear soft , flat, comfy shoes if possible. Pay on the door £3.00 per evening. For further information contact Anita on 01460 929383 email anitaandjim22@gmail.com or visit our web site at www.ashillscd.wordpress.com. All welcome.

13 September

East Devon Ramblers Around Woodbury common. Moderate 10 miles walk. 10.00am. Otterton. Telephone 07791-416052

Bridport Scottish Dancers meet at Church House, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN. 7.15 for a 7.30 start. £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and soft drinks + biscuits. Contact: Malcolm on 07790 323343. Check out bridportscottishdancers for more information.

13 - 14 September

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” (12A) at Kilmington Village Hall. Doors open 6.45 film starts 7.15 on Wednesday. Matinee on Thursday doors open 1.45pm film starts 2pm, advance booking required for this matinee, cream-teas served during the interval but must be pre-booked with your seats @ £3.50. Pre-booked seat tickets @ £5 or £5.50 on the door, booking essential for the matinee. Tickets can be pre-booked by email: wattsjohn307@gmail. com or Tel: 01297 639758 see www.kilmingtonvillage.com/otherorganisations.html for more information.

14 September

Dance Connection Block for well-being, 7:15pm, Bridport St Mary’s CHH, 07787752201. danceconnectionwessex@gmail.com

Chesil Bank Writing Shed. Do you write? Would you like to be a writer? Whatever you want to write why not come and learn with our creative writing group. New writers always welcome. 7pm - 9pm, Portesham Village Hall. Find out more by calling Linda on 01305 871802.

Seaton Garden Club A coach outing, Tiverton Canal Boat & Knightshayes Court. Contact 01297 792710 for full details.

Chard History Group Start of our Winter Season The popular speaker Vince Lean will be again giving a fascinating talk 7.15 for 7.30pm Upstairs in the Pheonix Chard Contact 07984481634 The Shanty Sessions Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. Doors open at 7pm and the licensed bar will be open for local drinks and non alcoholic drinks also. All proceeds go to local charities, The Buoys start at 7.30pm. Tel. 07761 469676.

14 - 27 September

Kamikaze Tortoise Studio is open as part of 2023 Devon Open Studios. Artist - Julie Robertson MA invites you to 7 Rogers Way, Seaton EX12 2FY Off Barnards Hill Lane. Please contact 07866853703 or robertsonjulie50@gmail.com for times and more information. Free entry. Artwork prints and cards available. Sculpture garden.

15 September

Harmonica Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet

EVENTS AND COURSESSeptember

Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £20 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www.ilminsterartscentre.com/performances

Winsham Horticultural Society Deborah Harris will be giving a talk entitled Growing Seeds for a Cutting Garden in the Jubilee Hall in Winsham at 7.30pm, refreshments will be available and entry is £5. for non-members & £3.50 for members. For more information please contact 01460 432815

Six Minutes to Midnight at 7.30pm Village Hall, The Causeway, Milborne St Andrew DT11 0JX. Doors and bar open 7.00. Tickets cost £6, which includes a drink or an ice-cream

The Fleetwood Mac & Tom Petty Legacy - Gateway Theatre, Seaton – Live music 8.30pm, doors 7.30pm, tickets £20. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person TueThur 10am - 1pm.

15 - 16 September

Milly Riquelme etc; Cuban, classical, & jazz A vigorous mix from pianist Milly Riquelme joined on the Friday by her husband guitarist Tom Toomey, and on the Saturday by fellow Cuban pianist Ana Laura Manero. The programme will vary each evening. Tom will be playing some of his original music, influenced by Spanish flamenco music, and Irish traditional. Tincleton Gallery, The Old School House, Tincleton, nr Dorchester, DT2 8QR Opening / performance times: doors open 19:30; concert starts 20:00 Admission fee: £15. 01305 848 909. http://www.tincletongallery. com

16 September

Simply The Shadows and Cliff: Established 58 Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £20 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https:// www.ilminsterartscentre.com/performances.

Chideock WI hosts ‘The Chantry Buoys’. 7.00pm in Chideock Village Hall. Refreshments and bar. Tickets £12, in advance only, available from Janet Carey 01297 489782 or email chideockwi@ gmail.com.

The Fabelmans Steven Spielberg’s humorous biopic about his youth, his home movies and his determination to become a film maker. 7.30pm, Ilminster Warehouse Theatre. Go to www. cinemaatthewarehouse.co.uk to join. Guests: £5.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 8.5 mile walk from Merriott. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

Vermeer: Exhibition on Screen 4pm The Beehive Honiton www. beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

‘Dance with Flavia’ Dance classes – Gateway Theatre, Seaton –3 separate 1 hour classes: beginners 12.45pm, intermediate 2pm and beginners couples 3.15pm. Tickets £14 for singles, £30 for couples. Gateway Theatre Seaton. Tickets from 01297 625699, www. thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm.

17 September

Dorset Countryside Volunteers will be beach cleaning at Abbotsbury (just past the Sub-Tropical Gardens) This event is suitable for a wide age range so bring the family. For details see www.

dcv.org.uk, email DCVpublicity@gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

Wootton Fitzpaine Art and Craft Exhibition 2023 Wootton fitzpaine village hall 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. £1.00 Entry. Children free. Refreshments available in the social club. Local artists, Trudi Ochiltree, Patrick Sullivan, Sue Canon, Lucy Art. Claire Trenchard, Rebecca Meltzer, & more.

Belonging and Becoming Between March and October 2022, 29 young people from 14 different countries; Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Albania, Kosovo, Mozambique, Eritrea, USA, Ukraine, Palestine, Italy, Palestine, Denmark and England (Dorset), were interviewed about the climate crisis, employment, democracy, the nature of humanity, and thoughts about how they might bring change. They also raised more profound questions about where do they belong and how do they become what they wish to be, together with others of all ages? Directed by Robert Golden. Produced by Tina Ellen Lee and Robert Golden. A TCFT/ Opera Circus Event. Bridport Arts Centre, 9 South St, Bridport DT6 3NR. Box office: 01308 424901 Tickets: All £5 | Under 18s Free. Doors open at 3pm – films start at 3.30.

Divine Union Soundbath 2-4pm Bell Street United Church, Bell St, Shaftsbury, Dorset SP7 8AL £15 Please book in advance via 01935 389655 or email ahiahel@live.com

East Devon Ramblers Tales of the riverbank, 11 miles moderate walk. 10.00am. Bridport. Telephone 07759-324849

18 September

Winsham Art Club 2pm at Jubilee Hall TA20 4HU. The theme this practical session is Still Life. It is a tutor led 2.5 hr. session. Small friendly group of mixed abilities. Members £5, non-members £7. Annual membership £15. All welcome. Contact: Email : elfridevaughan@gmail.com for further details.

The Lamorna Cornish Colony of Artists A September Art History course about the Lamorna Group, Monday afternoons in Bridport 2pm or Friday afternoons from 22nd Sept 2pm on line: Fee is £65 for 6 wks, ‘drop in’ lectures for £13 each. Venue United Hall, East Street, Bridport. Online fee £60. To book and for more information email chris.pamsimpson@btinternet.com Tutor is Pam Simpson MA, Associate Lecturer University of the Arts. Pam is a professional art historian, with 35 years teaching experience in London art schools.

Bridport Folk Dance Club dance sessions in the W.I. Hall on Monday evenings from 7.15pm-9.30pm. Musicians and new Callers always welcome. Tea and biscuits. Tel: 863552 or 459001 for more information.

Scottish Dancing in Chardstock An evening of Scottish Dancing in Chardstock Village Hall 7.30-10.00 p.m. Tea and coffee provided but please bring your own mug. No partner required. Cost £2.00. For more information contact David on 01460 65981. www. chardscottishdancingclub.org

19 September

Scottish Country dancing at Horton Village Hall Nr Ilminster TA19 9QR every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 pm with break for refreshments. Please wear soft , flat, comfy shoes if possible.

Pay on the door £3.00 per evening. For further information contact Anita on 01460 929383 email anitaandjim22@gmail.com or visit our web site at www.ashillscd.wordpress.com. All welcome.

19 - 23 September

Windwhistle Designs - Autumn Exhibition Windwhistle Designs is a graphic art studio based in South Somerset producing contemporary designs and art prints. This exhibition showcases our latest additions to the collection as well as our popular current designs. 10.00am - 5.00pm. 1 West Street, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7PS. andrew@windwhistledesigns.com, www. windwhistledesigns.com.

20 September

East Devon Ramblers. Donkey sanctuary 7 miles moderate walk. 10.00am. Near Sidmouth. Telephone 07899-792934. Colyton & District Garden Society ‘Gardening without Plastic’, talk by Sally Nex, gardener and writer. Venue: Colyford Memorial Hall, start 7.30pm. Members free, guests £3.

Coffee Morning including cakes, scones & savouries, and bacon/ egg rolls (made to order), 10.30am – noon; all welcome. Clapton & Wayford Village Hall. More details from Julia (01460 72769)

Bridport Scottish Dancers meet at Church House, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN. 7.15 for a 7.30 start. £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and soft drinks + biscuits. Contact: Malcolm on 07790 323343. Check out bridportscottishdancers for more information.

21 September

Dance Connection Block for well-being, 7:15pm, Bridport St Mary’s CHH, 07787752201, danceconnectionwessex@gmail.com

The Royal Opera House: Das Rheingold (U) When a precious hoard of gold is stolen from the river Rhine, it unleashes a chain of destructive events, pitting gods and mortals against one another for

generations. 7pm The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Folk dancing at Combe St Nicholas village hall (TA20 3LT) on at 1930 hrs. Mary Blackborow and her band will be providing instructions and music. It’s £4.00 per person which includes a cuppa and cake, all welcome and it is a lot of fun! Further details from Elaine on 01460 65909

The Bridport & District monthly meeting is at 7.30pm at the W I Hall North Street Bridport when Katherine Crouch will give a talk on Grasses in the Garden. Non members are welcome to join our meetings for a fee of £2.00 and more information about the club is available on the club website www.bridportgardeneingclub.co.uk

22 September

Flying Folk Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £12 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www.ilminsterartscentre.com/ performances

Rosie Jackson Poems about Artists including Stanley Spencer and Barbara Hepworth, with poets Elaine Beckett and Pam ZinnemannHope. Award-winning poet Rosie Jackson’s illustrated talk about Spencer’s art and life with her recent poems about mystics such as John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Simone Weil, and artists such as Barbara Hepworth. Sladers Yard West Bay. Bridport. Dorset DT6 4EL. 7.30pm (doors 6.30pm hot supper and bar available). Tickets £10 call 01308 459511.

Explore the Edge random routes to making art. A nurturing time to find where a line might lead you with artists Jo Burlington and Angela Latham. Short meditations and playful creations in the peaceful studio and grounds at Othona, Burton Bradstock DT6 4RN (not affiliated). 9.30-12.30 cost £25 and/or Saturday

EVENTS AND COURSESSeptember

14 October 10-4 cost £60. All welcome, experienced or not. Materials and refreshments provided. Enquiries and bookings to angelatham21@gmail.com

Climax Blues Band A unique combination of jazz and blues. Creating new music, blending the old with the new. A brand-new album is being written to build on the success of Hands Of Time!

7.30pm The Beehive Honiton www.beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

East Devon Ramblers Where shall we wander 6 miles walk.

10.00am. Otterton. Telephone 01392-214430

23 September

Introduction to Chen-style Tai Chi (New Beginners Welcome)

9:30am - 12:30pm, Litton and Thorner’s Community Hall, Litton Cheney, DT2 9AU For more info see http://www. bamboogrovetaichi.co.uk/ or email bamboogtc@tutanota.com. Also

21 October and 25 November.

‘ACDC UK’ Tribute – Gateway Theatre, Seaton - Live music8.30pm, doors 7.30pm, tickets £20. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am - 1pm. Scottish Dancing Party in Chardstock Evening of Scottish Dancing at Chardstock Village Hall . 7.30-10.30 p.m. Cost £5.00.

Contact David on 01460 65981 www.chardscottishdancingclub.org

Dorset Greener Homes Many homes across Dorset will be open to visitors. See dorsetcan.org/greener_homes for details and opening times. Free. Also 24, 30 September and 1 October.

The Rheingans Sisters 7.30pm The Beehive Honiton www. beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Holistic Health & wellness Day Speedwell Hall Abbey St

Crewkerne TA18 7HY 10-4 pm £1 admission Mobile 07710 528 274.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 6.5 mile walk from Powerstock. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

Talk by Anna Kent Frontline Midwife Weymouth Library, Great George Street Booking advisable. Free, donations to Medicins sans Frontieres (MSF) 01305 762410/750557. 2pm for 2.30. weymouthlibrary@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. A Friends of Weymouth Library event.

23 - 24 September

Winsham Arts Group 2023 exhibition The Art Group is holding its Annual Exhibition in The Jubilee Hall Winsham TA20 4HU Open 10am – 5pm on both days. Free admission. For further information

Contact elfridevaughan@gmail.com

24 September

East Devon Ramblers. Fine views 9 miles moderate walk . 10.30am. Abbotsbury. Telephone 01297-552313

Shute Festival Talking Walk on the River Lim with Vicki Elcoate, River Lim Action Group, Paul Butter ecologist and Eva Fahle-Clouts artist. 11-1 PM, Lyme Regis. Places limited: Book a spot by emailing shutefest@gmail.com

Divine Union Soundbath 2-4pm Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA £15 Please book in advance via 01935 389655 or email ahiahel@live. com

Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society talk on Bulbs that Create Sparkle by Micky Little, Avon Bulbs. Also Q&A session, bulbs and plants for sale. Uplyme Village Hall 7.30pm; refreshments from 7pm. Members free, non-members £3. More information www.ulrhs.wordpress.com

Royal Opera: Das Rheingold (12A) Gateway Theatre, Seaton, screening from the Royal Opera House - 2pm, doors 1.30pm, tickets £15 adults, £8 under 16s. Tickets from 01297 625699, www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk or in person Tue - Thur 10am1pm.

25 September

“Around the World in 60 Minutes” Brenda Hooton. National Trust Golden Cap Association. United Reformed Church, East Street, Bridport at 2.30 pm. Members £3.00. Visitors £5.00. Contact Mike Nicks 01308 459855.

Bridport Folk Dance Club dance sessions in the W.I. Hall on Monday evenings from 7.15-9.30pm. Musicians and new Callers always welcome. Tea and biscuits. Tel:863552 or 459001 for more information.

Scottish Dancing in Chardstock Evening of Scottish Dancing at Chardstock Village Hall. 7.30-10.00 p.m. Tea and coffee provided but please bring your own mug. No partner required. Cost £2.00. For more information contact David on 01460 65981 www.chardscottishdancingclub.org

26 September

Lunchtime Concert Maria and friends (soprano, piano, violin, ‘cello) entertain with popular classics and songs St. Andrew’s Church, Charmouth. 12:30 with light refreshments from 12:00. Free entry donations welcome. 01297 560681 Scottish Country dancing at Horton Village Hall Nr Ilminster TA19 9QR every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 pm with break for refreshments. Pay on the door £3.00 per evening. For further information contact Anita on 01460 929383 email anitaandjim22@gmail.com or visit our web site at www.ashillscd.wordpress.com. All welcome.

Bridport U3A Colin Varndell - Close Encounters. United Church on East Street, Bridport at 2pm. Free to members and £3 to visitors.

27 September

East Devon Ramblers Woodland and reservoir 9 miles walk. 10.00am. Near Dunsford. Telephone 07954-401802

Bridport Scottish Dancers meet at Church House, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN. 7.15 for a 7.30 start. £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and soft drinks + biscuits. Newcomers first evening is free. Contact: Malcolm on 07790 323343. Check out bridportscottishdancers for more information.

29 September

Ladies in Jazz: Annika Skoogh + Ian Ellis & The Craig Milverton Trio. Concert starts 19:30, bar available. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tickets: £20 (free to 12 and unders. Students £5). To book: 01460 54973. https://www.ilminsterartscentre. com/performances

East Devon Ramblers. Honey, Bees and Trees 5 miles moderate walk. 10.00am. Near Honiton. Telephone 01297-24312

30 September

BlimeyOhRiley plus support from Potts & Jammin. 8pm The Beehive Honiton www. beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Close A very touching and moving Belgium film about the intense friendship of two teenage boys that is threatened by the pressure of classmates. 7.30pm, Ilminster Warehouse Theatre. Go to www.cinemaatthewarehouse.co.uk to join. Guests: £5.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7 mile walk from Charminster. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

News&Views

CHIDEOCK Grant to monitor pollution

Winniford River Action Group (WRAG) has been awarded a grant from the Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund via Dorset Community Foundation. The grant will enable WRAG to continue testing the water of the river at various sites from North Chideock to the sea and to establish where the pollution comes from (e.g. run-off from the land, leaking septic tanks, sewage spills). They will raise awareness in the local community about the health of the river.

AXMINSTER

Shared banking premises

A counter service in the old Lloyds bank building in Axminster is to offer a shared base for HSBC, Santander, Lloyds, NatWest and Barclays. On alternate days customers of these banks will be able to come in and talk to staff from their own banking provider. The hub is being set up by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company established by 10 major high street banking providers to provide cash and basic banking services.

BRIDPORT Award for charity founder

At a recent national Macmillan Cancer Support awards ceremony in Birmingham, Jo Millar—Chair of the Bridport based cancer charity The Living Tree—was given the prestigious With Ambition award, In recognition of going the extra mile & striving for better. Jo co-founded The Living Tree with her namesake Jo O’Farrell MBE in 2012. Together they shared a belief in the enormous power of creativity & friendship to promote healing.

QUEEN THORNE Parish area change

Queen Thorne Parish Council have submitted an area application to amend the Queen Thorne Neighbourhood Area by retaining the parish of Trent but excluding the parishes of Over Compton, Nether Compton and Sandford Orcas. The Neighbourhood Area will subsequently be referred to as Trent Neighbourhood Area. The application information can be viewed on the council website https://www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-area

WEST BAY

Close thing

A video showing people running from a West Bay cliff fall has prompted further calls for beach visitors to avoid sitting or walking underneath cliffs. A Dorset Council spokesperson warned: “Rockfalls can, and do, happen at any time. The Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion—meaning it is always on the move.” Visitors are reminded to “Never ignore a warning sign—they are there for your safety.”

Nature Studies

By Michael McCarthy

So here is the month of September, and you’re thinking, here comes autumn. Well I’ve got news for you. Autumn started more than three weeks ago. Or at least it did in my world, when the swifts departed.

These black arrowheads in the blue sky are the most dynamic of our summer birds, spending nearly all their life in the air—they eat and drink on the wing, they sleep on the wing, they even mate on the wing, as Gilbert White, the keen-eyed 18th century parsonnaturalist who wrote The Natural History of Selborne, observed as long ago as 1774. People who are not birdwatchers sometimes confuse swifts with swallows and house martins, but although they are superficially similar and occupy a similar niche in nature, as high-speed aerial insect-eaters, they are not related; and if you want a quick way of telling them apart, remember that swallows and house martins are dark above and pale below, and twitter, and swifts appear dark all over, and scream.

Scream they do. One of the great sounds of summer is the cacophony made by swift “screaming parties”, when bands of the birds zoom around at low level emitting excited cries, and this sense of utter wildness about them has made them more and more a subject for writers in recent years, which was long overdue; people have celebrated swallows as bringers of the spring for millennia with not a word written about swifts. But now there is a growing swift literature, including a super poem by Ted Hughes, where his delighted cry at their return from Africa is so explosive it needs something rarely found in poetry, an exclamation mark: “They’re back!”

Swifts come late in the springtime, usually in the first week in May, and only stay with us for three months until the start of August, which makes their presence all the more precious. We came to the village in mid-August 2021 and to my great pleasure I observed at once it held a population of swallows and house martins, not due to leave for Africa until September or later, but there was no way of knowing if the village had swifts of its own, because if it did, the birds’ departure date was evidently past. I had to wait until the following spring to find out, and on Sunday

An incomer’s discovery of the natural world in the West Country

May 8 2022 I did so, when my wife and I had a first evening drink in the garden and I looked up and there they were, the arrowheads carving up the glowing sky and I shouted out for joy and punched the air.

Our swifts congregate around one of the village’s oldest and largest houses, where they nest under the roof tiles. For me, the exhilaration of their return lasts all summer. But it is an exhilaration fully matched by a melancholy, at their departure; I have a strong sense of an ending, I take it to mean the summer is over, and that even though there may still be hot days, something vital has gone out of the world, and really we are into autumn.

This year it was hard to put a precise date on it, because of our washout July. Swifts have a simple reaction to rain: they flee from it. They will fly in a circle for a thousand miles to avoid an Atlantic low-pressure system, and in July we were hit by four of those, on four successive weekends, so the birds were often simply not there. My last notable sight of them was on July 20, one of the few lovely warm days of the month, when the garden was charmingly full of butterflies, peacocks and tortoiseshells and red admirals and cabbage whites and brimstones and holly blues, and the swifts were screaming above. High summer, I wrote in my diary. At the end of the month I scanned the sky each morning and evening, sometimes with rain, sometimes without, not able to be sure, but by August 4, when the evening was fine, I knew they had gone.

Personally, I would mark it with sombre music on the radio, swift leaving-day; I would have TV announcers report it in mourning dress. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to think of another moment in the natural calendar which leaves me so cast down, as that day when it’s still meant to be summer, and the sun’s still shining strongly, and you look up and see that empty sky.

Recently relocated to Dorset, Michael McCarthy is the former Environment Editor of The Independent. His books include Say Goodbye To The Cuckoo and The Moth Snowstorm: Nature and Joy

Black arrowheads in the blue sky: swifts over the village. © Photograph: Robin Mills

Secrets from the Undercliffs

Twenty years in the making, Donald Campbell talks about the journey to his latest book Landslips: The Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve

LANDSLIPS is a history of the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs. Early chapters of this book provide accounts of visits to the coasts of Dorset and Devon well before the Great Landslip of 1839. Lyme Regis was a favourite destination and the visit of William Pitt and his two sons in 1772 might be considered typical. They explored the nearby Undercliff ‘breathing the purest air imaginable and pursuing health through paths of amusement over the hills which abound with the striking beauties of nature’. Other visitors were equally full of admiration for the picturesque and romantic landscapes and wild nature. Pictures of the time show open views with few trees and prominent rock outcrops.

When, late in 1839 and again early in 1840, spectacular landslips at Bindon and Whitlands were described and illustrated by pioneering geologists, interest grew and visitors came to marvel. Since 1839 many more falls have followed so when the coast was eventually suggested as a National Nature Reserve it was because of the geological interest. In 1949 pioneering ecologist Sir Arthur Tansley thought the Undercliff to be ideally suited for research. When finally designated as a National Nature reserve (NNR) in 1955 it was mainly because of its geological history. It was only when school master Tom Wallace and his students began to build up their extensive list of 1600 plant and animal species, that its biological importance was appreciated.

Despite Wallace’s research, and the interest of Norman Barns, another local teacher, the Nature Conservancy continued to attempt to justify a minimum interference policy. When the Second Management Plan was published in 1992 it was feared that the hazards of the terrain would limit research as well as potential educational and recreational use. Official policies seemed to be steadily reducing the interest of the Reserve as exotic species, like the introduced Holm Oak, spread, casting a dense shade.

A newly appointed warden, Phil Page, first visited in 1987 and soon, with the help of English Nature’s staff from Yarner Wood, half a day was spent mowing on the Plateau before more cutting and raking on Goat Island. Later scrub was also being cut back and a degree of management came to be accepted.

Soon after we had moved to Devon it was suggested that I should approach Norman about possible bird surveys. These began in 1993 and in line with the British Trust for Ornithology’s policy, continued for five years. Around the end of that time Phil’s successor Albert Knott, asked me to create a ‘reference resource’ about the Reserve. I soon realised that there was no recent information about some of the less familiar taxonomic groups and as a result Mark Pool and Roy Jefferies were invited to explore for mosses and liverworts. David Allen and Geoff Benn came to search

for fungi and Barbara Benfield found 98 lichen species on another day’s visit.

In 2006 I was invited to write a book, Exploring the Undercliffs, which helped to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Reserve. By this time workers with Natural England were starting to accumulate records of invertebrates as the ‘soft cliff’ habitat began to be appreciated. In 2002 David Gibbs took the opportunity to collect invertebrates on an opportunistic basis. He quickly recorded 292 species of which 64 had nationally scarce status. By 2015 I had some 6000 of Phil Parr’s butterfly records which was enough to justify a note to Butterfly Conservation. Phil also recorded trees and flowers as well as moths, beetles, crickets and fungi.

In 2011 Tom Sunderland, who had taken over from Albert, was one of the organisers of a ‘Bioblitz’ which had originally been suggested by Undercliff resident George Neate. Well over a thousand species were recorded on one day with another 150 found by Devon Sea Search in Charlton Bay. Martin Drake and Rob Wolton ‘only’ recorded 186 fly species but by 2019 the Undercliff total had moved to 591. Similar persistent searching by Paul Butter has found 431 moth species, including around a hundred that are nationally scarce.

The final chapter begins as the 95 miles of Dorset and Devon coast is declared a World Heritage Site and continues with my being asked to write an account of Undercliff history and wildlife. Later, Tom Sunderland mentions an initiative in line with my own thinking; an extension of the NNR towards Sidmouth and into the shallow waters of Lyme Bay. He would like to involve a number of local partners. Thoughts about the future promote thoughts about the past and the pioneers who changed our understanding of the natural world. These include Alexander Von Humbolt, Ernst Haekel and three great admirers of Humbolt, George Perkins Marsh, Henry David Thoreau and John Muir all based in America. Muir’s achievements in California were later remembered in his native Scotland with the establishment of the John Muir Trust.

Among other ideas suggested towards the end of this chapter is the possibility of more National Parks, with some extending out to sea, and less intensive management of arable land with reduced and more controlled use of fertilisers and pest control chemicals. The book ends, somewhat pessimistically, with the thought that the worlds environments are all at risk as they grow warmer, as ice melts and sea levels rise; change will have to come quickly.

Flowers Fruits & Fables

Sir Ghillean Prance back in the Amazon

This fully illustrated book is available from local bookshops (£14.95) or by post from the author at Wheatears, The Butts, Colyton, EX24 6NU (£17.00).

REFLECTING on the many plant species he has included in his new book, Sir Ghillean Prance wonders how many of them might still be ‘so abundant’ after the deforestation of vast tracts of the Amazon forest.

Flowers, Fruits and Fables of Amazonia is a beautifully illustrated botanical journey through one of the most fascinating and important areas of the world. Using research and photographs gathered from expeditions between 1963 and 2005, Sir Ghillean describes many of the interesting flowers and useful fruits of Amazonia. Packed full of never before seen images and clear descriptions of each plant and flower, the book also includes information on the uses by and beliefs of the indigenous peoples. The amazing variety of uses for the plants described vary from medicines, hallucinogenic substances, fibres, building materials, body paints, fish poisons and many edible fruits.

The selection of plants varies from ferns and small herbs

including many orchids to some of the tallest trees such as the Brazil nut and several of the most used species of palm trees. The final chapter draws attention to the current destruction of the forest and includes appeals from indigenous peoples to protect the forest and to defend their rights to occupy and live from the forest. The book is available to purchase from: https://butterfliesandamazonia.com.

‘Thoughts about the future promote thoughts about the past and the pioneers who changed our understanding of the natural world.’

Sir Ghillean Prance

Green Belt is indispensable solution to climate, nature and food security challenges, says CPRE

The Green Belt is being overlooked as a pivotal solution to climate change, the decline of nature and food security vulnerabilities, a new report from CPRE, the countryside charity, shows.

The report argues that the Green Belt, which protects 12.5% of England’s land area from development, should become greener, wetter and more biodiverse.

Rewiggled streams, new wetlands, restored peatlands, expanded woodland and revived hedgerows could help the countryside around towns and cities soak up more water to protect urban areas from increased floods, droughts and other natural disasters. Food security could be strengthened by creating nature corridors that link rewilding projects with farmland and encouraging people to buy food produced locally that enhances the environment where they live. Tourism and recreation should be encouraged, with better footpaths, facilities and public transport links, so that people get maximum benefit from the improved environment.

The report highlights the need to improve transport links, recreation and tourism in the Green Belt. There is greater need than ever for it to fulfil the founding promise of access to green space, nature and cultural heritage for the populations of nearby towns and cities.

An acute need for more affordable and social housing means rural communities living within the Green Belt should be able to develop small rural exception sites on the edge of villages – even when it is on greenfield land – to accommodate local needs, the report recommends.

But it finds the wrong homes are being built in the wrong places for the wrong people. A sample of thirteen large schemes recently completed or currently being built on former Green Belt land found that only five percent of the housing built was social housing. Also, consistently less affordable housing overall was provided than was called for by local planning policy.

For more information read the full report at: https://www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/State-of-the-Green-Belt2023-online.pdf

Nature Heals

A photography exhibition by Trevor Parsons

A FREE afternoon experience of beautiful photographs on the big screen - Wednesday 6 September, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Join Dorchester Arts for a mindful moment at Dorchester Corn Exchange and relax in front of a superb display of nature photography by Trevor Parsons, shown on a loop on the giant projection screen and accompanied by a beautiful music and nature soundtrack.

Trevor is a local photographer with an amazing story to tell about the healing power of the camera and nature: his passion for photography helped him through two mental breakdowns and he has now dedicated himself to telling his story and trying to help others. An exhibition of his work is also on display at Dorset Museum until late October, alongside the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

So, drop in and enjoy, any time between 1pm and 7pm on Wednesday 6 September! Supported by Dorchester Arts Dress Circle donors and RiskSTOP.

Vegetables in September

By Ashley Wheeler

September is a great month for growing veg. The intensity of summer has lessened a little, there is still a chance of some beautiful weather, the soil is still warm and there is usually plenty of moisture for new plantings to get established. We plant a lot throughout August and this really gets going through September, almost like a second Spring. However, this month also marks the beginning of the turnaround from summer to winter crops, as many of the summer crops start to slow down in production, and winter crops begin to take over. Meanwhile in the polytunnels the tomatoes, cucumbers and beans are still going, but also towards the end of the month we will be starting to think about taking these out to make space for the winter salads and herbs.

We start a lot of sowing for winter poytunnel production from the beginning of September, with lettuce, endive, chervil, winter purslane, plus all of the brassica salad leaves like rocket, red Russian kale, watercress, landcress, mustards such as Rouge Metis, purple frills, golden frills, pizzo, wasabina and mizuna. These will all be planted around the beginning of October, once the tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and peppers have been taken out to make space. Sometimes we keep the peppers going a little longer and plant the salads around them, and although they don’t get going quite as quickly, they get their roots down, and as soon as the pepper plants are removed they put on a lot of growth. We also sow spring onions, to be planted in the tunnels, and corn salad to be planted outside. Corn salad, also known as Lambs lettuce or Mache is a delightful little salad plant, grown lots in France. It can be grown outdoors through the winter and starts producing meaningful amounts of leaves in late winter. It can be planted pretty closely together (we do it around 15cm apart just to allow a hoe to go between plants) and is really hardy.

We try to get as much green manure/cover crop sowing done as possible through September whilst there is still a bit of time for seed to germinate and start covering the ground. Most of this is sown directly over existing crops such as fennel, endive and salad leaves, hoeing the seed in lightly. Some will be sown on beds that have had crops cleared, and in this case we usually just mow down the old crops and weeds and then broadcast the green manure seed directly on this. If it is a little dry we will try to hoe or rake this seed in a little, but if there is plenty of rain this isn’t necessary. Usually at this time of year the seed mix consists of phacelia, oats, linseed, buckwheat and vetch. Some of these plants will be winter killed, whilst others will survive the winter and put on growth in early spring. The aim is to have as many living plants in the soil as possible through the winter and as much diversity within the mix, so that the soil is covered and the plants’ roots give out exudates which the microorganisms in the soil then live on and in turn make nutrients available to the plants to grow healthily.

So, there is definitely a sense of the seasons turning in September, but there is still plenty to do and the windows of opportunity are quite small as it is important to get any planting and sowing done as soon as possible so that it has time to put on growth whilst the days are still fairly long and the soil is still warm.

WHAT TO SOW THIS MONTH: Direct sown outside: turnip greens, leaf radish, red russian kale as salad leaf. Sow in trays: Now is the time to make sure you start sowing all of your overwintering salad leaves if you have a glasshouse or polytunnel, or even a sheltered spot on a patio. Leaves such as winter purslane, landcress, rocket, mustards, corn salad, endive, chervil, lettuce should be sown from the beginning of the month through to early October. Also spring onions for overwintering in a cloche or tunnel/glasshouse can be sown now

WHAT TO PLANT THIS MONTH:

OUTSIDE: salad leaves: leaf radish, winter purslane, landcress, rocket, mustards, overwintering spring onions, spinach and spring cabbage.

INSIDE: overwintering salad leaves (at the end of the month and into October), chard, coriander, chervil and parsley.

OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS THIS MONTH: Get your squash in by the end of the month and cure them either in a glasshouse, polytunnel or ideally in your house—this will make sure that the skins are hard and will last through the winter.

This shows the sowing of green manures over chicory and other crops in October. There is not a bit of bare soil in sight!

Epic struggle in Axminster

AXMINSTER Musical Theatre are presenting the dark and powerful story of Jekyll and Hyde at the Axminster Guildhall in September.

Based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the epic struggle between good and evil comes to life in this musical phenomenon. Written by multi-Grammy and Tony nominated Frank Wildhorn & double Oscar and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has mesmerised audiences the world over. With a thrilling score including well known favourites such as This is The Moment and In His Eyes being performed by a 15 piece orchestra and talented cast this show is one not to be missed!

Bridport’s Paul Matterface is set to wow audiences with an evocative tale of two men—one a doctor, passionate and romantic—the other, a terrifying madman. A devoted man of science, Dr. Henry Jekyll is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind’s most challenging medical dilemmas. Rebuffed by the powers that be, he decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons along with the man the world would come to know as Mr. Hyde. Paul is joined by two Axminster patrons—Kelly Apps and Silvey Webber—one, beautiful and trusting, the other, beautiful and trusting only herself. Both women in love with the same man. Both unaware of his dark secret. The show is at the Axminster Guildhall from 26 - 30 September.

Tickets are on sale now at www.seaty.co.uk/axminsterjekyllandhyde

Paul Matterface stars in Jekyll & Hyde

September in the Garden

By Russell Jordan

As I write this it seems to have been raining for the last couple of months, the hot and sunny start to summer just a distant memory. September is, meteorologically at least, the start of autumn but, fingers crossed, it’s still possible to get some warm and sunny spells to make up for all the recent downpours. Keeping on top of maintenance jobs is, possibly, slightly easier at this time of year because things are slowing down as days shorten and temperatures decrease.

I know there is a trend towards not having lawns in gardens but, for many, a healthy lawn is the perfect setting from which to admire the more planted areas of the garden. Now that the risk of summer drought has passed, but while temperatures are still high enough to ensure successful germination, it’s a good time to give your lawn some ‘tlc’. If your grass is generally ‘OK’ then simply raking out the moss and dead grass, ‘thatch’, may be all that is required. If raking / scarifying your lawn reveals thin, bare, patches then overseeding with new grass seed is an easy way to improve the sward. Reseeding, or overseeding, is best done while the ground is moist but not during periods of heavy rain as this may wash seed away before it gets a chance to germinate.

Cutting the lawn as short as you dare, before doing any overseeding, means that it can be left uncut for long enough to allow germination of your over-sown grass seed before cutting again. Cutting at a slightly higher setting, after rolling the new seed into the lawn surface, should allow the newly germinated grass to get established while still keeping the lawn looking good. The application of a proprietary autumn lawn feed should improve the existing grass without harming the delicate new seedlings although it’s probably best to avoid using a ‘weed and feed’ on establishing lawns, or over-sown areas, because grass seedlings are more sensitive to the selective weed killing chemicals than ‘mature’ grass.

On the subject of killing weeds; September is generally the recommended last month to apply non-persistent, translocated, herbicides based on ‘glyphosate’ because it’s specific mode of action, disrupting the chlorophyll production in green plants, requires that the plant is in active growth. If not absorbed into a green plant it just breaks down in the soil, which is why it is ‘non-persistent’. I understand that a lot of gardeners prefer not to use any chemicals in the garden, each to their own, but chemical control of weeds is a necessary evil in gardens where there aren’t enough hours in the day to hand weed every last inch of bare soil.

In newly planted borders, where ornamental plants have yet to fully cover the naked ground, the use of glyphosate, between your planted plants, is pretty essential. Hand weeding

will be necessary close to your establishing plants, because you cannot risk spraying them with weedkiller, but a combination of hand weeding these ‘intimate’ areas plus weed killing the ‘wider’ areas should keep everything under control.

Areas that are ‘clean’, i.e. free of weeds, can be treated to a generous application of an organic, sterile, carpet of mulching material which will help to reduce the amount of weeds that re-establish. ‘Mulch’ is a term that can be applied to anything that covers the ground to suppress weeds and therefore includes inert, but totally unnatural, coverings like woven plastic membranes; naturally occurring, but also inert, substrates such as gravel; naturally occurring, but not inert, substances based on composted organic matter. The latter needs to have been composted at high enough temperatures to kill all pathogens and weed seeds, to make it sterile, or else it could actually make your problems worse by introducing a whole new horror show of weeds or diseases.

Mulches based on organic matter will break down over time, that’s because they are not ‘inert’, and will require reapplication if they are to remain effective. Generally, the coarser the material in the mulch the longer it will last without needing to be topped up, so chipped or shredded bark will last longer than ‘council green waste’, but the coarser the material the less aesthetically pleasing it will be in an ornamental setting. A coarse bark mulch isn’t the best addition to a traditional herbaceous border—but is perfect to make paths through a wooded area or as a way to disguise the aforementioned, but ugly, weed suppressing fabric.

I probably should have written about hedge cutting last month, August, because that’s the traditional time to tackle evergreens, predominantly yew, but it’s still not too late in September so that any cut specimen has a chance to recover before winter arrives. Psychologically there is something very pleasing about ‘sharpening up’ the more structural elements of the garden so that the summer shagginess is removed and formal hedges, or clipped specimens, have their shapes restored before the garden descends into autumnal decay.

Before I got sidetracked into mulches and hedge maintenance I had planned to dedicate the whole of this article on bulb planting—an absolutely fundamental part of a successful garden. Ideally you will have already ordered your bulbs by now, assuming you are doing it online, because the most popular varieties sell out quickly and also because the sooner they are ordered, the sooner they arrive, and the sooner you can get them in the ground. The less time the bulb spends out of the ground, considering that they will have been harvested many weeks ago, the better able it is to establish in

your garden (or pots, containers, window boxes etc.). The exception to this ‘plant now’ rule being tulips which are best left until later, even into November, to avoid the pathogen which causes ‘Tulip Fire’.

The best advice I can give about bulbs is that nothing succeeds like excess. Huge drifts and carpets of a single type of bulb, especially if you are naturalising them, is generally better than little splodges of mixed up varieties. Cramming them into containers, an idea rebranded as ‘lasagne planting’, is the order of the day and, unlike planting them in beds and borders, keeping to the recommended planting depths (generally included on the packaging or supplier website) is less important because they are programmed to flower in the first year no matter how badly you treat them.

There are just too many choices, when it comes to autumn planted bulbs, to make specific recommendations and bulb suppliers are pretty good when it comes to recommending which bulbs are best suited to which situation. One general rule is that the smaller the bulb the closer to the soil surface it needs to be planted, and vice versa, so this is an important factor when considering what to plant in existing borders; tiny bulbs are most suited to situations where they won’t be disturbed by future border maintenance. A stonking big allium (e.g. Allium giganteum) can be planted deep enough that it needs never to be disturbed again and will just go from strength to strength, year on year. I find, in fact, that alliums can practically become weeds, albeit very welcome weeds, in established borders because of their ability to both self-seed around and also propagate themselves by bulb division— that’s something to look forward to.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Autumn Abodes

By Helen Fisher

PILSDON £1.5M

A charming, historic Grade II listed detached farmhouse dating from 1504 with 5 bedrooms. Many period features inc: inglenook fireplace with bread oven, timber stairs and many more. A long driveway, set back from the lane with ample parking. Formal gardens plus extensive outbuildings. All set in 35.1 acres.

Stags Tel: 01308 428000

CHIDEOCK £900,000

A delightful family home with 3 bedrooms. Now requiring internal modernisation throughout, the house is ready for someone to make it their own. Dining room and sitting room with fireplaces and views over the garden. All set on an exceptionally large plot with well maintained, mature wrap-around gardens with pathway to a detached single garage and ample parking.

Goadsby Tel: 01308 420000

NEAR COLYTON £795,000

A picture-perfect detached listed character house with 3 double bedrooms, benefitting from a 1 bedroom self-contained annexe. Many period features. Large gardens with small trees and shrubs and hedge boundaries. A long driveway with ample parking leading to a large double garage/carport with a good sized workshop. Lovely far-reaching countryside views.

Gordon & Rumsby Tel: 01297 553768

SHERBORNE £1.25M

An 18th century farm worker’s cottage with 4 bedrooms and 5 reception rooms, set in an idyllic rural landscape. Character features inc: an inglenook fireplace. Contemporary kitchen with bi-fold doors that open onto a terrace and garden. Stunning, well-stocked gardens with a summerhouse, workshop, 2 greenhouses and a veg garden. Ample private parking. Knight Frank Tel: 01935 810064

BRIDPORT £800,000

A stylish, detached 4 bedroom house built in the 1930s but substantially extended and refurbished in 2010. Contemporary kitchen, family bathroom with double-size shower and large bath. Rear garden with terrace, veg beds, ornamental pond, sheds and greenhouse. Plus garage currently used as a gym/ workshop. Ample parking front and rear.

Symonds and Sampson Tel: 01308 422092

BRIDPORT £569,000

A quality town house built 25 years ago in a Georgianstyle with 3 bedrooms. Benefitting from high ceilings and uPVC double-glazed windows. With an easily maintained, landscaped garden with steps down to a beautiful, communal meadow with a river boundary. The meadow has shared ownership. Plus parking and garage with power.

Kennedys Tel: 01308 427329

Bridport’s Celebration of Literature

Bridport’s feast of literary delights is back in November with a dazzling array of writers for the 19th BridLit which will take place from Sunday 5 to Saturday 11 November.

Festival director Tanya Bruce-Lockhart said: ‘The varied programme will appeal to all members of our community and beyond. It’s a celebration for all those who read books and love literature.

‘Our schedule of events increases annually with an eclectic programme which this year includes broadcaster Clive Myrie with his memoir, Love Hate and Hope, Sir Chris Bryant MP talking with Oliver Letwin about why we need to fix Parliament. International Editor of BBC News Jeremy Bowen with his reflections on The Making of The Modern Middle East, military historians James Holland and Ben Macintyre, naturalists Patrick Barkham and Megan McCubbin and the highs and lows of farmer’s wife Helen Rebanks.

‘Eminent historians Tracy Borman and Simon Heffer are joined by novelists Joanne Harris and Amanda Craig, and rewilding champions Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell. We also have Philippa Gregory, one of the world’s celebrated historical novelists, who brings us a forgotten social and cultural history of ordinary women.’

John Crace’s Depraved New World – Please Hold, the Government Will Be With You Shortly gives a blisteringly hilarious tour through the whirlwind of post-Brexit Britain. Crace introduces a worryingly funny selection of his finest journalism from Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s disastrous short reign to Bojo’s final farewell and the psychodrama of Rishi, Suella Braveman’s hokey pokey and what ever lies ahead. John will be in conversation with local journalist Paul Lashmar in the Electric Palace on Saturday 11th November 2023 @ 10.30 am

Tickets are now on general sale, online at bridlit.com and at the box office at Bridport Tourist Information Centre in Bridport’s Bucky Doo Square (01308 424901 - bridport.tic@ bridport-tc.gov.uk).

LEMON VERBENA AND GIN SOUR

My Lemon Verbena in the garden has gone mad and apart from using it for tea and infusing it into a buttermilk pudding and other desserts, a syrup is a great addition to a cocktail. I find to get that fresh flavour I make a sugar syrup with the Lemon Verbena and then strain it onto fresh leaves. You can use gin or vodka for this or even white rum. I often keep egg whites in the freezer if I make a recipe using just yolks, you can freeze them in big ice cube trays then transfer them to a zip lock bag.

I’ve actually used Black Cow strawberry vodka here.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 large measures of gin or vodka or strawberry vodka

• The juice of 2 lemons

• 2 egg whites

• A couple handfuls of ice cubes

• Fresh Lemon Verbena leaves to garnish

MARK HIX

For the syrup

• 1 litre of water

• 150g granulated sugar

• A handful of Lemon Verbena leaves (approx 100g) plus a couple more for the second infusion

Serves 4

DIRECTIONS

1. To make the syrup put the Lemon Verbena leaves in a saucepan with the sugar and water, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain into a bowl onto the rest of the leaves and leave to cool. You can store in a bottle in the fridge for up to a couple months for future drinks.

2. You can make this in a couple of batches depending on the size of your cocktail shaker.

3. Put the ice cubes in a cocktail shaker with the gin, lemon juice and 400ml of syrup and give it a good shake, then add the egg whites and shake for about 30 seconds and strain into martini glasses or similar. Garnish with fresh Lemon Verbena leaves.

Seafest in Weymouth

SEAFEAST, the award-winning Dorset Seafood Festival, taking place on the Weymouth Peninsula, the very end of Weymouth’s beautiful sandy beach and the start of the historic harbourside, on 9th & 10th September.

Guest chefs Mark Hix, Mitch Tonks, Nigel Bloxham and Harriet Mansell will be amongst the impressive list of those offering cooking demonstrations, while Steven Lamb comperes.

Whether you’re just happy to wander, sampling and enjoying great food and local produce, or whether you’d prefer to listen to seafood experts debate the future of our seas, there is something for everyone including live acoustic music from talented local acts and fun activities for kids, including the popular children’s cookery workshops.

With the emphasis on responsibly-sourced seafood from the region where possible, Seafest helps raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission charity. To date the Festival has raised almost £90,000 since it began. The Fishermen’s Mission is the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual, and emotional care. The charity helps all fishermen, active or retired, and their families.

To book tickets visit: https://www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/book/

Many Moons

Marzia Colonna and Fiamma Colonna Montagu at Sladers Yard

Aformer exhibitor in the Marshwood Arts Awards, Marzia Colonna sees art as ‘an invaluable document of our time on the planet’. She says that ‘the need to create is an integral part of our make-up’ and believes that art is ‘the most exciting’ if not ‘the only proof of man’s endless creativity.’

In a rare and special exhibition, Marzia Colonna and Fiamma Colonna Montagu, mother and daughter, will be exhibiting together at Sladers Yard, Bridport, from 9 September. Each is an artist with her own unique voice. Each is author of large-scale projects and commissions. Each has work in important collections in the USA and Europe.

The exhibition at Sladers Yard, Many Moons , is a celebration of the years, finding their personal paths, putting forward voices and ideas that are different but intriguingly compatible, with the pleasure of seeing each other’s work develop and often live side by side.

Marzia’s collages centre on the things she loves, the land and sea that surrounds her Dorset home, the places she visits, interiors of her studio, flowers from her garden, her sculpture. All are represented in cut or ripped paper she has painted beforehand with mostly abstract marks and patterns. To her sculptor’s sense of form and texture, she adds a powerful sense of colour, bringing together bright and earth colours in deeply satisfying and original combinations.

Author Tracy Chevalier describes Marzia’s work as ‘images that manage to be both definitive and subtle, a tonal mix of layers of colour and texture that capture the internal mood of a landscape or a still life in a way that words fail to describe. But that is what art is, right ? It does what words cannot.’ Marzia Colonna’s collages capture the exceptional landscape of West Dorset with the eye of someone who knows and understands it, in different weather and times of year, with a strongly developed sense of space and light. This exhibition also includes strong and joyous images inspired by Cuba and Mexico. ‘When I work with collage I feel I am sculpting with paper and painting at the same time,’ Marzia says. ‘I try to replicate what I have experienced, not just

visually in form and colour, but also in the impact created in my mind, the sensations experienced.’

Fiamma Colonna Montagu is an artist specialising in largescale ceramic sculpture and site-specific commissions. Recent exhibitions include Robert Bowman, Mayfair 2022; West Downs Gallery, Winchester 2022; Rebecca Willer, London; New Art Centre, Roche Court and currently Sladers Yard gallery in Dorset.

Her vessels and small maquettes, often the first stage for largescale work, will be available alongside major pieces at Sladers Yard in the Dorset landscape that inspires her.

Since 2000 she has been making large-scale sculptures commissioned by art collectors, notably a series of circles or Portals up to 3m in diameter and a series of Totems. These beautiful works do not fail to engage us both in the landscape and in the interiors where they are placed. The largest of the Portals was commissioned for a private garden in Portugal. Her Open Sanctuary circles of 23 Totems, designed as meditation spaces and developed with fellow artist Sam Bazeley, were commissioned for an interior space in Florida and an outdoor space in Hampshire.

In 2014 she produced the acclaimed ‘Blood Swept Fields’ poppy installation in commemoration of the WWI centenary at HRH Royal Palaces at the Tower of London, overseeing the making of 888,246 ceramic poppies for the largest single art installation staged internationally. Major commissions in 2022 include a series of vessels for Claridge’s which were placed in each of almost 200 new rooms.

Fiamma’s ceramics are made using porcelain and stoneware high-fired with cobalt and iron oxides to create subtle natural colours and finishes on strong elemental forms. Now living with her family in West Dorset, Fiamma Colonna Montagu grew up in London. She studied at Bryanston, a co-educational liberal arts school in Dorset, followed by Oxford University.

Many Moons - Marzia Colonna MRBS collages. Fiamma Colonna Montagu ceramics sculpture is at Sladers Yard from Saturday 9 September until 11 November 2023.

Images from top left: Marzia Colonna: Woods in May; Sunflowers by the Sea; Full Moon on the Sea; The Breadfruit and the Shell. Fiamma Colonna Montagu: Meditation on Creation; Fiamma with the Guardians of the Earth I and II and her Meditation Totems. Opposite page: Fiamma Colonna Montagu, World Enough and Time Portal.

GALLERIES September

1 - 30 September

Kit Glaisyer presents an evolving exhibition of his West Country landscape paintings, with works on show in his gallery and studio, including original paintings, drawings, and prints on canvas. Open Weds & Sat 10-3pm or by appointment. Kit Glaisyer Gallery, 11 Downes Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3JR. 07983 465789 www. kitglaisyery.com @kitglaisyer

DIDI Open daily from 8.30 - 4pm at Unique Framecraft, Unit’s 4-5 Millwey Rise Workshops, Second Avenue, Axminster, Devon. EX13 5HH Telephone 01297 613614 or 07801 260259 . @ uniqueframecraft . What3words:- warning.tasteful.elaborate

Until 2 September

Hope: Ways forward into a changing world Frances Hatch ARWS paintings, Rachel Fenner ARCA paintings, Adela Powell ceramics. Caroline Sharp woven sculpture, Petter Southall furniture. Sladers Yard, 6 West Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4EL. 01308 459511. The 33rd Annual Exhibition of Mosterton Art Group celebrating the work of local artists, will be held in The Skyrm Room, Beaminster. The exhibition is open between 10am and 5pm, (it closes at 4pm on the Sunday). Entry is free.

2 September - 28 October

THG Open 2023 Open submission exhibition showcasing the rich talent of both established and emerging contemporary visual artists living in the South West. Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com. 01404 45006.

2 - 30 September

Mallorcan Landscapes 1950-1980 The Art Stable is delighted to be presenting a third exhibition of work by Robert and Dorothy Bradbury, the last one being in 2020, paintings that are full of energy, colour, and the warmth of the sun. The Art Stable Child Okeford Blandford Dorset DT11 8HB.

Teresa Lawton Recent Work Teresa Lawton was born in Poole and studied Fine Art at Winchester. Exhibitions include the Art Loan Collection at Bournemouth University, the Discerning Eye Exhibition selected by HRH the Prince of Wales, the Royal Academy Summer Shows, the New York Art Fair and numberous exhibitions

in and around London. The Art Stable Child Okeford Blandford Dorset DT11 8HB.

Until 3 September

Three Pairs of Hands Eype Centre for The Arts, Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport DT6 6AR Open daily 10 – 4.30 pm. Free admission and parking. www.jennyvp58.wixsite.com/penneyart for further details.

3 September - 15 October

Contemporaries Painter Michael Crowther and sculptor Dave King. The Shippon Gallery, Hook Farm, Chardstock EX13 7DD FridaySunday 11am - 4pm or by appointment www: theshippongallery.com

5 - 30 September

The Textile Set: EAST Join members of The Textile Set for an exhibition in the Main Gallery where they use their imagination to travel through eastern countries and explore their cultures, wonder at the beauty of the east windows in churches and marvel at the everyday spectacle of sunrise. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tues-Sat, 9.30am - 3pm. Free entry. https://www.ilminsterartscentre. com/exhibitions

The Garden & Beyond A solo exhibition of abstract impressionism by Joanna Commings in the Cafe Gallery. Inspired by the natural landscape around her, Joanna works with the effects of sunlight through foliage, clouds, reflections or movement of water, and effects of season and weather. Ilminster Arts Centre, TA19 0AN. Tues-Sat, 9.30am - 3pm. Free entry. https://www.ilminsterartscentre. com/exhibitions

8 September - 5 January

Autumn mixed exhibition features over a dozen of our gallery artists, plus four guest artists, including a range of sculptures, oils, and prints. Newcomer Consuelo Child-Villiers brings visionary oils. A nautical theme comes from printmaker Colin Moore and Kim Pragnell’s charcoal deftly contrasts curvature of the boats with the linearity of the yard architecture. Hill forts enter by way of landscape monoprints from Bristol-based Ruth Ander. The Hampshire artist Philippa Headley adds her impressionistic landscape oils to the mix alongside the detailed landscape etchings of Devon-based Mary Gillett. A variety of raku ceramics are with us from London-based

artist Alison Wear as well as stonework from Sarah Moore and the fine metal/glass/stone scuptures from Bershire based Johannes von Stumm. Imogen Bittner has some new textile pieces as well as work from London-based guest artist Chloe Fremantle and pieces by local guest artist Sarah Batt. Tincleton Gallery, The Old School House, Tincleton, nr Dorchester, DT2 8QR Opening / performance times: 10AM – 4PM Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon Or by appointment Admission fee: nil. 01305 848 909 http://www.tincletongallery.com.

9 - 24 September

Colyton Artisan Quarter are bringing demos, workshops and a wide array of arts and crafts to this year’s Devon Open Studios event, with Umborne Bridge Studio and Finn Studio teaming up to make this the biggest venue in East Devon including one of this year’s bursary and prize winners, Alex Boon, nature journaler. Stained glass making, printmaking, felting, photography, watercolour and acrylic art, mixed media, jewellery, prints, cards and gifts available. Free entry and parking, coffee shop next door, 10-4pm daily except Mondays and Tuesdays. Umborne Bridge Studio and Finn Studio, Units 1 & 5, Dolphin St, Colyton, EX24 6LU http://umbornebridgestudio.co.uk and www.finnstudio.com. 07828 859755.

9 September - 11 November

Many Moons Marzia Colonna and Fiamma Colonna Montagu. Sladers Yard, 6 West Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4EL. 01308 459511.

10 - 21 September

“Open Spaces and Quiet Corners” an exhibition of paintings by Kathie Scott and Rachel Hudson inspired by our local land and sea-scapes The Malthouse, Town Mill, Lyme Regis Contact: 01297 444633

Until 16 September

Visual Rhythm Works by John Austin-Williams, Imogen Bittner, Mala Hassett, June Lisle, Helen Simpson and Gillian Collins. Tue to Sat 10am to 5pm Malthouse Gallery and Studio, East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Silver Street, East Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH www.eastlambrook. com.

Until 18 September

Unfolding, Unfurling Kaori Kato Artist-in-residence

Kaori Kato took over the barn to create a site-specific installation. The geometric patterns and organic forms are created by hand-folding paper. Messums Wiltshire Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW. E: info@messumswiltshire.com. T: 01747 445042.

22 - 28 September

Mindfulness in Vogue An exhibition of works The Malthouse Gallery, The Town Mill, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU. akmw.co.uk.

22 September - 11 October

Savour the Moment Michael Clark The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN. www. jerramgallery.com.

23 September

Mappercombe Makers Open Day visit 30 makers in their workshops in five sites Open 11 - 4pm. Nettlecombe DT6 3SS. Instagram. @ mappercombemakers.

Until 25 September

Quiet Strength Becky Allen, Purdey Fitzherbert, Alice von Maltzahn, Emilie Pugh. This exhibition presents work by four exceptional artists. While their practices vary in concept and approach, there is a shared affinity in the work and their relationship with the material. Messums Wiltshire Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW. E: info@ messumswiltshire.com. T: 01747

29 September - 5 October

Inspiration An exhibition and sale of an eclectic mix of work from 7 West Dorset artists encompassing painting, ceramics and stained glass. 10am - 4pm The Malthouse Gallery, The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis Dorset DT7 3PU www.townmill.org.uk

Until 30 September

What Is Beautiful? Bridport Arts Centre will be hosting an interactive visual-arts project based in the Allsop Gallery, exploring personal and universal themes of beauty. This will include a series of workshops as well as a mini exhibition with reproductions of historical and modern art and a chance to add your thoughts on each piece. We are also asking the general public to submit their own response; what do you think is beautiful? This can be in any form, such as a painting, poem or object, and submissions will be displayed in the gallery for the duration of the project. To submit your response or for more information email exhibitions@ bridport-arts.com or visit www.bridport-arts.com. Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre, 9 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NR. 01308 424901. Gallery open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, Free Entry.

Until 1 October

Water and Sky Local artists Mary Noon and Vivienne Littley explore the constantly changing environments of our skies, seas and waterways through the media of watercolour, acrylics and collage. They capture luminosity with metallics, drama with textures and

emotional interaction through colour, offering the viewer a varied and exciting palette. Rotunda Gallery, Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge St, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA, Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm, www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk.

Until 7 October

PAPER: Unfolding Unfurling Kaori Kato Kato creates geometric patterns and organic forms by hand-folding paper. Her paper sculpture will be suspended from the ceiling, unfolding from the floor, rhythmically rolling over plinths and curling over the walls. As artist-in-residence Kaori will be making work on site responding to the interior of the thirteenth-century tithe barn. Messums Wiltshire. Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6LW. E:info@messumswiltshire.com T:01747 445042.

Until 29 October

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a world-renowned exhibition that brings together some of the most incredible images of our natural world. On loan from The Natural History Museum in London, it is at Dorset Museum giving local people and tourists to the county an opportunity to enjoy this renowned exhibition. Dorset Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XA

Until 1 January 2024

‘Gruppenausstellung’ is a celebration of Hauser & Wirth’s Swiss heritage through a playful presentation of over 20 artists, including Phyllida Barlow, Martin Creed, Nicole Eisenman, Isa Genzken, Rodney Graham, Richard Hamilton, Mary Heilmann, Camille Henrot, Richard Jackson, Rashid Johnson, Allison Katz, Paul McCarthy, Jason Rhoades, Pipilotti Rist, Dieter Roth, Björn Roth, Mika Rottenberg, Anri Sala, Cindy Sherman, Roman Signer, Lorna Simpson, Alina Szapocznikow, Franz West and David Zink Yi. Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton Somerset BA10 0NL.

A celebration of Portland’s uniqueness

Portland’s internationally renowned contemporary arts festival, b-side, returns 7th -10th September, and the bumper 2023 programme has just been announced, with the Festival Guide now available to download.

This year’s festival, titled ‘This Land’, seeks to drive forward the community spirit that the Isle cherishes, to propel islanders and visitors into deeper connection with each other and the land they share. Alongside its community, Portland is known for its limestone—and the fragile beauty of this is a prevalent theme throughout the festival’s commissions for 2023. For the last two years, artists have been working on Portland; planning and creating new artworks in response to community research about two particularly fragile Portland sites: a derelict cottage at Brandy Row in Chiswell, and the distinctive landscape and biodiversity surrounding Portland Bill. Both sites are cherished by communities and yet their futures remain uncertain due to entangled issues of climate crisis and economic development.

Rocca Holly-Nambi, Director of b-side, said: “This year’s b-side festival is a particularly poignant event, as it celebrates the culmination of two years of research and development by international artists and residents of Portland. ‘This Land’ celebrates Portland’s uniqueness; its heritage, its landscape and its people. By doing this - and by focusing on two distinct parts of Portland— we are also showing how our island’s intimate challenges, and triumphs, are globally shared. Everyone is welcome.”

The festival will take place across 19 sites on Portland and offers something for everyone, with many events being free of charge to ensure the celebration is accessible to all.

Some of the installations and artists which guests can look forward to engaging with include:

Anna Heinrich and Leon Palmer, who are multidisciplinary artists working with digital media, projection, sound, light, optics and photography. The focus of their research and the inspiration for the work they are creating for this year’s b-side festival, is the aforementioned derelict cottage at Brandy Row in Chiswell. Once a collection of cottages inhabited by fishermen and quarrymen, the site is now owned by Dorset Council, and is currently being used as stores. The future of the cottages’ remains are uncertain. Anna and Leon’s time on the island, their work with the project’s researchers, and their undertaking of film and sound recordings of the site will be used to develop their final piece for the festival. Also at the festival will be Kneed, a collaborative practice formed by artist Ishwari Bhalero and Leonie Rousham. Using workshops to create: film, performance and text and textiles, Kneed will be presenting ‘The Weather or Not Station’—an

eccentric and poetic tale of Portland and its future. Using Entry, the site of the last Tudor cottage on Brandy Row, as a point of speculation, the artist will create a broadcast from, and for, the future - exploring the possibilities of what it will see, feel, hear, and become.

Renowned theatre makers, Wildworks, will be hosting the UnCommon Land workshop, which will be a unique opportunity for audiences to participate in a stunning ritual at dusk, with a few simple activities suitable for all ages. Their workshop will be an uplifting creative celebration about Portland’s unique landscape. Guests should prepare to have their senses tantalised, to connect with others around them, and to experience the landscape like never before. Wildworks projects are not just for those who go to theatre—everyone is welcome to experience, become immersed in and even participate in the work.

Emily Tracy uses collage, objects and collaborative research to create work that reflects on humankind’s relationship with our surroundings and environment. Emily will be showcasing ‘Constant Effort’; using data collated by The Portland Bird Observatory, this will be a visual snapshot of species sightings on Portland at ten year intervals from 1962-2022. This installation seeks to spark conversation and understanding of the complex ecology that exists on the Isle’s landscape, and incorporates birds, moths and all manner of other flora and fauna.

Festival-goers can immerse themselves in Portland’s rich history with Who Lived in a House Like This? - a guided tour of the historic buildings of Chiswell. This Land Researcher, Dr Jeanie Sinclair, and James Barker from Portland Buildings Preservation Trust will take guests on a gentle wander to explore the beautiful buildings in Chiswell and to tell-all about those who once lived there.

The Keep Portland Weird and Wonderful Parade will round out the festival, in a celebration of Portland’s unique biodiversity. Visitors are encouraged to get dressed up in their wackiest garms and parade, walk and dance through Portland’s streets. This is a free parade on a wide street with level access, and all are encouraged to take part in the celebration.

For more information, and to view the full programme, please visit the b-side website https://b-side.org.uk/ and Follow b-side festival on Instagram @bsidefestival, Twitter @bsidefest and Facebook @bsidefest.

PREVIEW September

Inspiration in the landscape INSIDE OUT DORSET

LOCAL and international performers and artists will be coming to Dorset for the biennial Inside Out arts festival, from 15th to 24th September.

The performances, workshops, installations and parades takes place in dramatic rural and urban settings that range from the Iron Age hillfort at Woodbury near Bere Regis to Weymouth.

The festival, programmed by Dorset’s Activate arts organisation, aims to remove traditional barriers to accessing the arts and encourage people to discover and appreciate some of the unique places across the county. The ethos is that anything is possible and everyone is invited.

Activate works with Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the National Association for AONBs, along with European partners with complementary interests in the relationship between the landscape, artists, land stewards and the climate emergency.

The venues include Weymouth, Woodbury Hill, an Iron Age hillfort near Bere Regis, and Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, where the focus will be on the climate emergency, and the events will include sound installations by the Frome-based composer Helen Ottaway.

Wild Woodbury will feature workshops, talks and local food vendors. The Dorset Wildlife Trust hillfort, a religious site in medieval times, was the setting for the Woodbury Hill Fair from the 13th to 20th centuries. Events there will include a site-specific project, Five Seasons, by French artists De Chair et d’Os, about our connection to the earth. A clay oven, which will be built as part of workshops with members of the public, will be used during the performances as part of the ritual of foraging and sharing food.

The Inside Out finale weekend will see a spectacular parade of light and music weave through Weymouth, led by Transe Express’ Poupées Géantes. Three giant dolls will glide magically through the crowd, with the voices of three opera singers transforming the street into an opera house.

Poupees-Geantes will be in a spectacular parade in Weymouth as part of Inside Out © Photograph by Andrew-Downes

Pleasant delights ATHELHAMPTON

THE magnificent Tudor manor of Athelhampton is a perfect setting for Passamezzo—A Handful of Pleasant Delights, a programme of music, words and song illustrating aspects of life in Elizabethan England, on 30th September at 7.30pm.

With a nod to Shakespeare and Duke Orsino’s famous lament, “If music be the food of love ...,” this event will take the audience from the Court to the country, the playhouse, the streets and the Church.

With lute songs, broadside ballads, theatre songs, madrigals, consort songs, instrumental diversions, masque music, sacred music and dance tunes, the programme includes music by Thomas Morley, Richard Edwards, William Byrd, John Dowland, Richard Allison and Daniel Bachiler, and words by George Peele, Ben Jonson, and Chidiock Tichborne.

There is limited seating for this performance, with maximum capacity for the venue limited at 82 audience members in total, so early booking is advised!

Have we met? DORCHESTER

MEMORY is a strange and elusive thing, as Simon Evans has been discovering in his solo shows. The comedian comes to Thomas Hardye School theatre in Dorchester on Saturday 23rd September with his new show, Have We Met? At 8pm. After finally solving the mystery of his existence and true

identity in Work of the Devil, Simon finds that he has still not overcome the more daily challenges of remembering what he came upstairs for, who these grown-ups are that live with him (and what they have done with his children?) and how can that footage be from 2009, when he only bought those shoes a few months ago?

Simon says: “In Greek mythology, the Muses were the daughters of Mnemosyne, goddess of memory—though ironically, there is no easy way to remember her name. But Memory was thus clearly regarded by the ancient Greeks as the mother of the arts, wellspring of inspiration, the compost in which imagination takes root. Our last defence against tyranny, the consolation of the just and the seat of the soul. Without memory, the illusion of self crumbles. Mine, however, is shot. So where does that leave me?”

PS What have I forgotten?

Classical cross-over to jazz

HONITON

KIERON Garrett was a classically trained musician, studying the piano and tuba from the age of seven. In his 20s he decided to delve into the world of jazz and he brings his own acclaimed jazz quartet to Honiton’s Beehive Centre, on Friday 8th September, at 7.30pm.

Kieron played in various orchestras and ensembles for many years, before eventually undertaking a music performance degree at Kingston University. So he was established in the classical tradition when he made the move into jazz, forming the Kieron Garrett Quartet, which features Dave O’Higgins, one of the UK’s finest

saxophonists.

During his professional career, he has played in numerous different bands and at some of the most famous venues in the UK including Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 Club.

Folk star sisters

HONITON

Forgotten voices and time travellers PURBECKS

THIS year’s Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival will take the audience on an amazing journey through centuries of cultural and social upheaval and creativity, over the weekend of 7th to 10th September—from the traditional songs and stories of London’s Yiddish community to the refined recitals of 19th century Europe, from 1940s Hollywood to the dynamic and plangent folk music of the Hungarian plains.

The festival, under the inspiring leadership of its artistic director, the internationally renowned, Dorset-born cellist, Natalie Clein, has one of the country’s most eclectic and exciting music programmes. This year, with a theme of Forgotten Voices, the festival breaks new ground with the launch of a book about London’s Yiddishtown and two of the star performers playing live accompaniment for a classic thriller.

THE Rheingans Sisters—Rowan and Anna—are two of the UK’s leading contemporary folk musicians. They are coming to the Beehive Centre at Honiton on Saturday 23rd September as part of a short regional tour.

The sisters make playful, powerful music that is wholly contemporary while deeply anchored in folk traditions. They are award-winning multi-instrumentalists, composers and folk scholars, and were nominated for Best Duo/ Group at the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Over the last five years they have produced three critically acclaimed albums and won a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award win for Best Original Track in 2016, as well as delighting audiences across the UK, Europe and Australia with their energetic and engaging live performances.

Drawing on pan-European musical scholarship and a spirited mission to make connections between the music of different geographical roots, they have developed a rich artistic approach to the deconstruction and reimagining of traditional music alongside their own beguiling compositions. Performing live, the sisters are full-hearted performers and spontaneous, on-stage improvisors, with adventurous use of fiddles, voices, banjo, bansitar, tambourin à cordes, spoken word, dancing feet and percussion.

Many of their instruments are hand-made by their luthier father Helmut Rheingans, who is based in their native Peak District.

On Saturday 9th from 3.30pm, Wareham’s Art Deco Rex Cinema has an afternoon of time travel for music and film noir fans with a special screening of the black and white classic 1946, Deception, starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains. It is a film with strong musical themes, including a new cello concerto. The screening will feature live excerpts of the film score, including Korngold’s Cello Concerto, with Natalie Clein, cello and Marianna Shirinyan on piano.

Also on Saturday 9th, in the morning, chamber music meets Eastern European folk at Swanage’s Sandpit Field, for a free family concert by violinists Nurit Stark and Marc Danel, who will play Hungarian and English folk songs in a collection curated by the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok in 1931. The performance, from 10am, is a joint event between PICMF and the Swanage Folk Festival.

Historian, researcher and Yiddish performer Vivi Lachs joins the Purbeck line-up for two events at Dorset Museum in Dorchester on Friday 8th September. At 5pm, Vivi will launch her new book, London Yiddishtown, and in the evening from 7pm she will be one of the performers capturing the unique sounds and language of London’s Cockney Yiddish community. Vivi sings, records, and composes music for songs of the Cockney Yiddish music hall and collaborates with the bands Klezmer Klub and Katsha’nes.

The other musicians taking part are the locally-born star soprano Kate Royal, and the Danel Quartet. The venues include Lulworth Castle Chapel, St George’s Church at Langton Matravers, St Nicholas Church at Studland, the Priory Church of Lady St Mary at Wareham, St Nicholas Church at Worth Matravers and St James at Kingston near Swanage.

Leading contemporary folk musicians The Rheingans Sisters coming to Honiton

From Artsreach ... PORTLAND

DORSET’s rural touring arts charity Artsreach has joined forces with Portland’s innovative and exciting contemporary arts festival, b-side, with an invitation to “saddle up for an evening of pedal-powered cinema,” at Pennsylvania Castle on Thursday 7th September. The festival runs from 7th to 10th September at venues all over the Isle of Portland.

Audiences can keep fit while they enjoy an animated classic film—literally an immersive cinema experience! There are 16 special electric bikes which will help power a screening of BelleVille Rendez Vous, the story of Champion, a boy who loves to watch TV. His favourites are the red-hot jazz singing trio, The Triplets of Belleville, who belt out their toe-tapping numbers in the irresistible style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France. As a grownup, Champion becomes a Tour de France racer, but gets kidnapped en route by sinister mafia types. It’s up to his grandmother and his lazy dog Bruno to rescue Champion, with the help of The Triplets themselves, who are now elderly ladies!

The bikes are suitable for both adults and children to pedal—all the electricity for the screening is produced by the cyclists! There are no batteries, generators or back-up power sources—it’s all in the thighs! The gates open at 7.45pm and The Hayloft Café Bar will be open before the screening begins at 8.15pm.

...to b-side PORTLAND

A MAJOR highlight of this year’s b-side festival will be the screening of two films, RAFTS and The Undercurrent, by the Turner-nominated artist, composer and filmmaker Rory Pilgrim who will be finishing his film trilogy with a new feature film set on the Isle of Portland.

Pilgrim’s work centres on issues of freedom and emancipation, the climate crisis, family, the need of a home, exploring the nature of how we come together, speak, listen and strive for social change through sharing and voicing personal experience. In an age of increasing technological interaction, Rory is highlighting connections between activism, spirituality, music and how we form community locally and globally at b-side—as a buzzing hub of local talent.

Based on the rocky outcrop of Portland, b-side welcomes curious wanderers and arts-obsessed regulars to its 11th year. With a large and active community of creative locals, the festival provides a platform for global artists and seeks out exciting newcomers. The interactive tour around this distinctive part of the UK explores its heritage through new work created by artists in response to this incredible place.

Rocca Holly Nambi, director of b-side, says: “We are delighted to share the culmination of our two-year programme, This Land, at b-side’s 2023 festival. Residents of Portland have been working with national and international artists to excavate knowledge and acquire new skills to protect, preserve and propose new futures for natural and built heritage sites on our unique isle. Together we are celebrating what community building and contemporary art can do for the places we live, visit and love.”

The theme culminates in four commissioned artworks which focus on the intriguing history and heritage of

Portland. This Land focuses on two fragile natural and built heritage sites identified as at risk: the last remaining area of original Portland landscape at Portland Bill and the ruins of a Tudor cottage, Brandy Row, on the seafront at Chiswell.

Each artist interprets the story of Portland—the unique landscapes intertwined with perspectives of newcomers and generations of Portlanders. The participants include digital artists Heinrich & Palmer, whose b-side commission explores a building’s permanence versus impermanence through the medium of film, sound and digital imagery; and London-based artist Emily Tracy, who creates art through collage, objects and research, and has created a piece inspired by 60 years of the Portland Bird Observatory. For more information on this year’s festival visit https://b-side.org.uk

Cello-piano duo CONCERTS IN THE WEST

CONCERTS in the West starts the autumn with concerts at the three regular venues, Bridport Arts Centre, Ilminster Arts Centre and the Dance House at Crewkerne, on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd September. The musicians are the Italian cellist Riccardo Pes and the London-based pianist and composer Alexander Boyd.

The programme features works by Prokofiev, Chopin, Schumann and Poulenc at Ilminster on the Friday evening and Crewkerne on Saturday, both at 7.30pm. The Bridport programme, as always a coffee concert at 11.30am, will feature Prokofiev, Poulenc and Schumann.

Riccardo Pes was born in Spilimbergo, Italy, and studied at the Music Conservatory Benedetto Marcello in Venice and attended courses held by Giovanni Sollima at Academia Nazionale Santa Cecilia in Rome. Subsequently he graduated from the Royal College of Music, where he was an RCM Scholar, supported by numerous awards.

Riccardo has studied composition and counterpoint with the composers Batista Pradal and Mario Pagotto. He is a keen chamber musician and he is co-founder and artistic director of the Vendramelli String Orchestra, a string ensemble formed by established musicians and young talents. In July 2021, Riccardo released QUBIT, an album of his own compositions, inspired by physics and astrophysics.

Appreciated for the sensitivity and integrity of his interpretations, Alexander Boyd enjoys an international career as both soloist and chamber musician. He made his concerto debut in 1983 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yerzy Maksymiuk. Since his London Wigmore Hall debut in 2001 he has regularly performed there and at many of the UK’s leading concert halls, including London’s South Bank Centre, Barbican,

Alexander Boyd and Riccardo Pes give the September series for Concerts in the West

Screen Time

with Nic Jeune

Top Six at the Flix

Bridport Electric Palace

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Part One. Destiny (2023)

Seven films in and nothing about M:I, from the star’s incredible stunt skills to the sillyserious tone, is showing any sign of slowing down. The Guardian. Peter Bradshaw.

Bridport Arts Centre

Finding Vivian Maier (2013)

More connect-the-dots detective thriller than traditional doc, John Maloof and Charlie Siskel’s revelatory riddle of a film unmasks a brilliant photographer who hid in plain sight for decades working as an eccentric French nanny. Entertainment Weekly. Chris Nashawaty.

Belonging/Becoming (2023)

Between March and October 2022, 29 young people from 14 different countries were interviewed. Directed by Robert Golden. Part of the International Day of Democracy 2023.

Vidal Sassoon (2010)

Its upbeat tone, perky visual rhythm and sleek graphics capture the “swinging ‘60s” aesthetic epitomized by Mr. Sassoon’s major invention: the geometric “five-point” haircut. New York Times. Stephen Holden.

BBC iPlayer

Luzzo (2021)

The impressive feature debut from MalteseAmerican writer and director Alex Camilleri manages to be both self-contained, in its depiction of an embattled community, but also unexpectedly far-reaching in its themes. The film is an exploration of masculinity in crisis, of the attrition of traditions by the forces of progress and of the agonies and uncertainties of new parenthood. Screen Daily. Wendy Ide.

Meet me in St Louis (1944)

It was the first truly great movie from the Freed unit, the MGM department specialising in musicals and headed since 1940 by Arthur Freed, who wrote some of the best songs of the 1920s and 30s and produced several of the finest films of the 20th century. The Observer. Philip French.

Conway Hall, St Johns Smith Square, St Martins in the Fields, Birmingham’s Barber Institute and Cardiff’s St David’s Hall. He has performed throughout Europe and the US, also appearing at international festivals including Yale and Tanglewood in the US, Aldeburgh, Banff in Canada and Huntingdon in Australia.

Belonging/Becoming BRIDPORT

A NEW documentary by Bridport-based photographer and film-maker Robert Golden is being shown at Bridport Arts Centre on Sunday 17th September, as part of this year’s International Day of Democracy events.

The afternoon programme begins at 3.30pm with A Snapshort, an awardwinning short film, funded by the British Film Institute, which explores the experience of a young photographer with autism. The film is directed by John Clark and stars Josh Ward, an actor from Bournemouth. For more information visit https://www.hiddenpicturesnorth.com/a-snapshot

This will be followed by the new two-part film, Belonging/Becoming, which will be shown in two 30-minute halves, with an interval with refreshments. The film, produced by Tina Ellen Lee and Robert Golden, is a joint project of The Complete Freedom of Truth and Opera Circus (TCFT).

Between March and October 2022, 29 young people from 14 different countries—Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Albania, Kosovo, Mozambique, Eritrea, USA, Ukraine, Palestine, Italy, Palestine, Denmark and England (Dorset)—were interviewed about the climate crisis, employment, democracy, the nature of humanity, and thoughts about how they might bring change. They also raised more profound questions about where do they belong and how do they become what they wish to be, together with others of all ages?

The resulting interviews, recorded in these films, are thoughtful, sad, hopeful, provocative, intelligent, insightful and profoundly inspiring.

TCFT is an international youth-led community of artists, activists and change-makers with a collective ambition to develop global youth citizenship through culture and the arts. For more information visit http:// thecompletefreedomoftruth.com

The International Day of Democracy dates back to 2007 when the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15th September as an annual event, with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy. All member states and organisations were invited to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.

From Amazonia to the River Lim SHUTE

THIS year’s Shute Festival is a series of events in the East Devon village’s church and other local venues, spread over the summer, rather than a concentrated festival period. There are four events in September, including a talk about the natural history of Amazonia, a Ukrainian play and a talking walk on the River Lim.

Zoe and George dancing, photograph by Robert Golden

On Thursday 7th, the former director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, Sir Ghillean Prance, will be at St Michael’s Church, from 7pm, talking about the plants, fruits and fables of Amazonia. Now 86, Sir Ghillean, a noted botanist and ecologist, and the author of many books, remains an active campaigner on ecological and environmental issues.

On Monday 18th September, Shute Festival moves to the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis for a reading of a Ukrainian play, Baba Prisca, written and directed by Anastazie Toros.

On Thursday 21st, from 7pm, Shaftesbury-based composer and bassoonist Karen Wimhurst and ukulele player Robin Walters, will present an evening at St Michael’s Church, with music, poetry and images.

The final festival event of September is on Sunday 24th, on the River Lim at Lyme Regis. It will be a talking walk led by Vicki Elcoate of River Lim Action Group, with ecologist Paul Butter and artist Eva Fahle-Clouts. Places are limited for the event—you can book a spot for this by emailing shutefest@gmail.com

Sea Song Sessions

LYME REGIS

A YEAR ago, a group of leading folk singers and musicians celebrated the release of an album of British maritime folk songs and sea shanties with a series of on-board and harbourside performances. The album and concerts were called Sea Song Sessions, and this September the five folk singers, Jon Boden, Seth Lakeman, Ben Nicholls, Emily Portman and Jack Rutter, will be reuniting for a short tour, including a gig at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, on Thursday 28th September.

The concept for the album came to this all-star group in 2021, when they were asked to prepare an evening of sea-related songs for the Folkestone Festival. Boden’s celebrated work with Bellowhead (of course no strangers to sea-faring songs) and Ben Nicholls’ band, Kings of The South Seas (who play exclusively maritime-influenced music), Seth Lakeman’s own extensive body of work from the South West and Emily Portman and Jack Rutter’s sizeable oceanic repertoires together formed a natural foundation and inspiration for the Sea Song Sessions.

Lyme Regis is the last venue on the short tour, which also includes Exmouth Pavilion on 13th September and Clevedon’s Princes Hall on 27th.

Glengarry Glen Ross LYME REGIS

A DARKLY funny drama about the cut-throat world of American real estate, David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross will be the first in-house production for the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis, from 5th to 7th October. The production, directed by Billy Geraghty, was originally scheduled for the theatre in May (all tickets remain valid).

This 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning play is about four real estate agents in Chicago who try to dupe unsuspecting clients into purchasing undesirable property at inflated prices. Their supervisor, Blake, proposes a contest: whoever sells the most property wins a Cadillac, but whoever sells the least gets fired. In this production of Glengarry Glen Ross all roles are gender-blind.

We witness these desperate, frustrated, angry and scared people trying to save themselves from ‘drowning’ in failure, by any means necessary. It becomes a Darwinian struggle between these flawed individuals in which they will try anything to survive. Thrown into this chaos are the victims of their scams and a classic ‘whodunnit’ mystery to solve. All this is mixed with a large helping of humour and some very bad language.

In America, the 1980s recession was severe, it also affected much of the world. It is widely considered to have been the most severe recession since the Second World War. The destructive business practices that brought about the 2008 crash can be seen in the foundations of the Glengarry Glen Ross ‘hustlers’—and going further back the ‘snake oil sellers’ of the wild west that came before them.

If you’ve ever been the victim of a cold caller or a scam artist ... here’s your chance to enjoy a bit of payback.

The Young Lit Fix

In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen

By Kiran Millwood

THERE is a powerful magic within the earth, connected by lines of energy crisscrossing the land. They are channels full of Gifted people. The magic within the earth is marked with henges and stone circles where the lines intersect and become most powerful and they have a direct link to The End-World Wood. Legend has it there is a powerful girl dwelling in this wood; an ancient girl: The Anchorite.

In a quiet settlement in an old wood lives Ysolda and her older sister Hari. Ysolda’s only real companion beside her sister is Nara, a sea hawk who she rescued as a chick years ago. Their bond is tight much like the bond Hari has with nature. She is one of the Gifted. She has the ability to listen to trees and her connection to the earth and the power within it, is one that Ysolda covets.

Hari’s power is also coveted by The Wolf Queen, a crusading ruler who is eating up the land in her quest to find The Anchorite. Ysolda doesn’t believe the ancient girl exists but after being captured by the queen, pretends to know of her location in order to avoid death.

The Queen isn’t the only one trying to find The Anchorite and time is running out for Ysolda, who has become the queen’s navigator, to lead the queen to The End-World Wood.

What is the Wolf Queen’s ultimate goal? To become The geomancer; “a vessel for the spirit world. Someone who can control the entirety of the earth-magic.” Is Ysolda leading the world to destruction or could The Geomancer be its saviour?

The first part in a new trilogy from Kiran Millwood Hargrave who is a master fantasy world builder. This is the beginning of an epic adventure and I loved it!

Letter from the Future

In last month’s issue we printed an imaginary letter from the future. It was written by a reader who wanted to hear from local people who feel the same sense of crisis about the impending effects of climate change. This month Philip Browne explains the reasons behind writing his letter.

In August, The Marshwood Vale Magazine printed a letter claiming to be from the future. Written by a child in the 2050s, it challenged us to reflect on what we are doing individually to avert the disaster of climate change.

Of course, it was not actually written by a young person from the future but by me, a 74-year-old pensioner from the here and now. I follow the news on TV, radio and in the papers so I have heard of climate change. I am no expert but know we are approaching a tipping point where it will become unstoppable. By 2050 we may already have passed that point but I won’t be around to see it. It is our children and grandchildren who will face the disaster of global warming.

One reply contained an impressive list of personal actions that benefit the climate but the truth is that none of us can stop climate change on our own. Changes we make in our personal lives—eating less meat, flying less often, buying a hybrid car—help but only governments can take the big decisions that will make a real difference.

Together we must put pressure on our politicians (local and national) to keep climate change at the forefront of what they do. How?

Send e-mails to your MP and local councillors by going to the website ‘Write To Them’ at www. writetothem.com If you enter your post code, you’ll find a link to them. Don’t just write once. Do it regularly.

Visit the websites of environmental organisations to see if there is a local group near you. If they have organised an event or meeting, go along and take a look.

Some research shows that if 3.5% of the population actively support a cause, governments take notice and respond. Our present government wants to maintain the status quo but we need to strive for a better, sustainable future. There will be elections soon. Use your vote to elect politicians who genuinely believe in that future.

In the last month we have had record temperatures in China and South America, and deadly fires in Portugal and Hawaii. We must not lose hope but we must act now.

Philip Browne

To read some of the letters received regarding Philip’s note visit www.marshwoodvale.com.

RESTORATION

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Piano, violin, theory tuition at your home. Highly qualified teacher. Adults and children welcome. Beginners to advanced. Dr Thomas Gold 07917 835781. Dec 23

FOR SALE

Saracen Havoc older style full suspension mountain bike, disc brakes, 24 gears, reasonable condition, £65, telephone 07826 267900. Seventies vintage Moroccan wool rug background white with geometric style pattern of black and light coffee measures 64 x 110 price £35.00 TEL 0774345 6171 nr Ilminster.

Small computer table with a pull out shelf underneath for the keyboard, and a small lower shelf on one side. On castors, so easy to move. Good condition, just a small chip on the veneer underneath. Pale wood colour. Size 33.5 inches high (85cm), 31.5 inches wide (80cm), and 21.5 inches deep (55cm). £25. 01460 391638. Small white wash hand basin one tap hole with white unit beneath size in inches 16 w x10 d x 36 h with soft close door in good condition £35 ono ring 01297 598249 (axminster area).

Hayter Harrier 41 petrol lawn mower. Good condition. Selling for Dad who is now 83. £250ono. 07497 477817.

5’ Cotswold Caners Oaksey bed headboard : wood frame (Stratford colour finish) with rattan cane infill : mint condition : £75.00 : 07454 758584 (Nr. Chard).

Two matching red fabric electric reclining armchairs. Good clean condition. £350 for the pair or will separate. One Gym standard exercise bike £50. One life jacket good condition hardly used £15. Call 01308 488789. Delivery possible 10 mile radius Melplash. Tyre foot pump in good working order £5 tel. 01823 480848.

Ikea childs high chair

(Antilop) Detachable legs, easy assemble For storage or transport. Very good condition. £5.00 tel 01297 599567. 07814932663.

Marks and Spencer natural pine wall display cabinet with glass doors.

2 pine shelves 75cm high, 60cm wide and 34 cm deep. Hanging brackets included. In very good condition £100 ono Tel 07891 987809.

6ft Oval Mahogany

Table & 6 chairs including

2 carvers £60.00 5ft

Mahogany Sideboard 4 drawer, 2 door £40.00

4ft Mahogany Display

Cabinet 3 door, 2 drawer in the base unit & 3 door, 3 shelves in the top unit £25.00 4ft Oval Mahogany Coffee Table with marble insert £20.00 Mahogany

Nest of 3 Tables with

marble insert £20.00 All good condition. Tel: 01460 241607.

Hauck sport lightweight foldable pushchair - buggy - stroller + rain cover & cosy toes only had occasional use by grand parents £35 Tel 07721 530520. Shooting Stick/ Seat, English Sturdy aluminium 85cm[33”] Foldout tip. Great Condition. Fieldsports or any Outdoor activity. Dorchester 01305 570508 only £18 Can Post for £3. Memory Foam Mattress, new unopened cost over £150 will accept £90 as I have downsized and cannot use. 01395 348024 Sidmouth. Can deliver as far as Lyme, Chard, Honiton?

Single antique iron bed

with top brass rail - please call for photographwooden slatted base. £90 o.n.o. Sidmouth 01395 348024 can deliver within? 20 mile radius. Sadly cannot use because of downsize.

Dog Crate for X-Trail or large hatchback. Suit labrador-size. Nearly new. L94cm.W78cm.H71cm.

Axminster. Collection only £95.00. 01404 881190. Mantis tiller attachments, 9222 wheel kit £45, 3222 lawn edger £30, 8222 crevice cleaner £50. all are new & unused, buy all three items for £100 Tel 07721 530520. A pair of white smooth “shed” antlers, 20 inches long. £11.00 Tel 01297678602.

Vintage Large traditional Dolls House, handmade

50s, very sturdy ass. Furniture and bits. £40. 01308 863803.

Original Lego carrying box, yellow with handle, full of ass. Of lego and people and motores, all 1960s, £40. 01308 863803. Wheelchair ZT-600-6-04 like new, £150ono. Topro classic walker, very good condition £95. 01308 459940.

Hozelock Auto Reel 40m and Flowmax used once, in working order, as new, cost £159-99. Sell £130. 01460 54104.

Vintage Ercol easychair low armchair, Yorkshire design. Circa 1960s has new webbing, recovered in chintz so as new £500, matching footstall £250. Ercol Windsor Goldsmith carver chair £150. 01297 443930.

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 ..................................

Secondhand tools. All trades and crafts. Old and modern. G. Dawson. 01297 23826. www. secondhandtools.co.uk. Dec 23

Dave buys all types of tools 01935 428975 Oct 23

Coins wanted. Part or full collections purchased for cash. Please phone John on 07980 165047 or 01460 62109 Oct 23

Wanted - Old Enamel signs, slot machines, advertising, tools, Military items, Interesting Items and collections, 07875677897 Oct 23

Vintage & antique textiles, linens, costume buttons etc. always sought by Caroline Bushell. Tel. 01404 45901. Feb 24

FOR SALE

England Rugby Shirt size L, tagged £34.99, unwanted gift £15. John Lewis white pleated tennis skirt 26”w unworn £10. 012978 443930.

Exercise spin bike ‘Relife’ sturdy nom folding £75. 01404 549257.

New Thomas Dudley rubber well, high level, black WC cistern, chain pull, complete with all fittings. £70. 01460 220181.

1 White chest of drawers £60ono. 1 small TV chest/ buff/ col tv cabinet £25ono. 1 bed-chair/ settee/ buff colour. Good condition, spotless. £40ono. 01297 631887.

To advertise here email: info@ marshwoodvale.com

Akito men’s motorcycle jacket, size S, good condition £40. Also old black leather motorcycle jacket £20. Needs attention to lining. Size M/L. 01297 34232.

Old Singer sewing machine with wooden cover, needs a bit of attention. £25. 01297 34232.

Sony Blu-ray disc player BDP-5350 remote control operating instructions, mains LAN + HDMI cables £20. 01308 862974, 077909 32007.

Jeans brand new M&S indigo size 8, new unworn, £10. Man’s jacket Brooks Brothers size 44R only £5. 01297 443930.

Upright piano exquisite marketry, good condition, needs tuning, £100. Buyer to collect. 01308 867278. Photo on request. Ladies designer combat boots, black, very good condition. Size 5 UK. £10 ono. 07730 376626. Ercol oak kingsize bed frame £595 01749 850386 (Wanstrow).

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