FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 5
August 2012
Another local firm with plenty of reasons to be cheerful - P5
A month to remember by Nicci Brown HAT a month we've had! After our successful Jubilee celebrations in June, the beginning of July saw a Freedom parade, followed just a few days later by one of the biggest floods in years, and then the magnificent Olympic torch procession on 12th July.
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Like the Jubilee, the Olympic torch parade was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event and was greeted by a massive turnout to witness the flame's progress through Blandford. Torch Group spokesman Cllr Esme Butler said: "Not since 1731 have flames moved so quickly through the streets of the town!"
Blandford's first torchbearer Barbara Frampton.
From Milldown Road, where Barbara Frampton from the Tarrant Valley was first to carry the flame, the torch was taken in turn by 17-year-old Liam Burnell from Salisbury, elite swimmer Linda Eames from Buckinghamshire, 12-yearold disabled swimmer Alice Tai from Hampshire, Kate Middleton from Dorchester, Nic Noble from Warminster, and finally 17-year-old Jack Delaney from Blandford. Jack, a pupil at The Blandford School, handed it over to Lynn Fancy from Bere Regis who took the flame on to the next stage of the relay.
Barbara Frampton passes the flame to Liam Burnell in Milldown Road.
The ticket machine in the Marsh and Ham lower car park is almost under water.
Jack Delaney of Blandford carries the torch up Bournemouth Road.
The excitement mounts as the torch apporoaches.
Jack was the only torch-bearer to carry the flame through his home town. He summed up the feelings of all the inspirational people chosen to take part in the relay, saying: "It's a privilege and great honour to be able to do this. I've promised to take the torch around as many disabled charities, hospitals and clubs as I can." See Page 3 for more on the torch, see Page 4 for the Freedom Parade by the Royal Corps of Signals and Page 2 for reaction to the floods, and visit our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk for the picture gallery featuring the events.
Mayor of Blandford, Cllr Sara Loch, inspects the troops at the Freedom Parade.
FORUM FOCUS: Your FREE monthly community newspaper for Blandford Forum and villages
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Floods add weight to homes protests FOR the second time in three months, the River Stour burst its banks, flooding the watermeadows and boosting support for a petition being mounted against development on Bryanston Park to the west of Blandford. John Cook, chairman of the Bryanston Park Preservation Group, said: "I went down to the flood several times and at about 5pm on Sunday 8th July, the flood mark by the Blandford bridge was at 33.25 metres above sea level, not quite up to the oak tree in the park which is at 33.3 metres. "Crown Estate intends to build up to a level which is 34 metres above sea level, which is not far to go, and this is a summer flood." More than 4,500 signatures have now been collected on a paper petition to North Dorset District Council against the inclusion in the district's core strategy of the Crown Estate proposal for up to 200 homes on the park. An e-petition was set up on the Dorset For You website where the deadline for signatures was extended to Sunday 22nd July. "We wanted to make sure that anyone who has not had the chance to sign the paper one was given the chance to sign the online one," said Mr Cook. The main petition and e-petition could only be
signed by people living, working or studying in the area, but there is also an e-petition for regular visitors to the area and people with strong ties to the town which has been set up on the government's petition website at www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourcrownmeadows Elsewhere the flooding found its victims, with one driver stranded in flood water at Sturminster Marshall. Some were less unhappy to see the floods - canoeists took to the fields, and the lower car park at Blandford's Marsh and Ham became a paddling pool.
Blandford bay and beach? But the lamp-post in the foreground gives the game away.
And we're delighted to see that our little family of swans on the Stour survived the onslaught of the floods. Picture by David Mason.
FORUM FOCUS
The level on the flood marker at Blandford Bridge shows just over 33 metres.
More pictures from some of the main events can be found on our website www.forumfocus.co.uk.
Blandford Forum Town Council Freedom Parade The Freedom Parade that took place on Sunday 1st July 2012 was a great success. People of all ages enjoyed and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Royal Corps of Signals being granted the Freedom of the Town. The Parade Commander requested the permission of Cllr Sara Loch, Mayor of Blandford Forum, for the 11th (RSS) Signal Regiment to exercise its right to march through the streets of Blandford Forum with "Swords drawn Bayonets fixed, drums beating and bands playing". There were high numbers of members of the public in attendance and the Town spilled out of their houses and pubs onto the street to support the soldiers marching around the Town.
Olympic Torch The Olympic Torch passed through Blandford Forum on Thursday 12th July 2012. The Olympic Torch Committee worked extremely hard to ensure that the event ran smoothly and that everybody had a space to view the torch. A special thanks is given to Cllr Esme Butler who in the run-up to the event worked into the early hours of the morning ensuring that everything went to plan and to Cllr Bob Brannigan who trained soldiers and stewards. A further
the Town Council's website, or by contacting us by emailing bookings@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk or calling us on 01258 454500 or visiting us at the Town Clerk's Office, opening hours 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Town Council Meetings
thanks is given to members of the public and soldiers who gave up their free time to volunteer.
Planning application Extension to Cemetery - The Town Council has received a grant of planning permission to extend the Cemetery. Works will be carried out within the next year to clear and seed the site. It is hoped that the site will be ready for burials in 2014.
Town Council Venue Hire The Town Council manage a number of venues in and around the town and these are available for hire subject to availability. Discounts are available to charities and regular users and are at the discretion of the Town Council. Hire charges are available on
Members of the public are welcome to attend council and committee meetings and can make comments via the public sessions held at 7.00pm at the beginning of meetings, which are held on most Monday evenings in the Community Room. The public can also contact councillors or officers through correspondence/email, by telephone, or in person at the Town Clerk's Office, which is open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm. The Town Clerk is Linda Scott-Giles. Linda can be contacted using the details above or by emailing linda@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk. There are no meetings taking place in August. Forthcoming meetings in September 2012 are listed below: Monday 3rd September 2012 - Planning Meeting Monday 10th September 2012 Town & General Purposes Meeting Monday 17th September 2012 Town Council Meeting
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A blaze of Olympic glory THE turnout for the Olympic torch was swelled into thousands by the presence of pupils from more than 20 schools and pre-schools who had prepared their own welcome of flags, Olympic logos and banners for the torchbearers along the route. Hospital staff and patients joined the crowds in Milldown Road and the carnival atmosphere continued along Park Road, down Damory Street and along East Street, where crowds of workers, residents of homes for the elderly and organisations had gathered to wait for the slick cavalcade of police vehicles with blue lights flashing, promotional vehicles and finally the torch. In the Market Place it was greeted by the town council and other civic representatives assembled in front of the Corn Exchange, surrounded by a mass of torch wellwishers. Excitement was stirred to a crescendo by the torch relay cheerleaders in streets filled with bunting and flags which have hung since before the Jubilee celebrations and were added to by
individuals decorating their own properties and by the flags and balloons of the relay sponsors. It was only as the procession entered West Street to cross the bridge into Blandford St Mary that the rain started to fall, but young Jack Delaney was undeterred as he proudly bore it on the final stretch up the Bournemouth Road to the Tesco supermarket and on to a live interview on the special Coca Cola promotional stage erected in the car park, There were a number of post-run receptions for the torches in various venues, including the Masonic Hall and Crown Hotel. Cllr Esme Butler, spokesman for the Torch Group which made the local arrangement for the relay, said: "We were very pleased by the fantastic reception people gave the torch. Our thanks go to the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, Stour Valley Band, soldiers from Blandford Camp, the town council, the parish church which hosted a concert of local talent featuring the Dorset Rural Music School, the Blandford School String Band, soloists and
More pictures on www.forumfocus.co.uk
Nic Noble from Warminster hands over the torch to 17-year-old Jack Delaney.
duets on the piano, organ and vocals after the torch had left, and the 120 stewards who gave up their time to make the event such a great success. Well done, Blandford Forum!" The Rector of Blandford, Rev Tim
Storey, said: "The visit of the torch was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one of those occasions when the whole community came together for a few hours, or even minutes, to enjoy our part in a national event.�
Blandford Mayor Sara Loch and mace bearer David Jardine view the torch carried by Kate Middleton of Dorchester. Picture: Rachael Piper Harding Š
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Town salutes as troops mark their freedom Commanding Officer Lt Col JAL Vosper presents the troops to the Mayor of Blandford Forum and members of the Town Council.
THE Royal Corps of Signals, based at Blandford Camp, marched through the town with swords drawn and bayonets fixed on Sunday 1st July to exercise their right as Freemen of the town. Crowds turned out in their hundreds to see the ceremony which marked the 40th anniversary, in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year, of the granting of the Freedom to the Corps The parade of troops from the 11th (RSS) Signal Regiment was led into the Market Place by the Royal Signals band under the command of Lt Col JAL Vosper. The troops were then inspected by the Mayor Cllr Sara Loch, by deputy mayor Cllr Bob Brannigan, who is also camp liaison officer, and by senior town councillor Haydn White. In her short address to the assembled soldiers, officers and crowds, the Mayor acknowledged the long association between the
town and the military and recognition of the strengthening bond between them with the granting of the Freedom in 1972. The troops then marched off up Salisbury Street and via The Plocks and Sheep Market Hill back to the Market Place, where the salute was taken by Miss Loch and Col Commandant Brigadier Ted Flint. The parade was followed by a civic reception in the Corn Exchange. It came at the end of Armed Forces Week, which had been marked at the start by a ceremony at North Dorset District Council's headquarters in Salisbury Road. Council chairman Mike Oliver hosted the gathering of local dignitaries, council employees and members of the public for a short service of celebration at the flagpole in the grounds of Nordon, the council headquarters.
The march past. LEFT: Dressed for the occasion - Charlie, a loyal subject, enjoys the parade.
More pictures on www.forumfocus.co.uk The Mayor, Cllr Sara Loch, inspects the troops.
Final farewell to Frankie
Bells silenced for overhaul
TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill in Blandford on 10th July for the funeral at Blandford Parish Church of Frankie Benham of Thornicombe who died on 28th June at the age of 72.
THE bells of Blandford Parish Church have been temporarily silenced while Nicholson Engineering Ltd from Bridport carry out their overhaul for the first time since the bells were hung in a new frame during the mid-1930s. Work started in the middle of June and was expected to take between seven and eight weeks. The bells, which when they were rehung were pictured on the ground in front of the church, will this time not leave the tower, but the clock may have to be stopped. The start of work was timed to allow the ringing of the peal in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the day of the town's civic service.
A former employee of Blandford Town Council for over 30 years, Mr Benham was a popular member of a local Romany family. His funeral and interment at Blandford cemetery were attended by fellow members of the Royal British Legion and by a significant number from the Romany community across the region, who have for many years made Blandford the final resting place of their loved ones.
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£3m expansion adds to firm’s success story HOSPITAL Metalcraft on Blandford Heights industrial estate has become the second leading company in the town in a month to celebrate the opening of a multi-million pound investment in its infrastructure. The official opening at the end of June of the £3 million extension to their production and distribution areas follows that at the beginning of the month of the new brewhouse at Blandford St Mary brewery Hall & Woodhouse. Hospital Metalcraft Ltd designs, manufactures and distributes the extensive range of Bristol Maid medical furniture as well as distributing IT and storage solutions, and the new building includes new offices and staff welfare facilities. Stuart Davis, managing director for Hospital Metalcraft, said: "The opening of this new facility follows several years of planning and hard work by a number of people. "The increased space has
allowed several processes to be relocated onto one site offering immediate improvements in efficiency. Along with this the improved staff welfare facilities and offices will benefit everyone." The family-owned and managed business is now in its third generation, and has around 160 employees. The company had originally planned to extend onto the site which is now the subject of an application by Asda on the opposite side of Shaftesbury Lane, but Mr Davis said that when the land next to their existing premises became available, it made sense to extend there to bring the processes together. Planning permission was granted in 2010. Representatives of the main contractors, Midas Construction, and Blandford Town Council were among the guests at the opening ceremony which included a hog roast and barbecue for all staff, and laser pigeon shooting.
New water pumping station at Pimperne A NEW pumping station at Pimperne is part of Wessex Water's £200m programme of investment in a water supply grid to ensure security of supply to all customers. The programme will include 150km of transfer mains, 14 new service reservoirs and 22 new or refurbished pumping stations and comprise more than 20 individual schemes across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. The preferred route goes from an existing storage tank at Snowdown just outside Blandford to the new pumping station at Pimperne and on to the Littledown storage tank near Shaftesbury, new facilities northeast of Mere and eastwards to Salisbury.
Check out the Forum Focus website at www.forumfocus.co.uk
Work will involve connecting a major part of the network from the north of Poole, through Salisbury and towards Bath. A public exhibition on the proposals was held on 20th June in Blandford as part of a series along the route. A Wessex Water spokesman said: "The water supply grid will take eight years to complete. Through new infrastructure links we will be able to redistribute surplus water to where it is needed. “A new water supply pipe will be constructed to transfer water from the south of our region, in Dorset, to Salisbury in Wiltshire via Blandford and Shaftesbury. “The grid involves a series of schemes to help meet future demand without the need for new resources, improving security of supply, river flows and ecology, the treatment of water quality deterioration, as well as meeting water supply demand.”
Managing director Stuart Davis (centre) with guests at the opening of the new Hospital Metalcraft Ltd premises at Blandford Heights.
Clean-up scheme dropped PLANS by Blandford Town Council to tidy up the site set aside in West Street by Dorset County Council many years ago for a new library have been abandoned. The county's terms for the town's temporary adoption of the land next to the TIC placed restrictions on its use, including the insistence that it should be returned to them as a grassed area. It would have involved the town council in a great deal of expense, not only to level and resurface the area which is extremely uneven and a potential hazard, but also to remove the tarmac and turf the area when the agreement was cancelled at what could have been three months’ notice.
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Royal Observer Corps: an appeal for memories AS part of the living history programme of events being run by the Blandford Museum, a local researcher has appealed for information about the Royal Observer Corps in Blandford during World War II. Tony Harrocks would like to hear from anyone who had friends or relatives serving in the ROC who can loan photographs, personal accounts and any ROC logs or documents in their possession to the museum so that memories and documents can be recorded and
copied for posterity. He said: "For many years I have collected photographs and personal accounts of the individual ROC posts in Hampshire and Dorset and sent copies to the ROC archivist. The archives of the ROC in southern England are held in the Hampshire Records Office in Winchester. "I have also written an account of the Ringwood ROC post and its members which is on display at the Town & Country museum
at Blashford, near Ringwood. "Many of the wartime logs and daily accounts of the Air War, as seen by those wartime observers at their sandbagged posts, have been lost so any remaining records that may be hidden away in attics and forgotten are extremely valuable for the information that they hold. I hope that this appeal may bring some of them to light." Contact him at the museum or on 01258 480062 if you can help.
Good and bad in the food hygiene results
Weighing in: on the scales is beer winner James Farmer, with brewery chief Mark Woodhouse, Georgian Fayre president Janice Driscoll and Colin Stevens of the Blandford Opportunity Group.
A heavy drinker? A LUCKY punter at the Georgian Fayre in May won his own weight in beer in a competition staged in support of the Blandford Opportunity Group. James Farmer, manager at All Skills on Sunrise Business Park, was invited to weigh in by chairman Mark Woodhouse at the Hall & Woodhouse brewery, main sponsors of the fayre, who had offered the prize. The brewery has also been named an outstanding corporate supporter of the Hampshire children's hospice Naomi House, recognising the substantial sums raised by teams from the company in support of hospice work, with events ranging from charity chess matches to a huge sky dive with more than 50 team members jumping from 10,000 feet. Fiona Hansford, Naomi House corporate fundraiser, says: "Hall and Woodhouse have been a delight to work with throughout the last year and we look forward to working closely with them as their charity of the year for the second year running." David Hoare, retail director for Hall & Woodhouse, said: "We have been supporting the charity for almost a year and the way that the teams from our public houses have chosen to get involved has really been inspiring." Teams from the brewery's 57 managed houses across the south also carried out a community clean-up in celebration of the company's Founders' Day in June clearing litter hot spots in their locality. But at The Crown in Blandford they had a somewhat bigger task in hand - clearing up after the three-day 'Brew Ha-Ha' held to celebrate the opening of the company's new brewhouse. Staff, shareholders and guests had gathered at the hotel for events including a 1777-style party in recognition of the date the family company was founded.
A NEW hygiene rating scheme launched by local authorities with results made public online makes interesting reading for the DT11 area. Because the scheme is new, not all businesses have a rating yet, but of around 130 listed in the DT11 area, the vast majority have been found to be satisfactory or better, while more than a third have top ratings. There are, however, notable exceptions, some of which were inspected nearly two years ago and told that major improvement was needed, while other low scores arise from more recent inspections. Eight, including two pubs and a number of takeaways, need major improvement, and four, including three pubs, have been found in need of improvement. The scheme is run by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency to give people information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels and other places where they eat out, as well as shops and supermarkets where they buy food. Each business is given a hygiene rating when it is inspected by a food safety officer. The rating shows how closely the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law. Businesses have always been encouraged to display stickers
and certificates at their premises showing their hygiene rating. Now people planning to eat out or buy food can also search the website to find premises listed in their area. Most clubs, schools, pre-schools and village halls are exempt as low risk to people's health in terms of food safety, along with childminders and businesses offering caring services at home, although some have chosen to be inspected and make their results public. The website address is http://ratings.food.gov.uk. THE deadline for the September issue of Forum Focus is earlier because of the August Bank Holiday. Advertisement bookings are due by Friday August 10th and copy by Tuesday August 14th. Call 01258 456999 or email advertising@forumfocus.co.uk. For editorial call 01258 459346 or email editor@forumfocus.co.uk. To help with deliveries call 01258 456999 or email distribution@forumfocus.co.uk If you have pictures you would like to share with us, our readers and/or viewers of our website, send them with a brief description to editor@forumfocus.co.uk
A case of mistaken identity THE caption to the photograph at the annual exhibition of Blandford Camera Club printed last month wrongly named John Ellis as Leo Rich. We should also like to point out that Michael Oliver, described in the report of the Pimperne Jubilee celebrations, is chairman of North Dorset District Council and not of Pimperne Parish Council. We apologise for the errors and any embarrassment caused.
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Hospital’s future looks healthier HOPES of developing day care for cancer patients and a hi-tech treatment room at Blandford Community Hospital were revealed at the AGM of the Friends of the hospital on 6th July. Following last autumn's fears that the hospital was under threat and services would be drastically reduced, Friends chairman Peter Fale said: "The future of the hospital is secure and the Friends have an increasingly important
role in shaping that future." He said they were expecting to have the opportunity to spend a great deal of money once the services to be provided had been clarified. At the end of their financial year in March, the Friends' balances stood at more than £1.6 million, swelled by bequests and some record fundraising activity. Matron Darren Wickmar said: "Only very few clinics have been affected in outpatients by Dorset County Hospital's withdrawal of
services, and we are no longer doing some of the minor orthopaedic surgery. "But we have increased podiatry and are having positive discussions about orthopaedics, as well as the potential for a hi-tech treatment room." He said they were discussing use of the Portman ward for day care with the Weldmar hospice, and improving services for dementia patients.
Rob Childs, the Sherborne GP who chairs the North Dorset Locality Clinical Commissioning Group which will take over commissioning next April, declared their support for community hospitals and care at home. He said: "Services such as glaucoma, X-ray, ultrasound and audiology should be provided here, and if there is need and capacity we will seek to buy them in."
Garden visitors down
Bob Walter MP with Southern Cooperative deputy store manager Amy Booth.
ID scheme gets my vote, pledges MP NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter gave his backing to the CitizenCard 'No ID, No Sale!' campaign when he visited the Southern Co-operative in Salisbury Road, Blandford. He met Tom Perry, student and charity manager for CitizenCard, Wayne Fleming, Co-op store manager, deputy manager Amy Booth and area operations manager Stuart Naylor to endorse the policy and its adoption by North Dorset retailers. The campaign seeks to ensure that only adults can buy lottery tickets, tobacco and other agerestricted goods. Mr Walter said that following the government's decision to abolish national ID cards, schemes such as CitizenCard are essential. The scheme was launched by then Home Office Minister George Howarth in February 1999, since when more than two million cards have been issued across the UK. Mr Walter said: "I already have 1,278 CitizenCard cardholders in my constituency, but I would encourage all young adults in North Dorset to obtain a
CitizenCard or similar ID that contains the police-endorsed PASS hologram. "Only then can retailers fully implement the policy which allows adults to buy whatever they wish but ensures children cannot buy alcohol, tobacco and other restricted goods. I am delighted that take-up of CitizenCards at this store has been so positive." The Southern Co-operative, who already ask anyone looking under 25 for proof of age when seeking to purchase alcohol or tobacco, said: "Every week we face attempts by underage individuals to buy alcohol and tobacco. If they cannot present valid ID we refuse the sale. "We are fully aware of our legal responsibilities with regard to age-restricted products, and as a responsible community retailer we offer our younger customers a CitizenCard form which means they can prove their age." Mr Walter holds regular surgeries in North Dorset which are by appointment only. His next in Blandford will be on Friday 16th August between 11am and 1pm. Call 01258 452585
A TOTAL of 210 tickets were sold for this year's Hidden Gardens event in June, and numbers visiting the locations totalled 2,188, both well down on the last two years. But, despite poor weather, proceeds held up well. David Rose, spokesman for the Blandford Stour Rotary, said: "We raised £1,457, a fantastic amount given the conditions and the proximity to the Jubilee events." This will be donated to the following local charities and organisations: Blandford Forum Diamond Jubilee Picnic, Blandford Opportunity Group, TREADS, Clean-up Blandford Campaign, Friends of Blandford Hospital, Blandford Museum Victorian Garden, the Parish Church Cupola Fund, Bryanston Park Preservation Group, Knees Up, Help for Heroes, RNLI, Alzheimers Society, Southampton Rape Crisis and Abuse Counselling and the Blandford Information Centre.
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FOCUS on schools
Left to right: Blandford School netball umpires Alyce Peaty, Emma Sully, Ellen Adby and Flo Bailey.
County call for netball pair TWO Blandford School pupils, Alyce Peaty and Ellen Adby, have been selected for the Dorset County Under-16 netball squad. Alyce is only Year 8 so will be playing against girls up to three years older, but comes from a keen netball family with mum and older sister both playing locally. Ellen also plays alongside her mother in Kanga Netball team on a Tuesday night in the Blandford League. Both girls volunteer at North Dorset Junior Netball Club where they help with umpiring and coaching of the younger students. Together with Emma Sully and Flo Bailey, they recently passed their Youth Umpire Awards for netball with flying colours.
Milldown Primary School pupils enjoy a taster day making Olympic-themed fairy cakes at the Blandford School.
School move is a cakewalk AS part of their preparation for joining the Blandford School in September, 24 pupils from Milldown Primary took part in a food technology morning making Olympic-themed fairy cakes. The students not only made the cakes but also decorated and packaged them to reflect the Olympics. The teachers and pupils were impressed with the state of the modern facilities in the department as well as the overall setting of the school. Vicky Moore, assistant headteacher, said: "This is one of a large number of integration activities that the school have organised to ensure a smooth and happy transition from the primary to secondary school."
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FOCUS on schools
Blandford School Year 11 students at their end-of-term Prom at Kingston Maurward.
Dressed to impress - students sign off in splendid style MARKING the end of their GCSE exams, the end of the school year and for some the end of their school life at the Blandford School, Year 11 students enjoyed their Prom at Kingston Maurward College. Prom King and Queen - as voted for by the students - were Jacob Jones, who looked very dapper in his white evening suit, and
Kirsty Clark, who wore an off-the-shoulder midnight blue full-length gown. Most original outfit went to Jouhena Chowdhury, best dancers were Emily Open and Eric Harwood, best hair, Ashleigh Lewis, and best arrival went to Masna Gurung and Jouhena Chowdhury, who arrived in a hand-decorated car with 'Just
Prom' on the back. Biggest diva went to Amber Patel and Ryan Smith. Headteacher Sally Wilson said: "The whole year group dressed to impress with some truly stunning dresses and stylish suits. They all looked so mature and it was a great party at the end of a hardworking year."
A winning routine for dance teacher Caroline DANCE teacher at The Blandford School, Caroline Kelly achieved a very rare outstanding grade when she passed the Dorset County Council-run Graduate Teaching Programme. Caroline trained originally at the Italia Conti Stage School and went to Chichester for her degree in dance. She joined the school after working locally as a community coach and extracurricular dance teacher. The assessors noted her 'out-
Caroline Kelly, outstanding Graduate Teaching Programme student, with head teacher Sally Wilson (right) and head of performing and creative arts Becky Mutimer.
standing dance subject knowledge' and 'detailed and careful planning and assessment to challenge students of all abilities'. Speaking about her success her line manager Becky Mutimer, head of performing and creative arts, said: "We are very pleased for Caroline as she has worked very hard this year. Not only has she been a very able subject leader but also an exceptional student."
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FOCUS on sport
Bowlers manage to beat the weather
The school runners A TEAM of 20 runners made up of parents, governors and friends of Blandford St Mary Primary School took on the experts in the Blandford Bridges Run to help raise money for the North Dorset Trailway, as well as the school. They had all been pledged sponsorship to the tune of between £50 and £100 to fund resources for special education at the school. And although they failed to produce a winner in the 10k run, in which they competed against members of the Dorset Doddlers, Wimborne Athletic Club, Bournemouth Runners and Purbeck Runners, they think they have raised more than £1,000 for the cause. Overall winner was Matt Giles of the Dorset Doddlers, with Callum Kennedy of Wimborne Athletic Club second and Adrian Bonner (Littledown Harriers) third. First lady was Lynn Hutchings (Wimborne), with Alexandra France-Hayhurst of Bryanston School second and the unaffiliated Amanda Shawn third. There was a record entry of 242 runners, but due to a mix-up over the route, some were disqualified resulting in only 219 finishers. See the Forum Focus website for more pictures from the event: www.forumfocus.co.uk
THE weather has not been kind to bowlers this summer but Blandford Bowling Club continued their internal competitions when on a cool blustery day at the Milldown Road green the bowlers assembled to compete for the Portman Trophy over a full day. The competition was mixed pairs with 16 drawn teams playing in two round-robin leagues. Each match was eight ends with runners-up and winners going through to a knockout format. The leagues were closely contested with Ann Dennis and Tim Couling going through with
Brenda Pluthero and Peter Preen from Group 1. Chris Hann and Barry Males won Group 2 with Tina Anthony and Gerry Griiffin as runners-up. The final brought together two teams that had been unbeaten so far and the standard of bowling was very high. After a close contest Chris Hann and Barry Males were Portman Trophy winners beating Ann Dennis and Tim Couling by 8-3. The runners-up will receive the Blandford Cup at the annual prizegiving event on 17th October.
Competitors in the Portman Trophy competition at Blandford Bowling Club.
Bands of hope BLANDFORD Corn Exchange was transformed into a rock venue for the TeddyRocks two-day festival held in aid of a childhood cancer charity. With more than three dozen mostly local hard rock bands and acoustic artists, scheduled to perform in the main hall and in The Shambles outside, it was the focus for hundreds of young people who dropped in during more than 20 hours of live music. It was organised for CLIC Sargent and, with the help of Jan Boyd, licensee of Blandford's Greyhound Inn, by the family of Ted Newton, who died two years ago, aged 10, from a rare bone cancer. His father Owen will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity in October. To sponsor him, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/teddy20challengeowen The third annual Teddy20 cricket fundraiser at the Park Road recreation ground was attended by hundreds of people. The Teddy20 Veterans were beaten by Blandford Rugby Club and the Teddy20 Legends lost to a Dorset Invitational team. But the day was blessed with good weather for the crowds who came along to support the players and enjoy attractions including a barbecue. Ted's mum Kim Newton said: "We are on target to raise about £5,000. The generosity of the traders in Blandford was amazing and we would like to thank them all for their generosity to the raffle which raised £800."
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FOCUS on sport
Blandford Triathlon winners with organiser Michelle Noble (second from left), sponsor Alex Day of Off Camber, and members of the North Dorset Tri Club.
Blandford Triathlon gets away to a flying start NEARLY 90 athletes registered for the first Blandford Triathlon which involved a 400m pool swim at Blandford Leisure Centre, a 16-mile bike ride and a four-mile run through Blandford and the grounds of Bryanston School. Overall winner was Ben Keightley in a time of one hour, 23 minutes 47 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of second-placed Robert Herring of Army Tri in 1.26.03. Third in 1.27.47 was Nick Berry of the North Dorset Tri Club, which trains at Blandford Leisure Centre, and fourth was first lady Hetty Brocklehurst of Zoom Tri in
1.33.19. Her nearest rival was Lydia Browning in 1.43.16, and third lady was Rachel Harrison of North Dorset Tri in 1.49.35. Organised by Michelle Noble of Results Triathlon, the event was sponsored by local bike shop Off Camber, of Salisbury Street, Blandford. The North Dorset Tri Club has around 60 members who train every Saturday morning and on Tuesday evenings in the Blandford pool. For more information on the North Dorset Tri Club, contact Mark Neish on 01258 480453 or email markneish@tiscali.co.uk.
Doddlers offer a welcome to runners of all abilities THE Dorset Doddlers are a running club based in Blandford and Sturminster Newton with a widely varied membership in terms of age and ability. The beginners’ group meets on Monday evenings until the end of September and is ideal for people new to running, or who have been out of action for a while, or in training for a Race for Life-type event. Main sessions for the more experienced are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the summer months the Tuesday run is from a
different location each week, generally a country pub car park. Those wishing to compete can take part in the Dorset Road Race League. Members also attend other events of varying length, terrain and distance, and were victorious in the Wessex Ridgeway Relay in May, a 100km, hilly, cross-country relay event across Dorset. The men's team won overall and the ladies' team were also first. See www.dorsetdoddlers.org for details.
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August 2012
Grant aid for living history venture
Up the garden path An occasional series of articles on the broad theme of gardening, with Heather and Elaine from the Blandford Museum Jubilee Garden. Jubilee Flowerbed created in the Woodhouse Gardens in Blandford town centre by members of the Blandford Museum Garden Club was inspired by an image of the Imperial State Crown worn by the Queen.
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Plants represent the jewelled colours in the Crown: Representing the lower and ermine edge of the crown are Ophiopogon and Cineraria with an outer frothy ring of Alyssum and white Lobelia. The 'jewels' are Ageratum 'Blue Danube' representing sapphires, and rubies of red Salvias and Petunias. The cross pieces leading up to the central climax use silver Cineraria punctuated with white Marguerite pompoms to create a three dimensional form. The centre piece is a standard Fuchsia 'Angela' with its jewel-like colours. Purple petunias have been used for the intersections that form the velvet
cap and the basis of the design, with the Fleur de Lys represented by French Marigolds. The 800-plus plants used have been chosen for the good colour that they provide over a long period of time and their scent which makes them attractive to visitors and pollinating insects alike - hopefully, ordinary plants doing an extraordinary job. This has been a collaboration between Blandford Town Council and members of the Blandford Museum Victorian Garden Club.
Museum Garden Club members at work on the Jubilee Garden.
A GRANT of nearly ÂŁ6,000 is enabling volunteers from Blandford Museum to launch a project that will improve understanding between the town and the neighbouring Army camp. The team from the museum's Living History Group, which records events, interviews and discussions for archive and exhibition purposes, will now extend their work to include a wide-ranging series of interviews with Royal Signals personnel and their families at Blandford Camp. One outcome will be a DVD which will form part of both a travelling exhibition and a permanent display at Blandford Museum. Artefacts, letters, photos and documents will remain in the museum collections. The project will allow the museum to establish a permanent dialogue between the local community and the soldiers and families living and working at the camp. Those interested in taking part, either as a volunteer with the Living History Group or as an interviewee, are welcome to contact group co-ordinator, Mike Lofthouse, on 01258 451580 or email: mikelofthouse@talktalk.net The ÂŁ5,900 grant has been made by the MoD's Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme and will cover the cost of specialist equipment and display materials.
August 2012
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FOCUS on events
Blandford Mayor Sara Loch buys the first 'rose' pin in support of the Alexandra Rose Day collection from volunteer Annette Samways, watched by organisers Terence Dear and Gordon Irving and other volunteers including Mark Williams, chairman of Treads, and Esme Butler.
Roses gather funds for charity A POPULAR charity fund-raising day was revived in Blandford when an Alexandra Rose Day collection was made in support of local charities as part of the town's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Beneficiaries were local charities, the Blandford Opportunity Group for disabled children and the Treads youth advice centre. Collectors wore straw hats bedecked with roses to raise a total of more than ÂŁ200. Terence Dear, who together with Gordon Irving organised the collection on behalf of the Blandford Diamond Jubilee Group, said: "We hope it will encourage others to celebrate Alexandra Rose Day next year."
BLANDFORD and Sturminster Newton Cats Protection League hold a regular sale in the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion on the third Saturday of every month to help fund their cat rescue and education work. Fundraising organiser Di Hankins is pictured, second from left, with other volunteers.
Fayre in aid of lifesavers THE Blandford & District Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution holds it main annual fundraiser, the annual Country Fayre and Vehicle Rally, at Spetisbury Manor on Saturday 11th August. Attractions include a companion dog show, ferret racing, vintage and classic vehicles, craft stalls, cakes, books, a tombola, RNLI gifts and refreshments. Branch chairman Kathie Underwood is celebrating her 20th year as organiser of the event. More information on 01258 451165.
A ZUMBA party with Kim Newton, founder of Teddy20, in the Corn Exchange was a great success with more than 80 participants, who danced for almost two-and-a-half hours to raise ÂŁ830 for the local children's cancer charity. Five local Zumba instructors were involved in the event, organised by Caroline Barr. Pictured are (from left) Zumba instructor Tracy Dyche, Kim Newton of Teddy20, and instructors Caroline Barr, Dawn Watton and Kim Grimston. Missing from the picture was instructor Clare Davis.
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August 2012
FOCUS on charities
Georgian day brings fayre shares all round A SMALL number of groups earned the lion's share of donations from the Blandford Georgian Fayre at a presentation night held in the visitor centre of main sponsors Hall & Woodhouse on 11th July. Fayre president and founder Janice Driscoll said it was because fewer clubs and organisations had been involved in helping in the 20th year with the now-biennial event which faced issues including new arrangements for road closures and floods which at the last minute robbed them of parking areas. "The Fayre is great but the best bit of all is when we give away the money we have raised to all the groups who help us. They do a fantastic job and this year pulled it together in the face of adversity."
Check out the Forum Focus website at www.forumfocus.co.uk
She thanked a number of people and announced the presentations which included donations to the Stour Rotary Club, Helen Barnett-Moore's Blandford Netball League and Gymnastics Club, Shillingstone Cricket Club, the Blandford Youth Trust, Bryanston Riding for the Disabled, the Blandford School, the Gurkha Welfare Trust, the Royal British Legion, Pimperne Sports Club and Blandford Cricket Club. Top of the list with five donations and fulsome praise from Fayre organisers came the Army Cadet Force, for activities including running a collection point, helping with logistics and road closures and carrying out the end-of-event litter pick. Main beneficiary was the Blandford Opportunity Group, represented by project leader Sharon, chairman Colin Stevens and a parent, who described the invaluable work of the only preschool in Dorset serving youngsters from birth to school age with complex medical needs.
Georgian Fayre president Janice Driscoll (centre) with representatives of beneficiaries and groups helping with this year's event.
Hospital Friends dispense cash for good causes A CHEQUE for £7,500 was presented to the Blandford Youth Trust at the AGM of the Friends of Blandford Hospital. Trust representative Brook MacCallum and youth worker Ken Reynolds described the work of the trust at the conclusion of the meeting, which had also heard of the progress of plans for services at the hospital following the review carried out last year. The Friends reported that the annual auction in Child Okeford in June had beaten all records by raising a grand total of £8,200. Auctioneer Richard Kay, of Lawrences of Crewkerne, presided and kept the bidding moving on the 225 lots, all goods donated to the local charity through their shops and put aside for the auction to achieve their best value through bidding from collectors, eBay enthusiasts, dealers and bargain hunters. Thanks were expressed to Gordon Adam and his assistant
Brook MacCallum and youth worker Ken Reynolds of the Blandford Youth Trust receive their cheque from Peter Fale, chairman of the Friends of Blandford Hospital. Tristan Stone who are already starting to put together a catalogue for the 2013 sale to raise funds to support projects at the hospital and health-related projects throughout the community. The Friends have also recently approved £2,000 for singing therapy for in-patients on the Betty Highwood unit and Tarrant Ward, as well as buying 16 new combination lockers, worth more than £5,920, to improve the patients' experience on Tarrant Ward. For information on the Friends, visit their website www.friendsblandford.org
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August 2012
FOCUS on churches
Bishop drops in for a celebration pub lunch A PUB lunch with a religious theme was enjoyed by the Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Rev Graham Kings, and guests with a couple celebrating their first anniversary as licensees. Nev Green was the leader of a church group, The Gathering Place, in the Blandford area for many years until he and his wife Lesley decided to spread the word in a slightly different way. They took on the licence of the Farquharson Arms in Pimperne, owned by local brewery Hall & Woodhouse, and have made a great success of the community pub which also features a pleasant
dining room and beer garden. Mr Green, who entertained his guests with gospel music accompanying himself on the guitar, explained: "People do not go to church as much as they used to, but they do go to the pub and that is the place where we can share our Christian fellowship." Sally Grylls of Winterborne Zelston organised the get-together for a number of friends to meet Bishop Kings, who told them of his route to the Salisbury Diocese from a gap year in the Army via law and theology studies at Oxford and Cambridge, to missionary work in Kenya and ministry in London.
Rosy bids a fond farewell ASSOCIATE Minister Rev Rosy Coldwell was celebrating her last service in Blandford Parish Church on Sunday 22nd July when she preached and officiated at communion. Rosy and her family are moving back to Yorkshire, where she and husband Tony grew up and met, and from where they came to Blandford in 1992. Since then they have lived in Milborne St Andrew, but as a family have been an active part of Blandford Forum Parish Church where Tony has been the organist
and her children have been part of the youth and children's work. Rosy was ordained in Salisbury Cathedral in 2007 and has worked alongside the Rector and staff team at Blandford and All Saints, Langton Long, for the past five years, focusing especially on pastoral matters and work with children's groups. Rosy said: "I have found it a joy and privilege to begin my priestly ministry at Blandford and at Langton Long over the last eight years and look forward to what lies in store for us in Yorkshire."
Fun day fills the Hub BLANDFORD Evangelical Church held its second Community Fun Day at the Blandford School Hub and on its fields on Saturday 23rd June. It followed the huge success of their first fun day in 2011, and entry was again free for all kinds of fun family activities, including bouncy castles, games and races, together with a barbecue, a cafĂŠ serving cream teas, and craft stalls which almost filled the rest of the Hub.
The Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Rev Graham Kings, enjoys lunch served by Nev and Lesley Green, licensees of the Farquharson Arms at Pimperne, (standing), with guests including Fatima Murray of the Church of the Living God in Westbury and Walter Drax of Charborough Park.
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August 2012
Support grows for foodbank project A FURTHER meeting was held on 9th July for people wanting to be involved with a Blandford Foodbank project launched by Churches in Blandford, who have linked up with Faithworks Wessex to examine the potential. There was an encouraging response from a wide section of the community at an information and consultation session to assess demand and support for a central point from which food parcels can be distributed to those in need at times of crisis. Those attending were introduced to David Wild, who has undertaken to be the manager of the project, and to Steve and Sandra Green of Christian bookshop suppliers Fairway Marketing, based on the Clump Farm Industrial
Cash grants TOWN councillors have agreed to give £1,000 to the Blandford Youth Trust to support the continuation of the Youth Support project at the Blandford School, £840 to the Macular Degeneration Society to fund transport costs for members, and £2,000 to the Stour Valley Band towards transport costs for its visit to Blandford's twin town of Mortain in France next year.
Estate in Blandford, who have agreed to act as the distribution centre. Mrs Green said: "We hope to launch the project in October." Brook MacCallum of Blandford Evangelical Church said: "We wanted to hear the views of local residents as to whether a food bank is needed, whether they would be willing to support it, and how we can best help those in the town and villages around in need of help, who will be referred to us by relevant authorities. "The experience of other food banks in Dorset is that demand for their help has gone up noticeably over the past couple of years, but equally local people have been very good about donating food or giving their time to support others." For more information, call Faithworks Wessex on 01202 304004 or email office@faithworkswessex.org.uk
Supporters of Pimperne Pre-School at the trig point on Melbury Beacon.
HILL CONQUERORS: A sponsored walk to raise funds for the Pimperne Pre-School group meant climbing three hills, Melbury, Hod and Hambledon. They started the Three Hills Hike at 10am with the rain only just having stopped and finished at about 2pm in glorious sunshine on Hambledon Hill with visibility across the Blackmore Vale to Devon and Somerset more than 50 miles away. Over £200 was raised.
Street lighting cuts will save money CHANGES to night-time street lighting aimed at reducing Dorset County Council's energy costs will begin in Blandford on Monday 6th August and is expected to take around two weeks. SSE Contracting, the county council's street lighting
partner, is converting the new lights they installed by adding a special light sensor to switch off overnight between 12am and 5.30am GMT (1am and 6.30am BST) and only switch on again in the morning if it is still dark.
Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events AUGUST Thursday 2nd August: Offical opening with The Rifles of Rifles Way, Blandford, 11.30am Saturday 4th August: Stourpaine White Horse: Shooting Stars presents Much Ado About Nothing (Wm Shakespeare) Stratford Fringe award winners 2012, best theatrical production, 7pm Wednesday 8th August: Artsreach workshop with Peter Rush for children aged 10 and over, Durweston village hall, 10.30am to 3.30pm, details 01258 488883 Thursday 9th August: Age Concern wills and power of attorney surgery, 4, Nightingale Court, East Street, Blandford,10am to noon. To make an appointment please telephone 01258 458250. Saturday 11th August: Child Okeford Gardeners Club Annual Village Show, 2.30pm. Show registration: Friday 10th, 6 to 8pm at 41 Homefield, Child Okeford. Saturday 11th August: Country Fayre, Classic Car Rally and Companion Dog Show for the RNLI, Spetisbury Manor, 11am to 5pm
Saturday and Gardening Club sumEntries in this diary are mer show, Winterborne Sunday, 11th and free of charge. If you 12th August: HomeStickland have an event you baked cream teas at Saturday 18th August: would like included, The Old School, by Iwerne Minster Summer please send details to The Red Lion in Show on the Parish Sturminster Marshall, Nicci Brown, 01258 Field 2.30 to 5.30pm both 459346 or email Saturday 18th and days. Supporting The s.n.b@btinternet.com Sunday 19th: Tarrant Big Dig for Water Valley Jubilee Aid's water projects in Malawi, see Celebrations with 15 Open Gardens, www.thebigdig.org home-made teas from 2-5pm and on Tuesday 14th August: Cameo Saturday, Squash Box Theatre presMeeting, Durweston village hall, ent Stones and Bones, an Artsreach 7.30pm Puppetcraft promotion in Tarrant Thursday 15th August: Sturminster Keyneston village hall, 10.30am; Newton Museum Finds & Children's details 01258 480778 Fun Day with Ciorstaidh Trevarthen, Wednesday 22nd August: Age County Finds Officer 10am to 3pm Concern AGM, 2pm, all welcome, bring your finds along for identification Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Friday 17th August: Durweston Film Blandford Night, The Beginners, Durweston vilFriday 24th and Saturday 25th lage hall 7.30pm August: 2nd Annual Blandford RFC Friday 17th August: Music & Beer Festival Merriment festival warm-up, Saturday 25th August: Grand Bingo Spetisbury Rings, Spetisbury 6-11pm for the Royal British Legion, Legion Saturday 18th August: Music & HQ, Church Lane, 7 for 7.30pm Merriment festival, Spetisbury Rings, Sunday 26th August: Open Garden Spetisbury, midday to midnight for the National Gardens Scheme, Saturday 18th August: Valley Coombe Cottage, Shillingstone, DT11
0SF 2-6pm. Home-made teas at The Willows nearby. Details 01258 860220 Sunday 26th August: Sturminster Newton Mill Walk around the Hill Fort and Sturminster 'Castle' starting at 3pm from mill. £3 by ticket only from the Mill, Museum or phone 07880 787418 (evenings) Monday 27th August to 1 September: Blandford Art Society 60th Annual Exhibition, Blandford Corn Exchange Wednesday 29th August to Sunday 9th September: Paralympic Games (sailing at Weymouth Saturday 1st to Thursday 6th September) Wednesday 29th August to Sunday 2nd September: Great Dorset Steam Fair; celebrate our steam, agricultural and industrial heritage, see website www.gdsf.co.uk or call 01258 860361 Thursday 30th August: Workshop for children age 7 and over, Durweston village hall, making aluminium bunting with Caroline Parrott, 10am to 3pm, details 01258 488883