January 2014 Forum Focus by Sevensioux

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 22

Maud’s trophy triumph: Page 13

January 2014

Cinema coming to town

Four little lantern ladies who helped light up Blandford’s wonderful Yuletide Festival. Story and more pictures: Pages 6 & 7.

Lottery cash lift-off for church cupola project CHRISTMAS came early for the Blandford Parish Church Cupola Project when the team behind the £5 million restoration plans learnt that their application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for initial support had been successful. The decision came through a fortnight before Christmas that funding towards the first phase of the ten-year project to restore and regenerate the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul in Blandford Market Place had been approved. This phase involves the repair of the iconic cupola which sits on top of the Church tower, repairs to the tower itself, work to ensure the building is more accessible than at present and activities to celebrate the tower and cupola, possibly including a sponsored abseil down the tower. Development funding of just over £37,000 has been awarded to help get the first phase underway by carrying out surveys and investigations so that all the

by Nicci Brown facts are known before applying for a full grant at a later date. It is anticipated that the work itself will begin early in 2015. Further phases of the Cupola Project involve repairing the roof and the fabric of the building, as well as seeking to make it a building that is appropriate for the diversity of needs in a 21st century community. It is expected that the project will take several years to complete. The overriding vision statement of the project is 'To revive the building of St Peter and St Paul, Blandford Forum, in such a way as to reflect the aims of its builders and the needs of the 21st century community it seeks to serve, all to the Glory of God'. * To Page 2

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A SCREENING of the film Gravity in the Corn Exchange on Friday 24th January is the first in what is hoped to be a trial series of monthly film nights being hosted by Blandford Town Council. The result of a staff suggestion and public demand, it will also feature a film made by Arts University Bournemouth students involving graduates who worked on Gravity for visual effects company Framestore. Town clerk Linda Scott-Giles said: "One of the grounds staff, Rob Watkins, suggested a cinema night in the Corn Exchange. He gave me a contact for which the costs were prohibitive but then a local provider came into the office and offered his services." It was decided to assess demand and there was an overwhelming response on the council's Facebook page, reaching over 5,000 views and positive comments. It was followed by a survey asking people to vote for the film they most wanted to see. Alfonso Cuarón's blockbuster space thriller Gravity was the clear winner. Mrs Scott Giles said: "The January showing of Gravity will be a trial and if it is well attended, I hope we can do this every month during the darker evenings and even start to put on family shows at weekends." The January show will alsoinvolve council staff voluntarily giving their time to help ensure that the screening is a sccess. Business and organisations who would like to support the venture by advertising on screen before the film starts should contact Mrs Scott-Giles. Free tickets for a pantomime production of Aladdin on Friday 3rd January are now all taken.

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January 2014

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Rector to move on

Lottery cash for cupola * From Page 1 Chair of the Cupola Project, Sara Loch, said: "There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work involved, but the project is finally up and running and this is a wonderful start. We had intended doing the cupola at the end of the project but its state means it needs to be done first. "Now we have the best part of the year to raise about ÂŁ80,000. We don't have dates as yet for fundraising events but from February onwards we hope to have one a month." Fund-raising continued on Saturday 15th December with a Christmas concert in the church.

THE Rector of Blandford, the Rev Tim Storey, will be leaving in March to become Team Rector of Central Telford parish in the Lichfield diocese. The announcement was reported to congregations in Blandford and Langton Long on 8th December. They were told his final service in Blandford will be on 2nd March. Mr Storey, Blandford's Rector since 2003, will take a short break before being licensed by the Bishop of Lichfield on 30th April. He said: "The past ten years have been times of encouragement and growth in Blandford and Langton despite some difficult times. My belief, hope and prayer is that the churches have gained strength over time and are well equipped to move forward through an interregnum and welcome someone new. "Claire, Hannah, Jess and I have made many friends and built good relationships within the parishes, in the town community at large and across the diocese, and we shall miss you all greatly." Presiding over his final civic carol service in the Church of St Peter and St Paul on 6th December, Mr Storey was typically unfazed by a technical hitch which caused the

failure of the projector due to screen a film presentation during his address. Instead he described the modernday nativity the congregation might have seen and continued with his address, which focused on welcoming and supporting the community in times of need, ending with a plea for support for the Blandford Foodbank. The service began with Mr Storey's tribute to Nelson Mandela, who had died in South Africa the previous day. He said Mandela was a man who embodied the message of peace and reconciliation celebrated at Christmas. The service included carols, songs, poems and readings from pupils at the town's two primary and secondary schools, from Sara Loch of The Cupola Project, Tara Dean from the Royal British Legion, the Dorset Rural Music School and the Mayor of Blandford Councillor Bob Brannigan. There was a retiring collection for the church and the Mayor's Charities, the Friends of Blandford Hospital and Cupola Project.

January 2014

Some routes reprieved after bus cuts rethink A NUMBER of rural bus routes serving villages around Blandford have been saved following Dorset County Council's revision of proposals to save £850,000 by cutting subsidies in April. The original proposals sparked a public outcry in the summer and the Blandford Transport Action Group was one of the key opponents of the suggested cutting of services, which would have left some villages with no buses at all. A full public consultation followed, together with negotiations with the bus companies to find additional savings, and although the number of routes throughout the county will still be reduced, no community that currently has a service will now be left without one. The county council has also agreed to invest £25,000 in community transport schemes such as dial-a-ride and neighbourhood cars which can replace services in some areas. Among the routes saved are the Saturday-only 302A Blandford to Salisbury via Wimborne, the Friday-only service from the Tarrants to Wimborne and the Thursday-only Sixpenny Handley to Blandford. But there is no reprieve for the 311 Blandford to Dorchester via villages, the Thursday-only 316 Blandford to Wareham via the Winterbornes, the 322

Milton Abbas to Poole via Winterbornes, or 387 Dorchester to Poole via Winterborne Kingston. There was also no reprieve for the X8 Blandford to Poole Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday services, whose withdrawal had been opposed by Blandford Town Council and the DT11 Transport Action Group, or of service 83 Blandford to Wimborne, which was supported by those needing the service to get to work and shop in Wimborne. The county council says that the many responses to the public consultation helped shape the final decisions which will deliver £822,000 of the required savings. Cllr Hilary Cox, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We have taken note of the 1,200 responses and listened to all the comments and worked with several communities to ensure that they will continue to have a Saturday service, even though this meant in some cases reducing services during the week. "This review is not something we have undertaken lightly and we fully understand that some bus services offer a lifeline to residents without transport of their own. Unlike many councils, we are still putting a substantial £2 million into supporting local bus services."

. . . but rural residents will be hit, says action group leader THE chair of the DT11 Transport Action Group has responded to the Dorset County Council decision, saying that although a minimum service has been retained for DT11 villages, the outcome is less than satisfactory for those dependent on buses. Nic Nicol said: "To save money, the county council wants commuDorset Fire and Rescue have warned dog owners to ensure they keep their dogs on leads when walking near river banks or cliff edges after a pedigree collie had to be rescued from the River Stour. The pet, Archie, who is deaf, had fallen ten feet down a bank from the Stour Meadows on 29th November and was reunited with his owner after she reported the incident to the fire service, who came to the rescue.

nity transport schemes to adopt the 320 from the Tarrants into Wimborne and the 325 from Farnham and Chettle into Blandford. "Cabinet voted an additional £25k (total £100k) for community transport schemes, which was an admirable gesture, but a modest amount given the size of the rural isolation issue. "Voluntary transport schemes are not cheap to run and passengers entitled to concessions can't use their all-important bus passes. Contrast this with the situation in an urban conurbation such as Poole or Bournemouth, where the benefits to concession passengers are huge compared with those in rural Dorset." He added: "Council leaders are writing to our MPs, urging them to

bring about a change in legislation that will enable concessions to be targeted at those without any other form of transport in rural areas. "Meanwhile, the subsidy for the X8 service between Blandford and Poole on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sundays has been withdrawn. The X8 will not be seen on a Sunday from 7th April onwards - a saving of about £54,000 to county. Anyone wishing to go to Poole by bus on a Friday or Saturday evening will no longer be able to do so. "Members of the public who want to get involved in doing something about these issues are encouraged to contact the Transport Action Group through the DT11 Forum Community Partnership offices in Nightingale Court."

Retirement surprise for Sue A SURPRISE retirement party was staged for Sue Moses, a receptionist at Blandford Leisure Centre for nearly 30 years since soon after the building opened in Milldown Road. She walked into the Royal British Legion Club with a couple of friends expecting to enjoy a quiet drink and found to her amazement that the function room was packed with friends, family, colleagues and customers of the centre. "The leisure centre was just a gym when it first opened, in the evenings and weekends only, because the school was using it during the daytime," said Sue, who lives in Liddington Crescent, Blandford. "I've seen it develop over the years, first with the building of the swimming pool, when I chose to stay on reception because I didn't want to train as a lifeguard, then with the development of the fitness suite, and most recently when it transferred from North Dorset District Council to Everyone Active." Centre manager Sarah Jane Baker said: "At one time, when reception was just a window into an office going into the gym, she was pretty much running it, and she has been doing front of house for a very, very long time. It will be a very strange place without her."

January 2014

Dress down days to aid food bank STAFF from the Blandford offices of Spectrum Housing Group used a 'dress down' day to boost donations to their collection point for the Blandford Food Bank. Facilities administrator Ingrid Hoff, who organised the collection, said: "I was really impressed with the amount of food and drink that we collected. The day was so successful that we are now considering doing it again in the New Year." Design and communications officer Charlotte Mountney said: "It's nice to know that the food we have brought in will go to help people in need." Neighbourhood services director Stuart Davies said: "As a housing association, we are in a good place to understand the increasing financial pressures facing people at the moment and recognise the vital work that food banks do. It would be lovely if this event inspired other companies to do similar." Spectrum holds monthly 'dress down' days to raise money for their charity of the year, which is currently Cancer Research UK,

which normally cost a pound, but for this additional day they brought long-life food and drink instead of money. Food Bank manager Gail Delpinto also acknowledged the overwhelming response from over 25 churches, schools, retirement homes and other groups in the town as part of their harvest festivals in October. Launched in 2012 and now based in the Methodist Church in The Close, the Food Bank has been addressing a significant need and since last January has assisted around 300 adults and 150 children. "It has been deeply humbling to see the response of the community and we want to express our profound thanks to everyone who has donated something. We will be able to help many more people as a result," she said. Blandford Food Bank opens Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and noon at the church to accept donations and has collection points at Tesco, Morrisons and the Parish Church.

Charlotte Mountney and Ingrid Hoff.

Courier carrying on THE proprietor of a business which folded in November after ten years' trading has said he will continue operating as a sole trader. A total of 11 members of staff were made redundant when Tarrant Hinton business Terry's Couriers, founded by Terry Downton, closed. Julie Palmer and Simon Campbell, of Salisbury-based insolvency practitioner Begbies Traynor, were named joint liquidators at a meeting of the company's creditors, and have blamed the company's decline on the cumulative effect of the long recession. Ms Palmer said: "Aside from the difficult trading conditions common to a lot of businesses at present, Terry's Courier Services appears to have been squeezed by ever-increasing fuel costs and thinner margins imposed by its larger customers." Mr Downton announced on his Facebook page that he would continue operating as a sole trader.

January 2014

Poor workmanship delays estate move DEFECTIVE workmanship by contractors employed by Persimmon on the Badbury Heights development has been blamed for the delay in public open space on the estate being handed over to Blandford Town Council for management. A detailed report on the delay in the transfer of three phases of the development was presented to the council in December. Town clerk Linda Scott-Giles reported on a site meeting with North Dorset District Council's tree officer Byron Harris, at which A COMPETITION has been announced by Blandford Town Council for the design of a piece of public art as a centrepiece for the extension to the town's cemetery. A closing date of 18th April has been set for ideas for an appropriate piece of artwork to be placed in the round grassed area in the centre of the extension, which has been created as a memorial area. It should cost no more than £3000.

a number of defects were highlighted. They included the use of a poor planting medium for shrubs, trees and grassed areas, resulting in uneven ground, holes in the turf and stones coming to the surface, together with raised drains, shrubs killed by weedkiller, trees tied too tightly to stakes which meant they had no prospect of surviving, and other trees damaged by strimming. "We couldn't get the land exchange done and needed to know why Persimmon, who subcontract the maintenance work, were not discharging the conditions imposed with their planning permission," she said. "North Dorset District Council know we want to get onto the site to manage it, but they are not prepared to sign it off in its current condition." Councillor Roger Carter said: "It is Persimmon's responsibility," and Councillor Bob Brannigan said: "The condition has to be right before it can be handed over to us."

Sue Atkinson of Stourpaine Children's Church, Jackie Fairweather of Stourpaine Playing Fields Committee, and Davina Tanner and Lyn Johnson, of Durweston Playing Fields Committee, with Chris Sargent, licensee of the White Horse pub in Stourpaine, whose monthly quizzers raised a total of £600 which have been shared between the three groups.

Cash for questions A MONTHLY quiz night at the White Horse pub, Stourpaine, has raised £600 for local voluntary groups which was shared with representatives at their December quiz session. Between 45 and 50 people from Durweston and Stourpaine regularly attend the evenings, whose emphasis is on fun and friendliness. "It's the taking part, not the winning, that matters," said licensee Chris Sargent, who added that there were only token bottles of wine for the winners, and the pound paid by each player for participation went to charity. "It's become a very popular event on the first Monday every month for people from the two villages which the pub serves."

January 2014

Yuletide festival was the best yet BLANDFORD'S Yuletide Festival on Wednesday 11th December was widely regarded as the best yet. Hundreds of people joined the lantern procession by the primary schools of the Blandford network from Langton Road car park. It was led by the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, giving their last public performance in the town prior to their relocation to the Midlands. They were joined by the Stour Valley Brass Band and Shaftesbury Town Band, all of whom performed during the evening in the churchyard and market place. Father Christmas greeted children in the Corn Exchange and outside there were fairground rides, most shops were open for festive shopping and customer choice was swelled by the pres-

ence of the farmers', Italian and Anonymous Travelling markets, together with a number of charity stalls. Communal carol singing in front of the church filled the market place for half-an-hour and was followed by more from the Garrison Community Choir and the Playsongs Mums Choir and by street entertainment until the concluding firework display dramatically lit up the sky. In his final year as chair of the Blandford Yuletide Festival Group, the Rev Tim Storey said: "Each year, the festivals have been bigger and better as the community gets caught up with the spirit of the occasion. The 2013 event was the best yet." The event again benefited from main sponsorship from Hall and Woodhouse.

For more pictures from the Yuletide Festival and other Christmas events, check out our website www.forumfocus.co.uk

January 2014

The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals give their last public performance in the town prior to their relocation to the Midlands. Below: Dorset Larder was just one of many shops open on the night. Young and old, participants, singers and observers, the Blandford Yuletide Festival put smiles on hundreds of faces.

January 2014

Concern over removal of traffic lights

Tree brings community together A COMMUNAL Christmas tree planted in the middle of a grassed area at the top of Barnes Close was decorated by residents of the area who had the week before been invited to make decorations by Spectrum housing officers. They were provided with materials in advance for them to bring them along to the community engagement event and the crowning glory was the addition of solar-powered lights. "It's a fun way of getting people out and working together to raise community spirit and a great time to do it just before Christmas," said Spectrum housing officer Tim Crawshaw. Throughout the morning there was a constant stream of families bringing their contributions for the tree and there was an opportunity to make further decorations on the day on a craft table. Resident Lynn Lindsay said: "People might say it is wrong for the housing association to be

Residents who gathered to decorate a communal Christmas tree in Barnes Close, Blandford, with Spectrum housing officer Tim Crawshaw on the ladder. providing materials for this sort of activity, but the tree was donated to us and it has been a fantastic way of bringing people together." The tree was donated by Hillcrest House in Stalbridge, a supported housing scheme managed by Mencap for adults with learning difficulties. Mr Crawshaw said: "The tree

was growing too close to the wall and when a group of young National Citizen Service volunteers were involved in a project to create and paint a shed for them in the summer, it was suggested it be removed and replaced with a number of fruit trees to be developed as a community orchard."

Cake bakers raise dough for charity THE team at C&O Tractors in Blandford ran a Great Blandford Bake Off to raise money for Children in Need. Staff, their families and friends baked more than 40 different cakes and savoury treats which were then judged by Nancy and Allen Roberts, in-laws of managing director, Andy Cole. It took time to taste all the entries, but eventually the winners were announced: Richard Francis, who works at C&O; his sister Glenda Froud won first place in the large cake category; Shannon, the daughter of Kevin Wiggin, also from C&O, took first place for her small bakes, as well as winning overall champion. Nicky Standford won first place for her savoury bake, and Samantha Shutler, daughter of the Wilton depot manager, won the novelty section. Once the judging was finished the cakes were sold to customers, staff and neighbouring Blandford Heights businesses, with a fabulous grand total of ÂŁ416 raised.

PROPOSALS by Dorset County Council to trial the removal of the traffic lights at the Badger Cross, where Salisbury Road meets Park Road and Damory Street, perplexed town councillors until they learnt that the reason could be that the lights were due for replacement. The prospect of no traffic control other than give way signs allowing priority to traffic using Park Road was not well received, and members of the planning committee asked why they had not been consulted and why it did not feature in any schedule of works. They were concerned that there might no longer be a pedestrian crossing at the busy junction which is a major route for schoolchildren. Further enquiries revealed that a pedestrian count survey was being carried out because the lights were due for replacement, and the crossing was being reviewed since the major A-road junction had been relieved by the Blandford bypass. Members at full council suggested it could be another attempt by the county council to save money.

New Subway store opens THE world's largest restaurant chain has arrived in Blandford with the opening of North Dorset's first Subway store run by franchisee Mike Taylor and managed by Jamie Hall. Mr Taylor said: "Our Blandford store features the very latest Subway store design.â&#x20AC;? With 40,000 locations in more than 100 countries, Subway now has 1,700 sites in the UK and Ireland.

School raid MORE than 25 laptops and a Nintendo Wii were stolen in a burglary at Pimperne Primary School, believed to have taken place between 4pm on Saturday 7th December and 9pm Sunday 8th December. Anyone with any information about those responsible should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 08:431.

January 2014

Argos store set to leave town centre A POTENTIAL relocation of catalogue warehouse business Argos to the Stour Park premises of its sister company Homebase has resulted from a failure to agree a new lease of the premises in East Street, Blandford, which it has occupied for more than 20 years. The firm's landlord wants to divide the store into two and, following the granting of planning permission by North Dorset District Council for two retail outlets in April 2013, have now applied for one of the units to be operated as a restaurant. Notice was served on Argos by the landlord in August 2012, saying the property was required for redevelopment. The design and access statement for the Homebase relocation states: "Discussions between Argos and the landlord have taken place but the parties have been unable to agree reasonable terms for a new lease. This is largely as a result of the landlord's requirement for an unsustainable and unrealistic increase in rent compared to existing." Argos, whose challenge to the Landlords Notice is due to be

decided in court in 2014, are holding over on their lease until the court decision, but HRG have assessed potential relocation options should they have to vacate the East Street premises. HRG's commercial agents Myddelton & Major have ruled out all possibilities in the town centre, including retention of one of the divided units because of what they describe as an unrealistic rent. The current premises enable Argos to stock 11,000 items from the catalogue containing over 30,000 lines, but around 40 per cent of Argos sales are now completed online, and its new Click & Collect service allows customer to reserve online and collect from their nearest store. The store employs 20 staff, three full-time and 17 part-time, who will be retained if the store is relocated within the area. Relocated to Stour Park with the current staff, it will become a 'stocked-in pick-up' Click & Collect store in a 120 square metre section near the entrance to Homebase, taking nine per cent of the current retail area.

War memorial appeal

AS part of the preparations for the anniversary of World War One, a Casualty Report Information Board has been installed at Blandford Cemetery on which it is intended to post information about the servicemen buried there. A number of local organisations are hoping to identify members of the families of the men listed on the board. The work is being co-ordinated by Blandford Town Council in association with a member of the 14-18 commemoration group, Terence Dear. Anyone who can provide information about the families and descendants of those listed has been invited to contact the town council.

January 2014

Boundary changes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bring no benefitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DRAFT proposals by the Boundary Commission for new district council ward boundaries in the Blandford area have caused concern to local members who can see no justification for combining two Blandford wards into one. The suggestion is that the Damory and Station wards should become Central ward, and instead of having one councillor each should be a two-member ward. Members commented at the November town council meeting that this would cause confusion to residents and would result in no benefit for the stated aim of the Boundary Commission to equalise the numbers of people represented in each ward. They have now drawn up revised proposals which will be submitted

STAFF at Tesco in Blandford got into the festive spirit when they embarked on a challenge to cycle the equivalent of the distance to Lapland in support of their current charity Diabetes UK. Pictured with store manager Mark Hopkin (centre) on the bike are (front row) Sam Butler, Vikki Mayo and Victoria Ladjladj, and (second row) James Young, Bryan Paul, Geoff Brookes and produce manager Lee Bridle.

in response. But they have welcomed the Boundary Commission's rejection of a suggestion from the district council that the Old Town ward of Blandford should be merged with Bryanston village. A 12-week public consultation on the recommendations is underway and will end on 6th January. The proposals are for the district to continue to have 33 councillors, but that seven should represent single-member wards, ten twomember wards and two threemember wards across the district. The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission's website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk. Hard copies of the Commission's report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings and libraries.

Fruitful time for group THE Blandford School Community Orchard Group had a successful picking in the autumn of a wide variety of eating apples, all rarely seen in the shops. It was able to supply some to both the school and the local volunteers who maintain the orchard. The plan for 2014 is to continue 'rescue pruning' of the trees and also plant some soft fruit. Volunteers meet once a month and would be delighted to welcome others to help with the work and share the produce. Contact Ann and Tony on 01258 857336 or Paul at paul@da21.org.uk

Statistics show job clubs are working A REDUCTION in unemployment in North Dorset, particularly in the Blandford area, has been attributed in part to the work of the district's three Job Clubs, which during the last six months have helped over 40 people find work. Volunteers help and advise people seeking work or finding a pathway back into work by sourcing training and volunteering opportunities, and helping with CVs and job applications as well as online applications. Councillor David Walsh, who started the Job Clubs in Gillingham and Blandford, said: "There is no doubt that the Job Clubs have helped reduce the level of unemployment in North Dorset, where there were very few resources helping people find work in the area." They have forged an alliance

with Skills & Learning Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (formerly known as Dorset Adult Learning) who provide training to improve the chances of job seekers obtaining employment. North Dorset District Council is a pilot area for Universal Credit and the council has been looking into the impact of the government's welfare reform programme. One of the most important initiatives is to get local people into work, making work more rewarding than benefits. Many local employers also advise the clubs in Blandford, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham of vacancies making it easier to match them with prospective employees. Blandford Job Club operates from the Treads Building, 28A Market Place on Fridays from 10am to 1pm.

January 2014

‘Councils are committed Some church to keeping Dorset tidy’ FOCUS letters

pews will stay IN answer to the letter published in the November Forum Focus I would like to correct a couple of points about the re-ordering of the Parish Church. Although we hope to remove some of the pews to make it an easier space to use, we will not be removing them all and, as someone who has had the pleasure of sitting in it twice, I can guarantee we will not be losing the Mayor's chair. I would like to take this opportunity to ask if there is anyone out there who would like to join us on the Cupola Project undertaking the restoration of this wonderful building. Sara Loch Chairman of the Cupola Project cupolaproject@bfpc.org.uk

Have your say

I WOULD like to respond on behalf of the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) to your recent story about litter ('Litter louts are shaming our town', Forum Focus, November issue) Despite increasing budget pressures, our partner councils are committed to keeping Dorset tidy. We actively support community groups who help pick litter, though we realise they shouldn't have to. However, the claim that our collection crews are adding to a litter problem in Blandford is unfair. Our hard-working staff do an excellent job for Dorset. Collection crews should pick up any items they spill. If residents see crews leaving a mess they should report it on 01305 221040 and it will be investigated. While it is not the job of bin collectors to pick litter on the street, they do take a common sense approach. Your photograph showed a recycling vehicle. Just as residents carefully sort their recycling, so crews cannot mix general litter with recycling. Shortly after this was reported, a street-cleaning crew went out and litter-picked the area. Thanks to all residents who have helped double North Dorset's recycling rate this year. This shows that the new 'recycle for Dorset' service is working and that by working together we can all be the solution, not the problem. Cllr Hilary Cox Chair, Dorset Waste Partnership Joint Committee Cabinet Member for the Environment, Dorset County Council

DO write to Forum Focus if there is something you'd like to comment on or share with other readers. Email your letter, which should be as brief as possible, to: editor@forumfocus.co.uk Alternatively, you can call 01258 459346 or deliver your letter by post or by hand to: Forum Focus, c/o

Colin's Community Club, 49 Damory Street, Blandford DT11 7HD. Please mark your letter 'for publication' and remember to include your address, which will not be used in full. Forum Focus reserves the right to shorten or edit letters in the interests of clarity, brevity and style.

Charity concert to start 2014 A CONCERT to celebrate the New Year is being held on 3rd January by Durweston Village Singers. Starting at 7.30pm in Durweston Village Hall, the concert will feature seasonal music accompanied by the Singers' regular pianists Sue Craxton and Elaine Korman. There will also be a guest appearance by violinist Caroline Revill, who led the instrumentalists at a concert in 2010 when the Durweston Carols CD was launched. Interval refreshments of a drink and hot pastries are included in the admission price of £5 (£2.50 for under 16s). The second half will include choruses of Music Hall songs which have been carefully chosen to surprise and delight. The retiring collection is for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, an important charity for music director Rachel Cook's family.

January 2014

Spending cuts on the cards for council TOWN councillors have been warned they may have to make serious cuts in their budget. Members were warned at a finance committee meeting that a grant given to them last year by the district council would not be given this year. There is also a possibility that the town council might have to seek taxpayers' approval in a referendum costing thousands of pounds if the amount they need exceeds the council tax demand imposed by the district, as Blandford's has done for a number of years. Funding was awarded to district councils by central government last year to compensate for the reduction in income expected because of benefit changes, and part of it was passed to town and parish councils. This year the extra funding has been incorporated into the main grant to the districts, and although most of the districts in Dorset have agreed to again distribute part to the smaller councils, North Dorset decided in November that they would not. Town and district councillor Esme Butler told the finance and staffing meeting at the beginning of December that she had fought the suggestion. "I said the town might have to reconsider the funding it was giving to services such as the leisure centre and public toilets." These services are some of those which the town council has supported as part of the 'Tough Choices' measures some years ago when the district council had to reduce its own budget to avoid being penalised by central government. The committee looked at the various options and impact on the precept and agreed to make no recommendation on what budget to approve, since further information was awaited from Brandon Lewis MP. Members will meet again on Monday 27th January to decide.

Leading the field: Residents Margery Fewings (left) and Margaret Pope (right) with Val Weaving, Social Carer (second left), and Anne Tapley, Home Manager, and winning scarecrow Maud.

Shy Maud takes the spotlight 'OUR Maud', a scarecrow from Whitecliffe House, was judged the winner in a competition run by Colten Care between 19 of their homes across the south. Residents were involved at every stage, from stuffing the arms and legs to sewing patches on the clothes and even knitting the vegetables for Maud's basket. Patchwork expert Margaret Pope, 84, and lifelong knitter Margery Fewings, 87, played key roles. "Everyone played their part but Margaret and Margery, in particular, made a huge contribution," said Val Weaving, social carer. "It's been great fun and everyone is very pleased that 'Our Maud', described as 'a country girl at heart', came first. She's become a real talking point in the home and even has her own place in the lounge. We're becoming quite fond of her." Family-owned Colten Care launched the competition in its

homes as a fun way of encouraging residents to hone their handicraft skills by producing traditional scarecrows stuffed with straw, as well as more refined models. For Whitecliffe House it was the third award this year, having come first for the 'Best Floral Entrance' and with an entry

based on 'Mary Mary Quite Contrary' in the 2013 Colten Care Planter competition. Anne Tapley, Home Manager, said: "It's wonderful to see so many of our residents engrossed in these projects. We're all very proud to have achieved a hattrick."

January 2014

Och eye, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Archie!

RVS volunteers at their Christmas get-together at Blandford Parish Centre with, back left, service manager Tina Damon and, right, co-ordinator Sally Wright.

The helping hands VOLUNTEERS from the Royal Voluntary Service Hospital Trolley, Library Service and Blandford Befrienders held their Christmas gettogether at Blandford Parish Centre. The RVS (formerly WRVS) is responsible for the trolley service at Blandford Community Hospital, a befriending scheme for the elderly, and the library service delivering reading material supplied by Blandford Library to the housebound. Tina Damon, who manages the befriending services across the county, said a team of 11 volunteers had befriended 25 lonely and isolated clients, visiting them once a week to play games, read books, go for a walk or shopping, and provide companionship. "An hour a week can make a huge difference to someone's life and the volunteers benefit from giving the service." Geraldine Hooton is co-ordinator of the home library service, in which a similar number of volunteers take books to around 30 readers, and Sally Knight, co-ordinator of the team of befrienders and another 13 responsible for the hospital trolley service. "New volunteers are always welcome," said Tina, who can be contacted by email at tina.damon@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

ST Andrew's Day saw the appearance of a special visitor to the Blandford Grange Care Centre in the form of Archie Clegg, a Scottish terrier with a unique talent. Two-year-old Archie is a talented writer and supporter of the Scottish Terrier Emergency Care Scheme (STECS), writing stories about his adventures in their newsletter and via his Twitter and Facebook web link. Local resident and STECS member Margaret Holt held a charity fundraising lunch and walk attended by 15 Scotties and their owners and arranged for a special visit to the Grange Care Centre. Archie and his Scottie friends were piped into The Grange by a lone Scottish piper to the surprise and delight of the residents. A modest Archie allowed his

chauffeur and butler, Jim Clegg, to share Archie's latest stories and give his unique views on daily life and Scottish Independence. The lunch and Scottie shop helped to raise funds for the charity and the residents were able to get the full 'Scottie' experience.

New man at Treads TREADS youth advice centre is delighted to welcome a new member of the team, Mark Smith, who comes from a long background of working in the community with social issues. He has spent a considerable amount of time working with the concept of social exclusion, and with the Home Office and in partnership with various university departments in areas such as sociology, psychology and criminology. His experience includes social inclusion and designing and delivering anger management and drugs and alcohol programmes, and his expertise while in the police service included networking nationally to develop the principles of best

practice relating to child protection and inauguration and development of a child protection department. Mark can be contacted via email mark@treads.org.uk or on 01258 455448.

Alternative sites sought for bus halts ALTERNATIVES to a suggested bus interchange in Langton Road or Marsh and Ham car parks were being considered by town councillors at their planning committee meeting in December. They were told by Adam Keen, operations manager for morebus, the successor bus company to Wilts & Dorset, that while the current East Street facility was "woefully inadequate", the car parks were both too far from the town centre. He suggested that preferable improvements would be a clearway at the East Street stop to prevent disabled and other parking in the bus lane, and the provision of more raised kerbs at stops in the town, which was "certainly some way behind other towns of its size" in making bus use easy or accessible, particularly for the disabled.

January 2014

Film to launch war centenary THE first in a series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One will be a screening on Wednesday 8th January at The Blandford School of classic war film 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. It is being shown by Blandford Film Society, which is a member only organisation, but guest tickets are available by calling 01258 453851. It will be followed on Thursday 16th January by an illustrated talk being given by Claire Thomas on 'Artists in World War One', featuring the work of a number of painters, from Nash to Henry Tonks and Spencer. The talk, starting at 2pm, follows a workshop being held during the morning at Pimperne village hall. More details are available by calling 01747 811883.

Banners ban BANNERS displayed on the fence around the Davies' memorial garden on the corner of Wimborne Road and Langton Road are being removed by Blandford Town Council, the managers of the garden. Councillors felt it was inappropriate to hang adverts on the site, which is a memorial to the late Dr David Davies and his wife Dr Joan Davies.

The Allsorts Craft Club with the sewed, knitted and crocheted items made for Blandford community hospital, represented by matron Darren Wickmar, second from right, and the Salisbury Hospital Neo-Natal Unit.

Crafty characters who help others MEMBERS of the Allsorts Craft Club meeting at Blandford Parish Centre to develop their skills have been putting their knitting and crochet needles and sewing machines to good use for the Blandford and Salisbury hospitals. They have knitted around 50 lap blankets and baby items, which were presented to Darren Wickmar, matron at Blandford Community Hospital, who received them on behalf of the hospital and the neonatal unit at Salisbury. The group meet on the first Tuesday evening of the month to share their own particular crafts, whether knitting, sewing, cross

stitch, crochet, jewellery making or paper crafts, and each month have a special 'have a go' table where a craft is demonstrated by one member for others to try. Numbers have grown from single figures when it first start three years ago to over 50, and all abilities and crafts are welcome at the sessions, which cost ÂŁ2 a time to cover refreshments. Spokesperson Janet Winder said:

"We also show ongoing support for TWAM (Tools with a Mission), which collects items related to sewing, such as hand or electric sewing machines, safety pins, needles, material, wood, knitting machines and needles. They are sent to third world countries, after refurbishment if needed, so that women can be taught to use the machines, start their own business and support their children and families and their communities."

January 2014

Beer festival hits the spot for charity

The Hall & Woodhouse Badger Beer Festival team.

Speedwatch campaign A COMMUNITY speedwatch campaign for Blandford staged its first activity on Friday 13th December in association with the Blandford Safer Neighbourhood Team, carrying out speed checks on Black Lane. Pupils from Archbishop Wake Primary School were on hand to warn any drivers stopped of the dangers of speeding. Volunteers who have signed up to be members of the speedwatch group received training in the hour before and the hour after the school lunch break. Anyone wishing to join the group is asked to contact CSO Mike Sinnick by email to blandfordsnt@dorset.pnn.police.uk or Councillor Tony Harrocks by phone on 01258 480062.

THE October Beer Festival hosted by Hall & Woodhouse, brewer of Badger beers, raised more than ÂŁ2,100 for Macmillan Cancer Support, the Dorset brewers' chosen charity for 2013/14. The Beer Festival offered serious beer lovers the chance to try 33 different cask ales from other local breweries and friends of Badger, a series of successful beer-cocktail master classes with Nick Strangeway, and a beer tasting workshop with beer writer Tim Hampson, who raffled a copy of his latest book on behalf of the charity. Head brewer Toby Heasman said: "Our first beer festival was an even greater success than we had hoped and we are delighted to have raised so much money for Macmillan Cancer Support. My team worked exceptionally hard to make sure this was a memorable festival and they certainly achieved this." A date for the 2014 Beer Festival

has already been set for Saturday 27th September. Six Hall & Woodhouse staff who have clocked up 195 years service between them were recently presented with long service awards. Three with 40 years' service were brewery team members Don Haines and Tim Cowan and drayman John Watts, who received carriage clocks. Gold watches went to distribution manager Kenny Haim and draymen Tony Majury and Gary Hawkins. THE Blandford DAG Arrows Display Team will be the first to use the disability access ramp and upgraded riverside paths on the Marsh and Ham meadows when they open at 10am on Saturday 25th January. Members of the public are invited to join in the opening of this community-led Natural England project.

January 2014

Above: Mayor Bob Brannigan at Blandford Lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; craft fair in the Corn Exchange. Below: Two-year-old Mison from Winterborne Whitechurch receives his first Christmas present from Santa.

Mayor of Blandford Councillor Bob Brannigan and his wife Carole with Father Christmas and town mace bearer David Jardine in front of the tree in Blandford Market Place.

Santa stars in the festive fun THE lighting of the town's Christmas tree with a countdown by Blandford's Mayor Councillor Bob Brannigan in the Market Place followed a civic reception in the Corn Exchange, where Father Christmas greeted the children and their parents enjoyed mulled wine and refreshments, accompanied by music from the Stour Valley Band. The following day Father Christmas was back in the Corn Exchange with the Blandford Lions at their annual Christmas Craft Fair, where business was brisk with fundraising raffles, a tombola and festive gifts, together with promotion of the Lions' charity work.

Join us, says Probus Club THE Stour Valley Probus Club is inviting new members to join them at their meetings on Thursday 9th January and 13th February. Meetings every second Thursday of the month at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, normally in the Sealy Suite, start at 10am for coffee and talk on subjects of general interest. Founded by retired Rotary Club members who wanted to continue their social life with like-mind-

ed people, Probus is now worldwide. Most clubs are either for men or for women. The Blandford club welcomes both so retired couples who have had busy professional or business lives can enjoy social activity together. For further information contact the Chairman, Eric Rainbow, on 01258 454049 or Joyce Lee, who is responsible for membership, on 01258 450847.

Roll of honour for steam fair MORE than 100 steam roller enthusiasts have earned the Great Dorset Steam Fair a new Guinness World Record after flattening their own world record for the number of rollers moving. The previous record of 32 was set in 2003. A total of 103 vintage steam rollers took part in the world record event as part of the GDSF Roller Special, on a new road created in the roadmaking section of the event. Among them was a 10-tonne roller previously owned by the late Fred Dibnah.

January 2014

Frazer’s Facebook role

Sue Sullivan of Youth Aid, front left, and Georgia Walker of NCS, with young volunteers and Youth Aid supporters.

Support for Youth Aid YOUNG people from North Dorset came to the aid of a local charity for their less fortunate peers when they organised a dinner to raise funds for help and support group Youth Aid, which is threatened with closure. They provided, served and sold the tickets for the threecourse dinner in Bryanston Club and sourced a programme of entertainment for the evening, which included a charity auction and raffle. They were volunteers with the National Citizen Service, which invites teenagers to build their skills for work and life by taking on challenges and team projects to help their community. With guidance from NCS leader Georgia Walker, volunteers Jed and Emma introduced the evening which included performances from Rory Shafford on devil sticks, George Dutton on piano, Jed himself on guitar and Lily Sharp on guitar and vocals.

SIGNALLER Frazer Thorne, 18, from the 11 Signal Regiment, based in Blandford, took part in December in the British Army's first ever series of interactive career webTV chats on the Army Jobs Facebook page. The webchats featured soldiers and officers from a range of roles who answered questions about their experiences and offered advice on finding the right role, training and how to apply for one of the 17,000 jobs available now in the Army and the Army Reserves. Signaller Thorne, who joined the Army last year, said: "Both my parents have served in the Army

and encouraged me to apply too. Being in the Army gives you so many exciting challenges and opportunities to gain some fantastic new qualifications and transferable skills which will prepare me for any challenges that lie ahead, both within and outside my Army career. Joining the Army is an incredibly exciting experience and it's great to have the opportunity to share my experience and encourage potential recruits to take the next step." Further information can be found on the Army jobs page on Facebook, by taking part in one of the live webTV chats or visiting army.mod.uk/jobs

Local charity banks on Burns Night support HOME-START North Dorset, the local charity that provides practical support and friendship to families in times of need, launches its third year with a fundraising traditional Burns Night supper at The Three Elms pub, North Wootton on Monday 20th January. Guest chef Louise Dutton will be cooking a traditional three-course Scottish dinner, and Piper, Lieutenant General Andrew Graham will 'Pipe in the Haggis' and play later in the evening.

Shoebox appeal is a new record for Rotary WHILE most children in the UK excitedly unwrapped their stocking on Christmas Day, for many elsewhere it was just another day. But the shoebox scheme run through Rotary International helped provide at least a few children with something to enjoy over Christmas, by shipping thousands of shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts to countries in Eastern Europe, Africa and, importantly this year, the Philippines. Blandford Stour Rotary contributed a record number of boxes this Christmas with more than 210, thanks to the generosity and hard work of their members and a great deal of help from some local schools and other organisations. These include contributions from Pimperne Primary School, The Dunbury School in Winterborne Whitechurch, Treads, Colin's Community Club and Mortgage Trace in Blandford. Sam Finlay, who brilliantly organised and contributed again to this year's collection, said: "I hope we have made a small difference to at least some of those children who have so little to look forward to over Christmas. If you would like to know more or how you can help, just email me on rotaryshoeboxes@hotmail.co.uk.”

Home-Start provides practical, hands-on, non-judgmental support and friendship to families across North Dorset. There are now 38 trained volunteers available to visit families weekly in their own homes. Since January 2012, 113 families have been referred for support and volunteers have made 800 home visits. One mum at the charity's November AGM said of the support she had received from a volunteer: "She's completely changed our lives. I can't imagine where we'd have been without her. We'd have been in a very dark place. She's given my children back their mum." Proceeds from the supper, and donations from those unable to attend, will go towards covering the travel costs for these family visits. Tickets are £25 and limited to 40 places, and can be reserved by phoning The Three Elms (01935 812881) or Home-Start office (01258 473038), where donations can also be made. WRITING group meetings at Blandford Library have resumed and are continuing on Tuesday evenings, along with Toddler Time every Thursday and Friday morning from 10 to 10.30am, and a Drum Circle to be launched in the New Year, of which details are available from the library. On 3rd December there was a 'Christmas Origami' session at which people could drop in for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to try the Japanese paper-folding craft.

January 2014

The Under-14 netball team from Clayesmore School are county champions.

Breakfast treat for netball champs

Children in Clayesmore Prep's Nursery and Reception classes learnt about fire safety and were given a practical demonstration of rescue equipment when Dorset Fire and Rescue visited the school with a shiny red fire engine. They were invited to climb aboard, inspect the neatly stowed tools and ladders, and see the axes, mallets, breathing apparatus and cutters in operation, as well as to operate a hose shooting out powerful jets of water.

The winning William Barnes Year 6 team at the Blandford RFC Academy festival.

Tag rugby festival is a winner BLANDFORD RFC Academy held their second Schools Tag Rugby Festival at Sturminster Newton High School when teams from the Sturminster area came from Sturminster Newton, Hazelbury Bryan, Child Okeford and Stalbridge Primary Schools. William Barnes Year 6 team were the overall winners and were presented with a framed certificate as a memento of their day. All children who took part were thrilled to receive a goodie bag. Coaches and representatives from Blandford RFC were impressed with the standard of play and they now urge children who took part and enjoyed themselves to come along to some training sessions and meet the teams who will welcome them warmly. The Academy trains at The Blandford School on Sunday mornings, 10am to noon and welcomes new recruits of all ages throughout the season. For more information call Kerrie on 01258 451779 or email the Blandford RFC Academy on academy@blandfordrfc.com.

CLAYESMORE School's U14 netball team were treated to a big breakfast outing in Shaftesbury by their headmaster as a reward for winning the county title for the first time in the school's history. The girls produced a number of impressive performances to become champions, winning all their games, when they represented North Dorset (alongside Sherborne) at the county National Schools Tournament held at Canford School. Team coach Viv Chambers said: "The girls really dominated in most games. Great teamwork and skill was shown by all players." Asia Jones, Ellie Beckett, Maya Meredith, Jenny Smith, Phoebe Whitley, Alex McKeown, Olivia Farrant, Abi Morgan and Amelia Slay will now go on to represent Dorset at the National Schools Tournament in February.

January 2014

Apprenticeships ‘perfect’ for young people seeking work APPRENTICES employed by North Dorset District Council were invited to a council meeting to see the democratic process in action. Charlotte Bone, Sean Brown, Sian Smith, Hazel Taylor and James Weldon are all former pupils of The Blandford School who are mentored by Luke Turk, a former apprentice himself, who now works full-time for the council. Many of the apprentices employed by the council over a number of years progressed to take up full-time posts or have gone on to pursue professional careers elsewhere. They work towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Business Administration and some study the Open University degree course in Leadership and Management. North Dorset's apprenticeship programme played a part in securing an award for the district council from the Institute of Revenues & Rateable Value. Luke Turk and council colleague Bobbie Bragg, the human resources and organisational development manager at NDDC, recently visited schools in North Dorset to promote the apprenticeship scheme and seek future candidates.

Pictured from left: Sean Brown, Charlotte Bone, Hazel Taylor, Cllr Deborah Croney (Leader of NDDC), Cllr Su Hunt (Chairman of NDDC), Liz Goodall (Chief Executive of NDDC), Sian Smith, James Weldon and Luke Turk. Dorset County Council and Ansbury, a local provider of information, advice and guidance for young people, are also helping schools, including The Blandford School, run apprenticeship clubs for their students. Young people and their parents can find out more about employment combined with training, and students can practice completing applications, improve their interview and presentation skills, and meet local employers and apprentices. In June 2013, 9.4 per cent of 16to18-year-olds in Dorset were in

a job without accredited training, and Councillor Toni Coombs, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for education, said: "It's so important that young people continue to learn while they work. Qualifications are the key to climbing the ladder, finding other employment or going on to further study. “Apprenticeships are perfect for young people who want to go straight into work." For more information about apprenticeships, call 08000 150 600 or go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

U3A group sheds light on a century BLANDFORD U3A's history research group has presented the results of its research into local life in the period leading up to the outbreak of the First World War to the Blandford Museum. Group leader Christine Ireland said the studies had taken a year and had included local estates, the town council, industry and commerce, education, utilities, transport and how people lived. She gave the resulting book to Peter Andrews, museum curator, who welcomed the gift and said it was just the sort of item the museum liked to hold on behalf of the local community. Mayor of Blandford Bob Brannigan recognised the tremendous amount of work which had gone into the preparation of the document. He said: "Bringing it all together in one place makes research so much easier both for professionals and other visitors." The idea for the history research group’s project was to look back 100 years from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Work took U3A members a year and was most enjoyable, said Christine Ireland.

January 2014

Students (from left): Holly Sturton, Issy Morris, Luke Panchaud, Tabby Rayner and Alisha Dolman, in front of the Rotary judges, David Hooper, Penny Meaden, John Bentley and Nic Nicol.

Student chefs cook up a treat for judges STUDENTS from The Blandford School have taken part for the third year running in the Rotary Young Chef competition. The four-stage national competition supports and encourages young people to cook a healthy meal, develop food presentation skills, consider food hygiene issues and develop their organisational and planning skills and ability to cope in a demanding situation. The young chefs are given oneand-a-half hours to prepare and serve a healthy three-course meal for two. This year's local heat winner was Issy Morris, of Year 9, and the runner-up was Alisha Dolman (Year 10).

Issy's winning menu was: scallop and bacon salad with basil, garlic, parsley, olive oil and balsamic dressing, medallions of pork fillet with mushrooms, leeks and crème fraiche on basmati rice, and dark chocolate brownie with crème fraiche and raspberries. The judges were John Bentley, David Hooper, Nic Nicol and Penny Meaden of Blandford Rotary. Mr Bentley commended the students on the exceptionally high quality of their dishes and high standard of cooking and presentation. The winners go forward to the district finals where they will compete against other top young chefs in the county in the New Year.

Issy Morris, the eventual winner, serves John Bentley, one of the judges, with her main course dish of medallions of pork fillet with mushrooms, leeks and crème fraiche on basmati rice.

A PROMISE of real live reindeer and a visit from Father Christmas brought the crowds flocking to Durweston primary school's Christmas Fair in the village hall. About £1,800 was raised for school funds, and there were so many stalls that some had to be set up outside. Pictured, parents Steve Herridge and Claire and Danny Briggs on the bottle stall. Another picture: Page 22.

January 2014

Knighton girls with their finished theatre make-up.

Make-up girls create some dramatic looks A THEATRE make-up weekend workshop at Knighton House School, Durweston, gave girls a taste of an actor's life. Colours galore were in evidence as they transformed themselves into spectacularly dramatic characters that would not have been out of place in the blockbuster Avatar. Under the tuition of Penny Daw from Clayesmore School's theatre department, the girls experimented with different techniques to create some stunning effects. Elizabeth Potter, Head of Care at Knighton, explained: "We always try to have exciting, different activities for our children but this one has to be one of the most dramatic. The girls had a fabulous time and were incredibly creative with their make-up designs." The following week the children enjoyed a Christmas shopping trip in Salisbury. Several pupils took part last term

in a British Council-funded Comenius Group project meeting with teachers, educationalists and pupils from nine European countries in Poland, as part of an educational project 'EUniting Voices' to share teaching and cultural experiences with the aim of broadening their understanding of each other's cultures. They had earlier taken part in a trip to Sicily as part of the same project. Melissa Whittaker, Comenius Project co-ordinator at Knighton House, said: "This is a valuable Europe-wide project in which our girls have an opportunity to present and discuss ideas on an international stage alongside children of their own age, which is a fantastic experience for them. “They are building friendships which span culture, religion and race and which give them a very real understanding of what the world is like beyond our Dorset borders."

Little George Gostick, aged three, meets a reindeer called Cupid, also three years old, which owner Sarah Sutton brought from her Chilthorne Dormer stables to Durweston Primary School’s Christmas fair. Cupid was rumoured to have a key role in Santa’s Christmas travel plans.

Camera Club widens horizons JANET Haines from Dorchester Camera Club was the guest of Blandford Forum Camera Club with a presentation 'Widen your horizons', which revolved around the thought and preparation required to produce panels of prints or sequences of projected images. She described the process for making submissions to both the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) and the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) with the objective of obtaining various 'distinctions' awarded by these bodies, illustrating the standards required for the various awards. It was a fascinating insight into the efforts required of those seeking to improve their photography through the discipline and commitment associated with the acquisition of these awards. Those interested in the club and its activities may contact Dave Hurley on 01258 451895 or visit the website at www.bfcclub.co.uk.

Blandford Stour Rotary celebrates a record year of fund-raising

Stour Rotary president Ian Holmes welcomes the Rotary Leadership Course participant Phil Taylor.

THE year 2013 saw a record total of £16,000 collected through fund-raising efforts by Blandford Stour Rotary for local, national and international charities. In celebration, a presentation at The Crown Hotel, attended by the Mayor of Blandford, Cllr Bob Brannigan, and Mayoress, Carole Brannigan, saw representatives from some of the charities receive their cheques. They included Peter Johnstone, from the Breast Cancer Campaign, Chrissie Bailey from Hope and Homes for Children, and

Paul Clark from the Blandford Food Bank, together with Phil Taylor, a Blandford School student, who was sponsored by the club on the Rotary Leadership Course and gave a talk on his experiences. Blandford Stour's President, Ian Holmes said: " Yet again we have managed to exceed previous years' totals. This is due not only to the tremendous efforts of our members but also to the enormous generosity of the local community who continue to support us year in, year out to continue with this vital work."

January 2014

FOCUS on sport

Mountain bikers on the right track for success

Some of the Blandford Rugby Club Movember participants with, kneeling in the foreground, winner Lee Haim.

Tea and taches score well at rugby club A TEA party in the Blandford RFC clubhouse on 1st December featured the judging of the Movember competition in which a number of players accepted the challenge to grow sponsored moustaches to raise awareness of male cancers and funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The winner was Lee Haim, club captain from 2007 to 2010. The occasion also featured fundraising events for two defibrillators, one for the clubhouse in Blandford town centre which will be available for community use, and one to be taken with teams on match days.

Players Harry Stacey (left) and Andy Williamson ready to serve on the catering stall.

Almost ÂŁ2,000 was raised through activities including a children's and adults' lucky dip, raffle and silent auction in which four lots remain to be sold, and it is hoped the money will enable the purchase of the first of the defibrillators. "We hope we never have to use them, but having one available for both the town and the club will make ours the first in Dorset and Wilts to have one and will be an important addition for the town centre, which currently does not have one," said Rugby Club chairman Jay Frampton. "The club would like to thank JoJo Wylde who was responsible for organising the whole event with the help of her committee, all the amazing cake bakers, and our sponsors and supporters who are listed on our website at www.blandfordrfc.com."

@forumfocus

A SERIES of mountain bike events is being staged on a course at the Inside Park near Blandford which over 20 years ago was the scene of national events. The Offcamber team has worked hard to develop the course back to national standard, with fastflowing single-track climbs and testing technical sections including a man-made rock garden. The course is an exciting challenge to all competitors and the series is growing in popularity, with a record 87 people taking part in round three in November. Paul Hopkins chased team-mate Kim Little (both Factory Merrida)

up the first climb and the pair soon built a good advantage over the chasing pack. Unfortunately Kim punctured on the last lap to leave Paul with a comfortable victory, James Horton in second place and Chris Nobel third. First Vet was Richard Irvine, Michael Courage second and Jerry Cooper third, and in the Junior Category Kris Caines first, Sam Sheppard second and Daniel Harding third. First lady across the line with a solid performance was Emily Benham, followed by Patsy Caines second and Julie Crane third. For more info contact Offcamber 01258 458677 or visit www.offcamber.co.uk.

January 2014

Villagers say thank you to Eileen

Stella’s tale of a world long gone

CUSTOMERS of the Cross Stores in Child Okeford and wellwishers turned out in large numbers to present anniversary bouquets, gifts and cards to the family of Eileen Shaw in recognition of their ten years' service to the village community. Eileen and her husband George bought the village shop in 2003 after previously running a shop in Beaminster for nearly ten years. "We took a year's holiday after retiring but we missed meeting all the people, so decided to get another shop." They found the perfect outlet one which had been purposebuilt in the 1960s by the previous owner Mr Curtis, who initially had a smaller shop next door. Two years later their daughter Rose Playden joined them in the village to run the post office 50 yards down the road. Mr Shaw died three years ago, but last year Rose, having also taken on responsibility for running outreach services at Hazelbury Bryan, Chettle,

THE story of an eight-year-old girl living in Charter Quay beside the River Thames in Kingston, Surrey, who discovers a very different world when she travels back to her village in 1883, is told in Molly's Mary, recently published by a local author Stella Baldwin. She said: "Researching the family tree, I came across the Kingston Slums in the 1881 census. They were 'long gone' when I was born in Kingstonupon-Thames, and as a child I had no idea how my ancestors would have known it. Kingston today is a bustling modern town with a fantastic shopping centre - a lovely place to be and especially along the banks of the River Thames. "Molly, born in 2000, rediscovers them, and Molly's Mary just had to be written. It is a delightful story, and I am pleased to support Blandford Tourist Information Centre where it is available for purchase."

Eileen Shaw and Rose Keir with bouquets and gifts presented by Child Okeford villagers to mark the ten years they have run the village stores. Stourpaine and Shillingstone, merged Child Okeford Post Office with the stores, joining her mother and brother Andrew in the combined business. It is a much appreciated service for customers, for whom it is a hub of village life, and a place

where they can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a cake while doing their shopping and post office business. They can even book a taxi through Rose's husband Andy Keir, whom she married earlier this year, and is a local taxi driver.

NORTH Dorset District Council has won a prestigious European award for its community planning work. It was one of only three Best Practice Certificates in the UK in Partnerships category for 'Weathering the European Storm' of the European Public Service Awards (EPSA) 2013. It recognised the North Dorset model of community planning which had transformed the district as a genuine community-led way to provide facilities, services and projects needed.

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events Wednesday 1st January Happy New Year! New Year's Day Vintage and Classic Vehicle Run. Up to 200 vehicles leave Sturminster Newton main car park 11.00am. Passing through Blandford town centre approx 11.45 to 12.15. Information 01258 880863 Rounders, Spetisbury Primary School grounds, 12 noon Thursday 2nd January: Blandford Museum talk by Jennie Rake & Sylvia Hixson Andrews on Nepal and the Ghurkas of Blandford Camp, 7.30pm at the Museum Friday 3rd January: Pantomime, Aladdin, Blandford Corn Exchange, 3pm, all tickets now taken Durweston Singers New Year Celebration Concert, Durweston village hall, 7.30pm, proceeds to Childhood Eye Cancer Trust Saturday 4th January: Free refreshments at Blandford Parish Centre, The Tabernacle, 11am to 1pm Sunday 5th January: Round Robin Ramblers meet 1.30pm at the Forest parking area SW of Puddletown, near Beacon Hill. For 4.5-mile walk, Puddletown Forest

Entries in this diary are free of charge. If you have an event you would like included, please send details to Nicci Brown, 01258 459346 or email s.n.b@btinternet.com. This page is available and regularly updated on our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk Wednesday 8th January: Blandford Forum Film Society, Blandford School, 7.30pm, All Quiet on the Western Front, guest tickets from 01258 453851 Thursday 9th January: Stour Valley Probus Club, Crown Hotel 10am, coffee and talk 'The trumpets shall sound' by Lt Col Malcolm Torrent. New members welcome; contact Membership Secretary, Joyce Lee on 450857. Friday January 10th and Saturday 11th January: Shroton Village Pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, evenings and Saturday matinee Monday 13th January: Blandford Ladies' Probus Club, Crown Hotel, 12 for 12.30pm, lunch and talk, "Young Life in the Wrens" by Jocelyn Jenkins. New members and visitors welcome. Contact 01258-453238 or email gretachippendale@talktalk.net Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning, Child Okeford, 7.30pm. Jenny Kretz, Jamie Keast, Sam Andrew and Rebecca

Kellaway-Moore describe the work of the North Dorset Women's Refuge and Homestart Wednesday 15th January: Blandford Carers Group meet Durweston village hall, 2 to 4pm, speaker Sue Ingram of Age UK Thursday 16th January: Artists in World War One - illustrated talk by Claire Thomas on painting from the Nash brothers to Henry Tonks and Spencer, Pimperne village hall, 2 to 4pm, follows Blandford Art Society workshop from 10am, details 01848 811883 Blandford Heart Forum. Blandford Hospital Restaurant, 2.30 to 4.30pm, speaker; Martin Shephard, Senior Pharmacist at Dorchester Hospital "Drugs and their uses for Cardiac Patients”. All Welcome. Saturday 18th January: Durweston Choral Society Soiree, dinner and choral entertainment, Durweston village hall, 7 for 7.30pm, tickets 01258 453555 Monday 20th January: HomeStart North Dorset charity dinner,

Three Elms, North Wootton, tickets £25 Wednesday 22nd January: Blandford Forum Film Society, Blandford School, 7.30pm, Monsieur Lahar, guest tickets 01258 453851 Friday 24th January: Blandford Film Night - Gravity, Corn Exchange, Blandford, doors open 7pm Science Cafe, The Old School, Sturminster Marshall 8pm. Development of the Tank, speaker Mr Copson Friday 24th and Saturday 25th January: Durweston Players Panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Durweston village hall, 7.30pm and Saturday matinee 2.30pm, tickets 01258 453170 Sunday 26th January: Museum Garden Club: Potato Day at Pimperne Village Hall, 10am 2pm Friday 31st January: Blandford U3A Open Meeting, 2pm for 2.15pm, The Parish Centre, Blandford, Speaker with power point presentation David Grierson "Life in China" Durweston Film Night - About Time, Durweston village hall, 7.30pm