May 2014 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 26

Young swimmers rise to the challenge: Page 27

May 2014

Jail for the chapel arsonist THE arsonist who caused more than ÂŁ30,000 damage to Blandford's historic cemetery chapel last September has been sent to prison for three-and-a-half years.

John Sennett, 26, of Castleman Smith Close, Blandford, was spared what Judge Roger Jarvis said could have been a four-year sentence because of a letter showing real remorse and the fact that a full trial had not been necessary to convict him.

Sennett had given a 'no comment' interview when he was arrested on 24th September, nine days after the fire, and again in October.

He initially denied responsibility but later pleaded guilty to the charge of arson. Earlier he had also pleaded guilty to the attempted theft of fuel on the same night as the fire.

No evidence was found in support of his claim that he had an unidentified accomplice in starting the blaze.

Dorchester Crown Court heard on 7th April that Sennett's DNA was found at the scene, and also on two vehicles, one in Larksmead and one in Castleman Smith Close.

Mark Ruffell, prosecuting, said Dorset Fire and Rescue investigators confirmed that

accelerant had been used to set three fires in the chapel.

The building had been opened to the public as part of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week as the only original one of its type in the county, and one of the few remaining in John Sennett: remorse. the country.

He said Blandford town clerk Linda Scott-Giles had described how town council staff responsible for managing the site were left 'speechless' and 'emotional' when they learned of the offence.

The fire was still burning when it was reported, and investigators found two windows broken, a curtain rail and curtain ripped down and set alight, and a lectern and bible destroyed. A wooden cross from one of the graves was also damaged.

It appeared the second window had been smashed as a point of exit because the fire was blocking the first and the intruder had

The cemetery chapel. panicked because of the dense black smoke.

Repair costs were estimated at ÂŁ31,156 and included cleaning the whole of the interior of the chapel, repair work, making new leaded windows, and scaffolding for the work to be carried out.

Thomas Horder, defending, said his client had To Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pre-school future in the balance Page 6 Curtain up on theatre revival Page 20 Village schools celebrate Easter Page 25

Taxi driver-cum-artist Martin Ansell has turned the Castleman House care home into a gallery to display some of his pictures. Martin is pictured with care home manager Julie Thorne and resident Ted Collis. Full story: Page 6.

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Bowlers prepare for new season Page 27 www.forumfocus.co.uk

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May 2014

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Chapel arsonist sent to jail From Page 1 started drinking at the age of 11, had left school with no qualifications and had 35 previous convictions.

Sennett now totally understood the seriousness of his offence, its consequences for the building and the feelings of outrage of those who knew and used the chapel.

In a letter to the court he expressed his remorse and admitted he only had himself to blame. He said his intention had been to sleep in the chapel, but he had had too much to drink

and did not stop to consider the consequences of his actions. But he had had no intention to harm any individual.

Mr Horder said during his six months on remand, Sennett had focused on awareness of his alcohol problems and had studied English, maths, art and IT and was starting a victim awareness course. "He offers apologies to all those affected by the offence," he said.

Judge Jarvis told Sennett it was a serious escalation in a pattern of offending. He said the court had to address not only the physical damage and cost of repair, but also the emotional impact of his actions on a large number of people and a building with special significance where they had paid their respects to loved ones.

"The actions you took were

appallingly insensitive to the feelings of other people and it is absolutely obvious that there should be a custodial sentence."

He reduced the sentence by three months because Sennett's letter indicated that he had realised he had to take a real grip on how he managed his life, and a further three months because of his change of plea which had meant a full trial was not necessary.

He gave credit for the early admission of the attempted fuel thefts, announcing two months on each charge to run concurrently, and imposed a victim surcharge but made no order for compensation, saying Sennett was in no position to meet a confiscation order.

The chapel was due to be officially reopened and rededicated on Friday 25th April.

Warning of health hoax DORSET Police are advising the public to be wary of emails purporting to be from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

People nationwide have been targeted by hoax emails, claiming to be from NICE, informing them that as a result of a recent blood test, cancer was suspected and they should contact their GP. The recipients are asked to download their results from an attached link, which may contain malware that displays a false security warning to entice the victim to buy rogue anti-spyware products.

Inspector Pete Little, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: "This type of hoax email can be very distressing for the victim." He warned anyone receiving one to delete it, not to download the attachment, but to report them to the police by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Swap shop A GIVE & Take Swap Shop will be staged in Blandford Corn Exchange on the morning of Saturday 3rd May in support of the Lewis Manning Hospice in Poole.

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May 2014

Road disruption: why the work was necessary DORSET County Council has answered critics of roadworks to create a cycleway and crossing improvements at Blandford's Damory Court Street, Langton Road and Wimborne Road crossroads.

The temporary four-way traffic light installation at the crossroads is part of the first phase of a £94,000 scheme creating a shared footpath and cycleway from there to the St Leonards Avenue junction.

It was scheduled to take six weeks to complete and due to be completed by the end of April, including crossing improvements, footway widening and tightening the very wide junction mouth at St Leonards Avenue to provide a central refuge.

A county council spokesman said: "This junction is currently quite daunting for pedestrians to cross as cars can enter the junction at speed leaving pedestrians unprotected in the middle of the road."

Funds have come through the council's Local Transport Plan and developer contributions relating to the creation of 20 homes at the former depot site off Damory Court Street, and with support from Sustrans, promoters of the National Cycling Network.

"By providing safe walking and cycling routes between the National Cycling Network and between key trip generators schools, housing, shops, etc - we aim to encourage less use of the car which is better for people's health and pockets and reduces congestion and pollution."

The county council announced in February that the start date of the project had been put back so that

repairs could be carried out to flood-damaged roads in the county. It was then delayed by one week due to the discovery of underground cables which had not been recorded.

The spokesman said: "Road crews are still involved with emergency works county-wide but some crews were released for targeted schemes. This scheme was targeted for construction this financial year and could not easily be deferred."

She said time-limited funding from DfT would shortly mean a concentrated repair programme, drawing in resources from other non-priority schemes, so they had only a short window of opportunity.

The second phase, connecting St Leonards Avenue to Downside Close, is unlikely to proceed until next year.

"We made a bid for Department for Transport funding for phase two but unfortunately they have had to use their underspend to pay for damage to infrastructure caused by the severe flooding. We would anticipate that the bid will go forward for DfT Links to Communities funding now for 2015/16. Phase two will not, therefore, be constructed in 2014-15.

"No new road markings are required for the new cycleway, only repainting where kerb lines have been adjusted and shared footway/cycleway markings on the new path."

She said there would be informal give and take around the working area in St Leonards Avenue, and stop-and-go traffic management in Wimborne Road.

Spate of burglaries CASH and jewellery were stolen in a burglary on 8th April at a house in Louse Lane, Spetisbury. Entry was gained by forcing open a window at the rear of the property.

There have also been burglaries at Child Okeford and Shillingstone in which jewellery and other valuable items were stolen.

A property on The Common, Child Okeford, was entered by forcing a security door on 27th March and that in Cookswell, Shillingstone by forcing a rear door on 23rd March.

Eight push bikes were stolen in the early hours of 22nd March from a garage at South Holme, Stourpaine, when entry was gained by smashing a window.

Advice and a free home security survey are available to those reviewing their security arrangements by contacting the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

‘Happy retirement’ THE end of an era comes to Blandford market with the retirement of Martin and Gillian Cuff (pictured above) of Winterborne Kingston, whose card stall has been a feature for more than 20 years.

The couple staged a retirement sale offering cards at half price to their many regular customers and were hoping to retire by the end of April.

Mr Cuff said: "When we started out there was a waiting list for both the Thursday and Saturday markets, and we had to wait quite a few months to get a pitch, which was not until the previous card seller passed away.

"In those days it really was a market town, but it has changed a lot. There's nothing to bring people in any more."

He said he had thoroughly enjoyed all the hours he had spent on his stall, come rain, wind and snow, and would really miss the customers - but not the need to check the weather forecast before attending.

"One time about six years after we started, we lost the roof off our stall and a lot of stock. But I was a lot younger then," he said.

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May 2014

Trike appeal to help Caleb cycle safely A FUND raising appeal has been launched by the mother of a fiveyear-old boy, suffering from hypermobility and recently diagnosed with ADHD, to buy a special Tomcat Trike which will allow him to cycle in safety.

The tricycle costs more than ÂŁ2,000, and Sarah Turner, of Orchard Street, Blandford, said that she and her husband Andy were hopeful of grant support towards the purchase if they could raise 20 per cent of the cost.

"Caleb's condition means that he can very easily suffer dislocation of his joints and that normal cycling is impossible, but this tricycle is designed to protect him when he rides, and will make such a difference to his confidence.

"When he tried it out he was so happy, and it will mean he can go on long walks without getting tired, and will help to build up the strength in his muscles, as well as to do what normal kids do."

Sarah is being backed by the Disability Action Group (North Dorset), where she volunteers with the mobility scooter service, and will be holding a cake stall and tombola outside their premises in Nightingale Court from 10am on Georgian Fayre day, Monday 5th May.

Caleb Turner, aged five, trying out the special trike which his parents hope to buy for him.

Threatened impact of bus cuts leads to campaign launches CAMPAIGNS have been launched to save two local bus services used particularly by young people going to college and work in Poole and those travelling to Wimborne.

A petition in support of the early morning and evening Sturminster to Poole X8 bus via Blandford, which is believed to be ceasing at the end of May, was presented to Dorset County Council's Cabinet meeting on 9th April.

The Blandford Transport Action Group has urged users of that and the 25/83 service between Blandford and Wimborne to record the difficulties and extra expense they will incur.

Nic Nicol, chair of Blandford TAG, said: "We will use this campaign to vigorously press for the retention of commuter bus services and the local government grants for community-based alternative schemes such as mopeds.

"There is an article in Dorset County Council's publication Your Dorset about the lack of transport for 16+ year-olds in training and education from September. There is no entitlement to free transport post 16 and it advises parents to think about their children's transport requirements and apply for a concessionary bus pass online by 31st May. It assumes, of course, that there is a bus service to travel on!"

Evidence was due to be collated at the TAG meeting on 29th April.

The petition in support of the X8 was launched by Sturminster Newton resident Isabelle Allison, who works in Poole. She said: "Cutting the X8 extension from Sturminster Newton to Blandford will mean workers and college students who use this service will have no means of getting to and from Poole.

"This has been slipped through the back door with no thought as to the impact this will have on the community. The service was outside the scope of the major consultation undertaken last year by the council as it is run on a commercial basis and not subject to subsidy."

The withdrawal of the X8 Sturminster Newton extension followed negotiations to reinstate as a commercial operation the provision of Sunday X8 services following the County Council's initial proposal to withdraw the subsidy from both the Sunday and late evening services.

Euro question NORTH Dorset Liberal Democrats will be asking 'What has Europe ever done for us?' at a presentation in Blandford town centre between 2 and 4pm on Saturday 3rd May.

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May 2014

Emily set for Japan adventure SIXTEEN-year-old Emily Bray (left), of Stour Road, Blandford, has been selected as the only member of North Dorset Scouts to attend the Scout World Jamboree in Japan in 2015.

She now faces the challenge of raising over £2,000 to meet the expenses of the trip and at the Blandford Community Expo she was presented with a cheque for £200 to boost her fundraising.

Emily said: "I'm really excited about the trip - it will be the first time I have gone abroad without my family. I was selected after attending a training camp, and the other scouts in North Dorset are helping me with fundraising."

Council’s dim view of lamp-post plans PROPOSALS by Scottish and Southern Electric to install new lamp-posts in Blandford town centre have been resisted by town councillors.

At their planning meeting in March members were horrified to learn that wall-mounted lights were to be replaced by columns.

They identified a number of locations where there was simply no room for a lamp-post and others where it would have a detrimental effect on the character of the street.

Their objections were noted by SSE, who are continuing their contract with Dorset County Council to renew all the lighting in the county, and are currently in the process of rectifying columns which were wrongly installed in

the first phase of renewals.

They changed their proposals for the town centre to overcome the objections, with the exception of two columns in West Street which were subsequently replaced with wall-mounted units.

They also relocated one which had been wrongly positioned when it was reported to them.

The lamp-posts are being painted black at no cost to the council and they have agreed to supply a heavy-duty column at the bottom of Damory Street which is adequate to support a CCTV camera.

The camera was bought some time ago by the town council, but installation delayed until the replacement of the lighting column had been agreed and effected.

MOLLY Palmer, who turned 106 on 19th March, celebrated with family, friends and the Mayor at Larks Leas residential home in Blandford with cake and a champagne toast.

Born in Wanstead, London, in 1908, Molly was the middle of three children, and lived in London throughout the First World War. She moved when she was eight years old to Lower Parkstone where she met and married husband Bill, and they lived there and in Parkstone and Broadstone.

They had two children, son David and daughter Jane, and she moved to Larks Leas when she was 102 to be nearer her daughter.

Crackdown on motorists SPECIAL constables assisted by traffic officers and police staff carried out 'no excuse' operations in Blandford and Gillingham on Sunday 6th April.

A total of 102 motorists were caught speeding by a combination of handheld devices and safety camera vans. Those drivers that meet the criteria will be offered a place on the driver awareness course or will have the options of a court hearing or a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

Special constables also issued seven fixed penalty notices to drivers or passengers for not wearing a seatbelt and three tickets to motorists caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone.

One motorist was caught driving with no MoT and a section 59 notice under the Police Reform Act 2006 was issued to an advanced motorbike instructor for a poor overtaking manoeuvre.

One vehicle was seized for being driven with no insurance or driving licence.

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May 2014

Pre-school future in the balance CONCERN for the future of the Larksmead Pre-School has prompted letters from the MP and North Dorset District Council to Blandford Town Council in an attempt to resolve an accommodation problem.

The pre-school has been told it must leave the pavilion where it is based on Larksmead recreation ground, which is now being prepared for occupation by Blandford Rugby Club.

Work progressing at Larksmead.

Contractors started in April to level the ground to provide better pitches for the players.

North Dorset MP Robert Walter wrote to the town clerk Linda Scott-Giles in February, saying: "The organisation provides a valuable service to the community. Larksmead is one of only a few pre-schools accepting children aged two years.

"The situation is becoming critical as to date the organisation has

had little success in finding suitable alternative accommodation, and I wonder if there is any way forward which would allow the two organisations to share the premises."

His letter was followed in March by one on behalf of the chief executive of North Dorset District Council, saying the MP had been contacted by staff and parents of the pre-school regarding the probable closure due to the rugby club taking on sole use of the pavilion.

The town clerk replied that the town council had accommodated the pre-school for over 30 years in the sports pavilion, during which time the rugby club, which had contributed to the pavilion's build costs, had vacated, as had Blandford Youth Football Club due to issues over sharing with the pre-school.

"The pitches are totally underused, and the rugby club approached the town council over two years ago asking if it could return to the site, but making it clear that it would not be possible to share as this clearly did not work some years ago.

"I am aware that a meeting took place recently between the two organisations to discuss the mat-

ter. However the rugby club requires all the space and will also need to extend the pavilion.

"The pre-school were advised two years ago of the council's decision to support the use of the recreation ground, and that they would need to vacate the building. Offers of help to source alternative accommodation have been given, and suggestions have been put forward, although they have not been considered suitable by the pre-school."

She said the town council is not responsible for the service provision of pre-schools or subsidising what was essentially a business, which had been the case.

"I am aware that it is an excellent facility and would suggest that it might be worth contacting Dorset County Council for alternative accommodation as it is responsible for education and childcare."

County councillor Barrie Cooper told town councillors at their last meeting that the SureStart Children's Centre in Black Lane, threatened with closure by the county council, would now be remaining open to ensure that it can become sustainable. The situation will be reviewed again in December.

Care home becomes cabbie’s art gallery LOCAL artist and taxi-driver Martin Ansell, who in quieter moments in his cab has been creating a number of portraits of well-recognised local people, has turned a Blandford residential care home into an art gallery.

He came up with the idea as a way of promoting Castleman House, where in addition to picking up the occasional fare, he also provides entertainment on a regular basis as a singer-songwriter.

"It is a home with such a lovely atmosphere and a lovely place to come to. I always leave here feeling elated," he said. "I thought doing the pictures might encourage people to come and see it and its residents, who are now unable to get out much but love to have visitors."

Care home manager Julie Thorne said: "We find it quite hard to bring people into the home and something like Martin's pictures is a good talking point. We would love it if visitors came to see them - but the

condition is that they stay and chat to some of our residents for a while!"

Among the easily recognised figures caught by Martin's camera and pen are tour organiser Arthur Bush, fellow taxi drivers Rodney, Andy and Dicky, former mayor Esme Butler, town crier Jean Wells, Forum Focus editor Nicci Brown, and John, the recently retired window cleaner, together with resident Ted Collis and his friend Nora O'Callaghan - and Marilyn Monroe!

There are also sketches of various threatened wildlife creatures, and one of Sammy, a 13year-old dog which recently suffered an untimely death by poisoning.

Mr Kasim Cakir, proprietor of Cafe 65 in East Street, has pointed out that in last month's Forum Focus we wrongly named the establishment as Coffee 65. We apologise for the error.

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May 2014

Brewery upgrade making progress WORK has started on phase two of a ÂŁ3.8m contract to modernise the production site of the Hall & Woodhouse brewery in Blandford St Mary.

Dorset-based Greendale Construction Company has begun the 50-week project which involves demolishing and rebuilding the main packaging hall, including building a new bottling plant, as well as building a new extension to the tank farm, alterations to the warehouse and a new weather canopy to the loading area.

The new brewery premises and bottling plant are adjacent to the original buildings in Blandford St Mary, which have been part of the town for 115 years, and the business is continuing as usual around the site while the work is carried out.

Greendale project manager Scott Sykes said: "The project has got off to a positive start and we are already well established. As the demolition and construction

phases will be carried out in a 'live' environment, the sequencing and co-ordination will be a key factor to the success of the project.

"The Hall & Woodhouse company has been a major part of the Blandford community with a historical heritage spanning hundreds of years, and we are all proud to be involved in the project and being part of their future for many years to come."

David French, beer company director, said: "We are delighted to be working with another local company on this exciting development of our brewing, packaging and warehouse operation which will give Hall & Woodhouse a best-in-class supply chain."

The brewery has launched a special seasonal cask ale brewed with nettles, Billy Stinger, to celebrate the arrival of spring, continuing its countryside-themed special brews, available throughout the estate during April and May.

Bikers come to town AROUND 40 members of the Dorset branch of the Vintage Motorcyclists Club gathered in Blandford Market Place at the start of their spring ride.

The gleaming machines, including a 1950 BSA and the rare British made Greeves owned by run organiser Peter Miller, and one of only 100 made, were an eye-catching sight in front of the Corn Exchange.

The riders headed off on a roundabout route via Bryanston and Milton Abbas to Wool for a leisurely lunch at the Seven Stars pub before their return to Blandford.

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Above: A distinctly European flavour with cheese and wine on the combined Blandford & Preetz Friendship Society and Blandford-Mortain Twinning Association stalls. Below: Jean Freak and Lyn Coubrough from Blandford Floral Group tempt shoppers with flowers outside the Community Expo.

May 2014

Members of Blandford Women's Institute with (centre), president Simone WallsMacDonald. The WI meets every second Friday and not, as reported last month, every third Friday.

Expo pulls the crowds BLANDFORD Corn Exchange was packed and a hive of industry on Saturday 12th April when dozens of local organisations were represented at the Community Expo hosted by Blandford Town Council.

Key exhibitions featured the Corn Exchange Regeneration Project, the developing Blandford Town Team, the Blandford Parish Church Cupola Project, the newly relaunched Forum Drama, and the Blandford Women's Institute, now in its second year.

The flower ladies from Blandford Floral Group tempted in visitors from outside in the busy Market Place.

There was an opportunity to see the plans for the reconfiguration of Blandford Community Hospital, displayed by the Friends of the hospital, and to meet members of the Blandford Lawn Bowling Club, for whom the Expo coincided with their opening day at the Park Road recreation ground.

Musical entertainment was provided by the Stour Valley Band, and refreshments served by members of the Blandford Events Group.

Spectrum invites funding requests SPECTRUM Housing Group is inviting community organisations which benefit neighbourhoods across Dorset to apply for a share of a £75,000 fund.

The fund is administered by the group's Community Forums, residents who are part of the governance structure and are appointed to guide the business and develop housing services in their areas.

Last year, neighbourhoods in Dorset benefited from around £15,000 from Spectrum's Community Forum Grant fund to a variety of causes, including one to a Blandford carers group to assist with publicity.

Applicants must be located or operate in the areas where Spectrum Housing Group has homes and residents, and grants of up to £3,000 must benefit those communities in part.

Organisations should call 0800 783 7837 or email contact@spectrumhousing.co.uk for details on how to apply.

Spectrum have picked up more awards for their work, including accreditation for the third year running with NICEIC MCS which monitors electrical contracting and microgeneration, and a Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for safety performance in Spectrum Property Care.

Spectrum Property Care, which repairs and maintains properties all over the south, was also the first organisation in Dorset to become an accredited Living Wage Employer, and now the group as a whole has been accredited for paying all employees at or above the living wage set by the Centre for Research in Social Policy.

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Sculptor’s tree recalls Queen’s Jubilee year A TREE sculpture commissioned as a permanent reminder of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was dedicated by the Mayor of Blandford Councillor Bob Brannigan in the presence of Deputy Lord Lieutenant John Young.

The sculpture, in the town's Woodhouse Gardens, was commissioned from local artist Jo Burchell by the Blandford Diamond Jubilee Celebration Group on behalf of the people of the town.

It was financed from funds remaining after a programme of events organised by the group, made up of a number of individuals and councillors, during the Jubilee year and by the generous subscription of a local businessman in tribute to his father, Victor Pliskin.

Councillor Esme Butler, chairman of the Celebration Group, said: "At the end of all our events we had funds available to mark the

Mayor Bob Brannigan and Deputy Lord Lieutenant John Young with invited guests at the dedication of the Blandford Jubilee Tree.

Jubilee, and together with the donation, sufficient was available to commission a unique piece of art. The branches of the tree form the numerals 2012 when viewed from a particular direction, and there is also a diamond and the letter R." She said the choice of the tree as a permanent memorial reflected a number of trees in the vicinity one commemorating the 300th anniversary of the granting of the town's Royal Charter by James 1, and another in mosaic form, also

in the Woodhouse Gardens, commemorating the 400th anniversary.

She read the poem 'Advice from a Tree' by Ilan Shamir, commenting that some of the words perhaps did not apply to a man-made tree but were nevertheless appropriate.

The celebration programme included a Jubilee weekend concert, a party on the Marsh and Ham riverside meadows, a beacon lighting on Larksmead recreation ground, together with a series of events during the year,

organised both by the Celebration Group and other groups in the town.

Those involved were invited to send a representative to the ceremony, and those attending included Blandford's Jubilee Queen Val Cowley and town crier Jean Wells, chairman of North Dorset District Council Su Hunt, North Dorset Police Neighbourhood Inspector Shawn Whitley, members of the Blandford Lions and Rotary, and the parents of the artist who had travelled from Hampshire.

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May 2014

Song thrush’s ring resurfaces 86 years later A RING dating back to the pioneering days of bird ringing has been found in a Dorset field by a local metal detectorist.

John Hinchcliffe, of Tarrant Hinton, recovered it near the village of East Knoyle, and after removing a layer of soil he was intrigued by the instruction stamped clearly into the metal, which read: 'Inform Witherby High Holborn London', followed by the code number V8234.

It was formed from a very small oblong strip of silver-coloured metal bent into a rough ring shape to fit around a bird's leg, and subsequent enquiry and research revealed that Witherby referred to Harry F. Witherby.

Harry had in his time been a very well-known publisher of a monthly ornithological magazine which he had started during the closing years of the Victorian era, and in 1909 began to distribute to bona fide individuals, through the magazine, batches of rings to be

placed on birds in different parts of the United Kingdom.

The ringing scheme became so successful that it outgrew the High Holborn premises and in 1937 the whole venture was taken over by the Natural History Museum.

By this time a Witherby ring placed on the leg of a swallow in Cheshire and recovered in Natal in South Africa had first proved how far south swallows were actually migrating.

John Hinchcliffe, now fully aware of the historical value of the object he had found, contacted the British Ornithological Trust at their office in Norfolk where all the modern bird ringing records are held.

He was amazed when told that they also held the complete records of the Witherby rings. A search of the archive revealed that his ring had been placed on the leg of a young song thrush at a place near Kilmington Church

The ring placed on a song thrush on May Day in 1928 and now discovered by John Hinchcliffe of Tarrant Hinton. on 1st May, 1928.

John has, with the permission of several landowners, been patiently detecting in the East Knoyle area for over 10 years, keeping meticulous records and recording all finds that are over 300 years old with the National

Portable Antiquities Scheme.

He hopes that, together with the previous knowledge gained by local Knoyle detectorist Tom Biss, his work will lead to a greater detailed understanding of the Roman and Romano-British period of the area.

Death of Oscar winning film veteran THE funeral was held in Fontmell Magna in March for Oswald Morris, the Oscar-winning Hollywood cinematographer who made the village his home and died there, aged 98.

A founder member of the British Society of Cinematographers, his 50-year career began at Wembley Studios as a teenager in the 1930s and included working with John Huston, Stanley Kubrick and Franco Zeffirelli.

His 58 films included Moby Dick, The Taming of the Shrew, Look Back in Anger, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, The Guns of Navarone, Lolita, The Hill, Equus and The Great Muppet Caper.

As well as one Oscar and three BAFTAs, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

and Air Force Cross for the time he had spent serving as a bomber pilot during the Second World War. He was appointed an OBE in 1998, won a Bafta fellowship in 1997 and, in 1999, a building at the National Film and Television School was officially named after him. In 2003 he received the British Society of Cinematographers' Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was president of Blandford Forum Film Society, who in 2012 as part of Blandford's Diamond Jubilee celebrations screened the first film on which he worked with John Huston, Moulin Rouge, in 1952.

He is survived by Gillian, Christine and Roger, his three children with first wife Connie who died in 1963.

Landslip closes road A LANDSLIP at Dinah's Hollow north of Melbury Abbas closed the higher Shaftesbury C13 road from Blandford early in April for an indefinite period.

Repair work is expected to take several months to complete because of land ownership issues, and a diversion via the A350 is currently in operation.

The closure follows a landslip in March which closed the road temporarily and further inspection by Dorset County Council engineers on 4th April.

Mike Harries, Dorset County Council's director of environment and economic development, said: "We appreciate the diversion is a long route and apologise for the inconvenience, but we have to protect the safety of drivers and other road users."

11

May 2014

Exercise Bag Packer keeps the Army on its toes SIGNALLERS from Blandford Camp embarked on Exercise Bag Packer when they visited Waitrose in Salisbury to raise money for the Micro and Anophthalmic Children's Society (MACS).

The charity is for children born without, or with underdeveloped, eyes, and is the one for which S/Sgt Stevie Ware ran the London Marathon.

He took the entire 611 (Comms) Trg Troop to the store armed with buckets, and after posting Cpl Tammy Williams and ETL Chapman on sentry at the entrance, directed the others to strategic points at the end of each till.

There they assisted customers with the packing of their shopping in return for donations.

Official charity balloons and stickers were handed out to children while Sgt Chris Jones perfected a new skill of trolley pushing as he helped shoppers to

Above: Exercise Bag Packer members of 611 (Comms) Trg Troop pictured at Waitrose in Salisbury. Right: Sgt Chris Jones perfects his trolley pushing. their cars. Cpl Stu Tait and Cpl Pete Allen were even pushing out press-ups for donated notes.

L/Cpl Cassell said: "The Troop had a great day 'out of the garage' and enjoyed mixing with the friendly public and supermarket staff alike. The effort proved a success and helped raise the profile of the charity.

"It also gave our more 'junior' soldiers the experience of partaking in public fundraising events. Through their packing expertise, they managed to raise just shy of ÂŁ2,000, far more than expected."

New town homes fill an urgent need NEW affordable homes at Oak Mews and Acorn Court in Damory Street were officially opened by the Mayor of Blandford Bob Brannigan at the invitation of Raglan Housing.

The company have worked in partnership with North Dorset District Council and builders Brookvale Homes to develop the scheme.

Town and district councillors, staff from Raglan Housing, residents and suppliers were present to see the ribbon cut on the ÂŁ1.8 million development, which includes nine affordable properties for shared ownership and two for affordable rent, all with courtyards and parking.

Councillor Brannigan said: "This development has brought the area back into valuable community use by providing housing within the reach of some who might not otherwise have achieved ownership, and the development design has blended in well

with the surroundings."

Raglan financed the development with funding support from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Richard Stevenson, director of business development at Raglan, said: "Raglan's Oak Mews and Acorn Court development responds to demand for affordable homes in the area where local people, particularly the young and the old, are being squeezed out because housing has become too expensive."

Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, the district council's cabinet member for housing, said: "This kind of imaginative scheme proves beyond doubt that by working with our partners we have been able to achieve well designed affordable housing close to the centre of Blandford."

The district council has identified the need for 432 homes to be built every year to meet the region's current affordable homes shortage.

12

May 2014

Scouts set to benefit from fun festival BLANDFORD Rotary have vowed to use part of the proceeds from their Festival of Fun on Saturday 10th May at the Crown Hotel to help with repair work to the roof of the Scout hut in Portman Place following storm damage.

"Blandford Scouts will be running several of the stalls, so the least we can do is ensure they get some funds for emergency repairs," said festival co-ordinator Anita Bentley.

Plans are well advanced for the

festival, which will be opened at 11.00am by town Mayor, Cllr Bob Brannigan, assisted by Miss Blandford Teenager, Alex Oldfield.

Mrs Bentley says she wants it to be a great day out for the whole family, especially for the children.

"After Krazy Kev entertains the children with his rabbit and magic tricks, there will be many attractions throughout the day, everything from a bouncy castle to ferret roulette."

There will also be a wide variety of stalls including 'Name the Rotary teddy', face painting, splat the rat, toys, sweets, crafts, plants, cakes, jams, pickles, lucky bottle, books, hot dogs and soft drinks.

At 2pm the results of the children's painting competition, held in collaboration with Forum Focus, will be announced and students from The Blandford School will perform songs from their forthcoming production of

'Les MisĂŠrables'.

President of Blandford Rotary, John Bentley, said "It will be a great day out and entry is free for everyone."

Food and fun on the Crown menu THE Crown Hotel will once again be hosting the Blandford Food Festival on Monday 5th May and this year the event will run alongside the town's popular Georgian Fayre.

Following from the success of last year's event, the free festival will take place in the Sealy Suite and gardens and will feature both hot and cold food producers from the local area as well as Hall & Woodhouse Badger Beers being showcased with an outdoor bar.

A luxury food hamper is to be raffled off in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which is the Crown Hotel's chosen charity for the year. There will be live entertainment in the gardens throughout the day and children's face painting and a magician to keep the little ones amused.

Events co-ordinator at the Crown Hotel, Francesca Bethell, said: "Last year's event was such a success for the suppliers, and members of the public loved trying what local food producers have to offer while soaking up the sunshine in our gardens. Fingers crossed for beautiful weather again this year."

The festival will take place between 10am and 3pm and entrance is free.

A HUNDRED beers, ciders and craft ales will be on offer at the tenth annual beer festival of the Railway Hotel in Oakfield Street over the May Day bank holiday from 2nd to 5th May. The hotel is celebrating its 150th year and it promises to be a grand occasion which, in addition to the range of brews from the UK and beyond, will offer a varied music programme including, on Friday 2nd, the bands Black Orchid and Blue Commotion, on Saturday 3rd Nick Tatham, Xander Allen & The Keys, and pv.

On Sunday 4th May there is a quiz and card bingo starting 8.30pm and band Colt 45, Black Water County and Freak Circus, and on Monday 5th Nick Tatham and Owen & Darren.

13

May 2014

25 bands support Teddy’s rock show THE May Day bank holiday will be the occasion for the next Greyhound Teddy Rocks festival in support of the charity fundraising to support those with cancer in childhood.

From Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May there will be a total of 25 bands playing at the pub in Greyhound Yard. More information can be found on the pub's Facebook page.

On the Friday the crowd will be welcoming back a 15-strong team from a freefall parachute jump, which they will have made in the morning at Salisbury.

Fundraising has already been boosted this year through a charity ball staged at the Crown Hotel

by the Sunrise Service & MoT Centre from Sunrise Business Park, when a James Bond theme included cocktails, a casino and three-course meal, together with a Lady Gaga tribute act and dancers, and auction of an autographed football and raffle.

The event raised a total of £2,427, presented last month to the charity by Traci Handford, who said: "We would like to thank a lot of local companies for contributing some wonderful prizes."

There is a busy summer ahead for the Teddy 20 fundraisers, led

by Owen Newton and his family who lost 10-year-old Ted Newton to cancer. On the late bank holiday Monday May 26th there will be the Teddy 20 festival at

Georgian Fayre set to pull in the crowds THOUSANDS of visitors will descend on Blandford for the biennial Georgian Fayre on Monday 5th May, when from 10am to 6pm the town centre streets will be free of traffic and filled instead with a wide selection of colourful entertainment.

Letters were sent out in April to residents warning of the road closures and restricted access, and seeking their co-operation and understanding for an event which over the years has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and benefited the town and its local community by more than a million.

The public are asked to donate voluntarily on admission to the town, and the fayre's chief beneficiary this year is the Weldmar Hospice Trust, a charity specialising in providing palliative care to cancer sufferers in Dorset.

Links forged throughout the local community over the years have brought offers of help to ensure the

continued and growing success of the fayre.

Janice Driscoll, president of the organising committee, said: "We couldn't do it on our own. It really is a testament to a whole community pulling together. Time and commitment are given freely by the committee and the many people and organisations throughout the town."

This year highlights include a railway exhibition, a large covered craft area, farmers and other market stalls, military re-enactments and circus skills as well as the town criers competition, rural crafts and pursuits and a prize draw.

The fayre opens at 10am with a parade through the town along East Street along to the Corn Exchange. Free parking is available in several places around the town, shown on the map available together with more information at blandfordgeorgianfayre.co.uk or by emailing blandfordgeorgianfayre@gmail.com or calling 07500 135774.

THE Blandford & District Lions held a Family & Friends evening at Blandford Bowls Club in Milldown Road on 24th April.

All were welcome to come along and see a short presentation on the work of the Lions, followed by refreshments.

The Lions wish to thank the generosity of the Tesco customers during a recent two-day collection at the store, which raised the magnificent sum of £1,135 for Marie Curie cancer care.

The Lions spring craft fair in the Corn Exchange raised £450, of which £200 has been donated to the Blandford Opportunity Group in memory of Abbie Warren, and £200 has been offered to Emily Bray, the only member of the local Scouts selected to go to the World Scouts Jamboree in Japan in 2015.

Traci Handford of Sunrise Service and MoT Centre presents a cheque for £2,427 raised at a charity ball to Owen Newton of Teddy 20.

Blandford Cricket Club in Park Road.

The following month there is a 'Fright Night' walk on the North Dorset Trailway from Sturminster Newton to Blandford, on the night of the longest day, 21st June, and over the same weekend a friend of the Newtons, Tom

Maher, will be running three marathons, in the Isle of Wight, New Forest and North Dorset, in support of the charity.

On 16th August there is another Teddy 20 team sky-dive, and in September, Owen and his son Tom will be cycling the Rockies in America over five days.

14

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

May 2014

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.

Pharmacy bid: the need for healthy competition

Patience is the key to superfast broadband

The bid launched by James Cookson to open an independent pharmacy in Blandford town centre, reported in the April issue of Forum Focus, deserves our wholehearted support.

If such a pharmacy were to provide an out-of-hours service, it would be a very important benefit and avoid those needing medication having to travel to Poole or Yeovil, even assuming they had the ability to get there.

Under normal circumstances three chemists in the town centre might be adequate, but when all three are run by the same company, each offering a similar but limited range of non-prescription products, it is clear that some healthy competition is needed.

We are constantly told that consumers should have more choice but this does not apply to Blandford pharmacies. The only choice is which branch of Boots you prefer. This is no reflection on the staff, who are

With the current roll-out of superfast broadband some communities will miss out.

The north end of Spetisbury is a prime example. The chances are that it will not be until the next generation of 4G/5G is available - this is far off.

Where people are in these areas and superfast speeds are vital, there is always satellite broadband which is a great alternative and a great deal cheaper than relocating.

Communication in business is of great importance, but companies loathe paying a little extra. It is their choice through low costing to work in countryside locations. I do not see why BT should be spending a fortune to service remote locations. I visit schools and homes which

generally pleasant and helpful. They do not set the opening hours or decide which products are on the shelves.

It is hoped that the NHS will consider Mr Cookson's application sympathetically and bear in mind the needs of local patients and consumers.

Apparently, in the past their stance has been that there was no need for another pharmacy in Blandford and that Boots 'did not have a monopoly' in the town. What nonsense!

If they genuinely investigate "whether local people are satisfied with the service they currently provide", then with a growing population and reduced public transport in the area we might finally get a pharmacy service that meets the needs of the town and in particular those of the young, the elderly and those requiring urgent medication.

John Bentley, Address supplied

work very well on satellite broadband.

Companies in remote locations must be aware of slow speed and poor roadways.

Do they also expect new motorways to be built to service them? People have very little idea of the costs and maintenance of fibre systems. The Blandford Trailway, for instance, was always a non starter when it was viewed from a proper engineering prospective. A lot of time and money was spent and wasted on a pipedream.

Within the next five years or so, technology will change and superfast broadband will be available to most people.

Patience is the key.

William Hussey Medbourne Close, Blandford

15

May 2014

Residents affected by flooding study flood maps with officers at the North Dorset District Council awareness event.

Flood event gives advice to victims A FLOOD awareness event staged at North Dorset District Council's headquarters at Nordon in Blandford attracted a number of people whose homes and villages had been affected by recent flooding.

Residents could call in at any time during the session and find officers on hand to provide advice and guidance on flooding issues, including Governmentfunded schemes offering financial help for those affected to provide flood prevention work.

There was general flood information and also information about flood protection products. People were able to study the flood maps and share their experiences with officers from the Environment Agency, county council, district council and others, including Wessex Water.

The district council can give information on the 'Repair and Renew' grant providing up to

ÂŁ5,000 for flood-affected homes or businesses to pay for additional flood resilience measures not covered by repairs insurance, and may be able to offer business rate relief or business support if they have suffered hardship and significant loss of trade.

On the same day, Robert Walter, MP for North Dorset, was helping to spread the word about a newly launched Flood Relief Fund for Dorset which has been provided by central government and is managed by the local charity, the Dorset Community Foundation.

Residents living with damage caused by the flooding can find out more via DCF's website at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org or by telephoning 01202 292255 for more information and those wishing to show their support can donate via Local Giving on the website localgiving.com/charity/dorsetcommunityfoundation.

Wards challenge NORTH Dorset District Council has formally challenged the Local Government Boundary Commission over its final recommendation on the warding pattern for the district.

Members agreed that their chief executive should write expressing concern that none of the council's proposals were accepted and asking to see the evidence used by the commission on which their warding pattern was based.

They also agreed that they should individually lobby MP Robert Walter in support of wards that achieved electoral equality across the district but also recognised local identity.

The commission has said some wards should be merged and represented by two or three councillors, including two in Blandford and two north of the town.

16

May 2014

Film cameraman Steve Haskett, of Blandford, took this aerial photograph of the town last spring when he was a passenger in a friend’s light aircraft. “It was the first time I had seen my home town from the air and it was really memorable,” he said. Steve, who was born and educated in Blandford, is based mainly in London but still has a home in Blandford. Copies of the picture can be purchased by emailing Steve at steve@stevehaskett.co.uk.

A family double act in art IN last month's Forum Focus we featured father and daughter Anthony and Aisling Hedgecock, who are exhibiting together at The Stables, Letton Park, during Dorset Arts Weeks between 24th May and 8th June.

This month we meet a mother and son, Claire and Sam Thomas, of Pimperne, whose joint exhibition during DAW will be at 2 Berkeley Cottages, Church Road.

Claire has been a part of Dorset Art Weeks, a biennial event, since 2004 and this is her first time in the company of Sam, something that she says makes her very proud.

Mother and son artists Claire and Sam Thomas.

She adds: "Sam has always had great artistic talent. He was constantly creating Lego models, something to mark every event, and he can make anything out of a piece of cardboard. He has always drawn, too."

Sam says that cartoons have been his greatest artistic influence. He used to enjoy doodling in class at The Blandford School, and drawing his favourite characters, such as Homer Simpson.

Even now, at the age of 24, he admits he is a devoted watcher of Cartoon Network.

Sam took a degree in Digital Art and Technology at Plymouth University and then completed his PGCE studies at Exeter University. Since September he has taught at Sixpenny Handley Primary School where his love of illustration and his skills in digital manipulation are useful teaching aids. He also produces digital illustrations for national magazines.

Claire says she is really pleased at how the numbers steadily grow from one Dorset Art Weeks to the next.

Last time, in 2012, her visitors came from as far afield as New Zealand and Sweden to see her watercolours and oils.

"Some come to Dorset on holiday just to enjoy all the art and they come to every

event, so they see how you progress as an artist," she says. "Most just want to look and know 'How do you do that?' and that, for me, is what DAW is about looking, investigating and being inspired."

Claire's inspiration to paint comes from the Dorset landscape in which she has lived and worked all her life.

Her aim is to capture a Claire’s watercolour of the River sense of being in and Stour from Hod Hill. amongst the glorious countryside.

She says: "My favourite thing in the world is being on the top of a hill, in a field, birds singing, paints out, ridiculous sun hat on and no time constraints."

Claire first started drawing as a child at the dining-room table with her father.

As an adult she took classes with Clare Shepherd, of Minchington, and then studied at the Bournemouth Arts Institute. She now teaches four weekly classes in North Dorset.

For a comprehensive list of the exhibitors and venues involved in Dorset Art Weeks, visit the website at dorsetartweeks.co.uk.

17

May 2014

Museum reopens better than ever THE Blandford Town Museum was officially opened for the season by Professor Andy Fleet of the Natural History Museum.

It was a hive of activity during the winter with the preparation of new exhibits, an upgrade of the lighting scheme and other essential maintenance.

Prof Fleet paid tribute to the volunteers working to provide the community resource, one of 70 such museums in Dorset and 1,600 all over the country. He praised their efforts to interact with the local community by providing access to collections of material which give a glimpse into the past, whether of our grandparents or from 5,000 years ago.

"The museum has not been sitting still over the winter months and has developed wonderful

new light areas and put on display a beautiful cheese press," he said. The press occupies a hallway which has now been opened up at the far end of the museum.

Pride of place in the Alfred Stevens gallery is taken by a mural of a market scene by local artist Flick Baker. In front of it is a delivery cart, in storage for many years and once used to take goods to market, which is now filled with a variety of goods which might have been purchased there.

There is also a display of the finds revealed in the ongoing Blandford archaeological garden survey in which people, particularly schoolchildren, were invited to search in their gardens for items from the past and take them to the museum to be recorded.

Mayor of Blandford Bob Brannigan and his wife Carole enjoy a cup of tea while they view the cheese press in the Blandford Museum.

A warm welcome for revised homes scheme OUTLINE planning permission has been granted by North Dorset District Council for the redevelopment of the Scats Country Stores site in North Street, Winterborne Kingston.

The mixed use development of 18 dwellings and four low-key business units will also use the site of the neighbouring farmyard, whose buildings will be demolished and relocated further up the road.

The application by Cawdor Construction Ltd, who have built a similar scheme at Puddletown, follows one submitted in 2012 and rejected because it made no provision for affordable housing and did not adequately demonBLANDFORD branch of Save the Children welcomed seven talented and versatile choral scholars and an organ scholar from St John's College, Cambridge, for its 20th anniversary concert held in St Martin's Church, Bryanston School.

As in previous years, a wide range of music was enjoyed, ranging from the early 16th century to contemporary closeharmony arrangements in a celebratory programme to suit all musical tastes.

All proceeds from this special occasion will help support Save the Children's projects at home and abroad.

strate how the site could be developed.

The new scheme offers affordable housing in the form of four one-bedroom rented flats, one three-bedroom rented house and one two-bedroom shared equity house, which is shown by the housing waiting list to meet demand from the village where there is already an adequate number of rented family properties.

Councillor Jane Somper said: "I am delighted with this proposal, which will enhance the site. The development at Puddletown is of a very high standard, and this will be of huge benefit to the village."

Councillor Audrey Burch described it as a very exciting scheme, and the application was approved unanimously.

A delivery cart in front of Flick Baker's market mural on display in the Museum.

Professor Andy Fleet of the Natural History Museum, left, declares Blandford Museum open for the season, with curator Peter Andrews.

18

May 2014

Pampering on parade at Blandford Camp MEMBERS of the Blandford Camp community enjoyed a pamper evening in support of SSAFA - the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

Support from the Camp and Blandford provided treatments such as massage and manicures and helped with treats for

the goody bags that attendees received.

The evening, though primarily to spoil the people who work as part of the services or support them, raised ÂŁ600 from its raffle, tickets and cakes sales, which goes towards supporting those who serve in the Armed Forces and their families on

Cancer group support A GROUP of breast cancer survivors held a coffee morning with cake, bric-a-brac, raffle and book stalls at the Woodhouse Pavilion and Gardens in Blandford on Saturday 12th April.

The group meets regularly for tea, biscuits and chat at Pimperne village hall at 2.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month.

Some are recently diagnosed and some 30 years post-operative, and the members, of all ages, enjoy speakers, cream teas, lunches and dinners out in the local area. They do not dwell on the past but enjoy socialising with ladies who have been in a similar position. To find out more phone Shirley on 01258 860706 or Lizzie on 01258 453853.

Blandford Camp.

SSAFA In-Service will have a stall at the Georgian Fayre and with their branch colleagues will be taking part in the Dorset Cream Teas weekend at Sturminster Marshall Old School on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May from 2.30-5.30 pm.

Parties line up for Euro poll THIS month sees the European election on Thursday 22nd May when the country selects the people to represent them in the European Parliament.

Nominations closed on 22nd April, after Forum Focus went to press, but there were expected to be at least six Conservatives and a similar number of UKIP, Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and English Democrat candidates.

They will be listed on the ballot paper in the order of priority chosen by their parties bidding for the six seats available for the South West and Gibraltar region.

The current MEPs are Giles Chichester, Ashley Fox and Julie Girling (Conservative), William Dartmouth and Trevor Coleman (UKIP) and Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat).

Blandford was the venue for open meetings in February, attended by Julie Girling (Conservative) and Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat), and

will this month host an open meeting attended by William Dartmouth (UKIP).

The election is run under a system of proportional representation which tends to ensure that the candidate listed first by each party with a high number of votes cast for it will be elected, but the final number from each party reflects the proportion of votes cast for it.

Postal votes can now be issued and the deadline for electors to make changes to or cancel existing absent vote arrangements is 5pm on Wednesday 7th May, the same as the deadline for new postal and postal proxy applications. The deadline for new proxy applications is 5pm on Wednesday 14th May. Polling stations will be open 7am to 10pm on Thursday 22nd May, and the final results available Monday 26th after counting of votes on Sunday 25th.

BLANDFORD's Mayor Bob Brannigan, who will be handing over his chain of office to Steve Hitchings at the mayor-making ceremony later this month, has been elected to serve as deputy for the coming year.

It means that after a year as Deputy Mayor, he is expected to take office as Mayor again in 2015 to 2016.

There were no other nominations when councillors met to make the appointment at their last council meeting.

19

May 2014

A brief new encounter at Shillingstone station

Camera cup still up for grabs

A PRODUCTION of the play which was adapted to become railway station classic 'Brief Encounter' is to be performed at the restored railway station in Shillingstone in the first week of May. Churchill Productions have switched from their usual venue of the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne and joined forces with the Shillingstone Railway Project, who are hosting the performance of 'Still Life', a oneact play by Noel Coward first performed in 1936.

It was adapted for the screen in 1945 to become the David Lean classic starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson and, set in a railway station buffet, tells of a 12-month love affair between Alec and Laura.

The audience will be transported back to an age of steam and railway journeys through the script and the setting of the station, whose restoration has been of great interest to an everincreasing number of local people, and also Somerset and Dorset Railway enthusiasts.

Those who have already purchased one of the limited number of tickets are excited about

WITH only one more month to go in the Blandford Camera Club's points cup competition, the top scorer for the season is not yet decided and every point counted at the seventh monthly contest in April.

Judge for the evening was Reg Clarke, whose experience showed as he appraised the 29 prints and 26 digital images. Apart from the obvious composition, exposure and sharpness that he commented on, it was interesting to hear the 'story' that each image evoked, and showed how important this extra quality is in the final score given.

In the print section four top scores of 10 were awarded to Dave Chaloner, Marilyn Peddle, and Colin Cross (x2), with John Ellis gaining 9½.

In the Digital Projected Images, only two were awarded 10s, Pat Catley and Judy Vowles, with three at 9½, Paul Hunter, Tym Whitney and Alan Wicks.

In March presentations were given by two senior club members, Colin Cross and Peter Gafney.

The club's annual exhibition will be held in the Corn Exchange, Blandford, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, and with free entry it is an excellent opportunity to view not only club images, but other entries from around the region.

To find out about the club and its activities contact Dave Hurley on 01258 451895 or visit the website at bfcclub.co.uk.

Margaret Barton, who played Beryl in the film 'Brief Encounter', pictured with Jan Wyld and Mark Ritchie, who will play Alec and Laura in 'Still Life' at Shillingstone Station. seeing a production in this reallife setting, and some are intending to further enhance their enjoyment of the play by attending in 1930s clothes.

Margaret Barton, who played Beryl in the David Lean film and lives in Wimborne, is supporting the production by advising on the detail of costume and set.

She was interviewed for a feature item by BBC South Today in April with Jan Wyld and Mark Ritchie, who play the main

characters.

Other members of the cast are Sammy Upton, Graham Haig and Andy Oldfield, with direction

by Barbara Arnold, and proceeds from the production will support the Michael James Music Trust.

Performances are on May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th at 4.30pm with evening 7.30pm performances on the 3rd, 7th and 10th.

For tickets call 01258 861391.

Voluntary groups share ideas A COMMUNITY lunch for voluntary and community organisations across North Dorset offered them a chance to get together to promote their projects, share issues and concerns, and learn from likeminded organisations.

It was hosted by Sarah Pickering, Community Advisor for Dorset Community Action, and held at The Alchemy Centre, West Barn, near Blandford.

Guest speakers included Liz

Price, Regional Outreach Officer for Parliament Outreach Services, who gave an insight into the structure of Parliament and the influence voluntary and community organisations can have, Simon Thompson of DCA on behalf of the Big Energy Saving Network, and Julie Wigg, Resource Worker for the DT11 Partnership, on projects in the area.

An informal buffet lunch was provided by the social enterprise, the

Pealers seek ringers THE Shottesford Pealers are looking to recruit new members to join their handbell ringing team which meets on the first and third Wednesday afternoons of the month.

They practise in the ringing chamber of the parish church between 2.30 and 4pm with a repertoire which is often rung at the hospital and some of the care homes in the area in the run up to Christmas.

But they are also keen to have opportunities to entertain at other times of year, and offer their services for a donation of £10.

Groups or organisations interested in booking the group, and anyone wishing to join, is invited to phone Jennie Rake on 01258 451186.

Friendly Food Club, which supports cookery workshops and training. The lunch was DCA's first in Blandford.

For information on the next North Dorset Community Lunch contact Sarah Pickering on 01202 847610 or email sarah.pickering@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk.

20

May 2014

Award honour for pair of band stalwarts THE winners of this year's Ron Tolman Award for service and dedication to the Stour Valley Band are Neil and Wendy Hancock.

The award is the highest honour bestowed upon any player and is given in memory of Ron, a trombone player and stalwart of the band who died a few years ago.

Both Neil and Wendy have worked tirelessly for the band and last year they organised and managed a hugely successful four-day trip to Mortain, France, in liaison with the Blandford Mortain Twinning Society.

More events are planned this year in June and September when people and dignitaries from Mortain visit Blandford. Band members hope to return the hospitality shown to them in France last year.

The band, including four ex-Royal Corps of Signals military professional bandsmen, rehearses on Tuesday evenings in the

Neil and Wendy Hancock with their Stour Valley Band award.

Constitutional Club in Salisbury Street, and is always on the lookout for new members, young and old and of all abilities.

The emphasis is on the enjoyment of the music that they aspire to play to a good performance standard.

Curtain up on theatre revival AMATEUR theatre is being revived in Blandford by an enthusiastic new team keen to encourage drama in the wider community and to welcome members of all ages and talents.

Blandford Amateur Dramatics will now be called Forum Drama, with the strap line 'Blandford's Community Theatre'.

The re-launch is timed to coincide with the group's first production after a well-attended annual general meeting resulted in a new committee being formed under the chairmanship of Lisa Morgan, with Terence Dear as creative director.

Forum Drama will be performing three one-act plays by Agatha Christie, Noel Coward and Valerie

Maskell at the United Reformed Church in Blandford on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May. A murder, a mystery and an 'unpleasant comedy' feature in a production billed as 'Trapped!'

Artist and film-maker Christopher Mason, who is making his first stage appearance as a member of Forum Drama, says: "It's been exciting and great fun contributing to this re-launch. Looking back, I can't remember ever being part of a more dedicated or friendlier team of people."

The Mayor of Blandford, Councillor Bob Brannigan, welcomed the initiative saying: "Amateur dramatics remain a cornerstone of live entertainment in communities and Blandford Forum

has a proud and long history of such theatrical groups. I look forward to this revival putting on productions to rival all others."

The earliest known records for the organisation stretch back to the late 19th century when it thrived under the patronage of Lord Portman. Then known as the Blandford Operatic and Dramatic Society, it became in turn the Blandford Amateur Dramatic Society, the Blandford Players and, in recent years, Blandford Amateur Dramatics.

The photograph reproduced in last month's issue of Forum Focus appealing for men to join the group was of another local entertainment group, the Footlight Follies.

Call to blood donors NHS Blood and Transplant is asking Blandford residents to think about those less fortunate than themselves by giving blood after handing gifts and chocolate to friends and family during the Easter holiday.

According to Geraldine Parker, lead donor relations manager for NHS Blood and Transplant for the south-west area: "Easter is a time of celebrating new life and what better way to celebrate than to help those who need it, by donating blood?

"It's an important time to give as blood stocks are often more vulnerable around public holidays when people go away or are busy getting out and about as the weather improves.

"If you have an appointment to donate at an upcoming session, please keep it, especially if you are an O negative and B negative blood donor.

"If you don't yet have an appointment booked, please make one to donate as there are sessions at the Crown Hotel on Friday 2nd May and Monday 26th May which would help us to keep stock levels healthy."

Anyone aged between 17 and 65, weighing more than 50 kg (7st 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

For more information or to book an appointment visit blood.co.uk or phone 0300 123 23 23.

21

May 2014

Town tours resume THE first in the new season of guided tours of Blandford led by members of Blandford and District Civic Society will be taking place on Wednesday 14th May, starting from the Marsh and Ham car park at 7pm.

During the winter a number of new guides have been learning the ropes so they can become part of the team available to conduct the tours, which are offered monthly during the summer, and also by appointment to groups visiting the town.

Places on the tours can be booked through the Information Centre in West Street or by contacting the town council, or by calling Michael le Bas on 01258 454515, but people are welcome to simply turn up at the start. The cost is ÂŁ2.50 per person.

Gems talk for Probus STOUR Valley Mixed Probus Club in March enjoyed an illuminating talk by Anthony Horrocks of Horrocks and Webb jewellers about the history and provenance of a wide variety of gemstones.

Women in the audience were pleased to hear that diamonds are still a girl's best friend and all were interested in the chemistry and geology.

In April they learnt about fire and how to take proper precautions

from John Craig in his talk 'Going to Blazes'.

The club meets at the Crown Hotel in Blandford, and at their next meeting on Thursday 8th May, starting 10.15am, will hear a talk on 'Lady Butler, War Artist'

by Felicity Herring.

The club welcomes new members, particularly the newly retired and those new to the area. Contact membership secretary Joyce Lee on 450857 or Eric Rainbow, 454049.

Busy time for blind club NEW members will be very welcome at the Dorset Blind Association Blandford social group meetings for the blind and partially sighted which are held at

MOD (Masters of Dance) and Studio B Dance are excited to have stars of film, stage, TV and Britain's Got Talent finalists Neo and Boogie coming to Blandford.

Neo and Boogie, two members of Flawless, were due to come to Blandford on 27th April to teach two dance workshops. They are taking time out of their hectic schedule of teaching all over the world and rehearsing for their new tour to come to Studio B and share their love of dance with its young students.

For more information email modmastersofdance@hotmail.com.

the Williams Opportunity Hall in Whitecliff Gardens, Blandford, every third Wednesday afternoon.

This month's meeting on the 19th May between 2 and 4pm will hear a talk by Margaret Adams on The Life of a Farmer's Wife, and enjoy a bingo session.

At the April meeting members staged an Easter bonnet parade and listened to music from Colin and Claire. The June meeting will take the form of a summer outing with lunch at the New Vic Hotel in Weymouth.

The club is organised by Margaret Hemus, who can be contacted for more information on 07786 413616.

Radio award for Dom, 15 VOLUNTEER radio presenter Dom Cornfield, of Durweston, has won the bronze award in the best newcomer category at the prestigious National Hospital Broadcasting Awards.

Dom, 15, who hosts a Sunday morning show on the Dorset County Hospital station Ridgeway Radio, had to submit a fiveminute audio selection of his work, of which the judges said: "This was a very polished performance and a great listen from someone just starting out in hospital radio. Engaging and entertaining."

Dom's show provides the listeners with a mixture of music, lively conversation, fun facts and topical news. He is also a member of the outside broadcasting team that record a variety of events both locally and further afield.

Requests for anyone in the hospital can be made by phoning the studio on 01305 254227, and further information about the station can be found at ridgewayradio.org.uk where Dom's submission can be heard.

22

SCHOOLS

May 2014

School art show draws the crowds FORUM Focus was invited last month to an art exhibition at Durweston Primary School, which was the idea of the school's house captains and staged in the school hall.

Our guides were Chestnuts House Captain Sam, who had during the afternoon been playing the piano to entertain the visitors, and Ash House Captain Leah.

Leah said: "Some of the classes chose to follow a particular theme, for example of trees, and others chose their own subjects. I

was stunned by the amazing artwork produced."

Sam added: "Loads of people have been buying some fantastic art."

Head teacher Liz Wesley-Barker said: "I am very impressed with the House Captains, Sam, Leah, Willow and Rob, and their deputies Aislinn, Joe, Chelsea and Sid, who put on the exhibition.

"All the children painted their own individual pictures and they were then framed by the Schools Art Exhibition Service from Salisbury

so that they could go on display.

Parents, grandparents and extended families were invited to come and see them and buy the originals or copies."

Around 60 paintings were sold in the first couple of hours of the afternoon, and more in the early evening. The exhibition was scheduled to remain at the school until Friday 2nd May. On 25th April the children took part for the third year running in the Pro Kick challenge in support of both the school and other children in the UK and overseas. And on 27th April the Durweston Bluebell Walk to raise funds for the village playing field offered a choice of a short or long walk, in

which many of the children took part.

The school is also planning an entry in the 'Race for Life' at Kingston Maurward, near Dorchester, and children are invited to join female staff and parents forming the Durweston Darts team.

The school holds its May Fair on Sunday 11th May between 12 and 3pm, where as well as the usual Maypole dancing by each class and crowning of the May Queen, and the usual refreshments and stalls, there will be a display for the community by the White Helmets of the Royal Corps of Signals based at Blandford Camp.

Pupils at Durweston Primary who staged an art exhibition, with their head teacher Liz Wesley-Barker. Right: House captains Leah and Sam show some of the paintings.

School’s Indian link THE Blandford School is delighted to announce the launch of a global schools link between TBS and The Gnana Deepam Matriculation School in southern India.

After completing her education at Milldown Middle School and The Blandford School, Sarah Warwick went on to university in Exmouth and graduated as a school teacher.

While working at St Leonards Middle School she took some time out to attend a local theological college where she met and married Simon Devaraj.

Soon after they were married they went out to Tamil Nadu to take over the running of a school and children's home, caring for some of the world's poorest children.

Under Simon and Sarah's leadership the school and the facilities they offer have grown and blossomed and the school now educates more than 600 children.

Ken Reynolds, the TBS Student Support Worker, went out to India to visit the project for the third time last October.

On his return to work he shared his experiences with headteacher Sally Wilson.

Ken was able to speak to the school parliament and a schools link has been created so that the two schools' students can interact, learn from each other and support each other.

It costs about ÂŁ100 per year to educate a child at Gnana Deepam, and a non-uniform day in the summer term at The Blandford School will raise money to be donated towards providing education in the Indian school for some very poor children who would otherwise miss out.

Above: Trish Reynolds, Sarah Devaraj (formerly Warwick) and Ken Reynolds.

Left: Children at the Gnana Deepam Matriculation School in India.

May 2014

SCHOOLS

Off to see the Wizard with Clayesmore Prep senior pupils.

Magical journey to Oz THE audience was taken on a memory-making, toe-tapping trip down the Yellow Brick Road in Clayesmore Prep senior pupils' production of The Wizard of Oz. Highlights included a ballet capturing the twirling grace of the twister, stunning solos, some incredible cameos and first-time appearances from a host of witches, mini munchkins and Oz dwellers, and an atomic rocket ship which finally whisked Dorothy back to Kansas.

The jaunt over the rainbow was a magical musical treat supported by an enthusiastic band, chorus and crew who helped to bring this beloved story to life and teach the audience that there really is no place like home.

Children from Archbishop Wake Primary School study the story of Easter at Blandford Parish Church with church members.

An Easter exploration LOCAL schoolchildren visited Blandford Parish Church to hear the story of Easter and explore it for themselves.

Each part of the story of the last week of Jesus's life was depicted in reflection areas in different parts of the church which the 86 children, in groups of seven to 10, explored each area in turn, led by church members, and were invited to make their own response.

Pippa Rossiter, Blandford Area of Churches schools worker, said:

"The children from Archbishop Wake Primary School, Years 5 and 6, were thoughtful and reflective throughout, drawing their hopes and dreams for themselves and for the world on pebbles. They also made models to represent their fears, thoughts and/or prayers for the future."

The areas remained in place for two weeks, with guidance materials available, for viewing and exploring by all, who may have found that the story resonated with their own life's journey.

23

24

SCHOOLS

May 2014

Fact and fiction history brought to life for students

Above: The cast of Clayesmore Prep's 'What a Knight'.

Left: Clayesmore pupils at the Tutankhamun exhibition in Dorchester.

CLAYESMORE Prep's Junior production, 'What a Knight', was a right royal medieval romp through the opposing courts of Camelot Castle and Rook Castle with an army of sirs, lords, squires, evil knights and princesses.

The historical tale with a distinctly modern twist was filled with dastardly deeds and misunderstandings, and complemented by a fast and furious onslaught of jokes.

One of the four members of the talented directing team, Isabel Rose, was understandably proud of the cast and crew. She said: "The play is very much a team effort and all the Year 3s worked hard to learn their lines for their first appearance on stage in the Prep. Many thanks to all staff and children involved."

The cast, made up of all pupils from Years 3-5, obviously relished the extravaganza with its catchy songs and dynamic dance routines, an expressive set of liv-

ing chess pieces, and a stage which sparkled with brightly hued costumes, stunning scenery and vibrant characters.

Year 3 pupils also had a golden opportunity to get acquainted with Tutankhamun when they visited a Dorchester-based exhibition that explores the treasures of the young king's tomb and delves into the mysterious world of the Egyptians.

This World Heritage Exhibition features a recreation of the tomb and its treasures, including an anatomically correct reproduction of Tutankhamun's mummy that was two years in the making.

The Clayesmore explorers have been studying Ancient Egypt as part of their history topic, and the museum has recreated the underground chambers just as they would have been back in 1922, so the children could imagine themselves as archeologists accompanying Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon on their historic expedition.

May 2014

SCHOOLS

25

Maths goes from geek to chic

Spetisbury Primary School held an Easter bonnet competition for their younger pupils and an Easter egg decoration contest for the older children. Pictured are the Reception Year Acorn class with their Easter bonnets.

Prize winners in the Easter egg competition at Pimperne Primary School.

Good eggs at Pimperne AN Easter egg decoration competition at Pimperne Primary School attracted dozens of entries from members of every year group, and was judged by the Mayor of Blandford Councillor Bob Brannigan, whose wife Carole teaches at the school, and school governor Pat Rainbow.

They had a difficult task, particularly in the reception year class which had by far the biggest entry, and awarded first, second and third prizes in each class, which were presented during school assembly.

Head teacher David de Silva said it was the first time they had staged such a competition, and he hoped it would be repeated next year.

Festival volunteers needed VOLUNTEERS are sought by the Wessex Festival, which takes place in the middle of August at Bryanston School and nearby villages, to help give front-of-house support as box office staff and stewards.

Now in its second year, after more than 30 years based at Milton Abbey, it provides a programme of classical music concerts by local professional and amateur musicians and a number of church service performances.

This year the venues will include Shillingstone and Spetisbury. Helpers will receive a free festival pass.

Spokesman Guy Crossman said: "We are keen that the Festival becomes an important part of the local community and for the community to become fully involved with it. At its heart are three choirs containing singers from across Dorset, including the Blandford area."

The Festival is also seeking the services of a treasurer or someone to help with the financial aspect of its work. Volunteers are asked to contact festival administrator Bob Reeve on 01202 890827 or email to reeve64@btinternet.com.

MATHS seems to have undergone a recent transformation, changing from a subject seen as 'geek' to now very chic for girls at Knighton House, who often cite the subject as their favourite.

Richard Biggs, head of Kings College Taunton, paid a visit to the girls' prep school to host a maths masterclass where he spoke about how fun and fascinating numbers can be.

"Sometimes, the fear of maths immediately makes us believe it is difficult. It doesn't help that the terminology used in fractions, formulas, geometry and algebra make it seem even more daunting ‌ and we can all get our 'means' mixed up with our 'modes'!

"But when we take away the mystery, maths can be fun and there is no greater feeling than when you understand the right formula to work out a question.

By losing the fear around maths, it can be enjoyable and not so frightening."

Richard firmly believes that more girls should be studying maths at higher levels and is delighted that maths is proving such a popular subject at Knighton House.

26

SPORT

May 2014

Will plays star role in Lambs’ triumph CLAYESMORE Senior sports scholar and rugby captain Will Bailey has been continuing to excel as a member of the ISRFC Lambs.

Set up in 2006, the Lambs provide representative opportunities for talented young players and distance themselves from over-prescriptive, boot-led rugby. This allows the players to give full rein to their creative abilities.

Living up to their motto 'fast and free', the Lambs played a fantastic game against the Saracens U17s, emerging as 26-12 victors, and Will came

Les Benham (second from right) is presented with the picture of his father by members of the Blandford Amateur Boxing Club.

Boxing club members show their gratitude to leader Les MEMBERS of Blandford Amateur Boxing Club, at the start of their boxing show, staged at The Blandford School in March, thanked their leader Les Benham for the eight years which he has devoted to the sport in the town.

They presented him with a picture of his late father, Frank Benham, who was a similarly committed sportsman.

Les Benham launched the Blandford club in 2005 with Brian Davies who ran a club in the town for about 10 years. He revived it originally in Stourpaine village hall and then in the United Reformed Church Hall after starting to teach the first of his four children, Danny.

After a time they relocated to the Blandford Leisure Centre, and in 2009 found their own unit at

Blandford Heights Industrial Estate where they could train more regularly. In 2008 he won a Dorset Active sports award for his commitment to the club as its head coach.

The show at the school featured Blandford boxers in four of nearly 20 bouts, with participants from 14 clubs across the south.

Support and sponsorship came from a number of local businesses, including main sponsor DCM Tyres, ring sponsor CPH Scaffolding, bout sponsor The Forum Bodyworks, gloves sponsor Park Home Improvements and trophy sponsor Manston & Son, bricklaying contractors.

The bouts were preceded by sparring between the Blandford members in the ring with coaches Nigel Pudwell and Mickey Mahon.

Charity to benefit from darts contest BLANDFORD British Legion Club are again hosting the annual Micky Parker / Gordie Jones Memorial Shield blind pairs darts tournament on Sunday 4th May, starting at 2pm.

The entry fee is £2 and proceeds

out as Man of the Match after an outstanding performance.

Clayesmore's flying winger skilfully scored two tries.

He scored again when the Lambs played their third game of the season against the Boys Club of Wales in Port Talbot when he sidestepped several defenders to score an impressive 80-metre try in a 21-18 victory.

from the event, which will be followed by a singles tournament with an entry fee of £1, will go to the British Heart Foundation.

The club will be staging an open day from 12pm and non-members are invited to both play and

Case scores BLANDFORD Stour Rotary raised £4,124 for charity at the sports dinner with former Liverpool and Southampton footballer Jimmy Case in March. Supporting guest, West Country comedian Jack Glanville, had to cancel and was replaced by Miki Travis.

The event was sponsored by J&G Environmental.

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watch. There will also be a large raffle for which prize donations will be welcome.

May 2014

27

SPORT

Clubhouse refurb ready for season BLANDFORD Bowling club members are eagerly awaiting the start of the new season in their enhanced clubhouse in Milldown Road.

During the winter months a £90,000 project has provided an extension of new changing rooms, toilets and entrance hall.

The old clubhouse area has been completely redesigned to provide larger kitchen, bar and public area facilities.

Funding was provided jointly by the Town Council, Bowls England and club funds. The extension work was carried out

by Peter Clark building contractors and completed on time for opening day on 12th April.

The total refurbishment of the old clubhouse was completed by an army of club members under the expert supervision of member Peter Cornick. Walls have

Members outside the new clubhouse extension after the first coffee morning of the year. been replaced, windows repositioned and doors moved to provide maximum access. New electrical items, furniture and kitchen units have been fitted throughout and the final touch was a wrought-iron entrance gate in memory of Phil Collier, who was a stalwart supporter of the club.

Club president Tony Ives said:

"We are all looking forward to the new season with anticipation and I hope that we can do justice to such fine facilities by emulating last season's success on the bowling green."

The new clubhouse will provide excellent facilities for members, visitors and an enhanced programme of social events. The club is now very keen to expand

its membership and to this end is holding an open day for potential new members on Saturday 10th May from 10am to 4pm.

Ladies, gents and juniors who are interested can just turn up or contact the club secretary on 01258 451375 or visit the website. All equipment will be provided and qualified coaches will be on hand.

Swimmers rise to the Swimathon challenge BLANDFORD swimmers turned out in force for a sponsored swim for the annual Sainsbury's Sport Relief Swimathon at Blandford Leisure Centre on Saturday 22nd March.

This session was once again fully booked, with particularly good support from local primary schools as well as adults, and during the morning 2,884 lengths were completed and an estimated £4,000 raised.

Those taking part included five-year-old Eddie Hansen, who completed his first-ever 25-metre length, and seven-year-old Ashleigh Andrews, a late entry having registered only five days before, who completed 64 lengths in 55 minutes, raising £405 on her own.

Ten-year-old Paige Bryant swam 64 lengths in an hour and Millie Creffield, aged eight, completed 100 lengths, with her dad Jonathon following behind.

The older generation also pulled off some staggering times with a number of participants swimming their personal bests. Among the adults, in the first hour Rosalind Green swam 92 lengths and Thomas Blake swam 110.

They swam either individually or as teams, to be presented with medals for completing their quota of lengths in the two-and-a-half-hour session.

The nationwide swimming challenge invites people to swim a variety of distances, and over the past 27 years

Above (left): Millie Creffield (8), a pupil at Blandford St Mary primary, Paige Bryant (10), from Archbishop Wake primary, and Ashleigh Andrews (7), from Milldown primary. Above (right): Florrie Hansen (9) and her brother Eddie (5), both from Archbishop Wake primary. more than half a million have taken part, raising over £40m for charity.

The leisure centre will be hosting the 2015 Swimathon event and all those interested can register interest at swimathon.org.

28

May 2014

Phoenix House debate goes on OFFICERS from Dorset County Council met with carers of those using Phoenix House in Heddington Drive to discuss the potential closure of the facilities built by the county council just three years ago.

District councillor John Tanner reported: "The meeting was at times quite highly charged as parents and carers supported by County Councillor Barrie Cooper questioned the County Council officers over future proposals for Phoenix House and what provision would be made for those currently using the facilities.

"Officers stated that in large part the low takeup of respite care was due to shortage of staff, but the latest Care Quality Commission report in February met every standard set by central government.

"Parents and carers requested that DCC cabi-

net members visit Phoenix House before any decision is made so that they will know what will be lost.

"It was very clear that the facilities of Phoenix House are very highly regarded and valued, and the alternatives may or may not prove to be suitable. Some had already had bad experiences of those alternatives."

When the County Council's Cabinet last considered the possible closure in February, Councillor Cooper said Phoenix House provided appropriate support services to users, carers and parents, that the premises had been open only a short time and had cost £4 million to deliver services for specialist cases.

Members, including council chairman John Wilson, Councillor Janet Dover and Councillor Beryl Ezzard from Wareham, expressed concern for residents within their divisions, and

the Cabinet member for adult social care Jill Haynes reinforced the need for a consultation exercise to identify if alternative provision would be the correct course of action.

She said this would form the basis of any review, adding that consideration of the future of the building would only be looked at if alternative accommodation was a viable option.

The consultation with service users and families and individual service user reassessments are being carried out alongside consultation with staff and trade unions.

The outcome and future recommendations for Phoenix House were originally due to be reported back to the adult and community services overview committee in April, but are now expected to be considered at the June meeting before being referred back to Cabinet.

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events MAY Thursday 1st May: 7.30pm at the Town Museum: Sally Woodlock: 'Were the Romans in Blandford?'

Friday 2nd May to Monday 5th May: Blood donor sessions, Crown Hotel, Blandford Teddy Rocks festival at the Greyhound Inn Beer Festival at the Railway Hotel Saturday 3rd May: Plant sale and coffee morning, Tarrant Monkton & Launceston village hall, 10.30am Morning Give & Take Swap Shop for Lewis Manning Hospice, Corn Exchange, Blandford North Dorset Liberal Democrats event, Blandford town centre, 2 to 4pm Charity Concert, Motown, Blues Brothers and Meet Loaf, Crown Hotel, Blandford. Proceeds to the British Heart Foundation. Tickets £10 from Karen on 07887 728318 Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th, Wednesday 7th and Saturday 10th May: Churchill Productions present Noel Coward's 'Still Life' (Brief Encounter) at Shillingstone Station, (Saturdays and Wednesday 7.30pm (Saturdays, Sunday and Monday 4.30pm) details 01258 861391 Sunday 4th May: Micky Parker and Gordie Jones Memorial Shield, Royal British Legion Club, Blandford, 2pm, blind pairs £2 followed by singles £1 each for the British Heart Foundation, details 07584 076991 Monday 5th May: Blandford Georgian Fayre, from 10am to 6pm Cakes for Caleb, Nightingale Court, from 10am

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 Tuesday 6th May: Blandford Town Council Statutory Town Meeting Start of ten-week Alpha Course, Blandford Parish Centre, details 01258 456260, e-mail office@bfpc.org.uk.

Thursday 8th May: Blandford Probus Club meeting, Crown Hotel, 10.15am, speaker Felicity Herring, 'Lady Butler, War Artist' Blandford Information Centre Plant Sale, Marsh and Ham car park, Blandford, 10am to 2.30pm Blandford Museum AGM, United Reformed Church Hall, 7pm Saturday 10th May: Blandford Lawn Bowling Club open day, Park Road, Blandford, 10am to 4pm Blandford Rotary Festival of Fun, Crown Hotel, Blandford, 10.30am Whole school open day, Clayesmore School, Iwerne Minster, see www.clayesmore.com or call 01747 811707 Mill Singers Gala Concert, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 7.30pm, tickets from Set Fair 4 Trade, Salisbury Street Misericordia: St Vitus' Dance Mad Mediaeval Music. St Nicholas' Church, Winterborne Kingston, DT11 9BJ, 8.00pm.

07949 836503 / www.musicatkingston.com Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May: Dorset Cream Tea event for SSAFA (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), Sturminster Marshall, Old School, opposite the village church, 2.30 to 5.30pm

Sunday 11th May: Dorset Doddlers Hambledon Hill run starts 2.30pm Durweston School May Fair with the White Helmets display team, 1 to 4pm Wednesday 14th May: Blandford and District Civic Society guided, Heritage Walk, starts Marsh and Ham car park, 7pm, contact 01258 454515 UKIP Blandford Group Open Meeting with European Parliamentary Candidates Gawain Towler and William Dartmouth MEP at Colin's Community Club, 49 Damory Street, Blandford DT11 7HD at 7 for 7.30pm Thursday 15th May: Blandford Heart Forum, Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens 7 to 9pm, speaker Robin Miller, "Volcanoes" Friday 16th May: Mayor Making, Blandford Corn Exchange,11am Fish and chip supper in support of the Spinal Injuries Association, Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May: Forum Drama present 'Trapped', three short plays by Agatha Christie, Noel Coward and Valerie Maskell, United Reformed Church Hall, Blandford, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm Saturday 17th May: Cleanup Blandford town event from Mortain Bridge, 9.50am, as part of 'The Big Tidy Up' Blandford & Sturminster Newton Cats Protection coffee morning with Books, Plants, Tombola,

Home Made Cakes and Pasties, Woodhouse Gardens, next to the Post Office, Blandford,10am to 12.30pm Monday 19th May: Dorset Blind Association Blandford social group meets Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens, Blandford, 2 to 4pm for talk by Margaret Adams, The Life of a Farmer's Wife. New members welcome, contact Margaret Hemus on 07786 413616 North Dorset Discussion Group meeting, Blandford, contact email vivallendean@icloud.com Thursday 22nd May: European Elections, polling stations open 7am to 10pm Anderson Manor, Anderson, DT11 9HD, open for National Gardens Scheme, 2 to 5pm Saturday 24th and Sunday 26th May: Craft and Garden Fair, Kingston Lacy Sunday 25th May: Coombe Cottage, Shillingstone, DT11 0SE, open for National Gardens Scheme, 2 to 6pm Monday 26th May: Teddy 20, Blandford Cricket Club, Park Road, Blandford, supporting children with cancer Old Smithy, Ibberton, DT11 0EN, open for National Gardens Scheme 2 to 5pm Friday 30th May: Half Term Bouncy Fun with play equipment and inflatables, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to 4.30pm, £3.50 per child Blandford and District Civic Society AGM, United Reformed Church Hall, Blandford, 7.30pm, speaker Kevin Morris, 'Blandford Conservation Area Under Threat'