December 2014 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 33

Blandford remembers a century of sacrifice: Pages 8-9

December 2014

HQ for rent in council merger plan MAJOR changes are in the pipeline for North Dorset District Council, regardless of its agreement to enter into a tri-partnership with two other councils West Dorset district and Weymouth & Portland borough.

North Dorset members have agreed in principle to join forces as part of a ground-breaking three-way partnership for which the business case has also been agreed by the two other authorities.

Cllr Deborah Croney, leader of NDDC, said: "We have made a landmark decision that will protect and improve services for the future providing an unlimited number of opportunities that will be of great benefit to residents."

She told members of the overview and scrutiny committee earlier in the month that those opportunities included increasing the council's influence and strengthening its voice locally and nationally, as well as accessing wider skills, ensuring more resilience and flexibility, and reducing office accommodation needs.

The agreement will see each

council remaining independent and equal, with its own councillors continuing to make local decisions about services, and setting its own budget and council tax with its own separate identity and sovereignty.

But a single workforce will serve all three authorities, allowing office accommodation and ICT systems to be streamlined and shared to increase efficiency, serving more than 235,000 people and covering more than half the shire county of Dorset.

It is estimated that the move will save the three councils ÂŁ6 million by 2020.

Some councillors have questioned the speed with which the tri-partnership is progressing, saying they want more information on how it will impact on the authority.

At this stage the councils have agreed only to share their chief executive and senior management teams from March 2015, but questions such as potential job losses and the location of services remain unanswered.

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Some of the younger supporters of the scheme with a wall of shoeboxes.

Parcels of love BLANDFORD Stour Rotary have contributed a record of more than 300 boxes to Rotary International’s Christmas shoebox scheme. Blandford Rotary also collected between 100 and 150.

They have paid tribute to the generosity and hard work of their members, friends, the local community and schools, including Pimperne Primary School, The Dunbury Academy in Winterborne Whitechurch and Sturminster Marshall First School.

The Christmas shoebox scheme, by shipping thousands of shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts to countries around the world, helps provide children who have virtually nothing of their own with something to enjoy over Christmas. This year they are being sent to Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and the Philippines.

Jan Conlon, who organised and contributed to the Blandford Stour collection, said: "I hope we will have made a small difference to those children who have so little to look forward to over Christmas."

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December 2014

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THE main drop points are: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in The Tabernacle, the Corn Exchange, Gorge Cafe and Blandford Museum in the Market Place, the Tourist Information Centre in West Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the Co-ops in Salisbury Road and Langton Road, the 3Cs in Damory Street, the Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road, Cherry's hairdressers in Elizabeth Road, Blandford Leisure Centre in Milldown Road, the Central Shop in Heddington Drive, the Brewery Visitor Centre, and Tesco and Homebase at Stour Park.

In the villages: Charlton Marshall Church Rooms and Charlton pub, Woodpecker pub at Spetisbury, True Lovers Knot and St Richard Close bus stop in Tarrant Keyneston, Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton, Pimperne shop, the White Horse Inn at Stourpaine, Iwerne Minster post office, Shillingstone Garage, Londis Shop & Royal Oak at Milborne St Andrew, The Crown at Winterborne Stickland, Post Office and Surgery, Milton Abbas, and The Cricketers at Shroton.

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Council merger plan From Page 1 What was clear at the scrutiny meeting was that staying at the Nordon headquarters in Blandford was not an option.

The council has been advised that the premises should be rented out to raise revenue to pay for scaled-down office accommodation and make a saving of £200,000 a year. A Nordon Accommodation Project is considering how staff might work from a number of locations.

General manager Stephen Hill said it would not be possible to retain Nordon as a base for the council whether or not the authority decided to join the partnership, and the issue of where meetings would be held was yet to be discussed.

The intention, as a tri-partnership, is for back-office staff to move to the new West Dorset headquarters at South Walks, Dorchester, and others to work from home.

A large number of North Dorset

Forum Focus is an independent, not-for-profit, community newspaper produced entirely by volunteers.

We are always pleased to receive offers of help.

revenues and benefits staff have already transferred to the Stour Valley (now Stour Valley & Poole) Partnership, and others to the Dorset Waste Partnership managing waste collection and disposal for the whole county, with more and more services offered online.

Face-to-face contact is provided by members of the shared customer access team based at Nordon and at a Gillingham hub, and the suggestion is that another hub or hubs in North Dorset be provided.

The plan for the tri-authority partnership has been drawn up against the backdrop of a very tough financial climate, with Government funding to all three councils reduced by more than 50 per cent in the five years up to 2015/16 and more cuts likely.

Chief executive Liz Goodall said joining the tri-partnership would give an extra stream for cost reductions but would not make all the savings needed.

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House swap help meeting A SECOND 'house swap' event was staged in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel by a number of housing associations and North Dorset District Council to help those seeking to move to smaller or larger rented properties.

Open to registered social housing tenants from any landlord, the event offered those seeking a mutual exchange to meet others in the same position.

There were information stalls including the First Dorset Credit Union, Citizens Advice Bureau, North Dorset District Council housing team, Home Swapper and Spectrum welfare benefits officers.

Spectrum Housing Group residents who downsize their home by way of mutual exchange are now eligible for an incentive payment of £300 to help with removal costs.

Right tracks BLANDFORD Museum Railway Club members have been preparing to take their scale model of Blandford Railway Station to the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition, the UK's premier model railway show, which opened its doors at the NEC in Birmingham on the 22nd and 23rd November. The world-renowned event featured over 85 working model layouts shown by exhibitors from the UK and Europe.

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Children’s time travel DESPITE appearances, this is not an image from a century ago - it is actually children from Milldown School at Blandford, some of whom donned outfits from the time of the First World War. It was all part of a week of events associated with Remembrance, and included a visit to the town cemetery to lay a wreath on the memorial.

Story and another picture on Page 19.

Town may bid for World Heritage status A BID has been launched to earn Blandford UNESCO World Heritage status.

The idea was put forward by Nic Nicol, chairman of the DT11 Forum Partnership, and Ros Nelmes of the Blandford Town Team at the Town Team's public meeting in October.

Guest speaker David Stuart from English Heritage gave a presentation on 'Conservation Areas at Risk'.

Mr Nicol said: "There isn't a person in the room who doesn't want to energise and regenerate the town, and protect the architectural heritage and history of Blandford. The Town Team survey underlines the value placed on this by those living here.

"Sadly, some of our historic buildings suffer from decline and neglect. A radically different approach is required if we are to halt the decline and preserve Blandford's unique heritage for future generations."

He asked that a group be formed to thoroughly investigate a bid to

UNESCO - the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - as a credible way forward, saying Blandford qualified on six of the eight criteria to be considered for the status, for which it was only necessary to meet one.

He was confident the initiative would have widespread support at local, national and international level. He said Ros Nelmes had spoken to a number of eminent figures, but it was clear that it would not be supported if the town was divided.

"It took a big idea and a lot of resolve to put things right when Blandford was destroyed by fire in 1731. We need something equally radical today to put Blandford back on the map."

The UNESCO World Heritage list currently comprises over 1,000 sites, including nearly 30 in the UK and Ireland, ranging from the Tower of London to the Dorset and Devon Jurassic Coast.

The nomination process is

Meadows plan ditched PLANNERS at North Dorset District Council have accepted revisions to the new Local Plan part one which exclude the possibility of development on Blandford's Crown Meadows and substitute instead a site beyond the bypass at Blandford St Mary.

Planning Policy Panel members were asked on 5th November to consider and comment on the responses to two rounds of consultation and to the changes proposed.

Their comments went forward to a cabinet meeting and to full council later in November, when members were asked to submit the plan and consultation documents to the Secretary of State.

Following that submission a planning inspector will be appointed to hold a public examination, expected to start in March 2015, at which the plan could be challenged. The inspector will then report on any modifications required for possible further consultation before the plan can be adopted by the council.

lengthy, and involves first being accepted onto the country's tentative list for potential admission over the course of five or ten years. Then the nomination is presented for evaluation by the World Heritage Centre and its advisors.

Mr Nicol said: "UNESCO World Heritage status should galvanise everyone to the cause of looking after our town, and if a nomina-

tion is successful, Blandford's outstanding universal value can be protected and conserved for all time."

Letters proposing the bid have now been sent to organisations in the town, including the town council, Town Team and civic society, as well as to the leaders of North Dorset District and Dorset County Council, and MP Bob Walter.

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December 2014

Restoration work starts at arches MEMBERS and supporters of the Blandford Railway Arches Trust gathered at the former flood arches which carried the Somerset & Dorset railway over the river Stour at Langton Meadows to carry out the first stage of a restoration project.

They were joined by representatives of the Dorset Countryside Rangers in first clearing the ground vegetation around the north wall of the arches, and then accessing the top of the structure by ladder to clear more from the track bed which over the years since the railway's closure in 1966 have been covered by soil and undergrowth.

The work was made possible by the installation by Blandford Town Council, which leases the structure from North Dorset District Council, of a lockable gate in the fence erected to protect the structure.

The gate will also allow the next phases in the project, including the reconstruction of the north

wall and eastern parapet which have deteriorated over time.

Project manager Simon Coombs said: "The project has two objectives - to maintain the structure as a reminder of the railway which ran through the town for 150 years, and to enable the use of the structure by local groups such as naturalists and railway enthusiasts, and at a later date, the general public."

Trust chairman Sylvia Hixson Andrews said: "It's really great to see the start of this project. The group was formed in response to a potential threat of demolition of the structure, and hundreds of people have indicated their support for their preservation, not only as a landmark feature of the meadows, but also as one of the last surviving remnants of the railway.

"We hope to complete the project by 2016 which will be the 50th anniversary of the railway's closure."

Members and supporters of the Blandford Railway Arches Trust gather at the former flood arches in Langton Meadows.

Waiting restrictions are on the agenda A RAFT of waiting restrictions in various roads in Blandford was being considered by town councillors at their town and general purposes committee meeting on 17th November.

The majority of the proposals from Dorset County Council, as highways authority, have been made as a result of requests from councillors and residents to improve road safety in the town, and are accompanied by proposals to cancel existing restrictions.

They include no waiting on stretches of the Blandford Heights industrial estate road, Damory Court Street, Fairfield Bungalows, Jubilee Way, Park Road, Queens Road, Salisbury Road, at the junction of Sandbourne Avenue and Shottesford Avenue, on both

sides of Sheep Market Hill and in The Plocks and The Tabernacle, in The Plocks.

There are also proposals for no loading or unloading in Jubilee Way at the Heddington Drive junction and outside the Crown Hotel in West Street, and for restricted 30 minutes waiting in Damory Street, the south side of East Street between Damory Street and Common Lane.

Waiting limited to one hour is proposed for a stretch in Jubilee Way outside the hospital, for the south side of The Plocks, the east side of Whitecliff Mill Street south of the United Reformed Church, a short stretch on the west side south of Eagle House Gardens, and on the south side of Wimborne Road west of Fisher's Close.

THE Friends of Julia's House in Blandford have planned a series of fundraising events for the children's hospice in December.

They include a charity quiz night on Saturday 6th December at the Blandford United Reformed Church starting 6.30pm. Teams of four to six people are welcome for a ÂŁ5 per person entry fee, with a raffle and prizes to be won.

On Thursday 11th and Friday 12th December there will be a quality sports book sale and raffle for a signed AFC Bournemouth T-shirt between 10am and 4pm at the Co-operative store in Langton Road.

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December 2014

Assurances as fly petition handed in A PETITION containing over 2,450 signatures in support of continued action to suppress the Blandford Fly was presented to North Dorset District Council's Chief Executive Liz Goodall and Gary Jefferson, Cabinet member with responsibility for health.

The handover was made by Pat Ashworth, who initiated the petition, and representatives of a number of organisations who assisted in collecting signatures, including Jean Durrant of Okeford Fitzpaine, Marie Harris of Charlton Marshall, Lynn Hawkey of the Blandford Tourist Information Centre, Johnny Hosford of Durweston, Shirley Kerley of Durweston and Lisa Foster Thorn of Rotary.

Mrs Goodall said she would ensure that the petition was forwarded to the Health Protection Network Consortium, which meets in December to consider the issue.

Councillor Jefferson reassured those present of North Dorset District Council's commitment to

continue funding its share of the cost of the treatment of the river Stour which needs to be carried out next March. Mrs Goodall said their partners were supportive provided the treatment was judged to be legal.

The delegation was told that the consortium would be seeking the correct legal advice on the use of the pesticide used in the treatment which is in need of relicensing under new EU guidelines to protect the environment.

North Dorset District Council Cabinet member Gary Jefferson receives the Blandford Fly petition from organiser Pat Ashworth, watched by chief executive Liz Goodall, left, and members of the community who helped collect signatures.

Six years’ jail for death crash drink-driver A BLANDFORD man has been jailed for six years and disqualified from driving for eight after causing the death of a 68-year-old grandfather by careless driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stewart Rosoman, 51, a father-of-two, who lived in Victoria Road and had since resigned from his role as environmental health officer with West Dorset District Council, was told he would have to take an extended test before being allowed to drive again.

He was driving his new red MG near Milborne St Andrew in May last year when he struck a

Honda Jazz driven by David Waterland, of Wareham, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Waterland's wife Margaret, Rosoman and his passenger Frederick Gallow were all seriously injured in the crash.

Bournemouth Crown Court was told that Rosoman's vehicle was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision and that he had been drinking at the Hambro Arms in Milton Abbas where he had consumed several pints of strong lager.

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December 2014

Bus users’ card plan

The cast of 'Dreams of Home' in their curtain call.

Drama group’s moving tribute 'DREAMS of Home' was a fitting tribute to those who fought in World War One, presented in four performances by Forum Drama, Blandford's Community Theatre, in the Corn Exchange from 30th October to 1st November.

The trilogy of one-act plays focused on life for those who had gone off to fight and those left at home.

What 'D Company' by Miles Malleson, directed by Terence Dear, lacked in pace it gained in pathos, contrasting the young men of entirely different backgrounds thrown together in the barracks. It featured Luke Morgan and Christopher Sharpe as two privates exchanging expe-

riences through their letters and John Cody as the down-to-earth corporal.

J M Barrie's 'The Old Lady Wears Her Medals', directed by Mike Lofthouse, echoed his more famous work Peter Pan. A childless woman, played by Joan Rosentsweig, imagines herself a soldier son to impress her friends, played by Liz Rawlings, Tracey Evans and Jennie Rake.

Her fiction becomes reality when she becomes surrogate mother to a Scottish orphan with the same surname played by Mark Hume, only to lose him some months later.

The final piece, 'Men at War', was written specially for the trilo-

gy by Pat Harrison, who directed, and Lyn van Cleef, and sold as a souvenir edition of the play in book form. It highlighted the contrast and relationship between the ruling classes and their domestics, both faced with emotional upheaval when their sons go off to war.

Tony Horrocks and Beatrice Hunt as the lord and lady of the manor pulling strings to protect their own, and Simone WallisMacdonald and Vernon Bell as their cook and her husband with no such influence to exert, brought dignity to their situations.

The production was one of the Blandford Forum Commemorates series co-ordinated by Blandford Town Council, and was followed by 'Poppies Red, Cornflowers Blue' with Poacher's Moon, again in the Corn Exchange the following week.

A GROUNDBREAKING scheme to provide a children and young persons' key card for young bus users in the Blandford area could be in operation from next March or April.

Costs are not yet known, but the key card allows the user to draw down days individually for however many trips are purchased instead of having to be used within the fixed period of the card.

Nic Nicol, chairman of the DT11 Transport Action Group (TAG), which together with Dorset County Council's transport services has fought for the introduction of the Go South Coast scheme in this area, said: "The scheme will be of particular benefit to those in education, training and employment."

The DT11 bus and community transport timetable produced by Chris Chandler for the TAG is now available. To find out where to pick up a copy, contact the DT11 Office in Nightingale Court, Blandford, or call 01258 489998.

Mistaken identity OUR apologies to Dr Patricia Wilkinson who was wrongly reported in last month's article about Queens Road parking as a 'he'.

Badger dads thanked THE children of Blandford St John Ambulance Badger Sett have thanked the dads who get involved in building their carnival floats and other parents for their continued hard work and support which this year helped to win them best local entry and second place in their class.

Paul Starkey, left, and local carpenter Dave Thornton, centre, will be greatly missed when their children move onto the cadet division this year, but Andrew Turpin, right, of Caravan Servicing 4 U will continue to be their driver, even though his son has now left Badgers.

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Plane tree takes a seat of honour THE discovery that the 130year-old chestnut tree standing at the entrance to Pimperne Parish Church was diseased and dying came as a blow to parishioners, who had to accept that it needed to be felled.

But the community responded by making plans for its replacement to include a circular bench around the perimeter of the plane tree planted to take its place.

They gathered with Rector, the Rev Stephen Coulter, to dedicate and bless the tree with song, prayers, a 'clipping' ceremony and the spraying of water to wish it long life.

District councillor Michael Oliver paid tribute to all those who had played their part in improving the appearance of the important site in the village conservation area, and one which he said ownership and responsibility for

upkeep was not certain.

"Consultation and agreement has had to be sought every step of the way on all elements between Dorset County Council and the village, and with the direction of DEFRA in the choice of tree to be both disease and pest resistant.

"The old chestnut tree had lived its natural life and had succumbed to both disease and pest, but our new plane tree is likely to live double that time to become a magnificent and healthy specimen."

Two pieces of the chestnut tree were preserved and polished by David Wiseman to be displayed in the church and village hall, and were presented to the churchwarden Richard Ashwell and parish council chairman Peter Slocombe by Helen King, who together with Peggy Hearne fundraised for the entire

Regeneration events go with a swing THE banners may have come down for the winter, but Blandford's Regeneration initiative continues with an exciting programme of events.

A lunchtime concert was held in St Peter and St Paul's church on Thursday 27th November, featuring Harry Ellison-Wright (cello) and Alma Orr-Ewing (viola), both students from Bryanston School, continuing the series which started in October with music from the Dorset Rural Music School.

Coming up in December is the First Thursday Talk at the Blandford Museum on Thursday 4th December where Sylvia Hixson Andrews will be looking at the US and UK healthcare systems. Doors open at 7pm.

On Friday 12th December from 9am to 3pm, the wish of residents

for more specialist markets in the town is granted with a Christmas craft market, together with a vintage cafe, in the Corn Exchange.

It will be followed by the next in the series of film shows hosted by the town council, with Belle, starting 7.30pm, based on the true story of the mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral raised by her aristocratic great uncle in 18th century England.

On Sunday 21st December at 4pm, there's a special preChristmas panto treat, Peter Pan, performed by REAMA Touring Pantomimes from Yeovil, and promising fun for all the family and a chance to meet the pirates.

For more information, visit blandfordregeneration.org.uk or find BlandfordRegeneration on Facebook.

A DERELICT site in Oakfield Street has again been refused planning permission for redevelopment by North Dorset District Council after members of the development management committee overturned a recommendation by officers for approval.

The application for the former garage site in Oakfield Street by developers 010 Ltd who want to build 21 flats had been deferred at the October meeting of the committee when local member John Tanner highlighted the conservation officer's recommended refusal.

It came back before the November meeting, where it was refused on the grounds of the impact of such a large number of single-bedroom properties on the character of the conservation area and on the quality of life for existing and future residents.

Parishioners involved in the project to replace the chestnut tree in front of Pimperne Parish Church gather on the bench which circles the new plane tree. project Mr Oliver thanked them and all members of the community for their interest in the project, and particularly Rob King and Ron Rainer for carrying out physical

work on one of the hottest days of the year, Doug Richardson for making the seat and donating it to the village, and Mick White for his help in transporting and erecting it..

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December 2014

Commemorating a THE unveiling of a paving stone next to Blandford's town pump commemorating the town's only World War One Victoria Cross recipient Jack Counter was a highlight of the area's Remembrance Day ceremonies on Sunday 9th November.

The stone was one of 454 being laid across the country in recognition of those who received the nation's highest award for bravery, providing a lasting legacy of heroes in the communities where they were born.

Wreaths were laid on the stone by his nearest sur-

Some of the images from the Remembrance Day commemorations in Blandford’s Market Place.

viving relative, nephew Herbert Frank Counter, and

by Captain Brian Uwins of the St Helier Royal British Legion in Jersey, where Jack Counter settled after the war.

Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings said he could give no better testimony than the citation accompanying his award, which he read out in full.

The ceremony followed a well-attended parade, memorial service and wreath-laying at the Corn Exchange memorial by representatives of local government, armed and other services, and local com-

Cornet player Geordie Thomson and piper Capt Duncan Lamont of the Royal Corps of Signals.

Jack Counter: story JACK Counter was born in Blandford on 3rd November 1898, the son of Frank and Rosina Counter, who lived at Dorset House in Dorset Street.

After leaving school in his teens, he worked at the International Stores, and when war broke out in 1914 he was too young to serve. But after the introduction of conscription he joined as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment in February, 1917.

He was posted to France, and was serving with his battalion in April 1918 when they faced an enemy breakout during engagement at Boisleux St

Marc.

An intelligence gathering reconnaissance across the line was attempted unsuccessfully first by a small party and then by six men despatched individually who were killed.

Private Counter, having seen his fellow countrymen fall, volunteered to make another lone run, successfully gaining and returning with the information which allowed his commanding officer to launch a new offensive. He went on to carry five other messages across the battlefield under heavy artillery fire.

On his return to Blandford to a hero's welcome, he was made

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century of sacrifice munity groups. The assembly then marched around the town and into Blandford Parish Church, led by the marching Stour Valley Band, whose members accompanied the hymns at the service which followed.

The service was conducted by the Rev David Wheaton, who recalled his own military service, and remembered the two World Wars, subsequent conflicts and particularly the 453 who had lost their lives in Afghanistan.

The service, which ended with a rousing chorus of

Onward Christian Soldiers, included readings by representatives of other Blandford churches and the Royal British Legion, prayers led by members of the town's youth organisations, two moving songs from the Blandford Camp Garrison Community Choir and a video depicting conflicts from World War One onwards.

Following the service, refreshments were served afterwards in the Corn Exchange by members of SSAFA and there was a reception at the Blandford Royal British Legion.

More Remembrance stories & pictures: Pages 16-17 Above: a poignant moment as Herbert Frank Counter lays a wreath on the paving stone commemorating his uncle Jack Counter VC. Right: wreaths laid on Jack Counter’s commemorative stone by his nephew Herbert and

by Captain Brian Uwins, of the St Helier Royal British Legion.

of a Great War hero the first Freeman of the Borough, but after being demobbed in the Channel Islands subsequently settled there where he met his wife and married.

He worked as a postman, and became a leading member of the Jersey British Legion based in St Helier, where he is also viewed as a hero and where his medals are kept.

He and his wife had only one child, a daughter, who died in 1964, and it was only a few months after his wife's death in 1970 that, while visiting his sister-in-law in Blandford, he himself suddenly collapsed and died at the age of 71.

Jack Counter VC.

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December 2014

Medical milestone as new unit opens

Pictured left to right: Mac McLaughlin, Deputy Chairman of the Friends of Blandford Hospital, Sally O'Donnell, Dorset Locality Director of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust and Kate Pope, Acting Matron of the Hospital.

THE new Portman Unit at Blandford Community Hospital in Milldown Road was due to be officially opened by The Viscount Portman, Patron of the Friends of Blandford Hospital, on 26th November.

The ÂŁ1.5 million two-stage redevelopment within the hospital by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, completed and already in use, replaces the Portman Ward, which closed in 2011, and has been financed in part by the largest ever donation by the Friends of Blandford Hospital.

The Friends were delighted to be able to present a cheque in the sum of ÂŁ750,000 to Sally O'Donnell, Dorset Locality Director of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, as their contribution to the refurbishment, the final step in a process that originated when the Portman Ward was closed in 2011.

Handing over their cheque, Mac McLaughlin, deputy chairman and project manager, confirmed

that the donation was the largest the Friends have made in their long history, and pledged to secure the future of the community hospital for the community.

The Friends had a vision for the way that the area could be used to benefit the long-term future of the hospital for local people, and the drive and commitment of the charity's management board has been behind the project throughout the redevelopment.

Sally O'Donnell said: "The bright, modern development provides two new community dental suites, a new facility for patients to have treatments without having to be admitted overnight, and a health and social care hub, bringing together key services to improve the care we provide within the locality.

"This very generous contribution from the Blandford Friends for the Portman Unit has made such a difference to what we have been able to achieve to make our hospital fit for the future. We are very grateful to the community for their amazing support."

Business cash on offer A NEW Economic Growth Fund has been launched to help small businesses, social enterprises and community/charity groups in North Dorset.

North Dorset District Council has allocated funding to encourage and support economic growth in the district to create opportunities and promote commercial activity.

Cllr Val Pothecary, cabinet member for economy at NDDC, said: "If you run a small business or you are someone brimming with innovative ideas, I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. The money can be used for capital or revenue costs for

grants of up to ÂŁ5,000 per application."

The fund is open to small and start-up businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives, voluntary and community groups, as well as charities.

The simple application process is designed to help new projects get off the ground quickly and achieve results faster.

For an application form or further information contact: Susan Sullivan, Economic Development Officer at North Dorset District Council on 01258 454005 or email ssullivan@northdorset.gov.uk.

Carers group schedule THE Blandford Carers, who meet every third Wednesday afternoon at Durweston village hall, have a varied programme of forthcoming events.

Speakers lined up for next year include Healthwatch, Access Dorset, Leonardos, St John's Carers programme and the Greenwood Centre for Independent Living.

The group offers carers who are looking after a friend or relative a chance to relax and meet others in a similar situation, as well as source information and advice.

For more details call Pete Collins on 01258 459215, visit their Facebook page or email bfordcarer@gmail.com.

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December 2014

Town’s wartime secrets go on show AN interpretation board has been put up in River Mews to explain to residents and visitors the significance of the remnants of World War Two defences to be found in Blandford.

The dragon's teeth around the town centre, on the Crown Meadows and elsewhere, together with the pillbox in Parklands and other relics, were listed by English Heritage some time ago thanks to the hard work and research of Civic Society member Michael Le Bas. Now the layout of the defences has been illustrated in detail to demonstrate how they formed part of a plan which included a minefield on the Crown Meadows, preparations in readiness to blow up the Blandford

road bridge in the event of an invasion by hostile forces.

The board has been erected by the Civic Society with grateful thanks to local artist and muralist Flick Baker, who was commissioned to produce the artwork for the board and who greatly added to the basic design given her by Mr Le Bas. Chairman Terence Dear said: "We would also like to thank local company Iracroft for the design and construction of the stand for the board, brewery Hall & Woodhouse for granting us a licence to display the board on their land, immediately next to the boundary hedge of the Crown Hotel, and local builder Peter Clark, who helped with the installation."

Anne Hosford, right, whose family members won two of the sections in a photographic competition at Whitecliffe House, pictured with the home's activities coordinator Kay White and photo competition judge Norman Carey.

Anne’s double exposure A BLANDFORD care home resident celebrated a double success for her relatives in a photographic competition staged at the home in November.

Anne Hosford lives at Colten Care's Whitecliffe House, which invited Norman Carey, president of Blandford Forum Camera Club, to judge the entries in the competition.

Mr Carey selected as winner of the 'steam' category a picture by her son George Hosford of Durweston, and as winner of the 'autumn' category a picture by his daughter Lucy.

The winner of the 'shadows' category was Ian Fox of Damory Street with a picture of a sculpture by Antony Gormley in Tout Quarry, Portland.

The winning photographs are now part of a longer term exhibition at the home.

The competition, which was well supported by those living out in the community, was organised by activity organiser Kay White as part of the home's efforts to bring visitors into the home.

The judging preceded a Christmas craft fair and sale of cream teas from which all proceeds went to the residents' nominated charity, the Blandford Parish Church Cupola Project.

Blandford and District Civic Society project officer Alan Dymond, right, and Michael Le Bas, centre, with the World War Two interpretation board and local builder Peter Clark who helped with the installation.

Go-ahead for solar farm THE company developing a solar farm at Canada Farm, Winterborne Stickland, have been granted planning permission for another installation on the outskirts of Blandford at North End Farm, Spetisbury.

British Solar Renewables applied for the 14.5-hectare site which will provide an estimated 7MW of electricity a year serving 2,000 homes, and which planning officers recommended for approval, saying the visual impact would be contained within the local landscape, and any harm caused did not outweigh the significant renewable energy benefits.

Landowner Stephen Frampton said the diversification into solar would provide a secure income and make a significant contribution allowing the family to continue farming and investing to the benefit of the local economy.

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December 2014

Beatons brings a stylish touch to town landmark A RESTORATION project is bringing Grade 1 listed gracious hospitality to Blandford. Building work has been underway following planning approval for Beatons Tearooms at Greyhound House in the Market Place.

The venture is owned by a consortium of local investors together with Beatons MD Patrick Duffy and will give Dorset a taste of the blend of elegance and friendliness the group has made popular in its flagship tearooms in Tisbury, Wiltshire.

Mr Duffy said it was a natural next step in rolling out the concept of combined bookshop and tearooms as franchises nationally. "Blandford is the perfect place to extend our regional reach before we head further north and east to Chester, Berkshire and Surrey."

The challenge of sympathetically restoring 1,000 square feet of interior of a listed Bastard Brothers building had been entrusted to local property developer Sam Lowings, and they are incorporating the Beaton's signature Cecil Beaton brand of elegance.

"We are retaining the quirky aspects such as the walk-in safe of the former bank - although for the

importance of encouraging new literary talent, has created a Young Aspiring Wordsmith category for 13-17 year-olds.

Winners of the second Beatons annual poetry competition, of which details can be found at beatonstearooms.co.uk and at Blandford

library, will be announced on 5th December. The winning poems, along with 'Beatons Blandford Forum' by Beatons' house poet Liz Darcy Jones, will have their first public recital at a free open house on Saturday, 13th December at 10am to which all are welcome.

Patrick Duffy and Sam Lowings study the plans for the new Beatons Tearooms and Bookshop.

time being it will probably only house our highly valuable carrot cake recipe!" said Mr Duffy.

Central to the Blandford launch activities - and maintaining its focus on arts and local community involvement - Beatons has given its second annual poetry competition a Blandford theme: 'Restoration' - and recognising the

NEW postcards of Blandford are now on sale at the Information Centre in West Street, thanks to volunteer Carole Fornachon (above right).

Chairman Marigold Clevely (above left), who has succeeded the late Andrew Pemberton as chairman of the volunteer-run centre, said: "We have been very keen to get some good picture postcards printed as we felt the old ones were much in need of an update. These have now been very ably done by Carole, to whom we are most grateful."

Hit-and-run man sought POLICE appealed for witnesses and information after a hit-andrun accident in Pimperne on Saturday 25th October.

A 51-year-old woman from Pimperne, cycling on the A354 Blandford bypass, was in collision with a vehicle as she tried to negotiate the roundabout and fell from her bicycle, suffering cuts and bruises to her arms and legs.

The vehicle involved was described as a black people-carrier driven by a grey-haired man in his 50s, who is said to have shouted at the woman before driving away.

Anyone who witnessed or has information about the incident should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident 25:275.

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December 2014

Award for bus charity COMMUNITY transport organisation Bus2Go has been awarded the title of Volunteer Group of the Year at the annual awards ceremony staged by the Dorset Volunteer Bureau in Dorchester.

Founder and co-ordinator Margo Kirk said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this award.

The demand for Bus2Go has reached an exciting milestone.

We are averaging one outing a week.

"To keep up with the demands being made upon our administration, the time has come to move into an office. Facilities have kindly been offered by Spectrum Housing Association at Sunrise

Business Park, Blandford. This move will enable us to offer the project to all of DT11 and eventually all of North, East and West Dorset."

The charity is seeking a volunteer office administrator to work in the office. Initially, the successful candidate will be required to be in the office. Subject to funding and certain criteria the post could become paid and involve more hours.

Office administration skills and communicating at all levels will be an essential part of the post.

Anyone interested should email bus2go@btinternet.com or phone Margo on 01258 837749 for an application form.

Founder Margo Kirk, left, and On Board Volunteer Posy Clayton of Bus2Go receive their award from the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell.

Trailway progress faces delays CHAIRMAN of the North Dorset Trailway Network Lesley Gasson says it is unlikely that many ongoing projects will come to fruition in the near future.

In advance of the annual general meeting of the Network, the charity working to develop at multiuse route along the route of the former Somerset & Dorset Railway, she said the most demanding and expensive was the link between Sturminster Newton and Stalbridge, requiring a number of river crossings and permission, as well as finance.

The stretch from Spetisbury to Sturminster Marshall is relatively short, but one which would make a great deal of difference to the

two communities, and would also improve the quality of the Trailway. Residents in both villages would have access to a wider area, but not all the trail could be on the track bed of the old railway because of infilling.

She said the link between Blandford and Charlton Marshall was a long-running problem which might not be resolved until and if development at Blandford St Mary goes ahead as part of the district plan.

"Once it is there it will mean children going to school in Blandford St Mary and Spetisbury will be able to cycle to school safely. I have had some very eloquent letters about the difference it would

Santa to launch Yuletide Festival BLANDFORD'S 2014 Yuletide Festival on Wednesday 10th December will start with the arrival of Father Christmas travelling through the town to arrive at the Corn Exchange at 5.15pm.

It will continue with the massive lantern parade by primary schools in the Blandford Network, which will be led by the Stour Valley Band from the Langton Road car park, along East Street and up Church Lane into The Plocks.

The parade will then come down Salisbury Street and into the Market Place, coming to a halt in front of the church.

At 6.30pm, there will be a welcome from the Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings and communal carol singing with which everyone gathered in the Market Place will be invited to join in.

During the evening, attractions include the craft stalls of the Anonymous Travelling Market, together with produce stalls from the local farmers market and the Italian market, and a large number of town centre shops will be open all evening. Blandford Museum in Bere's Yard will be open from 2pm.

Mulled wine and other festive fare will be on offer from many venues, and Father Christmas will remain present throughout.

Entertainment for young and old will include a tombola, fairground rides, a hog roast and a range of dancers, choirs and festive street entertainment.

The finale at 8.30pm will be the firework display by Firework Solutions from Wimborne, prior to the festival end at 9pm.

make to all users if the trail between Wards Drove and the Tesco roundabout is established."

The trust has also been waiting for eight years for a car park on the verge near Shillingstone Station and Haywards Bridge, and she said she had been assured that when the bridge was strengthened, it would be built.

The AGM was being held at Shillingstone Church Centre on 26th November, and the programme included a presentation

by Giles Nicholson, a photographic presentation by Graham Rains and a short talk by Steve Adamson on the Local Enterprise Partnership on what it could offer the Trailway.

14

Letters to the Editor

LETTERS 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

December 2014 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.

Sign up for the Regeneration game SO much is happening in Blandford these days and we are writing to make sure that residents of Blandford and the surrounding villages are aware of these exciting developments.

Regeneration, a term you have been hearing and will be hearing more and more, is a project that combines the volunteer efforts of the member groups: Corn Exchange Challenge, The Cupola Project, Blandford Museum and Forum Drama.

Our aim is to put Blandford on the map as the cultural, event and activity centre for the area. We want residents of the area to consider Blandford first when planning their leisure time.

Each one of the participants in this project is working to create events that will take place throughout the year and you will see these events advertised by each member group individually, but also under the banner of Regeneration. So look for

Regeneration on the web (blandfordregeneration.org.uk), on Facebook (Blandford Regeneration), in posters about town and village and in the press.

This letter is also to make a pitch for your involvement in Blandford, by both attending these events and by considering helping out the volunteer groups named above, who are working so hard to bring these events to Blandford, so please put us on your calendar.

But remember that we also need people of all skills and abilities to come forward to participate, and

as little as two hours a month can be a huge help for each of the above named charities.

If you would like to become involved, please contact Sylvia Hixson Andrews at 01258 458911 or at sylhixsonandrews@gmail.com.

We would also like to take this opportunity to ask the business sector in Blandford to be aware, when we come bearing posters and asking for them to be displayed, that we are working to bring people into Blandford, which we hope will help support the

COULD I through your columns please express my grateful thanks to the young man who came to my assistance when I fell into the Pimperne brook leading to the river Stour on the afternoon of Saturday 18th October.

I was walking along the bank by the little stream running down to the river and when I stopped at the top to look down, I fell into the water banging my head.

I was shouting for help for what seemed like a very long time and nobody came, but then sud-

shops in Blandford.

When considering whether to give your limited community advertising space to an event in Poole or in Blandford, we hope you will choose Blandford!

Looking forward to seeing you at an event soon.

Regeneration Sylvia Hixson Andrews (CEC, Blandford Museum) Helen Cooper (CEC) Isabel Rose (CEC) Esme Butler (BFTC) Sara Loch (Cupola Project) Terence Dear (Forum Drama)

denly a face appeared through the trees above me. The young man hauled me out using the branches of the trees.

After asking where I lived, he escorted me back to Chestnut House, where we sought the help of my neighbours who dialled 999 to summon the paramedics who looked after me.

But he would not come in or give his name and I would ask him please to contact me on 01258 268919 so that I can thank him properly.

Janet Belt, Chestnut House, Blandford

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December 2014

MP’s foodbank visit NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter paid a visit to the Blandford Foodbank to meet the staff and learn more about issues surrounding the service.

He met Blandford Foodbank steering group chairman The Rev Brook MacCallam, Faithworks Wessex CEO Alistair DoxetPurser and staff at Blandford Forum Methodist Church to find out more about the operation to supply donated food free to those in need given vouchers by professionals in the community.

Staff also help clients to find more sustainable solutions to their difficulties by working with other organisations to help users

access a wider range of support.

Mr Walter said: "Foodbanks provide an incredibly valuable service and I would like to pay tribute to the hardworking volunteers that help to run them.

"People clearly visit foodbanks for a variety of reasons and it is, of course, highly undesirable that anybody should reach the point where these services are required to fill the gap. I was reassured to hear that efforts are always made to direct clients to people in the local community that can help them move through and beyond these periods of crisis to a more sustainable situation."

Pictured from left to right: Alistair Doxet-Purser (CEO Faithworks Wessex), Jacquie Dakin (volunteer), Robert Walter MP and Gail del Pinto (Blandford Foodbank Manager).

Bridge looks secure A THREAT to the future of the old railway bridge which carried the Somerset & Dorset railway over the Haywards Lane road to Child Okeford from the A357 at Bere Marsh looks to have been averted.

A proposal by Dorset County Council to demolish the bridge because of its poor condition was met with strong public opposition, and the North Dorset Railway Trust has now put forward a funding proposal to keep it maintained.

Local county councillor Deborah Croney said: "The county wanted to avoid future maintenance costs and give easier access for the heavy machinery needed for repairs to Haywards Bridge

planned for 2015. Local district councillor Sherry Jespersen and I were contacted by people from all around the county expressing their concern regarding the proposed demolition."

In answer to suggestions at the DT11 community partnership meeting that the demolition would facilitate the creation of a car park at Bere Marsh for those using the North Dorset Trailway, which now follows the route of the former railway, Councillor Croney said: "The two are not connected. Funding has been found for the long-awaited car park to be prepared by the Rangers with the support of the county council, district council and also DT11."

ANOTHER £586.96 was raised for the Macmillan cancer appeal by the secretary of Blandford Constitutional Club Gary Packwood, who sought sponsorship to give up alcohol for the month. The club and Mr Packwood have raised a total of £1,085 in just two months.

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December 2014

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Above & below: images from the service of Remembrance, which was attended by hundreds of people in Blandford Market Place.

The Remembrance procession from Shillingstone Church to the war memorial.

A wreath is laid on the Durweston war memorial.

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December 2014

Never forgotten

Above: a lone cornet player sounds The Last Post before the start of the two minutes’ silence observed in Blandford Market Place at 11am on Armistice Day. Left: CO 11 Sig Regt, Lt-Col Mark Brookes (right) with WO1 RSM Chris Hoggard at the memorial outside the Corn Exchange.

Right & below: some of the many young people attending the service of Remembrance in Blandford Market Place.

Guide Jaydee Burchell proudly wears the medals from World War Two of her great grandfather Raymond Vincent, who worked at Markwells grocers shop in the Market Place and served in the Royal Navy.

ON Armistice Day, 11th November, staff and members of Blandford Town Council gathered with representatives of Blandford Royal British Legion and members of the public in the Market Place for a short ceremony of remembrance led by the Mayor Councillor Steve Hitchings. Staff and members of North Dorset District Council gathered (above) at the flagpole on the lawn in front of their headquarters at Nordon in Salisbury Road for a memorial led by the Rev Alan Ryan of the Milton Abbas benefice.

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December 2014

Shops add to the spirit of the occasion Heritage job opening

SOME local shops decorated their shop windows with Remembrance displays.

Customers at Morrisons supermarket (above left) were particularly appreciative of the one created in the special display area by their community

engagement worker Louise Anderson.

The Remembrance display at Forum Framers (above right) in Salisbury Street, Blandford, also attracted many appreciative comments from passers-by.

AN exciting opportunity is being made available for a young Blandford resident, age 16-25.

Blandford Museum and the Cupola Project are jointly offering a six-month internship for someone interested in history or wanting to gain experience working in the heritage sector.

Anyone in this age range and living in the town is eligible. Degrees and qualifications will be considered but are not essential. What is required is enthusiasm for history and learning about how a museum and a listed church conserve and display material and engage with visitors.

If you know someone who might be interested, or are interested yourself, please contact Sylvia Hixson Andrews at 01258 458911 or email sylhixsonandrews@ gmail.com or Sara Loch at 01258 450278 or e-mail saraloch@ easynet.co.uk. The deadline is 31st December.

The internship will tentatively run from February 2015 to July 2015, but this is negotiable. While the role pays the minimum wage, the experience is guaranteed to be fun and a good opportunity to have hands-on experience of working in the heritage field.

19

December 2014

MP approves village’s work to beat the floods DRAINAGE works at Milborne St Andrew as part of the Government's response to help prevent a repeat of last winter's devastating floods were viewed by North Dorset MP Bob Walter in October.

Having highlighted the plight of the village, which suffered from sustained flooding after last winter's exceptionally heavy rainfall, Mr Walter was pleased to see the progress that has been made.

He met with local village flood warden Steve Lord and Dorset County Council network operations service manager Martin Hill, Dorset County Councillor Hilary Cox, local store owner Emma Bratley, Parish Council chairman Jenny Balcon, residents and

members of the Milborne St Andrew Flood Group.

Mr Walter said: "No-one wants to see a repeat of last year's floods, which devastated so many communities. While recognising that the upgraded drainage works in Milborne St Andrew won't prevent flooding entirely, a fit-for-purpose drainage system will allow flood waters to flow away much more quickly and alleviate the problem of long-standing water that gave residents and local businesses such hell at the start of the year."

"I applaud the efforts of those County Council and Environment Agency staff who have gone beyond their own specific remit to help begin to provide this community with a real solution."

From left to right: Bob Walter MP, flood warden Steve Lord, DCC network operations service manager Martin Hill, DCC Cllr Hillary Cox, Londis store owner Emma Bratley, Milborne St Andrew Flood Group members David Payne, Nicky Hagan and Parish Council chair Jenny Balcon, and residents Richard Crisp and Tony Dyer view the newly installed drainage.

A HALLOWEEN party formed part of the Screenbites double bill at Tarrant Keyneston village hall on 31st October. A children's afternoon screening of the animated film 'Revenge of the Leftovers' with art and craft activities was followed by an evening show for adults with two films, 'Dinner for One' and 'Step Up to the Plate'. It was the penultimate venue for the successful 10th anniversary Screenbites Festival, which ended with 'Chef' at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton the following evening after touring three counties with a selection of food-themed films and tastings.

Pupils’ history lesson PUPILS at Milldown Primary School in Blandford experienced a week of events associated with Remembrance, which included a day of activities related to World War One. They gathered in costume and in mixed age groups for the day, which began with 'signing up' and continued with PT, run by the Royal Signals, and a rotation of poppy making, war songs, poetry, studying artefacts and making posters.

They followed up with activities in class, and year six visited Blandford Cemetery where their school council representatives Adam and Jack laid a wreath on the war memorial alongside those previously laid by civic and military representatives who also visited the military graves.

The children then took the poppies they had made outside to create an installation inspired by the one at the Tower of London.

20

December 2014

Dorset rallied round to ensure a warm welcome for Belgian refugees Royal box that became an icon PRINCESS Mary's Christmas box became one of the most iconic and enduring images of World War One, inspired by the 17-year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary.

In November 1914 an advertisement was placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a 'Sailors and Soldiers Christmas Fund' with the aim of providing everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day with a gift from the nation.

The response was overwhelming and some of the money was spent on an embossed brass box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey.

The contents varied: officers and men on active service afloat or at the front received a box containing a pipe, lighter, an ounce of tobacco and 20 cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets, while Indian troops often got sweets and spices.

Nurses were treated to chocolate, often dispatched separately since there was little room for much other than the standard issue of tobacco, cigarettes and the greeting card and picture of the Princess.

The tin, around five inches long by three inches deep, had a double-skinned lid whose surface showed the head of Princess Mary surrounded by a wreath and flanked on either side by the 'M' monogram. Decorative cartouches at the top and lower edge contain the words ‘Imperium Britannicum’ with a sword and scabbard either side and 'Christmas 1914' flanked by the bows of battleships. In the corners, small roundels house the names of the allies: Belgium, Japan, Montenegro and Serbia, with France and Russia at the edges.

The brass strip was ordered from America, not yet involved in the war, and a large consignment was lost with the ship Lusitania, so those produced later were of lesser quality plated alloy.

More than 355,000 were successfully delivered by the deadline, but many entitled persons did not receive their gift until as late as the summer of 1916. Those distributed after Christmas wished the recipient 'a victorious New Year'.

When the fund closed in 1920, almost £200,000 had been donated for the supply of more than two and half million boxes.

AS Christmas approached, one of the focuses in Blandford was fundraising in support of those affected by the war, and a number of large and small charities, organisations and individuals collected on their behalf.

Among those listed as beneficiaries of local whist drives, concerts and dances in the pages of the County Chronicle in the first three months of the war were Blandfordians on active service, the Red Cross, the Did some of these Belgian refugees heading for England come to Daily Sketch cigarette fund Blandford? and the Belgian Relief was staged in aid of the Belgian refugees, raisFund. ing £5.

It was recorded at the end of December that the The Corn Exchange was reported to be crowdtotal monies raised in Dorset for the Belgian ed on the evening of 16th December for a conRelief Fund amounted to £1,943 12s 6d, equivcert given in aid of the Naval Disasters Fund, alent in value to nearly £194,000 today. featuring 'Selections of Music by the Prize There was also support locally for a number Silver Band of Hood Battalion 2nd RN of Belgian refugees who were housed in Brigade, recently returned from Antwerp', Bryanston village. conducted by SPO James Dow with accompaThe house for the refugees, and the motor nists Miss Paddock and Miss N Conyers. transport when they arrived at Blandford staThe programme, printed by Edmonds & Son, tion to take them to the village, was provided Blandford, was priced 1d, and listed items

by Lord and Lady Portman. from the band and its solo musicians, from the Sixteen Belgian refugees were settled at 'glee party', from soloist artistes from Netherleigh, furnished for the purpose by Manchester, Cardiff, London and Newport, townspeople after a list of the articles needed and a sketch 'The Biter Bit', set in the interior was put up in the municipal buildings with the of the 'Blue Pig' (probably a pub!) message that 'The Mayoress will be pleased to It was held with the patronage of the Mayor, S receive gifts or loans of articles'.

J Norman Esq, the officer commanding the The members of the Wesley Guild arranged a brigade, Col A G Quilter, C E F Sinclare Esq, patriotic concert in aid of the Belgian Relief T E Williams Esq (clerk of works) and admiFund at the Wesleyan Schoolroom, and a conralty contractor J McManus of the Crown cert at the parish room at Blandford St Mary Hotel, who acted as treasurer.

Weather claims hero’s life LISTS placed in the church in December recorded that around 300 Blandfordians were serving at that time - about one in ten of the population.

It was reported in the County Chronicle on Christmas Eve that the casualties in the Dorset Regiment included seven killed and 78 'missing' with no further information available.

The following day, an eighth was lost, not in battle overseas but the victim of high winds at West Bay in Dorset when he was swept into the sea and drowned while on sentry duty on the pier.

Private Edward Dennett was a 43-year-old veteran of the Boer War, awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with bars for action at Transvaal, Tugela Heights (Feb 1900) and the Relief of Ladysmith (March

1900), having enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment in 1888.

Born in 1870 in Charlton Marshall, where his parents had been brought up, he was the second of 12 children of railway labourer Henry Dennett and laundress Constance, née Barns.

He had left the Army to become a domestic gardener, and in 1904 married Kathleen Bell with whom he had two children.

He re-enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment in August 1914 and on the night of 25th December, wearing two overcoats and equipped with ammunition, was swept off the pier in unusually strong winds and drowned. His body was found the following week, and he is buried in Charlton Marshall Church Cemetery.

Forum Focus would like to thank the Blandford 14-18 Group and Peter Reder for their help in researching this material.

December 2014

SCHOOLS

Pre-school in ‘house warming’ open day A HALF-term open day at their new premises at The Lodge in Salisbury Road, Blandford, on 27th October was an opportunity for Larksmead Pre-School to thank all those who had helped with their move from Larksmead Pavilion and show their new facilities to interested parents.

Guests included representatives of North Dorset District Council, who offered them the new accommodation in the grounds of their headquarters at Nordon, and the William Williams Charity, Stour Rotary and Blandford Rotary, who have supported them with grants.

The pre-school was established in 1981 along with the Little Larks Parent & Toddlers Group, and it was a new adventure to pack up at Larksmead in July and relocate after more than 30 years to reopen in September in its homely, new accommodation.

On behalf of the pre-school committee members, chairperson Tracey Caffery said: "We want to thank everyone for all their help and support, including all the past, present and future parents of the children of Larksmead PreSchool, and especially Blandford Town Council for providing us with premises since we first opened.

"We also thank MP Bob Walters for putting us in touch with the district council, Councillor Tony Harrocks for his support, the businesses who made donations for our fun day in July 2013 to raise funds for the move and

stallholders who have given their time at that and other fundraising events.

"Parents gave their time during the summer holidays to help with gardening and disposing of garden waste. Jordan Kevern and Wayne Russell gave their building expertise, and Mike and Darren their work as handymen."

She also thanked Complete Gas & Plumbing and Vale Plumbing for the renovation work, staff and their spouses for the time they put in to preparing the new premises, and Justin Frampton and Blandford Rugby Club members who put up the fence at the new premises.

"We would also like to wish Blandford Rugby Club all the very best back at the Larksmead Pavilion," she said.

Children, staff and parents at the Larksmead Pre-School Open Day

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22

SCHOOLS

Two-day event tests Knighton’s riders KNIGHTON House School's annual two-day equestrian event included dressage, show jumping and a challenging cross-country course.

Twenty girls took part, some on their ponies from home, with others taking part on pupils' ponies that are kept at school and shared with other girls who don't own ponies to ride. This means the event is open to the whole school.

Despite rain, all the girls completed their dressage, with fantastic scores being achieved by Oria Lockwood and Buzz Borneman in their respective classes.

On the following day there was much excitement as the girls came straight from lessons to walk the cross-country and showjumping courses for three classes which allowed girls of all

abilities to compete over jumps.

Lily Ryder, Scarlet Alers-Hankey and Lucy Southwood won their classes with Lucy competing on an old girl's pony, May. Hannah Collin put in a great performance after her pony went lame, continuing to compete on another pupil's pony to gain a welldeserved third.

Such is the enthusiasm for this event that Madeline ReaderSmith played in the U9s hockey match immediately before the event and, after a quick change of clothes, hopped on her pony Hippo to complete a clear round and take second place.

The next equestrian event in the school calendar is the sponsored showjumping event where the girls will be raising money for new schooling mirrors for the arena.

Madeline Reader-Smith on Hippo.

Tracy’s world bid CLAYESMORE Senior School are extremely proud of their head of girls' games, Tracy Cook, who qualified for the 2014 Iron Man World Championships in Hawaii, which this year saw the largest number of entrants in its history - 2,200 athletes.

The competition's theme was Ho'omau - the Hawaiian philosophy of perseverance and persistence that views failure as a temporary condition to learn from - and Tracy showed its attributes as she battled through the largest age group in the competition and was thoroughly tested by the hot conditions.

She made it 17th out of the water, but was hindered in the first half of the bike ride by powerful head winds. However, she did manage to move up to 12th position and during the run, her legendary steely determination kicked in, despite the heat, stitches and blisters.

Tracy's final marathon time of 3 hours 23 minutes secured her fourth place overall, turning out to be not only the fastest run time in her age group, but one of the fastest marathon times outside the pro field.

She beat last year's winner by 25 minutes, completed the fastest run, was second fastest GB female age grouper and 48th female out of 625 worldwide athletes.

Pupils’ taste of Romanian culture YEAR 7 pupils and two members of staff from Knighton House School recently returned from an exciting visit to western Romania as part of the two-year Comenius project Euniting Voices, funded by the European Union to promote cultural and linguistic diversity.

The local primary school teacher and his family hosted the visitors in their home in the tiny village of Crivina de Sus. They saw families

Careers advice comes from above THE arrival of a helicopter on the main lawn at Clayesmore School featured in one of the workshops on offer to Year 11 pupils on '646' Day, an event attended by Clayesmore Senior pupils and others from Shaftesbury, Blandford and Sturminster Newton schools.

It brought a group of experts to present a work-

December 2014

shop on becoming a pilot. They joined other speakers with knowledge of careers including fashion, graphic design, finance, medicine, law, engineering, property, media and sport.

Most of the sessions took place in Clayesmore's new business school and classrooms were overrun with those eager to learn.

sitting in the fields watching their cows, or bringing them home at the end of the day with the cow bells ringing in the still mountain air. Small hayricks looked like statues standing next to the fields of maize and pumpkins.

The girls visited two of the local schools to see their facilities and be entertained by the songs the youngest children had learnt to welcome them. Older students joined the younger children to show traditional Romanian costume and dancing, and the local community organised a wonderful evening party with Romanian dancing, simplified for beginners.

They visited wooden Orthodox churches with magnificent painted decoration covering walls and ceilings, some small and others large monasteries with tranquil grounds or mountain views.

On their last day they had a trip to Hunedoara and the famous castle where Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula, was imprisoned, and an amazing building of turrets and vaulted ceilings. This was followed by a funicular railway ride up the steep side of a sleeping volcano cone to an ancient citadel with a stunning 360 degree view.

Beautiful western Romania gave many experiences and memories and the opportunity to make new friends from many countries.

Knighton House will have the opportunity to showcase the results of the project when it hosts the Comenius finale in June 2015.

SPORT

December 2014

23

Perfect conditions for a gruelling run A TOTAL of 412 runners started the 20th anniversary Dorset Doddlers Stickler running event in which competitors have to climb the three peaks of Okeford, Hod and Hambledon hills.

The cloudy conditions were near perfect for the 20th anniversary Stickler, a 10.1-mile event involving over 1,500 feet of climbing and descent.

The runners started from a field next to Lanchards Lane in Shillingstone and finished on the platform at Shillingstone Railway Station.

First home among the 387 finishers was Anthony Clark of Wimborne, a member of the Poole Runners, in 1:05:42. Second placed just over 20 seconds later came David Meacock of Basingstoke & Mid-Hants (1:06:04), and his teammate Dave Ragan was third in 1:06:48, helping to secure victory in the men's team category.

First lady was Daisy Hall from Stubbington Green Runners in 1:18:02, with Nikki Sandell and Gemma Bragg second and third in 1:18:08 and 1:20:43 respectively, both from

The start of the Dorset Doddlers Stickler.

Bournemouth AC, ensuring victory for their club's ladies team.

A special prize was awarded to Jean Henry of Westbourne RC, first in the FV50 category,

who has completed all 20 Stickler races.

Full results can be found at thestickler.co.uk or on the Dorset Doddlers Running Group Facebook page.

Ahmed runs to help his home town’s causes FORMER Blandford schoolboy Ahmed Abdulrahman, now a social worker in Manchester, ran the recent Great North Run in support of two local causes.

Ahmed, whose mother lives in Greenhill, Blandford, ran to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Blandford boy Caleb Turner, who has special needs.

Ahmed completed the 13.1-mile half-marathon in two hours eight minutes 12 seconds and raised more than £1,100 in sponsorship, including £534 for the air ambulance and £627 for Caleb's appeal.

He said: "I chose two charities with a connection to Dorset. Both causes are very close to my heart and will help save or change people's lives."

Caleb is the young Blandford boy, featured recently in Forum Focus, who suffers from ADHD and mobility problems.

Ahmed added: "I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me, in particular to grain merchants BOCM Pauls Blandford, who raised £160, and my parents, family and their friends, who raised a whopping £374.

"I have now been bitten by the running bug and I hope I can count on everyone's support again when I run my first marathon in Hull in September 2015."

Paul’s darts triumph THE final of the Frankie Benham Memorial Money Darts knockout organised by Frank Benham and friends in memory of his father was held at the Blandford Royal British Legion Club on 24th October.

The winner of the competition, staged over a number of months, was Paul Francis, and the runner-up was Frank Benham.

Competition sponsors were Safercigs, Atlas Engineering, Frank Benham Property Services and Sunrise Taxis.

Organiser Frank Benham thanked Kevin Milne of the Blandford Darts League for his help in organising the competition, which will be staged again next year starting on 3rd April at the Royal British Legion.

It is hoped more players will sign up so that it can be staged at a variety of venues in the town.

For details call secretary Sandra Benham on 07977 105012.

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December 2014

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events DECEMBER Monday 1st December: Blandford Floral Group meets 2.15pm, United Reformed Church Hall. ‘Christmas Naturally’ with David Martin. Raffle, all welcome, visitors £5 Panda Pre School Bingo, Blandford Royal British Legion, eyes down 7:30pm Tuesday 2nd December: Christmas Cornucopia of Music and Songs with 'Woman Wants Tall Man', Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 3rd December: Blandford Forum Film Society presents 'Nebraska', The Blandford School, 7.30pm, guest tickets 01258 453851 Thursday 4th December: Blandford Town Home Watch, Blandford Police Station, 7pm Blandford Museum talk, Sylvia Hixson-Andrews on health services in the UK and America, 7.30pm, Blandford Museum Friends of Blandford Hospital Christmas bingo, hospital dining room, eyes down 7.30pm Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th December: The Garden of Delights, Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna, 10am to 5.30pm, stalls with handmade gifts, admission free, but for the gardens, adult £3.50/friend £2.50/under 16 free.

Friday 5th December: Child Okeford Gardeners' Club Christmas Social Evening, 6:30pm at the Village Hall Saturday 6th December: Small Business Saturday: free parking in NDDC car parks, Blandford Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd December: Christingle services, Blandford Forum Parish Church Sunday 7th December: Christingle services, Farnham and Gussage All Saints, 10.30am, Tarrant Gunville 5pm Salvation Army Carols at Methodist Church 3pm (followed by refreshments) Sunday 14th December: Carol Service, Blandford Methodist church, 10.45am Traditional Carol Service at Langton Long, 3pm Carols by candlelight, Blandford Evangelical Church, 5pm Candlelit Carols, Blandford United Reformed Church,

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 Panda Pre-School Christmas Fair, Corn Exchange, 9am to 1pm Shillingstone Christmas Fayre, Shillingstone Church Centre, 11am to 5pm Tarrant Hinton Christmas Fayre, village hall 2pm Carol Concert, Holy Rood Church, Shillingstone, 6 for 6.30pm Julia's House charity quiz night, Blandford United Reformed Church, 6.30pm, entry £5, teams of 4-6 people. Raffle and prizes Bryanston Choral Society Christmas Concert, Bryanston Church 7.30pm, Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Minuit and traditional carols. Tickets to include festive fare £10 on the door or from 01258 484649.

Sunday 7th December: Ambassador's Big Band, Crown Hotel, Blandford, 3.30 to 6.30pm Mayor's Charity Stour Valley Band Christmas Concert, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 6 to 8pm Wednesday 10th December: Bus2Go visit Galton Garden Centre, Owermoigne, details 01258 837749 Clayesmore Prep School Christmas Fayre 3pm to 5.30pm. free entry, stalls, games, Santa's café, and a visit from Santa Blandford Forum Film Society present 'The Spy who came in from the Cold', The Blandford School, 7.30pm, guest tickets 01258 453851

Blandford Yuletide Festival, see page 13 Blandford Rotary Satellite Group supporting Blandford Yuletide Festival, hot chocolate and mince pies, Bere's Yard, East Street Christmas Craft Fair, Sealy Suite, Crown Hotel Thursday 11th December: Jubilate Christmas Concert, Tarrant Gunville village hall 7.30pm, proceeds to Weldmar Hospice Care Thursday 11th Dec and Friday 12th December: Quality Sports Book Sale & signed AFC Bournemouth T-shirt raffle for Julia's House 10.00am to 4.00pm Blandford Co-operative store, Langton Road Friday 12th December: Farmers Market, Blandford Market Place and Christmas Craft Market, Corn Exchange, 10am to 4pm Moviola Film Night, 'Belle', Corn Exchange, Blandford, 7.30pm James Lascelles Quartet, Pamela Hambro hall, Winterborne Stickland, 7.30pm Saturday 13th December: Open House, Beatons Bookshop and Tearooms, Greyhound House, Market Place, Blandford, and 10am recital of winning entries in their Annual Poetry Competition Khaki Canteen, with WW1 cakes, soup or bacon butties, World War One information boards and

Christmas services 6.30pm Thursday 18th December: Candlelit Carols, Tarrant Gunville Saturday 20th December: Christmas Praise - an hour of Carol singing and Christmas readings, Blandford Parish Church 6pm, followed by refreshments Sunday 21st December: Coffee followed by Carol Service at Woodhouse Gardens, Blandford, 10.30am Nine Readings and Carols Blandford Catholic Church, (with

mulled wine & mince pies), 5pm Carols on Persimmon Green, Blandford (with mulled wine & mince pies), 6pm Carol service and nativity tableau, All Saints Tarrant Monkton, 6pm Wednesday 24th December: Children's Crib Service, Blandford Parish Church, 5pm Children's Mass, Blandford Catholic Church, 6.30pm Christmas Eve Service, Blandford Methodist Church (with URC), 8pm "Midnight" Communion,

‘Christmas in Wartime’, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 9am to 2.30pm Monday 15th December: Blandford Club for Visually Impaired meets for Christmas party, venue to be confirmed, contact Margaret on 07786 413616 Christmas Civic Carol Service, Blandford Forum Parish Church, 6.30pm Wednesday 17th December: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild meets, Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens, Blandford, 2.15pm, Christmas Party Blandford Carnival Bingo, Royal British Legion, doors open 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm Durweston Christmas Concert with The Durweston Village Singers and Guests, director Rachel Cook, pianist Elaine Coleman, Durweston village hall 7.30pm, tickets £5 (under 16s £2.50) include festive fare, proceeds to Durweston Playing Field Thursday 18th December: Blandford Rural Home Watch, Okeford Fitzpaine Sports Pavilion, 10.30am Saturday 20th December: Cats Protection coffee morning and stalls, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am to 12.30pm Sunday 21st December: Children's pantomime Peter Pan, Corn Exchange, Blandford 4 to 5.30pm Friday 26th December: Portman Hunt Boxing Day meet, from 10.45am, outside Crown Hotel, Blandford Blandford Parish Church, 11pm "Midnight" Mass, Blandford Catholic Church, 11.30pm Midnight service, All Saints Tarrant Monkton, 11.30pm Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day) Christmas Mass, Blandford Catholic Church, 9.30am Christmas Service, Blandford United Reformed Church (with Methodist Church), 9.45am Christmas Family Celebration, Blandford Evangelical Church, 10am Christmas Communion, Blandford Parish Church, 10am Christmas Communion, Langton Long, 11am

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL THE TEAM AT FORUM FOCUS