September 2015 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 42

Fond farewell to a Blandford stalwart: Page 17

September 2015

Should traffic be banned from the town centre?

THE often-asked question of whether traffic should be banned from the town centre and the Market Place pedestrianised has been put forward for full public debate by the Blandford Town Team.

The team is hosting an open meeting, starting at 6.30pm on Thursday 24th September at the North Dorset District Council headquarters in Salisbury Road and is inviting representatives of all authorities, organisations and the public to give their views.

Town councillors, meeting in July, agreed it would be premature to discuss the options and deferred to their planning committee to consider any firm proposals put forward.

But the suggestions already widely publicised have generated lively debate within the Town Team itself and by the public.

At Blandford and District Civic Society's August meeting concerns were raised that The Plocks was unsuitable for HGVs, and closure of the Market Place would mean excluding them all, with a suggestion that there might need to be a transfer facility on the bypass for offloading goods onto smaller vehicles.

There was also concern that it would make Whitecliff Mill Street, Eagle House Gardens and Bryanston Street inaccessible without going on to the bypass.

There have also been sugges-

tions from members of the public for forming a Whitecliff Mill Street/Salisbury Street loop by narrowing the pedestrian refuge at the junction, and calls for a survey of traffic movements to establish the intended destinations of drivers coming through the town before any changes are made.

The options considered by the Town Team recognised that, since the whole town is a oneway system, it would be difficult to pedestrianise the Market Place other than on an ad hoc basis for specific events, as happens now for the Georgian Fayre and Yuletide Festival.

It was considered that total pedestrianisation would be impractical, but partial pedestrianisation at a regular time, such as Saturday afternoon and Sunday, was an option, and that restricted HGV delivery times as enforced in other towns should be investigated.

Changes to the current traffic flows were considered, and the meeting noted that the agreement of English Heritage, which part-funded the town centre enhancement and current traffic scheme established more than 15 years ago, might be needed.

There was support for reversing the traffic flow on Sheep Market Hill, allowing traffic from East Street to travel north without To Page 2

Blandford Carnival Day is Saturday 12th September and the town's 'royalty' are ready to go. Pictured are Miss Blandford Carnival Lauren Johnston (back left), her attendant Kristina Valdez Campouerdo (back right), Carnival Princess Ginny Dugdale (front centre) and attendants Alyssa Miller (left) and Dolcie Burton (right).

Carnival balloon plea BLANDFORD Carnival Committee have urged supporters not to buy from balloon sellers on Carnival Day, Saturday 12th September, who do not give anything to the Carnival in return.

They say many people do not realise that most of the sellers give nothing to Carnival funds, and ask people to instead give their money to the Carnival collectors so they can continue to raise funds for local charities and offer good prize money to those taking part in the parade, which is free to enter.

Entry forms are available now, from ASL Locksmiths in West Street or via the Facebook page 'Blandford-Carnival', for classes which include walking groups, pairs and individuals in various age categories, walkers with decorated prams or carts, and Carnival collectors.

Sections in the vehicle classes include humorous, Carnival clubs, decorated cars and trailers, trade, Young Farmers, youth and To Page 3

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September 2015

CONTRIBUTING

CONTACTS

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Where to find Forum Focus WE are still seeking volunteers willing to deliver on the Damory Down estate and in the Langton Road and Black Lane area.

To deliver in your street or area, or act as a drop point, email distribution@forumfocus.co.uk or call 01258 456999.

Other main drop points are: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in The Tabernacle, the Corn Exchange, the Spar shop in Market Place, Gorge Cafe in East Street, Blandford Museum in the Market Place, the Tourist Information Centre in West Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the Co-op in Salisbury Road, the 3Cs in Damory Street, the Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road, Cherry's hairdressers in Elizabeth Road, CLP stationery on Blandford Heights industrial estate, 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, Child Okeford 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.

A rainbow captured

Many thanks to Julie Platt, visiting from Perth, Australia, for this lovely picture of a rainbow over her grandparents' house in Blandford taken on August 11th.

Traffic ban for town centre?

From Page 1 going through the Market Place, although it raised questions of how The Tabernacle and The Plocks would cope with the extra vehicles.

There was also strong support for the suggestion, put forward on many occasions but firmly ruled out on grounds largely of cost, for making Whitecliff Mill Street two-way, enabling more people to access the surgery, Eagle House Gardens and Bryanston Street without going through town. However, the likely impact on Heddington Drive was also highlighted.

Bringing back two-way traffic in Damory Street and Park Road was not ruled out, but there was no support for creating a road through the Crown Meadows which was suggested at the time the development of the Bryanston Deer Park, subsequently rejected, was being put forward.

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September 2015

Green light given for restoration of flood arches BLANDFORD Railway Arches Trust (BRAT) have been given the go-ahead to restore the flood arches next to the River Stour which once carried the Somerset & Dorset Railway over the river.

The Town Council has agreed to release up to ÂŁ18,000 of money set aside for repairs for phase one of the restoration, which is due to start this month and be completed, weather permitting,

by Christmas.

It will consist of repairs to the north wall and eastern parapet, which have been badly damaged over the years, and repointing the rest of the structure.

BRAT have in recent years campaigned and carried out volunteer work to improve the arches, and their proposals were presented to the last meeting of the town council, which leases the arches from North Dorset District Council.

A programme of repairs using funds set aside by the council will be followed by work to make the arches more accessible and develop a programme of events to maintain and support them in the future.

Councillor Lynn Lindsay said: "The money which has been allocated by the town council for the arches would have to be used to make them sound or blow them up."

In response to concerns from Councillor Peter Clark that

enough money might not be raised to complete phase two, it was confirmed that the works in phase one would in any case need to be done should the council decide not to renew their lease.

A proposal by Councillor Haydn White to release just over ÂŁ18,000 on the understanding that it would use nearly all the funding set aside by the council was seconded by Councillor Esme Butler and approved.

BRAT chairman Sylvia Hixson Andrews said: "We are delighted as this work will constitute the first phase in giving the arches a new life and a new purpose in the community.

"The second phase, which we expect to start in 2016, will be to gather, through grants, memberships and events, the money needed to make the top of the arches available as a spot to view wildlife and enjoy the scenery, and create an environment in which events such as plays, music and light shows can be held.

"We are asking our many supporters to take out a subscription and go onto our mailing list for updates on the progress of the works and news of events which will help to bring new life to part of our industrial heritage."

To get involved with the project, call secretary Nicci Brown on 01258 459346 or email s.n.b@btinternet.com.

Carnival balloon plea From Page 1 schools organisations, and a general class for anyone not falling into any of those categories.

Miss Blandford Carnival, Lauren Johnston and her attendant Kristina Valdez Campouerdo, were chosen at a selection event held at the Royal British Legion, together with Carnival Princess Ginny Dugdale and attendants Dolcie Burton and Alyssa Miller.

A Carnival bingo fundraiser was held at the Legion and the popular 'Spot the Oddity' competition, organised in association with shopkeepers who display unusual items in their windows for competitors to find, ran from August 1st to 17th. On Wednesday 9th September, doors open 6.30pm for the Grand Carnival Bingo in the Corn Exchange, eyes down 7.30pm.

On Carnival Day itself, doors open, again in Blandford Corn Exchange, for the baby show for which judging will start at 11am, followed by presentations of donations from the proceeds of last year's Carnival to local groups.

The Carnival is organised by a committee of just five people, which is often stretched to breaking point, and they would welcome offers of assistance in meeting the increased requirements placed on them by the authorities.

To get involved, email blandfordcarnival@talktalk.net

The railway flood arches on Langton Meadows.

Tarrant fish rescued THANKS to the Environment Agency and the River Tarrant Protection Society, thousands of fish are safe following the recent dry spell.

Fish became trapped in pools and unable to migrate due to lower water levels than normal in the Tarrant. Some larger fish required separate containers from the buckets provided for their rescue.

The fish are now safe in the River Stour and can migrate upstream when river flows return to normal.

The Tarrant is an important nursery for many fish, and Roger Genge, a fisheries officer with the Environment Agency, said: "I'm really pleased we were able to rescue some really big trout, grayling, eels - and a plastic duck!'

People can report fish in distress to the EA's free 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

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Jill Cornick with her prizewinning Clark's desert boot.

Order of the boot for Jill WHEN footwear manufacturers launched a competition for staff to redesign their classic children's desert boot in celebration of its 65th anniversary, there was no question that Jill Cornick would know what sort of thing they would be looking for.

She has worked at the Blandford Clark's shoe shop in the Market Place, on and off, for around 40 years, and fitted shoes for generations of children, as well as their parents and grandparents.

So it was no great surprise to anyone that hers was chosen as one of the winners. Her prize? To receive her own specially made boot to keep for posterity.

September 2015

Heritage Week to showcase town’s landmark buildings BLANDFORD's two key historic buildings, the Corn Exchange and Parish Church, form a central part of this month's contribution by the town to Dorset Architectural Heritage Week, taking place from Wednesday 9th September to Thursday 17th September.

Blandford's own Heritage Festival, which is being promoted by the Town Team to highlight the town's unique history, also includes the opening of the cemetery chapel in Salisbury Road between 10am and 2pm on weekdays.

A tour of a World War Two pillbox on Thursday 10th September needs to be booked by calling 01202 88992 or emailing dahw@edht.org.uk At the Parish Church on Thursday 10th, Friday and Sunday, there will be an opportunity to see the start of work on the restoration of the church tower and its iconic cupola, and take a tour of the West Gallery. This also needs to be booked.

On Friday 11th September is the monthly Farmers Market in the Market Place and craft market in The Shambles, and on Saturday and Sunday, 12th and 13th, the

Corn Exchange Challenge - soon to become the 'Friends of the Corn Exchange' - will have a presence in the building when the Council Chamber and Town Hall will be open to view.

The town silver will be on display, together with the newly cleaned portraits of the town's 18th century architects John and William Bastard - William sporting a black eye - and discover more about Alfred Stevens, the town's largely under recognised Victorian artist and sculptor.

Also on Saturday 12th there is an open day at the Blandford Fashion Museum for which places again need to be booked in advance, and on Wednesday 16th September there is a Georgian Heritage Walk starting at 7pm from the chestnut tree in the Marsh and Ham car park.

The Friends of the Corn Exchange will be introducing their membership scheme the following Saturday, 19th September, at this year's Community Expo.

Membership will offer a number of events, including private views, drinks with local figures, and priority booking or discounts for forthcoming events.

Action group’s bus proposals fall flat RECOMMENDATIONS put forward by the DT11 Transport Action Group at the suggestion of Dorset County Council's public transport officer John Cumming have received little support from town councillors.

The first was that a bus terminal should be established in the Marsh and Ham when the Market Place was closed so that drivers did not have to drop off their passengers at Tesco, leaving people with a long walk into town.

It was suggested that a bus stop in the Marsh and Ham car park would solve the problem, and provide a long-term solution. Car parking spaces would not be lost because the coach bay could be used.

TAG was also urged to highlight the four coach parking spaces in the Langton Road car park, and

the fact that coaches are currently encouraged to use the Marsh and Ham. They asked that Langton Road be advertised as the coach parking and signposted from the Langton Road/Wimborne Road junction.

Town councillors responded that both car parks were highlighted as available in the coach drivers' handbook, but that bus and coach companies preferred the Marsh and Ham car park because there were facilities including toilets and the TIC and it was more convenient for elderly people and drivers.

The moving of bus stops during a road closure was only occasional and often based on a rolling programme involving the Marsh and Ham car park as part of the event.

It was considered that enforcing a temporary bus stop for all events would not be suitable.

September 2015

A for achievement

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School’s delight at exam results MORE than a quarter of sixth formers at The Blandford School achieved top grades in their A-level results this year, and half achieved A*-B. The 26 per cent figure represented a five per cent increase on last year for top grades, and a seven per cent increase for A*-B, with 76 per cent of students achieving A*-C. Sally Wilson, headteacher, said: "We are delighted with the performance of so many of our students. Our high fliers have performed particularly well this year and we are pleased so many students have achieved their expected places at Russell Group universities and other universities across the country.

"These results demonstrate that students feel challenged and supported to do their best here. I have a superb team of staff and they should feel very proud of their contribution to student performance.

"As a comprehensive sixth form we are equally pleased that students who have chosen alternative routes than HE have been successful in securing their chosen paths."

Tyler Creech was congratulated for achiev-

Freya Edwards is heading for London to study international development at SOAS, University of London.

ing AAA enabling him to study economics and finance at Exeter.

Daniel Bryant, Jed Dutton and Freya Edwards all achieved the same set of grades (A*A B). Daniel will read philosophy and sociology at Birmingham, Jed will study history at Leeds University and Freya Edwards is heading for London to study international development at SOAS, University of London, which specialises in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.

Jessica Hollings achieved AAB and will move to Exeter to study history. Liam Andrews and Luke Tobin also achieved AAB; and Liam is heading to Leeds to read Arabic and French, while Luke is off to Cardiff to study physiotherapy.

Students in this year's cohort have chosen a wide variety of future careers and routes.

Beni Hoffman will be starting an astrophysics/physics course at Cardiff, and other students will be embarking on teaching degrees, music production courses, criminal psychology, marine biology and biomedical science.

Beth Failes and Ruby Stoddart led the way in terms of AS performance with four As each. Dominic Falconer, James Butler and Dominic Dunstan all achieved AAAB.

Jessica Hollings is going to Exeter to study history

Daniel Bryant (left) is to read philosophy and sociology at Birmingham, and Jed Dutton will study history at Leeds University.

Tyler Creech, with three As, will study economics and finance at Exeter.

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September 2015

Famous sculptor’s artefacts in demand A REQUEST from Blandford Town Museum for the permanent loan and display of items related to Victorian sculptor Alfred Stevens, the son of a Blandford carpenter, will be considered by town councillors at their September meeting.

A bust of the artist, whose monument to the Duke of Wellington stands in St Paul's Cathedral, is currently housed in the town council chamber above the Shambles in the Corn Exchange. Two sculptures of lions are in storage.

The museum is currently working on a project to make the artist better known in the town.

It already holds two of his paintings, two of his early works, and a small collection of drawings which are currently on display.

But curator Dr Peter Andrews said it was hoped to enlarge the display to include copies of other work, which will be complemented with a book being compiled

by museum staff describing Stevens's life and work, and illustrating a wide range of his extensive output.

He said the Dorset County Museum was being approached for the loan of at least one painting, and asked about the three items owned by the town council, all of which are in need of conservation work for which the town museum planned to seek grant funding.

Town councillors at their last meeting were concerned that such artefacts might need to remain in the Corn Exchange to be part of the focus on heritage in their regeneration funding bid.

It was agreed to defer making a decision to the meeting on September 28th, allowing the archivists to present more information, and the council's project manager to advise on any plans already agreed regarding the role of such artefacts in the regeneration project.

Greta Chippendale, Judy Adams, Velda Andrews and Terri Harrison at the Blandford Rotary cheese and wine evening.

They mean business THE Rotary Club of Blandford entertained its business partners and representatives of the charities supported at a cheese and wine evening in the Blandford Museum and Victorian garden.

The event was sponsored by their new business partner, Lesley Shand Funeral Service, whose office manager, Kathryn Clark, has become a member of the Rotary Satellite group.

Also attending the networking opportunity - for some their first visit to the museum and garden - were representatives of Symonds & Sampson, Healthy Pets and Terri Harrison Leathercraft, Off Camber, C&O Tractors, the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Read Easy, Larksmead Pre-school, the Foodbank and the Disability Action Group, who were entertained by Rotarians and their friends.

Other business partners include Hall & Woodhouse, the Great Dorset Steam Fair, Horrocks & Webb, Impressed Dry Cleaners, The Cooler Water Co Ltd, the Hambledon Gallery, Yew Tree Garage MoT & Service, Robert Frith Optometrists, All Insure Services, Sandisons Ltd, Sunrise Service & MoT Centre and Complete Health Osteopathy.

Georgian Fayre team’s plea for more helpers THE organisers of the Blandford Georgian Fayre are planning a return on Monday 2nd May 2016.

The Fayre will share the day and parts of the town with local charity Teddy 20.

All the usual attractions of the Fayre are planned, including a fun-filled children's area with clowns and activities, Coles fairground, performances from the Gurkhas, traditional dance companies and singers, the annual town criers competition and food stands, market stalls and icecreams.

The Blandford Georgian Fayre has been held bi-annually for a number of years, and all funds donated on the day are distributed to local DT11 charities and groups. The Fayre also aims to remind visitors of the town's Georgian heritage.

In order to make 2016's Fayre

even better than the 2014 event, the organisers would like to hear from anyone willing to commit to a few hours of help in the months leading up to the Fayre.

Those interested are invited to a meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9th September at the Royal British Legion Club, or can contact the secretary on blandfordgeorgianfayre.co.uk or 07500 135 774 for further information.

WESSEX Acoustic Folk, who meet regularly at the Blandford Royal British Legion Club, are planning to host a small-scale folk festival in the town next year to include two concerts, morris dancing and possibly a ceilidh. The proposal for a 'Folk at the Forum Festival' was given support in principle by town councillors.

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September 2015

Setback in lottery bid A BID for first stage Heritage Lottery funding for the regeneration of the Corn Exchange Regeneration Project has failed at its first attempt, but town councillors were told the decision was not unexpected.

A report to their planning meeting in July told them that HLF recognised the heritage significance of the Corn Exchange and found the need for its conservation was demonstrated well in the application.

The level of secured partnership funding was also considered a strength, but they wanted further work to be done in relation to heritage activities and governance issues, so would welcome a new application after working further with them.

Daytime licence A DAYTIME alcohol licence has been sought by Beatons Tearooms to serve alcohol between 9am and 5pm. Town councillors raised no objection at their last planning committee meeting.

SHILLINGSTONE Seniors Club, chaired by Jean Fincham, celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding a buffet lunch in the Portman Hall.

Former chairman Cyril Allen proposed the

toast and a celebration cake was cut by their most senior member, Sybil Cuff. The afternoon ended with excellent entertainment by the Okeford Minstrels.

Pre-Roman town is unearthed AN archaeological excavation by students near Winterborne Kingston has revealed a pre-Roman town of 150 roundhouses which pre-date the Romans.

The discovery has been described as "extremely significant" by archaeologists.

Miles Russell of Bournemouth University said: "We've discovered one of the earliest and largest open settlements in Britain. It is hoped the finds will show how life was before the Roman invasion."

The dig found animal remains, a number of quern-

stones used for grinding corn to make bread, weaving and metalworking materials.

Paul Cheetham, senior lecturer in archaeological sciences and project co-director, said: "It explodes the myth that everyone lived in protected hill forts - these inhabitants lived in this fertile farmland, away from the traditional hill forts we are all used to hearing about."

The students were taking part in the Durotriges Project, an archaeological field school run annually by the university, studying the transition from the late Iron Age to the early Roman period in southern England.

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Blandford town guides Michael Le Bas and Clare Lowes on the staircase of Greyhound House designed by the Bastard brothers.

September 2015

Praise lavished on Greyhound House conversion work THE refurbishment of Greyhound House in the Market Place, one of Blandford's premier Grade I listed Georgian buildings, was celebrated at an open evening hosted by estate agents Symonds & Sampson, who are marketing the six apartments.

The former commercial premises and home for hundreds of years to licensees, banks and solicitors were built in 1753 by then-owners John and William Bastard 20 years after the great fire of Blandford, which destroyed most of the town.

After the building became vacant in 2010, planning permission was granted for its conversion and subsequently amended by its new owners to preserve and reinstate more of the building's original features.

Among those eager to see the transformation and restoration of the building were members of Blandford & District Civic Society and their town guides Michael Le Bas and Clare Lowes, who were delighted to find the Bastard staircase uncompromised.

They were equally pleased to find one of the apartments overlooking the Market Place to have been converted so as not to break up the richly decorated ceiling, which Mr Le Bas described as a very high status room.

Chairman Terence Dear said: "We were all very impressed with the imagination and sensitivity evident in the conversion of this listed building and in the high standard of the workmanship.

"It will be to Blandford's advantage if this project can establish a benchmark against which future conversions and redevelopment in the town centre are considered.

"Regrettably, there are too many historic buildings in the town centre that are in need of this sort of investment."

Local contractors and suppliers included project manager Robert Acheson and Mark Caplen plumbing and heating of Dorchester, R & H Construction, Modo Interiors, tiler Russell Docker, Gary Kempster (groundworks), Service Appliances, Mark Robbins Carpets, and signwriter Len Prill, all of Blandford.

Architectural consultant was Paul Dean and conservation consultant Colin Ellis, both of Weymouth, and other suppliers were Wincombe Kitchens of Shaftesbury, Dorset Electrical and Fire Alarms of Poole, and John Pitman (joinery) of Sturminster Newton.

Visitors to the open evening were offered refreshments in Beatons Tearooms Blandford, which now occupies one of the units on the ground floor.

History book revision THE book Blandford Through Time, which features buildings and places now and as they were many years ago, is being revised by its authors Sara Loch and Sylvia Hixson Andrews.

They are seeking the help of the public in sourcing photos showing a number of people and places, and in particular the following: Old Blandford shops and pubs; photos of what is now Forum Framers; old photos of the Market Place and the Corn Exchange; old photos of the Railway Arches and any photos of civic events.

If you have photos that you think they might be interested in including in the new book, please contact Sylvia at 01258 458911 or the Blandford Museum at 01258 450388 or email blandfordtownmuseum@uwclub.net.

GROW it Yourself Dorset will welcome Pennard Plants to their meeting in the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, on 7th September, starting 7.30pm.

Somerset-based Pennard specialise in heritage edible and useful plants, including many perennial vegetables that have dropped out of common use such as skirret and new introductions such as yacon.

Their display of Sicilian vegetables won a gold medal at this year's Chelsea Show. They will be giving a talk and bringing a selection of plants and seeds for sale, so it is a great opportunity to pick the brains of an expert and acquire something new and exciting for the garden and for the kitchen.

For more information call Wendy Pillar on 01258 818243.

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September 2015

Probus group comes of age BLANDFORD'S Probus Ladies celebrated their 21st anniversary at their July meeting at Ashley Wood Golf Club, where president Rosemary Holmes invited the club's two longest-serving members, June Dunn and Wyn Pullen, to join her and Marian House, her successor as president, in cutting the cake.

With a membership of just over three dozen, the club enjoys monthly lunches with guest speakers and social events including visits to places of interest.

Mrs Holmes said she had thoroughly enjoyed her two years as president, and thanked secretary Greta Chippendale and other officers and committee members for all their help.

Incoming president Sylvia Elley, retiring president Denise Symmons, and retiring district chairman Judy Adams, with members at the Inner Wheel AGM.

More turns of the Wheel

June Dunn, left, and Wyn Pullen, right, long serving members of Blandford Probus Ladies, with bouquets presented by president Rosemary Holmes.

BLANDFORD Inner Wheel's annual general meeting gave the club an opportunity to say thank you, not only to the incoming President, Sylvia Elley, but also to retiring President Denise Symmons with gifts of beautiful bouquets.

Club members also thanked retiring Inner Wheel District Chairman Judy Adams, who is a member of the Blandford club, for all her hard work during the year, and presented a gift of a stone toadstool for her garden.

The meeting at a member's house was followed by afternoon tea.

The club has enjoyed several outings during the summer months, including a trip to the coast, and is now looking forward to the new autumn programme.

LETTERS

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Letters to the Editor

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

We should celebrate the town’s beauty ONE reads so much negative reporting of Blandford but little if anything of the positive.

What about our beautiful leisure areas?

1, Marsh and Ham 2, Langton Meadow 3, Stour Park & the riverside 4, Angus Wood 5, The 40 acres of Milldown with its 1.2-mile path.

All of these areas are kept as litter-free as finances allow BUT people must be more responsible with their litter.

A few years ago the Town Council, North Dorset District Council and the County Council were all involved in looking after the Marsh and Ham area. One picked up litter, one cut the grass, and county were responsible for the shrubbery and steps down from the road.

Unfortunately the council which wanted to cut the grass had to wait for another to clear litter and the area was disgusting. The Town Clerk at the time told me he would sort it out.

Now we have families picnicking, playing and enjoying the facility.

This is a positive. Whoever is now responsible is doing a good job despite careless litterers.

BHC (Name & address supplied)

September 2015 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.

We’re growing not going!

AFTER the tenth person came into our outlet shop at our premises on the corner of Holland Way, and asked us when we were closing down, I decided to investigate further.

I was then told that they had come to this conclusion after reading your article about a possible move by Lidl into Blandford - obviously skimming through the article but not reading it properly.

However, I fear your article had given the impression that we were under negotiation to move out of our current premises.

This could not be further from the truth. We have recently extended our lease and continue to spend considerable sums of money updating our facilities. We are also looking for additional space in the area as we look to expand our growing business.

The vast majority of our business is importing and wholesaling to retail outlets, hamper companies, corporate gifts, etc. throughout the UK. However, we value our local customers in our outlet shop, many of whom have become regulars, and do not want anyone to gain the impression that we are closing down.

When my husband and I bought the business 15 years ago, we employed seven staff. We are now up to 50 staff and have grown the business tenfold.

We are happy to be a thriving Blandford business.

In your next edition, can you please make this clear - we are not moving!

Thank you.

Jackie Martin, Director, House of Sarunds Ltd.

A bouquet for the Dog mess on council floral display the Trailway I WOULD like to congratulate the Blandford Town Council and the staff on their fantastic floral displays this year.

Whilst there is some expense, I do think it is worth it as we try and make the town as attractive as possible for residents and visitors.

There is clearly an issue with reducing footfall within the town and we all need to look at ways to ensure we all buy as much as possible in the town's shops, as well as encouraging those from the villages and holiday visitors to come in and see what the town has to offer in terms of its independent retail outlets, heritage and attractions.

The floral displays play their part.

An early resolution on the future management of the market

by NDDC or the Town Council would also help.

Also ensuring NDDC holds to account the heritage building owners who are failing to maintain them and allowing inappropriate colours to be used.

I look forward to the Town Council's 2016 floral display.

David Rose St Leonard's Avenue, Blandford.

THE article from Nic Nicol, in the last edition of Forum Focus about his very unpleasant encounters with dog mess in Angus Wood, came to mind during what should have been an enjoyable stroll along the Blandford section of the Trailway.

To my annoyance and disgust, instead of looking at the hedges and scenery, I found myself having to concentrate on the path to avoid treading in dog mess.

Clearly most dog owners are responsible people and clean up after their dog. Why do a few have to spoil it for everyone?

The Trailway is a brilliant facility and numerous dog waste bins have been provided, so there really is no excuse.

Perhaps some signs reminding people to 'clean up' might prick some consciences.

Name & address supplied

September 2015

Letters extra

Chaos at chemists FURTHER to John Tanner's letter in issue 40 there is growing concern over Boots' service. This can be heard voiced in coffee shops, doctors' waiting rooms and frustrated queues.

I see the problem as: 1, Management and systems 2, Lack of continuity of pharmacists 3, Are the pharmacists the managers?

Staff at the front of shop and those behind bumping into each other as they search four or five places for made-up prescriptions.

A system was tried with a notice directing people leaving prescription notes or collecting made-up prescriptions to a small side counter leaving customers buying non-prescription items at the main counter.

This did not apply for long, presumably because it meant the staff often wanting the till at the same time.

On one occasion I was sent back to the surgery twice, meaning three visits to Boots before I got my prescription, which was there all the time.

The staff are very pleasant, as helpful as they can be in a cathedral of chaos, but this customer frustration is going to develop into unpleasant scenes before long.

Name & address supplied

Shop advice I HAVE moved to Blandford Forum from a similar-sized town in Suffolk, but unlike Blandford it is thriving and does not have a single empty shop. The reason for this is simple - it caters for ALL age groups.

The town in Suffolk has shops such as New Look, Peacocks, a Toy Master, Fat Face, etc. These shops cater for the teens to 20s and attract the mums as well, and whilst their offspring browse, the mums pop into the bakers, butchers, have a coffee, etc.

The old Argos store would have easily housed a New Look with room for men's, women's and children's things. Some of the smaller shops could be offered to smaller retailers at a rental discount. Come on, Blandford, get one big name in and the others may follow.

Carole Colden, Blandford

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Shop watch scheme signals crackdown on troublemakers A NEW radio link shop watch scheme was launched throughout Blandford and surrounding areas on 4th August to help reduce shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

Set up by the North Dorset Safer Neighbourhood Team, it includes more than 20 pubs and shops and helps improve the strong working partnerships already in place in the town, allowing shop, bar and door staff to warn each other about suspicious people or the presence of known shoplifters and troublemakers.

Improved communication between shops will mean the introduction of a 'Banned from one, banned from all' policy.

Those taking part can also communicate directly with the Police and the town CCTV operator, with the aim of allowing officers and staff to respond much faster.

PCSO Jamie Burt said: "Blandford is a safe place to live, shop and socialise. The purpose of the radio link is to continue to provide that safe environment and deter criminal and antisocial behaviour."

Criminal activity in the area recently has included two breakins at commercial premises overnight on 22nd July, one at One Stop in Salisbury Road where cigarettes and lottery scratch cards were taken, and the other in Langton Road where there was an attempted theft of lead from a roof.

On the evening of 1st August, criminal damage was caused to a vehicle parked in Dorset Street whose wing mirror was ripped off and taken, and later the same evening or early hours of 2nd August, there was a burglary in Larksmead, Blandford. The owner reported an iPad, iPod, cash and jewellery stolen.

Burglaries were also reported in Green Close, Charlton Marshall, on 2nd August, where jewellery, a bank card and medication were stolen, and at a property in Valley Road, Tarrant Keyneston, on 31st July when a mobile phone was taken.

SPECTRUM Residents' Group has been recognised for the important scrutiny work it does for Spectrum Housing Group at the Tenant Participation Advisory Service National Award finals held in Warwick. The group was placed in the top 3 of 200 groups in the country.

Shop watch and Blandford Safer Neighbourhood Team members with their radios outside Blandford Police Station.

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Opera cash aids church NEARLY £4,000 was raised for the Cupola Project when Dorset Opera, in residence last month at Bryanston School for their annual festival, took a break from performance in the Coade Hall to give a free concert in Blandford Parish Church.

Conducted by Nicholas Mansfield, the Dorset Opera Festival Chorus was joined by soloists from the festival performances of L'elisir d'amore and Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi) to perform Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle to an audience of around 300 which filled the church almost to overflowing.

The choir, and Johane Ansell (soprano), Patricia CasementThomas (mezzo soprano), Thomas Kinch (tenor), Jeremy Carpenter (baritone) and John Molloy (bass), were accompanied by pianist David Smith on grand piano and Caroline D'Cruz on her harmonium.

Donations at the concert, including Gift Aid pledges, totalled £2,850, and were followed by an anonymous donation of a further £1,000, which churchwarden Sara Loch said would go towards the

re-hanging of the apprentice bell.

The bell hung in the original church, summoning people to work, and was relocated in the cupola when the church was rebuilt after the Blandford town fire of 1731, but later housed in the ringing tower after the cupola was damaged by a lightning strike.

Scaffolding was due to go up around the church last month for the first major phase of restora-

tion, funded by the Heritage Lottery.

The work on the tower means that the bells and chimes have been silenced for the duration, but the Guild of Ringers gathered before the scaffolding went up for a special peal in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Women's Institute, which was celebrated by the recently re-formed Blandford branch with a tea party in the Woodhouse Gardens.

September 2015

A game of golf for a good cause BUSINESS people will be teeing-off from Dudsbury Golf Club in aid of bereaved children on 24th September.

Funds raised will go to Mosaic, the Milborne St Andrew-based charity that provides counselling and support for young people and their families who have experienced bereavement of loved ones.

Event organiser Rob Ward said: "A lot of businesses have already come forward to pledge their involvement for an excellent charity."

Fellow organiser Katie Hensman expects the event to make a difference. "A residential weekend supporting up to 25 bereaved children costs in the region of £5,500. We are on course for 16 teams of four people, which will make a significant contribution towards funding a residential weekend."

Businesses can sponsor any of 17 holes available. Email Katie on katie@mosaicfamilysupport.org to book a team.

New term, new classes at the Performing Arts Theatre Academy

E

xciting times lie ahead for Blandford's independent Performing Arts Theatre Academy, with new Saturday morning classes in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz for 2½ to 7 year-olds, Baby Sensory and Development for parents and babies from 6 weeks, as well as fun for toddlers in two sessions of Drama Storytime.

Blandford's amateur drama group, to co-produce 'The Railway Children' which will be performed in March 2016.

Classes can be taken separately or in any combination, including our established weekday Musical Theatre, Drama and Singing classes for 5 to 18 year-olds, allowing for your child's unique talents and interests to be fully explored.

For further information contact Rebecca Hollands 07920 755791 or see our advert (left).

This very exciting and wonderful family show is the first in which our Academy students will take part, and we will be casting from within our classes, and looking especially for boys aged between 8 and 14.

There is a hidden star within every child who is willing to succeed in life as well as within Performing Arts. We encourage them to take on characters and go on adventures using their own imagination, building their confi- Becky Hollands dence, creativity, musicality, rhythm, team and listening skills - and most of all, the ability to have fun and learn at the same time.

The Academy offers children involvement in community events promoting the town they live in, and is incredibly lucky to have been invited by Forum Drama, Lauren Newbury

Felicity Ayles

Zoe Mitchener

September 2015

Rugby Club licence BLANDFORD Rugby Club, whose alcohol licence at Larksmead Pavilion currently operates only on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, have applied to extend it to operate from 6 to 10.30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 12 noon to 8.30pm on Saturdays and from 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays.

ANOTHER successful book launch was staged at Beatons Blandford when Eve Bonham described her journey into authorship after a career which has included auctioneering, world yachting and now family ownership of Greyhound House, in which the event was staged in support of the Corn Exchange Challenge. She is pictured signing a copy of her book for Blandford resident Pauline Mills.

Fly squad work on future strategy A MEETING of public health and scientific experts, residents and other interested parties has begun to work on options for the future treatment of the Blandford Fly. The review group was set up at the request of the Dorset Health Protection Network (DHPN) when they met in March, since when treatment of the river Stour has taken place to prevent the emergence of the fly.

North Dorset District Council's community safety and health portfolio holder, Cllr Andrew Kerby, said: "It was great to get all the partners involved and community representatives together to talk about the Blandford Fly and the history of the successful treatments that have been carried out

in the River Stour to date.

"It was clear from the meeting that we all wanted to work together to come up with the best options for treatment of the river and to work together to create a treatment strategy which we can report back to the DHPN later this year."

The next review group meeting will take place in the autumn, following which the group will report back to the DHPN which next meets in December.

The group is made up of representatives of North Dorset, East Dorset, Christchurch and Poole councils, along with Public Health England, NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, Freshwater Biological Association and local residents.

BLANDFORD United FC will welcome Liverpool football legend Phil Thompson at its annual charity sportsman's dinner on Friday 2nd October at The Crown Hotel, Blandford.

The former Liverpool title-winning captain and defender won more than 40 England caps during a stellar career and is now a regular on Sky TV's panel of experts.

The Blandford event will help raise money for Blandford Opportunity Group, a charity supporting children with special needs across North Dorset.

Doors open in the Sealy Suite from 7.30pm and the evening will kick off at 8pm, promising an evening full of fun and excitement with further entertainment from comedian Scott Charlton.

For further details, contact Nigel Underwood on 07787 903434.

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The deadline for representations to North Dorset District Council is on 11th September, and details can be found at the district council office or on dorsetforyou.com.

Follow us on Twitter @forumfocus

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September 2015

GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR - SEPTEMBER 2-6

Hard roads should smooth the way VISITORS to this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair should find conditions under foot and wheel more user-friendly following improvements to the layout and infrastructure at the Tarrant Hinton showground.

Following wet weather problems during the 2014 event, it was agreed that hard roads into and on the showground would significantly improve traffic management, site operations, logistics and, most importantly, public safety, welfare and the overall visitor experience.

A three-year project involves the laying of over 5,000 metres of new hard roads, and

planning permission was granted this year for over 3,000 metres to be installed and ready for the 2015 show.

Improvements to the layout of the site include separation of campers and day visitor car parks to ease congestion, and provision of one-night camping.

Problems with mobile phone coverage and capacity last year will hopefully be addressed by the provision of two Vodafone masts and service from O2.

Martin Oliver, managing director of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, said: "A lot was learned from last year's adverse conditions

and we strongly believe that these and other measures will greatly improve access times on arrival, ease traffic congestion both on and off site and significantly enhance visitor experience, whatever the weather."

"The new roads this year will help us enormously but any event held on large areas of agricultural land will experience difficulties in wet weather, even with a network of hard roads in place, so the need for appropriate footwear and clothing remains."

This year's event runs from Wednesday 2nd September to Sunday 6th September.

Clinker sets off on a charity marathon A TEAM of steam enthusiasts is attempting a 189-mile journey from Cornwall to the Great Dorset Steam Fair in a Burrell 3257 Steam Locomotive called 'Clinker' to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Jon Eastman, a cancer survivor, was keen to raise funds for the charity, and persuaded his friend Rob Wing and 19-year-old son Jack to drive their steam road locomotive 'Clinker' all the way to the event.

Jon said: "In 2008 and aged 24 years, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer; it was a very frightening time of my life. Following an operation and treatment I have now had the all-clear.

"I'm also to become a dad for the first time less than two months after this event, and I feel it's time I gave something back to Cancer Research for saving my life.

"Having driven Clinker for many miles over the years, I am delighted to have joined forces with Rob and Jack to create 'Clinker's Challenge'. We will be stopping in as many villages and towns as possible on the journey so,

The Burrell 3257 Steam Locomotive 'Clinker' which has been steaming 189 miles to the Great Dorset Steam Fair for Cancer Research UK. if you see us, come and say hello and show your support."

They will be joined by Jon's wife Sam and a friend Charlie Daniel, and hope to complete the challenge in under 72 hours, using approximately 80 bags of hand-shovelled coal and around 14,000 litres of water. They also hope to raise ÂŁ10,000.

GDSF managing director, Martin Oliver, said: "We have offered to provide all the coal needed for the journey and hope that the public will

show this great team the support they deserve and give generously."

After leaving Bodmin on 27th August they hoped to arrive at Tarrant Hinton at 2pm on Saturday 29th August.

Donations can be made to justgiving.com/steam/ or by texting 'COAL60' and your donation to 70070, and latest updates can be found at facebook.com/clinkerschallenge/

Travellers’ site THE temporary travellers' site was due to be set up on Monday 24th August and officially opened on Wednesday 26th August until Monday 7th September.

This is the last year of planning permission for the site north of Tarrant Hinton off the A354, and a fresh application will be made next January for its use in the future.

A temporary police station will be established with two permanent members of staff.

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September 2015

STEAM FAIR

Buses laid on to deal with crowds REGULAR Damory bus services will run between the site and stops in Blandford, Salisbury, Pimperne, Milton Abbas, Puddletown, Dorchester, Wimborne and Poole, with enhanced X12 services to cater for extra numbers during the course of the week.

"We will be running services from first thing in the morning on Wednesday 2nd September at regular intervals until the early hours of Sunday 6th September," said Adam Keen, Damory area manager.

"We are keen to encourage people to leave their cars behind and have the chance to immerse themselves in the magical atmosphere without having to worry about how they are getting home."

Great Dorset Steam Fair operations director Julian Hubbuck, said: "We are delighted to be working with Damory as they have a deep history in the local area and we have every faith that they will look after our visitors well."

Focus at the fair FORUM Focus is grateful to one of its key distributors, James of Blandford, for ensuring that those ensconced at the fair don't miss their chance to pick up a copy from their stall on the showground.

Pauline and John Murray, who have provided newspaper and grocery provisions at the steam fair for generations of showgoers, are now the only newsagents operating a delivery service in Blandford following the retirement of Conio and Sue Jeans in the Market Place.

Pauline and John continued the service begun by her father at the family shop in The Plocks which has since been converted into office accommodation, and the newsagency service only is now run from a tiny office at the rear of the premises.

Forum Focus is delivered to their customers in the villages free of charge.

102 - a really big number for bingo fan Nan

Nan Dennett with her daughter Sandra Pike at the British Legion bingo session where she celebrated her 102nd birthday.

Estate work delayed THE developers of the Badbury Heights phase 3a and 3b have yet to complete works allowing North Dorset District Council to discharge planning conditions imposed with the permission for the development.

Councillors heard that an internal delay had been responsible for the non-completion following agreement last October of matters to be rectified, but the developers were keen to get the conditions discharged so that street lighting and road/footpath adoption by Dorset County Council could proceed, as well as the transfer of public open space to the town council.

Minor works were still required when a review meeting took place in July, together with the replacement of 13 trees which had failed to thrive and which could not be done until the next planting season.

The council has agreed to expedite matters through a legal agreement requiring payment from the developer to cover the tree planting, which will be carried out by council staff. The developers are already required to pay for the extra council staff needed to maintain the open space.

NAN Dennett celebrated her 102nd birthday on 27th July playing bingo at the Blandford British Legion Club where she still enjoys playing six cards at the weekly sessions.

She was well looked after, as always, by the other bingo players - and even managed a couple of wins.

The birthday cake she shared with fellow bingo players followed a garden party for over 30 guests held in her granddaughter Kelly's garden in Blandford, and a family Sunday lunch at the Crown Hotel.

Lancaster-born Mrs Dennett moved to Dorset with her Dorset-born husband Ivor, whom she met while serving with the WRVS in Lancashire during the Second World War. The mother of two daughters now with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren she worked in local shops and at Clayesmore School before her retirement, and then with Help the Aged as a volunteer until she was 94.

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September 2015

People, places and events caught on camera

CASTLEMAN House care home at Blandford staged a fundraising garden party and fete when generations gathered to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and activities. Refreshments were served in the main lounge, there was a grand raffle and there were stalls in the garden.

The event raised ÂŁ670. Pictured is activities organiser Wendy Hewitson making candy floss.

MEMBERS of the Blandford Mortain Twinning Association at their barbecue and fun day at the Constitutional Club and garden. The organisation, which holds regular exchanges with its partners in the French twin town of Mortain in Normandy, is looking forward to next year's celebration of the 30th anniversary of the signing of their 'Charter of Twinning'.

Sam Finlay accepts the chain of office as president of Blandford Stour Rotary from retiring president Garry Barker.

Sam takes the Rotary Club helm NOTHING could stop nearly 100 people from gathering to enjoy the parish barbecue at Blandford Catholic Church, with a great range of goodies provided by parishioners, despite the wind and rain. The weather was kinder when the church's SVP Society held a Father's Day tea party, pictured above, which provided an opportunity for senior parishioners and friends to enjoy each other's company in the beautiful Church gardens.

BLANDFORD Stour Rotary Club elected Sam Finlay as their first ever woman president just three years after introducing women to the club.

She takes over from Garry Barker and is committed to expanding the club's activities.

She said: "I am very honoured to be the first female president of the Blandford Stour Rotary Club and very much look forward to raising the profile of the club.

"We will be introducing a number of new events for the local community through the year and hope that people will support us by attending, helping or even by becoming a Friend of Blandford Stour Rotary."

Since 1998, the club has raised thousands for charitable causes worldwide through measures such as sportsman's evenings and longdistance cycle rides.

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September 2015

Philip Le Bas, artist and man of integrity A FUNERAL service was held at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, on 10th August for artist Philip Le Bas, of West Street, who died on 25th July, four days before his 90th birthday.

The packed congregation heard readings from his brother Michael and other family members, and warm tributes from his four children to the natural modesty and great moral integrity of an intellectual who was naturally optimistic, unassuming and gentle, and for whom family life played a central role.

He also played a central role, after moving to Blandford, at the town museum where he became

OBITUARY an assistant curator and resident artist, responsible for much of the artwork found there today, including that in the forge, the railway exhibit on the first floor where Winston Churchill is portrayed with the King, and the model of the Queen which featured in the town's Jubilee celebrations.

Born in 1925 near Bordeaux into a family of wine growers, his mother was French and his father came from the Channel Islands.

His cousin, Sir Edward Le Bas, was an eminent English Impressionist painter.

Following service in the RAF during the war Philip studied painting

Philip Le Bas, pictured at Blandford Museum with the lifesize figures of King George V and Winston Churchill, which were unveiled there in 2009. Picture courtesy of the Western Gazette.

Homes for former hotel PLANNING permission has been granted by North Dorset District Council for the conversion and redevelopment of the Railway Hotel in Oakfield Street into a total of five units of accommodation - three flats in the main building, a townhouse at the rear, and a mews cottage in the skittle alley.

Town councillors raised no objection when Nigel Jones's application was considered, and the application was approved by planning officers using delegated powers.

In last month's Forum Focus, we incorrectly reported a tribute paid to the late North Dorset District Councillor Richard Moyle as being paid to Councillor Michael Roake. We would like to clarify that it was Cllr Roake who was speaking and paying tribute to his former colleague.

at the Regent Street Polytechnic and at Brighton College of Art. From 1952-66 he taught art at various schools and colleges to support his growing family and wife Pamela, whom he married in 1956, and he became her devoted carer during years of ill-health prior to her death.

He showed with Young Contemporaries in 1950, at the Royal Academy for many years, and at other galleries with solo shows at the Heffer Gallery in Cambridge in 1955-57, Trafford Gallery in 1956 and 1958, and

Piccadilly Gallery in 1960.

His strong Roman Catholicism led to his being commissioned to paint the Stations of the Cross in the church of Our Lady of the Visitation in Greenford, Middlesex.

He also painted a series of West End theatres, and one of London's 'blue plaque' houses with the original occupants in situ. He travelled worldwide on a project to paint 'Great Hotels of the World', which was featured in an exhibition in Blandford Museum in 2009.

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September 2015

Marmalade on the film night menu

Orchestra’s silver milestone BLANDFORD musicians were among those of all ages and abilities who gathered in the main concert hall at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton for the 25th anniversary concert and party celebration of the Sturminster Newton Orchestra.

Past and present members from all over the south of England were joined by the orchestra's founding conductor Howard Pullin, who returned to take to the podium and share reminiscences about the early days of the orchestra before rehearsing some familiar repertoire.

The rest of the morning was filled with more final rehearsing, under the baton of the current conductor, Miles Nipper, and followed by lunch accompanied by members of the orchestra who had formed their own ensembles.

In the afternoon the hall filled with family and friends of the orchestra for a performance opened with a dramatic arrangement of 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' arranged by Miles's predecessor, the late Rodney Parker, who also contributed a great deal to the orchestra's library.

Young members sat alongside more experienced musicians, and unusually for an amateur community orchestra every orchestral instrument was well represented. Each section took its turn to shine, as well as orchestra leader Auguste Shepherd who played a haunting opening solo in the Ashokan Farewell, conducted by the Deputy Conductor Katy Ashman.

After its summer break the orchestra will resume its weekly Saturday morning rehearsals in early September at the Stour View Community Centre.

Concert fundraiser for Opportunity groups BLANDFORD Opportunity group, along with the other Opportunity groups in Dorset and Somerset, with Rachel Goodfellow of Hidden Needs Trust, are holding a concert at the Pavilion, Weymouth, on Friday 11th September, which will feature an Elton John tribute act.

It will raise money for all the Opportunity groups, and the Blandford group is planning to run a coach to Weymouth if enough people would like to book a seat.

They should do so by contacting Colin Stevens on 01258 453955.

SCREEN Bites Food Film Festival returns to Tarrant Keyneston this year with its first-ever marmalade competition, and a screening of Paddington, about the little bear from Peru with a passion for the breakfast delicacy.

Local preserve makers are invited to enter their home-made marmalade for the light-hearted contest which will be judged by award-winning preserve and sauces maker Tracey Collins, of Ajar Of at Hazelbury Bryan, and Dave Smith, Screen Bites' projectionist and champion eater.

The marmalade can be made to the maker's own recipe or a favourite recipe. Jars should be labelled with name and phone number.

Entries can be delivered to the Anne Biddlecombe Hall at Tarrant Keyneston, from 3 to 5.30pm, on the day of the film, Monday 26th October. To deliver jam earlier contact Screen Bites committee member Caroline Tory on 01258 452452.

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September 2015

Blooming good plan GROUPS and organisations sharing an interest in floral and horticultural activities have been invited to a meeting on Thursday 3rd September at which it is hoped to establish a joint programme under the title of 'Blooming Blandford'.

David Rose, who organises the annual Hidden Gardens event on behalf of the Stour Rotary and heads Clean Up Blandford, said: "There has been some discussion around the Town about a Blooming Blandford event. We have the fantastic floral displays by the Town Council and its Woodhouse Gardens, the Museum Victorian Garden and the Hidden Gardens. We also have Grow it Yourself Dorset, the

Dorset Rangers managing the meadows, the Blandford Environmental Trust, the Horticultural Society and the allotments group, as well as a Floral Art Society.

"The initial thought would be to try and capture all their events under a generic title so that we can support and advertise each other's activities and create a focus for the town over a long period."

Anyone with an interest is invited to the meeting at Endellion, St Leonards Avenue, at 7pm, or send Mr Rose their views and details of plans for 2016 activities.

Contact him on 07951 769832 or 01258 451557, or email endellion@hotmail.co.uk.

Flower show winners AWARD winners at the 28th annual flower and vegetable show of Blandford & District Horticultural Society, held at the Anne Biddlecombe Hall in Tarrant Keyneston, included Alan Newman and Barry Gould, with highest points in the vegetable and flower classes respectively.

The pair shared the honours in the Garden News Top Tray and Top Vase classes, and Mr Gould

Housewife's Choice winner by Peter Eveleigh in the foreground at the annual flower and vegetable show of Blandford & District Horticultural Society.

also secured most points in all classes, but Peter Eveleigh won the Housewife's Choice in a Basket collection of vegetables and the Banksian Medal.

The Blue Ribbon for the best exhibit in the show went to Ron Benfield with a vase of dahlias.

Heather Dixon won the award for the best gladioli, and Jim Howland the Potato Challenge with a bucket of 10lbs 4 ounces of spuds.

The Floral Art award for most points went to Sylvia Bannister, and Mrs E New was judged to have the best exhibit in the novice class. Sue Billington had most points in homecraft and cookery, and also the best wine exhibit. Amanda Brealey had the best homecraft and cookery exhibit, and Carol Williams took the awards for the best handicraft exhibit and most points in photography.

See more pictures on our website.

Chapel of rest dedicated THE new chapel of rest at the premises of Lesley Shand Funeral Services in East Street, Blandford, was dedicated during a short ceremony attended by staff and guests, including Simon Fisher, past president of the Association of Funeral Directors.

The dedication was carried out by the Rev Stephen Coulter, rector of Pimperne, Durweston and Stourpaine, who said he was already familiar with the work of the company, which is part of the Douch Family Funeral Directors founded in 1910 by Frederick Charles Douch in Wimborne.

Nick Douch, managing director of the fourth generation familyowned business, introduced Blandford branch manager Shane Watson and staff, Lesley Shand, the original proprietor of the Corfe Mullen branch, and other members of the family.

Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings welcomed the new service to the town and the company's ability to help people in what could be a dark and challenging time.

Lions leap into action WITHIN two days of learning of an appeal for funds to improve accommodation for injured ex-service personnel, Blandford & District Lions had raised £450.

With a stall already booked at Milton Abbas Street Fair, they devoted their fundraising to the cause, and then added £50 from their funds to send a donation of £500.

The appeal came from Lions HQ to support the Blind Veterans UK in their centenary project to provide an independent living facility for visually impaired and limbless ex-service personnel.

Anyone wishing to donate further can contact Nigel Hodder on 880229 or email nigel2749@tiscali.co.uk.

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September 2015

September’s victims ERNEST Hibbs is among several pairs of brothers commemorated on the Blandford War Memorial. He died of wounds sustained in the capturing of Kut-el-Amara on 28th September 1915.

Born in 1888 at Ansty, Ernest was the son of Robert West, a brewer's labourer, and Lucy Jane Hibbs. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, a battalion of career soldiers who were stationed in India when war broke out.

They landed in Mesopotamia in November 1914 and endured not just enemy action but intense heat and sickness. With no known grave, he is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

His elder brother, Alfred James Hibbs, was a brewer's stoker who had married Alice May Holvey in Blandford in 1906. They had a son and daughter and lived in Ansty Terrace, Victoria Road. Alice had died in 1911.

He became an Able Seaman with the Hawkes Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and was killed in action on 3rd September 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Corporal Arthur Ball is listed on the roll of honour at Charlton Marshall, and was killed in action on 25th September 1915 when serving with the 8th (service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Born in Blandford, he had enlisted at Bridgend, Glamorgan, and with no known grave, is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Graphic news in a son’s letters from the front Thomas White Caslon and his younger brother, Christian Andreis Caslon, were uncles to Mrs Barbara Marriott of Iwerne Minster, to whom we are grateful for allowing us to share their experiences in letters home to their parents.

Both were former pupils at Highgate School in London, where Christian was a leading cricket and football player and athlete, and served with the Royal Field Artillery, as Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant respectively.

Somewhere in France, Sept 27th My Dear Parents, Since I wrote to you last, great things have happened. We marched for 2 days and 2 nights without any rest or sleep, and at dawn on Sunday (cold and misty) we marched into a ruined and shelled village, out of which our troops had driven the Germans on Friday. I wish I had the gift of describing things, I could give you a picture equalled only by Dante's Inferno ….

We started a furious bombardment yesterday morning with a very large number of guns which bombarded incessantly with a deafening crash, the infantry meanwhile were fighting like fiends. We are employing a very deadly gas now. The poor infantry here have had an awful time but the Artillery had only 7 casualties in the whole Brigade. They are shelling the village where we are now, so we shall probably move back a bit.

Goodbye - best love to all - Chris is alright.

Loving son Thomas And in a further letter to his father received on October 8th giving more detail: About 6 o'clock the terrible cannonade

Thomas was killed on 25th November 1915, probably in the trenches of the Western Front, and buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Pas-de-Calais, aged 24.

Christian, who was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Military Cross, survived the war to return to work for the family business. He died in 1955.

Thomas's letters from the front describe graphically the battle of Loos in September 1915.

started and went on all day, until we were all as jumpy and nervy as possible (having had no sleep). Then the wounded and gassed came down the road in a never-ending procession, with an occasional 'Hun' prisoner.

Then they began to shell us like blazes, with gas shells and every sort of shell they had got, near enough to give us a whiff of the gas, which dried up our mouths and made us cough and splutter. We were thankful when night came so we could go to bed after what Chris and I believe was the most terrible day of our lives.

I visited the trenches as soon as I could with Chris. Good God what a sight! The dead ground between the first line trenches of the opposing armies was a strip of grass about 70 yards wide, and as we looked up and down this, the sight appalled us. Can you imagine hundreds of Mohammedans at sunset praying? The English dead all fallen in the charge, on their knees with head in between their hands and rifle flung out in front of them, all of them as black as Zulus, turned black by the gas.

We walked on further and entered the old German trenches in which there were many German dead, one Hun I remember well was lying in the

trench, and everybody trod on his head which had become quite flat as they passed along. But from what we could see the German casualties had been nothing like our own. One becomes absolutely hardened to all these horrible sights, one only feels a great regret when one looks at all our good lads left up there on that barren place. People said that all the other battles of the war, Neuve Chapelle etc, are flea bites against the colossal battle which raged on the plain that day.

On the same field they have got French dead which have lain there for close on 12 months and still unburied.

People who have never been to war, especially this war, have not the faintest conception how terrible it is.

But I am so thankful I have had an opportunity of viewing a carnage and holocaust such as the world has never seen before. I shall not forget very many incidents of my first day in action. There are many things which I could tell you but were this letter opened I might get into trouble. Shall give you a long account however when I get my leave.

Very best love, Tom Thomas's final letter was written on 12th November, two weeks before his death.

Above: Christian Andries Caslon, pictured in the Highgate School first XI cricket team in 1910.

Below: His brother Thomas, pictured among the winners of the Inter-House Cup for cricket, 1907.

Both photos reproduced with permission from Highgate School Archives.

ANYONE who would like to share with our readers pictures and details of events relating to relatives who played a part in World War One is invited to contact Forum Focus by calling 01258 459346, emailing editor@forumfocus.co.uk or writing to 18 Tudor Gardens, Blandford DT11 7PL. Forum Focus would like to thank the Blandford 14-18 Group for their help in researching this material.

21

September 2015

Painter plea for hut work REFURBISHMENT of the 90-year-old Blandford Scout Hut off Bryanston Street is a top priority for the next two to three years for Scout Club chairman and Blandford Rotarian Dave Smith.

Over the past eight months Dave has called on committee members to get work started and the expertise of carpenter Pat Hunt 'to do the difficult bits'. Blandford Rotary Club is proud to be working with Blandford Scouts to help raise money for refurbishment.

Dave says his biggest need is for helpers to repaint the hut - no special DIY skills needed. If you can help please contact Dave on 07785 762452.

Return of the riders SOME 40 years ago, Val Cowley, the then-owner of Deer Park Stables in Blandford, started an adult Riding for the Disabled group.

Sadly, on her retirement, the group had to move, so for the past two years has been hosted by the Forum School at Shillingstone.

Now the group has announced its return closer to Blandford, and from the beginning of September will be active at the Bryanston School Equestrian Centre.

The move will allow the Bryanston RDA group to expand their sessions, which will now be on Monday mornings, and be able to cater for all adult riders, subject to assessment.

The group is keen to welcome new riders but also requires more helpers. No experience is necessary as training is given, so anyone with an interest in the therapy of riding for disabled people is welcome to join the group.

They say it's a great way to spend a morning with like-minded and sociable people, providing a vital and satisfying service to the disabled. Enquiries should be made to the Chairman, Jackie Abbott on 01258 863683 or e-mail to springheadjackie@hotmail.com.

Carpenter Pat Hunt is pictured with Dave Smith and Rotary's satellite group team leader Judy Adams, repairing one of the fire doors funded from money raised jointly at the recent Blandford Scout Fete.

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September 2015

Memorial bench on Trailway THE Spetisbury station site on the North Dorset Trailway has gained a new bench offering views over the Stour Valley and towards Spetisbury Rings.

The bespoke cast-iron bench was made at a forge in Pamphill and has been provided by friends and family of the late Lyn Beavan, who lived in

THE annual Country Fayre and Vehicle Rally at Spetisbury Manor on 8th August for the Royal National Lifeboat Association, organised by the Blandford branch, raised over ÂŁ1,900 for the charity.

The RNLI stall was run by Kathy Underwood and her band of helpers, and there were cream teas on sale in the grounds of the Manor, where vintage cars were on display in the sunshine. Among the other attractions were the band 'Lost Cause' from Wimborne, a dog show run by Shirley Moors, and the ferrets of her husband Norman.

Blandford and loved walking her border collie, Meg, along the trailway.

The bench has been set on a concrete base with help from volunteer members of the Spetisbury Station Project, and in time the surrounding area will be grassed over and a garden created.

Volunteers working on the installation of the bench at the Spetisbury Station site on the Trailway.

SCHOOLS

September 2015

23

Clayesmore causes for celebration CELEBRATIONS at Clayesmore Prep for the many achievements of its pupils this year began with thanks, goodbyes, a prizegiving and the inaugural speech of head teacher William Dunlop, and continued with an athletics afternoon with a barbecue for all competitors and spectators.

Mr Dunlop welcomed and thanked a number of people who have contributed to the school's success in the 12 months since he joined.

Achievements have included the appointment of author Ali Sparkes as Patron of Reading, the publication of a creative anthology by Years 5 and 6, success in the UK Junior Maths Challenge, a Skype chat with Richard III discoverer Philippa Langley, and prep art entering the National Gallery.

Mr Dunlop highlighted how the school has been encouraging active thinking and learning through 'habits of mind' - positive traits that should help all prep pupils, including the leavers, a quarter of whom have won scholarships for their next school.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

Tea with members of Dorchester Day Centre at Milborne St Andrew First School.

Busy days at first school MILBORNE St Andrew First School's end-of-term activities began with the annual school games day won by Dragons house.

Children nominated by staff and pupils received DASP Citizen Awards for demonstrating the characteristics of being courteous, caring, communicative, conscientious, co-operative, considerate and confident, and one received a DASP Music Award.

Members of the Dorchester Day Centre, with whom Dolphin class had been corresponding, were invited for a tour of the school and entertainment from the children, with songs, nursery rhymes and refreshments.

Literacy Week included a visit from a local author Heather Chamberlain of 'Happy Bottom Books', a

New head for primary school OKEFORD Fitzpaine CE Primary School has announced the appointment of Alison Chant as the new acting head teacher.

Miss Chant has been teaching for 15 years, across the primary curriculum in West Sussex and Dorset.

She has been deputy headteacher in two small village church primary schools during the last five years.

She has passed her NPQH headteacher's qualification and is ready to embark on her first headship.

A school spokesman said: "We welcome her and look forward to hearing more from her when she takes up the post on the 1st September."

FILM Nights will be starting again on Friday 2nd October in the Corn Exchange, Blandford, with another chance to see the story of 'The Railwayman', at the request of and sponsored by Blandford Camp.

The series will continue on the third Friday of every month, continuing on 23rd October with ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’, in November with 'A Little Chaos' and December with 'Mr Holmes'.

visit for some children to Thomas Hardye School and various literacy-based events.

Milton Abbey School hosted and helped with an end-of-term performance by Years 3 and 4, and the independent school, which also provides swimming for year 4 pupils, was thanked for its support.

Children due to join the reception class in September spent time at the school on transfer day, and Year 4 pupils, who have also spent time at their next middle school, enjoyed a picnic with their parents after the leavers' assembly on the last day of term.

Before and After School Care will be provided from September. For information call 01258 837362 or see milborne.dorset.sch.uk.

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Overseas students see town’s treasures STUDENTS from eight European countries were able to explore Blandford and view its civic treasures as part of the grand finale of the Comenius Project, a two-year educational exchange project hosted by Knighton House School.

The Mayor of Blandford, Councillor Stephen Hitchings, took the European group on a guided tour of the Town Hall and the Council Chamber where they were met by town crier Jean Wells in all her finery and mace bearer David Jardine, who showed and explained the history of the town silver, the mayoral chains and other insignia.

They then enjoyed a tour of the most complete Georgian town in England with guides from Blandford and District Civic Society.

Later the same day Councillor Hitchings visited Knighton House to present the Comenius project certificates to all 34 European visitors and join parents, teachers and

SCHOOLS

September 2015

The Comenius Project participants with Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings in the Blandford Council Chamber. guests at a traditional afternoon in the country with cream teas, maypole dancers and garden fete stalls.

The Comenius Project, funded by the European Union, set out to create a cross-curricular experience to help children and staff from Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Turkey and the UK learn about and understand one another.

Pupils have worked on topics and shared their work via Skype, email and the internet. Animations produced by each country were collected on a CD to go on show for each country to see.

To learn more about Comenius, see the Knighton House Comenius website at eunitingvoices.com.

French connections A LOVE of language was shared by Clayesmore School when year 5 and 6 pupils from Durweston Primary school were treated to a French experience.

On the first day, Clayesmore French teacher Mr Didier visited Durweston to help the youngsters learn the language, and the following day the Durweston pupils visited Clayesmore for a French-themed day.

Classes were filled with conversations about the children's interests, some singing, plenty of fun and games and a bit of cooking as well. The traditional French game pétanque was played and Clayesmore Lower Sixth French students helped the primary school pupils prepare mini chocolate gateaux in the kitchen. A British roast beef lunch was served up before the Durweston children returned home.

Year 10 Clayesmore students later visited Durweston to serve 'petit dejeuner' - delicious croissants, brioche and hot chocolate - for Years 2 and 3, who also learnt how to order food in French.

Durweston Primary pupils try their hand at pétanque at Clayesmore.

September 2015

FARMING

25

The View from the Hill

by George Hosford More from George on viewfromthehill.org.uk

H

ARVEST at Travellers Rest started on Saturday 18th July, a little later than average.

The barley looked irresistible to some on the team who couldn't wait till Monday. Just as well, because the weather was catchy, we had a bit of breakdown trouble, and the barley was fitter than it had looked on Thursday. The ultimate test is a sample off the combine in the moisture meter. By Saturday it was below 16% so we had to get on with it.

After we'd got through the barley, some rain, and breakdowns, the first three days of August were a wonderful romp through over 200 acres of lovely crispy rape. None of the rape needed drying, which was a big bonus, and was a good saving in fuel.

This brought us to Wednesday 5th August, by which time the spring barley was beckoning, the first field came in between 15% and 16% moisture, needing only a quick blast in the drier to get it down to the required 14.5%. And after eight days' solid harvesting we had made great inroads into a very pleasing crop.

During hot harvesting weather the grain can come in to store at anything up to 30 degrees temperature, and usually won't need drying, but cooling it in store is an important issue. Cool grain heaps deter insect attack, hot heaps encourage it. The aim is to have all heaps down to 5 degrees by December, though this can be difficult without a good few frosty

Debt issues are top of CAB problems list MORE than 260 individuals and households in Blandford were helped

by North Dorset CAB in the past year, the bureau's new manager Nick Lee told town councillors.

He said debt was a particular problem in the town, and 43 per cent of the 400 problems dealt with were debt-related, compared to 28 per cent in the rest of North Dorset. The issue was notably higher in Station ward.

Over 20 per cent of the problems were with benefits, 16 per cent family and housing, and the remainder consumer, financial, legal and other matters.

He said priorities for the service in Blandford in the coming year were to recruit more volunteers, for which training takes between four and six months and the commitment one day a week for two years.

A full-time paid member of staff is being recruited to focus on the Blandford area and supervise and support Blandford volunteers, as well as to advise on more complex debt, benefit and housing problems.

The service is also negotiating with the Children's Centre to deliver a service tailored to parents using the centre.

After a period in which a drop-in was offered as well as pre-booked appointments, the service may again become by appointment only to use volunteer time more effectively, and a Freephone number is being set up for people in Blandford to call.

"We have received feedback that people in the town are not aware of the service, and we will be doing more to publicise ourselves and work closely with other local charities and organisations such as the Children's Centre, Foodbank and local support workers."

nights.

Harvesting is top of our priorities right now, although rain today gives me time to write this. No sooner is the barley or wheat cut, than the balers move in to gobble up the straw and the bales are then loaded onto enormous loads to be ferried off to various dairy farms further west.

Then it is essential to run over the stubble with a disc cultivator to get the weed seeds and spilt grain to germinate before we establish the next crop.

Last month we managed to get our hens installed in their new summer quarters, a little shed on wheels, located in the back garden, surrounded by electric fence,

to keep marauding foxes away.

We clipped one wing on each bird too, so they couldn't escape.

The law of sod dictates that for every step forward, something else steps backwards, and so it was that a few days later we found a hedgehog caught in the electric fence. We found some stout gloves to cope with the prickles, and cutters to free him from the wire, and placed him in a peaceful spot. He seemed to recover and soon scuttled away.

The electric shocks might not have done him any favours, but perhaps prickles do not conduct as well as flesh, fur or hair.

Lots more harvesting pictures are available at viewfromthehill.org.uk.

26

SPORT

September 2015

Doddlers shine in the Thunder Run A MIXED team of eight Dorset Doddlers took on the Thunder Run 24, a 24-hour relay race over a 10k off-road course at Catton Park in Derbyshire.

The team included Dave Fitzsimon, Debbie Broadhurst, Nick Summons, Roger Teasdale, Ingrid Gilbertson, Sandra Hamilton, Mel

Dorset Doddlers enjoying a well-earned drink after the Thunder Run 24.

Fitzsimon and Stuart Read, and was one of 229 mixed teams from all over the country taking part.

One by one they passed the baton onto the next, and on the last bend before the final straight to the finish, all team members joined the final runner to cross the finish line together, having completed the 25 laps of the course.

Their efforts were rewarded with a team position of 71st of the 229 teams in the mixed team category.

The following weekend, Roger Teasdale was the first Doddler home in 1 hour 31 minutes 10 seconds in the Stur Half marathon organised by his club, which attracted around 400 entries. It started from outside The Exchange in Sturminster Newton and followed a course around local villages and back to the finish at Sturminster Newton High School.

Winner David Broadley, of Poole Athletic Club, arrived home in 1 hour 13 minutes 27 seconds, with George Gurney of Avon Valley Runners (1:13:48) in second place and Graeme Miller of Bournemouth AC (1:17:38) third.

First lady for the third year running was Juliet Champion, of Poole Athletic Club (1:25:30), with second Heidi Tregena of Bournemouth AC (1:28:51) and third Susie Deamer (Poole Runners, 1:30:47) First Wimborne Athletic Club runner was Chris Wood (1:22:52) and first North Dorset Tri Club Austin Mills (1:32:00).

James bows out with another winner THIS year's Tarrant Valley 10 was the last organised by race director James Malden, who is retiring after ten years.

"I hope someone else from the village is going to take it on because it is a very popular event," he said.

It is one which, with sponsorship with local businesses, also raises money for local and national causes, which this year were Leukaemia Education and Fundraising (Wimborne), the British Heart Foundation, and All Saints' Church, Tarrant Monkton.

Poole Runners Athletics Club made a clean sweep to claim first, second and third prizes in the men's race and second in the ladies'. John Llewellyn (36.24), Steve Claxton (36.59) and John Towner (37.57) were the first three home of the 115 runners in the 28th annual event.

Ladies' winners were Rebecca Lord, aged 19, of Stubbington Green Runners (40.24), Becky Dean of Poole Runners (43.44) and Lynda Faulkner of Dorset Doddlers (44.53).

First runner under 20 after the above was Ryan Walbridge of Tarrant Monkton, aged 18, Wimborne AC (38.37) and first Tarrant Valley runner was Andy Eastaugh of Southampton AC (45.13).

In the children's one-mile race, Leo Shire, aged nine, was first in five minutes 14 seconds, Leo Riggs second for the second year running (5.45), first boy over 10, holidaymaker from abroad Bipin Mahey, aged ten (6.17), first girl Amelia Chaffey,

aged nine (6.19) and second girl Grace Chaffey, also aged nine (6.31).

There was a very warm reception for 18-month-old Sebastian Seaford, who finished last accompanied by his dad and one of the race officials in a time of 20 minutes 15 seconds.

Full results can be found on tarrantvalley10.webs.com.

September 2015

Swimmers’ reward

SPORT

27

THE Blandford Flyers swim club won the end-of-season trophy for the most improved club in the Jurassic League.

Their success was a tribute to the fantastic commitment by all the children who have worked very hard to improve their swimming and to head coach Trevor, who rewarded all the children at their summer party with Blandford Flyer baseball caps.

The small club is run by volunteers and competes against much larger outfits such as Poole and Bournemouth with at least three or four times as many children.

Huge turn-out for captain’s charity events NEARLY 300 members turned out to support the Ashley Wood Golf Club captain Neil Pike in his charity weekend which included some fantastic golf, great company and lots of cakes.

The individual competition was won by Barry Taylor who scored a magnificent 44 points,

with the ladies' competition won by Ann Topliss with 41 points. The team scramble competition was won by Simon Cogdell's team with a net 57.4.

The captain's chosen charity is the Forest Holme Hospice which looked after best friend Jeff Knight during his final days before

his death last year, aged 43. Neil was delighted to have raised £1,200 for the hospice to bring his overall fundraising to over £2,000 so far.

The golf club is hosting a fundraising day on Friday 2nd October for Forest Holme - for details contact the General Manager.

Above: Ashley Wood competition winner Barry Taylor, with club captain Neil Pike (right) and Paul Jones (left), the club professional. Above right: Ann Topliss, winner of the ladies' prize.

28

September 2015

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events SEPTEMBER Wednesday 2nd September to Sunday 6th September: Great Dorset Steam Fair Wednesday 2nd September: Bus2Go trip to Jailhouse Café, Portland, details 01258 837749 or www.bus2godorset.org Durweston Choral Society first rehearsal of the season, 7 for 7.30pm Durweston Village Hall.

Details 01258 450649 Thursday 3rd September: Blandford Museum First Thursday talk, John Tory on local history, 7 for 7.30pm Blooming Blandford meeting, Endellion, St Leonard's Avenue, 7pm, 01258 451557 Saturday 5th September: Clean Up Blandford litterpick, meet 10am outside Blandford Parish Church, equipment provided Sunday 6th and Wednesday 9th September: Open Garden for NHS, The Manor House, Blandford St Mary, 2 to 5pm Monday 7th September: Blandford Floral Group meet United Reformed Church Hall, 2.15pm, demonstration by Sally Taylor - Sallying Forth. Visitors welcome £5.

Grow it Yourself Dorset, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, 7.30pm, talk by Pennard Plants Wednesday 9th September: Blandford branch NHS Retirement Fellowship meets, Committee Room, Blandford Community Hospital 10.15am, details 01929 472441 Blandford Carnival Grand Bingo, Corn Exchange, doors open 6.30pm Georgian Fayre meeting, Royal British Legion, 7.30pm Friday 11th September: Blandford Farmers Market, 9am to 1pm, Market Place Elton John Tribute Band, at the Pavilion, Weymouth, for the Hidden Needs Trust. Concert starts at 7.30pm. £15 per head, including coach. To book call 01258 453955 Saturday 12th September: Bus2Go trip to Abbotsbury SubTropical Gardens, details 01258 837749 or bus2godorset.org Blandford Carnival, doors open Blandford Corn Exchange 10.30am for baby show, parade 7.15pm from Holland Way via Kings Road, St Leonards Avenue and East Street to Market Place Dorset Historic Churches Ride & Stride Tuesday 15th September: Discovery evening for 6-18 yearolds at Blandford Stagecoach theatre arts school. Free taster session must be booked in

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

Above: Sutina Bright, Zosia Mortimer and Roberta Mortimer in the mirror maze of the tower at Portman Lodge. Right: Adrian Fisher with his aerial camera helicopter.

Durweston maze magic A FUN day at Portman Lodge in Durweston raised a total of £342 for the village church, and gave visitors an opportunity to sample the maze-making activities of hosts Adrian and Marie Fisher.

There was a giant inflatable maze, a teddy bears' picnic, a raffle and stalls, and swimming in the pool, as well as an opportunity to play croquet and explore the hedge maze leading to the tower, with a mirror maze round the spiral staircase.

The Adrian Fisher design team have recently returned from the Asian Attractions Expo in Hong Kong. advance, call 01305 777308 Wednesday 16th September: Blandford Carers meet Durweston village hall 2 to 4pm, speaker from Age UK Dorset Wildlife Trust Wildlife Quiz, 7.30pm at Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 to include tea/coffee & biscuits. No charge for children under 16 Thursday 17th September:

Blandford Art Society meets Pimperne Village Hall at 2pm, 'A Portrait in Clay', A practical session with Irene Timms, Details from Tina Rowley 03330 112174 Saturday 19th September: Blandford Community Expo, Corn Exchange, 10am to 1pm Cats Protection coffee morning and stalls at Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford

Dorset Architectural Heritage Week Wednesday 9th to Thursday 17th September: Dorset Architectural Heritage Week, free admission but call 01202 888992 or email dahw@edht.org.uk for 'bookable' events Wednesday 9th to Thursday 17th September (weekdays only): Open Days, Blandford Cemetery Chapel, 10am to 2pm Thursday 10th September: World War II Pillbox tour (bookable) Thursday 10th, Friday 11th and Sunday 13th September: Heritage Open Days, Blandford Parish Church, 10am to 4pm (Sunday from 12.30pm), West Gallery and Tower Tours, 11am or 3pm (bookable) Saturday 12th September: Blandford Fashion Museum Open Day (bookable) Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th: Town Silver display, Blandford Town Hall and Council Chamber (Corn Exchange Sunday only) Wednesday 16th September: Blandford Georgian Heritage Town Walk, 7pm from Marsh and Ham car park

10am - 12:30 pm Charlton Marshall Village Hall 'Extravaganza Day', 9.30am to 8.30pm. See charltonmarshallvillagehall.co.uk All Saints Church Tarrant Keynston Flower Club coffee morning 10.30 to 12pm Wessex branch of Western Front Association meets 2 for 2.30pm Pimperne village hall, talk by Alan Wakefield on the AustroHungarian Army 1914-18 Sunday 20th September: Durweston Country Fayre 12 to 4 pm, stalls, car boot, live music, barbecue, terrier racing, fun dog show, pony rides, children's games. Raising money for Durweston Playing Fields.

Enquiries 07988 791260 Fun Ride in aid of the Bryanston Group Riding for the Disabled, starting at Newfields Farm, Pimperne. Details from Jackie Abbott on 01258 863683 or springheadjackie@hotmail.com Cancer Research UK fundraising event, The Crown Hotel Sealy Suite, 10am to 5pm Monday 21st September: Blandford Blind Club meets Williams Opportunity Hall, 2 to 4pm, songs from the musicals Wednesday 23rd September: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild meets 2pm, Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens, Anne's Harvest Lunch plus singalong, visitors welcome Thursday 24th September: Friends of Blandford Community Hospital Prize Bingo, Hospital Dining Room, 7 for 7.30pm Town Team open meeting, Nordon, 6.30pm Friday 25th September: Blandford & District U3A Open Meeting 2pm at Durweston Village Hall, Sophie Rust on the year she spent in Moscow, details 01258 455113 Blandford Museum Last Friday social evening in the Victorian Garden, from 5pm Sunday 27th September: Blandford Preetz Friendship Society 'Night at the Dogs', Poole stadium, call 01258 459452 or 452202 for details Monday 28th September: Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning meeting, James Crowden on 'Cider, Poetry and Country Life', 7.30pm: to reserve a ticket call 01258 860767 Tuesday 29th September: Blood Donor Sessions, Crown Hotel, Blandford, 12.50 to-3.30pm and 4.30 to-7.15pm Wednesday 30th September: Bus2Go trip to Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor, details 01258 837749 or bus2godorset.org