November 2015 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 44

November 2015

A picture puzzle: Page 8

Anger at street repair patch-up HIGHWAY chiefs have defended what has been described as a "sticking plaster solution" to the state of Blandford's main streets after overnight repairs on Thursday 2nd October left a patchwork of tarmac in East Street, the Market Place and lower Salisbury Street.

The reaction of the public the following morning was described at Blandford Town Council's planning committee meeting a week later by town councillors who had lost count of the number of people complaining at the loose tarmac left behind, the quality of the workmanship, and expressing their disappointment at what they had been led to believe would be complete resurfacing.

Council chairman and Mayor Councillor Steve Hitchings said he and many others had received an explanation in response to enquiries from local resident Peter Newall to Dorset County Council's highways officer.

In it, site agent David Clegg from Dorset Highways explained the limited extent of the work, but admitted that the site had not been left by the contractors in the state he would have expected, and a sweeper had afterwards been brought in.

The resurfacing team at work in the early hours of the morning at the foot of Salisbury Street.

But he said the condition of the roads would continue to be monitored, particularly during the 12month defect period, to ensure that any issues arising due to the laying technique were resolved at the cost of their partner, Hanson Contracting.

"In a time of severe pressures on the DCC capital maintenance budget the decision was made not to remove the coloured asphalt that runs along East/West/Salisbury Street as it was found to be structurally sound and not within the run-

The Blandford School Headteacher Sally Wilson (right) and school governor Anna Lewington with an Amazonian tribesman.

What's going on? Story: Page 27.

ning lanes. The vertical faces between the old and new surfaces have been coated with a bitumen bond coat to help them bond together."

He added that after meeting with Blandford's county councillor Barrie Cooper the following week he had agreed to monitor the surface condition over the coming months but at this stage neither of them had any major concerns.

Councillor Hitchings said: "Given that they had only 11 hours to do the job, on the whole it is reasonable, but where the two surfaces meet, it could freeze and there are areas which have not been done."

Councillor Roger Carter said that it had been done in a short time but it was only just an improvement. "If

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the county had done the job properly it would last for years and years, but this was a sticking plaster approach."

Councillor Lynn Lindsay said: "It's a disgrace, we just look a mess, and I had to get a toothpick to get grit out of my trainers the next day."

She and other members said the feedback from the public had been terrible and it was agreed to write to the county expressing the council's disappointment.

Mr Newall said: "We have waited so long for this work to be done and it is a great disappointment to see that it has not made a significant difference to the poor state of the road and pavement appearance of our beautiful town."

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November 2015

FORUM FOCUS CONTRIBUTING

CONTACTS

Forum Focus welcomes the submission of articles and reports from clubs and societies but asks that they are kept to a maximum of 200 words.

If you have pictures you would like to share with us, our readers and our website visitors, please send them, with brief descriptions, by email to editor@forumfocus.co.uk. Low resolution pictures cannot be printed in the paper.

Editorial: Nicci Brown T: 01258 459346 E: editor@forumfocus.co.uk Advertising: John Stayt T: 01258 454427 E: advertising@forumfocus.co.uk Distribution: Jackie Stayt T: 01258 456999 E: distribution@forumfocus.co.uk Design: David Eidlestein T: 01258 450989 E: de@deadlines.eclipse.co.uk

ON THE WEBSITE www.forumfocus.co.uk

Forum Focus is an independent, not-forprofit, community publication produced entirely by volunteers. We are always pleased to receive offers of help.

Diary events are updated regularly on our website so it is always worth logging on to stay up to date with what’s happening in the area. The website also carries additional pictures of local events and background information on stories.

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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.

Street repairs spark anger

A ‘sticking plaster solution’? The messy road surface that has prompted a wave of anger in the town.

From Page 1 David Rose, vice-chairman of the Blandford Town Team, added: "The difference in the colour, as some of the sides of the road have not been re-tarmacked, make the start of Salisbury Street look Third World rather than a modern high street in a Georgian setting."

And town and district councillor Esme Butler said: "I am disappointed that the concerns and comments of residents of Blandford are swept away easier than the sweeper swept the stones on the Friday morning after the work was done.

"While understanding that there are pressures on council budgets Blandford Forum shouldn't have to contend with a patched-up scheme. How do we continue promoting our historic town against a backdrop of unfinished and unsightly roads and tarmac patchwork pavements?"

Letters: Page 18.

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November 2015

Youth centre help plea as cash cuts threaten its future A CAMPAIGN to protect the town's youth centre from potential cuts has been launched in Blandford.

County councillors and youth service staff were briefed in the middle of September on the need to reduce youth service spending county-wide by more than 50 per cent, and opened an online consultation into a Youth Service Review which closed on 25th October.

The survey sought views on what was needed from the youth service, which currently runs 22 centres across the county, but also has to provide specialist services dealing with a range of issues including problems in school, mental health issues, substance misuse and child sexual exploitation among Dorset's 82,000 children and young people under the age of 18.

The survey introduction states: "Youth services have traditionally worked with young people between the ages of 11 and 19 years and there are over 43,000 in this age group and almost 34,000 aged 13 to 19 years. The data we have suggests that around 10 per cent of young people currently use one of our centres or clubs.

"The type of youth services the council provides will be very different in the future, but you can help shape what it looks like and help us make sure we use our resources in ways that help us both target the most vulnerable young people and ensure all young people have places to go and things to do."

District Councillor Andrew Kerby, who represents the Riversdale

and Portman ward on North Dorset District Council, and is the district's representative on the Blandford youth centre management committee, attended the centre as a teenager.

He said: "The Youth Centre provides activities for younger people, not just in the evenings but during the holidays too. I was fortunate enough as a child to go camping with the Youth Centre - I learned new skills and it probably kept me out of trouble!

"Additionally, the Youth Centre was a place of refuge when life was difficult and the staff are incredibly supportive. I ask all residents to go online and give their views to help safeguard the Youth Centre for future generations."

Blandford has had a youth centre for 50 years, and for the last 15 it has been managed by Andy Price, himself a member when he was a boy. It caters for between 160 and 180 visits by young people every week, and has a team of over 30 youth volunteers giving their time to help their peers, as well as volunteer and part-time paid adult staff.

Mr Kerby was joined by Liberal Democrat district and county councillor Barrie Cooper to urge members and the general public to respond to the consultation, and their fellow member of the Blandford Youth Centre Board, town and district councillor Esme Butler, urged all councillors and parish councillors to do the same.

Mr Cooper said: "We know the cuts are coming and unfortunately, Blandford Youth Centre is in the firing line. That's why residents and younger people needed to get online."

Festive lights to go white COLOURED lights are to be phased out of Blandford's Christmas tree lighting scheme provided by Blandford Town Council, who have agreed to purchase 40 small trees with ice-white lights to replace ones that have become unserviceable.

Inquiries are also being made into the cost of improving electrical supply boxes for the small trees, which are used in the holders above shops in the main streets.

Councillor Colin Stevens, at the last town and general purposes committee meeting, suggested that better electrical connections were more important than replacing trees.

Councillor Steve Hitchings said that other towns had connections off lamp-posts, rather than from individual premises, which should be investigated.

County councillor Barrie Cooper, left, and district councillor Andrew Kerby, third from left, with young people at Blandford Youth Centre.

Death driver banned A 21-year-old Blandford man, whose front-seat passenger died after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a bank and hedge, has been disqualified from driving for two years.

An eight-month prison sentence was also imposed, suspended for two years, for Kieran Marshall, who pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ellie Jackson, aged 16, by careless driving.

Dorchester Crown Court heard that Ellie was trapped by the collision on 30th June on Sherborne Causeway, and although freed by firefighters and taken to hospital, had died from her injuries on 3rd July.

Marshall was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay ÂŁ670 in court costs.

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November 2015

Remembrance events for the poppy diary

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare (centre) and guests at the Home-Start 'Downton'-style gala dinner.

Downton style comes to Dorset FEATHERS and pearls were the order of the day when HomeStart North Dorset hosted a gala dinner at the Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary, at the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Pitt Rivers.

The trustees were delighted to welcome Downton Abbey creator Lord Fellowes of West Stafford and Lady Fellowes, and guests dressed in true 'Downton' style.

After a champagne reception Andrew Cranfield piped guests in to dinner, to be welcomed by Home-Start vice-chairwoman Caroline Wallace, who spoke on behalf of event organiser Jenny Morisetti and all the trustees, thanking guests and sponsors for their generous support. Main sponsor Cheryl Hadland, of The Hadland Care Group, presented

Home-Start with a cheque for ÂŁ400.

After dinner, prepared and cooked by young chef Charlotte Morisetti, there was fierce bidding in an auction of promises for lots including tea for two on the terrace at the Houses of Parliament with North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, and a tour of the Dorset yard of International event rider William Fox-Pitt.

Lord Fellowes ended the evening in great style, giving a most entertaining account of his career as a writer and screen director and answering questions about the phenomenal success of 'Downton Abbey'.

He described the challenges of meeting deadlines and adapting scripts, and revealed that the death of the popular character Matthew Crawley resulted in a deluge of critical mail and threats never to watch another episode.

The evening raised over ÂŁ5,500 which will help continue the great work organiser Jamie Keast, assistant Ruth Berry and the team of volunteers do within the local community supporting families facing difficult times.

For further information about Home-Start North Dorset contact Jamie or Ruth at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton on 01258 473038 or see home-start-northdorset.co.uk.

AN ACT of Remembrance will be held at 11am on Sunday 1st November at Blandford Cemetery to remember those buried there who have died in conflict since World War One. Military and civic representatives will be joining members of the Royal British Legion at 10.45am for the short service at the war memorial, and will visit the rows of graves at the top of the cemetery maintained by the War Graves Commission.

House-to-house collections for the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal started on Saturday 24th October and will continue until Sunday 8th November.

Collectors will also be at Tesco on Stour Park from Sunday 1st November until Armistice Day on Wednesday 11th November, when there will be a short Act of Remembrance at 11am at the war memorials in Blandford Market Place.

There will also be a street collection in the town from 31st October until Sunday 8th November.

Saturday 7th November is Poppy Day at the Royal British Legion House in Church Lane when there is an open evening and dance from 7pm to midnight with a bucket collection for the appeal.

And on Sunday 8th November, the Remembrance Sunday parade will take place in the afternoon and be followed by a service in the Parish Church.

Remembrance services will also be taking place on or around 11am on Sunday in the villages, including at Tarrant Monkton, where the church service at 10.30am and ceremony at the war memorial at 10.50am will be followed by a curry lunch and talk on Colditz Castle in the village hall. Funds raised will go to ABF The Soldiers Charity and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

NEXT year is a special 30th anniversary year for the BlandfordMortain Twinning Association, which will hold its annual general meeting and social evening at The Parish Centre in Blandford on Thursday 12th November, starting at 7.30pm.

The group is preparing to celebrate with several activities in the town, and is inviting anyone, particularly if they have a special interest in France, to join them for a glass of wine and find out more about their plans.

Information is also available on their website, Blandford-MortainTwinning-Association, by calling secretary Martin Brickell on 01258 453693 or emailing brickm47@outlook.com.

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November 2015

Town electoral split plan abandoned THE independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has heeded local opinion in its final recommendations for new electoral arrangements for Dorset County Council.

The recommended new boundaries for each of an increased number of electoral divisions from 45 to 46 follow an eightweek public consultation on the Commission's draft proposals.

These included dividing Blandford town centre in two by placing areas west of Salisbury Street in the Winterborne division.

They have concluded instead that the recently built Badbury Heights area should form part of the Hambledon division north of the town, leaving Blandford intact.

Blandford Town Council objected to the original proposals, saying they would adversely affect the town's community identity and

suggesting that Blandford and surrounding villages should become a two-member ward.

Local county councillor Barrie Cooper put forward the alternative of Blandford town centre remaining as one, but, to make the number of voters more equal, Badbury Heights should go into the Hambledon division, which has been agreed.

He has pledged to continue representing all residents in the current Blandford division until the new arrangements come into effect with the next county council elections in 2017.

Another response to local opinion is to make Turnworth part of the Winterborne division, and not the Blackmore Vale as first proposed, to reflect its community ties.

Max Caller, chairman of the Commission, said: "We are extremely grateful to people across Dorset who took the time

Music teacher Kenneth Stobbs with retirement gifts presented by DRMS chairman of governors Anne Eccleston, left, and director Richard Hall, right.

Music teacher bows out DORSET Rural Music School said goodbye to one of its longest serving members of staff in October.

Kenneth Stobbs, of Stour Road, Blandford, has retired after 40 years' teaching woodwind instruments to students at the school, founded just over 40 years ago and now one of only two remaining in the country.

Mr Stobbs, who came originally from Southport where he was a choirboy and recorder player in church, was for 25 years a member of the Royal Signals Band playing saxophone and clarinet.

He was appointed by Nigel Carver at DRMS where his pupils included Bryanston, Hanford, Port Regis and almost every independent school in the county, teaching saxophone and clarinet, along with xylophone and many other instruments. "At one time I had 104 pupils in one week," he said.

He was presented with retirement gifts by chairman of the governors Anne Eccleston and DRMS director Richard Hall.

and effort to send us their views.

The Commission considered every piece of evidence it received before finalising these recommendations which seek to balance the views expressed with the criteria we must apply to

deliver electoral equality for voters and reflect the identities of communities."

A draft order will be laid in Parliament for implementation of the new arrangements in the next few months.

Digging for funds A LOCAL take on 'Gardeners' Question Time' comes to Blandford on Sunday 22nd November when the Friends of the Corn Exchange Challenge host a home-grown session in the Corn Exchange.

Panellists are internationally recognised organic gardener and writer Charles Dowding, head gardener at Kingston Maurward, and plantswoman Heather Hinsley and her husband and arborist Mark Hinsley.

Charles will be available to sign copies of his books which will be on sale after the question time, which starts at 2.15pm.

Produce and plants will be on sale, courtesy of the Blandford Museum Victorian Kitchen Garden, and tickets are available in the Town Council offices and TIC, by calling 01258 451557 or emailing helen@heraga.co.uk, to whom questions for answer by the panel can be sent.

The event is in support of the Corn Exchange Regeneration Project (see Facebook: Blandford Regeneration or blandfordregeneration.co.uk) See also page 23 for another opportunity to celebrate gardens in support of ABF, The Soldiers Charity.

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November 2015

Restaurant commended THE Namaste Gurkha restaurant in East Street, Blandford, has been highly commended in the Tiffin Cup competition, an annual British competition run by the Tiffin Club to find the best South Asian restaurant in the UK. The restaurant wasn't selected to represent its region in the grand final, but will receive a certificate and embroidered Tiffin Cup 2015 apron to mark their achievement in this year's competition.

Nominees are selected by their constituency for nomination by their MP, and North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said: "I am thrilled that Namaste Gurkha has been highly commended. This is a prestigious award and to be honoured in this way is testament to the fantastic efforts of all the staff."

Services showcased MORE than 40 local community groups and charities packed into the Corn Exchange for the Blandford Community Expo, where they explained about their services and activities with visiting members of the public and their fellow exhibitors.

Many were inviting new volunteers and members to join their group, and others simply wanted to show what they did.

The Blandford Town Team and DT11 Community Partnership displayed some of the projects in which they were involved, and the Town Council carried out a consultation into its forthcoming budget.

Other exhibitors included sports clubs, health support groups, youth groups, events organisers and service organisations.

Postal changes cause surprise ATTENTION was drawn at a meeting of Blandford Town Council to the fact that many of the town's post-boxes no longer have a collection in the afternoon, or even late morning.

Councillor Lynn Lindsay said: "It is a bit of a shock to realise that people posting a letter first-class cannot expect it to be delivered the following day."

Royal Mail spokesperson Val Bodden said: "We would like to reassure all our customers in the Blandford area that we will retain a high level of access to late collection posting facilities at 4pm or later."

She said Royal Mail announced in August 2014 that they planned to make changes to the collection times of some post-boxes and these changes are now being implemented across the UK. Once the changes have been made, a notice is placed on the box advising customers of the new collection times, and giving details of which post-box nearby has a later collection time.

Safeguards for postal services in rural communities introduced last year by Ofcom require 98 per cent

of all households to be within halfa-mile of a post-box, and Royal Mail already complies with these criteria.

"The changes mean mail collection from certain post-boxes will be carried out by the local postman or woman on their delivery route, at a time dependent on where the box is located on that route, typically between 9am and 3pm in urban and suburban areas. The indicator tab on the post-box shows if the collection has been made.

"Clear signposting is being provided for customers indicating where their nearest late posting box is.

Post-boxes further than half-a-mile from a late posting facility are not included as part of these changes."

She said a significant decline in letter volumes meant that many post-boxes no longer covered their costs, but the changes were introduced rather than decommissioning them.

"If customers want more information on which postboxes have a later collection time, our dedicated Customer Service Team will be able to help them on 03456 011399."

Charity cards go on sale CARDS for Good Causes seasonal shop has opened once again at the Methodist Church in The Close to offer an array of festive cards and Christmas gift ideas.

Staffed by volunteers, the outlet sells cards through the UK's largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation for more than 25 charities, including Julia's House, the Dorset and Wiltshire children's hospices, and Clic Sargent, which supports young people with cancer.

For 26 of its 28 years, the Blandford shop has been managed by Denise Symmons, whose team of volunteers has clocked up more than 70 years' service between them. They would be delighted to welcome any newcomers to their team. Pop in during opening hours or contact cardsforcharity.co.uk for more information.

The shop is open from 9.30am Monday to Saturday, closing 3.30pm most days but 1pm Wednesday and Saturday, and will be trading until Wednesday 16th December.

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November 2015

Friends rally round after club extension rejected MEMBERS and friends of Colin's Community Club in Damory Street have vowed to help and support him in revising his plans to extend the club after his first application was rejected by North Dorset District Council.

The application to add a first-storey above the existing clubroom next to his home was turned down in October following adverse comments from two neighbours.

The District Council's conservation officer recommended negotiation to achieve a more sympathetic profile, saying: "There is no objection from a conservation point of view to the principle of an increase in height, as this will result in little impact on the Conservation Area. However the employment of a flat roof TWO thefts in Blandford at the beginning of October have prompted a warning from police not to leave bags open and unattended.

A white iPhone 6 plus was stolen from a handbag on the back of a wheelchair between 11am and 1pm on 1st October, reported with crime number 55150103262.

The following day a purse was stolen from a handbag left on a trolley in Morrisons between 1 and 2pm, reported with crime number 55150101564 Anyone with information can report to Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

is not favoured, appearing to exaggerate bulk by contrasting with the historic context of the site."

The grounds for refusal were that the flat roof design form, length, mass and scale would be an incongruous and discordant feature to the host building, failing to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

The public benefits of the proposal, which would bring about economic and social gains, were not considered to outweigh the impact to the Conservation Area and on neighbouring residential amenities.

Mr Young, in a covering letter, said he recognised the building would impact on his neighbours, with whom he had consulted.

"The building of Russell Court on the site of the former Liberal Club next door had a far greater effect on my and my neighbours' properties, but I did not want to make things worse, so as the main objection was to the increased height of the club, I decided to have a flat roof."

A letter of support described Mr Young's wish to extend the premises, to accommodate a separate area for meetings and sports away from the normal activities in his well-organised club, as a positive move for the town, where several public houses have recently closed.

The harvest decorations in Blandford Methodist Church.

A time to share MEMBERS of Blandford Methodist Church in The Close celebrated their Harvest Festival service, led by the Rev Gwyneth Owen, who contrasted the abundance enjoyed by many to those needing vital support from Blandford's Foodbank.

At the centre of the harvest display was a layout contrasting the productivity of an English field to the aridness of a field in Africa.

Afterwards 51 people sat down for a lunch of cottage pie and vegetables followed by fruit crumble.

The Church was then able to give the Foodbank all the packets and tins of food that had decorated the church, plus a donation of ÂŁ200.

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November 2015

Where in Dorset were these pictures taken?

DOES anyone recognise the location, somewhere in Dorset, of these pictures, part of a large batch taken in August and September 1898 of the manoeuvres of the Southern Army on Blandford racecourse.

The Army was providing a mounted escort for Lord Portman, and the pictures, now in the possession of Blandford Museum, A REQUEST for more parking restrictions in Jubilee Way and Heddington Drive made by residents to Blandford Town Council has been passed to Dorset County Council and is being progressed.

County councillor Barrie Cooper reported to the town council meeting that the process is under way, but that there has been no further news of a review of parking in the Queens Road area which was sought after a meeting with the public earlier in the year.

are believed to have been taken by Susan Alice Heber Percy, nee Portman, with a print size of 3.25" by 2.25".

The cottages in the background of each picture are the same, and the lychgate is very distinctive. Anyone with any information is asked to email wlovell@uwclub.net or contact the museum at blandfordtownmuseum@uwclub.net.

Rotary’s key role in the defeat of polio THE Rotary Club of Blandford has thanked the people of the town for their support of fundraising events which have helped Rotary International reach a tremendous milestone in its campaign, End Polio Now. It was recently announced that there had been a full year without a single case of polio caused by wild poliovirus in Africa.

A polio-free Africa has been within sight for over a decade, and health workers, community leaders, government officials and global partners helped reach 230 million African children with the polio vaccine, often under some of the most

difficult conditions imaginable.

Africa's last polio case occurred in Somalia on 11th August last year. Nigeria, one of the last three polio-endemic countries, reached one year without a reported case on 24th July. The World Health Organization may soon remove Nigeria from the list of polio-endemic countries, and when Africa goes three years without a case of polio, the WHO will certify the region as polio-free.

End Polio Now supporters have donated a massive ÂŁ447.7 million to fight the disease in Africa. Further information on the campaign can be found at www.endpolio.org.

November 2015

Scarecrows on show

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SPECTRUM Housing Group residents in Okeford Fitzpaine enjoyed an afternoon of fun as they made scarecrows to display locally.

A Scarecrow Festival in Okeford Fitzpaine was the idea of Spectrum resident, Bev Tarrant, who thought it would be a creative activity to bring residents together.

Bev said: "It is often hard to find activities within the community that bring together all different walks of life and ages. Creating scarecrows is a great way to get everyone working to make something that will look nice on the green spaces of the villages. It's ideal for the rural communities of North Dorset."

Fellow Spectrum residents enjoyed an afternoon of making scarecrows large and small, decorating cupcakes with a scarecrow theme with Hope2Bake of Shaftesbury in the project which was supported by a grant from Spectrum's Community Forum Grants scheme.

Other applications are welcome. Organisations should call 0800 783 7937 or email contact@spectrumhousing.co.uk for full details on how to apply.

Residents sign petition over care home changes RESIDENTS of extra care housing development Trailway Court in Park Road, Blandford, have registered their concern and dissatisfaction with staff changes imposed by Dorset County Council by petitioning the council against the loss of their popular activities manager Kelly Chester.

More than 60 people living at the care home have signed the document, which states simply: "Kelly is very good to all of us in every way and always goes way beyond her job description to be helpful. We need her."

The daughter of one of the residents said: "Kelly works tirelessly to come up with new and exciting activities to engage the residents in things that make them feel empowered, creating a community spirit among people of like minds and age, giving them an opportunity of love, laughter and friendship.

"This is an eight-hour job with activities both morning and afternoon. How then can it be assigned to a part-time post?"

Kelly was appointed on a temporary contract in January and had believed it would be extended,

but when the county council reviewed the management of the 40 one- and two-bedroomed flats, the staffing structure was changed.

Instead of having a full-time care manager and a full-time property manager, the two responsibilities will be combined into one post and managed by Agincare instead of Aster Living, who have managed the facility since it opened four years ago.

Initial concerns of a reduction in the level of support provided to residents, many of whom are severely disabled, were answered

by Cllr Jill Haynes, DCC Cabinet member for adult social care.

She said: "Care and support services will continue to be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the home. This includes a number of trained care and support workers - one to be on site at all times."

She said management and maintenance of the building would continue to be provided by the landlord, Synergy Housing, and residents would benefit from reduced charges for care and support.

AROUND 1,700 litres of fuel was stolen from four motor vehicles parked in Holland Way, Blandford, some time between 11am on Saturday 10th October and 3.30am on Monday 12th October.

Police have asked that anyone with any information contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime number 55150106977.

A second attempted theft of fuel between midnight on the 10th and midnight on the 11th was reported from the Clump Farm Industrial Estate with crime number 55150108383.

Jimmy and Melody turn Spectrum resident Nicky Lench into a scarecrow ahead of the festival preparations.

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Station was inspiration for book SHILLINGSTONE Station is the title and setting for a new novel published by former head of modern languages at Milton Abbey, Brent Shore (right).

He was inspired to write it after visiting the station project, which he passed regularly in his postretirement part-time driving job taking special needs children to Yewstock School in Sturminster Newton.

"I fell in love with it and began to imagine what it must have been like in its heyday," he says. "My novel starts with an incident on a train in 1960, and the changing face of the station is the link between the three sections of the story, in 1960, in 1990 and in 2015."

November 2015

The paperback is on sale in the station shop and in the Dorset Bookshop in Blandford and Blandford Tourist Information Centre, or available through the website, brentshore.co.uk.

Traffic change ideas spark public debate AN OPEN Town Team meeting to discuss suggestions for improvement to the signage and traffic management in Blandford resulted in lively discussion in the council chamber at North Dorset District Council headquarters.

Reinstatement of the pedestrian crossings in the Market Place was a suggestion with nearunanimous support to not only improve safety for the disabled and visually impaired but also to improve traffic flow.

The suggestion was also supported by contributors to the Facebook Blandford Public Forum, one of whom commented that the current road system was fine, but traffic needed to flow better, and another saying it only needed acceptance of the internal illumination of zebra crossing posts in the town centre.

Controlled crossings were removed as part of the town centre enhancement scheme at the end of the 20th century which also redesigned the on-street parking in front of the Corn Exchange and created the traffic pinch-points and deregulated

crossings.

When North Dorset MP Simon Hoare last month experienced a blindfolded walk around the Market Place in the company of Mike Bell, regional campaigner officer for the RNIB, Mr Bell was quick to point out the danger for the visually impaired of having no audible indication of when it was safe to cross the road.

There was a mixed response to the suggestion that the top of Whitecliff Mill Street become permanently two-way, and to the reversal of flow in Sheep Market Hill which, it was felt, would redirect problems to The Close and The Plocks, and little support for Park Road and Damory Street becoming two-way.

But there was support for the response of one member of the public who advised against making minor changes without a thorough traffic flow analysis to examine the impact of changes on other streets. It was agreed that a request be made to Dorset County Council and sources of funding investigated for one to be carried out.

TOOLS, cash and diagnostic equipment were stolen in a burglary on Clump Farm Industrial Estate in the early hours of Friday 25th September. Offenders got in by removing a window.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police 101 or crime stoppers 0800 555 111 quoting crime occurrence number 55150095933.

November 2015

Protests over badger culling

Ideas abound as villagers make plans for their new hall

Goodies on offer for young visitors to Charlton Marshall’s Extravaganza Day. MORE than 250 people visited an Extravaganza Day held to kick start public consultation with the community of Charlton Marshall for their replacement village hall.

In the existing hall were plans and a consultation area to discover views and ideas for activities which might take place in the new hall. Regular user groups mounted displays which included short demonstrations from the Brownies/Rainbows, Cubs/Beavers, ladies' yoga, short mat bowls and table tennis.

In the afternoon adults enjoyed tea and

cake in the sunshine watching the younger generation having a good time with bouncy castles and gladiator jousting.

In late afternoon there was a hog roast, barbecue, hotdogs and chocolate fountain. The event, which was supported by a grant from Awards for All, ended with a family disco.

Ideas for future uses included health clinics, toddler groups, youth club, film nights, more fitness activities, community choir and dance group. The ideas will form part of a report by the village hall committee to be used in funding applications.

11

LOCAL members of The Badger Trust marked National Badger Day in Blandford on October 6th with sadness in the knowledge that the trial scheme to cull the protected animals, believed responsible for TB in cattle, has been extended to Dorset.

It is one of a number of methods being used to control the spread of bovine TB, which the National Farmers Union says has devastated Dorset herds.

Campaigners were joined by Peter Martin, chairman of the Badger Trust, who said: "The government and the farming lobby are continuing to play the badger blame game in order to mask their failure to properly control this disease."

Dorset for Badger and Bovine Welfare spokesman Karin Snellock said: "We ran walks, known as wounded badger patrols, every evening during the cull, with a choice of different lengths of walk to suit different levels of fitness and ability.

"People joined us to walk footpaths and lanes in the cull zones to protest against the cull and look out for any wounded animals, either badgers or other creatures caught up in the crossfire.

"Many feel as we do that the government have persisted with this extremely unpopular measure against all scientific evidence which shows it is inhumane, extortionately expensive and completely ineffective."

Defra announced at the end of August that Natural England had granted a licence for badger culling to begin in Dorset, and licensed marksmen began shooting days later.

12

November 2015

New policy for car park use

BFTC Grounds & Property Manager Jon Goodenough and Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles with the Mayor of Blandford Councillor Steve Hitchings, and Tony Vincent and Dan Hurst of MVS Blandford Ltd at the MVS Blandford garage on Sunrise Business Park.

Council sponsorship deal renewed A TWO-YEAR sponsorship deal with MVS Blandford to service and maintain the grounds and property vehicles of Blandford Forum Town Council has been renewed for a further four years.

As part of the deal, the company sponsors take care of the vehicles with annual servicing and MOTs, bulb and level maintenance, vehicle checks and some parts and labour to a value of around ÂŁ1,000 a year.

In return they receive acknowledgement on the

vehicles of their contribution to show the public how they are supporting the council in keeping costs down.

Town clerk Linda Scott Giles said: "Our Grounds and Property Manager Jon Goodenough first suggested that we might help to keep our precept down by securing a sponsorship deal, and it has worked so well it is being continued until December 2019, when the new council elected that year can once again review the arrangement."

A POLICY is being drawn up by North Dorset District Council for the use of their off-street car parks for community events.

Councillor Esme Butler told town councillors that a draft would go first to overview and scrutiny committee.

It had been prompted partly by a potential 10-day closure of the Marsh and Ham lower car park for Teddy 20, but could have implications for other events including the Hamdinger, Yuletide Festival and Royal British Legion Blue Light Day.

Research plea HELP is needed by Blandford's 14-18 group for help in researching the impact of World War One on the town.

Group member Councillor Esme Butler appealed at Blandford Town Council's October meeting for others to come forward to assist, and can be contacted on 01258 480756.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

November 2015

13

Merger creates new credit union DORCHESTER-based First Dorset Credit Union, which operates in Blandford, and Yeovil-based Camelot Credit Union have combined to create Wyvern Savings & Loans, a new credit union serving Dorset and Somerset.

The not-for-profit co-operative banks enable people to build up secure savings and take out low-interest loans.

Owned by their members and often run by trained member volunteers, they are registered with the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Their members' savings are fully guaranteed and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Following the merger on 1st October, Wyvern Savings and Loans manage more than ÂŁ1.5 million of local people's savings in 20 locations across the two counties, with just under half that amount out on loan. Wyvern enables local people to borrow up to ÂŁ7,500 at competitive fixed interest rates with no penalties for early repayment. Their directors are unpaid, and the service provided is run by some 150 local volunteers.

For more information, visit wyvernsandl.co.uk, email admin@wyvernsandl.co.uk, or phone 01305 268444.

BLANDFORD Railway Club, now based in the Scout headquarters off Eagle House Gardens, is going from strength to strength, with around 30 members regularly spending their Wednesday mornings on the creation of their latest project, a scale model layout of Bailie Gate station in Sturminster Marshall.

Spokesman David Cash said: "We now have plenty of room to work and develop the model as well as test tracks for the trains, and study the maps and information in our possession."

14

November 2015

MP and Mayor get a brief experience of life in the dark THE problems experienced by the blind and partially sighted were highlighted twice in Blandford, first for North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, and then for Blandford Mayor Steve Hitchings.

Mr Hoare was given his first-hand experience of the issues at the invitation of the Royal National Institute of the Blind.

Accompanied by Mike Bell, regional campaign officer, the MP donned a blindfold for a short walk around the Market Place.

There he encountered some of the obstacles met regularly in every street - A-boards, rubbish bags put out for collections, as

well as parked cars and wing mirrors overhanging the pavement.

Mr Hoare is championing a private member's bill which aims to give local authorities the power to enforce a ban on pavement parking in designated areas.

He said: "It was quite scary, and totally disorientating, for a street I know well to suddenly become an alien landscape. I urge businesses to consider not just the able-bodied but also the blind and partially sighted when they are putting out rubbish and Aboards, and drivers to be conscious of their needs when parking and driving."

AGE Concern in Nightingale Court, Blandford, is urgently seeking a number of volunteers to work with older people seeking advice and information.

For details of a rewarding and interesting voluntary post, trained and supported by the management and other volunteers of the very active group, contact the vice-chairman Carol on 01258 458250 or call into the office at 4 Nightingale Court, East Street, on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings.

Mayor Steve Hitchings being led by Margaret Hemus of the Blandford Blind Club, supported by club members and Lions on World Sight Awareness Day. The exercise was repeated on World Sight Awareness Day, 7th October, when Blandford Lions issued their annual invitation to the Mayor of the town to walk blindfold around the town centre.

Councillor Hitchings was escorted by Margaret Hemus and fellow members of the Blandford Blind Club, and assisted by Lions members, who collected ÂŁ60 during the walk.

The Lions' next event is a charity quiz on Saturday 14th November at Whitechurch village hall at

7.30pm, where teams of up to six will be able to enjoy a fish and chip supper. Tickets are available by calling Tony Ives on 01929 472336.

Next month they will be hosting Father Christmas and giving out sweets before the Mayor's Christmas tree lighting at the Corn Exchange on Friday 4th December at 6pm, and the following day holding their Christmas Craft Fayre. Stalls can be booked by calling or emailing Tonyandrosieives@yahoo.co.uk.

15

November 2015

Shop staff help charity SCRIVENS Opticians & Hearing Care in the Market Place raised awareness and funds for Alzheimer's Society by supporting World Alzheimer's Day with three days of activities and donating ÂŁ1 for every hearing screening from 21st to 26th September.

Staff wore red, decorated the branch and held a cake sale, book sale and a raffle to raise nearly ÂŁ50 as part of ongoing support for Alzheimer's Society, its chosen charity for this year.

Branch manager Sandra Way said: "Dementia touches so many families and World Alzheimer's

Day inspired us to raise awareness of the charity and the need for funds for research and support."

There is growing evidence of a link between uncorrected hearing loss and dementia, including Alzheimer's.

"Our hearing screenings are free of charge and we wanted to encourage people over 40 years of age to have regular hearing checks as they do eye tests," said Sandra.

Pictured (right): Louise Anderson and Charlotte Matthews at Scrivens.

Beatons Bi-Monthly Book Review

The Disobedient Wife, written by Annika Milisic-Stanley A beautifully written novel exploring the modern-day shackles imposed on the women of Tajikistan in the name of traditional culture, The Disobedient Wife intertwines the lives of Nargis, a Tajik nanny facing poverty and ostracism, and her employer, Harriet, an expatriate and prisoner to her own darkening life. Set against a violent socio-political backdrop and narrated through poignant first person prose and Harriet's journal entries, MilisicStanley weaves a dramatic journey of loss, desperation and self-reliance.

Though walking starkly different paths, neither woman's story comes to overshadow the other, a careful balancing act which allows for accessible parallels to be drawn into our own lives. Brought together in a bittersweet conclusion, The Disobedient Wife is a truly artistic and humane novel, giving voice to those trapped by circumstances beyond their control - something that is exceedingly representative of issues at the forefront of today's global society.

by Ashleigh Lewis, Front of House, Beatons Blandford.

Tony Bishop and Alison Moore celebrate the launch of the Northern Dorset Local Action Group. Picture: Katharine Wright.

Businesswoman’s new role A BLANDFORD businesswoman has been appointed vice-chair of the Northern Dorset Local Action Group, whose launch was celebrated at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.

The meeting confirmed Tony Bishop of Stalbridge as chair, with Alison Moore of Blandford as vice-chair.

Tony has spent the past year chairing the LAG's steering group as it prepared for the launch and is looking forward to continuing his involvement as it begins to allocate grants.

Alison is very active in many areas of business and community life in the county and is also a Dorset LEP board member and volunteers as a DorMen business mentor. Both are looking forward to helping local businesses and organisations achieve their ambitions in rural Dorset.

This month the LAG will start accepting applications for LEADER grants from businesses and organisations in North Dorset, Sherborne and rural parts of East Dorset and Christchurch, and wants to hear from people who would like to join them.

LEADER is a European programme providing Rural Development Programme funding at the local level, and local people make the decisions about where the money should go to support economic, social and environmental development in the countryside.

Grants will be awarded to projects which create jobs or support the wider rural economy in rural businesses, rural services, farming, tourism, forestry and culture and heritage.

To find out more see the website dorsetleader.org.uk.

16

November 2015

Local gifts bring comfort to Calais refugees VAN loads of items from donors in Blandford and surrounding villages have been finding their way to refugees living in Calais and beyond as a result of a small group, Blandford Cares - Calais Aid to Refugees from Europe and Sudan.

What started in August as a family trip to drop off spare tents,

sleeping bags and warm clothing has grown into a group that is proud to be part of a nationwide network bringing humanitarian aid across Europe to those who have lost everything.

Hundreds of bags and boxes of assorted items have been delivered to Blandford Parish Church, or to the home of Mike and Suzi

Hearn, who initiated the project.

Mike said: "Although the initial appeal was only for Calais, where 90 per cent of the residents are young men, the reports from Greece and Hungary highlighted the plight of thousands of families caught up in the greatest movement of displaced people since WW2 and donations for women and children flooded in alongside those originally requested.

"Not one item has been or will be wasted. In Calais, where the cur-

rent emphasis is on shelter for the coming winter, volunteers in warehouses which, a few weeks ago, were suddenly overwhelmed with donations are now able to sort and distribute items as appropriate.

"Here in the UK small groups like the one in Blandford are able to link with larger groups, crowd funded to arrange onward transport to areas most in need."

For the latest information, see 'Blandford Cares' on Facebook.

Ben helped on his way

Refugees being given items from collections made in Blandford.

KPC Leisure Directors Paul Limb (right) and Kris Meehan (centre) show local professional mountain biker Ben Moore (left) round his new wheels ahead of the City Downhill World Tour event in Bilbao.

INTREPID professional mountain bike rider Ben Moore from Lytchett Matravers set off last month for the fourth leg of an international extreme sports competition with the help of local company KPC Leisure which provided a motorhome as accommodation for his trip.

Ben was taking part in Bilbao, northern Spain, in round four of the City Downhill World Tour, a series of five events in which the world's best racers battle it out on a downhill mountain bike course through the steep and narrow streets of an urban landscape, culminating in Mexico at the end of October - see citydownhill.com.

KPC Leisure, who specialise in quality used camper vans and motorhomes, were keen to support Ben's challenge. Director Paul Limb said: "We were thrilled to be able to help Ben by ensuring that he would have somewhere warm and comfortable to prepare for and recover from the event."

November 2015

17

18

Readers’ letters

LETTERS Please 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 to: Forum Focus, c/o Colin's

November 2015 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.

More recruits needed to help us improve the town ALONG with some positive letters, there have been several published recently in Forum Focus that express concern at the current state of Blandford in terms of retailing and amenities.

Whether your readers take a positive or a despondent view of Blandford, it is good to know that many people are interested enough to put pen to paper.

The Civic Society was founded in 1970 with the object of ensuring that Blandford continued to merit its description as "the best, most complete, small Georgian town in England".

Our activities include the installation of blue wall plaques and street and yard name plates; the publication of a Town Heritage Trail; guided tours during the summer; and design awards to a succession of quality development projects in the town.

We published an award-winning 'Shop Front Policy' providing a

guide to the preservation of the Georgian character of the town, which was adopted by North Dorset District Council as official policy. And every month, we review all planning applications submitted to the council, expressing concerns and offering advice as appropriate.

However, we are not concerned just to encourage pride in our past.

Civic pride needs to express itself in positive action to build a better future for our town. The aim of the Civic Society is to conserve the best of the past as a basis for creating a vibrant environment and community in the future. To this end we work in partnership and mutual support with Blandford+, the DT11 Partnership, Blandford Business Group, the Town Team and the Regeneration Group, as well as the Town Council and North Dorset.

However, all these groups who are working to build a better Blandford currently rely on a rela-

tively small number of active members. Your letter writers clearly indicate that there are people in our community who feel strongly about Blandford's future and we would welcome them with open arms if they felt able to join us or one of our partner organisations, bringing with them their enthusiasm and ideas.

Terence Dear Chairman, Blandford & District Civic Society

Let’s start a dance class I USED to have such fun doing a Middle Eastern dancing (sometimes known as belly dancing) class in Blandford.

Would anybody else be interested in starting a class in Blandford and is there anyone out there who is prepared to teach us?

If so please would you contact me, on 01258 456631.

Fiona Stewart-Hanney Address supplied Blandford

Road resurfacing was just not good enough A BIG hooray to all the shops and businesses that have, or are in the process of redecorating and smartening up their places of work, and hugely improving the Georgian facades of Blandford.

It is not just the bigger firms like NatWest, Boots and Costa, but the individual shop owners - Horrocks & Webb, Modo and Ganesh to name just a few. It is a delight to see so many taking pride in their buildings and having confidence in the future of Blandford.

But what on earth happened when the resurfacing was carried out overnight from 1st to 2nd October? The state of the roads in the centre of Blandford has been left in a condition that beggars belief. Who is taking the most liberties here? How can anyone think this is acceptable on any level? It just isn't good enough.

Blandford has to rise to its many challenges or perish. A significant number of people are working really hard to get Blandford back on its feet and this happens! Where do we all go from here?

Ros Nelmes, Address supplied

Email your letters to editor@forumfocus.co.uk

LETTERS

November 2015

19

Heritage Amazed by poor service at the branch attraction Readers’ letters

I CALLED into my local branch of the Nationwide as my computer was down and I needed to check my August/September statements.

To my horror I found that someone in branch had not only opted me out of receiving paper statements through the post, but also I was told in no uncertain terms that if I came into the branch again to ask for statement printouts I would be charged ÂŁ10 for each one! The branch was full of customers and we all looked on in amazement.

I need to remind Nationwide Building Society that without us Nationwide would not exist, that we are trusting them with our money and it's not our job to pay Nationwide staff to help us!

The very clear message that was sent out for all to hear that day was "We do not care about or value our customers and we don't really want to help you but if we have to, you will pay."

S. Vine Address supplied, Blandford Forum

Selfish parking has become a nightmare for the disabled FURTHER to the letter in last month's Forum Focus advocating free or cheaper parking, I wonder how many of those who complain about parking charges have a driveway or a garage and have no issues with parking outside their own homes.

Parking is a nightmare for resi-

dents who cannot park their cars on their own streets and for those of us who are disabled it is awful.

Workers take up all the spaces and I cannot park my car. I could pay to have a disabled bay but then how many other people are going to come and park there so I will have paid to be no better off.

Concerns continue A WHILE ago you kindly published a letter from me asking for opinions regarding the service provided by the chemist shops in Blandford. I received well over 100 responses, all but one critical.

Since then I have been in touch with relevant NHS organisations that I know have taken these concerns seriously.

The regional manager of Boots has actively endeavoured to improve the service provided - a new manager has been installed, more staff, facelifts to the shops and in one case a deep clean taken place.

However, I am still receiving instances of poor service, especially about the communication between the surgeries and the chemist shops, each side blaming the other for the lack of service. Whoever is at fault the patient suffers, often having to return on many occasions to the chemist shop to pick up one lot of medication.

If you wish to send me your accounts about the chemist shops, either improvements or continued poor service, please email jjtanners@hotmail.com, phone on 01258 455173 or write to The Old Bakery, Church Road, Pimperne, Dorset. DT11 8UB. John Tanner

If you came to work on a bus or train it would NOT be free, so why should parking. How would you like it if we parked in front of your house all day long?

I am sorry if this offends anyone, but they are not the person falling because you have to park your car miles from home and walk when you can't walk on your own. I am not looking for sympathy, just consideration for a situation which is very demeaning.

Fionna Henderson Address supplied

THE opening of the Blandford Town Hall and council chamber, along with tours of the Parish Church, brought people from all over Dorset on the weekend of 12th and 13th September as part of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week.

There were also weekday openings of the Cemetery Chapel in Salisbury Road, where entries in the visitors' book indicated the degree of interest from people for whom it held special significance, having attended funeral services there in the past.

It prompted the start of a research project to discover more information about the building and cemetery, including illustrations of the arch which once stood over the entrance, as well as the identity of those who had worked on the buildings, stonework and inscriptions on the furniture.

The week also saw fully booked tours of the World War Two pillbox in Parklands, owned by Michael Le Bas, and a guided tour of the town, which was unfortunately timed for an evening of exceptionally heavy rain and attended by only one visitor.

20

November 2015

A young soldier’s vain hope of leave in final poignant letter THE final letters of Thomas White Caslon to his parents in November 1915 reveal that at the beginning of the month he was about five miles from the firing line, and hoping for some leave in December or January.

He sends a list of "a few little things I should be very glad of" and questions whether his allowances are being paid into his bank account regularly.

He advises his brother against going into the trenches: "You have got to be as hard as nails to stick this - 11 months in the ranks taught me that soldiering is not a bed of roses."

In the middle of November, a week before his death on 25th November, is sent the twelfth and final letter from his dugout in the front line trenches C Battery, 97th Brigade, RFA, BEF, a change of unit. “It is my turn to do Forward Observation Officer. The dugout is most comfortable, having a place to sleep (boards), a stove, lamp and table, etc. The rival armies have been here so long now that they have had time to make everything very nice. The trenches, however, are very bad, in certain parts of them there is 2 feet of water.

Poor old Boche, he gets a dreadful time here. Our boys have established a tremendous moral ascendency over him, and they give all sorts of frights.

On the fifth of November they sent all sorts of things over his trenches and alarmed him so much that he called out all his reserves and "stood to arms".

Our snipers are having a fine bag. One told me how he watched a Hun officer through his telescope, gradually get bolder and bolder, until at last he held his head up over the parapet just a second too long, and the sniper shot him slick between the eyes. Exit Hun "and that makes three for the last 2 days" said the sniper in his broad Yorkshire dialect, fearfully bucked. I thought Good God what trade!

The utter desolation of the immediate vicinity of the firing line is too horrible to behold. There is not a living thing to be seen above ground except when the working parties go out to do odd jobs. Even the birds seem to have absolutely vanished. It is a very weird sensation when you walk down the communications trench at night, and there is a German machine gunner traversing his gun, the bullets zipping on the parapet above your head.

All letters, etc to C Battery until further orders.

Very best love to all, Your affectionate son, Tom�

Killed at Ypres : Harry Sherwood Bellows (pictured), like his father, worked as a labourer. He was the second son of John and Rose Bellows, of Lawrences Yard and 8 White Cliff Mill Street, Blandford.

He had six brothers and sisters, and members of his family still live locally and were among the visitors to the exhibition in Blandford Corn Exchange in July last year.

A private in the 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, he was one of six Blandford recruits to enlist on 6th September 1914. He was posted to France in July 1915 and killed in action near Ypres on 5th November 1915, aged 20. He is buried in Birr Cross Road Cemetery, West Vlaanderen.

We reported last month that Charles Williams Symes, Blandford Town Clerk from 1913-1915 who served as a Captain with the 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment and died in Iraq on 9th October 1915, was the son of an agricultural labourer. Bill Lovell at the Blandford Museum informs us that he was, in fact, the son of solicitor William Henry Symes and his wife Mary, of Crediton.

Four deaths in tragic family THE death of Edward Green of Charlton Marshall in Gallipoli on 12th November 1915, aged 19, was the third of four to impact closely on his family.

A Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment 5th Battalion, who was buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, he was the son of railway navvy and carter James Green and Lavinia Matcham, who had married in Blandford in 1886, and lived at Tarrant Monkton and Spetisbury.

Edward had eight brothers and sisters, and his eldest brother, James Victor born 1887, had been killed in action while serving with the Dorsetshire 1st Battalion on 8th December 1914 in Belgium. He is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial.

Only three months later, his eldest sister, Olive May, born in 1891, was widowed. She

had married William Daniel Nobbs in Lambeth, London, in 1911 and they had a daughter Lilian, born in Dorchester in 1912.

He served as a Corporal in the 1st Battalion and had died of wounds in France on 18th February 1915, aged 30, and was buried in the Bailleul communal cemetery.

Mr Nobbs was the son of house painter William Aungier who, in Chelsea in 1884, had married Sophia Rachel Chamberlain, but she had died in 1910.

The fourth member of the Greens' family to die within the space of two years was second son Samuel Stephen, born 1889, who served with the Dorsetshire 2nd Battalion, and in 1911 was stationed at Poona in India. He died on 30th September 1916 serving in Mesopotamia and is commemorated at Basra.

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

November 2015

Jane McIntyre and Wendy Steele of the Blandford Townswomen's Guild with their cheque for £1,000 which will pay for new tables at the Williams Opportunity Hall.

Charles Upton, left, and John Nash of COMPACT receive a £1,000 cheque from Community Chest judge Andy Wing.

Nocturin Lacey-Clarke and his wife Charlotte of Treads and Sylvia Hixson Andrews of the Blandford Museum with their cheque for £1,800.

Community Chest cheque-out time for good causes NEARLY £6,000 was awarded to local community groups at the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest presentation held in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel on 9th October.

They were just five of the 30 organisations county-wide to receive a share of the £31,000 distributed this year by the Blandford St Mary-based brewery company which has over the years given away a total of £440,000.

Beneficiaries based in Blandford included the Blandford Museum and Treads, who received £1,800 to develop a project offering computer courses to young people.

Museum representative Sylvia Hixson Andrews, who was joined at the presentation by Treads trustee Nocturin Lacey-Clarke and his wife Charlotte, said it was a project first suggested by the late Tony Harrocks to help young job and benefit seekers.

The £1,000 donated to the Blandford Townswomen's Guild, represented by Jane McIntrye and Wendy Steele, will benefit all users of their meeting place, the Williams Opportunity Hall in Whitecliff Gardens, as it will fund the provision of new tables.

Blandford Scout Group, represented by chairman Dave Smith

and Beaver leader Sam Elliott, received £850 for the installation of fire doors at their headquarters in Eagle House Gardens, which are undergoing renovation.

The Dorset Destroyers wheelchair rugby players, represented by one of their Blandford members John Colgan and founder member Sue Coombs, received £1,300 for the purchase of a wheelchair specially adapted for their sport.

The Child Okeford COMPACT, a village-based group that brings Artsreach shows and open-air theatre, music and home-grown shows, including the annual St George's Day fair and mummers' play, to the village, received £1,000 to provide a storage facility for their staging, props and costumes. Their representative Charles Upton, who was joined

by John Nash, said all their equipment was currently stored in members' attics.

Guest of honour among the civic dignitaries from across the county was deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Wilkin. The presentation, introduced by Hall & Woodhouse vice-chairman Mark Woodhouse and their Community Chest partners, the Blackmore Vale Magazine, The Breeze and Dorset Community Foundation, was followed by a buffet meal.

FOLLOWING complaints last year that it was unfair for 'pop-up shops' to be able to compete in Blandford's Christmas shop window competition, Blandford Town Council has agreed that 'seasonal trading shops' are not eligible to take part this year.

The argument was made that such shops had the advantage of stock specifically designed for the Christmas trade, whereas those trading all year round did not.

Prize money totalling £350 will be awarded to the winners.

Above: Blandford Scout Group chairman Dave Smith and Beaver leader Sam Elliott with £850 for the Scout headquarters. Above right: John Colgan of Blandford, right, and chairman Sue Coombs of the Dorset Destroyers Wheelchair Rugby Club receive their cheque for £1300 from Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest partner and judge Steve Carpenter.

22

The View from the Hill

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

A

BIT of light relief was on hand during the lull before we started autumn sowing, in the shape of a couple of farm sales.

The first was on the occasion of a neighbour retiring from farming. He had farmed his land for many years, and his father before him, as a tenant on a well-known local estate, and had amassed a very interesting collection of machinery, fixtures and fittings, as well as the usual junk!

A farm sale generally follows a long-established format: the items for sale are all numbered up and listed in the catalogue

November 2015 so potential buyers can do their research, decide what they are after and what limit they should set themselves. On the day farmers descend in their hundreds, like vultures, looking to pick over the bones of the farm. Once the bell rings the crowd swarms to the first row of assembled miscellany, the cheapest lots, and through the morning the tension builds with a gradual crescendo towards the headlining lots at the end. We managed to purchase a couple of lots ourselves, items with specific jobs destined for them, a trailer and a set of mounted discs.

The star sale of the day was a 35-year-old County 1184 fourwheel-drive tractor, which climbed to an amazing ÂŁ27,000, two very keen collectors battling it out. I had thought it would have made a fine addition to our tractor lineup, but my limit was less than a quarter of the final price.

The following day there was a dispersal sale, near Blandford, of a spectacular collection of Internationals Harvester, American-built tractors, combines and balers, along with a few other interesting items. There was a huge crowd in attendance and bidding was brisk. A shame to break up such a fine collection

but it's hard work keeping such a collection in good running condition, and they would all find their way to new loving owners.

In a burst of emotional reminiscence I laid a few careless bids on an old combine, similar to one we had here when I was a boy. But sense prevailed, I dropped out before it was too late.

Where would I keep it, Flashback to the 1960s: George's Dad talking and where would I find the time to run it up dur- to Den Corry standing on the Massey Harris 726 combine. Den still lives in Durweston. ing harvest? It was a Massey Harris 726, an iconic design with unmistakable combines all have their engines visual profile, which was continon top near the back and the airued with the 780, a larger model flow is designed so that the which followed and was the engine is constantly blasted with same as the one we had here for cooling air, which also keeps it a few years, driven by Charlie clean.

Damen and Den Corry.

One of the most exciting lots was These combines suffered from a another combine, older and rather hazardous design fault, somewhat rarer than the 726, a and all too often the dust and Massey Harris 21, one of only chaff under the combine caught five working examples still fire from the engine, and the drivremaining in the country. It had er at the first hint of smoke had taken part in a reunion this sumto leap off with a fire extinguisher mer, with three of the other four. before the whole field caught It is in fully restored condition, alight. This happened once here, and attracted fierce bidding, finalbut we managed to save the ly being knocked down for machine and the field. Modern ÂŁ9,600.

November 2015

Titchmarsh in town

Action call over town eyesores AT LEAST ten individuals and organisations have written to North Dorset District Council in an orchestrated campaign to seek action over the state of repair of two prominent buildings in the town and non-enforcement of planning policy.

The move has resulted from a meeting of interested parties hosted by the Town Team in September to discuss the town's heritage and the possibility of carrying out an appraisal of its conservation area, designated 'at risk'

by Historic England.

In addition to agreeing that such an appraisal should be made, representatives expressed strong concern at the condition of the former greengrocer’s shop at 52 Salisbury Street, which has been boarded up for many years.

The letters also highlight the condition of the building next to Artisan House at 26 East Street, which has long been a source of concern to members of the public, town councillors and the local Civic Society.

There have also been recent complaints that inappropriate colours have been allowed on some shop frontages, particularly the bright yellow of Ocean City in East Street and the façade and signage at Iceland in Salisbury Street.

THE building occupied by Iceland at 26 Salisbury Street was on 22nd October offered for sale by auction with a price guide of £1.150 million. It was advertised as a freehold supermarket investment having been fully tenanted

by Iceland since 2009.

State of disrepair: The former greengrocer’s shop in Salisbury Street (above) and the East Street building (below), next to Artisan House.

TV gardening presenter Alan Titchmarsh will be at the Crown Hotel on Thursday 19th November to present an evening of gardening prose and anecdotes in support of the Army Benevolent Fund.

The Soldiers' Charity was set up in 1944 to support serving soldiers, veterans and their families, and the event is sponsored by the Gardens Group, best known for its garden centres in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury, with support from Gillingham-based Orchard Park.

Mr Titchmarsh said: "Dorset

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evokes many happy memories for me, family holidays spent away from the pressures of life. It is a great pleasure to be returning to support a particularly special charity and help all of the volunteers involved in Dorset 'do their bit' for such a worthwhile cause."

Advanced booking is advised and doors will open at 6.15pm.

Tickets costing £20, to include refreshments, are available from the Tourist Information Centre, from ABF in Exeter, 01392 496412 or email southwest@soldierscharity.org.

New beat for Vicar THE Reverend David John, currently Incumbent at St Cuthbert's Parish Church in West Hampstead in the Diocese of London, has been appointed Vicar of the lwerne Valley Benefice, of which Shroton Church is a member.

He has worked in West Hampstead for the last 10 years, where in addition to running the St Cuthbert's Parish he has served as a parttime officer in the Metropolitan Police, where he has recently been working on the Brent Police and Council antisocial behaviour team.

Retiring from the Police at the end of October, he will join the Iwerne Valley Benefice in a full-time capacity, and his induction service on 5th November will be conducted by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam.

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November 2015

FORUM Drama's forthcoming unique production of a revised script from TV series Blackadder as a radio play this month is sponsored by the Sunrise Service & MoT Centre.

The three episodes have been put together with permission of Comic Relief using the original scripts and additional material from Sam James.

The performances, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on 14th November at Durweston village hall, will be recorded in front of live audiences, and feature Edmund Blackadder, Mayor of Blandford, looking back at his family history from the Tudor period up to the First World War.

England fans get ready to cheer their team in the Rugby World Cup.

Festival winners and losers THIS year's beer festival at the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery was tinged with excitement and disappointment for rugby fans, depending on their allegiance, when they saw Wales beat England in the Rugby World Cup live on the big screen.

Rather than support just one charity as last year, when over ÂŁ4,335 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, the festival organising committee chose four - the

Dorset Air Ambulance, Alzheimer's Society, Teddy 20 and the Blandford Opportunity Group.

There was dancing in the yard to the music of live bands Selective Hearing and the Mother Ukers, together with a disco, and attractions included a line-up of steam engines, hot food and nearly 50 beers and ciders from local brewers and producers, including new Badger brews produced specially for the occasion.

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November 2015

School celebrates a rich history and an assured future A CELEBRATION of the 65th anniversary of Knighton House School coincided with the announcement of the completion of the purchase of its freehold property which it has leased since 1950 from the Crown Estate.

The recent sale of the 4,500-acre Bryanston estate gave Knighton the opportunity to buy its buildings and grounds outright - a

SCHOOLS

once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The purchase was completed just before the 65th anniversary gathering in September.

The sale was announced by Sarah Wicks, Knighton's Headmistress, who said: "As we celebrate 65 magical years, this wonderful news makes it clear that the unique Knighton House education will be here for many more generations of children -

Clayesmore visit for Chernobyl children A GROUP of ten children affected by the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster visited Clayesmore School as a result of the work of pupil Zoe. She was inspired to work with the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity, providing recuperative monthlong stays in the UK to the children to boost their compromised immune systems with fresh air, healthy food and exercise.

Zoe became involved with the charity after contacting its Dorset representative, Ann Horrocks, to see how she could help, and began by compiling welcome packs to give to the children when they arrived in the UK. Fellow Prep pupils and parents donated items and the school shop also gave essential clothing.

Zoe, now a senior pupil, continued to collect for the charity and contacted several large UK businesses to ask for help. The charity's youngest ambassador finally met the children at a welcome party and during a day at Clayesmore.

Suzanne Chinnock, Head of

English, said: "For Zoe, it was a chance to welcome these children, for whom she had already planned and prepared so much, and share with them all her school has to offer. Her first step began months ago and brought ten children from the Ukraine all the way to Clayesmore, helping our pupils gain a greater insight into one of the world's greatest disasters. Her work with the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline will undoubtedly have many more miles yet to go."

The head girl and boy and four house prefects were the visitors' guides for a day that began with a wild art session in the grounds led

by Head of Art, Caroline Ritchie.

They then headed to the DT room where Head of DT, Nigel Moore, helped them make eggcups for Kinder eggs. After lunch, it was time to let off a little steam with table football, table tennis and a session on the adventure playground. Zoe returned to the Prep School to assist with a games session tailored specifically for the children.

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Celebratory cuppas for some of the 200 or so ex-pupils who returned to Knighton House to mark the occasion. from Dorset and beyond."

Camilla Masters, Knighton's Chair of Governors, said: "Owning our site, including the lovely old home of the Portman family and 35 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside, is a win-win for Knighton. Not only does it further strengthen our already robust balance sheet, it also puts us firmly in charge of our destiny."

The school welcomed back more than 200 former pupils who travelled from all around the world to take part, including an Old Knightonian who was at the school in its first term and girls

who left only recently, former heads, members of staff and the founder's son, Christopher Booker, who gave a wonderful talk.

After a service at a packed Durweston Church picnics were enjoyed in the grounds, there were tours of the school and girls chatted, reconnected and reminisced over traditional Knighton House flapjacks and chocolate cracknel.

Current pupils performed ballet, played hockey on the all-weather pitch and kept many entertained with the annual Knighton House pet show.

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Blandford soldier’s honour A SOLDIER who worked with NATO has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Sergeant Craig Clark (pictured right), originally from Nuneaton, is serving at the Royal School of Signals in Blandford.

He was given his award by Princess Anne at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

He said: "I am very proud. I spoke for two or three minutes to the Princess Royal and she knew all about me, my career and the

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November 2015

work I had done."

The award came for his work in setting up a computer system that could be used by a number of countries in Europe.

"There was a team of four working on the project, but I actually started off as a radio signaller before moving into the computer side of things, so I haven't actually had any official training. The reason I have been recognised is for setting up the successful system but without the training."

His father Pete was in the Army as a helicopter pilot and Craig always wanted to be in the Armed Forces because he grew up around it. He joined the Army when he was 17, after previously being in the cadets.

A fashionable offer A SPECIAL half-term offer at Blandford Fashion Museum from 24th to 31st October gave families an opportunity to visit at discounted rates, with admission free for children and halfprice for adults.

It will be followed by a free admission Celebration Open Day on Saturday 28th November with the opportunity to see demonstrations of lace and jewellery making and enjoy a free mince pie when a coffee or tea is purchased.

On Monday 12th October, there was a tabletop sale in support of the museum, which showcases fashions dating from the early 18th to late 20th centuries.

Anyone interested in the museum and in volunteering as assistant treasurer or assistant curator is asked to get in touch on 01258 453006 or 454084.

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November 2015

Tribesman’s school visit THE Blandford School was lucky to be visited on 6th October by Nixiwaka, a tribesman born in a remote part of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

Nixiwaka is a member of one of several hundred tribes or native peoples who have been living in the rainforest for thousands of years.

He has been visiting schools across the UK to share his experiences and to raise awareness of the threats facing the rainforest and those who call it home. He also spoke about the customs and beliefs of his people and their view of the world. The fact that Nixiwaka only came to England and started to learn English in 2010 made his talk even more amazing.

To find out more information about Nixiwaka and his story visit survivalinternational.org/nixiwaka

Pupils turn coffee into cash for charity MONEY-raising activity at Clayesmore this term has included a successful Macmillan coffee morning hosted by the Senior School's charity committee and an impressive yield from Prep harvest festival collections.

Hordes of hungry customers were greeted by a selection of cupcakes, cookies and delicious larger cakes to share at the coffee morning, which raised £1,000. The charity committee worked tirelessly, collaborating with the catering team who donated all the ingredients and mucked in with the baking for the coffee morning.

Committee members also helped out in the home economics room, cooking up fudge and meringue kisses, and decorated a pile of cakes in the school kitchens to supply to the cake selling crew.

Another £377 was raised for the Tear Fund for poverty-stricken communities overseas in collections at the end of each service at the Prep School's harvest celebrations where food gifts donated by Clayesmore parents and friends were destined for the

Cakes on offer at the Clayesmore Macmillan coffee morning.

BH1 Project in Bournemouth and the Blandford Food Bank.

The festival fare included ditties and readings from the youngest pupils, and a more sophisticated performance with a 'global world' theme from Year 5-8 pupils.

Free parking at Christmas BLANDFORD Town Council has once again agreed to subsidise free Christmas parking in off-street car parks on Saturday 12th December.

It is hoped that North Dorset District Council will again support free parking on Small Business Saturday, Saturday 5th December. A request has also been made to Dorset County Council to support free on-street parking in the Market Place and Sheep Market Hill.

The winning team in the Pro's Day Competition at Ashley Wood

Tournament time at Ashley Wood LADIES Invitation Day at Ashley Wood saw lady members and their guests from 11 different Dorset clubs play a closely fought four ball better ball stableford.

The winning pair were Sarah Holt and her guest Kay Reid from Canford Magna with 40 points. One point behind were Sue Edwards, County Captain, and her guest Jacqui Bowden from Dudsbury. Joy White and her guest Martha from Parkstone GC were third with 38 points.

The Summer Mixed Knockout was a fiercely contested match with very little between the two sides. Steve Pardy and Pat Wyatt took an early lead of 2-up but were pulled back by the ninth hole by Sarah Holt and Stuart McColl. The following seven holes were closely fought, and Steve just missed a putt to keep the match at all square on the

17th. On the 18th Stuart hit a great shot to approximately 10 feet from the pin but this was bettered by Steve with a shot to three feet. Unfortunately the putt was not converted and Sarah and Stuart won by one hole.

On 3rd October, Paul Jones, head pro at Ashley Wood, held his inaugural Pro's Day Competition.

A full field of 104 members and guests competed in teams of four with on-course competitions throughout the day, including nearest the pin, straightest drive and longest drive with a thrilled lady member picking up nearest the pin on the 18th hole.

The winning team, The Slaps, came in with an impressive score of 92 points. Second place went to Candyfloss, with 91 points on count back, and third place went to the Old gits +1, also with 91 points.

THE Ashley Wood Golf Club Ladies' section are holding a coffee and Christmas bazaar morning at the club on Wimborne Road, Blandford, on Tuesday 10th November in support of the charity Children with Cancer UK. Golfers and non-golfers are welcome to enjoy coffee and cake and browse the stalls from 9am onwards, or pay an extra £10 for a round of golf between 10am and noon.

For more information call 01258 452253 or email secretary Christine Cullen at christine.cullen@outlook.com.

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November 2015

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events NOVEMBER Sunday 1st November: RBL Act of Remembrance, Blandford Cemetery, 10.45am Round Robin Ramblers meet 11am outside St James Church Milton Abbas for 4.5-mile walk round Milton Abbas Blandford Choral Society sing Evensong, Shillingstone Parish Church, Church Road, Shillingstone DT11 0SL 6.00pm.

Open Garden for NGS, Lawsbrook, Brodham Way, Shillingstone, 10am to 4pm Monday 2nd November: Blandford Floral Group AGM, United Reformed Church, 2.15pm Thursday 5th November: Blandford Museum First Thursday talk, Judith Ford, 'Owners & Occupants of Houses in Central Blandford c.1465 c.1900', 7 for 7.30pm Friday 6th November: Blandford Rotary Short Story Competition awards night, Corn Exchange, Blandford 6.30pm Blandford Preetz Friendship Society Quiz Night, Blandford Constitutional Club, 7.30pm, details 01258 459452 Saturday 7th November: Milldown Primary School Autumn Fair, Corn Exchange, 10am to noon Craft Show, Blandford Forum Parish Church, 10am to 3.30pm, displays, workshops and exhibition of Cupola pictures Christmas Craft Day, Tarrant Gunville village hall 10am to 4.30pm Wessex branch of Western Front Association meets 2 for 2.30pm Pimperne village hall, talk by Chris Copson on the Dorsets at Gallipoli, contact 01929 553060 Poppy Day open evening and dance, Royal British Legion, Church Lane, Blandford Sunday 8th November: Remembrance Sunday See village noticeboards for Remembrance service details Remembrance Day parade and church service, Blandford town centre, 2.45pm Tuesday 10th November: Coffee and Christmas Bazaar, Ashley Wood Golf Club, 9am to 12 noon, in aid of Children with Cancer UK, golfers and non-golfers welcome Wednesday 11th November: Armistice Day Act of Remembrance, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 11am Blandford branch NHS Retirement Fellowship meets Committee Room, Blandford Community Hospital 10.15am,

Entries in this diary are free of charge. If you have an event you would like included, 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. Readers are advised to check with event organisers before attending.

VICE-PATRON June Davey, of Tarrant Monkton, was among the guests when three-year-old Mikey Strachan cut the ribbon to reveal the £4 million refurbishment, extension and remodelling of Naomi House children's hospice at Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, for which she has been a major fundraiser since it first opened. She is pictured centre with (left to right) David Holmes, the hospice's chairman of trustees; Tom Craig, director of finance; Mark Smith, chief executive; and Katie Hannum, fundraising manager. details 01929 472441 Thursday 12th November: Blandford-Mortain Twinning Association AGM and social evening at The Parish Centre, Blandford, 7.30pm North Dorset Trailway Network AGM, Stourpaine village hall, 7.30pm Namvula folk and urban music, Shillingstone village hall, 7 for 7.30pm, bookings 01258 860319 (Artsreach promotion) Friday 13th November: Christmas Craft Market, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 9am to 3pm and Farmers Market, Market Place, 9.30am to 1pm Saturday 14th November: 9th Annual SERO Christmas Market, Craft & Food Fair, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 9.30am to 3.30pm Forum Drama present 'Blackadder' radio play, Durweston village hall, 2.30 and 7.30pm Langton Long Parish Church Barn Dance, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 6.30pm to 9.30pm, tickets 01258 452246 Lions charity quiz night and fish & chip supper, Winterborne Whitechurch village hall, 7.30pm, bookings 01929-472336 Winter Warmer Pub Night, Tarrant Gunville village hall, from 7pm Monday 16th November: Blandford Blind Club meets Williams Opportunity Hall, 2 to 4pm, Wessex Accordions Group

Child Okeford CCL meeting, Roger and Sandra Down 'In the Wake of the Cockleshell Heroes', 7.30pm, details 01258 860767 BSC Open Rehearsal, Blandford Methodist Church hall, The Close, 7.45 to 9.45pm, details 01722 710511 Wednesday 18th November: Blandford Fashion Museum, Lecture by Heather Toomer, ‘Laced in Victorian Style’, 10am, booking essential, 01258 453006 Pimperne School Open Day for new reception class (September 2016). Please contact the school office for visiting times Blandford Carers trip to Castle Gardens Shapwick Nursery Pamper Evening, Ann Biddlecombe Hall, Tarrant Keyneston 7 to 9pm Dorset Wildlife Trust meet Fontmell Magna village hall 7.30pm, talk by Alan Holiday on North Dorset geology Thursday 19th November: Blandford Art Society meets Pimperne Village Hall at 2pm, 'Art and the Dorset Landscape'. A talk

by Jim Potts. Details from Tina Rowley 03330 112174 Alan Titchmarsh presents an evening of prose, poetry and anecdotes, Crown Hotel, 7pm, in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund, tickets 01392 496412 Blandford Museum Archaeology Group talk, Martin Papworth, National Trust Archaeologist, 'Badbury Rings & the Kingston Lacy Estate'. 7.30pm

Friday 20th November: Film Night, Blandford Corn Exchange, A Little Chaos, directed by and starring Alan Rickman about the design and planting of Louis XIV's garden at Versailles.

7.30pm Christmas Bingo, Child Okeford village hall, doors open 6.30 for eyes down 7.30pm, in aid of the village hall Saturday 21st November: Pimperne School Open Morning for new reception class (September 2016), 10am to 12 noon, contact the school office for further information Coffee and Craft in the Corn Exchange 10am to 1.30pm Cats Protection coffee morning and stalls at Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford 10am to 12:30pm Chase Benefice Christmas Fair for the Salisbury Sudan Medical Link, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 11am to 2pm Ninebarrow folk duo, Ibberton village hall, 7.30pm (Artsreach promotion) Charity Barn Dance with The Hambledon Hopstep Band, Durweston Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Tickets 01258 488883 Sunday 22 November: Gardeners Question Time, cream teas and garden produce sale and book signing by Charles Dowding, Corn Exchange, 2.15 to 4.30pm, tickets from Town Council, TIC or email to helen@heraga.co.uk Panta Rei Danseteater present Behind the Mirror, Winterborne Stickland village hall, 4pm, bookings 01258 880920 (Artsreach) Wednesday 25th November: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild meets 2pm, Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens, 'Holiday in Japan' with Margaret & Alan Dymond Friday 27th November: Durweston Film Night, Mr Holmes, village hall 7.30pm Clod Ensemble present The Red Chair, Tarrant Gunville village hall, 7.30pm, bookings 01258 830361 (Artsreach promotion) Saturday 28th November: Blandford Fashion Museum Celebration Open Day Free Admission from 10.00am to 4pm, Lace and Jewellery Making demonstrations, refreshments Christmas Fayre, Old Brewery Hall, Ansty, noon to 3pm Sunday 29th November: Holy Moly & The Crackers present If the River was Whiskey, Child Okeford School 7.30pm, bookings 01258 861391 (Artsreach promotion)