November 2016 Forum Focus by Sevensioux

FORUM FOCUS

It’s all change at a local pub with a new face behind the bar: Page 4

For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 56

November 2016

Lidl gets the green light LIDL'S application for a new supermarket off Shaftesbury Lane in Blandford, on part of the site for which permission was granted to Asda, has now been approved by North Dorset District Council. The decision was made by planning officers under delegated powers, in consultation with local members. It came after a protracted period of negotiation which saw amended plans submitted and agreement reached on the contribution to be made by Lidl to mitigate the store's impact on the town centre. Ian O'Gorman, Lidl's senior consultant acquisitions, said: "We still have a lot to do before we can make a start, because there are a number of conditions to discharge, but we are in the process of appointing a main contractor which has gone out to tender." He could not, at this stage, say when the store might be opening. Financial contributions have been secured by the planning authority to provide sustainable linked trips to the town centre from the site and enhancements in the town centre. The £77,765.68 being offered towards town centre enhancements is less than a quarter of that agreed with Asda, who would have contributed £333,500. The reduced sum, on the grounds of the reduced impact on the town centre, means it is no longer viable to employ a town centre manager promised as part of the Asda package. The money will be directed solely towards enhancements, which could include any part of a list including a community resource centre, Market Place improvements, shopfront improvements, retail opportunities and town centre promotion projects. But Lidl will still be offering just

over £250,000, agreed with Asda, to improve the X8 bus service with two additional journeys per hour between the town centre and the store on Mondays to Saturdays. Adverse impacts of the development on the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who submitted a detailed objection to the scheme, have been addressed through a robust landscaping strategy to minimise the visual impact of the development. In answer to the AONB concerns that the building would be obtrusive, and the roof covering should be green, it is noted that although the site is currently an open field, its setting includes the bypass, housing development to the south, the Glenmore Business Park and employment uses west of Shaftesbury Lane where grey roof coverings are not uncommon. The case officer's report stated: "The character of the site is informed by the level of urban development to north, west and south, as well as the bypass to the east." A traffic study identifies the likely traffic generation as being 223 vehicles (two-way) in the weekday peak and 369 vehicles in the Saturday peak period, and that the signal-controlled junction on Shaftesbury Lane will be adequate to cope in the foreseeable future. Conditions imposed include restricting the percentage of nongrocery sales to 34 per cent of the net retail store area, at least 66 per cent restricted to convenience sales (food, drinks, newspapers, magazines and confectionery), and, to safeguard the viability of the town centre, the prohibition of concessions such as a pharmacy, dry-cleaner or photo-processing.

Ernie’s belated honour

Old soldier Ernie Aylott, aged 93, has finally received the medals he had earned for his courageous service during World War Two. He was presented with them by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, at a ceremony at Blandford Camp, watched by his proud family. Full story: Page 2.

Crowds turn out to salute the Rifles: P6-7

FORUM FOCUS: Your FREE monthly community newspaper

www.forumfocus.co.uk

November 2016

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.

Where to find Forum Focus IF anyone would like join our team to deliver in their own or any other area that has no delivery, please get in touch (see contacts above). Copies can be picked up from any of our drop points listed below: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: Morrisons, Greyhound Yard; M&S Langton Road; 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, Abbott Garden Centre, Langton Long, 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, Okeford Fitzpaine village shop, Londis Shop & Royal Oak at Milborne St Andrew, The Crown at Winterborne Stickland, Post Office and Surgery, Milton Abbas, and The Cricketers at Shroton.

Diary events are updated regularly on our website so it is always worth logging on to stay up to date with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in the area. The website also carries additional pictures of local events and background information on stories.

DEADLINES Adverts: Monday 14th November Editorial: Tuesday 15th November Deliveries from Monday 28th November View future deadlines on our website.

OUR ADVERTISERS Please support our advertisers who have given us their support. All material published in Forum Focus (either in the magazine or the website), including adverts, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, Forum Focus accepts no liability for any errors or omissions and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear in the publication or on the website.

Recognition at last for old soldier Ernie ERNIE Aylott, who served with the Royal Army Service Corps during World War Two and drove a 3-ton lorry full of ammunition for 25-pounders through enemy fire on Sword Beach on 8th June 1944, always refused to apply for the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star and the 1939-45 War Medal, which were his right. But he was finally persuaded to receive them by Nick Bate, case worker for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and at the age of 93 years and 11 days was presented with his medals by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell. Mr Aylott, of Ashley Wood Park, Blandford, was joined at the presentation in the officers' mess at Blandford Camp by his wife

Joan, sons Russell and Glenn, daughter in-law Karen, nephew Mike Cooksey and neighbour Margaret Foulston. Between joining the Army on 17th December 1942 and being demobbed on 4th April 1946, Mr Aylott (Private 14384343) did basic training in the Lincolnshire Regiment, transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps as a lorry driver, and served in France, Belgium, Holland and India after training and rebadging into 15 Parachute Regiment to prepare for the crossing of the River Rhine and serve with them in India. The icing on the cake at the presentation ceremony, which was also attended by Sally Cadec, chairman of SSAFA Dorset, was the additional presentation of a Parachute Regiment beret and beret badge. Mr Aylott said: "We were trained to kill, but I don't think I ever actually killed anybody." Originally from Battersea in South London where he and his wife met after the war, he worked as a builder, and on leaving the Army repaired bomb-damaged houses in London and worked in a builder's yard in Clapham. He

also worked in the Tate Gallery, Millbank, for 11 years, and was a keen boxer. With the two children, Mrs Aylott became the leader of a youth club. The couple, who now have three grandchildren, retired to Dorset in 1989, and Joan became chair of the residents' committee at Ashley Wood Park. It was in that role, campaigning for speed restrictions on the road, that she had previously met Mr Campbell when he was leader of Dorset County Council. Mr and Mrs Aylott became founder members of the Independent Park Homes Advisory Service, and their son Russell said: "That is their legacy which still goes on today. We need no award to be proud of our father, who gave up his rations to starving dogs and tearful children and whose passions and commitment have been to his family, friends, fellow man and all things living. "We are just grateful that his service to his country and world peace has been finally recognised." A successful application has also been made on his behalf by SSAFA for the award of the French Legion d'Honneur.

November 2016

Access plans agreed for new homes estate ACCESS arrangements for the development of up to 350 homes on land south-west of the bypass at Blandford St Mary have been approved by North Dorset District Council. The development of the site, bounded to the north by the A354 bypass and to the east by the A350, is intended to include both commercial and non-commercial community uses, public open space, play areas and parking. An indicative layout was shown by applicants Blandford St Mary Homes, but the detail will be submitted to the District Council at a later stage. The two accesses, one from the bypass just east of the corridor being reserved for a potential Charlton Marshall and Spetisbury bypass, and the other north of Church Lane, Lower Blandford St Mary, will serve an expected peak flow of between 260 and 300 vehicles a day. Highway planner Steve Savage said that, combined with a transport plan encouraging the use of public transport and other than vehicular travel, the road network could cope with the traffic generation. Key to the pedestrian usage is a footpath link into Blandford via a Toucan crossing on the bypass 30 metres west of the Tesco roundabout which Blandford Town Council did not feel would be acceptable. But he said other options had been considered and ruled out, since an underpass or footbridge would both require a substantial footprint for ramps to meet the equality requirements, and the length of travel for the pedestrian would be so great as to lead to the temptation to simply cross the road. A footbridge would also result in overlooking of properties, while an underpass would have drainage implications and could

be subject to antisocial behaviour. Neither of the district councillors representing the area were present, but Councillor Esme Butler of Blandford was concerned that the crossing would be too close to the roundabout, and result in "a lot of slamming on of brakes". Mr Savage replied that a safety audit would ensure it was in the correct place. A pedestrian link will also be provided from the bypass to Blandford St Mary Primary School, and a second zebra crossing will be provided in the Bournemouth Road to a bus stop layby. Graham Rains, vice-chairman of the North Dorset Trailway Trust, said he had come prepared to object to the lack of provision for the important link between the southern and northern sections of the Trailway at Blandford St Mary. But he withdrew his objection on hearing of a commitment from the developers to pay £90,000 towards Trailway enhancement and access to a potential link across neighbouring land not in their control should it become available. Developer contributions will also include £100,000 for recreation, £250,000 and land for a Blandford St Mary community hall, £22,500 for the pedestrian footpath link, together with affordable housing and a sum for education. Richard Burden, of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, had concerns about visibility from the AONB and the potential congestion at the roundabout, and Brian Wrench, a resident of Church Lane, Blandford St Mary, complained that volumes of traffic had increased already to such an extent that it could take three minutes to exit Church Lane into Bournemouth Road.

THERE was frantic competition and a total of 70 bids, including a phone bidder from Portugal, for the undeveloped site in West Street, Blandford, between the Tourist Information Centre and Magnolia Court - once earmarked by Dorset County Council for a new Blandford library and for many years an unofficial free parking lot. It was sold by auction at the Digby Hall, Sherborne, by Symonds & Sampson for £140,000 after being advertised with a guide price of £50,000.

Stevens work on display BLANDFORD Museum played its part in the North Dorset Museums' Cabinet of Curiosities in October. Items, some of which have rarely been on public display before, in museums across the district were highlighted. Blandford's contribution related to Alfred Stevens, born in Blandford in 1817, the son of a decorator and joiner, who left school at ten to help in his father's workshop. His artistic talent as a young man was recognised by the Rector of Blandford and others who became his benefactors, supporting his studies in Italy in painting, sculpture, architectural design and ornament. In the middle of the 19th century he won a competition to design the

Blandford-born artist Alfred Stevens's self-portrait which is housed in the Tate Gallery.

Wellington Monument in St Paul's and became renowned for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney pieces. Sketches and paintings from the collections of the Tate Gallery and the V&A Museum, and sculptures in the possession of Blandford Forum Town Council were put on display alongside the early sketches permanently housed in the Blandford Museum in Bere's Yard.

November 2016

Lance calls time on his seven years at the Stour

Above: Mark Woodhouse, Hall & Woodhouse chairman, presents Lance Ferguson with the famous 'This is your life' red book at the farewell party on his departure from the Stour Inn. Left: The Stour Inn's new landlady Erica Watt.

Grant bid progress WORK is continuing on the preparation of an HLF Lottery bid for the Corn Exchange refurbishment and remodelling project. Discussions still need to be finalised with North Dorset District Council on the handling and costs of work associated with the Church Lane car park which form part of the bid. Tenders have now been received and reviewed by the Corn Exchange Regeneration Project Board for works costing in the region of ÂŁ70,000 to the faĂ§ade, which are being progressed separately from the main project bid, and were considered by town councillors at their meeting on 17th October. Project officer Nicki Ginn said the town council was still waiting to hear from North Dorset District Council whether listed building consent would be required and recommended an application be made. She also suggested the works may require the market stalls and craft fairs in The Shambles to be relocated inside the Corn Exchange for health and safety reasons. The potential impact on indoor traders will be considered with the council's new markets manager Andy Reynolds, who started work at the beginning of October and is now focusing on attracting new traders to the Thursday and Saturday street markets.

CUSTOMERS gathered at the Stour Inn at Blandford St Mary for a farewell party for licensee Lance Ferguson. He pulled his last pint on 2nd October after seven years behind the bar and to celebrate his service, Hall & Woodhouse chairman Mark Woodhouse joined regulars in surprising Lance with a second 'This Is Your Life' farewell party at the brewery visitor centre. Mr Woodhouse said: "The Stour Inn is very close to our heart being the closest pub to the brewery. The atmosphere while Lance was in charge was fantastic and we thank him for all his efforts in making the Stour Inn such a great pub." Surprise guests included Lance's daughter from Cornwall, best friends from Poole and Leeds and video messages from Italy and Australia. The pub reopened on 10th October after a week's handover period, and the new landlady is Erica Watt, who was temporarily at the Fox at Ansty and has just left the Talbot Inn in Iwerne Minster. Villagers there gathered in the Talbot on 1st October to say goodbye to Erica and her crew. The village was left anxiously waiting amid rumours about the future of the pub, and was told only that a contract would be signed within a fortnight. Before locking the doors for the last time, Erica gave the village archives several of her old village pictures which will become part of a collection which it is hoped will be part of a regular and changing display in the Abingdon Hall. Meanwhile Nelsons in Salisbury Street, Blandford, is due to close on 7th November for around three weeks for a refurbishment following the granting of planning permission to its owners, Heineken and Star Pubs, for a number of alterations and improvements. Julia's House Blandford Friends Group are holding a concert on Sunday 27th November at 3.30pm at the Parish Centre. The Showstoppers - husband and wife team Kevin and Julia Sissons - will perform music from the classic shows. There will be a retiring collection for Julia's House.

November 2016

Villages excel in county-wide contest LOCAL villages have again come up trumps in the Dorset Best Village 2016 competition, whose results were announced at an awards ceremony in Cerne Abbas village hall. Iwerne Minster won the award for 'Neighbourliness' in looking after its vulnerable and needy people, and neighbouring Shroton's Ukulele Band were runners-up in 'The People's Project' section, behind The Drovers Inn at Gussage All Saints, saved from closure by community action. Spetisbury's 'Wild Flowers' were runners-up for the Environmental Award, and Sturminster Marshall, Charlton Marshall and Child Okeford all received special awards, respectively from East and North Dorset District Councils and in tribute to the late chairman of Dorset County Council John Wilson. Past winners Pimperne and Child Okeford were the top contenders for the previous winners' trophy, with Pimperne taking the hon-

ours, and Okeford Fitzpaine came third in the large villages section in the competition's 30th year of organisation by Dorset Community Action. Melcombe Horsey were winners of best hamlet. The large village award went to Portesham, and the small village award to Askerswell. The main sponsor for the sixth year was Magna Housing, with additional sponsorship from Dorset County Council, the Dorset Echo, Dorset Magazine, Blackmore Vale Magazine, Cooperative Stores, along with a number of local food producers Clipper Tea, Fudges Biscuits, Honeybuns, Craig's Dairies and Helen Furness Catering. DCA's competition organiser Rita Burden, of Winterborne Zelston, said: "We had a marvellous evening topped off by the 30-year celebration cake, and our aim this year of encouraging communities to continue taking part in this competition has been achieved."

Iwerne Minster councillor Kerry O'Connor receives the best village neighbourliness award from Graham Colls, group chief executive of main sponsors Magna Housing Group.

Busy time for aid team BLANDFORD Cares, the group providing aid to Syrian refugees in Calais and beyond, staged a 'Jumble for the Jungle' in the United Reformed Church Hall in October and were then guests of the North Dorset Green Party at their AGM. They are planning an afternoon event at the Kings Arms in Blandford on 2nd November with an opportunity for visitors interested in their work to sample a 'refugee meal'. The group is now being assisted by Bryanston School senior pupils who help out in the sorting room on Thursday afternoons, and planning their next Calais trip.

November 2016

Town turns out to greet the Rifles Rifleman Jack Oliver with his mother Linda Clark, stepfather Peter Clark, sister Zena Lewis and nephew Teddy, aged two.

THE first Freedom Parade of the Rifles Regiment through Blandford since being awarded the honour nine-and-a-half years ago was also an opportunity for a reunion for one young Rifleman with his family. Jack Oliver has been serving with the regiment for the last two years, and is the son of Linda Clark, wife of town councillor Peter Clark who was among the civic dignitaries who gathered in the Market Place to welcome the parade. Jack had sought special permission to take part in the parade in his home town, and, at the reception in the Corn Exchange afterwards, was joined by his mother, sister Zena Lewis and nephew Teddy, aged two. He was among the troops from the 5th and 6th Battalions who were led into the town along West Street at their marching pace of 140 steps a minute by the Rifles Band and Bugles and greeted by the applause of the townsfolk. Following the general salute, Mayor of Blandford, Jackie Stayt, Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, and Brigadier Charlie Maconochie, Rifles Colonel South West, were invited to

inspect the parade, which included the standard bearers of the Dorset and Devonshire Regimental Associations. The Mayor said operational duties had prevented the Rifles from exercising their Freedom of Blandford from the year of their formation and until now, and recalled that in that time, 64 of their number had been killed in action, and many more had suffered life-changing injuries serving in many operational tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Brigadier Maconochie said it was a privilege to represent the regiment and a great honour to have been granted the Freedom of the town, with which the Rifles had links going back to the Second World War. He thanked Blandford for its support across the years which, he said, was so important to the Riflemen when they were away from home or abroad. He also thanked those at Blandford Camp for their assistance in organising the parade, the old comrades in attendance, and the wider Rifles family. While the band and troops marched around the town with swords drawn before leaving the town, as they had arrived, down

The line-up of standard bearers of the Rifles, Dorset and Devon Regimental Associations.

November 2016

Mayor of Blandford Jackie Stayt and Rifles Secretary South West Tim Lerwill watch the parade from the dais in front of the Corn Exchange.

The Rifles Band and Bugles accompany the marchpast. West Street, Tim Lerwill, Rifles Secretary South West, with the assistance of two of the regiment's buglers, described the role of the bugle, which takes the place of the drum in Rifle and Light Regiments, as an effective means of communication across long distances. A collection was taken, all proceeds from which will be shared equally between the Rifles Regimental Trust, the

Care4Casualties Appeal and the Mayor's charities, the Friends of Blandford Hospital and the Blandford Scout Group. A framed picture of Blandford's key features presented to Brigadier Maconochie for the Regiment by the Mayor and a sculpture Rifleman presented by the Brigadier to her for the town were put on display in the Corn Exchange at the reception which followed the parade.

Regimental standards are carried past the line-up of civic dignatories and guests.

More pictures on www.forumfocus.co.uk

The Band arrives back in the Market Place to enthusiastic applause after its march around the town.

Death of motorcyclist AN inquest was opened and adjourned by the Dorset Coroner on 13th October into the death of motorcyclist Kieran Pittick, 37, of Blandford. He died from multiple injuries when his Suzuki machine was involved in a collision in Thornhill Road, Stalbridge, on 7th October. His widow Em Pittick and friends paid tribute to a man who "made a difference to people's lives" and have raised more than ÂŁ1,400 on the fundraising website JustGiving for his funeral. The collision, on the A357, was reported to the Dorset Police at 3.22pm, and the road was closed at Barrow Hill junction with Wood Lane and the Thornhill road junction with Grosvenor Road for collision investigators to examine the scene. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 7:257.

November 2016

Wall repair plan rethink follows cemetery listing THE listing by Historic England of Blandford's cemetery and chapels has resulted in new proposals being drawn up for the repair and restoration of the northern cemetery wall, which have implications both for Blandford Town Council and neighbouring landowners. Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles told town councillors she and the grounds and properties manager had had a number of meetings with North Dorset District Council's conservation officer Jen Nixon, who has recommended that none of the protected trees growing close to the wall should be removed, but all the laurel hedging along the length of the wall should be removed to allow the wall's condition to be properly assessed. She also asked for all items attached to the wall by neighbouring residents to be photographed and listed, and that the residents be advised that anything to be attached to the wall in the future would need Listed Building Consent. The outcome of meetings with a specialist contractor was that the wall needed to be supported without any attempt to rebuild which would be difficult and expensive. The best way forward was to remove the hedge, assess the whole wall, repair obvious areas of damage with original bricks and lime mortar, and use ground anchors on the residents' side of the wall to support areas where it was leaning badly.

Mrs Scott-Giles said: "It is highly unlikely that quotes and Listed Building Consent can be obtained quickly enough for work to start this year, since lime mortar cannot be used when there is any danger of frost, and there is little point starting until the hedge is fully removed. "We will retain the service of our temporary member of staff who has been with us during the summer to assist with this extra work." She said a rough estimate was being prepared to be brought to the council for discussion during budget setting in November. Residents would need to be reminded that anything already attached to the wall was listed by association, and that some things considered to be having a detrimental effect on the wall might have to be removed. â&#x20AC;˘ Councillors have agreed that an area in the cemetery extension should be set aside for a pet cemetery and the scattering of ashes, and agreed regulations for the scattering of ashes on existing graves spaces. They also agreed to a family's request for permission to install a bench, commemorating a recent sudden death, on a site at the Top Field which could not be used for burial and was adjacent to their loved one's grave, noting that it was the only site where a bench could be permitted.

November 2016

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste medication GPs and community pharmacies across North Dorset joined together during October in a campaign to tackle the problem of wasted prescribed medication. Patients were encouraged to return unused or unwanted medicines and make sure they order only what they need. Waste of prescribed medication costs the NHS millions every year and estimates suggest this could be in excess of ÂŁ3 million in Dorset. Medicines on repeat prescription are sometimes no longer needed but continue to be ordered. Once they have been prescribed and have left the pharmacy premises they cannot be recycled whether they've been used or not, and must be disposed of in a controlled manner, in itself an additional cost. The campaign also reminded patients of the importance of having a regular medicine use review with their pharmacist or prescribing doctor.

CAB and DT11 are threatened by cuts NORTH Dorset's Citizens Advice Bureau and the district's community partnerships are under threat from the withdrawal of District Council funding as it seeks to reduce its costs. A consultation is underway until 28th November in which residents, businesses and visitors are being asked for their views on two budget options based on financial analysis, stakeholder engagement and service knowledge. The result will influence the council's budget decisions to be made next February when it will be seeking to address a budget shortfall of ÂŁ2.5m over the next three years, more than half of which needs to be found in 2017/18, due to reductions in government grants. A financial health check carried out by the Local Government Association concluded that "NDDC has divested or partially divested financial control over much of its discretionary spend which makes it more difficult for it to tackle these areas of spending in the new era of government grant cuts and austerity." Cllr Andrew Kerby, community safety & wellbeing portfolio holder for North Dorset District Council, said: "We have a long history of supporting the CAB and appreciate the valuable contribution they have made over the years. The fact that the grant has

remained untouched through increasingly difficult times is a reflection of this. "However, like many councils, we are facing a dramatic reduction in government grants, so in order to continue to provide statutory services, we need to make some tough choices." Cllr Sherry Jespersen, community & regeneration portfolio holder for the District Council, added: "North Dorset's Community Development Service has been one of our most successful innovations and we greatly value their important work, but financial constraints now mean that the council must look again at every service it provides, and consider where best to direct its funding for the future. "We must ensure that we are spending the limited funding we have in the way that will achieve the most impact for people in our communities. "There will be difficult choices to be made and this public consultation will ensure that we have a wide range of views to consider before we make our final decision." For more information and to fill out the consultation questionnaire, pick up a copy at NDDC reception at Nordon in Salisbury Road, at community partnership offices, or see dorsetforyou.com/your-say-budgetnorth-dorset.

November 2016

Crocus campaign A THOUSAND purple crocuses are to be planted on Saturday 12th November on the riverbank beside the Stour by members and supporters of Blandford Rotary, who are inviting members of the public to help. They will be planted beside the 'Rotary Way' sign near the Blue Bridge as a symbol of Rotary's worldwide campaign to eliminate polio. Back in 1988 Rotarians made a promise to the world and now, thanks to large donations to Rotary's campaign there are only two countries left where the disease is endemic. "Thirty years ago, hundreds of thousands of children in dozens of countries were struck down with this crippling disease," said Blandford Rotary Past President John Bentley. "Since then millions of children have been immunised against polio and as a result the number of new cases is down to below 100 per year. We're almost there. But we won't stop until polio is eliminated once and for all."

Falling by Julie Cohen I totally 'fell' into the pages of this book and, excuse the clichĂŠ, didn't want to put it down! A beautifully written, emotive and powerful novel exploring challenges that each age generation could face. Three women, all part of a strong-willed and often stubborn family, all trying to deal with their own battles in secret. Gradually brought together as they begin to discover each other's strengths and weaknesses, they all come to realise that the bonds of family hold a gravitational force that none can deny. A familial force that brings love, support, joy and above all, hope. Relatable, thought-provoking and heartwarming, this is a must to put on your reading list for this year. Zoe Moxham, Marketing Manager for Beatons Tearooms Ltd

The winners and runners-up in the Rotary Short Story competition (from left): guest speaker Brent Shore, Findlay Duncan-Lyon, Thomas Clark, Ann Allan, Paula Harmon, Jane Wade, and Mayor of Blandford Jackie Stayt. Samuel Karasove is not pictured.

Writer Paula pulls off a treble triumph LOCAL author Paula Harmon scored a hat-trick in the Rotary Short Story competition, whose reading and prizegiving evening was staged in Blandford Corn Exchange. Paula, who will be launching her new e-book at Blandford Library in November, had entered all the three categories available to her, and in all but the under-18 category - won by Findlay DuncanLyon with his mysterious 'Last Kill of the Day' - she was judged the winner. Her stories were 'Downstream' in the best Blandford section, 'Lacemaker' in the flash fiction section and the very haunting 'Hide and Seek' in the open section, which won her the Mayor's Cup presented by Mayor of Blandford Jackie Stayt. The judges - Nick Allen of the Dorset Scribblers, local author and broadcaster Pam Fudge, and Blandford librarian Emma McAlister - had more than 80 entries to review and shortlist for the final readings and prizegiving, at which the guest speaker was Brent Shore, author of locally based 'Shillingstone Station'. After describing his own route to authorship, which began with a short story competition in 1982 but was interrupted by a teaching career, he said: "A short story should give a 30-minute read, but in competition a tenminute read is plenty. Judging is absolutely subjective and the

people here may not have won a prize but have something they can be proud of, and there are no losers in this room. Keep it up, and find time to let your imagination flow and daydream." In the under-18 category, there were three other finalists, Jennifer Allen with 'The Barn', James Greig with 'Calamity Izzy', and Thomas Clark, judged runner-up with 'Grounded by the Gods'. There was one other shortlisted in the best Blandford story category, runner-up Jane Wade with 'Castle in the Air', and both used as their focus the local Hod and Hambledon hill forts. In the new flash fiction category, restricted to 250 words or fewer, the three other finalists were Sara Niven with 'A Night Out', Cathryn Thomas with 'Wedding Day Nerves', and runner-up Samuel Karasove, with his 107word 'Lust for Life'. In the open section, Mary Bevan read 'Dances in the Dark', Vicki Cannings 'The Glen', and runnerup Ann Allan read '5.15 Bus'. Competition organiser Adrian Ford said he was delighted that so many had decided to showcase their talent by entering the competition, which was now in its second year, and he hoped would become an annual event. "Writing a successful short story is hard, but finishing and submitting an entry is a triumph," he said.

November 2016

Four units in Argos site? OWNERS of the building until recently occupied by Argos in East Street, Blandford, after securing permission to divide the building into two retail units, have now applied to further divide it into four. A design statement on behalf of the Carolgate Building Society says: "It has become evident that there is insufficient demand for the size of units consented for, so the landlord now proposes to split the property into four retail units, rather than two, as firm indications have been received from the applicant's marketing agents that the reduced size of the units will be much more attractive to potential tenants." A planning application to create the four smaller units, three with access both from the front and from the rear and one a lock-up unit with access only from East Street, is currently being considered by North Dorset District Council. The future of the Argos outlet which was relocated to the Homebase store at Stour Park following the two companies coming into the same ownership remains uncertain now that the ownership has again separated.

@forumfocus

Pictorial memorial for a local legend FRIENDS and colleagues of the late John Paulley gathered in the Common Room of the Crown Hotel in Blandford to witness the unveiling of a pictorial memorial to the man who, for most of his working life, spent his Saturday mornings taking coffee in the hotel and meeting former students who called in for a chat. Mr Paulley died in May, aged 88, after an association of more than 60 years with education and sport in Blandford and the wider community, and in 2012 was presented by the Crown with an engraved teapot and promise of a free cuppa for the rest of his life. It is a picture of him with his teapot, and one of him receiving his MBE, which now grace the wall of the coffee lounge area of the recently remodelled hotel, surrounded by sporting memorabilia. Crown Hotel events co-ordinator Francesca Bethell said: "Mr Paulley came here regularly for the monthly Probus meetings and his Saturday morning 'meet and greets', and the fact the he died just before we reopened after the refurbishment and didn't get to see the hotel was heartbreaking. "We wanted to hold a coffee morning and fundraiser for the Paulley Charitable Trust, which he founded to assist students with special needs, sporting ability and awards, and chose today because his birthday was in October. There are a lot of pictures in the din-

A guest at the Paulley Charitable Trust coffee morning captures a picture of the memorial to John Paulley on the common room wall in the Crown Hotel. ing room, but we felt that it was a bit formal, and our memorial to him would be more at home in the common room." Among those attending were former colleagues, pupils of the Blandford Upper School and those who had worked with him at the Blandford Opportunity Group, of which he was president.

Anne Dickinson and family members in front of the quilts created by her husband, on display in Blandford Museum in October.

Roy’s artistry on display AN exhibition in Blandford Museum featured the work of a retired engineer who, to keep himself busy when health problems prevented a more active lifestyle, took up quilting and became an award-winning artist. Roy Dickinson of Badbury Drive, Blandford, died suddenly two years ago, but his widow Anne celebrated her 80th birthday in October, and an exhibition planned for April was rescheduled to coincide with the visit of family members from as far afield as Canada to celebrate the anniversary. On display was just a selection of the amazing number of quilts created by Mr Dickinson, whose practical and creative skills came together to spectacular effect when he enrolled on a four-year City and Guilds patchwork and quilting course, graduating in 2001. His work, featuring engineering, mythical and celebratory subject matter, won local, national and international awards over the following years.

November 2016

Villagers celebrate as bridge reopens THE communities of Child Okeford and Shillingstone came together on 14th October to mark the reopening of Haywards Bridge, which links the two villages. People from both villages gathered for a community event to celebrate on their much-loved bridge and mark the end of a sixmonth road closure. A ribbon was cut by the chairmen of the two parish councils, the bridge was blessed by the vicar of the Okeford Benefice, the Rev Lydia Cook, and children from both villages sang in celebration. Haywards Bridge, which crosses the river Stour just off the A357, had been closed since April for a major £1.5m refurbishment, undertaken by Raymond Brown Ltd on behalf of Dorset County Council, which involved building a new bridge deck, refurbishing the stone abutments and installing new vehicle restraint

parapets. Councillor Sherry Jespersen, who organised the event, said: "Haywards Bridge is much loved by the residents of Child Okeford and Shillingstone and is vitally important to the two communities. "The two villages are very close, sharing facilities and services, and people have had to put up with a good deal of inconvenience while the bridge has been closed. However, that is a price worth paying to keep our bridge safe for the future. "The road closure has been hard on some local businesses who have struggled to maintain footfall over the summer. They will be very pleased to have this crucial road re-opened. "This has been a major project for County Highways and they have done an excellent job, particularly in keeping locals informed of progress along the way."

Charity Christmas card shop pops up again THE Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas card shop was due to open at the Methodist Church on 31st October. Perfect for those who want to get ahead in their preparations while supporting a range of national and local charities, it offers a great range of cards and Christmas goods. Staffed by a team of local volunteers on Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm most days but only 1pm Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Blandford pop-up shop is part of a network of 300 temporary shops running the UK's largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation. It represents more than 250 charities including Cancer Research UK, Barnardo's, NSPCC, Alzheimer's Society and RNLI, as

well as selling cards from a number of local charities, including Julia's House children's hospice. Denise Symmons, shop manager for Cards for Good Causes, said: "Buying charity cards is one of the simplest ways to support good causes this festive season, generating funds with which the charities can make a real difference, helping to raise awareness of the vital work these charities do. Find us in The Close, near the Post Office, by looking out for our distinctive triangular red Santa sign." In the past ten years, charities have received more than £40 million from Cards for Good Causes, representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which charities pay for the production and distribution of their cards.

Club’s support for Jack OVER the last two months the 3Cs Club in Damory Street,Blandford, has staged darts and pool tournaments in support of a 24-year-old local man, Jack Sims, who suffered a life-changing accident which resulted in his being paralysed from the chest down. With the terrific support of the members, the total raised for Jack over two weekends was £1,921, with money from donations, till takings and the tournaments themselves of £1,200 for pool and £721 for darts.

November 2016

A nostalgic hack down memory lane A REUNION evening at the Royal British Legion Club was an occasion for bringing out the scrapbooks full of pictures of ponies. It was a gathering organised by Val Cowley, proprietor and founder of the Deer Park Riding Stables, which closed last year following her retirement in 2014. Among the guests were those who had worked and ridden at the riding school off Whitecliff Mill Street. which she set up on her parents' farm 49 years ago after working at the riding stables in Gravel Lane, Charlton Marshall, run by Trevor Hicks. "My parents farmed at Lower Bryanston and Deer Park, and my first pony was Ruby, when I was four. I always wanted to teach children to ride and we must have taught thousands. Our first horses were a big chestnut called Amber and a little one, Merrylegs. We used to take out hacks five times a day, and our students took riding awards." Guests at the evening included

Upright citizens

Val Cowley, centre, with (left to right) her grandson Ben Kimber, daughter Deb Kimber, chairman Jackie Abbott and instructor Heather Sims of Bryanston Riding for the Disabled. Jackie Abbott, chairman of Bryanston Riding for the Disabled, which operated for

many years from Deer Park, and instructor Heather Sims, and a raffle was held for the charity.

Santas hit the trailway ON Sunday 11th December Blandford Stour Rotary Club will be holding its first charity Santa fun run and walk starting at the Trailway, by Station Court, Blandford. All ages and fitness levels are welcome to don their bright red Santa suit to run or walk as far or as little as they like towards Stourpaine and back, a round trip of 10 miles. The club hopes to make the Trailway come alive with Santas, with suits available to fit all ages, and it is hoped that this will be fun for all the family in the run-up to Christmas. To register or for further information visit the website blandfordsantarun.btck.co.uk or e-mail santafunrun@btinternet.com.

A HOME Safety falls prevention event on Friday 21st October was for anyone over 50 or concerned about someone wanting to learn how accidents in the home can be prevented. People were invited to bring along their old slippers to exchange for a new fitted pair free of charge. It was one of a number of such events which took place across the county, hosted by the Dorset Partnership for Older People's Programme (POPP), in conjunction with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and a number of other agencies. The aim was to raise awareness of potential dangers in the home, including faulty or damaged electrical equipment that can lead to domestic fires, and injuries caused by slips, trips and falls. There was information about surviving the winter, accessing aids and adaptations for the home, joining local activities, and managing finances. For information phone 01305 224841 or email sue.warr@dorsetcc.gov.uk.

November 2016

Railway station closure recalled after 60 years

The open day on the former 'up' platform at Spetisbury station.

Wildlife on screen BLANDFORD otters and kingfishers will be featured at the November meeting of the North Dorset branch of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Local film maker Dudley Higginson is showing two of his short films capturing the creatures to which many of Dorset's rivers are home, but which are often difficult to spot. The brief glimpse of bright blue and orange flashing past you was probably a kingfisher, but its rapid flight means you seldom get a good look. Otters are a protected species, and with improved river management in the county there's a better chance of sighting them. Both will be clearly visible at the meeting on Wednesday 16th November at 7.30pm in Fontmell Magna village hall, where there will also be an opportunity to purchase DWT Christmas cards .

FINE weather helped make the Spetisbury Station Project's first open day, exactly 60 years since the station was closed, a great success. The former 'up' platform - for trains to Blandford and further north - at the halt, which closed along with others on the line in 1956, was transformed with exhibition tents containing displays of archive railway photographs and station artefacts discovered on site. There were also sales stands, a book signing by the author of 'The Somerset & Dorset Railway Through Time' and a barbecue. Valuable support was given by the Blandford Forum Railway Club and Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, with the day helping to raise awareness of the volun-

tary work being carried out at Spetisbury station. The Dorset Central Railway ran from Wimborne to Blandford, with stations at Sturminster Marshall (later renamed Bailie Gate) and Spetisbury. It later linked with the Somerset Central Railway and eventually became the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. On Sunday 13th November, exactly 160 years since work started on the Dorset Central Railway and the first sod was cut in a ceremony at Blandford St Mary by Lady Smith of the Down House, there will be another working party and small event at the station with the usual display of photos and railway artefacts. For more information, see their blog at spetisburystationproject. wordpress.com.

Look out for hedgehogs WITH Bonfire Night approaching, the Dorset Mammal Group and its Blandford branch are urging residents to think of hedgehogs before lighting their fires, and checking that none are hiding among the branches. The group aims to reverse the decline of the hedgehog population in Dorset by developing towns and villages into hedgehog-friendly habitats. Hedgehog-friendly streets can be developed by making holes in, or under, garden fences and walls for hedgehogs to pass through. Residents are also encouraged to put out water and meat-based cat or dog food for hungry hedgehogs. A hedgehog seen out during the day is in trouble and needs immediate help. A spokesman said: "The town council is being extremely supportive and will be assessing their green space management in relation to hedgehog activities. There are also hedgehog road signs which we have put up encouraging drivers to slow down. There have been many hedgehog deaths in certain areas of Blandford." People are asked to report hedgehog sightings to records@dorsetmammalgroup.org.uk. For more information, visit hedgehogs@dorsetmammalgroup.org.uk.

November 2016

Good cheer for wine firm MUSEUM Wines, the parent company of No 8 Wine Shop at Tarrant Hinton and its e-commerce site, was one of five companies shortlisted for Best Small Independent Wine Retailer of the Year in the Decanter Retailer of the Year Awards 2016. Although they were not announced as the winners at a ceremony in London, they took great pride in being the only retailer selected in the category from outside a major UK city. Founded in 2003 by Alex and Gretchen Boon, the previous owners of the King John Inn in Tollard Royal, Museum Wines branched into retail only two years ago with the launch of their first dedicated outlet in Tarrant Hinton. They have since been joined by Daniel Grigg, launched an ecommerce website, a new project at 10 Castle Street, Cranborne, and developed their Friday night extravaganzas to include local independent food vendors on site. For more information call 01258 830122 or visit museumwines.co.uk.

The Girlguiding Blandford Division spells out the movement's centenary in the Clayesmore Sports Centre.

The celebration of a centenary RAINBOWS, Brownies and Guides from Girlguiding's Blandford Division arrived at Clayesmore Sports Centre for an adventure to celebrate the senior section's centenary. All participants took part in eight activities representing the eight parts of the Look Wider programme and included cooking in the school's cookery school. The Brownies made cookies and the Guides did 'Ready, Steady, Cook' for their lunch. They also made fleece octopuses and designed their own party bags, created nature collages, kept fit by completing 100 step-ups, star jumps or cart-

wheels or taking on the Mega Inflatable in the pool, practised their promise in British sign language, and learned about Libya and their date festival before ending the day with birthday cake and a campfire. Thanks were given to the staff at the Clayesmore Sports Centre and Clayesmore Senior School for the donation of their facilities and for the leaders who made the event happen. Anyone with a daughter who would like to join their next adventure can register them on the Girlguiding website, where there are also opportunities for adults to volunteer.

Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; letters

Can you be a volunteer? I AM writing to tell you about a brilliant new scheme coming to North/East Dorset. The Community Credit Scheme, piloted in Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and Bridport, has had great success. We have been awarded funding from Reaching Communities, Postcode Lottery Community Trust and Dorset County Council. The scheme supports adults with learning disabilities into inclusive volunteering. We are seeking ambassadors and volunteers within the North Dorset area to help us make things happen through community connections. If you have good listening skills or perhaps you have brilliant organisational skills and could offer a couple of hours now and again, we would like to hear from you. We are also seeking volunteers to befriend people helping them gain independence, learn new skills and build their confidences. For further information, please

November 2016 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

visit our website: volunteeringdorset.org.uk or contact me, Siobhan Davis on 07919 639014 or s.davis@volunteeringdorset.org.uk Siobhan Davis Volunteer Centre Dorset Acland Road, Dorchester

Invitation to entertainers THE Blandford Yuletide Festival 2016 will be held on Wednesday 14th December. The organising group has decided to open the lantern parade at this year's event to non-school organisations. Any children's or youth group interested in taking part should contact the BYF chairman, Steve Hitchings, at chairman@blandford-yuletide-festival.org.uk or 01258 455840. It is also intended to have more street entertainment this year. Any interested individual or groups wishing to take part should contact the BYF chairman as above. Steve Hitchings Chairman Blandford Yuletide Festival

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.

Support for the young STEP by Step is an award-winning charity helping to support over 1,000 young people each year, across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire & Dorset, aged between 16 and 25, who are facing homelessness or adversity. Our mission is to help them to achieve great outcomes and to reach their full potential. Supported Lodgings offers young people an alternative to Foyer accommodation, giving them the opportunity, with the support of our hosts, to fulfil their potential and ultimately achieve independent living within the community. Step by Step and Dorset County Council have recently launched an exciting and much-needed housing scheme for young people aged between 16-21 years in the North Dorset area and we need your support. We have been asked to provide long-term support whereby a young person gains the skills and knowledge during their stay within supported lodging to sustain their tenancy with us and move on to independent living. During their stay they will undertake life skills courses depending on each individual's needs. The maximum stay with the host fam-

ily can be up to 18 months but most young people move on before this. Could you make a difference to a young person taking their first steps into independence? Do you have a spare room in your home? We are recruiting hosts now from all walks of life. As fully DBSchecked hosts, not only will you receive training and support from Step by Step but you will also be eligible for weekly payments in return for your help. To find out more please contact Bronagh Fahey on 07702 872992 or email bronagh.fahey@stepbystep.org.uk Bronagh Fahey Step by Step

Church on Mondays IF, because of work or family responsibilities, you are unable to go along to a Sunday service in the town, why not come along to Blandford Evangelical Church, where every Monday afternoon we hold a service of worship and enjoy a speaker or other activities? In other words, 'Church on Mondays'. You will be most welcome. Sheila Curtis, Blandford Evangelical Church, Albert Street, Blandford

RESEARCH carried out by members of Blandford U3A on the names engraved on war memorials in 11 villages around Blandford has been presented to the Blandford Museum. An illustrated talk was given at the museum by chairman Christine Iredale, pictured left with lead researchers John Rees and his wife Pam. Together they outlined the stories behind some of those who died in World War One, and handed over the bound volumes for safe keeping in the museum's archives.

November 2016

Good show from Iwerne Minsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gardeners THE cream of Dorset's gardeners gathered in Tarrant Keyneston village hall for the inter-association competition and show of the Dorset Federation of Horticultural Societies. Rather than exhibiting individually, the growers' entries are under their society's name, and awards made to the society as a whole. In addition to the range of classes for vegetables, flowers and fruit, a large number of 'collection' classes give the opportunity for

society members to collaborate in contributing the best their society has to offer. This year was a triumph for the Iwerne Minster society, which returned to the competition for the first time in many years. They won the Banksian medal for most points in the horticultural classes, with best exhibit in vegetable and fruit collections, as well as preserves, best vase of dahlias and best exhibit by a new society. Co-ordinator Ron Benfield said: "The village

Mandy and Rachel Eveleigh of Blandford & District Horticultural Society with their winning homecraft collection.

Tom nominated for two charity awards TEDDY Rocks Festival founder and director Tom Newton, from Blandford, was last month in the running for two Fundraiser of the Year awards. He was nominated at Wave 105's Cash for Kids Community Awards and as one of the final four in the southern region Price of Britain Awards. The Cash for Kids Community Award ceremony took place at the Hilton Bournemouth Hotel, recognising those who helped local children who are financially, socially, physically or emotionally disadvantaged and he has got through to the final. His story for the Pride of Britain Award was shown on on ITV. In 2010 Tom's younger brother, Ted Newton, lost his life to a rare bone cancer, aged 10. His family started Teddy20, a fully registered children's charity, and as a way of raising money for the charity, Tom started Teddy Rocks Festival (TRF) in the courtyard of his local pub, The Greyhound, which in the first year raised ÂŁ400. Five years later, TRF has raised close to ÂŁ100,000 with help from internationally recognised bands such as From The

Jam, The Hoosiers, Don Broco, Gentleman's Dub Club and The King Blues. Tom said: "It's a great honour to be nominated for Fundraiser of the Year. After losing my brother, organising Teddy Rocks Festival was a positive way of helping me to cope with his passing, as well as a fun way of raising money for cancer research and support local children and families who are going through treatment. "I never dreamt it would get so big or that I would be nominated for an award because of it. It has gone from strength to strength but we would not have gone so far in this short time without the help of my extraordinary team, most of whom are my family and friends." Alongside his role as director of TRF, Tom is also a part-time firefighter and guitarist in pop punk band, The Bottom Line. Mari-Louise White, Wave 105 charity manager said: "We were particularly touched by Tom's story and impressed by what he has achieved. Not only has he raised an incredible amount of money but he's brought a community together."

society hadn't entered for quite a while, but we got a little team of about half a dozen together for last year's entry, and this was only our second attempt." Blandford were the winners of the best homecraft collection, provided by mother and daughter team of Mandy and Rachel Eveleigh and featuring mixed fruit and/or vegetables, flowers, potted plant, cookery and preserves items, home-made wine and a floral arrangement.

November 2016

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your experience go to waste By Ian Smith Blandford Community Day Centre volunteer NEVER volunteer. For many, that old military adage has lingered through a lifetime of paid employment but what happens when retirement comes along as it does for most of us, eventually? Is the knowledge and expertise we have gained to be wasted? My last job involved driving elderly people to and from the Blandford Community Centre, where I had already made some great friends. Ill health was forcing me to reassess the future, but the idea of walking away from them completely seemed unthinkable so I asked if I could volunteer a little of my time to work there. The centre currently caters for elderly men and women with mental and physical disabilities and adults with learning difficulties. The modern building is light and airy with good facilities, a restful garden, fully equipped industrial-style kitchen, a canteen, an art and craft room, a quiet relaxation room and even a hairdressing salon. On a typical day we first check

who is coming and what activities are planned. When the bus arrives we welcome our visitors with a cuppa, then chat with one or two and bring out the odd photograph to stir old memories. Next we read the paper and catch up with the latest news, sharing opinions and debate. Then comes important exercise long-forgotten muscles can be rediscovered from a seated position, and everyone is encouraged to participate in a game of some sort. Carpet bowls are a firm favourite and kicking and throwing a ball can be quite competitive. After a hearty lunch with good nutritional food, the afternoons are an opportunity for a sing-song, a game of draughts or Scrabble, a one-to-one session, sharing a story from the past, or designing and making a birthday card. Activities have included aeromodelling, musical appreciation, nail polishing and jewellery. We are always open to new ideas. Life has its challenges as we get older but you don't have to stop having fun. The community centre has plenty of room for that and, as a volunteer, I can give people the time and attention they might other-

Centre volunteer Ian Smith (right) working with one of the clients of the Centre on building the model of a Vulcan, a plane the client used to fly. wise not have. If, like me, you would like to become a volunteer, choose how many hours you want to contribute and what activities you want to engage in - fishing, knit-

ting and just sharing a bit of time with others who share your hobby. Give Dot Toon or Sue Wells-Read a call on 01258 480762 or email Dorota.toon@tricuro.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

November 2016

New book takes a deep look at Dorset LOCAL authors who have contributed to a new book celebrating what makes Dorset special gave readings from the publication at its Blandford launch in Beatons Tearooms. Rosie Staal (Eidlestein) and Paul Hyland talked about and read excerpts from their contributions to 'Deepest Dorset' on literature and the importance of Dorset to its key figures. The event was introduced by the book's editors Fanny Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir. There was a sell-out audience, most of whom purchased signed copies. Deepest Dorset is a celebration of all that makes the county special, through the voices of many of the people who live here, from shepherds to earls, television celebrities to organic farmers. Copies will continue to be on sale at Beatons and from other local outlets secured by the editors. They chose to publish the book themselves rather than let publishers take a large slice of the proceeds, which instead will

be shared between a number of Dorset charities. Dorset Community Foundation is one of the principal beneficiaries, and its chief executive, Tracy Melling, said: "We are so pleased to be featured in this book which encompasses everything that makes our county special. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With over half of Dorset designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, many local residents feel very lucky to live and work in the county. But below the surface many are struggling to pay winter fuel bills, cover their travel costs or suffer from loneliness, disability and poverty. The Foundation's Dorset Fund helps those disadvantaged local residents trying to ensure Dorset is enjoyed by all." Proceeds from book sales will also go to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Copies are also available from deepestbooks.co.uk or by phone to 01963 32525.

Deepest Dorset editors Fanny Charles (far right) and Gay Pirrie-Weir (far left), with Blandford-based writers Rosie Staal and Paul Hyland at the reading at Beatons Blandford Tearooms.

Library lectures A NEW series of Tuesday night lectures at Blandford Library started with 'Hands on Shakespeare: how to fall in love with the Bard', by Emma McAlister. On 22nd November, Martin Ansell and Paula Harmon will feature in a Blandford Library Story Night, with the second half of Martin's music and storytelling experience 'The Old Guitar', and the launch of the new e-book by Paula, winner of the recent Rotary short story competition. The series continues with 'End of Empire' by Mark Du Buisson on 24th January, and 'My Life in the Film Industry' by Bill Parnell on 21st February. There will also be a special talk on 'Safer Surfing' by Lou Butcher at 4pm on Thursday 9th February. A reading group for visually impaired people started on 17th October and meets between 2 and 4pm.

November 2016

The Somme slaughter took so many lives

A village church window honours vicarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandson BORN in Shillingstone and educated at Winchester College, Richard Forbes Lowndes was commissioned in 1915. He was a second lieutenant with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 5th Battalion when he was killed in action, aged 19, while in charge of the Lewis Gun Section of the 1st Battalion during an attack on the German trenches near Beaumont Hamel. He was the son of Sir George

Lowndes KCSIRC, of Crow Hill, Ringwood, a barrister at law who was appointed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and his wife Hilda Julia, daughter of Major Lachlan Forbes of Shillingstone. Two of his younger brothers were born in Bombay, India, but the youngest was born in Ringwood. His grandfather Richard Lowndes was Vicar of Poole Keynes, then in Gloucestershire, and later Sturminster Newton. He died on 14th November, and is buried in the Frankfurt Trench British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel and commemorated in a stained glass window in the Church of the Holy Rood, Shillingstone, the village where he was born and his parents married. His name is not recorded on the Shillingstone War Memorial, but the memorial window was dedicated by his father's sister Mary Lowndes and mother's sister Barbara Forbes. Mary Lowndes was the first woman stained glass artist in the UK and both women, who before the outbreak of war were livRichard Forbes Lowndes, who died aged 19 on ing at the same address in 14th November 1916, was the grandson of London, were active in Major Lachlan Forbes of Shillingstone and of the Suffragette moveRichard Lowndes, vicar of Sturminster Newton. ment.

THE Battle of the Somme was brought to a halt on November 18th 1916 after bad weather turned much of the battlefield into a quagmire. Allies had advanced less than eight miles, gaining 125 square miles, but there had been 400,000 Allied casualties, 250,000 French casualties and 450,000 German casualties. November continued to take a relentless toll on the lives of local soldiers. Arthur Harrison, commemorated at Gussage All Saints and Thiepval, died on the first day of the month, aged 31, serving with the 6th Dorsets. Born at Bridmore, Wiltshire, he was the second son of James and Sarah Ann Harrison who were married at Tisbury in 1879 and lived at Cashmoor and Gussage All Saints. They had four children, and their youngest son Edward John also died. Joseph William White, commemorated at Winterborne Whitechurch and on the Thiepval Memorial, was killed in action, aged 30, on 6th November serving with the 7th West Surrey Regiment. He was the third of five sons of William and Fanny White, and the husband of Louisa Caroline Privett of Guildford, Surrey, and lived in Newhaven, Sussex, where they had one daughter. In 1911 he was described as a ship's steward. Arthur Spencer, commemorated at Belchalwell, was 18 when he died of wounds on 10th November serving with the 6th Dorsets, and is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Maulte. He was the second son and one of eight children of cowman Harry and Fanny Spencer, who lived first at Manston, then Fontmell Parva and Belchalwell. Law student Cyril Arthur Edmondson enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1914 and was commissioned sub-lieutenant in the Hood Battalion the following year after training at Blandford Camp. He served with the Battalion in Gallipoli in 1915, and then on the River Ancre on the Somme. He was mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette

on 13th July 1916, and died on active service, leading his men 'over the top' on the first day of the Ancre Battle, and is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. Arthur William Gilbert was born at Hilton and 34 when he was also killed in action on 14th November serving with the Royal Berkshire Regiment. The elder of the two sons of George and Rachel Gilbert, he had four sisters, and had married Susan Kate Kellaway of Melcombe Park at Dorchester in 1908, the year their daughter Gladys was born. He is buried in Waggon Road Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel. Albert Edward Haim, killed in action on 18th November, was 34, and the son of gardener Ephraim and Matilda Haim who had married at Shaftesbury in 1874 and had eight children. Albert was their fourth son and had two sisters and five brothers, living at 32 Bryanston Street, Blandford. He became a butcher, and had married Alice Pitman in Blandford in 1905. They had a son and daughter, both born at Stourpaine where the family lived in North Street. He had originally served with the Dorsetshire Regiment, but was with The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) 7th Battalion when he died, and is commemorated at Blandford and Thiepval. Charles Thomas Beaumont, born at Blandford St Mary, was killed in action in France on 26th November, serving with the 2/5th Gloucester Regiment, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Aged 33, he was the son of carter Thomas and Elizabeth Beaumont who were married in Blandford in 1882 and lived at Higher Farm, Blandford St Mary, and was their second son. Their third and fifth sons, Ernest Albert and William John, also died. Charles Thomas and his elder brother, James George, had sailed for Quebec in Canada on the 'Royal George' in 1911, but in December 1916 James George enlisted at Winchester, transferring to the Machine Gun Corps in 1917, and being demobbed in February 1919.

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.

November 2016

Floral tributes at graves ceremony

Members of the South Tarrant Valley Parish Council proudly stand alongside Tarrant Keyneston's recently renovated war memorial. The restoration was made possible through a generous grant from the War Memorials Trust and donations from local people.

Town commemorates the centenary of the Somme THIS year's centenary of one of the bloodiest conflicts in history, the Battle of the Somme (July 1st to November 18th 1916) is being marked in two ways in Blandford. The Town Council's 14-18 Working Group is holding an exhibition from 18th to 20th November between 10am and 4pm in the Corn Exchange. By the end of the battle, more than 1,200,000 men of the British and Commonwealth, French, and German forces had perished or were reported missing. Many more went home with such terrible mental and physical wounds they never recovered. The exhibition seeks to answer the questions: What happened on the Somme? Why did it happen? What were the lessons learned and the consequences at the time and today? It includes film, slides and photographs, a diorama of the battlefield, eye witness accounts, the whole story of the battle and activities. All ages are invited to find out more about the battle, help the town commemorate, and 'place' a leaf on a tree; each leaf will represent 1,000 casualties of this

battle. Entry is free and refreshments will be on sale. On Sunday, the 20th, there will be a Requiem at the church of St Peter and St Paul, featuring the 'Fanfare for St Edmundsbury' by Benjamin Britten and 'The Requiem Mass in D minor' (K. 626) by Mozart. It will be conducted by Rob Dishington, and performed by the Briantspuddle Singers, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, the Occasional Singers, and members of Blandford Choral Society, with the soloists Jacqueline Foan (soprano), Elizabeth Denham (alto), Michael Aitkenhead (tenor), and Richard Lea (bass), with musicians Sam Hanson (organ), the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra, and trumpeters Marcus Adams, Liam Carey and Emily Hill. The performance will include a recital of the names of men from Blandford and local villages who died on the Somme between 1st July and 18th November 1916. Admission is free for the Requiem, starting at 6.30pm, and there will be a retiring collection in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund.

REMEMBRANCE services and ceremonies in the villages surrounding Blandford will be taking place in the period leading up to and after 11am on Sunday 13th November in the churches and at the village war memorials. There are also a service and ceremonies at Blandford Camp where there are a number of memorials to the British, American and Canadian soldiers who have lost their lives in conflict. Blandford's Remembrance Parade and Service in the Market Place starts at 2.45pm, when wreaths will be hung by the representatives of military, civic and service organisations on the war memorials on the Corn Exchange. There will also be music from the Stour Valley Band and hymn singing in the open air prior to the service in the Parish Church.

The organisers of these events, and the performers at the Requiem, are giving their time and talents free, and invite you to join them in honouring the brave men who fought in this campaign. For further information, call Esme Butler on 01258 480756 or email esbutler@sky.com.

THE 14-18 group is participating in the 'CWGC Living Memory project - 100 days of the Somme' and has teamed up with the Royal British Legion for the Remembrance ceremony on Sunday 6th November at Blandford Cemetery. Under the banner of "Bringing the CWGC war graves to the heart of the people and the heart of the town", flowers are being provided by Florabunda to lay on each of the CWGC graves at the top of the cemetery, and it is hoped that more members of the public will attend the gathering at 10.30am for 11am. Photographs will be taken of all the graves, from both world wars, and displayed over three days in the Corn Exchange on 11th, 12th and 13th November where the public can view them.

The View from the Hill by George Hosford More from George on viewfromthehill.org.uk

ANY traditionally minded farmers believe it is madness to plant autumn crops much before October 1st to avoid disease and pest attacks in the newly emerged crop. Here we are firmly of the school of thinking that says if the conditions are right, go for it. On Sunday it came right: the rain had put the soil into just the right condition; patchy sunshine and a drying wind for a whole week running meant Gary could push ahead with the cultivator, and Dougal could follow on a few hours later and drill into near-perfect seedbeds. A few more hours and Brendan would pull in with the rollers and finish the job, leaving the fields tidy with all stones

FARMING sale in the last week of September. Farms traditionally change hands on 29th September, which marks the obvious break point in the farming year, between harvest and the new crops being sown. The sale was a great gathering of all the usual suspects, very much a Normandy Farm has changed hands after 40 years. social occasion as well as an opportunity to pick over all pushed out of sight. the bits and pieces with which We always aim for text-book Peter has farmed so impressively seedbeds, fine, firm and flat, and over the years. though not always successful, the conditions were near-perfect. We now wait patiently for the new shoots to emerge, keeping a vigilant eye open for the slug menace, always particularly dangerous in a field following oilseed rape the previous season. Read on the website the fun we had with a demonstration tractor on the drill, a visit to a working demonstration day to see the first JD-9RX working in Dorset, and a trip to a sheepdog trial near Coombe Bissett. A couple of weeks ago our friend and neighbour Peter Jack and his wife Margaret retired after nearly 40 years as tenants at Normandy Farm, and, as is the usual way, all the kit on the farm was put up for

A newly emerged oilseed rape plant with the seed coat stuck to the leaf. The blue colour shows it has contained a seed dressing to protect the new plant from early season disease. It is here that the controversial neonicotinoid insecticide used to be applied.

The sale seemed to go well, and although hopefully successful financially, was of course tinged with sadness as it marks the end of a very much admired farm business in the locality.

November 2016 out by the chief steward and his team, and lots are drawn for who gets to plough in which plot. The light chalky soil could prove challenging all across the field. The ploughmen have to have performed their 'opening split' by 10am, which the judges must then examine and mark. Much can be learned about the range of abilities in the field even at this early stage, although a poor start can be rescued by getting the rest right as the morning progresses. After wandering the field admiring the ploughmen and their machines at work, the judges are whisked off for a very enjoyable lunch, hosted by the generous farmer providing the field. Eventually the chief stew-

The new tenant is an organic farmer of some repute from the west of the county, and we will watch over the hedge At the Young Farmers plough match. with great interest, ard calls us to order and we return hoping that not too many weed to the field to assess the completseeds blow across! The old ed work. adage comes to mind: 'How do A further nine categories of you make a million from farming?' ploughing features are assessed Answer: 'Start with 2 million'. Or, if and marked, the results tallied up, organic farming, perhaps you and an impressive range of troshould start with 4! phies awarded to the deserving Blandford Young Farmers held winners. We hope that everyone their annual ploughing match at goes home happy. Tarrant Hinton the other weekend, and Dad and I were honoured to be asked to judge the 2 and 3 furrow class. The ploughmen assemble early on Saturday morning with their assorted ploughing rigs, some classic vintage, some less classic but still pretty vintage, and many others with a range of interesting machines. The field has been painstakingly Impressive fungi found in the valley during a school measured and marked visit.

November 2016

Good causes benefit from brewery fund BLANDFORD charities and community groups and those offering services to the local community were the beneficiaries of more than a quarter of the £24,000 shared between 28 organisations from the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest. Presentations were made at a reception in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel to the Blandford Opportunity Group for children with special needs (£1,000), Read Easy Blandford (£600), the Blandford Foodbank (£500) and the Blandford Dementia Alliance (£750). Other recipients were Yewstock School in Sturminster Newton, which caters for youngsters with special needs from across North Dorset; EDP Drug & Alcohol Services, which offers services to those with addiction problems; Home-Start North Dorset, which helps families; and the North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureau, which is under threat of withdrawal of funding from North Dorset District Council but seek-

ing to establish a stronger outreach service in Blandford. Mark Woodhouse, chairman of the Blandford-based brewery, said that this year there had been 281 applications for a total £456,000 across the company's trading areas of Dorset and Sussex. Guests at the presentation evening included the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, the Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Rev Karen Gorham, and civic leaders.

Lions on prowl for charity

BLANDFORD & District Lions have thanked all those who helped them raise a total of nearly £1,000 for two charities in their collections at Tesco Blandford during September. On 9th September they collected £391.85 for Lewis-Manning Hospice for the terminally ill, and on 16th and 17th September they collected

Disco delivers A FAMILY disco, quiz and supper for more than 70 guests at the Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton, raised a total of £700 for the British Heart Foundation. It was organised by butchers Martin Foot, Graham Rendell and Steve Toupe, of the Langton Arms Butchery, who persuaded their boss and pub owner Barbara Cossins to let them use the pub free of charge on a busy Saturday night. A cheque has been presented to Peter Tarrant of the British Heart Foundation, and the trio, who have all received support from BHF in recent years, now plan to fundraise for a village defibrillator to be kept at the pub.

Beneficiaries from the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest: left to right, front row: Margaret Holt and Tracy Wilson-Corben (Blandford Dementia Alliance), and Rodney Smith (Blandford Food Bank); back row: Sharon Kevern and Richard Cripps (Blandford Opportunity Group), Ann Fooks and Hilary Latimer (Read Easy Blandford). BLANDFORD Fashion Museum hosts its end-of-season Celebration Day on Saturday 26th November, when there will be demonstrations of lacemaking, silver jewellery and Dorset button making. Admission is free between 10am and 4pm, and a mince pie will also be free with the purchase of a tea or coffee in the Tea Room. A special half-term event at the end of October offered reduced price entry from Saturday 22nd to Saturday 29th October with free admission for children under 18 years.

£571.17 for Diabetes UK. On 13th October, they accompanied a blindfolded Mayor of Blandford, Councillor Jackie Stayt, around the Market Place, highlighting the issues for the partially sighted, for World Sight Awareness day. • Picture shows Lions Nigel Hodder, left, and Tony Ives collecting for Diabetes UK.

Rosemaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showbiz chat SHOWBIZ legend Rosemary Squires is visiting Blandford to give a talk in aid of the Church Cupola Restoration Fund.

November 2016 The Salisbury-based singer, who is generously donating her time free of charge, will be at Blandford Parish Centre on Saturday November 12 to chat about her 60-year singing career. The event starts at 2.30pm and the ÂŁ7 entry fee includes tea and cake. Tickets are available by phoning 01258 456260 or 01258 450278. Rosemary's talk, called 'Sixty Years of Song', will feature a look back at the golden years of entertainment as she recalls some of the stars with whom she has shared top billing at venues around the world. Known affectionately as the 'Queen of the Jingles' for such campaign tunes as 'Hands that do dishes', she has worked alongside a galaxy of stars including Johnny Dankworth, Ken Dodd, Cliff Richard, Danny Kaye and Sammy Davis Jnr.

THE Oddfellows Phoenix and Blackmore Vale branches hosted a charity brass band concert in Blandford Corn Exchange to raise funds for Read Easy UK (Blandford), a charity devoted to helping adults learn to read. Oddfellows Brass, which regularly takes part in national competitions, is the official sponsored band of the Society, whose Phoenix and Blackmore Vale branches have members from Blandford to Yeovil. For information about the Oddfellows, call Judy Penfold on 01963 363119 or email judy.penfold@oddfellows.co.uk.

Back row (from left): Jerome Dodge, principal at Blanchards Bailey; Angie Green, vice-chair at Artsreach; Kerry Bartlett, acting co-director at Artsreach; Paul Dunlop, principal at Blanchards Bailey; front row (from left): Clare Cherry, solicitor at Blanchards Bailey; Yvonne Gallimore, co-director at Artsreach; Linda Cowley, chair at Artsreach; Sarah Heath, principal at Blanchards Bailey.

Legal backing for touring arts group BLANDFORD law firm Blanchards Bailey has announced its partnership with Artsreach, Dorset's rural touring arts organisation, to help bring high-quality arts events to the local community. The firm, recognised as one of the UK's top legal firms by The Legal 500, is supporting Artsreach's autumn season, which will see more than 60 performances brought to village halls, churches and schools across Dorset. The firm's patronage will help Artsreach reach an even wider audience, making the arts more accessible to all. The partnership comes following the announcement of Blanchards Bailey's accreditation as Investors in People for the 12th year running and further highlights the firm's commitment to the people and organisations of the area. Alan Horne, principal and firm's chief executive, said: "Artsreach and Blanchards Bailey share a long history of working with the people of rural Dorset. Ensuring

that these communities have the chance to enjoy quality arts and culture is something we are proud to be a part of. We are looking forward to what is promised to be a wonderful season." The Artsreach season started at the end of September with 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', showing at Melbury Osmond and Corfe Castle, and will continue until midDecember. This month's programme includes shows at Sturminster Marshall (blue grass with Flats and Sharps) on 12th November; Tarrant Gunville (Boiling Kettle Theatre Company with Defender of the Dead); and Sixpenny Handley (tutti frutti with Underneath a Magical Moon, a new working of the classic Peter Pan for children) on 25th November; and the Cecil Memorial Hall at Cranborne (the Alec Dankworth quintet with Spanish Accents) on 26th November. To find out about the Artsreach season of events visit artsreach.co.uk.

November 2016

Blandford Evening WI members with Barclays Bank Digital Eagle Abigail Longley, seated, daughter of member Jean Longley, standing second from right, at the WI social evening.

Range of talents at the WI BLANDFORD Evening WI held an open social evening in the Parish Centre to reach out to individuals and organisations with a view to multi-group co-operation. In attendance were Abigail Longley, Digital Eagle from Barclays Bank, giving answers on all things IT and digital, along with Sheila Cherry, the branch manager. On the creative side there was Louise Davies of the Half Moon Bead Shop, Poundbury, displaying some of her products and beautiful work. Liz Rawlings entertained with two of her comic songs which left everyone laughing over their tea and cakes, and promised to write one for them in time for Christmas. The following evening 10 Blandford members joined ladies from Sixpenny Handley at a quiz night put on as a fund raiser by the Tarrant Gunville WI in their village hall. A closely fought competition, full of fun and some delectable catering made for an excellent evening. A Macmillan coffee morning at Whitecliffe House care home raised a total of ÂŁ160. Resident Margaret is pictured at the front of house, where she wanted to be, to meet and greet visitors, and who made over ÂŁ20 selling cards made by her with the help of other residents in their craft activities. Families, friends and visitors contributed raffle prizes, bought tickets and joined in the tea party with the help of staff who worked hard to help and brought in cakes.

Pleasure gardens

Pupils sitting on one of the giant tyres with Ollie and Hannah Coombes.

SCHOOLS

November 2016

CHANGES are afoot at Durweston Primary School, thanks to a generous grant of ÂŁ400 from the Dorset Gardens Trust. The school is planning to create a new pebble garden and a new quiet area, complete with guinea pigs. Gill de Brecon and Pauli Stewart, both members of the Dorset Gardens Trust, came to present the cheque to head boy, Isaac, and head girl, Amelie, and to members of the school council, all of whom are hoping to get involved in planning the new gardens. In another part of the school grounds, parents Ollie and Hannah Coombes were delivering two enormous tractor tyres from their farm which the school are planning to use as planters for small trees and for the children to sit on while they wait for their parents at the end of the day.

Gill de Brecon and Pauli Stewart present their cheque to the Durweston School Council.

SCHOOLS

November 2016

Rio star Paul brings a cheer at Pimperne

Daniel Lasbury-Carter, the new head teacher at Blandford St Mary Primary School, with members of the school council.

New headâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges THE new headteacher at Blandford St Mary Primary School, Daniel Lasbury-Carter, arrives after two years as assistant head at Oakdale Junior School and before that English subject leader at Talbot Primary in Wallisdown. The father of two children attending Poole Grammar School, he said his first task was to get to know all the staff and nearly 200 pupils, and the next would be an imminent Ofsted inspection for the school, which was judged 'good' in 2013. It has since converted to an academy as part of the Blandford Education Trust set up with Archbishop Wake and Spetisbury Primary Schools, whose headteachers Jo Hicks and Duncan Baxter, he said, THE Orchard, Knighton House School's pre-prep with children aged three to seven, had a lovely time picking, preparing and cooking their harvest lunch. The three-course lunch started with year one's home-made vegetable soup with year two's home-made bread. The nursery made the main course of pizzas with a variety of toppings and the reception class used their own 'orchard' to pick apples and foraged the hedgerows in the school grounds for blackberries to make a perfect crumble. The children, staff and guests 'picnicked' in the Orchard classrooms and enjoyed the feast.

were being really supportive. The school is also part of the Blandford Schools Network. "Standards are the main priority and there is a whole new agenda as far as the national curriculum is concerned," he said. "But we recently had a coffee morning after assembly and at the end of the day went out with a trolley selling cakes to raise about ÂŁ120, and food from our harvest festival was given to the Foodbank."

PARALYMPIAN athlete Paul Blake was an inspiration to all when he visited Pimperne Primary School. He took questions from all the classes as to his success, challenges he had faced, values he lived by and future aspirations. The children certainly will not forget touching a 2016 Rio gold and silver medal, nor will some of the staff. The school presented him with their own platinum certificate to add to his collection. A few weeks earlier, at the start of his gold medal winning 400m race, he was supported by many of the Pimperne children who chose to watch his Paralympic event which was streamed live into one of the classrooms during their 'golden time'. His popularity spread as his nieces, Frankie and Boe, cheered him on to victory, and the intensity of the shouts and screams grew, urging him on until the classroom erupted as everyone celebrated his success.

Paralympian Paul Blake with the platinum certificate presented by Pimperne Primary School pupils. An open morning at Knighton House Pre-Prep on 1st October gave visitors the chance to tour the school, meet the staff, and sample the wide range of activities. New afternoon clubs are being offered to all children aged 3-7 years from 3.45pm to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, during term time. The choice of clubs includes gardening (Mondays), make & do creative craft (Tuesdays), sewing bee (Wednesdays) and mix & match IT and art activities (Thursdays).

November 2016

Tackling dementia

Grade 1

Grade 5 Grade 2

Dancing with joy THE Janet Knight School of Dancing is again celebrating a 100% pass rate in the recent Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Exams. A total of 18 pupils took their exams at various levels from Primary to Grade 7 with excellent results. All the pupils are now preparing for their Christmas production of Alice in Wonderland at The Coade Hall, Bryanston, on 11th December.

Primary

NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group is investigating how dementia care can be improved in Dorset, and will be holding a consultation event in Blandford Corn Exchange on Tuesday 8th November between 2pm and 3.30pm. The CCG has done considerable work in recent years to improve diagnosis rates, which have risen from 26 per cent to 62.2 per cent of the estimated prevalence of people living with dementia across Dorset. It is one of the fastest improving areas in the country, and the review is another step in the right direction, in line with the Government's mandate to improve the quality of post-diagnosis treatment and support. Dorset CCG want to hear what people's experience of dementia services has been. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, whether they are a patient, a carer, a family member or a member of staff who works with people with dementia. The consultation is open until 30th November and can be found at dorsetccg.nhs.uk/dementia.

November 2016

Cash available for estate play facilities ASSURANCES have been given that sufficient funding is in place to provide long overdue play facilities on the Badbury Heights estate as soon as developers Persimmon conclude the legal requirements for the transfer of the land to Blandford Town Council. Councillor Haydn White complained that residents on the estate had waited far too long for the play areas they had been promised. "People have been living there for a decade with nothing. I know it's not our fault, but we have got to do something," he said. "Can we not seek legal advice through the National Association of Local Councils to get Persimmon moving? There must be someone with authority to tell them it's time they completed the transfer. "There have been 500 new dwellings in that area and their contribution to this town is consid-

erable. They deserve the same services as the rest." Councillor Lynn Lindsay told a town council recreation and amenities committee meeting: "Until the land is handed over we can't do anything." Town clerk Linda Scott-Giles warned that even when the land was transferred it would take some time since, although they had the money for landscaped and equipped play areas, the cost was over the limit at which they needed to seek tenders. Councillor Hugo Mieville said: "There is a great deal of concern at the top of town that nothing is being done." Members were reminded that some years ago the money and land was available for a community hall on Badbury Heights, but the lack of support for it from the community at that time meant the project was abandoned.

THREE local projects are in the running for a large cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative in which the supermarket has teamed up with Groundwork to offer grants of up to ÂŁ12,000 raised from the 5p bag levy to environmental and greenspace projects. Milborne St Andrew village hall, which needs replacements for the dangerous equipment in the playground behind the hall, Milton Abbas, seeking funds for its playpark, and Blandford St Mary Parish Council and the DT11 Forum community partnership are bidding for funds to install an outdoor gym and marked running circuits around the Stour Meadows. All three of the groups are on the shortlist.

Milldown parking review promised BLANDFORD Town Council has, at the third time of asking, secured an assurance that parking restrictions in Milldown Road will be reviewed by a community highways officer. Restricted waiting and double yellow lines have been sought in the past because of congestion and obstruction caused by drivers parking outside the hospital and along the road to gain access to the senior and primary schools. Members of the town and general purposes committee learnt of a request for a review by a resident who had met with a highways officer and been informed that the request had to be made by the Town Council. They were told that the Assistant Town Clerk had written to the county pointing out the previous correspondence and that this was the town council's third request for a review.

An apology was also received from Dorset County Council highways for their lack of response to previous correspondence, together with the assurance that a relevant officer will now be instructed to look into the matter. The committee also heard that a site meeting had taken place with highway officers following letters of concern and complaint about the worsening situation in Black Lane, where parents on the school run tended to park in nearby residential roads and others using other facilities on the Archbishop Wake site park on both sides of the road throughout the working day, resulting in poor visibility and access. White lines were due to be painted as an interim measure until the more costly and time-consuming solution of double yellow lines could be introduced.

SPORT

Now Royals aim to build on solid start AFTER nine games of the season, in what is proving to be a tough Dorset Premier League that contains some very good teams, Blandford United were in 12th position. Fortunes have improved in recent weeks as new manager Chris Emms has got to know the players better and they in turn

Coach Frank Webber presents the August player of the month award to Callum Wray (above) and the September prize to Dan Vater (below).

adapt to the pressing style he demands. This was very much in evidence when the Royals came from behind three times to beat Hamworthy United Reserves in an entertaining Senior Cup game. The reserve side have played the top three teams in the Senior League and, thanks to superb team spirit and some good football, have run the opposition close on all three occasions. Chairman Dave Fraser said: "We would like to thank all our sponsors for their very generous support. In particular thanks go to our main sponsor John Haines of JG-Environmental and to Howdens of Blandford for their very generous donation of £300. "An exciting season lies ahead for both our teams and fans new and old are welcome to come along to Park Road on a Saturday to lend their support." The club has introduced for the first time a player of the month award, which wins the recipient £20 and a bottle of Champagne. In August, the first-team award went to right winger Callum Wray, 18, who has had a flying start to the season in which his pace and excellent crossing has been a standout feature. "Callum is a local lad playing in his debut season for us, having previously played for Sturminster Marshall," said Mr Fraser. September's first-team player of the month was Dan Vater, who first played for the club as an 18year-old, and now, at 37, is equally effective as a central striker or in the centre of midfield. He also does a lot of work for the club off the field.

The view from the top.

November 2016

Picture: Eamonn Dean.

A scenic setting for cyclists’ tough race THE Sixpenny Brewery Pimperne Road Race took place over a course starting from Pimperne village hall and ending at Stubhampton after climbs through the Tarrant Valley and descent of the C13 Higher Shaftesbury Road back to Pimperne for a second lap. The riders were met with perfect conditions when the race got underway, with a fierce pace being set on the first ascent of the hill towards Tarrant Hinton. The first time up the beautiful Tarrant Valley and the long finishing climb saw a number of riders being tested. The peloton raced down the C13 towards Blandford at great speed and completed the first lap of 12.3 miles in under 30 minutes. The next climb out of Pimperne up to the first prime was opened up by Harry Chamberlain (Southampton Uni CC) and followed by Jack English (Morgan Sharpe PB AC) who took first and second respectively. This push for the prime prompted a breakaway by Jack and Harry who were joined by Sam Davies (Royal Navy and Royal Marines CA). The pace set by these three was not matched by the peloton. The gap grew and at one point they had over 90 seconds. The breakaway continued to work hard and set a constant pace. The second prime was won by Jack English with Sam Davies second. The break continued to build time and take advantage of the indecision in the group, and on the final climb of Stubhampton Hill, Jack English jumped ahead and took a well-deserved victory, with Sam Davies second and Harry Chamberlain third. Organiser Tom Clements said: "Jack was a happy guy, not only getting the win and prize money but also getting the weight of his 7.86 kilo bike in Sixpenny Brewery beer. Huge thanks to the volunteers, marshals and sponsors, Sixpenny Brewery, Café SoBa, NAR Plumbing, Portmore Electricals and Sandisons."

November 2016

Much to celebrate in flying start to rugby campaign BLANDFORD Rugby Football Club had an unbeaten start to the season for their two newly promoted teams with a 24-20 win for the 1st team home to Devizes and a 27-22 win for the 2nds away against Poole. The previous day, the club was granted a seven-day-a-week alcohol licence at the Larksmead Pavilion on the recreation ground. It was there that club members and guests celebrated the successful start of their 40th anniversary season with a vice-presidents' curry lunch and a limited edition ale, Half Moon, brewed

SPORT

specially for them by one of their founder and continuing sponsors, Hall & Woodhouse. The lunch, in a marquee at their ground, was attended by founder member 'Doc' Ian Wilson, who was one of three who in 1976 met in the then Half Moon pub in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, with licensee Trevor Crawford and agreed to start the club. It was based there until 1990, when the club started renting premises in East Street in the skittle alley of the former Star pub. Today they own those premises, and rent their two pitches and

School link-up gives girls’ football a boost THE Blandford School has welcomed the announcement of AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust's Premier League Kicks and Premier League Girls initiatives. They will see regular Saturday evening sessions, on the 3G pitch at the school, for boys aged between 8 and 14 and girls aged between 7 and 16. Some of the sessions are free of charge, with the maximum fee being £2 per week. The introduction of the Premier League initiatives further cements the excellent relationship between the school and AFC Bournemouth. Liz Bishopp, the school's business manager, said: "We have been working closely with AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust for a number of years now, and the introduction of the Saturday evening sessions is a very exciting development. "It is particularly pleasing that there is an emphasis on girls' REPLACEMENT netting for the ball-stop fencing at Park Road recreation ground which was erected to prevent cricket balls flying onto the bowling green will cost Blandford Town Council over £2,000. Members of the recreation & amenities committee agreed unanimously that the netting should be replaced.

football as this was a specific growth area identified when applying for financial support from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund, through the Football Foundation framework. "There is a real buzz around AFC Bournemouth, and it is credit to the club that they place such importance on continuing to develop their community links." Andrew Battison, of AFC Bournemouth Community Trust, said: "We are thrilled to be taking our sessions to Blandford and the excellent facilities at The Blandford School. By showcasing the programme and the school there will be lots of opportunities for local players to engage with the football club, through attending sessions, winning prizes and also opportunities for volunteering throughout both programmes."

Blandford RFC vice-chairman Ben Ryan, Stuart Davis of match sponsor Bristol Maid, club chairman Simon Evans and club president Justin Frampton. pavilion at Larksmead from Blandford Town Council. Larksmead was their ground from 1982 to the mid-1990s, when they moved to pitches at The Blandford School, but in 2013 after significant upgrading of the pitches they returned to their original home, where they now also host the training sessions and matches of the Royal Signals team from Blandford Camp. They also have a thriving youth section with more than 100 members in various age groups and levels. Chairman Simon Evans welcomed to the first game of the season representatives of the club's charity for the year, Ducks and Drakes. He said that since the club was now in the Southern Counties South League and could charge spectators to attend matches, all money raised would go to the bowel cancer charity. "Everybody in this room will be touched by cancer at some time in their lifetime, so it's an important charity for us to support," he said. He thanked match sponsors Bristol Maid and principal team and club sponsors represented at the opening game against Devizes.

A toast in Half Moon brew to Rugby Club founder member ‘Doc’ Ian Wilson.

November 2016

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events

Throughout November: Autumn Art exhibition by local artists, Milton Antiques, Bere's Yard, Blandford, Monday to Saturday from 10am, times vary Tuesday 1st November: Blandford Macular Group supporting people with central vision loss meeting at the Parish Centre, Blandford, details 01258 454461 Wednesday 2nd November: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Bryanston Court, 7pm Tarrant Keyneston Flower Arranging Club, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 2.30pm, beginners welcome. 01258 452313 Thursday 3rd November: Blandford Cares afternoon event, Kings Arms, Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford First Thursday talk, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm, the search for lost interiors of the Mauritania, with Peter Newall Friday 4th November: Quiz & casserole night at the Shillingstone Church Centre, 6.30pm, details and tickets 01258 861690 Wessex Acoustic Folk, Blandford Royal British Legion, 8pm, Hicks & Goulbourn, details 01202 732239 or wessex-acoustic.co.uk Saturday 5th November: Coffee morning at Shillingstone Church Centre 10.30am to noon, Bric-a-brac, 50/50 clothes rail, raffle Bonfire Night with Tom Clements, Bakers Arms, Child Okeford Sunday 6th November: Royal British Legion Remembrance Memorial Service, Blandford Cemetery, 11am Round Robin Ramblers meet 2pm Mappowder church for 4.5mile walk round Mappowder & the Blackmore Vale, details 01258 880044 'Allsorts' service for children with special needs, parents, carers, Shillingstone Church Centre, 3.30pm, see okefordbenefice.org Monday 7th November: Blandford & District Floral Group AGM, United Reformed Church Hall 2.30pm, contact 01258 452889 Tuesday 8th November: Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group consultation on dementia care, Blandford Corn Exchange, 2 to 3.30pm: Wednesday 9th November: Moviola Film Night, 'Eddie the Eagle', Fontmell Magna village hall, 7 for 7.30pm Friday 11th November: Christmas Craft Market,

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 editor@forumfocus.co.uk. 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.

Artsreach performers in high spirits

They’re called tutti frutti and they will be staging ‘Underneath a Magical Moon’, a new working of the classic Peter Pan children’s tale, at Sixpenny Handley village hall on 25th November. The show is just one of a number of Artsreach performances in the area this month.

Blandford Corn Exchange and The Shambles, 9am to 3pm, 30+ stalls, free entry. Farmers’ Market 9am to 1pm Armistice Day Remembrance, front of Blandford Corn Exchange, 11am Friday 11th to Sunday 13th November: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Living Memory Project, Blandford Corn Exchange Saturday 12th November: Crocus planting at Rotary Way, Stour Meadows with Blandford Rotary from 10am Sixty Years of Song - an audience with Rosemary Squires, Parish Centre, Blandford, 2.30pm, in support of the Cupola Project, tickets 01258 456250 or 450278 Flats & Sharps, Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall, 7:30pm, details 01258 857447 or artsreach.co.uk Poacher's Moon perform 'Poppies Red and Cornflowers Blue', Pimperne village hall, 7.30pm, proceeds to Royal British Legion. Tickets 01258 452661 Sunday 13th November: Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in local villages and at Blandford Camp, 11am Blandford Remembrance Sunday Parade and Church Service, from 2.45pm, Blandford Market Place and Parish Church Spetisbury Station Project Open Day Monday 14th November: Alice Kerr on ‘The Jungle, Calais’, an insight into the current refugee

crisis in Calais, Centre for Care and Learning, Child Okeford, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 860767 Wednesday 16th November: Blandford Carers trip to Castle Gardens, transport provided Dorset Wildlife Trust film night featuring Blandford otters and Blandford kingfishers, Fontmell Magna village hall, 7.30pm, see page 14 Thursday 17th November: North Dorset Business Day, Exchange, Sturminster Newton Blandford Art Society meets Pimperne Village Hall, 2pm, Line Drawing; Pen and Ink demonstration by Rob Adams. see website for details Archaeological Group talk, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm, A Bird's Eye View of Cranborne Chase, with Martin Green Friday 18th to Sunday 20th November: Battle of the Somme Exhibition, Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford, 10am to 4pm Saturday 19th November: Cats Protection coffee morning, Woodhouse Gardens, Blandford 10am to 12.30pm Sunday 20th November: Somme Requiem, Church of St Peter and St Paul, Market Place, Blandford, 6 for 6.30pm, admission free, see page 21 'Words take Wing' presented by Time and Tide Theatre Company, The Springhead Trust, 7.30pm 01747 811853 Tuesday 22nd November: Blandford Library Story Night: Martin Ansell ‘The Old Guitar, part two’ & Paula Harmon launching her new e-book, 7pm

Thursday 24th November: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild meets Blandford Royal British Legion, 2pm talk on Lewis-Manning Hospice, visitors welcome Blandford & District Horticultural Society meets United Reformed Church Hall, talk by Mark Read on dahlias Friday 25th November: Artsreach promotion, Sixpenny Handley Village Hall, 5.30pm, see page 24, details 07751 525200 or artsreach.co.uk.(See left & Page 24) Wessex Acoustic Folk, Blandford Royal British Legion, 8pm, Paul Downes and Mick Ryan, support Rod Jenkins, details 01202 732239 or wessex-acoustic.co.uk Filmflixs presents Me Before You (12A), Child Okeford village hall, doors open 7pm for screening 7.30pm, advance booking 01258 860518 Film Night, The Jungle Book, Durweston village hall, doors open 7pm for screening 7.30pm Artsreach promotion, Tarrant Gunville village hall, 7.30pm, see page 24, details 01258 830468 Friday 25th to Sunday 27th November: The Garden of Delights, 10am - 4.30pm, Springhead Trust. 01747 811853 Stalls with gifts handmade by artists, refreshments & lunches Friday 25th and Saturday 26th November: Forum Drama present A Little Touch of Shakespeare in the Night, Blandford United Reformed Church Hall, Whitecliff Mill Street, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm) Saturday 26th November: End of season celebration open day, Blandford Fashion Museum, 10am to 4pm, free admission, demonstrations of lace, jewellery and button making Milton Abbas Riding for the Disabled Christmas Fayre, Ansty village hall, 10am to 2pm (book tables on 01258 880223 Chase Benefice Christmas Fair for Salisbury Sudan Medical Link, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 11am to 2pm A Baroque Christmas with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, Blandford Parish Church, 7.30pm, tickets on the door or online at bschoir.org.uk Artsreach promotion, Cranborne Cecil Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, see page 24, details 01725 517500 or artsreach.co.uk Sunday 27th November: Julia's House Blandford Friends Group concert, family entertainment with The Showstoppers, Parish Centre, Blandford, 3.30pm