April 2017 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 61

England call-up for water polo ace Abbi: Page 30

April 2017

What’s 5 years old and twice the size it started out? Find out on Page 8

Uncertainty over future of tourist office THE future of the tourist information centre and public toilets in West Street, Blandford, is uncertain following confirmation that North Dorset District Council has been approached by the purchaser of the neighbouring site with a view to redevelopment of the building.

The news has prompted fears that the key facilities for the town at the entrance to the Marsh and Ham car park may be lost (letter page 16).

It follows the district council's delay in renewing Blandford Town Council's lease for the premises, which allows the town council to manage the facilities for the community. The lease expired last year.

An approach was made last May to NDDC to discover if the lease, which the town council has held for the past seven years, could be renewed or the building trans-

ferred to the town.

But the response was that the freehold could not be transferred because of the potential for redevelopment in the area.

NDDC's strategic director Martin Hamilton has confirmed that officers are in early discussions with the recent purchaser of the adjacent site - once earmarked as a possible location for the town library - regarding the potential inclusion of the NDDC-owned land which houses the TIC and public conveniences.

"These discussions are in the context of re-providing these facilities, either as part of the development, or elsewhere in the town. NDDC is not acting to close or compromise either of these facilities, but rather officers are exploring the potential to enter an agreement which would both improve the quality of the important gateway to the town

The information centre and public conveniences block at the entrance to Blandford's Marsh & Ham car park. and improve the TIC and public conveniences."

He said he would be contacting Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles to ensure that the town council was appropriately informed about the discussions and able to contribute where necessary, but was surprised to see a potential property transaction with its inherent confidentialities being discussed in public.

The neighbouring site, which had been earmarked for many years

by Dorset County Council for a replacement library, was declared surplus to county council needs and sold by auction last September for £140,000.

TIC trustees’ vice-chairman Adam Forty said: "Clearly there is great and growing concern

What a lot of Wallies! Martin Handford's 'Where's Wally?' books were adopted as the theme by most of the staff and some of the children when they dressed up to celebrate World Book Day at Durweston Primary School. See Page 27.

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over the future of the TIC among all volunteer staff who have not been consulted in any way about this issue by NDDC. All discussion has been ‘behind closed doors’.

“The TIC became a voluntary-led organisation to replace a service cut by NDDC. This move to sell the premises begs the question as to what role NDDC has in supporting the needs of Blandford and its residents."

Mrs Scott-Giles told councillors in March that the lack of a lease had become more pressing because the cleaning contract for the public conveniences, costing around £7,500 a year, was due for renewal on April 1 and could not be renewed for any length of time because of the uncertainty.

She said she and town council chairman Lynn Lindsay had been informed at a meeting with Mr Hamilton the previous week that the new owner of the adjacent site had expressed interest in also purchasing the TIC and conveniences building from the district and had sought pre-application planning advice.

The possibility of relocation of the TIC and conveniences, either permanently or temporarily during a redevelopment scheme, begs the question of where they might be relocated.

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April 2017

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.

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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 what’s happening in the area. The website also carries additional pictures of local events and background information on stories.

DEADLINES Adverts: Wednesday April 12 Editorial: Thursday April 13 Deliveries from Wednesday April 26 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.

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Roof collapse brings Corn Exchange drama FURTHER urgent repairs became necessary in Blandford's Corn Exchange at the beginning of March following the partial collapse of the roof over the stage on which Forum Drama were due to present their production of 'Wind in the Willows' barely a fortnight later.

Town councillors agreed to pay more than £2,700 for work to make it safe and replace radiator grilles in the main hall identified as dangerous in a recent maintenance report.

They heard a comprehensive report from their grounds and property manager Jon Goodenough, which detailed the recommended course of action in view of the uncertain future of the stage area in the proposed

total refurbishment, restoration and remodelling of the building.

It was agreed that, rather than putting in an expensive new suspended ceiling, the supports that have come loose should be fixed, checked and tightened, and the others checked and strengthened if required. Light bar fixings, currently supported on thin timber with metal strips, would be strengthened, and hirers advised of a weight limit for equipment.

"This has a good chance of being done before Forum Drama are due to use the stage," said Mr Goodenough. "The stage has been closed, with hazard tape and signage around it to prevent

anyone walking under the ceiling.

Hirers who would be using the stage in the next few weeks have been informed it is not available."

Town council officers met with the North Dorset District Council Conservation Officer later that week to discover whether listed building consent would be needed for the work in the Grade I listed building, but the repairs were carried out in time for the stage production.

Consent has recently been granted for repairs to the crumbling façade of the building in advance of the major restoration programme for which Heritage Lottery grant funding is being sought.

Tourist office uncertainty • From Page 1 Mrs Scott-Giles said: "We need to be involved - these are two really important facilities for the town. I told Mr Hamilton how important it is to get coaches into that car park, and that the loss of the facilities would have a huge impact on the town and the community."

Councillor Steve Hitchings said: "There was an aspiration when the seven-year lease was given that the building would be transferred to the town council. Now we are looking to being sold down the river as we were in 1974 during local government reorganisation, when half the things belonging to the old borough which should have transferred to the town disappeared. Once again the residents of Blandford will lose out."

Councillor Hugo Mieville said: "We have to renew the cleaning contract, but can we not also invite North Dorset District Council to expedite their decision on this?"

Councillor Esme Butler said: "We have just as much right to buy it if it is being offered for sale and we so wish."

It was agreed that the possibility of the registration of the community's right to buy the building as a community asset should be considered.

April 2017

Victory for pre-school in its quest for new location THE Blandford pre-school which is having to relocate for the second time in three years came close to losing the opportunity of temporary accommodation in a prefab when planning officers at North Dorset District Council opposed its siting in a nearby playground.

The planning application from Larksmead Pre-School came before the district council's planning committee with officers recommending refusal because the change of use of the playground in Hunt Road would not retain the important open or wooded area and lacked information on how two prominent walnut trees would be protected.

But members voted by four votes to three, with one abstention, to accept the scheme for the group, which is being asked to move out of The Lodge, the district council's own building in the grounds of its headquarters at Nordon in Salisbury Road.

The Lodge will be needed as a local authority service hub when Nordon closes and is sold following the district council's own relocation to South Walks House in Dorchester as part of the Dorset Councils Partnership.

The pre-school moved to The Lodge three years ago when Blandford Rugby Club took

up permanent residence in the sports pavilion at Larksmead recreation ground, which had been the pre-school's home for many years.

Planning officer Hannah Smith said that although a pre-school was a positive infrastructure development, there was insufficient evidence that the land, in the private ownership of Sovereign Housing, no longer served its purpose as a play space, or of the shortage of pre-school places in the area.

The council's tree officer Greg Cox said the access, planned to be enlarged to create parking for the pre-school staff, was a key concern because of its proximity to one of the protected walnut trees, which would be susceptible to minor change in ground conditions.

In answer to concerns that there was insufficient parking, Councillor Jackie Stayt said: "Most of the children are local and are walked to and from the school. There have been no objections from neighbours and I don't see there is a problem."

Town councillor Haydn White, who has lived less than 100 yards from the area for over 50 years and was instrumental in getting it set up in the first place, said: "You have failed to explain that there's an extremely modern play

Alice moves up the scale CLAYESMORE year 12 student Alice Couling, who was the overall winner of the North Dorset round of the Young Musician competition organised by Blandford Rotary, progressed to the district final held at Canford School in Wimborne where she was judged runner-up in the vocalist category.

She therefore moves on to the regional final to be held in Taunton, just one step away from the national final to be held later this year.

She is pictured receiving her certificates from the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell.

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area 150 yards away. I find what I have heard this morning quite exasperating."

Councillor John Tanner highlighted the support for the development in the Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan, which is now at an advanced stage of preparation, the number of pre-school children in the Blandford area, and Dorset County Council's identified need for a new primary school to serve the town's growing population.

"If this goes ahead more children will play there in one week than currently use it in a year," he said.

Architect Phil Easton said: "You have to balance the provision of one community facility and six permanent full-time jobs against the loss of another."

Councillor David Milsted, who proposed approval, said the owners of the little-used and ill-equipped play area had no intention of improving it and the use was likely to cease.

"There may be an adequate provision of preschool places based on the assumption that Larksmead still exists, but if it closes the provision would be inadequate. I can see no reason for refusing it."

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April 2017

Hod Hill artefacts help inspire museum exhibition A GROUP from Blandford Town Museum visited the British Museum storage facility in London to view and photograph ancient Romano-British artefacts which are part of the Henry Durden collection from Hod Hill.

Henry Durden had a shop in Blandford Market Place during the second half of the 19th century, and his museum was situated at the corner named after him, Durden's Corner.

At the time of his death in 1890, his collection comprised one of the largest Roman-British collections in the UK, and much of what is known about Roman soldiers' uniforms comes from sites at Hod Hill.

The group visit was led by Dr Sylvia Hixson Andrews, director of Blandford Museum, who travelled to London together with Tessa Pearce, one of the curators, and Jake Storer, the museum's student intern who has now been selected for an apprentice

position at The Royal Signals Museum/Bournemouth and Poole College.

Tessa and Jake have been redeveloping the archaeology exhibition at the museum and will be bringing photos and information about this amazing collection to Blandford Museum, which reopens on Saturday April 1.

On display will be the work of museum volunteers over the winter, which in addition to the newly designed archaeology exhibits includes the redevelopment of other exhibits to tell the story of Blandford's last 400 years.

Jake has also been working with Alasdair Braid and museum staff and many volunteers have contributed to the effort, including a new group of young people from The Blandford School and Bryanston School, who have come in on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Funding to support the students

has come from the Dorset Museums Association, DT11 Forum, Blandford and Blandford Stour Rotary, and members of the Blandford Museum.

The group of young volunteers will be performing the official open- George Dutton and Flo Lucas, two of the students who have been working at the Museum. ing, and will be present to talk about their contributions to new grammes for secondary and priexhibits through commitment mary school children. and hard work.

To speak to someone about the The totally volunteer-run musedifferent ways to be involved, or um is always in need of new about helping with any aspect of volunteers to help run it, staff museum work, contact Sylvia at the reception desk, work on 01258 450388 or blandfordtownexhibitions and research, and museum@uwclub.net. help with educational pro-

Blandford Museum's Jake Storer and Tessa Pearce with Dr Julia Farley, curator of British and European Iron Age collections at the British Museum.

Student volunteer Emma Humphries.

April 2017

New wave of anger at shoddy road repairs FOR the second time in 18 months, Blandford residents are furious that a road closure for resurfacing has resulted in a less than satisfactory result.

The state of Milldown Road, a main route out of the town towards Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton and which serves the town's secondary

clists and cyclists remain. Gaps have been left between the filling and the road, and it hasn't been cleaned up. Does the county council not send someone to check on quality control?

"I walked up Maiden Castle Road in Dorchester yesterday, which is a cul-de-sac, and discovered it had been completely re-tarmaced," he said, asking why Blandford always seemed to get second-rate treatment.

County councillor Cooper, who has campaigned for several months for the work to be carried out, said: "I thought they were going to close the road and do the whole stretch from Park Road to the Leisure Centre.

I totally agree that they haven't made even half a job of it."

But after investigation he reported the following week that the repairs had only been partial because the whole road was due to be resurfaced in October.

Patchwork repairs in Milldown Road. school, one of its primary schools, and its community hospital, has long been the subject of complaint.

The road was closed for three days during half-term for what everyone believed would be total resurfacing, and traffic had to follow a diversion.

Dorset County Council had originally scheduled the closure for the week before, when all the schools were open, but the dates were changed following intervention by county councillor Barrie Cooper.

But when the road reopened, drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists found the surface little better than before, with only occasional patches of new tarmac.

Town councillors expressed their disgust at the poor quality of workmanship. Councillor Roger Carter said: "I was appalled when I looked at it yesterday, after all the patchwork repair from West Street to Salisbury Road.

"The road outside the hospital has not been touched and the problems with ruts for motorcy-

There were similar complaints in October 2015 when the town centre was closed overnight for resurfacing in the Market Place and Salisbury Street, and the poor workmanship resulted in the county council's contractors having to return the following March to repeat the exercise at county expense. • At the same meeting, members concerned that the tarmac repair at the site of the underground pavement explosion at the junction of West Street and Salisbury Street had still not been replaced with paving stones were told by Mr Cooper that the site was being allowed to settle.

Although a team of workmen spent three days the previous week repairing pavement defects, the tarmac at the site of the explosion in early January remained a temporary repair, and utility companies have six months to make it permanent.

Mr Cooper said there had been a suggestion that paving stones in Salisbury Street might be taken up and replaced with an acceptable alternative so that they could be re-used where stones were broken or missing in the Market Place.

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April 2017

Memorable year for publican IT'S been a rollercoaster year for Dave Tancock at the Kings Arms Hotel in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford.

He became manager at the historic hostelry on February 1, 2016, after moving from the Dolphin in East Street when the licence was transferred.

Over the past 12 months he has, largely at his own expense, cleaned the interior and courtyard garden, provided new furniture and fittings, and opened up the function room on the first floor. It has now become the meeting place for a number of organisations, including Forum Drama, the Blandford Art Society and Forum Focus, as well as a venue for a christening and other gatherings.

There is now a regular 'Kings Fat Thursday' jazz night in the third week of the month, and the rear bar and Chesterfield Suite is proving an ideal venue for a wide variety of music styles in keeping with Dave's background in entertainment working on cruise ships in the past.

He is investigating options to

Community partnership ends with sadness

New licensee Dave Tancock at the bar in the Kings Arms. provide disabled access to the rear bar, and has upgraded the hotel's 11 letting rooms which will soon be offered online, with singles, twins, doubles and family rooms.

And on March 9, he was offered the licence by Star Pubs following the termination of the tenancy by Simon Eddleston, who had held it for a number of years.

"There were three of us in the running and hopefully the investment I have put into the pub went in my favour in selecting who

took on the tenancy," said Dave.

"I'm very grateful to the brewery for recognising the work I have put in during a year in which I lost my mum, who died in August, and would like to thank all the locals for their sensitivity and support at that time."

He and his partner Liba, who recently 'adopted' a rescue dog, Tia, from the Margaret Green Foundation and are expecting their first child in August, are now looking forward to bringing the establishment to its next level.

THE live music scene in the Blandford area has become more varied with jazz, folk and blues added to the rock and pop offerings at local hostelries.

Dorset-based Petites Annonces filled in their Sunday afternoon during their Artsreach tour to village halls across the county by playing their unique mix of gypsy jazz and French chansons at the Kings Arms. At the same venue, on March 2 folk singer Finnian MacGurk brought a selection of largely Scottish folk.

Sunday afternoon live music at the Stour Inn in Blandford St Mary in February featured acoustic guitarist and singer Tom Clements from Shaftesbury, and in March 'proper blues' from Billyboy Misskimmins.

Nelsons had one of their regular singer/songwriter nights on March 9, and Teddy Raves, which returned to Tiffany's at the Crown & Anchor in February with its lively dance music and DJ mixes, will be staging its next just before the Teddy Rocks Festival at Charisworth Farm on April 28 to 30.

THE Blandford area community partnership, the DT11 Forum, held its final meeting in Stourpaine village hall on March 6 to finalise arrangements for its closure.

It follows North Dorset District Council's decision to withdraw funding from partnerships across the district.

DT11 chairman Nic Nicol presided over the gathering at which thanks were expressed to all those who had worked for and supported the partnership since its inception, and arrangements were made to close its accounts and wind up its business in accordance with its constitution.

"It flies in the face of government and its aspirations to devolve down to the community that our funding has been withdrawn, but faced with deciding between the community partnerships and the Citizens Advice Bureau, it was obvious which way it would go," he said.

He outlined the hope of establishing a development trust which could continue to represent the parishes and town and support community projects and aspirations and act as their focus and hub when local government becomes more remote.

He warned that one of DT11's key features, the North Dorset Trailway, might be at risk when it went into the melting pot under a new unitary authority, and the Countryside Rangers' responsibilities grew.

"We could have no-one looking after it in two or three years' time," he said.

But he said he hoped for the continuation of the DT11 Transport Action Group (TAG), which had become an important voice for public transport in the area and on March 22 met in the Blandford Parish Centre for an update from Dorset County Council on the public and school transport review and proposed transport network.

The forum's management committee will decide on the distribution of funds remaining in the partnership's bank account, which is likely to be shared between the TAG, Town Team and any future development trust.

April 2017

Village nursery reopens with a new identity A VILLAGE nursery which closed last October due to a shortage of children has re-opened under the new ownership of its former manager.

Diane Dickson was employed by Bright Sparks to run the preschool next door to Shillingstone Primary School, and when it closed vowed that she would personally re-open it.

She set up her own company to run the new Maypole Day Nursery, so named because Shillingstone was once famous FREEMASONS will next month be celebrating 300 years of their movement and 200 years of freemasonry in Blandford.

An application has been submitted to Dorset County Council to close the main road through Blandford for 20 minutes on Tuesday May 9 for a march by Blandford Freemasons to the Corn Exchange for a celebration service. Spokesman Simon Evans says the march was an annual event until the 1930s.

for having the highest maypole in the area, and she is now seeking sponsorship to install a new one.

The spacious pre-school, which looks out in three directions over Hambledon Hill, Hod Hill and Shillingstone Hill, is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, as well as during school holidays. A new baby unit complements the nursery for older toddlers, and is open to children under 18 months.

Diane's children, Isabel (aged three) and Noah (aged six) were the first to enter the building by running through the ceremonial tape watched by Diane and Jane Whitehouse-Sharpe, headteacher at the neighbouring Primary School.

Mrs Whitehouse-Sharpe said: "The school went out to tender for someone to run the preschool, and chose Diane to set up her own company because she had such a vision for it. She will also be running an afterschool club for our children."

Contact her for more details on 07854 941079.

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Diane Dickson, manager of the Maypole Day Nursery, and Jane WhitehouseSharpe, headteacher of Shillingstone Primary School, at the opening of the new facility, with Isabel and Noah, who were the first to cross the threshold.

BUSINESSES are being urged by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry to take part in their quarterly economic survey so that information can be fed back to councils, MPs and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnerships about development, funding and infrastructure.

The survey can be found at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DorsetQES1, by calling 01202 714800 or emailing contact@dcci.co.uk.

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April 2017

Forum Focus: 5 years old and going strong WE can hardly believe that this issue of Forum Focus marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of Blandford's community magazine.

When a steering group decided, back in February 2012, that the town needed its own newspaper, we never guessed that it would be received and accepted so warmly and quickly as a reliable source of information for the local community.

That first issue had 16 pages (this 51st issue has 32), while the number of copies printed for distribution has soared from 3,000 per month to 8,000 today - distributed through letterboxes or collection points

to an estimated 20,000 readers in the DT11 area.

Forum Focus is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee, and for the last three years we have been able to distribute a modest year-end surplus to support projects in the community.

This year we are helping our young and elderly people with donations to Blandford Scout Group, which has an ongoing project to refurbish its headquarters established over 100 years ago in Eagle House Gardens, and to Age Concern Blandford, which provides such invaluable support to our elderly residents from its base in Nightingale Court.

Our first issue in April 2012. It ran to 16 pages, half of today’s pagination.

A few of the tributes from our readers, advertisers and supporters CONGRATULATIONS to the Forum Focus team on your fifth anniversary!

It is a huge achievement - establishing a new, free, newspaper covering a variety of news and events in the town and surrounding area. It is always an interesting read, keeping residents and visitors well informed, with the inclusion of fantastic photographs and heart-warming stories.

Linda Scott-Giles, Town Clerk, Blandford Forum Town Council

WHEN it was decided that Blandford needed a better means of communicating with the community, no-one really had any idea at all of the true need which Forum Focus is now admirably fulfilling, thanks to volunteers and support from the local businesses.

The biggest gamble was in its monthly production, as it is so easy for 'news' to become 'history' and keeping Forum Focus up to date must be a difficult task

which is carried out with great skill.

The town and the surrounding villages are indeed extremely fortunate in having a free, quality-produced newspaper that covers a great many subjects, some sensitive, by reporting carefully and with a positive attitude which is very refreshing.

My congratulations to the team for producing such a delightful community magazine, and happy anniversary to Forum Focus.

Long may you continue to prosper.

Della Jones MBE A ‘LITTLE birdie’ tells me that it is your fifth anniversary. I cannot believe it - surely Forum Focus has been here for much longer.

From the very first issue your magazine has become a local communication looked forward to by many, many readers and by our visiting friends who view the glossy monthly publication with envy.

Forum Focus is ‘a classy coffee table local magazine’ containing excellent coverage of community news supported by interesting photographs. Happy fifth Anniversary and many more to come.

PS: Someone who knows how please put Forum Focus forward for a national award - it deserves it.

Mac MacLaughlin, Friends of Blandford Community Hospital

I'VE just read Forum Focus for the first time. Being a new resident of this lovely town I found it informative and interesting and will definitely be a regular reader.

Frits Hutchinson MANY congratulations in celebrating the fifth anniversary of Forum Focus. The quality of each edition, the relevance of the content and the strong emphasis on the 'local' makes Forum Focus a invaluable conduit for sharing information, stories and news across Blandford Forum and the surrounding villages, enabling people to be connected and informed.

It is certainly one of (if not) the best monthly local news publications I have come across.

I also congratulate the editorial team on expanding the coverage of Forum Focus through the positive use of social media, which enables us to share and celebrate with a wider audience all that makes Blandford Forum such a special place to live.

Wishing you every success for the coming years!

With all good wishes, Jonathan Triffitt, Rector of Blandford and Langton Long From an advertiser sent a digital copy of the March issue: I can't open the attachment on my phone but I'm sure it is OK as I've had one enquiry already!

And our thanks to all of you, our loyal readers and advertisers - we couldn’t have done it without you!

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April 2017

Centre’s open day proves a winner AN open day at the Blandford Community Centre in Heddington Drive gave healthcare and other organisations and members of the public an opportunity to network and learn more about the services and activities on offer under the new management of Tricuro.

They now have the Weekend Friends Social Group on a Saturday morning from 10am until 1pm for adults with learning disabilities, some of whom are clients attending the centre and others from the community not receiving a service.

After a drink and chat they work in the main kitchen with volunteers to make a meal to eat together, providing a weekend gathering, which could be extended to an evening event.

A new support group for carers takes place every first Tuesday of the month for anyone with caring responsibility, and runs alongside Step Ahead, which

NEWS in BRIEF

Pub changes THE freehold of the White Horse pub in Stourpaine, winner of Best Community Pub category in the 2016 Taste of Dorset Awards and runner-up in a national newspaper's Pub of the Year competition, has been sold to landlords Chris and Ali Sargent by owners Hall & Woodhouse.

The pub became one of the first to host its own shop and post office and now houses a community defibrillator and offers a meals-on-wheels and grocery delivery service for those unable to get out of their homes.

Appeal fails The Tricuro team: senior officer Sue Wells-Read, day services officer Lorraine Hawley, service director Anya Ford, manager Alison Waller, deputy manager Dorota Toon, and day services officer Sara Walter, at the Blandford Community Centre open day. meets every first Wednesday to support carers of people with memory problems.

At the open day, suggestions were made for other activities which could take place in the centre, and the opening of the Blandford Library Hub, which will offer the Reading Ahead project

as well as extended access to books for our community, was celebrated.

Deputy manager Dot Toon said: "It was an absolute pleasure to have everyone with us and the afternoon was a total success with some brilliant networking and sharing of information."

PLANS for a new house in the garden of a property in Hinton Close, Blandford, where an access has been created into Old Farm Gardens, have been refused on appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

The application by B&D developments was turned down by North Dorset District Council, and their decision has been upheld by planning inspector Thomas Bristow on grounds of overdevelopment and detrimental impact on the living conditions of neighbours and future occupants.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

April 2017

It’s all change at The Forum Frier he Forum Frier in Salisbury Road has remained largely unchanged for the past 20 years.

However, new owners Martin and Kevin Duce bought the shop last year with the aim of transforming it into a bright, contemporary, high-specification unit that would enhance the area.

The Duce brothers, from London, have vast experience and a direct link to the person first acknowledged for combining fried fish with chipped potatoes in the late 1880s their great great grandmother Clara Duce.

"We will have a full history and background display within the shop soon, detailing our claim to be the direct descendants of the inventor of fish and chips with an unbroken family chain of five generations of Duces providing fish and chips since the 1880s," said Kevin.

Despite their other shops being in and around London, the South Coast is no stranger to the Duce brothers, who established and operated an award-winning fish and chip unit in The Cascades Shopping Centre in Portsmouth until the centre was redeveloped. It was the first shop in the country to be awarded the prestigious Seafish Quality Award in 1996, which they hope to achieve at The Forum Frier in the not-too-distant future.

Martin explained: "When we first took on the shop we improved all the raw materials in line with our other shops - the oil we now use is the more expensive rapeseed liquid oil. It has many health benefits, containing the lowest saturated fat of any oil, with no artificial preservatives. It is transfat and GM free, has more Omega-3 than olive oil and is a great source of vitamin E." Fish and potato suppliers were changed to provide better quality products on a consistent basis, and The Forum Frier has benefited from the latest in fish frying technology for cleaner and greener equipment and machinery.

Despite the costly investment, prices have been kept the same as before the re-fit, and new menu items include: Salt and

T

Pepper Squid, Japanese Prawns with Sweet Chilli Sauce and Chicken Strips and Cheesy Chips for kids and adults alike.

"Come in and try us - ultimately we are judged on our product and service, and it's this that we strive to get perfect time and time again," said Martin.

Following the two-week transformation, The Forum Frier has received rave reviews from customers old and new, and the brothers are keen to entice back customers who haven't been to the shop for a while to experience the better environment and improved levels of service and product.

Time stood still at The Forum Frier for a long time - but not any more. As Martin explained: "It's vital to adapt to new tastes and trends, adopt improved working practices and embrace technological advances, but ultimately we're still a local fish and chip shop where the staple product is freshly fried fish and proper chip shop chips with a side of curry sauce or mushy peas . . . would you like salt and vinegar with that?"

A bright new look at the revamped Forum Frier.

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April 2017

White Helmets promise a spectacular farewell THE Royal Signals White Helmets will hold their final graduation ceremony at Blandford Camp on April 8, following the decision by the Ministry of Defence to disband the unit, founded 90 years ago, and return the participants to core responsibilities within the Field Army.

The world-famous record-holding team has existed as a recognised organisation since the first public displays of joint precision horsemanship and motorcycle riding were given by instructors and students from the Signal Training Centre in Yorkshire in 1927.

It is made up of 30 volunteer soldiers from the Corps, who have toured Britain from April to September every year, demonstrating all the qualities demanded of the modern Royal Signals soldier, with teamwork, courage, trust, strength and agility, on their British Millennium Triumph 750cc motorcycles.

This year's tour, for which training started in February, will be their last. It includes performances at military events and shows at

Lytham St Anne, Yeovil, Newmarket, the Isle of Man, Lichfield, Camberley, Rempstone, Colchester, Stafford, Bikewise, Shrewsbury, Chatsworth, Normanton and Preston.

A special engagement close to home on May 7 is a return visit to Durweston Fair, and there will be a number at Blandford Camp, including Downlands School and the Garrison Retreat Ceremony and Royal Signals Association Reunion in June.

There will also be performances at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in August, and the final closing ceremony will be on September 30.

A White Helmets 90th reunion is planned at Blandford on August 4 to which all members, past and present, have been invited.

On their Facebook page, the White Helmets said: "The team would also like to extend a thank you to all those who offered their unwavering support over the last couple of weeks. We intend to repay you all by giving you the best season we can give, so be sure not to miss us!

The White Helmets pictured in typically spectacular action at Durweston May Fair in 2014.

"The Royal Signals has come a very long way since those formative days using motorbikes to carry messages across the battlefield and are now 'Leaders in a Digital Age', using cutting-edge communications technology to carry out its vital work (including in cyber capabilities) with highly trained personnel at the helm operating it.

"The team, the oldest and most famous motorcycle display team in the world, has made a considerable contribution over the years to the Army's Community Engagement activities performing spectacular feats of balance, death-defying crossover rides and outstanding acrobatics to thousands of people at home and abroad.�

THE notice for the next County Council elections on Thursday May 4 was published on March 27, with nomination papers due by 4pm on Tuesday April 4. The deadline for receiving applications for registration to vote is on Thursday April 13. In the North Dorset district, seven seats are due to be contested - one each in Blackmore Vale, Blandford, Hambledon, Shaftesbury, Stalbridge & The Beacon and Winterborne, and two in Gillingham.

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April 2017

Another busy programme as U3A continues to thrive BLANDFORD & District U3A has announced a full calendar of open meetings and social get-togethers in its 15th anniversary year, together with a burgeoning number of more than 40 interest groups. From its first meeting in Blandford's Corn Exchange in 2002, its numbers have grown and the group has

recently signed up its 300th member.

Chairman Christine Smith said: "Our groups are run by our members simply for the enjoyment of either learning something new, revising or adding to existing knowledge, or taking part in a wide range of activities in the company of like-minded friendly people. Many inter-

ests are covered, including music, crafts, theatre visits, various walking groups, cycling, dancing, a range of languages, history, art, literature, and many more."

Anyone who is not working full-time can join the U3A. For more information contact Gill Jackson on 01258 453376.

Julia’s House charity shop is set to close CHILDREN's hospice Julia's House has announced it will be closing its Blandford charity shop when the lease expires in September.

The charity's retail manager Tracey Stanley said: "These shops have been at the heart of their communities for many years, and have done a fantastic job of fundraising and promoting the work of Julia's House.

"But many small charity shops are struggling in these tough economic times and our responsibility has to lie with making the most of every donation and of the time given so generously by the volunteers who help to run our shops."

Its shop in Bridport closed at the end of March. "We are working with the teams in both shops to look at redeployment opportunities but in the meantime we hope peo-

ple will still pop in and offer their support by shopping and donating goods.

"We have a thriving, active friends' group and a team of amazing volunteers who are wonderful ambassadors and fundraisers for Julia's House and play a vital role in enabling us to be a continuing presence in the town."

No closures are planned at the charity's other shops, and those in Broadstone and Weymouth have moved or are moving to new premises.

The Blandford shop relocated to East Street in 2011, and in 2015 an application was made to convert the premises on the corner of Bryanston Street and Whitecliff Mill Street into a wine bar, but it was not progressed. Later that year the charity moved back to its original building.

BLANDFORD & District Lions Club have thanked their helpers and the Tesco customers for enabling them to collect a massive ÂŁ1091.41 for Marie Curie nurses on Friday and Saturday February 24 and 25 at the entrance to the Tesco store. Pictured are Lions Marek Mortimer and Tony Ives.

Station team clear the decks THE Spetisbury Station Project Group has thanked everyone who came to help clear the route for the new improved ramp up to the North Dorset Trailway at Spetisbury Station. Two days' hard work achieved a massive amount and completed the over-ground work which then awaited assessment by the contractors for the ground works in March. They look forward to a greatly improved access to the trailway from the centre of Spetisbury soon.

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April 2017

Cool reception for national park plan CAMPAIGNERS for a Dorset National Park faced some resistance from town councillors in Blandford when they presented the proposal for Dorset & East Devon to be designated as the 11th in the country.

Richard and Sandra Brown, of the Dorset National Park team, told the town's planning committee that the current proposal includes the Dorset and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which it will replace, but excludes Dorchester and Blandford on the Dorset AONB border.

It would be represented by people selected by government ministers for their skills and experience, together with nominated town and parish councillors, and its staff would be paid for by central government.

Mrs Brown said the national park would become the planning authority, with the duties of conserving and enhancing the environment and heritage, promoting recreational enjoyment, health and wellbeing, and fostering economic and social wellbeing.

AONBs, she said, had only one of those duties, highlighting the impact of one of the most recent designation of the South Downs, which had resulted in millions being brought into the local economy, boosting tourism and being more sympathetic to economic and development needs.

"It would complement a shire unitary," said Mrs Brown, "and could be in place in five or six years' time."

She said the proposal had received the 'thumbs up' from

Natural England, and support from a number of authorities in the area, including Sturminster Newton and Portland, which are not currently included in the proposed boundary, and she asked whether Blandford would want to be included.

In answer to concerns that up to 25 per cent of representatives would be nominated rather than elected, she said there was an ongoing debate on the subject. To concerns that national parks excluded communities, she said the South Downs National Park included major towns.

Councillor Nocturin Lacey-Clarke said: "It seems to be a step away from democracy, having a partially unelected representation."

Councillor Haydn White added: "There are bodies in North Dorset which on paper appear to be very similar, but this would be far bigger. Local councillors talk to everybody and are not just someone with a loud voice."

Councillor Hugo Mieville said: "There would be an obvious economic advantage but diminution of local control."

Councillor Pat Osborne suggested the economic advantage could be short-sighted and have the effect of driving up the cost of housing.

Councillor Mieville proposed, and it was agreed, that the proposals be noted and discussed further at a future date as they developed.

"We don't have enough information for a proper judgement, and it would be premature to vote to support or otherwise at this stage," he said.

Pancakes pull the crowds AN after-school pancake party in Blandford Parish Centre on Shrove Tuesday attracted scores of children and parents who enjoyed pancake games, led by the Rector the Rev Jonathan Triffitt. A colourful array of fruit dishes was also provided for the children to eat alongside their pancakes.

Pictured (above left) slaving over the hot stove are Debby Griffiths and Dan Roberts, and (above right) checking over the fruit dishes are ten-year-old Emily Turner and her brother Caleb, aged eight.

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April 2017

Celebration of the Heart Forum, gone but not forgotten A PLAQUE commemorating the launch of a pioneering health development in Blandford over 20 years ago has been unveiled in Blandford Community Hospital, the place where it was founded.

The Blandford Heart Forum has now closed as a result of improved medical procedures rendering it unnecessary.

Former members of the Forum gathered in the foyer for the unveiling by Jill Sumner, widow of founder member Richard Sumner, who together with Isabel Weiner established the group under the guidance of cardiologist Simon Winterton to help those who had undergone major heart surgery.

Mr Winterton, who became the group's president and has continued to hold heart clinics at the hospital ever since, said: "This is not a sad day but a happy one, celebrating that the Heart Forum was set up in the first place, and the fact that it is no longer necessary.

"It started at about the time I began work in Dorset, and was set up by individuals, patients and consultants with the support of then Dorset NHS chief executive Sir Ian Carruthers to set a precedent in Dorset and probably the whole of the south of England."

He said it had helped possibly hundreds of patients who had undergone very big treatments which meant a long stay in hospital and a long period of rehabilita-

tion following discharge at a time when patients felt particularly vulnerable.

"Now we do hundreds of stent procedures and no longer have hundreds of heart surgery patients because the vast majority do not need surgery to get back to an almost perfectly normal life.

"Heart support groups have become less and less important and most problems are addressed through cardiac rehabilitation courses."

He said it was nevertheless a sad day for him, because he had ten days earlier held his last clinic in Blandford - not because they were not continuing, but because there would be more in the future, and his timetable had been changed to accommodate a new member of staff.

The Heart Forum folded last year due to its dwindling membership.

Hugh Shackell, the Forum chairman, introduced its very last event, regretting that Mrs Weiner, a former Shillingstone resident who now lives in a care home in Shaftesbury, was not well enough to attend, but welcoming all present including cardiac nurse Susanna Mereweather.

Funds totalling ÂŁ950.60 which remained in the Forum's accounts when it closed will be shared between the hospital and the British Heart Foundation.

Treasurer Ray Suter said: "The

Former members of the Heart Forum gathered in front of the plaque commemorating its existence. group has been affiliated to the British Heart Foundation throughout, and over many years has been a great source of comfort to many patients living in and around the Blandford area."

He also paid tribute to its legacy, saying: "Following the formation of the support group in 1994, a rehabilitation course run by an

NHS cardiac nurse, was set up, closely followed by a ramblers group and the Knees Up exercise group, all three still continuing."

Thanks were expressed by the Heart Forum to Multitechnic Ltd of Morpeth, Northumberland, who made and donated the plaque, and to Alan Long of Shillingstone who made the mahogany mount.

Creativity on display at Free Expression event BLANDFORD's Free Expression Arts Festival is due to return on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21.

A free drop-in pottery workshop at the Pottery Parlour in Greyhound Yard and promotional acts in the streets on the Saturday will be followed by an evening concert with the Dorset Rural Music School.

But the main focus will be on the Sunday with a series of creative workshops, including stone carving, African drumming and Crazy Lady Crafts in the morning, and there are plans to create a community performance in the afternoon, together with singer/violinist Charley Blue, who featured on The Voice last year.

There will also be the first Great Dorset Art Fair at the Marsh & Ham, featuring work by up to 50 artists, and a return performance by trapeze artists Airtime Circus Creation.

For more information or to book a stall, see the festival website at free-expression.webplus.net or Facebook Free-Expression Arts Festival Blandford.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

April 2017

Calling all villagers

Remnants raise cash for hospices MINSTER Furniture Company, based on Blandford's Sunrise Business Park, is helping Naomi House and Jacks Place hospices for children and young adults to raise much-needed funds for the second year running by donating their remnants for a grand fabric sale being held on Saturday and Sunday April 1 and 2.

It is taking place at Ann Biddlecombe Hall, Tarrant Keyneston, and the fabric remnants consist of end-of-roll designer fabrics and much more.

Minster's soft furnishing production manager Lynda Brown said: "We are only too happy to help and pleased that the fabrics are going to such a good cause. I hope that they are well supported.

"We have a few celebrities on our list of clients and they choose high-quality fabrics, some of them retailing at as much as ÂŁ100 a metre. June Davey, vicepatron of the charity, told us that thanks to the generosity of companies and individuals donating

June Davey with her team of helpers. fabrics, the sale last year raised ÂŁ5,000."

Naomi House and Jacks Place cater for 17 life-threatened children and young adults, who stay with or without their families.

End-of-life care and outreach care is also available. They will be opening a new facility in the

spring for two or three children and their families, who are in need of long-term tracheostomy care and help.

For more information about the event call June Davey on 01258 830377 or email jvd@junedavey.plus.com.

LOCAL charity Dorset Reading Partners is looking for more Blandford volunteers to help inspire young people to read. If you love books, enjoy working with children and have three hours a week to spare during term time, this could be the ideal role for you. Volunteers are placed in local schools and are provided with comprehensive training, resources and support. To apply, contact Juliet Ruddick on 01305 458515.

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DORSET Best Village competition entry deadline is fast approaching and entry packs have been sent to parish councils, village hall committees and numerous other active community groups by Dorset Community Action (DCA).

Competition organiser Rita Burden says: "We are delighted with the entries we have already received but would like to encourage communities who have not entered for a while, or have never entered, to come and join in."

Besides the main Best Village competition, for which the deadline for entries is 5pm on Monday April 10, there are four other sections: for Best Village Shop, Environmental Champions, People's Project and the new Young People's award for projects led by under-25s for which the final entry date is July 3.

Enter online at dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk/dbv or ask for a copy by email or on paper by telephoning DCA on 01305 250921.

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Readers’ letters

Hands off the TIC BLANDFORD Forum is a historic market town which relies heavily on tourism as one of the major contributors for its economic development.

I was therefore most concerned to see that North Dorset District Council is considering selling the building which houses the Blandford Tourist Information Centre and the free public toilets.

For the past ten years these two facilities, situated at the entrance to the main car park, have played a vital role in the development of tourism to the town.

I understand that the reason for NDDC wishing to sell the site is to assist the developer who has bought the adjacent site, but this smacks of more asset-stripping

April 2017 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

by NDDC, which started with the sale of Nordon as the council abandons Blandford and moves to Dorchester.

This land is public land and owned by all residents of the district who should therefore have a say in the way it should be used.

Blandford Forum Town Council should continue to run the facilities and the issue over the lease needs to be resolved urgently, not only because the tourist season is due to start soon, but also because BFTC has to renew the toilet-cleaning contract on April 1.

Local government should concern itself with what is best for the local economy. Withdrawing support for the vital Blandford Tourist Information Centre and free public toilets does not make sense and certainly does not show support for the long-term commercial wellbeing of Blandford Forum.

As the TIC and toilets are cur-

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.

rently in the best position for tourists and visitors to the town, I cannot see the benefit of the suggestion that these facilities might be re-provided elsewhere in the town.

If NDDC is really interested in improving the quality of this important gateway to the town, then the lease should be renewed as a matter of urgency.

Peter Newall Dorset Street, Blandford

A grateful farewell MY wife and I, who will soon be leaving this lovely old house in the very centre of the town where we have lived for the last 15 years, would like to record our thanks to the many shopkeepers who have always been most helpful and welcoming and for the good service provided by our postman, the rubbish collectors and all who make this town work in the interest of safeguarding its architectural and historic interest.

We shall always remember those very special concerts in the Parish Church, a summer's evening gazing at the Stour from the blue bridge, the flags flying from the Corn Exchange and those many happy visitors on Hidden Gardens day. Much of what goes on here is run by volunteers and we should all be most grateful to them. Blandford is a special town and we are sad to be going.

John Clevely Stour House, Blandford

A rapid response THANK you so much for publishing our appeal for volunteers in the March issue of Forum Focus.

Within days of the magazine coming out, we were approached by four new volunteers for our workshop and office, of whom three will be able to carry out equipment deliveries and collections with our van.

It will help us enormously in maintaining our rota to keep our unit open five days a week and pro-

viding affordable scooter hire and repair services to our members.

Tony Dando, Chairman Disability Action Group Nightingale Court, Blandford

Care to contribute?

BLANDFORD Cares is continuing to support international efforts on behalf of refugees in Greece, Turkey, Calais, South Sudan and now Dorset with a £100 donation to the Bus Shelter for the homeless and support for refugees rehoused in the county.

In the last few months we have made four more deliveries of aid to Taunton R.A.F.T, sent 50 survival packs to Calais, funded £500 worth of food aid and phone credits, sent £170 to UNHCR for South Sudan, and £120 in sponsorship to Help Refugees Calais, raised from sales of quality goods on eBay. We still need help and support because of the crisis in Southern Sudan, the plight of refugees and unaccompanied children remaining in Calais where feeding refugees has become a crime.

UK and French refugee charities in northern France have vowed to continue to provide aid despite the Calais Mayor's decision to ban food distribution in a large part of the town.

Please keep up the pressure through petitions and letters to MPs and consider sponsorship, donations of warm clothes, sleeping bags and footwear. We need toiletries, blankets, foil emergency blankets, men's clothes suitable for sleeping rough, wind-up torches and food, and zip-lock bags for toiletry packs with razors, shaving foam, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand gel, deodorant, soap, lip salve, shampoo/conditioner, sanitary pads, hairbrushes, nappies, wipes, cotton wool and baby lotion.

Regular Tuesday sorting sessions continue at the United Reformed Church on White Cliff Mill Street, Blandford, between 10.30am and 1pm, and Blandford Parish Church can receive donations every weekday between 9.30 and 12 noon.

Mike Hearn Blandford Cares

April 2017

A new book on Beaton A BOOK launch at Beatons Blandford on March 26 featured a new work on the man from whom it takes its name and style - photographer, costume, set and interior designer Cecil Beaton.

'Cecil Beaton at Home: An Interior Life', published by Rizzoli, has been written by Andrew Ginger, managing director of specialist designers Beaudesert Ltd. It focuses on the two homes Beaton loved at Ashcombe House, near Tollard Royal, and Reddish House in Broad Chalke, near Salisbury, together with London's Pelham Place and Beaton's New York hotel suites.

The lavishly illustrated visual biography brings together original photographs, artworks, and possessions from his interiors and presents an intimate picture of Beaton’s extraordinary life.

Opera Festival programme GENERAL bookings have opened for this year's Dorset Opera Festival, which will be held at Bryanston School from July 25-29, with performances of Gioachino Rossini's Le Comte Ory (Count Ory) and Charles Gounod's Faust.

Count Ory will feature Mark Milhofer in the title role, with Jennifer France, nominated for the Young Singer of 2017 at the International Opera Awards, as Countess Adele, conducted by José Miguel Esandi.

Dorset Opera Festival Music Director Jeremy Carnall conducts Faust, a staple of the operatic repertoire, featuring Mark S Doss as Mephistopheles and Anna Patalong as Marguerite.

For more information, see dorsetopera.com and for booking information and picnic and dining options call the box office on 01202 499199.

Santas’ fantastic running total BLANDFORD Stour Rotary Club's very first fun run, which was attended by over 100 Santas in their red suits last Christmas, has made £1,830 for their charities.

The club's President, Carl Conlon, said: "This is a fantastic amount for our first outing and is entirely due to the kindness and generosity of all those who competed and all those who supported this wonderful family event. I hope that this will become an increasingly popular annual event for Blandford and the surrounding communities."

Temporary theatre venture to test arts centre support JON Ivay, promoter of plans for an arts centre in Bere's Yard, Blandford, opposite the Town Museum, last month presented his latest ideas to town councillors, saying a scheme to initially erect a 'temporary theatre' was now well advanced.

Outline planning permission has already been granted for a permanent venue on the site and Mr Ivay said the temporary building - as used at Chichester while its Festival Theatre was being refurbished and at Hackney for a temporary cinema - would provide an opportunity to gauge support for the venture and generate funding for the permanent building.

Designs have been worked up by Western Design Architects and students at the Arts University Bournemouth. They were given the challenge of producing a £100,000 design and construction budget using, where possible, recycled materials to create a three-stage building with entrance/foyer, performance space with seating for over 180, and stage and backstage area.

Mr Ivay, a creative director who lives in Spetisbury

Italy's contrasts brought to book THE ups and downs of buying a holiday home in Italy are graphically and amusingly described in a new book by a Blandford man.

David Eidlestein's book 'Italy: the rough with the smooth' describes the contrasts and contradictions that he and his wife Rosie encountered during the 12 years in which they owned a house in the Le Marche region.

A former newspaper editor, David concludes that La Dolce Vita is a fantasy, propagated by glossy magazines and TV travel shows and that the warts-and-all reality is very different - yet none of it detracts from the couple's ongoing love affair with Italy.

'Italy: the rough with the smooth' is published only in ebook format and is available through Amazon.

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and whose previous production credits include writing and directing theatre productions in London and on tour, said the Arts Council for England, having verified the proposals, were happy for an application for funding to be submitted. He was hopeful of grant support from other charitable and theatre trusts.

"The Fording Point and the Corn Exchange project are now very different, because the Fording Point will be dedicated to performing, creative and community areas, whereas the Corn Exchange is a community town hall," he said.

Councillor Roger Carter welcomed his enthusiasm for the venue but Councillor Esme Butler said it was not possible for them to declare their views now, and they would have to wait for the application for the temporary building before they could show their support.

A promotional brochure outlines forecast costs, potential partnerships and opportunities for fundraising and patronage. For more information email info@thefordingpoint.com or see thefordingpoint.com.

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April 2017

Museum raiders’ costly legacy BLANDFORD Fashion Museum reopened for the season with three new exhibitions.

They included the clothes worn by 'Ladies of Dorset', with fossil hunter Mary Anning and her contemporary

Elizabeth Philpott, Lady Bankes, Dame Elisabeth Frink and the Badrocke sisters, who were textile designers for Horrockses Fashion in the late 1940s and 50s.

The two other new exhibits are a

Lady Digby and friends at the Blandford Fashion Museum.

Victorian tableau of 'Ladies Taking Tea', and 'Styles that changed fashion' through the decades, including the 'Little Black Dress'.

But the main display area in the ballroom is sadly depleted, thanks to the thieves who stripped lead off the ballroom extension roof last September, and Historic England's insistence on how it should be replaced.

Lime Tree House is one of Blandford's premier Georgian Grade II* listed buildings and as such the extension to it, added in the last century, needed listed building consent for repairs.

The charity which manages the museum had hoped that the lead could be replaced with something less attractive to thieves in the future, and potentially more durable, but detailed plans were needed to persuade the planning authorities.

As a result, the far end of the ballroom remains cordoned off, and the ceiling reveals dramatically how the rain during the winter has been able to seep in under the temporary cover.

"I don't know whether we can just redecorate once the repairs are done or will have to have it replastered," said museum administrator Gordon Boutelle.

In the meantime, the museum has been waiting for consent to be given for the replacement, which only last month was recommended for approval.

"Our insurers would only cover the cost of roofing replacement equal to the cost of replacing with lead.

As an independent charity run by volunteers we cannot finance the additional cost of stainless steel or zinc roofing. We have asked if we can use material which has a colour finish very like lead, and which has been considered sufficiently durable for use on many public buildings," said Mr Boutelle.

"The roof is in a walled garden and not visible to the general public, on a small extension which lacks architectural significance. The saving of costs above the insurance cover, together with avoidance of repeat theft, outweigh any detrimental impact on the heritage asset itself."

Councils give backing to apprenticeship schemes DORSET National Apprentice Week in March celebrated the successes of apprenticeships around the county and the positive impact they have had on individuals and organisations.

Combining on-the-job training with nationally recognised qualifications, there is a whole range of career opportunities in apprenticeships in public services across Dorset.

New video content developed to show the role apprenticeships can play can be found online at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/jobs-andcareers/apprenticeships.

Cllr Deborah Croney, Dorset County Council's cabinet member for learning and skills, said: "We are excited to be taking forward the government reforms for apprenticeship opportunities and committed to creating a ladder of opportunity for talented and ambitious people of all ages and backgrounds.

"We especially want young people in Dorset to get the opportunities they deserve and pursue a career in the public sector."

Matt Prosser, chief executive of the three councils in the Dorset Councils Partnership, said: "We have been proactive in recruiting and supporting apprentices in a

variety of roles within the organisation. The partnership has recruited six apprentices and is currently recruiting a further three."

The Partnership has also created an internal initiative, the Apprentice Youth Forum, a selforganising group, fully supported by line managers to further develop the apprentices' knowledge, skills and experience.

North Dorset District Council has set up a grant fund of ÂŁ15,000 to support apprenticeships as part of its focus on supporting economic growth and make it easier for local businesses to develop their workforce by funding relevant apprenticeship costs with a grant of up to ÂŁ1,500.

Cllr Sherry Jespersen, North Dorset District Council's portfolio holder for economic development, said: "We see apprenticeships as a way of accessing a good mix of work and training, and potentially helping to retain people in North Dorset where there are many excellent businesses."

To apply for the fund or to find out more information visit: dorsetforyou.com/north-dorset-economicgrowth-fund.

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April 2017

Street drama as armed police swoop on suspects THERE was drama in Damory Street, Blandford, when armed police swooped to arrest a wanted man.

Passers-by saw the man being wrestled to the ground and traffic was brought to a standstill.

The arrest, by the Blandford Neighbourhood Policing Team with firearms support, was in connection with an investigation by Thames Valley Police.

A man had returned to his home to find men leaving the property.

He was threatened with a firearm which was recovered later after the men had made off in a small blue vehicle.

After the Blandford incident, police reported that a man and a woman had been arrested following a number of aggravated burglaries in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

Two men had already been arrested when the action switched to Blandford. A 20-yearold man from Hackney, London, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, and a 32year-old woman from Dorset on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A police spokesman said: "We are linking this incident to a similar one in February when men broke into a home and stole firearms."

New sites identified for waste depot relocation DORSET County Council has put forward alternative locations for a new waste management centre to replace the household recycling and waste transfer station in Shaftesbury Lane.

The consultation is available on its website until April 4.

The site originally put forward within the area being proposed for development in the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan north of the town beyond the bypass is now being considered, alongside two other possibilities, a 16.82hectare site further to the west next to Sunrise Business Park, and a 7.74-hectare site at Langton Lodge Farm to the east off Black Lane.

The existing Shaftesbury Lane site generates 92,500 one-way traffic movements a year, and the waste management centre is

expected to generate 2,000 HGV movements a year.

It is acknowledged that the Langton Lodge site is less favourable because access arrangements would lead to an increase in HGV and other traffic movements past Archbishop Wake school.

A highway feasibility study suggests that it would be 'advisable' to put a constraint on operating times for HGVs due to school traffic at drop-off and pick-up time.

The final pre-submission draft will be published in the autumn, taking into account responses and evidence gathered and will be subject to a six-week consultation before being submitted to the Secretary of State and subjected to a public examination with a planning inspector.

New police team formed A NEW neighbourhood policing team has been formed to operate in the rural areas of North Dorset as part of a restructure to better meet the differing needs of rural and town areas.

The towns now have their own dedicated teams, which in Blandford consists of five police community support officers (PCSOs) and one constable overseen by a sergeant.

North Dorset Neighbourhood Inspector Rob Chalkley said: "This model is already working well in the east of the county, so we are excited to get it up and running here in North Dorset.

"The issues facing our towns and

our rural areas are different so they require a bespoke approach from their neighbourhood police.

This restructure will ensure that teams have the correct expertise, resources and time to assist the communities they serve."

The move complements the increased focus on rural communities led by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill through the introduction of a Pan Dorset Rural Crime Team working closely with the teams of response officers across the district.

Mr Underhill said: "It is critical that we continue to develop our approach to rural crime."

Crocuses on the Little Milldown.

Crocuses symbolise the defeat of polio A SWATHE of beautiful purple crocuses has appeared near the path leading from the pedestrian crossing up to the Milldown.

They have grown from the 5,000 crocus corms given to Blandford Stour Rotary Club, and planted all over Blandford by them, Blandford Rotary Club and individual members and friends in recognition of Rotary's worldwide campaign to eradicate polio.

Miles Marshall, of Blandford Stour Rotary, said: "In 1985 Rotary International made a promise to the children of the world to eradicate the scourge of polio. With the disease occurring now in only three countries we are almost there, but over the next three years we need to raise ÂŁ1.25 billion to complete the task.

"Last year the Royal Horticultural Society offered Rotary five million purple crocuses to help with that fundrais-

ing. They are the symbol of Rotary's worldwide campaign with a colour representing the purple dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised in locations such as India and Pakistan."

Blandford Stour Rotary Club received 5,000 crocus corms, which were divided into three groups - 1,000 for a mass planting by Blandford Stour one cold Sunday morning in October on the Little Milldown, and 1,000 for the Blandford Rotary Club which were planted next to the river on the Marsh & Ham. "The remaining 3,000 were counted out into bags of 10, which were distributed to Blandford Stour members, who passed them to friends, family and work colleagues for a donation. Our thanks go to all who contributed to this and the sum of ÂŁ851 was raised," said Mr Marshall.

POLICE Sgt James Dimmack was welcomed to the recent town and general purposes committee meeting of Blandford Town Council. He said that although crime was increasing in the rest of North Dorset, in Blandford the increase was lower and more was being detected. He reassured members that, although hate crime was on the rise following Brexit and the election of US President Donald Trump, he was not aware of significant issues in the town.

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April 2017

Town and villages feel the pain as casualties mount ALFRED Douglas Cherry was one of five sons of Alfred and Florence Cherry, proprietors of Cherrys department store in Salisbury Street, who served during World War One. His brother Kenneth had been killed in December 1915.

Both their names are recorded not only on the Blandford World War One Memorial but also on the plaques which were once fixed to the archway in Damory Street which formed the entrance to the Grammar and Secondary School and was dedicated as a memorial to pupils and staff who had died.

They both left Blandford before the war to work for the civil service in London, where Alfred particularly showed outstanding talent, with rapid promotion. He made his debut for Dorset County Cricket Club and gained swift promotion to temporary Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment soon after service in the Civil Service Rifles when war was declared.

After two bouts of trench fever he became a Company Commander attached to the 6th Bn Somerset Light Infantry, but had been stood down by the time of the first day of the Battle of Arras on April 9, when he was killed in action.

The telegram (pictured) informing his family of his death arrived 11 days later.

Along with the name of Alfred Cherry on the Blandford Memorial is that of John Henry Read, killed in action in France on April 9, aged 19, while serving with the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment.

He was the youngest child and only son of carpenter John Andrew and Annie Eliza Read (nee Blandford), who lived at 39 Dorset Street.

George Arnold was also killed in action in France, aged 39, on April 22, serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment 6th Bn, and buried in the Cabaret Rough British Cemetery, Souchez. He lived in Orchard Street, and was the eldest of four children of hedger William Arnold, who had died in 1908 and Mary Ann (nee Wedmore of Durweston) who lived in Bryanston Street and

in Hardys Yard in East Street.

James John Besent, who died on April 24 in Salonika, serving as a sergeant with the Wiltshire Regiment 7th Bn and is remembered on the Doiran Memorial, was born in Bryanston, the son of farm bailiff James Kingsbury and Sarah Ann Besent. Their eldest daughter was born in New Zealand, but the rest of their 10 children were born in Bryanston.

Henry John Harding was a Lance Sergeant with the 10th (Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars, born 1882 in Pimperne where he is also remembered, and killed in France on April 11, to be remembered on the Arras Memorial.

He was the son of farm labourer John and Marcia Harding, who had lived variously at Okeford Fitzpaine, Sturminster Newton and Gussage All Saints, and in 1911 was serving with the 10th Hussars in Lucknow, India.

Fourteen names are recorded on memorials in surrounding villages.

At Stourpaine is Frank James Richardson, born at Durweston 1893 and died of wounds in France on April 20, the third of four sons and one daughter of blacksmith Henry George and Mary Jane Richardson.

At Tarrant Gunville is Harold Francis Hughes-Gibb, who died on April 19 in France, the son of a London barrister at law, whose four

other children were born in the Home Counties but who at the time of his death were living at The Manor House, Tarrant Gunville.

At Farnham is Sidney Weeks, killed in action in France on April 24, one of 13 children of gamekeeper Edward Jesse and Sarah Ann Weeks.

At Okeford Fitzpaine are Sidney John Fox and John Woolridge.

Sidney Fox, one of 11 children of farm labourer John and Bessie Fox, of Sturminster Newton, was killed in action in France on April 9, and was the husband of Susannah Mary Elsworth, whom he married in 1913, the year their daughter was born.

John Woolridge, born in Aldershot, was the first child of farmer labourer and driver in the Royal Artillery, Lewis, and his wife Emma Fanny, who subsequently lived on the Isle of Wight, in Kent and Okeford Fitzpaine.

At 17 he was working at the butter

The telegram informing his family of Alfred Douglas Cherry’s death at the Battle of Arras. His brother Kenneth had died a few months earlier.

factory, and in 1907 he married Rosie Upshall in Sturminster Newton. He was killed in action in France on April 9.

At Winterborne Kingston is Norman George Berry, who died of wounds to his chest, leg and ankle in France on April 13, and was the son of school headmaster John and Sarah Ann Berry, of School House, Winterborne Kingston.

At Sutton Waldron is farm labourer and shepherd's son Percy Charles Domoney, killed in action in France on April 11.

At Sturminster Marshall are Frederick George Pearce, son of carriage painter William and Ellen Pearce, killed in action in France on April 14 serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment 1st Bn, and William Edward Vater, son of groom Robert and Emily Vater, who died of wounds on April 3.

At Witchampton is William George Baskett, killed in action in Palestine on April 19, and at Edmondsham is Rifleman Reginald Hunt, killed in Palestine aged 20.

At Wimborne St Giles are Ernest George James, reported missing presumed dead on April 28, a private in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and Jesse David Parsons, born in Hastings, where his parents married but brought up by his mother and grandmother in Wimborne St Giles, and a father of two children.

He was killed in action in France on April 12.

At Moor Crichel is Harold Willis Kimber, the second son of woodman Albert and Elisa Willis. He died of wounds in France on April 17 and is buried in the Nesle Communal Cemetery.

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.

April 2017

Musical memorial recalls the tragedy of Gallipoli THE Gallipoli Music Memorial returned to Blandford Parish Church with a programme of music, stories and poems commemorating the Hood Battalion, presented by musicians, artists and students of Archbishop Wake CE Primary School.

The programme began with the rededication of the ensign of the Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, which was disbanded following the loss of nearly all its young men. The ensign has hung in the church for many years and was showing signs of deterioration, but has now been restored as part of the memorial.

Nick Peacey, great-nephew of composer William Denis Browne, who was killed at Krithia, and secretary to the music memorial, welcomed family members to the commemoration and paid tribute to Blandford churchwarden Sara Loch, who had supported the memorial trustees in the project.

Miss Loch said the ensign, following conservation, had been protected with a very fine mesh to ensure its long-term future, and now formed part of the ongoing restoration of the church as a whole.

The Archbishop Wake School choir sang 'Let there be peace on earth', and textile artist Ghislaine Peart described how she had focused on the work of wood carver, writer and illustrator Robert Gibbings, one of the artists featured in the memorial, to design a banner which will hang in the church, illustrating three possible themes, drawing on other authors and artists.

Stories of conflict and reconciliation, compiled and developed with the primary school students by storyteller Lizzie Bryant, were then acted out by the children. After the interval came a performance of 'The Fateful Voyage' devised and narrated by biographer Kate Kennedy and

Nick Peacey, secretary of the Gallipoli Music Memorial, with Kate Kennedy, Simon Over and Matthew Sandy who performed 'The Fateful Voyage'.

performed by her with tenor Matthew Sandy and pianist Simon Over.

The recital, commissioned by the City of London Festival and premiered on Radio 3 by Iain Burnside, Alex Jennings and James Gilchrist in 2014, told the story of the extraordinary friendship between the First World War artists who sailed together after training at Blandford Camp to take part in the Dardanelles campaign.

Grant funding was attracted from the Heritage Lottery to commemorate the eight creative artists who fought or died in the battle. A concert and exhibition was staged in Blandford in June 2015, the anniversary of the Third Battle of Krithia.

Children from Archbishop Wake Primary School act out stories of conflict and reconciliation.

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News from the surgeries WELCOME to the new and regular column bringing you the latest news and information from our GP surgeries.

Whitecliff, Child Okeford and Eagle House GP Surgeries - Easter Opening Hours Open as usual: Thursday April 13 and Tuesday April 18 Closed: Friday April 14 (Good Friday) and Monday April 17 (Easter Monday) For help and advice: • Your pharmacist, e.g. at Boots, can give advice on a large range of common medical problems and is able to suggest suitable overthe-counter medication, if required.

• Anyone wanting to know about health-related issues such as weight loss plans, video workouts, how to stop smoking, alcohol abuse, coping with a range of illnesses including cancer, very useful information can be found at nhs.uk/LiveWell.

• If anyone is finding it difficult to live safely and independently in their own home, help can be found at mylifemycare.com. This website gives lots of good and reliable information about health and social care services available in our area, including statutory, voluntary and local support groups. Telephone: 01305 221016.

FARMING April 2017 Now for the science: The main fertilisers we apply to our crops are nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. We apply as much as we can in the form of livestock manures, but this is time-consuming as they are much bulkier than bag fertiliser. Nitrogen has the most direct effect on yield as a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carby George Hosford bon dioxide (photosynthesis). It is also a major component of More from George on amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. viewfromthehill.org.uk Potassium is fundamental to many metabolic processes in NOWDROPS and daffodils: a plants, including the synthesis of sure sign that spring is proteins and sugars required for Our tame ewes always welcome a visit from travellers bearing toast. springing, in spite of the cold and plant growth and to maintain the water content of plant cells. As wet, which is starting to drive us steadily over the last three kept topped up by a stream of with nitrogen, potassium is taken mad. weeks. More than 20 of our 60 lorries. This digestate will supply up in large quantities by most We so want to get on with the nearly half of the nitrogen and cows have now calved, and we crops during the rapid growth spring work in the fields, with 20 much of the potash for this year's have had two sets of twins phases in spring and early sumtonnes of spring barley seed in crop. already, and a couple of tricky mer.

It increases the thickness the shed waiting to be put in the calvings of large calves, which All of our sheep are grazing and strength of cell walls, reducground, and 110,000 litres of means employing the calving turnips over at Thornicombe. ing the likelihood of lodging (the nitrogen fertiliser to apply to our winch. Light ropes are looped They are in the last field now.

It crop falling over) and influences winter crops as soon as the around the feet of the unborn and is always a bit of a balancing act, osmosis and turgor pressure weather and soils will let us. the base of the winch positioned keeping them on turnips long (using water to keep cells plump In the drier parts of the last three enough until the grass starts against the rump of the cow. The and structurally useful). weeks, we have had contractors growing, but not so long that we ropes are attached to the winch, Since we started having our soil delivering and spreading manure compromise the timing of barley and the handle worked back and testing guided by GPS, we have and anaerobic digestate, and sowing. forth to ratchet it along a metal reduced our use of bag potash.

Gary has applied 28 tonnes of leg and gradually exert pull on The ewes are at one end of the In the past we would apply blanMuriate of Potash to the parts of the calf, which, as long as the field, aiming for lambing in about ket dressings to all fields, but our fields that GPS-aided soil head is correctly presented eight weeks' time. many have large areas naturally sampling tells us needs it. between the front legs, will slowly At the other end are the remainhigh in potash, and GPS technolreveal itself to the world. ers from last year's lamb crop. ogy means we are Our old friend John Baily from The 'midwives' need to watch much more targetFarway in Devon, has been in where they stand, because the ed, and spread with his lorry a couple of times in cow in her efforts is quite likely to more on the areas the last month for a load of which are naturalgive you a mucky shower if lambs. His skilled hands can tell ly short, and less standing in the wrong place. us accurately which lambs are at where there is Once the calf is out, she only just the right weight and shape plenty. wants to give the calf a really for the butchery trade. good licking, accompanied by 15,000 litres of We will keep back some of last constant gentle grunt-mooing. anaerobic digesyear's ewe lambs for breeding, tate per hectare The good going-over with her so they will join the ewe flock have been applied huge and quite rough tongue next autumn, and have their own to our stubbles in stimulates the youngster into first lambs in May next year. fields soon to be action, and in only a few minutes sown with barley. it will be staggering up onto its While we were away on holiday A nurse tank on wobbly legs, and looking around in Shanghai recently, calving the headland is A particularly attractive little new arrival. started, and has progressed hungrily for its first drink.

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The View from the Hill

S

April 2017

An artistic new bird lands at the town cemetery A CENTREPIECE is now in place in the new section of Blandford Cemetery which has been planned as a garden of remembrance at the top of the cemetery fields.

The bird-like sculpture is the work of local artist Jo Burchell, who was commissioned by Blandford Town Council to create the artwork after an invitation to members of the public to design an appropriate piece for the crossing point between the paths failed to produce a suitable candidate.

It was installed at the beginning of March and was awaiting work to improve its surroundings to include box hedging and slate similar to that surrounding the Diamond Jubilee memorial tree in the Woodhouse Gardens. That was also designed and created

by Ms Burchell for the town's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Group in 2012.

Two trees in the original part of Blandford cemetery have been spared the chop after a planning inspector ruled that they should not be felled, but should only be pollarded as they had been in the past.

The sycamore and lime trees are on the boundary with a house in Davis Gardens. They were placed

under a Tree Protection Order and North Dorset District Council refused an application by house owner Jenny Palmer to fell them.

Following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, inspector Richard Perrins announced that he would dismiss the appeal insofar as it related to the felling of the trees, but would allow the lesser works of pollarding.

He recognised that the trees overhung Miss Palmer's rear garden and leaf litter, deadwood and detritus caused a problem, but inconvenience and maintenance costs went hand in hand with living in an area defined by a mature landscape.

There was insufficient evidence that their removal would make the boundary wall, which is leaning towards the garden, any more stable, and little evidence that the wall was unsafe.

But he saw that both trees had been pollarded in the past, and would need to be re-pollarded to compensate for decay at old pollard points and ensure their longevity.

"The works will provide some benefit in reducing the impact the trees have upon the appellant's living conditions," said Mr Perrins.

Response to clinical review NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group has thanked all those who took part in the public consultation on proposals developed under their Clinical Services Review.

Over 12,000 questionnaires were submitted by the closing date of February 28, and thousands of people have taken part in telephone surveys and focus groups held by Opinion Research Services and attended the 16 drop-in and 25 pop-up events across the county.

The views and information gathered during the public consultation will be analysed and a report published by this summer to inform the final business case, which will be presented to the CCG's governing body in late 2017.

Bridge repair work planned PLANS have been submitted by Dorset County Council to carry out repairs to the historic Blandford bridge which carries the road from Blandford St Mary into West Street.

The council's regular regime of inspections has highlighted that the structure is in need of work to ensure that it will not become compromised and will be preserved for future generations.

The work includes repairs to the retaining walls and flood arches.

North Dorset District Council is considering a detailed application for the work, which needs listed building consent, and is advertised on its website.

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The sculpture in the centre of the new Garden of Remembrance in Blandford's cemetery.

24

Grace Yu, right, with fellow University of Nottingham students, and a model of the nursery school they are building in South Africa.

Grace’s Africa aid mission FORMER Blandford schoolgirl Grace Yu, a second-year architecture student at the University of Nottingham, flew out to South Africa at the end of March with university colleagues to build a nursery school in one of the continent's most deprived areas.

"The current school at Lephapane Village in Limpopo, one of the poorest and most undeveloped rural parts of Africa, is incredibly basic and uninspiring for the children and staff," said Grace, a former pupil of Archbishop Wake Primary, The Blandford School and Parkstone Grammar School.

"During this university year, my peers and I have been designing the nursery school which we will intend to build in four weeks. One of the most important aspects is that I am able to explore the world by creating a positive impact to those who may not be as privileged, and supporting those in need."

The students have been fundraising for the project at the university, but Grace has launched her own appeal to raise a minimum of £1,000 to help cover the cost of tools, materials and other technicalities needed for the school building, on her justgiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/Grace-Yu For more information on the project, see the Facebook page at facebook.com/projectmyemyela.

A poetic concert THE poetry of Emily Dickinson will feature in 'A Letter to the World', a concert conducted by Shaftesbury composer Karen Wimhurst in St Mary's Church, Shroton, on Saturday April 1 at 7.30pm.

Karen shares her birthday with the American poet and has set some of her poems to music which will be sung, together with a selection of jazz songs, by the Shaftesbury-based Palida Choir. Soloist Ed Bersey will sing Lieder and English folk songs, accompanied by pianist Sue Craxton of Blandford.

April 2017

Rita Barrington as Marie Lloyd at the fourth birthday party of Blandford Evening WI.

Music hall memories THE members of Blandford Evening WI were in good voice when Rita Barrington, in the guise of music hall legend Marie Lloyd, came to the Parish Centre to help them celebrate their fourth birthday.

With wit, songs and sauciness, she wove the story of Marie's life and loves with renditions of the songs that made her famous.

Cake and Cava were on the menu as four successful years were remembered, adventures appreciated and future plans contemplated.

An approach has been made to an organisation of similar structure in Arkansas with a view to setting up a twinning and has been received favourably.

For more information see their website blandfordeveningwi.com or like them on Facebook.

A JOINT exhibition by The Village Archive and Blandford Model Railway Club to showcase a model of Bailey Gate station and the milk factory will be staged in The Old School in Church Street, Sturminster Marshall, on Saturday April 8.

The 00-gauge model is under construction and the organisers are looking to discover any relevant information to ensure the finished model is a true likeness of the original location.

Lunch and cream teas together with a bar will be available at the event, which will be open from 12.30 to 4.30pm. Entrance is £1 for adults and free for accompanied children. For more information call Howard Day on 01258 857012.

SCHOOLS

April 2017

Music students put on a rocking good show PERFORMERS ranging from Year 10 through to Year 13 at The Blandford School were featured in 'Amplify' at the school, an event organised entirely by Year 13 music students as part of their BTEC music course.

The night, sponsored by DCM Tyres, was heralded a great success for the school, with 137 tickets sold, and a programme which began with the talented Jacob Rosoman, of Year 12, performing songs accompanied on his acoustic guitar.

A Stevie Wonder tribute act named 'Stevie Blunder' followed, and The Three Twonks performed acoustic renditions of famous songs, including 'Baggy Trousers'

by Madness.

The final student band was Waiting For Earthquakes, who got the crowd on their feet with their upbeat pop/punk songs, including 'Teenage Dirtbag' by Wheatus.

The student bands were followed

by Pump Action Radio, a band from Bournemouth who are performing on the Ted Newton Stage at this year's Teddy Rocks festival.

Lucy Bowerman-Ellis, head of the Performing & Creative Arts faculty at The Blandford School, said: "What a fantastic evening. It's amazing to see that the hard work and effort the Year 13 students have gone to has paid off with the talented acts on show and the number of people there to see it."

Student band Waiting For Earthquakes in action.

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Nathaniel (Dobby from Harry Potter) and Dylan (the Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney) share some of Nathaniel's jokes.

Story time at care home FOURTEEN Blandford St Mary Primary School Year 6 pupils took their costumes and stories on World Book Day to Castleman House, where they entertained residents with tales from Roald Dahl, J K Rowling and other children's authors, together with poems they had written themselves, and a selection of jokes.

Residents of the former county council care home in Fairfield Bungalows, Blandford, now run by Tricuro, enjoyed the activity in their communal lounge and were able to join in with many of the stories.

The youngsters, accompanied by their teachers Anne Newlin and Heather Dolman, had walked to the care home from the school in Blandford St Mary in their costumes, and afterwards walked back again.

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SCHOOLS

April 2017

Book Day fun at Milldown A SUCCESSFUL and entertaining World Book Day theme at Milldown Primary School was centred on Roald Dahl, with staff dressing up as famous characters from his books.

One of the teachers, Pete Shepherd, was dressed as Willy Wonka, with plenty of Oompa Loompas to assist - and they even had the Golden Ticket!

April 2017

SCHOOLS

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Lodgings sought for guide dogs GUIDE Dogs are looking for committed volunteers to give temporary homes to dogs undergoing training in the Blandford area.

They need people who are based mostly at home and have a flexible approach to their day to have a dog for around a tenweek period.

The dog is picked up during the day to train and returned to the volunteer for the evenings and over the weekends.

All training, support, food and equipment is provided. For more details, contact volunteering consultant Hazel Dyson with the Southampton Mobility Team on 0118 983 8892, mobile 07881 269557, or email hazel.dyson@guidedogs.org.uk.

Durweston Primary School celebrated all things literary in their annual Book Week.

As well as catching the bus to Blandford Library, the children came to school in their pyjamas to enjoy stories read by the teachers and, of course, dressed up as book characters.

Martin Handford's 'Where's Wally?' books were adopted as the theme by most of the staff and some of the children.

All the staff joined in this year, as did the staff at the library, who also dressed up when Dolphins class went to visit.

Brownsea’s natural beauty DORSET Wildlife Trust's Brownsea Island manager, Chris Thain, is giving an illustrated talk on the wildlife of Brownsea Island on Wednesday, April 19, in Fontmell Magna Village Hall.

The island is home to myriad wildlife species with a variety of important habitats including reedbeds, lagoons, pine woods and flooded woodland and the wildlife trust leases 101 hectares from the National Trust, a nature reserve offering over wintering for many species, including avocets and godwits. In summer there are chiffchaff and willow warblers and an abundance of butterflies while autumn is the best time for spotting native red squirrels.

The talk starts at 7.30pm, and a charge of £2 is requested to help cover costs and refreshments.

Children under 16 have free entry.

Every little helps for Durweston DURWESTON Primary School is in the running for a grant of between £1,000 and £5,000 for its Forest School Project in the latest Tesco Bags of Help vote being conducted in the Tesco store at Blandford St Mary.

The school's application was to support sessions in Durweston forest with a specially trained Forest School teacher for all the pupils, from nursery to year 6 and to train a teaching assistant as a Forest School teacher.

Voting started on March 1 and will continue until Saturday April 29. They are competing against two Poole projects, and against votes submitted by

tokens given to shoppers in another 16 Tesco stores, all of which, with the exception of Shaftesbury, are in Poole and BH postcode areas.

But each project is certain to receive either £1,000, £2,000 or £5,000.

In the last round of voting, which was for larger amounts of funding, £8,000 was awarded to Blandford St Mary Parish Council for an outdoor gym and running track on the Stour Meadows and £12,000 to Milborne St Andrew Parish Council's sensory meadow and play area, both of which were supported by the DT11 Forum community partnership.

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SCHOOLS

Beagles in school visit

Shroving makes for flipping good fun AS one of the very few schools in the country who still go Shroving on Shrove Tuesday, Durweston Primary made the most of the fine weather on pancake day to continue this age-old tradition.

On this day every year, the children of the school visit every house in Durweston, sing the Shroving song and leave flowers on each doorstep. If the children are lucky, they are given biscuits, sweets or sometimes even pancakes in return.

This year the children were greeted by villagers who remembered Shroving themselves in years gone by and delighted staff and children at Knighton House School with their singing.

At the end of the morning,

April 2017

The Porpoises from Durweston primary school prepare to go Shroving.

some of the oldest children left flowers on the grave of Valentine Rickman, the man whose bequest to the school ensured that the tradition continues.

There was more pancake fun in the afternoon when the school staged its annual

sponsored pancake flip. The event was briefly in jeopardy when the PTA couldn't find any ready-made pancakes to buy, but the chair of the PTA, Charlie Spiller, saved the day by spending an incredible sixand-a-half hours making 150 pancakes for the whole school to flip.

KNIGHTON House School girls had a wonderful time stroking the Pimpernel (Royal Signals) Beagles when they held their annual meet at the school.

The pack is kennelled less than a mile from the school, and about 30 local followers were given a view of school at its most relaxed.

The lady huntsman taught the girls about the beagles' names and characters and held a hornblowing competition, which was won by Caitlin.

Everyone gathered to watch the first trails being laid, then about 20 boarders walked up the hills behind school until it was time to come back for a hot lunch.

A warm welcome for the Pimpernel Beagles from pupils .

April 2017

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Handouts at the golf club ASHLEY Wood Golf Club celebrated the past season with presentations to the Club Captain's charity for the year 2016 and to the former captain.

Above left: last year’s Club Captain Steve Pardey presents a cheque for £3,730 to Lieut-Col Sally Cadec, representative of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, and the captain’s chosen beneficiary.

Above right: New Club Chairman Clive Jones (right) presents mementos to Mr Pardey to commemorate his very successful year as Club Captain.

The minibeast hunters SPRING is in the air, so children at Handy Paws pre-school in Durweston have been out in their garden looking for minibeasts.

With the help of manager Lyndsay, the children found worms, beetles, centipedes and spiders but no baby dinosaurs. After inspecting the creatures closely with magnifying glasses, the children made sure all the animals were carefully returned to their homes. Then it was time to make coffee in the mud kitchen.

Handy Paws' doors are open from 9.05 to 12.05 every day during term-time but would like to open for full days from September.

Please get in touch with the school on 01258 452277 if you think your child might like to attend.

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SPORT

England call-up for local water polo ace A PIMPERNE teenager whose love of water polo began at Blandford Leisure Centre when she was nine years old will be representing England this month in the EU Nations Cup 2017 Tournament.

Abbi Smith (16) is part of the Under-17s team travelling to Prague where ten national teams will compete between April 21-23.

Parkstone Grammar School student Abbi's enjoyment and talent for the sport saw her rise through club, county and regional competitions. After a successful trial for England as a goalkeeper, her level of training was stepped up with weekly visits to Exeter, Southampton and Bristol - 350 miles a week - together with monthly weekend training sessions with the England coaches.

She has also played National League water polo, has represented England in a tournament in Slovakia and played for England Schools in Malta.

She will be the only Dorset girl in the squad, and one of only three in the country who have represented England as goalkeeper.

She is also now part of a smaller squad who are all training and playing to be selected for the final 13 players who will represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Serbia in August.

Water polo saw its funding withdrawn in February 2014, which leaves Abbi attempting to secure funding by other means; the bulk of her expenses are met by her family.

Some of the cost of travel to train

THE Heroes Challenge, to be held on Saturday September 23, is a full and half cross-country marathon run or walk organised by volunteers in aid of several small local charities. Beneficiaries will include Stella Hayward Riding for the Disabled, The Front Skate Park and Dorset Search & Rescue.

Entry is ÂŁ15, plus a minimum ÂŁ20 donation/sponsorship, and 90 per cent of the entry fee and all sponsorship goes direct to charity. For more information see hangersheroes.co.uk, call 01305 784995 or email walk4charity2013@gmail.com.

April 2017 Abbi Smith: selected to compete in the EU Nations Cup.

at high-level centres not available locally has been covered by a grant from the Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Young and Talented, which recently announced its first funding to 11 young people in the county.

The newly launched fund, managed by a local charity Dorset Community Foundation on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, opened for applications in February and within weeks received over 20 requests for funding.

Mr Campbell, who was on the deciding panel explained: "We

were all surprised at the number of applications received, considering this was the first funding round. It usually takes a bit more time to raise awareness of a new fund.

"This shows that there is certainly a need for this funding - the panel were only disappointed that they could not help more of these worthy applicants, but our funds are currently very limited."

Local businesses or individuals who would like to support Abbi are invited to contact her parents, Chris and Jane Smith, at smithj74@sky.com.

April 2017

SPORT

Swimmers hit form to land medal haul THE Blandford Flyers Swimming Club is celebrating its achievements at the ASA County Swim Championships held at Littledown in Bournemouth.

Seven swimmers, all residents of Blandford or the surrounding villages, competed for Blandford, and all did personal bests in their events, securing three silvers and five bronzes.

Four of the awards went to Freddie Hodgetts, the youngest swimmer in the competition: 100m fly bronze, 50m f/s bronze, 100m f/s silver and 200m f/s bronze in the 10/11 year age group.

Stephen Quine took 100m f/s

bronze in the 12-year age group, and Grace Chaffey took 50m breaststroke bronze and silvers in both 100m and 200m breaststroke in the 11-year age group.

They and the other four swimmers (Amelia Chaffey, Lily Carter, Sam Coughlan and Joeleen Charlery), got into other finals, narrowly missing out on further medals - especially Stephen, who was unlucky to end up with a number of fourth places.

It was a great pair of weekend results for the club which has not featured much at county level for many years, and could well have been one of their best ever medal hauls.

Aaron plays his part in Cherries’ success AARON Roberts, a student at The Blandford School, was a member of the under-14 AFC Bournemouth Academy team which recently won a futsal tournament at St George's Park.

The Bournemouth Academy has used 90 minutes of futsal training a week for the past three years to help develop key traits of the club's philosophy in which technical ability, decision making and tactical knowledge are key.

It has been recognised as one of the leading youth set-ups using futsal, and the innovative use of the training to aid players' development was showcased.

The under-14s were invited to the national team's training cen-

Aaron Roberts of Blandford.

tre to play in a futsal tournament against Blackburn, Leicester City, Preston North End and Luton Town. The Cherries won all eight of their games to win the tournament.

There was praise for the side's play from the FA's futsal youth coach educator Ian Bateman, who said the players' attitude towards the day and their intensity of play was really first-class.

The previous week the group won the under-14s EFL Regional Festival, where they went unbeaten in a tournament against Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth and Oxford United.

Coach Graham Mills said: "The futsal tournament was fantastic for the players as, while futsal has been part of their training and development programme, they haven't had many opportunities to gauge their progress and apply what they have learned in competitive game situations.

"To have won all eight games against well-established and reputable academies was a fantastic achievement in which every member of the squad performed credibly, representing the academy and the club impeccably.

"It was an experience at the national football centre that the players will never forget and will hopefully spur them on to further successes as they progress along the player development pathway at AFC Bournemouth."

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Blandford Flyers Freddie Hodgetts, Stephen Quine, Amelia and Grace Chaffey, Lily Carter and Sam Coughlan, and another club member Freddie Beasley, who represented Clayesmore at the County Championships. Missing from the line-up is team member Joeleen Charlery.

The event was for the elite swimmers in the county leading on to possible regional or national representation in the years to come for those involved, especially those who medalled.

As a result of their efforts, Grace and Amelia Chaffey have been invited to participate in the England Programmes Dorset Pathway 2017, which is a programme of swimming training

camps for the best 11-year-old swimmers in the county born in 2006.

Head coach Trevor Keep said: "On a personal level I and the other coaches at the club are amazingly proud of all that they have achieved over this double weekend event and of the achievements of all the swimmers at the club with whom these few train."

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April 2017

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events Saturday April 1: Blandford Museum official opening for the season by Bryanston and Blandford School students, 10.30am Easter coffee morning with hot cross buns, Shillingstone Church Centre, 10.30am to noon Easter bingo, Blandford Corn Exchange, in aid of BFTC's 1418 Working Group, eyes down 7.30pm Palida choir close harmony, a capella jazz and folk singer Ed Bersey, St Mary's church, Shroton, 7.30pm, tickets £5 on 07717 223180 or 07708 473568 Saturday and Sunday April 1 and 2: Grand fabric sale, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, for Naomi House children's hospice and Jacksplace, 10am to 3pm Sunday April 2: Collegium Musicum Dorset requiem and oboe concert in memory of Marie Ince, St Mary's church, Shroton, 5pm Vintage Motor Cycle Club run starting from Corn Exchange, 11am (bikes arrive from 10am), details 01258 721356 Monday April 3: Blandford Floral Group demonstration by Katie Baxter, Joy of Flowers, United Reformed church hall, 2pm Chris Shaw talks about Ethiopia another of her popular travelogues, Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 860767 Tuesday April 4: Blandford Macular Support Group meeting, Parish Centre (and every 1st Tuesday) 2pm to 4pm, new members welcome with a friend, details 01747 811191 Wednesday April 5: Blandford St Mary Parish Council, Bryanston Court, 7pm Tarrant Keyneston Flower Arranging Club, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 2.30pm, beginners welcome, 01258 452313 Child Okeford Gardeners' Club Spring Show and gardeners' question time, village hall, 7.30pm Friday April 7: Bavarian night with live German oompah band, Sealy Suite, Crown Hotel, Blandford, optional fancy dress, in aid of Sepsis Trust, tickets £12 (incl raffle) from Blandford Health and Beauty Centre or Dawn Manson on 01258 455766 or 07876 717186 Spanish evening with classical guitarist Mark Jennings, St Andrew's parish church, Milborne St Andrew, 7pm, tickets £12 (incl sangria and tapas) and info from Eva 01258 837468 or Anne 01258 837569

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 events@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.

CAMP coffee and other World War One staples were on the menu in the Corn Exchange on March 11 when Blandford's 14-18 commemoration group staged another Khaki canteen.

It focused on food during the war years, and was another example of the amount of work which is put into these exhibitions by members of the group.

Displays of cuttings from local and national papers of the day about food prices and other news stood side by side with pictures and details of some of the shops trading in Blandford at the time. They included Forsey the butcher, grocers Wareham & Arscott, and J H Vane's popular tea rooms in Salisbury Street in what is now Roberts Aerials.

There was also a display of advertisements for food products, many of which were designed to support the war effort, and details of their history and origins.

Saturday April 8: Mayor of Blandford Cllr Jackie Stayt's dinner dance, Corn Exchange, 7.30pm, tickets Town Clerk's office, Chaffers or Horrocks & Webb Dorset Police Male Voice Choir concert, parish church, Blandford, 7.30pm, in aid of Cupola Project and Rotary charities Sunday April 9: Portman point-to-point, Badbury Rings, first race 2pm Patch-up Café, repair items, exchange skills, solve problems, Child Okeford village hall, 3pm to 5pm Monday April 10: Visually impaired readers group, Blandford Library (and every 2nd Monday) 2pm to 4pm, all welcome, details 01747 811191 Annual town assembly with BFTC chairman's report on year, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 6.30pm Blandford Forum Railway Club, talk by Clive Arnold, Trains, planes and ships, Scout HQ, Eagle House Gardens, bring a train to run on the test track, £2 (incl refreshments), 7.30pm to

9.30pm Wednesday April 12: NHS Retirement Fellowship Blandford Branch AGM, Committee Room, Blandford Hospital, 10.15am to noon, details Liz Malin 01929 472441 Film night, A Street Cat Named Bob, Charlton Marshall village hall, 7.15 pm for 7.30pm, tickets £5.50, details 01258 488431 Thursday April 13: RVS stall at Blandford Market with bric-abrac, books, cakes and craft items made and donated by supporters, from 9am Friday April 14: Craft market in The Shambles, Blandford Corn Exchange, 9am to 2pm, and farmers' market in Market Place 9am to 1pm Saturday April 15: Cats Protection coffee morning and stalls, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am to 12.30pm Tuesday April 18: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club, 'Shabby Chic or Formal - Choose your Style,' village hall, 2.15pm, details 01258 863775 Wednesday April 19:

Blandford Carers' half-day trip Illustrated talk on the Wildlife of Brownsea Island by Dorset Wildlife Trust Brownsea Island manager Chris Thain, village hall, Fontmell Magna, 7.30pm, £2, under-16s free Talk by Christine Stones on The Plant Hunters, The Valley Garden Club, Pamela Hambro Hall, Winterborne Stickland, members free, non-members £2, 7.30pm Thursday April 20: Blandford Art Society watercolour workshop with Anita Law, Pimperne village hall, non-members welcome (£4), 2pm, details blandfordartsociety.weebly.com Dorset Mammal Group talk on Wildlife and the Law by PC Rob Hammond, Blandford wildlife crime officer, Charlton Marshall village hall, 7pm, arrive early for refreshments Blandford Archaeology Group talk by Daniel Carter on latest research into Verwood pottery industry, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm, details 01258 452831 Friday April 21: Wessex Acoustic Folk, Ric Sanders Trio, Royal British Legion, Blandford, 8.15pm Saturday April 22: 'Know your blood pressure day' organised by Blandford Rotary, Corn Exchange, free testing, refreshments available, 9.30am to noon Sunday April 23: Blandford & District Civic Society St George's Day Lunch and Civic Voice presentation, Coupar House (RBL), details 01258 459346 Thursday April 27: talk on the Joy of Collections, Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild at Blandford Royal British Legion, 2pm, visitors welcome Thursday 27 to Sunday April 30: Teddy Rocks Festival, Charisworth Farm, Blandford DT11 9AL Friday April 28: Mayor's Civic Day including thanksgiving service, parish church, Blandford, 10.30am Craft market in the Shambles, Blandford Corn Exchange, 9am to 2pm Film night, The Light Between Oceans (12A), Child Okeford village hall, 7.30pm, booking 01258 860518 Saturday April 29: St George's Day coffee and cakes, 10.30am to noon, St Nicholas Church, Child Okeford, and procession of dragon at noon from Old Post Office to the Cross, St George's Day play and hog roast Sunday April 30: Second annual Pimperne Road Race, details pimpernspringclassic@gmail.com