January 2018 Forum Focus by Sevensioux

FORUM FOCUS

Tri Club’s Andy cuts a dash in the fashion stakes: Page 27

For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No.70

January 2018

Yuletide celebrations curtailed by rain but it was . . .

On with the show! IT was with typical British grit and determination that many in Blandford united behind its eighth Yuletide Festival, which for the first time since its launch in 2010 was seriously threatened by poor weather. The forecast took its toll on a number of market stalls which failed to appear, leaving many empty spaces in the streets, and those that came were greeted by far fewer festival goers than in recent years. But after heavy rain during the afternoon, the skies cleared for the schools' lantern parade at 6pm, and there was the usual colourful array of lights as hundreds marched from Langton car park and along East Street, around the Plocks, down Salisbury Street and into the Market Place. There the community carol singing got off to a good start, led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blandford, Peter and Linda Clark, and the Rector, the Rev Jonathan Triffitt. Music was provided by the Stour Valley Band, which had led the lantern parade with Santa. As light rain set in and turned steadily heavier, many festival goers were driven into what shelter they could find - in shops which had remained open, the Corn Exchange, where there was a selection of stalls and Santa held court in his grotto, and in the Town Museum. There was only a small audience for outdoor entertainers, including the Wessex Majorettes and Starlight Dorset, who braved the inclement conditions. Carols were played over the loudspeaker from the church, which continued to host its Christmas Tree Festival inside. During the evening the Mayor and Mayoress visited winners in the Town Council-run shop window competition to present the prizes, with first place awarded to Papyrus in Salisbury Street, second to Café Soba, third to The Sapling, and highly commended to Ruby's Nail and Beauty salon in Barnack Walk. The charity shop winner was Sue Ryder. For many of the traders and amusement providers from Coles Fun Fair, it was a disappointing evening, with far fewer members of the public than usual - although those that did bring stalls, particularly local groups such as the Blandford Cubs and Scouts in splendid • To Page 9

More pictures: Pages 8 & 9

Christmas puddings were the flavour of the night for many, including these youngsters from Archbishop Wake Primary School.

The team at Forum Focus wish all our readers and advertisers a very Happy New Year

January 2018

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Where to find Forum Focus IF anyone would like to 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 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, Chaffers in Salisbury Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the Coop in Salisbury Road, the 3Cs in Damory Street, the Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road, Cherry's hairdressers in Elizabeth Road, Blandford Leisure Centre in Milldown Road, the Central Shop in Heddington Drive, the Brewery Visitor Centre, Lidl in Higher Shaftesbury Lane, 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, Anvil and Farquharson pubs in Pimperne, 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.

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Company rebuked for ‘flouting’ planning rules A LOCAL company has been ticked off for allegedly sidestepping planning restrictions placed on it when extension to its premises in Yarde Lane, Pimperne, was granted planning permission in 2009. K J Pike & Sons Ltd applied retrospectively for the southern extension of their premises, which includes warehousing, parking of HGV lorries and stacking of shopping trolleys. North Dorset District Council planning committee chairman Councillor Bill Batty Smith said: "Conditions imposed last time restricted any further development and I don't believe it can have happened accidentally they knew the procedure and have deliberately flouted it." But his committee voted unani-

mously in favour of the application, which regularised the enlargement which was begun last year and reported for enforcement action. Planning officer Hannah Smith said the planning authority had to decide whether it was expedient to take action, and the applicant had decided to seek planning permission. She added that the small-scale development was more about protecting the resilience of the company, which employs 40 local people, than providing new employment. The planning permission recommended by officers made it possible to seek landscaping on the boundary to screen it from the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB in which it lies, and other planning conditions. The AONB's response to the unauthorised development last March noted that excavation, earthmoving and fence erection had already proceeded, and the shiny galvanised steel fence was "unmitigatedly industrial and entirely unsympathetic to a nationally important and nationally designated landscape". Their comment - that it was "not a public interest in the application, simply an individual commercial interest. It is not in the public interest to approve a development within an AONB that does not conserve and enhance natural beauty" - was quoted by parish councillor

Antony Argles, who said the parish council was disappointed at the length of time it had taken for the issue to be resolved. "Pimperne has welcomed industrial development within its boundary, but this unauthorised development is unwelcome, and this is not the first time that planning permission has been sought retrospectively on this site," he said. The entire site lies outside the village settlement boundary, and the extension, 60 metres south from the existing site boundary, is on former agricultural land most visible from the A354 Salisbury Road, but also from public footpaths in the vicinity. North Dorset planning committee members urged that the extra landscaping sought should be a mix of evergreen and deciduous to provide screening all year round, and the fence should be painted green. They also expressed concern that lighting should be restricted. Councillor Mike Gould said: "We can't avoid development, but it is terribly important to weigh it against the landscape." Councillor Jackie Stayt said: "As long as the conditions are adhered to, we should agree to encourage the business in North Dorset."

January 2018

Red alert as 100 Santas hit the trail

A sea of red as the Santas hit the trail.

Clamour over Lidl cash BIDS closed for the Lidl funding promised for town centre enhancements to reveal that the total was oversubscribed by some £38,000. A number of suggestions put forward by Blandford Town Council was added to by Blandford Town Museum, Blandford Town Team, and the promoter of the Fording Point arts centre project. The town council sought a total of around £45,000 for their town promotional video, restoration of the Old Bath House and fire monument, Christmas lights and the town's Out & About booklet. The Museum sought £4,400 to improve the entrance, kitchen and toilet facilities at the premises in Bere's Yard; the Town Team £11,378 to erect tourist signs on the bypass; and Jon Ivay sought £55,000 towards his plan to erect a temporary building to create demand for the Fording Point. It all swelled the total to £115,613 - nearly 50 per cent more than the total £77,765 available. Town councillors, members of the Town Team and Blandford Business Group were asked for their views on the bids received by Hugh de Iongh, who is coordinating the allocation of funding on behalf of North Dorset District Council. He said that although the district council had to be responsible for the share-out, it was important that the allocations had public support. Councillor Roger Carter said he was very much in favour of the tourism signs which would bring visitors into the town, and Councillor Lynn Lindsay asked whether funding could be used to support a commercial venture such as an arts centre.

Councillors also queried whether the temporary building suggested by Mr Ivay qualified for funding, but Mr de Iongh said there were precedents for projects to be given seed-funding. They agreed to support all projects in full, with the exception of the Fording Point, suggesting that the balance of funding should be allocated to the arts centre. Members of the Town Team agreed on a similar allocation, but the final decision will rest with the district council. Bids for a further £49,540 allocated to highway-related improvements were under-subscribed, with only an application for £30,000 from Dorset County

Council highways for pavement improvements, which will include the purchase of a stock of paving slabs specific to Blandford for use in maintenance and for reinstatement works, avoiding the use of inappropriate materials.

MORE than 100 people - and quite a few dogs - turned out on Sunday December 10 to don Santa suits and run or walk on the North Dorset Trailway to Stourpaine and back in the second annual Blandford Stour Rotary Santa Stride. The event was in support of the Alzheimer's Society, but runners were invited to seek sponsorship for the charity of their choice. Despite a less than encouraging forecast, they set off in good spirits from the Station Court entrance to the Trailway, but it was not long before the heavens opened upon them. But with true British determination the 107 Santas completed the course in pretty unfriendly weather. Nobody gave up and all enjoyed the refreshments served up by the Rotarians afterwards.

Supermarket bus plan MORE Bus have announced the start of the bus service promised with a subsidy of nearly £251,000 over the next three years as part of the planning permission for the Lidl supermarket in Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford, which opened in July Starting on January 2, the X8 service to Poole will now serve Lidl after arriving in Blandford, with an extension to the supermarket its normal loop around the town. A new town circular service including Lidl, the X8A, will operate in the opposite direction, and provide half-hourly connections around the town. See the timetable at Morebus.co.uk/news/travel updates.

January 2018

Building problems mean historic brewery may face the bulldozers A LANDMARK structure on the Blandford skyline could be disappearing in the near future - but it will be returning as new-build matching the old. The Homes & Communities Agency, which announced last July that it had purchased the old Blandford brewery site for redevelopment, has applied to vary the planning permission granted in 2015 for the conversion of the rear of the original brewery building to residential. The variation is to instead demolish that part of the building, and rebuild to similar proportions and style, leaving only the original offices and brewhouse standing. Bruce Voss, of the Homes & Communities Agency, said: "We have applied for a variation to do two things: first to demolish the extension at the rear of the brewery buildings instead of converting it to flats. This element of the conversion is quite difficult to convert, but we will replace it with some-

thing sympathetic but as a new build. "The second variation is to change some of the triggers for the various conditions in the planning applications to reflect the fact that the initial works we do will be demolition, clearance and the construction of key infrastructure. This will be from around April 2018 for a year. The housing will then follow. "The planning consent was not set up in this way and required a range of detailed information on home design, etc, to be submitted as soon as we did any preparatory work. This detailed information will of course all be provided, but ideally we want this to flow in the latter part of 2018 as part of reserved matters applications in parallel with our preparatory work on site to get ready for the housing development." He said one of the things they were likely to do first in January was to carry out archaeological excavations. "This is a planning

The rear extension to the Badger Brewery which is now to be demolished and rebuilt behind the landmark brewery chimney, which is to be preserved. condition and it will establish if there is anything of archaeological interest." The developers have also been required to submit a scheme for the protection and future maintenance of an even more important landmark, the 27-metre high chimney stack believed to have been built at the same time as the main brewery at the turn of the 19th century. That condition has now been discharged in part, but some aspects will be the subject of later submissions. The discharge report from Peter Brett Associations, on behalf of the Homes & Communities Agency, states: "The extent of

temporary protection measures is dependent on the extent of the existing foundations which will not be ascertainable until the existing adjacent buildings are demolished. "Demolition of the various existing buildings around the chimney will be undertaken in a careful manner, dismantling the adjacent buildings as opposed to uncontrolled demolition, to ensure that materials do not lean against or accidentally load the chimney. "Operations will progress from the outer limits of the buildings in towards the chimney so that all arisings are removed away from the chimney as demolition progresses."

Blandford's Yellow Bicycle CafĂŠ in Salisbury Street has been shortlisted to the last 16 in the National Breakfast Awards. Proprietor and chef Steve Bell has been invited to be represented at the final and cook in front of a panel of judges at Westminster Kingsway College in London on January 30.

January 2018

Ex-mayor issues warning over Corn Exchange plans FOLLOWING their decision to abandon the major refurbishment and remodelling of Blandford Corn Exchange, town councillors have drawn up their preferred plan for progressing the project, including the installation of a lift to the Town Hall above the Shambles. Instead of the original plan for a lift in the existing staircase area, the new scheme involves a new staircase and lift-well to the west of the entrance to the building, and will mean the removal of the Council Chamber added in the 1930s. A new project working group has been appointed, and the new plan seeks to renovate the building on a sectional basis, with only minimal works to the offices at the rear, which were originally the subject of a large expansion plan.

But it has attracted a strong warning from former town Mayor and retired architect John Turnbull that the council should ensure it seeks the services of a conservation accredited architect. He told councillors at their December meeting: "The Corn Exchange project has now been running for 17 years. During that time the council have dug themselves into a hole and it would appear that you are all still digging." He said it was unreasonable for the council to expect the Town Clerk to take the lead on conservation and building matters relating to the project. "If it is your intention to apply for

Mayor and Mayoress of Blandford Peter and Linda Clark enjoy tea in the Dorset Tea Room with Stourpaine residents Julie and Blu Dunk and proprietor Claire Palmer (standing).

Gallery’s new features ONLY 16 months after opening her art and craft gallery, Edie-Mae's, in the former post office at Stourpaine, Claire Palmer and her partner, cabinet maker Gary Crew, have expanded the business to provide a Dorset Tea Room and professional art gallery. The new premises were opened by the Mayor of Blandford, Peter Clark, a former Stourpaine resident, who recalled the closure of the village garage, shop and post office. He said it was wonderful to see the new facility of a different style opening next door to the White Horse pub, which now also houses a shop and post office. The premises, open six days a week excluding Mondays, originally offered rustic-chic, handmade and bespoke furniture, and space in which local artists could display their work for sale. It continues in that role, but is now an outlet for over 20 artisans and makers and ten professional artists who exhibit both in the shop on the ground floor and in the two gallery rooms on the first floor, where there are a further two rooms for workshops run by Claire and visiting artist/tutors. The ground floor room at the rear, originally workshop space, has been converted into the tea room. Claire, formerly a radiologist who gave up work to start her family, has developed her life-long interest in arts and crafts to bring new life to what had become a derelict property since closure of the shop seven years ago.

Heritage Lottery Fund funding, there will be even stiffer competition for monies since churches are now included in the scheme, and if you are looking for funding from Historic England, the lead professional has to be conservation accredited." Town clerk Linda Scott-Giles said she had been assured by HLF representatives that an accredited architect was not compulsory, but members agreed that a conservation accredited architect and surveyor should be appointed. They also agreed that at its next meeting, the working group should have produced a 'mission statement' so that all work could be measured against its guiding principles. In October councillors agreed unanimously that consultations should take place with Historic England and the North Dorset District Council conservation officer as to how the project might go forward, but that they should pro-

ceed with Town Hall façade lighting, electrics, and the roof and Corn Exchange kitchen as phase one of the new project. A further meeting in November agreed that the objective should be to create a multi-purpose venue meeting the needs of the local community, as opposed to one offering only a cinema or theatrical experience. Phasing of the project, from the front to rear of the building, has yet to be fully prioritised, but will start with The Shambles, where the plasterboard ceiling could be removed to expose the beams and the area glazed in, together with other works for which listed building consent will be required. Much of the work already planned will be covered by S106 funding and money already available in the council budget, but the next phase of work on the lobby may require external funding, for example from the HLF. The total is estimated at £500,000.

January 2018

Couple riding high after a change of course A SHILLINGSTONE business which fully launched less than 18 months ago is celebrating being judged the Winner of Winners in the Dorset Tourism Awards. Loose Reins at Ridgeway Farm was also feted as the Active & Sporting Experience of the Year and the top Glamping & Alternative Accommodation of the Year. For Marc and Michelle Gibbs, the couple who run the western-style trail riding venue from the farm overlooking Hambledon Hill, it is a real change of scene after 25 years running Fiddleford Mushrooms, which became a benchmark across the world for quality. Said Michelle: "We had an opportunity to start again after selling Fiddleford Mushrooms, and bought the farm in the spring of 2014. It consisted of a steelframed barn, for which change of use was approved in November of that year. "It took us a year to get planning permission and we took our first guests in July 2015, but we didn't get all the accommodation finished until Easter 2016, so have only just finished our first proper year." She said they were thrilled by their success in the Tourism Awards, where they had never expected to win so much. The facility brings people from all over the world, including the US, Scotland and Dubai, but mostly from Cornwall and the south of England, to experience the short breaks in which they specialise, offering two- to two-and-a halfhour rides and day-long Pioneer Trails through the North Dorset countryside on their team of halfa-dozen horses. "But it's also very central for people who don't want to ride to see so much of the south, and has proved to be so popular that our occupancy is running at 72 per cent," said Michelle. Accommodation is provided in six distinctively designed cedar wood cabins surrounded by beech woods, limestone, and some of the oldest yew trees in Europe. It's a far cry from the rows of polytunnels producing 50 tonnes of mushrooms a week, mostly for Tesco, and coping with the difficulties of deliveries to and from their original base in Angers Lane, Fiddleford, where they were one of the area's largest

Trail riding with Loose Reins. employers. Michelle admitted: "I can't say we really miss it." â&#x20AC;˘ Other local winners in the Dorset Tourism Awards were Bloomfield Camping, second in the Glamping & Alternative Accommodation section and third in Sustainable Tourism; and Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Milton Abbas, first for Spa & Wellbeing Experience of the Year.

There were also a number of awards for nearby Wimborne St Giles, including Home Farm House, second in Bed and Breakfast of the Year; All Hallows Farmhouse Cookery School, first for Artistic, Cultural and Learning Experience of the Year; and the Great Dorset Chilli Festival at St Giles House, Tourism Event of the Year.

Blandford members of the Wessex Majorettes gather with Father Christmas, Mother Christmas and their elves in their grotto at the majorettes' Christmas bazaar held in the Methodist Church Hall. NORTH Dorset District Council has been recommended to approve a new policy banning the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons from land and premises in its ownership. Councillors were told that more than 30 local authorities in the UK had taken this course of action, supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, National Farmers Union, and a number of marine and other organisations, because of the fire hazard and dangers for livestock and wildlife.

January 2018

Noiseless gaming plan hits opposition FEARS that a proposed gaming centre in Old Oak Gardens might result in additional traffic congestion and potential noise nuisance were addressed by the applicant, businessman Mark Jacques, at Blandford Town Council's planning committee meeting. He said the use would be for young adults and there would be no noise since the gaming in question took place on PCs and consoles and used headphones. There should also be no problem with parking since there was a public car park close to the office building which once formed part of the Damory Oak pub, the rest of which has now been converted to residential occupation. He said there was little for his own teenaged son and other

young people to do in the town other than go to the skate park and youth centre, which is currently closed, and his objective was to create somewhere for young teens to go safely. The facility would cater for no more than 14 people, and they would not be under the influence of alcohol. Town councillors nevertheless rejected a proposal that the change of use should be given a temporary three-year consent, and agreed to object on the grounds of the potential disruption to residents from its opening hours. The application, at the time of going to press, had yet to be decided by North Dorset District Council.

USERS of Blandford Town Council's Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion have welcomed a suggested extension to the building to improve the kitchen and toilet facilities. Members of the council's recreation and amenities committee considered a proposal costing around ÂŁ40,000, whose cost to the council might be reduced in the event of successful grant funding applications.

Fanciful festive greetings from the girls at the Stour Inn.

Grin and (almost) bare it STAFF and customers of the Stour Inn, Blandford, have been baring almost all for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Rushton Dog Rescue in Weymouth. They stripped off for a 'Calendar Girls' style photo-calendar which has gone on sale at ÂŁ10 a copy. Photography by Glenn Everett featured poses by Stour Locals in the Chuck Wagon in the pub garden, in the restaurant with afternoon tea for June, and festive menu for December, and in the lounge where a feature is the range of books on shelves and tables. Also featured are local tattoo artist Lorna, Mark and Brad of the Two Man Travelling Medicine Show, who regularly provide live entertainment in the pub, landlady Erika and her husband Richard at the bar for July, and air ambulance paramedic Kerry in a striking pose for February.

January 2018

Smiling in the rain at the Yuletide Festival

Pupils from Pimperne Primary School were among the first to arrive in Langton car park with their lanterns.

Merry Christmas from Spetisbury Primary School.

Bags and giant boxes of lanterns with the pupils of Milldown Primary School.

Pupils from Blandford St Mary Primary School show off their lanterns.

The Wessex Majorettes on parade.

Blandford Cubs and Scouts were in splendid isolation halfway up Salisbury Street due to the failure of other stallholders to turn up.

Joy Reynolds and Jess Nipper with produce from the Blandford Museum Victorian Garden Club in the Bere's Yard alleyway.

A roundabout from Coles Fun Fair, and its attendant, stand sadly idle in the rain in the Market Place.

January 2018

INSTEAD of sending Christmas cards, staff, children and parents at Archway Nursery in Pimperne donated items for the local food bank. People were asked to donate tins or jars of food or toiletries, and in return the parents could write a Christmas message and post it on to their Christmas star. They also took part in Christmas jumper week and donated money to Save the Children. Faith and Lily from Archbishop Wake Primary with their new Christmas pudding lanterns.

On with the show! • From Page 1 isolation halfway up Salisbury Street, and those providing refreshments, faced less competition. As stall holders began to pack up and members of the public drifted away, the concluding firework display was brought forward by 15 minutes in what might have been seen as a defiant gesture against the climate, but provided a triumphant finale over the rooftops. And it was left to the Rector to thank all those who had braved the conditions to take part and remained until the end of what, for many, had been a very cold and damp evening.

The winning Papyrus shop window fin the town council competition.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Gin & Prosecco tasting at a festival event

he Gin & Prosecco Festival is a boutique-type event of artisan gin and Prosecco tasting in a garden party atmosphere and is coming to Blandford Corn Exchange on Saturday February 3. Gin & Prosecco lovers can come together at one bespoke affair to enjoy both tastes. Tickets are limited, and will sell fast, so book now at www.eventbrite.co.uk. They are priced at £13 plus booking fee, and include: • A free glass of fizz on arrival • A free gin glass to take home • Samples from the distillers' pamphlet & tasting card • Free Gin & Prosecco pen to make notes of the gins & Proseccos tried • Live music from great local artists Artisan food platters will be on sale, and bars at the Gin & Prosecco Festival work on a token basis. Tokens are priced at £5 each and can be exchange for any single drink except for cocktails.

January 2018

Persistence pays off in search for grandfather’s final resting place THE tiny Celtic Cross and robin on a grave in Blandford Cemetery reveal a moving story of discovery by an Irish family, who came to Blandford in search of Gerald Howley, who in the 1940s left Cappawhite in Tipperary to seek work in England. He came to Blandford to work as a labourer at a very tense time during World War II, leaving behind his new bride Mary and young daughter Noirin. But in the second week of December 1943, Mrs Howley received a telegram from his coworkers telling of his death, at the age of 28, on November 26. His granddaughter Noelle McCarthy, who lives in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, said: "They said that they had buried him and in true Irish fashion had given him a 'good sendoff'! Eventually a death certificate was obtained stating that he had died of pneumonia, but no other

Left: Gerald Howley and (above) the cross and robin on his Blandford grave. information was listed about where he was buried." Over the years the family often talked about where he might be and tried to locate his grave, sending money to various authorities to try and find him. But no record was found. "It was heartbreaking for my mother, who is an only child, and whose mother passed away in 1994 never knowing where her husband had been laid to rest." Last September Noelle asked her son Alex to try and find the grave and the joys of new technology and the internet resulted in his saying 15 minutes later: "I found him, Mom!" After informing her mother, Noirin Kavanagh, who lives near Dublin with her husband Paddy, Noelle and Alex booked a flight and car to travel to Blandford Cemetery, where they learnt he had been buried on November 30, 1943,

four days after his death. "The excitement was palpable as we drove into Blandford and the very first thing we came to was Blandford Cemetery," said Noelle. "Alex had purchased a map of the graveyard with Grandad Howley's plot listed, but with nothing erected to him it was impossible to find. Alex contacted the town council who were so helpful and had someone come out to mark the grave for us within the hour." They were also able to make a video call to her mother of walking in and seeing his resting place for the very first time all together. "Emotional is an understatement," said Noelle. "The cemetery is beautiful and kept so well. As we approached his grave on a cloudy day, the clouds parted and the sun came out, shining right down on to him. "A little hedgehog toddled past and when I put my hand down to it, it didn't curl up or run away, but just stopped and looked at me before continuing on its way. It was so poignant and so special for my mother to be able to see it." The family wanted to erect something in his memory but did not

know who owned the grave, so after making an appointment with the town council they arrived next morning to find the paperwork ready. They learnt that the council still owned the grave and they could purchase the plot there and then. "We were elated! Later that morning we were able to put a small Celtic Cross we had brought with us and a little robin from my mum on the grave in the same week as the 74th anniversary of his passing. So beautiful and the sun shone down on us like a mid-summer's day. "For the first time in 74 years, my mother knows where her Dad is, and our first visit to him was greeted by the sun shining and little Ms Tiggy Winkle. What a beautiful final resting place." The family is now arranging for a shamrock headstone to be placed on his grave. Noelle thanked everyone at Blandford Town Council for being so helpful, particularly Rachael Harding on reception, Gary Ayriss (grounds and property supervisor) who marked the grave for them to find, and Jon Goodenough (grounds and property manager) who did the paperwork to sell them the grave.

SIX motorbikes used by the recently-disbanded White Helmets motorcycle display team fetched a total of £58,800 at auction. The customised Triumph T140 bikes from the team, which was disbanded in September, were estimated at £5,000 to £8,000, but were sold for between £7,800 and £12,000 each. Each bike was sold with a presentation file charting some of its history. A number of motorcycle 'projects' and spares also went under the hammer at Charterhouse Auctioneers, and the remaining 20 bikes have been donated to museums and sponsors, or returned to motorbike manufacturer LF Harris.

January 2018

Picture perfect for camera club events A RANGE of activities and speakers at Blandford Forum Camera Club in November included the Points Cup, round two, judged by Martin Edge. With 61 images to get through during the evening Martin gave a good appraisal of each image, picking out some top scorers along the way. Those in the print section were Graham Hutton's 'Cleaning the Scotsman' and his landscape 'Etive Mor', Ian Ferris's 'After the Storm', Colin Cross's nature image 'Splash & Grab', Colin Whitelock's 'Summer Fruits' and Marilyn Peddle's infrared image 'Stourhead Summer'. In the projected images Jean Bartlett scored well with 'Impaired Vision', an impressive action shot, Howard Westlake with a candid street image 'Attitude', Marilyn Peddle with 'Somerset Levels Sunrise', Pat Catley with some delightful mice 'Coming up', and another wildlife entry from Colin Cross, 'Gotcha!'. Glynis Larter-Whitcher achieved

three 10s with a 'Study of Athene Noctua (Little Owl)', 'Southwold Pier' and 'Li River Raft'. The studio group enjoyed an evening of macro photography, with harvest mice and frogs to photograph and some birds of prey, all provided by Pete Whieldon and his team of helpers. Another practical session saw the chairman 'set alight' with clever light-painting and the use of lightsabres and contraptions, overseen by Penny and Spike Piddock from Dorchester Camera Club. John Larry gave a talk 'Travels with a Camera' and John Ives a whistlestop tour of South America, both really giving a sense of the places they had travelled with their images and commentary. The LAF group, all working towards distinctions, had a productive session with plenty of images to consider. For information on joining the club contact Eric Langley on 01258 488301, email eric.langley@bfcclub.co.uk or visit the website bfcclub.co.uk.

Jean Bartlett's 'Impaired Vision'.

Marilyn Peddle's infrared image 'Stourhead Summer'.

January 2018

Loco work steams ahead MEMBERS of Project 62, which owns two steam locomotives based at the North Dorset Railway Trust's headquarters at Shillingstone station, have appointed Vincent Engineering of Henstridge to repair the boiler of one of their locomotives. The boiler from the Yugoslavian-built 30075, first introduced in World War II by the United States Army Transportation Corps, will be taken by road from Shillingstone this month, following what was the route of the former Somerset & Dorset line, to the Syles Farm Workshop near Henstridge Airfield, where owner Richard Vincent is well respected in the area of traction engines, but has also supplied boiler fittings for other railway steam locomotives. Whilst the boiler is away, Project 62 members will be working on the lower half of the locomotive at Shillingstone, together with overhauling and painting various parts and fittings. A target time of mid to late 2019 to return 30075 to operational condition is being anticipated by the group. New volunteers are always welcome. Half of the £50,000 anticipated to complete the overhaul has so far been raised and Project 62 is seeking public support and donations to return it to steam. All donations received are being match-funded by a Heritage sponsor and can be sent to Project 62, 26 Calder Road, Poole, BH17 8PG. Shares are also available in 30075 together with the group's other

Station team gets festive THE Spetisbury Station Project team were in festive action at the station on December 17 serving hot drinks, mince pies and other festive goodies in exchange for a small donation to the project. Visitors were able to chat to the team and see the progress made over the past year. A selection of artefacts and archive station photographs were on display, along with a small range of sales items, and the chance of spotting Santa who was expected to call in. For more information on the project see spetisburystationproject.co.uk.

Steam locomotive 30075 pictured when it arrived at Shillingstone two years ago. locomotive 30076, which is also at Shillingstone. Full details at project62.co.uk.

Villagers’ delight at grant success VILLAGERS in Charlton Marshall are celebrating the announcement by the Big Lottery that a grant of £500,000 has been awarded to their replacement village hall project. The award from the Reaching Communities Buildings Fund is the largest in Dorset in the current tranche of lottery funding for the south west. A larger hall and additional meeting room will allow new services to be established in the village, and for existing clubs to increase their membership. It has been the dream of the community since funds first started to be put aside in 2007 and initial plans drawn up. The project's funding co-ordinator Pam Higgins said: "It has taken two years to complete the three stages of the application. The support, guidance and help from Dorset Community Action has been paramount in our success and we can't thank them enough. "Now we have confirmation of the grant, applications to other funders can be submitted. We had to wait for confirmation from Big Lottery before submission as all funders have a timescale of when the money has to be used - these range from six months to two years - so everything has to tie in

together. "We still have to find £210,850 from other funders so we are not secure yet." She said they needed to continue to fund raise and urged everyone to support fundraising events and the Buy a Brick scheme, which has so far raised over £6,000. "But a very big thank you to everyone who has already supported fundraising events, bought a brick or just donated - it's very much appreciated." She said responses from other funders were expected early in the new year, and if successful building could start in the spring. Village hall chairman Margaret Chapman said: "The Lottery Grant news is excellent. We are grateful that the many hours that Pam and Roger Higgins, our treasurer, have spent over the last two years completing the necessary application forms - in great detail - have enabled us to be successful." Other Lottery awards locally were £10,000 to Okeford Fitzpaine C of E Primary School to create an outdoor fitness area for children and the local community groups, and £3,090 to Blandford Town Council to install equipment in play areas.

TO dispose of your Christmas tree in support of a good cause, take them along to Child Okeford village hall car park on Saturday January 6 between 10am and 12 noon to be chipped by Okeford Tree Care in return for a donation to the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance and the village hall. For further details, call 01258 861998.

January 2018

WIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy build-up to Christmas THE run-up to Christmas for members of Blandford Evening WI began with a tombola stall at the Thursday market which received considerable support on the day from a bus load of ladies from Essex on an awayday. Prizes and craft items donated and made by members produced a superb table to raise funds for the Institute. Community involvement continued with WI representatives on the 14/18 Group running the Khaki Kanteen at the exhibition in the Corn Exchange, with bacon butties and bully beef pie on the menu. The WI President and members also provided catering for the Forum Drama autumn production. A festive air prevailed on the coach visiting the Winchester Christmas Market, which had many ideas to help the creative among them, seasonal food and warming beverages to keep them warm. The Christmas tree competition in the Parish Church gave the WI

Peta Lys (left) and Vicky Watkinson at the WI tombola stall at the Corn Exchange indoor market.

team the idea of emphasising Blandford's roadworks, and resulted in a tree titled 'The Travail of Travel' with winding roads, roadworks, camel caution, road signs and bedraggled travellers. The Christmas party was helped along by the participation of 'Mr Chord', a trio consisting of Joe Bustard, Alan Ferguson and Mike Darke, singing songs of every era and encouraging audience participation. Liz Rawlings gave her version of a harassed mother's Christmas.

Blandford's Deputy Mayor Roger Carter meets lacemakers Irene Greenfield from Swanage and Pompi Parry of the Hob Knob Lacemakers from Salisbury.

Fashion takes a break AN open day at Blandford Fashion Museum in The Plocks marked the end of what has been a difficult season at the town's unique exhibition centre of costume and fashion through the centuries. The season had opened with one of the main exhibition areas out of use thanks to a roof lead theft the previous autumn which led to water damage, but new displays featured Victorian Ladies taking Afternoon Tea, Ladies of Dorset, and Styles that changed Fashion. Guest of honour at the open day, which included demonstrations of Dorset button making, jewellery and lace-making, was Roger Carter, Deputy Mayor of Blandford, who was invited to draw the winning tickets in a raffle supported with prizes from local businesses. During the winter, volunteers will be hard at work cleaning the museum's home in Lime Tree House and preparing new exhibitions for its reopening on February 12.

January 2018

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Spare a thought and an hour for the lonely

A DEMENTIA Friends session in Blandford Town Hall gave town councillors and staff and other guests an opportunity to gain an understanding of a condition now suffered by a growing number of people. It was led by Tracy Wilson-Corben (Dementia Action Alliance co-ordinator), pictured front right with some of those attending, and was an interactive information session to promote an understanding of what dementia is and how it can affect those living with dementia. The Dementia Action Alliance was beautifully featured in the Christmas Tree Festival in Blandford Parish Church with the tiniest decorated tree in the church (right), barely a foot tall and decorated by the Blandford United Reformed Church Tuesday Knitting Group with crocheted blue forget-me-not flowers.

NORTH Dorset: rural, peaceful, friendly, even idyllic. You could argue both for and against those points but we are sure there would be more for than against. One thing is certain, nonetheless - there are still many people in North Dorset who feel lonely, who don't have much contact with others and who aren't able to get about as much as they used to. Those who have no family nearby, as is often true these days, are dependent on phone calls or visits from friends, neighbours and carers. These rather isolated folk often benefit from a visit for an hour once a week by friends or a volunteer who will sit with them, listen, discuss their troubles or hear about the past. Some like to talk about local Dorset news, hear news of the larger world or relate their memories of earlier life. Volunteers can make a huge difference to allay the feeling of isolation and loneliness experienced by these elderly people. It is rewarding to bring cheer to those in need in this way and help them to contact support services if required. Volunteers are always needed and there are several local char-

ities which cover the Blandford area and will assist. These include the Royal Voluntary Service who run a befriending service and a home library service, the Friends of Blandford Hospital, Age Concern and Wayfinders, who help with information and administrative things like organising paperwork. Age UK give advice and run the fundraising shops, and Bus2Go organise group outings for those who cannot otherwise go out, with accompanying volunteers to help. Some of us have little contact with our neighbours and may not realise that there are lonely people living close by who would benefit from an occasional visit, even as little as a couple of hours a month. Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, particularly when it is many years since anyone seemed to care for you, or if your faculties are failing, so friendship needs to be offered gradually and sensitively. Our community will benefit if we find more volunteers and look out for those in need, to offer them friendship and support. Jenny Thompson & Ian Scholes (Royal Voluntary Service volunteers) Contact: 01305 236666

THE annual Christmas concert staged by Bryanston Choral Society on December 2 in St Martin's Church, Bryanston, raised a total of ÂŁ462.46 for the Blandford Food Bank. It was presented to Gail del Pinto (left) by Society chairman Sarah Houghton (right) and Joy Reynolds. The well-attended concert featured Mozart's Vespers with singers from Bryanston School, and seasonal readings, carols by the choir, and carols with the audience. BLANDFORD Parish Church again ran its community kitchen in the Parish Centre for families and others in the community who could enjoy a free hot meal on December 19, 20 and 21. Volunteers set up and staffed the facility which, when last offered in October, served 211 meals over three days, and they were thanked for all their help.

January 2018

Tree time brings festive magic to church ORGANISATIONS in Blandford excelled themselves when they were invited to decorate a Christmas tree for the annual Tree Festival in the Parish Church. Three dozen decorated Christmas trees filled the aisles, chapels and every corner of the church during the festival, which opened on December 9 to celebrate the theme of the Nativity and remained open daily until December 16. The trees were decorated by organisations in the town with hand-made angels, bells, footprints, knitted and felt items,

sheep, drums, birds, stars, stables and hearts, with many of those from local schools featuring pictures of the children making the decorations. A children's craft table each Saturday morning allowed youngsters and their parents and guardians to make decorations for their own trees. Visitors were also invited to vote for their favourite tree, and on the final day the Mayor of Blandford Peter Clark was invited to announce the winning children's tree, adult tree and his own personal choice of favourite.

Trees from the Grange Nursing Home, Blandford Cubs, Panda Pre-School and Knit, Stitch and Knot in one of the chapels in Blandford Parish Church.

The Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice: Downlands School's tree bedecked with woolly sheep and drums.

The angelic United Reformed Church tree in the south aisle.

Above: Trees from the Shillingstone Quilters, Blandford Beavers, Blandford Scouts and Performing Arts Academy around the font.

Right: Allsorts Craft Club tree featuring Love Came Down at Christmas at the entrance to the Tree Festival. It was the winner of the public vote for the best adult tree.

UNDREDS gathered in front of Blandford Corn Exchange on December 1 to welcome Father Christmas and see him join the Mayor Peter Clark in turning on the festive lights on the tree in the Market Place. Santa arrived resplendent on his sleigh provided by the Blandford Lions, who also presented small gifts to all the children waiting to meet Santa in his grotto on the stage of the Corn Exchange. Other members of the public and guests were welcomed with mulled wine and seasonal refreshments provided by the Town Council. Carols and festive music were played by the Stour Valley Band, and there were festive quizzes on the tables to entertain the gathering, where guests included mayors and chairmen from neighbouring local authorities, and the new commanding officer at Blandford Camp, Col Jason Gunning, who had been in post for only three weeks. The heating in Blandford Parish Church had been repaired that afternoon in the nick of time for the civic carol service which followed. A concert by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta the previous Sunday had to be relocated to the Corn Exchange when a fault in the heating was discovered, resulting in its being turned off, and town council staff were thanked for their help in facilitating the last-minute change of venue. The carol service was introduced by the Mayor and led by Blandford's curate Neil Robertson, with an address

January 2018

Light duties for Sant a

Above: Blandford town councillor Lee Hitchings gives his nephew, Malachi Lyes, a better view of proceedings. Left: St John Ambulance Badgers Molly and Phoebe get to meet Santa.

given by Pastor Dale Carmichael of Blandford Evangelical Church. Taking part were the choirs of Archbishop Wake Primary School, The Blandford School, and the Dorset Rural Music School, with prayers led by the Blandford Guides and readings by Anita Roberts of the Blandford Dementia Action Alliance, Blandford Guide Lily Cross and Blandford Scout Group leader Sam Elliott.

shared between Blandford Parish Church and the Mayor's charities, the Blandford Scout Group and Blandford Dementia Action Alliance. Santa went on with the Lions to Stourpaine to make the first of his visits to local villages, which over the following fortnight included Charlton Marshall, Sturminster Marshall, Milton Abbas, Pimperne and finally

Blandford's Tesco store. On December 2, he and the Lions were back in Blandford Corn Exchange at the Lions' craft fayre, where the Lions staged their usual chocolate tombola and a discounted toy sale alongside the various craft and community stalls. A collection was made for Mosaic, the Milborne St Andrew-based charity supporting bereaved children.

The retiring collection was

Blandford Guides amuse themselves with some bubble blowing while they await the arrival of Santa.

More pictures on our website forumfocus.co.uk

January 2018

Drama group serve up farce and frolics FORUM Drama, Blandford's community theatre group, celebrated the arrival of a new lighting desk, funded by a £750 grant from Blandford Forum Town Council, with a production of Charles Dyer's 'Wanted One Body' in the United Reformed Church Hall on November 24 and 25. Described as a 'farcical thriller', it

was an ideal medium for William Triffitt to feature a number of lighting and sound effects, and for a cast which clearly enjoyed some of the more comedic aspects of a rather complex plot. The twists and turns involved a disappearing corpse, identical twins dying in mysterious circumstances, a culture of bribery and blackmail and a seemingly limitless number of suspects. Directed by Joyce Carter, there were powerful performances by Wren Holdom as the Misses Barraclough and by Beatrice Hunt as the prim secretary, ably supported by the rest of the A moment of high drama in ‘Wanted One Body’ at the United Barraclough Reformed Church. household

The mystery unfolds in 'Wanted One Body'. staff, Charlotte Boulton as the maid, Mark Hume who perfected an Irish accent as the chauffeur, and Emma Hiscock as the cook. Tony Horrocks and John Cody were something of a comedy duo as the blundering solicitors who find themselves reading the wrong will and then (with some prompting!) investigating suspected murderers thought to be fighting over it. Richard Owen was faintly but obviously intentionally absurd as the sensually challenged doctor, who was finally revealed to be a conspirator, and Graham Haigh splendidly morbid as the business-seeking undertaker whose eyes lit up at the sound of a

cough. The group's next production will be Robert Bolt's 'The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew', a children's play, involving a heroic knight, Oblong Fitz-Oblong, sent to slay a vicious dragon on a far-away island. It was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company as a Christmas show from the Oscar-winning playwright and author of 'A Man for All Seasons' and screenplay for 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Dr Zhivago'. Readings and casting for the production in March will be taking place early in the New Year, and details can be found on the group's website.

January 2018

Brave Toby earns a trip to Parliament

Otter freed after scare FEARS for the safety of an otter spotted swimming in the River Stour at Blandford with a plastic cable tie lodged around its neck were allayed when it was reported that it had managed to free itself. The UK Wild Otter Trust said the cable tie had moved up the animal's neck and been 'shaken off'. Their volunteers later found a number of ties by the river where works had been carried out and the contractors were warned that debris needed to be cleared away. The incident prompted the launch of a poster campaign urging people visiting rivers and lakes not to leave litter. "Rubbish left behind is a huge issue wildlife can get trapped or caught in it and often die a painful death," said the charity.

CREATIVE entries were received from schools across West and North Dorset for Local Food Links’ 'Design our Christmas card' competition. Jacob Evis (age 8, pictured with his winning card) from Archbishop Wake Primary, Blandford, was selected as the KS2 winner for his 'Berry Christmas' design and was awarded a £20 gift card and 20 copies of his card by Caroline Morgan, Local Food Links CEO during school assembly.

Murderer’s appeal fails TOP judges have rejected an application by Stuart Nicholas Thomas to reduce the minimum 26-year jail sentence he received for the murder of Blandford hairdresser Katrina O'Hara in January 2016. Lord Justice Treacy, sitting with Mr Justice Teare and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb in the Appeal Court in London, said the trial judge at Winchester Crown Court was in an 'excellent position' to assess the seriousness of the crime. "We are unpersuaded that there is any arguable ground of appeal and refuse the application," he said, describing Thomas's appeal as 'hopeless'.

A 13-year-old Blandford boy is one of two pupils from Yewstock School in Sturminster Newton named as champions for Fishing for Schools after attending a course run by the Countryside Alliance Foundation in England and Wales for children with special needs. Toby Dear, of Castleman Smith Close, a pupil at Yewstock since the age of four, travelled with his parents to the Houses of Parliament to be presented with his medal and certificate. They were greeted by members of the foundation, Toby's leader from the course, and MPs, including North Dorset's Simon Hoare. They also met winners from other schools on what was a proud and emotional day. His father Peter Dear said: "We are so proud of Toby who has been through so much in his life. He was diagnosed from an early age of suffering from ADHD, and about two years ago with autism. "He also has an inherited genetic feet disorder and has had major surgery four times at Bristol Children's Hospital, where he has to return in the New Year for more surgery. Every time he is very brave, and has had to miss some schooling due to the recovery time, but takes it all in his stride and bounced back. "Any parent of a child with ADHD and autism knows it is very hard work trying to manage the meltdowns, but we still love our chil-

Toby Dear with North Dorset MP Simon Hoare at the Houses of Parliament after receiving his award. dren unconditionally. It is times like the day at Parliament which put all the troubles to one side. "If it were not for Toby and Yewstock School we would never had had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the inside of the Houses of Parliament." A CHRISTMAS craft fair in Spetisbury Church raised £250 for MOSAIC, the Dorset charity supporting bereaved children. An array of hand-crafted gifts made by stallholders greeted visitors, and the mulled wine, coffee and mince pies served by Bea and her team helped complete the festive feeling. Children from Spetisbury School, including the choir, were led by Mark Cheesley on guitar.

News from the surgeries Help from 'Live Well' for support with those healthy New Year's resolutions! Christmas time is the season of good cheer. The problem can be too much of the 'good cheer'! New Year is often a time when we make new resolutions, especially about healthy lifestyles choices, eg: weight loss, more exercise and healthy eating. If you need help finding what's out there to support you, staff from 'Live Well' will be coming to Whitecliff Mill Surgery on January 4 between 8am and 1pm. Patients from both Eagle House and Whitecliff Mill Surgeries are welcome to come along and speak to them in Whitecliff Surgery waiting room. The 'Live Well' service is open to anyone living in Dorset over the age of 18. It provides information, support and onward referrals for weight management, smoking cessation, physical activity and alcohol issues. As a follow-up, the team of specially trained wellness advisors will assess patients over the phone and provide brief interventions designed to support healthy behaviour choices. Where required, they will offer a programme of support to help people make and sustain changes to their lifestyle and signpost them to other services. If you want you find out more about the NHS scheme 'Live Well'. see https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/Pages/Livewellhub.aspx or ask at your surgery. Meanwhile, wishing you all a very healthy New Year.

January 2018

Food bank warning as credit roll-out looms NORTH Dorset Labour Party has warned that local demand for food banks can be expected to increase further as Universal Credit, the government's new allin-one benefit affecting low-wage and part-time workers as well as those unable to work, is rolled out in Blandford in January. It is calling on members and supporters to get behind their local food banks as demand increases. Pat Osborne, North Dorset Labour Party Chair, said: "We've been asking Labour Party members and supporters to stand shoulder to shoulder with the compassionate community groups that already do so much to support local food banks, by giving what they can, when they can, and only if they can." Members donated nearly 40 bags of groceries for the foodbanks in their communities at a meeting in November as part of a Christmas appeal.

"But charity is not a sustainable solution," said Mr Osborne. "We're calling on the government to end austerity that's causing inwork poverty, and to stop and fix Universal Credit before even more families are forced to use food banks or find themselves unable to heat their homes." As well as long waits for the benefit, other problems include the complex online-only application process and the housing benefit element not being paid direct to landlords, resulting in rent arrears and, in some cases, eviction. The Trussell Trust, the UK's biggest food bank, says demand in areas where Universal Credit has already been rolled out has increased by an average of 30 per cent, and landlords have reported a huge increase in rent arrears. Roll-out of Universal Credit to people living in the Blandford Job Centre Area starts on January 17.

Staff of Sandisons display their Christmas jumpers and some of the wonderful cakes they sold to raise funds for the Christmas Day lunch.

Accountantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tasty profit STAFF members of accountancy firm Sandisons, based in Salisbury Road, Blandford, held a fundraising day to support Blandford Rotary's annual 'Alone on Christmas Day' lunch. Wearing colourful Christmas jumpers for the day, they held a successful cake sale and a raffle. Judy Adams, President of Blandford Rotary, said: "Every year these wonderful people who work for one of our business partners raise hundreds of pounds that help to pay for the splendid Christmas Day lunch we lay on for Blandford residents who would otherwise be on their own. "Each year we entertain over 60 people who enjoy a festive lunch with all the trimmings and plenty of entertainment. Some of them have told us it's the highlight of their year." Blandford Rotary wish to thank the many other sponsors of this annual event, including Waitrose, Morrisons, Tesco, M&S and several local suppliers.

From left: Pat Ashworth, Kaethe Davies, Pam Rees and Christine Smith at Blandford Community Hospital, with Matron Darren Wickwar and a table full of finished knitting.

Knittersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gift to hospital AS part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Blandford & District U3A members have been fundraising and knitting for Blandford Community Hospital. In December members of the craft group made a second delivery of bravery bears, twiddle mitts and blankets to Matron Darren Wickwar for use on the wards, and at January's open meeting in Durweston village hall a cheque will be presented to the Friends of the hospital. Blandford U3A chairman Christine Smith said: "Knitting for the hospital has been a great project and members, friends and family have really entered into the spirit of the venture, which we look forward to continuing into 2018."

January 2018

An act of heroism that saved three men

Submarine disaster claimed many lives CHARLES Carter was on board HM Submarine K4 when it left harbour in January 1918, bound for a North Sea exercise. In what became known as the Battle of May Island, it was one of a number of submarines lost when several collisions occurred. The collision between the K6 and K4 was so great that the K4 was cut almost in two and sank immediately with the loss of all hands. The body of 28-year-old Leading Signalman Carter, who had served in the Navy since 1906 when he joined as Boy 2nd Class Signaller at Devonport, was not recovered. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. He had been born in Manchester, the son of Thomas Carter and his wife Edith, whom he had married in Chorlton, Lancashire. His father, who died later the same

The grave of Thomas Carter in Blandford Cemetery, which also records the death of his son Charles in January 1918.

year and is buried in Blandford Cemetery, had since 1884 served with the 9th Queens Royal Lancers and from 1891 until his discharge in 1896 was with the Army Reserve. But he had followed in his father Joseph's profession to become a boot and shoe maker. Soon after Charles was born, the family was living in Blandford where his younger sister and three brothers were born; they lived at 13 Dorset Street and later in Kings Road. Charles served variously on HMS Arrogant, Fox, Gibraltar, Forth, Adamant and Vulcan. His youngest brother, George William Carter, also joined HMS Impregnable as Boy 2nd Class Signaller in August 1913, and in June 1916 signed for 12 years, serving until October 1920 when he transferred to the New Zealand Navy. A second brother, Thomas, of The Cabin, Kings Road, Blandford, sailed in 1923 on the SS Corinthic to Wellington New Zealand, and Mrs E Carter and Edith Carter sailed there two years later on the SS Tainui. Charles' paternal grandfather, Joseph, born in 1828 in Tarrant Monkton, who married a West Indies-born British subject Caroline Rolls in 1849, was attested in the 31st Regiment of Foot in 1846 at Berwick-on-Tweed, and also served in the East Surrey Regiment and the 70th Regiment of Foot. He was in the Crimea at the siege of Sebastopol and the East Indies and China until his discharge in 1863, and rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant but was twice reduced to the ranks after two Courts Martial.

A NAME which does not feature on the Blandford War Memorial or on the Roll of Honour at Blandford Cemetery is that of Alfred Place. He was awarded the Albert Medal after dying at Blandford Camp in June 1916 when a live bomb exploded during grenade practice. The bomb was thrown back into a trench by one of the men under instruction. Petty Officer Place, who was serving with the Royal Naval Division in the 2nd Drake Battalion, which he had joined the previous month, rushed forward to pull back two men in front of him and attempted to reach the grenade with the intention of throwing it over the parapet. The bomb exploded before he could reach it and inflicted fatal injuries. It was on January 1, 1918, that the London Gazette reported: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The King has been graciously pleased to award the decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Petty Officer Alfred Place, late of the

Royal Navy. By his coolness and self-sacrifice Petty Officer Place probably saved the lives of three other men.â&#x20AC;? Alfred Place was born in 1892 in Hunslet, Leeds, the youngest of three sons of William and Jane Place, and had joined the Nelson Battalion in September 1914, embarking with them in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was discharged to the 1st Reserve in November 1915, and transferred to the Drake Battalion in May 1916. He is buried in Hunslet Cemetery, Woodhouse Hill, Leeds. The Albert Medal, whose ribbon colours and sizes changed through its history and was subsequently replaced by the George Cross, was instituted in 1866 for saving life at sea and named after Queen Victoria's husband. It was awarded in two classes, the first in gold and second in bronze, and in 1877 started to be awarded also for saving life on land.

Hunslet cemetery, where Alfred Place is buried.

A victim of flu epidemic FARM labourer Herbert Hole was born in Beaminster, the eldest son of police constable Albert Hole and his wife Clara, who had ten other children. The family obviously moved around the county, and also lived at various times at Toller Porcorum, South Perrott, Chiddington and Stour Provost. But at the age of 19, Herbert was working as a farm labourer and living in Dorset Street, Blandford. His parents' address was later given as 8 St Leonard's Terrace. Herbert served as a private in the Dorsetshire Regiment 1st Bn, and died, aged 26, in France on January 8, 1918, possibility a victim of the flu epidemic at the time. He is buried in the Longueness (St Omer) Souvenir 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.

January 2018

Young visitors try out the periscope in the trench.

Jessica Christian signs a copy of her book about her great-uncles in World War I.

Tommyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerful tale of life in the trenches BLANDFORD's 14-18 commemoration group has been widely praised for the 'Trenches and Tanks' exhibition which was staged in the Corn Exchange over four days at the end of November. It focused on the experience of one representative 'Tommy', through from recruitment and training at the outbreak of war through to the Great Western Front. Panels displayed on the walls and on a series of display boards told both simply and in more detail, with sometimes graphic illustrations, how the war progressed, with testimony from individuals involved. The exhibition also featured a reconstruction of a World War I trench and periscope giving a view of 'No Man's Land', and members of the group demonstrated some of the equipment used and carried by soldiers on the battlefield. A scale model layout of the Ypres area and trench layout was constructed by members of the

Display boards tell the story of life in the trenches.

Blandford Railway Club, and models of trenches were created by students from The Blandford School. Jessica Christian attended to sign and sell copies of her recently published book 'Brothers at War', telling the story of her greatuncles and great-aunt who served with the Dorset Yeomanry and as an ambulance driver, all members of the George family, who ran a grocery business in East Street, Blandford. The exhibition was visited by a number of classes from Downlands School on Blandford

Camp and Archbishop Wake Primary School, as well as by parents visiting with their children on Saturday and Sunday. There were in total more than 700 visitors. Group chairman Roger Carter said the response and engagement had been one of the best they had had to the series of exhibitions they have staged as part of their ongoing World War I commemoration. He thanked the entire team. Donations and refreshment sales raised ÂŁ316 towards the group's future events focusing on the end of the war and its aftermath.

Group chairman Roger Carter shows young visitors a rifle.

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

HE boys arrived yesterday, to begin work on Monday. Their arrival aroused a certain amount of interest in the field across the road, among our six tame ewes freshly sorted and with feet trimmed, ready for the new season. Last weekend we had got the tame bunch into the yard to sort out those who would be meeting the rams, and those who would not. In the 'not meeting the rams' paddock are this year's lambs, plus Rocky, and old Sammy, who wasn't meant to get in lamb last year due to the fact that she can't produce milk any more. She then produced her sixth set of triplets in as many years, two of them having to be taken as orphans, like we did the year before. No more lambs for her, but her bloodline continues as we have one of her 2013 lambs and one from 2016 in the flock. There's another from 2017 who will join next year. She has given birth to 19 lambs in all, over seven years, retirement beckons. It is rare to know such a detailed history because we don't individually record all our ewes normally.

FARMING January 2018 place for anyone to visit, and place to pay back the each day we travelled out in difinstallation cost. ferent directions to visit various The last co-op farm we farms, five over three days. visited was a real conThree of the farms were large trast. The management state-run farms in the communist team spoke good era and it was very interesting to English and were very see how they have evolved good at explaining how since the wall came down in they ran things. The 1990. They are now run as cowhole place had a very operatives, each very different, much more upbeat feel yet to varying degrees still to it, and their dairy setexhibiting levels of the old menup was gradually being tality, eg: high labour and a lack spruced up with some of capitalist zeal for 'progress'. very smart new buildings, including a rotary The first one we visited kept parlour, although we their cows indoors all year weren't even allowed off round, in rather unloved and the bus at this point for ancient buildings, on slats, in hygiene reasons. Fair cubicle houses with narrow pasenough, we thought. sageways which most UK farmThere were huge silage ers would frown at these days. Trimming overgrown sheep feet. pits, and clearly they Their milk production seemed were taking great care to surprisingly high seeing as the feed their cows the most produccows were not in very special to time - a very large bird, a tive diet. housing conditions. Their food is raven will take quite well-grown carried to their cubicles on long We detected a generally lowerlambs, and what makes it very rubber conveyors, which when stress approach to life in one hard for the farmers is that they new at least 40 years ago would case, an organic farmer running are a protected species, so canhave been state of the art. The his own business. He was very not be deterred by shooting. feed itself looked to be high happy growing high-quality, valuA couple of the other farmers quality and consistent in quality. able crops on a small scale, explained to us what a problem happy to take whatever the soil There was clearly no plan to they face with wolves, also a gives him each year, low rainfall replace the buildings any time protected species. When their and poor sandy soil making it soon, because there was a gang cattle are grazing outside, difficult to grow good crops every of workers on one of the roofs, wolves will attack the younger year. with no hard hats, no hi-vis animals. Consequently some clothing, and no safety rails or He keeps a small number of farmers will run donkeys with nets in sight. They were sheep as well, to take advantage their cattle, which, being very installing solar panels on the of the grass and clover in his feraggressive in attacking predaroofs of all the buildings, which tility building rotation. They suffer tors, in some way protect the would need at least 20 years in predation from ravens from time cattle from wolf attacks.

t the end of November I had the good fortune to join a farmers' study tour in eastern Germany. We were based in Berlin, which is a fascinating

The boys arrive.

January 2018

Jack sleeps rough to aid homeless JACK Delaney, the disabled Blandford youngster who was chosen to carry the Olympic torch through Blandford in 2012, was on December 16 sleeping rough in Blandford town centre in support of Crisis UK, the charity working with the homeless. Jack, now in his 20s, said: "Crisis is a fantastic charity and the work they do is truly amazing. The advice and support they offer has helped thousands of people out of homelessness and on to whole new lives already. "Homelessness is something I am passionate about, and I believe nobody should be sleeping rough. Just ÂŁ26.08 gave a homeless person a place to go at Christmas and provided them with food and a warm place to stay. It is a time not just for receiving but for giving as well." You can still support his appeal on his Just Giving page, jackdelaneycrisisuk.

The Big Sing at Milton Abbey.

Picture: Michael Moorsom.

Music adds choral magic in the Abbey A WONDERFUL melodious and resonant sound emerged from the substantial choir in Milton Abbey, where Noel Tredinnick, organist and Director of Music at All Souls' Church, Langham Place, London, led a five-hour daytime workshop enjoyed by more than 100 participants. Mr Tredinnick, the founder of the world-renowned All Souls Orchestra, who has led Prom Praise events

Judy Adams, President of Blandford Rotary (right), hands over some of the many donated food items to Gail de Pinto, manager of Blandford Food Bank.

Rotary aid for needy MEMBERS and friends of Blandford Rotary collected a large quantity of tinned and packaged foods to help disadvantaged young families in Blandford. In time for Christmas, more than 100 items were delivered to the Food Bank, based in the Methodist Church. The President of Blandford Rotary, Judy Adams, handed them over to Gail de Pinto, manager of the Food Bank. She said: "When we heard that the local Food Bank is currently supplying nearly 800 adults and children with emergency food parcels, we felt we had to help. We were pleased to learn that our donated goods will help several young families going through hard times, even though many of them are working." Gail said that, in addition to supplying food parcels to families who have been referred to them, the Food Bank's trained volunteers also offer help in budgeting effectively and have succeeded in helping several families get out of debt.

around the UK and overseas and worked for many years with the BBC as a familiar face on 'Songs of Praise', has a reputation for getting the most from a choir in the shortest possible time, and certainly succeeded at Milton Abbey. The workshop participants were later joined by many more for a 'Songs of Praise' style event led by Heather Waldsax which filled the abbey with song.

January 2018

On the climbing wall at QE School, Wimborne.

Making medicine from leaves and chalk at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne.

Starfish pupils on their bear hunt.

Outings on the timetable for Durweston children AS the children of Durweston School came into school on November 30, St Andrew's Day, they were welcomed by the rousing skirl of the Clayesmore Pipe Band. After a quick visit to the youngest children, the band then played the whole school down the road and into assembly. Every class has been on at least one trip this term and some have been on two. Porpoises, the oldest, have been learning about WWII, and visited Nothe Fort in Weymouth to learn what life was like during the war. They also went to the Tank Museum at Bovington to learn about tank warfare. Sharks, (years 4 and 5) have been learning about Saxons. After a visit to the local farm to identify good places for a Saxon settlement, they then visited the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne to experience Saxon life for themselves. They sawed wood to build fires and learned how to set them alight, made walls and listened to stories about Saxon life in the roundhouse. Seahorses (years 2 and 3) went to

New Barn Farm, near Dorchester, to find out what life in Britain was like under the Romans. They were ordered about by a Roman Centurion, ground wheat, and had a go at making mosaics and writing in Roman numerals. As part of their topic on famous people, Dolphins (years 1 and 2) learned about Amelia Earhart and visited the Fleet Air Arm museum to find out more about different types of planes. Finally the youngest children in Starfish Class went on a bear hunt - but fortunately the only bears they found were quite small and cuddly. They also experienced walking through mud and long grass, and identified some of the nuts and berries that bears and birds might eat at this time of year. A group of children, after honing their skills on the Bryanston climbing wall earlier in the term, also competed at QE in Wimborne and did well in competition against many older children with much more climbing experience. Lake Plomer came second in the technical and fifth overall, despite being little more than half the size of some of the other competitors.

Sharks at the Ancient Technology Centre.

January 2018

Pupilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nature lessons YEAR 5 children from Okeford Fitzpaine Primary experienced a visit to Leeson House field studies centre at Langton Matravers for two days of activities, including a hike along the Jurassic Coast, night-time orienteering, group games, pond dipping and environmental art. The school also supported the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal, and have thanked all the families who helped to support that and the harvest festival, with an overwhelming level of donations.

The children at Pimperne Pre-School enjoyed a teddy bears' picnic and raised ÂŁ21 for Children in Need.

Unravelling the mysteries of pond dipping at Leeson House.

January 2018

Tri club gets set for another active year THE North Dorset Triathlon Club, based at Blandford Leisure Centre, train regularly around Blandford for the tri-disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, with sessions and coaching most days of the week. All standards are welcome - from novice to Ironman. For more information, see their website: northdorsettri.org.uk or search NDTriathlon on Facebook. Marathon training with Frazer McCarthy every Sunday morning along the trailway started at the eight-mile distance with the target of the North Dorset Village Marathon in May. The club championship, marshalled for several years by Phil Blyth, is now the responsibility of Iain Binsley. He said he was planning to formulate a new set of principles for

2018 to encourage fair competition regardless of age and number of events entered, with short and long distance competitions, female and male championships, recognition of beginners, a maximum number of qualifying events, age group rankings and points calculated according to length of event, finish time in age group, and including single and dual sport events. The club's events calendar featured the Christmas party on December 23, the Trust10 at Studland on December 24, and the Weymouth Harbour Christmas Day Swim. Coming up this month are the Rempstone Duathlon on January 28 and the Stonehenge Stomp on January 28/29. Members also take part in winter reliability rides with the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers

The North Dorset Tri competitors, Mark Fitton, Chris Panther and Andy Soward at the Rempstone Roast. Photo courtesy of Mark Fitton. ranging from 75 to 100 miles . â&#x20AC;˘ Several club members entered Wimborne AC's 20th 10-mile road race, the popular Wimborne 10, the last listed race for the long course club championship. A few personal bests were recorded for the course. Leading results for North Dorset Tri were Philip Blyth (1:09:10), Ashley Baker (1:09:59), Iain Binsley (1:11:47) and Andy Street (1:14:05).

The Rempstone Roast saw Andy Soward, Mark Fitton and Chris Panther doing an off-road run and cycle race, and Andy, with no chance of winning the race, decided to adopt fancy dress and won the best dressed lady competition. Chris did well finishing 13th fastest male and 4th in his age group, and Mark was 22nd male and classed as being 2nd in the 55 to 59 age group.

Golf Club honours veteran Graham A BLANDFORD care home staged a special day trip so a resident could receive an honorary membership of the golf club where he played for more than half a century. Graham Lloyd, 88, joined Ashley Wood Golf Club in 1966 and became its longest-serving member, only packing away his clubs around 18 months ago. Now living at Colten Care's Whitecliffe House, he enjoyed a return visit to collect his honorary certificate from President David Heath. Graham becomes one of just three honorary title holders among the club's 500-strong membership. He said: "It was a great surprise to hear about this and I feel truly honoured. It is a very happy club and I have been proud to be a member." Mr Heath said: "There was a unanimous vote in favour. Graham deserved recognition and the chance to come back whenever he wants without having to pay more subscriptions." Graham was joined at his presentation lunch by a party from Whitecliffe House, including Colten Care's executive chairman Ian Hudson. fellow residents, and home manager Chit Herman, who said: "It was lovely to see

Graham meet up with his old friends again. He's still active in the community and we try to ensure our residents retain their lifelong interests and community links." Friends and former golfing partners at the lunch included Joe Robbins, an ex-president, who joined the 121-year-old club just four months after Graham. Among their celebrated anecdotes is a tale of Graham's unusual hole in one, when his ball landed close to the hole and was tapped in by a cat playing on the green.

Graham Lloyd on his return visit to Ashley Wood Golf Club. Looking on are (from left) Club President David Heath; Tracey Wyke, Colten Care customer support advisor; Chit Herman, home manager of Whitecliffe House; and Ian Hudson, executive chairman, Colten Care.

THE Dorset branch of the Royal Signals Association celebrated its 50th anniversary at a dinner night at the Masonic Hall in Blandford, where a guest of honour was Second World War veteran Bob Simpson. Now 93 and living in Weymouth, he was the recipient last year of the Legion d'Honneur from the French Honorary Consul in recognition of his service to

January 2018

Survey on dog rules

France during the war. He was the founder member of the branch, formed on October 25, 1967, with the first meeting held in the then Conservative Club in Dale House, Salisbury Street. The branch, a group for veterans and serving members of the Royal Signals in the Dorset area, continues to meet regularly at Dale House, which is now the home of the Constitutional Club.

TOWN councillors have agreed that two items in their possession can go on permanent loan to Blandford Town Museum and Blandford Fashion Museum. Staff clearing a store room discovered a chest donated to the council by former Mayor John Iles Barnes and an embroidered framed panel, dated 1750, which the Town Museum have indicated they would be happy to put on display, and a framed article on button and lace making in the town created by members of the Blandford Centre WI in May 1972 which the Fashion Museum was happy to accept. JANUARY Friday January 5: Blandford Forum Railway Club Open Night, The Scout HQ, Eagle House Gardens, 7.30 to 9.30pm, bring a train to run on our test track and catch up with our projects, £2 entrance, refreshments included, parking Shillingstone English Barn Dance Club, Portman Hall, Blandford Rd, Shillingstone DT11 0SF. 7.30 for 7.45. Live music and experienced callers. Admission £6, accompanied under-16s free, non-dancers £1. No membership needed. Details 01258 861184 Saturday January 6: Christmas tree chipping, Child Okeford village hall car park, 10am to noon, for donations to the Somerset & Dorset Air Ambulance and village hall, details 01258 861998 Wednesday January 10: Film Night at Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 'Dunkirk', 7.15 for 7.30pm, details 01258 488431 Blandford Film Society presents 'The Olive Tree', documentary drama, at The Blandford School, 7.45pm, guest tickets 01258 01258 85310 or blandfordfilm@googlemail.com Friday January 12: Blandford Evening WI resolutions meeting, Parish Centre, Blandford, 7pm Friday January 12 and Saturday January 13: Pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk, Shroton village hall. 7.30pm (Saturday matinee

PEOPLE's views are being sought by North Dorset District Council on the rules and regulations about dogs in advance of the production of a new dogrelated Public Spaces Protection Order. Residents, visitors and organisations, whether dog owners or not, are being asked where dogs should be allowed in public spaces, parks and playing fields, and when and where they should be on a lead.

Cheese plant bid AN application for change of use of a tiny office building on Sunrise Business Park heralds the possibility of Blandford getting, on a very small scale, its own cheese factory. The application has been made by Crispin Tweddell, whose Orchard Meadow Farm beneath Melbury Hill is one of the few to produce ewes' milk in Britain, and supplies the milk to make a creamy organic yogurt from the

What’s on this month 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. 2.30pm) Saturday January 13: Teddy Laughs, stand-up comedy for Teddy 20, Corn Exchange, Blandford, details and to book, see b-c-p.co.uk Tuesday January 16: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club, 'All White on the Night', practical workshop, 2.15pm, Child Okeford Village Hall, further details: 01258 863775 Wednesday January 17: 'The Importance of Wet Woodlands', talk by DWT Conservation Officer Emma Tomlin, Fontmell Magna village hall (SP7 0PF), 7.30pm Thursday January 18: Blandford Archaeology Group, Dorset County Council Senior Archaeologist Steve P. Wallis, ‘The Archaeology of the South Dorset Ridgeway’, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm Fat Thursday Jazz Night, King's Arms Hotel, Blandford, 8.30pm (see page 6 for other live music listings) Saturday January 20: 'Sir Walter Raleigh and

Councillor Michael Roake, environment portfolio holder at the District Council, said: "We would like to hear your views on how dogs should be managed in public places. We will then try to strike a balance to suit the interests of all." A short survey is available online at dorsetforyou.com/your-saydogs-north or as a paper copy from North Dorset libraries and district council offices. The consultation closes on March 2.

Sherborne Castle', Mackrell Lecture by Sue Morse, The Old School, Sturminster Marshall, 2.30pm BSO Brass: Spring Fanfare Concert, Milton Abbey, 7.30pm, tickets and details miltonabbey.org Cats Protection coffee morning & stall, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am-12.30pm. Wednesday January 24: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild talk by Dilys Garside on Adventures on the South Coast, Blandford Community Centre, Heddington Drive, 2pm Blandford Film Society presents 'Manchester by the Sea', Oscarwinning drama, at The Blandford School, 7.45pm, guest tickets 01258 85310 or blandfordfilm@googlemail.com Thursday January 25: Charlie Bicknell in 'Fallen Angel', Winterborne Stickland village hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 881235 or artsreach.co.uk Anonymous is a Woman present 'Think of England', Sixpenny

Woodlands Dairy next door to the building on Sunrise Business Park. The milk is also supplied to cheese producers, and Mr Tweddell's application is to create a cheese-making plant. Town councillors had no objection to the change of use when they considered it at their December planning committee meeting. Handley village hall, 7.30pm, details 07751 525200 or artsreach.co.uk Friday January 26: Parking review consultation, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to noon, 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm Blandford & District U3A. John Combes on the Dorset coast from Swanage to Portland. 2pm at Durweston Village Hall. Free admission. Details 01258 455081 Child Okeford Village Hall, 7.30pm, film 'My Cousin Rachel' (12), booking: 01258 860518 Friday January 26 and 27 (and February 2 and 3): SODS present Beauty and the Beast (not the Disney version), Spetisbury village hall, 7.30pm Saturday January 27: Museum Archaeology Group 'General Knowledge Quiz + Fish Supper' with Julian Richards as MC. Details 01258 452831, Blandford Parish Centre, 7pm Sunday January 28: Blandford Museum Victorian Garden's Potato Fayre, Pimperne Village Hall 10.30am to 1.30pm, details 01258 454491 Monday January 29: 'Tomorrow' ('Demain'), a feel-good documentary about solutions to our ecological and socio-economic crises, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm. Free entry (donations encouraged), refreshments provided. Details from Resurgence Dorset on 01258 818223 or meetup.com/Resurgence-Dorset