April 2018 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS

This portrait of a nuthatch proves a winner for David Chaloner: Page 28

For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 73

April 2018

Blaze at brewery follows heaviest snowfall for years AS Blandford and the surrounding area began to return to normal following the heaviest snowfall in the region for many years, there was more drama with a ferocious blaze at the Hall & Woodhouse brewery.

At its height, when flames could be seen from as far away as Shaftesbury, 15 fire crews were in attendance from across Dorset and Wiltshire, and people were warned to keep their doors and windows closed due to the thick black smoke from the blaze.

Water was pumped from the River Stour to fight the blaze, and the fire service asked for the electricity supply to the site to be isolated, resulting in a power outage which affected a wide area.

Four days earlier, the biggest snowfall for years paralysed

Fire . .

Picture: Pat Patrick

. . and ice large parts of the region but brought out the community spirit.

Storm Emma proved to be just what was promised by the weather forecasters, with snow arriving from mid-afternoon onwards and quickly depositing

a thick layer of white followed by an equally thick layer of ice.

All Blandford schools were closed and bus services halted, but others had no choice but to battle with the elements, and in many cases come to grief as roads became impassable.

Turn inside for full reports & pictures

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Picture: Katie Scott

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April 2018

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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 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, 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, Enford Farm and village hall, Durweston, 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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Prezzo branch set for closure BLANDFORD'S Prezzo restaurant in East Street, together with two outlets in Bournemouth and one in Yeovil, are among the 94 which are to close under a company voluntary arrangement.

The Italian-style restaurant is shutting a third of its 300 stores in Britain, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, in a bid to restructure their finances which effectively puts its debts on hold and allows a temporary, radical overhaul.

The plan includes trying to renegotiate rents for some restaurants but closing those which are considered unviable.

The Blandford restaurant is listed as a category 4 tenancy which would not be profitable even with a 50 per cent rent reduction from the landlord, Scottish American

Investment Company, which is listed as a trade creditor with a balance of over ÂŁ74,000.

Restaurants in Christchurch, Dorchester, Ringwood, Wimborne and Weymouth appear to have escaped the chop.

A Prezzo statement said: "Where restaurants are closed, we will do everything possible to redeploy staff to other sites."

The restructuring plan to deliver a sustainable long-term future for its business was announced on March 2, and if approved by the company's creditors, will substantially reduce Prezzo's rental obligations and move the business towards a more robust business model.

It will allow the company to rationalise its estate, reduce the cost of its leased restaurants, and focus its resources on the core, more profitable restaurants while continuing to meet its obligations to suppliers and creditors.

"Prezzo will be better placed to implement the changes required to refresh the brand and to counter the economic challenges currently affecting the casual dining sector."

THE Big Blandford Clean Up will take place on Saturday April 28 from 10am to 12pm. Volunteers from Cleanup Blandford will be meeting at the Marsh & Ham Blue Bridge. All equipment is provided, together with public liability cover, and anyone is welcome to come along to help.

Ex-mayor died from meningitis AN inquest in Bournemouth found that former Blandford Mayor Esme Butler died of natural causes.

Mrs Butler, 61, will next month be awarded posthumous Freedom of the Town in recognition of her tireless work for the community.

The inquest heard that she had contracted an aggressive form of meningitis two days after being diagnosed with an ear infection for which she was given ear drops at her GP surgery. She had been seen by a nurse practitioner who described her as alert and chatty.

Coroner Rachael Griffin was told that in the early hours of the following morning, Mrs Butler had been found deeply unconscious in her chair by her husband David, who called an ambulance. She died at Poole Hospital on May 17 from acute meningitis.

Poole's lead consultant neurologist Dr Ralph Gregory told the inquest that Mrs Butler had not had meningitis when she was seen in the surgery on May 15, and her treatment was as prompt as was humanly possible.

He said it was unlikely she would have survived had she been given antibiotics earlier, and that if she had, she would have been severely disabled.

Critical care consultant Dr Kenneth Power said it had clearly been a very rapidly evolving process involving aggressive meningitis.

Mrs Griffin concluded that Mrs Butler died of natural causes.

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April 2018

Brewery fire drama FIREFIGHTERS from across Dorset and Wiltshire were called in to tackle a massive blaze in a disused warehouse at Blandford's Hall & Woodhouse brewery.

At its height, when the raging fire could be seen from as far away as Shaftesbury and over a radius of at least 10 miles, around 100 firefighters from 15 crews were involved in tackling the flames.

In addition, two aerial ladder platforms and other support appliances, as well as 26 breathing apparatus wearers and four main jets, were used in the operation.

People in the neighbourhood were warned to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution due to the thick black smoke from the blaze.

A number of other agencies were involved at the scene as well, including Dorset County Council, the Police, the Environment Agency, and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.

Water was pumped from the River Stour to fight the blaze.

The fire service asked for the electricity supply to the site to be isolated for the safety of their crews, resulting in a power outage which initially affected a wide area and resulted in the nearby Tesco supermarket being closed for an hour.

SSEN worked during the evening to re-establish supply to other premises as quickly as possible.

Police assisted in managing road and footpath closures on the Stour Meadows, and the Bournemouth Road between the Tesco and Bryanston roundabouts was closed. Traffic, including the X8 bus service, had to be diverted around the town resulting in significant delays to Poole arrivals and departures.

The fire service scaled back attendance to ten engines by 8.30pm, and by the next morning, when the Bournemouth Road was again open to traffic in one direction, attendance dropped again to two crews and an aerial ladder platform remaining to continue damping down and deal with hotspots.

Area Manager Byron Standen said: "Our thanks go to the local community for their patience when the smoke plume was particularly intense.

"We are also grateful to the Hall & Woodhouse management, who provided refreshments to our fire-

Picture: Katie Scott

fighters and also ensured they had the right people on site to give us the information and guidance needed to bring this incident to a conclusion."

Investigations into the exact cause of the fire continue, but it is believed to have started accidentally.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service

said a small fire reignited in the derelict building a day later but was quickly extinguished.

The warehouse which burnt down was on land which was sold in January to the Homes & Communities Agency for redevelopment and was one of the old brewery buildings scheduled for demolition.

More reports & pictures on Pages 4 & 5

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April 2018

Brewery business as usual IT was a case of business as usual at the Blandford brewery after five extraordinary days.

They started with the cancellation of the launch of the annual Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest, promising awards totalling ÂŁ50,000 to local charities and community groups, and ended with one of the original brewery buildings reduced to ashes.

County dignitaries had been invited to the Brewery Visitors Centre on Friday March 2 to hear chairman Mark Woodhouse announce that the brewery would again be donating to local charities and community groups across Dorset.

But the launch was cancelled as a result of the heavy snow the previous day which left roads impassable. Instead invitees were sent launch packs in the post.

Four days later the brewery's plans were interrupted again by the fire which broke out on the afternoon of March 6, resulting in evacuation of guests attending

Chairman: ‘If the wind had been in a different direction it could have spread into our buildings and been catastrophic’ the brewery managers' AGM and dinner.

Staff were alerted by fire alarms shortly after 2pm and fire crews were called to Bournemouth Road to find an empty warehouse well alight.

Chairman Mark Woodhouse said: "I was in my office overlooking the building to the east of the maltings when I saw a black cloud from the warehouse stretching 100 feet into the air. I realised it wasn't a case of leaving the toaster on.

"The fire jumped from one warehouse to the other, south to north. There was a lot of cork in the lagging of the building. The fire service was brilliant - there were 20 appliances of one sort or another and about 100 fire-

fighters at one point, who did a sterling job in preventing the fire from getting into the old brewery, which is full of wood. From there it wouldn't have taken much to jump across the road into our new maltings offices."

He continued: "No-one was inside the building - the warehouse which used to house goods inwards for the bottling line - apart from a few who were quickly evacuated.

"Our engineers had previously done a fantastic job in decommissioning the building, so it was completely empty with nothing likely to cause an explosion.

"If the wind had been in a different direction it could have spread into our buildings and been catastrophic for our business."

We had 150 managers having their AGM and dinner and awards ceremony in the Brewery Tap, and they were evacuated to The Crown hotel. But once the fire was under control we reopened the Brewery Tap and fed pie and chips to all the firefighters."

Tribute was paid on social media to the number of brewery directors who had helped out with catering for the hundreds of firefighters and others who had helped at the scene.

By the following Wednesday things were back to normal for the brewery itself, where Blandford St Mary Parish Council held their monthly meeting as usual in the Visitor Centre.

The destroyed warehouse was one of the old brewery buildings scheduled for demolition. Nearby residents had recently been sent letters from the demolition company advising that work would be beginning on February 26, and was expected to take place over 27 weeks.

It is understood that contractors were at the site carrying out preparation works prior to the planned demolition of part of the site, but that demolition work had not started as planning permission was still awaited.

The Homes & Communities Agency applied last October for a variation to the planning permission to change the phasing of their work, and also seek permission to demolish and rebuild the old brewery building located close to the warehouse because it had proved impossible to convert it to residential apartments as had been previously intended.

Firefighters pump water from the nearby river to replenish their supply.

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April 2018

Picture: Katie Scott

Picture: Pat Patrick

Picture: Pat Patrick Picture: Pat Patrick

The destroyed warehouse the following day.

History repeats itself The fire came nearly 120 years after a huge fire caused by a faulty flue reduced the old Hector's Brewery at Hall & Woodhouse to ashes, just before a new brewery building was completed.

It was spotted by Frank Woodhouse from his home in Old Ford House, and thanks to his prompt action the company's books and papers were saved.

People flocked over the bridge from the town to help put out the flames with a plentiful supply of water from the nearby

River Stour.

No humans or animals were hurt and carts, wagons and casks were dragged out of the fire's reach.

Brewing was halted for two months until the new building was ready for the first new brew on October 16, 1900.

That building is now more than 115 years old, the old copper and mash tuns going into retirement in February 2012 when work was completed on a new brewhouse, which officially opened that June.

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April 2018

White out: snow and ice bring the region to a shivering halt IT may not have been the Big Freeze of 1963, but what was probably the biggest snowfall in recent years in Blandford brought out the best in many communityspirited residents, a whole host of cameras and, for some, a great deal of fun.

Storm Emma proved to be just what was promised by the weather forecasters, with snow arriving from mid-afternoon onwards and quickly depositing a thick layer of white followed by a thick layer of ice.

Many business people had responded to the warnings by shutting up shop early or not opening at all for fear of being unable to get home.

All Blandford schools were closed and bus services were suspended, but others had no choice but to battle with the elements, and in many cases came to grief as roads became impassable.

Villagers rallied to the rescue of stranded motorists on the A354 in Winterborne Whitechurch, between Blandford and Dorchester, where the main road in and out of the village is a steep hill.

Three stranded van drivers had to stay the night in Winterborne Whitechurch village hall, with help from local residents.

Care workers stuck at the Forum School in Shillingstone had to work a 33-hour shift until transport could be found to take another shift and bring them home. Dan Bamsey, from Damory Tree Care, was one of those to offer help on social media.

"The four carers had been there for a long time looking after the kids and were exhausted. They seemed very happy to have been picked up," he said.

"It was an eventful few days, transporting nurses, carers and

A view along East Street in Blandford. Picture: Lucie Sattler. even rescuing frozen lambs.

"My original online post offering help was seen 25,000 times and I had a lot of calls, as you can imagine. Other local people messaged me offering to help out in their 4x4s too and I passed many numbers on as it was getting crazy. Good work."

One of those rescued commented: "His selfless act of kindness helped relieve many people from what could have been a desperate, if not life-threatening, situation. I and many people like myself are so very grateful that he was on hand to help."

Mr Bamsey said: "I hope those nurses and carers I've met get the recognition they deserve people could have died or been very uncomfortable if it wasn't for them. True heroes. I can't even remember the names of anyone I helped and I can't remember the names of the other people that offered to help.

"It was all quite chaotic but I certainly wasn't the only one offering lifts. Farmers and farm workers

put so much effort into community and countryside, and it's great that for once people are appreciating them - they deserve it."

In Blandford, people were quick to offer assistance when vehicles got stuck in Salisbury Street, and helped out with snow clearance on roads and footpaths.

Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles said: "We are not a matter of life or death here, but I am pleased we were able to stay open and functioning. The guys took milk up to Castleman Smith House and cleared pavements, and one of the grounds staff walked in from Durweston. John Scott cleared a lot of the town centre pavements."

Delayed deliveries and a degree of panic-buying left empty shelves in shops and supermarkets, particularly at Morrisons where vegetables did not arrive until Sunday. A bread and milk delivery at One Stop in Salisbury Road had been snapped up by customers within half an hour.

Freezing rain compounded the

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April 2018

A determined mobility scooter user!

problems on the roads, where 12,000 tonnes of salt were spread county-wide overnight, and main routes were treated again the following morning and afternoon. The county council's Emergency Planning Team coordinated adult care support through a 4x4 fleet assisting access to vulnerable people.

Police worked closely alongside partner agencies, including local councils, NHS, fire and rescue, volunteers like Wessex 4x4 and the public, to try and keep Dorset moving over the snowbound period, and thanked the community for their support.

Chief Superintendent Ben Hargreaves, of Dorset Police, said: "It was a testing few days and I would like to thank the public for their patience and under-

standing. The conditions have been horrendous.

"We would also like to thank the community for pulling together, helping one another and really showing a great spirit following such a difficult period. We know people have been volunteering in their own time to check on the welfare of neighbours, help those stuck in their cars in the snow and using their own 4x4 vehicles to take essential staff such as police officers, doctors and nurses to and from work.

"I want to also thank our amazing officers and staff who have been going above and beyond their duty. Many walked to their local station through the snow and stayed on late and even overnight until colleagues relieved them from duty."

A 50-year-old Morris Oxford was one of the few vehicles other than 4x4s to brave the elements in the centre of Blandford.

More pictures: Pages 10 & 11

Blandford under a white blanket.

Picture courtesy of SkyFast Media.

Empty shelves in Morrisons.

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April 2018

School’s positive response to Ofsted report criticism LEADERS at The Blandford School have responded positively to an Ofsted inspection report which found the school in need of improvement in all areas, apart from the study programmes of 16-19 year-olds in the sixth form.

The report says the school,

whose last Ofsted inspection in 2012 found it 'Good' overall, has been successful in improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in the sixth form and, as a result, students' achievement has steadily improved with progress in line with the national average.

It recognises that leaders are ambitious for students and have high expectations in terms of behaviour and overall achievement. The report praises the high-quality impartial careers guidance and relevant work experience opportunities enabling students to choose appropriate courses leading to higher education, training or employment.

But the inspection, carried out in January, found a legacy of underachievement in mathematics and issues in English, languages and humanities, resulting in progress below the national average in 2016 and 2017.

The report says the issues were well understood by the school and the progress of current pupils in English is strong.

Underachievement in science had been addressed effectively, resulting in improved outcomes in line with the national average.

But lead inspector David New says: "The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is too variable. Historically, there has been weak progress for pupils over time in some core subjects due to poor teaching.

"Leaders have addressed this in most areas but there are still pockets of weaker practice."

He said recent changes to strengthen middle leadership were yet to have significant impact on pupils' outcomes.

"The new system for monitoring the quality of teaching, and linking it to teachers' professional development, has been successful in tackling weaknesses in some areas, for example in science and mathematics. However, it has not yet had as much impact on teaching in other areas, such as languages and geography."

He said leaders had not ensured that pupil premium funding was spent effectively to raise the achievement of disadvantaged pupils whose progress was variable across subjects and year groups, and while improving, was still well below that of other pupils nationally.

Governors had not held school leaders to account and had allowed the school's underperformance to go unchecked, but following external review were making more systemic and structured visits to the school and providing more challenge to school leaders.

Teachers' management of pupils' behaviour was inconsistent and a 'significant' number of pupils and parents felt too much learning was disrupted by poor behaviour.

But the inspecting team found that pupils conduct themselves well, are polite and co-operative, and understand how to keep themselves safe. Pupil attendance and punctuality are good, and leaders have tackled attendance issues.

Pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities make progress from their starting points that is broadly in

line with other pupils nationally, and those with an education, health and care plan receive effective support from teachers and leaders.

The Governing Board and Headteacher of The Blandford School have responded with a statement saying they are delighted Ofsted recognised the excellent progress and attainment of students in their sixthform, which places the school in the top 25 per cent of schools in the country.

They reassured parents that the majority of points raised in the report were already being addressed, as had been the majority of action points identified in a very positive review by the National Governance Association commissioned last year by the Board of Governors.

"The school has performed well for a number of years but this inspection followed 2017 GCSE results which were not as good as previous years.

"Ofsted did recognise the improved progress in science, the quality of teaching and leadership in mathematics, and that prior to 2017, English results were a strength of the school as indeed they are expected to be in 2018."

The Board and Headteacher also thanked those parents who supported the school on an ongoing basis and staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of young people in the Blandford area.

"The school as a whole will be eager for the outcomes of improvement work to be fully recognised when they are reinspected in 2020 and look forward to ensuring a 'Good' outcome."

Lessons in drone use DRONE users are being given a chance to learn how to fly their drones safely at a series of sessions for members of the public hosted by Dorset Police.

The first took place in Blandford on March 11 and will be followed by others in Bournemouth on April 7, Weymouth on May 6, Poole on June 16 and Ferndown on July 15 between 9am and 12pm or 1.30pm and 4.30pm.

Led by police drone operators, the courses cover the law, pilot responsibilities, privacy and the drone code, and cost ÂŁ20 for the three-hour workshop.

For more information and to sign up, email saferdrones@dorset.pnn.police.uk.

April 2018

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April 2018

Images of the big freeze

Stour Meadows by the River Stour and the railway arches. Picture: Sam Coatsworth.

Blandford’s main street becomes a peaceful route for dog walkers.

Blandford Cemetery. Picture: John Scott.

Winterborne Whitechurch, where the main road was impassable.

Police out and about with their 4x4. Picture: Claire Langdown.

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April 2018

Tracy Franklin’s pictures show a car rescue and snow clearance operations in Salisbury Street, Blandford, during the height of the blizzard.

A solitary 4x4 crosses the medieval bridge over the river.

A near-deserted Ham and Marsh car park.

The Close. Picture: Elsie May.

The Stour Inn. Picture: Lucie Sattler.

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Blandford librarian Abena Farkye and reader Anne Allan with the model of Dippy’s head in Blandford Library.

Dippy the dinosaur heads for the library AS part of the Dippy on Tour exhibition featuring the Natural History Museum's famous Diplodocus skeleton cast known as Dippy, a model of his head came to Blandford Library last month.

Dippy is currently on display in the Dorset County Museum until May 7 on the first stop of a nationwide tour.

A number of associated events are taking place in celebration of the visit, including this month a series of four Saturday walks of discovery of dinosaur footprints along the coast organised by the Jurassic Coast Trust.

Some will be led by Jurassic Coast ambassador and geologist John Scott (better known as a member of the Blandford Town Council workforce), starting from the Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers at 12pm on Saturday April 7 and Saturday April 21.

Booking for his walks, and others in the series, costing £6 per head, is through jurassiccoast.org.

The exhibition in Dorchester is hosted with the support of the Jurassic Coast Trust and is the last temporary exhibition to be staged by Dorset County Museum before it closes sections of the galleries for a major refurbishment.

It will reopen in 2020 as a world-class contemporary museum and exhibition space, complete with new galleries, a learning centre, collections storage, library and visitor facilities including a café and shop.

April 2018

Cupola team’s new lottery bid A NEW Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant application has been submitted on behalf of the Cupola Project in the hope of securing sufficient funding to completely repair the roof of Blandford Parish Church.

It will involve taking off all the tiles, repairing or replacing the battens and counter battens beneath, putting the tiles back and replacing where necessary with similar hand-made tiles.

It will also involve redoing all the lead guttering, some of the parapet and some of the high-level masonry, as well as repairing the apse roof.

"Almost best of all, we will repair the plasterwork and redecorate the ceiling (not touching the walls, yet), so the inside will get a bit of love," said project manager Sara Loch. "And to top it all off we plan to insulate the roof spaces with sheep wool insulation."

The grant application has been supported by several organisations in the town and is at stage one in raising the funds for secur-

ing the grant, which could be announced in May or June.

"Then we will have a year of surveys, getting a Faculty for the work which does not need planning permission, and raising other funds, before going back to HLF for the second and biggest chunk of the grant.

"We have been warned that there is no guarantee that we will get it so it will be a good year before anyone can see anything happening, and maybe even longer."

She said work planned this year, subject to Faculties being granted, is the relocation of the dais at the front further back so that wheelchairs, which at the moment can come in the front door and only go up and down the aisle, can get round the front and down the sides of the church.

They also plan to remove the pews under the gallery to give more space at the rear of the church for coffee and refreshments during events such as concerts.

Help at hand for families DORSET'S Family Information Service, part of Dorset County Council, offers free advice and assistance for parents, carers and young people.

It also provides information on childcare funding and how to apply, groups and activities, family services, special educational needs and disability support and much more, including advice and support with finding childcare to suit your family.

Find them on Facebook (dorsetfis) or their website, dorsetforyou.gov.uk/fis or email them at familyinfo@dorsetcc.gov.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @forumfocus

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April 2018

Chickenpox in the area THE GP practices in the Blandford area are aware that chickenpox is in the community. They have advised anyone who thinks they or their child may have the disease to refer to NHS Choices for guidance at nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/ or phone NHS 111 for advice.

Mast impact fears worry planners PLANS for a 25m mobile phone mast which will be visible above the tree tops on land at Steeptonbill Farm, Milton Abbas, were deferred by planners at North Dorset District Council.

They want a full assessment of the impact of the development on the prized Capability Brown landscape of Milton Abbey and nearby heritage assets.

The application for the mast, carrying three antennae and two dishes, came from Vodafone to improve mobile phone coverage in the area, and was supported

by Milton Abbas Parish Council and a large number of local residents, as well as by North Dorset MP Simon Hoare.

They argued that the village's economy and the health and safety of residents and visitors and organisations, including Milton Abbey School, the village pub and the village's famous Street, site of the biennial Street Fayre attracting thousands of visitors, depended on 4G and 3G coverage in an area where it is currently not available.

They said there had been occasions when fire engines and ambulances had been unable to contact local people and places

because of the lack of a signal, putting residents, walkers, horseriders and visitors at risk, and the village was suffering social isolation.

But the council's planning committee was told that a request for a heritage assessment from the applicants had been met with a picture showing the impact from only one distant viewpoint.

Planning officer James Lytton Trevers said the setting in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty included Grade I listed buildings in the Conservation Area, the grade II** listed historic park and garden and the scheduled ancient monument of the original village. "You couldn't find many places quite as sensitive as this," he said.

Both the AONB and Historic England had objected on grounds of the absence of a heritage impact appraisal, and it was suggested that alternative sites had not been properly investigated.

The committee agreed that the application be deferred for a full historic impact and landscape assessment to ensure that any decision was made based on correct information.

NATIONAL Trust volunteers are offering talks on Brownsea Island to local groups and organisations, and inviting them to contact the property office by phone on 01202 707744 or email brownseaisland@ nationaltrust.org.uk if they would like a presentation. Brownsea is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour with a varied and fascinating history, and a wonderful range of flora and fauna.

Car destroyed by fire A MERCEDES estate was completely destroyed when it burst into flames while being driven by its owner, John Pearce, who was on his way home from Blandford unaware of the flames under his car.

He was flagged down by a police officer and pulled to a halt in Shaftesbury Lane where he jumped out in time to see the car engulfed in flames within minutes.

Other police and fire crews were called to the scene, and the road was closed near the cemetery as a fire crew worked to extinguish the blaze using breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets, ensuring that a nearby property was not affected.

Images of the fire and the aftermath were posted on social media by members of the Blandford Forum beat team, as well as Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A police spokesman said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt and firefighters from Blandford Fire Station were on scene rapidly to put the blaze out."

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April 2018

Festival bands announced TEDDY Rocks Festival, which will take place from May 4-6, has announced two of its biggest ever names in the line-up for this year's festival, the seventh since its launch in 2012 to raise money to fight childhood cancer.

International rock bands Feeder and Ash, together with Milestones and Mallory Knox, will take to the stage at Charisworth Farm, the outof-town venue used for the first time last year.

Feeder, whose debut EP album in 1996 was followed by nine studio albums and 25 top 75 singles, will headline on Saturday May 5.

Northern Irish alternative group Ash, who shot to fame with the single 'Girl from Mars' and have had two platinum-selling albums and 18 top 40 hits, will headline on Sunday May 6.

This year's festival calendar locally is beginning to fill up, with the Cursus Musical Festival on May 25 at Sixpenny Handley, the Dorset Midsummer Music Festival at Warren Farm, Bulbarrow on Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16, and the much-loved Larmer Tree Festival back for its 27th year after a year-long hiatus from July 19 to 22.

Commonwealth flag raised BLANDFORD flew the Commonwealth flag from the Corn Exchange for the fourth time on March 12 as part of the worldwide celebration 'Raise the Flag for the Commonwealth', now in its fourth year.

Town councillors were joined by schoolchildren and residents to hear the Mayor, Councillor Peter Clark, read the message from the General Secretary, and the Commonwealth Affirmation was read prior to the flag raising.

This year's theme explored how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness, in line with the theme of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.

Blanchards Bailey double winners: From left: Principal Paul Dunlop, Principal Sarah Heath, Senior Associate Tilly Clarke and Principal Jerome Dodge.

Leading law firm’s double success BLANDFORD-based law firm Blanchards Bailey LLP has claimed a double victory and a special commendation in the prestigious 2018 Dorset Legal Awards.

The expanding firm, with offices in Shaftesbury, Blandford, Dorchester and Weymouth, scooped the coveted Dispute Resolution Team and Private Client Team titles and received a special commendation for Company Commercial Team of the Year.

Blanchards Bailey principal and chief executive Alan Horne said: "These awards are recognition of the tremendous commitment of our talented team.

"There was fierce competition from the many excellent law firms in Dorset so we are thrilled to have won in two categories and receive a special commendation.

"We remain client-focused and dedicated to providing the best possible legal advice and greatest customer service for clients and business leaders in Dorset

and beyond."

Blanchards Bailey, a Legal 500 firm, making it one of the top in the UK for the third year running, was nominated as finalist in a record seven categories in the awards at the Bournemouth International Centre. A shortlist of 42 finalists across 14 categories was chosen by an independent judging panel from over 200 nominations from 25 firms.

The firm has again this season been sponsoring Artsreach, helping to ensure that a diverse programme of high-quality events continue to be programmed in rural communities. This spring saw 26 different companies give 68 live performances in 48 community venues across the county.

Yvonne Gallimore, Co-Director at Artsreach, said: "To have the continued support of Blanchards Bailey throughout 2018 is fantastic. We look forward to further developing our partnership and the reach of our events with their backing."

Book helpers sought PEOPLE who love reading but are unable to get to the library may be entitled to use the Home Library Service, which organises the delivery of books to their homes by volunteers free of charge.

Blandford Library has a very active Home Library Service, with ten Royal Voluntary Service volunteers delivering books and talking books to housebound people from Melcombe Bingham to Farnham and villages in between on a three-weekly basis.

They are looking for a volunteer to join their team who would be interested in choosing books and talking books for clients, with training and support provided by library staff.

For more details speak to your local library or contact Royal Voluntary Service on 01305 236 666, or email maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

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April 2018

Update on river fly treatment

Front centre from left: Councillor David Walsh, Chief Executive Matt Prosser, Council leader Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Chairman Cllr Val Pothecary, and North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, with guests including Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, councillors, officers and honorary aldermen of NDDC.

Lodge launched to replace Nordon as district office THE remodelled Nordon Lodge, providing services in North Dorset for the now largely Dorchester-based North Dorset District Council, will bring continuity for residents when the new unitary authority comes into being next May. That was the message from council leader Graham CarrJones to those attending the official opening on March 9.

The Lodge office opened to customers in February, replacing its parent Nordon, which was vacated last autumn to await housing redevelopment.

Mr Carr-Jones said: "Our residents are the focus of everything we do across the spectrum of Dorset Councils Partnership. This move to the Nordon Lodge will not only see a significant reduction in our costs, it will help us to protect and continue to deliver

vital services for our residents for the future.

"The Nordon Lodge symbolises our district council's presence in North Dorset. While the engine room may well be based in Dorchester now, this little enclave will always be our spiritual home.

"When the new unitary council is born in May next year, this small, yet valuable asset will provide continuity and familiarity to our residents."

The aspiration to provide a district council satellite office began in 2013 and was part of work commissioned by the strategic delivery committee.

He said other towns had lost their rural, district and borough council offices when Nordon became the principal office of North Dorset District Council when local government was last reorganised in the 1970s, and the council had

been on the site for 44 years.

"It has served the council well. I would like to thank and congratulate all of those officers and members of the Nordon Project Board for a job well done. You've really excelled."

COUNCILLORS have been told that it has once again been difficult to arrange biocide treatment of the River Stour to prevent the emergence of the Blandford Fly. But HSE have now approved the use of the product which has yet to be approved for the manufacturers.

Dorset Councils Partnership's environmental health manager (Food, Safety and Port Health) Roger Frost said: "The Environment Agency has been updated, a contract is in place, a river survey is to take place and the biocide is ordered and funding partners informed. I just need to speak to my contact in South West Water.

"The main risk is now the weather; if river conditions are too dangerous a treatment will not occur - we have been close to that outcome at times in the past although treatment has always managed to take place."

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Readers’ letters

Carry on tipping!

I TOOK my dog for a walk around Lanchards Lane in Shillingstone and found a pile of rubbish fly-tipped along the lane.

I recovered a load of papers, receipts and names and addresses of the people who had dumped it.

I reported it to North Dorset District Council, who didn't want to know, then to the police, who also did not want to know, and finally to the environmental people at Dorset County Council, who only wanted to know where the rubbish was. When they came to remove it, they didn't pick up the paperwork.

It would appear that no-one is interested in prosecuting offenders, so my message to fly-tippers is 'carry on tipping, because they

April 2018 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

don't want to know'.

If any local authority is prepared to pursue the culprits, I will be happy to pass on the details.

Concerned resident (Name & address supplied) Shillingstone

Room for support THE registered charity EDP Drug & Alcohol Services have a long history of offering support to people with drug and alcohol issues, including those friends and family members who struggle with the issues of loved ones within their close relationships.

Recently we amalgamated the medical and all other engagement and support services under the new banner of Reach; our next step is to relocate more directly within the heart of the

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.

community.

We are now looking for spaces, offices or rooms in Blandford we could access to provide this service, to include harm reduction advice and support, one-to-one sessions, group work sessions and drop-in support sessions.

If any community member feels they may be able to accommodate this service one/two days a week please get in touch with me by email to karenbarratt@reachdorset.org or phone 07850 507 916. Thank you Karen Barratt EDP, Exeter

Thanks to volunteers WE in North Dorset are extremely lucky to have a wealth of volunteers and good, kind people who are willing to give up their own precious time to help others in the community - wonderful folk who really do make a difference to the quality of life in our district.

Without them our towns and villages would be much the poorer.

I have long held the view that these unsung heroes are the glue that holds our communities together and I would like the opportunity to thank them, on behalf of the District Council.

So I am asking for your help: do you know someone who lives in North Dorset who you feel is deserving of recognition for their support of others in the community? If so, please ask for a nomination form from Helen Legg, email hlegg@dorset.gov.uk, phone 01305 838083 and complete and send it by the closing date for nominations on April 22.

Cllr Val Pothecary Chairman North Dorset District Council

Great care at hospital MY husband had an unfortunate fall a couple of weeks ago, smashing his face into a brick wall. I immediately took him to the Minor Injuries Unit at Blandford Community Hospital,

which was very busy at 9 o'clock in the morning.

When the staff saw the blood gushing from his cheek, they immediately prioritised him, and proceeded to work on him for three hours. They managed to patch up his face to such an extent that we did not need to travel to an A&E department at one of the local general hospitals.

The care they took of him was faultless and thorough and their kindness and professionalism exceeded anything we had ever experienced.

The two follow-up visits were conducted in exactly the same manner and although battered and bruised, he had all the dressings removed just a week after the incident.

We are so lucky in Blandford to have our wonderful Community Hospital with its MIU staffed by such dedicated and caring people, and we must ensure that we keep this marvellous asset.

So to all those employed at our hospital and in particular the MIU, thank you and please be aware that you are appreciated beyond words.

Jackie Stayt Damory Street, Blandford

Heroes in adversity I WOULD like to express my deep gratitude to all those residents from Blandford and surrounding areas who came together to help the community during the severe weather.

Whether this was by offering transport using 4x4s for carers or NHS staff or by helping vehicles up Salisbury Street or even caring residents offering to look in on older residents whose loved ones may not have been able to do so.

Blandford came together to support each other during what was a difficult few days. It’s times like this that makes me very proud of our town and the fantastic people who make Blandford a great place to live.

Byron Quayle Councillor for Blandford Forum Division

April 2018

Letters extra

Names change JUST a thought for everyone, as I do have fun talking to new people about Winchester Square outside the Post Office and how it is now named the Tabernacle.

I work with a lot of people who arrive for two to three years before they are sent somewhere else, so they only know Blandford as they see it today, not as we have known it over many years.

I am aware that all people new to Blandford do not know the car park by Morrisons is the Marsh & Ham, that what we all may know as Durden's Corner in the Market Place is now Scrivens Opticians.

Then there are the Shambles, Town Hall and the Corn Exchange - most of Joe Public call the whole lot the Corn Exchange.

It might help if people stayed up to date with the names of places when they publicise events.

David Jardine Blandford

Years of happiness A BIG thank you to the people of Blandford Forum for the friendship and companionship over the 32 years I lived there, particularly the last 25 years since I retired.

A special thank you to the staff of DAG (Disability Action Group), Reeves, Boots, Morrisons and Mato's for their many kindnesses and help. Hopefully this will be repeated here in Bridport.

The future is certainly looking good here, and my best wishes for all traders including those in the Thursday and Saturday markets.

Brian Coatsworth Bridport

Readers’ letters are always welcomed.

Please send them by email if possible to editor@forumfocus.co.uk

17

Walking route to good health VOLUNTEER walk leaders have been trained as part of a Walking for Health scheme for North Dorset and are helping people in Blandford get out and go walking.

It's a great way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, but if you're not sure where to find safe footpaths or worried about getting lost then it can be easy to choose not to go walking.

Or you may feel that walking even a short distance may be too much for you or simply lack the motivation to get up off the sofa.

A weekly health walk now takes place in Blandford every Wednesday at 2pm, starting from the Eagle House Surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street.

There is also a health walk in Shillingstone every third Wednesday of the month at 11am from the Church Centre (old primary school).

All walks are free, with no need to book, and for a maximum of 90 minutes but usually last about an hour at a steady pace in a friendly group.

Local GP practices are supporting Blandford Health Walks as they are well aware of the health benefits associated with regular physical activity. Other walks are taking place each week in Sturminster, Easy and safe winter walking with Walking Gillingham and Shaftesbury, which are proving popular. for Health.

Information can be found on the website walkingforhealth.org.uk (North Dorset Walking for Health) and on Facebook (Northdorsethealthwalks) or by contacting Bronwen Jones on 01258 458350 for Blandford or Jill Burton on 01258 860487 for Shillingstone.

Charity honoured THE Dorset Blind Association (DBA), founded in 1918 when its first President was Lady Portman, of Bryanston House, Blandford, is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday and receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Volunteers have always played a key part in the work of the charity and last year this was recognised by DBA being selected to receive the award.

Association chief executive Jonathan Holyhead said: "This is a tremendous honour and I am so pleased that the incredibly valuable work of our wonderful volunteers and the charity as a whole has been recognised in this way."

The award will be officially presented at an event at Lulworth Castle in July.

As part of its celebrations, the charity is looking back on its evolution - from setting up Braille social centres in Weymouth in the 1920s, to enabling blind people to shoot and rock climb today - and would like to hear from people whose lives, or those of loved ones, have been touched in some way by the charity.

Anyone with records, photos or other information relating to the history of the charity should contact Jo Randall via jo@dorsetblind.org.uk or on 01202 712865.

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Signs of spring?

MEMBERS of the Blandford Environmental Trust could have been forgiven for thinking spring was on its way when they met on the last Saturday of February to carry out some maintenance work in Angus Wood, St Leonards Avenue.

They meet for a work morning on the last Saturday of every month between 10am and noon to rake the paths, clear the litter, strim the grass, prune unwanted growth, plant new trees and ensure it remains a pleasant place for the public to enjoy.

On this occasion, their visit was timely before the snowfall a few days later. They are pictured pruning back one tree and clearing a space to plant a new one.

April 2018

Councillors agonise over tax increases THERE was some soul-searching at the Blandford Town Council meeting when members considered their budget for the coming year and how far they should increase their precept.

They were faced with the possibility of taking on new services as a result of district and county council reorganisation, which now looks set to go ahead following a Ministerial announcement in the House of Commons.

Faced also with the possibility of capping by central government of any increase from 2021 onwards, councillors debated whether or not to increase reserves.

Town Clerk Linda Scott Giles said it was unlikely that any new services would be taken on between now and 2019, but there was concern that they might "get landed with something' in that year, and they needed to be sure that they didn't "land on a town council which could not afford them".

She asked whether councillors wanted to put something in as they had done for the 'Tough Choices' a few years ago when North Dorset District Council cut services.

Financial officer Jenny Tempier said they could justifiably build up reserves to a higher figure. A £25,000 increase in reserves would mean increasing the precept by 10 per cent, and members were told that some town councils were increasing theirs by between six and 20 per cent.

Chairman of Finance and Staffing Steve

Hitchings recommended an increase of 6.81 per cent, saying: "Some would like it to be higher, knowing that we will not be capped this year, but we have been criticised for quite a few years for not having the minimum in reserves, and our precept is the highest in North Dorset."

Finally the vote was by ten votes to three with two abstentions in favour of a 6.8 per cent increase.

North Dorset District Council was again restricted to an increase of £5 or three per cent without calling a referendum.

But district councillor John Tanner warned that North Dorset should prepare itself for a tax increase when the county's authorities are merged since the district tax is one of the lowest in the county, and there will be moves to harmonise it across the new authority.

The district council met in February to confirm the final figures which, with precepts from Dorset County Council, police, fire and town and parish councils, will take the Band D total for the year to a basic £1,812.58, the amount payable in parishes levying no precept.

In Blandford, where the town council precept is the highest in the district, the Band D £2,032.37 a year is a total six per cent increase, compared with increases between five and seven per cent in Gillingham (£2,011.93), Sturminster Newton (£1,990.68), Shaftesbury (£1.969.20) and Stalbridge (£1,925.34).

AONB future discussed THE Dorset AONB held an open annual forum in the Brewery Visitor Centre to feed into the review of their five-year management plan.

Tom Munro, Dorset AONB Manager, started the evening with a short presentation on why the Dorset AONB is special, the role of the AONB Partnership and what has been achieved through the current management plan.

He invited views from district, parish and town councillors, individuals and community group representatives attending on landscape issues and opportunities.

Points raised included natural flood management, the pressure for greenspace development around the town and to highlight Blandford as a place to visit - together with the lack of tourist accommodation in the town.

Increased youth involvement, reduction of the carbon footprint and use of plastics, the importance of promoting local food, farms, outdoor activities, pubs and markets and need for more emphasis on the northern area of the AONB were also highlighted.

The new management plan draft will be out for general public consultation in late summer/ autumn.

REGISTRATION for buildings, homes, properties and venues wishing to take part in Dorset Architectural Heritage Week between September 6-16 is now open.

Anyone who has already taken part previously or who has requested to take part this year, will already have received an invitation, but the DAHW team are always on the lookout for interesting new venues, speakers or tour guides from any period of history to today's best modern architecture.

Anyone with a building with a story to tell

or wishing to share their knowledge of a particular area or building with architectural appeal, is invited to get in touch with the DAHW Booking Office on 01202 888992 or dahwoffice@gmail.com.

Blandford & District Civic Society will, in association with DAHW, be drawing up a programme of events in the Blandford area during the week under the title of the Blandford Heritage Festival and can be contacted for more information on 01258 459346.

April 2018

Around the courts A POLICE officer once honoured for his courage has been jailed for harassing his ex-wife.

PC Andrew Loveless, 45, of Charlton Marshall, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to one count of harassment without violence, and was sentenced to five months in prison.

District Judge Anthony Callaway said Loveless had deliberately started a campaign which was orchestrated over time against his ex-wife, her family, her work, their children and friends, using sensitive information to belittle her, and should be ashamed of what he had done.

The court heard Loveless was under some pressure over the course of nine years, and became "deeply, deeply depressed" following the death of his father.

He had previously been awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation after an accident in Milborne St Andrew when he battled his way through smoke and flames to save the injured driver of a tanker which collided with an articulated trailer

loaded with hay bales which fell and crushed the cab, trapping the driver. **** THE manager of a demolition company working on the site of a block of luxury flats in Ferndown has been fined for damaging the breeding site of two species of bat at a site in Ferndown.

David Stokes, of South Coast Demolition, was hired by millionaire property owner Christopher Wilson, director of Sandbanksbased Avante Developments, to work on the redevelopment of the former Ickle Angels site in Carroll Avenue, where two buildings were known to contain roosts for pipistrelle and longeared bats.

A Dorset Police wildlife crime officer was alerted after a local councillor raised concerns about the work, but the roosts had already been destroyed.

At Poole Magistrates' Court, Stokes, 53, of The Close, Charlton Marshall, admitted two charges of damaging or destroying the breeding site or resting place of a wild animal of a

European protected species on dates between October and December 2016. He was fined ÂŁ800 for each offence and ordered to pay costs. **** A MAN who, at the age of 17, downloaded images of children being sexually abused to send to someone he met online was spared prison when he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence on three counts of distributing and five of making indecent images.

Jack Lane, 20, of Harewood Place, Blandford, was arrested in 2016, and the court heard he had been naĂŻve and unaware of the law.

He thought the person he had befriended, who has not been identified despite a police investigation, was another teenager whom he had met through the video game, Call of Duty.

Judge Forster said: "At the age of 17, most people understand the seriousness of having images involving younger children. The images involved people who were possibly aged 10, 11 or 12."

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He said imprisonment would mean him serving a relatively short sentence, and in the circumstances the public interest and his own was best served by a community order.

The three-year order includes attendance at a sex offender programme, complying with notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of five years. **** THE Master of the Portman Hunt, Evo Shirley, 27, has been found not guilty of fox hunting after facing charges of hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

Magistrates in Poole had seen footage of a "pack of hounds" seemingly chasing a fox through a field with Mr Shirley on horseback in Shapwick in March 2017.

District Judge Stephen Nicholls said the court was "not satisfied" that it showed Mr Shirley was hunting.

Following the verdict, Countryside Alliance's chief executive Tim Bonner said: "This is another case in which there was ample evidence that the hunt was operating legally."

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April 2018

War enters its final months but young men continue to die

Emotional surprise of a grave in France WILLIAM George Christopher was born March 10, 1899, at Dean's Leaze, Witchampton, and is commemorated on that war memorial.

He was the uncle of Spetisbury reader Maureen Day, and younger brother of Beatrice, who worked for the Bankes of Kingston Lacy. Her diaries, recording poetry, prayers, recipes and proverbs as well as brief entries recalling some of her experiences, are now stored in the National Archives and feature regularly in talks about the house.

When nothing was heard from him after April 1918, Beatrice, whose work took her to the various Bankes residences, including Grosvenor Square in London, searched the London hospitals in case he had been badly injured or had no dog tag.

But Maureen says that when men came home to Witchampton, her grandparents were told he had been seen blown up on the beach.

"I have a letter which my grandmother received in 1919, saying that as William had not been seen since April 24, 1918, at the Battle of Villers Bretonneux, France, it was presumed that he had been killed on that day.

"In the 1970s, my son, who was at Blandford Upper School, researched a website and found that William did have a grave in Adelaide Cemetery, Villers Bretonneux.

"When we told my father, William's younger brother Arthur, this news, he broke down and said: 'Mother

would have loved to have known that he had a place'."

William was the elder son of carter Francis John Christopher and his wife Ellen. He had two older sisters and a young brother, Arthur John.

His father died in 1919.

He served as a private in the Devonshire Regiment 2nd Bn, and was 19 when he was killed in action.

Beatrice, who died aged 22 after contracting tuberculosis, also lost a close friend during World War One. She had met Elijah Foot of Derby, a corporal in the 2nd Sherwood Foresters, who was sent to France at the outbreak of war. He continued to send Beatrice postcards from France until the summer of 1918, when they stopped abruptly. Foot had been captured and held as a prisoner of war in Holland.

BLANDFORD teenager Percival Edward (Edwin) Shave was the second son of Frederick and Eliza Shave to be killed in action - his elder brother Bertram was killed in France in May 1917, aged 19.

Percival died in Belgium on April 10, 1918, aged 18, serving as a private with the Wiltshire Regiment 6th Bn, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

They were the fifth and sixth of eight children whose parents had married in Hampshire but moved to Blandford before the children were born. They lived first in Salisbury Street and then at 40 Orchard Street.

Charles Bertie Alexander died of wounds in France on April 27, aged 24, having enlisted at Dorchester and served with the Cambridgeshire Regiment 1st Bn. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.

He was the son of postman Charles and Ellen Shaddock Alexander, originally of Tarrant Hinton, who lived in Victoria Road, Blandford, and at 17 worked as a shop assistant.

Ernest William Montague Bozie was born in Portsmouth, the son of butcher Charles George and his wife Marianne Bozie, who had married at Blandford in 1892.

His brothers and sister were born in Portsmouth and Southampton, but the family had by 1911 moved to Salisbury Street, Blandford, where Ernest was recorded to be a boot shop assistant, aged 16.

He served as a private in the London Regiment 2nd/20th Bn, and died on April 30 in Egypt, killed in action,

The Christmas postcard William Christopher sent to his father the year before he died.

aged 23. He is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

Three of the 16 men whose names are recorded on the Okeford Fitzpaine war memorial died in April 1917, the first being carpenter's labourer Lionel Bertram Collis, killed in action in France on April 1, aged 22.

Dairy factory machinist Howard Frank Ridout died on April 3, aged 25, serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment 1st Bn and is buried in Bienvilliers Military Cemetery, the eldest son of hay trusser Frederick and Ellen Ridout.

Policeman's son William John Ridout, who died of wounds in France on April 26, aged 19, served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd/5th Bn, and is buried in the Fouquieres Churchyard Extension. His elder brother Charles James Ridout had been killed in action in August 1917.

Herbert Levi Savory, of Child Okeford, was killed in action in Belgium on April 14, aged 31, serving with the Monmouthshire Regiment 2nd Bn, and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

He was the son of farm labourer Thomas and his wife Eliza Jane, both of whom had been born in the village, and was their fourth child, having seven brothers and sisters. He was hospitalised three times during the war, and promoted to lance-corporal in May 1917, but de-striped by his commanding officer eight months later, and remained a private when he died.

A memorial lamp in Tarrant Hinton church remembers grocer's son Louis Frank Lane, the only person from the village to be killed in action and the eldest son of Frank and Fanny Lane. He died on April 24, aged 18, serving with the Gloucestershire Regiment 2nd/5th Bn and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

William John Bee was the son of groom Charles and Emily Bee, who had married in Blandford and lived at Little Nutford, Pimperne. He was working, aged 15, as a garden boy at Nutford Cottage, and in 1911 as a gardener at Waddesdon in Aylesbury.

He died of wounds in Belgium on April 26, serving with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 25th Bn, and is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and remembered on the Stourpaine memorial.

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 2018

Remembering the women of the war APRIL 1, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of the formation of the RAF and the WRAF (initially WAAF) and will be the focus of the next Khaki Kitchen, the Tanks and Aircraft Exhibition, which will be staged from April 27-30 in Blandford Corn Exchange.

In 1918 there were around 600 members of the WRAF stationed at Blandford Camp, the majority of whom were billeted in the local villages.

The Blandford 14/18 Group is looking for information, stories and even photos of these women in this area who may have lived with people's relatives and may have married into local families, returned after the war or settled in a local village.

Any snippet of information would be appreciated and used to try to form a picture of their lives and contribution to the area and their chosen service.

The exhibition will also include a desk dedicated to the collection

of Oral Histories of the Great War, from family stories, local incidents, regimental memories to 'tales that grandad used to tell'.

Again, any information will be gratefully received and recorded before it passes beyond memory and is lost forever.

The group's last exhibition at the Khaki Kitchen featuring the layout of the PoW Camp and route of the railway spur up to Blandford Camp was the most successful yet, with over 130 visitors during the day, and group members were very pleased with the response to their hard work.

Anyone with an interest in helping with the collection and preservation of Oral Histories or in any other aspect of the research, commemoration and exhibiting of Blandford's history during the Great War, is invited to the group's monthly meeting or to contact the group by email to the 1418group@outlook.com.

Help for an orphan KIND-HEARTED fundraisers have organised a series of events to help a little girl who will be three years old in May and has been left an orphan following the death first of her mother when she was one, and then her father just before last Christmas.

The toddler is now living with her aunt and uncle, and Veronica Jenkins and Jackie Vacher are hoping to raise the funds to give the child her own bedroom.

On March 14 at the Royal British Legion Club there was a bingo session, and a fundraising day on Sunday April 29 at Pimperne village hall will start with a sponsored walk at 11am and finish back at the hall for a spring sale.

Plans are also being made for a horse racing night on June 16, and for a pamper and gift stall day in Blandford Corn Exchange on June 17.

For more details call Jackie on 07879 003567.

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Blandford 14/18 Group ask whether anyone recognises any of these members of the WRAF who may have been billeted in villages locally during World War One.

Opera returns to the Abbey MILTON Abbey's Musical Festival continues in April with 'Covent Garden comes to Dorset', presented jointly by the Dorset Opera Festival and Royal Opera House and featuring 'opera stars of the future' from the Jette Parker Young Artists' programme.

The concert, starting at 7.30pm on Saturday April 28, will include excerpts from well-known and lesser-known operas, and is a debut event for the Abbey.

The Dorset Opera Festival held at Bryanston each July is now in its 44th year and recognised as the South-West's mini-Glyndebourne, bringing international opera stars to take part in full staged productions alongside a summer school chorus of up to 80 young artists and a full orchestra.

FARMING

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The View from the Hill

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

S

HINY snow was a novelty - the fresh fall on March 1, followed by freezing rain and another freezing night resulted in the most unusual conditions.

The animals didn't like it. Our dog ran across the frozen surface with claws outstretched, unable to gain much traction until she broke through the surface which brought her up sharp, she didn't like that at all, and wanted

A stiff challenge for the snow plough

A new arrival in the calf shed to spend the rest of the day indoors.

Ice over the snow was a very crunchy topping, the like of which I have never seen before, turning the fields into huge shiny white rinks, which if the sun had come out would have been dazzling.

Fortunately it didn't last long there was a bit of fun to be had for a couple of days, but by Monday most of it had gone.

Regular readers will recall that our first calf of the season arrived as I was writing last month's View. Since then, through the snow and rain, the cows have continued to pop them out, 38 to date, more than one a day, which is pretty good going - the bulls were obviously on good form last summer.

None had required any assistance from human hand until last Thursday. At around 9pm I got a call requesting assistance with a cow who had been trying to calve without success for several hours.

We had to pen her in a corner so Dougal could investigate what was going on. Legs and head were presented correctly, so we hitched up the calving jack, a clever device which gently lends assistance to the cow to push the calf out. The problem was simply that the calf was a big one, and the cow couldn't quite push him out on her own. Once

out she was soon licking him off, and it wasn't long before he was up and drinking.

But before we could go home for the night, we had to deal with a second, younger cow, who had also been on the go for some time. She is normally a very friendly creature and will let us rub her head and scratch her behind the ears, but once penned up an altogether trickier side of her character showed up. She would not stand still so we had to slip a halter over her head and tie her to the corner of the pen so Doug could safely examine her. We decided to help again with the jack, to avoid a long night of waiting and worrying. After rather too much struggling we managed to extract the calf, and as soon as we presented him to the grumpy mother her temper evaporated and she started licking him off straight away.

In the dry period before the snow came, we were beginning to get excited about moving some soil in preparation for spring sowing.

George Mogridge's muckspreading team were here for a couple of days, throwing chicken manure and well-rotted cow muck about the place, then Gary was able to get on with the cultivator to work it into the soil.

Ben Stretton came in with his giant three-wheeled Terragator to spread lime and fertiliser. This is the fertiliser which comes from power stations where they burn chicken manure - the ash is a very consistent product which provides many essential nutrients and some organic matter for the land.

To add to the busy atmosphere, Nick Bragg's team came in with digestate from his anaerobic digester to apply on several

April 2018 fields. This was a time where it was essential that I had done sufficient homework beforehand, to ensure that the right amount of material was delivered, and that each team knew what was to be spread in which field. We were very lucky, most went very well, and the ground being dry meant that not too many wheel marks were visible after the machines had passed.

Needless to say, since the snow melted, we have had a great deal of rain, and no more work has been done on the land. We are waiting patiently for the next weather window with a lot to do, as it is turning into a late spring, and the jobs are piling up.

We weren't the only ones to be fooled into thinking that spring had sprung early. This fellow was active in the garden well before the snow arrived. I only hope he found a warm corner to hide in.

The pond in the garden next door was the source of a lot of toad-like noise a few weeks ago. I suppose that would be the mating call of the common toad, a constant low level of croaking for several days. I think they might have wished they'd stayed at the bottom of the pond for a couple more weeks.

April 2018

Pheasant Fest funds

23

THIS year's annual Pheasant Fest at the Baker Arms in Child Okeford raised ÂŁ2,516.94 for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

The giant cheque was presented nine days later to Air Ambulance volunteer fundraisers Wendy Burke and Richard Robbins by the pub's new licensees James and Desi Hutchings.

The Hutchings, who only took on the pub at the end of last year, admitted they had no idea what they were letting themselves in for when they agreed to host the annual event, which next year celebrates its tenth anniversary.

They soon learnt that the tradition of local shooters bringing game to donate to the Fest to be prepared and sold by volunteers brought a continuous flow of supporters to a big community effort.

Seat will remember Okeford’s war dead A COMMEMORATIVE seat will be unveiled in the centre of Okeford Fitzpaine outside the village stores on April 1 at 3.30pm to remember those from the village who fought and died during the First World War. It is one of two ways in which the Okeford Fitzpaine Village Community Group, in conjunction with the Okeford Fitzpaine Local History Group, are marking the centenary, alongside a book produced by the Local History Group titled 'The Butterboys in Battle'. It records the lives and deaths of the men of Okeford who are recorded on the village war memorial, and two other 'sons of Okeford' whose names were not included when it was unveiled in 1921.

The brief ceremony at the seat will involve words from the parish council, a blessing by the Rev Lydia Cook, and a ribbon cutting by one of Okeford's oldest residents, Sybil Cuff, whose great uncle, Albert Hilliar, was killed in

WW1 and is recorded on the memorial. There will be a reception afterwards with a display of Okeford's WW1 servicemen in the Royal Oak pub.

The Community Group have been busy tracing and inviting descendants of the village war dead to the event. Any readers who are descendants of any of the men on the roll are invited to attend and bring any photographs or memorabilia. Prior notice would be appreciated by contacting Andrew Vickers on 01258 861895 (ajvickers@outlook.com).

The men on the roll are: Willam Henry Clarke, Lionel Bertram Collis, Samuel Rose Fox, Sidney John Fox, Albert Henry Hilliar, Frederick Hilliar, Cyril Thomas Rose Jacob, Maurice Daniel Miller, Arthur Frederick Ridout, Charles James Ridout, Howard Frank Ridout, William John Ridout, Frank Russell, John Russell, John Warr and John Woolridge.

News from the surgeries Healthier Together: N.H.S Online medical advice for children When you have an unwell child, who should you contact? Should it be the GP, pharmacist, minor injuries units, 111 service or A&E, for example?

When it isn't possible to get an urgent appointment, it is easy to turn to emergency services such as A&E departments and 999 ambulances, putting increased strain on these already overstretched services.

A new online website has been set up by healthcare professionals in Wessex called 'Healthier Together'. This website initially focuses on providing information to parents and carers of children under 5 years with common illnesses, then up to the age of 18, including information and guidance about common symptoms, how long they last and what you can do at home to improve your child's health. It also includes essential information about where and when to seek help if you are worried and think your child needs to see a doctor.

Healthier Together website: http://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/

Air Ambulance fundraisers Wendy Burke and Richard Robbins (left and second from right), chief cook and game preparers John Allen and Bob Smith (second from left and right) with Baker Arms licensees James and Desi Hutchings and the giant cheque from the Pheasant Fest.

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April 2018

Top accolade for beauty sites THE two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which surround Blandford, Cranborne Chase and Dorset, are among the 20 South West protected landscapes to be awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism accolade at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

The award was presented at a gala evening, held at the Riviera International Centre, Torquay.

The South West's Protected Landscapes include 13 AONBs, two national parks, the South West Coast Paths, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site and the UNESCO Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve, all offering free entry and one of the primary reasons why visitors choose the region as a destination, contributing significantly to the visitor economy.

The award recognises the volunteers and key staff that manage the assets of some of the region's most beautiful countryside under the constant pressure of having to retain funding in order to give visitors the best possible experience.

Linda Nunn, Director of the Cranborne Chase AONB, said: "We are delighted to be recognised along with the other jewels in the crown of tourism in the South West. We know that the many gems within our own AONB are a magnet for tourists, but this award principally shows

The Poll Dorset cross lamb which has become the new mini mascot of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. that collectively the value of protected landscapes really is appreciated.

"At Cranborne Chase AONB we have been working hard to achieve International Dark Sky Reserve status. If we achieve this accolade it would encourage ever more visitors to view our incredibly dark skies. We have some of the darkest skies in England and this would further boost revenue for local accommodation providers and related businesses."

The Cranborne Chase AONB has a new minimascot in a Poll Dorset cross lamb, born on

January 7, about two months earlier than his potential field companions. Rejected by his mother, he has been raised in Linda's warm kitchen.

The Hart remains the main mascot for 2018 and beyond for the AONB, which has welcomed a government 25-year environment plan to embed an 'environmental net gain' principle for development, including housing and infrastructure and improve the way land management is incentivised.

The Cranborne Chase has had 17 housing applications in the past five years, including 80 houses approved in Tisbury and similar numbers in Blandford and Shaftesbury, despite campaigners insisting AONBs are the wrong place to build.

Ms Nunn said: "AONBs are a limited and diminishing resource, and large-scale housing development fundamentally changes these nationally important landscapes."

Emma Marrington, senior rural policy campaigner for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), said: "While CPRE advocates the building of the right homes in the right places, AONBs are not the right place.

On top of this, current development in AONBs shows little evidence that what's built will actually help solve the housing crisis, which is more to do with affordability than lack of land."

Join us for a wonderful fundraising evening featuring Dorset musical talent Dorset Police Male Voice Choir and

Holly Harrison, a local singer/songwriter on Saturday 14th April 2018 at 7.15pm at Coade Theatre, Bryanston School, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0PX Tickets ÂŁ10 for adults, ÂŁ5 for children (5 -15yrs) Available from Blandford Tourist Information Centre Riverside House, West Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7AW or via Email: ssafadorsetfundraising@gmail.com SSAFA, the armed forces charity, provides lifelong support to those who are serving or who have ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Airforce and their families.

Each year, the professional staff, together with a network of over 700 volunteers, help some 100,000 people ranging from World War Two veterans to the families of young servicemen and women wounded or killed in more recent conflicts in Afghanistan.

In Dorset, a committed team of volunteers support more than 300 clients each year. Please do come and join us for what promises to be a wonderful evening of music to raise money for our vital work across the county.

We are delighted to present the Dorset Police Male Voice Choir and a local singer/songwriter, Holly Harrison, at the Coade Theatre in the grounds of Bryanston School, Blandford Forum, on Saturday 14th April.

We look forward to seeing you there for a very special musical evening.

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April 2018

Men respond to Lions’ health test AROUND 150 men took the opportunity to learn about prostate cancer and the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test offered by volunteers with the Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO) to detect the risk of the condition for over-50s.

The presentation and testing was hosted in the Parish Centre by Blandford and District Lions and managed by PCaSO volunteers. Attendees were first shown a short film explaining PSA testing before being invited to give a small sample of blood which was taken by qualified phlebotomists for analysis.

A high level of the antigen does not necessarily indicate prostate cancer, but is an indicator that the patient should be monitored for prostate health problems, whether or not they are displaying symptoms.

Following analysis, 123 letters were issued telling people there was no cause for concern, five were warned a re-test might be needed in a few months' time, and 12 were recommended to see their GP to check whether further tests and examinations were needed.

The 12 per cent advised to take further action were a lower percentage than that recorded across the whole of Dorset (over 15 per cent), indicating that perhaps men in Blandford are healthier.

It is accepted the PSA test does not give conclusive evidence of the presence or absence of prostate cancer, but it is a first step towards men finding out if they may have this disease for which there is still no screening programme in the UK. Some 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK with 11,000 deaths annually, and it is now the biggest killer of men in the UK. Dorset branch PCaSO chairman Jim Davis said: "The test is one which is available on the NHS and which GPs are expected to offer on request, but there is no national screening programme. Early detection increases the chances of a cure. Of the 5,000 we will have screened by this summer, 15 per cent (750) will have been referred to their GP, and perhaps a third of those (250) will need treatment."

For further information, contact the

Palace venue after a century of service THE Blandford Lions were represented at a reception in Buckingham Palace marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the movement internationally.

The reception was hosted by their patron since 2004, the Countess of Wessex, and the Blandford Lions were represented by Ian Corben who joined members from across the British Isles at the centenary reception, together with charity partners.

Lion Phil Nathan, chair of the centenary celebrations for Lions Clubs of the British Isles, said: "During our first Lion Ian Corben at Buckingham Palace for century of service, Lions the Lions Centenary celebration. clubs have touched millions of lives of people that needed us.

"100 years of service to the community is a remarkable achievement, made possible by the selfless actions of many thousands of individual men and women, each of whom has sought to make 'their' community a better place."

Blandford Lions Club helps the local community through fund-raising and organising events such as craft fairs, race nights, Santa for the Mayor at Christmas, and this year defibrillators for Blandford.

Lions Clubs International support major projects addressing diabetes, youth, the environment, hunger relief, childhood cancer and sight issues affecting communities throughout the world.

For more information contact Lions secretary Tony Ives on 01202 624089, Nigel Hodder on 01258 880229 or email blandfordfordlions@hotmail.co.uk.

PSA testing hosted by Blandford Lions in the Parish Centre.

PCaSO, a registered charity, on its national helpline 0800 035 5302, email ino@pcaso.org or see the website at pcaso.org.

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April 2018

Foodbank the focus as groups show they care ORGANISATIONS involved in supporting people in crisis gathered in Blandford Methodist Church Hall at an open day hosted by the Blandford Foodbank and its partner, Faithworks Wessex.

A wide-ranging discussion on how the various groups could best help the vulnerable was facilitated by Alistair DoxatPurser, chief executive of Faithworks Wessex, who invited representatives to join a task and finish group to take forward some of the suggestions which had been made.

Foodbank manager Gail del Pinto said: "It was marvellous to see so many people at the event. I'm sure that everyone will now have a much clearer picture of how all the various agencies in the area can not only work together, but can also work more closely with the foodbank."

Following the event, Nicci Brown, editor of Forum Focus, presented a cheque for £500 to the foodbank, saying that while the community magazine did not set out to raise funds for charities, as a non-profit-making organisation it tried to deliver any surplus over the year back to the community.

"This year's donation is made in memory of our founder director and secretary Esme Butler, whose sudden death last year was such a loss to our team as well as the whole community, and who would have wanted it to go to a cause benefiting vulnerable people so directly."

Mr Doxat Purser said: "We are so grateful to you for thinking of the foodbank as a way of commemorating your colleague. It was a very good morning, topped by your very large cheque!"

Foodbank shelves were also recently swelled with over £500 worth of food donated by the Blandford Georgian Fayre.

Fayre committee member Nocturin Lacey-Clarke said: "Each year the Fayre raises money for good causes like this, and we hope people will support us this year. We had a great morning in Tesco buying over £500 worth just before half-term, having been supplied with a list by the foodbank of items which they were running short of."

Boarding pupils at Knighton House in Durweston also rose to the challenge of shopping on a shoestring during a weekend activity when, with just £3 each in their pockets, they headed off to Lidl to see what they could buy for the foodbank.

Armed with baskets and trolleys, some reliance on a bit of mental maths and a few tricky choices to make, the boarders soon learnt that shopping on a budget was more challenging than they anticipated. The girls impressed with their focus on mainly essential items,

with just a few treats, and how they had really thought carefully about what to buy.

In the words of a year 8 pupil: "The foodbank is a really important charity.

Buying food and other household items really made me think how lucky I am - it also made me realise about the necessity of food rather than worrying about buying trendy clothes. It has made me think not to take anything for granted."

Clients are referred by outside agencies to the foodbank with vouchers from North Dorset District Council, Sovereign Housing Association, Blandford Children's Centre and the Mental Health Team at Blandford Hospital to be exchanged for food parcels, and Foodbank-Plus services include budget coaching, debt advice and holiday topup vouchers for those receiving free school meals through local schools.

It also helps in accessing family holidays, and now applications for benefits and job seeking.

Mrs del Pinto, said: "The new Universal Credit has hit Blandford this year. It requires applicants to go online to fill in many of the forms and to search for work."

Extending their service to help clients find work led to Blandford Rotary's offer to purchase a laptop computer which will be used to help people on Universal Credit seek employment.

Mrs del Pinto said: "This generous donation of a laptop by Blandford Rotary enables us to offer online access to many of our clients who do not have their own."

The laptop was provided by one of Rotary's business partners, The Computer Shop in Salisbury Street, at a highly discounted price, for which Blandford Rotary are very grateful.

Their President, Judy Adams, said: "Even in a town like Blandford there is much poverty. Rotary works with its business partners and other local traders to do all we can to help those in greatest need."

Forum Focus editor and chairman Nicci Brown, right, presents a cheque to (from left) Foodbank trustees Brook MacCallum and Alistair Doxat-Purser of Faithworks Wessex and manager Gail del Pinto.

Georgian Fayre committee members Nocturin Lacey-Clark and Sharon select produce for the foodbank at Tesco.

Rotary President Judy Adams, Gail del Pinto, manager of the Blandford Foodbank, with the laptop, Dave Bousfield of The Computer Shop and Rotarian Andy Munden.

Knighton House pupils with their trolleys loaded with shopping for the Blandford Foodbank.

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April 2018

20-year landmark for Rotary group THE Rotary Club of Blandford Stour celebrates its 20th birthday on Monday, April 2.

Founded in 1998 as the second Rotary Club in Blandford by a group of mainly ex-Round Table Rotarians who could not get away from work during the day to attend lunchtime gatherings, it meets in the evening for them and others keen to help make a difference to the town.

Over the years they have offered vocational and community service and donated nearly £200,000 to good causes locally, nationally and internationally.

Rotarian Miles Marshall said:

Caring for the carers THE Blandford Community Centre in Heddington Drive runs a well-attended Carers Group on the first Tuesday of every month and is inviting anyone who supports another with their daily life to join their open sessions.

They would like to help the many carers who have no support, and would welcome them to enjoy company, advice, information and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Centre also has new sessions including yoga for beginners, which started on March 7 and is offered every Wednesday from 6.15 to 7.15pm, and dance classes, which started on March 19 for sessions every Monday from 6 to 7pm, and again from 7.15 to 8.15pm.

"Vocational service means we use our own professional skills to help others in need. Community service allows us to donate our time and effort to help activities in our local area.

"We have donated money to local families and individuals and charities as well as to designated national charities and good causes. We support the worldwide Rotary Foundation, the largest such charitable foundation in the world, as well as PolioPlus, the Rotary International effort to eradicate polio worldwide."

Over two dozen members, men, women and several couples, meet on Wednesday evenings at the Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton, and other local pubs, and in the last five years, have amassed a special anniversary £10,000 charitable fund in honour of the 20-year milestone.

"We are currently looking to use this money to sponsor a worthwhile project to mark the event," said Mr Marshall, "and are always on the lookout for new members to join us.

"We enjoy using our skills and services to help others around the town and local area. No matter what we do, be it Santa runs, car parking at the Georgian Fayre, sporting dinners, selling mulled wine to Yuletide Festival goers, or shaking a tin in the Market Square for disaster relief, we always make sure we enjoy ourselves at the same time.

"If you feel you may like to join us, more information and contact is available on our website (search Blandford Stour Rotary) or contact our secretary by email philipkreeger@btinternet.com."

Winner of the Sweetpea Florists Mother's Day competition Alice Haines with her bouquet.

Pictures pay off A PHOTO competition at the Sweetpea Florists in Salisbury Street, Blandford, attracted a mass of entries of pictures which went on display in the shop window.

Proprietor Laura Sweetland invited people to send in pictures of themselves with their children or mums to have a chance of winning a £25 hand-tied bouquet in time for Mother's Day. "I had a huge response of over 40 applicants. The feedback I

had on social media was amazing - I'm so thrilled by everyone's reaction!" she said.

The winner was chosen at random, and the prize was awarded to Alice Haines. As the competition was so popular, Laura decided to give two smaller hand-tieds to the next two randomly selected entries, which came from Jo Duke and Leanne Burgess.

Easter celebrations A GOOD Friday Walk of Witness by members of various churches in Blandford was due to start at 10am on Friday March 30 from Blandford Evangelical Church in Albert Street.

Easter services at All Saints Church, Langton Long, began with a Holy Communion Service on the morning of Maundy Thursday, March 29, followed on Friday afternoon by An Hour at the Cross.

On Easter Sunday, April 1, there will be a Sunrise Service starting 6.30am on the Milldown in Blandford, followed by Holy Communion at Blandford Parish Church at 10am, and Holy Communion at All Saints, Langton Long at 11.30am.

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April 2018

Fording Point gets a show of support FOLLOWING the granting of full planning approval for the proposed Fording Point arts centre in Bere's Yard, Blandford, the project team has received a lot of enquiries from people wishing to donate.

Others have shown an interest in areas such as sponsoring a seat or becoming a friend of the Arts Centre.

Promoter Jon Ivay said: "Our Justgiving.com fundraising page will be activated on April 12, and the weblink details added to the website thefordingpoint.com "Any money raised via Justgiving will only be used towards capital

building costs/materials.

"Anyone interested in other areas of the project can email us on info@thefordingpoint.com indicating their preferred form of sponsorship. There is an appeal sheet on the website offering a number of ideas of how people may help with the project.

"We will not activate these areas of fundraising until a construction date has been set, but we are very interested in building up this list prior to construction.

"We would also love to hear from any business which believes it may be able to somehow offer the project help or assistance."

Tabernacle seat work delayed by the snow

Nuthatch by David Chaloner.

Camera Club news A FULL month of competitions at Blandford Forum Camera Club started with the Points Cup round five and 17 prints and 23 projected images for Norman Wiles to judge.

Top scorers in prints were Vital Spark (Marilyn Peddle) and Nuthatch and Thirsty Squirrel (David Chaloner), with 9.5 marks awarded to Sadly in Decline (Stephanie Selwyn), and At Audley End (Malcolm Bowditch).

Top marks in projected images went to Over the Bridge (Marilyn Peddle) and Resting Place (Jean Bartlett), with 9.5 marks for Misty Morning (Glynis Larter-Whitcher), Yellow Billed Stork (Jean Bartlett), and I'm Watching You and Early Morning Reflections (Pat Catley).

The SAPA (Stour and Avon Photographic Association) competition came next, Blandford hosting their round of the competition against Boscombe Camera Club with judge Jim Pascoe from Highcliffe.

There were 12 prints and 12 projected images from each club, resulting in a lead for Blandford of 80 to 78 in the print section, and 81 for both in projected which was awarded to Blandford with most top scoring prints.

Award-winning photographer Robert Harvey was the only guest speaker of the month with a talk entitled 115 Steps to Excellence.

He explained the difference between club competition and the national and international 'Salons'.

The final competition in February was the first time BFCC had hosted a print round of the Southern Counties Photographic Federation, with judge Tony Oliver, and images and guests from seven clubs from across the south. Blandford were pleased to finish third in the placings for the season.

For details about joining the club contact Eric Langley on 01258 488301, email eric.langley@bfcclub.co.uk or visit bfcclub.co.uk.

Entries were taken up to March 31 for the open non-member section for the club's annual exhibition on the weekend of May 26 and 27 in Blandford Corn Exchange.

WEATHER conditions have delayed the construction of a new bench in The Tabernacle, Blandford, which has been commissioned by the Town Council in association with the Blandford Dementia Action Alliance.

Preparatory work has taken place but the official handover of the bench, which had been due to take place on March 12, is being rescheduled.

The Town Council worked with local craftsman, Ian Hudson (of Hudson Dorset) to design and create a new 'sensory' seating area under the oak tree. He was due to start building the eye-catching bench in situ and from scratch, using cedar locally sourced from Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset Woodlands, on February 26. But

the snow resulted in delays.

The Dementia Alliance originally approached the Town Council last year about providing an area of sensory planting in Blandford, and an area was created in the Woodhouse Gardens, with contributions from local organisations including the Blandford Day Centre (Tricuro), Hall & Woodhouse Brewery, Homebase and Knoll Gardens at Stapehill.

Blandford Stour Rotary is contributing to the cost of The Tabernacle bench, which will be surrounded by planters with a range of sensory plants chosen for touch, smell, colour and movement to transform an under-used and under-loved area into an attractive place where people will want to sit and chat.

Expectations fulfilled MR Dickens came to the Corn Exchange on March 3 despite the arrival of six inches of snow 48 hours earlier.

And the performance of the great author's great grandson Gerald Dickens, in his tribute to his ancestor Charles, was well worth the effort for a small but very appreciative audience, who were able to enjoy an almost Dickensian environment sitting at the new large circular tables which added beautifully to the atmosphere.

The first part of the one-man show told the story of Charles Dickens and his touring round the country which prompted the cry 'Mr Dickens is coming' and provided the title of the piece featuring many of the characters best known from his novels - Mr Micawber and others.

After the interval, the audience were treated to a relatively unknown piece full of Dickensian character and dialogue with the gripping story of the cheapjack market trader Doctor Marigold, who loses his daughter, then his wife, and finally the deaf and dumb girl he has adopted and taught to communicate - but finds redemption when she returns married with his granddaughter who can hear and speak.

It was disappointing that more did not venture out to see a performance of such quality as is rarely seen in Blandford.

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April 2018

Approval for council reshuffle APPROVAL for the merger of councils in Dorset to create two unitary authorities has been given the blessing of Community Secretary Sajid Javid.

The 'Future Dorset' proposals to form one authority serving Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and another serving the five other district and borough councils have been under consideration by him for over a year.

In a ministerial statement in the Commons, he said: "I am today announcing that I have decided to implement, subject to Parliamentary approval, the locally led proposal to replace the existing nine councils across Dorset."

North Dorset will become part of the unitary authority including Weymouth & Portland and West Dorset, with which it already works as the Dorset Councils Partnership, together with East Dorset and Purbeck.

Dorset County Council will continue to share local administration with the respective new authorities, which will provide all services with the aim of creating stronger and more accountable leadership.

It will also mean fewer councillors and residents knowing who to speak to about council matters, and is expected to reduce overhead costs, with potential savings of £28 million a year.

Some of the band members, crew and parent volunteers with the visiting Avengers. Picture: Sophie Woodford.

Drum corps brings Avengers theme to town THE Meridian Corps of Drums visited Blandford for an Avengers-themed fair and lifted the spirits of those in the Market Place, where they gave a performance, and Corn Exchange, where the fair was held alongside an opportunity for youngsters to be pictured with their 'Avengers'.

Event organiser Tina Emery, who lives in Blandford said: "We managed to raise just over £400 in two hours, which is a great start to our fundraising year. We want to thank the town of Blandford for making us feel so welcome for the

The 50th steam fair set to be another record breaker THE 50th anniversary of the Great Dorset Steam Fair from Thursday August 23 to Monday August 27 promises to be the largest gathering of steam rollers

New URC minister BLANDFORD United Reformed Church's new young minister, Andy Hall (pictured right), appointed to serve both Blandford and Broadstone, comes to Dorset from Manchester, but is no stranger to the south, having been born in the New Forest.

He said he was gradually getting to know this area, having had a good meeting with the other ministers from the area, meeting a lot of new people, exploring new ideas and seeking fresh vision for the church in Whitecliff Mill Street.

Married with two children, he thanked everyone for the great welcome they had given him and his family.

A Maundy Thursday Service in

second year running, great community spirit.

The corps, based in Poole, was established in 2011, and is a non-profit youth organisation which performs all across the UK in parades, performances and carnivals, and has also performed in Disneyworld Florida, Universal Studios Florida and Disney Land Paris.

A number of its members come from Blandford.

Anyone interested in joining their ranks can contact Bandmaster James Leonard 07825397071 or email contact@mcod.org.uk.

ever recorded, as well as having the biggest crowd in its history.

Organisers of the fair, widely recognised as the biggest heritage and cultural show in the world, are pulling out all the stops to make this year's event the biggest and best with a gathering of 500 engines.

Owners were asked to register their machines before the deadline at the end of January, and show director Martin Oliver said: "We have been overwhelmed with interest from all around the world.

We have had to set a cut-off date early because of the hundreds of applications we have received.

"This will be the largest gathering

of steam engines ever recorded and along with the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, with the trenches which opened for the 2014 show and a special commemorative feature to co-celebrate that event we anticipate visitor numbers in excess of 250,000.

"My late father Mike who founded the fair in 1968 would be amazed at the progress made over the eight years since his passing. He will also be remembered with a very limited edition re-launch of the book on his life with a few added pages and a special 50year commemorative golden cover."

Golfers’ gift to Friends

the Methodist Church will be followed by an Easter Day service at the United Reformed Church at 10.30am.

THE Friends of Blandford Hospital were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £1,100 by the 2017 Ladies' Captain of Ashley Wood Golf Club, Ann Morris.

Ann had nominated the Friends as her charity during her period as Captain and the monies were raised at various events throughout the year.

Ashley Wood have been very supportive of the local charity and host the annual Friends of Blandford Hospital Golf Day which takes place this year on June 22.

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April 2018

April 2018

Alex Pilgrim, fundraising for Bowel Cancer Research.

Fresh call for tools LOCAL publicity has resulted in a new collector being found for Tools with a Mission (TWAM), which collects tools and other items to send to poverty-stricken families in the developing world to help them start earning a livelihood.

Nick Allen, on 01258 881676, will be delighted to hear from anyone with spare tools, which may need refurbishing but should be in working order.

They will be sorted by TWAM volunteers into kits for trades, including building, plumbing, carpentry, mechanics, gardening, groundwork, leatherwork and shoemaking, sewing machines, knitting machines and haberdashery for dressmaking.

Children's textbooks and educational books are also welcome and some power tools can also be sent.

Zoe gets in training to help brave Alex’s fundraising drive A NORTH Dorset Triathlon and RunBlandford member, Zoe Blyth, has signed up and is in training for her first-ever Ultra race in support of a friend and fellow athlete, who was diagnosed in her 60th year with bowel cancer and has since been fundraising for the charity Bowel Cancer Research.

Zoe said: "It may not sound much, but I have never done more than 10 miles and never broken 30 minutes on the parkrun - I still do not consider myself a 'runner', being slower than a onelegged dog on tranquilisers!"

She said the reason behind her 'madness' was to support former teacher Alex Pilgrim, who, after some pretty gruelling treatment, was running again and came up with the challenge to Zoe and other RunBlandford members her 'Combat Crew' - who have been supporting her, of doing the Race to the Stones over two days in July.

"Between now and then I will be completing my first half-marathon, the Dorset Oozer on April 1, and my first marathon," said Zoe. Alex herself started running again last autumn, taking part in the Dark Valley 10k and the Wimborne 10k last November, and the 20k Stonehenge Stomp in January, and has now raised a total of £1,300 on her fundraising page at bowelcancerresearch.org.

She was diagnosed with bowel cancer last May after receiving the test kit which forms part of the national bowel cancer screening scheme, and at the end of that month had a Stage 3 tumour removed in a six-hour robotic operation. "It hadn't spread, so I was lucky," she said.

Nicki’s winning ‘losers’ NICKI Edwards - the 'Cambridge Lady' - has again been raising money for charity. This time she involved her merry tribe of dieters and together they embarked on a 30-day Biggest % Weight Loss Challenge.

The results, she says, were awesome. "The biggest weight loss (this is one customer) in the 30 days was a staggering 21 pounds - one-and-ahalf stone. Pretty impressive!"

Nicki chose both Cancer Research and Multiple Sclerosis to benefit as both charities have given care to her mum and sister-in-law, as well as several of her clients.

Nicki said: "I am super proud to announce that a total of over £465 has been raised for each charity. I was blown away by the support from my clients for my challenge and would like to thank them all for getting involved. Let's hope that this helps in some way to finding a cure one day."

She went back to her regular parkrun as part of her recovery plan, and her friends became her 'Combat Crew' complete with matching camouflage wristbands.

"Running with them has been a hugely motivating and positive part of my recovery. I'd be bereft without them. I feel I've turned a corner and am finally getting out of a dark tunnel," she said.

She chose to support Bowel Cancer Research because she was asked to become part of a research project into bowel disease at Poole Hospital.

"The colorectal team at Poole were very efficient and supportive and I owe them a huge debt of thanks," she said.

BCH Chief Executive Deborah Gilbert said: "It's great to hear such a positive story of recovery.

Our mission is to ensure that noone should die of bowel cancer, and we can only make that happen with the support of fundraisers like Alex."

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Zoe Blyth, in training for her first halfmarathon, marathon and Ultra. Photo courtesy Run Happy Dorset.

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April 2018

Flipping fun at Durweston

EVEN though Shrove Tuesday fell in the half-term holiday this year, the PTA at Durweston CE VA Primary School made sure that the children didn't miss out on the fun. Everyone got a chance to see how many times they could flip their pancake before getting to eat it. Some of the children had clearly been practising - Austin Green managed an amazing 82 flips in 60 seconds!

A ‘green’ trip for girls KNIGHTON House year 5 pupils had a fantastic trip to the field studies centre, Nettlecombe Court, in Somerset, which covered many subjects in the curriculum and beyond, as well as providing the pupils with an exciting night away and lots of fun.

The girls learnt much about environmental awareness, from local responsibility to the wider global effect of global warming.

The investigation of the best materials for a hedgehog's nest linked directly to their work in the science lab, and they were able to understand first-hand the thermal properties of materials that a hedgehog might use for hibernation.

As well as all the outdoor learning, the girls built dens, sang songs around a campfire, played games on the 'croquet lawn' and finished the trip with a scavenger hunt around the extensive grounds.

Bubble Boy scoops the top book prize TAKING its cue from some of the big book awards, the first Wessex Amazing Book Award competition - WABA for short - took place at Gillingham School.

The competition has been set up by a group of librarians working in Wessex schools to give pupils a voice in choosing the books they love.

Each participating school puts one title on to the longlist, which is then cut down to a shortlist of five, which are discussed by the pupils who then select the winner.

Twelve schools from the local area were involved in choosing the books for the longlist, which was then whittled down to five, including The Hiden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo Book 1) by Rick Riordan, Pax by Sara Pennypacker, A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge, Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster and Lie Kill Walk Away by Matt Dickinson.

Enthusiastic student readers from

St Mary’s, Talbot Heath, Clayesmore, Sherborne, Bryanston and Gillingham, all took part to decide which book should win the new award and discussed each of the titles before voting for their winner.

Bubble Boy, the story of 11-yearold Joe, whose immune deficiency means he must live in a hospital 'bubble' but imagines a world of super-heroes, was announced as the winner by John Newton from Pickabook, who sponsored the award. Bryanston, who nominated it for the list, were delighted to take home the glass trophy.

All the pupils who attended were awarded a special WABA Judge pen and enjoyed a slice of celebratory cake.

Prizewinning author Stewart Foster said: "I just think there are enough monsters in the world for us not to make up more. So thank you for sharing that vision, and Joe's journey. It means everything to me."

www.forumfocus.co.uk

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April 2018

Praise for dramatic upturn in primary school performance THE Blandford Education Trust, the multi-academy trust which manages Archbishop Wake, Spetisbury and Blandford St Mary Primary Schools, has welcomed a monitoring report sent to Blandford St Mary head teacher Daniel Lasbury-Carter, praising improvements since a disappointing Ofsted inspection last year.

Her Majesty's Inspector (HMI) said: "Since the last inspection, you, the governors and representatives of the Trust have acted quickly to ensure that the quality of education within the school improved dramatically.

"You have high expectations for the school and the pupils it serves, and speak passionately about the direction of the school."

Measures and strategies were already in place at the time of the inspection but had not matured at that time.

Only four months after the inspection in 2017, the end of Key Stage Two results last July showed that progress was already being made, with all results across English and mathematics not only above Dorset averages, but national as well.

The school's attainment saw it leap from second from bottom in the Dorset performance tables, to 28th - in just one year - out of more than 100 primary schools in Dorset.

The appointment of a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) has improved outcomes for those pupils needing the additional support to achieve well.

The report complimented governors, saying: "Through a muchneeded redistribution of roles and responsibilities, governors are already speaking with much more clarity and awareness of the RESOLUTION, Blandford's new pop and rock choir, has got off to a fine start. Rehearsing every week in the drama studio at The Blandford School, the mixed choir is open to all with no auditions. The emphasis is on singing pop and rock songs, having fun, and just enjoying singing which is known to relieve stress. For more details, contact them via the Facebook page Resolution@singingisgoodforthesoul or email ruth.vellacott@gmail.com.

areas for development across the school.

"Governors speak with newly instilled focus which bodes well as they embark on overseeing much-needed school improvement."

Mr Lasbury-Carter said: "There is an enormous amount to celebrate in the hard work that has already taken place. The school is improving every day.

"Our aim is to be the very best school for the pupils in our care on a daily basis, and we know what we need to do to continue improving and we will not stop.

"It is pleasing to read recognition of this in the HMI report where they say 'leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures'."

Fun in the afternoons SINCE the beginning of this academic year, Handy Paws PreSchool, Durweston, have been opening their doors in the afternoons as well as the mornings.

Children who stay all day now have an opportunity to have lunch and share their afternoons with the Reception class, a very positive experience for all involved.

The pre-school children have really enjoyed exploring the Reception class and playing alongside the older children while the Starfish children have been learning to support and guide their Handy Paws friends, helping develop everybody's confidence and self-esteem.

Anyone who would like their child to experience this unique early years approach is invited to give them a call on 01258 452277 or pop in to Durweston Primary School to meet them for a chat.

TBS named as Respect pilot THE Blandford School has been named as one of several grassroots football facilities across the country to pilot an innovative initiative as part of the FA's flagship behavioural campaign, Respect.

It is hoped that regular exposure at the facility will positively reinforce good behaviour and create an inclusive environment for all on match days.

Players, coaches, officials and spectators at the school will be exposed to a greater level of Respect messaging throughout their time at the facility, encouraging them to evaluate their behaviour.

The Respect scheme aims to ensure that football, on and off the pitch, remains an enjoyable experience for all. If the pilot scheme at the 43 'Champion' sites proves successful, similar messaging could be installed at every new Football Foundation facility.

Liz Bishopp, business manager at The Blandford

School, said: "We were delighted to be selected to be part of the FA Respect initiative. This complements our ethos as a school and helps us reinforce the importance of respect in all aspects of life.

"The signage provided by the campaign is a really eye-catching way of ensuring that the Respect message is foremost in the minds of our school community, including those local clubs who make use of our wonderful facilities outside of the school day."

Nathan French, the FA's National Respect Project Manager, said: "Through the support of The Blandford School and similar sites up and down the country, we are continuing to work towards a more inclusive, greater grassroots game for all."

The Blandford School 3G facility is available for hire within the local community. If you're interested, please contact the school.

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April 2018

Do you recognise anyone in this photo of the Blandford Institute Football Team in 1922-23? Blandford Snooker Club would love to hear from you.

Member John Jenner and joint treasurer Chris Williamson watch vice-chairman Richard Smith with his eye on the ball in the Blandford Snooker Club.

Snooker club notches a century break BLANDFORD Snooker Club, established in 1918 in the aftermath of World War One, is this year celebrating its centenary.

It was founded as the Young Men's Institute

by Blandford Forum Congregational Church (now the United Reformed Church) to provide activities and a social hub for service personnel returning from the conflict, and other young men in the community.

The club proved to be extremely popular and had a membership of 85 by 1919.

As well as playing snooker, members formed teams to compete in other sports including football, cricket and darts.

The football and cricket teams were particularly successful in local competitions for many years, and pictured above are members of the Institute Football Team in 1922-23.

The club has a number of old photographs of sports teams from the 1920s onwards and would love to try and identify and name the team members as part of their ongoing archive work.

Snooker and pool continue to be played on club nights in the snooker room at Blandford United Reformed Church behind the church hall.

It is a friendly and inclusive club in which play-

ers, both men and ladies, of all abilities including beginners, are welcome.

They have two excellent snooker tables with cues available for free loan, and also a pool table.

Under-18s are also welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult to meet with safeguarding regulations.

As a non-profit making club operating on a co-operative basis, their rates are very reasonable. Anyone interested in joining or with information about anyone in the photograph should contact Richard Smith on 07986 276612.

County success for swim team

Pictured (from left): Josh Fry, Portia Harvey, Georgia Kenny, Freddie Beasley, Ollie Martin, Lottie Hodges, Eve Masters, Charlie Hodges, Evie Lewin-Gray.

CLAYESMORE Swimming Club entered nine swimmers who had qualified to compete in the Dorset County Age Group Championships at Littledown, Bournemouth, over two weekends.

Throughout the championships, as a club, they competed in 82 races and 23 finals, achieving 61 personal bests and winning three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

One swimmer, Lottie Hodges, achieved bronze in the overall girls age 11 group performance awards, winning two silvers and three bronzes in backstroke and freestyle events, and Freddie Beasley was fifth in boys age 11 overall performance with three golds and one silver in breaststroke. Oliver Martin won bronze in the 200m breaststroke.

Patrick Gray, chairman of the Swimming Club, said: "I'm delighted and thrilled that our swimmers at Clayesmore had such success. We are a small, friendly club. Our coaches are fantastic and really do bring out the best in each swimmer, enabling them to achieve their full potential. This is shown by the number of medals that were won across all age groups and between both boys and girls.

"I am proud to be the chairman of such a great club and thank you to our coaches Paul Gowing and Lyn Young for their continued support."

For information on joining the club, call 01747 813135.

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Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events APRIL Sunday April 1: Easter Sunday: Sunrise Service on the Milldown, 6.30am; Holy Communion Blandford Parish church 10am, Holy Communion Langton Long, 11.30am Commemorative seat unveiling, Okeford Fitzpaine, 3.30pm Wednesday April 4: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7pm Biodanza in Blandford now every Wednesday, 7-9pm, United Reformed Church Hall, all abilities welcome, guided dance to feel good, details 07825 152610 Saturday April 7: Pimperne Coffee Morning, 1011.30am, stalls and raffle, Pimperne village hall, supporting the air ambulance Annual Fun Dog Show, East Farm, Tarrant Monkton, 2pm for registration, first class 2.30pm, teas, home-made cakes and raffle in aid of church roof fund Western Front Association Wessex Branch meet Pimperne Village Hall, 2.30pm, AGM and David Hassard: Sopwith Aircraft and the Great War Spring Family Bingo, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 6.30 for 7.30pm, raffle, refreshments, children only game, cash games and super prizes, hosted by the Blandford 14-17 working group Sunday April 8: Round Robin Ramblers meet 2pm, parking area near Hanford School, GR 854113, for 4.5-mile walk at Hod Hill, details 01258 880044 The Blandford Run of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club meets, Corn Exchange 10am to 11am, details 01258 721356 Monday April 9: Blandford Floral Group meets Blandford United Reformed Church Hall, 2pm.

Melanie Smith - Flowers Bring Smiles Friday April 13: Craft Market, Shambles, Corn Exchange, Blandford 9am to 2pm (and April 27) Blandford Evening WI AGM, Parish Centre, Blandford, 7pm Saturday April 14: Blandford Rotary in partnership with the Stroke Association, Know Your BP Day, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 9.30am to noon Spring Fair, Plant Sale and Silent Auction beside Holy Trinity Church, Stourpaine and the Trailway, 10.30am to 12.30pm, lots of activities including bell ringing SSAFA Easter Concert at Coade Hall, Bryanston featuring Dorset

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.

Pictured, from left: Greta Open, Eileen Phillips, lay pastoral assistant Diane Browning with her retirement gifts and Vi Wheeler at the Lunch Club.

A fond send-off for Diane FORTY-SIX members of the Blandford Methodist Lunch Club went along to wish farewell to their lay pastoral assistant for the last eight years, Diane Browning. A presentation was made by the members of garden centre and M&S vouchers, chocolates, a bouquet and a giant card signed by them all. Deacon Alison McMillan thanked her for her service and friendship to the members, who meet every Tuesday and Friday in the church hall in The Close.

Police Male Voice Choir and Holly Harrison, local singer/songwriter, 7.15pm start, tickets Blandford Information Centre, West Street, or 07770 744842 Monday April 16: Jack Counter VC Commemoration, Town Pump, Market Place, Blandford, 10.45am Strictly Come Tea Dancing at the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford, live music from the Soggy Biscuit Dance Band, 2.304.30pm, entrance: couples £15, singles £7.50, non-dancers £5 Annual Town Assembly, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 6.30pm COCCL presentation, St Nicholas' School, Child Okeford, 7.30pm, Katy Ashman and Miles Nipper on 'Conducting and Conductors', details, tickets 01258 860767 Tuesday April 17: Open Garden at the Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna, 10am to 5pm, with stalls and café serving refreshments and light lunches.

Entry £3.50, under 16 and Friends of Springhead free. Dogs on leads welcome, assisted wheelchair access Course on garden photography with Edward Parker, Springhead Trust, 10am to 1pm, £25 per person. To book contact: The Springhead Trust Ltd, Fontmell Magna, SP7 0NU, tel 01747 811853, springheadtrust.org.uk Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club 2.15pm, 'Tiny Delights' practical workshop, Child Okeford Village Hall, details: 01258 863775 The Blandford School presents the TBS 10th Anniversary Concert at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne, celebrating 10 years of musicals from The Blandford School students Wednesday April 18: 'Herbal Remedies - Healing with Plants' an illustrated talk by herbal specialist, Julie Wood, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0PF),

7.30pm. Entry £2, no charge for children under 16. Refreshments included Thursday April 19: Blandford Art Society, workshop and demonstration by Jake Winkle, non-members welcome £4, Pimperne Village Hall, 2pm, full details from blandfordartsociety.weebly.com Blandford Archaeology Group meets Blandford Museum 7.30pm for talk on 'Discoveries at Wor Barrow' by Mike Allen, Environmental Archaeologist, details 01258 452831 Saturday April 21: Cats Protection coffee morning & stall, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am to 12.30pm Mayor's Charity Dinner Dance, Sealy Suite, Crown Hotel, tickets £35 from Town Council office or Chaffers, Salisbury Street Wednesday April 25: Blandford Town Council Mayor's Thanksgiving Service, Blandford Parish Church, 6.30pm Thursday April 26: Blandford and District Horticultural Society meets United Reformed Church Hall, Blandford, 7.30pm, speaker Mike Webber-Delightful Gardens Inspiration from Near and Far Friday April 27: Film Night, Murder on the Orient Express (12A), Child Okeford Village Hall, 7.30pm, booking: 01258 860518 Friday April 27 to Monday April 30: 14-18 Commemoration Exhibition of Tanks and Aircraft Development during WWI, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to 3pm Saturday April 28: Big Blandford Clean Up, 10am to noon (details cleanupblandford@hotmail.com), to help meet at blue bridge on Marsh & Ham 10am Covent Garden comes to Dorset, with the Dorset Opera Festival, Milton Abbey, 7.30pm, tickets and details miltonabbey.org Sunday April 29: Fundraising day for Help build a room for Grace, sponsored walk from the Pimperne Village Hall 11am finishing back at the hall for spring sale, forms from Jackie 07879003567 or Lisa 07712544279, donations greatly appreciated Monday April 30: 'Our NHS National Health Sell-Off?' Resurgence Dorset hosts talk and discussion with Charles Miller on privatisation in the NHS, Blandford Museum, Beres Yard, Market Place 7.30pm, details 01258 818223 or meetup.com/Resurgence-Dorset

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April 2018