June 2018 Forum Focus

FORUM FOCUS

The new Mayor of Blandford: Page 2

For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No.75

June 2018

High rents to blame for the town’s empty shops?

THE closure of Prezzo in East Street on May 12 has left a third business premises empty with 'To let' signs in the same stretch of road, including two of the new units opposite created following the closure of Argos.

It prompted an outpouring of comment on social media regretting the loss, suggesting what people might like to see, and highlighting high rents being sought by the landlords, with the Prezzo building quoted as being available for over ÂŁ4,500 a month.

But a retail assessment carried out by consultants Carter Jonas on behalf of the Dorset Councils Partnership into the state of the retail and commercial leisure sector in North Dorset, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland. reveals that the vacancy rate in Blandford of only 6.4 per cent of the total number of 186 premises was low compared to the rest of the country (11.2 per cent) The assessors state: "There could be an opportunity to attract further businesses into the centre in order for improvements to be made, subject to market demand and the right accommodation in terms of location, scale and format being available."

The assessment also reveals that

the 65 comparison goods (nonfood) retailers in the town centre is 35 per cent of the total units, above the national average, although the floor space provision of 7,051sqm is below, and a decrease from the 2015 figure.

It also confirms the over-supply of charity shops with 10 in the centre, representing 5.4 per cent of the total, compared to a national average of 2.7 per cent.

The assessment, published in March but based on statistics and stakeholder surveys from 2017, concluded that overall the town had a good convenience provision (food and groceries), anchored by Morrisons and M&S and supplemented by a number of small independent retailers and out-of-centre provision at Tesco, the Co-op and Lidl.

The town's comparison offer was in line with the national average, and the provision of services above average and dominated by leisure services, including many fast food takeaways, restaurants and pubs, which created and enhanced the town's night-time economy.

The report states: "The town hosts a large number of independent retailers which are considered to be one of the centre's key strengths as they contribute

It was fun in the sun for this year’s Blandford Georgian Fayre, held on a scorching hot May Bank Holiday. Pictured running the church Cupola Project plant stall are (from left) chairman of Blandford & District Civic Society Terence Dear (aka John Bastard), with Anne Shire, Sara Loch and Muriel Read. For report & more pictures, turn to Pages 4, 5 & 14. to the overall diversity, vitality and viability of the area."

The assessment also concludes that Blandford is well provided for in terms of the number of car parking spaces, while parking

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charges within the centre are relatively low, but there could be an opportunity to improve public transport facilities and public seating to make it more attractive.

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June 2018

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

ON THE WEBSITE www.forumfocus.co.uk

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

Where to find Forum Focus IF anyone would like to join our team to deliver in their own or any other area that has no delivery, please get in touch (see contacts above).

Copies can be picked up from any of our drop points below: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: Morrisons, Greyhound Yard; M&S Langton Road; The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in The Tabernacle, the Corn Exchange, the Spar shop in Market Place, Gorge Cafe in East Street, Blandford Museum in the Market Place, the Tourist Information Centre in West Street, Chaffers in Salisbury Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the 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 and Co-op, 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.

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Mental health hospital security concerns raised PROPOSALS for three-metrehigh security fencing around Shottsford House in Heddington Drive/Fairfield Bungalows raised concerns among local residents, who met representatives of the company which will be running it as a mental health facility, The Priory Hospital.

They learnt that the Priory Group, which now owns the site originally operated by Dorset County Council, was a leading provider of behavioural care in the UK. They said they would be providing a range of specialist residential and supported living for adults, aged 18 years and over, with another, sanctioned by the NHS, providing a community independent learning disability unit for up to 16 acute child and

adolescent mental health services patients.

The existing 2.4-metre-high timber fencing and post structure is being replaced with a new threemetre anti-climb steel fence and post security mesh fencing with privacy sheets to provide a secure outside area for the service users for external exercise and recreation.

Hospital director Caroline Williams thanked all those attending and arranging the meeting which she hoped had alleviated some of their worries.

She undertook to provide a newsletter/information sheet for

local residents to inform them about the hospital, and to organise an open day at which people could have their questions answered and anxieties hopefully resolved.

Town welcomes new Mayor COUNCILLOR Roger Carter (right), Blandford's deputy mayor for the past 12 months, has been elected as the town's new Mayor.

He was chosen at Blandford Town Council's annual meeting on May 14 and formally confirmed in the role at the traditional mayor-making ceremony in the Corn Exchange four days later.

He announced that his mayoral charities are the Blandford Opportunity Group and Blandford Food Bank.

Councillor Carter's Mayoral Chaplain will be the Rector of Blandford, the Rev Jonathan Triffitt.

The new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Nocturin Lacey-Clarke.

Full report in next month's issue.

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June 2018

Jail warning to landowner over ‘ugly’ site A LANDOWNER has been ordered to pay more than £20,000 in fines and court costs or face imprisonment for keeping unauthorised buildings and structures, as well as storing vehicles and waste materials, on land in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty intended exclusively for agricultural purposes.

Joseph Edward Clancy, 78, of Hazel Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, appeared in court for sentencing after being prosecuted by North Dorset District Council for breaching three enforcement notices issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Clancy had twice been given time to comply with three outstanding enforcement notices.

The court was told he had reduced the number of trailers from 30 to 22 and ceased to keep ponies and horses on the land but had complied with only around 25 per cent of the requirements of all three notices.

Tom Horder, barrister for the District Council, said the council had first received complaints from local residents about the state of the land in 2009 and Clancy had had many chances to comply.

The fact that a guilty plea had only been received late in the proceedings and that the defendant elected to be tried in the Crown Court had substantially increased costs.

Clancy's representative said his client was a man of good charac-

ter, with no previous convictions and limited finances, who lived a very disorganised life and had failed to understand the seriousness or urgency of the matter.

Judge Peter Johnson said the land was "an ugly stark contrast with the surrounding land".

The local planning authority had shown "remarkable patience and restraint" in allowing Clancy time to comply, but there had been a "substantial period of wilful defiance to comply" and a "wilful disregard of planning law".

He fined Clancy £2,500 for each of the first two counts and £4,000 for the third, to be paid within six months of the hearing or replaced by a three-month prison sentence.

He also ordered him to pay the council's costs of £11,426.20 within six months or again face a three-month prison sentence, and made it very clear that he was still obliged to comply with the notices in full.

After the case, Cllr David Walsh, North Dorset District Council's Cabinet member for planning, said: "I would like to thank officers for their consistent approach in dealing with this case and getting a successful outcome. Court proceedings are a last resort and we try to work with landowners wherever possible.

"We have a duty to protect land that falls under an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and make sure it is used for its intended purpose."

Business group launched A NEW business support group launched for local small business owners and representatives held its first meeting in May. It is open to all businesses from any sector, hoping to give support rather than networking, and further meetings will be held at 8.30am on the first Thursday of each month in No.8 Café.

One of the organisers of the new group, CBA Services, is inviting small businesses to come together in a charity fundraising event at The Blandford School on Sunday, July 29.

'The Crystal Challenge' will involve teams of six to eight people who have raised sponsorship to compete, with a prize for the best dressed team.

The main charity to benefit will be Treads Youth and Advice Centre, and the plan is for it to be an annual event for local businesses. The minimum age to compete is 16.

For further details on either the support group or the charity event, contact office@cheapprintingdorset.co.uk or kay@cba-services.co.uk.

Above & below: Some of the unauthorised material at Okeford Fitzpaine that landed Joseph Clancy in court.

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June 2018

All the sun of the fayre

Crowds enjoying live music in the garden of the Crown Hotel.

T

HIS year's Georgian Fayre will certainly go down in the records as the hottest so far, taking place on the warmest early May Bank Holiday since its introduction in 1978.

In complete contrast to last year, when an unfavourable weather forecast kept exhibitors and public away, temperatures soared into the mid-20s and drew thousands to the town.

There were also long queues at the end of the day on the bypass where sun-seekers returning from a day on the beach, and campers leaving the Teddy Rocks festival at Thornicombe, met fayre-goers exiting the town at the A350/A354 and Wimborne Road junctions.

The Fayre was opened with a concert by the Wessex Highlanders, which ended with a special rendition of Highland Cathedral in recognition of the Royal wedding to follow on May 19.

The official opening was by Mayor of Blandford Peter Clark, accompanied by mace bearer David Jardine, the Blandford Carnival Court of Princess Lexi Wright and attendants Kacey Bumby and Lara Miller, together with Town Crier Jean Jeffrey, who

The Stour Valley Band in the Market Place.

gave a traditional cry.

Mr Clark said: ""This day is only made possible by the hundreds of hours given by the committee every year, and I thank them for all their efforts."

His thanks were echoed on social media by many public comments during and after the day.

Fayre chairman Colin Stevens presented a cheque for ÂŁ500 to the Mayor for his Mayoral Charities - the Blandford Scouts and the Blandford Dementia Alliance - and welcomed visitors from Blandford's French twin town of Mortain.

It was noted that 20 local charities were being supported in this, the 26th year, and other charitable organisations in the town will have benefited through an event which over the years, as a charity supporter and enabler, has raised over a million pounds.

Entertainment in the Market Place continued from the New Forest Yokels, the Anonymous Morris Men, traditional Gurkha dancing and the Stour Valley Band, but there were plenty of other attractions.

A 'children's zone' in the Woodhouse

Gardens hosted entertainment from Mr Merlin & Okey Dokey the Dragon, and the Blandford Railway Club hosted a model railway layout in the studio behind M&Co. The Masonic Hall and Lodge in West Street was open all day for refreshments and guided tours, and there was a continuous programme of entertainment in the Ham car park in the 'Music Zone'. Performers included Karen Grant, John De-Barra, Lili White, the Wessex Highlanders, the Performing Arts Theatre Academy, with excerpts from their forthcoming show 'Arabian Nights', Malago Ballroom and Dolly & the Ractiles.

Costume makers Jon and Francesca Caton, who demonstrated their skills in creating fashions of all centuries, were thrilled to discover Blandford's Fashion Museum in The Plocks, which was also open all day.

Also open were the Blandford Town Museum, the Parish Church, the Royal British Legion Club, and the Parish Centre and Methodist Church, where the Blandford Women's Institute and Methodist Church members served teas and refreshments. • To facing page

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June 2018

Brewery chairman Mark Woodhouse and judge John White, with the two teams undertaking the inaugural barrel rolling challenge, Julie Dunk and Linda Blythe and Nick Blythe and Blue Donnebaer.

Town Crier Jean Jeffrey announces the fayre.

A little drummer boy and bigger friend from the Wessex Highlanders.

More pictures on Page 14 & online at forumfocus.co.uk

• From Page 4 John White, who worked at the Blandford brewery for 40 years, was invited by Mark Woodhouse to judge the inaugural barrel race between two teams from Stourpaine, Julie Dunk and Linda Blythe and Nick Blythe and Blue Donnebaer.

Pride of place in the display of 25 vintage vehicles by Transport of Yesteryear on the club's 19th anniversary run was taken by the 1935 Beardmore Taxi owned for 30 years by Stephen FoxSangways of Melbury House, Evershot. It was originally purchased following his death on active service and restored by Carle and Diane of Weymouth in 1970, but sold and repurchased by them when it was offered on eBay in 2007, since when it has been restored again to become the only one of its kind complete and running in the world.

On the lower Ham and Marsh area, the Dorset Tank Club displayed miniature tanks and there was a re-enactment display, dog agility, the Kingston Maurward birds of prey and ferret racing.

On the Leet of the river Stour, North Dorset Scouts and Guides

staged a series of duck races raising funds for a group's visit to the 2019 World Jamboree.

In the Crown Hotel gardens and Sealy Suite there were food, craft and gift stalls, a toddler dance class, live music including Permanent Vacation and a cider festival.

The heat forced many to seek the shade and resulted in some needing attention from St John Ambulance volunteers in attendance.

It also meant that some stallholders had a disappointing day - at least one dropped out fearing the impact of the heat on produce, and another who did attend commented: "It's a risk you take with shows."

But most enjoyed basking in the sunshine - and there were long queues for ice-cream sellers for whom the weather was perfect.

After the concluding draw for the raffle, made by the Mayor with the assistance of two representatives of the Queen's Gurkha Signals who had been helping during the day, Fayre chairman Colin Stevens said: "We've had a really great day, and we hope all our visitors enjoyed the same."

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June 2018

The technology block at Bryanston School features columns in the shape of screws (Historic England/PA).

Listing honour for Bryanston School building BRYANSTON School's Gough Building, named after the architect Piers Gough, is one of a number of post-modern developments which have been listed by Historic England.

It was built almost 100 years after the Grade I listed main school building, created between 1889 and 1894 for Viscount Portman by R. Norman Shaw and opened in October 1988 by Sir Hugh Casson, the father-inlaw of Roger Zogolovitch.

Piers Gough, of CZWG (Campbell, Zogolovitch, Wilkinson and Gough), who were commissioned to design it, suggested a different site to one the school had earmarked.

He proposed the new building be aligned with the east wing of Shaw's house to form an eastern courtyard with a design described

by Historic England as 'witty and inventive' which paid attention to the setting of the listed building.

Exterior bays are separated by columns modelled to look like giant screws and made of cast white stone, a decorative feature which plays a functional role, unifying the design, signifying the purpose of the building, and deflecting sunlight. The red brick and white cast stone dressing and first-floor windows echo the features of the Shaw building.

Its Grade II listing is said to be for its architectural value indicative of an English contribution to postmodern architecture, and a key

project by CZWG, a 'celebrated British post-modernist practice', as well as for its group value within the setting of the Shaw original.

The listing goes on to record that CZWG returned to Bryanston in 1995 to design a pair of boarding houses (Dorset House and Cranborne House) in a single butterfly-plan block, that the eastern courtyard created by the Gough Building was continued in 2007 by the addition of Hopkins Architects' Sanger Centre, and that Hopkins' Bramall Hall (2014) stands to the rear of the Gough Building, with a reconfiguration of the latter's rear elevation.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Postmodern architecture brought fun and colour to our streets. These are scarce survivals of a really influential period of British architecture and these buildings deserve the protection that listing gives them."

Exploring Blandford’s roots A BOOKLET detailing Blandford's Saxon and Norman roots will be launched at the Blandford Museum on Saturday June 2 by its author Michael Le Bas with a short talk of introduction.

The story traces the history of the nine manorial estates listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 named Bleneford, Blaneford and other similar spellings.

Over the course of 500 years, the name of Blandford Forum was finally given to the town.

Following its launch at 10.30 for 11am, the booklet will be on sale in the museum bookshop for ÂŁ3.50.

June 2018

Ofsted places village school in special measures OKEFORD Fitzpaine Primary School has been placed in special measures after its latest Ofsted report.

The Ofsted inspectors downgraded its status following the judgement that it is "inadequate".

The inspection in March found the smaller-than-average school, which educates 36 children, had a number of urgent actions to address, which will now be closely monitored.

The North Dorset Teaching School Alliance, led by the Gryphon School in Sherborne, has been given responsibility for supporting and overseeing Okeford Fitzpaine's improvement plan, along with the Diocese, ensuring the actions of the plan are undertaken.

Inspectors were impressed with the passion and hard work of the school's headteacher and the new leadership team, and found its Christian values were at the heart of everyday school life and its links with St Andrew's church in the village were strong.

But overall, they found the school to be inadequate because pupils' progress in reading, writing and maths had been slow. Although the new leadership team and teachers had begun to rebuild, it was not enough to address

endemic weaknesses in need of rapid improvement.

New Headteacher, Elizabeth Peters said: "Having come to this role with fresh eyes and having appraised myself of the situation in full, I am satisfied that the outcome of the inspection is an accurate reflection of our current position.

"We have been open and honest throughout the process, because it is important that Ofsted could see where we are making good progress but also what our weaknesses are.

"It is reassuring to hear that changes that were introduced by my predecessor in September regarding safeguarding and pupils' personal development are on the right tracks. It is a shame these measures couldn't make enough progress in time for the inspection.”

Mrs Peters added: "I would like to reassure all parents and carers that our pupils, their education and their wellbeing are our top priority.

"Of course, this rating is not where we want to be and we recognise there is work to be done. We will be putting all our efforts into getting the basics right, which will become the good foundations for change."

Boost for credit union WYVERN Credit Union, which offers savings accounts and affordable loans to members in Dorset and Somerset, including Blandford, has been awarded a £50,000 grant by Lloyds Banking Group to strengthen its capital ratio and allow them to offer more lending to more members in the local community.

Tim Topper, Director of Wyvern Savings and Loans, said: "Wyvern applied to the Lloyds Bank Credit Union Development Fund in 2017 as a follow-up to our 2016 success in receiving a seed grant. The timing could not have been better and the new and unexpected injection of funds in support of our capital asset ratio is very welcome."

Wyvern Credit Union is among 21 credit unions across the country that are benefiting from £1m in grants from Lloyds Banking Group.

NIGHT-TIME closures of Durweston Bridge and the stretch of the A357 through the village during May have allowed the resurfacing of the whole road. Diversion routes were put in place by Dorset Highways.

Work is also continuing on improvements to the A350 designed to restrict traffic speeds, and a new speed limit is due to come into operation in the middle of June.

Surface dressing is planned for a number of Blandford roads in August, and county councillor Byron Quayle reported to the town council that he was pushing for more roads to be added.

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June 2018

June 2018

Jail suspended in assault case A CHARLTON Marshall man is subject to an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, after admitting assaulting a woman by beating her in Blandford on April 17.

Simon Philip Pope, 29, of Green Close, was sentenced to a further eight weeks concurrent, again suspended for 24 months, after admitting a similar assault on April 18, and eight weeks concurrent, suspended, for damaging the front door of a property belonging to Spectrum Housing on April 17.

A helping hand for tea dances TOWN councillors have agreed to free use of the Corn Exchange kitchen by the providers of refreshments at the monthly tea dances, which have so far failed to attract a wide audience.

The dances, hosted by Soggy Biscuit Dance Band started in February in response to the appreciation shown for a one-off event two years ago.

Three freed on bail after attack on man THREE men arrested in connection with a serious assault in Blandford were released on police bail until the end of May. Police officers were called at 9.12pm on Georgian Fayre day, Monday May 7, to Damory Court Street, where it was a reported a 31-year-old man had been assaulted, allegedly by a man with a claw hammer, before being driven at by a second man in a Mercedes car.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries to his face and stomach, which were not believed to be life-threatening.

A 30-year-old Blandford man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, and a 42year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

A cordon was put in place while investigations were ongoing, and officers from the neighbourhood policing team conducted house-tohouse enquiries.

Detective Inspector Andrea Power, of Weymouth CID, said: "A full and detailed investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances around this incident.

"I am appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police, to please get in touch with us urgently."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180068562.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

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OVERGROWN grass verges and open spaces around the town finally had a short back and sides thanks to the arrival with the Rangers of a new mower.

It can also collect the cuttings, making the cut areas look much better than in previous years, and also meaning that the grass will not grow as quickly.

Blandford's County Councillor Byron Quayle said: "A number of residents had contacted me about the grass verges. I met with the Rangers who confirmed they would be cutting the verges all week."

Dorset Highway have also been out clearing litter from the verges of Blandford bypass.

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June 2018

Clean-up volunteers set a great example AN excellent turnout for the Cleanup Blandford day resulted in the collection of around 40 bin bags of litter and the rescue of four shopping trolleys from the river Stour.

Around 30 volunteers who patrolled the river meadows, car parks and streets were joined by an equal number of canoeists who paddled the river retrieving unwanted deposits.

Organiser David Rose, for Cleanup Blandford, said: "The great thing was there were new helpers, and lots of youngsters, who came along."

He said the vacant site behind the Information Centre in West Street revealed what looked like

Some of the canoeists who turned out to help in the Cleanup Blandford day. rubbish from the nearby Chinese and Subway takeaway outlets, which he would be reporting to the Dorset Waste Partnership.

There was also once again a lot of rubbish in the car park behind M&Co - an issue which has been raised before - and a large amount of business cardboard waste.

The litter pickers were out again after the Georgian Fayre the following weekend, clearing the inevitable mounds of cans, bottles and takeaway leftovers from the streets.

The next Cleanup Blandford is

scheduled for Saturday September 8, but Mr Rose said: "I do loan out litter picking items free of charge for an event, so if anyone needs any, please contact me by email to Cleanupblandford@hotmail.com."

Canoeists Tim and Rob with some of the items 'rescued' from the river.

Bags of rubbish and other items collected in the Cleanup.

BLANDFORD's long-serving town councillor Haydn White received a Star Award certificate for Councillor Development on behalf of Blandford Forum Town Council at the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils (DAPTC) annual conference. He is one of the town's representatives on the DAPTC, which offers training for town/parish councillors, and their staff, and recognises councils with good attendance.

June 2018

Objections greet bid to increase homes number A SECOND application for development off Tin Pot Lane has resulted in a total of more than 40 houses and two commercial units being proposed for land between the lane and Blandford bypass.

The applications both come from Stuart Laws, who is also proposing improvements to the lane, which is also the access to the Milldown and currently the only access to the Clump Farm Industrial Estate.

The first has received a number of letters of support from people welcoming planned improvements to the lane, as well as the development of 15 homes and two commercial units off the lower part of the lane.

But the second, for a further 28 homes and play area further up the lane, has received objections on the grounds that it will generate too much extra traffic on a sub-standard road in addition to that already accessing the Milldown and Clump Farm.

Blandford & District Civic Society has commented that the two applications should be considered together and noted that a traffic assessment submitted with each fails to total the amount of traffic generated.

It also noted the documents submitted with the applications assume the opening of the link road between Blandford Heights and Clump Farm created when the former allotment site was developed.

Blandford Town Council has objected to both on grounds of highways issues, including traffic generation, insufficient vehicular access and highway safety.

"There is no evidence supporting the fact that the relief road will ever be opened. Officers need to ensure that this evidence is provided when deciding on the application."

Dorset Highways have asked that the applications be deferred so that the highway issues can be fully assessed.

Since the application was submitted, a spokesman for the applicant has confirmed that there was an error in the highways report stating that Plough Estate road would link into the Clump Industrial Estate, which is not part of the application.

But all drawings on both application show clear highway improvements to Tin Pot Lane forming a continuous 5.5m wide highway, which there is scope to widen with passing places, and a 2m wide footpath down Tin Pot Lane to the Milldown.

"It is our intention and always has been to upgrade the lane that seems to have got missed or not made clear," he said. "We fully intended at all times to improve the road, taking into consideration the already dangerous lane leading to the Milldown and Industrial estates."

Stuart Laws, who lives in Tin Pot Lane and is the owner of the development site, has said he knows how hazardous the lane is.

He said he had instructed his consultants to discuss with highways, as ultimately they owned the lane and they were the ones to advise on the best way to proceed.

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Cause of man’s death unknown A 70-year-old man who went missing from his supported housing home in Park Road, Blandford, in the early hours of December 30, was found dead on a small island plantation in the middle of the River Stour at Charlton Marshall on April 19.

Specialist teams had conducted an extensive search for Andrew Latcham on both land and in water.

An inquest in Bournemouth was told that his body was identified by dental records, and a pathologist was unable to determine the cause of his death.

Assistant Dorset Coroner Brendan Allen was told that police enquiries revealed no signs of third party involvement, and no evidence of trauma or suspicious circumstances.

The Coroner adjourned the hearing until October 9, and asked for statements from Mr Latcham's GP, his family and the police.

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June 2018

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

A chance to honour our armed forces

O

ur country now holds an Armed Forces Day annually so the public can acknowledge the high esteem that we feel for our present and past soldiers sailors and airmen and how proud of them we are as a nation.

In Blandford we are going to underpin this by holding an open day at the Royal British Legion Club and car park opposite, hosting the activities on Saturday 30th June starting at 11am.

We want to promote charitable organisations that have been supporting ex-service personnel and their families for a long time, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion through their Poppy Appeal and our Gurkha friends.

Any money raised will be divided equally between the three.

There will be stalls laid out from these organisations so you may be best able to speak direct with those working for those worthy causes.

For the children there will be a bouncy castle provided for their fun, glitter tattoos, face painting stall and children's entertainer Krazy Kev performing from around 1pm.

There will be catering available, including a hog roast, German Schnellimbiss, Gurkha food and an ice-cream van.

In the evening we will be entertained by Irish comedian and singer Frankie Finn (contains adult humour).

Please show your support by coming along and supporting this very worthwhile event.

It is also a club open day so we are open to non-members all day and evening.

Chairman Terence Dear, guest speaker John Young, and Shaftesbury Civic Society chairman Mike Madgwick at the Blandford & District Civic Society St George's Day Lunch.

Lunch marks a special day for civic group BLANDFORD & District Civic Society celebrated St George's Day at a lunch hosted in the Masonic Hall in Blandford, followed by a tour of the Masonic Lodge guided by Brother Mark Hinsley.

Guest speaker was John Young, who earlier in the month retired as High Sheriff of Dorset. He spoke about the history of the role and the work in which he had been involved during his year of office.

He highlighted in particular his interest, as a local magistrate, in domestic violence, and the creation of an animation 'Cut Your Strings', which can be found on the Dorset Police website.

It was produced at his request in association with Bournemouth University, Dorset Police, the

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Wessex Crown Prosecution Service and Safer Poole Partnership victim support services, and with the support of members of the Dorset Criminal Justice Board (DCJB) and the Duchess of Cornwall, together with Louiza Patikas, who played Helen Titchener in a domestic abuse storyline in The Archers on Radio 4.

Other guests at the lunch included Mike Madgwick, chairman of Shaftesbury Civic Society, and Roger Carter, Blandford's deputy mayor, together with Civic Society members and friends, who were welcomed by chairman Terence Dear. A loyal toast in recognition of the 92nd birthday of the Queen was proposed by member Mike Oliver.

A princely welcome A QUARTER peal on the bells of Blandford Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul on the morning of Monday April 23 began just after 10.15am as a celebration of St George's Day and the birth anniversary of William Shakespeare, and ended as a greeting to Prince Louis Arthur Charles, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, born at 11.01am.

Richard Owen, spokesman for the

Blandford bellringers, said a visiting group had asked to ring the peal for St George and Shakespeare, and was among a growing number of ringers asking to use the bells following their restoration.

"A quarter peal lasts for threequarters of an hour, but we are restricting full peals, lasting over three hours, to New Year and August Bank Holiday, when fewer people are about in town," he said.

THE Friends of Blandford Community Hospital will be holding their 61st annual general meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday July 4 at the hospital in Milldown Road. Nominations for elections to the Friends' Council closed on May 11.

13

June 2018

New roles will help in the county’s fight against crime POLICE Community Support Investigators (PCSIs) based in stations across the county, including Blandford, have been appointed by Dorset Police to respond to the needs of victims more effectively.

They have been recruited from among the Police Community Support Officers in neighbourhood policing teams who, following an intensive training programme of classroom learning and on-the-job training shadowing police officers, are now able to attend appointments to deal with incidents such as assaults, criminal damage, shed breaks, vehicle crime and harassment.

They can also record crimes, carry out the initial investigation, take statements and provide reassurance and crime prevention advice to the victim, and help investigation teams dealing with cyber-crime, child sexual exploitation and sex offences, as well as other areas generating significant demand.

The new role, which also creates a career path for PCSOs to progress into investigation roles, has been introduced in response to public feedback that the Force did not always respond to crimes in a timely and efficient manner when there was no immediate risk or danger.

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Fielding said: "This is an exciting time for our Police Community Support Investigators who bring with them a range of skills and years of policing experience which will be very useful in their new roles.

"We have been able to invest in increasing resources in areas where we experience significant demand by retraining and redeploying PCSOs in a more flexible role.

"Crime has changed and we must ensure our workforce reflects the modern demands we face, which are increasingly complex and often hidden from public view, such as online crime and child sexual exploitation, which are particularly impactive on victims.

"Neighbourhood policing is still at the centre of everything we do in Dorset and we remain committed to supporting local communities who expect and deserve a visible policing presence with police officers and PCSOs working as part of our neighbourhood policing teams across the county."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, said: "We need to be making best use of available resources, and giving PCSOs an opportunity to diversify their careers is important if we are to retain skilled individuals with a solid understanding of local needs.

"With PCSIs taking on the initial investigatory work in relation to low-threat crimes, our PCSOs will be better able to fulfil their core community engagement role while police officers will have more time to tackle high-risk crimes in Dorset.

"I am pleased that my decision to raise the precept will support ongoing work such as this to meet the changing demands we face."

Blandford School students (from left) Katherine Stanley, Emma Humphrey, George Dutton, Flo Hendy, Rian Lewis-Smith, Tyler Cosstick and Seren Birtles with their Historic England Angel Awards, and Ben Smurthwaite and Izzy Ellis with their Museum Award for volunteering. Not pictured are recent graduate Jake Storer and Ottilie Tabberer, who both received Historic England Angel Awards.

Awards for students for museum work STUDENTS from Bryanston School and The Blandford School, who have been working at the Blandford Museum as part of their community involvement, recently received several honours.

The students have carried out a number of projects, bringing fresh perspectives to work that the museum is undertaking, and the awards, recently commended by Historic England, recognise the role they played.

All the students and young people involved received award certificates as part of the Young Curators Project. Historic England and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation's Historic England Angel certificates of commendation were presented to eight of them, and a further two students received the Blandford Museum Award for Volunteering.

The Young Curators project run by the museum has proved very suc-

cessful with its work study programme. Work has also been undertaken on collections management, exhibition panels and the revision and writing of historical and explanatory booklets.

During the year the museum works with students through a work-study programme run by the schools, but the museum is open to projects involving students and young people at any time of the year.

Working at the museum has proved very popular with students over the last few years, but in order to continue to support these young people, more adult volunteers are urgently needed to supervise and work with them.

If you have an interest or background in education and are able to give a few hours, please contact the museum director Sylvia Hixson Andrews through the museum.

14

June 2018

Thousands flock to the Georgian Fayre

The Performing Arts Theatre Academy preview their July show 'Arabian Nights'.

Ladies of the Blandford Women's Institute (from left): Josie Tuck, Simone Walls-McDonald and Emily Trevett, who served teas in the Parish Rooms in The Tabernacle.

A prime position for Alan Barnley of the Sizzling Sausage Company, who set up his stall in front of Prezzo.

The Anonymous Morris in the Market Place.

Shelley Gamble and Sharon Jones sell raffle tickets for the North Dorset Scouts.

Steve Nuttall of Weymouth with some of the exhibits by the Dorset Tank Club.

15

June 2018

High prices and low wages add to housing problems THE extraordinarily high demand quoted last month by Persimmon Homes for their new development at Fair Mile Rise, Blandford St Mary, has underlined the importance of house hunters signing up to a new register to help bring to Dorset good-quality homes for sale.

It has also highlighted the 'affordability gap' which puts even the smallest properties out of reach for young local families keen to get a foot on the housing ownership ladder.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics and the National Housing Federation's latest 'Home Truths' report have confirmed that affordability is one of the key issues affecting the housing market and house building in north, south and west Dorset.

On average nationally, full-time workers need to pay 7.8 times

their annual workplace earnings on purchasing a home, but in North Dorset it is 11.4 per cent.

House prices between 2016 and 2017 increased by 6.2 per cent in the south-west, while earnings increased by only 2.9 per cent.

The average house price in North Dorset has risen to £283,114.

The prices at Blandford St Mary range from £192,995 for a twobedroomed semi to £384,995 for a four-bedroomed detached in phase one of the 61-home development.

The Home Ownership Register has been launched as part of the Opening Doors initiative of the Dorset Councils Partnership to encourage more housing and gauge the type required, especially by younger local working people.

It is particularly for people who are ready to buy a home, but

Housing enabling team leader for the Dorset Councils Partnership, Paul Derrien, at a consultation event. those in need of social rented properties using the Dorset Home Choice Housing Register can also indicate factors such as the preferred price, number of bedrooms, type of ownership, garden size and choices between flats or houses.

The council will then be able to pass on to developers the type of homes people want.

Anyone signing up will also receive the Opening Doors newsletter with the latest news about housing developments and new homes for sale in the area.

Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, North Dorset District Council leader and housing portfolio holder, said: "We want to hear from anyone thinking of buying, whether they are looking to get on the housing ladder or are an existing homeowner on the move."

People can sign up to the register online by finding 'Accelerating Homebuilding Programme' at dorsetforyou.gov.uk or find out more at openingdoorsdorset.co.uk.

• See letter on page 16.

16

Readers’ letters

Good start on my plastic-free venture I HEARD about the Church of England's excellent suggestion of a Lenten plastic fast on Woman's Hour so, even though we were already a few days into Lent, I decided to go for it.

It wasn't that easy, particularly at the supermarket. You can buy a banana, certain sorts of potato, of apple (needless to say the more expensive sort), of broccoli, of carrot, etc, but the trouble comes in the dairy aisle (milk, cheese, most butter, most yoghurts - well actually all yoghurts if you don't abandon the plastic lid on the cardboard con-

June 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

tainers - cream and so on).

The meat aisle is impossible; cereals in their promising-looking cardboard boxes have plastic bags within, as do the biscuits which aren't obviously encased in plastic; spaghetti, rice, oats, raisins, lavatory paper are all swathed in unrecyclable shiny stuff.

The girls on the till have all been, without exception, friendly, encouraging and enthusiastic about transferring my veg, potato by potato, carrot by carrot, from the conveyor belt to my basket, but the white-hatted chaps behind the meat counter have been less agreeable.

But the town centre was - is, because I'm still doing it - a comparative walk in the park.

The butcher is happy to wrap my meat and my cheese in the greaseproof paper I keep in my bag (and is even considering going back to having a stack of paper on his counter, though I don't suppose he will); the baker

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.

puts my loaf straight into my basket, the candlestick maker is fine if you go for the loose sort, and the greengrocer is delighted to oblige.

The farm shop couldn't be more helpful, and they have bins of rice and oats to delve into. So it's all pretty good. One downside is that shopping takes longer, quite a lot longer, the upside being that everyone is keen to talk about the whole hideous problem of plastic pollution and try to do something about it.

Another is that you can't always buy what you thought you wanted, but the upside of that is that you buy things that are in season and generally local. Asparagus is just coming in as I write, hurrah!

I haven't yet solved the lavatory paper problem; at the moment it's paper hankies in cardboard boxes, and even those have a tiny (quite unnecessary) sliver of plastic built into the lid, but we are working on it. We haven't resorted to Bronco, if indeed it still exists.

Our black landfill bin is practically empty, so well done, the Church of England.

Henrietta Young, Durweston

Affordable homes campaign AS a North Dorset District Councillor, I have been actively campaigning and researching the issues surrounding 'Affordable Housing' and in doing so have made representations to County and District councils at every opportunity over the past four years.

The problem is complex, most notably because Central Government seems to have no idea of the real cost of an affordable house beyond the mantra of talking about homes being available at 80% of current market prices.

For a young family, living on an average Dorset rural income, this would mean the family would need a mortgage that would allow them to leverage their income by a multiple of 11. This just won't happen.

Opening Doors is a joint initiative

by the councils of North Dorset, West Dorset & Weymouth & Portland, who are working together to engage with the community at large to identify viable opportunities for the development of genuinely affordable homes and possibly adopting system building techniques as a means of reducing completion times and construction costs.

I would like to suggest people sign up to the Opening Doors Housing Register which will enable them to register their needs and receive regular updates on progress and opportunities. To register the contact details are: T. 01305 251010; E. info@openingdoorsdorset.co.uk.

Cllr John Stayt Ward councillor, Riversdale.

Highways watchdog LIKE most residents, if not all, I am extremely annoyed by the lacklustre, almost disrespectful way utility companies treat our town. For the past 12 months, as the County Councillor, I have been very active in keeping a close eye on utility works, which pop up around Blandford.

As seen with the works in Albert Street, where utility companies all worked together, for once, to limit disruption to residents, it can be done.

But time and time again utility companies go over their allocated works time, don't remove signs or just simply don't turn up for weeks on end.

On a number of occasions I've had to follow up on poor working practice and safety concerns.

I have been keen to make sure this level of poor service results in a number of fines handed out by the County Council. I will continue to do this with my weekly town inspections, as well as keeping close contact with our highways team.

Furthermore, I would ask all Blandford residents to join me in holding utility companies to account by notifying me as soon as possible if you feel that there is an issue with any work being carried out in your area.

Byron Quayle 07843 616343 byron.quayle@dorsetcc.gov.uk

June 2018

Letters extra

Such a kind community MY mother, Barbara Gilmore, fell over in the street on the morning of April 17. The injuries to her face resulted in a trip to A&E and a four-night in-patient stay in Dorchester. I'm glad to say she is now recovering at home and looking forward to resuming her busy social life.

We wish to publicly thank everyone who stopped to help that day (apologies that we don't know everyone's names): 'Adam' and another gent; a lady was walking home from a nightshift at the community hospital, and 'Dr Jane' (Davies, from Eagle House Surgery), who stayed with her until the ambulance arrived. We are so grateful to you all for your kindheartedness.

Mum moved into Ryan Court just over a year ago after we moved as a family from Brighton.

Everyone we've met in Blandford has been so welcoming and caring. To name just a few: the community centre in Heddington Drive; Age UK coffee mornings; Alzheimer's Society 'Singing for the Brain'/Memory cafe; Jo, Julie and residents at Ryan Court. We feel very fortunate to live here.

Jo Gilmore Portman Road, Pimperne

Traffic blights all villages IF, like me, your readers got the impression from your article 'Historic village to fight lorry verdict' (May 2018) that all HGVs are directed through Melbury Abbas, can I clarify the situation?

Northbound HGVs are directed via the A350 and southbound via the C13 and the direction is advisory only.

All villages along both roads suffer from this heavy traffic. We live in hope that we will eventually see a long-term solution which avoids villages altogether.

Caroline Jones Shaston Road, Stourpaine

Museum’s grant help THANK you for including the article about Blandford Fashion Museum in the last issue of Forum Focus.

Unfortunately there is a statement that we get no external funding.

Could this statement be corrected in the next publication, please?

We do get a small grant from the Blandford Town Council.

Jean Longley Blandford Fashion Museum

Abbey music festival set for a fitting finale MILTON Abbey's Music Festival, which started last autumn and has since seen concerts every month in the spectacular venue, concludes with a fitting finale from the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir with 1,000 Years of Majesty on Sunday, July 1.

First, however, there is an opportunity to hear the Bournemouth Male Voice Choir on Saturday, June 16. The choir, winners of the Brighton Male Voice Choir competition last year, gave its first ever performance in 1922, and is now 60-strong, with a modern approach to music and 'Learn to Sing' events attracting new membership.

It will, together with a programme of classical sacred and more popular music, be featuring songs relating to the First World War to complement the Abbey focus on this in 2018.

The Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir was formed in 1972 to perform with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, but has been independent since 1978, and is now one of the most highly regarded choirs in the south-west of England, also appearing abroad with an extensive repertoire spanning six centuries.

Milton Abbey's 1,000 years will be celebrated combining a number of choral favourites and a complete performance of Parry's Songs of Farewell in recognition of his local connection, having been born in Bournemouth.

Both concerts start at 7.30pm. Further details at miltonabbey.org.

17

Guided walks prove a hit THE popularity of weekend daytime guided heritage walks of Blandford, led by Town Guides from Blandford and District Civic Society, has prompted a change in the regular programme of walks during 2018.

This year they are offering a mixture of daytime and evening walks, with Sunday Heritage Walks in the town centre, and Wednesday evening Perimeter Walks of the more recent development in the town.

The first Heritage Walk was on May 13 and will be followed by one on Sunday, July 15, starting at 11am from the Marsh and Ham car park.

The first Perimeter walk will be on Wednesday, June 13, starting at 7pm from Durdens corner (Scrivens) in the Market Place, and will be followed by another on Wednesday, August 15.

There is also the first of two Geology Walks examining the make-up of Blandford's architecture, with John Scott, on Sunday, June 7, starting at 11am from the Marsh and Ham. For more information call 01258 459346.

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June 2018

Teddy festival hits new heights ANOTHER astonishing total has been raised by the Teddy Rocks festival, which took place at Charisworth Farm over the weekend of May 4 to 6, with some of the best artists to appear to date headlining at the charity event.

After reaching nearly £53,000 by Saturday night, the total grew to £83,742 by the festival's closure, exceeding last year's total of nearly £77,000.

Tom Newton, who set up the event seven years ago in memory of his younger brother Ted, thanked everyone for their support, including the many sponsors without whom he said the festival would not exist.

They included Ghost FX Special Effects, who provided extraordinary pyrotechnics and stage effects, stage sponsors Checkatrade, Vodafone and the Greyhound, and VIP Lounge sponsors MVS Blandford and Vivien Horder estate agents, who also provided signage, and Damory Coaches who provided transport from Blandford to the Thornicombe site.

Thousands of music lovers enjoyed the sunshine and music from a host of popular acts at the familyfriendly festival, and Blandford was buzzing on the

Saturday with festival-goers coming into town to buy supplies.

In all there were more than 80 acts across four stages over the four days.

Among the performers were Welsh rockers Feeder, Ash, Mallory Knox, The Magic Numbers, Sonic Boom Six, the Decatonics, a New York Bee Gees tribute Tragedy, and festival regulars Punk on

Your Hits, together with Tom's own band, The Bottom Line.

Since 2011, the festival has raised more than £167,000 for children's cancer charity, Teddy20. It was founded by Tom and his family to help families of those affected by cancer when Ted was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, which resulted in his death at the age of ten.

Above & below: rocking the night away at the festival.

Jasmin Woods and family with 'The Bear' at Teddy Rocks .

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June 2018

Village hall blazes a low carbon trail

Care group invitation to newcomers

CHARLTON Marshall village hall has become the first beneficiary of Low Carbon Dorset, a new County Council-led programme set up to boost Dorset's low carbon economy and reduce its carbon footprint.

The ÂŁ10k grant from Low Carbon Dorset will contribute to a brand new energy efficient building which will replace the village's current wooden hall, built in the mid-1930s.

The old hall is becoming increasingly expensive to run and nolonger fit for purpose.

The funding will pay for a variety of renewable and energy efficiency measures, including a hybrid air-source heat pump, powered by solar PV panels, and LED lighting throughout, helping the hall to exceed energy efficiency standards and reduce future bills.

Funding for the installations and construction of the new hall comes in part from Low Carbon Dorset through European Regional Development Funding

A CARERS group meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at the Blandford Community Centre in Heddington Drive would like others to join them.

The sessions, between 10am and noon, are free of charge and open to those who care for anyone, be it parent, partner, child or sibling.

Member Mary Kinsler said: "We have coffee, share experiences, ideas and chat - this is 'our time' away from our caring role. We invite regular interesting guest speakers to give us information and advice, and have discussed the carers' discount card and how to register as a carer.

"We also have regular day trips, the most recent being to Clarks Village in Street."

For more information, call Lorraine on 01258 480762 or Mary on 01258 450108.

(ERDF). Further funding is secured by the community from other sources including the National Lottery, Garfield Weston Foundation, Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, North Dorset District and Charlton Marshall Parish Councils, and the community itself.

County Councillor Hilary Cox said: "The development of a new village hall has been embraced by the whole village enthusiastically, and the award of the Low Carbon Dorset grant demonstrates the community's awareness of their carbon footprint."

Work on the new hall is planned to start this month and is expected to be completed by March 2019.

Free Low Carbon Community workshops were held in May at which community organisations with similar carbon reduction projects could find out more about the funding and support available and further information can be found at lowcarbondorset.org.uk.

Low Carbon Dorset's programme manager Antony Littlechild and Charlton Marshall village hall volunteer Pam Higgins celebrate the awarding of the grant.

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June 2018

Gravestone recalls a family torn apart by three deaths A

GRAVESTONE in Langton Long churchyard tells the sad story of Leonard Frank Joyce, who died of wounds as a prisoner-of-war in Turkey on June 18, 1918.

He was the brother-in-law of two Blandford brothers who had already died in the conflict.

Leonard was the son of carter Leonard James Joyce and his wife Joanna Amelia, of Winterborne Anderson, and had nine brothers and sisters.

After serving with the Dorset Yeomanry he was reported missing in Palestine in November 1917, aged 29, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.

He had married Elsie May Foot in Blandford in 1912, and they had no children. They lived at Londonderry, Langton Long, the home of the family of Ida Edith Foot, who had in 1915 married James Thomas Brown.

James had, at 34, died at home only four months earlier after serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment 1st Bn. The gravestone, erected 'by their sorrowing wives', may have predated Leonard's actual death.

James's brother Stephen Harold, who also served with the 1st Bn,

The Langton Long gravestone of James Brown remembering Leonard Joyce.

was killed in Belgium in May 1915.

He is buried in the Divisional Cemetery at Vlamertinge and remembered on the Blandford Memorial.

Two of those to die in June 1918 were former pupils of the Blandford Secondary School and are remembered on the school memorial which was originally outside the school in Damory Street.

William Alfred Mesher, one of the youngest on the memorial who would have left the school around 1910/11, died of wounds in France, aged 22, on June 29, serving as a private with the Machine Gun Corps 31st Bn. He is buried in the Cinq Rues British Cemetery Hazebrouck, which holds frontline burials from the German Spring Offensive of 1918.

He was the son of plasterer William and his wife Kate, and had a brother and three sisters living in Queens Road, then in Pimperne, and who later moved to Mitcham in Surrey.

William went to live in Shillingstone, on whose memorial he is remembered, and originally enlisted in the Army Ordnance Corps (the branch which dealt with ammunition supply). After training in Egypt, he was sent to France about March 1916 and injured in an explosion in which two other men were killed in May 1917.

Returning to duty, he transferred to the significantly more dangerous Machine Gun Corps. He died of wounds probably incurred during 'Operation Borderland', the attack through the Forest of Nieppe, one of the actions which marked the beginning of the offensive operations which would end the war in November.

Bertie Hunt Ford died, aged 23, on June 27, serving with the 3rd Bn Somerset Light Infantry and is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.

Born in Church Knowle, near Corfe Castle, and baptised at Almer, near Sturminster Marshall, he was the son of tenant dairy farmer William and Louisa Ford who moved to Manor Farm, Tarrant Monkton.

It is likely that Bertie was one of the

groups of cyclists who came into Blandford daily from the outlying farms and villages not served by the railway. His eight-mile round trip would have no doubt taken him through what is now Blandford Camp.

In 1911 he was registered as a carpenter, and in 1916 married Mabel Coward, with whom he had a son.

He was seriously wounded in the Middle East and sent to Belfast to convalesce as part of the training 3rd Battalion but contracted cerebrospinal fever and died within days of his arrival. His family tried unsuccessfully to arrange for him to be nursed closer to home, but were told that he had already died and been buried.

Arthur Albert Hunt, who was 20 when he was killed in action in France on June 15, serving with the

Dorsetshire Regiment 6th Bn, was the second member of his family to die.

His older brother William James had been killed in action at Gallipoli three years earlier. Both are remembered on the Pimperne Memorial.

They were two of the eight children of farm labourer George William and Elizabeth Ann Hunt, who had lived at Orchard Cottage, Pimperne, and had previously lived in Okeford Fitzpaine, where all but the youngest daughter were born.

William, who served in the Dorsetshire Regiment 5th Bn, died on August 28, 1915, aged 25, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

Arthur, who is buried in Acheux British Cemetery, had in 1916 married Amelia J Woodhouse, but no record has been found of any children.

Wilfred John Taylor, remembered at Blandford St Mary, was the elder son of farmer John Charles and Elizabeth Jane Taylor, who lived first in Main Road, Spetisbury, and then at Glebe Farm, Blandford St Mary.

He was 19 when he died in France on June 19, serving with the Wiltshire Regiment, and is buried in the Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery.

Bertie Ford died, aged 23.

Sidney Charles Wareham, remembered at Iwerne Minster, died of wounds, aged 40, in Egypt on June 9, having served with the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own) and is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

He was the youngest son of farm labourer William and his wife Charlotte Matilda, and had worked as a coachman at Lytchett House Stables in Lytchett Minster, and as a groom at Iwerne Minster.

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.

June 2018

Exhibition focuses on the history of flight ANOTHER magnificent exhibition in the series charting the course of World War One by the Blandford 14-18 Commemoration group was staged in the Corn Exchange.

It was devoted to the development of flight and air warfare alongside the formation of the Royal Air Force and the Women's Royal Air Force 100 years ago.

"We set out to show the history of the RAF and flight from World War One, through to World War Two and beyond, and the legacy, which saw a man on the moon in 1969," said chairman Roger Carter.

There was also a comprehensive display on tanks and their development, created by Bob Brannigan.

The exhibition section devoted to the WRAF was acquired at the end of the weekend by a representative of the Sturminster Newton and Gillingham branch

of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) for display at their club.

Nearly 500 visited the exhibition over the four days, in addition to pupils from Downlands School on Blandford Camp. A computeraided flight simulator, target aiming aircraft and crafts and games, created by members of the Blandford Railway club, provided added interest for younger visitors.

The Kanteen was as busy as ever, producing vast numbers of bacon butties, mounds of cake and plates of bully beef pie, as well as gallons of tea.

The next Khaki Kanteen is dedicated to the role of the Royal Navy during the Great War and will take place on the weekend of July 14 and15.

Anyone wishing to contact or become involved with 14/18 Group can contact them on 14/18group@outlook.com.

Activities at library AN ELMER Day crafts drop-in on May 26 and Happy Half Term craft event on the afternoon of May 31 at Blandford Library will be followed on Saturday June 16 by a Father's Day craft activity between 10am and noon.

The library, now open Monday to Saturday with early closing Friday and Saturday, publishes regular newsletters to keep readers up to date with information and events.

It hosts a series of weekly and monthly events including bookable 'Get Help Online' sessions on Monday afternoons, Rhyme Time on Tuesday afternoons and

Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings and Knit and Knatter on Thursday mornings.

Monthly sessions include a PCSO drop-in on first Thursday mornings, a Shared Reading Group on first Monday afternoons, Story Time on first Saturday mornings, a Forum Discussion Group on second Tuesday afternoons, bookable Ancestry sessions on second Thursday afternoons, a Book Club on last Monday afternoons and a Memory Lane Discussion Group on last Thursday afternoons.

For more details, call in or phone 01258 452075.

21

Visitors study the material at the Blandford 14-18 Commemoration group’s exhibition at the Corn Exchange.

A PEER support group for those who have suffered a stroke meets on the last Monday of the month at the Church Room in The Close, Charlton Marshall.

Run by stroke survivors for stroke survivors and their carers, it is an opportunity to meet, discuss life-changing issues and side-effects of stroke, and to talk in a safe, friendly environment for coffee.

Meetings start at 10.30am and finish around noon. For further details contact Tracie Palmer, Stroke Co-ordinator, on 01202 636752 or email Dorset@stroke.org.uk.

FARMING June 2018 crops by harvest time.

At the same time, tricky conditions had created a backlog of spring spraying; all the winter sown crops needed spraying with fungicides and growth regulators. Brendan broke all records with 603 acres sprayed in one day, starting very early, and finishing very late, in so doing getting the spring programme back on the rails.

He finished off the following afternoon, just in time to help with the

by George Hosford end of sheep shearing, getting all the ewes back to their paddocks More from George on before any more lambed. A couviewfromthehill.org.uk ple of them had lambed on the day before shearing, the date of ITH impeccable timing the Above: Woolly sheep on their way to the shearing shed on Thursday evening. which had been forced back by Below: Cooler sheep on their way home again on Friday morning. cold and wet weather. weather came right at last, on the weekend that two of the Better late than not at all though farm team had booked for holithe weekend was so hot that we could well have lost some due to days. the heat if their fleeces had Trying hard to feel no guilt, we remained attached for much departed for Wales and France longer. Since then lambing has respectively on the Friday morngradually sped up, with new ing, leaving the hard core at arrivals every day. home to drill, roll and spray 100 Once he'd escaped from the hectares of barley and poppies, shearing shed, Gary jumped back which of course they achieved in on his tractor to finish preparing double-quick time, and still manseedbeds for our maize crop. aged to have Sunday off.

This is a first for us, growing for a The sowing was a month later digester; we have not grown than normal due to the incessant maize in more than small blocks wet weather, but since then the of bird cover before, but after a amazing warm conditions have good dose of digestate applied to enabled the seeds to germinate the field before sowing, we hope and grow at breakneck speed, it will be up and away very soon. the best mixture, but eventually Hertfordshire last week for a and one can imagine that they To catch the soil in just the right Worm conference was well worth we managed to get them back in may catch up with the early-sown condition, we had to work it down the mileage. We listened to a talk the field, and erect an emergency on Saturday and Sunday, on the findings from the 60single strand of fence with prior to it being sown by minute worm project which I menenough poke in it to keep them in. our contractor Ashley, on tioned last month.

Just as we thought we had finbank holiday Monday.

A highlight of the trip was a visit ished, some mooing from across Just when we thought to the famous Broadbalk field on the river told us that one heifer there might be the chance the Rothamsted farm, famous to had swum across to where the of some deckchair time in anyone who has studied agriculgrass looked greener in David's the sunshine on Sunday ture at a place of learning that is. field.

A trip to Manor France with morning, a phone call Broadbalk field is home to the the trailer, followed by some comes in from David over longest running experiment on skilled work from a seasoned cow at Manor France Farm: our wheat growing anywhere in the farmer and we had the skittish cattle were on the river world. Part of it has grown wheat bank having jumped the devil cornered, and back to the every year for 175 years, and a electric fence. correct field. She couldn't get out great deal of research has been One of the first lambs of the season born to of the trailer quickly enough.

Frisky cattle, broken fence, done on the soil, and the wheat one of our pet sheep who had a single bouncand boiling heat are not grown each year.

A visit to Rothamsted Research in ing baby, just right for a first-time lamber.

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The View from the Hill

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23

June 2018

Shed team feeling at home in new HQ A NEW branch of the nationwide 'Men's Shed' movement was launched in Blandford when officers and members gathered with those who have helped set up the scheme in its HQ on the campus of The Blandford School.

Chairman Paul Santer introduced his colleagues, secretary Chris Sommerfelt and treasurer Tony Harker, and thanked the large number of supporters, including the head teacher Sally Wilson, governors and staff at the school, which is allowing free use of the woodworking room, which has been out of use for the last five years, and providing help to get the branch started.

He also thanked POPP Wayfinder Sue Inman and Champion Guy Patterson from the Dorset Older People's Partnership, and representatives of Age Concern, Tesco and Blandford Library for their involvement.

He said one of the first projects on which the branch would be working would be the repair of fingerposts around the area, led

Officers and supporters of the new 'Men's Shed' branch, which has been launched in the former woodworking room at The Blandford School.

by Roger Bond, who has recently carried out work at Winterborne Stickland.

He described the rapid progress which had been made, including planning the branch's initial opening hours of 4 to 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am to noon on Saturdays.

Quoting from the Men's Shed Association, he said: "Sheds are about meeting like-minded people and having someone to share your worries with. They are

Local runners survive a gruelling marathon A NUMBER of local entrants in the London Marathon on April 22 successfully completed the country's premier long-distance event on its hottest day recorded.

One runner died after collapsing during the race, and 73 had to go to hospital, but 38,000 of the 40,000 starters finished.

They included Blandford photographer Lee Collier, who had planned to bid for the record for the fastest competitor dressed as a mascot, but abandoned his plan to wear a Paddington Bear costume because of the heat.

He nevertheless completed the run, earning sponsorship for Action Medical Research, for whom Paddington is the mascot, in six hours, 40 minutes, 24 seconds - twice as long as he would have needed to beat the record.

Running with him was his partner Ali Madders, who finished in five hours, eight minutes 33 seconds.

They were two of eight runners

from Dorset Doddlers, who also included Jennifer Fuller, Scott Pound, Dave Rivett, Jane Ward, Iain Trickett and John Townsend, who managed the fastest time of four hours 17 minutes 27 seconds Faster times were achieved by two North Dorset Triathlon members, Ashley Baker (3.59.18) and Iain Binsley (3.56.34). A third NDTri runner, Nina Holt, finished in 6 hours, 44.03.

Two members of Blandford parkrun who had done their training together also took part.

Ruth Oliver, 52, a sales consultant from Corfe Mullen, was running for the British Lung Foundation in memory of her dad, Martin Oliver, and finished in 5 hours 21 minutes 37 seconds. Jo Stoker, a teacher at Broadmayne First School in Dorchester, was fundraising for VICTA (Vision Impaired Children Taking Action) and finished in 5 hours 13 minutes 38 seconds.

about having fun, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people, and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

"As a by-product of all that, they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain

independent, they rebuild communities, and in many cases, they save men's lives."

In response to a number of offers of funding from representatives of organisations present, he said they first needed to establish what funding was needed, and what equipment.

24

June 2018

Camera Club news Village church APRIL was a busy month for Blandford Forum Camera Club, including the AGM at which the new chairman, Geoff Killer, took over the post from Chris Ablett and two in-house competitions.

The penultimate points cup round was judged by Colin Gogerty, and Set Subject, Reflections, Unwanted attention, by Jean Bartlett. judged by Norman Wiles.

Among the 24 prints and 21 projected images were those of prints winner David Chaloner with 'Spherical Reflection' and projected winner Pat Catley with 'Bottom's Up'.

The points cup competition, open to any genre with 22 prints and 21 projected images, saw five top scores in prints (Rachel Cooper 'Gundog Group', Sally Chaloner 'Hellebores', Malcolm Bowditch 'Stone Breaking Victorian Style', 'Open for Business' and 'Mainly Shaving') and four in projected (Eric Langley 'Dahlia', Glynis LarterWhitcher 'Boscombe Pier' and Jean Bartlett 'Cardinal Woodpecker' and 'Unwanted Attention').

John Tilsley presented 'Developing a Photographic Style', and following meetings in May including the final points cup and presentation, final preparations were made for the annual exhibition in Blandford Corn Exchange on May 26 and 27.

Win Heyward tickets NICK Heyward, a British singersongwriter and musician who started his music career in 1980 as a member of the band Haircut 100, will be appearing at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton on Friday, June 22.

His solo career took off in 1983 with the single 'Whistle Down The Wind', which reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart and two further Top 20 hits followed: 'Take That Situation' and 'Blue Hat for a Blue Day''.

His career continued through the next two decades with the likes of supporting Wham! at Wembley at their farewell

shows, while continuing to release records, like ''From Monday To Sunday'' and 'Tangled'.

At The Exchange, Nick will be performing songs from his new album 'Woodland Echoes' along with other favourites and hits from throughout his career.

Tickets are ÂŁ22, but to win a couple, email info@sturexchange.co.uk by Monday June 14 with contact details and your answer to the question: What was the name of the iconic Haircut 100 album released in 1982?

appeal launched A DEVELOPMENT appeal for St Mary's Church in Iwerne Minster was launched on May 6 - and at the village fete the following day to raise ÂŁ297,000 needed to complete a project to make the church a major centre of village life.

The Parochial Church Council, after consultations with the congregation, has drawn up the proposal to make it not only a place of worship but one where the community can gather for a wide range of village activities in inspiring, welcoming and accessible surroundings.

Improvements include a level stone floor, a new heating system, improved and modernised lighting to highlight architectural features, a flexible audio-visual system, more flexible seating and space, internal decoration and improvements to the historic font, pulpit and lectern to make them more usable.

The fundraising committee of Brian O'Luanaigh, Daniel

Rimmer, Chris Nadin, Brook E. V. Bowater and Stuart Jones say in their appeal: "This is a momentous time for St. Mary's Church and for the village, setting out a way forward for the century to come.

"A brochure has been produced giving full information on the appeal, including various ways to donate, copies of which will be available at the church and the village fete.

"We plan to run popular fundraising events and are in the process of making applications to local and national trusts, foundations and individuals. We are in discussion with various lottery funding bodies about the possibility of grants."

A display board which went on view at the village fete is now available to see in the north chapel of the church. For further information on how to support the appeal, contact the treasurer Mike Deeming on 01747 812264.

Local artists involved in open studios event NEARLY 40 locally based artists, designers and makers are taking part in Dorset Art Weeks 2018, which started on May 26 and continues until Sunday June 10.

Showing in locations that include Blandford, Child Okeford, Iwerne Minster, Stourpaine, Durweston, Shroton, Pimperne, Shillingstone, the Winterborne Valley and villages around Bulbarrow, the exhibitors are among 400 countywide taking part in one of the largest open studio events in the country.

Mosaicist and wire sculptor Judy Baker is exhibiting in DAW for the first time.

She will be at Badgers Walk, Dorchester Hill, Blandford St Mary (venue no. 94) with print maker Vanessa Stanfield.

Pictured above is one of Judy's mosaics.

Each venue is signposted and there are maps and helpful information in the brochures, which are available at many outlets, among them Blandford Information Centre, the library and the Forum Cafe.

Alternatively, see dorsetartweeks.co.uk.

Main sponsors of the bi-annual event are Hall & Woodhouse and Wyke Dorset Cottages.

@forumfocus

25

June 2018

Rotary group celebrates 20 years THE Castleman Hotel in Chettle was the venue for a wonderful celebratory evening to mark the founding of the Blandford Stour Rotary Club 20 years ago.

It was well attended by existing members, founder members and representatives of other local Rotary clubs, and proved a great occasion to meet up with existing and old friends, while enjoying dinner with maximum companionship and minimum speeches!

Over the past 20 years the club has been busy and has raised over ÂŁ200,000 for local, national and international charities and causes, through numerous fundraising activities, from Santa Runs to sports dinners and much in between. It is part of Rotary International and supports Rotary Foundation, which is the largest such charitable foundation in the world.

The members have amassed a special anniversary ÂŁ10,000 charitable fund over the past

Members and guests at the 20th anniversary gathering of the Blandford Stour Rotary Club at the Castleman Hotel. five years in honour of this milestone and are currently looking to use this money to sponsor a worthwhile project to mark the

SPONSORSHIP forms are available now for the Trailway Challenge, an 11.2-mile walk/run/bike ride from Station Court, Blandford, to Shillingstone Railway Station and back in support of the Blandford Opportunity Group on Saturday July 15.

The pre-school for all children specialising in those with additional needs is currently fundraising for its

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Blandford Art Society

B

event.

Currently the club has 27 members and is always looking to increase that number. If you

landford Art Society recently held a competition among its members to design a new logo. There were nine options which Forum Focus designer David Eidlestein kindly agreed to judge.

The winning design was by Andy McIver and can be seen on the adjacent advertisement.

Promoting the Society to a wider public and engaging members in practical sessions in town has been a popular move. These are in addition to the monthly series of workshops and demonstrations held at Pimperne Village Hall.

The Kings Arms in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, is the venue every Tuesday afternoon and on the morning of the first Sunday each month. These drawing and painting sessions are friendly and informal and open to non-members.

As one of its charitable objectives is to promote the development of talent in the visual arts, the Society has inaugurated a bursary scheme for students leaving The Blandford School and pursuing a course of higher education in the arts.

The first recipient of the award was Ella O'Loughlin, who will be studying at Central St Martin's, London, from October. As part of the award, Ella will be exhibiting at the Blandford Open Art Exhibition, to be held at the Blandford Corn Exchange from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th August, with free entry to visitors.

The guest artist this year is well-known Dorset artist John Britton, who will also be part of the selection panel.

All artists are invited to enter for this prestigious exhibition, which showcases a wide range of subjects, styles and media.

Exhibition submission forms are available to download from the website, www.blandfordartsociety.weebly.com. This year the Society's Members' Exhibition will be held at the Blandford Museum for the month of October.

think you may like to join, more information and contact details are available on their website or at philipkreeger@btinternet.com.

outdoor play area.

Forms can be collected from Blandford Opportunity Group in Whitecliff Gardens or from Off Camber in Salisbury Street.

You can also register your interest by email to blandfordoppgrp@talktalk.net or call 01258 456187 or 01258 453955.

26

June 2018

School branches out with its own orchard AN area of ground at Milldown Primary School in Blandford is being transformed into an educational resource where pupils can learn about plant and crop management, wildlife and recycling.

The school has been helped by the Rotary Club of Blandford and Blandford Stour Rotary with grants to purchase plants and equipment.

Pupils and staff were joined at their orchard planting day by Heather Hinsley, of the Blandford Museum Victorian Garden, who has been offering professional advice, and Carol Carsley, of the Dorset Gardens Trust, to plant apple, pear and plum trees in the garden.

Mrs Carsley said: "The Dorset Gardens Trust works to promote gardening in primary and special schools by encouraging them to use facilities as part of the cur-

riculum in addition to supporting historic gardens. We can give grants up to ÂŁ400 and will be helping them to fund raised vegetable beds and making the access better."

School volunteer co-ordinator Sascha Miller said: "Everything we grow must be edible in termtime and we will be planting mint and strawberry.

"Teams of parents and children have already carried out a lot of work preparing what was previously a garden area but had become overgrown with brambles, and are working to make the pond - which is full of newts, frogs and other pondlife - safe by shoring up the decking.

Progress on the orchard and garden can be followed on the school's Facebook page, Milldown Primary School Garden.

Durweston School’s Starfish children with the pirate ship.

Pirates ashore at Durweston A NEW pirate ship in the playground of Durweston Primary School, geotherm with new water tunnel, sand shed and Design Technology shed with woodworking bench, have been designed and made by students from Bryanston School as part of their A-level Design Technology projects.

Mr Bolton, one of the Durweston parents, who teaches Design Technology at Bryanston, came up with the idea and made it happen.

Headteacher Nicola Brooke said: "The children in Starfish class have loved playing on their new equipment and some of the older children have had a go too."

Milldown Primary School pupils tree planting with Carol Carsley of the Dorset Gardens Trust.

Durweston children try out the vice.

THE Blandford School has been granted a Development Day by Dorset County Council, scheduled for Monday June 4, to allow staff and governors to work together on school improvement areas identified within their recent Ofsted report.

All public examinations scheduled for that day will continue as normal, but other students will not be required in school. All will be set English, maths and science work which they will be able to complete off-site, and will then be reviewed by teachers when they return to school on Tuesday June 5.

June 2018

27

A brighter future for youth site

Friendly help for school

BLANDFORD Youth and Community Centre in Milldown Road is re-establishing itself following the closure two years ago of Blandford Youth Centre.

Centre manager Jo Clarke has put a lot of work into getting the centre ready for use, updating fire alarms, testing electrical equipment, and generally getting it back into shape after being shut for nearly two years.

Blandford Town Council has agreed to help fund the centre with a grant of £15,000 a year.

A report to the council by its centre representatives Dianne Robinson and Pat Osborne said: "Jo is also working closely with The Blandford School and spoke at a year 10 school assembly on the benefits of becoming a young volunteer, as a result of which 18 young people were recruited."

Training started on May 3 and further sessions will be delivered during half-term to cover more indepth safeguarding and internet safety.

The centre is now open for Years 10, 11 and 12 on Wednesdays from 6.45 to 9.30pm, and for years 8 to 9 on Thursdays from 6.45 to 9.15pm. It will be opening for year 7s on Mondays from June 10 between 6.45 and 9.15pm, and will open for transitional sessions for year 6s during the summer holidays.

There are also plans to open an additional needs club 'Pizazz' every other Tuesday evening, alternating with a social skills club on the other Tuesday.

Jo is looking into the possibilities of hiring out the centre for use in the daytime.

VITAL funds to support Blandford St Mary Primary School have been raised by the school's Friends who have been awarded £100 from the One Stop 'Carriers for Causes' pot to help buy new stocks of reading books.

They have also donated over £3,500 for the purchase of iPads for all pupils, and been awarded the top grant of £4,000 in the recent Tesco 'Bags of Help' scheme to buy sport and playgroup equipment.

Funding has come from the Sport Premium initiative for a new purpose-built, multi-use child-friendly gym, with equipment installed on the playground which pupils can access during break times and throughout the day.

PE leader, Darren Marklew, said: "There are pupils not normally keen on PE and sport using the equipment and enjoying the range of exercises the gym has to offer.

It is also great for communication and building relationships as the pupils have to co-operate to use some of the equipment."

A Travelling Trends fashion show was held in May and followed by the Summer School Disco and an Arts Week ending on May 25 with a display of pupils' achievements.

The Friends' Summer Fayre takes place on Saturday, June 23.

Riders on the Cranborne Chase

A rare route to ride A NEW charity pleasure ride, which it is hoped to stage annually, took place across the spectacular landscape of the Cranborne Chase AONB and through areas not normally accessible to horse riders or the public.

The aim of the unique ride, sponsored by equine nutrition supplier TopSpec, was to raise funds for charity. Riders could walk, trot and canter across the Ashcombe, Rushmore and Chettle estates - private land that once formed a part of King John's hunting ground.

Three routes catered for all abilities among the 187 taking part, and £4,000 was raised for three charities: the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Wilton Riding for the Disabled, and the three churches of Farnham, Chettle and Tollard Royal located in the area.

Organiser Kay Allan, who had the idea of fundraising for the air ambulance, which had rescued a friend who broke her neck while out hunting, pulled together a team of 45 volunteers to mark out the route and help.

The suggestion of also supporting the churches came from the Parochial Church Council of St Peter's Church in Tollard Royal.

For more information visit arcride.co.uk.

TICKETS have gone on sale for the Milborne Players next production 'Nightmare' by Norman Robbins which will be performed on June 22 and 23 in Milborne St Andrew village hall. They are available from the village Londis shop or by calling 01258 839085. Further information from milborneplayers.org.uk..

28

June 2018

Celebrating a decade of musicals

Placid dragon happy to pose for a snap NO damsels in distress, but a dragon and a knight in shining armour arrived at Durweston Primary School to celebrate St George's Day. Fortunately the dragon was easily subdued and walked obediently into church so that the knight (otherwise known as Mr Bennet, one of the parents) could talk to the school about knights and St George.

Later, the dragon was delighted to be in a photo

with all of the children who had worn uniforms to school.

What a difference a month had made! In March, the children were out on the field making snowmen and having snowball fights. A month on and they were out on the field again, this time playing football and tennis, running on the new running track or just making daisy chains.

Maths events add up to a day of educational fun YEAR 6 students (and a few Year 5s) from the Blandford School's Network Primary Schools met in the hall of The Blandford School (TBS) for an event organised by the Maths Faculty.

Around 200 students accompanied by teachers, TAs and helpers arrived at 9.30am and tables were set up for the students to share maths activities games, puzzles, problems to solve, beat the clock or oneagainst-one mental maths competitions and ipad games.

By 10am almost 100 maths activities were on display, all chosen by students and teachers from the eight feeder schools.

TBS maths teacher Mr Gray and

THE talented students of The Blandford School could be forgiven for becoming accustomed to the rapturous applause of Wimborne's Tivoli Theatre audience which was given to a concert celebrating 10 years of school musicals.

Parents, staff, governors and musical theatre lovers were treated to over two hours of hits which began with a whole company performance of 'We Go Together' from

a small group of Year 7s were also present with an activity-on area and perimeter for everyone to try.

After a welcome by TBS maths teacher and organiser of the event Mr Payne, half the students were free to walk around and explore the activities set up like market stalls around the hall.

They then swapped over so the other half of the group could do the same for the second half of the morning. There was a constant buzz of excitement, fun and genuine positivity in which adults and children were clearly enjoying themselves.

Just before lunch everyone was invited to write a 'tweet' about what they had enjoyed most about the event. Up to 100 tweets were displayed on the projector in the hall, all with positive responses about how they had enjoyed displaying their activities and trying new ones, meeting and making friends with people from other schools and being able to use the canteen and eat in The Hub at TBS. All feedback from teachers and helpers from the feeder schools and the children as they left confirmed that the event had been a very worthwhile experience.

Gavin Marish reprising his role of Jean Val-Jean performing 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables.

Grease, and ended with 'One Day More' from Les Miserables.

Hosts Lucy Bowerman-Ellis and Nicola Fulker took the audience on a journey through each musical, welcoming back ex-students to reprise their roles. They included Hannah Winton as Scaramouche from 'We Will Rock You', Fynn Stephen as The Phantom of the Opera and Gavin Marish as Jean Val-Jean from Les Miserables.

Sally Wilson, headteacher of The Blandford School, thanked the returning members of the company for inspiring the future generations.

Tickets for The Blandford School's 2018 musical are on sale now from the Tivoli Theatre website.

29

June 2018

Sportsmen recalled THE publication in last month's Forum Focus of old sporting photographs from the Blandford Institute, based at the United Reformed Church early in the 20th century as part of its Snooker Club's centenary, is generating memories from far afield.

A reader in Kent passed on a copy to his cousin Keith Barnett, who recognised a number of faces, including his father Tom Barnett, a talented cricketer who played regularly for Dorset and was offered a contract to play for Somerset, but had to turn it down because he could not leave the family coal business. "He and Edward Woodhouse were probably the finest cricketers in the district."

He also remembered Eddie Gould, their uncle Ernest White, Mr Brockway who worked at the Bakery in Victoria Road, Mr Samways who worked as a clerk with Hall & Woodhouse, Bertie Cecil Hunt, a former Blandford Mayor, and Leather Meadon, who he recalls had a penchant for Pimperne-made lardy cake.

North Dorset Tri Club and Blandford parkrun members on the Trailway.

Tri Club stage a takeover

Blandford Snooker Club members and friends at their 100th anniversary open day last month.

Lego required for new Treads projects TWO exciting new projects are being launched at the Treads Young People's Advice and Information Centre in Bere's Yard, Blandford.

Mark Williams, chairman, said the centre, which has been providing support to young people in Blandford for over 24 years, has recently seen a large increase in young people using the building following the growing success of A TEENS, supporting and helping to build the confidence and social skills of young people with Asperger's.

A new project is being designed specifically for girls to help and support them cope with all the issues of being a modern teenager. "We are seeing more young people coming to us with issues associated with relationships and mental health and this project will target support to help them," he said.

Treads is also launching a Lego Club for young enthusiasts, 13 and upwards, to help build social

skills. Su Case, project manager, said young people suggested a Lego Club, so they are now trying to source enough Lego before the launch. Anyone able to donate Lego is asked to contact Su or Libby at admin@treads.org.uk.

Mr Williams said the centre would welcome more people prepared to help out as a trustee.

A TAKEOVER of Blandford parkrun by the North Dorset Tri Club involved triathlon members taking on all roles from timekeeper to turn point marshal.

They also supplied pacers for even times between 20-40 minutes as part of the club's ongoing 25-year celebrations.

The pacers helped 47 local runners to achieve new personal records for the course and encouraged 252 runners to take part.

On May 19, parkrun held its own 200th run at Blandford, and celebrated with a wedding-themed fancy dress run in honour of Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan

Markle. Event director Mark Way said: "Over the past few years they have had a number of themed runs which have always been well attended.

"And just to put the record straight, it was reported in last month's issue of Forum Focus that we would be changing to a 10k run. This was part of an April Fool's joke meant for our regular runners and not for press release - parkrun will always be a 5k run and free for all who register first at parkrun.org, print off their barcode and come along. We are every Saturday at 9am on the North Dorset Trailway near the hospital."

Suzi’s success BLANDFORD Cares founder Suzi Hearn (right) completed her challenge of five hard days' trekking the refugee route from Thessaloniki to Skopje in the knowledge that her 57 sponsors had, after Gift Aid is added, raised £2,600 for Refugee Support Europe, exceeding her £2,000 target. Contributions can still be made to justgiving.com/fundraising/ashearm. Cheques made out to Blandford CARES can also be left any morning at the Parish Centre opposite Blandford Post Office.

30

June 2018

A bright start for the bowls club BLANDFORD Bowling Club started a very busy schedule by hosting their first touring team of the season at the Milldown Road green.

On a cool but dry day, President Bert Pluthero welcomed Captain of the Day, Gerald Webb, and his team from Devizes Bowling Club.

This was their first visit to Blandford and the first of a threematch tour.

The home club put out a strong team and the outcome was a resounding victory, by 157-70, to Blandford. Blandford's top team of the six rinks was Sylvia Pink, Liz Males, Kevin Donaldson and Barry Males. The result boded well for the forthcoming season.

• An open day at Blandford Bowls Club gave members and visitors an opportunity to share and learn skills on the green, and the club to attract new members.

The weather was perfect for visitors to be introduced to the

attractions not only of the sport but of the club's social calendar, and to its flourishing youth section.

Bowls Dorset Ladies' President Carol Williams organised a youth festival at Poole Park Bowling Club to help raise funds for the rapidly growing Dorset Youth Academy and to encourage young people to try bowling using the special equipment used by youngsters.

Adam Tanner, Bowls England's Development Director, attended, together with Mo Monkton, Bowls England Disability Manager, who had recently returned from the Commonwealth Games in Australia and over the last ten years has helped develop a strong youth bowls section in Somerset.

Mrs Williams said: "It is fantastic that a great number of dedicated coaches and bowlers, both indoor and outdoor, are helping and doing everything they can to

A sunny scene at the Milldown Road green for Blandford Bowling Club’s open day in May.

promote junior bowlers in Dorset.

"Many young bowlers from Blandford Bowling Club were helping on the day and encourag-

ing other youngsters to get involved in the sport. Some are so committed that they are aspiring to represent their country in the future."

Blandford club president Bert Pluthero (left) welcomes Gerald Webb and his Devizes team.

A GROUP of girls from the Blandford Flyers swimming club completed yet another Swimathon at Blandford Leisure Centre.

They had a great time and all did themselves proud by swimming the 5km in 1hr 19mins, as well as raising over £200 for Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK in the process. Pictured (from left) are: Taryn Scott-Brown, Connie Warton, Millie Creffield and Cerys Scott-Brown.

31

June 2018

My proud role in Bermuda’s day of celebration From Blandford's deputy town crier Liz Rawlings in Bermuda LAST year I was lucky enough to be invited to the international town crier championships in Bermuda. I must have behaved myself because I was invited back this year!

No competition this year, but I was to represent Blandford, and the Lyme Regis Twinning Society (of which I am a member, having grown up near the town) at the annual Peppercorn ceremony in the charming little town of St George.

And, of course, it was an opportunity to renew friendships and have a chance to explore more of this amazing island.

I arrived on Tuesday April 17 to find a gilt-edged card waiting for me - a formal invitation to the ceremony and to the simultaneous state visit of the Governor of Bermuda and the reception which followed.

The Big Day was Monday April 23; the weather was perfect as I took my allotted place in the VIP stand, and the commentator commenced proceedings by welcoming the large crowd of spectators with "a special welcome to Liz Rawlings, Town Crier of Blandford Forum and representing our twin town of Lyme Regis".

Proud moment or what?

The ceremony itself was charming, in a 'Trooping the Colour meets Toytown' sort of way, with the Governor in a magnificently plumed helmet, Mayor, Chief of Police and other notables arriving in horse-drawn carriages to a medley of fanfares from the island's military band.

Over 200 years ago the Freemasons of Bermuda were granted the use of the lovely Old Court House in St George for the

nominal annual rent of one peppercorn, and today a single peppercorn is ceremoniously presented to the town's Mayor, although a conversation with this year's bearer revealed he had a second one taped to his watch strap, just in case!

Every tenth year a gold peppercorn is used, a terrifying ordeal for the bearer one imagines, it being so tiny (and we all know how easily dropped peppercorns roll into hiding).

The Bermuda Freemasons paraded proudly, the ceremony was flawless, the band marched off through the town, and all the VIPs and invited guests adjourned to the official reception in the nearby gardens.

There I had the absolute honour and pleasure of meeting the Governor, a charming, soft-spoken Scot with the most magnificently plumed hat I've ever spoken to!

Civic duties over, I retired to my borrowed holiday cottage for a cup of tea and a quick dip in the plunge pool before getting back to reality with a hike over to my favourite bay to tell the huge and spectacularly coloured parrot fish there all about it (they were disappointingly unimpressed).

The rest of my fortnight in Bermuda was pure holiday and although the weather was windy, cloudy and unseasonably humid, I had a wonderful time hiking, catching buses around and familiarising myself with the island's fascinating wildlife and its profusion of flowers and exotic plants.

I've been invited back next year as well . . .

CONTRACTORS have brought forward their start date for the Balmer Road play area on the Blandford Heights estate, but initially it will not be fenced.

Blandford Town Council, whose current practice is to fence all their play areas, has been told that the fencing contractor could not fence it until the week beginning June 25.

Since they did not want to prevent children from using it once it was installed, they consulted with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who have confirmed that it is better to allow usage without the fencing for a short period of time.

Artsreach highlights COMING to a venue not far away this month, courtesy of Dorset touring arts promoters Artsreach, are Living Spit (above & right) with One Man & His Cow on Wednesday June 6 at Sixpenny Handley, and the Tashi Lhunpo Monks (lower pictures) with The Power of Compassion on Sunday June 24 at Springhead Gardens, Fontmell Magna.

Living Spit's original animalrhyming play is jam-packed with farmyard frolics, agricultural clichĂŠs and rural wrongdoings. For details call 07751 525200.

The Tibetan Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery present a window on a world of reincarnation and Buddhist mysticism in contemplative, mesmerising chant of Buddhist texts and swirling costumed masked dances.

The performance starts at 7.30pm after picnicking from 6.15pm, and bookable spaces are limited for an interactive workshop from 4.30 to 6pm.

For details call 01747 811853.

32 JUNE To Sunday June 10: Dorset Art Weeks - over 40 local artists and craftsmen with open studios and exhibitions, dorsetartweeks.co.uk Friday June 1: Blandford Museum AGM and talk on 'Memories of Nursing in Dorset', 7pm at United Reformed Church Hall, Whitecliff Mill Street, 7pm My family and other smugglers, with Roger Guttridge, Corn Exchange, 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) Wessex Acoustic folk present Flossie Malavialle, Blandford Royal British Legion, Church Lane, 8.15pm Friday and Saturday June 1 and 2: Art Exhibition, Tarrant Hinton village hall, details 01258 830032 Saturday June 2: Open Day, Tabernacle Walk, Blandford, supporting Blandford Community Hospital and the Margaret Green Foundation Pimperne coffee morning, stalls and raffle, Pimperne village hall, 10 to 11.30am, supporting the Margaret Green Foundation Book Launch and short talk, The Saxon-Norman Story of Blandford'

by Michael Le Bas, Blandford Town Museum 10.30am Introduction to Square Dancing, Spetisbury village hall, 4 to 7pm, donations to village hall, details 01202 731012 Sunday June 3: Walking Treasure Hunt around Pimperne village, from and to the village hall for refreshments, details 07879 003567 The Art Room: Informal art session for beginners 11am to 1pm at The Kings Arms, Blandford, details Blandford Art Society website.

Monday June 4: Blandford Floral Group meets Blandford United Reformed Church Hall, 2pm. Irene Hickson - A Blast from the Past Tuesday June 5: My Time Carers Group meets Blandford Community Centre, Heddington Drive, 10am to noon, all carers welcome, details 01258 480762 Wednesday June 6: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7pm Living Spit present 'One Man and his Dog', Sixpenny Handley village hall, 7.30pm, see artsreach.co.uk Thursday June 7: Business Support Group meets 8.30am, No 8 Café, Tabernacle Walk, Blandford, all small business representatives welcome Friday June 8: Craft Market, Shambles, Corn Exchange, Blandford 9am to 2pm (& June 22) Saturday June 9: Castleman House summer fete, 2 to 4.30pm Tarrant Gunville village fete, from

What’s on this month Entries in this diary are free of charge. If you have an event you would like included, send details to Nicci Brown, 01258 459346 or email events@forumfocus.co.uk. This page is available and regularly updated on our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk. Readers are advised to check with event organisers before attending.

Organisers Clive Newlin, left, and Sam James, right, with Jo Enright and Andy White at the April Comedy Exchange.

THE Blandford Comedy Exchange, with Jo Enright and Andy White, sponsored by Howdens Joinery, was hailed as the best yet, and supported the Blandford Food Bank. Tickets are

now available online for the next Comedy Exchange on June 15 with Tom Glover, Gordon Southern, Sarah Callaghan and Josh Pugh. It will be raising funds for the Community Kitchen.

2.15pm, details 01258 830027 or see tarrantgunville.org.uk Abba Sensation Night, Blandford RBL Church Lane, for Naomi House, 8pm, tickets 07714 338125 Sunday June 10: Blandford Hidden Gardens, private gardens open to the public supporting local charities, programmes from TIC West Street Open Farm Sunday, Down Barn Farm, Tarrant Rawston, 11am to 4pm, details 07810 748510 Wednesday June 13: Blandford Perimeter Guided Walk, 7pm, meet Durdens Corner, outside Scrivens, Market Place, details 01258 459346 Film Night at Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 'Finding Your Feet', 7.30pm, details 01258 488431 Friday June 15: Comedy Exchange, The Corn Exchange with Tom Glover, Gordon southern, Sarah Callaghan and Josh Pugh, Market Place, Blandford 7.30pm Friday and Saturday June 15 and 16: Dorset Midsummer Music Festival, Warren Farm, Bulbarrow DT11 0HQ, midsummermusic.co.uk Saturday June 16: Cats Protection Coffee Morning & Stall, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am to 12.30pm Archbishop Wake Primary School summer fair, 11am to 2pm, car boot, including performances from Wessex Majorettes, Blandford Performing Arts and all year groups National Civic Day and talk, The Beckfords, Woodhouse Gardens

Pavilion, 3pm Blandford Heritage Guided Walk, 2pm, meet by the Chestnut tree, Marsh & Ham car park behind Morrisons, details 01258 459346 Horse Racing Night, Farquharson Arms Pimperne, 7.30pm Bournemouth Male Voice Choir, Milton Abbey, 7.30pm, tickets, details miltonabbey.org Sunday June 17: Blandford Geology Guided Walk, meet by the Chestnut tree, Marsh & Ham car park, 11am, details 01258 459346 Shillingstone Open Gardens, 10am to 5pm. Tickets, parking, maps & refreshments at Shillingstone Church Centre Monday June 18: Strictly Come Tea Dancing at the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford, 2.30 to 4.30pm Tuesday June 19: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club practical 'As I walked along the shore', Child Okeford Village Hall, 2.15pm, details 01258 863775 Wednesday June 20: Blandford and District Horticultural Society Sweet Pea and Rose Show, Tarrant Keyneston village hall, 7.45pm Thursday June 21: Blandford Art Society, experimental workshop led by Judith Ryde on Yupo paper, Pimperne Village Hall, 2pm, details from website Friday June 22: Film Night, 'Finding Your Feet' (12), Child Okeford Village Hall, 7.30pm, booking: 01258 860518 Bingo for Pimperne play school, Pimperne village hall, eyes down 7.30pm Nick Heyward in concert,

June 2018 Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 8pm Wessex Acoustic folk present Mile Roses, Blandford Royal British Legion, Church Lane, 8.15pm Friday and Saturday June 22 and 23: Milborne Players present 'Nightmare' by Norman Robbins, Milborne St Andrew village hall, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 839085 Saturday June 23: Dorset Beer Festival, Hall & Woodhouse Brewery, 11am to 10pm Spetisbury Village & Church fete and dog show, Spetisbury Manor, 12 noon to 4pm Child Okeford Hey Day, 12 to 5pm, evening entertainment with local band 7 to 11pm Dance and disco, Ann Biddlecombe village hall, Tarrant Keyneston, 7pm, tickets 01258 480636 60s and 70s Disco Night, Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 8 to 12pm, tickets 01258 459153 Sunday June 24: Stourpaine village fete, village hall and playing fields, DT11 8TJ, 12 noon to 4pm, details 07805 242801 Tashi Lhunpo Monks, Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna: 7.30pm, picnicking from 6.15pm, details 01747 811853 Monthly quiz/raffle in aid of the blind, Farquharson Arms, Pimperne, 7.30pm Monday June 25: Monthly Stroke Association peer support meeting, Church Rooms, Charlton Marshall, DT11 9PA, 10.30am to noon Thursday June 28: Dorset Wildlife Trust Guided walk with herbal and medical specialist, Julie Wood, Shaftesbury Abbey Herb Garden, numbers restricted, bookings 01258 880699 Friday June 29: A Level Art Exhibition,The Blandford School Hall Blandford U3A Open meeting, John Smith on the Roman Army, Durweston village hall, 2pm, admission free, details 01258 455081 Blandford Museum 'Last Friday in the Garden' Social gathering with refreshments from 5.30pm All welcome Friday and Saturday June 29 and 30: Spetisbury Occasional Dramatic Society present ‘Three Rough Plays for Coarse Actors’ by Michael Green and David Pearson, Spetisbury Village Hall, tickets and details 01258 858964 Saturday June 30: Armed Forces Day, Royal British Legion Club fun day and evening entertainment, Church Lane, Blandford Winterborne Clenston Garden Fete at Whatcombe House DT11 0PB, 2 to 5pm