FORUM FOCUS For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 78
Football manager Rob scores a winning double: Page 27
September 2018
Nordon homes scheme runs into opposition OPPOSITION has mounted to proposals to redevelop North Dorset District Council's Nordon site by demolishing the original building and erecting 40 affordable homes. Even before it was registered, district councillor Barrie Cooper told town councillors in relation to the impending sale of both Nordon and the cattle market in Shaftesbury, where a call for judicial review of the decision to sell to a leading supermarket was being considered by Shaftesbury Town Council on August 21: "The money from the sale of the land will be invested to deliver a revenue stream but we need to know where it is going to be spent. It should go into projects in North Dorset." How the proceeds of sale are spent is not an issue when it comes to making a decision on the planning application, but within days of the application being made public, three detailed formal objections had been received by the council, which as planning authority will decide the application for its own land. There were also scores of comments from members of
Blandford's town Facebook public forum, more than a third of whom felt the building should be preserved, many suggesting alternative uses requiring less parking. A similar number were concerned that not enough on-site parking was being provided for 40 homes, and highlighted the shortage of dedicated parking for the new NDDC hub in the Edwardian lodge/coachhouse building in the eastern corner of the site. The lodge is not part of the application, but visitors are having to park outside on Salisbury Road. A large number questioned how affordable the houses really would be, and a similar number raised the issue of overcrowded schools, surgeries and lack of other infrastructure. Others have highlighted the environmental impact and potential loss of several mature trees on the site. A detailed response was also being prepared by Blandford & District Civic Society. Ward councillor Noc LaceyClarke, who has asked that the application be considered by the planning committee, of which he • To Page 6
There was fun in the sun for all at the Pimperne Pre-School summer fayre. Turn to Page 23 for story and more pictures. Photo: Kim Lillington.
Nordon: earmarked for demolition.
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September 2018
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Where to find Forum Focus IF anyone would like to join our team to deliver in their own or any other area that has no delivery, please get in touch (see contacts above). Copies can be picked up from any of our drop points below: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: Morrisons, Greyhound Yard; M&S Langton Road; The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in The Tabernacle, the Corn Exchange, the Spar shop in Market Place, Gorge Cafe in East Street, Blandford Museum in the Market Place, the Tourist Information Centre in West Street, Chaffers in Salisbury Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the Coop in Salisbury Road, the 3Cs in Damory Street, the Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road, Cherry's hairdressers in Elizabeth Road, Blandford Leisure Centre in Milldown Road, the Central Shop in Heddington Drive, the Brewery Visitor Centre, Lidl in Higher Shaftesbury Lane, and Tesco and Homebase at Stour Park. In the villages: Charlton Marshall Church Rooms and Charlton pub, Woodpecker pub at Spetisbury, Abbott Garden Centre, Langton Long, True Lovers Knot and St Richard Close bus stop in Tarrant Keyneston, Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton, Anvil and Farquharson pubs in Pimperne, the White Horse Inn at Stourpaine, Iwerne Minster Post Office, Child Okeford Post Office, Shillingstone Garage, Okeford Fitzpaine village shop, Londis Shop & Royal Oak at Milborne St Andrew, The Crown at Winterborne Stickland, Post Office and Surgery, Milton Abbas, and The Cricketers at Shroton.
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New calls for action to deal with speeding traffic RENEWED calls for measures to be taken against traffic allegedly speeding in St Leonards Avenue have prompted a request from Blandford Town Council for a second survey to be carried out. County councillor Byron Quayle said he had been approached by hundreds of residents on Facebook and asked whether a speed indicator device might be installed. He was told that the town would have to pay for and manage an SID, which would need to be moved from site to site to be most effective, and that highway officers would need to carry out a survey to see if the road met the criteria. A survey was carried out in response to public concern in
2009 but found that only a few drivers were exceeding the speed limit and it was not enough to justify intervention by the speed camera partnership. Town councillors suggested another community speedwatch or a 20mph limit for every road in Blandford, since a case could be made for almost all of them. Councillor Quayle said people were keen to complain but not to face aggression from drivers if they volunteered for speedwatch, and there were not enough officers to enforce a speed limit. "But a flashing sign telling people they are exceeding it can be effective," he said. Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles said: "We don't have the capacity to manage an SID, but we have the money to pay someone to do it." It was agreed by four votes to three to support the idea and ask
the county council to carry out a survey, subject to any installation not resulting in taking up officer time, and either a volunteer group or the county council being responsible for moving the camera around. Councillor Quayle also said he would look into the possibility of white lines restricting parking at the bottom of Holland Way and Damory Court Street where there had been requests for double yellow lines. He pointed out the double yellows at the required length would remove too many parking spaces, but white lines had proved effective at the junction with Alexandra Street. A request for a second grit bin in Froxfield Road was rejected on the grounds that they should take a holistic view and look at other places where they might be needed.
Comedy cash for kitchen A CHEQUE for ÂŁ400 raised at the last Comedy Exchange in June was presented to the Rev Jonathan Triffitt, Rector of Blandford, for the work of the Community Kitchen. It opened in the Parish Centre in the first two weeks of August with extended hours for families to enjoy a meal and activities for all ages free of charge, thanks to local sponsorship. Comedy Exchange organisers have thanked their sponsors, All Insure and Sunrise Service and MoT, and are now looking forward to the next Comedy Exchange on September 29: hosted by Tom Glover, with Al Lubel, Paul F Taylor and The Monks, aka Kevin Moore and Yazz Fetto, who lay claim to being the only Christian comedy sketch group in the UK. Doors of the Corn Exchange open 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start - for further details see b-c-p.co.uk.
September 2018
Carnival’s young royals all set for their big day THERE was a good turnout at the Royal British Legion Club for the selection of the royalty for this year's Blandford Carnival. A total of 20 girls entered the princess and attendants competition, and there were nine hopefuls for the title of Miss Blandford Carnival. The judges from Frome Carnival Committee had a difficult task and after much deliberation chose Millie Pickering, aged nine, as Princess and Mollie Gregory and Kacey Bumby, both aged ten, as her attendants. Miss Blandford Carnival this year is Imogen Brewer, aged 12. All the girls live in Blandford and will take pride of place in the Carnival parade, which starts from Holland Way at 7.15pm on Saturday September 8. Members of the public have been
busy competing in the popular 'Spot the Oddity' event looking for out-of-place items placed in shop windows, and at 6.30pm on Wednesday September 5, the doors will open for the annual carnival bingo in the Corn Exchange (eyes down 7.30pm). Judging for the baby show will start in the Corn Exchange at 11am on September 8, and the floats will be gathering from 5.30pm onwards in Holland Way for the procession. Carnival organisers have again appealed to members of the public not to buy balloons and other items from commercial sellers who give nothing to support carnival funds, but to instead support the local entries in the event and the street collection. Find more information on Facebook (Blandford Carnival).
Neighbours lead flats plan opposition AN application for 'permission in principle' for the development of a block of flats in a heavily congested lane in Blandford has prompted dozens of objections from residents and neighbours. Within days of its submission by Blandford Forum Ltd, the company of Barry Paul Pliskin, for the site at the rear of Luton Mews developed by him some years ago, the highway authority had responded with no objection. But Blandford and District Civic Society had already raised concerns about the overdevelopment in a very congested area where parking was already restricted. The Society also highlighted that under the rubble currently on the site was a cellar believed to date from before the Great Fire of Blandford in 1731. There soon followed objections from neighbours that there are already problems with refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers and ambulances being unable to access the lane and properties, and fears that, in the event of a fire, the fire service would be unable to attend issues which have previously been taken up with the local authorities and with the local county councillor who has also
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objected to the proposal. Permission was granted in the past and is technically current since construction work was started on a terrace of three three-bedroomed homes on the site, which previously had storage and residential buildings long since demolished. But architect Roger Davis, on behalf of the applicant, says that houses are not appropriate in the town centre, not least in their failure to make effective use of a brownfield site, and that flats will contribute to the range of rented property not currently proposed elsewhere in the town centre. A number of comments refer to development in principle being acceptable to tidy up what has become a derelict site next to one of the few parking areas available. But they and other objectors say the proposal for up to nine flats could mean three storeys in an area containing two-storey town houses and cottages, and potential for loss of privacy and overlooking in an area chosen specifically by existing property owners because it was 'relatively quiet and family friendly' but which only 'just about copes with the present level of occupancy'.
Carnival four: Miss Blandford Carnival Imogen Brewer and Carnival Princess Millie Pickering, with (left) Mollie Gregory and (right) Kacey Bumby, the princess's attendants.
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Thousands turn out for ‘homecoming’ parade A FIRST World War 'Homecoming Parade' made its way across Dorset to mark 100 years since the end of WW1 and officially kick off celebrations for the Great Dorset Steam Fair's 50th anniversary. Crowds lined the streets all along the route from Bovington to Tarrant Hinton via Bere Regis, Winterborne Kingston and Blandford, and in Blandford started gathering at 11.30am for the scheduled arrival at 12.30pm. By the time of the actual arrival three hours late, after a late start and a couple of breakdowns en route, there were thousands at Tesco, outside the Crown Hotel and in the Market Place. The convoy of First World War vehicles, which caused inevitable traffic hold-ups on the route it took, was accompanied by a full crew in period dress and echoed the parade which took place in 2014 at the start of the World War One centenary commemorations. Spectators this year could see the British Mk IV tank replica from War Horse, a Holt 75 gun tractor, a Howitzer gun, WW1 motor lorries, motorcycle outriders, plenty of steam and in Blandford, soldiers marching over the town bridge into West Street. Steam Fair managing director Martin Oliver was thrilled, saying: "This is what it is all about. We were all extremely excited to see such an amazing spectacle - it's unlikely that anything like this will ever be seen again. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank
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everyone involved in the organisation and preparation of this road run. "Our World War One section has been incredibly popular and at times very moving over the last four years. It will be an emotional year for us to see it coming to a close at the same time as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. We have invited the public to come and see our commemorative WW1 centenary section one last time at the Great Dorset Steam Fair." The 50th anniversary special opened on Thursday August 23, closing on Bank Holiday Monday August 27, with the star attraction '500 at 50' - an official Guinness World Record attempt for the biggest gathering of steam engines ever on the planet. To cater for the expected increase in the hundreds of thousands of visitors for the special anniversary gathering, who were advised to follow AA road signs and use the postcode DT11 8HX to avoid unsuitable roads, an extra parking area was provided north of the Swainson Road entrance to Blandford Camp, and the usual shuttle bus provided transport to and from the showground from Blandford whose timetable could be found at gdsf.co.uk/getting-there/ A temporary traveller site was in operation over the show period from August 17 to 28 to prevent unauthorised camping, and temporary speed limits were in force past the showground from August 17 to August 31.
Pictures show the parade making its way through Blandford.
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September 2018
Cherry picking proves to be a winning idea LOCAL hamper company Cherry Picked Hampers, specialists in Dorset-only produce, organised their first cherry picking event at Bagber Farm in Milborne St Andrew. On a warm and sunny day, more than 130 people from as far away as London arrived at the local sports pavilion to catch minibuses which took them to the cherry fields a mile away, making spectacular views of the countryside part of the experience as the minibuses bumped and bounced over the farm tracks to the fields. Each adult was issued with a cardboard container and given free access to pick from the 5,000 cherry trees on the farm, some choosing to wander off in search of the six different vari-
eties of dessert cherries available, while others focused on a handful of trees laden with fruit. Pickers also picnicked among the trees, while others took advantage of the barbecue selling local produce, and enjoyed local drinks from The Cherry Bar, a vintage trailer provided by the host. Buttons the clown was on hand to entertain the children with balloon models and magic shows, while adults were able to exchange stories and ideas for cherry recipes and watch farmer John Hawkins shake the trees to speed up the harvesting and falconer Mike Coleman, whose hawk is flown daily to keep other birds at bay. Find out more on the website cherrypickedhampers.co.uk.
Riverside shops plans are dropped PROPOSALS for the redevelopment of Riverside House - home of the Blandford Town Information Centre - and its neighbouring vacant plot have been withdrawn by the applicants. Revised plans are still being considered for the associated application for retail units and a replacement tourist information centre on land opposite Morrisons supermarket in Greyhound Yard, which originally received negative comments from the Environment Agency and North Dorset's conservation officer. The now-withdrawn outline application by Lolligo Ltd, for a fourstorey block with retail on the ground floor and 20 flats above, faced opposition from North Dorset District Council's conservation and tree officers, and also from Blandford & District Civic Society, all of whom felt the scheme was inappropriate at the FISH at risk of being stranded after prolonged dry weather caused water levels to drop have been rescued from the River Tarrant near Blandford and transferred to the nearby River Stour by the Environment Agency. The agency said it was clearing sections of the river of vegetation and would then catch the hundreds of fish, including salmon and brown trout, using electrical current so that they could be moved.
main entrance to the town from the west. Historic England, while they accepted development of the highly sensitive site in principle, said the proposal would create an overbearing presence at this important and prominent gateway entrance to the historic town. They said: "We also concur with the conservation officer that any new building in this location should respond positively not only to West Street, but to the river meadows to the south-east and south-west as its prominent edgeof-town location will ensure that every elevation is highly visible." There were also detailed concerns on flood risk from Dorset County Council's flood risk engineer and the Environment Agency, which stated that the applicant needed to demonstrate that there were no reasonably available sites in a lower flood risk area. "The proposed building will have a greater footprint than Riverside House and will increase the amount of floor area constructed within a main river flood plain. The site itself is well within flood zone 3 and its defence depends on the design standard and maintenance of any defences." The Environment Agency also objected in principle since the building was apparently positioned over a watercourse raising a number of issues about which no information had been provided.
Cherry picking at Bagber Farm.
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Homes scheme meets a wave of opposition • From Page 1 is a member, said any comment he made before it was considered would be seen as pre-judgement. But the other Central ward councillor John Tanner said: "Firstly, I cannot support this proposed development as only eight of the 40 dwellings will be for rent. Blandford is desperate for affordable rentable accommodation and this was a wonderful opportunity for the district council to at least in part address this and help many young people of Blandford.
"Secondly, Dorset County Council acknowledges that medical and educational services in Blandford need major investment to support the great growth in the population that has already occurred. To promote yet more expansion is foolhardy - I am not against growth in housing but that growth must be accompanied with a growth in services. "Thirdly, surely with a bit of imagination the house of Nordon could have been incorporated into the scheme, as it has great significance in the history of Blandford having been
the home of the Woodhouse family." Blandford+, whose neighbourhood plan for Blandford, Blandford St Mary and Bryanston is currently being revised, originally sought the retention of the main Nordon building as part of any redevelopment of the site, but the subject did not form part of the public consultation carried out last month into amendments to the plan. It is understood that Blandford+ has not reviewed its position, but that its original intention can still be taken into account.
‘Save Nordon from the bulldozers’ HISTORIC England are said to have expressed concerns over the demolition of the original Nordon property, built for George Woodhouse, director of the Blandford St Mary brewery family, at the turn of the last century. The outline application for Nordon is to agree access and layout only. In his planning statement for Aster Homes, agent Matt Holmes, of Chapman Lily Planning, says the comments of the conservation body at preapplication stage about the loss of the existing building and the impact of that on the conservation area did not take into account the wider public benefits of the development. Mention is made of the fact that the late 19th century building is included with a Dorset Historic Town Project list of identified 'key buildings' under the heading 'Victorian and Edwardian Villas'. The site is also within the Blandford Conservation Area, in which it was specifically included because of its significance. It is also protected as an Important Open or Wooded Area, and while most of the higher-quality trees will be retained, the scheme includes the removal of some. In addition to the main Nordon
building, which has been substantially altered and extended since it was originally built, there are smaller single-storey buildings and temporary buildings which will also be demolished. A mix of detached, semidetached and terraced houses and a block of four apartments are proposed for the 1.3ha site, including four one-bedroomed flats, 15 two-bedroomed houses,
20 three-bedroomed houses and one four-bedroom, and 80 resident parking spaces. Retention of the original building is not considered viable due to the knock-on effect on the design and layout that its retention has on the remainder of the scheme, and its impact on the viability of the remainder of the scheme. Mr Holmes, who also highlights the current lack of a five-year
housing land supply in the district, says: "The substantial public and community benefits associated with the delivery of a highquality development comprising 40 new affordable homes in a sustainable location is a significant and substantial public benefit which outweighs the impact of the loss of the building on the significance of the Conservation Area."
Holiday season deadline criticised NORTH Dorset District Council announced over 12 months ago that it had agreed, in confidential session to protect the commercial interests involved, to accept a bid for the site in Salisbury Road which provided a good legacy, giving 100 per cent affordable units, a good capital receipt and a good design. No details have since been made public on how the redevelopment was planned to be carried out. But on July 18, a public notice appeared in the press giving any landowner or tenant wishing to make representations 21 days to write to the planning authority, since the ownership of a small portion of the land is unregistered. At the end of July, the plans were made public for the application by social housing providers Aster Homes, who are described as the preferred bidder, outlining the proposal. Neither of the ward councillors, Noc Lacey-Clarke
and John Tanner, were advised that the application had been registered before they started to receive phone calls from residents about it. Councillor Lacey-Clarke said he had been contacted by a number of people about the consultation being carried out during the summer holidays with a deadline for representations of August 26. He said he had been given an assurance that although legally the consultation deadline could not be extended, any comments received up to the decision date would be considered. He also asked for the application to go before the planning committee since it involves the local authority's own land. Blandford Town Council, a statutory consultee, had no meetings planned until September 3, and Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles said a request had been made and agreed for an extension to the deadline to allow them to comment.
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Villagers unite to fight homes plans MORE development plans in the villages have angered residents who are objecting to new homes being built in response to the failure to meet housing supply targets in the district. A public meeting in July attracted a large number in Child Okeford, where Paddock Green Limited have applied for 68 homes on the site of Beehive Storage on the Manston Road. At a special parish council meeting which followed, it was agreed to object to the scheme which is outside the village settlement boundary, a considerable distance from the village centre, on a road unsuitable for pedestrians and already too heavily used. Villagers and parish councillors in Spetisbury are also objecting to proposals by John Fromage for nine houses to the south of the Grade I listed St John the Baptist church on land which they say is designated as an open space by North Dorset District Council. The scheme would mean making a new access on to the A350 on what they claim is an extremely dangerous part of the road where visibility is limited in both directions by a bend. In their objection to the planning authority, the parish council say: "The design and access statement from the architects says that a small parkland setting would be created nearest the road for the
village. That is frankly nonsense as the site is already not big enough for what is planned for houses and a 'small parkland', which would indeed be very, very small and have an access road running right through the middle of it - not an area any mother would like her children playing in." • The North Dorset group of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has repeated its warning of the dire consequences of the district failing to meet its five-year land supply targets, which has already resulted in a six-fold increase in the number of homes applied for during the year. "The government may be keen to boost housing nationally but this is totally excessive and unsustainable," said chairman Rupert Hardy. "The majority of applications are likely to be approved as councils fear the cost of fighting appeals." He said a senior planning officer within NDDC had admitted that the housing land supply by July 2018 was still below five years, although the council is working with developers to improve delivery rates "North Dorset is under siege with the floodgates fully open, and there are no signs of any change as more housebuilders persuade more landowners to give up their land to provide very lucrative housing."
OVERFLOWING litterbins are a regular sight and should be reported to the Dorset Waste Partnership online so that they can be cleared. But this bin on the Marsh & Ham shocked a member of the public who also reported it on Facebook, asking why, when people saw the bin was full, they did not take their litter home with them. District Councillor Barrie Cooper reported to a recent Blandford Town Council meeting that there was only one small bin in the top car park, and he was trying to get a bigger one provided.
The trail blazers . . IT was a small but select group which braved the heat on one of the hottest days of the year for the Blandford Opportunity Group Trailway Challenge. Chairman Colin Stevens said: "We had a lot of people contacting us to say they wouldn't be taking part because they were afraid it was going to be too hot." Those who did arrive were joined by Mayor of Blandford Roger Carter and had an enjoyable walk or cycle ride to Shillingstone and back in support of the charity, which runs the pre-school established at the Williams Opportunity Hall for children with special needs, and now also caters for all pre-school age children.
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Lost pounds mean cash for charity CUSTOMERS of Nicki Edwards, The Cambridge Lady, who embarked on the Cambridge Weight Plan 60 Day Challenge, raised £730 for the Dorset Deaf Children's Society while collectively losing more than 22 stone in weight. Nicki said: "I am immensely proud of all my customers who took part in the challenge and did so well, raising this much money for such a good cause. Everyone is a winner - my clients who have lost so much weight and feel so much better about themselves, and all the children that are helped by the Society." Nicki, along with Louise Pender, who was the biggest loser, and Natasha Barnes, whose own baby daughter Ebony has profound hearing loss, presented the cheque to the society's
chairman Kevin Forbes. He said: "I congratulate all Nicki's customers and thank them for the wonderful donation. "The Dorset Deaf Children's Society is run solely by volunteers and provides invaluable advice and information for parents and carers of hearingimpaired children. We will use this money to help organise events and outings for affected families so they can meet and share ideas with others like themselves." Around 30 of Nicki's clients took part in the challenge and donated to the charity, and she was keen to point out that everyone's weight loss journey was unique to them. But the competition was closely fought and Louise came out on top, having lost over 17 per cent of her starting weight 26.5 pounds - over the 60 days.
Nicki Edwards, Natasha Barnes with baby Ebony and her brother Jacob, and biggest loser Louise Pender present the cheque to Dorset Deaf Children's Society Chairman Kevin Forbes.
Cemetery work cost has doubled THE cost of repairs to the wall on the northern boundary of Blandford cemetery has almost doubled since the Town Council was forced to abandon plans to replace it with a fence following objections from local residents and the Grade II listing of the entire cemetery by Historic England. A detailed report from their operations manager to the council revealed that since the listing, meetings with the conservation and tree officers resulted in planning applications being submitted and approved, subject to conditions, to rebuild three sections incorporating lintels over the roots of the trees to protect them and the wall as the roots grow. Other areas were to be repointed but not dismantled or rebuilt. But residents of Davis Gardens started complaining to the office as soon as work began regarding the size of the voids around the roots of the wall which forms the boundary of their gardens. Operation Manager Jon Goodenough said: "While Town Council officers were sympathetic to these concerns and had raised this issue with both the tree officer and conservation officer, it was explained to the residents that since the listing they no longer had the decision-making power over the method of
rebuilding the wall or materials to be used. Residents were told that although we were happy to take their concerns to North Dorset District Council, since the wall is now listed and the trees protected, we must abide by their decision." Several site meetings and a high volume of correspondence followed, and several alterations were considered until a site meeting in May between a resident, the Town Clerk, the operations manager and Cllr Lynn Lindsay, when it was agreed to request that a further section of wall which had deteriorated, with bricks falling into the resident's property, should be repaired. The work was approved by the conservation officer, and the contractors, who were still on site, were instructed to carry out the work. But more extensive repairs were found necessary when vegetation was removed, increasing the total cost from the £13,525 originally approved for the fence to £22,800 plus VAT. Madeleine Bridle, who originally campaigned for the wall to be listed, resulting in the listing of the entire cemetery, said: "The project is now finished and has been done rather well, continuing the vernacular style of the original. I do recognise a task sympathetically completed.”
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A healthy launch for new hospital
Before and after: Nightingale Court with the central pathway cleared of rubble.
Pathway back in use THE clearing of the land behind Nightingale Court, Blandford, by its new owner was widely welcomed by regular users of the permissive footpath leading from the Langton Road car park to East Street. The site, which has over a number of years been the subject of unsuccessful planning applications for development, has been bought by Augustus Coke, owner of the front section of Nightingale Court. He said he had no plans at this stage to redevelop the vacant site, but wanted to make it pleasant and tidy. His first task was to clear some of the overgrown weeds and the central path of the rubble which has for many months forced pedestrians to use the path at the side, and he said he hoped soon to carry out work on the metal bridge over the Pimperne brook which is showing signs of disrepair.
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deliverers needed
AFTER more than six years of delivering Forum Focus to their neighbours, some of our team of volunteers have, for various reasons, had to give up their much valued assistance to us. It is a service which has been much appreciated by Forum Focus and by the hundreds of householders who look forward to receiving their copies on a regular basis and who now may be missing their arrival. We know the grateful reception our deliverers receive when they meet people. It is a most rewarding way of spending an hour or two at the end of every month. It would be lovely to hear from anyone who would like to serve their community in this very simple way, by offering to pick up some copies from Colin's Club on Damory Street and deliver in their and/or neighbouring street. Alternatively volunteers can have them delivered to their own door. New volunteers to help with distribution in all areas will be welcome, and should call 01258 456999, or email distribution@forumfocus.co.uk.
THE new facility at Shottsford House in Heddington Drive, Blandford, managed by Priory Healthcare as a secure hospital for children with challenging mental health problems, was officially opened by the Mayor Roger Carter. The opening followed inspections by NHS England and the Care Quality Commission which gave it a clean bill of health and followed Mr Carter's visit to the secure hospital earlier in the month to see how work was progressing following the sale of the building to the Priory Group. "I was very impressed with the thought that has gone into the design of the building and the care taken to ensure that the young patients cannot harm themselves," he said: "It is a first-class - perhaps even world-class - facility we have here in Blandford, which will employ over 50 people, most of them recruited locally. The aim is to help the patients back to mental health and with the care
offered, this is a realistic proposition." Hospital director Caroline Williams said the 12-bedded locked hospital was for children aged 12 to 18 years old with a mental health condition and learning disability diagnosis who needed 24-hour inpatient care and treatment. It provides safe and secure grounds and gardens and communal areas with 24-hour staff support on-site to help individuals towards living independently. Shottsford House had previously been run as a nursing home run by Partnerships in Care after the sale of the building by Dorset County Council. The council had it built as Phoenix House at a cost of over £3 million as a state-of-the-art facility to replace The Beeches care home for the severely disabled with complex needs. It closed within three years when it proved difficult to make placements because of the trend away from institutionalised care.
www.forumfocus.co.uk Mayor Roger Carter cuts the ribbon, watched by staff, to open the new Priory hospital in Heddington Drive. PLANS to build a special feature bench costing nearly £3,000 around the tree in The Tabernacle planted to mark the 300th anniversary of the granting of Blandford's Royal charter have been abandoned after the original contractor was first delayed by bad weather and then pulled out of the contract. As branches have since fallen from the tree, councillors agreed instead to spend up to £2,500 on two ordinary benches to be sited elsewhere in the Tabernacle, where the original seat was well-used.
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Left: North Dorset District Council chairman Val Pothecary (right) presents a certificate to Carole Sharp of Blandford. Above centre: Tim Cox from Valley Dairy. Above right: Jackie Vacher of Pimperne.
Recognition for unsung heroes NINE residents in the DT11 area were among 28 recognised for their community service in the presentation of a 'Community Hero Award' by North Dorset District Council's chairman Val Pothecary in the council's final year of existence. Mrs Pothecary sought nominations from across the district to acknowledge the work undertaken that made a real difference to their community. The presentation ceremony took place at Durweston village hall, where nominees and their proposers were invited to an afternoon cream tea. Thanking all those who made nominations, without whom the work of a very special group of people to improve the lot of those around them would have gone unrecognised, she said: "This really is the tip of the iceberg. We know what caring communities we have out there, and you do not have to go very far in North Dorset to find people giving everything for almost no recognition." She added that this was the first time they had been recognised in this way and would also be the last. "Next year will be a whole new world," she said, referring to the forthcoming creation
of a new unitary authority for Dorset. The nominees included three from Milton Abbas, led by Paul Battrick, who had organised a rota to take one of their neighbours in his 90s on shopping trips and outings, Tim Cox, Joan Nash and Kevin Oakley of the Winterborne Valley, Jackie Vacher of Pimperne and Carole Sharp and Sara Loch of Blandford. Tim, from the Valley Dairy, was nominated for his efforts to continue to supply and deliver milk to villagers during the bad winter weather and providing a lifeline for disabled residents in the area; Joan for her services to Winterborrne Kingston; Kevin for his work on the Winterborne Stickland village sign and various other community activities; and Jackie for the numerous community events she has organised in Pimperne since retiring as St John
Ambulance cadet leader in Blandford, raising thousands of pounds for charity and bringing all age groups together. Carole Sharp was nominated for her tireless work as chairman of the Blandford charities, vice-chairman of the Charity of William Williams, a past mayor of Blandford and Freeman of the town. Sara Loch was unable to be present at the ceremony but received her certificate and award beforehand for her enormous contribution to the welfare of the residents through her past membership of the town council, as mayor, chairmanship of the Blandford + group charged with developing the Neighbourhood Plan, and as churchwarden raising many tens of thousands of pounds for restoration work to the Georgian church of St Peter & St Paul.
THE pet service staged annually in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church, Durweston, will be held on Sunday September 2, starting at 11am. Always popular with pet owners, it gives thanks for all creatures great and small and for their companionship.
This year it falls just before the beginning of the new school term and right at the end of the long summer holiday, when people might just be looking for something special to do on the final weekend. All are welcome to attend the short service, which will be followed by refreshments.
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September 2018
A super send-off for a Taymix stalwart A RETIREMENT party was held in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel for a man who has spent a lifetime working for Taymix, the transport company based in Blandford and Pimperne. Peter Noyce started work for the Taylor family in Pimperne in his early 20s as farm manager in 1970, but when their haulage company Taymix became very busy during the drought year of 1976 with its normal work and a new contract delivering soft drinks and transporting straw, he went into the office to help on a temporary basis. Nearly 50 years later he was still there as its transport manager, having organised deliveries, dealt with suppliers, staff and cusNEW tourist signs could soon be appearing on Blandford bypass highlighting the attractions of the town in a bid to bring in more visitors. The project has been championed by the Blandford Town Team whose chairman Nic Nicol was thanked at the Town Council's recreation and amenities committee.
tomers, and facing every challenge that came his way - including rescuing stranded drivers. Rory Taylor said: "There is more to being Taymix transport manager than just organising the deliveries - he even looked after my children, house and dogs if we were away. The food industry and feeding animals goes on 365 days a year, so does Taymix, and so did Pete." He said Mr Noyce and his wife Debbie, who also works for the company and is the daughter of another Taymix employee, had been vital to the continued success of the firm, which had been through some very tough times in the last 48 years. "Taymix is a family business, and not just the Taylor family," he said. Mr Noyce agreed, saying: "They are part of my family, and working with them has been a way of life." The party organised by Mr Taylor's daughter Claire Ridout, who is now company secretary, and Mrs Noyce, was attended by more than 80 family members, employees and customers.
Members of the Taylor family with, centre, Peter Noyce and his wife Debbie.
Town market on the up BLANDFORD's street market manager Andy Reynolds was publicly congratulated at the town council's town and general purposes committee meeting for his hard work and progress in making the market a special place that people want to come to. Councillors have agreed to a 'tenant market mix' and layout to ensure that traders and the public are best served by the variety and location of stalls. Work is in progress to make card readers for chip & pin available to traders and to establish Blandford as Dorset's first 'Real Deal Market' under a charter produced by Dorset Trading Standards, demonstrating that the market is free from dangerous goods and has the correct procedures and policies. Costs of the market to June 30 were reported to be under budget, and income slightly over budget. A special Medieval Market on Sunday, September 16, will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the medieval charter for the market.
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Readers’ letters
Respect the traditions of rural life WE are fortunate to live in a wonderful part of the United Kingdom that is full of historical and geographical features that have changed very little over the centuries until the last 40 years or so. The growth in population has led to both urban and rural residential expansion and many have moved from urban living to rural locations. To many of these people, the habits or traditions of the countryside are either barbaric, dirty, arrogant and more. The dairy farmer bringing his herd across the road or the horse rider leaving a mess on the road, the tractor driver coming out of a field leaving mud on the road, signs on land stating 'Private Land', lanes being impassable for short periods of time while the local hunt follow a trail, the sound of shotguns being fired at weekends. The list goes on. Unfortunately there are some people who get together and start a campaign to stop this or that, to complain of events that have happened for decades or centuries. These are often newcomers to the area, describing themselves as caring people voicing their concerns over matters that should be changed. Sometimes their campaigns are fuelled by untruths which convince the listener or reader that they should follow this cause and
September 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
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.
donate to fund its movement. If you went on holiday and didn't like the resort, you wouldn't try to change its character or features. You just wouldn't go back and would try somewhere else next time. Likewise with the countryside, please. The next time you see campaigners in the town centre or similar with their stall, cuddly toys and placards, have an open mind and, before you donate or join their cause, do your own research into the facts. Leaflets and websites can carry many untruths. This countryside is here for us all; please respect it, move with the times, but keep its traditions. There is no need to remove them completely to enjoy it. Nicholas Smith. Station Court, Blandford
choose to do either a regular shift each week or choose to be available to fill in occasionally when needed. There are also many behind-the-scenes projects and if you have an interest in history you might like to join us. Both the Blandford Town Museum and the Blandford Fashion Museum rely on volunteers. Please consider if you have a few hours a week to help these very important local organisations carry out their valuable work. Sylvia Hixson Andrews Director, Blandford Town Museum
A block of nine flats on the footprint of the site would be three storeys high, when all around are just two storeys. Can anyone believe this ludicrous suggestion? And is there a real danger of the planning officer just nodding it through? For sanity's sake, do not exchange a temporary eyesore for a permanent one! Martin Brickell Shorts Lane, Blandford
Blot on the landscape
Help with our heritage
SHORTS Lane in Blandford is a quiet cul-de-sac, but one which is densely populated and serves as access to the town centre. There are a varied selection of nice little town houses, mingling with some delightful older buildings. At the base of the 'lane', on a prominent corner, is a derelict site which has become an eyesore to the local residents for some time. There is, however, now a planning application to build on this site BUT - would you believe? for a 'Block of Flats'! They would be totally out of keeping with the area, would stick out like a sore thumb, and be the proverbial 'blot on the landscape'. The developers would have us believe that the Conservation officer 'agrees' with this application in preference to two or three more attractive town houses. I cannot accept that!
ONCE again, what a triumph! The Blandford School production of Evita was truly amazing. The students are so talented in every way. Congratulations must go the drama teacher and her team for staging a brilliant evening's entertainment. I look forward to next year's production - whatever it might be. Well done to all. Mary Rawlinson Blandford St Mary
THE Blandford Town Museum recently received a gift of documents (wills, deeds, etc.) dating from the 1750s through to the pre- and post-WWII war years. We are looking for volunteers who have an interest in helping us to go through these potentially fascinating documents and assist in cataloguing them for our archives. All the staff at Blandford Town Museum are volunteers and we rely on volunteers for all the work we do. For example, we are currently in need of volunteers to steward at the front desk. Each shift is three hours and you can
Evita delight
Wasted lights AS a general rule, drivers in this country are able to safely and expeditiously negotiate roundabouts. For reasons best known to themselves the roads authorities saw fit to insist on traffic lights at the junction of Shaftesbury Lane and the Plough industrial estate for no benefit whatsoever. The only outcome is a waste of fuel and time, together with frustrated drivers - let's have a roundabout so that we can all get into Lidl more easily. Richard Higgs, Shillingstone
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September 2018
Arts and oddities lined up for Free Expression FREE Expression is offering another full programme of activity on Sunday, September 9, in Blandford Market Place, the Town Museum and church grounds. An art exhibition will be looking at the world of science, engineering and industry, asking 'what's behind a bubble' and offering a chance to try some virtual reality with Game On, and 'The feeling of Space', a walk-through art installation. The art fair features artists from across Dorset, and there will be bio-dancing (free dance and a great way to stay energised and healthy) and Doodle Fantastic's invitation to visitors to draw on the festival van. Circus skills with the Wessex Community Circus offers the chance to learn unicycle, trapeze, and everything in between, and there will be music, walkabouts
and the summer circus challenge. Boogie Mites are a Blandfordbased group whose programme enables children and their carers to engage in fun and interactive music making, and workshops in Bere's Yard will include Peter Rush and Mosaic - a place where a piece of plastic can be made into an heirloom. A pop-up cafĂŠ in the Museum's Victorian Garden will include food stands with meaty wraps to vegan, ice-cream and a selection of wine, prosecco and craft beer. There will also be a chance to find out more about the Fording Point, Blandford's soon-to-be art centre. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out on the day is invited to email freeexpressioncreative@gmail.com to get involved. To find out more see free-expression.com.
Harvest tradition revived THANKS have been given for successful harvests since pagan times and this year Blandford Evening WI are reviving the traditional harvest home barn dance which will be held in the Corn Exchange on September 22 to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The music and caller will be provided by Arish Mel, a well-known local band on the barn dance club circuit. Doors will open at 6.30pm and dancing commence at 7pm. Ticket price is ÂŁ10 to include a ploughman's supper and there will be a bar and raffle. Tickets can be obtained from the Blandford TIC, the Forum Cafe, from Horrocks and Webb jewellers or any WI member.
Airfield owner Clive Hughes shakes the hand of one of the pilots of the flight as Princess Alexandra enters the aircraft.
Princess makes a flying visit PRINCESS Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, made two visits to Compton Abbas airfield by helicopter on July 31. The Princess, a first cousin to the Queen, was on her way to and from several engagements in Cornwall. A spokesman said: "She was a delightful lady and very friendly to all who met her. One of her pilots leant to fly with us 30 years ago and so they decided to come to us rather than the air force bases that they usually use. Her father was also a pilot so she has some interest in aviation."
Visitors and residents enjoying the annual summer fete at the Blandford Grange care home.
Fun in the sun at the Grange THE residents and care team at the Blandford Grange care home were delighted to welcome many members of the local community and dignitaries to their annual summer fete, including the Mayor, Councillor Roger Carter. He was given a guided tour of the home and took time to chat to many residents and other visitors. While visitors enjoyed delicious home-made cakes and refreshments, music was provided by Allan Knott, prizes were won at the tombola and raffle stalls, while families enjoyed traditional fete games in the gardens. Tilla Wagner, the new manager
of Blandford Grange, said: "We would like to thank everyone who attended and supported our annual fete, as well as those who helped organise it and make it a success. "We are delighted to have seen so many familiar and new faces and were privileged to have the Mayor visit us. It was lovely to introduce him to staff and residents and have his help in judging our hotly contested chocolate brownie tasting competition. "It gave us an opportunity to thank the local community for their ongoing support and showcase the home and its facilities and services."
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September 2018
A record payout from Georgian Fayre
Above: Sophie Roper and Evie Green collect a cheque on behalf of Pimperne Primary School Netball club, which is run by volunteers. Sophie helped out at the Fayre on the day. They are pictured with the Mayor Roger Carter (left) and Fayre chairman Colin Stevens. Above right: Sue Bracher (right) and Sheila Wareham (left) present their cheque to Sharon Kevern for the Blandford Opportunity Group.
Story time is here again THE fourth annual short story competition organised by Blandford Rotary has again inspired a large number of people under 18 to enter. Contestants have to write an original story of up to 800 words. "We are delighted that so many young creative writers are entering this well-established competition," said club president Andy Munden, "but we welcome adult writers, too. The closing date for entries is September 8." The under-18 category is one of four in the competition, the others being Flash Fiction (maximum 250 words), Best Story in a Dorset setting and Open (1,500 words). More information on blandfordrotary.org.uk. All the shortlisted entries will be read at the prizegiving evening on Friday October 26, when winners will receive cash prizes plus high tea for two donated by Beatons Tea Rooms, one of the major sponsors. The overall winner will also receive the BFTC Cup which will be presented by the Mayor, Cllr Roger Carter. Other sponsors are Morrisons, W H Smith and Lesley Shand Funeral Service.
A RECORD total of ÂŁ6,050 was distributed to groups, charities and organisations involved with this year's Georgian Fayre at a presentation evening held in the Royal British Legion Club. Chairman Colin Stevens reminded everyone that this was in addition to the hundreds of pounds worth of support given by the Fayre to the Blandford Foodbank. Guests included Mayor of Blandford Roger Carter, who was invited to present the cheques to the representatives of nearly 20 groups which had worked on the entrance points, cash tellers, performed and exhibited, and the Chief Constable of Dorset, who accepted a cheque on behalf of the UK Police Memorial Fund to create a national memorial to fallen police officers. The charities and groups supported also included Pimperne Sports Club, Blandford Cricket Club, Blandford Opportunity Group, Sherborne Air Cadets, Blandford Forum Gymnastics Club which mans a pinch point, the Alzheimer's Society, Mission Motorsports, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Cats Protection, Magnum Carnival Club, Blandford Stour Rotary, the Royal British Legion Club, the Firefighters' Charity, the Performing Arts Theatre Academy, Amy Lillywhite, the Gurkhas Welfare Fund and Pimperne Primary Netball Club. Sue Bracher and Sheila Wareham, who staff a pinchpoint at the fair, presented their cheque to the Blandford Opportunity Group, as they have done for many years. Fayre commentator Arthur Bush received his contribution for his brilliant public announcing on the day on behalf of the Dorset Blind Association. ARTIST Peter Rush, whose recent paintings and 3D work were on exhibition in the Blandford Town Museum throughout August, was hosting workshops at the museum on Monday and Tuesday August 27 and 28. He was a freelance illustrator for BBC TV's 'Jackanory' for 25 years and has since focused on paper sculpture modelling and specialising in painting skies and seascapes.
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September 2018
Treads making strides
Tony Horrocks and Sam James of 'Oh No It Isn't', (centre) with their business sponsors (left to right) Laura Aitken (the Crown & Anchor), Alex Hansford (AH Fencing), Oliver Hansford (Agusta Automotive), Nathan Nicholls (Nicholls Motor Company), Sarah Heath (Blanchards Bailey), Trevor Roberts (Roberts Aerials), Trina Horrocks (Horrocks & Webb), Chrissy Regler (From Dorset With Love), Steve Thornewill (Chaffers), and Ryan Emby (Riverside Travel).
Souped-up panto plan wins a strong cast of backers A HOME-GROWN panto is being planned to take the place of the 'bought-in' performance which has for the last few years graced the stage of the Corn Exchange for local children just before Christmas. 'Oh No It Isn't' is a company being set up by Sam James and Clive Newlin of Blandford Community Promotions, which has organised a number of successful stand-up comedy shows in the Corn Exchange over the past two years, together with businessman Tony Horrocks. The company is aimed specifically at staging a pantomime for the town involving local people every Christmas, and the first production is sponsored by a number of local businesses who want to support a local vision aimed at driving Blandford forward and they want to see the town thrive. Mr James said: "It's not a drama group, it's a community group, doing nothing other than one panto at the Corn Exchange each year. We are working with a group of local businesses and using only local resources. "The long-term aim is to rival other towns' pantomimes by having a mixture of professional and amateur actors." Production work has been underway since June. The show will star Jade Alcock, Beatrice Hunt and Liz Rawlings, with production by Sam, Clive and Tony Horrocks who has performed regularly with Forum Drama. The name of the pantomime,
which will be performed on December 14, 15 and 16, is being kept under wraps and will be announced in October. Blandford town councillors agreed that, for the first production, the fees paid for the annual panto in the past from the Corn Exchange Promotions budget raised by volunteers to support the building be used to cover the cost of venue hire for rehearsals and performances. The group will manage the promotion and ticket sales, relieving town council staff of the responsibility, and reinvest the income received for future pantomimes. They were told that the feedback from last year's show, which cost the council ÂŁ1,000 to stage, had not been good, and Sam had been approached to gather together a group of performers who could improve the quality and appeal of the show. Operations manager Jon Goodenough said: "The group would like to work with the town council to make this an annual event which improves every year, attracts audiences from outside the area, and benefits not only the town but also the building itself, helping to reestablish it as a community facility offering quality entertainment and bringing money into the local economy formerly spent elsewhere." Councillors queried how the cost of scenery and costumes was to be met and were told of the sponsorship from local businesses. Deputy Mayor Nocturin
Lacey-Clarke, who abstained from voting, announcing that he would be taking part in the show, said the costumes were already nearly complete, and were 'fantastic'.
TREADS young persons' advice and information centre will be launching the ASDAN programme in September with the funding support they have received from the Rotary Club of Blandford Stour. Su Case, project manager, said: "The programme will provide young people with short courses designed to enhance their confidence, self-esteem and resilience, so we are particularly pleased that the Rotary Club have been able to support us. "With our Lego club also starting at the end of the month thanks to the generous donations of Lego from people all over the county who saw our request through Forum Focus a few months ago, it will be a particularly busy but exciting time. "Treads has also been selected for Tesco's 'bags of help' community support throughout September when shoppers are able to show their support for local good causes."
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September 2018
Surprise discovery intrigues the WI
A scene from La Bohème.
Top-class opera is a huge attraction DORSET Opera again brought thousands from around the UK and abroad to the area to see three performances of Le Cid and three of La Bohème, staged in the Coade Hall theatre at Bryanston and take part in their two-week summer school. The residential summer school and production has annually, for more than 40 years, introduced opera to youngsters of all ages, bringing together soloists of international repute, a full professional orchestra, highly acclaimed conductors and directors and a mostly amateur chorus, technical crew and wardrobe department. The British stage première of Massenet's Le Cid and Puccini's La Bohème, sung in Italian with English subtitles, probably the best loved opera ever composed, received glowing reviews in the
national press. Dominic Lowe in the BachTrack gave them a four-star review, saying: "Under its charismatic artistic director Roderick Kennedy, its logistic achievements remain outstanding; nothing less than the staging and preparation of two operas in just a couple of weeks with a full-scale educational commitment to a well-sized chorus of young singers who benefit from an intensive training schedule and regular access to the experienced soloists." He commends Dorset Opera Festival for its bold decision to revive Le Cid - "not the most obvious choice for English opera festivals" for its British stage première, which was described in The Observer as a triumph and by Rupert Christianson in the Telegraph as 'hugely enjoyable'.
IN the depths of the Corn the current Blandford Evening WI Exchange basement in would appreciate some help to Blandford, there was recently find answers to the mystery of found stored away a very large this important piece of social hispanel complete with massive tory. frame. Advice is being sought on the This huge wall piece turns out to removal of the panel from the be a memorial panel created by case for cleaning, restoration and an earlier incarnation of the three rehanging in a more modern, Women's Institutes that have manageable frame. existed in the town. The discovery raised the interestSo large that there is not a wall ing question of what other old WI big enough in any of the museitems are still being stored unwitum spaces in town able to carry it, the material of the panel has been stretched over a wooden framework, fitted with a glass frontage then in an oversized frame. The panel itself consists of needlework, embroidery, Dorset Buttons, exquisite miniature gloves and a superb mini wig made of real hair, and seems to be a celebration of the cottage industries of the area - but for what purpose is unknown. A plaque on the back says it was made and presented to Blandford The WI wall piece discovered in Blandford Corn Forum Town Council Exchange. in 1972 by the tingly by ex-members and famiBlandford Central WI but no lies in lofts, garages, cupboards commemoration or celebration and sheds. Contact them by can be tied in with that date. email to maxi_mon@yahoo.co.uk If anyone, whether a past memor find more information on ber of the WI in and around blandfordeveningwi.com and on Blandford or a relative, recognisFacebook. es and remembers this panel,
THE vacation by Travis Perkins of their double unit on Sunrise Business Park has opened up an opportunity for its purchase. The two large trade counter units with secure compounds and parking area, a total of 9,637 sq ft, are being marketed together or separately by Myddelton & Major with a freehold guide price of £725,000 for the pair.
THE Performing Arts Theatre Academy welcomed the Mayor of Blandford Roger Carter to their production of Disney's Aladdin Junior at The Layard Theatre, Canford School (above). All the students worked hard during rehearsals and shone on stage, bringing the story to life. Special achievement awards went to three students; Emylia Luxon, Eden Hewes and Alexandra Hunt, for exceptional commitment, determination and behaviour. Principals Rebecca Hollands and Zoe Mitchener are proud of all the students and congratulated them on their performances.
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September 2018
Volunteer Eileen goes the extra mile WHEN Eileen Walters retired at the age of 77 from her accounting job at a solicitor's firm, she'd already worked more than ten years over retirement age - but she was determined to carry on making a difference. She signed up as a volunteer at Blandford Hospital and, at the age of 79, has a whole new career on the hospital's Tarrant ward, which provides care for elderly patients. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, she drives the tea and cake round on her first shift, and hosts activity sessions on the second. "If I had my time again, I would work in dementia care as it is so rewarding," she said. "I love elderly people because they have a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour. You can pretty much guarantee you will hear an inspirational story from them every day." Eileen is the first Trust volunteer to complete a training course to gain a qualification to ensure
patients with problems swallowing foods and liquids can be fed safely. Tarrant ward sister Kimberly Witt said: "Eileen has taken to the volunteering role like a duck to water. She goes that extra mile for our patients, whether it's knitting for them or painting their nails. "She even dresses up as Miss Christmas and a witch at Halloween and has an amazing rapport with patients and staff." A recent YouGov survey found that more than a fifth of adults in the UK would consider giving up their time to help the NHS. Dorset HealthCare, which provides mental health and community services across the county, has around 300 volunteers helping with everything from gardening and serving refreshments to supporting patient rehabilitation and raising funds. To join them, contact 01202 443089 or email dhc.volunteers@nhs.net for more information.
Beetles on the verge THE 'Love Your Verge' campaign, which has been seen on Blandford bypass in the form of a giant cut-out stag beetle urging motorists not to throw litter from their vehicles, could become a regular feature. Town councillors were asked whether they would like to support the campaign by hiring the signs as part of a countywide rolling programme, and agreed that signs during the period of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, if not this year then next, might be effective. The campaign is being promoted by the Litter Free Dorset Project Officer at Dorset County Council on behalf of Litter Free Dorset, a group of local organisations, charities and community groups working to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of litter. It tells people why roadside verges are important to wildlife, and how litter thrown from cars can be a real problem. The campaign was piloted in Weymouth, Sherborne and Blandford this spring.
www.forumfocus.co.uk
Eileen with staff on Tarrant ward.
Town allotments request BLANDFORD town councillors agreed to approach North Dorset District Council with a request for the transfer of the Philip Road/Elizabeth Road allotments to the Town Council, on the understanding that they would continue in use as statutory allotments for the benefit of residents. They also agreed there would be no benefit in seeking the transfer of other areas, including the Milldown, Stour Meadows, Card Island, land north of Badbury Drive and at Preetz Way, and the Blandford section of the North Dorset Trailway, since they are currently well maintained by the Rangers, and the public would see no improvements if responsibility were transferred. The Stour Meadows and Milldown have once again earned a Green Flag Award for the high-quality environmental standards to which they are maintained.
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September 2018
A black September claimed the lives of 17 local men SEPTEMBER 1918 took a heavy toll, with 17 deaths recorded of local men, two of them teenagers, and most of the casualties in France. The first was Alfred James Hibbs, killed in action on September 3, aged 34, an able seaman with Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division, the son of brewer's labourer Robert and Lucy Jane Hibbs of Ansty. A brewer's stoker, he had in 1906 married Alice May Holvey, who died in 1911, and they had three children, living in Ansty Terrace, Victoria Road. He then married Theresa Sophia Major in London in 1913 with whom he had two more children. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, Nord-Pas-de-Calais. His younger brother, Ernest, died of wounds in 1915. Arthur Murdo McKenzie died on September 8, aged 28, serving with 6th Div Signal Coy of the Royal Engineers, and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille. He was awarded the Military Cross, and a memorial
plaque can be found in Pimperne Church. The youngest son of Royal Navy Chief Quartermaster Murdo McKenzie and his wife Emma, his brothers and sisters were born in Cornwall, Cheshire, Essex and Devon, but he was born on Portland, and married in Blandford in 1917 to Elsie Georgina Old. They had a daughter who died in infancy, and his widow, who lived at Berkeley House, Pimperne, was in 1920 remarried to Randolph Tory, with whom she had three further children. Her brother Francis William Old had also been killed in action. George Courage, aged 28, born in Blandford and remembered in Charlton Marshall where his family later lived, died on September 15 serving with the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment and is buried in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery, RichebourgL'avoue. His father Tom was a railway platelayer, and he and George's mother Amelia had five sons and a daughter. A second son Harry is also believed to have been killed in action. Reginald William Durdle was the only son and eldest of six children of tailor Robert William and Alice Sarah Durdle who had lived in Windsor and Bournemouth before moving to live at Sunny Dale, Albert Street, Blandford, with a tailors' shop at 9 Salisbury Street. At 18 he was described as a pupil/teacher living in Kings Road, and is remembered on the Blandford School memorial. He had in 1916 married Margery Edith Walking in Southampton, and was killed in action, aged 25, on September 18, serving with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) 4th Bn, and buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery.
Tom Brensley Bartlett, pictured in India in September 1915. He was killed by a sniper in Mesopotamia.
Three died on September 21, including Cecil Edgar Riggs, son of postman Walter and Annie Elizabeth
Riggs of Queen Street, Blandford. He served as a private with the 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) and previously the Royal Sussex Regiment. He had worked as a carpenter and lived in Brighton, but was killed in action during the Battle of Epehy, aged 27, and is buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery on the Somme. On the same day, Harold Bartlett Hare, died of wounds, aged 34, a private with the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 7th Bn. He is buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, and remembered at Blandford St Mary, the son of tailor George Armstrong and Caroline Bertha Hare, and husband of Alice Louise. Wallace Wilberforce Derrick, was killed in action, aged 26, serving with the Buffs East Kent Regiment, remembered on the Vis En-Artois Memorial and Milborne St Andrew where he was brought up with his uncle Louis, a thatcher, and grandparents, farmer Henry and Emma. Gilbert John Strange was a captain in the Royal Air Force 40th Sqn who had originally joined the Dorsetshire Regiment but was appointed flying officer with C Squadron RFC in October 1917, flying a variety of planes. He became an assistant instructor, then 2nd Lieut at the Central Flying School, and joined 40 Squadron BEF in May 1918, appointed temporary captain in September. He was 19 when he was reported missing on September 24 and presumed dead on December 23, 1919. He is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, at Spetisbury, and at Tarrant Keyneston, where his parents, farmer and miller Walter John and Kate Strange lived at Roller Mill. He was the youngest of their six children, and in 1911 had been a boarder at Cliff House School in Southbourne. Further from home, Tom Brensley
Bartlett was killed in action by a sniper on September 19 in the Battle of Megiddo in Mesopotamia and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. He served as 2nd Lieutenant with the Dorsetshire Regiment, attached to the Hampshire Regiment, and was the son of Tom (bill poster and town crier) and Flora Kate Bartlett, of Queen's Road, then in Pimperne. He worked as a corn merchant's clerk, and after enlisting first in 1910 and being discharged at his own request in June 1914, he re-enlisted in September that year, was promoted to sergeant in 1916 and posted to Mesopotamia. Percy James Scott's parents were deer park keeper Richard and Elizabeth of Bryanston Lodge, Blandford, who had both died by 1908. At the age of six he was living in Salisbury Street with his uncle, and in 1901 with his grandfather at 1 Portmans Yard, Bryanston Street. By 1911 he was serving with the 2nd Bn Dorsetshire Regiment in Poona, India, and was posted to the Asian theatre in November 1914. Taken prisoner-of-war at Kut-al-Amara on April 29, 1916, he died as a PoW, aged 28, on September 30 and is buried in Baghdad (north Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq. Others to die and remembered in the villages are: at Shillingstone, Ernest George Woolridge, who died on September 3; at Winterborne Kingston, 41-year-old Charles Richard Miller, who died on September 18; at Child Okeford, 19year-old Harold Leslie Smith, who died on September 19; at Langton Long, 23-year-old Alfred Ashurst Morris; at Sturminster Marshall, Thomas Francis Tracy, and at Woolland, 34-year-old William Taylor, all of whom died on September 27; and at Winterborne Whitechurch, 22-year-old Samuel John Skinner, who died on September 29.
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.
21
September 2018
News from the surgeries How soon can I get my prescription? Ever left wondering when your prescription will be ready to collect? • From Whitecliff Group Practice Dispensary Please allow two full working days. If you request a prescription Monday morning, it will be ready to collect from the surgery dispensary Wednesday after 3pm. The dispensary offers an online ordering and a text messaging service that tells you when your prescription is ready for collection. Speak to the dispensary team to set this up for you. Please remember the surgery doesn't process prescription requests over weekends as it is closed. The Tommies around the Damer Memorial at Milton Abbey.
Abbey a fitting venue for Tommies war tribute MILTON Abbey is one of only four venues in the south-west to have installed six-foot-high Tommies as part of the 'There But Not There' project created by the charity Remembered. Four of the silhouettes, designed by artist Michael Barraud, are positioned in the north transept of the Abbey around the magnificent Damer Memorial, particularly fitting since one pays tribute to a soldier from the Damer family who died in the First World War. A surviving relative, Edward Dawson-Damer, has confirmed that his great, great uncle, 2nd Lieutenant The Hon George Seymour Dawson-Damer (10th Royal Hussars), was killed at
Monchy-Le-Preux, near Arras, in April 1917. Prior to transferring to the 10th Hussars, he was an officer in the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry (QODY) and served at Gallipoli with them. The Tommies have been designed to commemorate the fallen and educate all generations, particularly the young, to understand what led to the deaths of 888,246 people from Britain and the Commonwealth, as well as to help heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder and other lasting legacies of combat by raising funds for Remembered's beneficiary charities.
EAGLE House surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, has a new practice manager to succeed Sarah Dummer-Wade, who is leaving after four years to become a grants manager for the Big Lottery (South West). Nikki Williams has been with the practice since last autumn and is an experienced practice manager who has worked on the introduction of a new clinical system. A recent CQC inspection found many areas of good practice and has confirmed its 'good' rating, and all staff and members of the Patient Participation Group who met with the inspectors have been thanked for their input.
• From Eagle House Surgery Please allow three working days, so a request dropped off Friday morning would be ready to collect/sent to Boots by Tuesday, after 2pm. • From the Pharmacy (Boots or other pharmacies) Ordering a prescription from Boots, please allow at least three full working days, eg: if you request a prescription on a Monday morning, it will be ready to collect from Boots on Thursday, after 2pm. If Boots or another pharmacy organises your monthly repeat medication (FRPS), they will give you a collection date - usually when you collect your latest medication (eg: if your monthly prescription is ready to collect on August 2, your next collection date will be August 30.) Unless Boots is requested to change that date, your prescription will not be ready before. Please note your next collection date. Boots also offers a text messaging service to tell you when a prescription is ready for collection. Make a note of your medication review date with your GP surgery (see top of prescription) as you may be refused further prescriptions until it is completed.
22
FARMING
The View from the Hill by George Hosford More from George on viewfromthehill.org.uk
H
ARVEST has been and gone with a whizz and a bang and a very large 'phew' - all over in a hectic month, with very few days to draw breath. Bearing the drought in mind, some of the crops have done surprisingly well, though the spring-sown ones have definitely not. It is a record early finish for us and it rained almost as soon as we finished. Many other farmers still have plenty to cut so I hope there is some more fine weather shortly. We have fielded a few breakdowns on the combine and a broken bearing down in the elevator pit in the grain store, but otherwise it has been a very easy harvest to reap. The fine weather has meant we have hauled in nearly all the grain at historically low moistures and we have only had to dry 78 tons. Some people might try to add back moisture to the grain, but to do it evenly and in such a way not to cause problems in the store over winter is difficult, so we will not. Two engineers got inside the combine in search of damage caused by a single broken bolt. The sieve box it secures had dropped, wrecking many of the fan's blades and causing the drive belt to burn out - a repair costing ÂŁ1,800, which has to be taken on the chin if we want to continue with harvest.
Harvest completed in the nick of time. The farmyard swallows here insist on flying into our workshop barn if the doors are left open and then fly up to the windows in the gable ends trying to escape. They simply don't understand glass and will flutter against it all day long. It is very hard to get them to fly downwards to escape. Leaving the large doors open, with the lights off, at dusk usually works as they are attracted to the fading light outside. How they have the intelligence to fly thousands of miles on migration, and yet be unable to find their way out of a Dorset barn beats me. Like many other traditional barns (built in 1775), ours would have been built as a threshing barn, with large doorways through the centre of the building. Horses pulling wagons piled high with sheaves of unthreshed crops would be driven through the barn for unloading, then the threshing would take place (by hand) through the autumn and winter, the grain stored in sacks, and the threshed straw loaded up to become animal bedding or perhaps for thatching of houses and farm buildings. A hedgehog, a regular visitor in our garden, has been seen trotting across the drive on several occasions. Another was found in a flower bed a few weeks earlier. Were they the same one? How do you tell one hedgehog from another? There cannot have been good
pickings for them lately; slugs and snails would be lying low in the dry weather. We left some cat food out for them one night, which all disappeared, but did the dog snitch it before we realised? Once we had cleared the early cut wheat, we were able to try out our new modification to the sprayer, which has been turned into a parttime seed applicator. The idea is, in a normal season, to sprinkle seeds of various cover crops into the unharvested wheat, in the hope that they will take root in the moist microclimate below the standing crop - in this way stealing a march on seeds that would normally be sown after the crop has been cut and the straw baled and In the end as harvest was so
Charcoal burners in the woods.
September 2018 early this year, we waited until after the field was cleared, and turnips for the sheep, which were sown in this way, are already coming up well, thanks to the well timed Sunday rains we have seen recently. One crop that seems to have lapped up the sunshine, and shrugs off the notion of drought, is the maize, which has continued to grow strongly, and still looks fantastically green. It is now filling its cobs, and presumably it will be ready for harvest earlier than usual, like everything else this year, and will need storing until required by the digester. The garden has been very productive in the sunshine. With plenty of watering the beans, courgettes and cucumbers have gone mad. Sadly the poppies produced the lowest yield in many years - such a short growing season, sowing having been delayed by a month, followed by drought. What chance did they have? The charcoal burners have been busy in the nearby woods for several weeks with a good bare patch of land around their burners, and no naked flames, so are safe in the dry weather. It's a mucky job, but Jim and his team are dedicated.
23
September 2018
Year group and staff winners of the Della Jones Mile, pictured with Della Jones.
Honours shared out in sports competition THE Blandford School sports day concludes the house competition each year. Lacy House were in the lead going into the event, having held that position for the majority of the school year. But they were in danger of being caught by Lancaster House, who historically have always performed well in the sporting events, and after the field events and a superb day of athletics in which four school records were broken and one equalled, the Lacy lead had shrunk with Lancaster students excelling, filling all events and breaking two school records. The field events the following day began with the Della Jones Mile, which saw a record number of 471 students and staff taking part in the event's 40th year, an amazing achievement for the school and Della herself who was
there to start the race. The 'mile' was initiated by Della to increase the amount of competition in school sport, so it was good to see a large proportion of students choosing to run the event. The finale was the track events which saw excellent participation in each event and a high proportion of students stepping up to compete for their house. There were exceptional performances throughout, but most pleasing were the examples of sportsmanship, teamwork and resilience on display. The final results revealed that Lancaster House had won sports day for the second year in a row, but Lacy had won the overall house competition, meaning that in the last four years, each house has managed to win the House Cup.
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A SUMMER fayre at Pimperne Pre-School, one of the smallest settings in the area, raised a record breaking £1,110, over twice the usual amount. Attractions included stalls, a marine obstacle course, a merry-go-round, barbecue and face painting. There was a record turnout, with help from many local businesses and a lot of hard work from parents. The school term starts on Wednesday September 5, and there are currently spaces available each day it is open. For more information call 07909 582912 or see pimpernepreschool.com. • Pictures by Kim Lillington.
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Top marks for Evita students THE Blandford School was thrilled to learn that all students involved with July's stunning production of Evita have been awarded Grade 7 Musical Theatre in Production with a Distinction. The examiner awarded the students 90 out of a possible 100 marks which is exceptional at such a high level. The breakdown of marks was: Group Dynamic 18/20, Performances 17/20, Staging 19/20, Engagement with the Audience 18/20 and Response to the Material 18/20. Highlights from the examiners' feedback included: "This was an impressive production which successfully engaged the energy and commitment of its young cast" and "This demanding production was fortunate in its solo performers' capacity to anchor key roles with confidence and flair." They also commented: "Throughout dance co-ordination was of exceptionally high quality, finely timed and drilled with impressive engagement by all dancers." Evita, the musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber about the life of Eva Peron, starred Year 13
Francesca Yeatman as Eva Peron (Picture by Ashley Mills). students Francesca Yeatman as Eva Peron and Jacob Rosoman as Che Guevara. The audience were wowed each night. Mayor of Blandford Roger Carter, on returning from the Tivoli theatre, Wimborne, where the production was staged, said: "What an amazing show! I loved the outstanding performances from the
principals, the ensemble cast and the very talented dancers. We are so fortunate in Blandford to have such accomplished young performers and the dedicated teachers who must have given hours and hours of their own time to give the young people such opportunities and bring pleasure to the audience."
NOW AT THE BLANDFORD SCHOOL
September 2018
IN BRIEF MILLDOWN Primary School has become part of the Diocese of Salisbury Multi-Academy Trust (DSAT) and is now known as Milldown CE Academy School. DSAT (dsat.org.uk) is a network of 16 schools across the diocese, including the Dunbury CE Academy in the Winterborne Valley. Chair of governors, the Rector of Blandford, the Rev Jonathan Triffitt, said: "The network places children at the heart of all they do to enable each child and adult within their school communities to reach their potential." DSAT CEO Mark Lacey has been invited to join Mr Triffitt and headteacher James Laws at the start of term service on Monday September 10. *** A dementia awareness event at the Blandford Constitutional Club on July 22 raised ÂŁ400 for the local dementia group. A second open day was held on bank holiday Sunday August 26, and on September 2 a dementia walk will take place along the North Dorset Trailway starting at 11am from the Jubilee Way entrance.
25
September 2018
DURWESTON Primary School celebrated the end of term with a performance of Treachery at Traitor's Quay (above), a spy thriller set in World War Two. Naturally it was the evacuees who triumphed over the adults in the end, unveiling the traitor in their midst. As ever, a few stars were born and there was fabulous singing and acting from the whole school.
Glitz and glamour The annual Year 11 'Proms Night' of The Blandford School, held at Athelhampton House, saw students once again dressed up to the nines to impress. Young men donned suits and sometimes bow ties for the occasion, and the young ladies were resplendent in their evening gowns, often sparkling jewellery and make-up.
SCHOOL A-level and GCSE results were announced after our deadline for this issue, but reports and pictures were posted on our website as soon as they became available. Headteacher Sally Wilson at The Blandford School said that term had ended on a very positive note with year 10 students receiving numerous congratulations from members of the community for their conduct during Work Related Learning Week.
With performances, a swimming gala, orienteering and forensic science workshops, the children were kept busy right up until the very last minute. They also had a visit from Wessex Labyrinths which, in the quiet of the village hall, was all about taking a moment to be calm and still and stay a moment with their thoughts.
26
Bowlathon success crowns busy weekend A BUSY weekend on the green at Blandford Bowling Club saw the Junior Section hold a Bowlathon to raise funds for shirts and bowling equipment. The target was to have 18 hours of continuous bowling from 6am to midnight in 30-minute sessions for six- to eight-year-olds and hourlong sessions for older bowlers. Organisers Sid and Joy Steele faced a few technical problems such as the lighting for the evening sessions and getting teenagers to the green by 6am. In all there were 17 participants divided into two teams who played single matches. By the time midnight came, they had bowled 1,752 woods and the result was an amazingly close 190 to 183. The event was a great success that was well supported by family, friends and senior bowlers. The target of raising £200 was well exceeded at £635. The following day, 18 senior partic-
ipants contested the target bowls Phoenix Shield. Bowlers were drawn into two triples round robin leagues with three teams in each league: blue and red. The winners of each league were the team who amassed most points in their two matches. The targets had circles for 100, 50, 25 and 10 points. The event was held on a blisteringly hot day on a green that was as fast as it has been in living memory. Jerry Griffin had set up six rinks of varying length, and the bowlers found the fast greens very testing. To make the final, the team of Catherine Solway, Barbara Fry and Judy Walters scored 710 while Pete Cornick, Daphne West and Karen Churchill scored an impressive 1,020. Due to the very hot weather the final was contested over three ends and was won by the only all-ladies team of Catherine, Barbara and skip Judy by 175 to 60.
September 2018
Pimperne short mat bowlers with their league runners-up trophy - back row (third from left) is captain Mike Hamnett.
Team on the up again PIMPERNE's short mat bowls club, in its 25th year, is again celebrating rising in the league after a period when there were not enough people to participate. Captain Mike Hamnett said: "In five successive years we went from division five to division one, but last year we didn't have enough people wanting to play. This year we managed to field a full team in division five, and finished as runners-up, so we now go up to division four." The league runs from September to March every year, but the short mat bowling club meets all through the year on Monday evenings at Pimperne village hall, with a regular programme of training sessions, club competitions and friendly matches against visiting clubs. For further information call 01258 455331.
Paula’s Roman tale
Phoenix Shield finalists Daphne West, Karen Churchill, Pete Cornick, Barbara Fry, Catherine Solway and Judy Walters.
LOCAL author Paula Harmon, winner of the 2016 Rotary short story competition, has published her latest novel Murder Britannica, a humorous murder mystery set in Roman Britain. It is AD190 and Romano-Briton Lucretia is determined that her getrich-quick scheme will not be undermined. Paula, who has lived in Dorset since 2005 and works full-time but has several writing projects underway, will be at the Cedar Tree in the Anchor Gateway in Salisbury Street, Blandford, on Thursday October 4 from 7pm for a book launch. She will talk about her latest book and bring a selection of her books for purchase at special rates. Tickets are available at £3 from info@the-cedar-tree.co.uk. For more information see paulaharmondownes.wordpress.com.
27
September 2018
Heritage Week will showcase riches
Rob scores a manager of the year double BLANDFORD Youth Football is celebrating producing the county's Manager of the Year for only the second time in its history. At the Dorset Football Youth League AGM the club were thrilled to be the recipients of three awards - one for Oliver Powell as the under-16s, Division 3 manager of the year for 2017/18, and two for Rob Andre, as under-12s Division 1 manager of the year, and as Dorset Manager of the Year. Rob said: "The under-12s award was a massive pleasant surprise, but I am exceptionally proud to have picked up Manager of the Year award. The last and only other time it was won by Blandford Youth was by Simon Freak in 201314. It is a great recognition for Blandford Youth Utd FC." He said he had had a busy year studying for the UEFA B Licence (coaching qualification Level 3) and trying to improve his coaching in every way possible to develop young players. "As my wife would testify, when I am not working, I am putting so much time into my football study, preparing plans for training and working on new ways I can help players get better. Obviously we don't get into coaching to win awards, but I think we all feel very humble when recognised in this way. "The fact that Blandford has won this only twice and both have been since Steve Powell,
Rob Andre with his Dorset Football Youth League Manager of the Year award. Oliver's father, has been chairman, speaks volumes for his work at the club. It does put Blandford in a very good light in the county of Dorset." Mr Powell said Rob's award was well deserved, and they were extremely proud of the work he had achieved and his dedication. His congratulations were seconded by club secretary Claire Brooker and team assistant
manager Anthony Jackson, who said: "It was a hard season I know but he is a top coach and the way he has developed the kids this season and nurtured them through the wins and defeats has been awesome." Leon Bennett, the under-12s' sponsor and referee, from Beechwood Service Centre, said: "It's a fantastic achievement, well-deserved, and couldn't have gone to a nicer guy."
THE hugely popular Dorset Architectural Heritage Week (Heritage Open Days) returns this September for its 25th year. The new programme, containing details of all the properties taking part this year, is available digitally from dahw.org.uk and from local libraries and Tourist Information Centres throughout Dorset. Among the 270 events taking place across 72 different venues to celebrate the finest architectural gems that Dorset has to offer are a number in the Blandford area, including the parish church, Corn Exchange, cemetery chapel, the Town Museum and Fashion Museum, a World War II pillbox and Anderson shelter, all offering free access, together with a number of guided heritage walks. In Blandford the extended week, from Thursday September 6 to Sunday September 16, coincides with a number of other events, including Blandford Carnival on Saturday September 8, the Free Expression Arts Festival on Sunday September 9, the Community Expo on Saturday September 15, and a Charter Market on Sunday September 16 in the Shambles and Market Place, celebrating 800 years of markets in the town. Blandford & District Civic Society has produced a 'Heritage in the Community' leaflet highlighting all the attractions and other places of interest for locals and visitors.
28 SEPTEMBER Saturday September 1: Khaki Kanteen, 14-18 Commemoration Exhibition, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to 3pm, Medical Advances as a result of WW1 Pimperne Coffee Morning, 10 to 11.30am, stalls and raffle, Pimperne village hall, supporting Age Concern Blandford St Nicholas Church Cider Festival and Barbecue, Seville House, Child Okeford (near doctor's surgery), 5 to 8.30pm, tickets 01258 863800 Wessex Acoustic folk present Ric Sanders Trio, Blandford Royal British Legion, Church Lane, 8.15pm Sunday September 2: The Art Room: Informal art session for beginners, 11am-1pm at The Kings Arms, Blandford, full details on Blandford Art Society website Pimperne village fete and fun dog show, 2pm Memory walk to raise awareness & sponsorship for Alzheimer's Society, from Jubilee Bridge, Jubilee Way, 11am, details 07900 950928 Annual pet service, St Nicholas Church, Durweston, 11am Shroton Summer Show, from 2.30pm, flowers, vegetables, cookery, craft and children's classes Monday September 3: Blandford Floral Group meets Blandford United Reformed Church Hall, 2pm. Denise Bright - These Are a Few of My Favourite Things Tuesday September 4: Blandford Breast Cancer Support Group meeting, Pimperne village hall, 2.30pm for talk by Luke Mouland on Nursing in Sherborne during WWI. Refreshments and raffle 'Get up and Dance' free taster session with Salsa Amigos, Bryanston Club, 8 to 10.30pm Wednesday September 5: Talk on Yew Trees by Fred Hageneder, Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna, details 01747 811853 Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7pm Thursday September 6 to Sunday September 16: Dorset Architectural Heritage Week Friday September 7: Blandford Forum Railway Club open night, the Scout HQ, Eagle House Gardens, 7.30 to 9.30pm, entrance £2 Saturday September 8: Dorset Historic Churches Ride and Stride Blandford Carnival Baby Show, Corn Exchange, 11am, proces-
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.
WHEN the Blandford Shovehapenny League folded recently, the officers consulted remaining members on what they should do with the funds remaining in the league accounts. It was agreed to share it between charitable causes, resulting in cheques being presented to 'Build a Room for Grace', whose representatives are pictured receiving their cheques from league officers Dale Wills, Jackie Laws and Phil Easton at a presentation at The Paddocks wine bar, and to Blandford Cares, the Blandford Foodbank, Disability Action Group (North Dorset) and Blandford and District Civic Society. sion from Holland Way to town centre, 7.15 to 9pm Stourpaine Village Show and Country Fair, 2 to 6pm, entry £1 (accompanied children free), classic cars, live animals, woodcraft, stalls, painting workshops and more Sunday September 9: Free Expression Arts Festival, Market Place and Bere's Yard, 10am to 4pm Rotary Dorset Bike Ride for Blandford Food Bank and Cancer Research, see facebook.com/BlandfordRotary Monday September 10: Child Okeford WI meets 2pm the Community Centre, Station Road, Child Okeford DT11 8EL: 'The Alpaca Experience': A visit from 2 Alpacas Monday to Friday September 10 to 14: Hanford School Festival of Adventurers and Explorers, evening talks 6.30 for 7pm, details and tickets through Eventbrite hanfordschool.co.uk Wednesday September 12: Dorset Moviola presents ‘The Mercy’, Fontmell Magna village hall, 7 for 7.30pm Thursday September 13: Forum
Otters, a new Macmillan Support Group for those affected by cancer, meets at the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 2 to 4pm, details 01258 458280 Friday September 14: Craft Market, Shambles, Corn Exchange, Blandford 9am to 2pm (and September 28) Blandford WI meet, the Parish Centre, The Tabernacle, 7 to 9pm, speaker Audrey Feltham of the Little Cheese Company, details blandfordeveningwi.com or on Facebook Saturday September 15: Cats Protection coffee morning & stall, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 10am to 12.30pm Blandford Heritage Guided Walk for Dorset Architecture Heritage Week, 1pm, meet by the chestnut tree in Marsh and Ham car park, details 01258 459346 Sunday September 16: Pooley's Day, Compton Abbas Airfield, 9.30am to 5pm, details 01747 811767 or comptonabbasairfield.co.uk Blandford Heritage Guided Walk for Dorset Architecture Heritage
September 2018 Week, 11am, see above Dorset Federation of Garden Societies Show, Tarrant Keyneston Village Hall Monday September 17: Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning talk by Hilary Townsend, 'A Blackmore Vale Childhood', The Ark's room, St Nicholas School, Child Okeford, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 860767 Tuesday September 18: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club Workshop: 'An Unusual Vase and Hogarth's Curve', Child Okeford Village Hall 2:15pm, 01258 863775 Thursday September 20: Blandford Art Society: Demonstration and workshop by Claire Thomas on The Use of Negative Painting - watercolours, 1.30pm at Pimperne Village Hall, non-members welcome - £4, full details from website Blandford Museum Archaeology Group meets Blandford Museum 7.30pm, talk by Daniel Cart on the result of digs at Black Lane and Milldown Infants Schools. Details 01258 452831 Friday September 21: Wessex Acoustic folk present Colum Sands, Blandford Royal British Legion, Church Lane, 8.15pm Saturday September 22: Blandford WI Harvest Barn Dance, Corn Exchange, Blandford, dancing with caller Arish Mel from 7pm, ploughman's supper, bar, grand raffle, tickets Blandford TIC, Forum Café, Horrocks & Webb Monday September 24: Monthly Stroke Association Peer Support meeting at the Church Room & Village Centre, 1 The Close, Charlton Marshall, DT11 9PA, 10.30am to noon Strictly Come Tea Dancing at the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford Forum, with the Soggy Biscuit Dance Band, 2.30 to 4.30pm Friday September 28: Blandford & District U3A Open meeting, Emily Utgren on the gardens of Stourhead, Durweston village hall, 2pm, admission free, details 01258 455081 Jamie Smith's MABON, Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall, 7:30pm, details artsreach.co.uk Saturday September 29: WW1 Day, Compton Abbas Airfield, 0930-1700, details 01747 811767 or comptonabbasairfield.co.uk Apple Day, Clapcott's Farm, Spetisbury, 11.30am to 4pm, apple pressing, craft, food and cider stalls, details 07745 477795 Comedy Exchange, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 7.30pm, see b-c-p.co.uk