February 2020 Forum Focus

Forum Focus The free monthly news magazine for the Blandford area

February 2020 Issue No.95 Est: 2012

Plans take shape for new waste disposal centre A NEW waste disposal and recycling centre for Blandford, to replace the current site off Shaftesbury Lane, has moved a step closer following adoption of a new Dorset County strategic plan.

The existing facility, in the midst of residential development, has long been considered inadequate to serve the area.

The new plan includes provision of a new waste transfer station and recycling centre south of the Sunrise Business Park, on a 3.55hectare site with access from the Blandford bypass.

The facility, for which a budget of ÂŁ13 million is included in Dorset Council's capital budget over the next two years, will be a modern split-level household recycling centre and transfer station, with provision for traffic circulation route and parking areas.

The currently agricultural greenfield site is within the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB, but is viewed as an extension to the Sunrise Business Park and considered to meet an identified need for which no suitable alternative site could be found.

A comprehensive master plan is expected to include a 'dark skies' strategy to minimise light spill into the AONB, reduction of the levels of the building to minimise visual impact, with native tree and shrub planting and possible wildflower grass and verge areas to screen the centre and maintain the land-

FORUM FOCUS

scape character, with retention and enhancement of all tree and hedge belts unless removal is essential to provide access.

The summary in the waste plan states: "The layout of the development should seek to maintain current openness and avoid visual 'crowding' of the area around the roundabout.

"Buildings should be set back from the roundabout and align with existing buildings at Sunrise Business Park. Lighting and colours should comply with AONB guidance, and materials should have a matt finish and avoid shiny metal surfaces or chimneys/vents."

It also calls for an archaeological evaluation to include consideration of a possible prehistoric enclosure and a transport assessment considering the impacts of HGV movements in the AONB and, if necessary, how such impacts would be managed.

The waste and mineral sites plans adopted by the Dorset and BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Councils were examined by independent planning inspectors and found to be sound, subject to a number of modifications, and now form part of the statutory development plan for Dorset Council and BCP Council. They identify sites for new quarries and waste management facilities to meet the needs of both authorities up to 2033.

Mark Mortimer, Headmaster of Bryanston, with Mark McPherson of Long John's fish and chip shop in Blandford.

School loyalty card boost for business A LOYALTY card to support independent businesses in Blandford has been launched by Bryanston School to consolidate its increasingly close relationship with the local community.

The move follows a successful pilot scheme involving local retailers, food outlets, boutiques and service providers and all 600 members of staff at the independent school in the runup to Christmas.

Building on the positive results and feedback, the loyalty programme has now been formalised and extended to include the parents of all 687 pupils at the school and former pupils living locally.

Headmaster Mark Mortimer said: "As one of the area's largest employers with frequent

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visitors to our campus, we are keen to do everything we can to support the local economy and to highlight the services available from shops and businesses on our doorstep.

"We recognise that the high street in any rural town is truly at the heart of the local community, so we want to encourage and promote the regular use of local shops and businesses in any way we can.

"The new loyalty programme does just that and we're confident it will continue to grow and increase in popularity."

Mr Mortimer added: "Bryanston is extremely proud of its role in the local community and well aware of the responsibility that brings. In recent months, we • To Page 3

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February 2020

FORUM FOCUS CONTACTS Editorial: Nicci Brown T: 01258 459346 E: editor@forumfocus.co.uk Advertising: John Stayt T: 01258 454427 E: advertising@forumfocus.co.uk Distribution: Jackie Stayt T: 01258 456999 E: distribution@forumfocus.co.uk Design: David Eidlestein T: 01258 450989 E: de@deadlines.eclipse.co.uk Forum Focus is an independent, not-forprofit, community publication produced entirely by volunteers. We are always pleased to receive offers of help.

CONTRIBUTING Forum Focus welcomes the submission of articles and reports from clubs and societies but asks that they are kept to a maximum of 200 words.

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ON THE WEBSITE www.forumfocus.co.uk Diary events are updated regularly on our website so it is always worth logging on to stay up to date with what’s happening in the area. The website also carries additional pictures of local events and background information on stories.

Where to find Forum Focus COPIES of Forum Focus can be picked up from any of our drop points below: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: Tesco and Homebase at Stour Park and the Brewery Visitor Centre, Lidl in Shaftesbury Lane; Morrisons, Greyhound Yard; M&S, Langton Road; the Corn Exchange, Spar Shop and Blandford Museum in the Market Place; the Tourist Information Centre and Crown Hotel in West Street; Chaffers in Salisbury Street; Whitecliff Surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street; James Newsagents in The Plocks; The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in the Tabernacle; The 3Cs in Damory Street; The Coop, Dorset Council Hub, Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road; Cherry's hairdressers, Elizabeth Road, Blandford Leisure Centre and Blandford Hospital in Milldown Road; Blandford Connect Day Centre and the Central Shop in Heddington Drive.

In the villages: Bryanston - Bryanston Club; Charlton Marshall - Church Rooms and Charlton Pub; Child Okeford - The Cross Stores; Durweston - Village Hall and Enford Farm; Iwerne Minster - the Post Office; Langton Long - Abbott Garden Centre; Milborne St Andrew - Londis Shop and Royal Oak pub; Milton Abbas - Post Office and Surgery; Okeford Fitzpaine Village Shop; Pimperne - Village Hall, Anvil and Farquharson pubs; Shillingstone - Garage, Old Ox and Co-op; Shroton - Cricketers pub; Spetisbury - Village Hall and Clapcotts Farm; Stourpaine - The White Horse Inn; Sturminster Newton - The Exchange; Tarrant Keyneston True Lovers Knot and St Richard Close bus stop; Tarrant Monkton Langton Arms; Winterborne Stickland - Crown pub; and Winterborne Whitechurch - Milton Arms.

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Top surgery: what the doctor ordered ONE of North Dorset's smallest surgeries at Milton Abbas has been judged The People's Choice: Surgery of the Year at the General Practice Awards 2019.

Almost 20,000 votes from patients, colleagues and members of the public were received for 86 surgeries nominated across the UK to select the three finalists.

Milton Abbas, with almost 4,000 patients and three doctors, was the smallest, the others having more than twice as many patients and doctors.

Jessica Cornish, who organises the marketing of awards, said: "The People's Choice Award: Surgery of the Year is a chance for the general public to show their appreciation for their local healthcare team.

"Milton Abbas surgery proved that you don't necessarily need to be a huge surgery to win a national award such as this one.

Their whole team embody what the General Practice Awards are all about - innovation, positivity, hard work, and above all a dedication to providing the very best patient care."

Dr Martin Longley, senior partner at the Milton Abbas surgery, said: "Being presented with the award is undoubtedly the highlight of my career in primary care.

"It is testament to the unique environment at our surgery where everyone strives to provide outstanding patient care.

Our goal is to know and understand our patients' needs and provide continuity of care throughout their time with us."

Skatepark lease plan AN extension to the lease of the land on which the Blandford Skatepark is sited on Stour Meadows is being sought by Blandford Town Council from Dorset Council.

Members considered how to proceed with recommended phased works at the skatepark to upgrade equipment, some of which is now nearing the end of its useful life.

They agreed to go out to tender, inviting contractors to say what they felt was required so that a consultation could be carried out with skatepark users before the contract is awarded.

But with only seven years to run on the lease, it was felt prudent to seek an extension so that any expenditure on equipment with a longer lifespan would not be wasted.

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February 2020

School loyalty card boost for business • From Page 1 have joined the Blandford Schools' Network and staged the musical Les MisÊrables in partnership with The Blandford School.

"I am equally delighted to launch this loyalty card scheme as a means of yet greater involvement - hopefully, everyone will benefit from this new initiative."

The range of local outlets signing up to the programme includes food retailers, clothing boutiques, tool and household stores, as well as specialist service providers of printing, carpets, tyres and satellite systems, legal services, hair-

dressing and health and beauty.

All the participating shops and service providers are highlighted on a dedicated cardholders' web page, with discounts or rewards and regular promotion of new offers for everyone with a Bryanston loyalty card.

Julian Day, owner of the Offcamber bike shop in Salisbury Street, said: "This is a very welcome move by Bryanston as it will help to boost footfall for us and other retailers in the town. This is just the type of initiative that can really help independent businesses in Blandford and is a great way

to start the New Year.

"Bryanston is such a significant source of potential custom and it gives retailers like us the perfect opportunity to draw attention to the convenience and range of services available in the town."

Mr Mortimer said they expected the loyalty programme to evolve and develop as it became more established and familiar.

"Certainly, everyone we've spoken with has shown great enthusiasm

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for the idea and I am optimistic it will not only provide benefits for local businesses and everyone directly connected with Bryanston, but will also prompt further partnership opportunities to help sustain economic prosperity in the local area."

Any independent business in Blandford wishing to participate in Bryanston's new loyalty programme should email loyaltycard@bryanston.co.uk.

Three-storey flats scheme wins planning approval OBJECTORS to plans for a three-storey block of flats in Blandford town centre were disappointed to learn that the detailed application had been approved by Dorset Council.

The planning committee met on December 19 to consider the scheme for three one-bedroomed flats, three two-bedroomed flats and three studio apartments at the end of Luton Mews in Shorts Lane, which was recommended for approval by officers after revisions to the detail.

Case officer Hannah Smith said the design was in keeping opposite the warehouse conversion on the other side of Shorts Lane, and that in view of the climate emergency, more parking spaces should not be provided in the town centre location.

Blandford member Noc LaceyClarke, who is not a member of the planning committee, challenged the view of highway planner Steve Savage that although Shorts Lane was relatively narrow at the top, refuse and emergency vehicles could get through.

He said: "There was a whole sixweek period when the dustcart could not get through."

He asked for deferral for a site

meeting, saying local councillors and residents were in agreement that the site was not suitable because of the traffic congestion.

Agent Roger Davis said the development would be less than the three terraced houses already approved on the site, and at a lower density than other adjacent schemes.

The applicant, Barry Pliskin of Blandford Forum Ltd, said only one of the range of properties he owned in Blandford was let to a family, and there was demand for the entry-level units proposed.

One councillor asked who would be responsible for maintenance of the climbing plant border to the western elevation, and another said six parking spaces were not enough for homes which could accommodate 18 people, and the size of the units was too small.

But others said the parking provision was not a reason for refusal of homes that would be affordable and much needed, that the design was fine and the mass comparable with the building opposite.

The application was approved by five votes to one with three abstentions.

FOLLOWING complaints that the sound system on Remembrance Sunday was inadequate to allow members of the public to properly hear the proceedings, town councillors have agreed to hire equipment for an improved coverage this year. They also agreed to order a similar service, costing ÂŁ306.50 each time, for a Royal Corps of Signals Freedom Parade which is planned to take place in June, which could be used as a trial for Remembrance Sunday.

Mark Mortimer, Headmaster of Bryanston, with Tris and Stu of Offcamber cycle shop in Blandford.

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Em Sutcliffe with her granddaughter Sophie Moore and great-grandchildren William and Scarlet Sutciffe.

Most people are now aware that Microsoft ceased to support Windows 7 devices as from January 14. The first topic of 2020 at the Online Centre at Charlton Marshall was to show people, if their machine could be upgraded, how to do soand a basic tour of the new operating system.

Take your device to Charlton Marshall Parish Centre on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10.30am and 12.30pm so that one of their mentors can talk you through it. A nominal donation of £2 includes a crib sheet to take home. For details call 07752 138300 (Paul).

February 2020

Em’s birthday guests from near and far FAMILY members came from very near and very far to celebrate the 100th birthday of Emmeline (Em) Sutcliffe at Castleman House on January 10.

She was joined by her daughter and family from the USA, by her son and daughter-in-law from Winterborne Whitechurch, and by two family members of staff at the care home in Fairfields, together with numerous other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Daughter-in-law Teresa Sutcliffe and granddaughter Sophie Moore are both members of staff at the Blandford care home. Em's elder daughter Sandra Stranghair and granddaughter Amanda flew over from their homes in Florida, and her great granddaughter came from California.

Em, whose maiden name was Murray and who married when she was 18, came to Dorset around 60 years ago with her builder husband Wilfred and

young family from Oldham in Lancashire, where she was born in 1920.

Their son, Phillip, the youngest of their four children, was four, at the time, and they lived first in Lydgate, Spetisbury, where Em was a dinner lady at Spetisbury School for ten years, and then in Orchard Street and Churchill Road.

She moved to Castleman House five years ago, her husband having died in 1991. She has also outlived two of the children, Neil and Linda, but has 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A lover of sport when she was at school, Em still enjoys watching football on television, and playing bingo as a member of the Royal British Legion and their former Silver Threads club. She and her Castleman House friends also thoroughly enjoyed singing along to the popular songs provided by local entertainers Owen & Darren.

Safety fears mean arches stay closed WORK has been completed on the installation of a staircase and safety railings at the Langton Meadow railway arches to allow access to the top of the bridge which once carried the Somerset & Dorset Railway over the Stour Meadows.

But since last September, the staircase has remained fenced off and closed because of health and safety concerns that more precautions are needed before public access can be allowed.

The town council in December approved expenditure of £1,420 on further works to make daytime access acceptable to the council health & safety adviser and insurers, and to accept an offer from the Blandford Railway Arches Trust, which worked to secure grant funding for the staircase

installation, to contribute to the extra cost.

The work funded from the North Dorset Local Action Group LEADER programme has included the installation of drainage and a weed-proof surface following removal of the soil and vegetation which has built up over the years since the railway closed.

It also included the provision of a series of interpretation boards detailing the history of the railway and the flora and fauna to be found on the meadows, together with a mural illustrating a train crossing the arches on its approach to Blandford station.

The boards were designed by local artist Flick Baker and have been much admired by those walking and cycling on the meadows.

THE number of requests in recent years for free hire of town council facilities for community events has prompted town councillors to draw up a new policy restricting any grant as from April 1 this year to no more than £300.

Requests last year included those for the pantomime, the literary festival, Artsreach events and the Blandford Town Team.

Councillors also agreed that any hiring past 10pm should attract overtime fees with the cost being passed on to the hirer, and that regular paying hirers should if possible not be asked to cancel or relocate to accommodate a free hire.

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February 2020

NEWS IN BRIEF

Youth unemployment scheme out of money Nice weather for swans: a visitor to Blandford’s Marsh & Ham car park during the lead-up to Christmas.

Blast from Brendan STORM Brendan brought high winds and almost 48 hours of persistent rain to the Blandford area in mid-January.

But the flooding from the river Stour within three days was nothing to that just before Christmas which saw shoppers' cars trapped in the flooded lower Marsh and Ham car park.

Weather warnings from the Met Office on January 13 warned of strong winds and heavy rain hitting the whole of Dorset, and there were reports of roads flooded, trees blown down and tiles and slates blown off roofs.

But despite rainfall of 40mm being recorded at Durweston on the morning of January 14, Blandford was spared the worst. Flood alerts remained in place for the Cranborne Chase and West Dorset with the expectation that groundwater levels would continue to rise into early the following week.

In December, flood warnings for the middle Stour and its tributaries continued from December 15 to December 20, when the flood levels on the meadows were at their highest, and through to December 22 for the Cranborne Chase and west of Dorset.

A COUNTY project to help unemployed young people in Dorset, and which had a base in Blandford, is to close at the end of March after its EU and lottery funding ran out.

Face Forward is run by Ansbury Guidance with support from partners Dorset Youth Association and training organisation SWRAC. It employs 20 people working out of five bases, including Blandford, has supported more than 700 people not in education or work since it launched in April 2017 and has been receiving between 40 and 50 referrals a month.

It is now closed to new starters and will focus on helping its 201 existing clients find positive outcomes before the project ends.

Chief executive Nicola Newman

said: "The funding landscape has been muddied by Brexit delays, the national election and local council change. The partnership needs enough funds for 12 to 18 months to maintain a targeted service while future local and national plans become clearer.

"To end now is to waste all the investment in the project infrastructure that cannot be got back once gone, on top of the obvious lack of support for the hundreds of young people who need it most."

Dorset Council's corporate director for education, Mark Blackman, said authority representatives had met with Ansbury "to discuss the ongoing work with young people who would be eligible to be supported by this project".

Insolvency cases fall THE number of insolvencies in the Blandford area fell between 2013 and 2017, according to the latest breakdown by council area of the number in individual wards.

The total in Blandford Central dropped from 13 to nine, in Blandford Old Town from seven to five, in the Lower Tarrant ward from three to nil, and in the former Abbey ward from eight to five.

But in Blandford St Leonard it rose from one to four and there was also an increase in Riversdale and Portman from five to eight, in Hill Forts from six to seven and in Bulbarrow from two to four.

Duncan Swift, president of the insolvency and restructuring body R3, predicted last year that the number nationwide was set to reach its highest level in 2019.

Toilets upgrade planned Above & below: the scene around the Marsh & Ham car park at the height of the December flooding.

FOLLOWING the refusal on appeal of the proposed redevelopment of Riverside House in West Street and its neighbouring vacant plot, the developer has informed Blandford Town Council that a further application for a smaller commercial building could be made but at best will take two years to be approved

and built.

The council has therefore agreed to seek quotes for refurbishment works to the toilets.

In the past year, the council has received a financial contribution to the toilet provision from half a dozen of the 25 surrounding parishes from which one was sought.

Asbestos death inquest A RETIRED carpenter and builder diagnosed last May with malignant mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos during his working life died at his home in Tarrant Keyneston on December 22.

An inquest into the death of Colin Arthur Helliker, 69, who was born in Dorset, was opened by senior coroner for Dorset Rachael Griffin on January 13 and adjourned to January 28.

A report by Dr Jonathan Evans, of the Blandford Group Practice, provided a provisional cause of death as malignant mesothelioma.

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February 2020

Angry clashes at Boxing Day meet AS expected there were confrontational scenes at the Boxing Day meet of the Portman Hunt in Blandford.

Protesters lined West Street in heavy rain and poured on to the road in front of horses and riders arriving to gather in large numbers on the flooded Crown Meadows.

Anti-hunt campaigners from Action Against Foxhunting (AAF), who had been high-profile locally urging market day shoppers and shop owners in the weeks before Christmas not to support the meet, were joined by those from Weymouth Animal Rights, North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs and Dorset Against Blood Sports.

Some of the protesters were more challenging than the peaceful roadside demonstration promised by AAF and stood in front of the oncoming horses, many of which were spooked by their waving banners amid the cheers

of hunt supporters.

The riders defiantly made their way through to the meadows and were thanked by their MFH for turning up "come hell or high water" and told, to cheers from the crowd: "We will be back next year."

Although in previous years the hunt has been allowed in bad weather to use the Crown Hotel car park opposite, a spokesman said this year they had disassociated themselves from both the hunt and the protesters.

Although there was no official road closure, it is understood that the management of the meet is to be reviewed with the police, and a strong presence from police and liaison officers sought to ensure that vehicles were stopped when the hunt arrived and departed from the Crown Meadows and that supporters, protesters and the general public could participate in safety.

Riders head off alongside queuing traffic after their Boxing Day meet.

Protesters, including one on a disability scooter, protest in front of the approaching Portman Hunt riders.

Huntsmen rally in the flooded meadows.

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February 2020

Teddy team share out charity cash THE Teddy 20 team had a busy time in the lead-up to Christmas after their awards ceremony, when a cheque for £5,000 was presented to Liz Blunt for Clic Sargent, and another for the same amount to Matt CottleShaw for Bone Cancer Research.

Christmas boxes and gift cards were given to children and their families, including a five-yearold boy and his two-year-old brother, who is his bone marrow donor, in Royal Marsden Hospital.

Presents were purchased at Smyths Toy Shop in Poole for the Piam Brown ward in Southampton Hospital and Kingfisher ward in Dorchester.

In the first two weeks of January they had given out three financial assistance grants, together with a funeral grant, and learnt that two of the children they supported had lost their battle against terminal illness.

Teddy Laughs was back at the Comedy Exchange, sponsored

Pub grub saves lives

Presents donated to one of the children's cancer wards by Teddy 20.

by Spears Travel in Blandford on January 25, when the headliner was Patrick Monahan along with Darren Altman, Luke Honoraty and Tom Glover.

Entries are now open for the

Teddy 20 Tour taking place in June when 12 riders will be cycling through four countries France, Belgium, Germany and Holland - over four days to raise funds for the charity.

Chance for young traders BLANDFORD'S market manager Andy Reynolds is urging young people to consider taking a stall on the town's Saturday market as part of a scheme run by the National Market Traders Federation (nmtf.co.uk) to encourage young traders to take up pitches.

"All you need is a business idea and we can give you the opportunity to trade in the Market Place," he said. "The Federation also runs an annual competition giving young traders, aged between 16 and 30, the opportunity to win prizes and, more importantly, further their opportunities within the industry." For details, call Andy on 07596 385765 or email andy@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk.

A 'CHARITY dish' offered at the 52 managed houses of Hall & Woodhouse across the south, including the Crown Hotel in Blandford and 13 others in Dorset, has raised over £24,000 for the eight air ambulances serving the region.

Every plate sold, first of sausage and mash and later of ham, egg and chips, raised 25p which went direct to the official charity partner chosen by H&W team members two years ago.

Lucinda Gray, company relationship manager, said: "We are very grateful to all our guests for supporting our local air ambulances by purchasing our charity dish. Our menus explain this initiative, so our guests understand that through their choice, a donation is going straight to the local air ambulance charities to continue saving lives.

A total of £114,287 was raised in 2018 for the air ambulance charities and the 2019 total will be calculated in the new year, having surpassed all expectations.

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From left: Crossways owners Matt and Kadi Crocker, office manager Sonia Abbiss and drivers Andy Danoris and Jeff Holmes.

Travel firm’s charity drive CROSSWAYS Travel, a local coach tour operator based near Dorchester, have announced that last year they raised a staggering £2,420 for their chosen local charity, Milborne St Andrew-based Mosaic, supporting bereaved children.

The money was generated by various events on board their coach tours, including the annual Christmas raffle at their recent Christmas party lunch.

Owners Matt and Kadi Crocker said: "This has been the most we have ever raised for our charity of the year and we are so happy. It comes down to the generosity of our customers and the hard work and dedication of our fantastic small team of staff and drivers.

"Mosaic give a valuable service to our community offering bereaved children much-needed counselling and support as well as organising events and days out for the children. The money will be used for a variety of things to support children across our county."

February 2020

More facilities are needed to keep pace with homes THE lack of community facilities being provided as the number of houses being built around Blandford increases is continuing to cause concern among town councillors.

In January they considered detailed plans for development south of the bypass in Blandford St Mary.

While unable to object since the outline proposals had already been approved, they noted again that there was nothing proposed to reduce increasing pressures on schools, health services and now pharmacies in the town.

They commented that the 'infrastructure' proposed - two play parks and a community hall - was not the infrastructure Blandford needed.

And they reiterated their objections to the scheme as a whole if there was to be no pedestrian footbridge over the bypass to link the development with the main part of Blandford St Mary and the town.

Councillor Steve Hitchings said: "We should continue to say that we disagree with the pedestrian crossing."

The Mayor, Councillor Lynn Lindsay, said: "We are struggling with surgeries, dentists and schools, and this will mean another 1,500 to 2,000 people.

The planning applications are

coming without infrastructure in place and it's outrageous."

Councillor Rosemary Holmes said the carbon footprint would get worse with hundreds more residents' cars. Councillor Cathy Jacques said all the primary schools, including Pimperne, were now full, and she had had to apply for a place for one of her children in Spetisbury next year.

Councillor Roger Carter, who chairs the Blandford + Neighbourhood Planning team which is seeking development including a new school north of the bypass, said he would be attending a meeting that week and that David Walsh, county portfolio holder for planning, was convening a meeting with parish and town councils to discuss the issues.

"Every other town in Dorset is facing these problems because the strategic housing numbers are so high," he said, adding that once the total of 900 homes were approved, there might be a slowdown in the number of houses making Blandford, with little industry or social facilities, a dormitory town of Blandford and Poole.

"Particularly in view of climate change, Dorset has to get their act together in terms of holistic thinking," he said.

MYSTERY surrounded the reason for the 'felling' of this lamppost in Blandford's Langton car park two days after Christmas and it was some time before cones were placed around it to protect unsuspecting pedestrians who found it in their path.

It looked for all the world like an invader from outer space or perhaps a creature from prehistoric times dropping in for a trim at the nearby hairdressing salon.

There were telltale signs of accident damage to the base of the post, but no-one could say what had happened. Several days later Scottish & Southern Electric staff arrived to investigate and arranged the removal of all but the coned-off broken stump.

February 2020

Parking changes set for discussion RECOMMENDATIONS put forward by officers at Dorset Council following the first phase of consultation on Blandford's parking review, which began in October 2017, are due to be the subject of consultation with residents next month.

County Councillor Noc LaceyClarke reported to the town council in December that the local steering group would be considering the recommendations at a meeting at the end of January.

At the town council's meeting in November, former councillor Barrie Cooper had expressed concern that the initial project timeline had not been met and asked for an update and what infrastructure changes might be being put forward.

County Councillor Byron Quayle said that funding had been made available to address the lack of parking at Blandford Hospital and that he had worked with the CCG on the plans for a car park on land at the Blandford School, but no council officers had been

directly involved as the proposals were rejected before they could be followed up.

He said just installing white or yellow lines would achieve very little and therefore the whole infrastructure needs to be looked at, which could include parking in Damory Street, a car park at the DWP Wimborne Road depot and changing streets to be one-way.

But this would require funding and conversations with various departments, for example parking, highways and conservation.

The town council agreed last year to spend ÂŁ300 on traffic monitoring tubes to examine speed in Edward Street, where they were told speed humps were not an option, and that a 20mph limit was dependent on meeting criteria needed to make a change.

The council has supported efforts to establish a 20mph limit as part of the parking review, and has also approved a survey in Black Lane in support of a request for a speed indicator device, which will be further discussed in March.

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A GRAND total of ÂŁ502 was raised for the Friends of Blandford Community Hospital through the sale of bulb replacements and donations during December by MVS Blandford, based on Sunrise Business Park.

A cheque was presented to Friends vice-chairman Mac McLoughlin in January, with thanks from MVS to all who had supported the cause, including Jayar car parts, Blandford. Mac is pictured with Anna and a representative from Jayar.

POLICE appealed for witnesses and released a picture of a dirt bike stolen from a secure garage attached to a home in Winterborne Whitechurch, which was broken into at around 1am on January 8.

The dirt bike, a Husaberg FE 390, is believed to have been pushed onto another vehicle before being driven away. Anyone with information can contact the police, quoting crime number 55200003435.

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Blandford Food Bank volunteers Paula Harding, Kim Masters, Margaret Allen, Phillis Williams and Liz Evans, with some of the meat vouchers presented to Food Bank manager Gail del Pinto, back row left, by (left to right) Blandford Lions President James Mayo, Stour Rotary representative David Rose and Blandford Rotary President Jim Atkins.

ACCORDING to data released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Blandford had the worst record for learner drivers passing their test in the country between April and September 2019.

A pass rate of 37.8 per cent compared to the city of Bradford in Yorkshire with 40.9, Birmingham in third place with 41.5 per cent, Ely in fourth place with 41.7 per cent, and Ilford in fifth place with 42.3 per cent.

It was suggested that learners might be failing because they relied on a free app with only a bank of 100 questions to pass the theory test which involves two parts, a series of multiple-choice questions, and a hazard perception test.

February 2020

Public pitch in to help as Food Bank busier than ever SUPPORT from the community was unprecedented at Christmas for the Blandford Food Bank which also faced unprecedented demand last year for the food parcels for families and individuals given vouchers by referring authorities.

Faced with the dramatic increase in the number of families approaching them, resulting in over 1,030 local people being helped, not just with food, but also to get their finances back on track, the charity launched a 'spare a fiver' Christmas appeal.

It can be supported by emailing donate@faithworks.wessex.org.u k or giving direct to the account named CAF at sort code 40-5240, account no 00015300, giving the reference Blandford Food Bank Fiver.

Following last year's successful fundraising for fresh meat tokens for the Food Bank at Christmas, an appeal started on Facebook raised ÂŁ460, including a donation from Blandford butchers Mato's.

Blandford Lions Club, Blandford Rotary and Stour Rotary each contributed ÂŁ300, making a grand

total of ÂŁ1,360 enabling 68 families to have the benefit of fresh meat at Christmas - something the Food Bank cannot normally offer.

Lions President James Mayo said: "Thanks are due to Mato & Son for printing the fresh meat tokens and to all who donated."

Food Bank manager Gail del Pinto said: "We can't store fresh meat and produce, but we can advise people to stock up their freezers with small things sausages, mince and chicken breasts - rather than spending it all on one roast.

"Usually we send out five or six parcels a week, but the week before Christmas we gave over 30, and we have distributed 100 vouchers to local schools to give to those families whose children receive pupil premium."

On Christmas Eve there was a steady stream of people bringing gifts of items which were used to fill the special boxes with festive fare, and Mrs del Pinto said they had also made more visits to supermarkets to bring back trolleys full of donated food.

Flower society to be wound up DWINDLING membership and lack of volunteers to serve on the committee have resulted in the outgoing committee of the Blandford & District Horticultural Society deciding to wind up the organisation, which has become only borderline viable.

The society, which staged its 32nd annual flower and vegetable show at the Anne Biddlecombe Hall in Tarrant Keyneston last August, has over the decades organised two annual shows - the rose and sweet pea show in the spring, and the main show in the summer - together with monthly meetings and talks. All funds remaining will be donated to the Royal Gardeners' Benevolent Fund.

It was founded, along with the still-thriving Blandford Allotment Society, which manages the Lamperds Field and Elizabeth

Road sites, by enthusiasts including Cyril Hovard and Bill Gallagher, both now deceased.

Mr Hovard celebrated his 90th birthday in 2015, and remained an award-winning exhibitor until 2017, the year before his death, when a memorial trophy was established in his name.

He had retired to Blandford in the 1980s to be nearer his son and daughter in Weymouth and Stourpaine and found there was no horticultural society.

A keen gardener with a large garden at his home at Nutford, the former headteacher took on one of the town's allotments and got chatting to Mr Gallagher with whom he formed both the horticultural society, of which he became secretary, and the allotment society, of which he was secretary for 21 years, many of them without a chairman.

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February 2020

Choir girls perform for good causes THE all-female choir which led the carol singing at Blandford Yuletide Festival celebrated its first anniversary with a concert in aid of the charity Mosaic a few days later.

In the short time since they got together, The Decibelles, based in Winterborne Kingston, have already given several performances in beautiful surroundings, including Milton Abbey and Highwood Gardens, Charborough Park.

All money raised has been given to charities, including Teddy 20, Morden's Macmillan Tea and local schools and churches.

Their Christmas concert for Mosaic, the Dorset charity which supports bereaved children and gives grief counselling for young people and childhood bereavement training for professionals, was held at St Nicholas' church, Winterborne Kingston.

The choir was created by Dorset musicians Sarah Pottinger and Sarah Holloway. It is free to join

and open to women who love singing and want to be part of something fun and fulfilling.

Mrs Pottinger said: "When we started the choir we had no idea what the interest would be because so many local choirs are not able to sustain their numbers.

"We are delighted that so many lovely ladies were keen to be part of it and to make it to our first anniversary. We have lots of fun in our weekly rehearsals and social events, and it is fantastic to put on a concert and know that we are raising money for charity at the same time.

"Thank you to everyone who comes to support our concerts.

Our members come from far and wide, some as far as Stalbridge, to practise each Tuesday evening. We are always on the lookout for members so if you are looking to join a choir then please do get in touch with us."

More information is available on The Decibelles, Dorset, Facebook page.

The Decibelles Choir.

Generation games A NEW community group aiming to bring different generations together called 'Play & Bloom' will be running from February 4 every Tuesday afternoon at Whitecliff House in Whitecliff Mill Street.

Organiser Faye Samways said: "Studies have shown bringing generations together can increase older adults' sense of belonging, build selfesteem and boost wellbeing, while also improving social and emotional skills of children. Many families do not have extended family or family that they see regularly so this group aims to reduce social isolation caused by this."

Parents with children under five are invited to go along from 2.30 to 3pm to sing, play games and enjoy activities together with the residents. It is free to attend, but there is an optional donation for Teddy 20.

Tea and coffee will be available for adults with drinks for the children.

Booking is essential by email to faye@playandbloom.co.uk.

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Volunteer Richard Jones with the Crown Hotel chefs Dan and Silvia Pirvulete.

Volunteer Chris Fielding on washing up duties.

February 2020

Volunteers serve up a memorable Christmas lunch VOLUNTEERS from across the district stepped in to help the Rotary Club of Blandford when they appealed for drivers and servers to help with their traditional 'Alone on Christmas Day Lunch' in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel.

Nearly 70 people who might otherwise have been alone on Christmas Day were entertained to a three-course festive meal with carols and magical entertainment.

They included residents of local sheltered housing schemes and others, many of whom are regular beneficiaries of the scheme which has been run by the Rotary Club of Blandford for many years.

Rotary President Jim Atkins thanked business partners and other sponsors who donate financially and in kind, and lunch organiser Judy Adams thanked all those from the community who had responded to an appeal for help serving the meal and transporting guests to and from the venue. "Without you, we couldn't have done it this year," she said.

Carols were sung at the start of the event by Blandford's Ukulele Group, joined by many others and led by Sam Ryall, and guests were bewitched by the magical tricks of Paul Hyland and Jana Bundy of 'The Art of the Impossible'.

Grace was given by Rotarian and retired Canon Grahame Shaw who urged guests to think of the carers who gave their time to look after them. Guests did not leave empty-handed, being presented with a special gift from Father Christmas.

Guest of honour Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay, accompanied by her daughter Tori as consort, paid tribute to the excellent meal prepared by the hotel chefs. The Crown provided the Sealy Suite free of charge. She also praised the volunteers, some of whom would on December 30 and 31 be running the Blandford community kitchen, the Mayor's charity of the year. • The Rector of Blandford, the Rev Canon Jonathan Triffitt, has thanked everyone who supported the community kitchen in providing free meals in the Parish.

He said: "Since January last year, we have served 1,340 meals over 13 days excluding seconds and giveaways, and over the two years we've been running we've served 3,863 meals - thank you to our amazing volunteers, wonderful guests and faithful supporters."

The kitchen will be open again during February half-term on dates still to be confirmed - for information see Facebook Blandford Community Kitchen.

Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay and her daughter Tori at the Christmas Day lunch, with carol singers behind, led by Sam Ryall.

More pictures at forumfocus.co.uk

February 2020

Inflatable museum for Artsreach’s milestone TOMORROW'S Museum for Dorset on Tour will be bringing The Inflatable Museum to the Corn Exchange on the first Saturday of halfterm, February 15, in collaboration with Artsreach, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

This extraordinary blow-up free-entry museum explores the county's rich history and cultural heritage, with activities and workshops in which to participate, and real objects to handle from the County Museum's collections including archaeology, natural history, social history and fossils.

It will get the mid-term break off to an excellent start with children's trails, 'make and create' workshops, as well as additional activities from the Blandford Museum, and a café with soup, sourdough, coffee and cake between 11am and 3pm in support of Artsreach's birthday.

The Dorset-based charity which brings professional live performances to rural communities across the county was launched in March 1990 with just nine events in a handful of rural venues.

Its programme now features more than 75 performances from over 30 companies and performers in 50 village halls and other community spaces, now including those in Blandford thanks to the formation of a team of local volunteers supporting events.

They will, on the afternoon of March 10, include a visit by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Trio's Cake Concert at the Community Centre in Heddington Drive, catering particularly to the needs of those living with dementia and others for whom accessing an evening concert can prove challenging.

For further details see artsreach.co.uk or call 01305 262735.

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Murder at the music school THE Dorset Rural Music School (DRMS) will be hosting a murder mystery evening on Friday February 14, which will be not quite a Valentine's Day massacre, but there will be murky goings-on.

A midwinter murder needs to be solved, with suspects including the light-fingered church treasurer, the organist who can only play two hymns, and the rock star who has recently come to live in the village.

Tickets are £15 and include a three-course supper and glass of wine.

DRMS are this month acknowledging the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven with the start, on February 6, of an eight-week Thursday afternoon music appreciation course featuring his music.

'Never the same again' will explore the music of Beethoven and his contemporaries in the highly unstable context of the French Revolution and its aftermath. The course is designed for the interested non-specialist; scores are available to follow but most members prefer just to listen with background information to aid appreciation of the music.

To help find out 'whodunnit' on Valentine's Day, find further details or book a place on the music appreciation course, call 01258 452511, email drmsblandford@gmail.com or visit DRMS in The Close, Blandford.

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Readers’ letters

Festival was a cracker THE organising committee would like to say a big thank you to the performers and choirs who entertained the public at the Blandford Yuletide Festival on December 12.

A number of lessons were identified in the process which we will build on for the 2020 event.

Our thanks and appreciation go to The Decibelles, Winterborne Kingston's ladies’ church choir who led the carol singing, to the Stagecoach Performing Arts and the Performing Arts children's choirs, the Blandford Rokit choir and the Blandford Ukulele Group. Thanks also to Emile Clarke, who sang without a microphone in the Corn Exchange (and to Nick Tatham and Sanunique who had to cancel through ill health).

February 2020 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

All were performing free of charge for the benefit of the community and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Steve Cripps, of Music First, provided technical support and Sam James was the MC. The public voted the evening's entertainment a success, keeping people in the town and entertained through to the fireworks finale.

Our thanks to you all.

Blandford Yuletide Festival Committee

Postcard poverty WE visited Blandford last week, described in my book as "the best, most complete, small Georgian town in England".

I wanted to send a postcard but could I find any? The only two were in the church and they were not very inspiring.

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.

So come on, Blandford. You have all those beautiful buildings, the church, independent shops, the River Stour, Bryanston School, and the historic brewery of Hall and Woodhouse.

What an opportunity you are missing for some wonderful stationery.

Jean Watson Tisbury, Wilts.

Volunteers required SITUATED at the entrance to the Marsh and Ham car park in Blandford, the Tourist Information Centre is run by a friendly group of volunteers.

Our aim is to promote Blandford and the surrounding area to visitors and locals alike - both tourist attractions and local events. We also sell a range of souvenirs, gifts, maps and books.

Due to a couple of 'retirements' in 2019, we are now looking to recruit more volunteers to join our merry band. If you could

spare a few hours a week and would like to be involved, please drop in to have a chat or contact us on 01258 454770 or by email at blandfordtic@btconnect.com.

We are open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday.

Blandford Tourist Information Centre West Street, Blandford

If you can’t bin it, take it YOUR correspondent last month berated the Dorset Waste Partnership for failing to empty the litter bins on a regular basis, and it's true that a better service could well be provided.

But the shocking overfilling which took place over the Christmas and New Year period does make one wonder why, when members of the public find a bin full, they insist on piling on more instead of taking their litter to one which is not overflowing - or even better taking it home with them.

Name & address supplied

Rare moth in need of help THE charity Butterfly Conservation are working on a project near Blandford to help an extremely rare moth - the Barberry Carpet or Pareulype berberata.

With only 10 known colonies left in the UK, one of which is in North Dorset, the moth is vulnerable to extinction due to lack of its foodplant - common barberry. Previously cultivated for its berries and its value for wildlife, the plant was almost eradicated in the past due to a stem rust that A Barberry Carpet moth on common barcould spread from it to wheat crops, but rust-resist- berry. Picture by Alex Hyde. ant wheat varieties and careful planting have now resolved this problem.

By planting at least 20 metres from arable land the moth can be provided for and crops protected, and the National Heritage Lotteryfunded Back from the Brink Project (naturebftb.co.uk) is planting lots more barberry close to remaining colonies.

More sites are needed around Blandford, Stourpaine, Pimperne, Durweston and Shillingstone. Village greens, gardens, churchyards, schools and private gardens could be suitable.

There are Barberry Carpet project volunteer tasks for planting during the winter, and summer moth survey events. For more information contact fhaynes@butterfly-conservation.org or 07483 039323.

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February 2020

2% rise in council tax on the cards COUNCIL tax payers can expect an increase of around two per cent in the bill which will be dropping through doors next month.

At its meeting on January 28, Dorset Council's Cabinet was expected to recommend to the full council on February 18 that the general level of council tax is increased by 1.996% and that the full amount of social care precept of 2% is levied in 2020/21.

It was also asked to confirm that annual increases of two per cent in the general level of council tax are modelled into the council's financial strategy.

Blandford Town Council's draft budget (with a 1.19% increase)

was expected to be finalised at the Town Council meeting at the end of January, subject to receipt of the necessary housing figures from Dorset Council.

Roadshows were held across the county, including one at Tesco in Stour Park on January 9, to ask the public how they feel about paying an extra ÂŁ15 a year (an increase of around six per cent on its very small proportion of the overall council tax total) to help bolster the ranks of Dorset Police as recommended by Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Underhill.

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Authority meets on February 12.

Ideas sought on how to tackle climate crisis THE implications of climate change started impacting on much of the work being done in Blandford even before Dorset Council issued a 'Call for Ideas' inviting organisations and individuals to submit proposals to address the issue following its declaration of a Climate Emergency.

The council's executive advisory panel will be considering ideas submitted by January 16, but the consultation remains open until the end of February.

Blandford Town Council has drawn up a detailed list of actions already taking place and has set up a climate change working group to which other members of the community have contributed. It has been congratulated by Low Carbon Dorset on its climate change and biodiversity action

plan for actions to be introduced.

Blandford War on Waste was established last summer, and a branch of Extinction Rebellion XRB - has been formed, holding a productive meeting in the Town Museum on January 6, when the three demands of government by XR International were re-iterated as: Tell the Truth about Climate Change, Act Now, and Create Citizens' Assemblies.

Methods of drawing the attention of the local population to the extreme urgency were discussed and a number of proposals were made, including consultations with Town and County Councillors and liaison with other 'green' organisations.

Its next meeting will be held, again in the Town Museum, on Monday February 3 at 6.30pm.

Scrivens branch manager Sandra Way, with (left) regional manager Linda D'Arcy and area manager Vici Forster.

The sight of success SCRIVENS in Blandford Market Place have been selected for a Branch of the Year Award from national high street retailer Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care.

The branch came top in the south-west area to clinch the title at the company's annual conference and awards ceremony.

Manager Sandra Way, who has worked for the company for 33 years and built a loyal clientele, said: "We were surprised and very pleased to win. We have a good team spirit here and work hard to ensure we give our customers the best service."

The award is recognition for the team's first-class customer care, general positive attitude, optical and hearing expertise and all-round professionalism.

Scrivens chairman Nicholas Georgevic said: "Our success is thanks to the fantastic people who work in our branches to deliver a great community and customer-focused service."

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February 2020

Table covering prompts a WI nostalgia trip

Liz Smith presents the table covering to Blandford Evening WI President Simone Walls-Macdonald.

A CHEQUE for ÂŁ280 raised at an October quiz night was handed to John Miles, the representative of the Blandford Opportunity Group, by the treasurer, Sheila Chapman, at the final meeting of 2019 of the Blandford Evening WI. The Christmas lunch at the Milton Arms, Winterborne Whitechurch, was hailed the best one yet while the party was made extremely enjoyable by the presence of Steve and Helen Earwicker, who informed the ladies of the origins of many seasonal traditions and encouraged all to sing the wellknown songs and more obscure offerings with gusto.

Another guest at the seasonal social was Liz Smith, the new

Federation adviser for Blandford, who brought along a piece of memorabilia belonging to the previous WI in Blandford which ran from 1981 until 2011.

Now stored in Dorchester, it was a beautiful, hand-made table covering incorporating insignia of local and national significance to the WI. It was immediately recognised by Wendy Brown, who had been a member of the WI who produced this lovely piece of work.

Blandford Evening WI meets on the second Friday of every month in the Parish Centre, the Plocks, at 7pm. All are welcome. For more information see the website blandfordeveningwi.com or Facebook and Instagram.

Town Museum on the lookout for new trustees THE Blandford Forum Museum, Heritage & Arts Trust is always looking for willing volunteers at the Town Museum, which reopened for the season on February 1, and at the moment is in urgent need of trustees.

Trustees are elected by the membership and generally serve for at least three

years. There are currently vacancies for at least three trustees, including a secretary.

As a trustee, you will help the governance of the charity by ensuring that they are providing high-quality exhibits and events, increasing the number of people reached, are financially sound, using their resources wisely, and planning for the

future.

Anyone with previous committee or trustee experience, or an interest in the museum and Blandford history and a desire to get involved in the community is invited to get in touch on 01258 450388 or in person at the museum in Bere's Yard off East Street.

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February 2020

A wealth of health ideas on display

Cash appeal to combat the cold

SOME of the opportunities for developing a happier and healthier lifestyle were on display in the Corn Exchange at the Happy Healthy You gathering, organised by the Blandford Group Surgery as part of the indoor market.

There was cholesterol and blood pressure checking, information from Blandford Leisure Centre, Blandford Health Champions and Group Practice, Live Well Dorset, the Disability Action Group, Read Easy and Dorset Mind promoting Women in Mind, a support group for women with sessions at the Blandford Youth Centre in Milldown Road every other Friday morning (contact 07864 612732).

The WRVS is always looking for people who can spare a couple of hours each week taking library books to the housebound - and for those who could benefit from the Home Library Service, which can be contacted through Blandford Library.

Knees Up offers exercise classes for the over-50s - and particularly

DORSET Community Foundation (DCF) is again urging people to donate to their Surviving Winter appeal following figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed a 40 per cent increase in the number of Dorset people dying during the winter of 2018.

Grant Robson, director at the Foundation, said: "The lost lives behind the figures are very sad.

Older people dying, here in Dorset, a county considered relatively wealthy, because they cannot afford to heat their homes.

“Since 2011 our efforts have raised just over £250,000 helping over 1,300 older people.

Now we need probably more support than ever to help the vulnerable."

Cheques made out to the Dorset Community Foundation can be sent to DCF at The Spire, High Street, Poole, BH15 1DF, or donations can be made online at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.

Healthcare assistant Shelbea offering blood pressure checking at the Happy Healthy You event in Blandford Corn Exchange. those undergoing cardiac rehabilitation - at their studio next to the car park behind M & Co in East

Street. See kneesup.co.uk or call 01258 458116 between 9am and 5pm.

New displays at fashion museum HAVING been closed since the end of November, Blandford Fashion Museum volunteers have been hard at work sprucing up the interior and changing three of the displays.

The museum and traditional tearoom reopens on Monday February 17 at 10am just in time for half-term.

The new displays are 'Boys & Girls Come Out to Play', 'Make Do & Mend' and a Victorian display. Entry prices remain the same as last year - adults £5.50, seniors £4.50 and children free.

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February 2020

Hire rates set to rise AN increase of 2.5 per cent in line with inflation has been recommended for the majority of Blandford Town Council's premises and services, with the exception of the charges for the town's outdoor and indoor markets stalls, and the hire of the Corn Exchange.

Members of the recreation and amenities committee were told in January that the market stall

rates were felt reasonable, although higher than some neighbouring markets, and the indoor markets had attracted a number of new traders, and that freezing the rates would show loyalty to regular traders.

It was suggested that the Corn Exchange rates should be frozen for another year due to the continued requirement for refurbishment.

Windborne: at Milborne St Andrew on February 14.

A musical mix of styles INTERNATIONAL vocal harmony group Windborne, from New England, USA, will be appearing at Milborne St Andrew village hall on Friday February 14.

They specialise in close harmony singing of dramatically different styles of music from many continents and cultures, but they will be presenting 'Song on the Times', a project in which they have collected music from working-class movements for people's rights in the US and UK over the past 400 years.

They will also be running a vocal workshop from 5pm to 6pm.

A Saturday morning instrumental workshop is also being held by WOR on February 8 in Winterborne Stickland village hall following their performance 'Back to the 1780s' on the evening of Friday February 7.

Back at Milborne St Andrew on February 19, there's a 4pm half-term performance by Angel Heart Theatre with Mazymeg and the Honeybees, and on February 28 Alhousseini Anivolla present 'The Walking Man' at Ibberton village hall at 7.30pm.

Children relax in their new 'reflection' area at Okeford Fitzpaine primary school.

Time for reflection OKEFORD Fitzpaine primary school has been successful with another grant application, this time through Allchurches Trust Ltd. Headteacher Elizabeth Peters said: "We were very lucky to receive ÂŁ500 towards resources which the children can use in a designated area should they need time to calm down and reflect.

"The space will be a great addi-

tion to the school, allowing our children a safe area within the classroom to use at any time during the school day to take time out or to spend quiet time reflecting on our Christian values of flourish, aspire, believe."

The area has comfortable pillows and a rug which they can sit on, mood lighting, music, bibles and cards to help them focus their reflection time.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

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February 2020

Panto power comes to the villages AN unlikely fairytale adventure, written by Alexis Austin and codirected by him and Rob Chalkley, was presented in Tarrant Keyneston village hall by the Tarrant Valley Players on January 23 to 25.

It told the story of Birk, the local village market stall seller of pitchforks and flaming torches in Pantoland, who sadly was always missing out on the adventures of everyone around him.

Step in the mother of all Fairy Godmothers, who decides to help him. Unfortunately, Birk accidently puts her out of commission.

So it was up to him to save the day when, with the Godmother gone, Queen What-Ever-I-WantTo-Be saw her chance to rule Pantoland with the help of the Big Bad Wolf and his minions, the three little pigs. And Hades, wanting a bride and falling hopelessly in love with Red Riding Hood, took her to the underworld to become his Queen. • Other offerings from panto world

VE Day memories

Some of the Tarrant Valley Players cast of Birk. included Robin Hood in Shroton in January, and still to come is the Milborne Players' Dick Whittington in Milborne St Andrew village hall on February 6 to 8.

Finally (or is it?) Cinderella follows the huge success of last year's Durweston pantomime and will be raising funds for Durweston playing fields.

Jam-packed with silliness, fun, sing-along songs and jokes for the

whole family to enjoy, the cast is supported by children from Durweston Primary School, past and present, their parents and villagers.

There will be four performances from Friday February 14 to Sunday February 16 at Durweston village hall. For details call 07554 009098, email durwestonpanto@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

THE Blandford Commemoration Group, which will be presenting an exhibition in the Corn Exchange on May 1 and 2 celebrating Victory in Europe (VE Day), is asking people with stories to tell about living through the war to get in touch.

The exhibition will focus on the tragedy of war, the traumas and the achievements, along with the consequences and the aftermath. The stories can be personal or about relatives, especially anyone who was Blandford-based.

The group is hoping to hear from those, for example, who may have had service personnel (American or Commonwealth) billeted with them or nearby, and anyone who was a war bride.

Memories of how people felt when peace was declared and what they, their village or Blandford did for the VE day celebrations, will all be gratefully received by the group, which can be contacted by email to BCGroup2020@outlook.com.

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February 2020

Never mind the technical team’s absence or the enforced date change, the show must go on!

Fun-packed panto packs a punch IN the best of theatrical traditions, the show went on in the Corn Exchange in January when Oh No It Isn't staged their second panto, 'The Beauty Sleeping', despite the last-minute loss of the services of the company that had been due to provide technical support.

Director Sam James, MC and front of house 'Bard', thanked the individual, organisation and business who had stepped in to help Dan Baker, the Performing Arts Theatre Academy and From

Dorset With Love - and said it was a true example of the community coming together.

Following on from last year's Alice in Cuckooland, the production had encountered a number of obstacles along the way, not least the change of date due to the Corn Exchange not being available in December as hoped.

But despite some sound and lighting problems, it emerged as a great evening of fun and entertainment, in which the classic story of

the princess cursed to sleep forever and woken by the kiss of a prince almost took second place.

The shenanigans of Dame Droopy and her sons, the good witch Betty (regularly summoned by a yodel from the audience and played by Roya Alsopp), Queen Britney and King Jeff of Blandford (Julie Newall and Mike Farrell), and their courtier Plop (Miguel Bernabeu) who turned out to be the Prince of Pimperne in disguise, moved on at a fast pace.

It was packed with good and bad jokes, including a series relating to the eradication of points (needles) from the castle to avoid Beauty's fate (which perhaps missed a trick in failing to mention the quiz show Pointless but included a dig at Shaftesbury FC, apparently the nemesis of director Sam James when a schoolboy).

Audience members perhaps should have been warned to practise blowing raspberries for the participation game and wrapping themselves in toilet tissue. There was the added entertainment from the dancers of the Starlight

Dancing Academy and the mystery guest playing The Postman, who on the first night was none other than Owen Newton of local charity Teddy 20.

A promising first appearance of Princess Beauty (Megan Koster) towards the end of Act One was cut short by being put to sleep for most of Act Two, to be finally woken by Plop.

But there were also some outstanding performances, including that of Beatrice Hunt as the very feline and mischievous cat, and her mistress, the wicked witch Hogben (Wren Holdem), Tony Horrocks in his element as Dame Droopy, and the very happy pairing of Liz Rawlings and Simone Walls-Macdonald as his/her sons Tinkle and Fiddle.

Two evening performances on Friday and Saturday were followed by a sell-out Sunday matinee, where young and old experienced the story through Peter Nuttall's original script with additional material from director Sam James and some of the cast.

Noc Lacey-Clarke as Merlin and Sam James as the MC and Bard with other 'front of house staff' Richard and Mike Lofthouse as Heralds.

In the foreground, Plop, Prince of Pimperne (Miguel Bernabeu) with (from left) King Jeff (Mike Farrell), Queen Britney (Julie Newall), Tinkle and Fiddle (Liz Rawlings and Simone Walls-Macdonald) and asleep in the chair Princess Beauty (Megan Koster).

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February 2020 Good Witch Betty (Roya Alsopp) comes face to face with the Wicked Witch Hogben (Wren Holdem) and Cat (Beatrice Hunt).

Cat with the scheming Wicked Witch (Beatrice Hunt and Wren Holdem).

Good Witch Betty flies in to help (Roya Alsopp).

Below: King Jeff, Queen Britney and Dame Droopy (Mike Farrell, Julie Newall and Tony Horrocks).

Comedy duo Fiddle and Tinkle (Simone Walls-Macdonald and Liz Rawlings).

Princess Beauty (Megan Koster).

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February 2020

The View from the Hill

We are taking part in a countrywide trial to investigate the effectiveness of using sheep to control flea beetle larvae. One of our fields has been measured out accurately and we have to fence off a block to be left ungrazed to act as a control for the experiment. At harvest time the yield meter on the combine will produce the spot yield for every square metre of the field, and this information can be used to show

by George Hosford which treatment yielded better, grazed or ungrazed.

More from George on "Why haven't you done this viewfromthehill.org.uk before?" I hear you yelling. Well, grazing off one's newly established rape crop when you HE flea beetles have done haven't done it before is bonkers, as promised, laying eggs a bit like planting a fancy new on the leaves of the rape shrub in your garden, and then plants. They have now hatched immediately cutting off all its into tiny larvae and are burrowing branches down to a stump and their way down to the main stem, still expecting it to grow. where they hollow out the plant But desperation in this case is from the inside. breeding invention. Several mad Sheep are the new pesticide. farmers are already doing this They are eating off the parts of kind of thing, because we can no the oilseed rape plants that conlonger use the pesticide on rape tain cabbage stem flea beetle larthat kills the flea beetle larvae, vae, and the leaves that in the but which has also been found to mild weather have been incubatbe harmful to bees. ing phoma disease which can It has been banned all across the also burrow into the stem of the EU, but in plant. To top it off many other they are eating the countries charlock weeds across the that have infested world, farmers several of our are still rape fields. allowed to This means that use it, so their we can avoid the bees suffer application of sevconstant eral doses of pesheadaches, or A view from the air shows a field with ticide. The big perhaps they one size grazed and the other being question is: will even die. grazed by the sheep. the rape plants Some of those grow back well countries may want to export enough to provide a reasonable their oilseed rape to us, and yield at harvest? This is a huge because their yields are higher, turnaround from the regular they may be able to undercut our model of rape growing. In theory prices. Is it right that they should we can afford a lower yield be allowed to do this - just so that because of reduced costs with our bees will be ok, but theirs will sprays not used. Ask me after be dead? If you buy their oilseed harvest what the consequences rape oil, it will be your fault! were.

T

Pet sheep still friendly after several weeks eating oilseed rape.

This is called exporting our environmental responsibility, and it applies to many other crops and animal products too. Now we know we are leaving the EU and the government is about to start negotiating future trade deals, farmers are jumping up and down and calling for the government to ensure the above scenario does not occur.

If farming is to continue in the UK, we will need controls at our borders to ensure that imported foods have not been produced by methods that are illegal for farmers to use here. The secretary of state for DEFRA has said recently that the government understands this and will not allow such foods to be imported. I hope we can trust her.

It is worth pointing out that this principle has form. GM crops were outlawed in Europe 20 years ago, yet since then many millions of tons of GM soya have been imported into Europe to feed farm animals, and chemicals that were banned in Europe long ago are still used widely elsewhere around the world on a wide variety of crops which are freely traded between many countries. So how are we to sort this?

Soya is a high-protein crop, containing 48 per cent crude protein, so is popular in animal diets. It

does not grow in the UK climate the best we can produce is beans (25% CP), and peas (21% CP) but they don't pay. It is cheaper to import soya. Most (65 per cent) of the 3 million tonnes of soya imported into the UK every year goes to chicken and pig production and comes from Argentina and Brazil. More than 90% of the soya grown there is GM. Some say that some soya is grown on land only recently cleared of rainforest. How environmentally friendly is that compared to beef and lamb fed on UK grass?

Should we be campaigning to support the growing of beans to replace soya? Beans are a legume, which can harvest their own nitrogen needed for growth from the air and need no artificial nitrogen fertiliser. They are a great break crop and enable a good crop of wheat to follow in the rotation. I call it a potential win-win-win.

Late news from the sheep: The rams arrived in the first week of December and joined our new 'improved Welsh' ewes in the oilseed rape field. Over Christmas the farm Whatsapp group lit up with news of new lambs. Normally sheep have a gestation of five months - it seems the improved Welsh have got it down to three weeks.

23

February 2020

Tree identity raises new questions LOCAL arboriculturist Mark Hinsley encountered a mystery when he was asked by the Blandford Environmental Trust to identify a tree on the corner in St Leonard's Avenue next to Angus Wood, which they manage for the community.

He found that the tree, which had leaves like a rowan, bark like a pear, fruit like an apple, and was too big to be any of them, was a relatively rare Sorbus domestica or true service tree, distributed naturally across central and southern Europe and known to have been cultivated and distributed by the Romans.

"Service trees, our native wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) included, are among nature's oddball eccentrics. They are rare and do not cope well with competition from other trees, they set very little viable seed and they are very picky about where they will germinate," he said.

"Wild service trees growing naturally in this country, as opposed to being planted by some misguided enthusiast worried about their rarity, are indicators of ancient woodland because they will not germinate anywhere else. If you find

one growing naturally in a hedgerow, you know that hedge was once part of an ancient wood.

"However, what a true service tree was doing growing on a street corner in Blandford, I have absolutely no idea."

Research revealed that two of the oldest trees in the Oxford Botanic Garden were service trees, thought to be planted in 1780 by a professor who obtained seed from one discovered in the Wyre Forest in 1678 - then believed to be the only one in the country which was destroyed by fire in 1862.

It is not thought to be a native, but the New Sylva by Gabriel Hemery & Sarah Simblet in 2014 reported that a wild population was found in 1983 growing on inaccessible ledges on sea cliffs in South Glamorganshire, where they were unlikely to ever have been planted. Since that discovery, about 30 have been recorded across other sites in southern England and Wales.

If anyone knows why there's one in St Leonard's Avenue, or where there are others, let him know by emailing markhinsley@treeadvice.info.

A lesson in life-saving A COMMUNITY AED (defibrillator) awareness session was held in the Brewery Visitor Centre of Hall & Woodhouse in Blandford St Mary to enable people to learn how to operate the equipment now available on site.

South West Ambulance's Assistant Community Responder Officer for Dorset, Kate Fisher, demonstrated the equipment. The AED, installed last year at the entrance to the Brewery Tap, was funded by Hall & Woodhouse, and the annual awareness session is part of the agreement with South West Ambulance Service Foundation Trust.

Durweston also now has a defibrillator on the side of its village hall thanks to funding raised by the hall and Knighton House School.

The true service tree in St Leonard's Avenue, Blandford.

More cash aid for charity TOWN councillors have agreed to offer Age Concern, based in Nightingale Court, a grant covering half the annual cost of their premises.

The charity, which is independent of Age UK and receives no funding from the two charity shops in the town, was in 2017/18 awarded £1,000 by the town council, and this year applied for £2,000. Members of the finance & staffing committee initially agreed to again offer £1,000, but at the full council meeting, an increase to £2,300 was approved.

24

Panda Pre-school turns 40 PANDA Pre-school celebrated its 40th birthday on January 9 and the children all made cakes and sang 'Happy Birthday' before playing party games.

Panda started in 1980 and over the years has moved location within Blandford before settling at the present site in Milldown Road.

The pre-school remains committee-run, mainly by parents, and offers up to 30 hours' childcare each week.

Over the next six months there will be several events to celebrate and they would like as many past pupils, parents, committee members and staff to come along for a reunion.

They would also love photographs to display and memories to share. If you would be interested in contributing any memorabilia and attending any events they would love to hear from you by email to Pandapreschool@hotmail.co.uk or the office on 01258 458151.

February 2020

Bright outlook for drama BRYANSTON School's new Chauvet lighting system has wowed the audiences at recent productions.

It was supplied by White Light, which alongside traditional theatres works closely with schools and education institutions.

It was chosen by Bryanston's technical and production manager James Henshaw and team for its ability to meet all requirements.

Mr Henshaw said: "At Bryanston, there are a wide range of performance spaces, with the main one being Coade Hall which is a purpose-built 600-seater theatre.

With 15-20 productions a year, pupils have plenty of opportunities

to perform, design and direct.

"Pupils interested in the technical side are able to join the stage crew to learn how to handle the equipment and design, light and costume a production."

He said the new fixtures also meant a reduction in working at height in the auditorium and roof space and the LED units resulted in significant energy savings and a reduction of lighting hire costs for the school.

"They have allowed our rig to become extremely versatile, meaning it now caters for a full range of genres from music gigs to plays, dance to opera, and conferencing to musicals."

A NEW Education Hub has opened in Blandford providing alternative provision education for children who have difficulty engaging with a mainstream school.

Personalised Learning Dorset (PLD) runs a curriculum involving individuals and small groups following a programme of project-based learning and academic tuition, together with ELSA support and outdoor activities.

It is based in locations across Dorset and its main Education Hub is at the Grain Store in Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford, catering for young people from the ages of eight to 18 who are referred by local authorities.

It offers a range of services to support partners in local government, schools and academies as well as advice and guidance to parents and carers. For more information email contactus@personalisedlearningdorset.co.uk or see personalisedlearningdorset.co.uk.

February 2020

Village inn nominated for award THE Museum Inn at Farnham, near Blandford, is in the running for an Eat Game award as one of ten finalists in the Best Pub Servicing Game category.

Landlord Paolo Corgiolu said: "Reaching the final ten in the awards is a huge deal and we are very grateful to everyone who has voted for us.

"We're right in the heart of the Cranborne Chase AONB, so we're incredibly lucky to have some excellent relationships with local farms and estates.

This allows for dynamic, field-tofork dishes that change with the seasons such as our whole roasted Dorset partridge."

The Eat Game Awards, created by three leading British businesses, celebrate all that is best about wild British produce by recognising great culinary achievements and other contributions to the cooking and eating of game.

The top ten nominees are moved through to the online voting stage at eatgameawards.co.uk/voting/ which closes at the end of February. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in May 2020.

25

Lawyer’s know-how seals a win double in court hearings A DORSET family law specialist has had two court successes helping local people, in one case securing a £1 million pay-out.

Laura Martin, head of family law at Blanchards Bailey, helped a Dorset father secure an order confirming that his two children live with him after an acrimonious battle.

She was initially successful in obtaining an order that the children should spend time with him after their mother had refused permission, but when four months later the mother told him she was moving north and taking the children with her, Laura obtained a further order prohibiting her from removing the children from their current location and school.

"As the court proceedings progressed, it became increasingly apparent to the father that the children would be best placed living with him. Consequently I successfully obtained an order changing the residence of the children, confirming that the children live with their father permanently," she said.

In a second case, Laura represented a wife in divorce proceedings and helped her win, against the odds, pension equality and a property.

Laura Martin The husband did not want to share any of the assets, including his armed forces pension worth more than £1.2m, stating it was accrued solely by him and should be retained by him.

Laura applied for a financial remedy order and advised the wife regarding her matrimonial claims after 25 years of marriage, and over assets including two proper-

ties totalling £1m equity and pensions totalling £1.6m.

"Pension experts were involved in looking at appropriate split of pensions and at court we achieved a pension sharing order for the wife to equalise their pensions and ensured that one of the properties was transferred to the wife outright. So she had a property in which to live mortgage-free and sufficient by way of income to maintain her lifestyle."

Laura said the husband had been particularly difficult and uncooperative throughout, failing to provide disclosure of his financial circumstances or comply with court orders, and they were successful in obtaining a rare wasted costs order against him, ordering him to pay part of the wife's costs.

Laura is a Law Society-accredited family mediator and member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers and professionals committed to a non-confrontational approach to family problems.

26

Army tuggers pull off a new sponsorship deal A FRAMED shirt has been presented by the 11th Signal Regiment (Royal School of Signals) in recognition of the sponsorship secured from a leading Poole-based cyber security company C3IA Solutions for its army tug-of-war teams.

The training regiment now has five teams of tuggers; two senior teams, under-23 and under-18 teams and a women's team. Its senior sides came fourth and fifth in the indoor British Army championships and were cheered on by the Princess Royal at her Gatcombe Park estate during a competition.

Corporal Dan Pain, captain of the team, said: "This sponsorship has really helped us reinvigorate the sport. We are bringing through 17- and 18-year-olds who then go into the field army and are able to

continue competing.

"As a training regiment we have a high turnover of people and tug-of-war is something that is not taught in schools so we are always training new recruits.

Without the sponsorship we wouldn't be able to do it. We have had some great successes and will be entering more teams into the civilian competitions."

Matt Horan, security director of C3IA Solutions, said: "As a former signaller it is an honour and a privilege to be able to give something back. Tug-of-war is a great sport as it requires technique, teamwork, rhythm, leadership and is highly competitive.

We sponsor a number of army sports teams and understand how important it is for them to have the kit they need."

FORUM Focus is supplied every month to the Shaftesbury Talking Newspaper so that the visually impaired can get the local news at the same time as our readers. It is a completely free service and there is capacity for it to entertain more listeners, so if you know of someone who is visually impaired and might be interested in keeping up to date with news from our and other local weekly journals and community magazines, contact the secretary Collette Drury on 01258 473923 or email collette@woolhousefarm.co.uk.

February 2020

New golf captains installed NEW Year's Eve saw Ashley Wood Golf Club members enjoying a celebratory meal and dancing the night away.

At midnight the incoming Club and Ladies’ Captains, Chris Wyatt and Maxine Palmer, received their Official Jackets, after which they took to the first tee for the traditional drive-in.

Chris Wyatt, 2020 club captain, receives his captain's tie from outgoing captain Peter Johnson.

Outgoing captain Val Carder, left, with 2020 ladies’ captain Maxine Palmer.

27

February 2020

Swimmers’ flying finish to a successful year BLANDFORD Flyers Swimming Club had a month to remember as 2019 drew to a close.

First they held their annual club championships at Blandford Leisure Centre when 50 swimmers took part, contributing more than 250 race entries.

Natalie Brushett, top female swimmer at the West Dorset open meet.

Head coach Trevor Keep said: "There was some fantastic racing and all the swimmers did themselves and their club proud."

The night finished with a mass medal presentation by the outgoing club captains Ben Minter and Millie Creffield, as well as presentations to this year's Swimmers of the Year, Ben Minter and Cerys Scott-Brown.

The 2020 club captains were also announced as Natalie Brushett and Max Leigh.

Next came a successful weekend's swimming at the West Dorset open meet at Dorchester in which 12 swimmers from Blandford Flyers took part and amassed an impressive 49 personal best times, 11 gold, 12 silver and six bronze medals.

To round it off, Natalie Brushett put in a magnificent personal performance to win the top female swimmer of the weekend award.

The club's successes were recognised by Swim England in its award to the club of the highly prized SwimMark accreditation. A considerable amount of work went into achieving this.

Trevor Keep said a massive thankyou and well done was owed to the committee and the swimmers for all the success and recognition of the club's progress and contribution to the local community.

THE Diverse Abilities advice team is offering people dealing with disability the chance to gain free advice at its 'Here to Help' day on Tuesday February 18 at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne, between 10am and 4pm. There will be information and guidance for those with a disability and their families and carers on such issues as help with benefit form filling, advice on disability benefits and LPAs, together with a free will writing clinic.

See diverseabilities.org.uk/advice/ or call 0300 330 5514 between 9.30am and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The five black belts from Soul Kickboxing.

Kickboxing club delight at five new blackbelts MARTIAL arts are in the blood of sisters Karen Mayne and Kim Robinson and their brothers Eddy Rimmer-Stokes and Gavin Marish.

Karen did taekwondo until 2nd Dan and is now a 5th Dan in kickboxing; Kim recently became the youngest British master instructor in Taekwondo after achieving her 7th Dan black belt in the sport; Eddy is a 3rd Dan in Taekwondo; and Gavin is a black belt in both kickboxing and taekwondo.

Five local students of Karen's Soul Kickboxing club have recently received their new black belt grade, three of them 1st degrees and two 3rd degrees, after years of training. The two youngest in the group were both 12 years old, having started in the sport at the age of six. All five were graded in front of three examiners.

Karen founded Soul in 2013 and said she couldn't be prouder of her five black belts.

Kim, who was graded by Grand master Sahota in Leicester, has dedicated her life to Taekwondo, and according to the International Taekwondo Federation, is only the second female in Britain to be given the title of 7th degree 'Master'.

She runs KR Martial Arts, having started teaching at 17, and has built up her own classes since 2001 to become full-time.

She said more people were joining her classes having experienced bullying at school, and the skills they learnt gave them the confidence to confront bullies.

One of her students has now achieved his black belt and is on a training programme to compete in the Olympics.

Both women run classes all over the county in leisure centres, schools and community buildings.

For details of either group see soulkickboxing.co.uk or krmartialarts.co.uk.

28 Saturday February 1: Blandford Museum reopens after winter closure, daily 10am to 3pm excluding Wednesdays.

Exhibition to February 29: Flick Baker - 'Forests, Fruit and Fossils' Monthly coffee morning, Pimperne village hall, 10am to noon Quiz and curry night for St Nicholas Church, Child Okeford village hall, tickets from the Cross Stores Sunday February 2: Blandford Repair Café, Blandford Scout Hut, Eagle House Gardens, 10am to 3pm Round Robin Ramblers meet 1.30pm at Okeford Hill car park for 4.5-mile walk Bonsley Common and Turnworth, details 01258 880044 The Ramayana, Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna: storytelling and Indian music workshop 2 to 3.30pm, performance 5pm. Tickets and details 01747 811853 or artsreach.co.uk Monday February 3: Blandford Extinction Rebellion meeting, Blandford Museum, 6.30pm Tuesday to Thursday February 4 to 6 (and every Tuesday to Thursday): Online Centre (computer help), Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 10.30am to 12.30pm, details 07752 138300 Wednesday February 5: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7.30pm Thursday February 6: Start of 8week afternoon Music Appreciation Course on Beethoven and his contemporaries, Dorset Rural Music School, details 01258 452511 Thursday to Saturday February 6 to 8: Milborne Players pantomime Dick Whittington, Milborne St Andrew Village Hall.

7.30pm (Sat. mat. 2.30pm), tickets 01258 839085 Friday February 7: Forests, Fruits & Fossils - talk by anthropologist Professor Peter Andrews illustrated by Flick Baker, Blandford Parish Centre, 7pm, tickets on the door English Barn Dance Evening Portman Hall, Shillingstone, 7.30 for 7.45pm, details 01258 861184 'Back to the 1780s' with WOR, Winterborne Stickland Village Hall, 7.30pm, (and instrumental workshop Saturday February 8, 10am) details 01258 880920 or artsreach.co.uk Saturday February 8: Jumble sale in aid of The Ark, Child Okeford, Child Okeford Village Hall, 11am to 1pm, refreshments available Monday February 10:

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.

Vocal harmony group Windborne, from New England, USA, will be appearing at Milborne St Andrew village hall on Friday February 14. Details on Page 18.

Child Okeford CCL, speaker from Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, The Ark room, St Nicholas School, Child Okeford, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 860767 Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir open rehearsal, Methodist Church, The Close, Blandford, 7.45 to 9.45pm, details 01722 710511 Tuesday February 11: Tarrant Gunville WI talk on cheesemaking and supper, Tarrant Gunville village hall, 7.15pm, details 01258 456202.

Wednesday February 12: NHS Retirement Fellowship meeting, Committee Room Blandford Community Hospital, 10.15 am, details 01929 472441 Blandford Forum Film Society presents 'BlacKkKlansman (USA 2018 - drama), The Blandford School, 7 for 7.45pm, guest tickets 01258 268139 Film Night, 'Downton Abbey' (PG), Charlton Marshall Village Hall, from 7.15pm, details/bookings 01258 456572 Thursday February 13: Open garden as part of Shaftesbury Snowdrops' Festival, Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna 10am to 4pm Forum Otters Cancer Support Group meet Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, 2 to 4pm, details 07561 114644 Harpist Sarah Deere-Jones workshop 3pm (bookings 01747 811853), and in concert with husband and guitarist Phil Williams, 7pm Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna Friday February 14: Windborne Vocal Harmony

Workshop 5pm and 'Song on the Times' 7.30pm, Milborne St Andrew Village Hall, details 01258 839230 or artsreach.co.uk Blandford Evening Women's Institute birthday party, The Parish Centre, The Tabernacle, 7pm Dorset Rural Music School Murder/Mystery evening, details 01258 452511 or email drmsblandford@gmail.com Friday and Saturday, February 14 and 15: Valentine's Day Special, Saxon Arms, Child Okeford, details 01258 860310 Friday to Sunday February 14 to 16: Durweston Pantomime, Cinderella, Durweston Village Hall, Fri/Sat 7.30pm, Sat/Sun 2pm, detail/tickets 07554 009098 Saturday February 15: Cats' Protection League coffee morning, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday February 17: Blandford Fashion Museum opens for the season, The Plocks, Blandford, 10am Film Night 'Downton Abbey' (PG), Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 861357 Milborne Movies present 'Isle of Dogs', Milborne St Andrew Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets on the door Tuesday February 18: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club practical workshop, 'Two storey flowers', Child Okeford Village Hall, 2.15pm, details 01258 863775 Pimperne Pre-School Bingo Night, Pimperne Village hall, doors open 6.30pm, eyes down

February 2020 at 7.30pm Wednesday February 19: Cranborne Chase AONB Stargazing evening with Chasing Stars, Church Farm Caravanning and Camping Park, High Street, Sixpenny Handley, SP5 5ND, 7pm Angel Heart Theatre present Mazymeg and the Honeybees, Milborne St Andrew Village Hall, 4pm, details 01258 839060 or artsreach.co.uk Dorset Wildlife Trust North Dorset branch meets Fontmell Magna Village Hall 7.30pm, illustrated talk on Marine Conservation, MCZs and Plastics Thursday February 20: Blandford Art Society Talk and Workshop on Artist Books by Joseph Field, Pimperne Village Hall, 1.30pm, details blandfordartsociety.weebly.com Thursday February 20 to Saturday February 22: COMPACT presents 'Cinderella', St Nicholas School, Child Okeford, 7.30pm (and Sat mat 2.30pm), details 01258 861391 Friday February 21: Free halfterm fun with Mr Merlin & Okey Dokey the Dragon, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 11 to 11.45am Monday February 24: Superfast Dorset Digital Champion session, Blandford Library, 4 to 6pm, details 01258 452075 Wednesday February 26: Blandford Forum Film Society presents 'Capernaum (Lebanon 2018 - drama), The Blandford School, 7 for 7.45pm, guest tickets 01258 268139 Thursday 27 February: Rev Jonathan Aitken talk, ‘From Politician to Prisoner to Prison Chaplain’, in and for All Saints Church Tarrant Monkton, 6 for 6.30pm, tickets 01258 830560 Blandford Museum Archaeology Group Talk. 'The Portable Antiquities Scheme and Treasure Act' with Dorset Council Finds Officer, Blandford Town Museum, 7.30pm Friday February 28: Alhousseini Anivolla in 'The Walking Man', Ibberton Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 860222 or artsreach.co.uk Scratchworks Theatre present WOMANS, Sixpenny Handley village hall, 7.30pm, details 07786 79034 or artsreach.co.uk Saturday February 29: The Inflatable Museum, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 11am to 3pm, details artsreach.co.uk Charity Quiz Night, Farquharson Arms, Pimperne, 8pm Sunday March 1: Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir family concert, Blandford Corn Exchange, 3pm