March 2020 Forum Focus

Forum Focus The free monthly news magazine for the Blandford area

March 2020 Issue No. 96 Est: 2012

Road crashes add weight to villagers’ speed campaigns LONG-running road safety campaigns by two villages along the A354 near Blandford were brought sharply into focus by traffic accidents in February.

The first highlighted an ongoing battle by local residents and the parish council to reduce speeds on the main road through Pimperne.

Delays were caused when a lorry came off the carriageway near the Farquharson Arms and became stuck in the ditch by Yarde Farm.

Four days earlier there was a night-time collision in Tarrant Hinton which resulted in a vehicle colliding with the garden wall of Mike Nathan. He said it was typical of incidents which had caused residents to campaign for years for a safer junction on to and exiting the A354.

He said: "It was very dark and

The car which ended up in Mike Nathan's garden wall at Tarrant Hinton.

FORUM FOCUS

probably someone driving too fast not realising there was a junction. A car turning right from the Salisbury direction, and the car behind apparently trying to overtake. Bang!"

"Fortunately no-one died but it's only a matter of time before someone does. This junction is difficult, even in good weather and visibility, as cars come through so fast.

"The parish council managed to get the speed limit to 50mph years ago but has been consistently refused 40mph. A request for rumble strips at the start of the 50mph to make drivers aware of danger ahead was not sanctioned."

Parish council clerk Hilary Fildes said: "Do we really have to wait for a death or a serious accident before our local knowledge and daily experience is accepted and improvements are made?

"Over the last ten years there are constant references in parish meeting minutes to attempts or suggestions as to how to reduce the speed through the junction, but few specific references to numbers or dates of accidents.

"Unless the police take action after an incident, it is not recorded and not accepted by Dorset Highways, who do not accept that the junction is dangerous or that 50mph is too high. There are too few houses to qualify for a lower speed limit, as specified by the Department of Transport.

The lorry stuck in the ditch in Pimperne.

"We have asked residents on the A354 to keep a record of incidents, but people have stopped doing so because it was regarded as anecdotal or inaccurate."

She added: "At the time of the planning application for a cafe in the 'Old Barn' on the A354 we

responded that there had been seven traffic incidents on the A354 in 2014. As the police had not recorded them, the information was not accepted.

"I understand that although the police are aware of the latest incident in Tarrant, they don't propose to take any action."

Two hurt in collision A TWO-vehicle accident at around 2.30pm on February 2 at Dorchester Hill on the A354 near Milborne St Andrew caused a two-and-a-half hour closure of the road from Lane End, Milborne St Andrew, to Chescombe Lane in Winterborne Whitechurch.

It involved a black Skoda Fabia and a white Land Rover Discovery. Two people were hurt, with injuries reported by the police as minor for one and serious but not life-threatening for the other.

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March 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.

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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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Market Place plan hits parking snag RETAILERS in Blandford town centre were consulted last month on how they felt about the suggested pedestrianisation of all or part of the Market Place.

A town council working group, including representatives of the Blandford Town Team and Civic Society, has been considering how the £70k given by North Dorset District Council for town centre enhancement might be spent, and are favouring the idea of pedestrianisation.

But councillors learnt at their meeting at the end of January that it could cost £46k a year to replace the parking income from the whole Market Place, or £25k for half of it.

The town clerk and operations manager had met with the parking services team at Dorset Council who had suggested instead simply resurfacing the Market Place area.

Councillor Roger Carter said that would not enhance the town centre in any way and they needed

support to change a policy of simply protecting car parking income.

"Within the statement from parking services there is no sense of vision for the town centre and how to revitalise it.

Pedestrianisation would not just benefit Blandford residents, but also visitors, and the figure has to be up for negotiation, but it needs higher officer and political support."

He asked whether there would be local support for losing that income without asking the town to pay for it.

Councillor Noc Lacey Clarke said it was something they could take forward eventually, but after fighting for two years for funding for the separate project to replace the town centre paving, it could be difficult.

The Blandford Town Team will be hosting further consultation with the public at the Community Expo in the Corn Exchange on Saturday March 21.

Community assets listed NOMINATIONS by Blandford Town Council for the Knees Up studio behind M&Co and Legion House in Church Lane to be listed as community assets, giving the community the right to bid to buy should they come on the market, have been accepted by Dorset Council.

Consideration is still being given to the listing of the Common Lane car park as a much-needed amenity and services space to the town, the Post Office as much used by the community, the Library with its potential as a town centre community hub, and Nordon, the former home of North Dorset District Council, which town councillors described as a valuable heritage asset which was architecturally special with the potential to be a community hub surrounded by car parking and land in a residential area.

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March 2020

NHS gives green light to chemist shops to merge BOOTS UK's application to 'consolidate' (merge) their two chemist shops in Salisbury Street, Blandford, into one - the former Taylors pharmacy at 10-14 Salisbury Street - has been accepted.

The NHS England South (Wessex) Pharmaceutical Services regulations committee has agreed to the closure of the former Gracey's pharmacy.

They approved the move after hearing representations made by the Blandford Group Practice, which was in favour of the move, and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, which did not feel it would result in a gap in service provision.

But at the time of Forum Focus going to press, NHS England were unable to confirm that Boots' consent to the closing site ceasing to be listed meant that there might be an opportunity for another pharmacy to open in the town.

County Councillor Noc LaceyClarke told town councillors in December that Dorset Council was minded to support the merger of the two Salisbury Street branches provided the licence went on to the open market to allow a competitor to open a chemist store and is not retained as a vacancy by Boots.

Cllr Roger Carter urged him to

ensure that another chemist is opened in town as, with the rising housing numbers, chemists are required. Councillor Hugo Mieville expressed concern about the capacity of the remaining two chemists which were already under pressure.

The committee's decision report stated that no representation was received, despite reminders, from Dorset Council's health and wellbeing board, but it was agreed that it would be unfair on the applicant to delay determination of the application and so proceeded to make a decision using the information before it.

The committee noted the very short distance between the two sites (25 metres), meaning those using one would have not far to go to the other, and the difference in the proposed opening times the remaining site opening 30 minutes later weekdays but staying open later for an extra 60 minutes weekdays.

Also noted was Boots' willingness to consider the opening hours of the remaining site if NHS England requested it.

There would also be no interruption to the provision of the Wessex Pharmacy urgent repeat medicines enhanced service which was commissioned from both sites.

Hunt clash concerns A FULL debrief from Dorset Police is awaited by Blandford Town Council on the confrontation between Portman Hunt riders and protestors at the Boxing Day meet.

Councillor Pat Osborne said: "Our fears were a reality - some protesters were engaged in spooking horses, which was a very dangerous situation. And hunt supporters engaged in an assault on a 60-year-old woman.

"Inspector Perry is going to give us a full debrief. Nine officers didn't stop the situation getting worse. We should really start to be concerned about the public safety from both sides.

"There are impacts felt by them and there is the danger aspect of it to everyone. We do need to maintain pressure to ensure that public safety is maintained."

Councillor Roger Carter said: "It's for the police to decide. We should wait for a full report from the inspector so that we can have an agenda item at a future town council meeting."

The Mayor, Councillor Lynn Lindsay, said: "It is very unfortunate and not acceptable - we have to be aware and raise it at the right time for next year."

Cllr Peter Clark said: "I do like to see what is a very old tradition on Boxing Day. But you have a very small minority of thugs on both sides."

Local band Poacher’s Moon played to a full house when they premiered their new show ‘Seafarers’ at Pimperne. Next stop is Spetisbury on March 7. Full report and details: Page 21.

Crash woman dies A 37-year-old woman from Ringwood, injured in a collision in Sixpenny Handley, died in Southampton General Hospital on February 7.

She was the driver of a red VW Up involved in the collision on the B3081 about 300m south of the Sixpenny Handley roundabout at around 6pm on February 1 which also involved a black Audi A3 and a green Isuzu pick-up.

The male passenger in the VW sustained serious injuries, and the occupants of the Audi, an adult and two children, and male driver of the Isuzu had minor injuries.

Police Sergeant Nikki Burt, of the traffic unit, has appealed for witnesses to the collision and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 1:407.

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Kevin and Julie May in the garden of the Stour Inn at Blandford St Mary, which reopened last month.

March 2020

Opening and closing times at three local pubs AS one Blandford pub closed for refurbishment following its sale, another reopened under new management after being closed for over six months, while a third announced its closure.

The Stour Inn at Blandford St Mary, which closed in February last year after being managed for just under 12 months by Hannah O'Connor and Alex Dolman, was due to reopen on February 20 under the tenancy of Kevin May. He has moved to Dorset with his wife Julie from the Kings Head in Hythe, Kent, to open the Hall & Woodhouse-owned hostelry, and intends to run it once again as a family local.

"We'll be having live music on Sunday afternoons, holding quiz nights alternating with traditional pub game nights, we have brought our chef Josh Allam with us to serve good pub grub, and our hog roast has arrived," said Kevin, who underwent a heart transplant in 2011 and has since won a swimming medal in the world transplant games.

The Kings Arms in Whitecliff Mill Street closed on January 22 following its sale by Star Pubs to a private investor from London, but is due to reopen this month under the management of Matt Clark, who also leases the White Hart in Sturminster Newton, and his brother Jamie.

Matt, who took over the White Hart last September after its closure and sale by Hall & Woodhouse, said: "We didn't

plan on opening another so soon, but couldn't resist the opportunity of the Kings Arms, which will operate as a free house with locally brewed ales."

David Tancock, the tenant for Star Pubs since February 2016, said: "I have wanted to leave for a while, now having a young family, but the amount you put into a place meant it was unlikely I would do so of my own accord.

"What I really want to do now is be a general manager working around 50 hours a week instead of 100 and enjoy a family life as well as work, with another child on the way."

A sale on January 20 resulted in many of his own fixtures and fittings - beds, desks, dressing tables, chairs, stools, farmhouse tables, pictures, fridges and television - being sold.

Nev and Lesley Green, who took over the Farquharson Arms at Pimperne in May 2011, having lived in the village for 10 years, have announced that they will be moving out at the end of April.

When Hall & Woodhouse took over the nearby Anvil in 2016 there were unconfirmed rumours that the Farquharson would be sold, but the Greens were told they could remain as long as they wanted.

Hall & Woodhouse area tenanted property manager Nick Sellick said the pub's future would depend on whether anyone was interested in taking it on.

Leisure cash query BLANDFORD Town Council's continuing annual contribution of ÂŁ50,000 to the Blandford Leisure Centre was queried at the last town council meeting by Councillor Byron Quayle, who said he had been challenged on the expenditure by residents who were unable to use the facility.

Councillor Roger Carter said the centre was punching above its weight and the contribution was very good value for money.

"We took the view ten years ago that we would support it. The NDDC contribution halved and more of the burden fell on local taxpayers.

"We and Charlton Marshall are the only ones whose contribution has stayed at a significant level. At the end of this budget we decide whether to give extended support."

Others commented that they hoped Councillor Quayle had been able to justify the commitment to those who had questioned it.

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March 2020

A decision at last over replacement of paving slabs AFTER years of complaints about the state of the pavements in Blandford town centre, agreement has finally been reached on a possible replacement for the Purbeck stone slabs which have proved liable to breakage and becoming slippery when wet.

Mike Hansford, Dorset Highways asset manager, said: "We've been working with Blandford Town Council for some time now to address concerns about damaged and slippery paving slabs, as well as the visual aesthetics of the asphalt infills currently used for repairs.

"The issue in the town is that, with narrow roads, delivery vehicles have to mount the pavement to ensure other vehicles can get past. “With this in mind, we're looking at an alternative option to

paving slabs to ensure a longlasting, hard-wearing surface, which replicates the appearance of modular paving to protect the town's heritage status.

"Working with the town council, we're aiming to carry out a trial section using an agreed new material this spring."

Blandford's county councillors Nocturin Lacey-Clarke and Byron Quayle have also made replacement of the slabs a priority since being elected, and Cllr Quayle told town councillors last month that the whole project should be carried out in three stages and hopefully completed in the next financial year.

He reported that the material to be used is asphalt, but has the appearance of stone slabs, and that Cabinet member for highways Ray Bryan had said Dorset Council would be footing the bill for the whole project.

Vandals wreck lights NEW festive lighting on the yew trees in front of Blandford parish church was damaged by vandals just before Christmas.

Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles said she was horrified on the Friday before the festive break to see one of the strings was not working, and inspection revealed that the lights had been burnt, cut and smashed.

The new lights had been purchased to replace the blue string LED lights hung over the trees in previous years, but the damage is such that they have been vandalised beyond repair and cannot be used again.

Councillors and members of the public were shocked that anyone could have been so destructive of something many people had found lovely.

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March 2020

A place in the sun beckons for Sue THE manager of the Blandford's Sue Ryder charity shop in Blandford, Jane Rothery, will be off to St Lucia in May, thanks to the World of Furniture store in Shaftesbury Lane.

That was where she purchased the winning ticket in the company's 25-year anniversary prize draw to win a ÂŁ5,000 holiday voucher.

Jane and her husband Andrew, who have always wanted to visit the Caribbean, will be celebrating her birthday there. In February she met World of Furniture owner Mark Hotson and manager Mark Rendell at the Blandford store to celebrate her success.

The independent company's competition ran for the whole of 2019 in their showrooms in Salisbury, Poole, Chandler's Ford and Blandford.

Mr Hotson, who set up the busi-

Holiday draw winner Jane Rothery with Mark Hotson, owner of A World of Furniture, left, and Mark Rendell, manager of the company's Blandford store.

ness with his wife Lucy in Oxfordshire, originally as World of Pine, said: "We wanted to recognise 25 years of trading and celebrate our 25th anniversary with our customers."

A move to the West Country saw them open the Salisbury store in 1994, and as their range increased the name changed to World of Furniture.

One of the Hotsons' great passions is for the countryside, and in 2007 they set up Countrylore Bushcraft, which takes adults and children into the countryside.

They also work with the Trussell Trust to support the delivery of food hampers across three counties, and with the Forestry Commission to link every wooden furniture sale made at each of the stores to the planting of a new tree, of which over 80,000 have now been planted.

Cemetery hedge trim THE hedge alongside the extension to Blandford cemetery is due to be trimmed back during March.

Following an inspection by Blandford Town Council of the hedge and cemetery trees, all of which are subject to a Tree Preservation Order, it was realised that the hedge, which prior to the cemetery extension work was not maintained due to lack of access, needed a bigger reduction than its usual annual trimming.

Agreement was reached with the tree officer that it should be reduced by five feet to its original five-foot height, and the work needs to be done before the official start of the bird nesting season on March 31.

Councillors agreed, subject to approval of the work by Dorset Council, to a budget of up to ÂŁ6,600 for the hedge work and further work to reduce the canopy of the lime trees on the boundary with Shaftesbury Lane, where branches overhanging the road were recently removed.

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March 2020

Katrina murder police explain their actions THE family and friends of murdered Blandford hairdresser Katrina O'Hara were last month again reliving the horror when the inquest was held into her death four years earlier.

After giving evidence at the trial which in August 2016 saw George Stuart Thomas convicted of Katrina's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years, they were giving evidence to Assistant Bournemouth Coroner Brendan Allen at a hearing which started in the first week of February and was expected to last three weeks.

Ms O'Hara, originally from Bathgate, West Lothian, who moved south later in her life to live in Okeford Fitzpaine with her daughter Morgan, was stabbed to death in Jock's Barber Shop in East Street, Blandford, on January 7, 2016, by Thomas, her ex-partner.

Two years after the murder, Dorset Police apologised for failing to protect her, after an IOPC investigation into the way the force handled incidents leading up to the murder highlighted "serious concerns" in the service provided to her.

The jury inquest heard how Ms O'Hara's mobile phone had been taken from her when she reported a call made to her by Thomas after he had been told to have no direct contact with her, and when he tried to call her again, she had to call the police on her daughterin-law's phone.

Her son Dean Stark, 29, said in an inquest statement that his mother and brother Kyle reported Thomas to police after he made the death threats, and police took no action when she told them Thomas had possibly breached a ban on contacting her.

Dean's sister Morgan had received a message from Thomas's daughter saying Ms O'Hara should drop the charges.

Thomas was claimed to have threatened to kill Ms O'Hara by crashing their car into a tree during a drive on Boxing Day 2015, and she made a complaint of harassment to the police on December 29.

The police seized Ms O'Hara's phone as evidence, which meant

that nine days later she was unable to call them when Thomas attacked her.

Sergeant Adam Aggas, who took Ms O'Hara's phone, said the police at that time did not have the resources to provide her with a replacement, but now had a supply of pay-as-you-go mobile phones for the purpose.

Thomas was arrested the following day and interviewed by DC Ian Davies, who said Thomas had denied her claim and had said that he felt like driving into the tree and killing himself. But the officer had no concerns that he would hurt himself.

Detective Sergeant Andrew March said he didn't believe Thomas posed a risk to Ms O'Hara. He was held in custody for six hours out of a possible 24 before being released because there were not enough grounds to hold him. Further victim statements were needed to build a case and the extra hours they could have held him for might not have been long enough.

He had in interview come across as polite and plausible and had passed a mental health assessment, probing whether he needed to be sectioned following his earlier suicidal thoughts.

DC Joanne Lawrence, who sat in on Thomas's interview, said she had checked his history beforehand and was aware of previous convictions involving another person when he was given a restraining order, and of a previous harassment report by Ms O'Hara on Thomas and an incident when it was alleged she had assaulted him.

He was released the same day with conditions that he should not contact Ms O'Hara directly or indirectly, but afterwards indirectly contacted her to try to get her to drop the charges against him.

DC Davies said he called Ms O'Hara's home number that night to let her know but got no reply and did not speak to her until the evening of January 1 when she rang the police contact centre.

He told her Thomas had been released and to dial 999 if he tried to contact her, saying they would need to do phone message downloads and get state-

Katrina O'Hara was killed at the barber shop where she worked (Image: PA) ments before they could charge him and since her daughter was not going to be available, he would visit her on January 9.

Asked by the Coroner if Ms O'Hara had told him during this conversation that she had been contacted by Thomas, he said he did not recall it.

The jury heard the transcript of the call made by Ms O'Hara on her daughter's phone on January 1, six days before her death, in

which she said she had given a police statement 48 hours earlier and been told she would be informed if the person arrested was released on bail.

She said she had not heard anything and did not know if it was safe for her to go home. She was getting messages from the person who was arrested who was blaming her for what he had done and was fearing for her life.

The inquest continues.

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Oven ready: Steve Oxford, of Oxford's Bakery, was the keynote speaker at the family business connect event at the Crown Hotel.

Rail trip for bus buddies NORTH Dorset Railway (NDR) at Shillingstone station were hosts to the 'Buddies-on-the-Bus' unit from Poole Men's Shed of Canford Heath, organised by South East Dorset Community Accessible Transport charity (SEDCAT).

Project co-ordinator Ron Tomlin said: "It was a very interesting visit for our men to see a potential heritage railway being restored totally by volunteers with so many diverse skills."

They were shown around by Jack Bath, trustee, NDR's museum curator, volunteer and training manager, along with Geoff Baker, trustee and plant manager, who showed everyone all the latest track laying by NDRs P-way team.

After touring the station, they retired to the station's café for refreshments served by volunteers and visited the well-stocked shop.

For further information on NDR see their website northdorsetrailway.co.uk or visit the station on Wednesdays or weekends.

March 2020

Baker’s recipe for business success FOURTH generation Dorset baker Steve Oxford was the keynote speaker at a free family business event held in the Crown Hotel, Blandford, by chartered accountants and business advisers PKF Francis Clark.

It was the latest in a series of such occasions organised by the south-west accountancy firm as it looks to bring together family businesses for the common good.

Steve, whose family business, artisan English bakery Oxford's, is based at Alweston, near Sherborne, and dates back to 1911, shared some of the secrets of its success, longevity and family values.

Steve, who is known as the original 'on-stage baker', gave an insight into how Oxford's have adapted to move with the times while keeping traditional family values - now also offering lunch-

es, bakery courses and demonstrations.

The business event included a talk, break-out groups and networking opportunities.

James Robinson, managing partner at PKF Francis Clark's Poole office, said: "This event was aimed at family businesses of two generations or more, giving them an opportunity to share experiences and discuss issues that are unique to working in a family business.

"The Dorset region is predominantly made up of businesses owned and managed by families and employing a high percentage of the county's workforce.

"Running a family business can be a hugely complex process, with many different relationships and issues which are not always present in a non-family enterprise."

Council tax set to rise DORSET Council has confirmed a 3.996 per cent increase in its share of council tax, including a two per cent increase for health and social care, making an average Band D council tax contribution £1,695 a year to the total of £305m.

Dorset's Police and Crime Panel has approved an average £10 a year increase in the contribution for Dorset Police, and Wiltshire

and Dorset Fire Authority has approved an average £5 a year increase, taking the Band D charge to £76.36.

Blandford Town Council has confirmed its precept as £801,180, an increase of 1.11 per cent on the current year, which equates to an increase of £2.49 per Band D property on this year's £224.64, taking the total Band D charge in Blandford to just over £2,260.

Dog rules to be clarified A CONSULTATION on the county's Dog Related Public Space Protection Order is currently being carried out by Dorset Council and will remain open until April 19.

A new order will provide clarity and consistency across the area for dog owners and non-owners alike about dog controls on public open spaces, which previously were covered by the former authorities which have now become part of the unitary authority.

It covers restrictions on dogs in public places and topics such as fouling and lead length and can be found in consultations under Your Council on the Dorset for You website.

TOWN councillors agreed unanimously at their meeting in January that they would not seek to increase the allowance they receive in line with a 50 per cent increase suggested and recommended by the Dorset Parish Independent Remuneration Panel.

The current allowance agreed in 2017 is £350, a £50 increase on the previous maximum allowance.

IMAGES of a farm vehicle being stolen were released by police investigators who urged residents to get in touch with any information that could help them catch the thieves.

They stole a cattle box in the Langton Long area in the early hours of Tuesday January 14.

Anyone with information was asked to call 101, quoting occurrence 55200015238.

March 2020

Artsreach mark a 30-year milestone DORSET-based charity Artsreach continues its 30th anniversary year in Blandford on March 10 at 2pm with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra trio's Cake Concert at Blandford Community Centre in Heddington Drive.

The concert, part of a series established in partnership with Dementia Friends and the Alzheimer's Society, is aimed at the needs of those living with dementia and others for whom accessing an evening concert can prove challenging.

All are welcome, whether living in the community or in care and residential homes, to enjoy a selection of works on flute, harp and cello, from popular classical hits to light film music.

It is well documented that music can remind people with dementia of past experiences and enable them to better communicate and connect, and the concerts have a profound effect on movement and audience members. For tickets and further details call 01258

480698 or see bsolive.com Elsewhere in the area, Tangle Theatre Company present 'Volpone' at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton on Friday March 6; and on Sunday March 8 at Child Okeford village hall the virtuoso guitar and fiddle players from folk band Shenanigans, Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, will be promoting their new album 'Pill Pilots', the highly-skilled mariners who guided tall ships through the treacherous waters of the Bristol Channel and the River Avon.

Owdyado Theatre present 'Twisted Tales 2' at Winterborne Stickland village hall on Friday March 13; The Cajun Roosters Trio will be at Sturminster Marshall village hall on Saturday March 14 and at Ashmore village hall on Sunday March 15; and Rhodri Miles appears as 'Shylock' in Tarrant Gunville village hall on Friday March 20. All shows start at 7.30pm, and further details can be found at artsreach.co.uk.

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Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, of folk band Shenanigans, will be at Child Okeford village hall on March 8.

Andy’s a digital champion AN essential guide to help people take steps to protect themselves from cyber and identity crime, released from the British Computer Society, has been co-written and edited by a volunteer digital champion with Dorset Council.

Andy Taylor works as a full-time independent information security adviser following a career in the Royal Navy, and is one of the 75 digital champions volunteering in Dorset libraries to help people with computers, tablets, phones and more, based at Sherborne on a voluntary basis.

To get help from a digital champion call 01305 221048 to be matched with a friendly volunteer in your own area or visit Blandford Library.

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Kate Adie (left) and Community Kitchen representative Susanne Tun Pe (right) with the Mayor, Lynn Lindsay and the £900 cheque.

Kate’s happy assignment THERE was a sell-out audience for the visit of Kate Adie to Blandford Corn Exchange.

She was the chief news correspondent for BBC News between 1989 and 2003, during which time she reported from war zones around the world.

Now a presenter of From Our Own Correspondent on BBC Radio 4, she spoke about her books and experiences as BBC correspondent.

Blandford Mayor, Cllr Lynn Lindsay, presented Kate with an orchid and thanked her for giving her time free of charge, resulting in a cheque for £900 being presented to her chosen charity of the year, the Community Kitchen.

March 2020

Café owner’s plea over planning plight THE owner of a town centre café, which has remained closed since the lease was sold, pleaded with town councillors to support his plans for renovations to the property, which have faced opposition from planning officers.

Jerry Soylemez, who also runs Jerry's Café at 10 West Street, described the difficulties he was experiencing in bringing Café Soba, currently boarded up next door at 8 West Street, back into use.

He claimed he had been treated unfairly and with racist abuse over his applications to make alterations to the listed property, saying nothing of major historical significance had been removed and he had incurred a lot of expense because it had remained closed for three years.

"My existing business is paying for the empty one," he said. "I am deeply upset and disappointed."

Planning committee vice-chairman Roger Carter said they could not accept criticism of a county officer who was not present to

defend themselves and explained there were regulations which had to be followed in relation to a listed building in the conservation area.

Mr Soylemez's application last year to extend the café to the first floor was withdrawn after conservation objections, although the town council made no objection.

Councillors agreed unanimously to make no objection to the current retrospective application to remove two fireplaces and chimneybreast in the rear ground floor.

His agent from Sibbett Gregory has said: "Removal of this false, non-loadbearing chimneybreast structure represents 'less than substantial harm' to the fabric of the historic asset. Reinstating a false chimneybreast (to match that removed), would not benefit the property in any way."

Later in the meeting members again expressed concern at the number of applications which still await determination, and particularly some of those requiring listed building consent.

Travel firm pleased with new location SPEAR Travels, who opened their new branch in West Street, Blandford, in January, are delighted by the welcome they have received from customers after their relocation from Sturminster Newton.

Manager Jed WakefieldCoombes said business has been brisk since the day they opened and they were glad to help boost the town's economy.

"This is an exciting opportunity to bring the best of world travel to Blandford and we look forward to welcoming clients to our new store," he said.

Jed was previously with Hays Travel in Blandford so knows the town well and has been joined by an expert team of Shelley, Leah and Mina who have moved from Sturminster Newton.

The team has over 38 years' experience in travel between

them, with specialisms in ocean and river cruises, USA and Canada, European city breaks, ski, safari, and a range of European and worldwide destinations.

The award-winning independent travel agents - holding the record for most consecutive wins by a UK travel agent in the British Travel Awards - have 12 branches from Dorset to Yorkshire.

Their consultants are encouraged to travel to destinations across the globe gaining specialist knowledge and experience, and as an independent travel group, Spear Travel can offer holidays from a larger range of travel companies than being tied to specific tour operators.

"We take our responsibilities for ensuring our clients have the best possible holiday experience very seriously," says group operations director, Trevor Davis.

WORK is due to start in the middle of March on the public art installation at Badbury Heights Persimmon estate, which will be sited on the landscaped area bordering with Shaftesbury Lane. The installation was a condition of planning approval for the estate which resulted in a sum being allocated for public art which needed to be spent by 2020 or returned to the developers.

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March 2020

Staff praised as Ofsted gives Forum School a good report THE latest Ofsted inspection of The Forum School at Shillingstone has found it 'good' after a series of judgements of inadequate and in need of improvement between 2016 and 2018.

The residential school for children aged seven to 19 with autistic spectrum disorder, which was judged 'outstanding' in 2012, is run by Cambian Education, and was inspected in December last year when there were 25 pupils on roll, including 13 in the sixthform.

The inspectors found it was "wellled, full of hope and optimism",

and staff worked there because they were determined to make a difference to pupils' lives and went above and beyond to help pupils to gain confidence and move forward, no matter what challenges they faced.

Lead inspector Tonwen Empson reported: "Following some changes to leadership, the school is now more settled. Leaders know that it is important to embed the leadership roles so that everyone is clear about their responsibilities and the school continues to improve.

"Learning is relevant and meaningful. As a result, pupils gain

TOWN councillors and Yuletide Festival organisers have agreed that in December this year the Christmas tree lighting event should combine with the Yuletide Festival on an earlier date of Friday, December 4.

It will mean a big saving on costs for the council of staff overtime and provision of entertainment, and a saving in demands on volunteers.

There will be a separate civic carol service on December 16, to which the mayors and chairmen of other Dorset authorities will be invited.

confidence and learn more about how they can live as independently as they are able."

The inspectors said the curriculum was carefully structured with clear pathways towards further education, supported living and employment.

Pupils learned to respect one another and behave well, and staff adapted their communication methods and were flexible about where and when learning took place, working alongside pupils with care and patience to help them do more and learn new real-life skills such as planning, shopping for and preparing their meals, maintaining bicycles and caring for the horses within the safe environment of the school.

They then gradually withdrew so that pupils could do more for themselves, and pupils could venture further, developing confidence in their ability to live and participate in their local community.

A choir for all-comers A COMMUNITY choir, Chase Gospel, is being launched to serve the churches in the Chase Benefice. Its repertoire will be broad, Christian and secular.

There will be no auditions and no need to read music.

Conductor Shirley Bragg says: "Simply enjoying singing and a positive attitude are the only requirements. There is a good core of singers who are already committed, and anyone interested will be made welcome and feel supported as they sing."

It is free to join and will be launched on Sunday March 29 at the 10.30am morning service at Farnham Church.

An introductory rehearsal at 7.30pm on Thursday March 5 in Tarrant Gunville village hall and each Thursday in March for anyone who would like to give it a go will be followed by rehearsals on the four Thursdays leading up to the fifth Sundays in March, May, August and November.

For further details call 01258 830941 or email sandrbragg@gmail.com.

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Poppy stalwarts’ service recognised with awards BLANDFORD Royal British Legion branch members gathered at Legion House to see long-service awards presented

by Poppy Appeal organiser Robert Taylor to collectors who

Pam Rees with her 40-year award

had helped them raise a record £24,128 in the Blandford district last year.

Among the recipients were Pam Rees with her 40th year award, former poppy appeal organiser David Jardine, receiving his 35year bar, Marie and Ron Parsons their 30th year award, Tony Lucas his 25-year award and Jackie Vacher her 15-year award.

There was also recognition for the two Blandford Masonic Lodges, Honour & Friendship and Bleckley Clark, for their support, for Clayesmore School, represented by Amelia and Henry, and for Tony Harrison and his predecessor Annette Holmes from the Gorge Café for collections spanning nearly 40 years.

In attendance was Clare Peppiatt, fundraising manager for the south-west, who showed a video demonstrating the impact of the poppy appeal in funding the work of the Legion. She said it was an honour to meet them all, telling them: "You are the lifeblood of the RBL. We could not do what we do without you."

March 2020

Marie and Ron Parsons with their 30-year medals, presented by Blandford and District Poppy appeal organiser Robert Taylor (centre).

Amelia, right, and Henry, from Clayesmore School receive the school's certificate of appreciation from Clare Peppiatt, RBL fundraising manager for the south-west.

Funding views sought PEOPLE have until March 11 to tell Dorset Council what funding it should give to the voluntary community sector (VCS).

A survey on the Dorset for You website invites views on the Voluntary Community Sector grants review which aims to offer equal opportunities to VCS organisations in the new Dorset Council area. Individual councils invested a combined total of £1.9m in the sector last year, but in varying proportions.

The council is consulting stakeholders on the amalgamation of a range of existing funds into three categories: earmarked funds, a revenue grant scheme and a capital grant scheme.

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March 2020

Solar power can play a role in the war on climate change in Dorset AROUND 60 people gathered in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel for a two-hour brainstorming session on how local and national government and individuals could tackle the climate crisis, and to hear what progress had been made since a similar meeting in Sturminster Newton last year.

Following an introduction from MP Simon Hoare, who was joined on the front table by Ray Bryan, chairman of Dorset Council's climate change and ecological emergency executive advisory panel, they separated into groups discussing such topics as food and farming, transport, housing, education, recycling and policy making.

There were representatives from across the county, including members of the Green Party, the Labour Party and Sustainable Dorset.

Councillor Bryan said councils need to plan to create a better environment than the one they had inherited.

Dorset Council was considering more tree planting, a better public transport service with corresponding increase in car parking charges to reduce the use of private cars, reduction in single-use plastic and a new energy contract to be agreed in September, and the need to create hubs of information and to listen to young people.

Mr Hoare agreed access to information and better promotion of what was being done were priorities, as was 'rural proofing' of any decisions taken to bear in mind the particular needs of a rural community.

Meanwhile the developers of a large solar farm at South Farm, Spetisbury, which was recently granted planning permission by Dorset Council, have highlighted the number of jobs as well as 40MW of clean electricity which will be generated by the scheme.

Simon Holt from Voltalia UK said: "We are pleased to have reached this milestone for an important

renewable energy generation project, with a lot of support from the local community. The scheme will directly contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity in Dorset and the south-west in general.

"We have demonstrated that large-scale projects can be sensitively sited within the countryside and need not have unacceptable environmental impacts. The South Farm project will not rely on customer subsidies to deliver clean electricity which makes an important step in the next generation of clean energy projects of this type."

He added: "As we move forward into the implementation phase

this year, we will be looking for local partners to work with us to deliver this scheme and other UK projects."

Colin Virtue from Pegasus Group, who made the application on behalf of Voltalia, added: "Dorset Council has declared a climate emergency and this project will make a valuable contribution to the generation of renewable and low-carbon electricity at a local level."

Cllr Bryan said: "We aim to work in partnership with many more businesses and organisations in the future to achieve our ambition of helping Dorset communities become carbon-neutral as quickly as possible."

BLANDFORD artists are invited to enter an original work for a competition entitled 'The Railway in Blandford' to be exhibited at the Blandford Town Museum in September.

Pictures must reflect the presence and influence of the railway on Blandford. The competition is part of the ongoing Art at the Museum programme and is in association with the Blandford Railway Club who will provide a trophy for a work won by public vote. Entry forms giving full details will be available from April 1 at Blandford Town Museum.

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Readers’ letters

Hospital worries A WORD of warning: the respiratory clinic at Blandford Hospital has now been closed.

This means that patients with illnesses such as lung cancer, asthma, COPD and other related problems will now have to travel to Dorchester to see a consultant.

The clinics there are already oversubscribed and crowded, so this move will only put more pressure on them. Waiting times will be longer to get an appointment and when you get there.

Before the Blandford clinic opened, I know patients whose appointments ran four hours late.

The upshot of this will be that both patients and staff will become stressed.

How can they justify this move?

In the long term more patients will end up being admitted as emergencies - that will cost a lot more than any short-term savings.

Call me cynical if you like, but is this the first step to closing more services at Blandford and maybe eventually the hospital? Just a thought.

Janet Collins, Durweston

Still hope for Nordon IT is now 12 months since North Dorset District Council's planning committee voted to approve the demolition of Nordon and redevelopment of the site.

Approval was granted in the face of considerable local opposition to the plan, which will include removal of many of the mature trees on the site and damage to the wildlife habitat.

But the decision on the outline planning application has not yet been issued. We don't know why, but as long as it has not been, and no detailed planning application has been submitted and approved, there is still hope and still time for you to support us by signing the petition and helping us to the 5,000 signatures we need.

March 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

We would like to encourage the planners and developers to create a more imaginative and appropriate plan for re-use of this important site in the heart of Blandford's Conservation Area.

You can sign the petition in person at Blandford Museum in Bere's Yard or you can find the petition online at Change.org search for 'Nordon'.

Very many thanks to all those who have supported us.

Mike Field Address supplied

Storage dilemma A COMMON problem for the vast majority of clubs and associations in and around Blandford is the serious lack of storage for essential equipment and items.

Most have to rely on members keeping as much as they can manage in spare rooms, sheds and garages until required and then hoping against hope that all the relevant pieces turn up when needed.

This is a constant problem for Blandford Evening WI. To try to alleviate the problem Blandford Evening WI is asking all organizations with similar difficulties to contact them on email (blandfordeveningwi@dorsetwi.or g) so that a united case can be put forward to the relevant authority for aid in locating and securing appropriate communal storage.

If this problem affects your club, society or organisation, Blandford Evening WI would be pleased to hear from you.

Sheila Chapman, Treasurer, Blandford Evening WI

Parking headache WHEN are the council going to do something about the car parks in Blandford?

I pay a yearly fee to park my car every day for a year yet we are not guaranteed a space, which means if someone else uses that space the council get paid twice for the same space.

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.

It is not right for them to get paid twice for a space.

Other parts of the same car park for which residents do not pay say 'residents only'. Why do we not get the same?

Please help those of us using Station Court car park to sort this.

Name & address supplied.

Funding diverted I READ with interest the article in February's Forum Focus concerning car parking in Blandford Forum.

As usual the perennial cry of lack of funding was hinted at.

However, councillors and the general public should be aware that in the last six years of its life North Dorset District Council had a surplus of over ÂŁ1 million in their car parking account that could have been used for improvements to car parking, cycle lanes, traffic management etc but they chose to divert that surplus to other matters!

John Turnbull Queens Road, Blandford

Help for women MY name is Nicola Orman and I am a support group facilitator with Dorset Mind. We have started a wellbeing support group for women in Blandford.

Our research has indicated that there is great deal of interest in this type of group in the area and we are reaching out to the com-

munity to advertise its beginning so that those who are interested become aware of it.

According to the Mental Health Forum one in four women are likely to be treated for depression as compared to one in ten men.

In addition, women are twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders as men: approximately 60 per cent of people with phobias or obsessive compulsive disorder are women. Women are also more likely to be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder.

Good social support can help to maintain good mental wellbeing and help people recover from mental health problems. The Blandford support group is facilitated by a mental health professional who leads a discussion or activity on a subject designed to make a positive difference to participants' mental health.

The group runs once a fortnight on the second Friday morning of the month between 10am and 12 noon at the Blandford Youth Centre, Milldown Rd, Blandford Forum DT11 7DB. The next group is on Friday March 13. For further details, call 07864 612732.

Nicola Orman

Plant plans ON behalf of the Butterfly Conservation Barberry Carpet moth project, can I thank Forum Focus for giving space to our appeal for people to plant barberry?

A number of enquiries have been made to the project co-ordinator and no doubt further local sites for planting will be identified shortly. Thank you to all those readers who responded.

Antony Argles

March 2020

New attractions at fashion museum BLANDFORD Fashion Museum opened its doors for the season after its winter closure and spring clean with two fascinating new exhibits on display.

The first, 'Boys and Girls Come Out to Play' on the ground floor, features children's clothing and accessories from the 1830s to the 1960s.

Out from storage have come the museum's ample collection of child-sized mannequins - many of them 'rescued' from fashion store Gemini when it closed in Salisbury Street - to be dressed in clothing of yesteryear and shown playing with a hobby horse, a charming little pram, and the popular playground game of the 60s, cat's cradle.

There's also a moving story behind the little boy's sailor suit worn by a young man whose dream was to join the Navy, and who during World War II qualified as a submariner, only to be lost at the age of 20 when his craft went missing, never to be found.

The second, 'Make Do and Mend', focuses on the late 1940s, when materials were

scarce after the war and there was much imaginative recycling highly topical in these days of 'reuse, repair and recycle' and response to the climate emergency.

Dresses made of parachute silk with an activity table inviting people to figure out how many pieces of parachute silk they need to make up a particular pattern - a collection of buttons, threads and sewing needles used for repairing garments, instructions on making a string bag, hand-made crocheted gloves and a hand-made wedding outfit used in a civil marriage ceremony in Egypt.

The museum is now open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4.30pm - and there is a delightful tearoom where cakes are on offer, as well as teas and coffees.

A manager is still being sought for the tearoom by the museum, together with people to serve as volunteers and trustees. For further information call 01258 453006.

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Above: The man in his demob suit is carrying a 1945 copy of the Coventry Evening Telegraph's report of VE Day celebrations. Left: A young lady out with her pram. Below: Out to play at the Blandford Fashion Museum.

Players seek actors AS part of the 90th year celebrations of Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic Society (SNADS), their spring production in May will be two one-act plays - very different tales set approximately 90 years apart.

The first is a rustic comedy 'Soon To Be Wedded' by F. Morton Howard and is the story of a young woman and her quest to snare a husband.

The second play 'Taken To Tusk' by Troy Banyan is a story of Sharon who lives with her grandmother. Neither of them have seen Sharon's mother for years, until now.

At present the group is especially keen to find new male actors for the spring production. Auditions are at The Exchange on March 11 at 7.30pm. To find out more contact Annie at Annie@fiddlers.eclipse.co.uk or Toby at tobydrg@gmail.com.

EFFORTS by Blandford's town and county councillors to secure safety improvements at the junction of Langton Road with Blandford bypass by introducing 'no right turn' from Langton Long onto the bypass and from the bypass towards Langton Long have been rejected by highway planners, but the situation is being monitored. The town council has now sought the support of the local county councillor.

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March 2020

Happiness grows in a secret garden WALK past the Blandford Town Museum in Bere's Yard to the end of the car park and you'll find the Victorian garden, created and maintained by a group of volunteers who are allied to the museum.

They come from diverse backgrounds with ages from five to over 80. Membership continues to thrive like the garden itself: there are some changes each year and many constants, but never enough hands for all their ambitious projects, yet the garden always seem to delight visitors.

Member Mary Phipps said: "In winter we're less active in the garden and concentrate on fundraising and other events. We also decide what to grow and pool our ideas for future changes.

"To get a sense of where we are now, our current members each spelt out what they like about the garden and what it gives them.

All love the garden and find it a relaxing and beautiful green space.

"They like creating a special oasis and sharing it with the wider community. On a personal level, most frequently mentioned was lifted spirits, having fun, and

Victorian Garden members celebrate their tenth annual Potato Day with representatives of Pennards Plants. giving to the community. There was only one mention of cake!

"Knowing how valuable our group is to its members strengthens our efforts to develop the garden and share it with as many as we can from the wider community."

The garden will be open again in the spring, and at their tenth annual Potato Day at Pimperne Village Hall in association with Pennards Plants, members were joined by representatives of the

Dorset Wildlife Trust and The Woodland Trust.

When the doors opened on the garden's main annual fundraising event, there was a queue of regular and new customers out across the car park, and over

130 entered in the first hour.

Business was brisk over the collection of potatoes, onions and bulbs on offer, and there was a raffle, tombola, and tree identification quiz hosted by arboriculturalist Mark Hinsley.

A MILITARY aviation exercise will operate from Blandford Camp from March 30 to April 3. Up to eight helicopters will routinely operate between the hours of 1000-0100. Helicopter routing will be designed to minimise disruption to the local population, but those in the immediate vicinity of the Camp may experience some disturbance.

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March 2020

Café team put the focus on bike repairs THE Blandford Repair Café was all about bicycles on February 2, and people were encouraged to come to learn about bike repair and maintenance.

And adopting the missing 'R' of the recycling mantra 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle', other items were welcomed for 'Repair', with past fixes including an electric mixer, vacuum cleaner and torn clothing.

There was also a sewing demonstration and an opportunity for people to learn how to make shopping bags from recycled material.

All repairs and demonstrations are free. Visitors are encouraged to stay for tea, cake and a raffle at the next event on Sunday April 5 at the Blandford Scout Hut in Eagle House Gardens from 10am to 3pm, which will be followed by one on Sunday June 7.

To get involved or find out more, search 'Blandford Repair Café' on Facebook.

Lorraine Parkhouse at the sewing machine.

Dan Baker helping with electrical appliances.

Sacred music concert CELEBRATE the mystery of Holy Week at a concert on Sunday April 5 in the presence of the Twelve Apostles who gaze down from the roof of the beautiful church of St John the Baptist, Bere Regis.

Canzonetta, the Dorset-based female vocal ensemble, will sing the glorious sacred music of Eastertide, including a newly commissioned piece for Palm Sunday by Dr Richard Hall, director of the Dorset Rural Music School in Blandford, who will be playing the organ.

The programme features classics by Pergolesi, Mozart, Brahms, Franck and some less well-known delights from contemporary composers Gjeilo and Karl Jenkins.

The concert, starting at 3pm, is free with a retiring collection in aid of the church. Tea will be served afterwards. More information about Canzonetta can be found at canzonettadorset.com.

THE annual Pheasant Fest at the Baker Arms in Child Okeford took place on February 8 in support of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, which over the years has received over £16,250 from the event.

Visitors were asked for a one-off donation of £7 for as much as they could eat of dishes served by volunteers as starter portions and cooked with meat prepared and frozen as soon as it arrived, donated by local shoots and game keepers and served by volunteers.

There was also a raffle and auction.

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A journey to the past A PACKED audience in Blandford Parish Centre was treated to a fascinating journey through millions of years of evolution in a lecture for Blandford Museum by anthropologist Professor Peter Andrews and artist Flick Baker (pictured) on 'Fossils, Fruits and Forests'.

Professor Andrews traced, through skulls and Powerpoint presentations, the development from apes and/or monkeys towards homo sapiens, from fossil finds of proconsuls up to 22 million years old in Kenya, through Ardipithecus from 4 million years later found in Ethiopia and a Neanderthal murder victim 40,000 years ago found in Belgium.

Mrs Baker, whose illustrations have been on display throughout March in Blandford Museum, described how she had studied the noses of monkeys and muscles of chimpanzees, researching to establish what the faces of the ancestors of man might have looked like, place them in their correct environment to illustrate the book the pair are working on, and in the last case what might have happened.

March 2020

Concert in church THE Dorset County Orchestra will be visiting Blandford Parish Church on March 7 for the first time in many years to give their spring concert.

The orchestra, which rehearses in Tarrant Keyneston village hall on Saturdays, was founded in 1951 at the instigation of the then county music organiser, Joan Brocklebank, and is made up of semi-professional and amateur musicians from all over Dorset, giving usually three concerts a year.

They will be conducted by Arturo Serna, with soloists Russell Shipley and Nigel Salmon. The programme includes Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti Overture, Mendelssohn's Two Concert Pieces for Clarinet and Bassett Horn and Berlioz' Symphony Fantastique.

Tickets are ÂŁ12 on the door with under-18s free with a paying adult, or ÂŁ10 in advance from Moonfleet in Blandford, the Parish Office and the Dorset Rural Music School.

Thrill of the Chase THE Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is offering a free oneday training course to teachers of all age groups in and around Cranborne Chase, to capitalise on the extraordinary, unique heritage of the area.

Delivered by Historic England's Local Heritage Education Manager, Michael Gorely, it will suggest places to get started with a local heritage study and show teachers techniques and

ideas to extend children's understanding of how people lived in the past.

The available training dates are Tuesday March 24 (Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury), Wednesday March 5 (Blandford Town Hall) from 9.30am to 3pm or Thursday April 2 (Salisbury Museum) from 10am to 3pm.

For more information and to book call 01725 517417 or email the team support officer at sarahforwood@cranbornechase.org.uk.

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March 2020

Threatened pillbox rescued at last OVERGROWN sycamore trees threatening a Grade II listed World War II pillbox in Blandford have at last been felled by Blandford & District Civic Society.

The pillbox, built in the 1940s as part of the defences which were listed by English Heritage (now Historic England) ten years ago, because of its declining condition was originally excluded from the listing but later included in 2014.

The society has since fought unsuccessfully to persuade BT to fell the large self-seeded multistemmed sycamore threatening it in the grounds of the telephone exchange in Shorts Lane.

Persistent attempts by society member Michael Le Bas and North Dorset District Council's enforcement team to engage with BT came to nought, and in 2017 the Society, with the help of local arboriculturist Mark Hinsley, successfully sought permission for the tree, and a second which had sprouted in the meantime, to be removed.

But still BT could not be persuaded to action the work or give the society permission to do so - until

last year when an application was made by BT themselves to carry out works on other trees in the grounds which were overhanging a neighbouring property.

Civic Society secretary Nicci Brown said: "We made contact with their agent, who in turn put us in touch with their area manager, and managed to secure permission for the work to be carried out by an authorised tree surgeon.

"Unfortunately BT, whom we considered responsible for the maintenance of a listed property on their land, was still unwilling to do it and unable to make any financial contribution towards cost."

What had become a fivestemmed sycamore, together with the second threatening the pillbox from the opposite side, were finally removed in December.

"We are very grateful to the Blandford Historic Buildings Trust for their donation of £214 towards the £856 cost," said Ms Brown.

The Society is now considering planting a replacement tree elsewhere in the town to mark its 50th anniversary later this year.

The sycamores threatening the ivy-covered pillbox which have now been felled.

Golfers’ charity target Hugh Shackell, chairman of Knees Up Healthy Living, receives a cheque for £1,220 from Robin Morris, 2019 seniors' captain of Ashley Wood Golf Club, representing funds raised for the charity during the last year.

Mr Shackell said: "We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the club's members which will be a much-needed boost to the charity's funds."

Also present were Dorset County Hospital cardio rehab nurse Susanne Merewether, cardio rehab instructor Caroline Croucher and class members.

Knees Up provides a wide range of exercise classes for the over-55s, including circuits, pilates, tai chi, line dancing, Silver Swans, balance, strength and flexibility and pulmonary.

To find out more check the website, knees-up.co.uk, find them on Facebook or call in at the studio (behind M&Co) and pick up a leaflet.

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March 2020

Could you rehome a pet like Starfox?

MARGARET Green Animal Rescue rehomes and rescues around 1,200 animals a year from its sites at Church Knowle near Wareham, Lincoln Farm in Winterborne Kingston, and Wingletang, Devon.

One adoptive dog owner from Blandford is urging people to consider giving a home to an unwanted dog or other pet from the centre after taking in an eightyear-old chihuahua, Starfox, which has made them both very happy.

"He loves it here and I love him.

But his friends at the centre still need to find homes to make them happy too," said Starfox's owner, who asked to remain anonymous.

The charity has recently refurbished its welcome unit at the Church Knowle rehoming and visitor centre, which is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free, although donations are welcome, and

items such as scratching posts, toys, beds, cat litter trays and litter are sold to those rehoming a pet so that the proceeds can be used to help animals at the centre.

There is also a history timeline informing visitors about how the charity started and ways of supporting it, such as sponsoring an animal.

A spokesman for the charity said: "People visiting the centre are helping us to continue to care for animals like Smudge and William, two rather plump cats that needed to go on their diets immediately when they came into rescue.

"Ten-year-old Smudge weighed an enormous 8.3kg when he first came in due to being overfed by his owner and needed to be put on a low-calorie diet which cut out treats completely. As he gradually lost weight he was able to exercise more and has recently found a new home where he is

Six-year-old chihuahua Starfox has found a new and loving home in Blandford. continuing his weight loss journey."

Eight-year-old William was a very unhealthy 7.5kg when he was brought in, but with his personalised fitness plan he is now down to 5.47kg.

The spokesman said: "Overweight cats can develop heart problems due to the extra strain. It can also be extremely difficult for them to groom themselves which is a normal behaviour cats display so that they do not get too matted."

Rex, a four-year-old terrier, came into the Wingletang rescue and rehoming centre's care in December after being found in an appalling state, and a public appeal raised ÂŁ2,900 for his treatment by their vet, including operations to treat and remove an ear infection. He was left with

such bad scarring that he now has no eyelids and struggles to even blink.

A shelter spokesman said: "Rex is such a loving, affectionate soul who loves nothing more than sitting on a lap and having cuddles, which he has been receiving in abundance.

"He has been pampered with daily facials that moisturise his delicate skin around his face. He has now been found a new home and will be able to continue on his road to recovery in an environment which will be better for him.

"Sadly, this isn't the first time this year that the charity have seen injuries like this and they really hope that it isn't going to become a frequent sight. Seeing animals in this much distress is heartbreaking for everyone."

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March 2020

Seafarers’ full house

Fashion on show

A FULL house greeted Poacher's Moon at Pimperne village hall for the premiere of their new show 'Seafarers' - a combination of songs, stories and social history and commentary exploring the subject of all things maritime.

With only a few minor first-night hitches, it sailed through in the style we have come to expect of their special 'concept' performances - from Captain James Cook's explorations via slave ships, John Harrison's development of the longitude clock to save sailors' lives, to the Common Fisheries Policy and its impact on the fishing industry.

Along the way there were stories of Georgian press gangs, the Napoleonic war and Waterloo, of smuggling, including Isaac Gulliver, and of storms, whaling, lighthouses, the herring girls, and shipwrecks including the loss of Royal Adelaide on Chesil Beach in 1872 and of the Union Star and Penlee Lifeboat crew of the Solomon Brown in 1981.

With projected images and lyrics

THE Friends of Blandford Hospital fashion show taking place at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton, on Friday March 13 and featuring 'new to you' clothing, accessories and jewellery for the spring and summer season, will be its last.

There will be outfits for every occasion from casual and work wear to elegant evening wear and wedding outfits, showcasing the best that the hospital's two charity shops have to offer, modelled by a team of volunteer men and women.

All clothing modelled will be on sale at the end of the evening show, which will be followed by a clothing sale in the Exchange from 10am to 12 noon the following day.

For tickets, priced £5, call into the hospital charity shops in Sturminster Newton and Blandford or to main reception at the hospital or the Exchange.

Tickets remaining on the day will be £7.50. For more information see friendsofblandford.org.uk or call 01258 451456.

Poacher's Moon in 'Seafarers'. of the songs and music penned

by John Anderson, it was beautifully performed by him, his wife Caroline, daughter Louise Mitchell, tenor Ray Tower, Elspeth Gracie and narrator Peter Coley on a variety of instruments including guitars, keyboard, percussion, fiddle, flute and recorder.

John thanked Julie and John Jenner for their help in organising the evening, Joe Walklin for lighting, photography and effects which included a revolving light-

house, and Peter Aston their sound engineer.

The next performance is at Spetisbury village hall on March 7, and tickets are available at Marcia's Farm Shop in Spetisbury, on the door, or can be reserved by ringing Caroline on 01258 488640.

Their tour of Dorset, from which all proceeds after costs will go towards the work of the RNLI, includes a performance at Child Okeford village hall on May 23.

22

The View from the Hill

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

T

HE 2020 calving season began on February 3 and we had six births in the first week. With 55 cows and heifers expected to calve by the end of March, we could have around one per day to look forward to for a few weeks.

Each calf has to be given those hideous yellow tags to identify them, one is required in each ear. Strict identification of every animal became a legal requirement in the wake of the BSE crisis many years ago.

The cows are being fed on hay this year, rather than silage which they were last year, and in most previous years. We are trying to reduce the amount of plastic we use, even though the film we use to seal the silage bales gets recycled into useful products. Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle is the latest version of the well-known maxim I learnt at a climate/environment meeting in Blandford last Saturday.

The plastic and the work of wrapping the bales costs around ÂŁ4 per bale. Also the hay is lower in protein than silage, and a high-protein diet makes the cows' poo very wet, so they need more straw to soak it up and keep the bedding dry. Hay is therefore reducing our use of straw, with another cost implication.

March 2020 To help us to move towards reducing soil disturbance, we visited a farm demonstration where several designs of seed drill were on display, some working in the soil which was slightly damper than ideal for drilling.

The right design of direct drill could save us cultivation costs and help us to capture and keep more carbon in the soil. Watch this space. Perhaps the way forward will have to include having two drills in order to deal with all circumstances.

Disadvantages are that hay needs to be stored indoors, and undercover space is something we are short of, so several machines have had to spend the winter outside, and reducing the usage of straw means that we will have less manure to put on the land to fertilise crops next season.

None of these decisions are straightforward!

Loving licks from a new mum.

By the end of February we will be thinking about applying some nitrogen fertiliser to the oilseed rape. Nitrogen testing of the soils in fields where our winter barley is growing has shown that there is very little nitrogen left in the soil after all the wet weather, so the recommendation is that we should apply slightly more artificial than usual, to achieve the right balance between yield and nitrogen content of the grain, always vital in malting barley crops. Too much Nitrogen causes cloudy beer, not a good sales technique. The testing costs ÂŁ125 per sample, so this admittedly rather inaccurate science is not employed in very many fields every year, but

Mowing the cover crops.

it shows we are trying to get the job right.

Our carbon-capturing cover crops, which have been growing all winter in some of the fields destined for barley and poppies in the spring, have in some places needed mowing off to prevent blockages of the drill when sowing. Normally the seedbed will be prepared for drilling with a couple of cultivation passes; however, recent farm visits, and various influences from across the industry, are encouraging us to try to reduce the number of cultivations, therefore moving the soil less, before sowing the next crop.

A recent survey of the ponds on the farm confirmed to us that two of the three are home to great crested newts. The survey involved testing the pond water for the DNA of the newts, and two tested positive.

A visit with the drone a couple of weeks ago shows the extent of open water, and of shading by neighbouring trees. The first one at Folly, originally a clay pit used to make bricks found in local buildings, needs more sunlight, so a bit of work must be done to trim back some of the surrounding trees.

The second, on Shillingstone Hill, is suffering from over-vigorous plant growth in the pond itself. We can remember it being dredged with an excavator at least 40 years ago, and although simply dredging it all in one go seems too violent, we think that some careful clearance of a section at a time, over several years, should be appropriate.

The third, on Bonsley Common, has a good expanse of open water, no overhanging trees, and looks lovely in the open pasture landscape, with scattered oak trees and a couple of ancient tumuli not far away.

The last two are traditional dew ponds, originally dug to provide water for grazing animals.

23

March 2020

Robert Warry, Blandford auctioneer BLANDFORD lost a real character with the death of former auctioneer Robert Warry on January 13 at the age of 78.

A funeral service was held at St Peter and St Paul's Church on February 7 for the man who for many years ran the Blandford Auction Rooms at the bottom of Alfred Street, which were convert-

OBITUARIES ed into four dwellings after their closure in 2008.

Born in June 1941 and brought up in Romsey, he attended the private Kelsey Hill school in Salisbury but left at 15 to sign up for an apprenticeship with auc-

Grahame Downer TRIBUTE was paid at the January meeting of the Child Okeford Care & Learning Centre (COCCL) to Grahame Downer, who had died four days earlier on January 9 in Dorset County Hospital, aged 60, leaving his widow Christine.

A funeral service for him was held at Blandford Methodist Church on February 3.

Grahame was the chairman and one of the original founders of COCCL and believed to have attended every meeting since it began.

Ark playgroup manager Sarah McNab, writing in The Hill magazine, also paid tribute, saying: "He was very supportive of the Ark in the three-way relationship between the school, Ark and COCCL." He had also been chairman for the past four years of the village hall committee, whose spokesman said: "Since moving into the village nearly 30 years ago, Grahame has had a long association with the hall, involving himself in many activities such as table tennis, quiz nights and as a member of the gardening club, to name but a few.

"A hall like ours depends very much on the people who give up their time to support and manage it. Grahame gave unstintingly of his time and energy, and his contribution to the hall and village life will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Christine and her family."

A FUNERAL service was held at Stourpaine Church on January 31 for Robert William Victor (Bob) Stagg, who died on December 19.

The former member of staff at Conyers in Blandford, who was married to his late wife Amy for 63 years and leaves four daughters and their families, was well known as a local fisherman and also a churchwarden at Stourpaine.

Donations were received for Stourpaine parochial church council and the RNLI.

• THE local music and entertainment scene lost a key member with the untimely death on January 8 of popular disc jockey Darren (Big Man) Burt, whose funeral was held at Poole Crematorium on January 25.

Fundraising at the Dolphin pub in East Street raised £1,000 for the family of Mr Burt, who was 41.

Tributes on social media described him as "a true gentleman in the music industry locally" who would be remembered fondly and kindly by everyone who knew him.

tioneers Ormiston Knight and Payne in Ringwood and later worked for Phillips.

He and his wife Margaret set up on their own after marrying in 1982, conducting weekly sales from village halls hired by the day.

In 1990 they bought the Blandford Auction Rooms which they ran successfully for 17 years.

They worshipped weekly at Langton Long church where Robert was a member of the PCC, and they were enthusiastic and regular visitors to the Gorge café in Blandford.

Robert was a devoted supporter of Southampton FC, a team he had watched regularly since 1949, and his passions included history and warships in particular, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the American War of Independence and civil war and the kings and queens of England.

But he will be best remembered for his career at the rostrum where his wit, easy manner, skill and genuine affection for his customers made him a hugely popu-

lar and talented auctioneer and entertainer.

He was also a long-serving member and trustee of the Blandford Museum, whose chairman Nessa Hickish said: "I mainly remember him as the auctioneer in Blandford with Margaret, his lovely wife, in the office - surrounded by a fug of smoke from his pipe."

She described him as a formidable character, a true gentleman who held 'old fashioned principles' and 'one of a kind' - a man of integrity with a very subtle sense of humour.

"The museum was a place he loved and as a trustee he was totally reliable and honest in his approach. His remarks and intentions were always well considered, supportive and kept the business and focus of the museum to the fore.

"He and Margaret would regularly come down to the garden and admire its progress, right from the early days, even when it still looked like a rough patch full of weeds. As soon as there were any blooms he would buy Margaret a bunch of flowers."

24

Hedgehog conference REPRESENTATIVES of Blandford's Hedgehog Friendly Group will be attending and speaking at the Dorset Hedgehog Conference, being held on Saturday April 4 at The Dorford Centre, Dorchester.

In response to the steep decline in the UK's hedgehog population, especially in the last 20 years, the Dorset Mammal Group (DMG) is pioneering a successful approach to hedgehog conservation in Dorset, which co-ordinates community action, skilled hedgehog rescuers and veterinary practices.

DMG will be sharing this strategy and placing it in the national scientific context of hedgehog decline at the conference.

Speakers will include Dr Nigel Reeve, a leading ecologist who has studied hedgehogs for over 40 years, hedgehog champion Hugh Warwick who will talk about his work in Oxfordshire, and Colin Varndell showing extracts from his visual presentation The Hedgehog Predicament.

DMG's hedgehog lead Susy Varndell, together with representatives from some of the 27 hedgehog-friendly towns and villages in the county, will be joined by members of the rescue network and Dorset Council's natural environment team to outline the work being done in the county.

The day-long conference costs £25, and tickets can by booked on Eventbrite (the-dorset-hedgehog-conference) or by email for details to hedgehogs@dorsetmammalgroup.org.uk.

March 2020

Museum money

Blandford U3A last year made Blandford Town Museum their charity of the year and will be doing the same this year.

Their chairman John Rees is pictured presenting the cheque for £285 raised during 2019 to Museum chairman Nessa Hickish, centre, and director Dr Sylvia Hixson Andrews.

Dr Andrews said: "It is of huge value to us. Many don't think of the museum as a charity, but we are. In order to maintain free entry and so much of our work that we do for free, donations like this are very needed and greatly appreciated.

"All museum staff are volunteers and there are no paid positions. Volunteers and donations are our lifeblood."

A pool challenge at Colin's Community Club in Damory Street has become a regular monthly event after raising £80 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Owen Randall remained the reigning champion, with John Morley in second place. The next event will start at midday on Sunday March 1, with a chance of winning cash from the prize fund or making a contribution to the winner's chosen charity.

25

March 2020

Above left: Betty admires her birthday cake. Above right: Tarrant Monkton villagers gather to celebrate Betty’s 100th birthday.

Villagers join Betty’s big birthday gathering A 'Yorkshire lass' who has lived in Tarrant Monkton for nearly 50 years celebrated her 100th birthday on January 18.

Betty Crisfield, and her first husband Bill lived in a village just outside Paris for a few years which she enjoyed and was probably where she developed her considerable culinary skills.

She also knitted patterns for Jaeger, and dur-

ing the Second World War was a member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY).

After Bill's death she married again and with her second husband, John, travelled around Europe in their campervan.

Since moving to Dorset Betty played an active part in village life, and until a couple of years ago was still playing golf twice a week at Ashley Wood Golf Club.

Two new faces join law firm’s commercial team LAW firm Blanchards Bailey has bolstered its commercial team with the appointment of two industry big hitters.

The experienced duo of Robin Cole and David Ashplant have joined the firm as growing busi-

Robin Cole

David Ashplant

ness dictates the need for expansion.

The pair are based at Blanchards Bailey's head office in Blandford and work right across the board on commercial and commercial property matters.

Robin has more than 30 years' specialist experience as a solicitor in commercial property and real estate finance, most of it at partner level in London, with specialisms including acting for family trusts, landed estates, developers, property companies and investors. He is a Liveryman of the City of London and known for editing editions of Butterworth's Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents.

David, appointed as a company commercial solicitor, has more than 35 years' experience in the field of commercial business law, first in the City of London and then for 28 years with Lester Aldridge in Bournemouth.

His field of expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, contracts, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, intellectual property and technology licensing, IT contracts, and competition law.

Until even more recently she was still driving, playing bridge and attending flower arranging classes.

In addition to receiving her special card from the Queen on her birthday, she spent the day with many of her large extended family and villagers who got together to celebrate. A flowering cherry tree was planted in her garden to commemorate the event.

26

March 2020

Tammy’s Big Bake

News from the surgeries The Blandford Group Practice Health Champions are going from strength to strength and expanding rapidly in order to help the community get out and about and keep healthy.

There are a wide range of groups on offer: health support groups, physical activities as well as social activities.

If you have internet access check out our website: theblandfordgrouppractice.co.uk.

On our Facebook page, you can see a weekly calendar of things going on with our amazing Health Champions or pop into the surgery to see what's on offer.

If you would like to become a Health Champion or you would like to know more about our groups, please contact Sara on 01258 452501, or email sara.stringer@gp-J81019.nhs.uk.

Durweston School pupils at their cake sale for animals injured in the Australian bush fires.

Cake cash for a koala DURWESTON School has become the adoptive parent of a koala named Paul.

Moved by the plight of animals and people across Australia, children and parents from the school organised a cake sale that raised £210 and donated the money to the World Wildlife Fund and the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie in New South Wales, which is caring for Paul and others of his kind.

Paul won't be visiting Durweston but the children are pleased to know that he is being well looked after.

Towels and pillowcases were also donated by parents which were made into pouches for injured joeys, wombats, bats and wallabies.

These have been delivered to a vet's in Shaftesbury who will be sending them on to Australia.

Asha’s single chance BLANDFORD teenager Asha Menon is one of three young artists in Dorset whose songs have been released in a miniseries of singles by Jurassic Coast Records, an independent Weymouth record label.

Thirteen-year-old Asha, who was the winner of Blandford's World War One commemoration songwriting competition in 2018, was chosen, together with Lizzie Pawsy from Weymouth and Max Nielsen Howes to record the tracks at the label's studios after

performing at open-mic nights run

by David Days, held at the Three Chimneys in Weymouth.

Frazer Mitchell, producer at Jurassic Coast Records, said: "They were all putting a lot of effort into their own music projects and wanted to gain more studio experience, so releasing a miniseries seemed the sensible thing to do." The singles have since been played on Wessex FM and Air107.2 and the label is continuing to offer Lizzie, Asha and Max support and gig opportunities.

A 'BIG Bake' and raffle has been organised by Tammy Andrews, a nurse at Blandford Hospital, who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in September.

Surgeons at Southampton hospital were able to remove 95 per cent of the tumour, but she is still living with a 3mm by 4mm tumour and praying it doesn't grow.

"I know of at least three others living in Blandford who also have a brain tumour, and every day 32 people in the UK are diagnosed with this disease," said the 45year-old mother of two teenage children. "I want to raise funds and awareness for all people living with a brain tumour."

She has appealed to cake makers to support her Big Bake in support of the Brain Tumour Charity, between 10am and 3pm at the Ginger Viking in East Street on March 28.

She has also urged individuals and businesses able to donate hampers or prizes for a raffle for which she is selling tickets to get in touch by email to jimandtamaly@yahoo.co.uk or on her Facebook page Tawanda Andrews and blog Tammy's-BigBake.

• THE Forum Otters Cancer Support Group will be supporting the Macmillan 2019 Biggest Coffee Morning on Thursday March 12. They had to cancel the event planned for the usual September date when the organiser went into hospital for emergency surgery. But this month they will be meeting as usual on the second Thursday between 2pm and 4pm in the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, and hoping that others will join them to help raise a significant sum for the Macmillan charity.

March 2020

Bryanston adds to community links FOLLOWING the launch of its loyalty card supporting local businesses, Bryanston School's contribution to the community has been further highlighted through various events.

In January, the school's sports centre hosted its second family day for local charity MOSAIC, which supports bereaved families throughout Dorset. A third event will follow, focusing on cookery, art and drama. In February the school hosted a science day for all the primary schools in the area.

Following the joint production of Les Misérables last November, Bryanston and The Blandford School (TBS) are forging ever closer links and discussing ways

ASHLEY Wood Golf Club's 2019 club captain Peter Johnson presented his charity cheque for all the fundraising efforts for his chosen charity Diabetes UK. Receiving the cheque was their local representative Roger Weeks, in the presence of club president Dave Heath. A fantastic total of £4,600 was raised for the charity last year.

in which they can work together for mutual benefit.

The head boys and girls from both schools have attended a leadership conference at Wellington College, and pupils from both visited a London creative agency run by Bryanston parents. Others have been working together to deliver literacy workshops in Blandford library.

Next is a plan to give TBS pupils in receipt of the pupil premium the opportunity to make use of Bryanston's facilities.

Local senior schools are invited to attend the Bryanston business conference in June, gaining access to entrepreneur mentors from Bryanston's alumni, as well as various other HE and careers events.

Bryanston has also helped local primary schools with stage and lighting, minibus transport and/or use of the swimming pool, climbing tower and art workshops, and by allowing pupils to act as classroom assistants at around 30 sessions a year in local primary schools.

Schools from across the area take part in the annual Ken Baily and Bryanston relay cross country events, and the equestrian team volunteers for activities at the Dorset School Games which attract around 1,300 competitors in June.

The fortnightly Tuesday Club entertains around 30 residents from care homes and wardenassisted accommodation in Blandford, Yewstock School and Riding for the Disabled use the Equestrian Centre, and the Saturday morning 'Fruit Salad' Drama Group is open to local children.

27

Spot-kicks seal title for TBS THE Year 8 football team secured the first trophy of 2020 for The Blandford School by winning the North Dorset football tournament.

They were placed in a group with Gillingham, Gryphon and Sturminster Newton and finished top following two drawn games and a 1-0 victory, thanks to a late Max Dunn goal.

The semi-final was a tense game resulting in a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome. Some excellent penalties along with some superb saves from Jayke Fensome saw TBS make it through to the final.

The final against Shaftesbury was a similarly tense affair, again leading to penalties to decide the contest. Penalties scored by Aisea and Max followed by two more important saves from Jayke meant TBS ended up as champions, with Jayke voted TBS player of the tournament.

Hidden gardens date THE date has been set for the 2020 Blandford Hidden Gardens, which will be on Sunday June 14, and will be jointly run by Blandford Stour Rotary and the Blandford Environmental Trust.

This will be the 13th year of the community event which last year raised over £3,000 for local charities, and which since it started in 2008 has raised over £23,000.

Those who have opened their gardens in the past have been invited to do so again.

Anyone who would like to take part this year can get more details by emailing anguswoodhiddengardens@gmail.com or call 01258 451557.

28 Sunday March 1: Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir family concert, Blandford Corn Exchange, 3pm Monthly Quiz Night, Bryanston Club, Bryanston DT11 0PR, 7.30pm Monday March 2: Blandford Floral Club meets, Anne Biddlecombe Hall, Tarrant Hinton, 2pm, Julie Jeans - My Family and Other Animals Wednesday March 4: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7.30pm Thursday March 5: The Chase Gospel Choir, an introductory rehearsal, Tarrant Gunville Village Hall, 7.30pm - entrance free, details 01258 830941 Friday March 6: Blandford Group ecumenical World Day of Prayer service written by the women of Zimbabwe, St. Mary's, Charlton Marshall, 2.15pm, details 01258 488524.

Tangle Theatre Company present 'Volpone', The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm, details 01258 475137 Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evening, Portman Hall, Blandford Rd DT11 0SF, 7.30pm, details 01258 861184 Saturday March 7: Pimperne monthly coffee morning, village hall, 10am to noon Mayor's Charity Night with quiz, disco and karaoke supporting the Blandford Community Kitchen, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 7 to 11pm Dorset County Orchestra concert, Blandford Parish Church, 7.30pm Poachers Moon present 'Seafarers', Spetisbury Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 07973 439677 (poachersmoon.com) Sunday March 8: Dorset Ramblers meet Home Farm CP, Tarrant Gunville, 10.15am for a 6-mile walk and optional 2-mile walk pm. Lunch at Home Farm Café. Further info: jennynewman@zen.co.uk Monthly Prize Bingo, Bryanston Club, Bryanston Village, 7.30pm Folk duo Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, Child Okeford Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 861621 Monday March 9: Raise the Commonwealth Flag, Market Place, Blandford, 10am Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning, David Smith on 'Walking to see Granny', The Ark's room, St Nicholas School, Child Okeford, 7.30pm, details 01258 860767 Tuesday March 10: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Trio Cake Concert, Blandford Community Centre,

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.

Heddington Drive, 2pm, details 01258 480698 Tarrant Gunville WI Birthday meeting with Call My Bluff, 7.15 pm, Tarrant Gunville village hall, details 01258 456202 Wednesday March 11: NHS Retirement Fellowship meeting, 10.15am Committee Room Blandford Community Hospital. Janet Seal ‘Researching 'Quirky' Dorset’, details 01929 472441 Blandford Film Society presents 'Return of the Hero' (France 2018 - comedy) The Blandford School, 7.45pm, guest tickets 01258 268139 Film Night, Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 'Official Secrets' (15), 7.15pm, details and tickets (£6) 01258 488431 Thursday March 12: New beginners group of Spetisbury Square Dancers starts Spetisbury Village Hall 3 to 5pm, no partner needed, suggested donation £3 Macmillan Coffee Morning with the Forum Otters Cancer Support Group, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, 2 to 4pm, details 07561 114644 Friday March 13: Blandford Evening Women's Institute meets 7pm, The Parish Centre, The Tabernacle, Sweetpea Florist flower arranging spectacular Owdyado Theatre present 'Twisted Tales 2', Winterborne Stickland Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 880920 Friends of Blandford Community Hospital Fashion Show, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm followed by Clothing Sale, Saturday March 14 Meat Draw, Bryanston Club, Bryanston village: draw 9pm, tickets from the bar Saturday March 14: The Cajun Roosters Trio, Sturminster Marshall Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 07903 057427 (and Ashmore Village Hall Sunday March 15, details 01747 811364) Sunday March 15: Little Monsters Blandford Market, The Blandford School DT11 7SQ,10.30 to 12.30pm Auction, Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall, 12 noon start (deliver items Saturday 14th 9am to 4pm) Games, Chat and Tea, Blandford Parish Centre, 4.30 to 6pm

Monday March 16: Strictly Come Tea Dancing with the Soggy Biscuit Dance Band, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 2.30 to 4.30pm Film Night 'The Good Liar' (15), Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall, 7.30pm, details 01258 861357 Tuesday March 17: Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club, 'Startling simplicity', A practical workshop + AGM, Child Okeford Village Hall, 2.15pm, details: 01258 863775 Wednesday March 18: Valley Gardening Club, Pamela Hambro Hall, Winterborne Stickland DT11 0NT 7.30pm, 12 months of Colour (Neil Lovesey Picket Lane Nursery) Dorset Wildlife Trust North Dorset branch meets Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0PF), 7.30pm, Reptiles of Dorset - an illustrated talk by Steve Davis of DWT Thursday March 19: Blandford Art Society Workshop with Rachel Baynes, Pimperne Village Hall, 1.30pm, details blandfordartsociety.weebly.com Archaeology Group talk at Blandford Museum, 'Aboriginal Art' by Edrys Lupprian, followed

by Group AGM, non-members £4, details 01258 452831 Friday March 20: Rhodri Miles in 'Shylock', Tarrant Gunville Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets 01258 830361 Saturday March 21: Cats' Protection League Coffee Morning, Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion, Blandford, 9.30am to 12.30pm Spring Community Expo, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to 1pm Valley Gardening Club Spring Show, Pamela Hambro Hall, Winterborne Stickland, Dorset DT11 0NT, 2.30pm Durweston Choral Society present Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria, Durweston Parish Church, 7.30pm, tickets £15, 01258 472253 Community Open Day, Blandford Parish Church, 10am to 2pm Sunday March 22: Royal Opera House screening of Fidelio, Coade Hall, Bryanston School, 2pm Monday March 23: Superfast Dorset Digital Champion session, Blandford Library, 4 to 6pm, details 01258 452075

March 2020 Wednesday March 25: Blandford Forum Film Society AGM and film TBA, The Blandford School, 7.15pm Thursday March 26: Community Catalyst Anita Wingad supporting community initiatives at Blandford Library, 10am to noon Friday March 27: Blandford U3A open meeting, Durweston Village Hall, 2pm, David N. Smith Kingston Lacy: if only time could tell, details 01258 455081 Saturday March 28: Blandford Museum opens for summer season Charity Quiz Night, Farquharson Arms, Pimperne, 8pm Bric a Brac sale for Teddy 20, Whitecliffe House, Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, 1.30pm Sunday March 29: Pimperne Village Show, Pimperne Village Hall, 2pm, schedules 07879 0035678 The Launch of The Chase Gospel Choir, Farnham Church morning service, 10.30am, details 01258 830941 Monday March 30: Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning, The Etches Collection

by Steve Etches, 7.30pm, the Ark Room, St Nicholas School, Child Okeford, details 01258 860767 Wednesday April 1: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Brewery Hall, Hall & Woodhouse, 7.30pm Royal Opera House screening of Swan Lake, Coade Hall, Bryanston School, 7.15pm Friday April 3: Shillingstone English Barn Dance Portman Hall, Blandford Rd DT11 0SF, 7.30 for 7.45, last in season, details 01258 861184 Saturday April 4: Blandford Lions Easter Fair, Corn Exchange, 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Ring 01258 880229 or email blandfordlions@hotmail.co.uk to book a table Pimperne monthly coffee morning, village hall, 10am to noon Sunday April 5: Blandford Repair Café, Scout Hut, Eagle House Gardens, 10am to 3pm, details see Facebook Canzonetta sings sacred music for Holy Week with Richard Hall, Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Bere Regis BH20 7HQ, 3pm, free admission, retiring collection for the church

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