August 2020 Forum Focus

Forum Focus The free monthly news magazine for the Blandford area

August 2020 Issue No.101 Est: 2012

Town’s first steps on a long journey back JULY 4 heralded the start of a series of reopenings of many businesses and activities in and around Blandford.

But for many, business was a fraction of pre-Covid levels and the impact of the long lockdown on employment levels is not yet known, with many workers still on furlough with support from the Government.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics in mid-July revealed that the number claiming benefits in the Blandford area in June was between two and three times as many as in February and March. The claimant rate in some wards was up to twice that of the former North Dorset district.

There was a 'staggered' reopening of pubs, clubs and bars in Blandford and surrounding villages, the majority opening their doors at the first opportunity on July 4, with restrictions which varied enormously and often included revised hours and days.

Most had received help from their respective owners and the Government. But at Shroton and Iwerne Minster, there had been crowd-funding to raise over £12,000 for the tenants and staff of the Cricketers and Talbot respectively.

This followed Pebbles Hospitality,

the company employing them for owners Punch Taverns, together with five others across the region, going into administration, having failed to register them with HMRC and so leaving them unable to be furloughed.

On July 8 the Crown Hotel was one of the first of Hall & Woodhouse's managed houses to reopen in Dorset, and the tenanted Stour Inn in Blandford St Mary opened on July 11, all with new restrictions in place.

A special order-and-collect service started on July 8 for existing customers of Dorset libraries, with services gradually expanded during the month.

On the road to recovery: Page 3

FORUM FOCUS

The relaxation of quarantine for those returning from many foreign countries on July 10 was followed by permissions for outdoor pools and theatres and club cricket to resume.

Nail bars and beauty salons, which had expected to be able to reopen along with other shops in June, were finally allowed on July 14, and the go-ahead was given for leisure centres to reopen on July 25.

The Post Office has now returned to Pimperne village hall on Fridays between 9.30am and 12.30pm, with all the usual Post Office services available and greeting cards on sale.

Teenagers Paige Bryant and Eve Masters went for a marathon walk to raise much-needed funds for Blandford's Castleman House care home. They completed the 26.2-mile trek in nine hours and raised £1,480 in the process. Full story: Page 2.

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August 2020

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Where to find Forum Focus FOR the duration of the Covid19 emergency the number of Forum Focus pick-up points has reduced due to the closure of many premises.

However we hope it will again be in re-opened village pubs and venues, in addition to publishing on our website and distribution through social media and email.

Currently confirmed pickup points are: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: Tesco, Homebase and Brewery Visitor Centre, Blandford St Mary; Lidl and Bartletts in Shaftesbury Lane; Morrisons, Greyhound Yard; M&S, Langton Road; the Spar Shop in the Market Place; Chaffers and Iceland in Salisbury Street; Whitecliff Surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street; James Newsagents in The Plocks; The Post Office in the Tabernacle; The 3Cs in Damory Street; The Co-op, Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road; Blandford Hospital in Milldown Road; Blandford Connect Day Centre and the Central Shop in Heddington Drive.

In the villages: Bryanston Bryanston Club; Child Okeford The Cross Stores; Iwerne Minster - the Post Office; Langfton Long Abbots Nursery; Pimperne Village Hall and church; Shillingstone - Garage and Coop; Spetisbury - Village Hall and Clapcotts Farm; Stourpaine - The White Horse Inn; Tarrant Keyneston - St Richard Close bus stop; Tarrant Launceston and Gunville Farm Shops.

Machete attack arrests

Eve, left, and Paige with Paige's nan.

The home helpers TWO 16-year-old girls walked a marathon 26.2 miles in nine hours to raise money for Blandford care home Castleman House.

Paige Bryant, whose great nan Pamela Fonteneau has been a Castleman resident for a number of years, and her friend Eve Masters, wanted to do something for the home which has been unable to hold the annual fete which pays for residents' amenities, such as entertainment and trips out.

Being in the vulnerable group during the Covid-19 emergency, residents have spent months in isolation with the home in lockdown, and family members unable to visit their loved ones.

The girls, who set themselves a target of £200, completed the marathon outside Castleman House, where they received a warm welcome from the residents and carers of the home, and have been overwhelmed by the support they received to raise a massive £1,480.

FOUR people were arrested following an aggravated burglary at an address in Victoria Road, Blandford, in the early hours of Sunday July 12, which saw a man attacked with a machete.

A group of men forced their way in at around 2.30am. One of the occupants fled, but a second, an 18-year-old man, suffered a serious injury to his leg. The group reportedly stole cash before making off in a black vehicle.

A 22-year-old man from Liverpool and a 28-year-old from Derbyshire were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and released under investigation.

Following further enquiries, two others, a 22-year-old from Bournemouth and a 24-year-old from Blandford, were also arrested and were assisting detectives.

Det Sgt Matt Bradley appealed for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area on the night of July 11 into the early hours of July 12 or with information that might assist their investigation to come forward.

Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Perry, of Blandford police, said: "Reports of violent incidents of this nature are, thankfully, rare for this area."

He reassured residents that a full investigation was being carried out, that there would be an increased police presence in the area as enquiries were carried out, and that officers could be approached by members of the public with any concerns.

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August 2020

On the road to recovery BOLLARDS and pavement widening in Salisbury Street were the start of what could be seen as the 'recovery' and 'regeneration' phases in the town and wider area following the Covid-19 lockdown.

Continuing restrictions have forced online a number of consultations into future major developments near the town, including the 600 homes being considered for land north of the bypass (see pages 6 & 9), and an extension to the solar farm at North Farm, Spetisbury (see this page).

Residents and businesses are being invited to take part in a paper and online public opinion survey on their attitude to the town centre in light of the Covid19 and climate change emergency, and what steps they feel should be taken to ensure its recovery and future wellbeing (see back page).

The results are expected to feed into the ongoing discussions on possible remodelling of the Market Place which was being considered by a town working group, whose remit has been widened to include the town centre as a whole.

The working group will also be considering the recommendations following the parking review consultations which took place two years ago and a more radical remodelling of traffic flows in the town to improve pedestrian and cycling access presented by a local resident to the town & general purposes committee in June.

Among the suggestions on traffic flow are restrictions on motor access to East Street and West Street, one-way traffic in The Close and The Plocks, and the reintroduction of two-way traffic in Damory Street.

County Councillor Byron Quayle said that would conflict with the conclusions of the parking review which included alterations to Damory Street to remove the cycle lane and provide parking, and changing the times in the car parks to get them used more by residents when they come home from work.

He said the conclusions of the parking review indicated that in 90 per cent of areas, permits won't work because there are too many residents with too many cars.

A final proposal on the parking review is due to be submitted by October next year and could include a new car park in Wimborne Road when the Dorset Waste Partnership vacates its depot.

But Mr Quayle said a lot had changed in the last four months, including the financial deficit now facing Dorset Council.

He reminded councillors of Dorset Council transport and environment spokesman Ray Bryan's statement at a meeting in the Crown Hotel about the climate emergency that councils needed to plan to create "a better environment than the one they inherited", and that Dorset needs to be greener and less heavily

Comments sought on solar expansion plans SAVILLS have launched an online consultation into plans to extend the solar installation at North Farm, Spetisbury, which will almost double its extent.

The extensions covering up to 75 acres will deliver green energy for over 6,000 homes and save more than 8,600 tonnes of CO2 annually, as well as diversifying the landowner's income and helping secure the long-term viability of the farming business.

Savills, as agents to the applicant, say the grade 3B land has been selected for its lower yield and to minimise the landscape impact by confining one project in a single locality, where the existing pig farm with associated activity will be replaced by an inert operation over ground seeded with a wildflower mix to benefit the right of way close to the south east boundary. The applicant is also proposing an area of specific biodiversity enhancement outside of the boundary of the solar project.

The virtual consultation launched on July 13 gives people an opportunity to comment on the plans before they are submitted to the council.

It can be found at northfarmsolar.com which will act as a point of information and contact through the application process. Comments can be submitted to the applicant via planning@northfarmsolar.com.

reliant on car transport, but also needs to work for its businesses.

"There are a number of things we are trying to do, including a 20mph speed limit, one-way traffic in The Plocks, and actively

seeking to improve access and the cycle network.

"But we don't want to put forward too many different options, but to come forward with a single plan with the support of the public."

Bollards mark out a wider pavement area in Salisbury Street to allow social distancing.

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Peaceful and powerful show of support for anti racist campaign AROUND 150 people gathered on the Marsh and Ham in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign following an appeal on social media by former Blandford School student Emma da Saram.

Her appeal attracted comment that there was no racism in Blandford, and Emma, who left the school in 2018 and is now reading history at the University of Exeter, was prompted to organise the short, peaceful demonstration in support of the town's black and ethnic minority community, and to pay respects following the killing of George Floyd in America.

She and Tom Ansell read accounts written by people of colour in Blandford about their

Organiser Emma da Saram and singer Martin Ansell with other team members.

August 2020

experiences living in a small town, and a poem written by a Blandford resident. There was a two-minute silence for George Floyd, and Martin Ansell and Debbie Cassell sang 'Strange Fruit' and 'Lean on Me'.

Emma said: "The feedback we got was really positive. There were town councillors in attendance and as a result of this protest and a meeting I had with them, they are currently taking further steps within the town council to increase equality and diversity.

"Our MP Simon Hoare also tweeted in support of it, saying it was respectful, dignified and peaceful and commenting: 'We don't have a large BAME community in North Dorset, but it shows these are issues of concern to the whole country. Let's stand firm against all prejudice and affirm the dignity of the human spirit'."

Instructions were posted on social media and

included requiring everyone attending to wear facemasks, respect social distancing, and follow the instructions of marshals who directed them where to go, as well as to take any signs and litter home with them.

Fundraising took place to buy masks and hand gel for people to use when they arrived, as a result of which ÂŁ100 was donated to Black Lives Matter.

Emma afterwards thanked everyone who had attended and helped pull the event together, saying: "I worked with such amazing people, people with their own individual skills to offer and different talents to show. On a larger scale that's exactly what makes the world work, the fact that we are all unique, different and with our own qualities to offer. We need to embrace and use those differences, not discriminate."

Emma and her team were complimented widely on the way the demonstration had been organised, and in response to a small number of individuals who heckled from the roadbridge during the gathering, one commenter said: "Your ignorance just proves why we needed this event." • See Letters, Instructions to wear face coverings were diligently folPage 12. lowed by those attending the demonstration.

Cow share pays off THE team at Launceston Farm, near Blandford, have come up with a novel way of helping local organisations improving access to good-quality, healthy food.

Their 'cow share' scheme sells portions of an animal and donates a percentage of proceeds to charity.

Locals responded enthusiastically to the first 'sale' which resulted in all 23 'shares' being snapped up within 24 hours, raising ÂŁ563 for the Blandford Food Bank. 'Shares' again sold out within a day for the second.

Launceston's Catherine Mason said: "The Covid-19 outbreak has vastly affected consumer decision-making when it comes to sourcing food. Local food producers have seen a huge and welcome increase in demand for their products from local people, and this way of selling benefits everyone."

Anyone interested in taking part in the next sale, and organisations improving access to healthy food, are invited to contact farm@launcestonfarm.co.uk.

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August 2020

A ride for refugees WHEN 12-year-old Rishi James Sulodia, who lives in a farm near Blandford, decided he wanted to raise money for a charity, he found UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and learnt how hard life was for many.

Feeling they did not get much attention, he decided to raise money for UNHCR by taking on a challenge and going on a non-stop cycle ride for 45 miles.

So he set off from home accompanied by his dad on a cycle route which took them five hours to complete, including only a few brief breaks for a snack and drink.

"We went over many hills and on country roads as well as busy main roads. I was a bit tired by the end but not too bad and I was always in front of my dad," said Rishi.

By the following day he had raised over ÂŁ500 on his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/rishijames and by the middle of July he had raised over ÂŁ700.

He said: "I heard from UNHCR that the money I have raised could provide essential medicine to 45 refugees."

Police rise to meet the new challenges posed by the virus A REPORT to Blandford Town Council from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) on the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on police activity revealed how much team members had to adapt to ever-changing conditions and unique challenges.

They said: "We saw some great acts of kindness from the community, both in support for the NHS and key workers, but also in community morale."

Although antisocial behaviour (ASB) reduced overall in the town, there were spikes partially related to school closures and the relaxation of the lockdown. It included drug use on the Trailway and repeated ASB complaints from Assembly Place in West Street, where the team worked closely with Sovereign Housing and issued Acceptable Behaviour Agreements with key residents.

They also worked with Aster Housing on an emerging ASB/Neighbourhood issue on Diamond Way which came to police notice in May, generally involving alleged Covid-19 breaches and street parties, together with public order matters.

There were no reported issues at the good-natured Black Lives Matter demonstration which, they said, was a good opportunity to engage with residents, with great feedback regarding the team's presence.

On the weekend the pubs reopened on July 4, there was an increased police presence in Blandford by the NPT and response police officers in

Blandford and other North Dorset towns.

The report was written before an aggravated burglary in July (see page 2), and they said dwelling burglaries in April to June were below the four-year North Dorset average, with 50 per cent fewer in May compared to the previous year. A notable distraction burglar arrested that month was now in prison, having been arrested and charged within 24 hours.

A number of drug-related stop searches and arrests, including the seizure of crack cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, cash and an offensive weapon, had given them valuable intelligence and were great examples of the drugrelated disruption effort the team has been conducting.

There were also arrests as a result of positive roadside drug wipes and a day of action by the road police unit which targeted known drink/drug drivers and those without insurance or licences.

In response to an approach by members of the public, a number of parking tickets were issued relating to parking on the zig-zag markings on East Street and Salisbury Street.

The NPT's social media feed is being used to encourage and educate, for example with regard to leaving dogs in hot cars.

Councillors and residents were reminded that reporting nonemergency matters to the team through the Dorset Police website was often more effective and time-efficient than ringing 101.

Rishi James Sulodia on his bike.

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Wartime Blandford's touring theme to caravan & camping park museum opens in time for summer display

August 2020

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HE Inside Park, one of the few touring parks in North Dorset and which normally opens from April 1, opened at the beginning of July.

It followed the lifting of restrictions on the hospitality industry, to the relief of caravanners and campers currently holding bookings.

Many are regulars who keep their caravans stored at the Park, and plenty of returning campers, but just as many are coming for the first time either by recommendation or as a result of other parks having been unable to open.

The owners, the Cooper family, had been prepared for the possibility of being closed for the entire season, although once learning they could open on July 4, and the Government guidelines had been made clear, were able to set up all the necessary changes and procedures demanded to

ensure a safe environment would be provided for their staff and visitors.

Much, of course, depends on the visitors observing these new rules and regulations, with the emphasis made clear to them the Park being and remaining open really is largely dependent on them.

The Coopers are sensitive to the fact that many local residents will be extremely nervous having an influx of visitors from outside the area which could potentially provide major problems.

With this in mind everyone arriving is reminded that they have a responsibility to respect all areas they visit while here and not relax their approach to others just because of newly found freedoms.

It is, of course, very much hoped the positive side will prevail and having visitors back to Blandford will go some way towards helping the local economy.

BLANDFORD Fashion Museum reopened its doors with an invitation to a new display originally created for the VE Day celebrations to accompany their 'Make do and Mend' wartime exhibition.

Better late than never has come a chance to see a selection of uniforms worn by World War Two land girls and the Women's Legion, with encouragement to visitors to share their own or family experiences of wartime to help future generations understand what it was like.

For now, the museum is open only on Mondays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm, and several changes have been made to ensure Covid compliance and meet Government safety guidelines.

A separate entrance and exit from the museum aids social distancing, removing the 'pinch point' at the front door, with entry through the side entrance from The Plocks into the tea room, and there is a limit on numbers in the museum and in individual rooms. There is also a new cashless payment system.

The land girls display in Blandford Fashion Museum.

The tearoom has fewer tables to ensure two-metre spacing, with 'table service' only at the moment, but there are tables in the courtyard.

New donations cannot be accepted until a robust system is in place, but fashion icons from the past found in the loft during lockdown may be welcome in due course.

For information email fashionmuseumblandford@gmail.com or pop in and speak to one of the volunteers.

Views sought over major housing plan A PUBLIC consultation launched online at the beginning of July by Wyatt Homes on their proposals for development north and east of the Blandford bypass has prompted hundreds of comments and plenty of discussion on social media.

But Wyatts are keen to ensure a good response to the documents posted on their website at wyatthomes.co.uk/northeastblandford (see page 9) for a scheme which in total will occupy 37.25 hectares of agricultural land and provide up to 600 new homes, including 40 per cent affordable.

It will also provide a site for a new school, community facilities, the relocation of the Lamperd's Field allotments, job opportunities, open spaces and new cycling and pedestrian routes in an 'urban extension' to the town.

The majority is within the Blandford parish and supported by the draft Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan, but part is in the parish of Pimperne on land south-east of Letton Park.

The consultation is a preliminary step towards the submission of an outline planning application for the whole site, and detailed plans for the first phase of 167 homes, including 50 affordable rented or shared ownership, which will be accessed off the A354 from a new roundabout to the east of Larksmead recreation ground and Preetz Way. A town council working group has been considering its response to the consultation after councillors agreed it was best to get involved in discussions with the developers straight away, rather than waiting for a formal application to be made.

August 2020

Nordon homes scheme battle continues to rage DETAILED plans for the redevelopment of the former North Dorset District Council headquarters site at Nordon in Salisbury Road, Blandford, are being firmly resisted by the Town Council, which has called on Dorset Council to reject the application by Aster Homes.

Town councillors have said that the Edwardian villa should be retained as a key feature of the Conservation Area, and other uses explored for the building, with retention of more of the mature trees on site.

They have called for the number of homes to be reduced from 40 to 30, and the density and balance addressed to better meet local needs for rented accommodation in the light of changes in the mortgage market which will make share equity homes less affordable.

They say any new building design should reflect the character of other Victorian and Edwardian properties surrounding the site and should be built to the highest energy efficient specifications.

They have also called for an equipped play area, the closest alternative being across a busy main road, and have asked again for the entrance to the site not to

be moved closer to the Salisbury Road/Kings Road junction, resulting in what they believe will be a traffic hazard and necessitating the removal of trees.

A petition calling on Dorset Council to reject the scheme following its outline approval by North Dorset District Council in February last year was launched by Blandford & District Civic Society in September and remains open at Change.org but has been forwarded to the council with over 2,000 signatures, along with 220 signatures given on a hard copy in Blandford Town Museum.

A Freedom of Information request to establish the terms of the legal agreement through which the affordable homes and other contributions will be made by Aster has revealed that they need to provide only eight rented and four shared ownership dwellings, rather than the 40 affordable homes promised in the application.

Town councillors, who were not consulted on its contents, are now seeking legal advice on the agreement from the Town Council's solicitor and have asked Dorset Council to consult with them as has been done in the past.

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Views sought on new paving slabs RESIDENTS have been asked to give Blandford's county councillors their views on a test area of pavement slabbing which may already have been laid near the taxi rank on Sheep Market Hill.

County councillor Noc Lacey Clarke reported to the town council meeting that he and fellow county councillor Byron Quayle were still working on finding a replacement for the broken and slippery slabs in the town centre, and that funding had been committed.

The test patch was due to be installed for the public to see and test after the completion of a ÂŁ450,000 enhancement scheme which has been underway in Institute Road, Swanage.

Mr Quayle told town councillors in July that the The new paving which has been installation was laid in Swanage. due to go ahead within the next four to five weeks, and hoped that all council members and residents would provide feedback.

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August 2020

VJ Day: when the killing stopped T

HE end of hostilities in Europe in June 1945 brought with it much celebration, but for many the war was not over, since the Japanese had yet to surrender.

It was only after the Americans dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9 that Japan, which had rejected a call from the Allied leaders for its unconditional surrender in July, capitulated.

Emperor Hirohito made the announcement on August 15, faced also with the invasion a week earlier by the Soviet Union, whose leader Stalin had promised to join the war against Japan following the defeat of Nazi Germany. Norway and Italy had declared war on Japan in July.

The date of the initial announcement of Japan's surrender is when VJ Day is marked in the UK each year, but the surrender documents were officially signed on the USS Missouri battleship on September 2, the day America celebrates VJ Day. Thousands of prisoners-of-war

until then remained interred in the horrific camps so memorably portrayed in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai and the TV series Tenko, filmed in a disused sand quarry near Moreton in Dorset.

Many were tasked with the building of the Thai-Burma Railway featured in the film, and for which a total of 61,811 PoWs were used, of whom 12,619 died, together with 85,425 of the 177,900 Asian labourers also used.

As the defeat of Japan loomed closer, the Japanese High Command issued orders that all Allied prisoners were to be killed

by August 28.

The PoWs were made to dig large burial pits round the camps, but the collapse of Japan happened so swiftly after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings that only on Borneo were the instructions carried out. There, 2,400 British and Australian prisoners were massacred, with only six men surviving.

There are no deaths in Japan up to the Japanese surrender recorded on Blandford war memorials,

but the WWII memorial at The Blandford School carries the name of David Hugh Alexander, who died on September 23, 1947, and is buried in Yokohama War Cemetery.

David was not a native of Blandford. He was born in Hendon, north- A New Zealand sailor, US soldiers and UK civilians celebrating VJ Day in The Strand, London. west London, and when war squadron were conducting normal broke out, he was sent, aged 13, peacetime training sorties when as a privately arranged evacuee he died in a flying accident near with his brother, Patrick, to live Iwakuni. with his uncle and aunt, Louis and Margery Gill, in Park Road, The squadron diary on Blandford.

September 23, 1947, records: "Flying Officer Alexander was in He gained the Oxford School formation when his aircraft develCertificate as a pupil at Blandford oped engine trouble. He attemptGrammar School and in 1947 ed to gain height prior to baling was one of seven pilots in 'B' out. He baled out and the aircraft Flight 17 Squadron RAF flying a crashed into deep water. We still Spitfire Mk XIV E as part of the don't know whether his 'chute Occupation forces in Japan. He opened or not." was 21 years old when the

Local men’s heroic role in Kohima story KOHIMA Court in East Street is named after one of the decisive battles of the Burmese campaign which turned the tide of the war in the Far East.

The late Tom Cattle was a member of the Dorset Regiment 2nd Battalion which defended the small hilltop village of Kohima in northeast Assam, the scene of bitter fighting between his regiment and the Japanese in 1944.

At the time of the opening of the Blandford development he was the last surviving member of a group of local residents who took part in the battle, along with Les Joyce from Durweston and Gilbert Neale of Victoria Road, Blandford.

"We were part of the 14th Army sent to the front line at Kohima to stem the invasion of the Japanese into India, and we had nothing but a tennis court in the garden of the district commissioner's bungalow between us and them.

"The Japanese were holed up in the village which was cut off on the border with Burma, and the 2nd Infantry serving in India were engaged for more than a month in a desperate battle. The Dorsets had the honour of making the final assault which started the retreat of the Japanese back to Burma."

Mr Cattle approached Blandford Town Council to have something named after Kohima in the town after the naming of Henglo Court in Dorset Street in tribute to the Dutch town liberated by the Dorsets in April 1945.

The name, which features in the Kohima Epitaph pronounced at Remembrance events, was chosen for the ÂŁ1 million redevelopment of 11 flats on the former 'MacFisheries Yard', funded in 2003 in a partnership between Signpost Housing, North Dorset District Council and the Housing Corporation.

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August 2020

O

N October 7, 1945, the SS Corfu docked in Southampton. On board were 1,500 ex-Far East PoWs, among them Sapper Cecil 'Harry' Dear, 18th Division HQ, Royal Engineers, the father of Terence Dear, of Marsh's Court, Blandford.

The men on the Corfu were the first to return and Sapper Dear stepped ashore almost four years to the day since sailing from Greenock destined for the Persian Gulf.

By the time he arrived in Cape Town on December 10, 1941, the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded Malaya, and after Christmas, the convoy sailed on to Mombasa. There, Churchill fatally ordered the 18th Division to Malaya. Instead of Basra, the convoy headed for India and then to Singapore, where they disembarked on January 29, 1942.

Ten days later, the Japanese invaded Singapore and on February 15, its army demoralised and in disarray, Britain surrendered. Some 28,500 British, 18,000 Australians and 67,000 Indians were taken captive. It was one of the greatest and most humiliating defeats in the history of the British Army.

Story of a survivor of the Death Railway For the next three-and-a-half years, Sapper Dear, along with 62,000 other PoWs, slaved as forced labour to build the ThaiBurma Railway. About 16,000 of them died.

He was initially one of 15,400 men crammed into Selarang Barrack Square, Changi, with only two water taps and inadequate latrines, because of their refusal to sign a promise not to escape. For three days the prisoners held out, until the Japanese threatened to bring to the Square the diphtheria cases from the hospital, whereupon the British and Australian commanders ordered their men to sign the declaration under duress, pointing out that they would otherwise die of disease.

In October 1942, Harry was transported with nearly 18,000 British PoWs to Tarsao, one of the forced labour camps set up in virgin tropical jungle for the building of the Burma end of the Thailand-Burma 'Death' Railway.

Conditions were abominable from

the outset but Harry survived for two years until he was moved in November 1944 to Tha Makhan, site of the 'Bridge on the River Kwai'.

Allied bombing of the bridges began at the end of November and during the several raids that followed, bombs often fell on the prison camp, killing and wounding many of the PoWs. Following completion of the Burma-Thailand railway in 1943, the surviving PoWs were dispatched to various locations in Burma, Thailand and Indo China.

Harry was moved in January 1945 to Phetburi, 160 kilometres south of Bangkok on the Singapore-Thailand railway. At one time 2,500 PoWs were quartered in the camp and employed on aerodrome construction. The completed tarmac, never used by the Japanese, was used by Allied aircraft to evacuate surviving PoWs at the end of the war.

Sapper Dear survived the disease, starvation and indescribable brutality, but suffered bouts

of malaria for many years and carried the physical scars on his body for the rest of his life. He died at the age of 86.

Sapper 'Harry' Dear.

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Nightmare ordeal of life as a Japanese prisoner A

MONG those captured by the Japanese was Stanley Wort, the son of Emily and Charles Wort, of Field View, Alexandra Street, Blandford, and cousin of Pauline Murray, of James the Newsagents in The Plocks.

He described his experience in his book 'Prisoner of the Rising Sun' published over ten years ago.

After leaving Poole Grammar School, he joined the Civil Service in 1937, and in April 1940 enlisted in the Royal Navy,

August 2020

celebrating his 21st birthday on November 22, 1941, in Hong Kong.

Three weeks after he was recommended for officer training school, the long-threatened war in the Far East began, and he was taken prisoner when Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day. The daily food ration in Sham Shui PoW camp was one small bowl of rice in the morning and one at night, polluted by mouse droppings, with a bowl of watery unsalted and unidentifiable vegetable soup.

He said: "We began to feel very lethargic - it was almost too much trouble to move, and the shape of one's body began to change as ribs showed up in the chest, thigh and calf muscles began to contract, and hip and leg bones became discernible."

Amoebic dysentery was rampant, and in July and August 1942, the new and even more deadly disease, diphtheria, struck. He said they got used to people dying, and could not convey in words the apprehension, hunger, frustration and often pain and fear that permeated the prison camps.

His account of events and expe-

Pauline Murray pictured in 2009 with the book written by her cousin Stanley Wort. riences indelibly etched in his mind was dedicated to the memory of those members of the Hong Kong garrison in December 1941 who did not make it home.

He himself was saved by serum which he learnt 18 years later had been smuggled into the camp by a Japanese interpreter who was a devout Christian, and was punished by transfer to an island in the Dutch East Indies, returning to his native Tokyo after the war to find all his family had been killed in air raids.

After being held initially in the squalid PoW camps, Stanley was transported at the end of 1943 to Japan in the hold of a ship being targeted by Allied warships, and set to work in one of the slave labour camps at Narumi.

At the end of May 1945, he and around 180 fellow prisoners remaining were transferred to Toyama on Japan's West Coast, where in August they witnessed their Japanese captors bowing before the loudspeakers through which the Emperor announced Japan's surrender.

Artist hid his work inside bamboo sticks ARTIST Derek Cooper, whose latter years were spent living in Artisan House, East Street, with his fellow artist wife Margaret, studied at Goldsmiths College of Art in London, but his studies were curtailed by the outbreak of the Second World War. He was conscripted into the army and posted abroad, sailing via Nova Scotia, the West Indies, South Africa and India before arriving in Singapore in 1942.

With the fall of Singapore he was interned as a prisoner-of-war with thousands of other allied troops until the end of the war and during that time produced a camp magazine with the cartoonist Ronald Searle.

After the war he and two others worked at Goldsmiths as art tutors and an external examiner, and described how they would conceal their art materials in buried tins and hide their drawings and paintings rolled up into the inside of bamboo sticks.

He retired as a principal lecturer in 1984 and he and his wife moved to Blandford in 1989.

Follow us on Twitter @forumfocus & online at forumfocus.co.uk

11

August 2020

Legion pay their tributes in a ceremony with a difference B

LANDFORD Royal British Legion had still hoped to be able to honour the 75th anniversary of VJ Day with a small ceremony in the garden at Legion House, involving a short presentation by Terence Dear on his father's experiences as a Far East PoW (See Page 9).

Branch chairman Terry Clarkson said: "Initially we received a directive from Haig House instructing us not to hold any face-to-face events and suggesting we hold a virtual parade, which was planned. Revised instructions allow us to have an event with no more than 30 people outdoors.

"So the Mayor and Commanding Officer of the Garrison have been invited to a small ceremony at the Cross of Sacrifice in Blandford Cemetery to coincide with the national silence at 11am."

On June 27 they held a short

and damp ceremony at the Cross of Sacrifice in Blandford cemetery to mark Armed Forces Day and to commemorate the passing of Dame Vera Lynn and the late Dennis Bowater of Wimborne, a D-Day veteran and former member of the Blandford branch.

Mr Clarkson placed the wreath on behalf of the branch and vice-chairman Tony Lucas placed a poppy cross in memory of his friend Mr. Bowater.

They were supported by members of the branch committee and Marilyn Gibbons, the RBL Club president. In keeping with RBL guidance and government guidelines, no standards were paraded and safe distancing was maintained.

The day before, the Armed Forces Day flag was raised by Blandford Town Council on the Corn Exchange, with the Garrison Sergeant Major, Mr

The gathering at Blandford Cemetery for Armed Forces Day. Clarkson from the RBL and the Mayor in attendance, and Geordie Thomson playing a fanfare.

A fanfare was also recorded for

the centenary of the Royal Corps of Signals, who were due to exercise the Freedom of the Town on June 28 as part of their centenary celebrations.

12

Readers’ letters

It’s time for some action I AM writing in response to the letter in your June issue headed 'Reckless spending'.

As a former Town Councillor and member of the working party who approved Western Design as the nominated architect for the redevelopment of the Corn Exchange, I too was concerned to read that they have now been replaced by yet another company.

When Western Design bid for the contract they were absolutely clear on what they proposed and, at the time when the council agreed to select them, this was based on the fact that they wanted to keep as much of the history of the building as possible while updating it, allowing it to provide and meet the growing needs of a multi-purpose community building.

The committee at the time also liked the fact that Western Design were not afraid to chal-

August 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

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.

Equality and diversity As the Chairman and Mayor of Blandford Forum Town Council and in the light of recent events in this country and elsewhere, I am pleased to share with you the resolution which was passed at the Town Council meeting held on Monday July 6, 2020.

The resolution reads: Blandford Forum Town Council acknowledges the current strength of international public feeling towards inequalities and injustices that exist within society, and reaffirms its continued support for legislation - including the UK lenge our ideas and help the working party see better solutions, as well as looking at ways of saving money. This played a big part in their success at being appointed along with the excellent new design for a very old and difficult building.

Western Design came up with a good draft plan and it had been agreed in principle, with the usual modifications along the way as different faults and issues arose.

So again why the change?

This project has been in the

2010 Equality Act - and better ways of working, that protect all people from direct, indirect and systemic discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

This statement reflects the strength of feeling amongst councillors that, as a public body, we would like to show our support for those who - in a legal manner - stand up for equality and justice for all, and who fight against the intolerance and discrimination faced by people of all kinds, both in this country and internationally.

Cllr L Lindsay, Mayor of Blandford Forum

pipeline too long and it's time to see positive results and move beyond planning/designing and start to deliver actual results.

Mrs Robinson Cadley Close, Blandford

people around you are vulnerable - because many of them probably are.

Dr Sylvia Hixson Andrews Blandford

Bike bells Masks show are a boon consideration I WANT to address those who think they are healthy and not really at risk from Covid-19, and consequently are ignoring social distancing and masks.

There are those of us who cannot take the risks you are taking because either we ourselves are, or someone we love and are caring for is, highly vulnerable to serious illness and possible death from this virus. We mostly stay at home now because when we do try to go out, we are at risk from people like you.

Please try to remember that we are not wearing signs stating 'I am shopping for my vulnerable husband' or 'I am caring for a vulnerable child', but it is still the case that many of us are doing just that.

We would like to be out and about with some degree of safety - just as you want to be able to get back to life. But older, disabled and vulnerable people will have to continue to stay at home unless the public shows a bit of consideration for the fact that these people exist.

You can show consideration by not getting too close to others and by wearing a mask. If everyone wore masks or face coverings, more vulnerable people would be able to get some of their lives back. Act as if the

I WAS pleased to read that Madeleine Bridle uses her bell when out cycling. I wish all cyclists would do the same.

I understand that a bike has to be sold with a bell attached, but there is no law which says the owner cannot remove it. Why? Being hard of hearing I don't hear a bike coming behind me, often on the pavement which could cause a nasty accident, even though there is a law which says it shouldn't be on the pavement.

Also, I am beginning to think that cars are now made without indicators! Why do so many people not use them?

H. Rawles Blandford St Mary

Is this art?

IN response to Ms Seeger's comments on her sheds behind Nightingale Court: First they are still there and Ms Seeger seems to think her ideas are a great improvement to the area. Sorry to say, most of her art is not everyone's idea of art.

Perhaps Ms Seeger should relocate to Glastonbury where wayout art might be more appropriate.

Carol Verney East Street, Blandford

13

August 2020

Letters extra Acts of kindness recognised MAY I bring your attention to a lady I do not know but have followed her Facebook page since March when our lockdown began.

Jane Reed has been amazing in organising hot dinners and treats for the vulnerable residents of Blandford.

She has organised deliveries, a choice of menus on a daily basis, the whole organisation I followed on Facebook with her helpers has been fantastic.

Her fabulous commitment deserves great praise for her sterling work to the Blandford residents unable to look after themselves through this pandemic.

She has provided delicious hot

meals, cakes and various treats.

The food on offer has been amazing, her loyalty to this project throughout the last four months has been amazing and in my opinion deserves a civic award.

David Frampton ••• PLEASE could I thank the lady called Mary with a shih tzu who very kindly offered to bring me books when I told her I had got loads of books but had read them all, and had nothing new to read. I am very grateful. It was a lovely thing for someone to do for another member of their community.

David O'Donnell

YOUNGSTERS enjoying the summer weather have been urged to take care near rivers and streams after two teenagers sailing a dinghy down the river Stour got into difficulty and sparked a major alert.

The pair needed rescuing near Blandford on Saturday July 4, and firefighters from Sturminster Newton and Sherborne were among the crews called to help.

A spokesman for Sturminster Newton Fire Station said the pair managed to scramble to safety and the crews only needed to retrieve the dinghy from the water.

The Harry Potter platform at Spetisbury.

Wizard work at station THE Spetisbury Station Project resumed organised work parties on July 5 with Covid restrictions in mind, but individual members had still been busy on site over the previous weeks.

The platform furniture has all been given a fresh coat of paint and a new Harry Potter-themed photo opportunity has been constructed on one of the platforms - great for the young and not-so-young alike.

Clearance work has now been completed around the old signal

box and the area landscaped, with a new bench provided. The foundations are now surrounded by a railway-style fence thanks to members Mick Smith and Moira Connolly and an information panel explaining the workings of the signal box will be provided in due course.

Sadly they have once again been the target of vandals over the past few months and cases of intentional damage are still being regularly seen.

14

A tribute to Tony

THESE poppies and cornflowers, sown on the verge of the A350 through Spetisbury in memory of villager Tony Hart, have been much admired.

They were planted by fellow villager Winston Leese, who encouraged Tony and his wife Les to play the trombone with him and his partner as the Spetisbury Yuletide Brass when they got together to play carols, raising funds for Blandford Community Hospital.

Tony died on December 3 in the hospital for which he had raised funds, and was well-known in the village and locality as a member of the Stour Valley Band and Ashley Wood Golf Club.

Leisure centre funding questions AS Blandford Leisure Centre prepared for its possible reopening following the Government's announcement that centres could open from July 25, town councillors were considering their future contribution towards its running costs.

The town council agreed when the centre opened ten years ago that it would give ÂŁ50,000 annually - but that agreement comes to an end in March next year.

A town working group has now been set up to consider the report of consultants to Dorset Council on the future of centres across the county and will make recommendations to a full town council meeting in September.

Dorset Council's service manager for leisure services Paul Rutter, at the July meeting, presented details of recommendations by the consultants, Max Associates, that all the centres needed to be considered as part of the county's wider asset review, and existing contracts should be extended to 2025. Blandford's currently extends to the end of March 2022.

They had concluded that SLM (Everyone Active), the Blandford contractor, was operating its centres very well, with strong per-

Harvest time OUT in the country the harvest has been well underway, and our 'View from the Hill' correspondent George Hosford was delighted to take delivery of this smart new John Deere S785i combine harvester (right) to get the job underway.

See page 16.

formance indicators and positive feedback from users. Forecast figures for contract costs going forward were close to the current management figures for Blandford, so re-tendering was unlikely to result in any savings.

Further consideration of the consultants' recommendations was deferred until leisure centres reopened and were operating more normally, and Dorset Council has been seeking additional funding to bear the costs of closure and of reopening with social distancing requirements.

Cllr Byron Quayle said he was concerned that although the town council had supported the centre for the last ten years, there was now little support from the surrounding parishes.

Extra funding was initially sought by a leisure centre support group chaired by town councillor Steve Hitchings, who at that time was also a member of North Dorset Council, the then providers of the facility.

Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles said the town council was not in a position to seek contributions on behalf of Dorset Council, which would need to request support from parishes itself.

August 2020

A chance to take a pew

OFFERS have been invited to purchase a pew from St Andrew's Church in Okeford Fitzpaine following the decision by the parochial church council to implement the first phase of a re-ordering project to enable social distancing.

A faculty was obtained from Salisbury Diocese to undertake the project, which includes the replacement of the Victorian pews with chairs.

The work is due to be undertaken this month, and there could still be time to purchase one of the pews being removed by contacting Dilys & Jeremy Gartside on 01258 860157 or 0775 1044365, or by email to dilysgartside@gmail.com.

15

August 2020

Boots closure sparks Action urged over pharmacy concerns Corn Exchange work LETTERS are being sent on behalf of the town to raise concerns over the current and future pharmaceutical provision in Blandford in the light of the imminent closure of one of Boots' three pharmacies.

A group of town councillors were unanimously given delegated authority by full council in July to draft and finalise the letters to be sent by the Town Mayor Cllr Lynn Lindsay to the Pharmaceutical Services Regulation Committee, Dorset Council Health Scrutiny Committee, the local Clinical Commissioning Group and others.

Cllr Byron Quayle told members of the town and general purposes committee in June that at the AN increase of ÂŁ8,000 in the cost of the canopy for the public art installation being created for the Persimmon estate has resulted in new quotes being sought for a revised design. Work on the installation was halted until Covid-19 restrictions had been lifted since the groundwork contractor was not available to carry out the work.

time of Boots' application to close the smaller pharmacy in Salisbury Street, the local surgery had been comfortable that the need in Blandford would be met, and NHS Dorset had received no complaints about the standard of provision.

But he said that during the Covid19 emergency he had raised the issue with MP Simon Hoare and the Secretary of State for Health, and the decision of the regulation committee to allow the closure was being looked into. He said the surgery had done fantastic work to mitigate the issues with Boots but it was something which needed to be taken up with the appropriate people.

Cllr Haydn White said a small retail area was planned in the development north of the bypass, and another pharmacy was desperately needed there. The consultation by Wyatt Homes launched a few days later on their proposals for that development indicate the inclusion of a health and wellbeing centre.

RECOMMENDATIONS from the consultants appointed by the town council to progress the Blandford Corn Exchange project were due to be considered by the council at its meeting at the end of July following their presentation to the working group earlier in the month.

Essential works were carried out earlier this year and approved retrospectively after operations manager Jon Goodenough reported to councillors that it was clear that the overall renovation project would not be starting this year, and it was wrong to further delay works, some of which had been delayed since he came into post nearly 11 years ago.

"Whilst I appreciate the reasoning for doing so in the past easier funding opportunities if the building was in a state of disrepair and then the waiting for the results of a report promised by our previous architect - it is clear that if we continue with that strategy then the building

will become unfit for purpose and we are not carrying out our obligations towards a Grade 1 listed building."

He said the works were not expensive and would not need redoing during any major renovation of the building. They included the checking, clearing and repairing of guttering and rainwater goods around the office and stage roof and main hall, a blocked downpipe, damaged leadwork, broken ridge tiles and slates, repair and repainting of office windows, pointing of brickwork and rubbish clearance at a cost of ÂŁ2,151.

Concerns continue to be expressed by correspondents to Forum Focus at the amount of money which has been spent on the project with little progress (see letter Page 12 in response to one in June). The letter in the July issue was reprinted in error having previously been submitted and printed two years ago.

16

August 2020

The View from the Hill

ears when having a bit of a scrap but a good deal of time is spent snoozing in the dust. I expect they would prefer mud.

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

O

UR piggy friends (breed: Oxford sandy and black) are now approaching 18 weeks old. They have become more and more boisterous as they get older; the noise at feeding time is deafening, the grunts are ok but the squealing is not funny.

They spend their days rooting around in the scrub at the top of their paddock, and on the rare days it rains, they rip into the old turf of the paddock, looking for worms and tender roots. They are getting just over a kilo per day of pig nuts and are putting

Young pigs in their pen.

And they don't just root on the ground - they can also climb trees! on weight steadily.

One of them was a bit under the weather a week or two ago, with a temperature of 41C. Normal for a pig is around 39, so we called the vet, who prescribed a short course of penicillin and an antiinflammatory, Metacam - many owners of ageing dogs will be familiar with this drug. The treatment turned him around within 24 hours, and he was soon squealing and fighting for his grub again.

Some days they bite each other's

Our two groups of cows, with their calves, and each group accompanied by a handsome Angus bull, have been rotating around the new herbal pastures and up and down the Sutcombe valley between Durweston and Folly.

They have been tucking into the mixture in Wynchard field, where the plants have been growing well in spite of the predominantly dry weather. There have been many pretty flowers in the mix, until the cows ate them, including clovers, sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil and vetches.

One of the benefits of a mixture like this is that, because of the nitrogen-fixing legumes in it, we do not need to apply any artificial nitrogen - the legumes supply nitrogen to the grasses. The cows browse what they fancy and after they have been in a paddock for five or six days we move them on to the next.

Eat one third, trample one third and leave one third is the theory, to the benefit of both the animals and the soil. If you remove too much top growth, the root mass will diminish. The idea is to leave enough plant bulk to rejuvenate the pasture quickly, with vigorous roots and a multi-level sward which can photosynthesise at different heights.

Over many years of intensive grazing we have got used to tidylooking short-cropped fields, which sheep are very good at, but how are the plants supposed to collect the sun's energy efficiently if we constantly allow the animals to chew off all the leaves?

We have had to make the difficult decision to spray off some of our oilseed rape with glyphosate this year. The crops are uneven due

Sainfoin is an ancient plant, long favoured for its nutritional value and sweet taste in hay, which is enjoying a bit of a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and we find it makes a very useful constituent when we want to reduce our reliance on boring grass/clover mixtures, and fertiliser. Not only useful for the farm animals, the pretty flowers are very popular with bees and other airborne insects in search of nectar.

to cabbage stem flea beetle attack and a dose of glyphosate during late ripening can help to even up the crop before harvest.

It also kills off any weed growth in the crop and there is plenty of that in some of the fields.

The timing of glyphosate pre-harvest is crucial - too early and you restrict yield and risk residue in the seed, too late and the crop ripens before the two-week harvest interval is completed and seed is lost from shatter. The colour of the seed gives the clue to optimum timing.

Today we have spent time with the sales team from Smart Ag services, who are making sure we are up to speed with our new combine and all that it can do.

By the time you read this I hope we will have cut our winter barley.

17

August 2020

The fondest of farewells for three retiring doctors STAFF and patients of the Blandford Group Practice, and particularly of Eagle House Surgery, gathered in the surgery car park to wish three pillars of the town's medical community a very happy retirement.

Doctors Jane Davies, David Burlton and Tim Blevins have between them devoted a total of 103 years to serving the population of Blandford and district.

Dr Davies is the daughter of the late Doctors Joan and David Davies, who founded the practice, first at 8a West Street and then at The Old Bank House in the early 1950s.

They were joined in 1978 by Dr Burlton, and in 1989 by their daughter and Dr Blevins, with their elder daughter Jenny as practice manager.

The practice moved to Eagle House in Whitecliff Mill Street in 1993, when Dr Joan retired, and Dr James Clements joined the practice.

Dr Clements told the gathering that all three had spent half of their careers on call at home and had offered total commitment to providing 24-hour care to their patients.

He read a letter from partner Dr Jonathan Evans, of the Whitecliff Surgery, saying: "You have left a legacy of which you can be immensely proud and for which your patients will be forever grateful."

Dr Burlton retired as a partner but later returned as an assistant - and announced that in

three days' time he would be returning as a locum!

"It was a privilege and honour to join what was very much a family practice in 1978, and I have worked with excellent colleagues both within the surgery and at Blandford Community Hospital - sometimes with five generations from the same family," he said.

He added that after nine months with the new group practice, the strength of the team was amazing and had been demonstrated in the way the Covid-19 pandemic had been managed.

Dr Davies thanked everyone for their support, particularly since postponing her original plan to retire in April, saying she would miss all those she saw as members of her family. "This is what general practice has been all about," she said.

Dr Blevins said things were changing in general practice, and the Covid experience had brought everyone together. "In March I received a letter saying I should stay at home to save lives, and wondered if it was just me!" he said, urging those remaining to "Go on to continue to be the heroes that you are."

The practice has now welcomed Dr Katie Broad, who joined in April, Dr Elizabeth Paine, who returned from maternity leave in July, and Dr Paula Irving, who is continuing permanently after completing maternity cover for Dr Paine.

Doctors Tim Blevins, Jane Davies and David Burlton with their retirement gifts at the entrance to Eagle House Surgery.

Death notice Mrs Desia Leonora Goodall. Much loved Mother and Friend, passed away peacefully June 5, aged 93. A small cremation service was held on Friday June 19 at Harbour View, Lytchett Minster. A Remembrance gathering will be held at a later date, when circumstances allow.

Charitable donations to RNLI or RSPB, through Tapper Funeral Service. 32-34 Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2PG, Tel: 01202 673164, tapperfuneralservice.co.uk.

18

August 2020

Signals’ centenary marked by a trip into space THE centenary of the Royal Corps of Signals may have been curtailed by Covid-19, although Blandford Town Council did fly the flag on Armed Forces Day and Union flags over the weekend on which a camp reunion and town freedom parade had been planned.

But thanks to sponsorship from Poole-based cyber security company C3IA Solution, the 100th birthday did not go unmarked - in space!

A balloon carrying a Royal Corps of Signals cap badge - known as a Jimmy - was launched at Blandford Camp, watched by Matt Horan, a former Signaller and security

director of C3IA Solutions, and his colleague Jim Hawkins.

The project was undertaken by senior Signals NCOs, Ben Steane, Danny Metcalfe and Jittan Rai, to complete their Foreman of Signals course, one of the technically toughest in the military. With the sponsorship they were able to buy the equipment, including hydrogen and a balloon.

Despite atrocious conditions the balloon rose to 40,656 metres and sent back photos. It was later recovered near Marlborough.

Mr Horan said: "It's a real shame that the Signals' centenary celebrations have been

curtailed. But the Foreman of Signals course has continued and this project under difficult circumstances to send back photos from 130,000 feet was a huge success.

"Once the balloon was through the clouds it was plain sailing. The images sent back in real time are remarkable and I know the Royal Signals will be pleased that their cap badge has gone higher than anyone else's."

A Royal Warrant for the creation of a Corps of Signals was signed by the Secretary of State for War, Winston Churchill, on June 28, 1920, and the title of Royal Corps of Signals was conferred by King George V six weeks later.

Rangers praised for Trailway work COMPLETION of the work planned for the Milldown playpark beside the North Dorset Trailway and opposite the nature reserve has been put back from August to early September, due to a delay from the manufacturer.

But county councillor Byron Quayle said he was delighted that extra funding had been approved by Dorset Council, which meant that the work could go ahead.

He thanked particularly Senior

Countryside Ranger (North) Graham Stanley for moving the project forward. He has also thanked the Rangers for all the work they had put in to refurbish the path along the River Stour at Stour Meadows, which had become rough and suffered flood damage.

The Rangers have also been busy, despite severe restrictions on the scope of their activities, and posted notices along the Trailway asking people to respect

social distancing and keep to the left.

The 'top path' along the Trailway between Salisbury Road and Jubilee Way has recently been significantly widened and resurfaced, enabling two people to walk side-by-side now that social distancing requirements have been relaxed.

Preparations are being made for a number of other projects on the North Dorset Trailway, including: • formation of ramp up to the Trailway from the new housing development in Charlton Marshall (Charlton Mead); • surfacing works adjacent to the recreation ground at Stourpaine; • surfacing work from Wards Drove to Charlton Marshall Halt.

Mr Stanley said: "Whilst the financial position both locally and

nationally is far from certain, the Trailway continues to benefit from Section 106 money from developers to support local social infrastructure. This helps to ensure we can look forward to the ongoing growth and enhancement of this very special community asset."

The North Dorset Trailway Trust will be looking for new officers at their AGM, which they hope to hold in November or December, following notice given by chairman Scott Norman and secretary Jan Wardell that they will be standing down.

But website manager Steve Gerry has reported that its website, northdorsettrailway.org.uk, has revealed an increase in visits during the lockdown as people become more familiar with it for their daily exercise.

DORSET Council has published the first draft of their Climate and Ecological Emergency strategy which was due for discussion by councillors at their Place Scrutiny meeting on July 23.

The strategy can be found on the council website.

A detailed costed delivery plan is also being developed for consideration by the Cabinet in October prior to public consultation.

Initial modelling suggests that implementing the strategy could cost over £100m over the next 20 years.

19

August 2020

Lockdown eased in time for happy couple’s wedding KNIGHTON House School in Durweston became the first venue in Dorset to hold a wedding ceremony following the easing of the lockdown which permitted social distanced ceremonies from July 4.

Chloe Stewart and Dan Loveland from Poole had originally booked the venue for their wedding and reception that day because there was ample room for 110 people with a marquee in the gardens.

When lockdown happened they decided they still wanted to get married that day. In the event, the permitted 30 attendees included the bride, groom, registrar, celebrant and photographer, along with 25 immediate family members.

But it excluded the live singer the couple had wanted, replaced by music played through the PA system.

Knighton's events co-ordinator Lucy Hinks said: "The ceremony was very moving and there were many tears and much laughter.

We've been hosting ceremonies at Knighton House for four years now and this one felt incredibly special.

"The extra safety measures we put in place didn't detract from the

magic of the day at all, in fact the long wait and the pared-down guest list made the whole occasion feel incredibly romantic.”

Despite the government listing ceremonies as one of the areas to be unlocked on June 1, the deadline came and went with no announcement, and they feared ceremonies had been overlooked, or would suddenly be permitted with no time to prepare.

Lucy said: "I contacted our MP Simon Hoare who reassured me the matter was in hand, but there followed a painfully slow drip-feed of information from government.

"The Dorset Registration Service were fantastic through this drought of information. They remained positive and communicated well with suggestions on what we might anticipate to come regarding guidelines. The government guidelines finally emerged five days before the ceremony."

On the day they chose an indoor ceremony for better acoustics in unfavourable weather, with guests gathered on the garden terrace until the ceremony started. The couple had been able to book a holiday cottage in Devon for their honeymoon.

Nan’s party postponed Annie (Nan) Dennett was due to celebrate her 107th birthday on July 27, but was unable to have her usual celebrations with friends and family because of the current restrictions.

Her daughter, Sandra Park, said: "Mum is keeping fit but like the rest of us misses going out and about."

Nan was nominated by Town Mayor Cllr Lynn Lindsay and Simon Hoare MP to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace this year, and Nan was delighted to receive an invitation - but the event had now been postponed until next year.

Well-wishers were invited by the Town Council to join them in sending her a card to make her birthday as special as possible.

Anyone who would like to send one a little belatedly should

address it to Nan Dennett, c/o Blandford Forum Town Council, Town Clerk's Office, Church Lane, Blandford DT11 7AD.

Nan Dennett pictured at Newbury Races earlier this year.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

Chloe and Dan emerge from Knighton House after the ceremony.

BLANDFORD'S long-serving 78-year-old Clarks shoe shop assistant Jill Cornick was delighted to be able to return to work after the shop's three-month shutdown, having twice already returned after so-called 'retirement' during her 64-year career.

20

August 2020

Water men’s digger solves tree problem PANDA Pre-school had the help of volunteers from Wessex Water in creating a woodland area where the children could learn and play outdoors in a safe and creative environment.

Charlie Langford asked her brother-in-law Gordon Langford, a general foreman at Wessex Water, if he could help with the project at the pre-school where she works.

He and repair and maintenance team leader Dave Lane visited, with a Wessex Water excavator, to dig five large holes to plant the four-metre-high trees.

Gordon said: "They were struggling to get hold of an excavator due to costs and funding. Dave

and I were allowed to borrow one of our excavators to complete the work, enabling the pre-school to plant its trees and finish the project."

Pre-school manager Alison Morris said: "We are grateful for Gordon and Dave giving up their own time to help us out. They worked very hard to ensure the ground was ready, which was not easy as the ground was horrendous to dig in some places, but they persevered and completed the job."

Panda Pre-school is open from 9am - 3pm with breakfast club available from 7.45am. To find out more see their website, email Pandapreschool@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01258 458151.

The trees planted in Panda's new woodland area.

Treads helps youngsters with the new normal TREADS young persons' project in Blandford is consulting with young people and their parents on the type and range of support and projects that they would find most useful as we slowly come out of lockdown.

High levels of anxiety, depression and isolation, and a preference for face-to-face contact have been highlighted, together with a need to understand current issues in a friendly way as they transition to the new norm.

Libby Lloyd, project worker for Treads, said:

"Social distancing measures and lockdown has made it difficult for us to provide direct face-to-face contact. Sadly, a number of projects to boost self-esteem and on anti-bullying have had to be put on hold until later this year.

"A number of young people have contacted Treads during lockdown for advice and help.

Video and telephone calls are useful but for some face-to-face is preferred or technology is not available.

"Young people who want to talk and need support or advice can contact us on 07552 724840 and we will also set up a one-to-one meeting ensuring all the necessary controls are in place."

In September Treads are hoping to launch a number of new initiatives out of their new base in the Youth Centre, and the charity is looking at which services and projects can be delivered virtually and restarting small group programmes where feasible.

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August 2020

New website keeps visitors in the picture

Low-key farewell from Durweston DURWESTON School said a fond farewell to its Year 6s at the beginning of July.

Headteacher Nicola Brooke said: "We were worried that we would not see them again after lockdown so we were very pleased that they came back on June 1.

"Of course they have missed a great deal but we have tried to make up for it as best we can. They have been such a super group of children we are very sad to see them go but wish them the very best of luck for the future."

Their teacher, Catriona Johnstone, organised a

week of outdoor activities when they should have been at PGL in Osmington; she planned a silly SATs week, part of which involved marking their parents' answers to the arithmetic test; and although they could not invite the parents in for the usual leavers' service, they had a service in church and made a video for the parents.

• Pictured with the children are the prone Ms Johnstone, with Chair of Governors Lesley Brynning (far left), pre-school manager Lyndsay McKinley-Nicholls (right), and teacher Julia Saint at the back.

Charity panto pounds SPETISBURY Occasional Dramatic Society (SODS) have for several years donated some of their annual pantomime profits to charities, local and national, particularly to those that offer services to children.

This year was no exception and after a very successful production of Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, written by Lisa and Ian Mills and directed by Mark Cheesley, SODS were able to donate a total of £500 to two charities.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, a small charity based in Warwickshire that helps individuals and their families affected by this complex and rare neuromuscular condition, received £350.

Another small charity organising supported holidays for people with disabilities, the Dorset-based Green Island Holiday Trust, was given £150.

Whether SODS will be able to put on their usual pantomime next year remains to be seen but they hope to be back on stage soon.

BLANDFORD'S tourist information centre has launched an informative new website showcasing the area's many attractions.

While the volunteer-run office in West Street remains closed due to the Covid pandemic, would-be visitors to the town can get a good taste of what is on offer by visiting visitblandford.uk.

The new site has been designed and constructed by TIC trustees' vice-chairman Adam Forty and his son Jonathan.

It includes links to local attractions, downloadable walking routes, a town guide, and a comprehensive list of local eateries and pubs.

If you would like to add your business, attraction, club or community enterprise to either the website or 2021 town guide, contact Adam Forty at blandfordtic@btconnect.com.

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August 2020

What’s on this month News from the Surgeries OUR regular back page listings column has been non-existent of late, with the cancellation of so many monthly and annual events.

In August, they include the VJ Day 50th anniversary celebrations, now to be staged virtually by the Royal British Legion Blandford branch, the Great Dorset Steam Fair and Blandford Art Society annual exhibition, both cancelled until next year.

In September, the Free Expression Arts Festival, the End of the Road Festival at the Larmer Tree, Blandford Carnival and Dorset Architectural Heritage Week are all cancelled. So is the Teddy Rocks Festival, originally rescheduled from May 2020 and now again rescheduled for April 30 to May 3, 2021.

But gradually activities are returning, including the weekly Thursday indoor and outdoor markets. So, with a reminder to organisers to let us know if they are able to resume their events, we are including here those regular ones which may or may not be taking place, with details on where to get further information.

Saturday August 1: Pimperne monthly coffee morning, village hall, see pimperne.org.uk Plant and Flower Show, Tarrant Monkton village hall, see tarrant-

monkton.wordpress.com Sunday August 2: Guided walk studying Blandford's Geology, 11am from Scrivens, Market Place, details 01258 459346 Sunday August 9: Guided Heritage Walk of Town Centre, 11am from Marsh & Ham (Morrisons) car park, details 01258 459346 Wednesday August 12: Royal Opera House screenings, Bryanston School, currently suspended, see https://tickets.bryanston.co.uk Thursday August 13: Forum Otters Cancer Support Group meetings, details 07561 114644 Saturday August 15: Cats' Protection League coffee morning & stalls, 01258 858644 Monday August 17: Strictly Come Tea Dancing with the Soggy Biscuit Dance Band, currently suspended, contact ian@archivepublishing.co.uk Sunday August 23: Guided heritage walk of town perimeter, 11am from Scrivens, Market Place, details 01258 459346 Sunday August 30: Pimperne Quiz, currently held online on the last Saturday, details 07879 0035678 Monday August 31: Summer Bank Holiday: official opening of Blandford Cricket Club pavilion, tbc

Station shelter approved PLANNING permission has been given by Dorset Council for a restoration shelter and formation of further railway track at Shillingstone station.

Two storage containers will also be repositioned and a first-floor extension added to provide a mess/welfare room and administration facility.

The North Dorset Railway has also submitted a request for an environmental impact screening opinion on proposals to restore a length of track to the north of its current site at the station towards Bere Marsh and Lamb House Bridge, alongside the existing North Dorset Trailway.

Want to improve your health and wellbeing?

Health Apps can make a big difference. Dorset CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has partnered up with ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications) to provide an apps site for you all to do just this.

They have reviewed thousands of apps so you can find the best and safest.

Discover the best apps to improve your health on the website ourdorset.nhs.uk/apps The apps you will find here have had independent and impartial reviews and you will see that the resultant information is clearly presented throughout. We can all be reassured that any apps shown on this site have undergone a rigorous review process and feel confident as we choose the best app for us.

By bringing this information to our fingertips, it's now possible to identify and compare the best apps for our needs - and to ensure that we, and our friends and families, can get access to quality assured apps.

Flood arches staircase will be opening soon EXTRA safety measures to allow daily opening of the Langton Meadow railway flood arches have now been completed, and town councillors have agreed that the staircase to the top can be opened daily between 9am and 2.30pm - but not until September.

Council staff will be carrying out health and safety checks and maintenance. The opening, subject to government guidance allowing it, was postponed for a month by councillors at their July meeting in view of the extra work in which council staff are currently engaged in managing the opening and closing of other facilities in the town.

The skatepark, outdoor gyms and play parks at Stour Meadows, Larksmead, Park Road, Balmer Road, Langton Road and Westbury Way reopened on July 4.

Staff, who returned to their normal shifts at the end of June allowing the public toilets and Woodhouse Gardens to revert to their normal opening times, needed to disinfect the touch points each morning when carrying out health and safety checks to meet Covid-19 requirements.

Members of the Blandford Railway Arches Trust (BRAT), who worked with the council to secure grant funding through the LEADER scheme to provide the staircase, together with safety railings and drainage and surfacing of the former track bed of the arches, have agreed to offer supervised openings until the unsupervised opening is allowed.

Anyone keen to hold events there in the coming months will be particularly welcome. To arrange a visit, call 01258 459346.

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August 2020

Cricket pavilion opening stumped by safety rules BLANDFORD Cricket Club, unable to have an official opening of its new pavilion because of the restrictions on numbers gathering in one place, has been running youth sessions for U9s, U11s and U13s, and members can now book the nets.

They hoped to open for members in the middle of July when all the Covid-19 signage was in place, and the Dorset Cricket League was planning to have the first adult game on August 1, with matches running into September.

An official opening of the pavilion is hoped to take place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.

• Blandford Rugby Club, whose

Cricket practice at the nets.

Larksmead ground and pavilion remained closed, announced that they were planning to open the East Street clubhouse in town with effect from Friday August 28.

Planning was underway to implement cleaning schedules, restrictions on numbers and access in order to fully implement precautionary measures. Updates will be published on their website at blandfordrfc.com.

• Blandford United held their first training session on June 30 but asked those interested in taking part to let them know so that numbers could be controlled to stick to Football Association guidelines.

Maxine Palmer sets off at 5am in very windy conditions, which gradually increased as the day wore on.

Maxine’s round trips net £1,500 for club charity THIS year's Lady Captain at Ashley Wood Golf Club, Maxine Palmer, set herself a gruelling challenge to raise funds for this year's club charity SSAFA. With lockdown, charity income has been almost non-existent, and Maxine's quest was to play 72 holes - roughly 20 miles in total, including walking the whole distance.

She started with member Caroline Payne as her caddy, and for the second 18 holes, ladies' secretary Kathryn Harding took over the duty.

On completion of the first 36 holes, a short break ensued with Maxine enjoying a late breakfast with caddy number three Val Carder, last year's Lady Captain.

For the last 18 holes the caddy duties were taken over by Club Captain Chris Wyatt driving a decorated buggy.

At the last count about £1,500 was raised with donations still being received.

Maxine has been congratulated on such a great achievement, with thanks expressed to all the caddies and supporters, as well as the members playing on the course who stood aside to let the Lady Captain through on her marathon.

• The finals of the winter mixed competition were played at Ashley Wood. Tam and Coral Reid won a close-fought game 2/1 on the 17th hole. Jeffery Morris and Val Carder were runners-up.

Online course fills gap for students PUPILS in the upper sixth at Bryanston gramme of online courses to ensure School have, in response to the disrupthey are confident and well prepared tion to their final year, benefited from an for the next stage in their academic online programme of pre-university coursjourney." es featuring advice and life skills masterA live presentation titled 'World classes delivered by former pupils.

Citizenship - Global and Local The six-week programme of lectures, Sources of Identity' was given by seminars and talks was developed to proProfessor Kwame Anthony Appiah, vide a taster of university life and opportu- James Ralphs, head of lecturer in philosophy and law at New nities to sample and confirm their acasixth-form at Bryanston. York University and former guest demic aspirations. speaker at the BBC Reith Lectures.

The school's head of sixth form James Ralphs Other speakers included Tim Hewitt, leadership said: "The impact of national lockdown measures coach of Ivy House; Ian Warwick, senior director of has been particularly hard on those in their final London Gifted and Talented; Natasha Devon and year at school. This is always an important time for Natalie Bickford, Group HR director of Merlin A-level pupils who are considering their options Entertainments. and preparing themselves for life after school.

All contributors highlighted their own experience at "We were keen to fill the void for this year's university and career experiences, and the feedleavers by providing a dedicated and inspiring proback was very positive.

DORSET school meals caterer, Local Food Links, has been awarded a Gold Taste of the West award for its smoky sausage and bean cassoulet and sunshine rice.

Bridport kitchen manager, and BBC Chef of the Year 2019 finalist Ashley Painter devised the recipe which will be featured on school menus next term, and combines a farm-to-fork story with locally sourced ingredients in a one-pot meal incorporating a five-a-day rainbow of vegetables.

Local Food Links has also again been recognised as one of the Top 100 social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 Index 2020.

Chief Executive, Caroline Morgan said: "We're proud to be a business for good."

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August 2020