October 2020 Forum Focus

Forum Focus

October 2020 Issue No.103

The free monthly news magazine for the Blandford area

Est: 2012

Left to right: Jade Moore, Linda Scott-Giles, Lynn Lindsay, High Sheriff George Streatfeild, Darren Burns and Jennie Reeves.

Pillars of the community through the toughest of times

FOUR people who have supported the community during the Covid pandemic were rewarded with awards from the High Sheriff of Dorset, George Streatfeild, when he visited the Woodhouse Gardens.

Two of them - Jade Moore of the Blandford Covid-19 Volunteer Community Helpline, and Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay, who was accompanied by Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles - accepted Community Awards on behalf of the countless people who have helped throughout the crisis in Blandford.

Two others - carer Jennie Reeves and business development officer Darren Burns received High Sheriff awards for respectively providing 100 hot meals a week, under the name Jane Reed, to vulnerable people during the lockdown and the provision of over 2,000 face coverings and PPE items for local businesses and services and further afield.

The Mayor accepted the award on behalf of the townspeople for the invaluable efforts others had made in checking on their neighbours,

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doing shopping, looking after pets, gardens, other family members, and those who worked throughout lockdown in whatever capacity.

"Blandford has really shown how strong it can be, working together during this pandemic," she said. "It was a fitting tribute to the whole town having the High Sheriff visit to recognise these exceptional efforts," she said.

Mr Streatfeild said the town council should be thanked for being in the right position to make the right decision to support the town.

His role, he said, was to support the criminal justice system, and it was magnificent how whole communities had come together to avoid the trouble people could get into.

Jade Moore, a mother-of-four who works fulltime at The Greyhound in Blandford, said the helpline would continue, but with many of the

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volunteers returning to their paid jobs was having to wind down from the height of its activity which saw hundreds helped with prescriptions, shopping and hospital runs.

She said the award would be displayed with pride in the youth centre, where the helpline was based, and congratulated all those who had contributed, saying they were amazing and should be incredibly proud.

Dorset Council is continuing to offer help to anyone struggling financially because of Covid-19, and has advised those worried about money, redundancy or reduced pay, and finding things tough, that they are not alone.

Help and support is available by calling Dorset Citizens Advice for free, confidential and impartial advice on 0344 411 1444 or going to http://orlo.uk/DWAOR.

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October 2020

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

Where to find Forum Focus 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.

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

DEADLINES Adverts: Tuesday October 13 Editorial: Wednesday October 14 Deliveries from Wednesday October 28 View future deadlines on our website.

OUR ADVERTISERS Please support our advertisers who have given us their support. All material published in Forum Focus (either in the magazine or the website), including adverts, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, Forum Focus accepts no liability for any errors or omissions and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear in the publication or on the website.

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Black day leaves three dead TWO accidents on the same day claimed the lives of three people and left a fourth in a critical condition in Southampton General Hospital.

The driver of a purple Peugeot 107, a woman from the Wareham area, was pronounced dead at the scene of a collision on the A354 at Thornicombe in the late afternoon of Tuesday August 18.

She was later named as Kim Peacock, aged 57, of Old Barn Road, Wareham, who had died of multiple injuries.

The driver of a silver Ford Ka, an elderly woman from the local area, sustained serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital where she remains in a serious condition.

Road closures to allow the emergency services to respond and the scene to be examined resulted in severe tailbacks and disruption during the evening

rush hour. Police appealed for witnesses.

A few hours later they were called to another twovehicle collision on the Blandford Road near Kingston Lacy, where the drivers of a white BMW, midwife Jane Margaret Beaumont, aged 56, from Warminster, and a white Skoda Fabia, Daniel Seth Williams, aged 40, of St Leonards, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin, who presided over the inquest hearings into the deaths, said both had died of multiple injuries. Inquests into all three deaths have been adjourned until November.

Anyone with dashcam footage or other information on either accident is asked to call Dorset Police on 101 or the free anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 18:333 for the A354 crash or 18:445 for the Kingston Lacy crash.

Spate of yob behaviour THE end of an extended summer holiday for youngsters may reduce the amount of antisocial and destructive behaviour in known hot spots which were targeted by the Blandford town and rural neighbourhood policing team.

Cannabis, a bag of white powder and alcohol were seized by police from a group of youths on the Stour Meadows. An officer said no arrests had been made but a member of the group was helping with their enquiries.

Blandford United FC also reported to the police and town council teenagers abusing the ground at Park Road, climbing dangerously over the clubhouse roof and adjacent garage, removing the security fence around the stand, damaging advertising boards, drinking alcohol and leaving evidence of substance abuse.

Woman killed in house fire A HOUSE fire in Shroton on Wednesday September 9 claimed the life of a woman in her 60s, who was rescued from the terraced property in General Wolfe Close but died at the scene.

Firefighters attended when the blaze broke out shortly before midnight, and two men from the local area were arrested in connection with the incident but were released from custody without charge.

Police said that following a post-mortem examination and early investigations, the death was not being treated as suspicious, but enquiries were continuing on behalf of the Coroner.

Police probe racist incident POLICE are investigating an incident in which racist sentiments were spray-painted onto a shop front at 3.27am on Thursday September 3 in West Street, Blandford.

Blandford PC Kate Schofield said: "This was a very unpleasant and upsetting incident for the victim. I would like to reassure them and the community that a detailed investigation is underway.

Hate crime of any form will simply not be tolerated in our communities."

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police by email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, by calling 101, quoting incident 55200132057, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers-uk.org or freephone 0800 555 111.

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October 2020

Planners accused of arrogance in courtyard conflict CHRIS Down was horrified to hear a planning officer describe the narrow courtyard behind his house in Old Stable Yard, Blandford St Mary, as "insignificant" and "not readily used amenity space".

He is even more concerned that detailed plans for the redevelopment of the Blandford brewery site, which were approved at the last meeting of Dorset Council's northern planning committee with glowing comments on the quality of the development proposed, fail to allow safe access for maintenance at the rear of his property.

The plans include a 1.8-metre high boundary fence less than 50cm from the rear of his house, replacing the open netting of what used to be a tennis court on the brewery side.

He said: "I have been in a protracted discussion with the developer and Dorset Council regarding their treatment of the boundary.

"During a consultation meeting with representatives from Savills, Ferguson Mann and Drew Smith Homes, Ferguson Mann provided an encouraging response. In theory - and with a slight alteration to the land ownership boundary - their architect could not see why a small amount of the space allocated for soft landscaping could not be used to create a slightly wider access strip at the rear of the Old Stable Yard.

"Blandford St Mary Parish Council stated their support for our concerns. However, the revised plans completely failed to address the problem."

He said that if the council and developer accepted that there was not enough space at the narrow end of the courtyard to pitch a ladder or erect scaffolding which would need 1.5 to 2 metres, the boundary could be adjusted only slightly.

But since the committee meeting held on July 30, where the area team leader described the courtyard garden at the rear of his house as, 'not readily used as an amenity space' and said the development would not have a "materially detrimental impact" on his property, he had become increasingly incensed by what he sees as the council's arrogance.

"It is a small, narrow space, but it is all the rear garden we have, so to hear it dismissed as insignificant is insulting. The planning officer has absolutely no understanding of how or when my family use the garden and we find his comments outrageous, misleading and deeply offensive."

He added: "On August 28, I made a formal complaint to Dorset Council, using their online form. I have not received a reply.

On September 1, I contacted the developer, Drew Smith Homes, to follow up the correspondence I sent them on March 10. I have not received a reply."

Repair work backed EXTENSIVE plans to carry out works to a vacant building at the back of West Street to make the property secure were welcomed by Blandford town councillors.

The property at 8D West Street was described as a 'very unsavoury building' which the agents Harrison Brookes Architects said had in recent years been let out as a domestic dwelling but a number of problems with the fabric of the building had resulted in an environmental report requiring urgent works to make it suitable for habitation.

The application for planning permission and listed building consent

by Mr C Wright included installing a new slate roof, raising of the ridge line, replacing rooflights, removing a chimney and replacing it with a metal flue pipe.

It also included relocating the staircase and incorporating the garage into living accommodation.

Members of the town council planning committee agreed unanimously to raise no objection, but to ask that consideration be given to avoiding the metal flue pipe being too visually intrusive.

Chris Down's partner Annette Stanton looks out at the development site from the 'not readily used amenity space'.

Town recovery views BY mid-September nearly 900 people had completed online or by Freepost the Town Team/Town Council survey of public opinion on the recovery of Blandford town centre following the Covid-19 emergency.

Town Team chairman Nic Nicol said: "There is still time to have your say at blandfordtown.co.uk/survey or on printed forms which can be found around the town. The survey is open until the end of September."

The working group established initially to look at the possible enhancement of the Market Place will be meeting early in October to review the results and consider the way forward.

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October 2020

Council backing for pharmacy bid

THE swans on the River Stour at Blandford have become almost as much of an attraction as the famous otters this summer.

The two adults have raised a splendid family of nine cygnets and all have been much photographed and fed by admiring visitors.

The youngsters are as large as their proud parents now, as this recent picture of them with one of the adults shows.

Multi-storey parking agreed for hospital PROPOSALS for a multi-storey car park at Dorset County Hospital which will facilitate a multi-million pound extension to health facilities on the hospital campus were approved by Dorset councillors at their north planning committee in September.

Development was recommended for refusal by officers on the grounds of the impact of the seven-storey building on the county town heritage and landscape character.

But after a two-and-a-half-hour presentation and debate members agreed that the social and economic benefit far outweighed what was described as 'less than substantial harm' to the heritage setting.

Key concerns included the impact on the Grade II listed heritage buildings of Damers Hospital, Dorchester West railway station and the Dorchester Military Museum, as well as on historic sites such as Maiden Castle and view points over the town.

Neighbouring residents also objected to the impact during construction and operation of the car park, to be sited to the south of the main hospital entrance road off Williams Avenue near the hospital children's centre.

But the committee was told that not only would the car park result in 120 more parking spaces, but it would also make possible an expansion of A&E and intensive care facilities at the hospital, with a ÂŁ62.5 million investment by central government which depended on the development of areas currently used for parking.

The application was supported by three Dorset MPs, including MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare, who said the lack of rural public transport meant more car use by those from his constituency needing to reach the hospital, and urged members not to shut the door on the government's gift horse to improve health provision in the county.

AN application to open a distance selling pharmacy at 25 Salisbury Street, formerly the Carphone Warehouse premises, has been supported by Blandford town councillors.

It was described as a 'foot in the door' towards breaking the Boots monopoly in the town after the closure of their smaller pharmacy in Salisbury Street.

Councillor Hugo Mieville suggested they should object since what they really needed was a proper pharmacy, but Councillor Colin Stevens said the applicant was trying to get in through the back door and it was a good idea to have a collection point to start with.

Councillor Haydn White said: "Half a loaf is better than none" and Councillor Byron Quayle said they should accept the foot in the door. "If we say we don't want

any extra provision that is how it will be viewed."

Other pharmacies, doctors' surgeries, the Health & Wellbeing Board and the local Healthwatch organisation, together with town and county councillors and patient representative groups, had until October 4 to make representations on the application by P&D Cards Limited, who have a distance selling pharmacy in Ferndown.

The new pharmacy would operate from secure premises, with a controlled entry system to which members of the public will not have access, with services provided without face-to-face contact by phone, website and email, and delivery by post and courier services.

There will also be free video-conferencing giving patients an opportunity to get to know the staff.

Play park upgrade REPLACEMENT equipment at Larksmead play park could be included as part of the tender documents for the new Badbury Heights play parks to be created following the transfer of land from Persimmons to Blandford Town Council.

Members of the town council's recreation and amenities committee were told that the main equipment installed in 2008 was now showing signs of wear and tear and deteriorating.

The grasshopper steel swing frame and basket frame and basket swing, installed in 2009 and 2016, were fine but the surrounding surfacing would soon need replacement. Including the work as part of the larger tender was likely to save money.

Repairs to the outdoor adult exercise equipment at Larksmead following its annual inspection have included replacing two arms of the skier due to corrosion and other wear and tear at a cost of ÂŁ985.

The VE/VJ Day bench commissioned by Blandford Town Council has now been installed in the Tabernacle, replacing the Phoenix bench which has been relocated next to the Town Pump in the Market Place.

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October 2020

Riders and striders find their way to church ONE event which did not fall by the wayside under Covid restrictions was the annual Dorset Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride in which supporters walk, run or cycle between churches, raising sponsorship for the maintenance of their own churches and the work of the trust.

Trust chairman John Stokoe said: "We have taken some difficult decisions in cancelling or postponing many of the events our friends enjoy and examined in detail the implications of holding the Ride & Stride event this year.

"After much consideration we decided to run it but in a modified form to enable participants and organisers to remain safe yet still enjoy all that the church-

Visitors taking part in the Dorset Historic Church Trust Ride & Stride with the welcoming party at Blandford Parish Church. es and countryside of Dorset have to offer."

'Teams' from various churches in the area took the opportunity

Town is showing signs of recovery NEW regulations which became law on September 14, restricting gatherings to only six people and giving the police power to enforce with possible fines, will hopefully not prevent the signs of postCovid recovery in Blandford, which can be seen in various projects getting under way and the general increase in footfall.

The town's street market is picking up strongly, particularly on Saturdays when stalls have included several new traders, including the Omega House art stall. It has also been good to see the reopening of the Sue Ryder charity shop in East Street, and the return of Age Concern Blandford to the Parish Centre (see Page 14).

The Rokit community choir is back in action in the Corn Exchange after its leader Mark James initially thought he would have to give up and cancel his Woodhouse Gardens booking.

But closures during the shutdown have included Vecchia Roma

Italian restaurant in the Georgian Passage.

Blandford Youth Centre has also been unable to receive the grant offered in a service level agreement with the Town Council due to failure to present the 2018/19 accounts, which were due to be ratified at its AGM in September.

The Youth Centre's service level agreement with the Town Council is for £15,000 a year over three years up to March 2022, to be issued on receipt of quarterly reports. The town council's finance and works committee, at its meeting on September 14, considered whether or not to release the 2019/20 and 2020/21 grants of £15,000.

The council itself has suffered a reduction in expected income of nearly £20,000 due to the closure of venues and Covid-related expenditure, but has also received a discretionary business grant of over £5,500 from Dorset Council, and seen a modest reduction in costs.

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to do just that, and although churches were not open, parishioners were keen to welcome visitors to their church grounds.

In Blandford, where one group arriving was from Sturminster Marshall and included DHCT

trustee Steve Norman, Anne Bennett and Anne Shire were on hand with helpers to serve refreshments and explain the work in progress on the restoration of the Grade I listed building.

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October 2020

Blandford pair promoted in Dorset Council shake-up BLANDFORD's two county councillors have both become lead members of Dorset Council in a reshuffle of portfolio holder responsibilities completed by council leader, Cllr Spencer Flower.

Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke has become lead member for environment, travel and harbours, and Cllr Byron Quayle has become lead member for education.

Byron Quayle: lead member for education.

Cllr Lacey-Clarke has promised: "I'll get the climate change strategy out for comment as soon as possible.

Cllr Quayle said: "I've been spending many hours working with Cabinet in driving education, especially because of some of the issues with our local schools, and apparently that's been welcomed. I am keen to drive a real change in the 150-odd schools in Dorset."

The changes were confirmed following the meeting of full council on September 3 and came into force with immediate effect.

Noc Lacey-Clarke: lead member for environment, travel and harbours.

Two other local councillors have also been appointed: Cllr Jane Somper, member for Beacon ward, as lead member for safeguarding, and Cllr Piers Brown, member for Cranborne Chase, as lead member for health.

Cllr Val Pothecary of Gillingham has become the new chairman of the council, and Cllr Mike Parkes of Ferndown is vice-chairman.

Members rejected a recommended £500 increase on their £13,000 a year allowance, but the new lead members will each get an extra £10,000 a year.

A number of key policy and strategy decisions have been put back until later in the year, with more than half of the council's staff mainly working from home and programmes disrupted by staff diverting to help in the community.

Cllr Flower said: "They are designed to enable portfolio holders to manage large and complex portfolios and to help drive the transformation programme in the provision of services.

They include how the council deals with its workplaces, the climate and ecological emergency strategy delivery plan, asset management and leisure services reviews, grants to the voluntary and community sector, the youth justice plan, housing issues and the children and young people and families' plan.

"In discussion with Cabinet colleagues I identified a need for there to be additional support for three of the cabinet portfolios as we move forward with a significant agenda for the year ahead."

Others have also been thrown into doubt because of financial uncertainty, with the authority expecting a shortfall of around £43 million at the end of the financial year.

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October 2020

Vacancy on council as Doro resigns A VACANCY has been declared on Blandford Town Council following the resignation of Councillor Doro Russell, who is relocating abroad.

She said it had been an honour to serve the community since she joined the council in May 2019.

She has played an active role, instigating the tree photography competition, consulting resi-

Morrisons staff in Carnival mood.

The spirit of carnival lives on THE annual appearance of Coles Funfair for what would have been carnival week raised some eyebrows and concerns, but was welcomed by many who were pleased to see the special precautions being taken to make it Covid secure.

A member of the team said they had plenty of safety measures in place, including temperature checks on entry, sanitisation of all rides after every use, and hand sanitiser at various places around the 'fun park'.

Workers wore face masks or shields and tokens replaced cash handling.

Staff at Morrisons supermarket were also disappointed, after taking part in the carnival procession for the last two years, to be deprived of their annual oppor-

tunity to display their wares 'in person'.

They went ahead, with the support of Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay and carnival committee member Michelle Padley, on what would have been carnival day, donning fruit, vegetable, ketchup and milk carton costumes to parade inside and outside the store in Greyhound Walk.

They made a collection for their adopted charity, CLIC Sargent, and offered a chocolate to any child and adult who dressed up and joined them.

The carnival committee announced: "Please be assured that as soon as the committee can start meeting again we will be planning for Blandford Carnival 2021."

Daylight robbery in Tesco car park A CATALYTIC converter was stolen from the car of a woman in her 80s on the afternoon of Friday August 7.

Police say the victim had left her Honda Jazz in the car park of Tesco in Stour Park while she was shopping and three men parked near her vehicle in

a dark-coloured Volvo, possibly a V40, which is believed to have been on false number plates.

Two men got out and removed the catalytic converter from the Honda with a disc cutter before placing it in the boot of the Volvo and making off.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police by email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, by calling 101, or reporting anonymously to Crimestoppersuk.org (freephone 0800 555 111) quoting incident number 55200117493.

Doro Russell dents on trees in their areas, supporting many residents during the pandemic carrying out daily visits and shopping, and promoting various groups she has visited as part of her town council duties as well as in a private capacity.

If by October 2 ten electors in the Langton St Leonards ward where the vacancy exists seek an election by emailing the returning officer at elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or posting the request to South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester DT1 1UZ, it will not be held until May 6, 2021, due to the Coronovirus regulations. It will otherwise be filled by co-option.

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October 2020

Flood trauma as downpour leaves drains overwhelmed

Above & below: Flood water makes driving tricky in Wimborne Road, Blandford.

TORRENTIAL rain which battered Dorset on August 27 and 28 flooded homes, roads and businesses when more than 40mm of rain fell within six hours in some parts of the county.

Several shops in East Street, Blandford, including Ganesh and Harrolds opticians at the bottom of Sheep Market Hill were flooded. Cotton Moon and Namaste Gurkha were also badly flooded.

Many blamed the lack of highway and drainage maintenance, but with so much rain falling within six hours in some areas, the onslaught was too much for many roads and drains to cope.

The bottom of Damory Street, Wimborne Road and East Street were several inches deep in water, drain covers

were ripped up in Damory Court Street and elsewhere, and properties were flooded in the lower part of Blandford St Mary.

Highways officers supplied sandbags, assisted by local councillors responding to calls for help on social media, which helped to restrict the damage on the second day and remained in place outside many properties in case of a recurrence.

On a lighter note, it was an opportunity for one person in East Street to bring out his canoe.

The water subsided almost as quickly as it had arrived, but for many it was a frightening experience as they found themselves stranded and surrounded by water and faced with a lengthy clean-up.

Canoeing not on the Stour but in East Street.

An exploding drain cover in Damory Court Street.

October 2020

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October 2020

Walking to remember THE third annual Memory Walk organised by Angelina Whitlock on behalf of the Alzheimer's Society took place when a group gathered on the Trailway in Blandford.

More than ÂŁ640 was raised, and refreshments were enjoyed at the White Horse pub in Stourpaine, where licensee Ali Sargent reserved them tables and supplied home-made scotch eggs.

The walkers were also able to admire a number of steam engines which arrived at the pub for a pit stop before walking back to Blandford.

Memory Walk organiser Angelina Whitlock at the White Horse.

The Memory Walkers en route along the Trailway.

Bereaved Cathy’s child protection app A BLANDFORD mum whose baby son was killed by his father 18 years ago is launching an online child safety app, Cyber Mum, to help keep children safe online.

Cathy Jacques, a serving Blandford town councillor now married to Mark Jacques, was Cathy Franklyn when her twoyear-old son Ryan was killed by his father Lee Khair in 2002.

She fought for many years to change the law to prevent defence teams stopping the bodies of victims being released for burial until the trial date, which in her case was 18 months.

Now married, and the mother to three more children, Cathy is fighting to prevent children being groomed or receiving violent and threatening messages online,

and to help parents keep their children safe.

The app connects parents' and children's phones and provides articles on bullying, online grooming, child abuse, legislation on child safety online, and a forum where subscribers can talk to each other and share where to get help if a child is in danger from online activity.

It also has GPS tracking to show a child's location, and alerts parents if a suspect message is received, along with other tools managed by the parent for their child's safety and their own peace of mind.

Cathy appeared in an online blog with Disruptive Entrepreneur Rob Moore telling her story to promote the new app, which is due to launch on October 2.

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October 2020

Town’s fire memorial undergoes a facelift WORK started at the beginning of September on a facelift for Blandford's historic Town Pump in the Market Place.

The work was commissioned by Blandford Town Council and was expected to be finished by the end of the month.

The project to restore to its former glory the memorial to the Great Fire of Blandford, erected in 1760 by the town's Georgian architects, is costing around £10,000, paid for in part from the Lidl funding for town centre enhancements.

Documents submitted with the application for listed building consent said the deterioration in the OUTLINE plans from Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd to demolish barns and develop land by the erection of up to 30 homes on land at Catherine's Well, Milton Abbas, have been rejected under delegated planning officer powers by Dorset Council.

There were over 70 public objections to the scheme.

condition of the memorial erected by the town's architects the Bastard brothers had become more noticeable following the cleaning and restoration of the Corn Exchange and the restoration of the cupola and tower of the Parish Church.

Stonemason Stuart Whitehill, who two years ago carried out conservation work on the Corn Exchange façade and last year worked on the former grammar school gateway in Damory Street for Blandford & District Civic Society, said: "The Town Pump will be steam-cleaned as with the Corn Exchange and we will be carrying out repointing work."

Advice was sought from several experienced conservation specialists and the planning authority conservation officer before selecting Stuart as contractor, whose minimally invasive approach is not to remove stones as others had suggested but instead remove corroded parts and replace missing pointing with lime mortar.

Contractors at work on the Town Pump.

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October 2020

Family photos stolen

IRREPLACEABLE photographs of late family members were stolen when the car of a woman walking her dog near Tarrant Rushton airfield on Sunday August 16 was broken into.

Police said the woman returned to her car to find a window smashed and her large hessian handbag taken from underneath a seat. The bag contained a number of sentimental photographs of family members who have died, as well as a cheque book holder, a purse and a wallet containing bank cards.

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police by email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, calling 101, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers-uk.org or freephone 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 55200122492.

In support of hedgehogs DOZENS of ghostly hedgehogs appeared on roadsides in Blandford in September, highlighting the spots where some of the most popular of British mammals had met an untimely end under the wheels of a car.

The signs have been placed by Mary Barrett (left) and Denise Montague (right), members of the Blandford group of the Dorset Mammal Group (see Page 15).

It coincides with a 'Help Save Britain's Hedgehog' petition launched on Change.org by Hugh Warwick, author of The Hedgehog Book, calling on the government to ensure that all new homes include 'hedgehog highways' - 13cm diameter holes cut in fences. It has to date been signed by nearly 950,000 people.

Homes scheme is amended to address concerns DEVELOPERS Bellway Homes have revised their detailed plans for building 350 homes south of the bypass in Blandford St Mary in response to concerns from planning and conservation officers to the scheme submitted last November.

But they have also appealed against the non-determination of the scheme by Dorset Council within the target time.

A separate detailed application for just 250 of the homes and associated infrastructure is also awaiting determination and revised plans have again attracted objection from the Cranborne Chase AONB. The revised plans, which are now being considered by Dorset Council and on which consultees were again asked to comment on August 24, highlight a number of concerns raised by the urban design, AONB and landscape offi-

cers and refer to six main points emerging from ongoing discussions resulting in the redesigned scheme.

To break down the long-distance views into the site from the east, they have reduced the scale and height of development in the north-west corner, redesigned the landscaping and green infrastructure, and provided a series of north to south 'green fingers' to soften the form and create a break in the development parcels.

They have also amended the location of the proposed village hall and public art, widened the landscape buffer between the A354 and A350 and houses and a block of flats facing them to provide a better transition from the countryside, and proposed improved vehicular tracking for refuse vehicles and additional traffic calming on the main spine road and off roads.

Urgent floor repair URGENT health and safety work to repair the tiled flooring in the football club changing rooms at Park Road, Blandford, has cost nearly ÂŁ2,500.

The flooring had become unsafe due to the smoothness of the tiles resulting over many years of use.

Operations manager Jon Goodenough reported to the town council's recreation and amenities committee in September that in view of the possible start of the football season by the time of the meeting, he had sought authority for the work to be carried out from the chairman of council and chairman of finance and staffing.

The committee was also asked to consider a request from the club for permission to erect semi-permanent security fencing between the cricket and football pitches during the football season and further meet the requirements of its promotion to a higher level in the non-league football pyramid to join other towns in Dorset, including Shaftesbury, Dorchester, Sherborne and Bridport.

October 2020

13

A new chapter starts for libraries

Man admits a string of offences

LIBRARIES in both Blandford and Sturminster Newton are now back open.

Customers can browse the shelves and in Blandford can use the public computers, which will be available for a 45-minute session and should be prebooked by telephone.

Opening times are limited to mornings (check dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries for which mornings and times) so teams can work safely in the afternoons to pick and pack bags for the order and collect service - an alternative service for existing customers who are unable to spend time in the library.

For those without online access, orders can be made by telephoning 01305 228400.

Although events and activities in all libraries have been suspended for the immediate future, they are still taking place in the community, and groups are invited to

A 42-year-old Blandford man, Joseph Anthony Farrell, admitted a string of offences when he appeared in court last month.

Farrell, of Peel Close, admitted shoplifting three bottles of vodka in Dorchester in February, and Blandford on July 13, when he took a pack of Stella Artois beer worth ÂŁ4.50 from M&S in Langton Road. He also admitted damaging a plant worth ÂŁ12 at M&S. Farrell also admitted failing to comply with an antisocial behaviour direction in Weymouth on July 15, using threatening behaviour against a woman in Poole on August 14 and theft from a man in Bournemouth on August 19.

He was made the subject of a community service order requiring him to attend appointments and take part in activities for up to 30 days.

organise a Blandford Library Tiny Fun Palace for the Blandford community on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday October 3 and 4.

The emphasis is on sharing skills and making local connections, either physically or digitally.

Suggestions include a shared creation by neighbours along a wall, a seed swap in a street, a drumming lesson from a balcony window, six people socially distanced in a park learning a

dance or yoga and fitness sequence, or neighbours co-writing a story in chalk on the pavement, broadcasting a knitting tutorial on Facebook, sharing a poem on Twitter or art on Instagram, or holding a video conference dance-off.

For more details and ideas see funpalaces.co.uk/1000-tiny/ Let the Blandford Library Tiny Fun Palace Group (and Forum Focus!) know if you are planning an activity.

14

Readers’ letters

Imperfect practice CAN someone please explain what is happening at the Whitecliff surgery? No-one ever seems to answer the phone and if they do it is often promptly put down again.

My partner tried ringing and eventually managed to speak to someone, and had a call back from a doctor who wanted him to have a blood test.

He tried for two days to speak to reception to make an appointment. Eventually someone answered and he was told he'd have to wait a month.

After a second call from the doctor a couple of days later, it was suggested he should ring the pathology department at Dorchester hospital for a test.

He thought he'd try the surgery one more time and someone answered the phone, late pm, and he was told there was a month's

October 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

waiting list, then promptly given an appointment for the following week!

My daughter had the same experience. After taking antibiotics for three weeks, the doctor asked her to have a blood test. She was not able to get a reply from reception, or was cut off when someone eventually did pick up the phone.

After eventually getting a response, she now has to wait three weeks.

Neither my partner nor daughter visit the doctor very often so are not making unnecessary calls.

I realise they are under pressure but this is crazy. Surely lives are being put at risk here.

Name & address supplied

Unfair treatment WE have recently seen and received quite a lot of negative comments about us not wanting

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.

to see patients, not answering our phones and jumping through hoops to get an appointment.

These comments have made us feel very disheartened. Since lockdown, we have been busier than ever and we have contended with reduced capacity for clinical rooms, clinicians and our admin staff.

We have always been here seeing patients face to face, but our clinicians are speaking to everyone first to ensure we manage the appointments in the safest and most efficient way. We know this is not probably what people want - we don't either - but it is essential for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and our patients.

Dorset has had a low rate of infections of Covid-19 but the pandemic is not over. By law, and as part of our NHS contract, we have to follow national guidelines on how and when people can be seen, what protective equipment is required and to ensure thorough cleaning of the rooms between each patient.

In the time we used to be able to see three patients face to face, we can now only see one.

Our phone lines are also very busy as we are having to make appointments to deliver 12,000 flu jabs to our usual flu-eligible patients, plus an additional 4,000 jabs for the new (Covid risk) cohort 50-65 year olds (if there are sufficient vaccine stocks).

Please bear with us and be kind to our staff when you speak to them - they are working incredibly hard to keep you safe.

Thank you The Blandford Group Practice

Council failings FURTHER to my letter in last month's Forum Focus, 'Singularly inefficient', I have now received details of a repayment but no apology, and more importantly no details of when the repayment will be made.

If our circumstances change we have 21 days to tell them or be fined ÂŁ70. They want to have their cake and eat it!

Fortunately we have been assisted by Councillor Byron Quayle, to whom we are most grateful,

but others may not be so lucky.

He has said he is happy to help anyone with similar problems.

But the council should be held to account for these failings. The people at the top get away with murder while the taxpayers are hurt all the time in their pockets for the council's errors.

Name & address supplied

Charity resumes AT their meeting held on September 8, the volunteers at Age Concern Blandford Forum agreed to resume the provision of their information and advice services to older people living in and around Blandford, starting on Thursday October 8.

The new address for Age Concern is the Blandford Parish Centre, The Tabernacle, Blandford, with a new telephone number 07305 166418. The email address remains ageconcernblandford@talk21.com with volunteers available for consultation each Thursday at the Parish Centre from 10am to 1pm.

Peter Slocombe Age Concern Blandford Forum

Funfair questions A FUNFAIR in the middle of Blandford - so how is social distancing supposed to work?

So far Dorset has been very fortunate in this pandemic, more by luck than good judgment, judging by the numbers failing to follow the rules.

I sincerely hope that should we become a hotspot as a consequence, we aren't subjected to any whining about another lockdown!

Yes the 'new normal' is a pain and curbs our freedoms but it's certainly better than the alternative.

Bob Skinner Hectors Way, Blandford

Please email your letters to editor@forumfocus.co.uk

15

October 2020

Letters extra Support for studio I WOULD like to thank all those who have signed my petition in support of the art studio project in Nightingale Court, which has persuaded me that it is worth reapplying for planning permission giving evidence of the community support.

I need planning permission because this very neglected piece of land in need of a bit of love is not classed as a domestic garden where two sheds would be classed as permitted development.

Since I am on a very low income and I cannot pay for it personally, I cannot thank the landowner enough for his generosity in paying for the first application, which has been withdrawn in the absence of initial community support.

Whilst I have been awarded funding by the National Lottery and by Dorset Council for the activities proposed, to submit another planning application costs nearly £500.

I have therefore launched a crowd funder page, which will help to prove that there is a need and desire for the project to happen, and for the area to continually improve for all to enjoy.

The petition and full information can be found on the website free-expression.com or the Facebook page at facebook.com/freeexpression16 Kate Seeger

New home caution BUYING a new build home and being its first occupants is for many buyers living the dream. It should be and it can be, but you should take this step with your eyes open and ask the builder and your solicitor appropriate questions.

There has been quite a lot of news in the national press recently about four of Britain's biggest house builders being threatened with court action by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over builders not fully explaining to purchasers what they are agreeing to by purchasing one of their homes.

This has caused waves through-

out the home building industry because these practices are not restricted to just these four builders but to the industry as a whole.

The important questions are about the standard of build of the developers, leasehold or freehold clauses in your purchase, the guarantees that come with the home purchase and, once the builder has moved on, who is responsible for the upkeep of the roads and common spaces within the development.

You will find a lot about the builder on the internet from previous purchasers and whether their guarantees are met. Your solicitor, who should be independent and used to dealing with new home conveyancing - and not one regularly recommended by the builder - will advise you on your legally tied responsibilities once you have purchased the property.

Sometimes the local authority has not adopted the roads within the development and the costs of maintenance are the responsibility of the home owners.

Nicholas Smith Blandford Forum

Museums need help I WOULD like to appeal, through you, to the people of Blandford who care about the history of our town.

Like many organisations, the museums in Blandford have been closed during the Covid lockdown until very recently.

Visitors are a key source of income for the museums and without this money, it is very difficult to look after the artifacts that we hold in trust and make them available to our community through exhibitions and education programmes.

The museums also have an important role in attracting visitors to Blandford, who will spend money elsewhere in the town during their visit.

We would like to encourage readers to become Friends of Blandford Town Museum and /or the Blandford Fashion Museum.

The cost of becoming a Friend starts from £10 per annum for an individual.

Details of how to join are available on our websites at blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk and

blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk/.

If you would like to support the Blandford Town Museum to a greater extent, we are encouraging Friends to set up a monthly debit of £2, £3 or £5 per month, which would make a real difference to our income. If you feel able to do this, please contact the membership secretary at contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk.

Joy Reynolds, Trustee Blandford Town Museum

Hedgehog fatalities YOU may remember the 'ghost' hedgehog signs that Jo Gilmore and her band put up in Pimperne last year to raise awareness of the hedgehog road kills.

All the DMG hedgehog-friendly towns and villages were in the process of doing the same in September, and we in Blandford were out erecting the signs.

There have been significant fatalities in our hedgehog population since the easing of Covid lockdown measures.

Denise Montague

Racetrack at Stur REFERENCE your article about the police catching road speeders in the Blandford area: we could do with those police over this way.

Here at Newton, Sturminster Newton, the A357 road is being used as a Formula 1 racetrack!

All the signs are completely ignored. We haven't seen any police around here in years.

We have tried for over 25 years to get the same system as Shillingstone, but to no avail. We, the residents, have to put up with the selfish, uncaring drivers. All it needs is a hefty fine - just flashing lights won't work.

Eve Eyres Sturminster Newton

Please keep your letters as brief as possible and email them to editor@forumfocus.co.uk

16

October 2020

Museum team rise to the opening challenge

Mo Brickell and Shirley Mayo are waiting to welcome you to the Fashion Museum's traditional tearoom.

AS with many local businesses the Blandford Fashion Museum has had its challenges over the last couple of months. But one constant has been its dedicated group of volunteers, who, as soon as the museum was given approval to reopen, swung into action with commitment.

The costume display team took advantage of the enforced shutdown to create a stunning new

Restrictions hit charity plans MACMILLAN'S World's Biggest Coffee Morning was this year hampered first by Covid-19 restrictions, and then by new regulations which came into force only ten days before it was due to be held.

A proposal to hold one in Pimperne on September 26 was cancelled due to social distancing changes.

In Spetisbury, where up to ÂŁ600 has been raised annually for the charity, plans to hold a cake making competition in the village hall were replaced by just a socially distanced raffle in the garden and at Marcia's Market the following Saturday, with thanks to Marcia's market, Tesco, Morrisons and The Newt in Somerset for donations for the hamper prizes.

In Iwerne Minster they hoped also to commemorate the late Sheelagh Duly who ran their Macmillan coffee mornings for many years with an event on the parish field.

CBA Services in East Street announced that as they were not holding a coffee morning this year to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, four of their team had accepted the challenge to run 5k a day for 10 days between them to raise research money. Starting on September 21, either Kay, Lauren, Dan or Nathan were running 5k a day until the challenge of 50k was completed on September 30.

display on Land Girls and the Women's Legion; the tea room and shop volunteers reorganised the tea room in line with new social distance guidance; and the reception volunteers had to quickly come up to speed with new protocols to now greet visitors with their usual friendly welcome, but from behind a Perspex screen. Everyone has learned how to use the new contactless payment machine.

The museum is currently only open two days a week (Monday and Saturday) and would like to extend their opening hours for the rest of 2020, but more volunteers are required.

Anyone with three or four hours a month to spare who would like to learn more about joining the museum's friendly team, as well as past and new volunteers, are invited to contact the museum 01258 453006, or to call in to see the new processes in place that ensure the volunteers and visitors are safe and confident in visiting the museum.

17

October 2020

Janet steps aside as Gemma takes the floor AFTER 43 years of teaching dance in Blandford, Janet Knight is passing the dance school to a new teacher, Gemma Davis, a fully qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher who will continue classes as the Blandford School of Dance.

Following a professional dancing career and moving to Blandford with her husband, Janet started the school in 1977. She has taught many students over the years for ballet, tap, modern jazz and adult fitness classes, with several students going on to have careers in dance.

Prior to the impact of the Covid pandemic, Janet was planning a party to celebrate the 40 years

Judy Woodward had been her pianist and to get as many pupils, past and present, together.

Unfortunately that could not go ahead.

The day before the lockdown hit, two pupils passed their Grade 6 ballet exam with a distinction and a merit.

Janet is not completely hanging up her ballet shoes and will continue with Silver Swans classes and teaching ballet at Bryanston School.

Gemma has now reopened the school, put in place all the required safety procedures to comply with Government requirements and looks forward to welcoming new pupils.

Janet Knight (right), who is passing on the Blandford School of Dance to Gemma Davis (left).

A busy new agenda for youth advice centre TREADS youth advice centre has announced its new autumn programme for young people which started at the end of September at their new home on the first floor in the Blandford Youth Centre in Milldown Road.

On Tuesdays there are weekly anti-bullying workshops to help young people to stand up to make-up and body shaming, explore female beauty in different cultures, experiment with make-up and lotions, stand up to period shaming, improve selfesteem and confidence and have friendly supportive discussions on female issues.

On Wednesdays their LGBT group for young people provides a safe space and opportunity to meet other young people,

access to advice and information, youth worker and peer support.

Thursday afternoons sees the return of their successful A teens project supporting young people who may lack and want to develop better social skills.

Libby Lloyd, youth support worker at Treads, said: "We want to make sure our sessions keep everyone Covid secure in line with government guidelines and national youth agency advice, so only small social distancing groups will attend our workshops or sessions by appointment, booking or by invitation only."

Anyone interested in attending is advised to contact Libby on 07552 724840 or youthsupport@treads.org.uk.

Museum art curator Mike Lofthouse in the art gallery with some of Rachel Sargent's work.

Art returns to museum BLANDFORD Town Museum reopened to the public at the end of August when the first in its series of monthly Art in the Museum exhibitions featured Rachel Sargent, a local artist inspired by Dorset's stunning landscapes.

She works out of her studio, a converted cowshed on the Goldhill Organic Farm in Child Okeford. More information at rachelsargent.co.uk.

In October the Museum presents a rare opportunity to see oils and watercolours by a past museum art curator in 'Clare Shepherd: New Work'. As an influential and popular teacher Clare continues to encourage local artists but her work normally appears in London or Devon galleries. The exhibition is on from October 1-29.

18

October 2020

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

BUSINESS NEWS ROUND-UP

Amberley growth THE acquisition last year of Shaftesbury Lane-based Amberley Labels by Coveris has led to the launch of a new decorative labelling brand for the international packaging company.

The transformation had included a £3.5 million investment in the creation of the new 'Amberley Boston' in a Coveris site at Boston, Lincs.

The growth strategy will see the business targeting premium label sectors, including beverage, personal care and fragrance.

Dennis Patterson, business unit president for Coveris' Graphics, Labels and Board division, said:

"We're really excited to finally be in a position to share our plans around our new combined Amberley Labels brand.

"The investment and additional processes required to meet the demands of new markets will deliver a major step change in our operations, which will see us shift from a traditional largescale, high-speed service model to a more targeted bespoke quality offering.

"Given the heritage, reputation and quality culture associated with the Amberley name, we are proud to extend this and are looking forward to launching our next generation visual identity."

Kickstart aid plan Sarah Damon welcomes visitors with a cup of tea in her Emporium.

Treasures in store at Sarah’s Old Grainstore Emporium HIDDEN away on the newly redeveloped (and currently still under redevelopment) Old Grainstore site behind Mark Robbins Carpets in Shaftesbury Lane, is Blandford's newest retail treasure - The Old Grainstore Emporium.

Proprietor Sarah Damon said: "Born from the need to reclaim my house as a home from just being a storehouse, I discovered the Grainstore development advertising office and storage space to rent.

"One thing led to another and on Saturday February 29 The Old Grainstore Emporium opened its doors to the public - only to close them two weeks later!

"But the phoenix has risen from the ashes bigger and better. Lockdown gave the opportunity to expand necessary now with social distancing requirements - so be sure to pay a visit and discover all the vintage, retro, antique, collectible, upcycled and artisan goodies packed to the rafters.

"Have a cup of tea or coffee from the excellent selection and a piece of homemade cake in the integral, quirky tearoom - what's not to love?"

For more information contact Sarah on 07745 477795, email theoldgrainstoreemporium@outlook.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

THE Blandford Business Support Group is looking into the possibility of small businesses in the town joining together to put in a joint bid for the government's Kickstart Scheme.

The scheme offers 30 six-month work placements to 16- to 24-yearolds who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Leaflets will be coming out soon and more details given at the business group's next meeting, to be held by Zoom at 8.30am on Thursday October 1.

If you would be interested and feel you could offer a placement, contact Kay on 01258 840306 or kay@cba-services.co.uk for further information and log on details to the meeting.

Prodigy take estate space ESTABLISHED local IT company Prodigy PC Ltd, based at Iwerne Stepleton, has bought trade counter premises on the Sunrise Business Park.

The sale of the 4,866 sq ft premises at Unit 53, with a quoted price of £325,000, was negotiated by property consultancy Myddelton & Major.

Their surveyor Gary Mead said: "The company has been in business for 16 years and offers IT solutions for businesses across the south, with experience of working for a wide range of industries, including accountancy, hospitality, recruitment and manufacturing."

Yuletide go-ahead THE Blandford Yuletide Festival committee is continuing to plan for a 2020 event, but on a much reduced scale.

It is proposing that a festive event goes ahead on Friday December 4 in Blandford town centre, but with Covid-19 restrictions it will not be possible to put on the full festival programme as in previous years.

There will not be a parade, fireworks display or carol singing and roads will not be closed.

The proposed outline programme will see Christmas market stalls in the Market Place (outdoor markets are permitted), the town Christmas tree lit up, the Stour Valley Band playing festive music on the church lawn, Father Christmas in the Shambles with Covid-controlled access, a snow, music, light and sound display, and - if possible - the fun fair on the Crown Meadows field.

Yuletide Festival chair Steve Hitchings said: "The committee will do all it can to deliver an enjoyable festive event within the constraints of the Covid-19 regulations that will be in place on the day."

19

October 2020

Amaelia is drawing praise for her art A COMMISSIONED portrait of a little girl with an incurable life-limiting condition is being gifted to the friend of the family who asked for it by its 12-year-old artist Amaelia Mae Guppy.

A pupil at The Blandford School, Amaelia started painting in acrylics from the age of seven and, self-taught, did abstract art work which she gave to friends and relatives.

Her mum Tara Stayner said: "Over the years she has pushed herself to further develop her artistic skills in all areas, including her favourite illustrations of anime characters.

"She was asked to do the commissioned piece of the little girl and decided she would gift it to the friend of a family whose niece has the incurable Infantile Krabbe disease."

Amaelia has been offered a place at Bryanston School after passing her ISEB exam with good results.

"There is so much she wants to learn at Bryanston. As soon as she comes home she is drawing and starting new pictures," said Tara.

"She attended one of their activities days and had a day looking around the school. She was completely blown away by their art department."

Local businesses make awards finals FOUR local businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in this year's Dorset Magazine Food, Drink and Farming Awards.

The organisers say that with the impact of coronavirus and lockdown hitting food and drink businesses across the county, it is heart-warming to read of the kindness and support Dorset people have shown.

"There are so many wonderful stories of communities working together to help those who are shielding, businesses adapting to serve all those that they can, the raising of money for the NHS and so much more. This year's shortlist is truly outstanding."

The second round of judging is now underway and the winners will be announced in their December issue.

From Dorset with Love is nominated as Food Producer of the Year, along with Baboo Gelato of Bridport and The Book & Bucket Cheese Company in Cranborne.

Alex and Emma Young of the Ginger Viking in East Street are nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year, along with Keri AstillFrew of V. Dorset Delivery, Poole, and Nigel Cox of Weymouth Fresh Fish.

Allen Valley Milk & Pamphill Dairy in Pamphill is nominated for the Business Collaboration Award, along with Bothen Hill & Furleigh Estate and Mercato Italiano of Bridport.

And caterers The Dorset Food Co of Blandford are nominated as the Best Local Food/Drink Delivery Experience, along with Dark Bear, Bridport and Seabeats, Weymouth.

Amaelia with her painting of the little girl.

20

October 2020

Fundraising race is on to save the barn owls

Back in socially distanced action at the Performing Arts Theatre Academy.

Students’ delight as curtain goes up again EVERYONE at the Performing Arts Theatre Academy is excited to be back up and running after a tough few months which saw them postpone two major events following their relocation to new premises at the Old Grainstore in Shaftesbury Lane.

Principal Becky Holland said: "Having to stop teaching our beloved students so suddenly was heartbreaking and we know that all our students found it confusing to have their classes stopped, especially as for some it was their only creative outlet and passion.

"Most disappointingly we had to postpone our party to celebrate the opening of our new premises and also our major Academy show Alice in Wonderland."

During the lockdown they chose not to run online classes, feeling

there was enough for the children - and parents - to adjust to, and instead kept them busy with challenges and videos to follow.

Summer workshops were a great reintroduction to the studio for students who went 'under the sea' and became princesses and superheroes, and for seniors who created their own choreography and performed pieces from Hamilton and Six The Musical.

"We have already had a wonderful few weeks of teaching and tried to make classes as normal as possible, with an enhanced cleaning regime and social distancing practices in place, and it has been fantastic to have our students back where they belong," said Becky.

For more information see thepatheatreacademy.uk.

NORTH Dorset Railway at Shillingstone Station holds its first main event since the lockdown on Saturday and Sunday October 3 and 4 between 10am and 4pm with an open-air book fair of thousands of books donated during the pandemic, many in mint condition.

There will be a marquee, in case of bad weather, and prices from 20p for paperbacks and 50p to £1 for hardbacks, together with DVDs and CDs. The Covid compliant café will be open for refreshments on the station platform.

JUST weeks after moving into its showcase Dorset farm, the UK wildlife friendly farming charity, the Countryside Restoration Trust, is facing a desperate race against time to rescue its oldest and most beloved residents from becoming homeless.

A new roof needs to be literally put over their heads before the onset of winter if the family of barn owls which have bred and nested for over 20 years at Bere Marsh Farm in Shillingstone are to be saved from being forced out by the elements.

Manager Elaine Spencer White said: "Bere Marsh Farm without its barn owls would be unthinkable. We need to do everything we can to make sure that they remain safe because they are the iconic symbols of this wildlife farm."

The owls are regularly spotted by

passing families, hikers, naturalists and cyclists and have become a much-loved feature of the countryside.

The Trust is hoping that this will prove an effective factor in rapidly raising the £30,000 needed to replace rotten roof timbers and re-tile the 100-year-old barn which is their home in the short period between the owls' completion of the rearing of their current chicks and the start of a new breeding cycle with the onset of winter.

The work will take about two weeks to complete and has been scheduled to start in early October.

Recent trends of modernising and converting barns into rural homes have severely reduced barn owls' natural habitats and up to 85% of today's birds live in specially erected nest boxes.

Community fridge to reduce food waste GROUPS in Blandford, including the Blandford Group Practice, the Blandford Food Bank and the Town Council, along with local councillors and residents, are coming together to introduce a community fridge to the town.

The Town Council posted on its Facebook page that community fridges exist to reduce food waste and foster a spirit of sharing and mutual support within a community.

They are housed in publicly accessible places, making fresh food that would otherwise be wasted freely available to the

community.

Surplus perishable food is donated by local businesses or members of the public and collected by people who need it.

It will be some months before the fridge is introduced in the town and the project needs commitment from local supermarkets, to whom letters have been sent asking for their involvement on a regular basis.

Volunteers are also needed, and anyone who would like to be involved should in the first instance contact the Town Council in Church Lane.

21

October 2020

WI call for archives and underwear MEMBERS of Blandford Evening WI are urging people to say 'Knickers to Cervical Cancer' and 'Pants to Prostate Cancer' and remind everyone to take the tests available as part of the current WI resolution 'Don't Fear the Smear'.

They are seeking contributions for the Great Dorset Pants Fence, based at Gorcombe Extreme Sports, to commemorate anyone who has been lost from your life through cervical or prostate cancer.

Based on the fundraising phenomenon of the Cardrona Bra Fence in New Zealand, the fence is a fun adaptation to put forward the message, Be they plain and practical, fancy and frivolous, or slinky and sexy, all pants are welcome, along with a donation to what is the ladies' fundraising project for 2020 in support of Dorset Cancer Care Foundation and the Dorset-based Macmillan Nurses.

The gift of two scrapbooks of photos, found by Sally Wareham

Changes announced at helm of law firm BLANDFORD-based law firm Blanchards Bailey has announced that Paul Dunlop, head of litigation and disputes, has become the firm's new managing partner.

He succeeds Alan Horne, who assumes the role of finance partner and remains a member of the management board along with Jerome Dodge, head of private client.

Paul, who joined the firm in 2013, said: "I am honoured to have been made managing partner.

This reorganisation is part of the firm's long-term strategic plan, which has already seen investment in the latest IT software, new VOIP telephone system, development of staff and key appointments and promotions."

Partner Robin Cole, who has 30 years' experience in commercial property and development law, mostly in top City of London law firms, has been appointed head of commercial services.

Paul has already had an eventful year, being re-elected to the pres-

when she cleared the house of her late mother Gillian Wareham, has also resulted in an appeal for other memorabilia which may be tucked away in cupboards and cases, attics and trunks.

The photos were of the first incarnation of Blandford Evening WI which ran from 1981 until 2011. Current members recognised many of the faces in the pictures - and saw that their predecessors won the Co-operative Handicraft Rosebowl and a Handicraft Cup in March 1996 and that in June 1984 took the evening walk along the bypass prior to its completion.

The receipt of the albums prompted the question of how much more of the social history of both Blandford and the WI, active in Blandford since 1918 and in Blandford St Mary from 1954 to 1990, might be added to their archive or the main Dorset WI archive in Dorchester.

Some of the entries in one of the photo albums donated to the Blandford Evening WI.

Paul Dunlop tigious office of president of the Dorset Law Society, the professional association that represents and governs solicitors for England and Wales. He has also become a father for the first time.

Blanchards Bailey will also shortly be announcing its chosen charity for the year ahead for which the staff will fund-raise as part of the firm's commitment to supporting the community.

Shoebox gift plea BLANDFORD Rotary may have abandoned plans to run the annual shoebox appeal this month due to the Covid-19 restrictions but Blandford Stour Rotary have not.

Despite the current situation, they will again be running their appeal until the end of October. If you would like to help with a shoebox or two, all information about it is available at blandfordstourrotary.co.uk.

For many years now Rotary clubs worldwide have organised the Charity Christmas Shoebox Appeal, and last year around 27,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts, were sent from this area to underprivileged children in Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and Romania.

In many cases these are the only gifts these children receive over the festive period and the arrival of these Christmas boxes is always eagerly awaited.

22

The View from the Hill

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

T

HE autumnal hue of the quinoa behind the sunflower sets off its bright yellow in the sinking evening sun.

The quinoa (pronounced kwinower, not keenwah in this part of Dorset) ripens through a seemingly random variety of colours, and then offers a huge amount of food for the birds' larder for the winter.

Not to be confused with fathen, or goosefoot, both annoying arable weeds which produce a similarly laden seed head and are impossible to control in a bird food plot containing quinoa, as they are too closely related to be able to use a weed killer.

Harvest is very nearly complete.

The poppy team arrived for a very short visit. They made quick work of knocking off the patches worth harvesting across 50 hectares of the scruffiest, most useless and embarrassing crop we have ever grown.

A grand total of around 16 tons, where there should have been nearer 100, will not anywhere near cover its costs, and we cannot wait to finish tidying up the stems left by the harvester with our combine, and getting Gary into the field with the discs to consign the whole sorry mess to history.

What went wrong? A too-dry

October 2020 seedbed followed by a twomonth drought. This, for a small seeded crop, is fatal. Seriously delayed germination, followed by dry weather and more dry weather, meant a very short growing season for what was already a very thin crop.

In the end, now the dust has settled, the 2020 harvest on this farm can be seen as a bit of a lucky escape. The season started most unpromisingly, with autumn planting delayed more than a month past normal sowing time, well into November.

Torrential rain began in September, just as most arable farmers are about to sow their autumn crops, and it barely let up till the middle of March.

Fortunately our chalk-based soils gave us enough opportunity to get our winter crops sown by mid-November, and then the beautiful bright sunny weather through April, May and June was just what the plants needed to recover and grow well.

For many soils though, the wet autumn was too much and lots of farmers were not able to plant any winter cereals at all. Even their spring cereals struggled with late sowing followed by prolonged periods of drought through the growing season.

Rape crops struggled against the onslaught of the cabbage stem flea beetle, of which I have written too many times before.

All in all, for many, 2020 is a farming year to be forgotten (and with the rest of life under Covid) and now we look forward to starting again with a clean sheet for the 2021 season. But lovely field mushrooms contributed to one of our home-grown meals thanks to 2020 lockdown projects, including the enlarged vegetable garden and the potato field.

We sowed our oilseed rape crop in mid-August and so far it has

Sunflowers, dazzling in the bright evening sunshine. all emerged and has only shown light beetle grazing. We do not intend to start sowing wheat until well into October and hope we can complete by early November.

It is a risky strategy, but so is sowing early, if you are determined not to use insecticide to control the aphids that carry barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV - in spite of its name it can affect all cereal crops).

As the weather cools into autumn, aphid flighting falls off and infection risk reduces. BYDV can decimate a crop in a bad year, but in many years, the aphid are not even carrying the virus so why continue to risk harming potential aphid predators with insecticide every year?

Sow later, plant flowers, wear sandals . . .

Turnips were sown, with minimal disturbance to the stubble, back in August after the wheat was cut and the straw cleared. They were sown with some phacelia and clover, to make the mix more interesting for the animals who graze it in winter, and to give the soil biology a bit of variety.

The roots of the different species encourage more activity amongst the fungi and bacteria living in the soil, developing useful relationships between soil and plants.

The plant roots pump sugars into the soil to feed the fungi, which in turn scavenge the soil for nutrients for the plants.

The sugars and fungi form glomalin, the healthy building block of fertile soils, helping to create a healthy structure which is weatherproof, more resistant to erosion and better able to hold water and nutrients to support plant growth.

This is part of the foundation of regenerative agriculture, which is a growing movement in various parts of the world, determined to reduce reliance on pesticides and artificial fertilisers.

A number of books published on this subject have many elements which make plenty of sense and gave us the nerve to establish 40 acres of herbal ley last autumn.

These 40 acres have continued to grow vigorously all summer, in spite of the lack of rain, and have fed our beef cows admirably, whereas the old permanent pastures simply gave up and turned brown.

When we return these 40 acres to arable in two years' time, we hope that the benefit of multispecies roots, animal grazing and their manure will give a shot in the arm to soils that have been arable cropping for more than 30 years.

23

October 2020

Solar farm growth faces opposition BOTH Spetisbury and Charlton Marshall parish councils have objected to proposals to almost double the extent of the solar farm at North Farm, Spetisbury.

Spetisbury say there was insufficient time allowed for public consultation before the application was submitted, and complain that no approach has been made to the parish council about how heavy construction traffic is going to be managed on a country lane, the impact on homes along West End and the proximity of Spetisbury Primary School.

Charlton Marshall say that when combined with the existing solar farm the proposal will occupy a considerable area of countryside FANS and followers of the Blandford Badgers on the Tesco roundabout on the bypass have welcomed the return of one of the trio, who reportedly had to 'selfisolate' after being stolen in March and apparently placed on another Dorset roundabout during lockdown. He reappeared at the beginning of September alongside his fellows, all wearing rainbow face coverings and two-metre distanced.

with no apparent benefit for local residents. "Parish councillors feel that the applicant is taking advantage of the situation with Covid19 and rushing the application process without undertaking the requisite amount of consultation."

They said notices on random telegraph poles in the village had quickly disappeared at a time when most residents were restricted to their homes, and discussions between neighbours could not take place. Many had no access to digital information and nobody was available from the agents to discuss the possibility of greater consultation.

Their concerns included glint and glare from panels closer to existing properties, and the length of time that tree planting to provide screening would take to become established.

Local county councillor Andrew Kerby has said he is unhappy with landscaping issues and the impact on nearby business, and has asked that the application be considered by the planning committee, but the parish council say it should be deferred pending further public consultation.

Death notices Andrew COOKE, adored husband of Jane (Kisbee) died peacefully at home on the 31st July 2020. He will be missed by many. His Funeral Service has taken place, but if anyone would like to make a donation in his memory to Marie Curie they can do so c/o Lesley Shand Funeral Service, 28 East Street Blandford Forum DT11 7DR or online www.funeraldirector.co.uk/andrew-cooke.

Jane Elizabeth MILLER, on 24th August 2020 peacefully at home aged 64 years of Blandford. A much loved wife to Brian and a loving mum to Helen, who will be sorely missed by all family and friends. Private cremation. Enquiries to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Tower demolition plan FOLLOWING the closure of the ForFarmers premises of Blandford Mill - formerly Blandford & Webb - at Blandford Heights industrial estate, the company has applied to demolish the main production tower and associated structures in preparation for resale of the site.

The application states that there are no plans to redevelop or rebuild, but shows that the main building, one of the largest in Blandford which dominated the skyline from some viewpoints, will not at this stage be demolished.

The demolition relates only to the

silos and structures on the site.

ForFarmers announced last year that it would be closing the long established animal feed mill, which would need significant modifications to modernise and improve its efficiency.

The mill ceased production in May 2019 and was decommissioned following a visit by an environmental officer and confirmation that the closure addressed environmental pollution risks. Its environmental permit was terminated in March this year following an undertaking given to return the site to a satisfactory state.

24

The Sturbiz market stall.

October 2020

Nordon bat bother REPORTS of a large number of bats being seen around the nowvacant former North Dorset District Council headquarters at Nordon in Salisbury Road, Blandford, are being referred to the national environment team at Dorset Council, which as planning authority has still to decide the detailed application for the building's demolition and site redevelopment.

Councillor Colin Stevens told Blandford Town Council's planning committee meeting that a large number of bats had been seen and wondered whether a bat colony had taken roost, which

might impact on the application.

Councillor Nocturin Lacey-Clarke said it was not possible to overturn the outline approval for demolition given two years ago and a new investigation would not be started by the council now, but Councillor Roger Carter asked whether there was anyone who could investigate the possibility.

Councillor Byron Quayle said it would do no harm to mention it to Dorset Council, and at the same time seek an independent assessment, subject to Dorset Council giving permission for an investigation to take place.

THE Friends of Blandford Hospital are delighted to have been able to reopen their charity shop doors after such a long closure and to receive a heartwarming welcome back from customers.

With new Covid-secure operation and some volunteers still waiting for the right time for them to return, the ranks need to be swelled to offer more normal opening hours. New volunteers are being sought to help support the local charity, which is so

important to the community hospital and local health-related projects.

To join the shop team in either Blandford or Sturminster Newton, you can call in to chat with the volunteers and pick up a simple application form, or call the Friends shops and fundraising office on 01258 451456 to discuss the opportunities available.

Full details on the charity can be found at friendsofblandford.org.uk and regular updates are posted on their Facebook page.

Wurzels add some fun in tough times Charity shops reopen STURMINSTER Newton was awash with scarecrows at the beginning of September thanks to the town's Rotary Club which organised a scarecrow festival which started in the middle of August.

By the time it finished on September 5, more than five dozen variously decorated Wurzel Gummidges had appeared in driveways, gardens and in some cases climbing over and falling off hedges and in one case having apparently dived headlong into the ground.

An online gallery was posted on the club's One of more than 60 scarecrows which appeared in Facebook page, Sturminster Newton last month. where the organisers thanked everyone gathering on the first Saturday for the effort they had put into every month, and a Blue Badge creating the event at short notice, guided walk of the town's historic prompting suggestions of an sites on the August Bank Holiday. annual event and perhaps a The central area of the Market scarecrow calendar.

Cross became an extra outdoor The town's Chamber of space for nearby takeaways, Commerce Sturbiz, which aims to cafes and pubs, the Emporium help the economy recover from and Community Chest Boutique the effects of covid, has also re-opened, there were new stallappointed Jacqui Wragg as Town holders at the weekly Monday Manager to be responsible for all market, evening refreshments in public-facing events and activities the Railway Gardens and a miniand organise events herself. fest and producers' market on They have included a market to September 12, the date of the go with the monthly vintage car cancelled Cheese Festival.

Janet steps out ASTHMA sufferer Janet Collins of Durweston was 'taking steps' last month to raise funds for the British Lung Foundation.

The charity invited supporters to Take Steps during September and seek sponsorship to help them be there for everyone with a lung condition during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Janet has suffered from asthma all her life and her condition is

classed as chronic brittle asthma with stage 1 bronchial COPD. She said: "Originally I pledged to walk 5km, but I very soon found that I had already done 3.9km so decided I would try to do 10 to 15km instead. It may not sound a lot, but to me it is a big deal."

You can still sponsor her at https://takesteps.blf.org.uk/fundr aisers/janetcollins

Filling the news gap FOLLOWING the permanent closure of the Blackmore Vale Magazine, there have been two bids to launch a replacement publication - one online and one in print.

The Blackmore Vale monthly digital-only offering comes from a husband and wife team from Sturminster Newton and was due to launch on September 18.

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine was set to launch in print on September 24 and is planned to be published fortnightly.

In addition, following the loss of Unity.com, we at Forum Focus are increasing our coverage and distribution in Sturminster Newton and welcome more items for inclusion.

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

25

October 2020

Students rise to a unique challenge HEAD teacher of The Blandford School, Sally Wilson, says this summer, which saw students unable to sit their exams and then face controversy and confusion over how their grades would be awarded, had been like no other.

"It is really important that the Blandford community know that students in the year 11 group and in year 13 were already destined to do well when the school closed in late March," she said.

"Their centre assessed grades reflect this and students in year 11 were working exceptionally hard at the point of lockdown.

Many were working like Trojans to get themselves into a really good position for the final stage of their courses.

"The Class of 2020 continues the TBS success story - all students, including those joining us this September and in our new year 11 and 13, should be delighted.

"Over the last few years, our results at KS4 and post-16 have been very good in comparison with schools nationally. Indeed many subjects at TBS perform well above average and some

are 'outstanding' when compared against other state schools and the independent sector.

"Although many year 11 students would have liked to prove themselves in an examination hall, they have proved themselves to their teachers and support staff over the five years they have been studying here. My dearest wish is for students to now hold their heads high, be exceptionally proud of their own personal achievements and celebrate."

Particular congratulations went to the following Year 11 high achievers: Zoe Risborough (9x9s,1x8), Grace Smurthwaite (5x9s, 4x8s), Ethan Cain (5x9s, 4x8s), George Knight (6x9s, 3x8s, 1x6), Daniel Hill (4x9s, 5x8s, 1x7), Jamie Hall (5x9s, 3x8s, 1x7s, 1xD*), Lewis Revell (3x9s, 4x8s, 2x7s), Brodey Creech (3x9s, 1x8s, 2x7s, 1x6,1xD) and to Lauren Mooney, Thomas Fuller, Joseph Opalka, Daniel Scott, Joseph Catling, Samuel Churhouse, Joshua Sterck, Owen Oliver and Toby Knight, all of whom has one or two 9s and between six and eight 8s, 7s and 6s or D*.

The new play park taking shape opposite the nature reserve on the Milldown.

Play park shapes up WORK on the new Milldown play park was expected to be completed by the end of September but will await a safety inspection before it can be opened to the public.

Contractors arrived on site at the beginning of the month to prepare the ground and receive new safety fencing, and the equipment arrived a few days later.

Dorset Council has provided around ÂŁ50,000 towards the remodelling of the park, the remainder coming from developer funding awarded with the redevelopment of the Milldown Primary School site.

Local residents were consulted on the equipment to be provided, including a playtime activity point with slide, a cableway, seesaw, two double swings and a next swing, together with grassmat safety surfacing.

Work on the play park, which transferred to Dorset Council from North Dorset District Council and had for many years been left largely uncared for, was planned for earlier this year but was put back due to a delay from the manufacturer.

Staff covid case delays school reopening PUPILS across the county in all years were welcomed back to schools and colleges in the second week of September for the first time since national lockdown came into effect on March 20.

But Yewstock School in Sturminster Newton, which caters for children aged between two and 19 with severe, complex or moderate learning difficulties from across North Dorset, was forced to remain closed after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Teachers had attended for training days and

staff who came into close contact with the positive tester were encouraged to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested.

Sam Crowe, director of public health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils, said: "Public Health Dorset and Dorset Council are working with the school to make sure all necessary measures are in place. The school has closed as a precautionary measure for a deep clean and pupils will be returning to school slightly later than planned."

It came just a week after a lack of laboratory

capacity was reported to have caused the switching-off of the booking system for the Creekmoor drive-through testing centre. A senior official at NHS Test and Trace apologised to residents unable to book a test, saying that while the testing sites had capacity, the laboratory processing was a critical pinch-point.

Mr Crow told BCP Council's health and wellbeing board that it was being turned off when laboratory capacity was stretched to ensure testing could be managed in areas with a greater rate of infection.

26

October 2020

Pimperne victim of pandemic

Left to right: Nicola Brooke head teacher; Helen Stacey and Lyndsay McKinley-Nichols, Handy Paws deputy manager and manager; Nic Nicol of Blandford Rotary Club; Graham Colls, president of Blandford Stour Rotary Club; and Blandford Lions' president Gordon Cox, with three children from Handy Paws.

Joint effort brings results for pre-school BLANDFORD Lions, Blandford Stour Rotary and Blandford Rotary clubs came together to fund a panic button and staff training to enable young Henry to safely attend Handy Paws Durweston preschool.

Nic Nicol of Blandford Rotary said: "It gives us tremendous pleasure to join forces to fund an

essential child safety requirement without which a special needs child could not attend Durweston preschool - a situation for which there is no provision for local government funding. We all enjoyed our visit to the very friendly and welcoming Durweston school and wish Nicola and staff the very best of luck over the coming months."

Hot meals back on the menu SCHOOLS across the country are welcoming all pupils back after an extended absence for many and Local Food Links is delighted to be serving delicious meals again.

All four Dorset kitchens have now reopened and staff are delighted to be preparing fresh meals for pupils in 18 primary

school settings in the Blandford and Sturminster Newton areas and at the Forum Centre in Blandford.

Local Food Links is working with schools individually to help meet their needs while new ways of working are being explored.

Some schools will be offering hot meals and others have request-

ed packed lunches for the first few weeks of term.

The LFL team has launched a new online ordering system making it easy for busy parents to order school meals on the go. It is optimised for mobile phone usage and is simple to operate.

Feedback from schools and parents has been very positive."

A VICTIM of the Covid pandemic has been the committee-run Pimperne Pre-School, which operated for many years in Pimperne Sports Club for up to 20 children.

In the absence of government funding for pre-schools and the continued need to pay rent, it has had to give up the premises for which the Sports Club is now seeking new uses.

But the Muddy Monkies Forest School at Downwood Vineyard was 'over the moon' to have been nominated and become one of the winners in the Corporate Vision Magazine Education & Training Awards 2020 as the 'Most Nurturing Setting' in Dorset.

The pre-school is now in a position to offer a home education group on Thursday mornings.

Muddy Monkies has yet to be inspected by Ofsted, but the education watchdogs in June published the reports of their inspections in March of Capers on Sunrise Business Park and the Panda Pre-School, both of which were found to be good in all respects.

Panda had maintained its previous good judgement in 2015, while Capers had achieved the improvement required at its previous inspection in March last year.

OKEFORD Fitzpaine primary school is inviting parents and guardians whose child is due to start school in September next year to come and look around the school. Families are being shown around individually to maintain social distancing, and appointments can be made by calling 01258 860530 and speaking with Mrs Spencer-Smith to book a slot on November 5, 12 or 19 between 3.30 and 4pm.

27

October 2020

Ian’s golf ace crowns a fundraising triumph A HOLE-in-one was celebrated when golfers at Sturminster Marshall Golf Club completed an epic 72-hole marathon to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. After golf courses were given the all-clear to reopen following the Covid-19 lockdown, the charity challenged golfers of all ages and abilities to take on The Big Golf Race. Paul Harper, Ian Hudson, Mark Barnes, Neil Barnes, Christopher Bird, Michael Bird and Dan Carter rose to the challenge.

Paul, motivated by his father, who died aged 85 after suffering from prostate cancer for 15 years, and his father-in-law's

recovery from the same condition, had originally planned to drive a black London taxi from John O'Groats to Land's End in one day, but was prevented by the Covid-19 crisis, so instead formed the 'Miss Hits' squad with a fundraising target of £1,000, and they have to date raised over £1,500.

They were joined by others for the marathon which started at 5.30am and totalled 2,663 shots over 504 holes. It was on the par three fifth that Ian, who has been playing golf for only a year, produced a nine iron shot over the pond which pitched in perfectly and rolled into the hole.

Running the 'Virtual London Marathon' their own way are Jo Yilmaz for Shelter, Kerrie Kempster for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Paula Ford for Disability Snow Sport and Emma Storey for Hertfordshire MS Therapy Centre.

Marathon foursome CHARITY runners Kerrie Kempster, Paula Ford, Emma Storey and Jo Yilmaz from Runblandford running club will be taking part in the 'Virtual London Marathon' on October 4.

They were all due to run the famous London course in April for charity, but then Covid-struck and the event was postponed until October.

The organisers announced in August that since it could not take place in its usual format, everyone who had a place in the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon had a window of six days to confirm if they would like to take up a place in the ‘virtual’ event by completing the 40th race 'their own way' and defer their place to a future London Marathon.

Kerrie, Paula, Emma and Jo signed up and, along with Runblandford friends for support, will be setting off from Sandbanks at 8am, making their way through Poole Park, Upton, Lytchett, Sturminster Marshall, Spetisbury and back to Blandford, finishing over the Blue bridge near Morrison's car park.

Cricket for all ages

Blandford Blues under-11s coach Adam Day and fellow coach Michael Corben have thanked local company Iracroft for sponsoring their youth football team, despite the difficult time now being experienced. Adam is pictured (right) receiving a shirt from Iracroft managing director Darren Coley and one of the young players, Callum Day.

BLANDFORD Cricket Club entered two sides in the Dorset Saturday League which started on August 1 and continued during September, and has also scheduled TT25 fun matches on Sundays.

They welcome players of all abilities and volunteers who wish to help in running the club in a variety of roles, having started youth training sessions for U8s, U9s, U11s on Friday evenings and U13s on Saturday mornings in small groups for which places are currently limited.

For details contact Stu Robbins on 07776 092551 for U8s, U9s and U11s or Jamie Snape on 07976 814988 for the U13s.

They also intend to arrange friendlies for U9, U11, U13 and U15 teams in the North Dorset junior leagues as soon as they are allowed to, and children of all abilities are very welcome to join.

While they were unable to use the changing rooms, players were asked to come in kit, bring their own drinks and follow Covid precautions.

28

October 2020

Artsreach ensure that culture goes online

Ninebarrow will be broadcasting 'live' on October 17.

What’s on this month PLEASE NOTE: most events and meetings have been cancelled in response to the Covid 19 (coronavirus) restrictions. Please check with the contact before attending the few listed below to avoid disappointment. Please also let us know by email to listings@forumfocus.co.uk of any events able to go ahead.

Saturday October 3: Car boot/tabletop sale, Winterborne Whitechurch village hall. 10am 1pm ÂŁ5 table/car, contact 01258 881416 Saturday and Sunday October 3 and 4: Grand Outdoor Book Sale, Shillingstone Station, 1000s of books at discounted prices Friday October 30: Pimperne Facebook Quiz, details 07879 0035678 Events and meetings below have been suspended but contact details and/or website addresses for organisations are given for the days they normally take place so that further information can be found.

First Mondays: Blandford Floral Club meetings, j.joyce75@btinternet.com

First Fridays: Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evenings, 01258 861184 Second Wednesdays: NHS Retirement Fellowship, 01929 472441 Second Thursdays: Forum Otters Cancer Support Group meetings, details 07561 114644 Second Fridays: Blandford Evening Women's Institute, blandfordeveningwi.com or on Facebook Third Mondays: Strictly Come Tea Dancing with the Soggy Biscuit Dance Band, ian@archivepublishing.co.uk Third Thursdays: Blandford Art Society details blandfordartsociety.weebly.com Third Saturdays: Cats' Protection League Coffee Mornings, 01258 858644

ARTSREACH Dorset, which has been unable to promote events in village halls as a result of the Covid restrictions, is continuing to offer an online programme of events.

One is a live concert on October 17 by folk duo Ninebarrow, who gave a performance in July last year at Springhead in Fontmell Magna.

It is their sixth online concert and they will be performing in the beautiful indoor space of the nearly 1,000-year-old St Nicholas' Church in Studland, with some of the most fantastic acoustics they have ever experienced.

The concert will be broadcast 'live' after being filmed in advance

at the isolated church, which had no mobile signal, which ruled out a live broadcast - the benefit being that instead of one camera there will be seven to show the building in all its glory. After the broadcast they will be hosting a live question-and-answer session.

Find out how to book a ticket at artreach.co.uk, where there are also details of various other online offerings to keep people culturally connected.

A spokesman said: "Whilst we aren't able to welcome touring performers to our community venues at present, many of them are working hard to keep in touch with us all releasing lots of lovely creative content online."

Food aid project to help families in need WORK is underway in Sturminster Newton to establish a food co-operative to help families, couples and individuals who may be struggling financially and need easy access to good-quality food at an affordable price.

The Vale Pantry, to be located at Stour Connect in Bath Road, is initially being funded by the Blackmore Vale Surgery, and managed by Karen Rhys, the surgery's project manager, and Carole Jones, county councillor for the town, along with Andy Watson of Stour Connect.

It is affiliated to Your Local Pantry (yourlocalpantry.co.uk) and signed up to Fare Share.

It is hoped to open during the half-term week in October for three half-days a week, allowing

people to pay a small amount for a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, tins, and packets which are donated to Fare Share through supermarkets and producers and then distributed to pantries and foodbanks.

Carol said: "During the Covid crisis we have been helping with food vouchers for around 80 or so families, and we need to reach out to these families and indeed all those who need this help.

"We also would like to hear from any volunteers to help staff the pantry once a week for half a day, and allotment holders who may from time to time have excess produce which they can donate to be put to very good use."