March 2021 Forum Focus

Forum Focus The free monthly news magazine for the Blandford area

March 2021 Issue No.108 Est: 2012

School’s plea for financial help as Covid costs mount THE Blandford School has issued an urgent appeal for help as it prepares to reopen to all pupils when the pandemic restrictions allow.

In an open letter, the resources committee of TBS governing body say: "There is much discussion about schools reopening, despite never having been completely closed.

"We hear that the best place for children is in schools and that the government places great value on education.

"Perhaps less often heard is the financial impact of Covid on schools, now and over the coming months or years."

The letter continues: "Many schools in Dorset ran a 'licensed deficit' before the pandemic - TBS was no exception. Schools, open to students from key worker and other homes, have had to take measures to be Covid-safe.

"To date, these have cost TBS more than £60,000, which includes cleaning and health and safety (to comply with Covid regulations) of around £15,000, as well as teaching cover and catering.

"At the same time, facility hire has ceased, resulting in a loss of income of around £40,000, for which there will be no compensation.

"The DfE states that schools will have some Covid expenditures reimbursed, with schools the size of TBS eligible for up to £75,000.

But the conditions are strict, and schools are refused permission to claim for making premises Covidsecure.

"Of the approximately £60,000 additional expenditure, the school has only been able to reclaim £6,500."

They go on to say that since

FORUM FOCUS

January, TBS has been Covid testing almost 200 pupils, together with testing staff from local primary schools before their own testing kits were delivered, to ensure that the schools are not 'swap shops' for the virus and help to monitor to some degree the virus in the local community.

"Much of the cost of the testing is underwritten by external funders, but the school still must buy additional sanitiser, PPE, medical

waste disposal bags and pay for medical waste disposal.

"When children return to TBS fulltime, it is very likely the school will need to scale up the testing regime which will also add extra costs.

"As a governing board we want TBS to be fully open again, to provide the best possible learning and educational outcomes for all its pupils."

The governors say: "We are most

concerned that the school - and therefore its returning student body - is at risk of being seriously underfunded. As a board we are keen to build on the support from the local community - the Town Council, Connells and Rotary to date - to help the school over what is likely to be a challenging period in many respects.

"If you can assist, in any way, we would very much appreciate hearing from you."

Snowfall over The Glebe valley behind Durweston, looking down to the Trailway beyond the river as it snakes its way towards Blandford (to the right). Picture by George Hosford.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

@forumfocus

2

March 2021

FORUM FOCUS CONTRIBUTING

CONTACTS

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

If you have pictures you would like to share with us, our readers and our website visitors, please send them, with brief descriptions, by email to editor@forumfocus.co.uk. Low resolution pictures cannot be printed in the paper.

Editorial: Nicci Brown T: 01258 459346 E: editor@forumfocus.co.uk Advertising: John Stayt T: 01258 454427 E: advertising@forumfocus.co.uk Distribution: Jackie Stayt T: 01258 456999 E: distribution@forumfocus.co.uk Design: David Eidlestein T: 01258 450989 E: de@deadlines.eclipse.co.uk

ON THE WEBSITE www.forumfocus.co.uk

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 and Homebase, 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; 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; Central Shop in Heddington Drive.

Sturminster Newton: The Emporium and shops in Market Square, The Exchange.

In the villages: Bryanston Bryanston Club; Child Okeford The Cross Stores; Iwerne Minster - the Post Office; Langfton Long Abbots Nursery; Pimperne phone box 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: Thursday March 11 Editorial: Friday March 12 Deliveries from Friday March 26 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.

Follow us on Twitter @forumfocus

Town anger over free parking policy change A CHANGE in Dorset Council's policy allowing town and parish councils free parking days has angered Blandford town councillors.

In the belief that they could choose Saturdays and weekdays in the run-up to Christmas among their allocation of up to seven free parking days a year, they had asked for every Saturday in December.

But they were told last month that, apart from Small Business Saturday on December 4, they could have no others and could only have one other weekday.

They were told that in some towns, organisations such as Business Improvement Districts which Blandford does not have, paid Dorset Council for other free car park days.

Councillor Hugo Mieville, chair of the town and general purposes

committee, said: "It is objectionable that we can't have days in December and we should say so clearly. One weekday in December is really neither here nor there."

Councillor Roger Carter described it as an "erosion of local democracy", and Councillor John Stayt said: "I can't believe that Dorset Council can deprive our town of seriously increased economic revenue and value in December."

Councillor Colin Stevens, who chairs the town regeneration group, said the last thing they wanted was not to be able to use the car parks to get people into town.

They agreed Councillor Mieville should draft a robust response with as much evidence as possible to send to Dorset Council.

Cllr Mieville said: "This will

deprive the town's businesses of vital income from extra footfall on the other Saturdays in December, when it is likely that businesses will still be recovering from the Covid crisis. We also feel that there is a real 'localism' question here: what is the point of offering us a choice if the most attractive choices are taken away?"

He questioned Dorset Council's motives if they were prepared to offer further Saturdays to those who met the cost of their 'lost income' and said: "It also feels that they wish to impose a 'onesize-fits-all' approach to all towns and parishes."

Asked whether a request should be made for Christmas Eve, this year a Friday, members of the Blandford Business Support Group felt that this would not be particularly helpful since most people had already done their Christmas shopping by then.

Museum cash grant secured AS reported last month, Blandford Town Museum has secured a grant of £5,000 a year from the Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund, as have Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust and Wimborne Folk Festival.

The Walford Mill Heritage Trust in Wimborne has been awarded £10,000 a year.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council portfolio holder for customer services and communities, said: "As a council we're committed to supporting Dorset's cultural and community organisations, despite increasing pressures on our budgets, as they play a key part in the health, wellbeing and learning of so many people."

Other county-wide organisations to secure funding with £20,000 each are Activate Performing Arts and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

A total of just under £279,000 has been awarded to two dozen organisations as a result of application requests totalling £758,000 from cultural organisations across Dorset.

Dorset County Museum and the East Dorset Museum (Priest's House) have already been awarded an initial one-year extension to their revenue funding, while Dorset Council is undertaking a full review of its assets and buildings, and to allow for them to form part of the wider review.

3

March 2021

Mischievous Mabel is brought to book MABEL, the Irish setter, has become a familiar sight around Blandford during her walks with her owner Judy Baker.

Now Mabel, as well-known for her mischief as for her beauty, has been immortalised in print after Judy produced 'Oh Mabel!', a children's storybook featuring some of her beloved dog's antics.

"It has been my lockdown project to write and illustrate it," said Judy, a well-known mosaic artist and former headteacher of Blandford St Mary primary school. "It tells of some of the things that my four-legged friend

has got up to and it is dedicated to my little grandsons Django and Jesse.

"From the start I decided I wanted to support the RSPCA in their efforts to rescue thousands of illtreated and abandoned animals so the book is for sale, with all profits going to the charity."

Five-year-old Mabel's misadventures in the book are all true, says Judy, and the text has been carefully worded with repeat phrases designed to appeal to young readers.

'Oh Mabel!' costs £5 and all profits will go to charity. To buy a copy, contact Judy at mrsjoods@gmail.com

Rapid response to care home Covid COVID-19 rates in the Blandford area were falling in the middle of February, as in the rest of the county.

But at the end of January Dorset Council said the virus was still 'spreading much faster than previously' which had led to higher levels of infection rates in care homes, impacting on staffing numbers.

Castleman House in Blandford was one of 92 care homes out of 281 with 'open situations' across the Dorset and BCP Council areas.

There were reports that 20 residents had tested positive for the virus or were experiencing symptoms, along with 15 members of staff self-isolating at home.

A spokesman from the Tricurorun home in Salisbury Road said an outbreak in some parts of the care home has been communicated to families and carers.

A root cause analysis had been carried out to understand how the virus had entered the building and actions taken to help prevent the spread, including steam cleaning of the premises and self-isolation for residents and staff.

A spike in the number of cases in the Child Okeford and Iwerne Minster area at the end of January was said to have been caused by an outbreak at HMP Guys Marsh, which is within a

wide reporting area including Shillingstone, Durweston, Stourpaine, Compton Abbas and East Melbury.

Dorset councillor for the area Sherry Jespersen said: "The unusually high rate of infection caused some concern for residents, naturally enough. Public Health Dorset were able to confirm that there had been an outbreak of Covid at Guys Marsh and this may account for much of the elevated figures, though it is not necessarily the only cause.

"Community infection rates in this part of Dorset continue to be higher than we would wish, so everyone is strongly advised to observe the Covid restrictions scrupulously.

"We have been used, in rural Dorset, to having low infection rates which might lead us to be a bit complacent - just now we should be being extra vigilant.

"There is no cause for alarm but no room to ease up on the Covid restrictions yet, either."

The vaccination programme by the Blandford Group Practice is now enhanced by invitations being sent out by the NHS to people to book vaccinations at other sites in Dorset and further afield, and rapid-flow testing has been offered to those working with vulnerable residents.

• Page 15: Vaccine delivery a smooth operation.

Judy Baker with Mabel.

4

March 2021

Civic watchdog turns its attention to the town centre

Focus on the empty shops UNLIKE many larger town centres with multiple chain stores now closed and under threat of closure as the impact of the pandemic accelerates changing shopping patterns, Blandford has so far lost few of its retail outlets.

The large number of independent businesses, cafés and charity shops means there has been little loss of retail as yet to our high street. There have also been a few welcome new arrivals.

But Blandford & District Civic Society, in its 2021 newsletter, has highlighted the number of short- and longer-term empty properties and asked how long it might be before new occupants are seen - for example, for Barclays Bank in the Market Place, JRs restaurant in East Street, the former Beatons in Greyhound House, and in Salisbury Street the smaller Boots, Moonstone and the Carphone Warehouse, where there is a proposal to establish an online pharmacy.

It was announced in January that the future of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand had been secured through a deal with international investors, but that 85 of its stores would close permanently. It is uncertain whether one of those will be that in East Street, which opened for only a fortnight before last year's first lockdown began and where all clothing was removed early in February.

A town council working group, in its response to a Government consultation on permitted development rights, has opposed a proposal to allow retail premises to be converted to residential without the need for planning permission.

The town council welcomed a change of category to most town centre businesses to a new class E - commercial, business and service - allowing greater flexibility in use which would increase footfall to the town centre.

But it has opposed an extension of permitted development rights

(PDR) in town centres and especially in conservation areas, particularly post Covid-19, when town centres need time to reestablish small businesses and increase footfall.

It says introducing more residential property should be limited and decided on a case-by-case basis by the local planning authority or by neighbourhood plan policies, which in Blandford include resisting residential use on the ground floor.

Town councillor and chairman of the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan Group Roger Carter said: "The Government appears to be rushing through the extension of

PDR during a crisis where many shops, offices and other businesses have been forced to close.

"This would appear to be precipitous and will actually prevent local high street and town centre businesses to recover [with] an aggressive move to convert empty premises, despite their former use, by landowners and developers to maintain or enhance their profit from the rental or sale of buildings.

"This would be especially damaging to a sensitive conservation area such as Blandford's and could seriously threaten the longterm viability of the town centre for current and future residents."

5

March 2021

Above: Members of the Bushes equestrian team. Above right: A lesson in progress at the Bushes Equestrian Centre.

Stables’ plea for financial leg-up A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been launched to help feed the horses and ponies at the Bushes Equestrian Centre between Pimperne and Stourpaine, which has not been able to fully operate for much of the past year.

It has been launched by Jonathan Nuttall, the son-in-law of Marcia Combs, who is now helping her and her daughter Sophie with the riding stables and livery yard she has run for over 40 years.

He said: "Marcia has always wanted to make this costly hobby available to anyone that has a passion and interest. Bushes Equestrian Centre over the years has taught many local schools and still teaches Clayesmore pri-

vate school.

"This year has been tough for us all and filled with many uncertainties. For the stables, it's been extra hard as there are always many mouths to feed. The riding school has suffered by restrictions being imposed, making it extremely hard to generate enough money to make it a viable business.

"Our only concerns now are keeping the horses fed, watered and fighting fit for when we can come back.

"It has been a hard slog as it has been with everyone, which we appreciate, but we need to make sure we are here when it's all over. I just hope we can build awareness of the school so we

Woman driver was road rage victim POLICE have appealed for witnesses to an alleged road rage incident in Bournemouth Road, Blandford St Mary.

A woman driver was turning out of the car park at Tesco between 3.25pm and 3.35pm on February 3 when the male driver of another car coming down the road slammed on his brakes and sounded his horn.

When the woman carried on driving the other driver followed behind, flashing his headlights and gesticulating for the woman to pull over, which she did in Vale Park.

Both got out of their cars, and it is reported that the man pushed her into her car and pushed her face. The cut lip she sustained did not require hospital treatment.

PC Nick May said an investigation was underway and his enquiries included CCTV checks in the area.

"I am appealing to anyone who saw either the incident outside Tesco or in Vale Park involving a silver Ford Focus and a silver Vauxhall Astra to please get in touch, and motorists in the area at the time to check their dashcam footage for anything relevant."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55210020735 at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. They can also anonymously contact Crimestoppers-uk.org online or call Freephone 0800 555 111.

can bounce back with some new interest later in the year."

He added that it was difficult and costly to get a riding school licence, with expensive council and vet inspections, a lot of paperwork, combined with the huge insurance costs, and no surprise that a lot of small riding schools have fallen by the wayside.

"We have future plans to develop and refresh because we believe in the joy that horses give to

everyone. Sophie and I are investing in some new stables so we can offer full livery in addition to the school.

"Sophie breaks horses in and trains them, and her showjumping is sponsored by one of the best equine dentists in the country, EDC, who are also local."

To support the centre, see their website at bushesec.com or go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bus hesequestrian.

6

Battle heats up over housing estate plans MORE than 270 comments had been received by Dorset Council by the closing date in January in response to the application by Wyatt Homes for up to 600 homes and associated development north and east of the Blandford bypass.

By far the majority were in objection or expressing concerns about the proposal, which exceeds the 400 homes proposed in the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan but is now included, with further development, in the draft Dorset Local Plan on which there is a current public consultation.

Banners appeared on the roadside between the two development sites, either side of the Salisbury road, saying 'Say No to Overdevelopment in Pimperne/Letton' together with a placard saying 'No to Allotment Move'.

A Pimperne Action Group leaflet-

ed villagers advising them of the impact the development would have, and a response to the application was prepared by Pimperne Parish Council's consultants.

On their website, the Dorset Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) listed their objections and said that North Dorset CPRE, Pimperne Parish Council and Action Group, Cranborne Chase AONB and the Blandford Allotment Society were all fighting to prevent the development, which they claim will cause major traffic congestion, and possibly gridlock, on the bypass.

They say the greatest irony is that the new school, which Blandford does need, will not be

built until phase two, while 167 new houses, housing many children, will be in phase one, putting additional pressure on existing overcrowded schools.

Adding that they had helped persuade Blandford town councillors to vote against it, contrary to expectations, they claimed: "The unmade Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan, which supported such a development and is facing a legal challenge, is now in tatters."

But the town council's planning committee was told by assistant town clerk Sybille Maddock that they had been assured that the Neighbourhood Plan would not be determined by Wyatt's planning application, or the determination of the Dorset Local Plan, which allocates a site for up to 680 homes north and east of Blandford, including Waites' land

March 2021

between the Wyatt development and Black Lane (see page 8).

"The Dorset Council has had to employ a special counsel to look carefully at the legal challenge from Pimperne Parish Council.

We are still waiting for the decision statement from Dorset Council."

Neighbourhood Plan group chairman Roger Carter stressed the consistent support from the local community for the Neighbourhood Plan and the supportive comments that Wyatts received in their consultation.

"Wyatts are in consultation with both the town council on delivering elements of the Neighbourhood Plan and with Dorset Council planners on delivering the planning application.

The delivery of our plan policy B2 is essential for the northern part of our town to deliver vital infrastructure.

"The need for a new three-form entry primary school has driven our plan from the beginning, together with a health-related community centre and a multipurpose playing field."

Pensioner injured in parking row punch-up PENSIONERS who came to blows over a disabled parking space at Whitecliff Surgery last September had their dispute aired in court last month, when an 82-year-old former scientist admitted punching another 82-year-old man in the face.

Anthony Cullen, now aged 83, of Water Lane, Winterborne Houghton, was ordered by Weymouth Magistrates to pay £150 in compensation to the victim and given a conditional discharge for 12 months after his guilty plea.

The court heard that the assault happened after the victim asked Cullen to move his car from the disabled space in a manner which left him feeling 'threatened', and Cullen had left his car and punched him hard in the face.

The other man got out of his car and stood in front of Cullen's, putting his hand on the bonnet, and when Cullen drove off, the victim, who had suffered a swollen nose and dislodged teeth, fell to the ground injuring his elbow.

Staff from the surgery came to his aid with a wheelchair.

The court was told that Cullen was a former scientist for whom the action was completely out of character but accepted it had happened in the heat of the moment and that the punch was excessive.

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

7

March 2021

Car park location for new electric charging point WORK started last month on the installation in Blandford of one of 44 new charge points for electric vehicles across the county.

Electric vehicle ownership is growing in anticipation of the ban on sales of new diesel and petrol driven vehicles by 2030.

Provision of power was carried out by SSE in Langton Road car park ready for installation by Joju Charging, which manages similar projects for councils across southern central England.

Other sites due to go live at the end of February are at Gas Lane, Gillingham; Bell Street, Shaftesbury; Old Market Yard, Sherborne; and Coldharbour,

Sherborne.

The fast (22kW) chargepoints, using 100% renewable energy supplied by Statkraft, are said to be well suited to town centre car parks for drivers who want a quick 'top up'.

Fully charging would normally take between two and four hours from empty, depending on the vehicle's battery capacity, and cost around £12.50. Normal car parking charges will apply while charging.

The installation and management costs of the charge points are being met by Joju Charging and their funding partners, Gronn Kontakt (owned by Statkraft). In

FIREFIGHTERS battled what was described as a 'significant' blaze in James Close, Blandford, just after 4pm on February 13.

Two fire engines from Blandford, one from Sturminster Newton Fire Station and another from Poole attended.

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews attended a significant fire in Blandford. Thankfully there were no injuries."

Neighbouring streets around James Close and Philip Road were affected due to the power being temporarily isolated.

return, Dorset Council receive a profit share generated by each chargepoint for the next 15 years.

The council is also looking at alternative ways to fund further sites that cannot be privately funded through the contract with Joju Charging.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to provide suggestions for locations of further charging points by completing an online form at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/parking/char ging-your-electric-vehicle.aspx There are already charging points in the Morrisons car park on the Marsh & Ham, and at the Tesco store in Blandford St Mary.

• BLANDFORD also now has a water refill unit outside Scrivens in the Market Place. It has been installed by Blandford Town Council working in partnership with Wessex Water and Dorset Council. The unit will be switched on for public use once the current restrictions allow.

Tourism finalists A NUMBER of local tourist businesses have been successful in the Dorset Tourism Awards, announced in February after an extended ten-month programme.

A total of 91 entries were received, with 60 selected as finalists, and among the category winners were Jurassic Coast Guides based at Milborne St Andrew, who took gold awards for Experience of the Year and International Visitor Experience, offering professionally guided walks, charity walks, tours, corporate walking events and shore excursions.

Farmstead Glamping in Stalbridge Lane, Sturminster Newton, took gold for Glamping Business of the Year and silver for ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism.

Bronze award winners were Ellwood Cottages in Village Road, Woolland, in the accessible and inclusive category, the Milton Arms at Winterborne Whitechurch as Pub of the Year, and Hammoon Manor for New Tourism Business of the Year and Self-Catering Business of the Year.

8

March 2021

Town’s ‘move’ to south-east in draft plan is branded ‘ridiculous’ THE draft Dorset Local Plan, which is out to public consultation until March 15, has been criticised

by Blandford town councillors for

grouping the town not in the North Dorset area but in the south-east.

Haydn White said: "We are a black hole in a black hole, linked

Pub homes scheme

PLANS have been submitted for the conversion of the Woodpecker pub - formerly Drax Arms - on the A350 at Spetisbury to form three dwellings and build two more on the site.

Neighbour consultations closed on February 15 for the scheme, whose submission by Spruce Planning Ltd for Addis Homes Ltd followed a pre-application enquiry to Dorset Council to seek views on the proposed demolition of the existing building and construction of seven new houses.

The applicants say that although no response to that enquiry had been received, following further consideration of the proposals the scheme had been revised to retain and convert what is an attractive building with character, which includes the pub/restaurant on the ground floor and manager's accommodation above, and construct two new homes in the grounds.

The Woodpecker ceased trading in February 2019, and they note that the decision of the owner to close the pub followed an extended period of falling trade and so was not a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They also note the existence of other nearby pubs in Charlton Marshall to the north and Sturminster Marshall to the south-east.

Spetisbury Parish Council has raised no objection to the proposal and welcomed the retention of the building, but a neighbour has raised concerns about the proximity of one of the new homes to his listed property.

with the eastern area because building land is required. Was there any consultation with anyone before this paper appeared?

Villages served by the town are not in the same area."

Town and Dorset councillor Byron Quayle agreed it was ridiculous and had been described as disastrous on the public forum. He said it was presumably because there was a lot of flow towards the eastern area by people living in Blandford and working in Bournemouth and Poole.

"But there was no consultation with us and I certainly don't agree with it. I hope BFTC will put something forward."

Members agreed to form a working group which could draw up a detailed response for approval by full council on March 1.

The plan outlines the strategy for meeting the needs of the area for housing, employment and community services, but has also been heavily criticised by the Dorset Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, who say the 2,000-page document is too long and the consultation period too short for meaningful engagement with the community, and has been rushed through as a replication of the draft local plans of the former predecessor authorities.

They have challenged the Government's house building targets calling for 30,500 homes across the county by 2038, which the group says are "way in excess of local housing need".

The consultation can be found at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/Dorset-council-local-plan.

In the south-east area, a total of

7,500 are forecast, including over 1,500 homes in Blandford.

They include the 350 Bellway Homes now under construction at St Mary's Hill, 220 at Wards Grove to the south-east of St Mary's Hill, 180 at The Brewery, 75 at Lower Bryanston Farm and 680 north and east of the bypass, 600 of which are currently the subject of an application by Wyatt Homes.

Future town centre expansion is envisaged on land off Langton Road, subject to retention of an appropriate amount of car parking, and a mixed-use three-storey scheme in West Street.

Nothing is indicated for Charlton Marshall or Spetisbury, but Sturminster Marshall has been earmarked for 425 homes, including 120 at Sturminster Marshall golf course. The plan says although the golf course is in use, it is "underused". Also threatened with development is the Dudsbury golf course which could accommodate 700 of the 1,640 homes proposed for Ferndown and West Parley.

In North Dorset area, a total of 4,389 homes are forecast, including 300 at Market Field site in Sturminster Newton, 610 in Stalbridge, 1,200 in Sherborne, nearly 2,000 for Gillingham, but little for Shaftesbury which has seen much expansion in recent years.

By far the most development is foreseen in the central area of Dorchester, Weymouth, Chickerell and surrounding areas, which fall within the Central Dorset geographical area - including proposals for Dorset's largest new housing development of around 4,000 homes in countryside north of Dorchester.

March 2021

Assurances sought that closed hospital units will be reopened THE NHS Trust responsible for minor injury units at Dorset's community hospitals, including Blandford's, which have remained closed during the pandemic, are being asked to give an assurance about their future.

Concerns have been raised that the closures could remain permanent.

But in their statement to Dorset Council's people and health scrutiny committee, the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are still responding to the pandemic and have a duty to minimise the spread of infection and ensure that services remain resilient and

to optimise the Dorset system preparedness to respond to any rise in rates of Covid-19 infection locally which we are now experiencing.

"National guidelines remain that walk-in patients should be avoided to prevent the spread of Covid.

Given the current situation it is not possible to give a date when the minor injuries units might reopen.

"We continue to offer telephone triage to give advice, or signpost other resources, or if appropriate to give an appointment at another MIU/UTC for a face-to-face consultation.

"This new clinical pathway has significantly reduced the risk of

exposure and spread of Covid infection by preventing large numbers of patients presenting in the confined space of waiting rooms during peak times.

"We can now manage patient flow more efficiently or consistently without the need for them to leave home. Safety must always be our number one concern and we continue to keep this under review alongside national guidelines."

Committee chairman Cllr Gill Taylor said she remained concerned because the units had already been closed for a year and has asked the NHS Trust to produce a paper about the future of the units.

Church restrictions remain in place BLANDFORD Methodist Church continues to be able to hold Sunday services with Covid-19 restrictions still in place and has advised that members will be updated when they are again safely able to reopen the church for worship.

Those with a prayer request, feeling lonely or needing to chat can leave a message on their answer phone 01258 577030 to receive a return

call within 24 hours. Information will remain confidential and data protection regulations will be observed.

Prayer requests can also be placed in an envelope marked 'Prayer Request' and posted in the letterbox on the wall next to the church entrance door closest to The Tabernacle.

9

NEWS in BRIEF CHARGES for the hire of the majority of town council venues are to be frozen this year in view of the restricted usage available.

Usually the hire charges are increased in line with inflation, this year 1.5 per cent, and cemetery charges, sport pitch fees and overtime rates will be increased by that amount.

But the rest will remain at the 2019/20 level, and the market manager has been given continued discretion until October to vary the rates for pitches in the light of demand.

••• DORSET Council has applied to keep an extra five goods vehicles at its operating centre in Blandford.

••• PLANS to move forward a garage at 34 Philip Road and build a two-storey pitched roof annexe at the rear have been withdrawn.

Blandford Town Council objected to the proposal on the grounds of overdevelopment, being out of keeping with the street scene which consists of bungalows, and loss of light and amenity to the neighbouring property.

10

March 2021

A challenge to scale ‘Ben Nevis’ in Dorset!

IF you're looking for something to aim for on your daily exercise during lockdown you could do worse than to register for the Dorset 3 Peaks challenge, which - after being postponed last year due to the pandemic - is planned to be back on Saturday, June 19.

Organised by Diverse Abilities, Dorset's disability charity, in partnership with Charity Challenge, it will raise funds for the charity, the only one in Dorset supporting both children and adults with disabilities and their families with a variety of services including Langside School, Lily's Place, Lawford Lodge, The Beehive, and an Advice Team.

Starting from Dorchester Football Ground, participants will ascend to the top of Lewesdon Hill, Pilsdon Pen, and Bulbarrow Hill - an accumulative height of 1,530 metres, which is taller than Ben Nevis - and covering a marathon distance of 26.2 miles across the Ridgeway.

Registration costs £35, to include practical advice and tips before you go and on the day, discounts with select outdoor retailers, and water and snacks throughout the trek itself. There is a minimum fundraising target of £265.

Restaurant boss was a tax dodger The DAPR team during a previous 3 Peaks Challenge.

A FORMER director of Simla Restaurant Ltd, which traded as the Simla Tandoori in West Street, Blandford, has been banned from serving as a director for five years after hiding the business's true takings to avoid paying the correct taxes.

Sadikur Rahman Chowdhury, aged 50 and, since January this year, the director of a company in Kenilworth, was the director of the company, incorporated in December 2002, which entered into liquidation in August 2019, triggering an investigation by the Insolvency Service into his conduct.

Investigators uncovered that the business traded without issue until June 2008 when it was discovered that Chowdhury had caused Simla Restaurant to submit inaccurate returns to the tax authorities.

Enquiries established that Chowdhury owed over £48,000 in VAT and almost £113,000 in corporation tax from 2009 to 2017.

It was found that he had underdeclared sales to avoid paying the correct taxes and, at liquidation, owed the tax authorities more than £266,000.

An additional penalty of over £104,000 was levied by the tax authorities for the under-declaration of corporation tax.

On January 13, 2021, the Secretary of State for Business accepted an undertaking from Chowdhury banning him for five years after the director did not dispute he failed to ensure Simla Restaurant Limited had submitted accurate VAT returns from June 2008 and corporation tax returns from October 2009.

The disqualification started on February 3, banning him from directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

A separate company, Simla Blandford Limited, incorporated June 15, 2016, is now listed at Companies House with just one director, Sabina Yasmin Chowdhury, aged 55, who was appointed in September that year with a correspondence address in Albert Street, Blandford.

• The owners of 10 West Street, Clemdell Ltd, have applied for listed building consent for the removal of toilets and brick up walls at Unit 6. They are said to have been unauthorised development carried out in around 2000 during the occupation of the unit by the Simla Restaurant, whose letting was terminated by court order in 2019.

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

March 2021

Council rapped in appeal verdict facing bill for costs FULL costs have been awarded against Dorset Council after Bellway Homes' appeal against nondetermination of their application for development at St Mary's Hill, Blandford, was allowed by appeal inspector Paul Griffith.

The five-day appeal took place in December. Mr Griffith, in his decision, said the main issue was whether the scheme was acceptable in character and appearance, having regard to the site and its surroundings, with particular reference to its potential impact on the settings of the Cranborne Chase and Dorset AONBs but also whether on-site features, notably a group of lime trees, had been properly considered.

He said that in granting outline planning permission for up to 350 dwellings and approving the access, the council must have satisfied itself that 350 dwellings could be satisfactorily accommodated on the site and accepted the two accesses and the spine road between them, and its location in the setting of two AONBs, and its sensitivity and value, did not present any barrier to it being allocated in the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan.

He said it was "clear that the manner in which the proposals have been designed would lead to no unacceptable impact on the setting of the AONB and certainly nothing beyond what would have been inevitable when . . . outline planning permission for 350 dwellings was granted."

He also rejected a number of conditions suggested by the council and awarded full costs as a result of what he found its "unreasonable behaviour" in seeking to put forward less than the 350 granted at outline and arguing against the visual impact of the scheme put forward.

"It is very plain . . . that the scheme would not be unduly prominent and the treatment of the lime tree roundel would be respectful. I cannot see how the visual evidence produced by the council can remotely justify the conclusions that were drawn," he said.

At Blandford Town Council's planning committee meeting in February, Councillor Roger Carter said he was pleased to see that the Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan had been described by the inspector as having "significant weight", commenting that the appeal had likely cost the taxpayer a six-figure sum. "Dorset Council planning does not come out of it very well at all," he said.

Councillor Noc Lacey Clarke said the application had been taken to appeal because no decision had been given by Dorset Council, and it underlined concern that the planning authority was not making decisions in a timely manner.

A decision is expected soon on an appeal against non-determination of an application for 70 homes at Charlton Marshall which was the subject of a hearing in December.

11

Census to go online LETTERS are due to be sent out to every household this month inviting people to complete the 2021 census on Sunday March 21 which for the first time will be held predominantly online.

The Office of National Statistics said: "Given the many challenges faced by households as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government believes this census will be of vital importance in understanding these challenges and the support people need to overcome them."

People will be given a unique access code to complete the form on computer, phone or tablet, but there will also be help for those that need it through a phone helpline, a network of census support centres of which Blandford Town Council is one, or by ordering a paper census.

Failing to take part or submitting false information is an offence and after census day, field officers will be visiting households from which a completed form has not been received to encourage people to complete it.

12

It’s full steam ahead for railway extension bid THE phase 1 planning application for the extension of the Shillingstone station and railway to Bere Marsh is now available to view online.

The application by North Dorset Railway for engineering and landscaping works and the relaying of track, along with enhancements to the trailway, can be found in the North Dorset section of the council's website at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning or at the Dorset Council offices, reference P/FUL/2020/0044, with a closing date for comments of March 3.

The application was filed in December but a backlog of applications at Dorset Council delayed its validation.

NDR say that liaising with council representatives has presented some challenges, since the council's capacity has been severely reduced during a period of major reorganisation and the overwhelming effects of Covid on their staff and ways of working.

NDR chair David Caddy said he hoped people would look at the application, which includes the results of the various studies and assessments prepared by NDR's planning and development committee in a complex process.

"We are very fortunate to have retired civil engineers on our volunteer team, along with a retired planning officer, and have benefited enormously from their professional expertise in bringing this application to fruition.

Looking towards Bere Marsh from the end of the current station site.

"I would like to emphasise that most of what you see and read in the application, including reports, plans and diagrams, has been completed by NDR volunteers and add my personal thanks to all those involved."

Subject to the outcome of this consultation period, and the planning officer's assessment of the proposals, they hope to receive a decision on the application by early summer.

Preparatory discussions have been held with the council regarding the necessary extension to NDR's lease which requires planning approval before it can proceed further. Agreement for both will enable them to start preparatory site work soon after.

March 2021

Men charged over lockdown TWO men - one from Blandford - were due to appear at court last month after police officers were allegedly assaulted as they broke up a group congregating on Weymouth seafront.

Dorset Police say officers were called to the Esplanade early on January 15 after a group were said to be breaching coronavirus rules and were told to leave the area.

Alexander West, 44, of Blandford, and Peter Gareth Doyle, 34, of Weymouth, were charged with assaulting an emergency worker. West has also been charged with obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.

The two men both appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on January 16 where they entered no plea and were due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court to enter a plea on Thursday February 18.

Too close for Covid comfort A REQUEST for people to be more thoughtful while using the footbridges over the river Stour in Blandford was made at a town council committee meeting following a complaint and concerns from a resident who had been afraid to pass too close to other walkers.

The Mayor, Cllr Lynn Lindsay, asked whether signage could be introduced, particularly on the narrow Preetz bridge, reminding the public to wear masks and make space for others.

But since wearing a mask outside is not obligatory, it was suggested that signage might simply ask people to be more considerate.

March 2021

Sewer repair work brings road delays and diversions THE A357 Blandford Road at Shillingstone was closed for the second time in a month when initial repairs by Wessex Water to a collapsed sewer failed to solve the problem.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: "We had hoped to permanently repair and line the sewer during the initial road closure, but unfortunately this wasn't possible due to the location and extent of the damage.

"We'd like to apologise again for any disruption to essential journeys or inconvenience for local people. We'll do everything we can to complete these essential repairs as quickly as possible."

The section of A road between the two junctions with Church Road was closed in both directions on both occasions, resulting in a 27.8-mile diversion from the A357 for traffic having to remain on A roads between Durweston Bridge and Bridge Street in Sturminster Newton until February 21.

Extended hours and weekends were worked in a bid to complete the repairs on schedule.

The collapsed sewer at Shillingstone.

Customers' sewerage services were not affected and access remained for residents and emergency vehicles.

• THE B3143 in Pulham, west of Blandford, will be closed between Pulham Business Park and Holwell Road until April 21 for water main replacement work.

The closure of the 2,360-metre stretch began on February 1, with separate diversions for light and heavy vehicles.

Roundabout set for more hold-ups WORKS will be continuing at the Tesco/Badger roundabout at the junction of the A350 and A354 in Blandford for the next five months in connection with the Bellway Homes development.

The phase, which started on February 10 on the A350 and Church Lane, Blandford St Mary, and is scheduled to last until the end of March, includes the installation of new storm water drainage, kerbs and edgings and pedestrian crossings, as well as lowering utility company infrastructure and final surfacing and white lining.

Two-way signals will be used on the A350, together with a road closure on Church Lane, for the duration. Working hours were initially on a trial basis so that the extent of disruption could be assessed and overnight working introduced in the event of large delays in the area.

The next phase from April 1 to June 7 will be at the A350 junc-

tion with the Badger roundabout, including site clearance, installations as at Church Lane, together with ducting, the construction of a Toucan crossing on the A354, installation of traffic lights, and a zebra crossing north of the roundabout in Bournemouth Road, which is being installed opposite Tesco.

During this phase there will again be temporary multi-way signals on the Badger roundabout, with overnight working to minimise disruption when the country is expected to be out of lockdown.

The final phase from June 8 to July 6 includes vegetation clearance and landscaping to create visibility splays at the A354 entrance and the same installations as in other phases. There will be temporary two-way signals on the A354 with extended daylight working hours for seven days a week, and temporary 30mph speed limits on the A354.

A spokesman for Wessex Water said workers are replacing ageing pipework in the area that has been prone to bursts and essential work which will also improve water quality in the area.

Water supplies are not affected, and Wessex Water has written to residents and businesses, as well as liaising with school bus companies to arrange temporary stops.

Wessex Water's Paul Delves, who is co-ordinating the work, said: "The narrow width of the road running through Pulham and the size of our equipment unfortunately means this temporary closure is necessary for the safety of the community, road users and our workforce.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience caused by this essential work. Access for residents living within the closure will always be maintained and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum."

13

NEWS in BRIEF THREE people have been issued with £200 fines for participating in an illegal gathering, breaching Covid-19 regulations.

Police were called on Tuesday, February 9 to a report of a disturbance at an address in Hazelbury Bryan. Enquiries revealed that three people had been socialising at the property in breach of Covid-19 regulations.

••• FIREFIGHTERS were called out at 1.44pm on February 8 to a residential property on West Street in Shapwick where a blaze inside an Aga oven had been caused by oil catching fire.

Two crews from Blandford Fire Station and one from Wimborne attended, and found the occupants of the house had extinguished the fire by the time they arrived.

••• MORE contributions towards the cost of providing public conveniences in Blandford have been offered by neighbouring parishes. Pimperne Parish Council has agreed to give £50, while Charlton Marshall Parish Council has offered £500.

14

Readers’ letters

March 2021 Please write to Forum Focus if there is something you'd like to comment on or share with other readers.

Email your letter, which should be as brief as possible, to: editor@forumfocus.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can call 01258 459346 or deliver your letter to: Forum Focus, c/o Colin's

Community Club, 49 Damory Street, Blandford DT11 7HD. Please mark your letter 'for publication' and remember to include your address, which will not be used in full. Forum Focus reserves the right to shorten or edit letters in the interests of clarity, brevity and style.

Copse privacy claim is not true I SHOULD like to comment about the article on Angus Wood in last month's edition of Forum Focus.

Whilst I was also horrified at the state of the hazel saplings, I noticed that there are other shrubs throughout the copse which have been severely hacked back. Focusing on the hazels is somewhat disturbing.

The statement that the residents of The Mount had requested something to protect their privacy is incorrect. Having obtained permission from the Woodland Trust and North Dorset District Council to have certain trees removed and the canopy of the walnut trees raised at our own cost, there is no way we would have wanted anything put in their place.

Up until last year we, in The Mount, have never had any indication of what was going to be done in the copse.

The ridiculous positioning of the path close to our fence and the subsequent planting of the hazels was to us a complete surprise - a fait accompli! I say ridiculous because I was told the solid path was for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The original path used by countless dog walkers skirted the top of the clearing where the bench and the table now stand. When I pointed out that this would have been a flatter easier route for wheelchairs, I was told "they hadn't thought of that".

This was before BET took over the care of the wood. I am

pleased to say that Jenny Thompson (chairman) has sent a letter informing us of work being done to the lime tree, now completed. I hope this level of inclusion continues.

Norman Arnold The Mount, Blandford In view of the early arrival of Mr Arnold's letter within days of publication of the article in February, and the issues raised, we invited the Blandford Environmental Trust to respond.

IT is clear that some of the concerns raised by Mr Arnold predate the involvement of the Blandford Environmental Trust, which took over the lease on Angus Wood in 2011, as volunteers with limited funding. This was at the request of the Woodland Trust as they were considering closing the wood to the public.

At that time the path was re-laid to skirt the wood and provide better access for walkers, scooters and wheelchairs. We responded to the requests of some of the then-neighbours for privacy by planting the hazels in 2013 to create screening, to protect neighbours from view by those walking in the wood and reduce disturbance to residents.

The hazel screen planting was not connected with more major work to raise the canopy of larger trees. Neighbours can arrange pruning, but only of branches

overhanging their properties, with appropriate permissions. The trees are protected, being in the Conservation Area. Professional pruning work was done in 2017 and this year, with council permission.

No other pruning in the wood is allowed unless under the supervision of our forester. We replace shrubs which are not native to the UK, and with council permission also prune trees which prevent light and rain from reaching new saplings. Our management plan, approved by the Woodland Trust, aims to conserve native woodland - and we do not remove ivy from trees since it attracts birds and insects.

We are pleased that Mr Arnold has seen our recent communication. Until now annual newsletters and updates have gone mainly to our members, but we will in future include all neighbours of the wood.

We would invite them, and others using the wood, to join us as members. They can then play a more active role in the care of the wood for the community, perhaps joining our monthly Saturday morning work parties, when we clear unwanted undergrowth and litter, plant and stake new trees to replace those removed, and maintain the path.

Jenny Thompson, Chairman, on behalf of the Blandford Environmental Trust committee.

Poor house design I AGREE with and accept the perceived need for more housing in the local area to meet government targets.

However, shouldn't we reasonably expect this housing to be of a good design standard?

The cheap, 'off the shelf' brick boxes being built by large-scale developers on the outskirts of Blandford and surrounding villages are of a poor architectural design standard and do nothing to enhance the local environment.

Perhaps the planning authority should employ a fully qualified architect to oversee the planning applications for new housing developments, because it appears the current planners are unable, or unwilling, to uphold the practice of good design, by challenging the designs submitted, as shown by the recent planning applications that have been passed for construction.

We are now left with housing estates of poor design that do not reflect the historic heritage of this unique Georgian town.

Name & address supplied

15

March 2021

Letters Extra

Tradition no excuse Potholes a menace for animal cruelty I WAS shocked to read Cyril Allen's letter about his sadness over the Boxing Day hunt meeting being cancelled this year.

Why should an outlawed activity have been given exemption to the Covid rules that most people followed over Christmas?

Fox hunting is illegal and has been since 2004. There are three types of mounted hunts: drag hunts and clean boots hunts don't catch foxes and then there is trail hunting for which the governing body is under investigation at the moment by the police and CPS. Which is the Portman Hunt?

Whilst the police are investigating possible illegal activities of these hunts, it is only right that they should not be out helping to support them.

Since the launch of the police investigation into trail hunting, many landowners and councils have banned fox hunting on their land, I hope that Dorset Council take heed.

Cyril writes it is a "sad end to tradition". Tradition cannot be used as justification for breaking the law and animal cruelty. This line of reasoning is and has been

used to justify bear baiting, bull fighting, FGM and slavery. These things may have been accepted in the Middle Ages but times have changed since then.

Tradition is not sufficient reasoning for foxes to be chased to exhaustion and ripped to pieces by dogs.

I don't think Cyril's views on fox hunt protesters being anti-establishmentarian, luvvie, do-gooders are justified in any way. It is not an elitist or class war and for those that say fox hunting is a country matter, we are all in the same country and we all have to obey the same laws.

I thank the anti-fox hunt protesters for trying to make this world a better place.

Sally Scott, Address supplied THE Police were not prepared to protect law-abiding citizens from anti hunt protesters at Crown Meadows on Boxing Day but are willing to protect otters from members of the public. Otters apparently take priority.

Something wrong somewhere.

Cyril Allen, Shillingstone

Vaccine delivery a smooth operation I ATTENDED the Whitecliff surgery this morning to receive my first Covid vaccination. It was a very reassuring visit.

The organisation was immaculate. Staff were friendly, efficient and very well prepared. Having arrived for a 10.15 appointment, I was able to leave about five minutes later.

There was a general sense of purpose. This was the best of Blandford with volunteers, secretarial staff and medical staff working in a collegiate and professional atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone involved in this mammoth effort.

Kevin Banks MY wife and I recently had our first Covid vaccination at the Whitecliff Surgery. The whole process was smoothly carried

out, no waiting, no fuss, in and out in less than half an hour including the required 15-minute observation time.

Many thanks to the staff and volunteers at the surgery, including the Rotary Club members, for their efficient organisation - nothing like the miserable queues that were highlighted in some TV reports!

Cliff Derbyshire I AM writing to say how well Blandford Group Practice have organised the surgery to make people feel safe whilst getting vaccinated.

The staff and with the help of the Rotary Club with parking and stewarding, it was a very smooth operation. Well done, all of you!

Liz Smith, Durweston

ARE pothole repairs on the roads of Blandford Forum supposed to be temporary repairs or are they supposed to be long-lasting repairs?

Unfortunately some recent repairs have returned to their deep hole state. It may be said that this is the result of traffic driving over the repairs but isn't that what traffic is supposed to do?

What happens if a pedal or electric cyclist, mobility scooter user, skateboarder, motor cyclist or jog-

ger has an accident due to a pothole in Blandford's roads? Who is responsible, the council or the contractor?

Driving through our town centre the condition of our roads is both atrocious and dangerous and whoever signed off the work should be ashamed of themselves. No wonder so many people use the pavement when they should be on the road with their cycles, etc.

Nick Smith, Blandford

Tackle the dog mess I HAVE just read, in your excellent magazine, that the council is getting together to try and stop the rubbish and dog ends.

Could they please do something about the dog mess on the pavements where ever you go in Blandford - mostly on East Street?

This morning on my way to pick

up my paper I saw two different lots just left there. I did see a dog warden's van yesterday, but didn't see anyone walking about.

This has been going on for a long, long time. Can something be done about it?

Carol Verney East Street, Blandford

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

16

Co-op cash helps Teddy charity FUNDRAISING at Blandford's Southern Co-op in Salisbury Road during December raised over £314 for the local children's cancer charity Teddy 20 - part of more than £4,000 raised for local causes by colleagues at 13 of Southern Co-ops regional cooperative stores as part of its Love Your Neighbourhood programme.

Residents got involved in a range of Christmas-themed fundraising activities put on by colleagues at the stores.

Ben Langford-Young, store manager in Bath and the area's Community Champion for the independent, regional co-operative, said: "We have some amazing communities and colleagues in our area who are always supportive of our fundraising efforts but to get to £4,000 is incredible.

"We set ourselves a little internal challenge to see which store could raise the most money for their charity partner but we couldn't do it without the enthusiasm of our customers too. All of these charities and causes make a difference to people's lives so this is our way of saying thank you."

The stores were also involved in Southern Co-op's other Christmas community activities which saw more than £6,500 worth of products donated to 151 local groups across the south of England, £10,390 raised for NHS Charities Together through the sale of bouquets, more than 1.3 tonnes of products donated via the reverse Advent calendar to local food banks and £1,411 raised for its Feed a Family Fund.

March 2021

Care work close to home BLANDFORD Cares, founded to help the refugees in Calais and elsewhere, has during the Covid epidemic also been helping several families closer to home, mostly in response to referrals from the Blandford Food Bank of those in need.

Mike Hearn, who founded the group with his wife Suzi, whom he lost to cancer in May last year, said: "One enhanced objective is widening our involvement with the local community groups by integrating our work with the Community Kitchen, the Food Bank and more of the main churches.

"We usually have stocks of clothing and other items, especially suitable for families with young children or those being housed by the local authority. If you know anyone who works with local groups or charities supporting vulnerable or those in need, we would love to hear from you."

The sorting room at the United Reformed Church has had to close during lockdown and while in Tier 3 restricted access to key holders only.

"We have a lot of items to sort and transport offers

but we cannot send out any consignments without positive confirmation that a destination is able to receive them.

"At present I am still able to handle notified deliveries contact-free, subject to storage limitations.

Anyone with donations can call 07768 403512."

During the past few months they have contributed to at least six major shipments to Calais and Greece, and been able to send a total of £7,300 to Calais and elsewhere, including cash donations by over 80 people paying into a memorial fundraiser for Suzi.

Presenting the group's annual report, Mr Hearn said: "Many of you would have thought that 2020 was a bad year for Blandford Cares; in many a way it was. However, in finally getting around to compiling this report, what we all achieved working essentially for under half a year surprised me.

"It shows our work to help refugees through financial and direct aid deliveries was comparable to 2019 results despite everything Brexit and Covid did to make things difficult."

Mourning light of support A SOCIAL movement entitled #LookOut4TheLight has been launched by the South West Integrated Personalised Care Collaborative (SWIPC) to support those who have lost loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With people grieving behind closed doors, the SWIPC is encouraging people to light a candle or LED light in the window of their homes every Wednesday night at 8pm.

Dr Saskie Dorman, a consultant in palliative medicine at Poole Hospital and Forest Holme Hospice and also a member of SWIPC, said: "Many of us are experiencing loss and bereavement during the pandemic.

"My mum died before the pan-

demic and we hoped to meet to celebrate her life a year after she died, in September last year. We met via Zoom. It was beautiful but it wasn't the same. I miss my mum every day. Lighting a candle, shining a light, is one small way we can find solace and support each other in our grieving.

"With so many not able to take part in our usual acts of mourning, we're asking please join us in lighting a candle or shining a light on Wednesday evenings at 8pm, look out of your window and look for the light in your neighbour's window. This can be a small way people who are grieving can feel supported and know that even in lockdown we are not alone."

SWIPC is also inviting anyone who has lost a loved one during the pandemic, whatever the cause of death, to record their stories and share it using the #LookOut4TheLight hashtag.

To get involved in #LookOut4TheLight, share via Facebook, Twitter, and any other platforms or tag SWIPC on Twitter @SouthWestIPC. BLANDFORD's county councillor Byron Quayle has urged people to respond to the consultation on Dorset Council's purchase of the St Mary's School site in Shaftesbury, saying its ambitious plans to transform the school, potentially providing better educational opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities as well as adult social care and community support, will benefit Blandford residents.

17

March 2021

Vet Julian’s award recognises success in antibiotic cutback JULIAN Allen, of Friars Moor Livestock Health, has been named the Farmers Weekly Livestock Adviser of the Year after helping a large Dorset dairy farm cut its antibiotic use by two-thirds over eight years.

As a senior dairy-focused vet, Julian has also tackled the challenge of moving to a non-soya diet of home-grown protein crops for the farm's milking herd demanded by one leading retailer.

His advice has been key in achieving the fall in antibiotic use on the farm, and also across his vet practice with 120 dairy clients across north Dorset, south Somerset and parts of Wiltshire.

"Antibiotic use across the practice has halved in five years across dry cows, milkers and young stock," said Julian, who has been a vet for 36 years, 26 of them with Friars Moor.

Reducing antibiotics use in the vet practice has picked up in recent years due to the increased use of sand in cow cubicles and the general improvement in milking equipment.

Julian, based in Sturminster Newton, has also dealt with the health challenges of mastitis,

lameness and fertility in the 420strong Holstein dairy herd at Hanford Farms, near Blandford.

Farm manager Martin Monckton has worked with Julian for eight years at Hanford Farms and has known him for 20 years.

"Julian has helped us reduce antibiotic use by two-thirds on this farm," said Martin, adding that he had helped redesign ventilation and housing for the farm's youngstock, helped herd health with mobility scoring and given essential help and advice in the move away from soya in the diet of the milking herd, with no fall in yield.

Independent judge John Royle, chief livestock adviser at the NFU, said: "Julian is keen to go the extra mile as he is so invested in his clients' businesses and their success. He has a very consultative approach, sees the constraints on a business and is able to work very well within them."

The Farmers Weekly Awards shows, hosted by Adam Henson, were broadcast online over five evenings from February 7 in a week-long festival of British farming celebrating the industry's successes and telling how farmers kept the nation fed in a year like no other.

BLANDFORD & District u3a hosts a series of lectures each year free to anyone who wishes to hear them. They take place in the afternoons and at present, they are going to be broadcast on Zoom.

The programme for the rest of this year is: March 19, Julian Black on the Bankes family of Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy; July 2, Adrian Green on Heywood Sumner; and September 24, Francis Burroughs on the history of glass.

If you would like to see these, phone 01258 455081 to be sent a Zoom link for the appropriate lecture. The u3a is open to anyone who is not in full-time employment. More information at blandfordu3a.co.uk.

Julian Allen, senior veterinarian at Friars Moor Livestock Health.

Literature virtually THE Blandford Literary Festival, which held its very successful inaugural event in 2019 and had hoped to make it an annual occasion until the pandemic hit, is alive and well on Facebook, where it is continuing to promote existing and emerging authors, host workshops and plan events.

In February, in celebration of #NationalStorytellingWeek, they posted a video of a story told by one of their favourite story tellers, Alex Ultradish, who attended the festival in 2019 and was a big hit with parents and children.

They also hosted a Valentine's short story competition, which

was free to enter, and for which stories of up to 2,000 words could be about any type of love, with the promise of a £50 dinner for two from Rebekah's Kitchen served by home delivery due to lockdown.

They have asked those who supported the 2019 festival to get in touch. Email them at info@blandfordliteraryfestival.com if they have any new projects they would like them to share, and whether they'd be interested in being part of a live panel Q&A, submitting an article for a guest blog post, send a video of a reading or give a live talk or link to their latest work.

Witnesses plan move REDEVELOPMENT on Blandford Heights industrial estate of the site of the candle factory which burnt down in 2008 has been proposed

by The Watchtower of Britain for the Jehovah's Witnesses, who currently occupy a site off Shorts Lane in the town centre.

The scheme for Unit 5a includes a single-storey building as a place of worship, together with car parking and landscaping, and was not

opposed by town councillors at their planning committee meeting in January. They were concerned, however, that the potential loss of land intended for employment might be contrary to policy.

The committee also had no objection to an extension at the front of Sunrise Services & MoT Centre on Sunrise Business Park, saying there would be no loss of amenity to neighbouring property.

18

Lottery aid for Mosaic MOSAIC, the Milborne St Andrew-based charity supporting bereaved children and their families, has thanked the Postcode Community Trust for a grant received at the end of 2020 which will be used to help them in their work.

A spokesperson said: "We are very grateful to everyone who plays the People’s Postcode Lottery and to the Postcode Community Trust for choosing Mosaic to receive it."

In its latest newsletter, the charity has also thanked those who held a fundraising cake bake on Facebook and a family who raised £410 by swimming in the sea on Christmas Day in festive pyjamas.

It has set up a fundraising page at justgiving.com/mosaicfamilysupport, inviting its supporters to do the same, and is also hosting introduction course training of which details can be found at mosaicfamilysupport.org/train ing

March 2021

Ashley braves the cold to pay for father’s treatment A WINTERBORNE Kingston man picked the coldest February in years to face the demanding challenge of cold-water swimming every day to raise funds to help his father.

Ashley Yates (36) had been furloughed for nearly eight months when he decided to do something positive for his own mental health and a good cause by doing a sponsored cold-water challenge, swimming in different bodies of water in just shorts every day.

His aim is to raise money for six months of physio sessions for his father, who suffered a nearfatal major stroke four years ago and is desperate to walk again.

"I wanted to put myself in a challenging situation that requires strength of mind and character, like my dad does every time he tries to stand up on his own. I chose February as it's the month my dad had his stroke as well as the water being at its coldest of the whole year," said Ashley.

Ashley Yates "My dad is now reliant on a wheelchair and has minimal feeling in his left side. My mum is his full-time carer and does

her best to continue their awesome lifestyle and get him out and about. But this is so hard with the minimal mobility my dad has.

"He has some physio from the hospital which is helping him but it's just not frequent enough to enable him to reach his goal of taking some steps again. He is desperate to be able to play with his new grandson and be able to walk alongside him one day.

"I also want to spread the health benefits of connecting with nature and cold-water therapy during these dark times we're in to help people who are suffering mentally, physically and emotionally," he said.

Within 24 hours of launching his fundraising page he had exceeded his target of £500 and upped it to £1,000. By February 11, after publicity on BBC Radio Solent, it had topped £2,000. To find out more and support him, see justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ashley-yates-1

19

March 2021

A Georgian gem’s future safeguarded A RESCUE package worth £23,000 from the Pilgrim Trust and Dorset Leisure Fund has been secured for what has been described as a "mouthwatering" example of Georgian architecture - Lime Tree House, current home of Blandford Fashion Museum.

Built after the Great Fire of 1731, when donations from George II and charitable concerts held in London theatres led to an Act of Parliament decreeing that the town should be built in brick and tile, Lime Tree House is an outstanding example of this rebuilding by the Bastard brothers in 1760 for their five sisters, and is Grade II* listed.

With its ornate doorway, curving canopy and eye-catching "delightful(ly) mottled purple and red brickwork" it showcases their work, and despite later additions, many original features remain, including a fine oak staircase.

It became home to Betty Penny's 'Cavalcade of Costumes', whose collection forms the nucleus of

what is now the Fashion Museum, which approaches its 25th anniversary on May 21, 2021.

Museum spokesperson Carole Fornachon said: "Sadly the fabric of the house has deteriorated over the years and the museum owners face a catalogue of necessary repairs and maintenance to restore it to its former glory, including replacement of slates and of damp, cracked lathe and plaster, floor treatments and windows.

"The grants from the Pilgrim Trust and the Dorset Leisure Fund were awarded following a condition survey undertaken by Jestyn Coke, chartered surveyor, whose firm will advise the project and take it forward in partnership with Murray Sims, treasurer and project owner on behalf of the trustees.

Plans are for work to be carried out by a local builder with a hoped-for completion date during its 25th anniversary year, with events planned in celebration of the twin achievements.

Lime Tree House: a ‘mouthwatering’ example of Georgian architecture.

Homes plan ‘cramped’ NEW plans for the demolition of Larksmead House at 101 Salisbury Road, on the corner with the Larksmead Road junction, have been opposed by Blandford Town Council.

An application in 2003 for demolition and replacement with ten flats was approved by North Dorset District Council after an application for five houses and garages on the site had been refused in 2001.

The approved application has now expired and the new scheme is for nine homes and 20 parking spaces. Councillors were not opposed to redevelopment in principle but felt the proposal would result in a cramped form of development out of keeping with neighbouring properties.

20

March 2021

Seamstress a true villager who loved her taste of ‘celebrity’ JOAN Brook, a much-loved longterm resident of Castleman House, Blandford, died there on January 23, aged 88.

Born in 1932 in the cottages behind DCM Tyres, Blandford St Mary, she grew up and lived in the village. When she married John in 1959, they moved into the newly built Pigeon Close.

Living in Blandford St Mary until 2015, Joan began her working life as a seamstress, taking an apprenticeship with Garrett & Sons in Blandford. She later worked in Blandford Camp as a seamstress and then for the Coopers of Down House Estate.

Later, after having her two girls, Susan and Veronica, she joined Hall and Woodhouse.

She and John were well known in Blandford doing their Saturday shop, stopping for a coffee in Tanners' Café. This became a regular thing with the girls and later with the grandchildren too.

She and John became an important part of Blandford St Mary

Joan Brook of Blandford St Mary.

Church and for many years arranged for the delivery of the Church Christmas tree from Down House Estate; erecting it and decorating it themselves became a family tradition.

Following John's death in 2002, she moved to Bryanston Court, where she enjoyed looking out over the play areas of her youth.

She became the village's longest surviving resident, and in 2007 was invited to cut the ribbon with her grandson James at the opening of the extension of the new

Blandford St Mary Primary School and made to feel like a celebrity. The memories of that day stayed with her. In 2015 she moved into Castleman House.

The school, in its newsletter, said: "Joan attended the old Blandford St Mary School as a young girl and her children and grandchildren followed in her footsteps. Her daughter, Sue Upward, is part of the fabric of this school, having worked here for 21 years."

Sue said: "She loved nothing more at Christmas than seeing the children come to her door to sing Christmas carols and going away happy with sweets in their hand. She loved the visits of our school choir to Castleman House too."

A private funeral service with Covid restrictions was held on February 15, arranged by Colin Close funeral directors, to whom donations in her memory for the Castleman House Amenities Fund can be sent.

Death notices GORDON 'LOGGER' HOUSE: Passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021, aged 90 years.

Husband to Ruby, Father to Lorna and Valerie, Grandfather to Diana, Family to many more.

Service held at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Mappowder.

Donations if desired to Stroke Association. C/O Lesley Shand Funeral Service 28 East Street, Blandford. DT11 7DR or online at funeraldirector.co.uk/gordonhouse CLIVE RAYMOND 15.03.1937 20.01.2021 of Winterborne Kingston. Much loved husband of Jacky and true friend to many. Despite incredible care from the doctors and nurses at Dorset County Hospital ICU, Clive lost his battle against Covid-19. Private funeral service, donations if desired for the Injured Jockeys Fund, to closefuneral.co.uk or by cheque payable to the charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133 ANGELA ASTON: Passed away peacefully at home on January 8, surrounded by her family.

Adored wife of Ted, much loved mum to Deb and Rob, wonderful grandma to Harry, Joseph and Zara, sadly missed by all her family and many friends. Private funeral service, donations if desired to Weldmar Hospicecare, c/o Lesley Shand Funeral Service, 28 East Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7DR or online at funeraldirector.co.uk/angelaaston

Obituary of Blandford’s ‘Hat Lady’: Page 23

21

March 2021

Former Mayoress and clothing store proprietor TRIBUTE was paid at January's Blandford Town Council meeting to Hazel Lillian Warrington, who died on January 22, aged 84, after suffering a series of strokes.

Hazel was the wife of Blandford's longest serving Freeman, Peter Warrington, and both served the community in a number of ways after the family moved to live in Blandford more than 40 years ago.

They celebrated their diamond wedding in 2016 at the house in Bayfran Way which was still their home.

Hazel, née Walters, had spent over two years during her childhood evacuated to a village in Worcestershire, but in 1943 returned to her home in Clacton, where she and Peter were childhood friends and neighbours and later colleagues at the Woolworth store.

After their marriage in 1956, they moved regularly around the country to Letchworth, Luton, Hemel Hempstead, Swansea, the Rhondda Valley and Exeter as Peter was transferred from one store to another by Woolworth, for whom he became a store manager.

Once all the children had started school, Hazel enjoyed working as a home help for many years, but when Peter took early retirement from his job as manager of Woolworth in Salisbury Street, Blandford, after turning down a move to Farnborough, she joined him to run the fashion store Gemini (now Blandford Furniture Bazaar) further up Salisbury

OBITUARY

Hazel Warrington, pictured in 1972, just before she and her husband first came to Blandford.

Street for 15 years until their retirement in 2002.

As the parents of five children, both had become involved in the Cubs, Scouts and the PTAs and governing bodies of local schools, so, in addition to general ladies' fashions, stocked school, scouting and guiding uniforms and became one of Blandford's main clothing retailers.

Hazel had joined Peter for eight years on the town council, of which he was a member for many years, and together they served as Mayor and Mayoress in 1998.

In 1999 Hazel decided that she wanted to 'ring in' the new Millennium, so she joined the

parish Bell Ringers until her hands were no longer able to grip the bell rope.

The Bell Ringers also had a set of 12 handbells, and a group of enthusiastic handbell ringers, the 'Shottesford Peelers' was formed, and played at care homes, hospitals, The Georgian Fayre and various events. Hazel became their treasurer and eventually leader until numbers fell and the group closed. The handbells now reside in the Blandford Church tower.

In retirement she also joined Knees-Up Healthy Living in the studio behind M&Co, becoming a committee member, and also volunteered with the Age UK shop and Age Concern lunch club until poor health forced her to stop.

Her funeral service was held at Poole Crematorium on February 19, managed by Colin Close funeral directors.

Sylvia Spooner SYLVIA Spooner (nee Blest), who celebrated her 100th birthday at Whitecliffe House nursing and residential care home in November and whose story was told in Forum Focus in January, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the home on January 31.

Deeply loved by her husband Arthur and as a wonderful mother by her two sons, Charles and Edward, and daughters-in-law Jane Gall and Jane Hadsall, and as a wonderful granny by Rosie, Amy, William and Katharine, she will be remembered by her many friends in the Tarrant Valley and Blandford area.

The family have thanked the exceptional staff at Whitecliffe House for caring for Sylvia over the past two years and in particular the care and nursing staff who kept her company on the morning of her death.

A cremation service with webcast was held on February 24 at Salisbury Crematorium, and a service at St Mary's, Tarrant Gunville, and celebration of her life will be held when possible.

22

The View from the Hill

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

T

HE grass fields are devoid of cattle during winter as they would only turn the pasture to mud with their big feet.

The cows are better off indoors, where calving has begun, and the youngstock are still munching their way through frozen turnips this week, back to mud next week I suspect. After turnips the fields will get a dose of manure and then be sown to barley or poppies.

We are celebrating the fertility of our youngest bull Rocky. He arrived on the farm on April 30 last year and was straight away

A young lady, recorded number 435, with her newly born calf.

March 2021 introduced to a lively group of 15 heifers, amongst whom he rapidly made himself known.

Photographic evidence exists of his first conquest and the young lady's number was recorded (435). Sure enough, nine months and three days later, she was the first to produce a healthy bouncing calf.

Today's count is eight (47 to go).

Seven heifers and one cow have so far produced a calf each, and they have been shipped off to the yard at Websley to give the 'still to calvers' more room.

Gary and Brendan mucked out the cowshed this week too, to give the cows a clean start with a nice deep bed of clean straw and reduce the chance of infections getting into the new-born calves.

The muck is being tipped up in a field where it will be turned from time to time, to make it into useful well-rotted manure by autumn, when it will be spread before the next wheat crop.

We have had to widen a gateway to get the muck trailers into the field - the old gateway was down a grassy drove and a muddy old mess was created every time we took a vehicle along there. The entrance is now straight off the road and into a drier part of the field than previously and the drove remains grassy.

The world of farming politics is currently swamped by consultations. Every time the government has a new idea it churns out another consultation document, and if we want to have any influence on the outcome, particularly if we disagree with the proposals, we are duty bound to respond.

A cynic might suspect that it will make no difference, but then if new and awkward rules are the result we can at least say that we tried. The current rash of consultations includes such diverse subjects as gene editing, animal

This picture taken by Alan Wickes early on January 24 may look fabulous, but a Roe deer is still a deer, with teeth and an appetite. There are many deer in the district; if they are not grazing our crops they are in the woods chewing on trees. Amidst the many calls we hear suggesting we plant more trees to save the planet, important though it is, I hear very few mentioning at the same time the importance of controlling deer and squirrels, which is essential if newly planted trees are to make it to sapling, let alone well-shaped mature trees.

Alan Wickes has a fabulous collection of wildlife pictures, He has also taken some beautiful bird pictures in our bird food plots. More are at viewfromthehill.org.uk, as well as on Instagram. transport, urea fertiliser, the future of TB control, and the sustainable use of pesticides.

Other organisations are also up to the same thing. Dorset Council has recently been consulting on its climate change strategy; I tried hard to respond but it was very tedious, and gave up before completion.

Red tractor, the food standards organisation, is also consulting on a number of new standards they wish to impose on farmers and growers. Many of our food standards are already world-leading, and I can't help thinking that the desire to raise standards in the ways proposed suggests too many people with too much time on their hands.

UK agriculture faces the biggest period of change any of us farming now have ever seen - not the best time to suggest radical changes to our assurance

schemes perhaps.

In amongst regular winter work, we are now into a project to revamp an old-style 1940s steel frame building to let out to autoelectrics specialists. We are grit blasting and painting the steelwork after removing the old cladding and will then install new insulated panels all round the walls and on the roof, and a new insulated and polished concrete floor. February showers were not helping with the painting last week, and the freeze up has made the grit blaster very temperamental.

We have chicken manure, digestate, biosolids and FYM waiting for fair weather for spreading, in heaps around the farm, before we launch into spring sowing, hoping the new Sky drill arrives in time so we can try out some more no-till. Beans, spring barley and poppies are planned.

March 2021

Blandford’s ‘Hat Lady’, who sang on board the Ark Royal MANY may have known her only as 'The Blandford Hat Lady' or 'Mrs Hat': Olive Ellen Couture, who died aged 87 on January 25, was born in Hertford, the sixth of seven children.

Five of them were boys and she was apparently 'a bit of a tomboy' who spent her childhood and early teens during the war frequently sheltering in the coal cellar during air raids, and remembered teachers reading to the children in the shelters.

She met and married Michael, who served with REME, and travelled and lived all over the world with their daughter Penny during his active service in Aden, Kuwait, Germany, Brunei and Oman.

A talented seamstress who made her own clothes and prided herself on her appearance throughout her life, her collection of hats started during her travels, continuing with many donations by family and friends.

She was also a semi-profession-

OBITUARY al singer, who proudly recalled singing on the Ark Royal when the Royal Navy aircraft carrier visited during one of her husband's postings abroad.

They settled in Blandford St Mary, buying a cottage in the 1970s, where she often stayed while Michael was away on service, and became actively involved with Blandford St Mary Church.

She regularly gave talks on hats to local groups, and in April 1995 she helped to organise 'The Hat Affair', held in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel, in support of the church, raising a total of £1,078. The programme featured a talk by the managing director of James Lock, hatters of London, her own talk, and Mrs Betty Penny with the Cavalcade of Costume. Hats were donated for auction by Locks and other leading London milliners, includ-

ing Philip Somerville and Graham Smith, and stalls featuring hats and fashions from local shops.

Eventually the couple moved to a bungalow in Larksmead, and after Michael passed away nine years ago, Mrs Couture moved to Chestnut House in East Street, from where she used to regularly walk into town to have lunch at the Crown.

Latterly and living with dementia, she became a resident at Whitecliffe House Care Home in Whitecliff Mill Street, where she died, leaving her daughter Penny and family, who thanked the care home and the many individuals and businesses in Blandford who had been so kind to her, particularly since her husband's death.

A private family funeral was held

23

Olive Couture, The Blandford Hat Lady. in February, and donations if desired for Alzheimer's Society could be made online by visiting close-funeral.co.uk or by cheque payable to the charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU.

24

Outside help for Panda PANDA Pre-school has been working hard to develop a woodland school where all children can access a Forest School education.

They have been very busy raising funds over the past two years to purchase trees, outdoor clothing for the children, a shed, plants and equipment and materials.

With support from Wessex Water who, for their volunteer day, offered help from two employees and machinery to dig five large holes to plant the trees, they now have a new bell tent to use as shelter on the site, and towards which Blandford Stour Rotary Club gave a donation.

Alison Morris, manager, has thanked everyone who has contributed to the setting up of the woodland school which will be an amazing resource to the pre-school for the children to learn new skills in a different outdoor environment.

Panda Pre-school is open from 8.45am to 2.45pm with breakfast club available from 7.45am and after school until 3.30pm.

March 2021

Internet firm step in to provide laptop support THREE pupils at a Dorset primary school have each received a much-needed laptop to help with their home schooling, thanks to Blandford-based internet provider Wessex Internet.

The Key Stage 2 pupils from Lulworth & Winfrith CE VC Primary School were presented with the equipment after the school conducted a home equipment audit among parents following the sudden announcement of school closures on January 4.

Headteacher Richard Skinner said: "No sooner had the government announced that we were to close due the national lockdown, we received a call from Wessex Internet with their offer of help.

They recently connected both our

school sites to full-fibre broadband.

"It was a welcome surprise and has certainly taken the pressure off. Like many schools across the country, we have a number of pupils who for a range of reasons simply had no access to personal laptops at home. It is heartening to see that true community spirit is very much alive in Dorset."

Hector Gibson Fleming, managing director at Wessex Internet said: "Lulworth is one of the areas in which we are working to bring the best internet connectivity to rural homes and businesses. When we heard about the latest lockdown, we wanted to support the community where help was needed immediately."

COUNCILLORS have agreed to an increase in the cost of provision of an outdoor table tennis table at Larksmead Recreation Ground after contractors advised that additional concrete hardstanding would be required to level the chosen site.

The original cost was £2,275, less a £445 grant secured from Dorset Council for 20 per cent of the cost, but the additional £1,087 for the hardstanding increased the grant contribution to £672.40.

March 2021

School joins the fight against virus spread THE battle against coronavirus has been boosted by the rollout of lateral flow tests across schools.

The Blandford School had conducted approximately 800 tests up to February half-term, 22 on behalf of local primaries.

The community will be aware of the close relationship with schools in The Blandford Schools' Network and TBS were pleased to assist fellow headteacher colleagues who requested support while they were waiting for their own test kits.

Fourteen members of the volunteer testing team have been working to ensure the TBS testing area is sanitised, safe and operating in line with government guidance. The team, all of whom completed training early in January, includes current staff, an ex-GP, community volunteers (some with nursing experience) and governors.

TBS have been thrilled by the

response to their request for help and are confident they will be able to scale up the testing regime if required when all students return to school.

They are grateful to local businesses, including Chaffers, for donating money towards medical waste bags and hand sanitisers since, although much of the testing is underwritten by external funders, the school has had to buy extra of these items as well as PPE. Sally Wilson, headteacher, said: "This really has been a massive team effort and a great example of the Blandford community and schools working together for the benefit and safety of all. I know the testing work we have conducted since the start of 2021 will stand us in really good stead as students return to school full-time and we gradually return to normal."

Pictured right: The testing area at TBS.

25

Helen takes the helm at Knighton FOLLOWING a decision by Knighton House head Robin Gainher to return to his home in Norfolk to be closer to his family at a time of social distancing and separation, the school has appointed its deputy head, Helen Dominey, in the role of acting head.

"Her strategic competence she always drove the day-today running of the school, from our Covid-19 protocols to the intricacies of staff allocation and timetabling - is tested by many years of experience; in her we trust," said the school in a news release.

"Under her leadership, Knighton House will not fear the changes that must inevitably come in this episode of national affairs.

Her team will continue to drive the curriculum for 21st century learners and ultimately, the future workforce."

26

March 2021

Teacher’s fundraising skydive

Camera Club news THE new year saw some new faces joining Blandford Forum Camera Club, with 'old familiar' ones keeping the club going and, thanks to modern technology, some great opportunities for speakers from out of their normal patch.

The Dragon in Monochrome was a particularly good evening, with Margaret Salisbury from Wales. Her wonderful images and tales of achieving them gave everyone motivation and inspiration.

Competitions continue, with the Points Cup Round 4 being well supported. Judge Mike Weeks had a vast array of subject and style to judge, and top scorers were Sally Chaloner Emerging Alium, David Chaloner - Bullfinch, Jean Bartlett - My Best Side, and Rachel Cooper Whiskers and Prickles.

The club hosted its round of the Southern Counties Photographic Federation competition, which was Blandford versus seven other clubs across the south,

Whiskers and Prickles by Rachel Cooper, a top scorer in the Points Cup Round 4. from Guernsey to Bognor Regis to Newbury and Salisbury. The winners were Salisbury Camera Club, with Blandford a respectable third.

The most anticipated night of the year, The Wessex Cup, pit the gents against the ladies in a battle of the sexes. The

usual format had to be tweaked but a good evening ensued, with the ladies being victorious, winning with 201.5 points to 192.

Although meetings and events are currently held only remotely, new members are always welcome to share their interest in creating images and helping each other improve as photographers and learning how to edit and present photographs for viewing. For information see their website bfcclub.co.uk.

New policy for park home charges OWNERS and residents of Dorset's park home sites have until March 21 to give their views on a draft policy for how Dorset Council sets park home licence fees.

A new policy is needed to standardise how the annual fees are calculated across Dorset and replace the policies of the county's former district and borough councils, which each set their

fees differently.

The suggestion is that sites will be grouped into bands according to the number of homes on each site.

In the DT11 area it could result in the cost of Ashley Wood's licence in Band 3 dropping by over £77, and that for Lady Bailey in Band D dropping by over £570.

FORMER music teacher Winston Lees of Spetisbury has signed up to skydive 15,000 feet to raise funds for Stars Dorset, the Poolebased sexual trauma and recovery service.

Winston, 72, for many years taught trumpet and piano to young students with the Dorset Youth Music Service and is a member of the local theatre company Churchill Productions, as well as a regular attender at Blandford's outdoor market as the Utility Warehouse man.

He says that having worked in education with children of all ages, he understands the current difficult situation caused by Covid-19 in which children can be more vulnerable.

"In 2019, 1,887 people were supported by Stars. Many of these were children. Stars provides dedicated counselling and a specialist independent sexual violence advisor for children and young people in Dorset who have experienced sexual violence, and needs support now."

Within a week of launching his appeal for sponsorship, he had exceeded his target of £550. To help him raise more go to starsdorset.org/stars-dorset.

DORSET Council has agreed to list the Blandford Methodist Church Hall and its car park adjacent to the church as an asset of community value.

The church itself cannot be so listed as buildings primarily used for religious worship/observances do not meet the requirements for listing.

27

March 2021

Weather worries were a damp squib WEATHER forecasts in recent weeks have given us something to talk about other than lockdown, vaccinations and the number of Covid cases in the area.

But in the event, it has been less than dramatic, and nothing like the serious conditions experienced elsewhere.

Storm Christoph in late January brought flood alerts for the Middle Stour and tributaries near Blandford, Upper Stour and tributaries in North Dorset and Lower Avon and tributaries between Ringwood and Christchurch.

Firefighters from Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury had to rescue two people after their car became stuck in flood water, trapping them inside in a well-known flood risk area near the Hambledon Hill Campsite

A snowboarding snowman in Stour Park.

in Hammoon. But Blandford escaped lightly, the river rising and flooding the lower Ham and meadows to provide additional entertainment for families visiting with their children to feed the ducks and swans.

Next came the snow - just a little, but enough for more lockdown outdoor activity of photography, snowballs, sledging, and building snowmen which appeared in the most unlikely of spots - on top of car bonnets, on the flood wall in the Marsh and Ham, on the Mortain Bridge, ambling across the Crown Meadows, and in the Stour Meadows car park where one had clearly ventured forth from the skatepark and got stranded with his skateboard!

But despite the promise of more heavy snow in February, Blandford remained bitterly cold but firmly snow-free, bar the occasional flurry.

Early morning in Blandford town centre on January 24 - but the snow didn’t last for long.

And in Dorset Street on the same morning.

Arts sheds scheme wins support TOWN councillors have withdrawn their opposition to the development of an art studio at the rear of Nightingale Court, Blandford, after the applicant twice addressed them on her hopes of establishing the project.

They had initially objected to the scheme, saying the application was retrospective, since Kate Seeger, founder of Blandford's annual arts festival Free Expression, had installed two wooden sheds on the site, which has lain vacant since Nightingale Court was developed in the 1970s.

A succession of planning applications for permanent development on the site were refused

over the years, as was the first application by Ms Seeger, who has leased the land from its new owner and hopes to offer workshops and activities from the studio.

She produced evidence of community support which she was told the planners at Dorset Council required to overcome policy objections, including a petition with over 250 signatures and 100 positive comments, and crowd-funding which had paid for her second application.

Town councillors' objections in May last year, when the application was considered in her absence, included the perceived impact on the conservation area, but Ms Seeger presented

her application in more detail to councillors in September and again in February this year after it had been re-submitted.

They agreed with her that it would deliver community benefits and was supported by the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan policies.

They argued that the single-storey temporary structures would take up no more than eight per cent of the burgage plot and would have no adverse effect on the surrounding conservation area or cause harm to conservation assets in that part of the town.

The application will be decided by Dorset Council.

28

March 2021

Cash grant secures the future of Artsreach DORSET-based touring arts charity Artsreach has been successful in its application to the Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund, securing the future of rural touring for Dorset's communities for the next three years.

Artsreach co-director Yvonne Gallimore said: "The continued support of Dorset Council is

invaluable in enabling us to continue to programme our muchloved variety of live performances and recognises the work of our volunteer promoters and the quality of the work Artsreach has toured over the last 30 years."

The award of £41,947 annually for the next three years reflects a similar level to previous agree-

ments.

The charity is continuing its efforts to bring the arts to the public virtually during the pandemic, and in February teamed up with Bristolbased Sharpe Teeth Theatre to bring 'Sherlock in Home: Murder on Ice' to audiences in the county.

They have also partnered with the INN CROWD to present live litera-

What’s on this month Monday March 1: Blandford Town Council Planning Committee Teams meeting, 7pm, see blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk for agenda and link Cranborne Chase AONB free Zoom talk: Nick Cowen 'Walking in the footsteps of Henry Chalk', 7.30pm Tuesday March 2 (and all Tuesdays): Blandford Citizens Advice outreach is suspended, call 01747 835016, the free Dorset Advice Line on 0800 144 88 48 or email advice-nd@centralca.org.uk Arts Award Discover: Microsoft Teams event for children age 7+, see Dorset Libraries Facebook page Wednesday March 3: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Gardening/Art events with children, 6 to 7pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, email clerk@blandfordstmary-pc.gov.uk to ask for a Zoom invitation Saturday March 6: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Archive Work, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Monday March 8: Blandford Town Council Town & General Purposes Committee Teams meeting, 7pm, see blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk for agenda and link Cranborne Chase AONB free Zoom talk: landscape archaeologist Phil Planel 'The archaeology of Cranborne Chase', 7.30pm, book at cranbornechase.org.uk/events/ Wednesday March 10: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Taking on a wider role, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Saturday March 13: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Exhibition Work, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Monday March 15: Blandford Town Council Finance & Staffing

PLEASE also let us know by email to editor@forumfocus.co.uk of any events able to go ahead, whether virtually or in person.

Committee Teams meeting, 7pm, see blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk for agenda and link Cranborne Chase AONB free Zoom talk: Alex Deacon and Matthew Irvine of The Wessex Rivers Trust 'Introducing the Crystal Clear Ebble’, 7.30pm, book at cranbornechase.org.uk/events/ Monday March 15 to March 28: Artsreach presents Stute Theatre's "You Don't Know Me But", telephone performances, see artsreach.co.uk Friday March 19: Blandford & District u3a Free Zoom lecture, 3pm, Julian Black on the Bankes family of Kingston Lacy, details 01258 455081 Sunday March 21: National Census Day Monday March 22: Blandford Town Council full council meeting, 7pm, see blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk for agenda and link Cranborne Chase AONB free Zoom talk: Mike Fussell, 'Chasing Sheep, bashing scrub and counting butterflies at the Martin Down Nature Reserve', 7.30pm, book at cranbornechase.org.uk/events/ Wednesday March 24: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Dementia programme, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Saturday March 27: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Carers, key workers, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk Monday March 29: Cranborne Chase AONB free Zoom talk: National Trust ranger Clive Whitbourne 'Wild about Woodlands', 7.30pm, book at cranbornechase.org.uk/events/ Wednesday March 31: Blandford Museum Taster Session: Archaeology Group opportunities, 6 to 7 pm, bookings contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk

ture events in pubs across the county, including the White Horse at Stourpaine, prior to March 2020, and are now promoting the Winter Warmers initiative, a collection of seven heart-warming poems about pubs from the regions. Its South West poem 'The Best Ones' has been written and performed by poet Malaika Kegode and is set to be released on Wednesday March 3, along with a selection of images.

Also this month there's a chance to book one of just 30 telephone performances slots available for Stute Theatre's 'You Don't Know Me But', written and performed by Sophia Hatfield, directed by Olivier Award-winning Theatre and BBC Radio Director Gwent Hughes, and performed live over the phone.

Inspired by real memories and interviews from a care home, this innovative and intimate 20-minute audio play highlights unsung stories of everyday care across generations in a unique approach to socially distanced theatre.

Booking is essential for slots between 3 and 7pm on March 15, 16, 27 and 28 by visiting artsreach.co.uk.

One of the performers in the Artsreach production of ‘Sherlock in Home: Murder on Ice'