What's on

Are you ready for Dorset’s first country show of 2023?

After the wildly successful launch of the Spring Countryside Show last year, it is back at the Turnpike showground in April

With over 10,000 visitors throughout the weekend, the inaugural Spring Countryside Show in 2022 beat everyone’s expectations (you can read the BV’s review of it here). Organised by the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, the 2023 event promises even more rural activities and events. Giles Simpson, show chairman, said: ‘The Spring Countryside Show is all about bringing spring in the countryside to life. It’s a deliberately family-friendly event, with a chance to get close to a whole host of animals and learn more about rural ways of life. Being the earliest show in the county, it’s also a great way of celebrating the arrival of spring after a long, drab winter.’ The event will once again showcase a range of traditional rural crafts including wood carving, a farrier, heavy horse logging, gun dog displays and terrier racing plus the dedicated Farmyard Area which is full of animals to meet. The Sheep Show was the surprise hit of 2022, and by popular demand they will of course be back. There are rumoured to be promises of a ‘Strictly Come Sheep Dancing’ show – would you give them a 10? No show is complete without a fun fair, of course, plus working steam engines and classic cars. New for this year is the Funky Festival Area where live music, food stands and a bar will be open right through to 10pm on the Saturday evening. The Spring Countryside Show is on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April. Tickets are on sale

now (early bird price is £10 adults, children go free). The organisers are always on the lookout for more exhibitors if you have a craft or tradition you can demonstrate. For details on how to exhibit or to buy your early bird ticket, go to springcountrysideshow.co.uk or telephone 01747 823955.

Jonathan Marshall’s 2022 horseback falconry display The 2022 Spring Countryside Show fairground

This month’s news from the unofficial capital of the Blackmore Vale...

Wine, weddings and work in Stur

1855 is Stur’s new shopping experience with more than 40 different local artisans selling their wares. The first of our new monthly ‘wine tasting and meet the traders’ event is on 27th January, from late afternoon until until 8.00 p.m. Do come and try the delicious range of wines from small West Country vineyards with resident experts from Wolf Wines. Dont be put off by Tim Burr lounging beside the door outside – he’s a local lad and very friendly.

The new ‘wine tasting and meet the traders’ event in 1855 is on 27th January, from late afternoon until until 8.00p.m

Do the shopping rounds

Nest time you are in Stur, come and see what household treasures you can find at The Emporium – including our fascinating art gallery upstairs, Dapper Chaps mens clothes and the furniture showroom in the former Barclays Bank. Maybe you still need that new spring outfit at a fraction of the usual cost – come and indulge in the PreLoved Boutique.

Thank you

The team would like to thank all those who supported the two day Christmas event (so long ago in November!). The the sale of all your pre-loved goods in the SturAction shops, plus sponsorship from local businesses, paid for the town’s lovely Christmas tree, for the sintallation of all the little trees and helped towards the cost of the ice rink. Thank you also to everyone who came to enjoy themselves and especially to Father Christmas and his Elves. Hopefully we will do it all again next year – even better!

Dates for the diary:

• Wedding Fair

4th February 10am to 2pm

Sturminster Newton invites couples & families to a unique town event, where they can discover enticing offers for all occasions. Visit wedding and special occasions exhibitors in The

Exchange – everything you need to make your event wonderful. Then follow the trail through

Sturminster Newton and visit the wedding exhibitions in some of our independent shops on your way to St. Mary’s to view the wedding dress display.

• North Dorset Schools Career Day

9th March, 10am to 6pm

Calling all Dorset employers!

Exhibit for free and showcase your key roles, apprenticeships, and career progression. Meet and engage with young people from from five schools in years 8 to 11. The twilight session is open to other schools, year groups and parents. The event will be at The Exchange in

Sturminster Newton, and you can register as an exhibitor here.