The Blackmore Vale July 21

ISSN 2634-8810

POLITICS

NEVER PRINTED July ‘21

POLITICS

Good People in this issue

TRACY Chevalier

Who actually said yes, and made me whoop loudly and spill my tea. THANK YOU.

Andy PALMER

Rude, Reliable, Fun and Wise. AND he brings round surprise birthday cakes.

ROGER GUTTRIDGE Never let it be said we don't think he's Good People.

Tracie BEARDSLEY

Because she's the Best People, and has been so poorly, and yet still demanded kitten spam.

LUKE Rake

For swapping walks and being so inspiringly passionate about our young people

MARILYN PEDDLE Who didnt get the front cover, but could have filled ALL the reader's photography with her beautiful insects

Rachael ROWE

for never saying no, and always just getting it.

Ninebarrow

yes for lovely music, but basically for planting 1,000 trees

REG GUTTRIDGE Roger's handsome cousin.

Front cover: A wild Barn Owl hovering over its prey. Taken in North Dorset by Tomfree Balchin Always - subscribe here

A Country Living

Animals

Art with Edwina Baines

Barry Cuff | Voice of the Allotment

Beauty

Book Corner

Brigit Strawbridge

Business News

Charity pages

Citizen's Advice Q&A

Community News

108

Deaths

Education

Equestrian

Family Law

Farming

Food & Drink

Garden Jobs

Health

114

Jobs

Looking Back | Roger Guttridge

Meet Your Local

News

Night Sky

Out of Doors

Photography

Police alert

118

Property

101

Puzzles

Random 19 - Tracy Chevalier

Reader's Letters

Rural Matters - CPRE

111

Services

Simon Hoare MP

Take a Hike

Tales from the Vale | Andy Palmer

Then & Now | Roger Guttridge

102

What's on

Wildlife

As most people know, we have been hunting for a cat for quite some time; content to wait, as we were picky. We did NOT want a kitten - too much work. But we didn’t want an OLD cat, because the teenagers want it to play and be fun. We have been scouring the rescue pages for months and months - and in desperation a few weeks ago I started looking at the cats for sale websites. Big mistake. Huge. So many cats. Obviously I fell in love 15 times. And then there was the one. Seemingly exactly right. But when I messaged, she had already been snapped up. The sadness was tempered though, when the breeder said ‘I do have one gorgeous kitten left. But she has stripes not spots, you may not want her...” And then suddenly there was a video in my phone. Needless to say, three days later we were trying to creep quietly into the house to surprise the teenagers with a furiously yelling 8wk old kitten. So - everyone? Meet Pog (it took us another three days to find a name all six of us agreed on). Pog likes to sleep, and play runrunrrunATTACKKK of course. She also loves to climb (legs, shelves, the walls with her claws in the wallpaper...). The curtains have been judiciously removed, eating at the table is a repetitive exercise in remove-the-cat patience and we’re all sporting casual tiny claw scratch marks. And yet those little heavy thudding paws have quite stolen all of our affections. The whole family crow in delight when she squeaks a greeting, and everyone is suddenly finding many more reasons to leave the computer and go sit a while with the mad attack cat. (oh and did I mention? THE Tracy Chevalier agreed to be our Random 19. It really has been quite the month).

NEWS

by Tracie Beardsley

Scared to Play, Frightened Away Gillingham families are in fear of using a community skate park due to escalating antisocial behaviour. Social media groups connected to the town show comments from upset and angry parents whose children and even themselves have been the target of threatening behaviour. Reports include verbal and racist abuse, aggressiveness, littering and the smoking of illegal substances by a group of young people frequenting the skatepark near RiversMeet sports facility in Hardings Lane. Zoe Bell, mother of two from Marnhull, told the digital Blackmore Vale: “My daughter Charlotte, who is only 10, experienced extreme verbal abuse when she went to the park. She was so upset. “There’s so much bad language being spoken and a group play really loud music with foul

lyrics. It just puts you off taking your children there. Since my daughter was verbally abused, we just won’t go. “Even as an adult, I’m scared. These troublemakers don’t pay any attention to other adults who have challenged them. It’s appalling that so many wellbehaved children are unable to use the park because of these kids.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, anti-social behaviour, (noisy dogs, noisy neighbours, litter, vandalism, public drunkenness – in short, anything that makes people’s lives a misery) - is a growing issue across the county.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time visiting sites across the county which have been affected by this problem, to learn more about it and what I can do to Reports mention ‘There’s so much provide more children as support, including bad language being recently speaking young as 12 spoken and a group with Gillingham behaving aggressively play really loud music residents. towards adults with foul lyrics’ who challenge “I’m aware of them, preventing the skate park others skateboarding by issue, as are the police. I know sitting on the ramps smoking many residents across Dorset and watching pornography are concerned about anti-social on their phones with graphic behaviour and I’m determined commentary. Some adults that this will be tackled.’’ declined to speak to us for fear Responsibility for dealing with of reprisal and blame lack of anti-social behaviour (ASB), is parental control. shared between a number of According to David Sidwick, agencies the police and local Always free - subscribe here

by Tracie Beardsley councils, which creates delays and confusion. Dorset Police are aware that victims can feel helpless, bounced from one agency to another and back. To combat this problem, changes have been made to the AntiSocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), placing the victim at the heart of the response. This led to the development of the Dorset Community Trigger - Dorset Council giving victims and communities the right to request a review of their case to “bring agencies together to find a solution.” Any Dorset-based resident, community or business may use the Community Trigger to request a review of their case.

that CCTV is provided at Hardings Park and footage is available for the police to draw on as necessary. “In general, our young people in Gillingham most unfortunate and upsetting respect each other and we that a small minority of young don’t suffer from excesses of people, whether they attend other anti-social our school or not, behaviour, such as “It’s so sad that continue to involve graffiti, that occur themselves in antia really great social behaviour. We in other towns.”

c o m m u n i t y will continue to work However, problems facility is closely with our wider at the skate park by a community to address have been going on ruined these behaviours. for a long time with handful of kids He added:’’ At perpetrators largely who just don’t Gillingham School unchallenged, as know how to we’re proud of the Zoe Bell explained: role that we play behave.” “These aren’t in our community. isolated incidents. Young people during There have been numerous the pandemic, perhaps more issues over 18 months. It’s than any other generation, have so sad that a really great been a force for good and an community facility is ruined by inspiration to many of us. a handful of kids who just don’t “The vast majority of our know how to behave.” students make an outstanding

For over four years, Gillingham Town Council has funded the Outreach team from Gillingham Rendezvous, helping local young people find solutions to issues they may have. Newly appointed Mayor of Gillingham, Councillor Paul Harris said: “We recognise that some recent behaviour at the park has upset parents of younger children. We can approach this in a variety of ways. Solutions are found Along with other Gillingham through interacting with our residents, she would like to see young people, understanding regular police presence at the the motivation park and “Young people during believes behind their behaviour and the pandemic, perhaps incidents what they see as more than any other should be the solution.” reported generation, have been “Rendezvous to nearby a force for good and an Gillingham Gillingham has helped inspiration to many of School, many young urging us.” people and has others to a presence around the town, do the same: “We need to keep including at Hardings Park. We’re reporting to the police and also working in partnership with the local school. Although the the local police who work closely kids causing problems aren’t in with the community ensuring uniform, the school may know that, where appropriate and who they are.” proportionate, police action is taken. Head Teacher of Gillingham Councillor Harris confirmed School Paul Nicholson said: “It’s

contribution, often involving themselves with local charities and volunteer work. We continue to remind all students of their responsibility to make a positive contribution”

Dorset PCC David Sidwick added: “Working closely with Dorset Police, local authorities and other partners, I am absolutely committed to clamping down on anti-social behaviour. I will be looking to address the short term need and the root causes of the problem. Residents deserve this and we will tackle it.”

Don’t turn a blind eye to antisocial behaviour. If you see it, report it online here or by calling Dorset Police on 101 5

by Rachael Rowe Stalbridge’s Wildflower Verges are a real community effort. Image: Caressence Roden

Verging on the Wild Side Wildflower verges are a hot topic this summer.

It’s clear that more needs to be done to protect bees and other wildlife. Wildflowers are a step towards improving habitats and there are some stunning examples of meadow-like verges in North Dorset. But are they to everyone’s taste and how does it work with road safety? Wildflowers provide a habitat for insects including bees. Caressence Roden, project lead for ‘Stalbridge Goes Wild’, is passionate about wildflowers and summarises the rationale perfectly. “Without bees we will be dead.” Stalbridge Goes Wild has been operating for two years, with a significant time taken up by the planning process to get permission and insurance. Caressence explained: “It took up to nine months to get all the paperwork done. The clerk at Stalbridge Town Council was fantastic as she knew exactly what to do with the process.”

Caressence also had a lot of praise for Graham Stanley at Dorset Council with his expertise and advice on how to plant wildflowers appropriately. If anyone thinks that planting wildflowers is simply a matter of seed scattering, they are in for a surprise. In Stalbridge a lot of the turf was removed before seeding to get rid of grass and that was back breaking work.

But what happens when things do not go exactly to plan? Private contractors in Hazelbury Bryan recently cut a verge, killing hedgehogs. Jeanette Hampstead from Hazelbury Bryan Hedgehog Rescue regularly releases hogs in the area and was deeply saddened by the news. She advised: “Hedgehogs love long grass. They don’t mind being under hedges but love the long grass. If strimming, always check the area first, cutting a little off the top and then moving lower. It takes longer but is safer for hedgehogs.”

Luckily, there are a few younger volunteers able to lend a hand and builders provided some of the soil needed. The results this year gave Caressence pleasure to a If anyone thinks that discovered one lot of people of the Stalbridge planting wildflowers as they saw wildflower verges is simply a matter of had been cut the areas transformed seed scattering, they when she saw it into a social media. are in for a surprise. on glorious “Another area meadow of contained large colour. rape plants which a resident asked the council to Other villages taking an cut as they had a problem seeing approach to wildflower planting to turn safely in the car. include Hazelbury Bryan, Unfortunately our verge was also Shillingstone and Okeford cut in the process, even though Fitzpaine. we had signage in place. If only Always free - subscribe here

by Rachael Rowe we had known, we would have cut the plants down ourselves to save the verge.” It appears that communication is vital when maintaining wildflower verges. Many local residents have taken to social media, but equally as many are dismayed by the current ‘messy verges of knee high grass’ as the wildlife enthusiasts are thrilled to see them. The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s. The success of the Weymouth Relief Road project here in Dorset, has lead to a new report outlining the potential present in our roadside verges. On the Weymouth relief road, native wildflowers have thrived on the managed chalk verges, and the area is now home to half of the butterfly species in the UK. Previous research has shown that reducing mowing to just once or twice a year provides more flowers for pollinators, allows plants to set seed and creates better habitats for other animals. Dorset Council has over 4,970 miles of rural verges. It is one of the most undervalued habitats in the county and historically required a lot of resources to manage. Following trials by the council to reduce this cost and increase the biodiversity, the council now only cuts rural roads on a reduced schedule - just two cuts a year for A and B roads, and once a year for

C roads. They also collect the grass clippings to create a better environment for wildflowers to establish and thrive. This reduction in verge cutting allows wildflowers the time to complete their life cycles which benefits bees and other pollinators. Dr Trevor Dines, botanical specialist at Plantlife, said: “Our research estimates that if all of the road verges in the UK were managed for nature, there would be a spectacular 418,88 bn more flowers, or 6,300 per person in the UK. This surge in pollen and nectar would have a genuinely transformative effect on the prospects of wildlife.”

Shaftesbury Town Council have created popular wildflower verges around the town. This image taken on the approach road from Cann Common Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

For anyone considering a wildflower project, Caressence has some tips learned from the Stalbridge experience. “Firstly, you have to be excited to get people excited. Get the neighbours to support it as the community has to be in favour. And use the expertise of the town and parish councils so you are supported on the process and regulations. You also need to start small as you can’t do everything at once.” It’s the small things that will make the big differences to bees and other wildlife. If we can all be aware of the importance of wildflower projects and support the protection of wildlife, our carbon footprint will take a further step to reducing its imprint.

Overgrown verges in our smaller lanes have become a common sight in north Dorset this summer. Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

by Andy Palmer

NEWS

Gillingham Folk If you went to Ibiza a short while ago you could have experienced a bizarre sight. The Dorset folk duo Ninebarrow fresh from winning the accolade ‘Best Emerging Act’ at the 2017 BBC Folk Awards – were wowing the crowds at the Costa Del Folk. It’s worth a YouTube – this most English of bands playing Prickle Eye Bush in the soaring sunshine in a Mediterranean setting. All the band’s songs are inspired by Dorset countryside and people. ‘It was an intriguing experience,’ Jon Whitley told the digital Blackmore Vale. Jon and Jay LaBouchardiere, a working GP, are Ninebarrow.

‘There’s no basic formula,’ says Jon. ‘Our sitting room is full of books on Dorset, our favourite poet is William Barnes, and we’ll get an idea and build it from there. Or, being keen walkers, we’ll get inspiration from the landscape, a lyric will come, a melody will emerge and we’ll develop it.’

The duo Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere are the multi-award winning describe their Dorset folk duo Ninebarrow, responsible for planting a new song writing woodland near Gillingham of 1,000 native broadleaved trees. process as Image: Greg Funnell ‘constructive Studio recording is famously argument.’ nerve-wracking for bands. One Similar to the rock band Queen, ‘The day before it was a can play a song perfectly in your one will have the germ of a thunderstorm and the organisers sitting room, but get in front of a song, the other would take it planned to bring everything microphone and when the green further, suggest under cover, light goes on you freeze. lyrics but next ...poetic lyrics and new ‘It’s been easier since Covid,’ says and enhance day as we Jon, ‘as there’s only me or Jay tight, clean harmony, the melody. were about there and we find it easier. The Ninebarrow are set to Sometimes the to come really nervous time is when the music comes become big names. on - the sun early mixes are sent through a first, sometimes came out.’ month later. Has the producer the lyrics. The really understood what we’re vital ingredient is collaboration. They played a blinding set, aiming for?’ receiving deserved applause ‘It’s a tug of war,’ ‘It’s a tug of war,’ and left the stage exhausted but says Jon. ‘You says Jon. ‘You need The couple, elated. need somebody to somebody to push who also run Famous for their poetic lyrics Ninebarrow push you further and tight, clean harmony you further than Walking Tours – than you’d go Ninebarrow are set to become you’d go yourself. for an enchanting yourself. To go big names following a string mixture of living beyond where of successful albums, concerts nature and fine live music - have you’re comfortable. You won’t and awards. They explain their just released their new album, ‘A develop as an artist unless you’re songwriting process. Pocket Full of Acorns.’ pushed like that.’

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NEWS David in the hangar with the yellow Tiger Moth

‘A Pocket Full of Acorns’ is Ninebarrows latest album, which they released to a raft of four and five star reviews in the folk and mainstream media. Within just a few days of release, the album had already reached No. 1 on Amazon’s Folk Best Sellers Chart. Image: Greg Funnell

It is well known that Jon and Jay are responsible for planting 1,000 native British broadleaved trees and 200 shrubs in a three acre site near Gillingham called the Ninebarrow Woodland. Less well-known is the story behind it...

‘We were concerned about the impact our touring had on the environment. In a normal year we’d drive more than 10,000 miles and that alone is frightening in terms of the carbon footprint. And it’s not only our footprint but that of the audiences who travel to see us.’ Being a self-confessed ‘spreadsheet geek,’ Jon calculated that they generated more than 2.5 tons of Co2 annually. Audience travel added a further half ton of Co2. The inspiration for the woodland came when the band learnt an astounding story while on tour in the Newcastle-onTyne. They found a tribute to vice-admiral Collingwood, who famously took over command at the battle of Trafalgar after Lord Nelson

What they planted: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

500 oaks 125 silver birch 125 hornbeam 75 wild cherries 50 field maples 25 alder 25 crab apple 25 walnut 25 rowan 25 sweet chestnut 100 hazel 75 hawthorn 25 spindle bushes

was killed. The admiral was concerned about the future of Britain’s oak forests – which provided the Royal Navy with timber for its ships. ‘Collingwood took to carrying acorns in his pockets, planting them in suitable places as he went on his rambles,’ says Jay. Hence the title track of the duo’s latest CD A Pocket Full of Acorns.

by Andy Palmer

NEWS

The Lady From the Wild Frontier In the 80s Harriet Sandys was commissioned by Pinewood Studios to source Afghan costumes for the James Bond film ‘The Living Daylights’. In the spring of 1989 while visiting Pakistan’s northwest frontier, Harriet discovered several families of traditional silk weavers living in a refugee camp. Harriet obtained funding from the Swedish Government to buy the weavers handlooms, dyes and silk yarn, and the men began to weave silk shawls which were sold through Save The Children. In the 90s, Harriet was asked by UNESCO to organise and run a training programme in ikat silk weaving and natural dyes in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-I-Sharif.

surprised the world on Boxing Day 1979. Aged 18, she worked with Afghan refugees fleeing the brutality of the Soviets and the endless bombing in the war zone. ‘It was tense,’ she admits with charming understatement. ‘But the Afghans are wonderfully hospitable and I was under the protection of the warlords, who were funded by the West. They knew I was there to help their people and they showed their appreciation.‘ One of the warlords was a certain Osama Bin Laden who then was not radicalised.

‘the Afghans are wonderfully hospitable and I was under the protection of the warlords’

Harriet now works from a beautifully restored 17th century cider barn selling oriental products which she imports directly. And her past is as colourful as the goods she displays.

Harriet now runs a successful business from a beautifully restored 17th century cider barn in West Compton near Shepton Mallet, importing high quality fabrics, clothing and carpets from the Middle and Far East using contacts gained during her humanitarian work in the 1980s.

The locals couldn’t pronounce Harriet’s name so she became popularly known as Arriot Jan (Jan meaning ‘dear’ or ‘lovely.’).

Sandys Oriental Carpets is now back in business after 18 months closure due to lockdown. ‘It’s more difficult to import goods, but everything we sell benefits good people in that part of the world, particularly women and girls, who produce incredibly well-made products using silk, Indian cotton and their astonishingly high quality wool. Because I buy direct, I can offer high quality produce at affordable prices. ‘We read a lot of bad things about the area,’ says Harriet, ‘but the real people are lovely, kind and welcoming. It was only when fighters came in from north Africa and Saudi that the radicalisation started.’ After visiting Afghanistan’s capital Kabul many times, Soviet

As a young woman Harriet Sandys faced danger daily. She could not have worked in a more forbidding part of the world. This petite woman operated on the North West Frontier – near the Khyber Pass which separates Afghanistan and Pakistan – when the Afghanistans were resisting the Soviet Union invasion which

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NEWS forces closed the airport so she resorted to flying direct to Islamabad, the Pakistan capital where she met the Aga Khan, the revered Islamic spiritual leader. ‘He wanted to see the silk weaving workshops we were introducing, under the aegis of UNESCO, to encourage Afghans to return to their own country when the Soviets pulled out in 1989.’ Harriet learned the local language, Dari, to encourage females to start their own businesses and gain a degree of confidence and financial independence. She also worked with Save The Children. The locals couldn’t pronounce her name so she became popularly known as Arriot Jan (Jan meaning ‘dear’ or ‘lovely’). Harriet left school at 16 with no qualifications. ‘I knew I didn’t

want to work 9-5 as a secretary.’ boys,’ she said, ‘we’d sit, talk and Following a sheltered childhood drink tea. They were wonderfully in the Lake District, her parents hospitable.’ hoped that after ‘doing the Season’, she would meet and Her memoir ‘Beyond That Last marry a suitable young man. Blue Mountain: my Silk Road,’ Instead, she was published ‘...women and girls learned how to by Medina in incredibly 2018. restore oriental produce carpets, and well-made products Apart from travelled alone business, using silk, Indian her to Pakistan. Harriet loves cotton and their cooking and ‘When I first astonishingly high is inspired came back to quality wool. Because I by recipes London from from Helen buy direct, I can offer Saberi’s ‘Noshe my initial high quality produce Djan’ (noshe travels I knew my life had at affordable prices.’ meaning ‘to eat’ changed. I - it is believed fell in love with the North West that British troops brought Frontier.’ the word back to England and Dressing in the local garb with we now have the slang ‘nosh’ head coverings, Harriet would meaning food or to eat.) tour the bazaars and became a ‘Afghan food is tremendously welcome figure with locals and healthy and tasty,’ she says, ‘they merchants. use aubergines, nan, rice, lamb, ‘I was treated as one of the nuts and yoghurt.’

Among the oriental rugs, runners and tribal kilims from Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran at Harriet Sandys barn there are carved wood chests and tables from the mountain villages of Swat in northern Pakistan and a splendid assortment of hand-woven silk and wool scarves, blockprinted tablecloths, quilted bedspreads, cushions and throws from India. On sale too are fabulous velvet knee-length coats from Morocco (great for parties) Indian cotton kaftans; cotton dressing gowns and nightwear; table lamps and gold and silver semi-precious stone earrings made by craftsmen living in the desert villages of Rajasthan. If you want to give a loved one a unique and attractive gift, visit Sandys Oriental Carpets.

by Rachael Rowe

COMMUNITY

Prescribing a Dose of Kindness

yourself introduced to the coffee companions or the forthcoming Gill Sheds. Liz is a trained mental health nurse and has lived in Gillingham all her life. “I saw the job advertised and went for it. I like people, I’m nosey, and I love Gillingham - it’s a great community.” Liz outlined some of the cases she had dealt with that day

30 per cent of GP appointments are made for nonmedical reasons and frequently turn out to be for other issues such as financial problems or loneliness.

An elderly lady walking slowly across the Town Meadow pauses as Liz Rose stops to chat with her. Kindness and positivity radiate from Liz who is Gillingham’s first Social Prescriber and has been in the post since October. There’s a brief conversation before Liz joins me. The lady walks on with a smile beneath her mask, Liz’s words clearly making a difference to her day. 12

which gave a good insight into her role. A lady recently discharged from hospital after a road accident was unable to walk her dog. By making a phone call, Liz was able to find a volunteer willing to take the job on which gave peace of mind to the dog owner. She also helped support another resident who was experiencing severe mental health problems.

Social prescribing is a relatively new concept to the NHS but one that is increasingly important as the country recovers from the lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic. Around 30 per cent of GP appointments are made for non-medical reasons and frequently turn out to be for Liz was honoured when she was other issues such as financial recently invited to the home of problems or some local Syrian loneliness. A “I saw the job refugees that had social prescriber advertised and went been helped to like Liz connects into the for it. I like people, settle people to others town. She also I’m nosey, and I love helped bring and to support services. They people together Gillingham!” are based with with knitted GP surgeries but squares on the work in the community and in Town Meadow and the biggest partnership with support groups. knitted blanket in Dorset. As Liz Instead of a medical said: “The job is as big as you prescription, you could find want it to be.”

by Rachael Rowe One of Liz’s main roles is to connect people who may be feeling isolated in the community.

COMMUNITY - a team of 86 volunteers. “They help with anything from befriending to doing the shopping for someone, and they even moved furniture for a local lady coming home from hospital.”

On Tuesdays the Coffee Companions meet up. There is always someone “The team help During the there to say with anything from first lockdown, hello and Gillingham Town befriending to doing Council got a leaflet make people shopping... to each resident feel welcome. the The Green they even moved outlining where Gang work furniture for a local they could get help with people and the volunteers lady coming home of all abilities were on hand to from hospital.” to plant tree, offer support. clear paths, and renovate signs. Gill Sheds is Asked about challenges, Liz coming to Gillingham soon and identified a few. there is a singing group in the area. Liz is also part of the team Not surprisingly, time was an working on Dementia Friendly issue, and having to be in two Gillingham, another community places at once on occasions. It project. can be difficult as a lone workerIn addition, Liz works with she is looking for a “partner Gillingham Community Kindness in crime.” A second post to

work alongside Liz is currently advertised just in case anyone is inspired by the work she has been doing. I asked Liz how people in Gillingham can help support the service. “They can like our Facebook page and also spread the word about Gillingham Community Kindness. If they know someone who may need a little support in the community, please reach out to us so we can get in touch. There is always a need for volunteers and people are welcome to join the team.” Social prescribing in the NHS is here to stay and it seems that the small things and a dose of kindness make a big difference to people.

You get in touch with Liz by email on Liz.Rose@dorsetgp.nhs.uk at Gillingham Medical Practice.

A COUNTRY LIVING

Working in Dorset’s Highest Office

by Tracie Beardsley

It’s one of the most dangerous jobs in forestry but two of Dorset’s youngest tree surgeons wouldn’t swap their sky-high office for any other occupation. Where machines can’t go, humans must. Close to overhead power lines, near roads and buildings, handling a chainsaw 60 feet up in the air and ensuring nearby public are safe is all in a day’s high-rise work for Jack Spencer, 24, from Ashmore and Jake Moore, 23 from Gillingham. Just ten months ago these two There are worse views from an young men launched Felltec office window - high in a beech tree on the edge of Ashmore Tree Services, near Shaftesbury, combining their love of forestry with expert tree-felling skills. Today, much of their work is Jack had previously worked for still in the woodlands of this an environmental company beautiful estate and they also managing offer their treeriver habitats ‘There really is no felling services throughout the across the county better office than at to anyone with county. the top of a tree... gardens big or Jake, a former Sparsholt College Up high the whole small. Jack said: student, had landscape changes’ six years in a “We are so forestry role on fortunate to work some of Dorset’s largest private in some of the most beautiful country estates. settings in Dorset. There really is no better office than at the top As the impact of ash die-back of a tree. You get the privilege took its toll on hundreds of of a birds-eye view. Up high the trees across Dorset, Jake and whole landscape changes before Jack came to work together at your eyes. Ashmore Estate, felling many Sometimes I have to remind trees that were dead or dying. myself I’m working and not

just up there enjoying the countryside.” That office can even become a skyscraper, with their tallest tree to date a 90ft beech that needed a haircut. And what about when the wind blows? “That’s a challenge, especially if we’re dealing with WASP (Willow, Ash, Sycamore, Poplar) as these trees are brittle and can crack easily in wind and cold temperatures.” explained Jack. As well as a stoical head for heights, Jake always had a passion for the countryside, enthusiastically climbing trees as a young boy and also growing Always free - subscribe here

by Tracie Beardsley

A COUNTRY LIVING

Jack Spencer, left, wth Bryn at his feet, alongside Jake Moore with Arlo and Archie

his own trees. “As early as pre“Our girlfriends do. They don’t school, I would find saplings like to watch us at work.” said growing under trees and take Jack. But both men are confident them home and plant them up in in their teamwork. “We did an pots. Eighteen years on, I’ve still intensive climbing course and got some of them before you could When you work in my garden in touch a chainsaw, together closely you first had to learn much larger pots now.” and your lives how to access the with a rope and depend on tree It’s clear as you how to rescue an each other, it’s injured climber,” he chat to both men that they not only amazing how explained. adore what they quickly unspoken The men have do but also have also mastered a deep respect for communication the vital art of develops trees. communicating Both declare their favourite tree through hand signals. Jake said: to be the English oak “because “We always carry out a briefing you can do so much with the and risk assessment before we wood and it’s such a strong climb. But even with a firm plan tree. It’s fantastic to look at and in place things can change at a so good for the environment, moment’s notice. providing a habitat for so many “When you work together closely insects and birds. and your lives depend on each “Tree surgery is not just about other, it’s amazing how quickly taking trees down, it’s about unspoken communication protecting them too,” explained develops - important when one Jake. “A lot of the job is about of you is on the ground and one removing deadwood, helping swinging 60 feet up in the air their longevity and planting new above!” ones. It’s great to be working on planting new woodlands that Check out Felltec Tree Services wildlife and generations to come on Instagram felltectreeservices will be able to enjoy.” For tree surgery quotes contact Jack Spencer 07758262673 or Do they worry about just how Jake Moore 07592375431 dangerous their work is?

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Tree Facts you’ll love:

The UK has the largest concentration of ancient trees in Northern Europe The oldest tree in the UK possibly Europe - is believed to be the Fortingall Yew near Aberfeldy in Scotland, thought to be 5,000 years old Wyndham’s Oak, near Silton, is up to 1,000 years old, and is the oldest tree in Dorset. A sweet chestnut in the grounds of Canford School near Wimborne is thought to be the widest, with a girth of almost 15m You can see a map of Dorset’s Monumental trees here.

RURAL MATTERS - monthly column from the CPRE

Fingerposts: Dorset Icons Dorset’s fingerposts are an iconic sight; the old road signs featuring a white or occasionally red metal roundel, with arms, known as fingers, pointing in the direction of travel. They are a common feature of the Dorset countryside, a legacy of the early road system. In 1773 the General Turnpike Act made it mandatory for trustees to put up signs informing the traveller of the distance to the closest town. In the 20th century the responsibility for fingerposts was given to individual local authorities; the Ministry of Transport recommended a design but it was left up to individual councils to make the final decision, which meant that there was a wide variety of local styles. The Ministry for Transport specifically asked the County Councils in Dorset and the West Riding of Yorkshire to experiment with the inclusion of a grid reference and this style of fingerpost roundel remains unique to these two council areas.

The Minchington Farm Fingerpost at Farnham, much in need of repair

Dorset Council created its own Underground sign), on which the distinctive finger post design; name of the junction is displayed constructed with a central metal on the horizontal bar. The six post, with a number of white figure grid reference is on the wooden pointers or fingers, bottom half of the roundel, originally with curved ends but ‘Dorset’ is painted in black, on more recent the top half. The Ministry for ones may Some of the Transport specifically posts have have pointed fingers. asked the County interesting The spellings as Councils in Dorset destination well - Sixpenny and the West Riding of Handley on the sign is in black, Yorkshire to experiment often shows a individual, with the inclusion of a frugal use of upper case letters pregrid reference metal lettering, decimalisation together with with ‘6D the mileage. Handley’. Fingerposts near Child On the top is the white metal Okeford still retain the ‘e’ on roundel (just like the London Child, which has since been lost.

There are four red fingerposts left in Dorset, on the A31 at Anderson, Hewood, Poyntington and BenvilleAlways free - subscribe here

RURAL MATTERS Dorset is also famous for its four red fingerposts – though they are a source of some debate. Were they the locations of gibbets? The Red Post fingerpost on the A31 was more likely painted red to help prison guards find the local lockup at the nearby Botany Bay Farm, when accompanying prisoners marching from the Dorchester assizes to the ships at Portsmouth which would convey them to Australia. Of the 1300 or so fingerposts thought to exist in the 1950s, less than half survive today. Many were lost in WWII; removed in 1940 to deny guidance to an invading army, and never replaced. Some of the originals have been repaired using non-traditional materials or lettering, and others are in need of attention. Now the Local Authority no longer has a remit to repair them, both the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Dorset CPRE are keen to support local ‘Fingerpost Champions’ to save these signs from extinction and restore them back to their former glory.

Hundreds of signs are now being renewed by community groups, and individuals. Roger Bond (Normtec) coordinates the Dorset AONB Fingerpost restoration project, working from his home workshop. Normtec are restoring existing lettering and numbers to their former glory whilst Coles Casings provide new stock ready for painting. If cost is an issue then Dorset AONB are delighted to offer the services of the Dorchester and Blandford Mens’ Sheds, and

The Minchington Farm Fingerpost at Farnham, following its repair thanks to the CPRE grant scheme.

at HMP Guys Marsh and Youth Offenders Institute on Portland.

Dorset CPRE are covering all of Dorset, and are prepared to award up to £200 per post.

Dorset CPRE offer a small grants scheme for people wanting to We have now spent or allocated restore fingerposts using the £15,000 on grants for 119 correct materials as set out by fingerposts with many in North the Dorset AONB. Dorset. Match funding is not required, and there is no application These include Melbury Abbas, form; the CPRE simply ask that East Stour, Farnham and requests come from a Parish Motcombe to name a few. Council To find out representative Of the 1300 or so more contact (or similar), fingerposts thought to Linda Williams with a on info@ exist in the 1950s, less summary of dorset-cpre. the fingerposts than half survive today. org.uk or 0333 that need 577 0360. repairing, their location(s) and It is so important that we details of who the cheque needs preserve these Dorset icons! to be made payable to, or bank accounts details for online Rupert Hardy, Chairman, payments. North Dorset CPRE

POLITICS

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POLITICS

Thoughts of the month by Simon Hoare MP We have recently celebrated #ThankATeacherDay. This gives us all the opportunity to reflect upon those teachers who made the difference to our lives while we were at school and who helped direct us along our chosen paths. It also allows me, both as your Member of Parliament but also as a parent to thank again the teachers and support staff in schools across North Dorset and local colleges who have so magnificently risen to the occasion and delivered learning and inspiration to our young people during the most challenging of circumstances of Covid. Many of us feared we might ‘lose a generation’ in educational terms. Any such fears can be put to rest. Thinking back to my teachers I consider myself spoilt for choice. Mrs Lord and Mrs Watkins who fostered my love of history. Miss Fitzgerald, a fiery Socialist from Port Talbot who taught RE and with whom I debated our respective politics. Sister Cecily a nun so sweet and benign she made Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music seem positively wicked. But perhaps it was Mrs Driscoll my diminutive Mrs Pepperpot infant schoolteacher who identified me as being a ‘butterfly brain’.

I would flit from one thing to another, to one end of the classroom to the next, poking my nose in, finding out what was going on, asking questions. She told my parents that she was worried that I would never settle long enough to anything to see it through, and that I must ditch my scattergun approach for a more Exocet mindset. I mention this because last week my eldest daughter Imogen asked me what the most important issue was to me in politics? It’s not as easy question as might first appear. I gave some consideration to my answer and replied that it was whatever was important to the person who contacted me at the time.

a wide range of farming issues, chaired a panel discussion on neurological services post Covid, visited the wonderful The Real Cure to hear about their recent expansion and future plans, volunteered at the Sturminster Vaccination Centre, visited Wyke School in Gillingham, taken part in a Climate Change discussion with residents of Alderholt, visited Blandford Town Council’s food waste reduction initiative, spoken to 30 constituents at Advice Surgeries, and hold a number of meetings regarding a proposed solar farm development. All this while trying to help the people of Northern Ireland by dint of my Chairmanship of the NI Select Committee.

Perhaps having a butterfly brain (I never did become a single Now I realise that might sound issue Exocet) paid off – each of an airy-fairy answer. There are these varied issues were THE of course things which are of important issue to the people or intense importance and interest organisations raising them with to me, but a MP seeking “...the most important me, is not an elected my views issue was to me in or needing single issue pressure politics? It’s not as my help. group but a easy question as might Therefore, representative they had to be first appear.” of, and important to facilitator for, the views, me. What I do know is that I needs and aspirations of all who can only do my job because are fortunate enough to call of the abilities my teachers North Dorset home. identified and fostered in me and encouraged me in. Let me give you an example; over recent weeks I have Teachers find seeds and create organised meetings with plants of variety, beauty and Ministers and constituents to utility. I give thanks for my discuss the export of fishing bait teachers, my children’s’ teachers and the production of charcoal, and all of those sculpting the met with our local NFU to discuss futures of our next generation.

POLICE

Voice of the Blue Light: Blandford Town Neighbourhood Team

Monthly news from the North Dorset Police Team. This month Blandford’s Sgt Jane Moore.

It’s been another busy but productive few weeks in terms of policing activity in Blandford and the Rural Communities, due to the partial lifting of the COVID restrictions. However it is great to see ‘life’ back in our shops, pubs, businesses, and other community activities back in our lives, socially distanced of course! We as a team cannot wait until we are able to visit schools and community events in person; it’s something that the whole team have really missed over the last few months.

I am pleased to say that reports him some provisions to get of Anti-Social Behaviour remains him through until the foodbank low in Blandford Town, and the opened the following day. team will keep up Some may say that their foot patrols. ‘...He had no food this is not a Police We are delighted job, but it is an - not even milk for example of some to welcome a a cuppa - so they of the incidents we new member to Blandford bought him some are called to, and Neighbourhood shows the care and provisions to get compassion needed Policing Team, him through...’ for some people in Police Community Support Officer our communities. Charlotte BAYLIS. I know that she has been out and about in Stay safe and report incidents to the Town getting to know her us: community. • 999 in an emergency • 101 for non-emergency or I was immensely proud of PCSOs • www.dorset.police.uk/ Mike Sinnick and Jamie Burt doitonline. recently. The last call for them at the end of a busy shift in June, Jane MOORE was to a vulnerable person. Police Sergeant He had no food - not even milk Blandford and Blandford Rural for a cuppa - so they bought Neighbourhood Policing Team

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EDUCATION

A University Centre for Rural Dorset: The Case for Intervention For a long time, and for many of us who were lucky enough to go, the first experience of university was that heady moment when you turned from your mum driving away (as she was crying), pretended not to have a moment yourself, took a deep breath and walked back into the halls of residence. After three years flew by managing the 3 S’s of university life (Socialising, Sport, and Study – apparently one can only do two of these properly at any time?!) you emerged blinking into the light of the ‘real world’ and got a job. Of course, many people didn’t go this route, and that’s fine. However, there is an increasing need for higher technical skills for the modern workplace that have to be supported by higher level study. Whether that requires a trip away from home, or even a formal bachelor’s degree is far less certain. For many, the simple fact of costs of leaving home are eye-watering and a barrier to progression. This is especially true if you (as I was) are from a family where nobody had been away to university before. The whole thing seems unattainable, and this feeds into

lost opportunities and lost life chances for people.

purpose-built site, bringing into Dorset university level study at a far greater rate and with a wider range of partners.

Dorset looks idyllic, but several areas have incredibly low social mobility. Higher Kingston Education Not only are we worse Maurward progression at getting young people College in the Dorset already offers unitary authority qualified here in Dorset, foundation area is 6% below if they are poor we do degrees, but national average we are now even more badly. (36% vs 42% for in discussions England, 2019) with a worldand this is amplified for those class Russell Group university from low income families (17% vs as well as a suite of academics 26% for England, 2019). to increase the breadth of Not only are we worse at getting opportunity – from innovative young people qualified here, if sustainable land management, they are poor we do even more to archaeology, to heritage badly. tourism, supporting skills and the We are, quite simply, cutting industries in the rural county. off the pipeline for those young people - and the wider economy Alongside this will be a rural if we don’t do more to support the business support hub, allowing development of higher learning local businesses space to come here. together to exchange ideas, get business support, and if wished, The Sutton Trust reports that the offices within the building majority of young people in the itself. This will allow the small UK stay local for Higher Education, businesses to accelerate their so that participation rates reflect growth with support from the both social status and physical higher education offering, s well as access to universities. having a space to work and meet clients.

Kingston Maurward College’s £4.5m expansion has just this week been unanimously approved by the board. This new University Centre and Rural Business Hub will serve this specific local opportunity gap. A

The vision and strategic case is compelling, and I am hugely excited by the prospects for our rural young people; this is just the start.

Luke Rake Principal Kingston Maurward College 21

EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

Pride in Sherborne

by Rachel Hassall, Sherborne School Archivist.

In June 2021 the Pride flag flew above the Courts at Sherborne School in honour of both Alan Turing’s birthday and of Pride month.

The Pride flag is a symbol of inclusivity and demonstrates the School’s commitment to creating an environment of respect and understanding, regardless of sexuality.

Sherborne School which laid the foundation of Alan’s interests in mathematical logic, computer science, and developmental biology. Sherborne School proudly honours Alan Turing’s achievements in a number of ways. Annually, since 1956, the School has awarded the prestigious Turing Prize for Science. The prize was founded in Alan’s memory by his mother who also donated to the School the internationally-important Turing Archive.

Sherborne School is very proud to include Alan Turing amongst its most distinguished alumni. Those who cross the School site Today, Alan Turing is recognised from Abbey Road to Acreman as not only an icon for the LGBT+ Street will pass the Alan community, but also for his Turing Laboratories. Opened crucial work during the Second in 1966 it has World War Annually, since 1956, the distinction at Bletchley of being the the School has awarded first building Park and for his enormous the prestigious Turing anywhere to contribution be named in Prize for Science to the Alan’s honour. development of computer The naming of this science and artificial intelligence. building, which is home to the School’s biology Alan’s nephew, Sir Dermot department, recognises Turing, acknowledges that Alan’s ground-breaking work it was the quality of the on morphogenesis when he teaching that Alan received at used a computer to simulate

the development of leaves and petals, animal spots and stripes. Outside Westcott House in Horsecastles, where Alan Turing boarded when a pupil at Sherborne School, is a blue plaque which was unveiled in 2016 by Sir Dermot Turing to commemorate Alan’s connection with the house. Last week Sir Dermot Turing returned to Sherborne to unveil a bronze bust of Alan by acclaimed sculptor David Williams-Ellis. The bust, which was generously commissioned by Kathryn Ballisat, a former Sherborne

Unveiling the bronze bust of Alan Turing were sculptor David Williams-Ellis (right) and Sir Dermot Turing, Alan Turing’s nephew. Image: Andy Carver Always free - subscribe here

EDUCATION resident who has now moved back to London, stands proudly at the heart of Sherborne School where it is overlooked by the library where Alan studied. Also on display at the School is a limited-edition print of the artwork for the Turing £50 banknote issued on 23 June 2021, the 109th anniversary of his birth.

The bronze bust of Alan Turing by acclaimed sculptor David Williams-Ellis. commissioned by Kathryn Ballisat, stands proudly at the heart of Sherborne School , overlooked by the library where Alan studied. Image: Andy Carver

Alan Turing was a proud Shirburnian. When he left Sherborne School in 1931 he joined the Old Shirburnian Society for alumni and remained a member until his death in 1954. He also kept all the prize books and medals he won at Sherborne, including the King’s Medal for Mathematics and the Morcom Prize for Science, which his mother later donated to the School. In later life, Alan subscribed to an appeal to raise funds to build a memorial at Sherborne School to commemorate the 242 Old Shirburnians who died in the Second World War. He returned to Sherborne on numerous occasions to visit his former teachers and to attend house suppers, making his last visit on 9 March 1953 to give a talk about ‘The Electronic Brain’. When Alan Turing left Sherborne School in 1931 his housemaster wrote to him saying ‘thank you to you for your help & loyalty, as well as for the enjoyment you gave by being here. I will guarantee that Turing will be a household word until the present generation has disappeared.’ Sherborne School takes that promise seriously and continues to proudly promote Alan Turing’s name and achievements for current and future generations.

EDUCATION

Neighbouring Local Schools To Merge in September. Bryanston and Knighton House preprep and prep schools have confirmed arrangements to complete a formal merger of the two Dorset schools with effect from 1 September.

Knighton House as a pre-prep and prep school takes chidren from 3-13yrs, and Bryanston currently only takes children aged 13-18. “As next door neighbours, Bryanston and Knighton House have enjoyed a close relationship for decades.” said Julian Greenhill, Chair of Bryanston Governors.

“The decision to proceed with a merger is a logical and forward-looking step that will enable both schools to capitalise on shared resources, facilities and expertise to provide a complete education offering for children from 3 to 18 years old.” Knighton House has recently celebrated its 70th anniversary and its 30-acre site in Durweston lies directly adjacent to Bryanston’s 400-acre campus. From September, Knighton House will be renamed Bryanston Knighton House - all existing teaching and support staff will be transferred to Bryanston. Will Lockett, a former housemaster at Bryanston, has

Mark Mortimer, Headmaster of Bryanston, with Will Lockett, the new Headmaster of Bryanston Knighton House.

returned as the new Headmaster of Bryanston Knighton House. Will Lockett says he is delighted to be taking the reins at Bryanston Knighton House at such an exciting time for the school. “The merger presents a wonderful mix of new opportunities and wider horizons for our pupils while very much retaining the warm, family ethos in the heart of the Dorset countryside. It will accelerate our move to full coeducation and the collective resources and expertise within the merged schools will mean an experience for our pupils that is distinctive, modern, and a rich environment for real creativity and growth.”

St Gregory’s is Teaching Young Entrepreneurs Over the Summer Term the Year 6 children at St Gregory’s primary school in Marnhull have been working on an enterprise project with Virgin Media. They have been given £5 each to plan and set up an enterprise - the aim being to make enough money to repay the original loan. Foxes decided to make and set up their own market stall outside school, and in groups they have planned and produced all their own products to sell. Last Friday was launch day and parents of Badgers Class and Foxes were invited to come and buy their wares. The stall was

Foxes class at St Gregory’s primary school in Marnhull in front of their market stall loaded with their produce.

outside Foxes Classroom in the Car Park from 2pm, and there was a socially distanced queuing system and exit. The following was on sale: • Seed Bombs • Large Wooden Spoons (for

making jam for example) • Rainbow Cake • Strawberry Jam • Oat and Raspberry bars • Plants • Key rings They made over £135 on their first day! Always free - subscribe here

EDUCATION Millie with some of her shorn locks which were donated to The Little Princess Trust to make real hair wigs, free of charge, for children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other conditions

Sturminster Newton Teenager Millie aimed to raise £200 - and raised almost £2,000!

A huge well done to Millie, Mr Davis and Mr Harris, who all ‘braved the shave’ for Cancer Research UK. A Sturminsyter Newton High School spokesperson said “There was a huge amount of encouragement and support from students and staff and we are so thankful for the donations that have been received. A terrific amount was raised from the charity Head Shave. Millie collected £395.00 in sponsorship and on her personal link she collected another £797.00. The school’s Just Giving page collected £750.00 making a grand total of £1942.00!

Mr Davis (left), Mr Harris and Millie all sporting their new shaven heads on the Sturminster Newton High School sports field.

Channeling Efforts to Keep a Head Above Water.

Jane is fundraising to ensure as many children as possible can access a wide-range of sport - and of course she’s leading by example! Jane Whitehouse-Sharp, “We are raising money for Headteacher of Shillingstone CE Primary School is not planning to Shillingstone CE Primary School - specifically to help take it easy during the summer pay for transport to take holidays - instead she will be our children to swimming swimming the English Channel! lessons. “It is really important that Jane says “I will be swimming children learn to swim and the English Channel in a team have the opportunity to of four, aptly called The Soggy enjoy simply being in the Bottoms, swimming the week water. We would also really beginning 16th August 2021.” like to organise a special Jane acknowledged it wasn’t a sporting day, where we can feat to be undertaken lightly inspire the children to take “We have a sporting activity. been in “...swimming the up It would be lovely to training for English Channel invite a sports coach the past 18 in August in a into school to share months, and hope team of four, their sporting passion to make the aptly called The with the children” crossing in Soggy Bottoms!” If you would like to about 15 sponsor Jane, the hours. Soggy Bottoms’ fundraising We will be swimming in a relay, page can be found here. 1 hour swim slots, in turn.”

Headteacher Jane Whitehouse-Sharp will be swimming the English Channel with her three Soggy Bottoms teammates to raise money for Shillingstone pupils to access swimming lessons.

EDUCATION

New Scholarship for BU Adult Nursing students from LewisManning Hospice Care Adult Nursing students at Bournemouth University, with an interest in end of life care, will receive funding and support from the Dorsetbased charity, LewisManning Hospice Care, thanks to a new scholarship. Students interested in the hospice care sector will be able to apply for three scholarships on offer for the September 2021/22 academic year. The successful applicants will receive £3,000 and a range of support from LewisManning Hospice Care, which could include travel costs, online learning or conference opportunities, and the chance to shadow a Lewis-Manning Hospice Care nurse. Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity, helping to care and support local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across East Dorset and Purbeck.

It offers a range of services, show them what an interesting including day hospice (in person and rewarding career pathway and virtual), lymphoedema and this can be.” better breathing respiratory clinics, bereavement and family The scholarships are available support, which are run by their for Bournemouth University expert and specialist clinical students who are progressing team. Their aim is to help as into the final year of BSc (Hons) many local people Adult Nursing or S c h o l a r s h i p s as possible, who MSc Adult Nursing are dealing with a are available for and have kindly life limiting illness, been supported B o u r n e m o u t h to live their lives though a gift to U n i v e r s i t y Lewis-Manning well. students who are from the Burdett Clare Gallie, CEO progressing into Trust for Nursing. at Lewis-Manning the final year of Dr Sue Baron, Hospice Care BSc (Hons) Adult Senior Lecturer in advised, “We are thrilled to be Nursing or MSc Adult Nursing said: partnering with “Nurses in end of Adult Nursing Bournemouth life and palliative University on care make a real this fantastic new scholarship difference to patients and their opportunity and open new families when they most need doors for students interested in support, providing care and hospice care. We see the value kindness during difficult times. of investing in student nurses to encourage their interest in “This scholarship will enable palliative and end of life care students who have an interest in and have ambitions to develop palliative care to develop their more collaborative educational knowledge, skills and practice, partnerships into the future. alongside their BU degree. We are keen to help, support and nurture the talent from “The opportunity to learn directly Bournemouth University and from Lewis-Manning Hospice encourage student nurses into Care staff and receive assistance end of life care and be able to with professional development activity is invaluable and will support the successful applicants in their future careers helping people when they need it most.” To find out more about the scholarships and the application process, visit: www. bournemouth.ac.uk/lewis-

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Could you offer a home to a young person in Dorset?

Dorset Council is looking for people to share their homes and become a Supported Lodgings provider, giving young people aged 16+ a safe place to live. If you can share your home, provide emotional support and help them learn the practical skills they need to become independent, we’d love to hear from you. Mel who lives in Wimborne has given shelter to many young people over the last decade. As well as working part-time and bringing up her own two children, she wanted to make a difference to young people leaving care. “My last lodger was a 16 year old girl, Lisa, who had a difficult

time growing up and she stayed with me for several years. There were tears along the way as she struggled to complete College but she is now a fine young lady with plans to study at University next year, as well as caring for her own young child. After a couple of years in my family, she was able to move to her own accommodation. “We stay in touch and meet up once a week for coffee, shopping and just a chat. It’s lovely to see her flourishing into a young independent woman. Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio holder for Children, Education and Early Help, is asking for more families to step forward “Could you offer support for a young person in need of a home with no family to guide them?

POLITICS

transform a young person’s life. Some of them will need help with practical tasks such as cooking, budgeting or shopping economically. Others will need emotional support.” You will receive a fixed rent, a contribution to the household costs and a fee from the Supported Lodgings service as well as support from a dedicated team and invited to training events. You can find out more details on becoming a Supported Lodgings Provider here .

If you think you can provide a young person leaving care with a home, please contact the Supported Lodgings Team Tel: 01305 225 815 / or 07881 860 791

“Becoming a Supported Lodgings provider is an opportunity to

EDUCATION

Water Load of Fun! Year 5 and 6 from Blandford St Mary Primary School were delighted to be able to go for a day of windsurfing and paddleboarding down at the Olympic Sailing Centre on Portland last week.

The sun shone and the wind blew gently as the children were

instructed in how to put on wetsuits and stand up on a windsurf board. As we expected, many of our children were absolute naturals and sailed confidently out and back, even managing turns. The session was split into windsurfing then paddleboarding. Needless to say, everybody got wet: some children floated in deep water

for the first time ever, overcoming nerves. In the words of the children “The instructors were really nice and gave me a lot of confidence.” “Though I was absolutely terrified to do the windsurfing, I did it! I’m glad I did it in the end. If I hadn’t I would have regretted it. I loved the whole day!”

Time to Reflect in Okeford Fitzpaine The end of term is fast approaching and the children of Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School been busy reflecting on the school’s Vision and Values. On the afternoon of Thursday 17th June, Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School enjoyed a whole afternoon learning about their

new school vision and values. A small group of 5 children, who are known as the Worship Team, met and planned the whole afternoon. This included devising four tasks for the children to complete during the afternoon.

Each task looked at a different aspect of the school vision and values, with the aim of helping the children to get a greater understanding of their importance and what they mean. The tasks included drawing Bible stories using chalk on the playground and matching values to each Bible story, watching a drama sketch and giving advice to the characters Pupils made pictures of the ‘hand of based on the friendship’ out of natural materials found school values, in the school grounds

“Though I was absolutely terrified to do the windsurfing, I did it!”

completing team games and encouraging each other to ‘be the best they could be’ and finally making pictures out of natural materials found in the school grounds of the ‘hand of friendship’ and devising ways in which they could all share their friendship with the local community. During the afternoon they were joined by some of the school governors and members of the new onsite school nursery. After school the children were allowed to take their adults on to the school field, to show them their artwork and introduce them to the vision and values too. Despite some very welcome rain showers everyone had a wonderful time. Everyone realised just how much they had missed whole school community events which made it even more special. And most importantly the whole school vision, which is central to the effective functioning of the school is now better understood and lived out by everyone. Always free - subscribe here

by Roger Guttridge

THEN AND NOW

Where Nuns Daily Trod

A 1930s woodcut by Shaftesbury’s High House Press features the L-shaped thatched cottages that formerly occupied the end of Laundry Lane.

The cottages probably stood on the same site as the ancient Laundry House, referred to by the Rev John Hutchins in his 18th century History of Dorset. Pictures from Roger Guttridge’s book Shaftesbury Through Time. roger.guttridge@btinternet. com

Hutchins explained that Laundry or ‘Lander’ Lane ran from Shaftesbury Abbey in what is now Park Walk down to St James’s parish and that there was a well called Laundry Well in a garden at the bottom. Even in Hutchins’ time, Laundry House was ‘pulled down but the well is still in use’. Hutchins believed that nuns from the Abbey carried their linen down the footpath to wash it in the well.

Most of the old Laundry Lane is now known as Stoney Path but its route has not changed since the nuns trod it daily 1,300 years ago. The thatched cottages in the woodcut were destroyed by fire during the Second World War. Tradition has it that a woman jumped from an upstairs window and was caught in a blanket by people from a nearby pub. The cottages were replaced in 1953 by a house called Stonehaven, which had its own unusual links with the war. It was built using not only stone from its fire-ravaged predecessor but plywood bomb cases to line the roof and tiles ‘robbed’ from Tyneham, the abandoned Dorset village that was famously requisitioned by the government during the war and never given back. In 2018 the then owners of Stonehaven told me they believed the site of the old Nuns’ or Laundry Well was in the corner of their garden.

LOOKING BACK

by Roger Guttridge

A Garden Shed’s Unique Place in History It’s home to wheelbarrows and gardening tools today, but this glorified garden shed in the grounds of Manston House also holds a unique place in British history. Here on consecutive days in October 1882, the late Mrs Edith Hanham and her 89-yearold mother-in-law Lady Eliza Hanham became the first two people in modern Britain to be legally cremated. The cremations were hugely influential but also controversial,

causing an outcry in many quarters. Some Manston villagers complained of ‘very disagreeable odours’ that were ‘palpable enough to all who happened to be in the way of the wind’.

Others claimed cremation was ‘distasteful’ or that it ‘interfered with the resurrection of the body’. Describing himself as the ‘husband of Lady Hanham’s favourite grandchild’, Duncan Skrine, of Reading, publicly condemned the cremations a

‘revolting proceeding’. He claimed the Hanham grandchildren were ‘unutterably shocked at the deed and the heartless publicity given to it’. ‘We are certain that Lady Hanham, the widow of a clergyman, thoroughly English in her sentiments, never could have contemplated, nor would have sanctioned, such a disposition of her remains,’ wrote Skrine. Historically, cremation was practised by many ancient civilisations, including the Romans and the Saxons, but after the Anglo-Saxon era, it died out in this country. The flame of interest was rekindled in the 19th century and fanned by the immense pressure on cemetery space resulting from rapid population growth.

In some cemeteries in Victorian London, bodies were being buried up to 14 deep. Manston’s historic crematorium is now a garden shed

get in touch with Roger: roger.guttridge@btinternet.com

LOOKING BACK

by Roger Guttridge When the Cremation Society was launched in 1874, its highprofile members included the novelist Anthony Trollope, the painter John Millais and Alice in Wonderland illustrator John Tenniel.

The Manston mausoleum where the bodies were stored

The society built its own crematorium at Woking and in 1879 cremated a horse. Although no-one could find anything illegal in this, the Home Secretary gave into public pressure and banned human cremations.

But for the interest of Manston House owner Captain Thomas Hanham, the campaign may have ended there. Prompted by the periodic flooding of Manston church and his family vault when the River Stour burst its banks, Hanham and his third wife Edith made a mutual pledge to have their remains cremated. After Edith and Lady Eliza died in 1876 and 1877 respectively, Captain Hanham stored their bodies in a mausoleum until cremation became legal. Their wooden coffins were placed inside lead coffins to comply with sanitation laws. The mausoleum also survives in the Manston House grounds. Cremation campaigner William Robinson, who attended both ceremonies in October 1882, reported: ‘The cremations were carried out in a simple and inexpensive furnace, not only without any nuisance to the neighbourhood but without the slightest unpleasantness to those who stood within 2 feet of the white flame, which promptly resolved the bodies to their harmless elements.

‘The coffins, lead and all, were placed in the furnace on fire-brick and iron plates, which allowed the flames to rise freely up but prevented the ashes from falling to the furnace below.’ Sturminster Newton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Comyns Leach, was also present at the cremations and raised no objection. When Thomas Hanham himself died just over a year later aged 58, he too was cremated. This ceremony also made history as the first entirely Masonic funeral in England for 100 years. Dorset diarist Julietta Forrester, who was among the mourners, records that the Rector of Manston absented himself, ‘he not agreeing with the late

Captain’s views nor with this style of funeral’. Julietta was of the same mind, describing it as a ‘shockingly anti-Christian ceremony’. The Manston cremations effectively gave the practice a toehold in England and directly influenced later developments. Several cremations followed at Woking and over the next 20 years the Cremation Society opened crematoria in Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Darlington and London. By 1904 more than 4,400 people had been cremated. And it all started in what was to become a garden shed in Manston. • A chapter on the Manston crematorium appears in Roger Guttridge’s book Dorset: Curious and Surprising.

by Andy Palmer

TALES FROM THE VALE

Tales From The Vale with Andy Palmer

A letter from Her Maj. To get a birthday card from the Queen (my father in Law is 100, an absolute miracle – as you’ll read below) you’ve got to download a form from the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace and send it back by post. Kae posted the completed form on a Tuesday. By mid afternoon Wednesday she got an email from the Palace (not personally from Her Maj, I note, which suggests a woeful slackening off from official duties from the monarch) saying the old guy will get a card from Queenie. ‘That’s the first I’ve ever delivered,’ said the postie on The Day, gazing with reverence at the stately blue envelope bearing the Queen’s coat of arms (with rather stern warnings on the back should anyone dare to impede the envelope reaching its lawful recipient ‘on the day it must arrive’).

At exactly 1.30pm a worker’s van drew up next to FiL’s drive. I went out and asked the driver if the Mayor was in the vehicle. ‘Not the last time I looked,’ he said, warily watching me. And then a chauffeur-driven Ford Focus (north Bournemouth clearly facing a challenging budget) drew up and out stepped Her Worship in full regalia. I’d sent her a resumé of FiL’s life, she’d obviously read it and this delightful woman talked to him with great humour for half an hour. Bearing in mind she had a tough council session shortly afterwards this was exceedingly generous of her. ‘That was kind of you,’ I said as I escorted her to her ‘limousine’. ‘God, I loved it. What an amazing man,’ she replied, ‘it’s the best part of my job.’

The irony of the FiL reaching a century is that when he was 23 he was an engineer (acting We’d arranged for the mayor to sergeant, all the responsibility come round. without the pay) ‘God, I loved it. What with the 8th That was funny. Her an amazing man,’ she Army, fighting office said replied, ‘it’s the best in Italy. His job ‘the Mayor’s was to crawl part of my job.’ car will arrive into German at exactly held territory to 1.30pm…’.

assess which bridges could take the weight of a 33 ton Sherman tank. It was a bloody affair as ‘Jerry’ festooned such locations with booby traps, mines, shelling and snipers.

He and his troop expected to be killed or wounded every hour of every day. They all had written farewell letters to be sent to their mums and dads when (not if) they were killed. He lost a lot of good mates. At one stage he was up against a particularly vicious German troop, with a reputation for shooting injured or captured allied soldiers, but off he went, did his job and when he returned to report, his colonel said, ‘I didn’t expect to see you again, Sergeant.’ I’m guessing this officer did not enjoy a sparkling post-war career as a motivational speaker. But, the FiL is still around 77 years later. When we left he said, ‘we’ll do it again next year.’ Always free - subscribe here

by Andy Palmer

When you get stung! We’ve been waiting for what seems a year for summer and as I write this it looked like it had (briefly) arrived. Hoo-bleedingsun-ray. Slight prob, though: bees and wasps. I’ve always been fine about bees. Very useful, attractive personalities. But I’m allergic to them. I found this out when gardening two years ago and was stung three times. Began to feel a bit odd but ignored it for about 1015 minutes. Then I phoned 111. Two ambulances and a medic car screeched to a halt outside our cottage. The lovely lady on 111 had told me to crawl to the front door ‘do NOT stand up’ and unlock it and kept me talking while my throat swelled so I could no longer breathe and I went into a coma. Next thing, I had been filled with fast-acting substances and was hooked to an oxygen tank and blue-lighted to Dorchester hospital.

TALES FROM THE VALE feel odd, get on to emergency services immediately without thinking you’re wasting their time, as I did. I delayed phoning and nearly paid the price; I was diplomatically bollocked by the Doc for not phoning earlier. Hard to fight back when you’re weezing on a stretcher in ICU.

She did mind really!

A few years ago I started a chess club which met every Tuesday evening in Mappowder village hall. If you don’t know this building, think of the Taj Mahal, Got the beauty of that place firmly pictured in your mind? Good. Now, think of the dilapidated shed round the back where they keep the buckets and mops. Mapps village hall is a bit like that shed. But, it’s a very friendly club (it’s actually referred to as ‘The Charming Chess Club’), and that’s what I aimed for, not one of those serious chess clubs which uses clocks and where chatter is frowned upon and people dread I came to as we were ‘the league table’. approaching Dorch and the I insist on only two rules. paramedics told me I was Allow your ‘probably a “...told me to crawl to the opponent as minute away much time as front door ‘do NOT stand she/he likes from death, maybe less.’ up’ and unlock it and to think of a kept me talking while my move; and I owe my you’ve throat swelled so I could once life to those touched a no longer breathe and I piece for a fantastic people. By move, you’re went into a coma.” the time I was committed – wheeled from the ambulance to you can’t go back (a good rule as ICU they were making me laugh it helps concentration). so much with their tales that I was again finding it hard to We welcome everyone, breathe. beginners, those who haven’t The docs told me that if I get played since school, any age, stung again, don’t hang about, gender and we have a good use the EpiPen and dial 999. turnout (ruined by Covid, obv) including a lovely woman, Lisa, Apparently, one gets more and her partner, Rick, who come allergic to bees and wasps as you down from Gillingham (Lisa get older, so if you are stung and insists on calling the knights

‘horseys,’ which tickles me, Rick gives me a weary and pained look). Lisa chatters away through the game and she can be relied upon to make one crucial mistake every game she plays, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is generally followed by unlady-like oaths and a lot of amusement from the other players and we all have a cup of tea and a biscuit. Lisa lost every match (usually two or three each chess night) for a year but continued as cheerfully enthusiastic and we all loved her for it. Then she played a game which was very exciting. She hadn’t made a mistake and was two moves away from checkmate. By this time all the players were gathered round this game holding their breath and praying for her. And she won – the entire assembly cheered, clapped and hugged her. And Lisa burst into tears.

Plane Food Compton Abbas airfield has an excellent and well-priced cafe with great views (and so it should, it’s the highest private airfield in England). Last time I visited I did suggest to the lovely server that maybe on the restaurant menu they should have more fitting food for an airfield, such as Barbequed Wings. If she did find that funny she hid it well. I tried again, ‘Bomb Bay Duck?’ Still didn’t quite get the laugh it deserved. Or any laugh. I played my trump card, ‘Steak & Aileron Pie?’ Shaking her head, she gave me a pitying look. Kae said to her, ‘you’ve heard it all before, haven’t you?’ The server gave a weary nod.

MEET YOUR LOCAL

by Laura Hitchcock

Meet Your Local: The Antelope, Hazelbury Bryan

Our regular column in which you discover the faces and stories behind the pub sign. This month we’ve been chatting to Rhiannon & Greg who run The Antelope Inn at Hazelbury

How did you end up at The Antelope?

Greg and I found ourselves running The Antelope while on a travelling sabbatical that was grounded due to Covid. After a year into our travels (although originally from here, we were living in South Africa) we came to the UK to spend Christmas with my mother and our daughter Hannah up North, just before the pandemic hit.

warmly welcomed into the village. Alasdair’s pubs (including The Elm Tree in Langton Herring, Pymore Inn in Bridport and World End in Almer) have all been beautifully restored to their former selves, with close attention to detail while maintaining the period of the building.

What’s your favourite local place to visit on an afternoon off? We take our breaks from the pub with lovely walks (Bulbarrow is a favourite) , catch ups with friends in the village, coffee and cake at the King Stag Coffee House and the occasional lunch at The Gaggle of Geese or The Elms.

During the pandemic we decided to help our friend Alasdair Warren (whose family have lived in Dorset for over 200 years) with renovations of his collection of beautiful pubs here in Dorset. Loving The Antelope, we decided it would be a fun challenge to run it! Hannah (and her cat Pax) joined us in the adventure of pub life and as a family we have been

The Antelope’s charmingly comfortable snug (I LOVE that fireplace - Ed) Always free - subscribe here

MEET YOUR LOCAL On rare days off we llike to visit neighbouring towns - especially Sherborne and Shaftesbury - and learn as much about Dorset as we can.

The Antelope Beef Burger with their famous Relish, served with chips, £12

Tell us about your pandemic

Lock down here at The Antelope was very productive! We were decorating, maintaining and we reupholstered in our Skittle alley. We did manage to have a socially distanced Christmas market in our skittle alley, which we hope to do again this year with less restrictions. Since opening back up this year, we have seen many people, both local and holiday makers and many furry friends, return to our beautiful garden and pub.

What’s been your biggest challenge since taking over?

For us it’s been encouraging locals back to the pub who have not visited for many years due to the fact that it was primarily a wet pub with little or no option of food. We have been encouraged by the return of families and locals who are enjoying our tapas menu,

On a sunny summer’s day, there are worse places to while away an hour (or three) than The Antelope’s beer garden.

great burgers and weekly added specials.

What part of the pub is your absolute favourite? The Antelope was built in the 1700s, originally as a combined dairy farm, brewery and Ale house. Thankfully the Ale House part stayed! It is full of character. The Snug is a special space which we all love... but I have to be honest, the bathrooms

are gorgeous and most people comment on them! The garden is also one of our favourite places in the pub.

Which dish is your most popular?

Our change to a tapas menu this year has been successful and we are seeing people return for their favourites, especially our sticky chicken wings and boerewors, a traditional South African sausage. Our burgers with homemade relish and locally sourced meat are also very popular and our homemade deserts and scones are not to be missed!

So what’s next - do you have big plans on the horizon?

Beginning of this month we started afternoon music in the garden and have artists lined up for 24th of July and 8th of August as well as an Open Mic evening on the 7th of July. We are also waiting for the sun, so we can get back outside and bring back our barbeque (braai) evenings! https://theantelopeinn.co.uk/

WILDLIFE

With any luck, this summer you’ll get to enjoy plenty of time outside, taking in the buzz, chirp and croak of hundreds of wildlife species. If you have a garden or outdoor space, a pond is a great way to attract and help more wildlife. The still waters of ponds large or small are important elements of many wider habitats, while also creating their own ecosystems. Beyond the more obvious species such as frogs and newts, established ponds teem with aquatic insect life. The larval stages of flies, dragonflies, damselflies and beetles dwell and hunt amid the murky depths, spending the vast majority of their life cycle in the pond before a short emergence as adults. Pond skaters balance on surface tension, while water boatmen row with their hairylegged oars. But it’s not just aquatic insects and amphibians that benefit. Birds and mammals come to the edges of ponds to drink and bathe. Placing logs or stones in the water can also help ensure there is a safe place for pollinators to stop for a drink. Ponds host a variety of plant life, adapted to survive the wet conditions. Large and small ponds benefit from aquatic plants such as

On The Importance of Ponds water starwort or spiked water milfoil, which help oxygenate the water.

water. As well as having ponds on several nature reserves, Dorset Wildlife Trust works with landowners and other partners If you’re thinking of creating to ensure ponds are wellyour own pond, it’s important to managed, providing habitats think about structure. Shallower particularly for the rarer species areas and that depend on gently sloping Placing logs or stones in them. Garden sides provide ponds play the water can also help warmer, an important ensure there is a safe role in this oxygenated microclimates place for pollinators to network. They for plants and don’t need to stop for a drink. animals to be big - in fact, thrive in. They any amount also provide a safe edge where of water can be beneficial, as it birds can bathe. Submerged, encourages aquatic species to floating and emergent plants spread and colonise new areas. can act as useful cover for pond dwellers. Fallen leaves and To learn more about creating twigs are good hiding places for your own pond and more animals but try to avoid placing projects to help wildlife, visit your pond under a tree that dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ will shed lots of leaves into the actions.

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WILDLIFE By Brigit Strawbridge Naturalist, wildlife gardener, well-known British environmentalist and bee advocate.

A Twilight Walk

Though you need only pop your head out of doors to see (or hear) birds and insects, you are less likely to come across small rodents, slow worms, frogs, toads and such like, as you go about your daily life. And unless you happen to be sitting outside in your Because they don’t like flying over water Tawny Owls are garden, or absent from many of our islands, including the Isles of taking a Man and Wight, as well as the Outer Hebrides, Orkney late evening and Shetland. or early Only the male Tawny Owl utters the familiar drawn-out morning ‘Whooo-oooo’: both males and female make the well- stroll, you known ‘te-wit’ call. might not Tawny owls are famous for the fierce defence of their catch sight young: bird ringers usually wear crash helmets with visors of nocturnal to protect themselves when ringing baby tawnies. species like bats, moths, There is a veritable and owls, from one summer to abundance of wildlife the next.

in our gardens and parks, as well as in the wider countryside, at this time of year, but many of our native species live extremely secretive lives; hidden from plain view in the undergrowth or venturing out only at night.

During the first lockdown, my husband and I started going for our daily walks in the evenings, around dusk, rather than during the day. Initially to avoid adding to the ever-increasing numbers of walkers and cyclists in the little lanes around our home, after a while it became our preferred time to walk. As we became more used to walking in the dark, our vision adjusted, and we started to

notice things we hadn’t been aware of on our daytime walks. It wasn’t just sights and sounds, but scents as well, the most obvious being the intoxicating scent of wild honeysuckle growing in the hedgerows. Through the warmer months there were night-flying insects (mostly moths) and wherever we saw these, we often found bats, at least two, occasionally three, different species at one time. The bats were silent, appearing suddenly from the darkness ahead, and disappearing again, in the blink of an eye. The Tawny owls, on the other hand, were far from silent - their hoo hu calls becoming so familiar that we were more likely to remark on the evenings we didn’t hear them than those we did.

“...an invisible veil has lifted and you are no longer separated, the way we humans have become, from the natural world.” We rarely caught sight of the adults, but we stopped one evening beneath a veteran Oak, after hearing an unfamiliar call somewhere directly above our heads, and were enchanted, when we looked up to see two Tawny owl fledglings, huddled together on one of the branches. There’s something incredibly peaceful and magical about walking outside in the twilight hours of dusk and dawn, as though an invisible veil has lifted and you are no longer separated, the way we humans have become, from the natural world. You should give it a go…

VET

Know The Signs of Flystrike

by Naomi Gough Dip AVN (Small

Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN: Nurse Team Leader at Damory Vets.

Flystrike, also known as myiasis, is a serious condition that is seen in animals that live outside; it is more common in rabbits and guinea pigs. This occurs more commonly throughout the summer months with the increase in the amount of flies. The flies are attracted to damp fur, urine, faeces and the odour of, particularly, rabbit’s scent glands. This condition can happen extremely quickly during hot summer days. The flies lay their eggs on the rabbit, usually around the bottom area, and these eggs will hatch into maggots within a couple of hours. These maggots then will look for a source of food, in these cases this will be the animal’s skin and flesh. Flystrike is extremely painful and can often be fatal if not discovered quickly enough.

Treating flystrike can be very upsetting and requires veterinary professional’s to clip, clean and remove the maggots one by one, whilst also providing pain relief and sometimes even fluid therapy dependent on how the rabbit has presented. The rabbit may appear lethargic, painful, innappetent and have visible wounds, although you

may not see maggots they could have burrowed into the skin. Prevention is always preferable to prevent any suffering and so identifying any animal that may be more at risk is always beneficial. This includes older animals that may be unable to clean themselves.

Steps to help prevent flystrike: • •

•

Ensure enclosures are regularly cleaned out. Ensure animals are a healthy weight, as those that are overweight will be less able to clean themselves. Keep bottoms clean and assist with cleaning in older, more compromised animals where needed. Ensure their diet is not too rich as this will cause their faeces to be soft and they will be more likely to have dirty rear ends. Rabbits and guinea pigs should have a diet that is a minimum of 85% hay to

•

increase roughage, as well as commercially prepared pellet food and vegetables. Check your pet nose to tail regularly; at least twice a day and more frequently when fly strike is more likely. Check for fly eggs, maggots, sores and ensure that any urine or faeces is cleaned away. A topical treatment can be used every 10 weeks during the summer months; it works by repelling flies from laying any eggs.

Prevention of and early identification of flystrike is vital in the treatment of this devastating condition, due to its rapid development in a short space of time. If you are concerned about this condition then contact your veterinary surgery for information and remember; flystrike is an emergency.

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RESCUE ANIMALS

Cock-adoodledoo!

Chickens are quite easy to keep and make good first time pets. They need to be let out of their house in the morning and shut in in the evening. They need constant access to fresh water and will need feeding with a specific complete chicken food. They can also have treats such as vegetables but must not be fed kitchen scraps. You will need to completely clean out your chicken house at least once a week. Chickens spend most of their day scratching around looking for things to eat, so be prepared for the area where they are kept to get muddy in wet weather.

What do I need to keep chickens at home? • •

A secure hen house with a nest box and perches. A secure garden or run.

Can you give Glenda her Forever Home? Hello, my name is Glenda and I am between 1-2 years old. If

you are interested in providing me with my Forever Home and can provide all the things I need listed above, please call 01929 480474 and have a chat with the humans caring for me. I have 19 other ex-caged friends also looking for a fresh start. Please use the contact details below to find out more: 01929 480474 or churchknowle@mgar. org.uk

ANIMALS FOR SALE

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EQUESTRIAN Hayley working alongside her daughter

Hayley Foy – Female Farrier A Farrier will also learn about remedial shoeing: “I like the remedial side of it all” says Hayley “working with out of balance horses, solving problems, sometimes even making lame horses sound.”

Hayley Foy is a 36 year old female farrier from West Dorset. Having completed a four and half year apprenticeship with well known Abbotsbury farrier Ian Marchant, Hayley qualified in 2006 and now has her own business. Farriers specialise in what happens from the knee down on a horse, learning the bones of the foot, how the hoof grows and how to trim and shape hooves. Then of course the different types of shoes, and how to correctly shoe different horses with particular jobs - a racehorse will have very different shoe needs to a working heavy horse.

very determined - showing that whatever sex you are you can do it. Being successful in a job that you love has it’s prblems though “I love shoeing horses so much it took me a very long time to work out how I could still be a farrier and have a baby!” In November 2020 Hayley had her first child, managing to shoe very sensible calm horses nearly to the end of her pregnancy thanks to some help from a great farrier friend who would go out shoeing with her.

“Now I’m a mum and a farrier, I “I shoe all just needed to get very organised different with how to fit it all in. types of But it is so great to be able to be horses from Shires to Shetlands, shoeing with my baby sleeping lots of show in the van, jumpers, “I love shoeing horses happily eventers, watching in so much it took me a the yard or hunters and happy very long time to work going on a hackers. out how I could still be a walk. I’ll be Whatever until farrier and have a baby!” flexible the horse, she is ready to it is always go to nursery so important to make sure for a few hours and I can get they are moving as straight as back to shoeing a few more possible. This is done through horses in a day!” foot balance, and supporting the Farrier or Blacksmith? whole leg not just the hoof. Historically, the jobs of farrier I feel very passionate about and blacksmith were practically this, and really enjoy working synonymous. A farrier’s work in with local vets to sort out hoof problems. pre-Industrial Revolution Europe would have included shoeing Over the years Hayley has built horses, as well as the fabrication up a great client list purely and repair of tools and so on. through word of mouth - she Modern-day farriers specialise in hasn’t ever had to advertise, and horseshoeing, focusing their time has no website or social media. and effort on the care of the horse’s hoof. For this reason, farriers and Being a female in a man’s world blacksmiths are considered to be in has always just made Hayley separate, though related, trades.

FARMING

Voice Of A Farmer

Haymaking on Rawston Farm in the Tarrant Valley in the 1950s. Image: James Cossins

by James Cossins, a 5th generation farmer in the Tarrant Valley.

After an extremely wet May, June finally settled down to a spell of some warm dry weather. We were able to finish silage making in good conditions and with all the grass silage clamps ending up being full. Most of our arable crops look in a much better state than they did during April and May, which hopefully will lead to a good harvest. One of our crops that has struggled has been our forage maize which doesn’t like cold wet conditions. With some warm sunshine maize has an incredible ability to catch up on its growth stages .The saying is ‘knee high by the 4th of July’ - this year only for a shorter person! I have been watching with interest Jeremy Clarkson’s series about his first year in farming. It was refreshing to watch a programme showing all the good and bad things that happen on a farm - I know Andrew has written about it in his column this month, so I won’t go into much detail, but I did enjoy it. Although the financial reward

may not have been there, Jeremy did admit it had been one of his most enjoyable years of his life. I hope there will be a second series, it’s given viewers a great insight to what farmers go through in a course of a year. At home we have just completed our audit from our milk buyer cooperative Arla. A Vet spent nearly a whole day looking at all our cattle, checking their welfare. Luckily the audit took place on a warm sunny day with the majority of the cattle out grazing enjoying the weather. The Vet also checked our records of any health issues arising, and any necessary treatments that were involved. Arla are also interested in the wider aspect of the farm - general appearance is considered, along with staff welfare, housing and the general environment they work in.

Consideration is also given to how we are looking after the environment and the local wildlife; being a mixed farm we are able to create a variety of wildlife habitats such as beetle banks, wildbird areas and pollen and nectar strips in fields. Generally the Vet was complimentary to what we were doing. We have also put up cow brushes so that the cows can have a good scratch if they want to! The main reason for doing all of this is that Arla can then say to its customers that the milk has been produced to a high standard, with not only the cows wellbeing taken into account but also the general running of the farm. This standard can be challenging at times ! This month’s pictures show haymaking in the 1950’s and then fast forward 60 years!

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by Andrew Livingston

FARMING

You would think, as a farmer, the last thing I would want to do at home in the evenings is watch programmes on farming. But they have their merits. Check the weather for the week with Countryfile, or remind yourself “It could be worse!” with Our Yorkshire Farm; “I could have nine kids!” The issue with TV programmes on farming and agriculture is they are actually quite dull. They don’t have to be like Saving Private Ryan, but there’s only so many times you can watch Matt Baker talking about his dog in the middle of a field before you are bored. So, when I heard that Jeremy Clarkson was to take on farming in Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime, my ears pricked up and I was intrigued. “I’m basically Allan Sugar in wellies!” Exclaims Clarkson, whilst moments later electrocuting himself close to tears on his fencer… What’s not to like about that? With no knowledge of how to farm, the 61-year-old decided in 2019 that he would begin to run his £12.5 million farm in Oxfordshire. The show is funny, entertaining and insightful. However, as a farmer, it’s the sheer relatability that stands out. He experiences the same struggles and strife as every other poor bugger praying for his grass to grow across the country. For example, every farm has someone as incomprehensible

as Gerald. An individual so isolated to their village that they have begun to formulate their own language of utterances and murmurs. Fellow locals can converse with ease, but as soon as you cross counties borders you might as well be listening to Greek. Every farm has a single archnemesis - the weather. Clarkson is no different. The show was filmed across 2019 and 2020, which were devastatingly wet and dry respectively. Crops and soil are such delicate infrastructures and when margins on profit are so small, we rely heavily on hoping for breaks in the clouds in the winter - and elaborate rain dancing in our flip flops in the summer.

Unusually, Clarkson isn’t really the star of his own show. Young contractor Kaleb Cooper holds the limelight. Funny, intelligent and terrified of leaving his home in the village of Chadlington, Kaleb manages to take Clarkson down a peg or two across the eight episodes. If you would like to meet a Kaleb, Tuesday evenings, down On a personal level, I resonate your local pub, you will find a a lot with Clarkson and his dozen or so individuals with struggles. Most agricultural kids an encyclopaedic knowledge and Young Farmers are birthed of tractors and trailers. These on tractors. makeup what is I, on the other “He experiences the known as your hand, was brought same struggles and local Young up on a tractorless Farmers Club; strife as every other buy them a smallholding, meaning that, to poor bugger praying Jäeger Bomb and me, they are big for his grass to grow they’ll talk to you scary machines for hours. with what is frankly across the country.” an unnecessary I really can’t amount of buttons and levers recommend this show enough. that I think are mainly for show. Clarkson’s Farm has done more for agriculture than Countryfile Yes... I have punctured the odd in nearly 25 years. Whilst being £600 tyre, and yes I have bent the usual entertainer, Clarkson and smashed the odd gate, but displays his passion and love for I try and count it as a learning the countryside and manages to process from day to day. put farming on the map. Always free - subscribe here

POLITICS

A Farmer’s Eye on Clarkson’s Farm

FARMING

Preparing Land for Sale

Whilst most property transactions generally proceed without major issue, there are sometimes avoidable problems that can occur.

Sarah Dunlop, Associate in Blanchards Bailey’s Agriculture & Estates team, shares her top tips on how you can prepare for selling your land: Wouldn’t it be wonderful for all property transactions to proceed quickly without any hiccups causing delays? Once you decide to sell your property often you want to press ahead as quickly as possible. A little preparation can really help. Here are my top tips to consider before you proceed:

Know what you’re selling. The first port of call would be to review your title documents. If the property is registered at the Land Registry, does the title plan accurately reflect what is on the ground? If your land is not registered at the Land Registry, do you have all the necessary title deeds? You might be surprised to know that circumstances have arisen

where legitimate parties try to sell property that is not in their name, though they occupy and are beneficially entitled to the property.

Speak to your lender. If you have a mortgage, it is worth making contact with your Lender to ensure that your charge can be redeemed on the sale and to be clear on whether you have any early repayment charges. If you are only selling part of your property, your lender will require sufficient loan to value security so you should make enquiries as to whether they would be willing to make a part release of your security and on what conditions, if any.

Consider access issues. How is your property accessed? It is not uncommon in a rural area for there to be undocumented access to property and this will inevitably be raised by any prudent buyer. If your property is occupied, how is it occupied? It is often desirable to have a formal agreement in place and information concerning occupation should be provided to your lawyer from the outset.

Speak to the experts in their field. Also, I highly recommend that you engage with a reputable land agency to help market your property. They will be able to guide you to the right time and method of sale that would best suit your circumstances and your land. Any additional considerations should be negotiated into the memorandum of sale. For example; if you are selling at mid-season and wish to retain a crop, this needs to be made clear from the outset and communicated to your buyer.

Know the real cost. Lastly, it is always worth speaking to your accountant prior to disposal as there could be tax implications on your business and the opportunity could be taken to reduce any tax potential liability by forward planning. By following these top tips, you can help iron out any bumps in the road of selling your land before they arise. If I or any member of the Agriculture & Estates team can assist, please do get in touch on 01258 459361 or email sarah.dunlop@ blanchardsbailey.co.uk Always free - subscribe here

READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY

Keeping up with the watering at Thorngrove during a hot and dry spell is a huge task. Top tip for your own garden - if there’s been no rain, water early in the morning or early evening.

POLITICS Kingcombe Meadows Favourite - 13 miles (for shorter versions there’s the obvious pinchpoint in the middle of the route - the Jubilee Trail joins the two sides and you can enjoy the full route as two shorter walks ) This is a beautiful and varied walk through Dorset’s stunning AONB, covering some ancient and untouched parts of the county - it’s one of the most ‘Dorset’ of our Dorset walks. The route covers woodland, protected nature reserves and holloways. If you’ve never visited Kingcombe Meadows, it’s a wonderful step back in time with flower rich grassland, ancient hedgerows, rough pasture and wet woodlands, almost untouched by artificial fertilisers and pesticides, with a handy cafe & water point at the car park. Definitely worth a visit and explore.

Take a Hike... The routes we feature have always been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them - we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible! You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app - see all our routes here.

The wonderful valley sitting between South Poorton and Loscombe Nature Reserves. The climb up is lung-burstingly STIFF - but the view is definitely worth it.

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CLICK THE MAP TO SEE THE INTERACTIVE ROUTE ON OUTDOOR ACTIVE

The track through South Poorton Nature Reserve is just a footpath but feels like ancient drovers way My favourite path C always has to stop and wait for me along here. I adore this track along a deep, secret streambed from South Poorton, overgrown with ferns and the water burbling over the stones underfoot.

Stop to apprecaite the views across the Dorset AONB before you descend into Powerstock.

There are a lot of streams on this route (a favourite is the streambed section as you leave South Poorton, it’s truly magical on a sunny day) - beautiful in a dry spell, but probably quite sploshy in the wetter months! All paths are clearly signed, and all stiles/gates easy to navigate. Number of people encountered zero. Utterly unspoilt and tranquil walking, with just the birds and the odd cow for company.

Another slice of secret Dorset - the grassy lane approaching Wytherston 51Farm

OUT OF DOORS

Today, walkers, offroad bikers and dogwalkers use Hambledon Hill as a popular place from which to view and appreciate the Vale. The hill is an exceptional place; imbued with historical interest, and one of the few areas where Dorset’s once common chalk grassland, with all its rare associated flora and fauna, can be found. A place from where the whole of layout and structure of the Blackmore Vale can be seen.

By Paul Birbeck, Sherborne Walks & Blue Badge Tour Guide a series of local Iron Age earthworks which also includes Hod Hill, Spetisbury Rings, Buzbury Rings, Badbury Rings and Dudsbury Camp. The Iron Age port at Hengistbury Head forms the final Iron Age monument in this small chain of sites. History hadn’t finished its association with the site. In 1645, during the English Civil War, Hambledon was the site of the last known British battle on a hillfort.

Not many locations can claim to be a Scheduled Ancient Monument, an area of Special Cromwell locked them Scientific Interest up in Shroton church and a National overnight, referring Nature Reserve - a special place to them as ‘poor silly indeed. creatures’ This spur of chalk overlooking the Jurassic Vale is east of Child Oakford, south of Shaftesbury. The area escaped advances of intensive agriculture over the centuries, which mean earthworks and burial features are exceptionally well preserved and clearly visible on the ground. These have not only provided evidence of the earliest British farmers over 5,500 years ago, but also revealed an early enclosure where, at the southern end, a Neolithic long burial mound was built high on the central spine. By 1000 BC this structure had evolved into a Bronze Age settlement where several round burial mounds were created. By 700 BC the Durotriges tribe developed the site into a major Iron Age hillfort to protect their land and trade routes along the River Stour valley. Hambledon Hill is just one of

The Dorset Clubman defended the ramparts against Oliver Cromwell’s army, but they were captured after a fight which included a cavalry charge against a hail of musket fire from the ramparts. Clubmen were countrymen who were weary of war. They tried to live out their lives as normally as possible but, caught in the middle of both Royalist and Parliamentarian troops, repeatedly suffered deprivations as plundering forces from both sides looted villages, damaged crops and land. There was little sympathy for either the monarchy or Parliament and so, with a view to protecting their interests and declaring Dorset a neutral zone, a third faction, consisting mostly of ordinary tradesmen, clergy and yeomen, came into existence. The surrender of the Clubmen is an interesting story. Suffice to say Cromwell’s rout was humiliating,

Aerial photography of Hambledon Hill by Luke Pankhurst swift and easy - some Clubmen escaped by sliding down the hill on their bottoms. Reports of death vary from twelve to fifty, and around three hundred were taken prisoner. Cromwell locked them up in Shroton church overnight referring to them as ‘poor silly creatures’ and then, with an unexpected display of leniency, he merely lectured them before releasing all but the ringleaders the next day and allowing them to return to their homes, having promised that they would ‘be hanged before they come out again’. Ten days later, the Parliamentary army stormed and claimed Sherborne Castle; although Corfe and Portland castles held out until early 1646, Royalist resistance in Dorset was a hopeless cause. The Dorset Clubmen kept their promise and disappeared from history. A final flourish came in 1756 when General James Wolfe trained his army at Hambledon before successfully climbing the Heights of Abraham to defeat the French during the Battle of Quebec, Canada. Explore the ramparts, ditches and terraces today and you’ll be retracing the footsteps of people who lived, feasted, fought and were buried on this extraordinary site. You won’t be disappointed. Always free - subscribe here

POLITICS

Hambledon Hill. Loved by locals 5,500 years ago.

Aerial photography of Hambledon Hill at sunset by Luke Pankhurst

ADVERTORIAL

Summertime. But The Living’s Not Always Easy. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!... yes, okay, people usually say that at Christmas, but for us at Thorngrove, it rings true as we move deep in to Summer! We see the culmination of results from earlier planting, and there’s no getting around it, this time of year is the most diverse when it comes to choices for your garden in terms of flowers and their colour. The Roses are of course taking centre stage right now, but the variety on display with the bedding plants, in the glasshouses, and the shrubs.

We often see a huge surge in demand from customers as they take advantage of the good weather, but the new-found appreciation for our gardens over the last year, means now more than ever we have people coming to Thorngrove wanting advice on how they can make their garden space, baskets or planters the best they can possibly be. Our staff have also been working hard to fulfil orders from our larger customers, providing 100s of planters, baskets, and barrels for spaces in the local and wider communities. All meticulously put together by hand with the quality and expertise you can expect from our staff.

Chris Francis, Thorngrove’s Glasshouse Manager. There is an official sales courtyard but visitors are welcome to wander through the vast greenhouses, where all plants are also for sale.

Keeping up with the watering at Thorngrove during a hot and dry spell is a huge task. Top tip for your own garden - if there’s been no rain, water early in the morning or early evening.

“Even though this can be one of our busiest times of the year, I really enjoy it because there’s so much pride to be taken in seeing the plants leave the glasshouses and go out into the courtyard. Especially after the late arrival of the warmer weather - we had extra work to do to make sure we didn’t lose many plants to the extended period of cold weather we had in May” says Glasshouse assistant Diane Francis. The hot weather did finally arrive, which then creates its own problems; the plant watering has rapidly increased on site. A huge undertaking when you consider the size of Thorngrove! Don’t forget to water your own plants as they’ll be using water more. Every day if there’s been no rain, early in the morning or early evening are the most efficient times for this. So as we say, it IS the most wonderful time of the year at Thorngrove, even if it’s all hands on deck. Stop by and see the results of out work for yourself, enjoy lunch at The Secret Garden Café, and say hello to staff who would love to hear about your Summer garden. Always free - subscribe here

In association with OUT OF DOORS

POLITICS

The Voice of The Allotment with Barry Cuff It’s been a busy month - here’s how June worked out for us on the allotment (all our vegetables are grown from seed in plug trays, modules and small pots): May 30th - Plant out 48 Swift sweetcorn in a block. Plant out a block of lettuce. June 1st - Plant against canes about 40 Moonlight runner beans. These are a white flowered variety which are less attractive to Sparrows. Weeding and watering. Sow into plug trays Cardinal broccoli. Now harvesting lettuce as required. June 2nd - Plant out about 30 Safari dwarf French beans. Weeding and watering. Put straw under strawberries and then covered with a net to protect from Blackbirds. June 4th - Plant out 10 Vert Petit

de Paris gherkins. Dug first new potatoes (Foremost). June 6th - Patched fourth line of Hurst Green Shaft peas with seedlings from plug tray. These were to replace those damaged by the Weevil before they emerged. June 9th - Sow Witloof chicory, coriander, carrot and beetroot. Pick first sweet peas. June 11th - Plant out 3 courgettes and 8 Winter squashes including 2 Crown Prince. Plant out 4 cucumbers against wire to give them support as they climb. Harvested Garlic (planted in November).Quite a poor yield this year. June 13th - Picked first strawberries. A few were slug damaged. Planted a line of Cendis cauliflower. This is the variety that produced some very large curds last year, the largest

weighed in at 3.7 Kg. Planted part line of Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli. June 14th - Gave potatoes 20 litres of water per line. June 15th - Sow lettuce in a module (repeated each month for a succession of plants). Sow in plugs Medallion Spring cauliflower and Traviata savoy cabbage. June 18th - Some welcome rain. Weeding in the rain. June 19th - Patched beetroot and carrot rows. Picked first broad beans. June 20th - Plant out Cheesy and Violetta di Sicillia cauliflower. Plant out a block of Greensleeves celery. Dug more first early potatoes. June 21st - RAIN! June 22nd - Plant out Ironman calabrese and Natalino Romanesco.

Barry’s allotment in Sturminster Newtin, under a typically stormy May sky. The net cloches are to protect the newly-planted out Red and white cabbages and Brendan brussels sprouts from pigeon damage.

with Pete Harcom Head Gardener at Sherton Abbas Gardening Delphiniums are in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and have been grown in the UK for centuries. The word delphinium comes from the Greek delphinos, meaning dolphin, probably because of the shape of the opening flowers. Their common name, larkspur, dates back to Tudor times.

Garden Jobs for July Well... It is finally summer, and we should all find time to relax and enjoy the garden! Having said that, in between your tea-breaks, here are a few ideas to help maintain your garden in tip top condition! Deadhead flower borders regularly to prolong flowering. Leave roses that produce attractive hips. Cut back delphiniums and geraniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second flowering period. Feed after cutting them back. Divide clumps of bearded iris and take cuttings of patio and container plants ready for next year. Cut back plants in baskets and follow by feeding to encourage new growth and help revive tired displays.

Tender perennials such as Fuchsias are best propagated from cuttings. July is a great time as young plants root more easily, cuttings should be taken from the tender new growth for the season.

Sweet William and Wallflowers, Honesty and Forget-me-nots, to plant out in autumn for a stunning display next spring. Sow into large seed trays or a dedicated seed bed, then separate seedlings when large enough to handle.

Liquid feed containerised plants and keep well watered in dry spells.

Pest and diseases

Mulching borders can help retain moisture, and keep down the weeds - this will save a lot of work. A really thick layer of mulch (2-3in all over) works best.

Watch out for aphids (greenfly and blackfly) and capsid bug damage on stems and leaves of young shoots.

Autumn flowering bulbs can be planted now. Most perennial weeds are best dealt with in the summer when the weeds are in active growth. Digging out is often best if you are trying to avoid using weedkiller. Start collecting seed from plants you want to grow next year, especially Aquilegia Calendula, Poppy and Love-in-a-mist. Sow biennials such as Foxgloves,

Vine weevils can also be a problem at this time of year.

Look out for and treat blackspot on roses and scab on Pyracantha. Avoid pruning your hedges until the end of August at the earliest if possible. The main breeding time for garden birds is between March and August so leaving the hedges can give them time to rear their young. Garden birds need all the help they can get! Pete pete@shertonabbas.co.uk Always free - subscribe here

OUT OF DOORS

Dorset Flowers

We’re very excited to have Charlotte Tombs, an experienced Dorset flower farmer at Northcombe Flowers in Sturminster Marshall, sharing her growing year and seasonal thoughts with us.

So much excitement on the flower farm this week - Sweetpea Florist in Blandford placed an order with us hinting that there was a Very Important Person coming to Blandford. Her lips were sealed as to the recipient’s identity; she did however hint that she had designed and supplied flowers for this particular Royal before... As you can imagine the weather forecast was checked then doubled checked - the conditions have to be right to pick flowers (like many other premium crops). First thing in the morning or at dusk once the sun is off them is preferable, and wind and rain are not good; which often make it a challenge in a British summer! Flowers need to be hydrated and kept cool after picking, overnight is good as we strive for optimum ‘vase life’, the flower grower’s holy grail. For this particular special order, flowers were selected for scent, colour and ‘Britishness’: cornflowers, poppies, lavender

This was HRH Princess Anne’s second visit to Blandford in as many weeks - this was taken on her visit to 13rh Signals on 1st June

and of course roses among the varieties used. They were delivered to Sweetpea for Laura to work her magic. Sadly Blandford Camp reported that no one managed to get a photograph of HRH Princess Anne with the flowers!

flowers have had the scent bred out of them, focussing solely on appearance?

Many of the flowers grown by the Flowers from the Farm growers bring back memories of childhood, lost scents, evocative and full of nostalgia. It amazes me that the scent of the much loved sweetpea “...bring back memories can transport of childhood, lost you back scents, evocative and decades.

I belong to a great organisation called ‘Flowers from the Farm’ full of nostalgia. It It is possible to which is an award winning amazes me that the send flowers membership scent of the much loved through the association, sweetpea can transport Flowers from supporting the Farm you back decades.” professional website, flower growers they have a all over the country. With over brilliant search feature; type in a 1000 members we are gaining a postcode and details of the a strong voice in championing growers in that locality appear. British flowers and enlightening the public who are increasingly aware of their food air miles but not flower air miles. The Flowers from the Farm growers are passionate about the flowers they grow, many varieties of which are scented. Did you know that some imported

For this particular special order, flowers were selected for scent, colour and ‘Britishness’: cornflowers, poppies, lavender and of course roses among the varieties used. image: Charlotte Tombs Always free - subscribe here

Friendly, fully insured and NPTC qualified tree surgeons. Based in North Dorset providing a professional service for your trees and hedges.

Services include: Tree felling Crown lifting/reductions Pollarding Pruning Full dismantles Hedge cutting

Book your free no obligation quote: Please call either Jack on 07758262673 or Jake on 07592 375431 or email: jackspencer@felltectreeservices.co.uk

THE RANDOM 19

The Random 19 with worldfamous novelist Tracy Chevalier. Tracy Chevalier FRSL is an author of 10 novels, perhaps best known for the international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring, a timeless modern classic that became an international bestseller with over five million copies sold around the world.

Tracy is a Trustee of the Dorset Museum and the British Library, an Ambassador for the Woodland Trust, and a Patron of the Dorchester Literary Festival and the Lyme Regis Museum. Tracy and her husband divide their time between London and the Piddle Valley.

1. What’s your relationship with the Blackmore Vale (the area, not us!)? We’ve had a cottage in the Piddle Valley since 2004. Since July 2020 we’ve lived here full time. It’s a better place to be in a pandemic. 2. What was the last song you sang out loud in your car? American Pie by Don McLean; I was coming back from the supermarket in Sherborne. 3. Last movie you watched? Would you recommend it? My Octopus Teacher, a documentary about a diver’s

relationship with an octopus he sees every day. It’s very moving. 4. It’s Friday night - you have the house to yourself, and no work is allowed. What are you going to do? A big G&T, tortilla chips and some trash telly!

equipped with a magical power source, a phone and a laptop)? • A guitar - so that I can learn how to play. • A Good Pillow. Never unrestimate the power of a good pillow. • Moby Dick. Because it’s long, and I haven’t read it.

5. If you were sent to an island for a year and could only bring three things, what would you bring (the island is already Always free - subscribe here

by Laura Hitchcock 6. Who’s your celebrity crush? Jodie Foster. 7. What would you like to tell 15yr old you?

‘You are going to be amazed’ 8. What book did you read last year that stayed with you? The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, about four women who go on holiday together in Italy without knowing one another, and find themselves. It was during lockdown and I was missing travel! 9. What’s your secret superpower? I find four-leaf clovers easily.

RANDOM 19 10. What shop can you not pass without going in? Pretty much any jewellery shop... 11. Favourite quote? Movie, book or inspirational - we won’t judge.

14. Your top three mostvisited favourite websites (excluding social media!)? • BBC News • Wolf & Badger (clothing) • National Gallery.

‘Less is more’ 12. Write the review for the last thing you cooked (no cheating - the actual last thing!). I made pasta with capers, avocado, basil and lemon zest. It is a wonderful, quick, nofail recipe by Anna Jones. My guests loved it. I urge you to look it up - my tip is ‘use more avocado’ (or simply click here. You’re welcome - Ed) 13. A penguin just walked in the door wearing a panama hat. Why is he here? He is looking for Paddington Bear. Dorset-loving Tracy’s novel sold 5 million copies and became a blockbuster film with Oscar-winners Colin Firth and Scarlett Johannson. ‘Chevalier doesn’t put a foot wrong in this triumphant work … It is a beautifully written tale that mirrors the elegance of the painting that inspired it’ Wall Street Journal ‘A wonderful novel, mysterious, steeped in atmosphere, deeply revealing about the process of painting… truly magical’ Guardian

“The Enchanted April, published in 1922, is a witty and delightful depiction of what it is like to rediscover joy.”

15. Chip Shop Chips or Homebaked Cake? Cake every time. 16. Favourite crisp flavour? Just salt. Flavours are disgusting (That’s the American coming out in me). 17. The best biscuit for dunking? Dunking is disgusting, says the American. 18. What in life is frankly a mystery to you? That atoms are so small and the universe is so big. The scale always amazes and frightens me. 19. You have the power to pass one law tomorrow, uncontested. What would you do? Everyone has to read a book a month set in a country that isn’t theirs, about people who are nothing like them.

BOOK CORNER

Voice of the Books

Summer is finally with us and whether you’re braving the yoyo-ing of government foreign travel policy or enjoying a staycation, we have some wonderful handpicked summer reads to pass the time - and all of them are £2 off! Here are my personal top picks for a perfect hammock read this summer. Wayne

(just click the book covers to head to Winstone’s and buy - Ed)

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper, disappointed in love and - on the brink of forty living a limited existence with her truculent mother. When a young Swiss woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud. But the more Jean investigates, the more her life becomes strangely intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen is now a friend, and her quirky and charming daughter Margaret a sort of surrogate child. And Jean doesn’t mean to fall in love with Gretchen’s husband, but Howard surprises her with his dry wit, his intelligence and his kindness, and she falls hard.

Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton Set in 1634, a boat leaves the East Indies with a detective duo on board. Although one is locked up and facing execution, their skills are very much needed when the voyage is beset by a terrible forewarning. ‘Wildly inventive, Turton’s tale defies definition as either historical fiction or crime novel, but provides all the pleasures of both genres and more’

Always free - subscribe here

BOOK CORNER

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang

In the twilight of the Gold Rush, two siblings cross a landscape with a gun in their hands. Ba dies in the night, Ma is already gone. Lucy and Sam, twelve and eleven, are suddenly alone and on the run. With their father’s body on their backs, they roam an unforgiving landscape dotted with giant buffalo bones and tiger paw prints, searching for a place to give him a proper burial... A sweeping adventure tale, an unforgettable sibling story and a remarkable novel about a family bound and divided by its memories.

The Ratline by Philippe Sands In this riveting real-life thriller, Philippe Sands offers a unique account of the daily life of senior Nazi SS Brigadefuhrer Otto Freiherr von Wachter and his wife, Charlotte. Drawing on a remarkable archive of family letters and diaries, he unveils a fascinating insight into life before and during the war, as a fugitive on the run in the Alps and then in Rome, and into the Cold War.

Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes ‘Funny, sharp explications of what these sometimes notvery-nice women were up to, and how they sometimes made idiots of . . . but read on!’ - Margaret Atwood The Greek myths are among the world’s most important cultural building blocks and they have been retold many times, but rarely do they focus on the remarkable women at the heart of these ancient stories.

READER’S LETTERS

Reader’s Letters Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to letters@theblackmorevale.co.uk We have all been told how wonderful the pedestrianisation of Shaftesbury High Street is and how people are now flocking there to shop. We have seen pictures of the crowded street full of people. But how about on a normal day? The lack of parking due to the closure is now effecting the town. I have witnessed tourists trying to park in the Bell St car park and driving off when there are no spaces. I have been asked by tourists where they can park as they have tried all the car parks they can find in the town. The town council stress how much safer people feel in the High Street with it being pedestrianised. The trouble is that the High Street is only partially pedestrianised. Busses, delivery vehicles and even private cars are driving through the high street in both directions. Far faster than the 5mph allowed. It is only a matter of time before someone is going to be lulled into a false sense of security and knocked down and killed. I believe this has already happened in Salisbury. I am aware of a petition that was submitted to STC which contained 40 signatures from businesses against pedestrianisation. According to STC 80% of businesses are for it. Are there really 200 businesses in the High Street? I know of a business based in Semley who used to regularly come up to collect lunch from the Salt Cellar. But due to the pedestrianisation not any more. Helen from the Baguette bar has also lost business from the industrial estates.

I’m not particularly against or for the pedestrianisation, for me it’s just an inconvenience for my clients and staff. I have had an office opposite the Town Hall for the last 21 years so I have got a bit of experience on how the High Street works. However what I am concerned about is the way STC are conducting their surveys and their ‘findings’ Pedestrianisation is not something to be taken lightly. Full and proper consultation needs to be completed by an independent body. The residents of Bell Street and even Gold Hill and St James need to be consulted, as they are all being effected by increased traffic flows and parking problems. Reports commissioned by STC over the last 20 years have all said Shaftesbury is short of parking spaces. Pedestrianisation removes 200 one hour parking slots per day. Leaving Shaftesbury up to 500 parking slots per day short. And that’s according to one of the reports commissioned by STC! Pedestrianisation may be a popularist policy. But without further consideration of the potentially dire consequences it should not happen. Adrian Thompson Shaftesbury

the pedestrian period allowing car access for longer. If disabled people need access to banks or shops after 4pm when the shop or bank might close then that shop or bank has a duty to open to provide the disabled customers with the service. At the end of the day the decision is not with the Town Council nor do we have a decision about the final details as these matters lie with Dorset Council. I suggested the council lease and operate a golf buggy to transport people from the disabled parking, like the airport buggies, however covid regulations made it impractical. It is an option though you can imagine the cost over a year! Some people expect to drive and park outside the shop door, which the proposal would allow for 25% of the working day, which you cannot do at West Quay or other shopping centres Cllr Philip Proctor Shaftesbury

*** I’m really enjoying the quality of the photos in your magazine – do you have any plans for a print version one day? F Greeves, Marnhull

I’m afraid not Fiona - we deeply believe in the environmental benefits of a digital publication, plus at over 100 pages with a *** strong focus on high resolution beautiful imagery, each There are many views about the pedestrianisation of Shaftesbury magazine would cost over £10. High Street but there is a clear Currently, in order to make majority of some 87% in favour print viable we would have to of it which includes disabled sacrifice content and quality people. Councillors have listened neither of which we wish to do! to comments and have reduced Always free - subscribe here

READER’S LETTERS I wonder if readers have noticed that the minute England won the match against Germany the sun came out and has stayed shining. Do you think this is just a coincidence or are they linked? You appear to have good writers on your mag – what about an investigation? VB, Shaftesbury

I’ve taken advice from an expert on the England team, who is also an expert on lounging about doing nothing in the sunshine while moaning, and my 18 year old son assures me that it’s definitely linked. He says ‘it’s the hand of God blessing the righteous.’ - Ed *** I’m fairly new to this area and I am very happily surprised at the confidence Dorset people have: reacting to the lockdowns by starting new businesses,

extending their business and being incredibly communityminded. I’m pretty sure we’ll be a more harmonious and prosperous society post-Covid. It’ll take a while but we’ll get there. One of your funnier columnists wrote a piece about it in a previous issue, quoting the economic views of ‘Professor’ Noddy Holder, the singer of Slade. It was amusing but also accurate, in my view. Government has got used to spending big – when tax revenues return (all forecasts predict it will be sooner, not later) I hope and believe that they will continue to think big. W Smith, Shaftesbury

(That’ll be Andy Palmer’s ramblings in the May issue of Tales From the Vale here - Ed)

***

I was amazed to read about the retired RAF pilot who served in the Falklands. What an incredibly brave and skilled man – and what heroes we have quietly living in our midst. Sally B, Sturminster Newton

Sally, they’re not living all that ‘quietly’ as you will read if you glance at our follow-up article on a ‘Famous flier ‘annoys’ BV Magazine journalist’ here... Ed ***

I live in Okeford Fitzpaine, not far from the old dairy site and the houses that were featured in the last ‘Then & Now’ column. How fascinating it was, still within living memory for some. I felt rather sad the next day, walking down the street and remembering those who were once there. Lucy P, Okeford Fitzpaine

CITIZENS ADVICE

A Citizen’s Advice. A local expert from Citizen’s Advice answers a question from the public. This Month: Difficult Child Maintenance Agreements

Q: “My relationship with my ex has been difficult for a couple of years, but we have always maintained communication for the sake of the children. Our daughter is now 14, her relationship with her father has deteriorated and she is saying she no longer wishes to visit him at weekends. He has agreed this is fine - but says that in that case he is no longer willing to pay child support for her. I can’t manage without the money he gives me for her upkeep. What should I do? A:

Child maintenance is an arrangement between you and the other parent of your child.

It covers how your child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents no longer lives with them. It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent (or if you’ve never been in a relationship). Both parents are responsible for and are expected to pay towards the cost of bringing up their children, even if they do not see them.

If your current agreement is a private arrangement and your ex-partner refuses to pay, you can search for a local mediator to help you work out child maintenance arrangements.

If your ex-partner continues not to pay, you may need to approach the Child Maintenance Service: they will contact your ex-partner, out how Both parents are work much s/he responsible for wshould be and, and are expected paying if necessary, to pay towards the collect the cost of bringing up money on your behalf.

Child maintenance can be either a private arrangement between you and the other their children, even parent, or made through if they do not see You may have the Child to pay a £20 them. Maintenance application fee Service - a though you will government scheme. not need to pay the fee if you’ve experienced domestic abuse. You need to have child maintenance arrangements for Read more about child maintenance: children under 16 (or under 20 if • Citizens Advice website they’re in approved education or • Money Advice Service training). If you make a private • the government website. arrangement you can of course continue paying after then. Always free - subscribe here

ADVERTORIAL

Expert help from the team at Porter Dodson LLP. This week: Managing Partner Robert Fox is discussing Customer Service.

FAMILY LAW Robert Fox, Managing Partner at Porter Dodson

Who Cares? There are times in all of our lives when we ask for an opinion on something important, when we seek or give a recommendation or we share experiences – good or bad.

to build a longstanding professional relationship where all concerned know each other well and a high level of mutual trust is established.

Our friends and family trust us to help or give sage advice on those important decisions - and trust is the key to this process.

It is key that the advisers you decide to trust fully understand you and your needs so that they can provide you with the best possible advice, quickly and efficiently.

We have all seen the rise in websites offering to promote businesses which ‘...we all feel more can be relied comfortable if the upon, trusted to engage in work on person on the end your home so that of the phone knows you can ‘buy with us’ confidence’. When obtaining something less tangible like professional advice, however, how can you be confident that you will be treated with care and given good advice? Of course, not all buyers are the same. For some, cost and time is a driving factor. Others wish

There is, of course, a cost to any business providing such a skilled and caring service - but that is a choice we make all the time. The point being that we all feel more comfortable if the person on the end of the phone knows us and has built a rapport over time. Getting good advice is one thing, but what really adds value is professionals who care, share your goals and are keen to help.

Here at Porter Dodson, client feedback tells us that we get this balance right - and we are very proud to have many clients who are second or third generation. Good Service is not, in fact, an ‘old-fashioned’ approach. If the past 18 months has taught us anything, it is that face to face service, flexibility and a dynamic approach to solving problems effectively are hugely important. Porter Dodson have been doing that for decades; more recently, technology has definitely helped to a point, but we are looking forward to seeing our clients more and more as things return to a more normal routine. Who cares? We care, a lot. Rob Fox, Managing Partner Porter Dodson

POLITICS

Serving up expert financial advice Time is precious; we want to spend as much of it doing the things that make us happy. So keeping on top of our finances and managing our wealth – a task that can be both time-consuming and complex – can often fall way down our list of priorities. We offer a friendly and approachable service, backed by the strength and security of FTSE 100 company, St. James’s Place Wealth Management; and being local means we’re here to help whenever you need us.

LEE WALKER

Director

DipPFS

WALKER WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD

Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

01202 087499 lee.walker@sjpp.co.uk www.walkerwm.co.uk

The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The 'St. James's Place Partnership' and the titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.

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Life’s complicated instructing a solicitor shouldn’t be

You can trust our team to give you the best advice how, where and when it suits you. Whatever help you need we will advise you with clarity and efficiency, offer value for money and an unparalleled level of personal legal service. We can help with: • • • • •

Buying or selling residential, rural and commercial property Inheritance Tax planning, trusts, wills and lasting powers of attorney Care funding and appealing continuing healthcare decisions Divorce and relationship breakdown Buying, running and selling a business, including employment matters

Why not give us a call to see how we can help you? Poundbury 01305 262525

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FAMILY LAW

Lasting Powers of Attorney and Will planning Battens Solicitors The times that we are currently living in have shown that life can change completely overnight and the future can look uncertain. The best way of dealing with this uncertainty is to ensure that all your personal planning is in place. There are two pillars to this planning – the first is executing a Lasting Power of Attorney so that your family can help you if you become ill or mentally incapacitated and the second is making your Will to ensure your estate passes to those who you wish to benefit on your death. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you (the donor) to make a choice now, when you are fit and healthy, about who you would trust (the attorney) to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf if, in the future, you lose the mental capacity to make them for yourself. There are two types of LPA. One type is a Property and Financial Affairs LPA which allows the attorney, to make decisions about your finances and property. A Property and Finance LPA is very flexible in that it can be used whilst someone is incapacitated, but as soon as they have returned to health the attorney will step aside – it is not a permanent arrangement unless it needs to be. The other type is a Health and Welfare LPA which gives the attorney authority to make decisions for you in respect of giving or refusing consent to healthcare, staying at home and receiving support, or moving into care. A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used when a person has lost capacity. All LPAs have to be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), before they can be used. If it appears that the attorney is abusing their position, then anyone can raise a concern with the OPG or Social Services, who will investigate.

enquiries@battens.co.uk www.battens.co.uk Offices in: Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London

If you have an accident or become ill, it may be too late to make an LPA and then an application will have to be made to court to appoint somebody, called a Deputy, to look after you affairs. This person may not be your choice, and appointing a deputy through the court it is also a longer and more expensive process. This can take at least three months and there are costs which include application fees, medical assessments, solicitor’s fees, deputy appointment, annual management fee and a security bond. Your Will is used to appoint a person (your executor) who will deal with the administration of your estate after you have died. The Executor is responsible for valuing your estate, closing bank accounts, dealing with your house, paying any tax that is due as well any debts and making sure that the balance of the estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries. If there is no Will, the Law of Intestacy sets out who can inherit your estate and how much they can inherit. This may not be what you want. Making sure your Will is up to date will provide you with the comfort of knowing that your family is provided for how you want them to be even if times are uncertain. Your solicitor will help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney and Will that gives effect to your wishes. You can then rest assured knowing that your family will benefit from your planning. For more information, please contact Naomi Dyer on 01935 811307 email at naomi.dyer@battens.co.uk

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Battens Solicitors can help you make your next move, for you and your family From moving home and family matters, to Wills and Trusts, we provide services for individuals and businesses

www.battens.co.uk Offices in Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Always Bathfree - subscribe here and London

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Four Men Went to Row... I’m Nick Zambellas, from Leigh originally and currently living between London and Dorset. Myself and four friends, led by my Australian friend Nick Honey, will be rowing non-stop between Ibiza and Barcelona around 27 July (depending on the weather window) in a race against an Irish team. The race itself will take around three and a half days - if conditions are good - with two teammates rowing continuously in shifts throughout that time. The row is a major test of physical and mental endurance. The risk of injury and weather play as great a part as outright strength. We will sleep in two small cabins fore and aft and cook dehydrated food on a gas stove tucked by the aft cabin. The rowboat herself, Danielle, is a self-righting, ocean-going

rowboat with navigational equipment and solar panels. She was built to row the Atlantic by Justin Adkin of Beer. Although the boat is pretty high tech itself, sadly the toilet facilities are just a bucket... It’s been a difficult few months preparing for the race. Not only have we had to build up strength while gyms were shut, we’ve also had to complete a number of sea safety and navigational courses. I’m planning to keep team morale up by singing sea shanties, and bringing a large amount of biltong and chocolate. I’ve been designated as chief of navigation by my teammates, so fingers crossed I get us into Barcelona safely! We’re rowing to raise money for Noman Campaign, a charity which campaigns for awareness

from left to right is Guy Wilson, Tom Steindler, me (Nick Zambellas), Nick Honey (the skipper) and George Millar. See Boys In The Balearic here.

by Nick Zambellas

of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a largely under researched virus which is a causal agent in 5% of all cancers. We’re aiming to raise £5,000 each - we’ve paid all admin, course and travel costs ourselves so any money donated will go straight to Noman Campaign.

If you felt you could donate, even a small amount makes a big difference. You can find my JustGiving Page by clicking here NOMAN is more than a race, it’s a call to action. HPV is the causal agent of 5% of cancers. Cancers which can be prevented by vaccinating both boys and girls against this devastating virus. NOMAN challenges participants to row the Mediterranean in order to spread the message about HPV, and to support the charity’s education and advocacy programmes to ensure

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CHARITY PAGES

Herston Village Hall acted as a base during the pandemic for the Friendly Food Club to make ‘food bags’ to be delivered locally to families in need

New Report Reveals Pandemic’s Impact on Our Village Halls service despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 lock downs. Herston Village Hall for example acted as a base during the pandemic for the Friendly Food Club to make ‘food bags’ to be delivered locally to families in need, and other community centres such as Littlemoor, Weymouth provided foodbank services.

New research sheds light on the extent to which village halls and community buildings have been affected by three successive national lockdowns. Much has changed since England’s 10,000+ village halls were surveyed at the beginning of 2020 by national charity, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). Whilst 3 in 20 halls supported Covid-19 relief efforts, the majority stayed closed and will need ongoing support and funding to recover. 15% of halls contacted said they had played an active role in supporting their community during the pandemic, including many Dorset village halls and community centres who provided a valuable community

users back once they reopen, particularly older generations who may be less inclined to meet in person. Dr Tom Archer, of Sheffield Hallam University who authored the report said, “Halls face major challenges in reopening and re-establishing services. The pandemic has had a significant impact on their volunteers and staff, as well as their users, and the future remains very much uncertain.”

Dorset Community 15% of halls contacted Deborah Action’s centre Clarke, ACRE’s said they had played an Rural in Wimborne active role in supporting Evidence & continued to host their community during Village Halls organisations the pandemic, including Manager said, like Reach and “The research many Dorset village halls Innovate, who demonstrates and community centres. a clear and provided a limited urgent need number of for continued ‘essential services’ to support funding support to be made vulnerable members of their available to village halls during community, including drug and this period of uncertainty, alcohol support services. particularly those facing financial difficulty. This should involve The community centre in bridging funds and continued Fontmell Magna has been relief from business rates.” working to develop a community cut flower garden in partnership Through its membership of ACRE, with the Blackmore Vale Dorset Community Action is here Partnership social prescribing to help local community centres team to promote the health and and village halls to reopen. Please wellbeing of local residents. However, aside from these inspiring examples of the community coming together, many halls expressed concern that they would find it hard to attract volunteers and

contact Jo Keats if you would like support - joanna.keats@ dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk or go to our website for further information: https://www. dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk/

Ward Goodman specialises in the charity, community and not for profit sector. Ward Goodman has a dedicated team of accounting and auditing professionals delivering a comprehensive range of POLITICS services to registered charities, community groups and not for profit organisations. The team are trained specifically to carry out charity accounting, auditing and reporting and to communicate effectively with Trustees, management and volunteers. Contact the team today for a free consultation.

Great Aunt’s Love And Care Inspired Fund For Young People THE love and care of a great aunt has inspired retired finance worker Stephen Uden to set up a fund that aims to help disadvantaged young people reach their potential. He and his wife Ingrid set up The Gladys Watson Fund with Dorset Community Foundation three years ago and it has already awarded more than £10,000 to groups across the county who make life better for young people. The former senior manager at Microsoft and Nationwide Building Society and Ingrid, a former teacher, wanted to become involved with the voluntary sector in Dorset when they moved to Shaftesbury. The roots of the fund stretch back to the 1960s when he was born out of wedlock in Abingdon, South Oxfordshire. His mother gave birth to him at a unit for

unmarried mums in Croydon but she returned to a specialist hostel in Oxfordshire. “In those days if you gave birth in that situation you weren’t expected to keep the baby,” said Stephen. “But my mother wanted to keep me so I went to live with my Great Aunt Gladys who lived nearby in Abingdon.” He stayed with Great Aunt Glad for three years and it was his memories of the way she helped him and influenced him that shaped the couple’s thinking about the fund they wanted to set up in Dorset. They decided to work with Dorset Community Foundation after Stephen had a good experience working with Wiltshire Community Foundation while at Nationwide, where he had built up a charitable fund via a company scheme with Charitable Giving. Mr Uden’s great aunt, Gladys Watson, after whom the family’s fund with Dorset Community Foundation is named

Ingrid said: “Having moved down to north Dorset we didn’t really know the local charity sector so setting up a fund with Dorset Community Foundation was really useful in helping us get

Stephen and Ingrid Uden

to know charities in our area. “The thing we like about it is that, as a donor-led fund, we have still got control over it. Yes, we are paying the community foundation to help manage it but they identify charities that meet the criteria we’ve established - in our case helping disadvantaged young people realise their full potential. “Then we sit down and look at the requests and decide which ones we are going to fund each year.” “We try to make the grants a different mix between the groups we know and also try some new ones and use that as a way of getting to know people,” said Stephen.

Find out more about the Dorset Community Foundation at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.

by Heather Brown

FOOD & DRINK

July is my birthday month so it seems fitting to post one of my favourite recipes!

This Key Lime Pie recipe sits somewhere between baked cheesecake and soufflé, and is delicious both warm from the oven or cold as a more of a tray bake. With only five ingredients it is also pretty simple to make; just make sure to whip the egg whites fully and carefully fold them into the rest of the mix. You can also add different biscuits to change the base… ginger nuts, oreos or chocolate digestives maybe?

This sweet bake/pudding goes wonderfully with a glass of something cold and bubbly… perhaps some award winning Langham Estate Sparkling wine, or the new Badger Beer ‘Fropical Ferret’ beer (their new limited edition beer brewed to bring out mango and passionfruit flavours!). The Elderflower and Gooseberry Gin Liqueur by Smith and Weston would be another excellent local choice. If you wanted something more unusual, you could try Liberty Field’s Dessert Cider which is sort of a fruity, rich indulgent drink, full of the flavour of their locally grown apples. There are so many beautiful, locally made drinks producers in Dorset - we are spoilt for choice! Heather ...

Key Lime Pie Ingredients

Makes 12 large pieces. • • • • •

4 limes (juice and zest) 4 eggs 1 tin condensed milk a packet of digestive biscuits 4 oz butter

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees/160 fan/gas 5. 2. Grease and line a 9″ x 13″ tin. 3. Crush the biscuits by placing the biscuits in a double layer of sandwich bags and bash with something heavy like a book or rolling pin until you have a bag of biscuit crumbs. 4. Melt the butter and stir in the biscuits crumbs well. Squash the mixture into the base of the tin and press down firmly to make sure it forms a good base. Set the base aside. 5. Separate the eggs into 2 bowls. 6. Add to the yolks to the condensed milk, lime zest and lime juice and mix well together. 7. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. 8. Carefully fold the whites into the yolk, condensed milk and lime mixture until combined. The mixture will be airy and light but quite runny. 9. Carefully pour this mixture over the biscuit base and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the edges have cracked slightly and the top starts to brown all over. Tip - when you open the oven door, do so gently, otherwise it might sink too quickly. 10. Remove from the oven. The bake will start to sink almost immediately (just like a soufflé would) but this is normal. The key lime pie can be served straight from the oven or can be left to cool and cut into pieces like a traybake. I usually like to drizzle with a little melted white chocolate and serve with fresh raspberries and cream. (NB. if you would like to cut into clean squares, then fridge the bake before cutting and clean the knife between each cut). 11. If they don’t get eaten that same day, then store the bake in the fridge.

Heather’s Note: “you can halve the mixture and bake in a round pie/flan dish, just check the bake in the oven after 20 minutes. I always tend to make a larger batch because they always get eaten so quickly!” 74

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POLITICS image: Heather Brown

Heather Brown is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed which champions Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with clients to recipe test, write food based copy, help foodie businesses with their online presence and make food for digital content. IG: @HeatherBrownUK

POLITICS Salted caramel pearls and sauce for toppings on this twirl ice cream from Arctic Cow

Where to Get the Best Ice Cream in the Blackmore Vale There’s nothing like a refreshing ice cream on a hot summer day (or at any time of the year for that matter). Across the Blackmore Vale there are innovative ways of making the most of local dairies to churn ice cream and create some of the tastiest products around. We naturally had to investigate further. Several villages and towns across North Dorset have had a visit from Child Okeford based Arctic Cow with its distinctive bright blue truck. If you haven’t chosen your favourite flavours and watched the ice cream being freshly rolled by now, you’re in for a treat. Mother and daughter Marlene Ottewill and Nicola Baker run the business which has diversified during the pandemic. Nicola explained: “We used to go to all the festivals but with the lockdown all that stopped. It took us a while to think out of the box and then we got an invitation to operate from a farm shop and at Town Meadows in Gillingham. The word spread and now we have a rotation to villages

and other attractions in North Dorset. It really gave families something different to do in the lockdown.” The range of flavours is mind boggling and part of the fun is choosing and watching your ice cream being created. Nicola says there is no one standout flavour but they do a lot of strawberry, Nutella, and Oreo. Milk vending machines have sprung up all over Dorset in the lockdown and sell a range of products. Ice cream is made on the farm at Madjeston Milk Station from their own dairy herd milk. You can buy a tub while being watched by one or two of the doe-eyed Ayrshire herd and if you can’t wait until you get home there are benches outside. With zero food miles and a range of flavours, there’s no excuse. I’d recommend the chocolate honeycomb or rum and raisin - well all of them actually. Until I visited an ice cream parlour in Sherborne, I had no idea there was a difference between gelato and standard ice cream. Ecco Gelato Owner, Phillipa Tarling explained:

by Rachael Rowe “Gelato is churned slower than ice cream so it is denser and softer. It is made using more milk so has less fat content than ice cream, and Gelato is served warmer than ice cream at -12c.” The bright pastel coloured parlour instantly makes you feel as though you are on holiday and there’s a second one recently opened in Shaftesbury. All the gelato is made on the premises and they even do a product for dogs from rice milk. As expected, there’s a range of flavours to dip into from mango to Jaffa and sea buckthorn. If you feel like a treat this summer, do check out the locally made ice cream and gelato in the Blackmore Vale. You will support local businesses and the dairy industry - and reduce your food miles.

Ecco Gelato’s Black Forest Chocolate Brownie gelato. Always free - subscribe here

The Best Reason Not To Drink

by Hannah Wilkins, Indie Wine Merchant,

Its 5pm on a Friday night and you are getting ready to go out with friends… however, you are the nominated driver for the evening.

Conker distillery, who as most of you will know produce a fantastic Dorset gin, have made Bowser Leaf. Derived entirely from the spring water distillation of five botanicals, including mint, tarragon, thyme and basil, it’s a non-alcoholic spirit drink that really delivers on flavour. It is a deliciously refreshing alternative which has been flying out of our shop since its launch at the start of this year. £20 per 70cl bottle.

Fast forward to 2021 and the bar has been raised. Whether you are looking for non-alcoholic wine, gin or just awesome 0% products that are totally unique, they aren’t just for non-drinking friends or pregnant women any more, they are there for all of us who have a discerning palate and enjoy a nice glass of something.

Rivani who produce some of our amazing Italian sparkling wines have made a de-alcoholised wine from the Macabeo grape. Fruit driven and a really refreshing alternative to the alcoholic versions. Customers have added a very small amount of fruit cordials to make an alternative to a Kir Royale. £7 per bottle.

You stop at your local drink shop and the non-alcoholic offerings are pretty slim – fruit juices, fizzy drinks or flavoured waters. It’s hard to be enthused.

ingredients that do everything that a wine does on the nose, palate and finish - but without any grapes or alcohol.

When we first sampled the products at Vineyards, we were fighting over which styles of wine they reminded us of; Viognier and Bardolino were mentioned Jukes Cordialities are one of more than once. Very low on the key players in raising the calories, and all ‘zero to hero’ bar. Matthew Yes, you heard it here you need to do is Jukes, the brain first – even the most add chilled water (still or sparkling) behind Jukes seasoned merchant or tonic water. and a brilliant has a night or two They have really wine writer, made us sit up embarked on ‘zero’ and take notice of the idea of the alternatives making a nonout there. £4 per 30ml bottle alcoholic drink a couple of years (makes 2/3 drinks depending on ago. He has perfected a range taste preference.) of drinks made from natural Jukes Cordialities come in five different flavours, based on white red and rosé wine.

There’s a whole multitude of reasons as to why you might be ‘drinking zero’ and we are delighted to see this sector pushing forward and becoming more interesting for those of us who enjoy the flavour of a great tipple, but sometimes want a night off. Yes, you heard it here first – even the most seasoned merchant has a night or two ‘zero’. All things are best when savoured in moderation and zero is fast becoming the new hero.

www.vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

POLITICS FOOD & DRINK

by Simon Vernon

Notes From An Epicurean: Fresh Black Summer Truffles Summer is supposedly here!! The good news is, even if the weather is not great, summer truffles are now fully in season with a better flavour than at the start of the season. The season runs from May to August. Truffles are a type of fungi - but unlike mushrooms they grow underground, attached to tree roots, commonly ones bearing nuts. Hazelnut, beech, oak, and birch are often the best places to look but they are not easy to find. Places where they grow are closely guarded secrets as they are an expensive commodity and quite rare. Traditionally a truffle pig was used to sniff out the truffles. They would be taken by their owners to an area where they are known to grow and the pigs with their keen sense of smell would be able to locate them. Unfortunately, the pigs love the taste of them - if the hunters

were not quick the pig would dig them up with its snout and snaffle them, an expensive drawback! Dogs are now used as they can be trained to find them but will not eat them. Most black truffles look similar, round, dark brown to black with a very knobbly exterior. Once cut open the interior is creamy or dark in colour and marbled.

they are cheaper to buy, and possibly a good place to start if unsure whether one likes them. The winter varieties, especially the magnificent white truffle, are far stronger and a lot more expensive. More on those later in the year!

‘...pigs with their keen sense of smell would be able to locate them. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, the pigs love the taste of them - if the hunters were not quick the pig would dig them up with its snout and snaffle them!’

When fresh and ripe they have an amazing aroma, earthy, but hard to describe. If there’s no aroma they are to be avoided as this indicates they are old and past it!! Fresh truffles only have a short shelf life, up to 7 days.

Unfortunately, the British truffle is the same as the commonest variety in Europe, Tuber Aestivum, and is not as pungent as the winter varieties - that said,

Personally, I think the best way to enjoy truffles is to keep it simple - cooked plain pasta, olive oil, salt, black pepper with a generous amount of truffle finely shaved over the top. Alternatively, a simple risotto, some truffle cooked with the rice and more shaved over the top. A great source of truffles is www. trufflehunter.co.uk with delivery by post. Good hunting!!

Simon Vernon Food Consultant

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Love Local Trust Local Food & Drink Awards Are Open! Ready to share your local produce with the county? If you are a Dorset-based farmer, grower, fisherman, or food or drink producer, this year’s Love Local Trust Local Food & Drink Awards are now open for entries! What is Love Local Trust Local? Love Local Trust Local was founded by fifth generation farming family, the Cossins’ in Tarrant Valley. Founder Barbara Cossins is passionate that farmers are represented. The label plans to educate the consumers on how to trust food labelling, where to look, what it all really means and why shopping local matters.

and Innovation & Diversification there is ample chance to get recognised.

This is one of the most unique ways to get involved with the local food and drink producing community, This is a chance tasting some of for Dorset food & the best food and drink Dorset drink producers has to offer. Get to really shout in touch to get about what you involved!

Entrants must operate from a Dorset base, sourcing any ingredients from within a 30-mile radius. do, why you do it The team at Love To support the and how you do it! Love Local Trust Local want to find out what sets you Local Food and apart, and why your practice Drink Awards 2021, truly stands out from the crowd. you can follow along This is a chance for Dorset food on Facebook, Instagram and and drink producers to really Twitter, for all the latest news shout about what you do, why and updates. You can also pop you do it and how you do it! on over to the Rawston Farm Butchery & Shop to purchase your tea towel or car sticker to Get Involved show your support for the cause! The Love Local Trust Local Awards are supported by sponsors who not only champion the awards and comprise the judging panel.

To enter this year’s awards, click here. The team at Love Local look forward to learning more about the best of Dorset food and drink for 2021!

Created by farmers and producers, for farmers and producers, what sets these awards apart is that they are designed purely to celebrate the work that goes into our local food production.

The Awards The second year of the Love Local Trust Local Food & Drinks Awards features 12 categories, with a total of 18 awards for the taking! From categories such as Bakery, Meat and James & Condiments through to Conservation & Sustainability,

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Wincanton Camera Club - The Season by Brian Stubbs

Well, what a season that has been for Wincanton Camera Club! Despite the best efforts of the Covid 19 virus to stop all normal activity our club has thrived and even increased its membership slightly. We met, when allowed, for a few socially distanced outdoor photography sessions, and moved our regular indoor meetings to Zoom. Our first competition of the season, back in September 2020, was judged and conducted online which set the pattern for the year. Our members started well on the national/international competition front with Meyrick Griffith-Jones gaining a silver award at the Wyvern International Salon and Lachlan Fraser having a seascape image accepted into the Glasgow Gallery of Photography. Meyrick then followed up with a ribbon in the Welsh International salon. The club’s entry for the Western Counties Digital Image Competition, contested by all the registered camera clubs in the South West of England saw our small club 29th out of 58 clubs which entered. In the Knightshayes Trophy, open to all member photographers in the South West, Brian Stubbs picked up a Highly Commended for his image on the theme of Togetherness.

“Alex Hua Tian” the Chinese Olympic eventer competing at Nunney Castle. image by Brian Stubbs LRPS was accepted into the Royal Photographic Society’s Digital Image

Wincanton gained a very creditable 2nd place in the Bradford Abbas Shield which was also hosted virtually by the Sherborne–Bradford Abbas club. Our thanks to them. Brian Stubbs had an image accepted into the Royal Photographic Society’s Digital Image Group’s exhibition and our camera club members had a number of images accepted into other national exhibitions. In the Western Counties Photographic Federation members’ exhibition Meyrick had 6 images accepted into the exhibition and Brian had 3. We held four internal competitions this year although everyone would like to win, the real benefit for all club members is to have the unbiased friendly critical comment from our external judges which points us in the right direction to improve our photography. One major benefit of running our club meetings virtually was our ability to attract guest speakers from all over the world. We started with Mike Barnard

from Yorkshire and his Magic Lantern Show; Polina Plotnikova FRPS on the topic of flower photography; Robert Harvey ARPS on astrophotography; international dog photographer Elke Vogelsang from Germany, donating her fee to our local animal rescue centre; Will Goodlett live from South Africa showing and talking about his wildlife photography; and Paul Mitchell FRPS presenting his woodland photography including a section on how he processes his images. All of these were excellent lectures and much appreciated by our members. As I write this in June 2021, we are planning our programme of events for the 2021-2022 season and have our annual photo exhibition in Wincanton Library (August 21st – September 11th) to look forward to. If you would like to join our friendly club, whatever the level of your photography, please do get in touch with our Chairman, Tony Cole, chairman@ wincantoncameraclub. co.uk or our Secretary, Lachlan Fraser, secretary@ wincantoncameraclub.co.uk . We would love to welcome you to our number.

READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY

Early morning dew covered Damselfly, near the River Stour - Marilyn Peddle

The Scarce Chaser Dragonfly near the River Stour - Marilyn Peddle

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY POLITICS

A rather soggy hare at Wimborne St Giles - David Williams

We welcome photography submissions from readers - the only rules are that they must have been taken locally in the last month. From our submissions pile, each month an image is chosen as our cover shot. If you’d like to join in and have your work featured, please either use #BVPhoto on social media and tag us on Instagram (@theblackmorevale), share it in our Facebook Group, or simply email it to editor@theblackmorevale.co.uk.

Abbey View walk, Shaftesbury - Jago Young

READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY Clover covered meadows under the grey, threatening, evening clouds at Rudge Hill, Sturminster Newton Adie Ray

Wildflowers of Corfe Mullen -Richard Small

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY

That Barn at 6D Handley Meyrick Griffith-Jones

Hare near Gllingham Phil Cutler

NIGHT SKY THIS MONTH POLITICS

by Rob Nolan

This Month’s Image:

The Annular Solar Eclipse Since we were treated to an annular solar eclipse on June 10th, and it was of course inevitably mostly cloudy during this celestial event, I thought I’d share one of the glimpses that I managed to get of the eclipse, as so many would not have been as fortunate. The moon appeared to bite a chunk out of the Sun beginning at 10:08am and covered a maximum of 25% of the Suns surface at around 11:13am. This image was taken close to the maximum. What was great about this shot is that I, like many, was stuck in the home office

on conference calls during the event, so I didn’t really get to see it with my own eyes. With a bit of forward planning though, I made sure that if there were any breaks in the cloud I was going to capture an image of it! With a star tracker equatorial mount - in my case the Skywatcher Star Adventurer fitted to a tripod - I set up earlier in the morning and did a rough daytime polar alignment using an app on my phone. I setup my DSLR camera with a 70-200mm telephoto lens using a 10 stop Neutral Density Filter, which is usually used for blurring motion in landscape

Find RPN Photography on Facebook here and on Instagram here.

photography by reducing how much light reaches the camera sensor. In my case though, I used it to help me get a clearer image of the sun itself that wouldn’t be so overexposed. I set the tracker going after pointing at the sun (without looking directly at it!) and then used a device called an intervalometer which kept the camera shooting over the whole event while the tracker helped to keep the sun in frame. By the time my conference call ended the event was nearly over, so I’m grateful that I was still able to obtain some images of this amazing event!

The Night Sky, July 2021: what you can see this month: With the Summer solstice now behind us, the nights will start to draw in, a welcome transition for Astrophotographers!

the 14th; look to the southern skies to spot the largest planet in our solar system.

On July 11th, you’ll find a narrow crescent Moon to the right of brilliant Venus, the so called ‘Morning and Evening star’.

On the 17th July, the waning crescent moon will be in conjunction with Venus shortly after the sun rises, so look for the pair above the eastern horizon (if you’re up before dawn!) with the red giant star Aldebaran close by.

On the 12th July, Venus gets up close and personal to Mars, with the Moon above and Regulus to the left, when they rise in the southeast.

Mercury is most visible in the third week of the month, in the north east dawn sky, at around 4am as it brightens in magnitude to -1.0.

On the 13th July, Venus will be close to Mars. Look right from the Moon to find these two planets; you’ll also see Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. This brilliant blue-white star is easily noticeable in the evening sky, just after the sun goes down. Jupiter reaches opposition on

Saturn reaches opposition on the 20th. Look to the south around midnight, it’ll be a dazzling sight for naked eye observation but a treat through a telescope too.

What is Opposition? During opposition, a planet will be on the opposite side of the

Earth to the sun (configured in an approximately straight line). This means the planets will be roughly at their closest distance to the Earth, making them appear slightly larger and brighter. This makes it the best time to spot them. On the 24th July, Saturn will be visible above the Moon, with Jupiter below, and on the 25th, the Moon will appear to pass below Jupiter. Look to the constellation Aquarius on the 28th/29th July to catch the peak of the Delta Aquariids meteor shower. It’s not a very strong shower with a meteor count of 20 meteors per hour, however the waxing gibbous moon will set shortly after midnight which will leave you with darker skies to spot the meteors in the early morning when the radiant will be at its highest. Face south and scan the skies using just your eyes. Always free - subscribe here

ART

by Edwina Baines edwina@theblackmorevale.co.uk

The Story of Rob Adams Fate intercepted when a serious motorcycle accident put Rob in hospital for a year and necessitated another year in rehabilitation. Having to spend hours on his back provided the opportunity to draw…. and draw. The creative journey of the artist can be full of perils: self-doubt, fear, inner criticism, procrastination, avoidance and even resignation. But this journey is always one of interest - such is the route Rob

Adams has taken. His father was a photographer, author, film maker and broadcaster and his mother a keen amateur painter; and from a youthful aptitude for art and mathematics (which was leading to architecture) through to a peaceful retirement in Dorset, his journey is fascinating.

Once he’d made it through the year’s rehab there was a Foundation course, a study of Sculpture at Portsmouth and a degree in Fine art. As Rob says, “I am, I suppose a little unusual in the painting world in that I have had several careers in the art and design industry before becoming a full-time dauber.”

Image: ‘Looking West to Corfe’ by Rob Adams

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Clare Shepherd with her painting ’Sheep on the Hill at Brendan Two Gates’ image by Rob Baines Adams chatting to Edwina Edwina

in his Child Okeford studio.

ART Initially working as an illustrator, Rob penned a children’s book, published in 1995, featuring a character called Abysmal Gloom, a small blue monster who always moans and complains about everything. One review said: “This would have been a great book to read when I was a kid: you learn that it’s okay to be gloomy because it is what you are supposed to be in the world.” However, the gloom dispersed when Rob was given the opportunity to design sets for film and television.

He made stage sets for the theatre and models for some very large productions such as the first Batman movie, and a thirtyfoot-high polystyrene version of Rodin’s The Kiss for a pop video. There were vast murals for the VE day celebrations, the Queen’s Jubilee and the re-design of the O2 following its use for the Millennium. He was involved with the Tussauds group for many years, designing Theme Parks and roller coasters for their many attractions, including Alton Towers.

watercolours and was also one of the finalists for Artist of the Year 2013.

“I am minded to pursue a humble course of painting what moves or merely interests me in the most capable way I can The Wapping Group (or the manage, with no expectation ‘Wappers’ as they are known), of others either liking or being are a group of painters, moved by my efforts. I have whose aim is fellowship and come to think what I wish to enthusiastic recording and show is ordinary things around interpretation of London and the me in moments of extraordinary Thames. beauty. This “For me, drawing is the often means On initial application bones upon which the getting up to be a flesh of the rest of the very early!” candidate, painting is hung.” Rob was “I have no turned down set way of as his work was perceived to be working; sometimes I will draw a too ‘slick’! picture out carefully, other times I dive straight in with the paint. However, he persevered and I frequently finish work ‘en plein gained full entry in 2014 when air’ but don’t hold back from he was, amongst others, adjusting or amending once back instrumental in ensuring the in the studio if I feel it necessary. inclusion of the first women into I often use photographs as the group. reference in studio paintings, At the age of fifty-three Rob but am careful not to allow the took the bold decision to give up photographic image to dominate full time work. It was “one big proceedings. My great passion experiment” which has paid off. is drawing and I am a regular In a move that surprised not only attender at a local life-drawing himself but all his friends, he group. moved to Dorset and has been ‘For me drawing is the bones painting the wonderful local upon which the flesh of the rest landscapes ever since: of the painting is hung.

There were projects with famous photographers of the time including David Bailey and Terence Donovan, plus videos with Duran Duran and Sting. During all this time Rob continued to paint landscape and architectural

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POLITICS

Rob Adam’s quirky and self-deprecating self-portrait peeking through the ‘letterbox’Image: Edwina Baines

“My professional life has left me comfortable when working with many different media, from pen drawing to watercolour.” When I visited Rob’s delightful village studio during Dorset Art Weeks there was a wonderful range of work on display from atmospheric landscapes

reflecting both the changing light and the seasons, to street scenes that conveyed a real sense of time and place. There was a quirky and selfdeprecating self-portrait showing him peeking through the ‘letterbox’ shape of the frame, to light infused seascapes such as Studland Bay.

Edwina visited Rob in his delightful village studio during Dorset Art Weeks.

Rob explained: “The only problem with painting this was that the tide came in so quickly I had to retreat! When painting ‘en plein air’ you often have less than an hour to get the picture mostly done. I had to finish the foreground from a phone snap.” Looking West to Corfe Castle (previous page) portrays the sensitive use of colour and composition to create atmosphere and harmony. “When painting a scene like this on the spot, I first try to get the mood of the day established. I want to paint that particular moment. This is why I mostly paint from life rather than photos. The challenge here was that the sunlight was constantly changing as the clouds rolled by.”

See an extensive selection of Rob’s work on Instagram, or for sale at The Gallery at 41 in Corfe Castle and the Gallery on the Square, Poundbury, Dorchester. 91

HEALTH

Six Things A Nutritionist Doesn’t Eat (and a few things they do that may surprise you).

by Karen Geary, a Registered Nutritional Therapist DipION, mBANT, CNHC at Amplify

Good eating is about following the 80/20 rule. It is just not possible to eat right all of the time, but it is entirely possible to eat extremely well most of the time. Here is some food for thought: 1. ‘Fat free’ or ‘gluten free’ products The problem with anything that is ‘free from’ normally means that the product needs to be padded out with stabilisers, emulsifiers, preservatives, additives and sugars to taste and look ok.

2. Juices

3. Rice cakes

Despite what you may see on Instagram, nutritionists don’t drink their fruit, they eat it: some of the ‘healthiest’ juices contain more sugar than a can of soda.

Popular when watching calories, rice cakes are very high on the glycemic index with a GI of over 70 – that’s a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar. So when you eat a rice cake, your blood sugars rocket and then drop rapidly. They actually make you feel hungry more of the time, so have the effect of encouraging you to eat more. An alternative are oatcakes. They raise blood sugar more slowly, keeping you feeling fuller for longer – even better if you add some high protein peanut butter.

Maybe one day I’ll write a whole article about processed foods, but the short version is that they play havoc with your natural gut flora, and often have disrupting and toxic effects. Eating fruit provides the added Emulsifiers may be partially benefit of fibre – much needed responsible for constipation, for the gut and slowing bloating and diarrhoea. the rate at which sugar gets Preservatives They actually make you absorbed have been into your feel hungry more of the bloodstream. linked with allergic time, so have the effect Vegetable juice reactions, of encouraging you to is a better headaches and choice, ideally eat more. migraines and home made (a hyperactivity in children to name commercial ‘veg’ juice can a few. contain high amounts of Simple tip - choose products with fruit sugar). Try cucumber, the fewest amount of ingredients celery, lemon on the box. and ginger - but again remember Do Eat – full fat natural yogurt, the fibre, so a blended ‘smoothie’ sourdough or if you need gluten may be even better. free, try my recipes here. Eat your food, don’t drink it.

4. Agave syrup This used to be a fashionable low carb sweet option, low on the glycemic index and ‘natural’. Unfortunately it is high in fructose, and too much leads to Always free - subscribe here

POLITICS insulin resistance, weight gain and even fatty liver. I can’t really recommend any alternatives, but at a push, stevia is the lesser of the sweetener evils. As for the agave, stick to the tequilla version only!

5. Some milk alternatives That trendy barista oat milk you like? Take a good look at the label. Stabilisers, acidity regulators and seed oils are there to make it foam - but in return can give you IBS symptoms. Some brands also add sugars to sweeten the milk. If you need to ditch the dairy, try Plenish, Rude Health or Rebel Mylk, all of which contain the very minimum of ingredients.

6. “Heart Healthy” Spreads In our fridge, we have butter and we have ‘olive oil’ spread (less than 20% olive oil). Guess which one the nutritionist eats? Take a good look at the ingredients listed. Butter contains... milk. And maybe salt. Bean and seed oils are extracted by industrial processes at very high temperatures using solvents to extract the oil - which is then deodorised (because it smells awful), then bleached, then chemicals are added for colour. Those “heart healthy” spreads then have chemical treatment added to make the oil hard but spreadable. Industrial seed oils raise our omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios, characteristic of a western diet and linked to many chronic inflammatory diseases. If you are concerned about cholesterol, 2 tbs of olive oil a day helps raise healthy HDL and lower LDL. Just dip your bread in it Mediterranean style.

Now the Good Things: Dark chocolate

I frequently ask my clients to eat 85%+ dark chocolate on ‘prescription’ instead of their favourite Dairy Milk. Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, magnesium and iron. Heart healthy, the high flavanol content is great for brain health. But 2 squares a day!

Minced beef (grass fed only)

Always a great freezer standby, the nutritional profile of grass fed (not organic) beef is very different to grain fed beef. A good source of heme iron, once a week is sufficient. Make your own burgers rather than buy them or an old fashioned chilli con carne. Support your local grass fed beef farm: “It’s not the cow, it’s the how.”

Ice cream

Full fat milk, cream and egg yolks are all healthy choices in moderation and therefore a good dessert option. And once in a while sugar’s fine! I’m a big fan of a weekly treat; you are more likely to stick to good eating the rest of the time. Again, avoid products with a long ingredient list of unpronounceable names on the carton. Dorset’s Purbeck Ice Cream or Baboo Gelato (the sorbet) are both superb and are additive free.

Beer

Yes it’s high in calories and a good way to gain weight, but we humans have been consuming it for many years. Fermented foods are good for gut health – just don’t drink the entire six pack to yourself! Even people who are sensitive to grains can often tolerate the occasional beer.

Cheers!

HEALTH

What is CrossFit?

by Mel Mitchell - experience Personal Trainer, group exercise instructor & sports massage therapist based in Sturminster Newton.

Back in September I decided to join the world of CrossFit with no real idea of what it involved, or indeed whether it was something I would enjoy. With a gentle push from a friend, I decided to give CrossFit Shaftesbury a go... and I haven’t look back since. I often get asked what CrossFit is all about and if I’m honest I struggle to explain it in a way that does it justice. CrossFit is best described as a constantly varied high-intensity fitness program; it incorporates elements from different sports and types of functional exercise. It includes elements such as Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, kettlebell lifting as well as highintensity interval training.

For those new to CrossFit this may feel daunting, intimidating and somewhat scary. But the beauty of CrossFit is that it is suitable for everyone regardless of your fitness level or ability. The movements and techniques can be modified to help each athlete achieve their goals. This means that the programs that I will be doing handstand are designed to challenge you walks, muscle-ups and doubleas an individual, getting you unders in no time, especially with closer to where you want to be, the help of the amazing coaches whether it’s to get stronger, fitter and the other members of the or simply to gym (aka the “I never thought that I ‘box’). lose weight. It is also a great would ever be upside CrossFit is so chance to try down doing handstand much more new forms of than a fitness press-ups!” exercise. program and the community I never thought that I would ever plays a massive part in the whole be upside down doing handstand experience. Everyone in the ‘box’ press-ups! wants to see the other succeed and without them I certainly There are lots of functional wouldn’t be hitting personal movements to master but it’s all bests and getting the most out of about being patient and working the workouts. at your level. I am in no doubt Still confused as to what CrossFit is all about? Why not give it a go and find out! Corinna, a coach at Shaftesbury Crossfit. Corinna and Chris, the couple who run Shaftesbury CrossFit both started their CrossFit journey 5 years ago, They had never done any kind of regular fitness until they started CrossFit. Corinna was very slim and frail, and Chris was very overweight, The couple say CrossFit, along with good nutrition, has literally changed both their lives completely.

Always happy to answer your questions - send them to me on melmitchellmassage@gmail. com

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LEVEL UP IN JULY

£49 £41

SAVE £40 Monthly payment reverts to £49 from 1st January 2022 www.riversmeetgillingham.org Tel: 01747 834013 RiversMeet, Hardings Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4HX *Terms and Conditions Apply

HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

Summer Holidays: We’ve got your back! Summer’s here! And as restrictions ease, many of us are looking forward to a well earned break. While you’re packing for your trip, don’t forget our handy checklist on how to take care of your back while you’re away... The right suitcase

One of the simplest tips to ease the strain on your body when you’re going away is to choose a lighter suitcase. Harder and heavier cases will weigh a lot before even filling them, so choosing a lighter suitcase, especially one with wheels, will help to lighten the load and

prevent any strain on your body. Carrying two suitcases rather than a single heavy one helps to balance the weight evenly, keeping your back happy!

Drinking plenty of water reduces risk of illness and removes toxins from the body - which helps reduce any swelling or inflammation in your joints.

Travelling well

Folding Chairs

If driving to your destination, make sure you support your back as poor posture can aggravate and cause back problems. For best practice, position your seat at a slightly backwards angle, and keep your elbows in a relaxed position. Taking breaks at least every two hours is important to stretch and relax your body, regular breaks also help to prevent tiredness at the wheel.

Stay hydrated

It’s all too easy to let yourself get dehydrated on holiday, especially in hot weather.

If you’re heading to the beach, or out to the park, pack a lightweight folding or camping chair. Having a proper chair to sit in supports your back and improves your posture, which means aches and pains are less likely. If you’re experiencing aches, pains or niggles, don’t suffer in silence. We’ve got your back... and your neck, knees and shoulders too! Find out more about how we can help: chiropracticcareclinics.co.uk

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BEAUTY Caroline, a multi-award winning Dorset makeup artist, who runs ‘Amazing Face’, shares professional secrets from inside her beauty box.

Make Up For The Hot Summer Months You are finally off to a wedding or special occasion, but in sweltering heat. A thought probably pops in your head “is my make up up to scratch, and will it cope with the heat?” Make up for hot weather is a strangely derelict zone - but here’s my professional tips on what you need to give you fantastic results.

Exfoliate Good skin is the essence of great make up. It’s all very well wanting to look like a front cover girl, but you won’t unless your skin is in tip top shape. I am always amazed at the results gained from what I think is the most important part of any skin care routine; the use of an exfoliation scrub. It is the one thing that will make a difference to everything, from absorption of your moisturiser to texture, tone and overall radiance. Use it just once a week and the results are astounding. The removal of dead skin will make pores look smaller, the texture will be smoother and your moisturiser/serum will be absorbed properly (and therefore doing the job you bought it for...). Your skin can receive a jump start and go from dull to bright in seconds. Honestly, exfoliation is the best thing ever!

Moisturise A moisturiser boosts the oil and water in your skin to prevent flakiness, dryness, dullness and gives protection from the elements. It can also help different skin types regulate themselves, so becoming more ‘normal’. For special events choose a daytime product with a sunscreen but not a really high sun factor or the photographs will make your face paler than you want.

a deeper colour as you tan during the summer months; it saves buying another darker foundation that won’t get used much. Just pop a few drops into your regular base and voila - it will match your summer colour. (Nars Laguna Liquid Bronzer is currently sold out everywhere, but back in stock very soon)

Blush

A cream blusher for a pop of stained colour will last all day (my tip is Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow)

What you need in your Essentials Obviously your favourite make up bag: Primer

Refrigerate this product when overseas, it will soothe imperfections, keep that foundation/tinted moisturiser in place all day, help eliminate redness... it’s a welcome addition to your make up bag and a sure way to a flawless look. Use an oil free product, and only the bare minimum - don’t overdo a simple but perfect look.

Foundation and concealer

Use an oil-free base, oil-free tinted moisturiser or a bronzing gel - all with a silicone base to help stop melting in the heat. Concealer should also be light and non-oily. A little-known professional’s secret is a liquid bronzing product by Nars. It can be used on its own or mixed with your normal foundation to give

eyeshadow,eyeliner, eyebrows, lips, and your mascara should be waterproof.

Bronzer and highlighter

Try a light-absorbing powder, this works well and locks in colour, and can be topped up to absorb any shininess later in the day (just gently, you don’t want to matify and loose that glow).

Blotting paper (I pick mine up in Boots)

Really essential. Or gently roll a damp cool refrigerated new beauty blender sponge over the face to absorb shine and revive the skin from the heat.

‘Final little pro trick: when putting on your make up in the heat, do it in front of your fan. It keeps your face and product cool and your mind calm!’ 97

BUSINESS NEWS

Local Business Round Up with the Head of Dorset Chamber, Ian Girling Hello and welcome to my first column in the Blackmore Vale! I’d like to say a huge thank you to Laura for inviting me to have a regular column, and I really appreciate this opportunity to connect with the North Dorset business community.

I was raised in Shaftesbury, and many will know my family and remember our family business MacDougall Fuels.

I still have strong links to north Dorset, my parents and sister and her family still live in the town. Working in our family business as a young man really gave me an insight as to the hard work that goes in to running any business; the long hours, recruitment and staffing issues, the never-ending to-do list and of course the worries that come with owning a business. This has given me a real empathy with business owners, and over the years I have had the opportunity to work with and support thousands of businesses. In Dorset Chamber, we work with businesses of all sizes, with the majority of our members being small businesses. Small businesses make up over 99% of the UK’s business population and are the lifeblood of our economy. Our aim as the county Chamber is to support and help Dorset businesses succeed and grow. Dorset Chamber are a small business ourselves; a limited company employing around 20 people. We are not-forprofit, there is no share capital in the business and any profit is retained to help us deliver services, as opposed to being

paid to directors as dividends. this has been tremendously Our board of directors are successful, enabling businesses all business people who are across Dorset to attend our unpaid non-execs, giving freely events without the need for their time and support to travel – around 1,300 people Dorset Chamber. Our income attended 31 digital events in the comes from membership, last year and these virtual events our international trade will certainly continue. documentation We filmed and Small businesses published 50 service and delivery of a make up over 99% videos offering small number of practical advice of the UK’s business publicly-funded on support population and are for businesses business support programmes. the lifeblood of our during Covid. We worked closely economy. However like any with Dorset business, we need to be viable Council in helping businesses and face the same financial access grants, and our free pressures. business Gateway service When I became Chief Executive, (funded by Dorset LEP, offering my aim was to completely free support to all businesses modernise Dorset Chamber in Dorset) provided a lifeline to and I am very proud of the many businesses. energetic, modern, innovative We actively fed local issues Chamber we have become. in to the British Chambers of We are one of around 50 UK Commerce who did an incredible Chambers accredited by the job in lobbying ministers at the British Chambers of Commerce, highest levels for support for meaning we have a very strong businesses. Looking forward, we national voice. We work closely are optimistic about the recovery with town Chambers all across of the economy and are doing Dorset, and also act as a our best to help businesses voice for the Dorset business across the county as we look community within the media. forward to better times. We’ve just published our Annual Review - we’ve done our absolute best to support our members and the wider business community in what has been an incredibly challenging time for businesses, particularly for those mandated to close. We transformed our face to face events to virtual meetings and

I hope this gives you a good overview of the Chamber - ‘but what does it do’ is my most frequently asked question! See you next month - meantime do connect with me on LinkedIn! Until next time, Ian

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BUSINESS NEWS

North Dorset Town ‘Stur-ing’ with New Businesses

Sturminster Newton has seen a flurry of activity over the last couple of months, with three new businesses opening their doors in a town that has been featured on national radio in the last year for its thriving market place. Alongside the established range of small independents a diverse trio have been welcomed to broaden the town’s appeal and draw in new visitors.

Shake & Stur is deliciously decorated iniside with ice cream pastel stripes

Shake & Stur

Matt Clarke took over the neglected White Hart in early 2020 and relaunched it as the White Hart Alehouse. Constantly exploring new ideas for his business, in April he trialled an ice cream cart operating from the old coaching inn’s carriage entrance. The ice cream was such a success that he has now opened Shake & Stur Ice Cream Parlour, taking on the lease of the old bakery on Bridge Street - empty since Oxford’s moved to more spacious premises in the market square. Matt also has plans for a pizza offering, collaborating with

locally renowned pizza maker, Gianbattista Brocca, who visits local villages and towns in his mobile The Box authentic Italian pizza van.

OliBarber

Oliver Gittins is a Forever-Bridal is open by appointment only former pupil at Stur contemporary design that High School, and probably matches his fresh take on the youngest entrepreneur in barbering. town. He learned his craft at Bournemouth’s Mint Academy, Forever-Bridal known for the finest barbering On the same day that Oli opened courses in the South West. his Barbers Shop, Deborah of Oli only opened his doors last month, and has already had over Forever-Bridal opened her hers. 100 seated in his special Barbers An experienced business woman, she has created a warm, friendly chair. He’s making brilliant and welcoming environment for use of social media, with his brides to come and browse by Facebook page holding an everappointment. updating gallery of before-and Deborah is stocking an exclusive after shots whch will convince even the most cautious of clients collection of wedding gowns, all of which she has personally of Oli’s skill with the razor. chosen. Unlike so many other Centrally situated in a Grade II bridal shops, she caters for all listed building right beside the sizes and also holds a selection Market Cross, Oli has managed of accessories, jackets, veils and to combine the character of hairpieces. the building with a bright and

Oli Gittens has transformed the interior of the old Grade II listed building, creating a stylish welcome

Saving Energy in Leisure RiversMeet is a community owned leisure centre in the heart of North Dorset, whose aim is to help meet the needs of Gillingham and the wider area.

a not-for-profit company, we can also invest money saved on energy back into new projects.

ESG claim their heat pumps produce 82% less carbon than gas boiler heating.

Working with a grant from Low Carbon Dorset, RiversMeet has implemented energy saving technologies that will save an estimated 195 tonnes of CO2 and £48,000 per year.

Other smaller changes we have made include changing many of our lights to LED fittings that use less than 50% of the previous electricity. Installing aerated showerheads from EcoCamel use than 50% of the RiversMeet has less water that a typical implemented showerhead uses.

Many of these To do this we need to ensure changes can also be our business is sustainable both made in commercial energy saving financially and environmentally and domestic to ensure the future of the site t e c h n o l o g i e s From a business environments - you sense all of these for future generations. that will save can help improve changes mean costWasting energy and natural an estimated the efficiency of your savings, and for resources has both a financial home/workplace too. 195 and environmental cost. We tonnes Roversmeet more are now starting to realise the of CO2 and funds to re-invest into Our largest project the business. There’s impact and drain on natural £48,000 per no solid reason why is the patented resources. year air source heat every single business Demand for natural resources pumps, supplied wouldn’t be looking and land for expansion and installed by at their own energy is stripping the earth and ESG. Heat Pumps work by using consumption to see what increasing harmful pollutants in the ambient temperature in financial savings can be made, the atmosphere. the air and compressing it to and what environmental imapct There is also huge impact on higher temperatures using a can be reduced. nature, with small amount of the destruction Wasting energy and electricity. of habitats, natural resources has Low Carbon Dorset offer FREE illegal animal both a financial and They heat the trade, and the technical support and grant general effects funding for energy efficiency and environmental cost. building and water around of pollution. renewable energy projects. the building, but more importantly heating the As a business, every positive Funded by the European Regional air and water for the swimming change we make, from turning Development Fund (ERDF), Low pool, which costs approximately off a light or implementing new Carbon Dorset helps businesses, £96,000 per year and accounts energy saving technologies, community, and public sector for the majority of our energy helps reduce our energy organisations in Dorset. expenditure. consumption. As RiversMeet is

100

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

JIGSAW

Simply click to complete on your tablet, computer or phone - or there’s a download option if you prefer pen and paper.

This month’s jigsaw comes to you courtesy of Pog, the newest member of the house. Come on - we couldn’t resist... Click the image and the interactive jigsaw pops up.

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WHAT’S ON

Live music returns to Dorset!

This summer the grounds of Minterne House will be filled with live music as the house launches ‘Minterne Festival of Music’. With three concerts taking place across three days, each concert is a standalone event celebrating a different genre of music from classical to pop, ensuring there is something for everyone. Join us on Thursday 22nd July as one of most exciting British cellists of his generation, Guy Johnston, to perform a programme that includes Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Quintet Friday 23rd July will have everyone tapping their toes with internationally renowned jazz pianist Ben Waters and his band.

Saturday 24th July sees the three-day event close with 70’s pop nostalgia filling the grounds as Les Gray’s MUD II will have you stomping your feet singing along to their chart topping hits.

measures in place with guests being seated in their groups of up to four, and we ask that our audiences take all possible precautions and not attending if they have any signs of infection or have been asked ‘Three concerts to self-isolate. taking place Should you be across three days, unable to attend due any reason related each a standalone to to the pandemic, event celebrating we will offer you a a different genre full refund of your from classical to ticket including the booking fee.

To make use of our natural setting, performances will offer time to picnic and enjoy the grounds before the concert begins. With a selection of hampers available, pop’ guests are welcome to enjoy Tickets for each Minterne’s delicious offering event are sold in ‘pods’ with a delivered straight to their group. maximum of four guests per pod and guests can select from Alternatively, if they would ground or chair seating within prefer, guests are able to bring their pod. Guests are able to their own. So come and enjoy select the location of their ‘pod’ our beautiful surroundings at the time of purchase only. alongside and evening of sublime music. The dress code is discretionary All of our events will be run so if you enjoy dressing up, safely with social distancing please do! Minterne House looks forward to welcoming you to its beautiful grounds to enjoy an evening of sublime music in a beautiful setting.

To book your tickets or find out more visit https:// minterne.co.uk/minternefestival-of-music/ Contact: music@minterne.co.uk 102

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MINTERNE GARDENS

POLITICS

FESTIVAL MUSIC of

Tickets are available in covid friendly ‘pods’ of 4 starting at £160 per pod

GUY JOHNSTON and friends

Thursday 22nd July

Doors open from 12:30

Winner of BBC musician of the year 2000 and “Young British Classical Performer” of the year at the 2002 Classic Brit Awards. The programme will include Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Quintet.

BEN WATERS and his band

Friday 23rd July Doors open from 17:30

RETRO POP

Critically acclaimed and hugely talented pianist Ben Waters is Known to be one of the best pianists in the UK. Having played alongside the likes of Ronnie Wood, Jules Holland and Sir Ray Davies to name but a few, sit back and enjoy the show.

BOOGIE-WOOGIE

CLASSICAL

July 22·23·24 2021

70’s pop nostalgia

MUD II

Saturday 24th July Doors open from 17:30

Les Grey’s MUD II take to the stage playing legendary hits. The tight vocal harmonies and gritty guitar work so reminiscent of the original band perfectly replicated in a show that will have everybody stomping their Tigerfeet.

Tickets available from minterne.co.uk/minterne-festival-of-music PICNIC AVAILABLE ON BOOKING Contact music@minterne.co.uk for further information

MINTERNE MAGNA DORSET DT2 7AU

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WHAT’S ON Blackmore Vale Tuesday 6th July ZOOM opens 2.30pm Speaker 3.00pm

Professor Gerald Seaman My Musical Life in Russia or

How I Nearly Became James Bond

For more information about Blackmore Vale U3A call 01963 31077 or visit our website www.u3a.org.uk

The BBC 3 has recently held a week-long celebration of Stravinsky. You may regularly enjoy the channel’s Composer of the Week. Now you can continue that Russian theme with Professor Gerald Seaman, a well-known international authority on Russian music. His career gave him a unique insight into the Russian system of music education, being able to visit music specialist schools (an exceedingly rare experience for Western visitors),

to attend the Union of Soviet Composers and meet with many outstanding musicians including Shostakovich.

To hear Gerald’s talk, which would normally be held in Henstridge Village Hall, link into the Zoom talk on Tuesday 6th July at 3pm. To do this this - or if you would like to share your newly acquired lockdown skills with u3a groups please contact Susan Kidd skiddsbvu3a@gmail.com.

The Wincanton Town Festival Market will be running from 12pm – 9pm on Saturday 26th June, at 7 High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JN, at the Greening The Earth Gallery, formerly Clementinas. The Wincanton Town Festival mARkeT aims to be more than just a market. It aims to be a full body experience! This one-off event is set in and around the grounds of a truly captivating 17th century manor house in the centre of Wincanton. Artists from all disciplines will play, display, demonstrate and sell their special talents in and around this unique and picturesque setting. In the walled garden and lower orchard, families will be invited to take part in woodland crafts, forager walks, learn about no dig gardening, or simply to pet the goats. The BearCat Collective will be hosting a wide variety of talented local musicians.

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There will be a selection of food and drink stalls including stone baked pizza, crepes, candy floss and delicious cream teas and cakes. Espresso coffee powered by the sun is not to be missed! You are of course welcome to bring your own picnic to eat on the beautiful walled garden lawns.

This innovative event runs later in the evening than traditional markets from 12pm - 9pm. For more information email: wincantontownfestival@gmail. com and find us on Facebook wincantontownfestival.

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‘King Arthur’ - A fun and farcical family adventure! Somewhere in England, a long time ago, a very, very, very long time ago. So long ago that nobody quite knows whether it happened or not. Or where it happened or not. A boy pulled a sword from a stone and became King…. The Last Baguette make entertaining, accessible, and eccentric work for family audiences, and are resident artists at Pound Arts, Corsham. The company was formed from a shared love of theatre, bakery, and humour in Paris by graduates of the Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq schools. ‘King Arthur’ is a brand new, fun, and farcical adventure from

Affordable Art in Blandford The Friends of Blandford Hospital are absolutely delighted that their talented shop volunteer, Joan Capron, has agreed to stage another of her Affordable Art Exhibitions this summer in their Blandford Charity Shop. Joan’s charity exhibitions are always held on the basis of 100% donation and this will be her 4th exhibition for the Friends but follows many previous exhibitions for other charities. It has been a difficult year in which to prepare for an exhibition, particularly so for an artist instructed to Shield. Joan found herself shut away from many sources of inspiration and variety of art materials. However, the very determined lady rose to the challenge and experimented by painting on

WHAT’S ON

this internationally acclaimed company, which brings to life the well-known and muchloved Arthurian Legend. Packed with live music, physical comedy, and lo-fi acrobatics, expect a story of the old world with knights, wizards, mist, and magic. Dorset’s rural touring arts charity Artsreach is delighted to present ‘King Arthur’ for one special performance in the open air at Stalbridge Village Hall on Saturday 31 July at 2pm. Tickets must be booked in advance and full details about the event are available online. Find out more by visiting www.artsreach.co.uk anything that came to hand; slate, silk, stones, canvas, textured wallpaper and even cotton sheeting! She used pastels, inks, acrylic paints and powder, oils, pencil and collage and had great fun in doing so! To add to the variety of original art, other charity volunteers have offered to donate some examples of their work. The exhibition has always been “affordable”, bringing art within everyone’s reach and of course prices will remain low. However, this year Joan has made it even more affordable by offering, alongside framed original

Saturday 31 July, 2pm. Stalbridge Village Hall. 01963 362978

paintings, many mounted and signed prints at a fraction of the cost of the original. There will also be a large range of greetings cards produced by Joan.

The exhibition will run from Friday 30th July to Saturday 7th August From 10am-4pm In the Hospital charity shop in Barnack Walk. 105

WHAT’S ON

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Live Music in Blandford

Wessex Acoustic are back in Blandford with live music at The Corn Exchange, all socially distanced. Friday 25th June sees a night of great music featuring Gerry Colvin and Friends, supported by Simply Symons. The concert is scheduled to run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm with doors open from 7pm, subject to completion of sound checks. Gerry is a masterful singer, songwriter and all round entertainer, writing songs across many genres, from emotional ballads, through rhythmical, gentle, Latin American, to bouncy rock and roll. All these are accompanied by his off the wall humourous tales and one-liners. His friends, Patricia and Jerome, supply subtle, and not so subtle, accompaniment. Providing a mid evening break for Gerry, in place of an interval, we welcome the amazing husband and wife duo of Simply Simons with more traditional style folk music with a light touch. Current Covid precautions will be in place with spaced limited seating. No refreshments will be provided. You may bring your own but no alcohol please. Please keep your face coverings on at all times. If you cannot log into the government Track and Trace App system using the Exchange QRL code, please make sure a contact phone number is provided on the list at the entrance. Seats at £15.00 each may be booked by contacting Kathy (Box Office) on 01202 732239 or texting your name and number of tickets to 07590411515 to be paid for on the night in cash. Tickets may be purchased online with cards via the club website - www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk. You must pre-book or purchase online tickets prior to the evening as we are strictly limited on numbers. Come and have a highly entertaining and enjoyable musical evening after months of staying home.

Travel back in time & join our period costumed characters on a twilight walk in the shadow of the spectacular ruins of Corfe Castle. A whodunit with a difference – so expect the unexpected!

North Castle Field - opposite Castle View NT car park just north of the Corfe Castle ruins on the A351

July 21st & 28th and August 3rd, 11th & 17th 2021 Walk 7.00 till 8.30pm (approx) Tickets - £5 a head (under 5’s free)) Box Office - 07726 597318

Numbers may be limited due to Covid so book early!

For safety we will finish before dark!

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The event will take place whatever the weather. The walk includes rough grass and paths that are not wheelchair friendly. You all take part at your own risk.

DEATHS

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Pre-paid funeral plans

If you want your ashes sent into space, Holst’s The Planets played on your departure and your service broadcast on the web, have them. It’s your funeral.

PROPERTY SPECIAL

Our pre-paid, inflation-proof funeral plans guarantee the way you want to be remembered and protect your loved ones from unnecessary burden and costs.

Drop in to see us today, visit us at funeralcare.co.uk or call us on 0800 243 380 Funeral homes in: Frome l Gillingham l Shaftesbury l Sturminster Newton l Warminster

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Enter BLACKMOREVALE21 at: funeralcare.co.uk/funeralplans or take this coupon along to your local funeralcare home. *Terms & Conditions: The voucher may only be redeemed against eligible Southern Co-op funeral plans costing £3,000 or more and will be deducted off the cost at time of sale. The voucher has no cash value and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount, offer or promotion. For full terms and conditions visit: funeralcare.co.uk/ funeralplanterms, request a copy from any Southern Co-op funeralcare home or by calling 0800 008 6878. This voucher is valid until 31/12/2021.

Available 24 hours Personal service day & night. Pre-payment plans, memorials, private chapel of rest.

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SERVICES

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ADVERTORIAL

Apex Prime Care has expanded its services to provide complex care in the community.

The increasing demand for complex care in the community has led to Apex Nursing securing a successful bid for a Health Trust Europe contract. Health Trust Europe is part of HCA Apex Prime Care is a leading Healthcare, a leading healthcare domiciliary care provider with organisation, which is driven by 20 years’ experience, operating the care and improvement of across the South coast. Built on human life. sound principles, the family run ‘As Apex Prime Care grows and business knows the importance evolves, our values very much of caring for their loved ones and remain the same: we aim to has designed a comprehensive provide exceptional care to list of services to meet the needs our community and their loved of its service users. ones.’, said Malcolm Patrick, Managing Director, Apex Prime Apex Prime Care is expanding Care. with the establishment of Apex Complex care clients will require Nursing. The new department in extra assistance, and their care the Apex portfolio will differ ‘Apex will supply from general will supply Registered Nurses Registered Nurses and domiciliary and Health Health Care Assistants care. It typically Care Assistants involves to hospitals, nursing, to hospitals, medical and care homes, intervention nursing, and care homes, as as well as complex and specialist well as providing knowledge of domiciliary care’ their clients with an individual’s complex care in particular the comfort of their own homes. condition. Apex will be offering their Home Care Assistants career pathways Conditions that require complex and progression to fulfil some of care and clinical support can these roles. include Parkinson’s, acquired brain injuries or neurological

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conditions, congenital disease, or respiratory conditions. Complex care in the community means Apex clients are able to remain in the comfort and security of their own home, whilst receiving the care and support they need and deserve. If you or a loved one would like to discuss the care options available to you, contact Apex Prime Care on 0330 2020 200 or visit www.apexprimecare.co.uk

We are always looking for kind, caring and compassionate individuals to join our exceptional home care team. If you are looking for a career in care, Apex Prime Care could help you unlock your full potential. Visit our website to find out more about the opportunities available in your area. www. apexprimecare.co.uk Always free - subscribe here

Recruiting Now! Join our team and make a difference every day A career with Apex Prime Care is much more than just a job. Our home care assistants connect the community and support our clients in the comfort of their homes. Apply online at www.apexcareers.co.uk or call 0330 2020 200

JOBS

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JOBS

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PROPERTY

Voice of An Estate Agent:

The monthly commentary on the local property market from Susie & Brad, the north Dorset team at Meyers.

Goodness me what a month this has been, with everyone rushing to complete on their house purchases before the end of the Stamp Duty holiday deadline of 30th June! This months ‘Voice of an Agent’ is a big ‘shout-out’ to all the solicitors, lenders, brokers, estate agents, removal companies and clients themselves, who have pulled together really hard to make sure dreams are not shattered by missing out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Communication and teamwork has been exemplary over these crucial few weeks, and we at Meyers are very grateful for all the hard work that has been going on between all the ancillary services associated with the house buying and selling process.

But what happens now?

There are STILL savings to be made on Stamp Duty, with the basic level being increased from 1st July through to the end of September to allow purchasers

to receive a nill Stamp Duty on houses to sell in excess of their the first £250,000 of their next asking prices and in so doing, home purchase. largely precluded the chances Will this help of those the market to who have a ‘...one big ‘shout-out’ to mortgage and settle a little all the solicitors, lenders, favoured the bit? We certainly brokers, estate agents, pure ‘cash hope so; removal companies and buyer’. allowing more families to find clients themselves, who Details of the have pulled together new Stamp their perfect new beginning really hard to make Duty levels are is what Estate for you sure dreams are not below Agency is all and as ever, we shattered’ about, and at Meyers will with housing be delighted to stock numbers struggling to meet answer any questions you may demand, it will be a welcome have on how we can help you relief to see more houses with your next home move. becoming available for purchase. What can shift this change for the better? In our view, it is a return to the old ways now (please!) of allowing prospective home movers to view houses when they themselves are not currently on the market. COVID19 restrictions made this impossible, with all buyers being required to be ‘proceedable’, and this contributed massively to the ‘chicken and egg’ scenario with those who had sold their own homes, racing to secure their next one. This in turn, fuelled

Do get in touch with either of us in the north Dorset team: Brad Hansford – Shaftesbury on 07814 962 161 Susie Palin – Blandford on 07570 357 553

From 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021 inclusive • £0-£250,000 = 0% • £250,000-£925,000 = 5% • £925,000-£1,500,000 = 10% • £1,500,000 and above = 12% From 1st October 2021 the Stamp Duty Rates will return to normal so will be: • £0-£125,000 = 0% • £125,000-£250,000 = 2% • £250,000-£925,000 = 5% • £925,000-£1,500,000 = 10% • £1,500,000 and above = 12% First Time Buyers still won’t pay Stamp Duty on the first purchase up to the value of £300,000, so are exempt of Stamp Duty for the first £300,000 of any purchase.

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PROPERTY Play the videos for an inside tour - or click the image to go straight to the property.

Nr Sixpenny Handley - 4 Dble Bedroom Detached Family Home: £700,000

Shaftesbury - Stunning 4 Bed Detached with private rear garden - £400,00

Milborne St Andrew - 3 Bed end of terrace with countryside views- £300,000

Stalbridge - New 4 Dble Bed £425,00 119

POLITICS

3 bedroom detached house Piddlehinton £695,000

5 bedroom detached house Wimborne, £795,000

4 bedroom detached house Dorchester £625,000

4 bedroom detached house Shepton Mallet £490,000

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2 bedroom cottage POLITICS South Perrott £310,000

4 bedroom detached house Beaminster £650,000

3 bedroom end of terrace house Holywell Dorchester £325,000

3 bedroom semidetached house Yeovil £180,000

2 bedroom maisonette Dorchester 121 £148,000

POLITICS

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POLITICS

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:

Next Publication Date:

6th August

Submission Deadline:

30th July

Next Publication Dates:

3rd September 1st October Further forwards - publication always first Friday of the month. Copy booking deadline always the Friday prior to publishing

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Descending into Folly, near Plush. Image: Laura Hitchcock

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The Blackmore Vale July 21

Articles inside

Citizen's Advice Q&A

Book Corner

Random 19 - Tracy Chevalier

Garden Jobs

Barry Cuff | Voice of the Allotment

Out of Doors

Take a Hike

Farming

Animals

Brigit Strawbridge

Then & Now | Roger Guttridge

Wildlife