Blackmore Vale Edition 99

What’s inside this issue…

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Children in charge of the coffee as community hub opens in school

A NEW Community Hub has opened at Sherborne Primary School following widespread support from local groups and businesses.

The hub, in the school grounds, will be

funding to support this truly community-led project”.

The school would like to thank all the local businesses and groups which donated

Yeatman Hospital, Hunts Frozen Foods, Mogers Drewett Solicitors, Sherborne Churches Together, Sherborne Primary PTA, Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust

Priest Pat steps back in time

ONE of the first women to be ordained as a priest at Salisbury Cathedral has returned for a personal visit thanks to her Dorset care home.

Pat Stear, who has lived at Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton for the past four years, travelled with carers to the spot where her ordination service took place.

The trip came amid wider celebrations in the clergy to mark the 30th anniversary of the first women’s ordinations in the Church of England in 1994. At the time of her service in 1997, Pat was aged 59 and one of only 12 female priests to be

ordained at the cathedral.

She went on to minister in four parishes north of Dorchester – Bradford Peverell, Stratton, Frampton and Sydling St Nicholas.

Her time as a reverend followed periods living in Bournemouth and, for 13 years, in the United States. Her early life was spent in London.

Pat, who is now 86, journeyed back to the cathedral by minibus accompanied by friend and fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, whose husband was a priest, and Ruth Telford, a member of

Support for carers

If you look after a partner, family member or friend, Wincanton Carers Group is here to help.

The group offers support, practical advice, friendship and social events for unpaid carers in the area.

Wincanton Carers Group is part of Somerset Carers Service. It is a free, informal gathering for people who regularly look after someone in an unpaid capacity.

The group meets to socialise and talk about carers’ experiences. Professional speakers and service providers also visit to offer support and information.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month, from 2pm to 3.30pm at River Cale Cafe (Cemetery Lane, BA9 9ED).

For more information about the group, call Gwen on 07732 145684 or Cath on 07535 279359. It is best to call before attending the group for the first time in case of schedule changes.

For more general information call the Somerset Carers Service Advice Line on 0800 316 8600, email carers@somersetrcc.org.uk or visit www.somersetcarers.org

the home’s companionship team.

Helped by a volunteer guide, the party had a tour of the cathedral and saw the area where Pat would have donned her robes for the ordination service.

“She would no doubt have been filled with nervous anticipation at that point,” said Ruth. “Our lovely guide, Trish, then showed us exactly where Pat was ordained and pointed out the plaque showing which Bishop had taken the ceremony.”

Ruth added: “Pat first became interested in the ministry long before women priests were ever considered.

“As a child she was evacuated during the war to stay with a family on the south coast.

“The father was a vicar and Pat says that he was the influence behind her strong faith.

“She is a well-travelled lady and has lived in a number of

places in her life, including New York.

“She expressed a wish to revisit Salisbury Cathedral and see again where she was ordained, and we were only too happy to make this happen for her.”

After her trip back, Pat said: “I found it really lovely. The more we walked round, the more the memories came back. I really enjoyed the visit.”

Salisbury Cathedral held a special anniversary service on Saturday, June 15, to honour the first women’s ordinations 30 years ago.

The Bishop of Sherborne, The Rt Revd Karen Gorham presided, and Bishop June Osborne, former Dean of Salisbury, gave a sermon.

The service was attended by four of the first female priests ordained in Salisbury along with others currently living in the diocese.

West Bank wisdom

THE Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, will be sharing his thoughts on Israel and Palestine at a talk in Wincanton later this month.

Wincanton Quakers are hosting the talk by a speaker who has just returned from the West Bank.

The Quakers have managed Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAPPI) on behalf of the World Council of Churches since 2002.

It has allowed more than 1,500 people from 22 countries to spend time living among the people of the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and East Jerusalem.

EAPPI is non-violent and non-partisan. It uses the internationally recognised role of accompaniment as a framework, provides a protective presence and reports widely to raise awareness of human rights violations.

The talk is at the Balsam Centre on Monday, July 15, at 7pm and everyone is welcome at the open meeting.

Pat Stear (centre) at her ordination service in 1997 joined by family members

Pat Stear (seated right) at Salisbury Cathedral with fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke (seated left)

David Phipp House Furnisher to close it’s doors after 52 years

It is with great sadness to formally announce the retirement and subsequent closure of David Phipp House Furnisher of Ringwood Road Ferndown, effective from 30th September 2024.

The decision was not taken lightly and after much deliberation due to David suffering a recent bout of ill health, the family regretfully decided that it is time to finally close their doors.

Since opening in 1972, they have greatly valued the support of their customers and their local community.

David said ‘none of this would have been possible without the loyal custom and the incredible dedication of our staff, whom I consider family. I have loved every minute; I am very lucky to be able to say that.

We will close the doors in September after 52 years - I will miss it dearly’

The Directors of David Phipp House Furnisher would like to invite you to their Retirement – Closing Down Sale

From Monday 24th June 9am

All items in store will be reduced with AT LEAST 35% OFF & IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Sofas, dining furniture, beds, bedroom furniture, mattresses, sofa beds, kitchen stools & tables, pillows, mattress protectors, lamps, pictures, mirrors, ornaments and much more…

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

They are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for their customers and employees in the coming weeks as they proceed with the winding down process and assure you that all outstanding obligations to their customers will be fulfilled.

Over the coming weeks they really hope customers, old and new, will visit them, if only to say goodbye.

David Phipp and family look forward to welcoming you one last time!

Comedy festival hangs in the balance

THE organisers of the Somerset Comedy Festival – which was to be held at venues across the county – have had to cancel more shows, following poor ticket sales.

And they have urged the public to step forward and support the shows that are still on.

It was announced recently that the bulk of the shows –including those featuring big comedy names like Sean Walsh and Simon Brodkin – would have to be called off as the festival hit a cash crisis.

But at the time, main organiser Trish Caller said she hoped some of the smaller shows could be saved. However, she has now announced that 12 more have fallen.

She said: “It’s just down to slow ticket sales, I’m afraid. I do understand these are difficult times for everyone, but now I have really difficult decisions to

make and it’s been so hard for me.

“In one case we had Susie McCabe driving down from Glasgow to appear at two venues over two evenings. When the first one was cancelled, it wasn’t viable for her to make the journey. This happened to another wonderful act for the same reason.

“If we are to continue with the shows that are left, we would urge people to support them so that all our hard work

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isn’t for nothing. It will also give confidence that we must try again next year.

The website www. somersetcomedyfestival.co.uk gives full details of the shows still going ahead.

It is hoped that some comedy performances in Taunton – at the CICCIC centre, The

Minster, the Castle Hotel and the Tacchi Morris Theatre – as well as a performance by doctor-turned-comedian Dr Phil Hammond at Bridgwater Arts Centre might still go ahead.

When the festival was first launched, shows at 40 venues across Somerset throughout July were announced.

Trish said: “We have learned important lessons from this year, and I am determined to try again next year. The comedy festival has been a dream of mine for so long.

“I know we can make a success of this – I know the people of Somerset love comedy. There were many things that conspired against us this year. Next year will be different.”

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Drumhead service

THE Fovant Badges Drumhead Service will be held at 3pm on July 7, at East Farm, Fovant (SP3 5JD).

Each year since 1961, the Fovant Badges Society has held a Drumhead Service of Remembrance at East Farm Fovant courtesy of the landowner Mr Ed Williams.

The service takes place on the first Sunday in July, this being the closest to July 1, the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

This year the guest of honour swill be Lt. Gen. Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE and the service will be conducted by Reverend Colin Fox.

Music is provided by the Shaftesbury Town Band. Afterwards, weather permitting, afternoon tea will be in the garden of East Farm.

The Drumhead Service will start at 3pm, please be seated by 2.45pm.

Any questions email fovantbadgeshelp@gmail.com

Have your say on changes to town centre

BLANDFORD Town Council is calling on residents to have their say on proposals that would see the loss of parking spaces but potentially help make the town centre more vibrant.

It is considering using the nine parking spaces on the west of Market Place – to the left of the town hall, outside Reeve, Stuart Pearce Butcher and Taylor’s – as a pedestrian area for a trial period of six months.

The area would still be used for a street market on Thursday and Saturday but out of those times could become a sitting out area or be used for musical and theatrical performances, by local groups and charities to promote their work or for pop-up food vans, among other possibilities.

The parking spaces to the right of the town hall and Corn Exchange – outside the Spar shop – would remain.

The council acknowledges that some residents may think the loss of parking spaces could adversely affect town centre shops.

The proposal is a monthly agenda item at town council meetings, and anyone is welcome to attend a meeting to hear discussions and express their opinion.

The council has launched a public consultation and anyone who would like to give their view can pick up a copy from the town council office in Legion House, Church Lane, or visit https://forms.office.com/e/ syDKRUhbMC

The consultation closes on August 31.

Freemasons fund support and services for blind people in Dorset

MORE than 500 blind and visually impaired people across Dorset will receive essential support and services thanks to a grant from Dorset Freemasons to the Dorset Blind Association charity.

The £36,000 grant will fund social and activity clubs for older blind people, who very often have difficulty maintaining an active social life.

The association provides more than 20 social clubs and activity groups where individuals can meet regularly.

The three-year funding will be primarily used to cover venue hire, transport and entertainment

Jonathan Holyhead, chief executive of Dorset Blind Association, said: “We’re immensely grateful to Dorset Freemasons for their generous support.

“This grant will allow us to relieve the loneliness and isolation that is all too common among blind and visually impaired people.

“Our charity provides help and support in ways that make a real,

positive difference in those people’s lives.”

Stephen James, from Dorset Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help the Dorset Blind Association with their hugely important project among visually impaired people from our community.

“Sadly, loneliness and isolation is all too common among people who have lost their sight and it’s great that this wonderful charity is able to organise regular social activities and entertainment for them on a long term basis.”

Spectacular summer sunflowers

GET ready to enjoy the spectacular 2024 Sunflower Trails at Maiden Castle Farm – and all the other Sunflower events being planned in and around Dorchester this summer.

Money raised from the events supports Dorset County Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

This year the sunflower trails will be complemented by a range of events and activities at Maiden Farm and around Dorchester.

Dorchester Town Council’s Matilda Manley said “We’re running a number of special events to tie in with the sunflower theme – these include a Sunflower Summer Spectacle in Dorchester on Saturday 24 August with fun family activities for all ages.”

There are also plans for an early evening run through the sunflower fields and around Maiden Castle, with a choice of 5km and 10km routes.

Another exciting new event is a new art competition. Four

categories of painters will be encouraged to take part, from expert to under 16s, who will find a suitable location to set up their equipment then paint or draw their impressions of the sunflowers, to be later judged by a small panel.

Dorset County Hospital Arts in Hospital Manager, Suzy Rushbrook said,

“We’re really looking forward to this element of the sunflower summer – to bring together new and established local artists in a beautiful setting to create their own works of art. We hope to exhibit some of the winning paintings in the hospital’s new Emergency Department when it’s finished, so more people can enjoy them.”

Hazel Hoskin of Maiden Castle Farm said,

“We’ll have to wait and see what the weather brings before we can provide the exact dates the sunflower trails will open, but keep an eye on our website so that you can book your tickets

as soon as they go on sale. We’re keeping the price the same as last year, just £5 per person. We’ll also have activities for children to take part in as they explore the trails.”

Hazel added,

“We’ve also got an amazing raffle with prizes including a fantastic driftwood sculpture and driftwood art workshops, to create your own sculpture to take home. Plus Sundowner events in the evening – perfect for watching the sun set over

the sunflowers – and a pilates evening!”

The Dorset County Hospital Charity team are working with Hazel, Matilda, and the wider team to make this the best sunflower spectacular so far! Keep an eye out for further information at www. maidencastlefarm.co.uk/ sunflower-trail

For more information about the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal visit www. dchcharity.org.uk

The Provincial Grand Master for Dorset, Stephen James, at a Dorset Blind Association presentation afternoon

Full steam ahead for village festival

A PARADE of steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars will officially open Kington MagnaFest, the first music and craft fair festival to be held in the village, later this month.

The “proper Dorset event” will include 25 craft stalls, a cider and beer bar, hot food all day – barbecue by night, Pimm’s and Ploughman’s tent, three live bands, “kidszone” and garden produce show.

The event is on Saturday, July 20, and the parade at 10.30am is sure to kick the day off with a – steam – blast!

The main attraction is Freddie, a Foden C steam wagon, which took villager Turbo Vincent three years to build from scratch.

The rally will also include a steam roller, half-size model steam engine, at least three vintage tractors, two old Landrovers, five vintage/classic cars and motorbike with sidecar, with more vehicles expected.

The rally will wind through Kington Magna to the MagnaFest showground off Church Hill at 11am. Depending on ground

conditions, it will continue into the grounds or park on the street for judging.

Festival-goers are being encouraged to enter their fruit and vegetables, with nine categories, including wonkiest veg, artistic fruit and home-made drink. Three categories are for under-12s only.

The Woodland Trust, Wessex Internet and Puggs Meadow Flowers of Kington Magna are among stallholders, alongside craft jewellery, cakes, hand-made clothes, metal and glass workers and classic country fayre – jams, pickles and marmalade. An artisan coffee and cakes van will also be there.

Live music will be provided by solo guitarists and three local bands – Oryx, Mustang Sally and Tom and The

Clementynes – starting at 1pm and running through to 10pm.

It will be by far the biggest event the village has ever undertaken and aims to raise £7,000 to pay for repairs to the west window of the village church.

All-day adult tickets are £8 in advance – visit ticketsource.co.uk/kingtonmagnafest – or £10 on the day. Children under 16 are admitted free.

More details are available on Facebook – search kingtonmagnafest.

Freddie at a previous Kington Magna street fair

Air quality below global standards

A NEW campaign has been launched to encourage Sherborne drivers to switch off their engines when they think they’ll be stopped for more than two minutes.

Unnecessary idling – running a vehicle’s engine when parked or waiting for more than a few minutes – impacts everyone’s health and wastes fuel.

Pollution hotspots in Sherborne include the area around the station and railway crossing, the bottom of Cheap Street, and the A30 at Greenhill.

The campaign is a project of Sherborne’s Climate Cafe.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Unnecessary idling is common all over Sherborne.

“Whether it’s drivers not switching off their engines while they wait for passengers in town, parents idling while they wait for the school gates to

open, or cars and lorries leaving their engines running for 10 minutes or more while waiting at the railway crossing.

“We’re encouraging drivers to follow RAC advice to switch off their engines when parked or stopped for more than a couple of minutes.”

Motor vehicle idling is a major source of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate pollution known as PM2.5, which take a long time to clear, especially in tight spaces near buildings and walls.

Levels of PM2.5 and nitrogen NO2 exceed World Health Organization (WHO) limits in many parts of Sherborne, according to Imperial College London data published on the Address Pollution website.

Organisers of the campaign say that levels of PM2.5 exceed WHO limits outside every school in the town.

Short-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 can cause wheezing and worsen symptoms of asthma.

Longer-term exposure can impair lung development in children and cause respiratory and heart disease.

Idling costs drivers and businesses money too – idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine on most modern vehicles.

As well as this, idling causes needless CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change, and noise pollution.

Jill Warburton, health inequalities lead for the Sherborne Area Primary Care Network said: “Air pollution, which is made worse by unnecessary idling, is harmful to everyone but some people are more at risk.

“Children aged 14 and under and people over 65 are most

affected, as are people with conditions like asthma, or heart problems.

“This is linked with increased hospital admissions for people with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.”

Businesses and organisations can pledge their support for the campaign by completing a short form at bit.ly/sherbornepledge. They can also ask staff and visitors to switch off their engines when parked or stopped at or near their premises and display campaign posters.

Businesses and organisations that have already pledged support for the campaign include the Sherborne Chamber of Commerce, Red Panda Eco Shop on South Street, Sherborne Abbey Primary School, Sherborne Primary School, Sherborne Preparatory School, Kaleidoscope Nursery, and Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust.

Brownie DIY

PHOTOS AND TEXT: Sparkle Owl

YOUNGSTERS in 1st Mere Brownies and Guides made their dads a gift for Father’s Day – with a little help from Nelson Reynolds, the husband of one of the Brownie leaders.

He told the 20 girls about the tools in his tool box and demonstrated how to use them.

He then helped them make a key rack, including drilling, screwing hooks in, sanding and decorating the racks.

High quality, traditionally made furniture. Residential and contract upholstery in the Dorset area since the 1980s.

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New president for Dorset society

THE multi award-winning screenwriter, actor, novelist and director Julian Fellowes is set to become president of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society this autumn.

Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, DL, will be following in the footsteps of the author Thomas Hardy as president of the society, which owns Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

He is taking over from Lady Susan Bradbury, who is standing down after 10 years and who oversaw a programme of critically acclaimed exhibitions and the re-opening of the newly transformed museum in 2021.

Lord Fellowes is a longtime resident of Dorset and has supported and donated to the Museum & Art Gallery for many years.

He has been nominated as president of an organisation with more than 1,000 members which seeks to collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects relating to the culture of Dorset.

Lord Fellowes is the creator of Downton Abbey and current hit series The Gilded Age

He won an Academy Award for his Gosford Park screenplay and has also adapted books such as The Wind in the Willows and Vanity Fair for stage and screen.

He helped lead a six-year campaign to protect the cottage where Thomas Hardy wrote Far From the Madding Crowd from property developers, and is a supporter of regional and national healthcare charities.

Lord Fellowes said: “I am both delighted and extremely honoured to be put forward for this role.

“The museum has grown and developed during my time here, so I have been able to witness its transformation into the marvellous place it is today.

“In fact, I have lived in the county for long enough to know that the combination of its natural evolution from its Jurassic beginnings combined with its role in the history of our country makes it unique.

appreciated the support of Lord Fellowes for many years.

“The thought of being a custodian for its past, its present and its future, fills me with joy.”

Executive director Claire Dixon said: “Dorset Museum & Art Gallery has hugely

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“His commitment to Dorset and, in particular, his clear interest and passion for the culture and heritage within our county, means he is well placed to serve as our president, and we are excited about his decision to stand.”

The role of president is recommended by the board of trustees and elected by the society’s members.

PHOTO: Alison Rosa Cohen

Get set for two great rural days out in Dorset

The annual Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show returns on Wednesday August 14th and Thursday August 15th for two great days of rural attractions.

This renowned agricultural event, organised by the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, is celebrating 30 years at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe, so this year promises to be even more special.

Expect a line-up of stunning attractions - livestock parades, agricultural and countryside exhibits, equestrian events, vintage machinery and cars, charming steam engines, live bands, a funfair and many other exciting attractions.

As well as an array of rare and unusual sheep, cattle, pigs and goats, this year welcomes Joseph’s Amazing Camels to the main arena. These famous humpbacked beauties have been featured on TV and in films including Disney and Marvel movies.

The main ring is also home to pocket-rocket Shetland pony racing, competitive showjumping and the notto-be-missed Grand Parade of Livestock which showcases the region’s finest farm animals. The Show offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the heart of Dorset’s rural community

with a host of countryside activities and sports such as hilarious ferret racing, skilled gun dog and magical falconry displays.

This year, the Heavy Horse Village makes a welcome return where you can witness the majestic beauty of these magnificent creatures adorned in their decorative harnesses as well as see them compete.

One of the most stunning sights at the show is the Horticulture Marquee which welcomes over 1,500 entries including flowers, vegetables and cookery! Which lemon drizzle cake will you vote for?

There’s a host of fine Dorset food and drink on offer too. Indulge yourself in locally produced cheese, cake, cider, coffee, flapjacks, gin and so much more.

The Show welcomes dogs on lead and mobility scooters are available for hire on the day.

Family tickets available now at early-bird prices £41 for two adults and two children.

Two-day tickets also available. Free parking. Visit www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

SCAN FOR TICKETS

Leap of Faith: Jump for a Nurse!

Registrations have opened for the Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Skydive, which takes place on Saturday 21st September at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury.

Participants will be taking an adrenaline-pumping 10,000ft leap into the skies to raise essential funds and awareness of the hospice nurses and the vital services they provide in our community at Lewis-Manning.

This unique event not only promises an unforgettable experience but also offers participants a chance to learn more about the incredible work that the hospice nurses do supporting patients and their families impacted by life limiting illnesses across Poole, East Dorset, Purbeck and West Hampshire. Skydivers will be paired up with a hospice nurse and will support the vital work they do in our communities every day in hospice hubs and in patient’s homes.

A ’Meet the Nurses’ event will be held at the hospice in Poole on the Thursday 4th of July, from 12.30 – 2pm, where skydivers can visit the hospice and hear about the vital work first hand from the clinical team.

The nurses are proudly supporting the campaign, and many have signed up to skydive themselves. Staff Nurse Hannah Quick said

“I have seen first-hand the amazing people this money will support. My patients show me every day how brave and courageous they are, so I feel it’s only right for me to do something out of my comfort zone!”

money will support. My patients show me every day how brave and courageous they are, so I feel it’s only right for me to do something out of my comfort zone!”

Among the brave individuals taking part is Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber of Commerce. With a life-long fear of heights, Ian is facing the challenge head-on.

Ian advised, “I cannot wait to skydive for Lewis-Manning! I have been absolutely terrified of heights my whole life and even experience vertigo when looking up at the sky. When I was asked to take part, I realised it would be a great opportunity to face my biggest fears, as well as raise money for a vital cause. The nurses at Lewis-Manning need our help, and I am proud to support them as much as I can, to allow them to continue delivering extraordinary hospice care.”

Area fundraiser India Turner said, “We are super proud of our amazing team of skydivers signed up so far. Their bravery will have such a positive impact for our nurses and allow them to continue delivering extraordinary hospice care. We would urge anyone interested in joining in, to register on our web site. It’s going to be a fun day!”

https://lewis-manning.org.uk/skydive/

Pimperne to Petra

A WOMAN from Pimperne will be following in the footsteps of the Bedouins on a charity walk this autumn.

Petra Peters will be walking with a party including her son Ben on the trek to Petra in Jordan in aid of Julia’s House children’s hospice.

The 50-mile walk in November comes a few days after Petra’s 55th and Ben’s 25th birthdays.

It will see them follow an ancient Bedouin migration route and camp under clear starry skies.

Petra and Ben only found out recently they could go on the trip and have less than two months to achieve their fundraising goal, which must be reached three months before they leave.

Anyone who would like to donate to Julia’s House through their fundraising pages should visit www.justgiving.com/page/ petrapeters and www.justgiving.com/page/benpeters

Julia’s House provides practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition in their own homes, in the community and at its own hospices.

Petra is known as the “Rose City” because of the colour of the sandstone from which it is carved.

Celebrating difference

CULTURAL diversity will be celebrated at the Yeovil Together Festival at Westlands Entertainment Venue next weekend.

The event will include culturally diverse food, live music, performances and interactive dance, family-friendly culturally creative workshops, stalls run by a variety of organisations, a miniature railway and much more.

It is open to everyone and visitors are invited to wear clothes that celebrate their cultural heritage.

A spokesperson said: “The event will provide an opportunity to learn about different cultures, build connections and appreciate the unique contributions of individuals and groups.”

The free, family friendly event is being staged by Love Yeovil and Somerset Diverse Communities (SDC) on Sunday, July 14, from noon-5pm.

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UNIQUELY YOURS

Platinum Skies pledges over £10k to Help for Heroes with the opening of 21 luxury apartments at Finch House in Salisbury.

After a three-year restoration, the iconic 19th century Grade II-listed Finch House in Salisbury has been fully returned to its original grandeur and transformed into a selection of homes, each one an exceptional blend of luxury and affordability.

This marks the completion of the final phase of Platinum Skies’ redevelopment of the wider Old Manor Hospital site, aptly now named Chapters.

In appreciation of Salisbury’s military connections and the veteran community at Chapters, affordable retirement living brand Platinum Skies has partnered with armed forces charity, Help for Heroes, to raise funds and awareness. Platinum Skies has pledged to donate over £10,000 to the charity from the sales of Finch House retirement living apartments.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community, supporting veteran families from any branch of the UK military irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces. The charity has already supported more than 31,000 people.

There are many challenges that can make transitioning from the military to civilian life tough. Help for Heroes provides veterans with tailored and holistic support with their physical and mental health, welfare, and social needs.

Mark Edwards, CEO of Platinum Skies, said, “We are extremely proud to be a community partner with Help for Heroes, as Platinum Skies’ ethos is based around supporting individuals during their retirement in an environment where they can live life to the fullest.”

The launch of Finch House was celebrated on 15th May by a gathering of military Veterans from the community at Chapters, Spencer Mulholland from Fisherton Historian Society, and special guest Dolly O’Connor, now 95 years old, who worked at Old Manor Hospital when she was 18.

John Carpenter, Community Fundraising Manager for Help for Heroes, and Veteran Megan Lloyd (with army veteran dog Denver!), cut the ribbon with Dolly to mark the launch of the unique apartments at Finch House.

Heather Powell, Help for Heroes’ Head of Communities Events and Trading, said: “Our vital work with veterans – and their families – depends on the generosity of organisations like this and the public at large. As a caring organisation itself, Platinum Skies understands why we do what we do and how we go about it.”

To find out more about the restoration of Finch House in Salisbury, visit finchhousesalisbury.co.uk

Rural enterprise scoops top award

WESSEX Internet has been heralded as the best Rural Enterprise in the UK at the Countryside Alliance Awards, held at the House of Lords.

The awards, now in their 17th year and commonly referred to as ‘the rural Oscars’, recognise businesses that go the extra mile within their communities and support the rural economy.

From thousands of nominees across the UK, the company topped a public vote in the southwest region and was selected as the overall national winner by a panel of judges.

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO at Wessex Internet, said:

“I’m over the moon that we have been recognised as Rural Enterprise champion. This is a huge testament to the history of the business, the hard work of

all of our people, and because we have stayed true to our values since forming as a small company to help our neighbours to now serving rural communities across Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

“It was particularly heartening for the judges to recognise not only the impact we make directly on the rural economy as a growing company and local employer, but more widely that the ultrafast broadband we provide enables other rural businesses to thrive and allows people living in the countryside to enjoy a higher quality of life.

“Whether by enabling remote and hybrid working for professionals, keeping businesses connected to their

customers, helping families to keep in touch with loved ones, or simply enabling people to enjoy the range of entertainment and essential services available online, we are determined to bridge the digital divide.”

North Dorset businesses were well represented at the House of Lords, with Andrew Stevenson-Hamilton, the proprietor of the Child Okeford Village Shop, also in attendance to receive the Highly

Commended National Award for Best Village Hall & Post Office, after topping the southwest region.

The shop, which is only three miles away from Wessex Internet’s headquarters in Shroton, is a great example of the rural circular economy: stocking products from local suppliers, employing local people, and providing an essential and popular service.

Sally Somers, head of marketing, and Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO

Children go wild in the woodland

THE woodlands came alive at Oysters Coppice at Gutch Common, near Semley, when more than 120 children from five local primary schools enjoyed a day of activities.

The pupils from Chilmark and Fonthill Bishop; Hindon; St John’s, Tisbury; Semley; and Wardour had a wild time getting up close to nature.

Eleven stands featured birds of prey – brought by Two Bird Experiences, pond-dipping, ticks and minibeasts – organised and staffed by Porton Down, hurdle making, dormice and small mammals, commandos, bushcraft – managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, clay faces, meet the badgers, making animal homes with Chase and

Chalke, and building bug hotels.

A spokesperson for the event said: “None of this would have been possible without our amazing band of willing and very capable volunteers who shared their experience and their knowledge with the children.

“We are grateful to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – which owns and manages Oysters Coppice – for

allowing us to run the event again and to holidaycottages. co.uk for their support, too.

“A fabulous experience was had by everybody, and the rain held off until it was time to go home, tired, muddy but exhilarated.

“We’ll be doing it again in two years’ time, so enjoy the peace and tranquillity until then!”

Biography is a tale of rags to riches

A STORY of two Victorian brothers who founded the international publishing firm Macmillan has just been published, written by a former Sherborne resident and head girl of Lord Digby’s School for Girls, which was housed in what is now the arts and events centre, The Sherborne.

Literature for the People is the rags to riches story of two boys with very little education who founded one of the first global publishing empires and created a dynasty that produced Harold Macmillan, UK Prime Minister from 1957-63.

Sarah, whose family name was Penney when she was head girl of Digby’s in 1979-80, went on to a career in the City before becoming an author.

Sarah who writes under her married name of Harkness, left Digby’s to study at Oxford and then worked in corporate finance for 20 years, latterly as a partner at Arthur Andersen.

Her parents, Reg and Eileen Penney, remained in Sherborne until they passed

away in the 2000s. Reg was chair of the Sherborne Society for many years.

In Literature for the People, Sarah tells the story of Daniel and Alexander Macmillan, who were born on a croft on the Isle of Arran until their father was thrown off his land, forcing the family to move to the mainland.

The boys became apprentices in the book trade, then started their own shop in Cambridge and finally a London-based publishing house which brought authors like Lewis Carroll, Tom Hughes and Charles Kingsley to the increasingly literate Victorian public.

The book’s recent launch event in London brought together many surviving descendants of the Macmillan brothers, including Lord Stockton, Harold Macmillan’s grandson.

Since leaving the world of finance, Sarah has had roles in higher education, including three years as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, and been a non-

executive director in the NHS.

She is currently a trustee of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield University and an Honorary Fellowship at Mansfield College, Oxford.

Her first book was a biography of Victorian artist and feminist pioneer Nelly Erichsen.

Literature for the People is published by Pan Macmillan.

Author Sarah Harkness (neé Penney)

The show must go on

IT’S never too late to enjoy the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, thanks to new extended hours!

This year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is offering visitors even longer to enjoy their rural day out. The Show – which runs on Wednesday August 14 and Thursday August 15 – will, for the first time, be open until 10.30pm on the Wednesday.

After the main show closes at 6pm, visitors on a day ticket can now stay into the evening to enjoy live music from great local bands.

The line-up includes Fair Play, offering a medley of funk, soul, pop and disco. If the ‘heavy monster sound’ is more your thing, you’ll love Big Brass Ska, whose stage show includes songs made famous by Bad Manners, Madness and The Specials.

The lively Mustang Sally will keep the party atmosphere going.

While you dance under the stars, you can grab some great food and drink with a fully licensed bar and pop-up street food.

If you can’t get to the Show for the full day, there’s a special entrance rate on the Wednesday from 3pm – adult tickets £10 and family tickets £24.

Show organiser Cat Harris said: “There’s always a feel that visitors want to stay longer to relax in the great setting of our Showground after their busy day enjoying all the wonderful rural attractions.

“Our extended hours on the Wednesday

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will allow them to do this and get even more for their money with the bonus of free evening entertainment.”

She added: “We’ve also listened to feedback from people who can’t make the whole day due to work or other commitments so giving afternoon access to the Showground at a reduced price seems the perfect scenario.”

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow. co.uk

Choose

Gigaclear

Show organiser Cat Harris

Carers bowled over by treats

GILLINGHAM’S registered unpaid carers have been treated to a delicious afternoon tea hosted by Gillingham Bowling Club.

The “thank you” tea was courtesy of Gillingham Medical Practice in recognition of all the hard work unpaid carers do

looking after loved ones to enable them to live at home in familiar surroundings.

About 50 carers attended the event, some with the people they care for.

They were able to meet other carers and chat with members of the bowling club who were happy to share their bowling passion and offer a bowling experience.

The mayor of Gillingham, Cllr Roger Weeks, a carer himself, helped with the raffle, which included a bouquet donated by Pamplemousse and organic toiletries by Neal’s Yard.

Cllr Weeks said: “It is so humbling to hear about and to witness the self-sacrifice of our carers.

“Each day they go above and

Cllr Roger

Gillingham Bowling

beyond to care for their loved ones.”

Claire Lockett, carers lead at Gillingham Medical Practice, said: “Gillingham Medical Practice is extremely grateful to all our carers.

“Caring for a loved one has its challenges, and it is our pleasure to acknowledge all

Tolman,

carers during Carers Week 2024.

“In partnership with Gillingham Bowling Club, we have been able to not only thank our wonderful carers but also support a local organisation that provides a valued facility in the community where people of any age can socialise and participate in lawn bowls.”

L to R: Lynne White, Carers Support Dorset; Claire Lockett, social prescriber and carers lead at Gillingham Medical Practice; mayor of Gillingham,

Weeks; Mike

president of

Club; and Clare Ratcliffe, wellbeing manager at Gillingham Medical Practice

PHOTO: Gillingham Bowling Club

Mere modellers

TEXT AND PHOTO: George Jeans

VISITORS came from far and wide, as well as locally, when Mere & District Railway Modellers Club held an exhibition in the town’s Lecture Hall.

They viewed a great selection of model railway layouts over the two days of the event.

The 5184 layout, attended by Graham Sheppard and Mr Lapham (pictured below), was designed for and proved popular with children.

Hayes home walks

RESIDENTS at The Hayes residential home in Sherborne have been stepping to it and raising money for a good cause during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Some 35 residents walked a collective total of 53.52 miles in April and May and raised £200 for the Alzheimer’s Society. They did lots of walks nearby but also visited Yeovil, Weymouth and Shaftesbury for other walks – and did laps of the playground with the children at a local primary school. Everyone who took part in the walks received a certificate and a medal at a presentation coffee morning.

History lessons

by Marilyn Willoughby

THE FILGroup, from Fovant, visited The Vyne, a National Trust property in Hampshire dating from the 13th century, for its annual outing.

Members and friends made an early start, leaving Fovant to arrive in time for a guided tour of the house before it opened to the public.

The guides provided a general history of the house and chapel, whetting visitors’ appetites for a slower mooch through the rooms of the manor house, which has been home to the aristocracy for five centuries.

After the tour and a coffee break, everyone went their separate ways to walk the grounds, along the river bank, through the woods and around the walled garden – or just to watch the geese and goslings on the rear lawns.

After lunch and lots of chatter, everyone descended once more on the house to discover at their leisure the treasures on display.

They also heard from the individual guides in each room stories involving Henry VIII, about architectural renovations over the years and how the house became a boys’ school in the Second World War.

They Vyne is not a huge house as stately homes go but is beautifully presented with lots of interesting artefacts.

Everyone agreed it had been a most enjoyable day.

FILGroup meets every month in Fovant Village Hall and allows members to make new friends and catch up with old, to join workshops and hear guest speakers.

For more information, email filgroup15@gmail.com

Stalwart Linda stands down after 47 years with the NHS

LONG-SERVING Yeovil Hospital staff member – Linda Hann – has retired after helping patients and staff for more than four decades.

Linda began her career at Yeovil Hospital in 1977 and now, 47 years later, has stood down.

She has had many roles at the hospital over the course of her career, from nursing and managerial positions, to her most recent job as lead chaplain.

Linda has lived and worked in Somerset and neighbouring Dorset all her life, and admits she actually had no clue what she wanted to do after leaving school.

“When I finished school at the age of 16, I began working for a building society and stayed for five years,” she said.

“In 1977 a friend suggested that I consider a career as a nurse, so I became a student nurse, and apart from five years at Yeovil College, I’ve been working for the NHS locally ever since.

“I qualified as a state registered nurse at the hospital in 1980, and I spent a few years in staff nurse posts, before being promoted to a ward sister post on one of the two surgical wards at Yeovil Hospital.

“One of my biggest challenges was taking a team onto two struggling wards at Yeovil Hospital for a year, to turn them around.

“One of the two ward sisters that I took

with me was our current service group director for patient flow, Mandy Carney. I’ve worked with so many wonderful colleagues over the years.

“I became the patient experience manager in 2012, overseeing PALS, complaints, bereavement, volunteers, and our wonderful ‘front desk’ team. It was during those five years that I grew to appreciate the enormous contribution that our volunteers make.

“I’ve been the lead chaplain for seven years, the last eight months of that being Somerset NHS Foundation Trust-wide.

“One of my favourite things about the chaplaincy role is that it has given me contact with so many people, both colleagues and patients throughout the hospital, I can’t walk down a corridor without a friendly face saying ‘hello’.”

Linda says there have been so many highlights during her long career and that she’s enjoyed every single role, finding them all hugely rewarding.

service teams, who I’ve gotten to know well too. Even so, I can’t wait to put my feet up.

“There really is something special about the comradery of working in the NHS, and I’ve made so many wonderful life-long friends,” she added.

“In some ways I’m sad to be retiring, particularly leaving the team at Yeovil Hospital who I’ve worked so closely with over the years, and latterly the Musgrove Park Hospital and community mental health

much more.

“The first thing I’m going to do once I’m retired is to make my own hummus instead of buying it ready made.

“My parting message to colleagues is to continue to do what I see you doing so well, look after each other because what you do is challenging and very hard work, also take time to celebrate every one of your successes.”

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Ballet Under the Stars Celebrates 15 Years!

With just under three weeks to go until the first night of Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House, Covent Garden Dance Company Director Matt Brady reveals more about this year’s programme. Covent Garden Dance are celebrating their 15th anniversary at Hatch House and the Company has yet again searched far and wide to bring some of the most fabulous and exciting names in ballet and choreography to Wiltshire.

This year two young dancers from Paris Opera Ballet, arguably the world’s greatest and oldest ballet company, make their debut, in the form of Nine Seropian and Andrea Sarri. They will be joined by two of The Royal Ballet’s rising stars Viola Pantuso and Marco Masciari.

Nine Seropian entered the Paris Opera Ballet School at the age of 9 where she stayed until graduation before joining the Paris Opera Ballet, becoming an official member of the company in 2019. In 2024 she was promoted to the position of Soloist where she has played many of the more recognised classical roles as well as roles in works by genius choreographers such as Mats Ek and William Forsythe.

Andrea Sarri joined Paris Opera Ballet in 2016 after his 8 years training at the Paris Opera Ballet School. From that point onwards his career has been a whirlwind of extraordinary performances. Andrea has not only won the AROP dance award (2023) he also danced roles in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody, George Balanchine’s Le Song d’une nuit, and by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui to name but a few. American dancer Viola Pantuso joined The Royal Ballet School at White Lodge in 2017 graduating in 2021. During her time at the Upper School her talent was immediately recognisable. She was awarded First Prize in the Lynn Seymour Competition for Expressive Dance before going on to join The Royal Ballet’s Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme in the 2021/2022 Season. In the short time she has been at The Royal Ballet she has been recognised as one of the rising stars, enjoying solo roles in many of the major productions.

Viola’s partner, Marco Masciari, first danced at Hatch in 2023, partnering Royal Ballet superstar Francesca Hayward. Born in Catanzaro, in the south of Italy, Marco started dancing at the age of 7 and joined the Academy Princess Grace in Monaco at the age of 13 where he trained for 5 years under the direction of Luca Masala. He joined The Royal Ballet Company in 2020 and was promoted to a First Artist in 2023. This year is a year of so many firsts. One of the most exceptional and hugely anticipated is from one of the greatest choreographers, George Balanchine. For the first time Balanchine’s Diamonds Pas de Deux from Jewels will be performed by Principals Kateryna Chebykina (Béjart Ballet Lausanne) and Xander Parish (Norwegian National Ballet). Balanchine’s genius will be sharing the stage with works from one of the English legends of ballet Sir Frederick Ashton. His works will be performed by the newly appointed Principal with the Birmingham Royal Ballet Beatrice Parma and her partner fellow

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Principal Max Maslen, who will dance

Ashton’s Rhapsody and La Fille mal gardée.

(By kind permission of the Frederick Ashton Foundation).

Staying with the young, two choreographers will world premiere new works this July at Hatch.

James Bamford started his ballet company Project Dance at just 14. Six years later at only 20 his huge energy and ideas for innovation through dance are helping and inspiring young people to become interested in dance too. He is truly inspirational combining his huge dance talents with an equal talent in choreography. James has created a new work especially for Hatch House, Masterpiece, danced by another pair of young dancers, Grace Noelle and Andrew Parfitt.

First Soloist with The Royal Ballet, Calvin Richardson, takes time to create new works in between his dancing roles. He is renowned for his soulful modern reinterpretation of Dying Swan.

This year Calvin is working with Viola and Marco to produce a new work imagined for the beautiful walled garden at Hatch, inspired by the natural world and life’s journeys. It promises to be a stand-out work and will without doubt showcase the articulation of the world class artistry of the two Royal Ballet Company dancers.

A production in the beautiful walled gardens at Hatch House, a spectacular evening of dance and ballet for all, fabulous food and wines, an incredible cocktail bar in the form of Café Folle, it’s surely unmissable. Surrounded by the scents of summer flora, the covered dinner theatre will transport and entrance everyone watching the most exceptional dancers and choreography in the world.

It is ...It’s a magical night, every night. Ballet Under the Stars is 25th-28th July at Hatch House.

To book tickets email events@coventgardendance. com or call 01749 813313 www.coventgardendance.com has all the information.

Above left: Marco Masciari

Above right: Viola Pantuso - Credit Andrej Uspenski @dancersdiary

Above: Nine Seropian and Andrea Sarri Credit Little Shao

Above: Calvin Richardson - Credit Andrej Uspenski

Above: James Bamford

Above: Xander Parish dancing in George Balanchine’s Diamonds - Credit Natasha Razina

Above: Kateryna Chebykina

Our loose Canon

Can our leaders – political and religious –really claim to speak for all of us?

by Canon Eric Woods

YOUR NBVM is officially published every other Friday, but quite often copies are available in outlets a day early. So you may be reading this on General Election day itself.

For me, a key question as we digest the results will be: how many registered voters actually voted? What proportion of the electorate took the conscious decision not to vote at all? One of the lessons politicians of every persuasion need to ponder is how the growing tide of disenchantment with politics in this country can be reversed. I have certainly never heard such a chorus of cynicism about the whole business of politics and so much disillusion with politicians in general. And the General Election campaign itself, we must all agree, has been pretty unedifying.

bishops, and priests, who have an instant opinion on everything. I sometimes wish I was as certain about anything as they are about everything! But what really annoys me is that they don’t claim to be speaking just for themselves. They claim to be speaking for the ‘flock’. Now, we may be silly sheep a lot of the time, but most of us aren’t brain-dead. We have God-given minds and we need to be allowed to use them.

Someone who understood that was William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury for a tragically short time (1942-44). Writing as Archbishop of York in his wartime book Christianity and Social Order, he said this:

‘At the end of this book I shall offer, in my capacity as a Christian citizen, certain proposals for definite action which would, in my private judgement, conduce to a more Christian ordering of society; but if any member of the Convocation of York should be so ill-advised as to table a resolution that these proposals be adopted as a political programme for the Church, I should in my capacity as Archbishop resist that proposal with all my force, and should probably, as President of the Convocation, rule it out of order.’

One of the things that has particularly irritated me is the number of politicians who feel able to claim to be speaking for me. As I am sure you have noticed, they do it all the time. “The people of Britain want”; “What the British people are asking for is this”; “Ask anyone in Britain today what is their first priority and it is that”. Humbug. Who asked you? Who asked me?

It is the same in the Church, or at least that small part of it that likes to be at the centre of media attention. I can think of several

In other words, the Church ought to have room for those from a wide spectrum of political persuasions. It ought not to have room for those who are totally intolerant of any worldview other than their own. The important thing is to hold our beliefs with charity, sensitivity, integrity – and a generous acceptance that others may not see the world as we do.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our new MPs thought and felt the same?

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

Celebrate the end of the harvest in Dorset this September

THE Dorset County Show is promising new attractions when it is held at The Showground outside Dorchester in September.

The event is one of the UK’s premier county shows, celebrating rural life in Dorset since 1841 and attracting more than 55,000 visitors each year.

Atkinsons Action Horses, appearing for the first time in Dorset, promise a stunt show showcasing the skill of rider and horse.

Visitors to the Woodland Area will be

able to have a go – free of charge – at tomahawk throwing with Rockley Buddens Activity Centre.

And the IMPs motorcycle display team will perform a fire jump, multiple motorcycle combination “cross-over” routine and other stunts.

James Cox, show organiser, said: “At last year’s show, we introduced new attractions and areas. This year we have built on these positive changes with even more brilliant new acts that not only

celebrate Dorset agriculture and countryside but bring fantastic unmissable displays to the county.”

However, the show is still Dorset’s end of harvest celebration and a major networking event for the county’s agricultural sector.

Annual traditions remain at its heart with livestock, crafts, food and drink, heavy horses and more.

The Dorset County Show is on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, from 8.30am-6pm at The Showground a mile outside Dorchester just off the A35.

For more information and to book show tickets, visit www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

Holbrook Manor & Spa is a beautiful Georgian Country House Wedding Venue set in 20 acres of Somerset countryside. Private tours available, contact us for an appointment.

Wedding Open Day Sunday 29th September, 11am-4pm

WI gets into festival mode

DORSET Women’s Institute members are setting out their stall to feed a crowd at their popular Tea Tent at Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle later this month.

They will be offering, in a family friendly environment, food and drink prepared by members in their own homes and freshly made on site.

Their shopping list runs to 136 loaves of bread, 950 bread rolls, 2,000 tea bags, 75kg bacon and 100 pints of milk.

And members are busy producing scones, fruit cake, chocolate brownies, Victoria Sandwich cake, carrot cakes, muffins and biscuits.

They will be catering for a wide range of

dietary needs with gluten-free, lactose free, and vegetarian and vegan options.

And they can make jam sandwiches with no butter and no crusts for little ones, plus celebration cakes, hand-decorated to order.

Skilled crafters will help children and adults to make bracelets, and other festival items with glue and glitter.

Camp Bestival runs from Thursday, July 25, to Sunday, July 28.

To find out more about the Women’s Institute in Dorset, visit www.Dorsetwi.org, email federationsecretary@dorsetwi.org or phone 01305 266366.

Food Fayre promises a real feast

A TRUE taste of Somerset is on offer at Baltonsborough’s Food Fayre this July.

Local food and drink producers will be sharing their delicious creations at Baltonsborough village hall and playing field, from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, July 14.

As well as plenty to satisfy event the fussiest foodie, organisers promise live music, a bar, kids’ activities and a raffle.

Entry is free. Money raised from the event contributes to the upkeep of the village hall.

Find out more at www. baltonsboroughvillagehall. org

Archive film available to everyone

SEVEN museums in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire have new bespoke archive film displays thanks to Dorset-based charity Windrose Rural Media Trust.

The film displays have been created and installed in a groundbreaking project showcasing the region’s unique history and culture.

The museums to be benefit from the initiative are Sturminster Newton Museum, Langton Matravers Stone Museum and Corfe Castle Museum in Dorset; Wells & Mendip Museum and Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum in Somerset; and Mere Museum and Crofton Pumping Station Museum in Wiltshire.

Windrose director Trevor Bailey said: “Each display is a testament to Windrose’s commitment to tailoring

experiences for local communities.

“Crafted with precision, the exhibits utilise films sourced from the organisation’s extensive archive, carefully selected to resonate with the unique interests and themes of each museum.

“In addition to serving as captivating internal displays, the films – including some recently discovered and digitised gems – serve as invaluable resources for museum personnel.

“These cinematic treasures not only enhance the museums’ internal exhibits but also provide substantial back up material for talks and presentations delivered by museum staff at various locations.”

Mary Sparks, archivist at The Purbeck Stone Museum said: “It’s fascinating to watch. I was particularly pleased to see the

footage of Mary SpencerWatson, who lived just down the hill from me at Dunshay Manor.

“I used to make her rugs etc from her sheep’s wool. I didn’t know her at the time that the film was made, so it was good to see.”

Rose Heesom, honorary

curator at Mere Museum, said: “I am excited to watch and then put them on display in the library. They will add another dimension to our displays.”

Mr Bailey added: “We are grateful for the support of The Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Charitable Foundation and The Valentine Charitable Trust for their financial support.”

PHOTO James Harrison Productions

Windrose director Trevor Bailey

Tracey has lost a Fabulous 6 stone 2lb with slimming world, here’s her journey

Just over a year ago, I decided to sort myself out. I was extremely overweight and in a lot of pain with a bad back (prolapsed discs) and poorly feet (plantar fibroma). I’d also slipped into a habit of drinking a bottle of red wine and a couple of Gins EVERY night! My anxiety was so bad I hardly left the house so something had to give.

I loosely followed the SW plan from memory but after losing 2 stone 2lb I hit a wall and was struggling to lose anymore. I didn’t have the confidence to join SW on my own but luckily my sister agreed to join again with me. I am so grateful to her and we support each other every step of the way.

Once in the 10am Blandford Wednesday group I loved it! Such an amazing group of people all with their own stories. Everyone was so inspirational and supportive and I looked forward to seeing everyone each week.

Fast forward from October and today I got my 4 stone certificate and reached my target with a total of 6 stone 2lb off!

I can honestly say I have never been so overwhelmed like I was when I reached my personal target.

Thank you to everyone in group for the support and

encouragement. I’ve been at target now for over a year and I’m loving the way I feel.

More energy, well actually tonnes of energy now that I’m never sitting still and since I’ve been more active I’ve dropped another dress size!

Blandford

Methodist Church

Tuesday 6.00pm Debbie 07415565185

Blandford Methodist Church

Wednesday 5.30pm, 7pm Debbie 07415565185

Blandford

Methodist Church

Thursday 5.30pm - 7pm

Tracey 07776309982

Blandford

British Legion

Wednesday 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am

Tracey 07776309982

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 7.30am, 9am, 10.30am Lorraine 07771013728

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 6pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Gillingham

Social Club

Hardings Lane

Tuesday 5.30pm, 7pm Jane 07525157302

Gillingham

Youth and Community Centre

Tuesday 9.30am, 11am Lorraine 07771013728

Sturminster Newton The Exchange

Monday 5.30pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Sherborne

Raleigh Hall

Digby Road

Tuesday 5.30pm Sally 07973665167

Sherborne

Raleigh Hall

Digby Road

Wednesday 9am Sally 07973665167

Crewkerne

George Reynolds Centre

Thursday 6pm Doreen 07792984235

Yeovil

Park House, The Park (Opposite Syndney Gardens)

Tuesday 5.30pm

Wednesday 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7pm

Thursday 5.30pm, 7.30pm Shelley 07786011728

Yeovil

Methodist Church Vicarage Walk

Saturdays 8am, 10am Doreen 07792984235

Yeovil

Park House

45 The Park

Friday 8am, 9.30am Doreen 07792984235

Somerton The Club

Garston’s Lane

Monday 5.30pm, 7.15pm Shelley 07786011728

Wincanton Memorial Hall

Wednesday 5.45pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Puddletown

Village Hall

Thursday 7pm Julie 07871821928

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History

Close encounters on the Congo

THIS year we commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the largest expeditions Britain and the Scientific Exploration Society has organised in Africa.

In 1974 our task was to research the terrible eye disease “River Blindness” that infects 20 million. At the same time, we were to take teams of scientists to study the botany, geology and zoology of the vast Congo basin, then known as Zaire.

To do this, we navigated the great 2,700-mile, rapid-strewn river in a variety of craft supported by an Army Air Corps Beaver plane. It was also the centenary of Sir Henry Morton Stanley’s three-year legendary expedition across Africa to finalise the source of the Nile and our multi-national team, 160 strong, had some challenging moments.

One inflatable boat, commanded by the late Captain Mike Gambier, Royal Marines of Taunton, encountered a giant hippo that objected to its presence and bit the boat in half. The Army chaplain on board was in touch with his head office and the crew was picked up by a Royal Engineers craft, leaving the hippo, having eaten the inflatable, suffering from an attack of wind!

A few nights later I was woken on our flag boat by a huge hippo whose exit from the river we blocked. Local soldiers were reaching for their rifles, but remembering that large mammals detest high-pitched sound, I blasted him with our loud hailer and he fled.

In the dense Ituri rainforest we met tiny pygmies who led us to find the strange Okapi, or forest giraffe. Seeking this rare creature, I met a screaming Pygmy racing towards me, pursued by four angry forest elephants, bellowing in rage.

by John BlashfordSnell, a former British Army officer, explorer and author, who founded Operation Raleigh and the Scientific

Exploration Society

They recognise pygmies as their natural enemy and will charge them on sight. Diving behind a tree, I let them thunder past, scattering foliage.

Back on the river, my assistant, Pam Baker – later Lady Coleridge, from Devon – had adopted a bush baby. Being nocturnal, Tiddlypush, as she called the small furry animal, was a useless pet, preferring at night to climb into one’s sleeping bag and do something unspeakable. To keep

him out of trouble, Pam kept him in her shirt. Later, an angry chief demanded payment to cross his territory, and Pam, who spoke Lingala, tried to pacify him. Suddenly the man’s eyes bulged. Tiddlypush, asleep in Pam’s shirt, had woken and was peering at him from her neckline. The chief fled in terror!

Stopping at riverside towns, we were generously entertained. After each party I was presented with some local beauties for my amusement! I tried all excuses to escape the ladies, but they would have been insulted, so I asked a Zaire Sergeant to act as my representative and care for them. He seemed very happy

with this arrangement, but eventually had to be evacuated with a somewhat anti-social disease.

In three months, our boats managed to navigate some terrifying rapids and one small inflatable was sucked into a massive whirlpool. The threeman crew was hurled into the vortex and rescued at the last minute by Corporal Neil Rickards, Royal Marines, who took his own craft into the whirlpool. He later received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

On completion of our voyage the Zairois gave us a great party at a smart hotel in Kinshasa. It was livened up by the late arrival of an Irish Guards officer, covered in mud from a frantic drive through the bush. To smarten up, he rushed in with a large packet of soap powder and plunged into the swimming pool, turning it into a massive bubble bath.

Understandably it added to our reputation as a bunch of maniacs!

n To raise funds to assist future generations of explorers, a lecture by John Blashford-Snell and some members of the Zaire-Congo River Expedition is being given at the Royal Geographical Society, London SW7 2AR on Thursday, November 12. Tickets are £22, available from Eventbrite.

John Blashford-Snell (above), Pam Baker and Tiddlypush (below left), an okapi and David Gestetner in Kinsuka Rapids

In fine voice

BOURNEMOUTH Male Voice Choir lifted the roof off St Mary’s Church, Gillingham, when it performed a wide variety of music from Abba to Schubert, and Take That to Vaughan Williams.

The 27 members of the choir, directed by Mark Burstow, were accompanied by a wonderful pianist making her debut with the choir after stepping in at the last minute.

Gillingham Mayor, Cllr Roger Weeks, accompanied by his consorts, drew a raffle with prizes given by local businesses. The concert, which played to a full church, was organised to raise funds for St Mary’s Church Roof Fund and £1,170 was raised.

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM, Saturday 13th July, 9 - 4.30pm, Shaftesbury Town Hall, Lots of lovely items for sale under one roof. Supporting Weldmar Hospice and Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance, FREE ENTRY

THE BIG SESSION

Cricket Pitch, Common Road, Sixpenny Handley SP5 5NJ Saturday 13 July | 1.30 to 10.30 pm Live music| Children’s Workshops | Food | Bar Information: sixpennysessions@gmail.com

SUMMER SERENADE

CONCERT - Dorset Chamber

Choir Friday 12thJuly at 7:00 pm Merley House, Wimborne BH21 3AA Tickets £15 (students/children £5) on the door or choir members See www.dorsetchamberchoir.com for full info Madrigals & folk songs, items by Byrd, Elgar, Monteverdi etc and settings of Te Deum by Vaughan Williams & Charpentier

ART WORKSHOPS IN SEPTEMBER

All ability levels welcome Full and half day sessions. call 07584 120738

SHERBORNE DIGBY HALL MONTHLY MARKET

Saturday 6th July 10am - 3pm

Antiques, Arts, Crafts, Food & More

Tel: 07717-454643

BUCKHORN WESTON CHURCH FETE and FUN DOG SHOW

Saturday 13th July at 2.30pm

WINCANTON SILVER BAND

Plants-Cakes-Toys

Bottle Stall-Books

White Elephant-Fancy Goods

Teas-Coconut Shy Face painting -Sports

• FIBRE WADS ONLY PLEASE

• Individual Traps & Team Flush

• BBQ & Refreshments Enquiries: 01300 348788 www.ducksdrakescancertrust.org.uk

The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival was set up in 1999 with the intention of putting the town “back on the map” after the closure of the calf market in 1997 and the subsequent closure of the Cheese factory. It has grown to be a major event, attracting thousands of visitors.

We distribute as much of the proceeds of the event as we can to local charities and good causes. Since 2012 over £400,000 has been raised and given to local charities and organisations, the vast majority of which are local to the Sturminster Newton area.

As with many organisations we are always lookign out for more volunteers. If you are interested, or if you belond to a group or club which would be able to help over the weekend, we would love to hear from you! Please email us with your details to: enquiries@cheesefestival.co.uk

WIN 2 x PAIRS OF TWO TICKETS TO ‘ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN’ AT BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION WORTH £111!

cheesefestival.co.uk

Arts & Entertainment

Family show Dolittle will be performed at Kingston Lacy

PHOTO: Illyria Outdoor Theatre

Song, dance and theatre at country house

A SEASON of performing arts is under way this summer at Kingston Lacy, the National Trust property near Wimborne.

There are two opportunities to catch the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, performing Hamlet on Friday, July 12, and Thursday, July 25.

Audiences will be able to see Shakespeare’s greatest play as

the Bard himself would have seen it, in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

The ever-popular Illyria Outdoor Theatre company are presenting the family-friendly Dr Dolittle on Thursday, August 29.

Tickets for evening theatre performances start from £18 for

adults and £11 for children. Audience members should remember to take a picnic and rug.

Visitors to Kingston Lacy on Saturday, August 3, can enjoy a modern take on the traditional Morris folk dance, with the all-female troupe Boss Morris, who performed at the Brit Awards in 2023.

There is no charge to see their performances – see the website for timings – but normal property admission applies.

Bournemouth-based Funky Little Beach Choir will be bringing their dynamic, upbeat harmonies to Kingston Lacy on Wednesday, August 28.

The choir, who recently performed with choirmaster Gareth Malone, can be heard at 12.30pm and 2.30pm –performances are free of charge but normal property admission applies.

For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ kingston-lacy

THEATRE al fresco is returning to Castle Gardens in Sherborne with Illyria Outdoor Theatre’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers.

The performance, on Tuesday, July 16, will take place in the Walled Garden and audience members are encouraged to take seating and picnics.

The performance starts at 7.30pm with gates open at 6.30pm.

Tickets are available from Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR and online via www.illyria. co.uk.

STANCHESTER Quire will be presenting Seasonal Songs from the South West at Poyntington Church.

The concert, in aid of church funds, is on Saturday, July 6, at 7pm.

Tickets, priced £10, are available from Robert Gould on 01963 220222.

Arts & Entertainment

Witches of Eastwick casting call

MILBORNE Port Opera, the successful south Somerset amateur musical theatre group, is recruiting players for its next show, The Witches of Eastwick, a musical based on the 1987 film with Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer.

This ambitious production, to be performed in April 2025, will be one of the first performances to be granted an amateur licence by the production owners, Music Theatre International.

The group is looking for men aged between 18-55 for a variety of roles, mainly in the ensemble. The leading part Daryll (The Devil) has been cast, but other roles are available.

MPO is a very friendly, welcoming company which is transitioning from a traditional light opera group specialising in

Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, into a musical theatre company tackling West End and Broadway shows.

It has undergone a subtle name change and is now officially MPO Musical Theatre.

Recent shows include Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, a compilation show about musical theatre history called Everything Goes and last year’s production

The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical comedy. All three shows played to full houses and critical acclaim.

The Witches of Eastwick combines heart-wrenching ballads, dark humour and lively ensemble numbers in a must-see production, and the directorial team are extending an invitation for men to join the existing company on the journey.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Experience is a welcome

bonus, but enthusiasm is more important – first-time performers are welcome.

“The only requirements are that you can hold a tune and are happy to have fun with the rest of the mad teachers, farmers, vets, receptionists and so on who make up the company!”.

Rehearsals start in September and take place on Thursday evenings in the Milborne Port school hall. The show runs from April 23-26.

Anyone interested should contact Rachel Revell at secretary@milborneportopera. co.uk to learn more.

Singers head off on European Travels

THE Athenaeum Singers finished an eventful year on a high at their European Travels concert at Christ Church, Warminster.

The audience enjoyed beautiful pieces of European sacred music which took them on a tour of the continent from Spanish and Italian composers in the south to Purcell (Remember not, Lord, our offences), Franck (Panis Angelicus) and Fauré (Cantique de Jean Racine) in Western

Europe.

Central Europe was represented by Mozart (Ave Verum), Bruckner (Locus Iste) and Mendelssohn (Verleih uns Frieden), and Eastern Europe with Rachmaninov Bogoroditse Djevo and a song from Estonia, (Öhtul)

The tour was conducted by the Singers’ musical director, Thomas Mottershead, whose informative introductions to each group of pieces described their origins and portrayed the

meanings of the pieces – the singers sang in six languages.

The dates of the compositions ranged from Renaissance composers like Tomás Luis de Victoria (O vos omnes) and Orlando de Lassus (Adoramus te, Christe) to the contemporary Estonian composer, Pärt Uusberg (Öhtul)

The high point of the evening was the performance of the Singers’ accompanist, Dr Douglas Stevens, a composer and recitalist of note.

He delighted the audience with Waltz No 15 in E Major by Chopin and a piece written by a pupil of his, Adolf Guttman, Barcarolle from Le Chant Pecheur. The Athenaeum Singers are taking a break for summer with rehearsals resuming on Tuesday, September 10.

The choir would love to welcome new singers to join their ranks – for more information visit the website, www.athenaeumsingers.com

Bereavement, laughter and tears

REVIEW – Sweet Sorrow by Sue

Ashby

HOW wonderful to discover this passionate play at The Exchange, presented by the resident Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic Society at the summer solstice.

This was not one of its hilarious pantomimes, farces or murder mysteries, but an exploration into the serious

subject of bereavement. If that put anyone off going, then what a shame!

The audience was kept rapt between much laughter and a few tears as it witnessed a family joking around, then falling apart and finally recovering.

The cast played with absolute conviction, transporting us to their real world with sincerity.

Hazel Perret and Tom Selby were particularly impressive, being so young, yet grounded in the reality of their difficult teenage journeys through this splendid piece.

Scene-setting via upstage film projection denoting not only location but the quips and retorts of texting was an inspired creation.

A most tasteful touch was an

aerial panning of Christchurch Estuary with the message of death conveyed by the music of Faure’s beautiful In Paradisum

Can one be entertained by tears and sad emotion? Yes! It was a compellingly enjoyable deepening of life around us and, what’s more, the actors told me they enjoyed rehearsals immensely – and it showed!

FRASER WILSON

The MPO Musical Theatre company have fun with Les Miserables in their recent production of Everything Goes

Church

• Anglican High Mass at Wimborne St Giles: First Sunday of each month at 11am. BH21 5LZ.

• Blandford Methodist Church: Sundays – everyone is invited to services at 10.45am and to stay for refreshments. Thursdays – coffee and a chat from 10am-noon. Fridays –lunch club for the over-55s from noon at £5 per meal. Phone Joyce Wild on 07817 505543 to book. The church is anxious to offer help to all those in need – call church steward John Cornish on 07799 516735 or leave a message.

• Chalbury Church: Fourth Sunday of the month, 10.30am Holy Communion.

• Chatty Café Scheme: Pear Tree Café, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Mondays 2-3.45pm. Look for the table with the yellow sign, stay for five minutes or longer if you enjoy chatting!

• Cheap Street Church, Sherborne: Taize service – half an hour of prayer, meditation and music on the second Sunday of the month at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome.

• Cheap Street Church Hall, Sherborne: Dorset Youth for Christ ‘Youth Hangout’, a space for young people aged six-11 in Sherborne to connect with others their age, play games and explore the Christian faith. Every second Sunday of the month, 6.307.30pm.

• ECO seminar: Arocha, the charity that runs the ECO Church Awards, is running a series of free webinars in June. For the full list, visit www. arocha.org.uk/events

• Hinton Martell: Second Sunday of the month, 10.30am Holy Communion.

• Horton Church: First Sunday of the month, 10.30am Holy Communion.

• Horton & Chalbury village hall: Third Sunday of the month, 9am Breakfast Church.

• Kingston Lacy: Second Sunday of the month, 9.15am Holy Communion. Fourth Sunday of the month, 9.15am Family Service.

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, July 7 – 10.45am Together Communion at All Saints, Langton Long. Sunday, July 14 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Family Service at All Saints Church Tarrant Keynston. Sunday, July 21 –9.30am Communion at St John The Baptist, Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at St Mary Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. Sunday, July 28 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at St John The Baptist, Spetisbury; 11am BCP Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Crawford; 11am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long. Coffee and cake – Spetisbury 10am–11.30am first and third Monday each month. Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am–11.30am July 18. Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am–12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday. Every Thursday, Morning Prayer by Zoom, 9am – contact Jane Griffin for more information.

• Lillington: All morning services at Lillington now begin at 9.30am.

• Longburton Village Cafe: Held in the village church of St James, the cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £2. Tuesdays, July 16 and 30 from 10.30amnoon.

• Our Lady’s RC Church, Marnhull: Mass Sunday, 9am and 6pm.

• Shaftesbury Quakers (Society of Friends): Meets for one hour each Sunday from 10.30am at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB.

• Sherborne Abbey: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am Morning Prayer; The Sepulchre Chapel. Mondays, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Tuesday, noon CW Holy

Communion; The Lady Chapel. Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion with Homily; The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP). Thursday, noon BCP Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Friday, 9am Ecumenical Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel.

• Sacred Heart, Tisbury, and All Saints’ Wardour Catholic Parish: Sunday Mass times –Sacred Heart, Tisbury 9am, coffee after Mass; All Saints’ Wardour 10.30am.

• Shapwick: Third Sunday of the month, 9.15am Holy Communion.

• Sherborne Abbey flower team: Anyone interested in joining the team to arrange flowers in the abbey about once a month, should contact Barbara Fifield on 01935 813869 or email bafifield@ hotmail.com

• Sherborne Chamber choir concert: On Saturday, July 6, Sherborne Abbey, 7.30pm. Serenade to Music – conductor, Paul Ellis; organist, Simon Clarkson. A summer’s evening of the best of British choral music from the 16th century to the present day with music by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Howells, Byrd, James MacMillan, John Ireland, Jonathan Dove and John Dowland. Tickets £5–£18, phone 03336 663366 or visit www.sherbornechamberchoir. org.uk

• Sherborne Museum: Volunteers required on Saturdays or to be in reserve, for three hours a fortnight. For more information, contact info@sherbornemuseum.com.

• Sherborne Quakers: Meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room, Digby Memorial Church Hall. Everyone welcome. For more information, phone Nick on 07870 192599.

• St Benedict’s RC Church, Gillingham: Sunday, 11am.

• St Gregory’s, Marnhull: Sunday services 8am and 10am. Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk.

• St John’s Church, Enmore Green: Service every Sunday at 11.15am; parish communion on the first Sunday of the month; prayer services every other Sunday.

• St Leonard’s, Semley: Come and Sing Evensong, Sunday, July 7, 6pm. Rehearsal, open to all, from 3.30pm, with tea at 5pm. Music will be provided on the day. Wine and ‘eats’ after the service.

• St Luke’s Church, West Orchard (Shaftesbury Benefice) SP7 0LJ: Monthly service August 11, Morning Worship 11,15am. July 14 and September 8, Holy Communion 11.15am. Prayer and fellowship in the village church –everyone welcome. Enquiries, phone 01747 812365.

• St Mary’s, Motcombe: Evening worship (BCP) – every first Sunday 6pm; parish communion – every second and fourth Sunday 9.30am; evening worship – every third Sunday 6pm.

• St Mary’s, Sturminster Newton: First, third and fourth Sundays – 11am Holy Communion; second Sunday – 9.30am Morning Prayer; fifth Sunday – 11am Benefice Holy Communion; second and fourth Sundays – 6pm Evensong; Wednesdays – 10am Holy Communion.

• St Paul’s Church Community FunDay: On Saturday, July 13, 11am–3pm. Everyone is welcome for games, barbecue, crafts and bouncy castle. Free entry.

• St Peter’s, Hinton St Mary: First, second and third Sundays, 9.30am Morning Prayer. Fourth Sunday, 9.30am Holy Communion.

• St Thomas’, Lydlinch: Second and fourth Sunday, 11am Holy Communion. Third Sunday, 6pm Evensong.

• Witchampton Church: Third Sunday of the month, 10.30am Holy Communion.

Homes decision leaves a bitter taste

THE next time we all raise a glass of the best Blandfordbrewed beer, we should ponder this.

These brilliant brewers are bent on breaking up our precious countryside, right on the edge of one of our National Landscapes.

We are talking about a development on the upsweep from the village of Bourton toward the crest of the Cranborne National Landscape.

The idea was rejected by the village’s Neighbourhood Plan, rejected twice by the Conservative-led Dorset Council planning set up, but now accepted on appeal by a remote, independent inspector.

At the end of the day, it must be a development that is very beneficial to the village?

A benefit to the community that outweighs the environmental harm?

Hope for the young of the village with affordable housing?

Nope: three “executive” mega houses. High price, London retiree prices, lots of

profit…another successful transaction: back-slapping, promotions and dividends all round in Blandford, eh?

Truth is they will probably just sell the plot on rather than be involved in something as mucky as actual development.

Well, shame on them, shame on the system that enables such a blight on other people’s lives and the vandalising of another piece of rural heritage – not just heritage but actual, real life lovely landscape.

So, enjoy those pints, everyone. They will be more than bitter to some in our northernmost Dorset community.

Mike Chapman Bourton

Rural chaplains at the big show

THE Rural Chaplaincy Team of the Salisbury Diocese works across Dorset and Wiltshire, visiting farms and rural businesses, giving support where needed.

Identifying the Asian Hornet

THE New Blackmore Vale published an article on the Asian Hornet on page 89 of its June 7 edition, but I would like to point out that, while the text of the article correctly described the Asian Hornet, the picture published was that of the harmless and native European Hornet.

This could cause confusion among your readers with the disastrous consequence of people destroying European Hornet nests by mistake. Susan Double Via email

It is about being part of the fabric, immersed in everything that happens – big or small, a listening ear, a signpost where needed.

Each Tuesday, the chaplains visit Salisbury Livestock Market.

This weekly event is more than simply transactional for the farmers attending, it is a social network.

And it is not just the farmers, they meet dealers, hauliers, agents, caterers, vets and regulatory officers, reaching out far and wide into the very rural, often isolated, agricultural community by means of a central place.

Rural chaplains provide wellbeing and mental health support but are aware that illness and physical issues are not being addressed, simply because the nature of farming leaves many unable to find time to attend regular GP appointments.

Many prioritise their work over their own wellbeing.

From June 2024, building on the success of a project in another livestock market, healthcare professionals from the NHS will work alongside the rural chaplains, holding weekly surgeries at Salisbury market.

Two rural chaplains will be present for the two days of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show on Wednesday and Thursday, August 14-15, and the Church Tent is providing a base for them.Do come along to talk to them.

Jo Churchill Church Tent organiser Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show 2024

Hidden Gardens event success

BLANDFORD Hidden Gardens day on Sunday, June 9, was a huge success with 19

gardens open. It was the 16th year of this event, and 393 tickets were sold in aid of local charities and community groups.

The weather was great, suggesting that at last summer was beginning.

The Hidden Gardens team from Blandford Environmental Trust (BET) organised the event again this year, assisted by Colten Care, which printed the tickets and posters.

The 19 varied gardens were indicated on the map to suggest two routes, one for walkers and one for cars.

This popular scheme resulted in more visitors reaching the more peripheral gardens and some energetic folk were proud that they managed to visit all 19 gardens!

Refreshments and homegrown plants were available at many of the gardens in exchange for donations, raising a total of £1,795, mainly for local charities chosen by each individual garden owner.

This event will be repeated in 2025 on Sunday, June 8, and any Blandford gardeners who would like to participate can contact BET – blandford hiddengardens@gmail.com – early next year.

Gardens do not have to be perfect and can even be examples of wildness or making good use of small spaces.

Visitors and garden owners always have an inspiring day, admiring beautiful garden design, plants, trees, ponds and even chickens.

We met so many other garden lovers and learnt a lot. Although tired afterwards we would not have missed it for anything.

Jenny Thompson

Participating garden owner and BET member

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Cryptic crossword

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Killer Sudoku Pro

Across

1 Explain source of poetry in competition (5,2)

5 Parking behind river in settlement (4)

9 In theory how one might describe print journalist’s work? (2,5)

10 Jog in an unclad state around front of ground (5)

11 Shot outer case (5)

Killer Sudoku Pro

12 Part of car needing to be dismantled with day gone (6)

Down

2 Some Scandinavians in hearing make a mistake (5)

3 A friend in place lying injured in a shocking way (11)

4 Loosen a French dance (6)

6 Like proper pasta lad with teen cooked (2,5)

7 Sly look in summit, it’s said (4)

8 Be formed by Conservative regarding society? It’s crazy (7)

14 Mercenary type nearly performed (6)

16 Division of pupils? It has little currency (6)

18 Gun repaired by fighter in this country backed for martial art (4,2)

19 A second group proving an advantage (5)

22 Flower is planted in period of light (5)

23 Fellow with trouble on river is a loser (7)

24 Partly predictable verdict always (4)

25 Hold spellbound husband in rental after renovation (7)

Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

10 Harm in sight being reviewed is horrifying

13 English politician with rank is less substantial (7)

15 By the sound of it, regret adolescent comedian’s act (7)

17 Miss at home round cake (6)

20 Sources of steam and usually nudity appear here? (5)

21 Advantage in shelf left out (4)

Strong prices for gold jewellery

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers Sherborne had a successful Jewellery, Silver & Watches auction last month which included a collection of antique and Art Nouveau pieces.

The highlight was an antique gold necklace set with amethyst, which sold for a hammer price of £1,600. A heavy 18ct bracelet made £1,300.

Antique and gold jewellery is selling very well currently with gold prices rising due to political uncertainty.

Acreman holds specialist jewellery auctions every month and its experts can give prospective vendors a no obligation auction estimate on any jewellery they may be considering consigning.

In the general Antiques & Collectors auction, paintings achieved great prices, including

An antique amethyst stone set necklace sold for £1,600

a 19th century oil painting of a classical scene, which made £550.

Acreman is now accepting consignments for its upcoming sales, with a Garden and Architectural auction on Thursday, August 29, and is inviting further entries.

If you have something you may like to sell, email photographs to auction@ acremanstreetantiques.co.uk or call in at the premises at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm, or phone Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 .

Silver spoons galore for sale

A VAST collection of silver spoons, from a deceased estate in Devon, is one of the highlights of the Charterhouse auction of silver, jewellery and watches on Thursday, August 1.

“It is quite an incredible collection of hundreds of spoons which has been amassed over several decades from auctions, antiques fairs, silver dealers and, in all probability, junk shops, too!” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

While many are English, spoons in the collection also come from countries including Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Holland, the US, France, Africa, China and Japan.

The earliest spoons in the collection date to the 1650s and run through to the late 20th century.

The collection includes seal top, berry, commemorative, mote, caddy, picture back and other spoons.

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for its busy programme of specialist auctions including silver, jewellery and watches in August, followed by coins, medals, stamps, model cars, trains and other toys, and for its next specialist classic car and classic motorcycle auctions.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for specialist advice and valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne. Phone 01935 812277 or email rb@charterhouse-auction.com

Treasure trove in Summer Auction More than 700 lots before big move

UPCOMING at Duke’s on Thursday, July 11, is the annual Summer Auction, showcasing a trove of curiosities and wonders of exceptional variety.

From furniture to fine art, the Summer Auction promises to be one of Duke’s most diverse.

The sale features magnificent collections curated from the property of several renowned estates including The Old Rectory (Ickham), The Egerton Place Collection, The Old Vicarage (Chideock), Great Hayes (Surrey), and The Digby Family.

A highlight of the collection is an oil on canvas (pictured) after Antonio da Correggio (1489-1534) titled Holy Family with Saint Jerome, estimated at £2,000-£4,000.

The complete online catalogue will be available to view at dukes-auctions.com, before the auction.

The physical catalogue can be ordered now at £20 plus shipping.

For more information on the auction, or purchasing a catalogue, email enquiries@ dukes-auctions.com

CLARKE’S Auctions is holding its last sale at the salerooms in Semley next weekend before the move to its new premises in Gillingham.

Clarke’s is offering more than 700 lots of interesting items, and its colour catalogue can be found at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

Among the items for sale are a fabulous 18th century silver twin-handled trophy and cover estimated at £800£1,000 and a Second World War Japanese Admiral’s short sword with silver gilt metal mounts and shagreen handle estimated at £600-£800.

Nègre Portefaix, representing a cotton carrier carrying a bale of cotton on a frame on his back, is estimated at £150-£250.

A variety of antique furniture, rugs, garden items – including three large olive trees – jewellery and collectable items is also for sale.

A Leica I camera is estimated at £200-£400

A 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze figural mantle clock modelled as Au

Clarke’s is taking entries for its autumn Classic Vehicles and Automobilia sale . For consignment into any of Clarke’s future sales or for probate valuations, house clearances or any other queries, phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9BU.

Auctioneers & Valuers

Antiques & Collectibles Sale Friday 12th & Saturday 13th July

Viewing 9am to 5pm Wednesday 10th, ursday 11th and Friday 12th

A gentleman's Rolex Submariner Perpetual Date wristwatch. Sold for £9,200

Clarke’s Auctions o er free verbal valuations and home visits Colour catalogue available at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109

(01935) 423233 Mobile: 07974 520545 bclocksunlimited@aol.com www.clocksunlimited.co.uk

Bracelet became more popular thanks to tennis legend

by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers,

21 South Street, Wareham IT’S the middle of Wimbledon fortnight, so it seemed like a good opportunity to talk about tennis bracelets!

Before it was known as the tennis bracelet, this style of jewellery was commonly referred to as a “diamond line bracelet” or an “eternity bracelet.”

These bracelets featured a symmetrical pattern of diamonds or gemstones, set in a precious metal chain.

The simple design meant that the stones took pride of place and it became a popular choice for elegant, everyday wear.

The name “tennis bracelet” was introduced after an unusual

event during the 1978 US Open Tennis Championship.

Chris Evert, a renowned and respected professional tennis player, was in the middle of a match when her diamond bracelet snapped, sending diamonds scattering across the court.

Evert asked for a pause in the match to retrieve the precious gemstones.

As you can imagine, this caused a media frenzy and the term “tennis bracelet” was born!

Evert’s bracelet was a classic diamond line bracelet, traditionally worn on the left wrist, known for its secure but flexible design.

The incident highlighted the bracelet’s practicality and elegance, and it became very popular with both athletes and fashion followers.

Following the Evert incident, the tennis bracelet surged in popularity.

Jewellery designers began to innovate, creating variations that featured different types of gemstones, metals and settings.

In fact, Evert herself collaborated with Monica Rich Kosann, the New York-based jeweller, to craft a line of thoughtfully designed bracelets with details that referenced that fateful match.

The classic diamond tennis bracelet remained a staple, but jewellery lovers can now choose from sapphires, emeralds, rubies and more, set in gold, platinum or silver.

bracelet”

Home & Garden

Beth Chatto’s mantra: ‘The right plant in the right place’

by Sally Gregson

AFTER such a wet winter, it can be tempting to assume that we all have plenty of water to spare for irrigation. But these days watering a garden can, or should, seem a little unnecessary. If plenty of garden compost was incorporated into the planting holes, and a thick mulch of organic, fibrous compost is put down around the plants, it most certainly is.

But. Despite planting correctly with drought-lovers on sandy, well-drained soil, often the plants don’t read the books. And we lose plants to drought. It is hard to remove the dead carcases without replanting them. Especially if the “plants”

form a lawn. But perhaps another surface would survive better – composted bark or even gravel.

Famously, the legendary Beth Chatto converted the gravel car park by her nursery into a dry garden. She planted everything with plenty of garden compost, mulched it all and refused to water anything after the first winter. Anything that did not survive, died, and was not replanted. The result is an exercise in correct planting. “The right plant in the right place”, was her mantra, and she stood by it.

Conversely, in the damp shade around the lakes beneath mature trees and bamboos, Beth

Chatto planted those luxuriant plants that love wet, heavy soils. Here she grew, and her successors still do, plenty of hydrangeas that love damp shade. Alongside them she grew lots of ferns, hostas and oriental primulas.

In the really wet areas, she planted rodgersias, rheums and Iris laevigata, and they thrived. Even during a drought, the ground remained damp enough. And in a hot, dry spell a visit to her damp garden was, and still is, a breath of fresh air.

So, if your hydrangeas,

Hydrangeas big in Japan

by Sally Gregson

WE gardeners are quite used to growing hydrangeas –mopheads, lacecaps and those bearing panicles of cream flowers that fade pink. But then, when I first started getting involved with them, I began to realise that there were other, less commonly grown species.

Many come from the islands of Japan, and when my nursery started to specialise in hydrangeas, I decided to concentrate on the lesser-known Japanese Hydrangea serrata, which western growers seem to ignore.

They are native to the cool, mountainous central region of Honshu, the main island of Japan, and are one of the traditional plants of “old” Japan, where they are grown widely. There are several special forms of H. serrata with the epithet “Amacha”, and it is

these that are made into a “tea” that is drunk to celebrate the birthday of the Buddha. It is important to emphasize that only those with that name can be made into tea and drunk. The remainder contain a form of cyanide. Hydrangea serrata and H. macrophylla are particularly poisonous. It’s quite a useful fact for gardeners who are plagued by rabbits and deer, which can’t read labels.

There are many other forms, among them the dwarf H. serrata “Diadem”, with flowers the translucent blue of a summer sky in a large pot of ericaceous compost. Or H. serrata “Beni Yama” with white florets like the painted face of a geisha, splashed lipstick-red as they age, and H.serrata “Shojo” whose flowers are pastel pink in alkaline soils and fade to a rich red that tones with the

oriental primulas and astilbes are wilting in the sun, it might be judicious to replant them in a cool, shady position, well out of the sunshine, and preferably with plenty of fibrous material in the soil. And if the sun is shining mercilessly, keep them watered with that precious resource, and move them in the autumn when there is more rain around.

reddening leaves in late summer.

There are very many more named varieties of H. serrata in Japan than there are in the West. The reason for their popularity is not at first clear. The market for pot plants is huge in a country with so little land to spare, where most people live in tiny apartments with small balconies and are yet very prosperous. The appetite for different plants is as voracious as it is here – a testament to a “plantaholic” population and one that does not suffer from vandalism.

The diminutive H. serrata has long been a winner for pot-culture and is grown extensively. So, try a pretty H. serrata in a container in the shady part of the terrace. It will flower from July and many repeat or have reddening flowers all summer.

Beth Chatto’s gravel and damp gardens

H.serrata “Shojo” and the H. serrata “Diadem” dwarf form

Home & Garden

Blooming together, through local businesses and education

Nestled in the heart of North Dorset in Gillingham, Thorngrove Garden Centre and the charming Secret Garden Café are doing more than providing a vibrant range of diverse plants, and breakfast or lunch options, we also function as Employ My Ability, a college where young people with special educational needs and disabilities thrive. Our unique campus serves as both a learning environment and a place for work experience, ensuring our students gain practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

At Thorngrove, we believe in the transformative power of handson education. Our students are actively involved in every aspect of our garden centre, from watering plants, making planters, assisting the retail team in the home and lifestyle shop, and handling sales. This direct involvement not only enhances their horticultural knowledge but also boosts their confidence and social skills, preparing them for future employment opportunities beyond EMA and Thorngrove.

The café has become a beloved spot for locals to enjoy fresh, homemade meals (with the recent addition of Fish and Chips gaining a huge number of fans, and people coming from miles around for our Breakfasts). The café further enriches our students’ experiences. Here, they learn the intricacies of food preparation, customer service, and hospitality management. It’s a place where

the community comes together, fostering a spirit of inclusion and support. Make us your next stop for cream tea and see for yourself! Our college is proud to be a part of North Dorset’s rich tapestry. We utilise local suppliers where possible, and continue to build relationships with the surrounding areas in a range of community projects. We invite you to visit our garden centre and café, find that new addition for your garden space, try our menu, see our students in action, and witness first-hand the incredible potential of our young people. Together, we can cultivate a more inclusive community, where everyone has the opportunity to grow and succeed.

Dave buys all types of tools Call 01935 428975 SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647

Cash waiting. 01747 850474

GUTTERS CLEARED

• Windows,

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ASBESTOS REMOVAL Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478

Closeboard,

Home & Garden

Hundreds visit Hidden Gardens

HUNDREDS of visitors took the opportunity to see the array of stunning gardens on show at this year’s Hidden Gardens open weekend in Mere.

George Jeans from Mere Gardening Club, which organised the event, said: “Summer is here! Mere Gardening Club’s 2024 Hidden

OPEN GARDENS

Prospect Place (left) and The Old Dairy in Mere

PHOTOS: George Jeans

outside the area.”

In a post on Facebook, the club said: “Firstly a huge thanks to the 19 residents who opened their gardens this weekend.

Gardens open weekend of June 15 and 16 has been very successful.

“19 gardens were open over the two days and every garden was a credit to its gardener.

“There were hundreds of visitors travelling between and visiting the open gardens, with some visitors coming from

“Wow, what surprises there are behind the houses and a lot of dedicated gardeners.

“Thank you to all the helpers of both community groups, church and gardening club for your help with refreshments and to all the wonderful cake bakers we have in Mere.

“A huge thank you to Paul at the Angel Tearooms for being

our sales point for the tickets. I apologise for running out again even though we did more than last time.

“Thank you Patersons, too, for supporting our event, another big job putting up the signs. Without any one of you the event wouldn’t have taken place.

“We had some wonderful positive feedback from visitors, too, some of whom came a long way to visit Mere.”

For more information about the club visit its website at www. meregardeningclub.org.uk

COUNTAX X16 4WD RIDE ON MOWER. 4 stroke. 38”. New fuel tank. £1800 Tel 01747 835833

a

Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502

GARDENING SERVICES AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Lawn mowing, weeding, hedge cutting, strimming etc. Contact Billy 07849 571742

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Hanging Baskets ready NOW, Fruit Trees, Perennials & Shrubs, Large selection of; stoneware, terracotta and glazed pots, Wild Bird food 20kg £14.50, Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258 452513

OUTDOORS

TREES R US

Get your garden ready for Summer. Trees, Hedges, Patios, Turf & Fencing call Peter 07976-667130

Kingsmere Surfacing are a specialist driveway company working within Blackmore Vale Dorset, Wiltshire & Somerset. We can transform the look of your home, by laying a new surface to your driveway, giving a beautiful, eye catching and individual look.

We

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We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both

We

Services offered include:

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways and specialise in fully SUDS permeable drainage surfaces.

Home & Garden

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING

www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

TOOLS WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 850474

MAN WITH MICRO-DIGGER & 1.5ton digger, stump grinder, Garden clearance, patios, fencing, decking, landscaping, driveways 30+ years’ experience

Contact Ken 07882 441873 / 01963 32034

JAMES AYRES

DORSET TREE CARE

Specialist Tree Workers

All kinds of trees expertly felled, topped and pruned. Hedge cutting. All rubbish cleared. Licensed waster carrier. Fully insured. Tel: 01747 850129 / Mob: 07951 284639

LES BENHAM

Garden Property Maintenance

All Hedge/tree work/rubbish clearance

Gravel Driveways/Pressure Washing Patio and Fencing Work

Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk / check a trade

M & A J LANDSCAPING, Hard and Soft Landscaping, Natural stone walling, Concreting, Paving & Patios, Steps, Hand lay tarmac, Fencing, Tree & shrub removal, General garden clearance, 07399 521377, malcgin@hotmail.com

HUSSEY CARPET AND FLOORING, South Street,Gillingham,Dorset SP84AP

Domestic and Commercial Carpets,Vinyl,Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate and Wood Flooring. Contact Chris Hussey 07885273470 husseyflooring@gmail.com

Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotations amralphlandscaping@gmail.com www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Tel: 01747 631471

07921 637227

PORCELAIN & NATURAL STONE PATIOS

GARDEN WALLS, WATER FEATURES

FENCING & DECKING

M: 07809 415 902

Jamespricelandscapes@gmail.com @jamespricelandscapes

North Dorset Tree Surgeons

/ 07708 180306

e: shaftesburyglass@gmail.com w: www.shaftesburyglass.co.uk

J& C Handyman Services

Plumbing

Painting & decorating

Shed erecting & repairs

Flat pack furniture

Shelves & curtain rails

Door hanging & skirting boards

Guttering and facia clearing and replacement Fencing Pointing etc...

No job too small. Please call with your requirements. 01963 364457 07368 516658 dorsethandyman26@gmail.com www.jchandymanservices.com

T F PLANT

loose or collected. Small or large loads also bulk bag materials & small handy bags. Muck-away service of inert materials

NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING

All types of plastering, floor screeding & rendering. Wincanton & 20 mile radius. HELPFUL ADVICE & FREE QUOTATIONS CALL NEIL: 07974 185923 or 07811 211586.

L R MASONRY GENERAL BUILDER, Stone work, Brick work 07971-982565 llewie30roberts@gmail.com

or 0789 0841827

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS LTD

All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786 e: swbuildandrenovation@gmail.com

J.SHAW

EXPERTS IN STONEWORK, BRICKWORK, RENDERING, PAVING & DRIVEWAYS AS WELL AS TIMBER BUILDINGS. ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING AND LANDSCAPING UNDERTAKEN. 07920-514403

& Building Applications for New Build,

CHIMNEYS

SOLID FUEL INSTALLATIONS LTD

Accredited installers of Wood burning & Multi fuel stoves, Chimney liners, twin wall flues, fireplace conversions, replacement hearths, chimney restoration & rebuilding, dealing with water ingress, cowlings, bird guards. Fully Insured, long term established. 01749 677440 – 07921074602- solidfuel3@aol.com www.solidfuelinstallationsltd.co.uk

CLEANING

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING

Ovens,Ranges, Aga’s, etc.

Independent Family Run Business Covering The Blackmore Vale Area Tel 01935 592461 Mob 07875 272401 www.shinystoves.com

• Sell online easily, quickly and reliably • Buying advice, setup and installation

Phil Hudson, your local tech expert and trouble-shooter. I’ll come to you and sort things out, at a time that suits you. Or you can drop off your machine at my workshop for

Cooper 01963 400186

DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons).

PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 01963362403 07855287150 http://www.dcenet.co.uk

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

Purchase advice, Virus Removal, New PC Setup/ Installation, Internet Connection, Upgrades, Computer/ Software Tuition - Call Gregg on 01963 370713

Joseph Crocker Computers

Custom built gaming & office PCs

Desktop & laptop repair

Help with mobile devices

General computer and IT advice NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL 01963 23669 07484 690824

josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

lassified advertising place your ad today email: adverts@blackmorevale.net

GARETH TANNER

G.O.T. DECORATING City and Guilds qualified Interior/exterior Decorating Free Quotes no VAT Tel 07736644452 go.tanner93@gmail.com

M & M PAINTING & DECORATING. 30years experience. Fully insured, clean & tidy. References available. FREE no obligation quote. Tel: 07534-952486 / 01305849380

UK Removals

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CLASSIFIED ADS

QUINGO VITESSE MOBILITY SCOOTER 600miles Recently serviced. Excellent condition 07773-554378

2 NEW UNUSED IKEA NEIDEN SINGLE BEDS WITH MATTRESSES purchased feb 24 cost £160 each now £100 each ono

1 pair wooden single peds (trundle) any offers considered. contact 01963 441031 collection from North Cadbury area

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

NEW CITIZEN ECO DRIVE LADIES BRACELET WATCH still in box £45 07899-691847

SINGLE DUVET 9 TOG. Unused still in wrapper. £10. 01963-23477

NEW JET SPRAY GUN. Long reach nozzle. Detergent bottle. Screw on universal fit. (hosepipe connector required) £5 - 07767 221364

UPRIGHT INDESIT FREEZER, clean, used indoors, white U1AA 12 UK approx 6 years old. GWO £50 no offers. 07840-986402

BOOKCASE - Quality solid oak. H 6ft x Q 3ft x D 1ft. £40. 07874-651394. Gillingham

2 AQUAROLL AND 1 WASTEMASTER excellent condition £50.00. Tel 01747-828820

PANASONIC BREADMAKER £30 Crewkerne 01460 72694

PHILIPS DELIZIA HR2303 electric ice cream/ sorbet maker. 0.8l capacity. VGC boxed, complete with instructions/ recipe booklet. £20 Tel:07891 987809

CHINESE COFFEE AND TEA SET. Never used. 01747-822338. £20.

NORDIC TRACK EX 3.2

ELECTRONIC exercise bicycle with user’s manual £30. 01963 351106

SINGLE CURTAIN WITH TIE BACK. Cream/navy check. Cream lining. Rufflette head. Heavy cotton and weighted. Excellent condition. 117cm long. 173cm full width. £10. 01258 454607

2 LARGE GARDEN SETTEE COVERS for sale. Brand new. Not opened. Waterproof. Very strong. £30. Buyer collects. Please call 01722 335258 after 4pm.

112910

GENTS SUMMER JACKET LIGHT

STRIPE 44 Chest and 32 LengthAs new £35. 07879-880-250

ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER. Sturdy. Used. £40 ono. Tel: 01935-813967

2 BIKES AND 2 HELMETS £20. Tel: 01985 845211

A SET OF 4 HENSELITE OUTDOOR Lawn Bowls, size 5, in a box. £30. 07707-596857

JARVIS WALKER MIRAGE 850 REEL (BOXED) and 12ft beach rod combo - £35 - 07774 373007Sturminster.

30 VINYL LPS INCLUDING RARE C&W on Decca. Most Near Mint £30 Tel: 07963 319751

AVIARY PANELS - £50. Wincanton 01963 33156

ROOF BOX FOR CAR - Solid/large (you will need roof bars) £20 ONO (Yeovil) Tel 07563 105 836

GOLF IRONS BEN SAYER M2i - full set 3 to sand wedge - £2007774-373007 - Sturminster

DOG GUARD FOR MERCEDES C

CLASS ESTATE. £10.00 Pre 2007 Tel 07731 843743

KIRKDALE SOFA, 2-seater. Loose covers, burnt orange, VGC. £50. Tel: 01963-251617

NEW BONHAUS ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER. Still in box. £45. Tel: 07772-065860

1 IBC COMPLETE. £50. Tel: 07770-778740

SONY X0-D20 MID HI-FI SYSTEM. Speakers, tuner, record player, cassette, remote control. Tape not working. £50. Tel: 01935-813920

PANASONIC 43” TV. GWO. £50. Tel: 07447-903276

2 GENTLEMANS SUMMER WEIGHT JACKET. Medium size. Ivory linen and light beige pollyester. £25 each. Hardly worn. Tel: 01747-837834

BRAND NEW CAMPING GAS STOVE, with kettle and toast rack. Never been used, slight damage to corner of carrying case. Bargain £35. Tel: 01963-31930

PAIR OF SONY SS-A1 2 Way Single Bookshelf Speakers from Sony Hi-Fi, £18. Wood surround. Marnhull Tel:01258 820134

MOWER LAND 3 IN 1 PETROL GARDEN MULTI TOOL. Strimmer, Hedge Trimmer, and Pole Saw plus extension pole. Little used, excellent condition. £50. Tel: 01935 834270.

A LARGE SELECTION OF GLASSES. £1 each. Flutes 14cl, 16cl & 18cl, Wine 25cl, Budweiser 30cl, Stella 1pt, Wine 19cl. call for quantities, Collect from DT11. 07946 544189

PET CARRIER (suitable for 2 cats) very good condition. £10 ONO (Yeovil) 07563 105 836

2 KITCHEN BAR STOOLS grey seats metal legs price £50 for the two Tel 07484 697567

BIKES. CITY DISCOVERY LADIES MODEL. Phantom Integra Mens model. £50 both. or £25 each. GWO. Tel: 01963-220464

CHILD SAFETY GATE, extra wide, still boxed, unused £20 ONO 01258 820869

2 PAIRS OF LADIES CLARKES black lace up shoes. Never worn.£30.00 each Please phone 07710 226286

850mm ORCHARD EDEN WHITE FLOOR Standing Vanity Unit (slightly damaged back panel ) and Ceramic Basin £40. Tel: 01747 897199

Classified Adverts classified@blackmorevale.net

1 ad per contact number. Please limit to: 15 words or less household items only

Display ads must be booked by Wednesday the week prior to publication, with final copy submitted by the Friday.

Classified ads may be accepted after this, HOWEVER these will be subject to space.

MODEL RAILWAYS WANTED. Cash paid for model railway collections. Small or large items. Anything considered. Call Dennis 01722 741031

OLD BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392 602014

Summer lunch on the firepit

Boned and butterflied leg of spring lamb with saffron and rosemary potatoes

THE sunshine brings inspiration for outdoor eating and this is our go to family and friends late lunch menu on a Saturday afternoon.

If I’m organised, I’ll bash several cloves of garlic, a handful of rosemary sprigs, lemon wedges –squeezed – and olive oil, and put it in a large freezer bag with the butcher’s prepared leg of lamb which he’s kindly boned and butterflied for me overnight.

If not, I’ll put it all in a roasting tray and give the ingredients a good massage into the underside of the lamb, flip it and stab through the skin again, giving it a good rub, and season it with a half handful of Maldon salt.

On the firepit

ONCE the firepit has reduced to searing embers, I place the lamb skin down first, which gets the flames fired up again, and once a good colour, I’ll turn it over with a large barbecue fork onto flesh side down and leave it to cook char and until the meat is pink to the slice.

I put it to rest on the side of the firepit or on a nearby side table to relax. You can cover it in foil while doing so.

Saffron potatoes

I WILL have prepared the spuds, peeled and halved if necessary, and boiled in a pan of salted water with a teaspoon or two of turmeric – to cheat! Once cooked, drain. Dry and put in the fridge until needed.

Now the lamb is cooked, put the potatoes either onto your firepit or pan fry on two sides to

get a little crunch, and garnish with a few strands of saffron, if you have it.

Halve three lemons and char face down on the firepit to serve as garnish. Lemons become sweet and juices thicken and are so delicious squeezed over your slices of lamb.

Serve with your favourite salads and a mint sauce on the table. Get eating!

Elderflower & lemon posset (serves 6-8) THIS can be made in the

A gift to remember

For an aspiring cooking connoisseur our Masterclass Experiences are a thoughtful gift - choose from a hands-on kitchen apprenticeship or cocktail-making with our professional bartenders.

Gift vouchers are available in any monetary denomination, and can be redeemed against anything from dinner and drinks, to masterclasses, to our 12 O’Clock Gin!

Sign up to our newsletter for details of forthcoming events. Find details on our website.

morning or the night before, but the elderflower sugar needs 24 hours. For this, grab a nice head from your nearest elderflower bush and put it whole in a small clip jar with 150g of caster sugar overnight.

To make the posset, it’s all about the chemical reaction of the lemon juice to the cooked cream and the – elderflower –sugar.

Bring 600ml of double cream to the boil with the 150g of caster sugar, turn it right down to a simmer for a minute and turn off the heat. Immediately whisk in the juice of two lemons and it should start to thicken straight away! Pour into six small water glasses or teacups – 100ml in each. Set in the fridge. To serve, garnish with a sprig of fresh elderflower and a sprig of mint. n Annie des Forges, director/ chef The Table Bruton, annie@ thetablebruton.com, phone 07834 487381; Director, Host and Concierge Somerset Road Trip.

Annie des Forges serves up her lamb with saffron and rosemary potatoes

Food and drink at the castle

THE National Trust is hosting Love It Local’s inaugural Food and Drink Festival at Corfe Castle this weekend.

The castle grounds will be home to a celebration of local produce, showcasing food and drink sourced from across the Isle of Purbeck, along with fun, family entertainment.

A wide variety of produce will be on offer for visitors. There will be a selection of artisan foods and homemade snacks, including cheeses and chutneys.

Those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy ice cream, jams, brownies, traditional sweets and much more.

Visitors will also have a choice of meals throughout the day. Gourmet toasties, fun burgers, quiches and bacon rolls will be among the options on

offer.

Stalls will also be selling a variety of locally produced alcohol, including gin, mead and cider.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend. Children can take part in face-painting, balloon modelling, glitter tattoos and hair braiding. A bar and live music will also be on offer.

Eoin McDowell, experience and visitor programming manager, said: “Purbeck has some of the best food and drink businesses around, and we’re delighted to host them at the castle for the Love It Local food festival.

“We’re looking forward to a fun, family atmosphere.”

The festival is on Saturday and Sunday July 6 and 7, 10am-5.30pm.

Durweston DT 11 0QW

Half a pig approx £130.

Home reared and locally produced meats, game, deli, f ruit, veg, f ree range eggs and lots more.

Follow us on Facebook for all our latest meat pack deals and what’s in f resh that week.

Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm.

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB

SERVING FINE FOOD AND DRINKS

Peter and Karlene are delighted to invite you to the Plough Inn at Manston and look forward to seeing you soon.

We are delighted that our renovation and expansion project has been well received by customers as have our food and beverage offerings. After a very long search, we now have a fully staffed kitchen and offer our full lunch and dinner menu every day from Tuesday lunch until Sunday lunch. We are closed after lunch on Sunday and all day Monday. We offer a wide range of beers, cider, wines and spirits as well as a range of non-alcoholic options.

A Pub With Warmth And Atmosphere

The bar and snug have been refreshed but retain all the old features that made this cosy area so attractive. And, by popular demand, we have a new wood burning stove to provide atmosphere and warmth whenever needed! We have a completely new kitchen, beer cellar and new male, female and disabled washrooms. The old conservatory is now an insulated garden room and we have a new dining area which can accommodate a further twenty guests.

Hearty Food

And Distinctive Drinks

By experimenting with our menu and listening to our customers we have developed a popular menu ranging from light snacks to exciting specials and everything in-between. Please look at our menu and see if you can spot your favourite country pub meal. For Sunday lunch, in addition to our full menu, we offer a traditional roast with all the trimmings. Our range of drinks has evolved in response to customer demand and caters for all tastes. But most importantly we have built a wonderful team to look after you all and ensure a great experience at the Plough.

We hope to see you soon, Cheers, Peter & Karlene

Meditations in nature: One mid-summer evening...

by Susanna Curtin

IT is only one day to go before the summer solstice – an important tipping point in our calendar when the sun is at the northernmost point from the Earth’s equator, giving rise to our longest day. It is one of humanity’s oldest festivals celebrated by cultures from both hemispheres and marked by ancient tombs and monuments that align with either a rising or setting sun. Chilly grey weather has not enticed me out as much as usual this year, but the solstice is a timely reminder to make the most of these long summer evenings. So, grabbing my faithful old walking boots, I head out along the fields towards the Stour to cherish this tranquil and beautiful eventide. With the help of a random book that I picked up from Waterstones, and my close friends, I have come to realise that during the last few months, I have moved away from my “essential self”. I have stopped my regular walks, and I miss

them. Our essential selves are the core of who we are, the inalterable behaviours that are uncontaminated by life’s expectations and social conditioning. Bogged down by work and injuries, I have not been taking sufficient time out in nature to explore the beauty and dramas that are gently unfolding right outside my door as the year moves on. So here I am now, rediscovering a path my feet have walked a thousand times before, beside the banks of the Stour, and already, the weight and worries of the day are silently floating away. I had forgotten how wonderful this is. Looking skywards, I notice the waxing gibbous moon that is floating higher into the bright

blue evening sky. In a few days’ time it will be the sixth full moon of the year, and a rare Strawberry Moon, named after the wild strawberries harvested by Native American tribes at this time of year, but rare, as it coincides with the solstice only every 20 years. Below the moon, buzzards are circling, and below them, sheep and horses quietly graze on buttercups, plantains, clover and birdsfoot trefoil. It is a calm and timeless scene.

On the other side of my path, the reed beds that line the banks are bristling with the beeps, trills and shrills of the reed warblers – secretive, energetic, fine brown birds from Africa who weave intricate nests along the riverside. They have two broods and are a favourite host species for the trickster cuckoos who leave their oversized eggs and chicks to be fostered. Although I cannot see these busy, noisy little birds, it is so lovely to hear them going about their business.

Health & Wellbeing SMART

The rough path that follows the curves and turns of the river eventually lead me up into a shaded area lined with gnarled willows and tall, architectural umbellifers, mostly water hemlock and hogweed. Occasionally, the lowering sunbeams chance upon fine gossamer threads of spiderlings travelling on the breeze. Flitting among the umbellifers, I watch the breathtakingly delicate beautiful and banded demoiselles. No matter how often I encounter these damselflies, their iridescent blues and greens never cease to amaze me – I just have to stop to admire them. But eventually, I leave them to their fine art and turn the corner to be beside the river again, and as I do so, I just catch a glimpse of a kingfisher, who on seeing me, speeds away in a flash of blue.

Finally, down by the mill, the evening sun bounces diamonds off the swirling water. Here I just take time to sit on the old stone bridge listening to the sound of the river cascading over the weir. The kingfisher skims past on her return journey to feed her chicks downstream and the sun sinks lower. Time, I think, for me too to turn for home. Making my way up the lane under the old oak trees, with the countryside alive with evensong, I am so glad to have been reacquainted with the simple pleasures of a summer evening in Dorset. I won’t leave it as long next time.

n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin.susanna@gmail.com).

A beautiful demoiselle

Health & Wellbeing

Head in the clouds? There’s a remedy for that

by Fiona Chapman

WITH all this rain we have been having the canopy of leaves on the trees is quite astonishing. Walking on Okeford Hill in among the beach woods you almost need a torch to see where you are going it is so dark underneath. No wonder very few other trees grow.

This has made me think of the Bach Flower Remedies which I will often use for people who are stuck emotionally, and beach is one of the remedies. There is a wonderful website about the Bach Flower remedies, www. healingherbs.co.uk, which takes you through all the remedies Edward Bach came up with, a film clip done by Julian Barnard about the individual remedies and why they are used for different stuck emotions. beach is used for intolerance.

When you meet someone who is over critical and impatient with everyone and everything, a few drops of beach should restore their tolerance and make them easier to live with. You can see why Edward Bach used beach because the canopy is so dense it just does not let any light in, which is what you feel when stuck in an emotion that is exacerbated by everything that others do. I think the Bach Flower Remedies can be extremely effective. You only need a couple of drops, as they are used energetically, and after taking them in half an hour or so you suddenly realise you are feeling brighter or less tired or happier, depending on what you have taken.

Wild clematis, or old man’s beard, is another remedy that is for those who have their head in the clouds and are unable to live in the present. Again, you can

see why Bach came up with this as clematis goes up into the trees and climbs anything to get to the sky. A few drops will be grounding and bring you gently back down to earth to be able to cope with life going on around you.

I love these remedies and really enjoyed the little films that tell you why the plants were used. It is then such fun

spotting the plants as they grow in the wild. I suspect that my husband, if he reads this article, will be giving me industrial amounts of beach and possibly impatiens, another remedy for being irritated and impatient, although, of course, I don’t think I need them! n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

What if there are no mistakes?

by Daisy Campbell

WHAT if where we are is exactly where we are meant to be? What if there are no mistakes, no wrong turns, no wrong decisions? What if even the most painful moments are precious lessons, lessons that help us to become who we are here to be. Wouldn’t that be a relief?

I find a common theme that comes up with my clients, is that they feel they should have done things differently. When I look at them and really hear them, I see that they are exactly where they need to be – easy, I know, from a distance! This is not to say that we shouldn’t want and desire to change things going forward, but that we should resist the urge to beat ourselves up about where

we have been and what we have done. It has actually been there to serve us perfectly, although hard to see at the time.

Could it be that we have all come here with very personal things to learn and go through? This might help us to make sense as to why some people have such hard lives compared to us, or we feel we have such a tough time compared to others. Sometimes it can feel like it just doesn’t make sense or that life isn’t fair, when, in fact, we are all just experiencing our own specific and very meaningful set of lessons.

Life is an ever-changing journey, a journey that brings joy and a journey that brings pain. If we can begin to see the

more challenging moments as ones we can grow and learn from, this can help to shed a new light on sometimes very difficult situations. It certainly doesn’t take the pain away, but perhaps it can help to soothe us a bit, knowing that through it we are learning something important, an unknown lesson that will mould and shape who we are becoming, for the better. I find when I attempt to adopt this thought process, it helps to remind me to surrender to what is – and no, this doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams and what you want, or suppressing your feelings, but that it helps us to not fight the situation we are in, rather see it in a new way.

We are all on a unique path filled with our own precious

moments, some rich with laughter and smiles and some filled with tears and gripping pain, pain that we feel we may never recover from. But when we look back, although the pain is never really gone, is it now wrapped in a soft layer of empathy and love and wisdom that we didn’t have before? We are all exactly where we need to be, right now. Trust all is working out perfectly, although a bit bumpy and sometimes uncomfortable, your beautiful story is unravelling just as it should. Is there not great peace in that?

n Daisy Campbell is a certified health coach. For gentle guidance and help to make changes, phone 07740 864616 or email daisydundas@yahoo. com.

Wild Clematis, or Old Man’s Beard, is a remedy for those who have their head in the clouds and unable to live in the present

Motoring

Village cuts speed limit to 30mph

SPEED limits have been reduced to 30mph on several roads in Bourton in north Dorset.

Introduction of the new limits aims to enhance safety and improve road conditions for all.

The decision is in response to a request from Bourton Parish Council for the speed limit to be reduced.

Dorset Council worked closely with the parish council, residents and Dorset Police

before the change.

The 30mph limit, which came in on June 21, now applies to the following roads: New Road, High Street, Tan Lane, Olde Fairfield, Silton Road, Mill Lane, Brickyard Lane, West Bourton Road, Old Pound Court, Church Track, Woolcott Lane and Chaffeymoor Hill.

Jack Wiltshire, head of highways at Dorset Council, said: “We encourage local communities to decide upon new speed management

measures in their areas, and we listened to the concerns of residents and the parish council before introducing these new limits.

“People were also able to provide comments via a public consultation before the final decision was made.

“Reducing speed limits aims to make areas safer for all and a full range of measures is considered before a new limit is introduced.

“Nevertheless, motorists

should always drive responsibly and according to the conditions of the road, prioritising the safely of themselves and others.”

Bourton Parish Council said: “It has been a long process but, following a speed reduction campaign led by Bourton Parish Council, a very well supported petition and over 10 years of speed monitoring in the village, the local community welcomes the new 30mph limit wholeheartedly.”

RAC highlights obscured signs issue

THREE-QUARTERS (74%) of drivers say speed limit signs are the most likely type of sign to be covered up by overgrown

foliage, with 30mph signs –which are widely used to control speeds in villages and street-lit areas – the most commonly

obscured, according to new analysis from the RAC.

Over half (53%) of motorists say obscured signs are a frequent occurrence on their journeys, with a further 39% saying signs are occasionally harder to see in the warmer months.

Only one-in-10 drivers (8%) say obscured signs are not a problem on roads near them.

The RAC’s findings reveal that out-of-control foliage can have a detrimental effect on safety behind the wheel.

More than four-in-10 (42%) motorists who noticed signage

obscured by foliage said it led to them accidentally breaking the speed limit, and a quarter (26%) said they missed important information that compromised theirs or someone else’s safety.

Some 28% claimed to have missed a turn and nearly one in 10 (8%) said they ended up driving in the wrong direction.

Over half (52%) of drivers said 30mph signs were the most obscured by foliage, where a further four in 10 (39%) said 40mph signs were hardest to see and 16% said 20mph signs were overgrown.

Pit your driving skills against The Stig at Sherborne Classic and Supercars Show!

If you’ve ever wanted to meet TV’s ‘The Stig’, now is your opportunity on your doorstep – and you can even pit your driving skills against him on a racing simulator! Sunday July 21st sees the return of the Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management Classic and Supercars show at Sherborne Castle. As well as special guest Ben Collins, (ex-Top Gear Stig), there will be over 1500 cars on display, ranging from timeless veteran vehicles to the latest supercars, and including over 40 models of the prestigious Rolls Royce marque.

Ben Collins, AKA the Stig, and famous for his stint as the mystery man in white on Top Gear. Ben has been competing in motor racing since 1994 in a long list of categories from Formula 3, GT racing and competing in 24 hours of Le Mans. The simulator will be at the Westcountry Cars stand. 120 years since the meeting of Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls in 1904, Sherborne Classic and Super Car show has the privilege of over 40 models of the prestigious Rolls Royce marque gracing the beautiful grounds of Sherborne castle.

Sherborne Castle - built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, sits beside a 50 acre lake and 30 acres of gardens designed by Capability Brown, and forms a dramatic backdrop to this immensely impressive show. It has been the home of the Digby family since 1617 and the Wingfield-Digby family are also Presidents of the Show. Across the lake stands the ruin of the Old Castle, built by the Normans in the 12th century and falling to Cromwell in 1646 during the Civil War, since when it has remained a noble ruin.

Rory O’Donnell, chairman of the car show, comments: ‘Sherborne Castle could not be better suited to showcase cars such as the Rolls Royce and with its 30 acres of gardens and lake, forms a dramatic backdrop to the elegance of these vehicles. We are indebted to the Wingfield-Digby family for allowing us

to stage this event once again, and with dogs on leads welcomed, too, it really is the perfect day out for car enthusiasts and families alike.

We have previously received such positive feedback about the skills village, that it is even bigger this year. It will feature many professionals demonstrating skills including engine rebuilding, upholstery restoration, and car detailing. And there will be our popular craft stalls, trade stands and charity stalls, too. Food suppliers range from gourmet burgers to plant-based and pizzas, or people are welcome to bring a picnic – this is definitely an event with something for everyone, come rain or shine. And importantly, all proceeds are donated to charity.

Volunteers from Round Table, Lions and Rotary are some of the show’s committee members, and during its 19-year history the show has raised over £340,000 for local charities. This year the proceeds will be split between 19 beneficiaries including The Yeovil Opportunity Group, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Mosaic.

Below: Ben Collins

Early bird tickets (until July 19th) are available at classic-supercars. co.uk for £17.00, (a saving of £3 on the gate price) and accompanied children under 16 have free entry.

For further information please contact secretary@classic-supercars. co.uk

Bodyshop

Bodyshop

Diagnostics

Bodyshop also available.

VEHICLE STORAGE, MOTOR HOMES, Classic Vehicles, Lorries/Busses. Outdoor and Indoor. Tel: 07860-872719

YAMAHA YBR 250cc. F. 59reg. 12months MOT. 13,500miles. Black & Silver. Well maintained. £2200. Tel: 07890-285066

STORAGE FOR CARAVANS, boats and cars at Enford Farm near Blandford. 01258 450050 / 07704 813025

STORAGE CONTAINER has become available for storage. In a dry barn, which also has space to store vehicles/ tractors/boats etc. SP8-5LX. Tel: 07967-641382

CLASSIC CAR. 1952 RILEY RNB 2.5l. All panels restored. Engine, gearbox, rear axle all in good working order. Laid up in 1974 with V5 document. Full restoration. £4-£5k ONO. 01963 351931

15B

15B

MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

MOTs – class 4, 5 and 7

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Collections

Courtesy Cars

Concessions

Courtesy Cars

Collections

2008 (08) Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6HDi Desire 5 Seat MPV Estate 5dr. 75bhp, diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, high seating, tip tumble & removable rear seats, massive load space, MOT January 2025, cambelt has been replaced, not perfect but a great value, bargain clearance car, 195,000 miles ...................................................................................................

2018 (18) Dacia Sandero Stepway 0.9TCe Laureate 5dr. 90bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, reverse camera, parking sensors, cruise control, hill start assist, only 13,500 mile ...............................................................£8950

2015 (15) Honda Jazz 1.4 ES Plus Automatic 5dr. 99bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, sat nav, sign recognition, cruise control, parking sensors, clever folding rear seats & good size boot, only 24,500 miles ..........................................£9450

2018 (18) Hyundai Kona 1.0T-GDi Premium SUV 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, parking sensors & reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill start assist, 21,300 miles.................................£12250

2005 (55) Mercedes-Benz SLK200 Kompressor 1.8 Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, electric roof, heated leather, neck heating, wind guard, cruise control, auto lights, MOT Feb 2025, exceptionally well kept vehicle, documented history, 11 stamps, bargain clearance car, only 31,500 miles .........................................................................................................£6500

2010 (60) Nissan Juke 1.6 Tekna SUV 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, heated leather, sat nav, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, MOT June 2025, bargain clearance car, 84,500 miles ................................................£3000

2016 (16) Mini Clubman 1.5 Cooper Estate. 134bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, hill start assist, auto wipers, cruise control, £35 a year tax, upto 55mpg, great load space, 35,200 miles ..................................................£10950

2009 (09) Skoda Roomster 1.4TDi SE MPV Estate. 80bhp, diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, high seats, big load space, MOT April 25, cambelt replaced, not perfect but great value, bargain clearance car, 172,000 miles ...................£1250

MAZDA BONGO, 2berth camper van. 53 plate. good condition. MOT May 2025. £7500. Tel: 07790-809733

LANDROVER. DOUBLE CAB. Pickup. XS. Metallic green. 50,000 miles. 1 owner. FSH. October 2015. VGC. £35,000+. 07787-447236.

OLD, INTERESTING & CLASSIC CARS wanted pre 1990s Any condition including unfinished projects Cash/Transfer. Please Phone Paul 07890 096907

UNWANTED VEHICLES bought for cash ●Mot failures ●Nonrunners ●Unfinished projects ●end of life scrap vehicles ●minimum of £200 paid for complete vehicles. Call Ryan on 07474 737577

2009 (59) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXi 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, 52,500 miles, MOT June 25, auto lights & wipers, full history, 14 stamps, cambelt has been replaced, bargain clearance car, 52,500 miles..£2500

2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, pre-collision assist, sign recognition, 63,600 miles.........................................................£7650

2018 (68) Vauxhall Grandland X 1.6CDTi Sport Nav Automatic SUV 5dr. 120bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, high seating position, sat nav, heated seats, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill start assist, parking sensors, electric tailgate, cambelt has been replaced, 63,500 miles............................. DUE IN SOON

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

2018 (18) Ford Transit Custom 2.0TDCi 290 L2 H1 Limited Double Cab Van 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, long wheel base double cab van with 6 seats & large rear load area, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill start assist, heated front seats, cambelt wetbelt has been replaced, 86,800 miles ........................................ £15000 + VAT = £18000

2015 (15) Ford Transit Tourneo Custom 2.2TDCi Limited 300 LWB 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 125bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, leather, heated seats, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, park sensors, sat nav, side bars, roof rails, hill start assist, tip tumble & removable 2nd & 3rd row seats, large boot, 145,200 miles........................................................................................................£15000

1997 (P) LandRover Defender 90 2.5TDi Hard Top 3dr. 111bhp, diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, well kept vehicle with MOT until February 2025, private sale on behalf of a customer, 246,800 miles ..................................£6750

MEETING PLACE

RETIRED LADY WOULD LIKE PHONE/PEN-PALS, preferably retired. male or female. Tel: 07786-771409

PUBLIC NOTICES

Licensing Act 2003

Notice of application for the GRANT of a

PREMISES LICENCE

Proposed licensable activities: Sale of Alcohol by retail, for consumption off the premises (distance selling)

Name of applicant: Emily Estate (UK) Limited

Address of Premises: The Newt in Somerset Fulfilment Centre, Galhampton Hill, Galhampton, Post Code: BA22 7AE

Date by which Responsible Authorities and other persons may make representations: 24/07/24

A record of the application made to the Licensing Authority will be kept on a register at the address given below and the register may be inspected during normal office hours. All representations regarding this application MUST BE IN WRITING and sent to:

Somerset Council , Licensing Department, The Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT

Or email: licensing.south@somerset.gov.uk

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to an unlimited fine on summary conviction for the offence

THANK YOU

ON BEHALF OF THE STARS APPEAL SALISBURY HOSPITAL

we raised £1,223.25 on June 8th at Gillingham Social Club. We could not have done this without the support and donations of these people: Dextra, Virginia Harward, Catleys, Mandy’s Card Shop, Ethos Candles, Utopia, Gillingham Social Club, Crockers, Teresa, Shirley, Brenda, Carol, Kirsty, Sue, Mavis and Tina. A big thank you to all who came and supported us.

PATRICIA BUTT

- Patricia’s Family would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and support and also for attending Patricia’s celebration of life. Also everyone who donated to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, which amounted to £515.50. Special thanks to Keith Shirland for conducting the service and Ian and team of Merefield and Henstridge Funeral Directors. Also Sandy of Mayflowers Gillingham and Sally and team at Shaftesbury Football Club. Special thanks to all of the medical staff for their dedication and care they provided for Patricia on Spire ward at Salisbury District Hospital. Also Pippa and Gemma of the Head and Neck Cancer Unit.

DEATHS

MITCHELL

Rodney William – ‘Mitch’

Peacefully on 14th June 2024 at The Glen Care Home, Evercreech, aged 86 years of Wincanton. Much loved Husband of Liz. Dearly loved Dad of Adam and Sam. Adored Grandad, Great-Grandad and Brother. Graveside funeral service at Wincanton Town Cemetery, on Tuesday 9th July at 1.00pm.

No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Parkinson’s UK can be made via: peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge BA8 0RB.

Peter Marsh

1944 – 2024, formerly of Belchalwell

Passed away in Salisbury Hospital after a short illness.

Graham Pain (Chicko)

Passed peacefully at home 23rd May aged 80. A celebration of Chicko’s life will be held at 3pm On Saturday 13th July at Pulham Village Hall. All friends welcome

AUDREY MARY FOOT (MARY)

Peacefully at home on the 22nd June 2024. Mary aged 85 years of Stourpaine. Dearly loved Wife of Paddy. Much loved Mum, Nanny & Great Granny. Funeral service to be arranged. All enquiries to Peter Jackson Funeral Services. Tel: 01963 362570

ISABEL BROWNING GOOD

on 16th June 2024, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital aged 93 years, of Shaftesbury. A much loved wife of the late Norman, mother, step mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all family and friends. Funeral service takes place at St James Church, Shaftesbury on Tuesday 9th July at 12.00 noon. Family flowers only but donations for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Announcements

DEATHS

GORDON FRANK GEAL

On 17th June 2024, peacefully in Dorset County Hospital aged 91 years, of Manston.

Formerly of The Red Rose Restaurant, Sturminster Newton.

Husband of the late Betty.

Funeral service takes place at St Nicholas Church, Manston on Friday 12th July at 2.30pm.

No flowers please but any donations for St Nicholas Church can be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent c/o

Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Please make any cheques payable to Child Okeford with Manston PCC

TORY – John Phillip Lovelace

Peacefully at home on 25th June 2024. Dearly loved husband of Jackie, Father to Edward and Philippa, Grandfather to Annabelle, Nancy and Vivi. Friend to all. Memorial at St. Nicholas Church, Durweston at 11.30 am Donations to the Weldmar Trust.

Julie Hillier (née Henson)

Passed away unexpectedly at home in Marnhull on 23rd June 2024, aged 63 years. A much loved partner to Rob and mother to Laura and Rebecca, who will be very much missed by all her family and friends.

Service to honour her life at 2pm Wed 17th July at St Gregory’s Church Marnhull DT10 1PZ, followed by a wake at The Udder Farm Shop, East Stour SP8 5LQ.

Family flowers only please. Donations can be made in Julie’s memory to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, c/o L C Hill and Son Funeral Directors, Mere BA12 6DZ.

HARVEY

Edward Arthur

‘John’

Peacefully on 18th June 2024 in Yeovil District Hospital, aged 85 years of Templecombe.

Much loved Cousin and friend. Graveside funeral service at Marnhull Cemetery, on Tuesday 16th July at 1.00pm. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance can be made via: peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge BA8 0RB.

David Randle Williams ‘Dave’

Formerly of Amesbury and Blandford Forum Passed peacefully at home in Gillingham on Tuesday 11th June aged 74.

Husband to Sue for 25 years, father to Mark and Paul, stepdad to Jen, David and Kevin, brother to Sue and friend to many.

Much loved and missed by us all.

All family and friends welcome to the memorial service at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham on Wednesday 17th July at 12 noon and to raise a glass in his memory afterwards at the Dolphin pub.

No flowers please, but donations can be made to Asthma & Lung UK (formerly British Lung Foundation) Dress smart/casual, with not too much black please!

ROGER WILLIS

Aged 86years of Sherborne. On 16th June 2024, peacefully at West Abbey Care Home, Yeovil. Roger will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Funeral Service has taken place. Donations in memory of Roger are being invited for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. C/O Harold F.Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

CHAPMAN – Bryan Thomas

Passed away peacefully on Thursday 20th June, aged 87 years. Beloved husband of Susie and a loving father to Andrew and Helen. Bryan will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. Funeral Service on Tuesday 23rd July 2024 at 3:00pm at Harbour View Crematorium, Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minster, Poole BH16 6AN. Family flowers only; donations if desired are in aid of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, these can be donated on the dedicated tribute page to Bryan at www.tapperfuneralservice.co.uk/harbour-view

George Masterton

Passed away peacefully at home In Gillingham on 19th June 2024, aged 87 years.

Much loved Dad, Grandad & Great Grandad who will be greatly missed by all his family.

Funeral to be held at Salisbury Crematorium on Wednesday 17th July at 1pm. Family flowers only. Donations In memory of George to Weldmar Hospicecare, c/o Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors on 01747 822494

School celebrates 150th anniversary

PUPILS at St Gregory’s CE VA Primary School in Marnhull went back in time and looked into the future when they held a week-long celebration of the school’s 150th anniversary.

The Bishop of Salisbury began the week with a visit to open the school’s new spiritual garden.

The youngsters spent a day in Victorian costume learning about education 150 years ago and designed and built their “School for the Future” – a glimpse of what St Gregory’s might look like in 50, 100 or 150 years’ time.

They also had a visit from a teacher who was at the school when it celebrated its centenary and were able to ask questions.

The children also performed traditional – and not so traditional – country dances, put on a display of their artwork in the hall and mounted an exhibition of artefacts from the school’s past.

The festivities ended with a shared event with the Jungle Hut PreSchool, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Greg’s Jungle Fun Day saw the school field transformed with a barbecue and beer tents, a dog show arena, stalls run by

local businesses and the children themselves, bouncy castles, and in the evening, the outdoor classroom became a stage for live musicians who performed until dusk.

The Crown Inn provided all the barbecue items free of charge, Tilly & Family supported the dog show and CJ Fry & Sons and Ford Fuels gave sponsorship.

A school spokesperson said:

“It was a very exciting week with the school brilliantly supported by the parents, governors and staff, further punctuated by activities around

the school pool and having a very

Cream teas for French visitors

PUPILS at Thornford Primary

School gave their visitors from a school in France a real taste of England when they came to Dorset on an exchange trip.

They served up a cream tea to the pupils from their twin school in Normandy – with many of the French children never having tried scones with cream and jam before!

The party of 59 French youngsters, from Hudimesnil, near Granville, visited the tourist attractions in London, and the Harry Potter Studios and Bath, before heading to Dorset.

All the children went on a

Back at school, the youngsters took part in a range of activities including making collages and friendship bracelets, reading French stories and going on a nature scavenger hunt.

Thornford primary headteacher, Neela Brooking, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to host our French friends and welcome them to the area.

“This was a great experience for all the children, helping improve their language skills and build new friendships. We look forward to them visiting us again in the future.”

the 80th anniversary of D-Day, starting swimming in

successful squad representing the school at the Area Athletics in Yeovil.”

trip to visit Sherborne Old Castle and Sherborne Abbey, and, partnered with their pen

pal, the Thornford pupils got to practise their French as they showed them around.

Marnhull Primary School’s pupils today (above) and their contemporaries in 1910

The hosts and visitors went to Sherborne Old Castle

Recruitment

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ENTHUSIASTIC, EXPERIENCED GARDENER required near Gillingham for approximately 16 hours per week. Excellent hourly rate for suitable applicant. Telephone: 07788 536890

Why businesses find themselves short-staffed

A THIRD of UK businesses are finding themselves short-staffed at least once a week, according to research by Indeed Flex, the online marketplace for flexible and temporary work.

A survey of HR teams and managers responsible for organising staff rotas found that a third of UK businesses (34%) have a gap in their rota at least once a week because they have insufficient staff available to work.

One of the main problems is staff being off work sick

Independent Boarding and Day School for Pupils aged 4 -18 GSA/CISC

Independent Co-educational Boarding and Day School Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form The Society of Heads/CISC

An additional fifth (23%) of businesses are under-staffed at least once a month.

Novo Constare, chief executive and co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “Employers are fighting hard to fill vacancies, but in such a tight labour market many are forced to leave gaps in their rotas on a regular basis.

Driver Required

Human Resources Advisor

Full Time

PA R T T I M E , T E R M T I M E O N LY

We are seeking to appoint an experienced HR Advisor to join the school support staff team. This is a standalone position with responsibility for handling day to day HR tasks, all recruitment, ensuring compliance with employment law and school regulations, overseeing all employee relations matters and drafting HR policies and procedures. There is a significant administrative responsibility.

We are seeking to appoint a School Minibus Driver to start at the end of August 2018 The role entails driving the School vehicles on designated routes collecting children in the morning and dropping off in the afternoon at prearranged points You will also assist with some basic maintenance and cleaning of the fleet. The primary qualities sought are a genuine commitment to the welfare and safety of yo ung people You must hold a valid PCV Manual, (D or D1) Licence.

Among companies finding themselves short-staffed, half (49%) say one of the main problems is employees being off work sick.

A third (34%) point to problems recruiting enough people to fill the gaps, while 31% have staff unwilling to work certain days or hours, while a quarter (28%) attribute the problem to having staff unwilling to work overtime.

“This is a big problem for the UK economy, as it reduces productivity and can lead to workers doing more overtime and ending up feeling burnt out.

“To get around this problem, two in five businesses are using more temporary workers than they were a year ago.

“Temps are a crucial part of the labour market, as they provide employers with an immediate and flexible solution to gaps in staffing.

You will need to be well organised, have excellent attention to detail and confident dealing with the ADP HR payroll package or equivalent. A CIPD qualification is essential. This is an all year around position working 0830 to 1630 Monday to Friday.

Overall, a quarter of businesses (24%) have found it hard to fill vacancies this year, while only 13% say it has been easy to recruit.

Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 0630 to 0830 and 1730 to 1930 Term Time only. Rate of Pay: £9.69 per hour plus holiday pay

Salary will be competitive depending on experience. Please indicate salary expectation on your application.

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston.dorset.sch www.leweston.co.uk

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website: https://www.leweston.co.uk/explore- leweston/our-people/ work-with-us

Closing date: 24th July 2024

An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the School. Closing date: 15th August 2017

Nearly two in five businesses (38%) are using more temporary workers than they were a year ago.

Those using more temps say it is because they are struggling to find permanent staff and because temps offer the best way to fill gaps at short notice.

“At the same time, temping provides complete flexibility to workers over when and where they work.

“Many temps find the temping lifestyle suits them better than a permanent job with one employer, as it gives them variety and the freedom to fit work around their lifestyle and other commitments like childcare or caring for a loved one.”

WE ARE HIRING!

WITH A LARGE INVESTMENT INTO NEW MACHINERY, WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO HELP DRIVE THE BUSINESS FORWARD INTO THIS EXCITING NEW CHAPTER…

We are looking for people with skills suited to working in the following areas;

• Warehouse personnel for order picking and processing

• Steel preservation and paint line operatives

• Saw operatives

Experience in these areas is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided.

Applicants must be highly safety conscious, accurate and reliable with the ability to work as part of a team as well as under own initiative.

These roles require a proactive attitude, ideal for someone that likes to take ownership for their workload.

To be trained on all machinery including :

• Overhead cranes

• Sideloader

• Counterbalance forklift

• Steel sawing systems

• Shot blast and paint line

• HGV training can be provided for the right candidate

Benefits include

➢ Free on-site parking

➢ Uniform and PPE provided

➢ Competitive salary

➢ Overtime opportunities

Looking for a career with a progressive future?

Please apply by email

Recruitment

Beauty Therapist Position

Beauty by Rochelle, Shaftesbury

Full or part time hours

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, passionate therapist to join our skilled & friendly team. NVQ Level 2&3 beauty therapy required Email: rochelle@beautybr.co.uk

Marketing Manager – Part-Time North Cadbury Court

We are looking for an experienced, creative and resourceful marketing professional to drive the development and delivery of our marketing plans, including all aspects of our social media. You will have a strong track record in delivering high quality and imaginative campaigns and content, and collaborative partnerships.

North Cadbury Court is an exceptional property offered as an exclusive use venue for residential hire, weddings, special occasions and corporate events. If you are a team player and would like to be part of this stunning and beautiful historic venue, please get in touch. Based in South Somerset, BA22 7DR.

For more information, visit https://www.northcadburycourt.com/ and for a Job Pack and more details about the role, email pa@northcadburycourt.com

Gardener/Grounds Maintenance Person

Required to help maintain commercial & private sites. Based near Wincanton

Some experience is preferred but training can be given. Driving licence essential Contact Mike on 07738824952 or email greenmanservices@gmail.com

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

An opportunity to join our friendly Town Hall team

GARDENER - 17 HOURS PER WEEK

PART-TIME RECEPTIONIST/ ADMINISTRATOR

We are looking for a Gardener to work as part of our Grounds team on a Job-Share basis

The role includes assisting members of the public, carrying out general administration and providing support to the Mayor of Gillingham 20 hours per week

17 hours per week - to be worked Monday - Thursday 1:00pm to 4:30pm and Friday 1:00pm to 4:00pm Enhanced annual leave

23 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays and 2 Statutory days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

A full driving licence and experience of working in a similar environment are essential

Further information and application details can be found on our website: www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk/recruitment

Closing date for applications: 21 April 2024

Further information and application details can be found on our website: www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk/recruitment

Closing date for applications: 21 July 2024

SCHOOL MINIBUS DRIVERS

RELIABLE DRIVER REQUIRED. Full-time & Part-time. Details: 07913-209841

NOW ON Facebook

SELF EMPLOYED EXPERIENCED GROUNDWORKERS/PLANT OPERATORS

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team. Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail. We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If you are that exible, skilled groundworker who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin on 01258 455219 or email admin@farwellplanthire.co.uk

Now hiring Land Access Planners

Do you have a farming background and a charismatic personality?

We’re seeking rural people to join our Dorset and Somerset planning teams. Your role will be to liaise with landowners and farmers to agree access for our buried fibre broadband network, providing brilliant broadband to rural areas. We are looking for bright, engaging people who are quick to learn and know the countryside – all other training will be provided. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

wessexinternet.com/careers Salary

(depending on experience) £28,000£33,900 per annum Scan the QR code to learn more & apply

Tricky conditions in pairs match

THE annual Dorchester & District Angling Society Junior Pairs Match was held at Harbourbridge Lakes.

Twelve juniors fished in changeable conditions that made the fishing more unpredictable than was hoped.

A stiff westerly breeze made casting difficult for some of the newer juniors, but everyone managed to catch a few fish despite the challenges.

This year the teams were chosen at random after the weigh in, so no one knew who their partner was until the finish.

Austin Scott-Kennedy, who

ANGLING

caught the heaviest weight on the day, was paired with first time winner, Harry Wilmer.

Both can now call themselves champions with a winning score of six points (60lb 14oz).

Close behind with seven points were Jack Copp and Josh Roe (36lb 3oz).

A points tie for third place meant that the last podium place would be decided on weight. Kenzie Toulson and Josiah Wells-Parkes took the spoils with 38lb 9oz.

For more information about

ddas.com. For fishery information go to harbourbridgelakes.com

800-plus players in 7s competition

NORTH Dorset Rugby Club are gearing up for one of the biggest annual sporting events in the area this weekend.

North Dorset 7s will see 58 teams compete across five competitions, including Men’s Elite and Women’s and Men’s Social sections.

They will be playing tomorrow (Saturday, July 6) starting at 9.30am with the finals scheduled between 5-6pm.

The event begins on Friday

RUGBY

evening with a Vet’s 10s competition.

More than 800 playing participants and several hundred visitors are expected at the home of North Dorset in Gillingham.

North Dorset RFC boast some of the best facilities available for 7s rugby, with six pitches and plenty of parking.

They will be raising funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young

(CRY) in memory of former club captain, Max Biles, and James Hall, a former player who suffered life-changing injuries in a cycling accident last year.

The event is free to enter, car

parking for the whole weekend is £5 and camping is free of charge.

During the day, a dedicated children’s area will be available and, in the evenings, live music and DJs will ensure a lively after party.

Sports fans need not be concerned about missing the football, as that will be on the rugby club’s three screens, too. Dogs, however, are not allowed on rugby club grounds.

Linda lands a first tournament win

TWENTY women members

gathered on a fabulous sunny day to compete in the Maryland Classic Stableford at Wheathill Golf Club.

The competition was originated by Val Boothman, the first Wheathill woman captain, in 1993.

She worked for Barber’s, the local cheese producer, and cheeses were given as prizes.

After Val recently passed away, it was decided to honour her memory by awarding

GOLF

cheeses, with Charlie Barber, managing director of Barber’s, invited to present them.

Long-time club member

Linda Johnson picked up the trophy for the first time, closely chased by second-placed, Kate Cleverley.

Janet Street came in third with Jill Byrne fourth. It was a first tournament victory for long-time club member Linda.

DDAS Juniors, visit www. ddasjuniors.co.uk or email the junior secretary at juniors.sec@

Young anglers Harry Wilmer (left) and Austin Scott-Kennedy

Long-time Wheathill Golf Club member

Linda Johnson won the Maryland Classic Stableford

Masters event fun, friendly and competitive

Yeovil & Sherborne Grand Masters 7-a-side tournament 2024

EARLIER this year Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club faced an uncertain future with their home ground under threat of closure by Somerset County Council.

A concerted effort mounted in conjunction with the Yeovil Olympiads athletics club ensured that the Yeovil Recreation Centre was saved for the benefit of local residents and sports people from further afield.

Players and hockey clubs across the UK were hugely supportive and that spirit was in evidence when Yeovil & Sherborne recently hosted the second Grandmasters Tournament with 13 teams and

HOCKEY

more than 130 players aged 60-plus taking part.

The catalyst for hosting the competition was England Over-80s player, Bill Greenwood, joining the club from Wellingborough.

Bill had previously organised a successful annual masters hockey tournament and Yeovil & Sherborne HC wanted to replicate that experience in the west.

Interest in veterans, otherwise known as masters, hockey continues to grow in the UK and internationally.

The inaugural Hasbeens & Hopefuls tournament was held in Yeovil last June with five ladies and two men’s teams playing in a mixed competition.

Its success led to an increased number of entries, so, taking account player feedback, this year the club were able to run separate ladies and men’s seven-a-side tournaments with eight Ladies teams and five men’s teams.

The event was “international” as the Old Panthers ladies team, representing Belgium, made the journey to Yeovil.

On the Saturday evening 150 players, umpires, relatives and friends enjoyed a barbecue at Yeovil Rugby Club.

The emphasis was on playing hockey in a fun, friendly and competitive spirit – the socialising that took place was as important as the game play.

The success of the weekend was highlighted by the fact that all the teams taking part immediately registered for next year’s event, pencilled in to be held over the same weekend.

Yeovil & Sherborne HC are fast becoming an important hub for masters hockey in the west.

The club organise a Masters Pay and Play session on a Thursday night that runs throughout the year and is attended by older players from around the region.

For more details about joining the weekly masters sessions at the club or registering your interest in taking part in the Grandmasters Tournament next year, contact Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club secretary, Jo Stevenson, at secretary@yshc.co.uk

GOLF

WINCANTON Golf Club results.

Monthly Stableford – May 18: 1 Jim Phillips 36, 2 Jim Stephen 33, 3 Steven Ireland 32.

Monthly Medal – May 25: 1 Mike Case nett 68, 2 Nigel Orr nett 71, 3 Jim Stephen 74 ocb, 4 Steven Ireland 74.

Seniors Monthly Stableford – June 4: 1 John Westaway 38, 2 Phil Francis 37, 3 John Morgan 36.

Seniors Front 9 Hole Stableford – June 4: 1 Keith Williams 19, 2 Geoff Lye 13, 3 Derek King 11.

Monthly Stableford – June 8: 1 Jim Stephen 43, 2 Rick Graham 33, 3 Mike Case 32. Ron Smith Trophy – June 18: 1 Chris Dibben nett 69, 2 Phil Francis nett 73 ocb, 3 John Morgan nett 73.

Monthly Medal – June 22: 1 Jim Stephen nett 74, 2 Trevor Mills nett 76 ocb, 3 Richard Czemerda nett 76.

Seniors Texas Scramble –June 25: Winners – Simon Lenton / Phil Francis / Rick Graham 45 points.

SKITTLES

CASTLE Cary Skittle League are seeking new teams for next season, 2024/25. Teams are made up of eight players.

Contact league secretary, Toby Strang, at toby. strang69@gmail.com or by messenger.

The Yeovil & Sherborne Grand Masters tournament saw 150 players, umpires, relatives and friends enjoy a barbecue at Yeovil Rugby Club

Anxiety and the ‘three Ds’ technique

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

WE are seeing more anxious dogs than ever before. The causes are multiple but are generally made worse by lack of appropriate socialisation as a puppy. While the ideal time to socialise is between eight and 12-14 weeks we can still improve anxiety behaviours in an adult dog.

Anxiety will progress and behaviour will deteriorate if steps are not taken to prevent this. Many behaviours such as barking at other dogs or people – the “stimulus” – are due to anxiety and how we respond to them will affect future behaviour.

If your dog barks because it is anxious and we tell them off, the dog will become more anxious. We are often embarrassed by our dog’s behaviour and wish to make the other person know that we consider the behaviour

inappropriate. We are also often frustrated or angry with the dog for showing this behaviour which further drives our response.

However, if we utilise the “Distraction, Distance and Duration” technique, we can reduce the anxiety behaviour. Distraction with a treat or a squeaky toy before they react, increasing the Distance between your dog and the stimulus – or turning to walk in the opposite direction – and limiting the Duration they are near the stimulus will reduce any response. Ignoring the behaviour while it occurs and then praising them once they are calm again will really help. With time your dog will become less reactive because they are not getting reinforcement of unpleasant experiences but are getting a positive response to being calm.

It is important that your dog wears a muzzle if there is any risk of biting. Positive muzzle

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Friday 9am to 5pm & Saturday 10am to 1pm. oad Robin, Gillingham SP8 4PJ, opposite the Onestop ailable. Email: enquiries@busypetz.co.uk .busypetz.co.uk Facebook: Busypetz

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training can make wearing a muzzle a stress-free experience. Knowing that there is no risk of injury will help you stay calmer, which will also be reflected in your dog’s responses. Don’t worry about other people’s reactions to the muzzle – you know you are doing the best thing for your dog. Consistent responses are essential for positive progression. We must always try to respond in the same way so that your dog can predict the response they will get in a situation, and this will further lower anxiety levels. Ensure that everyone who walks your dog reacts in the same way.

LABRADOR PUPPIES, black dog and bitch available. Work type, brought up in home. Will make good healthy companions. Tel: 07880-833604

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

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Other ways to reduce anxiety are to ensure your dog gets the exercise it needs, including the option to sniff scents. Other interactions such as training or games can help occupy their minds which reduces anxiety. Avoid overloading your dog with experiences that make them anxious so that they do not become overwhelmed. Simple changes such as those described above will help. If you need further help, then speak to your vet to check for underlying health issues such as pain, and/or a dog behaviourist, and consider dietary changes/ supplements and medication if appropriate.

CUDDLES FOR CATS reliable cat sitting in your home.Jacqui 07791-198679

FOR SALE, 14 MONTH OLD GOLDEN LAB, male, both parents working, pedigree, wormed, vaccination up to date, house trained, both parents from a good bloodline, ring for more information

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CLASSIFIEDS

It is important that dogs wear a muzzle if there is any risk of biting

Teaching your dog how to retrieve

TEACHING your dog to retrieve is not only a fun activity but also a useful skill, especially for working dogs – it is frustrating when your dog will pick the ball or dummy up and then drop it further away from you or go for a parade –Sonny’s favourite game.

But there are various reasons why your dog may not retrieve including: It’s not their ‘thing’, they are too excited or conflicted, what has been previously rewarded, any negative associations with the activity or the physical health of your dog.

If your dog is physically healthy, try this game! You will need a clicker – hand-held device that makes a clicking noise – and two toys/dummies of similar value.

First, you need to teach your dog the meaning of the clicker – that they get a positive reward, that is food!

Click and immediately feed your dog – you can super charge the clicker by scattering a few treats on the floor and click every time they eat one.

Next, you are going to get your two toys/dummies – start by throwing one a short distance to your side – with the other behind your back.

When your dog picks up the toy/dummy CLICK.

As they come to you, show

them the other toy/dummy –when they drop the first one, praise them and throw the second one out to your other side.

Repeat this again.

Then see if you can click when they look in your direction with the toy/dummy in their mouth and throw the other item out.

When your dog is getting the idea of looking at you with the toy/dummy in their mouth, gradually delay the CLICK, as they are coming closer to you while the toy dummy is in their mouth – until they are by your feet with the toy/dummy and you CLICK.

Then work on gradually throwing the toy/dummy out further.

Putting yovurself in the middle of the game – items thrown to either side – can help your dog get the idea of coming back as if you are at one end of the game, the main reinforcer for your dog is away from you.

If you would like to have some help upping your dog’s retrieve, join us for some gundog training in South Cheriton.

n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBC-CAB FABC ABTC-CAB is owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching. Email raychel@ petpeevessomerset.co.uk.

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

Cats looking for new homes

n Polly 14 years old. Looking for retirement home, a few health issues which are being managed n Cindy. Nine years old, has some health issues but not on medication, needs a loving home

For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website, www.cats.org.uk/blandford.

LOST CATS

If you have lost a cat contact us via our website, phone or Facebook. Please provide a contact phone number so we can get in touch with you quickly if needed.

n White with black markings, missing since January 2024 from Gillingham.

n Light ginger tabby boy missing from Wincanton since June 7.

FOUND CATS

If you regularly see a cat in your garden or down your street that you don’t think has an owner, please give us a call. It may be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner.

n Ginger tabby found in Gillingham, May 28. Around eight or nine years old and has been around the area for months.

n Smudge, four years old. Grey and white big friendly boy, not lived indoors before, no other pets

n Pickle. One year old, sweet gentle girl that loves attention

Field & Stream

‘As the month of July rolls on, so the combines will roll out’

by AJ Selby

“WAS a hot afternoon, the last day of June, and the sun was a demon.” Bobby Goldsboro –Summer the First Time

JULY is the turning point of the year with the peak summer days just passed and a very slow descent to autumn in the offing. Of course, we still have all of July and August to enjoy warm weather and very often this continues into the first half of September, so summer is long from over. However, the observant nature watcher will notice the gradual changes as there is less energy in the plants, less urgency in nesting birds and life for man and beast moves at a more languid pace.

During April and May our feathered friends are non-stop in getting their young hatched and fledged so that they are big enough and strong enough to fend for themselves and prepare for either a home stay winter or a long trip to warmer, southern climes until next spring.

Many plants are controlled by daylight hours, so their flowering and seeding coincides with the most propitious time to shed seeds and start the next generation. Their energy now switches from luxuriant growth to flowering and reproduction.

Our native mammals too have a chance to enjoy the warmer weather where smaller species, such as harvest mice, voles and shrews, need less food for keeping themselves warm than in the winter – supplies are of course, more plentiful now. Come September they will start to feast in earnest on autumn’s bounty to pile on the ounces for winter.

Likewise, the ubiquitous grey squirrels, who I can tolerate, but I would rather see more of our native reds. I have seen them in south west Ireland and in

A combine harvester hard at work on a hot summer’s day

Scotland, and on Brownsea here but not on the English mainland.

Learning about what plants flower and when to expect them is a good skill and if you have your favourite walks you will know when and where to find the rarer ones. I went looking for the orchids in Frog Hollow again a few weeks ago and there they were. Beautiful.

It’s also great fun to watch a television drama and be quite smug about the continuity or time – often I have pointed out that the village fete can’t be in August on the screen as the bluebells are in flower in the hedge banks or the ox-eye daisies are out. Once I saw may blossom in a scene and then the caption said “one month earlier” and the later flowering elder was out! I get more pedantic about this as I get older, but all in good fun.

The last 10 days or so of June saw perfect haymaking weather and the mowers, turners, tedders and balers were out in force. After a wet year when it never seemed to stop raining and the clouds rarely parted to give us any more than a teasing glimpse of blue, a settled week with

sunshine was a call to arms for the haymakers. Crops look fairly decent from what I have seen and with reasonable quality in the grass – this starts to wane after the solstice – so to cut a decent amount before the end of June gave the farmers both bulk and bales of a decent standard.

As the month of July rolls on, so the combines will roll out. I do love watching the big machines eat up the acres of golden corn and spew the straw out the back with the grain safely in the tank and thence to a waiting trailer.

Having driven them back in the day when I had more hair and all my own teeth, I envy the drivers who have the satisfying job bringing the harvest home – I will allow for difficult days of damp ears and lodged stalks. To sit high above the acres of burnished gold watching all around as the reel guides the stalks and ears into the header is a great pleasure.

There is still that primeval urge of storing for the coming winter and the grain harvest perfectly reflects this.

There is a pair of ravens up in the village and I was

watching them in the farmyard being both very noisy and very cautious. These big, black birds have always been associated with myths, legends and foreboding. Edgar Allan Poe wrote the poem The Raven nearly 180 years ago and it tells the story of a distraught lover visited by a talking raven. The first verse makes the reader keen to continue:

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore — While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— Only this and nothing more.”

In Greek mythology, the raven, which was white, was the messenger of Apollo and informed him that his lover was unfaithful. In his anger, he burnt the messenger bird, which is why ravens are now black. They are fascinating birds to observe, and the myths and legends associated with them are certainly worth a further read.

Belle’s waistline’s expanding – but she’s not in calf

by Tria Stebbing

OVER the last few weeks, we have been keeping an eye on Belle’s waistline. She has now shared a field with Sebastian for eight months and we wondered if we were shortly to hear the patter of tiny hoofs. She has certainly gained condition and is scoffing her food down quicker than a blink of an eye. With that in mind, we called out the vet this week to scan her.

We had the usual Highland antics trying to get her into the crush, and were fortunate that Sebastian followed her in. It meant that she could walk through safely and that we would not be gored by Sebastian when he realised that someone else was giving his lady some attention.

Shortly before the vet was due, we tempted the beasts into a corral with some freshly sliced apple, giving us the chance to brush them for a while and maintain a calm environment.

A cow can be pregnant for nine months, so the scan was

either going to show an early stage of pregnancy or it would be too far gone to accurately predict.

We waited patiently while the vet got prepared and the arm went in, bated breath all round. The result left us all a bit dumbfounded. Basically, Belle was fat, and not in calf.

Her condition is good but the elephant in the room was that Babybel likes to help himself to a drop or two of Belle’s milk. In fact, that very evening, I spotted him suckling for five minutes, which is not conducive with getting pregnant.

After a brief discussion, it was decided to give her a hormone injection to help the process on and move them onto a fresh paddock for a change of scenery.

Usually reluctant to move far, the cows trotted behind Chris across the fields to their new home back on the top of the hill. Do cows remember? Who knows, they certainly know where to find the water and where not to touch the

fence.

The diet has begun, with only an occasional apple being fed as a treat now, hopefully not a backward step. We visit them every evening, taking a treat, and they are used to being handled now. We do not want that to go, so now it is just an apple and a comb. Sebastian loves being combed and rests

his head on the ground, his favourite place being down his neck.

The day ended with treating the sheep against the dreaded fly and moving the rams back in with the sheep. It is hoped for a quiet few days now while we wait for the better weather, which for us will signal the start of baling.

Vigilance urged over Asian hornet

EVIDENCE has been discovered confirming Asian hornets survived the UK winter.

Genetic analysis by Fera Science Ltd on samples collected by Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) National Bee Unit found three Asian hornet queens trapped in Sussex in May are the offspring of a nest that was destroyed in November 2023.

However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the discovery is “not considered to be strong evidence of an established population”.

Defra said that for a species to be considered as ‘established’, there should be “evidence of a reproducing population having been present in the wild for a significant number of generations and which is considered to be viable in the long term without any human intervention”.

The department said 2023 saw a record number of Asian hornets found in the UK.

The UK’s chief plant health officer, Professor Nicola Spence, recently issued a warning urging UK beekeepers and the public to be

increasingly vigilant to the presence of Asian hornet and report any sightings.

Last year, the APHA’s National Bee Unit attended every credible sighting, locating and destroying 72 nests in 56 locations, with the majority of nests found in Kent.

The National Bee Unit continues to stand ready to respond quickly and effectively to any further possible sightings. What to do if you spot an Asian hornet

IF you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet you should

report it using the iPhone and Android app ‘Asian Hornet Watch’, or by using Defra’s online report form (https://risc. brc.ac.uk/alert. php?species=asian_hornet). People can also email alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk and should include a photograph if possible.

Defra said it is important to take care not to approach or disturb a nest. Asian hornets are not generally aggressive towards people but an exception to this is when they perceive a threat to their nest, it added.

Sebastian walks through the crush – with tennis balls on his horns for safety reasons – followed by Belle

How to help animals cope with heat

by Eleanor Livingstone BVSc DBR MRCVS

Friars Moor Livestock Health

Nevertheless, at the present time, the heat presents challenges to stock and outdoor workers alike!

We often forget about ourselves in this heat, but nobody wants a groggy family member in the evening when they’ve had more than their dose of sunshine!

Tuesday 16th July

Westbrook House, Langham, Gillingham, SP8 5NQ

Dispersal of 2 Tractors, Farm Machinery & Equestrian Equipment, etc.

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm Bindon & Pinhay

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw

Including: Case CX80 with MX80 Loader, Hurlimann H-360 2wd Tractor, Opico 6m Grass Harrows, Browns 3m Aerator, PZ Zweegers Drum Mower, Major 9’ GDX Topper, Vicon Fertiliser Spreader, 4’ & 8’ Rollers, PZ Haybob, Browns Flat 8 Bale Grab, MX Bale Spike, MX Dung Grab, MX BR150 ReHandling Bucket, McConnel PA32 Hedgetrimmer, Protech P180 Post Driver, Terra-Vac Trailed Paddock Cleaner, 8’ Menage Grader, Ifor Williams P6E Trailer, Fleming 8T Trailer, 3T Tipping Trailer, Jarmet P1282 400ltr Mounted Sprayer, ATV Sprayer, Hakki Pilke Eagle Log Processor, Woodline Log Splitter, Belle Mini 150 Cement Mixer, Quantity of Building Materials, 4’ x 4’ Scaffold Tower, Fence Posts & Rails, 30 x 15m Swimming Pool Cover, Dog Kennel, etc. All items Non-VAT.

• 461ac Wheat

• 237ac Winter Barley

• 132ac Oats

Friday 30th June at 12 noon Durweston

Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset 6,220 acres of Standing Straw

• 2,442ac Wheat

Ensure that stock always have access to plentiful water, ensuring that grazing animals have access to shade and with this shade ensure that fly prevention is up to date and adequate.

A sun hat, sun cream and plenty of fluids are the order of the day – and your family will thank you later when everyone’s mood is as good as can be!

As we progress through the summer, we have several courses coming up.

• 2,006ac Winter Barley 1,557ac Spring Barley

On behalf of Mr & Mrs E Barrington-Haynes (Having sold the Farm)

Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909/07817 517467

229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

It is common for animals to huddle in the heat, searching for a breezy spot or the shade, but in turn this huddling can be attractive to flies.

Our “New Herdsperson” course runs weekly from September onwards, covering a multitude of topics for dairy herdspeople wishing to gain more experience.

Consider housing livestock during the day and grazing at night where this is feasible.

If possible, try and undertake husbandry procedures and movements early in the morning or late in the evening to take advantage of the cooler parts of the day.

Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk

Saturday 29th July

Our “Practical Calving” course will run on July 16 in advance of autumn calving and our LANTRA-approved foot trimming course will be running on September 11/12/13.

Please call 01258 472314 to express your interest.

Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH

Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Miscellaneous

Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988 Same Explorer 70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973 Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, Marshall SM6 Drop Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner, Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.

Best in the west: Tour of top farms

by Ruth Kimber

ONCE again, I have had the privilege of judging some of the best farmers/land managers in the south west.

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) runs county competitions annually. The Otter awards seek to find the farm which best delivers benefits to wildlife within a sustainable commercial structure.

The judges started in Dorset with a former dairy farm, which used its beautiful position near the coast to offer a “back to nature” campsite, off grid with no cars on site, and a standpipe and compost loo. The views were stunning, the fields were in mixture-rich leys, boosting lots of diversity, with abundant insect and bird life.

It had other camping options, a shepherd’s hut among them, offering 15 spaces in all. The farm used its buildings to generate income by letting to artisans. The main silage barn now housed an informal bar, education area, games and even a wood burner!

The farm hosted different types of visitors, including schools, interest groups and even a blind group and a deaf group, all having bespoke visits to enhance the understanding between country and town. The farm was still growing wheat and break crops with margins and so on retained for wildlife.

The Devon farm offered a similar experience to visitors, but was growing vegetables, fruit and flowers for its local box scheme. It had hens, bees and pigs, which fitted in with its system, including providing valuable manure for the garden and polytunnels.

In Cornwall the judges saw a family dairy farm, milking 250 cows with 400 beef, once again making room for wildlife. Solar panels and bore hole water were used. The farm was

investigating harnessing methane gas from the slurry store to produce electricity and feed into the grid.

The family did a great deal outside of its business for the community, including the Young Farmers’ Club, farm visits and links with local schools.

The judges then had a stay overnight in Coombe Florey, a charming village build in local red stone, with red-soiled fields all around. Many potatoes were grown there plus a good deal of maize for biodigesters.

too saline. It had visitors on the farm from the local community and further afield.

It was a very inspiring farm which had been farmed using balanced methods for many years but had always kept up with new ideas and delivered for wildlife. The farm was important to migrating birds being so close to the estuary, yet the food production aspect keeps delivering, too.

The Somerset Otter winners, Jo and Rachel Horler, farmed near the estuary, at West Huntspill. The farm was amazing with a thoughtful approach to all operations.

It was a dairy farm with pedigree organic Jerseys until a couple of years ago. It now produced beef, using its grass land, mob grazing and protected margins for wildlife, growing grass for silage or hay from herbal-rich leys from 2013, definitely ahead of the practice.

Great care was taken to attend to energy and water use. The farm had solar panels, but cannot use ground water as it is

We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.

Call us on 01749 813957 or 07971 012628 or find us at www.southwesttyreservices.co.uk

In Gloucestershire, it was another dairy farm, milking 350 cows on a grazing system. The farm overlooks the River Severn, high above the estuary, with views across to Wales. Grass fields in the HK6 scheme were in full growth with a variety of plants and insects. There had been significant hedge and tree planting, an orchard and fencing to protect hedges.

The judges then had the task of scoring and giving a report to

all the finalists, as each farm was an Otter award winner for its county. This is never easy as the standards are high and each farm so different. However, the winner usually is obvious and confirmed by the individual judge’s marking.

No different this year, Somerset was a clear winner. The other farms scored very close to each other.

Congratulations Jo and Rachel Horler. They will go forward to represent the south west in the national Silver Lapwing Awards.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen at Kimbers, Somerset Trading Barn. Linley Farm Charlton Musgrove BA9 8HD; phone: 01963 33177. www. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk, info@ kimbersfarmshop.co.uk.

Opening Times Tuesday–Friday 8.30am–5pm, Saturday 9.30am–4.30pm. Charity car boot sale Kimbers Farm Shop, Sunday, June 23. Car boots 8.30am £10. Public 10am–1pm. £1 person. BA9 8HD. Phone: 07813 98939.

Quick release couplings

Pressure wash hoses + lances

Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked

Variation of oils

Mobile service available

NFU makes ‘Save Our Spuds’ call

THE NFU is warning of the effect weather, input costs and trade are having on the great British potato.

The farming group is calling for urgent action to prevent a tightening of supply of the household staple, amid escalating problems.

It said the past three years have seen potato growers facing drought, flood and months of heavy rain this season, culminating in a perfect storm for the humble potato.

The average person in the UK eats around 33kg of potatoes each year.

Growers have reported significant delays in the lifting of the 2023 crop and a further delay in planting the 2024 crop, the NFU said.

At the same time, costs of key inputs like fertiliser and energy for storing potatoes have remained unsustainably high, with the compound cost of

production in the sector increasing by 28% over the past two years, it added.

British potatoes are usually available for people to buy all year round.

But the NFU says consecutive years of extreme, volatile weather and soaring costs have taken their toll on family businesses, leading to a tightening supply.

NFU Potato Policy Group vice-chair, Alastair Heath, said: “The potato is versatile, nutritious and affordable, making it not only a national favourite but a staple part of most people’s diets.

“Yet the future of British potatoes is at risk.”

He added: “A number of growers have made the difficult choice to reduce production to minimise losses, and the relentless wet weather has put many more growers weeks behind schedule. For some,

profits have been all but wiped out.

“Business confidence is low and investment has become a far-away concept, which is putting pressure on British potato supplies in the short-term.

“While it’s unlikely to lead to empty shelves this year, this pressure on the homegrown crop is an indication that we need urgent action to prevent the situation getting worse.

“I believe we can and should be self-sufficient in potatoes.”

The NFU said in bid to reduce the impact on shoppers, supply chains have been working with growers to be flexible with specifications to use as much of the British crop as possible, and more imports are also being used so the public aren’t faced with empty shelves.

Now, the NFU is calling for:

A plan for a proactive management of watercourses to reduce the risk of flooding and

enable access to water in times of drought, with potatoes a thirsty crop.

With growers facing increasing resistance to pests and diseases, the next government should deliver a plan for the use and availability of plant protection products.

Deliver an agricultural budget of £5.5 billion for England and Wales that underpins business resilience.

This should include schemes to support potato growers to drive productivity and adapt to climate change, particularly through funding for new and existing reservoirs and cold storage facilities, alongside enabling planning policies.

The NFU would also like supermarkets to continue to support suppliers by maintaining the relaxation of supermarket specifications of potatoes to ensure quality potatoes aren’t going to waste.

RAGWORKS, BLACK GRASS, Himalayan balsam problem? Call 07929 995747

CARAVAN REMOVAL SERVICE, old, unwanted caravans, cars, trailers, vans etc. Garden machinery, tractors, scrap metal. Yard, garden, garage removal clearances undertaken, dismantling and gas cutting service. Please call 01935 873169 or 07368-380477

Book Online classified@ blackmorevale.net

CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE.

Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040

RELIEF MILKER available contact 07896-964286

R&W FENCING. Agricultural, paddock and stock. Tel: 01258-880892 or 07980-036250

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288

Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

EVERY WEDNESDAY SALE OF PRIME CATTLE, CULL COWS DAIRY CATTLE & CALVES. PRIME, CULL AND STORE SHEEP

EVERY FRIDAY – SALE OF STORE CATTLE

WEDNESDAY 10th JULY FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS

WEDNESDAY 17th JULY FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF REARED CALVES

MONDAY 22nd JULY SALE OF TB RESTRICED CATTLE

WEDDNESDAY 10 th JULY

35 In-Calf British Friesian Heifers due August/September to Friesian 25 In-Calf Swe, Nor & Frie X Hfrs due to Angus or sexed semen

Pedigree Holstein Friesian In-Calf Heifers Pd+ due end of August to pedigree Angus bull, home bred, closed herd, geniuine dispersal. WEDNESDAY 10th JULY

WEDNESDAY 31 st JULY

WEDNESDAY 31st JULY

24 Pedigree Holstein Friesian In-Calf Heifers Pd+ due end of August to pedigree Angus bull, home bred, closed herd, genuine dispersal FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL

BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288

07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863 BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288 TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031

TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031

07815

ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

Steel frame buildings for agricultural, industrial and equestrian enterprises

Pre-cast concrete wallings panels supplied and erected Roller shutter doors supplied and fitted All steel frames are designed, fabricated & erected to conform to current CE markings Tel:

Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset, BA11 2QB 01373 830033 info@fromelivestock.com www.fromelivestock.com

Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset, BA11 2QB 01373 830033 info@fromelivestock com www fromelivestock com

Farming

Meet the new bull on the block at Kingston Lacy

THE oldest pedigree herd of Red Ruby Devon cows has been joined by a new bull at Kingston Lacy, the National Trust property near Wimborne.

The bull, called Priorton Usher, has come from a prize-winning breeder in Devon.

Rob Groves, farm manager, said: “We are constantly looking to improve the quality of this herd, which was established at Kingston Lacy more than a century ago by Walter Bankes.

“The herd plays an important conservation role, not only in the parkland here at Kingston Lacy but also out on the estate at Badbury Rings and Holt Heath, where their grazing

helps control scrub and grass, allowing diverse species of wildlife to thrive.”

Bulls are regularly home bred at Kingston Lacy, and around half the herd are running with three-year-old Kingston Lacy Winston, who comes out of the renowned Champson Diamond line.

But new bloodlines are important to develop different qualities and ensure the quality of the herd – the four-year-old Priorton Usher was chosen for his stocky build and traditional size and shape.

Priorton Usher will run with the cows in the parkland through the summer, hopefully siring many of next spring’s calves.

National award for Synergy client

*Advertising Feature

Congratulations to Synergy Farm Health clients George Brown and Hallam Mills from Bisterne Farms, nr Ringwood, who are the winners of the prestigious NMR/RABDF Gold Cup competition, one of the most coveted awards for dairy farmers in the UK. This award is made annually and we are very proud that one of our clients won this nationwide competition this year.

In May Bisterne Farms hosted a farm open day to celebrate this success, with farmers travelling from all corners of the UK to visit the farm. There were a large number of trade stands from agribusinesses that support the dairy farm’s operations. Synergy vets Josh Swain and Claire Rudd were invited as guest speakers, and led a discussion with the visiting farmers on how vets can work successfully with block calving dairy herds, with an emphasis on analysis of farm data and making good management decisions at key points in the farming calendar.

The excellent leadership qualities demonstrated by George, and the strong team ethos he has instilled in the staff, has been the backbone to this dairy farm’s performance and success. The award was well deserved, and we wish them a successful Autumn calving season.

Usher’s offspring grazing here for many years to come,” Rob added.

“Red Devons are a very special native breed, and we look forward to seeing Priorton

Priorton Usher will bring a new bloodline to the Red Ruby Devon herd

PHOTO: National Trust/Rob Groves

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

PROPERTY AUCTION 25 JULY AT MEMORIAL HALL, SHERBORNE AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Buckhorn Weston Guide £55,000 3.96 acres (1.60 hectares) of pasture land off a quiet country lane with direct road access. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Stour Provost Guide £100,000

9.94 acres of pasture land off a quiet country lane with mains water and direct road access. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Buckhorn Weston Guide £155,000 14.14 acres (5.72 ha) of level, productive pasture land in a peaceful rural location. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Maiden Newton Guide £300,000

A well-positioned building plot with full planning permission for a detached two storey dwelling, double garage and access. 0.35 acres (0.14 ha). Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

North Perrott

Guide Lot A: £55,000 Lot B: £55,000

Two productive pasture paddocks close to the village with views to the south, 7.10 acres (2.87 hectares) in total. Freehold.

Dorchester Ag | 01305 236237

Kings Stag Guide £150,000 16.67 acres (6.75 hectares) of mixed mature broadleaf woodland situated between Kings Stag and Holwell. Freehold.

Dorchester Ag | 01305 236237

Fordington Guide £125,000 - £130,000 A 3-bedroom Victorian end terrace house requiring full refurbishment throughout. CTB B. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

West Parley Guide £315,000

A 166.48 sqm. barn with full planning permission for conversion and an attached one bedroom unit already converted. CTB D. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Kings Stag Guide £65,000 2.77 acres (1.12 hectares) of pasture land with a stable block, small yard area and direct highway access. Freehold.

Dorchester Ag | 01305 236237

Osmington Guide £150,000 3.57 acres (1.44 hectares) of grassland and 5 stables with views over Weymouth Bay and The White Horse. Freehold.

Dorchester Ag | 01305 236237

Druce Guide £210,000 A Grade II Listed end terrace cottage requiring modernisation with 3 bedrooms, countryside views and long rear garden, 0.53 acres. CTB B. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Winterbourne Abbas Guide £350,000

A development opportunity to refurbish existing 4-bedroom property and build a detached house at the rear (STPP). CTB E. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

A delightful detached 2-bedroom former cart shed for updating/possible extension (STPP) in about 0.46 acres with lovely countryside views. CTB D. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Weymouth Guide £650,000

Two semi-detached cottages, and a range of outbuildings with grounds of about 1.24 acres. CTB C & D. Freehold.

A seafront cafe and retail premises in one of the most prime trading positions. Freehold (with possession of the ground floor accommodation and the large roof terrace).

Axminster | 01297 33122

Wimborne | 01202 843190 Shaftesbury

A detached Grade II Listed 4-bedroom, 3 reception room former mill requiring modernisation, in 2.30 acres. Freehold.

Yeovil | 01935 423526

Poundbury | 01305 251154 Cashmoor

A substantial detached property with 6-7 bedrooms and 5.17 acres, situated in the sought after Cranborne Chase. CTB A. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

We are taking entries for our late summer and early autumn sales

Contact our Auctions Team today: Mark Lewis or Meredith Wallis 01258 473766

Cashmoor Guide £30,000 1.70 acres (0.68 hectares) of

with chalk stream frontage and direct road access from a quiet lane. Freehold.

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

Guide: £799,000

A large, detached Grade II listed stone building, a Shaftesbury landmark, a few minutes level walk from the town centre, now with consent for conversion to a residential dwelling, if required. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Holwell

Guide: £795,000

An architecturally impressive and extended 3- bedroom, 3-bathroom cottage in the picturesque Dorset village of Holwell. CTB F. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Abbas Guide: £600,000

74.33 acres of arable capable pasture land with separate road access in a glorious position in the heart of

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

Stour Guide: £795,000

A wonderfully positioned house, built in 2021 to a high specification with bespoke fittings, located on a quiet lane towards the edge of the village with countryside views. CTB F. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

An unspoilt smallholding with scope to improve on a quiet country lane. 3-bedroom bungalow (Ag tie), 2 steel frame barns with potential all in 13.63 acres. CTB D. Freehold

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

Okeford Guide: £560,000

A double fronted 4 bedroom house on a small development of just three, in the heart of Child

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Hazelbury Bryan Guide: £340,000

A well-presented, double-fronted, threebedroom semi-detached house with a sizable south facing garden to the rear, in a wellestablished development. CTB D. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Cerne

the Dorset Downs. Freehold.

Child

Okeford. CTB E. Freehold.

Shaftesbury

West

Shillingstone Guide: £750,000

Thinking of moving in 2024?

We are particularly busy at the moment, and have a number of buyers registered with us wishing to purchase in the summer months within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

£11m scheme to turn office building into apartments

THE Vespasian House office building in Dorchester could be converted into homes to rent in an £11 million scheme.

RTI Estates Ltd, part of Redtale Holdings, wants to turn the building into 37 apartments for up to 144 people.

The plans are part of the company’s ongoing regeneration of the historic Barrack Quarter area.

Vespasian House would be converted into a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including penthouse apartments in what is currently the loft.

The NHS organisations based in the building are considering alternative arrangements to co-locate with local partners.

RTI has notified Dorset Council it intends to convert the building under permitted development rights – where the change of use is already acceptable in principle.

Chief executive Malcolm Curtis said: “Vespasian House is a key, brownfield site in a highly sustainable location in Dorchester town centre.

“We have been advised by the NHS that they are looking at alternative arrangements to co-locate with local partners.

“With their departure, we have looked at how we can repurpose the building in a positive way for the community and local economy as part of our wider ongoing regeneration of the Barrack Quarter.

“We are exploring the possibility of delivering rental homes, with flexible leases from six months up to five years that provide families not only high quality modern sustainable homes but also provide flexible and secure tenures not normally associated with the rental sector.

“We believe that with demand for rental properties being so high, this would be an ideal, long-term sustainable repurposing of Vespasian House.

“Being so close to the nearby hospital, transport links and all the town centre amenities, it would further support the revitalisation of Dorchester town centre and make a valuable contribution to the chronic under supply of rental homes in the county town.”

RTI has already carried out a £2.4m development of Barrack House to provide nine key worker apartments let to NHS workers and their families.

It has previously gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixedused building with apartments and commercial space.

Conversion of Vespasian House would also include parking.

Vespasian House in Dorchester

The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring renowned soloists, a full orchestra and a large chorus of emerging young artists Finalist in the 2023 International Opera Awards

World Première

An opera in four seasons | Composer: Paul Carr Librettist: Euan Tait (After Thomas Hardy) 23, 25 July at 19.00 | 27 July at 14.00

Marking 100 years since the composer’s death…

Giacomo Puccini 22, 24, 27 July at 19.00 | 25 July at 14.00

The Golden Anniversary Friday 26 July at 19:00

Coade Theatre, Bryanston, Blandford Forum Box Office: dorsetopera.com | 07570 366 186