The New Blackmore Vale Magazine - Issue 106

LIVING THE DREAM Community marks 20 years together

What’s inside this issue…

Get in touch with us by emailing newsdesk@blackmorevale.net or calling 01963 400186

Kye Harman Sports Editor sports@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

Debi Thorne Sales Director Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409

Jane Toomer Senior Account Manager Jane.toomer@blackmorevale.net 07714 289411

01963 400186 Lorraine Drake Distributor lorraine_drake@icloud.com 07850 529937

Fabulous Freddie is clocking up the miles for wildlife charity

A YOUNG boy from Sparkford in Somerset is running over 300 miles on the Cornwall Coast path for charity – and only has around 13 miles to go to the end of his challenge.

Freddie is just 10 years old, but by the end of his challenge he will have run almost the equivalent of Hampshire to Northumberland and climbed Mount Everest one and a half times.

especially as sometimes it was a three-hour round trip drive to get a single run done.”

The family moved to Somerset half way through Freddie’s challenge, which has made it even more difficult.

So during this year’s summer holiday, Freddie crammed in four overnight runs (sometimes sleeping in the back of the car).

“Freddie loves the outdoors,” explains dad James. “He decided that he wanted a challenge which would earn some money for a local wildlife charity (the Cornwall Wildlife Trust) but also encourage others outdoors and into fitness by proving that age nor ability should prevent you from doing so. If he can do it then anyone can.”

He was running between 33 and 34 miles over two days on each trip, and ascending well over the equivalent of Scafell Pike each time.

The family was living in Cornwall when Freddie came up with the idea for the run.

“Initially he was managing around five miles a week at the weekends,” says James.

“We quickly realised that it was going to take a very long time to do it this way,

Freddie set up an Instagram page to document his progress (@freddierunscornwall) and has garnered encouragement and respect from some legends of British Olympic sport, including Paula Radcliffe, Sally Gunnell and Liz McColgan.

With just 13 miles to go, Freddie hopes to finish his run during October half-term. Freddie’s already planning his next

challenge – running the Dorset Coast path with his eight-year-old brother Max! Show your support and donate – search “Freddie Storey” at www.justgiving.com

Community spirit

A CO-HOUSING community on the outskirts of Gillingham opened its doors to celebrate 20 years of living collectively.

On a sunny afternoon in September, the 18 residents of Threshold Co-housing Community welcomed neighbours and friends to Cole Street Farm.

The residents share resources such as heating, tools and land, and run the community through co-operation and collective decision-making.

Three of the original six founders, Gay Ellis, Michael Giddings and Jane Stott were honoured with garlands of homegrown flowers and scrolled certificates to acknowledge their vision and the work that went into the collective purchase of the property in 2004; the subsequent inception of the Community Interest Company, which provides the co-housing project’s financial and legal

framework; plus the partnership with Aster Group, a local social housing provider offering a number of affordable homes on site.

During the ceremony, Gay sang a song that the project pioneers would often sing. The words ‘Going to build a mountain, going to build it high, don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we’re going to try’, reminded everyone of the founders’ determination to keep going despite the obstacles.

Afterwards, tea, abundant cake, music, dancing, and apple pressing were laid on by Threshold community residents in the 18th-century farmhouse and on its surrounding land.

community founder, the much-loved Caroline Sharman.

This includes a one-acre garden, which was previously

pasture for grazing, and now supplies fresh produce to the community, with two large polytunnels, a forest garden, and an orchard. At the heart of the garden, there is also a peace labyrinth for meditation, and a willow bower and bench – a

Walks with my pony

ONE man and his horse are set to embark on a 200-mile cross-country walk from Surrey to Dorset in aid of the Countrymen UK charity.

Land agent and rural planner Roger Sewill, from Cheselbourne, will trek with native Dales pony Scarlet from his childhood home in Charlwood to Rylands Farm, near Sherborne, the charity’s local base.

Countrymen UK cares for people who have lived and worked

in the countryside and experience ill health or physical conditions.

The two-week expedition gets under way on Tuesday, October 15, and will cross five counties: Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.

Roger and his horse will travel along ancient rural pathways and cross two cities, Winchester and Salisbury.

En route, they will seek overnight accommodation from farmers and landowners.

Roger is a trustee of the Countrymen UK Club and will raise awareness of the challenges rural people face with deteriorating health.

His progress can be tracked daily on Instagram at www.instagram.com/a_ country_journey, and at www.countryjourney.com

Anyone who would like to share part of the journey with Roger and Scarlet can meet them along the way, or join them at the welcome celebration at the end of the trek at the Countrymen UK Club, near Sherborne.

To contact Roger, phone 07780 665917

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, an exhibition of homegrown produce and archive material tracing Threshold’s history was displayed in the farmhouse dining room, and visitors shared their appreciation of the way that this pioneering co-housing community is inspiring and being the change that the world needs. Find out more at www. thresholdcentre.org.uk

or email roger.sewill@reading-ag.com or rbbsewill@gmail.com

To support the Countrymen UK charity, visit https://localgiving.org/fundraising/ ACountryJourney

Above: Roger and Scarlet the Dales pony popped to Dorchester to collect some cash from the bank in readiness for their big journey

Images by Matt Bower and Alex Chamberlain

Jane Stott, Michael Giddings and Gay Ellis

Village entertainment of a certain vintage

VILLAGERS in Child Okeford are keeping it local with their production of the full-length drama Vintage, set to be performed in the village hall.

COMPACT, the village drama group known for its sell-out pantomimes, is staging the play with its authors, Rik Lonsdale and John Nash, and the entire cast village residents.

The support crew, from director, stage manager and lighting technician, to backstage hands and poster design, all hail from within five miles of the village centre.

Vintage tells the story of three long-serving charity shop volunteers and what happens when a teenager arrives at the shop to serve a Community Service Order.

When threatened with closure, they each discover what the shop really means to them and each other.

The drama has some challenging themes, such as loss, grief and the importance of friendship, all seasoned with comic moments.

Vintage is performed on Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19, at 7.30pm and is suitable for over-16s.

Tickets are £10 and available from The Village Shop in Child Okeford, Richard Hewitt at rik.hewitt@outlook.com or on 01258 861763.

On the otter trail

FIND the otters around Blandford Forum in a new family-friendly trail. From Saturday, October 19, to Sunday, November 3, you can wind your way through the town on the otter trail, in search of Ollie, Molly, Baby Ottis and friends, who will be hiding in windows of shops and businesses.

The handcrafted characters were made by Marian Howells, the owner of Cotton Moon – the town’s fabric, wool and haberdashery shop.

Marian has also immortalised some of Blandford’s historic buildings in fabric, including the Fashion Museum and St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, illustrating the amazing architecture and beauty of the unique Georgian Town.

Pick up an entry form from the Blandford Tourist Information Centre in West Street, Cotton Moon in East Street or the Forum Cafe in Salisbury Street.

It’s only £1 to enter, and all money raised from the Otter Trail will go to the charity Naomi House and Jacks Place.

You can follow Ollie’s travels on his Facebook page www.facebook.com/ blandfordottertrail where the winners will also be announced. Prizes have kindly been donated by local businesses.

Be part of the great Morris revival

THE Wessex Morris Men, whose practice season has just got under way at Pulham Village Hall, are looking for new recruits.

Many ‘sides’ – the term for a team of Morris men – are getting older. In the 1970s and 1980s there was an influx of new dancers and a renewed interest in folk music and culture, but since then there has been a lack of new blood.

The Wessex, one of about 800 sides in England, is still strong but new, younger members would be welcome.

The group, who have been dancing, singing and playing folk music around the Blackmore Vale and beyond for many years, had a busy summer Dance out Season.

They danced at nearly 50 locations, including Sherborne Country Fair, the Royal Bath & West Show, the Wessex Folk Festival and village pubs and halls.

The summer season started as usual at 5am above the Cerne Giant, to say goodbye to winter and welcome in summer, followed by a hearty breakfast and a pint or two at the Cerne Giant Inn in Cerne Abbas.

The Wessex Morris Men’s practice

season sees the side meet each Monday between mid-September and late April at 8pm at Pulham Village Hall.

Visitors are welcome to go along and give Morris Dancing a try.

Members practice dances and try out new ideas in a two-hour session, and then walk across to the Halsey Arms for a pint and a song, and perhaps a few tunes.

The Wessex will be holding a traditional ceilidh – a barn dance – with a ceilidh band and caller, and light supper, at Cerne Abbas Village Hall on Saturday, November 16, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 – contact David Chiplen, the Wessex Morris squire, at davidchiplen@btinternet.com or the side’s bagman, Ray, at bagman@ wessexmorrismen.co.uk, phone 01258 818237.

The group says the traditional ceilidh promises fun for all ages and abilities.

The Wessex are holding an open evening for anyone who would like to give Morris Dancing a try on Monday, November 18, at 8pm at Pulham Village Hall.

The group will soon start planning their next summer season with a possible training session for a group of 30 students from Denmark thrown in.

To find out more about Wessex Morris Men, how to get started or just have a go at Morris Dancing, contact Bagman Ray.

The Wessex will also give a talk and dance demonstration at the Cerne Abbas Arts Festival, in April next year – more details later.

The group can always give demonstrations to local schools, again, if interested, contact Bagman Ray.

Cross Keys coins in the charity cash

THE Cross Keys Inn at Lydfordon-Fosse has celebrated raising thousands of pounds for two good causes.

The pub announced it had raised a total of £6,000 for Cancer Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society at a charity presentation evening.

The event celebrated the pub’s fundraising efforts as part of celebrations for the 11th anniversary since its re-opening.

Owner David Grindley thanked the sponsors and volunteers.

“We are thrilled to have raised such a significant amount for Cancer Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society, both of whom provide invaluable support to patients locally in Somerset and beyond,” he said.

“The fun-filled weekend of August 30 to September 1 was a tremendous success.

“The charity sum raised over our 11 years to September now totals a massive £35,100 and I sincerely thank our staff, locals and sponsors for their incredible efforts.”

Anna Jackson and May Brunskill presented cheques to representatives of the charities.

The event ended with a thank you party including free food and drinks for everyone who contributed to the anniversary weekend.

New bus for Wriggle Valley

PEOPLE in the Wriggle Valley who don’t drive or don’t have the means to get into Yeovil or Sherborne can take advantage of a new bus service launching today (Friday, October 11).

The Wriggle Valley PlusBus is a new weekly service taking passengers to Yeovil and Sherborne on alternate weeks. The bus will start at Chetnole

Intrinseca, Yetminster and Thornford on its way to Sherborne, also stopping at Bradford Abbas when going to Yeovil.

The cost will be £5 for the round trip and passengers will need to register beforehand –forms to do so are available by emailing dorset@ectcharity. co.uk; direct from the PlusBus

website, www.ectcharity.co.uk/ Dorset/plusbus-in-dorset; or by calling 01258 287987.

The timetable will be fixed, so passengers can plan ahead.

It is planned is to allow about two hours in town with the first pick up in Chetnole at 9.30am, leaving town centre at 12.30pm.

The buses are 16-seater and a regular driver will be allocated to the route, who will accept cash and card payments.

It is planned to run the service for six months to assess take up, receive passenger feedback and to see whether the proposed stops work well or need adjusting both in the villages and in Yeovil and Sherborne.

If the new service is a success, it may be added to.

A grant from Dorset Council Community Transport and a generous donation from The Batten Trust have helped get the service off the ground.

Medieval history

ALFRED the Great and Dorset will be the subject when Professor Ryan Lavelle gives a talk at Shaftesbury Arts Centre later this month.

He will speak about the links between King Alfred and Dorset – not only the foundation of the borough fortress and nunnery of Shaftesbury but the importance of the ancient shire to the Kingdom of Wessex, and its tumultuous history in the ninth century.

The talk is on October 24 at 7pm. Tickets at £15 (FoSA £13) are available from the box office on 01747 854321 or www. shaftesburyartscentre.org. uk

Preserving the past for the future

ON Tuesday (October 15) 100 years will have passed since Shaftesbury Abbey was designated a Scheduled Monument, preserving Shaftesbury’s unique heritage site.

Scheduling is the oldest form of heritage protection – it is the selection of nationally important archaeological sites, such as standing stones, burial mounds and the remains of monastic buildings.

Only deliberately created structures, features and remains can be scheduled, and they can be above or below ground, but must possess archaeological or historical interest.

Scheduling began in 1913, although its roots go as far back as the 1882 Ancient Monuments Protection Act, when a 'Schedule' of prehistoric monuments deserving of state protection was first compiled.

The first Inspector was local man, Lt Gen Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers, often described as a founding father of British archaeology – and, of

course, he created Larmer Tree Gardens on his Rushmore estate.

The henge and standing stones at Avebury were among the first monuments to be formally scheduled on behalf of the nation.

Shaftesbury Abbey joined the list in 1924, so that it would be preserved and protected for the future.

Locals at that time had been concerned that the site was neglected and might be built on.

Today, it welcomes more than 30,000 visitors a year and is looked after by the Shaftesbury Abbey and Museum Preservation Trust, a small, volunteer-led charity.

sponsors.

The centenary milestone is being marked with the launch of a digital time-capsule.

Over the course of the year, it is aimed to collect 100 entries – memories, significant events, celebrations and thank-yous to people who have made a difference to the abbey over time, including volunteers and

Everyone is welcome to take part, so anyone with any thoughts, suggestions or memories of their own about Shaftesbury Abbey is invited to get in touch.

Have you performed here in a play or festival? Did you discover a find during SAVED excavations in 2019? Did you walk the St Edward the Martyr’s Pilgrimage in 1979? Or were you here when the Vikings invaded Shaftesbury in

1949?

Shaftesbury Abbey will be highlighting noteworthy events from the last 100 years on its website and social media, plus interviews with This Is Alfred Radio, with archive films links and press cuttings, images and reminiscences.

The abbey would love to hear people’s stories about Shaftesbury Abbey to add them to its time-capsule. To get in touch, email office@ shaftesburyabbey.org.uk

Golfing for children’s mental health

GOLFERS at Sherborne Golf Club have hosted a group of young people supported by Mosaic, a Dorset-based charity that helps children struggling with the death of someone close to them.

Club members are also seeking items for a silent auction they are staging in aid of the charity in November.

So far this year members have raised more than £7,000 for Mosaic and they hope to take the total past £10,000 before 2025.

At the fun day, member volunteers buddied-up with youngsters on the driving range and out on the course.

They played a mini ‘drive and putt-out’ competition, and the young guests were also able to drive a golf buggy around a short track.

The day ended with a hearty meal and prizes and medals for all.

Club captain, Russell Mead, said: “Days like this, when we are able to put a broad smile on a face where perhaps there hasn't been one for some time, are an absolute joy.

“Mosaic knows that many children are resilient and able to deal with close-family bereavement.

“They also know that many children find it really hard.

“So, if a child does stumble and find life especially challenging, our golf club is glad to do all it can to enable Mosaic to be there for them.”

He added: “Unfortunately, Mosaic are between a rock and a hard place. They are

almost entirely dependent on charitable funds – the kind of funds we’ve been raising as a club.

“The call for their child counselling and support services is greater than ever before, yet their costs are rising and their funds are dwindling.

“Knowing this, and as part of one last big push, we’ll be holding a public silent auction at the club on November 16.

“We're appealing to the local community to donate items to put into the auction [email russmeadsgc@icloud.com].

“We also want people to come to the club, get involved, have some fun and walk away with one of the many ‘must have' lots available.

“If they do, they'll know that they helped raise funds so that all the children and young people who need Mosaic's help can receive it.”

Nearly half of Mosaic’s referrals involve children or young people who have lost a parent.

One of the youngsters at the golf club fun day

Apples & armour

by Sheila Chapman BLANDFORD WI

ladies gathered in the tearoom at Blandford Fashion Museum for their monthly coffee morning, but along with the usual chatter, they spent the time organising the work rota for the following day when they would be at the Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne, for the Apple Weekend.

Friends welcome painting into Barnes archive

ONE of only two known portraits of Julia Barnes has been donated to Mere Museum by the William Barnes Society.

William Barnes, the renowned Dorset dialogue poet, began his career as a schoolmaster in Mere in the room above The Market House, where the Clock Tower is today.

After his marriage to Julia, they ran a boarding school together in The Chantry for eight years between 1827-1835.

The portrait is signed on the back by Barnes’ grandson, Col. Barnes.

The Friends of Mere Museum are delighted to add this rare portrait to their collection of William Barnes archives in the Museum.

At the Cranborne site the ladies once again kept energy levels up with their burgers and bangers in a bun, as the apples were chopped and crushed in the replica medieval apple press. The apple juice being drunk by children and visitors alike, was thought to be quite sweet this year.

The weather was autumnal with a dampness in the air, but that failed to dampen the enthusiasm of those displaying their skills and artistry, as armour shone and swords flashed, skills demonstrated and beads decorated, music played

and products displayed, songs sung and stories told.

For those who needed a little more comfort, the cake kitchen provided hot beverages and large slices of WI homemade cake around the cosy fire in the Viking Long House.

The dates for open weekends in 2025 can be found on the ATC website, www.

ancienttechnologycentre.com

Help raise funds for Breast Cancer Now with ‘Wear it Pink’ day

Advertising Feature

Join us at Shirley Allum as we help raise funds for Breast Cancer Now with our “Wear it Pink” day. 100% of proceeds go to research and support for those affected. Let’s stand together in style for a great cause.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness this October and beyond by wearing it pink on the 18th of October. Show solidarity to those who have suffered or know someone who has been affected by this disease. Join us in making a positive impact.

Discover the ultimate comfort and support with our selection of Anita Care bras. Designed specifically for women who have gone through mastectomy or are currently on that path, these bras provide unparalleled fit and quality. Trust in a brand that truly understands and supports your needs.

The Anita Care range offers a variety of bras including the “Lotta” which features removable pads for customisable support, the “Tonya” with a lightly moulded design for a smooth and feminine look, and the “Safina” which combines classic style with lace details. Our store also carries Mastectomy friendly swimwear in various colours and designs.

Choose from a range of high-quality, expertly crafted bras and swimsuits at Shirley Allum. Our knowledgeable staff are here to assist you in finding the perfect fit and discussing your specific needs. Plus, if you’ve had surgery, you can have the VAT taken off your purchase.

Join us in supporting a great cause! With every purchase of a raffle ticket, 100% of proceeds will go towards Breast Cancer Now charity to fund life-changing research and support. Show your support by wearing pink and stopping by our shop. Help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

You can also bring in your old bras to be donated to the Air Ambulance Charity. With a total of 38731! bras collected so far; you can help make a difference in the lives of those in need. Donate your old bras and contribute to this incredible cause.

Change of scene for Cerne flock

MEMBERS of Cerne Sheep Group admired Sid and Anne Hollier's prize-winning herd of Speckle Park cattle, and enjoyed great hospitality in the farmhouse, at their September meeting.

This month's meeting is a visit to Mark Farwell's Steam Engine Museum at Stourpaine (DT11 8S) on Monday, October 14, at 7pm. Members should phone or text 07816 291103 beforehand to say if they would like to go along, so numbers can be worked out. The group is holding its first indoor meeting of the season at The Fox at Anstey on Monday, November 11, at 7pm. Speaker to be confirmed.

Big quiz

Landpower Machinery

THE Mayor of Wimborne’s Big Charity Quiz later this month is set to help two local good causes.

Teen uses winnings to help pay for dad’s headstone

Advertising Feature

Landpower Machinery started 54 years ago as an agricultural dealership. Over the years has diversified to arborist and gardening maintenance machinery. Landpower Machinery is family owned and run by 3 generations of the Gartell family.

Wimborne Hospital and Planet Wimborne will benefit from the event, being held at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne.

A 15-YEAR-OLD from Shaftesbury who won £500 from a carnival event has made his mother proud after he decided to use the money to help pay for his father’s headstone.

Landpower Machinery originally supplied the arborist industry with commercial machinery including woodchippers, chainsaws and climbing equipment. We remain the Southwest Dealer of Timberwolf machines, which can be purchased or hired. When the gardening machinery provider Rochfords closed in Wincanton, Landpower saw an opportunity to expand into the domestic market and grew its product base to add lawnmowers, hedge and grass trimmers and more.

“But when he got the call, he had won first prize he said without hesitation he was going to put the money towards his dad’s headstone.

“If only all teenagers could be as kind as Harry.”

John Billington is quizmaster and teams of six are invited to take part, although individuals can be matched with a team.

Harry Chant was the winner of the grand ball run which saw people buy tickets to secure their very own colourful plastic ball which, along with 5,000 other balls, cascaded down Gold Hill in Shaftesbury as part of Shaftesbury Carnival, with the lucky winner receiving a £500 prize.

Four years ago, domestic lawn cutting was revolutionised by robotic lawnmowers. Availability and popularity increased, and Landpower Robotics was born. The beauty of the robotic mower is that once set up, no human intervention is required.

The event also includes a raffle, prizes and games, and entry is a modest £5.

Harry’s father, Michael, died 18 months ago at the age of just 39 and his family have been saving up to buy a headstone ever since.

We offer multiples different options and multiple different sized mowers. The full service will see Landpower offer the complete start to finish set up and install, or DIY options allow purchase of the robot with installation kit, boundary wire and charging point to install yourselves. This option is perfect for smaller gardens.

The quiz night is on Monday, October 21, doors from 7pm with the quiz getting under way at 7.30pm.

Instead of spending the winnings on himself, Harry gave his money to his mother to go towards the £5,500 headstone fund, meaning the family are now just £1,500 shy of their target.

How does it work? A charging station is connected to the mains supply, a perimeter wire installed around the garden to create a loop, and as the robot approaches the wire, it receives a signal to change direction. It cuts randomly, rotating a certain number of degrees as each turn, a criss-cross process, ensuring it covers the whole area creating a carpet effect. The mowers cut little and often, cutting only 2 to 3 mm at a time, meaning no disposal of cutting is required. cuttings are so small, they are quickly absorbed into the ground and act as a mulch and fertiliser

For more details, or to register, contact Gary Mason at gary.mason@ wimborne.gov.uk

“I was so proud of Harry when he said the money should go towards the headstone,” his mother Lisa said.

“He wasn’t at the event itself as he was at the football watching West Ham play – he didn’t even know he had the ticket in the race as his grandmother bought it for him!

In addition to robotic and woodchipper hire and sales, here at Landpower Machinery we also offer full-service packages carried out by our onsite engineers, an increasing number of battery powered products and clothing from Husqvarna, Stihl, EGO, Arbortec and much more in our shop.

Write your own script

SCRIPT-WRITING festival The Script’s The Thing, held at Dorchester Arts last autumn, was a huge success – and now a spin-off event will be held in Sturminster Newton next week.

The festival featured the work of more than 70 writers for stage, television, film and performance, and organisations including BBC Writersroom and National Theatre New York.

It was the idea of scriptwriter and creator, Ed Viney, and Dorset Scriptwriters, a Dorset network who meet monthly to read scripts and support each other’s work.

The spin-off event at The Exchange, dubbed A Little Bit of The Script’s The Thing, will include work by local writers Sue Ashby and Craig White, alongside film contributions from actors, playwrights and directors including Mark Rylance, Patrick Marber and

Beth Flintoff.

The evening will also feature a question and answer session with festival director Ed Viney, in which participants can find out more about the next Dorset Scriptwriting Festival in 2025 and how to get involved.

Ed said: “As we build to the next festival in 2025, these ‘A Little Bit of…’ events are fast becoming a feature in their own right.

Mark Tattersall, artistic director of Dorchester Arts, speaking at the first Script’s the Thing Festival

“I’m delighted to be at The Exchange with more local writers, networking and building connections and spreading the word about our epic festival.

“It’s a great evening for anyone who’s ever thought of writing scripts for performance. We’re developing more new writing across Dorset and beyond!”

The event, supported by Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach and Dorchester Arts, is on Wednesday, October 16, at 7.30pm.

It is free to attend, although booking is advised and donations to The Exchange are welcomed.

The Bibbern Gallery Bar will be open from 6.30pm.

Further information is available from The Exchange on 01258 475137 or online at www. artsreach.co.uk

Cash for creatives

CALLING all artists –applications are now open for Halstock Community Arts bursaries.

Halstock Community Arts is inviting anyone who lives or works within a 20-mile radius of Halstock to apply for a bursary.

Two bursaries of £400 each are available to support local groups and individuals developing their creative projects.

Priority for one of the awards will be given to applicants aged under 25.

The application form is available at www. halstockcommunityarts. co.uk and should be sent to halstockcommunityarts @gmail.com before December 31, 2024.

The tiny church with a big heart

ST Martin’s Church in the tiny hamlet of Lillington has raised over £500 for the Sherborne Food Bank.

The cash came from their annual auction of produce following a traditional harvest service led by Reverend Hugh Bonsey.

Among the cakes, marmalade and locally produced wine, were the spectacular vegetables grown by Lillington’s own farmer, Les Evans.

His display is always greatly admired and the PCC are extremely grateful for his enduring support.

High prices were bid by a lively congregation who were held spellbound by the two in-house auctioneers.

The next church event at Lillington is a candle-lit carol service at 6pm on Sunday, December 22.

Bringing Further Education Together in Dorset

With the advent of the new academic year sixth form education has turned an exciting corner in Dorset, with the merger of Weymouth College and Kingston Maurward College. The partnership reinforces the already strong offering from the two separate colleges, harnessing the best of general further education - including A Levels, vocational courses, and apprenticeships, in subjects from languages and beauty, to sport and creative at the Weymouth site; and land-based specialisms including Agriculture and Animal Science, through to military and equine studies at Kingston Maurward.

The combined ‘Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College’ will continue to deliver high level teaching from expert teaching staff celebrating the rich surrounding s of each campus. Each site has its own transport network branching across Dorset and into surrounding counties drawing students from often remote locations to benefit from top level teaching at both sites. The merger will also bring together the many commercial elements of each estate showcasing weddings, Animal Park & Gardens and equestrian events at Kingston Maurward, whilst the Weymouth estate has a state-of-the-art sports centre, restaurant and theatre, all of which support the academic function of the united College.

The new Interim Principal an CEO, Kate Wills, brings with her vast knowledge and experience, most recently from The Cornwall College Group. She said: “Together, we are stronger, more resilient and better equipped to meet the needs of our students, employers and the local community. I would like to thank all those who have contributed towards the merger for their hard work and unwavering support. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in bring this vision to reality.”

Timeless classics

ICONIC songs spanning the decades and genres are promised when musical theatre duo CODA visit The Exchange at Sturminster Newton.

Soprano Gemma Ashley and baritone Mark ‘#ManInTheHat’ James will perform songs from musicals such as Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, My Fair Lady, and Little Shop of Horrors

“Songs From Stage and Screen is a celebration of the music that has defined the world of musical theatre and film,” said Mark.

“We’re thrilled to bring this show to Sturminster Newton and share our love for these timeless classics with new audiences.”

Gemma added: “There’s something truly magical about performing these songs live on stage.

“It’s an honour to bring these stories to life and connect with audiences through the power of music.

“Our performance allows audience members to sing along, dance, and get involved if they wish – creating an interactive and joyful experience for everyone.”

Songs From Stage and Screen is at The Exchange on Friday, October 18, and tickets are available at www. muscialcoda.com and through the theatre box office.

£10 million Wincanton care home

only ever welcomed four residents...

A £10 MILLION care home in Wincanton has closed – less than a year after it was built and having welcomed just four residents.

As work progressed on 74-bed Cale View, in Dyke’s Way, parent company Cornerstone Healthcare lauded a “state-of-the-art nursing home” for the area.

However, despite construction finishing in November last year, only four residents ever moved in to the complex, and have now been re-housed.

Your New Blackmore Vale understands staff have been made redundant and the site lies empty, and is up for sale on the open market.

A Cornerstone Healthcare spokesperson confirmed the home was no longer open to

residents – and also quashed rumours it could be used to house asylum seekers or homeless people.

“Cale View is a privately owned by Cornerstone Healthcare Group and is now closed to residents. There were four residents in total, all of whom have already been re-homed.

“No local authority funded residents resided there. Some

administrative staff remain in the building.

“Cale View is for sale on the open market as a going concern (as a registered care service) and the council has no plans to buy it, nor for it to house asylum seekers.

“Any alternative uses for the building would be a matter for the current owners and the people to whom the property is being marketed.”

Cale View is closed - just a year after construction work was finished

The site of Cale View has had a troubled life, with work on the care home build initially stopping after the collapse of construction firm, Midas, in 2022.

A new contractor was appointed and the home opened in March, following a glossy update on progress on the building.

Now, just six months later, it lies empty.

Gowns go on display

ST Stephen’s church in Charlton Musgrove is hosting a display of christening gowns this weekend.

The beautifully made and intricately stitched examples of the seamstresses’ art have a story to tell, having been passed down through successive generations.

The exhibition is open on Saturday (October 12) from 5.30pm-7.30pm with cheese and wine, and on Sunday (October 13) from 3pm-5.30pm with tea and cakes.

Admission is £2.50 for adults with free admission for children. Additional donations are welcome.

Proceeds are in aid of the church & Action for Children.

BV Lions give the gift of sight

BLACKMORE Vale Lions Club (BVLC) was set to celebrate World Sight Day yesterday (Thursday, October 10).

Blackmore Vale Lions Club has embraced Recycle for Sight, a programme to collect used but serviceable glasses, and donate them to needy recipients.

Lions arranges for opticians to collect unused glasses in bins and sends them to collecting and sorting facilities in the UK, where they are prescription checked and distributed worldwide.

However, they have been so busy, Blackmore Vale Lions had 3,500 pairs awaiting classification.

Dr Laurel Spooner, who lives in Blackmore Vale and had worked in Sierra Leone, approached members who were collecting for good causes last Christmas.

Eye care is not free in Sierra Leone, more than 5% of the 8.6-plus million people there have some form of eye/vision problem.

Laurel, with the help of friends and former colleagues in Sierra Leone found a route to get the Lions Club’s 3,500 pairs of glasses to the people who need them.

The glasses allow ophthalmologists – the country only has eight – to help people to regain or improve their sight.

Laurel said: “You only have to see the effect being able to see clearly for the first time has on people to appreciate how important this programme is.”

Donations of recycled glasses are always welcome – Lions will find a way to get them to where they are needed.

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A centenary of creativity

FROME Memorial Theatre trustees and patrons celebrated 100 years since the laying of its foundation stone.

To mark the occasion, a new commemorative stone was unveiled by Lady Dodd, the wife of the late Sir Ken Dodd.

Chair of Trustees, Richard Lines welcomed the many guests in attendance.

“The Memorial Hall was conceived as a memorial to those from Frome and District who fell in the Great War,” he said.

“It was constructed by many volunteers, and this is a tradition continued to this day. Without the many volunteers over the years the theatre would have been demolished. It has survived and goes from strength to strength. Today we celebrate our volunteers and look forward to another 100 years of this great institution”.

The Trust’s President, Humphrey Barnes, was delighted to introduce the new Theatre Patron, Sarah-Jane Bungay, who grew up and went to school in Frome. She now works as a presenter and producer for BBC Points West

“When I was a nervous teenager waiting to perform on the Memorial Theatre’s stage, little did I realise years later I’d have the honour of being asked to be its patron,” she said.

“The performances here over the years have provided so much joy to the people of Frome and further afield. The theatre is truly one of the most loved of Frome

residents

– and I’m so proud to be its patron as we all celebrate it’s centenary year.”

Anne, Lady Dodd, said she was “delighted and honoured to be asked to unveil the plaque commemorating the centenary of the Memorial Theatre at which Ken and I enjoyed performing on several occasions”.

Future centenary linked events include the Frome Musical Theatre Company (FMTC) performing A Night at the Musicals on Saturday, October 19, and events to mark significant dates throughout the year.

Frome Museum is hosting an exhibition from October 15 until November 11, featuring highlights from the hall’s history.

The Memorial Theatre continues to be run by a wonderful team of dedicated volunteers. If you would like to find out more, the next open day is Saturday, November 9, from 10am to 1pm.

Rotary Club remembers John Edwards

THE Rotary Club of Blandford and Stour has recently lost a long-standing member, John Edwards.

John, who had given 60 years of service to Rotary, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

John’s widow, June, requested that any money collected at his funeral be given to the Rotary Club for distribution through its charity account.

More than £600 was donated by friends and relations, and this was matched from the club’s charity account, resulting in more than £1,000 being distributed.

Following discussion, three charities and the Blandford and Stour band, a favourite of John’s, were selected as recipients.

Mosaic and the Listening Ear charities support children in need.

It was also decided to sponsor the planting of two rare black poplar trees at Bere Marsh Farm, a member of the Countryside Restoration Trust.

The trees will be planted by the newly constructed entrance in the new year.

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Purr-fect robot pet!

A ROBOTIC companion kitten has been presented to Bramley House care home in Mere, in memory of Anne May.

Anne was a well-known Gillingham woman who passed away during her time at the home.

Annie Kings, from Dementia Friendly Gillingham, presented the companion pet at the start of a “Sing a Song of Praise” session given by group volunteers.

Annie said: “That is going to be one very loved and spoilt little ‘kitten’, which has yet to be named by the residents.”

Patrons of The Phoenix Inn, in Gillingham, collected the money to buy the companion pet.

William’s Default Setting is to Giggle

William (8) has a rare neurological condition called Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease (PMD) - signals to and from his brain get confused impacting William’s mobility, brain function and spinal cord.

“William makes noises to communicate, but his default setting is to giggle,” shares dad, Will.

William is regularly in hospital and has undergone various operations. He is visually impaired, can’t lift his head and is fed via a tube into his tummy. And because he can’t speak or alert attention with his movements, William must be monitored 24/7 for the subtle signs of an oncoming seizure. William is susceptible to infections - simple colds can make him quite unwell.

We’re on duty 24/7

“My wife, Maria, and I are at home full time, home-schooling our three older girls, looking after our toddler and caring for William - keeping up with all his admin and specialist medical appointments is a full-time job!” continues Will.

“We start a typical day having monitored William through the night to keep him comfortable. We’re up early to feed him, give him his meds and physio treatment and get him washed, dressed and in his wheelchair ready for school.

“When William gets home, his sisters always make such a huge fuss of him, crowding around his wheelchair. He loves it and they’re just so happy to hang out together; they adore him and give him so much patience and love.

“We’re up with William until quite late before he’s ready to go to bed. We ensure we can always see his face - a twitch or frown might be the only sign he is having a seizure. We sleep in an adjoining room to William, so we can hear any changes to his breathing.”

Julia’s House is a lifeline

When we first heard about Julia’s House, it felt like a lifeline. William is always so excited to visit the hospice and absolutely loves it! The Julia’s House care team are so well trained and on the ball. There’s nothing they haven’t seen or dealt with before. It gives us peace of mind to know that he is so professionally cared for. William enjoys exploring the sensory room, with projectors and musical instruments; he’s quite happy doing his own thing but loves being around other children too.

“The impact of our way of life on William’s sisters is huge too. They have their own worries they don’t necessarily want to share with us when they’re putting a brave face on. That’s where Julia’s House has been brilliant too. Their sibling support team have given our girls a chance to meet other children experiencing a similar normality. And it’s not even about deep sharing, it’s about having as much fun as possible, with other siblings who are living a similar day-to-day.

“Support. That’s the biggest thing Julia’s House gives us all.”

Can you help us to always be there to support families like William’s? Find out about leaving a gift in your Will at: juliashouse.org/alwaysthere 01202 644220

Margaret’s still living with the boss

A NEW anthology of poetry promises to be the ideal Christmas stocking filler for farmers and their wives.

Castle Cary’s very own farmer’s wife, Margaret Adams, has been entertaining Women’s Institutes, gardening clubs, farming groups and the like with her amusing ditties of farming life for decades.

In 2022, Margaret was finally persuaded to put her poems into print.

The subsequent book, Living with the Boss, was so popular that just over two years later she has brought out a second book recounting further funny stories of country life.

Her new book Still Living with the Boss is not only an amusing read, but also records a farming lifestyle that is fast disappearing.

This illustrated collection of amusing ditties is now available from Bailey Hill Book Shop, Castle Cary for £5, with profits going to the Castle Cary Market House project.

Camera club retrospective

MEMBERS of Blandford Forum Camera Club have had a great start to the season with member presentations by Jean Bartlett on Travels to Botswana and My 60 Favourite Photographs by Colin Cross.

Jean’s images of the wildlife and environment of Africa told their own story, and Colin Cross gave members entertaining anecdotes on how and why he chose the images for his talk.

The club’s first guest speaker of the year was Jane Tearle on Vietnam, a Sense of Place.

The President’s Cup and Trophy concluded the 2023/24 season with the top-scoring images judged by Marilyn Peddle.

Phil Clegg won the print section with Looking Back and Glynis Larter-Whitcher the digital section with Wasp at Work.

The practical sessions commenced with how to print, mount and size for competition, and the Photoshop Basics sessions resumed and will be extended to include Lightroom over the coming weeks.

The first round of the Points Cup competition was judged by Sara Harpley, who awarded Print of the Night to Debbie Davies with her photograph Cornbrook, and Patricia Willis won the Digital Image of the Night with her image My Dahlias.

The club has an ongoing programme of speakers, competition and practical sessions through until May.

The friendly club has photographers of all abilities and anyone interested in what goes on is invited to visit www.bfcclub.co.uk

Coffee and cake for Macmillan

THE kettles were on and the freshly baked cakes were served as Colten Care residents and team members enjoyed the annual fundraiser Macmillan Coffee Morning.

Chefs provided an array of tasty treats and pastries, homes hosted live music, competitions and talks on the work of

Macmillan.

At Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, an auction of promises including a garden tour and the chance to walk with alpacas raised a remarkable £950.

Proceeds from the Macmillan Coffee Morning help to give those affected by cancer emotional, financial and clinical support.

Since its launch across the UK in 1990, the annual fundraiser has raised more than £310 million.

For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support, visit https:// macmillan.org.uk

Family fete success

Photo and text by George Jeans, Mere THE Friends of Whitesheet School, Zeals, organised a fun family fete, which took place on a fine autumn afternoon on Saturday, September 28.

Residents, team members and visitors enjoy the Macmillan Coffee Morning at Castle View in Poundbury, Dorset

20 years young

THE sun shone and the children wore party clothes and ate cake when St Mary the Virgin Primary School in Gillingham celebrated 20 years since it opened.

Town Mayor, Roger Weeks, visited and helped the school council plant a tree given by Otter Nurseries.

Mrs George, Mrs White, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Banham have all been with the school since it opened its doors two decades ago with 41 children. Now the school has 240 children, ranging in age from Nursery to Year 6.

FURNITURE Beautiful

Our loose Canon

The humble egg holds vast symbolism for those who believe

by Canon Eric Woods

DID you know that today, 11 October, is World Egg Day, organised by the International Egg Commission? No, I didn’t either, until I stumbled across it by accident. It has been going since 1996 and is, apparently, celebrated all over the world. Omelettes for lunch, anyone?

It is good to know that in these troubled – no, tragic – times the humble egg can still be a cause of world-wide celebration. It is not as though our relationship with the hen’s egg has always been untroubled. I can remember my mother recalling, without much fondness, the powdered egg which often substituted for the real thing during the Second World War. Since then, the egg has been accused of all sorts of threats to health, including high cholesterol content (contributing to heart disease and other issues), setting-off allergic reactions (which can happen, as with many foods) and being a transmitter of infections (remember the salmonella scare, promoted in 1988 by Tory junior minister Edwina Currie?).

skin and hair health. And so on. It appears that the famous novelist Fay Weldon was right when, as a young advertising copywriter in the 1950’s, she coined the phrase “Go to work on an egg”!

It is unsurprising that in many religions and cultures the egg has symbolic value and meaning, most often symbolising fertility and new life, and also the earth’s annual rebirth in the spring. But Christian tradition reworked this, with the egg becoming a symbol of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.

Christians saw the egg’s shell as a symbol of the protective darkness of the life-giving tomb, cold on the outside but nurturing life inside. The hatching chick represented the risen Christ emerging from the tomb on Easter morning. The egg’s shape, with neither beginning nor end, was a symbol of eternity.

In the Orthodox tradition, eggs were – and still are – painted red to symbolise the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. Egg-colouring still persists in modern secular culture, though needless to say the chocolate egg has largely overwhelmed it. Heavily promoted by the forces of commercialism, to many people the chocolate egg signifies nothing at all, though properly understood it still has value as a symbol – more than the Easter Bunny, anyway!

Now, however, the egg has rolled back into favour. Improved cholesterol studies show that eggs contain “good” cholesterol which can decrease blood pressure. Their vitamin D content helps with bone health. Eggs have all the essential amino acids the body needs to make functional proteins. They are good for brain, eye,

So, just as new life emerges from an egg, so Christ emerges alive from the tomb, formerly just a place of death. He generates new life for all creation, putting death to death. If you have the eyes to see, an egg speaks of a promise fulfilled, a new life begun, death left for dead in the tomb, love conquering fear, and hope and peace being offered to the whole world. Next time you eat an egg, ponder these things…

SHAFTESBURY VALUATION DAY

Photo by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash

‘Candles on the Green’ Returns to Wimborne for a Night of Reflection and Community Spirit

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is excited to announce the return of their poignant event, ‘Candles on the Green’, set to illuminate Wimborne Minster on Saturday, 16 November from 6pm to 8pm. This enchanting event invites the community to come together to celebrate, remember, and reflect on their loved ones.

Attendees can dedicate a message on a candle, which will be displayed on the Green adjacent to Wimborne Minster, creating a magical spectacle. The evening will begin with the Boscombe Salvation Army Band, who will set a reflective and heartwarming ambiance with their performance outside the Minster. Inside, the local choir Cantilena Voices and the popular Rock Choir will provide additional musical delight, enhancing the event’s uplifting atmosphere.

A suggested donation of £6 per candle will help fund Lewis-Manning’s Bereavement and Family Support services, ensuring that essential support continues to be available to those in need within the community.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Events Fundraiser, Anna DuRose, shared her enthusiasm, “We are delighted to bring this magical event back to Wimborne for its second year. It offers a wonderful opportunity for the local community to reflect, celebrate, and remember their loved ones while supporting our vital Bereavement and Family Support services.

“Special thanks to our headline sponsor, Care South, for their continuous support of our Candles events and also sponsors Douch & Small Funeral Directors and MJP Law. We’d like to express our appreciation too to The Rock Choir, Cantilena Voices and The Salvation Army Band for their brilliant support of this event.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care will also be hosting ‘Candles on the Lake’ in Poole Park on 19th October and ‘Candles at the Bandstand’ in Swanage on 26th October.

Anyone wishing to take part is urged to pre order a candle at https://lewis-manning.org.uk/candles/ Candles will also be available to purchase on the evening of the event.

Stalbridge store crowned supermarket of the year at national awards event

STALBRIDGE supermarket Dike & Son picked up three national awards at the Retail Industry Awards ceremony in London.

The shop, which was named Independent Supermarket of the Year (over 6,000 square feet) picked up three awards in total –including the Best Independent Drinks Retailer and Chilled Retailer.

The family-run food store supports over 170 local and regional suppliers and was described as “absolutely impeccable” following a series of secret visits by the Retail Industry Awards.

The judges were particularly impressed with the store’s efforts to become more environmentally friendly through the installation of solar panels on the roof, new chillers with doors and automatic light shut-off systems, and a commitment towards biodegradable packaging and vegan products.

They were full of praise for the way the drinks department is expanding to become a nationwide shopfront through a mail order gifting and hampers website, as well as

Get quizzing!

looking after its customers with in-store tastings and deals.

MD at Dike & Son, Andy Dike, said: “To collect one award at the Retail Awards is amazing, so to win three is just unbelievable. We are very proud of the team we have here and of course we couldn’t have done it without the support of our national and local suppliers and our fantastic customers.”

The judges felt Dike & Son deserved the Independent Retailer of the Year award for

THE Dorchester Committee of the Children's Society is organising a quiz night at St George's Church Hall in Fordington, on Saturday, October 19.

The event is for teams of six but quiz fans who do not have a team can join a Committee Team. Tickets are £10 each, including a ploughman's supper, and can be booked through Jane Culliford on 01305 264360. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.15pm start and teams can bring their own drinks.

Upton in bloom

MEMBERS of Upton in Bloom came away with awards galore at the annual South & South East in Bloom presentation ceremony held at RHS Wisley.

Representatives collected six gold awards, of which two were best in category awards, plus an additional silver gilt award: Upton town – gold and category winner; and town of the year – gold; Upton town centre – gold; Upton Wood – gold; Lytchett Bay View – gold and category winner; South Lytchett Manor Camping and Caravan Park – gold.

Upton also won a silver gilt in a new RHS category – Gardening for Wildlife – for the work done at Lytchett Bay View and Meadow Garden.

Upton in Bloom's success in previous years and currently means it will be one of only eight winners to be entered into a new category in 2025, Champion of Champions.

its “expanded range, immaculate store standards and unwavering support for local producers”.

They added the shop boasts “a fantastic shopping experience, which makes the store a destination for foodies and tourists, as well as offering range, quality and value for its local community”.

One judge said: “I can’t get over just how good the merchandising was and how well-faced the store was. It’s absolutely impeccable.”

Tractor takeover!

Photo and text by George Jeans, Mere

HOT Rock Carnival Club’s tractor run saw the area’s finest farm traffic taking to the roads around Motcombe, Mere, Zeals, Bourton, Silton, Milton on Stour, and Colebrook before heading back to the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Showground.

The well-known local group Mustang Sally performed at 1.30pm. The weather held well in the morning into the afternoon. Visitors enjoyed the cider tent, barbecue and raffle.

SCARS 10th ANNIVERSARY

SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 11am - 4pm

STALBRIDGE ViLLAGE HALL

Come along and help

Stalbridge Cancer & Recovery group celebrate 10 years of care and support in the community. Free entry, refreshments and draw.

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM

Friday 18 October

Saturday 12 & 19th October 9-4.30pm

Shaftesbury Town Hall Lots of wonderful items for sale. Supporting Weldmar Hospice and Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance

THE SOMERSET SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Acting, Singing, Stage Dance, Musical Theatre classes for children from 4-19 years on Saturdays in Yeovil. Contact http://www. helenlaxtondancecompany.com

SIXPENNY HANDLEY COMMUNITY CINEMA

Wicked Little Letters Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Friday 18 October | 6.30 for 7.00 pm

£6 | Bar & snacks | Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

COME AND JOIN DORSET

CHAMBER CHOIR for an evening of Beautiful music for our busy world on Saturday 19th October at 7:30 pm at St Hubert’s Church, Blandford Road, Corfe Mullen BH21 3RG

“Pacem” Featuring Scarlatti –Misa Quatuor Vocum and 16th & 19th Century anthems & motets. Tickets £12 (under 16s free) on the door/choir members/or order online. See dorsetchamberchoir.com for more information

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull

Royal British Legion on Monday 14th October Eyes down 7pm

WINCANTON SILVER BAND

Movies and Musicals Concert

Wincanton Memorial Hall

Saturday 12th October 7.00pm

CHILDREN’S BALLET & STREET DANCE CLASSES Tuesdays in Sherborne for 3-12 year olds. Contact: http://www. helenlaxtondancecompany.com

SHERBORNE THERAPY ROOMS - OPEN DAY Saturday 12th October / 10am - 4pm

All welcome. Free fizz, demonstrations, and more. www.sherbornetherapyrooms.co.uk

HOUSE CONTENTS SALE on Saturday 12th October 9am-5pm 15 Linden Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8QZ Furniture, kitchen items and appliances, bedroom, study everything must go.

Contact: Dave Dayes 07879 444 199

Just £45* per week

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01963 400186 | adverts@blackmorevale.net

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Cerne Abbas Music Festival 2024 25th & 26th October

Richard

and strings. The programmes focus on Mozarts passion for the clarinet in his later years. The musicians are all leading players in European orchestras and ensembles.

October 25th at 7.00pm in St

Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas

Mozart’s timeless Clarinet Quintet and Dvorak’s String Quintet in G major.

October 26th at 11:30am in St

Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas

Works by Mozart and Mendelssohn for Clarinet, Strings and Basset Horns.The Festival musicians and Richard Hosford are joined by two of his most talented students from the Royal College of Music.

October 26th at 7.00pm in St

Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas

A rarely heard completion of another clarinet quintet by Mozart. Gordon Jacob’s powerful and melodious quintet and the G minor String Quintet, another of Mozart’s most enduring works.

Visit cerneabbasmusicfestival.org.uk for details of online booking. Telephone bookings on 0333 666 3366

SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER

2024. JUMBLE SALE.

1pm. The Hooper Hall, Lydlinch, DT10 2JA. Plus bric a brac and cake stall. In aid of the Village Hall and Church. Donations greatfully recieved.

JUMBLE SALE DAMERHAM VILLAGE HALL Saturday 19th October at 2pm entrance 50p in aid of St George’s Church Damerham Raffle ,Refreshments Jumble can be brought to the Hall from 10am onwards sorry no electrical goods please

MAKE A GUY COMPETITION

Make a ‘guy’ to be displayed around the village or at your home address.

Guys must be displayed by 27th October and they must be holding an authentics Fireworks Night poster. These can be collected from the porch at Rose Tree Cottage.

Please let a member of the Sports Club committee know you are displaying a guy.

Judging will take place on 1st/2nd November prior to the big fireworks display on 3rd November!

Cash prize for the winner!

A DISPLAY OF CHRISTENING GOWNS at St Stephens

Charlton Musgrove, Saturday 12th October 5.30 – 7.30. Cheese & wine, Sunday 9am Holy Communion, the church will be open till 11am. Sunday afternoon 3pm-5.30pm serving tea and cake. £2.50 entry, children free, in aid of church funds and Action for Children.

CHARITY TABLE TOP SALE IN AID OF CROHN’S AND COLITIS UK Reserve a table to sell your own wares – bric a brac, toys, craft etc (£5 or £7 per table) or come along on the day to grab a bargain Sunday November 24th 9.30am - 11.30am

Yetminster Jubilee Hall

Enquires and to book a table Ring: Julia 07769818488

THE VINTAGE BAZAAR

Saturday. October 19th 9am - 2pm at

The Cheese and Grain Frome, Somerset

The Cerne Abbas Music Festival presents its second series of concerts for 2024 on October 25th and 26th

Musicians come from across Europe to enjoy the wonderful acoustics of St Mary’s, Cerne Abbas. As well as featuring glorious works for strings by Dvorak and Mozart the ensemble will explore the extraordinary friendship between Mozart and the clarinettist Anton Stadler. This relationship resulted in some of his finest works. In their concert on Saturday 26th at 11.30 Richard Hosford and the ensemble are joined by two highly talented pupils from the Royal College to perform works for various clarinets and strings by Mozart and Mendelssohn. That evening at 7.00 pm the programme includes a wonderfully poignant and melodious clarinet quintet by Gordon Jacob. Alongside Mozart’s powerful String Quintet in G minor this will make for an exhilarating finale to the Festival.

Hosford,Principal Clarinet of the BBC Symphony orchestra, is joined by the strings of the Gaudier Ensemble in pieces for clarinet

Christmas on the Pier starts 15th November!

Celebrate the Festive season with Friends and Family at Key West on Bournemouth Pier!

From November 15th, Bournemouth Pier & Key West will be transformed in to a Winter Wonderland! There is something for everyone!

We have a selection of events taking place at Key West including ‘Letters To Santa’ Back by popular demand, letters to Santa returns for the 3rd year!

How much do you know about Christmas? It’s time to put your knowledge to the test and follow the Christmas trail for free around Bournemouth Pier!

Eat, drink & be merry! We have the best festive food & drink to choose from outside in our festive kiosk!

Who doesn’t love a good photo opportunity? Whilst visiting Key West on Bournemouth Pier for food and drink, come inside and visit our giant Santa and reindeer on our stage!

Take as many selfies or photos as you want and don’t forget to tag us @keywestrestuarant on your socials for a chance to be featured!

Back by popular demand for the 3rd year running, Santa will be journeying down from the North Pole to visit all the good girls and boys and share a festive breakfast at Key West Bar & Grill. Keep an eye out of our panoramic windows and maybe you’ll see him flying across the Dorset coastline!

You will be greeted by Santa’s merry elves who love holiday fun and children will get the opportunity to play games! They can also write a letter to Father Christmas and post it in our magical post box after meeting the big man himself!

Santa loves a selfie so why not dress up in your Christmas clothing and capture the unforgettable moment. All children receive a gift so they can take the magic home!

Finally, Christmas parties are back! Celebrate this Christmas season in our magical venue 200 meters out to sea. Accommodating all group sizes under 80 people for our join-a-party nights!

Join-A-Parties are available to book for Saturday 14th December & Thursday 19th December. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.keywestbournemouth.co.uk

Saturday 14th December

Breakfast with Santa

Sunday 15th December

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday 21st December

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday 21st December ‘Scrooge:

Sunday 22nd December

Breakfast with Santa

Monday 23rd December

Breakfast with Santa

Tuesday 31st December

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party

Saturday 25th January ABBA Stars Tribute

Arts & Entertainment

Great Songs from Tenors Unlimited

TENORS Unlimited, dubbed the “Rat Pack of Opera”, are set to bring their new show to Sturminster Newton.

Their Great Songs Tour features songs from the worlds of opera, musical theatre and pop, and at The Exchange they will be performing with the Gillingham Singers choir.

Tenors Unlimited – Paul Martin and Jem Sharples – have had a successful 18 months touring the UK and USA.

Jem said: “We’re so excited to be back on the road in the UK. There’s something for everyone in our new show such as Puccini’s Nessun Dorma, Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers’ Duet, Freddie Mercury’s Barcelona, The Greatest Showman’s From Now On, You Raise Me Up, Nat King Cole’s L-O-V-E, as well as songs we’ve composed ourselves.”

Tenors Unlimited have performed world-wide over 20 years alongside famous names such as Sting, Lionel Richie, Katherine Jenkins, Beyoncé, Hayley Westenra, Simply Red and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

They have appeared on television, radio and at top venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall.

Their wide-ranging repertoire includes popular classics combined with crooner and pop favourites, as well as songs they have written themselves.

Tenors Unlimited are in Sturminster Newton on Saturday, October 12, at 7.30pm – to book tickets, visit www. tenorsunlimited.com/tour

Sculpture and art

TWO artists and two sculptors are coming together for the autumn art exhibition at the Class Creative Art Studios at Tut Hill Farm, near Sherborne (DT9 5JG).

The exhibition, Time, Memory & Light, includes work inspired by Dorset’s natural surroundings by sculptors David Cutler and Jamie Hart, and artists Andy Rollo and James Meiklejohn.

The exhibition runs from Friday, October 18, to Friday, November 1, and is open 10am-4pm at weekends and over the half-term holiday, and 6pm-8pm on other weekdays.

For more information, phone 07842 255859, email classcreaive@gmail.com

WISHBONE

MIKE OSMAN’S

Tenors Unlimited are at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton

Big names set to appear at Yeovil Literary Festival

SIR Ian Rankin, Martin Clunes, Kate Humble and Vanessa Kisuule are among the wordsmiths heading to Somerset this month.

The Yeovil Literary Festival was set to get underway yesterday (Thursday, October 10), with a programme designed to fit booklovers of all shapes and sizes.

St John The Baptist Church was set to be the venue for an event with multi-million selling Sir Ian Rankin, talking about his latest John Rebus novel, Midnight and Blue Rebecca Thorne, AJ West and Sharon Jacksties are a few other names that will be visiting Yeovil Library between October 18 and 19.

The festival will get into full swing from Thursday, October 24, at Westlands Entertainment Venue.

A number of high-profile celebrity names will be at Westlands, with some in the Wheeldon Suites and others in the Ballroom.

October 24 and 25.

Amy Jeffs will be taking over Wheeldon Suites 2 & 3 from 6pm on October 24, while Andrew Child will be discussing the 29th book of the incredibly popular Jack Reacher series from 4pm on October 26.

The Westlands Ballroom will host the likes of Kaleb Cooper, Kate Humble and Paul Sinha over Thursday and Friday,

Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, will see more authors talking about their new books, including Strictly Come Dancing favourite Janette Manrara, former Labour MP Alan Johnson and Gardeners World fan favourite, Carol Klein.

Late additions that didn’t make it into this year’s brochure are Fern Britton and Sue

Cleaver, who will be joining the line up on Sunday, October 27, at 8pm and noon, while Luke Evans will be at Westlands Entertainment Venue on November 16 at 7.30pm. For full details - including a full programme of appearances - and to book tickets, visit yeovilliterary festival.co.uk/whats-on or call the box office at Westlands on 01935 422884.

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: Prayer time –9.45am Thursday; Thought for the Day – 10.30am Thursday; Sunday service at 10.30am, refreshments available afterwards; Monday Music – a discussion group based on a piece of secular music and how it relates to people’s Christian lives – second Monday of the month at 6.15pm with a bring and share supper; Taizé Service the second Sunday each month at 6.30pm. Further details on all activities from church secretary Sue Way on 07522 509868.

• 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, 6.30-7.30pm.

• 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.

• Longburton Village Café: Held in the village church of St James, the cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £2. Tuesdays October 8 and 22 from 10.30am-noon.

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, October 13 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; ; 9.30am Harvest Festival Family Service, St Leonard’s, Semley; 11am Harvest Festival Family Eucharist, St Mary’s, East Knoyle; 11am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Family Harvest at St Mary Church, Tarrant Rushton; 5pm St Catherine’s, Sedgehill, Celtic Evening Prayer, with musical accompaniment, cream teas available from 3.30pm; 5.30pm School Family Harvest at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary. Sunday, October 20 –9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist, Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Harvest at All Saints, Tarrant Keynston. Coffee and cake –Spetisbury 10am-11.30am first and third Monday each month. Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am – 11.30am October 17. Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am-12.30pm – Tuesday to Friday.

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Sherborne Abbey: The abbey will welcome the South Northamptonshire bellringers on Saturday, October 19, and The Clock Change Ringers on Saturday, October 26.

• Sherborne Abbey: Pack Monday, October 14, 10am12.30pm and 3pm-5pm – tour guides will be available to answer questions and/or give short guided tours. 1.30pm – organ recital by James Henderson, director of music, Sherborne Abbey – free entry, retiring collection. 2.30pm –Pack Monday Service – a short act of worship. 9am-3.30pm Pack Monday Café – the social committee is running its cafe again at Digby Memorial Hall.

• 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 Margaret’s, Margaret Marsh (Shaftesbury Benefice) SP7 0AZ: Alternating first Sundays Mattins and Holy Communion, 11.15am. Everyone welcome.

• 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 Fareshare Larder: The food larder that runs every Friday morning at St Paul’s Church needs additional helpers. There is a monthly rota and volunteers attend to suit their availability – from 8.30am-11am, depending on the role. Roles include set up/pack down, distribution and administration. If you think you could help, contact Sarah at the St Paul’s church office on 01935 816444 or admin@ spcsherborne.co.uk

• 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.

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meet at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. Services in October –note new afternoon service times. Sunday, October 13, United Harvest Festival –11am, family service, 4pm, ‘Harvest Praise’. Sunday, October 20, 4pm, evening worship. Sunday, October 27, 3pm, evening worship. Phone 01935 850838 or email Geoff. mead@yahoo.com.

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

The real threat to Dinah’s Hollow

WE were extremely upset, but not surprised, to read Gary Cook’s letter in the last issue of the New Blackmore Vale.

But only half the story is covered. His letter did not mention the reason for this carnage, which is Dorset Council’s determination to drive the main A350 through Dinah’s Hollow.

Even in Dorset it would be difficult to find a worse route for a major trunk road than down Dinah’s Hollow, through the narrow, twisty lanes of Melbury Abbas and up the one-in-six Spread-Eagle Hill.

All damage to natural habitats is serious, so it must be minimised, and justified by balancing it against the benefits.

There is zero benefit in destroying Dinah’s Hollow unless you also destroy Melbury Abbas and Spread-Eagle Hill. It would seem Dorset Council is seriously considering this.

Without an overall plan, the present disfigurement of Dinah’s Hollow by concrete barriers, and the plans to destroy the habitats of the slopes, is utterly unjustifiable.

These trees have successfully held up the slopes for many centuries, and only began to fail when Dorset Council, in its ignorance, started interfering some time ago.

It should leave nature to do what it does best and leave the Hollow alone.

The lane should be restored to how it was, a suitable weight limit should be imposed and a proper route for the trunk road should be planned.

There are much gentler routes to the west of the A350, which have never been –publicly – explored, presumably because they would be ‘too expensive’.

John & Elizabeth Lewer Shaftesbury

Tories didn’t tank economy

SARAH Dyke, Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury and Somerton – New Blackmore Vale, Politics, September 13 – alleges that “the Conservatives blew up the economy”.

The facts are that inflation is now down to just over 2%, unemployment is at its lowest level since 1974 and Britain remains the fastest growing economy in the G7.

It also has a stronger economy than most states in the European Union.

Much of the underlying problems with the British economy can be traced back to the very generous furlough scheme introduced by the Conservative government during Covid lockdown, a policy which may or may not have been a good idea but was in any case very enthusiastically backed by the Lib Dems and Labour.

So perhaps the moral for Ms Dyke is that politicians should not glibly pontificate about things they do not understand.

Roger White Sherborne

There’s a (steam) train coming in

AFTER a couple of recent cancellations, I am pleased to say that Merchant Navy steam loco Clan Line (35028) will again be traversing the Blackmore Vale on Saturday, October 12, en route to Exeter.

The engine, built in 1948, was fortunate to be bought straight from British Railways rather than suffer the ignominy of rusting in a scrapyard.

It was lucky that the purchaser’s first choice –Holland-America – had just been consigned to Barry as

scrap and the owners paid £3,850 for this loco instead.

The train will be at Tisbury at 10.30am, Gillingham from 10.46am-10.50am, Templecombe at 11.01am and Sherborne at 11.11am (platform 2).

The best place to see it travelling at speed – 75mph –will be Sherborne. At Templecombe it has to slow down to cross the points and at Tisbury and Gillingham, it will be stopping or running slowly.

I would recommend checking Real Time Trains to check the progress of the train at those stations. A detailed search will show it highlighted in italics.

If you cannot make that Saturday, the train will return on Wednesday, December 4, travelling to Sher-borne and back for the carol service in the abbey.

Mike Bignell Sherborne

Molly’s Emma touched my heart

WOW! Just wow! Molly Dunne’s Emma is outstandingly mature and touched my heart – New Blackmore Vale, September 27.

I’m sure we’ll hear her name mentioned regularly in the literary world.

Gill White Wincanton

Community lunch for all

OUR Christian Aid group is hosting a second community lunch this month, after one on Tuesday.

The event is on Tuesday, October 22, from 12.30pm1.30pm in the upstairs hall of Wimborne Methodist Church, King Street, Wimborne.

Simple but wholesome food made from home-grown produce will be served. Any items we have to buy

are being sourced from the immediate locality or from across Dorset.

Witchampton farmer Sophie Alexander will talk on farming.

Donations are invited to cover costs and surplus money will boost Christian Aid’s support of community-based food production in many of the world’s poorest countries. We look forward to welcoming you.

Rob Pearce, Wimborne

Poppy Appeal launch date

THE official launch of the Wimborne and District Poppy Appeal 2024 is on Saturday, October 26, at 10am in Wimborne Square.

Poppy boxes and collecting tins will be distributed to many retail and social outlets throughout the area for the Remembrance fortnight.

In Wimborne itself, gazebos will be located daily on the Square and at Waitrose.

Each will have a variety of poppy-related items available, including our plastic-free poppy alongside the traditional items as we exhaust existing stocks and gradually change to plastic-free items.

Vehicles from the Dorset Military Enthusiasts Trust will be on parade and there will be a cry from the Town Sergeant, a trumpet call and the purchase of the first poppy by the mayor.

We always need volunteers, so if you are able to assist, you would be most welcome.

If you could man one of our gazebos over the fortnight, the RBL clubhouse in West Borough has a sheet where you can register your interest and book a slot.

For any queries or further information, please contact keigjoseph@icloud.com or 07799 466596.

Dave Keig Organiser

Politics

Dairy farmers face challenging time

OVER the last two weeks, dairy farming has been at the forefront of my mind as we celebrated World School Milk Day, and I attended the fantastic Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground. The show is always a highlight of my calendar, and this year’s event was no exception. It was wonderful to connect with Somerset farmers and producers, who do such a brilliant job of keeping food on the nation’s tables.

The dairy industry has been making headlines nationally this week, as a new survey commissioned by Arla indicated labour shortages had forced about 9% of UK dairy farmers to cut production. Dairy farmers are increasingly finding it harder than ever to recruit the skilled workers they need, which points to the stark situation in farming recruitment overall.

I was pleased to talk to BBC

Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton

Sarah Dyke

Farming Today about this very issue at the Dairy Show. As a sixth-generation farmer’s daughter, I’m aware of the many challenges our 395 dairy farms in Somerset face –recruitment and retention being a huge issue which is now threatening our milk supply. It’s more important than ever that we find ways to support

young people into STEM careers and agriculture specifically. I’ve worked on this with the brilliant Somerscience, an annual festival close to my heart, that does a huge amount to encourage, support and raise the profile of STEM career opportunities with young people in rural communities.

Unfortunately, among the huge stresses our farmers are dealing with, financial concerns continue to loom large. In no small part, due to the previous Conservative government’s disastrous handling of rural affairs, and Defra’s staggering underspend of £358 million over the last three years. Truly ‘a kick in the teeth’ for farmers and growers, as the NFU has said.

It sent shockwaves through the industry when it was revealed recently that, at a time when our farms are struggling because the previous government failed to have

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) replacements completed in time, money was available that was not being spent. Those resources could have made all the difference to farmers who went out of business, barely hung on, or had serious mental health challenges caused by the stress of seeing their livelihoods go down the drain.

Our dairy farmers are the pride of Somerset and continue to do incredible work while facing monumental challenges. It’s time we all pay attention to their plight, and demand that the Government gives them the proper resources and support they deserve.

As always, I want to hear about what matters to you. If you would like to share your views on a subject, have an issue I can help you with, or would like to attend one of my regular advice surgeries, please don’t hesitate to contact me on sarah.dyke.mp@parliament.uk.

Pub hours shouldn’t be reduced

I AM grateful to readers who have given me their views on proposed changes to the Hunting Act and Assisted Dying. As I suspected, a range of views all really passionately argued. You can continue to email simon.hoare.mp@ parliament.uk or write Simon Hoare MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA to let me know your opinions on either or both.

For many, the village pub is one of the central parts of community life. Every year I have written to the Chancellor asking for freezes to beer duty and for policies which are favourable to the local hospitality sector. I shall do so again this year. Our pubs are important assets to our market towns and villages.

I have always subscribed to the theory that all because Government can does not mean that it should. The

Conservative MP for North Dorset

Simon Hoare

Government’s proposals to reduce pub opening hours are a case in point. Most people are concerned about excessive drinking. It creates health problems to the individual –thereby increasing avoidable demand for NHS services – but

also blights too many lives through abusive behaviours towards partners and children as well as creating financial hardship.

I have heard testimony from too many people who grew up in an alcohol-dependent environment not to know the havoc it can unleash.

However, with, arguably, all too ready access to cheap alcohol in our supermarkets, the issue of alcohol abuse arises in the home rather than in a pub. The drinking pub environment allows the licensee, staff and indeed other customers to monitor a customers’ behaviour. No such overview exists at home.

With bans on smoking in public places – I support –uneven applications on VAT on food – I have argued for a level playing field – and the drink-driving rules – I support – pubs have enough to cope

with without losing vital trading time. When these proposals come before the Commons I shall oppose them. The presence of military aircraft overhead can be described as the sound of freedom. Our military need to train to keep us safe. They need to fly somewhere and they do fly over quite a lot of North Dorset. At a recent meeting I held with local farmers and the NFU the issue was raised. I have undertaken to discuss it with the Secretary of State for Defence to see if there is a better way of delivering the training while also respecting residential amenity, livestock and crops. I would be interested to hear from readers as to their experiences, if any, on this issue to allow me to give the fullest picture to the MoD. Please use my contact details found above.

One year on from Hamas attack

IT’S been a year since the horrific attack by Hamas in which 1,139 Israelis were brutally murdered. Since then, 723 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, and 41,788 Gazans have died.

It’s been a year since Hezbollah started firing rockets at northern Israel, causing 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes.

And 1,401 Lebanese have died since Israel moved from defence to offence against Hezbollah last month.

I spent a week in Beirut in 2019, a year before the ammonium nitrate explosion blew up the dock area, and with it any pretence that the country had a functioning government. I also ventured south, unwittingly into Hezbollah territory.

This isn’t a travel column, but I share this because it gives me a little more perspective than many armchair commentators on the Middle East. I generally try to avoid

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

doing so, because the Middle East doesn’t need preaching from a country that created the region with coloured lines on a map and the Balfour Declaration. But given recent events, I feel compelled to do so.

Many readers won’t know that Hezbollah provides what we would recognise as a modern welfare state and health

30,000-plus

THIS week has seen the announcement of a forecast 10% increase in energy bills. It comes hot on the heels of the Government’s plans to strip pensioners of their Winter Fuel Payments.

Last week I wrote to the Secretary of State to ask about the impact of the decision on West Dorset only to learn that, by the Government’s own estimates, more than 30,000 residents would be impacted.

The decision to do so right before the start of the winter months means many vulnerable people will be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter.

West Dorset is a wonderful a place to live, and understandably many people choose to retire here, but many

system in much of Lebanon, where the official government doesn’t. The organisation is revered, even cherished.

I’m not defending Hezbollah – it is a proscribed, cynically manipulative terrorist organisation. But as the people of Lebanon see it, Israel’s third war against them in 40 years is trying to eliminate the organisation which represents the closest thing they’ve seen to good governance.

There cannot be any peace in the Middle East when the security and basic needs of so many are threatened. Whenever the ‘grass is mowed’, as some sickeningly call it, a new generation of militants will grow up again.

And has American foreign policy ever looked so impotent? It’s risible. ‘Please exercise some restraint with the weapons we’ve sold you. Please don’t blow up the aid conveys we’ve sent. Don’t escalate, don’t provoke Iran – oh you have?

OK, we’ll back you 100%.’ Hardly an incentive for peace.

And what good has the UN been? Did you know it has 10,000 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon? What peace is it keeping?

I don’t see what the UK gains through scrambling a couple of Typhoons from Cyprus to buzz Iranian missiles. But there was a ray of light in British foreign policy last week with a new dawn for the Chagos islands. This is important – if we are to lecture other countries on following International Court of Justice rulings, we must accede when ruled against ourselves.

But the highhandedness of the Foreign Office, dating back to the days of Mark Sykes, remains. There was no real engagement with the descendants of the Chagosians, driven off the islands by Britain in 1960. Securing the American military base on Mauritius was a greater priority. And colonialism lives on.

could lose fuel payments

reconsider.

In the meantime, I would strongly urge anyone affected to see if they are eligible for pension credits. It is a somewhat convoluted application process, but if you are eligible, then it means you will continue to receive your winter fuel payment.

LibDem MP for West Dorset

Edward Morello

of our fellow residents rely on that £300 winter fuel payment to soften the impact of energy bills that have increased by 34% in the last decade.

I have voted against this decision and will continue to push the Chancellor to

With the arrival of autumn it is worth reflecting on the extremely wet summer we have just experienced and the significant impact it has had on two of West Dorset’s most vital sectors – hospitality and farming.

Early indications are that this year’s harvest is down 15% on the year before, and hospitality takings are down as much as 25%.

As a result of high taxes, the

cost of alcohol in pubs and restaurants means many of us are choosing to stay at home rather than go out.

Hospitality is one of the largest employers in West Dorset and I will be pushing the Treasury to look at what measures can be taken to reduce operating costs for the sector.

At the same time, the NFU is reporting the farming budget was underspent by more than £300 million last year, in no small part due to bad management by officials, and that the Treasury might use it as an excuse to reduce spend.

With basic farm payments set to disappear, far from being reduced, the farming budget needs to be dramatically increased if we are to protect our rural food producers.

Bother (8) 10 Crazed panic (8) 11 In a lazy way (4) 12 Came to a halt (6) 14 Fingers (6)

16 Aspersion (4)

18 Removing dirt (8)

20 More bad-tempered (8) 21 Cut and gather crops (4) 22 Dried grape (6)

Fashions (6)

(13)

Suffer

Frightening (7) 7 Do very well (5) 13 Economizes (7) 15 Ale holder? (7)

17 Immature insect stage (5)

19 Give medical attention to a sick person (5)

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.

Across

8 Line penned by British playwright, conspiratorial type (7)

Killer Sudoku Pro

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. Sudoku 3D

9 Manage after retirement hotel for very long period (5)

10 Some credit tolerated in the same manner (5)

11 Shield for detective with time (7)

12 A taciturn vet that’s turned ugly (12)

16 Self-governing body in mostly German place, one with power to shake up Italy (12)

20 A lamb’s cooked around yard that’s terrible (7)

Down

1 US detective getting flat in south-east (5)

2 Understand what a gin could produce getting drunk (6,2)

3 Tom’s excited entering Utah to the greatest degree (6)

4 Supply hunting whip (4)

5 Chore I planned being worthy of admiration (6)

6 Extreme location for staff (4)

7 Put into pieces varied threats (7)

13 Tear shown by some trippers (3)

23 Take away by force others in hearing (5)

Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box.

24 One in the Balkans, say, beginning to extol one tied to work (5)

25 Woman showing suspicion with old Indian coin (7)

14 Mean to carry explosive after all (2,3,3)

15 Diplomatic post maybe moved around Sweden twice (7)

17 Force firm politician with gutted wriggler?

18 The most miserable small estate (6)

19 Post, it’s said, offering meat (5)

21 Asian currency you gain at regular intervals

22 Rich bloom fellow overlooked (4)

Antiques & Collectibles

Orpheus painting could make £5,000 to £10,000

AS the sun begins to drowse, and life in the countryside prepares for a new epoch, Duke’s sits nestled amid the auburn shades of Dorset’s falling leaves.

Readying for the next foray into the fall with The Autumn Auction on October 23.

This year’s autumn auction anticipates a spectacle of fierce competition for a magnificent collection of items – a sea of glistening golds and regal oak, exhibiting all manner of aristocratic artistry from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Last year’s autumn auction possessed a storm of competitive bidding, with many items exceeding their estimates and solidifying the popularity of Duke’s fine sales.

A highlight of the collection is a wonderful oil on slate painting ascribed to Roelandt Savery (1576/78-1639) titled Orpheus Charming the Animals

Featuring the hero of Greek mythology, reposed within a green grove, encircled by enthralled birds and beasts alike.

This piece, formerly in the collection of the late the Honourable Anna Kinnaird, could fetch £5,000-£10,000.

Orpheus Charming the Animals is ascribed to Roelandt Savery (1576/78-1639)

For more information on The Autumn Auction on October 23, or to see Duke’s other upcoming auctions, visit dukes-auctions.com

Father and son MG

A 1933 MG J2 bought by the owner’s father new in 1933, while serving as an RAF pilot, is included in the Charterhouse auction of classic cars on Thursday, October 24.

“The son searched for many years to locate his father’s MG and eventually found it in a Lincolnshire barn,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

“As an engineer, he undertook a nut and bolt restoration to restore the car to an as-new condition, just like his father bought it.”

The MG was enjoyed by the owner’s father and had trips across Europe, including driving around pre-war

Viewing onsite Wednesday 16th at Southwick Barton’s, Mark, nr Highbridge TA9 4LJ Full details & live bidding via our website

Watches, Jewellery & Silver 14th

Samplers, Textiles & Designer Handbags 16th Coins, Medals, Militaria & Stamps 16th Chinese & Japanese Ceramics and Bronzes 17th Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys 18th

Classic Car Auction 24th October At

Germany.

The car was subsequently sold and, needing restoration, was stored in a barn until the son tracked it down nearly 20 years ago.

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for this auction of classic cars being held at the prestigious Haynes Motor Museum on October 24 and for its next Silver, Jewellery & Watch and Asian Art auctions.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for advice and valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne; phone 01935 812277; or via cars@ charterhouse-auction.com

Something for everyone in 750-plus lots

CLARKE’S Auctions has a great selection of interesting items up for auction, with something to suit everyone, in its October sale this weekend.

It will be offering more than 750 lots including an impressive, extensive 19th century French Lahoche Palais Royal armorial dinner service, an original Michelin enamel advertising sign from the mid-1960s, gold sovereigns and half sovereigns, a 1950s Robert Adams five-shot percussion revolver, an A. Douchet & Co. tenor saxophone, fine jewellery, Chinese and Japanese ceramics and art, rugs and paintings.

The furniture section includes a stylish Italian design Bontempi glass-topped dining

table and matching chairs estimated at £100-£200, and two Arts & Crafts oak court cupboards profusely carved and constructed by Harold Charles Moffatt (1859-1945) of Hamptworth Lodge, a recognised authority on Elizabethan and Tudor furniture and a skilled furniture maker. The court cupboards are estimated at £100-£200 each.

The colour catalogue can be found at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com.

If you would like to find out about the history and value of your treasured pieces, Clarke’s is happy to either offer free home visits throughout Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire or make an appointment with one of its

This original Michelin enamel advertising sign dates from the mid-1960s

specialist valuers at its new salerooms in Gillingham. Clarke’s offers free verbal valuations with no obligation to sell and is happy to have a look at anything from single items to large collections.

To arrange home visits or valuations for consignment into future sales, or for probate or insurance valuation queries, phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 or 01747 855109 at Clarke’s salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Gillingham SP8 4QF.

Antiques & Collectibles

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, is holding a two-day auction later this month.

The General Antiques & Collectors sale on Thursday, October 24, at 10am includes a

large collection of coins and ephemera.

Among the auction lots are an album dated 1861 of autographs and letters of dignitaries and famous people of the time, including the Duke

of Wellington and Lord Nelson, estimated at £200-£300.

The Jewellery, Silver & Watches sale on Friday, October 25, at 10am includes an 18ct emerald and diamond cluster ring estimated at £200-£300 and an 18ct hallmarked gold ruby and diamond cluster ring estimated at £400-£600.

Acreman is now holding regular valuation days at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PH where prospective sellers can take in items for its specialists to evaluate.

Valuation days: 10am-3pm:

• Jewellery & Watches –Tuesdays and Saturdays

• Silver & Obje’t D’art –Tuesdays and Saturdays

• Toys & Collectables –Wednesdays and Saturdays

• Militaria – Fridays and Saturdays

• Textiles & Fashion –Mondays and Saturdays

• Paintings & Contemporary Art

– Mondays and Saturdays Alternatively, prospective sellers should phone or email to make an appointment if they are unable to come in on the allocated days.

Acreman is also happy to make house visits if required.

It is now accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and is happy to advise on anything prospective sellers may be considering for auction – email photographs or take in items in for experts to have a look at.

• Oriental & Asian – Thursdays and Saturdays

• Coins, Stamps, Books & Ephemera – Fridays and Saturdays

Acreman is open Monday to Saturday, 9am-4pm. Anyone with anything they would like to consign can contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764, or by email at auction@ acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

Find a unique object to enhance your interior space

The autumn auction schedule at Dore & Rees provides plenty of options for people looking to realise value in the items in their collection through offering them for sale by auction. And for buyers looking to add to their collection, there will be plenty of opportunity to source a unique item too.

The Curated Interiors auction on 16 October carries a wide range of furniture, pictures, decorative ceramics, collectables and more. From a beautifully detailed terrestrial library globe by Malby’s to a collection of basketware, there will be something unique to enhance any interior space.

Looking forward to November, specialist auctions headline the schedule. The Fine Asian auctions are going from strength to strength with the top level auction of the year coming up on 11 November. Multiple private collections feature in the auction including, the Collection of the Second Earl of Bantry of high quality Chinese porcelains and the Martin Laing Collection of fine Chinese furniture. Fine Jewellery and Watches will be held on 27 November. Offering these categories of auction together on the same date is a winning combination, along with meeting the demand for Christmas gifting. Susan Rumfitt, Duncan Campbell and Richard Price, well known faces on BBC Antiques Roadshow, will be holding Valuation Days at Dore & Rees auction rooms on 23, 24 September, 1, 2, 21, 22 October appraising Jewellery, Silver, Clocks and Watches and Georgian Costume. Contact the team on 01373 462 257 or by email enquiries@ doreandrees.com to arrange a free appointment to have your items appraised and valued.

Dairy House has recently opened in Shaftesbury High Street. After many years trading in Semley it was time to move to Shaftesbury when an opportunity too good to miss arose, in the old Barclays Bank building. Keen to support and compliment the array of independent shops and the feeling that something exciting was happening on the high street, we opened mid August, and have been warmly welcomed and supported since. We have furniture, antique and vintage jewellery, silver items, vintage books, and an array of designer furnishings, fabrics, cushions and blankets, and of course our distinctive eclectic collection of decorative pieces. Ideal for gifts as well as making your homes a cosy and individual place. It’s well worth a visit!

Vintage & decorative antique home and interiors 01747 853317 shop@dairyhouseantiques.com Open Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun & Bank hols 11-4 Dairy House Antiques, 13 High Street,

Home & Garden

Native spindle to light up an autumn garden

by Sally Gregson

IN our more alkaline part of the world those scarlet autumn colours can mostly only be admired, rarely emulated. But some plants produce goodcoloured foliage and are more tolerant of our non-acid soils.

One of the most colourful is our native spindle, Euonymus europaeus. This is a deciduous shrub or small tree that prefers rich, alkaline soil away from the salty winds of coastal areas. It grows wild in most of Europe and western Asia, on gentle slopes at the edge of woodland. In autumn its foliage turns a startling red, highlighting the pink and orange parts of its fruit. The whole plant would light up any garden in autumn, acid or

alkaline, celebrating the season with panache.

The European spindle is very different from its Far Eastern cousin, Euonymus japonicus, or E. fortunei, which is famously an evergreen plant that, if it is happy, will power up to about four metres in height. The variegated forms are more often grown as a backbone, structural element in the winter garden.

The Japanese spindle too, is happy to grow in alkaline conditions and its easy nature makes it a good plant to use for low hedging. The shining, dark green E. japonicus ‘Jean Hugues’ makes a dense, upright small shrub that can easily be clipped and turned into a neat, low hedge. Planted slightly

How to collect seeds for next year

by Sally Gregson

A SUNNY day in October, preferably at lunchtime when the air is driest, is ideal for collecting seeds and making more from your garden. Many plants rely on selfsown seedlings to carry on their lines. Hardy annuals, such as poached egg plants –Limnanthes douglasii; sulphuryellow evening primroses

– Oenothera sulphurea ‘Odorata’; and annual opium poppies – Papaver somniferum – make plenty of seed every summer, and now, at the end of summer, is just the right time to collect it.

Use clean paper bags or large old envelopes to collect the seed. Write the name and

more closely than oldfashioned Box, it will steadily grow to size in a few years, clipping it to shape in late spring.

Euonymus japonicus ‘Jean Hugues’ is relatively easy to propagate from nodal cuttings, taken in late spring or early summer. Each cutting should be 15-20cm long taken of the current year’s growth. The lower leaves and the tip should be removed; each cutting

dipped in hormone rooting powder and inserted around the edge of a pot. Each cutting is pressed in, and the pot watered to settle the compost around the cutting. Keep the pot somewhere shaded and bring it out into the light gradually. If a few large plants are grown, initially for propagation, there should be enough rooted cuttings to plant a small hedge by the end of the following year.

date on the outside and stand them somewhere warm and dry. A corner of the kitchen is ideal. Leave them to open their pods for at least a week before starting to clean and sort the seed.

Then lay a sheet of paper on a table and tip out each envelope. The seeds are usually dark and hard, and separate easily from their pods once they are dry and ripe. Discard the chaff – the seed pods and dead leaves; and collect the ripe seeds into a small brown envelope. (Wage packets make good seed envelopes). Write the name and date of collection on the outside. Then tip away the chaff and start on the next paper bag of seeds.

An afternoon’s seed sorting will yield a harvest for next year’s sowing. Make sure the envelopes are well sealed, perhaps using sticky tape to prevent any leakages. Then put the envelopes in a plastic box that can be sealed and place the plastic box in the fridge. In this way the seed will be stored at a cool, even temperature: 4-5 degrees centigrade; in a steady

humidity. This is also a good way to store purchased seed which in an ideal world is bought from a specialist seed merchant. Seed that has been stored for weeks or months in a re-purposed polytunnel where the temperature and the humidity fluctuates, is often no longer viable. So, if your seed does not germinate, it’s not you. It’s likely the way the seed was stored.

Keep seeds in a sealed plastic box in the fridge

E. fortunei, is an evergreen plant that, if it is happy, will power up to about four metres in height

17D Wincombe Business Park, Shaftesbury SP7 9QJ

Home & Garden

GUTTERS CLEARED

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Garden Landscape & Construction Services www.sherbornegardenangels.co.uk 01935 324737

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Sherborne Fencing Ltd Tel: 01935 814272 Mobile: 07814246332

Tree Specialists

TREE STUMP REMOVAL

Pruning, bracing, shaping. Preservation of mature trees. Hedge cutting. Trees supplied & planted. Landscaping & maintenance. Heavy duty winch hire available. Tree Surgery BS.3998 Contractors to local authorities.

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All types of fencing supplied and fitted We also have a mini-digger for hire Blandford 07751 001515

GARDENING SERVICES AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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

Garden

Design Est 20 Years 01258 881112 07900 431701 £395

The ZEST bee hive IS the BEST hive for Bee Health and Beekeeper Wealth.

Learn how to build a DIY ZEST by going to www.thezesthive.com then book an appointment on 01258 473015.

Bill Summers will show you the options on how to manage a ZEST hive at Hosey Bridge, Sturminster Newton. DT10 1HE

The ZEST internal frames and queen

TREEWISE

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FOREVER GREEN LANDSCAPES.

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FOR MOWING, STRIMMING, Hedge Cutting, Chain-sawing and general garden/estate maintenance. Call David: 07786-658708

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

PETER PORT UPHOLSTERY A Local Family Run

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Tel/Fax: Shafts 853512 Mobile: 07831 262083

Established in 1976 At TreeCare we

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Business based in Shaftesbury, Offering a wide range of services including foam cut to size and Re-stuffing of feather cushions. 01747-228384 Peterportupholstery@googlemail.com.

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

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

L.DAVIS AND SONS

Fencing, and garden design

WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 850474

Concrete bases, patios, gravel, garden clearance and much more. We also deliver compost, pots, bark, logs and other gardening products. 01458-241230 or 07950-261510 Deadline

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

Home & Garden

GARDEN RESCUE. Tel: 01747-821726

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING

www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

FOR ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING, Driveway, Patios & Fencing etc. Contact Billy 07849-571742

WELL ROTTED MANURE £60.00 a transit load. Contact Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502

M & A J Landscaping ~ Fencing ~ Walling ~ Patios/Steps ~ Concreting/Tarmac ~ Tree work ~ Garden maintenance

malcgin@hotmail.com 07399-521377

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Spring Bulbs In Stock. Fruit Trees and Ornimental 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

We

GARDEN AND PLANTING DESIGN.

Wildlife gardens and meadows. Expert gardening, plant care and advice.

Extensive plant knowledge. Call Stephen and Claire at Manyberries 01963 441454. www.manyberries.co.uk

OUTDOORS

TREES

R US

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

LOGS

BLACKMORE VALE LOG SPLITTING AND CHIPPING

- Your local mobile service07760 469411

GOOD QUALITY

SEASONED HARDWOOD for sale

Barn-stored

Any size of load If you want anymore help contact Andy 07773-254174

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double load £180 dumpy bag £80 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081

Get in the Garden

BARK

Home & Garden

The Gardens Group

ONE feature of plants that is often forgotten about in spring and summer is stem or bark colour. It becomes noticeable in the depths of the winter when the stems of plants are finally revealed as the foliage falls. What makes it especially striking is that the winter sun, being low in the sky, picks out bark colours, accentuating their impact.

Several trees come under this heading, including the Tibetan or Birch Bark Cherry, Prunus serrula Tibetica with its glossy, polished mahogany-coloured peeling bark. It’s a small tree and so very suitable for a small garden. The white spring flowers are followed by small red fruit in the autumn when the foliage is also an attractive yellow before it falls.

With similar colourings but less shiny is Acer griseum, the Paperbark Maple, of which there is a superb specimen outside the police station in Sherborne. It was planted by Sherborne Gardeners Association back in 1992 to commemorate its Golden Jubilee.

probably Snow Queen but there are also more unusual colourings such as B. septentrionalis – Chinese Red Birch – which has burntorange through to a pastel pink coloured bark

One plant that always pleases me is the Contorted Hazel Corylus contorta with its gnarled and twisted branches and crumpled leaves. It’s at its best when the leaves fall off, as they always look unhappy. In the winter though the shrub really comes into its own with the contorted stems. In late winter or early spring, long yellow catkins appear which hang straight down from the branches. On mature specimens nuts will form. Flower arrangers love it. Dogwoods can also be great for their bark, particularly Cornus alba varieties but also Cornus sanguinea

Acer griseum is a small, upright tree, with brown peeling, shaggy bark that reveals cinnamon-coloured new bark below. In areas with acidic soils, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn but for us locally the colouring is not as impressive.

I love Silver Birch and there is a great array of varieties, many of which are wonderful in the winter.

Betula utilis or Jacquemontti with white peeling bark after a few years. The whitest variety is

My favourite alba variety is Cornus Elegantissima because it has variegated foliage for interest at other times, but it also has bright red stems in the winter. The best colour is always on the youngest stems and established shrubs need pruning hard in March, perhaps every other year to keep plenty of fresh growth coming along. During the summer the stems are a disappointing green but when the night temperatures start to fall so the stems colour up and by the time the foliage has changed colour and fallen it’s a great sight.

I also love Cornus Midwinter Fire for its autumn colours and then the orange red stems for the rest of the winter.

The latest gardening news, hints and tips, with Mike Burks, MD of

Home & Garden

Tree Surgery. Reductions. Felling.

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Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip supplies.

Family run business since 1946

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Tel: 01963 250005

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We carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified. Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional Experienced Reliable

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Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963-370038

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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

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BLANDFORD

A taste of autumn great for entertaining friends

Venison with a port and blackberry jus on a trivet of sweet potato chips with kale and mushrooms

Loin of venison trimmed

A few sprigs of rosemary and thyme

3-4 cloves garlic, bashed

Glug of olive oil (30ml)

Good knob of butter (30g)

Frying pan

Oven 180 degrees and some parchment or tin foil

2 sweet potatoes peeled, cut to chips

Olive oil

Rosemary

Sea salt

Chips

SET the oven at 200 degrees and toss the sweet potato chips in the oil with rosemary and sea salt.

Roast for 30 minutes. When they are ready, turn the oven down to 180 degrees for the venison.

WITH a good pinch of Maldon salt and cracked pepper, season the loin – cut to size for however many you are feeding – by rolling it in the salt and pepper while the oil is starting to smoke.

Add the fresh herbs and garlic to the pan and lay the venison in carefully, giving it a little nudge

This venison dish is bursting with flavour

medium-rare, wrapped in parchment or foil. Take it out and leave it covered and rest it for 15 minutes.

Kale

STEAM kale in half an inch of salted boiling water until bright green for five minutes.

Mushrooms

PAN fry wild mushrooms in butter and season, leave whole or torn.

Port and blackberry jus FOR the reduction I use the pan used to sear the venison, add 200ml of port and a handful of blackberries and thyme. Any butter and scrapings will add flavour and gloss to the reduction.

then leaving it to sear; turn it with tongs a third of the way round, sear the second side; turn again for the last side to be caramelised. Add the butter and spoon over. The venison should have taken on the rosemary and garlic flavours.

Put the seared wrapped venison into the 180 degree oven for five minutes for

Sieve to mash the blackberries through.

To finish

NOW start to plate up and build your dish! To garnish, use whole blackberries and flat leaf parsley or rosemary.

n Annie des Forges, Director/ Chef, The Table Bruton; Annie Austin, Director/Host & Concierge, Somerset Roadtrip.

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

Venison

Perfect

2

Our

Health & Wellbeing

BEING an older person in the UK can feel like being cancelled, according to new research.

Many older people say they feel excluded and marginalised in many aspects of daily life – leading to an increased sense of isolation and loneliness.

That is the conclusion of The New Ageing Index, 2024, from Home Instead, a private

provider of home care.

The project was an attempt to discover what older age in 2024 really looks like.

Over a third of all respondents (35%) believe being old is like being cancelled. This rises to nearly half (43%) for older women (over-75s). And rises further to 46% for some of the youngest respondents (18-34-year-old men). Almost

Meditations in nature:

Fare thee well

dear swallows

by Susanna Curtin

THE autumn equinox has slipped through time and the leaves are beginning to fall from their trees. The weather is changing. Yet the forecast today is set fair and having watched the misty, dark clouds slowly evaporate in the rising sun, I gather my belongings to make haste for the coast. I want to steal one last day spent on a sun-drenched beach, whiling away the hours, snorkelling, swimming and contemplating the joys of the summer just gone, and the winter to come. It is a bright and breezy beachline that greets me with only a few scattered souls camped out on the pebbles. The sun has completely broken through, and the air is warm and comforting. There is a light onshore wind that is flattening the waves, and the sea is a deep, enticing, rippling blue. At first the water feels cold to my touch but once I am fully submerged, the temperature softens against my skin, and I soon find myself swimming towards a crystal trail of sunbeams cast by the angle of the low sun on the

a third (32%) of older men (over-75s) believe this to be the case.

Older people – the fastest growing cohort in society –feel ignored by fashion brands (60%) and high street brands (59%).

They also feel culturally excluded, saying they sense that new television and cinema (57%) and music (66%) is rarely, if ever, aimed

shore, like this one, before waiting for the right weather conditions to begin their long voyage.

at them. Being excluded in this way leads to a sense of isolation and loneliness according to 66% of all respondents. This rises to 73% for the oldest cohort (over-75s).

Not catering to older people is a missed opportunity for retailers – particularly for high street fashion brands.

The research reveals that many older people are

water.

Pushed along by the wind and the current, I suddenly realise that I am not alone. For I am surrounded by a flock of swallows which are skimming low over the water, scooping a drink with their open beaks, then looping up and around again for more. Just the other day, I noticed a restless flock of them all lined up on the telephone wires – a sure sign that autumn is nigh. They are one of the first birds to arrive in spring and the last to depart our shores in October. They bring hope when they come and sadness when they leave. As my fingers cut through the water around them, I recall Thomas Hardy’s ‘Faithful’ poem: “when summer shone its sweetest on an August day, here evermore, I said, I’ll stay, not go away to another shore, but how fickle they”. Now here I am swimming below a small flock of them as they prepare for their incredible 6,000-mile journey to South Africa. They would have already begun to move steadily south stopping on a southern

Bird migration is still one of the many wonders of nature. It is driven mostly by the availability of resources and the arrival of certain cues such as the number of daylight hours and a change in temperature. During the summer, swallows are found in open country or farmland where flying insects are abundant. But as the autumn draws near, there are fewer and fewer insects for them to feed on, and so faced with the prospect of little food, they head south through Europe and across the Sahara Desert, travelling at 20 miles an hour and up to 200 miles a day. Along this perilous route, they run the risk of starvation and exhaustion.

Migrations are known to be the highest cause of death in both juvenile and adult swallows. Flying at low altitudes, each swallow will endure days and nights of gruelling heat, phenomenal wind speeds, extreme storms and a lack of water – not to mention dodging the bullets of the hunters’ guns over Europe and North Africa, and the hungry birds of prey which are also migrating.

The swallows that visit us fly through western France and eastern Spain then over the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. From there, they face the most hazardous part of their journey over the endless dunes of the

largest hot desert in the world. Usually swallows only fly during the day, stopping to rest overnight, but they cross the Sahara in one go, as the nights are cooler and there is nowhere for them to stop. They reach the tropical heat of the Congo rainforest by November, eventually arriving at their wintering grounds of South Africa and Namibia by December.

A swallow only weighs a couple of grams and would fit inside my pocket. Yet the juveniles leave several weeks after their parents. It is not only the distances that are staggering but also the fact that these young birds arrive to spend their winter in South Africa within a mile or two of their parents. There is much speculation as to how they know the way, namely that they use the Earth’s magnetic field, celestial cues and visual landmarks that are biologically imprinted. In reality, their navigational skills are a mystery we are still trying to fathom. Knowing that many swallows will not survive the round trip, I fare them well as I watch these fine, delicate birds head south over the water. By February next year they will be beginning their return to our shores and then back to the colonies and the nests they were born in. The next time I see them, the joys of our winter will be over, and the spring flowers will be in bloom.

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

desperate for more to be aimed at them, with nearly half (44%) saying they would love to wear more fashionable clothing if it was marketed at them.

Margaret Newson, 88, said: “You get to a point in your life where you cease to exist as far as the rest of the world is concerned. Being excluded like this really is like being cancelled – you feel that you

are no longer invited to the party.

“You begin to feel invisible in every aspect of your life, which for many leads to an increased sense of isolation and loneliness.

“The older people I know are desperate for this to change. We live active and healthy lives and we want to be a part of things. And why shouldn’t we be?”

TEACHER

For healing, physical and mental wellness. Call Anthony on 07860-903526

LIVE-IN CARER for the elderly available. Ready to provide personalized support to ensure good quality of life. 17 years experience with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, appointments etc. Covid Vaccinated. Care insurance. DBS. Excellent references. Driver own car. Tel: 07956-070668

The Malthouse Care Home

Bay Road, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8

Our friendly team truly care for your family like they would their ownproviding compassion, respect, and dignity. With a deep commitment to meeting residents’ individual needs, whether it’s residential or respite care, The Malthouse is your perfect choice. healthcarehomes.co.uk

Items for sale

CLASSIFIED ADS

LARGE BAYTREE 6FT HIGH, 4ft wide in pot. Needs larger pot or put in ground. Too big for my garden. Suit restaurant garden. £500 07769-708992 Gillingham

LEATHER SOFA, 2/3seater. Excellent condition. £350. Tel: 07588-053555

IFOR WILLIAMS TRAILER. 7x4 £600. ono. Chris: 01935-891643

SINGLE PINE BED WITH HEADBOARD AND MATTRESS, hardly used £70 needs to be assembled. Buyer collects in Blandford Area 07836 230779.

FISHER & PAYKEL RF610ADX4 FRIDGE/ FREEZER. Excellent condition H: 179cm, W: 90cm, D: 73cm. Original Price £2080. Selling for £750 ONO Collection in Bruton. Contact Isabell 07510843232

TREK NAVIGATOR 100. Full size frame ladies bike. In good order. £50. 01963 220464

400 BRICKS FOR SALE. Welb Aut antique.75p each ono. Tel: 01258-452118

GIANT E.BIKE. Gents. V.Good condition. £250. Tel: 01258451397

BRAND NEW LADIES

ELECTRIC BICYCLE, Pendleton step through, basket and carrier. £950 ONO. Tel: 07864-297226 / 01258-458749

CARAVAN PORCH AWNING, brand new. Westfield. £200. ONO. Tel: 07864-297226

BROTHER PS-31 SEWING MACHINE. Brand New. Full range of built-in stitches, buttonholes etc. £125.00 Tel 01747-852723

ROCKING HORSE, suitable for 3-7 year old. In need of some TLC. £200. Tel: 01258-268156

TRAILER FOR SALE ERDE 122 spare wheel and cover 01935-425519. £275.00

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

PHANTOM PATHFINDER. Full size frame. In working order. Free. 01963 220464.

TOP OPENING DESK with 4 drawers light oak 39”x19”x41”. £30. 01985-844428

100 PIECES OF WHITE AND BROWN Poole Pottery dinner and tea set £50 01425-478060

2 M&S MENS BLAZERS - Black/ white check wool blend and Autograph, Navy both chest 107cm/42in Long £25 each, Tel:07790 824353

CALOR GAS BOTTLES, two of ,one full, the other approx quarter full, plus connector etc £30 Tel no 0781 8345464

LOT OF 60S--70S C/D,s--£1 each--01935-873441

TRI WALKER light weight mobility aid. Vgc £20 01935 814746

CAMPING TOILET. Also suitable for disabled. £25. Tel: 01747-837834

1 CHAD VALLEY BABY

BOUNCER and 1 Bright Start baby bouncer. Excellent condition. £10 each. 07801-479155 evenings.

UPRIGHT POWER WASHER. With wheels and handle. plus attachments. £25. Tel: 07833-641242

VW Golf MK 6 (2009) front bumper. Black. £50 or best offer. (Shaftesbury). Tel. 07974-412269

DUCAL DARK PINE TABLE 4ft extends to 6ft and 4 chairs excellent condition £50.00 Tel 01985 845211

LARGE AMOUNT STAMPS LOOSE And pages Tidy Lot £45 please call 01258-720143

STAG DRESSING TABLE, £45. Tel: 07588-053555

LONDON ARCHEOLOGIST MAGAZINES, 1985-2019, Covers London and surrounding area. FREE. R.Volkes. 01935-873321

TWO 3ft PINE SINGLE BED FRAMES plus 1 mattress and bedding if required £40. Buyer collects Sherborne 01935 812456

HAILO STEP LADDER, with open step plate at the top. £15. Tel: 01747-229148

LONG-HANDLED SCYTHE £40 (Sherborne). Tel 07875-566224

HENRY HOOVER , long retractable cable loads of bags only has one attachment £10 07709-121099

LOAD OF HORNBY 00 Railway track. £30. Tel: 07791-847767

HUT/SHED, IDEAL FOR LOGS, tools, bikes, mowers etc. Made from aluminum sheets. Size 2mx1m. £45. Tel: 01747-840835

LEATHER 3 SEATER RECLINING SOFA. Good Condition. £50. Tel: 01258-861773

M123 ALLROAD CYCLE HELMET. New. £40.07785 534 524.

RETRO CLOTHES vgc £30 Frome Area 07563-340823

LAMINATED FLOORING IN PACKAGE, 8 of, at 186 x 125mm, =1.9 sq. mtrs. Red Alder, scratch and impact resistant £12.50 Gillingham. 01747 824240’

OVAL FOLDING PINE DINING TABLE & chairs with cushions very gc - £50. Tel 07790-511416

SINGLE BED WITH SLIDE OUT BED barely used as in spare room - buyer to collect 1st week in November £40 - Sherborne deposit to reserve required 07444-377106

BEKO BRDF21000X Double Oven, top oven has grill. Good working order. £50, Contact 01963 846153

GRAND PARENTS SELLING, Travel cot and mattress (mattress bought separate) both as new. £50 01935-421313

WEBB 24” cylinder mower for restoration. With grass box and roller seat. £30. 01258 830247

ROOF LADDER, 16ft double aluminium ladder, old working electric cement mixer. £50. Tel: 01258-818360

GOLF CLUBS, 20, Callaway and Dunlop. Callaway bag, Dunlop fold up trolley, T’s 100, 20 balls, towel.£45.00 Tel 07706-954184

BRAND NEW TYRE, on spare wheel, Fit Citroen Berlingo. £50. Tel:07886-538350

CHILD’S BUMPER CAR SEAT. Nearly new. £10. 07785 534 524

SOLID OAK ROUND TABLE, 36” diameter, £20.00 Tel: 07343-641735

WHITE SCHOOL HOUSE CEILING FAN, BRAND NEW 16” FAN BLADES, £30 TEL.01747-822772

78 RPM RECORDS, About 400 mainly classical pre-war, £25 Tel: 01747 828403, Donhead St Andrew

GO-KART ELEC GOLF TROLLEY £30. Working order, with battery charger. 07703 462964 after 4pm.

BOSCH HAND MOWER, ideal for small lawns, very good condition, used 1 season £15. 07929-129471

PROFESSONALLY CUT

KINDLING. Bagged and ready to go. £5 a bag. Call 07478-452002

UPVC MAIN DOOR. Front red inside white. Spjtt@sky.com for info. £50

BLACK QUINNY BUZZ

PUSHCHAIR/travel system suitable from newborn with accessories. Used but good condition £45. Tel 07801 230545 Shaftesbury

BABIES PLAY PEN, with speaker. £25. Tel: 01747-822338

MORPHY RICHARDS SPIRALIZER Express with interchangeable blades. Never used. £25. Tel 01747 852725

VANGO ODYSSEY AIR 600 tent green 6 person AirBeam easy to pitch Henstridge £40 07990 239978

MENS LEVI 501 original jeans. 2 pairs, 33” waist, 30” leg. 1 pair unworn. £50. Tel: 07773-657363

MOBILE CALOR GAS HEATER with bottle (no gas) VGC. £45. Tel: 01258 -51397 AGFA SILETTE CAMERA. Vintage collectors camera, fully working, with case, near mint £50. Tel: 01202-677607

BOOKCASE/DISPLAY CABINET, comes apart in 6 parts for transportation, in good condition. £50 Buyer collects (Gillingham). Tel. 07513 438801

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

State of the roads drivers’ biggest bugbear

DRIVERS’ despair with the woeful state of Britain’s local roads – those which make up 98% of all roads – has reached the highest level ever, new figures from the RAC show.

For the first time ever, most drivers – nearly six-in-10 (56%) – surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring say the condition and maintenance of roads for which councils are responsible was one of their top motoring concerns, up seven percentage points compared to 2023 (49%).

Frustration with local roads is now 21 percentage points ahead of drivers’ second biggest concern, the cost of insuring a vehicle, and 24 ahead of the third biggest issue, the cost of fuel.

A record, and growing, proportion of drivers are also reporting that local roads they use are in a worse state than the 12 months before.

This year, almost threequarters (73%) of drivers say the condition of the local roads they use regularly is poorer than a year ago, compared to 67% last year and just 49% who said the same thing in 2019.

Just 6% of drivers believe local road surfaces have improved this year compared to last, a statistic that underlines the state many councils now find themselves in when it comes to looking after some of their most vital assets.

The state of many local roads also has clear consequences for

The RAC says that patrols went out to 25,085 pothole-related breakdowns in the 12 months to the end of June

cars. More than a quarter of drivers (27%) say their vehicle has suffered damage as a result of potholes in the last 12 months, a figure which rises to 32% among those who live in rural areas.

Punctures (47%) are the most common problem reported, followed by wheel damage (43%) and broken suspension springs (29%).

The latter two problems can be particularly expensive, with RAC data showing that the average cost of repairing a family car costing anything up to £460.

The RAC’s figures show that the problem of substandard local roads is more acute in rural areas, where 81% of drivers say conditions are worse in 2024 than in 2023, and in suburban locations where the proportion is only slightly lower at 78%. Both figures are record highs.

But even in towns and cities, most respondents – 53% –believe the condition of local roads they regularly drive on is worse than a year earlier. Across the UK, the greatest proportions of drivers who report the condition of local roads as being bad are those in the East Midlands (85%), the south east of England (83%) and the south west (79%).

Separate RAC breakdown data shows that patrols went out to 25,085 pothole-related breakdowns in the 12 months to the end of June. Since the start of 2020, the total number of breakdowns most likely to be caused by potholes stands at 167,000.

Motoring

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine DEADLINES

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.

BRIDGE MOTORS

Wincanton Ltd. Silver Street | Wincanton | BA9 9AW | 01963 33313 www.bridgemotorswincanton.co.uk

VW Beetle 1.2

Bluemotion Design, £4600 worth of

when new including sunroof, Metallic grey with full Vienna leather, Panoramic Sunroof, £9795

2021 (21) Citroen C3 1.2 Shine Puretech 30,000 Miles, Met Grey/Black Roof, Alloys, Excellent Vale For Money ................................................ £9995

2018 (68) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Sri VX Line Nav, White, 2 owners, 62,000 miles £7495

2018 (18) Ford Focus Titanium Estate 1.5 TDCi, Champagne Silver, 2 Owners, Sat Nav 21,000 miles, FORD Service history .................... ... £11995

2018 (18) Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSi Redline Ltd Edition, 6 Speed, Rear Parking Sensors, Air Con, Above Average Mileage ............................................ £5995

2017 (17) Fiat 1.2S, White, £20 Road Tax, 48000 miles £6795

2015 (15) VW Golf 2.0 TDi SE Cabriolet, Black, Air Con and alloys ........ £5795

2014 (64) Mini Cooper 1.5D, new shape, Chilli Pack, high mileage, service history, met red/white £4795

2014 (14) Nissan Note Acenta Premium 1.2, Automatic, Grey, Only 25,000 miles £6495

2013(63) Audi A1 1.6 Tdi Sport, 5 Dr, Silver ....................................... £5495 2013(63) Mini 1.6D Baker Street Ltd Edition, 2 owners, 17” Alloys, £900 Worth of options, Grey, Zero Road Tax ................................................ £3995

2010 (10) Vauxhall Astra 1.6SE, 70k Met Grey................................... £2795

2010 (59) Ford Fiesta 1.25 Edge 82, 3Door, Blue, 30,000 Miles, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Air Con .............................................................. £3995

2017 (17) Range Rover Evoque HSE, Silver, Pan Roof..............................

(15) Nissan Qashqai 1.5 DC1

2018(68) Skoda Citigo SEL, 5Dr, Turquoise

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

RANGE ROVER SPORT

2006, body in good condition, spares or repair, offers telephone 01258-450050 or mobile 07704-813025

SMART PASSION CONVERTIBLE 2016 Yellow/ Silver. Automatic, very economical Petrol 31000 miles. Zero Tax, ULEZ free. £7895. Phone 07900932433 STORAGE FOR CARAVANS, boats and cars at Enford Farm near Blandford. 01258 450050 / 07704 813025

DVCA Banishes Budget Blues to Bring Promise of Smiles

Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions are determined to bring cheer to both car enthusiast and collectors of automobilia in their forthcoming specialist sale on Thursday 17th October 2024 as there is little doubt that nostalgia can be firmly linked to the feel- good factor. Not only is there a spectacular offering of vehicles on offer at Stalbridge, DT10 2RH, but also the Automobilia aisles are packed with truly interesting collectables. Where else will you find 127 period petrol cans, numerous paraffin containers and a Shell Petrol Pump? Enamel signs are well represented, and Michelin’s Mr Bibendum is proudly paraded in a variety of styles and materials.

A quick vehicle resume then to whet your appetite. In the Pre-war selection there is a 1928 Austin 16/6 fabric bodied Saloon from a Nottingham collection, a 1929 Buick 25 Series 116 Phaeton, a pretty 1935 Humber Vogue Pillarless Saloon, a mighty 1933 Lagonda 3 Litre Saloon, a sporty two seat 1937 Singer 9 Le Mans from the late Nick Baldwin collection, and two finely engineered Sunbeams, a 3 Litre Sports of 1937 and an earlier 1925 20/60 short chassis Super Sport Drophead Coupe with Dickey. For a simple winter project check out the 1937 Morris Eight Series I, a four seat tourer dry stored for 40 years, recently run and with 4 new tyres.

The Classic Saloon range includes a 1954 Fiat 1100 Millicento with fascinating history, one of the three graces- a top of the range 1960 Ford Zodiac Mk2 from the Herridge Collection, an Australian assembled 1957 Humber Super Snipe Mk4, a 1965 Jaguar Mk II upgraded to 3.8 litre, and a 1961 Rover P4 100. Projects include a 1970 Morris 1000 Traveller boasting lengthy ownership and a 1979 Ford Cortina GL.

Sporting Chances on offer comprise of a 2003 BMW 330c convertible, a 1995 Ford Escort RS 2000, a 2001 Jaguar S-Type, a Mercedes-Benz E 320CD and for MG enthusiasts, there are three B Roadsters, a C Roadster, a high spec GT, an MGF in bright red and a later MG TF. Look out also for the Opel Speedster convertible plus the 2003 Rover 75 Connoisseur V6, a rare 1991 VW Corrado G 60 and a Saint-style Volvo P1800 S Coupe.

Farmer’s toys include a smart 1998 Range Rover 4.0 SE with good history in 20 year ownership, a 1976 Land Rover Series III 88” and a 2003 Land Rover DefenderDouble-Cab-110. The 1955 Massey Ferguson TEF 20 Tractor, probably ex parks department of Hampshire County Council deserves a nice retirement home.

For the two wheeled inclined, see the eye catching 1960 Ariel Arrow 250cc, the 1971 BSA A65 Firebird 650 Scrambler, the 2001 Harley-Davidson Sportster of 1250cc an equally whopping 1100cc 1983 Honda VF 1100 V65 Magna owned since 1997, plus the 2020 Kawasaki Z H2.

Please visit dvca.co.uk for entry updates or contact Brian Chant on 01963 363353 for more information.

1925 Sunbeam 20/60 Short Chassis Super Sport Drophead Coupe with Dickey by Brainsby’s £35000 – 40000

ANNOUNCEMENT

SAVE THE CHILDREN SHAFTESBURY BRANCH, needs volunteers to help organize 3-4 annual events, including the Fun Fair in East Knoyle. Varied and rewarding work. If you can give some of your time please contact, Katie Page. katiepage@copac.org.uk

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

COUNCILLOR VACANCY GILLINGHAM RURAL WARD

Join our friendly and forward-thinking Town Council if you would like to:

• Play a part in making decisions affecting your area

• Get more involved in your community

• Influence the way local services are provided

Further information about being a Councillor can be found at www.nalc.gov.uk/makeachange or by contacting the Town Clerk

Completed application forms must be received by 20 October 2024

Interviews will be held on the evening of Monday 28 October 2024

Application forms are available via website: www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk/recruitment/ or by contacting the Town Hall - 01747 823588 or gtc@gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

PUBLIC NOTICE

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence.

FERGUS CASEY Trading as AFG (DORSET) LIMITED of 2 New Cottages, Hemsworth, Witchampton, Dorset is applying to change an existing licence as follows. To keep an extra 1 goods vehicles and 0 trailers Giving it a total of 2 Goods Vehicles. at the Operating centre at Hemsworth Farm, Witchampton, Dorset, BH21 5BN And which applies at the operating centre at Jubilee House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 0GB. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, s86 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicantat the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering my Dear Brother Vic Toogood who would have been 85 on the 7th October. Always in my Thoughts, Love Lyn x

DEATHS

Rhodes

Peter Michael

Peacefully on 21st September, aged 86 years. A dearly loved Husband, Father, Grandad, Great Grandad, Cousin and friend to many.

Funeral service will take place at The Sacred Heart and St Aldhelm Church, Sherborne on Thursday 7th November, at 11:00am

Enquiries c/o Brister & Son Funeral Directors Tel: 01935812647

HEMBOROUGH MARION

Aged 97 years of Sparkford. On 25th September 2024. Peacefully at Yeovil District Hospital. A much loved, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and Friend. Funeral Service at Holy Cross Church, Weston Bampfylde. On Thursday 17th October at 12noon, followed by interment in the Churchyard. Family flowers only please.

Donations in memory of Marion are being invited for Project Mozambique and Holy Cross Church, C/o Harold F Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Tel: 01963-440367

BROOKS

Malcombe Walter – ‘Mick’

Peacefully on 6th September 2024 in Dorset County Hospital, aged 91 years, of Stalbridge.

Husband of Sheila. Father to Douglas, Peter, Timothy and James. Grandad to Lillie and Sabine. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday 18th October at 10.40am. Family flowers only. Donations if desired for either Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust or Somerset & Dorset Animal Rescue can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

Harris nee Drake

Sally of Yeovil formerly of Pulham

Passed away peacefully on the 22nd September 2024. Aged 70 years.

A much loved Mum to Andrew and Lorna and loving Grandma to Ned and Poppy. All enquiries to A J Wakely, 33 Sparrow Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4BT. 01935 479913

Peter Brown

Passed away on 18th September at home peacefully age 84 Husband and dad to Lena, Stephen, Andrew, Karen, Mark. Grandchildren and great grandchildren. Furneral to be held on 14th October 11.20 at Yeovil crematorium. Followed by wake at folk golf club. Family flowers only, donations can be giving for British heart foundation.

RONALD JAMES FINLAY

On 16th September, after a long illness, aged 86 years. Ron was born in Southampton, married in Jersey and lived most of his life in Dorset, latterly in Sturminster Newton. He was beloved husband of 64 years to Ann, much loved dad to Tracey, Debbie and Sam, and loving gramps to Josh and Ellie. Funeral takes place at Harbour Views Crematorium on Friday 18th October at 10.30am. No flowers please but donations to WaterAid may be made online at www.tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

JAMES

Charles Arthur – ‘Charlie’

Peacefully on 22nd September 2024 in Yeovil District Hospital surrounded by his family. Charlie aged 84 years, of Templecombe. Much loved Husband, Dad and Grandad. He served the community over many years as a Lay Preacher in Dorset and somerset, as well as a former District and Parish Councillor. Funeral service at Templecombe United Reformed Church on Friday 25th October at 12.00pm, followed by interment. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for Yeovil Hospital Charity (ICU) can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

Gwendoline Small 25-2-1930 - 18-9-2024

Gwen has gone gently on her way rejoicing. Her funeral will take place at St Simon & St Jude’s Church Milton-on Stour on Thursday 17th October 2024 at 1:30 pm

Please wear a cheerful colour. Family flowers only but donations in Gwen’s memory to the Stroke Association if desired.

Our thanks to all the staff at The Mellows Care Home, Gillingham for their care and kindness.

Enquires to Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QL Tel: 01747 822494

David Spinney

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Dave passed away on 21st September 2024, aged 73. A much-loved Husband, Dad, Grandad, Brother and Uncle who will be sorely missed.

Funeral will be held at 11:30a.m. on Monday 14th October 2024 at Kington Magna Parish Burial Ground. Family flowers only please.

All enquiries to A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310.

BARTLETT DONALD WYATT

Aged 88 years of Hinton. On 28th September 2024. Peacefully at the Knoll Nursing Home, Yeovil.

A much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle & Friend. Funeral Service at St Mary’s Church, Mudford. On Monday 21st October at 2pm. Followed by private cremation. Family flowers only please, Donations in memory of Donald are being invited for Dementia UK or St Mary’s Church, Mudford, C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Tel: 01963-440367

GROOM

Marjorie Edith Mary

died peacefully on 15th September 2024 aged 93. Formerly of Edenbridge and Rainham, Kent, and since 2006 of Bourton, Dorset. Beloved wife of the late Frederick Groom for 64 years, mother to Mark and Caroline, grandmother to Charlie and Emma, a much loved sister, aunt and friend to many. Committal private. Thanksgiving Service on Monday 28th October at 1130, in St Leonard’s Church, Pitcombe, Somerset, BA10 0PE. Donations in memory of Marjorie for North Dorset Community Accessible Transport may be sent to Harold F Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES, Tel 01963 440367

Announcements

DEATHS

David Brian Norman

Peacefully on 19th September 2024. David aged 80 years of Gillingham. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 17th October at 10.40am. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Cancer Research UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel 01747 833757

Peter Cooke

Sadly passed away peacefully on 28th September at his home in Marnhull aged 70 after a 9 year brave battle, courageously fought following a stroke in 2015. Formerly of Ramshill Farm, Manston. Much loved partner to Richard, cherished brother to Sue, brother-in-law to Steve and devoted uncle to Leanne. Funeral Service to be held at St Mary’s Church, Sturminster Newton on Thursday, 31st October at 12 noon. Family flowers only please donations if desired for The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance or The Injured Jockeys Fund. No black, please wear bright colours. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 362570

Letitia (Tish)

Ann Ricketts

Of Gutch Common, Semley passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 2nd of October 2024 aged 73 yrs. Much loved wife, mum & nan. Private cremation has already taken place.

WINGHAM QUEENIE

Peacefully on 30th September, aged 99 years. A dearly loved Mum, Nan, Great Nan, Great Great Nan and friend.

Funeral service will take place at St John the Evangelist, Milborne Port on Friday 25th October at 12:00noon. Enquiries c/o Brister & Son Funeral Directors Tel: 01935 812647

Alan Kier Hatcher

Peacefully on 23rd September 2024. Alan aged 58 years of Wincanton. Dearly loved by all of his family. Funeral service at Yeovil crematorium on Monday 14th October at 12noon. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 363570

Captain Anthony Rogers

Tony passed away peacefully on 26th September 2024 aged 86 with his family by his side. Tony lived in Sherborne and Charlton Horethorne.

Husband to his late wife Maevis, father to Catherine, Jonathan, Rebecca and Patrick and ‘Poppa’ to Eddie, Bee, Jack, Aubrey and Avelyn. Tony will be remembered by all for his sense of fun and fairness and for always putting others first.

A memorial service will be held at St Peter & St Paul church, Charlton Horethorne on Friday 25th October at 2.30pm. Tony loved supporting pupils with their reading at the Charlton Horethorne CE Primary School. Donations in Tony’s memory can be made to the BookTrust, c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge BA8 0PP

A J Wakely& Sons

A J Wakely& Sons Independent

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

01963 31310

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Tel: 01935 816817 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

01935 816817

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Tel: 01935 816817

Tel: 01963 31310

Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our

Your Local Funeral Professionals

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Tailored and unique Attended Funerals

• Tailored and unique Attended Funerals

• Prepaid funeral plans also available

• Prepaid funeral plans also available

• Local knowledge and expertise with a reputation for quality that is second to none

• Local knowledge and expertise with a reputation for quality that is second to none

• Reassurance that your loved one will be looked after with utmost care and professionalism

• Reassurance that your loved one will be looked after with utmost care and professionalism

Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL

Newell, Sherborne DT9 4EZ

Recruitment

CLEANING/HOME HELP. Up to 10 hours per week. Can be flexible. Must have own transport. Henstridge area. Tel: 07906-580361

SUPPORT WORKER. Any evening Thursday-Sunday. 4pm till 10pm. For mental health charity. Phone Eileen. 01747851397

HEATING/PLUMBING

ENGINEER REQUIRED

Experienced motivated engineer required to join our friendly team. Must be Gas Safe registered and preferably Oftec registered. On going training provided. Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work alone, or as a team.

Tel: 01747 822494

4QL Tel: 01747 822494

24 hours a day. Find us at: dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

24 hours a day.

Tel: 01935 813479

813479

Competitive salary. Van provided. 4 weeks holiday plus bank holidays.

To apply please send CV and covering letter to mike@mjheat.co.uk

‘Employer’s ethics key for younger workers’

MORE jobseekers are choosing “conscience over cash” when it comes to work, according to a leading Dorset business support organisation.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling has highlighted a clear shift in the jobs market where salary is no longer the sole or over-riding consideration – especially for younger generations.

His comments came ahead of this week’s Dorset Business Festival Conference which included a panel discussion titled ‘Gen Z – Alpha and Beyond: Their Future in our Hands’ focusing on how businesses need to evolve to

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Copyright BlackmoreVale

meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.

They also come hot on the heels of latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data which estimated the unemployment rate for those aged 16 and over fell to 4.1% in the period covering May, June and July.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said: “Employers continue to face challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff.

“It is clear that many people now base their choice of employer on whether it is a conscientious company that does the right thing, rather than

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purely on salary alone.

“Whether it is in terms of wellbeing or environmental and social responsibility, expectations are changing and businesses need to keep pace to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.”

Dorset Business Festival is also supporting a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Homewards Employer Engagement Event on Wednesday, October 16, at the Marsham Court Hotel.

Some jobseekers are prioritising conscience over cash

It aims to support businesses to increase their workforce, through re-skilling and upskilling, and potentially addressing some of the issues which cause homelessness at the same time.

Homewards is a locally led programme developed by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales to tackle homelessness.

Full time Housekeeper required in East Knoyle

Please email wendy.bonner@forwardtrust.org.uk or call 01747 832030 to discuss.

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How to test for heart disease in cats

Pets by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

HEART disease is fairly common in cats, with one in seven cats having heart disease, and this increases to almost one in two cats over nine years of age. Many cats have heart murmurs but these are not always significant and may never cause a problem.

A heart murmur is the abnormal flow of blood within or near the heart. A narrowing of a major blood vessel, a leaking valve or an abnormality of the muscle wall of the heart are all common causes. A murmur in itself does not mean that heart disease is present. For instance, a low grade murmur which is not progressing may never cause issues.

There are several ways to determine whether a cat has heart disease. We typically grade heart murmurs from 0/6 – no murmur – to 6/6 – loudest murmur. Heart disease is more likely to be present when

murmurs are graded as 3 or over, in cats over nine years old and in male cats.

A blood test is available that measures the presence of NT-proBNP, which is released by stressed or stretched cardiac tissue. If normal, then it is unlikely that there is current heart disease. A positive result is more likely to be associated with active disease and an ultrasound scan can be carried

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out to confirm this.

A cardiac ultrasound scan is the best way to determine if heart disease is actually present.

A scan identifies abnormal ‘chamber’ size – atrium or ventricle – valve structure and whether the ventricles –pumping chambers of the heart – have a normal muscle wall and ability to contract. Normal scans can be repeated every six to 12 months to monitor for any

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progress or deterioration.

The main sudden result of feline heart disease is the formation of clots – much more common than in dogs – which can lodge in the aorta or iliac arteries – main blood supply to the back legs – causing sudden severe pain due to loss of blood supply to one or both back legs. This is life threatening and many cats presenting with this condition do not survive despite treatment. If heart disease is suspected in cats then prophylactic – preventitive –treatment with anti-clotting medication is recommended.

Heart murmurs are often identified during an annual vet check and options for monitoring, investigation and treatment can be discussed at the time. The severity of the murmur – and any deterioration since first identified – the cat’s overall health, age, sex and body condition should all be taken into account to determine whether heart disease is likely to be present.

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Conkers and acorns can be danger to dogs

A DORSET vet has issued a warning to dog owners over the dangers of conkers and acorns this autumn.

Dan Makin says conkers are not only a choking hazard for our four-legged friends, but they can also be poisonous.

“The size, shape and hard exterior of conkers makes them a serious choking hazard for dogs, and if swallowed they can cause an obstruction in the digestive system,” he said.

“They also contain a toxin called aesculin – if conkers are chewed, this can enter your dog’s system and cause serious problems.

“Acorns, which also fall from trees between September and November, contain tannins, and if enough are eaten, the effects can be serious and in rare cases lethal.

“The autumn months are also when most wild mushrooms grow – many varieties pose risks of poisoning.”

It can be difficult to spot if your dog has swallowed something they should not have, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms that might appear.

Mr Makin, Poole Vets for Pets practice owner, added: “Symptoms usually appear

homes

Conkers are poisonous and a choking hazard

within one to six hours of ingestion, but can be delayed.

“Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, increased thirst, refusing food and restlessness.

“If you think your dog may have eaten conkers, acorns or mushrooms, you should contact your vet for advice.

“If possible, note the time and how many you think your dog may have eaten.

“There’s nothing better than letting your pooch roam free, but it’s important to be extra vigilant at this time of year, especially in damp wooded areas where conkers fall and mushrooms thrive.

“As the nights draw in, I would consider a reflective jacket or collar so you always know where your dog is exploring.”

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford (Formerly Blandford & Sturminster) Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION Cats looking for new homes

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n Outside cats: We have a number of outside cats in different locations needing to be relocated. We are looking for people with stables, farms, smallholdings or gardens where a mouser is needed to help with rodent control. For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website www.cats.org.uk/blandford

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gentle

Sherborne Ladies crowned Interclub Champions

by Claire Woolley SHERBORNE Golf Club

women’s ‘Silver’ team of team captain, Claire Woolley, Caroline Beaumont, Julie Whelan, Kim Kennedy and Patricia Rawlins played five singles games in the Dorset

County interclub final at Crane Valley, Verwood.

Their opponents, Dorset Golf and Country Club, gave them a run for their money in a tight contest, but Sherborne emerged

victorious after winning three games over the last few holes.

The match, held in non-stop rain on a mild day with no wind, was competitive but played in a good and friendly spirit.

The course was in super condition and the players were well looked after by their caddies, supporters and the ex-club captain of Crane Valley, Sue Anderton, who gave everyone a warm welcome to the host club.

Dorset County Ladies Golf Association president, Jo Hadley, the county team captain, Claire Bird, county competitions manager, Liz Walker and the county interclub secretary, Angela Peel, were at the club throughout to start the games and present the trophies, the presentation followed by a cream tea.

Other players who represented the Sherborne team throughout the season were Fleur Collins, Charlie Gartell, Kate Cornell, Carol-Anne Raisbeck, Sally Mead, Joy Reineck and Claire MacIntosh.

Air ambulance fundraiser

ANGLING

by Bill Hanson

STURMINSTER & Hinton

Angling Association held their annual charity match to raise funds for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance on all of their waters from Wood Lane to Fiddleford.

The winner was Steve Kedge with 15lb 3oz made up of three big tench plus perch and roach on worm hookbait from a swim above the old railway bridge at Colber Farm.

Second was Mike Withey on a peg just above Sturminster Mill with 14lb 8oz, catching roach on maggot and caster before switching to worm and landing four tench.

The very top swim of the match produced 12lb 10oz for Mike Hunt who landed perch to 1.5lb and a late bonus bream, all on worm.

Fourth was Tony Scott

fishing downstream of Stur Mill where he had an excellent bag of roach on hemp and caster, plus a bream for a weight of 11lb 14oz.

The top weights were very close with fifth place going to Sean O’Neil with 11lb 5oz and Ian Dunlop completing the frame in 6th with 10lb 2oz.

The event raised more than

£2,200, of which £725 was contributed by Mike Cullen from sales of tackle contributed to the club by a wide variety of anglers, former anglers and their relatives.

The organiser was Ian Paulley – everyone involved organising and administrating the event deserves great credit.

Raceday in jockey’s memory

THE life of a jockey who died in a racing accident earlier this year is being celebrated at Wincanton racecourse.

The Keagan Kirkby Raceday promises a day of racing and fundraising for horse racing charities Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Keagan Kirkby was a talented point-to-point jockey and a valued member of the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at Ditcheat in Somerset.

He lost his life in a point-topoint race on February 4, 2024.

The event promises to bring together the racing community, friends, family and supporters to honour Keagan’s memory and celebrate his love of racing.

The raceday is on Sunday, October 27.

WINCANTON Golf Club results.

Seniors Monthly Medal –September 24: 1 Chris Dibben nett 65; 2 Brian White nett 69; 3 Rick Graham nett 70 ocb; 4 Pete Starkey nett 70.

Seniors Front 9 Hole Medal – September 24: 1 Geoff Lye nett 36; 2 Harry Eden nett 37; 3 Reg Gazzard nett 39.

Monthly Stableford –September 29: 1 Rick Graham 39; 2 Brian White 34; 3 Steven Ireland 33.

Monthly Stableford –October 5: 1 Jim Phillips 36 ocb; 2 Tristan Sams 36; 3 David Whitehand 32.

Match winner Steve Kedge and second-placed Mike Withey

GOLF

GOLF

The winning team and county officials (from left) Caroline Beaumont, Patricia Rawlins, Kim Kennedy, Claire Woolley, Jo Hadley, Claire Bird and Julie Whelan

Five goals and another clean sheet for leaders Blandford

Weymouth 2nds 0

Blandford & Sturminster 5 by Paul Cross BLANDFORD, with a first away win the previous week to add to their unbeaten run, were looking forward to a trip to the seaside to play Weymouth.

Blandford were relentless from the off, pinning Weymouth inside their own D and winning a succession of short corners. A second short corner was swept to the sweet spot between keeper’s kicker and stick, reverberating off the backboard for a 1-0 lead.

The pressure continued, with Blandford driving down the left and hitting the ball across the

Rockies make their point

Helston Athletic 1

Shaftesbury 1

Southern League South 1 by Avril Lancaster

TOBY Bailey’s 34th minute strike earned the Rockies a well-earned point at a very windy Kellaway Park against an in-form Helston Athletic.

Greg Peel pushed forward and squared the ball to the former Brockenhurst midfielder who hit a sweet shot past the diving Kyle Moore.

In a game of few chances with the strong wind making

HOCKEY

face of the goal, which captain Cross just failed to reach. Another opportunity came on the left-hand side, but it was not converted.

With opportunities from open play not quite coming off, it was time for another short. The away team drove down the right, putting the ball onto a Weymouth foot. A 2-0 lead, less than 10 minutes in.

Another attack, another short-corner. This time, the ball came slightly right. Tom Tridgell reacted in the moment. Seeing the keeper charge out, he drilled a strike between his legs

FOOTBALL

life difficult for both sides, Helston took the lead in the 28th minute when Reece Thomson angled a shot past Shane Murphy after some creative play from George Eastman. This was a well-earned point for Pat McManus and the team with Cameron Beard and Patrick Nolan doing well to cut out the threat of Helston’s front man Jack Crago and Thomson.

for a third goal.

Weymouth tried to avoid giving any more short corners away after Blandford had scored three from four, but that gave the visitors more place to play.

Captain Cross was the first to try and take advantage of this. After Weymouth attempted to push up, Blandford soaked up the pressure and quickly countered.

The second half saw a change of formation, as Blandford attempted to kill off the game. They were largely successful, although a couple of

Austin in front

by Graham Howard DDAS junior secretary

THE latest round of the Dorchester & District Angling Society junior championship was held on Trendals Lake at Revels fishery.

The match was moved from the River Stour due to flooding but the first proper frost of the year affected the fishing for the six participants, as bites were hard to come by.

By the end a few had found some willing fish, but the one who found the most was Austin Scott-Kennedy who managed to tempt some carp to weigh 10lb 12oz for the win.

In second was Josh Roe who caught some early carp to weigh 4lb, and Mia Evans managed

moments, including Joe channelling his ice-hockey past to rip a vicious reverse ‘pass’ straight off the backline may have suggested this was not the case.

Weymouth did have their moments, with a strike in the box smartly saved by a diving keeper, who was well placed to block the rebound.

But their short corners were disappointing, and the result was never in doubt.

The 5-0 victory extends Blandford’s lead at the top of the table and maintains their run of clean sheets.

her first podium place in third with 1lb 4oz.

The next Junior event is at Harbourbridge Lakes on Saturday, March 12. Contact Graham at juniors. sec@d-das.com for more information or go to www. ddasjuniors.co.uk. Contact Revels on Facebook for fishery details.

Action from Blandford & Sturminster’s match against Weymouth

Shaftesbury secured a draw at thanks to a goal from Toby Bailey

Austin Scott-Kennedy with his 10lb 12oz winning catch

Field & Stream

Highland cows in playful mood on Harvest Moon

by Tria Stebbing

A FEW lovely sunny autumn days have given the animals chance to enjoy basking in the low sun. Equally, we have had torrents of rain that some weeks seem relentless.

The seasons do still seem out of kilter – the wasps still here, along with berries on the holly.

A bad season for sloes has meant that my gin making has had to be shelved this year –just as well it keeps well as supplies from last year are still in the back of the cupboard.

The Highland cows are in a playful mood, on the evening of the Harvest Moon we stood in the paddock with them while they danced around each other being silly. Was it the moon? Was it the sap rising? Who knew. It was a pleasure, though, to spend that moment with them.

TB testing is booked, after which Babybel might need his own new residence, as he is still trying to suckle a sneaky mouthful from Belle, who is not having a bar of it and is giving him a backwards kick to remind him.

The ewes are currently flushing through, eating lots of lush green grass to increase nutrition, which will lead to improved chances of ovulation, conception and embryo implantation, otherwise known as tupping, getting ready to put the ram in.

Sheep have body condition scores, and our aim is to bring the scores up to 2.5 to 3.0 before they breed to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. We are so very lucky to have kept a paddock back for them to graze, full of very good grass to get them ready.

The two rams, Humphrey and Lychett, are clearly ready, as a few fields away they spend their days calling for their women and pacing up and down. When not pacing, they are busy rutting, taking a run up to the other one and bashing their heads together.

They are in peak condition and will be ready for us to fit their raddle in the next week or so. We use a yellow marker block in the raddle as other colours are difficult to see on the black fleece.

We have some visiting ewes joining the flock from deep in the Blackmore Vale. If you have a small flock, it is not worth keeping your own ram, and these ladies are coming to visit us this year rather than us hiring out a ram. I am sure the boys are up for the challenge. The feet are still causing a few to hobble, the wet weather not helping the feet to harden. My hands are once again covered in purple and blue spray, which is not great for the day job!

Nature talks for the winter months

LEADING rural charity the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is holding a series of free online talks this autumn and winter, inspired by the conservation work carried out on its many nature-friendly farms.

Six talks are planned from October through to March, giving members of the public access to a wide variety of experts, who will discuss a range of subjects.

The CRT’s chief executive, Danielle Dewe, said: “This is our third series of online talks and each winter they prove very popular as people get outside less but still want to interact with nature and find out more about how they can help conservation work.

“We are delighted with the calibre of speakers, who are

kindly giving up their time to talk about their work.

“We have a mixture of CRT staff and outside experts, who are all incredibly knowledgeable. There will be a chance to ask questions after each talk, too.

“It’s a wonderful way to learn about nature from the warmth of your home in the cooler months!”

Each talk will last for one hour and takes place online at 7pm once a month from October to March.

The first one, Flourishing Floodplain Meadows, was set to take place this week.

Ecological scientist Prof Jeff Ollerton will discuss Pollinators: Why So Important and How Can We Help? on November 14. He will look at different groups of pollinators,

the crucial role they play and how everyone can help to support their declining numbers.

The CRT’s wildlife expert, Vince Lea, will look at Species Conservation at Lark Rise Farm in Cambridgeshire on December 12, discussing how the CRT is helping to reverse the decline of many Red-list species, such as Lapwings, corn buntings, grey partridge, water voles and hairstreak.

The Regenerative Farmer will take place on January 13 with CRT farmer Matt Elphick, who runs The Nutfield Dairy at Brays Farm, He will talk about his journey into regenerative farming and the challenges he has faced.

Wildlife enthusiast Nick Dobbs, the CRT’s community engagement manager, who leads walks in the warmer months at

Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset, will give a talk called Wildlife on the Farm on February 10. Nick’s talk will include how naturefriendly farming practices at CRT properties are helping to restore habitats for species to thrive in the context of a working farm.

The last talk of the series, called Shining a Light on the World of Moths, is on March 6 with moth expert Jack Oughton. He will delve into the weird and wonderful world of moths, exploring the evolution, behaviours and diversity for what is an increasingly popular insect group.

To find out more about the free online talks and to book a place, see the CRT website at www.thecrt.co.uk/Pages/Events/ Category/online-talks. Booking is essential to receive the link.

Highland cow Belle is having little truck with Babybel

Rain gauge tells a tale

by Ruth Kimber

OUR Indian Summer has not arrived – I am still hoping we will have a kinder October!

Rainfall figures in September were significantly up on last year, the average over the previous 10 years was 2.46 inches, this year we had 7.7 inches. We use the same equipment that Jack Kimber –Paul’s dad – used, and the gauge measures in inches.

The farm’s diet feeder has had to be replaced, it was 11 years old and showing its age. The diet feeder for the dairy cows in particular is a key piece of kit on the farm, mixing and feeding the grass and maize silage, and blend of concentrates, producing a balanced tasty diet for the needs of lactating cows and growing youngstock.

The ingredients are analysed, the home-grown grass and maize silages, and then balanced with bought-in feeds, in our case a blend of concentrates, minerals and vitamins. Many farms use other ‘straights’ – sugar beet pulp, maize, whole crop wheat, brewers’ grains and so on. It

depends on the farm’s capacity to store individual ingredients and availability of these commodities in the area.

It has become more difficult since the appearance of biodigesters, which use some of the same commodities, and the loss of local breweries, which we used for brewers’ grains and apple pumice.

The feeder wagon we bought was the same make as the previous one, a Trioliet. It is of Dutch design, from a family named Liet – the Trio comes from the three brothers who started the business 70 years ago, designing and making farm machinery, Hence Trioliet. Their business is worldwide now and they claim to feed most of the world’s cows, fed by a feeder system.

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They have parts depots worldwide, a factory in Holland and another in Poland – the quality of the main tub is particularly good, made by heavy duty plate. Our machine feeds the dairy cows, dry cows using a different recipe, including barley straw, the young stock, another recipe. It also chops the straw and blows it to bed up the straw yards for various animals, including the turkeys. It is expensive and will be paid for over five years as a hire purchase item.

With my village/church hat on, a few friends and I are putting on a Christening robe exhibition in St Stephens Parish Church, Charlton Musgrove, on Saturday, October 12, 5.30pm7.30pm as a cheese and wine evening; Sunday, October 13,

9am-10am communion with the church remaining open after the service until 11.30am, serving coffee and biscuits, then in the afternoon 3pm-5.30pm with tea and cakes.

Profits will be split between the church and Action for Children. £2.50 entry per adult, children free.

The idea came about when our family were giving a box containing lots of old baptismal/ christening gowns, after lots of tender loving care – I felt it would make a good display and enable the lovely hand work to be admired by many. Then we thought local family gowns would make an interesting addition, so several more gowns will be on display, along with family history and photos. Do come and see for yourselves and spend an interesting hour or so with us. n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen at Kimbers, Somerset Trading Barn; Linley Farm, Charlton Musgrove BA9 8HD, phone: 01963 33177; open Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm; www. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk, info@ kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

The Trioliet mixer wagon

Helping hand on offer to students

EXTRA funding is now available for agriculture students in the south west with both further and higher education students invited to apply for a Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursary to support their studies.

The Higher Education Bursary of £750 is open to any student studying an agriculturebased Level 5 or 6 course at University Centre Somerset and Duchy College.

Further Education Bursaries of £500 are available to students studying an agriculture-based Level 1, 2 or 3 course at Bicton College, Bridgwater & Taunton College (Cannington Campus), Duchy College, and Kingston Maurward College.

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In each category, one bursary is awarded per college and students must be enrolled to study during the 2024-25 academic year. In addition, the 2024 Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year will be selected from the bursary recipients.

Last year, Duchy College student Isabella Rhodes was the first to receive this new award having secured a Higher Education bursary.

“The bursary has helped me continue my studies and focus in on my chosen career in the bovine industry,” she said.

Previous bursary winners, such as Oscar Wallace-Cook, have used the funds to support course-associated costs.

“The bursary helped me purchase IT equipment so I could learn at home and helped towards the travel costs of going to and from Bicton each week,” he said.

Applicants are asked to submit either a 500-word essay, 20-image photo essay or two-minute video or podcast on the following subjects:

• Higher Education bursary: ‘How do you see the future of agriculture, and what role do you hope to play?’

• Further Education bursary: ‘Why I am studying agriculture’ “Supporting the next

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

generation of farmers is crucial to the future of agriculture in the south west,” said Peter Beaumont, Cornish Mutual managing director.

“Our Young Farmer Bursaries support the development of young people in the industry and we are looking forward to once again celebrating their enthusiasm for its future.”

Entries close at midnight on November 22. To find out more, and to apply, visit www. cornishmutual.co.uk/futurefarming-programme/youngfarmer-bursaries.

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Winners of the 2023 Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries (from left) Olivia Parker, Henry Matthews, Oscar Wallace-Cook, Lola Strawbridge, Isabella Rhodes and Zoe Stanbury

Former rugby referee honoured

LIVESTOCK farmer, former world-renowned rugby referee and NFU Cymru member Nigel Owens has been awarded Farmers Weekly’s Farming Champion of the Year Award.

The achievement highlights his dedication to British and Welsh agriculture, alongside his advocacy for key issues such as bovine TB and mental health in rural communities.

Since transitioning from the rugby pitch to the Welsh farmland in 2020, Nigel has championed the farming sector, emphasising the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between farming and the environment.

Not to mention how vocal he

has been about the challenges he has faced, particularly his personal fight against bovine TB and using his platform to highlight the critical need for effective solutions to the disease.

Nigel’s commitment to mental health awareness has also had a profound impact on those within the farming community.

His willingness to speak candidly about his own experiences has helped to open up conversations around support and the challenges many farmers face.

Nigel said: “Farming has always been a dream of mine, and while my path led me to the rugby pitch for many years, it was always with the intention of returning to the land.

“This award is a tremendous honour, but I see it as recognition for all farmers who work tirelessly every day to keep rural communities thriving and food production going.”

The Farms & Land Market 2024

Unlock the Power of Accurate Construction Cost Budget Appraisals with the help of Symonds & Sampson.

Are you about to embark on a new construction project? Whether it’s a residential development, a commercial space, or an industrial facility, understanding the potential costs right from the start is critical. Budgeting is one of the specialist services offered by our Buildings Survey & Design department, and Andrew Keen summarises why proper cost budgeting is essential to your project.

Why Construction Cost Budget Appraisals Matter:

• Avoid Cost Overruns

The Symonds & Sampson Farm Agency team has experienced its busiest spring and early summer for many years. To date, we have launched over 40 farms and smallholdings to the market, not to mention numerous blocks of bare land. A handful of sales have even been completed, which is unusual in a property market where transactions take longer due to legal and financial processes. This is a testament to our detailed sales preparation, targeted marketing campaigns, thorough due diligence, and excellent working relationships with property solicitors.

A thorough budget appraisal helps you identify the true construction cost before a single brick is laid, resulting in fewer unpleasant surprises down the road.

• Maximise Your Budget

RESIDENTIAL | AGRICULTURAL | COMMERCIAL

With our expertise, we analyse every aspect of your project to ensure you are getting the most value for your money. We help identify areas where cost savings can be achieved without sacrificing quality.

• Informed Decision Making

An accurate budget will give you a clear picture of your project’s financial scope, allowing for confident, informed decisions at every stage.

• Minimise Delays

Unforeseen costs often lead to project delays. By providing a comprehensive cost appraisal, we help you anticipate and address potential financial hurdles early, keeping your project on schedule.

Values have remained resilient, but one must drill into detail to get the full picture. Lending rates stubbornly remaining 4% above the lows of the 2010’s has affected the appetite of commercial farmers - the backbone of buyers. This has resulted in more locational variation in values. Quality bare land in sought-after locations now regularly achieves over £10,000/acre, whereas marginal land in less desirable areas does not unless it has a high conservation or marriage value. Equipped farms over 100 acres with a dwelling fetch £15,000 - £20,000 per acre, although large principal or multiple dwellings will likely push the value above this range.

• Transparent Cost Breakdown

Our appraisals provide a transparent and detailed elemental breakdown of all costs, from materials and labour to project management and contingencies. You will know exactly where your money is going.

We have noticed that investor buyers are seeking scale. 300-plusacre farms or blocks of land are less frequent and easier to sell than those of 50 acres.

How can Symonds & Sampson help?

• Expert Quantity Surveying

Our team bring years of experience in construction cost management. We use industry-leading tools and methodologies to deliver highly accurate appraisals.

• Tailored Solutions

The buyer profile is gradually changing as more institutional and private investors enter the market, perhaps viewing land as a safer commodity under a new government. Other active buyer types are farmers and estates seeking to defer capital gains tax by rolling over funds from development land sales.

No two projects are the same, so we offer customised appraisals that consider your project’s unique aspects—location, design, materials, and more.

• Real-Time Insights

We are also seeing a range of buyers securing land for environmental benefits, including national tax-funded organisations, trusts, pension funds and private individuals.

We understand that the construction landscape is constantly evolving. That’s why we stay updated with market trends, pricing fluctuations, and emerging technologies to offer the most accurate and current information.

The best advice Andrew can give is not to leave your project’s financial success to chance. Whether you’re at the planning stage or ready to build, our detailed cost forecasts can save you time, money, and stress and, most importantly, ensure that you are in control. To discuss a comprehensive Construction Cost Budget Appraisal, please get in touch with Andrew in our Sturminster Newton Office on 01258 472244.

Start your project off right. Let’s build smarter together!

If you are considering selling or buying, please contact Andrew Tuffin at Symonds & Sampson in Sturminster Newton (01258 472244) or our farm agents in your local Symonds & Sampson office. Meanwhile, we invite you to visit our stand at the forthcoming Gillingham & Shaftesbury and Dorset County Shows this summer, where our rural, residential and commercial agents look forward to welcoming you.

DORSET

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288 / Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

ON-FARM AUCTION

830ac of Standing Straw

4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

• 461ac Wheat

CATTLE & CALVES.

• 237ac Winter Barley

• 132ac Oats

STORE & CULL SHEEP ******************************************************************** EVERY FRIDAY – SALE OF STORE & BREEDING CATTLE

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland T7.210 (3,610hrs) & T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, 2012 JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, McConnel 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, Twose & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn VariMaster 153 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford Hawk 6m Hedgecutter, Kuhn FC313 TG Mower Conditioner, 2 x Stewart 16-21L Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc.

FLOWER HEADS TRIMMING and topping 01747-855198

CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE.

Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040

900 LITRE BLACK ROUND cattle water trough £180 or nearest offer 07779-077668

WANTED: Small piece of land. (Dorset area) Tel: 07810-472347

HEDGELAYING AND PLANTING

please call James for more information 07930-262639

WEDNESDAY 16th OCTOBER FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS ********************************************************************

Friday 30th June at 12 noon Durweston

WEDNESDAY 24th OCTOBER SALES OF REARED CALVES

Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before

MONDAY 11th NOVEMBER SALE OF TB RESTRICTED CATTLE

6,220 acres of Standing Straw

• 2,442ac Wheat

• 2,006ac Winter Barley

• 1,557ac Spring Barley

WEDNESDAY 27th NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS FATSTOCK SHOW CLASSES FOR HANDLED & UNHANDLED PRIME CATTLE. BARREN COWS. PRIME LAMBS. PRIME PIGS & CALVES FATSTOCK SHOW DINNER FRIDAY 29th NOVEMBER FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL

• 178ac Oats

• 37ac Oil Seed Rape

Friday 7th July at 12 noon Wynford Eagle

BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298 acres of Standing Straw

TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031 ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

• 599ac Wheat

Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset,

• 281ac Winter Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk ON-FARM DISPERSAL AUCTION

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

AUCTION

ON-FARM AUCTION

info@dorsettractors.com 07590 116 017

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm Bindon & Pinhay

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw

Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

On behalf of John Swain Limited (Retiring) Online bidding available Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817 517467

• 461ac Wheat

• 237ac Winter Barley

• 132ac Oats

Saturday 29th July Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH

Friday 30th June at 12 noon Durweston Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland T7.210 (3,610hrs) & T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, 2012 JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding

Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment 2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 24m Sprayer (3,708hrs), 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 2016 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland T7.210 (3,610hrs) & 2013 T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, 2012 JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 52758 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, McConnel 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, Twose & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn Vari-Master 153 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford Hawk 6m Hedgecutter, Kuhn FC313 TG Mower Conditioner, 2 x Stewart 16-21L Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc. Introduced items: 2011 Bateman RB35 30m Sprayer, Joskin TransCap 6000/17 Grain Trailer, 2009 Kawasaki 4010 Mule, Simba 8m Toptilth, Rosewell 14t Grain Trailer, Vaderstad Biodrill 360, etc.

Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467

1298 acres of Standing Straw

On behalf of Brian Lock T/A John Swain Limited (Retiring)

• 599ac Wheat

• 281ac Winter Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET

Dispersal Sale Highlights

A tremendous crowd descended on Sparsholt in Hampshire on Tuesday, as our Agricultural Auctions experts held two significant dispersal sales on one day.

Auctioneer Greg Ridout reported a solid trade, mainly to the private sector, with machinery heading as far afield as Scotland, Ireland, and everywhere between.

“Would-be purchasers are drawn to genuine dispersal sales of such well-maintained machinery and equipment as was offered here, and it has been a privilege to conduct the sales on behalf of highly regarded farming businesses. Holding both sales on one day was a bold move. However, the tremendous on-field and online attendance resulting in strong trade on the day proves it was the right thing to do. I must credit the Symonds & Sampson team and members of both farming businesses, who worked incredibly hard to ensure the day went smoothly”. For further informaton about the services our Agricultural Auction department can offer, please contact Greg Ridout on 01935 382909.

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

Sold at Auction

John Deere

John Deere 3420

PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024 AT THE DIGBY CHURCH MEMORIAL HALL, SHERBORNE AT 2:00PM AND VIA LIVESTREAM

North Perrott Guide £45,000 3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.

Yeovil | 01935 432526

Witchampton Guide £50,000

0.19 acres of amenity land with scope for a range of uses (STPP/consents), adjoining residential properties. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Pallington Guide £350,000

38.42 acres (15.55 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good accessibility. Conveniently split into three workable parcels. The land has previously been used to grow salad crops and is understood to be very productive, more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the land has been drilled with a cover crop. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000 20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.

Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope£115,000

Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000

Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Chilcompton Guide £195,000

A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Hurcott Guide £200,000 A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.

Iliminster | 01460 200790

Verwood Guide £125,000

1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Winterborne Houghton Guide £400,000 42.94 acres (17.38 ha) of productive arable land. Free draining loam soil over chalk, two road access points, a cattle handling race, outstanding views and private water supply. South east aspect suited to vines and solar. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Shaftesbury Guide £95,000

A charming 1 bedroom property forming part of a Grade II* Listed building, ideal as a buy to let investment or bolthole. Leasehold with 50% share of freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Tarrant Gunville Guide £225,000-£250,000 A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670

Milborne Port Guide £150,000 An attractive period property for renovation enjoying a generous garden sitting on the outskirts of Milborne Port. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Belchalwell Guide £250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre plot for modernisation/replacement (STPP) with a positive pre application response for a 4 bedroom house. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Witchampton Guide £475,000 A pair of semi-detached cottages for refurbishment/re-development with scope for conversion to one dwelling (STPP/consent) in 0.22 acres. Further 0.19 acres available. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190 Wimborne | 01202 843190 Bere

Dorchester | 01305 236237 Gillingham

A vacant former food factory totalling 20,268sqft with a parking/servicing area in a prime location close to the station. Freehold. Kingsbury

0.88

Wimborne | 01202 843190

DORSET

Mappowder

Charlton Horethorne

Guide £850,000

Mappowder Guide £595,000

Guide £595,000

Blandford Forum

A spacious 4-bedroom detached home set in mature gardens and situated in a secluded position towards the outskirts of the village, and offering picturesque views. Freehold.

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Kingston

Guide £895,000

Shroton Guide £435,000

Shroton Guide £435,000

A spacious and well laid out family house of 3000 sq ft with south-facing rear gardens, surrounded by breathtaking countryside and with views towards Bulbarrow. In all, 0.63 acres. Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Guide £795,000

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

An extended and renovated 5-bedroom Victorian townhouse with private mature gardens, located in an elevated position towards the edge of the town with views over the River Stour. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Guide £525,000

Marnhull Guide £525,000

OIEO £400,000

beautifully presented 4-bedroom house with attractive, established front and rear gardens situated in a quiet cul-de-sac location within walking distance of the town centre. Freehold.

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

Blandford | 01258 452670

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Hazelbury Bryan

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property

OIRO £850,000

away on an

country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

A stunningly positioned and elevated house with flowing internal accommodation and outstanding panoramic views over its own land. In all 5.95 acres, Freehold.

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton

Guide £325,000

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

A charming and well-presented 4-bedroom Grade II listed townhouse with a garage, situated in the heart of the medieval market town. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Marnhull

North Cheriton

OIEO £400,000

Leigh OIEO £500,000

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price

North Cheriton OIEO £400,000

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A rare chance to acquire three individual properties on the outskirts of Crewkerne, requiring some improvement, but positioned next to each other and offering a lifestyle opportunity. 5 bedroom seventeenth century Farmhouse, 3 bedroom converted Granary, 1 bedroom seventeenth century Cottage, gardens, orchard, barn, walkable to mainline Station.

An Edwardian country residence with wonderful rural views, extensive & versatile accommodation, outbuildings and delightful gardens. Hall, five reception rooms, family kitchen/breakfast room, utility, 2nd kitchen, cloakroom, 6 bedrooms, 6 bath/shower rooms, studio, carport, outbuildings & stores, gardens approaching 1 acre.

Cann, Dorset. Guide Price £975,000

A charming, tastefully converted barn with permission to extend, set in an elevated position with about 5 acres and long reaching rural views.

Sitting/dining room, kitchen, boot room, walk in larder, principal bedroom, dressing area & bathroom, 3 further bedrooms, shower room, storage, outbuilding, shepherd’s hut, field with stream.

West Orchard, Dorset. Guide Price

£995,000

An attractive, extended Victorian country home with glorious grounds of about 2.5 acres, versatile accommodation & further potential.

Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire. Guide Price

£695,000

A most attractive and beautifully presented period cottage, set in a rural hamlet with garden, woodland and country views.

EPC D

Hall, 2 reception rooms, farmhouse kitchen, utility, cloakroom, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, garage, outbuildings, parking & gardens including arboretum.

Hall, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, garden, woodland, parking. EPC E

£385,000 Templecombe

£500,000 Bourton

A charming detached period cottage with a wonderful garden and far reaching views. Impressive open plan kitchen/diner/family room perfect for everyday life, utility room, downstairs shower room, cosy lounge, three large double bedrooms, family bathroom, oil fired central heating, large loft, solar panels, off road parking

£400,000 Gillingham

Thinking of moving?

Thinking of moving?

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you.

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase in the autumn market 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

Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

£337,500 Wincanton

cloakroom, double glazed windows, gas central heating and master bedroom with large walk-in cupboard/potential en-suite. Rating: D. Freehold.

£265,000 Bourton

£272,000 Wincanton

A wonderful opportunity to purchase a three bedroom semi-detached house with a large garden and delightful far reaching views. Although requiring some modernisation, this property has much to offer with scope to extend (STPP), and the opportunity to create a home to your own taste and style. Gas central heating and double glazing. EPC Rating: C. Freehold.

National accolade for mansion after multi-million pound restoration

THE Sherborne, formerly Sherborne House, has been recognised in a national award which celebrates restored Georgian buildings.

The mansion was the winner in the Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting category in the Georgian Group Awards 2024, sponsored by Savills.

As part of a multi-million pound restoration project, the Grade I listed building has seen the exterior walls, historic panelling, and chimney pieces repaired, with additional work taken place to remove ‘inappropriate’ paints and the

introduction of new decorative finishes.

Crucially, the house has seen the conservation of the decorative scheme for the staircase.

The Sherborne is home to the nationally significant Thornhill Mural and is a new destination for the arts in Sherborne.

Beyond the canvas and sculptures, it offers versatile spaces for events, private hire, and flexible working, a restaurant and bar championing a locally sourced British menu, and a carefully curated shop showcasing artisanal creators and makers.

A spokesperson for the Georgian Group awards said: “Sherborne House dates from 1720 when the principal block was constructed for Henry Seymour Portman to a design attributed to Benjamin Bastard.

“It was built onto an existing Tudor wing with an earlier Medieval core.

“Following its closure in 1992, the building was put on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

“Successive schemes proposing use as an arts centre failed to attract funding, and conservation works that were to

“For more than 130 years the house was occupied by tenants and subsequently Lord Digby’s School for Girls.

Your dream home awaits at Jubilee Green this Autumn

Discover a charming collection of 3 & 4 bedroom homes in the heart of Charlton Marshall, Dorset.

Each home blends traditional charm with modern luxury, featuring spacious interiors and high-spec finishes. Nestled in the enchanting village of Charlton Marshall, set back from the peaceful River Stour and minutes from the bustling towns of Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster.

New properties available now.

Telephone: 01202 406217

Opening Hours: Tues - Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 10am - 4pm

The Sherborne is a new destination for the arts in Sheborne PHOTO : Georgian Group Awards

have been funded by enabling development never transpired.

“In 2018 it was bought by the present owners, and a rescue scheme developed by Spase Architects & Surveyors, with a brief to balance restoration of the building with its use to advance public education in the arts.

“Exterior walls, historic panelling and chimney pieces have been repaired, inappropriate paints removed and new decorative finishes introduced.

“Central has been the conservation of Sir James Thornhill’s 1726 decorative scheme for the staircase.

“Insulation has been sensitively introduced where possible to enhance the building’s thermal performance, and air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery installed to reduce the

scheme’s carbon footprint.”

The Georgian Group Awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate those who have demonstrated the vision and commitment to restore Georgian buildings and create new work in the spirit of the Georgian era across the UK.

The winners were announced at Inner Temple Library, London, where the awards were presented by John Goodall, architectural editor for Country Life

ROOM TO

Professional person. non-smoker. Bedroom with en-suite, use of kitchen. Off-road parking. Nr Blandford. Call for details: 01258-722667

FLAT, with garage in Bimport area of Shaftesbury.

TO LET / RENT FLAT FOR SALE STORAGE

The Sherborne is home to the nationally significant Thornhill Mural PHOTO: The Sherborne