The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

Look don’t leap!

Veteran skydiver Mike Richard, 88, from Tisbury might not be throwing himself out of planes any more, but he still enjoys a highoctane flight

Mike was a founder member of the British Parachute Club, which operated from Fairoaks Aerodrome in Surrey, where he and his small group of friends started the sport of skydiving in Britain.

Mike became British Skydiving Champion, and in 1958 represented Great Britain at an international meeting in Paris, competing against Russian, American, French, Israeli and German enthusiasts. He went on to start the SAS Skydivers, the first skydiving club in the British Army; training club members from the regiment at Thruxton.

He might not be strapping on a parachute, but Mike’s still got a head for heights and from

recently enjoyed a biplane flight over Wiltshire.

Mike took off from Compton Abbas in an American Stearman, the nearest biplane to the great Tiger Moth, used by the early skydivers. Back in the day they would climb out of the cockpit, onto the wing of the aircraft, take a step backwards and stabilise into a freefall position before opening the chute in time to land accurately on a marker in the centre of the airfield. Today though, Mike just enjoyed the view!

Then & now: Shillingstone Station

The station at Shillingstone reflects the fortunes of the wider British railway network. Once thriving, it fell into disrepair but has been transformed thanks to the tireless efforts of a team of dedicated volunteers

by Lottie Hayton

THE HISTORY OF the UK rail system is long and somewhat fraught. Beginning with the building of isolated local wagonways in the 16th century, things developed rapidly from the late 18th century as private companies developed a patchwork of links. It was not until the so called ‘railway mania’ of the 1840s, however, that the number of stations increased and a national network truly began to form.

The Dorset Central Railway was one part of this and it was on 31 August 1863 that the station at Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, first opened as part of the Somerset and Dorset railway.

The ambition for this line was to build northward from Wimborne to join the Somerset Central Railway at Bruton and so enable a channel-to-channel link, from Poole to Burnham on Sea.

In its first years, the station was used by a large number of well-known figures, including Prime Minister William Gladstone, Edward, Prince of Wales, future King Edward VII, and Grand Duke Michael of Russia.

The period of ‘railway mania’ however, saw a stock market bubble form as larger companies rushed to purchase smaller ones and share prices increased as speculators invested more and more. Unfortunately, prices eventually collapsed and Shillingstone was just one of those to suffer.

The company in charge of the station had spent a lot of money adding passing places, track loops, sidings, signal boxes and additional platforms on the line. When the crash came, bringing a depression in trade, the Shillingstone line saw, in 1867, its first period of bankruptcy.

Despite a brief recovery, a decision to extend northward from Evercreech to Bath proved fatally expensive. In line with the national trend of the consolidation of the ‘Big Four’ companies as smaller ones went bust, the line was leased for 999 years to a consortium of Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway.

The First World War saw the government begin to oversee networks, offering the Big Four additional protection, although they were not yet nationalised. For Shillingtone’s line, the lease brought financial stability, new engines, coaches and wagons, as well as more staff, improved infrastructure and signalling.

This continued as the lines were nationalised, forming British Railways (BR), from 1948.

Initially under BR, despite few changes, usage increased and the network became more profitable, but another decline in passenger

From top: Shillingstone Station today, courtesy North Dorset Railway Archives; on parade in a very early photograph are the station master and eight members of the station team from the 1900s, courtesy Alan Hammond, North Dorset Railway Archives; on a misty day in January 1964, GWR Pannier Tank No. 4631 waited at Shillingstone station with the 13.15 Blandford to Templecombe freight, courtesy Alan Hammond, North Dorset Railway Archives

which 55 per cent of stations, 30 per cent of route miles, and 67,700 British Rail positions were lost.

Shillingstone was one victim: the famous Pines Express was re-routed to run via Oxford, as was other passenger traffic. Freight traffic was moved to other lines and eventually in 1966, the line closed. Luckily, the station remained in place and in the 1970s and 80s, Dorset council rented it to various businesses.

Nationalisation once again became unpopular and in 1994 to 1997, rail operations were again privatised, with Railtrack initially taking over infrastructure.

Country-wide this sparked a renewed general interest in the condition of the railways, and at Shillingstone in the 1990s a group of volunteers were inspired by the station’s sorry state to restore it and create a new North Dorset visitor attraction.

In 2005, the County Council agreed to a lease and Shillingstone Railway Project began site and signal box clearing, rebuilding the porters hut and reconstructing the loading dock.

Platform renovations were followed by the opening of a café and facilities opening for hikers, cyclists, and visitors. Building on this, in 2017, the North Dorset Railway was formed, aspiring eventually to run passengers from Shillingstone to Sturminster Newton. Over the last five years work has been progressing to realise this and extend the line to Bere Marsh and beyond.

In 2024, the hope is to begin running brake van rides behind existing locomotives and volunteers have already begun preparations for passenger services.

Of course, ongoing battles over workers’ pay and regular strikes have plagued the modern railways and their new overseers, National Rail, who took over from Railtrack after the fatal Hatfield crash of 17 October 2000.

However, for Shillingstone at least there is a bit of peace, as it enjoys a new lease of life and sees visitors enjoy its history, perhaps even more so for the trials it has faced and overcome.

Thank you to North Dorset Railway Archives for access to their archives and research. For those wishing to visit, Shillingstone station is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 10-4pm. The team is always on the lookout for volunteers and can be contacted at info@nothdorsetrailway.co.uk or on 01258 860696.

From top: Nigel Moody visited the station during 1999 and 2001, and captured these images of its dereliction; in the 1990s a group of volunteers got together to begin renovations of the station, both courtesy North Dorset Railway Archives

Newell’s up the junction

Work on a busy junction in the centre of Sherborne is not expected to be completed on time

IN JULY, WORK began to upgrade the Newell junction - one of the town’s busiest traffic hotspots - by widening the road and making it easier to turn on the Marston Road in a bid to ease congestion.

While the work has been progressing, drivers have been facing delays due to traffic lights, with the work due to be completed around 14 November.

However, a report to the Dorset Council on 20 October by Councillor Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, revealed the finishing date was likely to be missed.

He told the Full Council meeting: “On 5 August 2022, a high voltage electricity cable was discovered on site at the Marston Road Junction Improvement Scheme. This cable was not on the plans provided by the

electricity company Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

“Unfortunately, the cable position meant that it would need to be moved to allow certain sections of the works to proceed, and prompt action was taken to notify SSEN. Works on site continued on the areas not affected by the unchartered cable.

“SSEN officers have visited the site and passed the work to their contractor. The timescales involved for the mobilisation of SSEN mean the junction works will now most likely not be complete by 14 November.

“We are pushing SSEN to progress this work as quickly as possible. Once we have the SSEN date, we will then be able to programme the remaining works and provide an updated programme.”

The project will see a new right-turn lane

added to aid westbound A30 traffic turning into Marston Road and the overall signal-controlled area reduced in size.

These alterations will improve the efficiency of the junction and mean fewer delays for drivers, according to the council.

To provide space for the additional right-turn lane, the pavement next to the A30 between Back Lane and Cornhill is being moved to the back of the verge and upgraded to a shared walkway/cycleway to improve off-road cycle links around the junction.

All the crossings at the junction will also be upgraded to the cycle-friendly ‘toucan’ type, the council added.

Gloves off

Former glove factory could be set to become an auction house if plans are approved

AN APPLICATION HAS been submitted to Dorset Council to convert the Chester Jefferies building, in Buckingham Road, Gillingham, by Clarke’s Auctions.

The Semley-based firm would move ‘some of the business’ to the Gillingham site, the application said, and hold sales at the premises.

“The applicant owns and runs Clarke’s Auctions, an established local business currently located in Semley,” it said. “The more open plan layout of The Old Glove Factory will be of benefit to the business in storing and better displaying auction lots, as well as facilitating the running of auctions on sale days once a month.”

Offices at the site would be used during weekday office hours, it said, with three full-time staff employed by the firm, while auctions would take place once a month.

The majority of bids on auctions come via the internet, the application adds, with the site open to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays following a sale to allow for the collection of sold items.

Traffic generated by the auction house would generate ‘a similar number or fewer traffic movements’ than the glove factory, the plan said. “Access and turning for staff, visitors, and delivery and collection vehicles is proven to be safe and easy at this location,” it added.

Parking is provided for up to seven cars, with a public car park at the nearby Chantry Fields, around 50 metres away.

The application details how the owner intends to ‘tidy the forecourt of the building to create a welcoming and professional appearance to greet auction customers’.

The scheme will now be considered by Dorset Council. To see detailed plans and to comment, visit dorsetcouncil.gov. uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2022/06116.

Wincanton health centre set for change

A PLANNING APPLICATION has been submitted to South Somerset District Council to establish that use of the old health centre, in Carrington Way, as offices would not require new planning permission.

Owner of the site, GenTek Technologies Ltd, aims to move its headquarters into the building, as well as offering co-working space to other Wincanton ‘micro-businesses’. Due to the previous use of the building as a health centre, the application, submitted by agent Whiteacre Planning Ltd, says a

Hit the wall

WORK TO REPAIR a wall damaged when a vehicle crashed into it will be carried out ‘as quickly as possible’, according to Dorset Council, eight months after the incident.

The building, on the A30 at Kitt Hill in Sherborne, was damaged in February, prompting the installation of traffic lights.

“I recognise how disruptive the closure and traffic light control has been for people wanting to use the A30 through Sherborne,” Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said.

“Rebuilding the wall is a complex and technical task, for which there are only a limited number of specialist contractors with the right experience to carry out the work.”

“We are continuing our dialogue over this matter are seeking a resolution as quickly as possible.”

He also said a traffic notice allowing for the traffic lights that runs until September 2023, was no indication of how long it would be before the repair was carried out.

“It hasn’t been extended and has never been an indication of how long we expect the disruption to last,” he said.

change of use would not be required.

The application says: “GenTek Technologies Ltd, who own the property, now wish to expand and establish their offices at the site.

“The site has been used as a Health Centre in Use Class D1, however following reform of the Use Class Order in 2021, the site is now within Use Class E. The use of the building for offices or any other uses within Use Class E is lawful and planning permission is not required.”

Part of the building used as the Red Cross Store is currently classed as an office, the application says.

The health centre was closed and the premises vacated in 2014, prior to the purchase by GenTek.

The application is now open to consultation and is set to be determined by 17 November. For more details, and to comment on the plan, log on to southsomerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 22/02705/COL.

How Pantry puts food on the

By Paul Jones

It reads like a line from a patient to a doctor, thanking them for their efforts during a serious illness. But in this case, that illness is financial struggle, for the words are from a person helped by the Vale Pantry.

Two years ago, as the Covid pandemic hit the country hard, the Sturminster Newton charity was opened in a bid to provide food for those struggling to make ends meet.

A supermarket of sorts, the Pantry asks shoppers for a donation of £6 each time they visit, in return for access to supplies ranging from fresh produce to cupboard staples.

“We set up after seeing the level of food poverty and deprivation in the area,” said trustee Carole Jones.

Now, the Pantry helps more than 300 families or households, providing a shop worth between £25 and £50 for that requested £6 donation.

Unlike a foodbank, households do not have to be referred to the Pantry. Instead, people can apply to ‘join’ through the group’s website.

“Some come weekly, others are able to manage and come every other week, and some run out of money in the last week before they receive their money,

said. “Some people will simply turn up in desperation. We offer a wide range of fresh foods enabling a healthy, balanced diet, while a foodbank provides a box of ambient products. Our users can choose their own foods in the same way as you would visiting any food store. There are so many types of users – long-term debilitating illness, carers, people with mental health issues, physical and learning disabilities, and

In 2017, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg provoked outrage when he called foodbanks ‘rather uplifting’ and blamed an increase in users of such facilities on the fact ‘people know that they are there’. And other politicians have faced backlash after posing for pictures at facilities like foodbanks, amid outcry they are needed at all.

Carole challenged many of the perceptions people have about support provided by the likes of the Pantry – and those who use them.

“They say ‘people should just get a job’, but pretty much all of those needing help are working or are unable to work at all,” she explained. “In this rural area wages are low, rents are high and it’s just tough to make ends meet.

“A number simply can’t work as they have caring responsibilities or they have long-term debilitating illnesses. A number of our users have fibromyalgia, and two of our users are receiving palliative care, while a number of parents have children with autism or who have high additional needs. There are so many perceptions that are completely wrong.”

The running of an initiative like the Pantry, too, is subject to misconceptions, Carole says, including how it is funded.

“People think all of our food is donated – it’s not,” she said.

“We currently spend just over £3,000 a week and we have to find this money through user donations – we request the £6 donation on each shop to help towards our costs.

“For each shop, the actual cost to us is about £17. Donations, either one-off or regular monthly standing orders by a number of people in our community, are an area we are desperately trying to build on.

“And literally hours each week are spent on funding bids, it is a relentless task but an essential one. In short, we need to bring in £170,000 a year to do what we do. We do collect end-of-day surplus foods when these are available to us.

All the ‘dump’ bins in supermarkets in the surrounding towns are taken by foodbanks.”

In the run-up to Christmas, the Pantry is running a Reverse Advent Calendar to stock up on supplies ahead of Christmas, when demand is expected to increase enormously.

To take part, donors are encouraged to pick up an extra, cut-price item, each day in November, before taking their month’s collection to the Pantry at the start of December. All items are welcome.

For more details, or to apply to become a member, visit valepantry.co.uk

The Pantry is open 4.30-6.30pm on Wednesdays, 8am-6pm on Thursdays and 8.30am-noon on Saturdays.

‘I DON’T know how we would have survived without your help...’

table

This Christmas, volunteers at the Vale Pantry – a supermarket that helps those in need – are gearing up for their busiest ever year. Demand is rising as the cost of living crisis escalates. Your New Blackmore Vale has been out to see the volunteers to find out how we can all help…

Carole Jones,

trustee

of the Vale Pantry at Sturminster Newton

“They say ‘people should just get a job’, but pretty much all of those needing help are working or are unable to work”

Defra orders all birds to be housed to stop spread of bird flu

disease was detected at more than 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds.

“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks from wild birds remain the best form of defence,” Ms Middlemiss said.

“Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you must keep them indoors. This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.

“However, housing alone will not protect birds and all keepers must still follow the other enhanced biosecurity measures mandated by the AIPZ at all times to protect their flocks and prevent the risk of future outbreaks which is circulating in wild birds.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

THE UK’S CHIEF veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, ordered mandatory housing measures for the whole of England, legally requiring all bird keepers to keep their animals indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures, regardless of type or size.

The order extended mandatory housing measures already in force in Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex following an increase in the national risk of bird flu in wild birds to ‘very high’.

“We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England,” the chief vet said.

“The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice.”

The introduction of the housing measures comes after the

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

NFU Poultry Board chair, James Mottershead, said: “As poultry producers, the health and welfare of our birds is our number one priority, and these housing measures alongside the existing additional biosecurity requirements will help minimise the impact of avian influenza on the poultry sector.

“These measures apply to all poultry keepers, whether you have one hen in the garden or a large poultry business, and I urge everyone to remain vigilant.

“Producers are doing all they can to protect their birds and to maintain production of poultry meat and eggs, especially as we approach Christmas.

“The NFU will continue to work with the government and the wider supply chain to minimise the impacts of avian influenza, both now and in the future.”

Complete care solutions

Experts in residential and domiciliary care

Bramley Care announces the acquisition of Millbrook House into their established family run care group; “We pride ourselves on being a husband and wife team at the head of a great group of loyal, dedicated and professional carers and managers with decades of combined experience in providing excellent care in our local community. The acquisition, Millbrook House, further strengthens our ability to continue to offer a full range of residential and domiciliary care.”

Richard and Sarah Wagner

Each of our homes boast

Light and airy en-suite bedrooms bursting with charm and most with wet room or bath facilities Beautifully appointed lounges, orangery’s and dining rooms

Safe, secure and beautifully landscaped walled gardens

A dedicated, caring and professionally trained team

Delicious locally sourced home cooked food Full time Activity Hostesses that ensure meaningful and enjoyable activities

A care planning app that allows loved ones to follow the day- to-day care of residents

Our very own salons to ensure that one can keep up one’s appearance

House Child Okeford

Bramley Care offers a wide spectrum of person-centred care, from domiciliary care from our team at Bramley Home Care to specialist dementia care at The Old Rectory. Our team, with their combined professional care experience of decades are on hand 24 hours a day to ensure the care that we offer is second to none.

Our residential care homes are each sensitively restored and tastefully converted from beautiful large former country residences. They have been carefully adapted to make them comfortable, luxurious and safe environments for older people.

Millbrook

Bramley House Mere

All rooms and communal areas are tastefully decorated and furnished to a very high standard ensuring that each home offers a feeling of grandeur and spaciousness.

Our homes offer a real home from home environment. Each room is individually furnished and decorated to suit the needs of its occupant. Our team of professional carers are on hand to provide support in all areas of daily life. Visitors are welcome without restrictions any time of the day and are welcome to join loved ones for meals.

Each home is surround by beautiful walled gardens allowing level access to patios, vegetable patches, seating areas, pergolas and ponds. Our established gardens, full of flowers and shrubs, offer lovely walks and the opportunity to entertain guests when the weather permits.

Furthermore, Bramley Home Care is our established home care provider with many years of experience in providing reliable, high quality professional care. We provide a service that enables our customers to remain living independently in the comfort of their own home with our dedicated specialist help.

The Old Rectory Stalbridge

Bramley Home Care

SSAFA celebrates a brilliant year

The Dorset branch of the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, marked the hard work of volunteers with a lunch at Bryanston School Branch chairman Colonel Terry Canham presented a SSAFA certificate of honorary life membership to volunteer Peter Dobbs, who has been with Dorset SSAFA for 27 years, latterly as the divisional treasurer. Local woman Eliza Brodie, who raised £1,200 for SSAFA by running the Berlin Marathon, was also applauded at the event attended by 122 people.

Mr Canham said: “SSAFA’s caseworkers are our frontline volunteers and can be involved in complicated and sometimes tragic situations. They are very special people indeed.

“Caseworkers are supported by a range of branch volunteers, and I should add that SSAFA central office provides other specialist services such as our adoption service and mentoring for those in transition to civilian life.”

In the last 12 months Dorset branch caseworkers have opened 137 new cases and received pledges from donor charities of more than £157,000. It is a busy and thriving regional branch but the Covid-19 pandemic has been a difficult period for SSAFA with many volunteers having retired or withdrawn.

Find out more about volunteering opportunities at SSAFA at ssafa.org.uk/volunteer. Alternatively, you can visit the SSAFA shop at 35 Church Road, Ashley Cross, Poole.

Pub raises a glass to huge support from the local community

The Cross Keys Inn at Lydford-on-Fosse has raised a massive £2,500 for the mental health charity MIND. A presentation evening, attended by local volunteer helpers and sponsors, was held following the pub’s successful Fund Raising Beer Festival Weekend.

Pub owner David Grindley expressed his sincere gratitude for the generous support from both sponsors and volunteers. “We are so pleased to have raised such a terrific amount for MIND, who do a marvellous job supporting people with mental health problems. In a time when we are all facing challenges and financial pressures it was really touching to be offered so much help from businesses and our local community. So many local people offered their time, free of charge, to work behind the bars and ticket tables. Businesses and individuals sponsored beer barrels and the charity tee shirts, for sale over the weekend. The event was a great success with a fantastic community atmosphere, providing much needed lift and relaxation time for everyone.”

David handed over a cheque for £2,500 to Barbi, who was representing the charity. This was followed by a thank you party, with free food and drink supplied by the pub for all those who had played a part in the Beer Festival Weekend. The evening’s celebrations were successfully concluded with lively music from Fiddleback – a talented and entertaining duo playing guitar, fiddle with great harmony vocals.

Family Law Advice

Family Law Advice

We realise talking about divorce or separation is very personal and so we are offering virtual appointments by Zoom. As an alternative, we offer a one off FREE telephone appointment for initial advice on Wednesdays 9am – 1pm

We realise talking about divorce or separation is very personal and so we are offering appointments at our offices. For new clients seeking initial advice a FREE appointment can be booked on Wednesdays 9am – 1pm.

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

Art boost for Sherborne school

In July this year, all the pupils at Sherborne Primary School thoroughly enjoyed a week of art. This was all thanks to The Arts Society Sherborne, who supported the school with a gift of £1,000. During the Art Week at the school, some pupils worked with local artist, Laurence Belbin, others worked at illustrating a poem.

Calling all Santas

Santas of all ages will be stepping to it when Sturminster Newton Rotary Club stages its annual fundraising Santa Stride next month

THIS FUN EVENT sees participants run or walk along the Trailway from the car park to Shillingstone. The route can be cut short at marked and marshalled turnaround points. The Santa Stride raises money through sponsorship and voluntary donations for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Entry fees, which include a Santa Suit, remain unchanged with adults £5, youngsters aged six to 12 £2.50 and children under six free.

Everyone registered receives free entry into a prize draw and will receive a commemorative medal. For more information or to register online visit stursantastride.co.uk

You can register on the day at the forecourt of The Original Factory Shop in Sturminster Newton, and at Santa Stride pop-up shops in The Exchange in the town on Saturday 12, 19 and 26 November and 3 December. The Santa Stride is held on Sunday 11 December.

Volunteer needed

Age Concern North Dorset needs a friendly and outgoing volunteer trustee to join its small team, someone who could help the charity to increase its profile in both Sturminster and North Dorset. If you enjoy meeting people and have an interest in the elderly then please call 01258 475582.

Charlotte Hawkins, art coordinator, receives the cheque from Mrs Jane Findlay, secretary of The Arts Society Sherborne. Also pictured are Gill Evans, liaison from The Arts Society Sherborne, and Ian Bartle, head teacher

photograph by Denis Burrow (Gbct)

Compton cricket through the centuries

NBVM reader Barbara Elsmore was inspired to fill in the missing pieces from our recent look back on the rich cricketing history of Compton House Cricket Club. Can anyone shed light on the characters she has been unable to track down?

by Barbara Elsmore, Sherborne

I was delighted to read about cricket in the Vale (NBVM, 14 October) especially when I saw two of my great uncles pictured in 1893 with the team playing for the Compton House Cricket Club against a team from Yeovil.

There are four members of the Yeovil team indicated in the photograph so I am assuming all the named players were members of the Compton House Cricket Team, or their supporters. Col John Goodden, his wife Caroline and their family were living in Compton House at this time.

James Farley (1873-1955) aged 20 at the time of the photo is Captain – centre front holding a bat. James arrived at Compton House as a young servant. He progressed to Butler then went up to London to work, where he met and married Minnie. They had a daughter and a son Donald. The family returned to Nether Compton when

Bailiff. They lived in Sheriff’s lodge at the entrance to the drive to Compton House for many years.

My great uncle Jack Collings (1874-1918) was 20 at the time of the photo, in which he is pictured to the left of the captain padded up and ready to bat for his side. Ten years later, in 1903, he married the daughter of the landlord of the Griffin’s Head in Nether Compton, Lilian Vaux. They lived at the Forge in Nether Compton and had three boys. Jack worked as a carpenter. The family moved to Limmington where Jack joined his brother-in-law Alfred Bicknell in his carpentry business.

W Collings is my great-uncle William Collings (1877-1931) aged 16 in the photo.

at the back wearing a cap. He is too young to play at this time so perhaps he may have been helping with the score board? William later married a teacher and with two sons they left for New South Wales in Australia.

George Bicknell (1873-1945) aged 20 in the photo. He married Eveline in 1900, the sister of Jack and William Collings with the newly-weds leaving Nether Compton for Southampton where George had opened a bicycle shop.

The rest of the home team is comprised: A Beaumont, T Barrett, J Griffin, J Hann, T Sebley, E Squibb and J Withey. H Griffin is another supporter.

With a quick look through the 1891

census I can find only two likely candidates – Tom Barrett aged 38, a Groom and John Griffin aged 20, employed as an Under Keeper. I would be very interested to know if any readers of the NBVM recognise any of those named and if any light can be thrown onto these long ago lives.

Barbara Elsmore is the author of Over & Nether Compton – Snapshots in Time, on sale now from comptontales.uk.

Compton House Cricket Club

Eveleen Collings marries George Bicknell in 1900. This photograph was taken outside the home of the bride in Nether Compton

William Collings (seated front left) is a member of the bellringing team at Nether Compton Church with brother Jack standing behind him. Does anyone recognise any of the other three members of the team?

ancient trees

vital. However, it is equally important to retain and care for the ancient, veteran trees in our woods, greens, parks and hedgerows.

Old trees are hugely important for wildlife. Some trees have lived so long that they harbour an extensive array of lichens and fungi as well as insects, some unique to themselves. At one time, royal hunting forests surrounded Shaftesbury: Gillingham Royal Forest – part of the Forest of Selwood – to the north, Cranborne Chase to the east and Blackmore Forest to the south and west. The king and his followers would arrive to hunt in these areas, which were characterised by open land as well as woodland.

Julian Hight, author, photographer, graphic designer and musician, has written three beautiful books the most recent of which, Britain’s Ancient Forest, Legacy and Lore, took him all over the country and four years to write.

Shaftesbury Tree Group have invited Julian to talk about the cultural, historical and ecological importance of ancient trees, and show us his photographs of these beautiful remnants of living history from all over the country. Of particular local interest are Kingston Lacy’s beech avenue, the Crusader Oak at Stock Gaylard, the Remedy Oak at Woodlands and Wyndham’s Oak at Silton, as well as the forests of Blackmore and Selwood. Julian is helping to regenerate Selwood Forest, remnants of which linger still around Longleat and Stourhead and Gillingham.

This illustrated talk is hosted by Planet Shaftesbury and Shaftesbury Tree Group on Thursday 17 November at 7.30pm, at Shaftesbury Town Hall, admission is free, although donation boxes will be available.

Paying our respects

This weekend will see the Vale unite in tribute to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday

AT 11AM ON 13 November, two minutes’ silence will be held to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts around the world and across the centuries, from the First World War to the Gulf and beyond.

However, in the run-up to the event, countless groups have been fundraising for the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Among them were the TS Mantle VC sea cadets, based at Yeovilton, and the Wincanton Army Cadets (pictured right), who held a collection at Wincanton races on Saturday, 5 November.

“Despite the rain and the wind, racegoers dug deep into their pockets on Badger Beers Chase Day at Wincanton in support of this year’s Poppy Appeal,” said a spokesperson.

“Volunteer Poppy Appeal collectors were joined by Cadets from both TS Mantle VC based at Yeovilton and Wincanton Army Cadets and raised £2,434.25 for the appeal and military welfare. Wincanton’s Poppy Appeal organiser, Dawn Old, added: “We are continually overwhelmed by the generosity of people particularly in times when we can appreciate how hard life is becoming.”

Remembrance services are planned across the Vale, including: Blandford: Remembrance Parade from 2.45pm with wreath laying in front of the Corn Exchange, music from Blandford Stour

Valley Band and an open-air church service.

Shaftesbury: Service at 11am at the town memorial. Marchers muster from 10.30am at the Kings Arms car park.

Wincanton: The Remembrance Parade will gather outside the Memorial Hall at 10am, setting off at 10.20am, down the High Street to the parish church for a Remembrance Service at 10.45am, lasting approximately an hour. Then, the parade will march back up to Churchfields. Veterans and those currently serving warmly welcomed in the parade.

Dorchester: The Civic Remembrance Day Service will be held at the war memorial. At approximately 10.40am, the Remembrance Parade will make its way into the Cornhill, down South Street and assemble at the war memorial for the 11am service.

Sherborne: A Remembrance Service will take place at the Abbey, gathering from 10.55am.

Marnhull Hub travellers’ tales

Earlier this year, the Marnhull Hub

Saturday for two hours from 10am, the Hub’s weekly drop-in coffee morning, recycling point and repair café provide a much-needed focal point for meeting friends.

Not-for-profit social enterprise the Marnhull hub is run entirely by volunteers. Now based at Marnhull Village Hall and meeting every

Since its inception in 2019, the Hub has gone from strength to strength and has provided the opportunity for villagers to socialise safely during what have been difficult times.

The Hub team was acutely aware that the Covid pandemic particularly impacted young adults. Lockdowns, travel restrictions and on-line learning reduced social interaction and impacted a very important period in young people’s lives and development. So late in 2021 the Hub considered what it could do to support the younger adults, who are the future of the village, to gain valuable life experience as the world opens up again during 2022?

The answer was the Marnhull Hub Travel Bursary. The idea of the Bursary was to provide impactful financial support for young adults aged between 17 and 21 who have lived within the Marnhull Parish boundaries for at least two years to enable them to participate in a volunteering project

overseas during 2022.

With the financial support from the Marnhull Hub, Thea Primrose flew to Croatia in July to work with a charity called Operation Wallacea, a biodiversity and

Caring is at the heart of everything we do

At Healthcare Homes, we believe our dedication to exceptional care makes us stand out from the crowd.

Our attentive and thoughtful staff are committed to looking after your family like they would their own, catering to their every need and supporting them to enjoy later life.

Our care homes offer the highest standards of care where dignity is respected, and where talents and interests are encouraged. With a range of residential, nursing and dementia care on offer, Healthcare Homes is the ideal choice.

awarded travel bursaries to three local students to help fund their volunteering activities overseas

climate research organisation. The expedition was based at the Krka National Park and on the island of Silba.

In July, Frankie and Judah Radford travelled to Nakuru, Kenya, on an expedition organised by African Adventures, teaching and building classrooms for children in extreme poverty.

The participants and volunteers at Marnhull Hub hope that the fantastic adventures of these young people will inspire others to consider volunteering in 2023, when further bursaries will be available to students living in the Parish.

For more information please visit www. marnhullhub.org.uk

Melodies Remembered is a fun, sociable, fortnightly singing group for people living with dementia and their carers. It gives those who are experiencing memory loss a way to express themselves and socialise in a supportive and enjoyable way. The group meets every other Thursday from 2-4 pm in the function room at Shaftesbury Football Club.

A team of wonderful volunteers supports the fortnightly sessions, and more help is always welcome. As a volunteer the ability to sing is not required, just a willingness to help and wish to talk with the participants and their carers to make them feel welcome and safe.

For further information about attending Melodies Remembered or becoming a volunteer please visit www.shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk/sddfc or contact Marion Griffin on 07871 665927, dementiafriendlyshaftesbury@gmail.com

Marnhull makes a difference: Thea Primrose (left) volunteered in Croatia, while Judah and Frankie Radford (right) travelled to Kenya, with financial assistance from Marnhull Hub

Young farmers on form

Salisbury Young Farmers Club celebrate the end of their first year back with a harvest supper and prizegiving

It has been an amazingly successful year for Salisbury Young Farmers, winning national club of the

month and Wiltshire’s club of the year as well as taking part in the county rally and being placed in many competitions across the area.

At their Harvest Supper in September the club awarded its first set of new trophies: Isobel Green and Guy Mitchell (not pictured) shared the trophy for most competition points for a Junior or Intermediate,

Clover Crosse (club treasurer) won the most competition points for a Senior as well as the Matt Weeks Challenge Cup for best senior member. Jamie Pottow (club chairman) is pictured holding the Club of the Year shield awarded to Salisbury YFC this year. Will Thomlinson (vice chairman) was awarded the Flamstone Farm cup for Leader’s Member and Adam Damant is pictured with the Bright Seeds cup for best junior member.

Find the club on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with plans for this year’s programme.

This year’s prize winners, from left to right: Isobel Green, Clover Crosse, Jamie Pottow, Will Thomlinson, Adam Damant

Mental Health North Dorset receives almost £2,000 from Co-op shoppers

Mental Health North Dorset Help and Peer Support (mentalhealthnd.org) received £1,660.65 during its year as one of the three local good causes that Co-op members could nominate when they shopped at the stores in Gillingham and Shillingstone. Along with the money donated in the pots in store and a £50 gift voucher from Co-op, this total rises to almost £2,000.

“Thank you to all who have supported our Gillingham Group,” said Chairperson Amanda Sadler. “We’re incredibly grateful!”

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney, and do you need one?

If you need somebody to rely on in later years, perhaps to take over making decisions on your behalf, that person will need your formal written authority.

This authority is given by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney Lasting Powers of Attorney are documents that, when registered, mean you have given another person legal power to deal with financial decisions for you, or medical and welfare decisions.

At Winterborne Legal Services we can help you to put suitable protection in place in your Lasting Power of Attorney, so that you can be comfortable giving power to your children.

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney can be a big leap of faith for you, if you have any questions we are ready to help. Please call us on 07860 772274 or email christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk

Dedicated followers of fashion

A new exhibition opening at the Museum of Somerset in November is exploring how changes in society have shaped fashion from the late 1700s to the present day

‘In Fashion: How a Changing World Shaped What We Wear’ is open from 12 November to 18 March 2023 and features 27 outfits from the Museum’s collections. Jewellery, footwear and underwear are also on display, alongside paper sewing patterns and war-time ration books.

Curator of Social History and Textiles, Bethan Murray, said: “Longlasting traditions, social status, new technologies and media influence have all had their part in shaping what we wear. So too have the disruptions of war, the landmarks of birth, marriage and death, and the human desire to escape from old constraints and define ourselves anew.”

The exhibition features christening and wedding gowns from 1884 to 1910. They include an eau-de-nil two-piece wedding dress from 1873 and a beautiful silk satin ivory wedding dress by W&A Chapman of Taunton from 1910. The exhibition reflects the impact of the two World Wars which brought many changes to the 20th century, including to fashion. Among the items on display are a First World War uniform and Women’s Land Army uniform. Gender equality, sexual liberation and the media have had a particularly powerful effect on women’s fashions.

The Museum will host a number of

This ivory silk wedding dress by W&A Chapman Ltd of Taunton (1910) is one of many items shedding light on changing fashions

events alongside the exhibition. Dress historian Amber Butchard, known for her appearances on BBC 1’s The Great British Sewing Bee, will be giving a talk, as will Professor Amy de la Haye from the London College of Fashion. The Museum is also teaming up with the Somerset Sewing Box to offer hands-on workshops. Exhibition curator Bethan Murray will provide further insights with behind-the-scenes tours of the reserve collections held at the Somerset Heritage Centre and talks at the Museum.

For more information visit

Life’s a ditch

UFO caught on camera in Dorset skies

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED in Winterbourne Abbas at around 3pm after firefighters said the driver may have ‘blacked out’ behind the wheel.

Crews from Dorchester were sent to the scene.

“It is believed the driver blacked out

A NATURE photographer has opened a case of the X-Files after inadvertently capturing a UFO in Dorset skies.

Bournemouth-based Pete Swatton caught the flying object while taking pictures in Tollard Royal between 2pm and 3pm on 5 November.

After snapping a buzzard, he noticed the object in the background when reviewing his pictures.

In one of the images, an orange shaped object can clearly be seen which doesn’t show up on any of his other pictures.

“I was using a telephoto lens and a high-speed shutter, which takes five pictures a second,” he said.

“There’s nothing before or after and neither myself nor my friend heard anything, so I’m baffled.”

The image has been digitally enhanced, revealing three distinctive markings on the underside of the object, but unfortunately, they’re not clear enough to give any clues.

Do you know what the object is? Email us via newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

before coming off the road and into the ditch,” said a spokesperson from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“The female occupant was helped out via tunnelling from the boot and handed over to the waiting paramedics.

“The crews from Dorchester made sure the vehicle was left safe and then returned back to home station.”

It is understood the driver was not seriously injured.

A woman was rescued from a vehicle recently after ending up upside down in a ditch

Putting the bees to bed for the winter

As the days shorten and a productive summer gives way to the shortages of winter, it’s time to turn honey bee hives into havens against the worst ravages of the weather

Robbie Baird, North Dorset Beekeepers Association

There’s no getting away from it, honey bees work themselves to death during the summer months… quite literally. In summer, each honey bee (Apis mellifera if you like your Latin nomenclature) has a life expectancy of around six weeks. Unlike many other types of bee, which tend to be solitary in nature, honey bees live in colonies. Their lives are all about doing what’s needed for the whole colony. They spend their first three weeks doing jobs in the hive where the colony raises its young. Their second three weeks are spent finding sources of food and bringing it back for everyone to use. It’s this period of foraging for nectar and pollen that ages each honey bee fast. Think about that pure, home-produced, one-pound jar of honey in your kitchen. Bees will have had to visit more than 2 million flowers to bring back enough nectar to make it. They’ll have flown more than 55,000 miles. That’s twice the distance round the world. No wonder their lives are so short!

But now the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are falling. With winter just around the corner, life in the honey bee colony is starting to change. The focus is all about winter survival.

The bee colony will have amassed lots of food in the summer months and although they’ll have used some for getting by and they’ll have shared some of their harvest with us beekeepers, a lot will have been stored in sealed wax comb. That’s just like our jars in the cupboard and can be opened for use when needed – and it’ll be needed to feed the colony during the winter months when the individual bees huddle together for warmth. The honey bee is cold-blooded so has to “shiver” to create heat and stay alive. In winter, they’ll maintain the centre of their huddle at about 27°C. That takes a lot of energy, which means the bees need plenty to eat.

With most flowers now finished for the year, the honey bee becomes dependent on its stores for survival. You’ll see many insects on ivy flowers (Hedera helix) in autumn and honey bees are no exception. This is one of the last sources of nectar before winter sets in.

During the summer, a strong honey bee colony will have about 55,000 individual bees. That’s far too many mouths to feed if they’re to eke out their stores to get through the colder months. With much less active flying to be done in winter, each bee can expect to live for five or six months and their numbers will fall to a low of around 5,000–10,000 per hive before spring arrives – just about enough to get things going again in spring and to look after the queen. She won’t be laying many eggs in winter, but she is precious – there’s only one in each colony and she’s responsible for laying all the eggs for future generations of bees. Male bees (called drones) are also ejected from the colony – they don’t do any work and will eat precious stores. The colony will make more males in spring, but that’s another story.

Beekeepers do all we can to make sure each colony has the best chance of reaching next spring. Weak colonies will have been combined with a stronger one to give it a better chance of survival. We’ll give them some extra food – concentrated sugar syrup – which they add to their stores and will use just like nectar. We’ll check to make sure the hives are well secured against winter gales and will add some extra insulation – a bit of expanded polystyrene in the roof will reduce heat loss from the hive, just as loft insulation will reduce heat loss in your own home. We’ll reduce the size of the hive entrance to make sure that other animals looking for somewhere to get out of the cold can’t get in, and we’ll wrap hives with

chicken wire to deter hungry green woodpeckers. Then we do all we can to leave the colony undisturbed – opening the roof or causing the cluster to break up causes a lot of heat loss and increases their need for food. And there’s more we’ll be doing during the winter months, but that can wait for next time.

Bees don’t actually sleep, but it does feel like we’ve put them to bed for winter.

To learn more about beekeeping and the North Dorset Beekeepers Association, look for NDBKA on Facebook or visit www.northdorsetbeekeepers.org.uk The Association is raising funds to build a new honey bee centre near Blandford and welcomes donations via its JustGiving page tinyurl. com/2p8kxhwb

Where’s Warburton?

ON 2 APRIL this year, a national newspaper ran an exclusive story detailing how Somerton and Frome MP David Warburton was under investigation by parliamentary authorities.

It was claimed the MP, who was elected in 2015, was facing claims of sexual harassment made by three women, as well as asking for cocaine to be bought.

He denied all the claims.

Soon after, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, with his wife saying he was suffering from severe shock and stress following the allegations.

And that, as they say, was that.

Despite several claims from Mr Warburton’s office that he was continuing his work, constituents have contacted your New Blackmore Vale to say they have heard nothing from him.

Indeed, when this magazine emailed his office asking for comment on the situation, we received no response.

However, an update on the MP’s website dated 26 October, has shed some light on what is happening.

“It looks, at last, as though the investigations – one prompted by a complaint arising from a Sunday Times article, and two leaked to that paper – are

What are Lasting Powers of Attorney and why do I need one?

Like Wills, lasting powers of attorney (LPA’s) are an essential part of estate planning. Why? While wills only come into effect once a person has died, LPAs are effective if someone is still alive but no longer able to function normally.

LPAs allow you to nominate a trusted person called an attorney. They can make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so.

An LPA gives the attorney the authority to act on your behalf. Both financially and with matters pertaining to your health and care. It goes without saying that attorneys must be people you trust.

But what happens if someone doesn’t have an LPA? If you lose mental capacity a bank would freeze all accounts – including any in joint names. Even family members would not be able to access them at first.

Obtaining access to the accounts requires a long, drawn-out application to the Court of Protection, and this is a far more expensive process than getting an LPA in the first place.

There are two types of LPA document – one that covers financial matters and the other health. You should get both types of LPA drawn up as soon as possible, well in advance of when – or if – they might be needed.

Book an appointment with a Maplebrook Wills by calling 07832 331594

“Without a ‘lasting power of attorney’ document created in advance, families can find themselves locked out of an ailing loved one’s finances and facing a complicated court process to be appointed their ‘deputy’, with fees running into many thousands of pounds.”

Chris Tennant, Oakwood Wills

reaching their conclusion,” Mr Warburton wrote.

“Not being able to speak out against those stories has been the most appallingly frustrating and painful experience, particularly knowing that my constituents have been left entirely in the dark, other than the outline of the claims against me.”

He says he is ‘not allowed to comment in any way’ about the probes until they are concluded.

“But this – plus the difficulty of my attending many local events with such damaging accusations in circulation – has meant that local people have felt, quite understandably, less than fully represented,” he went on.

However, he claims his office has dealt with ‘well over’ 3,000 pieces of casework since the allegations became public and that he is in ‘continual contact’ with ministers and has submitted 13 written questions to government ‘in the past month alone’.

“I cannot express how urgently I look forward to the investigations concluding and to resuming the seat in the Commons which it is my privilege to occupy on your behalf,” Mr Warburton concludes.

A sentiment echoed across the Somerton and Frome constituency, we’re sure.

Musical extravaganza is a hit

The Dementia Friendly Gillingham Autumn Spectacular

A PACKED ST MARY’S CHURCH enjoyed listening to some of the most beautiful music played by the 30-piece Top Brass and Wind Concert Band, led by Jackie Adams, with vocalist Arabella Heaton, on Saturday 22 October.

Jackie put together a wonderful variety of music, with tunes such as Carrick Fergus (in which Dian Bartlett played solo on the flugelhorn), Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Born Free by John Barry and Lord of The Dance Arabella, accompanied by the band, wowed the audience with song including I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton, and I Know Him So Well by Tim Rice. She brought the concert to a close with One Moment in Time. One audience member summed up the evening perfectly: “Wow! There can’t be a single dry eye in the church after that!”

Thanks were given by Cllr Barry Von Clemens, Chair of Dementia Friendly Gillingham, and bouquets donated by Sandy of Mayflowers were presented.

Wine and nibbles, kindly donated by Waitrose, was served during the interval, and a fabulous selection of raffle prizes were drawn by Cllr Val Pothecary Chairman of Dorset Council.

Dementia Friendly

Gillingham would like to sincerely thank all the local businesses that donated prizes.

The charity would also like to thank everyone who came and gave so generously. A total of £1,388.52 was raised, with donations given to St Mary’s Church, the Top Brass and Wind Concert Band and Weldmar Hospicecare.

These events depend upon the help of volunteers, and Dementia Friendly Gillingham would like to thank all those that helped. It also appreciates the support given by Hall & Woodhouse, and Asda.

It was lovely to have the family of Dot Hannam at this concert, and it was their wish for Trevor Hannam to present a cheque to Dementia Friendly Gillingham, for the total amount of donations received at Dot’s funeral.

Concert was considered to be “the best one yet”

Lee’s Fish and Chips, in Queen Street, closed in October after around 30 years providing

suppers for the town.

Announcing the closure earlier this year, a spokesperson for the shop said: “We would like to thank those who have always supported out shop during these years.”

It was understood a new occupier would be taking over the business, however, the final update from the shop said it would be closed for good.

“Sorry, we are closed forever,” it said. “Thanks so much to those who supported us until the end.”

Four years ago, I worked in a clothing shop and was beginning to feel unhappy and conscious of my weight. I was wearing longer tops, tunics and dresses to try to hide my weight. I was always walking by the nice tops and skirts as I didn’t feel confident enough to try them on. It was a colleague at work who told me about Slimming World, telling me how easy it was to follow. I had tried diets in the past but never stuck to them, after a couple of days I would be back to the usual habits of snacking on biscuits, cake and chocolate.

So the day after I turned 30 I went to my local group, it took a little while to build the confidence to go in the door but after pacing up and down I went in. I was welcomed in and was surprised by how many familiar faces I saw, straight away I felt comfortable being there.

The food optimising plan surprised me – I could still eat the things that I enjoyed! I made simple swaps and healthier choices, instead of buying a sweet and sour chicken meal I had my own slow cooked version – nicer and filling, instead of biscuits I had a hi fi bar and I had more fruit and vegetables in my diet as well as keeping myself hydrated.

A couple of years ago I moved to Gillingham and, as with the previous group, I was made welcome and part of the group right from the start, and having encouragement from my consultant Sally helped on those tougher days.

The confidence I have gained since losing 1 stone 8lbs has meant that I can wear different clothing to what I would have worn, and I walk further without tiring. I have become a consultant to give my members the support and encouragement that I enjoyed from day one. My group will be Friday 18th November, 9.30am Digby Hall, Sherbourne. Call Kylie on 07545 220663.

Landpower Machinery Open Day

LANDPOWER

MACHINERY are

local suppliers of arborist equipment and garden machinery.

are hosting an Open Day event on Thursday 17th November with representatives from leading manufacturers in attendance and a wide variety of machines to try out.

Timberwolf will be showcasing their newly launched hybrid commercial wood chipper whilst Husqvarna will also be present with a selection of their arborist equipment and petrol chainsaws including a new top handled saw and the 592 XP, the most powerful chainsaw in their range. EGO will be attending with their 56V battery powered tools including the popular zero-turn mower.

Footprints fostering support

People in Dorset are being encouraged to help children find a happy home through fostering

ENGLAND FACES A national shortage of foster carers, with an estimated shortfall of some 9,000 carers for young people in need. Now independent Dorset-based agency Footprints is calling on kind-hearted families to consider the role.

A spokesperson for the company said fostering can yield a raft of benefits for the families – and children – involved.

“Whether you have considered fostering before, or it is a new idea, becoming a foster carer can yield many benefits financially, but also with the intrinsic reward of seeing a young person grow and develop in your care,” they said.

“Sometimes, birth families are unable to provide a safe home for their own children or young person and through no fault of their own, these young people will fall into the care system, where they can be provided some safety and security.

“Once becoming a carer, the rewards are plenty. It is common for carers to feel a great sense of pride and reward seeing a young person grow and develop, overcoming certain milestones. This could include achieving a high percentage of school attendance, which they may have always struggled to achieve, or seeing a child follow a routine of regular mealtimes and bedtimes, all things that may not have been possible in their previous living situations.

“Carers can bring a lot of joy to a child’s life, giving them a whole new life experience. For some, this may be as simple as a trip to the beach to feel the sand between their toes and smell the blustering sea breeze for the very first time.”

Footprints provides the highest level of care to local children and young people by providing carers with the highest level of training and an excellent support package.

“There is always someone to talk to at Footprints,” the spokesperson added.

“We are proud to celebrate 10 years of service, helping carers develop and provide outstanding care enabling children to go on and achieve in school, college, and workplaces, gain apprenticeships, and in some cases continue onto university.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can contact the Footprints team on 01202 573408.

Three generations of history, craft and love, woven in

Steeped in three generations of history, Bakhtiyar has long been a respected leader in the Persian and Oriental hand-knotted carpet trade. Headed by internationally renowned carpet expert Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi, he and his son Koroush continue to carve a new path for the industry bringing the historic beauty of Persia to homes around the world.

Spend time with Bakhtiyar’s specialists and you will quickly discover their passion and love for the craftsmanship of the carpets they source. As an authoritative figure within the industry, Masoud is often invited to share his expertise and insider knowledge with media outlets such as the BBC to discuss the ever-changing market. He also advises auction houses, insurance firms and institutions to identify and value Persian rugs and carpets. But we would be remiss to say that is

all we do, we carry out general carpet repairs for clients, whilst also working with many historic organisations to clean and restore carpets, bringing them back to life, in some cases removing 200 year old stains.

At Bakhtiyar we believe that no carpet is ever a lost ruin, beyond repair. As the Persian Poet Rumi once said “where

there is ruin, there is hope for treasure”. Our team of highly skilled cleaners and restorers, based in our London Warehouse, carry out repairs using the traditional knotting methods to fully restore rugs to their former glory, taking wool dated from the same period as the rug, to perfectly match the rest of the piece.

We invite you to join us at our winter exhibition in the beautiful Mintern Barn at Luccombe Farm in Dorset.

Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of November 2022 Open 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily

We will be showing a large selection from our extensive stock of hand woven Persian carpets, runners and kelims ranging from antique to modern pieces.

Persian food will be served daily with all proceeds raised being donated to Alzheimer’s charity.

MINTERN

BARN, LUCCOMBE FARM, MILTON ABBAS, BLANDFORD FORUM, DORSET, DT11 0BE

Directions: Approach the exhibition at Luccombe Farm from Winterborne Whitechurch (A354), using the signed Milton Abbas Road. Ample parking is available and Mintern Barn is wheelchair accessible.

“Where there is ruin, there is hope for treasure.” Rumi

Our loose Canon

On the importance of looking forward, not back…

by Canon Eric Woods

Today, 11 November, is Armistice Day, commemorated every year to mark the Armistice (“stand arms”) signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne in France at 5.45am for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I – which took place at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Sporadic hostilities did in fact continue, and a formal peace agreement was only reached when the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year – which is why some war memorials date the Great War 1914–1919.

Until 1939, Armistice Day was the principal day of remembrance. But that year the two-minute silence was moved to the Sunday nearest to 11 November so as not to interfere with wartime production should 11 November fall on a weekday, as of course it usually does. That Sunday became Remembrance Sunday, and will be observed this year on 13 November. In recent years, led by the Royal British Legion, Armistice

Day on the 11th has enjoyed at least a partial revival. I hope to be at the Armistice Day Commemoration in Sturminster Newton at 11am today. But I have no doubt that many more will watch the Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow, and up and down the country on Sunday churches will be packed for the Remembrance Services. I will be officiating at Lydlinch Parish Church for the service there, which begins at 10.55am.

All of this is right and proper. As I have written in this column before, not least in the last edition, it is absolutely essential to our health as a free and democratic society. We must remember that our rights and liberties were hard-won, and have often had to be defended. But we must always avoid the temptation to wallow in remembrance.

Think of it like this. The Last Post was originally a bugle call which signified that the battle was over and the troops could return to camp. It is also a call used to signal the end of the day when the Duty Officer returned from the tour of the camp

or garrison. Now was the time to rest, and to look back and reflect on the significance of the day.

But Reveille – or, more properly in Great Britain, “The Rouse” – is the call to get soldiers out of bed. It is about looking forward, not back, and going out to meet the challenges of the new day. And you can’t look forward if you are always looking back. Reveille, or the Rouse, challenges us – having given thanks for the supreme sacrifice made by so many – to go out to help build a better world. A daily prayer of mine is “Lord, give me the grace and courage to do some work of love and peace for you today.” I commend it to you. So please don’t get stuck at the Last Post. Answer the Rouse!

Differences of opinion

With discussion continuing to rage about the balance of investment in different energy sources, it’s time to examine human nature…

By Keith Wheaton-Green

CONSIDERING THERE IS a lot of evidence that renewables are the best solution for all future energy investment, it’s surprising there are so many different opinions out there; particularly support for continued investment in new oil and gas extraction and nuclear power. This might be why.

Prejudice is part of the human condition. It simply means acting on your prejudgement based on what you already know, even though you are probably aware there are things you don’t yet know. It has surely been an evolutionary advantage – particularly in fight or flight situations – and isn’t a trait that should be maligned. It can be useful.

However, in the modern world, when you need to make a financial decision, or come to an opinion on current issues, most people would agree that prejudgement is inadequate and some detailed research is needed. Yet we have all – in social situations – come across that irritating person that “reckons something”. They have an entirely unjustified but strongly held opinion based on no evidence (as far you can see) because they have had no recent need to spend the time researching the current truth. The media might have been full of relevant information, but if it is not within a person’s sphere of interest they

won’t have absorbed it.

Another interesting but rarer human trait is contrarianism. Whatever the prevailing majority opinion on an issue, a contrarian will take the opposite view, seemingly just to be awkward. They need to be particularly stubborn to maintain their opinion against the tide. An example of this would be Peter Hitchens, who writes for the Daily Mail For society as a whole, contrarianism has its uses. Most of us have occasionally found ourselves – at work or in a social situation – where there is a “group think” that none of the group feel they can dare challenge. Some would argue that this is evident at the BBC, GB news, Stonewall and Local Government planning departments to name just a few. Without a contrarian stirring things up, a group think can continually narrow, become more extreme and less effective in its purpose.

Another opinionated “type” is the ideologue; with a fixed view of the world. They select any data that backs up their views but ignore anything disproving them. Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have been described by some journalists recently as ideologues (zealots, even, by some). Perhaps most politicians are ideologues. Intelligence is no barrier to misguided views. In fact, skill in communication seems to reinforce a misguided ideology in

A walk around… Oborne

Soak up the scenery as you walk with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

Oborne is a small parish to the north east of Sherborne. First visit the Church, which is relatively modern. Then walk south down the road to the A30. If you do this at the right time of year you might be able to scrump some hops from the roadside hedge (if I don’t get there first!).

When you get to the A30, cross over and on your right you’ll find the remnant chancel of the old Church, more interesting than the new one you’ve just visited. You can enter through the small door on the south side and see the ancient decorations etc.

Next walk up the A30 (taking care!) north eastwards for about 150 yards then turn left and head north along a minor road. This takes you along a ridge from which you can look down into the village. After about half a mile, where the tarmac road veers right, continue north along the ridgeway route of Oborne Hill along Donkey Lane, a bridleway, from where there are lovely views. After nearly half a

the mind of both the audience and the speaker. However, with ideology comes passion. And it could be argued that without passion, what is the point of anything.

It is likely that anyone expressing an opinion that fossil fuels and/or nuclear power require continued investment is either rather lazily sticking with a prejudice, or an ideology, or is a contrarian just for the sake of it, or is in the pay of a lobby group. Whichever it is, the only way their opinion can be changed is to present them with the most up to date information as frequently as possible. If they are intelligent, they will hopefully, eventually, work it out and come to a more accurate understanding. The more money that is spent on new renewables, and the less is spent on new nuclear, oil and gas, the quicker we can get to sustainable, locally produced cheap energy. And the only honest, useful opinions, are those backed up by recent research from a wide variety of sources.

mile you’ll see a field in front of you where the vegetation looks different, wilder perhaps. Have your passport and evidence of Covid jabs handy because that field is part of Milborne Port in Somerset which juts briefly into Dorset.

Back in Dorset, the bridleway curves round to the left, north west, forming the county boundary. You’re now in Poyntington parish. Soon you’ll come to a meeting of ways. Take the bumpy track leading downhill to the west and a road junction. Here you turn left and walk south east to Hillside Farm (I wonder how it got that name?) where you turn right and join the road taking you south back to Oborne.

Total distance nearly three miles.

David Purchase / geograph.org.uk

Are you currently re-married, or do you have dependants from a previous relationship? Then a simple Will may not be sufficient.

For people in second relationships or marriages, making sure all your assets are divided in accordance with your wishes, and your loved ones are looked after in the event of you passing away, can be a challenging issue.

If for example someone remarries after a partner’s death, it may mean that hard earned assets don’t pass to intended beneficiaries, such as children, and that new partners may be left without fi nancial support.

Flexible Life Interest Wills can give piece of mind all your loved ones will be looked after.

One way to protect assets in these types of situations is through using a Flexible Life Interest Will. This type of Will allows assets to pass into a Trust rather than passing to a surviving partner.

The Trust is managed by Trustees and it pays an income to the surviving partner for the rest of their life. It may also confer the right for the surviving partner to continue living in their any

shared property during their lifetime.

Importantly, it also protects the capital in the Trust, which passes to the children and / or beneficiaries upon the death of the surviving partner.

This type of Will can also provide additional benefits when considering inheritance tax planning, and potentially protecting capital should the surviving partner need to fund care in their later life.

Our professional legal advice can help.

Modern life can be complex, and everyone’s personal situation is different. But getting professional legal advice from one our expert solicitors ensures our clients have the peace of mind of knowing that their wishes are made clear, and their loved ones will be taken care of.

To set up a flexible life interest Will, one of our specialist Solicitors will work with you to prepare a letter expressing your wishes on how you want the Trustees to exercise control of the Tr ust.

Please contact Chris Keenan on 01305 251007 or Laura Staples on 01460 279100.

Chris

of Protection

Familiar face at pumpkin competition

THE gardening society at Corton Denham welcomed a famous face when Valerie Singleton visited to judge the pumpkin competitions at the village hall.

The former presenter of BBC television children’s programme Blue Peter used to live in the village and is pictured with youngsters who took part in the competition for best pumpkin lantern.

The largest pumpkin from 29 entries was grown by Jenny Jackson and weighed in at four and a half pounds.

Visitors to the well-attended event were also able to sample pumpkin soup made to two recipes and a traditional Canadian pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.

Dorset’s top chef

A CULINARY WHIZZ from Dorset is among the hopefuls in TV cooking contest Masterchef: The Professionals

Charlie Jeffreys is among those battling it out to be crowned the winner of this year’s series, which got underway on BBC One last week (2 November).

The 24-year-old is senior chef de partie at the prestigious, three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse restaurant at The Dorchester in London, but he cut his teeth here in Dorset…The glamour of the TV studio will be a long way from his humble beginnings, as a pot washer at the Yalbury Cottage Hotel, at the age of just 14. A spokesperson for the hotel, near Dorchester, said they ‘couldn’t be more proud’ of their former apprentice.

Masterchef: The Professionals is on BBC One on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

Residents and staff at Fern Brook Lodge recently celebrated autumn by taking part in their own Autumn Food Festival with various activities including creating a delicious seasonal fruit pie as part of a Care Southwide competition.

Fern Brook Lodge residents and staff gathered fruit and decorations from the gardens of their home.

After residents had gathered the necessary ingredients to make their colourful pie, the kitchen team got straight to work, with the final taste test coming from residents, Patrick and Margaret. It was a thumbs up from them! The Autumn Food Festival was a wonderful activity with Food, Fun and Friendship at its heart - residents from across Care South took part in the celebrations.

Fern Brook Lodge care home in Gillingham accommodates 75 residents and is one of Care South’s homes, a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential and home care across the south of England.

Fern Brook Lane | Gillingham

Entrants in the best pumpkin lantern competition, Honor Lee, Jaimy Ingold, Quinn Allen, Otis Allen, Ada Allen and Imogen Musrie with Valerie Singleton

STOUR GATE – THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR LUXURY RETIREMENT LIVING IN BLANDFORD

McCarthy Stone’s forthcoming Stour Gate Retirement Living development on Barley Place in Blandford Forum is set to offer a unique brand of living for over 60s who are seeking a fulfilling and independent retirement. Construction work on the old brewery site is well under way, where, once complete, 45 luxurious one and twobedroom, luxurious, low-maintenance apartments will be available. The development will also have plenty to offer the most discerning retirees, with stylish fixtures and fittings, including top of the range built-in appliances, set to be in every apartment. A House Manager will oversee the day-to-day running of the development, with a 24-hour emergency call system providing added peace of mind. A communal lounge will host regular events, ideal for forging new friendships, and homeowners will also be able to enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens. Local retirees are now being given the exciting opportunity to find out more about the forthcoming Stour Gate development at an exclusive Discovery Day at Crown Hotel on West Street,

Blandford, which is taking place on Wednesday 30th November between 11am and 4pm. Retirees who attend the event will be able to find out more about the development, look at plans and apartment specifications, as well as discover more about the range of flexible purchasing opportunities which will be available. Local retirees can also book in to speak to the experienced sales team and ask any questions about living at Stour Gate.

For further information or to book a place at the Discovery Day, call 0800 153 3076 or visit: www. mccarthystone.co.uk/stour-gate.

0800 310 0668

Arrests after Gillingham premises targeted by burglars

Police have made two arrests after attempted burglaries at premises in Gillingham

THIEVES STRUCK AT The Slade Centre, in The Square, at just after midnight on Tuesday 2 November, after forcing entry through the front door. A charity collection box was among the items stolen.

While on the scene, police were then called to a fish and chip shop in the High Street.

A spokesperson for The Slade Centre – an exhibition and business space, as well as a cafe – said it ‘could have been a lot worse’.

“We have a very good alarm system, which worked perfectly,” they said.

“It was very frightening and

deeply upsetting for us all. Fortunately, no-one was hurt, little was taken and the damage could have been so much worse.

“The hardest part was waiting outside in the middle of the night for the police to arrive. It was cold and dark and I realised that I had never felt so afraid since moving here over 20 years ago.

“But the people who run the Charcoal Grill could not have been kinder. Thank you all so much. Without them it would have been so much harder.

“I must also thank the police who were calm, courteous and thorough. They made a very difficult situation manageable and were just extraordinary.”

Police confirmed they were called at around 12.30am to the Slade Centre incident.

“While at the scene, a further

report was received at around 1.12am of an attempted burglary at a fish and chip shop in High Street,” they added.

“A search of the area was conducted and following enquiries, a 38-year-old man from Gillingham, a 41-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman – both from Bournemouth –were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

“They have all been released on police bail while the investigation continues.”

The Slade Centre spokesperson said they would like to see some positives come from the experience, including starting a conversation about how the community could tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in the town.

“We all know there aren’t the

number of police on the streets that there once were,” they said.

“I think there has to be a way communities can come together and let people know that that kind of behaviour is not acceptable.

“I wonder if there is more we can all do to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our town and to provide support for those unfortunate enough to be victims of such behaviour.”

They urged anyone with thoughts on the idea to visit the cafe at The Slade Centre, which is open from 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Fridays, until 2pm on Saturdays.

Battens, your port in a storm

clarity in an uncertain world

Tree’s a crowd

Thirty hazel trees have been planted in a restored allotment plot at Elizabeth Road in Blandford as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy

by Nicci Brown

THE PROJECT WAS jointly arranged by Blandford Allotment Society and Blandford Town Council, which together manage the allotments in Elizabeth Road.

Over the last few months allotment holders cleared the disused plot, which had fallen victim to fly-tipping and become overgrown with brambles, and prepared it for planting.

The coppice will provide beansticks for the allotments in Elizabeth Road and at Lamperd’s Field, where a hazel coppice planted for the purpose is set to be lost because of the

allotments’ relocation owing to proposed redevelopment.

Town councillor Roger Carter, a former town mayor now chairman of the town’s planning committee and Blandford Plus Neighbourhood Plan monitoring group, carried out the ceremonial planting.

He said: “This represents not only a memorial to our late Queen Elizabeth II but an important contribution to biodiversity and link with the past – hazel trees have been used for thousands of years.”

Hazelnuts are loved not only by people but squirrels, dormice, other small mammals and birds. Hazel is traditionally used for thatching spars, water-divining sticks, hurdles and furniture, and by gardeners for peasticks and beanpoles. The hazel tree also has a mythological reputation for protection against evil spirits.

Sixth Form Scholarships

Designed to offer an opportunity for outstanding students to benefit from Leweston School’s excellent teaching and focus on individual support and guidance, the Sixth Form Scholarship Programme is inviting applications.

Students demonstrating exceptional academic ability can apply for awards offering up to a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the two year course.

For further information contact the Admissions Team: 01963 211015 www.leweston.co.uk admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk

Town councillor Roger Carter plants one of the hazel trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy in the Elizabeth Road allotment in Blandford

Left: Blandford Allotment Society chairman Ian Ricketts displays the plaque commemorating the planting

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

• Anglican High Mass at Wimborne St Giles: First Sunday of each month at 10am. BH21 5LZ.

• 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.

• 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.

• St Mary’s, Sturminster Newton: First and third Sunday, 11am Holy Communion; 6pm BCP Evensong. Second and fourth Sunday, 9.30am Morning Prayer; 6pm BCP Evensong. Fifth Sunday, 11am Benefice

Holy Communion. Wednesdays, 10am BCP Holy Communion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Our Lady’s RC Church, Marnhull: Mass Sunday, 9.30am and 6pm.

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

• Blandford Methodist Church: Sundays: Services at 10.45am followed by refreshments. Thursdays: Coffee and chat with refreshments from 10am-noon. Fridays: lunch club for the over-55s from noon priced £5 a meal. Phone Joyce Wild on 07817 505 543 to book. The church is anxious to offer help to those in need. If you need help, phone 07799 516735 or leave a message including your name and contact details.

John Cornish, steward at Blandford Methodist Church.

on Tuesdays 15 and 29 November and 13 December from 10.30am-noon.

• Warm space: Cheap Street Church will provide a warm and welcoming space with hot drinks, cakes, soup and rolls plus activities such as jigsaws and knitting on Thursdays 3 November to 14 December, 10am-3pm. To volunteer to help in the kitchen, provide food or just sit and chat to visitors, contact Penny at pennylgardner@gmail.com

• PBS Cranmer Awards: The Prayer Book Society is holding the heats of its Cranmer Awards in the Lady Chapel on Saturday 12 November from 10.30amnoon. The winners of each age group section go forward to the national finals at Liverpool Hope University on Saturday 25 February 2023.

• Syrian taster evening: At St Paul’s Church on Tuesday 15 November at 6.30pm in aid of Ukrainian refugees. Meal with vegetarian options, presentation about Syrian food and talk by a Syrian refugee now settled in Sherborne. Tickets £15. Contact: cathadam1@talktalk. net

Marshall; 10.45am Act of Remembrance – Tarrant Keyneston; 10.55am Remembrance + Communion – Langton Long. Sunday 20 November, 9.30am Communion – Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service – Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship –Langton Long; 11am Communion – Tarrant Rushton.

• Gillingham Methodist Church: Sunday recitals 3pm (about one hour). Admission free, retiring collection. Superb two manual William Sweetland organ restored and enlarged in 2006/2009. Video screen. For details and updates visit the website at www.musicatgmc. org.uk or phone 07817 379006.

• Loving Earth Exhibition : Monday to Sunday 7-13 November, 10am-noon and 1-3pm – Cheap Street Church, Sherborne; free admission. Sherborne Quakers are organising an exhibition of textile art as part of the Loving Earth Project which seeks to help people engage creatively with the climate crisis. Fifty textile panels will be exhibited.

ST MICHAEL’S, MERE.

Sundays 8am BCP Communion. First Sunday each month 10.30am Informal Service. Other Sundays 10.30am Parish Communion.

ST LUKE’S CHURCH

WINCANTON. Pilgrim singers Christmas Concert 4 Dec 6pm for Wincanton Foodbank Seasonal refreshments tickets 01963 33695

• Sherborne Quakers: Meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room, Digby Memorial Church Hall. Everyone welcome. churches in The Donheads, Charlton, East Knoyle, Semley and Sedgehill now have a team of friendly, approachable people available to offer home visits.

Contact Revd. Kate at rector@ benofbart.org.uk, 01747 830174.

• Longburton Village Cafe: Held in the village church of St James, the cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £1.50 and is open

• Wessex Strings concert: Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, on Sunday 20 November at 3pm. Programme: Elgar – Chanson de Matin; Grieg – Two Elegiac Melodies; Bridge – Valse Intermezzo; Svendson – Variations on a Norwegian Folk Tune; Holst –St Paul’s Suite; Sibelius –Rakastava. Tickets £10 from Winstone Books – cash only –and £12 on the door (U18s free).

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. Sundays November 13, 20 and 27 November, services at 3pm. A warm welcome to all. Phone 01935 850838 or email Geoff. mead@yahoo.com

• Lower Stour Benefice: Sunday 13 November, 10.45am Remembrance Service –Blandford St Mary; 10.45am Act of Remembrance –Spetisbury; 10.45am Act of Remembrance – Charlton

• Christmas Tree Festival: Back again after Covid-19, hosted by Cheap Street Church and organised by Sherborne Churches Together. A tree has been allocated and individuals are needed to help make the decorations. Contact Shirley Fry on 01935 389124 or the parish office on 01935 713777.

• St Mary’s Church, Charminster (DT2 9RD): Christmas tree festival 9-11 December. Opening times: Friday 9 December 3-6pm, Saturday 10 December 11am4pm, Sunday December 11 2-5pm. 5pm Sunday carols around the trees with mulled wine and mince pies. Light refreshments available throughout plus Christmas gifts and Fairtrade stalls. Admission £3 (children free). Website https://stmarys-charminster.org. uk

• St Mary’s Stalbridge: 13 November, Remembrance Sunday service, 20 November, morning worship 9.30am.

Long history of Census in the spotlight

By Laura Manning

THE October meeting of the Blackmore Vale Family History Group featured Dr Penny Walters, who gave a talk on ‘UK Censuses from 1801 to the Present’ at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton.

Penny is an experienced international lecturer on family history topics and her talk gave novices and experienced researchers plenty to think about.

For the best results, Census returns should be viewed with other documents, such as the official registration of births, marriages and deaths, and with a map of the UK to hand. Penny pointed out how county boundaries have changed over the years – for example, streets in Bristol have been in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Avon and now, the City of Bristol. This may explain away some of the ‘brick walls’ when trying to locate an address.

The first four censuses –1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 –were just head counts and statistical summaries for Government purposes – mainly tax. The first useful census for family historians was taken on Sunday 6 June 1841 and recorded the names of inhabitants, their age – rounded up or down – sex, job and whether they were born in or out of the county.

A Sunday was chosen for this task as it was presumed that most people would be ‘at home’. The 1851 census records relationships within the household and everyone’s place of birth. The UK census continued to be taken on a Sunday every ten years and each time more details were recorded.

The enumerators had the job of collecting the forms – which

had been distributed a few days before census night – and of sorting the responses and copying them into the enumerators’ books. This information was copied into an enumeration book by the district registrar before being sent to the General Register Office in London.

Obviously, there was room for human error at several stages. It is microfilmed copies of these books to which family historians now have access – the original books are held at the Kew National Archives but are not available to the public.

On the first page of each book may be found the route the enumerator took – this is useful to confirm the whereabouts of streets that have disappeared.

The 1911 Census was the taken on Sunday 2 April 1911 and was the first to be filled in by and signed by the head of the household. This one-page return also asked for the number of years a person had been married, the number of children born and the number of surviving children. Some of these figures are distressing. The 1911 Census was also a time of great suffrage activity – the rallying cry was ‘if

Family historians should be aware that county boundaries have changed greatly over the years, something they may need to consider when trying to locate an address

women don’t count, neither shall they be counted’ and many supporters of the Votes for Women movement did their best to be ‘absent’ on the night of the count. Emily Wilding Davison hid in a broom cupboard in the House of Commons on the night – and was duly registered on the House of Commons’ return. Emily’s mother, however, also noted her as being resident at their home.

Penny gave another example of one very self-assured householder who spent the night of the Census with his mistress – and recorded her occupation as such!

The 1921 Census should have been taken in April but was delayed until 19 June 1921 because of the coal miners’ strike. This was the first Census taken after the First World War

and revealed the huge loss of men in the years of conflict and the after-effects of the flu pandemic. The data from this has been available online since January 2022.

A few weeks after war was declared in 1939, the Government organised the 1939 Register. The information gathered from this was used to produce identity cards and ration books – therefore, it’s probable that people were more honest about their returns. As this is not classed as a proper Census, this is freely available online.

The meeting was reminded that everyone completed a Census return in 2021 – and the results of this will not be made publicly available for 100 years. It is probable that this will be the last UK headcount taken, as so many other ways now exist of keeping track of the population.

The Blackmore Vale Family History Group meets again on Wednesday 16 November at 7.30pm at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton. Speaker Felicity Herring will tell the amazing story of Dr James Barry, who was, in fact, a female doctor, and the first such in Britain. There is a small charge of £3 to Somerset & Dorset Family History Society members and £4 for non-members. Everyone is very welcome. Enquiries to blackmorevalegroup@gmail. com or visit https://sdfhs.org

The 1911 Census was taken at a time of great suffrage activity, when the rallying cry was ‘if women don’t count, neither shall they be counted’. Many supporters of the Votes for Women movement did their best to be ‘absent’ on the night of the count

Wealth, growth and planet’s survival

IN two recent editions of the New Blackmore Vale (September 16, October 14)

Jeremy Bloomfield has used the term ‘woke’ to refer to anyone with whom he disagrees.

I confess to being ‘woke’ since the 1970s when, still in my 20s, I realised not only that the world was – is – finite but also that we should start limiting our rate of consumption.

The almost universal mantra of economic growth assumes that there are enough resources in the world to satisfy everyone’s aspiration for limitless wealth.

With very little interruption, this country has had decades of economic growth since the Second World War, but with very mixed results for people’s standard of living.

If the ‘trickle-down’ theory espoused by free-marketeers really works, why has the growth of bankers’ bonuses not reduced the length of queues at food banks? It’s a question of fairer distribution.

Surely this country is already wealthy enough without competing for the world’s limited stock of resources with countries that can barely feed themselves.

Then, in ridiculing ‘green’ policies, Mr Bloomfield says this country is responsible for only one per cent of the world’s emissions – that might be the case in terms of what happens on mainland Britain, but it ignores the fact that most of our goods – and therefore our emissions – are produced overseas.

The 19th century philosopher and politician John Stuart Mill once asked: “When all this growth has come to an end, in what state do we expect to find ourselves?” Well, that depends on whether we can reach a ‘steady-state’ economy in harmony with nature.

We could start planning a route now – or wait until the natural world is so devastated

that our own survival is threatened. As pointed out by Dr Sylvia Hixson Andrews (New Blackmore Vale, October 14): “Mother Nature couldn’t care less about our ‘needs’.”

I would, however, agree with Mr Bloomfield’s closing comment in his September letter: “This Government has no concept of forward thinking or of governance”.

Revd Colin Marsh Gillingham

MANY people will be grateful to you for printing the letter from Jeremy Bloomfield (New Blackmore Vale October 14).

If indeed Mr Bloomfield is the epitome of Conservative party members it provides a valuable insight into the thinking that chose Liz Truss as Prime Minister. I read the letter on the day I learned the recently appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer had resigned, and even before your next edition hits the streets, so had the Prime Minister.

In his outspoken attack on our own chosen local representative, Mr Bloomfield reminds me of a character called Zimri in one of Dryden’s political satires. “Railing and praising were his usual themes; And both – to show his judgement –in extremes.”

I am not a Conservative but a floating voter. A previous representative of North Dorset, Nicholas Baker, was very helpful to me as a constituent and earned my support as a result.

At the time of the Brexit referendum I was disappointed by a statement from Simon Hoare in the then Blackmore Vale magazine that he would not declare how he would vote but that he could understand why people in this constituency might vote either way. I felt that showed a lack of leadership.

However, since then Mr Hoare has shown some mettle. By calling the then Prime Minister out over the Owen

Paterson affair he stood up for clear moral purpose in face of what must have been considerable pressure from party whips and the opinions of his local party, if Mr Bloomfield is typical.

His views on seeking closer ties to our nearest market, and on fracking, expressed in your columns seem eminently sensible.

I notice Mr Bloomfield accuses our MP of being ‘woke’, whatever that means. So, what does it mean Mr Bloomfield? Or is it just an empty catch-all slur?

Back to Dryden again and his description of Zimri: “...every man with him was god or devil.” Mr Bloomfield proposes Lord Frost as our local MP! Surely not the same Lord Frost

that negotiated the Brexit deal and subsequently repudiated it, and which has left us with a seemingly insoluble problem over trade to and from Ireland?

A curious choice indeed because unless he resigned his peerage, Lord Frost would be ineligible to stand.

With such great minds in play within the Conservative rank and file one is tempted to say that it is the local party that does not deserve Mr Hoare and not the other way around.

Jit Davies Via email

FURTHER to the report by the House of Commons Health Committee which found that patients no longer have relationships with their GPs, I can indeed confirm that I am no

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall – justsocaricatures.co.uk

blackmorevale.net

longer a person – just a number on a long practice list.

It seems my needs do not matter, my lack of a mobile phone and ‘apps’ make me a nuisance and I am put off seeking medical help if at all possible.

I have several medical problems but have never bothered doctors unless urgent. I was raised to believe that you only made an appointment with a GP if symptoms were serious.

My recent experience has led me to the conclusion that I should remain quiet and at home self- medicating until I reach a point where I cannot continue and then go to an overworked Accident and Emergency department in a crisis, possibly not to recover.

That should free up more practice space and as I am only a number it will matter little to anyone except my family and friends.

Speaking to others I have found they too are experiencing similar problems with these ‘IT solutions’ from appointments to repeat prescriptions. What a sad state our once fabulous health service is in.

Name and email address supplied

I ENJOY the inclusion of articles in the New Blackmore Vale from the political parties. It feels democratic at a time in our history when recent governments have failed to uphold democracy, becoming blatant in their actions.

It was sad, therefore, to see Mike Chapman’s irritable column in your previous issue.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask a party spokesperson to account for the action or inaction of their county councillors. Who else should one ask?

There is nothing normal about the situation in Shaftesbury town centre – so many shops have closed since the lifting of restrictions following the pandemic. Access for pedestrians to the remaining shops and businesses should be front and centre in councillors’

minds for the survival of the high street.

I can only conclude from his column that Mr Chapman, on behalf of the Lib Dems, consider themselves unimpeachable and above any scrutiny, and furthermore, have done nothing about the situation. How very disappointing.

J Daultrey Shaftesbury

IN response to Bill Summers regarding the build-out along Bath Road in Sturminster Newton (New Blackmore Vale, October 28), I would like to clarify that this was not to solve a traffic calming issue. Across the road are 18 independent living units with people who must cope with multiple and complex issues. Living independently means they would like to access our town – however, the pavement runs out further along the road and a safe place to cross was very much needed.

I would add that several Stour Connect users have mobility problems and have found this really helpful, too – along with a number of school children crossing to the High School.

Indeed. some parents are now allowing their youngsters to walk to school by themselves now, rather than having to accompany or drive them as they feel safer in the knowledge of a crossing point.

If this has the effect of slowing the traffic down then that’s probably not a bad thing either!

Despite all sorts of views and comments, the build-out really was a lot cheaper than a zebra crossing!

Cllr Carole Jones Sturminster Ward for Dorset Council

AS we approach Remembrance Day 2022 and we remember all those that paid the ultimate price in conflicts that have taken place since the Great War, 1914-18, it is with deep sadness to me that Gillingham War

Baden-Powell protectors

I WOULD like to respond to the article ‘Baden-Powell: The story of a complicated man’ (New Blackmore Vale, October 28) and the claim that “scouts clashed with political activists as crowds of bewildered locals looked on”.

My recollection of June 11 2020 at Poole Harbour was that no protesters sought to remove the statue of Baden-Powell.

Indeed, there were more members of the press than anyone hoping this would happen.

The rest of us were there to protect the statue. In my picture (attached) was a teacher – and me – who was proclaiming that we cannot rewrite history. I have another picture of scouts who arrived from Wales.

It was raining and we left for home as more locals arrived.

Memorial remains hidden and neglected.

It used to stand proud in the high street but now stands towards the back of the town car park where, unless you know where it is, you will probably need a sat-nav to find it. I have been informed that it is scheduled to be cleaned before Remembrance Day but as of 3 November still no action.

Had the memorial remained in its original place in the high

The overall opinion was that the statue would not be removed and the locals would make sure of it by standing guard.

It was not removed and it was boxed up for protection. A win-win of sorts for common sense.

Eileen Tyrrell via email

street it would never have been allowed to get into this awful state where it is not even possible to read the inscription.

The phrase ‘lest we forget’ seems a bit hollow here.

It can be put right and it must be put right, and this wonderful memorial reinstated in the original position and respect shown to those who laid down their lives for a better tomorrow.

God Bless them all.

Dennis Davison Gillingham

Did you remember us?

Remembrance Day and big parade

The bugle blown, the poppies laid And tears are shed for those most fear Who died for us and are not here

Did you stand and say a prayer Thinking of those souls out there? Lying in a grave so cold Lots of men with names untold

Did you think of the price we paid And who in far-off fields are laid? Deep in the cold and lonely ground We cannot hear the bugle sound

We gave our lives so long ago When we came here to fight the foe With soldiers from the world so wide We fought so hard, but so many died

Nevermore the fields to roam Nevermore to see our home

We gave our lives so you’d be free To see the sun, the stars, the sea

So live your life and heed our call Be kind and loving to one and all But most of all to those most dear Hold them close and keep them near

Our bodies lie in some cold grave But our dear Lord our souls did save He gathered all from far and wide And now we sit here at his side

So when you stop to think and pray Remember what you’ve read today We had a heavy price to pay So you could stand, so quiet and say

We will remember them

DENNIS DAVISON

S.S.A.P.C SORTOUT

Yeovil Football Club

20th November 7:30pm

CHRISTMAS STALLS WITH

AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR

Okeford fitzpaine village hall Sunday 13th November 11-4pm Free entry

JUMBLE SALE

Saturday 19th November 10.30 am – 12.30pm North Cadbury Village Hall

SHAFTESBURY LIBRARY COMMUNITY POLICING SURGERY with PCSO

5382 Leatt. Thursday 17th November 10.00 – 11.00am

COFFEE

AT VILLAGE HALL, Lydlinch. Saturday 3rd December 10am-1pm. Entry £3 including coffee and mince pie. In aid of the Church

THE SWANS TRUST AGM

- THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be held at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, at 6pm on 17th November 2022. (It will be upstairs in the Rutter Room)

All welcome to attend. (especially members)

SIXPENNY

HANDLEY

COMMUNITY CINEMA

Downton Abbey: A New Era Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Friday 18 November / 7.00 pm / £5 Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

POP-UP SHOP SAT 3

DECEMBER 9.30AM - 12 NOON. Not quite perfect gluten free cakes at perfect prices. Dairy free/vegan options. Stock up your freezer for Christmas. Our ONLINE SHOP has stocking fillers & Christmas gifts galore. We can send your gift directly to the lucky recipient too. www.honeybuns.co.uk Honeybuns, Naish Farm, Stony Lane, Holwell DT9 5LJ

CHILD OKEFORD VILLAGE HALL

Friday 11th November

Doors open 6:30pm. Eyes down 7:30pm.

CHARITY CHRISTMAS BINGO for The Breast Cancer Unit in Yeovil on 12th November. Eyes Down at 7:30pm Wincanton Memorial Hall.

MILBORNE PORT

CHRISTMAS FAIR

in aid of the Friends of Milborne Port Library

Saturday 10th December 10am-2.30pm

Milborne Port Village Hall, Springfield Road

THE NEXT MEETING OF GILLINGHAM LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY is at 2.30 on 15 November at the Methodist Church Hall

LOTS OF SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES SELLING BEAUTIFUL ITEMS. Perfect for gifts at Christmas. Supporting Weldmar Hospice and Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance. FREE ENTRY

Saturday 12 November 9-5

Saturday 19 November 9-5

Sunday 20 November 10-4

Sunday 27th November 10-4

TABLE TOP SALE in aid of air ambulance at shaftesbury town hall on Saturday 12th November at 9am till 4pm

JUMBLE SALE

Saturday 12th November @ 2:30pm. Scout Community Hall, Milton, Gillingham. Entry 50p

BINGO AT THE VICARAGE SCHOOL ROOM, GILLINGHAM 22nd November doors open 6.30pm Raising funds for Gillingham Live July 8th

THE MILL SINGERS at Charlton Marshall

Village Hall DT11 9PF Saturday 26 November 7.00pm for 7.30pm

A evening of early Christmas entertainment Free entry, refreshments www.cmvh.org.uk

NEW AND USED RAILWAY BOOK DVD & Memorabilia Sale, Saturday 19th November, Frome Cricket Club, BA11 2AH. 10am-1pmFree admission

CHARLTON MARSHALL VILLAGE HALL

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR DT11 9PF

Saturday 19 November 10.30am-3.00pm

An ideal time to get those Christmas presents Free entry, refreshments, raffle for Blandford Food Bank www.cmvh.org.uk

ROCK AND ROLL, listen have a dance, tea and cake & raffle all £3. Tuesday 18th October 2 til 4pm. Vicarage school room, Gillingham

CHRISTMAS PRIZE BINGO

Saturday 26th November

Doors open 7pm Eyes down 7.30pm East Stour Village Hall. SP8 5JY ONLY £8 full book 8 games FREE FLYER game

SANTA'S CHRISTMAS

SPECIAL EVENING

Saturday 26th November

- Wincanton Community Hospital 4pm-8:30pm BBQ, storytelling, face painting, stalls, rides & many more – meet Santa at 4pm All proceeds to The Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital

MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

FOOD AND CRAFT FAIR, Sunday 27th November at Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Gillingham, SP8 4HX, from 10-4. A brilliant family day, with over 60 handmade stalls, choirs, Children's play area and Father Christmas.

FREE ENTRY

DORSET CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT FOR REMEMBRANCE

Karl Jenkins ~ Requiem Saturday 12th November 7:30 pm at St John’s Church, Macaulay Road, Broadstone BH18 8AR

Tickets £12 on the door (students/children £5)

A LOVELY PROGRAMME OF MUSIC FOR STRING ORCHESTRA by Nordic composers, including Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg. Tickets £12 from the Bridport Music Centre and The Book Shop, Bridport, and on the door. St Swithun's Church, North Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU, 3pm on 20th November.

Children Free

STURMINSTER AND HINTON

CC GRAND CHRISTMAS BINGO. Wednesday 30th November at the Exchange Sturminster Newton Doors open 6pm eyes down 7.15pm

LYN'S BINGO AT MARNHULL

Royal British Legion on Monday November 14th. Eyes down 7pm

BACON BAP AND CRAFT FUNDRAISING EVENT in aid of CCLL Ukrainian Crisis Fund 12th November Cheap street church hall Sherborne 9.15am-12.30pm

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEMONSTRATION

Shaftesbury Arts Centre Monday 21st November 7.30pm watch International Demonstrator Michael Bowyer with his dem A Classic Christmas Tickets £15 Call Liz 01747 840074

CHRISTMAS FAIR STOUR PROVOST

VILLAGE HALL Saturday 26th November 11am-2pm

COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel. Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918 www.country-link.org.uk

Traditional Dorset celebration of Christmas

THE Ridgeway Singers & Band are once again tuning their fiddles and voices to present a celebration of Christmas past and present in a concert at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull.

Led by folk musicians Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, the group will perform a festive programme inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols from the South Dorset Ridgeway area.

Traditionally sung by village choirs in English country churches, West Gallery music’s demise was brought about by the innovations of the organ and harmonium.

West Gallery carols and the accompanying musicians who played the fiddle, cello and serpent might have been no more than a footnote in history if it had not been for this style

Journey to the South Pacific...

THE Oborne Village Hall Charity has invited author Wolfgang Grulke to warm visitors up this autumn with tales of the tropical South Pacific.

Wolfgang is well known for his award-wining books on his fossil collection in Oborne many locals have visited. Now, he has turned his attention to the islands of the South Pacific – specifically to the local cultures and myths, and how these are celebrated in festivals using spectacular adornments highly valued by tribal art collectors worldwide.

The people’s cultures were shaped over centuries by Chinese, Arab and Malay

of popular music being recorded by writers such as Thomas Hardy in the stories and poems in which he evoked the singers and musicians who performed it.

This year’s seasonal programme by the singers and band will include works from the Hinton St Mary and Fordington manuscripts, together with original carols

composed in the West Gallery tradition, including One Bright Star by Tim Laycock. This heart-warming seasonal celebration of all things Dorset will also include sparkling instrumental pieces and midwinter stories, plus a few Ridgeway favourites.

The Ridgeway Singers & Band are performing in Marnhull on Sunday 4 December at 4pm –refreshments and mince pies will be served. Tickets and further information are available from 01258 820458 and online at www.artsreach.co.uk

SERBIA’S leading Roma violinist Branko Ristic and UK accordionist Faith Ristic return to Dorset this month for a two-date tour with Artsreach, Dorset’s touring arts charity.

Faith i Branko perform high-energy original Roma/Jazz influenced music and perform at Blandford Corn Exchange (01258 480698) at 8pm on Friday 18 November, and Chetnole village hall (07966 177789) at 7.30pm on Saturday 19 November.

Further information and tickets are also online at www.artsreach.co.uk

traders, European missionaries and soldiers fighting the ‘War in the Pacific’ on their lands.

Wolfgang said: “As my wife and I explored and dived the remote islands of the South Seas, we would witness some of the most diverse reefs on the planet, meet people who spoke more than 1,000 languages and listen to tribal elders who remembered the taste of human flesh.”

Wolfgang will give an illustrated talk at Oborne village hall on Friday 18 November at 7pm for 7.30pm on his adventures in the South Seas and how he came to write about tribal adornments.

Tickets are £10 – all proceeds go to the village hall charity – and include a glass of wine and nibbles. For tickets, email OborneEvents@ gmail.com or phone 07866 933736.

Portrait artist set to visit gallery

ARTIST Andrew James RP NEAC will be sharing his skills at the Summerleaze Gallery, near East Knoyle, later this month.

He is doing a portrait demonstration on the afternoon of Thursday November 24 over a couple of hours followed by tea, and tutoring a portrait workshop – ‘Expressive Colour Use in Portrait Painting’ – on Friday and Saturday 25 and 26 November.

Everyone is welcome, novices and professionals.

Andrew paints large, demonstrative paintings and his approach to portraiture is primarily about colour.

Josephine Connolly organises Workshops for Artists at the gallery – her husband Anthony is president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

This year’s programme ends on 5 December with Victoria Jinivizian from The New English Art Club, who is visiting for a one-day workshop, ‘Drawing The Interior’.

Two Andrew James portraits

The Ridgeway singers and Band are performing in Marnhull

PHOTO: Howard J Payton

MEMBERS of Mere Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS) were tidying their Drama Room when they discovered Aladdin’s Lamp at the back of the props cupboard where it had lain unused for 19 years.

They decided to give it a polish and…Flash! Bang! Wallop! Well, you know what happened. The Genie told them in no uncertain terms it was

high time he was allowed back on the stage of the Lecture Hall. And who dare disagree?

So, this November MADS presents A Ladd in Mere, a traditional pantomime with a local touch, refreshed and updated by its author, MADS stalwart Chris Wood, assisted by Jon Noble.

The Genie of the Lamp makes his comeback to help

Aladdin win the hand of the beautiful princess. All the traditional characters, the goodies and baddies, are played by MADS members assisted by local children.

Music is provided by Alan Benson and Mike Durkee, and audience members are expected to boo, hiss and shout as appropriate.

Evening performances are at

the Lecture Hall, Mere, from Thursday November 17 to Saturday November 19 at 7.30pm plus a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets priced adults £8, children £4 are available by email at tickets@mereamdram. co.uk by phone on 01747 861257 or 07539 329798 or in person from Mere Library and Sprout & Flower.

Flash, bang, wallop – it’s Aladdin! Inventive and gripping comedy-horror

INSPIRED by gothic horror movie classics of the 1930s, Is That a Bolt in Your Neck? is heading to Stalbridge as part of the Artsreach autumn season of performances in rural communities.

A castle looms dark and foreboding over a small mountain village. Inside, Dr Chekhov, the brilliant and reclusive scientist, works in secret. As the villagers prepare for Christmas, they become increasingly alarmed. Strange shadows can be seen at the castle windows, and every night blood curdling cries of pain can be heard. What is Dr Chekhov

doing? What hideous experiments is he perpetrating? What unimaginable horror might emerge from his laboratory? And will any of it spoil Christmas?

All will be revealed in this inventive and gripping comedy-horror.

Is That a Bolt in Your Neck? is packed full of hilarious slapstick, verbal wit and magical illusion and is at Stalbridge Hall (01963 362978) on Saturday 19 November at 7.30pm. Further information and tickets are also available online at www. artsreach.co.uk

THE Sixpenny Sessions team say Track Dogs will be bringing their Where to Now album tour to Sixpenny Handley village hall on Saturday (12 November).

Track Dogs, based in Madrid, is made up of two Irish men, an English man and an American who have come together to create a unique brand of acoustic music, which blurs the lines of genres. Infectious latino beats merge seamlessly into Americana, folk and a sprinkling of bluegrass.

“We guarantee you will not be able to stay in your seat,” said Penny from Sixpenny Sessions. “Track Dogs have

been sweeping the UK summer festival scene leaving behind a dancing army of new fans wherever they’ve been! We are thrilled they are coming to a Sixpenny Session and would like to invite New Blackmore Vale magazine readers to join us for an evening fiesta that they will be talking about long after the stage lights go out.”

The concert is at the village hall in Common Road (SP5 5NJ) at 8pm. Tickets cost £14 and are available online via www.eventbrite.co.uk – search for Sixpenny Sessions – from Clarke’s the Butcher, 55 High Street, Sixpenny Handley, or on the door.

Ready, steady –it’s panto-time!

PANTO season will soon arrive at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil with what promises to be one of the most fun-filled pantomimes seen at the theatre in recent years – Dick Whittington

The show runs from Friday 9 December with the last performance on Sunday 1 January 2023.

Once again, the production will be written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution Productions – the same creative collaboration celebrating ten years with the theatre.

Familiar faces are being welcomed back with the brilliantly funny Jack Glanville, Thom Bradford, Kathryn Nash and Gordon Cooper set to tread the boards at The Octagon. Jack and Gordon are well known at the theatre – Thom and Kathryn were both in Snow White and

the Seven Dwarfs and Nurse Nellie Saves Panto, so will be familiar faces to some.

This year the theatre welcome to the stage for the first time the delightful Javana Forrest playing Alice and the dashing Daniel Parkinson, playing Dick Whittington. Completing the principal cast is locally-born James Bamford who is playing Tommy the Cat.

Tickets start at £16 with family saver offers for some performances. The theatre is staging 42 shows, which are selling out fast, some having already sold out.

Martin Hacker, marketing manager for The Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue, said: “We are really excited to welcome Evolution Productions back for its tenth production here at The

Octagon this year and we expect it to be the best yet.

“The highlight of the year is always our pantomime season as friends and families come together for their annual visit to the pantomime and share the laughter, joy and magic of live theatre.

“Nothing pleases us more when we see our patrons enjoying the show with friends and family, getting into the

panto spirit and joining in. Our tickets are starting to get limited so we urge you to book now before it is too late.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.octagon-theatre. co.uk, by calling the box office on 01935 422884 or by visiting the box office during opening hours.

The show was originally pencilled to be performed in December 2020.

Dick Whittington will provide festive entertainment at The Octagon

Town’s showcase for arts and crafts

MORE than 30 exhibitors, amateurs and professionals, are set to showcase their art and craft skills in Creative Mere.

The event will include everything from clocks to card making, wood turning to watercolours, sculpture to sewing and spinning – and lots of opportunities for ‘hands-on’ experiences.

Exhibitor Ian Fraser took up wood carving as a creative hobby when he retired. He started with a tutor – a professional stone carver – by using a soft wood, a block of lime, and his first piece was a relief carving of bracket fungi. He slowly progressed to use other types of wood, some of which were very hard, such as a

piece of oak timber beam that was probably well over 400 years old. His range of tools in the rack has increased as he has become more experienced.

Laura Sanderson, of Shreen Water Gallery, sells her work at her cottage alongside the River Shreen. She will bring a display of her ceramic pieces including servers, beakers, bowls, storage

jars and dishes in Brushmarks, Garden & Hedgerow and Blue & White Slipware patterns.

Creative Mere, which first ran in 2017, is being held on Saturday and Sunday November 26 and 27 in the Lecture Hall, Grove Building and other venues in the town. Entry is by programme available on the door at £3.

Accessible opera and musical theatre

MUSIC lovers can enjoy the critically acclaimed Opera Holloway when it presents Opera Gala in St Andrew’s Church, Yetminster, later this month.

The event will feature operatic solos and ensembles from soprano Callie Gaston, tenor William Branston and baritone Sam Oram. A variety of well-loved opera arias, duets and ensembles will be followed by musical theatre classics.

Opera Holloway was formed in 2009 to give young artists the chance to perform at the early stages of their careers and has since developed a reputation for introducing new audiences to opera by making its productions widely accessible to all.

Opera Holloway performs in Yetminster on Friday 18 November at 7.30pm. Further information and tickets are available from 01935 873546 or online at www.artsreach.co.uk

Items for Sale

5ft CHUNKY PINE BED plus nearly new mattress £150 07966 439383

BABY GRAND PIANO. Obermeier. £500 Contact 07799 418522

TTA SUPERSPORT ALLTERRAIN MOBILITY SCOOTER. Tel evenings 01935 814440

UNWANTED GIFT BOSCH DRYER classixx7WTW 84106GB £120 Bruton 01749 812296

REDLAND STONEWOLD CLAY TILES

430mm x 380mm 200 £200 the lot 07474 350167

OLD CHUCH PEWS £300 each, Approx Width 8ft 4", depth 1ft 8", height 3ft 2" rosemarienewman@ btinternet.com 07936 461150

VOLT BURLINGTON

ELECTRIC BIKE

Very good condition. Large lock, carrier. Bargain £595 01747 838788

FERGUSON T20 DIESEL good runner new back tyres with 2 to tipping trailer and 48" topper. £2,000 Tel 01258 880964

PARROT CAGE 4 feet long x 5 feet high x 30 inches wide. Electric reclining chair & XXL microwave Tel 01747 841088 – 07855 820332

FREE

SUPER SOFT PILLOW 12ft long C U shape good for pregnancy, Back , Leg support Bamboo cover, new £10, 01985 844606

CHRISTMAS

DECORATIONS: 60 plus items baubles, garlands, angels, lights etc £8 lot. Trees and more lots more available 01747 835680

MR MEN SET BOXED 45 BOOKS, Little Miss set boxed 35 books - all new condition. £15 lot 01747 835680

DUBLIN RIVERBOOTS Size 10, never worn £49 Tel: 07936 107031

LARGE WOODEN DOLLS HOUSE Excellent condition. 61 x 57 x 43 cms. 2 Floors and attic accessible. £45 07814 512027

OAK WARDROBE 1534mm x 580mm x 1970mm. £50. Reasonable offers accepted. Contact 01747 853602

BRABANTIA SIZE C

IRONING BOARD. 124cm x 45cm x 90cm high. As new £50 ono. 01258 817445

ADJUSTABLE SINGLE BED WORKING ORDER MATTRESS headboard £40.00 Wheelchair £30.00 Golf clubs and trolley (old) £10.00 Contact 07834 620585

MECHANICAL WINE/ CIDER PRESS. Complete. Used once. 20cm internal diameter + 3 x 22 litre fermentation casks. £40. 01963 845162

AIRFIX 90 YEARS OF FIGHTERS commemorative gift set.7 classic aircraft boxed and unopened ready for assembly. £30. 07747 098126

PAIR OF ROOF RACK BARS, as new. Volvo XC60 2012-2017 £20 Tel: 07401 501181

MARSHAL ARTS EQUIPMENT, GLOVES SHOES SHIN PADS etc as new, size 7-14 years lovely Xmas present tel 01747 822422 £20

NATIVITY SCENE, Austrian, terra cotta £10. Tel. 01963 34498

TECHNICAL DRAWING Equipment. ROTRING Rapidograph college set inc 3 pens, Rotring Convex compass, Jakar Beam compass, variety of plastic set squares and shape templates. All GC. £18 Phone 07968 702904

FENCE PANELS 6ft x 6ft used but good condition Qty 5 £5 each Tel 07765 635330

MARBLE TOP ROUND TABLE with chrome legs. 90 cm Diameter. Good Condition. £50.00. 01935 671909

JACKS OF LONDON CROQUET SET, Phillips hostess trolley, Blanca Press £50 each 01725 516254 Farnham, Dorset

75 CERAMIC FLOOR TILES, grey and white, 30x30 cm £25jonesodowd@btinternet.com

ARTIST'S EASEL plus quantity of art materials paints and paper. £23 cash only. 01935 872269

COPPER KETTLE - £30 Large copper planters - £35 each ring BVM Office if interested 01963 400186

34 MINIATURE SHOES & BOOTS 2 Miniature Handbags worth over £70 - will accept £50 + boxes & stand. 01258 473474

OIL FILLED RADIATOR 2.5Kw, 11fin, thermostat, timer. £40 Tel: 01747 822167

BRITAX ROMER CAR SEAT, suitable up to 8years vgc. £45. 01258 863419

2 SINGLE BEDS £25

3 single headboards £20 Ladies beautiful brown leather boots high heels nice quality size 6.5 01202 692730

UPRIGHT GRAND PIANO, Seidel succ. Garn, Berlin, excellent condition, free on collection, plus piano stool if required. 01963 210303

TWO HALF BARREL PLANT TUBS, 65cm dia, 40-30 cm deep holding each 100L compost approx. weathered £10; Tel 07774-628641

VARIOUS SETS OF BOWLS (woods),bags,shoes - £25 Tel: 01258 820641

MEN'S MONSOON OVERALLS in blue poly cotton size 42L £15 a pair(still in original packaging) Tel 07721 530520

WOOD & FIREWOOD - free 07791 209119

ATLAS 5 1/4 X 30 INCH LATHE - £600. Dore-Westbury Mill oblique drill - £800. Accessories and other workshop machinery and tools. 01258 473211

To place your classified adverts

CLASSIFIEDS

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine call Lizzie 01963 400186

WANTED

PLEASE SEND USED STAMPS TO: 25b Festival Avenue, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 9HE I collect them for donkeys that have been ill-treated. Thank you for your support.

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

FREE AD up to £50 1 ad per contact number please limit to 20 words or less

Rishi is my kind of Conservative

I WAS pleased to be called in Prime Minister’s Questions

– Rishi Sunak’s second time at the Dispatch Box as our Prime Minister – to raise the important issues of the recruitment and retention of GPs and dentists in rural areas.

I know from my inbox how important these services are to us across North Dorset and the concern that many have in accessing, in a timely fashion, the help people needed.

It is a concern not reserved to users of those important services, I know from my conversations with local providers that they too are concerned about recruitment and retention and getting more people into training.

The PM, like me, represents a rural constituency. The issues I am concerned with are not unique to North Dorset. They manifest themselves across the country. I was pleased to hear

that the Government is alert to the issues I raised and has emerging plans to seek to address them.

Quite a lot of people have asked me two things in recent weeks: why did I back Rishi Sunak to be PM and what to expect from a Sunak

Premiership.

Turning to the last point first, I think many of us were somewhat relieved when we heard Michael Gove say that the Government was going to be boring. I must admit to letting out a small cheer when I heard this. The country has been through a lot in recent years – big upheavals and politics not functioning in the way we have come to expect. A bit of a white-knuckle ride, where we have been barely able to catch our breaths and have hardly known up from down.

We have entered a calmer period. I expect the Government will seek to do fewer things and do them better. I believe our political atmosphere will be more sedate with Ministers seeking to deliver policies that can unite rather than divide. We have an end of populism and a more traditional approach to

what it means to govern the UK.

My words above I hope indicate why I wanted to seek Rishi as our PM. In an imagedriven age, he certainly looks and sounds like a Prime Minister. I hope we can all have confidence in him as he wrestles with the challenges at home and abroad. No one need doubt his instincts or his character. I have had the privilege of calling him a friend since 2015.

Rishi is a sincere and honest man, totally committed to serving our country. He is respectful of our institutions. He is fact and data driven. He is a team builder. He wants to unite rather than divide our country. He is a quiet, no nonsense, traditional Conservative –pragmatic and sensible in how he approaches issues. He is my kind of Conservative. I know the country will grow to trust and admire him as I do.

New era of austerity in the pipeline

THE news is full of proposed tax increases. The Government does this to spook you, before then making you feel grateful when not all of the tax increases come to pass.

Hunt will have to follow through on some of the Treasury ‘leaks’ on November 17. The Tories were running an ‘underlying’ budget deficit of about £15bn before Kami-Kwasi Kwarteng. Once he’d collapsed UK’s credibility in the bond markets, borrowing costs soared and now Hunt contemplates nearly £40bn of cuts to return borrowing to a level consistent with debt falling as a share of GDP in the medium term.

To put that figure in to perspective, the NHS’s yearly budget is £176bn; Defence is £48bn. The magnitude of George Osborne’s austerity programme was £110bn. What

we are about to go through is a sequel to the Cameron/ Osborne era. The cuts required may look lower, but bear in mind that pubic services were relatively well funded under Brown, and inflation was low. Another round of Tory austerity will be much harder than the first.

Attention inevitably moves to tax rises instead. The Conservatives have already pushed taxes to their highest level since the Second World War. Their decade of mismanagement means they will have to put them up even further, because they cannot risk the NHS and other public services collapsing. Their calculus is the public would never forgive them for that, but with taxes rises, the public believes Labour would put them up too. Indeed, a trap can be created for Labour. If Labour opposes tax rises, the Tories will say Labour voted against funding for the NHS – like they did with the now scrapped NI increase.

Labour shouldn’t have to play this game. The reason taxes have to go up is because the Tories have tanked the economy. But that causality will get lost in reporters’ desire to whittle every issue

down to a binary question.

Labour should differentiate by which taxes it would raise instead. It has been mooted for years now that the taxes on capital should be equalised with those levied on work.

Aligning Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax would bring in £14bn for the Treasury. A further £6bn a year would be raised if dividend income were taxed at the same rate as employment income.

The UK could follow the US and introduce taxes on share buy backs. FTSE 100 companies – particularly oil and gas ones – are generating so much cash from trading and other non-windfall tax revenues. A one per cent tax wouldn’t raise much, but would help incentivise companies to invest their profits instead of handing it to shareholders, thereby helping with the UK’s productivity problem.

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare

Remembrance is more vital now than at any time in our history

POIGNANT moments such as Remembrance Sunday services allow us to detach ourselves momentarily from everyday life, together with those with which we may otherwise disagree, in the unified act of remembering those who gave the most invaluable gift of all: their life, in the hope their fellow citizens and future generations could lead a more free and peaceful life.

Remembrance is more vital now than at any time in history. The last First World War veterans died about ten years ago and many of the remaining veterans of the Second World War have now left us – Captain Tom, Harry Billinge, Prince Phillip and now Queen Elizabeth being recent examples. But we are still incredibly lucky to have many Second World War veterans to learn from – I

have certainly learnt a great amount from veterans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting recently as your MP.

This year especially with

the war in Ukraine, I will be thinking of the many troops deployed in places like Estonia over this period, some of whom I met recently. Many of these brave men and women will be remembering their own friends lost in previous recent conflicts.

The Royal British Legion does a very important job raising money to help those who gave so much for our country and also educating us about the sacrifices made. It was great to see so many of my colleagues in Parliament recognise that, especially with the Prime Minister joining volunteers selling poppies for the Royal British Legion in Westminster tube station in the rush hour only a few days ago.

Last week, the national conversation has been centred on the problems unfolding at the Marston Immigration

Centre in Kent. The message I am getting from my constituents, and the message I am carrying forth to Westminster, is of urgency to get this under control.

The Home Secretary has come under pressure in recent weeks - one such critic being the Prime Minister of Albania, who seems to have far more concern over what the British Home Secretary has to say rather than problems affecting his own country. Mainly, why so many people are fleeing the country under his leadership to enter the UK illegally, that Albanians constitute one of the highest proportions of asylum seekers entering the UK to date. To fully get to grips with this, we need co-operation, pragmatism and support from all European states concerned, which, right now, is hard to come by.

I don’t envy the Chancellor’s choices

LAST month I was in Finland undertaking a weekend of activity as a Naval reservist when I had a call from Downing Street asking me to return to the front bench as Minister for Defence People.

Next day I arrived at the MOD to find an Urgent Question had been granted in the Commons which meant I had a couple of hours to become an instant expert before facing my tormentors at the Despatch Box. Still, Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail said nice things about my debut, which raised a smile.

Every Remembrance

Sunday I do two services –one in Trowbridge, the county town, and one in the afternoon in Warminster. Except this year. It’s the 40th

anniversary of the Falklands War and a number of veterans and families will return to pay

their respects.

I was a medical student in 1982 and far removed from the action. But this year I’m representing the Government in Port Stanley, which is a privilege.

Back at home my wreathes will be laid by fellow members of the Royal British Legion and in Warminster, where I’m branch president, my place will be taken by our very able chairman, who is himself a South Atlantic veteran.

Becoming a minister again means divesting myself of parliamentary roles I have accrued on the backbench such as chairing the all-party group on the National Trust which I established a few months ago. I will no longer be able, for example, to take

such an active role in UKMorocco relations which is a pity as we have achieved quite a lot.

Eyes down for the Budget on 17 November.

We just have to drive down inflation, which means making savings and raising tax. I loath the prospect but who can be surprised after the twin shocks of Covid and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

I console myself with the thought that predictions and forecasts are rarely entirely accurate and that, since the economic fundamentals in the UK remain positive, we may have a sharp dip followed by a relatively smart recovery towards the end of next year. But I don’t envy the Chancellor his choices.

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire

Dr Andrew Murrison

Conservative MP for West Dorset Chris Loder

The three Rs: Refresh, reduce, replace

WE all need to save energy. No question. It used to be called Doing Our Bit. There is a fine line we have found between offering guidance on what we can do to save energy and offending people by being patronising. In the absence of a central government campaign, the core advice put out by Dorset Council covers the ground well enough. There is still the need, though, to find the motivation to fill the gap between knowing what you should do and actually doing it. Good old Inertia! Back in the day at work, we had an expression to address this problem: Just – for example, bloomin’ – Do It. Insert your own preferred expletive. In looking to find a more userfriendly way, we are adopting a different mnemonic: three Rs –Refresh, Reduce, Replace.

Refresh: make sure you have essential maintenance done; take the insulation and draughtproofing measures you can

afford. Also, dust off how you do things. For example, meeting and eating with friends more often to make heating and cooking go further.

Reduce: mostly pretty obvious measures about thermostats and temperature settings but also getting into the routine of

switching off unnecessary lights, equipment etc. I have moved where I work from upstairs to downstairs, so we don’t have to keep the whole house warm. My first approach – typing with gloves on – was a failure.

Replace: slow cooker for oven, stove-top for oven, microwave the vegetables, shower for bath, LED for carbon filament bulbs and so on.

The other problem beyond finding the motivation is being accused of being a little Hitler. Indeed. Staying positive and cheerful is the better route and much more Lib Dem.

I am disappointed, though, with the emerging tone of our new Prime Minister. There is, for example, the simple, straightforward, ineluctable, cast-iron fact that this crew have been running the shop since 2010. Thus, the effects of further austerity and general belttightening of already cash-

strapped services, local and national, will be a function of their 12-year performance. Thus, the disgraceful and chaotic position with immigration is their fault alone.

They also wholly own the likely deferral/diminution of improvements to Social Care.

The glib and slightly smug stance of the PM at the Despatch Box is out of place. It would be good to have a bit of statesmanship, a due humility, an inclusive approach. I am reminded of the Gen Z philosophy student who says to her professor: “I don’t want to know what Aristotle thought, I want to know how he felt.”

Emotion replacing logic and judgement? No. There lies the path to chaos. Instead, let’s refresh the system, reduce the defensiveness and replace the aggressive rhetoric. Let’s get a proper plan in place. One we can all get behind.

Environment our most pressing issue

I KNOW they are not for everyone, but I love rollercoasters, with their mash up of anticipation, exhilaration and anxiety. There’s something about their manic twists and turns, and grindingly slow climbs to a peak followed by a gut-wrenching drop into a trough. Some even have a corkscrew, where you briefly don’t know which way is up.

You might think it an appropriate metaphor for the present state of UK politics but consider another ride I remember that was called the Black Hole. In near total darkness it plummeted downwards in a death spiral at breakneck speed.

After the crashing end of the disaster that was Truss’s brief attempt at government, the hope was that Sunak would be a steadying influence as Prime Minister. It was an all too short moment of hope, brought rudely back to earth with the

announcement of his new cabinet, which included the removal from cabinet meetings of the UK’s president of COP26, Alok Sharma, and the climate minister Graham Stuart.

Despite his previous promise to prioritise the environment, Sunak also announced that he would not attend the COP27

summit because of ‘pressing domestic commitments’. It was also confirmed that King Charles would remain effectively banned from attending the summit.

This all sent the totally wrong message that the environmental crisis can wait, when the opposite is true. Some of the most pressing problems we face today have arisen in part because for decades politicians have delayed taking adequate action to tackle environmental issues.

With regard to our dependence on fossil fuels, this includes failing to insulate older homes, failing to build new homes to appropriate standards, and failing to adequately develop renewable energy sources and storage.

This is now costing us dearly, especially those who can least afford it. The longer we leave it the more it will cost, in lives and livelihoods as well as

finance.

Some argue that we can’t afford action, but inaction would cost vastly more. And besides, we now actually have a golden opportunity to rebuild the world economy in a truly sustainable way, focussing on quality of life instead of the accumulation of money and stuff.

After much criticism there has now thankfully been another screeching government U-turn, and Sunak will attend COP27 after all. The UK needs to inspire international cooperation to take the actions required to urgently address the environmental crisis.

It is the most pressing issue of our time, bar none, and dealing with it properly can create a better life for us all. Let’s get that rollercoaster heading upwards and avoid any downward plunges!

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

Mike Chapman on behalf of Liberal Democrats across the Blackmore Vale

Smart Sharks begin Junior Cup defence

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

The Lodge FC 1 Tisbury Utd FC

3

Wilts Junior Cup 2nd Round

By Dan Carter

TISBURY kicked off in style thanks to sponsors Johnsons Stalbridge Linen sponsoring their new match day polo shirts. Johnsons have supported the club for several seasons and the team paid them back with a first win in their new strip in the Wilts Junior Cup.

‘The Sharks’ began their defence of the WJC with a trip to the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster to take on Trowbridge & District League side The Lodge FC.

Tisbury started the game brightly but failed to create anything meaningful as The Lodge seized the initiative. Despite being in the ascendancy they were unable to work

United keeper Cardy until Jack Mitchell gave away a penalty. Despite guessing the correct way Cardy was unable to save the low hit shot as the hosts took the lead.

At a goal down at half-time and in danger of going out of the cup United rallied and were much better in the second half. Archie Few levelled the score on 65 minutes with a sweet first-time strike from 20 yards. This seemed to dent The

Lodge’s belief and Hatch scored a second five minutes later, finishing well at the back post with his right foot.

It was one-way traffic at this point and Tisbury’s pathway to the third round was secured when Andy Faulkner raced clear to finish well after being played in by Bealer on 80 minutes.

The Sharks will face Swindon & District side Lower Stratton in the third round.

Club captains for 2023

GOLF

AS the golfing season draws to a close, so does the captain’s year in office at Yeovil Golf Club.

The 2022 captains, Paul Kitto, Isabelle Mace and Chloe Northover, handed over the baton at the club’s annual meeting to club captain Gary Wilshaw, lady captain Paula Skinner and junior captain Archie Tolman.

This was followed the next day by the captain’s drive-in competition. A full field of 148 players playing in teams of four enjoyed a fun Texas Scramble event in which each player plays from the same position, chooses the best shot and repeats the process until the ball is holed out.

As part of the event,

FOOTBALL

New signing bags hat-trick

Shaftesbury FC 4 Gillingham Town FC 2

By Avril Lancaster

SHAFTESBURY progressed to the second round of the Dorset Senior Cup after beating the Toolstation Western League visitors.

New signing Bailey Rowe scored a hat-trick – one penalty – after Luke Delaney opened the scoring on a cold and wet night at Coppice Street, which reduced the crowd to 126.

Rowe debuted along with Ryan Cluett – from Sholing – in the Rockies line up. The visitors put up a good show with their goals coming from Jordan Clapp and skipper Jack Dicker.

The Rockies go into the hat alongside the likes of Weymouth and Dorchester Town.

TABLE TENNIS

competitors also had the opportunity to guess how far the new captain’s drive-in shots would go from the first tee with all guesses giving £1 to the captain’s charity for the year, Fairmead School in Yeovil. This raised more than £100 which was added to other donations and started the year off with

more than £600 for the charity.

The winning Texas Scramble competition team were new club captain Gary Wilshaw, lady captain Paula Skinner and their playing partners Simon Coates and James Malcolm with a nett score of 52.

A further five teams recorded nett scores of 54.

WINCANTON Golf Club results. Monthly medal – 30 October.

Phil Francis

4

The Tisbury Utd line-up

Yeovil Golf Club captains for 2023 (from left) Archie Tolman, Paula Skinner and Gary Wilshaw

Trevis proves constant threat

By Andrew Wallace Clune NDRFC 1st XV41 Blandford 7 NDRFC 2nd XV 8

Bradford on Avon 19

NORTH Dorset 1st XV took on old rivals Blandford at Slaughtergate and rectified their recent slow starts scoring two tries through rolling mauls within ten minutes, both through the front row, the first to tighthead prop David Stickland and the second to loose head Jaime Bettesworth.

Sam Trevis scored in the corner midway through the first half and the score remained 15-0 to North at half--time.

Adam Trevis scored first in the second half with Sam Jones adding the extras but Blandford’s open side flanker Haydn Shafford hit back almost immediately with a scything run to touch down under the sticks and the extras were added.

This fired up the home side, who swiftly responded with converted tries through Sean Perry and Adam Trevis, before Tom Spinney scored at the close

RUGBY

of the game to see North Dorset retain the Badger Cup 41-7.

Ben Parker, Henry Baron and Will Collins all had strong matches, as did Robbie Sampson, who enjoyed a return to scrum-half, but it was Adam Trevis who received the Gritchie Brewing Company man of the match for his two tries, and proving a constant threat with the ball in hand.

Jaime Bettesworth was awarded the John O’Kala Trophy for consistent performance.

n THE second XV lost 19-8 to Bradford on Avon away in a spirited match that saw Ben Stokes score North’s only try and Kurt Murray add three penalty points. Murray was awarded man of the match for sterling work at full back.

Combe Down 0

NDRFC 1st XV 23 NDRFC 2nd XV 0 Corsham 38

NORTH Dorset 1st XV travelled to Combe Down for the first of the ‘winter matches’

played in torrential rain and a howling gale. It was a game of two halves due to the slope of the pitch and the prevailing wind. North Dorset had both in the first half and were eager to get as big a lead as possible.

The boot of Sam Jones gave them a three-point lead after five minutes from a penalty while halves Robbie Samson and Rylie Lewis kept Combe Down under pressure with tactical kicking after that. A slick play from the back of a scrum from Samson and Tom Hooper saw Marcus Higgs touch down for an unconverted try. He followed this up with another five minutes later wiggling past three defenders on a very narrow touchline.

Will Johnson on the other wing was not to be outdone and scored on the opposite side ten minutes later through a nice kick return standing up two defenders on the way to the line. Jones added the extras and the teams went to the break with North leading 20-0.

North had the slope and the

wind against them in the second half and faced a lot of work just to defend their lead. The second 40 minutes of the match saw some of the most stoic and hard-fought rugby the first team has played in recent years, with huge defensive efforts from Tom Spinney, Will Willoughby, Sam Trevis and Owen Mawby. Hard running from David Strikland, Eric Muntezero and Ben Parker also helped keep Combe Down at bay. The only points scored in the second half were from a Sam Jones penalty which saw the final score 23-0 in favour of North Dorset.

Ben Parker was the Gritchie Brewing Company man of the match for a strong and gritty performance. The front row retained the John O’Kala Trophy through Tom Spinney.

Point-to-point

THE Wessex point-to-point season opens at Badbury Rings, near Wimborne, when the Portman hold their annual fixture on Sunday 13 November.

Chub, chublets and roach bags win

By Simon Hebditch

THE second match in Gillingham Angling Association’s winter championship took place on the River Stour from Highbridge to Catholics in exceptionally mild conditions.

There was little flow on the river after the previous weekend’s deluge but anglers had some good bags of fish, although minnows proved troublesome.

Winner was Jason Mills who drew peg 51 at Catholics and caught three chub and lots of chublets and roach on the stick float, maggots and corn to weigh 15-00.

Runner-up was Clive Pettifer who drew Big Hole at Catholics and caught three chub and lots of roach on the pole and feeder on maggots and casters to weigh

9-14.

Other places were: 3 Jason Randall – 9-04; 4 Kev Harvey – 9-00; 5 Steve Musitano –8-12; 6 Jack Stamp – 8-05.

The next match is on November 13.

n SOME 19 competitors took part in Sturminster & Hinton Angling Association’s second Winter Points Match at Colber Farm on Sunday 23 October.

Heavy rain over the previous two days had resulted in the river being up and coloured, a situation most interpreted as a ‘bream day’, which proved the case for the winner and runnerup.

Jeff Sibley fished the feeder with worm, maggot and

groundbait in a swim midway along the field above the bridges and found nine big skimmers for 13lb 3oz. Paul Wyatt fished the same way but had a 5lb-plus bream and a good back up of roach and rudd for a total of 10-5.

Dennis Corry bucked the trend by fishing the pole and catching roach with some nice specimens up to ten ounces on maggot and pinkie over groundbait. His third place came with a weight of 7lb 11oz.

The match was split into three sections and prizes went to Mic Hurst at the upstream end peg with 5lb 1oz; Andy Miller above the bridges with 3lb 3oz; and the bottom section by Steve Kedge who was pegged just above the White Bridge, with 5lb 11oz.

Jason Mills with his catch.

Lots galore in Christmas sale

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley is holding its November sale this weekend and it includes stylish contemporary design furniture.

Among the lots is a beautiful eglomise panelled console table with antiqued silver frame and gilded undersides, designed by top London designer Julian Chichester.

The same local consignment also includes are a pair of Charles Edwards style cabinets with ribbed doors and painted finish; a pair of Italian design Paola Lenti hand woven fabric pouffes in vivid lime green; a set of eight Richard Griffiths Woodwear Wychwood design dining chairs; a pair of Chelsea Textiles painted console tables with rectangular tops; and a pair of Chelsea Textiles

lacquered chest of drawers. There are also two modern design Robert Stephenson hand-made floor-size woollen carpets designed by Melissa Wyndham.

Clarke’s already has more than 1,000 lots consigned for its bumper Christmas extravaganza sale on 28, 29 and 30 December. This is historically one of its busiest sales of the year as only a few auctions are held between Christmas and New Year.

Entries are being taken for future sales and enquiries for consignment or for probate or insurance valuations, or part or full house clearances, should be made to Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury.

Cars and bikes make nearly £1m

THREE days of specialist classic car and classic motorcycle auctions at Charterhouse resulted in an auction total of just under £1 million.

“All three specialist classic car and motorcycle auctions were very well attended with buyers in the rooms, on the telephone and using three live internet bidding portals,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

The three auctions comprised specialist sales of classic car, classic motorcycles and the Hammond Microcar Museum Collection in Kent.

A 1965 Peel P50, from the Hammond Microcar Museum Collection, made from fibreglass, with three wheels, one door and a tiny 49cc engine sold for £97,240 to a Swiss car

collector.

In the classic car auction, a 1935 Bentley, which had been in the same farming family since 1954 and had been stored in a barn since 1968, sold for £66,352.

The 1935 Bentley needed to be fully restored but it was a 2015 Norton that had never been ridden which took the top honours. It had been stored in the owner’s house rather than being kept in a garage and had zero recorded miles – and sold for £25,168.

Richard Bromell with the 1965 Peel P50 which sold for £97,240

William & Mary chairs highlight

VIEWING for Duke’s next Interiors auction, which features the second part of the desirable Richard Prately Collection, and the Coins and Medals auction the following day, will begin on Saturday 12 November at 9.30am.

The Interiors auction is on Thursday November 17. Alongside the collection of naïve folk art are other stunning pieces – a rare set of 12 William and Mary walnut dining chairs and a collection of vivid rugs, a particular highlight being south-west Persian qashgai kilim.

The Coins and Medals auction on Friday November 18 features a 2005 royal mint gold proof Nelson & Trafalgar £5 crown set from the Chris Leake Collection of Royal Mint Coins and the flying helmet, mask and

goggles worn by Sgt Roy Machin DFM, an airgunner within the Dambusters.

Did you know that Duke’s Auctioneers offers a wide variety of services beyond just auctioneering?

Alongside regular auctions the experts at Duke’s carry out specialist valuations for inheritance tax assessment and insurance throughout the UK and abroad.

Duke’s also advises on heritage issues, acceptance in lieu of tax, sales under the cultural gifts scheme and private treaty sales to the nation.

The fully illustrated catalogues will be available on Duke’s website.

WALTON HOUSE ANTIQUES

PLEASURE OF

REQUEST

THE SQUARE, MERE, WILTSHIRE BA12 6DL Telephone: 01747 860050 Email: info@waltonhouseantiques.co.uk www.waltonhouseantiques.co.uk

A William & Mary oyster walnut side table. SOLD FOR £5,000 • Entries invited for our forthcoming Specialist sales • Catalogues available online • Full calendar of Specialist sales Free Valuations, Shaftesbury Office Offices in Dorset, Wiltshire and London Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9AN 01747 855 122 www.semleyauctioneers.com

A

01305 265080

www.dukes-auctions.com

Candelabra has £2-3k estimate

ACREMAN St Antiques Auction, Sherborne, had a very busy October – and November seems to be following suit.

The next auction is on Friday 25 November and that already features a large collection of railways memorabilia; ephemera including postcards and stamps; and wonderful jewellery. An impressive pair of silver candelabra for the Christmas table are estimated at £2,000-3,000.

Items are still being accepted for this sale – anyone who has anything they would like to consign should contact Gill

Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 50874 or by email at auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk.

Acreman can take in everything from single items to complete collections, and full house clearances at competitive rates, and is happy to make house visits if required.

Valuation days, where Acreman can offer free valuations on items being considered for auction, are held every Wednesday from 10am4pm at Acreman Auction, 121, Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PH.

This pair of silver candelabra is for sale later this month

How to get dahlias through the winter

By Sally Gregson

AS the days shorten and the midday sun rides lower on the horizon, our gardens are aflame with autumn colour. Night frosts have returned. And winter is baring its white teeth.

Despite ‘global warming’ and ‘climate change’ we in the UK are still going to experience freezing temperatures and icy winds in winter. If the autumn proves wet, boggy soil and damp roots are lethal to many plants we grow in the UK.

Agapanthus, especially the evergreen varieties, are particularly vulnerable. They come from South Africa where the rainfall is considerably less than in the UK and the temperatures higher. Those herbaceous varieties that lose their leaves in winter should survive and flower next summer if they are cut back and their crowns marked with a stick.

However, the evergreen varieties that look so good in a big pot are best brought into a cold greenhouse for the winter. Alternatively, the pots could be ranged against a south-facing wall in the sun, under the eaves, where they will receive little rainfall and enjoy the warmth of the house. Frost turns their leaves to mush and destroys the

dormant flower-buds within the stems.

There are two different theories about Dahlias. This year, in particular, they have flowered endlessly in the hot sunny summer but a cruel frost will drop the leaves and remaining flowers overnight.

One school of thought is to leave the plants where they are growing and cover them with plenty of fibrous garden compost. This usually protects the crowns in winter but in spring, once the dahlias start to push up out of their protective covering, they are especially vulnerable. If they can be covered with more garden compost or with horticultural fleece overnight, they should come through successfully, but it needs vigilance.

However, if there is space in a cold greenhouse, it’s a more secure plan to lift the dahlia tubers and place them in big

trays on top of newspaper on the floor. There they will survive well with the barest minimum of water until spring.

In March bring them out into the open greenhouse, add a little compost and start to water the crowns. They will flower about a month ahead of those that have been left outside to battle the storms.

One of the joys of the winter garden is a display of plants in pots and containers. They bring a splash of sunshine to the dull days and lift the heart of every gardener. And now is the time to pot up a glorious mix of winter heathers, sedges, and perhaps a special hellebore.

Any container from a cracked mug to an old teapot, could be used to pot up mint, chives, or parsley to put on the kitchen windowsill for supplies of fresh green herbs all winter. Lift clumps of chives and parsley with a fork and transfer them into the containers with a little commercial potting compost to add a few nutrients. Mint already growing in pots to prevent a menthol land-grab, could be split and each half potted up individually: one for the windowsill herb garden; the other to put back in an outside pot. Refreshing the soil helps

the plant to grow away from the rusts that plague all mints.

Tulips are best potted in November, rather than earlier. They benefit from being planted after the first frosts of the winter that slow down the many viruses that affect them. Botrytis and Tulip Fire are two particular scourges that are best avoided by late planting.

And for pots, some of the species tulips that grow simply in the wild in parts of Eastern Europe, are especially good mixed with smaller daffodils and Muscari (Grape Hyacinths). Tulip ‘Persian Pearl’ with its early, rich pink flowers would go well in a large pot with lemon-cream Narcissus ‘Thalia’ and two-tone Muscari ‘Mountain Lady’.

In a sunny spot in the garden try interplanting the neatly pin-striped sedge, Carex morrowii ‘Variegata’ with some bright red dwarf tulips such as T batalinii ‘Red Hunter’. Or, you could use T. sprengeri if you can get hold of them. After a few years this beautiful and soughtafter tulip might well naturalise among its companions. The surprise and joy of seeing flocks of red heads standing among the bowing grasses would be worth the wait.

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So, did we domesticate the cat – or did they domesticate us..?

By Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

CATS have interacted with humans for thousands of years, potentially as far back as 12,000 years ago when humans first started farming. It is thought that dogs started being domesticated at least 15,000 years ago, and recent DNA analysis suggests that wolf to dog domestication may have started as far back as 130,000 years ago while humans were still hunter gatherers.

Domestic dogs bear very little resemblance to their original wild ancestors both in physical and behavioural aspects. Dog breeds can range in size from about 2kg to 100kg whereas adult cats vary no more than a few kilos between breeds, typically ranging from 3kg to 8kg.

Dogs have been physically changed dramatically including head shape, leg length, tail structure and body type. But even quite genetically altered cat breeds such as Persians are still generally a similar size to the average domestic cat.

A lot of this variation is because, once domesticated, dog breeding became more controlled. As most bitches come into season every six months, humans were able to control which bitch mated with which dog in order to reinforce a behavioural or physical attribute. Cats come into season every three weeks and, unless kept physically away from males, female cats will mate freely with one or more nearby tomcat allowing free mixing of genes leading to broadly similar offspring. Street dogs in countries such as Romania tend to revert to a ‘type’ of dog of similar size, colour and coat type due to uncontrolled breeding.

We have bred dogs for particular uses which is often reflected in their behavioural and physical characteristics.

Cats have varied very little in their ‘use’ to humans being essentially companions and pest controllers. The main changes due to domestication in cats has been the development of coat colour changes.

The default colour for cats is

tabby. This is why even black cats can have a faint tabby pattern when they are young. Several ‘random’ mutations have occurred over the years leading to other colours developing. Many of these are due to recessive genes which are only displayed when both parents carry the gene. This is how certain pedigrees produce a consistent colour type but also how, even moggies, can randomly produce an unusually coloured kitten.

After all this time cats still retain their independent nature, their hunting instinct and their behavioural traits. Cats often choose to live with us but equally they can decide to move

on if they feel that their current home is not suitable. Many cats frequent more than one home, choosing to eat and sleep in other houses even if they return to their original home daily. Hunting is a strong drive in most cats, although, because they are usually well fed, this may be shown by just catching and playing with their prey or chasing toys rather than actually eating birds or animals.

We may think we own our cats but actually, when left to make their own decisions, a number of cats will decide who they choose to live with. Many cats change ownership at some point in their lives and will often adopt a new ‘owner’!

Cats often choose to live with us but equally they can decide to move on if they feel their current home is not suitable

PHOTO: Mabel Amber/Pixabay

Mid Dorset Branch Cats Protection

Cats looking for new homes

Theo

For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website, www.cats.org.uk/blandford

LOST CATS

If you have lost a cat, please contact us via our website, phone or Facebook. Please make sure we have a contact phone number so we can get in touch with you quickly if needed.

n Grey and white male, escaped from Damory Vets car park, Blandford, 13 October.

n Black and white male, Blandford, missing since 15 October.

n Tabby, ten-month-old missing from Milborne St Andrew since 22 October.

n White and tabby ten-year-old male, missing from Charlton Marshall since

26 October.

n Tabby and white female, eight years old, missing from Marnhull since 25 October.

FOUND CATS

If you regularly see a cat in your garden or down your street that you don’t think has an owner, please give us a call – it might be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner.

n Black, long-haired with white star on chest – Sherborne.

n Black and white male, about ten years old – Sherborne.

We are still offering neutering and micro-chipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10 and DT11, SP7 and SP8, and BH21. Phone: 01258 268695.

Tip #27: Puppy series – socialisation

By Helen Taylor

CORRECTLY socialising your puppy –especially between seven and 12 weeks of age –is the single most important job for new puppy owners.

A puppy that rarely steps outside his garden, only meets a few visitors, does not encounter traffic or other animals until he is 12 weeks old is then highly likely to be fearful of these everyday experiences when he finally does encounter them.

This is not always fixable, and can lead to aggression problems in adulthood. Early and ongoing exposure to unfamiliar adults/children, dogs and every situation that he will encounter as an adult, including being alone, crowds, traffic etc is vital.

Exposure should be positive – that is should not scare the puppy – and should not include practising behaviours that are likely to be undesirable or problematic as adults – for example, running uninvited up to people or other dogs. It is important that puppies get at least some contact with other dogs in this period to avoid problems later on.

Until he is vaccinated, puppies should be restricted to play dates with vaccinated dogs in private gardens and to seeing and hearing other dogs from the owner’s arms, or a doggy stroller. n Helen Taylor BSc(Hons) ADipCBM; Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB); ABTC register of Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Animal Training Instructors, full member APBC and APDT (881); phone: 07951 985193; help@helentaylordorset.co.uk; www.helentaylordorset.co.uk

Morris, 13weeks, adorable little purr machine

Hattie, one, gorgeous young cat coming out of her shell

(two) is very sweet and loving once he gets to know you

Illegal meat imports pose dangers

By Barbara Cossins

I HAVE to share with you the content of an article in Farmer’s Weekly on the grim discovery of illegal meat in lorries at the port of Dover.

Twenty-two lorries originating from Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Poland were found with illegal meat imports in 21 of the vehicles entering the UK.

Now you might think what is wrong with that? Well, firstly, the raw meat was in carrier bags, holdalls and second-hand cardboard boxes, with no temperature control or labelling of contents. It was also being stored in the same area as ready to eat produce – destined to be sold at markets and independent stores in Britain. Dangerous doesn’t even cover it.

What I find so infuriating is that if we, as British farmers or caterers, did anything like that we would be prosecuted and

plastered all over the news! We have strict rules in our catering kitchens, butcheries and on farms here in England, so why are our border controls and customs not properly checking more of what is coming into our country?

Not only are we at risk of the deadly African Swine fever and a major national health issue but

our own pork producers have had a terrible time with soaring production costs and a severe lack of abattoirs. The UK pig industry has a huge problem with the lack of abattoirs, especially here in the SouthWest.

Labour costs are higher here than in Europe and our animal welfare standards are much higher, so we can’t produce food as cheaply as other countries either on our farms or in our restaurants, but we know what we are eating has good provenance. We are up against barriers at all turns and the Government is doing nothing to help and letting dangerous food into our country all at the same time.

I certainly don’t want to eat or serve anything but English meat and once again this story highlights the need for us all to read the labels and look at the origin of our food. These are just some of the reasons we set up Love Local Trust Local. We need to trust the food we eat and support the people providing it here in our own communities and counties – it’s so essential to protect the future of British food.

A nice piece of pork with a shiny marmalade glaze at Christmas is a great alternative to a traditional turkey. All the traditional trimmings go exceptionally well with pork and at an embarrassingly cheaper cost. Rising food and

drink prices mean we will all need to plan for Christmas early.

The recent fall in the value of the sterling has compounded the challenge of inflation as many global commodities such as cooking oil and coffee are trading in dollars and now cost UK buyers even more. Everything going up all the time is making planning for Christmas very challenging and difficult for catering businesses, too. It’s simply about trying to survive.

If I haven’t shared enough doom and gloom, please also remember that avian flu is still a major problem within the poultry industry meaning that the additional challenges to meet demand will mean higher prices.

Meat, too, because of the 2022 disruption to the grain supplies caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the overall impact in costs. If you see popular meat cuts, buy them as early as possible.

Fortunately, on a good note, the Christmas puddings have been cooked and the cakes are ready for icing. We’ve been keeping busy and our spirits high. Let’s keep positive and eating local folks.

n Barbara Cossins is founder of Loval Local Trust Local; www. thelangtonarms.co.uk; www. rawstonfarmbutchery.co.uk; www.lovelocaltrustlocalawards. co.uk

Eating great quality British meat is important for local producers, says Barbara Cossins

Make a pickle in double quick time

By Rebecca Vincent

IT’S only in recent years that I’ve come round to the idea of vinegar and anything that even remotely resembles a pickle, but I like the idea of quick pickles as they don’t require much effort and the house doesn’t end up smelling of vinegar for ages after making them.

This recipe works with a myriad of different vegetables, herbs and spices, but this time I’ve chosen carrots and onions.

Carrots have been one of my favourite vegetables since I was a kid – I used to get told off for picking and eating them straight out of the garden, barely stopping to wash them! They contain high levels of beta-carotene which we can convert into vitamin A, along with vitamins C, B6, K, biotin, thiamine and potassium.

Onions are a member of the allium family, along with garlic and leek, and they are a great source of vitamins C, B6, B1, K, biotin and chromium. They are also considered a prebiotic which means the dietary fibres they contain feed the beneficial

bacteria within our gut, along with the wide array of phytochemicals they contain.

Carrot and onion quick pickle (Fills a 1 pint/16oz mason jar)

½ medium red onion

2 medium carrots

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp sugar

1 garlic clove

1 cup of water

½ cup of apple cider vinegar

Few sprigs of coriander

Flavour options: ginger, turmeric, dill, chives, lemon zest

Finely slice the red onion. Slice the carrots in half lengthways then finely slice on the diagonal. If you have one, you can use a mandolin to do this. Finely slice the garlic clove, then cut each slice into matchsticks and roughly chop the coriander.

Layer the vegetables, garlic and coriander in the jar.

Bring the water to the boil in a small pan, then add the salt and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Pour the water mix and vinegar over the vegetables.

When cool enough to

handle put the lid on the jar and pop in the fridge for one hour. Then enjoy!

n Rebecca Vincent BSc (Hons); BANT registered nutritionist; phone: 07515

Bree Ridge Vine ard and Resta rant is sit ated in the bea f l North Dorset co ntr side, nestled amongst ro s of ines. Located j st so th of Sha�esb r , o erlooking Melb r Beacon, the resta rant offers a contemporar and niq e dining e perience ith an e er changing “small plates”, tapas st le men . What o ill find is an inno a e range of dishes and fla o r profiles from Ra , C red and Smoked, thro gh to Fish, Meat and Vegetables.

The concept is designed to be sociable and informal, a rela ed ambiance, ideal for sharing and feas ng ith friends and famil The men e ol es thro gh the seasons and the chefs are passionate abo t ser ing delicio s food, so rcing the finest, s stainable ingredients from the local area here possible. The resta rant itself has a cos feel and the smell of the roaring ood-b rning fire gi es o a lo el arm elcome! The atmosphere is laid back and rela ed, ith friendl and a en e staff. In addi on to the e ci ng dining e perience on offer, g ests ha e the opport nit to sample the ines prod ced from the acre ine ard onsite. Har est as a roaring s ccess, ith almost tonnes of fr it picked. The team can't ait to introd ce ne releases to their e is ng selec on of premi m Sparkling ines. Not to men on that the ine ard maintains its ethos and standards of minimal inter en on and organic principles ith ine prod c on and ine ard pkeep. There is m ch more on offer in addi on to the resta rant, Bree Ridge has its o n in mate e ents space, leading o t to a bea f l nder co er canop ith ie s of the ine ard. This area lends itself perfectl as a en e for corporate e ents, a a da s, pri ate par es & f nc ons. For more informa on o can isit the ebsite or get in to ch ith a member of the team.bree ridge ine ard.com at Bree HQ

Major health benefits of mushrooms

By Fiona Chapman

IT is mushroom and toadstool season. This damp weather has really encouraged all the fungus to grow and amazing mushrooms are popping up all over the place.

I have a very healthy respect for mushrooms as they can be deadly. I will pick field mushrooms, making sure they peel, and fry those up, delicious with butter and a pinch of salt.

Any others I leave well alone and just enjoy looking at. One day, I will go on a course to learn how to identify mushrooms as they are extremely beneficial for us humans and vitally important to the environment and communication between trees and other plants.

Herbalists use lots of medicinal mushrooms as they really are very powerful, mainly because they are fantastic for our general immunity.

Many have been shown to help with all sorts of cancers either as prevention or run alongside conventional medicine to treat cancer. They can help with side-effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy and stimulate the white blood cell count which are our disease-fighting cells.

Just eating normal mushrooms is good

Shitake mushrooms, available in supermarkets, are great for their anti-cancer and anti-viral properties, as well as cholesterol control

PHOTO: Connie Tucker/ Pixabay

for you, but shitake, which you can buy in supermarkets, is great for its anti-cancer and anti-viral properties, as well as for cholesterol control. I use Gandomera lucidum or Reishi quite a bit, which traditionally was known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’. Again, it is used for cancer treatment and prevention.

It is also very good for allergies as it not only tackles the underlying over-activity of the immune system to substances the body should be able to tolerate, but it has anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties.

These anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory substances can benefit those with auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Reishi is good for liver disease, cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as insomnia and anxiety. It helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and has blood thinning effects, so is contraindicated if on anti-coagulants. You can buy it as a powder but it is disgusting – says me, who is quite used to eating all things bitter and unpalatable.

I find the best way to take it is as tincture but you need to make sure it has been processed properly. There are water soluble properties in the mushrooms which are very important and then oil soluble substances which are extracted by alcohol, so you need to make sure you buy a dual extract tincture.

nFiona Chapman is a Naturopathic Herbalist (Pellyfiona@gmail.com)

We must never forget their sacrifice

By Alice Johnsen

TYNE Cot Cemetery lies about 10km outside Ypres. First appearances are of a relatively normal beautifully kept place of burial and remembrance, but on further inspection the utter vastness, the unfathomable number of names begins to sink in.

But even then it is hard to grasp how every name on a gravestone or column represents ‘someone’. A son, husband, brother or father. Particularly haunting stones read ‘Believed to be in this cemetery’ and ‘Four Australian Soldiers of the Great War’ suggesting unthinkable reasons for a shared grave and with that, a loss of individual value and self.

The name ‘Tyne Cot’ is believed to have come from the Northumberland Fusiliers who likened the German concrete pill boxes on that site to a typical Tyneside worker’s cottage. The site of the cemetery was, during the First World War, of strategic

importance to both the German and Allied Armies. Many of the men buried there died at Passchendaele.

King George V visited the cemetery in 1922 when its design and creation was near completion and it was his idea to turn the German pill box, located centrally in the cemetery, into a site for a memorial cross.

He said of Tyne Cot: “We can truly say that the whole circuit of the Earth is girdled

with the graves of our dead. In the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon Earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.”

Back in Ypres, in the Flanders Field Museum, I read about how the decade before the First World War was considered a second ‘Belle Epoque’ , a time of great cultural, artistic, social, scientific and technological advances. A golden age in comparison to what lay ahead.

Did we learn from our predecessors 100 years ago?

Did we learn enough? Are we still being driven by humanity’s inclination to favour self and greed over compassion?

On Remembrance Day this year, my thoughts will return to Tyne Cot. We must never stop remembering, however hard, and even if it is only once every November. Naively, I suspect, I believe in the essential value of remembering someone over 100 years later, even if I don’t know anything about a person other than they lived and died there, on the battlefields of Belgium.

We must never forget. n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based near Sherborne; phone 07961 080513; alicejohnsen. co.uk

We must never stop remembering, however hard, even if it is only once every November

PHOTO: SJTUK/ Pixabay and Uschi Dugulin/Pixabay

Meditations in nature: In search of colour

By Dr Susie Curtin

TODAY the sky is the colour of my mood, dark, heavy and full of tears. But knowing that nature is my medicine, I automatically reach for my walking boots. For going out is a way of getting ‘in’ and releasing the grey mischievous thoughts that dampen my spirits. Even just a few minutes of walking in this beautiful autumn countryside and I know I will feel lighter and freer.

Heading up the fields towards Duncliffe Woods, my feet crunch over shining piles of acorns, I have never seen so many. Above my head the oak trees are still wearing their green coats, only the edges of their leaves are painted in turmeric hues. As yet, we have had no frost to colour them crimson. It was the warmest October I have ever experienced but still I am surprised by the muted autumn colour, apart from, that is, the pink orange of spindle berry flowers, the ruby red rose hips that gleam from the hedgerows and the cinnamon-coloured bracken that is spicing up the understory.

The unexpected spots of colour in life that bring us joy.

As I reach the summit of this ancient conical landmark that towers over the Vale, the grey clouds part just for a minute and sunbeams streak through the trees – their wet leaves glistening with tiny crystals as the light gently embraces the dew. I think of my mother and smile. It is ten years to the day that she died, a decade of time that has rolled past me. Although she loved the autumn hues, she thought it a messy time of year and would vigorously sweep the leaf-litter that ‘untidied’ her garden. Instead, I cherish the chaos of falling leaves and the carpet of colour they lay. Autumn reminds me of how beautiful change can be.

Moving closer to my favourite beech trees, I notice the abundance of fungi flourishing in the warm damp weather. Magical and mistrusted, fungi belongs to a biological kingdom all of its own. There are about 80,000 known species that also include rusts, molds and mildews. They are

the principal decomposers in nature and come in an astounding array of shapes and colours that decorate the woodlands, helping to regenerate the nutrients of decaying matter, bringing new life from old and allowing root systems to connect and communicate underneath our feet.

Being here on top of the Vale leaning against these ancient old trees, I too feel connected to something greater than the chores and tick lists of the everyday. A lovely poem by Angie Weiland-Crosby reminds me of how ‘everyone needs a place to retreat. A spot where the world goes quiet enough for the soul to speak’. I had made time to remember my dear mother and used this incredibly peaceful place to lift my spirits.

Now steadily making my way home to work in my garden, I vow to plant some winter violas and pansies to bring cheerful spots of colour and deter the winter grey.

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

An abundance of fungi (above and below) has been flourishing in the warm damp weather

Three cheers for Dorset’s specialist auctioneer of classic vehicles!

FIRST cheer: despite the gloom and despondency around us, DVCA is putting together another exciting sale of Vintage and Classic Vehicles for its next sale on Thursday 24 November.

Second cheer: we may be changing government officials more regularly than our clothing, but the stalwart crew at DVCA really do keep calm and carry on – despite Covid-19 and electricity bills, they remain resolute to produce another full and informative catalogue.

Third cheer: for the friendly welcome on offer to those who phone or drop in to DVCA’s enclave in rural Stalbridge. You can admire the range of classic vehicles entered for the next sale or discuss your own prospective entry.

Those enthusiasts unable to visit are recommended to view the website and follow the new entries as they arrive –go to dvca.co.uk

These include:

n A highly usable 1948 Austin 16 De Luxe Saloon plus another for restoration

n A dream of a 1952 Bentley Special carefully created by a chartered motor engineer, plus a 2003 Arnage R Saloon

n A rare 1972 BMW 2002 which can be run road tax free

n A 1956 Ford Consul Mk I, with a bench seat for cosying up to nicer passengers n A choice of a 1977 Series III Land Rover or a 1992 Range Rover Vogue for rural rambles.

n Pre-war Morris lovers will appreciate the 1933 Minor Two Seat Tourer and the 1931 CMS Two Seat Tourer with the overhead cam engine that can surprise the MGM types. If a post-war Morris is preferred, look at the enhanced 1966 Traveller n The 1965 Renault Caravelle was squeezed in too late for the last sale but with hard and soft tops and seating for four it should find a new home on 24 November n The 1933 Lynx Tourer will offer open air motoring, as will the 1927 Lea Francis M Type powered by the Meadows engine n A Rolls-Royce selection will appeal to those still left with a little dignity in their motoring habits. DVCA will offer a 1954 Silver Dawn, a 1935 20/25 and 1947 Silver Wraith, some needing more work than others, but remain assured upmarket projects for those who can afford to heat their winter workshops.

So lots of reasons to keep cheerful and look forward to the spring of 2023 – at least for a classic motor car enthusiast, thanks to Dorset’s own DVCA.

Could you be facing a £1,000 fine for not updating your licence?

ALMOST a million drivers could be fined £1,000 - for not renewing the photograph on their driving licence.

The claim comes after new data was released by the Driver and Licencing Agency (DVLA) following a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the Press Association.

The figures from the DVLA revealed that the driving licences of more than 926,000 people in Britain on September 3 2022 were out of date in the 12 months to the end of August.

The same request found that plenty of drivers who do renew are cutting it fine; in the last 12 months, 2.5 million drivers in Britain renewed their licence after it had already expired or within 56 days of the expiry date.

Driving licence photocards must be renewed every 10 years up until the age of 70, where they must be renewed every three years to legally be allowed to drive on our roads.

And according to DVLA rules, failing to return an expired licence is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 – and this can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. If you renew it past the expiry date, you will not receive a fine.

The DVLA will contact drivers 56 days before their licence is due to expire.

The RAC urges its members to check if your driving licence photocard is up to date. In order to remain road legal, check section 4b on the front of card – this is the expiry

date.

If you have noticed that your licence has now expired, don’t panic. Visit the DVLA website to get a new photocard.

A new application costs £14, and it takes five working days to process. Be aware that if you use a third party renewal service, you could also have to pay other fees.

A DVLA spokeswoman said: “We encourage customers to use GOV.UK as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence.

“If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather keeping it as a form of out of date photo ID.”

If you continue to drive without renewing, you could even be prosecuted by the police, leading to a further £5,000 fine for driving without a valid licence.

Last year, the UK Government announced plans to introduce digital driving licences, which could arrive before 2024.

2019 (19) Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Zetec Nav 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, city pack, lane keeping aid, speed sign recognition, hill start assist, auto activation lights, parking sensors, bluetooth, heated front screen, award winning engine, 50mpg, 31,500 miles ....£11950

2018 (68) Ford Transit Connect 1.5 EcoBlue L1 200 Limited Van 5dr. 120bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 2 seats, side door, bulkhead, ply lined, liner mat, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, heated front screen, heated seats, DAB audio, bluetooth, hill start assist, parking sensors, air con, 40,800 miles ..........................................................£14500+VAT = £17400

2019 (19) Mazda3 2.0 Sport Black 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, heated seats, heated steering wheel, sat nav, reverse camera, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill start assist, bluetooth, sign recognition, key-less entry, upto 55mpg economy, only 15,800 miles

2015 (65) Subaru Forester 2.0 XE 4x4 Station Wagon Estate 5dr. 150bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, large boot, tough & dependable 4 wheel drive, good ground clearance, heated seats, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, bluetooth, hill start assist, electric sunroof, only 31,500 miles .....£14250

2018 (18) Vauxhall Astra 1.0 T EcoTech SRi 5dr. 105bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill start assist, bluetooth, DAB audio, touch screen, upto 58mpg, 32,000 miles ........£10450

2016 (66) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6CDTi SE AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 136bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, high seating position, decent sized boot, heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, front & rear parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill start assist, bluetooth, upto 60mpg economy, 58,500 miles ............................................................£9250

COMMERCIAL'S

2018 (68) Ford Transit Connect 1.5 EcoBlue L1 200 Limited Van 5dr. 120bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 2 seats, side door, bulkhead, ply lined, liner mat, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, heated front screen, heated seats, DAB audio, bluetooth, hill start assist, parking sensors, air con, 40,800 miles

DEATHSPUBLIC NOTICE

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS LICENCE

Clifford Owen Yeatman Trading as Farmergy Ltd Of Lowbrook Farm, Belchalwell, Blandford Dorset, DT11 0EQ

Is applying for licence to use Lowbrook Farm Belchalwell Blandford Dorset DT110EQ as an operating centre for One Goods Vehicle and one trailer. 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, 386 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 applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

MEETING

8

IN MEMORIAM

MARJIE TIMMS

11/11/14

CORPORAL ALBERT BRINE

DEATHS

BISHOP

Robert ‘Bob’

Passed away peacefully at home, aged 94 years. Much loved husband to Molly, father and gramps. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral service on Tuesday 22nd November 2022, 12 noon at Yeovil Crematorium. Donations in memory of Bob for RNLI also Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance may be sent c/o A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310. Please make cheques payable to the charity

CANON ALAN WATSON

Of Wincanton, passed away peacefully on Monday 31st October 2022, aged 88 years. Beloved husband of Rosemary, father of Caroline and Elizabeth, grandfather to Stephen, Jack, Emma and Laura. Alan will be sorely missed by all his family and many friends. He died as he lived with great dignity and with his deep faith sustaining him to the end. Thanksgiving Service for his life to be held at St Peter and St Pauls Parish Church, Wincanton on Monday 21st November at 2.p.m. to which all are warmly invited to attend. Family flowers only but donations if desired to Wincanton Primary School.

C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

OLIVER Sally Elaine of Sherborne

Suddenly but peacefully at home, sadly passed away on 3rd November, 2022 aged 62 years. Much loved Partner, Mum, Sister, Aunt, and Nana Sal. All enquiries to A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ. Tel: 01935 816187

DAVID WILLIAMS

Peacefully passed away on the 20th October 2022, Aged 89 years.

David was a much loved Husband to Mary who also sadly passed away on the 01st June and a loving Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law, Brother and Friend to many. He will be sadly missed.

The funeral service is taking place at St Mary's Church, Sturminster Newton on 23rd November at 2.00pm. Any donations if desired to Bowel Cancer UK Charity, can be made at the service, or direct to Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QL. Tel: 01747 822494

MERVYN OLLIS

Passed away peacefully at home. Burial has taken place. Thank you to all who attended. Donations if desired www.weldmarhospicecare.org

ROBERT DAVIES

‘Bob’

Peacefully on the 26th October 2022 at Southampton General Hospital. Bob aged 58 years of Bishops Caundle. A much loved Husband of Serena and Dad of Callum & Libby. A dearly loved Son & Brother. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, 18th November at 12 noon. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Southampton Hospital Charity (Ward 6c Oncology). C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

BARBARA DUNN

Passed away after a short illness at Dorchester Hospital, Friday 28th October.

Loving Wife, Mum, Grandma and Great-Grandma. A loss to us all and will be greatly missed. The funeral will be on Tuesday 15th November at 10:45am, at Weymouth Crematorium. Family Flowers only but donations can be made in aid of Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance if desired to A J Wakely and Sons, 91 East Street, Bridport

REGINALD JOHN HOLDAWAY “Reg”

Passed away peacefully after a short illness on 17th of October aged 78 years. Dearly loved husband of Sue, father of Polly and to Andrew, beloved Grandad of Thomas and Alice.

A service to celebrate Reg's life to take place at the Church of St Mary the Virgin Gillingham on 17th November at 2pm. No flowers thank you but donations if desired to Versus Arthritis or Cancer Research UK via their website or via Bracher Brothers, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QL

GWENDOLINE JEAN TREVETT (Gwen)

Peacefully on 4th November 2022 in Dorset County Hospital, aged 89.

Beloved wife of George and much loved mother of Michael. Funeral service at St. Nicholas' Church, Winterborne Clenston on Wednesday 16th November at 12 noon. Enquiries to : Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Blandford, DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133

PLUMMER

DEREK GEORGE (DICKIE)

of Hazelbury Bryan passed away on 5th November aged 89. Dearly loved husband of Margaret, loved father of Jean and David, loving granddad and friend to in-laws. Funeral service will at St Mary and St James, Hazelbury Bryan to be arranged with Peter Jackson funeral services

BARTLETT

Michael Arthur

Peacefully in Blandford Hospital on Wednesday 2nd November 2022 aged 83 years. Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Funeral Service to be held at Poole Crematorium on Tuesday 22nd November 2022 at 2:00pm.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Blandford Hospital League of Friends may be sent to Lesley Shand Blandford, 28 East Street, Blandford, DT11 7DR. Tel: 01258 453425 www.funeraldirector.co.uk/michael-bartlett

BERYL JEAN de BRETT

On 29th October 2022 suddenly and unexpectedly in Salisbury District Hospital aged 86 years of Shaftesbury. Funeral service takes place at St James Church, Shaftesbury on Thursday 24th November at 11 am. No flowers please but donations if desired to St James PCC or Alzheimer's UK may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or send cheques payable to either charity c/o Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

DAVID FRANK SAMUEL

"Chic" HANN

Late of Bourton. Passed away peacefully at Fernbrook Lodge, Gillingham, on Tuesday 11th October, aged 83 years. He will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends. Funeral service to take place at St George's Church Bourton, on Friday 18th November at 12:00, followed by a burial in Bourton Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in Chic's memory are going to Silton Surgery and Alzheimer's Society and may be left on the day or sent to Bracher Brothers, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QL

DOWN - John (Jack)

of Zeals, passed peacefully away on 22nd October 2022 aged 93 Years. Funeral service takes place at Mendip Crematorium on Friday 18th November at 12.30pm.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, made payable to either The Stroke Association or Dementia UK may be sent to Trotman Funeral Directors, Ashdene, Frome Road, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet BA4 4QQ

BARBARA GRIFFIN

Peacefully passed away on the 21st October 2022 at Yeovil District Hospital aged 87 years. Much loved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. A funeral service will take place at The Yeovil Crematorium on November 25th at 11-20 am. The service will be followed by refreshments at The Prince of Wales Club Mere, Warminster. Family flowers only, donations if desired to The Heart Foundation. Enquiries c/o L C Hill & Sons, Funeral Directors. 01747 860361

TERRY JAMES MALONEY

On 31st October 2022 suddenly at home, aged 80 years of Gillingham. A loving husband to Janet, also a loving dad, grandad and great grandad, who will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Funeral service takes place at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 17th November at 12.40pm. No flowers please but donations if desired to Diabetes UK or The British Heart Foundation may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or send cheques payable to either charity c/o Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

DEATHS

ORCHARD

Valerie Jasmine

Passed away at home on 29 October 2022 aged 82 years. A dearly loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Funeral service at Holy Trinity Church, Fonthill Gifford on Thursday 17 November at 11.30am. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. All enquiries to Chris White Funerals. Tel: 01722 744691

RIDOUT ROSE

Peacefully on 25th October, aged 106 years. A dearly loved Nana, Great-Nana and friend to many. Funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday 14th November, at 12:40pm. Enquiries to Brister & Son Funeral Directors Tel: 01935 812647

ERNEST HARTSHORN

On 30th October 2022 passed away peacefully at home aged 91 years of Shaftesbury. Husband of the late Mavis, a much loved Dad and Grandad, who will be sorely missed. Funeral service takes place at Bell Street United Church, Shaftesbury on Tuesday 22nd November at 11 am. Donations if desired to Age UK North, South and West Dorset may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or send to Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

MAUREEN ANN DAVIES "Tootie"

On 26th October 2022 passed away peacefully at home aged 86 years of Charlton, a much loved mother to Julian and Melissa. A Celebration of her life takes place at Donhead St Mary Village Hall on Saturday 26th November at 1pm. If you would like to join us please can you confirm by email to Melissa at melezemd@gmail.com. Enquiries to Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

COOMBE, NOELLE MARY

Peacefully at home on 23rd October 2022, aged 84 years. Much loved wife of John, mother of Karen, Rocky and Miranda, grandmother of Robert, David, George, Jasmine and Barnaby.

Private Cremation will be followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at Holy Trinity Church, Fleet on Wednesday 16th November at 2.30pm. Family flowers only, donations if desired for The Stroke Unit (cheques made payable to Dorset County Hospital Charity) may be sent c/o Grassby Funeral Service, 8 Princes Street, Dorchester, DT1 1TW or made online by visiting www.grassby-funeral.co.uk All attending the service are welcome to wear colourful clothing

LAMPARD Jean Mary

Formerly of Crossroads Stores East Stour. Passed away peacefully with her family around her on 27th October. Wife of the late Tony and Mother, Sister, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Who will be sadly missed. A private crematorium service will be followed by a celebration of Jeans life at St Simon & St Jude’s Church Milton on Stour Thursday 24th November 2pm. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Jean for either Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance or Diabetes UK can be made via www.tapperfuneralservice. co.uk or sent c/o Harbour View Crematorium, Funeral Home and Woodland Burial Ground, Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minster, Dorset, BH16 6AN Tel: 01202 630111

Gillingham (01747) 835335 www.mhfd.co.uk

“Ridgemount”, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU

Number of job ads including salary falls to six-year low, research shows

THE number of job advertisements disclosing the salary on offer has slipped to a six-year low, according to new research.

Job site Adzuna looked at 80 million job ads advertised on the website in the past six years to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of salary transparency in the UK and across the globe.

It found that the UK has the highest rate of salary disclosure out of 19 job markets analysed in 2022, with three in five job ads disclosing an intended salary or salary range.

“That said, over the course of the last six years, there has been barely any progress, and the country is showing early signs of a slowdown, with the proportion of advertised vacancies including salary slipping to a six-year low,” a spokesperson said.

It said there was a North/South divide in salary transparency.

Yorkshire & Humber is most straight talking, with 63% of job ads disclosing pay,

while London (55%), Scotland (49%) and Northern Ireland (28%) are the most secretive regions.

Interestingly, London has been cited as having both the worst ethnicity pay gap and worst gender pay gap, suggesting a correlation between a lack of transparency and inequality.

In the South West, the number of job ads

revealing the salary on offer was 58.3%, a drop from 67.2% the previous year.

Sector-wise, Charity & Voluntary is the most transparent sector, while Creative & Design is the most secretive. About one in three job ads of creative and design roles featured salary information in 2022, down from 48% a year ago, the firm added.

Other worst offending sectors include Scientific & QA, with just 34.1% of job ads disclosing a salary, and Retail (37.2%).

The Energy sector has seen the biggest fall in the proportion of job ads with a salary, down -20.6 percentage points to 38.6%, followed by Creative & Design.

Healthcare & Nursing fell third fastest, slipping -10.9 percentage points to 60.2% in 2022, followed by IT which was down -10.8 percentage points.

“Falling transparency in these latter two sectors could have consequences on hiring, as companies failing to disclose pay rates could miss out on candidates amid skills shortages,” the spokesperson added.

Employers value ‘soft skills’ when interviewing potential recruits

EMPATHY and a sense of humour could be the most important ‘soft skills’ for people seeking a job, according to a new poll.

A survey of 1,000 hiring managers commissioned by recruitment firm Michael Page revealed 77 percent were on the lookout for much more than just technical attributes when someone sits down for an interview.

The survey showed 62 percent had hired someone who showed emotional skills like sincerity and respectfulness, even if there were better technically qualified candidates.

However, 63 percent said they believed prospective employees often forgot to demonstrate their personable and human sides in interviews and focussed too much on their skills and qualifications.

“The pandemic really drove home the importance of soft skills and taught businesses how crucial it is to invest in a workforce that possesses more than just technical ability,” said Doug Rode, from Michael Page, pictured.

“Now, with a turbulent economic landscape impacting businesses across the

country, attributes such as a willingness to learn, flexibility and a sense of humour are all highly desired by hiring managers who know that personal qualities can impact a company’s overall success.

“Too often, candidates talk themselves out of applying for a certain job because they worry they don’t have every single skill, but this research clearly shows that employers are willing to overlook that for the right candidate.

“It’s easy to upskill once someone is in role, but traits like teamwork, empathy and friendliness are crucial attributes that you

can’t necessarily teach.”

According to the research, almost half (49 percent) of employers said they would take on a prospective employee who would complement the team.

And 36 percent said when an interview finished, they often knew whether they would be offering the job to that person.

Mr Rode added: “Over the past few years, technology has fundamentally changed the traditional recruitment process – particularly through virtual interviewing.

“One of the key benefits of this is that companies are able to widen the net to secure talent from further afield, increasing diversity and creating opportunities for previously untapped talent pools.

“However, whether virtual or in person, interviewers will be keen to get a sense of the soft skills candidates can offer their business.

“Now, more than ever, demonstrating the desire to develop and futureproof their skills, being willing to learn and able to solve problems will give most candidates an edge over purely technical ability.”

ADMINISTRATION JOB. Part Time 2 days/ week. 07908 787105

'LIVE-IN' DEMENTIA CARER needed. Job-sharing. Sitting-room. TV. Separate bathroom. 07772 086099

EVENING CLEANER REQUIRED Monday to Friday 3 hours a night 6 till 9pm term time only Milborne St Andrew £10 an hour Mileage may be considered phone John 01305 261624

CLEANER WANTED once a week - 1.5 hours. Someone who's reliable, trustworthy and not a time waster. Phone after 7pm 01747 835828

DAIRY FARM NEAR SHERBORNE REQUIRES HELP 5 afternoons per week 4-6pm. Working with cows and scrapping out. No milking. Tel 07854 033290

FULL TIME OR 2 x PART TIME goat kid rearers Required. Flexibility essential. Pay dependent on experience. North Dorset. No accommodation. Contact Andy 07966 291394 No Texts

GARDENER REQUIRED three days a week to help maintain greenhouse and gardens in the Shaftesbury area. Email CV and cover letter to GardensbyMR@outlook.com

PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPER CLEANING includes large social area, kitchen, offices. High standards of cleaning/presentation required with the ability to work independently. Hours Monday 9am-1pm. Friday 12-4pm. Some flexibility with working hours. Please email CV to ashofficesp5@gmail.com

DRIVER REQUIRED

Full time & part time For further details telephone 07813 209841

Recruitment

LOVELY CLEANER WANTED. 3 hours weekly barn conversion near Horsington. Please text brief details 07973 346 747

TRAINEE LANDSCAPER

Your chance to join an award winning landscaping team and learn all aspects of the industry. We are based near Sherborne.

A full driving licence is essential, as is a willingness to work hard in a sometimes challenging environment. Email to tell us why you would fit this role. paul@original-landscapes.co.uk

HINDON COMMUNITY SHOP

Is our shop in the heart of the village, and we are wanting to recruit an additional paid staff member. The successful candidate will be working with the sub PostMistress, and will also help in the day-to-day operations of the shop. Previous experience of Post Office procedures will clearly be an advantage, but all necessary training will be made available.

Flexibility will be a key need but the role is estimated to require around 22 hours over 3 days per week, with an occasional weekend shift.

To apply or enquire about this position, please contact; Mrs Sue Warren on 01747 820321 or by email; suzywarren@aol.com

Recruitment

CRACKMORE GARAGE small friendly company looking for full time Vehicle Technician/MOT Tester Required £24,500-£36,500 please send CV to crackmoregarage@gmail.com or contact 01963 251221

CHRISTMAS POULTRY PROCESSORS needs for first 3 weeks of December, to help with plucking and evisceration jobs, good rates of pay, friendly family farm between Wincanton and Bruton. 07812 009364

PART TIME MOTHERS HELP WANTED

Afternoons 3pm - 6pm Near Bruton Please call Georgie 07872 557257

JOBBING BUILDER

Required for Stalbridge based company. Must be use to groundworks. Full driving licence. Call Peter on 07971 007551

ROOFING LABOURER REQUIRED based in Stalbridge area. Please contact Roy on 01963 362325

LOOKING FOR SEMIEXPERIENCED AND WILLING DAIRYMAN/ general farm work. Apply in writing to Factory Farm, Fifehead Magdalene, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5RS or 07792 537839.

NO TEXTING

GARDENER WANTED

Pro-active, experienced gardener with an eye for detail two days a week in the Donheads. Experience in pruning roses is essential. Applications by email to Caroline Friend at neoncrocus@gmail.com

HOUSE KEEPER wanted near Cranborne Dorset, general domestic duties, dog sitting. No cooking. 3 bedroom cottage rent free. Beautiful but remote surroundings. Start January. salary negotiable. Apply to lts@lts-uk.com

The Blackmore Vale Ltd continues to enjoy great success and we are looking for an experienced Account Manager You will be managing a regular client base as well as generating new business selling into various magazines. Previous sales experience is required and you should be hungry for success. The role is a hybrid of working from home/office and out and about within the Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire areas. You must own your own vehicle – a mileage allowance is paid.

Previous sales experience

Hungry for success

Hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm. Salary is dependent on experience.

If you’ve got what it takes to be part of this fantastic team, please send your application to debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net

Closing date for applications is Friday 30th November.

holliday.co.uk

Come and be part of our team, Mulberry Court is recruiting!

Every day will be different while working with us at Mulberry Court – you could be going on day trips with the people we support to places such as Ascot, Longleat, Monkey World, or even a local farm to hang out with the alpacas! We’re situated right next to a garden centre and take regular trips to their café for lunch. We love gardening, arts and crafts and competitive games and sports, and never pass up the opportunity for a barbecue. Music is so important to us, and we have lots of in-house discos with karaoke, as well as trips to music festivals and concerts!

If this sounds like a job for you, here’s a bit more about us.

We are Salutem Care and Education, and Mulberry Court is one our residential services based in Gillingham. As part of our

support team, you’ll be working with adults with varying degrees of disabilities and helping to promote their independence and choice through meaningful activities and experiences. We enable the

individuals we support to achieve their goals and aspirations while living as independently as possible. We would describe the nature of our work as so much more than ‘just’ a job. Working at Mulberry Court feels like spending time with family where everyone is supported. There’s nothing more rewarding than making a positive impact and difference to the lives of the people we support.

So if you’d like to join the Salutem family, get in touch and apply now! Call our Recruitment Team: 01753 255 777 or Mulberry Court 01747 822 241 or email Recruitment@

SalutemSharedServices.co.uk Visit: www.SalutemCareers.co.uk

What do the current figures look like in the insolvency industry?

The survey also revealed some of the measures that small businesses were having to take in response to the current economic difficulties. These include:

squeeze limits people’s discretionary spending. There was a 72 per cent increase in companies in so-called critical distress in the retail sector, while there was a 36 per cent rise in the leisure and cultural industries. These are areas that our Insolvency Practitioners are experts in and are well equipped to provide independent and timely advice.

The latest Insolvency Service monthly data for Insolvencies (September 2022) shows that there were 16% more insolvencies than in September 2021 and 11% more than the pre-Covid 19 figure for September 2022. Christina Fitzgerald, president of our Insolvency and Restructuring trade body, R3, has commented, that these figures are: “…likely to be due to the triple whammy of the withdrawal of Covid support, the economic turbulence, and the challenging business climate resulting in directors feeling that they are unable to continue and choosing to close their businesses before that choice is taken away from them.”

In this article, our Elaine Wilkins from our Bournemouth office looks at some other data that reveals the likely scale of how many financially distressed businesses there are right now.

• 42% have implemented price increases

• 31% have implemented energy saving measures

• 23% are working longer hours to make ends meet

• 20% are looking for extra financial support, either through an extension of an overdraft limit, or through new investment.

As Elaine points out: “This is certainly the picture we are seeing here in Bournemouth and the Dorset area from the enquiries we are receiving from businesses.”

With the view that the economy will get worse before it gets better, many company directors are now facing making extremely difficult decisions. In particular, those ‘zombie’ companies that were badly affected by the 2009/2010 credit crunch recession but have managed to soldier on thanks to 10 years of ultra-low interest rates, will be especially threatened by rising interest rate rises, as they will no longer be able to service their debts.

How can Insolvency Practitioners help?

A recent survey of 1,000 small business owners and managers by Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance has shown that 18% have considered closing their businesses down in the past year, with rapidly rising costs due to the current economic and political turmoil being the main driver.

Last week, a report by The Times backed up the Purbeck findings detailed above, suggested that the number of companies in significant financial distress has leapt to 610,000, which in itself is a large number, and represents an 8% increase, year on year, with the conclusion that these firms were having to decide “whether to soldier on or give in”.

There also has been a 25 % jump in the number of companies described as being under more serious stress, such as facing winding-up petitions. Retailers have been particularly affected as the cost-of-living

We are here to help companies in financial difficulties to recover and turn things around, whether that is through advisory, restructuring, or refinancing advice or through an insolvency procedure such as an Administration or a Company Voluntary Arrangement,  which can deliver the breathing space that companies need to get back on the road to recovery.

If you know or suspect that the underlying position of your business is weak, then act now.

Any initial consultation will be free of charge and without obligation. The sooner you contact our Insolvency Practitioners, the sooner we can recommend a solution. We will talk you through all the options available, so that you know exactly where you are, helping you to make the best possible decisions.

18% of small businesses have considered closure this year.

18% of small businesses have considered closure in the past year

The number of companies in significant financial stress has risen to 610,000

Step into the last days of autumn – there’s still nature to see...

By A J Selby

T he summer sun is fading as the year grows old, and darker days are drawing near Justin Hayward Forever Autumn NOVEMBER is a great walking month. The countryside is putting itself to bed and we can watch the decline and decay from day to day as we head towards the dead of mid-winter.

Fresh air is, of course, very therapeutic and so, to me, is a warming drink at the fireside at the end of a leisurely ramble. As the leaves fall so the trees take on a starkness that gives them a sense of individuality that is absent in summer when the green canopy merges into one. Learn the different trunk characteristics from the smooth beech to the patterned oak and gaze up high into the tree tops and marvel at these ‘lungs of the planet’ that sustain life from the largest mammals –including us – to hundreds of invertebrates and trillions of micro-organisms in the soil below.

A recent walk took me into the New Forest to enjoy the

Volunteer call for shoot day

A RARE breed farm is looking for people who like walking in beautiful countryside and taking good exercise to help on a family and friends shoot day.

Volunteers are being sought to be part of the friendly beating team on the farm, near Cerne Abbas, with the assurance of being well fed with excellent elevenses and a lunch with wine during the day.

Farm owner Mark Leatham said: “Anyone who volunteers will make friends

magnificent stands of woodland ablaze with autumn colour that takes one’s breath away. This time of year the commoners – local smallholders in the main – are allowed to let their pigs out into the forest – although much of the ‘forest’ is open heath – to forage for beech mast and acorns. This is called pannage and is a centuries old tradition, with the pigs eating acorns that can be poisonous to horses. They also dig up a few juicy roots and stems which helps to fatten them for the end of the year.

with like-minded people, see some wonderful rare breeds, take home a brace of pheasants at the end of day and be able to shoot on the Beaters Day at the end of January.

“We also have an annual spit roast lamb barbecue for our beating team during the summer.”

He said beaters can expect to walk between two and three miles in beautiful, secluded countryside each day. A number of the volunteers are ex-forces.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the volunteer opportunities, which run from November to January each year, should call 07973 664524.

The clocks have changed and we are all too aware of the limited daylight hours as we drift towards the winter solstice. Don’t let this put you off enjoying nature – there is plenty to see at dawn and dusk as well as listening to what the darkness offers. Owls, of course, are night birds and the ghostly sight of a barn owl drifting across farmland, caught in the glow of the moon still excites me. The tawny owl will hoot across a stand of trees and the screech when close up will make you jump. Listen for the rustle of the undergrowth as you stand still and try to work out what creature it might be.

And, of course, look at the sky on a clear night. Away from light pollution the Milky Way is a stunning band of trillions of stars and is best observed prostrate on a blanket with a decent pair of binoculars. I can recall camping in the 1980s in New Zealand in wild countryside and on a crisp, clear night I was blown away by the intense beauty of the night sky.

A quick check on the internet can tell you what planets will be in view at any given time – see the brightness of Venus low down near the horizon at dawn or in the early evening sky, or the faint red of Mars. Good binoculars or a telescope will show Jupiter’s rings and red spot and there are

plenty of star clusters and nebula to view in the constellations, such as in Taurus and Orion. The Orion nebula, known as M42, sits just below his ‘belt’ and can be seen with the naked eye in unpolluted skies in winter, and even better with an aid.

Taurus has one of the earliest objects identified in the night sky – in the 1700s – known as M1 the crab nebula, located near the horns and the famous Seven Sisters, the Pleiades cluster with seven stars visible to the naked eye.

Back on terra firma and walking into the old wood on one of those still, dull afternoons, the silence is almost deafening. Not a sound comes from the trees so the other senses are enhanced – the smell of the decaying leaf mould and the sight of small details that are missed at other times of year. The wren busying herself in the undergrowth, the contrasting greens of moss and lichens on tree bark, the bracket fungi jutting out of tall trunks, and the activity of small insects in rotten branches, scattered about like so much driftwood. This month also brings its share of dreary days, when the sun fails to smile at us and the sky is as grey and still as the heron on the lake.

The poet Thomas Hood captured these melancholy days in verse, which I make no apologies for repeating from time to time:

No sun – no moon!

No morn – no noon –No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, No comfortable feel in any member –

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birdsNovember!

The countryside is busy putting itself to bed in November

PHOTO: Peter Mayer/ Pixabay

King had all the moves with the girls

By Tria Stebbing

THE parched brown field now seems a distant memory as the grass is growing very fast. The glut of acorns continues to make mini acorn mountains along the hedgerow and still more to drop. The pond has filled up again after the torrent of rain that fell at the weekend. We are really pleased that a family of deer appear to have taken up residence and have chosen a favourite spot by the bottom corner where they catch the warmth of the sun during the day.

We have hired out one of the rams to a local care farm. King, the best and most laid back of this year’s lambs, has gone to a neighbouring village to prove himself. He is still only six months old but certainly had all the moves, and being still on the small side he was best placed to be around children.

We fitted him out with his raddle, a harness he wears that holds a paint block on the chest, the plan being that if he cuddles a ewe he will leave a mark of paint on her back. Orange was the chosen colour as it stands out and is easily identifiable. He arrived at the farm after a short ride in the truck to be met by his ewes.

Not wasting any time with introductions King plastered the girls with orange paint almost immediately – not just their backs but their heads, tails, legs and everywhere.

Now the waiting game begins, 80 days after taking him away from his girls we will scan them to see if he has been successful. King, if fertile, has a productive life ahead of him as he is well marked and his stance is spot on. It has taken us a few years to get to this standard within the flock but the hard work is starting to pay off.

Humphrey, our own adult ram, is set to go in with the ewes in the next fortnight. He is clearly up for the challenge and is showing his superiority by head-butting the other rams as well as pushing them about. The adult ewes on the other hand are behaving like teenagers skipping and dancing about in preparation for Humphrey visiting. We plan to lamb late again to have Easter lambs, when the evenings are lighter and the mud not so prolific, fingers crossed. We have added some new blood to the flock and are the

proud owners of yet more sheep having bought more slightly out of the area to ensure that we introduce new bloodlines. Most of ours are related now, so we needed some new ewes to breed with next year. They have settled down well with our ewe lambs, still slightly wary of us but getting better by the day.

The clocks have changed heralding the change in weather and the need for good quality waterproofs. Next year’s lambs will be named with ‘L’ names – I wonder how many Larry the Lambs there will be around the country?

Equestrian

King on his way to the farm with ginger biscuits, and the wrinkle-faced Humphrey

It’s calving time down on the farm

By Ruth Kimber

THE

Harvest

Festival

service

was held this year on a neighbouring farm – this is the third year it’s been on a farm rather than in the parish church. It was well attended and the weather was kind.

Harvest in England is always a time of plenty and we have much to be thankful for. Sadly, this is not the same everywhere and we need to remember how lucky we are and not waste, and be wise with our land and resources.

On our farm we have planted new grass seed using minimum till where we can – this crop will feed the dairy using our zero-grazing machine. This allows us to get onto the land before we can graze the cows direct, it is hoped late February. The fields we use for this are away from the main farm and have a lighter sandy soil type

that drains easily, ideal for an early crop. The grass germinated quickly and the crop is growing well.

We are well into calving now and are pleased with how it’s going – lots of dairy heifers and now the beef calves are

coming. One of the granddaughters, Mabel, has been halter training three of the heifer calves – Alan our stockman has been giving her tips and encouragement. It’s nothing to see her arrive on our drive calf in tow – then she ties it to my washing line, good training, she says, if she decides to show either of them.

It reminds me of my own childhood. I trained a Guernsey heifer calf as part of the Young Farmers Calf Adoption Scheme, which entailed the young person ‘adopting a calf’, feeding it, keeping all the records of its feed and any events in its life –ear-tagging, disbudding its baby horns and so on – training and preparing it for the show ring with the young farmer suitably turned out in white coat and clean wellies.

The calf became really friendly and as she grew to full

Mabel and Gilbert were on hand to help the vet treat some sick cows

blackmorevale.net

size, I used to ride her around the village! We lived in Cucklington, where my parents farmed, and we didn’t have a pony, so she was all that was available. I put a hessian sack on her back and a halter on, and off we went complete with my little dog sat in front of me. Of course, there was less traffic back then, but she never minded

any cars that came by. We kept her for several years – I could call her name, ‘Frisky’, and up she would come.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen and Somerset Trading Barn, Linley Farm BA9 8 HD; www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk Phone: 01963 33177; open Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm.

All poultry must be housed

BIRD flu, avian influenza, is claiming more flocks across the country.

Restrictions were introduced from November 7 to try and keep poultry safe. All poultry, even ‘back yard small flocks’, must be housed. We will be relieved when December comes and our flock will be Christmas dinners!

We have grown some early birds for the US Thanksgiving and those who are having early Christmas gatherings.

The advice from the media was for Christmas poultry to be killed and frozen to avoid bird flu but this is not feasible.

Firstly, the Christmas poultry are grown to finish at Christmas and would not be ready; secondly, where to get freezer space?

Comments like this demonstrate the lack of understanding of the topic and, of course, all topics are more complex than first thought. Beware the printed word from non-experts!

Ins and outs of the breeding period

By Alice Miller BVSC DBR MRCVS Friars Moor Livestock Health

RECENTLY we have been busy helping our autumn block calving clients prepare for their upcoming breeding period.

Cows which are due to calve in August will need to breed now, since they are pregnant for on average 283 days. Their fertility success is reliant upon several factors and the more areas that are covered the better the chance of good results overall. There is plenty to consider, including eliminating the risk of infectious diseases, ensuring nutrition is balanced, making sure they have the correct minerals and vitamins, and both the females and males are in the best body condition and health.

The preparation period for herds relying on natural service, that is those that use a bull, should ideally have occurred a few weeks ago by now. We advise fertility testing bulls 60 days before the start of the breeding period to ensure there is enough time to rectify any problems if they are found. However, it is never too late, and it is still much better to fertility test a bull before he sets to work rather than after you suspect a problem.

For farms using artificial insemination (AI) they may have only just received their delivery of frozen semen straws for the breeding period, and while there is not a physical animal to examine it is important not to forget to assess the viability of the semen itself, too. We have currently been carrying out tests on frozen semen straws to

check its viability before use. We take the portable testing kit to the farm, thaw the semen and look at it under the microscope to assess its motility. You can see the movement of the cells and even examine individual semen cells by using specific stains. If a problem is suspected, the straws can then be sent off for further testing at a laboratory, which uses a computer-aided system to look at the finer detail to further assess the viability of the cells.

Bull stud farms house many breeding bulls of high genetic merit. I have been to visit one bull stud and it struck me how rigorous the health checks and inspections were. This is to ensure the best health and welfare of these animals but also to make sure the semen collected and distributed for AI use is of the best quality. The bulls were pampered too, kept in immaculate pens,

even with access to a big play pen where they could kick around balls, have a good back scratch and even knock about a punching bag. The advantage of using these bulls is that there is often a lot of data that accompanies them. You can select which specific bull should breed with a certain cow based on several traits. For example, we look to breed a smaller cow to a bull who is known to produce smaller calves and therefore have easy calvings.

The semen samples are packaged into straws which are frozen and distributed to companies which sell them to farmers. The semen straws must be stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C. They do not come cheap and are a huge investment for farmers. It is important to get storage tanks inspected before they are used. If straws are not stored correctly or handled properly the semen cells die and thousands of pounds can be wasted. More importantly, further losses are made if damaged straws are then used on cows. By the time poor conception rates become evident it can be too late, and the loss of time is loss of money. Farmers need cows to calve at a certain time to be able to provide enough milk at the right time for their contracts. So, we strongly advocate pre-breeding straw examinations before they are used for peace of mind and to ensure the best chance of conception and success.

For any questions on pre-breeding checks please do not hesitate to contact me at the practice.

www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk

Alice Miller examines a semen sample under the microscope

Local farmers invited to Cornish Mutual farm walks

“At Cornish Mutual, we know that farmers learn from other farmers and our latest series of farm walks will help them do just that”, says Tiffany Bailey, Farming Engagement Coordinator.

Hosted by farms across Dorset and the South West, the events are an opportunity for farmers to see how other farm businesses are diversifying into new areas or addressing current challenges. The farm walks take place on a range of different farm types and include hearing from the host farmers, a tour of the property and time for discussion and networking.

“There’s nothing better than seeing something for yourself,” said Tiffany. “As well as learning first-hand from the hosts, farmers will be able to discuss what interests or concerns them and share their own experiences.

“In this series, we’re concentrating on subjects central to our farming community and where Cornish Mutual is working with local experts to bring

valuable advice and support. These include soil health, succession planning, health & safety and rural crime.”

“Details of all our farm walks and upcoming events can be found on our website,” said Tiffany. “We are also keen

to hear from any farmers who might be interested in hosting an event.”

For more information, visit https://www.cornishmutual. co.uk/events-and-farm-walks/

ON FARM FODDER AUCTION

Tuesday 15th November 10.15am Holt Farm, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HL 50 x (80 x 70) Bales Hay – barn stored

Also to be sold by sample at Holt Farm: Witham Vale Farm, Witham Friary, Frome BA11 5HJ 20 x (80 x 70) Hay – barn stored, being fed to horses 11.15am Vale View Farm, Oborne, Sherborne, DT9 4RL 50 x Round Bale Silage – stacked on hard standing 11.45am Buildings at Down Lane, Trent, Sherborne 50 x 4’6” Round Bales Hay – Removal within 10 days 12.15 pm Cowpool Farm, Stoford, Yeovil, BA22 9UY 100 x 7’ (80 x 70) Bales Hay – barn stored 1.00pm Barn on Holway Lane, Holway, Cattistock 50 x (120 x 70) Bales 1 st cut Hay – barn stored 2.00pm Field Barn Farm, Winterborne Whitechurch, Blandford, DT11 0HT

100 x Round Bales Hay – barn stored 300 x (120 x 90) Bales Wheat Straw – barn stored 100 x (120 x 90) Barley Straw – barn stored 300 x (120 x 90) Bales Oat Straw - barn stored 100 x Round Bales Oat Straw – barn stored 50 x Round Bales Haylage – stacked on hard standing

Also to be sold by sample at Field Barn Farm: Glebe Farm, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, DT11 9DE 100 x D4000 (80 x 70) 4’ Bales 1 st cut 2021 Haylage –not spiked, stacked on hard 100 x (80 x 70) Bales 2021 Hay 2.45 pm Chilbridge Farm, Chilbridge, Wimborne, BH21 4DY 143 (sell as 140) x 4’ Round Bales Barley Whole Crop – stacked on hard standing

ALL LOTS TO BE PAID FOR IN FULL ON THE DAY OF SALE

Contact Greg Ridout – 07817 5174679

ToLet byTender

of

British Association of Removers

What does the rise in interest rates mean for homeowners - and buyers?

LAST week, the Bank of England (BofE) announced a 0.75 percent rise in interest rates, to 3 percent - but what does that mean for homeowners and those hoping to buy?

The rates are now the highest they’ve been since 2008, and the three-quarter percent rise is the biggest single increase in more than 30 years - but it had been expected, as the BofE attempts to stifle inflation.

The Government sets the Bank of England an inflation target of 2%, but the current level is much higher, at 10.1%.

Will this make it harder to get a mortgage?

There’s now more stability in the financial markets. So we’ve seen an increase in the number of mortgage deals available recently, and the cost of fixedprice deals has started to fall, says property website Rightmove.

“Many of the deals mortgage lenders are currently offering have already factored in an interest rate rise of 0.75%, because it was expected. So it’s unlikely the rise will lead to an increase in the pricing of mortgages,” a spokesperson said.

“That said, lenders have tightened their affordability criteria over recent weeks. This is to make sure people are still able to afford their mortgages, were their payments to increase.”

First-time buyers who are already stretching themselves financially to try and get onto the property ladder might find it more difficult to get a mortgage, according to Rightmove property expert, Tim Bannister.

“It’s important to look beyond the

headline numbers. Mortgage brokers and lenders will be able to help people assess the different options available to manage their costs and see if they can afford to move,” he said.

“What we’re hearing from estate agents is that people are taking a medium- to long-term view when weighing up if now is a good time to move. If they know they can afford the mortgage payments, and they’ve found a home they love, then they’re determined to try and make it work.”

What could the interest rate rise mean for your mortgage?

If you’re on a tracker rate mortgage, you’ll most likely see your monthly repayments increase shortly. This is because the amount that’s repaid is usually set according to the current interest rate, plus a set percentage.

If you’re on a fixed-rate deal, the

interest you pay is set until the end of your term, which means today’s announcement won’t affect your current monthly repayments, at least until your current deal ends.

When your fixed-rate deal does come to an end, you’ll automatically be switched to a Standard Variable Rate (SVR) unless you lock in a new fixed deal.

Lenders determine their own SVR, as this type of mortgage doesn’t directly track the BofE interest rate. And most lenders have passed on all recent interest rate changes to their SVR.

Why do interest rates keep rising?

The Bank of England is tasked with ensuring inflation is low and stable, as high inflation means all of the goods and services we buy cost more.

When inflation is high and there’s too much money being pumped into the economy, chasing too few goods, the Bank of England raises interest rates.

Higher interest rates mean it’s more expensive to borrow money, and people then have less to spend. This results in money being drawn out of the economy, and instead being spent on the cost of borrowing, including things like mortgages.

House prices fell for the third time in four months, Halifax figures show

HOUSE prices in the UK fell for the third time in four months in October, according to new figures.

The Halifax House Price Index showed the average cost of a property dropped by 0.4 percent for the month.

It was the sharpest fall since February 2021, the lender said, and took the average house price to a five-month low, of £292,598.

Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages, said: “While the pace of annual growth also continued to ease, to +8.3% compared to +9.8% in September, average prices remain near record highs.

“Though the recent period of rapid house price inflation may now be at an end, it’s important

to keep this is context, with average property prices rising more than £22,000 in the past 12 months, and by almost £60,000 (+25.7%) over the last three years, which is significant.

“While a post-pandemic slowdown was expected, there’s no doubt the housing market received a significant shock as a result of the mini-budget which saw a sudden acceleration in mortgage rate increases.

“While it is likely that those

rates have peaked for now –following the reversal of previously announced fiscal measures – it appears that recent events have encouraged those with existing mortgages to look at their options, and some would-be homebuyers to take a pause.

“Understandably we have also seen consumer caution grow, as industry data shows mortgage approvals and demand for borrowing declining. The rising cost of living coupled with already stretched mortgage affordability is expected to continue to weigh on activity levels.”

She said the upcoming Autumn Statement could also point to a ‘slower period for house prices’.

“While certain longer-term, structural market factors which support higher house prices – like the shortage of available properties for sale – are likely to remain, how significantly prices might ultimately adjust will also be determined by the performance of the labour market,” she added.

“Currently joblessness remains historically low, but with growing expectations of the UK entering a recession, unemployment is expected to rise. While it may not spike to the same extent as seen in previous downturns, history tells us that how this picture develops in the coming months will be a key determinant of house price performance into next year and beyond.”