The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 113

What’s inside this issue…

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Sports club seeks funds for

needed improvements

PIMPERNE Sports Society, near Blandford, has launched a campaign to raise £1,500 for essential repairs to the Pavilion, pitch improvements and new sports equipment. The aim is to enhance facilities for

Andy Jeffery, founder/chair of the youth football club, said: “Our mission is to encourage children to reduce screen time and embrace outdoor activities through football,

Planting for the future: Help save the rare black poplar

CUTTINGS from one of the UK’s rarest native timber tree, the black poplar, are ready to go out to the public – thanks to their cultivation at a Dorset farm.

Conservationists at Bere Marsh Farm, near Shillingstone, owned by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), are calling for enthusiastic growers to collect the cuttings.

There are only around 7,000 black poplar (Populus nigra subsp betulifolia) trees in the country. Even more concerning, only around 600 of these trees are female –making the preservation of this species crucial.

Bere Marsh Farm has two black poplars on-site, one male and one female. The male tree, planted by the late Angela Hughes, who owned the farm before the CRT, stands proudly outside Bere Marsh Cottage, while the female tree is along the riverbank. There are also others nearby across the road and along the River Stour.

Bere Marsh Farm is taking an important step towards preserving this species. Thanks to the hard work of CRT volunteers and the support of Trees for Wimborne, there are 35 cuttings ready to plant from the male black poplar.

The cuttings will be distributed to people around Dorset and further afield, who are interested in growing their own black poplars.

CRT assistant conservation officer Jenny Ashdown said: “The tree was tested by Trees for Wimborne and found to be native,

a subspecies betulifolia, and male. Black poplars easily hybridise with other species of poplar, producing hybrids. Our volunteers took 200 cuttings and 35 are now ready to go out. We will have more in the future.

“Material was recently taken from the other tree on the farm by a project being run collaboratively by Trees for Wimborne and Trees for Dorset. This was tested and confirmed that it is female and also native and cutting material was taken to grow on.

“The saplings we have ready now, grown from the male tree, are a vital part of the project, and they’re ready to be shared with those eager to help.”

The key to saving the black poplar lies in spreading them across the country and increasing the genetic diversity of the population. By distributing the cuttings to different locations, we reduce the risk of a single pest wiping out the entire population. The more diverse the gene pool, the stronger the population will be.

• It’s essential to plant them in a space that can accommodate their size, ideally at least a few miles away from Bere Marsh to help diversify the gene pool.

Hopefully Bere Marsh Farm will play a role in spreading these trees further afield.

“Through collaborations like this, we’re increasing awareness and encouraging a broader effort to help protect and replant black poplars. Swapping cuttings with Trees for Wimborne helps to further expand the genetic diversity,” said Jenny.

Black poplar is a dioecious species, which means male and female catkin flowers are found on separate trees. Male catkins are red and female catkins are yellowy green. The flowers are pollinated by the wind and female catkins then develop into fluffy cotton-like seeds, which fall in late summer.

The black poplar can be identified by its deeply fissured bark, triangular leaves and spreading branches often with up-turned tips. They thrive in boggy terrain and wetland habitats and Bere Marsh Farm provides perfect growing conditions for this water loving tree, because the farm is regularly flooded by the River Stour. Black poplars can live for 200 years and reach 30 metres in height.

If you’re interested in planting a black poplar, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• These trees thrive in wet, boggy ground and can grow to be quite large.

• Bere Marsh Farm staff need to know roughly where you plan to plant it, so we can map the locations and track the spread of these important trees.

• While black poplars can be coppiced (cut back to encourage new growth), this needs careful management to keep them healthy and thriving.

Thanks to the Blandford Rotary Club, whose generous donation has provided tree guards to protect the cuttings.

For more information, visit www.thecrt.

The lone male black poplar at Bere Marsh Farm

Poplar cuttings, ready for rehoming

Counting sheep

FARMERS, small-holders, shepherds and enthusiasts alike enjoy the support and camaraderie of Cerne Sheep Group.

Professional shepherd Richard Brown started Cerne Sheep Group more than 35 years ago. It had about 60 members, all professional shepherds and large sheep flock keepers. In those days the group was sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The Group has evolved over the years, and today only about half of the 30-odd members keep sheep, mostly small flocks. They are united by their interest in farming and the rural way of life. A varied programme of events covers diverse topics –not all about sheep – with speakers including our North and West Dorset MPs, who both have an interest in agriculture.

Vets have presented talks on

animal health and behaviour, and other speakers have covered topics including thatching, stick making, and organic and regenerative farming.

This sociable Group is a valuable opportunity for many Blackmore Vale farmers, who can be quite isolated.

During the summer, the Group undertakes diverse visits. Members have enjoyed days out to see cattle, goat milking (including ice cream making and sampling), racing stables, carriage horses, a wool processing plant, as well as the odd fish farm and brewery!

New members are always welcome. The Group’s subscriptions are not unreasonable, and a nominal fee is charged for a one-off individual visit.

The Group’s December

meeting was given a festive feel by Morgan Antell and his team, who put on a rousing game of ‘Call My Bluff’. This was followed by the Christmas supper and raffle.

On Monday, January 13, Group member Howard Payton gave an illustrated talk on the feral Soay flock he encountered during his time on St Kildas, working with Professor Peter Jewell for National Geographic.

Coming up, Rob Sanom, coastguard and member of the New Hardy Players, will be speaking to the Group on Monday, February 10, at 7.30pm (The Fox at Ansty, DT2 7PN).

Take to the skies

THE Battle of Britain Over Sturminster Newton is the subject of a talk by John Smith at The Exchange in the town.

The talk is hosted by Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust, which will hold its annual meeting after the talk.

The event is on Wednesday, February 19, at 7pm and entrance is £4 on the door for nonmembers.

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LOYAL New Blackmore Vale reader, Tim Balmer, of Lydlinch, sent in this picture of a snow bunting, a rare winter visitor to the south of the UK, at Hamworthy in Poole Harbour. Birders, photographers and members of the public were interested to see the bird, which may have migrated from Iceland, earlier this month.

Almost 5% increase to council tax proposed to fund essential services

DORSET households could see their council tax rise by just under 5% from April.

Councillors are debating plans to increase council tax as part of its budget proposals for 2025/26.

A £416m budget has been proposed for the coming year, which would see a £39m increase in spending from last year and includes more funds for essential services.

For residents, this proposed increase would work out to just under a 3% increase for their council tax and a 2% increase in the adult social care precept.

A council spokesperson said this equates to an additional 24p a day for most households.

The proposed £39m increase to the budget would see additional funding for adult social care and housing services (£14.5m), children’s services (£1.5m) and services including transport, highways and planning services (£4m).

Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget with expenditure equal to revenue.

Dorset Council said the increase to the budget is needed as it faces increasing financial pressure due to the growing number of elderly people in the county who

require social care support.

Projections for the cost to deliver council services next year are forecast to be £83.4m but Dorset Council has said this sum is not affordable and so has proposed a series of significant cost-saving measures equating to around £44m.

£12m is to be found from new services and grants, £14m from “managing and meeting need differently”, £3m from reducing third-party spend, and £14.4m to be saved by operating more efficiently as a council.

As well as this, the council has proposed slimming down the council with fewer staff as a way to streamline council operations.

The plans was discussed at the joint overview committee meeting on January 9.

The detailed proposals are set out in a budget and medium-term financial plan that go before the council’s scrutiny committees.

Councillor Simon Clifford, cabinet member for finance and capital strategy, said the proposed budget shows the council is making substantial investments in essential services.

“Since taking leadership of the council last May, we’ve prioritised housing, economic growth, supporting communities,

and addressing the climate and nature crisis,” he said.

“It continues to be a tough financial climate for councils with inflation, the new requirement to pay higher employee National Insurance costs, and the ever-increasing need for social care services, particularly with our growing older population in Dorset.

“Despite these national financial challenges, we are making tough decisions to secure a strong financial future for Dorset Council and deliver the services our residents need most.”

The budget-setting process takes place in several stages. The proposals are considered by two scrutiny committees, then reviewed and submitted to cabinet, and then to full council in February for final approval.

There are two public meetings still to come: Cabinet, at 6:30pm on Tuesday 28 January and Full Council at 6:30pm on Tuesday 11 February.

These committee meetings can be viewed online and in person. View the calendar and joining details on the Dorset Council website www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk (and clicking the following buttons: Councillors, committees and elections –Committees – Calendar).

Date in the diary for fiction fans

DATES have been confirmed for Mere Literary Festival, which will be back later this year with a bold week of events, plus a few surprises.

The festival, under new director Wayne Stevens, aims to bring back the feel of a community celebration with a full week of activities.

The “new and improved showcase for Mere” will include the re-introduction of a children’s literary festival and, for the first time, performancebased “fringe” events.

“My vision is to make it appeal to a much wider audience,” said Wayne. “This means the festival will be about much more than just books.”

The new organising

committee has already started work on shaping the look and feel of the charity event, which begins on October 13.

Wayne, an auctioneer specialising in antiquarian books, said: “Every penny we generate will go to local charities so we are looking for business sponsors to help us raise as much money as possible.”

The organisers are also appealing for volunteer helpers to ensure individual events run smoothly on the day.

If you’re interested in helping out, email organiser@ mereliteraryfestival.com

Find out more about the festival at mereliteraryfestival. com

Talk will reveal how gladiator duels might have been fought in Dorset

A CHISELLED man, complete with weapons, faces off against a snarling wild beast as thousands of enraptured fans look on…

It’s a scene from ancient Roman times, recreated in Hollywood movies like Gladiator ad countless more, giving movie watchers a look into a horrific – yet thrilling –past. But what if such gruesome battles between man and beast took place here, on our shores?

A talk at the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in April will explore exactly that – and even how gladiatorial combat took place right here, in Dorset.

“Can we understand the reality of gladiator shows behind the modern myths, especially in remote parts of the empire like Britain?,” a spokesperson said. “Maumbury Rings and other Romano-British amphitheatres impress us still, but what happened within them?”

Dr John Pearce, a lecturer in archaeology at King’s College, London, will be on hand to explore the questions and the evidence we have regarding Roman gladiatorial activity in

Britain – and in Dorset.

“This talk will explore recent research by the speaker and others on new discoveries and older finds, including objects, images and skeletal remains,” the spokesperson went on.

“The evidence allows us to see not only the uncomfortable reality of death and mutilation in arenas like those of

Dorchester. It also illuminates the networks which brought star performers, human and animal, to Britannia from the furthest corners of the empire, and reveals the fan culture which sustained the holding of spectacles in its cities and garrisons.”

The event in Dorchester, running between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday, April 24, is part of a public programme supporting the British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Colchester and Ipswich Museums: Gladiators of Britain, running from January 25 to May 11. For more details, and to book tickets, visit www. dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/ deadly-games-in-romandorchester-gladiator-showsand-beastly-spectacles-inbritannia

Driver is ‘no longer delivering’ for Evri after missing parcel mystery

A MYSTERY over the nondelivery of a package caused a row between the sender, the delivery company – and the intended recipient.

On December 5, a resident in a village near Hazelbury Bryan, was informed courier firm Evri had delivered a package at his home.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, was expecting a parcel after making a purchase from online auction site eBay, but was shocked to discover the photograph accompanying his delivery notification was not of his doorstep.

Thankfully, after some sleuthing work, he was able to track down where his parcel had apparently been dropped off –only to discover it had not been.

The household where the photograph had been taken checked their video doorbell system, which showed a delivery person snapping the parcel, before leaving with it.

“I was advised by this address that the carrier’s driver had taken a picture of my parcel, then removed my parcel and drove away,” they said. “The lady of the house gave me a copy of a video taken by her door camera showing the incident.”

Your New Blackmore Vale has edited the video to hide the identity of the delivery driver, who appears to photograph the missing package at the incorrect address, before leaving with it.

The intended recipient said the video – and all details of the non-delivery – were then sent to Evri, who he said were unhelpful.

“All this info was transmitted to the CEO of Evri,” he went on. “Customer services contacted me and advised an investigation would be started.

“Many emails were passed between them and myself. Unfortunately, they have not

resolved this and have not responded to any further emails from myself.”

He said eBay and the seller had claimed responsibility lay with Evri, while Evri implied the customer should take up the matter with the seller.

“For some reason, Evri are not taking this seriously,” he added. “They have made no attempt to compensate me for the value of this shipment, they continue to advise me to contact the seller, who is aware his shipment was not delivered, and continues to request that I refer to carrier. This is now over a month since this saga began.”

However, after being

Vale village trips the light

contacted by your New Blackmore Vale, Evri confirmed it had investigated the incident and that the driver concerned was no longer delivering.

A spokesperson said: “This falls below the high standard of service we expect of our couriers, and we have spoken to (the customer) to apologise and to offer a gesture of goodwill. We can confirm that the courier will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.”

After being contacted by Evri, the customer said it was not about money, but “the principle”.

n Watch the video at blackmorevale.net

The driver was filmed delivering - then taking away - the parcel

Second place: Phil and Shirley Singer of Stoney Bridge

First place: Debra and Haviland Vincent of Puckwell

Third place: Janet Howard of Dhuli Fou

Pair charged after vehicle thefts

A MAN and a woman have both been charged by police following a series of vehicle crimes in and around Dorchester.

Dorset Police said they arrested the pair after they pursued a stolen car on New Year’s Eve.

“Both are suspected of being responsible for a significant wave of vehicle crime in and around Dorchester and further afield,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“The female has been charged with 14 offences including theft from vehicles and further fraud involving stolen bank cards, [and was] released on bail for a future trial.

“The male has been charged with 24 offences including theft from and of vehicles and fraudulent use of stolen bank cards. He has been remanded in prison and awaits a future trial.”

Your New Blackmore Vale reported on police cracking down on vehicle crime in Dorchester after officers said they had received numerous reports of theft from vehicles or attempted theft from vehicles in Dorchester and the surrounding area since September.

“A number of other offenders suspected of involvement in the crime series remain on police bail and are likely to be charged in the near future with vehiclerelated crime,” a spokesperson added.

Police are encouraging people to continue to report vehicle crime and any suspicious activity around vehicles.

This can be done via the Dorset Police website.

Picture appeal after assault

POLICE are appealing for help to identify a person they would like to speak to in connection with the alleged assault of a woman near Dorchester.

The incident unfolded in the Broadmayne area at around noon on Thursday, December 19, when a woman was reportedly assaulted by a man.

“It is alleged the man pushed the victim several times before

grabbing her phone and throwing it to the floor,” said a Dorset Police spokesperson.

Anyone with information, or who recognises the person pictured, should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police. uk, or by calling 101, quoting reference 55240193854. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by

Cigarettes and tobacco worth almost £2,000 stolen from Spar shop

ALMOST £2,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco were stolen from The Spar shop in Sturminster Marshall.

The store, in Station Road, was broken into some time between 5.30pm on November 24, and 6.30am the following morning, with £1729.85 worth of cigarettes and tobacco stolen, police said.

Dorset Police has now released CCTV images of a man they would like to identify in connection with the theft (pictured).

Police community support investigator Amelia Vaughan, of North Dorset police, said: “An investigation is continuing into the incident and we are now in a position to release CCTV images of a man we’d like to identify as part of our enquires.

“I would ask anyone who recognise this man to please get in touch.”

Call Dorset Police on 101, quoting reference number 55240180970 or make a

report on the Dorset Police website www. dorset.police.uk.

Arrest made

A MAN has been arrested in connection with a theft from a commercial premises near Sherborne. The burglary, at a property in Bradford Abbas, was reported on January 7.

Later, officers from the Sherborne and Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT), Rural Crime Team (RCT) and Force Support Group (FSG) raided an address in Yetminster in connection with the incident.

“Following searches at the address, officers seized two trailers, one suspected and the other confirmed as being reported stolen from the Wiltshire area,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“Officers also seized a number of garden tools that were reported as stolen and a consignment of frozen turkeys suspected as stolen.”

A 46-year-old man from Yetminster was arrested on suspicion of theft, burglary and handling stolen goods, they added, and has been released under investigation.

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Refreshed community directory of support launched for Dorset

PEOPLE in local communities can get the latest information from the public, private and the voluntary and community sectors following the launch of a newly refreshed online directory.

Dorset Council has been working with Help and Kindness on the updated directory, which includes information on carers support, climate emergency, community resources, emergency and crisis support and health and well-being.

The directory contains tabs linking to advice and guidance on financial support and advice, food and eating well, support after leaving hospital and living at home, physical activities and sport and social activities and events.

The directory has improved navigation as well as new content, with information from a range of providers across Dorset.

Jon Sloper, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Help and Kindness, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch the new directory of community support in

Charity donation

PROPERTY search company X-Press Legal Services has given £500 to Dorset charity, Amelia’s Rainbow.

“I am delighted to have been able to support this wonderful local charity,” said Linda Mannion, owner of X-Press Legal Services Dorset.

“Amelia’s Rainbow helps local children who have serious and complex chronic conditions, lifelimiting conditions and those receiving palliative care and their families have fun together.”

New craft beer bar could be coming to Wincanton High Street

WINCANTON could see a new craft beer bar open in the town if plans are approved.

An application has been submitted for prior approval to change the use of the former High Street shoe repair shop, The Wincanton Cobbler, into a “beer and bottle craft bar” at Pine House.

The plans would see the ground floor renovated to create a bar area, bottle and barrel stores, a saloon area, and toilets.

Up to two new flats have also been proposed above the former shop.

Bell Associates Architectural Planning, on behalf of the applicant, said: “The applicants consider the proposed change of use will benefit the town with a new amenity outlet.”

They added: “Whilst the

applicants believe patrons to the establishment will predominately be on foot there is a significant amount of parking at the rear of the site if required.”

To view and comment on the plans, visit the planning section of Somerset Council’s website and search reference 24/03020/ P3GPA.

Linda is pictured making the donation to Farah Batchelor, charity manager for Amelia’s Rainbow

Shaftesbury Lido gets funding promise for major upgrades

SWIMMERS at Shaftesbury Lido will soon be enjoying new equipment thanks to funding from town leaders.

Shaftesbury Town Council has voted to invest in the future of the pool by replacing the aging filtration system and installing a new pool liner.

The investment ensures that the Lido meets the standards set by the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) and the Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association (SPATA).

“The council’s decision reflects our commitment to keeping the Lido a safe, modern, and vibrant space for our community,” a council spokesperson said.

“By investing in the infrastructure of the Lido, we can secure the Lido’s future for the next decade, ensuring it remains a costeffective and cherished asset.”

External funding is actively being pursued to help reduce the overall cost of the upgrades, they said, which include improved filtration pipework, new filters, larger pipe systems, and a new pool liner.

“The works will go out to tender following the budget setting in the New Year,” the spokesperson added.

“We thank everyone who has supported the Lido over the years and look forward to your continued enthusiasm as we enhance this valued facility.”

Digging up the past

A ‘MEET the Archaeologists’ event will be held at Sturminster Newton Museum at the end of the month.

Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen and Claire Pinder will be available to identify finds on Thursday, January 30.

The event is by appointment only from 10am to noon – to book, email finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk – and runs as a drop-in session between noon and 1pm.

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Peatland restoration to protect floating spider and flesh-eating plant

WORK is under way to further restore and re-wet Holt Mire, an important peatland habitat on Holt Heath National Nature Reserve.

The Reserve is one of the largest areas of lowland heath in Dorset, and is cared for by the National Trust.

Its restoration is part of the Dorset Peat Partnership’s £1m project to reinstate peatlands on 16 sites across the county.

The equivalent to over 180 football pitches of peatland (242 acres) is being restored on Holt Heath.

Drainage ditches are being blocked to raise the water table and vegetation cleared to encourage peatland flora and fauna to recover and thrive –including the floating raft spider and the carnivorous

sundew plant.

The project will tackle climate change and benefit nature, while also improving drought and fire resilience by holding more water in the landscape during the summer and soaking up heavy rainfall.

In December 2023, fire crews from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue tackled a large wildfire at Holt Heath, which destroyed nine acres.

Peatlands play a critical part in tackling climate change. They capture and store up to three times as much carbon as woodlands, but they are in decline.

80% of peatland in the UK has been affected by human activity including development, drainage for agriculture, and

forestry and the removal of peat and the drying out of these special landscapes is having a major impact on nature.

Dorset's peatlands are a mosaic of rich and diverse wetland habitats, bogs, mires and fen spread across our

lowland heath habitats. They are internationally recognised for their ecological significance and are homes to migratory birds, rare damselflies, amphibians and reptiles, which rely on the condition of these wet mire heath habitats to

National Trust, Alex Dixon Photography

survive.

Eleanor Egan, National Trust countryside manager for Kingston Lacy said: “Holt Mire is an incredibly important and unusual habitat in Dorset. Restoring the peatland will stop carbon from being released from the degrading peat and eventually encourage the creation of more peat. This project will also safeguard a rare and beautiful habitat that is home to many weird and wonderful creatures that just

aren’t found anywhere else.”

Grace Hervé, Dorset Peat Partnership Project Manager said: “This partnership is demonstrating real success on how to work with nature and tackle multiple problems in one go. The simplicity of the restoration works using just the natural materials already present on site to form peat blocks in drainage channels to hold back water is truly incredible – the results are immediate.”

Bonnets up at Haynes

HAYNES Motor Museum is offering motoring enthusiasts and the curious alike the chance to get up close to some of the cars that have defined automotive history.

The museum at Sparkford is presenting its ‘Bonnets Up!’ experience, a chance to literally lift the lids, boots and doors to explore a rotating selection of iconic cars.

Among the collection is a legendary DeLorean, the car famously known for its role in Back to the Future

The SD Rover Estate is also a highlight, one of just two prototypes ever produced, and a testament to British innovation.

Other featured cars include vintage gems and engineering marvels such as the 1958 Facel Vega and Land Rover, 1981 Lotus Turbo Esprit and 1957 Jaguar Mark VIII.

‘Bonnets Up!’ runs until Tuesday, February 14.

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Get on your bike for coast to coast charity challenge

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance, which this year marks its 25th anniversary, is calling on supporters to saddle up for its annual Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge.

The event seeks to be fun and inclusive rather than competitive, with long and short routes both finishing at West Bay.

600 places are available for the event on Saturday, May 10, and entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship.

The 55-mile challenge starts at Watchet Harbour in Somerset at 10.30am and features challenging climbs and thrilling descents.

The 11-mile challenge starts at the Royal Oak pub in Drimpton at 2pm.

Both routes include pit stops

with refreshments.

Alana Hardy, events officer at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: “Our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge has become a firm favourite over the years and we’re so proud to see how it brings people together from all walks of life.

“Whether you take part as a challenge, in memory of a loved one, or simply to support our charity, you’re helping to make a real difference.

“This year is extra special as we celebrate 25 years of saving lives. We can’t wait to welcome everyone, not just along the route, but also at the finish line in West Bay, where the atmosphere is always electric.

“Every mission we undertake is funded by you, so every pedal stroke and every pound raised

will help us to be there today, tomorrow and for many years to come.”

Entry fees for the 55-mile route are £40 for adults and £20

for under 16s; and for the 11-mile route £20 adults and £10 under 16s.

To sign up, visit www. dsairambulance.org.uk/c2c

A chance to learn about almshouses

SHERBORNE Historical Society’s talk on Thursday, January 23 – its annual Memorial Lecture – focuses on the subject of historic almshouses.

Among them are Sherborne’s St John’s Hospital, an important medieval complex much in the news in recent years.

Matthew Saunders MBE, the leading authority on the subject, will give the talk.

He has had a distinguished career in architectural conservation and as an adviser to Historic England.

Star of wonder

PHOTO: George Jeans

THE Star of Bethlehem light installation was on show at St Michael’s Church in Mere over the Christmas period. The piece is by artist Bruce Munro, from Kilmington.

Town celebrates spectacular lights

and

GEOFF and Pat Sams of Lynch Close, Mere, celebrate after taking first prize in the Mere Christmas lights display.

The judges pounded the pavements of Mere, eventually deciding on a winner after noting the “great effort” made by many of the townspeople.

The winning display was truly magical, and took six months of preparation.

Pictured are winner Pat and Geoff Sams receiving their prize

of two bottles of wine and a shield from council chair person John Jordan.

Second place went to Neil Maitland and Claire Turner of Castle Hill Crescent; third place was Roger Sainsbury and Julie Coward of Angel Lane.

“Over the past few years it has become increasingly difficult to pick out one winner from the road that never disappoints, so this year we would like to award Dene’s Avenue the Community Spirit Award,” said the judges.

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Pictures

text by George Jeans

Walkers enjoy New Bottom at New Year

THE annual walk around New Bottom, organised by Healthy Mere Walking, was postponed until January 4 due to bad weather on New Year’s Day.

One group took a ‘lighter’ walk, with all who finished receiving a badge and a hot toddy (alcoholic or not).

Literary talk looks at life’s work

THE life and work of the musicologist and LGBTQ+ pioneer Sylvia Townsend Warner will be the subject of a talk at Gillingham Library.

Mark Damon Chutter, chair and academic director of the Thomas Hardy Society, will explore and read from her literary fiction, such as Lolly Willowes, and poetry, including Drawing You, Heavy With Sleep, which mirrors her love and deep devotion to her partner, Valentine Ackland.

Readings will also be given from her diaries which connect her to Dorchester, first living at East Chaldon within a miniBloomsbury and Bohemian group of writers and artists, and then later at Frome Vauchurch in Maiden Newton.

Mark will also discuss, and provide information about fundraising for a new statue of Sylvia planned for Dorchester to be unveiled in December.

The talk on Thursday, February 20, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm is a free event, but must be booked via Gillingham Library on 017478 22180 or Eventbrite.

Fern Brook Lodge residents enjoy ‘fur therapy session’

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Fern Brook Lodge residents enjoyed some ‘fur therapy’ when some guinea pigs and rabbits came to visit the Gillingham care home.

Kirsty from Hooves, Hounds and Hutches regularly visits the home on Fern Brook Lane with some cute animals for the residents to talk to and cuddle.

The activity is led by the care home’s dedicated onsite activities team who run a daily programme of events to bring the residents together to socialise and build friendships.

Other recent activities have included pamper sessions, live music performances, sugar crafting, baking competitions and visits to garden centres and Sherborne Castle.

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care.

The care home runs a free weekly Memory Cafe session every Thursday from 10am to 11am which is open to people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book in advance, just turn up.

Reading together

SHAFTESBURY Library Reading Together group brings people together and books to life.

It meets every other Thursday at Shaftesbury library.

The group reads aloud short stories and poems, then discusses them in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There’s no need to read ahead or attend every week.

The next fortnightly meeting of Reading Together will be on Thursday, January 23, between 1.45pm and 3.15pm.

For more information and to book your space contact Shaftesbury Library on 01747 852256 or email shaftesburylibrary@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Your time can change lives

COMMUNITY Response

Volunteers are the ‘good neighbours’ in our communities, helping and supporting elderly, frail and vulnerable people across our towns and villages.

Volunteer Centre Dorset receives more than a thousand requests for volunteer’s tasks every year.

Could you help with one of these? Could you join the Community Response Volunteers?

The programme is originally a legacy from the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, across the UK, thousands of people stood up and volunteered to help with everyday tasks to support people in their community – neighbours helping neighbours with simple tasks such as a friendly phone call, picking up some bits of shopping or collecting a prescription.

for help. My daughter lives in Newcastle and I don’t use the internet, so I was worried how I’d manage,” said Shirley from Sherborne.

This kind of help is needed now more than ever before, so Volunteer Centre Dorset is

hoping to recruit some new volunteers for 2025.

People need a little bit of help for lots of reasons.

“Having Lynn drop by with some shopping when I first came home from hospital made all the difference! I don’t like to bother anyone, but to be honest I had no one else to ask

Sign up as a Community Response Volunteer and you allow the Volunteer Centre to include you on an email if someone in your area has requested help. If you’re available, and happy to help, you just respond. It’s as simple as that.

There is no minimum commitment, and you can leave the opportunity whenever you like.

To find out more, call Helen on 01305 269214, or visit www. volunteeringdorset.org.uk

Conygar Timber branches out into fence panels

Dominic Ellis and Anna Maria started milling timber from Conygar Coppice for their clients’ projects over seven years ago. Around five years ago they started selling the sawn timber and have been going from strength to strength ever since. They’re now branching out into fence panel production as a logical progression.

“Our timber is ideal for fence panels” they say. “The Douglas Fir that we harvest from the woods next to our yard is very resilient and will last for decades with no treatment”. The fence panels certainly are very sturdy with thicker than normal boards and good sized battens.

All the panels are hand-made in their workshop within sight of where the trees are felled. “We keep a close eye on quality in all stages of production,” says Anna, “from felling the trees, through the conversion into materials, to build and branding. Every piece of the panel is individually checked and any with defects are put to another use. The ability of our team to produce such a consistently high-quality panel is a testament to their passion to see a job well done!”

They certainly don’t scrimp on the fixings either. “I’ve spent decades working with wood” Dominic explained. “Experience has taught me which fixings work best with certain timbers. We’ve opted for stainless steel fixings throughout the construction of the panels as the tannins that naturally preserve the timber can erode other metals.”

Standing in their yard surrounded by stocks of sawn timber and some of their structures, you can see across to the woods where the trees for the timber were felled. The was an ancient woodland until it was felled in the 60’s and planted with the conifers. Conygar Timber are taking out a hectare a year, retaining any broadleaf trees that are growing amongst the conifers. The woods are initially being left to naturally regenerate from the plentiful seedbank in the soil and will be replanted to fill any gaps.

As well as the fence panels, Conygar Timber can also supply posts, gravel boards and fixings – and all sizes of sawn timber.

Conygar Timber can be found at the top of Castle Lane just off the A357 towards Okeford Fitzpaine.

Tradition dictates at school Nativity!

YOUNGSTERS treated parents, staff and visitors at Hanford School to a special performance of the traditional Nativity last month.

Senior pupils took part int he play, written for Hanford’s Founder, Sarah Canning, by Donald Kittermaster, an English teacher at The King’s

Kittermaster’s wife, Meriel, and costumes donated by Lady Rockley from the Amerhurst Collection.

The same play, set to the same music and with the same costumes, has been performed by girls in Years 7 and 8 ever since.

School in Worcester, in 1960 –using words from the King James Bible, Wordsworth and TS Elliot.

The music was chosen by

Francoise Witheridge, who has been directing the play since 1989, said she felt a real sense of responsibility to keep the play exactly as it was originally intended.

The pupils were delighted to be joined by Joy Plested, pictured inset right, one of the very first cohort of girls joining Hanford when the school was founded in 1947. Then called Joy Graham, she joined the school the following year in

1948 and entertained current pupils with tales about the school’s early days.

Hilary Phillips, head of Hanford, said: “This was a wonderful production. The Nativity is one of Hanford’s most precious traditions, it has been performed in the Hall at

Hanford since 1960 every year, and I look forward to many more performances in the years to come.”

Opening Hours

9am–5pm

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441 members achieved their personal target weight and thousands of weight loss awards have been celebrated in group alongside body magic awards for activity!

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Blandford

Methodist Church

Tuesday 7pm

Debbie 074115565185

Blandford

Methodist Church

Wednesday 5.30pm, 7pm

Debbie 074115565185

Blandford

Methodist Church

Thursday 5.30pm, 7.30pm

Tracey 07776309982

Blandford

British Legion

Wednesday 8.30am, 10am, 11:30am

Tracey 07776309982

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 7.30am, 9am, 10.30am

Lorraine 07771013728

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 5.30pm, 7.30pm

Gail 07748643783

Gillingham

Social Club

Hardings Lane

Tuesday 5.30pm, 7pm

Tracey 07776309982

Gillingham

Youth and Community Centre

Tuesday 9.30am, 11am

Lorraine 07771013728

Sturminster Newton The Exchange

Monday 5.30pm, 7.30pm

Gail 07748643783

Sherborne

Raleigh Hall

Digby Road

Tuesday 5.30pm

Sally 07973665167

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Raleigh Hall

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Wincanton

Memorial Hall

Wednesday 5.30pm, 7pm

Gail 07748643783

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Julie 07871821928

Somerton The Club

Gassons Lane

Monday 5.30pm, 7.15pm

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Yeovil

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Saturday 8am, 10am

Shelley 07786011728

Call for new cross-country jumps

THE Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Saddle Club is developing a new 70cm crosscountry course – and it needs your help!

The course, set to be completed in time for the 2025 eventing season, offers the chance for local businesses to design and sponsor themed jumps.

Currently, the club’s equestrian centre boasts courses for 80cm, 90cm, 100cm, and Novice (110cm) competitions. The introduction of the 70cm track will expand the club’s offerings, allowing more riders to experience the thrill of eventing and gain the valuable skills necessary to progress through the levels.

The new course will be designed and built by British Eventing designer Adrian Ditcham, who will approve each jump design to ensure safety and suitability for the track.

Stephanie Buchanan, yard manager at RAC Saddle Club, said:

“The Club is incredibly excited about the new 70cm track. It will provide riders of all levels with the opportunity to experience the thrill of eventing, while also allowing them to build the skills necessary to move

up to higher levels. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses and former Pony Club members, we’re pleased to announce that 10 out of the 20 jumps have already been sponsored. It’s been so much fun seeing the creative designs coming in – one of them even looks like a huge slice of cake!”

The club is now inviting additional sponsorship for the remaining jumps on the 70cm course. Sponsors will have the unique opportunity to design their own themed jump, with final approval from course designer Adrian Ditcham.

to experience the new track.

The club encourages sponsors to unleash their creativity, and looks forward to revealing some of the exciting new designs, including the highly anticipated cake jump!

The new 70cm track will be introduced alongside the BE 80, 90, and 100 courses at the Pony Club Area 14 event on July 6. In addition, an unaffiliated ODE will run alongside the 70, 80, 90, and 100 classes, offering even more opportunities for riders

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our past and present sponsors,” added Buchanan. “Their support has been invaluable in making this project possible.”

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to get involved, please contact office@racsaddleclub.co.uk or call 01929 403580 and speak to Steph Buchanan BEM Royal Armoured Corps Saddle Club yard manger / head coach BHSI.

Letters

More thoughts on farming

I AM writing to clarify some points in Mr Hillier’s letter ‘Modern farming is highly efficient’ – New Blackmore Vale, December 20.

He says that the average dairy farmer’s income last year was £70,000. He says it declined 68%, so that means the year before it was £218,750. Therefore, some money could be set aside in the good years to buy land.

Regards industrial scale farming that employs fewer people by using larger machines that damage the soil and is a nuisance on small roads – this is not suitable for Dorset, especially not in the Blackmore Vale.

The farms might be efficient in terms of generating profits but they are often the heavy users of chemicals, insecticides etc and, in my experience, environmental efforts made by intensive farming is usually just to receive large subsidies.

Regards agricultural property relief, tenant farmers will not pay inheritance tax on land they farm and children of owned family farms with 300 acres – using Mr Hillier’s figures –will pay no tax if they are inheriting from their parents because the threshold is not £1 million per farm, it is £1m for each parent plus the usual £500,000 – £325,000 for nil-rate band plus £175,000 for residence nil-rate band – that is £3m in total.

Where there is inheritance tax to be paid above £3 million, it is half the normal rate.

Gerhard Bauer Agronomist, Winchester

Lamb dumped in hedgerow

SHAME on you! The person who dumped a dead lamb in the hedgerow at Winterborne Whitechurch.

What authorities were you trying to avoid?

Thank you, Dorset County

Council for removing the poor animal.

Diane James Winterborne Whitechurch

Let reindeer live in peace

NEW Blackmore Vale readers may recall a time when travelling circuses raged throughout the UK.

The shadow of the Victorian Travelling Circus is long cast, and the horrors the animals endured began a slow rumble of compassion towards travelling

circuses being banned under the Wild Animals in Circuses Act (2019).

And yet, at Christmas, we were parading reindeer around the country again, even though these same activities would be illegal if associated with a travelling circus – as outlined in a new report by Freedom For Animals.

Five minutes of ‘festive fun’ for the public equates to a lifetime of suffering for reindeer, who are held captive all year.

Ironically, the reason we are in awe of reindeer is because we

The Mayor of Gillingham, Colin Weeks, presents members of Dementia Friendly, Gillingham, with their first place certificate

Tree festival was special

WE would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the recent Gillingham Christmas Tree Festival.

The library was filled with 26 trees provided by local groups and 381 votes were cast by the public.

Special thanks go to Milton WI and Crafty Coffee Group whose ‘Can You Guess?’ tree kept us all busy hunting for baubles –the two lucky winners will soon be receiving their book vouchers, and the group were rewarded for their efforts with second place in the public vote.

Employ My Ability came in third with its hilarious Christmas dinner themed tree.

But it was not the prospect of good food that made the biggest impact, but the memory of loved ones who would not be around at Christmas.

Dementia Friendly, Gillingham, with its baubles featuring photographs taken by local people of loved ones who have since died with dementia, won first place and all our hearts.

So, thank you, everyone, for coming together and making this such a special occasion.

We hope to host the Gillingham Christmas Tree Festival once every two years and look forward to having you all back in 2026!

Ruth Wilkins Gillingham Library

understand their wildness – we imagine them roaming through snowy landscapes, snacking on moss, surrounded by icy winds.

To try and capture this, these semi-wild animals are then confined to captivity all year, where their needs simply cannot be met.

Poor health and wellbeing is repeatedly reported in captive reindeer, who then suffer even more when transported up and down the country and exposed to the stressful environments of festive events.

There is another way – we can respect reindeer and imagine their snowy lives through storytelling and creativity but leave them to live their lives in peace.

To find out more, head to animalaid.org.uk/reindeer Nina Copleston-Hawkens Campaign Manager, Animal Aid

Memories of plane crash

I REMEMBER my father-inlaw telling me that an RAF jet had crashed in the fields behind where he lived, so it was with great interest that I read the New Blackmore Vale’s December 20 article about a plane crash nearby during the 1950s.

I automatically assumed this was the same crash I had been told about.

Not so, my wife tells me. Apparently, there was a crash during the mid-1970s in the field that I had been told about. This would have been between Mapperton and Spetisbury.

She remembers seeing the emergency services around Mapperton for a good portion of the day, along with members of the armed forces, who secured the whole area.

Does anyone remember this incident or is able to comment on it?

Our loose Canon

We lose touch with nature, the countryside and local landscape at our peril

by Canon Eric Woods

I HAVE been spending some of the gloomy, overcast days after Christmas working on a little booklet, to be the fourth in a series published by the East Street Press in Bridport. The first was about prayer, the second was a selection of these columns from the New Blackmore Vale Magazine, and the third was about the meaning of Christ’s death on the Cross. The fourth is a new departure, provisionally entitled Bare ruin’d choirs? The Reformation of the Landscape in Dorset and beyond. It examines what effect the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century had on our county – and a bit beyond. And one of the “bit beyond” houses I have included is Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire Lacock Abbey was founded as a nunnery in 1232 by Ela, Countess of Salisbury in her own right, three years after the death of her husband. Later she became a professed nun herself and was soon appointed Abbess. It was not unusual in those days for religious houses for women to be peopled almost entirely by those of high birth, and Lacock was one of them. Though they followed a monastic rule which was undoubtedly more stringent than the life to which they were born and had become accustomed, these nuns were not necessarily short of creature comforts!

At the reformation, the monastic estate was bought by Sir William Sharington, who turned the buildings into a manor house, which it remained for many years, though much altered by subsequent owners. It eventually passed into the Talbot family, one of whom – William Henry Fox Talbot – has a high claim to be known as the “father of photography”. There is today a wonderful museum and exhibition at Lacock of the history of photography, beginning with Fox Talbot himself.

Last time I visited Lacock, I read with interest a reflection by the current owners, the National Trust, which made the following point:

In the 1990s a stream was a small river, the web was what spiders built in your shed, a net was something you used to catch things, the cloud brought rain, and tweeting was what birds did.

Not anymore. In recent years, these words from the natural world have been so overtaken by technology that they are now used far more in that technology than they are in their original, natural meaning. For example, the word ‘web’ is now used only in 7% of cases with regard to nature. The rest is about technology. So too ‘stream’, ‘net’, ‘cloud’ and so on.

In other words, we as a nation are losing our connection with nature. Language represents what is important to a culture or society. So when “nature language” is stolen to apply to technology, clearly nature is becoming less important to us. And that is why there are still so many climate-change deniers – and why great swathes of our Green Belt are threatened with being turned into Grey Belt, so that they can be built on. Am I alone in finding that scary?

Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash

Making our dream retirement a reality

The rising cost of living and future uncertainty can be daunting. Retirement living experts, Platinum Skies, make the dream of a fulfilling retirement more attainable than ever with easy, low-cost living.

Jill has rheumatoid arthritis and uses a powered wheelchair outside the home. She lived in a 3-bedroom house that she was finding increasingly harder to look after.

“ Platinum Skies gave me the ability to move before my house completed with the part exchange scheme. There was help with solicitors and estate agents and all the financial side of things. They also arranged for me to have help from Senior Move, who helped me downsize and declutter, pack and unpack.

I enjoy that there are so many activities. You can get involved in as much or as little as you like. There are activities like Gardening Club and Book Club, quizzes, a painting club and bingo. There are pop-up shops, healthy eating workshops, and activities like Knitter-Natter and Bowls, as well as coffee mornings and visits from external speakers.

Thank you to everybody, the homeowners and the Platinum Skies staff because coming in as a single person can be quite daunting. However, it was so lovely to be welcomed right from day one.”

Ian is enjoying the next chapter of his life with new likeminded friends. Ian downsized from a four-bedroom family home following the death of his beloved wife.

“ One of the features that attracted me to Platinum Skies was its flexible purchase options. It allows you to buy an apartment that you wouldn’t be able to afford normally. The Shared Ownership Scheme releases equity in your house, which gives you options for the future - whether you want to give it to your children or go on a world cruise! You have that flexibility.

With the money released from my previous house, I’ve invested it for my children. Hopefully, the savings will grow and become their inheritance.”

Why not come and see how we’re challenging misconceptions of retirement.

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Field & Stream

Pesky Bramble, aka ‘There’s One Missing’

by Tria Stebbing

A DECEMBER of very mixed weather slipped stealthily into a very frosty January. Dry frosty days mixed with torrential rain and gales make for challenging times, and, at the time of writing, it was snowing, too. Our quiet time with the animals is being spent planning who goes where and what gets baled in the summer. Our own field in the away village is currently very muddy. We have a field shelter that needs moving and hedge that needs laying – it is a fine balance, though, between cracking on and damaging the already waterlogged land. Time is ticking, and by March we need to have taken the pregnant ewes back over and set them up ready for lambing. This means

Events

SNOWDROP WEEKEND

8th-9th FEBRUARY

St GEORGE’S CHURCH DAMERHAM SP6 3HU

10.00 - 16.00

Homemade Refreshments, Stalls Toilet. No admission charge

TARRANT VALLEY

PLAYERS PANTOMIME

“The Wind In The Willows - A Valley Adventure” 30th, 31st January & 1st February

ATTIC CLEARANCE!

We have stuff to sell at bargain prices, new, vintage and antique. For a full list just ring 07732179986 and come and have a look. Location is Shaftesbury.

they will be grazing the field we cut for small bales last summer. A good call, as we can keep some of the field back for when they lamb in early April. The new spring grass will be rich with nutrients and good for the nursing ewes. The shelters will need cleaning out and setting up – exciting times ahead.

So, we will need to bale the home village paddock for our small bales, currently inhabited by two lovely horses. The wet weather does, however, mean the grass is being disturbed by the hooves, but well fertilised! Belle, Sebastian and Babybel are really laying into the hay now as their main food source, and it remains a challenge taking it up to them in the slippery conditions.

The snowdrops have started flowering in the sheltered area and some of the hedgerows are shooting already.

Hedge-laying is still underway – the drier days are spent weaving the hedge into a manageable form, creating a safe haven for the wildlife. We have an elusive fox visiting at night currently and he leaves a scented trail that the big dog picks up, as well as a guilty pile of feathers when hunger wins over the natural urge to survive.

NEW ART CLASS

Suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.

Venue: Village Hall Stourpaine

Once a month on Thursdays 10 am- 1pm Please enquire: marionrroberts167@gmail. com

JUMBLE SALE at Marnhull Royal British Legion DT10 1HR on Saturday January 18th. Doors open at 10.15.

HOUSEHOLD CONTENTS & COLLECTABLES

- Saturday 18th January 9am to 2pm

- Old Boundary Lodge, Shaftesbury, SP7 8ND. w3w: export.relations. compress

The Dutch Spotted sheep are a delight. That is except for one. We shall call her Bramble, otherwise know as ‘There’s One Missing’. Dutch Spotted were imported to the UK by the breed society back in 2018 – they

lamb easily, are easy to handle and have hard feet. Their lambs are known to grow fast, as they provide a plentiful yield of milk. We have introduced them to our flock of Zwartbles to breed with next year, and they are friendly and come to the bucket readily. That same ewe seems to like wrapping herself in bramble and getting well and truly stuck. If there is any bramble in her paddock, she will find it, dress herself in it and then shout loudly that she is stuck. Who knows why, when she has a whole field of grass to graze, hay in the feeder and ewe nuts on tap!

We are all unique, but Bramble really was sent to keep us well and truly on our toes.

Eden Project chance

A SIXTH-FORM student from Sherborne has secured an offer to study at the internationally renowned Eden Project in Cornwall.

Penny Fox, from Leweston School, has received an offer to study Plant Science and she will be fully integrated into the Eden Project’s activities as part of her degree.

This hands-on experience will include working within the tropical and Mediterranean biomes, exploring the outdoor gardens, and contributing to the crop production facility.

Alongside these immersive experiences, Penny will collaborate with expert horticulturalists and attend specialised taught modules delivered onsite by leading lecturers in the field.

“We are incredibly proud of Penny and her remarkable achievement,” said Mrs Hutton, careers adviser at Leweston School.

“This opportunity will not only enhance her academic development but also provide her with real-world experiences in one of the most inspiring settings for Plant Science.”

Bramble the Dutch Spotted sheep

Musical takes audiences to 40s New York

SENIOR pupils at Bryanston School brought Broadway to Blandford with a dazzling theatrical production of Guys & Dolls, entertaining about 2,000 audience members across three nights.

More than 100 youngsters were involved in the production, including a 19-piece orchestra featuring professional musicians alongside pupils.

The audience was transported to the lively streets of 1940s New York, where gamblers, showgirls and starry-eyed lovers collided in a whirlwind of charm, wit and romance.

The performances were led by James H as Nathan Detroit, the lovable rogue running an illegal crap game, and Grace M as Miss Adelaide, Nathan’s long-suffering but devoted fiancee.

Toni K played Sky Masterson, the suave gambler who embarks on an unexpected romance with the strait-laced Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown, played by Elinor G.

The high-spirited and cheery Nicely-Nicely Johnson, often on stage as Nathan’s right-hand man, was played by Xandi S.

Xandi has taken a lead role in the Bryanston musical for the last three years and it was a marked moment for him and the audience as he took his last bow to a standing ovation.

Equally impressive was the ensemble cast, which brought the energy of New York’s streets to life.

The show featured intricate choreography in show-stopping numbers like Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat, and powerful harmonies delivered by the chorus.

The production also included

exceptional dance routines, seamless set changes and professional-standard costuming.

Director of Performing Arts and choreographer, Vicki Green, said: “From start to finish, this production of Guys & Dolls, one of my favourite musicals, has been the most joyful and collaborative experience.

“The success of the shows is a product of the teamwork and determination from every single person involved, including our performing arts scholars.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Martin Wright as set designer, Xavier Iles as musical director, and, of course, the brilliant creative support from choreographers Katherine Stauch and Sam O’Neill.

“The rehearsals and creative process are just as important for me as the final product.

“With its themes of love, risk and redemption, wrapped in toe-tapping melodies and larger than life charm, the streets of New York City truly came alive here in our Coade Hall theatre, celebrating the talent and creativity of our pupils.”

For the first time this year, the decision was taken to move the orchestra to a prominent position on the right hand side of the stage.

Directed by Xavier Iles, the orchestra celebrated the

stunning score with a brassy, full of energy showcase of musical talent.

Bryanston’s director of Music, Xavier, said: “Putting on a musical is always a huge team effort, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the cast, the backstage crew and

the wonderful musicians in the band for all the hours of hard work they have put into this production.

“It was a privilege to transport audiences into the colourful world of Guys & Dolls, and its unforgettable score.”

Saturday 8th February

Senior pupils at Bryanston School staged Guys & Dolls

Arts & Entertainment

All-singing, all-dancing string quartet

BOWJANGLES, billed as an irreverent, anarchic ensemble, who bring live music, theatre and comedy together, are set to perform in Dorset.

They can really play – they dance while they play, they sing while they play, and they leap, tumble, juggle and joke while they play!

2025 will see them celebrate 16 years of touring by bringing back all their best bits, from 2008 to the present day.

Bowjangles – pictured – are performing with Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach at Litton Cheney Community Hall on Thursday, January 23; and the village halls at Lytchett

Musical magic of the movies

MUSIC from the movies and the stage will be coming to Dorset when a 14-piece ensemble from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO)

journey from the West End to Hollywood.

The concert, guided by a BSO presenter, will perform music from Chocolat, James

Matravers on Friday, January 24; and Marnhull on Saturday, January 25.

Bond, Moulin Rouge, The High Pass, Toy Story, Harry Potter, The Artist and more.

The concert, performed with Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach, is at The Exchange in Sturminster

Newton on Wednesday, February 5, and The Mowlem in Swanage on Friday, March 7, both at 7.30pm. Tickets and further information are available online at www. artsreach.co.uk.

ELO EXPERIENCE

THREE musicians with a love of Argentine Tango music are set to take audiences in Dorset on a journey from the backstreets of Buenos Aires to the salons of Paris.

Tango Calor were formed by bandoneonist Mirek Salmon in 2016 and feature guitar virtuoso Daryl Kellie and vocalist Jimi Can.

Mirek, a prominent member of Moscow Drug Club, has also performed with BBC orchestras, Welsh National Opera and the

Royal Shakespeare Company, among others.

Daryl Kellie has been described by Guitar World Magazine as ‘epic’, and Jimi Can is a consummate showman and key figure from Bristol’s burgeoning Afro-Cuban and Flamenco music scenes.

Together they have performed in arts centres, tango clubs and at festivals including WOMAD, and collaborated with orchestras to perform the works of Astor Piazzolla.

All aboard for High Seas adventure!

Arts & Entertainment

Three to Tango at the village hall Fresh look at Dickens’ character

WEST Camel Theatre Group is bringing the buccaneering high seas adventure Treasure Island the Pantomime to the Davis Hall in the village.

The show is packed full of wonderful characters like hero Jim Hawkins, good fairy Alberta the Albatross, baddie Mouldy Rat and the inimitable pirate Long John Silver.

The cast set sail on an adventure searching for treasure but they have to overcome a mutiny, epic sword fights and hindrances, like Zombies and Gorillas.

It is a fun-filled pantomime with lots of opportunities for the audience to join in.

Director, Andy White said: “I am so proud of the fantastic cast and back stage teams that have

made this such a pleasurable experience.

“It has been great this year to welcome colleagues from outside the local area, alongside many well-known village faces to keep the fun going.”

Treasure Island the Pantomime runs from Thursday to Saturday, January 23-25, with performances at 7.30pm and an afternoon matinee on Saturday at 2pm.

West Camel Theatre Group started life as Little Barn Theatre Group producing its first pantomime, Cinderella, 30 years ago in the village’s little barn.

Tickets for this year’s pantomime are available from Queen Camel Shop, via mpc609@gmail.com or from 07801 968608.

Tango Calor are at the village halls at Langton Matravers on Thursday, February 6; Drimpton on Friday, February 7, and Shillingstone Portman Hall on Saturday, February 8, all at 7.30pm.

Tango Calor are visiting Dorset with Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach and tickets and further information are available online at www.artsreach.co.uk

ACTRESS Heather Alexander is heading to Dorset this weekend with her solo show, Havisham, offering a fresh perspective of Charles Dickens’ iconic Great Expectations character.

The show will be performed in three venues across the county as part of Artsreach, Dorset’s touring arts charity’s, programme.

Who was the woman being behind Dickens’ most monstrous female creation?

What condemned the hopeful young Miss Havisham to her cruel and fractured fate?

Havisham offers a fresh perspective on Dickens’ greatest work of Gothic characterisation, inviting the audience to share poignant moments from her childhood in rural Kent, and as a naive young woman who arrives in London, unprepared for the events which gradually consume her.

Heather Alexander is an actress, writer and producer

with a prodigious list of stage, television and film credits.

Audiences are invited to join her and delve into the dark psyche of Miss Havisham’s fractured world.

Meet the characters and live the experiences that drove her to the brink and finally over the edge of insanity.

What secrets are locked in the mind of the woman behind the veil?

Havisham is at the village halls in Chetnole on Friday, January 17; Ibberton on Saturday, January 18; and Burton Bradstock on Sunday, January 19, all at 7.30pm.

Tickets and further information are available online at www.artsreach.co.uk

Heather Alexander plays Miss Havisham

Tango Calor – Mirek Salmon, Daryl Kellie and Jimi Can

Politics

Devolution plans welcome but…

FIRSTLY, my best wishes for a very happy new year. 2024 was another exciting and memorable year for me, in which I had the honour of being elected as first Member of Parliament for the new constituency of Glastonbury and Somerton. I am immensely privileged to serve my community and will continue to work hard to represent all my constituents in Parliament. I am deeply committed to making 2025 a year of progress for our communities.

With a fresh year comes fresh ideas from the Government. One of which may be a key issue for Somerset – the recent Devolution White Paper. These proposals could bring new powers and funding to our region, with plans for a Mayoral Strategic Authority encompassing Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, to be named the Heart of Wessex. But, while the potential for additional investment is promising, I have

serious concerns about how these changes will be implemented. For devolution to succeed, it must empower local communities rather than impose top-down diktats from Westminster. Somerset has already faced years of financial strain and Conservative mismanagement, and local councils are stretched to breaking point. I’ve made it clear new structures must

address the chronic underfunding crisis before introducing further complexity. Our local authorities simply can’t continue to be expected to deliver vital services on a shoestring.

If approved, the Heart of Wessex devolution proposal will move decision making away from Westminster towards local councils, which are best placed to make decisions for their residents as they have a direct connection to their needs and can identify and address local challenges.

Devolution could potentially unlock funding for critical infrastructure, economic growth and more local control of housing and transport. However, we must ensure these plans are tailored to the unique needs of rural counties like Somerset. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work, and I will use my voice to ensure rural communities’ voices are heard in these discussions.

The Liberal Democrats have

New Year, same war

A NEW year brings a new president. Donald Trump will return to the White House in days for another four years and his decisions in that time will affect us all, especially Ukraine. Unpredictable as he often is, we know one thing for sure – he wants a peace deal. We don’t know for sure what the terms will be, but we can deduce it from what Trump and his people have said.

I expect it will be a ceasefire but not a formal treaty. Putin will soon need a ceasefire to stem his losses but from the moment a treaty is signed, Ukraine would be free to join NATO, and that is unthinkable to Putin. More likely, the shooting stops and the frontlines solidify into frontiers, as happened in Korea 70 years ago. But once we know the frontiers that Putin must never cross again, we can put Ukraine

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire

Dr Andrew Murrison

on the path to NATO membership anyway, with Western troops on the ground to guarantee her independence and Western money to help rebuild the country. If those are indeed the terms of a settlement reached this year, it would mean a Russian defeat.

always championed localism, and I firmly believe that decisions affecting our communities should be made as close to home as possible. I’ll continue to advocate for a fairer deal for Somerset – one that puts our residents, businesses and local councils at the heart of decision making.

As we look ahead to 2025, there’s much to be optimistic about. Together, we can make our towns and villages even better places to live, work and thrive. Whether it’s through championing local businesses, improving infrastructure or protecting vital services, I’ll be working tirelessly to deliver real change for Glastonbury and Somerton and beyond.

As always, I want to hear from you. If you would like to share your views, have an issue I can help with or wish to register your interest to attend one of my regular advice surgeries, please don’t hesitate to contact me at sarah.dyke. mp@parliament.uk

All Putin has gained since fully invading nearly three years ago is the land between the River Dnieper and the Black Sea, including the flattened city of Mariupol. The wide and fast Dnieper is highly defensible for the Ukrainians.

What the West has gained is two new, powerful members of NATO – Sweden and Finland – as well as much better understanding of each side’s strengths and weaknesses, especially in arms production, and the nature of war in the 21st century. But Putin will not give up. He’ll keep trying to conquer Ukraine.

The challenge, then, for NATO and the UK is to ensure the time bought by such a settlement is put to good use. We need to shore up our own defences, especially our air defences, and ramp up our

depleted armed forces. We did that in the late 1930s once we realised another continental aggressor wasn’t going to stop. We ought to learn lessons from that period of rearmament, especially the Shadow Scheme, which designed ways of building warplanes in car factories that already existed rather than throwing up whole new aircraft factories. They became known as ‘shadow factories’ and they proved vital for producing enough Spitfires and Hurricanes to win the Battle of Britain and eventually, the war. I expect – and very much hope – this awful, illegal and unnecessary war will end this year. The best way to make sure it is not a mere pause but a lasting peace is to learn from the past. Can I wish everyone a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

LibDem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke

Tech titans kowtowing to Trump

TRUMP has not been reinaugurated yet – at the time of writing – yet he is already having a material impact. The global government bond market sell-off has pushed up borrowing costs from Germany to Japan and the UK.

Markets will stabilise. But perhaps the most worrying is the way social media companies are kowtowing to his agenda. He already had Musk in his pocket – or does Musk have Trump in his pocket? – yet the way Zuckerberg of Meta –Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – yes, he owns them all – has fallen in line may have the biggest impact.

Zuckerberg is sacking all of Meta’s fact checkers. From now on it’ll be permitted to, for example, attack homosexuals as having mental health issues. And then there’s the changes to the way his algorithms work. You’ll be served more political

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

content that you already agree with, than what you don’t.

I worry for how this will exacerbate the polarisation of political discourse, even political thought, throughout the world. If we’re not exposed to views we disagree with, how will people ever develop the powers of critical thinking?

At least in the pre-digital

age, you had to see the headlines of other newspapers before you bought your preferred one. In the Meta universe, you won’t anymore. It is a blessing that our local publications, like this one, carry a plurality of political columns. However nauseating you may find me or the other correspondents, a mix of views are there for you to engage with.

Musk meanwhile continues his attempts to influence British politics. I chortled as Musk demanded Farage be dumped as leader of Reform. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. But his influence over the new Tory leader Badenoch is of concern. Being in opposition is, by its nature, opportunist. Fine. But the spectacle of Tory MPs demanding another inquiry into the scandal of rape gangs when they refused this in government and hadn’t implemented the

recommendations of the previous inquiry, was pitiful to see.

It remains to be seen if they have really been converted to the importance of children’s wellbeing, when the Child Welfare Bill comes to its final vote. We’ll be watching.

Speaking of reviews and inquiries, like many I was disappointed to hear that the Government has ordered another review into social care. Andrew Dilnot had a plan to fix social care back in 2011. Successive Tory governments sat on it. And now the new government will take another three years to generate its ‘blueprint’.

As Dilnot says, this is unnecessary. The Chancellor rails against civil service waste – I would point to this new commission as an example. Quite simply, there is no ‘fixing the NHS’ without fixing and funding social care.

Hospices hit by NICs increase

HAPPY New Year! I hope this finds you well rested and full of cheese after the Christmas break. I admit I was somewhat looking forward to Parliament coming back as it feels like there is a lot to do in 2025.

Already this week I’ve been speaking in Parliament about the devastating impact the Government’s planned increase to National Insurance Contributions will have on West Dorset’s charities, especially our hospices.

Weldmar Hospicecare is well known to West Dorset residents as a provider of specialist end-of-life care to patients in their own home, as well as at its inpatient unit in Dorchester. It does fantastic work.

NHS Dorset has notified Weldmar of a £400,000 reduction in Fast Track Funding from April. This cut, in addition

Lib Dem MP for West Dorset

Edward Morello

to the National Insurance increase, along with rising demand for its services locally, will create an additional financial burden of £600,000 this year.

Weldmar already subsidises 60% of its NHS-commissioned care using charitable funds, but

it is not sustainable or acceptable for charities to fill these gaps. The reality is these costs will result in Weldmar being able to support fewer people at the most critical moments in their lives.

Julia’s House, another well-known local charity, which provides care for seriously ill children in West Dorset, also faces dire consequences.

Only 8% of its income comes from the government, making it one of the least supported hospices in the country. The National Insurance increase alone will cost Julia’s House an additional £242,000 a year, yet its commissioning contract with Dorset ICB has increased by just 0.6%, a rate far below inflation and the 5.5% NHS pay award.

This means significant cuts

to the amount of care available for those at end of life are inevitable.

Charities like Weldmar and Julia’s House play a critical role in alleviating pressure on the NHS in Dorset. They provide care in our community, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and support families in their darkest hours.

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning hard to get the Government to reverse this NICs increase or at the very least exempt charities from them. These organisations are the backbone of our communities, delivering essential services and support to those who need it most. They embody selflessness and service. We must protect their critical work and ensure they can continue to provide comfort and dignity to those in need.

Politics

Let’s imagine world we want

I WONDER how many of us have already stumbled with our New Year resolutions, or not even bothered to make any because of past failures? The goals we succeed at are the ones that inspire us and motivate us to take action, and it’s helpful to know what motivates us personally. Some of us are motivated more by moving away from something, like being overweight and unhealthy, or buying too much stuff online. Others are more motivated by moving towards something, like being slimmer and fitter, or shopping face to face with actual people in local stores.

Regardless of our political or religious leanings, we all share one thing that is essential for life, and that’s the planet we inhabit. It’s in a mess right now, and we face huge challenges, but humans can be incredibly resourceful and it is within our

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

power to change things for the better.

As a species we are great survivors. This is largely down to our ingenuity which relies on what is perhaps our greatest strength, and that’s our imagination. It helps us find solutions and inspires and motivates us to take action. Focusing on major problems

like climate change and the environment can be disempowering when they seem insurmountable, and that’s when we need to use our creative imagination instead to seek solutions. To focus on what we want, rather than what we don’t want.

Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Towns movement, is the author of From What Is to What If – Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want. He makes a compelling case for the use of more imagination in school, work, our personal lives and politics. My personal political imagining is for our elected representatives to spurn the pressures of political dogma and wealthy vested interests splashing cash and gifts to influence political decisions. Choosing instead to act collectively, for the common good. Imagine that!

Reform UK running strong

BOXING Day saw Reform UK surge past the Conservative Party to become the UK’s second-biggest political party by membership – this comes off the back of a new poll that now has Reform UK leading the Tories in national voting intentions. In Dorset, we are seeing massive increases in both our membership and those wishing to volunteer to be a part of the party. Most interesting is that we are attracting people from all political backgrounds.

My sincerest thanks to everyone who has joined the party over the last few weeks In Dorset and put their faith in Reform UK to bring about the change our country desperately needs. Be assured, we will deliver for you. 2024 was just the very start. 2025 will see our newly launched branches campaigning in every constituency in Dorset as we set out our positive and radical

agenda for change. If you would like more information on your new local branch, please do email me and I would be glad to put you in touch with your branch chair and local team.

The child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs scandal is,

Another source of inspiration is the Earthshot Prize, which financially supports brilliant environmental projects generated by creative local people around the globe. There is a danger of falling into the trap of thinking that if other people are taking action, then we don’t need to. While more action is certainly happening around the world, it is still nowhere near enough, as the steadily worsening environmental situation clearly shows.

I know many of us are struggling with demands on our time and energy right now, but we can all find ways to help, no matter how small. Ideally everyone everywhere would be taking every action all at once, but failing that then there’s me, you, here, now. Let’s imagine the wonderful world we want and then find ways we can help to make it happen.

without any question, one of the worst episodes in our country’s modern history. The crimes themselves, utterly shocking in their depravity, and the industrial scale of them, incomprehensible. It is perhaps the starkest illustration of how the experiment of multiculturalism has, beyond any question, failed.

Labour’s refusal to grant Oldham Council’s request for a Government-led inquiry into said historical child sexual exploitation is categorically wrong and has sparked strong condemnation from Reform UK. Even the Conservatives have been outraged, that was until it was pointed out to them that they had also refused Oldham Council’s request for a Government-led inquiry in 2022. After decades of failure by Labour and the Tories to properly get to the bottom of what has gone on in our towns and cities across England, it is

time that we had a full and transparent Government-led inquiry, that leaves no stone unturned, and spells out to the British public, in plain English, what has happened, how it was allowed to happen and, importantly, why virtually none of these men have been deported under the last Tory government despite many having dual nationality.

The Telegraph has written a superb article titled, How the grooming gangs scandal was covered up. The report makes for very difficult reading but if we are to bring the truth into the light and get real, lasting justice for the victims of these crimes we are going to have to confront very difficult truths, something prior Tory and Labour governments have failed to have the moral courage to do.

Reform UK will be different. dorset@reformuk. com

Tribute to a former team member

TO serve as a Member of Parliament is a terrific honour. To do so for North Dorset, doubly so. The job is varied, demanding, exciting and, occasionally, frustrating.

In decades gone by an MP may receive half a dozen letters a day and a few telephone calls. In today’s world of rapid communication, it is not unusual to receive 500 emails a day. Some of them are generic national campaign ones arguing in favour, or against, issues of the day or urging the MP to take a stand on x, y or z.

The key emails are those from constituents which are asking for advice, help, an advice surgery appointment or assistance with a complicated problem. Some of these problems are deeply complex. I have a few cases which have required months of detailed, painstaking work, including letters, phone calls and emails to organisations or service providers.

MPs put in place a team of people to work with them and,

Conservative MP for North Dorset

Simon Hoare

with the greatest respect to all of my team, the key role is the one of case worker. Talk to any MP of any party and they will tell you the same thing. Your case worker builds up the professional relationships with local service providers, for example, within the council or house associations. They develop knowledge surrounding visas, child maintenance, the DVLA, Passport Office and utility providers.

Now, why I am writing this?

READER’S PICTURE

Photographic Federation inter-club

I want to pay the warmest and most public tribute I can to a lady who many North Dorset constituents will have come to know, admire and be grateful to – Diana Mogg.

Diana was involved with East Dorset Citizens Advice Bureau before coming to work for 13 years with my predecessor, Bob Walter. I was delighted to ‘inherit’ her, and she has been with me since 2015. My ever-present presence at advice surgery taking forensic notes and trying – with limited success, my fault, not hers – to keep me to time. She has provided me with a deep well of contacts, knowledge and experience. The raising of a wry eyebrow would usually point me in the right direction if she felt I was going off piste. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and December 2024 saw Di begin a richly deserved retirement. She has worked with the North Dorset MP for 22-and-a-half years. She will be missed far more than she can ever

comprehend and would indeed be embarrassed to know how much. I could not tell her I was writing this article because her modesty would have asked me not to do so. She has been a fantastic public servant, and I wish her, and her husband Chris, much happiness in her retirement. She deserves it.

So, Parliament has returned, and the economic situation looks like it is taking a turn for the worse. We are where we are, and, given the international nature of the economy, governments can only do so much.

However, it does seem that our Chancellor has taken the wrong Budget decisions at the worst time. We can only hope that from now on there may be a little ‘humility’ in policy making and that others’ views and expertise are sought. I welcome the cross-party approach to finding an enduring solution to Adult Social Care. Long overdue and one that I asked for at Prime Minister’s Questions recently.

This picture was taken by Paul Dyer, of Wincanton Camera Club, and was part of the club’s entry in the Western Counties

competition

Across

A monkey’s favourite fruit? (6) 5 Entertained (6) 8 Parched (4) 9 Repositories (8) 10 Occurred (8) 11 Remove from office (4) 12 Allot (6) 14 Pope’s envoy (6) 16 Sharp punch, informally (4) 18 Seemed (8)

20 Played with abrupt, short notes (8) 21 Circular band (4) 22 Toxin (6)

23 Encipher (6)

Tally (3,2)

Repeatedly (5,3,5) 5 Clumsy (8-5) 6 Mythical, one-horned animal (7) 7 Not the odds? (5) 13 Contaminates (7) 15 Freezing (3-4) 17 Opening (5) 19 Any old how (2,3)

(5)

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Across

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

Killer Sudoku Pro

1 Alter surprised expression about backward dog (6)

4 Stick everyone gets within police (6)

9 Support afternoon meal for audience (3)

10 Set up chapter about number (9)

11 Bones in straight lines from the centre (5)

12 Disgusting unknown character in middle of week showing sinister glance (4,3)

14 Stylized italics lent sparkle (11)

17 Label I revised about old garden plant (7)

KILLER Sudoku Pro

18 Hiss off stage stupid person (5)

Down

1 Fully developed team played around old city (6)

2 Fear about to be found in pop (5)

3 Imaginary disagreement Republican brought out with a liberal (9)

5 Sensational Italian boxing noted ring champion (3)

6 Most noisy thug circling table mostly (7)

7 Expression of sympathy in article on religious education (5)

20 A girl chap upset is vividly depicted (9)

22 Payment or no payment right away (3)

23 Priests left measure of work in case of curacy (6)

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

24 Cross part of lengthy bridge (6)

No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

8 Heir with ancient that’s formulated bequest (11)

13 Difficulty say with friendly country in criminal mode? (9)

15 Source of advice with time about British vegetable (7)

16 Back three successive notes before finish

17 See leader of group in charge showing reason (5)

19 Tender chest first off (5)

21 Embrace husband half with a nasty look!

Church

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

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

– call church steward John Cornish on 07799 516735 or leave a message.

• Blandford Evangelical Church: Sunday – 10am Family Service, including classes for three-18 year olds. Monday – weekly gathering for older people 2.30pm-3.30pm followed by refreshments.

Tuesday – Footprints, an activities playtime for preschool children accompanied by parents, grandparents and guardians, 10am-11.30am and 1.15pm-2.45pm. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings – small groups meet at homes at 7.30pm. The church is in Albert Street. Phone 450689 for more information.

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

• Cheap Street Church, Sherborne: Prayer time –9.45am Thursday; Thought for the Day – 10.30am Thursday; Sunday service at 10.30am; Monday Music second Monday of the month at 6.15pm with a bring and share supper; Taizé Service second Sunday each month at 6.30pm. Further details from 07522 509868.

• Sherborne Churches

Together: Dorset Youth for Christ ‘Youth Hangout’, a space for young people aged six-11 in Sherborne to connect with others their age, play games and explore the Christian faith. Every second Sunday of the month, 6.30-7.30pm.

The Christmas Tree Festival raised £2,838.79 for Rendezvous & SHARES. Thanks go to the organisers, the tree sponsors, all the volunteers and the choirs who made this

possible.

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: Sherborne Quakers meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room. Everyone welcome. For more information, phone Nick on 07870 192599. The Children’s Choir rehearses on Mondays at 4pm – contact charlie.gurnham@ sherborneabbey.com, assistant director of music, to join, or just turn up.

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: The Mothers’ Union’s first meeting of 2025 – including the annual meeting – is on Friday, January 24, at 10am for 10.30am in the Griffiths Room.

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

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

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

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

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

• Longburton Village Cafe: Held in the village church of St James, the cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £2.50. Tuesday, January 21, 10.30am-noon.

• Lufton Church: BA22 8SU, just to the west of Yeovil. Prayer Book services every Sunday at 6pm. Sung Mass on the third Sunday. See www. lufton.co.uk for details.

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

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

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

• Shaftesbury Quakers (Society of Friends): Meets for one hour each Sunday from 10.30am at the Quaker Meeting

House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB.

• Sherborne Abbey: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am Morning Prayer; The Sepulchre Chapel. Mondays, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Tuesday, noon CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion with Homily; The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP). Thursday, noon BCP Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Friday, 9am Ecumenical Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel.

• Sherborne Abbey: Sherborne Snowdrop Service Remembrance & Thanksgiving Service is on Friday, February 7, at 11am. The Sherborne Book of Remembrance will be available and names of loved ones can be added at the end of the service.

• St George’s, Damerham: Wonderful display of snowdrops in the Norman churchyard at the church at SP6 3HU, Saturday and Sunday, February 8-9, 10am-4pm. Homemade refreshments served 10.30am-3.30pm homemade preserves for sale plus other stalls. Free entry.

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

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

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

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

fourth Sunday 9.30am; evening worship – every third Sunday 6pm.

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

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

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

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

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, January 19 – 9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist, Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. Sunday, January 26 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at St John The Baptist, Spetisbury; 11am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am BCP Communion at St Mary Church, Blandford St Mary. Coffee and cake – Spetisbury 10am11.30am first and third Monday each month. Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am11.30am, January 23. Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am-12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday.

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. Sundays, January 19 and 26, 3pm – afternoon services. Sunday, February 2, 3pm –United ‘Tea @ Three’. Sunday, February 9, 3pm – afternoon service. A very warm welcome is offered. Phone 01935 850838 or email Geoff.mead@yahoo. com

Albert chain may make £3,000

A HEAVY 18ct gold Albert chain is one of the many lots already entered into the Charterhouse specialist two-day auction of silver, jewellery and watches on January 29-30.

“While we come across many silver and 9ct gold Albert chains, rarely do you see one in 18ct gold,” said Richard Bromell from the auction house.

The Albert chain, estimated at £2,000-£3,000, was found in the small drawer of a walnut dressing mirror.

Charterhouse was instructed by the family to help clear the property after a relative died and they were unaware the drawer, about the size of a large box of matches, contained anything of interest or value.

Bizarrely, the dressing mirror was not in a bedroom but in the dining room with the Albert

Interiors and Motoring sales

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year with private collections of high calibre items consigned for Interiors auctions.

That starts on February 12 with the Select Interiors auction and a wide range of furniture, pictures and decorative objects, including a sizeable collection of modern prints..

– the first of the year is at The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show on February 23.

chain and two gold watches hidden away in a little drawer. Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for valuations of silver, jewellery and watches at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, on 01935 812277 or via js@charterhouse-auction. com

A number of private collections are consigned for the March 12 Curated Interiors auction, including the Collection of Hemington House featuring high quality pieces of furniture, pictures, prints, Asian works of art and more.

Both auctions are open for entries – contact Guy Tayler, head of Interiors, if you have pieces to be considered for inclusion in the auction.

The Motoring team continues to grow its partnership auctions

Head of Motoring Nick Wells and his team are presenting a wide selection of classic bikes through to modern super bikes. The 2004 Confederate Hellcat featured in the advert was in a prominent US car and motorcycle collection until being acquired by the vendor some years ago. Under 50 are known to have been made, a number of which were destroyed – along with the tooling – in Hurricane Katrina, so no more will be produced. A 2023 Ducati V4R Panigale will be offered at an estimate of £22,000-£27,000 and gives a competition track-style ride. To contact Dore & Rees, email enquiries@doreandrees. com or call 01373 462257.

18ct gold Albert chain £2,0003,000 in the Charterhouse jewellery and watch auction on January 30

2004 Confederate Hellcat, Estimate:

Antiques & Collectibles

Advertiser’s announcement

Interesting lots in two-day sale

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, is preparing to hold its two-day January auction.

The Antiques & Collectors sale being held on Thursday, January 30, includes a oneowner collection of Asian & Oriental mostly ceramics and a one-owner collection of Poole pottery.

It also features two original travel advertising posters, one an original Sir Hugh Maxwel Casson BEA travel poster for Rome estimated at £400-600.

A mixed media painting by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham of St Andrews Bay, Scotland, part of a series dated 1981, is also on offer and estimated at £1,000£2,000.

The Silver & Watches sale on Friday, January 31, includes a Georgian silver three-part tea set

with Kennedy armorial crest estimated at £600-800.

Prospective buyers can bid on two online platforms, Easyliveauction.com and Saleroom.com, where the catalogue is available to view one week before the auction.

Viewing is on Wednesday, January 29, 10am-4pm.

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

Valuation days are from 10am-3pm: Jewellery and watches, Tuesdays and Saturdays; Silver and Obje't D'art, Tuesdays and Saturdays; Toys and Collectables, Wednesdays and Saturdays; Oriental and Asian, Thursdays and Saturdays; Coins, Stamps,

Books and Ephemera, Fridays and Saturdays; Militaria, Fridays & Saturdays; Textiles and fashion, Saturdays; Paintings and Contemporary Art, Saturdays.

Anyone unable to get along to the allocated days can phone or email to make an appointment – house visits can also be arranged if required.

Acreman is also accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and can offer advice on items being considered for auction.

Photographs can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or visit the salerooms, open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm.

Acreman can offer advice and valuations to householders who are downsizing or who need to deal with a whole house and can arrange full house clearances at competitive rates.

Anyone with anything they to consign should contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 or via email..

Australia

China

FIERCE internet bidding from across the world helped achieve some strong results in Clarke’s four-day Christmas sale. Gold and jewellery are the strongest sellers at auction at the moment and saw strong bidding

with an 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date gentleman’s wristwatch fetching £7,500.

A 24-carat gold 1821

Coronation of King George IV medallion sold to a New York buyer for £6,900 hammer, a stylish 1960s 14ct gold naturalistic cocktail ring fetched £1,800 and a pretty white gold two-stone diamond cross-over ring sold to a local woman for £2,800.

The collectables section saw a fine early 18th century portrait miniature depicting a gentleman sell for £4,000 to an Australian buyer.

And an 18th century Chinese gilt bronze incense holder, possibly made by one of the Imperial Palace Workshops for the Imperial family or for ceremonial functions at court, sold to a Chinese bidder for £2,200.

Clarke’s hosts almost all its sales on the two main online auction portals helping them gain a world-wide following.

This 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual day-date gentleman’s wristwatch sold for £7,500

Clarke’s is still taking entries for its February Antiques & Collectables sale and its Classic Vehicles & Automobilia sale in April.

Enquiries for consignment into either of these sales, probate or insurance valuations, and full or part house clearances, should be made to Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 or 01747 855109 at the salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.

For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website A diamond tennis bracelet.

Brooch/pendant

DUKE’S first Silver, Jewellery, Watches & Currency auction of 2025 takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 19-20.

It already features pieces by iconic makers such as Cartier, Breitling, Rolex, Omega, Tudor and Patek Philippe, with the last entries now being invited.

The December sale concluded with great success. Brimming with timepieces exuding grace and craftmanship, diamonds of empyrean quality, and rare spirits and wines, once of epochal production, the final auction of the year ended in great spectacle, demonstrating the enduring appeal of luxury goods with magnificent results.

was a diamond butterfly brooch/ pendant – pictured – which sold for £2,800, a respectable 300% above highest estimate.

With so much history and craftmanship, it's no surprise these pieces command high prices at auction.

The last date for entries is Wednesday, February 19 – email enquiries@ dukes-auctions.com to consign.

A highlight of the collection

For more information on the sale or to organise a free valuation for auction, visit Duke’s website, www.dukesauctions.com, alternatively phone its office on 01305 265080 to organise a confidential appointment with a specialist.

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

Laying the ground for a spring ‘explosion’

by Sally Gregson

OUR winters can be quite problematic to manage, and these days the extremes of weather can make them especially deceptive. It can all seem warm and dry, almost like a spring day, but in the early months of the year, as any gardener will say, things can turn wild in a night. But garden plants are doing what they have always done – readying themselves for the explosion of spring. And the explosion will have the best results by feeding the soil now, in winter. In a few weeks’ time huge demands will be put on every flowering plant in the garden. And they all need to grow in conditions suited to their needs.

Well-rotted garden compost, devoid of weed seeds, is wonderful, but there’s rarely

Well-

rotted garden compost, devoid of weed seeds, will feed the soil

enough to go around. Local farms and riding stables will deliver trailer-loads of delicious, well-rotted manure. But all that goodness often contains countless seeds of dandelions, docks and thistles. These domestic weeds are not completely broken down by an

animal’s stomach, least of all that weed seed. So, pause before ordering a large delivery. The harvest might not be welcome. It is possible to order from dealers in farm manure and composts, a mixture of mushroom compost and horse manure. In an ideal world this

needs to be mixed together. Usually, the compost is clean and weed-free. You just need to put dollops of it around each and every shrub, rose and perennial in the garden. Ideally the manure should not be in direct contact with the growing plant, leaving a collar around each one.

Some plants dislike all that pampering. Many grasses, bearded irises and annual plants, are particularly fussy. They would preferV a dressing of grit to help keep water away from their crowns. But roses, flowering shrubs and perennials that like rich soil, respond especially well to a goodly dollop. In a mild winter, the application of manure can spur unseasonal growth, and that often encounters a cold, late frost.

So it’s a subtle game, but one that is well worth playing. In a dry summer your borders will suffer much less from drought, and in a wet one, the perennials will look exceptionally good.

Home & Garden

WANTEDDave buys all types of tools Call 01935 428975

WELL ROTTED MANURE

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

SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647

JACKS AFFORDABLE TREE CARE 07387-687037

Closeboard, panels & sheds supplied and fitted. Gates made to measure.

Sherborne Fencing Ltd

Tel: 01935 814272

Mobile: 07814246332

522361 For all your fencing and decking needs

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY

Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478

& fitted

CURTAIN ALTERATIONS

Curtains made to measure

Tel. Sue Marsh 01747 853680

M & A J Landscaping ~ Fencing ~ Walling ~ Patios/Steps ~ Concreting/Tarmac ~ Tree work ~ Garden maintenance malcgin@hotmail.com 07399-521377

ALL TYPES OF FENCING UNDERTAKEN. Ring Patrick: 01963-371123 / 07751-278363

150 TREES FOR £300. ASH, OAK, BEECH, HAZEL 3-8FT. ALSO BLACKTHORN HEDGING. 07967-555797

WALK BEHIND BRUSHCUTTER AND OPERATOR HIRE, orchards,paddocks and neglected area clearance 07432 773151 paul25.06@outlook.com

MAN WITH MICRO-DIGGER

& 1.5ton digger, stump grinder, Garden clearance, patios, fencing, decking, landscaping, driveways 30+ years’ experience. Contact Ken 07882 441873 / 01963 32034

LOGS

90,000 readers could be looking at your advert right now 01963 400186 | adverts@

LOGS FOR SALE transit tipper load £260 Half transit tipper load £160 Dumpy bag £100 TEL: 07450-435993 or 07846-345294

BLACKMORE VALE LOG SPLITTING AND CHIPPING - Your local mobile service07760 469411

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS £190 double load £110 half load 01258-880892 07980-036250

LOGS R US Tipper Load £200 Half Tipper Load £100 dumpy bag £90 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081

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

CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTATION 01747 822080

822080

CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTATION 01747 822080

CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTATION 01747 822080

CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTATION 01747 822080

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

info@kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

Kingsmere Surfacing are your Local Driveway Specialist Installation Company

25

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

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

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

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

25 Years’ Experience

Kingsmere Surfacing are your Local Driveway Specialist Installation Company

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

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

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

Services offered include:

Services offered include:

Services offered include:

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

Services offered include:

Services offered include:

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

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

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

Services offered include:

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

• Block Paving

• Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate

• Block Paving

• Block Paving

• Block Paving

• Block Paving

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Block Paving

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Natural Stone Patios & Paths

• Tarmacadam 25 Years’ Experience

• Tarmacadam

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Decorative Resin Bound & Bonded Aggregate Block Paving

FIND US ON: 01747 822080

Natural Stone Patios & Paths Tarmacadam Safety Rubber Playground Surfaces Drop Kerbs All Aspects of Landscaping Fencing Septic Tank Installation Services offered include:

25 Years’ Experience Free Quotation

• Tarmacadam 25 Years’ Experience Free Quotation Guarantees Customer Testimonials Fully Insured & Licensed Approved Contractor

Kingsmere Surfacing are your Local Driveway Specialist Installation Company FIND US ON: CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTATION 01747 822080

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

We offer a most attractive and versatile choice of surfaces for both classic and contemporary driveways.

Testimonials

Kingsmere Surfacing are your Local Driveway Specialist Installation Company FIND US

Kingsmere Surfacing are your Local Driveway Specialist Installation Company FIND US ON:

25 Years’ Experience Free Quotation Guarantees Customer Testimonials Fully Insured & Licensed Approved Contractor

Insured & Licensed Approved Contractor

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Home & Garden

North Dorset Tree Surgeons

We carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified.

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123 / 07751 278363

GREENHOUSES

Supplied/Erected Alloy TenColours Spares-Repairs-Glass

Chris Abrams 01258-452632

WOODLAND CLEARING AND COPPICING, pruning, hedge cutting, Chain-sawing and general garden/ estate maintenance. Call David: 07786-658708

HUSSEY CARPET AND FLOORING, South Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AP Domestic and Commercial Carpets,Vinyl,Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate and Wood Flooring. Contact Chris Hussey 07885273470 husseyflooring@gmail.com

JAMES AYRES

DORSET TREE CARE

Specialist Tree Workers

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Seed

Potatoes, Bare Root Hedging, IOW Garlic and Onion Sets. Fruit Trees and Ornamental Trees, Perennials & Shrubs, Large selection of; stoneware, terracotta and glazed pots, Wild Bird food 20kg £14.50, Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258 452513Open daily 10am – 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258 452513

MILLERS EXTERIOR CLEANING.

Somerset & Dorset. Gutter clearing. Pressure washing. uPVC cleaning. Window cleaning. Roof cleaning. Fully insured. Call/message Nick 07870-498616

Home & Garden

All kinds of trees expertly felled, topped and pruned. Hedge cutting. All rubbish cleared. Licensed waster carrier. Fully insured. Tel: 01747 850129 / Mob: 07951 284639 RESTORATION OF YOUR WOODEN WINDOWS, DOORS and So Much More. Embrace the old don’t buy new. Ask me first and see what I can do tel 01747 822537

Fencing call Peter 07976-667130 Find us on

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

KITCHEN FITTER, all aspects of kitchen fitting undertaken. 30 years experience, free estimates given. Tel: 01963 364550 or 07890 841827

T F PLANT

Sand, gravel, cement and topsoil supplied

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

Trusted family-run business, ring for enquiries 01747 826107

TF Plant, 8 Brickfields Industrial Estate, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4JL

Architectural Services

HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076

ALL IRONWORK. Handrails.Gates. Railings. Repairs. Restoration. 01258 880301

GUTTER CLEARING SERVICES. Call Darren. FREE quotation. Tel: 07360-678429

NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING

All types of plastering, floor screeding & rendering. Wincanton & 20 mile radius.

HELPFUL ADVICE & FREE QUOTATIONS CALL NEIL: 07974 185923 or 07811 211586.

R MASONRY GENERAL BUILDER, Stone work, Brick work 07971-982565

llewie30roberts@gmail.com

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS LTD.

All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786

e: swbuildandrenovation@ gmail.com

BAILEY & SUN LTD. Groundwork, man and machine hire. Footings, ditchings, driveways, new build, drainage, extensions plus lots more. Call for a quote. 07546-762236. sun@baileyandsun.co.uk.

Painting & decorating Shed erecting & repairs Flat pack furniture

Door hanging & skirting boards

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

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

Local Services

CHIMNEYS

CHIMNEY SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963 370038

STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING

HETAS registered woodburner and flue installer. Birdguards and cowls 07932 655267

MARTIN SIMMONDS CHIMNEY SWEEP Friendly, Reliable, Professional 07368-250305 or 01747 590799

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

• Wood & multi-fuel stove installation

• New build houses – No chimney No problem

• Electric fire installation

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

insuring a quality finish and not waiting for other tradesmen. Established reputable company with excellent reviews and vetted by checkatrade. Relining existing woodburners, all building work undertaken from plastering/rendering/demolition and fireplace alterations even exterior painting or chimney/roof leak fixing.

• Metal twin wall chimney installations

• False fireplaces & media walls

• Chimney take down rebuilds

• Hetas inspection repair to current regs

• Log burner flexi liner installations

• Fireplace alterations drone surveys

• Cherry picker & scaffold if required

• Thatch property wood burners

• Plastering rendering exterior decorating

CLEANING

Joseph Crocker Computers

Highly qualified teacher. Adults and children welcome. Beginners to advanced. Dr Thomas Gold 07917 835781

PEST CONTROL

Health & Wellbeing

by Susanna Curtin

A FUNERAL of a dear friend has necessitated a road trip to Essex. I rarely seem to head east these days, so I wondered if it was an opportunity to visit somewhere on route. Often when I have a sad or difficult thing to do, such as a funeral or a hospital visit, I try and combine it with something more enjoyable, however small. It helps to counter the sadness by laying down a good memory next to an unhappy one, thus marking the day in a different way. It is also many years since I last explored any part of the Thames Estuary. Looking at the map and the possibilities of some birdwatching, I decided to break my journey for a short visit to RSPB Rainham Marshes. Situated downstream from London, Rainham is the largest area of wetland on the upper parts of the Thames Estuary. The reserve was purchased by the RSPB from the Ministry of Defence, which had previously used it as a firing range. Since its purchase in 2000, the RSPB has set about restoring it while protecting its industrial heritage.

The Thames Estuary covers an enormous area and is recognised for its internationally important population of wintering wildfowl. It is also noted for its water voles, which have been a conservation success story here. Excited by the possibility of seeing these water-loving mammals, I left my car behind, and wrapped up well, as it was freezing cold with clear blue skies and a keen easterly breeze. While the visitor centre was warm and welcoming, my initial impressions of the reserve were dulled by the industrial landscape around me. There was a noisy railway line, the Queen Elizabeth II bridge emitting continuous traffic noise, a row of enormous electricity pylons, aeroplanes overhead and Rainham’s landfill site. It felt like an unlikely haven for wildlife. Yet, as I began walking around the lakes, I noticed a range of habitats – grassland, freshwater lagoons, reed beds and saltmarsh, and it wasn’t long before my eyes were cast on flocks of winter waders. It is proof that restoring a habitat, even in an industrial

or urban area, can bring the wildlife back.

According to the World Bank, more than 56% of the world’s population now lives in large conurbations. By 2050, it is expected that seven out of 10 people will live in cities, as such they are now the fastest growing habitat on the planet. Nature conservation is reliant on us being sympathetic to their needs plus the adaptability of species to live alongside the bustle of urban life and to take advantage of the food, water and shelter that cities provide.

Although not pretty, Rainham Marshes was quite remarkable. The walkways between the lagoons and the four hides provided great opportunities to see some wonderful and rather unexpected birds. There were flocks of lapwing, redshank and snipe that graced the islands on the lagoons, and a great variety of ducks such as shovelers, gadwall, wigeon, teal and pochards. But also, to my delight, there were pintails, too. These are very elegant ducks with long necks, long bills and long tails. The males are particularly stunning with chocolate brown heads and creamy coloured necks. While

UK Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes has launched a new self-help guide to support people living with anxiety.

The free resource, accessible on the charity’s website, has been produced to support veterans and their families but is suitable for anyone who wants guidance on how to manage the condition.

The guide, created by mental health experts alongside ex-service personnel with lived

experience of anxiety, contains a wealth of information and interactive features to help understand worry, stress, anxiety and panic, and offers strategies to improve wellbeing.

Mike Icely, a Help for Heroes Recovery College peer support trainer, said: “The beauty of the self-help guides is that they’re so accessible, informative and easy for anyone to follow.

“The best thing is they’re available 24/7 – you get to set your own pace.

“If you’re a veteran or veteran’s family member, you would be eligible for the online group course – you can’t beat the conversations and amazing support of these sessions, which are led by experienced facilitators.

Pintails are very elegant ducks with long necks, long bills and long tails

only a few pairs breed in the UK, 20,000 of them overwinter here. Even so, I had never seen them so up close and personal. The ones in Poole Harbour tend to be so far away, it is difficult to appreciate their elegance. By the time I had completed the circuit, I had also seen marsh harriers, egrets, greylag and Canada geese, Cetti’s warblers, reed buntings, little grebes and, right at the end of my walk, a kingfisher closely followed by a Muntjac deer sliding silently into the rather sparse thicket. But, sadly, no water voles – perhaps I was too late in the morning for those. As I got back into my car to continue my journey, I felt pleased. This had been two hours well spent. Calmed by all that I had seen and warmed by how resilient wildlife is in a seemingly industrial wasteland, I was ready for the quiet contemplation of saying goodbye to my friend and to celebrate the brilliant life he had had. There’s a line in William Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, which says: “All things are ready, if our mind be so”, and mine was thanks to my time spent on the marshes.

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

Help with anxiety from Forces charity Meditations in nature: Time out at Rainham Marshes

“But the guide provides a fantastic overview with some great tips and tools – whether you’re a veteran, family member or civilian.”

The self-help guide can be accessed directly on the Help for Heroes website by anyone, with no need to sign up, and free of charge.

Help for Heroes champions the armed forces community and helps former personnel and their families live well after service.

Visit www.helpforheroes.org. uk.

New confidence in the New Year

by Emma Holmes

HAVE you ever found yourself thinking, I wish I had some more confidence at work or with friends? The good news is that confidence can be improved. Being confident applies to different areas of your life. You can be confident socially but not at work, or confident in new situations or confident at a hobby. No-one is likely to feel confident in all areas of their life, although that may appear to be the case for some people. If you would like to feel more confident in an area of your life, why not try these simple suggestions to see if you can increase your confidence: Awareness of strengths

NOTICE what strengths you already have in that skill or experience and list them. There may be more than you think,

especially as our brains tend to focus on what we can’t do rather than what we can. Doing this helps to reinforce your positive self-perception. Goal setting to improve IF there is an area to work on, make it a goal and work back from that goal listing what you need to do to achieve it. For example, I want to be able to deliver a speech to a room of 100 people. To do this I will build up from first delivering it to myself, then to a small group, then to a larger group. By making small steps towards a goal, you can build momentum and feel progression, which increases your confidence. Visualising success IMAGINE yourself as the confident you, navigating the skill or experience in the way you want to. Take some time to

focus on the details of the confident you and consider: What do you do differently, how does it feel? Visualising helps to reinforce your belief in your ability.

Feeling like you are worthy and valuable is different to confidence, an overarching belief that who you are is good enough refers to our self-worth and self-esteem. This can take time to work on and can be explored in more depth in

therapy or coaching. n Emma Holmes is a counsellor at Calm Seas Therapy and is based in Poole. She works online and in person (elholmes. counselling@gmail.com, phone: 07442 662287). She is also co-founder of Dorset Employee Wellness Support (DEWS) which supports businesses by providing counselling and wellness services. For more information, email DorsetEWS@proton.me. Being confident applies to different areas of your life – you can be confident socially but not at work, for example

Getting through winter’s dark days...

by Fiona Chapman

THE shortest day has come and gone, thank goodness, and now it will only get lighter and, eventually, we hope warmer and sunnier, although there is a long way to go before that happens. January, February and March can be very difficult months to get through. I quite like January. We always do ‘dry January’. I feel a lot better and enjoy giving the body a bit of a detox not drinking anything, eating very healthily and, as a result, sleeping better. My husband endures January and loathes the whole process, finding it very boring and rather depressing. It is said that the third Monday in January is about the worst in the whole year – Christmas is over, New Year resolutions are broken, the days don’t seem any longer and it is dark, cold and work seems endless.

Many people suffer from Seasonal Adjustment Syndrome or SAD. This is lack of sunlight

and a depressive state caused by the season. It is possible to help yourself out of this. Going out each day, particularly in the morning, is great, and walking, getting the blood going, is very important.

A light box can help. Vitamin D and C and an immune and adaptogenic tonic such as Astragalus membranaceous, Eleutherococcus senticosus or Schisandra chinensis can strengthen the body and mind. Also, to directly help with the mood, you could try some Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and Calendula

officinalis (pot marigold) tea. All these are specific for SAD as they lift and calm the spirits as well as improve blood flow and generally help with digestion and the liver – a stagnated liver will cause depression.

It is a gentle, pleasant tea. Put a large, heaped dessert spoon in a tea pot – pour on boiling water and leave to steep in a tea-cosy for at least 10 minutes and drink three or four cups a day. It will make you feel lighter and more positive. (I was given a tea-cosy Christmas

2023 and I have used it solidly all year, the best present ever and wonderful for keeping herbal infusions as well as coffee warm).

Sleeping properly also helps with the mood – don’t eat too late, keep alcohol to a minimum or preferably none – alcohol is a depressant long term. Treat yourself kindly and don’t punish yourself for feeling low. Light – literally – is at the end of the tunnel.

n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

An all-in-one easy supper...

ON these long cold nights, I like to have the kitchen full of delicious smells for the family to look forward to at the end of the day.

This is something I can stick in the oven just before the school run and it’s ready for an early supper or can sit quietly in a low oven ready to be carved or jointed when wanted.

Ingredients

Whole chicken – if butcher bought, remove giblets, if necessary

Maldon salt – I can’t cook without it – it’s not ‘too salty’ and brings out the best flavours

Two garlic cloves

Handful of herbs – optional – thyme/oregano/rosemary

Half an old lemon

Bag of baby potatoes

Any left over root vegetables or fennel that needs using up –

or buy if needed

Olive oil Method

Set the oven to 200 degrees or equivalent.

To prepare the chicken, I snip any elastic holding the feet together so the bird is cooked well into the joints of the thighs.

Make eight to 10 holes about 1cm deep under the skin with a small, pointed knife and push slices of the garlic cloves into them.

Push half a lemon inside, if you have one, and a handful of fresh herbs, if you like.

lashing of olive oil and put in the oven.

Take the hot tin out of the oven and roll the baby potatoes in it, plus any vegetables chopped to preferred size, that will roast and caramelise well.

I used fennel, but beetroot, carrots, parsnips and celery all make a good trivet to sit the chicken on.

And as the chicken cooks and the juices run, the flavours will add to the gravy or jus.

Gather a generous palmful of Maldon salt flakes and let it fall over the skin.

Give a roasting tin a good

juices must run clear, not pink. If needed, put the chicken back in for 15 minutes.

Serve when cooked or let the chicken sit in the oven at 100 degrees until needed the same evening.

Cook green vegetables of choice – broccoli, peas or beans – to go with the chicken to give a fresh bite to supper.

Place the prepared chicken on the trivet of potatoes and vegetables and blast it in the oven for 15 minutes. This will get heat to the bones and the chicken skin will crisp well.

Turn the oven down to 160 degrees and leave the chicken to cook for 1.5-2 hours for a slow roast, depending on its size.

Check it is thoroughly cooked by slashing the skin between the thigh and hip – the

Find a nice big serving dish – warm it under hot water and dry it in the oven for a minute – to serve.

The chicken should fall off the bones when ready to eat –either serve in lovely chunks of breast meat and meat off the bone or joint each – two thighs, two legs, two breasts, two wings, the oyster – fun to find – and any other meat that can be pulled away.

I slice both breasts in half horizontally so there can be a bit of each for the family.

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

TV showcase for county’s food

FOOD and drink from Dorset is the focus of a new television series presented by west country based chef and food writer Philippa Davis.

Philippa meets producers from fifth-generation millers to first-time wine makers, and oyster farmers to apple vodka distillers in the six-part A Taste of Dorset

Each episode culminates in Philippa making a family-friendly feast or delicious cocktail, on location with one of the star food producers.

consumers in order to share their stories and the incredible work they do.”

Tony Hindhaugh, executive director of production company Planet Eat Media, said: “I was bowled over by the friendliness and passion of every single producer we visited.

She said: “I’m incredibly excited to support and champion the outstanding food and drink producers we have here in Dorset.

“It feels vital, now more than ever, to connect our incredible famers and makers to

“Dorset is an utterly delicious county, and we are delighted to help showcase the incredible food and drink scene they have there”.

Philippa – pictured – grew up on a Dorset smallholding before, at 19, moving to London to cook in the The River Café and Moro restaurants.

A Taste of Dorset is available on Prime Video via Prime Video Direct – to view it go to https:// www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B0CP9WY6P3

FREE DELIVERY

Use code*: FREEDEL

New 5 mile radius from the shop, convering: Blandford, Child Okeford, Charlton Marshall, The Tarrants and more.

Delivery Hours: Monday - Saturday from 4.30pm

Order online at: www.longjohnsfishandchips.co.uk

54 East Street, Blandford, DT11 7DR

*Single use only. Valid until 31st March 2025.

Enford Farm Shop

Durweston DT11 0QW

Home reared and locally produced meats, game, deli, fruit, veg, free range eggs and lots more. Follow us on Facebook for all our latest meat pack deals and what’s in fresh that week.

Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. 01258 450050

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB SERVING FINE FOOD AND DRINKS

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

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

A Pub With Warmth And Atmosphere

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

Hearty Food And Distinctive Drinks

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

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

Pets

Kennel cough is highly infectious

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

KENNEL cough is caused by several different infections and can vary in severity. It is called kennel cough because it is highly infectious and spreads readily within the kennel environment but is equally spread through direct and indirect dog contact on walks.

Parainfluenza is the viral form of kennel cough and typically causes a cough –though can cause sneezing –which sounds like a honking goose, and dogs will retch as if clearing their throat or bringing something up. It often appears like they have something stuck in their throat, but it can quickly be differentiated from this by offering food and, if it is swallowed readily, there is no obstruction.

Dogs are usually not particularly unwell with this virus and treatment is directed towards symptom control such as pain relief and throat soothers such as honey. Antibiotics are not appropriate for viral infections.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial form. It tends to cause a more severe illness with a high temperature. It responds well to certain antibiotics. Other bacterial infections can develop secondary to the Parainfluenza virus and any dog which becomes unwell after the start of coughing should be reviewed by a vet. Pneumonia is an uncommon but recognised complication of kennel cough and needs treating quickly and effectively if it develops. Kennel cough is spread by coughing and sneezing and can live in the environment for a short time, so direct dog contact is not essential for spread. The incubation period – from contact with the infection to development of symptoms – is typically seven-10 days. Even dogs which have recovered may continue to shed the virus for a further two weeks. Dogs with Parainfluenza will usually be fully recovered within 10-14 days and should improve daily within this time. Any dog not

improving or deteriorating should be seen by a vet. Several vaccines are available for kennel cough. A nasal spray is available for Parainfluenza and Bordetella This is a live vaccine which can cause the virus to be shed for several days and the bacteria to be shed for up to six weeks and contact with immune suppressed and unvaccinated dogs should be avoided during this time. Immune suppressed people are also advised to avoid contact with vaccinated dogs within six weeks of vaccination. Onset of immunity is three days for Bordetella and three weeks for Parainfluenza. Because of this many kennels will require the vaccine to be given at least three weeks before they will

FLAT COAT RETRIEVER PUPPIES

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Kennel cough is spread by coughing and sneezing and can live in the environment for a short time, so direct dog contact is not essential for spread

take in vaccinated dogs. If antibiotics are given within one week after this vaccine it may be deactivated and need repeating.

An alternative injectable vaccine is now available for Bordetella, for dogs which do not tolerate the nasal spray or when the live vaccine is not suitable, but this requires two injections one month apart if no previous kennel cough vaccine was given one year before. An injectable form of Parainfluenza has been available for a long time and can be combined with the usual annual vaccines. If you are unsure if your dog has kennel cough or needs treatment, then speak to your vet to get appropriate treatment where necessary.

BORDER-JACK TERRIER PUPPIES, eight weeks three girls two boys, been vet checked, chipped and first vax, parents excellent temperament ready to find a Loving Home. 07969-869774

BEAUTIFUL WHIPPET PUPPIES, blue and white, black brindle and white, kennel club registered, loving, wonderful temperament with children, viewing now to 5* homes only. Tel: 07980-744551

blackmorevale.net

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

Cats looking for new homes

Looking after pets when it’s icy cold

THE RSPCA has issued some top tips to help keep animals safe and happy at the coldest time of the year.

1 Keep a close eye on outdoor pets like rabbits and guinea pigs – if the temperature starts to drop below freezing, you may wish to move your bunny inside. The RSPCA recommends guinea pigs are housed indoors when temperatures are below 15°C (59°F). If you have to leave them outside, provide them with lots of extra bedding and make sure their home is protected from adverse weather with insulating but ventilating covers.

4 If you have a pet who gets wet or cold, rub them dry with a towel and make sure they have plenty of warm bedding.

5 If you have an elderly or sickly dog, you can buy a special coat or jumper to keep them warm when you’re out walking. Make sure your dog can still behave normally, for example, go to the toilet easily and that it is a good and comfortable fit.

6 When walking your dog in the dark or riding your horse, wear reflective clothing and think about reflective protection for your pet, too.

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

LOST CAT S: If your cat has gone missing, Cats Protection offers practical steps to help bring them home safely. Start by searching your local area thoroughly, checking sheds, garages, and outbuildings where they might be hiding. Create posters and share them in your neighbourhood and online communities. Inform local vets and animal rescues in case someone has found your cat. Ensure your cat’s microchip details are up to date, as this can be a vital tool for identification. For a detailed guide and additional advice visit the Cats Protection website or call us on 01258 858644.

2 Ensure cats have constant access to the house or to a warm, indoor area such as an outbuilding or barn. You should also ensure the cat’s bedding or sleeping area is warm, dry and away from any draughts.

3 Antifreeze and rock salt –commonly used at this time of year – can be poisonous to pets, so keep any stored products out of their reach. If you’re concerned your pet may have ingested anything they shouldn’t, speak to your vet immediately.

7 Keep your pet dog away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers which can pose a danger, and make sure their paws don’t get impacted with snow.

8 If you keep pet birds in aviaries, coops, or runs, then you should also protect them from the cold weather. Provide plenty of additional dry, warm bedding such as straw and cover enclosures to keep the wind and rain out. Birds will eat more to keep warm in cold conditions, so ensure the birds always have access to plenty of food and fresh water, ensuring water does not freeze over.

Dusty, 11 years, delightful boy looking for a retirement home

Mel and Sue, six years, looking for a home together, sweet sensitive pair who are friendly, enjoy a fuss and company

Rene and Gruber, six months, delightful pair looking for a home together

Lulu, four years, sweet girl looking for a home as the only pet. May prefer to live indoors, see website for details

Mini and Yvette, six months, sweet friendly girls looking for a home together

Announcements

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that Nicola Marshall has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Gone Fishing Café, Coking Farm Gillingham for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises generally between the hours of 08:00am to 21:00pm Monday to Sunday

Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-ailing: Licensing@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ within 28 days from the date of this notice.

The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours.

It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

DATE: 08/01/2025

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service

Restrictive Covenant application

MEETING PLACE

MARTIN TO MEET LADY AT SWAN, Sturminster Newton, January 25th. 01258-472910

DEATHS

WHITE ALAN ‘CHALKY’

Alan sadly passed away peacefully on 26th December 2024. Much loved husband to his late wife Jean, step-father, grumphy and friend to so many. Funeral Service at Ham Down Burial Ground on Tuesday 21st January at 12pm. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired for Pancreatic Cancer UK, may be sent to Grassby & Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1BB, Tel: 01258 471024 or made online by visiting www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES

An application under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 has been made to the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber to modify a restrictive covenant affecting the land referred to below. This notice provides details of the application.

The applicants are MR KEITH GEORGE MARSH AND MRS LINDA MARGARET MARSH

The applicant’s address is THE WILLOWS, PARTWAY LANE, HAZELBURY BRYAN, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET DT10 2DP

The applicants’ solicitor or representative is MS HELEN PORTER of WARNER GOODMAN LLP whose address is COMPASS HOUSE, 1-3 THE AVENUE, SOUTHAMPTON SO17 1XG Ref. MAR1528.3

The representative’s email address is Helenporter@warnergoodman.co.uk

Details of the land

The land is THE WILLOWS, PARTWAY LANE, HAZELBURY BRYAN, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET. DT10 2DP which is registered at HM Land Registry under title number DT329406

Details of the covenant

The restrictive covenant was imposed by a transfer dated 14th April 2005. The document was made between DAWN BUILD LIMITED (Transferor) and LINDA ANN HOLDEN (Transferee).

The part of the covenant which the applicants want to modify says this:

“ Restrictive covenants by the Buyer [Transferee]

2. Not to erect or construct any building or other structure whatsoever whether temporary or permanent on the Property (except for good quality conservatory domestic sheds and greenhouses) without the prior consent in writing of the Seller for which a reasonable fee will be payable.”

Details of the applicants’ intentions

The applicants want the covenant to be modified so that a one-storey extension to the rear of the Property to the same height as the existing conservatory.

The proposed wording of the restrictive covenant to be modified as follows:

‘Not to erect or construct any building or other structure whatsoever whether temporary or permanent on the Property (except for good quality conservatory domestic sheds and greenhouses) closer to the north east boundary than the existing building and/or more than one storey in height without the prior consent in writing of the Seller for which a reasonable fee will be payable’. (the modified wording

underlined).

If you would like a copy of the application to the Tribunal please contact the applicants’ representative who will supply you with a copy.

Objecting to the application

If you are legally entitled to the benefit of the covenant and wish to object to the application you should send notice of your objection to the Tribunal and also to the applicant within 1 month of the date of this notice. You can do so on Notice of Objection Form T381, which you can download from the Upper Tribunal, Lands Chamber website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-t381-noticeof-objection-to-a-restrictive-covenant-application) or contact: The Registrar, Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber, 5th Floor, Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1NL (or telephone 020 7612 9710) and ask for an objection form. Professional representatives must make use of the Tribunal’s electronic filing platform, CE-File, when filing documents with the Tribunal. Further information and guidance about the operation of CE-File can be found at: HMCTS E-Filing service for citizens and professionals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You may apply for an extension if there is a good reason why you cannot send your objection in time.

If you wish to inspect documentation relating to the application, you can do so by visiting the offices of the Applicants’ authorised agent: Symonds & Sampson Agricultural House Market Place

Sturminster Newton DT10 1AR

Successful objectors may normally expect to have their reasonable legal costs paid by the applicants. Unsuccessful objectors will usually pay their own costs but will not normally be ordered to pay the costs of successful applicants. Only an objector who acts unreasonably may be required to pay any of the applicants’ costs.

If you are unsure of your position you should seek legal advice.

Signed Date: 17th January 2025

Status: Warner Goodman LLP

Applicants’ legal representative

Address Warner Goodman LLP, Compass House, 1-3 The Avenue, Southampton , SO17 1XG

Telephone 023 8071 7412

Emails helenporter@warnergoodman.co.uk

DEATHS

Vic Hough

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Vic Hough on the 20th December 2024. Age 90. Devoted husband to the late Betty Hough, and a loving father, grandad and great grandad. He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. Funeral service to be held at Blandford United Reformed Church on Friday 17th January 2025 at 12.00pm. All enquiries c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133

David Frederick Hooper

beloved husband of Anne, father to Andrew and Jill passed away on the 19th December.

A farmer all his life in Tarrant Hinton, Dorset. Sadly missed by all. Memorial Service will be held on Friday 17th January at 12pm at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Hinton.

CHRISTOPHER JOHN CROSS HOOPER

Aged 97, passed away at home on 3rd January 2025, a day after his 68th wedding anniversary. A much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Private family cremation. There will be a memorial service at St Mary’s Church, Motcombe at a later date to be announced.

JANET CARSON (Nee Hill)

On 24th December 2024, aged 80.

Beloved and greatly missed widow of Robert Snr, and mother of Robert, Fiona, Eoin and Katie. Grandmother of eight. Funeral at St Mary’s Church, Stalbridge at 12:30pm on Friday 24th January. Donations to St Margaret’s Hospice.

LEGG

Barbara Joyce – ‘Barb’

Peacefully on 29th December 2024 in Yeatman Hospital, aged 90 years of Stalbridge. Formerly of Hazelbury Bryan. Adored Wife of the late Lionel. Much loved Mum of Jayne and the late David. A loving Nan to Adam and Nicola. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday, 23rd January at 10.40am. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP Tel. 01963 362570

BAKER

Trevor Phillip

Peacefully on 19th December 2024 in Yeatman Hospital, aged 73 years, of Stalbridge.

Beloved Husband of Maria. Much loved Dad of Jenny and Lee. A loving Grandad, Brother and Father In-Law. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, 31st January at 1.20pm. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Trevor for Weldmar Hospicecare can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent:

C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP Tel. 01963 362570

MAUREEN PEGGY HAWKINS

Passed away peacefully on Sunday 29th December 2024, aged 90 years. Much loved wife to Pete, mother, grandmother and great nan. Her funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Wednesday 22nd January 2025 at 10:40am. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for Cancer Research UK, may be sent c/o A. J. Wakely & Sons, Funeral Directors, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.

JOHN TAYLOR

Passed away on 26th December 2024 at his home in Sherborne after living for over 50 years in Milborne Port & working as a carpenter & builder. He will be missed by all that knew him & much loved by family and friends. The funeral service will take place on Monday 17th February 2025 at 2pm at St Johns Church Milborne Port followed by a wake in Milborne Port. Family flowers only & a private burial.

Donations are welcome and for further enquiries please contact Brister & Son Funeral Directors, 100 Lenthay Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6AG 01935 812647.

Denise Hobbs

At home on 30th November 2024, aged 87. Known and cared for by many in Blandford, Broadstone, Dorchester, Pimperne and Stourpaine, and on her favourite X8 bus. Thanksgiving Service with Interment of Ashes at her church, St Peter’s Pimperne. 1.30pm Friday 24th January No flowers, but there will be a retiring collection* to be shared between St Peters church and the Kenyan family that Denise has supported for many years.

*Donations may also be sent to Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Rd, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133

DEATHS

DAVID NEIL HUMPHRIES

“SID”

passed away peacefully on 7th January 2025 in Salisbury District Hospital aged 76 years. Of Shaftesbury. Much loved husband to Chrissie and a loving father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by all family and friends. Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Monday 20th January at 2.00pm. Family flowers only please.

Donations for The Stars Appeal (AMU) may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

LAURIE JEANS

Peacefully on 26th December 2024 in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, aged 77 years. Formerly of Milborne Port. Dearly loved Husband of Carole. Much loved Dad of Helen and the late Stephen. A very dear Grandad who will be sadly missed. Funeral service at St. John’s Church, Milborne Port on Tuesday, 4th February at 12.30pm. Followed by interment. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for South West MS Therapy Centre can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP, Tel. 01963 362570

SHEILA KNAPMAN

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 4th January 2025, aged 97 years. Much loved Wife to the late Bill, Mum, Granny and Great Granny. A Memorial Service will take place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Glanvilles Wootton on Tuesday 28th January 2025 at 12:00 midday. Donations if desired for Dementia Research UK may be sent, and all enquiries, to A. J. Wakely & Sons, Funeral Directors, 16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ. Tel: 01935 816817.

Phyllis Ring

Passed away peacefully in Salisbury Hospital on the 2nd January 2025 aged 93 years. Will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Devoted to her animals and enjoyed her long life on the farms. Funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday 24th January 2025 at 12 noon. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to ‘RABI The Farmers Charity’ and The Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital Charity. All enquiries to Bracher Brothers, Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 4QL Tel. 01747 898267

McGUINNESS, Diana

Passed peacefully away on 19 November 2024 aged 84 years. Beloved wife of Peter ‘Mike’ McGuinness, mother of Justine, Penny & Tristan, grandmother to 10 grandchildren, former ballet dancer and primary school teacher. Her smile will be missed but never forgotten. Diana’s Funeral will be held on 27th January 2025 at 11am, at Sacred Heart and St Aldhelm Catholic Church, Sherborne DT9 3RA, followed by her burial at St Mary’s Church, Bradford Peverell. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Diana to Dorchester Ballet & Dance Club may be made online at www.grassby-funeral.co.uk, or cheques can be made payable to the charity and sent c/o Grassby Funeral Service, 8 Princes Street, Dorchester, DT1 1TW.

WRENCH

Brian Geoffrey

Passed away on 27th December 2024 in Salisbury Hospital aged 87. Much loved Husband to Claudia, Father to James, Andrew & Lorna, Brother to Betty,and Grandad to Lucy & Grace. His funeral service will be held at St.Mary’s Church,Tarrant Gunville on Tuesday 28th January 2025 at 12 noon. Family flowers only, donations if desired for The Injured Jockey Funds & Stars Appeal Salisbury District Hospital can be made at the Church or through Lesley Shand, 28 East Street, Blandford Forum.DT11 7DR. Tel: 01258 453425

Coryndon Luxmore

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 4th January 2025, aged 97 years. Much loved husband to the late Kate. Funeral Service will take place at Sherborne Abbey on Wednesday 22nd January 2025 at 2:00pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired, for the Royal British Legion may be sent, and also any enquiries to A. J. Wakely & Sons, Funeral Directors, 16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ. Tel: 01935 816817.

MARSH

David Stanley Fred - ‘Dave’

Peacefully on 30th December 2024 in Yeovil District Hospital, aged 90 years, of Wincanton. Beloved Husband of Beatrice and loving Dad to the late Susan. Funeral service at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Wincanton on Tuesday, 28th January at 11.30am. Followed by private interment. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to Wincanton PCC, may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel. 01963 362570

Colin Walter Mitchell

Peacefully on 21st December 2024. Colin aged 80 years of Buckland Newton. Much loved Partner, Brother and Uncle. Funeral service at Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton on Friday 24th January at 2pm. A reception will be held at Stockbridge Barn, Lower Stockbridge Farm, DT9 6EP where the service may also be viewed. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel 01963 362570.

PUCKETT Betty Winifred

Suddenly but peacefully on 28th December 2024, at home in Marnhull, aged 97 years. Wife of the late Bert. Much loved Mum of Angela, Jean and Marion. Loving Nan and Great-Nan. Funeral service at Yeovil crematorium on Wednesday, 29th January at 11.20am. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP Tel. 01963 362570

STONE MASONS

Brian Maitland

aged 78, Passed suddenly on 2/12/2024. Brian was much loved and is sadly missed by family and friends. Private funeral has already taken place. Memorial and celebration of life service to be held at Rye Hill Barn, Longbridge Deverill BA12 7DE on 2nd February at 11.30am. No black ties please.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

•

•

•

•

•

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Tailored and unique Attended Funerals

• Prepaid funeral plans also available

Newbury, Gillingham

SP8 4QL Tel: 01747 822494 Newell, Sherborne DT9 4EZ Tel: 01935 813479

Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL Tel: 01747 822494

Newell, Sherborne DT9 4EZ Tel: 01935 813479

Choice of Hearses available including

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

01963 31310

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

plans Sherborne Tel: 01935 Wincanton Tel: 01963 – 24 Hour Service

Pre-payment plans available

Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated

Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

Blandford start new year strong

by Paul Cross Romsey Renegades 0

Blandford & Sturminster 2

AFTER a fantastic end to 2024, Blandford were keen to continue their form into the start of 2025.

However, team absences meant that Blandford players found themselves in unfamiliar roles and a bench consisting of two players making their debuts in Mark Brunning and Benjy Vincent.

Blandford started slowly, easing themselves back into league hockey. Both sides initially struggled to keep hold of the ball, with wayward balls in the first 15 minutes.

Romsey’s striker managed to pick up the ball on the right of the D and flashed an early warning shot across the face of

GOLF

WINCANTON Golf Club

results:

Monthly Stableford –

December 21: 1 Mike Case 34 ocb, 2 David Amann 34, 3 Brian White 29 ocb, 4 Jim Phillips 29.

Seniors 3 Clubs & Putter 9 Hole – December 31: 1 Robin Price 14 ocb, 2 John Wolstenholme 14, 3 David Hallett 11, 4 Malcolm Faulkner 9.

Seniors 3 Clubs & Putter –December 31: 1 Mike Case 39, 2 David Amann 37,3 Jon Reed 33 ocb, 4 Geoff Lye 33.

Roll Up Seniors Back 9 Stableford – January 3: Winners – Geoff Lye/Phil Francis/David Amann 43.

Seniors Stableford – January 7: 1 Richard Strong 34, 2 Brian White 31 ocb, 3 Kees Schouten 31.

Roll Up Seniors Back 9

Stableford – January 10: Winners Kevin Francis/Chris Dibben/Jim Stephen 43.

Monthly Stableford –

January 11: 1 Adam Smith 38, 2 Jim Phillips 35, 3 Rick Graham 34.

HOCKEY

the D. Other than that, Blandford looked comfortable. However, they were sitting deep and struggling to find an outlet.

This necessitated a tactical switch, with Captain Cross bursting out of central defence to fill the gap and then swapping positions with Gareth Mitchinson to offer the option in midfield.

The change opened up play, giving makeshift striker Brian Bell the ability to push higher, putting Blandford on the front foot heading into the second half.

The visitors attacked from the whistle, pressing high and winning the ball high up the pitch. Romsey got caught in

possession and the ball fell to Theo Browning who rifled a ball into the D.

A charging Andy Smith met the hit with a gravity-defying, twisting dive to deflect the ball past the keeper.

Blandford continued to press their advantage, their newly discovered shape stretching the pitch and pulling Romsey out of position.

Andy Smith ran Romsey ragged, and drawing the opposition’s attention wherever he went, then flashed a cross along the baseline, which was almost converted by Brian Bell.

Ten-man Rockies hold out

FOOTBALL

by Avril Lancaster Shaftesbury 2

Thatcham Town 1 by Avril Lancaster TEN-MAN Shaftesbury won a tense encounter with a goal in the 51st minute when a Toby Bailey corner went straight in, with Brett Pitman putting pressure on Kingfishers keeper James Sharlott.

Remus Nixon opened the scoring with a smart turn and finish after seven minutes.

Thatcham Town levelled when Harvey Flippance finished

well and applied some pressure with Kyle Daniel Spray impressive.

Ronan Moore saw red for a foul preventing a clear scoring chance for the visitors just before half-time.

In a brave second half performance, Shane Murphy made a number of good saves as the Rockies held out to pick up a second win over the Christmas period.

Evesham United 5 (Wright 17,55, 83, Awadh 72, Steele 21) Shaftesbury 0 SHAFTESBURY arrived at

Vale half marathon date

ORGANISERS of the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon are inviting runners to get their entries in.

The annual event is organised by Blackmore Vale Lions Club in aid of good causes.

It gets under way at Bishop’s

RUNNING

Recreation Ground –the race headquarters is at the village hall – on Sunday, February 2 at 11am.

It is preferred that runners enter online at https:// englandathletics.sport80.com/

Blandford continued to press, and finally, with two minutes to go, they got the two-goal cushion they deserved. Gareth Mitchinson won the ball inside the Blandford D and hit the ball to Paul Cross on the halfway line.

Cross slipped the ball passed two onrushing players to Theo Browning, who put Brian Bell clean through on goal, sliding in to place the ball under the keeper.

While Romsey tried to push high and get back into the game, Blandford comfortably saw out the match.

Evesham following three successive wins over Christmas and a superb 4-3 win on New Year’s Day against big guns Melksham Town.

Evesham United, with Andre Wright, have been on fire and had reignited their promotion charge after a superb win at Bristol Manor Farm.

The Rockies knew Evesham would put in a performance and they did.

Wright bagged a hat-trick with Levi Steele adding to his tally and Amar Awadh getting in on the action.

Attendance: 255.

public/wizard/e/28524, via the Lions club’s website at https:// bvlhm.yolasite.com/ or by post – the entry form is on the website.

Entries close at midnight on Friday, January 31, but runners can also turn up at the village hall on the day before 10am.

Caundle

Blandford made tactical adjustments with players missing

How to steer clear of a bad used car

DATA from Citizens Advice reveals that the charity’s national Consumer Service receives a complaint about a used car every three minutes.

Most of these (66%) complaints were about defective goods, while 13% concerned safety issues.

Now Citizens Advice Dorset is sharing its top tips with motorists.

Daniel Cadisch, chief officer, Citizens Advice Central Dorset, said: “Unexpected car problems can cost us more than just money, they can leave people missing work or unable to drop their kids off at school.

“But all too often we hear from motorists who’ve had used cars mis-sold to them and have had to shell out hard-earned cash to fix surprise issues. Many of us across Dorset are feeling the pinch right now, so it’s vital to

make sure you’re steering clear of surprise problems when buying a used car."

Check the trader

IF you’re buying from a trader – a business that sells cars – you should:

● Look for an established firm with a good reputation. Look for a garage that is a member of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, this means you can act through the Code Sponsor if something goes wrong.

If you’re buying from an individual seller:

● You’re entitled to expect that the vehicle is roadworthy, unless you and the seller clearly agree it is bought for scrap or for spares and repair.

Check the car’s history

YOU’LL need the seller’s permission to have the vehicle inspected. Make sure to keep a copy of all inspections or

checks, either by taking a screenshot or downloading the information.

1 Check the car’s details with the DVLA using its free online vehicle checker and check the MOT history on www.gov.uk.

2 Get a private history check. This might cost up to £20, but will give you valuable information about serious problems the car might have. If you’re still not sure – get an independent report. This will give you detailed information about the car’s condition and will cost around £120 to £250.

3 Inspect the car and take a test drive. You should arrange to view the car in daylight, preferably when it’s dry – it’s harder to spot damage to the car if it’s wet.

Paying for a used car

ASK questions if you’re unsure about anything in the small print. Remember you can stop the deal if you feel like you’re being pressured into paying too much or buying additional features. And make sure you get the original – not a photocopy –

of the log book – the V5C registration certificate – and the valid MOT test document. Never buy a car without the log book.

The way you pay will affect what rights you might have if something goes wrong:

● If you pay by cash, there are no extra fees or interest but if something goes wrong with the car you won’t have the protection that you have if you buy using a card or on finance.

● If you use a debit card you might have protection from problems from your provider’s chargeback scheme. And if you use a credit card, you’re protected as long as you paid more than £100 and no more than £30,000, even if you only paid for a small part of the cost on a credit card – this is called ‘section 75’ protection.

● If you pay using finance arranged by a trader, you might have extra protection if there’s a problem later, because you can take action against the finance company as well as the trader – or instead of the trader.

SUZUKI CELERIO, 2016, 5door, Full Service, MOT Nov25, 36k miles. £3000. Tel: 07817-591261

CITROEN PICASSO, 07 plate, 1600 diesel, tidy condition, cam-belt recently fitted. £500. Tel: 01258-860160

OLD, INTERESTING & CLASSIC CARS wanted pre 1990s Any condition including unfinished projects

Cash/Transfer. Please Phone Paul 07890 096907

WANTED

VANS, CARS, 4x4's MOTOR HOMES, CARAVANS, MOT FAILURES RUNNER & NON RUNNERS, FARM MACHINERY or just in your way

ANYTHING CONSIDERED

Please call James anytime on 07389705470

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

PORSCHE CAYENNE S.

Tip Tronic, automatic, 57reg, 4.8 V8. excellent condition, 112,000 miles, good service record, MOT Oct 2025, Silver, Black leather interior. £4,500 Tel: 07836-718657

2021 (71) Dacia Sandero Stepway 1.0TCe Comfort 5dr. New shape, 90bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, reverse camera, sat nav, park sensors, cruise, auto lights & wipers, road sign assist, hill holder, 25,300 miles ........................................................................................£10950

2012 (62) Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. 69bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, simple basic small car with low running costs, only £35 a year road tax, 50mpg economy, cambelt has been replaced, only 73,700 miles ...................£2950

2014 (14) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 163bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, leather, heated seats, sat nav, parking sensors, auto park system, reverse camera, sunroof, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, road sign assist, hill holder, electric tailgate, cambelt replaced, 92,500 miles ......................................................£7450

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1

Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles .....................................£21500 + VAT = £25800

2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, heated front seats, hill holder, cambelt replaced, 90,200 miles ............................................. £19500 + VAT = £23400

2013 (63) Honda Jazz 1.4i-VTEC ES Plus 5dr. 99bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, cruise control, flat folding rear seats, small car with very spacious interior, 75,500 miles .......................................................£5250

2016 (66) Mazda 3, 2.0 SE-L Nav Automatic 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, sat nav, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, road sign assist, heated seats, hill holder, 75,900 miles ....£8450

2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100nhp, petrol, manual gearbox, parking sensors, hill holder, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, collision detection, road sign assist, 63,500 miles ........................................£6250

2016 (66) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6CDTi SE 4x4 SUV 5dr. 136bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, 4x4,

High-speed broadband on way for more rural areas

by editor@dorsetbiznews.

co.uk

WESSEX Internet has entered the construction stage of its five-year government contract to bring high-speed broadband to rural areas of south and west Dorset and south Somerset.

With design and planning now finalised, engineers are laying the first fibre cables in the village of Halstock.

By the end of the £33.5 million contract, they will have connected 21,400 homes and businesses in the region –including in Sherborne, Dorchester, Beaminster and Swanage.

Hector Gibson Fleming, chief executive of Wessex Internet, said: “We’re delighted to have started the construction phase of our fourth Project

Wessex Internet is connecting 21,400 homes and businesses in its five-year £33.5 million Project Gigabit government contract

Gigabit contract, which will benefit thousands of residents and businesses in rural Dorset and Somerset.

“This follows the start of construction for our south Wiltshire contract a few weeks ago and demonstrates the

commitment and hard work of our teams to rapidly progress the delivery of these vital infrastructure projects.

“For too long, rural communities have had to make do with outdated, unreliable internet connections.

“This roll-out of full fibre broadband represents a great leap in digital infrastructure that will support local residents and rural economies for years to come.”

Project Gigabit is a government initiative to bring full-fibre connectivity to hard-to-reach places across the country.

Telecoms minister, Sir Chris Bryant, added: “Dorset and Somerset are the latest regions to see spades in the ground, laying fibre that will deliver the fastest internet speeds on the market thanks to our nationwide roll-out of Project Gigabit.

“The upgrades will help put an end to buffering broadband in hard-to-reach rural communities and support our mission to kick-start economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity.

“We’re on track to keep plugging digital gaps and achieve nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030.”

Business faces new rules on waste

NEW rules surrounding waste collections are set to come into place later this year in Dorset.

Businesses and organisations will be required to have up to four bins to separate waste as new government regulations designed to make recycling easier, called Simpler Recycling in England, come into place.

The new rules, which will be

in force from March 31, mean all organisations will need to have separate collections for glass – bottles and jars; metal – tins, cans, foil; plastic, paper and cardboard; and for food waste.

These items will no longer be accepted when mixed in one general waste bin or bag.

Micro businesses – those

LOCAL INVESTOR wishes to invest in small Dorset based business. The business must have been trading for 1 year plus business plan and accounts. Any type of ethical business considered. Contact Neil 07917-678454

with fewer than 10 employees – will have until March 31, 2027, to become compliant. At this stage, plastic film will also be included in all recycling collections.

Households will not be affected by the new rules.

Depending on the waste collection provider, most organisations will only need three or four bins: Dry mixed recycling – paper, metal tins/ cans/foil, and plastics; food waste; general waste – anything that cannot be recycled; and glass – bottles and jars – may need to be kept separate.

The rules will apply to businesses and other nonhousehold municipal premises such as schools, hospitals, village halls and churches.

Businesses may need to invest in new recycling bins and signage as part of the new rules.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, said: “The Simpler Recycling in England rules will enable consistent, more streamlined collections from all households, businesses and other non-domestic premises.

“But all Dorset businesses need to be ready for the changes.

“If you don’t currently have separate recycling and food waste collections arranged, you’ll need to get these in place before the new rules kick in.

“I strongly urge all business owners and managers to review their waste collections as soon as possible so you don’t get left behind.

“You should also make sure your employees are aware of the reforms, so they not only have the right bins available but that they are used correctly.”

WATTBIKE ATOM EXERCISE BIKE - as new. £350. Tel: 01747-445051 REHASENSE SPACE LX. Lightweight aluminium rollator. £175. 07980-095287

AIR GUN BSA. Very good condition £80 Telephone 07970 742471

Items for sale Wanted

CLASSIFIED ADS

2 SHERBORNE LINTON PARA RECLINERS. Button control. 2 year’s old. £500 for the two. 01935-475762.

CAMBRIDGE CXA61

AMPLIFIER and Marantz 6005 cd player for sale. £390 for amp, £130 for cd player or £500 for both. As new, hardly used, but no original packaging so buyer collects - North Dorset. Call David. 07763-851802

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

TWO TUBULAR CHROME

ELECTRIC HEATED wall-mounted towel rails. Excellent working condition. £6 the pair. Tel: 01935 872217

FANCY A PROJECT? Much loved Parker Knoll style chairs, cushions require refilling. Buyer collects, outside Sherborne 01935-872680.

4ft GLASS TANK

Tank suitable for reptile includes almost new viv light tube and heater and mat. Free for collection Yeovil 07836 641768

SMALL HYDRAULIC ROWING MACHINE vgc £40. Tel: 01963-34688

28 INCH TV in very good condition. Also DVD player. £40 the lot. Motcombe. 01747-854168

ELECTRIC HEATED MASSAGE MAT. £50 ono. Tel: 01747-853913

PET GRANNY BABY GATE (black) 27” doorway VGC used to keep mum safe but has now passed. £15 Wincanton area. 07809-765330

LARGE SUITCASE full of matchbox labels. TA18 area. Any reasonable offers considered. 01460 77043

FREE, DOUBLE WORDROBE, 1960’s. Light wood with polished finish and decorative inlay. Mirror inside door. H:181cm, W:119cm D: 48cm. Tel: 01747-811702

COT - QUALITY WOODEN COT c/w Slumberland mattress. Only used at Grandparents - hardly used. Excellent condition. Near Wincanton. £40. 07429-279028

COMPACT 3-PIECE SUITE in good condition. Free. 07442-507317.

STOVES UNDER THE WORKTOP gas double oven and electric grill. Very good condition, like new. £50 ONO. 01258 452118.

BOXES - STRONG CARDBOARD

- 7kg wgt minimum, some for 12kg. Ideal storage/house move. £20 for FORTY. Tel: STREET 01458 44 32 64 (Answerphone)

MODERN IKEA DESK about 1 year old unmarked. Cable net, W 1.6m, H 71cm-86cm, D curving from left 61-110cm. £45. 07905 578954.

TWO SEATER SOFA - Good

Condition - Comfortable - 54 inches x 32 x 42. £10 pick up from Fontmell Magna 01747 811070.

ELLIPTICAL CROSS TRAINER + instruction book £45 buyer collects Wincanton 01963 824376

ELECTRIC SLOW COOKER, Morphy Richards, 3 litre, removable dish, 3 heat settings. £15.00 Sherborne, 01935-815648

40 INCH PANASONIC TV in good condition For Sale £50 or near offer. Ring 01935 706998 or mobile 07787 123702

BRAND NEW EASY LIFE ANGEL adjustable jigsaw organiser. Never used. Tel: 07508-230574

CREAM 2.5 SEATER SOFA, 69” X 35” reasonable condition. Balmain & Balmain, feather cushions. £40. buyer collects. Tel: 07989-527888

SMALL QUANTITY OF GOOD QUALITY green laburnum. Free on collection. Castle Cary. 01963 359463

WANTED: VINTAGE COMPUTERS and gaming consoles, 1980s and 1990s era. Call Mike 07795-349466

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

OLD BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392602014

EASY GARDENING HELP. A couple

Charlton. 07770 536656

or

or just in your

Recruitment

SITUATIONS WANTED

CARER AVAILABLE. Reliable, kind, experienced. Tisbury and surrounding areas. Tel 07557-001105

COOK VACANCY

An opportunity has arisen for a cook at our Award-winning home. The applicant will need to be highly organised, responsible and keen to make a difference to the lives of our elderly residents.

Can you cater for 24 elderly people with individual tastes and dietary needs? Do you enjoy cooking from scratch? Can you provide good, wholesome food? Do you have the high standards required for working in an “Outstanding” rated care home?

If you are interested in joining probably the nicest team of care staff in North Dorset, we will be delighted to hear from you.

The position requires previous experience of cooking in a similar environment as well as relevant cooking and stock taking experience. 40 Hours a week.

Hours are 7.30 am-3.30pm,this can vary, Monday to Friday and some flexibility will be required. We offer a competitive remuneration package including an annual bonus.

Please contact us during office hours if you would like further information. Telephone: 01258 472511 or email: care@nazareth-lodge.co.uk

Recruitment

DRIVERS REQUIRED, transporting students. Full time. Holiday pay. Pension Scheme. Further details: 07813-209841

PART TIME BOOKKEEPER REQUIRED.

25 hours per week

Proficiency needed in sales and purchase ledger

Experience with Xero, Quickbooks and Sage

AAT level 2 and above preferred

Minimum 2 years experience

Full driving licence needed

Please provide a CV and 2 references to info@tsaccounting.co.uk

PART TIME ACCOUNTANT REQUIRED for MB Crocker Ltd

Negotiable/flexible hours for end of month protocols Office Based in Marnhull. Xero software experience preferable. Please email cv to mail@mbcrocker.co.uk.uk Or call Paul for an informal chat on 07967-388895

SELF-EMPLOYED BOOKKEEPER WANTED

Up to 4-hours per week. For Milborne Port Parish Council. PAYE payroll and accounting software used. Also Village Hall accounts. Email: clerk@milborneportpc.org.uk Tel: 01963 251268

GARDENER/HANDYMAN

REQUIRED, a couple of hours every 2 weeks, more often spring and summer. Suit retired person. Tel: 01963-23477 (Holwell)

CLEANER/ HOUSEKEEPER REQUIRED

5/6 hours a week for a family home near Motcombe. Flexible hours and competitive salary. Please call or text 07711 710437

LIVE IN CARER/COMPANION - Marnhull.

3 days/nights per week 24 hour live in Carer/Companion with household duties for elderly lady. Call 07807-046119

Local Medical Manufacturing Company based between Gillingham and Shaftesbury Various Shifts Available

Email julie@meditechsystems.co.uk for immediate interview

AGRICULTURAL MECHANIC/FABRICATOR REQUIRED (DORSET)

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic workshop mechanic/fabricator to join our progressive mixed farming agricultural business in the Dorchester (DT2) area of Dorset.

Duties will include workshop fabrication, agricultural equipment servicing, machinery repairs and other workshop related tasks that are necessary to keep the business operating efficiently and smoothly. Some of the brands of machinery we currently operate include Fendt, John Deere, JCB, Claas, Vaderstad, Horsch, Joskin, Slurry Kat and many more. You will be based at our well-equipped modern workshop and have access to our workshop van for off-site repairs. The successful applicant must be able to work as part of a larger team (arable and livestock), but must also be experienced and motivated enough to work as an individual.

Ideally you are already an experienced agricultural mechanic/ fabricator who is seeking a more varied and challenging long-term position as part of a progressive team.

All applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

Applying for the Post:

Interested applicants should forward a covering letter and CV to office@hsfarm.co.uk or telephone 07867 330787.

Recruitment

ASSISTANT GARDENER

The ideal candidate should be self motivated, fit and healthy, honest, together with an enthusiastic can do attitude. They should be confident working at heights and around water, happy outside in all weathers.

Experienced with both petrol and battery operated machinery. Excellent time keeping, attendance and the ability to think on the hoof. Ability to drive tractor and trailer an advantage as is a chainsaw certificate. Hours 8am to 5pm with two half hour breaks. Salary £23,000 to £30,000 depending on experience. No accommodation available, please contact Kay Brewer: 07960 242392 or dhg_stavordale@icloud.com

HippBones Needs You! HippBones Needs

HippBones Needs You!

You!

We are looking for the following to join our team:

We are looking for the following to join our team:

We are looking for the following to join our team:

• Paid Youth Workers - you will need the minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice (or equivalent qualification) and have experience of working with those who have special needs. We need one person to work 9.30am-12.30pm on both the first and third Saturday morning of each month and one person to work 9.30am-12.30pm on the first Saturday morning of each month

• Volunteers – no particular qualifications or experience needed, just willingness to run activities and be available on the first and/or third Saturday morning of each month

Interested? We’d love to hear from you.

✓ Paid Youth Workers - you will need the minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice (or equivalent qualification) and have experience of working with those who have special needs. We need one person to work 9.30am-12.30pm on both the first and third Saturday morning of each month and one person to work 9.30am12.30pm on the first Saturday morning of each month

✓ Paid Youth Workers - you will need the minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice (or equivalent qualification) and have experience of working with those who have special needs. We need one person to work 9.30am-12.30pm on both the first and third Saturday morning of each month and one person to work 9.30am12.30pm on the first Saturday morning of each month

For further information about the club, please visit www.hippbones.co.uk or scan the QR code at the top of the advert.

For an application form, or if you have any questions, please email jeni@hippbones.org.uk

✓ Volunteers – no particular qualifications or experience needed, just willingness to run activities and be available on the first and/or third Saturday morning of each month

✓ Volunteers – no particular qualifications or experience needed, just willingness to run activities and be available on the first and/or third Saturday morning of each month

Interested? We’d love to hear from you.

Interested? We’d love to hear from you.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE:

• Metal fabrication experience

For further information about the club, please visit www.hippbones.co.uk or scan the QR code at the top of the advert

• Agricultural machinery servicing and repair experience

For further information about the club, please visit www.hippbones.co.uk or scan the QR code at the top of the advert

• Light vehicle (4x4 pickups) servicing and repair experience

For an application form, or if you have any questions, please email jeni@hippbones.org.uk

• Driving licence

For an application form, or if you have any questions, please email jeni@hippbones.org.uk

• Rough terrain certificate (training can be provided)

• Ability to thrive during peak season demands

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Communicate effectively with Farm Manager and wider team on targets and daily goals

• Uphold high standards of workmanship and workshop record-keeping

• Comply with workshop/farm safety regulations and procedures

• Occasional relief tractor driving at peak times should it be required

REMUNERATION:

• Competitive package based on experience

• Pension scheme

• Job-related training opportunities

• Accommodation (if required)

How Optimax visits can improve efficiency on the farm

by Rebecca Price BVetMed MRCVS

Friars Moor Livestock Health

WE were lucky to have Becca from Boehringer Ingelheim come to visit us recently to give us some training on running calf health ‘Optimax’ visits. The concept is based on the lean management techniques first utilised by Toyota in streamlining its production processes in the car manufacturing plants. The idea is to have an overview of a production process – in this case calf rearing – and make it more efficient.

The process involves an on-farm walk through of the

route a calf takes through the process – dry cows, calving pen, colostrum harvesting and feeding, calf pens and milk feeding. The visit works best when all the staff who are responsible for any of the steps of calf rearing, and the routine vet, can all participate. While walking through the process, the group collectively identifies the steps involved, the things that work well, inefficiencies and responsibilities. Once finished, the group sit down and map out the process, identifying a solution for each issue identified.

The ideas can then be sorted based on the impact they

would have, and the time/ financial cost they would involve. This helps create a focused list of action points which should be achievable to work through because everyone has been involved at each step to discuss what can and can’t

be changed.

The visit is a more holistic overview of the process, and should get everyone on the team involved, and give them a chance to put forward problems and settings in a situation where reasonable suggestions can be talked over by the team.

While Becca was visiting we carried out Optimax visits on two farms, and all agreed that it gives an opportunity to review the whole process and create realistic targets. Once the initial visit has taken place the work can be reviewed regularly – at routines or herd health planning visits with the view to work through the list of action points.

If you’re interested in getting involved with an Optimax visit, give us a call at the practice or speak to your routine vet. Although we carried out the training for dairy youngstock, the process can be carried out for any aspect of management system – mastitis control, milking parlour routine etc.

Rebecca Price of Friars Moor

HEDGE CUTTING SERVICES

07711-980871

HEDGE TRIMMING AND HEDGE LAYING.

Tel: 01747-855198

R&W FENCING. Agricultural paddock and stock. Also part time help required. 01258-880892 - 07980-036250

CARAVAN REMOVAL

SERVICE, old, unwanted caravans, cars, trailers, vans, etc. Garden machinery, tractors, scrap metal. Yard, garden, garage removal clearances undertaken, dismantling and gas cutting service. Please call 019350-873169 or 07368-380477

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288 / Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

50 LARGE BALE, 6 string, 2023 hay, sensible offers, Wincanton Area. Tel: 07765-891634

MOBILE CRIMPING AND ROLLING. All cereals, pulses and maize, up to 20 tonnes per hour. Call Andy 07979-758907.

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.

TYRES AROUND LTD

WANTED

Cows Cows Cows

All Grades

Also, Bulls plus Organic Cattle

Farm Assured or Non-Assured

No V.A.N Number, No Problem!

Payment on the day - Farm purchases

Haulage Arranged

Brookfield Livestock Marketing Ltd

7 Days a week. Tel: 07811 381 159

Worry remains on government plans

by Ruth Kimber HAPPY

new year, and hope you had a good Christmas.

We had a great Christmas with the family and the shop, and Bath Market was very busy with Christmas cheer in abundance.

The turkeys were really good this year, although we did have an unidentified helicopter pass over the barn in the middle of the night in November, frightening the flock and causing several deaths. The birds crowded together, smothering each other and some died.

next is a threat for real farmers – money owed for schemes continues. No details of future schemes, just vague announcements. Is food security not an issue for this new Government?

The inheritance tax problem will see many farmers call it a day. Farm incomes are low as it is and tax bills on passing on the business to the next generation will mean tough decisions.

Hydraulic Hose Specialists and Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive and Transport Industry

Pneumatic fittings

Air brake fittings

Hose clamps

Hydraulic Hoses

Quick release couplings

Pressure wash hoses + lances

Variation of oils

Mobile service available

07966 244536 Email: hoses@ardiesels.co.uk

Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked

On top of that, we found many were bruised when we came to Christmas. This is an absolute loss, not insurable, with the meat not recoverable and the cost of disposal to cover. Investigations continue.

Internet sales were good and parcels delivered as planned. It’s a tricky time, with so many parcels needed to arrive just before Christmas – the delivery drivers earn their money and must be applauded. Road closures, diversions, accidents, breakdowns and the weather all add to the challenge.

The worry about what the Government might dream up

As it stands, the inheritance tax changes will not deter business investors, 20% tax will not prevent them from buying up farmland.

Farming to produce food and look after nature will reduce –green washing, energy generation, changing fertile food producing land into gated parks for the rich, with little benefit for the wider population. And 20% inheritance tax to real family farmers is catastrophic.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, Kimbers Kitchen, Somerset Trading Barn BA9 8HD, on B3081 Wincanton Racecourse Road. www. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk. Phone: 01963 33177. Open TuesdayFriday, 8.30am-5pm. Saturday 9.30am-4pm.

3rd - 7th February 2025

In 2024 we sold over 4,000 acres across 7 counties, with a total value of over £60m. We currently have over 2,000 farm and land buyers registered.

For a no obligation market appraisal for sale purposes, please contact one of our specialist farm agents.

Azerbaijan bidder buys at the last auction of the year

Symonds & Sampson held the last auction of the year in the UK on 19 December with lots in Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall raising £2.5 million for their clients.

Auction partner Meredith Wallis was delighted with the result “Our Christmas Cracker auction is usually the busiest of the year and so it proved this year with over 100 registered bidders for the 21 lots. We had buyers from all over the south of England and people tuning in from Canada and New York. The furthest bidder was in Azerbaijan -m 3200 miles away. He was going to bid online but the reception was a bit glitchy so he telephoned instead. He bought a property in Bridport 40% above guide”.

Auctioneer Graham Barton added “I was involved in an unusual lot – four parking bays in St Ives – and as there is just not enough parking for the residents, let alone holiday makers, these were highly prized. We had indigenous people to St Ives bidding against second home owners but the locals mainly won paying between £23,000 and £31,000 per bay.”

Notable results

Garden land at Hilton Blandford 50% above guide.

Flat in Blandford 30% above guide.

Farm buildings with Class Q consent near Shaftesbury 10% above guide.

Properties in Wimborne and Poole sold on guide.

The Old Liberal Club Shepton Mallet £260,000.

Commercial yard at Greenham Wellington 10% above guide.

Senior partner Mark Lewis concluded by saying “This was a full firm wide effort and everybody played their part in making sure the sale was a success. This was typified with a barn at Cullompton Devon – marketed by our Ilminster office both our Devon offices took calls and we were delighted to see the gavel fall 170% above guide.”

Symonds & Sampson’s next auction will be on 28 February and we invite entries

Mark Lewis 01258 473766

Meredith Wallis 01202 843190

Graham Barton 01297 33122

January home health check-up

JANUARY is the month for staying in and letting the bank balance and waistline recover, making it the perfect time for a home health check.

Armishaws Removals shares its 10 DIY jobs to do around the house this month to help you on your way.

Lag behind JUMP into the New Year with a bit of high-octane pipe lagging. The colder months see an increase in burst pipes with plumbers cashing in and in some cases tripling their prices. Make sure outside pipes are wrapped up warm. Save the dates

WHEN was the last time you checked the dates of food in your cupboard? In some households it’s never! “Wow, I think this tin of soup might have belonged to my great grandmother!”. Once you’ve thrown out food from the last century, you could check all those old tins of paint in the shed.

Paint it back

YEP, totally misquoting The Rolling Stones. Now that you’ve established which paints are still usable, you can touch up all those little scuffs and scrapes on the woodwork and walls.

Green machine

YOU’VE been promising to be kinder to the environment, so do it! Build that composter for the garden, start buying eco-friendly cleaning products, reduce your waste by shopping better. “If you wanna make the world a better place, took a look at yourself and then make that change. Hee-hee, shuhmon!”

Make room

NOW you’re on your way to becoming the DIY God you were always meant to be, there’s a really good work bench and tools somewhere under that mountain of junk. Turn your shed/garage into a proper workspace and you might start getting some proper work done in it.

Care and repair

WHILE you’re on a roll, buckle up your tool belt and hit the rest of those ‘tomorrow’ jobs. That sticky door/loose handle/broken banister. It’s not like you’re going to be hitting the beach anytime soon, so make the most of your weekends.

Free your mind – and your cupboards

“DON’T stop me now…”. Grab some bin bags and charity sacks and declutter. Cupboards, lofts, outbuildings, let today be the day you said: “Roller boots were a bad idea” and take back that much needed storage

space.

Get draft crafty

OLDER houses are to heat retention, what Christmas is to dieting. Older properties leak like a sieve, so January is the time to tackle cracks, seal windows add secondary glazing. It doesn’t have to be expensive or even new, it just needs to be more efficient and save you money.

Safety first

WHEN was the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke alarms? How about the dates on fire extinguishers? Take five minutes to ensure everything is in date and still doing what it should.

Lean green gardening machine

GET outside and get green. Whether it’s a bug motel, a pond, insect friendly plants or bird feeders, our gardens take up roughly 433,000 hectares of the British Isles, so we should use them wisely and help our wildlife.

£775,000 Wincanton

£259,000 Bourton

Thinking of Moving in 2025?

Thinking of moving?

We are enjoying a busy start to the year having registered many buyers looking to purchase a property in local towns and villages. If you are considering a move in 2025 we will be delighted to offer a free valuation and marketing advice on your property.

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you. Please

to

Please call 01963 34000 or email wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment.

£595,000 Castle Cary

2025 British & European HOLIDAY BROCHURE

Our selection of individually tailored coach holiday tours offer a custom made product providing a feeling of luxury and aspiration. Specifically aimed at the more discerning customer.

Convenient & FREE local picking up points throughout DORSET Including Sherborne, Sturminster, Blandford Plus Yeovil

BRITISH

5 Days - Sun 6th to Thurs 10th April Springtime in West Wales Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire

3 Days - Fri 11th to Sun 13th April Memorial Arboretum & Avoncroft Museum

3 Days - Fri 25th to Sun 27th April A Magical Mystery Tour Includes all entry fees

5 Days - Sun 4th to Thur 8th May The Home Counties Far removed from its stereotype! Visit Bletchley, Waddesdon & Greys.

4 Days - Fri 9th to Mon 12th May The Blooming Cotswolds Gardens bursting with colour

5 Days - Mon 9th to Fri 13th June Kent - Castles & Cruising A new imaginative itinerary

5 Days - Mon 30th June to Fri 4th July The Suffolk Villages

2 Days - Sat 2nd to

3rd

Battle Proms at Highclere Castle

The Original party in the Park Music, song, displays, fireworks

EUROPEAN

8 Days - Sat 24th to Sat 31st May KEIL - Gateway to the Baltic Sea An historic region of Germany

5 Days - Fri 15th to Tues 19th August HOLLAND The Boat-Train Holland is more than just tulips

4 Days - Wed 5th to Sat 8th November PARIS AFLOAT Stay on a luxury river cruiser

8 Days - Mon 22nd to Mon 29th

And many more... Phone us for free postal dispatch of brochure