The New Blackmore Vale Issue 76 (18/08/2023)

Card from the king and a visit from the mayor

THE oldest person in Dorset, Nan Dennett, from Blandford, has celebrated her 110th birthday.

Town mayor Cllr Hugo Mieville visited her on her birthday on Thursday, July 27, and presented her with a bouquet.

Nan, who also received a card from King Charles, said her advice for life was to ‘be kind’.

Nan and her family and friends celebrated the occasion with a party at local brewery Hall & Woodhouse.

Grand-daughter Kelly Horbenko said: “Nan loves bingo, so we all enjoyed a few games which Nan played along but sadly didn’t win!”

Celebrating the remarkable life of Laurence Henry, who has died at 100

A TRULY remarkable life sadly came to an end last month when RAF veteran Laurence Henry passed away, at the age of 100 and nine months.

Laurence, of Durant Close, Sherborne, hit the headlines in November last year after answering a casting call to star as a ‘real-life veteran’ in the upcoming movie, The Great Escaper, starring Sir Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, due to be released on October 6.

Tributes have poured in for the popular pensioner, who was born in Leeds in 1922 and at the age of just 12, lost his father.

“Dad went to school for a little while longer after his dad’s death, but told his mother at the age of 14 he was leaving to be able to help support her financially,” his second eldest daughter, Vivien, explained.

“The school, run by Jesuit proests who he greatly respected, begged him to stay as he was such an excellent scholar with great potential, but he said, ‘I need to earn money for mother’, who he truly loved, respected and admired greatly.”

with words of encouragement that he could come back when of age as an apprenticeprovided he passed the entry exam.

He told his, who was by then financially better off, and she supported him, buying a set of Waverly Encyclopedias to help him pass.

After studying hard, even hiding his books under the counter at the drapers, he succeeded.

“He said it was one of the best days of his life when he passed the exam to get into the RAF,” Vivien added.

Joining The Air Force in 1939 as an apprentice in the engineering corps would prove to be where he got the education he so craved - and had a huge talent for - and also where he developed passions for travel, tennis and more - and met the love of his life.

force recruit in the WAFs.

They married on April 10, 1950, and went on to have seven children; Maria, Vivien, Julia, Robert, Ann, Anthony and Monica.

Once demobbed, after 13 years in the RAF, Laurence went to work in his wife’s family’s carpet business in Bristol.

Eleven years later, he returned to teaching, this time as a maths teacher, first at Chilton Cantelo and later at Westfield School in Yeovil.

“After that he was incredibly sad,” Viv went on. “He took himself to Spain but it never felt the same. He didn’t want to keep the villa.”

Once the villa was sold, Laurence lived in their UK home in Lancashire, but in 2013 decided to settle again in Sherborne, a town he loved, eventually finding a home in Durant Close.

However, he didn’t retire gracefully, as the saying goes.

Laurence continued to indulge his passion for study, completing maths A-level papers, as a hobby and reading a vast array of books well into his 90s.

He became a well-loved and the oldest member of Yeovil Ukulele Club, and frequently attended the theatre, opera, ballet, Wimbledon, as well as regularly travelling for mini breaks to see his children, gradnchildren, great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren, adding up to a grand dynasty of 52 - with

So, aged 14, he started work as a draper but, after seeing the 1938 George Formby film, It’s In The Air, Laurence dreamed of joining the RAF and also took up the ukelele, with his younger brother Brian.

A first visit to the RAF recruitment office saw him sent away, as he had to be of age, (which he clearly wasn’t) but

After serving in Egypt fighting Rommel, he came back to the UK and trained airmen at Melksham.

He was an Instrument Maker and said they ‘kept the planes in the air’.

While in Melksham, devout practising Catholic Laurence joined the choir at the local church, where he met Cymbeline Sewell, a fellow air

The family moved to Sherborne in 1971, where Laurence became heavily involved in amateur dramatics, played lots of tennis, sang in the church choir, rambled over the Vale, indolged in river cruising, sailing and skiing, and after 13 years in the town, retired at the age of 63.

He and Cymbeline then bought a villa in Spain, keeping smaller homes in the UK - first in the midlands and then in Lancashire.

After 16 years in their beautiful villa, in 2001, Laurence lost the love of his life to pancreatic cancer.

another great great grandchild due in October, spanning fve generations at the time of his death.

They were also frequent visitors to his home in Durant Close, where their pictures covered the walls. He loved is family dearly and they loved him.

He would also spend hours sitting on the bench in the gardens at Durant Close, eating

Laurence and Cymbeline at their wedding in 1950 and inset, in his RAF uniform

Laurence, aged four

Laurence posing in Alaska

jam tarts and listening to classical music and his favourite, Frank Sinatra.

Laurence also travelled well into his 80s and 90s, all over the world, joining family on trips and adventure, which he was convinced was why he lived so long - as well as the odd glass of brandy!

His travels took him to Alaska, Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Caribbean, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy Malta, Norway, Qatar,

Russia, Scotland, Singapore and the US.

An avid supporter of Manchester United and the England cricket team, tennis was his true sporting love, which saw him, year after year, queueing in the early morning hours to buy a ticket.

In his 100th year, 2022, having been bought Centre Court tickets for the men’s final as a birthday present, at his seat he was awarded a Centre Court Centenary Medal by a senior member of Wimbledon staff, as

the venue was also celebrating its 100th birthday.

However, it was while in London for the tennis, Laurence became unwell.

Staying with Viv in the capital, one night he said he felt tired and went to bed early, waking later that evening, breathless and very weak, he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.

Struggling to catch his breath, Laurence was diagnosed with a chest infection.

His condition later

deteriorated and on the morning of July 21, 2023, Laurence Henry, RAF number 577340, cradled by his eldest and youngest daughters, passed away peacefully, to be reunited with his beloved wife, Cymbeline.

n A Funeral Mass for Laurence will take place at noon on September 16, at St Aldhelm’s Catholic Church, Westbury, Sherborne, followed by a wake at Thornford Village Hall. All are welcome.

Laurence with his seven children, right, and above, celebrating his 100th birthday in Durant Close in October 2022

Ride & Stride

DORSET Historic Churches Trust is holding its annual Ride & Stride event on Saturday, September 9.

Two longstanding supporters of the event, Eric Jager and Mike Keatinge, are planning ambitious itineraries to raise funds for the cause.

Eric (pictured left) is running a marathon starting at Frome St Quintin church and going back to Sherborne Abbey.

Mike (pictured right) hopes to equal the 17 miles he walked for the 2022 event.

Hilary Leavey, Sherborne Abbey parish organiser for Ride & Stride, said: “In recent years the Trust has provided generous grants to several local churches such as Longburton, Lillington, Batcombe, Chilfrome and Frome St Quintin, to name just a few.” Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaign/ dhctrideandstride2023 or by filling in a Ride & Stride donation envelope in Sherborne Abbey.

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Happy 100th Ada!

HAYES Residential Home resident Ada Bloodworth had a double celebration for her 100th birthday.

Ada marked the occasion on Monday, July 31, with a ploughman’s social lunch at the home in Sherborne, including entertainment from Victoria Starr and tea and cake to follow.

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She also enjoyed afternoon tea with her family at The Grange country house hotel at Oborne.

Party of the century as Joan turns 100

CENTENARIAN Joan

Blewitt was the last to leave the party when she celebrated her 100th birthday.

The celebrations saw staff and residents at Castleman House residential home, in Blandford Forum, gather in honour of Joan.

Joan gave a speech thanking everyone for her special day and spoke about how lucky she felt.

She said later she could not believe she had turned 100, as the time had gone by so quickly and she had seen many changes in her lifetime.

Fashion icons

Students’ award-winning textile creations go on display at fashion museum

BLANDFORD Fashion Museum is hosting an exhibition this summer showcasing the work of 20 GCSE and A-level Textile students from Bournemouth School for Girls.

The museum is holding an open morning for the girls and their families tomorrow (Saturday, August 19), and will be open to the public as usual.

The girls’ work includes an outfit (pictured) that won the Royal Opera House 2021/22 Design Challenge inspired by director and musician Thomas Guthrie for the opera Peter Grimes

It also includes work from students who have been accepted to study at Arts University Bournemouth.

Summer photo comp

CALLING all enthusiastic photographers!

Send us your amazing summer snaps of the Vale, bathed in sunshine – or not, as the case may be!

In return, your picture could be the cover star of an edition of the New Blackmore Vale later this summer – and you could pick up a trophy for your efforts.

Send your summer snaps to tilly.gratton@ blackmorevale.net before August 31.

Band of soldiers

Celebrating its long and distinguished history, the Band of the Grenadier Guards will be playing the Vale this September

THE Band of the Grenadier Guards is giving a concert in Sherborne Abbey on Saturday, September 23, at 6.30pm.

The Band is proud to be comprised of 54 fully trained professional soldiers from The Royal Corps of Army Music – as one of 14 Regular Army Bands that make up British Army Music. It was formed in 1685 by Charles II (a notable year which also saw the birth of JS Bach and Handel).

In recent history, the band has been present at all major United Kingdom royal occasions and many of the nation’s most significant events.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band adapted their role by fulfilling several non-musical tasks, including facilitating the testing of tens of thousands of members of the British public.

Following this work, the band were soon back on the global stage once again, undertaking a tour to Belize in September 2021, providing musical support to training and the country’s 40th anniversary of independence commemorations.

2022 saw the band undertake a number of performances to mark the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, and play important roles in the state funeral of our late Queen. On September 14, the Band escorted the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in preparation for the lying-in-state. At the state funeral the Band led the final procession through Windsor to the Castle.

The director of music Captain Robert Smith was assigned to the Band in May this year, just in time for HM King Charles III’s first King’s Birthday Parade.

As Bandmaster, Captain Smith has led a number of Army Bands including The Band of The Parachute Regiment, The Band of the Army Air Corps and The Band of the Scots Guards, before commissioning as the Director of Music of The Royal Artillery Band in 2018.

In 2019 he took over command of British Army Band Tidworth, one of two specialised brass bands within the regular Army. In 2021, Captain Smith was assigned back to the Bands of the Household

A walk around… Fifehead Neville

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

PARK, as usual, near the church, which is usually open and has some interesting memorial plaques. Then walk east along the road to a ford with an ancient footbridge alongside. Carry on up the hill, passing the junction with the road down to Fifehead St Quintin, and carry on alongside the parish boundary, curving north towards Fifehead Common where there’s a lovely line of oak trees marking the boundary.

Retrace your steps, passing your car and continue westwards for half a mile along the road to a T junction where you turn right then left along a path across a couple of fields to enter Deadmoor Common, which is access land around which you can wander and explore the wild woodland with lots of interesting plants and wildlife. Then make your way back to the road and make your way north as far as the parish boundary, then retrace your steps back to the village.

Join a Green Lane, a byway heading south. It can be rather wet and muddy if there’s been recent rain, as can other parts of the area, so make sure you’re appropriately shod. It crosses a ford, which has

Division as their Adjutant, before assuming his current appointment as the Director of Music to the Band of the Grenadier Guards.

The concert will be themed around great British anniversaries; celebrating patriotic milestones through a variety of genres, from traditional pomp and ceremony through to contemporary popular music.

You can find out more about the Bands of the Household Division at www. householddivision.org.uk/scm

For more information and to purchase your tickets please visit Eventbrite www. tinyurl.com/4k9wfnmb

a footbridge alongside, and there might be a stream running down the next part of the route. Before long you come to the hamlet of Fifehead St Quintin, which is within Fifehead Neville parish.

Join the road and turn left, which takes you east, then north. This takes you over a hill to join the parish boundary again at Gorse Farm where there’s a T junction that you’ll recognise. Turn left, west, and head back to your car.

You’ll have walked about 7 miles, or more if you really explored Deadmoor Common.

Cars at the ready

Haynes Motor Museum gets vehicles in tip-top condition ready for summer

MECHANICS have been carrying out last-minute fine tuning on a 1962 RAC A35 van ahead of it taking part in a series of outdoor summer car shows at Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford in Somerset.

The museum is staging

special parades of weird and wonderful cars this summer.

And mechanics from the Haynes Heritage Engineering team have been working on some of the vehicles from the museum’s historic collection ahead of the shows.

Among the vehicles involved are a BSA AA motorcycle and side car, a Bajaj auto-rickshaw, Austin Mini Deluxe, Bentley continental and iconic Ford Mustang.

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Feeding the hordes

Ladies get a taste of life in the Dark Ages as they feed Vikings, visitors and volunteers

by Sheila Chapman

THE last weekend of July saw the ladies of Blandford Evening WI take on a completely new venture.

Helping out at the Dark Ages open weekend, held by the Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne, the ladies served the hungry hordes hot-dogs and burgers from the centre’s outdoor barbecue and homemade cakes and beverages from the Longhouse kitchen.

Dressed in their iconic green checked pinafores, they coped with the showery weather, record crowds, hundreds of hungry Vikings and the loss at one point of their gas supply!

Some members managed to tour the authentic buildings and activities, but for those who could not, a site visit is to be arranged later this summer.

All the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their first time helping at the centre’s open weekend, and are looking forward to the Apple Days on September 23-24.

The Ancient Technology Centre – a Dorset Education Services Establishment – will arrange tours of the Centre for WIs if required. Find out more online at www. ancienttechnologycentre.com.

Far right: The morning barbecue crew, (l-r) Carol Denton, Sandy Disney, Jenny Wise, Peta Lys and Jan Drake; Right: Don’t mess with WI! (Maggie Putt)

Shielding Your Home & Estate from Care Costs with a Living Trust

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Nobody likes to think about getting old, but it is certainly worth thinking about if you value your home. That is because your house could very well have a charge placed upon it or sold by the local council to pay for your care fees. If a person’s capital and savings, including equity in their home, is worth more than £23,250, they will have to fund their own care.

A living trust can shield your home and estate from care costs in the following ways.

Placing your main home into a living trust ring fences the property from any potential future care costs. With a living trust, you can be both a trustee and beneficiary. You can maintain control over your assets even after you pass away. You can specify how and when your assets should be distributed to your beneficiaries.

Other benefits of the trust include the avoidance of probate upon the property and the protection from both divorce & creditors for your beneficiaries. The situation won’t get better over time. The UK’s fastest-growing age group comprises those aged over 85. Councils will face even more pressure on budgets, leaving them with little choice but to continue to sell people’s homes.

To protect your home, contact Oakwood Wills on 07832 331594.

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Affordable homes open for village

A DEVELOPMENT of 27 affordable homes in a Vale village is finished.

The AJC Group has completed construction of Comerwicke Fields, a development for Aster Group, on a 2.8-acre site in Okeford Fitzpaine.

Building got underway in 2021 and was finished, on schedule, last month, with a welcome event held this week for new residents and those involved in the project.

Dorset Councillor Jane Somper, portfolio holder for adult social care, health and housing, was in attendance alongside Andrew Billany, corporate director of housing and community safety at the council, with members of parish council.

Comerwicke Fields is the first completed development AJC Group has delivered with Aster Group to provide affordable housing in Dorset.

It is in Castle Lane and the developer said the rural site had been ‘sensitively constructed and designed to seamlessly blend into its countryside surroundings’.

The development features two, three and

four-bedroom semi-detached, mid terrace and end terrace houses, each with a private garden, hardstanding spaces and parking. It is made up of 100% affordable housing, with eight homes for social rent and 19 available through shared ownership.

David Cracklen, director of AJC Group, said: “We are extremely proud to have now completed this brilliant development for Aster Group, which provides much-needed affordable housing to the Okeford Fitzpaine community and wider area.

“The homes are built to the highest standards and this project is in line with our

commitment and corporate strategy to build 500 affordable homes by 2028.

“The development programme and finished homes pay respect to the local heritage of the area, while enhancing the surrounding village.”

Cllr Somper said: “Dorset is a wonderful place to live. However, homes in rural locations, like Okeford Fitzpaine, normally come at a premium.

“This makes it harder for local families to get onto the housing ladder in their local area, so it is great to see a newly completed affordable housing scheme which supports the community.

“Dorset Council continues to work closely with our communities to build more homes where they’re needed, and we’re committed to supporting the delivery of the right homes in the right places for generations to come.”

And Amanda Williams, chief investment officer at Aster, added: “There is a desperate need and shortage of affordable housing in the area, so we’re pleased to be able to offer these beautiful homes which will benefit future residents for years to come.”

Councillor Jane Somper cuts ribbon at AJC Group and Aster development Comerwicke Fields in Okeford Fitzpaine

40th Birthday Sale! Bank holiday fun

DONHEAD St Andrew’s all-weather summer fete, billed as one of the best traditional village fetes in Wiltshire and Dorset, takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 28).

Leading British bed retailer, Beds Are Uzzz is excited to be celebrating 40 years in business this summer. Over the anniversary period, we’re taking a trip down memory lane as we look back at how the business has grown and changed over the past 40 years, before shedding some light on what exciting new prospects are on the horizon.

The event, a large part of which is unde r cover, is also one of the best-attended, attracting 2,000 visitors.

A Vintage and Classic Car & Bike Show from 1-4.30pm with 40-plus vehicles, and the annual dog show at 3.30pm add interest and fun to the afternoon.

The event also includes a non-stop barbecue, beer and cider tent and cream teas, and vintage jazz from The Sunset Cafe Stompers visiting for the first time this year.

Selling stalls are always well-stocked and include cakes and biscuits, preserves and chutneys, plants and gardening equipment, fashion and accessories, books, pictures, prints and frames, toys, games, gifts, jewellery, CDs, DVDs and records.

From the sales, through to the delivery, Beds Are Uzzz has always been committed to providing excellent customer service. Over the years, they have paid close attention to detail on the customer front, resisting the temptation to open large and impersonal ‘barn’ style showrooms, and instead focusing on smaller boutique stores with well thought out displays that give customers a comfortable and supported shopping experience.

Flower power

Green-fingered gardeners get ready to show off at the 66th annual show in Wincanton

shopping behaviour has evolved, as have Beds Are Uzzz. Over the years, they’ve experienced a shift in customer purchase behaviour, recognising that the majority of customers research the product or brand they’re interested in purchasing online, prior to visiting the store. In 2015, Beds Are Uzzz began trading online, reaching new audiences and supporting customer purchase preferences.

WINCANTON & District Gardeners Association, founded in 1954, will be staging its 66th annual flower show on Saturday, September 2, in the Memorial Hall, Wincanton.

expect, together with a choice of quality brands and a reliable service that customers can depend on.

A wide selection of sections and classes is available for novices and the more experienced exhibitor, as well as those for children.

There’s also a bottle tombola and a live auction of seasoned logs and games for all the family.

New this year are a Punch & Judy Show, alpacas and displays including willow weaving, bonsai growing and climate change.

The fete, at Stoney Hills Field in Sands Lane, supports worthy county and local causes including both Wiltshire and Dorset air ambulance services, Salisbury Hospice, Tisbus, Happy Gathering and St Andrew’s Church to support its work in the local community.

While the in-store shopping experience has always been a key aspect of Beds Are Uzzz success, as retail space and customer

The dotcom boom isn't the only change that Beds Are Uzzz has seen over the past 40 years. The bed retailer recognises that now, more than ever, customers truly appreciate the health and lifestyle benefits of quality sleep. Customers are prepared to spend more time and invest in choosing the right product. And, really this has been a significant contributor to Beds Are Uzzz's continual growth. As a specialist bed retailer with knowledgeable and experienced staff, they are able to provide the level of service that customers really

New exhibitors are always welcome, and you do not have to be an experienced gardener to enter any of the classes. Entry forms with total fees must be submitted before 9pm on Saturday, August 26. Fees are 25p per entry for association members; 30p per entry for non-members; 15p per entry for children (in adult classes). There’s no entry fee for children’s classes.

So, what next for Beds Are Uzzz? Quality and value have always been, and will continue to be key areas of focus, and therefore the team are always on the lookout for innovative products offering just that. Customers can look forward to shopping from the Enchanted House Beds range, a new brand that will be hitting stores this year, as well as updated Vispring studio displays in all stores. Supporting their commitment to excellent customer service, Beds Are Uzzz is set to develop faster distribution throughout the UK.

Schedules are available from Wincanton Library, Wild Cardz and the parish church office. They can also be downloaded from the association website, www.wincantongardeners.co.uk, or from the show co-ordinator on 01963 32081.

On show day, doors will open to the public at 2pm. Refreshments will be available, and prize giving will commence at 3.30pm. Admission to the show costs £1.50 for adults, with children going free.

Becoming a member of the Wincanton and District Gardeners Association brings many benefits throughout the year, coupled with an annual, comprehensive, schedule of events.

The object of the association is “the promotion of Horticulture and Friendliness”.

And, on top of that, Beds Are Uzzz are celebrating the anniversary year with a revamped new logo, a shiny new website and some fantastic offers and savings for customers, across a great range of brands. Head over to their website to find out more.

Creative inspiration

Celebrate this colourful time of year with a jam-packed schedule of events at the Museum of East Dorset

THE Museum of East Dorset’s autumn programme of events includes something for everyone, from creative crafts to historical talks and quiz nights, most taking place at its base opposite the Minster Church in Wimborne (23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1HR).

The September workshop programme kicks off with ‘Discover Shibori’ on Thursday, September 14. It’s a chance to learn the art of stitched shibori and come away with your own dyed pieces of work.

On Tuesday, September 19, the popular body butter making workshop returns. Make your own body butter using organic, vegan ingredients with Lytchett Bay Soaps.

Get your team together for a fundraising quiz night on Thursday, September 21. Test your knowledge in teams of four, the ticket price includes a bottle of wine.

Looking ahead to October, the diary is

brimming with exciting events and workshops to inspire. A talk on the lost church of Wimborne All Hallows, an exhibition by Wimborne Model Railway Society, creative calm art and a mosaic workshop, to name but a few. And not forgetting the museum’s very own version of Call My Bluff!

September is also the last chance to visit the current exhibition, ‘Tinker, Tailor, Cappuccino Maker’. It’s an insightful exhibition showcasing historical photographs from the museum’s collection alongside newly commissioned images of current day traders in Wimborne. Learn about shopkeepers from the past and those who proudly continue the tradition of independent trading in the town today.

The museum, tea room and garden are open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4.30pm.

The money raised from all events at the Museum of East Dorset helps support the running of the museum.

For details of all upcoming workshops and events, visit the musuem’s website, www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Get crafty

POP into Shaftesbury Library on Saturday, August 19, 11am-noon and make your own winning paper plate rosette. This event is FREE!

For further information call Shaftesbury Library on 01747 852256 or email shaftesburylibrary@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

The trapped doe

A true story, which took place in Hardy’s Knuckles, near Compton Abbas, from author Estelle Phillips

A MAN and a woman walked the ridge with a dog. A January wind cut through their clothes to their skin and they descended into the valley. The way was steep and their toes tipped in their boots, and when he ran down the dog’s back legs overreached, and when he ran up he panted.

In the valley they walked on the grass side of the fence that bordered the forest. Suddenly, the dog shot to the fence, barking and alarming the woman.

“Come!” Her voice was loud with upset and immediately the dog returned.

The woman stopped, and the man stopped beside her.

“It’s a deer.” She said.

“Where?”

“Hooked on the fence. Down there.” The deer frenzied forwards and backwards but could not escape.

“I see it.”

snare round her pastern. They stepped back and the doe ceased struggling. She watched them with her dark shiny eyes. The woman saw the sheen on her nose and the alertness of her ears, and the woman foresaw the doe’s slow and miserable death.

“No. Her leg’s not broken.” He said.

“Can you do it?”

The woman took the dog out of sight and sat on a bank and waited. Damp came though her jeans and she stroked the dog, reassuring “If anyone can, he can.”

The man dropped his rucksack and walked from the doe in the same direction as the woman but he turned towards the forest, climbed over the fence and approached the doe from the trees where he could reach her caught leg without her kicking him. His feet rustled leaves and as he neared the doe she thrashed and worsened her trap. The man spoke gently as he gripped her hoof with one hand,

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“It’s trapped.”

The doe stood on three legs. Her near rear leg was hooked to the top line of barbed wire, angled high and splayed as if ready for butchering.

“Is her leg broken?” The woman dreaded to know.

Man and woman stepped forward and the doe lunged and jagged and tightened the

“It’s okay, I’m helping you. Don’t worry.” The doe tried to yank her leg from him and he pulled her hoof back to save her from drawing the wire in a bite through her flesh. With his other hand, he grabbed the line of wire on the fence and was not sure he could loosen it. The man hauled and stretched and tension relieved in wire wound on the doe’s pastern, and she stood still and waited. Her flanks heaved and breath clouded from her nostrils. Deeply moved by the doe’s understanding, the man found more strength and put his weight into a pull. The deer tested for release with a

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kick, waited again while the man pulled and she let him tug her hoof back and create enough slack to unwind the first loop of wire from her pastern. Only the second loop remained but it was higher up her leg, and more give was needed to release it. The man managed to ease the wire but needed help to unhook it. The doe sensed the state of things and when the man lifted the wire from her hide she kicked, and man and doe worked together until her hoof slid out and she stumbled free. At first her fourth leg collapsed beneath her weight and she hobbled. The man was concerned but in a matter of strides her fourth leg was firm, and she bounded up the side of the valley.

On the ridge, the doe paused and looked back at the man. For five long seconds they regarded each other without distinction between their species.

The man returned to the woman and the dog and the woman saw in his eyes that he was humbled.

n Estelle Phillips is a performance poet and writer living in Broad Chalke. Her work includes the poetry collection ‘Motherhoodlum’ (Jawbone), for which she was nominated for the 2023 Forward Prize, and ‘Hard Wet Sand’, for which she was awarded second prize in the Yeovil Literary Competition (Novel) 2022.

‘The Trapped Doe’ was broadcast by BBC Radio, and was also selected for the Best of the Best fiction at Ilminster Literary Festival.

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Discover enriching experiences at the beautiful Dorset care home, Fern Brook Lodge

Fern Brook Lodge is a warm and welcoming residential and dementia care home located in the quiet town of Gillingham.

At the heart of Fern Brook Lodge is Food, Fun and Friendship, providing hearty, nutritious meals and a wealth of fun activities. There’s little doubt that keeping active is good for us; it helps us feel more energetic, happier, and stimulated and helps avoid loneliness and isolation. That’s why a rich and varied activities programme is such an important part of care home life.

A daily activities programme exists to create a mix of fun and engaging activities that appeal to everyone, such as group games, interacting with the community,

relaxing during performances from visiting entertainers, and getting out and about on day trips. All activities are also tailored to offer something to those who prefer to be in smaller groups or need one-to-one interactions. The events and activities on offer are all designed to resident’s interests and ensure that they can embrace their golden years.

Recently, residents and staff members took a trip to Otter Garden Centre in Wincanton where the residents enjoyed looking at the water features, browsing the clothes section and viewing the new and magnificent scarecrow display. One resident was so fascinated by the serene water features that he asked the Activities Team if he could bring one home to display in the beautiful gardens at the home.

In true Care South style, the day finished with residents enjoying a cup of tea and a delicious slice of cake in the café.

Care South is a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential and home care across the south of England. Fern Brook Lodge boasts 75 welcoming bedrooms and benefits from an abundance of local shops, cafés, restaurants, and other facilities, allowing residents to continue doing what they love, whether that’s coffee with friends or enjoying time with visiting loved ones.

For further information about Fern Brook Lodge call 01747 449812 or visit www.care-south.co.uk

There is only one word to describe Fern Brook Lodge –outstanding. Excellent food, spotlessly clean rooms and beautiful

”

Date for dancers

Youngsters entertain former ballet dancer and her fellow care home residents

A FORMER ballet dancer enjoyed a surprise treat when 21 young performers turned up at her Dorchester care home to entertain her and fellow residents.

Jill Kember took a special interest in the visit to Colten Care’s Castle View in Poundbury by Dorchester Ballet and Dance Club.

The ex-ballet school student and amateur performer watched as the dancers went through a

pieces and hip-hop.

She said: “I’m thrilled that the performances were showcased to all residents. The costumes and grace of the dancers filled the hearts of all.”

London-born Jill had polio as a child and, having no access to professional physiotherapy, it was suggested that ballet might help her condition, so she was sent to a ballet school in Bromley, Kent.

“Ballet practice did indeed help,” she said. “I used to dance at events and galas, that kind of thing. It helped my recovery from polio and gave me the chance to live a ‘normal’ adult life.”

Jill continued her interest in ballet while bringing up her family and working as a personal assistant at a Midlands doctors’ practice.

“While I was never a professional, I still love everything about ballet,” she said.

Team members at Castle View have continued to help Jill enjoy her passion for dance since she moved to the Bridport Road home in March 2021.

Later that same year, they accompanied her to watch stars from the Royal Ballet perform in the grounds of Tudor mansion Athelhampton House, close to Dorchester.

After the show, Jill had a face-to-face chat with principal dancers Ryoichi Hirano and

“We talked about their performance, dance in general and their experience of ballet companies,” Jill said at the time. “I was thrilled they spoke with me.”

She added that one of her fondest memories was seeing the legendary Margot Fonteyn dance: “I still remember seeing her on stage at Covent Garden in 1960. It was in a first-night performance of Les Sylphides and she was astounding.”

Asked for her advice to young dancers, Jill said: “Make sure you find a really good teacher, someone qualified. If you have the desire in your heart for dance, then you will dance.”

160th Anniversary of the North Dorset Railway

AT North Dorset Railway, 2023 is rather special for us as we celebrate 160 years of there being a railway station at Shillingstone. The Somerset & Dorset line between Blandford and Templecombe was opened for business on 31 August 1863 and to start with it was single line until 15 years later, when local stations along this stretch were provided with passing loops, a “down” platform and a signal box

because of the increase in traffic. To commemorate the anniversary, we’re holding a special event over the Bank Holiday Weekend, from 26–28 August, where we’ll be showing off all the work we’re doing at Shillingstone Station. Joining us will be several organisations also connected with the Somerset and Dorset Railway as well as live music, hot and cold food, bar, steam car rides, etc – all the fun of a day out for all the family – with free entrance!

Fumi Kaneko.

Quire practice

STANCHESTER Quire, after 25 years of being based in Somerset, is moving over the border into Dorset and reformulating its practice sessions.

The first of these is at Leigh village hall, near Sherborne (DT9 6HL), on Saturday, September 2, when doors open at 10am for registration and tea/coffee.

New members are welcome, and the first session is free.

Singers will start to learn one of three old Christmas carols collected from South-West England, some very local.

over 60 bed frames available

The ability to read music is not essential, as everything is learnt by ear under the direction of Eddie Upton, holder of the English Folk Dance & Song Society Gold badge for services to folk music.

It is hoped to finish the session at about 4pm –participants should bring a packed lunch but hot drinks will be provided free of charge.

Three Saturday sessions will follow, together with two Monday evening revision meetings, all with a view to performing at one of the choir’s Christmas carol concerts in December, though this is not compulsory.

The fees for the Saturday sessions are £10 each session and the revision meetings £3.

Visit www.stanchesterquire.org, phone Eddie on 07813 089002 or email stanchesterquire1@gmail.com.

£99

Famous footsteps

Celebrate the Vale connections of one of England’s greatest landscape artists

GREAT English landscape painter John Constable visited Gillingham 200 years ago on August 22, 1823, and the town is marking the bicentenary of his stay with a series of special Constable-related events.

Constable had made a previous visit in 1820 and on both occasions stayed with his friend John Fisher, Vicar of Gillingham.

During the earlier visit, he made sketches all around the town, some now housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum.

During his second stay, from August 22 to September 11, he

two works in oils – his sketch of Parham’s Mill at Milton Colesbrook, and The Bridge at Gillingham, a depiction of the town bridge in which the vicarage where he was staying is visible among the trees.

These paintings will feature on a new commemorative information board, to be unveiled by the Mayor, Cllr Barry von Clemens, near the bridge on Friday, September 8 at 2pm.

At 2.30pm, Gillingham historian Sam Woodcock will lead a guided walk, ‘In the footsteps of Constable’, retracing the artist’s walk along the Shreen to Parham’s Mill, now Purn’s Mill. Booking is essential – see the Gillingham Walking Festival programme or call 07731 468428.

On Tuesday, September 12, Gillingham Library will host a free online talk about Constable and his famous painting by a specialist from the Tate Gallery, beginning at 5.30pm. Admission is free.

Gillingham Museum, which shares the building with the library, will be open before and after the talk, for visitors to view the enhanced Constable exhibit. Admission is free. For further information, call 01747 822180.

On Thursday, September 7, Gillingham Evening WI will present a performance of ‘A conversation with John Constable’ (7.30pm at Wyke School Hall, Deane Avenue, £5 on the door). Its creator, Sam Woodcock, will conduct an interview with Mr Constable, played by John Porter, illustrated with images of the artist’s life and times. For more information call 01747 837981.

Sam will also present an illustrated talk ‘John Constable: his last visit to Gillingham’ to Gillingham Local History Society on Tuesday, September 19, 7.30pm, at the Methodist Church Hall, High Street. Free to Gillingham Local History Society members, £3 non-members.

Literary greats

Tickets go on sale soon for inspirational author talks and events at literary festival

STUDENTS can bag themselves huge discounts on tickets for Dorchester’s upcoming Literary Festival.

Now in its ninth year, the Dorchester Literary Festival has something for everyone – from exhilarating new fiction, history and memoir, nature and wellbeing, to current affairs and politics.

Tickets go on sale via the website on August 28, and this year there’s an added incentive for budding readers and writers: an entire day dedicated to creative writing as well as a huge discount for all students.

“We like to think everyone leaves the festival feeling inspired,” said DLF codirector Janet Gleeson. “In particular, we feel it’s a fantastic and somewhat untapped resource for the younger generation. As such, in addition to the free school programme run by Thomas Hardye’s Library, we’re offering all students halfprice tickets (£6 from £12) for the main

programme.”

Curriculum-enhancing events might include:

Lemn Sissay OBE – 5pm, Sunday, October 22 at Thomas Hardye’s School.

Lemn Sissay is one of the best and most beloved British poets of our time. His new collection of poetry, Let the Light Pour In, is witty and uplifting, celebrating his morning rituals where he carves out space for reflection and creativity that fuel his resilience in darker times.

Tim Marshall – 2pm, Wednesday, October 18 at The Dorford Centre.

In The Future of Geography, Tim Marshall confronts the new frontier, Space, a wild and lawless place. It is already central to communication, military strategy and international relations on Earth.

DJ Taylor – 5.30pm, Thursday, October 19 at The Dorford Centre.

The definitive biography of George Orwell, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, from the award-winning writer and critic.

Dr Cat Jarman – 5.30pm, Saturday, October 21 at The Dorford Centre.

In The Bone Chests, bioarchaeologist and best-selling author brings a gripping new history of the making of England as a nation, told through six recently re-opened bone chests that have been stored in Winchester Cathedral for over 1,000 years.

Find out more at https:// dorchesterliteraryfestival.com or follow @dorchlitfest on Instagram, Facebook and

Celebrating 10 years of providing professional reliable home care

Do you feel that you need some support with personal care or just some help with day-to-day living?

in touch and find out how we can make things that little bit easier.

We cover South Wiltshire, North Dorset and South-East Somerset.

Lemn Sissay OBE will be at Dorchester Literary Festival this October

Best in show

Villagers celebrate their achievements at flower and produce show

by George Jeans

STOURTON Flower and Produce Show was held for the first time since 2019 at Stourton Memorial Hall.

The show followed the customary theme of flower arrangements, cookery, art, photography and more.

The show dates back over 100 years when it was held over three days at Stourhead House. Twelve trophies were competed for, the oldest dated 1947.

Some 42 individuals entered with more than 100 entries, not bad after the annual show had not taken place for four years.

Audrey Hoare presented the silver cups and trophies. Norman Rose won first for his hand-crafted ironwork, a complex door knocker.

Vanesa Meeker won four first prizes and Pat Booth won first for an interesting display of garden berries.

It was good to see youth present, Mary Bridges winning a cup. Edward Hoare’s family won the trophy for most entries.

Elizabeth Hames not only had two first prizes for her cakes, sold afterwards for £10 each, but won The Silver Bowl for best in show.

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

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Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows, Doors, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Telephone 01747 826888

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, www.valecraft.co.uk

Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

www.valecraft.co.uk

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, Gillingham SP8 5JG

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Telephone 01747 826888

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, www.valecraft.co.uk

www.valecraft.co.uk

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, www.valecraft.co.uk

www.valecraft.co.uk

Tel: 01747 826888

For your chance to win simply answer:

Q) What knitted item can be used to keep teapots insulated?

A) Tea cosy

B) Tea comfy

C) Tea cuddle

Clockwise, from left: Pat Booth; Mary Bridges and Audrey Hoare; Norman Rose

Elizabeth Hames celebrates two firsts for her cakes

LOCAL COMMUNITY INVITED FOR AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT NEW RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN BLANDFORD ST MARY

Local retirees and their families are invited to visit McCarthy Stone’s stunning new show suite at Stour Gate, a brand-new Retirement Living development at Blandford St Mary.

From Tuesday 29th August the grand reveal will take place at Stour Gate on Barley Place, built on the old site of Blandford Brewery. This will be a great opportunity for the local community to take a closer look at the professionally styled communal lounge, as well as the beautiful one and two-bedroom apartments available, which have

been thoughtfully designed with sophistication and style in mind. The show suite will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30am to 5pm.

To mark the show suite opening, guests will be able enjoy refreshments and learn more about the unique brand of Retirement Living on offer at the development, which has been exclusively designed to provide everything the over 60s could need for a fulfilling and

independent lifestyle. A range of occupancy options are available at Stour Gate to help make retiring in style more accessible, including the Shared Ownership scheme in partnership with Homes England. Prices currently start from £198,750 for a one-bedroom apartment, and from £270,000 for a two-bedroom apartment*.

Those wanting to attend are encouraged to book an appointment by calling 0800 153 3076 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/stour-gate

Our loose Canon

Sharing the truth of our experiences and acknowledging hurt can be painful, but vital by

Canon Eric Woods

I AM writing this on board ‘Spirit of Discovery’, one of the two new vessels which have replaced SAGA’s older ships, ‘Pearl II’ and ‘Sapphire’. I served several times as ship’s chaplain on the latter two, but this time we are simply ordinary passengers – and very relaxing it is, too,

As chaplain, I was surprised how busy I was kept, leading Sunday and other services, escorting shore excursions and, above all, offering pastoral ministry to any who desired it.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected the pastoral dimension to be so prominent. I soon discovered that people – especially those travelling alone –are often glad of a listening and sympathetic ear. Most numerous were those on holiday for the first time since the death of a spouse or partner. But there were also stories of cruelty and abuse from people scarred, perhaps decades earlier, by the very people who should have been most loving and caring, too often – but not exclusively – a father or a husband.

So I am always suspicious of any church or organisation which caters primarily for what I call ‘cornflake packet families’. For example, some years ago I preached at a church on Father’s Day.

Before I spoke, a video was shown of church members, young and old, talking about their fathers. All had happy stories to tell. But some members of the congregation simply looked sad. So I abandoned my prepared sermon and instead spoke to those who did not have such happy family memories. I needed to reassure them that there’s nothing unusual about that. My own father was a compulsive gambler who spent every penny he could get his hands on at the betting shop, sometimes even raiding my piggy bank. My poor mother was in despair.

After the service a good number of folk thanked me for talking about painful family experiences which, in one way or another, they too had known. Some of their stories were far more distressing than mine. It was a time of real healing.

And that’s the point. Unhappy memories of dysfunctional family life or fractured relationships leave wounds, sometimes very deep. But they can be healed. It’s vital not to push those memories back into our subconscious minds in an effort to forget. That’s an understandable reaction, but profoundly dangerous – those suppressed memories are likely to resurface as deep depression or some other neurosis. Instead, we need to admit the hurt to ourselves and, if possible, to share it with someone who is a good and wise listener. And for me, the most important thing is to remember that we are deeply loved by the God who constantly brings good out of evil, healing out of harm and life out of death.

Photo by Mio Ito on Unsplash

The Oak Fair... why you need to be there

The Oak Fair at Stock Gaylard is a celebration of countryside, woodland, timber, craft and above all, conservation. With more than 200 exhibitors showing everything from handcrafted wooden furniture to industrial machinery, the Oak Fair provides a platform for rural crafts and countryside tradition. The heart of the Oak Fair has and always will be conservation, of the countryside and woodland, as well as traditional country crafts.

Discover beautifully-handcrafted furniture, homeware, baskets, jewellery, art, gifts and more, all created by master craftspeople. Watch demonstrations of traditional hand working and country skills including the ever-popular chainsaw carving, coppice work, medieval reenactments, falconry, heavy horse logging, and the daredevil stunts of the Adams Axemen display.

Get involved with hands-on activities including tree climbing and archery, and children’s activities including bushcraft skills, face painting, little Land Rovers and tractor trailer rides.

If you start to feel peckish head to the Market Square where you will find something to eat to suit all members of the family. With a strong commitment to local food and drinks producers this year there will be more than 40 exhibitors across the Market Square and Food Marquee, selling a wide range of delicious produce.

Early bird tickets are now available with the prices remaining the same as last year£12.50 adults, £2.50 children, £9 concessions. For more information and to buy tickets please visit theoakfair.com.

The Oak Fair

August 26 & 27 10.00am Stock Gaylard Estate DT10 2BG.

We’re the REAL DEAL

Since 1977 West Country Windows has been run and owned by the same family owners who have stayed true to their word, consistently delivering the best products and service. We manufacture and install windows, doors and conservatories using only the very best in materials and technology, and don’t forget, all installations come with an unbeatable 15 year guarantee.

Creative connections

Arts hub brings together creatives of all flavours for an inspirational mix

THE bridge leading to Blandford Arts Hub is tucked away under a weeping willow tree in Langton Road car park, so you would be forgiven for not knowing it’s there.

The hub was shortlisted in the budget category of Cuprinol’s annual Shed of the Year competition, and has plants, a children’s sand pit, art and greetings cards

for sale, and a tiny gallery showcasing a different local artist’s work every fortnight.

It’s also a creative base for workshops suitable for all ages.

After being granted funding from the Arts Council, it has a low-cost summer craft group for youngsters aged seven and over every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the holidays, free wombling fun with a focus on creating art out of recycled materials on Saturdays, workshops for adults, and free drop-in sessions at which visitors can work

on their own projects and get assistance if they need it.

The arts hub also holds a monthly meet-up for all creatives on the second Friday of each month from 6.30pm-8.30pm, and is on the lookout for more creative volunteers who may like to help put on events. To find out more about volunteering, email freeexpressioncreative@gmail.com and for more details about workshops and events including booking links, visit https:// free-expression.com

Fit for action again

Gym gets its own makeover as fabulous refurb is revealed later this month

PIDDLEHINTON Gym will be showcasing the sports and activities it has to offer later this month after a six-week closure for major refurbishment work.

The gym on Piddlehinton Enterprise Park, which aims to provide affordable facilities for indoor sports and recreational activities, has had its original 80-year-old roof replaced, new lighting installed and many other improvements.

Visitors to the official re-opening on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28, (10am3pm) will be able to see the improved facilities and get involved in activities.

Remote control car racing, badminton, five-a-side football, junior tennis and table tennis will be on offer. Visitors will also be able to use the centre’s fitness equipment.

The refurbishments were made possible due to a successful fundraising campaign, which saw donations from individuals, local businesses and groups, including Downing

Renewables & Infrastructure Trust, Prototype Electronics, Jade Aden, Conduit Mead, Piddle Valley Parish Council and Wessex Internet.

Several of the clubs which use the gym also contributed, with Piddle Valley Badminton, Weymouth

Remote Control Car Racing, Hardy Country Bowmen, Purbeck Archers and Dorchester Drama, donating a combined sum of £3,000 to the campaign.

Teams of volunteers gave a significant amount of their time to help with the renovations and all those who supported the effort will be invited to the re-opening to see the improvements first hand.

Paul Hayes, chair of the Piddlehinton Gym Ltd Charity, said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their support – it really shows the power of the community in protecting important rural assets.

“In particular, I’d like to recognise the core team – Adam White, Mike Healey, Chris Ebdon and Kenn Duffield, as well as Jill Haynes and Dorset Council’s assets

team, without whom this challenging milestone would not have been achieved.

“I am excited to show the results of our efforts in the improved facilities on offer.

“We are busy – however we would love to hear from more clubs and people who may want to use our fantastic gym.

“Our operating ethos means the more clubs that use Piddlehinton Gym, the cheaper the rates can be.”

Why Make a Will?

If you die without a Will, then your estate will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy. Those rules are strict. If you and your partner are unmarried, for example, the rules of intestacy would prevent the other from receiving an inheritance, even if you have lived together for many years. Making a Will gives you freedom over which of your family or friends inherit your estate.

1. Control over your assets: Without a Will, your estate will be distributed according to strict laws of intestacy. This means your partner may not inherit anything if you are unmarried. By making a Will, you have the freedom to choose who inherits your assets.

2. Certainty: A Will provides clarity on beneficiaries and executors, reducing the chances of family conflicts and ensuring peace of mind.

3. Tax planning: Making a Will allows you to take advantage of inheritance tax allowances and plan for the future, relieving your beneficiaries of potential tax burdens.

4. Caring for your children: You can nominate guardians for your underage children in your Will, ensuring their wellbeing and care.

5. Funeral arrangements: Express your wishes regarding burial, cremation, or religious instructions in your Will.

6. Protecting assets from care home fees: A carefully worded Will with the right property trust can safeguard your assets from being used up by care home costs, preserving your children’s inheritance.

When to Make a Will:

1. Buying property: If you acquire property, you may want to specify who receives it and consider allowing someone to live in it after your passing.

2. Getting married: Marriage or civil partnership revokes any previous Will. It is highly recommended to make a Will once you tie the knot, even if you didn’t have one before.

3. Starting a family: When you have children, putting a Will in place provides peace of mind that their future and wellbeing would be protected according to your wishes.

By creating a Will, you can ensure that your wishes are carried out, protect your loved ones, and provide clarity and peace of mind for the future.

Contact our Private Client team to discuss your personal wishes. hklaw.uk

Controlling your assets

Events

DONHEAD ST ANDREW

A LL W E AT HE R

FETE

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

28th AUGUST 2023, 1pm - 4.30pm

STONEY HILLS FIELD, SANS LANE, SP7 9LL

BBQ - teas & cakes - beer & cider - ice creams

bottle tombola - auction of logs - cakes - preserves books - plants - pictures & frames - clothestoys, games, gifts, jewellery, CDs, DVDs & records

Punch & Judy Show - alpacas - willow weaving - bonsai

The Sunset Cafe Stompers

ANNUAL DOG SHOW

3.30pm

CLASSIC CAR SHOW BIKE &

1.00pm - 4.30pm

11 5 40 64 22

BINGO!

Stalbridge Hall

Thursday 31st August

90

Doors open 6.30pm

Eyes down 7.30pm

In aid of hall funds

PEPPA PIG FINGER PUPPET

MAKING and sports star bingo. Shaftesbury Library Monday

21st August 11am to 12noon.

MUSIC FOR A SUMMER

EVENING. St Mary’s Church, Lytchett Matravers

7.30pm Friday 1st September

Tickets £15 - refreshments

Elizabeth 01202 625296.

Come and Sing

Bryanston Choral Society

Is seeking new members

2 free Welcome sessions at 7.15 pm on Tuesday 5th and 12th September at Bryanston School’s Music Department. No auditions necessary, just a love of singing.

Subscription for year - £75 or £45 per term, to include music score.

See www.bryanstonchoralsociety.co.uk for further details.

Saturday 26th August.

Henstridge Airfield Gates open 10.00 am All

New show comes steaming into town

A new steam and vintage event celebrating Britain’s agricultural and industrial heritage will take place at Burgate, Fordingbridge from August 25 to 27. The three-day show will feature a large range of attractions for all the family to enjoy, as well as evening entertainment. The stars of the show are the full-size and miniature steam engines, which will parade in the ring daily, as well as working machinery such as threshing machines and saw benches.

A wide variety of vintage and classic tractors, cars, motorbikes and lorries will also be on display, as will stationary engines. Thanks to the generosity of the Watercress Line there will also be a full-size steam locomotive on display and the Chuffley Light Railway will be in operation. Heavy horses will feature at the show, both working on the land

and appearing in displays in the ring. Many of the familiar heavy horse breeds will be present, including Shires, Suffolks and Percherons, as well as the only six-horse team of Canadian Belgian horses in the UK. The whole family will enjoy displays by the Sheep Show and Mower Madness, browsing the trade and craft stalls, visiting the small fairground and the opportunity to enter the family’s four-legged friend into the fun dog show – dogs on a lead are

welcome at the event!

Every taste is catered for with a wide range of food and drink vendors and the bar will host live evening entertainment with bands such as the Skimmity Hitchers, Trinity and Stomping Boondocks set to play over the weekend. The vision for the show is for everyone to enjoy exhibiting their pride and joy and share it with the public.

More show information and advance tickets are available from steamandvintagefest.co.uk.

CREAM TEAS BY THE RIVER every Sunday in August

2pm-4:30pm Damerham Village Hall SP6 3HN In aid of St George’s Church

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 28TH AUGUST. Alweston

Car Boot Sale, Monday 28th August. Sellers 7am, Buyers 8am. Info: 01963 23436

LYN’S BINGO AT MARNHULL ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

on Monday 21st August

Eye’s down at 7pm.

BACKGAMMON CLUB first meeting at The Mermaid, Sherborne. Monday 21st August, 7:30pm. BYO board. 07709 611926

WINCANTON & DISTRICT GARDENERS ASSN. Flower Show

Saturday 2nd September

Memorial Hall Wincanton Doors Open 2pm Refreshments Available www.wincantongardeners.co.uk

GILLINGHAM WALKING FESTIVAL 2ND-9TH SEPTEMBER. A week of varied mostly free walks starting in Gillingham. Most walks need to be booked. Full programme and booking details at gillwalkersarewelcome.chessck.co.uk.

YEOVIL RAILWAY CENTRE PROUDLY PRESENT… A BLAST FROM THE PAST A truly old-fashioned MODEL RAILWAY SWAPMEET Sell-Buy-Swap

Sunday 10th September 2023 - 10:30am-2:30pm

Admission £3 (children under 16 FREE if accompanied by an adult)

Yeovil JTN Station, Stotford, Yeovil, BA22 9UU

Breakfast, Hot Drinks, Model Railway, Railway Shop, Cafeteria David Luesby – 01935 421107

CHILD OKEFORD ART TRAIL IS BACK! 25th - 28th August 11am - 4pm. 21 artists on show

CREAM TEAS AND PRODUCE STALL at Sixpenny Handley st Mary’s church SP5 5ND on the 27th August at 2pm - 4pm

CRAFTS ON THE MEADOW -THE MEADOW GILLINGHAM

SP8 4AA

SATURDAY 26th AUGUST

10am-3.30pm. A fabulous selection of handmade crafts, come along for a browse and shop around the lovely stalls. BBQ by The Red Lion

BLANDFORD GRANGE CARE HOME are having a Summer Fete on The 26th August 2023! Amazing Raffle Prizes to be won and fun for the whole family. Blandford Grange Care Home, Milldown Road Blandford DT11 7DE

GILLINGHAM ROTARY CHARITY QUIZ for Shaftesbury Hospital. Saturday 2nd September, 7.30pm. Motcombe Village Hall. £12.00pp including food (bring your own wine). Contact Wendy on 01747 822299/ email wendy@dovetree.co.uk

GUITAR JAM SESSION. Stalbridge Hall. Thursday 24th August. 1pm-4pm. Contact John for more information on 07976 792421

SIXPENNY HANDLEY CRAFT

FAIR & TEAS Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ Saturday 26 August 10am1pm, FREE entry

Crafts / Children’s activities / Homemade cakes. Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

SHILLINGSTONE STATION 160TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrations at the North Dorset Railway – August Bank Holiday Weekend 26th - 28th 10.00am - 4.00pm Free Entry

FRIDAY 25TH AUGUST INDOOR / OUTDOOR MARKETS The Town Hall, Shaftesbury - 9am - 4.30/5pm

Supporting Weldmar Hospice & Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance

SHAFTESBURY LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE PROGRAM

Make your own winning paper plate rosette!

Saturday 19 August. 11am-12. This event is FREE! Booking is advisable

FROME

SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2023

A new-look Dorset County Show!

NO summer would be complete without a visit to Dorset County Show - and this year promises a host of new and exciting attractions.

Organisers are promising something for everyone at the event, which runs across Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3, near Dorchester.

New features such as the world’s largest monster trucks barging their way into the arena will run alongside the traditional spectacle of champion livestock competing to be crowned Best in Show.

Elsewhere, another new introduction sees a Food and Drink Area devoted to the best of British beverages and food, with a particular focus on the array of delicious Dorset producers.

The pop-up foodie paradise is the place to try, buy and enjoy local, take in the atmosphere and enjoy onsite or take home to use in the kitchen. It will also feature a Music Tent, along with a massive new Food Hall, Dorset’s biggest larder!

The new Hill Top Ring will feature two new attractions; with ponies being put through their paces in the Mounted Pony Club Games, and Shetland Pony Racing.

Meanwhile, you won’t want to miss the amazing dancing sheep at the hilarious Sheep Show, and the county’s famous Dorset Axemen, who will be showing off their skills in the new Axemen Ring, as the colourful vintage tractor parade trundles by.

The little ones will love a free ride on pedal tractors in the Fabulous Food & Farming Area, a hands-on part of the show

tracing the journey of food from field to fork, with fun and interactive elements.

Visitors can also enjoy close-up milking demos, sheep shearing displays, gun dogs in action, falconry and ferret racing in the Countryside Ring. There’s bees, rabbit , poultry, heavy horses, show-jumping, scurry racing and carriage driving and the cutest creatures of the show – cavies.

Green-fingered fans can lose themselves in the beauty of the floral and horticultural marquees and enjoy the stunning show gardens which are created from bare earth within just a few days.

Show organiser, James Cox, said: “We’re so excited about the new layouts and new attractions for this year’s show.

“We welcome many visitors back every year, so our aim is to offer exciting new spectacles alongside firm favourites. The new layout will help to maximise visitor enjoyment as we bring together Dorset – from the Jurassic coast to the Blackmore Vale.”

Advance tickets are priced at £19 for adults until August 26, before increasing to £21, then £23 on show days. Children up to 16 years old go free and, if you want to make it a two-day treat, camping on site is available.

James added: “A daily total of 10.5 hours of entertainment and children go free - value like that makes the Dorset County Show an even more incredible day out.”

For more information - and to book online - visit www. dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

• Lower Stour Benefice: Sunday, August 20: 9.30am Communion at Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at Langton Long; 11am Communion at Tarrant Keyneston. Sunday, August 27: 9.30am Communion at Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at Spetisbury; 11am BCP Communion at Tarrant Crawford; 5.30pm Supper Church at Langton Long. Coffee and cake, Spetisbury, 10-11.30am first and third Monday each month; coffee and cake, Blandford St Mary 10-11.30am, Thursday, August 24; coffee stop, Charlton Marshall Parish Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday.

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: The Julian Group is not meeting in August. Its next meeting is on Wednesday, September 13, 4.30pm-5pm.

• Sherborne Abbey concerts: In September several concerts will be held on Saturdays in the abbey at 7.30pm. The band of the Grenadier Guards performs on September 23 (6.30pm) and the London Welsh Male Voice Choir on September 30.

• Friends of Sherborne Abbey: An outing to Wells on Tuesday, September 12, is open to everyone, including those who aren’t Friends. The coach will arrive in Wells late morning giving visitors time to wander/ shop/have lunch. The cathedral tour is at 2.30pm and is followed by a ‘Loft Cream Tea’. The party will attend Evensong at 5.15pm. The cost is £28, including coach travel, the tour and afternoon tea. Places should

be booked by August 18. More details from Joanna.Sams@ sherborneabbey.com.

• Longburton Village Cafe: On Tuesday, August 19, 10.30amnoon in the village church of St James. The cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes, just £2.

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

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

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

• Churches in The Donheads, Charlton, East Knoyle, Semley and Sedgehill: A team of friendly people are available to offer home visits. Contact Revd. Kate at rector@ benofbart.org.uk, 01747 830174.

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

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

20TH AUGUST 9.30 ST PETERS PARISH COMMUNION 9.30 St James Parish Communion 11.15 Enmore Green Morning Worship Compton Abbas 11.15 Parish Communion 6pm Motcombe Evening Worship 27th August 9.30 St Peters and Motcombe Parish Communion 11.15 Melbury Abbas Parish Communion 11.15 Enmore Green Morning Prayer 6pm St James Reflective Communion Contact us 01963 400186

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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.

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

• Sherborne Quakers: Meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room, Digby Memorial Church Hall. Everyone welcome.

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

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

• Sherborne Community Larder: Held in the grounds of St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Close DT9 4DU every Friday 9.30-10.30am. The Larder is run by volunteers and facilitated by FareShare. It functions through membership and is aimed at helping people make their money go further by reducing their shopping bills. Membership does not exceed £5 a week and in return members receive at least three times that value in food and sundries. To sign up referral not needed nor is it means tested – visit on a Friday or request a form from FSSouthern Central@fareshare.org.uk

• Sherborne Abbey visitors: The abbey is open to visitors Monday to Saturday 8am-5pm and on Sunday 11am- 5pm. The abbey may close when private services are taking place.

• Sherborne Abbey guided tours: Tuesdays at 10.30am and Fridays at 2pm, will run until Friday, December 1. No charge is made for tours but donations are appreciated. The guide will be waiting near the porch.

Nureyev in ‘best dance movie’

DON Quixote, acclaimed as the best dance movie ever made, is set to be screened at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

The film, shot in 1973 in an airport hangar in 40 degrees heat over 25 days, features Rudolf Nureyev and Sir Robert Helpmann, and the Australian

Ballet. It also features cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth – Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Bob Fosse’s Cabaret).

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film, it has been re-mastered, restored and re-orchestrated.

Nureyev, regarded as the greatest male ballet dancer of all time, was at the peak of his career when it was made.

Don Quixote is screened on Saturday, August 26, at 7pm and tickets are available from the box office and Shaftesbury Arts Centre website.

Family theatre in the open air

THEATRE in the open air and fun activities for families are promised when The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense is performed at Springhead Gardens in Fontmell Magna.

The hilarious new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s famous poem Jabberwocky is being performed by Bath-based Calf 2 Cow Productions.

The village of Pokeytin is

under threat. Crops and cows disappear in the night, Mrs Dodos’ washing has been pinched from the line and Mr Walrus can’t find a single oyster!

Who is to blame? Why the Jabberwocky, of course! But is this monster really as bad as those old locals make out?...

The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense will feature rapid

COMEDIAN and writer Jacob Hulland is bringing family entertainment to the Victoria Hall in Tisbury. In HMS Galactica, a doomed computer has hours to live. Using her memories and an artificial ferry boat – HMS Galactica – she creates a rescue plea, but will anyone save her in time?

The show is suitable for youngsters aged seven and over and is being performed on Sunday and Monday, August 20-21, with two shows each day at 2.30pm and 6pm. Tickets are £10 adult and £5 children.

Hunny Bunnies

costume changes, floorstamping rock ‘n’ roll and a giant dragon puppet breathing fire.

Tickets and further information are available from Springhead on 01747 811853 or online at www.artsreach.co.uk.

The show presented by Dorset touring arts charity Artsreach, is on Tuesday, August 22, at 7pm, with gates open for picnics at 5.30pm.

For tickets, phone Springhead on 01747 811853 or

21 artists in four venues

SOME 21 artists will be showing their work in the Child Okeford Art Trail being held in four venues around the village.

Visitors can see a variety of contemporary artwork in different mediums and styles, stained glass, textiles, jewellery, pottery and digital art.

Refreshments will be available in the village hall from Sero with proceeds to Julia’s House Hospice, The Bakers Arms, The Saxon Inn, Gold Hill Farm Kitchen and the village shop.

More details about the venues and artists is provided in the brochure available in local shops and venues.

The art trail runs from Friday to Monday, August

Telephone 01258 484669

Arts & Entertainment

Sign language tours at the Tank Museum Love letter to farming life

THE Tank Museum at Bovington has launched new British Sign Language guided tours as part of its expanding accessibility programme.

The UK has more than 150,000 BSL users and the museum wants to improve the experience for hearing-impaired visitors.

The free BSL tours follow the successful introduction of quiet mornings and a new wellbeing room for visitors.

The tours take place in the museum’s flagship exhibition, the Tank Story Hall, which features the 32 most important tanks in the history of armoured warfare, from Little Willie, the first working prototype, to the current main battle tank, Challenger 2.

Visitor Experience general manager Rosanna Dean said:

“We are delighted to be able to welcome BSL users to the museum on exclusive tours.

“The museum is committed to accessibility, and we look forward to visitors enjoying the experience and wider accessible

facilities we have on offer.”

The free BSL tour is on Saturday, September 2 – prebooking is essential. Under-16s can take one accompanying adult.

For more information visit www.tankmuseum.org/britishsign-language-tours

THE memoir of a herdswoman from Marnhull has been published.

Mary Buchan went straight into farming after leaving school in the early 1950s.

Now her collection of letters to her mother have been published in Letters from Chapel Farm, published by Tim Saunders Publications.

Tim said: “This deeply personal book features the letters she sent her mother over the course of a year or so.

“It reveals friendships, romance and how her career progresses.

“This memoir is a fascinating historical record celebrating family but also that wonderful form of communication, the letter.”

Letters from Chapel Farm is available online and in all good bookshops.

Although it is not currently a legal requirement, please consider wearing a face covering to protect yourself and others when visiting the Tivoli. KOSSOFF: THE BAND PLAYS ON

THE BOHEMIANS THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING QUEEN TRIBUTE

18th August 7.30pm

SOUNDS OF PHILADELPHIA & MOTOWN

AYNSLEY LISTER & HIS BAND

BARBIE (12A)

28th 29th & 30th

August 7.30pm

Matinee 31st

August 1pm

Adult: £8.00 evening/£7.00 matinee

Child under 16: £6.00

RITCHIE

Quiet mornings and a wellbeing room have also been introduced

New laws tougher on polluters

I WELCOMED choristers from Sherborne Abbey Choir and their families for a visit to Parliament and 10 Downing Street on Friday last week.

The choir were in London to perform at evensong at the prestigious Westminster Abbey to a packed audience, and it was fantastic to hear the striking sound of the choristers reverberate throughout the abbey, which has been a place of Christian worship since 960AD.

Back home in Sherborne, the choir sings two weekend services almost throughout the year, and daily in the lead up to Christmas and Easter.

Recently, the Government announced new legislation that will scrap the cap on civil penalties for environmental polluters, and which will target a much wider range of offences.

Under new laws, the current limit of £250,000 on variable monetary penalties that the

Environment Agency and Natural England can impose directly on operators will be lifted. New powers will also enable these higher penalties to be levied as a civil sanction for offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the regime under which most Environment Agency investigations take

place.

It follows a consultation which received widespread public support – and which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has listened to. The changes will offer regulators a much quicker method of enforcement for polluters, rather than having to embark on lengthy and costly criminal prosecutions.

It is only right that those who pollute the environment, for instance by breaching storm overflow permits or disposing hazardous waste, should have to pay for their actions.

It is worth reminding New Blackmore Vale readers that the Government’s £2 bus fare cap is still in operation and will run until October 31. From November 1, the bus fare cap will change to £2.50 for single tickets – this cap will last until November 30, 2024.

Ultimately, these fare caps offer an affordable way to

explore our wonderful country without having to break the bank.

It is also a fantastic initiative for families enjoying days out over the summer holidays, but also helps regular bus users and commuters. If you can, I would encourage you to use the fare cap scheme over the coming months.

Finally, Dorset Council’s Household Support Fund is still open for applications for its fourth round of funding.

The fund opened on August 2 and is designed to help lowincome households with rising costs – it is part of a £4.5 million package of support for West Dorset from the Government, which will be distributed until March 31, 2024. Households are eligible to apply if they have an annual net income of less than £30,000 and savings of less than £16,000. A dedicated helpline is available at 01305 221000.

Housing: ‘Time to have your say’

A FEW local matters this week.

Dorset Council has released an updated housing strategy. Readers may remember that the proposed local plan, consulted on in 2021, stalled when the administration in Dorchester couldn’t agree among itself and BCP how many houses were needed.

Rishi Sunak then dropped house building targets to cement his brittle control over his own party, and the local plan has been on the shelf ever since.

We now won’t get to see the ‘pre-submission publication’ until Q4 2024, which will likely be after the next general election. Convenient.

As a stop gap, we now have a housing strategy. Whereas the local plan neared 1,000 pages, this strategy document is a mere 13. And, quelle surprise, it has no meaningful proposals in it.

Yes, it tells us that 4,488 households are on the social

housing waiting list but says nothing about how much social housing the council is commissioning. At a higher level, 1,757 new housing units a year will be required in Dorset to meet its needs. Only 600 were built in the year to March 2023.

It’s important that council

officials feel some pressure from local residents who need housing, rather than predominantly from those that don’t want any new homes built. So please participate in the consultation. Just do an internet search for ‘Dorset Housing Consultation.’

Speaking of officials, residents of Shaftesbury were dismayed last month to learn that the consultation on the future of the town’s high street has been kicked back until next summer. Alfred hasn’t been able to get to the bottom of it, and our local Dorset county councillors don’t appear to be any better informed.

Whether you believe pedestrianisation is the right move or not, it’s galling that it takes so long for county hall to even listen to the people of Shaftesbury, let alone do anything to support our ailing high street.

I would really like to see our Tory councillors and MP apply some pressure to their Tory administration, rather than maintain it’s now’t to do with them.

Finally, a word on the Bibby Stockholm shambles in Portland.

As I write, the asylum seekers marched on to the vessel with great fanfare have been marched off again, due to an outbreak of legionella.

It looks like PR trumped safety as the barge was put into use before legionella test results were returned.

What other corners have been cut? The barge is designed to accommodate shift workers, where half its inhabitants are out building oil rigs while the others are asleep. 500 people sleeping there at the same time is a worry, as comrades in the fire brigade union have previously pointed out.

Conservative MP for West Dorset

Chris Loder

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

Show showcases best of North Dorset

FROM a political perspective, August is a funny month. Parliament isn’t sitting and it is often known as the Silly Season when political journalists twiddle their thumbs and latch on to anything – and I do mean anything – to fill the pages and airwaves. So, my column will be a little pot pourri for this edition.

As I write, we are on the cusp of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. Returning this year as a two-day event –an initiative trialled post Covid and which I warmly welcome giving as it does a doubling of the opportunity to see and experience much of what is good about North Dorset: a strong and vibrant farming sector; an engaged voluntary and charitable sector; a flourishing and innovative business community and a county linked to its past through traditional craft and cottage industries.

For many of our young people August is a time of tense waiting for GCSE and A-level results. This year’s cohort has had the challenges of learning through Covid and we must all

Conservative MP for North Dorset

hope they will have succeeded in overcoming that undoubted, but necessary, challenge. I wish all of those receiving results well and hope they secure what they need to begin the next chapter of their learning lives.

Closer to home, and along with many other parents, our youngest daughter makes the Olympian leap from Primary to Secondary, joining our other two daughters at high school. The uniform has been assembled, the ritual – learned

from my late father – that ALL new shoes require at least three layers of Kiwi Parade Gloss before they can be worn –instigated.

It’s always a mix of emotions when they make this change. They are getting older and therefore, incrementally, more independent. It also makes parents feel older as the links to the primary school gate vanish.

So, to all of those youngsters making that leap, I wish them much happiness, new friendships and a broadening of the horizons. We are blessed in North Dorset with excellent high schools and I know, from my children’s experiences, just how committed the teaching and support staff are.

On an education-related theme, and I know it is invidious to single people out for a ‘name check’, but there are two outstanding teachers to whom I wish to pay tribute.

Tim Godfrey has retired from Gillingham. I have worked closely with him since I have been your MP – coming into school to speak to the politics students or hosting visits to Westminster.

Tim has been a joy to work with – his passion for and interest in all things political has shone through as he has encouraged his students to succeed. I wish him a happy and well deserved retirement.

Debbie Field has handed over the headship of St Gregory’s, Marnhull, where all three of my children have been.

Debbie has been an unending source of kindness, nurture and commitment to the pupils and staff in her care.

She has become a great friend to my wife and me – she is the embodiment of all that a primary school teacher should be. I wish her well in her new job.

And while there is a lot of change going on in many people’s lives across North Dorset, some things don’t. So, if you have a problem you think I could help with, or you want to book an appointment at one of my advice surgeries, please contact me, simon.hoare.mp@ parliament.uk or call 01258 452585. I hold surgeries across the constituency. I am here to help you – please get in touch if you need me.

Lib Dems secure another election win

THE Liberal Democrats have followed up their capture of the Somerton and Frome parliamentary seat with a victory in another by-election.

On Thursday (August 10), Kevin Messenger was elected for the party in a poll for the Castle Cary ward on Somerset Council.

The result means the party increased their majority on the council to 14, with a total of 62 councillors.

New councillor Kevin polled 1,247 votes, more than twice the number of second-placed David Hall, for the Conservatives (614).

Ewan Jones, for the Green Party, received 415 votes.

Turnout was 28.3% and there were five spoilt papers.

After the result was announced, Kevin said: “I’m truly humbled by the support shown to me by the many residents I’ve met

during this campaign.

“I will work hard alongside Cllr Henry Hobhouse to ensure the best for all the residents in Castle Cary and all the villages I now represent – I look forward to getting started.”

Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, said: “I would like to thank the residents of Castle Cary for their support of the bold initiatives Somerset Council are taking.

“We are determined to clean up our environment and help those in need during this cost-of-living crisis as part of our

vision to build a fairer, greener and more resilient council for Somerset.

“Kevin is exactly the sort of councillor we want, someone local and determined to do the best for his community.”

Sarah Dyke, the new MP for Somerton and Frome, added: “I am delighted to see this result which builds on the back of my recent success in the Somerton and Frome By-election.

“The people I spoke to in Castle Cary told me they want politicians who listen to them and will deliver change.

“I look forward to working with Kevin to achieve as much as possible for the area. We need people like Kevin to protect our precious environment and deliver on vital local projects.”

Meanwhile, an election for nearby Pilton Parish Council saw Claire Connock elected wth 294 votes, beating Andrew Shaw (57 votes).

Simon Hoare

‘Thanks for putting your trust in me’

IT is an honour to be elected as the local MP for Somerton and Frome. The constituency forms a large part of Somerset, stretching from the northernmost tip, at Norton St Philip, just outside Bath, to Beercrocombe, and just outside Taunton, in the west, and to Henstridge in the south-east.

The result means things will be done differently now.

I will be an MP who will work every day to hold this Government to account and press for solutions here in Somerset. Communities across the area have been badly let down for far too long by an absent Conservative MP and ignored by an out-of-touch Conservative government. I will make sure our voice is heard and our areas get a better deal.

It is time for change in Somerton and Frome. I said I would hit the ground running

and that’s exactly what I’ve done. I have been setting up my office, I’ve visited Parliament and written to the Chancellor about the grossly unfair tax on our local cider producers. I promised to continue to bang the drum for more GP appointments in Somerton and

Frome, put an end to Wessex Water polluting our precious rivers and to be there for constituents who need support with the cost-of-living crisis. These are big problems which the Conservative Government has failed to tackle for years.

Of course, there has been a strong Liberal Democrat tradition in my part of Somerset. David Heath was the MP here between 1997 and 2015 and he is fondly remembered by many constituents, irrespective of the way they voted. One of the many positive memories people have often shared with me is the way David reached out across the communities. So, to follow in his footsteps, I have arranged a summer surgery tour around the constituency where I will be listening to what people need me to do in Parliament and supporting them with issues

they are facing.

There has never been a more important time for Somerton and Frome to have a proper local MP and as someone who lives here and who can trace my family back over 250 years to this beautiful part of the world, I know the issues local people face. I am furious that our NHS services have been neglected and how our environment is treated by polluting firms.

Thank you again to the wonderful people of Somerton and Frome for welcoming me into your homes, your town and parish halls, and your businesses. Suffice to say, I am proud to represent my constituents and I will unashamedly support the interests of the people of Somerset.

Thank you for putting your trust in me to deliver for you. I will not let you down.

‘Awareness of climate situation rising’

I WAS heartened by a recent social media debate regarding Dorset Council’s decision to allow the development of a solar farm close to where I live in the Blackmore Vale.

Someone posted an article from the Daily Mail headlined ‘Fury as huge solar farm given the go-ahead in Hardy Country’, which sparked an extensive exchange of views.

Some comments were a little barbed, but thankfully most were civil and good natured, which makes a pleasant change from the bad-tempered exchanges all too often witnessed online.

Not so long ago all the comments would have been strongly against the development, but this time there were a gratifying number of comments in favour.

Some commentators were also clearly aware of the extent to which the Government continues to fail us in our need to transition away from fossil

fuels.

It was pointed out that the failure to develop the necessary infrastructure in renewable energy is also reflected in the ever-increasing problems with health, education, public transport, sewerage/water etc.

Worth remembering this

when the general election comes around next year.

Awareness of the urgency of the climate situation is surely growing, not least because of the adverse weather-related events experienced so far this year.

Especially in Europe, but here in the UK some areas have yet again been affected by record-breaking weather events.

According to the Met Office this June was the hottest on record, with just 68% of the average rainfall. Since then we’ve had weeks of mostly cloud and rain, with just the occasional glimpse of the sun to remind us it is still summer.

To those who call for development to be placed somewhere other than in our own back yard, I would point out that we are all in the same boat.

We all have to play our part if we are to avoid sinking together. I doubt that anyone thinks solar farms are visually

attractive. Or wind turbines for that matter. I certainly don’t.

I would much rather we didn’t have to have them, but the fact of the matter is that humanity has boxed itself into a corner. Or rather, we’ve been boxed into a corner by corporations greedily pursuing profit over people and planet, and by governments failing to regulate those corporations to prevent the damage they cause.

As a consequence we now have to throw everything we can at the problem of global warming, in order to have a chance of stopping it getting out of hand.

Other parts of the world have already suffered increasingly severe weather conditions for some years now, with disastrous consequences including many deaths and increased migration.

Co-operation needs to be international, of course, and there are signs of that happening as catastrophe knocks on everyone’s door.

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton & Frome Sarah Dyke

Holiday notable for lack of wildlife

TWO seemingly unconnected events have been playing on my mind recently.

One is the remarkable BBC iPlayer programme The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski, and the other my recent holiday to the South Wales coast near Cardigan.

The programme maps the origin and civilisation of man, and illustrates the brilliance of the human mind to solve problems in every area of life through thousands of years.

The holiday in Wales was notable for the absence of all wildlife.

No rabbits, hares or hedgehogs, no butterflies, no sea anemones or small fish, no insects squashed on the front of the car, just one dead badger by the side of the road and birds of prey circling and circling.

In Blandford, hardly any martins and swallows this year that used to be so numerous, no moths and insects at night that used to encircle the streetlamps,

few hedgehogs and the bats no longer circle my house.

Thousands of miles of rainforest destroyed every day for single crops and cattle, and completely dead and ghostly coral reefs in Florida.

Those images even brought a tear to the eye of my boyfriend, not known for his environmental passion.

It was he who said to me: “We have trashed the world in a single generation”.

What are we doing? With all our knowledge, cleverness and adaptability, put so succinctly by The Ascent of Man, we have allowed politics, greed and the tolerance of powerful people and corporations to dictate a truly terrifying future, as populations cause chaos and war, moving towards the only areas in the world that will be able to sustain life.

Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion are taking more extreme steps on our behalf, trying to get us to listen. If only

PICTURE FROM THE PAST

I could be so brave!

Diana Garner Blandford

I AM reminded by my local MP Simon Hoare to submit my concerns about the proposal to remove ticket offices.

I use Gillingham station intermittently but find that planning a complicated journey is tricky to do just with online tables.

I was recently greatly helped by ‘David’ at Gillingham ticket office in arranging a trip to Edinburgh when timing was difficult to ensure I could join my sister travelling from a different station, on a different line.

The return trip four days later had to contend with avoiding the expense of London at rush-hour.

‘David’ compared various routes and connections advising me on the most efficient and economic ticketing.

This was very reassuring and

ensured I booked the advance tickets with confidence. Many thanks, ‘David’.

Marion Hammond Gillingham

MAGGIE Forbes – New Blackmore Vale, August 4 –wonders why South West Railways is closing ticket offices ‘to bring it more in line with modern consumer expectations’.

I would suggest that ‘modern consumer expectations’ means fewer, much more expensive and less reliable services, less care about passengers and their needs, and higher dividends for shareholders.

Henry Merritt Shaftesbury

DRIVING around the roads and lanes of Dorset it is distressing to see so much litter, especially takeaway food rubbish clearly thrown from the windows of moving vehicles.

It is heartening to see the many volunteers who regularly clean the roadside verges, but it must be maddening for them to see the rubbish piling up again. Thank you for what you are doing, it is very much appreciated and so many people are grateful for what you do.

A shame the same can’t be said for those who chuck the rubbish.

The latest Dorset antilittering signs are, in my opinion, too soft. They show a cute hedgehog appealing to people to ‘Please take your rubbish home with you’. It’s never going to work.

The previous campaign was much better and to the point: ‘Don’t be a tosser’ works well on so many levels.

No-one who throws litter is going to be persuaded to take their rubbish home by a cute hedgehog or anyone else probably.

They need to be shamed into thinking how it makes them look to others, a much better approach to my mind.

THE King family milking at Marsh Farm, Ibberton, in winter 1911. Photo courtesy of Mrs P Harris, whose father bought the farm in 1961.

Bring back the old signs or new even better ones that don’t plead with but tell litterers to do the decent thing instead of being ‘tossers’.

Yours in despair

Name and address supplied

I SUSPECT that Richard Foley (Letters, New Blackmore Vale, August 4) has not visited a Christian church recently or, contrary to his assertion, he would have heard a message about caring for creation.

Mr Foley might not have heard this message from churches over half a century ago, but then very few within or outside the church had taken on board what we were doing to the planet.

For myself – older than Mr Foley – I was a founder member of an environmental campaigning group in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the early 1970s, inspired by Dr E F Schumacher’s seminal book, Small is Beautiful.

We provided home loft insulation at cost and opened a packaging-free shop.

It’s a tragedy that 50 years on packaging has increased and we still have thousands of inadequately insulated buildings.

In regard to the depressed tone of the letters from Jane Godley and Gary O’Brien, I’m afraid our leaders tend to backtrack on ‘Green’ promises because governments of all shades feel obliged to promise voters endlessly increasing prosperity – and it’s not possible, as Schumacher pointed out.

We can see now the scramble for scarce resources – and why should the people of less developed countries not have the same aspirations as us?

But can anyone envisage a world where everyone has a £30,000-plus electric car and the same per capita consumption of resources?

Revd Colin Marsh Gillingham

Riot of colour at gardening club show

CONGRATULATIONS to

part in the Shaftesbury Fringe.

The choir sang at Bell Street United Church on the Sunday afternoon under the direction of musical director Nikke Budd and, accompanied by Sam Ryall, they once more performed a lively mix of songs from light opera, musicals, film music, folk songs and sea shanties.

The performance attracted a full and responsive audience. Many highly complimentary comments have been received and funds were raised for the choir’s good causes.

Choir rehearsals recommence in early September at the community centre in Childe Okeford.

New members, or simple enquiries, are always welcome, and prospective members do not have to audition to join.

For more information, please contact the membership secretary on 01747 828106.

Bob Jones

Via email

WHY did a group of protestors get the headline in the New Blackmore Vale’s report of July 7 on plans for the A303 tunnel bypassing Stonehenge?

After years of consultation, National Highways, English Heritage, National England, the National Trust, Historic England, Wiltshire Council and the A303 Scientific Committee

all welcomed the approval of the Transport Secretary.

The president of the group, Tom Holland, is quoted as saying ‘the scheme will permanently disfigure’ the landscape but to those visiting the World Heritage Site it will be an obvious improvement.

Nigel Hawkins

Via email

I FULLY support the comments made by Maggie ForbesBuckingham in her letter (New Blackmore Vale, August 4).

Emerging at the bottom of Cornhill onto the A30 was previously no problem when controlled by a traffic light.

Now, however, with the light removed, it is dangerous with drivers having no view of A30 traffic from the Yeovil direction.

Why create a hazard when there was not one previously?

The Acreman Street/Cornhill/ Marston Road route crosses the even busier one of the A30.

Yet traffic emerging from Marston Road has the benefit of both a traffic light as well as a good view of oncoming A30 traffic in both directions.

At the very least, short of the Cornhill light being restored, the hatched area of the A30 needs to be enlarged and the Marston Road traffic delayed for longer to enable Cornhill traffic more chance to exit safely.

There have, to my knowledge, been at least two recent vehicle collisions at this junction and no doubt several near misses since the Cornhill traffic light was removed.

In a recent exchange of comments on Facebook several drivers stated they would no longer use the junction considering it too risky.

I am sure many others share my concern about this junction. Name and address supplied Via email

GREG Williams (New Blackmore Vale, July 21) states that Labour wants to see more solar farms in the countryside, and I vehemently disagree with this.

As I look at industrial units, supermarkets and new housing estates I am dismayed that the roofs of these buildings are not covered in solar panels.

Why is this not the case? There are thousands of acres of uninhabited roof area.

The fact that the panels stand off the roof would give shade to the building and offset its energy usage, to boot.

If energy companies want to provide solar energy – a good thing – then surely this would be better than raping the already overburdened countryside.

Paul Hockey Verwood

all who entered Hazelbury Bryan Gardening Club’s annual show and helped to create a ‘magnificent’ event, according to one of the judges.

Arrow words

Breeds of Horse

Across 1 Decision-making power (3-2)

4 Lap (7)

9 Sheep protector (8)

10 Go quickly; hurry (4)

11 A stanza of eight lines (6)

12 Self-respect (5)

13 Weapon supplies (4)

15 Confess to something: up (3)

16 Jokes; teases (4)

17 Involuntary muscle contraction (5)

19 Adequate (6)

21 The main room in a palace (4)

22 Collar (8)

23 Wordy (7)

24 Writes with a keyboard (5)

Down

2 Off the cuff (2,3)

3 Highest singing voice (7)

5 Self-rule (12)

6 Short-legged breed of dog (5)

7 Alternatively (7)

8 Housing estates (12)

Speak without a script (2-3)

14 Error (7)

20 He lives in a lamp (5)

16 Lumpy (7)

18 Speak without a script (2-3)

20 He lives in a lamp (5)

1 4 7 6 5

7 5 9

6 5 9 5 2 4 8 8 5 4 6 1 7 9 8 2 7

Brain chain

Indian swords sell to foreign buyers

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley saw strong prices in the Militaria section in its sale last weekend.

Two Indian Tulwar swords exceeded their estimates to sell for £2,400 and £1,100 on the hammer, to online bidders in the United States and Canada.

Talwar or Tulwar swords are a type of curved sword used in the Indian sub-continent from the 1300s, and the classic form has been used from the 1500s to the present day, mostly within the Mughal Empire.

A 19th century percussion cap coastguard’s pistol sold for £550, and from the same vendor, a 19th century percussion capped Russian smooth bore musket made £380, both with premium.

A large floor-standing signal cannon with 48cms cast iron barrel mounted on a hardwood

Roman busts to Banksy prints

carriage with iron axle, sold for £300 hammer.

A striking ceramic model of a recumbent wildebeest by Nichola Theakston, one of Britain’s foremost contemporary sculptors, sold for £600 hammer despite restoration to one of its ears.

Clarke’s next sale is on Friday and Saturday, September 8-9 – if you have anything you would like to consign, or anything suitable for the Automobilia sale on Friday, October 13, contact them.

DUKE’S is inviting consignments for its flagship fine art and contemporary auctions, both of which are always well received by international buyers.

The spring sale saw a bronze maquette Sir Winston Churchill by Oscar Nemon reach £250,000 and a marble bust of Admiral Horatio Nelson, £50,000.

The autumn auction and Art & Design post-1880 sales encompass pieces over a long period, from Roman marble busts and 18th century old master oils to the works of artists such as Banksy.

For entries into future sales or for enquiries for consignment, probate or insurance valuations, part- or full house clearances, phone 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury. auction

An already consigned oil scene of goats, chickens and chicks in a farmyard by Edgar Hunt carries a pre-sale estimate of £2,000-£4,000 and a fine model ship by Richardson, Duck & Co, Stockton-on-Tees,

Duke’s is inviting entries for its October fine art sale and art and design post-1880 auctions

£8,000-£10,000.

A Thames view by the English painter Christopher Wood is a highlight of the post-1880 sale. After meeting Augustus John at university, he was convinced to become a painter and later trained at the Académie Julian in Paris.For more information or to organise a free valuation for auction visit Duke’s website, www.dukesauctions.com, or call its office on 01305 265080.

Antiques

A taste of the Orient in sale

THE General Antiques & Collectors Auction at Acreman St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, on Thursday, August 24, has some interesting Oriental items.

These include a piece of finely worked silk fabric depicting butterflies and flowers embroidered for the last Empress of China, which was the property of Major Spenser Aldborough Flower. It is estimated to sell for £1,000£1,500.

Acreman also has an interesting bronze bill clip in the form of a cicada on a leaf signed in silver to the base estimated at £100-£200, and an antique silver and coral detail hair decoration estimated at £100-£150.

The catalogue and bidding are available online through www.easyliveauction.com and

www.Thesaleroom.com.

Acreman has two specialist sales coming up – 20th Century & Modern Art on Thursday, October 26, and Textiles, Fashion & Apparel on Friday, November 10 – this has been moved from September 15.

Entries are still being accepted for both auctions.

Acreman can take in everything from single items to complete collections.

If you have anything you would like to consign, contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 50874, or by email at auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk

Acreman holds a valuation day every Wednesday 10am4pm, offering free valuations on items being considered for auction, at Acreman Auction, 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH.

GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

Thursday 24th August

JEWELLERY, SILVER & WATCHES AUCTION

Friday 25th August We are now consigning items for our September auction and our specialist sales.

Fast Ford for sale

A RARE Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is entered into the Charterhouse Classic & Collector car auction at Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, October 5.

“The Ford RS Cosworth needs no introduction as a 1990s high performance saloon car,” said Richard Bromell.

“With just one owner, super low miles and in excellent condition, this fast Ford is

estimated at £22,000-24,000.”

Charterhouse is accepting entries for its summer auctions of classic cars, motorcycles, collectors items, enamel signs and automobilia.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse Team can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, on 01935 812277 or at rb@charterhouse-auction. com

Specialist Free Valuation Days

Consignment Days in Sherborne

Monday 12th Pictures, Maps, Books & Postcards

Jewellery, Watches & Silver 21st

Tuesday 13th Silver, Jewellery, Watches & Clocks

Chinese & Japanese Ceramics & Art 22nd

Wednesday 14th Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys

Thursday 15th Medals, Militaria, Coins & Stamps

Enamel Signs & Automobilia 23rd

Friday 16th Asian Ceramics & Works of Art

Coins, Medals, Militaria & Stamps 24th

Classic Motorcycle Auction 28th October

Classic Car Auction 11th November

Classic & Vintage Car Autumn Auction

Further entries now being accepted

Classic Motorcycle Autumn Auction

The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS

Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys 25th Further Entries Now

Fast Ford Cosworth estimated at £22,000-£24,000

Peridot was king’s favourite gemstone

by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham

THE elegant and timeless peridot is the birthstone for August and is said to represent prosperity and good fortune.

However, it is also known as a Love gemstone and is the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary!

Similar in colour to a traditional emerald, the two were often confused in medieval times, but the semi-precious olive-green peridot was discovered in 1500BC.

In the Middle Ages, the peridot was brought back from the Crusades and was used to decorate church robes and other artefacts.

It rose in popularity in jewellery during the 1800s. The Victorians and Edwardians loved it, especially after King Edward VII stated that it was his favourite gemstone!

Also known as the ‘Evening Emerald’, the peridot glows under natural and artificial light

(pictured) is a perfect example of original Edwardian jewellery.

The two round-cut vibrant green peridots are softened with seed pearls and pale pink tourmaline accents creating a wreath design all in a warm yellow gold.

The Edwardians favoured intricate and delicate designs and you will see pearls and diamonds incorporated into necklaces, pendants, earrings, brooches and rings with stones like peridot, rubies and amethyst.

Platinum became the more favoured metal, taking over from yellow gold, due to the Edwardians preference for all things ‘white’.

Peridot can wear easily and can lose its polish, so regular

A Day in the Life of an Auctioneer...

With Richard Kay Picture Specialist at Lawrences Auctioneers

I’d like to ask how you started in the auction world. I read History of Art at the University of St Andrews and graduated in 1986, determined that I wanted a job somewhere in the auction world. Lo and behold, the art market was booming and auction houses were recruiting keenly so, for once, my timing was perfect. I walked through snow on January 5th 1987 to begin my first job as a trainee picture specialist at Sothebys saleroom in Chester. I have never had a dull day’s work since then.

Who are Lawrences? We are Fine Art Auctioneers based in Crewkerne in Somerset and with a team at Westbury in Wiltshire. We have specialist departments and valuers with almost 400 years of combined experience and we offer a personal, professional service across the West Country and far beyond.

What is it really like up on the podium? The rostrum is the focal point at which most of our lots are tested for their appeal; there really is an adrenaline rush when interest in a lot gathers momentum. The excitement of testing bidders’ determination from the rostrum is a thrill that never diminishes and, of course, we are always ready for an unexpected surprise when two bidders `lock horns`. With numerous dealers and collectors in the room, on telephones and bidding live via a number of auction platforms online, we draw in buyers from all around the world.

Advice for someone who never been to an Auction. Examine the item to your satisfaction before you bid (if you cannot get to the viewing itself, we can assess it for you and answer all your concerns with additional photos etc). Set yourself a limit and, if you can justify it, pledge not to exceed it by more than 10%. If you plan to start a collection, view a lot of auctions before you buy a single thing in order to better gauge the market and where its strengths lie. Focus upon the sort of lots that you can live with so that, should they not rise in value, you still have items that you can treasure. A profit may be a bonus but the most important thing is to enjoy buying at auction - and it can be an addictive passion once you start. Until you start browsing you will never know where your real interests may lie. I’ve even heard of a man who collects rare and unusual gas cookers.

Where I can find out what’s up for auction? See our website – www.lawrences.co.uk –for details of our past sales, our current sales and our future sales. Email or phone us if you have questions - we love to welcome new collectors of any age to Lawrences.

Items for sale

CLASSIFIED ADS

MARQUEE. 30ftx10ft. In original pack. £150. 01963 440741

12FT YURT FOR SALE. Includes matting, wall hangings, porch, and fitted with a frontier stove. £2,500. 07919 385854

BOWTOP WAGON FOR SALE. New top built on an original London Dray. Fully upholstered with a fitted wood burner. Excellent condition.

£7,000 ono. 07919 385854

COLLECTOR’S ITEM - AIR ARMS TX 200 SR Venom tuned air stripper. Walnut thumbhole stock. Hardly ever used. As new. £700. 01747 860304

WILLIS & GAMBIER ANTOINETTE BEDROOM SUITE in Maghogany. Triple wardrobe. h200 x w165 x d64. Bedside cabinets x 2 - h65 x w50 x d42. Lovely condition. Would cost £2,405 new - will accept £950 ono. Buyer dismantles wardrobe. Call 01935 389606

MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORT TRAILER with lights & loading ramp. Excellent condition. £350 o.n.o. 07956 620662

2 MANUAL PLUS SWIVEL LEATHER RECLINER CHAIRS with foot stalls. Excellent condition. Accepting offers. 07841 986890

GALVANISED 3 FOOT CATTLE TROUGHS, old fountains, bird baths, terracotta items and ‘stone’ planters, sun dial etc. Tel eves 01747 820541.

TREADMILL REEBOK ZR10

Excellent condition £250. (New price £699.99) 07380 891010

TENTBOX - CLASSIC For Sale: £1,000.00 ono Contact: 07739 697777

2 IMMACULATE LAURA ASHLEY MORTIMER TWOSEATER SETTEES natural £100 each and tartan red/ natural Sherlock buttoned armchair £75 ono. Tel 01963 23486. Buyer collects.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

KARIMOOR beep PUSH CHAIR, Grand parents as new. £49.00. Tel. 01935 474681

PORTER CABIN. 12ft x 8ft. Water tight. No longer needed. Free to collect. 01963 458199

ROYAL CROWN DERBY Derby

Posies 8 pieces Wedgwood Kutani Crane 8 pieces Aynsley Wild Tudor 3 pieces £20 01258 450233

PANASONIC MICROWAVE for sale. £10. 07802 294445

NATIONAL TRUST QUATTRO STOOL, green. Excellent condition, used once. £20 (New £60). 01747 812071

LARGE JIGSAW PUZZLE TABLE. Brand new. £30. 01935 507375

LADIES TRENCH COAT, as new, stone colour 14-16, welcome to try. £20. 01202 692730

MORPHY RICHARDS FOOD PROCESSOR with blender. Select 760. AS NEW. £50. 01747 840835

SET OF 6 BABYSHAM GLASSES, £50. 07860 969868

TWO VERY PRETTY GINA BACCONI desiginer occasion dresses, one pink and one red and cream, size 10, worn only once to family weddings. Both for £50. Phone Milborne Port 07786 514697

VINTAGE BLACKBOARD with wooden adjustable height easel stand. Blackboard measures 61cm by 61cm. In very good condition £30 ono Tel:07891 987809

PAIR OF QUALITY RECLINING SUN LOUNGERS, new, still bagged and boxed. £40 - 01747 838521

40 PIECE MATCHING DINNER/TEA service, plus teapot, cruet, table cloth, mats. Cream, floral border. Tel: 01935 813920. £30

VITESSE limited edition MORGAN PLUS 8 CLOSED-ROYAL IVORY. 1 of 1224, still boxed. £30 ono

EXERCISE ROWING MACHINE, folds and little used. Photo available £50. call 01935 813171

HAUCK SPORT LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDABLE PUSHCHAIR & Buggy-Stroller + rain cover & cosy toes. Only had occasional use by grandparents £35 Tel 07721 530520

TWO OLD WOODEN SCHOOL

DESKS in good condition Lifting tops and space for inkwell Buyer collects £15 each. 07979 984387

SHOOTING STICK/SEAT

Great Condition. Aluminium, Foldout Tip, 34” long , Dorchester 01305 570508 £18. Can post for £3.

BRAND NEW VitrA S20 semirecessed white bathroom sink –55 cm x 44 cm - £50. Yeovil: 07971 070635

DWELL TEMPERED GLASS

TABLE 90 cm x 150 cm. £25-00 Phone 01747 840896

7 x GLASS KILNER STYLE

FOLDING WHEELCHAIR. Only used 6 times. Costs £200 new. £50. 01935 873441

MOTOR CADDY S SERIES lead acid battery. £35 ono. Golf ball retriever - £3 3x irons - S, 7, 9 (left handed) - £5 each 01935 476815

MAGNOLIA SMOOTH EXTERIOR masonry paint 22.5 litres £ 40. Tel 07803 177164

ORIENTAL RUG, COLOUR

GOLD, 9ft x 3” x 6ft x 2”. Excellent condition. £50. Telephone: 01305 849490 (Tolpuddle)

BANANA PLANT POT grown 5 ft buyer collects £20. 01963 824376

STORAGE JARS. Kilner, Le Parfait, Arc etc. various sizes. £25.00. Kington Magna. 01747 838882. 3 CORONATION MUGS Edward VIII, George VI, Elizabeth II £30 Tel: 07765 800413

RIDE ON MOWER. Cutting Deck US. Offers 01749 850456

PAUL KERRY 12FT

BEACHCASTER £15.Carp landing net and handle £10 .01749 813529

QUANTITY OF QUILTING

THREADS, Guterman, Coats, YLI. Curved basting pins, Jaws Quilt clips. Quilting Needles. £15 ono. 01747 840473

LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDABLE BUGGY. 01747 853923

WANTED

GARAGE SPACE for one vehicle. Horsington, North or South Cheriton. Please contact 07714 152955

WANTED

All militaria bought British/Foreign Single items or collections Contact Tim on 07904 082997

TEFAL UPRIGHT CLOTHES steam cleaner. £50. 01747 826209

ECO WEED BURNER (electrical). Used twice. £15. 01963 824497.

MACALLISTER 33cm CUT, corded lawn mower £15. 01963 370570

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

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

ALSO GUNS FOR SALE

SOS to all air rifles and pistols, any make or model, any condition. We collect in any area. Top prices paid in cash. 07970

Boat Building Academy reaches out

by dorsetbiznews.co.uk

THE Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis is a hub of activity – and it could soon be getting a lot busier thanks to a new initiative spearheaded by director Will Reed.

“People of all ages, walks of life and backgrounds come to the BBA,” he said.

“Many people come to us for our professional training, and some of our graduates go on to secure employment in the most prestigious boatyards in the country. There’s a real cachet to certification from the

academy.

“Others are seeking to make drastic career changes, sometimes leaving high-powered jobs in finance and academia to become boat builders.

“For some, it’s simply a chance to follow a dream for the sheer joy of building wooden boats surrounded by like-minded enthusiasts and our expert tutors.”

Founded in 1997 by Naval Commander Tim Gedge, the academy has produced a steady stream of 280-plus hand-crafted boats using traditional and modern techniques.

But this summer, the team are introducing a raft of new courses to help bring these vital skills to a wider range of people.

Will said: “Since attaining charitable status in 2020, the academy has been able to really spread its wings and explore new ways to promote what we do.

“In addition to our twice yearly, 40-week full-time boat building course, we are now offering students a more compact, six-week Build a Boat Course, which gives a taste of a broad range of skills while building a Joel White Shellback Dinghy.

“Our 12-week furniture-making course has produced a stream of capable woodworkers who have worked in all aspects of the industry, and we are now running

an improved course introducing some new techniques to give students a flavour of boat building.”

Alongside the new courses, the academy is set to expand on its popular bursary scheme in an effort to maximise accessibility for potential students.

It is particularly keen to dispel the stigma around women in the practical skills industries.

“The BBA bursary scheme is open to UK residents and aims to fund a generation of men and women boat builders and woodworkers, who would otherwise be unable to afford their training,” said Will.

Funded by the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Charitable Foundation and the Valentine Trust, the latest bursaries are aimed at people from

Dorset, offering up to 50 per cent off the academy’s 12- and 40-week programmes, alongside taster days and short courses.

Will added: “Despite the current financial pressures on businesses and charities, we feel our outstanding reputation is helping us to make real headway.

“Our 40-week boat building course starting this month is almost full, and interest is growing in our other new courses, with students ranging from 17 to 75.

“When December comes around, another cohort of students will sail their newly built boats out into Lyme Harbour and begin their journeys as professional boat builders.

“It’s a joyous sight of new life being breathed into ancient traditions.”

With more choice and flexibility surrounding retirement and with people, on average, living longer than before, it’s important to make sure your pension plans are on track.

Utilising our experience, we can help you manage your income and savings, whilst guiding you through the complications of tax, so you can enjoy the lifestyle you desire.

Home & Garden

Chillis – hot and delicious

by Sally Gregson

WHILE we gardeners swelter in the heat, worried about our plants and gardens, some things are positively enjoying the high temperatures. Chilli peppers need hot, brilliant sunshine to make them spicier. The greenhouse is the best place to grow fearsomely hot chilli peppers.

From the ‘warm’ varieties that merely tingle the tongue to the new ‘super-hot’ chillis that have been bred to explode in the mouth, there is a long list of varieties, developed by a whole coterie of breeders trying to out-do each other with spicy heat. There is even a recognised scale, the SHU – the Scoville Heat Unit – with the very hottest, the Carolina Reaper, measuring 1.6 million SHU, and some newer varieties measuring more than two million SHU at the extreme end.

Among those chillis that are available to raise from seed, there are two contestants for the ‘hottest’ prize. In 2006 the Dorset Naga chilli was introduced to the spice world, followed six years later by the Trinidad Moruga. For most palates these chillis are completely overpowering, and the flavour of the chillis seems to have been lost in the race. The Dorset Naga has a quite different flavour, if you can get past the initial burn.

For most palates there are two stand-out

varieties that are quite hot enough – the Scotch Bonnet and the Habanero. Traditionally, removing the pith and pips of these very hot chillis took away much of the heat, but for the new ‘super-hots’ there is as much heat in the flesh as in the seeds.

When handling the seed of these hot varieties it is strongly recommended that gloves are worn. Contact with just one seed can cause extreme chilli-burn. And handling

all chillis comes with a health warning not to touch face, eyes or any other delicate part of the anatomy while there is a trace of chilli on the hands. Chilli burn is extremely painful and hard to lessen.

But for a good, hot, chilli-flavoured curry it’s hard to beat home-grown chillis, and they keep well in the freezer for up to a year until the next harvest. That is if you can avoid eating them all.

Keeping the greenhouse cool

by Sally Gregson

IN winter, spring and autumn we gardeners try so hard to keep our greenhouses warm enough to support the exotic plants we house in them, but in a hot, sunny summer we just want to cool our greenhouses down.

After all the vulnerable plants have been moved on to stand down outside or planted with much watering, cool the house down for the remaining tomatoes and soft vegetables by watering the central path with cold water in the heat of the day. This settles the dust and coolly evaporates away.

If you are around all day, it’s an idea to fill buckets and cans with cold water and change it when it becomes too warm. The water could be poured on to the roots of neighbouring shrubs and trees, a canful at a time.

Whitefly in particular love hot, dry conditions, and are quite difficult to get rid of completely in a greenhouse. If yours is home to tomatoes, peppers and aubergines it would help to keep down the inevitable infestations of whitefly with potted plants of single-flowered Tagetes – African Marigold –that attract hoverflies. These wasp-like insects consume whitefly for breakfast, lunch and tea. Their appetite starts when the hoverflies are newly hatched larvae and persists throughout their lives. And tagetes are good to look at, too.

Chestnut-brown T. Cinnabar is available from seed from Great Dixter nurseries, and there are lots of other single-flowered forms. Tagetes Burning Embers is also red-brown, and T. Tangerine Gem is the

eponymous orange.

But if the greenhouse is empty of tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers it’s a good time to give the inside of the glass a good clean. Use a bucket of Jeyes Fluid diluted in water to wash down all the

woodwork and benches, too. In this way eggs of insect pests, including whitefly, will be destroyed and when the plants return to their winter quarters later in the year, they will enjoy a clean, bright area to hunker down until next spring.

‘Warm’ chilli varieties tingle the tongue but ‘super hot’ types explode in the mouth Tagetes in the glasshouses at West Dean, near Chichester

Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotation

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amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

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Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotation

Tel: 01747 850544

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

Mobile: 07921 637227

Tel: 01747 850544

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Mobile: 07921 637227

250005

Mobile: 07976 934 252

Home & Garden

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding

Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478

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

For all your fencing and decking needs

Closeboard, panels & sheds supplied and fitted.

Gates made to measure.

Sherborne Fencing Ltd

Tel: 01935 814272

Mobile: 07814246332

L.DAVIS AND SONS

Garden clearance and garden design

Concrete bases, patios, gravel, fencing and much more.

We also deliver compost, pots, bark, logs and other gardening products. 01458 241230 or 07950 261510

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.

Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741

Professional Experienced Reliable

SELF DRIVE DIGGER and Dumper Hire 01258 861647

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING

www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

WANTED -

Dave buys all types of tools Call 01935 428975

ST MARGARET’S

WINCANTON FURNITURE

SHOP requires good quality furniture. Call 01963 31470 to arrange a free collection.

REPOINTING HOUSES AND GARDEN WALLS in lime water. Rebuilding natural stone works. NO VAT! Contact Simon at 07745 625617!

OUTDOOR RUBBISH & HEDGE TRIMMINGS

cleared and taken away, Free estimates. 07864 960768

FOR MOWING, STRIMMING, HEDGE CUTTING and general garden/estate maintenance. Call David the Electric Gardener on: 07786 658708

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Fruit

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

Stoneham OAK KITCHEN. Marble Star Galaxy worktops. 2.82m x 3.27m x 2.27m.

£2500 for quick Sale.

Miele Steam oven as new £450

Miele Oven £450

Excellent condition

Miele Dishwasher £250

Miele gas hob £150

Neff fridge freezer £150

Offer for the lot. 07588 053555

Carpets

Vinyls

Rugs

Wood

Karndean

Underlay

Curtains

Fabrics

Blinds

Re-Upholstery

Gillingham:

Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pm

Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm

Wincanton:

Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 5.30pm

Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm

blackmorevale.net

EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195

LAWN MOWING AND HEDGE CUTTING SERVICES, ShaftesburyBlandford & local villages. Please call Trevor 07970 012130

HOUSE CLEARANCE

Plus Sheds, Attics, Garages & Gardens Quality Items Offset

Registered Waste Carrier Tel: 01258 440838 or 07853 275379 enquiries@back2market.com

www. .com

OUTDOORS

TREES R US Get your garden ready for summer. Trees, hedges, patios, turf & fencing call Peter 07976 667130

LOGS R US 1 ton pickup load of logs £100 double load £160 dumpy bag £70 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081

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

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS £180 double load, £100 half load 01258 880892, 07980 036250

FOR SALE Barn-stored Any size of load

If you want anymore help contact Andy 07773 254174

SEASONED LOGS DRY BARN 20 miles radius of Sherborne Call Sherborne 01935 815534

TOOLS / EVENT / SHOWROOM

DB WOODWORKING TOOLS for used hand tools. Showroom above Stalbridge Joinery 07739 416402

Puzzle solutions (from pages 42-43)

Arrow words

blackmorevale.net

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

R&W FENCING SERVICES

HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076 Plumbing Painting & decorating

All types of fencing, Agriculture and Domestic 01258 880892 07980 036250 ALL IRONWORK. Handrails.Gates. Railings. Repairs. Restoration. 01258 880301

J& C Handyman Services

Door hanging & skirting boards

Shed erecting & repairs

Flat pack furniture

Shelves & curtain rails

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

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

C

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

B.LUCAS General builder 25+ Years Experience, City & Guilds Qualified Extensions, Renovations, Alterations, New Build, Plastering, Floor and Wall Tiling, Brickwork, Blockwork, Stonework and Patios, Fencing and Decorating. FREE estimates, No VAT 01747 228827 07809 362919

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

The New

Blackmore Vale Magazine

• SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786 e: swbuildandrenovation@ gmail.com Bryan G Paulley Ltd Oil Tank Services Domestic & Commercial REPLACEMENT TANKS INSTALLATIONS RE-SITING TEMPORARY TANKS EMERGENCY PUMP OUTS BUNDED /SINGLE SKIN METAL TANKS/FUEL STATIONS ABOVE GROUND OR BELOW MOLING SERVICE FOR BELOW GROUND UTILITIES COMMERCIAL BOILER REMOVAL New bunded tank installed for between £1300 and £1900 +VAT depending on size of tank. All areas. OFTEC Registered Tel: 01963 363870 24hr Emergency, Leaking Tanks or Oil Spills 07836 502683 E: office@bgp-oiltanks.co.uk www.bgp-oiltanks.co.uk

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP NOW ON Facebook

Planning & Building Applications for New Build, Extensions and Conversions 01747 822162

ASAarchitects Architecture Masterplanning Conservation EXTENSIONS, CONVERSIONS, NEW BUILD. FREE CONSULTATION.

CARER CARPETS/ CARPET FITTERS

TWO FEMALE CARERS available to help you in your own home. Kind, reliable, experienced, DBS checked. Tisbury and surrounding areas. Tel. 07917 683770

Book Online classified@ blackmorevale.net

JAYS CARPETS

JAYS CARPETS

FREE ESTIMATES

Open 7 days week

Supply/fit Carpets Vinyls

Underlay Gripper Doorbars Next Day Fitting Available

Professional with over 20 years experience.

www.jayscarpets.com

07790340846

CHIMNEYS

K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP

Brush & vacuum APICS registered 01963 370038

STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING

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

CHIMNEYS

MARTIN SIMMONDS

CHIMNEY SWEEP Friendly, Reliable, Professional - 07368 250305

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

SOLID FUEL INSTALLATIONS LTD accredited installers from the competent persons scheme for wood burners, multi fuel stoves, chimney liners and twin walled flues. Sweeping chimneys, birdguards & cowls. Fireplace alterations to your needs, chimney works including pointing. 01749 677440 - 07921 074602

solidfuel3@aol.com www.solidfuelinstallationsltd.co.uk

Specialist Wood Burner Installation Co.

Building and plastering jobs undertaken all at affordable prices No chimney no problem

Twin wall bespoke metal chimney systems

Chimney stack rebuilds, repair, leak fix

Relining flexible liner existing stove installations

False fireplaces

Professional and highly recommended company with 5-star reviews

issued

455251 smokin.nicely@hotmail.co.uk smokinnicely co.uk

CHRIS THE SWEEP Friendly and fully insured. Evening and weekend appointments available. 07725 112160

From Only £55

Call now for a free survey and advice.

07521647885

WWW.STOVEANDCHIMNEYSOLUTIONS.COM

CLEANING

DW PRESSURE CLEANING

Pressure washing drive ways, patios, soffits, fascias, decking, fences, paths and walls. Gutter camera inspection and gutter clearing.

For a no obligations quote, please call Darren: 07360 678429 or 01935 321937 or dwpressurecleaning@gmail.com

SHINY STOVES OVEN

Ovens,Ranges, Aga’s, etc. Independent Family Run Business Covering The Blackmore Vale Area Tel 01935 592461 Mob 07875 272401

Local Services

Joseph Crocker Computers

Custom built gaming & office PCs

Desktop & laptop repair

Help with mobile devices

General computer and IT advice

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL 01963 23669 07484 690824

josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

LJB CARPENTRY & BUILDING SERVICES. Extensions, loft conversion, garden make-over, office removals, rubbish clearance. Mere VAT registered. 07543 814320. ljbcarpentry@qualityservice.com

LES BENHAM

Painting Services, Property Maintenance, Domestic/ Commercial Inside or Out, Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/ 07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk /checkatrade

WiFi • Email • FaceTime • WhatsApp

Skype

• eBay • Amazon Facebook • Twitter • Instagram

• Google

• Friendly, patient, and knowledgeable help

• Keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues for free over the Internet

• Sell online easily, quickly and reliably

• Buying advice, setup and installation

Get connected. Stay connected. Call me now on 07805 783147

GENERAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES, Painting & Decorating, Carpentry, Interior/Exterior. For free quote call Tim 07793 837073

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

DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY

GARETH TANNER

G.O.T. Decorating City and Guilds qualified Interior/exterior Decorating Free Quotes no VAT Tel 07736 644452 go.tanner93@gmail.com

PHILIP STIRK

Painting, Decorating & Property Maintenance Free Quotations/No VAT Tel. 01747 825725 or mob: 07984 524446 Email: philipstirk@btinternet.com

blackmorevale.net

SOLICITORS

Has the time come to make plans for your future?

If you have worried about becoming forgetful or confused in the future, you may have assumed that your close family will automatically be able to take over managing your money. It may surprise you to know this is not the case. Your family will only be able to take over and look after your money if you have given them written permission, in a form that banks, utility companies and other organisations will accept.

The way to give this written permission is by making a Lasting Power of Attorney

If you have already received a diagnosis of dementia, you need to make your Lasting Power of Attorney sooner rather than later. We can help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney that is tailored to your circumstances. That gives your family all the permissions they need. And that builds in protection to prevent things going wrong.

If you would like to talk about making arrangements for the future by making a Lasting Power of Attorney, please call Christine on 01308 424808 to arrange a date for us to call on you at home. Or email christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk

Book online: blackmorevale.net

Email: adverts@blackmorevale.net

TAXIS

JASMINE CARS TAXI SERVICE

07495 922821

Comfortable, spacious and clean estate cars. For hospitals, airports, seaports and local work. Distance no object, day trips and special occasions. Lady driver available. For safe Covid-aware transport. 5 star Google rating. JUST ASK!

Book online: blackmorevale.net

BLACKMORE WINDOWS AND DOORS. Locally based company in Stalbridge with 25 years experience. All your window and door needs undertaken, from repairs to replacement. Contact Terry on 07514224712 or find me on Facebook and WhatsApp. 01258 488500 / 01747 812666 Family run business, Est 2004 Tel

DOORS • Resi • Composite • French • Patio • Bifold

Enford Farm Shop

Durweston DT11 0QW

Half a pig approx £130.

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. Outside shop with self service for essentials open daily 8am-8pm

01258 450050

Cool salad for a summer day

WHEN the heat is on outside, the last thing anyone wants to do is slave over a hot stove on the inside.

Grace Edmonds, from The Watercress Company, has come up with this delicious salad that is simple to prepare, ideal for a light lunch or for a tasty side to accompany an alfresco dinner. Watercress, orange and fennel salad

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin – the body can’t produce it, so it has to be consumed. It has many roles and has been linked to health benefits, including helping strengthen the immune system, and may help lower blood pressure. This recipe has lots of vitamin C thanks to the orange and watercress.

Serves 1 (or 2 as a side/starter)

Prep time 10 mins

Ingredients

1 large orange, peeled and thinly sliced 50g watercress

Flaked almonds

Bulb of fennel, finely sliced 1 shallot, finely chopped 30g feta, crumbled

Method

1 Arrange the watercress, orange, fennel and shallot on a plate.

2 Sprinkle with the finely chopped shallot, feta and flaked almonds.

Time to treat yourself, at the Clockspire!

Enjoy the Clockspire experience with our great value set menu

A three-course-menu with a choice of three dishes for each course (including healthy options) available for both lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Friday, and Saturday lunch: 2 Courses - £ 26, 3 Courses - £ 32 (offer not available on festive days)

Our Main Menu: Available for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch.

Set Sunday Roast: 2 Courses - £ 38, 3 Courses - £ 43

Enjoy captivating live Jazz with the Simply Jazz Trio on the last Thursday evening of each month, from 7pm to 9pm.

Listen as you delight in seasonal dishes, exciting cocktails and fine wines. Or simply come to enjoy a drink in our lovely mezzanine bar, Wednesday to Saturday 12-3pm & 6-11pm, Sunday 12-4pm.

01963 251458

www.theclockspire.com Gainsborough, Milborne Port, Sherborne DT9 5BA

Harvest in full swing on the farm

by Barbara Cossins

WHAT a joyful sight it is, seeing our farmers producing food. Exactly what they should be doing, rather than being paid to grow pretty flowers!

Yes, we need to get the right balance in how we care for our environment, but most importantly, we need to grow food to live and feed our families.

Winter barley was the first field to be cut here at Rawston Farm. We hope to sell it on for malting, which means it will be made into beer. It’s important for everyone to understand why we grow barley and where it and other crops go once they are grown. To understand which types of food and drink are made from the raw ingredients off the farm.

Remember the saying that if you’re unlucky you will need a doctor once a year and a fireman once a lifetime? Well,

you need a farmer three times a day for your breakfast, lunch and dinner! Supermarkets don’t grow food, our farmers do. It’s important to understand that and remember what the crops get turned into.

Barley is also found in cereals and cakes, flat breads, muffins, pasta, noodles and food colourings. And these are just a few examples.

It’s a fact that higher food prices are here to stay. It’s costly to raise an animal – beef prices are already high and it’s great to see pork prices back up where they should be because of strong global demand again.

We have had extremely challenging times with the pandemic, the ever-changing weather and the ongoing Ukraine war. We have to fight back to make farming work among all of that.

It is so sad to see the supermarkets slash the price of

The Kitchen Table is carefully curated by food and book enthusiast Sarah Rudder and set to enchant the hearts and taste buds of foodies and bookworms.

Exciting new addition to the Shaftesbury independent retail scene - serving book lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

With an exquisite collection of cookbooks, food-related art and kitchen essentials, The Kitchen Table promises to be more than just a shop, but a gathering space where food lovers can explore, connect, and share their passion. Nestled in the heart of Shaftesbury’s blossoming independent retail scene, The Kitchen Table is a haven that caters to all ages and skill levels. This one-of-a-kind shop boasts an extensive range of cookbooks, from traditional classics to contemporary best-sellers, including culinary memoirs like Stanley Tucci's Taste. Children and adults can also embark on imaginative journeys through a selection of foodie fiction. But it does not stop at books. Alongside the literary treasures, customers will discover an assortment of beautiful and functional kitchen must-haves sourced from local artists and makers. Picture yourself browsing through an Ottolenghi cookbook, and being able to source elusive Middle Eastern spices to complete the recipes in the same shop. With an array of stylish table linens, beautiful serveware, and fun food-related art, you’ll be inspired with every visit. hello@thekitchentabledorset.co.uk

@thekitchentabledorset

01747 855769

59a High Street, Shaftesbury SP78JE

milk again and other essentials. What are they doing? They are endangering the future of our poor farmers who are already being pushed too far. We are in a wonderful growing season right now in the UK, so let’s make the most of it by eating British food. Consumers may be going out less often, but many are looking for better quality when they do, so it’s great to see the public’s support for British farmers and food producers and that quality is still important to them.

Barley is used for malting to be made into beer, and is found in cereals, cakes, flat breads, muffins, pasta, noodles, food colourings and more PHOTO: Pixabay/ NoName_13

Quality food at a fair price is key for our health and wellbeing. It’s important that we don’t rely on low-cost foods that have become the norm. Foods should be safe and fully traceable, which is exactly what you get when you buy British. n Barbara Cossins is founder of Love Local Trust Local. Love Local Trust Local –www. lovelocaltrustlocalawards. co.uk; Rawston Farm Butchery – www.rawstonfarmbutchery. co.uk; The Langton Arms –www.thelangtonarms.co.uk.

The Kitchen Table will officially open its doors to the public on 19th August, warmly inviting all local food lovers and book enthusiasts to explore the shop.

Meditations in nature: The Little Terns of Chesil Beach

by Susanna Curtin

ALTHOUGH it is the height of summer, I am wrapped in warm clothing as my feet slowly and noisily crunch over the stones at Chesil Beach. There is a blustering north-westerly wind which has whipped the sea into a frenzy of white horses and crashing waves. With my face down, I defy this wild weather as I head towards a small, fenced area where one of the UK’s smallest migratory seabirds comes each year from West Africa to raise its young between April and August.

Ever since I was a child travelling to and from the Isles of Scilly on board the Scillonian, I have been besotted by seabirds. They captured my

imagination as they came alongside the ship, their wing tips brushing the rolling waves as they skimmed over the swell. As masters of air, sea and land, these astonishing creatures live on the edge of the world in distant oceans, coming to shore only to foster the next generation.

I have made pilgrimages over land and sea to watch colonies of gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars, shearwaters, puffins, cormorants, shags, guillemots and razor bills. Although each seabird is a joy to behold, it is the terns that I love the most for their astonishing flight patterns, clean plumage and break-neck dives. They have the agility of a hawk, yet the elegance of a

tropicbird.

We have five species of tern that nest in the UK. These are Roseate, Common, Arctic, Sandwich and Little. Although Little Tern colonies occur on several of our sandy-shingle beaches, they are the second rarest seabird that breeds here with only 1,500 pairs, and they are certainly the most vulnerable to disturbance from humans and dogs, as their nests are just shallow scrapes on the beach. Flooding from high tides and predation also threaten their

success. Thus, their continuation has become reliant on conservation management. As I reach the protected area, I scan the ground for chicks, but being masters of disguise, they are perfectly camouflaged as they rest in their shingle nests. The adults, however, are far easier to spot as they fly out towards the ocean to fish. I follow their flight over the steep shingle bank where I can see several birds hovering precariously over the stormy waves close to shore. Although

Agrimony can create joy, harmony

by Fiona Chapman

ONE of my favourite herbs that I see as I walk, particularly in the last few weeks, is agrimony. It is easy to recognise and is usually on grassy banks with bright yellow flowers on a long stalk, called by some ‘church steeples’.

If you stop and squeeze the plant, it smells delicious and as the flowers die off the seeds left are like little sticky bullets all the way up the stalk that will come off on your clothes as you brush past. Because of that it was also given the name stickwort.

It is a very old herb not very popular now with modern herbalists, but it has rather a magical reputation. They say if you put a stem of agrimony under your pillow as you sleep, you will remain asleep, as

though dead until the stem is removed. (I think I had better try it as sleep and I do not

always get on!)

Apparently, if you harvest the whole plant in September, it

will give you a yellow dye that was used on wool. The AngloSaxons believed it was an excellent vulnerary herb that would help heal wounds, warts and snake bites.

It is astringent, so a strong tea was used for loose bowels and it had a good reputation for helping with the liver and jaundice. This may well have been because of its bitter principles stimulating bile and the fact it makes a yellow dye which would be a doctrine of signatures.

Agrimony is a very important Bach Flower remedy that I often use. It is for those who hide their troubles behind a smile. Agrimony types will do anything not to show what is going on below the surface. They appear outwardly relaxed but underneath there can be

One Little Tern has snaffled a tiny fish PHOTO: Angela Thomas

Agrimony has a rather magical reputation

PHOTO: Kev/Pixabay

only 24cm long, the size of a blackbird, they have long, graceful thin wings with dark grey upper sides and tips that look like they have been dipped in black ink. They boast a smart black cap with a white forehead and yellow bill and have a very distinctive hovering flight. That is, until they fold their wings back and plunge-dive into the waves to catch a sand eel. It is like watching an aerial ballet and almost impossible to perceive how such a small, delicate bird can withstand the force of the strong ocean currents. But, like many seabirds, Little Terns can live surprisingly long lives, even up to 25 years if all is well.

Satisfied that I have seen these beautiful birds, I head back to the visitor centre for a hot drink. Recorded on a small noticeboard, it says that there are 60 Little Tern nests this year and 40-plus fledglings, making it a success story in an otherwise wider picture of gloom. The UK is of international importance for seabirds with about eight million of them frequenting our coastline. But since 2021, an

avian flu outbreak, coupled with the changing climate and increasing plastic pollution, has continued to devastate our seabird populations.

When I read Samuel Coleridge’s famous poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner at school, I was distraught for the poor albatross who is shot with a crossbow in total disregard. Written in 1798, it is indeed a prophetic tale of what we do to our fellow creatures, but it is not without some hope. For the mariner is eventually redeemed when he begins to appreciate all forms of life on earth and changes his ways. I hope that we all start listening to the calls of nature and that my grandchildren will still be able to hear the delightful chitterchattering of a Little Tern.

The Little Tern colony at Chesil is protected by a partnership of conservation organisations, led by the RSPB alongside the Chesil & Fleet Nature Reserve, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Portland Court Leet (Crown Estate).

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

and balance

absolute chaos and a whirlpool of worry. I find a lot of people could be called an ‘agrimony type’. What they present to the world is nothing like what they are feeling inside.

Edward Bach, who came up with the Bach Flower remedies, thinks that agrimony types don’t really like to acknowledge themselves as a unit, preferring to think they are like the outside

person they are portraying and not connecting with the inside person who is suffering.

A few drops of agrimony on the tongue can bring these two sides together to create harmony, balance and joy and put problems and worries into perspective.

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

Dorset Multiple Sclerosis Society are opening a new social club in North Dorset based in Shaftesbury.

Starting off by operating once a month it will give those with MS and their carers an opportunity to meet, share experiences and get advice as well as having refreshments and cake. The days and times are not yet finalised because we want to reflect your needs and wishes. It might also be possible to bring in speakers and, for those who wish, go for a swim. We are also looking for volunteers who might be able to help with the organisation of this new venture.

Practising gratitude: Keep it simple

by Alice Johnsen

YESTERDAY, as I took the train to London to explore Hyde Park with my family, I indulged in some proper newspaper reading – not the norm during school holidays as many will know.

I was encouraged to find an article by Bryony Gordon about practising gratitude. She told me about the mad and pointlesssounding carry-ons arranged by an NHS advisor, Helen Bevan – not sure if she is related to its founder, Aneruin Bevan, but no matter.

Today’s NHS Bevan encourages us to create gratitude paper capes for colleagues to write on our backs all the things they like about us. I’ll spare you more detail.

Fortunately, Ms Gordon moved on to the kind of practising gratitude I encourage clients to do. The simple act of finishing your day by looking

back on what has happened and what you are glad about.

‘Keep it simple’ started one paragraph. Quite. Simple works here. A notebook or on your phone – I’d go for notebook every time – where you list all the joyous, good, positive, interesting successes or happenings.

So, mine today might be 1 – An interesting meeting with a local charity. 2 – An uninterrupted bath at the start of my day. 3 – Inspiration came from the fridge for what to give everyone for supper.

Not made up – those are the first three things that came to mind. You see? Not groundbreaking or podcast worthy –please no! – but enough to get us looking back over the day and highlighting the positives among the challenges or disappointments.

Some people like to keep their lists to look back on over

the months ahead. This may be helpful if you are going through a life-altering challenge such as divorce or medical treatment. To see in black and white how you have progressed is very often surprising and encouraging.

Bryony Gordon made two other good points. First, you don’t have to be rosy-cheeked grateful about it all, all the time. Being almost ungrateful is okay too, in the form of ‘someone was really unkind at work but I stood up to them’. Or, ‘I was

It’s good to list all the joyous, good, positive, interesting successes or happenings over the course of a day

PHOTO: Pixabay 4653867

really grumpy with so-and-so and I knew it.’ So maybe gratitude is also about appreciation, awareness.

Secondly, she wrote:

“Practising gratitude is not about acknowledging that other people might have it worse –it’s about recognising and cherishing the ways in which your life is good.” I couldn’t agree more.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based near Sherborne (07961 080513; alicejohnsen.co.uk)

osc_info@sherborne.com

Our Swim School is expanding, spaces now available

TOYOTA RAV4 SUV - Black, 58,000 miles. Two Lady owners. Immaculate condition. Diesel. £3,250 ONO. 01963 371501

MONDEO 2012 1.6 PETROL TURBO. Silver. MOT Jan. 70,500 miles. Good condition. £3250 ONO. Tel 01747 823931 Gillingham.

SUZUKI SX4 S25 MANUAL 1.6. 25,279 miles. First registered 31/12/13. Superior White. Excellent condition. Garaged. £7,500 ono. Henstridge. 07961 507554

MITSUBISHI L200 2006 211k new gearbox and clutch crewcab MOT June £2500 reliable workhorse

Tel: 07516 990810

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

UNWANTED VEHICLES bought for cash ●Mot failures

●Nonrunners ●Unfinished projects ●end of life scrap vehicles ●minimum of £200 paid for complete vehicles. Call Ryan on 07474 737577

MOTORBIKES WANTED Non runners and Unwanted Phone Keith on 07966 213344

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

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

SUNRISE SERVICE & MOT CENTRE

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

2015 15 VW GOLF MATCH (AUTO) 31K MILES

2013

5.7

COMMERCIAL 2019 (19) FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 34,000 MILES

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

Diagnostics

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

Air conditioning

Valets

MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

MOTs – class 4, 5 and 7

Courtesy Cars

Diagnostics

Diagnostics Air Conditioning

Air conditioning

Collections within a 5 mile radius

Courtesy Cars

Valets

Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services

Concessions for Armed Forces and Emergency Services

Courtesy Cars

Collections within a 5 mile radius

Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services

WE WILL BE TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2023 TO SUNDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2023

THE TELEPHONE LINE DURING THIS PERIOD WILL THEREFORE BE CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2023

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT MAY BE AVAILABLE VIA

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that the Fifehead Village Hall Committee has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Parish Room, Fifehead Neville for the regulated entertainment and the provision of alcohol generally between the hours of 08:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-mailing: 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 via email or phone on 01305 838028. 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 is unlimited.

DATE: 8th August 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT SARAH FERNANDES has applied in respect of The Fontmell Pub, Crown Hill, SP7 0PA for a Premises Licence under the Licencing Act 2003 to allow for selling of alcohol and live music 7 days a week for

10 am to 12 am any day of the week. Representations to this application must be made in writing by 24th August 2023 to the Licencing Team, North Dorset District Council, Salisbury Rd DT11 7LL.

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that JULIE HARRIS has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of black cactus, 58A High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8A for REGULATED ENTERTAINMENT AND THE PROVISION OF ALCOHOL generally between the hours of 11am and 11pm Monday to Sunday. Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-mailing: 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: 8th August 2023

IN MEMORIAM

MEMORIAL CONCERT FOR DEREK STANFIELD

St Mary’s Church, Sturminster Newton, Thursday, August 31st at 3pm in aid of Parkinsons’ disease. Come and listen to the music from his funeral service which you missed because of the power cut! All Welcome.

DEATHS

BERYL LITTLE

Peacefully at home on 8th August 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Beryl aged 81 years, of Henstridge. Much loved wife of Gordon. Loving Mum, Nan and Great Nan. She will be dearly missed. Private Cremation. Donations if desired, in memory of Beryl for either Cats Protection or Alzheimer’s Society can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or sent c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St,Henstridge BA8 0RB

JUNE ROSEMARY AXON

Died peacefully at home aged 82 years, after a long battle with cancer, on 1st August 2023. A loving mother to Peta and Ian, sister to Thomas, Martin and Hazel and dear friend to Jan. A private service will be held in due course. Donations if desired for Blackmore Stroke Club or Young Lives Vs Cancer may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield and Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU Tel: 01747 853532

DEATHS

PATRICIA MARY GIBBS

Née Aldwell

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our beloved sister Trish

ANTHONY MICHAEL COOPER

Peacefully on 5th August 2023. Tony aged 75 Years of Wonston. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 31st August at 12noon. Enquiries to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0RB. Tel 01963 362570

AMISS DOROTHY MAY

Née Hyde

Suddenly on 1st August, aged 81 years. Will be missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday 5th September, at 11:20am.

MASTERS

Frederick Roy Davis (Roy)

Aged 91 years of North Cadbury. (Formerly of Yarlington.) Sadly missed by family and friends. Funeral Service at Mendip Crematorium on Wednesday 30th August at 12.30.p.m.

Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Roy are being invited for Cancer Research UK.

C/O Harold F.Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

Announcements

MARY IRENE WARWICK

Passed away peacefully on July 30th at the Yeatman hospital, aged 79. Burial at Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground, Shillingstone on 30th August at 12 O’Clock. Family flowers only, please.

PAUL STUART EDWARDS

on 31st July 2023 at home aged 79 years, of Sedgehill, retired veterinary surgeon.

Much loved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.

Following a short committal service at Hamdown Woodland Burial Ground, Shillingstone, refreshments and a celebration of his life will take place at The Benett Arms, Semley on Friday 18th August at 1.30pm.

Enquiries to Merefield and Henstridge F/D.

Tel: 01747 853532

COAD

JOANNA MARY

Jo died peacefully after a long battle aged 64 years on 29th July 2023. Devoted wife to Simon. Loving Mother to Steve, Michael, and Bert. Stepmother to Dan, Sarha and Kirsty. A treasured Grandma.

Jo’s funeral service will be held at 10:30am, Monday 21st August 2023 in The Long Barrow Ceremony Hall, Harbour View, BH16 6AN. Family flowers only but donations if desired to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Princess Hospital and Spires Smiles via www.tapperfuneralservice.co.uk or sent to 32-34, Parkstone Road, Poole, BH15 2PG 01202 673164

ROGER STEPHEN GUTTRIDGE

passed away on 8 August 2023 at the age of 73 at Poole Hospital, four years after his leukaemia diagnosis. He battled his illness with courage and determination right up until the very end.

Roger was born on 5 May 1950 to Tom and Connie Guttridge in Redhill, Surrey. The family moved back to Connie’s native Dorset in the early 50s. Shortly after commencing studies to become a librarian at Loughborough University, Roger realised that he needed a more exciting channel for his love of literature, and embarked on a 53-year career which embraced a wide range of media work including newspapers and magazines, book writing and publishing, PR and marketing, radio and television. He worked as district reporter, chief reporter and deputy news editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo, authored 20 books and edited several others. He was well known for his books on Dorset and his local history columns for the Blackmore Vale magazine, and as a speaker across the area. Roger also took part in or advised on many television and radio programmes. His other journalistic speciality was the sport of swimming. He was the Bournemouth Daily Echo’s swimming correspondent from 1988 - 2018, contributed to the national Swimming Times magazine, wrote about swimming for newspapers including the Daily and Sunday Express and co-authored the London 2012 Training Guide: Swimming.

Roger continued to work right up until his last week when he was admitted to hospital. He is survived by his loving wife Sylvie and son Andy, and his granddaughter Eliza.

Services will be held at Poole Crematorium on Friday 25 August at 1pm. No flowers please. The family requests donations be made to the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Announcements

NIGEL BAKER

DEATHS

Passed away peacefully at the Weldmar Hospice, Dorchester on Monday, 7th August 2023 aged 78 years. Much loved very special devoted Husband to Margaret. Father of Darren, Amanda & Leanne & Grandad to Olivia. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all his family and friends who knew him.

Funeral service at St. Mary’s Church, Sturminster Newton on Wednesday, 23rd August at 2pm, followed by private burial. Dress code smart casual.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Weldmar Hospicecare.

Enquires to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Tel: 01963 362570

LUCY MARGARET CHEESEMAN ‘ PEGGY’

Passed away peacefully at The Hayes Nursing Home, Sherborne, on the 7th August 2023 aged 97.

A loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be held at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 24th August at 1.20 p.m. Family flowers only please.

Donations if desired, for Friends of the Yeatman Hospital may be sent to c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ

BERNICE ADLEM

Of Child Okeford, sadly passed away on 1st August at Blandford Community Hospital, aged 79 years. Beloved Wife, loving Mum, Nanny and Great Granny.

Funeral Service to be held at St Nicholas Church, Child Okeford on Friday 1st September at 11.30am, followed by burial at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Stourpaine. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired for Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK may be sent to Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Telephone 01258 471024 or made online by visiting www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

GLYNN BERESFORD

On 5th August 2023, suddenly at home aged 40 years, of Shaftesbury.

Beloved son and brother who will be sorely missed.

“Finally at peace”

Funeral service takes place at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday 5th September at 12.00noon.

No flowers please but donations if desired for Bipolar UK 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

MILES Ethel May

Passed away peacefully at home in Gillingham on 30th July 2023, aged 98 years.

Much loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great – great grand mother.

Funeral service at St. Mary’s Church, Gillingham on Tuesday 22nd August at 11:00am followed by interment. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Ethel for

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or sent c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge BA8 0RB Tel. 01963 362570

GILLIAN MATTHEWS MBE

Passed away peacefully on 7th August aged 87 Dearly beloved wife of Franey, mother of Sarah (Dec’d), Belinda, Gerrard & Nicholas. Grandmother to Venetia, Emily, Charlie, Jamie, Antonia, Tom and Elizabeth. Great-grandmother to Isabella Paralympian in the 70’s and 80’s. Ran the Royal Bath & West Disabled Games for 40+ years. Dorset magistrate for 28 years. MBE in 2004 for services to Disabled Sports Memorial service 1st September at St Michaels Church Penselwood BA9 8LS at 2.30pm. No flowers. Donations to The Inspire Foundation

HEATHER YOLANDE FERMIE

Passed away peacefully on 3rd of August at Dorset County Hospital aged 96. Dearly loved mother of Anthony and St John and proud Grandmother of Jonathan and Katy. Funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, 1st September at 2.00pm. Family flowers only please.

Donations for St Mary’s Church, Sturminster Newton can be sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01747 833757

Recruitment

FULL-TIME GARDENER. Private Estate, Gillingham. Email: adamcwillcox@gmail.com to apply

TRAINEE SUSTAINABILITY ANALYST:

Would you love a role that is varied and exciting, in a fast growing consultancy business where no two days are ever the same?

Bachelor’s Degree or Strong A-levels required

You will need to drive for this role. Our office is located near Mear (Wiltshire) with no access to public transport.

Full-time (37.5hours)

Starting Salary £21,250 to £22,500

For more information, please email careers@asesoria-group.com

PART - TIME, EXPERIENCED AND ENTHUSIASTIC GARDENER required to help look after lovely gardens near Gillingham. Please telephone: 07788 536890

BENCH JOINER with experience wanted for a small modern workshop, varied and interesting work. Salary negotiable. Contact 01935 872806 or julian@ jbennettjoinery.com

A.P.STEPHENS & SON LTD

Require Multi-Skilled Labourer

Full time. Blandford Call Luke 07818 297152

FULL TIME, SELF EMPLOYED LABOURER needed. Call Simon 07847 659881

JR TIMBER SERVICES LTD. Looking for experienced persons for fencing, foresting and farming. Salisbury area. 07917 096996

ASSISTANT GARDENER

An assistant gardener is being sought after, to work in the Manor Garden at Cranborne Estate. Reporting to the Head Gardener, you will have experience in pruning, lawn care, wild-flowers, vegetable production and small tools.

Enthusiasm and flexibility, plus being happy to work in a small team, is essential. Experience and gardening knowledge helpful.

Please apply in writing (or email) for a job description to:

The Head Gardener, Estate Office, High Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5 PS. info@cranborne.co.uk www.cranborne.co.uk

GREAT OPPORTUNITY! HEAD COACH REQUIRED for North Dorset Turbos Swimming Club, Gillingham. Contact chairpersonndt@gmail. com to find out more.

GARDENER NEEDED NEAR CHARLTON HAWTHORNE. 3 hours/week. inc. lawn edging, digging and general help in our garden. 07970 442051

GENERAL LABOURER

WANTED to assist with Agricultural groundworks and construction. Full time. Experience not essential but preferred. 07739 638359

PART-TIME PA/CARER wanted East of Shaftesbury. Monday am, Tuesday & Thursday pm, occasional Saturday am, additional hours possible. Varied role, need to be able-bodied to meet demands of the job. Can-do attitude and character more important than skills!

07790 524 241

GP SURGERY LOOKING FOR AN ADMIN/TRAINEE Dispenser for 21 hours over 3 days and flexible to cover staff leave, IT skills required but training will be given. Please contact Georgia at Silton Surgery 01747 840226 or email silton.surgery@nhs.net closing date for applications: 4th Sep 2023

GARDENER/HANDYMAN for approximately 3 hours every fortnight. Suits semi-retired person. Holwell. 01963 23477

ADMIN ONE DAY PER WEEK in farm office near Blandford, experience with Xero software an advantage Call Jill 07976 959689

PA/COMPANION for 20 year old male with autism and severe learning difficulties. Mondays and Tuesdays can be term time only if needed. Shaftesbury area. £12 ph. 07796 882553 for more details

ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED AND RELIABLE DRIVER looking for a flexible part-time opportunity? We’re seeking a skilled driver to join our team and operate our state-of-the-art 7200kg Beaver Tail Car Transporter. Competitive compensation for your time and skills, Flexible parttime schedule to fit your lifestyle, - Opportunity to grow your own client base. Must have a valid commercial driver’s license with appropriate endorsements. Send your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience to info@hmdtrailers.com.

Website: http://www.hmdtrailers.com)

Email: info@hmdtrailers.com

Phone: Neil - 07889 861035

EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR/PA/GIRL FRIDAY seeks work in the North Dorset/Somerset/Wiltshire area. Please call Lou on 07899 976942.

PRIVATE CARE GIVER. DBS checked, own insurance, private care insurance, mature reliable lady. Will travel in 30 mile radius BA7. Fully experienced, contact for more details - 07534 447676

blackmorevale.net/jobs

EARLY MORNING ROUNDS PERSON REQUIRED. Gillingham, East Knoyle, Semley, Sedge Hill, and Shaftesbury areas. Good rates of pay. Training given. 01747 822753 or 07484 216144. Bembos71@googlemail.com

BLACKMORE VALE

PULHAM BUSINESS PARK, PULHAM, DORCHESTER, DORSET, DT2 7DX TEL: 01300 345588

WWW.SNASHALLSTEEL.CO.UK

Workshop Steel Handler

Training in the follow areas will be provided to the right applicant

• Over head crane use

• Counter balance and side loader forklift

• CNC machine operation • First aid Experience in any of the above would be an advantage

Please send your CV to production@snashallsteel.co.uk

Join

Complete care solutions

Registered Manager Home Care

From £42,000

We are looking for an experienced manager with a proven track record to further grow and develop the company and to provide strong and professional leadership to its 35 plus employees. This is a great opportunity for an experienced and energetic manager wishing to further develop their career and provide guidance and support to a great team of dedicated professional carers.

Home Care Assistants

up to £12 per hour

Bramley Home Care are seeking carers to join our dedicated team. Flexible shifts, company vehicle provided, full training and support given. Excellent rates of pay. Travel time and bonuses paid. Staff accommodation available.

Health Care/Senior Assistants

up to £14 per hour

We currently have several exciting opportunities within our teams in each of our residential care homes, including both day, evening, and night shifts for both care assistant and senior roles. The roles offer varied and flexible shift patterns and excellent rates of pay. Enhanced pay for weekends and overtime. Paid breaks and food provided. Staff accommodation available.

Activities Co-ordinator

£11 per hour (20 hours per week)

We have a lovely opportunity for a creative, passionate, and dedicated individual to join our wonderful team at Millbrook House. As the Activities Coordinator you will have responsibility for being the creative mind in supporting our residents to express their individual interests. You must be able to design, organise and deliver engaging activities and lifestyle opportunities that are person centred and enable our residents’ wishes to come true.

To apply and for more information

please visit our website.

CLEANER REQUIRED for holiday cottages near Buckland Newton.

Contact Nicola on 07900 966748 or info@bookhamcourt.co.uk

CHEF REQUIRED to assist ahead and second, chefs in a busy North Dorset pub. Full time to include evenings and weekends salary on application. Please phone (01747) 840866

TYRE FITTER. (If not training can be given to a suitable candidate) with an interest in wheel refurbishment . Full time,Yeovil. Good rates of pay for an enthusiastic employee. Email: andrew@wheelshine.co.uk

BRAMALL GARDENS

requires a new team member to join our established Landscape Company, based in Stalbridge.

Hard work and reliability are essential requirements, along with a clean driving licence.

To apply to please ring 01258 820394

CROOK AND CHURN DAIRY

FARRINGTON, near Child Okeford. Job involves cutting cheese, potting cream and picking orders.

15 hours per week

9am until 2pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays email crookandchurn@btconnect.com or phone 07977 535634

SKILLED GROUNDWORKER/PLANT OPERATOR

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team. Ability to set out & read drawings preferred. Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail.

We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If you are that exible, skilled groundworker who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin on 01258 455219 or email admin@farwellplanthire.co.uk

Sales positions, senior and junior

Full time, Hybrid working. Based in Dorset

We’re a small and growing business with a brilliant, motivated team who work hard across a broad range of activities. We’re looking for two self-motivated team players who are organised and want to be part of this enthusiastic team, willing to contribute to its growth for the benefit of the sector, the organisation and for themselves.

THE ROLE

You will be provided with a portfolio of existing clients as well as given new leads and encouraged to generate your own. The role involves selling advertising space in our monthly publication, Fine Food Digest, and additional supplements, as well as trade and consumer exhibitions throughout the year.

The senior appointment would involve developing partnerships and identifying and securing sponsorship against our food awards and training courses.

YOUR BACKGROUND

You will have a strong track record in sales and will be willing to work as part of team in a business-to-business environment with proven ability to develop client relationships and close sales over the phone for publishing and events.

• Sales experience essential

• Strong communication skills

• Good administrative skills and an eye for detail

• Desire to be hands-on when required as part of a small, friendly team

• Ability to work under pressure, selling across multiple projects simultaneously

• Thrive on achieving regular individual/team targets across multiple projects and working toward deadlines

• Knowledge of CRM database software desirable but not essential

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

We are offering a competitive package, including:

• Package negotiable and in line with experience and ability. Basic salary plus commission

• 25 days paid holiday plus public holidays

• Private health insurance

• Contributory pension

• Life insurance

• Opportunities for training and development

• Exposure to a vast array of delicious independent food and drink

At the Guild of Fine Food, we are committed to creating an open and inclusive working environment. We want to offer equal opportunities for all and encourage applications from all - regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, age, or disability.

Send your CV, with a covering letter explaining why you are right for this role to Sally Coley: sally.coley@gff.co.uk.

Closing date: 31 August 2023

(please note we may start interviewing before the closing date and if a suitable candidate is found then the position may close early, so please get in touch with us as soon as possible if this position is of interest to you).

Office locations: Dorset & London

Registered in England & Wales as The Guild of Fine Food Limited, no. 02744552.

Work-life balance important to Gen Z workers, new research reveals

GENERATION Z (Gen Z) workers view a good work-life balance and job stability as two of the most important factors in their future careers, according to new research revealed recently.

A report by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) - Gen Z in the GME Pipeline - examines the career aspirations and goals of Gen Z students applying to business education courses.

Gen Z is loosely defined as people born in the mid to late 90s.

Analysing and understanding their wants and needs has become more important as this generation begins to dominate the talent pipeline for businesses.

The findings show the importance Gen Z places on success not only in their careers, but their personal lives.

Work-life balance is of utmost importance to them, not just during their time in management education but also in their future careers.

And while financial gain remains a motivation, they also desire fulfilment, happiness, and stability.

Stability on one hand is associated with financial independence; respondents expressed a desire to set up a strong foundation for their future from their early

career.

But stability for Gen Z is also considered as an important trait they identify when assessing the sector, industry and jobs they aspire to, a lasting consequence of the Covid pandemic.

While finance and accounting are seen as stable career paths, Gen Z on average finds tech more turbulent than millennials and are less likely to want to pursue a career within the industry.

This is seemingly due to the mass firings that have been seen across tech companies such as Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon, exacerbated by the volatile nature of tech company stocks and shares.

Other findings from the report indicate Gen Z’s greater inclination towards collaboration and inclusivity.

They envision future careers where they can collaborate with diverse teams, valuing perspectives from peers of different nationalities and cultures, and prioritising workplaces that address climate change and social injustice, aiming for careers that make a positive impact.

On average, the respondents were optimistic about their individual future’s but anxious about the state of the world— including its impact on their own lives.

The report finds an “emotional undercurrent” to the ambitions and career aspirations of Gen Z, where respondents highlighted that they wanted to feel a sense of pride in their work.

Gen Z are also more likely to want to see social action from their employers than millennials, whether that be regarding sustainability, climate change and/or inclusivity.

“Gen Z are a highly socially conscious and aware generation that manages to balance ambitious future career plans alongside anxiety for the future of their community and the world,” said GMAC regional director for Europe, Nalisha Patel.

“And they want employers and educators to respond to their expectations. From personalised courses and modules in higher education, to hybrid work in the professional world, Gen Z want their education and work to really reflect their interests as well function alongside their personal ambitions.

“Undertaking this research helps us not only understand this, but also compare with other generations too.”

The report draws on qualitative research conducted by GMAC between 2022 and 2023.

Gen Z workers value a good work-life balance

Rockies off to good start

by Avril Lancaster

SHAFTESBURY earned a second league win in a week with a 1-0 victory over United Services Portsmouth on Saturday in the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division at Cockrams.

Brett Pitman converted a penalty on the 38th minute to

FOOTBALL

separate the sides after Luke Holmes had been fouled in the box.

Ash Pope had a good effort saved by Logan O'Donnell in the visitor’s goal in the second half – O'Donnell also tipped a blistering half volley over the

bar from Brett Pitman.

Josh Bailey hit the Rockies bar late in the game with a header and the visitors remained very well organised until the final whistle.

Two league wins are certainly a good start for Luke Burbidge and Jim Milligan’s team.

Ladies coin in lights cash

WINCANTON Town Ladies FC have been fundraising in the town’s Morrisons supermarket to help purchase portable battery floodlights.

The lights will enable the team to train on grass during the darker months.

The club raised £378.78 and would like to thank everyone who gave their generous support.

Fans who want to see the team in action can head to Wincanton Sports Ground for a friendly against Longham Ladies on Sunday, August 20, 2pm kick-off.

For the latest news and fixture list for the ladies team and Wildcats – youth – visit www.wtlfc.co.uk.

Amesbury looking for match day help

AMESBURY Town Football Club have started the new season in the Wiltshire Senior League.

Home games are played at Bonnymead Park in Amesbury and for 2023/24 a new management team and players are looking forward to a successful season and promotion to the Wessex League.

JUNIOR ANGLING

Jack’s lord of manor!

by Graham Howard, DDAS junior secretary

DORCHESTER & District Angling Society juniors fished their seventh points match of the season at the extremely prolific Todber Manor.

Seven Juniors battled with some wet and breezy conditions on Ash Lake, in what would be the most successful junior event to date.

There were lots of fish to be caught, and caught they were right from the start.

The wind did not make it easy, particularly for some of the less experienced juniors, but

The club is run by an enthusiastic, friendly team and new faces are always welcome.

Match day volunteers are wanted, so if you would like to help, you will be made very welcome.

The remaining home games in August are: Saturday, August 19, against Calne

they excelled themselves.

Many carp from 2lb up to and over 9lb were netted with the lowest weight of the seven 106lb.

Jack Copp, using a mix of pole and feeder, was the runaway winner with 198lb 15oz, 25 championship points and a new junior match record.

A fighting second place was claimed by Josiah Wells-Parkes with a personal best match weight of 140lb 2oz. Third went to Oliver Smith with 138lb 2oz.

For more junior information visit www.ddasjuniors.co.uk or email juniors.sec@d-das.com

Membership information at www.d-das.com, fishery information at www. todbermanor.co.uk

Town Res, 3pm; Tuesday, August 22, versus Ludgershall, 7.30pm; Saturday, August 26, against Wroughton, 3pm. Admission £4, seniors £2 and under-16s free.

The club can be contacted on Twitter @ AmesburyFC and for news and information, see the club’s website, amesburytownfc. weebly.com

Cara Cup winners

THE Daytona format tested even the most proficient and experienced golfers when Wheathill Golf Club staged the Cara Cup.

Plaudits went to the eventual winners, Dave Kerswell and Lynn O’Neill.

The club’s Charity Bowmaker competition was well supported, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Several holes were sponsored for the day by J R Carpets, Taunton Plumbing & Heating and E G Carter & Co, and Wheathill provided a raffle, which together raised £1,080. Bob Kerswell, Chris Cox and Keith James won the competition six points ahead of a tightly packed field.

Louis Kellaway and Aaron Roberts close down United Services Portsmouth

In the picture (left) Keith James, Lady Captain Jen Warmington and Chris Cox; Cara Cup winners (right) Dave Kerswell and Lynn O’Neill

80-plus swimmers in champs

YEOVIL District Swimming

Club held their annual club championships at Oxley Sports Centre in Sherborne.

More than 80 swimmers of various ages from six through to some of the club’s master’s swimmers took part over two weekends of events.

Girls 10-year-old 400m freestyle – 1 Isla Gibson. Boys 800m freestyle – 1 Hugo Stevens. Girls 15-plus 100m freestyle – 1 Lottie Kollmeier, 2 Scarlett Dodge, 3 Alyssa Parker. Girls 13-year-old 50m

SWIMMING

fly – 1 Soccoro Bowen, 2 Matilda Davies, 3 Alicia Hopkins. Boys 10-year-old 100m breaststroke 1, Harry Downting, 2 Samuel Peach, 3 Oliver Tomkins. Boys 1500m freestyle – 1 Theo Perrin. Boys 15-plus 1500m freestyle - 1 Rowan Hooper, 2 Ryan Blake. Girls 200m breastroke – 1 Coco Manning, 2 Hettie Stevens, 3 Victoria Zygiert. Girls nineyear-old 50m freestyle - Lexie Coombs, 2 Otti Abernethy, 3

Late skimmers land Steve win

THE Reid Trophy included Sturminster & Hinton AA’s third summer points match at Hamgate Farm using Big Ham, Little Ham and the upstream pegs of Sowley.

The river still held some colour after rain but conditions were far from ideal with most of the 23 competitors coping with a strong downstream wind which, for many, was also in the face.

Given the incessant drizzle plus the odd pulse of heavier rain, it made for a pretty miserable day.

Weights inevitably suffered unless anglers could find one or

more bonus fish and Steve Harvey on the upstream end peg had five decent skimmers in the last hour to win with 11lbs 4ozs.

Second was John Taylor, who managed 8lbs 6ozs of mainly perch, backed up with small chub, dace and roach.

John Moody was third from a peg at the bottom end of Big Ham with 6lbs 11ozs which included a 5lb-plus tench.

The final framing weight was Rob Fletcher with 6lbs 3ozs, which also included a bonus tench.

The three section prize

Rosa Grana. Girls 15-plus 50m freestyle age - 1 Charlotte Harries, 2 Emma Stacey, 3 Ella Hooper. Boys 12-year-old 50 fly – 1 Dexter Scott, 2 Giulio D'Andrea, 3 Harry Abbott. Boys 25m backstroke – 1 Edwin Ollis, 2 Oscar Hallet, 3 Niklas Loxston. Girls 25m backstroke – 1 Roisin Lafferty, 2 Ella Little. Top Boys Trophy – 1 Theo Perrin. Top Girls Trophy – 1 (joint) Lottie Kollmeier, Rebecca Tomkins. The club are now having a break from racing during the off

season, but training will continue ready for the new season in October starting with the Somerset ASA Development Meet.

For anyone looking to Join Yeovil District Swimming Club, free taster sessions are being held on Saturday, September 23 (8am) at Goldenstones Yeovil and Sunday, September 24 (8.30am) at Oxley Sports Centre, Sherborne.

For further details contact membership.ydsc@gmail.com or visit www.ydsc.co.uk.

winners were Tony Cairns with 3lbs 5ozs in Big Ham, Jamie Bumby with 3lbs 12ozs from

Wheelers do triathlon, too

GILLIGHAM & District

Wheelers (GDW) have been a staple of the local bike scene for 30 years, but now a triathlon arm has been added and members are seeing the rewards.

Innes Wright (pictured centre) was crowned British age-group champion in the recent Sunderland Olympic distance race and will go on to represent Britain in next year’s world championships in Malaga.

TRIATHLON

At the end of August, he will join Roger Biles at the world 70.3 championships in Lahti, Finland, and then join Mark Jacobs at the Ironman World Championships in Nice in early September.

The season finishes with Vince Hounsome pulling on the British jersey in the Pontevedra Olympic distance world championships, having already been 4th in the European

championships in May. Their cycling has benefited significantly from the Wednesday evening cycling time trial series and the Saturday club rides that GDW have always been known for.

However, the recent introduction of Monday evening swim and Thursday evening run intervals have helped to sharpen their performances.

More information can be found at www.gdw.org.uk

Little Ham, and Lee Woodhouse with 3lbs 14ozs in the downstream section at Sowley.

John Moody with his 5lbs-plus tench

Pets and problems with hot weather

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

HOT weather can have multiple effects on our pets. It can affect them in many ways both directly and indirectly, and we can help reduce the severity of these issues.

Hot, humid weather reduces oxygen availability and reduces the ability to breathe normally. Dogs with heart or lung disease or brachycephalic – short-faced – breeds are more affected by these conditions. When a dog is ‘coping’ with normal conditions they can quickly deteriorate in the heat and struggle to breathe. This can lead to distressed breathing, collapse and, potentially, death. Avoiding walking dogs with these conditions in the heat can reduce the risks.

Pavements and tarmac can get very hot on sunny days and repeated activity on these surfaces such as chasing a ball or running around can lead to blisters forming on the pads and painful lesions which can take

call 01963 400186

several weeks to fully heal. If you do have to walk in warm weather, carry water for your dog to drink to avoid overheating.

Cars can get very hot very quickly on sunny days. The glass windows allow heat from sunlight through like a greenhouse and internal surfaces absorb heat rapidly increasing the internal temperature. Leaving windows open may not be enough to offset these increased temperatures and dogs left in hot cars can quickly become distressed and die.

Playing with a hose or paddling pool is great for cooling hot dogs but excessive water drinking can cause hyponatremia where low blood levels of sodium develop due to excessive dilution. Similarly, dogs can develop hypernatraemia – high sodium – from excessive drinking of sea water when at the beach. Both conditions are life threatening.

Cats often drink from outdoor sources and hot weather

can cause these sources to dry up. Ensure that fresh water is always available, even if your cat doesn’t normally choose to drink from it. Cats are good at regulating their own temperature by choosing cool, shaded areas to sleep. However, cats with heart disease can suddenly deteriorate and show increased effort to breathe, open mouth breathing and a reluctance to move or eat.

Small furries can struggle in the heat due to lack of ventilation and space to move to cooler areas. Hutches and runs placed in full sun can quickly get too hot leading to risk of death. Repositioning the run, providing extra shade and ventilation, and ensuring plenty of fresh water should reduce the risks.

Overheating can rapidly cause irreversible damage and it is essential you start cooling your pet as soon as you realise there is a problem, even if you

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Avoiding exercise during hot weather, taking water on walks where walking is essential and preventing dogs lying out in full sun can avoid problems

are seeking veterinary care. Immersing young healthy dogs in cold water, soaking the coat of older dogs in cold water, using a fan and providing cold water to drink have all been shown in studies to be effective and safe for rapid cooling.

Dogs with thick coats are more at risk of overheating due to the insulating properties of their coats and this insulation can make cooling more difficult. Studies have shown dogs benefit from clipping out these coats when other methods of preventing overheating are unavailable.

Simply avoiding exercise during hot weather, taking water on walks where walking is essential and preventing dogs lying out in full sun can avoid problems. Dogs choose to lie on indoor tiled floors which remain cooler than other surfaces. Ice cubes can be provided as ‘treats’ and ad lib cold drinking water should be freely available.

GUINEA PIGS FOR SALE

Males £10, females £20. Tel: 01963 458199

BEAUTIFUL BLUE MERL BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES: £1,200 - 07397 783624

DOGGY DAY CARE WANTED.

3-4 days per week starting from 4th September. Gillingham Shaftesbury area. Please contact Freya on 07799 795520

YELLOW LABRADOR PUPPIES. KC registered. Excellent hip and elbow scores. Clear eyes. Ready for new homes 07/09. Call 07968 862432

PHOTO: Lucio Liu/Pixabay

MID DORSET BRANCH CATS PROTECTION Cats looking for new homes

n Bagheera (eight years). Lovely boy looking for a quiet home with no children or other pets

n Peggy (14 years). Likes fuss on her terms. Sweet old girl who acts younger than her age

BEHAVIOUR TIPS

Tip #46: Kissing, hugging and direct eye contact

by Helen Taylor

n Misty (four years). Loving, on her own terms, looking for a garden to explore in a safe location

n Buttons (eight years). Delightful and would be a great companion to someone.

HUMANS – like most primates – enjoy close face-to-face contact – including kissing and hugging with those we are intimate with, and direct eye contact is considered polite.

It’s important to remember that dogs are NOT primates, and hugging and kissing are completely alien to them and may actually feel potentially threatening.

n Bean & Boo (two months).

Bundles of fun looking for a home together

n Lulu (three years). Sweet girl who is a little nervous but looking for a home in which she can blossom

n Norman and Wesley (three months). This pair of gorgeous little boys are a delight, with the loudest purrs ever!

We also have kittens which will be looking for homes in the coming weeks – please get in touch to register your interest. Outdoors cats looking for homes – farms, stables etc For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website www.cats.org.uk/blandford.

LOST CATS

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

FOUND CATS

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

To a dog, being hugged or kissed is essentially being restrained, and close or sustained eye contact is usually an outright threat – unless trained to associate it with good things.

When confronted with these behaviours most dogs will try to turn their face and/or eyes away slightly.

They do this for two reasons – firstly to try and avoid the encounter – as it makes them uncomfortable – and secondly to avoid being forced into making close direct eye contact to you – as very few dogs will want to issue such a threat to a member of their family.

They are also highly likely to use one or more ‘calming signals’ – behavioural signs that indicate their discomfort – such as lip-licking or yawning.

Of course, many dogs do enjoy contact with those they love, but just not the same sort of contact that we tend to use.

n Helen Taylor is a qualified, accredited behaviourist, a certified clinical animal behaviourist, a registered practitioner with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and is a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (no 881). help@helentaylordorset.co.uk; www.helentaylordorset.co.uk

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

Pets

Large increase in cruelty to cats

FIVE cats a day are suffering at the hands of humans – with reports of cruelty to cats increasing by 25% compared with last year.

New figures show, in 2022, the number of reports made to the RSPCA about intentional harm to cats was 1,726 – about five a day. This is up from 1,387 in 2021, an increase of 25%.

Since 2016, there have been 17,938 reports of deliberate cruelty to cats.

In the summer months cases of cruelty rise and the charity braces itself for its busiest time of the year. Reports of alleged cruelty soar to 8,400 each month in the summer – a shocking 274 reports every day.

The charity has released the staggering figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.

Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK, with an estimated 11

million pet cats in UK homes, but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet – after dogs.

“It's heart-breaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans – it really is appalling – but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.

“We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty – being beaten, burnt, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.

“In many cases these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners – the very people who are supposed to love and protect them. But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own, which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”

RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale

BUSYPETZ

EVERYTHING FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Food for our furry family members, cats, dogs, rabbits, guineau pigs, birds. Grain-free, vegetarian, frozen, gluten & sugar-free chews, natural treats. Soft toys, leather toys, leads & collars, coats, cool & heat pads, veterinary bedding, shampoo, towels... even microchipping!

Come and browse with a friendly chat... and if you don’t see what you want please ask!

“Every time we’re anywhere near Busypetz, Pebbles takes me to lovely Vanessa.” Anja C

and rising. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost-of-living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.

“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”

Cat who had boiling water poured on it survived against the odds

A CAT was left in excruciating pain for five days after having boiling water poured on him in a deliberate attack.

Benny had extensive scald wounds across his head, neck, shoulders, body and legs, and was unable to walk on his feet, which were also affected by the horrific burns, before he was rescued by the RSPCA from an address in Greater Manchester and taken to the vets for urgent treatment.

Vet staff worked hard to save his life after finding scalding across many different body regions, including his head, neck, right shoulder and side of the chest and some of the claws on his feet had fallen off. His wounds were cleaned and he was placed on a drip in an isolation pod to recover.

He later underwent six operations and was in the care of the RSPCA for six months until he was ready to be re-homed.

Busypetz, the home of cool pet products – now open!

I’m Vanessa Nash, some of you will know me for microchipping pets across the Blackmore Vale and selling pet products for near on 20 years. I have now started my own micro pet shop, where you never know what you’re going to find in our widening range...

We have our own grain-free Cat & Dog biscuits – Wyke Canine & Wyke Feline, Shapes & Gravy bones, Wild & Caged bird seeds, Rabbit & Guinea Pig food plus bedding and all that stuff pet shops sold years ago, I also stock natural treats, and Woolly Bullies natural wool cat toys.

Paleo Ridge frozen foods with more frozen to come, Handmade Apawtiser dog biscuits mean you

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can treat your dog at coffee time and they also make peanut butter jars (safe for dogs) and Maks Patch vegetarian grain, gluten & sugar free chew treats.

We do KONG & other soft toys, Miro & Makauri natural leather toys, leads & collars, Hi-Viz coats, cool or heat pads, pet bed pads, veterinary bed, shampoo & towels and more.

Microchipping for cats & dogs available by appointment.

See us on Stand K48 at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show next to Cheriton Country Canines

The RSPCA says incidents of cruelty to cats have increased 25% in the last year

Ins and outs of showing sheep

by Tria Stebbing

IT’S showtime again, and those organised breeders will be getting their sheep ready to show. Preparations start as early as lambing, with breeders keen to spot those show-off lambs that crave human interaction.

Show animals need to be in good condition, so right from weaning it is important to get the correct amount of feed to improve the animal’s presentation – not too fat but with good muscle formation.

All sheep of our breed that are to be shown, must be sheared between January 1 and May 1 in the same year. After shearing the coat is short and grows quite slowly. If you shear too early the temperature may fall and the animals may need to be housed indoors; if you shear late, then the sun may bleach the fleece and make it present as dark brown, rather than the preferred black.

Leading your sheep around the show ring is the pinnacle of a sheep breeder’s show season, unless, of course, the sheep is jumping on the halter like a bucking bronco. If you apply any pressure to the halter, the sheep will pull its head back instinctively.

Most of our sheep leap into the air before throwing themselves onto the ground and settling down to try again. It is a curious look and makes us look

as though we don’t have a clue – sheep are good at that.

After mastering walking, give the sheep a good shampoo – ideally NOT while it is trying to jump into the air before playing dead – and let it dry outside thoroughly. Carding the fleece makes the coat stand up, a bit like back-combing, and brings the drier brown bleached coat to the top, which is then trimmed carefully with hand shears, leaving the true black colour. Serious contenders will then spray the fleece with a fixer, a bit like hairspray for sheep, and cover them with a rug to keep them clean.

Then there is the human – a white coat, sensible shoes and a perfectly held arm to hold the sheep in the best position. Sending your cute children into the show ring with a jaunty cap and miniature white coat can almost guarantee the judge’s eye and the attention of the

crowd.

We prefer to leave our sheep where they can be sheep – in their field, and don’t show. Every now and then we breed a super-looking lamb which we gleefully think will make a good show sheep, but alas my patience for sheep that willingly throw themselves onto the ground when wearing a halter is slim, and I am far happier walking around the shows looking at what everyone else does.

Sebastian on the other hand might be a different story. Not so much of the preening with the Highland Cattle, lots of combing, which he loves, but not so much back-combing. Maybe next year we will finally get ourselves up to the Gillingham & Shaftesbury in our white coats, but until then, good luck to our fellow breeders, may you do yourselves proud!

Wildlife areas are looking well

by Ruth Kimber

BACK in the routine, holiday seems a while ago. The dull overcast days are quite depressing, and as summer ticks by we must make the most of dry days to keep up with the work. Flexibility is the key, lists loom large in my world, it’s easier to use time usefully if you have a list, and it so nice to tick or run a pencil through the job as it’s completed. I try to put quick, easy-to-do jobs on the list – it makes for a good feeling of achievement – but some jobs stay stubbornly on the list and have to be moved to the next one!

Our fencing posts have been tested this year, with wet soil, miserable weather and earlier hot, dry days. The cattle go to the hedges for shade and shelter, nudging each other for the prime spot, testing the fence. Fencing posts are expensive and don’t last like they used to. The treatment used to prolong and protect them has changed for

health and safety reasons, and the replacement doesn’t do the job nearly as well or for as long. We solve one problem with health and safety issues but create another with cost of replacement and a greater call on the environment, as these posts have to be grown and cut, treated, transported and so on.

So fencing is always on the list!

The turkeys are now off heat and well feathered up. Talking of Christmas, we have had to order Christmas goods for the shop, or we will be disappointed. And the first of the Christmas orders have started to trickle in!

Tom has dried off the first of the autumn calvers, who are ‘on holiday’ in an outlying pasture. Vigilance when checking them is needed to ensure they are well and no problems are brewing. The damp, warm weather is prefect for the fly population, which can cause problems to cattle’s eyes and

udders. Easily treated, but time is all important to avoid long-term damage and discomfort.

The wildlife areas we planted in spring are looking well, with loads of insects enjoying the extra pollen provided. We have used odd corners and verges for this, not so easy on a stock farm, as they have to be away from munching cattle! However, these areas still have to be managed, otherwise invasive plants will soon take over. Stinging nettles, docks and bramble host wildlife too, but we have plenty of these in the hedge row banks, corners and ditches. When the flowers have died back and seeds have been eaten, we will cut the remaining foliage and remove it, to prevent enrichment of the soil. Wildflowers prefer and prosper on poorer soil.

My brother-in-law Martyn Brown, who has for years looked after areas of the two churchyards and hedges, is

doing the same with an area in the churchyard. This is being done across the nation, giving extra habitat for wildlife. Martyn was our churchwarden until recently. Many people, not necessarily church-goers, help in lots of ways to do this work and other church and community tasks. Many hands make light work! Oiling the wheels of community living.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen at Kimbers, Somerset Trading Barn. Linley Farm, Charlton Musgrove BA9 8HD – phone 01963 33177. www. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk, info@ kimbersfarmshop.co.uk.

Opening times Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-5pm; Saturday 9.30am4.30pm.

5 FLOCKED DECOY PIGEONS. 3 electric peckers with speed control. 4 decoy rooks. 2 leather cartridge belts. 4 cleaning kits. 1 single barrel 12 boar. POA. 07759 196385

Animals – and humans – need to looking at their best for success in the show ring PHOTO: Pixabay ucasenquiries

2 x Doosan 140, Doosan 6 Ton, Doosan 3 Ton, Wacker Neuson 9 Ton, Cat 3 Ton Excavators, Mecalec TV 1200 & Terex MB71 Rollers,Terex, Barford, Benfold and Volvo Dumpers, Manitou MLT 628 & Cat TH407 Telehandlers, Cat DP25 Forklift, Prodem Hydraulic Hammers, Renault 6X4 & 8X4 Tipper Lorries, DAF LF45 & Ford Transit Tippers, Man TG x 26.480 Auto/Sleeper Cab Lorry Unit, King GTS 44/3 Trailer, Renault & Vauxhall Vans, Ifor Williams Box & Flat Bed Trailers, Cement Mixers, Fuel Bowsers, Fuel Tanks, Power Floats, Somero 160 Self Propelled Laser Screed (Very Tidy), Shuttering, RSJ’s, Steel Lock Ups, Fuel Tanks & Bowsers, Plate & Trench Compactors, Lieca & Topcon Laser Units, Allen MP205 Ride on Power Trowels, Patterned Concrete Mats, Power Tools, Generators, Power Drills, Saws, Welders, Compressors, Bandsaw, Chainsaws, Roller Beams, Excavator Buckets, Workshop Equipment etc.

Rain, rain please go away!

by Josephine Child BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS

HOW funny it is that so much of our lives revolve around the weather, and particularly in the farming calendar, and what a difference a year can make.

This time last year when everywhere was parched, we were praying for rain, we were gearing up for a tinder dry Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and arranging extra fire cover.

This year the fields look much greener, there is little combine activity yet and we are hoping that the show will not be a wash-out.

The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is arguably the biggest event in our social calendar at the practice and by the time this comes to print, it’ll all be over for another year.

It is the one place where all our clients congregate, and we

Friars

Moor is planning to move to new purposebuilt premises in 2024

can showcase the true Friars Moor team and community spirit. Come rain or shine, we host a barbecue lunch for our farming clients and prospective clients, with drinks and cakes through the rest of the day.

We also run a stand in the ‘fun food and farming’ tent aimed at educating the next generation about where their food comes from, and the role vets play in the farming business.

More rain this summer has meant better grass growth, compared to last year where lots of farms were moving to winter feeding regimes before the end of July and worried about not having enough feed to see them through the winter months.

The chalk downland around where I live is teaming with life this year – wild flowers, butterflies, bees and mushrooms!

The weather affects the sort of ailments we see as well –warm, wet weather and changeable temperatures mean we have seen more cases of pneumonia in calves, mastitis in cows grazing, increased gastrointestinal parasites and an increased risk of ‘staggers’ due to low magnesium levels in fast-growing grass.

Another project this year that we are eagerly watching the weather for is our new building. In 2024 the entire Friars Moor farm business will be relocating to purpose-built facilities.

For many years we have

shared premises with the small animal business, and we are bursting at the seams in our Sturminster branch.

About 18 months planning has got us the stage where we have purchased some land and obtained planning permission, tendered for contractors and eagerly await the go ahead from the banks.

We will all breathe a sigh of relief when footings are dug and we get out of the ground before the real wet weather comes. For updates on the building work follow our social media channels.

The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is the one place where all FriarsMoor’s clients congregate

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT

Forthcoming Dairy Sales

GTH Farm Sales

Telephone: 01278 410250. Email:

Telephone: 01278 410250. Email: livestock@gth.net

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE

NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24)

NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Further details at www.gth.net

Tuesday 10th November at 10.30am with the Heifer Calves

The November Collective Dairy Sale of 305 DAIRY CATTLE

Forthcoming Live & Deadstock Sales

n 87 Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers from Beneknowle, Bettiscombe (x14) Birchwood (x18 Dispersal) Clevian, Dinnaton, Dorset (x11) Hinton, Huntlodge, Lilylane, Peacehay & Rothereld Farms LLP (x12, Crossbreds)

n 16 Incalf Cows from Rothereld Farms LLP (Crossbreds)

n 37 Incalf Heifers from Dayhouse, PT & JC Hinds (Pedigree), Rothereld Farms LLP (Crossbreds) & J & J Waldron

n 3 Holstein Bulls from Beneknowle & Woodstone

n 8 Bulling Heifers from Greathill & Mr D Thorner

n 40 Yearling Heifers from Sutton Hall Farms

n 52 Heifers Calves from Hinton, Pensdown, Thakeham & Mr D Thorner

AT CRIB HOUSE FARM, STALBRIDGE, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET, DT10 2RT. On Farm Dispersal Sale of the mainly Autumn calving NMR herd of Holstein Friesian Dairy Cows & Followers (200 head) plus 2 Tractors, Telehandler, Slurry Tanker, Herringbone Parlour, Front & Rear Mowers, Surplus Farm Machinery, Dairy & Livestock Equipment for TI Miller & Partners (ceasing dairy production).

To Include The Dispersal Sale of 62 HOLSTEIN AND FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS AND HEIFERS

Comp: 47 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf; 12 Incalf Heifers & 3 Maiden Heifers

n NMR HERD AV: 8039 KGS. 4.11%BF; 3.34%P; SCC=127

AT WITHIEL FARM, CANNINGTON, BRIDGWATER, TA5 2LZ. The Dispersal Sale of New Holland Tractor, New Holland Square Baler Farm Machinery & Effects for R & E Baker & Sons

n HERRINGBONE Parlour; CUBICLE Housed

n CLOSED HERD for 13 years

SOUTH DEVON COLLECTIVE MACHINERY SALE

(Wrangaton, Ivybridge, TQ10 9HB (nearest postcode))

For GDW Isaac & Son (Removed from Beer Farm, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon)

WEDNESDAY 30th AUGUST at 10.30am

(Items to be delivered Tuesday 29th August between 9.00am-5.00pm)

WANTED

booked in on Tuesday 29th August (9am-5pm) Handler unloading service available.

The large selection of high yielding milkers and dispersal sale cattle (including Pedigree, Commercial and Crossbred) coupled with all types of dairy youngstock makes this one of our most comprehensive sales to date just when dispersals are starting to slow down across the country. Please note that Social Distancing will be in place and we ask that only one purchaser per farming business attend. Online Bidding Available on Marteye.

NOVEMBER: Thurs 19th

& a current utility bill Payment is due on the day of sale by Cash or Debit Card. For further information Telephone 01278 410250 or Email machinery@gth.net

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE Dispersal Sale of milking and incalf heifer portion of the 9,160 kgs CIS recorded dairy herd being 200 Holstein Friesians for MB & LC Haskell (Removed from Beaulieu Wood Farm, Dorchester, Dorset for convenience of sale).

A 10% plus VAT Buyers Premium is charged on all lots, subject to a cap of £250 plus VAT per lot. Buyers not known to the Auctioneers are required to provide photographic ID to obtain a buyers number. Payment by cash and debit card only.

** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **

Sedgemoor Auction Centre

North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, Junction 24)

Sedgemoor Auction Centre

Telephone: 01278 410278

North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, J24)

TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 7143

Telephone: 01278 410278 www.gth.net

Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation

TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 5377

Returns for

Saturday 31st October 2020

Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation Returns for Saturday 12th August 2023

DAIRY CATTLE (85) Heifers to £2400. Others £2380. Cows to £2200. Others £2150. (789) STORE CATTLE & STIRKSFORWARD STORES (525) Steers to £1600 (LIMX). Others £1500 (2x) (HEX & BRBX) £1480 (LIMX) & £1445 (3x) (AA & BRBX). Heifers to £1625 (BRBX). Others £1510 (2x BRBX) £1405 (BRBX) & £1400 (3x) (CHX & BRBX). GRAZING COWS

DAIRY CATTLE (73) Heifers to £2080. Others £2020. Cows to £1840. Others £1720. (1184) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD STORES (933) Steers to £1365 (FLE). Others £1300 (AA) £1295 (LIMX) & £1270 (LIMX). Heifers to £1265 (CHX). Others £1235 (CHX) £1200 (LIMX) £1155 (LIMX) & £1150 (HEX). GRAZING COWS (2) to £615 (LIMX). Others £580 (LIMX). SUCKLERS (4) Cows & Calves to £850 (4x). STIRKS (247) Steers to £880 (LIMX). Others £870 (3x LIMX & BRBX) £855 (BRBX) & £835 (LIMX). Heifers to £818 (LIMX). Others £720 (BRBX) & £700 (AA). CALVES (408) - Beef Bulls to £400 (CH). Others £398 (BRBX) £390 (BRBX) & £388 (BRBX). Heifers to £300 (2x BRBX & CHX). Others £285 (CHX) £278 (BRBX) & £275 (LIMX). Black & Whites to £182. Others £165. (4675)

SHEEP Store Lambs (2720) to £100. Others £99, £96 & £95. Overall Ave £74.88. Cull Ewes & Rams (1197) Ewes to £137. Others £133. Rams to £166.

Others £96. Overall Ave £67.10. BREEDING EWES (204) to £143 (2x). FRIDAY 30TH BREEDING EWE SALE (459) to £122. GOATS (11) to £187. Overall ave £92.64. RAMS (12) to £225 (2x). Others £136. FRIDAY 30TH STOCK RAM SALE (72) to £610 for a powerful shearling. Others £470.

The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs Returns for Monday 2nd November 2020

PRIME CATTLE (93) Steers UTM av 187.4ppk to 213.5ppk & £1,327.28. Others 209.5ppk, 209.0ppk, 208.0ppk & 206.5ppk. Others £1,293.63, £1,287.00, £1,283.12, £1,280.30 & £1,261.77. Heifers UTM av 180.7ppk to 214.5ppk (2x) and £1,310.50. Others 204.5ppk, 204.0ppk, 199.0ppk (2x) & 197.0ppk. Others £1,233.42, £1,205.05, £1,201.20, £1,168.50 & £1,138.32. BARREN COWS (56) Continental av 118.5ppk to 119.5ppk and £808.40. Others 117.5ppk. Native Beef av 103.6ppk to 126.5ppk and £906.75. Others 124.5ppk & 118.5ppk. Others £882.97 & £861.77. Dairy av 97.8ppk to 113.5ppk and £966.89. Others 112.5ppk & 109.5ppk. Others £945.73 & £914.63. FINISHED SHEEP (654) Lamb ave 202.94ppk to 231.0ppk and £115.00. Others 230.0ppk, 220.0ppk & 219.0ppk. Others £113.00, £108.00 (5x) & £106.50.

(20) to £1140 (BRBX). SUCKLERS (180) to £2850 for March 2022 born Charolais bull. £2650 for Lim cow & her Feb born heifer calf. STIRKS (264) Steers to £1220 (BRBX). Others £980 (BRBX) £945 (LIMX) & £930 (HEX). Heifers to £1090 (BRBX). Others £1080 (2x) (BRBX & LIMX) £875 (BAX) & £860 (BRBX). CALVES (376) - Beef Bulls to £440 (CHX). Others £365 (2x) (CHX & BRBX) £360 (BRBX) & £350 (AA). Heifers to £400 (CHX). Others £375 (BRBX) £325 (BRBX) & £320 (CHX). Black & Whites to £180. (3075) SHEEP - STORE LAMBS (1428) to £126. Others £117 & £116. Overall Ave £82.01. CULL EWES & RAMS (1557) Ewes to £238. Others £230 & £220. Rams to £150. Others £139. Overall Ave £84.41. BREEDING EWES (43) to £142 (2x). Overall Ave £127.40. STOCK RAMS (6) to £300. Overall ave £245.50. GOATS (41) to £112. Overall Ave £101.39. (80) PIGS – STORES/FAT (51) to £255. Overall Ave £155.43. CULL SOWS/BOARS (6+1) Sows to £172. Boars to £160. Overall Ave £106.50. WEANERS (23) to £94.

Forthcoming Special Sales

The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs Returns for Monday 14th August 2023

For full rules on market attendance and up to date sales list please refer to our website and/or Saturday market report.

NOVEMBER: Sat 7th

Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am

Ring 2: Saturday 7th November

Monthly Catalogued Sale of 125

Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls

Approx 12.30pm Ring 1

Entries to date include:-

PRIME CATTLE (53) Steers UTM av 232.9ppk to 259.5ppk & £1,642.64. Others 258.5ppk, 256.5ppk & 251.5ppk. Others £1,600.12, £1,565.55 & £1,526.04. Heifers UTM av 231.5ppk to 263.5ppk and £1,507.22.Others 257.5ppk, 251.5ppk & 49.5ppk. Others £1,486.75, £1,476.67 & £1,441.10. Steers OTM av 187.7ppk to 217.5ppk & £1,701.34. Heifers OTM av 186.2ppk to 209.5ppk and £1,365.94. BARREN COWS (35) Continental av 140.0ppk to 144.5ppk and £987.80. Native Beef av 141.8ppk to 151.5ppk and £1,103.31. Dairy av 111.9ppk to 170.5ppk and £1,304.73. Bulls av 158.0ppk to 165.5ppk and £1,615.95. FINISHED SHEEP Lambs (704) ave 261.8ppk to 293.0ppk (3x) and £159.00. Others 289.0ppk (2x) 287.0ppk (2x) & 285.0ppk. Others £158.00, £156.00 & £155.00.

n The dispersal sale of 50 Incalf Suckler Cows (Sim, Ch, Lim, He & AAx) all pd’d to calf Feb onwards to Ped Charolais bull for NB Needham & Sons, Old Henley Farm, Dorchester (changing farming policy).

n 3 Bulls – Ch, He & Lim

Forthcoming Special Sales

n 42 Continental Cows & Calves – 6 Ped Lim cows & calves

n 14 Native Cows & Calves

For an up to date sales list please refer to our website https://www.gth.net/sedgemoor-auction-centre

n 58 Incalf Cows & Hfrs – 1 Ped Lim & 1 Ped He

For further information contact Meg on 01278 410278

Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2

Sat 7th Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am

Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 10am

Sat 14th ***CANCELLED*** Collective Catalogued Sale of Purebred Poultry **CANCELLED***

Thurs 19th ***CANCELLED*** Monthly General Sale of Antiques and Furniture ***CANCELLED***

Sat 21st Fodder Sale 1pm

Wed 25th Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB

Bank Holiday – Normal Prime Market Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in with the market office by Tuesday 22nd August (an extra day required due to the Bank Holiday). Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or CSC. TBlicensing@apha.gov.uk Sale commences

4.30pm

Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows.Stock to be booked in with the market office by 18th November. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or Sale commences 4.30pm

Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Ring 2

Fri 27th Monthly Seasonal Catalogued Sale of Breeding Ewes & Ewe Lambs 3pm

Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls 12.30pm Ring 1

Sat 28th Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2

South West Region Rare Breeds Survival Trust Sale of Sheep, Goats & Poultry 12pm

Autumn Breeding Ewe & Ram Sale (Including MV sheep) Rams 11am Ewes 10am

Forthcoming Fodder Sale

NOVEMBER: Sat 21st

Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The Collective Fodder

Auction of Hay, Silage and Straw. Entries to be in by Monday 9th November 2020.

HOW STORYTELLING HELPS BUILD INDUSTRY RESILIENCE

Being honest, authentic and interesting to the public are the most important factors when talking about farming, according to BBC journalist Anna Jones and communications specialist Kendra Hall.

Speaking to host and Cornish farmer Peter Green in the latest episode of Cornish Mutual’s Farming Focus podcast, Anna and Kendra explained why storytelling and public relations is vital to the industry’s future.

“If you don’t connect with the public, you’ll become irrelevant,” warned Anna. “You’ll lose the understanding of your end consumer and be producing a product for people you don’t know.”

Attitudes have changed she said. “We are no longer simply grateful for food, there is plenty available, and it doesn’t need to be British, so farmers have to work harder to retain customers.”

“Farmers don’t need to be the next social media influencer,” said Kendra. “There’s as much value in being involved at a local level – those closer relationships often have more impact and last longer.

She suggests farmers are naturally defensive, assuming the public are going to be critical. “Be authentic. Show the public you care and have good values. And if something does go wrong, own it!”

But with the average person scrolling through 13 metres of online content a day, how can farmers cut through the noise?

“Stop thinking like a farmer and think like a storyteller,” advised Anna, while Kendra said: “Take that first step and let the community know what you’re doing and why; it might just open doors.”

Listen to Anna and Kendra discuss how storytelling can build industry resilience in episode 5 of Cornish Mutual’s Farming Focus Podcast, available at https://www.cornishmutual.co.uk/ news-advice/farming-focus-podcast/.

(Left: Anna Jones, Right: Kendra Hall).

Cote Farm Works, Kilmington, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6RF

£735,000

£310,000 Bruton

A three bedroom end terrace house situated within easy reach of town centre amenities and enjoying the benefit of a ground floor extension. Light and airy sitting room, large open plan kitchen/diner, conservatory, cloakroom, useful attic room with far reaching views and large sunny aspect rear garden. EPC Rating: D. Freehold.

Thinking of moving?

£265,000 Wincanton

Exceptional three bedroom mid terrace house comprising delightful sitting room, impressive refitted kitchen/diner, stylish cloakroom, modern family bathroom, off road parking, attractive landscaped garden. EPC Rating: D. Freehold.

BRUTON

£225,000

NEW INSTRUCTION

Due to recent sales success we require more properties to meet the demand from buyers looking for a home in Wincanton, Bruton, Mere, Stalbridge, Milborne Port and the surrounding villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to provide you with a free market assessment and valuation. Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

fitted kitchen, private garden, garage and no forward chain. EPC Rating: C.

£310,000

WINCANTON £145,000

A mature semi-detached house situated at the end of a no through road. An impressive ground floor extension has created a splendid kitchen/breakfast room with vaulted ceiling and French doors to garden, characterful sitting room, dining/family room, utility room, cloakroom, three double bedrooms and delightful gardens. EPC Rating: C. Freehold.

An attractive two bedroom mid terrace house situated in a small close on a mature development. Spacious sitting room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, easy to maintain garden, allocated parking, ideal investment or first time buy. EPC Rating: C.

NEW INSTRUCTION

£145,000

Impressive ground floor flat within walking distance of amenities. A spacious living room opens into a stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite, further double bedroom, modern bathroom, parking.

WINCANTON £226,500

EPC Rating: C. Leasehold.

An exceptionally well presented three bedroom semi-detached house with stunning far reaching views over Wincanton and countryside beyond. Sitting room, stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, cloakroom, driveway and garage alongside property, landscaped garden. EPC Rating: C.

£450,000 Yenston

WINCANTON £179,950

A spacious two bedroom semi-detached house situated on a popular residential development. The property is presented in excellent order and enjoys the benefit of a car port, long driveway, enclosed garden, sitting room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and potential to extend (STPP). EPC Rating: D.

A four bedroom detached bungalow situated down a country lane enjoying generous living accommodation including a light and airy sitting room with wood burner, spacious kitchen/diner, stylish bath/shower room, off road parking, oak framed double car port, detached garage and the gardens are a particular feature. EPC Rating: E. Freehold.

WINCANTON 01963 34000 Shaftesbury 01747 851151

Hamlet Lettings

01963 34006

Wincanton

South Cheriton

Wincanton

‘Guppies’ on the rise, survey shows

MORE than four in 10 (42%) British adults under the age of 40 who do not currently own a home are now ‘Guppies’ –young people who have ‘given up on property’.

Many of them have professional careers and big salaries, but stand in stark contrast to the ‘Yuppies’ of the 80s and 90s – young urban professionals with a good salary and no issues buying a home.

A new survey of 2,000 adults under the age of 40 by Zoopla revealed that even among those earning more than £60,000 per year, 38% have given up on affording a home in the next decade.

Overall, just one in five (21%) say they will ‘definitely’ be able to afford a home in the next decade, while 14% are currently planning to buy one, or are in the process of doing

so.

The vast majority of Brits under the age of 40 in the UK do not already own a home –just 22.5% of those aged 25-34 and 1.4% of those aged 24 or under do.

In fact, non-home-owning under 40s in the UK are now more likely to be living with their parents than be planning to, or be in the process of, buying a home (14.4% vs 14.1%).

Those who have given up on a home in the next decade cite 3 main reasons:

The cost of living crisis (64%)

Increasing house prices (51%)

Higher mortgage rates (49%) Of those who are planning to buy, or who are in the process of buying, 85% say they have made financial sacrifices.

BARNS TO RENT in Templecombe area. 07980 584550

SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMODATION on quiet farm near Yeovil 01935 891817

UNIT TO RENT - MILTON ABBAS

Non-domestic. Under 2000 square feet Milton Mills rural business unit, Milton Abbas Ground floor. Available immediately £250 pcm. Direct debit payable 1st of each month 01258 880675

ROOM TO LET in Mere. Single/Double. Contact: 01747 861312

INDUSTRIAL UNITS to let, ranging from Small to Large, available at Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate, Stalbridge, DT10 2RX.Contact: 07768 993222

SOUTH CHERITON

Asking price £750,000 Agricultural tied dwelling in South Cheriton comprising five bedroomed chalet style bungalow set in fifteen acres with an outbuilding. EPC D Please call Morton New on 01747 824547 for more information

UK Removals

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