The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 98

What’s inside this issue…

Paul Jones - Editor in Chief

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Cover

photo: Andrew Wright

Smiles all round after Oftsed ‘Good’

STAFF at Harbour Vale School in Sherborne are celebrating after a recent Ofsted inspection rated it ‘Good’ in all areas.

The school, previously known as ‘Sherborne Learning Centre’, was rated ‘Inadequate’ in 2017, before joining Sherborne Area

understand their place in society and successfully work as part of a team”.

Headteacher Kelly Knight said: “It’s very humbling to read a report that acknowledges the great work that we do and captures our vision and ethos so well.

Dancing the night away

COVENT Garden Dance Company returns to Hatch House for the 15th year of its sell-out show Ballet Under the Stars.

Performances are held in Hatch House’s stunning 17th-century walled Dutch garden, which is covered with a bespoke roof for the run. The resulting 430-seat dinner theatre is a romantic setting in which to experience world-class ballet and – this year, for the first time – live music.

Virtuoso cellist Arne-Christian Pelz, the first principal cellist of the Deutsche Oper, will be accompanying performances by ballet stars of the future alongside more established names.

Covent Garden Dance Company director Matt Brady said it’s a “massive honour” to have ArneChristian at Ballet Under the Stars.

“This is the first time we have had live music and his virtuosity brings yet another level to the programme and audience enjoyment”, he said.

This year, guests will be treated to performances by Royal Ballet rising stars Viola Pantuso and Marco Masciari, newly appointed Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Beatrice Palma and

Max Maslan, and internationally renowned Xander Parish and Ksenia Ovsyanick. The show features works by the great choreographers George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton and Petipa, among others.

Four fabulous nights of ballet and music open on July 25 and close on July 28. The Cafe Folle speak-easy cocktail bar will be serving drinks from about 5.30pm, which guests can enjoy while strolling around the gardens in the sunshine.

At 7pm everyone will be seated at tables with their party to enjoy the first course of gourmet dining ahead of the first half-hour performance.

Each half-hour performance follows a course of dining and consists of four short works, each lasting around 5-8 minutes.

To book tickets visit www. coventgardendance.com/bookingform, call 01749 813313, or email

Meet the cellist: ArneChristian Peltz

What is your favourite cello piece? My approach to any music I play is to make it my favourite in the moment. You really connect with the music you are playing and you try to transform yourself, all you want to do is express the music.

I love playing Bach and Max Reiger, who took a romantic approach to the same idea of Bach. I hope to play some Reiger at Hatch.

There are so many wonderful composers who really explore the sounds that this instrument can play.

I aim only to perform favourite pieces at Hatch.

Where would your dream performance take place?

For me a stage could be just a room. I feel you have to be very present in the moment, have a purpose of what you are playing, who are playing for, why you are playing it and feel a spirit there.

I am very much looking forward to Hatch because it is a very unusual place; I think it will be magical. It will be different and more exciting as we are outside, there may be some bird noises, noises of nature.

What do you enjoy about playing music to dance works?

There’s something very special about performing with a dancer because it’s like a dialogue, energies flow together and they inspire each other.

I love to know the choreography and to watch it and to be present and to make it influence my playing.

I think it’s beautiful to have it serve a purpose, to have it be part of another art form so to me it’s a dialogue with movement, to feel the energy of the dancer. I enjoy working with the choreographers and to ask what they need, what they can react to best, to get inspired, to get a conversation.

I like how we create music for a dance performance, how we don’t just take a piece and say this is the music and we play it from a–z but to be able to alter everything for it and that gives me a freedom that doesn’t exist in the classical world.

Photo: Alice Pennefather

Flower festival

THE annual Marnhull Flower Show takes place at Marnhull village hall and recreation ground early next month.

It will feature lots of lovely flowers, but visitors will also be able to see vegetables, cookery, beverages, art, photography and crafts.

The Wessex Morris Dancers, and the Shaftesbury Ukulele Band will provide entertainment, and Marnhull Community Choir will be singing, too.

Refreshments, including tea, cake, ice cream, burgers and hot dogs, will be available from noon and, weather permitting, a display of classic cars and motorbikes will be on view.

Every year, the show has a charity class, and this year’s charity is Weldmar Hospicecare, a Dorset- based organisation which provides

STOCK CLEARANCE

Dorset Follies

THE Exchange in Sturminster Newton is the venue for a talk on Dorset Follies next month.

The county is full of curious buildings, towers, temples, obelisks, mock ruins and shell houses. They were mostly built to display wealth, passion and industry.

The talk, with photos, is on Wednesday, July 3, at 7.30pm in the Bow Room.

Hot and cold drinks will be available at the bar.

specialist end-of-life care for adults with a life-limiting illness.

Entrants are asked to use their creative skills to produce a flowerpot person – or people – and display them in their garden in the run up to the show.

The winner will be chosen by public vote on show day.

The Great Marnhull Bake Off is also returning for another year.

Groups and societies throughout the village will compete to bake the best coffee and walnut cake, and the overall winner will be crowned “Marnhull’s Best Baker”.

The show has 128 classes, including children’s classes and several for those who have not entered before.

Show schedules are available from Robin Hill Stores and the Spar Shop in New Street, Marnhull.

For more information, visit ‘Marnhull Flower Show’ on Facebook or email flowershowmarnhull@gmail.com

All entry forms must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, July 2.

The show opens at noon on Saturday, July 6, and entry is free. Everyone is welcome. Disabled parking only.

Thousands still needed for church roof replacement

FUNDRAISING is pressing ahead to raise the money for more major repairs to the roof at Shillingstone’s Holy Rood church.

A “sponsor a tile” appeal, which aims to raise about £16,000 towards the cost of re-roofing the chancel section of the roof, has coined in £3,850 since it was launched at a village barbecue party in May.

Some £110,000 needs to be raised for the Parochial Church Council (PCC) to be confident the work can be paid for.

That excludes the £25,000 cost of scaffolding and an “over-roof” to protect the chancel ceiling and the organ while the work is carried out.

It is hoped further grant applications will be successful with the work planned to start in September.

The first phase of the roof project involved re-tiling the roof of the north aisle and cost £105,000.

The third phase, after the chancel project, will repair the rest of the roof, covering the nave, and is estimated to cost £100,000.

Shillingstone’s Grade I-listed church dates back to the 12th century and the

chancel ceiling of gold stars on a blue background is beautiful and rare.

PCC treasurer, Anne Powell, said: “When we saw the collapse of the north aisle roof in November 2022 we were desperately worried by the situation that faced us, but the generosity we saw from our community gives me great confidence that we will succeed with this second phase.”

To contribute to the project by credit or debit card, or direct debit, visit www. peoplefundraising.com/donations/ Shillingstone-church-roof-appeal or Google “Peoples Fundraising” and search “Shillingstone”.

Alternatively, pay by BACS to PCC Shillingstone giving the payee reference as “roof tiles”, sort code 40-52-40, account

Family Law Advice

Family Law Advice

No: 00010777; or by cheque payable to PCC Shillingstone – on the back of the cheque write “roof tiles”; or by cash to Anne Powell, Shottsford Cottage, 3 Oak Court, Shillingstone, DT11 0TT. It is requested that donors Gift Aid their donation if they can, to add an extra 25% to the gift.

Anyone with questions about donating can contact Anne by email at powellanne@ btinternet.com or phone 01258 861397.

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

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

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To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

Offices in Shaftesbury – Sturminster Newton – Gillingham

Ladies secure third place on golf tour

FOUR ladies from Wheathill Golf Club made the long trip to Silvermere Golf Club in Cobham, Surrey, to play in the AM-AM competition in aid of the Lucy Rayner Foundation Trust. On a course ‘enjoying’ run, sun, winds and everything in between, the foursome – consisting of Samantha Thorpe, Jen Warmington, Becky Thompson and Nicola Wisniewski – battled to an impressive third place.

A sporting chance

THE Blandford Fashion Museum is embracing the Olympic Games this summer, with the 2024 event set to take place in Paris.

Its main exhibition, Our Sporting Heritage, celebrates over 100 years of sportswear, and includes a Victorian swimsuit, an Edwardian riding habit and a Games Maker uniform from London 2012. It also includes photographs on loan from The Lee Miller Archive, featuring women’s sportswear from 1940s Vogue

Hedghog helpers

A HEDGEHOG support group hopes to raise funds and awareness with a cake sale on the last weekend of June.

Sherborne Hedgehog Group was formed last year as part of a Dorset Mammal Group initiative to reduce the drastic decline in hedgehog numbers in the county.

Sherborne is now one of over 30 ‘hedgehog friendly’ areas. Thanks to the efforts of the Hedgehog Group, advice and information is widely available about how we can all help these much-loved garden creatures.

The Group also aims to support our local rescue centres and to raise funds for the Dorset Mammal Group’s hedgehog hospital project.

On Saturday, June 29, from 9am, the group will be holding a cake sale in Parsons Yard, Cheap Street, Sherborne.

Homemade cakes and hedgehog information will be available as well as wooden nesting boxes, feeding stations, hedgehog highway signs and more! Cash only please. For further information please contact hedgehogs. sherborne@gmail.com

Another display celebrates the Paralympics with loans from Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, highlighting the resourcefulness of paralympians who often adapt sports kit to meet their needs.

The textile collection of sculptor and printmaker Elisabeth Frink, featuring pieces she designed alongside her collection of Japanese Kimonos and American quilts, will also be on display.

The museum also has a tearoom, gift

shop, courtyard garden and dressing up area for children. For more information, visit www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

Plans for A303 eco-friendly services

met with mixed reaction

A 60-BED hotel, farm shop, restaurant and electric vehicle charging station are at the heart of plans for new services on the A303.

The plan, for land off the A303 at Sparkford Road, West Camel, has been submitted to Somerset Council by Grass Roots Planning on behalf of Hopkins Estates Ltd.

If approved, the scheme would see the new services constructed on “what remains of three fields” north of the busy route, which is currently being dualled as part of a multi million-pound project.

The application says the intent is to create a services similar to a popular eco-friendly development off the M5 at Gloucester, “with a focus on celebrating the local environment, landscape and produce within”.

It would include an electric vehicle charging hub, a farm shop, restaurant, hotel/ lodge accommodation – with 60 bedrooms over two storeys – HGV parking and 50 spaces with an amenity block, and a solar field generating “enough energy to more than cover the proposed energy station and further promote the green credential opportunities of the scheme”.

Access would come from a new T-junction off the Steart Hill link, created during the dualling work, the application said.

There would be a net gain in biodiversity through the development, the plan claims, with “green corridors” around the site helping create “an attractive and green environment to encourage users to take

advantage of the outside spaces”.

However, the proposal has provoked mixed reactions from residents.

Joy Whittington, who runs The Bakery, across the A303 from the site, said the new services would add to a “severe loss of trade” the business has experienced during the dualling work.

“We have just suffered a severe loss of trade for the past three years while road works have been in progress and business has just started to improve as the temporary signage has been put up, only for us to discover … a planning application for a farm shop etc right opposite us which will take all our trade,” she said.

“My staff are very worried about this, as their livelihood depends on the Bakery, which is a family business.

“I must therefore strongly object to this application.”

Geoff Lavender, of West Camel Road in Queen Camel, also objected.

“A great shame that another area of outstanding beauty is to be chewed up on the back of a road expansion,” he said.

“Not even a sign

A walk around… Ashmore

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

PARK near the Forestry Commission gateway at Washers’ Pit (which is rumoured to be haunted) and walk up the steep but well-used path heading south-eastwards at the edge of the wood.

At the top turn left and join a path heading north-eastwards across a couple of fields going more gently uphill, eventually meeting the road about a quarter of a mile before the village.

Soon after entering the village you’ll find the church on your left. I was impressed that they have a map and list of all the graves in the churchyard. A little further along the road you come to the pond for which Ashmore is famous and after which (as a mere) it was named.

Having circled the pond, retrace your steps towards the church

from locals

of anything environmentally useful, like a windmill.”

Meanwhile, Donna Edwards, of Rimpton, backed the plans.

She said: “The current two services, at Podimore and Sparkford, are overstretched. Not enough parking, only one electric charging point at McDonald’s, and very little HGV overnight parking.

“I fully support this application. It will bring employment to the area and create a much-needed services suitable for the heavy traffic of the A303 and the modern traveller.”

For more details on the application, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search for reference 24/00841/FUL.

WW2 air crash commemoration

THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the crash of Old Faithful, a USAAF B-17 flying fortress.

The plane was badly damaged by flak on a bombing raidover Toulouse. In spite of the damage, the crew had flown 800 miles over enemy territory and were trying to land at Snag Farm in Wincanton when Old Faithful shed a wing. All nine aboard were killed.

Wincanton will commemorate the crash with a small ceremony and parade on Sunday, June 23. Meet at the Memorial Hall at 1.45pm, from where a parade will set off at 2.15pm to the memorial plaque at Bayford Hill.

The parade is organised by Wincanton Town Council www.wincantontowncouncil.gov.uk

and you’ll find on your left the entrance to Ha’penny Lane, part of the Wessex Ridgeway.

It takes you south along a farm track downhill for about a mile and a half giving good views of the landscape. It can get a bit muddy in places towards the bottom.

After passing through woodland the path reaches the parish boundary. Turn right and head along it at the edge of the wood, south-west for about a mile, still on the Wessex Ridgeway. When you come to a meeting of ways at Hanging Coppice turn right and take a path heading north-west through the woodland, taking you through Stubhampton Bottom, after which it curves to the right and takes you north westward back to your car.

You’ll have walked nearly six miles.

Military mental health support

A NEW military community hub and therapeutic wellbeing centre in Wincanton provides military-specific counselling and psychotherapy, a drop-in space for the whole community, a pre-loved bookshop, and a communal wellbeing garden.

Got Your Six UK is a not-for-profit community interest company (CIC). For the past two years it has been providing military-specific counselling and psychotherapy, based out of The Veterans Hub Weymouth and Portland CIC.

Founder Tara Coyles-Gould is a registered therapist and military spouse to a serving Army Air Corps pilot.

“With referrals from external organisations increasing, and a lack of support for our armed forces community identified in north Dorset and south Somerset, we made the decision to become a full-time project and open a centre in Wincanton,” she explains.

In early 2024, Tara and her team secured Wincanton’s former NatWest bank. They have transformed it into a calm, welcoming, safe space.

“Our low cost, trauma informed, military

specific therapy service is open to serving personnel, veterans, spouses, their families, and relatives of those serving such as parents, or older children struggling with the challenges of deployment, or forced separation,” says Tara.

The wait time to see a counsellor is less than two weeks, with those at immediate risk seen almost immediately.

Veterans take – on average – 11 years to reach out for support after poor mental health symptoms start.

“We strongly believe that if they’ve

reached out for support, they need it there and then, not in a year’s time which is sadly the case with many national services,” says Tara.

In addition to the talking therapies on offer, the organisation gives clients access to serving and veteran peer support mentors, who can help with access to more formal welfare services, reduce isolation and help build confidence.

At Wincanton, the community meeting space also has a number of drop-in clinics allowing informal access to those involved in drug and alcohol work, mental health practitioners, financial support, family support, military welfare, and much more.

As a CIC, any money Got Your Six UK generates is ploughed straight back into its work. It relies heavily on donations and volunteers. If you can contribute, please visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ militarycommunityhub.

The space is open to drop-ins from Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Find out more online at www. gotyoursix.uk by emailing gotyoursixuk@ outlook.com or call 01305 777788.

Andy Price, Tara Coyles-Gould and Gareth Bottomley; directors of Got Your Six UK CIC

Poppies, poems and a piper

THOUSANDS of troops spent the run up to D-Day in 1944 in the Blandford Forum area. The town council and the Royal British Legion (RBL) remembered them on the 80th anniversary of the event.

A daytime D-Day 80 Proclamation Service on June 6 saw town crier, Liz Rawlings,

join more than 400 criers around the world in reading a proclamation.

Town mayor, Cllr Nocturin Lacey-Clarke, invited representatives to present the flags of the 13 Allied countries and add them to the poppy cross at the churchyard.

Lt Col (Retd.) Bob Brannigan gave an account of Blandford 80 years ago, and its contribution to D-Day, and Roger Carter read the same text at the D-Day 80 beacon lighting ceremony in the evening.

John Dallison, from Blandford and District RBL, read a poem he had written.

At 6.30pm, the bellringers at Blandford Forum Parish Church joined churches up and down the country to ring for peace.

At the beacon-lighting ceremony, the mayor read a D-Day 80 Tribute after 103-year-old Gordon GrenvilleHunt, a resident of Larks Leas Rest Home, lit the beacon.

The Blandford Stour Valley Band played and the mayor’s chaplain, Harry Vincent, and RBL Revd. Emma Carmichael led the prayers.

Rob Chalkley led the congregation in Abide with Me, and the national anthem, and Terry Clarkson read Eisenhower’s Orders of the Day.

The piper, Lyndon Wall, played a lament to close the service, with the sound of bagpipes filling the air as visitors admired the beacon, lit to signify the light that emerged from the darkness of war.

AT 19, Gordon GrenvilleHunt joined the Corps of Royal Electrician and Mechanical Engineers. He was posted to Alexandria, Egypt where he repaired and tested heavy plant and machinery including troop carriers and tanks. He also visited army barracks to ensure that their vehicles were fit for purpose.

Musical tributes

GILLINGHAM Town Council and Gillingham Rotary Club marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Hardings Park. The event included music from Gillingham Imperial Silver Band, Wessex Military Band, a commemorative Drumhead Service and a choir of students from Gillingham Secondary, and Gillingham, St Mary’s and Wyke primary schools. It also featured a Gillingham Army Cadet Force parade and review by the High Sheriff of Dorset and Gillingham mayor Cllr Roger Weeks, and a beacon lighting and reading of the International Tribute, written especially for the occasion.

(Clockwise from above): Wessex Military Band Corp of Drums; a combined choir of students from Gillingham Secondary, and Gillingham, St Mary’s and Wyke primary schools; standard bearers

Photos by Beki Young Photography

DON’T MISS OUT ON TWO DAYS OF COUNTRYSIDE FUN ON 8TH AND 9TH JUNE

There’s still time to get your tickets for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Spring Countryside Show on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe. Children up to the age of 15 go free and adult tickets are £15 up until midnight on Friday 7th June and £17 after that, online or at the show gate.

The weekend promises to be packed with wonderful activities with family at the heart of this wonderful rural event. Kids and adults will love star stunt clown Dingle Fingle who gets up to all sorts of incredible antics with his sidekick Slippery Sid. There’s free tractor and trailer rides and the brilliant’ Have a Go’ marquee where you can try your hand at needlefelting, sandart, pottery painting and why not make a coin pendant to take home as a memento of your day out?

The Show also offers the chance to get up close to lots of wonderful animals. Head to the Farmyard area to see rare breed goats, cute chicks and friendly sheep. At the Heavy Horse village, see stunning Shire horses and watch plaiting demonstrations. Horse fans will also love the amazing dancing ponies which combine circus and dressage skills. And which pig will you be honking for as Joseph’s Amazing

Racing Pigs compete to be the porcine champion? Dog lovers will enjoy the gun dog demonstrations and there’s a fun dog show and agility class so bring your own four-legged friends to join in the fun.

The jam-packed programme of events includes gardening talks and demonstrations, a photographic talk by worldrenowned landscape photographer Charlie Waite and thrilling demonstrations by the famous Dorset Axemen. To help keep costs down, there are special Eat for a Fiver promotions at some of the catering stands. And for that festival vibe, you can enjoy free live music throughout the day from local bands.

Village’s vintage celebration

VILLAGERS in Ibberton stepped back in time to the 1940s at The Ibberton pub for a community-organised party, following D-Day commemorations a couple of days before.

The landlords decorated the pub with memorabilia lent by Michael Fraser and prepared a spread of delicious food.

Villagers were encouraged to

dress in 1940s style and a good show of nipped dresses, Victory Rolls, Armed Forces and Land Army uniforms, and flying jackets was on display – along with a pair of Mk VIII Spitfire goggles!

The event, organised by Heather Alexander and Lucinda Fraser, attracted a large crowd with all tickets sold well in advance.

Sing a song of praise

DEMENTIA Friendly Gillingham produced a special ‘Sing a Song of Praise’ session to commemorate D-Day.

Volunteers visited Shaftesbury Plus day centre, the Malthouse Care Home, and Fernbrook Lodge in Gillingham (pictured below), where they were joined by Mayor, Cllr Roger Weeks, army cadet leader Jon O’Brien in uniform, army cadet Taylor, who played the ‘Last Post’ at 11am, Brian Anderson, area organiser for the Poppy Appeal, Rev Angus Mayhew and Rev Allen Walker.

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Dummies helped save the day

VILLAGERS in Bradford Abbas created a ‘Rupert’ paratrooper dummy to help mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The dummies were dropped just before the landings to divert and distract German forces as part of D-Day deception plans.

About 500 of them were dropped during the night of June 5-6, 1944, in Operation Titanic.

Villagers learnt about the dummies when they researched D-Day and designed and made a ‘Rupert’ which they installed above a phone box.

It is made using bamboo, wire, a hessian sack, polyester stuffing and an old sheet and curtain, and is about 3ft long, the same size as the originals.

A D-Day map and

information on the ‘Rupert’ dummies was attached to a camouflage net hung on the pub wall opposite the phone box.

The village school planned to take along some of its pupils to see the display and to learn more about D-Day.

Freda wears her medal with pride

CARE home residents in Poundbury have marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by sharing personal memories and taking part in community commemorations.

Freda Wade, 99, laid a wreath on behalf of her fellow residents at Castle View care home.

She was serving in the Women’s Royal Naval Service at the time of D-Day.

WRNS ratings were known as Wrens and worked as wireless telegraphists, electricians, mechanics, weapons analysts, radar plotters and in many other occupations.

Freda was proud to wear her Wrens’ medal as she laid the wreath in the Castle View garden.

Freda said: “I chose to be a volunteer in the Navy at the age of 17 due to my family’s heritage of serving in the Navy.

“I remember that before the

war the youngest volunteers were using broom handles to do drills, as the country had not re-armed.

“I also remember there was a prisoner of war hut on what is now Poundbury.”

Fellow resident Pat Hills had a Land Girl billeted with her family during the war.

“As a youngster, I felt jealous of the close relationship that built up between the Land Girl and my mum.”

Richard Johns spent time on a farming camp as a teenager, living in a bell tent and doing jobs such as “stooking”, collecting corn in bundles.

He went on to do National Service at the age of 18, serving in the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong and eventually training as a dental nurse.

Among other memories shared, Jill Kember remembered

*PACKED

vividly that her brother was a Spitfire pilot.

Below: 99-year-old Freda Wade laid a wreath on behalf of her fellow residents at Castle View care home. Left: Freda pictured when she was serving in the Women’s Royal Naval Service at the time of D-Day

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Joining residents for the commemoration and afternoon tea, and to lay their own wreath, were young visitors from the Combined Cadet Force at Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. Specialising in Window, Door & Conservatory installations in & around Dorset,

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Airfield’s vital role in D-Day invasion

photos by Andrew Wright

FOUR-HUNDRED people attended a commemoration service marking the 80th anniversary of a Dorset airfield’s vital role in the historic D-Day invasion of occupied Europe in June 1944, when three waves of Halifax bombers took off – towing wooden gliders carrying

soldiers bound for Normandy.

The poignant gathering to remember and honour those people who flew from and served at the Royal Air Force station at Tarrant Rushton – on a hill-top plateau between Wimborne and Blandford – took place close to the site of the former airfield’s main gate on Saturday, June 1.

The first British troops to land

in Normandy in the first few minutes of D-Day, Tuesday, June 6, 1944, flew in six wooden Horsa gliders that took off from Tarrant Rushton late the previous day, on Operation Coup de Main to seize vital river and canal bridges near Caen to prevent German troops reaching the Normandy beaches.

D-Day saw two major lifts of Halifax bombers towing troop-carrying Horsa and the tank-carrying Hamilcar gliders bound for Normandy – 26 Halifaxes and their gliders taking off in the early hours and another 32 Halifaxes and gliders taking off in the early evening.

Among those attending the service were two veterans who served at Royal Air Force station Tarrant Rushton in 1944 – 99-year old former ground crew Halifax engineer Bob Wakeling, from Surrey, and 99-year old former WAAF clerk Anne Martin, from Fordingbridge in Hampshire.

The poignant gathering was also attended by 103-year old Joan Clark, from Wimborne, whose late husband Patrick Clark was in the Glider Pilot Regiment.

A restored heavy industrial tractor used for towing aircraft and gliders at Tarrant Rushton in 1944 was also at the service. It was restored by David Maidment, from Charlton Marshall, whose ancestors lived at Crook Farm, which was demolished in 1942 to make

way for the airfield’s construction.

The guest of honour at the service – and representing His Majesty King Charles – was the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, who served in the Army Air Corps (AAC), formed in 1957 from the Glider Pilot Regiment.

Major General Neil Sexton of the AAC also attended, accompanied by an honour guard from Middle Wallop in Hampshire where the AAC has a base.

After the service, members of Dorset Gliding Club, based near Wareham – which operated from Tarrant Rushton airfield in the 1970s – performed two flypasts over the former airfield with a tug aircraft towing a glider.

The Tarrant Rushton airfield D-Day 80th anniversary service of commemoration was organised by the Friends of Tarrant Rushton Airfield Memorial, a newly formed voluntary non-profit-making community group.

Friends of Tarrant Rushton Airfield Memorial chair Anne Gardner said: “It was a moving occasion of shared memory and remembrance.

“Tarrant Rushton airfield has a remarkable and important history in war and peace. The courage of its Halifax aircrews, glider pilots and airborne troops should be remembered and commemorated. The bravery and sacrifice of the men who

Anne Martin, Bob Wakeling and Joan Clark

The wreathlaying ceremony

Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell and the Army Air Corps

Former WAAF clerk Anne Martin

failed to return after flying from the airfield should never be forgotten.”

Anne’s late father, William Wastell, served in the Glider Pilot Regiment during 1944 and took part in the Arnhem operation of that year.

Tarrant Rushton airfield, opened in May 1943, was built to train bomber and glider pilots for the D-Day, Arnhem and Rhine Crossing operations, and for dropping secret agents from the Special Operations Executive (SEO) in occupied Europe, from southern France to the Low Countries and Norway.

Flying at night by moonlight – as low as 60 feet to avoid radar and German fighters –Halifax crews from Tarrant Rushton took the Allied secret war of supply, troops and arms dropping deep into occupied Europe and Scandinavia.

Between April 1944 and May 1945, Tarrant Rushton’s No. 298 and No. 644 Squadrons flew 2,284 missions into

occupied Europe, from southern France to Norway. Twentyseven Halifax bombers were shot down and more than 160 aircrew died, along with glider pilots, airborne troops and SEO secret agents, dropped behind enemy lines, who also lost their lives.

With its three large runways in the shape of an ‘A’, four large T3 hangars and 300 buildings, Tarrant Rushton was built by Wimpey and took nine months to complete at a cost of £1 million, more than £37 million in today’s money.

Home to 3,000 men and women in 1944, all that remains of the airfield is a small strip of the main concrete runway, two aircraft hangars and the perimeter track once used for taxiing bombers and gliders that is now a public footpath.

Details about the Friends of Tarrant Rushton Airfield Memorial can be found at www. raftarrantrushton.org

or traditional kitchens manufactured to order

Gillingham Showroom 01747 833 789

Unit 21, Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JG

Opening Hours Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm Saturdays by appointment only. Closed Sunday.

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Halifax and Horsa glider at RAF Tarrant Rushton in 1944

David Maidment and his restored tractor

Precious stories

by Elizabeth Lammas

IT was wonderful to join the British Legion at Sherborne Abbey for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

I had read Andrew Norton’s article in the NBVM asking if any descendants of D-Day veterans had any letters or memorabilia they could share.

My father, Lieut FL Tyler, landed D-Day plus six. He was with the Royal Corps of Signals and went to Normandy to set up telecommunications all the way to Brussels.

I had several maps, a whole folder of letters home from the front, and my niece had recorded both mum and dad’s wartime experiences in a school project in 1991.

I remember him saying he never shot anyone, but that his most frightening time was waiting to land, queuing off shore for two days while being bombed and shot at.

Dad died in 2008, so it was surreal to hear his voice broadcast in Sherborne High Street, recounting his experiences. He was followed by my mum, Mary Tyler (nee Southcombe), recalling her time at Bletchley Park. She was at Sherborne School for Girls – it has always intrigued

me just how many ‘Old Girls’ from Sherborne went to Bletchley.

D-Day 80th anniversary

Mere memorial

by George Jeans

The school only learns this when it receives obituaries. The codebreakers weren’t allowed to speak about their experiences. Mum – and I’m sure others –were stigmatised for ‘not having done their bit in the war’.

Mum only received a medal in 2009 from Gordon Brown! I was wearing their medals on the day.

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PETER Garbutt laid a wreath at Mere Memorial at 11am on June 6, representing the Army. John Jordan laid a wreath representing Mere Town Council. George Jeans laid a wreath as Wiltshire Councillor. Mary Burfitt played the cornet; the Last Post, reveille and the national anthem which those present also sung. Stuart Walker kindly organised the commemorative event.

Introducing Somerset Garden Water

Having relocated to the West Country a couple of months ago to join family, husband and wife team Nigel and Helen are bringing with them a unique offering for “All your garden water needs”

Established in the ‘home counties’ as Surrey Pools and Water, we are establishing another arm as Somerset Garden Water to serve the West Country.

A family run business, SPW (Surrey) will remain headed by the couple’s daughter and son in law, whilst bringing Nigel’s extensive experience within the domestic and commercial water industry to the South West.

Nigel is a member of ISPE the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers and also a qualified electrician - offering a complete package.

As a small family run concern we offer tailored and bespoke solutions for all your garden water requirements.

Working on small or larger projects, we can assist the client direct or integrate with landscapers, architects and gardeners where needed.

With our extensive in house knowledge we are able to work with both Natural and Traditional swimming pools.

• Hot Tub & Swimming Pool

• Water Features/ Fountains

• Irrigation installation and maintenance

• Chemical Control

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• Lining Systems

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• Pool Covers and Electrics

• All aspects of tiling

• Qualified Electrician

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• Introductory Offer - Swimming Pool Spring Commission £ 119.00 including Chemicals**

• Hot Tub Commission - £ 89.00 including Chemicals

• **This offer is based on the first visit onlyany further visits for higher maintenance start ups will be charged at a normal service rate plus chemicals as required**

Dorset Jeeps head to Normandy

by James Mann

TWO classic Jeeps based in Dorset made the trip over to the Normandy beaches to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Richard Disbrow from Blandford and Alan Davies

from Wareham drove their 1949 Willys Jeep to meet up with Jim Mann from Bourton and Rob Hunter from Zeals and their Jeep at Quineville at the northern end of Utah Beach.

Jim says “we planned the trip carefully travelling on the ferry

from Poole to Cherbourg to keep the miles low as Jeeps aren’t built for long journeys”.

Luckily the weather was just right, not too hot or cold, as neither Jeep carried all-weather equipment and they don’t have doors, windows or heaters.

On D-Day the pair travelled south before dawn for a ceremony at the main Utah beach memorial with marching bands, a landing re-enactment and paratrooper drops.

“As the sun rose the pipes started up and the thousands of

The dawn landing reenactment on Utah beach

Proper maps out for navigation!

people watching from the dunes shared a moment of contemplation remembering the sacrifice of the fallen,: said Jim. Hundreds of WWII vehicles of all shapes and sizes had travelled to France, not only from the UK but from all over Europe. As well as many Jeeps there were troops carriers,

ambulances and half-tracks often with drivers and passengers meticulously dressed in the period uniforms.

An exclusion zone around the other beaches made it difficult to get around because roads were closed to the public as international politicians, dignitaries and the last few

veterans were shuttled to each of their ceremonies at Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. Classic and modern aircraft patrolled the coast with flypasts by a quartet of Dakotas, a Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang P51. Camps sprang up in fields to cater for the visitors with their period transport.

“Our journey home was challenging,” Jim says. “The French dock workers threw a wildcat strike in Cherbourg, adding an extra hundred and forty miles to our return trip via Portsmouth, but it was worth it making memories, new friendships and remembering an important part of world history”.

(Left to right): Jim, Rob, Alan and Richard arrive on Utah beach

patrol on Utah beach

The power of steam

BROADCASTER and president of the Dorset Council for the Protection of Rural England, Kate Adie, has opened a new interpretation project at Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre.

Kate spoke enthusiastically about water, the Castleton Pumping Station site and its story in relation to Sherborne, and wished the centre continued success.

The newly elected mayor of Sherborne, Robin Legg, was among many supporters at the event.

The displays, designed by Smith & Jones Design Consultants in Bristol, illustrate the part played by Castleton Pumping Station in the story of water in Sherborne.

Dorset Council funded the project with the museums adviser for BCP and Dorset councils providing considerable support.

Abbey 104 Community Radio and Sainsbury’s of Sherborne helped the opening.

Wessex Water has supported the location of the centre on its operating site that has drawn water from the aquifer which

underlies Sherborne and that has supplied water to Sherborne since 1859.

Commercial operation of the waterwheel stopped in 1959 after 90 years of carbon-free running.

The centre has been run by small numbers of volunteers since the rescue of the waterwheel in the early 1980s.

Volunteers have completed two previous major projects. The waterwheel was rebuilt and inaugurated in 2008 to enable its continued safe operation on open days.

A large steam engine manufactured by ES Hindley of Bourton in north Dorset, recovered after Gillingham Brick Works closed, was refurbished and installed at Castleton Pumping Station and commenced operation in 2012.

The engine is a similar type and size to that installed in 1876 at the pumping station to supplement the waterwheel, and is operated in steam during open days when possible.

Future plans for the centre focus on enhancing links with Sherborne, including Sherborne’s tourism developments, and with local schools as the centre has significant educational interest.

Eight open days are held in the summer and entry is free, with donations from visitors historically covering the centre’s small annual routine running costs.

The next open day is on Sunday, July 21, from 11.30am-3.30pm.

New volunteers are welcome to join the small band and invited to light working parties at Castleton on Monday afternoons.

Garden showdown

DUNCLIFFE Garden Club is staging “a big extravaganza” with a special summer show to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The club was formed in 1974 and takes in the villages of East and West Stour, Stour Row, Stour Provost and Todber.

Meetings were held in Stour Row Village Hall for several years but later moved to East Stour Village Hall, where they are still held today.

The club usually holds a spring and late summer show but this year members are holding just the one event at East Stour Village Hall on Saturday, June 29, from 2pm.

As well as the flower exhibits, the show will feature a bonsai and arts and crafts displays, a raffle and afternoon teas.

Entrance is £1 adults and free for children. For more information, phone Ros Bates on 01747 838589.

Lise Charmel ‘Jardin Délice’ available from Böschen Lingerie, Shaftesbury

‘Focus on Youth’ week activities at Tinney’s

Youth Club, Sherborne - 5th - 9th August

Tinney’s Youth Club i n Sherborne is holding its annual ‘Focus on Youth’ and ‘Focus on Football’ activities from Monday 5th to Friday 9th August. This year there is a choice of 27 ‘Focus on Youth’ activities for just £1 per activity at the youth club in Tinney’s Lane plus two minibus trips from the centre to Oxfords Bakery for their baking masterclass for only £3. In addition there are two float/fun swims sessions organised by Sherborne School for Girls at the Oxley Centre in Bradford Road at £1 per session. All the activities are for 10 -16 year olds. Finally on Friday there is a FREE BBQ at lunchtime followed by a talent show and share to which all are welcome.

At the same time ‘Focus on Football’ will be running daily morning and afternoon sessions for 6 to 13 year olds. Combinations of morning, afternoon and day sessions can be booked at a discount. The sessions are again being run by St ep into Sport using FA qualified coaches and are at the same cost as for the past two years. You can access fuller details at : www.tinneysyc.org/focus-on-youth-2024

All bookings are online. Early booking for the limited places is recommended to avoid disappointment. All bookings are on a first come first served basis at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/tinneys -youth-club

Our loose Canon

It is listening – and paying attention to what we hear – that is at the heart of prayer

by Canon Eric Woods

BETWEEN 1983 and 1993 I had the privilege of being Vicar of Wroughton, near Swindon. They were 10 very happy years. The parish church was dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Helen. No-one is really sure about which Helen that means, but it’s about John that I want to write today, as his Feast is celebrated next Monday, June 24. And I want to celebrate him as someone who had discovered the uncomfortable truth that if we decide that at this point or at that we can no longer accept the prevailing culture of the society in which we live, then we may need to become “counter-cultural”. For those of us living in a liberal democracy, that may simply cause us some inconvenience, some discomfort. In harsher and more intolerant regimes, it may lead us into direct opposition to the State, with all the unpleasant consequences that can bring.

he rebelled, and became something of a hippy – and a lippy hippy too!

John began his rebellion by throwing-over the comfort of the cathedral close, as it were, for a commune in the desert – very possibly the Qumran Community, living in caves close to the Dead Sea. I have visited those caves: living there even today would not be my idea of fun. Baking desert, an austere regime, hard manual labour, long hours of study and prayer – oh, and compulsory chastity thrown-in as a bonus. But in his prayers John found himself, and found his God – and his God found him. And God gave John a message – a message to the comfortable culture of the established religion he knew so well and which he had rejected so firmly; a culture busy accommodating itself and even its core beliefs and values to the demands and the customs of the occupying military power of the Roman Empire. And the message was “Repent!” It cost him his head.

This is exemplified both by the life and the death of John the Baptist. He was born into the heart of the first-century Palestinian Establishment. His father was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem – about as “Establishment” as being on the staff of Westminster Abbey today! In those days priesthood was hereditary, and John was no doubt expected to follow his father into the priesthood. But

In the desert, John discovered that prayer is subversive. To sit with God, and to listen for God, is to risk hearing his voice, and to be challenged to the core of our being. Christians make a great mistake if they think prayer is solely about them talking to (or at!) God. The essence of prayer is listening. It is only when we empty ourselves and listen that we will hear God’s ‘still, small voice’ – and that voice may very well propel us into all sorts of activity we would not have chosen for ourselves. If you don’t think you have the guts for that, perhaps it’s better not to listen in the first place. But you will be the loser.

Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash

Walkers on the wing

MARVELLOUS moths and beautiful butterflies are in store for walkers taking part in two walks being held at Bere Marsh Farm, near Shillingstone.

One of the UK’s leading moth experts, Jack Oughton, will lead the walks, the first of which is tomorrow (Saturday, June 22) and coincides with National Insect Week. He will set moth traps the night before the events and then tell people taking part in the walks about the species found.

The Countryside Regeneration Trust, a national charity which promotes naturefriendly farming to help reverse biodiversity decline and combat climate change, is running the events.

Its community engagement manager, Nick Dobbs, will also take walkers on a one-hour guided nature walk around Bere Marsh Farm and the Angela Hughes Nature Reserve, looking at butterflies, and any other wildlife spotted along the way.

He said: “We have been monitoring

for several years to help us track their health and that of their ecosystem overall.

“Catch and release moth traps are the most efficient, humane and effective method of gathering information about moths, enabling us to make informed decisions about how to manage the land on the farm.”

The UK has nearly 60 resident species of butterfly and over 2,500 species of moth.

National Insect Week is organised by the Royal Entomological Society and runs from Monday, June 24, to Sunday, June 30.

“Taking part in one of our walks is a great opportunity to take part in citizen

learn from our experts,” added Nick. The cost is £10 adults, £3 children and £5 CRT Friends or volunteers.

The walk tomorrow is from 10am-1pm and the next is on July 20 – to book a place

Art and the rainforest

ENVIRONMENTAL artist Gary Cook is focusing on rainforests in his show Temperate Times at The Art Stable in Child Okeford.

Gary, from Shaftesbury, has been a full-time environmental painter for 10 years and focussed on trees in the UK in this exhibition.

He was inspired to begin the project after reading Guy Shrubsole’s best-selling book The Lost Rainforests of Britain Gary said: “These

environmentally vital woodlands used to cover up to 20% of our country but now, sadly, they make up less than 1%.

“They are particularly enchanting because they thrive in damp conditions, so their trees tend to be mistily romantic with branches draped in mosses and ferns.

“They really do look as though they’ve come straight from a fairytale book.”

Gary trained at the Arts University Bournemouth and became the senior artist and associate editor at The Sunday Times for over 25 years.

He is now a council member of two of the Royal Institute of

The exhibition is at The Art Stable from Saturday, June 22, to Saturday, July 20.

Painters in Water Colours and the Society of Graphic Fine Art.

Gary Cook is exhibiting at The Art Stable in Child Okeford

How does your garden grow?

NATIONAL Garden Scheme and the Museum of East Dorset are presenting a series of lectures this summer.

Rooted in Dorset’s gardening community, the series includes ‘The Gardens at Athelhampton – Their History and Ongoing Development’ by Owen Davies and Sophy Roberston, on Friday, July 5, from 6pm8.30pm at the Museum of East Dorset (23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR).

Athelhampton House is one of England’s finest Tudor Manor Houses.

The 12-acre, award-winning gardens surround the house and were remodelled in 1891. The gardens comprise many ‘compartments’ built using ham stone, each with a different style or theme and with a water feature of a pond or fountain.

The Great Court features the 12 world-famous giant yew tree

pyramids overlooked by two terraced pavilions.

This glorious Grade 1 architectural garden is full of vistas with spectacular planting, ponds with fountains and the River Piddle flowing past.

The house and gardens are protected by a Grade 1 listing and are well maintained to

protect for future generations.

Owen Davies is the estate manager at Athelhampton House and Sophy Roberston the head gardener, so they’re both perfectly placed to give an update on the gardens’ ongoing maintenance and development.

Through the evening, guests are free to explore the tranquil walled garden at the Museum, which is tucked away in the centre of Wimborne.

Colourful herbaceous borders

and heritage orchard trees line the path which stretches 100m down to the mill stream.

Admission £15, children free. Pre-booking is essential, please visit ngs.org.uk for information and booking.

The café adjoining the lecture room will be serving light refreshments and drinks, including wine, which can be bought separately.

Doors open at 6pm, with the lecture scheduled to start at 6.45pm for one hour.

Please see www.ngs.org.uk for more details. Wheelchair access throughout the site.

Year round family space

GARAGE SALE

6 Sparkford Road South Barrow

Saturday 29th June 11am-2pm

In aid of Treatment in a Bag Charity

EXHIBITION AND SALE OF PAINTINGS

Maiden Newton Village Hall

Friday 21st June 5pm til 9pm

Saturday 22nd June 10am til 4pm Free entry Tombola and refreshments.

CREAM TEA EVENT

SUNDAY 23rd JUNE

The Old School

172 Church Street

Sturminster Marshall BH21 4BU 2pm – 5pm

All proceeds to Wimborne Musical Theatre Society

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM

Friday 14th & Sat 15th, 22nd, & 29th June 9 - 4.30pm

Shaftesbury Town Hall

Lots of lovely items for sale under one roof. Supporting Weldmar Hospice and Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance FREE ENTRY

BLANDFORD & DISTRICT

U3A. 28th June. Lilian Ladle on the Druce Farm Roman Villa . 2 pm at Durweston Village Hall (postcode: DT11 0QA)

For further information, please call 01258 628079

DAMERHAM AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Annual show Saturday 27th July Damerham SP6 3HN Details/entry forms (ddhs.co.uk)

“OLD FAITHFUL” 80TH ANNIVERSARY 1944-2024. Sunday 23rd June. Wincanton will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the crash of “old Faithful” with a small ceremony and parade. 13.45pm Meet at the Memorial Hall for a small ceremony. 14.15pm Parade to the “Old Faithful” memorial plaque at Bayford Hill. Wincanton Town Council, Town Hall, Market Place, BA9-9LD. 01963-31693. www,wincantontowncouncil.gov.uk

SWANAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Fri 12th | Sat 13th | Sun 14th | July

This year’s Festival has over 50 bands & 230 musicians:

Weekend Stroller: £140 | Day: £43/£82* Kids’ Weekend: U18 £30 | U14 £10 | U5 free Jazz Village with Free Music, Food, Bar, Kid’s Activities, Jazz DJs, & Jazz Yoga 10% Discount for BH19 Residents (from TIC) FREE FRINGE in local pubs & hotels

Individual Tickets for Evening Concerts Available on the Door (subject to capacity) www.swanagejazzfestival.co.uk/tickets

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull Royal British Legion on Monday 24th June Eyes down 7pm

ROLT MILLENNIUM GREEN, SHAFTESBURY - A.G.M. SAT 29 JUNE. The RMG Trust’s Annual General Meeting 2023-24 will take place at Grosvenor Hotel, Shaftesbury (Library Room) 11am-12 noon, Saturday 29 June. ALL WELCOME. Registered Charity No.1077130. The Rolt Millennium Green - A Breathing Space in the heart of St James.

MILL FARM PARTY

SATURDAY 27 JULY

* Prices rise on July 1 st

Cerne Abbas Music Festival 2024 July12th -14th

Leading Dutch violinist Marieke Blankestijn is joined by friends and colleagues from major international ensembles to perform three wonderfully varied concerts for Strings, Harpsichord and Flute.

July 12th at 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas

by Bach, Telemann and Corelli

July 13th at 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas Classical and Romantic masterpieces

July 14th at 5.00 pm in Ashton Farm Barn, Martinstown.DT2 9HA An entertaining concert of music inspired by Folk and Dance Music including Scandinavian and

The Cerne Abbas Music Festival is once again presenting Chamber Concerts by leading musicians from the Uk and beyond.

The Festival has been a highlight of Dorset’s Classical music calendar for 32 years and is continuing to evolve with the Gaudier Ensemble being joined by friends and colleagues with a similar passion for Chamber music. There will be several weekends of music each year in Cerne Abbas and other local venues.

From July 12-14th 2024 Dutch Violinist,Marieke Blankestijn, who is the leader of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and guest leader with the English Chamber Orchestra and many other European ensemble has devised three programmes reflecting her many and varied passions. Marieke has played and directed on numerous recordings, including acclaimed versions of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Bach’s Concerto for Two violins with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. For more information and tickets go to:

cerneabbasmusicfestival.org.uk

Barn

TEA IN THE GARDEN

Saturday 29 June at the Old Rectory Stock Gaylard DT10 2BG 2pm - 5pm.

Admission including the fabulous tea £5. All proceeds to the Lydlinch Bells Fund.

DUNCLIFFE GARDEN

CLUB 50th ANNIVERSARY SUMMER SHOW

Saturday, 29th June at 2.00pm at East Stour Village Hall. Entry £1.00, children free. Afternoon teas, raffle, bonsai display, arts and crafts display. Further information from Ros Bates 01747 838589

ZEALS OPEN GARDEN WEEKEND

13 gardens in and around Zeals to visit over 29th & 30th June (noon-5pm). Arts and crafts and classic cars on display. Refreshments, accessible facilities and parking available. Tickets £6 (accompanied children free) from Zeals Village Hall BA12 6NA

CHARITY CLAY SHOOT

Sunday 7th July at 10am Lower

Teams of 4

Enquiries: 01300 348788 www.ducksdrakescancertrust.org.uk

family ticket (4 people): £260

Camping option available

June

(12-3pm)

11 5 40 64 22 BINGO!

Stalbridge Hall Thursday 27th June

Doors

Arts & Entertainment

Pilgrim Singers bringing A Summer’s Delight...

THE Wincanton-based Pilgrim Singers are set to present a charity concert entitled A Summer’s Delight in the grounds of Elliscombe House, Higher Holton.

The ecumenical choir has been giving concerts in the area for over 20 years and has raised thousands of pounds for local, national and international

charities.

Membership is open to those of all faiths or none and is led by its director of music, Jane Fenton.

A varied programme of choral music will feature soloists Arabella Heaton, Ellen and Gregory Steward, with accompanist Clare Sydenham.

The concert is on Sunday, July 7, at 3pm – open from 1pm for picnics.

Tickets priced £15 –under-18 free – include strawberries and cream and Pimms/fruit drink, and will be available on the door, from Wincanton Post Office, choir members or phone 01963 33695.

WIMBORNE Choral Society will perform a special concert at Wimborne Minster later this month celebrating musical director and talented musician Christopher Dowie’s 47 years of service to the choir.

The concert will feature a full orchestra of around 40 musicians from Wimborne Chamber Orchestra, professional solo artists and the choral society choir. It is the penultimate concert Christopher will lead before retiring. The last one, A Journey through Mozart and Bach, is on November 30, also at the Minster.

The summer concert will feature a programme of British composers such as Parry and Elgar and a major piece from Christopher Dowie himself called A Song For St Cecilia

Tickets for the concert on Saturday, June 29, cost from £12, under-18s £6, and are available from Square Records, High Street, Wimborne, and on the door.

The Wincanton-based Pilgrim Singers have raised thousands of pounds for charities

Musical Magic, Kipps, the New Half a Sixpence, comes to Shaftesbury!

A burst of sunshine comes to Shaftesbury this Summer in the form of Kipps, the New updated Half a Sixpence, reworked by no less than Cameron Macintosh and Julian Fellows.

Shaftesbury Arts Centre has chosen this joyous musical as its Summer show, on at the Arts Centre from the 11th to the 20th July. With catchy tunes and a whirlwind of dance to accompany the dialogue, you cannot fail to walk away afterwards with a smile on your face as you hum the tunes.

The original starred Tommy Steele as the hero, one Arthur Kipps, who worked for a penny pinching draper together with other apprentices. A chance meeting with a stage impressario reveals Arty Kipps as the heir to a fortune, and he attempts to become a gentleman, falling for the daughter of a customer from the draper’s shop where he worked. The sad fact of this romance of course is that the brother of his intended love has

his eyes on Kipps’ fortune and cheats him. Ann, his childhood sweetheart, berates Kipps for not being true to himself, which naturally wakes the young man up into understanding himself and where his true self lies.

With numbers such as “If the rain’s got to fall” and “Pick out a simple tune” you will be hard to decide on a favourite until you come to the end and hear the iconic “Flash bang wallop” and witness the hard work the wonderful cast have put in to make this show such a crowd pleaser.

The cast of 32 has an age range of 10 to 80....there are over 100 costumes, 24 musical numbers and an orchestra under the steady baton of David Grierson. What more could you want?

Tickets are £15, £12.50 for members and friends and £10 for under 18s. They are available from Shaftesbury Arts Centre on line at www.shaftesburyartscentre.org. uk, or from the box office on (01747) 854321, which is open from 10.00 until 12.30 Monday to Saturday.

This is definitely one not to missed.

Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: The next Mothers’ Union meeting is on Friday, June 28, at 10am for 10.30am in the Griffiths Room. Music with poetry written by Sue Bradshaw. Everyone welcome.

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

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

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

• Horton & Chalbury village hall: Third Sunday of the

month, 9am Breakfast Church.

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

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

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, June 23 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at St John The Baptist, Spetisbury; 11am BCP Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Crawford; 16.00 Songs of Praise at All Saints, Langton Long. Sunday, June 30 – 9.30am Said Communion at St Mary Church, Charlton Marshall; 10.45am Worship in the barn at South Farm, Spetisbury. Sunday, July 7 – 10.45am Together Communion at All Saints, Langton Long. Sunday, July 14 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Family Service at All Saints Church Tarrant Keynston. Coffee and cake – Spetisbury 10am–11.30am first and third Monday each month. Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am–11.30am July 18. Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am–12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday. Every Thursday, Morning Prayer by Zoom, 9am – contact Jane Griffin for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Sherborne Old Girls’ concert: 125th anniversary concert at Gransden Hall, Merritt Centre, Sherborne Girls’ School on Saturday, June 22 at 6.30pm. Features Ruth Rogers (violin) with solo performances by Lucinda Cox, Ellie George, Olivia Moore, Susanna MacRae and Charlotte Ewins followed by a selection of choruses from Handel’s Messiah sung by members of the Sherborne Girls Community and the Madrigal Society, after which a drinks reception will be held on Avalon Terrace, 8.15pm-9.30pm.

Tickets £25 from Fiona James on 01935 818329.

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

• St Gregory’s, Marnhull: Sunday services 8am and 10am.

Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk.

• St James Church, Longburton: Hymns with Pimms on Sunday, June 30, 6pm. A summer evening singing favourite hymns with a glass of Pimms or similar. To suggest a hymn, email revdlesley@ outlook.com by June 22.

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

• St Leonard’s, Semley: Come and Sing Evensong, Sunday, July 7, 6pm. Rehearsal, open to all, from 3.30pm, with tea at 5pm. Music will be provided on the day or can be collected at an additional rehearsal on June 28, 6pm. Wine and ‘eats’ after the service.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Angling club has so much to offer

THE Dorchester and District Angling Society (DDAS) offers some of the best value for money freshwater fishing in the south west.

Founded in 1947 with just nine anglers, the club has grown steadily through the years to a membership of more than 400 today.

For an adult membership of just £60, members get access to a variety of coarse fishing venues across the area.

Stretches of the River Stour at Shillingstone and Hanford Farm, between Sturminster Newton and Blandford, for those who like to fish light for natural wild coarse fish.

Some of the best grayling fishing you will find is at Wool and Wogret in the west.

Small farm lakes at Potwell and Sharnhill Green offer varied species, and multi-lake venues at Chickerell (Coldharbour), Higher Kingcombe and the Revels Fishery at Cosmore offer endless possibilities.

The future of the club is growing with new lakes at the Silverlake Dorset estate, near Warmwell.

But the jewel in the crown is our very own Luckfield Lake in Broadmayne, Dorchester, with a wide variety of species to a reasonably large size!

All these venues combined offer our members excellent value for money.

For our younger members, DDAS can offer guided coaching as well as friendly matches to introduce children to the sport, as well as teaching them how to respect the natural environment in which they will find themselves.

Coaches have recognised qualifications, are first aid trained and fully DBS checked.

Fishing has been proven to improve mental health and reduce stress in a busy world.

Anglers can find solace in nature on peaceful waterways or join in with the fun and banter of one of our friendly club matches. However you choose to go

fishing, you will find somewhere that will suit your needs.

DDAS is a non-profit making member of the Angling Trust and is active in helping to promote coarse fishing, and in fighting threats like pollution, predation and fish theft.

It also donates annually to worthy local charities from the donations of its members.

For more information about DDAS, go to our website at www.d-das.com, or contact the club secretary, Steve Sudworth, on 07816 175579.

For juniors, go to www. ddasjuniors.co.uk or email juniors.sec@d-das.com

Steve Sudworth

DDAS secretary via email

Right to vote is a hard won privilege

THE privilege to vote – or not

– Letters, New Blackmore Vale, June 7. Clearly two sides to this coin.

I would not make voting compulsory but would urge people to vote.

This is a democratic right not available to many and should be nurtured as a precious gift.

Suffragettes are still well remembered even if Rotten Boroughs are a thing of the past.

Consider how many are literally fighting for the right to vote, in prison, tortured and more in many countries around the world.

That alone should encourage all to vote, for their memory, at least.

The system is flawed but everyone, now with identity, has the privilege of a say in the democratic process.

It may be through gritted teeth and on the back of cynicism, lies and deceit of the political class.

Sadly, that is not new but has become a whole lot worse.

The suggestion might also be that the electorate get the politicians they deserve – is there fault in our own stance?

James Bishop Wincanton

Families can’t eat wildflowers

IN response to the letter, “Farming and nature can co-exist” – New Blackmore Vale, May 10, it seems that there are still readers out there that are not listening to the hard facts of what it is that UK farming needs to survive.

To put food on your tables and feed your families it is not about planting wildflowers.

Yes, our mere mortals – the writer’s words, not mine – look after your gardens and keep bees and encourage our fantastic wildlife with bird feeders and scraps for the hedgehogs, but do not lambast the “biggest landowners” – translated as those who have to work the hardest – by suggesting we are simply trying to line our pockets.

We are not, we are trying to produce enough food to feed British people and not rely on imported foodstuffs.

I therefore stand by my words, as a New Blackmore Vale Food and Farming columnist and member of a seventh generation farming family, that I know what I am talking about.

We need to grow more food ourselves in the very unstable world we now live in.

There is war, conflict and famine in much more than one pocket of the globe.

The UK’s farmers are the best country gardeners we have, and the point I was trying to make was that our government was – note the past tense –encouraging farmers to put a lot of good crop land down to growing flowers instead. We cannot eat flowers.

However, that same government has since realised this was not a good policy and it backtracked by saying UK farmers should only use up to 25% of their land for such schemes or the balance would shift the wrong way.

We need to grow food to feed our overpopulated small island and I stand by my strong beliefs about this, Mr “name & address supplied”, and put my name to my words.

Barbara Cossins Rawston Farm and The Langton Arms

Garden open day: A big thank you

A BIG thank you to the New Blackmore Vale magazine for giving us an editorial on our open gardens, held June 1 and 2.

We are also not quite sure who we should thank for the sunny weather – gosh, was summer ever going to arrive!

And finally, to the hundreds of visitors we hosted, all supporting the many charities the National Garden Scheme supports, which without your generosity would struggle to exist.

Over the 10 years of our opening, the many visitors have raised a grand total of £7,600 for the charities, with this year’s total being a staggering £1,033.38.

It is a humbling experience to discover how many people have been touched by the events of life the charities support and give back in small but constant ways to help others.

While something of a full-on task getting the gardens ready, the input is far outweighed experiencing the good we can collectively do to make a positive difference.

The opening hours fly by through the many interactions and shared views on the great British debating points – the weather and the perennial problem of why a plant does well in that spot, yet a few feet away another specimen perishes. Such is gardening!

Our heartfelt thanks once more to all who give so generously to help others.

Louise and Mike Madgwick Shaftesbury

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Cryptic crossword

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

Killer Sudoku Pro

Across 7 Merit as represented in musical experts (7)

9 Sluggish son goes off magazine supplement? (5)

10 Rental property abandoned with fellow gone (3)

11 Problem in debt, say (9)

12 Element in combatant, a long hooked claw (5)

14 Stop in hotel in the same place with appeal (7)

16 Italian cheese, ingredient in apricot tart (7)

18 Female relative spoke of Mediterranean resort (5)

19 Struggle in winter possibly to get meeting for broadcast? (9)

20 Support, we hear, for hot drink (3)

21 Foreign currency from bank or otherwise – not British (5)

22 More unpleasant variant of retsina (7) Down

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

1 Dress or amulet for rival (8)

2 Troublesome type in cheap establishment

3 Hot sweet German bread with only one

4 Perfect last coat of paint (6)

5 Queen on reflection I label unusually steady (8)

6 Last check (4)

8 A soldier with country after one month showing resourcefulness (11)

13 Liberal with calling heading off for place

15 Lexicographical aids for all to see in this developed (8)

17 Threadbare car mat? It’s used to cover road (6)

18 Sheep kept by conservationists? That’s recent (6)

19 Repulsively sweet cake oddly in island yard (4)

20 Partner is secure after time (4)

Hong Kong street scene pictures

ACREMAN St. Auctioneers & Valuers Sherborne is holding two auctions in June.

General Antiques & Collectors on Thursday, June 27, includes a collection of unseen Anne Morse original watercolours of Hong Kong street scenes, a Lalique Victoire seal estimated at £300-£400 and a large antique Chinese piano shawl in its original lacquer box estimated at £200-300.

Jewellery, Silver & Watches on Friday, June 28, includes a 1964 Badgers Brewery Wincanton steeplechase trophy, only five of which were made, estimated at £4,000-£6,000. The catalogue and bidding are available through Easyliveauction.com and Thesaleroom.com, and Auctionet.com for its timed auctions.

Acreman is now accepting consignments for its upcoming sales.

It is holding a Garden and Architectural auction on Thursday, August 29, and is inviting further entries.

It is happy to advise prospective vendors an anything they may be considering for auction – email photographs to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or take in items in for Acreman to take a look at. It is open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm.

Anyone who has anything they would like to consign should contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764, or by email at auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk. Acreman is at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH. GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS AUCTION Thursday 27th

Veteran, vintage and classic cars

VEHICLES from 1905 to 2007 are for sale in Charterhouse’s Classic & Vintage Car auction at the Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, June 27.

“There is something for every car collector,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

“With vehicles being sold without reserve to a 1944 Scammell lorry with a showman’s living wagon for £140,000, there is also something for all budgets.”

The oldest car is a 1905 De Dion-Bouton and the latest a 2007 Jaguar XKR coupe.

The auction features 60 vehicles with convertibles, saloons, estates, coupes, 4x4s, campers and tourers in all shapes and sizes, some needing restoration and some on the button.

Viewing for the auction is at Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, June 27, from 9am with the sale at 1pm.

All the lots and live internet bidding is available at www.charterhouse-auction. com

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for its busy programme of specialist auctions including Pictures, Books and Decorative Arts in July followed by Silver, Jewellery and Watches in August.

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

Painting could sell for £8,000

THE upcoming Summer Auction at Duke’s on Thursday, July 11, showcases a trove of curiosities and wonders of exceptional variety.

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

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

A highlight of the many paintings permeating the auction is an oil on panel by Johann Heinrich Tisschbein the Elder (1722-89), titled Abraham Kneeling Before the Three Angels (pictured), estimated at £6,000-£8,000.

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

The physical catalogue is available to pre-order now at £20 plus shipping.

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

Clarke’s moving to new home

CLARKE’S Auctions held its first sale in Semley in November 2016 but has outgrown its original salerooms and is moving to new premises at The Old Glove Factory in the centre of Gillingham on Monday, July 22.

Clarke’s is holding its inaugural sale there on the second weekend of August with viewing from Wednesday to Friday, August 7-9, at the new premises in Buckingham Road.

The market for gold, silver and jewellery is buoyant now and Clarke’s valuers are happy to look at pieces prospective vendors are thinking of selling.

They are at the salerooms in Semley until the middle of July and at The Old Glove Factory from Monday, July 22.

Clarke’s is also preparing for its autumn Classic Vehicles and

Automobilia sale – give Matthew Whitney a call to discuss entries into this sale. For consignment into future sales, or for probate valuations, house clearances or any other queries, phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9BU.

& Collectibles Sale Saturday 13th June 2024

An 18ct gold & sapphire cigarette case retailed by Garrard & Co. £5,500 Clarke’s Auctions o er free home visits and verbal valuations. Colour catalogue available at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

& Valuers Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109

A Chinese silk embroidered robe recently sold for £1,480

300 lots from Ford family residencies

DORE & REES are set to offer more than 300 lots from Turville Grange and Eaton Square, the British residences of the Ford family.

Clocks

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

The sale features high quality furnishings and furniture procured and styled by Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler, and encompasses decorative arts, paintings, homewares and the late Kathleen DuRoss Ford’s personal effects, which includes a collection of handbags.

Kathleen DuRoss Ford was part of an affluent American elite who enjoyed bringing English country house style to their homes.

Married to Henry T. Ford II in 1980, they both enjoyed collecting and furnished their homes with statement artworks and homewares befitting members of one the America’s

most famous families.

Henry T. Ford II purchased Turville Grange from Lee Radziwill, the younger sister of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband Prince Stanislas.

Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler were engaged to create the warm, welcoming interiors that characterised Turville Grange and Eaton Square properties.

Dore & Rees have worked with the pair in the curation and sale of the collection that they tailored for the Ford family over 30 years ago.

Head to www.doreandrees. com to view the complete auction catalogue, Curated Interiors including the Collection of the Late Mrs Henry T Ford II, Wednesday, July 3, 9.30am.

Curated Interiors including contents from Turville Grange - The Collection of the Late Mrs. Henry T. Ford II Wednesday 3 July, 9:30am Saturday 29 June – Tuesday 2 July, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Antiques & Collectibles

Valuing your treasures...

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

I’M often asked what I look for when valuing antique jewellery. I have extensive experience in the field having spent 10 years as head of Jewellery at a leading auction house, and have valued and successfully sold many important collections over the years.

Here’s some of my process:

If it’s a ring, I put it on my finger to get the proportion and scale – checking that the settings are aren’t too heavy and they are well crafted. If a setting is too chunky, it doesn’t reveal the colour or beauty of the stone enough. Equally a well crafted setting indicates that someone felt the stone was worthwhile taking time over.

Next, I look at the colour. This can help limit the type of gemstone it is.

For instance, if it was light blue it could be a sapphire,

topaz or aquamarine.

I can ascertain the overall quality of the stone by using an eye glass and I’m looking for the saturation of colour and how well it travels through the stone.

I can also see how many inclusions there are, which indicate the quality.

The fewer inclusions, which are materials trapped in the stone when it was growing, the better the quality and would show more of the true colour.

I then look at the general condition of the piece, so if the stones are chipped or scuffed, or a ring shank is thin or has broken claws, it is going to affect the value.

PROOF

And finally, I consider where the piece has come from. I recently acquired a basic silver and turquoise ring which was in bad condition and worth about £10. But the customer had proof it was owned by none other than guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, which made it much more desirable and worth far more!

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Home & Garden

Get in the Garden

The

and tips, with Mike Burks, MD of The Gardens Group...

Summer gardening...

HAVING worked hard to get the garden in shape over the spring, gardeners could be forgiven for thinking it is now time to relax.

The best time to get these chores done is first thing in the morning.

Watering is a key part of keeping the garden going over the summer months. Carrying this out before the heat of the day will mean that a greater percentage of the water applied will reach the plant. Mature borders should be selfsufficient, especially if they have been mulched well with something like composted bark which will conserve moisture while also keeping weeds down and will be slowly helping to improve the soil too.

When planting, it’s also useful to use a product called Rootgrow. This is a naturally occurring fungal “slime” which connects with the plant roots, heads out into the soil acting as an extension of the root system searching out moisture and nutrients. This reduces the plant’s dependency on the gardener. Even with Rootgrow, anything newly planted will need to be kept from being under drought stress and a good soak every couple of days helps enormously. A covering with mulch as mentioned earlier will lock the moisture in.

retentive gel in the compost can help but its effects are marginal and are no substitute for daily watering.

The source of water is an interesting issue, and it is a commodity that will become in increasingly short supply throughout the world.

We can do our bit by harvesting rainwater from the roof in water butts. This is not only free water (especially if you are on a meter) but also is very good quality for use in the garden.

Regular feeding, especially of tubs and baskets, will also keep the garden looking good. It’s worth thinking about what the food is for. For example, if more flowers are required as they would be in a hanging basket then a high Potash fertilizer such as Big Tom would be good.

Dead-heading too should be carried out on flowering displays.

On many plants, should a flower be allowed to go to seed the plant will think its job is done. However, with the removal of the old flowers the plant is kidded into thinking that it needs to produce more flowers and so the display will be prolonged.

Hornby, Dinky, Triang, Spot-On, Corgi, Subbuteo, Britains, Timpo plus plus plus Telephone: 01935 816072 Mobile: 07527 074343

Baskets and tubs need to be watered every day. On a rainy day in the garden centre, it can often amuse customers seeing the plant team in waterproofs still watering the plant displays but this is because so much of the rain will be blocked from getting to the soil in pots by the foliage of the plant that it is still necessary.

The use of water

And then after all that hard work, and/or posing and espionage, there may be time for a sit down with a cup of tea, something stronger perhaps, if preferred, would also be allowed!

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Home & Garden

Short history of cottage garden favourite...

by Sally Gregson

IT can come as quite a surprise to learn that we British gardeners have been growing sweet peas for many centuries. However. it all started in Sicily with the Moors in the middle of the 15th century. They were known to grow the endemic sweet peas for their scent in those famous “paradise” gardens of Mediterranean Spain.

These gardens were places of retreat from the intense heat, with pavilions to provide shade from the sun, and the sound of cool splashing fountains. The enclosing walls trapped scent within the garden and the delicate pink and white Sicilian pea would have been cultivated for its perfume alongside roses

and carnations.

In 1695, a Franciscan monk, Fr Cupani, noted that the sweet peas that were growing wild around the monastery in Palermo were producing larger flowers than usual. He collected the seed and sent some to his friends, Caspar Commelin in Holland and to Dr Robert Uvedale, a schoolmaster of Enfield. The flowers were strongly fragrant, and purple and blue. Somewhere, somehow the wild Sicilian peas had crossed, or been hybridised with another wild pea of a different colour. Perhaps the Moorish gardeners had been at work centuries earlier and the resultant hybrid had naturalised alongside the native pink and white forms growing around the

Sicilian monastery.

The sweet pea’s ability to hybridise so easily endeared it to Dutch and English plantsmen and at the beginning of the 18th century the Painted Lady pea made its appearance. It had light red and white scented flowers produced on short weak stems. Slowly throughout the 19th century, larger flowers arose, then in 1899 at Althorp, the home of Earl Spencer,

ancestor of Princess Diana, three seedlings of Prima Donna produced flowers with ruffled, or “waved” petals. They caused a sensation. They were then crossed back to his other grandiflora hybrids and produced a whole race of “Spencer hybrids” that wowed the gardening public from Althorp to California. The gardening world trembled and changed.

The sweet pea’s ability to hybridise so easily endeared it to plantsmen

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

PRESSURE WASHING

NOVA PRESSURE WASHING

Driveways, patios and more. Free quotes, call 07553-890575 or email novapressurewashing@outlook.com

The

New

Blackmore Vale Magazine DEADLINES

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

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

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

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

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Tel: 01747 631471 Mobile: 07921 637227

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.

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

B.LUCAS

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

B COOK PLASTERING SERVICES

Call today for a free no obligation quote. 07490 302657 Fully

NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING

J& C Handyman Services

Plumbing

Painting & decorating

Shed erecting & repairs

Flat pack furniture

Shelves & curtain rails

Door hanging & skirting boards

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

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

T F PLANT

HANDYMAN,

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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

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

KBB KITCHEN FITTER, all aspects of kitchen fitting undertaken. 30 years experience, free estimates given. Tel: 01963 364550 or 0789 0841827

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS LTD

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

J.SHAW

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

CHIMNEYS

SOLID FUEL INSTALLATIONS LTD

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

CLEANING

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

SHINY STOVES

OVEN CLEANING

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

Rachelle Cooper 01963 400186

COMPUTERS & TECH

DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons).

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

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

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

Joseph Crocker Computers

Custom built gaming & office PCs

Desktop & laptop repair

Help with mobile devices

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

josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

COMPUTERS &

• Friendly, patient, and knowledgeable

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

• Sell online easily, quickly and reliably

• Buying advice, setup and installation

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

Local Services

GARETH TANNER

G.O.T. DECORATING

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

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

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

PIANO TUNING, repairs, sales of reconditioned pianos.Julian Phillips BA CGLI. 01258 471194

Wasps, Rodents, and all other pests humanely dealt with. All forms of bird and rodent proofing undertaken. T: 01258 721462

Items for sale

CLASSIFIED ADS

EXTENDABLE, RECTANGULAR OAK DINING TABLE plus 4/6 matching chairs. All excellent condition. £80 Contact 07919 005939

LADIES GIANT YUKON MTB. As new, unwanted gift. £200. 01963 202931.

LOGIC FLAIL MOWER £1,500 ono: PADDOCK TOPPER £600 ono: FLEMING 2 PRONG BALE SPIKE £250 ono - Tel: 01747 870247

UNUSED WEBB PETROL LAWN MOWER. 46cm, cost £280. Offers. Tel: 01963-370356

VANTAGE MOBILITY SCOOTER

18mths old Little used. Was £,1,650 new VGC £700 Tel 01963-364394

Gtech eBike, 28” wheels,plus Thule roof mounted carrier.£450. Gillingham Tel 07950 614867

RED MOBILITY SCOOTER for sale £350ono. Telephone Yeovil 01935-706998

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

CHILD CAR SEAT. Craco. Little used. 15kg-36kg weight. £20. cash. Tel: 07787-371823

CAMPING FRIDGE 12V (Cigarette Plug) or 230V (Mains Plug)- large capacity - like new (Yeovil) £20 Tel 07563 105 836

NEFF BUILT-IN MICROWAVE

OVEN (H56G20N3GB) - buyer to collect Templecombe - £40 Tel: 07771 852764

500 WATT HALOGEN SECURITY LIGHT £10 – 01963-31930

DISPLAY CABINET DIAMOND SHAPE glass front 50.00. Tel: 01985 845211

A SET OF 4 HENSELITE

OUTDOOR Lawn Bowls, size 5, in a box. £30. 07707-596857

LARGE SUN PARASOL. Excellent condition. Hardly used. 2 and a half metres wide. Green. £35. Tel: 07785 534 524.

PORTABLE C/D RADIO PLAYERnearly new cost £35 new £22 01935-873441

CHILD’S COLLAPSIBLE BUGGY with covers Chicco Littleway good condition £25 07899952448 (Blandford)

LADIES APOLLO MOUNTAIN BIKE pink 26” wheels 18” frame good condition £50 07974-001591 Sherborne

ELECTRIC GARDEN VACUUM, shredder blower 25£ used twice 01258 453710

13 FOOT BEACH ROD and a carry box of miscellaneous tackle - £2007774-373007 - Sturminster.

MORPHY RICHARDS CLARITY SOUPMAKER, model 501050. Brand new. £50.Tel: 07851 408667.

VILEDA ELECTRIC MOP AND PADS COST £80. LITTLE USED . SELL £40. CAN DELIVER.

FREE RHUBARB, Multi-crown rhubarb plant (3ft dia.) free to diggerup, 01963 370749

LONG RANGE FM RADIO ANTENNA LIKE NEW £10 LOCAL 07963 319751

TP SWING, 2 single swings and 1 swing boat. Metal frame. 12ft X 8ft. 7ft high. £50. Tel: 07967-812978

GUINEA PIG CAGE. Large, plastic, indoor cage. As new £20. Tel: 01747-811702

REVITIVE FOOT/LEG MASSAGER. £50. Tel: 01747-837834 to collect

PIONEER PLASMA SCREEN TV. £25. Toshiba 26” TV with matched DVD player £25. Tel: 07860-969868

2 x CHICKEN HOUSES. Perches and Nest Boxes inside. Sleep 5 and 8. £25 and £40. Also feeder, water fountain and grit container. Buyer collects. 07785 534 524.

INTERESTING BEER GLASSES (1 pt) 50 plus .DISC WORLD, HOOK NORTON,LARKINS BREWERY and many more! , More info, ring 01963 548224

PRETTY WICKER, LINED, BABY’S CRIB and stand. £45. 01963 548224

6 BOXES 12 BORE CARTRIDGES Eley 7.5 1st Select 1oz load. 30 loose cartridges as above £30 cash Shotgun licence must be shown CARTRIDGE BELT AND BAG £15 - 01935 471913

BOXES (strong cardboard -up to 12kg): Ideal for house move/ storage. 30 available. £20 Tel. STREET 01458 44 32 64

WARDROBE,TEAK VENEER, originally from John Lewis. Half hanging space, half shelving/ drawers. HT. 1.7 m x W. 0.92 m. £15. Tel. 07731 843743

M&S WHITE SCHOOL SHIRTS 4 short sleeve and 4 long sleeve. Age 6-7. Never worn still in their bags. Value £42. Bargain £15. Tel: 01258 820864

MOBILITY SCOOTER (Sterling Midi Xtra). Needs new battery - £50. Wincanton 01963 33156

CHRISTOW 4 SECTION GARDEN

GROW Polytunnel With Reinforced Cover 260cm x 60cm x 50cm, Brand new in box, £30, Tel: 01747-825790

HAMMOCK WITH METAL STAND. Ideal for the summer.Very minor use excellent condition £45 07707 112910

MASON DENMARK DINNER/ Breakfast service £40. 01747-590592

DAWES GENTLEMAN’S BICYCLE. Used good condition £45. Tel 01935 850647

TRI SACK TRUCK. Make gardening easier. 2 in 1 stair climber, 150kg capacity. £45. Tel 01935 814404

DESIGNERS GUILD 2/3 seater sofa £50 07588-053555

6”x2” TIMBERS, 15ft lenghts. £20 each. Also other timbers. Tel: 01747-840835

5 ACRO PROPS. From £15 each. Tel: 07793-497608

CHILD’S RIDING HAT, for approx age 5/6 yrs,hardly used by grandchild.£25. 01258 820526

BUNK BEDS. METAL. 2 good mattresses. Free to anyone who will dismantle them. 01963 251256

GARDEN PLANT POTS 12 terracotta and earthenware garden flower pots of various shapes and sizes. A job lot at £50. 07513 191 715

FOLDING WIRE TIERED TABLETOP greeting cards display stand. £14. 07748-735663 Sherborne

9 CHINA WALL PLATES, Wedgwood, Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, country scenes, boxed and certificated £10 each ONO 01258 820869 Marlene

CUTLERY, CROCKERY AND CHINA . Mosyly unused. Ladies woollens and shirts etc. Suitable for car boor sales. £25. 01963-23477

7 LIGHT OAK INTERIOR DOORS 5 PART GLAZED 2 SOLID WITH HINGES,HANDLES,LOCKS. 199 X 68.6 cm VGC £20 Tel 01935 872217

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

WANTED ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE, GWO and condition. Shaftesbury and local. Tel: 01747-830540

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

STAMPS & COINS wanted by collector/ investor. I am very keen to purchase large or small collections at this time. Tel Rod 01308863790 or 07802261339

Local Flavours

Support local to savour the flavours of local food and drink producers

Local Flavours in association with

Locally supplied food and drinks. Now open for Dinner on Fridays & Saturdays 5pm- 10:30pm

Please visit our website to view our menu!

20% OFF YOUR BILL!

Excluding drinks for the evenings from 5-10pm. Please bring in the original copy of this voucher to be able to claim this discount.

www.theoldbrewerycafe.co.uk The Old Brewery Café & Kitchen, Wyke Road, Gillingham, SP8 4NW

Kimbers’ on the racecourse road between Wincanton & Bruton, is the perfect place to wile away a few hours.

*Advertising Feature

The farm shop offers home produced award winning meats, a deli full of local and handpicked cheeses, cold meats, pies and lots of other deliciousness. Make your own hamper and ship anywhere in the UK or order on line www. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk. The Somerset Trading barn next door has a real mixture of antiques, collectibles, clothes, beautiful Scottish blankets and much more. Whether you have £5 or £500 to spend you will find something unique. Enjoy their cafe whilst visiting, serving homemade cakes, breakfast (9.30-11.30am) and lunch menu (122.30pm) Dogs Welcome. Enquire for the last Friday in the Month Pop up.. Next Pop up July 26thBarbeque Night. Phone to book. Two Glamping pods available to hire enquire in the shop.

The Old Brewery Café in Gillingham has once again opened its doors for evening dinner.

*Advertising Feature

They are open Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-10:00pm with food served until 8:30pm with some exceptional dishes including Sirloin Steak, Hunters Chicken, Gammon Steak, Chicken Linguini along with some of their daytime favourites. All using locally sourced produce and ingredients, local beers and cider and wines coming from Yapp Brothers. Not only is it the perfect place to eat but also to sit and unwind.

Originally built in early 1800’s for Matthews & Co Brewery the building has an amazing stone structure. The upstairs balcony leads through to the Chedington Suite followed by the Matthews Room. These provided excellent conference facilities for up to 60 people or a small meeting room for 10.

The restaurant itself is light and airy thanks to the double height ceilings. The beautiful well maintained gardens with well stocked fish ponds makes a tranquil haven for alfresco dining both during the day and in the evening. It also has a newly extended large car park at the rear.

Formerly a Motorbike dealership the new owners ‘Chedington Court Estates’ have carried on the theme. Dr Guy being a bike enthusiast has a wonderful collection of rare and distinguished bikes on display, which change regularly.

Having won the Taste of Dorset Awards in 2018 and The Dorset Concierge Café, Pub and Casual Dining Award in 2023, The Old Brewery can cater for all your needs. Recent events have included private functions, wakes, sit down formal dinners for 80 people and parties with live bands and a dance floor!

For more information or to book an event or table please telephone 01747 442164.

The Farm Shop

Local Flavours in association with

“Wonderful foodie paradise full of beautiful and unusual cookbooks, cookware, table linens, cards and ingredients. Mouthwatering, warm and welcoming. I defy you to pop in without buying something!”

59a High Street, Shaftesbury SP7 8JE 01747 855769 hello@thekitchentabledorset.co.uk @thekitchentabledorset thekitchentabledorset.co.uk

Regular foodie gatherings, demos and author events (subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with what’s happening)

Owner of The Kitchen Table, Sarah Rudder says that as a niche bookshop specialising in food and cookery they’ve quickly become known amongst food writers and have been able to host some brilliant foodie evenings.

*Advertising Feature

‘Recently we’ve had Ping Coombes from Masterchef cooking from her book Malaysia and coming up in July we have Melissa Hemsley visiting us with her new book Real Healthy.

Food is so often about bringing people together so I always knew that I wanted the shop to be the sort of place that would do that. Our Autumn events programme is already taking shape and our cookbook club will be back in the autumn too’.

Find out more about what’s happening at The Kitchen Table by signing up for their newsletter via www.thekitchentabledorset.co.uk or find them on Instagram or Facebook @thekitchentabledorset

Books for Cooks Gifts for Gourmets Spices & Pantry

Local Flavours in association with

RESTAURANT, FOOD-MARKET, BUTCHER, BAKERY, CHEESE COUNTER, BOTTLE-SHOP, GIFT SHOP, FOOD-TO-GO, DOG-JOG & B-CORP

OPENING HOURS: 8AM TILL 6PM. 7 DAYS A WEEK.

1 ORCHARD LANE, SOUTH CADBURY, YEOVIL, BA22 7FS

As you approach Teals, the agriculturally inspired Foodmarket and Kitchen, on A303, you’ll see painted huge colourful letters on one elevation: Smile, you’re on a Ley Line! *Advertising Feature

These energy pathways have connected people for many hundreds of years and this warm and welcoming place has put connections at the heart of its business: farmers with customers, guests with the seasons through the beautiful dishes on the menu, holiday-makers with their destination by the bank of EV chargers to plug in at on your way through.

If you want to connect directly with small, passionate producers in this area, Teals shelves are stocked with them. You’ll find beautifully kept English cheeses in the deli (the store is located on the Montgomery Cheese farmland), drinks, spirits and pressed juices from the area. There is fresh produce such as salads and leaves grown by Wild Garden, heritage Isle of Wight tomatoes and everyday basics such as granola, sourdough bread, outdoor-reared meat, and a myriad of other lovely, locally made items such as eco-thoughtful gifts, books, home and bathroom products. ‘Wherever possible, our team chooses locally grown or sourced and ethically produced ingredients and materials that make an active contribution to the local economy and environment,’ says founder Ash Sinfield.

Mon-Sat, 8.30am - 4.30pm Sun, 10 00am - 3 00pm

Opposite Lidl - 8 Newbury Court, Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 4QX 07921 213958

Coffee | Cake | Sandwiches

Dog Shop | Training Tips | Community Hub

A gift to remember

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

What’s next?

Sign up to our newsletter for details of forthcoming events like our next wine dinner on 12th September. Find details on our website.

Nestled in Gillingham High Street you’ll find Coffee and Canines café and dog shop.

*Advertising Feature

This beautifully crafted space specialises in locally sourced food and drinks, with eco roasted coffee, freshly baked cakes, and beautifully crafted sandwiches, there is something for everyone.

Our space is designed to be dog-friendly – perfect to grab a coffee with your pup. We welcome dog owners and coffee lovers alike - you don’t have to be both! If you’re visiting with your pup, we stock high quality dog treats, plus an excellent range of dog accessories, supporting the very best of small businesses.

We also offer take away, for those on the go and free wi-fi for those who need to work. Pop in and see our friendly barista team, who will carefully craft your drink, just how you like it!

Don’t take our word for it – follow us along on Instagram (@coffeeandcaninesshop) or Facebook (facebook.com/ coffeeandcaninesshop) to see what our customers have to say.

Drop in and quote the code ‘VALE’ for your buy one get one free across our range of hot drinks, available until the end of the month.

One such destination is The Clockspire in Milborne Port. Together with 2 AA Rosettes, an AA Notable Wine List Award, recognition from Hardens and a new entry in Square Meal’s Top 100 Restaurants, The Clockspire was also this year shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Trencherman’s Awards, which recognise the very best of Westcountry dining. Previous winners have included Nathan Outlaw, Michael Caines and Rick Stein. Visitors to The Clockspire are discovering a great value set menu, offered midweek alongside the classic a la carte, as well as a locally renowned Sunday lunch and popular afternoon tea. Guests can also book in for a Clockspire experience in 2024, choosing between mixology with their talented bar team, or a day’s apprenticeship in the kitchen with head chef Luke and his brigade. Make time to visit The Clockspire in 2024 - see www.theclockspire.com for more information. Savour the flavour at...THE CLOCKSPIRE

We look forward to welcoming you!

...and find out why we’ve been shortlisted for multiple awards!

2 Courses £24.00

3 Courses £29.00

Served Weds-Fri lunch and dinner, Saturdays lunch only

It’s time you discovered The Clockspire

Think of South Somerset and a number of famous places might spring to mind – Clarks Village, Glastonbury, The Newt to name a few. But the list of notable destinations is growing as inspired pubs and restaurants edge into national awards and guides and attract guests from way beyond the county.

Local Flavours in association with

Shroton Fair Gin® in top 5% in the World!

*Advertising Feature

Shroton Fair Gin® has just won an impressive Gold Medal at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition, scoring 95/100 points for their signature spiced Gin. Only 50 out of 1,000 Gins across the globe can claim this award, placing this local Dorset distillery in the top 5% of Gins worldwide!

Award-Winning Dorset Gin

The winning Gin, Zummit Dry®, impressed the judges, who described it as:

“Fragrant and herbaceous with enticing spiced aromas of cumin, paprika and cayenne. The palate has bright citrus highlights with soft juniper and herbal undertones, culminating in a soft finish”

With ingredients such as grains of paradise, cardamom & infused with citrus peel & ginger, it was one of only four contemporary Gins in the whole UK to win Gold.

Crafting Excellence

For founder, Wilfrid, 27, this is the ultimate validation.

“Having created this recipe from scratch aged 24 during COVID lockdowns – guided solely by the desire to craft a Gin I could be proud of – this is the

ultimate achievement for any distiller in their entire career.”

Looking ahead, Shroton Fair Gin® is poised to make a significant impact over the rest of the year.

“We’ve recently expanded our refill option from just 70cl to 3 Litres, the perfect solution to cut down on glass waste for pubs & bars (and our regulars!)”

Join the celebration

To get hold of some of their award-winning spiced Gin, head online to: shrotonfairgin.co.uk or Amazon for FREE DELIVERY

To save on glass, you can also pop in to Ash Farm Courtyard, DT11 8PW, every Friday & Saturday 09:00-12:00 with an empty bottle & grab a refill.

Contact the distillery directly at hello@shrotonfairgin.co.uk or 01258 795022 for more information.

Wine producer’s £2m investment

by editor@dorsetbiznews.

co.uk

DORSET’S award-winning Langham Wine Estate at Crawthorne is planning to build a new winery costing more than £2 million.

The wine producer, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, hopes to break ground before Christmas.

Justin Langham, managing director, said: “The next challenge is we’re going to build a whole new winery which will be the biggest investment I have made to date here, something over £2 million.

“It’s a big step. We’ve invested quite a bit already but it’s been in smaller increments and gradually.

“We’ve utilised all old farm buildings for our winery, our

wine store and our events space. That’s worked relatively well with relatively small investment.

“Our new winery is going to be a whole new building from scratch.”

The Langham vineyard was originally established by Justin’s father, John, on a very small scale at Bingham’s Melcombe manor house.

In 2009 Justin decided to develop the rudimental vineyard into a commercial venture, and planted 30 acres just down the road at their Crawthorne Farm.

To keep up with the increasing demand for English sparkling wine, a further 45 acres of new vines were planted in 2022. The vineyard now covers 85 acres with plans for annual production to hit 150,000 bottles.

Enford Farm Shop

Durweston DT 11 0QW

Half a pig approx £130.

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

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

Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. 01258

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB

SERVING FINE FOOD AND DRINKS

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

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

A Pub With Warmth And Atmosphere

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

Hearty Food

And Distinctive Drinks

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

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

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: A lesson in the Lakes

by Susanna Curtin

PRIMED for an early June adventure, I am once again enjoying the fells of the Lake District in an attempt to scale more of England’s rocky summits. Pouring over the ordnance survey map of the Western Lakes last night with my eldest son, we have planned an exciting but demanding route for today. Starting at Buttermere, we are to head through the Scarth Gap, across the river and then up Black Sail Pass to Kirk Fell via a steep scree path in the gully below Kirk fell Crags. Then down to Beck Head and straight up Great Gable. From here we climb up Green Gable via the Windy Gap, up Brandreath, and down and up to Grey Knotts, then up again to Fleetwith Pike. Finally we will head back down to Buttermere via Fleetwith Edge. A total of 1,450m of ascent, higher than climbing Ben Nevis.

No matter how often I venture here, there is no getting accustomed to these mountains. As the famous hill walker and writer Nan Shepherd explains: “One never quite knows a

mountain, nor oneself in relation to it.” Each ascent and descent is different depending on the conditions, the time of year and your own feelings on the day. I do know, however, that despite the challenging terrain, I will never have enough of being on them and experiencing these remote and wild summits.

But last night, as I tried to fall asleep, I lay fretting about the route. In the darkness of my room, I began to question my ability to do the ascents and descents, to cross the river or navigate the exposed climbs and scrambles. Sleep completely deserted me as I second guessed the difficulties that may lay ahead. It was a relief to see the morning sun and to get up and get on with it.

The weather today is unexpectedly hot and sunny as we leave the car and start our first climb. It is a busy Saturday, and there are people everywhere. Worry and tiredness make my legs feel weary and heavy already. I stop and start, and wonder if I am going to make it. All the concerns of the night before

come flooding back.

I nevertheless press on, and by the time I get away from the crowds at Buttermere and up through the Scarth Gap, the magic of the Ennerdale Valley greets me. I cannot wait to take off my boots to cross the river, where the soft, cool mountain water immediately lifts my spirits. We stop here for a snack, and to fill up our water bottles, and then set off to ascend Kirk Fell beside its towering crags.

The gully and the scramble beside it is clearly visible now. The closer we get, the less precarious it looks. And like so often in life, the thought of doing something is far worse than actually doing it. Our feet and hands lock onto the red rocks, one in front of the other, eyes only a foot away from the mountainside. Being mindful, and careful of each move, the difficult ridge is soon behind us, and within a short time, we are lunching on top of Kirk Fell, looking out at the magnificent dome-shaped Great Gable.

The Wasdale valley is to our far right and the Scafell range is ahead of us, peaks and paths we

have already acquainted. Under a blue sky, adorned with fine white clouds, the worries and the pain of the tricky ascent are completely wiped away by the sheer magnificence of the landscape before me.

Scaling Great Gable from the Windy Gap is the last challenge of the day. Another steep scree path followed by a long, rocky climb to the summit. From here, it is plain sailing all the way to Fleetwith Edge. On our last descent, we sit in silence watching the evening sun cast long shadows over Buttermere. I have always revered nature rather than wanting to conquer it. But from this lofty viewpoint, I cannot deny that bound up in my admiration for the scale and beauty of this land, there also lies a sense of achievement.

I have learned a lot about myself today, particularly this recent inner voice that instils fear and negativity. How self-sabotaging and pointless it is to worry. The sticking points I spent the night fretting about ended up being relatively straightforward. Life demands a strong body and a strong mind. I am not sure what or where my next challenge will be, but I do know that I will do everything possible to remain positive about it.

n Dr Susie Curtin, email curtin. susanna@gmail.com.

Great Gable from the summit

Great Gable viewed from the summit of Kirkfell

GoodOaks Homecare scoop two wins at the Dorset Care Awards.

GoodOaks Homecare offer FREE resources for family carers

Local Visiting and Live-in homecare provider GoodOaks, has scooped double honours at the Dorset Care Awards! The awards, a first for the Dorset Care Association, set out to showcase the best in care in the region, celebrating extraordinary achievements within the sector.

After recently launching their campaign to support unpaid carers, the local Visiting and Live-in Care providers are inviting families to download their free, in depth care guides, to better support them at home.

As well as being nominated as finalists in categories including Nutrition & Hydration, Innovation in Social Care and Support Worker of the Year, they went on to win the Excellence in Social Care Training and the Sustainability & Environmental award.

The campaign You Are Not Alone, aims to celebrate and support the quiet, unseen, unheralded commitment that millions of people make to support their loved ones whilst juggling their own family and work commitments. GoodOaks recognise that caring for a family member is not easy and can be overwhelming and isolating. They believe there isn’t enough information, support and resources available to those who are looking after someone at home.

The Excellence in Social Care Training was awarded for showcasing the value they place in the training and development of their teams. It reflected how their training makes a huge impact in the lives of their clients, by raising the standard of care across the sector.

terms of impact - They have offset over 453 tonnes of CO2 to date, and another 200 tonnes due to be offset in 2024.

• Dementia Care

• Nutrition and Hydration

• Care Funding

• Mobility and Fall Prevention

Co-Founder of GoodOaks Ben Ashton commented: “Winning these awards is a testament to our unwavering commitment to new approaches that revolutionise the way we support and care for our planet. This recognition fuels our passion to continue pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and together, we will continue to shape a brighter future for our sector and planet.”

GoodOaks provide Live-in and Visiting Homecare to clients in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. For more information please call Tel: 01202 125882 to talk to a member of the team.

GoodOaks Co-Founder, Ben Ashton commented “I am deeply proud of our ‘You Are Not Alone’ campaign. It’s designed to provide vital support to families caring for a loved one at home, ensuring they never feel isolated or overwhelmed. By offering resources, community connections, and expert guidance, we are committed to standing by these families every step of the way.”

GoodOaks provide Live-in and Visiting Homecare to clients in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. To download the guides please visit their website or call Tel: 01202 125882 to talk to a member of the team about your care needs.

GoodOaks have prepared a number of in depth care guides that are now ready to download. Each guide includes helpful tips, actionable advice, support and signposting to help those, supporting someone at home. The topics currently available are:

The Sustainability & Environmental award reflects their Carbon Neutral status and how passionate they are to make change. GoodOaks believe that everyone needs to do as much as they can for our future generations. In

Live-in Care

• Meal preparation

• Medication

• Personal care

• Companionship

• Help around the home

• And much more

To find out more call or visit: 01202 125882

01202 125882

enquiries@goodoakshomecare.co.uk goodoakshomecare.co.uk/bournemouth

enquiries@goodoakshomecare co uk goodoakshomecare.co.uk/bournemouth

Health & Wellbeing

Healthy fats are good for the brain, mood, memory, energy and skin

by Daisy Campbell

MANY of us associate fats with putting on weight and something we instinctively want to avoid. This is true with unhealthy fats, like trans fats, found in processed food, cakes, biscuits etc, but the good kind are beneficial in so many ways.

More and more studies are showing the link between consuming the right amount of good fats with a healthy brain, lifted mood, memory, energy and lovely supple skin. Fats are a concentrated energy source and are twice as efficient as carbohydrates in energy production.

They are fuel for the brain – which is made up of 60% fat – and for the cells. They help regulate inflammation in the body, crucial for preventing disease and much more, and contrary to what we might believe, they aid in making us feel full and therefore help us to lose weight.

They also have a vital role in helping with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

Rather annoyingly, the body cannot make the two essential fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, on its own, we have to include them in our diet or take a supplement. Omega 6 fats are not as beneficial to health as omega 3 – which are all

anti-inflammatory – so it’s important to get the ratio right. We want more of the omega 3s. Vegans need to pay special attention to this as many omegarich foods come in the form of dairy and meat. Some excellent options for a plant-based diet are avocado, nuts and seeds, olive oil, flaxseed, spirulina and dark green leafy vegetables, but as this may become limiting, I would highly recommend a good supplement, too.

For meat eaters, grass-fed beef and organ meats are an excellent source of omega 3, wild salmon, sardines and tuna – not tinned if possible – are brilliant and, for vegetarians,

organic cage free eggs.

A good tip is to fill a jar with mixed seeds, easily found in supermarkets, with organic mulled flaxseed, and get into the habit of sprinkling a bit of both onto porridge or fruit at breakfast, and salads or soups at lunch. I find, particularly on porridge, the seeds give a lovely crunch that I have become very fond of.

A bag of almonds in the car, or in your bag when you go out, is an excellent quick snack to fill up on, and is also one of the cheaper nuts to buy.

So, if we can get into the habit of looking at our plate at every meal and just making sure

we have a small fist full of healthy fat, we are doing ourselves a huge favour, we will feel fuller for longer, have more energy and be feeding our brain. And, of course, let’s not forget all the delicious full fat cheese and unsweetened natural yoghurt!

For more information on healthy fats and all the benefits they provide, Patrick Holford has written many books on the subject.

n Daisy Campbell is a certified health coach. For gentle guidance and help to make changes, phone 07740 864 616 or email daisydundas@yahoo. com.

SMART

Avocado, salmon and almonds are among the foods which provide beneficial fats

The clue’s in the name:

‘Wort’ means herb has medicinal a purpose...

by Fiona Chapman

ANY herbs with a “wort” on the end mean that it was at one time or another a herb that was used for medicinal purposes. Many of these herbs have gone out of fashion and are not used in modern herbal medicine, which does not necessarily mean they do not work.

So much knowledge was lost between the 15th and 18th centuries when there was the purging of the witches. Invariably these were women who were natural healers and midwives with skills that had been passed down by word of mouth for generations.

With the advent of more modern medicine, and male physicians, who felt they knew better, it became unfashionable and in some cases dangerous for these women to practice, so valuable information died with them.

So, as I was wandering the Dorset hills and fields and looking at pretty, white Greater Stitchwort on the verges and bottom of hedge rows, I wondered what it was used for – a stitch in your side – of course, hence the name! It is edible, although it is said if you pick the flowers, you will cause a thunderstorm and upset

PROFILING BED WITH MATTRESS £250 plus wheelchair £75. Both excellent condition. Wincanton area. 07809 765330

act as an insect repellent. It would certainly repel me, hence it being rather strange it was used for fertility!

the pixies – maybe that is why it is not used so much nowadays!

I was also curious about Herb Robert, which is growing abundantly with its little pink flowers on verges and rather a lot between the paving stones in my garden.

I don’t like the smell of Herb Robert (Geranium robertanum). It is as the name suggests, from the geranium family, and to me it smells of cat’s pee. Traditionally it used to be carried around to bring good luck and fertility. It can be eaten and the leaves rubbed on the skin to

Eating it is said to increase oxygen in the blood, which is obviously hugely beneficial, however, I was then rather horrified by one of its colloquial names, “death come quickly”.

This apparently is because of its connection to a German sprite who came to the British Isles and attached itself to Puck – Robin Goodfellow. Although why such a sinister name, as Puck was a prankster, and the German sprite was Knecht Rupert, also known as Krampus, who was St Nicholas’s dark side? He does punish children who have been naughty but death coming quickly is a bit excessive, I feel!

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

Peacemarsh Garage

Bodyshop

Bodyshop

Collections

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

2018 (68) Dacia Duster 1.5DCi Nav+ SUV 5dr. 110bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, high seating, big boot, sat nav, parking camera & sensors, cruise control, upto 60mpg, 39,900 miles...£9250

2007 (57) Daihatsu Materia 1.5 Automatic MPV 5dr. 102bhp, petrol, 4 speed automatic gearbox, boxy shape for great load carrying ability, clearance car to be sold as seen, MOT until February 2025, 100,500 miles ..........................................................................£2000

2011 (11) Ford Fiesta 1.25 Edge 5dr. 82bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, air con, alloys, cambelt replaced, clearance car to be sold as seen with MOT until February 2025, great value bargain, only 85,500 miles.............................................................................£2650

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

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

2010 (60) Nissan Juke 1.6 Tekna SUV 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, leather, heated seats, sat nav, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, 85,000 miles ............................................................... DUE IN SOON

2010 (10) Skoda Yeti 2.0TDi Elegance 4x4 5dr. 140bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, private sale on behalf of a customer, MOT March 2025, heated leather, parking sensors, 112,000 miles ..........................................................................£4000

2017 (17) Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 Design 5dr. 90bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, only 20,800 miles, cruise control, hill start assist, 20,800 miles .................................................................£7950

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

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

1997 (P) LandRover Defender 90 2.5TDi Hard Top 3dr. 111bhp, diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, well kept vehicle with MOT until February 2025, private sale on behalf of a customer, 246,800 miles ..........................................................................£9000

2016 (66) Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1CDi 314 LWB Van. 140bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, long wheel base, high roof, bulkhead, ply lined, 3 seats, cruise control, 155,900 miles ............................................... £8500 + VAT = £10200

2016 (66) Vauxhall Corsa Van 1.3CDTi 3dr. 95bhp, diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, private sale on behalf of a customer, only 41,600

+

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

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

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

MERCEDES C200

KOMPRESSOR SE Automatic coupe 2006 62,000 miles bespoke pale grey interior full service record £2000. 01725 517915.

CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME STORAGE in Child Okeford. CaSSOA Gold Award. Gated site. 24hr access. 01258 861100.

MINI ONE SOFT TOP. 2010 plate. 68k Red. Full MOT. Serviced regularly. lady driver. £2,495 ono. Tel: 07715-867145

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

OLD, INTERESTING & CLASSIC CARS wanted pre 1990s Any condition including unfinished projects Cash/Transfer

Please Phone Paul 07890 096907

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

BRIDGE MOTORS

2021 (21) Abarth 595 1.4 T-Jet Ltd Edition Monster Yamaha, 7000 Miles, Blue/Black 17” Alloys, Apple & Android Car Play, Full History, £1000 In Upgrades...........................................................................................£15995

2021 (21) Citroen C3 1.2 Shine Puretech 30,000 Miles, Met Grey/Black, Alloys................................................................................................... £10495

2020 (69) Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i x-trend, 30,000 Miles, 5dr, Alloys, Bluetooth, AC, DAB Radio.................................................................... £8995

2017 (67) DS 3 1.2 Puretech Givenchy Le MakeUp Ltd Edition, 2 Owners, 45,000 Miles, Full Leather, ................................................................... £7695

2015 (65) BMW X1 18D 2.0 Sport SDrive Auto, BMW History, Full Black Leather, Climate, Heated Seats, Park Assist, Met Blue, Over £4000 In Options............................................................................................ £13495

2015 (15) Nissan Juke 1.2 DIG-T Tekna, Only 29,000 Miles, Grey, 360 Camera, Cruise Control, Sat Nav..............................................£7295

2014 (64) Renault Megane 1.5 DCI Dynamique, 6 Speed, 2 Owners, 79,000 Miles, White, Recent Cambelt & Service............................................ £4695

2014 (14) VW Polo 1.4 R Line Style, 1 Owner, 43,000 Miles, Alloys, Bluetooth AC......................................................................................... £7295

2013 (13) Mini Cooper 1.6 Chilli Pack, 3 Owners, 72,000 Miles, Half Leather, Red........................................................................................... £5295

2013 (13) Mini Cooper 1.6 Cabrio, 2 Owners, 84,000 Miles, Chilli Pack, Half Leather, Alloys........................................................................................£4995

2014 (63) Citroen C3 Picasso 1.4, 3 Owners, 74,000 Miles, Alloys, White.................................................................................,,,,,,,,............. £4695

2013 (13) Renault Captur 1.5 DCI Energy Expression + Convenience, 2 Owners, 83,000 Miles, Recent Cambelt & Service ......................... £4995

(17) Renault Captur

S Nav, 51,000 Miles,

£

(64) Mini Cooper 1.5D Chilli Pack, High Mileage, Service History, Met Red/White, ..................................................................................... £4995

MARTIN AND JUNE OF SHAFTESBURY CAR LINK WILL BE TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM SATURDAY 22nd June 2024 TO SUNDAY 30th June 2024

THE TELEPHONE LINE DURING THIS PERIOD WILL THEREFORE BE CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY 1st July 2024

ALL PRE-BOOKED JOURNEYS WILL BE FULFILLED ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT MAY BE AVAILABLE VIA DORSET PATIENT TRANSPORT ALTERNATIVE BUREAU ON 0300 777 5555 OR NHS HOSPITAL TRANSPORT ON 01278 727457

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that SureFire Events Ltd has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Stock Gaylard Deer Park, DT10 2BG for regulated entertainment and the provision of alcohol generally between the hours of 9.00am to 6.00pm on 3rd and 4th August 2024 and subsequent years for the Great Dorset Chilli Festival.

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. 8th June 2024

90th BIRTHDAY

Terry Kendall

Happy 90th Birthday. 26th June, Love from all your Family and Friends xxx

IN MEMORIAM

GEMMA PALMER

It’s 13 years you’ve been gone, Love and miss you every day. Mum & Dad xx

GEMMA PALMER

Mum, in our hearts we love and miss you. Lilia, Macey & Evie xxx

SYLVIA HARDIMAN

In loving memory of a dear wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who sadly left us on 20th June 2020.

Forever in our hearts and greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Remembering

Sandra Marina Pope (née Pugsley) 21st June 2014

Ten years on, you are always and forever in our hearts.

DEATHS

MONTE MITCHELL

Sadly passed away aged 98 on the 31st May, 2024 at home with family in Winchester.

Funeral Service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham on the 24th June 2024 at 2pm. No flowers please, but donations, if desired to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Any questions or queries please contact Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors on 01747 822494

JONES

David Michael – ‘Dave’

Suddenly, but peacefully at home in Stourton Caundle on 22nd May 2024, aged 80 years.

Much loved Husband of Lesley. Dearly loved Father of Hayley and loving Grandad to Evie and Henry. Funeral service at St. Peter’s Church, Stourton Caundle on Tuesday 25th June at 10.30am, followed by interment. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made via peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent:

c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

Keith Collis

Sadly passed away on Thursday 30th May aged 84

Much loved husband to Di, Dad to Matthew, Joanne & Christopher, Grandad to Bella. A celebration of life service to be held at St George’s Chapel, Langham, Thursday 27th June 2024 @ 11AM

David Lionel Collis

sadly died at Salisbury Hospice on the 27th May aged 77 years. Dearly loved husband of Jane and much loved, brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Funeral to be held at St John’s Church, Tisbury on the 24th of June at 11am. Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, to Salisbury Hospice c/o Chris White Funeral Directors tel: 01722 744 691

Mary

Atkinson (née Perrott, married name Davies)

Daughter of Roy and Sylvia Perrott, younger sister of Carol. Grew up in Ansford, Somerset born and raised. Passed away peacefully aged 67 at York Hospital on 27th May 2024. Private cremation, but donations if wished to St Leonard’s Hospice, York via www.justgiving.com and search for Rhiannon Milner (daughter). Rest in peace

Arthur Ernest Bown

Passed away 6th June 2024, aged 93 years.

Dearly loved Dad, Grandad, Great Grandad who will be greatly missed by all his family. The family would especially like to thank all the staff at The Hayes in Sherborne for their wonderful care.

ROBERTS

John Michael

Peacefully at Signature House Nursing Home, Dorchester on 4th June 2024 aged 90 years.

Much loved husband of Lesley. He will be dearly missed. Funeral Service to be held at Weymouth Crematorium on Tuesday, 25th June at 1:00pm. No flowers please. Donations in memory of John to Dorset County Hospital Charity may be made online at www. grassbyfuneral.co.uk (via the Much Loved link), or cheques can be made payable to ‘DCH Charity’ and sent c/o Grassby Funeral Service, 8 Princes Street, Dorchester, DT1 1TW.

HINDLIP

Charles Henry Allsop

6th Baron Hindlip

Died at home in Dorset on Wednesday the 5th of June. Beloved husband, father & grandfather. A small service will be held at Yeovil Crematorium on 24th June at 11.20am, in addition to a Thanksgiving service in London on Wednesday 26th June. All enquiries to A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.

COOKE Brian

(of Buckland Newton)

Passed away on 3rd June, 2024, aged 72 years. Much loved husband of Meg. Funeral Service will take place at Higher Ground Meadow burial ground, Corscombe, on Monday 24th June, 2024 at 2.00pm. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Brian, for either Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance or British Heart Foundation, may be sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.

Mike Robins

Passed away peacefully on 24th May 2024 aged 78, at home with his family in Sherborne. A much loved husband, father, brother and uncle, Mike will be remembered by all for his deep care for his family, friends and local community, where he volunteered with Citizens Advice. A service is to be held at Sherborne Abbey on 21st June at 1pm. Family flowers only. Donations in Mike’s memory are very welcome, to be made to Weldmar Hospicecare, c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Henstridge, BA8 0RB

JENNIFER MARGARET CHICK (HOWELL)

peacefully on 8th June 2024 at The Cedars Nursing Home aged 78 years, of Shaftesbury.

Much loved wife of Andy and a loving mum and nan who will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Tuesday 25th June at 1.00pm. No flowers please, but donations for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Neema Crafts,Iringa,Tanzania can 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. Please make any cheques payable to Merefield & Henstridge Ltd.

EVANS GWENDOLINE of Wincanton

Passed away peacefully on 3rd June 2024, aged 100 years, at Elliscombe House, Wincanton. A much-loved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother who will be sadly missed. Funeral Service on 2nd July 2024 at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Wincanton at 12 noon. Please wear bright attire. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Gwendoline for either St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance or the Mothers’ Union may be sent c/o A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310.

Please make cheques payable to your chosen charity.

Announcements

DEATHS

HALLETT

Dorothy

Passed away peacefully at Casterbridge Manor Care Home on 23rd May, 2024, aged 97 years. A loving mum to Ruth and Colin. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Funeral Service will take place at St. John’s Church, Milborne Port on Tuesday 25th June, 2024 at 2.00pm.

Family flowers only please.

Donations in memory of Dorothy, for Diabetes UK, may be sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.

Val died peacefully at home. On the 6th June, aged 84 years. A dearly loved wife of Keith. Loving Mum to the late Mervin, Mandy, Denise and Steve. Known to many as cake lady, she will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Suzanne J Herschell

Suzanne aged 79 years, passed away peacefully at home in Marnhull on 9th June 2024, with family at her side. Formerly of Ludlow. Beloved wife of the late Michael. Much loved Mother of Peter and Louise.

A dearly loved Sister and friend who will be dearly missed. Funeral service at St. Gregory’s Church, Marnhull on Thursday 4th July at 11.00am, followed by private interment. Please wear at least one item in a bright colour to the service in Suzanne’s memory. No flowers please. Donations if desired for Motor Neurone Disease, cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

Dodson, Colin (86)

Passed away quietly at home in Verwood, 1st June 2024. Much loved family man. Funeral service The New Forest Crematorium, 2pm Friday 28th June.

CLOTHIER GRACE LOUISE Nee DAY OF WYKE CHAMPFLOWER

Passed away peacefully at Yeovil Hospital on 28 May 2024, aged 95 years. Widow of husband Jim and dearly loved mother of Janet, Ann, Sandra, Roger and David. Beloved Grandmother of 14 and Great Grandmother of 18. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 at St Marys Church, Bruton at 12 Noon. Family flowers only please. And please wear cheerful colours to celebrate Grace’s life. Donations if desired are in aid of Cancer Research UK.

ANTHEA BECK

(Lately Steward, Nee Cotterill / Sharp)

Anthea passed away peacefully on 23rd May aged 80. Dearly loved Wife, Mum, Sister and Nanny. Cherished by family and friends.

A funeral service at St John The Evangelist, Holdenhurst Village on July 4th at 12 noon, will be followed by a service at Poole Crematorium and Celebration of life.

Family flowers only. Donations to MacMillan Cancer Support https://tributefunds.macmillan.org.uk/In-Memory/ AntheaSteward-Bec

Rufus Brooks

of Shaftesbury, died unexpectedly on 9th June 2024, aged 29 years.

A dearly loved son of Keith and Victoria, brother to Arthur and a loving, loyal friend to many.

Rufus was a paramedic with the London Ambulance Service. If you wish to make a donation in his memory please visit the Ambulance Staff Charity at theasc.org.uk

MICHAEL JOHN APLIN

82 years old of Yeovil, formerly Stourton Caundle and Folke passed away peacefully on 8th June 2024. A dearly beloved husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed.

Funeral service takes place at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday 1st July 2024 at 2pm.

Family flowers only. If you wish to leave a donation to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance you may leave a donation at the retirement collection at the Crematorium.

Patricia Roberts

Died peacefully in Yeovil Hospital on 3rd June 2024. Mother of Susan and Stephen, Grandma of Thomas. Pat was a primary school teacher and deputy headmistress. She had a great love of literature and read widely all through her life. She had a love of wildlife and was a lifelong member of the Woodland Trust. Passionate about local democracy, she saved the seat outside the town hall in Shaftesbury from being removed, gaining recognition in the papers at the time for her dedication and founder of local group Shaftesbury Voice. The funeral will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells on Monday, 24th June, at 11am. Flowers can be brought to the church or donations to the Woodland Trust. Attendees are welcome to wear attire of their choosing.

Please let us know if you wish to attend. Enquiries to Wells Funeral Services.- 01749 670100.

Valerie Goddard

Pamela Mary Curry of Shaftesbury

Passed away peacefully on 14/06/2024 Aged 83 years old. Pamela was a much-loved Wife, Mum, Grandma, Funeral Service to be held at Salisbury Crematorium On Thursday 04/07/2024 at 11am

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Pamela please visit her Tribute site at: https://pamela-mary-curry. muchloved.com

Or send cheque made payable to the British heart foundation or The Dogs Trust c/o or RBL Co-operative Funeral care, Green acre house, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury SP7 8BS Tel 01747 58968 please call

Job Vacancies

We are recruiting for staff to join our Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Warminster offices.

Warminster Office

• Private Client Lawyer & Team Leader (8+ years PQE)

• Private Client Trust & Tax Accounts Executive

• Family Lawyer

Shaftesbury Office

• Private Client Lawyer (8+ years PQE)

Gillingham Office

• Private Client Lawyer (1-3 years PQE)

For more details go to our website www.farnfields.com Email: HR@farnfields.com

Co-educational Boarding and Day School Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form The Society of Heads/CISC

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

We are seeking an experienced Management Accountant to work alongside the Financial Controller to assist with day-to-day tasks. Their primary duties include preparing management information, analysing the School’s financial performance and preparation of payroll.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in accounting and financial management ideally studying for a professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) and have experience of working within a management accounts team. Salary will be dependent on experience up to £40K.

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston dorset sch uk www.leweston.co.uk An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the School Closing date: 15th August 2017

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website: https://www.leweston.co.uk/explore-leweston/our-people/work-with-us

N D YOUNG TRANSPORT LTD –HGV driver required, apply to enquiries@ ndyoungtransport.co.uk

35 YEARS IN CARE, LADY AVAILABLE for shopping, appointments, outings, good home cooked food, sleep overs, call Sarah 07530-631847

SUMMER GARDENER: Student or experienced horticulturist required this summer: good hourly rate, mid Dorset. Please reply to: headgardener@gmail.com

DUE TO CONTINUOUS EXPANSION, we require an additional 360 excavator driver - groundworker. All work within 1 hour of Gillingham, Dorset. Immediate start. Contact Simon for more information on 07967 808045.

We have a vacancy for a full time receptionist/admin assistant at our Blandford o ce.

The position would suit a con dent person as answering the phone and greeting clients would be part of their duties, together with ling, dealing with post, typing, and generally helping the business run smoothly. Experience not compulsory as full training will be given but a good work ethic and willingness to learn is required. Please email CV’s to steve@harney.co.uk or call 01258 451334

CLEAN ROOM PRODUCTION OPERATIVES REQUIRED Local Medical Company based between Gillingham and Shaftesbury. Various Shifts Available £11.01-£11.56 per hour. Email julie@meditechsystems.co.uk

LIVE IN CARER required for elderly lady in Marnhull. Call 07807-046119

Friday 21st June 10am to 1pm

Driver Required

Senior Yard Manager (Residential)

PA R T T I M E , T E R M T I M E O N LY

We are seeking to appoint a School Minibus Driver to start at the end of August 2018 The role entails driving the School vehicles on designated routes collecting children in the morning and dropping off in the afternoon at prearranged points You will also assist with some basic maintenance and cleaning of the fleet The primary qualities sought are a genuine commitment to the welfare and safety of yo ung people You must hold a valid PCV Manual, (D or D1) Licence

Leweston school, in collaboration with Chedington Equestrian is building an brand new equestrian academy We are seeking a full-time Senior Yard Manager to join this exciting venture. This is a unique opportunity to be involved from the very start of the project supporting the Director of Riding to develop the Academy into a highly regarded, licensed and approved educational centre offering top quality livery to competition horses and riding school horses alike whilst assisting in delivering educational courses and equine experiences to our students and the wider community.

Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 0630 to 0830 and 1730 to 1930 Term Time only Rate of Pay: £9 69 per hour plus holiday pay.

We are seeking someone with specialist equine experience and relevant up to date knowledge of practices within a yard setting. You must be capable of taking sole charge of the yard and have the ability to school, exercise and lunge a variety of horses and ponies.

Salary will be dependent on experience up to £25K. Accommodation will be provided.

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website: https://www.leweston.co.uk/explore-leweston/our-people/work-with-us

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston dorset sch uk www.leweston.co.uk An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the School. Closing date: 15th August 2017

Closing date: 12th July 2024

Interviews: w/c 17th July 2024

Recruitment

CARER/PA NEEDED FOR CAPABLE WOMAN in Wheelchair as one of a friendly team. Character more important than qualifications! (non-smoker essential) Hours to suit. 07790524241

CLEANING LADY REQUIRED

Married couple living in Tollard Royal in two storey cottage need an experienced cleaning lady. The residence contains antique furniture. Ideally the candidate will be of mature years and accustomed to all round cleaning tasks including carpet cleaning.Telephone 01725 557553

PART TIME CLEANER required at local farm near Longbridge Deverill. We are looking for a cheerful, honest, self-reliant cleaner who is able to cope with stairs and to provide own transport to and from the farm. This job entails weekly cleaning of the farmhouse, farm office and farm cottage. We would be happy to interview applicants and discuss the work required. Please contact Joanne West on E: joanne.west@centralmf.com or T: 01189 819600 / 07867 523597 if you are interested in applying.

SCHOOL MINIBUS DRIVERS

EVERSHOT FARMS LTD

EXPERIENCED STOCKPERSON REQUIRED

Located between Yeovil and Dorchester

We are recruiting an experienced stockperson to take care of the day to day running of the calving unit for our all-year-round calving, 1250 cow, high yielding herd The role may also suit a working couple.

Duties include but are not limited to:

 Milking the freshly calved cows x2 a day,

 Feeding the newly born calves colostrum using on farm protocols,

 Monitoring and calving cows,

 Feeding both dairy replacements and beef calves to 3 weeks of age,

 Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and animal welfare.

In return we offer:

 A competitive salary and pension,

 Good accommodation,

 Regular time off

Experience with livestock is essential. In addition, candidates must be self-motivated, have practical communication skills and be a team player.

Please contact our Assistant Farm Manager, Darren Trim for further details: 07815 313241 or dtrim@velcourt.co.uk

WITH A LARGE INVESTMENT INTO NEW MACHINERY, WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO HELP DRIVE THE BUSINESS FORWARD INTO THIS EXCITING NEW CHAPTER…

We are looking for people with skills suited to working in the following areas;

• Warehouse personnel for order picking and processing

• Steel preservation and paint line operatives

• Saw operatives

Experience in these areas is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided.

Applicants must be highly safety conscious, accurate and reliable with the ability to work as part of a team as well as under own initiative.

These roles require a proactive attitude, ideal for someone that likes to take ownership for their workload.

To be trained on all machinery including :

• Overhead cranes

• Sideloader

• Counterbalance forklift

• Steel sawing systems

• Shot blast and paint line

• HGV training can be provided for the right candidate

Benefits include

➢ Free on-site parking

➢ Uniform and PPE provided

➢ Competitive salary

➢ Overtime opportunities

Looking for a career with a progressive future?

Please apply by

Recruitment

SELF EMPLOYED EXPERIENCED GROUNDWORKERS/PLANT OPERATORS

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team.

Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail.

We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If you are that exible, skilled groundworker who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin on 01258 455219 or email admin@farwellplanthire.co.uk

Office Administrator Required

To work in our office at Alweston commencing September 2024.

Hours are 25 per week, preferably between 9am and 2pm.

Full range of office duties including accounts, payroll, ordering, answering the phone, greeting visitors and dealing with correspondence.

Experience/working knowledge of Xero, Dext & BrightPay desireable.

For further details and an application form please contact:

Jan Lawes, F Cuff & Sons Ltd, The Joinery Works, Alweston, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5HS Tel: 01963 23219 info@fcuffandsons.co.uk

Due to the funding expansion Sunbeams Shillingstone are looking for various roles within the setting:

Baby room L3 practitioner

Baby room Leader

Pre-school room practitioner

ASW & Senco

Full and Part time roles available!

Lovely nursery with a great team! Sunbeams Shillingstone.

Shill@sunbeamsdaycare.co.uk or call 01258 863523. Find us on Facebook.

Independent Boarding and Day School for Pupils aged 4 -18 GSA/CISC

Driver Required

ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT

We are seeking an experienced Accounts Assistant primarily responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices and bank transactions to keep the School’s financial records up to date.

The successful candidate will have experience in using cloud-based finance software, accounts payable experience and experience of financial processes and systems.

We are seeking to appoint a School Minibus Driver to start at the end of August 2018 The role entails driving the School vehicles on designated routes collecting children in the morning and dropping off in the afternoon at prearranged points You will also assist with some basic maintenance and cleaning of the fleet The primary qualities sought are a genuine commitment to the welfare and safety of yo ung people You must hold a valid PCV Manual, (D or D1) Licence

Salary will be dependent on experience up to £25K.

Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 0630 to 0830 and 1730 to 1930 Term Time only Rate of Pay: £9 69 per hour plus holiday pay.

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website: https://www.leweston.co.uk/explore-leweston/our-people/work-with-us

Closing date: 12th July 2024

Interviews: w/c 17th July 2024

Independent Co-educational Boarding and Day School Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form The Society of Heads/CISC Leweston

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston dorset sch uk www.leweston.co.uk

An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the School. Closing date: 15th August 2017

National picture may look bleak for Conservatives - but here’s local view

ON July 4, the Vale will head to the polls to elect their representative in the House of Commons for the next parliament.

And while the polls are making all kinds of predictions - we have asked candidates across the area to tell you why you should put your X in the box by their names when you cast your vote.

Nationally, Labour are being predicted to score a big win, with the Conservatives facing a loss of power for the first time in 14 years.

This week, an MRP poll by Ipsos, predicted Labour could win up to 453 seats, with Conservatives back on 115 - a majority of 256.

‘I have delivered

AS West Dorset’s MP for the last 4 1/2 years, I have delivered for you more than £62.5 million of investment in Dorset County Hospital; over £83m for school funding; and more than £14.5m for superfast broadband for 8,700 homes and businesses. And I’ve led the charge in Parliament to reform our Council Tax, save our railway station ticket offices, and successfully revolutionised the laws on animal welfare, which are really important to me as a farmer’s son. My family home is near Sherborne, I went to The Gryphon School and instead of going to university, I had a 20-year career with the railways before being elected in 2019.

Right here and now, I’m campaigning to protect Yeovil Hospital’s stroke services from

‘I

CHRIS LODER Conservative

If accurate, the result would see leading Conservative figures such as Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Johnny Mercer and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg lose their seats.

The Lib Dems could win 38 seats, according to the poll, while the Scottish National Party would take 15, the Green Party three and three for Reform UK.

But that is the national outlook, we have asked the candidates in your area why you should vote for them...

millions in funding’

being axed, which would have considerable risks for patients in West Dorset. I’m also campaigning to protect access to cash, and I’ve secured a new Banking Hub with a cash machine for Sherborne. Another major campaign I’m spearheading is to secure road safety improvements for the A30 dual carriageway between Sherborne and Yeovil. In addition, I’ve helped deliver new bus routes in rural areas, including Ansty and Martinstown. And I’ve also been campaigning to ensure housing developments are affordable and modest. We need

more community-led housing, not the mass 1,500 homes proposed to the west of Sherborne that is supported by the Liberal Democrats.

But this General Election is also about what I want to deliver for West Dorset over the next parliamentary term. Reducing the levels of tax on working people needs to happen, with a reduction in National Insurance and reform of the Council Tax mechanism to ensure we get our fair share. We need to build on reforms of our NHS, unlocking more dental and GP appointments for rural communities through incentives and additional training places – and reform of our social care system. I want to see our domestic food production levels at way above

60%, with prime agricultural land used for food, not mass solar farms. We need to see defence spending rise to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2030. And I want to see all our children protected from being exposed to harmful and sensitive gender identity material, whether online or in our schools. If I am re-elected as your Member of Parliament for West Dorset, I will work hard towards achieving improvements for all of us and in all corners of the constituency. You may like to read more about all my work and successful campaigns since 2019. You can find out more at www.chrisloder.co.uk, and if you would like to contact me, do email me on hello@ chrisloder.co.uk.

want to fix our local health service’

THIS campaign isn’t about me. It’s about my wife, our son, our friends and neighbours – it’s about everyone who lives in West Dorset.

We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful parts of this great country and we deserve an MP that will work hard to protect

EDWARD MORELLO Lib Dem

and repair what makes it such a special place.

I want to fix our local health service so that we can access GPs

and NHS dentists. I want to protect our countryside, rivers, and beaches from water companies dumping sewage.

I will fight the cost of living crisis, and bring down energy and food bills.

I will ensure our rural economy

can thrive, and farmers can make a living producing high-quality food for our communities.

I work in renewable energy because I believe we can create a better future for the world.

I’m running to be your MP because I believe we can build a better future for West Dorset.

‘I

believe in value of public services’

NOW, more than ever before, is the time to vote for what you truly believe in. I’m standing for the Green Party because I believe our future is worth fighting for. This is the third General Election I have contested for the Green Party. I am currently a councillor on Bridport Town Council, and, until recently, a councillor on Dorset Council. Prior to entering politics I was a firefighter for 17 years. On leaving the Fire Service I went to university as a “mature student” and then re-trained to become a careers adviser. I passionately believe in the value of our public services. If elected, my three priorities would be affordable housing, water quality and our climate crisis.

I would fight for the right homes to be built in the right place for the right price, with

‘More

KELVIN CLAYTON Green Party

the priority being the development of social housing. Ideally all new housing developments should be built on brownfield rather than greenfield sites. But to allow this to happen our planning system needs to be transformed – control needs to be in the hands of the local planning authority, not in the hands of developers. We also need to bring in rent controls for the private sector. We need to ensure that all our homes are warm, dry and insulated. The UK has some of the worst housing stock in Europe. I would fight to prevent sewage being dumped into our rivers and sea and would support the public ownership of

our water companies – in fact, I would support the public ownership of all our utilities. In particular I would support an Environmental Rights Bill that would not only make having access to clean water and fresh air a human right, but make it easier to prosecute those corporations that infringe those rights.

As humans, we not only need safe and secure housing and clean water, but also an environment and climate that supports life. I would fight as hard as I can to make the government listen to the scientists and to start taking climate and environmental issues seriously. We need to take the fastest route possible away from fossil fuels. We need to start a green industrial revolution, with the development of locally sourced renewable energy an absolute

priority. This would not only drastically reduce our carbon emissions, but make our supply of energy safe and secure. Additionally, I strongly believe that we need to start doing politics differently. At the moment it is far too confrontational. It gives the impression that all politicians want to do is gain power by attacking the controlling party – or in some cases, their own leadership. We need to start working together to solve our problems. This means that we need to start listening to all points of view and entering into a proper discussion, true deliberation. But for this to happen we need to have all views represented in Parliament, and this requires a change from “first past the post” to some form of proportional representation.

than 30 revolutionary policies’

I AM the leader of a new political Party called Everyone is God, although I am running as an independent as we are waiting for our party registration. We are a highly radical party with more than 30 revolutionary policies that seek to completely restructure society from the ground up. I have a deep compassion for every person in the world, no matter who you are, and what you struggle with, I want to help you empower yourself, find your answers, and fulfil your dreams. I was born into a farming family, and I am proud to say that I still adore a day’s manual work. My childhood years were spent playing and working, on the land, with the animals, and on the building sites of our growing farm. It was here that I learnt, from my direct experience, about all the most basic aspects of life, how we are fundamentally dependent on our environment and its

Independent

health, how life is created, how it is fragile, how we create the food that sustains us, and how we build our infrastructure. Ultimately, I saw how we bring everything together to create a happy and functional way of life. It is this experience that has made me a simple working man, and grounded me in the base truths of life.

Our mission is to Empower Everyone, Solve Everything and Fulfil Every Dream – all our policies are designed to uncompromisingly deliver this mission. We are not led by social norms, or conventional politics, we are led by what achieves our mission, in the best way for everyone. Our policies seek to get to the root cause of all issues and solve them permanently – they also

uncompromisingly follow all moral values. We invite you to see for yourself how our polices meet these claims, please see www.everyoneisgod.co.uk/ policies. Humanity has had the same basic issues over the entirety of its history – war, violence, corruption, dictatorship and disparity in wealth, all exist today just as they have existed for the last 5,000 years. Why is it that we have not resolved any of these problems yet?

The answer is that our politics is too superficial, it does not go deep enough to get to the root of all the problems we have, and will therefore never solve any of them. Politics is not driven by politics, it is driven by humans, and humans are driven by their psychology, and at the root of psychology is sex. It is our psychology which drives all the decisions we make every day, these decisions add up to create the world we live in

and all the problems we have. This means if we are to solve these problems we have to resolve human nature first, and this means resolving our psychology and sexuality. Connecting psychology and sexuality with politics is therefore at the heart of all our policies, and built into all of them.

We offer the people of Britain a choice, if you are passionate about our mission and policies, and you vote for us, together we can resolve all the problems we have and fulfil our dreams.

MARCUS WHITE

Election 24 – North Dorset

‘I

have a proven track record’

FOR my Party this is a challenging election. So, what on the doorsteps is keeping me going? It’s the I am voting for you because you: “helped my sister get her house”; “sorted my son’s SEND provision”; “helped at my daughter’s school during COVID”; “you care and are an excellent constituency MP”; “support local businesses”; “actively saved Shaftesbury Hospital”; “demonstrate a real connection to North Dorset”; “take mental health provision seriously”. That is the most rewarding part of being your MP; one I have been honoured to fulfil. It is why I ask for your support again. It’s the helping local people find a way through. Working together to identify and deliver solutions. I love the communities of North Dorset as much as I love my family. For

SIMON HOARE Conservative

me, it’s not a job – it’s a vocation. Have I got everything right? Of course not. Whoever does? What I pledge to you again is to do my best and represent you heart and soul. To speak up for the issues that matter to you, as I have done since Day 1. That is my contract with you. We live in challenging times and now is not the time for a novice. You can call yourself a ‘community campaigner’ but when there’s no evidence of any campaigning it rings hollow. I have a proven and trusted track record of service – being your strong voice in the corridors of power. I haven’t been a particularly tribal politician – I

‘Transport,

I WAS born in Staffordshire. My father was an Army officer, my mother a police officer. There followed a happy childhood – eldest of four – in Berlin, Hampshire and London. After leaving school, my first job was working for a German furniture retailer, near Frankfurt. It was there that my political “awakening” began. While returning from – then – West Berlin, waiting to cross the “Iron Curtain”, into the West, I leant out of the car’s window to offer the East German Border Guard a stick of chewing gum. The guard, rifle slung over his shoulder controlling a rather fierce Alsatian, froze. It was then that I realised that he was more afraid than I; he was the one under observation and not in full control. That incident brought it home to me how precious is the liberty that we - perhaps – take for granted. Following 3½ years, serving with the Royal Military Police, I returned to the furniture industry, in Germany, but to the

work with all who wish North Dorset well and can help me deliver better outcomes. As a Select Committee chair I built relationships across the Commons. As a Minister I work cross-party to achieve change. I will always be able to get things done for our area.

I’m approaching my 55th birthday, married to Kate for 24 years and we have three daughters who attended St Gregory’s Primary, Marnhull, and now Gillingham. As a parent, I want to deliver the long term future for our all our children to live where they were raised. That means housing built in the right places, good quality jobs and a safe, secure environment. As a son, I want to ensure dignity and security for our retired – hence my support for the Triple Lock, additional policing and

community healthcare. As a former businessman, I understand the needs of local firms to expand and recruit and the benefits of frozen Fuel Duty and reducing National Insurance. As a Conservative, I support 2.5% of GDP for defence because the first duty of Government is defence of our country. As a spare time “assistant” to a local sheep farmer I know the importance of local farmers for sustainable food production. As an environmentalist, I am committed to doing all I can to achieve a cleaner, greener, biodiverse environment.

I am the only candidate in North Dorset with a proven record of service and delivery. The only one with a practical understanding of how to deliver more. Please re-elect me to serve YOU. Thank you.

environment, opportunity’

– Social Democratic Party

manufacturing sector and then back to UK, as a project manager for British exporters for the next 14 years. During this time, I witnessed organisations that invested in training their employees and then others, that relied on experienced craftsmen and women, with little or no thought towards apprenticeships and the longer term. This dichotomy features heavily in the economic policies of the SDP.

To my family. My late wife – Fleur Bothwick OBE, this January – unexpectedly – our three sons and I have lived near Sturminster Newton, since 2001 and work between Dorset and London. Since 2006, my voluntary work has primarily been focussed on education, serving in school governance. I am the co-founder of a Free School for students with Autism, after eight years of campaigning. In addition, I am

a governor at a Multi Academy Trust, with schools in London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. My link-roles in school governance centre on Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, Permanent Exclusions and raising the aspirations of disadvantaged young people. When the Social Democratic Party asked me to stand, in North Dorset, I was asked to list three issues that were important to me.

n Transport: “The car is king”, here, for obvious geographical reasons. Our busy A & B-roads contend with freight, agriculture and the private motorist. In recent years, the increase in cycling for leisure has added a new dimension to congestion, as drivers exercise great caution, at low speeds. I would work to increase the provision of cycleways – as the scheme between Milton-on-Stour and Gillingham, particularly on the B3081, between Gillingham and Shaftesbury; passing a cyclist on the downhill to Gillingham is “challenging”!

n Opportunities for young people: The SDP is committed to policies that encourage employers to train and retain staff, using the tax system to incentivise organisations; more training, greater staff-retention = reduced Corporation Tax. Trained people, in well-paid jobs underpin communities by enabling young people to plan lives, raise a family and together with our social housing policy, those young families have a decent chance of remaining in their communities. n The environment: Sure, North Dorset looks idyllic, but when taking a closer look, do we really protect and enhance what we have? “Legacy farming practices” see hedgerows, devoid of trees – for “efficient hedge-flailing”?, the damaged verge, caused by modern –larger – agricultural plant, perhaps operated by contractors who have no stake in the neighbourhood. In addition, no discernible integration of community environmental schemes.

DANIEL WOODRUFFE

‘Vote for a fairer future for all’

IT’S crunch time. Time for us all to make our minds up. Will we stay stuck in the politics of the past, or do you want something better for the future?

I’m standing as the Green Party candidate for North Dorset because I know that we can, and indeed we must, do politics better to ensure that we have a future we can all enjoy. I’m also standing because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to vote for a Party that represents their own values and aspirations. The measure of any civil society is surely the way that it treats its less fortunate citizens. I’m sure it won’t have escaped many people’s attention that for far too long now we have seen an ever-growing wealth divide here in the UK. We are among the wealthiest nations in the

KEN HUGGINS Green Party

world, and yet medical waiting lists are sky high, nurses are using food banks, school building are crumbling, and warm secure housing is all too often unavailable or unaffordable. At the same time the number of billionaires in the UK has risen to a record high, and the 250 wealthiest people saw their fortunes increase by 16.3% over the last year alone.

And all the while the climate emergency is accelerating, and the natural world continues to disintegrate. The UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and our beautiful county is suffering. I

had to drive across north Dorset many times over the past year, and it was shocking to see how many farmers’ fields were flooded for months on end. As I write this now in mid-June temperatures are so low that I’m close to putting the heating on. It’s all clear proof that as the planet warms so weather events are becoming increasingly unpredictable and severe, as climate scientists have long warned us, While other parties either deny that the climate is changing at all, or say that it’s too expensive to address it urgently, the Green Party is not afraid to tell it like it is and to point out that if we fail to address the environmental crisis then it will cost us all dearly. It’s the same with the health crisis that is now gripping our

‘We can’t put off the hard

I MOVED to Shaftesbury, North Dorset in 2011 before leaving the Army at the end of a 30-year career. My children went to school here, my wife and I live and work here. I am a professional civil engineer, working on the UK’s critical national infrastructure across transport, energy, water, and defence. I had a disrupted early childhood but the Army gave me a direction. The Army made me, my values, leadership and teamwork, and gave me experience working with people across this country and internationally. My experience showed me first-hand how much more complex and fragile the world really is compared to the newspaper headlines. Solutions to our problems are not simple. I am standing for election for the first time. My reason for coming into politics is that while I appreciate the sometimes difficult balance between competing interests, we cannot keep putting off the hard choices. Our country is in

GARY JACKSON Liberal Democrat

a difficult place. Covid and Ukraine highlighted lack of preparation that led to poor decisions and delayed actions here at home. Today we have low growth, poor productivity, high inequality, low investment, stressed public services and inadequate housing. Yet, we also have so many strengths and the potential for a much brighter tomorrow. I want to help bring about this brighter future. I want to ensure Dorset retains its beauty and rural character while building a more dynamic and attractive economy and much better public services.

n Health and social care: I will work with Dorset’s NHS, GP practices, Dorset Council and others in the system for a fair deal for North Dorset. Access to GPs and dentists is poor and getting worse. We lack a humane social care system and hospital waits are too long. Put

country.

One principle runs through the Green Party manifesto like a golden thread, and that is Fairness. Green MPs will be committed to pushing hard for a fairer and a healthier country. We need the NHS to be properly funded, with prevention of ill-health a top priority. We need the right homes, built in the right place, and for the right genuinely affordable price. We need a fairer and greener economy, with fairer working conditions as well as public ownership of public services. We need fairer and greener energy. And we need fairer, greener food and farming that brings nature back to life.

On July 4 you can vote for a fairer future for all, when you choose to vote Green.

simply, we have an underinvested National Sickness Service. Our system needs reform based on through-life health, keeping people out of hospital but providing responsive access, the right treatment and care and a speedy return to daily life.

n Cost of living and the need for better jobs and opportunity: As a strong local and regional voice, I will promote our local economy. Today we experience low pay and high prices. Education is under-invested. Farming suffers from the lack of a national food strategy, slow roll-out of post-Brexit support, poor post-Brexit trade deals and high input costs. Lack of inward investment leaves us overreliant on public sector, hospitality and retail employment. Attracting employers to the area is hindered by the lack of affordable housing, incomplete high-speed broadband and limited infrastructure.

n Environment: I will continue to champion our environment,

restoring nature and achieving critical climate change goals. I will continue to press the water companies to stop polluting and invest effectively. I will champion farming clusters to improve nature and develop new income. I will work with the Liberal Democrat-led Dorset Council to secure a fair deal for the environment in North Dorset.

On July 4 you have a straightforward choice. I do represent change, a change of thinking, a change for the better, for fairness and for the long term.

Election 24 – South West Wiltshire

‘My

primary focus is constituency’

JENNY and I live in Mere. This is our forever home where we raised our five daughters. I became the local MP in 2001. Before that I was a doctor in the Navy. I’m still active as a reservist medical officer. I’ve had a number of ministerial roles – including presently as minister for defence personnel - but my primary focus has always been the constituency.

The area served by BVM is characterised by small towns and villages. They are under strain as we try to satisfy significant housing need while pushing back on concreting the countryside. We need to make it easier to develop previously used, brownfield sites and protect both green space and high grade agricultural land.

Farmers are resourceful and many have diversified, assisting the rural economy. But their primary mission is to produce

‘I

ANDREW MURRISON Conservative

food. They are vital in ensuring this country enjoys food security, a national imperative that needs to be supported.

Welsh Labour’s farming plans if replicated in England would destroy more than 33,000 rural jobs.

I’ve been active in trying to get heavy traffic out of villages with their ancient roads and houses and onto the strategic routes that were built to take it.

Gradually, we are having some success. I’m pleased that some of the money saved from HS2 is going to fix potholes but monster vehicles on feeble country roads have made the problem worse than it needs to be.

In South Wiltshire we are

some distance from the planned Westbury incinerator but waste management and air quality affect us all. In my party’s manifesto just published I’m delighted to say we commit to stopping any more waste incinerators being built. That would include Westbury. I challenge other parties to make the same commitment.

Small village schools are a feature of our locality. Being small, they are relatively expensive to run but fund them we must if we want to give children quality early years and keep rural communities vibrant. I support the government’s new National Rural Crime Unit to drive down country crime such as fuel theft and fly tipping.

‘Not spots’ in relatively remote areas are infuriating but Project Gigabit, a £5 billion investment, is gradually reaching out to make us one of

the most connected countries, offering new possibilities for rural lifestyles and businesses. There are probably more serving and retired members of the Armed Forces in the South West Wiltshire constituency than in any other, with the possible exception of the one being contested by the Prime Minister.

I stand with those who serve. I have a personal interest in doing so since two of my daughters are serving in the Armed Forces.

Labour’s failure to match my party’s £75 billion, 2.5% of GDP defence boost speaks to its priorities. Mine are defence, security and the welfare of our troops and their families, many of whom I’ve been proud to represent. Please re-elect me on July 4 so I can continue serving you to the best of my ability. Thank you.

have always stood up for fairness’

I GOT involved in politics because I wanted to help make a difference. I saw years of deterioration in my community, the difficult challenges faced by young people, and the inequality experienced by so many. I felt compelled to speak up for those whose voices went unheard.

In 2014, I stood as a local Labour councillor. Early on, I worked with a family with young children who were facing eviction. As a mother, I felt compelled to help them. I spent the whole day battling with the management of the housing association and, eventually, the family were able to return to their home. This was a pivotal moment for me. I saw the outcome of my intervention and felt a huge sense of achievement in supporting people to improve their lives.

I have always stood up for

EVELYN AKOTO Labour

fairness and I strive to effect positive change wherever I am.

As Southwark’s cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing I’ve tackled challenges head on. I led the borough’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, implementing the Residential Care Charter to ensure our care workers had improved pay and working conditions. I established the Southwark Maternity Commission to investigate inequality in access to maternity services. My focus has always been on making a real difference to people’s lives.

My priorities for South West Wiltshire are guided by this core principle. I’ve spent time in the community speaking to local people who have been

badly let down by the Conservatives. People across the country are poorer and unhealthier under a Tory Government, and the inequality gap is widening. I recently spoke to a woman in Warminster who had waited months to get a dentist appointment. An older gentleman I met in Trowbridge told me he worries about the future on behalf of his grandchildren. Several people told me that they are waiting to receive at-home care support. It is clear residents are ready for change.

If elected, you can expect to see me out and about in the constituency. I’ll be a friendly and open MP, holding surgeries in our main towns. Meeting people, listening to their concerns, and representing their views in Parliament will be a hugely important part of the job.

I will work alongside community groups, businesses, and charities to shape our area for the better. With your support, we can ensure that South West Wiltshire thrives under a Labour government with a dedicated Labour MP. Only the Labour party can beat the Tories and win in South West Wiltshire. Together, we can bring about the transformation we so desperately need.

My priorities:

n Get energy bills down and tackle the cost-of living-crisis.

n Decrease waiting time for NHS services and doctors and improve access.

n Promote sustainable housing developments, a thriving high-street, and a reliable public transport system for our area

n Tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

n Protect our environment

Election 24 – South West Wiltshire

‘Immigration is number one issue’

AFTER returning to the UK five years ago, Garry Irvin, candidate for Reform, was appalled at the state of the country - poverty, high taxation, crumbling infrastructure, uncontrolled mass immigration, breakdown of law and order and erosion of British values.

From his business experience, Garry recognised that the Reform Party’s common sense, dynamic approach offered the only real option to solving these problems and he felt compelled to stand in order to save Britain before it’s too late, and to create a brighter future here for his children and those of his fellow British citizens.

Garry believes immigration is the number one issue of this election because legal and illegal immigration drives all our other problems: housing shortages, over-development to accommodate the numbers,

GARRY IRVIN Reform

strained social servicesdoctors’ surgeries, dentists, hospitals, schools, transport; increase in crime, and ethnic tensions; debt; inflation. Just the cost of housing the 145,000 illegal immigrants is £10 million a day.

Netzero policies add to these miseries, by making energy more expensive which drives up the cost of living and makes us all poorer by the day. Not only are these policies unaffordable by debt-ridden Britain, they will make no difference to global emissions because China commissions two new coal-fired power plants a week, and 80% of India’s electricity comes from coal, with many other countries following suit.

A locally-based businessman,

who is funding his own campaign, Garry, while born and bred in England, brings experience from a substantial career in this country and abroad. After a successful stint in the British Army, Garry moved to the Middle East, and worked in senior managerial roles in logistics, property development and sales, with a spell in the horse racing industry and playing semiprofessional football inbetween!

He’s been a single Dad for many years of two daughters, and is actively supporting his youngest daughter’s burgeoning pony racing career, as well as volunteering as an official at local point-to-point race meetings.

Garry fully backs all Reform’s national aims, including cutting immigration, reducing taxes, dis-incentivising the benefits system and making

work pay, scrapping Net Zero policies, achieving energy and financial security for Britain and conserving the natural environment.

Locally, Garry will focus on building a new regional hospital, including A&E, prioritise support for local farmers and smallholders, encourage traditional country pursuits, and seek inward investment into the area to rejuvenate local town centres and drive housing construction on brownfield sites.

Following a lively Street stall event in Warminster, Garry looks forwards to meeting and answering people’s questions at two further Saturday morning street stall events:

n June 22 Westbury - Rotunda, High Street, BA13 3BW (near library).

n June 29 Trowbridge - outside Sainsbury’s, British Row BA14 8GF.

‘Britain can be greener and fairer’

I AM an experienced communications and engagement professional with a history of working with small businesses, heritage organisations and local authorities. I’m a champion for green spaces who recognises the benefits of fighting the climate crisis for our economy, our homes and for public health. We live in one of the richest countries on the planet, yet nurses are using food banks, our children’s schools are crumbling, a roof over our heads is all too often unaffordable, and hospital and dentist appointments are like gold dust.

Meanwhile, the climate emergency continues to accelerate. Scientists warn that we are currently on track for global temperatures to rise by at least 2.5°C, far beyond levels at which humanity can safely survive.

My promise to you is that all

FAY WHITFIELD Green Party

this can change. We can create a greener, fairer country together – one in which we are all safer, happier and more fulfilled.

Our transport choices account for around a quarter of carbon emissions, so it’s vital to make it easier to opt for greener choices. Yet public transport provision continues to decline, often leaving those on low incomes or in rural areas with few options. We will push to increase annual public subsidies for rail and bus travel to £10bn by the end of the next Parliament, with free bus travel for under-18s. We also want to bring the railways back into public ownership and give local authorities control over and funding for improved bus services.

The food system is failing us all. Poor diets are estimated to

cost our NHS £6.5bn a year. Meanwhile, the food system accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions and is the greatest driver of nature loss and pollution in our rivers. I will work with farmers to transform our food and farming system, so we are producing healthy, nutritious food at fair prices for consumers and with fair wages for growers. I will push for financial support for farmers to be almost tripled to support their transition to nature-friendly farming. The Greens want farm payments to be linked to reduced use of pesticides and other agrochemicals. In addition, all children should have a free school meal each day and there should be free breakfast clubs for children to Year 6.

The NHS faces the worst crisis in history. I am committed to a fully public, properly funded health and social care system, and to keeping the

profit motive well away from the NHS. I will work towards a year-on-year reduction in waiting lists, guaranteed access to an NHS dentist and a guaranteed rapid access to a GP and same day access in case of urgent need. This will be accompanied by an immediate boost to the pay of NHS staff, including the restoration of junior doctors’ pay, to help with staff retention.

Voting Green on July 4 is your way of showing you believe a fairer, greener world is possible – and is worth fighting for.

Also standing are: Thomas Culshaw (Independent), Bret Plamer (Lib Dem), James Ward (Independent).

Hyperthyroidism in cats

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

HYPERTHYROIDISM is the overproduction of thyroid hormone by one or more of the thyroid glands in the neck below the throat. Overproduction in cats is due to excess thyroid tissue developing, which is rarely due to a tumour.

This condition is very common in older cats and can affect as many as 10% of cats over 10 years old. Typical signs are cats that eat well or become more food obsessed yet lose weight. They can become more hyperactive and wander around more often with no obvious aim. They can become aggressive and develop dementia-like symptoms. Some cats will vomit and a small number will actually have a reduced appetite.

When your vet examines your cat and considers hyperthyroidism, they will note any weight loss and how rapidly this has developed, they

KITTENS FREE to a good home. Tel: 01747-828736

will feel down your cat’s throat to see if one or both glands are obviously enlarged, they will listen to your cat’s heart and they will check the rest of your cat looking for other abnormalities.

If your cat has one or more enlarged thyroid glands, then the thyroid is abnormal. Classically, particularly in

MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES for sale. Black & Tan & Brown. Tel: 07725-910364

advanced cases of hyperthroidism, there is a characteristic heart sound called a “gallop rhythm” where the heart is beating rapidly and has a distinct murmur.

Dog, cat and small animal food. 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 get your wild bird food for the winter. COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING for Cats & Dogs 2024 – book yours now - call or pop in store Check-a-chip service is

Friday 9am to 5pm & Saturday 10am to 1pm. oad Robin, Gillingham SP8 4PJ, opposite the Onestop ailable. Email: enquiries@busypetz.co.uk .busypetz.co.uk Facebook: Busypetz

Call: 01747 706152

Blood tests can help diagnose the condition and check for other problems such as kidney disease. Thyroid production is very sensitive to general ill health and a condition called euthyroidism can occur where the blood level of thyroid hormone is normal even though the cat is hyperthyroid because one or more other disease processes are also going on. Investigating further to establish these conditions should be considered and/or repeat blood tests three-six months later will help monitor progression.

Hyperthyroidism is typically treated with a twice daily palatable oral liquid, although surgery, radioactive iodine and

Brett & Son Pet & Wildlife Dog - Wet, Dry & Frozen Food Cat - Wet & Dry Food Bird/Hedgehog/WildlifeFood, Feeders & Accessories Old Market Car Park, Hound St, Sherborne, DT9 3AB 01935 812107

strict dietary changes can also be considered. Repeat blood tests are required to monitor response to medication so that adjustments in dosing can be made to avoid under or overdosing.

Kidney disease is common alongside hyperthyroidism and adds a complication to treatment because treating the hyperthyroidism may have additional effects on the kidneys. You should discuss this further with your vet so that appropriate monitoring and treatment is carried out to maximise beneficial effect.

If you are concerned your cat is unwell, particularly if they have had rapid weight loss, then go and see your vet to discuss your options so that you can make an informed decision as to the options available both in terms of investigation and treatment.

Hyperthyroidism is very common in older cats, affecting as many as 10% of cats over 10 years old

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

Cats looking for new homes

n Smudge, four years old. Grey and white big friendly boy, not lived indoors before, no other pets.

n Honey 10 years old. Gentle sweet girl looking for affection. No other animals or young children.

n Squeak, six years old. Loves his outdoor space but also wants a sofa to call his own.

n Polly 14 years old. Looking for retirement home, a few health issues which are being managed.

n Minx eight years old. Looking for a quiet home with no other pets and someone who will keep up her dietary requirements as she is a little overweight.

n Minnie, 13 years. Gentle, shy lady looking for a quiet home with no other pets.

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

LOST CATS

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

n White with black markings, missing since January 2024 from Gillingham.

n Light ginger tabby boy missing from Wincanton since June 7.

FOUND CATS

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

n Ginger tabby found in Gillingham, May 28. Around eight or nine years old and has been around the area for months.

Animal charity in football nets plea

THE RSPCA is calling on the public to help save animals’ lives by putting away their back garden football nets after use – as England, Scotland and 22 other nations compete at Euro 2024.

The reminder comes as new data from the charity reveals that of the 1,644 reports received in 2023 of animals getting entangled in all types of netting, almost half of them (773) happened in the peak months of May, June and July. Now, as footie fever soars with the Euros, the animal charity fears even more animals could be trapped, injured or even killed by these innocentlooking items.

So the charity is urging people to put away their garden football nets when not in use to help minimise the numbers of incidents.

RSPCA scientific officer, Rebecca Machin, said: “We know so many people will be getting excited about the start of Euro 2024 – and think it's great that many will be inspired by the action, and want to get outside and have a kick around themselves.

“But unattended football and

other netting can trap, injure and even kill wildlife and pets, so it’s really important to put nets safely away when they’re not being used after the game is done.

“The problem is so serious that during this May, we dealt with 53 incidents of nettingentangled foxes – mostly cubs – and that sadly included at least one fox cub death.

“That’s even higher than the numbers for the previous May (2023), when there were 52 incidents.

“But it’s not just foxes that are affected – other wild mammals like hedgehogs and deer, and even domestic pet mammals, including cats, can become potentially fatally entangled. But ahead of a difficult summer for many animals, people have the power to make a real difference.”

The charity’s advice to the public is that if a small animal – like a bird or hedgehog – is found caught up in netting, the fastest way to help it is to gently disentangle the animal themselves – where it’s safe and possible for them to do so.

Check the RSPCA website for more information.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford (Formerly Blandford & Sturminster) Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary

Field & Stream

Why sheep shearing can lead to much ‘argy-bargy’

by Tria Stebbing

THURSDAY was shearing day. It had already taken the two previous evenings to move the sheep to one paddock, load extra sheep hurdles and secure the area against feral jumpers – of which we have a few.

The forecast unusually for this summer was for a dry two days before shearing, which we needed as they are out in the open with no shelter. The fleece is not able to be shorn if it is wet – not only does it make it dense, it also makes for a slippery surface for the shearer.

We are not feeding the sheep at the moment, as they are grass grazers and more than happy with a belly full of grass, if we were, we would not feed them the day before shearing as it is not good practice to shear them with a full rumen.

The rams were set to go first, and we scaled the big hill to fetch them in time to meet the shearer, Joe, who had set up on the only flat area available to us. In previous years catching the rams has proven a good work-out, with at least one of them breaking away

The sheep don’t recognise each other for a few days after being sheared, which can upset the flock dynamics

from the rest at the last moment and going on its own little adventure before being shammed back to the flock.

We took a bucket of sheep cake, called them over, opened the gate and the little darlings trotted through like wellbehaved dogs behind the bucket to the shearing pen.

This may have been because Hero, the big man, was in with the girls, as he has a bad case of Sweet Itch, and the flock dynamics were slightly askew. I must point out that Hero is our castrated male, so is okay to be in with the girls while having his embarrassing rash treated.

The shearing pen was set up in the shade because in a normal summer the sheep could overheat while waiting for their turn – not so this year! As Joe raised his clippers our hearts sunk as the first drop of not forecast rain fell, prompting us all to up our game and speed up proceedings. It is a good opportunity for us to check on the condition of the sheep as they are being handled, checking for any lumps, tics or other things, and noting anything else that needs doing.

The rams were magnificent, had their haircuts and trotted

happily back to their paddock clearly feeling the benefit of not having to carry that dense coat around with them.

The girls and last year’s runty boy Blue were next, and, of course, Hero, who hid behind a tree as we walked them over to Joe. The girls are all different sizes and shapes and both young and old. The retired two, that live in the village with a lovely lady, clearly eating too many gingernuts, gave Joe a workout as their bellies sat squarely on his platform, and little Blue was tricky to hold as he is still so small. Hero was eventually coaxed over with the promise of a biscuit – the Sweet Itch is mainly on his face and ears, so he was not in any discomfort. He visibly shrunk as his thick black locks fell on the floor.

The flock are free of fly strike risk now for a week or so until their fleece starts to grow again, at which point they will be treated with a spot-on type medication to keep them safe. For a few days after shearing, they do not recognise each other, and there will be much ‘argy-bargy’ and head banging as the hierarchy of the flock is established again.

We will also be banging our heads, waiting for the summer to arrive!

Bee group bids to help rare species

THE Bumblebee Conservation Trust is sending out an SOS for a rare variety of bee in Somerset.

The Shrill carder bumblebee – Bombus sylvarum – now only exists in five areas – Somerset, the Thames Estuary, the Gwent Levels, Kenfig-Port Talbot and South Pembrokeshire following significant declines since the 1950s.

The trust’s Save Our Shrills (SOS): Somerset project aims to halt the decline, with only 25 individual bumblebees recorded in 2023, 21 of which were found on only one site.

The population in the Thames Estuary is thriving but

it is thought the bumblebee on Salisbury Plain may already have gone extinct, a survey in August 2023 yielding no records.

Jo Chesworth, senior project officer at the Bumblebee

Conservation Trust said: “The project is working with landowners and farmers to provide advice on creating and restoring flower-rich habitat which is connected up across the landscape, essential for the survival of this rare bumblebee.

“Loss and fragmentation of habitat is a key threat isolating Shrill carder bumblebee populations and the small surviving populations make this rare bumblebee vulnerable to inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity, further increasing the risk of local extinctions.

“Encouragingly, first records for the Shrill carder bumblebee in Somerset have been received

for 2024, providing reassurance they are still present in the county”.

The Shrill carder bumblebee is distinctive, with pale greyyellow colouring, a black band of hair between the wings and reddish-orange tail, and a noticeably high-pitched buzz.

The bumblebee is a late emerging species from May and males and new queens will be seen foraging late into August and September, which makes it vulnerable to loss of flowering habitat in mid-summer.

Late-cut meadows, field edges, hedgerow margins can help provide this essential forage.

Shrill carder bumblebee PHOTO: Pieter Haringsma/Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Insurer helps hospital appeal

NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the Dorchester agency recently nominated Dorset County Hospital Charity to receive a donation of £6,504 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92 million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.

The rural insurer launched this fund, now in its fifth year, to help local frontline charities across the country.

The Agency Giving Fund forms part of NFU Mutual’s £3.25m funding pledge for both local and national charities in 2024, to assist with the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and to help tackle the impact of the rising cost of living.

To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed to where they’re needed most, all NFU Mutual Agencies, with more than 280 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund.

This donation will contribute to Dorset County Hospital Charity’s appeal, raising funds to provide enhancements to the hospital’s new emergency department and critical care

unit, on which construction will soon commence.

The appeal is funding facilities such as relatives’ overnight accommodation for the critical care unit, a patient garden, a child and adolescent mental health unit and staff rest areas.

Matt Uren, agent and partner at NFU Mutual Dorchester Agency, said: “We’re extremely proud to have nominated Dorset

County Hospital for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community.

“NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund was first created in 2020 in response to the pandemic, and this ongoing support is helping to change lives, providing both emergency support and building long-term resilience.”

Simon Pearson, head of charity at Dorset County Hospital, said: “We’re so grateful to the Dorchester Agency of NFU Mutual for nominating our charity to receive a donation from the NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund. The money has gone a long way to helping us provide important benefit to patients, their families, as well as hospital staff welfare.”

Mary-Jane Attwood and Simon Pearson of Dorset County Hospital Charity with Peter Galloway and Matt Uren from NFU Mutual Dorchester

We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.

Simplifying farm health and safety

Farming remains one of the most dangerous occupations in Britain, with farm accidents having far-reaching effects on those involved.

While every farmer knows how hazardous farming is, putting in place policies and actions can be challenging and timeconsuming. To address this, Cornish Mutual offers a Farm Health and Safety Service to provide practical support on an ongoing basis.

The aim of the service is to safeguard you, your family, employees and your business, allowing you to rest assured your farm is as safe as it can be.

“Having someone external offering knowledge of the practical and legislative side of health and safety, especially in the context of farm work which poses a series of risks, is priceless –and very reassuring,” says dairy farmer Celia Diepenbroek, who has been using the service for over a year.

The specialist in-house farm health & safety advisors provide a tailored, cost-effective management system on an on-going basis to help farmers implement the right policies to reduce risk, avoid accidents and fulfil legal requirements.

Support with work equipment inspections, incident reporting,

COSHH management, and employee training is also available. Celia’s team recently took part in a health and safety training session: “It was a very useful and effective method of communicating the seriousness of this topic and encouraged our staff to think for themselves. They enjoyed what can otherwise seem like an uninteresting topic.”

Regular visits and practical support from the specialist team is designed to make life on farm easier and safer.

To find out more search “Health and Safety” on the Cornish Mutual website or call 01872 277151

Hydraulic Hose Specialists and Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive and Transport Industry

Pneumatic fittings

Air brake fittings

Hose clamps

Hydraulic Hoses Mob: 07966 244536

Quick release couplings Pressure wash hoses + lances Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Variation of oils Mobile service available

hoses@ardiesels.co.uk

HELP WANTED ON SMALLHOLDING NEAR MERE 2 OR 3 HOURS DAILY , MONDAY – FRIDAY. SOME WEEKENDS BY NEGOTIATION.

EXPERIENCE AN ADVANTAGE, BUT NOT NECESSARY. TRAINING WILL BE GIVEN IF NEEDED. GENERAL FARM WORK. SHEEP, CHICKENS, HORSES. 07767 827132

TYRES AROUND LTD

WESSEX SADDLEBACK 3 year old,Boar.Quiet with friendly personality.Would deliver free,to 30 miles from Shaftesbury.£300.00 Tel. 07552-706838

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288 Mob: 07977 936109 New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

HAYMAKING SERVICE. Small & Large Bales. Tel: 01258-880892/07980-036250

RAGWORKS, BLACK GRASS, Himalayan balsam problem? Call 07929 995747

HAYLAGE, 64x Quality Meadow Grass Large Bales (4ft) £40 per bale. Tel: 01747-853811

CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE. Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040

TRADITIONAL HEREFORD BULL, homebred, quiet, 10 years old, always been fertile, £1,500. 07526 746932.

CARAVAN REMOVAL SERVICE, old, unwanted caravans, cars, trailers, vans etc. Garden machinery, tractors, scrap metal. Yard, garden, garage removal clearances undertaken, dismantling and gas cutting service. Please call 01935 873169 or 07368-380477

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES for sale. From friendly working parents. Nr Yeovil. Tel: 07805-426795

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

STANDING STRAW AUCTIONS 2024

STANDING STRAW AUCTION

Wednesday 3rd July at 6.30pm

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Approx. 1,000ac of Standing Straw

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm

Bindon & Pinhay

Thursday 4th July at 12 Noon

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset

Wynford Eagle – The Grain Stores, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester Approx. 1,500ac of Standing Straw

830ac of Standing Straw

Friday 5th July at 12 Noon

• 461ac Wheat

WEDNESDAY 26th JUNE FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS

WEDNESDAY 3rd JULY FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF REARED CALVES

Durweston – Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford

• 237ac Winter Barley

Approx. 7,000ac of Standing Straw

• 132ac Oats

ONSITE AUCTIONS

• 2,442ac Wheat

• 2,006ac Winter Barley

Saturday 13th July - Chippenham, Wiltshire

• 1,557ac Spring Barley

Collective Sale of Vintage Tractors, Bygones & Collectables

• 178ac Oats

Tuesday 16th July – North Dorset

WEDNESDAY 31st JULY 24 Pedigree Holstein Friesian In-Calf Heifers Pd+ due end of August to pedigree Angus bull, home bred, closed herd, genuine dispersal.

FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288

Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset, BA11 2QB 01373 830033 info@fromelivestock.com EVERY FRIDAY – SALE OF STORE CATTLE

MONDAY 22nd JULY SALE OF TB RESTRICED CATTLE www.fromelivestock.com

• 37ac Oil Seed Rape

Dispersal Sale of Tractors, Vehicles, Farm Machinery & Equestrian Equipment

Tuesday 6th August – East Devon

Friday 7th July at 12 noon

Dispersal Sale of Sheep, Tractors, Grassland Machinery & Livestock

Equipment

TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031 ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

MUCK HEAPS REMOVED 07977 561860

2 STABLES PLUS 2 ACRE FIELD. For rent. (2/3 further stables and acreage available) Hazelbury Bryan on secure farm. Water & electric available. £200pcm Tel: 07734-059190

QUALITY HAYLAGE, HAY. All June made. 3ft, 4ft and 6ft bales. Collect or delivered. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300 345293

Tuesday 30th July 2024

10.30am – 3.30pm

Wynford Eagle

Saturday 10th August – Rylands Farm, Holnest, Sherborne

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset

Annual Collective Charity Auction of Classic & Vintage Tractors, Farm Machinery & Bygones

1298 acres of Standing Straw

Contact Yeovil Office – 01935 382909

The course will start at Park Corner Farm, Mere BA12 6AH and we will then move to Longmoor Farm which is nearby for the afternoon.

This course is for those with experience of rearing calves who are looking to advance their knowledge to improve their rearing success.

£100 per person, per course. 25% discount for youngstock group member farms.

Refreshments and lunch included.

For more information or to book your slot, please call the farm 01258 472314 or go to https://friarsmoorlivestockhealth.co.uk/e

• 599ac Wheat

• 281ac Winter Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

Beaminster Guide: £2,850,000

A privately positioned farm with substantial income earning potential. Five bedroom farmhouse and attached three bedroom cottage.

Over 33,000 sqft of mainly modern farm building space and beautiful pasture land and woodland overlooking the Axe Valley. CTB E. Freehold.

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

Abbas Guide: £1,275,000

A converted stone barn with over 3500 sq.ft of flexible internal accommodation and stunning views with gardens and land totalling 5.32 acres.

CTB G. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton Guide: £725,000

An imposing, beautifully presented, renovated and remodelled four bedroom detached house with a double garage situated within walking distance of the town centre. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne Guide: £425,000

A spacious and light, two bedroom, two bathroom retirement property, a stone’s throw from the centre of Sherborne. Offered for sale with no onward chain. CTB E. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488

Melbury

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

Chilthorne Domer Guide £525,000

A block of Grade 3 productive level arable land situated to the north of Yeovil, split into 4 parcels. Access from Oakley Lane. For sale by Formal Tender as a whole. Freehold.

Lucy Carnell | 01935 382901

Kings Stag Guide £65,000

2.77 acres (1.12 hectares) of level productive pasture land with a stable block, small yard area and direct highway access. Freehold.

Meredith Wallis | 01202 843190

Stour Provost Guide £100,000 9.94 acres of level and gently sloping pasture land off a quiet country lane with mains water. Freehold.

Will Cairns | 01258 472244

Hazelbury Bryan Guide £220,000 13.20 acres of productive pasture land located on the edge of Hazelbury Bryan village. The land has recently been utilised for grazing and mowing and has direct road access. Available in 2 Lots.

Will Wallis | 01305 236237

Kings Stag Guide £150,000 16.67 acres (6.75 hectares) of mixed mature broadleaf woodland situated between Kings Stag & Holwell. Freehold.

Will Wallis | 01305 236237

Buckhorn Weston Guide £155,000 14.14 acres (5.72 ha) of level pasture land in a peaceful location.

Freehold.

Will Cairns | 01258 472244

Beaminster Guide £55,000 (per lot) Two 3.55 acre (1.44 hectare) paddocks close to the village of North Perrott with attractive views to the south. Freehold.

George Whittaker | 01305 236237

Buckhorn Weston Guide £48,000 3.96 acres (1.60 ha) of pasture land off a quiet country lane.

Freehold.

Will Cairns | 01258 472244

For more information on other lots available in our July Auction, please visit our website or call 01258 473766

Fonthill Bishop, Wiltshire. Guide price £1,895,000

Impeccable edge of village country house in a highly sought after location close to Tisbury. Beautifully finished with generous living space, including a 40 ft family kitchen. 4 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite). Stunning established private gardens with fabulous mixed borders. Large walled terrace ideal for entertaining, barn storage and greenhouse. Surrounded by open countryside and woods of the Fonthill Estate.

Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire. Guide price £1,850,000

A charming historic mill house set in pretty gardens and grounds within the highly sought after Donheads. Grade II listed. 5 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, office, 6 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms. Barn/studio with potential, double garage, attractive landscaped gardens with terraces, water meadow and riverside walk. In all about 2.5 acres.

Cann Common, Dorset. Guide price £1,695,000

A handsome family house house with elegant rooms, beautifully landscaped gardens, paddocks and superb views. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, boot room. Principal bedroom with en- suite shower room and dressing room, 5 further bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms. Attractive, landscaped gardens with terrace, orchard and vegetable garden. Outbuilding with planning for conversion. 3 stables, paddocks and copse. In all about 3 acres.

Brixton Deverill, Wiltshire. Guide price £1,500,000

A spacious family house with a superb outlook, set within charming riverside gardens bordering the Upper Wylye. 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory. 5 bedrooms and 5 bath/shower rooms. Beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds. Studio/home office, summer house, range of outbuildings. Copse, Lake and 300 yards of the Upper Wylye. In all about 4.1 acres.

West Orchard, Dorset. Guide price £1,100,000

An attractive extended country home with glorious grounds, versatile accommodation and further potential. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, pantry/utility room. 4 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms (2 en-suite). Range of outbuildings. In all 2.43 acres of grounds, to include gardens and woodland.

£425,000

£190,000 Wincanton

Thinking of moving in 2024?

We are particularly busy at the moment, and have a number of buyers registered with us wishing to purchase in the summer months within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you. Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net OIEO

Wincanton

£385,000 Charlton Musgrove

£280,000 Wincanton

Ten times more energy efficient

THE Den in Ansty, the first ever Passivhaus to be built and certified in Dorset 10 years ago, is for sale.

Passivhaus properties achieve energy consumption around a tenth that of conventional homes, and The Den is designed by Passivhaus Trust member, Conker Conservation.

The house – pictured – is set behind electric gates in wraparound gardens next to The Fox Inn pub and opposite The Village Farm Shop & Post Office.

It is super insulated to minimise heat loss and uses solar thermal to provide hot water, photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, and an MVHR heat recovery

ventilation system to provide fresh air while equalising the temperature throughout the building.

The house is built on a highly engineered timber frame, clad in Siberian Larch and has a solid, polished concrete floor and triple glazing,

It has three/four bedrooms set over three storeys and lots of natural light.

The Den is on the market with the Poundbury branch of Meyers at £850,000.

STUNNING RURAL LODGE TO RENT, nr Shaftesbury, sleeps 6, 2 bathrooms, £1500 per month plus bills. More details: mvwinery.co.uk/cedar-holiday-lodge-to-rent/ Call Clare 01747 854206 SPACE TO LET IN A TYTHE BARN. office/salon/storage. Tel: 07811-837061

NEAR KINGS STAG. Double room, own shower, shared kitchen, quiet comfortable bungalow, garden & parking. £600pcm. Inc. bills Tel: 07760-584389 INDUSTRIAL UNITS TO LET 1455-2183 sqft. 3 Phase. Child Okeford. 07806616607

on quiet farm near Yeovil 01935 891817