Blackmore Vale Issue 105

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What’s inside this issue…

Paul

or calling 01963 400186

Kye Harman Sports Editor sports@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

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

Lorraine

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

Wiltshire councillor calls for immediate action

IN a letter to Wiltshire’s Chief Constable, Councillor Richard Budden has called for immediate action by the police to enforce speed limits, in the light of alarming new evidence of speeding on the A30 and in Tisbury.

over two and a half years shows speeds up to and exceeding 65mph on a stretch of road within the 20mph zone that is too narrow for two vehicles to pass, and with no pedestrian footway.

St Mary, has written to the Chief Constable calling for the Road Policing Unit to carry out speed checks in these locations as a matter of urgency.

He said:

run or to meet a train at the station, or whatever seems to demand it.

Traffic speeds of over 100 miles an hour were measured on 14 occasions on the A30 in Donhead St Mary during August; the most extreme examples of speeding on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road. The top speed was 116mph, measured at 3.30pm.

In total, there were over 2,000 instances of traffic doing over 50mph on this stretch of road, where the speed limit is 40mph.

And on Hindon Lane in the centre of Tisbury, data collected

Councillor Budden told your NBVM that, until now, the neighbourhood policing team had declined to carry out routine speed checks in these two locations, arguing they were short of manpower and referring to a policy not to carry out speed checks if 85% of motorists are driving below the limit.

Following a meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board held on September 11, Councillor Budden, who represents the Tisbury Division that extends to include Donhead

“This recently compiled data confirms what we already knew: these roads are highly dangerous. The speeds of traffic on the A30 are sickening. I’ve heard from local residents that motorcyclists use the stretch of the A30 east of Shaftesbury as a kind of racetrack, aiming to hit 100mph before they reach the 5 Square garage.

Similarly, local residents in the congested centre of Tisbury see road users showing complete disregard for the local limit when they consider the urgency of whatever task they are on, whether on the school

Behaviours like these show total disregard for the hazards to themselves and to others, including pedestrians, cyclists, and residents who live beside the road and may be elderly or infirm.

To argue the police don’t need to act if 85% of motorists are driving safely is clearly nonsense. Decisions about where the police carry out enforcement should be based on a common-sense assessment of the risk of injury to others. The police have failed to take these issues with the seriousness they deserve and I have called on the Chief Constable to respond by ensuring the police take immediate action.”

Dorchester welcomes a new bard

YOUNG Molly Dunne has been chosen as the Bard of Caer Dur – Dorchester – after a competition at Pummery Square in Poundbury.

The five judges were spellbound by her reinterpretation of the Thomas Hardy poem The Shadow on The Stone from the point of view of Emma Gifford, an English writer and suffragist, best known as the first wife of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy.

Molly’s other piece was a celebratory monologue on the charms of Dorset.

Mollly, 22, of Upwey, will hold the title of the Bard of Caer Dur for one year and one day. She will also set the theme for next year’s competition and compere the event in 2025.

Six entrants competed for the Bardic Seat of Dorchester watched by an audience of 40 people.

The annual competition celebrates local poets, storytellers and musicians, and offers them a platform to showcase their talents.

It aims to promote the arts within the community and honour Dorchester’s rich literary heritage.

Grand Bard Peter Roe (centre) with the contestants (from left) John Seymour, William Adams, James McMillan, Molly Dunne, Aidan Simpson and Athena Lynn

Singer-songwriter Aidan Simpson, 30, from Bridport, was awarded the Hardy Prize by the chair of The Thomas Hardy Society for the best Hardy piece, his interpretation of the poem The Late Autumn as a song with acoustic guitar.

Jerry Bird, who founded the Bardic Seat in 2010, and Simon Emmerson – Imagined Village and Afro-Celt Sound System – both passed away in 2023 and were awarded the status of honorary bards of Caer Dur for their contributions, to music and poetry.

Peter Roe, the former Bard of Caer Dur, was honoured with the title of Grand Bard and he will continue to work with the successive Bards of Dorchester to administer the competition for Dorchester and West Dorset for the next five years.

Peter said: “We were absolutely delighted with the quality of all the contestants who made it to the final.

“Each of them brought their own interpretation of the theme ‘Celebrating Dorchester or West Dorset’, an interpretation of a Thomas Hardy poem as poem, song or story, and their Bardic

Manifesto – what they would bring to the role.

“Molly has big ideas for her year in the role, she is a worthy winner, and you can follow her Bardic year on The Bard of Dorchester Substack.”

Emma

By Molly Dunne

After Shadow on The Stone by Thomas Hardy

I linger, by the stone he nears, Beneath the boughs, in shadowed air, Where once I bent, with patient hands, To tend the blooms that flourished there. He halts, as though a breath might stir, My long-lost shape within the shade; And whispers softly, in wistful doubt, “’Tis an umbra only you could’ve made”

How strange, this pause, this quiet spell, As if my presence still might cling, He does not turn—fearing, perhaps, That sight would break this fragile thing. In reverie, now, he holds me close, Though many seasons, full have flown, The garden bears the weight of loss, While he, unknowing, walks alone.

He feels me still, yet knows it not, I linger not in grief or woe,

But softly watch, content to be A shadow he need never know. I leave him now, for time will teach The gentleness I always knew, And he will find, in other hearts, The kindness life withheld from view.

I hear the wind, though it touches not, Bears his words a prayer well-spent; He speaks of love that time forgot, But I, past that hour, am content. The leaves fall light, the dusk descends, He moves away, a softer frame, And I remain, no longer bound, A whispered echo of his name.

Vivienne’s gone for gold!

HOT on the tails of our medal success at this year’s Olympic Games, Blackmore Vale local Vivienne was surprised to receive her own gold medal!

“Having had type 1 diabetes for over 50 years, I have been awarded a medal,” explains Vivienne.

It was a complete surprise to Vivienne, and her GP, neither of whom knew anything about the award prior to her receiving it.

“I was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 1964,” said Vivienne.

“I had two full-term stillborn babies, but had a son in

between. He was premature, 36 weeks. He was 53 last Sunday!

“The treatment of diabetes has improved greatly, but I still have to take four-plus injection of insulin a day. There’s no finger pricking, as I now have a censor and read the results on a link on my phone.”

New diversions for motorists on A303

ROADWORKS on the Sparkford to Ilchester stretch of the A303 mean fresh diversions for motorists from this weekend.

National Highways is warning motorists that work on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme is continuing, with changes to the traffic management overnight on Saturday, September 28.

The A303 will be closed between Sparkford and the Podimore Roundabout from 9pm until 6am.

When the road reopens on Sunday, September 29, there will be one lane open on the new eastbound and one on the westbound carriageway. This will allow work to be completed safely on the other lanes and the central reservation.

Drivers are asked to take care and follow signs until they become familiar with the new layout.

A 50mph temporary speed limit will be in place throughout the works for the safety of drivers and workers.

People travelling west will get off the

A303 at the Wincanton junction to join the A371. They will then continue to Galhampton to join the A359 to Sparkford and then continue on the A359 to Yeovil. Once at Yeovil, they will be directed to join the A37 to Ilchester and then back on to the A303 to continue their journey west.

Eastbound traffic will be diverted from the Ilchester junction to just east of the Sparkford roundabout. Drivers will leave the A303 at the Ilchester junction, to travel on the A37 to Yeovil. They will then be directed to join the A359 to Sparkford to rejoin the A303 east of Sparkford roundabout.

When completed the scheme will tackle congestion, improve safety and help support increased economic prosperity in Somerset and the South West. The work is due to be completed this winter.

For more information on how the scheme is progressing visit nationalhighways.co.uk/ our-roads/south-west/a303-sparkford-toilchester.

Shape the future of your museum

GILLINGHAM Museum and Local History Society wants your thoughts on the future of heritage in Gillingham and the surrounding villages.

Residents and community groups are invited to help to shape the future of the organisation at two meetings: Saturday, September 28, 11am–1pm, outside the Co-op in Lodbourne; and Saturday, October 5, 11am–1pm, at Gillingham Library.

You can also share your thoughts by completing an online questionnaire. The outcome of these consultations will help the Local History Society better understand how the community engages with the Museum, and what it would like to see from the organisation in the future.

Entry to Gillingham Museum is free. Find out more and see opening times at www.gillinghammuseum.co.uk

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wlkinson at the scene in Pettridge Lane, Mere Picture: George Jeans

PCC on patrol

THE man who oversees policing in Wiltshire was on the spot earlier this month when a car overturned in a village street.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the county, Philip Wilkinson, was on patrol with officers on September 17 when they were called to the scene of a crash in Pettridge Lane, Mere, at around 8.30am.

The car, an Audi A3, appeared to have travelled up a bank in the lane before flipping over, coming to rest on its roof.

An onlooker said Mr Wilkinson chatted with residents.

“The commissioner was with the police team who attended the accident,” they said. “He accompanies the police often.”

Wiltshire Police said the driver of the vehicle provided a roadside breath test after the crash, which showed them to be three times the legal drink drive limit.

Police looking for crash witnesses

A PEDESTRIAN suffered “potentially serious injuries” after being hit by a car in Blandford.

The incident happened at around 1.25am on Saturday, September 14, on the A354 Blandford bypass, between the junction of Wimborne Road and the Badger roundabout.

It involved a white Hyundai i20, driven by a woman in her 30s from the Dorchester area, and a 20-year-old male pedestrian from the Blandford area.

“The pedestrian was taken to hospital suffering potentially serious injuries. His next of kin have been informed,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“A road closure was put in place to enable emergency services to attend the scene safely.”

Police Sergeant Mike Gatfield, of the traffic unit, added: “I am appealing to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time and witnessed what happened to please contact police.

“If you have a dashcam fitted to your vehicle, I would ask you to please check for any relevant footage that may assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240141722. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Place your bets…

SERO, which raises funds for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and local good causes, is holding a race night at Child Okeford Village Hall.

The races, all featuring eight runners, will be shown on a projection screen with guests betting on the outcome.

The event is on Sunday, November 24, from 7pm, with races starting at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £15 include a light two-course supper, and a bar, silent auction and raffle will be on offer.

To buy tickets, email serocharity@gmail.com or phone Julie on 07749 486733 or Kate on 07725 245066.

Behind the scenes

- 1.30pm Your local charity for all age-related information and

info@acnorthdorset.org.uk | www.acnorthdorset.org.uk

THE Friends of Holnest Church present a talk by Alec Thorne taking you behind the scenes of your favourite TV period dramas.

Drawing on his 25 years’ experience on productions including The Paradise, The Crimson Field, Call and Midwife and Catherine the Great, Alec will bring to life all the various creative elements that go into making a television period drama.

The talk, on Saturday, October 5, at Glanvilles Wootton village hall (DT9 5QF) will be followed by a buffet and wine.

Doors at 7pm, tickets cost £10 per person.

For tickets please call Graham on 01963 210632

Woman hit by car in Dorchester

A WOMAN in her 70s was left with serious injuries after being hit by a car in Dorchester.

The woman, from Poole, was a pedestrian on the A35 at Kingston Pond when she was hit by a red Jeep Compass at around 1.47pm on Thursday, September 19.

She was taken to hospital, but the driver of the car was not injured.

Calling all quizzers

STOCK Gaylard and King’s Stag Parochial Church Council (PCC) ran its first charity quiz night in July.

The Green Man pub in Kings Stag hosted the event and donated a chilli supper for everyone who took part.

The Rev Canon Richard Hancock presented a cheque for £310 to Terry and Susan Dredge of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The next PCC quiz is on Saturday, October 5, again at The Green Man, starting at 8pm.

Entry is £2 per person – food not included – teams of up to six, and everyone welcome.

Further details on the King’s Stag and Lydlinch Community Facebook page or from the pub.

Road closures were put in place to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident, lifted at around 5.15pm.

Police Sergeant Mike Burt, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward.

“If you were travelling in the area and have a dashcam fitted

to your vehicle, I would ask you to please check your footage for anything of relevance to help my enquiries.

“Finally, I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while the road closures were in place. They were in place to allow us to safely treat the injured person and carry out a detailed scene examination.”

Anyone with information abut the crash should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset. police.uk, by email to scit@ dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240144661. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Conversations about food

PLANET Shaftesbury has announced two food-related events this autumn.

Claire Mackenzie makes independent environmental documentary films with links to food. She says: “It’s really important that people have discussions at a local level… to create profitable food systems that benefit the community whilst looking after our soil and the environment in the best possible way.”

Planet Shaftesbury will be hosting Claire’s film Six Inches of Soil at Shaftesbury Town Hall on October 10 (doors open 7pm).

Six Inches of Soil tells the inspiring story of three young British farmers – one an arable and sheep farmer, one a vegetable grower, and one rearing pasture-fed beef cattle – standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food. They all farm regeneratively, to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities.

The film will be followed by a short panel discussion.

Rachel Bodle of Planet Shaftesbury says: “Earlier this year I was involved with several others in putting together an information leaflet on local food. It made me super-aware of how complicated some aspects of the food system are.

“We need affordable healthy food.

“We have to restore nature.

“We have to cope with an unpredictable climate.

“Can we do all these things?

“It was really tricky describing how we might change our diets, without the words sounding preachy.

“We needed expert input to describe the challenges farmers face. We’re lucky to have a local farmer and people with different points of view taking part in the panel discussion.”

Admission is free but please book to reserve a place: buytickets.at/ planetshaftesbury/1372703

Life at snail’s pace

A PASSION for snails led to Montacute man Michael Ratsey appearing on the BBC’s Countryfile programme this summer – and now to publishing a children’s book.

He spent his early years in the 1950s and 1960s on a fairly remote farm in West Somerset where he had to learn to amuse himself alone.

Fortunately, he discovered nature and the woods, fields and hedgerows and the life within them became his companions, with snails being his greatest fascination.

Although he wanted to be a dairy farmer, it was not an option, and he became a biology teacher.

But his enthralment with snails continued and he became involved in some serious scientific research on various species in his spare time.

In 1973 he was the first person to successfully breed “left-handed” snails, where the shell coils anti-clockwise.

Since moving into a National Trust cottage in Montacute, near Yeovil, in 2012, some captive bred Roman snails became the

The Primrose family manage their farm near Marnhull regeneratively to produce fresh no-dig vegetables, fruit and flowers, eggs, pasture-fed Red Ruby Devon beef and Dorset mutton. The family will be represented in the panel discussion on October 10.

Six Inches of Soil isn’t alone in provoking discussions about food and farming. ‘The Food Conversation’ is a nationwide spread of discussions through which the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) is finding out what people expect from government and business when it comes to food.

Nature and climate are in crisis and how we produce food is part of the problem. Poor health is now the biggest threat to GDP – if trends continue, one in 10 of us will have diabetes by 2030.

The global food industry is worth £8 trillion, yet in the UK Foodbank use is skyrocketing. And the UK is one of the most

nature-depleted countries on earth.

A Shaftesbury Food Conversation takes place on November 4.

People with different experience and perspectives are being invited to join in.

The wide-ranging session will be facilitated by Sarah Rudder (The Kitchen Table) and ffinlo Costain (Chief Editor of UK farming and agriculture news channel 8point9.com).

Materials will be provided by FFCC, so that points made locally will add weight to the influential national picture that is taking shape.

People keen to receive an invite please email planetshaftesbury@gmail.com

focus of his research.

Roman snails, which are the size of an egg and are eaten as l’escargot in France, do not exist in the south west and are sufficiently rare in the UK to be on its Red List of protected species.

2023 was a great year for breeding snails and he had so many babies that under licence with Natural England a release programme was carried out on National Trust land.

It was felt they would do well there as some escapees were flourishing in his garden nearby.

This was what interested BBC Countryfile

But studying snails is not a winter-time activity – they hibernate for six months of the year.

A few years ago Michael was asked to write a children’s bedtime story about a snail by one of his medical support team. This story became a book.

With 40 charming black and white illustrations drawn by a friend it tells of the

adventures of the wildlife in an old man’s garden – the same garden featured on BBC Countryfile.

The Tale of Sheldon the Snail is published by Pegasus (ISBN 9781787881396) and was scheduled for release yesterday (September 26).

It can be pre-ordered through all major outlets – Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles in London and even abroad.

Jumping for joy

A DOG agility event will raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

JJ Dogs of Wincanton is holding a charity steeplechase event for dogs in memory of Gavin Bruce Cooper to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

On Sunday, October 6, dogs who know how to jump will be able to showcase their boundless energy at High Winds Farm Business Units (BA9 8AP).

The event is in aid of British Heart Foundation in the memory of the late Mr Gavin Cooper (1967-2022) who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from a cardiac related event.

“It is hoped by raising awareness of cardiac related issues, we can reduce this from happening again to another person”, say organisers.

“Gavin sadly left his beautiful dog behind, who was his loving and devoted companion. She had been going to regular agility sessions at JJ Dogs Wincanton, which she has continued and loves, allowing her to develop a strong, brilliant and positive relationship with her family and come to terms with the grief and loss.”

Spectators are welcome – there’s no need to compete to enjoy the refreshments, raffle and shopping on offer.

Ginger and Black Photography (gingerandblackphotography.co.uk) will be on hand to photograph your dog for the ultimate in personalised Christmas cards! Prebook a timeslot by texting 07971 790256; the £55 cost covers a choice of pictures, from which your favourite will be transformed into a set of 10 cards.

It’s never too

late to learn, says U3A

THE Shaftesbury & Gillingham university of the third age (u3a) group is happy to welcome new members.

The group holds monthly meetings at the New Remembrance Hall, Charlton (SP7 0PL) on the first Thursday of the month at 10am.

It also has more than 30 sub-groups run by members, including learning new languages, cosmology, gardening and walking.

Anyone interested should visit the group’s website at sgu3a.u3asite.uk, its Facebook page or phone Barbara Hurst at 01747 825646 for more details.

Anne Jefferies, from the group, said: “You can, alternatively, come along to one of our meetings, the first being a free visit, to see what a lively, active group of retirees/newly retired we are! We look forward to seeing you.”

Village lifeline

A VALE village now boasts its own defibrillator, thanks to the hard work of one resident.

This September, Jackie Vacher and her friend Margaret Corben officially marked the installation of Bryanston’s first defibrillator!

Back in March, Margaret collapsed during an event, and was attended to by staff from The Old Powerhouse. She was very unwell ands remained in hospital for quite some time.

Margaret’s situation highlighted the urgent need for a defibrillator in Bryanston, so Jackie got straight on it.

She organised a bingo night, raising over £1,000, which covered the cost of buying the defibrillator in one fell swoop.

Thankfully, Margaret made a full recovery and was well enough to join Jackie in cutting the ribbon when the defibrillator was unveiled this September.

This life-saving kit can be found at The Old Powerhouse, Bryanston, on the patio at the top of their car park.

This is very much in keeping with the launch of The Old Powerhouse as a Community Interest Company since COVID, which means it is now open to all, and is no longer a members club.

Man with broken leg found outside football club

A MAN was found with a broken leg outside Shaftesbury Football Club in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police are appealing for information – and have made an arrest – after an incident in Coppice Street reported at around 1.15am on Sunday, September 22.

The victim – aged in his 30s – sustained fractures to his leg and was taken to hospital for treatment, a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

Following enquiries a man, also in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and released on police bail as the investigation continues.

PC Matt Barrett, of Dorset County CID, said: “I am carrying out enquiries to establish exactly what happened and how the man sustained his injuries.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area and saw what happened to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240146014. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk. org or by calling 0800 555 111.

(L to R) Jackie Vacher, Margaret Corben, Tom O’Reilly (The Old Powerhouse)

Landpower Machinery

Advertising Feature

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dorset welcomes new Lord-Lieutenant

A NEW Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset has been appointed to succeed Angus Campbell CVO, who recently retired after serving 10 years in the role.

Michael Dooley LVO MMs FRCOG has taken on responsibility for representing His Majesty the King in Dorset.

He has extensive experience of working with numerous charitable sectors and a wide knowledge of the county from his role as High Sheriff in Dorset.

Mr Dooley has had a long and distinguished medical career.

He is consultant gynaecologist to the Royal Household, and practices in London and Dorset.

He was lead gynaecologist at the London Olympics, and team

doctor for the British Equestrian Federation for eight years.

He is a visiting professor to Bournemouth University.

Since serving as High Sheriff four years ago, he has developed and led an initiative Creating Health and Harmony in Dorset.

The project’s next stage will focus on the county’s prison population – he is a trustee of Key4Life, which aims to reduce youth reoffending.

He has raised considerable sums for charities and other good causes, including Dorset County Hospital, a local hospice and the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Mr Dooley said: “It is a great honour to serve as The King’s representative in Dorset and follow in the footsteps of Angus

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Campbell whose work has been inspirational and a huge benefit to the community.

“I am greatly looking forward to working with my Lieutenancy team and continuing to work with local charities as well as meeting local people and celebrate their many contributions to the communities in Dorset.”

Mr Dooley lives in Broadmayne, near Dorchester, with his wife, Barbara. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.

Ruby fights on

TEENAGER Ruby

Andrews from Bruton has been recognised for her bravery at the recent BBC Radio Somerset’s Make a Difference Awards.

Ruby has rheumatoid arthritis,which affects all her joints. “Sometimes she can’t move during flareups, but continues to try and live a normal life,” said her mum Kirsty.

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Picture:

Margaret thrives living independently with Care South at Home’s support

Care South at Home’s West Dorset team provides flexible and personalised care to meet a wide range of needs. Their services include daily support, companionship, assistance with collecting prescriptions and shopping, as well as more specialised support for dementia and end-of-life care.

Receiving care in your own home can offer reassurance and help you or your loved ones maintain independence while getting the necessary support. This option is particularly useful if your caregiver is going on holiday or needs a break, ensuring that you continue to receive high-quality care and assistance in their absence.

Margaret receives visits from the Care South at Home team four times a day. The support Magaret receives spans from getting her day started with personal care and the preparation of her breakfast, companionship visits at lunchtime, through to helping her get ready for bed.

She said: “I can’t speak more highly of Care South at Home’s carers. They’re absolute diamonds.

She added: “In the morning, they help me to get up, washed, and dressed. They prepare my breakfast and my morning cup of tea for me. They open all the curtains and make my bed for me before they leave. At lunchtime, they prepare my lunch, make me a cup of tea, and do the washing up and then we have a chat. In the evening, they help me get ready for bed and switch off the lights

as they go. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Care South is a leading provider of high quality residential and home care services across the south of England.

The not-for-profit charity has home care offices covering east and west Dorset, northeast Somerset and south Somerset, as well as care homes in Dorset, north Devon, Somerset and West Sussex.

A letter of thanks from Guggleton...

GUGGLETON

Farm Arts CIC, The Gugg, is a busy place fostering creativity, community, outreach, and the arts.

Guggleton started with the dream of Isabel de Pelet. She bought the old farm yard in Stalbridge over 20 years ago and from here hosted: art exhibitions; woodwork, pottery, sculpture and painting classes; and, even ballet and music.

Encouraging and supporting young artists as they started out in their careers is what she wanted to do.

She loved organising the talks and her happiest venture was hosting the ‘Young Artists Exhibition’. She was awarded a beautiful medal, BEM, for her services to the community through art.

She invited Deanne Tremlett to continue the vision. And this Deanne continues to do so with an unwavering commitment to the community - near and far.

The Gugg is a place where people come to for companionship and creativity.

The site is now going to be sold. Isabel has retired and her chapter with Guggleton

has closed. Our hope and prayer is that a new and glorious site becomes available and that The Gugg continues to prosper and is able to continue to do all the good work that it does.

Thank you Isabel for your bravery and vision for making Guggleton happen and thank you Deanne and your ever expanding team of dedicated volunteers for keeping Isabel’s dream very much alive. Your dynamic ideas and ventures make such a

difference to the community.

Thank you to all who have visited The Gugg, enjoying the exhibitions and participating in the many classes and events that have taken place there. Thank you to those who have contributed their time and friendship to others.

Thank you to Stalbridge.

Caroline, Sophie and Charlie (Isabel’s children)

Leweston School Visit Week

Leweston believes in fostering a love for learning that goes beyond the classroom. Their educational approach empowers students to develop critical thinking skills and a growth mindset that they can use not only in their academic studies but also in their future endeavours. Whether your child is interested in day, flexi, weekly, or boarding options, Leweston provides a supportive and enriching environment for boys and girls to thrive. Join their upcoming ‘Visit Weeks’ for a personalised, guided tour of the school and an opportunity to meet staff, students, the Headmaster and Admissions Team.

Leweston Senior and Sixth Form Visit Week | 7 – 11 October 2024.

The best way to experience Leweston is to book an individual tour, tailor-made to your requirements. Leweston ‘Visit Weeks’ are available to book now. These offer a personalised guided tour of the School during which you can find out more about academic, creative and sporting opportunities, view their extensive facilities and talk to the Admissions team about entrance, transport, enrichment and more. Your visit will also include a meeting with the Headmaster, Mr John Paget-Tomlinson. Contact our Admissions Team, or visit our website to book your place –admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk | 01963 211015 | www.leweston.co.uk

VISIT WEEKS AT LEWESTON

SENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

7 - 11 OCTOBER

Book a personalised tour during our visit weeks and find out more about an education at Leweston.

News Carnival spirit

by George Jeans CROWDS

enjoyed Mere carnival this September, although the fire service had to leave early for a shout!

The grand procession set out at 7.30pm from White Road and finishing near The Quarry Industrial estate.

It was led by a police car, followed by the fire service, which had to make an early exit after an emergency callout.

The Walnut Inn provided a mobile bar in The Square.

The George had live music that carried on the early autumn air; dancing for a while took place in the Mere Square.

The Butt of Sherry was open with much enjoyment had by all at all venues, including Mere Social Club.

Thanks from many to the Mere Carnival Committee, much work was involved.

Tickets on sale now for new-look festive trail at Stourhead

The National Trust’s Palladian house and garden is preparing to wow visitors for another year with the return of its glittering Christmas light trail between Friday, November 29 and Wednesday, January 1.

This magical meander through Stourhead’s unique gardens, deep in the heart of Wiltshire, will be filled with larger-than-life illuminations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music.

Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We have a brand new route and installations for 2024 so those people whom we welcomed to the trail last year can enjoy a unique experience which is sure to mesmerise families, friends and loved ones.”

Created by award-winning, internationally acclaimed light trail producers and firmly positioned within the UK’s festive calendar, Christmas at Stourhead has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.

Discover hundreds of colour-changing lights stretching out into the distance across the lake, huge feathers floating high into the night sky, a sparkling tunnel of light and illuminations that fill the air with all the colours of the rainbow.

Grab a seasonal snack from one of the hand-picked street food vendors who bring an indulgent twist to tempting treats on offer. Complete your walk under the stars with a festive *spiced winter warmer, *hot chocolate or *toasted marshmallow and share it with someone special.

Your very merriest Christmas starts here. Limited capacity with timed entry. Plan now to secure the date and time of your choice.

*separate charges apply

Christmas at Stourhead is brought to you by Sony Music in partnership with the National Trust. The trail is created by Culture Creative.

What: Christmas at Stourhead - The after-dark illuminated trail through festive gardens

When: From December 1-31. Open from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm.

Why Visit: Discover a Christmas illuminated trail for all the family set within the beautiful landscape of Stourhead.

Admission: Off-peak: Adult £15, Child £10 (Age 3-16); Family £47 (2 adults + 2 children). Standard: Adult £22.50, Child £16, Family £74. Peak: Adult £24, Child £18, Family £80. Parking £8 per car.

Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.

Tickets can be booked at: www.christmasatstourhead.co.uk

Christmas Cathedral by Mandylights, My Christmas Trails 2023. Photo © Sony Music

Light as a Feather by Pyrite Creative, My Christmas Trails 2023. Photo © Sony Music

On the Tide, My Christmas Trails 2023.Photo © Sony Music

Gorgeous gardens

PICK up inspiration from the beautiful gardens around the Vale, open in October as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Edmondsham House

Edmondsham, Wimborne BH21 5RE

With six acres of mature gardens surrounding an historic house and a neighbouring 12th century church, there’s plenty to explore at Edmondsham.

This large Victorian walled garden is productive and has been managed organically since 1984, including ‘no dig’ vegetable beds.

Wide herbaceous borders are packed with autumn colour. The garden boasts mature trees, box balls and topiary cloud a traditional potting shed, cob wall, sunken greenhouse.

Open Wednesday October 2, 9, 16 and 23 (2pm-5pm). £4, children £1.

Frankham Farm

Ryme Intrinseca, Sherborne DT9 6JT

This large and lovely farm garden has been created since 1960 by the late Jo Earle for year-round interest. Deep borders surround the lawns near the house, filled with a variety of roses, unusual shrubs and trees, clematis and other climbers. Spring bulbs through to autumn colour. A wonderful range of tree species, some quite rare and planted a long time ago –particularly oaks. There’s also a large, productive vegetable garden. Sorry, no dogs.

Frankham is a working farm (organic arable & livestock) which includes woodland walks underplanted with spring bulbs and camellias. It has a groundlevel tea room with Frankhamgrown lunches plus tea and cake.

Open Sunday, October 13 (12-5pm). £7, children free.

Canford School Arboretum

Canford Magna, Wimborne, BH21 3AD

The Arboretum at Canford School is home to several unusual and rare tree species and two national collections. Master of Trees, Andrew Powell, shares his wealth of

knowledge of the school’s unique and varied collection of trees in a special tour for NGS.

The tour will encompass almost a millennium of planting, from the 12th-century sweet chestnut Castanea sativa just beyond the music building to the 21st-century Wollemi pine Wollemia nobilis

Andrew will walk you through the collection, explaining how these trees have been central characters in the lives of the land owners.

The tour will last 90 minutes, with a limited number of tickets available.

Saturday, October 19 (10am-1pm). £25, pre-booking essential at www.ngs.org.uk.

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Allotment antics

Words and pictures by George Jeans

THE Mere North Road allotment holders held a get-together to celebrate or commiserate the season’s offerings in early September.

I visited and inspected very good crops. I did say I thought the pumpkins needed to get a little larger and one lady replied “and may I ask how big are yours?”, which caused much laughter. I thought best not to reply!

Last year we bought joy to over 100 children in need around the world. Help us spread more joy and love this Christmas

DONATIONS NOW OPEN

Drop your items into our main office in Blandford BY 31ST OCTOBER

Total Energy Services Unit 1, Uplands Way, Blandford DT11 7UZ

filled with love and joy

How can you help?

Simply drop any donations into our office and we will do the rest. No need to donate shoeboxes we sort, pack and send for you.

Gift Ideas...

Toys - stuffed animals, dolls, slinky, toy cars, trucks, boats, musical items, small balls, interactive toys, plastic figures, dinosaurs, play doh, hair clips.

Hygiene itemshairbrush, flannel, toothbrush, soap, hair bands

Educational: pencils, notepads, pencil case, stampers, coloured pencils, paint set

Clothing: hats, gloves, mittens, leggings, socks, tops

DO NOT PACK toothpaste, lotions, liquids, food and war related items

Lions celebrate 45 years of work in the community

Words and pictures by George Jeans GILLINGHAM , Mere and Shaftesbury Lions celebrated their 45th Charter at the Royal Chase, Shaftesbury, in September.

GMS Lions were formed in 1979. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to raise money for good causes – in the last year alone they have given to 15 organisations, including Macmillan Cancer Support.

Four of its members over the years have been recognised with the Melvin Jones Honour.

The charter event was well attended with close to 100 guests. The night was full of fun and laughter, with president of GMS Lions Lynne Gray being quizzed in the style of the BBC’s Pointless

While Lynne seemed happy not to give the lowest answer, she was still awarded over £225 for Julia’s House children’s hospice. The toastmaster for the evening was Lion Martin Wingrove of GMS Lions Club.

too small

30 years’ experience

All areas covered

Curtains up for much-loved theatre’s new look

SHERBORNE Studio Theatre has had a facelift.

Amateur Players of Sherborne (APS) is celebrating the transformation of the approach to the Sherborne Studio Theatre. The work was made possible due to an award from the Theatres Trust Small Grants Programme supported by The Linbury Trust.

The exterior of this popular little theatre on Marston Road has been revamped, and access over the previous gravel surface has been significantly improved – especially for those with reduced mobility.

Broken flagstones were removed, and an uneven gravel entrance area – which was prone to weeds despite the best efforts of all involved – was resurfaced. The area has now become a gentle sloping ramp, free of loose material and obstructions.

Two new benches give audience members somewhere to rest as they queue for entry, or when they take their interval refreshments on a hot summer’s evening.

The area has been decorated with complementary planting of sensory aromatic herbs and evergreens. Handrails have been fitted to the inside of the main doors, to provide support to those who need it as they enter the theatre.

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Art from the heart

A TALENTED creative artist who lives at a Dorset care home has staged a remarkable exhibition after sketching pencil portraits of its entire roll of 73 staff members.

Resident Judith Forster spent six months on the project at Colten Care’s Abbey View in Sherborne.

The idea of sketching each one of her carers, companions, clinical team, chefs, waiting staff, domestic assistants and others came about in February this year.

Companionship team leader, Bev de Bruyn, said: “One of our team was talking with Judith. They were in close proximity and Judith immediately thought ‘what a beautiful smile, I should make a picture of that’. And so, an idea was born.

“She invited the first few team members to come to her room and have sketches done, and people loved it. Soon, everyone was happy to sit for her.

“For the next six months, Judith could be seen in her room all hours of the day and evening sketching away to her heart’s content.

“She is an avid artist with an amazing talent and a love of art. As a ‘people person’, she has built lovely relationships with the staff she interacts with and staging the exhibition has come out of those bonds.”

On the opening day of the

exhibition, Abbey View residents were told they were in for a treat and invited to make their way to the lounge where the 73 portraits had been mounted on large panels around the walls.

Bev said: “As they took in the sketches in front of them, residents and staff alike had great fun identifying each subject by name.

“Visiting friends and family, including two of Judith’s grandchildren, Herbie and Gracie, joined us and the room was buzzing with chatter.

“It was a fabulous occasion. Judith thoroughly enjoyed delighting everyone with her art. The exhibition was an amazing accomplishment.”

Fellow residents were full of praise. As he viewed the artworks, Roy Carne said: “This is incredible!”

Bev’s companionship team colleague Sara Foster explained that Judith’s passion for art started when she lived in Japan between 1984 and 1990.

Sara said: “She started lessons there and progressed through various mediums of art. She particularly loved doing miniature portraits.

“In the past six months, she prepared her Abbey View exhibition while at the same time attending our weekly arts club with fellow residents.

“Her love of art is so evident. She adds tremendous value to

Family fun fair

Words and pictures by George

Jeans

MERE Autumn fair and family fun day is a regular fixture in the town calendar.

In early September, Mere Social Club was the hub for a day packed with music, activities, fun and games for locals of all ages.

Fundraising in support of Salisbury District Hospital Charity Stars Appeal, the day raised just over £2,235.

the club and even introduced an instruction book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain for fellow members.”

Commenting on her mammoth sketching project and exhibition at Abbey View, Judith said: “I so enjoyed doing this. It enabled me to get to know each individual staff member in a very different way. It made me really happy to undertake this work.”

Outside Abbey View, Judith has enrolled at an art studio in Sherborne where she creates and shows pieces. She also

Above: Residents Roy and Barbara Carne

sketches. Roy described the exhibition as ‘incredible’

participates in a weekly online art course.

Reflecting on the success of the exhibition, companion Sara said: “Our Judith is an amazing lady, and we do wonder what her next project will be at Abbey View. Watch this space!”

Top: Judith Forster, seated, with some of the 73 Abbey View staff members who she sketched. From left: Mannie, Elisa, Tracey, Simmi, Thushara, George, Bobbi and Sara

view the

FILGroup sees out the summer

IN July, Fovant Independent Ladies Group (FILGroup) members and friends gathered outside Gervase House for the annual garden party before the summer break.

The committee provided canapés and snacks expertly passed around by Linda’s young grandson, plus a glass or two of summery rose wine.

Guests gave generously to the raffle held in aid of the RNLI and a very good evening was enjoyed by all.

In September, the meeting was back in the village hall to welcome guest speaker Ele Milwright, founder and chief executive of the charity Warrior Equine, which she set up to help patients suffering from PTSD and other complex issues caused by the effects of war.

Ele spoke about how she discovered the healing power of horses while volunteering at Riding for the Disabled, before being invited to work with the military, and meeting and being supported by the late Queen.

Ele showed a very moving video of a veteran so badly affected by the horrors of war he was unable to interact with family or friends but was able to do so with a horse. It helps them control their emotions and body language to engage with people, making a huge difference to their lives.

FILGroup meets every month in Fovant Village Hall – for more information email filgroup15@gmail.com

Helping you live well with pain

PEOPLE living with long-term persistent pain could benefit from non-medical support available via their doctors’ surgery.

Patients of five doctors’ surgeries in the New Blackmore Vale area are being offered help coping with pain.

The non-medical pain management programme Live Well with Pain – the Ten Footsteps – is available to people registered with the surgeries at Milborne Port, Bruton, Queen Camel, Wincanton and Castle Cary.

The programme is open to people suffering with a long-term persistent pain condition, where pain affects sleep and emotional wellbeing, or where it restricts daily activities.

Those living with pain can meet others at friendly, monthly Live Well with Pain cafes in Milborne Port, Queen Camel, Wincanton and Castle Cary.

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the network of surgeries also offers 12-week Live Well with Pain groups. “People who have attended these groups say how it has made a huge difference and the peer support and shared experience with others is so beneficial,” organisers say.

To find out more about the Live Well with PainTen Footsteps programme, visit www.livewellwithpain.co.uk/ten-footstepsprogramme

For more information about the programme, call Sue Crisfield on 07749 418850 or email sue.crisfield1@nhs.net

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Crowds flock to traditional fair

THOUSANDS of visitors

flocked to Berwick St John Country Fair for a packed weekend of fun activities in aid of the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity.

The fair took place over two days and featured an array of activities from displays of steam engines, vintage tractors, heavy horses and classic cars, as well as a dog show, rural crafts, fairground rides, music and more. Southern Counties Auctioneers also held a live auction.

A dedicated committee of volunteers run the biennial event.

Show secretary, Louise Hall, said: “We were delighted to see so many people at Berwick St John Country Fair.

“The sun was shining and there was a brilliant atmosphere over the weekend.

“Once again, we have been

overwhelmed by the support of local people and businesses who have helped us not just financially but also provided equipment and volunteered their time, ensuring this year’s event was such a huge success.

“We are so proud to support the Stars Appeal and want to thank everyone who gave so generously.”

Money raised will go towards

the £1 million the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, aims to raise this year to fund new equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects supporting patients across Salisbury Hospital.

Among the projects the charity is fundraising for this year are 36 “by your side” sleeper chairs, costing £50,000, so that vulnerable patients and

those at the end of their lives can have a loved one stay by their side in comfort.

Dave Cates, of the Stars Appeal, added: “It is fantastic to be part of this unique community event that brings so much joy to the many thousands of people that attend.

“We are so grateful to the organising committee and all the other volunteers whose tireless work makes this incredible event possible.

“We also want to thank everyone who attended and gave so generously.

“The money raised will change lives by helping to fund Stars Appeal projects across the hospital, benefiting patients, their loved ones and the NHS staff who care for them.”

The total raised from the event is still being counted and will be announced later in the year at a special presentation.

Who would buy your old windows?

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Photo

Spencer Mulholland

Our loose Canon

Honesty and transparency should be expected from all politicians

by

Canon Eric Woods

THROUGHOUT my life as an ordained minister I have avoided party politics either in the pulpit or in print. I have never seen it as my job to parade my party-political allegiances – or lack of them – to others. As an ordinary citizen I am also an ordinary voter, just like most of us. To use my professional role as a platform from which to preach in favour of one party or another would be an abuse of my position – or so it has always seemed to me.

However, I have never hesitated to comment when I think we “ordinary voters” are being hoodwinked, or given a twisted version of the truth. That’s why the historian in me – and regular readers of this column will know that I think historians have a vital role in keeping society from mindlessly following myth, fable and propaganda – has been very much alert since the General Election.

Take the current mantra of the new Government: “we have discovered a £22 billion black hole in the public finances”. This is apparently why we are being told that everything is bound to get worse before it gets any better. Fair enough. I can understand that. A new government, despite months of pre-election briefings from senior civil servants, suddenly discovers a gaping hole in the financing of public services in the UK. Shock horror – but why

hadn’t they realised that before – and planned how to deal with it? Their hastily conceived plan seems to be nothing other than Austerity Mark 2, à la George Osborne (unless you are a junior doctor or a railway worker, of course). But we have been here before. Why have we not been reminded that, when the Coalition Government came to power in 2010, the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury was handed a sealed envelope by his new private secretary. Inside was a hastily scrawled note from his Labour predecessor, Liam Byrne: “Dear Chief Secretary. I’m afraid there is no money. Kind regards and good luck! Liam.”

By this time you may have me down as an out-and-out Tory. Not at all. All I want from our politicians is honesty and transparency, integrity and truth. Is that really too much to ask?

What doesn’t help any of us is always blaming the “last lot”, accompanied by much wringing of hands and dire prognostications about the future. Fill us with gloom and we will all respond in kind. What we need – desperately need – is a government which will offer us hope for the future, a vision for the future – and policies to achieve that future. Not too much to ask – is it?

I’m going to let two Prime Ministers, one Conservative and the other Labour, have the last word. First, Winston Churchill: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

And then his post-war successor, Clement Attlee: “I am confident that in peace, just as we did in war, Britain will conquer by determination, hard work and by the cooperation of all.”

Photo

Tyrone’s trek for cancer charity

ENGLISH tutor Tyrone Humphreys, who lives near Sherborne, has raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support with a 120-mile trek along the Jurassic coastline.

Tyrone, who teaches English as a foreign language online, was inspired to do the trek after two of his loved ones were diagnosed with cancer in the last year and supported by the charity through surgery, radiography and chemotherapy.

He started the three-day walk at South Haven Point, near Studland, and walked 40 miles to Weymouth on day one, another 36 miles to Seatown on the second day and a further 37 miles to Exmouth on day three, staying at hostels and with friends along the way.

He set out to raise £1,000 and has so far brought in £866, although his JustGiving page is still active.

He said: “I wanted to do something to say thank you to Macmillan, which helps so many people living with cancer, but also to help raise cancer awareness.

“Not everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, nor are they aware of the support available through Macmillan.”

Tyrone, 34, who had not done anything like the trek before, said he prepared for several months, training regularly to build endurance, strength and technique to ensure he could handle the distance.

The most challenging aspect was nutrition, making sure he had a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats before, during and after.

He said: “One of my highlights was the varied and breathtaking views I encountered along the way.

“There were times when I was worried it would be too difficult, as my body started to fatigue, but the variety of those different places, as well as the deserving cause, kept me going.”

He said he was thankful for the support he had received from others.

“I’m grateful for the help I received from family and friends, particularly my father, Steve Humphreys, who was a Royal Marine,” he added.

“I am grateful to everyone that has donated so far.”

Tyrone says that if he surpasses his £1,000 target, he will complete the next part

of the South West Coat Path to Teignmouth. His fundraiser can be found on JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/ coastingforacause

Saving Dorset’s historic churches

SHERBORNE Abbey duo Mike Keatinge and Eric Jager went the extra mile in the annual Ride & Stride fundraiser for the Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT).

Veteran cyclist Mike and marathon runner Eric – in red shorts – both set off from the abbey.

Mike cycled 60 miles through the Blackmore Vale reaching Charminster church

and taking in the many churches in the Piddle Valley.

Eric – backed by a team of supporters – ran an amazing 35 miles, including visits to churches at Haydon, Stourton and Bishop’s Caundle, Holwell, Glanvilles Wootton, Chetnole, Thornford and Longburton, among others.

DHCT parish organiser for Sherborne, Hilary Leavey, said: “Sherborne is very lucky to field

two such committed supporters of the trust, which is a grantmaking body that helps churches across Dorset with the funding of repairs to what are often very historic and beautiful buildings.”

Hundreds of people all over Dorset turned out for this big annual event, organised by the DHCT.

The Trust hopes to raise £100,000 to fund grants to historic church buildings in need of repair.

There is still time to contribute to the total either by contacting your parish organiser or via www.justgiving.com/ campaign/ dhctrideandstride2024.

The Trust is one of the most important conservation charities in the county. Its aim is to help support those responsible for looking after Dorset’s churches – often found in small, rural communities.

In many cases local people bear the full responsibility for repair, maintenance and security of their church, without support from the government or the central church.

In many cases, congregations showed their appreciation by offering cold drinks and energy enhancing snacks, along with a friendly welcome to the riders as they arrived.

Of the 400 churches in Dorset, 45 are listed Grade 1, the highest quality ancient buildings, and over 100 are listed Grade 2*, meaning they are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

DHCT is a nondenominational organisation dedicated to helping with this work to repair and maintain the county’s heritage.

Find out more about the Trust at www.dhct.org.uk

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

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: Taizé Service – half an hour of prayer, meditation and music on the second Sunday each 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: Harvest Festival lunch on Sunday, September 29, 12.30pm for 1pm. Menu: Normandy chicken cooked with apples, cider and cream or vegetarian crumble; fruit bakes with ice cream; wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Raffle with proceeds going to the Sudan Medical Link. Buy tickets – cash/cheque – in advance – it helps to know how many need to be catered for – from the parish office. Adults £12.50, children £5. Leave raffle donations in the parish office.

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: The Mothers’ Union’s next meeting is on Friday, September 27, at 10am in the

Griffiths Room. The speaker is John Stokoe on the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital. Everyone welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, September 29 – 9.30am Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Pet Service at St Mary Church, Tarrant Rushton; 5pm Evensong at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall. Sunday, October 6 – 10.45am Together Communion at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall (with guest speaker Heidi from Nourish). Coffee and cake –Spetisbury 10am-11.30am first and third Monday each month. Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am – 11.30am October 17. Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am-12.30pm – Tuesday to Friday.

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

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

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

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

• Shaftesbury Quakers (Society of Friends): Meets for one hour each Sunday from

10.30am at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB.

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

• Sherborne Abbey organ recitals: Mondays at 1.30 pm, free entry, retiring collection, everyone welcome.

• Sherborne Abbey: The Julian Group is not a prayer group but offers an opportunity to share half an hour’s silence and meditation with fellow Christians. Meetings are ecumenical and refreshing. The next meeting is on Wednesday, October 9, in the Lady Chapel from 4pm-4.30pm.

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

• St Andrew’s, Yetminster: Jenny Nelson extends a warm invitation to the Holy Communion with Harvest service at 11.30am on Sunday, September 29, with a shared lunch – email 3valleysoffice@ gmail.com for details. This is Jenny’s farewell service before she is licensed as Rector of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity, Westwood and Wingfield on November 7 at 7pm, to which everyone is welcome.

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

• St Gregory’s, Marnhull:

Sunday services 8am and 10am. Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. September 29, 6pm – United “Songs of Praise”.

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

Older cyclists ready for adventure

by Dilys Gartside

AGE was no barrier to those on September’s mini cycling tour of Oxfordshire!

The self-named ‘OXfordBAGS’ comprised nine cyclists. Most of them had returned to cycling after many years abstinence, but had attended outings with me, aimed at building confidence.

Septuagenarians mostly, our group included two 50-plus babes and an experienced 89-year-old rider.

Oxfordshire County Council recently adopted a 20mph policy, which encourages and enables folk to get about on foot and bicycle where they must mix with motor traffic in towns and villages.

This was a big factor in choosing our tour location and, though not every motorist yet respects the safety of other road users, the climate of social

acceptance that lower traffic speed brings many benefits is slowly being recognised and thus compliance increases.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off for Oxford via a 20-mile circular using the new Hanson Way, part of National Cycle Network route 5 (NCN5).

Our coffee stop was well hidden among industrial sheds: PROOF Bakehouse, a social enterprise offering employment and training to prison leavers and the most delicious pastries and coffee ever.

Day two took us south on NCN5 with a visit to Pendon Museum, a magical insight into pre-war rural Oxon.

Our final ride day took us south again on NCN5 to Didcot, and onwards to Cholsey. We arrived at St Mary’s Church to visit the resting place of its famous patron Agatha Christie. Lunch was taken at the

Cholsey OxShed, before pedalling into Wallingford to view Agatha’s statue and her home of 42 years, from where she wrote the majority of her novels.

In total, us nine cyclists covered 75 miles in three days. That’s 675 pollution-free miles by folk able to get about independently.

So, what would encourage

you and your family to holiday or get about actively?

Slower traffic speeds around your town and village?

Joined up cycle lanes? Improved year round surfacing of existing cycle routes?

Tell your Dorset Ward Councillor you want what Oxford and many other counties already have!

Admission applications

PARENTS and carers of children set to start or move school in 2025 can now apply for their place – and are being urged to do so as soon as possible.

Those with youngsters due to transfer to secondary or upper school in Somerset can apply for places from now until October 31 via www.somerset.gov.uk/children-families-and-education/ applying-for-school/starting-at-a-secondary-or-upper-school-inseptember.

Meanwhile, parents and carers of children due to start school for the first time can apply from September 30 until January 15 next year via www.somerset.gov.uk/children-families-and-education/ applying-for-school/apply-to-start-school-for-the-first-time

People with children who have special educational needs or disabilities can also find information at www.somerset.gov.uk/ children-families-and-education/the-local-offer

Cllr Heather Shearer, lead executive member for children, families and education at Somerset Council, said: “I encourage every parent and carer to add their three choices of school before the deadline date and include their catchment area school.”

Any parent who does not have internet access can call the Somerset Council customer contact team on 0300 123 2224.

Meanwhile, www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions contains information, including a directory of schools, catchment areas and admissions policies.

Please join us at our upcoming events at Gillingham School where you will receive a

Award winner

THE Hung Drawn Quoted store in Frome has won the category for best gift shop in Somerset in England’s Business Awards.

The shop specialises in satirical cards and gifts, and is owned and run by Kate Talbot.

It was a derelict building when she and her husband Neil bought it at auction in 2021 and they have spent three years restoring it to its former glory.

Kate said: “I design and make all the cards and gifts and

am particularly known for my satirical window displays which draw a lot of visitors.

“My shop also houses a gallery and vintage tea room.”

Hung Drawn Quoted, at the top of Catherine Street close to Bistro Lotte, is now going forward to the national finals of the business awards in Birmingham in November.

Kate said she would like to thank all her loyal customers for their support.

Tips on tips

DORSET hospitality industry businesses are being warned to be well prepared for changes to the law on tips and gratuities this autumn – or face the possibility of employment tribunals.

New legislation being introduced on October 1 will make it unlawful for employers to withhold tips and service charges from staff.

The Government’s Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 will mean that more than two million workers will have their tips protected.

The legislation follows a lengthy consultation process during which it was revealed that an estimated £200 million was being held back from staff by companies withholding tips.

These new rules require 100% of the tips generated at a place of work to be passed to employees in a fair and transparent manner.

As a minimum, employers must: allocate tips fairly and transparently; have a written policy on how tips are allocated to workers; and distribute 100% of tips to workers by the end of the month following which they were received.

Jez Howson, employment tax director at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, said: “If a worker raises a concern that the allocation of tips and gratuities is not fair or feels that they are being discriminated against, whether deliberate or not, they are able to raise a claim with the employment tribunal which, if successful, could result in compensation parable of up to £5,000.

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Secret resistance

THE story of Dorset’s secret Second World War resistance fighters will be told in a talk at Moreton Village Hall next month.

Military historian Dr Simon House will be giving the talk in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Warmwell.

He is the son of a farmer turned underground saboteur who was tasked with the destruction of RAF Warmwell if the Luftwaffe ever took it over.

Dr House said: “My father, Robert House, was a farmer. He worked at west Fossil, Winfrith, and later Manor Farm, Moreton.

“In June 1940, he volunteered to be one of “Churchill’s Auxiliaries”, a secret group of men trained to be local resistance fighters if – or when – Hitler invaded Britain.

“He was a sergeant, in charge of the four-man Winfrith Patrol, and he and his men dug a secret bunker in the woods near the London to Weymouth railway line in the area still known locally as the ‘Sheep Walks’, from where – in the event of invasion and occupation – they were expected to conduct local sabotage missions.

“The Winfrith Patrol had one key mission: to infiltrate Warmwell Airfield – assuming it had been captured and used by the Luftwaffe – and blow up the German planes.

“My talk is the story of how I tracked down my father’s secret wartime history –

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull

Royal British Legion on Monday 30th September

Eyes down 7pm

EN PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Suitable for mixed abilities. Please enquire: marionrroberts167@gmail.com

the Auxiliaries were so secret that they reported directly to Churchill as Minister of Defence, and not even General Montgomery, charged with defending the south coast in 1940, knew of their existence.

“And how he, like all Auxiliary Patrol leaders, received one of the precious few thousand American Thompson machine guns – “Tommy Guns” – that were rushed from the United States after Dunkirk to re-arm Britain.

“Members of MI 7, as it was secretly designated, were sworn under the Official Secrets Act never to tell, and they never did. Until 1975 all documentation was restricted under the “30 Year Rule”.

“My talk will place the 1940 Auxiliaries in the context of the German invasion plan, Operation Sealion, and of the German air assault which we know as the Battle of Britain but which the Germans called ‘Adler-angriff’ – the Eagle Attack.

“RAF Warmwell took on a vital role in defending the Royal Naval Base at Portland. Protecting vital Channel convoys and beating off Germany’s attempt to achieve air superiority prior to invasion.”

The talk, My Dad’s Tommy Gun, is on Friday, October 18, at 6.30pm. Entry is £10; davidpwalsh1802@gmail.com or phone 07770 343441.

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM

Friday 12 & 18 October

Saturday 19th October 9-4.30pm

Shaftesbury Town Hall

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

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY GILLINGHAM

‘Hollywood Magic’ Concert Gillingham, October 26th

SHERBORNE THERAPY ROOMS - OPEN DAY

Saturday 12th October / 10am - 4pm

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

HOUSE CONTENTS SALE

on Saturday 12th October - 9am-5pm

15 Linden Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8QZ Furniture, kitchen items and appliances, bedroom, study everything must go. Contact: Dave Dayes 07879 444 199

Young Elizabeth

QUEEN Elizabeth I is the subject of a talk by historian Dr Nicola Tallis at Shaftesbury Town Hall next week. Her new study of the early life of Elizabeth I, says the doyenne of Tudor biographers Alison Weir, is an outstanding achievement.

Shaftesbury & District Historical Society will welcome Dr Tallis to the town hall on Tuesday, October 1, at 7.30pm as the 2024 Teulon Porter Memorial Lecturer.

Her illustrated talk on Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen is free to members and open to members of the public, with admission on the door priced £5.

Elizabeth was not yet three when her mother, Ann Boleyn, was executed and she was declared illegitimate. At the age of 14 she was subjected to child abuse by the boy-king Edward VI’s uncle, Thomas Seymour. Aged 20, she was locked by half-sister Mary in the same part of the Tower as her mother had been, apparently awaiting a similar fate. Nicola’s talk will show how these and other youthful experiences shaped the future Queen. www.goldhillmuseum.org.uk

THE WITCHFINDER OF BATCOMBE TALK BY DR ANDREW PICKERING

Friday 4th October at 6.30pm for 7pm

Batcombe Village Hall, Back Lane, BA4 6HE Tickets £17.50 in aid of The Friends of Batcombe Church

PUMPKIN PICKING

SHAFTESBURY

Come and pick your own pumpkins, from 12th to 31st October! Hilltop Poultry, Wincombe Lane Contact: pumpkinshilltoppoultry@hotmail.com

JUMBLE SALE at BUCKHORN WESTON HALL Saturday 5th October 2.30pm. Cakes, raffle and teas.

WOODLANDS METHODIST

CHURCH, Jumble Sale. Verwood Memorial Hall. 12th October at 9.30am entries 20p. Contact Brian: 01202-822066

STOURTON MEMORIAL HALL – STOURHEAD –SATURDAY 5th AND SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER 10-17.00 –GILLINGHAM HANDMADE a lovely selection of handmade stalls, all selling high quality unique products

SIXPENNY HANDLEY CRAFT FAIR & TEAS

Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Saturday 28 September

10am - 1pm, FREE entry Crafts / Children’s activities / Homemade cakes Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

Arts & Entertainment

Literary festival date for food writer turned novelist

IF you enjoy immersing yourself in a knotty whodunnit – as well as delicious food and recipes – you’re in for a treat when food writer, chef and now novelist Orlando Murrin visits Mere Literary Festival and Shaftesbury.

His debut crime novel, Knife Skills For Beginners, has had rave reviews – one described it as “darkly delicious” – and was shortlisted for the prestigious McDermid Debut Award.

It is set in a posh – but shabby round the edges –London cookery school, where a charming, somewhat waspish chef arrives to teach a course at short notice and finds himself ensnared in a terrible crime.

As the course proceeds, he watches his students for clues, and to his horror finds himself framed for murder.

As Orlando explains, the

story has a Dorset connection.

“The fictional hero of the story, Paul Delamare, was born and brought up in Shaftesbury,” he said.

“His father was a GP and his mum, originally from Devon, a librarian.

“He was sent to Sherborne as a day boy and loved his time there – he’s very well educated and curious about all sorts of things beyond cookery.”

The book includes six “killer” recipes, which – to the eagle-eyed – contain clues

Orlando Murrin is at home in the kitchen

editor of Woman and Home and BBC Good Food, and founder of Olive magazine.

He was a semi-finalist on the BBC’s Masterchef, has worked as a chef and former hotelier and appeared on countless food and radio programmes.

He has published six cookbooks, and as a journalist, is a regular contributor to Waitrose Weekend and The Telegraph

Knife Skills For Beginners is available at all good bookshops and comes out in paperback next month.

A cookery school may seem an unusual setting for a crime novel, but in Orlando’s opinion, “a kitchen is a death trap”.

“Think about it – not just knives, but naked flames, pots of boiling oil, chopping and slicing machines,” he said.

“Throw in the stress of working in a hot, competitive environment and it’s frankly amazing there aren’t more murders in professional kitchens.”

Orlando Murrin is the former

Calling Young Musicians...

Are you learning to play an instrument?

Are you a keen singer?

Are you aged between four and eighteen?

Advertising Feature

Then don’t miss the chance to be part of the first ever Shaftesbury Young Performers Festival on the weekend of 23 - 24 November!

If you sing or play any instrument (except drums, sorry), at any level (even beginners) — this is for you.

Entrants will have the chance to sing or play their best piece before professional adjudicators and fellow contestants. The emphasis of the festival is on participating and enjoyment but we will also be awarding prizes for winners, and selected performers showing great effort or expertise will even be invited to play at our festival concert the following week!

Entries cost £5 per category. Bookings can be made through the Shaftesbury Arts Centre website (www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk) or by contacting the box office on 01747 854321. Application forms will be sent to all applicants and must be returned by October 13th.

So come along and join in this celebration of music making!

With thanks to the support of the Dorset Music Service, Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce, The Swan Trust and the Rotary Club.

Stand by for a sequel in March, when chef Paul finds himself setting sail on a superyacht.

Orlando Murrin is at Mere Literary Festival on Wednesday, October 9, at 2.30pm and The Kitchen Table, Dorset’s Cookbook Club, in Shaftesbury, the same day at 6.30pm.

Book tickets for the Mere Festival event via www. ticketsource.co.uk and for The Kitchen Table Dorset through www.eventbrite.co.uk

whodunit.

PHOTO: Adrian Sherratt

Arts & Entertainment

Othello for modern times

AN Othello for our times is promised in a screening of the Shakespeare play filmed at The Globe in London and screened at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Celebrated by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police.

But can his hard-won reputation, his marriage to Desdemona and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him?

16th century Venice becomes

Magic tree and more

A DAZZLING family show, featuring fairytales, music, dance, poetry, a magic tree and hundreds of petals, is promised when Panta Rei Danseteater, from Norway, visit Sturminster Marshall. Petals & Tales is being performed at the memorial

modern-day London’s Docklands, as Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful black people have faced for centuries.

Experience Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxic masculinity and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy.

Director Ola Ince debuted in the intimate, candlelit Sam

hall with Artsreach, Dorset’s touring arts organisation.

Artsreach director, Kerry Bartlett, said “Panta Rei

Wanamaker Playhouse with this production filmed in March this year.

Othello is screened on Tuesday, October 1, at 2pm and Wednesday, October 2, at 7pm.

The film also includes interviews with the cast and a behind the scenes look at the venue.

For tickets, priced £15 members, and £12.50 Friends and Under-18s, visit www. shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

always create such stunning and memorable productions, and the immersive, magical nature of Petals & Tales will, I’m sure, delight children and adults alike.”

The show is on Saturday, October 5, at 2pm and is recommended for children aged five-plus.

For more information and tickets, phone 07903 057427 or visit www.artsreach.co.uk.

New venue for comedy

THE Parachute Tap Room and Bar, Sherborne’s newest comedy destination, gets off the ground next month.

The intimate venue, which says it is ideal for stand-up, will be hosting three top comedians plus a special guest.

Jake Baker, fresh from his sell-out performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, is MC.

Jenny Collier has recently appeared on the BBC and Channel 4, and Steve Gribbin has been described by Time Out as a “truly imaginative comic singer”.

Parachute was established in a former parachute factory in 2023 at Old Yarn Mills (DT9 3RQ).

The comedy night is on Wednesday, October 9, at 7pm and tickets priced £12 are available from www. parachutebrewing.co.uk

ANDY PARSONS

BORN TO SWING

IT ENDS WITH US (15)

THE BRITISH CARPENTERS

LEE (15)

OH WHAT A NIGHT!

Arts & Entertainment

Spooky theatre is happening at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre

Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s Music and Drama Group is thrilled to announce their highly anticipated autumn show, *Rehearsal*, an original dark comedy with a supernatural twist, written by the talented local playwright, Steve McAuliffe. The show will run for three nights, from 17th to 19th October, promising an unforgettable theatre experience that blends humour, chaos, and a touch of the unworldly. Set in the crumbling remains of a once-grand theatre, now slated for demolition, *Rehearsal* follows the tumultuous behind-the-scenes drama of a group of mostly washed-up actors attempting to pull together a play. However, the production quickly descends into disorder and, spookily, ghosts of former performers start to make their presence known, adding a sinister, surreal twist to an already chaotic situation. *Rehearsal* is therefore a must-see for anyone who loves theatre and enjoys the thrill of dark comedy. The dynamic cast, directed by Joni de Winter, features an outstanding group of local talent, who bring McAuliffe’s quirky and flawed characters to life.

Friday night special

As a special treat, Friday night’s performance on October 18th will include a post-show Q&A session with Steve McAuliffe in person, interviewed by Joni De Winter, and promises to be an invaluable experience for theatre enthusiasts.

Tickets for *Rehearsal* are now available at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre, online 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. Tickets are £12.50, or £10.00 for members and friends.

Shaftesbury Arts Centre Music and Drama Group Open Day

Have you ever wanted to get involved behind the scenes with one of our Music and Drama Group’s productions, don’t want to be on stage and not quite sure where to start?

Well, here’s a chance to take part and learn more about getting involved on 12th October 10am - 3pm. Whether it’s set design, backstage, photography, costumes, lighting, producing or directing, this day will allow you to find out more.

The Music and Drama Group have workshops running throughout the day to allow you to experience as many different areas as you like. There are limited spaces available and booking is advisable. There will be the chance to have a tour of the Arts Centre, chat to other volunteers, meet other like-minded people as well as the chance to grab coffee, cake or a drink from the bar Visit, explore, discover, collaborate, join us, take part! Workshops can be booked by visiting www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Letters

Dinah’s Hollow risks in perspective

DEATHS per year in the UK: Road - 1,711; stairs - 851; falling tree - 6; landslip - 2 (due to the low number of deaths caused by landslide the government does not record them separately, however, it is estimated that there have been 15 fatalities in the last 25 years).*

Dorset Council’s Dinah’s Hollow Slope Stabilisation project aims to shore up the slope, improve road safety and provide highway protection from future landslides. It is estimated to cost more than £8 million.

The ancient holloway, one of 15 leading into Shaftesbury, has many mature and veteran trees providing a habitat for bats, dormice, great created newts, and many other species.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and the council has rightly declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency.

But it proposes felling or coppicing 144 trees, spraying

Search for pictures of Sturminster Newton Railway

STURMINSTER Newton and the surrounding area abounds with model railway enthusiasts, some of whom have modelled their layout on the old town station and goods yard. Sturminster was connected to the Somerset & Dorset line, running between Bournemouth and Bath in 1863 and in addition to passenger traffic, the goods yard handled coal, cattle, miscellaneous freight and milk, which was directed to the private siding of Sturminster Creamery, famous for a variety of cheeses.

weedkiller extensively and using tonnes of carbon-intensive concrete to stabilise the slopes.

The council has a duty to protect the public from reasonable risk, but the chances of being caught in a landslip are incredibly small.

There is a higher chance of being hit by a tree while driving, but we don’t clear every tree from each roadside.

Stairs or cars are not banned and yet they have a much higher risk of death.

We are prepared to take our chances.

It is widely recognised that tree roots stabilise sloping ground.

The trees should be maintained and perhaps the road should be closed as a precaution after heavy rain or drought, until an engineer can inspect it.

If £8m were invested, emergency site visits could go on forever.

* Sources: Office for National Statistics, National Tree Safety Group, Dorset

The line closed in 1966 under the Beeching Plan and the station and goods yard were demolished in the mid-1970s.

Cheese making continued under Dairy Crest until 2000 when the factory finally closed.

Now it is difficult to conceive that the line ran through a deep cutting on route to Stalbridge which was spanned by bridges for the B3092 Hinton and B3091 Manston roads, both now demolished when the cutting was filled in the 1980s.

Council. Figures for 2022 or most recent available.

Gary Cook West Melbury

Budget comments

help no-one

THE cabinet member for Finance under the new regime at Dorset Council speaks of the Liberals inheriting a budget with “an £8.6m black hole”.

The gentleman is new to local government in Dorset but those of his colleagues who were councillors at the time the budget was set for this year will recall that budget setting was very much a fully shared operation across all councillors, regardless of party.

The new administration inherited a balanced budget taking into account reasonable projected savings from the ongoing transformation programme.

No mysterious “black hole” there.

The only argument on the

evening the budget was set was over whether further money should be taken at that point from reserves to cover the likely cost of living funding being given to our residents, or left in reserves until a need was quantified.

Dorset Council, regardless of controlling party, has always had to grapple with the problem of delivering demand-led services to children and families, and adult social care, and there is no easy answer.

The newcomer blaming the outgoing administration helps no-one.

Pauline Batstone Sturminster Newton

Fundraising tea for Palestinians

A FEW people who are concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine recently held a fundraising tea at Aisling House, Marnhull, hosted by Sheila Healy and Richard Harvey, in aid of

Peter Strong has two rooms dedicated to OO model railway layouts built 15 and 10 years ago. The picture shows a section of the older layout meant to depict Stur goods yard, based on the pictorial information he could find at the time. He still lacks any detail of the Creamery connection. An exhibit in Sturminster Museum showing the station is currently being updated.

Modellers strive for accuracy in their layouts and are always on the look-out for old Sturminster pictures and while some can be found online there appears to be little known about the siding used by the creamery.

So, if anyone has or knows of old photographs of these or other features of the line please contact Peter Strong on 07818 278112 or petestrong@icloud.

com who would be very pleased to arrange for them to be copied and returned to the lender.

Brian Skinner via email

Medical Aid for Palestinians.

This is a long-established organisation which provides healthcare services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the refugee camps in Lebanon.

The afternoon was afflicted by appalling weather, but several brave souls attended to share hot drinks and cakes, and kindly donated a total of £150 which has been sent to MAP. It is intended to hold further events in Marnhull for this cause, with an early evening event at the village hall on Thursday, February 6, being the next date for your diaries.

For more information, phone Anne Dowsett on 01258 821534.

Anne Dowsett Via email

Sycamore trees: Are they healthy?

I AM wondering if anyone else has noticed a lot of our sycamore trees have very brown dead leaves on them, not natural autumn die back.

With our elm, ash and some oak trees disappearing because of disease, I am hoping nothing sinister is happening to the sycamore.

H Rawles Blandford St Mary Car breakdown

Good Samaritans

I BROKE down in my car on the B3081 on the outskirts of Shaftesbury, on a particularly hazardous hill, which caused havoc with the traffic, both oncoming and overtaking, on Tuesday, September 10, at around 9am.

I immediately called for a breakdown rescue.

While on my phone, still sitting in the car, a gentleman came to my aid and took over the traffic chaos by directing vehicles around me.

At the earliest opportunity, I vacated the car and took refuge

on the pavement.

Then another gentleman came to my assistance and between them these two complete strangers took control of the situation.

With yet more help from a van driver, they managed to propel my car to a safer situation where I could await assistance.

I was so very grateful to all three Good Samaritans and wish to say another thank you.

In this fast, chaotic world, it is great to know there are still caring people around.

I did get home safely, thanks to you, from a very grateful OAP.

Michael Courtney Via email

Art sale boost for youth rugby

A BIG thank you for the recent article in the New Blackmore Vale publicising the Shireen Brickell exhibition and sale.

The evening was a great success and we raised £1,800 for the Paul Phillips fund to benefit youth rugby.

We were delighted the event was so well supported and that so many people turned out despite the weather.

We would also like to thank Chris Brickell, Shireen’s husband, and the Brickell family for kindly donating such a large collection of Shireen’s work for the sale.

It is lovely to think that Shireen’s art is being shared and enjoyed by so many people in their own homes.

Hilary Cowell Via email

Sums don’t add up on tax threshold

THE letter from Clive Pallot

– New Blackmore Vale, September 13 – contains a serious inaccuracy.

He contended that the previous government did not increase the basic rate tax

threshold by inflation. This is indeed correct, but it was frozen in March 2021.

Mr Pallot suggests it should now be £20,000 if it had been uprated for inflation.

£12,570 to £20,000 in three-and-a-half years is equal to 59.1%.

Inflation over the period was, in fact, 24.4%.

Thus, the claimed £20,000 would only actually be £15,637.

Still, the current lot has removed the Winter Fuel Allowance – next call perhaps bus passes?

Mike Greenland Wimborne

End of an era for The Gugg

GUGGLETON Farm Arts CIC, The Gugg, is a busy place fostering creativity, community, outreach and the arts.

Guggleton started with the dream of Isabel de Pelet. She bought the old farm yard in Stalbridge over 20 years ago and from here hosted art exhibitions; woodwork, pottery, sculpture and painting classes; and, even, ballet and music.

Encouraging and supporting young artists as they started out in their careers is what she wanted to do.

She loved organising the talks and her happiest venture was hosting the “Young Artists

Exhibition”.

She was awarded a beautiful medal, BEM, for her services to the community through art.

She invited Deanne Tremlett to continue the vision. And this Deanne continues to do with an unwavering commitment to the community – near and far.

The Gugg is a place where people come to for companionship and creativity. The site is now going to be sold. Isabel has retired and her chapter with Guggleton has closed.

Our hope and prayer is that a new and glorious site becomes available and that The Gugg continues to prosper, and is able to continue to do all the good work that it does.

Thank you, Isabel, for your bravery and vision for making Guggleton happen and thank you Deanne and your everexpanding team of dedicated volunteers for keeping Isabel’s dream very much alive.

Your dynamic ideas and ventures make such a difference to the community.

Thank you to all who have visited The Gugg, enjoying the exhibitions and participating in the many classes and events that have taken place there.

Thank you to those who have contributed their time and friendship to others.

Thank you to Stalbridge. Caroline, Sophie and Charlie (Isabel’s children)

The Shireen Brickell exhibition and sale raised £1,800 for the Paul Phillips fund to benefit youth rugby

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

1 Coach limits spread in part of Christianity (11)

9 Husband with trio possibly getting arty about gardening (13)

10 Take responsibility for strip by road (8)

12 Cut bargain (4)

14 Huge soldier, six-footer (5)

15 With time put back, totally calm (5)

Down

2 Some chairman’s broadcast (3)

3 Musical with bit of verse that’s very thin

4 Retired pair in Luxembourg with queen becoming more obtrusive (6)

5 Name mostly yen in financial district (4)

6 Rigorous form of English almost by civilized chap (9)

19 Hint in ballroom dance lacking nothing (4)

20 Something that punctuates completely crowded block (4,4)

22 Imposing duke with sign of jollity left out for young relative (13)

24 Break before speech for repair (11)

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.

7 Move quickly cutting short spirit (5)

8 Run off with Eastern European in turn (5)

11 Determine position of attire one found tattered (9)

13 A French lake in visual range showing summer feature? (8)

16 Mount section of rally? (5)

17 A heightened atmosphere for family help

18 Reject with contempt special place for votes? (5)

21 Run newspaper in revised iteration (4)

23 Mention of couple also (3)

(5)

Politics

Gaza and arms exports to Israel

THE number of emails I get on Gaza fluctuates depending on the latest horror story from the region. At the moment they are crystallising around the UK continuing to permit a very small inventory of arms to be sold by UK companies to Israel. The new government, spooked by the loss of some seats at the general election where Palestine is a major preoccupation, has decided to stop a small element of UK security related exports. It needs to be careful. Iran has been directly and indirectly attacking Israel and has long called for its complete destruction. Israel must be able to defend itself at the same time as behaving proportionately, doing all it can to minimise civilian casualties and holding to international humanitarian law.

In an attempt, no doubt, to be

Reader’s Picture

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire

Dr Andrew Murrison

balanced, the broadcast media is attempting to equate Boris Johnson getting someone to pay for expensive wallpaper in Downing Street with Sir Keir and Lady Starmer accepting

thousands of pounds worth of clothing and specs from a millionaire who was then granted special privileges.

Are they the same? Well, not really.

Unless he steamed the luxurious wall-hangings from the plasterwork of Number 10 and took them with him, which I doubt, I’m struggling to see what personal benefit Boris received. The adornment of a public building doesn’t cut it. The Starmers getting togged out at someone else’s expense is another matter.

Whether or not Sir Keir declared the gifting appropriately, you have to wonder at this early display of poor judgement by a couple who aren’t exactly short of a bob or two.

The clothing story reminded me of Dobbie the House Elf.

Harry Potter fans will remember him. Dobbie was obligated to Harry when he gifted him an item of clothing – a sock as it happens – which freed him from the sinister Lucius Malfoy. All those hours watching repeats of the Chamber of Secrets with my daughters were not wasted.

Should we be bothered about “passes for glasses” or “Wardrobegate” when there’s so much going on in our world with real life consequences? At one level, of course not. War in Ukraine, terrible things happening in Gaza, people drowning in the Channel, pensioners here facing a chilly winter. The list goes on. And yet, it rather exposes the preachy, sanctimonious claptrap Sir Keir and his people specialised in when they were in Opposition, does it not?

New Blackmore Vale reader Patrick Mitchell took this photo of beautiful roe deer roaming the field near his home in West Stour

Have your say on two hot topics

I WANT to try to cover three things in this article, so I shall bullet point them to assist in brevity:

n I was asked recently what an advice surgery is? Put simply, it’s the opportunity for a resident of North Dorset who has an issue or problem they believe I can help with to come along and discuss it so I can begin to try to resolve it. Future surgery dates are: October 4, 3pm, Gillingham; October 25, 3pm, Milborne St Andrew; November 15, 3pm, Motcombe; November 20, 3pm, Alderholt; December 13, 2pm, Puddletown.

To book an appointment please email simon.hoare.mp@ parliament.uk or write to me at Simon Hoare MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Remember to include your full postal address and a summary of the issue. We will then contact you with an appointment time and details of the venue.

Conservative MP for North Dorset

Simon

Hoare

n The work of the House of Commons select committees is an important way for MPs to have oversight of and scrutinise, on behalf of the House of Commons, the working of government by department.

Having chaired the Northern Ireland Committee for four years, I know, first hand, how

useful select committees can be.

I was therefore delighted to be elected, in a ballot of MPs of all parties, to chair the Public Administration & Constitutional Affairs Committee. The committee oversees the Cabinet Office, how the Civil Service works, the work of the Ombudsmen, and constitutional issues such as devolution and Lords reform. Chairing the committee also means I am a member of the Liaison Committee which, among other things, cross-examines the Prime Minister several times a year. We will have plenty to get our teeth into.

n You may be familiar with the term “free vote” or “conscience vote”. This means on a certain issue there is no whip or party line to follow but rather an MP is free to exercise their own judgement.

We do not live in a delegatory democracy, rather a representative one. However, I believe it is important to gauge

the views of constituents on such issues and to hear opinions on both sides of the argument. Two such issues are coming up: Assisted dying/euthanasia and amendments to the Hunting Act to outlaw trail hunting. From my inbox I already know that both are emotive and generate great passion on both sides of the argument.

I am not conducting a binding referendum, but I do want to have sight of the views of my electorate. If you are reading this, do let me know and please spread the word as I want to hear from a really good cross-section of North Dorset – towns and villages and across the age spectrum. You are welcome to express a view on either or both.

If you have the time, please tell me why you hold the views you do – what helped form them. Please use the contact details above and, if emailing, use FREE VOTE VIEW as the subject. Thank you in advance.

MP ‘sets up shop’ in Dorchester

IT’S been an extremely busy and exciting period. I’ve been finding an office in the constituency for all the new staff. It will be Dorchester, with apologies to all the other lovely towns of West Dorset. The first members of the team have started, and more will be joining over the coming weeks. With their help I am now able to expand my assistance beyond merely the most urgent of cases. We have now started constituency surgeries and if you would like an appointment please email me at my Parliamentary email address.

I recently met the chair and chief exec of NHS Dorset to hear about the delivery of care in Dorset, and what improvements can be achieved. This year they took over responsibility for dental services and access to NHS dentistry is an area I am keen that we find ways to

LibDem MP for West Dorset

Edward Morello

expand as West Dorset is increasingly a dentistry desert.

I also had the pleasure of spending a morning with the team at Future Roots, at Rylands Farm in Holnest, who provide fantastic alternative provision (AP) to young people. AP is a much-misunderstood area but is

great at improving outcomes for disadvantaged, excluded and SEND children. Sadly, funding does not match demand and organisations such as Future Roots are constantly fundraising to make up the shortfall. I’m determined to see what can be done to secure long-term funding so it can continue to help young people, and maybe even expand. Another area it provides help is in “fresh air care” for the elderly, especially those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. It regularly hosts groups for the local Countrymen network, mainly retired farmers and rural workers, giving them a chance to reconnect with the countryside and animals they spent their working lives with. Farming has featured heavily over the last couple of weeks. We had a big “Back British Farming” event in Parliament on

September 11. I also got to spend some time with NFU deputy president David Exwood at the Dorset Show. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to fight for an increase in the farming budget, which is vital if we are to provide a sustainable living for the farmers and food producers of West Dorset. I also had the chance to meet the trustees and management of the St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne to discuss their plans for the site. These include remodelling a part of the building as social housing for long-, medium-, and short-term rent. As well as converting part of downstairs as a tearoom of the abbey, along with an education centre. This is a plan based on returning the Almshouse to a stable financial future, while still providing a social service to the town. Those wishing to learn more should visit their website.

Rural bus routes must be protected

PARTY conference season is under way, and I have recently attended the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton where the party re-affirmed its commitment to saving the NHS and fixing social care. The record 72 Liberal Democrat MPs are serious about tackling the issues we face. I will be pushing this Government constantly to fix the NHS and reverse the decline we have seen in our health services.

The Government must announce an NHS funding boost at the forthcoming Budget, as this year is set to be a record year for four-week waits for a GP appointment. Everyone should be able to see a doctor when they need one, but the last Government neglected the NHS so badly that millions of people are waiting weeks for an appointment. The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for everyone to have the right to see

Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton

a GP within seven days, or 24 hours if its urgent.

Just prior to Parliament breaking for conference recess, I held a debate about bus services in rural areas. In Somerset buses provide a crucial lifeline, linking communities to schools, hospitals, shops, leisure and social activities. But we have seen a worrying trend of decline,

with bus provision decreasing by 28% across England since 2011.

Rural routes have suffered especially, made worse by the last Government’s national bus strategy apportioning two-thirds of its funding to urban areas, despite these areas witnessing lower declines in passenger numbers than rural areas.

Across Somerset we have witnessed a near-continuous annual cycle where bus routes are threatened with closure and changes. Every year, the council and bus companies negotiate an agreement to keep the route open for another year, but the cycle starts again when the contract comes up for renewal. Earlier this year, thankfully a successful campaign saved the 54, 58, 58A, 25 and 28 bus routes which run through the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency, but I worry these routes will inevitably be under threat once again when the agreement needs

renewal.

We need sustainable funding of rural bus routes, and while the Government recently announced new measures that open up bus franchising for all local authorities in England, we need more information, and the specific issues rural areas face must be taken into account. I want to see the Government provide clear guidance on the protection of bus routes for social and environmental reasons and I also hope the Government soon announces whether it intends to keep the £2 fare cap.

I will continue to campaign on this important issue and will press the Government to announce more details soon.

As always, if there is anything I can assist you with, or if you would like to arrange a time to meet me, please do not hesitate to get in touch – sarah.dyke. mp@parliament.uk

Bold offering to British people

ON the weekend of September 20-21, Reform UK held its annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham. It was a political event unlike any other I have seen. The energy, scale and ambition of the ideas being shared were truly inspirational.

The vision for Britain laid out by Reform's leaders was one of incredible optimism, of immense hope, but above all, one of radical change.

There was a deep acknowledgement that politicsas-usual, and the decades of managed decline offered by the existing parties, must be replaced with a very different, and very bold offering to the British people.

It was a truly inspiring weekend and we look forward to implementing the highly ambitious plans we have for Dorset over the coming months.

As it is announced that Dorset will have to build close to another 100,000 new homes

Reform UK Dorset county organiser Thomas Gargrave

over the next 15 years, we need to start being honest about the link between mass migration and the irreversible loss of our Dorset countryside.

During the last two years of the prior Conservative government, net migration ran at a staggering 764,000 and 685,000 for 2022/23, respectively. Currently, we need to build a new house every two minutes just to keep up with levels of immigration. This explosion in

the population has inevitably led to large swaths of our countryside being lost to urban development.

While the visual loss of our beautiful landscapes is, in itself tragic, we are also losing vital habitat for nature and placing huge pressure on our already extremely stretched infrastructure. Massive traffic issues, water pollution and the much-published effects on our NHS are all products of mass immigration.

Reform UK is proposing to halt all non-essential immigration and, at a minimum, reduce it to net-neutral levels, which will significantly remove the stress on the housing market.

I would also personally like to see widespread protections for our rural counties against large-scale development, safeguarding our countryside for future generations to enjoy.

This month we learned that the death of Tom Roberts, a

young Dorset man and aspiring Royal Marine, will not be given a full inquest.

Mr Roberts was murdered in Bournemouth by Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, an Afgan asylum seeker, who had previously been convicted of a double murder in Serbia before posing as a 14-year-old when claiming asylum in Poole.

The litany of failures by the then sitting Conservative Government which allowed Abdulrahimzai, actually 19, into the country, and BCP Council, which, astonishingly, put this man into a school with 14-yearold children, are perhaps some of the worst I can recall.

Reform UK is calling for a full, independent enquiry into the systemic failures that led to the tragic death of Mr Roberts.

Professor Matthew Goodwin gave a highly moving and powerful speech in Tom's honour at our Conference which can be viewed online.

Sarah Dyke

Remember 14 years of Tory misrule

IN praising North Dorset voters for not falling for Labour and Lib Dem election promises, our re-elected MP Simon Hoare seems not to have noticed that between them the Labour and Lib Dem candidates received more votes than he did, and that his 2019 majority was reduced by 93%.

Most voters clearly remembered the 14 years of Conservative misrule that reduced our country to the state it’s now in, including memorable events like: a Brexit deal nowhere near as “oven ready” as promised; Downing Street parties when the rest of us were banned from meeting up; billions of pounds of taxpayer money spent on shady PPE deals; a long list of corruption scandals; cuts to public spending including education, the NHS, social security, the Environment Agency etc; sewage-polluted waterways; the Liz Truss disaster; soaring house prices

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

and rents; and the biggest set of tax rises since records began in the 1950s.

Simon claims that we’re now suffering buyer’s remorse for having elected a Labour Government. Scrapping the pensioner winter fuel payment is certainly a huge mistake, but the majority of us who are increasingly concerned about climate change and the environment are delighted to see the back of a Government that disastrously cut the “green crap” and backpedalled on environmental promises. So far Labour is shaping up to be very

different, with the new Foreign Secretary’s recent speech laying out clear ambitions to urgently address the climate and environmental situation. However, actions, as ever, speak louder than words and we wait to see what actions the Government actually takes.

Having slipped easily – and doubtlessly with some relief –into Opposition Mode the Tories are clamouring for an investigation into donations received by Keir Starmer, including apparently £40,000 for his wife’s clothes. Starmer says he was initially advised that he didn’t need to declare the donations, which will have reminded those of us with long memories of a similar situation when Simon Hoare claimed traffic offence fines against his expenses. I’m appalled not so much that Starmer’s donations may have been declared late, but that anyone would consider spending such an obscene

amount on clothes to make them “look good” to the electorate. Other donations to Labour are a much greater cause for concern. Labour declared more donations during the general election campaign than all the other parties combined, and it has increasingly strong ties with the financial sector. Prior to the election campaign, it received a £4 million donation from a tax-haven registered hedge fund with shares in fossil fuels, private health firms and arms manufacturers. This surely raises questions about what influence such donors get in return.

The new All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections focusses on three key areas: replacing first past the post with a proportional voting system; eliminating dark money from politics; and countering disinformation in public debate. Let’s hope they achieve a democracy that works for everyone.

Return to politics of public service

PEOPLE may ask what a mature, Government of service means – given it’s been absent from the UK for years. Over the summer, it is hoped you’ve seen it from Labour.

In a large part it constitutes listening to the experts. The very experts once derided by Tory ministers.

On public sector pay, it means taking the advice of the independent pay review boards. Sensible wage settlements that reflect inflationary pressures and what is happening in the private sector. This isn’t caving in to unions. It’s recognising the sacrifice public sector workers have made for years.

On the nation’s finances, it means listening to the Office of Budget Responsibility. The OBR published its letter exposing the fiscal malfeasance of the previous Tory government. The evidence is there in independent black and white. In case you

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

missed it – the Tories cooked the books, with the Home Office singled out for systematically under budgeting and then pillaging capital reserves.

On arms exports, it means following the established legal process. This has resulted in the UK withdrawing 30 arms export permits given the risk that Israel has been using them against the people of Gaza illegally. When the supporters of both sides in that conflict are angry at that action, it probably indicates the Government is charting a middle

ground.

A mature, government of service will also mean implementing the Grenfell inquiry’s findings. We note with horror how the Tories slashed building safety regulations and ignored the advice of fire safety experts. It must have been horrible for the bereaved families to hear of the multiple opportunities there were to prevent the tragedy.

The Grenfell inquiry report was truly shocking. When the Prime Minister talks about the rot in the country, what happened with Grenfell is a prime example.

Along with the Horizon and Post Office scandal. Sewage being dumped into our rivers. The state of our railways. The Mid Staffs maternity scandal.

I could go on. Cultural change starts at the top with a return of a politics of public service.

Now, some readers might find

this a little sanctimonious given the stories about “Starmer’s freebies”. Admittedly, the party hasn’t helped itself by reporting donations without a breakdown.

You might have noticed, however, that the other political parties haven’t been piling on as much as the newspapers. Why? Well, if we look at other MP’s financial disclosures:

• Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey also took free hospitality tickets to see Taylor Swift

• Tory leader Rishi Sunak has taken thousands of pounds of free helicopter trips

• Many MPs employ their spouses

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” The wife of the PM faces unrelenting media examination of every outfit she wears. So, I do think we should cut Lady Starmer at least a bit of slack. Heaven forbid she wore the same thing twice.

Antiques & Collectibles

Angling trophy an auction highlight

SPORTING & Natural History returns to Duke’s on Thursday, October 10, for another expedition into the natural world.

Once again, the auctioneer’s will be transformed into an emporium of curiosities showcasing a collection of vintage firearms, rare fishing paraphernalia, taxidermy, sporting attire and a variety of wonders from the animal kingdom.

A highlight of the collection is a Walton & Cotton Club Silver Angling Trophy by James Charles Edington, London 1833, estimated at £1,500£2,000

The 2023 Sporting & Natural History auction was a resounding success, with 80% of the lots sold,

including a highly coveted collection of carved wooden salmon.

A highlight of the sale was a Fochaber Studo hand-carved wooden salmon, which sold for £6,875, exclusive of buyer’s premium.

With such a great act to follow, Duke’s promises this auction will be a superior successor, with greater variety, provenance and results.

The auction is on Thursday, October 10, at 10.30am, with viewing starting on Monday, October 7, until the date of the auction.

Get in touch to organise a free and confidential valuation with one of Duke’s specialists, either through enquiries@ dukes-auctions.com or on 01305 265080.

The Walton & Cotton Club: An important silver angling trophy estimated at £1,500-£2,000

Flemish casket makes £6,200

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley saw some good results at its last sale including a rare 17th century Flemish casket with pressed horn panels depicting scenes of hunters and animals among scrolling foliage, which created a buzz in the saleroom. It attracted the attention of UK collectors in the room and online bidders, and finally sold for £6,200, including premium, to a collector in Belgium on the-saleroom.com

Other lots to sell well were a Breitling Navitimer gentleman’s wristwatch sold for £2,600 and the private collection of 19th century and later desk seals collectively fetched £5,400.

In the Motor section a 1999 Volkswagen LT28 Oregon 98 motorhome sold to a lady on the south coast for £8,000 and, for local interest, an Austin Motor

Company 25 Years Association commemorative bronze plaque presented to Flanders Garage Ltd in Blandford Forum fetched £280.

Clarke’s holds a regular no obligation open valuation day with the next scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, when it will have specialist valuers on the premises.

Prospective sellers can take along items for the specialists to evaluate or phone to make a specific appointment with a valuer at any time during the month.

For consignment into any of Clarke’s future sales or for probate valuations, house clearances or any other queries, phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at The Old Glove Factory, Gillingham SP8 4QF.

Auctioneers & Valuers

Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August

A 19th Century Indo-Persian Qajar pottery tile Sold for £1,400

An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600.

Now accepting items for this and future sales

Clarke’s Auctions o er free home visits and verbal valuations. Now accepting items for this and future sales e Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Clarke’s offer free verbal valuations and home visits 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk Friday 11th & Saturday 12th October

The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham, SP8 4QF

Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

Antiques & Collectibles

How to care for antique jewellery

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

As you can imagine, caring for antique jewellery requires special attention to preserve its beauty and value, and if items are not handled or stored correctly, they can be easily damaged.

Here’s some of my tips to help keep your antique jewellery in excellent condition:

1 – Gentle cleaning: Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.

Instead, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean your pieces.

If necessary, a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water can be used, but ensure the

jewellery is dried thoroughly afterwards to prevent moisture damage.

Alternatively, there are many specially formulated cleaners you can buy that are perfect for the job.

2 – Avoid exposure to chemicals: Antique jewellery is very sensitive to chemicals found in everyday products such as perfumes, lotions, hand sanitiser and household cleaners.

Always remove jewellery, especially pearls, before applying cosmetics or doing household chores to prevent discoloration or deterioration.

3 – Proper storage: Store each piece of jewellery separately to avoid tangling and scratches.

BUSBY Auctioneers & Valuers

A soft-lined jewellery box or individual cloth pouches work well.

Keep them in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight, which can fade gemstones and cause metals to tarnish.

4 – Regular checks: Over time, prongs, clasps and other settings can loosen. Regularly inspect your

jewellery for signs of wear or damage.

Here at Heirlooms, we’re happy to take a no-obligation look at your precious pieces to check their condition and recommend any repairs. By following these steps, you can help preserve the condition and elegance of your antique jewellery, ensuring it remains a cherished heirloom for years to come.

Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean jewellery

Salvage Hunters are coming...

STATION Road Antiques at Semley is set to welcome a film crew from the Salvage Hunters television show on Thursday. It will be a coup for the business which opened in the Old Dairy House building in August and is attracting customers from across the country.

The showroom is home to 25 traders including JMR Antiques, The Past and The Curious, AM Restorations, Walton House Antiques and William Nichols.

Station Road Antiques offers a mixture of high-end antiques and vintage and interior design, including The Cotswold Grey Company, Marie Clare Vintage and Safia Blue Holistics, which sells high quality material and cushions.

Paul Drewett Decorative and Jason de Mendes Harris sell a

The premises in Semley

large range of artwork. A range of jewellery is also available, along with outdoor garden items, and couture and vintage clothing is coming soon.

Station Road Antiques’ Instagram account is @ stationroadantiques

Motorbikes

old and new

MOTORBIKES dating from the past 100 years feature in Charterhouse’s Classic Motorcycle Auction at Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, October 3.

“We have another great selection of 140 motorcycles dating from a 1912 Humber to a 2019 Kawasaki,” said George Beale, from the auction house.

“From unreserved bikes to rides estimated at £50,000, there is something for all pockets.”

The auction includes road, race, trail, speedway, touring, show and even monkey bikes.

Some are ready to ride, some need re-commissioning and some need full restoration –perfect as winter projects.

Viewing for this huge classic and vintage motorcycle sale at Haynes Motor Museum is on Wednesday, October 2, and on

A 1982 Hesketh V1000 in Charterhouse’s auction is estimated at £10,000-£12,000

the auction day.

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

George Beale and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for advice and valuations on classic motorcycles, cars and automobilia at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne; phone 01935 812277 or via bikes@ charterhouse-auction.com

Antiques & Collectibles

Harrods retailed silver cutlery estimated at 2,500-3,500

Unused cutlery in Harrods box

Thinking of Selling?

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers Sherborne is holding a two-day auction this week.

On Thursday, September 26, General Antiques & Collectables including a vintage set of Batman bubble-gum cards, boxed and unboxed collectors cars, signed Les Miserables signed posters etc, a Donald McIntyre oil painting of fishing boats and a large collection of horse brasses.

On Friday, September 27, Jewellery, Silver & Watches, including an unused silver eight-place setting of kings pattern cutlery in its original Harrods retail box total 4916g, a pair of Art Deco sapphire and diamond set earrings in their original retail box and a Breitling ladies diamond set chronometer stainless steel quartz wristwatch.

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

Valuation days – from

10am-3pm:

Jewellery & Watches, Tuesdays and Saturdays

Silver & Obje't D'art, Tuesdays and Saturdays

Toys & Collectables, Wednesdays and Saturdays

Oriental & Asian, Thursdays and Saturdays

Coins, Stamps, Books & Ephemera, Fridays and Saturdays

Militaria, Fridays and Saturdays

Textiles & Fashion, Mondays and Saturdays

Paintings & Contemporary Art, Mondays and Saturdays

For more information, email Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 or email auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk

Anyone unable to go in on the allocated days can phone or email to make an appointment – Acreman is open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm. Photos of items can also be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk House visits can be arranged if required.

Home & Garden

Ferns to make a statement and more

by Sally Gregson

IT is all too easy to create dark shade in a closely planted border. And if the soil is left bare and open it will soon find less than welcome occupants. And not just the green sort either. Slugs and snails much prefer those moist places out of the drying sunlight.

Evergreen ferns will grow in just such places, and fill an otherwise damp, dingy place with fresh green leaves all year round.

In spring, fresh fronds will unfurl like a bishop’s crozier to replace the over-wintered leaves. Their emergence coincides with the flowering of hardy cyclamen and Grape hyacinths, and provides an electric green background. Over the course of the summer the leaves will mature, the plant will expand, and the foliage blend with its neighbours.

Some leaves are almost entire and undivided, such as

the Hart’s Tongue ferns, Asplenium scolopendrium, and are consequently more tolerant of drier soils. Whereas others, such as the Maidenhair ferns and Spleenworts, Adiantum venustum and its sisters, prefer the moisture of cool, shaded walls where the moisture drains away quickly.

Many hardy ferns are larger and make a statement in the border. The black hairs on the foliage of Dryopteris wallichiana outline the classic shapes of the leaves. And the American Sword Fern, Polystichum munitum, is a distinctly characteristic shape with large leaves that in the wild can reach to well over 1.5 metres in length. It is droughttolerant with fronds that are not too feathery and so it will put up with sunshine, although it prefers a little shade. Neither ever becomes invasive. Alas. Ferns pre-date flowering plants so their spore-bearing

parts are often less obvious than blowsy flowers. But a mature frond can be backed entirely with small black spores that will spill into the wind and blow away to find somewhere damp to complete their germination. Pterodologists, or

fern aficionados, collect the spores and germinate them to make more fernlets. But it’s a painstaking job and can take a year for the spores to germinate. A very rewarding task but perhaps one for the enthusiasts.

‘The scent of the changing seasons’

by Sally Gregson

AS you walk around your garden now on a warm, autumnal morning, you can almost smell the seasons changing. The rich, decaying scent of fallen leaves permeates the earthy smells of the damp ground; the scent of summer’s new-mown hay has matured to the honeyed perfume of chrysanths and ripening fruit; while the last remaining leaves are green no longer, but slightly foxed – brown and gold. Nature is changing its dress. The natural world is preparing for winter.

And it’s good to follow her example – celebrate the new season and tidy away the summer pots of faded flowers. Put the washed-out petunias and pelargoniums on the compost heap and replace the used soil with fresh potting compost mixed with a little sharp grit to help drainage. Trowel in some

slow-release fertiliser that will be activated during the damp warm spring weather ready to encourage a new generation of plants. For the wet winter season especially, it is wise to rest the container on “pot feet” to prevent the young plants sitting in a quagmire. Then

install the winter favourites, and push in some bulbs for next year. Daffodils and tulips show off in the spring sunshine, while snowdrops and scillas thrive and flower better in the shade.

Creating a “lasagne” of spring bulbs in a celebratory pot by the front door is a rewarding

way to anticipate the spring. Start at the bottom with broken pots and grit for good drainage, filling the pot with the compost and grit mixture to a third of the way up. Then place a layer of tulips out of touch with each other, and cover them with just enough compost to expose their noses, followed by a layer of narcissi above and between. Follow that up with another layer of crocus and laterflowering dwarf tulips and put the pot in a sunny spot – or with Scillas and Muscari for the shade. Finish off the pot with lots of little Iris reticulata, and dwarf bedding cyclamen to last until Christmas. And cover the top of the pot with lots more grit to finish the display off. The cyclamen will have gone over by Christmas and be ready to be removed gently, by which time the up-coming bulbs will just be pushing through the soil – a pot of spring sunshine.

Nature is changing its dress for the brown and gold of autumn

Dryopteris wallichiana (left) and Adiantum venustum (right)

Home & Garden

GUTTERS CLEARED

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ASBESTOS REMOVAL

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All Hedge/tree work/rubbish clearance Gravel Driveways/Pressure Washing Patio and Fencing Work

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HOUSE CLEARANCE

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ROTTED

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LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Spring Bulbs In Stock. Fruit Trees and Ornimental Trees, Perennials & Shrubs, Large selection of; stoneware, terracotta and glazed pots, Wild Bird food 20kg £14.50, Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258 452513

www.kingsmeresurfacing.co.uk

We

Home & Garden

Family run Door and Window installations and repairs company with 20 years’ experience

We’ll help you fall in love with your home again at an affordable price

Call for a free quote on 01747 859 209 / 07429 680 959 or view our gallery at www.lovedoorsandwindows.co.uk

Tree Surgery. Reductions. Felling. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip supplies.

Tree Surgery. Reductions. Felling. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip supplies.

Family run business since 1946

Family run business since 1946

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

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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. Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional Experienced Reliable

& soft furnishings. Call Rosie 07780 703641 or email rlneedlethread@hotmail.com Shaftesbury/ Gillingham

Home & Garden

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

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

NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING

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

and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076 GENERAL

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

DEADLINES

CHIMNEYS

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Open 7 days week

Supply/fit Carpets Vinyls

Underlay Gripper Doorbars Next Day Fitting Available Professional with over 20 years experience.

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Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963 370038

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

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

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General computer and IT advice

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Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

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DEADLINES

Puy lentils add substance to a dish

PUY lentils are an addition or substitute if given a flavour boost and give texture and substance to any chosen accomplice!

For six:

500g puy lentil/Verte

1/2 onion/shallot fine diced

2 cloves garlic smashed

Diced roasted red pepper

Dry or fresh herbs (thyme/ rosemary)

1/2 chilli

1 x lemon juice off

500ml veg or chicken stock 1 x 100ml white wine

Medium/large heavy base frying

pan:

Lightly fry off the fine diced onion and add the dry puy lentils, then add the wine to cook off the alcohol, add the chilli, garlic, herbs and let the flavours merge.

As it starts to dry out, pour in the stock.

Put a see-through lid over to steam them and observe!

Now and again push the lentils around – if they need

more liquid, add until the lentils are al dente/to your liking with a wooden spoon.

I also wilt chard or spinach leaves into my lentils at the end, adding more colour and texture as well as goodness.

Serve with cod wrapped in pancetta, proper bangers or confit of duck.

n Annie des Forges, Director/ chef The Table Bruton. Annie Austin, director/host and concierge Somerset Roadtrip.

Badger winner at World Beer Awards

INDEPENDENT Dorset brewer

Badger Brewery has won a slew of medals in the World Beer Awards, taking a total of eight accolades for both its established Premium Bottled Ales (PBAs) and its craft beer brand Outland, launched last year.

Outland Ginger Pale Ale won

both a Gold medal and a Country Winner award in the flavoured beer category, with Badger’s Blandford Fly and Cranborne Poacher both taking silver medals in the same class.

Outland Milk Stout and Outland West Coast IPA won silver and bronze medals

respectively, while Badger’s Fursty Ferret and Master Stoat Coffee Stout both took bronze medals.

The World Beer Awards are held annually.

A panel of expert judges tastes beers from across the world, choosing the best in different beer categories and

awarding bronze, silver, gold and Country Winner medals as well as a World’s Best Award in each.

Toby Heasman, head brewer of Badger Brewery, said: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our beers and winning awards is always a cause for celebration at Badger.”

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

Celebrating 5 Years

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: Ode to the osprey

by Susanna Curtin

AFTER days of heavy rain, autumn has arrived in force. The heathland floor smells dank, and the autumn crops of fungi are springing up from the ground; common earthballs are scattered like rotten potatoes amid the heather and gorse. Above me is an interesting September sky that is a mosaic of grey, white and black clouds interspersed with wintery teal and vibrant blue.

Today, I have come to RSPB Arne to enjoy the season’s highlights, particularly the large velvety raft spiders that lurk in the ponds, and the now iconic ospreys of Poole Harbour. Like all wildlife watching, you first have to know where and how to look for the species you are interested in, and you always have to be prepared that you might not see them. A great deal of luck is involved with being in the right place at the right time.

Nevertheless, I am feeling quietly optimistic.

The chocolate-brown raft spiders are relatively easy to spot. Despite their ingenious camouflage, they have two yellow stripes down their sides which set them apart from their background of floating vegetation. Ospreys, however, are much more difficult to predict. Fortunately, I catch sight of a small group of people with their binoculars firmly fixed on something interesting. And there, hovering above the shimmering water with its furry legs and sharp talons facing downwards, long wings folded upwards, head down looking for fish, and tail splayed in a fan shape, is an osprey. Unmistakable and breathtakingly beautiful to behold.

Silhouetted against the backdrop of the ghostly shadow of Corfe Castle, I follow this

incredible bird for the next couple of hours, seeing him hover, then silently dive into the water; talons at the ready to grasp an unsuspecting fish. Half-submerged, I watch in awe as the strong, broad-shouldered wings grapple with the incoming tide while he lifts his prey out of the current. Once airborne, he shakes the water from his feathers and flies off to his favourite perch, a small dead tree. There he sits, shoulders hunched, while he eats his lunch. It is not long before he is back again. Not every dive is successful, and as the day progresses I begin to wonder about the effort it must take to exit the water each time.

Ospreys – Pandion haliaetus – are specialist fish-eaters, and after the peregrine falcon, are the second most widespread bird of prey in the world, occurring on every continent bar Antarctica. Once widespread in the UK, they were heavily persecuted as they competed with anglers for salmon and trout. Their eggs were also taken, birds were shot for taxidermist collections, and they became extinct in England, Wales and Ireland. There were just a few pairs remaining in

Scotland with the first known breeding pair in Loch Garten in 1954. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I distinctly remember my family following “Operation Osprey”, where each year, volunteers would guard the nest in Loch Garten to protect it from egg collectors. Even then, there were losses due to theft which were further compounded by the use of DDT that entered their food chain and reduced the viability of their eggs. Eventually, with stricter regulations and protection, ospreys made a comeback and by the 1990s there were over 60 pairs, but mostly in Scotland. With the support of the Roy Dennis Foundation, ospreys were reintroduced by a translocation programme in 1996 to Rutland Water and to the Lake District. Five years later in 2001, some of the translocated birds returned after their migration from Africa to breed there. Due to the success of the previous reintroductions, the fact that ospreys mate for life and generally return to the same nest site, plus the suitability of Poole Harbour as a habitat and migratory stop-over, the Poole Harbour Osprey Translocation project was begun in 2017. Once again in partnership with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, 60 osprey chicks from Scotland were released. In spring 2022, a first pair to breed had two chicks. One was predated by a goshawk but the other survived and successfully migrated to Africa. She was the first wild-fledged osprey in southern England since 1847. In spring 2024, she returned to join her parents who have successfully bred again.

And so here I am now, watching a conservation success story. I have seen osprey in Canada, Australia, Rutland Water and Scotland, but nothing compares to the feeling of seeing them here in my home county. It is such a privilege given their long journey to success.

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

Conservation project: Ospreys have bred successfully in Poole Harbour

Ageing: Look outwards and see the positives in the young

by Fiona Chapman

THEY say that “youth is wasted on the young”, and looking back to my own youth, it probably was. You don’t realise how lovely and elastic your skin was or how much energy you had or appreciate the enthusiasm and blind belief that you know it all and can do it all!

Although I think life gets better as you get older – you grow into and get to know yourself, and have the confidence to be who you want to be, it then takes a turn for the worse as you hit old age.

Energy drains quickly, memory goes, the body starts to ache and things stop working. Often, I see people turn into themselves, losing confidence and interest in life, which is terribly sad. Going deaf seems to trigger this as it becomes such an effort to hear that individuals stop trying, which causes isolation and then depression.

It is also extremely difficult for a partner who may be younger or stronger than the other, to watch those they love deteriorate and in some cases change personality and become someone they don’t know anymore. A partner or parent is supposed to be strong and

supportive, and however much you tell yourself to have patience and sympathy, it is unbelievably stressful and will take its toll.

I see ladies whose husbands are shrinking into themselves, with high levels of stress and blood pressure because they too are struggling with old age, energy levels and in many cases their own health issues.

There are herbs that can help with stress such as Withania somnifera, Avena sativa – oat tops and seeds, Passiflora, Valariana officinalis and Skullcap combined with Crateagus for the heart –physical and mental, but I think the best thing is to look outward.

See friends and try to laugh, eat healthily – very important – take as much exercise as possible, get into the sun or fresh air every day. Appreciate the beauty in the world, don’t listen to the news, play music, draw, paint, dance if you can, read or listen to books that will transport you out of yourself.

I also think it is important to see the positives in the young. The young often, sadly, ignore the old, but the old sometimes write them off because they are not like they were. Of course they are not – our generation

Eating healthily is very important for individuals as they get older

has seen a technological revolution and enormous change in society. Times have changed and, if possible,

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

CARE FOR OAPS INCLUDING NAIL CUTTING, shaving, massage, sleep over care. Joyce, 07591 760333

embrace this rather than hate it. n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist; email Pellyfiona@gmail.com.

Craniosacral Therapy is a deeply restorative form of treatment for the body, mind and soul.

www.belinda-roberts.co.uk 07702 681264

CLASSIFIED ADS

HEALTHY, PINK FLOWERED, perfumed Daphne Shrubs. Available from 27th September from 11am onwards. Asking for donations that will go to the food bank. 01747 854856. Call and book your slot.

TGA SUPERSPORT MOBILITY SCOOTER. Excellent condition. Ring 01935 814440.

TOP QUALITY 40MM OAK

TOPPED farmhouse table, 1500mm X 900mm, £250 ONO. Tel: 07717-596779

HERRING SPINNING WHEEL

+All equipment for creative yarn projects. £70 ONO TEXT 07970 213388

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

PINE CORNER UNIT OVER 6ft, glass door at the top with cupboard at the bottom £45ono 07790-668303

VORWERK ELECTRIC CARPET CLEANER. Uses dry granules available on line so no soggy carpets. £20. 01935 850647

FOR SALE: LILLIPUT LANE, 4 originals, all boxed. £10 each. Please call. 07843 725938

LOAD OF OO MODEL RAILWAY tracks £25, box of broken Dinky toys £5. 07791-847767

2 HIGH CHAIRS. Used for grandchildren and in good clean condition. £5 each. 07801-479155 evenings.

WILKINSON BATHROOM MIRROR w.56cms h.76cms.vgc. £5. Samsung TV. 38inch gwo. No scratches. £10 Tel. 07543-679877 Blandford area

TRANSIT WHEELCHAIR Folds for transport 18 stone 115 kg weight limit. Vgc.£30. 01935-814746

PORTABLE C/D PLAYER with a/m-f/m radio(batt/mains)--type GV-PS 733 original boombox £20 01935873441

BOX OF PICTURES/frames £10 01935-873441

BOXES (30) - Strong cardboard. Various sizes. Some for 12kg wgt. Ideal storage/ house move. £20 Tel: STREET 01458 44 32 64

CURFEW INCUBATOR in working order 4 extra trays and instruction book.£25.00, 077437-31685

6no.NEW/NEARLY NEW crossply tyres 750x16. £50. 07486-585174

BOX OF BROKEN DINKY TOYS. £5. Tel: 07791-847767

LARGE SPIDER PLANT. Lots of babies. £10. Tel: 01258-817136 (Kings Stag) Buyer collect

GRANDPARENTS Selling, High chair As New, £30, 01935-421313

POLYTUNNEL 3 METRES x1 metre brand new cost £50 ideal for storing tools pots etc over winter. Bargain £20 Tel 01747-822422

LOAD OF PREWAR CHILDRENS BOOKS-might suit reading/english groups-FREE!-01935-873441 near Sherborne

CANE CONSERVATORY

FURNITURE two single and one double seater armchairs plus matching coffee table and foot stool £50 Telephone 07778-483682

GENUINE RUBBER MINI BOOT MATS which fits MINI Countryman or Clubman For Sale £30 Tel 07484-697567

GLASS TABLE TOP 106 cms long, 51.5 cms wide, 0.75 cms depth ex.condition £10 Ono 01258 820869

WHITE WICKER CHAIR, ideal for conservatory etc. with a blue and white seat cover. £10. Tel: 07833-641242

VINTAGE ACORDIAN IN CASE. With 1890’s music sheet, (for the same) £40. Tel: 07886-538350

FOR SALE BEIGE COLOUR CHAISE lounge as new. Marnhull £50 Ono tell 01258 820172

GOLF TROLLEY. Hardly used. £10. 07785 534 524

WHEELCHAIR, GOOD CONDITION, fold up to fit in car boot. £20.00 Tel: 07434-641735

NATURAL PINE SHELVING with White Twin Slot Brackets, Various Lengths. Excellent Condition. £15, Tel: 01963 33160

REMOTE CONTROL BELLAVITA ELETRIC RECLINING BATH LIFT good condition Very little used £50ono Tel 07449-116144

TAP DANCING SHOES. Size 6and a half. Little warn £6. 01747-853546

FISHER PRICE BOOSTER CHAIR. Only used a few times for grandchildren. Good clean condition. £15. 07801-479155 evenings.

999 PIECE JIGSAWS - various makes/themes, all complete. 5 for £10, 10 for £20 or 15 for £30. Gillingham Tel: 07842 120313

1 OLD DEEP FREEZE, front loading, still works, free. An Olympus AF-1 camera £10.A casio EX-S100 digital camera £10. 01963 362148

PINE CHEST OF DRAWERS. Good condition. £45 Tel: 01985-845320

TRANSIT MK 6/7 steel wheel & tyre 215-75-R16 £50 Tel:07721 530520

TILED COTTAGE FIREPLACE for sale £50 . Tintinhull. Tel 01935 824961.

SOFT ZIP FASTENED suit/dress carry case. Hangs up, not pull along, ideal for cruises! £25 Tel: 01747-837834

SCHEPPACH SLIDING compound mitre saw CAPAS3 plus stand. £50.00 07716 762427

FREE. 5 DOOR UPRIGHT FREEZER in good condition. Not frost free. Castle Cary, 07738-472884

VINTAGE PINE TABLE 105 cm diameter. Heavy pedestal tripod base. Sherborne. Photos. £50. 07774-680733

WROUGHT IRON GATES, one large, size 72 inches x45 inches, one smaller 35 inches x32 inches, the pair for £23, Tel no: 0781 8345464

LOG BASKET strong wicker with handle 30cm deep x 40cm square approx. £10, 07774-628-641

NORTHUMBRIA BARBOUR JACKET, Size 42. £50. Tel: 01258-452118

PINE WARDROBE, 2 doors, single size. £45. Tel: 01305-849490. Tolpuddle

Henstridge

AA wants more ‘cops in cars’

THE AA is calling on the Home Secretary to appoint 1,000 new roads police officers to improve road safety and help tackle wider crime.

As part of its manifesto, Labour pledged to recruit thousands of new police officers to tackle neighbourhood crime.

The AA believes 1,000 of these new recruits should form part of the road traffic section of forces across the country.

The request, which was part of The AA’s own Motoring Manifesto, follows AA analysis of the latest police workforce statistics released by the Home Office.

As of March 31, there were 4,215 traffic officers in England and Wales, a drop of 1,022 officers from the highest point on March 31, 2016 (5,237).

Recruiting more traffic officers would increase the visibility of police on the roads.

In a poll of 11,469 drivers conducted last month, more than half (57%) felt that drivers could get away with careless driving due to a lack of police on the roads.

Similarly, more than two-

fifths of drivers said offences such as using a handheld phone behind the wheel (44%), drug-driving (42%), not wearing a seatbelt (46%) and using a dangerous vehicle (43%) were going unpunished due to a reduced police presence.

Nine out of 10 (91%) said having more traffic police would make communities safer, while eight out of 10 believed that an increase in roads policing officers could help reduce crimes such as drug dealing, human trafficking and vehicle theft.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: “Be it driving offences or wider crime, public opinion suggests that too many people are simply getting away it.

“It’s clear that the public wants to see more bobbies on the beat, so the Government’s ambition to increase the number of police officers is welcome.

“We believe there should be a wider approach to tackling crime and that more cops in cars could produce safer communities as well as safer roads.”

SPRITE MUSKETEER TD 2012 for sale (near Sherbone) Excellent condition, motor mover and new awning included.

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2005 FORD FIESTA 1.4

ZETEC 5DR diesel good condition long MOT £800 OVNO. Contact 07586-525843

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

2016 (16) JAGUAR XF

PORTFOLIO diesel 4door in Odessey Red/windsor leather trim, 49,000 miles, one owner full service history, climate pack,memory pack, adaptive cruise control, heated seats/ steering wheel, full size spare wheel, parking assist, superb luxury drive £10,995 contact 01747 854595

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

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15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798

15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road

Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798

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2014 (14) Fiat Panda 0.9 Twin Air Easy Automatic 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, 5 speed automatic gearbox, only 13,900 miles, 1 owner, Free yearly road tax & upto 68mpg economy, only 13,900 miles ................................£7650

2014 (14) Ford Fiesta 1.0T Zetec 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, Free road tax, upto 65mpg, hill hold, heated front screen, cambelt kit has been replaced, 83,800 miles ................................................£5450

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1

Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt kit has been replaced, 97,000 miles .................................................................£23000 + VAT = £27600

2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, heated front seats, hill hold, cambelt kit has been replaced, 90,200 miles .....................................................£21000 + VAT = £25200

2020 (20) Hyundai i10 1.0 SE Connect 5dr. 67bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, reverse camera, auto lights, cruise control, hill hold, upto 60mpg, 31,200 miles ....................................................................£10250

2014 (14) Kia Soul 1.6CRDi Connect Plus SUV 5dr. 126bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, reverse camera, sat nav, auto lights, cruise control, hill hold, upto 56mpg, only 38,500 miles...........................................£7650

2017 (17) Mini Clubman 2.0 Cooper S Estate 6dr. 192bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, Chili pack, leather, heated seats, Media XL, sat nav, park sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise, hill hold, 86,800 miles ..£10450

2015 (65) Mini Countryman 2.0TD Cooper S D SUV 5dr. 143bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, Chili pack, park sensors, auto lights & wipers, hill hold, ½ leather, heated seats, cruise, upto 60mpg, 83,800 miles ........................................................................ £6450

2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, cruise control, pre-collision assist, sign recognition, 63,600 miles ..............£6950

2016 (66) Volvo V40 2.0TD D2 R-Design 5dr. 120bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, ½ leather, heated seats, cruise, auto lights & wipers, hill hold, FREE tax, upto 83mpg, 88,500 miles .£8250

60th BIRTHDAY WOULD LIKE TO MEET

Adrian, just like that you’re 60 x

GENTLEMAN LOOKING FOR LADY PARTNER, prefer someone slim. Text or phone 07754-232184

PUBLIC NOTICES

Licensing Act 2003

Notice of application for the GRANT of a PREMISES LICENCE

Name of applicant: Brewmonkey Ltd. Address of Premises: VIRGINIA ASH, SHERBORNE ROAD, HENSTRIDGE. Post Code: BA8 0PL. Description of variation being sought: USE OF PADDOCK FOR EVENTS. Date by which Responsible Authorities and other persons my make representations: 23/10/2024.

A record of the application made to the Licensing Authorities will be kept on a register at the address given below and the register may be inspected during normal office hours. All representations regarding this application MUST BE IN WRITING and relate to the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, Public Safety or Prevention of Public Nuisance and sent to: Somerset Council, Licensing Department, The Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. Copies of representations are given to the applicant as required by the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005

DEATHS

NAYLOR

Glenda Vanessa

Suddenly at home in Gillingham on 4th September 2024, aged 81 years. Beloved Wife of Mike. Loving Mother to David, Shaun and Lucy. Adored Nanny, Great Nanny and friend to many. She will be missed terribly by those who knew and loved her dearly. Funeral Service at Christ Church, East Stour on Thursday 3rd October at 2.00pm. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Glenda 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, Harwood House, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel: 01747 833757

John Potter

Passed away 17th September 2024, aged 73 years. Dearly loved Husband, Dad, Grandad who will be greatly missed by all his family.

A celebration of John’s life will take place on the 5/10/2024 at 1PM,Compton house cricket club, Sherborne, DT94QU.

Ian John Douglas

of Gillingham, passed away peacefully at Yeovil District Hospital on 13th September 2024. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Angela, his Children, Grand Children, Great Grandchildren and friends. Cremation & celebration of his life will be held at Shepton Mallet Crematorium on Wednesday 2nd October 2024. Family flowers only but donations kindly accepted for Yeovil District Hospital. (Miles Funeral Services)

ROY THOMPSON

Died peacefully at home in Todber on 10th September 2024, aged 83 years. Much loved Husband of Edwina. Dearly loved Dad of Richard and Caroline. A loving Grandad, Great-Grandad and friend. Private cremation.

Service of Thanksgiving at St. Andrew’s Church, Todber on Friday 18th October at 1.30pm.

Donations if desired, for Weldmar Hospicecare can be made via: peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel: 01747 833757

Cooper, Rosina (Rosie)

Rosie sadly passed away at Dorset County Hospital on the 28th August 2024, aged 94 years. Much loved mum to Reggie & Nella and a beloved grandmother to Tony, Nella & Pete. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Rosie’s funeral service will take place at St Mary’s church, Dorchester on Tuesday 8th October at 11am. Donations in Rosie’s memory will be sent to the Puddletown Surgery and can be sent c/o Woods & Tapper Funeral Service, 6 Albert Road, Dorchester, DT1 1SF. Tel: 01305 250425 or online at www.woodsfuneralservices.co.uk

Announcements

DEATHS

Colin J Close

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Colin on 2nd September 2024, quietly and without fuss at Dorset County Hospital. Private family Funeral has taken place. The family would like to thank all who sent messages of sympathy and support.

They also wish to record their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff of Fortuneswell Ward at Dorset County Hospital for the care they administered to Colin and kindness shown to the family during the short time he spent with them. Donations, if desired for Dorset County Hospital Charity for the Fortuneswell Ward, may be made online by visiting www. close-funeral.co.uk (via the Much Loved Link) or cheques made payable to DCH Charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133. Susan and family.

AUDREY MARTHA NELLIE PIKE

On 16th September 2024, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital aged 96 years. Of Gillingham.

Wife of the late John, much loved Mum to Carole and Denise and a loving Nan and Great Nan who will be sadly missed by all family and friends.

Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Wednesday 9th October at 1.00pm. No flowers please but any donations for RNLI may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

Joyce Bentley

Peacefully on 15th September 2024 in Yeovil District Hospital, aged 98 years, of Wincanton.

Reunited with her late Husband Hebert, and Sons, James and John. Dearly loved Mum to Chris, Gill and Judy.

Loving Nan and Great-Nan.

Funeral service at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Wincanton on Friday 4th October at 12.30pm.

No flowers please. Donations if desired for the Donkey Sanctuary can be made via: peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

Thelma Green

Passed away peacefully on 20th September 2024 in Blandford, age 89. A much loved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. There will be a private burial at the Ham Down Woodland Trust

JOHN ANDREWS (Big John)

Formally of Mappowder and Stroud Farm

Passed away on 5th September at Dorchester Hospital. John has been cremated and his family would welcome those who knew him to celebrate his life and reminisce at The Green Man, King’s Stag on 16th October at 12.00pm. With grateful thanks to the staff past and present at Montrose Care Home, Dorchester and to the Staff at Dorchester Hospital for their care of John. For further enquiries or if you would like to join us at the pub, please contact Josie@stockgaylard.com

AUDREY MAUD LAWLESS (Kelly)

Passed away Aged 87, On 17th September 2024. Lived in Shaftesbury Dorset.

Our beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend. There will not be a funeral as this was Mums wish. There will be an afternoon tea held for the residence of Chubbs House on 4th October at 3pm. A family celebration of Mums life will be held at a later date to be announced. Any donations please give to The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Valerie Ann Hannam

Passed peacefully 19th September 2024 at Trailway Court, Blandford aged 94 years.

A dearly loved mum to Julie, Paul, Nicholas and Shaun, Nan and Great Nan, who will be greatly missed by family and friends. A great thank you to all the Carers at The Trailway for their loving care and friendship over the last 8 years. Funeral to be held at St John The Baptist Church, Spetisbury on Tuesday 8th October 2024 at 4.00pm.

Family flowers only but donations if desired to Alzheimer’s Society, C/O Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford. DT11 7JU. Tel 01258 453133.

Alison Jane Caines

Peacefully on 13th September 2024. Alison aged 58 years of Wincanton. Much loved Wife of Ian, Mum to Abbey and Bradley. Funeral service at Mendip Crematorium on Friday 11th October at 2.30pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Dementia UK or Target Ovarian Cancer. Please wear casual colourful clothing.

C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel – 01747 833757

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Announcements News

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Arrests as search for Yeovil man goes on

FIVE men have been arrested on suspicion of murder as police probe the disappearance of Yeovil man, Michael Wheeler.

Serious concerns were raised to police about Michael Wheeler’s welfare on Monday, September 16, with officers believing he has not been home or had contact with anyone who knows him since August 24.

Michael’s car was recovered last week after being found abandoned in Yeovil, he has not been in touch with family or friends, and has missed several regular appointments, police said.

“Since the start of last week, several actions have been undertaken to trace the 37-year-old, but despite this he has not been found,” an Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said.

“Searches have been carried out in recent days at Ham Hill, Stoke sub Hamdon, and at addresses in Yeovil and Crewkerne, as well as a public appeal for any sightings of Mr Wheeler since August 24.”

Michael’s disappearance is being treated as a murder inquiry, led by the Major Crime Investigation Team, they added.

Now, five men, aged between late-teens and late-30s, are currently in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Lorett Spierenburg is heading the investigation and said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for Michael Wheeler’s family, who understandably are incredibly worried and desperate to know what has happened to him.

“We are providing them with support through a specially-trained officer and we’re keeping them updated on the status of our investigation.

“We have been keeping an open mind over what has happened to Michael, who has now not been seen for a month, but we can confirm this is being treated as a murder inquiry.

“Arrests were made last week to enable us to question several individuals while under caution to understand if they knew anything that could help us locate Michael.

“We will always be evidence-led in our investigation and having obtained more information during the course of our enquiries, four of those individuals have been re-arrested on suspicion of murder over the past 48 hours. A fifth man, who was not arrested last week, has also been taken into custody.

“Detectives will be questioning all five men as part of our ongoing efforts to establish what has happened and whether any criminal offences have occurred.

“A sixth man, arrested last week, remains on police bail.”

Michael Wheeler has been missing since August

Why was 2024 the year with no bees?

Conservation biologist

JAYNA CONNELLY on why UK bees are struggling - and what we can do about it...

AS a Research Ecologist specialising in Entomology (the study of insects) it is impossible to escape the reminders of biodiversity decline.

Surveying farmland across the south of England this year, however, is particularly harrowing.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Bumblebee Conservation Trust and even the British Trust of Ornithology are reporting distinct drops in bee activity this summer compared to previous years, with species such as the striking Red-tailed bumblebee being one of many rare sights for 2024.

What could have caused this?

Loss of wildflower and nesting habitat, urbanisation, increasingly artificial gardens, increased monoculture, and pesticide use are among the factors that have sent pollinator numbers plummeting - with 17 species of bee becoming regionally extinct in parts of the UK since 1990.

There are in fact around 270 species of bee in the UK.

The honeybee is just one of these. There are eight common bumblebees but many more are small indistinct blackish insects likely mistaken for flies or wasps all too often.

What is different about 2024?

Despite the generally downward trend of British pollinators, this year has shown a particularly distinct drop, but why?

Changes to weather and climate is one potential factor.

This past winter was particularly mild, 1.2 degrees above average, but this was followed by harsh cold snaps, even into

March.

Many wild bees, like red-tailed bumblebees and solitary mining bees, nest underground to avoid the cold, but warmer weather can prematurely stimulate their activity.

A cold snap at this time can be fatal for any bees caught outside their nests.

Additionally, record-breaking heavy rain and subsequent flooding into spring have posed severe challenges for ground-nesting insects.

Although some bumblebees can survive short-term flooding, prolonged waterlogging is likely deadly for many.

The balance between bee activity and plant blooming is crucial.

Many are specialized to forage on specific flowers, so any climate-induced misalignment in their emergence and the blooming of their host plants can be detrimental.

To fully understand the impact of these factors on pollinators, continuous data collection is essential. But what can you do?

Pollinator monitoring initiatives, such as the Big Butterfly Count or BeeWalk surveys, are one great way to contribute.

Better yet is to create the habitat we know these pollinator warriors desperately need.

What can we do to help?

Considering the resources you have around you, can your garden or plot of land be made more bee-friendly?

Key factors to consider are nesting habitat, foraging habitat, and connectivity across our landscape.

A natural garden can look intentional

while benefiting bees. Bees need nesting places and foraging flowers close together since many do not travel far.

Ensuring your garden provides a habitat steppingstone to your neighbours greatly benefits our pollinators and other wildlife.

Instead of ground sheeting, leave bare earth to allow ground-nesting bees to create nests.

Letting some corners of grass grow longer will provide nesting spots for bumblebees like buff-tails.

Well-made bee hotels offer excellent nesting habitats for solitary bees. Bring these into a shed over winter to control temperature and protect them from birds and parasites.

Once the bees emerge in spring, clean out the tubes for use again in summer. This reduces disease spread and provides a safe place for the next generation of solitary bees.

The best habitats are filled with a variety of native and diverse species with different floral structures to accommodate all 270 species of bees in the UK.

Great species for farmland and gardens include bird’s-foot trefoil, yellow rattle, thistles, knapweeds, clovers, buttercups, daisies, ivy, and dandelions.

Experiment with wildflower seed mixes in a small area, or allow naturally occurring species to grow and flower.

If your dog likes to dig, you might be surprised by what grows from these disturbed areas if left alone.

By making these small changes, you can create a haven for bees and contribute to the conservation of these essential pollinators.

Blandford stay top after home win

by Paul Cross Blandford & Sturminster 2 Romsey Renegades 0

AFTER the previous week’s successful debut, the pressure was on to Blandford maintain the high level of performance and consolidate their grip at the top of the table.

Blandford started well with a fantastic early break. Barney drove down the right-hand side of the D. Two players were square and a simple pass would have resulted in a simple tap-in. However, buoyed by his epic run, Barney wound up for a pile-driver, unfortunately leading to a swing and a miss.

Blandford maintained their early advantage, winning the ball high up the pitch and a succession of short corners, which the team failed to convert.

This was followed by two smart saves by the keeper, with Ed missing the window to slot the ball home.

Against the run of play, Romsey broke through the press and briefly looked dangerous, before Gareth slowed the play, allowing Blandford to regain their shape and snuff out the attack.

Blandford tightened their grip, driving repeatedly down the right-hand side, before a turnover on the left led to a looped ball into the D, but the whistle blew before the team

by Gordon Hughes

SOMERSET Short Mat Bowls Association have one of the largest county memberships in the country.

The county have more than 500 players across 43 clubs and participate in the Inter County Competitions organised annually by the English Short Mat Bowls Association.

Somerset play in the Premier 2 Division and in the 2023/24 season played in regional matches home and away against

could capitalise.

Blandford’s pressure finally told when Tika drove once more down the right-hand side, crossing across the face of the goal for a simple conversion from Theo.

Rather than settle Blandford’s nerves, the goal seemed to exacerbate them.

Romsey got one on one with the keeper, with the Iron Curtain making a crucial save, before Chris Nobles blocked the rebound and scrambled the ball away.

Half-term came and with it a chance to reset. Praise and direction were shared in equal measure and seemed to have the required effect, though a “bobbly” pitch meant both teams struggled to get a grip on the game.

Blandford were the quickest to adjust and another powerful drive into the D from Barney led to a strong shot.

The keeper saved, but Barney stayed calm, controlling the rebound and calmly scooping it into the net.

Blandford kept driving forward in search of a third and came close several times.

Tika drew out the keeper before slipping the ball across the face of the goal, but Theo failed to convert.

BOWLS HOCKEY

This was followed by a

scorching through-ball from Matty which went through three players, including Theo sitting at the back post.

Despite failing to get the conclusive third goal, Blandford comfortably saw out the game,

to maintain their position at the top of the league.

If you would like to join the fun at Blandford and Sturminster Hockey, contact Paul at crossyboy82@ googlemail.com

Rockies share spoils

by Avril Lancaster Shaftesbury 2

Bashley

2 SHAFTESBURY

put in an encouraging performance and ended a recent goal drought.

Greg Peel levelled from the penalty spot in first half injury time after Luke Delaney was set up to fire the visitors ahead after 13 minutes.

Bashley were reduced to 10 men when Brett Williams was sent off for a second yellow.

After the break, substitute

Year award by county team manager, Alan Berry.

Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Andrew Pinkawa, of Milborne Port Short Mat Bowls Club, is pictured being presented with the Player of the

Andrew represented the county playing singles in all of the regional matches with outstanding results.

He was introduced to short mat bowls by chance while taking part in a sponsored “stay awake” event at King Arthur’s School, Wincanton, and participating in short mat as an activity.

Having started playing at the age of 12 with the Milborne

Remus Nixon headed the Rockies ahead.

After missing a few chances to seal the points, Bashley squared the game up when Lewis Waterfield exploited a cross field ball to chip Shane Murphy from distance.

The Rockies ended the match with 10 men when Ash Wells was sent off for a second yellow card.

The game saw many positives for Pat McManus and his team adjusting to Step 4.

Port Club, 25 years later he is still participating in club activities, Blackmore Vale League games and for the Somerset county team.

Short mat bowls is open to everyone and is usually played in village halls or sports centres.

If you would like to play, information about all the clubs and venues, contact and club night information can be found on Somerset Short Mat Bowls Association’s website, www. ssmba.co.uk.

Match action from Blandford & Sturminster v Romsey Renegades

Forwards to the fore as North Dorset shade it

by Thomas Stewart

North Dorset 25-24 Chichester

RUGBY watchers may expect a forward pack to go to town in the dank throws of winter more than on a hot sunny early autumn day, but the warm weather did not stop the rampant North Dorset front eight from securing all four of the tries against Chichester.

Chichester started the stronger of the two sides dominating possession and territory, scoring an unconverted try in the first 10 minutes through their exciting back line.

North Dorset hit back through the boot of full back Tom Stewart to make the score 5-3.

RUGBY

The home pack then set about its work, moving from scrum penalty to scrum penalty up the field before scoring the first of their three pushover tries, Henry Lunn the beneficiary of all three.

Never has a man had to do so little to score so much.

North Dorset’s fourth try was from a 5m line-out that was mauled over, scored by debutant James Kennedy.

Chichester hung in the game well and with their back line scored another couple of breakaway tries, culminating in a length of the field effort that bagged them a losing bonus

point and four try bonus point as well, which North Dorset will hope does not come back to bite them at the end of the year.

Speaking after the game, North Dorset coach, Lia Gingell, said: “The bonus points are disappointing but if we were perfect now then we’d have nothing to work on in the season. If you’d have offered us five points at home at the start of the day we’d have bitten your hand off!”

Man of the match was North Dorset tight head Lindo Mbatha for his destructive scrummaging and carrying, however, the whole pack then could have been nominated.

Hunt’s golf day raises £13,545 for food bank

HUNT’S Food Group, based in Sherborne, raised thousands of pounds for the town’s food bank through its annual charity golf day.

The event brought together customers, suppliers and supporters at Sherborne Golf Club and raised a record £13,545 for the event.

The day began with a behind the scenes tour of Hunt’s depot and ended with managing director Thomas Hunt presenting the golf day awards.

David Kemp, chair of trustees at the food bank, gave a presentation when the awards were handed out.

Mr Kemp said: “The funds raised will significantly impact the lives of those in our community who are experiencing food poverty.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to support the vital work of Sherborne Food Bank.”

WINCANTON Golf Club results.

Seniors Monthly Stableford –September 17

1 Kevin George 35

2 Colin Jacobs 33 ocb

3 Kees Schouten 33

4 John Wolstenholme 33 Seniors Back 9 Stableford –September 17 1 Pete Starkey20 ocb

Geoff Lye 20

Jon Reed 16

Medal – September 21

Steven Ireland nett 67

Nigel Orr nett 69

GOLF

David Kemp (left), from Sherborne Food Bank and Hunt’s Food Group managing director, Thomas Hunt, at the charity golf day presentation

Pets

Understanding mites in dogs

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

WE have two main mite species in the UK that live on dogs. Ear mites are also sometimes seen, particularly in puppies and kittens, but we do not see them commonly.

Demodex is a mite which lives within superficial skin layers and exists in low numbers in normal dogs. Some dogs, especially as puppies, can develop an abnormal immune response to these mites allowing them to multiply and secondary bacterial infections then develop. Affected puppies develop hair loss on their face, especially around the eyes, and bumps in the skin. Initially it is not itchy but as the bacterial infection develops affected puppies start scratching.

Diagnosis involves skin scrapes of the affected areas and examination under a microscope. Treatment involves a course of commonly used flea treatments available from your vet and antibiotics to resolve the secondary infection. In most cases this will resolve the problem.

Sarcoptic mites live in deeper

levels of the skin and, when a dog is allergic to them, it only takes one or two to set off intense itching, typically in the armpits and groin areas. Dogs will often stop while walking to scratch using a back leg. Sarcoptes lives on dogs and foxes and are often picked up on walks or from infected bedding. It is important to treat all in contact dogs because some dogs carry mites but are symptom free.

Diagnosis is less easy because you need to do “deep” skin scrapes to identify them and the small numbers often present mean they may be missed when samples are taken. A blood test is available to confirm that the dog has had contact with sarcoptes but not that it is currently infected. Treatment is the same as for demodex, although often only one or two treatments are required. Medication to stop the cycle of itching or antibiotics may also be needed if skin damage caused by scratching/ licking is significant.

Both types of mange are much less common than they used to be because regular use of veterinary available flea

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medications usually kill them before symptoms develop. Most “over the counter” flea preparations do not kill the mites.

We also see infestations with harvest mites around this time of year which are seen as small red/orange spots between toes and on ears in cats and dogs. These do not live/feed off animals but cause significant

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irritation and self-trauma from licking and scratching. There is no licensed treatment, although frontline spray applied directly on the sites affected can help. Medications may be required to stop the itching, which doesn’t normally last longer than a few weeks to a month.

If you think your pet has mites, then speak to your vet and they can advise you.

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Dogs in the UK can be affected by two main mite species

Loose lead walking

by Raychel Curson

WALKING your dog should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend. However, if your dog pulls on the lead, it can turn into a frustrating ordeal. Loose lead walking, where your dog walks beside you without pulling, is an essential skill that makes walks more pleasant and reinforces your bond. But loose lead walking isn’t just about comfort – it’s also about safety and control. A dog that pulls on the lead can be difficult to manage, especially in busy or distracting environments.

Now, before diving into the training process, it’s important to understand that loose lead walking is different from heel walking. While “heel” means the dog walks precisely at your side, loose lead walking allows your dog some freedom to sniff and explore, as long as the lead remains slack.

You will need: well-fitting Y-front harness or flat collar, 2m standard lead – or double-ended if using a front clip harness, a chosen cue – I use “with me”, clicker/marker word and rewards that your dog LOVES – high value food or a toy. It is essential that you start in a low distracting environment, in

short sessions – five-10 minutes is enough.

Here is a game I like to play:

1 Throw a treat behind you and walk away.

2 When your dog comes up to your side, click/mark and reward them.

3 Walk away again and repeat by click/marking them by your side and rewarding.

Teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead takes time and consistency. Don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away. Every dog learns at their own pace, and the more consistent you are with your training, the faster your dog will learn. Keep sessions short and fun, and always end on a positive note.

Please avoid yanking the lead or using harsh corrections. These can damage your relationship with your dog and may lead to fear or aggression.

It is important that you ensure everyone who walks your dog is on the same page with the training. Inconsistent cues or rules can confuse your dog and slow down their progress.

Remember, the goal is to create a bond built on trust and understanding, and loose lead walking is a big step in that direction. If you are having trouble, I offer loose lead walking classes and one-to-one sessions. Happy training!

n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBC-CAB FABC ABTC-CAB; owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching; email raychel@ petpeevessomerset.co.uk.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford (Formerly Blandford & Sturminster) Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

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10 years. Affectionate boy looking for a home with his

n Outside cats: We have a number of outside cats in different locations needing to be relocated. We are looking for people with stables, farms, smallholdings or gardens where a mouser is needed to help with rodent control. For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website www.cats.org.uk/blandford.

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.

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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.

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A FULL TIME MOBILE CLEANER. Vehicle provided. Must be over 25years for insurance purposes. Covering areas around Dorchester & Bridport. For further information call: 07415-178688

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BISHOPS

CAUNDLE COMMUNITY SHOP is looking for a new manager. Offering up to 24 hours weekly with significant flexibility. If you’re interested and want to know more about our shop and the opportunity to fulfil a key role at the heart of our community, contact Martin, Chair of the Committee on- Mricheos@aol.com

STONE CASTER

This role involves the manufacture of architectural masonry hand tamped into moulds. We have a small team of friendly casters at our works on the Butts Pond Estate, Sturminster Newton, many of whom have been with us for several years. Full training is given so no experience is necessary but an ability to work with your hands and a good level of fitness are required. 39 hour week 28 days holiday per year to include bank holidays and a five day shut down over the Christmas period. Company pension scheme and free parking. Starting salary £23,262 per annum with the likelihood of increase after completing a successful training period. Request an application form from team@cranbornestone.com or call 01258 472685

Yard Person - Wilton Depot

We are looking for an enthusiastic team player to join the C&O Team at Wilton. The role will cover general help and tidying around the depot, cleaning of tractors and machinery, collection and delivering of all equipment to and from customers and other depots.

Applicant must hold clean UK Driving Licence Possibility for the role to develop should should the succesful applicant wish.

To apply please visit https://www.candotractors.com/career/ Or call Karen or Paul on 01722 742 141

Recruitment

ADMIN/SECRETARY WANTED at busy family run abattior; C&S Meats, Holnest, nr Sherborne, Dorset. Part time position. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 9am-3/4pm. Must be computer literate; this is essential. Also must be confident, able to use initiative and attention to detail is most important. And able to deal with customers face to face/on the phone. Please ring 01963 210992 or email candsmeats@hotmail. co.uk

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

We are a friendly, local company established 20 years ago, based in Todber Dorset. We are looking for a DIY person to help maintain our rental properties, both residential & commercial, in and around Dorset & Wiltshire. In addition, from time to time there could be some stores cover work in our on-site warehouse during holidays and busy periods. The ideal candidate will be hard-working, enthusiastic, possess good people skills as well as demonstrating a can-do attitude. You will need to have a positive approach to problem solving any maintenance issues. This position would suit a career change person who has a good level of DIY skills needed in general property maintenance, who takes pride in their work with attention to detail.

Responsibilites will include

Performing routine maintenance tasks including but not limited to-Decorating, carpentry, installation of household appliances, some general gardening duties (Including weeding of borders, trimming of hedges) fitting shelves, hanging pictures etc. The warehouse time and cover would be spent in general warehousing, booking in and dispatching of orders received. Typical working hours are based on a 3–4 day week - 8.30am –4pm, but we can be flexible for the right person. Own vehicle is essential.

History

Flipflopi project promotes plastics message

by John Blashford-Snell

IN 1977, 400 years after west country hero Sir Francis Drake landed in Central America, I unveiled a plaque in memory of the great sea captain, on the jungle-clad coast of Costa Rica’s Osa peninsula. The long idyllic beach, fringing the turquoise ocean with its rolling surf, was a breeding ground for huge marine turtles and the swaying palms were alive with scarlet macaws uttering raucous calls.

Returning 37 years later, I was horrified to find the shimmering beach littered with rubbish, especially plastic bottles, flip flops and discarded fishing net brought in by the tumbling Pacific waves. As a result, our expedition spent a day helping local people gather up the detritus, and I wondered how it could be disposed.

In 2018 I saw a solution in Kenya. My friends, travel executive Ben Morison and Dipesh Pabari, had the brilliant idea of recycling waste plastic from Lamu’s beaches into material that could be used to make boats and provide employment for the people. A talented boat builder, Ali Skanda, took on the task of building a traditional nine-metre sailing dhow and coated the hull with colourful flip flops gathered

Colonel John Blashford-Snell CBE is a British explorer, former British Army officer and author. He founded the Scientific Exploration Society and Operation Raleigh, which later evolved into a global youth development programme

from the shore. Thus was born the Flipflopi project.

World awareness of the effects of plastic pollution on the health of fish, marine creatures and mankind is growing. The United Nations reckons we throw out 300 million tonnes of plastic annually and in 2023 brought about a global Plastic Treaty. The Kenyan government has led the way in banning single use plastic items.

Flipflopi’s first recycled plastic craft sailed to Zanzibar, urging seaside communities to curb the pollution. Later, on a voyage around Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake, the crew told villagers that 20% of the fish they ate contained microplastics that increase the risk of cancer and affect fertility.

Ali and his team have now

37 years after visiting an idyllic beach in Costa Rica, John Blashford-Snell returned to find it strewn with rubbish

built three craft, are training 30 boat builders and have 300 plastic collectors. Work has started on a 24-metre dhow to circumnavigate the world promoting the fight against plastic pollution. They are also producing furniture, and when HM King Charles visited them last year, they presented him with a grandee’s chair or throne made entirely of recycled plastic.

“Why not do a similar project in Costa Rica?” I thought, and went there to meet conservationists and the director of the Corcovado National Park. By good fortune, former Operation Raleigh adventurer Lana Wedmore had set up her famous Luna Wellness Lodge on the Park boundary and is dedicated to preserving the area, its beaches and wildlife. Furthermore, the new Raleigh International company is

running challenging courses for young people aged 17 to 24 and a charity named Operation Rich Coast is working to keep the country’s beaches clean. In San José, we found a company recycling plastic, including outdated Nicaraguan banknotes! Although not yet equipped to produce parts for boat construction, Producol SA makes planks and furniture. Thus, we plan a new expedition to use recycled plastic to repair a bridge built by a Scientific Exploration Society team in 2015 in the Corcovado park, and to give aid to indigenous villages, while carrying out wildlife studies.

Young people from Raleigh International, local conservationists and members of our society will be involved.

I trust that Sir Francis Drake would approve of this effort to preserve the scenic shores on which he landed 400 years ago.

To raise funds to assist future generations of explorers, a lecture by John Blashford-Snell and some members of the Zaire-Congo River Expedition is being given at the Royal Geographical Society, London SW7 2AR on Thursday, November 12, 2024.

Tickets are £22, available from Eventbrite.

King Charles on Nyali beach in Kenya with the recycled plastic throne

The Flipflopi boat, which aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution, is made from recycled plastic and discarded flip-flops collected from beaches and towns along the Kenyan coast

Francis Drake statue

Field & Stream

Mushrooms, blackberries and hops –

‘fruits’ of autumn

by AJ Selby

“A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” Anon AND so, it’s almost October. Not the best of summers for those of us who like the sunshine, but the grass has kept growing, a blessing for livestock farmers, and there have been no news pictures of half-filled reservoirs or hosepipe bans. It’s now over and we are in meteorological autumn, which runs from September to November, and for many it’s a favourite season.

There is much to enjoy about the slow descent from late summer to early winter with the gradual change in leaf colour, culminating in a wondrous display of reds, oranges and yellows as our trees rest for winter. Then there are the weird and wonderful shapes and sizes of our native fungi and, one hopes, with plenty of moisture in the ground, that a little October warmth could bring out a memorable display. I know many country folk who are familiar with most birds, flowers and trees but struggle with fungi outside of the handful that most people recognise.

The easiest one is the fly agaric, the red capped mushroom with white spots seen in so many children’s’ stories, albeit that it is poisonous. Then there is the giant puffball, often looking like curled up lambs if you see them in pasture until you get close enough to identify them. They can safely be sliced and fried in

butter. My favourite to eat is the shaggy ink cap, seen on waste ground, along with parasols – forest margins – and ceps –damp woodland.

A good book or even an app on a mobile phone will increase your enjoyment of a “fungus foray” as you can then identify different species and build your knowledge base. There are many fascinating fungi to see, from the tiny waxcaps to the smelly stinkhorn and the weird bracket fungi that grow on dead trees like the beefsteak and Jew’s ear – mostly found on elder. Then there are the names – the blusher, the sickener, the panther cap, the death cap and, my own favourite, the destroying angel. The advice is as always – only eat if you are totally sure of your ID and don’t take all the specimens from one patch.

It looks like a pretty good year for blackberries, and who doesn’t love an apple and blackberry crumble? These are very safe for picking – thorns aside – and even children from a young age are taught to identify them – this is a good starting point for teaching youngsters about the countryside; learn and eat. Parents can then move on to the haws from the may tree and hips from wild roses, informing their children that many tons of these bright red berries were collected during the Second World War to make rose-hip syrup to ensure children on rations – and in the absence of imported lemons and limes –got plenty of vitamin C to ward

off colds.

Then there are the “fruits” of our native deciduous trees such as beech-mast, an important source of food for foraging pigs in days past, and the wonderful sweet chestnuts that I have always enjoyed eating. There are “helicopters” from maples and ash “keys” and hazelnuts –if you are quicker to get at them than the squirrels, red stars from the spindle and, of course, the acorns from our beautiful oak trees. Get the children to pick some off the floor and plant them in pots to see what grows, and if they are very young tell them how the little folk in the woods use the acorn “holder” as a bowl or cup in their forest hideaways. There is nothing like firing up their imaginations to get them wanting to go back outside again.

Apart from blackberries there are other fruits to be enjoyed –damsons and bullaces if you are lucky, crab apples to make that sharp jelly that goes so well with game, wild plums in places and, of course, the ubiquitous

sloe for those that like infused gin. My last autumn favourite is the hop. Having spent my early years in hop country, I love the smell of a gently crushed handful of fresh hops, bright green and delicately flaked. Dry them and pop into a small Hessian bag under your pillow for a good night’s rest or, in a big kitchen, drape them along the beams.

You can grow hop plants in your garden – from seed –trailing up a hedge, for example. As long as they have sunlight and something to hold on to –they will climb for 20 feet or more – they will reward you with some lovely clusters of hops to harvest. As the year winds down, get outside, wrap up if it’s cold and learn what you can about our amazing countryside, and, more importantly, teach your children and grandchildren. They are the generation that will help to save our planet – being ecologically aware are the first steps, and where better to learn than their local surroundings.

The poisonous fly agaric, the red capped mushroom with white spots seen in so many children’s’ stories

Field & Stream

Back from holiday to a case of fly strike

by Tria Stebbing

SUDDENLY it is September, and we are off on holiday, which if you have animals is a logistical nightmare to organise. Luckily, Mathew, Chris’s son, stepped up and we were able to enjoy a few days away, confident that they were all being looked after.

On returning, we were thrown into limping sheep. Before even unpacking it became apparent they were milking the fact that we had left them, and some had taken to grazing on their elbows. The problem was with the new flock we bought in recently – they are still in quarantine in their own paddock, so easy to round up and check. We made a corale and tricked them into thinking they were about to get a bucket of cake, and like little darlings they all trotted into the trap so that we could see to them individually. The Dutch spotted dumpy girls are quite skittish and tricky to grab hold of, the Zwartbles girls on getting a whiff of sheep nuts just rolled over. Nothing much seemed wrong, some soft hooves, some trimming, some purple spray and “job’s a good ’un”. So we thought. Five days

later and one of the Dutch Spotted is still grazing on her elbows and we can clearly see she is not weight bearing on her front right. So once again we rounded them all up and tipped them over. At first it was difficult to see that anything was

wrong with her other than a slight pink spot between her toes, so she was given a quick spray. Just as she was about to be rolled back over, something moved, it caught my eye and did not look right. Maggots, small, fingernail-sized maggots

were now falling off her foot having been irritated by the spray. A few choice words followed as it became clear we had a case of fly strike. Honestly speechless as we had taken every preventative step we could, the only wild card here being that effectively these were up until a month ago someone else’s sheep. When you buy sheep, you ask the questions – when was it last treated etc and you go by the information given, and its accuracy. We treated her by dipping the affected foot in Maggot Oil, a skin preparation, dressing and fly repellent. As we had them all together again, we checked the rest of the flock and then re-treated them with preventative spot-on treatment as a belts and braces attempt to keep further cases away.

A few years ago, we lost one of the flock overnight, from no maggots to dead in 24 hours, it was truly horrific, the speed at which the maggots get hold is astonishing.

So, the holiday now seems a lifetime ago. We have decided to lamb earlier next spring, so preparations are ramping up to get the raddle out and polished off for Humphrey. Fingers crossed that we are on top of the maggots – only constant checking and being vigilant will ensure we get to the end of this mild wet and muggy spell of weather.

Trust seeks ‘orchard champions’

THE National Trust is looking for new volunteers to help care for the traditional orchards across West Dorset, including at Shedbush Farm, St Gabriel’s Farm and West Bexington. These orchards, designated as priority habitats, are home to a wide range of biodiversity, including rare and endangered species.

But they are at risk of decline and need dedicated management to conserve and enhance their wildlife value and local heritage.

The orchards feature a

variety of local heritage fruit, including those of the renowned Tidnor Collection – more than 300 traditional British cider apple trees gathered by Henry May, now recognised as the national collection of cider apples by Plant Heritage.

To preserve these valuable orchards, the National Trust in West Dorset is assembling an orchard champion team.

This team will take on the task of managing the orchard on the Golden Cap estate and other sites in West Dorset.

Responsibilities include

winter pruning, scything, fruit harvesting, and assisting with fruit pressing, juicing, bottling and equipment maintenance.

Orchard champions will also help plan and participate in community events, such as apple days and wassails.

Sophie Bull, senior volunteering and community officer for the National Trust in West Dorset, said: “This is a great role for anyone who has a love of being outdoors in all weathers, an interest in nature conservation and engaging with the public.

“We’re really looking forward to making the most of the orchard’s annual bounty with apple pressing and community events.”

A volunteer induction will be held on Thursday, October 10, with the first volunteering sessions the following week.

The initial activities will include being part of a public apple day event, scheduled for mid to late October.

For those interested in becoming an orchard champion, contact Sophie Bull at Sophie. bull@nationaltrust.org.uk

The affected sheep’s foot was treated with Maggot Oil, a skin preparation, dressing and fly repellent

Animal magic for youngsters

by Ruth Kimber

SEPTEMBER came in with thunder and lightning, then thick foggy mornings. Then rain, rain and more rain.

Is it any wonder us Brits talk about the weather!

The farm shop has been busy all summer and now we are starting to focus on winter and Christmas! We have already taken several orders for turkeys! It is 10 years since we moved the farm shop from Higher Stavordale Farm to its present location at Linley Farm on the Wincanton Racecourse Road.

This year is a first for us as we have become part of Somerset Art Weeks, with three artists exhibiting – Becky Manley Ceramics, Vanessa Fawcett Art and Debora Barnes Photography.

Talk of blue tongue in sheep and cattle, a virus brought over from mainstream Europe with midges, is a concern, but being on the west side of England, the threat is less. Movement restrictions are in place in the

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Eastern counties. However, vigilance is important.

Joe, our grandson, was beside himself with excitement when his first gilt had a litter of 10 strong healthy piglets.

The calving is now in full swing, with lots of heifer calves to enter the milking herd in a couple of years’ time.

Princess, Mabel’s heifer, has calved. She calved overnight, and when discovered, Jen woke up Mabel to go and see – great excitement! We were all pleased that all went well. Calving is always a stressful time, but when it’s a pet cow or favourite, it adds to tension.

Tom has had wildflower herbage mixes incorporated into the pastures, to assist wildlife and diversity in the cattle feed. This was done by direct drilling into the sward. Let’s hope they take – the thunder rain would have helped.

Farming has been a struggle in most sectors, due to the weather we have had over the last couple of years.

Cereal yields are lower

nationally than for many years. Food security for our nation is threatened, not only by the weather but also as more land is taken out of food production, with photovoltaic panels on good agricultural land, rewilding, building, road improvements and so on.

I think ways should be found of protecting productive agricultural land to be able to continue to feed our nation.

I have said it many times – PV panels surely belong on rooves, rewilding should be on marginal land, and improved field margins and corners given over to wildlife provision.

Building on green field sites should only happen after all

brown field sites are used up – a big incentive to developers should be given as it takes considerably more money to develop brown field sites with the clean-up work that’s involved.

Travelling around, many houses are unoccupied or little used, along with flats above businesses, shops and so on, which if pressed into use, could help with our housing stock. n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen at Kimbers, Somerset Trading Barn. Linley Farm Charlton Musgrove BA9 8HD. Phone: 01963 33177. Website, www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk; email info@kimbersfarmshop. co.uk.

Ruth Kimber’s grandson, Joe, with piglet, and Mabel with Princess and her calf

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Skips/HAIB lorry

G & A Habershon (Retiring)

Inc: JD 6320 4wd Tractor c/w JD 631 Loader with Halomec Weigher, JD 6110 2wd Tractor, Landrover 90 SWB Pick Up, 9T & 7T Webcox TA Grain Trailer c/w Silage Sides, 6½T Wheatley Tipping Trailer c/w Silage Sides, Bale Extension & Raves, Webcox Bale Trailer, 24ft Bale Trailer c/w Front Steering, Bateman 12ft Twin Axle Demountable Cattle Box, Bomford Flail Hedge Cutter, Hardi Mtd 12m Sprayer, Amazone ZA-F 804R Ferti Spin c/w Bag Hoist, Dowdeswell DP100S 4F Rev Plough, Ransome 2 Leg Sub Soiler, Howard 60” Rotovator, White H/D Cultivator, Ford Ransome Vintage Small & Spring Tine Cultivators, 6 Lap Tine Harrows, Kverneland 3m Power Harrow & Crumble Bar, Fiona Westmac 4m Drill c/w Trailer, Triple Cambridge Ring & Twose 10ft Ballast Rollers, Parmiter 16ft Hyd Chain Harrows, Claas Disco 290 Mtd Disc Mower, Kuhn GA401GM Single Rotor Rake, Twose Twin Ram Shear Grab, Cameron Gardener Silage Grab, Round Bale Squeeze, Bale Spike, GP Bucket, Albut & LE Silage Grabs, Pallet Forks, Warthog Bale Spreader, MaxScrape Yard Scrape, Briggs 2 Dirty Water Irrigator, Parmiter Post Driver, Pr Row Crop Wheels for Ford, 3x John Shephard Feed Trailers, IAE Foot Trim Crush, Gates, Feeders & Troughs, 2x Millwood Antibiotic Test Incubators, 12T GI Feed Silo on Legs, PTO 30kva Generator, Volume Washer, Teagle PTO Cement Mixer. Inc by kind permission: Vicon Greenland CB8080 Square Baler. MOORHOUSE FARM, NETHERSTREET, BROMHAM, CHIPPENHAM, SN15 2DW – TUES 1st OCTOBER 2024

Viewing from 9am morning of sale. Catalogue online inc Conditions of Sale & Payment Terms. Enquiries 01373 831010(3). www.cooperandtanner.co.uk/forthcoming-sales

ON-FARM AUCTION

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm

Bindon & Pinhay

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw

Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

• 461ac Wheat

• 237ac Winter Barley

• 132ac Oats

Friday 30th June at 12 noon Durweston

Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset 6,220 acres of Standing Straw

• 2,442ac Wheat

• 2,006ac Winter Barley

• 1,557ac Spring Barley

• 178ac Oats

• 37ac Oil Seed Rape

Friday 7th July at 12 noon Wynford Eagle

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298 acres of Standing Straw

• 599ac Wheat

• 281ac Winter Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland T7.210 (3,610hrs) & T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, 2012 JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, McConnel 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, Twose & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn VariMaster 153 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford Hawk 6m Hedgecutter, Kuhn FC313 TG Mower Conditioner, 2 x Stewart 16-21L Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc. On behalf of John Swain Limited (Retiring) Online bidding available Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817 517467

Honour for grain firm’s loyal servant of ‘39 harvests’

A LONG-SERVING employee for Cefetra Ltd has been honoured for his 39-year contribution to the business with a prestigious community award.

Grain dryer operator Roger Penny, who started his career with the company in 1985 at the age of 16, was given a lifetime achievement award at the 2024 Love Local Trust Local Awards, held to celebrate small and independent producers and businesses in Dorset and the surrounding areas.

At an awards evening held at the Members Pavilion at the Dorset County Show, Roger was presented with a plaque marking his achievement and a voucher for a meal at Plumber Manor Country House Hotel, in Sturminster Newton.

Roger began work at Wessex Grain at Henstridge Trading Estate, near Templecombe, which was later to become part of Cefetra Grain.

He joined the team running the intake, storage and outloading of grain in the company’s flat stores and the silos, a role he held for decades afterwards.

Cefetra Grain is part of Cefetra, founded in 1992, a major trader of grains and animal feed ingredients to the animal nutrition, food and drink industries.

Simon Wilcox, manager –UK Farm Grain Origination, said Cefetra Grain was pleased to see Roger’s contribution to the business recognised.

Simon said: “Soon after joining, Roger became an invaluable member of the team as the main operator of the grain dryers and has gone on to serve the company for 39 harvests.

“A popular figure, well known to all the lorry drivers and local farmers who delivered into or collected from the store, we are very grateful for his contribution and commitment to the company over so many years.”

Roger said: “I am pleased to receive this award in recognition of my work for the company.

“It means a lot for my contribution to be acknowledged as part of an event celebrating small and independent businesses.”

Grain dryer operator Roger Penny, of Cefetra Grain, won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Love Local Trust Local Awards

A productive commercial agricultural property including a farmhouse, farm cottage (by separate negotiation), an extensive array of livestock/pig housing and arable, pastureland and woodland. Freehold. CTB C&D. Will Wallis | 01305 236237

An attractive livestock and arable farm set in a beautiful part of West Dorset surrounded by steep sided valleys that support a well established and reputable sporting shoot with farmhouse and buildings. Freehold. CTB H. Whole or in up to three lots. Will Wallis | 01305 236237

Maiden Newton, Dorset

289.21 acres

Maiden Newton, Dorset 284.56 acres

AUCTION THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER AT 2:00PM AT THE GUILDHALL, AXMINSTER AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Melplash Guide £125,000

An excellent parcel of arable land extending to about 11.59 acres (4.69 ha) with pole barn, in a convenient location close to Bridport. Freehold.

Axminster | 01297 33122

Chedington Guide £195,000

A detached 2 bedroom period cottage in need of modernisation within gardens and grounds of 0.21 acres in a delightful rural setting. CTB D, Freehold.

Beaminster | 01308 863100

Woolland Guide £145,000 12.80 acres (5.18 ha) of pastureland with a 4-box stable block, tack room and stream frontage in a quiet, rural setting. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Lyme Regis Guide £200,000-£250,000 per plot

Two building plots with full planning permission for substantial detached 5 bedroom properties. Freehold.

Bridport | 01308 422092

Melplash Guide £175,000

12.94 acres of level to sloping pasture land with far reaching views over the surrounding countryside located close to the village. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Colehill, Wimborne Guide £225,000

A single building plot of 0.22 acres with full planning permission for a unique and contemporary detached dwelling. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Ashley Heath Guide £125,000

A potential development opportunity with a caravan and timber building. 0.26 acres. CTB A, Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 882103

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

AUCTION FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 AT 2:00PM AT THE DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, SHERBORNE AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Batcombe Guide £115,000 15.02 acres of pasture land with a gentle south facing slope in a very peaceful rural spot. Good access. Freehold.

Belchalwell £250,000

A 3 bedroom detached bungalow for modernisation/extension (STPP) on a generous plot in a rural location. CTB C, Freehold..

Winterborne Houghton Guide £400,000

43.01 acres (17.40 ha) of south-east facing arable chalk downland. Private water supply and 2 road access points. Freehold.

Shaftesbury Guide £95,000

A charming 1 bedroom property forming part of a Grade II* Listed building, ideal as a investment or bolthole. CTB A, Leasehold and 50% share of freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Tarrant Gunville Guide £225,000-£250,000

An attractive detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought-after village within Cranborne Chase. CTB D, Freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Witchampton Guide £475,000 A pair of semi-detached cottages in this much favoured village with scope for re-development (subject to PP/ consent) in 0.23 acres. CTBs D and C, Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244 Verwood Guide £125,000 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the local plan. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Gillingham Guide £550,000 A vacant former food factory totalling 20,268sqft with parking and servicing in a prime location close to the station. RV: £80,500, Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190 Henstridge Guide £495,000 A substantial 4 bedroom detached bungalow with multiple outbuildings with potential for re- development (STPP). CTB E. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

This 4 bedroom Dan-Wood turn-key house offers spacious and lightfilled accommodation. The property boasts a sought-after location, with close proximity to amenities and ample parking. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

A charming 3 double bedroom, detached cottage, situated in a rural location, with outbuildings and a field. In all 1.2 acres.. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

A detached house in a large south-facing garden plot of 0.66 acres offering tremendous scope to update and situated in a peaceful, enviable position in the village at the end of a no through lane. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

positioned bungalow, with scope to improve, situated within generous gardens and driveway. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne

Iwerne Minster Guide £700,000

Langham

£295,000 Situated in a rural location, this 3 bedroom semi detached home has a pleasant garden and off road parking for several vehicles. Freehold.

Hinton St Mary Guide: £550,000 A wonderfully

East Pulham

UK Removals

All

Storage

24-hour to long term contracts, our advanced containerised system makes storage simple.

European Removals

Our friendly team will help guide you through the process from beginning to end.

Country House Moves

Armishaws provide the highest levels of customer service, tailored to your move.

UNLOCKING HOLIDAY HOME POTENTIAL

My name is Lee and as a resident of this beautiful county, I take great pride in helping holiday homeowners in Dorset and Somerset transform their properties into profitable holiday lets.

Whether you’re struggling with an existing property or considering your first holiday let, I offer personalised advice and strategies to boost your income.

I represent two of the UK’s biggest holiday letting agencies: Cottages.com and Hoeseasons.

Extensive marketing campaigns bring a high volume of holidaymakers to our websites, ensuring yearround bookings for your property. Last year, our site achieved over one-and-a-half million bookings. Here are a few of my top tips to ensure your property stands out in a competitive market:

1. Invest in Comfort: Never compromise on beds, linens, and towels. A good night’s sleep is crucial and can make or break a holiday.

2. Partner with Professionals: Working with an agent can streamline bookings, ensuring guests are well taken care of and providing you with a hassle-free experience.

3. Prioritise Cleanliness: Guests should be greeted by the fresh scent of a clean home.

4. Adequate Seating for ALL: Ensure there are enough seats in all shared and outdoor areas for all guests.

5. Think like a guest: Anticipate needs like umbrellas, picnic baskets, torches for those late-night dog walks. Small details show you care and enhance the guest experience.

As a local expert, I have lots more tips on how to help attract guests. I’m here to help you every step of the way. Please contact me directly if you would like to book in a visit or would like to discuss further.

Embrace Autumn with your new home at Jubilee Green

Jubilee Green is an exclusive collection of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes on the banks of the River Stour in rural Dorset

Each home blends traditional charm with modern luxury, featuring spacious interiors and high-spec finishes. Enjoy a peaceful life in the picturesque village of Charlton Marshall, just minutes from the amenities of Blandford Forum and Wimborne.

New properties available now.

- Fri: 9am - 5pm

10am - 4pm

Morrish_Jubilee

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and

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

Council backs new affordable homes

ALMOST 50 affordable homes for first-time buyers have been developed in Dorset as part of three housing schemes.

The homes are part of developments in east and south Dorset, providing 19 homes for first-time buyers and key workers in Verwood, nine affordable homes in Portland as part of a Community Land Trust (CLT) project, and 18 social rent flats in Weymouth.

Dorset Council helped develop the schemes with several partnerships to support home ownership and affordable homes for local people.

In Verwood, the council worked alongside Pennyfarthing

Homes, the first housebuilder to provide First Homes in the council area.

The homes are sold at 30% of their full market value, with the discount being passed on to future buyers when the property is sold on again.

In Portland, Dorset Council provided a Community Housing grant for the first Community Land Trust scheme in the area.

Middlemarch Communityled Housing supported Portland CLT, with East Borough Housing Trust (part of the Aster Group) managing the development, built by Koori Limited, who also provided the land.

For the Weymouth scheme, Dorset Council worked with the housing association, Sovereign Network Group, (SNG) and the developer Acheson, to provide social rent homes on a redeveloped brownfield site in the town.

BRITISH EUROPEAN

AWARD WINNING PASTORAL CARE

THINGS

THAT MAKE A CANFORD EDUCATION

OUTSTANDING

THE SUNDAY TIMES

PARENT POWER

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2024

TOP CO-ED INDEPENDENT SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR A LEVEL PERFORMANCE IN THE SOUTH WEST

FOSTERING TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

FULL BOARDING ENVIRONMENT

TEACHING EXCELLENCE

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

DEVELOPING HEARTS AND MINDS

SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

INSPIRATIONAL SETTING

A STRONG, SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

No.1 co-educational independent boarding and day school* across Dorset and Somerset for A Level and GCSE Results 2024

*source: The Times independent school A Level and GCSE results tables

“ Stand out academics come as standard, alongside exceptional facilities in a glorious setting and the top-notch staff who make it all happen. ”

Scholarships offered at Year 9 and Sixth Form entry Means-tested Bursaries available worth up to 100% of fees