The New Blackmore Vale Issue 79 (29.09.2023)

Newton was bathed in sunshine for the Riverside Family Festival

Take a stroll around Sutton Waldron with Chris Slade

Social supermarket seeks new premises

Vale Pantry unveils ambitious plan to move and expand – and launches £85,000 fundraiser

THE Vale Pantry – a charity helping hundreds of families in need each year – has revealed details of an ambitious plan to expand.

The group, which provides food and support to families across Dorset, has unveiled a bid to move from its current premises, in Market Place, Sturminster Newton, to a unit on the Butts Pond Industrial Estate.

Founder, Carole Jones, said the idea was in response to the growing needs of the pantry – which is currently helping more than 370 families.

Speaking about the current premises, she said: “There’s no room to have a quiet conversation, deal with a crisis situation, to sort something out on a one-to-one basis – it’s just really difficult.”

The ambitious plans include a raft of new support services and facilities.

A toddler play area, cafe-style offering and a cookery education area could all be developed, opening six days a week.

“We will build a cookery education area where we can do some hands-on

cookery for adults and some children’s cookery workshops,” Carole said.

“We will then have a cafe-style area where our families can sit down, talk, and get the help they need, or for those who are socially anxious, or isolated, to just sit and chat.

“We think that’s quite exciting.”

The new venue would also see the charity open a breakfast club, offering food to young people on their way to school, and a homework corner for those on their way home in the afternoon.

Carole said she has been on a ‘fundraising mission’ to make the plans a reality, and has urged the community to get behind the scheme – which will cost around £85,000.

“Those are our plans, our hopes, our dreams,” she said. “It’s what the community needs. 370-plus families (we are helping), we are literally at breaking point here.”

Now, Carole and the Vale Pantry team are keen to hear from anyone who can help with their fundraising effort.

For more information – and to get in touch regarding donations – log on to www.valepantry.co.uk

You can also find the Vale Pantry on Facebook at facebook.com/ TheValePantry

Vale Pantry founder Carole Jones aims to raise £85,000 fund expansion plans

Natural wonders

Our cover photographer Ben Pulletz has just launched a calendar for 2024 featuring beautiful images of the Somerset countryside

PHOTOGRAPHER and conservationist Ben Pulletz already has 50 international awards under his belt – and he’s only 21 years old!

“I’ve always had a love for the natural world since a young age,” explains Ben. “I used to go on nature walks down on the Somerset Levels when I was about 10 years old. I would take the odd sunset picture on my phone and iPad because I loved the colours in ‘golden hour’. When I left college I didn’t really know what to do. But I turned to nature and continued taking photos of sunsets, because that’s what I have always loved.

“I bought my first digital SLR camera around five years ago. It was very basic, but it did the job and took a reasonable photo!”

Ben’s photographs have won awards in competitions all over the world, and he has translated some of his favourite images into cards, prints and a calendar – all available via his website www. feathersandhills.com.

“My first accolade was winning the Siena International Photo Awards,” says Ben. “It was of a buzzard at dusk taken a stone’s throw from where I live. The light was beginning to fade but as the sun was setting the clouds were getting more dramatic with flames of light glowing across the sky. The light to dark transition is a big part of my photography – I love it!”

You can see Ben’s passion for this magical hour of photography in his photo of two hares at sunset, entitled The Two Lovers

(below). Your NBVM asked Ben for some top tips for getting the best out of photo opportunities in nature:

“To get a good photo you first need good knowledge of your local area,” explains Ben. “Once you know what nature is close at hand, you’ll know where exactly to sit. If you know where the animal/ bird will emerge from, you can think about the composition and where the light will be for sunset or sunrise.

“Anticipate, concentrate and think quickly so you can make the most of an opportunity when it’s in front of you.

“For example, if you had a deer in front of you – let’s say in an open field – that’s quite boring. But if you lie down to get low perspective on the deer, manually focusing through the undergrowth and leaves, you’ll get a more interesting picture.

“Photograph through a gap in the hedge to avoid being seen by the deer. Hedges this time of year have good colours and are full of berries so can give you some good

Award winners

Trustees and residents of an almshouse in the Vale are celebrating after their second award in as many years

AN almshouse in Zeals has been recognised with the garden and peoples award from the Almshouse Association.

It’s the second year running that the Chafyn Grove Almshouse has picked up the prestigious award, which is given in recognition of its beautiful gardens.

There are 33,000 almshouses in the Association, so to receive this award two years running is a real achievement, and testament to the huge dedication and hard work of the trustees and the residents.

Chair of Chafyn Grove

Almshouse Lyndi d’Ambrumenil thanked everyone for their hard work. “The garden is so pretty and benefits greatly from the green fingers of some of the residents,” she said. “It is also teeming with lots of wild birds and has a wonderful community feel.”

A celebration tea was held for the residents and their friends in the gardens.

Treasure talks

FINDS liaison officer Ciorstaidh HaywardTrevarthen will be talking about treasure and the portable antiquities scheme on Wednesday, October 4, 7.30pm at the Bow Room, The Exchange (DT10 1FH). Tickets costs £5 on the door (£4 for members of the Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust).

The bells, the bells!

Pictures and text by George Jeans ST Michael’s church, in Mere, opened its doors to curious parishioners eager to find out more about its fascinating history.

They enjoyed guided tours and trips up the tower to see the church’s antique chimes.

When the church clock had no face, the time was broadcast by these chimes, which have been renovated. Winding a handle pulls up a weight, which causes a set of small hammers to play a tune on the edges of the large bells.

Family Law Advice

Family Law Advice

‘Limited operations’ to continue at town

Wincanton depot

Wincanton Plc says ‘limited operations’ will continue in town after closure claim

HAULAGE firm Wincanton Plc says it will retain ‘limited operations’ in the town – after a union claimed it was closing its last facility.

Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Numbers of any administrative staff remaining at the Hawkers Bridge depot have not been confirmed.

A Wincanton spokesperson said: “Our contract with Müller is continuing as normal until the end of September.

“While operations with Müller will then cease, limited operations at the depot in the town of Wincanton will continue.

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

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

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

Offices in Shaftesbury – Sturminster Newton – Gillingham

Age Concer n North Dorset

(Sturminster Newton)

Your local charity for all age-related information and advice

Befriending Welfare Advice

Telephone Support Foot Clinic

Balance Classes

01258 475582

& Wednesday. Answerphone Friday

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

The company currently has a depot at Hawkers Bridge, but a major contract with dairy giant Müller is set to end at the end of September, meaning staff are being transferred to a new employer.

The move prompted the Unite union to claim it meant ‘the closure of the existing Wincanton depot’.

However, Wincanton Plc has told your New Blackmore Vale it will be retaining ‘limited operations’ in the town – though did not specifically detail what that entailed.

The company did say the Hawkers Bridge site would currently remain a Wincanton Plc facility.

It is understood limited administrative facilities that remained in Wincanton –dealing with the Müller contract – are being wound down as the contract ends, with other duties already being carried out at the firm’s headquarters, in

“All colleagues working on the contract will be transferred via TUPE to Müller, and we are supporting them fully throughout this process.”

TUPE is the process of transferring staff to a new employer – in this case, Müller.

Müller confirmed it is taking over collection logistics currently handled by Wincanton Plc and that it was working towards a ‘seamless transition’ in coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Müller Milk & Ingredients said: “To ensure we maintain industry leading service levels to our customers and dairy farmers, more than 90% of (our) logistics requirement is provided through our own network, with the remainder outsourced to trusted third party providers.”

The Wincanton depot at Hawkers Bridge

Interesting history

HISTORIAN Professor James G Clark of Exeter University will give a talk on the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century at Shaftesbury Town Hall later this month.

He will be delivering the Teulon Porter Memorial Lecture on behalf of Shaftesbury & District Historical Society on Tuesday, October 3, at 7.30pm.

The talk is open to anyone interested and seats can be reserved via enquiries@ goldhillmuseum.org.uk.

Entry is free to society members and otherwise is £5 at the door.

Trio on trial for hunting with dogs

THREE men are due to appear in court charged with hunting with dogs.

Marcus Boundy, 21, of Kennelmans House, Exford, Somerset; Thomas Michael Lyle, 33, of Walnut Avnue, Bryanston, and 63-year-old Mark Anthony Pearson, of Chisel House, Little Hanford, Child Okeford, are due at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on October 31.

All three deny a charge of hunting a wild animal with a dog at land near Hod Hill, Shaston Road, Stourpaine, on September 15 last year.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges in July.

Support for singers

Society is offering money and training to young choral singers

PROMISING singers aged 16 to 21 are being invited to apply for bursaries newly launched by Durweston Choral Society.

The society is seeking to encourage choral singing among young people and youngsters considering singing as a career.

The bursary includes free choir membership, opportunities to sing solo at the society’s concerts and tuition from some of Dorset’s leading singing

teachers and vocal coaches.

Meanwhile, the choir is working towards a concert on Saturday, December 2, featuring Brahms’ Songs of Love (Liebeslieder Op.52).

Rehearsals are held every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm with a 20-minute tea/coffee break.

The choir will also be giving a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, March 23, next year.

For more information about joining the choir or the bursary scheme email John Graham at jgedcf@talktalk.net or phone 07860 645073.

Grants available from community foundation

Fund now open for applications from charities and volunteers across the Blackmore Vale

CHARITIES and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £4,000 from the Wessex Water Foundation Community Fund, via the Dorset Community Foundation (DCF).

Support is available to voluntary groups and charities working to improve the lives of people living in their communities.

The Wessex Water Foundation Community Fund has provided grants of at least £500,000 a year to projects across the Wessex Water region since 2020.

The community fund, which is open for applications from September 25 until midday on October 23, is designed to fund work supporting people most in need to build stronger, more resilient communities. This could include support for people in financial difficulty or who lack access to services, and work taking place in areas of multiple deprivation or rural isolation.

It can also fund projects helping people manage or avoid debt and provide education in money management and household budgeting skills. This could include raising awareness and take up of utility affordability support, such as the Wessex Water schemes, among those who need it most.

Last year the fund awarded more than £38,000 to 15 groups across Dorset. Among the recipients was the Blackmore Vale branch of Home Start, which received £2,400 to fund support for more than 70 families with children under five.

DCF chief executive Grant Robson thanked Wessex Water for its continuing support. “Thanks to Wessex Water’s generous support we have been able to help grass roots groups across the county deliver vital support to their communities for a fourth year,” he said. “We know there is some amazing work going on in our communities and we are so pleased this fund is there to support it.”

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply at www. dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.

A walk around…

Sutton Waldron

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

SUTTON Waldron is a narrow parish stretching east – west and split by the main road the A350, which heads north from Blandford to Shaftesbury. This walk is in the half of the parish to the west of the main road because there are no recorded public rights of way to the east. There are some lovely wide views to behold.

Start by visiting the inspiring church. Then head north up the street to a T-junction where you turn left and head north west for half a mile, passing Brookway Farm and crossing the Fontmell Brook. When you reach another T-junction at Vale Farm, turn left and head south for a quarter of a mile until you find a footpath on

Friends reunited

OLD boys and girls of two Sherborne schools that closed more than 30 years ago are gearing up for their annual reunion.

Former pupils of Fosters and Lord Digbys Schools are set to gather at The Grange, in Oborne, on Saturday, October 14.

Chair of the Old Fosterians, Phillip Dolbear, said the gatherings had become a joint event, with year groups represented from the last operating year of the schools, to those attending as early as the 1940s.

“Many memories and anecdotes will be shared including chilly dips in the open-air boys’ school swimming pool and how Lord Digbys (Sherborne House) appeared before the trees were felled,” he added.

“This year’s Reunion will also be held in special memory of Derek Stansfield, who has recently passed away.

“He was a long-standing and well-respected music teacher, as well as Sherborne Abbey choirmaster for many years.”

Mr Dolbear also noted how people can enjoy more nostalgia at Sherborne Museum.

“For those visiting Sherborne at any time of year, the museum now holds a fascinating collection of School documents, artefacts, memorabilia and photographs and can provide a very nostalgic trip through the ages,” he said.

This year’s joint reunion and lunch will get underway at 11.30am. Visitors don’t have to be members of any groups, just an ex-pupil of either school.

your left.

Join the footpath and head eastwards along it. At first it descends to cross the Fontmell Brook and then goes uphill. Approaching the peak the footpath joins a bridleway which takes you down to the village street. Continue eastwards through the village until you reach the main road.

Turn left, north, for a short distance until, close to a bus stop, you’ll find a footpath on your left. This takes you north west crossing small fields and a tributary of the Fontmell Brook to meet a T junction with another footpath. Turn left and head south west, then south to meet the road. Turn left and head south east back to the village and your car.

Alumni of Fosters and Lord Digbys Schools in Sherborne are set to gather in October

A warm welcome

The Exchange will be open to all for the Big Stur Welcome

THE Exchange at Sturminster Newton will be opening its doors to allcomers for an event designed to showcase its wonderful facilities on Thursday, October 5.

The Exchange attracts both acts and audiences from far and wide, with a variety of shows planned over the forthcoming months.

But The Exchange is much more than just an entertainment venue. It is the heart of Sturminster Newton. It plays a vital role for so many groups, providing space for gatherings, talks and fundraising events.

More than 35 local groups, charities and organisations regularly meet at The Exchange, with many more using the facilities occasionally.

The Big Stur Welcome on Thursday, October 5, from 1pm-7pm (admission free) is your chance to see what The Exchange offers the community.

“Come along and join us to discover – or be reminded of – the rich and vibrant community we live in,” said a spokesperson.

Not widely known, is that The Exchange is a charity, receiving no external funding, and relying heavily on volunteer help and support.

Platinum Award-Winning Care 2022

We have been awarded this much sought after accolade for our work with Gold Standards Framework

Representatives from The Exchange will be on hand at The Big Stur Welcome to provide further information about the volunteer opportunities available.

“The Exchange is an inviting, friendly place and if you can spare a few hours, whether regularly or occasionally, helping in the café or in the bar on show night, the reception desk / box office or by getting more involved and becoming a trustee, we’d love to hear from you,” said a spokesperson.

Alternatively, contact a member of staff on 01258 475137, email volunteers@sturexchange. co.uk or just pop in for a chat! Find out more at www.stur-exchange.co.uk

A good read

YOUR NBVM’s very own Loose Canon, Eric Woods, has – in conjunction with master printer Roderic Findlay of East Street Press at Bridport –produced a slim volume of a selection of his regular columns.

It is available through local churches for just £3, with all profits going to the churches concerned.

Comfort & elegance

Current resident

“Your staff are exemplary in every way. They care for my every need, showing genuine kindness and always go above and beyond the call of duty. The excellent chef caters for my special diet - all cooked to perfection. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Loyal staff

Stunning views

Stour Hall, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (www.stur-exchange.co.uk)

Crime fighters

Advice for the over-60s to help tackle crime in the home and online is invaluable

FOVANT’S FILGroup’s first meeting following the summer break saw Mick from the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust joining the ladies to talk about the charity.

Mick, himself a retired policeman, explained how the charity works in partnership with Wiltshire Police, and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. It provides a free service for the over 60s to help prevent house and cyber crime. The charity aims to reduce the incidence of burglary and repeat victimisation, as well as the levels of domestic fire incidents.

Since computer crime became one of the fastest growing crimes targeting the over 60s, the Trust has also introduced Stay Safe Online coordinators who give valuable information to the older generation, helping them improve their awareness of online security and teaching them to identify potential risks.

The ladies would like to extend their sincere thanks to “Mr. Bobby Van” for providing such an interesting talk on a subject of much concern to all. Wiltshire is lucky to have such a worthwhile charity.

FILGroup meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in Fovant village hall. The next meeting is on October 12, when Maureen Hinton will be demonstrating autumn-themed flower arrangements. For more info email filgroup15@gmail.com

On October 14, the hotly anticipated jumble sale will take place at Fovant village hall from 11am. Arrive early to pick up a bargain!

What’s in a name?

HOW does a name like ‘Sixpenny Handley’ or ‘Ryme Intrinseca’ come about and what can the name tell us about the history of a place?

If you have you ever wondered about the origins and meanings behind some of the weird and wonderful place names in Dorset, ponder no more – an event at the Dorset History Centre will reveal all!

The English Place Names Society has recently completed its fifth and final volume for Dorset, a monumental effort that has taken academics nearly 40 years to complete.

The survey is grounded in the collection of an enormous amount of evidence and linguistic expertise, providing explanations for the origin of many thousands of place names around the county, including villages, woods, towns, lanes, fields and even modern street names.

On Saturday, October 14, at 2pm in the Dorset History Centre (Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP) there will be two short talks on this endlessly entertaining topic.

Beautiful and historic Dorset maps from the county’s archive collections will also be on display and delicious refreshments will be provided.

Tickets cost £8, and should be booked online at www. eventbrite.com/o/dorset-history-centre-71333562893.

A303 delay fears

COMPLETION of a multimillion pound project to dual the A303 between the Sparkford roundabout and Ilchester will be delayed – potentially for months – it is understood.

Your New Blackmore Vale understands poor weather and other factors have seen the project, which was initially proposed to open to traffic in spring 2024, slip behind target.

However, this newspaper understands the scheme could be delayed for months –possibly until the end of next year.

National Highways has not confirmed any delays, saying it has made ‘good progress’ on the scheme, ‘despite very challenging weather through July and August’.

“We are working hard to upgrade the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester, which is a vital scheme for the South West and Somerset,” a spokesperson said.

“We have made good progress through the summer despite very challenging weather through July and August.

“We will provide an update on opening as soon as possible.”

But a source close to the project, who did not wish to be identified, said: “The weather has meant certain things can’t be done and that has set it back.

“I don’t think it can be done before the end of 2024, so the delay will be around nine months, I think.”

Your NBV also understands an update on progress will be made by National Highways in the coming weeks.

The scheme, set to cost between £100 million and £250 million, will see major changes on a three-mile stretch of the A303 between the Hazelgrove Roundabout at Sparkford and Podimore, near Ilchester.

The single-carriageway stretch will be ‘dualled’, as well as the major route altered to bypass the Hazelgrove Roundabout.

60 bed frames available

On an average day, the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester carries 23,500 vehicles, but numbers increase significantly in the summer, particularly at weekends.

Drivers have already faced speed limits on the affected route, down to 30mph in some places, since work began back in October 2021.

Happy memories

Friends and family paid tribute to historian who documented vast amounts local history

by Nicci Brown

FAMILY, friends and colleagues of the late Dr Michael Le Bas gathered in the Victorian Garden of the Blandford Town Museum to witness the unveiling of a memorial bench for the man who had, over 40 years,

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

Advertisement feature

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

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

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

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

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

The main thing to remember with a trust is that because you do not own the assets held in the trust in your own name, a charge cannot be placed upon the home.

Chris Tennant Oakwood Wills.

Pictured left to right in front of the new bench are Mayor of Blandford Hugo Mieville and the sons of Michael Le Bas, Philip, Tim and Chris

contributed a vast amount of research into the history of the town.

Dr Le Bas was in 2019 made a Freeman of the town in recognition of his work for the local community. Blandford Town Council commissioned the bench for the site in the garden of the museum to which he was a curator and researcher for many years.

Town Mayor Cllr Hugo Mieville cut the ribbon during the ceremony attended by Michael’s three sons and other family members.

Dr Le Bas moved to Blandford from Leicester in 1980s with his wife Pam, who died in 2010, and both became key members of the museum establishment, she as an archivist and he as its curator.

The museum’s emeritus

curator Peter Andrews recalled how he had first met Michael in the 1970s when they were both working in Africa.

On hearing that Mr Andrews had moved to Blandford, Dr Le Bas asked him to take on the job so that he could continue his research.

Shared reading

DO you enjoy a good story? Would you like to discover poetry without the need to read ahead?

Shaftesbury Library’s shared reading group meets fortnightly on a Thursday, from 1.45pm3.15pm, until October 19. Sessions are free, but booking is essential. Call the library (Bell Street, SP7 8AE) on 01747 852256 to find out more and secure your place.

Christmas at Stourhead 2023: Tickets on sale

LARGER-than-life illuminations are set to wow visitors to Stourhead once again this year on the venue’s glittering Christmas light trail.

The National Trust-owned Palladian house and garden is preparing to welcome visitors once again - with a new displayopen between December 1 and 31.

Organisers are promsing a magical meander through the unique gardens, with the displays 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 for 2023 so those people whom we welcomed to the trail last year can enjoy a different experience which will mesmerise families, friends and loved ones.”

The new show includes a Sea of Light stretching into the distance, larger-than-life crystals suspended in trees, and Liquid Lake, which fills the air with all the colours of the rainbow.

“Allow yourself to be transported into a winter wonderland and catch a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way,” a spokesperson said.

“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 perfectly festive spiced winter warmer, hot chocolate or toasted marshmallow and share it with someone special.”

The after-dark trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible for everyone to enjoy.

For more details, and to book your choice of date and time, log on to christmasatstourhead.co.uk.

A magical, after-dark illuminated trail

1–31 DECEMBER

TICKETS FROM £15

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Fibre fanatics

Try your hand at weaving, spinning and dying at the Dorset Guild’s annual open day.

BETWEEN 10.30am and 3pm, on Saturday, September 30, at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Sunninghill Preparatory School, Culliford Road, Dorchester, DT1 1QG, the Dorset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers invite you to ‘come and have a go’ at its annual open day.

Try your hand at spinning, weaving (both tapestry and loom), dying and felting or just watch the experts at work!

There will be hand-crafted items for sale, and refreshments including delicious homemade cakes available throughout the day.

The Guild holds regular monthly meetings on the last Saturday of the month. Subscription is £20 for the year. There’s an extensive library of books and DVDs available to borrow, and equipment to hire for a small weekly fee.

Admission to the open day is free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Home is where the heart is

CHAFFERS Estate Agents revealed the results of its art competition based on the theme of home, part of this year’s Sturminster Newton Art Week.

“We were thrilled with the response and the quality of the children’s interpretations,” said a spokesperson. “There were many detailed and thoughtful entries to judge. One of the prize winners drew a beautiful picture of her dog, who sadly passed away last year and she

based her drawing on him as he ‘made her house feel like a home’.”

The children (and their parents) were happy to have some artistic activities to occupy themselves during some of the wet and windy days that we experienced in July! Special congratulations to Evie, Charlotte, Alex, Max, Maya and Eddie for their beautiful contributions and all the talented young artist who took part.

Blinds, Shutters, Awnings, and so much more.

As we leave summer behind us and head into Autumn we concentrate on Shutters & Blinds to reduce energy costs and protect you from the UV rays. We o er a wide range of Blinds suited to both UV protection and thermal insulation. An example of one type of blind that achieves this is the Honeycomb style pleated blinds which trap the air in each pocket considerably decreasing the heat loss through your windows. Shutters are proven to reduce heat loss; they free up space around the window and are stylish and elegant whilst allowing you total control of the light and privacy. Both are proven to reduce energy costs and keep energy costs down. We do Blinds, Shutters, Awnings and so much more….

Call us on 07879 992000 www.lizziepriceshadingsolutions.co.uk

Covering Somerset, Dorset & Wiltshire

Visit our website www.lizziepriceshadingsolutions.co.uk for the full range or give us a call 07879 992000 for a free no obligation home visit and quotation. Based in North Cadbury we cover Somerset, Dorset & Wiltshire.

Hospital friends celebrate 75 years

Society, founded in 1948, has improved countless patients’ experiences and outcomes

by Nicci Brown

THE Friends of Blandford Community Hospital are this year celebrating their first 75 years as one of the first “League of Hospital Friends” to be formed in the country following the formation of the National Health Service in July 1948.

A summer garden party was held in Durweston Village Hall in August for all their volunteers.

On Saturday, November 11, a 75th anniversary dinner and dance will be held in the Crown Hotel, Blandford, for which tickets at £30 a head are now on sale from the Friends office.

The League of Friends was formed to support Blandford Cottage Hospital at a public meeting held at 7pm on Tuesday, November 23, 1948 in the Town Hall and was chaired by The Viscount Portman.

Colonel Carrington Sykes, who was

living at Nordon, was elected Honorary Secretary, and the first challenge was to provide extras for the hospital and patients over the forthcoming Christmas. A target to raise £25 to £30 for the project was set, and was achieved.

Membership of the League of Friends for Blandford Cottage Hospital was also set at a minimum subscription of one shilling per annum – this has now risen to a minimum of £5, with new members always welcome!

The hospital, originally founded in 1889 as a small five-bed establishment in a converted house in Salisbury Street through public subscription and the generosity of the Portman family, relocated two years later to the purpose-built cottage hospital on the present site in Milldown Road.

Extensions and additions to facilities over the years included the building of a modern and well-equipped community

hospital, and HRH Princess Anne attended the official opening in 1986, and again for its 20th anniversary in 2006.

Most recently the Friends have donated £300,000 for improvements in the physiotherapy unit and £65,000 for an OCT scanner for the ophthalmic service.

Through the Geoffrey Swain Memorial Awards, those who work at or from the hospital are assisted to attend conferences, training sessions and seminars. The Friends also offer assistance – transport to appointments, social trips and shopping – to patients in the community, and maintain two fund-raising hospital shops, one in Sturminster Newton and one in Blandford.

We’re Not Just a Farm Shop, We’re a Destination Shop

The Udder Farm Shop is offering far more than just a ‘quick stop’ farm shop as it continues to grow into a local destination.

Spreading out from the award-winning farm shop is a spacious and attractive coffee shop and restaurant with a newly launched menu and late night opening on a Friday.

Whether you want a cup of tea with a delicious brunch using

locally sourced food, or would prefer a cocktail whilst settling in for a themed evening or quiz night (see Facebook for upcoming events), there is much to attract the local foodie through the doors. The restaurant is available for private hire during 2024. Of course, the farm shop is well known with a large shopping area providing a fully stocked butchery with beef from the Udder Farm

itself, and other meats from local farmers. The deli, just adjacent to the butchery lures customers in with home-made pies, frittatas, and an increasing number of delicious cheeses. With cheese in your shopping basket, the wine section is well worth a browse, offering a thirst-quenching array of local and national wines for every taste. With hampers, toys and Christmas food selections, you can do your entire Christmas shop here whether looking for gifts, or ordering your Christmas meats. Meat orders for Christmas are being taken at The Udder Farm and Holebrook’s (in Sturminster Newton) from early October. Holbrook’s offers some of the delights of The Udder Farm Shop on Sturminster High Street and is well worth a visit and your loyalty card can be used in both The Udder Farm Shop and Holebrook’s. With a new building and car parking to the back of the farm

shop, there is now a brand new beauty salon, J Bee Beauty, owned by Jane, wife of The Udder Farm Shop farmer Brian. Alongside a well established hairdresser (Hare and Wild Hairdressing Collective) and fitness centre (Fitness by Design), there is now a resident nutritionist, Cecilia Miles welcoming new clients too. If that’s not enough to lure you in, you can return to a sparkling clean car, with an onsite car wash!

Mission to Mongolia

A group of intrepid explorers has recently returned from a scientific and charitable trip to study wildlife and archaeology

By John Blashford-Snell CBE

FOUR years ago the New Blackmore Vale Magazine kindly publicised an expedition I had planned to the Khan Khentii area of eastern Mongolia. Alas, the pandemic and more recently the Ukrainian war forced us to postpone the venture.

However, at the end of June it finally took place with a team of 26 intrepid individuals from six nations, including artist Emma Burton of Blandford Forum, Daniel Matthews of Wincanton and Dr David Arathoon of Somerton. The project was supported by the Scientific Exploration Society and moved in vehicles and on horseback.

Our tasks involved studies of the wild Przewalski horses, and in co-operation with the National University archaeological, botanical and zoological research. At the same time, we gave medical and dental support to the local people.

In the Hustai National Park we counted more than 40 Przewalski horses, all in a good condition and many of the mares with healthy foals. We also saw 74

marmots – known to carry the flea that is host to bubonic plague – and our camera traps recorded many red deer and a number of wolves.

Box traps and cameras helped us to study smaller mammals including ground squirrels, Siberian chipmunks, red fox and, of special interest to me, tundra vole and hamsters – I remember my daughter’s pet one that escaped and ate through our electric cables at home!

David Arathoon was especially keen on the ornithology and rare birds including swan geese, Baikal teal, pochards, horned grebe, bearded and cinereous vultures, many species of crane, northern lapwing and both bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits were recorded.

The botanists studied medicinal plants, whose spread has been affected by unfavourable weather and the growth of livestock. We catalogued more than 100 species of plants and recorded their spread. Dried specimens were brought back for further study at the university.

L to R from opposite page: Daniel Matthews of Wincanton; John Blashford Snell; Emma Burton of Blandford Forum; Dr David Arathoon of Somerton

British and Mongolian archaeologists studied Bronze Age tombs and ‘deer stones’, decorated with extraordinary carvings. Rock art depicting men and animals, including rhinoceros, were found and an ancient stone slab showed carvings of inhabitants dancing and a man engaged in sex! Two rare, green-coloured stone tools were also discovered. Much of the work was filmed and two drones were widely used. A film of the expedition is expected to be produced in the autumn.

Our medical team gave much-appreciated advice to the local people and our dentist carried out 52 extractions and gave fluoride treatment to 27 patients, as well as carrying out oral cancer screening. Wool finger puppets made by a group of ladies in southern Dorset were given to children who had teeth removed. As usual, some said ‘please take out my tooth, I want a puppet’.

We had two casualties in our team, one broke ribs when falling from his horse and another injured her wrist on a tumble when on a zoological quest. Thanks to excellent treatment by our doctors they are now home and recovering.

Unusually heavy rain made the cross-country journeys challenging, and our vehicles had to be pulled out of mud on several occasions. At one flooded river the drivers of our support

trucks, old Russian Army four-tonners, decided to avoid a damaged bridge and fearlessly drove into the torrent. Both got stuck in water four-feet deep and the engines died. However, a local horseman rode into the river carrying a rope to them and with this we pulled their winch cables to the bank, from which our four-wheel drive cars could haul them out.

We also attended a local Naadam festival where colourful horse racing, wrestling and archery were practised in an annual ceremony.

In between some spectacular thunderstorms that swept across the open steppes, we held our traditional Burn’s Supper –regardless of the date – and downed Stahly’s haggis from Scotland and a few drams in the moonlight.

It proved to be a most successful expedition well enjoyed by our international team and appreciated by our Mongolian hosts, led by Prof Terbish of Great Genghis Expeditions, Ulaan Baatar. John Blashford-Snell is a former British Army officer, explorer and author who founded Operation Raleigh and the Scientific Exploration Society. Signed copies of his recent book, ‘From Utmost East to Utmost West’, are priced £19, including UK postage. Contact jenny@ ses-explore.org for further details. John will also be lecturing on his expedition in the new year.

Carnival capers coin in the cash

Residents and staff enjoyed a day of carnival-themed entertainment and

raised money for local charity

GENEROUS care home residents and staff opened their garden to support a charity that helps people in Dorset who face social isolation.

Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton staged a carnival-style day of outdoor fun and activities to help the Friends of Stour Connect, a day centre in the town. Visitors including charity volunteers joined residents in games such as hoopla, hover archery and splat the rat.

There was a tombola, lucky dip, photobooth and stalls selling a range of gifts and produce.

And circus entertainment was prominent thanks to performances by stilt walker and fire breather Paul Flinders. Guests were invited to take in the theatrics as they enjoyed cream teas and home-made cakes prepared specially by Colten Care’s catering team.

Resident Rita Clay said: “It was a really enjoyable day and nice to see so many people from the local community join us.”

Fellow resident Sylvia Livsey said: “It’s such a wonderful charity and it was lovely to welcome the volunteers into our home.”

The event raised more than £170 for the Friends of Stour Connect which has been Newstone House’s main charity to

support over the past two years.

In that time, several hundred pounds has been raised through events and initiatives at the Colten Care home.

Karlene Horswill, Newstone House Companionship team leader, said: “Our residents love the opportunity to spend time with family, friends and community visitors at events like this and the carnival theme was perfect.”

Friends of Stour Connect is a group that aims to improve facilities and access at the Stour Connect day centre in Sturminster Newton.

The charity was founded to help tackle rural and social isolation affecting the elderly, the physically disabled and those with learning difficulties.

For more information on Friends of Stour Connect, visit www. friendsofstourconnect.

SECRET SUNDAY LUNCH

October 22nd - £55pp

THE ROYAL MINT AT LLANTRISANT INC LUNCH 28th Oct - £75pp

CHATSWORTH HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS & XMAS MARKETS

Sat 4th November – Monday 6th November – From £319/£379 pp

TURKEY & TINSEL TORQUAY

Mon 13th – Fri 17th November – From £435pp

SECRET SUNDAY LUNCH 26th November - £55pp

SECRET 3 COURSE XMAS LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday 5th December - £79pp

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Sunday 10th December - Tuesday 12th December- From £375/£425pp

XMAS AT KEW ROYL BOT GDNS Sat 16th Dec - £79

CHRISTMAS CRUISE ON “LADY OF LEE VALLEY”

INCLUDES 3 COURSE XMAS LUNCH, CAROLS, CRACKERS

18th December - £89pp NEW TRIP

CHRISTMAS IN LYNTON – VALLEY OF THE ROCKS HOTEL

Sat 23rd Dec – Weds 27th Dec – From £650 - £730pp

NEW YEAR IN TORQUAY – TORBAY HOTEL

Sat 30th Dec 23 – Tues 2nd Jan 24 - From £450 - £500pp

NEW YEAR 2024

SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIAL- 3 COURSE LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT TORQUAY 21st January - £79pp

*BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL TATTOO

Sunday 11th Feb £89pp NEW TRIP

SNOWDONIA – CELTIC ROYAL HOTEL

Sat 3rd Aug – Wed 7th Aug From £655 - £710pp

Our loose Canon

A reminder of the importance of an overlooked Christian festival…

by Canon Eric Woods

TODAY, Friday, September 29, is celebrated in the Christian calendar as the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. But it’s a pound to a penny that few Christians will remember that, or do anything about it – which is a shame.

Ironically, Michaelmas is still observed in the secular world as a Quarter Day for the termination of leases and payment of rents. It also survives in the law courts, and in some universities and schools, as the name of the autumn term. Yet its position in the Christian year looks precarious. I hope the Church will always retain the Feast of Michael and Gabriel and Raphael and the whole heavenly host, not as an historical oddity or a concession to a fairy story, but as a profession of an essential part of our faith: an insistence on the reality of the spiritual world, a festival which underlines the inadequacy of a view of the universe that makes no room for God. Without God and the things of the spirit, human beings alone become the measure of all things. We each become the centre of our own circumference and the limit of our horizons; the walls of our life have no pictures and no windows, but only mirrors. Robbed of anything above and beyond and outside of ourselves, we are condemned to remain locked into ourselves, into ‘self’. And is that not one description of hell, to be absorbed and obsessed by self, and nothing but yourself, for ever and ever?

Michaelmas reminds us that we are created for more than this

two-dimensional living; that we are spiritual beings too; that there is a constant traffic between heaven and earth. The heavenly country is all around us, we are already its citizens. It is our home.

Michaelmas is a glorious testimony to our stake in eternity. But it teaches us, too, some vital lessons in the conduct of our life on earth. Here there is warning against the deadly sin of pride, the sin which brought some of the angels down in disaster from the heights of heaven, and which can still plunge men and women into the abyss of separation from the love of God.

Michaelmas also throws down a thrilling challenge to wage spiritual warfare in high places and low. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. They did not sit quietly in a corner of the heavenly places, having a committee meeting, perhaps, or keeping themselves to themselves while the powers of evil raged unrebuked. The mystery of that war in heaven may for the time being defeat our human understanding. But one thing is clear: that self-same war continues on earth, and the Church in every place must be in the front line of the battle against evil and injustice, the battle for the souls of all men and women. Michaelmas is a time to remember that the Church is failing in its duty when it is not fighting against evil in all its forms, both stark and subtle, both obvious and obscure.

Superb kitchens designed and installed for you. Visit our showrooms to view our kitchen displays.

Shaftesbury: 01747 851 476

Longmead Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury SP7 8PL

Warminster: 01985 219 200

5-6 George Street, Warminster BA12 8QA

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

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

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

Conservatories, Solid Roofs, Bi-Folds, Sealed Units, Windows,

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

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

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

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

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

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

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

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

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

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

Telephone 01747 826888

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

Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

www.valecraft.co.uk

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

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Telephone 01747 826888

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

www.valecraft.co.uk

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

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

Telephone 01747 826888

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

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Tel: 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

www.valecraft.co.uk

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Fun in the sun

From posh pooches to excellent ices, family festival was a big hit HUNDREDS of people turned out in perfect weather for the Riverside Family Fest in Sturminster Newton, raising hundreds of pounds for charity. More than 800 people

FASHIONS & LINGERIE

New Season Arrivals

attended the event which raised £600 for Children with Cancer UK and £200 for both The Vale Pantry and The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project.

One of the organisers, Ruth Caldwell, said: “The bands were amazing. The Twerzels came the furthest, all the way from Portsmouth.

with their owners in tow to enjoy the dog show and rosettes were on parade at the festival afterwards.

“Children and parents had great fun at the circus workshop, making gypsy flowers, the bouncy castle, fun run, and Punch & Judy.

“There was something for everyone – we even had a massage tent!”

The festival supported local

started up again and was seeking new recruits, was also invited.

One of the highlights was the tug-of-war – four teams made up of members of the public and traders challenged Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club.

Sturminster’s very own rock band, The Replicas, provided the music in the evening for revellers to enjoy.

The festival would like to

Contemporary or traditional kitchens manufactured to order

Gillingham Showroom

01747 833 789

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

Opening Hours

Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm by appointment only. Closed Saturday & Sunday. www.solsticekitchens.co.uk

The value of volunteers

People who give their time to help others at a community centre were treated to a summer garden party with dinner and drinks

THE Balsam Centre in Wincanton, which works to reduce social and health inequalities, has celebrated the work of volunteers at a garden party.

Staff and volunteers gathered in the

centre’s garden over drinks and pizza, and were entertained by Shaftesbury singing duo Belle Street.

Volunteer co-ordinator Andrew Pattie said: “Volunteers bring so much to The Balsam Centre, in every way and every day, from cooking for our Chat Café to supporting people with dementia.

“We are so appreciative of this fantastic group – we thought it was about time we reminded them how much they are valued.”

Tim Stroud, recently voted the centre’s volunteer of the year, said the rewards run both ways: “When the people you help tell you about the difference you’ve made to them, you feel as though you’ve done something worthwhile.

“It’s giving something back to the community and enjoying what you’re doing at the same time.”

Anyone is welcome to get in touch with the centre to find out about volunteering opportunities in and around Wincanton, whether they have an hour, a month or several hours a week to spare.

Tim Stroud, whose volunteering activities include helping with the Chat Café and leading the centre’s Long Health Walks, said: “Everybody’s got hidden skills, whether it’s communication, listening, practical skills – there are loads of things you can contribute towards.”

To find out more about volunteering opportunities at The Balsam Centre, contact volunteer co-ordinator Andrew Pattie at andrewpattie@balsamcentre.org.uk Alternatively, drop in at the centre for an informal chat.

Left: Tim Stroud, recently awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at The Balsam Centre; Top: Volunteers and staff mingle at the recent garden party

Mere Woman Loses 3 And A Half Stone And Is Set To Help Others Locally

Sally from Mere joined Slimming World for the 2nd time in 2021 after going through chemotherapy, she had put on 4 and a half stone and was struggling. She was struggling with going through treatment and feeling unhappy in herself, feeling like a failure after trying to lose weight at home Sally realised it was time to go to a group.

Sally felt nervous walking through the door to Sallys Gillingham group it once she was inside the group were lovely and friendly and she felt at home.

Sally says “weighing in and losing 3 pounds and was great especially while I was tucking into my favourite foods like steak, jacket potato and it suited everyone at home too being family friendly meals” “I can also enjoy a gin and tonic too without feeling guilty.”

Sally with help from the group learnt how to adapt and enjoy her lifestyle and still lose weight, activity is something Sally has always

enjoyed from walking to Zumba, she now runs her own Zumba group and loves it, being active helps Sally through any stressful times and loves taking that time to focus on herself. Recently Sally took part in the Salisbury race for life with fellow members of her own group and had a brilliant time raising lots of money for cancer research. Now having lost 3 and a half stone and feeling amazing, feeling great in smaller clothes and finding activity much easier Sally is opening her own group in Mere lecture halls from Monday 9th October 7.30pm.

All your lighting needs under one roof…

Poole Lighting is one of the UK’s leading supplier of domestic lighting. Designed with passion in the UK and ethically sourced throughout the world, you will find our products in the UK’s best high street and internet retailers. Typically, our product is retailed by our customers using their own

brands but we also have over 75 years of experience with our own specialist lighting brands of Endon, Interiors 1900 and Saxby. 28 years ago we opened The Factory Shop in the middle of beautiful Poole in Dorset. We are proud to bring you fantastic end of line products that are no longer available on the high

street at incredibly low prices. We are open 6 days a week Sunday to Friday and you can also visit us online WWW.POOLELIGHTING

FACTORYSHOP.COM where you can buy direct with confidence and as well as your statutory rights all of our product is guaranteed by us from 12 months plus.

Good luck!

AMELIA Persson has won a place in the final of Miss Teen Great Britain 2023 as Miss Junior Teen Blackmore Vale.

“This is such an amazing opportunity for me,” said Amelia, from East Stour. “It has already given me so much confidence and I think that even getting through to the finals is an achievement.”

The grand final takes place on Saturday, October 14, and requires contestants to take part in a range of events and activities including modelling and public speaking.

Good luck Amelia!

Autumn activities

Follow a family-friendly trail through beautiful woodland

THE National Trust team at Kingston Lacy, Dorset, have unveiled an artfully signposted new trail through the grounds.

To mark the start of autumn, a series of specially commissioned wooden panels have been installed along a trail that weaves through some of the most photogenic areas of the garden.

Created in conjunction with talented local artist Tamsin Quin, the panels help children discover what creatures live in the woodlands – there are riddles to solve along the way, exploring which animals are looking for food and which preparing for hibernation.

The trail takes visitors through some of the most iconic parts of the National Trust property, including the Japanese garden where more than 40 varieties of acer are starting to colour up.

It’s just one part of the autumn programme at Kingston Lacy, where you can also help with the apple harvest in the Kitchen Garden on September 30 and

October 3, or see a new apple press in action on October 20 and 21.

You can pick up a free trail map at visitor reception (admission applies).

There will be more activities for families during October half term from 23 to 27 October, when you can snuggle up for a story in the woodland hideaway, or head for the craft tent to create a paper wreath to take home.

Visit the Kingston Lacy website (www. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingstonlacy) for more information.

Rais Viva

Chesneys Beaumont

Dru Maestro 60 Tall

Onyx Avanti

National Trust/Tamsin Quin

Community combats climate change

Environmental action groups joined forces to make positive steps towards reducing climate impact on a local level

THE first community-led Dorset COP, uniting the local community in urgent action to combat climate change, was held on Saturday, September 9, at Dorchester’s historic Corn Exchange.

The carbon-neutral event hosted a variety of workshops and keynote speakers, welcoming visitors from across the county.

Three of Dorset’s leading climate action groups – Zero Carbon Dorset, Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) and Sustainable Dorset – jointly organised this pioneering event.

Jenny Morisetti, the Chair of Sustainable Dorset commented: “The event was a huge success with over 100 businesses and organisations in attendance. It was gratifying to see so many people from our county coming together to support the fight against climate change and work towards a greener Dorset.”

A series of talks, workshops and discussions took place throughout the day. The event was opened by Laura Baldwin, environmental campaigner and former Olympian. Other keynote speakers included

founder of Future Earth, Catherine Allinson, Alice Favre, the Custodian of the Alice Favre Chettle Estate, Alex Moore, Assistant Head Teacher of Shaftesbury School, Sara Arnold, Founder of Fashion Act Now, two of the first Youth Tedex speakers, Olivia Bowditch and Henrietta Love, Prof. Rick Stafford, Marine Biologist from Bournemouth University, and Bob Ward from Grantham Research Institute & London School of Economics as well as a surprise comment from Bournemouth East MP, Tobias Ellwood, the only MP from Dorset to attend the event.

Attendee, Kim Creswell, said: “There were loads of powerful, inspiring addresses, some extremely moving, some hard to hear, some very positive. There was an excellent mix of environmental campaigners from all spheres, from UN policy advisors to grass roots street protesters – every single person is of value to the most important issue of climate and biodiversity breakdown.”

The day closed with discussions over the powerful declaration of intent to mirror those issued at the international COPs. The proposed ‘Dorchester Declaration’ was to be a commitment to act, advocate, and lobby for action on climate change and the environment across the county. The Declaration however was not completed on the day as not everyone agreed with the

Silver screen

Contemporary dance, but not how you might know it, comes to a village near you

DESERT Island Flicks, billed as something between a sketch show, dance performance, night

wording, most noticeably young climate activist, Louis McKechnie, who during his address to the assembly said that he would not put his name to something that did not demand immediate action.

Giles Watts, a coordinator with Dorset Climate Action Network commented: “COPs have traditionally found it difficult to find a wording to official texts which are universally agreed - and the Dorset COP was no exception. Nevertheless, there were some good suggestions as to how the text could be improved in the future and many people were still prepared to sign it.

“Combined with the Declaration, everyone was encouraged to make a pledge to do something personal to act over the coming year. Many of these were very powerful and will be shared around the network as part of the longer-term legacy of the conference.”

Co-founder of Zero Carbon Dorset, Dr Neil Smith, commented: “We’ve been overwhelmed with positive feedback following Saturday’s event and are extremely pleased with how the day went.

We now need to make sure this conference has a long-term impact for Dorset and will work hard to make sure the power of so many people and organisations remains focussed on delivering a greener and cleaner Dorset.”

at the movies and an epic game of charades, is coming to Yetminster Jubilee Hall.

Spiltmilk Dance’s show shines a spotlight on life lessons learnt from the big screen, all set to a soundtrack.

Desert Island Flicks, a blockbuster, adventure and rom-com rolled into one, sees two leading ladies reimagine, remake and spoof 90 of the most memorable movie moments of all time, taking on all the lead roles, stunts and special effects.

The show celebrates how iconic characters and thrilling plot twists have captured imaginations the world over, bringing people together to laugh, cry and cheer along in a room full of strangers.

Desert Island Flicks blends spoken word, intricate choreography and belly laughs to speak to audiences not usually familiar with contemporary dance.

The show originally toured in 2019 and has visited more than 50 venues nationwide to date.

Spiltmilk Dance head to Yetminster Jubilee Hall – phone 01935 873546 – on Saturday, October 7, and Winfrith village hall – phone 01305 853783 – on Sunday, October 8.

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

Organ recital

THE assistant director of music at Salisbury Cathedral will help celebrate 200 years since the installation of an organ at St Peter’s Church in Dorchester with a recital on Monday, October 9.

John Challenger’s performance will be introduced by the eminent historian Max Hebditch CBE FSA and a glass of wine will follow.

The performance begins at 7pm and tickets – £12 including wine – are available online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/whatson/dorchester/st-peterschurch/organ-200/e-rzrmpo

Coombe House School ‘improving’

A TROUBLED SEN school has shown improvement, according to inspectors.

Coombe House School, in Donhead St Mary, near Shaftesbury, was inspected by Ofsted in June.

It has been rated as ‘requires improvement’, though inspectors found new leaders have “significantly improved the school in a short time”.

The inspectors said: “Since the last inspection, the proprietor has considerably strengthened the leadership of the school and the arrangements for governance.

“Leaders have the confidence of staff, parents and pupils.”

Safeguarding was found to be effective with inspectors it “underpins every aspect of school life”.

However, the report said the school’s curriculum was “not sufficiently rigorous”.

“In some subjects and classes, pupils gain knowledge incrementally, following a well-designed sequence of learning, but this is not consistent,” it added.

“The work given to pupils does not help

them to secure necessary foundational knowledge reliably.

“Leaders should ensure that the curriculum helps pupils to build and remember useful knowledge so that they are able to do more in the future.”

It said a “small minority of pupils” do not “engage with the curriculum as well as they should”.

But headteacher, Darren Harte, sad he has been pleased with the progress made by the school since his recent appointment.

“I have been very pleased by the manner

New Head at the Helm at Hanford

Hanford School has burst into life again with the start of a new academic year and there is a new Head, as well as lots of new girls, to welcome. Mrs Hilary Phillips joins Hanford from Benenden School, where she was Head of Lower School, and has been busy getting to know all the girls and ensuring the first weekend back at school was full to bursting with fun and activities.

All the girls have been busy settling in and getting started with lessons, but there has been plenty of time for fun too. Some of our youngest pupils have had fun exploring the grounds as ‘mini beast’ hunters during Science and re-writing their

Form Charter, imagining what it might be like if there weren’t any school rules at all. The first weekend of term was busy with lots of girls boarding. There was plenty of splashing and swimming in the pool, a delicious BBQ, fun and games on the lawn and tree climbing lessons of course. Mrs Phillips said of her first week at Hanford, “As a newcomer, I still see Hanford through ‘new eyes’ - the beautiful grounds and setting, the happiness and carefree attitude of the girls, the dedication of our teachers and the huge array of adventures and experiences that are part of a normal day for the girls at Hanford. To say I feel lucky would be an understatement. I look forward to showing our wonderful school to prospective parents at our Open Morning on Saturday 14th October; Hanford really has to be seen to be believed. The kind of education we are able to offer our pupils is increasingly rare in our busy, pressurised world.”

Hanford’s next Open Morning is on Saturday 14th October, to book a place please contact Karen on 01258 860219 or admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk.

in which the school community has pulled together to ensure it develops a culture of continuous improvement,” he said.

“This report reflects the hard work of the team and pupils, who rightly deserve the positive comments within.

“Although inspectors agreed that there is more to do, the feedback from our pupils and their families was humbling and shows we are on the right path.”

Overall, inspectors judged ‘behaviour and attitudes’, ‘personal development’ and ‘leadership and management’ as good, but rated ‘quality of education’ as requiring improvement.

Coombe House - run by the Dorset Council-owned Dorset Centre of Excellence - opened in May last year, but was closed shortly after due to a ‘bumpy start’.

Intended to be the authority’s flagship SEN school, it re-opened soon after, with a reduced number of pupils.

To see the full Ofsted report, log on to https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/ provider/27/149019.

Saturday

JUMBLE SALE

Saturday 30th September

Okeford Fitzpaine village hall. 2.30pm-4pm. In aid of little hands toddler group

AVON VALLEY CONCERTS presents Craig Ogden, guitar, 13th October at 19.30, Trinity Centre, Ringwood. Adults £18.

GUSSAGE ST ANDREW CHURCH DT11 8DL

Celebration of harvest and traditions. In Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts

Thursday October 12 / 7.00 for 7.30. £10 / Refreshments. Contact : 07787 554418

SIXPENNY HANDLEY CRAFT FAIR & TEAS

Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Saturday 30 September 10am1pm, FREE entry

Crafts / Children’s activities / Homemade cakes

Information: 6dhandleyhall@ gmail.com

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SCHOOL READERS VOLUNTEER? Find out what it involves at Shaftesbury Library on Tuesday 3rd October. Call 01747 852 256

FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER WE ARE HOLDING A HARVEST SUPPER at St John’s Church, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury

6.30 for 7pm £12 per person. Shepherds Pie with vegetarian option pudding, soft drinks, coffee/tea and local entertainment to book contact Jean Parker 07485 580472 or jeanparker965@gmail.com numbers needed beforehand please. Bring your own wine/ beer if you wish. Pay at the door

JUMBLE SALE

11am Saturday 14th October. Sovant Village Hall SP3 5JT. Entry 20p

HANDEL IN WARDOUR

CHAPEL. Glorious concert by Cherubim Chorus & Orchestra with outstanding soloists. 6pm Sunday 22 October. £18-32. http://cherubimtrust.org/tkts Booking advisable.

LYN’S BINGO AT MARNHULL ROYAL BRITISH LEGION on Monday 2nd October Eye’s down at 7pm. Book

AN EVENING OF MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE SONGBIRDS

(formerly the Stalbridge Singers)

Friday 6 October 7:30 pm at Lydlinch Church DT10 2JA

Doors Open at 7pm . Tickets £10 including wine and light refreshments. Advance tickets available from Williams Florist Stalbridge or the Emporium Sturminster Newton

We look forward to welcoming you!

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

• Lower Stour Benefice:

Sunday, October 1: 10.45am –Together Communion at All Saints, Langton Long with Archdeacon of Sherborne.

Sunday, October 8: 9.30am –Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am – Harvest Communion at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am – Family Harvest at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton.

Sunday, October 15: 9.30am –Harvest Communion at St John The Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 9.30am – Family Harvest at St Mary The Virgin Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am –Morning Worship at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am – Family Harvest at All Saints, Tarrant Keyneston. Sunday, October 22: 9.30am – Communion at St Mary The Virgin Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am –Morning worship/Baptism at St John The Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 11am –Communion/Baptism at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am –BCP Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton.

Sunday, October 29: 10.45am – Communion at St Mary The Virgin Church, Charlton Marshall. Monday, October 30: 6.30pm – All Souls service at St John Baptist The Church, Spetisbury.

Coffee and cake – Spetisbury

10am-11.30am first and third Monday each month; coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am-11.30am, October 19; coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday. Benefice of St Bartholomew:

Harvest celebrations – Sunday, October 1, 11am, family service and lunch, St John’s, Charlton; Saturday October 7, 9.30am, family service, St Leonard’s, Semley; Saturday October 7, 11am, family service and shared lunch, St Mary’s, East Knoyle. For further information phone Kate the Rector on 01747 830174.

• Sherborne Abbey concerts: The London Welsh Male Voice Choir perform on Saturday, September 30.

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

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

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

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

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

WEST CAMEL INDEPENDENT METHODISTS

Meeting at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. Sunday services in October (please note varying service times).

1st 4pm – United “Sunday @ Four” with tea. 8th 5pm. – Harvest Thanksgiving 15th and 22nd 4pm – Afternoon service. 29th. 3pm.–United service. Contact: 01935 850838 or Geoff.mead@yahoo.com

Book online: blackmorevale.net

Email: adverts@blackmorevale.net

org.uk or phone 07817 379006.

• 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.

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

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

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

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

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

• St John’s (CofE) Church, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury: Sunday, October 8 – Harvest Festival at 11.15am. Well known harvest hymns. Unlike previous times, the church now collects non-perishable goods for Open House in Shaftesbury. Goods can be left in the church

during the preceding week. Sunday, October 15 – What is an Antique? An illustrated talk by Matthew Lacey, senior valuer at Lawrence’s, at 2.30pm. Matthew will illustrate his talk with items brought along by members of the audience. To assist the selection of items email a brief description to jo.churchill@ enmoregreen.co.uk Tickets £10 including tea and cakes. To book a seat(s) send a cheque made out to the Friends of St John’s to 6 Long Cross, Shaftesbury SP7 8QP or pay at the door. Service every Sunday at 11.15am; parish communion on the first Sunday of the month; prayer services every other Sunday.

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

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

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

Sherborne Abbey: A shop volunteer is needed on Wednesday 10.30am-1pm. Anyone interested can call into the shop and ask for manager Phil Prout or email shop@ sherborneabbey.com.

• Sherborne Community Larder: Held in the grounds of St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Close DT9 4DU every Friday 9.30-10.30am. The Larder is run by volunteers and facilitated by FareShare. It functions through membership and is aimed at helping people make their money go further by reducing their shopping bills. Membership does not exceed £5 a week and in return members receive at least three times that value in food and sundries. To sign up visit on a Friday or request a form from FSSouthern Central@fareshare.org.uk

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

Arts & Entertainment

Birthday bash becomes a battlefield

STURMINSTER Newton Amateur Dramatics Society (SNADS), formed in 1930, is one of the town’s most energetic groups.

Its first production was Dick Whittington and since then most of its pantomimes have been penned and directed by local writers.

In 1967, SNADS moved into its then new home, Sturminster Hall, and for the first time had a permanent stage on which to perform two plays and a pantomime annually.

It has had occasional touring productions and festival entries, and even performed in Guys Marsh Prison, Shaftesbury.

Now under chairman John Skinner, it has a large and enthusiastic membership, starting from 13 years and up, and aims to create hours of entertainment for all via its professional-sized stage within The Exchange.

For SNADS’ autumn production, award-winning director Toby Greenfield has chosen the hit West End play Rabbit, written by Nina Raine.

The story follows 29-year-old Bella on her birthday. Friends and former lovers meet for a drink to celebrate. But as the Bloody Marys flow, the bar becomes a battlefield.

In the uncivil war between the sexes, what happens when the females have the real fire-power – stockpiles of testosterone, lethal wit and explosive attitude?

And what happens when patriarchy gets personal – when it’s your own father who is tragic and terminal? When the only man you really love is dying?

The play has relatable, comedic characters and heartbreaking scenes.

Rabbit runs from Thursday to Saturday, October 19-21, and tickets are available from The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, on 01258 475137 and at www.sturexchange.co.uk/

Folk with European flavour

FIRELIGHT Trio play European folk music that is evocative, inventive and endlessly exciting.

The Scottish group (left) have over 25 years of experience as professional musicians in bands including Moishe’s Bagel and Gavin Marwick’s Journeyman.

Firelight Trio, combining Phil Alexander’s accordion, Gavin Marwick’s fiddle and Ruth Morris’s Swedish

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

SOLD OUT

nyckelharpa, weave a rich tapestry of lively Swedish polskas and Scottish reels, lilting French waltzes, toe-tapping klezmer, dazzling original tunes and more.

The band are in Buckland Newton –phone 01300 345455 – on Saturday, October 7 – and Drimpton – phone 07771 554601 – on Sunday, October 8.

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

SOLD OUT

TOYAH & ROBERT’S SUNDAY LUNCH 2023 ROCK PARTY TOUR

PROJECT PLAY PRESENTS A VICAR OF DIBLEY CHRISTMAS

Culture in a time of war

FARCICAL black comedy doesn’t get much darker than the American classic Arsenic and Old Lace, but Dorchester Drama’s adaptation of the play is a dead cert to brighten up a dismal November evening.

The play, written by Joseph Kesselring, and best known for the screwball 1944 film starring Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane and Peter Lorre, tells the story of spinsters Abby and Martha, their nephews Teddy and Mortimer, and the latter’s love for the aunts’ neighbour Elaine.

But behind this sweet facade, all is not as it seems. The aunts have an unusual way of ‘helping’ the neighbourhood’s elderly gentlemen, Teddy is trying to dig the Panama Canal in the cellar and the arrival of the third manic nephew Jonathan throws everything into disarray.

The play, written in 1939, is set in Brooklyn and is littered with references to the archetypal ‘cutesy’ American lifestyle promoted at the time.

Director Ollie Hickey said: “It is certainly a play of its time, which is why I think it will be such an interesting experience for today’s audiences.

“There are the 40s-style anachronisms but also the classic family dramas and disputes we are all too familiar with.”

He added: “Black comedy, slapstick, horror and humour, the play has it all.

“The character of Johnathan is very much a silhouette of the famously imposing Boris Karloff, and his aunts – while appearing as sweet old ladies – definitely have dubious morals and are a wonderfully dark play on the saccharine

image of American apple-pie grandmas.

“We have a terrific cast, made up of local talent taken from existing Dorchester Drama members as well as performers who appeared in Dorchester’s community play Spinning The Moon, staged earlier this year.

“There is also a terrific team behind the scenes who are working hard to create a fabulous set with atmospheric lighting and sounds to complete the production.”

Arsenic and Old Lace is at Dorchester Arts, Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester on Friday, November 24, at 7.30pm, and on Saturday, November 25, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 from the box office on 01305 266926 or online at www. dorchesterarts.org.uk.

Blackest of comedies Picture of country life

THIS award-winning picture of Dorset hedgelayer Russell Woodham is on show as part of an exhibition at The Gallery at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester.

The large oil painting by Toby Wiggins was exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London in May and won the prestigious Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture and the Gold Medal for 2023.

Toby, who was born in Swanage and still lives and works there, came to paint the picture after spotting a well laid

hedge near where he lives and made contact with Russell via Instagram.

Toby said: “It is an important painting of a rural subject and links to significant issues facing our countryside; it is a continuation of my interest in representing the unheard and

unseen country people – a tiny, but vital minority within the current rural population.

“It presents a part of our heritage and a rural skill that few know much about, but because of its huge value in preserving landscape and biodiversity it is becoming of vital importance once again.

“I hope that I have captured this ancient skill while it is on the rise and honoured this particular man at his work.”

Arbor: A Month of Trees runs Tuesday to Saturday until Thursday, October 28, from 10am-5pm and entry is free.

MEMBERS of Kyiv City Ballet will be discussing culture in a time of war when they visit Shaftesbury and Gillingham.

The company’s director, Ivan Kozlov, and artistic director Ekaterina Kozlova will be attending the events fresh from performances at Sadler’s Wells.

The events, held ‘in the round’, will discuss the place of creativity – especially in dance – during a time of war.

Ivan and Ekaterina have maintained their ballet company despite the challenges of being displaced.

The events are free to attend, with donations on the night, but booking is essential via www. shaftesburyrefugeegroup.org

The event in Shaftesbury, chaired by Amber Harrison, co-founder of FOLDE bookshop, is in the Assembly Room, Grosvenor Hotel, on Wednesday, October 4.

Fanny Charles, of Fine Times Recorder, will chair the event in Gillingham at the town hall on Thursday, October 5.

THE Child Okeford Art Trail 2023, held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, was a great success.

Some 21 artists across four venues attracted a record number of visitors.

Many works were sold and visitors went away happy having seen – and purchased – unique pieces of work by local artists and makers.

In 2024 the art trail will return from Friday to Monday, August 23-26.

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

DEADLINES

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

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

‘Train companies plan staffing cuts’

IF you’re a user of our local railway network, the chances are you’ll have utilised the services of a train station ticket office. Since the Victorian era, ticket offices have been a defining feature of our railways, enabling passengers to get the cheapest fare for their journey. But the future of staffing at stations is under threat. This is a view I echoed to the Rail Minister at a Westminster Hall debate on the proposed changes, which I led two weeks ago.

The groundswell of opinion stems from a recent consultation – led by Transport Focus on behalf of train operators –which sought to collate views on the proposals to move staff out of ticket offices and onto station platforms and concourses to support better face-to-face interactions, with the potential to close ticket offices in a number of locations.

As a concept, I believe that moving staff from being solely

behind the ticket office window to be more visibly present on the station to be directly helping passengers – whether it is with purchasing tickets or helping on and off the train – is good thing. And it is, in principle, an initiative that I support.

However, behind this disingenuous proposal lies the

train operators’ real motivation – to slash ticket office staffing hours. This is manifest in my West Dorset constituency, where the local operator –South Western Railway – don’t plan to just move staff from the ticket office to the station, they plan to cut overall staffing hours by about 50% at Sherborne and Dorchester South Sherborne stations.

The proposals will disproportionally impact the elderly, disabled, those with mobility issues and those residents living in rural areas. In addition, many elderly residents have no access to digital technology and have no wish to succumb to digitisation, and want to be served or helped by a human – not a machine.

What’s more, the proposals compound years of terrible service by South Western Railway (SWR) for residents in West Dorset. Slashing the staffing hours is just one of a

number of piecemeal measures taken by the train operator over the years. We have had prolonged periods of time where we have been completely cut off from connections to London Waterloo, the onboard catering facility has been totally removed on all trains operated by SWR and passengers are frequently dumped at stations with no onward connections. Our stations are home to some of the most experienced and knowledgeable staff working on our railways. In a cost-of-living crisis, it is only right that passengers are able to access the cheapest fares, and a member of staff can provide this service at a station. In my debate, I urged the Rail Minister veto the proposals made by SWR and other train companies, which will slash station staffing presence. The debate showed very clearly that Parliament does not want this to happen either.

‘Housing plans are falling short’

I MADE a mistake! Not a phrase you hear often in politics.

Dorset Council has not released a housing strategy.

Back in August, I used my column to urge readers to engage with the ‘Dorset Housing Consultation’. But mistakenly referred to the consultation document as a strategy, and this led the unitary authority’s housing strategy lead to write in to the New Blackmore Vale to clarify.

So, what is Dorset Council’s record on housing? In 2020 the new unitary authority set out its plan to ‘deliver affordable, suitable and decent housing’ to make Dorset a ‘great place to live.’

The main vehicle open to councils to achieve their housing aims is the Local Plan. The new Dorset Council was tasked by the Government to bring this vital document into being by 2024.

A Local Plan focuses particularly on the development of new housing and without this approved document being in place the council cannot deliver its strategies to meet the provision of suitable housing across the County area. While it is true that the Local

Plans of the former district councils remain in force, they were not formulated on the basis of bringing together solutions which reflect the needs of the Dorset-wide population.

The Conservative run council published and consulted upon a draft county-wide Local Plan which was to be adopted in 2023. To everyone’s surprise it suddenly withdrew this and decided upon a new timetable that won’t deliver the much needed county-wide plan until 2026.

In the meanwhile, the lack of a county-wide adopted plan has meant that the needs for genuinely affordable and secure suitable housing are not being met. Developers are being allowed to build housing, but for whom? Those seeking to move to Dorset or those already here?

The council’s own housing needs assessment states that

there is a net additional need for low non-market rented property of about 600 new homes a year. This excellent study undertaken jointly with BCP (Bournemouth Christchurch Poole) Council shows that there were – in 2021 – about 10,000 households living in unsuitable housing. 45% of these could not afford to buy or rent in the private sector.

The Conservative run council’s own plan shows that the working age population is declining. Why? Because they cannot find suitable affordable housing and partially, as a result, the numbers of relatively non economically active 65-plus population is set to increase by 22% over the next 10 years.

We hugely need the working age people of the county to remain and thrive – but they need the necessary housing which the current Conservative council is failing to ensure is provided.

Conservative MP for West Dorset

Chris Loder

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

‘Funding for local projects good news’

I AM pleased to be able to start this edition’s article with some good news. As many will know the Government is setting great store by its Levelling Up agenda. For too long this has been perceived, and in some cases operated, as something solely for the benefit of Northern England and the large post-industrial towns.

In my discussions with Ministers, I have urged that it be broken down into three distinct parts: rural, coastal and urban. Because many schemes and proposals in rural areas are smaller in nature – but not less large in beneficial impact – when compared to their urban competition we often lose out as it is often easier to demonstrate the ‘bang for the buck’ with larger projects.

The Government has just announced its deliberations on Community Ownership Fund Round 3 Window 1 – I know it’s not the snappiest of titles.

In a letter received by me from the Minister he states: “levelling up is about safeguarding the small, but much-loved assets of which we cannot put a price”.

Round 3 has had £12.3 million to dispense – the total fund is £150 million. Thus far, £49.3 million has been allocated supporting 195 projects. Round 3 has awarded money to 45 projects and two of them are in North Dorset!

Significant sums have been awarded to support the community’s purchase of the Old Ox Inn in Shillingstone. Whenever there is a budget or financial event looming, I am usually inundated with requests to lobby the Chancellor to

freeze or cut alcohol duty and support pubs in other ways. So, I know the importance that many put on their local pub – they are community centres, meeting places and beating hearts of villages. I supported the bid and am delighted to see its success. With the engaged community of Shillingstone working to raise match funding this will secure the pub’s future and the social life of the village.

At the heart of Blandford and very much at the centre of community and civic life in much of North Dorset is the ever-impressive Corn Exchange. The town council and others have worked hard to pull together a compelling bid, which, again, I was delighted to support. It too has been successful, helping to preserve, conserve and improve this significant town centre building.

In all, North Dorset has secured circa £650k in this funding round. My hope is that improvement works to the Corn Exchange, allied to the major restoration project we have seen at the church, will help Blandford town centre succeed and flourish.

The second point I wish to touch on is the issue of XL Bully dogs and the proposals to ban them. There are a few of these dogs in North Dorset and two owners have been to see me recently to discuss the issue. I am both a dog lover and a lover of individual freedoms. As a Conservative our first instinct is not to ban. I am conscious of the inadequacies of some facets of the Dangerous Dogs Act and the pressing need to review it. I am also naturally suspicious of legislation being rushed on an ’something must be done; this is something; let us do this’ approach.

However, having seen, as many of us will have, footage of these dogs not just attacking people and other animals but also being uncontrollable as they do so, my instinct is that public protection requirements must be the dominant motivator. It is a difficult issue to get right and I would like to hear your thoughts on the proposal to ban and also other means you think might be useful for safeguarding the public. Please email me: simon.hoare.mp@ parliament.uk

MP makes case for Dorset cash

WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder has lobbied the Chancellor for additional funding in the constituency.

At a meeting with Jeremy Hunt on September 6, with fellow representatives in Dorset, the MP took the opportunity to highlight issues with the Revenue Support Grant, second home ownership, small business rates, and police funding.

Mr Loder said: “I have outlined to the Chancellor how West Dorset deserves greater attention from HM Treasury, particularly in relation to the challenges we face with taxation policy.

“This is especially the case with the Revenue Support Grant, which continues to favour urban areas over rural ones.

“The formula urgently needs reform, as it means that Dorset Council is forced to derive a greater percentage of its funding revenue from unacceptably high Council Tax rates.”

He added: “I’ve also raised with the Chancellor the issue of second home ownership, which is unfairly preventing

locally-born residents from getting onto the property ladder.

“The proposal to introduce a second-homes tax goes some way towards addressing this issue by penalising absentee landlords who exploit tax loopholes on holiday lets.”

Mr Loder, pictured with the Chancellor, also raised the need for better small business rates relief.

“97% of businesses in West Dorset are either small or medium sized and I have told the Chancellor of my view that our local businesses deserve more support,” he added.

“This includes more representative rate relief, especially for those businesses located in rural areas with a population below 3,000.”

Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare

‘How about canning incinerator?’

RISHI Sunak’s net zero speech came on the same day as good economic news. To everyone’s surprise inflation fell again last month and even our wonderfully hang-dog Bank of England was obliged, grudgingly one suspects, to hold interest rates after 14 consecutive increases. At the risk of tempting fate, it may well be we’ve passed the peak of the economic pain caused by pandemic aftershocks and the war in Ukraine.

That has to be right. A pause then cut in rates may stave off the recession that earlier this year the talking heads were telling us was a racing certainty and which has afflicted Europe’s biggest economy, Germany.

In Rishi’s first Prime Minister’s Questions last year, I asked him about the polluting incinerator planned locally by Hills Waste. Last summer he came to my constituency and heard the opposition to waste

burners. He, like me, is committed to greening the environment but it must not make us cold and poor, must be at the same pace as our neighbours, not vastly ahead of it, and it definitely must not incentivise the sort of throwaway society incinerators feed off.

I was pleased to hear that the Government is delaying the introduction of the boiler ban for off-gas-grid homes to 2035. I have previously written to ministers to convey the concerns of my constituents in more remote areas, where there is no gas and where they must rely on oil. Phasing out oil boilers from 2026 would have imposed a disproportionate cost on them. Many would simply not have been able to heat their homes.

Making my constituents poorer and colder is not an equitable or sustainable way to reach net zero. Increasing the boiler upgrade grant by 50% is a welcome measure which will ease the pain of green transition and makes it more viable.

Polling indicates widespread support for net zero but opinion gets flakier when voters are asked how they want to get there – giving up the car, paying thousands to replace boilers, no

more red meat, avocados or anything really that’s vaguely exotic, southern hemisphere or out of season, ratcheting down the thermostat to chilly, not jetting off for that recuperative week in the sun?

In getting to net zero, I’d prefer to start local. How about canning the awful Westbury incinerator? If it happens, it will be a hideous polluting monster that pumps waste into the oh-so-convenient landfill in the sky. I have time and again pleaded for an incineration tax and moratorium on incinerators. I will keep going until Hills Waste and its investors give up and divert their undoubted talents to more responsible methods of dealing with rubbish. I will keep going in the certain knowledge that eventually incinerators will have the carpet pulled from under them as government incentivises waste management further up the waste hierarchy.

Fears on PM’s shift on environment

LAST week, I attended the Back British Farming Day reception and proudly wore the emblem of the day, a wheatsheaf pin badge, to Prime Minister’s Questions. I was able to show my support for the farmers and growers in Somerton & Frome who do a fantastic job in providing the nation with high-quality and climate-friendly food, all while caring for our much-loved countryside.

I also wrote to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to share my concerns regarding the proposed Government amendments to the LevellingUp & Regeneration Bill, which would weaken nutrient neutrality legislation.

I urged the Secretary of State to consider alternatives that will provide effective, environmentally driven solutions to tackle the housing shortage crisis and to maintain

nutrient neutrality commitments. I was very relieved when Liberal Democrat Peers and others in the House of Lords were able to defeat the Government motion and protect our natural environment.

On Tuesday I attended the National Grid’s launch of its Parliamentary Hub to learn

more about much-needed improvements to the nation’s grid capacity. I have requested a further meeting to discuss the ability of the grid network to meet demand as well as to seek assurances that grid connections and upgrades will be ready as EVs and electrified heating ramps up. This is essential to meet Somerset’s aim to be zero carbon by 2030.

However, I am very concerned by the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that he will be diluting the UK’s net zero ambitions, which will harm our future in the long term. It shows weak leadership from an out of touch Government. I believe we should be fully committed to tackling climate change and leading the world in green technology, and I will fully support efforts to reach carbon neutrality.

I also attended several events in Somerton & Frome and was

able to meet many more constituents. Last Saturday I had a lovely time with residents in Keinton Mandeville at a coffee morning in aid of St Mary Magdalene Parish Church. I then attended the Keinton Mandeville honey show, where I learnt more about Somerton Beekeepers and gave out prizes to the winners, as well as tasting some delicious honey.

I was also honoured to attend the 25th birthday community party for The Cheese and Grain in Frome. The hall was built in 1874 as a market for farm produce and as a community space, it has since served as an excellent live music and arts venue as well as a community and education centre.

As always, if anyone has any issues they would like to get in touch about, or if you would like to arrange a time to meet with me, you can contact me at

Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton & Frome Sarah Dyke

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison

The tunnel is the best solution

THE arguments in favour of the Stonehenge tunnel are overwhelming. As English Heritage says, the scheme will ‘transform Stonehenge, reunite the landscape and leave a lasting legacy for future generations’.

The trouble is that, while the costs can be estimated now, the benefits, though huge, are incalculable.

Time, is money and who can put a value on the millions of hours wasted as every day 240,000 trucks, vans and cars queue or crawl along this stretch of the A303?

And saving our heritage at Stonehenge from the increasing traffic is priceless.

One problem is misinformation. It is too often said that the tunnel will run under Stonehenge, which is nonsense.

It will be constructed on the further side of the A303, about 200 metres from the stones, and being in a tunnel two miles long, and up to 40 metres deep, traffic will be invisible to visitors.

The works will occupy ten hectares of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site (WHS), but the whole site is vast, some 2,600 hectares or 6,500 acres, so the road will only take up 0.38% of the site.

Work within the WHS will avoid the key archaeological monuments.

Archaeological preparation has already begun, and, before construction starts, more than 100 archaeologists will excavate, investigate and record what is beneath the surface.

Those who are concerned about the environmental impact should visit the National Highways website.

Many archaeologists are in favour of the scheme, because development drives archaeology, and they will have the chance to explore untouched areas to the west of the WHS on the route of the new Winterbourne Stoke bypass.

The campaign group Stonehenge Alliance protests that the tunnel should be extended to be ‘long enough to avoid the WHS’, but that would

FACTOID OF THE FORTNIGHT

THE world’s best rugby union teams are currently battling it out to get their hands on the world cup.

France is the hosting nation with the final set to be played in Paris on October 28.

However, the prestigious world cup is not the oldest trophy in international rugby union.

No, that honour belongs to the Calcutta Cup (pictured) – confusingly named, as it is presented to the winner of the England v Scotland fixture each year.

But why the Calcutta Cup? That dates back to 1879, and the disbanding of the Calcutta Football Club in India, when the British Army regiment, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) 1st Battalion, left the area.

Club captain, honorary secretary and treasurer Mr G A James Rothney sent a letter to the Rugby Football Union (RFU) informing them of the club’s intention ‘of doing some lasting good, for the cause of Rugby Football’.

His plan was to produce a challenge cup using the 270 silver rupees left in the club’s bank account.

Local silversmiths melted down the rupees and created a 45cm high trophy.

Subsequently, the RFU decided it would be presented to the winners of the annual England v Scotland match.

greatly increase the cost and, after all, the boundaries of the WHS were only drawn for convenience along the A345 and A360/B3086.

There are alternative routes round Stonehenge, as Robert Chalke writes – New Blackmore Vale, September 1 – but since 1991 51 proposals have been considered by the authorities and rejected.

Now that National Trust and the six most relevant authorities have agreed to the plan, delay will only prolong the misery.

Removing pinch points further down the A303 is planned and the 8.5-mile upgrade of the A358 from the A303 to the M5 at Taunton will reduce pressure on the Blackdown Hills.

Nigel Hawkins Shaftesbury

IN reply to Robert Chalke’s letter – New Blackmore Vale, September 1 – on the occasions when I have joined a long queue on the A303 near Stonehenge the cause seems to have been traffic problems at the roundabout junction with the A345 at Amesbury, a couple of miles to the east of the site.

As motorists have to give way to traffic approaching from their right, those on the A345 have priority.

The problem could be solved by a bridge over the roundabout so the two main roads do not directly meet.

The slip roads could be modified to enable motorists to join the other road if necessary.

This would be much quicker and cheaper than the proposed tunnel and so on.

Chris Slade Maiden Newton

I AM writing in response to the letter from Roger White – New Blackmore Vale, September 15 – regarding wind turbines, which he seems to hate so much.

I would far rather see a few

wind turbines standing tall than fields full of solar panels which take up acres of our land, land which more often than not could be used for growing crops to feed us.

Since climate changes, the horrific happenings going on in the world and good old Brexit, we need to be far more selfsufficient.

When it became ‘fashionable’ to have solar panels in our fields, we were told that animals would be able to graze between, or under them, but I have not seen one field where this has happened.

Devon and Cornwall have many wind turbines which look graceful in the countryside, they do not spoil it, and as for lack of wind we seem to have more windy than still days now, even in summer.

H. Rawles Blandford St Mary

DR Murrison’s somewhat downbeat booster for Great Britain – New Blackmore Vale, September 15 – begs several questions.

Has he noticed the state of the NHS, tried to get a GP appointment or had to wait hours at A&E? Or does he use private medicine?

Does his family use state education where the teacher recruitment crisis is very real? Or do the family buy private education?

Does he use the train services? When they are running!

Does he do the weekly shop and experience the frightening rise in costs?

Does he have a mortgage or has he tried to find affordable rent recently?

It is a cliché that politicians do not understand ordinary lives. Dr Murrison seems to have confirmed it.

Kevin Banks Blandford Via

Dorchester Car-Free Day’s statement that “the event will take a space...usually occupied by cars and reclaim it for the townsfolk” is a wonderful bit of semantics.

Either she wants us to believe that the cars are not owned by townsfolk but by some undefined other or that the cars have become sentient and have occupied the car park of their own volition.

The former is divisive nonsense, the latter a horrifying dystopian vision of autonomy gone too far.

We should be told!

J Robson Sturminster Newton

WE have been complaining about the standard of The Times for months – Our Loose Canon, September 15.

The photos and articles about how much sex, drugs etc one can get at certain ages. As if we all want to know.

We have had The Times now for more than 50 years, although there are still some very interesting articles, the above seems to have taken centre stage.

Why don’t you send your complaint to The Times, I think you’ll get a lot of support.

Gillian Darwall via email

IN response to the article on Mr Richie’s plans for Compton Abbas airfield – New Blackmore Vale, September 1 – I notice no mention was made of the effects of light aircraft flying over those of us who live close by.

The airfield and its restaurant are important sources of employment locally and I wish them every success.

But the noise levels generated by aircraft flying overhead in 2021 and 2022 –before Mr Richie bought the airfield – was at times just awful.

Overflights every five to 10 minutes for hours at a time generating sufficient noise to prevent normal conversation.

To quote the legal definition of a nuisance, it was – and sadly

still is – ‘a substantial interference with the right to use and enjoy land’.

It matters to me, as a Melbury Abbas resident, very much, but it matters far more to those whose businesses depend on the attractions of a quiet and peaceful rural location.

Who wants to take a holiday under a noisy flight path?

The problem is actually not the flying, it is the noise generated probably by some of the older aircraft.

Some overflights whisper across the sky and are unobjectionable.

And even those noisier aircraft that just take off and land can be tolerated as part of supporting a local business.

But there are many who appear to fly in circles around the parish and seriously affect the use and enjoyment of those who visit or live here.

There is also the issue of the leaded aviation fuel used by some light aircraft.

To my surprise, it seems that piston engine aircraft still use leaded fuel – albeit with a much reduced lead content – despite the long-standing ban on leaded fuel for land-based vehicles. That cannot be doing us much good!

Peace and quiet in our increasingly crowded island is at a premium – I hope the plans for the airfield’s development mentioned by Mr Richie in the article take into account not just the airfield’s aviators and restaurant customers but also those of us who live and work here.

Robert Crichton Melbury Abbas

I WOULD like to thank Canon Eric Woods for his comments – New Blackmore Vale, September 15.

He rightly states that Christianity is counter-cultural.

It always has been since Jesus taught that we should not repay evil with evil, but love and forgive our enemies.

Those who believe that our churches would attract more people by watering down their

message and seeking to reflect the values of our society –whatever they may be – are profoundly mistaken and misguided.

Why would we want to reflect the values of our troubled society anyway?

We have a better message than that!

Geoff Chapman West Camel

SAINSBURY’S car park in Wareham now has new ticket machines and the disabled now have to pay £.50 to park.

Okay, so not a problem, but to obtain a parking ticket after

parking in the disabled bay you now have to walk the length of the car park, then walk back to your car and place the ticket on the dashboard.

Then walk back towards the shop entrance.

Surely placing the ticket machine near the disabled bays would have been preferable?

If the people who plan these things were to get in a buggy or chair and try out their plans before implementing them they could save money and stop themselves looking foolish.

Computer planning in the office does not show drop kerbs or hazards on the ground.

John Wareham

Seeing the light?

A EUREKA moment has happened in Zeals!

A light has suddenly appeared on the dangerous signpost – no sign, only the pole.

Thank you New Blackmore Vale.

After years of complaints by many, one letter to you and bingo! Lyndi

Arrow words Wordsearch

Wading Birds

Crossword

Across 8 Truffles, eg (5)

9 Ghost (7)

10 Skill (7)

11 Makes (5)

12 Annihilated (9)

14 Long, thin stick (3)

15 Find the sum of (3)

16 ‘It doesn’t matter’ (5,4)

19 Dismiss from a job (3,2)

21 Public disgrace (7)

23 Donkey Kong villain (7)

24 Doctrine (5)

Down

1 Full of anxiety (6)

2 Impartial (8)

3 Green fruit, rich in vitamin C (4)

4 In a lively way (6)

5 Julian or Gregorian, eg (8)

6 Point of light in the sky (4)

7 Entertained (6)

13 Haphazardly (8)

14 Animal with antlers (8)

15 Assert (6)

17 Ocular (6)

18 Glob (6)

20 Rotate (4)

Moves with a curving trajectory (4)

22 Moves with a curving trajectory (4)

6 7 3 3 5 6

6 1 4 2 6

6 9

5 8 4

Brain chain

Jumbo sudoku

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

Brain chain (hard version)

Cryptic crossword

Across

1 End of union or chapter in seedy joint (7)

Across

1 End of union or chapter in seedy joint (7)

Down

5 Resort with sun before start of May for a brief period (5)

5 Resort with sun before start of May for a brief period (5)

9 A main chat time arranged for numerical expert (13)

10 Damage varied gear around island in match (8)

2 Home and the opposite to some extent (2,1,3)

3 Play heroes with wit alternatively (9)

9 A main chat time arranged for numerical expert (13)

4 Tiny interval in sitcom maintained (5)

6 Muscle shown in exercise class without

10 Damage varied gear around island in match (8)

7 Unctuous male interrupts second host (6)

11 Move very quickly to get huge amount of money (4)

8 Run into an exam free from worry (2,4)

11 Move very quickly to get huge amount of money (4)

12 Trip to Tunisia to find place (9)

16 Wait to get offer close to reasonable (4)

17 Two US actresses in period of great success (5,3)

19 Work to cover oneself? (13)

21 Book inspired final character in burst of activity (5)

Across

1 End of union or chapter in seedy joint (7)

12 Trip to Tunisia to find place (9)

11 Put on the airwaves in the US woman and of actors (9)

16 Wait to get offer close to reasonable (4)

13 Event with amusements having opening barred? It’s not just (6)

17 Two US actresses in period of great success (5,3)

19 Work to cover oneself? (13)

14 Ceremonial code for all to see in criminal trial (6)

21 Book inspired final character in burst of activity (5)

15 A companion cuts prescribed envelope

22 Second person from Paris probes country law (7)

18 Group rowing had food, we’re told (5)

20 Some floating seed (3)

22 Second person from Paris probes country law (7)

5 Resort with sun before start of May for a brief period (5)

9 A main chat time arranged for numerical expert (13)

10 Damage varied gear around island in match (8)

11 Move very quickly to get huge amount of money (4)

12 Trip to Tunisia to find place (9)

16 Wait to get offer close to reasonable (4)

17 Two US actresses in period of great success (5,3)

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3x3 box. No digit maybe repeated in any dashed-lined cage, and each dash-lined cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage

19 Work to cover oneself? (13)

21 Book inspired final character in burst of activity (5)

22 Second person from Paris probes country law (7)

116 RESULT ×1/2 -50% +166 ×1/3 +20%

Down

2 Home and the opposite to some extent (2,1,3)

3 Play heroes with wit alternatively (9)

4 Tiny interval in sitcom maintained (5)

6 Muscle shown in exercise class without girl (3)

7 Unctuous male interrupts second host (6)

8 Run into an exam free from worry (2,4)

11 Put on the airwaves in the US woman and set of actors (9)

13 Event with amusements having opening barred? It’s not just (6)

14 Ceremonial code for all to see in criminal trial (6)

15 A companion cuts prescribed envelope (6)

18 Group rowing had food, we’re told (5)

20 Some floating seed (3)

For the solutions, turn

to page 95

Scandinavian style on offer Fly reservoir auction star

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley is offering a selection of mid-century and Scandinavian design furniture in its upcoming October sale including a G-Plan Librenza teak dropleaf dining table, a matching set of Librenza Butterfly dining chairs and matching sideboard.

The sale also features a mid-century rosewood dining table in the manner of Merrows, a stylish Mørteens Scandinavian design Daru velvet and oak three-seater sofa bed, a pair of French Modernist Le Roi oak and rattan occasional tables and a mid-century teak plan chest.

Earlier furniture pieces include a 19th century musical chinoiserie-cased longcase clock, a Regency rosewood centre table, a pair of Bergere armchairs and a pair of early 19th century pole screens with naively painted panels depicting

A late 19th century dapple grey rocking horse with leather saddle and reins is estimated to sell for £100-£200

a kingfisher and a hoopee bird. For enquiries about probate or insurance valuations, part or full house clearances and entries into future sales, phone either Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury.

Auctions

Antiques & Collectables Sale

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th October 2023

DUKE’S upcoming Sporting and Natural History auction will see it transformed into an emporium of curiosities, showcasing a fascinating collection of wonders and rarities, of a variety of different periods and provenance.

The sale includes rare carved salmon and fishing paraphernalia made by the prestigious Hardy Brothers, a large variety of sporting guns from names such as John Rigby & Co and Bentley & Playfair, London, and equestrian hats made by well-known vintage hatters such as Christy’s of London.

A highlight of the collection is a pair of Hardy Uniqua: Rare

Mahogany salmon fly reservoirs (pictured), with the fall front door opening to reveal ten sliding drawers, each with ivorine bun handles, holding a colourful ensemble of feathered hand-tied fishing flies.

The reservoir is expected to sell for £3,000-£5,000.

The auction is on Wednesday, October 4, at 10.30am, with viewing from Saturday, September 30, until the date of the auction.

If you can’t make it in person, Duke’s fully illustrated online catalogue can be found on its website.

Find more information on how to view and buy at auction at www.dukes-auctions.com or phone 01305 265080.

auction highlights

Sporting and Natural

A tiger skin rug with full mount head, paws and claws.

Three into one goes for Acreman

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers of Sherborne has three upcoming auctions in October.

It will be holding its 20th Century & Modern Art Auction on Thursday, October 26, at 10am, which will include works by John Piper, Sir Stanley Spencer, Robert Lenkiewicz, David Nash, Eric Malthouse and L S Lowry.

The General Antiques & Collectors auction is from noon on Thursday, October 26, and the Jewellery, Watches & Silver auction on Friday, October 27 at 10am.

Consignments are still being accepted for these auctions as well as for the Textiles, Fashion & Apparel auction moved from September.

The catalogue and bidding is through Easyliveauction.com and Thesaleroom.com

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

If you are downsizing or need to deal with a whole house it is happy to help with advice and valuations.

Acreman is also able to arrange full house clearances at competitive rates, and is happy to make house visits if required.

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

Acreman holds a valuation day every Wednesday from 10am-4pm, where free valuations are offered on items being considered for auction, at Acreman Auction, 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH.

VALUERS SHERBORNE

20thc & MODERN ART AUCTION

Thursday 26th October 10am

GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

Thursday 26th October 12 noon

JEWELLERY, SILVER & WATCHES AUCTION

Friday 27th October 10am

Catalogue available to view through thesaleroom.com & Easyliveauction.com

We are now consigning items for our October auctions.

For all enquiries please contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 auction@acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

Annie the Ambulance is estimated to sell for £8,000£10,000 at Charterhouse’s classic cars sale next Thursday

Ambulance was on TV shows

A 1967 Land Rover ambulance affectionately known as Annie is in the Charterhouse auction of classic cars on Thursday, October 5, at the Haynes Museum.

“Annie is one of five Land Rovers in the auction,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

“However, she is the only one to have starred in Heartbeat and The Royal on the telly!”

All cars can be seen on www. charterhouse-auction.com

where live internet bidding is also available.

Charterhouse is now taking entries for its auctions of Asian Art on November 1; silver, jewellery and watches on November 2; and textiles on November 3.

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

Music & Film Memorabilia Auction

Monday 2nd October at 10am

Classic & Vintage Car Auction at Haynes

ursday 5th October at 1pm

All lots & live bidding on our web site

Consignment

Chinese & Japanese Ceramics & Art 2nd

Jewellery, Watches & Silver 3rd

Pictures, Books, Maps & Postcards 4th

Model Cars, Toys & Dolls 6th

Classic Motorcycle Autumn Auction

Further Entries Now Invited

Fogg modernist carved stone sculpture of a male head

By Amy Brenan, Director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham

AT Heirlooms, we not only specialise in antique jewellery,

we also buy objet d’art and gold.

We’ve recently acquired this incredible 9ct gold sovereign case which is sadly empty.

Thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys.

Top prices paid for all types of model railway, die cast cars, early Action Man and Star Wars, Scalextric, Meccano, unmade Airfix kits etc. Those magical makes; Hornby, Dinky, Triang, Spot-On, Corgi, Subbuteo, Britains, Timpo plus plus plus

Telephone: 01935 816072

Mobile: 07527 074343

Auctioneers & Valuers

their value well

However, the history of sovereigns is fascinating!

Once an integral part of British currency, it is now forged as a commemorative coin and is often mounted in jewellery such as rings or pendants.

Sovereigns are always minted from 22ct gold which, of course, makes them incredibly valuable.

The first one was minted in 1489 to honour the reign of Henry VII and had a value of 20 shillings.

As befitting a coin called a sovereign, it was imprinted with a silhouette of the King with a Tudor Rose on the reverse.

When Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, her image on the different sovereigns produced changed from that of a young girl to a rather formidable and stern old lady.

Queen Elizabeth II was always shown facing to the right on sovereigns and her

successor, King Charles III, is now facing left, wearing the Tudor crown and features George and the Dragon on the reverse.

The current value of a sovereign is about £300-£500, dependent on the year, condition and the gold price at the time.

Sovereigns hold their value well because of the gold content.

So if you have been bequeathed a sovereign which has been passed down through the generations, you might want to check if it is one of the following as these are much sought after and valuable:

n 1489 The First Sovereign –because it’s the first!

n 1879 Victoria Young Head St George Sovereign – very rare

n 1937 Edward VIII Sovereign – only six exist

n 1989 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign – first Sovereign issued after Britain adopted the decimal system

Building firm gives wildlife a helping hand

KETTLE, tea bags, milk, bird box…

The welcome pack handed to new homeowners at a development in Stalbridge has expanded – in a bid to boost wildlife.

Sustainable bird and bee boxes are being given to customers at the Blackmore Meadows development.

The boxes include a bee hotel, wildflower seeds, a hand-made triple bird feeder, suet nuggets and a plantable new homes card.

Bovis Homes sales consultant Amber Luxton said: “The new bird and bee boxes are a lovely addition to customers’ welcome packs and it’s great to do more to help the local flora and fauna.

“We’ve also been supporting hedgehogs by installing hedgehog highways to enable them to roam easily in order to find food, mates and shelter.

“And in the open space area, 7,264 shrubs have been planted; 181 trees; 16,252m2 of seeding grass, including the wildflower

areas; and 1,600 bulbs.”

Residents Mike and Jan said: “It’s been amazing to see the local wildlife at the development.

“We’ve captured plenty of hedgehogs on our wildlife night camera, watched deer by the path and attenuation pond, and seen blue tits, gold finches and woodpeckers in our garden.

“There’s also a beautiful barn owl that flies past around 6.30pm in the evening, which is wonderful to see.”

In the last 18 months, the couple have also reported seeing pheasants, rabbits, wagtails, robins, sparrows, pigeons, crows, fox, frog, toad and cows.

Blackmore Meadows is a development of 120 three- and four-bedroom properties and includes a play area, green open space, an attenuation pond planted with wildflowers, and a circular path for cycling and walking – with connections to the existing public network.

For more information on the development, visit www. bovishomes.co.uk

The new Blackmore Meadows development in Stalbridge and (below) the welcome boxes to help wildlife PHOTOS: Bovis Homes

Home & Garden

‘Volunteers’ mostly a welcome gift

by Sally Gregson

SELF-SOWN seedlings are known as ‘volunteers’ across the pond in the US and as such they are mostly welcome. Often, of course, seedlings of all sorts of plants do choose to put themselves in the centre of a precious shrub and have to be winkled out, but mostly they choose good places.

Among the most desirable volunteers in my garden are annual Opium poppies –Papaver somniferum – in various shades of pink, purple and red. I have made a note to order some seed of Papaver ‘Amazing Grey’ next spring. Its flowers are in shades of French grey-lilac and are a beautiful companion to pink and purple roses.

My next favourite is the short-lived perennial Evening Primrose, Oenothera stricta

‘Sulphurea’ whose flowers open a milky lemon in the evening, to fade to apricot the next day. The calyxes and stems are also apricot, and the whole continues flowering throughout the summer.

Another charming ‘doer’ is the short-lived perennial Geranium ‘Bill Wallis’. Its flowers are a sparkling carmine purple and bounce around where they are happy. They all prefer a sunny position, and all are generous with their seeds.

As volunteers they sometimes take a year off if the winter is especially wet and cold. It behoves the gardener to collect the seeds on a dry day in autumn and dry the husks off in a paper envelope in the warm kitchen for a week or so. Then clean the seeds on a sheet of newspaper, and store them in small paper envelopes each

clearly marked with the name and date of harvest. The envelopes should all then be stored in a sealed plastic box in the fridge where they will stay at a steady temperature of about 4˚-5˚ and a constant humidity.

And then next spring, as the leaves start to push on the hedgerow and the weeds begin to grow, the seeds will be ready to take out and sow directly onto the warming soil, or into trays in the greenhouse, ready to perform for another season.

How to layer ‘difficult’ Daphne

by Sally Gregson

AS the year rolls around and summer gives way to autumn, it can feel like the start of a new school term – time to move on, time for a change, and perhaps time for thoughts of making more of our own garden.

There are some shrubs at the garden centre that seem to cost more than others, and often these are those that are more difficult and less successful to propagate.

Daphnes are notoriously difficult to root from cuttings, but on an individual level, they are easy to increase by layering. It just takes a lot longer.

Choose a low, outwardpointing shoot and pull it down to the ground. At the critical point where the shoot might touch the soil if pulled down, with a really sharp blade, make a cut at a slight angle, along the length of the stem, almost cutting it off. Gently bend the

cut part down, opening the wound, and peg it down into the soil with a piece of wire. In the old days hairpins would have been ideal. And cover the whole area with a little sharp sand. Then tie the end of the shoot upright, at right-angles to the wound, and tie it in to a stick. Label the ‘cutting’ and water it

well.

If it is not going to ‘take’, the shoot will die back very quickly and it can be cut off. Otherwise, watch and wait for the course of the winter, into next spring. Then when the shoot starts to make a bit of growth, the umbilical can be detached from its ‘mother’ and

lifted out. Either pot up the cutting or plant it out. And remove the growing tip to encourage healthy, bushy growth.

The new Daphne will be ready to plant out as soon as it’s judged big enough to withstand the rigours of the garden border.

Papaver somniferum is among the most desirable ‘volunteers’

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

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

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

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

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

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

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

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Tel: 01747 850544

Free Quotation

Tel: 01747 850544

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

Mobile: 07921 637227

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com

Mobile: 07921 637227

Tel: 01747 850544

www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk

Mobile: 07921 637227

Tree Surgery. Reductions. Felling.

Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip supplies.

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

Family run

since 1946

Family run business since 1946 Tel: 01963 250005

Tel: 01963 250005

Mobile: 07976 934 252

Mobile: 07976 934 252

www.bandgdown.co.uk

Home & Garden

Autumn is natures time for planting

Grasses are looking gorgeous! New clematis varieties have arrived. Evergreen hedging now in stock.

GARDEN RESCUE

Tel 01747 821726

GUTTERS CLEARED

• Windows,

• Fascias, • Soffits, • Gutters cleaned, • Repairs,

• Free Estimates

07788-376752

WELL ROTTED MANURE

£60.00 a transit load

Contact Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502

LAWN MOWING AND HEDGE CUTTING

SERVICES, ShaftesburyBlandford & local villages. Please call Trevor 07970 012130

L.DAVIS AND SONS

Garden clearance and garden design

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

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

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

Sherborne Fencing Ltd

Tel: 01935 814272

Mobile: 07814246332

Home & Garden

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

01258 455397

office@minsterfurniture.co.uk

ST MARGARET’S WINCANTON FURNITURE

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

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

MOUNTFIELD 1530H Lawn Tractor, great condition £1,200. 07396 181191

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

WOOD AND MULTI-FUEL STOVES, new and exdisplay bargains, Wessex Woodburners 01747 853110

Rural, garden & agricultural itembought & sold Tim, 01725 517268 or 07311 478301

PENNY LLAMA & ALPACA rescue organic poop special offer £1.00 per bag call for details

01725 552061

SELF DRIVE DIGGER and Dumper Hire 01258 861647

Made to measure soft furnishings. For free estimates Tel. Sue Marsh 01747 853680

Stoneham OAK KITCHEN. Marble Star Galaxy worktops.

2.82m x 3.27m x 2.27m.

£2500 for quick Sale.

Miele Steam oven as new £450

Miele Oven £450

Miele Dishwasher £250

Miele gas hob £150

Neff fridge freezer £150 Offer for the lot.

07588 053555

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

Wooden Gate Makers produce a wide variety of styles, made in our 2 workshops in Poole, Dorset.

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

HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

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

J& C Handyman Services

Plumbing Painting & decorating

Shed erecting & repairs

Flat pack furniture

Shelves & curtain rails

Door hanging & skirting boards

Guttering and facia clearing and replacement

Fencing

Pointing etc...

No job too small. Please call with your requirements. 01963 364457 07368 516658

dorsethandyman26@gmail.com

www.jchandymanservices.com

•Alterations

•Renovations

•Carpentry

•Kitchen Fitting •Bathroom Fitting •Wall/Floor Tiling

•

T F PLANT

Sand, gravel, cement and topsoil supplied Trade & DIY. Supplied loose or collected. Small or large loads also bulk bag materials & small handy bags.

Muck-away service of inert materials

Trusted family-run business, ring for enquiries 01747 826107

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

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk

Architectural

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

Our advice is always free enquiries@bell-architectural.co.uk

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

ASA ARCHITECTS. All drawings for planning and construction. 07770 421624 Free consultation

SUB-LIME

25 years experience in modern and traditional property restorations. All general building works undertaken, specialising in lime rendering, pointing and plastering.

NO JOB TOO SMALL

NO UP FRONT COSTS

NO VAT

Call Steve Taylor: 07855 787857 or email steve.sublimeplastering @gmail.com

PROPERTY DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT/ refurbishment and renovation.

Call Tim 07793 837073

CHARLIE IVE BUILDING & CARPENTRY. Extensions, renovations, kitchens & bathrooms. 07388 441638 Charliecarlyleive@gmail.com

CARER CARPETS/ CARPET FITTERS

PRIVATE CARE GIVER. DBS CHECKED, fully insured, mature reliable lady. Will travel in 20 mile redius of Castle Cary. Fully experienced, contact for more details - 07534 447676

JAYS CARPETS

FREE ESTIMATES

Open 7 days week Supply/fit Carpets Vinyls Underlay Gripper Doorbars Next Day Fitting Available Professional with over 20 years experience.

CHIMNEYS

Call 01963 400186

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

CARER

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

EXPERIENCED SELF-EMPLOYED CARER available in Blandford Forum and surrounding areas. 07342 752273

Specialist Wood Burner Installation Co. 07521647885

False fireplaces

Professional and highly recommended company with 5-star reviews

CHIMNEYS

CHRIS THE SWEEP

Friendly and fully insured. Evening and weekend appointments available. 07725 112160

STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING

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

MARTIN SIMMONDS

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Friendly, Reliable, Professional - 07368 250305

K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP

Brush & vacuum APICS registered 01963 370038

COMPUTERS &

From Only £55

CLEANING

SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING

Ovens,Ranges, Aga’s, etc.

Independent Family Run Business

Covering The Blackmore Vale Area Tel 01935 592461

Mob 07875 272401

www.shinystoves.com

REGULAR CLEANING IN GILLINGHAM and the surrounding area. No dogs, during the cleaning process, please. Izabela - 07496 866501

COMPUTERS & TECH

DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons).

PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 01963362403 07855287150

http://www.dcenet.co.uk

BESPOKE WEBSITES FROM ONLY £250!*

We design beautiful, bespoke websites from only £250. Visit pomegranatecreative.uk for more information.

*Terms and conditions apply

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

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

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

GARETH TANNER

G.O.T. Decorating

City and Guilds qualified

Interior/exterior Decorating Free Quotes no VAT Tel 07736 644452 go.tanner93@gmail.com

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

PHILIP STIRK Painting, Decorating & Property Maintenance

Free Quotations/No VAT Tel. 01747 825725 or mob: 07984 524446 Email: philipstirk@btinternet.com

COUNTRY CARPENTRY Doors, repairs, general maintenance etc Call Nick on 07887 358570

07825512627

‘Your

SKIP HIRE

TWR, established in 2004, are a family run business based in Blandford. They are well known for their efficient customer service and attention to detail, and because their business and expertise is spread across both the repair and installation of windows/ doors, they can advise on what the best option is for you.

TWR supply and install energy efficient PVCu & Aluminium windows and doors. Brochures can be found on their website. The door range consists of Resi, Composite, French, Patio, Bifold, Flush. The window range consists of Casement windows, Storm or Flush, Sliding Sash, Tilt and Turn.

TWR continue to provide their excellent repair services which include – replacement double glazed units, locks, hinges and handles, door adjustments.

TWR also supply and fit

secondary glazing. Secondary glazing improves the thermal insulation of existing single glazed windows by around 65%. It is also is extremely effective for sound insulation reducing noise by up to 80%. Whatever your style of existing window, there is a secondary glazing solution to match. Long gone are the days of bulky frames as they are now manufactured using unobtrusive aluminum profiles. Style, colour and shape can be tailored to your exact requirements and specifications.

If you are interested in getting a quote from TWR then you can email: sales@totalwindowrepairs.co.uk, call 01258 488500 or visit their website: www.totalwindowrepairs.co.uk.

TWR would like to thank all of their regular customers for their continued support and recommendations.

BLACKMORE WINDOWS AND DOORS. Locally based company in Stalbridge with 25 years experience. All your window and door needs undertaken, from repairs to replacement. Contact Terry on 07514224712 or find me on Facebook and WhatsApp. FREE QUOTATIONS

Nature’s bounty

by Barbara Cossins

FOOD that nature provides for free – is it adventurous eating or utter madness?

It’s fascinating chefs are now transforming and creating dishes from nature’s unwanted guests, including the grey squirrel, Japanese Knotweed, muntjac deer, American signal crayfish and pacific oysters.

It’s good to remind ourselves that some of these have gone from their initial introduction, to taking over and threatening some of our native species. Isn’t life in the natural world fascinating? Personally, I can’t bring myself to eat grey squirrel.

However, I do like crayfish, oysters and deer, and I’m also

happy to eat anything green that is edible.

It’s true there is huge ongoing concern about where our food will come from in the future and these foods are growing and breeding in the wild right now.

September is the month for foraging for all sorts. Whether it’s blackberries, sloes, crab apples or wild mushrooms –just please be careful you don’t eat mushrooms or berries if you don’t know what they are.

The wet July and August and now the warm September sun has given us an abundance of free harvest from nature.

n Barbara Cossins is founder of Love Local Trust Local.

COMMUNITY APPLE JUICING

Using your own apples at Quiet Corner Farm, Henstridge; Mon-Fri from 10:00am. Make delicious pasteurised apple juice (will keep for up to two years!) Please phone to book yourself in on: 01963 363045 (please leave a message).

Enford Farm Shop

Durweston DT11 0QW

Half a pig approx £130. Home reared and locally produced meats, game, deli, fruit, veg, free range eggs and lots more.

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

Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. Outside shop with self service for essentials open daily 8am-8pm

01258 450050

Time to treat yourself, at THE CLOCKSPIRE

Enjoy the Clockspire experience with our great value set menu

A three-course-menu with a choice of three dishes for each course (including healthy options) available for both lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Friday, and Saturday lunch

2 Courses £26.00 • 3 Courses £32.00 (offer not available on festive days)

Our Main Menu

Available for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch. Set Sunday Roast

2 Courses £38.00 • 3 Courses £43.00

Join our mailing list for the latest news and events from The Clockspire

Enjoy captivating Live Jazz with the Simply Jazz Trio on the last Thursday evening of each month, from 7pm to 9pm. Listen as you delight in seasonal dishes, exciting cocktails and fine wines.

Or simply come and enjoy a drink in our stylish mezzanine bar, welcoming you...

Wednesday to Saturday 12-3pm & 6-11pm Sunday 12-4pm

Seasonality, locally grown produce at its prime, ingredient-led dishes with an emphasis on flavour, harmony and balance, brought to table with warm and welcoming hospitality. Built in 1864 as a school, now returned to its former glory, serving an education for the palate. Welcome to The Clockspire...

Health benefits of dreaded knotweed

by Fiona Chapman

JAPANESE Knotweed, also known as Monkey Weed, Donkey Rhubarb or Elephant Ears is reviled and hated.

It was brought in from Japan in the 19th century as a garden plant for its height, hollow red stems, triangular leaves and small white tufty flowers that appear in late autumn.

Sadly, it escaped from the garden and has become an invasive species that every council or homeowner dreads.

It is incredibly deep rooted and will find any cracks in building foundations or masonry, pavements or concrete and will push up through them undermining the integrity of the structure.

I know it as Fallopia japonica and it is one of my really powerful herbs that I use if I feel there is a need for the ‘big guns’ treatment where something like a virus has got

stuck in the body and needs addressing. As well as being anti-viral, it is anti-microbial and anti-fungal. It is also cardio-protective and good for the blood. It inhibits cytokine cascades caused by pathogens in the body which will help to

calm the nervous system and in some cases ease pain.

The root is used for herbal medicine. Like its tenacious way of clinging to life and growing through cracks, definitely a doctrine of signatures, it is for those who need anchoring to the ground.

Japanese knotweed is one of the main sources of resveratrol supplements containing both trans-resveratrol and resveratrol, which are some of our most powerful anti-oxidants.

The herb easily passes though the blood/brain barrier and there is a lot of interest in it for this reason. It has a very beneficial effect on the central nervous system and the brain. It protects the neurons in the brain and can be used for all central nervous system infections to reduce inflammation, and some studies have found that it will help with Alzheimer’s.

Any inflammation in the

Live-in Care you can rely on

brain is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, strokes, MS, dementia and motor neuron diseases. Japanese knotweed has been found to protect the brain by stimulating microcirculation.

Fallopia is also a very powerful immunomodulator, meaning that it normalises the immune response, which is very important in auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or where auto-immune responses are activated, such as Lyme disease, something that seems to be on the rise.

It has a wonderful rather smoky taste which, unlike some of the other herbs, is quite pleasant and I for one am rather a fan of the detested Japanese Knotweed, but only in tincture form!

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

Fallopia japonica is like bringing out the ‘big guns’, says Fiona Chapman PHOTO: WikimediaImages/Pixabay

What’s happened to kindness?

by Alice Johnsen

EARLIER this week I was driving towards Sherborne and, as is often the case, I had to overtake some bicyclists.

The road was clear and there was plenty of room. As I had passed the bikes and was returning to my side of the road, a car came towards me and the passenger in the car took the opportunity of offering me a hand gesture that was definitely not a wave while the driver scowled and shouted something that probably wasn’t ‘hello’.

Something struck me as I drove on. Their actions were mainly noticeable because they were not unusual. And that led me to consider how sad it is that we as a species seem to excel in being unpleasant, aggressive, defensive.

Why? And why does that

matter? What happened to just being kind? When did we all start seeing the world just from our point of view?

Aggressive behaviour is often driven by fear or frustration on the aggressors’ part. So it’s fair to say the months of Covid-19 lockdowns aggravated everyone’s fears and frustrations.

Barriers were broken down. New rules applied and boundaries shifted. Since then, it has become the norm to be angrier, more vocal, swearier, more opinionated and keen to share all the views.

Let’s not pretend since the lockdowns ended the world has become a pretty and peaceful place. It hasn’t.

Isn’t that a strong bid for more deliberate kindness? For more looking out for others rather than focusing on

ourselves.

Indeed, my work as a coach is about helping people look at their lives, albeit with the clear intention of moving things forward.

But it is not about encouraging people to think only of themselves. If we shift our focus away from ME to OTHERS it is liberating.

Thinking of others and intending to be kind is not only good for us individually but for society as a whole.

Relationships on every level are boosted. Empathy feeds empathy which leads to

If we shift our focus away from ‘me’ to ‘others’ it is liberating, says Alice Johnsen

tolerance and open minds. It’s all interlinked and one man’s kind act can make another man’s day.

As the news around the world continues to be so alarming and negative, shall we all take a moment to think how our actions can make a difference, good or bad.

And as we make positive choices to live more kindly, we each as individuals will benefit just as much as the communities we live and work in.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based near Sherborne (07961 080513; alicejohnsen.co.uk)

PHOTO: Rachel Scott/ Pixabay

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: A sultry September evening

by Dr Susanna Curtin

WHILE I always prefer the company of others, sometimes there is nothing more healing than being alone surrounded by nature in your very own garden.

It has been a hot, sultry September afternoon with a patchwork sky of autumn blue and heavy clouds. Here sitting beside my pond in the cool of the evening, I am unwinding after a busy day; finding some peace with the world as I watch the large flock of house martins cheeping and circling high over the roof tops.

They are gathering to prepare for their journey home to Africa now that their summer holiday is over.

The nights are drawing in fast, and it is no time at all before my little flock of long-tailed tits skit off to roost, while the pair of chiff-chaffs that were picking off the insects in my hedgerow suddenly disappear as the sky turns a yellowy-pink. I listen to the blackbird singing his last tune of the day and watch the bats leave their roosts, swooping over my head then orbiting the garden before disappearing on their nocturnal jaunt. There is not a breath of wind and as the light slowly fades, the crickets begin their chirrup.

Their distinct sound as they rub their wings together always reminds me of holidays in hot places. It is usually the males that call – with each species having a slightly different sound. The parts that are rubbed together are called ‘the file’ and ‘the scraper’. The file has little ridges, so the effect is like rubbing a comb along a piece of card. It is such a mesmerising sound at first until your ears become accustomed to it, and then it just becomes a backdrop to all the other sounds in the garden as the nightshift begin to stir.

Lighting a lantern, I catch sight of a garden spider spinning her long web right across my pond. These interesting spiders are the

T’ai Chi & Qigong

First session free for new learners!

Contact Lucy at Wellness T’ai Chi

07517 183277

taichilessons47@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/LucyWellness

hedgerow to hedgerow and catch you on your country walks. Their dartboard-shape webs can reach 40cm in diameter.

A spider’s silk is an incredibly tough substance, five times stronger than steel of the same diameter, and nearly as strong as Kevlar, the strongest man-made polymer

resident artists and architects of an autumn garden. While we are all sleeping in our beds, they are busy building their large orb webs.

They have reached full maturity now and are coming towards the end of their lives, having lived for almost a year. They are grey, bright orange or reddish-brown with a white pattern on their back that resembles a cross, giving rise to their other common name of cross orb-weaver.

Once they have crafted their beautiful intricate webs, they sit patiently in the middle waiting to feel the vibrations from a struggling insect caught in their sticky trap.

It is these guys who weave support lines that cross from

I am Lucy of Wellness T’ai Chi and I teach T’ai Chi & Qigong to adults of all ages and levels of mobility, with the focus on health, relaxation, and being friendly and inclusive (many movements can be done seated). I became hooked in 1994 due to improved posture/balance/relaxation and some years later, I gained a City & Guilds Teaching Adults certificate (I am fully insured). I still love teaching after over 20 years!

The famous Dr Mosley has recently added his voice in encouraging people to take up T’ai Chi, due to the many positive health outcomes. My classes are in Sherborne and Milborne Port (M to Th) and next month, I am due to offer sessions with Age UK in Milborne Port and Queen Camel (details to be confirmed). If you would like to give T’ai Chi and Qigong a try, please contact me for further information.

I used to be quite afraid of spiders but then I encountered some of our most attractive species such as the wasp spider and the raft spider, and then suddenly I became quite interested in them, and the more I knew about their lives, the less threatening or unattractive they seemed.

For example, the tiny little jumping spiders do not spin webs but make a miniscule sleeping bag in which they hide.

A spider’s silk is an incredibly tough substance. In fact, it is five times stronger than steel of the same diameter, and although it is finer than human hair, it is almost as strong as Kevlar, our strongest man-made polymer.

As I finish watching this little fellow systematically create his intricate home, I hear my hedgehog rustle through the undergrowth towards the bottom of my bird feeder.

Not wanting to disturb his quest for food, as he will be preparing to hibernate soon, I gently gather my belongings.

The clouds have cleared now, and the stars are shining brightly.

What a lovely, gentle, meditative evening it has been just sitting here quietly in my garden.

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

Insurer supports hospital charity

A DORCHESTER firm has handed more than £6,400 to the Dorset County Hospital Charity.

NFU Mutual Agents and staff at the Dorchester firm recently nominated the cause to receive a donation of £6,443 from the company’s national £1.92 million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.

The donation will support the recently-launched Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

The rural insurer launched

the fund, now in its fourth year, to help frontline charities across the country as part of a £3.25m funding pledge for local and national charities in 2023.

The new Emergency and Critical Care Appeal is funding major enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, with construction soon to get under way at Dorset County Hospital.

Matt Uren, senior partner at Dorchester NFU Mutual, said: “For the second year running, we’ve decided to use our Agency Giving Fund to support Dorset County Hospital.

“As a team, we all live locally and have seen the difference that the hospital has made to a great many of our customers, providing quality care on our doorstep.

“We also know that the

hospital needs greater funding if it is to continue to deliver such great care.

“When we heard about the charity’s new appeal, we were delighted to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile project.”

For more information about the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, visit www. dchcharity.org.uk, or email charity@dchft.nhs.uk

Students’ artwork marks Friends’ landmark

STUDENTS at Sherborne Girls’ School put their needle skills to good use – creating an artwork for a town hospital.

The piece, made up of 70 embroidered hoops, was created as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Friends of Yeatman Hospital, where it has now gone on display.

In an after-school club, the lower-school and sixth-form girls put together a colourful range of images using the

achievements of the Friends and the hospital for inspiration.

They included the Chat Café – an informal group set up for patients who have had a stroke or speech difficulties – which was reflected in tea pots, cups and cakes, while the career of previous Matron Ada Kearvell, who has an end-of-life suite and garden named after her at the hospital, was marked with flowers.

The NHS itself is represented

by rainbows, while fundraising activities by the Friends, such as art sales and concerts, are also captured in the display.

The embroidery is now on display in a bespoke cabinet in the outpatient waiting area at the Yeatman.

Ali Low, matron at the Dorset HealthCare-run hospital, said: “Thank you to the young ladies at Sherborne Girls’ School for creating this display and funding the cabinet.

“It’s a great reflection of the fantastic support of the Friends. We hope visitors to the hospital enjoy looking at the display.”

The Friends of Yeatman Hospital was established in 1951, and raises funds each year to fund improvements for the hospital and its patients.

For more information visit www.friendsoftheyeatman.org. uk. For more on the hospital, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs. uk

Starting off by operating once a month it will give those with MS and their carers an opportunity to meet, share experiences and get advice as well as having refreshments and cake. The days and times are not yet finalised because we want to reflect your needs and wishes. It might also be possible to bring in speakers and, for those who wish, go for a swim.

We are also looking for volunteers who might be able to help with the organisation of this new venture.

Please call Graham Brown on 07813829474 or email graham5711@aol.com for more details.

Dorset Multiple Sclerosis Society are opening a new social club in North Dorset based in Shaftesbury.

In the picture (from left), Fiona Hartley, chair of The Friends of Yeatman Hospital, matron Ali Low and Sherborne Girls’ School teachers Emma-Jane Warwood-Smith and Fleur Bugg at the display

DVCA Carries On When Market Disappoints

The great advantage of instructing DVCA to help sell your vintage vehicle is that their efforts do not stop if a sale is not achieved on the day of the auction.

of things can prevent a bidder from making a timely bid on the day and often the situation

is reversed sometime after the event. Due to the fact that DVCA not only exudes unbridled enthusiasm for the Vintage and Classic vehicles they handle, but they also own their own premises in which unsold vehicles can remain on display for prospective purchasers to consider at a more leisurely pace. There is thus no need for a prospective purchaser to give up on a missed purchase and neither is there any need for a vendor to be persuaded by others who lack similar post-sale facilities.

Our Sale on September 7th auction did produce successful sales and in some cases, surprisingly good.

Motorcycle enthusiasts should visit our Private Treaty Section for a spectacular selection of bikes, some of which arrived too late to have a real chance on Sale Day. The older ones seemed most attractive as both a

VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT

2018 (18) Dacia Sandero Stepway 0.9TCe Laureate 5dr. 90bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, parking sensors, reverse camera, hill start assist, Bluetooth, cruise control, upto 55mpg, only 12,400 miles ...........£9650

2021 (21) Fiat 500 Pop 1.0 Hybrid 3dr. 70bhp, petrol hybrid, 6 speed manual gearbox, self-charging petrol hybrid, no need to plug in, 1 owner, 2,400 miles, great value nearly new Fiat 500 hybrid, only 2,400 miles ..£9950

2018 (18) Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Titanium Nav 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, cruise control, touch screen, Bluetooth, hill start assist, auto lights & wipers, auto main beam, sign recognition, lane keeping aid, parking sensors, award winning engine, upto 65mpg, 88,800 miles ....................................................................................................£8950

2016 (66) Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Zetec Nav Automatic 3dr. 100bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, city pack, hill start assist, Bluetooth, £35 road tax, upto 57mpg, 22,800 miles ................£10450

2008 (08) Kia Carens 2.0CRDi GS Automatic 7 Seat MPV Estate 5dr. 138bhp, diesel, 4 speed automatic gearbox, 7 seats, large boot in 5 seat mode, clearance vehicle to be sold as seen with MOT until February 2024, great value 7 seat automatic with a full service history, 131,000 miles .DUE IN

2013 (13) Land Rover Freelander 2, 2.2SD4 HSE 4x4 Automatic Station Wagon 5dr. 190bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 4 wheel drive, hill start & descent, sat nav, heated leather & steering wheel, twin sunroof, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, Bluetooth, cambelt kit replaced, only 54,900 miles ..............................................

£14950

new homes. The Motor Car Section saw a rare 1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6 sell at £18,700, a beautifully restored Rover P4 made a welldeserved £9,900 and a proper 1942 Willys Jeep was contested to £24,200. Little Gems included a lovely 1967 Wolseley Hornet Mk2 at £6050 and a lesser cousin Riley Elf will no doubt be refreshed by its buyer at £2750.

As stated earlier, the post auction Private Treaty Sales have already included a 1983 Ford Escort Cabriolet and a challenging Rolls-Royce 20/25 project. More available in this section so do please visit our website at www.dvca.co.uk

For Sale by Private Treaty

£25950

2017 (17) Mercedes Benz GLC 350d 3.0D Premium 4-Matic AMG Line Automatic 4x4 Station Wagon 5dr. 254bhp, diesel, 9 speed automatic gearbox, 4 wheel drive, heated leather seats, park sensors, reverse camera, sat nav, Bluetooth, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, sunroof, £240 tax, 47mpg, 62,800 miles ......................................................................

2016 (66) Mercedes Benz B180d 1.5 SE Executive 5dr. 110bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, heated leather, sat nav, parking sensors, reverse camera, cruise control, auto lights, sign recognition, Bluetooth, hill start assist, large boot, only £20 a year road tax & upto 71mpg, 52,900 miles, selling on behalf of a customer .......................................................£11850

2011 (11) Mini Clubman 1.6 Cooper Estate 5dr. 122bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, Chili pack, partial leather, park sensors, Bluetooth, cruise control, hill start assist, air con, decent boot, 82,500 miles ................£5850

2020 (20) Suzuki Vitara 1.4 BoosterJet SZ-T Automatic SUV 5dr. 140bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, high seating, big boot, cruise control, Bluetooth, sat nav, reverse camera, hill start assist, 18,500 miles ........................................................................... £17250

2014 (14) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Design Automatic Estate 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, flat fold rear seats, large boot, parking sensors, cruise control, alloys, air con, 41,900 miles ..........................£8250

1961 Rover P4 100 Saloon Sold at auction for £9,900

Sunbeam S8 and a 1954 BSA Bantam found

blackmorevale.net

LAND ROVER 90, 300 TDI, 1997 County 3 door, 94,600 miles, FH, original and rust free chassis and bulk head, 3 owners, rioja red, ex.con £15,000 ono 07971-408962

MOTORBIKES WANTED

Non runners and Unwanted

Phone Keith on 07966 213344

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

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

Motoring

YAMAHA FAZER, FZS 600, Foxeye 2002, 15,000miles, excellent condition £2,400 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, 1978, T140V few mods, vgc, £4,900 - 07599-545243 / 07977-736335

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

Phone Paul 07890 096907

FOR SALE:

1 X SCANIA YEAR 1996, P CAB, CHASSIS CAB WITH DEMOUNT KIT 8.9LITRE, 4X2 £1200

Mercedes 7.5ton, 815, 2003, 238k km £2000

Mercedes 7.5ton, 815, 2004, 238k km £2000

Renault master 2005, 112k km – non runner £200

Scania P270, 2003, 71k km 4x2 -12m box body £2200

Scania P270, 2004, 71k km 4x2 -12m box body £2200

MAN 6871cc, 1997 10m Ally box body, tail lift £1500

Free when bought with above:

1 x step frame box artic trailer – scrapper

1 x small box draw bar trailer

Peugeot 307 S HDI, 120k km – non runner Email transport@armishaws.com

Best prices paid please call:

Full Electric Vehicles

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

SUNRISE SERVICE & MOT CENTRE

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

Diagnostics

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

Air conditioning

Valets

MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

MOTs – class 4, 5 and 7

Courtesy Cars

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome. MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

Diagnostics

Diagnostics Air Conditioning

Air conditioning

Courtesy Cars

Diagnostics

Collections within a 5 mile radius

Valets

Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services

Courtesy Cars

Concessions for Armed Forces and Emergency Services

Collections within a 5 mile radius

Air conditioning Valets Courtesy

Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

TERRY AND SHIRLEY MUNDAY

Congratulations on your Golden Wedding Anniversary on the 8th of September 2023.

With all our love, Celia, Sharon, and Elodie xxx

IN MEMORIAM

GERALD CHUBB

Taken from us 10 years ago, still loved and missed. In our hearts and minds forever.

BET SAMMONS

2nd October 2017

Love and Miss you lots

Love Mike

MARJIE TIMMS

11/11/14

9 years since I lost you

That very sad day I miss you everyday

Always in my thoughts.

Love Geoff

And all the family xxxx

PUBLIC NOTICE

MAUREEN ALLON WILLIAMS Deceased

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of Castleman House, Fairfield Bungalows, Blandford Forum, DT11 7HS; Helliers, 3 Affpuddle, Dorchester, DT2 7HH, who died on 18/01/2023, must send written particulars to the address below by 30/11/2023, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests notified.

Sue Edwards c/o Blanchards Bailey LLP, Bunbury House, Stour Park, Blandford Forum, DT11 9LQ. Ref: STE/DOD0046/0255

DEATHS

BETTY STILING

Passed away peacefully at home on 29th August, aged 96. Funeral service has taken place.

CINDY NEAL

Suddenly but peacefully at home in Stalbridge on the 8th September 2023 aged 82 years. A much loved Mum, Nanny, Great Nanna and friend to many. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday, 2nd October at 2pm. Followed by a joint celebration at Stalbridge Village Hall for Cindy and her beloved Husband Doug, who died during COVID restrictions. All are welcome.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired for The Alzheimer’s Society.

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

NANCY LOUISE SWEATMAN (NAN)

Peacefully at home on 11th September 2023, aged 89 years of Hazelbury Bryan. A much loved Mother, Mother-in-Law, Nan & Great Nan who will be deeply missed by all family & friends. Funeral service to be held at St Mary & St James’ Church, Hazelbury Bryan on Thursday, 5th October at 11.30am.

Please wear something bright. Family flowers only, donations if desired for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

RICHARD KEATING ‘FRED’

Of Sturminster Newton, sadly passed away on 14th September aged 96 years. Beloved Husband, loving Father, and Grandad. Funeral Service to be held at Sturminster Newton Chapel and Cemetery Thursday 5th October at 2pm. No flowers please, but donations if desired for Blind Veterans UK may be sent to Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Telephone 01258 471024 or made online by visiting www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

DEATHS

BRENNAN Patrick George

On 11th September 2023, in Yeovil District Hospital. Aged 73 years, of Shaftesbury.

Dearly loved son of the late Joe and Beryl Brennan. Much loved brother of Nick and the late Peter Brennan. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday 2nd October at 10.40am.

Donations if desired, in memory of Patrick for Mencap can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or sent c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge BA8 0RB Tel. 01963 362570

DAVID GEORGE FRICKER

Passed away peacefully at Hays House nursing home on 13th September 2023, aged 89.

Much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be greatly missed.

Service of thanksgiving at St Michael’s Church, Mere, on Monday 9th October at 2 pm, no need to wear black. No flowers please. Donations if desired, directly to Alzheimer’s Society, or via LC Hill and Son Funeral Directors, Water Street, Mere, BA12 6DZ Tel: 01747 897353.

TERENCE SMALL Of Milton-on-Stour

Peacefully in the Mellowes Care Home on 10th September 2023.

Service at Salisbury Crematorium on the 4th October at 11am.

No Flowers please but if wished, donations to the Stroke Association in Terry’s name. All invited to wear Autumnal Colours. For Funeral enquires please contact: Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QL. Tel: 01747 822494

HONORARY ALDERMAN DELLA JONES MBE

on 5 September 2023 aged 91 years.

Following a private cremation, a Thanksgiving Service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Winterborne Zelston on Tuesday 10th October at 2:00pm.

Family flowers only please. There will be a retiring collection for Cancer Research UK or donations may be sent c/o Colin Close Funeral Directors, Peel Close, Blandford DT11 7JU

JENNIFER (JENNY) MARY RICHARDS

of Stalbridge, formerly of Yenston, Honiton and Exeter Passed away peacefully on 16 September 2023 in Yeovil. Cherished wife of the late Sidney Richards, mother of Sue and Sarah, mother-in law to David and Nigel, grandmother to Nick, Laura-Jane, James and Eleanor, great-grandmother ‘GG’ to Alfie, Isla, Esme and Wilfred. Following a private cremation, a Thanksgiving Service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Stalbridge on Wednesday, 4th October at 1.30pm. Family flowers only, donations if desired can be made online in Jennifer’s memory for St Mary’s PCC via peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk. Enquiries to Peter Jackson Funeral Services Tel: 01963 362570

JEAN CHAFFEY (née Shrimpton)

Peacefully on the 19th September 2023 at Ivelhurst Nursing Home. Jean aged 88 years of Stalbridge. A dearly loved Wife, Mum, Nan & Great Nan. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday, 10th October at 12 noon. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Dementia UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

MANDY WETTEN

Beloved grandmother, mother, sister and daughter, died 8 September, at home in Fontmell Magna following a long illness.

Funeral at Harbour View Crematorium, Lytchett Minster, BH16 6AN on 26 September at 10.30am. Mandy wished for no black to be worn in mourning. Family flowers only please.

TRIBE, PETER DANIEL YORKE

passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home on 9th September 2023 aged 82 years.

He is sadly missed and fondly remembered by wife Sandie, his family and many friends. His funeral service will take place at 1pm on Thursday 12th October 2023 at St. John the Baptist Church, Hindon. Family flowers only, Donations in Peters memory, Canine Partners, can be made via www.chriswhitefunerals.co.uk or c/o Chris White Funerals Tel. 01722 744691

MARY WILLIAMS

of Milton on Stour, passed away peacefully on 9th September aged 97 at the Malthouse care home. Wife of the late Robert, mother of Robert and Louise and dearly loved grandmother and great grandmother. Following a private cremation, a Thanksgiving Service will be held for all who knew her at St Simon & St Jude’s Church, Milton on Stour at 2 pm on Thursday 5th October. All are welcome to join the family afterwards at the Scout Hall for refreshments.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Julia’s House c/o L C Hill & Son Funeral Directors, Water Street, Mere BA12 6DZ.

BRENDA BARTLE

Peacefully on the 20th September 2023 at home in Sherborne, aged 75 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Tony, Mum, Grannie, Great Grannie & Sister. Enquiries to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Tel: 01963 362570

RONALD LESLIE WARREN

Peacefully after a short illness, Ron aged 90 years. Dearly loved Husband, Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad. Enquiries to Peter Jackson Funeral Services. Tel 01963 362570

EDMONDS John David Ralph

Passed away peacefully on 3rd September 2023 aged 89 years. John will be greatly missed by his wife Mary and daughter Susan & Adam. A service of thanksgiving is to be held on Wednesday 4th October at St Johns Church, Milborne Port at 2.00pm, following a private burial. Family Flowers only but donations in John’s memory to P.D.S.A via W.Bristow & sons, 100 Lenthayn Road, Sherborne, DT9 6AG

NEAL, MICHAEL

Passed Away peacefully at his home on Saturday

9th September 2023 Aged 89

A kind-hearted and generous gentleman who will be greatly missed by his Family and Friends.

Funeral Service will take place at Salisbury Crematorium on Thursday, 5th October at 12 Noon

Donations if desired to Wiltshire Air Ambulance can be made via Chris White Funeral Director’s 01722 744691

LINDA PORTER

Of Gillingham, sadly passed away on 7th September aged 74 years. Loving Mum and Granny. Funeral Service to be held at Yeovil Crematorium

Wednesday 4th October at 2pm. No flowers please, but donations if desired for Dementia UK may be sent to Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Telephone 01258 471024 or made online by visiting www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

SUSANNA MARTIN (née Cooke)

Loving and much loved wife of John, died 14 September. Funeral 1pm, 6 October, St Mary’s Church. Any donations please contact Bracher Brothers, Gillingham.

Sherborne

Proudlyservingyourlocalcommunity

01747 860 361

Water Street, Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6DZ

Callusforimmediatesupport,advice,ortofindout moreaboutourprepaidfuneralplans. Weareheretohelp24hoursaday.

A purpose-built Ceremony Room for funeral services, providing a comfortable and peaceful environment for families to say goodbye to their loved ones. Our Ceremony Room can be personalised to reflect the personality and interests of the deceased person, creating a meaningful and memorable farewell, such as: OUR

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Tailored and unique Attended Funerals

• Prepaid funeral plans also available

• Local knowledge and expertise with a reputation for quality that is second to none

• Reassurance that your loved one will be looked after with utmost care and professionalism

AE Jolliffe & Son, Ferndown

Lesley Shand, Blandford Lesley Shand, Corfe Mullen Ives & Shand, Parkstone

Stress, worry, Covid and cost of living behind rise in sick days, survey says

WORKERS in the UK are taking more sick days than at any point in the last decade, according to new research.

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found staff took an average of 7.8 sick days in the last year.

Before the pandemic, the average was 5.8, the organisation said, with factors including stress, worry, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis also cited.

The trade body’s research, carried out in partnership with Simplyhealth, analysed rates of absence at more than 900 organisations.

And it found minor illnesses were the main reason for short-term absences, followed by musculoskeletal injuries and mental ill health.

Meanwhile, more than a third of organisations also reported Covid-19 was still a significant cause of sick days.

Other factors included changes in working culture since the pandemic, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, which have left some employees feeling disengaged and stressed, the CIPD said.

The organisation said employers needed to do more to counter rising rates of absence.

“This means managing the main risks to people’s health from work to prevent stress as well as early intervention to prevent health issues from escalating where possible,” said Rachel Suff, the CIPD’s senior employee wellbeing adviser.

“It’s important that organisations create an open, supportive culture where employees feel they can come forward.”

Chef / Cook East Knoyle

A fulfilling and unique opportunity is available to join a small, dedicated catering team as a Chef, delivering key nutritional food to clients and staff in the historically renowned surroundings of Clouds House.

This is a full- time position assisting the Lead Chef and a small, friendly team to cater for the clients and staff at Clouds House, a residential establishment running 365 days a year.

The individual will be expected to work one weekend in three and hours are 8pm to 6pm for a 35 hour week.

The position is available for an immediate start. For a full job description, salary information and application go to www.forwardtrust.org.uk

For an informal discussion call Terry Parsons on 01747 832019

SKILLED GROUNDWORKER/PLANT OPERATOR

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team. Ability to set out & read drawings preferred. Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail.

We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If you are that exible, skilled groundworker who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin on 01258 455219 or email

admin@farwellplanthire.co.uk

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP NOW ON Facebook

blackmorevale.net/jobs

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP

NOW ON Facebook

WEEKEND CAFE STAFF - SHERBORNE

YMCA RETAIL BLANDFORD

Store Manager 37.5hr £20,962.50

Assistant Manager 22.5hr £12,226.50 ….jobs with meaning. ymca.current-vacancies.com

GREENMAN SOLUTIONS LTD

Gardener/Grounds Maintenance Person Required to help maintain commercial & private sites. Based near Wincanton Some experience is preferred but training can be given. Driving licence essential Contact Mike on 07738824952 or email greenmanservices@gmail.com

Wehaveanewpositionforanexperienced Administrator/Receptionisttojoinus.

Thisisavariedrole,andtheabilitytoworkas partofateamwithapositiveandflexible attitudeisessential.

Thesuccessfulcandidatewillneedgood organisationalskillsandaprofessionaland confidenttelephonemanner.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitourwebsite;

The famous Sherborne Station Cafe is looking for someone to join our fantastic team working some weekend shifts. Some experience is essential. Please call Trish 07517 099547 SITUATIONS WANTED EXPERIENCED GARDENER; regular and one off job 07929 352829

TRUSTWORTHY, RELIABLE FRIENDLY EX-NURSE offering companionship/home help outings, appointments, etc. Details: 07969 431732

PART-TIME VAN DRIVER

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

To place your classified adverts

CLASSIFIEDS

A.P.STEPHENS & SON LTD

Require Multi-Skilled Labourer

Full time

Blandford

Call Luke 07818 297152

blackmorevale.net/jobs

REQUIRED at The Fine Food Company, Wincanton. Driving a 3.5T vehicle, delivering picked orders to customers.

Wednesday-Saturday start 06.30am. Approx 16-20 hours per week. Clean licence preferred. Email: careers@finefoodco.co.uk

NAZARETH LODGE IS LOOKING TO FULFILL VARIOUS ROLES within our home.

call Lizzie 01963 400186

call Phoenix

CARER FOR ELDERLY LADY NEEDED for two hours a day near Wimborne. £15p/h. References please. Telephone Nicky - 07794 364931

*LITTER PICKER / GENERAL YARD TIDYING DUTIES*

Litter picker & general yard cleaner required for Down End Composting & Recycling.

Successful individual must be hardworking, fit, energetic and happy to work outside in all weather conditions. Based in Stourpaine we offer flexible hours to suit and good rate of pay. Please call 01258 455219 to apply.

Deputy Director at Future Roots

£40,000

Full Time Location: Sherborne

The Starting Salary will be in the region of £40,000 (This will increase over time in line with the development of the role and the post holder’s performance).

Hours of Work: This is a full-time role working 37 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday. (Occasional weekend and evening work may be required).

Job Description: This is an exciting new role to help Future Roots (limited by guarantee) improve, progress and develop its programs to Young people and families. We are an award-winning organisation that has been in operation for 16 years, based on a farm site between Dorchester and Sherborne.

For further details of our work visit our website at: www.futureroots.net

To apply go to: https://jobs.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/

Reference: REC/23/02263

ROOFING LABOURER REQUIRED in Stalbridge area.

Contact Roy 01963 362325 or 07905 281456

We are looking for full and part time staff for both day and night care roles. We offer competitive rates of pay and run a bonus scheme. If you have a kind and caring personality we want to hear from you. Please call 01258 472511

CHEERFUL PA / CARER wanted near Tisbury. 07790 524241

The New

Blackmore Vale Magazine

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP

For jobseekers and employers

NOW ON Facebook

Future Roots is a business like no other - helping young people

Future Roots is a social enterprise - a business, but not like others.

Unlike a traditional business, any profit Future Roots makes is reinvested back into the community - it does not get paid to directors or shareholders.

Started in 2006, it was registered as an enterprise in 2008 and has been supporting young people for over a decade.

Future Roots was the vision of founder, Julie Plumley.

Julie is a Dorset farmer’s daughter, but went on to have a long career in social work.

Future Roots combines the best of both worlds.

“The name Future Roots originated as we want the people who need us to feel that their Future prospects are better because of what we offer,”a spokesperson said.

“This might be better financial and job prospects; it might be happiness and wellbeing or improved resilience giving the ability to cope with a personal situation. Each of the above leads to hope that their future will be better that then they had previously thought and believed they could achieve.

“Roots came from knowing that everyone needs roots to provide the key nutrients to strengthen and grow.

“Roots are also a stretchable anchor, being a safe and secure place to return and a place that will ground you when you feel lost. Our aim is to provide stability and direction through any tough times for young people and their families.”

For more information, visit futureroots.net.

Recruitment

FULL TIME AND PART TIME EARLY YEARS STAFF

Explorers Preschool are seeking two staff for our friendly village Pre School based in Henstridge, Somerset. Knowledge and experience of delivering the EYFS.

Deputy supervisor/key person

The person we are looking for will have to deputise and support the work of our supervisor. Level 3 qualification is required, safeguarding and an appropriate firstaid certificate. full time term time working. Salary- £16000 Experience dependant

Early years practitioner level 2/3

Level 2 or 3 qualification is required, safeguarding and an appropriate firstaid certificate. 15 hours per week, with potential to increase. Salary- £7200 Experience dependant

Application by CV and covering letter to explorers.preschool@hotmail.co.uk or for an informal chat please call 07792240804. Website: www.explorers -preschool.org.uk

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP

Pitman on song as Rockies hit five

by Avril Lancaster

Shaftesbury 5

Laverstock & Ford 0 SHAFTESBURY hit four second-half goals and moved top of the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division after this victory following on from a 5-2 midweek win at Hamble Club.

Brett Pitman opened the scoring with a blistering header from Liam Farrugia’s cross.

Pitman converted a penalty and Cam Beard was on hand to

FOOTBALL

finish from a Callum Sweeney assist to put the Rockies 3-0 ahead.

Asa Philips hit a thundering shot which former Rockies keeper Lewis Gunstone Grey pushed away before the ball dipped over the line for the fourth.

Pitman thumped in the fifth goal for his hat-trick and to move on to 12 for the season and his fifth of the week.

Folke club and senior championships

THE glorious autumn sunshine, warm breezes, manicured greens and open fairways were the perfect setting for Folke Golf Club’s club and senior championships.

The club championships were a 36-hole event – 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday – and the senior championships was an 18-hole event combined with round 2 of the club championships on the Sunday. Sunday was rounded off by refreshments and a barbecue courtesy of clubhouse managers Toni and Nigel Bow.

Coached swimming sessions for junior swimmers with four split ability lanes for:

Swimming for fitness in a relaxed and friendly environment.

• Tailored sessions for competitive multi-sport swimmers who want to improve their technique, speed and endurance.

1 session per week: £30 2 sessions per week: £52 3 sessions per week: £65

Session Times:

Monday: 6.45pm to 7.45pm Wednesday: 5.45pm to 7.15pm Friday: 6pm to 7pm

For further information, contact Darren White on Email:

Tel: 07778301817

All the competitions were very close but when the final scores were submitted the club champion with the lowest gross score of 168 was Craig Pitcher.

Andy Guppy had the lowest net score of 139.

In the seniors, Kevin Down had the lowest gross score with 84, and the lowest net scorer was John Nichols with 70.

It was another superb weekend of golf at Folke thanks to greenkeeper Andy, Toni and Nigel in the clubhouse and Derek and Debbie Hinks and other committee members.

n WINCANTON Golf Club results – September.

YOUTH TENNIS

Pupils tops for tennis

Pairs Texas Scramble –September 2: 1 Stephen Ashfield David Amann 37, 2 Robert Ley / Chris Chapman 35, 3 Brian White / John Westaway 30.

Monthly Stableford –September 9: 1 Chris Chapman 32, 2 Steven Ireland 31 ocb, 3 Adam Smith 31, 4 Trevor Mills 31.

Wincanton Seniors men teamed up with the Ladies for a fun mixed pairs competition (pictured) for the second year which was enjoyed by all.

Seniors Stableford –September 12: 1 Malcolm Faulkner 10, 2 Kevin Dinneen 9. Monthly Medal – September 16: 1 Chris Chapman nett 67, 2 Trevor Mills nett 68, 3 Adan Smith nett 71.

Seniors Captains Cup –September 19: 1 Jim Stephen 35, 2 Kevin George 33 ocb, 3 John Westaway 33, 4 Richard Strong 33.

Seniors Back Stableford –September 19: 1 Alan Rogers 14, 2 Derek King 10 ocb, 3 Mike Goodchild 10.

ST Nicholas CofE Primary School, Henstridge, won the South and South West LTA Tennis Awards schools regional tennis 2023.

Pupils use governor Dr Adrian Gaymer’s all-weather tennis court for weekly tennis lessons.

Headteacher Alison Shearer said: “We are very proud to be the 2023 School of the Year

and congratulations to our coach and children on receiving this special achievement.

“We very much look forward to another year of tennis.”

Charlie Hansford

GOLF

North slip to first defeat

by Andrew Wallace Clune Round 4 Southern Counties

South Swanage & Wareham 33

North Dorset 1st XV 25

NORTH Dorset 1st XV suffered their first defeat of the season when they travelled to Swanage & Wareham.

Sam Stinton, Rylie Lewis and Will Willoughby scored tries, with Tom Steward adding 10 points with the boot.

David Stickland was the man of the match.

The 2nd XV – ‘The Badgers’ – fared better in their first league match of the season, when they took on Wimborne 2nd XV at Slaughtergate.

The home side hung on 33-29, after the visitors rallied

RUGBY

hard in the last quarter of the match.

Tries went to David Allen, Oli Davies, Mike Green, Gavin Bain, Oliver Barge and Tom Rose, who also added a penalty goal.

Kenton Ward, Barge, Green and Fergus Neale put in strong performances for the Badgers, but Tom Rose and Jake Walters shared the man of the match award.

Round 3 Southern Counties

South

North Dorset 26 Sherborne 24

NORTH Dorset took on local rivals Sherborne in the first local derby since 2019 in their

Junior anglers’ biggest match

DORCHESTER & District Angling Society Juniors, refreshed after the summer break, were back with their biggest event of the year, the Senior/Junior Pairs Match at Todber Manor.

Ash Lake was the venue for seven teams on what was a blisteringly hot day for everyone, including the fish.

Practice yielded impressive weights of over 300lb but match day saw much lower weights than expected.

The only exception would be Richard Butler who showed everyone how it is done with just under 275lb.

A reverse points system was used and Richard and partner Jack Cryer were third with six points, second came Jack and Dave Copp with five points, but the winners and 2023 Senior/ Junior pairs match champions were Josiah Wells-Parkes and Si Wagner with three points.

Jo fished a magnificent match to win the junior section

with 179lb 7oz, backed up by Si, who was second in the seniors, with 112lb 12oz. n SIX juniors sat in mild but changeable conditions for round eight of this year’s Dorchester & District Angling Society (DDAS) junior championship at Whitemoor.

The freshly manicured Chester’s Lake looked perfect for a few fish and would not disappoint.

The juniors had plenty of room to spare and were spread out around the lake to give them as much room as possible to fish.

Most opted for the method feeder as their main line of attack but one or two tried the pole.

Jack Copp nearly made that pay off for him by catching some larger fish very close to his platform. One more fish would have grabbed second place for Jack, but he had to be

first home match of the season.

North skipped to a 9-0 lead in the first quarter through the boot of full-back Tom Stewart, before Jack Spencer finished off a try from a lovely break down the right by Tom Johnson.

However, Sherborne struck back almost immediately with a converted try and penalty of their own.

Stewart added another penalty before half-time, so the sides went to the break 19-10 in favour of the home side.

The second-half was just as close. Steward pounced on a fumbled ball, made the break and toed the ball forward, and Tom Johnson won the race to the ball over brother Will to claim the try which was

converted.

Sherborne found their stride in the last quarter putting North under huge pressure.

Two converted tries saw them come within two points but North hung on to win.

Jack Spencer, Adam Trevis and Pearce Mercer were the pick of the North pack, working hard all day, while Lewis Munster, Ryan Boardwell and Robbie Sampson kept the pressure on Sherborne with strong running and smart kicking.

Tom Steward was man of the match for some rugged lastditch defence at full-back, and solid kicking, while Sherborne’s Toby Whigman did well taking his two tries in the second-half.

satisfied with 39lb 7oz and third place.

Austin Scott-Kennedy was just 6oz ahead with 39lb 13oz of margin caught carp but the winner was Josiah Wells-Parkes with 50lb 12oz.

Jo took home 25 points and a £15 voucher for Alan’s Angling.

For more information about DDAS Juniors visit www. ddasjuniors.co.uk or email to juniors.sec@d-das.com.

For membership information visit www.d-das.com and for fishery information contact Tom at Whitemoor Lakes on Facebook.

Senior junior pairs match champions Josiah Wells-Parkes and Si Wagner

Dilute urine and its causes

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

THIS is the second of two articles about increased drinking and increased urinating. This article focuses on the causes of increased volumes of dilute urine which then causes the animal to drink more.

Kidney disease, which can be of sudden onset or a gradual process of deterioration, prevents the kidneys from filtering water and chemicals effectively meaning that larger volumes of water and protein are released into the bladder causing larger volumes of urine to be produced which is dilute. Associated symptoms can include reduced appetite and vomiting.

Diabetes mellitus causes an increase in the glucose content of the blood due to a failure of insulin production or effect. The excess glucose is excreted from the kidneys in large volumes of fluid creating dilute urine containing a lot of glucose. Other symptoms include increased appetite and weight loss and, left untreated, it can lead to coma and death.

Diabetes insipidus is a relatively rare condition where a hormone, which instructs the kidneys to concentrate the urine, stops being produced or stops being effective and fluid is lost at virtually the same concentration as it is taken in. Water restriction in this case can rapidly lead to life threatening dehydration. Diagnosis is by exclusion of all other causes or trialling medication.

Cushings Disease or

hyperadrenocorticism occurs when the body over produces the steroid hormone cortisol. This condition leads to very dilute urine probably because the cortisol interferes with kidney function. Other symptoms include thinning of the hair, often especially on the tail, and a pot-bellied appearance. Hypercalcaemia or high blood calcium causes dilute urine by altering kidney function. High calcium can be due to overproduction of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid gland – which sits above the thyroid gland – the presence of lymphosarcomas – or other forms

Food for our furry family members, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds. Grain-free, vegetarian, frozen, gluten & sugar-free chews, natural treats. Soft toys, leather toys, leads & collars, coats, cool & heat pads, veterinary bedding, shampoo, towels... even microchipping!

Come and browse with a friendly chat... and if you don’t see what you want please ask!

of cancer

– kidney disease or over supplementation with vitamin D and several other less common causes.

Other causes include liver disease, electrolyte abnormalities and certain medications.

The first step in attempting to determine the cause is to collect a urine sample. Further tests are likely to include blood tests and imaging depending on the initial findings.

Please discuss your animal’s symptoms with your vet and they will advise you how to proceed.

Lynn Broom looks at the causes of increased volumes of dilute urine which causes the animal to drink more

PHOTO: Rupert/ Pixabay

MID DORSET BRANCH CATS PROTECTION

Cats looking for new homes

n Lollipop (11 years). Looking for a rural home with no other pets where her diet can be controlled

n Larry (four months). A gentle, shy boy who will blossom once in a home

n Tim (two years). Lovely friendly boy looking for new home

LOST CATS

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

n Tabby, Bengal cross cat missing since August 24 from Pimperne

n White cat, missing since September 7 from Poole

n Black and white cat missing from Fifehead Neville since about September 4

FOUND CATS

If you regularly see a cat in your

BEHAVIOUR TIPS

n Chester (eight years). Chester is a gorgeous, loving boy who looks to be in your company

n Jerry (five months). A gorgeous, friendly, playful boy

n We also have kittens looking for homes in the coming weeks –please get in touch to register your interest.

n Outdoors cats looking for homes – farms, stables etc

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

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

n White and ginger entire male, Acreman Street, Sherborne. Around for about one month, being fed by finder.

n Black cat, very thin and frightened. Being fed by finder, Kingston Cross Hazelbury Bryan.

n Tortoishell, High Street, Sturminster Marshall. Has been seen for a couple of days.

Tip #48:Dog attacks in the news

by Helen Taylor

WHENEVER the tragic news of another fatal dog attack on a child hits the news it is easy to forget that these are still extremely rare events. In 2022, four children sadly lost their lives in dog attacks.

It is also important to point out that fatal dog attacks are not sudden random events with no prior warning or build up. There is usually a history of mismanagement in some form. This often includes chronic lack of supervision of child and/or dog, lack of appropriate early socialisation and use of punishment.

There has usually also been a build up of escalating aggression – or attempts at aggression – towards children over months or even years. Every incident or encounter that prompts an aggressive responses – even if the dog is restrained or contained – increases the risk of a tragic outcome.

Owners that see ANY sign of aggression or discomfort around children –whether or not they have children themselves and whether this is directed at their own children or someone else’s – should seek appropriate professional advice without delay, and the earlier the intervention occurs the better the likely outcome.

n Helen Taylor is a qualified, accredited behaviourist, a certified clinical animal behaviourist, a registered practitioner with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and is a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (no 881). help@helentaylordorset.co.uk; www. helentaylordorset.co.uk

Items for sale

CLASSIFIED ADS

LATE 18 CENTURY OAK GATE leg table (c1780) open 56inches, closed 20inches. Nr Ilchester. 01935 840612

5.5mtrs SAWN SANDSTONE flags (like hamstone) £100 Nr Ilchester, 01935 840612

DFS SOFA, grey, 5 months old, large 2-seater, £600 ono. 07494-181075

1950’s HABERDASHERY CABINET. Excellent condition. £1950. 07588 053555

ELECTRIC RISER RECLINER CHAIRS, black leather, 2 years old, buyer collect £400 each ono, and dropleaf pine table and 4 chairs, £100 ono 07787-796427

MIGHTY MAC Forget raking leaves.

8 hp Leaf vacuum. Hardly used. £750. 01747 828 036

WHITE SHOWER BASE

£20. 07588 053555

LEATHER SOFA. Excellent condition. £395. Matching leather chair. £250. 07588 053555

MILET STEAM OVEN. Integrated. As new. £295 07588 053555

OAK GRANITE WORKTOPS. Excellent condition. £950 07588 053555

WOOD AND MULTI-FUEL STOVES, new and exdisplay bargains, Wessex Woodburners 01747 853110

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

OLD SCHOOL TRUNK £30 07977 587573

Phone 07485 475767 £10 for the three.

FRENCH DECORATIVE FRENCH

MILL wheels, cast iron, 2@ 57 cms diameter. £20 each. 01258 818219

LARGE CERAMIC VASES X 2 (BOULTON, WEST COUNTRY) circa 1970’s. Brown glaze/black leaf design approx 27cms £15. 01935 851076

NEXTBASE FRONT SCREEN DASH CAM. GPS system. 412 GW Model. 140 degree wide angle lens. Full cable. VGC. Needs an SD card. £25. 07483 875814

6 TABLE CLOTHS, large & medium sizes £50 ono 01258 473474

BRAND NEW LADIES FITNESS GLOVES with adjustable weights £10. Fitness power hoop with weights, as new. £10. Tel: 07801 853312

UNUSED SHOWHOME KING SIZE fire resistant bed base only. Collection only from Yeovil. £50. Plus one other available. 07799 012260

DOG CRATE 60cm(w) 45cm(h) 52cm(d), £15 - 01258 472826

CLASSIC DINING TABLE 5FT PLUS LEAF EXTENSION. Used but good condition. 2 carver chairs, seats upholstered, 4 standard chairs seats upholstered. £45 or near offer. Must go collect East Stour. Tel 01747 838187

FREE. UNWANTED SMALL GREENHOUSE 4 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft . dismantle and take away. 07967 008345

TOWER AIR FRYER USED ONCE. Still in box. £50. Call 07907 229461

GATE, HEAVY METAL BOX STEEL construction tinned on one side, size approx 10ft x 5ft £50 Tel:- 07721 530520

FERGUSON STEREOGRAM, model 3363, £48 – 01747 840835

METAL STAINLESS STEEL GARDEN ROLLER 50cm wide, approx 11kg, can fill with water/sand, very good condition £15 Tel:07891 987809

RALEIGH STURMEY ARCHER BIKE, needs some tlc and air, £25 01747 840317

BULOVA MEN’S CHRONOGRAPH WATCH 96A163 boxed hardly used hence as new condition. £50. Brian 01747 840434 (Penselwood)

KENWOOD CHEF MIXER MATUREstill working with liquidiser - very good condition. FREE. 01747 830000

30 + MIXED TOY VEHICLES. Mostly metal, good condition. £5. Tel: Sherborne 01935 507375

TRIAL FM ARIEL, four element, long distance FM, like new. (Never used outside) £10. 01963 319751. Gillingham

SOFA 3 SEATER, 2 seater and a chair. Burgundy leather, £49. 01258 473836

MEN’S EVENING SUIT. W36”. As new. VGC. £20. Telephone 01202 677607

DINING ROOM TABLE AND CHAIRS. £50. 07970 012046

x 2 SMALL ZEBRA FINCHES (CANARY SIZE) MALE & FEMALE, under 1 year. Cage & stand provided. Free to good home. 01963 33464

3 WHEEL ROLLATOR MOBILITY with zipper bag £50 Tel: 01747 840317

WEBB SELF ADJUSTING HAND PUSH MOWER. WEH 30. As new. £20. Suits small garden. 01747 855376

BIRD FEEDING STATION (new) plus many feeders £20 phone 01963 240490 after 6pm

LADIES BLACK LEATHER HAND BAG with shoulder strap. £25 VGC. 01747 852310. Motcombe

LAWN MOWER WEBB 30CM, self adjusting hand push mower. WEH30. Suits small garden. As new. £50. 01747 855376

TRONIX PRO GORILLA ASSAULT 4.2metre surf rod. £50 ono 07907 044084

THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 46 copies. First edition 1973. Reasonable condition £50 Tel 01305 267960

WANTED

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

ALSO GUNS FOR SALE

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

Migrants heading south to the sun

by A J Selby

Brown October brings the pheasant; then to gather nuts is pleasant

OCTOBER is undoubtedly the month with the most variation from start to finish.

September has made up for a pretty lousy summer – certainly for sun-lovers like myself, although it’s kept the veg growing without much watering. The hot week in early September was soon a distant memory after the rain and wind in the middle of the month.

October will be full-on autumn and by the end of the month the clocks will have changed, it will be dark by 6pm and we may have had a touch of frost or an early autumn gale.

Over the course of the month we will see the last of the summer migrants – the chiffchaff was belting out his ditty on my favourite walk this morning – but soon he will join the swallows, martins and other less seen migrants on their long journey south to the sun.

We will also see the slow death that is autumn as the leaves turn into amazing shades of yellow, bronze, russet and gold. The hedgerows and meadows will also be looking sorry for themselves as stalks of thistle and teasel stand sentinel among dormant grasses.

Should we be hit by early autumn winds the dead and dying leaves will be stripped from their branches and the woodland floor will be a

October will be full-on autumn and by the end of the month the clocks will have changed, it will be dark by 6pm and we may have had a touch of frost or an early autumn gale

crunchy carpet that kids will love kicking their way through. As Robert Frost wrote in his poem October:

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild, Should waste them all.

October also sees peak hooting season of the tawny owls as they stake their territory. You can hear them across a still night several hundred yards apart replying to a call here and there.

The other noise less often heard is the shrill, drawn-out kew-wick of the female. Many a countryman on a late night walk home has been startled by this high-pitched screech – I know it has made me jump on more than one occasion. This is where the term ‘screech owl’ comes from, and its Latin name Strix Uluco means owl that screeches.

A walk through the October countryside can yield a lovely harvest of sweet chestnuts. Not to be confused with horse chestnuts – conkers – sweet chestnuts are encased in a softer but fiendishly prickly casing, the two halves of which look like castanets, hence its true name, Spanish chestnut, with a further clue in its Latin name, Castanea Sativa – castanea – chestnut, sativa – cultivated.

The wood is prized for its resilience in the wet, being used for fence posts, hurdles and stakes – often as a coppiced crop – as well as making barrels for maturing balsamic vinegar in some countries.

The delight, however, is finding a mature tree with a bounteous harvest of plump chestnuts bulging out of their cases, scattered on the ground.

If you are impatient, a carefully aimed boot across the top of the spines is usually enough to dislodge the ripe nuts

which can be eaten raw.

Otherwise gather them up and take them home, dissecting the harvest with gloves, prick them to stop them popping and roast them over the embers, as the Christmas song goes. I love them.

An autumn walk early on a still morning as the sun comes up after heavy dew can reveal another of nature’s spectacular sights – the entanglement of spiders’ webs dripping with moisture across every bush, fence and stalk.

It’s astonishing as to the amount of work they get through in a few hours of darkness, and the maze that greets us in the morning is a wonder.

Some are perfect webs –others are joined by impossibly long threads stretching to the top of fence posts or the branches of shrubs and small trees. Stop and enjoy them. Late September and October are the best months to see this marvel of the natural world.

If the weather is on our side then October can also offer an explosion of fungi from the tiniest protrusions from a dead branch to drifts of field mushrooms in old meadows. Look out for edible ceps, blewits and shaggy in-caps among others but please be sure of your identification. Whatever the weather, don’t stay inside as there is plenty going on out there, so wrap up and get some fresh air.

Funding will help threatened species

PROJECTS to protect threatened animal species in Dorset will benefit from a share of £14.5 million of funding, it has been announced.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has been awarded a share of the money by Natural England, as part of the Species Recovery Grant.

It is hoped the cash will help recover some of Dorset’s most rare and threatened species –

from the sand lizard and lapwing to the great crested newt, greater horseshoe bat and the ladybird spider.

The Dorset Species Recovery Programme will implement a series of practical interventions to create and improve the habitat for a set of 10 ‘priority species’ across 11 Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves.

The species are threatened or

near-threatened and have a need for urgent action if they are to survive.

The 10 species are: pillwort, marsh clubmoss, sand lizard, heath tiger beetle, lapwing, dingy mocha, great crested newt, ladybird spider, fly orchid and greater horseshoe bat.

Sites to benefit from the funding include heathland reserves across the county, where dry heathland scrapes

will be created to help the sand lizard, alongside wet scrapes for pillwort and marsh club moss to establish itself.

In West Dorset, ponds will be created and restored at Kingcombe and Powerstock Common to benefit the great crested newt.

And in the north of the county, woodland management will aim to provide more habitat for the fly orchid.

PHOTO: Gennaro Leonardi/Pixabay

Field & Stream

Signs of autumn all around

by Tria Stebbing

NEVER a dull moment in the field. The hedgerows have provided, and I have large quantities of blackberry jam as well as a freezer full of sloes, an incredible yield this year.

The sheep are enjoying the drier weather, although we have been plagued by flies again causing what we think is sweet itch in one of the ewe’s ears.

We watched the last of the swallows swooping relentlessly over their heads, it was an amazing sight, yet sad as we realised it was the last-minute feed before they left for warmer climes.

The butterflies are abundant still, feeding on the blackberry bushes and enjoying the cooler late summer, and the wasps are becoming sleepy.

The ewe with sweet itch is affected every year on her stomach and on her ears, this year it is much later. It looks a bit like eczema and is clearly very itchy to the animal.

After much searching we have found what works for her

and she now patiently stands while I lather up her stomach to give her relief. With the flies still present in the field it is also important that she does not scratch it raw, as it will attract flies to her and potentially lead to her demise.

She has a hypersensitivity to the bite of midges, which is what causes the irritation. It is more commonly found in horses and in the UK affects about 5% of the horse population.

The poor thing is currently a cocktail of medications, Clik for flystrike, Ivermectin for worms and nose bot and nappy cream for her rash, she hates it on her ears.

The hedgerows have provided for Tria Stebbing this year with lots of blackberry jam and a freezer full of sloes

The hunt for a mate for Sebastian the Highland Bull has proved tricky with local lass he had his eye on not the right choice, so we took the bull by the horns and contacted Dorset’s most famous fold – a group of Highland cows is called a fold – for help.

He has a young lady that fits the remit, and we are off to meet her at the weekend. At three years old she is the perfect age to breed.

Highlands can breed up until 18 years old and live until 20, much longer than the usual cow.

They are also the oldest cattle breed in the world appearing in the Outer Hebrides

in the sixth century.

They struggle to see where they are going, and have heightened other senses, with the long ‘dossan’ fringe blocking their way.

To the untrained eye the best way to tell the sexes apart is the horns – the bull’s horns are wide and grow forwards, the cow’s grow upwards and are longer and finer at the tip.

We hope our trip next week to the west of the county will be a positive one and Sebastian can meet his mate.

We have yet to decide of a good time for lambing next year and this will be dictated by the Highlands as priority will be given to calving.

We have reduced our flock to a more manageable size and may give lambing a miss next year.

Autumn is knocking on the door and our time is for now being spent tidying and getting bales covered and machinery put away ready for whatever mother nature sees fit to send us.

Rewilding project shows rapid benefits

MORE than 300 species have been added to a list of occupants at a Dorset site – two years after the start of a rewilding project.

Since the Wild Woodbury rewilding scheme – led by Dorset Wildlife Trust – got under way, it has restored the headwaters of the River Sherford to allow it to take its natural course across the site.

The land, at Bere Regis, had been drained with a deep ditch and field drain system and the river itself could no longer be seen.

By strategically filling in

ditches to push water out onto the land, blocking up field drains and creating leaky dams, a once dry and cracked landscape is now a heterogeneous mixture of large flows, ephemeral pools and delta-like areas, the trust said.

“This makes the land much more resilient to drought, filters excess nutrients out of the water, helps to alleviate flash flooding downstream, and will provide habitats and space for biodiversity and bio abundance to increase,” a spokesperson added.

“Just a few weeks after the restoration had finished, surveys showed a total of 90 lapwing, 20 golden plover and 30 common snipe, all feeding in the newly wetted areas.

They said Wild Woodbury has seen a ‘huge increase in both biodiversity and bio-

abundance’, with the site list now boasting more than 1,600 species, an increase of 300 from the previous year.

“Several Red-listed and Red-data Book species, including marsh tit and greenfinch, are using the site to breed, helping smaller populations build resilience, as well as increasing numbers of more common species.

“The upward trend in ground nesting bird numbers continues from year one, with skylark now at around 50 pairs compared to 18 in 2022, tree pipit increasing from one to seven pairs, and nightjar holding new territories.

“Reptiles are moving back in, with adder now confirmed to be breeding, and an uplift of grass snake, slow worm and common lizard populations on site.

“Invertebrate numbers continue to grow, with butterflies showing around a 25% increase in abundance, including the colonisation and breeding of silver-studded blues, a butterfly usually associated with wet heath habitats.”

Meanwhile, planting of a food forest has been taking place, with around 200 mixed fruit trees and bushes being planted by staff and volunteers.

“Not only will this food forest help provide local and sustainable food for the nearby residents, but it will add to the diversity of habitats on site, supporting different species with shelter and a food source,” the spokesperson added.

For more information on the Wild Woodbury project, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ WildWoodbury

Autumn is time for sheep breeding

by Josephine Child BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS

Friars Moor Vets

OUR Indian summer now forgotten, it’s that time of year when the leaves on the trees are turning, harvest comes to an end and where we look towards new beginnings and thoughts of next year in the farming calendar.

For our sheep that means thinking about breeding. Sheep are short day breeders, which means they come into oestrus or season when the hours of daylight decrease.

Some breeds are less susceptible to these changes in daylight, which stimulates melatonin in the brain, with some breeds of sheep and notably the Dorsets being able to breed for most of the year.

We can employ various techniques to manipulate the breeding season to some extent, for example, some breeders might want their sheep to lamb earlier in the spring to ensure big lambs for showing or to hit the spring lamb trade.

Smallholders may want all their sheep to lamb in a three- to five-day window when they can book holiday from work.

Using CiDRs or intra-vaginal progesterone releasing devices can be a useful way to synchronise ewes.

This means that you synchronise the breeding cycle such that they all cycle simultaneously, with the hope they will all be ‘tupped’ – bred – by the ram in a very short time frame.

This is handy for a number of reasons

– it’s easier to feed ewes all in the same stage of pregnancy, scanning for pregnancy is easier if they are all at the same point and, most notably, observing for signs of lambing or possible requirement of assistance is easier if you expect all of them at once.

Sheep have a breeding cycle of about 18 days, which means if the rams are with the ewes for two-and-a-half cycles – five weeks – and you only have 10 ewes then natural mating over that time could give a very protracted lambing period with many sleepless nights.

The gestation period of a sheep is 152 days, or the traditionalists among you will remember it as the rams go ‘in with a bang’ – November 5 – and the lambs come ‘out like a fool’ – April 1.

Another synchronisation method we

Sheep are short day breeders, which means they come into oestrus or season when the hours of daylight decrease

frequently use is ‘teaser rams’. These are rams that have been vasectomised. They still produce high levels of testosterone and the smell of them will ‘excite’ the ewes when they’re ready for breeding – known as the ‘ram effect’. Ewes are kept away from the ram for at least a month before expected start of mating. The teaser rams are put with the ewes for 10-14 days.

When the teaser rams are taken away, the breeding rams are introduced. This means the teaser ram will induce the ewes to cycle, and when the breeding ram is put in, they cycle straight away and often in unison.

For more information on synchronisation techniques or help with breeding in your sheep, give the practice a call and speak to one of our vets or vet techs about the services we provide.

PHOTO: ivabalk/ Pixabay

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288.

Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/greenall with box locks

Tel

Mob: 07966 244536

Hydraulic Hose Specialists and Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive and Transport Industry

Pneumatic fittings

Air brake fittings

Hose clamps

Hydraulic Hoses

Quick release couplings

Pressure wash hoses + lances

Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Variation of oils

Mobile service available

FOR SALE

Pedigree Poll Dorset sheep. 1 ram, 4 flock age ewes, 4 shearling ewes. 01258 459599

BARN/SHED WANTED TO RENT, Gillingham area, suitable for few weaned calves, 07519 247270

STRUGGLING ALONE? JUST INTRODUCTIONS CAN HELP

We offer you the chance to meet someone who matches your lifestyle, be it a companion, partner, helpmeet or a person who can sympathise when the tractor’s broken or the cows get out We do h ome visits to create a profile , to meet potential likeminded partners. Interested? Phone Roy on 07834 413372 or email roy@justintroductions.co uk

Email: hoses@ardiesels.co.uk

2023

MEADOW

Sedgehill Shaftesbury

Quality hay from well managed low input grassland. Early June and second growth also diverse 80/20 wildflower meadow mix hay. From £5.00

07973 318593

QUALITY HAYLAGE AND HAY AVAILABLE in 3ft, 4ft, 6ft square bales. From £25 per bale collected. Delivery available. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300 345293

Book online: blackmorevale.net

Email: adverts@blackmorevale.net

Skips/HAIB

Cote Farm Works, Kilmington, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6RF

TOPPING

Flail Hedge trimming

All types of fencing

KEEN YOUNG FARM are looking for winter housing for cattle or land to out winter cattle for on please call Harry on 07806 751 845

Tel: 01747 855198 We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price. Call us on 01749 813957 or 07971 012628 or find us at www.southwesttyreservices.co.uk

DEADLINES

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

50 golden years down on the farm

Farming by Ruth Kimber

PAUL

and I have reached our 50th wedding anniversary! It really doesn’t seem that long ago that we tied the knot in St Lawrence’s Church, Cucklington.

However, when we look back over the years and reminisce, we have packed in quite a lot. Six children, all doing well, and six lovely partners, that’s an achievement in itself! They have produced 13 grandchildren ranging from 18 to six.

When we were first married, there were 80 milking cows and the dairy replacements on 105 acres of the family farm, following on from Jack and Win Kimber, Paul’s parents. My inheritance from my parents, Clarence and Hazel Buckland, was invested in the farm in the way of some new bloodlines of British Friesians and the purchase of a nearby field.

We had a Nuffield 1060, a Dexter – neither had safety cabs – then when we bought a Ford 4000, with safety cab, we felt very modern! We had a

Triumph Herald car and a mini pick-up for the farm – I used to take calves to Sturminster Newton Market in it. Our parents had a Ford Escort and a Simca.

In the centre of our life together has been farming, which many say is not a job, but a lifestyle – which is true – but with no other income source, it had to pay our living. Selling our own produce became a natural step. In the early years, it was a set of pigs for pork, half pigs for freezers, big chicken, a batch of table ducks and the first turkeys.

We sold our produce to family and friends, then at Christmas the turkeys were sold from our kitchen at Higher Stavordale, where we opened our first farm shop on the farm, and started trading at farmers’ markets.

Over the early years we developed the Christmas turkey business and now grow 1,300 or so.

We have purchased land as it became available and now we

farm about 500 acres, some owned, some on FBT’s and some annual rental agreements. We have a dairy herd of pedigree British Friesians and pedigree Dairy Shorthorns, milking about 230. We keep all the calves that are born on the farm, some for dairy replacements, many for beef and a few for welfare friendly rose veal. We also grow 300-400 porkers for the farm shop.

We have developed a raw milk business.

We added to the business another 30 acres at Linley Farm, when Naomi and Darren bought Linley Farm. It quickly became obvious that the cow stall would make a great shop, with ample parking. We rent the shop from Darren and Naomi. Naomi now manages the farm shop and has developed a healthy internet business.

Then the Kitchen at Kimbers was developed by Bex our second daughter and Danj her husband. The Somerset Trading Barn, added to the site, makes it

‘Crisis of confidence among dairy farmers’

BRITAIN’S dairy farmers are being forced to think seriously about their future due to concerns over insufficient returns, volatile markets and the scale of on-farm investment, an NFU survey shows.

The survey of nearly 600 dairy farmers’ intentions reveals 9% of producers believe they are likely to stop producing milk by 2025 – up from 7% last year. A further 23% said they were ‘unsure’ if their business would continue producing milk beyond 2025.

87% of dairy farmers who responded said they are concerned about the impact of government regulation, with feed prices (84%), energy prices (83%) and cash flow and profitability (80%) other factors that would curtail milk supplies.

Meanwhile, 91% of dairy farmers said the main factor to them increasing milk production would be the scale of

investment needed for things such as suitable slurry storage to ensure their farms are compliant – this supports the NFU call for Defra’s Surry Infrastructure Grant to be extended to cover more areas and to lower the minimum spend threshold needed to access the funding.

NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes said: “It’s clear that significant inflationary pressures combined with below cost of production prices are continuing to put the resilience of British dairy farming businesses under threat. We are now facing a crisis of confidence among Britain’s dairy farmers.

“The results of this survey show that, now more than ever, we need resilient and collaborative dairy supply chains. It’s vital we reverse this trend of boom or bust and invest in our supply chains. New industrywide regulation on contracts, expected to

a ‘destination’.

In 2015 we built a house, where Paul and I now live. Tom now manages the farm and lives in the farmhouse with Jen, his wife and their four children.

Our other children all live quite close and have successful careers, often helping us out where necessary.

We have enjoyed the village and church activities and took an active role, including hosting barn dances, The church harvest supper, clay shoots and fundraising for charities.

We have been fortunate from the beginning, enjoying the same things, being able to work together, having the same values and interests, and being surrounded by family and friends to support us when the going was tough.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen and Somerset Trading Barn, Linley Farm BA9 8 HD; www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk Phone: 01963 33177; open Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm.

be introduced later this year, must support fairer, more transparent and accountable supply chains. But regulation isn’t a silver bullet.

“With increasing global demand for British dairy, we know the long-term future is bright for our sector. To ensure we maximise this potential, it’s imperative that government continues to work with us to ensure we have the right environmental, regulatory and trade framework in place to support the production of high quality, nutritious and sustainable food.”

NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes

AUCTIONS

Penn Hill, Lower Parkstone Guide £950,000

An excellent development/refurbishment opportunity comprising a substantial 8 bedroom property (3703 sqft./344 sqm.) in about 0.30 acres with outline planning permission for a detached dwelling in the grounds. ‘Situated in a highly sought after road, close to amenities at Ashley Cross village. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Marshwood Guide £250,000 - £270,000 A 3 bedroom bungalow in a rural location with far-reaching views over the Marshwood Vale. EPC E; CTB C; Freehold Bridport | 01308 422092

19

Marston Magna Guide £900,000 (in two lots)

A 5 bedroom bungalow (ag-tie), farm buildings, and 22.90 acres. EPC F; CTB C; Freehold. Further 27.29 acres of productive arable land. Yeovil | 01935 382901

Bere Regis Guide £250,000

A spacious property (1,232 sqft.) for updating with a pending planning app to convert into 2 separate dwellings. EPC C; CTB C; Freehold Wimborne | 01202 843190

2

Yetminster Guide £275,000 A 2 bedroom bungalow (ag-tie), paddock, workshop, 12 x polytunnels and stables in 2.48 acres. EPC TBC; CTB C; Freehold Yeovil | 01935 382901

Holt, Wimborne Guide £45,000 1.70 acres of well-maintained grazing and stabling in a tucked away location close to bridleways. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Lyme Regis Guide £200,000 - £225,000

A 3 storey maisonette for updating with parking and former café close to beach and town centre. EPC’s F,E; CTB B; RV £4,000pa; Freehold Axminster | 01297 33122

East Orchard Guide £195,000 & £85,000 31.33 acres of pasture land in a quiet location with good lane access and mains water. In 2 lots, 22.80 ac & 8.53 ac. Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Merriott Guide £95,000

A parcel of gently sloping pasture land extending to 6.55 acres situated in an edge of village location. Freehold Yeovil | 01935 382901

Spetisbury Guide £70,000 3.07 acres of permanent pasture in a popular location between Wimborne and Blandford. Freehold Wimborne | 01202 843190

Bridport Guide £25,000 0.72 acres of attractive pasture land with outbuildings well situated in the Marshwood Vale. Freehold Axminster | 01297 33122

Guide £422,000

A beautifully presented, Grade II listed, 4 bedroom town house with private allocated parking located close to the town centre. EPC Exempt; CTB E. Freehold Sherborne | 01935 814488

Hartgrove

Guide £925,000

An imposing and spacious detached 4 bedroom house with stunning countryside views and a paddock, in all approximately 4.44 acres. EPC C; CTB F. Freehold Sturminster | 01258 473766

Guide £695,000

A 4-5 bedroom detached house with internal annexe presented in excellent condition with ample off road parking in this ever popular village. EPC C; CTB E; Freehold Sturminster | 01258 473766

Shaftesbury

Guide £635,000

A detached and extended spacious 4 bedroom bungalow with lovely large south facing garden located on the edge of the town. EPC C; CTB E. Freehold Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sherborne

Marnhull

St Mary's Barns Open Day

S a t u r d a y 1 4 O c t o b e r 2 0 2 3

C h u r c h H i l l S t a l b r i d g e

P R E S E N T I N G A G O R G E O U S C O L L E C T I O N O F E I G H T

N E W L Y B U I L T , U N I Q U E B A R N - S T Y L E H O U S E S

M o d e l l e d o n t h e s e v e n t e e n t h - c e n t u r y f a r m b u i l d i n g s p r e v i o u s l y o n t h e s i t e , a n d w i t h i n t h e f o r m e r

M a n o r o f S a i n t M a r y ’ s C h u r c h , t h e i n d i v i d u a l b a r n s a r e u n i q u e b u t a l l e x h i b i t o p e n , f l o w i n g a n d f l e x i b l e s p a c e s , b u r s t i n g w i t h n a t u r a l l i g h t , w i t h s e c r e t g l i m p s e d v i e w s a n d v a u l t e d c e i l i n g s D e s p i t e g i v i n g t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f a p e r i o d b u i l d i n g , S t M a r y ’ s B a r n s i s e n t i r e l y n e w , c o n s t r u c t e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h b u i l d i n g r e g u l a t i o n s , a n d c o m e s w i t h a 1 0 y e a r s t r u c t u r a l w a r r a n t y

R a n g i n g f r o m t w o t o f o u r b e d r o o m s , t h i s t o p q u a l i t y d e v e l o p m e n t o f f e r s s p e c t a c u l a r v i e w s o v e r t h e

B l a c k m o r e V a l e c o u n t r y s i d e , w i t h p r i c e s f r o m £ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o £ 8 5 0 , 0 0 0

T o m a k e a n e n q u i r y o r a r r a n g e a n a p p o i n t m e n t , p l e a s e c o n t a c t e i t h e r M o r t o n N e w o r S a v i l l s

M o r t o n N e w

0 1 2 5 8 4 7 3 0 3 0 s a l e s @ m o r t o n n e w . c o . u k

S a v i l l s

0

d o r s e t n e w h o m e s @ s a v i l l s . c o m

11 Bedroom Country House For Sale

Symonds & Sampson and Rural View are instructed to sell Springfield House at Bugley in North Dorset.

Springfield House is described by Mark Lewis of Symonds & Sampson as a Georgian ‘gem’ with all the qualities of a classic period country house, beautifully positioned at the head of a long drive and commanding superb views over its own land. On the market for the first time in over 50 years, the Grade II Listed main house provides elegant accommodation over two floors, and an integral annexe, all set within extensive gardens with a pool and outbuildings.

Until recently run as a commercial stud farm, the property extends to 71.99 acres (29.12ha) in total. The pasture and paddocks are of superior quality for the area and particularly well suited to equestrian uses, as demonstrated by the number of stud farms in the locality.

In addition to a second dwelling, the

facilities include stabling, a studio and garaging, all of which could be suitable for alternative uses subject to the necessary consents.

The property is for sale as a whole or in three lots with a Guide of £4,000,000 for the whole. For further information, please contact Mark Lewis at Symonds & Sampson 01258 473766 or Charlie Stone Rural View 01747 442500.

£400,000

£350,000 Bayford

A wonderful period stone cottage full of charm and character. Spacious sitting room with wood burning stove, impressive kitchen/breakfast room, rustic garden room with wood burning stove, downstairs cloakroom, two double bedrooms, bath/shower room, exposed timbers and delightful secluded rear garden with studio/office. EPC Rating: D. Freehold.

An individual and deceptively spacious four bedroom detached bungalow which enjoys the benefit of a large landscaped garden. Characterful sitting room, separate dining room, large kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite and useful attic room.

BRUTON

SOUTH CHERITON £430,000

Thinking of moving?

A substantial three bedroom detached bungalow situated in a small close in the sought after village of South Cheriton. Spacious sitting room with open fire, separate dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility/boot room, en-suite shower room, attractive landscaped garden and garage.

We require more properties to meet the demand from buyers looking for a home in Wincanton, Bruton, Castle Cary, Mere, Stalbridge, Milborne Port and the surrounding villages.

NEW INSTRUCTION

If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to provide you with a free market assessment and valuation.

Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

£225,000

A spacious four bedroom terrace house situated within a short walk of local schools. The property enjoys the benefit of a loft conversion creating a master bedroom with dressing room/study and en-suite. Spacious lounge/diner, fitted kitchen, private garden, garage and no forward chain. EPC Rating: C.

NEW INSTRUCTION

£350,000 Henstridge

WINCANTON £145,000

An impressive and deceptively spacious (approx. 2300 sq ft) period house situated in the heart of Henstridge. Lovely character features, huge sitting/ dining room with inglenook fireplace, farmhouse style kitchen with French doors to garden, cloakroom, four bedrooms, large courtyard garden and off road parking. EPC Rating: E. Freehold.

An attractive two bedroom mid terrace house situated in a small close on a mature development. Spacious sitting room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, easy to maintain garden, allocated parking, ideal investment or first time buy. EPC Rating: C.

WINCANTON £226,500

An exceptionally well presented three bedroom semi-detached house with stunning far reaching views over Wincanton and countryside beyond. Sitting room, stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, cloakroom, driveway and garage alongside property, landscaped garden. EPC Rating: C.

Wincanton 01963 34000

£450,000 Marnhull

WINCANTON £179,950

A spacious two bedroom semi-detached house situated on a popular residential development. The property is presented in excellent order and enjoys the benefit of a car port, long driveway, enclosed garden, sitting room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and potential to extend (STPP). EPC Rating: D.

Delightful detached bungalow set in a large secluded garden enjoying views over adjoining fields. A substantial extension provides a large sitting room and kitchen/diner with doors to a terrace. Generous off road parking, garage and two double bedrooms. There is lapsed planning for a loft conversion for additional accommodation. EPC Rating: E. Freehold.

Shaftesbury 01747 851151

Hamlet Lettings

01963 34006

01258 472647

Queen Camel

Spacious 4 bedroom end terrace house with the accommodation spread over three floors. Kitchen/breakfast room, spacious sitting room opening to the rear garden, feature master bedroom, garage, long driveway. EPC Rating: B. Freehold.

A 3 bedroom semi-detached house extended on the ground floor to provide an additional reception room, kitchen and cloakroom. An opportunity to create a home to your own taste and style as some updating required. EPC Rating: D. Freehold.

£375,000 Evercreech

£295,000 Wincanton

House prices fall

THE price of an average house fell by around £14,000 in the year to the end of August, according to new data.

The Halifax said UK property values had dropped by 4.6% compared to August last year, the largest year-on-year decrease since 2009.

However, the bank said the numbers were compared to record-high prices last summer.

In August alone, prices fell by 1.9%, the lender said, the steepest since last November, putting the average price of a house at £279,569 - a drop of around £5,000 since July.

“It’s fair to say that house prices have proven more resilient than expected so far this year, despite higher interest rates weighing on buyer demand,” said Kim Kinnaird, director, Halifax Mortgages.

“However, there is always a

lag-effect where rate increases are concerned, and we may now be seeing a greater impact from higher mortgage costs flowing through to house prices.

“Increased volatility monthto-month is also to be expected when activity levels are lower, though overall the pace of decline remains in line with our outlook for the year as a whole.”

She said buyers may have decided to put off buying amid soaring interest rates, hoping for market stability to emerge.

“The market will continue to rebalance until it finds an equilibrium where buyers are comfortable with mortgage costs in a higher range than seen over the previous 15 years,” Kim added. “We do expect further downward pressure on property prices through to the end of this year and into next.”

Puzzle solutions

Brain chain (hard)

PROPERTY TO LET

TO LET

Fully furnished, one bedroom self contained annex near Blandford. Private parking. References required. 07816 291103

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288

Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

INDUSTRIAL UNITS to let, ranging from Small to Large, available at Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate, Stalbridge, DT10 2RX.Contact: 07768 993222

SOUTH CHERITON

Asking price £750,000 Agricultural tied dwelling in South Cheriton comprising five bedroomed chalet style bungalow set in fifteen acres with an outbuilding. EPC D Please call Morton New on 01747 824547 for more information

Contact

01963

400186

(from pages 40-41)

Arrow words

AGAIN! Government incentives are still available

Domestic Solar

Installation costs falling again this year has meant a huge comeback for PV

Domestic Solar

Installation costs falling again this year has meant a huge comeback for PV.

Commercial Solar

Commercial Solar

Businesses with large electricity bills benefit the most with returns of up to 5x the installation cost.

Businesses with large electricity bills benefit the most with returns of up to 5x the installation cost

Domestic Heating

heating systems and big energy bills – your boat has just come in.

with old & inefficient heating systems and big energy bills – your boat has just come in.

Domestic Heating

Commercial Heating

Incentives for businesses can return more than 5x the investment.

For those with old & inefficient heating systems and big energy bills – your boat has just come in...