The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 103

What’s inside this issue…

Paul Jones - Editor in Chief We love hearing your

and

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Kye Harman

Sports Editor

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Fun-filled day of family activities

BLANDFORD Leisure Centre is hosting a community fun day this Friday, August 30.

The free event celebrates Blandford Leisure Centre’s 30th anniversary.

Everyone’s welcome, with a fun-filled day of activities planned.

A range of free sports and fitness taster sessions will be on offer, from family

celebration of the centre’s 30th anniversary.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to reflect on what Blandford Leisure Centre has achieved over the past three decades and we are honoured to have the Mayor of Blandford join us to mark this milestone.

“It’s set to be a fun-filled day with activities on offer for all interests, ages and

SAME DAY

Guide dog puppies need homes in Dorset

COULD you look after adorable puppies such as Robin and Vesper until they’re ready to undergo vital guide dog training?

Charity Guide Dogs, one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities, is appealing for more people to look after some furry friends for 12 months before they can become life changing guide dogs.

In that time, puppy raisers help them learn basic commands and introduce them to different social environments – with essential costs covered including food and vet bills.

The charity is keen to hear from people particularly in Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury, Wimborne, Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth, as well as Poole.

Guide dog puppies Robin and Vesper are getting settled into their new life in Dorset having moved from their home at the Guide Dogs’ National Centre in Leamington Spa last month.

Robin is a Labrador, and Vesper is a Labrador cross golden retriever. All being well, they will hopefully qualify as working guide dogs at around two years of age.

Elli Cavazza, a Puppy Development Advisor for Guide Dogs, covering Dorset, said: “Robin and Vesper are our latest recruits to join our puppy raising scheme in Dorset.

“Both are currently in loving homes with first-time puppy raisers but we need more local volunteers who’d be happy to help us.

“We’re especially keen to hear from

people who live in or near to Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury, Wimborne, Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth, as well as Poole.

“Being a Puppy Raiser is a long-term commitment but it’s exciting and very rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when the puppy you’ve looked after becomes a qualified guide dog.

“Ideally we need people who are mostly at home and can spend time with the puppy to develop and socialise them.

“This involves things like taking the puppy to different environments such as cafes, shops, on public transport, and other places a guide dog owner might go to.

“It’s not always easy but you won’t be doing it alone. We’ll provide all the training and support you need, so you’ll be well equipped to care for your puppy when they arrive.

“If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs in Dorset, please do get in touch. With your support, we can help train more lifechanging guide dogs for people in the UK living with sight loss.”

Guide Dogs is holding a puppy raising information event at the Corn Exchange in Wareham on Friday, September 13, at 2.30pm where anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can learn all about puppy raising. Free places can be reserved through Eventbrite.

To become a Puppy Raiser, you must be aged over 18, have suitable housing and be able to give a guide dog pup the love and attention they deserve.

Applicants also need to have the ability to access training online and have an email address.

To find out more or apply, visit www. guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraiser

Plans for secure dog-walking field

DOG owners in Gillingham could make use of a new secure dog walking field in the future after plans were submitted to Dorset Council.

An application for a change in use of an agricultural field found at Field Lane in Peacemarsh to a secure dog walking field was submitted last week.

The plans would also see the construction of a new car park with six spaces and a 2.1 metre high fence installed a well as vehicular access.

There are currently no secure dog walking areas within the town – the nearest is located at Todber, 7.5 miles from Gillingham.

According to the planning document, the owners of the field say they have noticed an increase in dog walkers using the footpaths on their land since 2019 and this facility would provide a space for them.

Secure dog walking fields have become popular over the years as they provide a place for

dogs to roam freely – ideal for those with reactive dogs or for those looking for a secure place to train their pooches.

Dorset Ramblers have advised that if the plans go ahead, measures would need to be taken to increase pedestrian safety as the area is a popular route for walkers and if the dog field plans are given the go ahead, there could be an increase in car traffic.

Dorset Highways said it has no objections to the plans,

provided the parking area is permanently maintained.

To view the plans, search P/ FUL/2024/04027 on Dorset Council’s website.

Vesper is a Labrador cross golden retriever

Picture: Guide Dogs

Robin is a Labrador Picture: Guide Dogs

Travel life-line will stay on the road

ORGANISERS behind the Shaftesbury Car Link Scheme have quashed rumours that the scheme will soon end or be handed to someone else.

Volunteers said they will be taking more holiday throughout the year – having previously only taken two weeks in the last six years – and the requested donation per mile will be increased by 10p to 60p per mile due to increasing costs.

Martin and June Hull have been running the community interest company for six years, helping over 3,500 people a year to their vital appointments – working out at around 300 a month.

They say that the past 12 months have been “increasingly difficult” as they have been trying to run the scheme while dealing with their own health concerns, but they want to put an end to rumours circulating in and

around the town that the scheme could end or Martin and June pass the reins to someone else.

Due to the unavailability of funding and continuing increases in costs, from October 1, the requested donation per mile will have to be increased to 60p per mile (originally 50p) and anyone wishing to use the scheme will have to pay a £10 per year membership donation (£15 for a household).

Local to Shaftesbury

donations of £5 remain unchanged.

The pair will also now take at least four weeks of holiday a year (excluding bank holidays) which means the phone lines will be closed periodically or on a reduced service.

A spokesperson for the scheme said: “Since the Covid epidemic in 2020 people’s expectations and demands have not been as respectful as deserved given that everyone

involved is a volunteer and Martin and June would kindly ask and remind people that all drivers and those running the scheme are here to help.

“If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver (drivers use their own vehicles) or in helping with the telephone and booking system please get in touch.

“Martin, June and the team are looking forward to continuing to support the local community for the forthcoming years ahead.”

Individual donations are always welcome and can be made by cheque, by cash via a driver or by bank transfer. Further details can be provided on request – contact them on 07763 426664 or email shaftesburycarlink@gmail.com to find out more.

Visit the website at www. shaftesburycarlink.co.uk

Martin and June Hull of Shaftesbury Car Link Picture: Alfred 107.3 FM, Shaftesbury

Police appeal after Sunday afternoon burglary

A PROPERTY near Dorchester was burgled between the afternoon and evening on Sunday, August 18.

The incident happened some time between 3pm and 8pm at an address off Dorchester Road, Puddletown.

PC Richard Robson, of Dorchester police, said: “Our enquiries are continuing and we are working to establish exactly what was stolen.

“I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area, or has information about those responsible, to please get in touch.

“Also, I would like to speak to anyone who may have captured anything of relevance on home CCTV or dashcam footage.”

Anybody with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240127409, or Crimestoppers anonymously at Crimestoppers-uk.org, or on 0800 555 111.

CCTV images released after attempted break-in at bike shop

POLICE have released a CCTV image of a person they would like to trace in connection with an attempted burglary at a Blandford bike shop.

Offcamber Cycles, in Salisbury Street, was targeted some time between 10.45pm and 11pm on Tuesday, July 23.

Damage was caused to the window, but entry was not gained to the shop.

PC Ashlea Gale, of Blandford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Following initial enquiries into this incident, I have now

obtained a CCTV image of a man I would like to identify.

“I appreciate the image is not the best quality, but I am hoping someone may still be able to recognise him.”

Anyone with information, or who recognises the person pictured, should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting reference 55240112182. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Police recover stolen car during checks

TRAFFIC stops in rural Dorset resulted in one victim of crime seeing the welcome return of their stolen car.

Officers from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team were carrying out enquiries as part of ongoing investigations and made several vehicle stops on Wednesday, August 21.

“On most occasions any vehicle offences were dealt with by way of advice, however, one driver was issued a traffic offence report for not wearing their seatbelt,” a spokesperson said.

In another instance, checks on a Fiat 500 revealed it was stolen.

“The vehicle was seized and is being returned to its rightful owner,” the spokesperson added.

Young biker killed in crash with car

A MOTORBIKE rider from Gillingham was tragically killed in a crash near Stalbridge.

The incident, involving a blue Yamaha motorbike and a black Audi A6, happened on the A357 Cook’s Lane, near Spire Hill Farm, at around 12.55pm on August 22.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said the bike rider, a man from Gillingham in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers are now appealing for anyone with information, or who witnessed the crash, to come forward.

Meanwhile, road closures were put in place to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident and carry out an examination of the scene.

Police Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the motorbike rider who sadly died in this collision.

“I am appealing for any witnesses who saw what happened and have not already spoken to police to please come forward.

“Also, I am keen to speak to any motorists who captured footage of the incident, or the moments leading up to it, on a dashcam.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240129616. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Witnesses needed to catch vandals

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a mobility scooter, which was the victim’s only form of transport, was damaged beyond repair.

Police say that the owner of the scooter, a man in his 70s, left it at the junction of Damers Road and Blagdon Road in Dorchester between July 29 and July 31 because it had broken down.

When he returned to collect

it, the scooter had been damaged beyond repair.

Police Community Support Investigator Adam Cleaver, of Dorset Police, said: “This has had a significant impact on the victim as the scooter was his only independent form of transport.

“I understand this incident is already known about in the community and I would ask anyone with information about

who was responsible to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information can also contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240119218.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

Treasure everywhere!

EXPLORE the historic streets of Wimborne Minster and uncover hidden treasures while supporting a great cause.

Gather your friends, family, and fellow adventurers for a fun-filled charity treasure hunt, in aid of the mayor’s charities – Planet Wimborne and Friends of Victoria Hospital.

The challenge, which takes you through Wimborne Minster’s beautiful scenery and rich history, will require teams and individuals to solve riddles and puzzles as they navigate their way through the town.

To take part in this family-friendly event, meet at the registration point in Jubilee Garden (BH21 1LT) between 6pm and 7pm on Friday, September 13.

Entry costs £6, with all proceeds going to the mayor’s charities.

For more information and advance registration visit www. wimborne.gov.uk/2024/08/charity-treasure-hunt-friday-13thseptember-2024, call Gary Mason on 01202 881655 or email gary.mason@wimborne.gov.uk

An apple a day

BRING your apples to the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne for pressing this September.

“Gather ye apples where ye may, for soon it will be so cold and grey…”

The medieval apple press will be in operation at the Ancient Technology Centre’s Apple Weekend – September 21-22.

All fruit will be gratefully received to be washed, chopped and pressed, producing lovely

sweet juice to be drunk fresh or turned into cider.

It will be the Ancient Technology Centre’s last open weekend of 2024, and is also the autumn equinox.

On September 22, Artisans will be showcasing age-old skills and displaying ancient crafts. And, of course, the lovely WI ladies will be serving burgers, beverages and cake.

Full details and times can be found online at ancienttechnologycentre.com.

Space race for crafters at mill

MAKERS, craftspeople and artisans are snapping up display and studio space at Wimborne’s historic mill.

With a busy summer schedule of craft exhibitions and pop-up displays, trustees and makers at Wimborne’s Walford Mill Crafts are looking to create more temporary and long-term opportunities for developing artists and makers.

The Grade II listed riverside building dates from the 1780s and retains many interesting features from its former life, including the mill races, a steam boiler housing and crop storage lofts.

Currently re-evaluating the space it has, the educational charity hopes to encourage new and emerging talent by offering affordable, short-term weekend display space both within the mill and outside in the adjacent courtyard.

Longer-term residency is also possible with a new area available in the ground-floor studios, which are open to the public, without charge, from Wednesday to Sunday each week.

Potential exhibitors are very welcome to visit during opening hours or contact info@walfordmillcrafts.co.uk for more info.

From hut to hall

STALBRIDGE Hall will host a special community event next month to celebrate the history of the venue as it enters into its 50th year.

The event is taking place on September 8 and will showcase how the hall came to be – as well as plans the hall’s management committee has for the future.

Chairman Eric Williams said: “The hall remains the town’s number one facility for the Stalbridge community so we are inviting all to our celebratory event in September.

Stalbridge Hall was officially opened in February 1974. Through the 1950s and 60s the original Stalbridge Hall was known as The Hut.

It was on the same site as the existing hall and was a timber and galvanised sheet structure. This hall was used as a cinema and was also the venue for the annual Stalbridge pantomine.

Resident maker Sarah Ricketts measures up with mill trustee John Allen

Country fair adds to hospital fund

AN action-packed weekend for all ages is promised at Berwick St John Country Fayre, supporting the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity.

The fayre takes place over two days from Saturday, September 14 to Sunday 15, and features steam engines, vintage tractors, dog show, rural crafts, beer and tea tents, heavy horses and classic cars.

The bi-annual event is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers, with the entire local community and village residents getting involved.

Show secretary Louise Hall said: “The Fayre is a fantastic weekend full of things to see and do for all ages! From steam engines, military vehicles, classic cars, motorbikes, trucks, to trade stands, live music, dog shows, a bar selling local cider and more, as well as a lovely tea tent with homemade treasures, a great selection of food stalls and rural crafts, there is something for everyone!

“The Stars Appeal is a fantastic local charity and we are so proud to support its work enhancing the care of hundreds of people every day at Salisbury Hospital

which so many of us involved in the Fayre and the local community have benefited from.”

Dave Cates, of the Stars Appeal, added: “We are thrilled to once again be the beneficiary of this marvellous traditional

country fayre and express our thanks to the committee and all the other volunteers for making this possible. The money raised will help provide the very best care for local people being treated at Salisbury Hospital, from premature babies to our oldest patients.”

Money raised will go towards the £1million that the Salisbury Hospital’s Stars Appeal aims to raise this year. It will fund new equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects supporting patients across the Hospital including the Stars Appeal Wi-Fi, hospital chaplaincy, support for patients with cancer and the Stars Appeal Play Assistant on Sarum Children’s Ward.

Gates open from 10am. The fayre is located between Berwick St John village and the A30, SP7 0EX. Entry is by donation with all profits going to the Stars Appeal. There is also a raffle. Ahead of the main fayre event, there will be live music and a beer tent on Friday, September 13, 6pm to 11.30pm.

Find our more at www. berwickstjohncountryfayre.co.uk

Pictures by Donald Capewell

Farming film looks to the future

REGENERATIVE farming documentary Six Inches of Soil will be screened at The Workshop, Launceston Farm, in Tarrant Launceston, on Thursday, September 12.

The British independent film shines a spotlight on soil health and regenerative farming. It tells the inspiring story of young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities.

The film tells the story of three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey – Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture fed beef cattle in Cornwall.

They are joined by farmer mentors and experts, providing wisdom and solutions from a growing movement of people who are dedicated to changing the trajectory for food, farming and the planet.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Launceston Farm Organics farmer, Jimi Collis, who will share his own experiences of farming regeneratively in Dorset.

Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for under-16s. Ticket price includes a Launceston Farm organic burrito (beef or veggie). Venue and bar open at 6pm, screening begins at 7pm.

Please email farm@launcestonfarm.co.uk for more information and to order tickets.

Model museum

THE South West’s biggest model show takes place at The Tank Museum on September 14-15.

Discover everything you need to know about scale modelling with live workshops and demonstrations, and shop from a range of traders.

Tom Holmes, events manager, says: “The model show brings the whole family together to take part in a hands-on weekend that celebrates the joy of model making. We are delighted to announce that, following the success of our model contest in spring, we will be repeating the competition this autumn.”

There promises to be an incredible display of scale models, from trains, aircraft, boats, science fiction icons, and of course, tanks! Workshops will explore techniques and tips on how to build a model tank, and there will be a tree making workshop with the Arts University Bournemouth.

Visitors can also take part in a Q&A with Doctor Who’s Daleks, build creations with COBI and immerse themselves in the nine interactive exhibitions and discover the world’s finest collection of military vehicles.

Visit tankmuseum.org/model-show for more information and to book your tickets.

A fresh look at history

EMINENT historian Professor Ronald Hutton is speaking at the Museum of East Dorset this September.

As part of the Wimborne Militia’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Professor Hutton is giving a talk entitled ‘Did Monmouth’s Rebellion Matter?’.

Was the Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion a justified stand against King James II? Did it truly matter in the grand scheme of English history? Professor Hutton will delve into these questions and more, offering fresh insights into this pivotal moment.

With 18 books and 95 essays under his belt, plus a seat on several prestigious panels, Hutton is a true expert in British history. This is guaranteed to be a fun and enlightening evening.

Professor Hutton will be at the Museum in Wimborne on Thursday, September 5. Doors open from 6.30pm with wine, beer, hot drinks, and snacks available. The talk will begin at 7pm. Tickets are £10 per person.

Tickets are available at museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Pulling pints pulls in the cash for tank conservation charity

PINTS added up to pounds for The Tank Museum at Bovington after its flagship festival.

Dorset brewery Hall & Woodhouse gave more than £17,000 in profit from two bars at the event to the charity.

The money will help conserve the world’s finest collection of military vehicles.

Anthony Woodhouse, chair of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “Over the course of the weekend, we sold more than 6,000 pints from our bars at

TANKFEST.

“We are very proud to donate the profit made from these sales to The Tank Museum.

“The charity plays such an important role in educating people, remembering the role of the tank, and those who served within them.

“TANKFEST is a great opportunity to get involved with our local communities and share a few pints of Badger and Outland as part of the celebrations.

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“I’m grateful for our team who helped to make it a success, and I’m delighted that their hard work has helped such a good cause. We’re already looking forward to TANKFEST 2025.”

TANKFEST, presented by World of Tanks, was the biggest yet and had 24,000 visitors over the three days.

Chief operating officer,

Simon Prager, said: “We are thankful to the Hall & Woodhouse team for their kind support and wonderful donation.

“The Tank Museum is a registered charity, and the donated funds will benefit the vehicles in the collection and help us tell the story of tanks and the crew who served in them.”

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Freedom of the town

WIMBORNE Minster Town Council has awarded Mrs Diann March the esteemed title of Honorary Freeman of Wimborne Minster.

This prestigious accolade is one of the highest honours the town can bestow upon an individual, recognising Mrs March’s outstanding contributions to the town council and its wider community.

The Town Mayor, Cllr Jeff Hart presented Mrs March with a scroll and Freeman’s badge during the full council meeting held on Tuesday, July 30. In her acceptance Mrs March expressed her gratitude to the town council for this significant honour.

With this recognition, Mrs March joins a distinguished group of individuals who have been celebrated for their services to Wimborne Minster.

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Get ready… Bake!

RESIDENTS are invited to bake up a storm in Wimborne BID Food Festival’s Cake Competition.

The most delicious Dorset apple cake will win the top prize of a £150 pan set, with other exciting prizes also up for grabs.

Jeff Hart, a dedicated volunteer with Wimborne BID, shared his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Everyone is invited to bake a delicious cake to raise funds for charity. The winning cake baker will win a £150 Neff pan set, courtesy of Dacombes of Wimborne – other prizes too! Have a go!”

Slices of the Dorset apple cakes will be sold during the festival, on September 14, to raise funds for the Mayor of Wimborne’s charities.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking to have some fun in the kitchen, this is your chance to contribute to a great cause while showing off your culinary talents.

Cakes should be brought to the marquee on Willow Walk between 2.30pm and 3pm on September 14,

For more information, email Jeffhart414@gmail.com

Healing power of nature

A PHOTOGRAPHER explores the healing power of nature in a free daytime talk at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

“We do all need nature in our lives, it’s as simple as that. Nature heals.” So says Trevor Parsons, who will be presenting an inspiring talk on Monday, September 23 from 12pm-1pm

at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery (DT1 1XA).

Since his 2023 Nature Heals exhibition at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery, Trevor has been busy capturing new images that demonstrate an ability to portray animals and birds in ways that resonate deeply with viewers.

In this daytime talk, he will

Village fete

OBORNE Village Fete is on Saturday, August 31 (12.30pm-3.30pm).

Stalls including granny’s attic, tombola, barbecue, tea and cakes, produce and children’s corner will be in the playing field and church with all proceeds going to these venues as well as the village hall.

There’s also skittles, the muchloved duck race, and music from the Wriggle Valley Jazz Band..

Entry is £1, with every programme being entered into a free prize draw.

not only share his stunning photography but also his personal journey – how immersing himself in nature and photography became a vital outlet during his own struggles with mental illness.

Book now at www. dorsetmuseum.org/event/ nature-heals-trevor-parsons

Trevor Parsons will be talking about nature at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery

rural life in Dorset

National Trust members hold climate protest at Kingston Lacy

CLIMATE protesters staged outreach action over two days on Kingston Lacy grounds, demanding the National Trust stop banking with Barclays, the biggest fossil fuel funder in Europe.

On Friday, August 9, and Saturday, August 10, National Trust members joined with Extinction Rebellion Wimborne

to protest at Kingston Lacy near Wimborne with placards and leaflets.

They spoke to hundreds of visitors, urging them to call on The National Trust to stop banking with Barclays, which is the biggest funder of fossil fuels in Europe.

They carried placards saying ‘Love National Trust, Not

Barclays’, and invited visitors to Kingston Lacy to sign a petition calling on the charity to switch to a bank which does not fund fossil fuels.

Kingston Lacy is famous for its beautiful grounds and extensive art collection. It is one of hundreds of sites owned by the National Trust, the much loved guardian of nature reserves, national parks, coastline, historic buildings and estates across the country.

Retired ship’s captain, Peter Aldous took part. “The National Trust have known about their members’ ethical concerns for years and they’re not doing anything about them.”

The outreach action at Kingston Lacy is one of many colourful actions by campaigners across the country designed to urge the National

Trust to ditch Barclays, which has poured $235.2 billion into fossil fuels in the last seven years.

James Bullock, professor of ecology, took part in the outreach action.

“I love the National Trust and all the amazing work it does to restore and protect nature. Knowing that I’m indirectly supporting Barclays really spoils my trips to National Trust sites for me. The National Trust must cut its ties with Barclays, the most planet destroying bank in Europe.”

Recently, other institutions have announced their intentions to stop banking with Barclays for ethical reasons. Christian Aid and Oxfam have removed their funds from Barclays already. Cambridge University is withdrawing its support for Barclays and is leading a group of universities and colleges that are investigating more sustainable financial products. Despite its commitment to natural conservation, the National Trust is lagging behind other charities and leaders within its sector.

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Tributes paid to Dennis Smith and family after A303 crash tragedy

TRIBUTES have been paid to agricultural judge Dennis Smith, who sadly died after a crash on the A303 in Somerset.

Mr Smith, along with partner Claire and cousin, Andy, passed away after a crash on the Ilminster Bypass near Whitelackington on the afternoon of Thursday, August 15.

The trio are believed to have been making their way home from the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, where Mr Smith was judging cattle.

The family said Andy and Mr Smith “were super close, as we all were”, with Andy leaving behind a wife and two teenage daughters.

A Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show spokesperson said Mr Smith had spent his final few days “doing what he loved best”.

“It is with deep sadness that the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society share the devastating news of the passing of Dennis Smith, who was yesterday’s Supreme Dairy Championship judge, and also the passing of Claire, his

partner and Andy (Oakroyal),” they added.

“Our thoughts are with friends and family at this time. It’s a tragic loss to cattle showing and judging and a sad moment for the Holstein breed.”

The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show ran across August 14 and 15 at the showground in Motcombe, Dorset.

A farmer throughout his life, Mr Smith represented Somerset in the National Stock Judging Finals, winning it when he was 16, before becoming stock judging trainer for the Devon Young Farmers team.

He was also a herdsman for R StaffordSmith, for the Pottrells herd, joining his father, who was farm manager.

Mr Smith later began the Oakroyal herd, after purchasing his first Terling heifer.

Later, he enjoyed roles with the United Cattle Breeders, eventually became a non-executive director when the firm joined CBS.

Air Ambulance aims high with fundraising challenge

COULD you move 100 miles this October for Air Ambulance?

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced the return of its 100 Miles in

October Challenge.

Now in its second year, this exciting event invites everyone to support the life-saving service by ‘moving’ 100 miles throughout October.

Whether you prefer to walk,

run, cycle, swim or hop your way through October, the 100 Miles Challenge is for everyone.

You can complete your miles at your own pace, anytime and anywhere. It’s free to sign up and you will receive a complimentary t-shirt to wear once you have activated your fundraising page, so you can spread the word while clocking up those miles. Plus, there are exciting rewards and a special medal for those who complete the challenge and meet their fundraising goals.

Tracy Bartram, DSAA Communications Manager said:

“Last year, we had hundreds of people join our 100 Miles in October Facebook Challenge Group and it became a brilliant hub of engagement between everyone that was taking part. There were messages of support for each other and photos

uploaded daily of people walking, running, stepping, or cycling their miles throughout the month.

“In total, the event raised an incredible £21,829.03 and we are hoping that this year we can build on that success. With that in mind, we’ve made some enhancements for 2024, including other ways that people can fundraise whilst taking part and rewards to thank those that do. We can’t wait to see and engage with our supporters as they smile their way through the month and we will be there every step of the way.”

Ready to take on the challenge and support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance? Visit: www.dsairambulance. org.uk/100miles to join now, access FAQs and find out more about how you can make every mile count!

Dennis Smith passed away in a crash on the A303 Picture: Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show

L-R Captain Mario Carretta, SP-CC Lauren Dyson, Co-pilot

Tom Gee and Dr Tony Doyle

Our loose Canon

An unshakeable belief in heaven is fundamental to this faith

by Canon Eric Woods

ON all sides today we are told that belief in heaven is on the wane, that many of our leading churchmen pursuing their upwardly-mobile careers of gilded doubt have jettisoned it, that it should no longer be an article of faith.

Heaven: no longer an article of faith? But then, what on earth would be the point? What would be the point of cathedrals and churches and clergy and services and prayers and discipleship if when you die, that’s it? End of story. The final full-stop.

No, I have taken too many funerals and seen death too often to believe that the coffin or the casket of ashes can contain the real person, the real personality, the person made in the image of God, the person with whom I have laughed or cried or talked or argued. You cannot put a life of love and laughter and tears and smiles into a box and say that’s all done, that’s finished, no – no matter how many buglers you have sounding the Last Post. Rather, as the last note of the Last Post dies away on earth, I believe the trumpeters on the other side will be sounding Reveille. Old John Bunyan had it right:

difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me to be a witness for me, that I have fought his battles who now will be my rewarder.’ When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river side, into which as he went he said, ‘Death, where is thy sting?’ And as he went down deeper, he said, ‘Grave, where is thy victory?’ So he passed over and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.’

Then said he, ‘I am going to my Father’s: and though with great

In the acted parable of the raising of Lazarus, Jesus says to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” They are words spoken at every funeral service, and yet you will often hear then intoned so sorrowfully and mournfully that they are robbed of their tremendous meaning. But for those of us who know that Jesus has defeated death, who know that for us death is behind us and only love ahead, they are the most triumphant expression of our faith, which brings home constantly the sense of the eternal. “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.” Which means that I can say, and you can say, with utter certainty and total assurance: “Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die, Another’s life, Another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” And for that, thanks be to God.

Fern Brook Lodge resident thrilled to get Wurzels birthday message

Rosemary, a resident at Fern Brook Lodge care home in Gillingham was thrilled to receive a special birthday message from The Wurzels. The surprise video experience and signed picture from The Wurzels was arranged by the team at the Teddy 20 who organise the annual Teddy Rocks Festival, which raises money for children living with cancer and their families.

Fern Brook Lodge care home has chosen Teddy 20 as its chosen cause to support the year.

Rosemary’s video was organised as part of the care home’s ‘Make a Wish’ initiative, allowing residents to pursue hobbies or interests with the support of the care team.

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of the not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care. A dedicated activities team organise a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.

Photo

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

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

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

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

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

She added: “In the morning, they help me to get up, washed, and dressed. They prepare my breakfast and my morning cup of tea for me. They open all the curtains and make my bed for me before they leave. At lunchtime, they prepare my

lunch, make me a cup of tea, and do the washing up and then we have a chat. In the evening, they help me get ready for bed and switch off the lights as they go. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Care South is a leading provider of high quality residential and home care services across the south of England. The not-forprofit charity has home care offices covering east and west Dorset, northeast Somerset and south Somerset, as well as care homes in Dorset, north Devon, Somerset and West Sussex.

Heritage railways take to the airwaves

THIS September, heritage railways around the world will be in contact via their radios, including our very own Shillingstone Station.

From 10am-4pm, on September 28 and 29, the station platforms will echo with the sound of radio enthusiasts reeling off the phonetic alphabet and chatting amongst themselves.

As part of Railways on the Air, Shillingstone will host the Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Club of Wimborne.

Railways on the Air is a celebration of the first journey on a steam-powered passenger railway, which took place on September 27, 1825, on a line the North East of England from Darlington to Stockton.

Visit the station and see the team contacting other heritage railways both in the UK and around the world!

New volunteers are always welcome at the station, so if you enjoy your visit why

not consider making it a regular occurrence?

Many of the station’s ongoing projects will be on display over the weekend – you are also invited to take a look at how you might find purpose in joining one of the teams of volunteers that keep the station running.

“The station has several vacancies in both hands on station and site activities and behind the scenes roles in administration

*Packed lunch included in these trips

(often which can be done from home),” a spokesperson explained.

“For anyone with some free time and wishing to engage with others, either to explore utilising personal experiences or wishing to gain additional skills, this could be of great advantage and benefit to both the new volunteer as well as the railway.

You’ll find details of all events and station opening times at www. northdorsetrailway.co.uk or on the Facebook page S&DJR Shillingstone. Shillingstone Station, Station Road, Shillingstone DT11 0SA; 01258 860696.

High quality, traditionally made furniture. Residential and contract upholstery in the Dorset area since the 1980s.

SECRET SUNDAY LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT - INCLUDES A 3 COURSE MEAL - DV916

06th October £79pp

03rd September 24 - £105pp Adult £95pp Child 29th September £58pp 17th November £58pp

SB546

Sat 23rd - Mon 25th November - From £400pp - £450pp

CHATSWORTH HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS & XMAS MARKETS & A DAY OF LEISURE IN HARROGATE - SB549

30th Nov - 3rd Dec from £533pp - £593pp

DECEMBER SECRET XMAS LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

- INCLUDES A 3 COURSE MEAL WITH MINCE PIES - DV917

Menu choice available - Mon 09th December - £85pp

*XMAS TRAIN OF LIGHTS - PAIGNTON & DARTMOUTH RAILWAY - DV919

Sunday 15th December - £85pp

CHRISTMAS IN SHANKLYN, I.O.W - THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL - SB550

23rd - 27th December - From £600pp - £660pp

*BIRMINGHAM TATTOO - DV920

Sunday 09th February - £94pp

*ANDRE RIEU - AT BIRMINGHAM RESORTS WORLD ARENA - DV921

Saturday 10th May - £169pp

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

21st September 2024 FROM

Keep active this autumn

ACROSS Dorset, National Trust places are full of warmth as the trees slowly turn to red, orange and gold, enjoy crisp walks with family and friends and steaming cups of hot chocolate.

Here is what’s happening near you this autumn, please check property websites for opening days and times:

Hardy’s House, Max Gate

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ dorset/hardys-house-max-gate Far from the Madding Crowd

This year, 2024, is 150 years on from the monthly publication of Far from the Madding Crowd which was first published in serial form between January and December 1874.

To mark this anniversary the National Trust will be delivering a monthly reading of Far from the Madding Crowd to mirror its serial publication.

Details are: 29 September, chapters 39-47 and 27 October, chapters 48-57.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply).

Kingston

Lacy

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ dorset/kingston-lacy Kitchen garden tour

Meet a volunteer guide for a tour of Kingston Lacy’s kitchen garden.

At the end of the 19th century, the kitchen garden was the crowning glory of the whole garden and a pleasure ground forming the climax of the ornamental route.

Find out why this was the Bankes family’s place to escape and discover home-grown seasonal produce, ready to use in the café.

September 4 and October 2, 11am-12pm and 2.30-3.30pm.

Price: Free (normal

admission prices apply).

Apple pruning workshop

Join the gardeners in the kitchen garden for an apple pruning workshop.

Find out the importance of pruning, the techniques and tips, before putting it into practice in the orchard.

Afterwards, head to the

Vinery to enjoy a hot drink and a biscuit.

All equipment and tools will be provided.

September 5, 10am-1pm.

Price: £12 (normal admission prices apply).

Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.

White Mill, Shapwick and the Droves guided walk

Start by the 18th century mill and walk over rough pastures along this unspoiled stretch of the River Stour.

Arrive at the picturesque village of Shapwick and head back through a country lane and drove to White Mill. There will be a guided tour of St

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Bartholomew’s church.

Sorry no dogs allowed.

September 5, 10am-1.30pm

Price: £3. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.

Our journey to net zero – Low Carbon Dorset’s touring climate exhibition

Discover the people and projects cutting emissions and leading the charge to net zero in Dorset.

Through photography, this exhibition tells the story of some of the organisations leading the charge in Dorset and the steps they’re taking to prepare the county for a greener future. Included in the

exhibition is Kingston Lacy’s ground source heat pump project.

September 10-22, 9.30am5pm.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply).

Nordic walking taster sessions

Find out if Nordic walking is for you. Have a go using the poles and ask questions.

September 10, 10am10.45am

Price: Free. Booking essential 01425 480811, or via the website.

Nordic wellness walk

Dorset Council runs weekly walks every Tuesday at 10am that last an hour.

You can join straight away if you have your Nordic Walking UK Freedom Pass. Otherwise call Dorset Council to arrange your Get into Nordic Walking session.

Every Tuesday, 10am-11am.

Price: £5 per person.

Booking essential 01425 480811, or via the website.

Nordic walking workout

Combining technique, gradients and terrain these sessions will help develop your fitness and endurance and help improve balance and strength. The workout is generally a more strenuous walk than the wellness walk.

Every Tuesday, 10am-11am.

Price: £5 per person.

Booking essential 01425 480811, or via the website.

Silent Space

The Silent Space project is a not-for-profit initiative which runs nationwide, offering spaces for quiet observation and contemplation in a world that’s constantly on the move and demanding our attention.

You can find out more about their work at www.silentspace. org.uk.

Every Wednesday in September and October,

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2pm-5pm.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply).

Health cycle rides

Rides led by trained volunteers from Dorset Council’s Health and Activity team will take you around the Kingston Lacy estate at your own pace.

If you don’t have a bike, you can hire one for only £2.50 by calling the Health and Activity team on 01425 480811.

Health cycle rides are delivered by Dorset Council’s health and activity team.

Every Thursday, 10am-11am.

Price: Free. Booking essential. Call 01425 480811, or via the website.

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Gigaclear and the Gigaclear logo are UK registered trademarks of Gigaclear Limited.

Lions team up with scouts for marathon success

by Tim Otter

THE “Be Prepared” motto of the Scouts Movement is legendary. Almost as legendary is one of the central tenants of Lions Club International and one of its key missions “Helping Youth Development”. Both organisations share a bond of helping the less fortunate and service to the community.

Through a whole range of projects and activities BVLC and 2nd Templecombe Scouts Group (2nd TSG) have developed a close working relationship.

The highlight of this relationship is the help 2nd TSG give the BVLC to organise the BV Half Marathon (BVHM). BVHM is a wonderful fund-raising opportunity for local charities and good causes, including – most recently – Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. It is no exaggeration that the BVHM could not proceed without the Scouts’ assistance.

To recognise this help BVLC donates some of the money raised by the half marathon to the scouts and other youth groups involved with the BVHM.

To celebrate this, BVLC went along to a recent scout meeting to present a cheque for 2nd TSG funds. Welcomed by all the Scouts present the LIONS were honoured to form a patrol to take part in the evening’s opening gathering and flag breaking ceremony and then watch and learn more about the group’s activities during the meeting.

BVLC and 2nd TSG hope to form even closer bonds to help youth development and we look forward to working closely together in the future.

Crowd pleaser

Pictures and text by George Jeans, Mere THE sun shone for the Stourton and Kilmington Home Guard Fete.

Delicious barbecue food, a bar, car boot sale, pony rides and a wonderful children’s entertainer drew in the crowds.

Ready to rally

Pictures and text by George

Jeans, Mere

CLASSIC car enthusiasts took their precious vehicles for a spin this August bank holiday.

The Stag Owners Club met in Salisbury Street car park, Mere, before their summer country rally to Imber, which is on Salisbury Plain.

Imber was evacuated in 1943, and is only open to the public at certain times of the year.

Some of the Stags had already travelled to Scotland the previous year, quite an achievement when you consider that some of these cars are more than 50 years old.

Although the club is named Somerset and Dorset, they sometimes visit Wiltshire as today.

Triumph Stags are a classic car of distinction, and a real collector’s item. One club member purchased a Stag in 1972 for about £2,300, which was a £100 over the new cost. You had to pay then if you wanted one as they were in short supply.

Seven stone lighter and being a healthy mum feels amazing

Ashleigh says : I’ve always been a bigger girl and it never seemed to matter but I hated wearing leggings under everything and constantly trying to hide in photos. I had my little boy and comfort eating through postnatal anxiety made me pile on even more weight until the size 22s were starting to feel tight. We had issues with trying for a second baby and I knew deep down that my weight was a major factor and then I was diagnosed with PCOS. I vowed to get healthier for my little boy and to try and give him a sibling. I lost about 2 stone with Tracey’s Slimming world group when I was feeling tired at work so I decided to try a pregnancy test. It was positive and I was so pleased but also terrified as I still had a lot of weight to lose before I was a healthy weight. I spoke to my midwife who explained that I could follow SW when pregnant and tracey gave me the booklet & information. Every time I wanted something like chocolate or junk food, I just thought to myself no, eat healthy for the baby so opted for low syn snacks or speed food. It worked and the weight continued to come off in pregnancy safely. My midwife was amazed as by the end of my pregnancy I had lowered my BMI so much I no longer was classified a high risk pregnancy because of my weight. I’ve continued with it since having her and I’m now at 7 stone loss

which I never thought I’d see! I can pick stuff up in the clothes shops and it fits and I can walk around with the pram without being red and sweaty. Slimming world is amazing because I feel so much better and crawling around on the floor with my little girl is a lot easier now! It has finally helped me conquer my food demons and I snack on apples and bananas throughout the day and it’s lovely to know my children have a good role model for eating!

Blandford

Methodist Church

Tuesday 6.00pm

Debbie 07415565185

Blandford

Methodist Church

Wednesday 5.30pm, 7pm

Debbie 07415565185

Blandford

Methodist Church

Thursday 5.30pm - 7pm

Tracey 07776309982

Blandford

British Legion

Wednesday 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am

Tracey 07776309982

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 7.30am, 9am, 10.30am

Lorraine 07771013728

Shaftesbury

Royal Chase Hotel

Thursday 6pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Gillingham

Social Club

Hardings Lane

Tuesday 5.30pm, 7pm

Tracey 07776309982

Gillingham

Youth and Community Centre

Tuesday 9.30am, 11am

Lorraine 07771013728

Sturminster Newton

The Exchange

Monday 5.30pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Sherborne

Raleigh Hall Digby Road

Tuesday 5.30pm Sally 07973665167

Sherborne

Raleigh Hall Digby Road

Wednesday 9am Sally 07973665167

Wincanton

Memorial Hall

Wednesday 5.45pm, 7.30pm Gail 07748643783

Puddletown

Village Hall

Thursday 7pm

Julie 07871821928

‘Dorset’s Largest Larder’ back at the County Show

MORE than 100 food and drink producers are set to showcase their wares at the Dorset County Show at the Showground, Dorchester.

Visitors will be able to sample their favourite local pint thanks to pop-up micro-pubs dotted around the show from the Piddle Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse and the Dorset Brewing Company.

Local ciders, gins and vodkas will also be on offer.

The food hall, nicknamed “Dorset’s Largest Larder” will be home to more than 60 food producers with the best cheese, gin, cider, fudge, cakes, bread, jam, scotch eggs, gelato, olives, wines and more.

A picnic area, visible from the far side of the showground, with huge colourful festival flags, will offer live music all day across the two days.

Visitors who fancy a sweet afternoon cider – and watch the IMPs Motorbikes in the Main Ring, may like to take advantage of ‘Taster Tickets’ available from 3pm both

days and priced £13 in advance and £15 on the day.

Show organiser, James Cox, said: “Our county is bursting with wonderful food and drink producers – we’ve been inundated with producers wanting to book their space.

“Currently, more than 100 producers from across the south west and beyond will join us with their delicious delights.”

James added: “From last year’s success, we’ve carried on with the festival vibe and added more sails, flags and live entertainment.

“It was really popular last year, had a great vibe – it was great to see so many people relaxing in the sun with a picnic and a pint.”

This year’s Dorset County Show, on Saturday and Sunday, 7-8, features many new attractions, from the internationally recognised Atkinsons Action Horses to Axemen.

Car parking is free at the Showground at DT2 7SD – alternatively walk from Dorchester or catch the free shuttle bus.

or

Gillingham Showroom 01747 833 789

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

Opening Hours

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

www.solsticekitchens.co.uk

King Arthur’s School

STUDENTS at King Arthur’s School in Wincanton achieved success in their examinations and vocational qualifications this summer.

Highlights include students achieving grades 9-5 and 9-4 across five subjects, including English and maths, increasing by 25%, those achieving 9-7 increasing four-fold and overall progress doubling.

The school congratulated students who performed in excess of their target grades: Jibby Shah, Samyra Shah, Maddie Miller, Ellie Bealing, Millie Hopkins, Maxine Lampard, Katie Reed, Hollie Bealing, Ayden Salter and Amelia Enticott.

It also congratulated students who attained the highest grades across subjects: Ellie Bealing, Eden Flynn, Hollie Bealing, Eleanor Yapp, Hope Cook, Samyra Shah, Lucas Colohan, Emilia Shields, Hazel Perrett

and Jasmine Palmer.

Ellie Bealing, who won Somerset Young Person of the Year this summer, secured seven grade 9s, two grade 8s, a grade 7 and a grade 5.

Ellie said: “I am very happy that all the hard work paid off, these grades are more than I could have ever thought possible.”

She plans to study A-levels at Sexeys School, in Politics, Law and English Literature.

Her twin sister Hollie, who also achieved fantastic results, said: “I am very surprised but really pleased with my results.”

Hollie is now undertaking an engineering apprenticeship at Yeovil College.

Jibby Shah, who received brilliant grades, said he was “blown away” by his achievement.

Headteacher, Jen Jacklin, said: “We are all thrilled to celebrate with our students today. It is wonderful to see their hard work and dedication pay off.

“As a school, we congratulate each and every student for their individual success and send our very best wishes for their future studies.”

Leweston School

LEWESTON School, near Sherborne, celebrated a near 100% pass rate in its GCSE results, along with impressive individual grades.

Nearly 100% of Leweston’s entries were awarded pass grades 9 to 4.

Over a quarter of all grades awarded were 8s and 9s, with almost half in the 7 to 9 bracket.

11 pupils gained 59 grade 9s, 34 grade 8s and 25 grade 7s between them.

The school congratulates Caitlin – 10 grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7; Ava – seven grade 9s and two grade 8s; Ollie – eight grade 9s and three grade 8s; and Yvonne – eight grade 9s, two grade 8s.

Over two-thirds of all grades in History, Computer Science, Chinese, Fine Art, Music, Geography and German were grade 9 to 7, while in Further Maths, Latin and Textiles over half of all grades were 9 to 7.

Headmaster, John Paget-Tomlinson, said: “This is a fabulous set of results which represents a lot of hard work and commitment.”

Sturminster Newton High School

STURMINSTER

Newton High School has praised the hard work, dedication and perseverance of its students and staff after GCSE results were announced last week.

Among the students to achieve top grades and make great progress were: Jacka Ware – six grade 8s, and a Distinction*; Ben Mitchell – one grade 9, three grade 8s, four grade 7s and a Distinction*; Neve Hoey – three grade 8s and six grade 7s; Elliot Wagner-Hale – three grade 9s, one grade 8, three grade 7s and three grade 5s; Lina Felsa – five grade 8s, two grade 7s and two grade 6s.

Head of School, Michael Motteram, said: “We are all really pleased and proud of our students for these results.

“They have performed magnificently, and it is a testament to their work ethic and the positive support they have received from parents and school staff.

“A huge well done to them and thank you to all the teachers, parents and school staff who have worked so hard to support, encourage and motivate them.”

Blandford School

STUDENTS from the old year 11 at The Blandford School were joined by staff, parents and carers when they collected their GCSE results.

And the Class of 2024 upheld the school’s tradition of performing above the national average in English and Maths, excelling in a wide range of subjects including Science, Business Studies, and Engineering.

Headteacher, Sally Wilson, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students for their focus, dedication and resilience.

“On average, they have studied nine subjects and completed around 25 exams.

“Their commitment throughout the pre-exam period and during the exams themselves deserves recognition and congratulations.”

Shaftesbury School

STUDENTS at Shaftesbury School were excited to receive their GCSE results last week.

Among the top performers, Chris Dobson achieved grade 9s and 8s across the board.

He said: “I am so happy” and looked ecstatic as he celebrated with mum, dad and his friends.

Seth Young also did very well, with all grades achieved being 8s and 9s.

He was also in school to celebrate and open his envelope with friends.

Martha Dixon also achieved all GCSE grades at grades 9-7, getting the highest grades in Drama and English Language.

Head of School, Stephanie Bowen, said: “We have been so very pleased to be back in school supporting and watching our year 11 students opening their results.

“A new chapter awaits them, and many will be arranging meetings today and over the

next week with their prospective Post-16 destination teams.

“This group of young people have shown incredible dedication and superb exam focus during the GCSEs after a turbulent start to their secondary school life.

“The majority of our students will be walking away from here today knowing that all of their efforts were worthwhile.

“Many students will stay on with us for sixth form, and to those moving on to other colleges or apprenticeships we wish them the very best for the future.”

Gryphon School

STUDENTS at The Gryphon School in Sherborne have been celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results.

Among the top performers, Esther Maynard was the highest achiever with 11 GCSEs at grade 9.

Twins Charlotte and Sophie Bartlett achieved 11 and 10 GCSE grades at grade 9 or 8 respectively.

Melissa Psoma-Hemsworth gained seven GCSE grades at grade 9, one at grade 8 and three at grade 7, and was the top achieving student in terms of progress.

Other students to achieve a string of top grades included

Sophia Vines-Booth, Xiang-Yao Tsang and Subhiksha Navaneethan.

Subhiksha said: “I am so happy with my results and delighted that my hard work has paid off.”

One student who achieved great progress was Jacob Piatrovich, who arrived at the start of Year 11 from Belarus. He achieved nine GCSEs, including four at grade 9.

Canford School

FIFTH-FORMERS at Canford School, near Wimborne, excelled in their GCSEs, recording some of the best results in the school’s history.

Over a quarter (27%) of all Canford papers were awarded the top grade of 9, and over half (53%) of all Canford GCSEs were graded 9-8.

Canford’s pupils secured 73% of grades at 9-7. 99% of all Canford papers were graded 9-4.

Over a fifth of the Canford year group gained at least nine 9-8 grades, while over a third gained an impressive average of grade 8 or higher in all their examinations.

81 pupils (64%) of the year group gained an average grade 7 (A*/A) or higher.

In English and Maths, 30% of all papers were graded 9, 61% 9-8 and 80% 9-7.

Headmaster Ben Vessey said: “Excluding the Covid years where different arrangements existed, these results are among the very best we have recorded at Canford, particularly at the top grade levels.

“Our fifth form should feel extremely proud of all their achievements to date, and these excellent examination results are demonstration of the dedication and determination of this year group to strive to do their very best across all aspects of their education.

“We look forward to seeing them develop further as they enter the sixth form, with all the exciting new pathways that this will offer them, not least through the facilities and opportunities in our College development, the first phase of which will open in spring 2025.

“My thanks also to the support and guidance given by our superb teaching staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our pupils were as well prepared as possible to achieve such impressive outcomes.”

been reflected in this fantastic set of GCSE results.

Headteacher, Jim Gower said: “I am enormously proud of all our Year 11 students. Over the last five years, our students have strived to embrace our Gryphon ethos to experience life in all its fullness, which has

“Our students have grown and flourished to reach their full potential in every area of their lives.

Head of Year 11, Pamela Peacocke, said “I am exceedingly proud of all our Year11 students and their

As well as The Gryphon Sixth Form, students have accepted places at Kingston Maurward, Strode College and Yeovil College.

Among several apprenticeships, Harvey Brown secured an apprenticeship with Future Roots – a significant personal achievement for him.

Education

Blandford School

BLANDFORD School students have achieved fantastic A Level results, with many now heading off to a variety of universities, apprenticeships and other vocations.

A spokesperson said “At Blandford School, we pride ourselves on our unique approach: ‘Your future is boundless, and there is no single mould for success – it’s about carving out your own unique

Sturminster Newton High School

STURMINSTER Newton

High School is celebrating its students’ outstanding A Level achievements.

Executive Headteacher

Donna London-Hill said, “Congratulations to all our students today. These results have opened up a myriad of opportunities for our students, providing them with the choices and pathways to pursue their future aspirations. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them, and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. We would also like to thank all members of the school community for their contribution to the students’ success, including all school staff, parents and carers.”

The school would like to extend special congratulations to the following students for their remarkable performances:

Harry Woolford – three A*

Luke Alford – one A*, two A, one B

Ellie Mitchell – one A*, one A, one Distinction*

Holly Hall – one A, one Distinction*, one B, one C.

Shaftesbury School

STUDENTS from Shaftesbury School will be attending a range of destinations including Warwick University, King’s College, Durham University and Manchester University, following their exam success. Subjects range from Politics, Paediatric Nursing, Forensic Science, English Literature and Creative Arts. A number of students are also looking to complete apprenticeships.

Head of School, Stephanie Bowen said, “We couldn’t be more proud of our young people and all that they have achieved in their A Levels and BTECs. They have come through so much and worked so hard in the face of uncertainty. Their final GCSE year in Summer 2022 was the first year of examinations that were externally marked following a two-year Centre Assessed Grading system and this will have had, without a doubt, an impact on them. They have worked with their teachers relentlessly over the last two years to achieve the outcomes they deserve, and their attitude and commitment have been unwavering. Talking to some of the students and staff today and seeing everyone’s faces when envelopes were being opened continues to illustrate to me just how passionate both the

students and the staff are in education and opening doors for further opportunities in life. It isn’t just about the results. We need to remember this. School is a journey and some of these young people have come such a long way since joining us. Many have faced internal battles with themselves about being good enough and since the pandemic, self-esteem has taken a noticeable dip. Our young people have worked incredibly hard, and the next chapter is another opportunity to pause, breathe and step into the next stages of their life that will bring more challenges and without a doubt, further successes. Go forth and conquer!”

Telyn Bowen, who waited patiently at school until her friend arrived, so they could open their results envelope together said, “I got into my first choice university to do what I want to do and am really happy about that.”.

Bradley Smith said, “I am going off to study Forensic Sciences and got what I

needed for my course, so I am excited about what that will bring”.

Leo Roberts, who achieved four A* grades in Maths, Physics, Further Maths and Computer Sciences is taking a gap year to give some real thought about what he wants to do and where he wants to go.

Jason Bavister who achieved grade A’s in Maths and Further Maths is excited about going away to university and studying politics. He said, “I got what I needed to study the course I wanted at my first choice university, and couldn’t be happier”.

Canford School

CONGRATULATIONS to Upper Sixth Canfordians who have excelled in this year’s A Level examinations. 23% of all grades were at the top grade A* with over half of all grades, 53%, at A*/A, 82% at A*/B and 96% A*/C, with strong performances across arts, science and humanities subjects.

Forty pupils gained straight A*/A grades, 12 with three or more A*s and a further 15 with at least two A*/A grades.

A spokesperson said, “The vast majority of our leavers are heading to university with 82% of places at Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 institutions including eight confirmed places at Oxbridge and seven for the highly competitive courses in Medicine and Veterinary Science. Among the popular destinations this year are Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Bristol, Exeter, Imperial College London, Edinburgh and St Andrew’s.

“Our vision is for every pupil to follow their chosen pathway ‘to explore, to express and to excel’ and our leavers have once again illustrated the success of this through the breadth of institutions, courses and industries applied for.

Examination results are only one part of the picture of the life of a Canfordian. Success takes many forms, and we celebrate and are proud of every individual pupil in this cohort. Their commitment to making a difference to their own lives, and to the lives of others, as stated in our school mission, has been demonstrated through their support for each other and for those in the wider world, taking part

A LEVEL RESULTS

in some of the 72 different community partnership projects that Canford has links with locally, regionally and internationally. Headmaster Ben Vessey commented: “I congratulate all our Upper Sixth pupils on this fine set of results, enabling them to fulfil their ambitions and move on to the next stage of their lives. They have been a wonderful year group, truly embodying the Canford values of Purposeful Engagement, Humble Ambition, Gracious Leadership and Courageous Attitude in so many areas of school life, and I wish them all every success for their exciting futures ahead.”

The Gryphon Sixth Form

STUDENTS at The Gryphon Sixth Form are celebrating after receiving impressive A-Level and BTEC results.

Twenty-eight Gryphon students achieved grades worth at least three A grades at A level.

Five students from The Gryphon are heading to Oxbridge universities, Eleanor Rain-Neilsen, Jen Morgan, Olympia Pudelko, Maddie Levey and George Manning. Jen will be studying Human and Political Sciences, Olympia studying Medicine, George studying Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology – all at Cambridge. Maddie will study Biomedical Sciences, and Eleanor will study Spanish and Arabic at Oxford.

a degree apprenticeship, after studying Law, Economics and Ancient History. She is looking to become a solicitor, and will be training with local firm Porter Dodson.

Headteacher Jim Gower said, “We are incredibly proud of all our students – their hard work has been rewarded with the brilliant results we are celebrating today. This is a culmination of two years of study, and every single student should be proud of their efforts.

Twins Ella and Rosie Ward achieved a phenomenal 8 A* grades between them, with Ella studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics, and Rosie studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and French. Ella is now going on to study Mathematics, Operational

Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) at Warwick University, while Rosie will study Chemistry at Imperial College London. Barney Griffiths also achieved an outstanding four A*s, in Computer Science, Maths, Economics and Physics. He is heading to University College London (UCL) to study Economics. Barney said “I’m very happy with my results. Congratulations to all the other students today, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all the teachers for their support”.

Reuben Butler studied Ancient History, Business and Law, and is now looking to pass Army Officer selection training. He said “I am overjoyed with my results, and they are better than I expected”.

Sam Thananki achieved good grades in Philosophy, Business and Psychology, and has been accepted on to a Degree Apprenticeship programme with Jaguar Landrover. Sam said “I am relived, and exhausted, but very excited for the future”.

Rosa Roper is also pursuing

Head of Sixth Form, Laura Rowe added “We are delighted with the results of our Sixth Form students this year. They have been a fantastic year group, and their dedication and tenacity is reflected in their results. To see so many students achieve and exceed what they were working towards is incredibly rewarding, and they are leaving us to follow a huge range of exciting opportunities, from top universities, to degree apprenticeships, to starting their careers, we are so proud of what they have achieved at The Gryphon Sixth Form and wish them the very best for the future”.

HOUSE CONTENTS SALE on Sunday 22nd September 9am-5pm 15 Linden Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8QZ Furniture, kitchen items and appliances, bedroom, study everything must go.

Contact: Dave Dayes 07879 444 199

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull Royal British Legion on Monday 2nd September Eyes down 7pm

MIND BODY SPIRIT FAYRE. Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, DT9 3AA. September 21st 11am-5pm.

Saturday 21st September 2024

Saturday 21st September 2024

Saturday 21st September 2024

Saturday 21st September 2024 6pm - 9pm-

Saturday 21st September 2024

6pm - 9pm

6pm - 9pm

6pm - 9pm

Tickets - £25.00

Tickets - £25.00

Tickets - £25.00

Tickets - £25.00

6pm - 9pm

(Including refreshments at interval)

Tickets - £25.00

(includes refreshments at interval)

(includes refreshments at interval)

All profits will go to charities | Free parking for blue badge holders

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING OUTLETS:

All profits will

(includes refreshments at interval) All

All profits will go to the charities Free parking for blue badge holders

(includes refreshments at interval)

All profits will go to the charities Free parking for blue badge holders TICKETS

AT: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk

On 21st September 2024, the nationally renowned RAF Regiment Band will be performing an evening concert of classical. military and popular music in the Sherborne Abbey. The proceeds of the event will be divided between the RAF Regiment Welfare Fund, Dementia UK and The Friends of Yeatman Hospital. Readers will be well aware of the immense value to the Sherborne District of our Community Hospital. Thanks to the work and generosity of the ‘Friends’, the Yeatman has not only survived but has flourished, with a Minor Injuries Unit, Rehab Centre, Mental Illness Support, End of Life Care and much more. So do support this excellent cause - and enjoy a lovely evening of light music at the same time!

CALLING ALL QUIZZERS. Quiz in aid of Shaftesbury Memorial Hospital, Saturday 21st September at 7.30pm, Motcombe Village Hall. Tables of 6. £12.00pp including food (Bring your own wine) or just do the Quiz for £7.00. To book call Wendy on 01747 822299/ 07791 277749 or email wendy@dovetree.co.uk. A Rotary Club of Gillingham Event

Stalbridge Hall

‘Your local community centre’ Is turning 50 this year! Join us for a celebration...

‘50 years of STALBRIDGE HALL’ Exhibition open on Sunday 8th of September 10am-1pm

A free family event with a football shoot out, soft play and ball pond Refreshments and BBQ. All welcome!

ABBA’s ANGELS

One of Britains most revered tribute bands Saturday 14th September

Tickets £12 from Williams Florists. Door/Bar open 7.30-11pm. Fancy dress optional.

www.stalbridgehall.uk | www.facebook.com/Stalbridgehallevents

Battle of the Bards

BUDDING Bards of Dorchester need to hurry to register their interest in a competition being held later this month.

Poets, storytellers and singers will present one of their own poems, songs or stories that celebrate Dorchester or Dorset or both, their own interpretation or performance of a poem by Thomas Hardy, and their “Bardic Manifesto”.

The judges will be representatives from the Thomas Hardy Society, Dorset Museum, a former Bard of Bath, a former Bard of Exeter and one other, to be confirmed.

The host for the event is Peter Roe, the Second Bard of Dorchester and founder and director of The Jawbone Collective based in Bridport, which runs a regular open mic at The Poet Laureate in Dorchester.

He said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for a local creative to get involved with the promotion of the arts in West

Dorset.

“We have had a strong interest from young people, and it would be fantastic to give them a platform for their voice.”

The Bard of Dorchester aims to encourage poetry, storytelling and music in town and the surrounding areas of West Dorset.

Dorchester has a strong literary tradition in the form of Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, Robert Young and the Powys brothers.

The contest to find the new Bard of Dorchester is in the Undercroft at Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, on Sunday, September 15, at 3pm.

The Bard will be appointed to serve for a year and a day –to register an interest in taking part in the competition, email bardofdorchester@gmail.com.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th

- 2025 production of “Mother Goose” script reading and auditions from 2pm in Village Hall, Charlton Horethorne

GARAGE AND SHED SALE.

30th & 31st August. 6th 7th & 8th September. 10.30am onwards. 6 Deweys Way, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4PW

SPETISBURY CHURCH & VILLAGE

FETE AND DOG SHOW

Saturday 7th September 12 – 4 p.m. At Spetisbury Manor DT11 9EB Everyone welcome, come and join the fun! £1 adults, children under 16 free

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM, Fridays 16 & 30 August, Saturdays 17 & 31 August, 9 - 4.30pm, Shaftesbury Town Hall, Lots of lovely items for sale under one roof. Supporting Weldmar Hospice and Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance, FREE ENTRY

HOOK VALLEY FARM PLANNING APPLICATION, public meeting. Wednesday 11th September, 7pm. Wincanton Sports Ground, Moor Lane. All Welcome. Application reference: 24/01257/OUT. Somerset Council

CREAM TEAS EVERY SUNDAY IN AUGUST, 2.30.4.430. Damerham Village Hall SP6 3HN, in aid of St George’s Church Damerham. by the river.

JUMBLE SALE at Marnhull Royal British Legion DT10 1HR on Saturday September 7th. Doors open at 10.15.

SHERBORNE DIGBY HALL MONTHLY MARKET

Saturday 7th Sept 10-3 ANTIQUES, ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD & MORE Tel: 07717-454643

Peter Roe, the Second Bard of Dorchester at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne

Letters

A303 and a world of finite resources

THERE are understandably strong feelings about the proposed A303 tunnel with both supporters and opponents feeling they have rational arguments – New Blackmore Vale, August 16.

As a former civil engineer engaged in soil mechanics, I have more than a passing interest in a project of this nature – and, because of the depth, I cannot see how it would disturb anything of interest to or even reachable by archaeologists.

It’s also certainly true that the tunnel would ease the flow of traffic to the west country. However, that is not the whole story. Although the economies of Devon and Cornwall depend greatly on tourism, the well-known downside is the issue of Airbnbs and holiday cottages making housing unaffordable for local young people.

Added to that, of course, is the issue of how many visitors a small town can hold before the tourists themselves spoil the very thing they’ve come to enjoy.

And, as we’ve heard in the news from abroad – for example, Venice, Greece, Spain, Mallorca – West Country towns and villages are not the only places where tourism is beginning to be more of a bane than a blessing.

So is it possible there might have to be limits on our freedom to travel whenever and wherever we wish? In his 1968 book The Tragedy of the Commons, Garrett Hardin points out that if many people enjoy unfettered access to a finite, valuable resource such as a pasture, they will tend to overuse it and may end up destroying its value altogether. Hardin uses the illustration of 10 villagers, each with one cow, having access to a common piece of grazing land. The

problem begins when one villager gets a second cow, thus doubling his/her benefit while reducing only fractionally the available grazing per cow. But when other villagers do the same, the result is overgrazing and everybody loses, including the cows.

It’s not difficult to see how this principle applies to the exploitation of all resources, from a single piece of land to the total amount of world oil reserves. And at a personal level, whenever I use my car I reduce, if only fractionally, the road space available to all road users.

A few years after Hardin’s book, the problem was illustrated in a different way –but probably quite unnecessarily – by computer modelling.

From the book publisher’s website: “In the summer of 1970, an international team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology began a study of the implications of continued worldwide growth. They examined the five basic factors that determine and, in their interactions, ultimately limit growth on this planet: population increase, agricultural production, non-renewable resource depletion, industrial output, and pollution generation. The MIT team fed data on these five factors into a global computer model and then tested the behaviour of the model under several sets of assumptions to determine alternative patterns for mankind’s future. Published in 1972, The Limits to Growth is the non-technical report of their findings.”

These included various scenarios, depending on the assumptions – for example, the rate of increase of industrial output – that were fed into the programme, but the main conclusion was that continuing

our present path of growth would eventually exceed the carrying capacity of the planet.

But the website continues: “The book contains a message of hope, as well: Man(sic) can create a society in which he can live indefinitely on earth if he imposes limits on himself and his production of material goods to achieve a state of global equilibrium with population and production in carefully selected balance.”

Note the point about imposing limits, because unless we impose limits on ourselves, nature will do it in a much more drastic way. Note also that this conclusion was reached over 50 years ago – we haven’t changed direction and who could argue about what our damaged environment is now telling us?

We need to think further ahead than the five-year lifetime of a government or the threemonthly balance sheet of

economists.

We cannot escape the situation by the current freemarket economic system, which has largely caused the problem, treating capital – resources – as income, and allowing price to vary according to scarcity – this inevitably allows the rich to get richer and buy up property in sought-after resorts while the poor live in rented properties over which they have no control.

And the young people being forced to leave their communities are the ones who just might found a small business or otherwise contribute to a local or regional economy less reliant on tourism.

Which brings me back to the A303. If the tunnel were to go ahead, how long before the increased traffic flows would create demand for even more road capacity? In other words, it would provide a short-term

Artist in flower meadow

THANK you for publishing the photo of the current crop of primarily hollyhocks in the flower meadow in Castleton, Sherborne – New Blackmore Vale, August 2.

I wonder if your readers might be interested to see the very first crop of flowers that appeared in 2012 seen here being captured by a local artist in August of that year. Barbara Elsmore Sherborne

answer to what is a longterm problem – how to adjust our lifestyle and expectations to the limits of what the environment can sustain. I’m afraid I don’t have all the answers, but I can see there is definitely a problem.

Colin Marsh, Revd Gillingham

Near misses crossing B3092

THE B3092 does not run “at the top of the village” – Letters, New Blackmore Vale, August 16 – the B3092 runs through the village of Stour Provost.

I also live in Stour Provost and have to walk across the B3092 twice a day, which I dread as I have had many near misses!

I agree that this is a very fast, dangerous road that desperately needs a speed limit. I wonder what it will take to get one? I hope not a fatality.

Shawn Murphy Via email

Sideline A303 campaigners

THE campaigners against the A303 Stonehenge tunnel – New Blackmore Vale, August 2 –should be sidelined.

A means of avoiding the enormous traffic jams at Stonehenge is essential.

I would either erect a two-metre high fence to stop vehicles viewing the stones or sell the whole lot off to the United States.

It is ridiculous that every day, and especially every weekend, there are major traffic jams either side of the stones. It has taken years to get consensus on a solution and the A303 is the primary route to the south west – we cannot go on forever without solving the problem.

Personally, I would tuck a dual carriageway just out of sight but on the surface and not build a tunnel.

That would save millions of

pounds.

Philip Proctor Shaftesbury

‘World Heritage Caravan Park’

I CONCUR wholeheartedly with the letters published in the New Blackmore Vale’s August 16 edition regarding the damage caused to the region by failing to address the A303 issues.

I would suggest to the protesters, however, that the visual impact of the “World Heritage Caravan Park” along Byway 12, overlooking Stonehenge and the prehistoric landscape in general, is FAR worse than any residual works from the proposed tunnel! Not to mention other environmental issues it causes. Where are their protestations about that?

Peter Gore Charlton

Parents failed by ‘system’

I WRITE in response to James Bishop – New Blackmore Vale, Letters, August 16 – “Parents must play part in education”.

As a parent of a six-year-old child with SEN (Special Educational Needs), it is because of such comments that parents/caregivers feel as if we are the ones failing. However, the system is failing us.

I have a child who suffers with a speech delay, diagnosed when he was two years old. This has had a profound effect, and continues to do so, with his school work.

Yet, as parents, we read to him as a baby, and continue to read to him, so some parents dedicate a lot of time and effort to their child only to be failed by the system, NHS and schools.

It makes everything much harder. I am in the middle of requesting an additional assessment for my child

(ADHD). However, this is no longer through the NHS, but through schools.

During the summer holidays, we have done additional school work, but is it not critical that a child has downtime, too?

Some parents work very hard and even hire outside resources, such as private tutors, but this does not come cheaply, as the curriculum is always changing.

Not everything is as black and white as Mr Bishop makes it out to be.

Name and address supplied

Slow progress on bypass

I CANNOT be alone in feeling irritation, at least, about the progression of the Sparkford bypass.

A solution to nowhere as the queues are merely pushed both further east and west.

It is invidious to make comparisons, but China, Japan, France and Germany, may all be held up as providers in construction and delivery of greater difficulty and length of infrastructure – whether rail, road or reservoir.

At Sparkford we are talking five miles.

Over the years, progress has been snail-like, much leaning on the proverbial shovel as one inches past.

The modern equivalent seemingly being wedded to the mobile telephone accoutrement.

The whole project has “sloth” writ large all over it.

James Bishop Wincanton

Choir born out of lockdown

AMERICAN composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim said: “If I cannot fly, let me sing.”

When lockdown came in March 2020, everything ground to a halt.

Well, not quite. It was going to take more than a lockdown to stop us singing!

The Bridge Benefice Choir, based in Sturminster Marshall, were not going to give up that easily so, led by their excellent director of music, Sally Plowright, we recorded ourselves in our own homes every week and sent our tracks to Sally who put them all together and produced music for the online church services.

But that was not the end of the story, not by a long way.

These online recordings became so popular that we were approached by singers from across Dorset who wanted to join us as their choirs had shut down due to the pandemic.

We chatted on Zoom each week and the singing carried on until Lockdown was over and things started returning to normal.

But no-one wanted to stop singing with the now 30-strong “Lockdown Choir”, so the Dorset Bridge Choir was born.

We have given four concerts since then and they have become so popular that the last concert was a sell-out.

Our next concert, entitled “Sing For Joy” is at 7pm on Sunday, September 8, in Lytchett Minster Church.

Tickets are £15 to include wine from liz.york@btinternet. com.

Liz York

Sturminster Marshall

Question time for quizzers

WIMBORNE and Ferndown Lions’ early autumn quiz this year is at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne.

The date is Friday, September 6, starting at 7.30pm.

The format is as before, teams of up to six players. Entry is £10 per player, including a cold platter and rolls. A bar will be open.

To enter a team, please email me at events@ wimborneandferndownlions. org.uk

Ron Neave Wimborne

Arts & Entertainment

Show and sale will celebrate artist’s life

THE life of Gillingham artist Shireen Brickell will be celebrated in an exhibition and sale on Friday (September 6).

The sale of Shireen’s work, donated by her family and organised by her friends, will help North Dorset RFC’s Paul Phillips Fund, set up to benefit youth rugby.

Shireen, who died suddenly in February, was a prolific artist for more than 40 years, working with textiles, stitching and applique.

A spokesperson for the sale said: “Art in all its forms was her passion. Shireen drew or painted every day, capturing those moments that often go unobserved, the amusing and the unusual, in her journal, part diary, part sketchbook.

“Her work reflects her love of the local countryside, of nature and of people.

“Her last creative endeavour was painting and stitching on tea bags – incredibly close detailed work.

“Her friends were all called upon to support this new endeavour by drying out their – high end –tea bags.”

The exhibition and sale – at very reasonable prices – of Shireen’s work is at

North Dorset Rugby Club, Gillingham, from 6pm.

Some of her exquisite hand-made boxes will also be raffled.

Shireen’s friends are asking everyone to: “please join us to celebrate Shireen’s work and to raise a glass in her memory.”

Perry in Culture Club

THE artist Grayson Perry is set to be the subject of a talk at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester.

The talk by art and design historian Pam Simpson is the first of four events in the museum and gallery’s Culture Club programme.

It will explore Perry’s journey from Essex beginnings to international acclaim and celebrate his unique work.

Sir Grayson Perry: How he became a National Treasure, is on Thursday, September 5, from 7pm-8.30pm.

“It is this sometimes quirky view of life that gives her pieces their unique quality.

Entry to the event is free of charge and all proceeds will go to the Paul Phillips Fund.

For more information and to sign up to Culture Club, visit www.dorsetmuseum.org/ event/culture-club.

The sale of Shireen Brickell’s work will benefit youth players at North Dorset RFC

Big names at 10th anniversary literary festival

DORCHESTER

Literary Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a stellar line-up befitting the occasion.

The event, from October 12-19, aims to produce a diverse programme that entertains, inspires and enlightens audiences.

Festival patron, Tracy Chevalier, said: “10 years of fascinating and entertaining guests, from cooks to crime writers, poets to politicians, Hardyeans to historians, scientists to cyclists.

“I have loved witnessing the festival’s growth and success.

“For a small town, Dorchester punches above its weight when it comes to culture, and the Dorchester Literary Festival is one of its gleaming jewels. Here’s to another 10 years!”

The festival is strong on history, politics and current affairs, with subjects ranging from Jonathan Dimbleby’s account of the drama between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin in Endgame 1944 to Nustrit Mehtab’s Off the Beat, an account of her 30-year career as a British Asian Muslim in the Met fighting misogyny and racism.

Tom Baldwin will discuss his biography of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, described as “the most important political book of the year” by Matthew D’Anacona in the Evening Standard

As ever, well-being and the natural environment are high on the agenda.

Gardener’s World presenter Rachel de Thame explains how to create a garden that will nurture pollinators all year round, while Christina HartDavis shares Britain’s long history of herbal remedies.

Countryfile’s Tom Heap sets out how both humanity and nature can be given space to thrive in his book Land Smart, and there is a wondrous introduction to the world of cloud spotting from Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society.

Jack Cornish will also share his knowledge of Britain’s millennia-old path network from the Wainright shortlisted The Lost Paths. Leading figures in UK fiction and poetry will be visiting,

including Pam Ayres and Booker Prize winning – 2004, Line of Beauty – author Alan Hollinghurst with his poignant and funny new novel Our Evenings

Kate Mosse’s painstakingly researched novel The Map of Bones is a beautifully told adventure of courage, injustice and triumph set in southern Africa.

Also joining the event are Tracy Chevalier with her new novel The Glass Maker, about Murano glassmaking through the centuries, and Victoria Hislop, whose novel The Figurine, set in Greece, explores archaeology and

cultural appropriation. Dog lovers will enjoy Clare Balding talking about the many roles man’s canine friends fulfil and the history of how they became such an intrinsic part of people’s lives, while podcast hero Rory Cellan-Jones will share his moving story about adopting a rescue dog, made popular by the viral hashtag #SophieFromRomania. For more information, visit dorchesterliteraryfestival.com. Tickets will be on sale to Friends of the Festival from Friday-Friday, August 16-30, and on general release from tomorrow (Saturday, August 31).

Choir’s three concerts in 35th year

EXCITING times are ahead for Wincanton Choral Society when it begins its 2024/25 season on Monday, September 9. The society will be staging three concerts in its 35th year, beginning with a concert in December in St Luke and St Teresa’s church in Wincanton featuring Vivaldi’s glorious Gloria and Rutter’s Magnificat. That will be followed by the

St John Passion in the spring and end with a celebratory evening of more relaxed music at King Arthur’s school in June.

The society is inviting anyone interested to join it in a Come and Sing day at the school in October – and to feel inspired by musical director Neil Moore. Details will be available soon.

To find out more about that and the rest of the programme

Members of Wincanton Choral Society in fine voice

this year, visit the society’s website at wincantonchoral society.co.uk or facebook.com/

wincantonchoralsociety, or phone the new chair, Sally Greenhalgh, on 01749 860457.

Stephen Anderton and Vanessa Berridge at last year’s festival

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Cryptic crossword

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

Killer Sudoku Pro

Across

7 Excessively enthusiastic son first off with hug stirred after opening to game (4-2)

8 A French socialist reportedly not studied (6)

9 Joint part of stock needed (4)

10 Tamper deliberately with boat at sea in decline close to home (8)

Down

1 Spectacularly different female fashion designer upset Greek character (7)

2 Look amorously with cry of triumph about golf (4)

3 Husband concerned with mostly closed island (6)

11 Largely cut a race arranged in Lancashire town for officials (11)

14 Fool from Hertfordshire town with a line put in musical number (6,5)

18 Last of manufacturers with another varied style of furniture (8)

19 Tablet making priest out of sorts (4)

20 One making mistake, not new, as musical player (6)

21 Overlook excellent treatment (6)

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

4 By the sound of it, burden regarding the back (6)

5 Set of rules for gun around clubs (8)

6 Chap with energy gets fruit (5)

12 Wholly damaged tyre line (8)

13 Surround pair of bridge players nearby (7)

15 Trainee in winter nominated (6)

16 Alcoholic drink almost beginning to offer stimulation (6)

17 Request for quiet disclosed – or loud noise

19 Put in luggage set of cards (4)

Church

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

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

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

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

• Cheap Street Church, Sherborne: Taizé Service – half an hour of prayer, meditation and music on the second Sunday each month at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Next service Sunday, September 8.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday,

September 1 – 10.45am Together Communion at All Saints Church, Tarrant

Keynston. Sunday, September 8 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion and Baptism at All Saints, Langton Long; 11am Family Service at All Saints Church, Tarrant Keynston. Coffee and cake –Spetisbury 10am-11.30am first and third Monday each month; coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10am-11.30am September 19; coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am-12.30pm – Tuesday to Friday. Every Thursday, Morning Prayer by Zoom, 9am – contact Jane Griffin for more information.

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

• Longburton Village Café: Held in the village church of St James, the cafe provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £2. Tuesdays, September 10 and 24 from 10.30am-noon.

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

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

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

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

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

The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel.

• Sherborne Abbey volunteer guardians: It is hoped to recruit new volunteer guardians to meet and greet visitors. Just one fixed hour a fortnight. Training will be given. Anyone interested or who knows someone who might be, should email sue. morgan@sherborneabbey.com or phone 01935 873104.

• Sherborne Abbey Julian Group: An opportunity to share half an hour’s silence and meditation with fellow Christians. Meetings are ecumenical and very refreshing. The next meeting is on Wednesday, September 11, in the Lady Chapel, from 4pm4.30pm.

• Sherborne Abbey shop assistants: Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer abbey shop assistant – training will be given; the commitment is only two hours a week – should contact Chris Hamon – Chris. Hamon@sherborneabbey.com – or see Chris in the abbey. The shop is now being overseen by the Friends of Sherborne Abbey and is extending its ranges of gifts and cards

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

• Sherborne Abbey Threads Through Creation Exhibition: To Sunday, October 6. A spectacular stitching on a huge scale, creating the world with eight million stitches. See https://www.jacqui-textile.com/ creation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church, BA22 7QB. Sunday services: September 1, 4pm – United “Sunday @ Four” with tea. September 8, 15 and 22, 6pm – Evening worship. September 29, 6pm – United “Songs of Praise”.

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

Immigration: Facts not fiction

IT was summer 1992 and I was adjutant of a Territorial Army regiment in Southampton. One of the regiment’s sergeants suggested that we put a team into the football world cup that year. “No”, I hear you say, “there was no football world cup in 1992, this must be fiction”, but it was fact.

My regiment formed the England team for the championships. We trained a bit, got in a minibus and drove to Her Majesty’s Prison Haslar in Portsmouth – the venue.

For the rest of that day, we played a series of internationals against talented teams formed from asylum seekers of many nations, each playing in teams wearing their parent country’s colours. England played Brazil in the final and we won. The victorious England team went home, but the others stayed at Her Majesty’s pleasure, awaiting Home Office decisions

Gary Jackson, North Dorset Liberal Democrats

on their asylum claims. Many eventually did stay in this country. Moving on to their new lives in the UK, to make their way as we all do, to do what they can and play their part. Thinking back to that

happy and unusual afternoon, I feel unhappy in contrast at events of the last few weeks on our streets and in far too many minds.

At the Gillingham and Shaftesbury show a couple of weeks ago, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I asked visitors what was the one thing they wanted to get off their chests. For many, the answer was “immigration”, including from a group of teenagers who stopped to offer cheeky chat as well their views. Whatever the age, whether young or old, I found the most difficult views were not just about “immigration” but “immigrants”. Them and us.

Lots of statements offered as facts were simply untrue. Many got their news from TikTok or ‘X’ – Twitter – and ignored mainstream media. Simon Hoare – a surprisingly frequent

visitor to our stand at the show – wrote about the need for better education in the previous edition. He is right, but it’s more than that. We all need to understand the facts and keep talking about them, rather than shying away from a difficult subject.

Here are some facts: the 2022 Values Study by Kings College London found that 55% of British people thought immigration had a positive effect on UK development; last year, asylum seekers were fewer than one in 12 of non-EU immigrants to Britain; the vast majority are therefore people who pay for visas to work or study; immigrants commit crime at the same rate as Britons; immigration grows the economy and has little or no effect on wages; immigrants are net contributors to the NHS. Let’s be proud of this country, and for good reasons.

Unions will come back for more

I WANT to begin by congratulating all of those across North Dorset who have received their exam results in recent weeks. My eldest daughter did her GCSEs this year, so I know what a stressful time it can be. I hope all students secured what they wanted and are able to move on to the next chapter of their learning lives.

As we approach the end of summer – the weather tells us summer never really took hold this year – I want to thank all of those across the constituency who have organised fetes, dog shows, fundraisers, flower shows etc. These events do not just happen – they take months of planning and the energy and goodwill of organisers. They are a crucial element of our local communities and a huge debt of gratitude is owed to all involved.

I am conscious that no-one likes to hear “I told you so”. So, I venture into this territory with

Conservative MP for North Dorset

Simon Hoare

some trepidation. While the good sense of the voters of North Dorset did not fall for the Labour/Lib Dem “everything will be fine with us/you have nothing to fear” too many people across the country did. From communications and conversations, buyer’s remorse is setting in at an alarmingly – if you are the Government – fast rate. Our prisons are full – we

must release people early but there is space –quite rightly –for recent rioters simply does not join up.

Pensioners can vote Labour with confidence we were told only to see the vindicative, and I believe ultimately not costsaving at all, removal of the winter heating allowance for many pensioners, be announced. They are trying to convince us there was a blackhole in the finances they did not know about. This is nonsense. Labour had been receiving Treasury Official briefing months before the election. As the IFS and others have said, the Office of Budget Responsibility means that everything is in the public domain. So, either Labour did not read what it was shown or worse has decided to distort the facts as cover for a massive tax raid.

Motorists concerned about fuel duty were told they had nothing to fear. Well, let’s see.

Ditto on Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, pensions and anything else they can drain. People old enough to remember Labour last in power will not be surprised. Many who did not are now feeling duped and betrayed. And what do they propose to spend this extra revenue on?

Meeting every Union demand for salary hikes. No productivity or modernisation quid pro quos. Simply roll over and cough up. Ministers have been claiming success in ending strike action or threatened strike action. However, it is not a success for the tax payer and public services when success is defined by paying the blackmailer what they demand. The Unions will see a weak Government and will simply keep coming back for more and more, year on year. Labour has opened a Pandora’s Box of pay settlements. They will come to regret doing so. The electorate cannot say they weren’t warned.

Politics

Riots, the Olympics and nature crisis

I SPOTTED some illuminating contrasting events in recent weeks – perhaps you noticed some yourself. An obvious one was the violent anti-immigrant demonstrations, sparked partly by lies spread on anti-social media. Police were injured, shops looted and attempts made to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers. In welcome contrast, we saw peaceful demonstrators oppose the violent protests, outnumbering the rioters and showing the better side of human nature.

The courts responded swiftly to deal with the violent protesters, with one individual sentenced to three years for using Facebook to encourage rioters to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers. His punishment contrasts with that of another individual recently sentenced to four years for using an online meeting to call for environmental protesters to temporarily stop traffic on the

M25. Elsewhere, the scandal of gross sewage pollution of our waterways continues. Ofwat has just fined Thames Water £104 million, for failing to manage or invest in sewage treatment between 2017 and 2022. That contrasts with the £287m in dividends paid out by Thames Water during the same period. The Olympics provided its usual combination of

entertainment and inspiration, and contradictions. The games sponsors included Toyota, a company whose car production is only 1% electric and which lobbied the last government to delay the phase-out of fossil fuelled cars.

Dorset’s star sailor Laura Baldwin earned a rare plaudit in Private Eye for being among those Olympic competitors who signed an open letter urging the International Olympic Committee to drop Toyota’s sponsorship.

While British cyclists won a clutch of medals, British Cycling (BC) hardly covered itself in glory by accepting a sponsorship deal with Shell. The deal is said to “accelerate” BC’s journey to net zero, but Shell plans to invest £46bn in fossil fuels by 2030.

I’ll end with the alarming contrast between the number of pollinators we usually see in spring and summer, and the huge drop in numbers we’ve seen this

year. Apparently caused by a combination of poor weather conditions, years of increasing habitat loss, and the use of pesticides – cunningly rebranded as Plant Protection Products.

The bees that finally occupied my hive this summer didn’t have a queen, so the colony soon died out and wasn’t replaced.

Shockingly, the UK is rated as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. The climate and nature crises fuel one another, and the UK Government must increase its ambition and action in line with the science.

I’ve written to our North Dorset MP, Simon Hoare, to ask him to support a Climate & Nature Bill now being put forward for debate in Parliament. I’m hoping Simon’s reply will contrast with his record to date when it comes to supporting environmental measures. Watch this space.

Food issues that need solutions

RECENTLY I visited Love Glastonbury, a Community Fridge and Pantry in Glastonbury run by volunteers with the aim of cutting down on food waste and helping people in need. The Community Fridge began by redirecting fresh food that would otherwise go to landfill to anyone to use for free and has now grown to include a Community Pantry stocking long shelf-life food and a hot food operation serving about 50 people every Saturday.

The project aims to help solve the environmental issue of food waste and the societal injustice of food poverty, and since its launch in 2020 the Community Fridge has diverted more than 70 tons of donated food that would otherwise have gone to landfill. The Community Pantry has distributed more than 20 tons of food, all while serving more than 2,400 hot meals and drinks

Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton

Sarah Dyke

to people in the community. In Parliament, I have been active on these important issues, and I will continue to use my voice to make food banks a relic of the past. It is totally unacceptable that in Somerset 18,000 food parcels have been handed out in the past year. If we are to guarantee food security for the nation, we must

guarantee that everyone has access to affordable, healthy and where possible local food at all times.

Earlier this year I led a debate in Parliament on Food Security and have argued that to do this we must reform our food system and support our farmers in producing healthy food for the nation. This is why I want to see £1 billion added to the Environmental Land Management Schemes Budget to help our farmers and protect food security.

We must also work hard to tackle the issue of food waste, as billions of tonnes of edible food is wasted every year, while many live in food poverty. On top of this, food waste is responsible for about 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year – if food waste was a nation, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.

I spoke about this issue in a debate in Parliament earlier this year and believe to limit food waste we must change our just-in-time food supply model. Unfair supermarket buying practices place pressure on farmers to over-produce food, to avoid financial penalties resulting in an estimated 1.6 million to 3.5 million tonnes of pre-farm gate food waste a year. I believe we must provide the Groceries Code Adjudicator with more teeth to stop these harmful practices and ensure there is fairness, transparency and sustainability in the supply chain.

I will be working hard to advocate for reforms on this important issue across this new Parliament.

As always, if there is anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at sarah.dyke. mp@parliament.uk

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

THERE are many great things about living in rural Dorset. We have town centres that remain the heart of our communities. Our high streets have not been bypassed by either our residents or motorists. And this means the pedestrians competing with traffic. When this is the case, is a 20mph speed limit plenty?

I have difficulty with the approach of, if there hasn’t been an accident, there’s not a problem that warrants an intervention. Anyone who has worked in industry would know how misguided that is. Without recording the number of near misses, you don’t know how close you are to having an accident.

Then we encounter the argument around average speeds. If the average recorded speed is at or around 20mph, a change in the limit is often deemed unnecessary. This neglects the outliers in the normal distribution of speed, where the accidents can occur.

20mph limits are effective in

It’s not easy starting job as new MP Towns should decide on speed limits

AS August draws to a close, I am readying myself to head to London for the return of Parliament. Apparently, I was supposed to get some rest and even have a holiday while Parliament was in recess. No such luck for me. Like many, if not all, of the new MPs I have been hard at work trying to get a team hired and constituency offices secured.

I cannot complain, after all I did volunteer for the job. However, if you weren’t a fan of Parliamentary reform before, then seven weeks of trying to navigate the various complex, contradictory and opaque institutional departments, registers, online portals and mandatory forms, certainly makes you keener than ever for change. Not least because all of

reducing accidents. Data released by the Welsh Government on July 31, 2024, for the first six months of its 20mph default speed limit on built-up roads shows 351 (29%) fewer casualties versus the equivalent period last year

(October to March).

The Welsh government’s blanket approach has drawn criticism. Indeed, I wouldn’t go down the road of changing all 30mph limits to 20mph. Towns and villages should be able to determine where they want lower speed limits. They know better than a national parliament.

But this is where we get stuck in a traffic jam. All highways matters are determined by the unitary, or county council. When I became a town councillor recently, I was surprised at how little influence towns have over their own highways.

I’m not saying town and parish councils should be responsible for highways maintenance. But if a village wants to selectively apply a 20mph limit around schools, shops and on roads that don’t have pavements, shouldn’t they be able to implement it?

Labour included a devolution bill in its recent King’s Speech.

It promised that local leaders would be able to take more decisions. But it was focused on devolution to the first tier of local government – directly elected mayors, and unitary – county – councils. It hasn’t looked at the second tier of local government – the towns and parish councils across most of rural England.

I do hope that the deputy PM, Angela Rayner, gets to this. Real devolution would mean towns and parishes being able to “take back control” of their own streets. Which would include setting the speed limits they deem appropriate and introducing pedestrian priority zones.

We shouldn’t allow a lack of resources in county halls to stymie this. If town and parish councils want to fund their own studies and traffic control measures, they should be able to do so. And if residents don’t want safety first councils, they can remove them at the ballot box.

it is an unwelcome distraction from the work all parliamentarians want to be doing – namely helping their

constituents.

Thankfully, I see light at the end of the tunnel. The first members of my parliamentary team and constituency office will start at the beginning of September, and the job adverts for the remaining positions are already up. The additional support means that as of September I can start offering residents online meetings, and face-to-face surgeries, as well as get round to those few emails I have not yet been able to respond to.

While the task of setting up what is in effect a small enterprise in six weeks has been mammoth, being back in West Dorset has also meant an opportunity to visit some of the many fantastic village fetes and community events we host over

the summer months.

The One World Festival in Borough Gardens, RNLI Week in Lyme, the Melplash Show in Bridport and the flower show in Chetnole, among others. In so many places across West Dorset communities come together to put on events like these that allow us to celebrate what a wonderful place West Dorset is to live.

To those selfless volunteers who give up their time to organise, fundraise, steward, man the coconut shy and fulfil the many other jobs needed to make these events a success, I want to say a huge thank you. I know the weather hasn’t always been kind to us this summer but you’ve given all of us so many amazing Saturdays again this year. Here’s to many more.

LibDem MP for West Dorset

Edward Morello

Greg Williams, on behalf of Dorset Labour

Antiques & Collectibles

Duke’s issues final call for month’s three auctions

DUKE’S is poised to showcase an exhilarating triad of auctions this October and is inviting final entries for Sporting and Natural History, the Autumn Auction, and Art & Design post-1880.

This collection reflects the rich tapestry of art and history, with each category promising to deliver remarkable offerings that appeal to seasoned collectors and first-time buyers.

The Sporting and Natural

History auction will feature exquisite taxidermy pieces, vintage sporting memorabilia and rare natural history artefacts.

Meanwhile, the Autumn Auction will bring together an

eclectic range of items, from fine antique furniture to old master paintings.

There will also be pieces from the Grey Egerton Family Collection of the – now burnt down – Oulton Hall.

Lastly, the Art & Design post-1880 segment is set to highlight innovative and influential artworks, encompassing a spectrum of styles and mediums that mark the evolution of the art world.

It includes works from prominent artists such as David Hockney, Wilfrid Gabriel De Glehn and Walter David Jones.

As the mid-September deadline for submissions approaches, readers are encouraged to submit their entries and partake in what promises to be a memorable month at Duke’s.

Phone 01305 265080 or email enquiries@dukesauctions.com, or arrange a confidential free valuation at your convenience.

Specialist Valuation Days

Pieces from the Grey Egerton Family Collection from the now burnt down Oulton Hall are in the Autumn Auction

AIMING HIGH

A Robert Adams circa 1951 fiveshot percussion revolver estimated to sell for W£300-£500

300 ornate desk seals and very rare Stevco two-gallon petrol can

CLARKE’S Auctions is busy preparing for the first of its autumn sales on Friday and Saturday, September 13-14.

Objets de Virtu no obligation valuation day on Wednesday, September 4, with specialist valuers happy to give advice –pop along any time between 9am-5pm.

Its Classic Vehicle & Automobilia sale is on Friday, September 13, and will feature a fine selection of classic cars and motorbikes, along with enamel signs, car mascots, ephemera and a very rare Stevco twogallon petrol can in original condition.

The books do not close for entries for another week, so anyone who has classic vehicles, motorcycles or automobilia they would like to consign, should contact Matthew Whitney on the number below.

The auction house will be selling a private local collection of about 300 ornate desk seals on the Saturday. Seals were popular in the Georgian and Victorian eras when communication between royals and the upper classes became more common, and even more so when the middle and lower classes were able to communicate by letters.

Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th August

Clarke’s is holding a specialist Silver, Jewellery and

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

Nex t Sale

Saturday 14th September European Ceramics & Glass; Clocks, Barometers & Instruments; and Selected Antique Furniture & Objects

For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website

Now accepting items for this and future sales

Clarke’s offer free verbal valuations and home visits Joseph Farquharson RA (Scottish 1846-1935) - The Flower Borders of the Artist’s Garden at Finzean, Aberdeenshire - oil on canvas. Sold for £6000

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

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

The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

A Polynesian Tongan carved ironwood ‘coconut-stalk’ or apa’apai war club SOLD FOR £19,000

For free verbal valuations please contact and South Kensington, London

Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbur y SP7 9AN 01747 855122 www.semleyauc tioneers com

Antiques & Collectibles

Advertiser’s announcement

Auction house’s programme of valuation days

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers Sherborne has two sales this month – General Antiques & Collectors on Thursday, September 26, from 10am, and Jewellery, Silver & Watches on Friday, September 27, from 10am.

The catalogue and bidding are available through Easyliveauction.com and Thesaleroom.com, and Auctionet.com for timed auctions.

Acreman is holding a programme of valuation days in September where prospective vendors can take in items for its specialists to evaluate.

Valuation days – 10am-3pm: n Jewellery & Watches –Tuesdays and Saturdays.

n Silver & Objet D’art –Tuesdays and Saturdays.

n Toys & Collectables –Wednesdays and Saturdays.

n Oriental & Asian – Thursdays and Saturdays.

n Coins, Stamps, Books & Ephemera – Fridays and Saturdays.

n Militaria – Fridays and Saturdays.

n Textiles & Fashion –Mondays and Saturdays.

n Paintings & Contemporary

Art – Mondays and Saturdays. Alternatively, phone and make an appointment if you are unable to go in on the allocated days.

Acreman Auctioneers & Valuers is at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9

3PH.

It is also happy to make house visits if required.

Acreman is now accepting consignments for its upcoming sales.

It is happy to advise prospective sellers on anything they may be considering for auction.

Photos can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or alternatively take items in for Acreman to take a look at – it is open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm.

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 or valuations, and can arrange a full house clearance at competitive rates.

Anyone who has anything they would like to consign should contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 or by email at auction@ acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

Automobilia at Charterhouse

A COLLECTION of enamel signs, vintage petrol pumps and other automobilia from a Somerset collector is being sold by Charterhouse in Sherborne in its specialist Automobilia auction on Wednesday, September 25.

“We have been holding automobilia auctions for many years,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.

“However, when the owner turned up on one of our valuation days I was amazed to see nearly 100 lots of enamel signs and petroliana crammed into his van and loaded in his trailer.”

Automobilia in the collection dates from the 1920s. Items are estimated to sell from £40 to more than £1,000, with most lots being sold without reserve.

Charterhouse is now

for

Charterhouse is selling automobilia from a Somerset collector

specialist automobilia auction and has a valuation day at its Sherborne Salerooms on Friday, September 6.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for advice and valuations on car mascots, enamel signs and automobilia at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, phone 01935 812277 or via email at rb@ charterhouse-auction.com.

This Oriental Clambering Boys vase sold for £13,000

Sophisticated and elegant filigree

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

FILIGREE is a delicate and intricate metalworking technique that has been used for centuries to create exquisite patterns in jewellery.

Originating in ancient Mesopotamia and later flourishing in regions like the Mediterranean, India and Europe, filigree involves twisting and curling fine threads of gold or silver to form intricate designs.

This art form adds a distinct elegance and sophistication to antique jewellery, making it highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

The appeal of filigree lies in its ability to transform simple metal into lace-like patterns, creating a sense of lightness and intricacy that enhances the overall beauty of a piece.

Craftsmen used a combination of curling, twisting and soldering techniques to produce detailed motifs, often inspired by nature or geometric shapes.

These designs were then applied to various types of jewellery, including rings, earrings, pendants and brooches.

During the Victorian era, filigree became particularly popular, reflecting the period’s fascination with ornate and romantic styles.

Artisans would often incorporate other elements, such as gemstones like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls and enamel, to complement the delicate metalwork, resulting in pieces that were very elegant and looked fabulous.

The piece in the picture is a most exquisite filigree sterling silver butterfly brooch with moving wings which probably originates from China post1950.

The intricate metalwork and expert craftsmanship, despite it being modern, gives the impression of the veins and eye spots on a butterfly’s wings.

Today, antique filigree jewellery is appreciated not only for its aesthetic beauty but

also for its historical significance.

These pieces offer a glimpse into the artistic traditions of the

past, showcasing the skill and creativity of the artisans who meticulously crafted each delicate design.

This filigree sterling silver butterfly brooch, with moving wings, probably originates from China post-1950

We had a very successful Book Sale on the 7 August. The star lot was a Charles Darwin 2nd Edition 5th 1000 edition which sold for £1922 including commission. We are inviting entries for our next Book sale, date TBC.

St Mary’s Courtyard, East Farm Business Park, East Park Barn, Chitterne Road, Codford, Warminster BA12 OPG enquiries@phixiusauctions.com 01985 512178 phixiusauctions.com

Phixius Auctions: Reflecting on Success and Looking Ahead

We are excited to announce the resounding success of our recent Specialist Book sale at Phixius Auctions. A highlight of the event was the sale of an exceptional 1860 Second Edition Fifth Thousand of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species,” which fetched an impressive £1922. This remarkable result not only showcases the enduring value of knowledge in the world of literature but also cements our commitment to offering rare and significant items to our valued clients.

As we move forward, we are gearing up for our Autumn Quarterly Sale at the end of September, where we anticipate showcasing an exquisite collection of fine antiques. Among the top highlights for this upcoming sale are the breathtaking EDO Period Large Japanese Temple Jars and Charger, each piece representing the rich history and artistry of classical Japanese design. These stunning artifacts are sure to capture the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike.

We are inviting entries for our next Fine sale at the end of September Saturday 7th September 2024, 9:30am | Viewing: Thursday 5th / Friday 6th September, 9am - 4pm Compton Business Park, Thrush Road, BH12 4FJ To accomodate Further Expansion of the Commercial/Industrial Unit Rental Side of the Business

We cordially invite you to take part in this exciting opportunity by consigning your Fine Antiques to our autumn sale. For more information on how to consign your items, please reach out to our team at Phixius Auctions. As always, we strive to deliver an outstanding auction experience, and we look forward to making the Autumn Quarterly Sale yet another unforgettable event. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of it!

Home & Garden

Salvias brighten borders and scent the evening air

by Sally Gregson

ONE of the glories of contemporary gardens in late summer is the upsurge in the number of small shrubby salvias relishing our warmer days. Their paintbox flowers bring pops of saturated colour to our herbaceous beds and borders. And their aromatic leaves scent the evening airs.

Salvia is a very big genus that ranges from Salvia officinalis, used for cooking, through the hardy herbaceous forms of the perennial S. nemerosa, to the gloriously blowsy biennial, S. sclarea, the Clary Sage.

The small, shrubby salvias have quite surprisingly enjoyed our recent mild but rather wet winters. However, all too often in the past the combination of rain and freezing overnight temperatures have killed their enthusiasm.

In the past 10 to 15 years, continental plant breeders have been working on crossing some carefully chosen cultivars and produced exceptionally good flowers and offspring that were

almost immediately ready to “hit the market”.

They have selected seedlings of large-flowered, diseaseresistant species that are as hardy as they can be. And introduced plants such as Salvia “Amistad” that has proved to be an instant hit with its large, purple-blue flowers from jet-black calyxes, and vigorous, strong growth, if questionable UK hardiness.

The S. greggii hybrids also proved to be good parents and very soon many gardeners were experimenting with growing them in the open garden. Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ has proved to be hardy enough to survive most West Country winters providing it has good drainage and full sun during its growing period.

Of late there are many other, smaller-flowered hybrids in jewel colours to try. The S. ‘Mirage’ series is well worth seeking out. Try S. ‘Mirage Rose Bicolour’ in two-tone pink and white flowers, or try another S. greggii hybrid, S. ‘Amethyst Lips’, with bicoloured petals of purple and white.

If your garden is full at this time of year, try putting a new plant in a pot. Then as the winter approaches it could be popped into cold greenhouse or placed in the shelter of a warm sunny wall.

Pot them on in March and they will be ready to make another display throughout next summer.

Take cuttings as insurance policy

by Sally Gregson

PLANT breeders are a wicked lot. Their goal in life is to tempt us gardeners to buy ever more beautiful plants and quite often fail to mention their hardiness, or lack of it. Those lovely new Salvias are a case in point.

Breeders are developing small, shrubby salvias to plant out to flower from mid-summer until the frosts. And they are very tempting. However, as last winter proved, we in the UK do sometimes experience long wet winters, so it is prudent to take some cuttings now in August,

as an insurance policy.

Look around the growing plant for shoots that do not carry any flowers. These are ideal. But many contain buds, albeit invisible to the passing gardener. So, choose side shoots about 20cm long and tip them out. If you can pull the shoot off the stem with a small heel, so much the better. Remove the lower leaves where they would be in contact with the cutting compost to prevent them rotting. Take out the tip of the shoot that potentially contains the nascent flower. And you should be left

with a softwood cutting about 10-15cm long ready to be inserted in a pot.

Fill the pot with a 50:50 mixture of potting compost and sharp grit. With salvias it might be wise to make the mix even grittier. Dip the end of each cutting in hormone rooting powder, tap off the excess, and insert them around the edge of the pot. Cuttings seem to like the moisture that condensates against the pot walls. Push the cuttings in firmly and water them well to settle the compost. Then label the pot with name, date and number of

cuttings taken, so over time you will learn when best to take them, their eagerness to root, or otherwise, and the time taken to fill the pot. Place the pot somewhere cool and shaded. If by mid-late September their roots are visible through the drainage holes, they could be potted into 9cm pots of potting compost. Otherwise, leave the cuttings in situ until next February when they will need scant encouragement to grow away in the spring sunshine. Once the frosts have passed, they will be ready for life outdoors.

Salvia grahamii ‘Hot Lips’ and (inset) Salvia amistad

Home & Garden

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DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

Just peachy –an ‘easy-peasy’ real sweet treat

by Annie des Forges

HERE a simple peach holds centre stage.

Put the kettle on to boil.

Pour a bottle of wine, a good squeeze of honey to taste – say 2-3 tablespoons – and split a vanilla pod and put it in a saucepan that will fit all your peaches snuggled together. Bring it to a gentle simmer –you don’t want it to evaporate.

Remove the skins from your peaches, nectarines or apricots by plunging into a bowl of boiling water for a minute and transfer to a bowl of iced water with a slotted spoon.

The skins should peal easily but you can help them along by using the blunt side of a vegetable knife.

Cook the peaches for 15-20 minutes on a gentle rolling boil. Keep an eye.

Transfer the peaches to an ovenproof serving dish and tip some raspberries or redcurrants in.

With your filo pastry, scrunch each sheet into a ball to put on the top until it is covered in fruit.

Using melted butter or milk, brush the filo and put in the oven at 220 degrees for 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Decorate with icing sugar, mint and redcurrants.

n Annie des Forges, Director/ Chef, The Table Bruton. Annie Austin, Director/Host and Concierge Somerset Roadtrip.

and redcurrant filo pastry pudding

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB SERVING FINE FOOD AND DRINKS

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

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Food & Drink

Winery toasts awards wins

by editor@dorsetbiznews.

co.uk

LANGHAM Wine Estate, a celebrated winery and vineyard at Crawthorne, is toasting its success after winning four prestigious trophies at the WineGB Awards 2024.

The winery’s Corallian Classic Cuvée NV was named Best NV/MV Classic Cuvée, while its Pinot Noir 2019 scooped both Best Blanc de Noirs and the Wessex Trophy. Additionally, Langham Wine Estate was honoured as Best Estate Winery.

The WineGB Awards, a national competition highlighting the excellence of Great Britain’s wines and producers, were judged by an esteemed panel led by cochairs Susie Barrie MW, Oz Clarke OBE, and Peter

Richards MW.

They were supported by notable industry figures, including Rebecca Palmer of Corney & Barrow, Matthew Horsley of The Wine Society, Giles James of ID Wines, Dan Farrell-Wright of Wickhams, Matthew Hodgson of Grape Britannia, and Rebecca Mitchell, a consultant, sommelier and educator. The winners were announced at the WineGB Awards Lunch last month.

In June, Langham Wine Estate had already been awarded five gold medals for its Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, Culver Classic Cuvée NV, Rosé NV, Blanc de Blancs NV, and Pinot Noir 2019. Its limited edition still Chardonnay, Search for Enlightenment 2022, earned a silver medal.

Tommy Grimshaw, head winemaker at Langham Wine Estate, said: “It’s such an honour to have received four incredible accolades at the WineGB Awards 2024, alongside five gold medals and one silver medal. I have to give credit to the team at Langham, both past and present, for their hard work.”

He added: “We are dedicated to producing exceptional sparkling wines that truly represent our little patch of Dorset, only using grapes

In the picture (from top left to bottom right) Calum Chance, Jean Langedyk, James McLean, Tommy Grimshaw, Becky Bowyer and Justin Langham

grown on our 85-acre vineyard.

“We believe this commitment is crucial as the English wine scene rapidly expands. We will continue our minimal intervention, traditional method approach, with the aim to produce the best English sparkling wines.”

Langham Wine Estate’s recent accolades add to its growing list of honours, including being named Best Sparkling Wine Producer at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2020.

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: Between Perseus and Andromeda

by Susanna Curtin

AUGUST is rapidly slipping away. The swifts have left our shores, the nights are drawing in and spiders are weaving their art around my house and garden. I find these seasonal shifts simultaneously alarming yet reassuring. Alarming because the summer seems to have passed so quickly, and reassuring because this is what should be happening at this time of year. Equally predictable, is the Perseid meteor shower that peaks in mid-August, and it is this that I am hoping to enjoy tonight should the clouds permit.

Today has reached 32 degrees, and as much as I love the sunshine, I am quite grateful to feel the cooler evening set in. As the light gently fades, I watch the waxing crescent moon sink below the trees and admire my bats as they skilfully navigate the rooftops before circling out of view. With their departure, my attention turns to the chirping crickets that can be heard from every direction. They are creating a tune I never tire of. Instead, I am thrilled that they like my garden, as it is testament to the wildflowers and log piles I have created to attract them.

Eventually, as the darkness folds in around me, I begin to make out the stars and the hundreds of satellites that criss-cross the heavens. I remember the excitement of seeing one, or perhaps two, in my childhood. Who would have thought that by now they number more than 10,000 –mostly generated by the USA, China and the UK. Although we all depend on them, I find it sobering to think how successfully we are polluting space as well as our own planet. 10pm becomes 11pm – time effortlessly passing in thoughts and observations of the night sky until I see my first shooting star. In contrast to the manmade objects I have been counting, this is the cosmos at work. A moving flash of light catches my peripheral vision and I turn to watch it slowly burn a bright streak across the sky just between the constellations of Perseus and Andromeda. A second later and it is gone. I have seen thousands of shooting stars over the years and each one elicits the same emotions of wonder and awe.

The Perseid meteor shower occurs as the Earth passes

through the trail of the SwiftTuttle comet that is on a 133-year orbit in our solar system. As the comet gets close to our Sun, it heats up and sheds fine fragments of materials that are only the size of a grain of sand. When these particles hit the Earth’s atmosphere, at an estimated 36 miles per second, the air in front of them becomes compressed and is heated to thousands of degrees Celsius. This intense heat causes each particle to burn up, creating a bright streak of light across our skies that is several times higher than a passenger jet.

The Swift-Tuttle comet was independently discovered by Lewis Swift and by Horace Parnell Tuttle, on July 16 and July 19, 1862, although it had been noted much earlier by ancient Chinese astronomers in 69BC. Its nucleus, the solid central part of the comet, is 16 miles in diameter and as such is the largest near-Earth object to cross Earth’s orbit, giving rise

to scientists’ claim that it is “the single most dangerous object known to humanity”. Most shooting stars begin only as tiny fragments but occasionally a larger fragment will fail to burn up completely and falls to earth as a fireball. When it hits the ground, it becomes a meteorite. It is estimated that there are 190 meteorite impact craters on Earth.

Although several meteor showers are visible throughout the year, the Perseids are my favourite as they are reminiscent of balmy summer nights spent with my parents and my own children, laying on the grass and watching the night sky. Finally, it is nearing midnight, and as I close the door, I see a final white flash speed across the darkness. Clear skies and 16 meteors has marked this evening as one of the best Perseid events I have ever experienced.

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

Hospital gets new orthopaedic unit

A NEW ward for people having surgery has opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

The Ridgeway Elective Orthopaedic Unit, complete with new admissions lounge for people coming in for orthopaedic surgery and a therapy suite to support patients with their recovery,

has been created from existing ward space.

Funded by NHS England, the £1.4 million scheme is the second phase of a programme to reduce waiting times for appointments and surgery, which included the creation of the Outpatient Assessment Centre at South Walks House in Dorchester town

centre.

Anita Thomas, chief operating officer at DCH, said: “This funding has allowed us to transform the former Ridgeway Ward and will make such a difference to people waiting for elective orthopaedic surgery.

“We will be able to reduce waiting times, treat

people more quickly and support their recovery, so they spend less time in hospital.”

The new unit aims to allow people to be admitted for their orthopaedic surgery more quickly, and enable patients to go home sooner to continue their recovery.

The Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August

Chamomile, lavender and scarlet pimpernel

by Fiona Chapman

IT is amazing how fast the year goes by. It seems only yesterday that I was writing about putting blackberries in balsamic or apple cider vinegar to make a delicious healthy glaze –particularly with the balsamic and blackberry. It is now the start of blackberry season again, so I am going to be doing the same thing.

This year, I also want to make my own organic apple cider vinegar. It is extremely good for lowering cholesterol, for heart health, high blood pressure and, if you leave the “mother” in, is a probiotic. I have lots of apples growing, although I must get to them before my dog does, who helps herself secretly to any within her reach.

I am a firm believer that if

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something is growing in your garden and flourishing, then it will be good for you.

I also have chamomile flourishing, which I pick and make into a delicious tea. 10 flowers or so with boiling water and steeped for 10 to 15 minutes makes an almost thick, quite bitter tea with a blue tinge. A fresh infusion is for tension and relaxation. If you pick it and dry it – which I also do – then the bitters become more pronounced, and this is very good for digestion. I do find it is a bit of a diuretic, so probably not too good to drink just before bed.

I often combine this with lavender. You need to put the lid on the tea as soon as you pour in the boiling water to preserve the volatile oils. Again, it is very good for the nerves,

calming the mind and the whole nervous system, and particularly nice if you are feeling a little panicky for any reason.

I also have an abundance of scarlet pimpernel growing, which I have just discovered was used as an infusion in Roman times for melancholy. It has fallen out of fashion, which is why I had not come across it before. It is, however, considered to be the bringer of laughter and it is used today for

Health & Wellbeing SMART

those who have closed or hide their heart and are emotionally cold.

Eliot Cowan, a famous herbalist, used it to encourage his patients to laugh with abandon and cheer. Maybe as I have so much of it, I am in need. I will try it and may well be found walking the hills of Dorset shouting with laughter. What a lovely thought! n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

Fresh lavender and chamomile

Mobile phone convictions at seven-year high

THE number of drivers in England and Wales using a hand-held mobile phone has reached a seven-year high, according to the AA, with 13,332 drivers found guilty at court of the offence in 2023.

This represents a 90% increase on 2022, when 6,990 drivers were found guilty.

The law surrounding the use of a hand-held mobile phone was tightened in March 2022, extending the type of devices contravening the law, and expanding the definition of “using” to include using a camera, accessing the internet and checking notifications.

The AA believes this, coupled with police forces across the country using roadside cameras, covert HGVs and targeted periods of enforcement, have contributed to the rise.

Analysis by the AA of figures released from the Ministry of Justice also show

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that driving without vehicle tax rose to an all-time high of 99,694 convictions, a year-onyear increase of 94%.

Similarly, drivers failing to comply with red lights and signs were at a 12-year high of 11,940 guilty verdicts.

Elsewhere, court cases for speeding offences fell by 8%, with more than 203,500 guilty verdicts handed to drivers.

Driving a vehicle without insurance fell to 71,458 last year (76,390 in 2022) but keeping a vehicle without insurance reached a four-year high (58,690 in 2023 against 40,392 in 2022). Drink and drug driving related cases, seatbelt offences and driving while disqualified also remained at similar levels to 2022.

In total, 732,758 drivers were in the dock for motoringrelated offences with 672,901 being found guilty – a conviction rate of 92%, showing that drivers sat in front

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of a judge or magistrate are unlikely to get away with it.

Motoring offences also took up the lion’s share of courts’ time, with three in every five cases being for driving misdemeanours.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Despite a high-profile change in the law, it seems many drivers are still falling foul when it comes to using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

“While our phones have

become smart, it is dumb to play with it when driving.

“The AA led the campaign for tougher enforcement and strong rules to stamp out this offence, but it seems too many fear missing out on their notifications.

“The best thing to do is convert the glove box into a phone box and keep the mobile out of reach.

“It is also concerning that driving without tax almost doubled in a year.

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1.0T Zetec 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, Free yearly road tax & upto 65mpg economy, cambelt wetbelt kit has been replaced, full history, 83,800 miles ...................................................£5450

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, 3 front, 6 rear, reversable rear seats, rear ac, auto lights & wipers, cruise, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt kit has been replaced, 97,000 miles ......................................................................£23000 + VAT = £27600

2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, heated front seats, rear heating, hill start assist, cambelt kit has been replaced, 90,200 miles ..........................................................£22500 + VAT = £27000

2020 (20) Hyundai i10 1.0 SE Connect 5dr. 67bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, reverse camera, auto lights, cruise control, lane aid, hill start assist, 60mpg economy, 31,200 miles ...............................................................£10250

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

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2001 (Y) MG MGF 1.8 Convertible 2dr. 118bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, cheap summer fun, to be sold as seen with MOT until August 2025, British Racing Green with 2 tone leather interior, only 49,700 miles............£2000

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

2016 (66) Volvo V40 2.0TD D2 R-Design 5dr. 120bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, sat nav, partial leather, heated seats, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill start assist, FREE road tax & upto 83mpg economy, 88,500 miles .........................................................................£8250

60th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

BOB AND HEATHER PORCH

Congratulations on your 60th Wedding Anniversary 29th August 2024

Love from all the Family xxx

THANK YOU

DOREEN HUTCHINGS

Rosemary, Tom and family would like to give huge thanks to CANDLELIGHT CARE and FI for their professional and caring support during mothers final weeks, and for friends and family for your kind donations to RSPCA. Thanks.

PAPERTREES

THANK

YOU!

I would just like to thank everyone that contributed to my retirement collection in the shop.

£200 collected. I will put it to good use by buying a new Driver to play golf, now I have more time on my hands. Thank you once again - Adrian

DEATHS

DOREEN ELIZABETH BEANEY

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doreen Elizabeth Beaney aged 83 years, on the 13th August 2024. A truly wonderful Wife, Mother, Granny, Great Granny and Friend, who brought happiness, laughter and joy to all who knew her. Her loss is immeasurable but also is the love she left behind. A funeral service will take place at Noon on Friday 20th September at Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground, Shillingstone, Dorset DT11 0QY. The family would kindly ask for family flowers only, donations if desired to a charity close to her, The British Heart Foundation C/O Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel:01963 362570

DEATHS

MILES

Harold Frank of South Cadbury

On the 18th August 2024. Peacefully at his home. A much loved husband, Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and dear friend.

Private Funeral service.

Donations in memory of Harold are being invited for St Thomas à Becket Church, South Cadbury.

(Please make cheques payable to South Cadbury P.C.C)

C/O Harold F Miles Funeral Directors, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone: 01963 440367.

Passed away peacefully on 8th August 2024 aged 83 years. Dearly loved and missed Wife, Mum, and Grandma. Funeral service to be held at Yeovil Crematorium on 28th August at 1.20 pm.

Family flowers only please.

To make an online donation in memory of Jackie, please visit her tribute site at: www.funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations Or send cheque made payable to Alzheimer’s Society c/o Cooperative Funeralcare, 2 High Street, Gillingham SP8 4QT

MARY LLOYD BURDEN

Passed away 6th August, aged 100 years. Much loved by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Funeral at St Michael’s Church, Mere on 29th August, 2pm.

Donations if desired to The Somerset & Dorset Air Ambulance.

CHRISTINE IRENE HAIME

On 9th August 2024 aged 83 years, passed away peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital. Of Shaftesbury

Wife of the late Terry, a loving Sister, Mum, Gran, Great Gran and friend to many.

Funeral service takes place at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 12th September at 11.20am. No flowers please but donations for The British Heart Foundation may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Margaret Jacqueline (Jackie) Saggs Of Gillingham

Announcements

DEATHS

Joy Coffin

Peacefully on 17th August 2024. Joy aged 75 years of Thornford. Dearly loved Wife, Mum and Granny. Funeral service at St Mary Magdalane, Thornford on Monday 9th September at 2pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for The Brain Tumor Charity. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 362570

Geoffrey John Lockyer

Peacefully on 17th August 2024. Geoff aged 68 years of Stour Provost. Much loved Husband, Father, Grandad and friend to many. Funeral service at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Stour Provost on Friday 6th September at 11am. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Countrymen UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QJ. Tel 01747 833757

Richard Frost of Stalbridge

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 17th August aged 79 Much loved husband ,father, brother, and grandfather. A celebration of his life will take place at The Barn, Harbour View, Lytchett Minster at 11am Tuesday 10th September. Bright colours.

DOUGLAS WILLIAM MITCHELL

of Gillingham, passed peacefully at home aged 86 years on Thursday 8th August. Much loved husband to the late Pam for 62 years and a wonderful dad and grandad who will be greatly missed. The funeral service takes place Tuesday 3rd September at 11.30 am at St. Peter’s Church, Shepton Montague. No flowers please but donations for St Peter’s Church may be made on the day. Funeral reception to follow at the Village Hall. All welcome

VINCENT Virtue of Wincanton

passed away peacefully on 7th August 2024 aged 100 years. Dearly loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Funeral Service will be held at Mendip Crematorium on Thursday 5th September 2024 at 12.30 pm. Family flowers only, donations if desired for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and RNIB can be made directly online at www.mfranksandsons.co.uk (announcements).

Cheques payable to each charity can also be forwarded to: M Franks & Sons Funeral Directors, Bath Road, Ashcott, Bridgwater, TA7 9QT. Telephone 01458 210627.

ROBERT EDWIN OXFORD (BOB) Of Gillingham, formerly Stour Provost

The family are very sad to announce the death of dear Bob, aged 88 years on the 12th August 2024 at Salisbury District Hospital. Much loved husband to Diana, loving father to Simon & Chris, father-in-law to Lorna and grandfather to Jack. Funeral service to be held at Yeovil Crematorium on Wednesday, 4th September at 2.40pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. C /o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel: 01747 833757.

J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors

Family Funeral Directors

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse A J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors

A J Wakely& Sons Independent

of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse A J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

24 Hour Service –

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Please

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 – 24 Hour Service –

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 – 24 Hour Service –

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 – 24 Hour Service –

Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Pre-payment plans available

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

Pre-payment plans available

Pre-payment plans available

Pre-payment plans available

member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance. Pre-payment plans available Tel: 01935 816817 Tel: 01963 31310 Hour Service –available including our Land Rover Hearse

Please contact

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817

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

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

Tel: 01963 31310

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

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

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Your Local Funeral Professionals

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Unattended funerals starting from £995

• Tailored and unique Attended Funerals

• 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

Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL

Tel: 01747 822494

Available 24 hours a day. Find us at:

Newell, Sherborne DT9 4EZ Tel: 01935 813479

Items for sale

DIMPLEX LOG BURNER effect electric fire. With wood surround and mantle. Like new. £175 ONO. 07907-044084

NEW KING SIZE AIRBED with built in pump £50, New Revitive medic £50 01963-370570, Templecombe

HOUSECLEAR: antique lace, electrical equipment, projector, electric pump double mattress (unused), Raleigh bicycle, copper utensils, insulated campervan windscreen blanket, airconditioning standalone unit, breadmaker etc. 07743-749119 Oborne DT9 4LA

5ft 6 by 4ft aluminium tipping trailer. Single axel. Good tyres. Ideal camping trailer or for business. £300. 07564 521622

GATOR HPX JOHN DEERE Peg-Perrego

Child’s electric truck New battery so working well £150 - 07881-651786

4ft 6 DIVAN MATTRESS. Cost £695. 3 years old. £150. 01258 452118

DOUBLE DIVAN MATTRESS for bed. Very little use. £300. 01373 452183

PRIVATE SALE. English 12bore side by side. 30” barrels, lovely condition, certificate holders only. £175. Tel: 07434-641735

GOGO ELITE TRAVELLER SCOOTER. New Battery. charger. 8 mile range. Able to dis-assemble. £300.00 Tel: 01985-215035

AIDAPT, 2 SECTION FOLDING RAMP. 6ft X 30”. unused. £120.00 Tel: 01985-215035

JOHN DEER, LX279 MOWER, 17hp with mulching deck. £1400.00 Tel: 07773-340568

AirLite SCOOTER never been used, canopy included and charger, £750, 01258-880146

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

CREAM DRESSING TABLE and stool. 3 small drawers. Gold motifs. £35.00. Tall long mirror 1drawer. £10. Tel: 07971-902353 (nr Crewkerne)

VICTORIAN BRASS FIRESIDE ornaments. £30. Tel: 07791-847767

GRANDPARENTS SELLING JOIE PUSHCHAIR with rain cover and foot muff, Vgc £40, 01258-881217

KITCHEN TABLE. Old, pine, with turned legs, 54 inch by 38 inch, 29 inch high. £25, 01963 33388

BRAND NEW JARDIN GLASS BIRD BATH in very colourful flower/ butterfly design with metal stand. £10. Collect Stur Newton. Call 07799-777970

GOEBEL KITTY DE LUXE TABBY

Perfect condition - photo’s available at request £30 ono Tel: 07834 828018 - Poole

GOLF TROLLEY, nearly new. £5. CHILDS CAR BUMPER SEAT. Hardly used. £5. 07785 534 524.

NEW PIRELLI 155/80 R 13 TYRE and steel rim/wheel £10 contact 01963 371179

RABBIT HUTCH, on legs, suitable for small rabbit or guinea pig. Buyer collects from Shaftesbury. £15.00. Tel: 01747 851514.”

PIANO FOR SALE UPRIGHT with stool good condition buyer collects horsington £50 07526-341-536

7 SHEETS OF GLASS WALL MIRRORS.w 80cm X h139cm. £50. Tel: 01963-210580 / 07944-999872

LIGHT OAK SIDEBOARD

3 drawers and 3 cupboards 4ft long immaculate condition £50.00. Tel 01985 845211.

LADIES BIKE, 3 gear for sale. Front basket. £30, rosienichols11@gmail.com

CLARKS MENS BATCOMBE CAP leather tan boots Size 11 Laces / side zip. Unworn, boxed. £20. 07786-823393 Blandford

CHILDS TIMBER BED painted yellow with John Lewis organic mattress 140cm x 70cm £50. Collection only. Near Shaftesbury. 07962-160523

QUALITY ALSTONS DOUBLE WORDROBE, with centre full length mirror, and side shelves. Comes apart to travel. VGC £40. Tel: 07935-698505

X3 DOUBLE PINE WARDROBES, now surplus, free to collecter 07966-218157 Stalbridge

DISPLAY CABINET with 2 glass sliding doors and cupboard under. In 2 parts. £40 Phone 07392 046655

BIG BOOKCASE/DISPLAY

CABINET. Comes apart in 6 parts. £50 Buyer collects. Phone 07513 438801.

LARGE QUANTITY OF MODERN good condition books - Free for collection 01300 345401

TWENTY GOOD QUALITY Jigsaws used once ,complete and boxed various subjects, cost £250 plus. £40.Tel 07840-986402

2 x 4 METRE LENGTHS of 150mm by 75mm steel channel. £30 07721 530520

2 BEAUTIFUL STANDARD 6ft hibiscus. Pink/Red. FOC but new owner to collect. 07585 972482

SHARP R-270, 800w MICROWAVE. Used but vgc, instruction manual. £40 Sherborne 07774 680733

ROOF BOX FOR CAR - solid construction - 250 lt (will need roof bars) ideal for holidays - £20 ONO (YEOVIL) Tel 07563 105 836

C/D &MOBILE RADIO (battery or mains) only used once £20ono 01935-873441 Thornford

FIVE BAGS OF POSTCRETE, dry stored and surplus, £10, 01963 371315/ 07470 931044.

EXTENSION LADDER 14ft closed / 16 rung closed £35 – 01747-840835

LADIES RALEIGH ALASKA mountain bike 21 gears £30 –07702-003739 (Bourton)

INTERNAL FRENCH DOORS. Glass panes. Ex cond. 1.98 x 1.35. £50 Tel 01747 838449

LARGE 2 TIER SOLID OAK

COFFEE TABLE 36”l x 22”w x 18”h. Very good condition £30. Buyer collects 07792 521006

WOODEN SHED 12’x 8’. Dismantled with wood for new floor. £50. Buyer collect. Gillingham 01747 824102 or 07842 947029

TANSEN CD RACK with decorative metal door, excellent condition.34x21x86 £45ono 07767-622159

BOXES (CARDBOARD): 30some, up to 12kg wgt. Mix of sizes. Location: STREET £20 Tel. 01458 44 32 64

CADAC BARBEQUE. Adventure to go. Eazi chef. £40. 07484777398.

SHARK UPRIGHT CLEANER. Lift off type. Little use. Cost £280, asking for £50. 01963 251138

BEACH ROD AND REEL. £45. 07907-044084.

BOSCH CORDED HEDGE CUTTER. 50-16. 2.8kg. 450watts. Never been used, £50. Cash only, to be collected. 01935 592843

WROUGHT IRON FENCE with gate approx 4 X 1m. 6 victorian dining chairs for upcycling. £45. 01963 362 382.

EXERCISE MACHINE - Twist and Shape. £50. 07588-053555.

DOG CRATE 29” wide, Diapers, Training pads Silver bowl, Pillow, £50 ONO, 07729 700582, Nr Blandford

EXERCISE BIKE AND TREADMILL. Offers. Tel: 07519-431297

FLYMO EASY GLIDE 300 MOWER GWO. £20. Hozelock seringa multi use syringe sprayer vgc. £10 Tel.07543-679877 Blandford area

INDOOR RABBIT/GUINEA-PIG CAGE. Very large. Good condition. £20. ono. Tel: 01747-811702

CHESTNUT STAKES. 1.3 metres long. £30 for bundle of 15. 07454-685530

DRAPER 12 VOLT JUMP STARTER. New. £50. 07791 847767.

MASSIVE COLLECTION ETERNAL BEAU CROCKERY most pieces never used. Happy to split, open to offers. 07796 987281 for details.

TROPICAL FISH TANK/ AQUARIUM. 60l tank ( 60 w x 33h x 30cm d) spares & much more. Buyer collects. GWO. £30. 01935-427239. Message, 07704-340844

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

without obligation.

Pets

Why you may want to reconsider your perception of reactive dogs

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

AS the owner of two rescue dogs, one of which was brought in to be euthanised for aggression and I subsequently rehomed, I am well aware of the disapproving looks I get from some other dog owners due to their perception of the causes of my dogs’ inappropriate responses to other dogs.

If you are the owner of a dog which does not react to others on a walk then you have done a good job effectively socialising your dog, have a breed which is less likely to have anxiety issues and have been lucky with that individual dog. However, there are many reasons why someone may own a reactive dog which is in no way caused by them.

It is also important to understand why the owner of these dogs do not respond to the behaviour in the way you perceive they should. Virtually all dogs which bark at other dogs have anxiety related behaviour – your perception of a breed related behaviour may be completely misplaced. If the owner tells them off or reprimands them, the dog will feel more anxious and the behaviour will escalate. Ignoring the behaviour while it occurs is the best response.

Many of these dogs will have been puppies during covid which prevented effective socialising during their most

C.B. Brett & Son

Pet & Wildlife

Dog - Wet, Dry & Frozen Food

Cat - Wet & Dry Food Bird/Hedgehog/WildlifeFood, Feeders & Accessories

Old Market Car Park, Hound St, Sherborne, DT9 3AB 01935 812107

sensitive time. Many others will be “rescues” where someone else did not do the work required to produce a relaxed, interactive dog in public.

Ideally avoidance, keeping a distance and distraction will be employed to minimise the behaviour response but sometimes this is not possible. It is very difficult to control the behaviour of two dogs walked together and progression in training is usually only achieved

LABRADOR PUPS.

Black and yellow. Bred for working or pet homes. Hip, eye and elbow scored parents. Kennel Club registered. Very well socialised with family dogs, cats and general daily life. Will be wormed, chipped and vaccinated. Ready from 10th September. 07855-255774.

when walking each one individually and time does not always permit this. The only option in the moment may be to simply to pass another dog quickly to minimise the interaction.

Regardless of the cause, it can be difficult to change this behaviour in an adult dog although improvement is definitely possible with time, consistency and patience. In seeing a dog or dogs reacting on

FLAT COATED RETRIEVER PUPS, black, KC Reg, parents’ hip and eye tested. Wonderful temperament, microchipped and wormed. Mob 07736-886736 or 01963-458199

a walk you are also unaware of what work has been put in to improve them or how much better their behaviour is now in other respects compared to how it used to be.

When you see a dog barking or pulling on its lead towards another dog, please consider the background of that dog and why it might behave that way. Please be considerate and understanding and, most importantly, be kind.

CAVAPOO X JACK RUSSELL PUPS, Vaccinated & microchipped. Ready now. £850, 07790 704653

CUDDLES FOR CATS reliable cat sitting in your home. Jacqui 07791-198679

RAGDOLL CAT. Female, spayed. 4 years old. Looking for a loving home. Must be away from a busy road. £100. 01963 548362.

Virtually all dogs which bark at other dogs have anxiety-related behaviour

by Raychel Curson

ALL dogs need a variety of different types of walks and enrichment. If your dog is bored and you’re looking for new and fun ways to burn off some of their excess energy, I recommend all of my clients to add “sniffaris” into their walk routines!

Your dog will enjoy the freedom of getting to explore at their own pace and sniff all the wonderful smells they encounter. These walks also give you a chance to decompress and take in nature. Using their sense of smell is incredibly enriching for our dogs and mentally tiring as they use a lot of energy processing all the information they receive from sniffing. What do I need?

FIRST of all, you are going to need a long lead – minimum 5 metres – but personally I use a 10m line. Ideally made from a waterproof material like biothane, so it doesn’t pick up all the mud and become heavy – plus the material makes it easier to handle and doesn’t burn your hands.

Secondly, tasty treats! You can use them to encourage sniffing and to find things, reward automatic check-ins or even just calm behaviour! This is a great opportunity to practice some recall around distraction in the distance, too!

You can also get a training pouch to keep your dog’s rewards in to prevent your pocket getting smelly – ideally easy to access. I like DogsGoneGood or the PacoPouch from DogGames because they both have magnetic closures so it is easy to open and close quickly and has space for my keys.

On your ‘sniffari’

ON this type of walk we want to keep our distance from other people and dogs, to have a calming time. Therefore it is best if your dog remains on a lead unless they are very calm and will not run over to say “hi” to other dogs and people.

Also please avoid retractable leads! Unfortunately, they can be dangerous for the dog or handler, and do not help to teach your dog to recall or walk on a loose lead.

Please stay aware of environmental risks in your area and also stay away from wildlife – but, of course, having your dog on a long line better allows you to manage the situation and even train a recall in those situations.

Another consideration is to ensure your dog is protected from fleas, ticks and other little nasties, and do a post-walk body check to ensure your dog has not picked up anything.

n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBC-CAB FABC ABTC-CAB is owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching; email raychel@ petpeevessomerset.co.uk.

Tofu, 12 weeks, gorgeous and playful

Cassie, 16 months, timid cat looking for a home of her own without other pets

Stan, nine years, the softest most laid-back boy. Looking for a home as the only pet

before no other pets

Rebel, two years old, looking for a home with his best friend,

Boomer, 10 years, affectionate boy looking for a home with his best friend,

n Outside cats: We have a number of outside cats in different locations needing to be relocated. We are looking for people with stables, farms, smallholdings or gardens where a mouser is needed to help with rodent control. For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website www.cats.org.uk/blandford

LOST CATS

If you have lost a cat contact us via our website, phone or Facebook. Please provide a contact phone number so we can get in touch with you quickly if needed.

n FOUND CATS

If you regularly see a cat in your garden or down your street that you don’t think has an owner, please give us a call. It may be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner.

kitten

Smudge, four years old grey and white big friendly boy, not lived indoors

Nessy, 10 years, sweet loving girl. Has a medical issue not needing medication

Molly, eight years, sweet but shy girl looking for a home with her brother Noah

Noah, eight years, lovely boy looking for a home with his sister Molly

Boomer

Rebel

Young squash aces serve up a treat at town club

DORCHESTER Tennis and Squash Club has hosted a squash exhibition match for the first time in over 20 years.

Two high ranked players from Birmingham University competed against each other in front of club members and visitors to celebrate squash being accepted into the Olympics for the first time, in Los Angeles in 2028.

Toby Ponting from England – world ranking 380 – and Campbell Wells, born in Manchester but brought up in Switzerland from the age of seven – Professional Squash Association ranking 270 –started by offering some coaching and challenge matches for club members.

Dorchester team members Callum Watts, Ros Godfree and Marcus White all played well, and with some success, but found it tough to take more than a few points off the pros.

The exhibition match was played on the club’s glassbacked court where ranked seating had been set up for the event.

A crowd of 50 people were

entertained to a breathtaking display of competitive squash played over four sets, but in

the end, after almost an hour’s play, Toby’s consistency won out.

The evening ended with a healthy buffet and an opportunity for the audience to mingle with the players.

Giles Watts, chair of Squash and Racketball section at DTSC, said: “It is not often in Dorchester that we are witness to live sport played at professional level.

“This evening, we were truly entertained by two exciting young talents who are continuing to improve and climb the rankings.”

Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club hopes the exhibition match inspired people to play more racket sports.

The club has excellent facilities in Sawmills Lane, Dorchester, for tennis, squash and racketball, and is looking to introduce padel – the world’s fastest growing racket sport – soon.

New members are welcome – for more information visit the website at www.dtsc.org.uk or email admin@dtsc.org.uk.

Wimborne prove too strong for Swans

Swanage & Wareham 0

Wimborne 53

by

Ron Butler

THIS was an even contest for the first 20 minutes, but it was obvious the visitors were a much more accomplished squad.

Swans had a couple of penalties early on, but a long kick by Wimborne took them into the Swans 22 and from the scrum they forced their way over the try line.

The ball came back to the visitors and with a move along the threes the right winger

RUGBY

scored in the corner.

Swans came back when a winger was tackled just five metres from the Wimborne line after an interception.

In the second session, both sides changed some players, and this saw players from the higher league come into their own.

A sliced Swans kick landed in the Wimborne’s full back’s hands and a move along the threes took Wimborne to 15pts. Swans could not get the ball

– Wimborne appeared to turn over the ball with every tackle and in this 20-minute period they scored three more tries without reply, taking the score at half-time to Swans 0-Wimborne 34.

In the second half, Swans had a bit more of the ball, but just as they were looking better, a Wimborne winger intercepted a move along Swans backs and scored in the corner.

Wimborne had a couple of penalties close to the Swans posts, which they took as taps,

and with the second one forced their way over Swans line (0pts-46pts).

In the last 20 minutes, Swans had much more of the ball, but Wimborne still turned it over at the breakdowns. On 65 minutes, another tap penalty to Wimborne close to the Swans line saw the visitors power over.

Swans: N Audley, J Phillips, C Foskett, S Waterman, G Smith, G Slack, K Salina, C Moag, T Holland, H Sadd, O Peters, B Meaden, E Demescio, T Munns, W Slack, L Reeves, O Dillon, E Bainy, R Ferguson, G Crouch, J Taylor, C Chew, I Kato, K Burr.

Glovers left to count the cost of defensive errors

Gateshead FC 3

Yeovil Town 1

THE Glovers left the north east empty handed and suffered their second defeat of the season after two early defensive errors and a late penalty proved costly.

Mark Cooper made a couple of changes to the side that beat Ebbsfleet earlier in the week.

Harvey Greenslade and Jordan Thomas were given starts, with Frank Nouble named on the bench.

Dylan Morgan and Finn Cousin-Dawson returned to the bench, replacing the injured Alex Whittle and Jordan Young, who did not travel due to personal reasons.

Gateshead took the lead in the 15th minute when Jacob Butterfield, in the middle of the box, drilled the ball into the net off the outstretched leg of Thomas.

Towering Yeovil keeper

Ollie Wright made a sprawling save after Owen Oseni intercepted a pass from Morgan Williams.

Gateshead grabbed their second on 22 minutes after another error on the edge of the area, Matt Worthington, gifting Brandon Haunstrup the opportunity to skip into the box and blast his shot past Wright. This was a wake-up call for

Steele’s brace sinks Rockies

by Avril Lancaster

Shaftesbury FC 0

Evesham Utd 2

TWO goals from Levi Steele helped Evesham United to all three points when they played Shaftesbury at Cockrams in the Pitching In Southern League Division 1 South.

Remus Nixon went close for Shaftesbury with a header from Toby Bailey’s delivery in a game of few chances.

But just before the break Logan Laird was left with no option other than to pass the ball back to Rockies keeper Shane Murphy, who was squeezed out by the incoming Reagan Messenger and Steele, who ran the ball into the open net.

In the second half, Calum English Brown’s effort was blocked by Evesham United’s well organised defence.

the Glovers and Brett McGavin struck from range but his effort was collected by keeper Tiernan Brooks.

Then Worthington had a huge chance to score as he brought down Michael Smith’s free-kick, only to find Brooks at his feet making a great block.

The Glovers found the net on 30 minutes when, after a dangerous attack down the right, Smith whipped in a cross that Aaron Jarvis headed home.

Jarvis hit a volley from a Worthington cross that flew agonisingly wide, then Morgan Williams hit the post with a header from a Brett McGavin corner before the ball was scrambled off the line.

The second half saw an immediate change in attacking personnel for Mark Cooper’s men, with Jarvis replaced by Nouble.

But there were more substitutions than chances, although both sides had a

couple of major opportunities.

For the Glovers, Harvey Greenslade shrugged off his marker and drove forward, only for his effort to be tipped onto the side netting by Brooks.

For Gateshead, a quick counter-attack from Luke Hannant saw him cut the ball back to Jacob Butterfield, who forced Wright into a low save.

Meanwhile, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Dylan Morgan, Charlie Cooper and Finn Cousin-Dawson came on for the Glovers as fresh legs as they chased an equaliser.

The biggest chance came on the brink of injury time, this time in favour of the hosts when Finn Cousin-Dawson dragged Mark Beck to the ground inside the area.

Hannant took responsibility for the spot kick and, despite Wright guessing the right way, he found the bottom right corner.

Some 157 Yeovil supporters made the trip to Gateshead.

England Women fixture

INTERNATIONAL cricket is returning to Somerset next summer.

Evesham went further ahead minutes later when Steele headed

The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton is set to host England Women when they take on the West Indies team in the third Metro Bank ODI on June 7, 2025.

Fans are now being urged to register in order to secure

CRICKET

early access to tickets – which are expected to be snapped up.

“Make sure you don’t miss out on seeing Heather Knight’s side in action at Taunton next summer by registering now for priority access to tickets,” a spokesperson said.

in Joshua Barlow’s corner.

International cricket will return to Taunton next summer

PHOTO : Somerset Leveller

The Rockies went down at home to Evesham Utd

Recruitment

‘The Big Stay’: 71% hesitant to move jobs

OVER two-thirds of UK professionals (71%) have admitted that fears around job security are preventing them from moving jobs.

Global recruiter Robert Walters has warned professionals that “hanging onto a job” which no longer serves their career could not only be detrimental to the economy but also to careers.

Three-quarters (76%) have stated that job security is a concern when considering a new role, with 16% admitting that fears around new job security has stopped them from applying for a new role in its entirety.

The findings come from a recent poll conducted by Robert Walters – which unveils the unprecedented number of professionals who are choosing to remain with their current employer, a phenomenon which the recruitment firm calls “The Big Stay”.

Chris Eldridge, chief executive of Robert Walters UK & Ireland, said: “It was just three years ago where we saw evidence of The Great Resignation – where professionals were taking new job opportunities at a record high, which was also matched with high starting salaries.

“While there was an initial fear around ‘The Big Stay’ –this is potentially a short-term trend with market confidence already returning post-election.

“Economic growth is underpinned by labour movement – organisations need fresh perspectives to remain competitive, maximise revenue opportunities and drive profitability.

“Equally, employees reluctant to pursue progression opportunities risk stagnating their careers or pigeonholing themselves.

“Statistically, professionals

who move jobs more often will earn more over their working life than someone who has chosen to stay put.”

An overwhelming 77% of UK professionals state that they would now prioritise job security over pay – with 16% admitting that this was only something that “crossed their mind” recently.

In fact, 74% of UK employers have stated that prospective employees now bring up the topic of “job security” during the hiring process – with 53% stating that this has been a more recent occurrence in 2024.

Chris added: “There is clearly a lot playing on the minds of professionals at the moment – even if a company can promise job security, the unstable economic environment is causing professionals to postpone making any important life and/or career changes.”

79% of hiring managers stated that they have noticed an increase in prospective employees declining job offers in 2024 – with the large majority (55%) stating that this is down to salary or culture fit, followed by concerns around company security (14%) or job stability (12%).

Over two-fifths of professionals (43%) stated that the state of the economy plays a “significant role” in their decision on whether to move roles – with inflation (22%), unemployment rates (18%), and GDP growth (4%) being primary considerations.

As a result, 75% of companies have stated that they have made changes to their recruitment strategies in an attempt to address concerns prospective employees may have over job security. These include sharing growth plans (38%) and being more open about industry challenges (25%).

Wessex Vehicle Services Ltd, Compton Mills SP3 5DW Commercial Body Builders Have the following position available:

Welder/Fabricator • Contructing Vehicle Bodywork • MIG & TIG Skills needed Friendly working environment

Good rates of pay • Company pension scheme • Travel pay, starting 5 mile radius

• Weekly attendance payment of £10 for 40 hours attended All to start after Probationary period complete

Free Onsite Parking • 20 days Holiday (Plus Bank Holidays) increases with length of service

Free Onsite Parking • 20 days Holiday (Plus bank holidays) increases with Length of

Please contact Nigel Mustill for more information on 01722 714545 or send CV to amy@wessexvehicles.co.uk 4 days a week: in Farm shop and Deli- including alternate Saturdays 3 days a week: in the butchery, assisting the Butcher packing 2 days a week: Mail Order Pack Room

positions extra hours at Christmas

HANARD CONTRACT SERVICES LTD - BUILDING MAINTENANCE, require competent trade based person to join our team. Multiskilled or time served, good rates. Driving licence essential. Ring Richard on 07811112317, or info@hanardcontractservicesltd.co.uk

TA GREEN BUILDERS ARE LOOKING TO RECRUIT A CARPENTER. Driving license essential. Wages to be confirmed based on experience. If this is something you are interested in, please call 01963 34221 or 07515327800.

ROOFER REQUIRED to work for a Company based in Stalbridge. Please contact Roy 01963362325 or 07905281456

to house keep, cook and garden. Separate annex with own garden. Car essential. Near Shaftesbury. 07850 002654.

HERDSPERSON WANTED

sad to say

• 250 cows - a herd we’re proud of

• High performance - we’re aiming for the best

• Near Wincanton - in the beautiful Blackmore Vale

• New rotary parlour - state-ofthe-art equipment on the way

• 3-bedroom house - a home for you and your family

• AYR Calving

We love our cows and our team. Would you like to be part of this?

MERE SURGERY, WILTSHIRE

DISPENSER

Hours: 20 hours per week (worked over 3 days)

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our dispensing team.

The successful candidate will assist in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing, stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary.

Ideally the candidate will hold a Pharmacy Services qualification or equivalent.

Flexibility for additional hours to cover holiday and other absences is essential.

To see the job description and person specification please visit the vacancies section on www.meresurgery.co.uk

To apply please send a CV and covering letter to: Michele Mason, Practice Manager, Mere Surgery, Dark Lane, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6DT or alternatively email: michelemason@nhs.net Telephone: 01747 860001

SITUATIONS WANTED

RELIABLE CHILDREN’S HELP REQUIRED. Near Castle Cary. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9am and 5-8pm. Non-smoker, driving licence. 07855 526410

SELF EMPLOYED EXPERIENCED GROUNDWORKERS/PLANT OPERATORS

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team.

Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail. We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If you are that exible, skilled groundworker who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin on 01258 455219 or email admin@farwellplanthire.co.uk

on the look out for a part-time HR advisor to provide HR support to our Niwaki team across the UK. Reporting to the COO, the role will be based at our Dorset HQ, and will oversee recruitment, HR documentation and processes, and provide support across the team.

You will be Level 3 CIPD qualified (at least) with great communication skills and a passion for working with people.

If this sounds like you, please send your CV to careers@niwaki.com

WITH A LARGE INVESTMENT INTO NEW MACHINERY, WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO HELP DRIVE THE BUSINESS FORWARD INTO THIS EXCITING NEW CHAPTER…

We are looking for people with skills suited to working in the following areas;

• Warehouse personnel for order picking and processing

• Steel preservation and paint line operatives

• Saw operatives

Experience in these areas is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided.

Applicants must be highly safety conscious, accurate and reliable with the ability to work as part of a team as well as under own initiative.

These roles require a proactive attitude, ideal for someone that likes to take ownership for their workload.

To be trained on all machinery including:

• Overhead cranes

• Sideloader

• Counterbalance forklift

• Steel sawing systems

• Shot blast and paint line

• HGV training can be provided for the right candidate

Benefits include:

• Free on-site parking

• Uniform and PPE provided

• Competitive salary

• Overtime opportunities

Looking for a career with a progressive future?

Please apply by emailing a CV to: neil.cahill@pulhamsteels.co.uk phil.cahill@pulhamsteels.co.uk tony.bailey@pulhamsteels.co.uk

Or by calling 01300 345110 for more details

by AJ Selby

“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather / And autumn’s best of cheer.” Helen Hunt Jackson I KNEW it was going to be special the moment I glanced out of the window. It didn’t take much, just a reflection in the glass, that told me I needed to hastily dress and get out into the early morning air. And it was beyond special, one of those once in a decade experiences that take the breath away – I hope some of you may have enjoyed it, too. I have seen many over the years, but this was one of the very best. It was about 5.30am on August 15, just a couple of weeks ago. The reflected deep red glow on the window of the neighbouring house made me hasten out to see how good it was, and I wasn’t disappointed. The entire eastern skyline was ablaze with the most astonishing sunrise you can imagine, from the yellow hues just above the horizon where the sun was about to appear, then turning orange higher up and then a glowing red of fragmented clouds mottled

Once in a decade experience took the breath away

black, higher and higher until almost above me across the entire vista from left to right.

The field in front of me was showing traces of early morning dew with curtains of mist hanging between the trees and above the hedgeline, snaking in and out of a small copse or an isolated bush. I saw a similar sunset, as opposed to a sunrise, like this a year or so ago and many people shared images of it as it draped over the far western horizon, but sunrises are extra special as fewer folk are abroad to enjoy them and one feels a sense of privilege to have witnessed such a spectacle.

In 1883 Krakatoa erupted – a huge explosion that filled the upper atmosphere with billions of tons of ash that caused magnificent red skies all over the world for two or three years afterwards. Many a diarist of

west of Java!

The weather news during the last couple of weeks of this August indicates that more amazing sunrises and sunsets could be seen from the UK into early autumn. This is due to the jetstream carrying smoke particles from the United States and Canada into the upper atmosphere, the particles coming from the large amount of wildfires that have blazed all summer over there – they are too high to be a health risk. While no-one wishes to profit from someone else’s misfortune, spectacular natural phenomena like fiery sunrises and sunsets certainly stop us in our tracks to admire the power and beauty of nature.

the time wrote and drew pictures of these phenomena –my children wondered why I didn’t mention seeing it, they seem to think that I have been around since the mid-19th century! – with comments such as “the world seemed on fire”. The explosion was equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT – 13,000 Hiroshimas –and the volcano ejected some six cubic miles of rock into the atmosphere, 50 miles high, and it was heard more than 2,200 miles away in Alice Springs in central Australia. Not only were the global skies blood red –some historians think that Edvard Munch’s 1893 painting The Scream depicts the Norwegian sky after the eruption – but the light filtration caused the moon to look blue.

Fun Fact: the 1969 film Krakatoa, East of Java is geographically incorrect as it is

On a more mundane level, autumn is creeping ever slowly towards us. The nights are drawing in earlier and the dawn later, and there is that chill in the air that follows even the warmest late summer day. There is more dew on the grass and the late summer flowers are now rushing to seed and look spent and withered. In contrast, the berries have come and there is a fine crop of blackberries on my walks already – the damp and indifferent summer has suited them. Soon to follow will be the crab apples, plums and damsons, as well as sweet chestnuts, beech mast and acorns.

There is always hope for a good September, but the primeval urge to stock up for winter is in us all, man, bird and beast. The winter brassicas look good in the kitchen garden and there will soon be talk of casseroles and fruit crumbles, while the jay hides his acorns and the squirrels and other small mammals stock up or lay down fat. Plants, too, put their energy into seed production and in a month the hedgerows will be blotched red with haws and hips from hawthorn and wild rose. It’s another wonderful time to walk and enjoy the changing season, and a salient reminder that even darker and colder days are just over the horizon.

AJ Selby felt a sense of privilege witnessing this spectacular sunrise

Youngsters – and lambs – shine at the big show

by Tria Stebbing

AS the hay was safely in the barn and the animals were all good, we decided to take some time away and make our way to the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show.

Our best ram, King, if you remember, spent some time away from us last October and had had a brilliant holiday with some Zwartbles ewes. The result was some lovely lambs, who were attending the show with their young handlers, Eddie and Harry.

So lovely to see the next generation of farming being interested in the showing world and what a lovely thing to go to your local show first.

I had been sent pictures of the boys walking the lambs on the halter, which takes a huge amount of patience. Our own lambs throw themselves on the floor when a halter is put to

them, and then lie there looking confused – these guys definitely had it sussed!

Their showing class was very early on in the judging, and unfortunately, we did not make it to the ring to see, but both lambs – and their handlers – got 3rd and 4th.

The boys were so very proud, as were we of their first show, and they loved it so much that they have booked in to the last few agricultural shows of the season. Well done Team Tory!

We have been on the lookout for more ewes and put an appeal out to local breeders. This week we will load the trailer up and head off to collect the new additions. As the new paddock is a distance away from our home field, we have had to apply for a new holding number.

To explain, you cannot just keep sheep on any bit of land –it has to have a CPH number, so

that your stock can be traced back to you in the event of any disease outbreak or other issue. These days you can apply online, and the process is quick, and, once in place, animals can be moved. The new ewes will be kept separate from the rest at first, to protect the health of our established flock.

The hairy cows are suffering

and

from flies this week, as the weather is still variable, and two more of the sheep are reacting to midge bites.

The seasons are still very confused – the swifts that live over the farm have started to fill their bellies and exercise their wings ready for the autumn migration. Much earlier than usual, what do they know?

There’s no business like ‘Farm Show Business’

This summer, Simon Reeves and his team at Pangea Insurance attended the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show for two days filled with chatter, some sunshine (mainly drizzle), and a few surprises that we put together on our trade stand.

Even though we were first-timers at this event, we were certainly noticed by plenty of friendly faces – both new and familiar. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and see us, whether it was to talk business or just a catch up.

Amongst the ‘serious’ insurance talk, we had drinks on offer, including a delicious locally made gin, lots of snacks and some fun competitions (to our lucky winners – enjoy that Jack Daniels and pub vouchers!)

Overall, it was a successful couple of days, allowing us to really get chatting with people to understand their needs. Afterall, that is what we’re all about!

Eddie

Harry, who took King’s lambs to exhibit at the Shaftesbury and Gillingham show

‘I’ve been waging war with ragwort for years’

by Ruth Kimber

WE are celebrating 10 years at our current shop at Linley Farm!

We have grown in that time, adding a cafe, Kimber’s Kitchen, and Somerset Trading Barn, filled with curios, antiques, upcycled items, garden ware and so on.

We host various events, such as the Pancake Party for the local church, and, recently, car boot sales.

The range of stock in the shop has expanded and the butchery department populated by our own meat and locally sourced, is very popular with customers.

We have three butchers and now a butcher’s lad, assisted by a team of women who help prepare and pack orders for our busy online business.

Summer, albeit brief, seems to be leaving us early!

Definitely an autumnal feel, especially in the mornings. We can hope for an Indian Summer next month!

I have had a war with ragwort for years, but this year ragwort has exploded everywhere. It is a legal requirement that ragwort is removed from farm land and where it is likely to contaminate neighbouring land.

Ragwort is one of our most invasive and poisonous plants, particularly to horses, donkeys, cattle, pigs and poultry. Sheep and goats are also susceptible,

but only after eating and accumulating it in their bodies. When it is growing, most animals bypass it, but if it is cut and dries, they will pick it up – also if in hay, silage or haylage, it remains very poisonous and less recognised by the animals being fed. It is also harmful to humans and should not be handled without gloves.

burning it is the best way to control it, but as a biennial, pulling becomes an annual job. It has many daisy-like flowers and a single plant can produce 50-60,000 seeds, dispersed by wind.

The plant does supply food for insects, of course, but at what cost?

Local authorities are duty bound to clear it from verges, but they should also maintain our roads!

We have noticed fewer swallows this year, albeit they came and nested on the farm, but not in the numbers of old. Could this be due to stormy weather when then were migrating to us in the spring?

It is pleasing to see the windows of good weather allowed harvest to proceed, and many fields have been cleared and ready for autumn planting. Yields and quality have been hit this year due to weather conditions.

Our maize is doing okay, but the garden sweetcorn is lacking in cobs.

(Justin J Frampton) R.F.D.13D New or Secondhand Shot & Air Guns, Rifles and Repairs. Game, Coarse & Sea Angling Equipment

Est 1886

3 West Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AW

jay@conyers.biz www.conyers.biz

Tel: 01258 452307

Mob: 07973 642278

Pulling the plant out and

The turkeys are doing very well this year – a new water system has helped and reduced workload in cleaning the

Continued on page 85

Ragwort provides food for instincts but is invasive and poisonous to many animals, and should not be handled by humans without gloves

116 017

21st AUGUST FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS SPECIAL SALE OF STORE & BREEDING SHEEP

WEDNESDAY 28th AUGUST FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF REARED CALVES

MONDAY 16th SEPTEMBER SALE OF TB RESTRICED CATTLE

FRIDAY 13th SEPTEMBER SPECIAL SALE OF BREEDING CATTLE

WEDNESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER SALE OF STORE & BREEDING SHEEP FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL

BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288

TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031

ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset, BA11 2QB 01373 830033 info@fromelivestock com www fromelivestock com

ALL TYPES OF FENCING AND TOPPING

Tel: 01747-855198

GRAZING, 5 ACRES, organic, fenced plus 2x water. Compton Abbas. 07711-528234

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE

Tel: 01258 472288 / Mob: 07977 936109 New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

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

CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE. Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040

POL HYBRID PULLETS for sale.Various egg colours available. 07545-468700

POL PULLETS FOR SALE:

Good layers and a variety of egg colours to choose from. 07545-468700

Fewer swallows this year?

Continued from page 83

drinkers. They will soon be big enough to let out and not be lunch for the raptors!

The first of the autumn calves has arrived, a Friesian heifer and then twin Friesian heifers!

Many of the dairy are now on their annual two-month holiday before calving. These two cows were slightly early, but all three doing well.

fields will need reseeds to put on them track for production next year.

It is hoped we will get an “open autumn”, meaning good weather, before winter closes in – it will make a very long winter if we don’t.

Our wildlife strips around the farm have flowered well and are now looking, smelling and sounding great, buzzing with insects and now providing seeds for the birds.

Seed beds are being made ready for grass reseeds – the grass land took a beating with the very wet conditions in early spring.

Field work will be necessary to correct the damage and some

Art week

WE are hosting three artists in the New Room at the Trading Barn for Somerset Art Weeks –September 21 to October 6 –available when shop is open.

n Kimbers Farm Shop, The Kitchen at Kimbers, Somerset Trading Barn. Linley Farm Charlton Musgrove BA9 8HD. Phone: 01963 33177. www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk info@kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

JDG Structural Steel Ltd

Steel frame buildings for agricultural, industrial and equestrian enterprises

Pre-cast concrete wallings panels supplied and erected

Roller shutter doors supplied and fitted

All steel frames are designed, fabricated & erected to conform to current CE markings

Tel: 01747 811711

Mob: 07860 570258

johnguttridge@aol.com

Farming

ON-FARM MACHINERY AUCTIONS

Friday 13th September at 2.30pm

Goathill Farm, Goathill, Sherborne, DT9 5JD

Dispersal of 3 Tractors, Hyundai Excavator, Farm Machinery, Livestock Equipment & Workshop Items

Including: John Deere 6800 (95) & 2 x Tafe 45DI Tractors, Hyundai 55-7A Excavator (10), Keenan MechFiber 320 Feeder Wagon, Fleming ET18

Ballast Roller (20), Major Vacuum Tanker approx. 1500gln, Marshall BC26 Bale Trailer (08), Quantock 6m Grass Harrows c/w KRM Seeder, Kverneland Taarup 814 Straw Chopper, Parmiter Post Driver, Teagle Bale Trailer, Teagle Silage Trailer, AG150 Pro Sand Dispenser, Albutt Shear Bucket, Browns Flat 8 Bale Grab, Foster Square Bale Handler, Bateman Foot Trimming Crush c/w Head Scoop, Bateman Cattle Crush, Trutest Weigh Scales, Approx 120 Wilson Agri Cubicles, Feed Barriers, Water Troughs, Feed Troughs, Qty of Gates, Silage Sheets, etc.

On behalf of A T Buckland (Having surrendered the Tenancy) No Online bidding available

Tuesday 17th September at 11am Langdon Manor Farm, Beaminster, DT8 3NN

Dispersal Sale of 3 Tractors, Handler, Pick-Up, 16:32 Parlour, Grassland and Livestock Equipment, Workshop Items, Fodder, etc Including: Fendt 716 Profi c/w Fendt Cargo 5X90 Loader (17), Kramer 8095T Pivot Steer (17), New Holland TD60D, Ford 4110 (82), Toyota Hilux HL2 Double Cab (11), Isuzu Trooper 3.0 (97), Honda 420 ATV, Pichon 11,350ltr Vacuum Tanker, Redrock 14.5T Silage Trailer, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Krone EasyCut 280 Disc Mower, Einbock 6m Grass Harrow with Seeder, KV Taarup KD814 Straw Chopper, Concept Equipment Man Cage (22), Farmplace 48 Cow ‘Sleep & Feed’ Kennel Building, 16:32 Herringbone Parlour, Dari-Kool 7000ltr Bulk Tank, Parlour Sundries, 16T & 11T Bulk Bins, Ifor Williams DP 120 Livestock Box, John Shepherd Feed Trailers & Feeders, Calftel Group Hutches, Milkbar & Wydale Calf Feeders, Approx. 475T 1st Cut Silage, etc.

2 Dispersals, 1 Day - Tuesday 24th September at 10.30am

Moor Court Farm, Sparsholt, Winchester, SO21 2NH

Dispersal of 2 Combines, 8 Tractors, 2 Telehandlers, Land Rover, ATV, Arable Machinery, Workshop Items, etc

On behalf of Chilton Down Farm Partnership & Moor Court Farms Limited (Change of Farm Policy)

Saturday 28th September at 10.30am

Beaulieu Wood Farm, Buckland Newton, DT2 7DG

Dispersal of 3 Tractors, Grassland & Livestock Equipment, Workshop Items, etc

On behalf of Mr G Edwards (Having surrendered the Tenancy) Online bidding available

A block of productive pasture and arable land extending to approximately 119.53 acres

Offered on a 3 year Farm Business Tenancy. Available as a whole or in up to 3 lots by Tender Tenders close 12 noon on Friday 6 September

On behalf of MB & LC Haskell (Retiring)

LAND AT KINGS MILL FARM, MARNHULL

LAND & PROPERTY AUCTION, THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER AT THE DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, SHERBORNE DT9 3NL AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Ferndown Guide £40,000

4.25 acres of mature mixed woodland with direct road access in a secluded location on the southern edge of Holt Heath.

Wimborne | 01202 882103

Affpuddle Guide £200,000

0.35 acres of land with a range of buildings with possible development potential subject to planning permission/consents, in a peaceful village location.

Wimborne | 01202 882103

Sturminster Newton Guide

£140,000

A charming 2 bedroom end of terrace cottage for refurbishment in a tucked away town centre position within the Conservation Area.

CTB C, Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Iwerne Minster Guide £385,000

An attractive 3-4 bedroom period property for modernisation. situated in a popular village with outbuildings and off-road parking. 0.34 acres. CTB F, Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Dorchester Guide £200,000 (whole) Two parcels of productive south-facing pasture land with far-reaching views, offered in two lots.

Lot A 11.28 acres Guide £125,000. Lot B: 6.41 acres Guide £75,000.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

East Stoke Guide £125,000

A single building plot in a sought after Purbeck village measuring 0.35 acres with outline planning permission for a detached dwelling.

Wimborne | 01202 882103

Charmouth Guide

£175,000

A classic 3 bedroom period cottage requiring complete modernisation in the desirable village of Charmouth close to the beach and shops.

CTB C, Freehold.

Bridport | 01308 422092

Wareham

£400,000-£425,000

An attached 3 bedroom property for updating/extension (STPP) with campsite, paddock and outbuildings enjoying views over heathland.3.60 acres. CTB E, Freehold. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Burton Bradstock Guide £600,000 64.93 acres of productive level to sloping grass and arable land with outstanding sea views over Freshwater Bay with the remains of a stone barn.

Dorchester | 01305 236237

East Stour Guide £150,000

A single building plot with full planning permission for a detached 3 bedroom dwelling situated centrally in this popular North Dorset village.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Salwayash, Bridport

£300,000

A detached 2 bedroom property for refurbishment in 0.25 acres, situated in a rural location on the edge of the village enjoying countryside views.

CTB B, Freehold.

Bridport | 01308 422092

Winterborne Zelston £595,000

A detached 3 bedroom Grade II Listed village house in need of renovation in a tucked away location with extensive outbuildings, paddocks and gardens. 2.99 acres. CTB G, Freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670

Maiden Newton Guide £300,000

A well-positioned building plot with full planning permission for a detached two storey dwelling, double garage and access. About 0.35 acres

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Shaftesbury Guide £95,000

A charming 1 bedroom property forming part of an attractive Grade II* Listed building, ideal as a buy-to-let investment or bolthole. L/hold 978 years and 50% share of F/hold, CTB A Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Winterbourne Abbas

£350,000

A development opportunity to refurbish the existing 4-bedroom property and build a detached house at the rear, subject to necessary permissions. CTB E. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Corscombe

£650,000

A unique detached property for modernisation with an annexe, stabling and a range of outbuidings in 6.65 acres enjoying a rural location with countryside views. CTB E & A, Freehold. Beaminster | 01308 863100

LAND & PROPERTY AUCTION, THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER AT THE DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, SHERBORNE DT9 3NL AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Kingsbury Episcopi Guide £25,000 0.88 acres of level pasture land with mature hedgerow boundaries and mature trees in a peaceful location to the southwest of the village.

Yeovil | 01935 382901

Hurcott, Ilminster Guide £225,000

A detached 2 bedroom period cottage in need of modernisation within gardens and grounds of 0.21 acres in a delightful rural setting.

CTB D, Freehold.

Ilminster | 01460 200790

CORNWALL & DEVON

North Perrott Guide £525,000 (whole) 52.02 acres of of level to gently sloping grass land near North Perrott, in two lots both with mains water independent access. Lot A 4.16 acres £460,000, Lot B 3.86 acres £65,000. Dorchester | 01305 236237

Hurcott, Ilminster Guide £250,000 A character property with 2 bedrooms providing excellent scope for modernisation. Enjoying a generous plot of 0.44 acres in a rural yet accessable location. CTB E, Freehold. Ilminster | 01460 200790

Freehold

Axminster | 01297 33122

Liskeard Guide £150,000

A semi detached 2 bedroom cottage for refurbishment with a garage and garden situated in a rural village about 2 miles from Liskeard.

CTB C, Freehold.

Axminster | 01297 33122

cottage requiring complete refurbishment enjoying a semi-rural setting in gardens and grounds of 0.14 acres.

CTB C. Freehold.

Axminster | 01297 33122

Chard Guide £70,000

A mid-terrace period property over three floors for complete renovation situated at the top of the High Street within the Conservation Area. CTB B, Freehold.

Ilminster | 01460 200790

Seavington St Mary Guide £300,000 An elegantly proportioned detached period house requiring general improvement, with part-walled

| 01297 33122

843190 Neacroft,

| 01722 334323

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Thinking of moving in 2024?

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net £300,000

We are boutique style Estate Agents specialising in selling, letting and managing rural and village property from our office in Tisbury covering Wiltshire, North Dorset and South Somerset.

Property

Handy hints to take the stress out of moving day...

REMOVALS

company

Armishaws has come up with a list of nine easy things to do to make your home move as stress-free as possible.

Priority list

THERE’S lots to get done, cancelling/ordering utilities, booking time off work, clearing outbuildings, packing…

Don’t get swamped. Make a priority list and allow yourself time to work through it.

Declutter

SPARE rooms, sheds, garages, lofts, we all have that pile of things we mean to get rid of but never get round to.

Removals are calculated by the volume of items to be moved, so it’s a perfect time to

declutter.

You don’t want to pay to move things you probably won’t keep.

Book your removers REMOVALS have peak seasons and busy days. Book your removals as early as possible – yes, exchange dates may change, but a good removal companWy will offer flexibility and work with you to make your move happen.

Pack early

IT’S a regular occurrence, removal crews arrive at a property to find frazzled homeowners throwing treasured possessions into bin bags in a panic!

Packing last minute will only

add to moving day stress, so get ahead of the game and start packing early.

Ask questions

YOUR removers are there to help. If you’re unsure of anything, just ask.

They aim to make your move as easy as possible and it is much better to ask questions in the build-up – no matter how small – to ensure you’re prepared and relaxed on the day.

Label boxes properly “AHH! I can’t find the…” Of course you can’t. You didn’t label your boxes properly and as a result, haven’t seen the kettle in nearly a week!

So many movers fall foul of what seems a simple task. Label the top and all four sides of the box, then no matter how it’s stacked you’ll see what it contains.

Mark the room it’s for and a rough idea of contents – ‘books and bedding’, ‘toys and clothes’ etc.

Shop online

ON day one in your new home

you want to be unpacking, not in the aisles of a supermarket. Plan ahead and order a supermarket delivery to arrive the first morning after your move.

Order some bucks fizz to celebrate your new home – go on, you deserve it!

Read the Ts & Cs WE’RE all guilty of ticking the box when we haven’t checked all the Ts & Cs, but it could cost you.

Some movers require you to empty loft spaces, unplug electricals, remove light fittings etc.

These can be negotiated and included, but if you haven’t checked, you could incur extra costs.

Pack a moving bag PREPARE a bag with all the essentials you’ll want after the crew leave – toothbrushes, wash bags, pyjamas etc.

It will ensure you’re not searching through boxes at the end of what could be a busy day.

Ritchie’s resting place

HOLLYWOOD film director, Guy Ritchie, is looking to cement his family’s tie to the land at his multi-million-pound Wiltshire manor by creating a family burial plot.

TFH Reeve, on behalf of Ashcombe House, in the parish of Berwick St John, near Salisbury, submitted plans to create a family burial plot in March this year, with the plans approved last month.

The small private burial ground is to be set high on the hillside overlooking the house and the estate.

The film director has lived at the Grade II Georgian manor house since 2001, purchasing it for £9 million.

In the planning document, TFH Reeve said: “The proposal is for a small private burial ground, walled in the local greenstone and flint chequer board, set high on the hillside overlooking the house and the estate.

“Fitted with a simple blacksmith-made gate and throw. The ground set amongst holm oaks on the grassy hillside with the woods as a background.

“There would be very distant and partial views from the right of way through the estate. This is not intended to make a statement in the landscape, but cement the family’s ties to the land.”

While planning permission has been secured, Wiltshire Council’s conditions for the plans would require a new application to be submitted for the planned iron gate for the burial ground.

PROPERTY TO LET

ONE BEDROOM FARM ANNEX FOR RENT. Private woods, private drive and sunroom. Shaftesbury phone: 07834871548

TO-LET. MIDDLEMARSH, SHERBORNE - 4-bed-on-suite, detached house, off road parking, rural setting, possible longterm let, £1800 pcm. References required. 07973-403969

LARGE DOUBLE ROOM, en-suite shower, Available 01/09/24. Spacious, comfortable bungalow. Outside King’s Stag, Good local amenities. Parking, lovely garden, wi-fi. All bills included. £600pcm. Call 07760-584389

Reluctantly for sale

Terraced house in a village in Normandy. 2 double bedrooms, 1 single/study. kitchen, living room. Front parking for at least two vehicles. Small garden in lane opposite back door. Stone shed. For more details please visit: https://www.frenchestateagents. com/french-property-for-sale/view/ A29521CO50/house-for-sale-in-cametours-manche-normandy-france

Alternatively, please contact Cecile Onana on 0033 6 10 93 03 21 who speaks excellent English.

Classically trained from the age of two,

Meg Morley is an Australianborn pianist, composer and improviser who creates music within diverse artistic genres (silent film, contemporary dance and ballet, solo piano, contemporary jazz ensembles and electronic music).

The

Director Fred Niblo Starring Douglas Motte, Noah Beery, Music: Live Piano

Jason and Esme Cameron & guest