17 minute read
■ Above right: Storm Eunice hits Blandford
by Nicci Brown
Storm Eunice found a rather easy target at the top of the cupola on the tower of Blandford Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul. The weathervane has been leaning for some time, and was part of the reason why there has been no ringing of the church bells since the end of pandemic restrictions and before that the suspension of bellringing during the restoration of the church tower and cupola completed in 2016. The intention was to deal with the problem once the main scaffolding being erected around the church for repairs to the church roof and interior plasterwork in a further Heritage Lottery funded restoration. The high winds brought it down completely and prematurely on Friday morning, and the steeplejacks arrived the following day to make it safe until further repairs could be carried out The Friends of Blandford Community Hospital have donated £59,000 to Dorset HealthCare to enable the purchase of a new C-Arm X-Ray for the hospital. Vicky Cadec Senior Sister said: “Dorset HealthCare and all the team in the Procedure Room at Blandford Community Hospital are delighted to have the continued support of The Friends. We are extremely grateful for this donation which has made it possible to acquire the new C-Arm X-Ray equipment.
Radiologists Claire Cox; Judy Baker; Debbie Jones and Vicky
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Bringing Somerset’s most unique traditional crafts together in one book, celebrated artist Kate Lynch is shining a light on some lesser-known artisans. Proving that rural crafts are very much alive and kicking, Kate has captured the timeless arts of bee skep coiling, paper making, glass blowing, thatching and sieve and riddle making, to name a few, in her new book Craft: Somerset Portraits And Voices. Kate, famed for her rural documentary style, said: “For the past two years I have been making drawings and paintings of Somerset’s traditional craftspeople and collecting their stories.
“I have been out with 30 craftspeople and it has been heartening to witness the rich seam of age-old craftsmanship alive in Somerset.
The Castle Cary book launch is a great opportunity to hear more about the rich collection of Somerset’s heritage crafts. There is the only remaining sieve and riddlemaker in the country and a handmade papermaker working in a mill powered by a waterwheel. Several craftspeople are from the Castle Cary area. There is a hedgelayer, Michael Jackson, from Weston Bampfylde, Jonny Tapp, a brushmaker from Lamyatt, wood-firing potters Jennie and Douglas Phillips from Queen Camel, and one of the few companies in the world weaving with horsehair in Castle Cary itself, John Boyd Textiles. The people featured tell their stories and histories and describe their passion for their
Kevin Toal building a dry stone wall, Mendip Hills
craft. There are also blacksmiths, farriers, a glass blower, a bee skep maker, a horse harness maker, a dry stone waller and others. “I feel privileged to have spent time in the workshops of some of Somerset’s finest craftspeople, sketching them at work and hearing their stories. My charcoal drawings and paintings are my tribute to their knowledge and timehonoured skills.” At a time when many are staying closer to home, buying locally, repurposing and reusing, Kate has documented the importance of these traditions, showing how they are thriving today. Her celebration of these crafts has culminated in a book, and an exhibition which will be held at The Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, open March 26 to June 5. Kate’s illustrated talk and
Alex Pole forging a knife
book signing will take place at The Market House, Castle Cary on Wednesday March 30 at 6.30pm. Please email markethouse.bookings@ castle-cary.co.uk to register your interest.
The Night Shift, Mark firing the kiln, Muchelney Pottery
Trying to access the important data locked into the phone of a deceased relative can be a logistical nightmare. But now Apple has launched a new Digital Legacy program to overcome this problem. Senior Associate Solicitor Adam Hillier reports. Advances in mobile phone technology have seen us progress from “just a telephone” resembling “a small brick” into the sleek multi- purpose devices that many of us now use. There really is an app for everything, easily downloadable, straight onto your phone. All this data remains locked safely within the phone through a combination of passwords, unique thumbprints, or other security measures. However, such protection can mean that without careful forward planning, a sudden unexpected death of a family member could lead to their mobile phone blocking access to their personal or professional material. Under the iCloud Terms of Service, the deceased person’s data would effectively die with them. Apple is now attempting to simplify this problem for users of iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and other such devices. In its recent iOS update (15.2), it has introduced its new Digital Legacy program. Digital Legacy allows the individual to select and send a message via their phone to a maximum of five people requesting that they become Legacy Contacts. They are most likely to be family members or friends but could also perhaps be trusted professionals like Solicitors or Accountants who may have been appointed as Executors to act in their Will. When the Legacy Contact is notified, the message shares a unique access key with them, and this is then automatically stored in their Apple I.D settings. Additionally, Apple do still require proof of death via a death certificate meaning that nobody can attempt to access the data whilst the individual is still alive. It would be prudent to check with your Legacy contact that they are happy to have this responsibility before sending the message and if they do not own an apple device themselves or perhaps it is too old to update to iOS 15.2, you can instead print a copy of the access key for them or alternatively leave such information with your Will. After you have died, your chosen Legacy Contacts would be able to access your Apple account data from the phone in a simplified and organised manner, rather than a timely, expensive, and likely unsuccessful legal battle with Apple, who would fight to protect their customer’s privacy. At Battens, we would suggest that when you prepare new Wills or update existing ones, careful consideration is given to your digital data and suitable precautions put in place to assist loved ones after death.
Battens
If you would like to make a donation, leave a legacy to the Battens Charitable Trust or apply for a grant, please contact the Trust team by emailing: bct@battens.co.uk or by calling 01935 811304 Solicitors
Solicitors
The times that we are currently living in have shown that life can change completely overnight and the future can look uncertain. The best way of dealing with this uncertainty is to ensure that all your personal planning is in place. There are two pillars to this planning – the first is executing a Lasting Power of Attorney so that your family can help you if you become ill or mentally incapacitated and the second is making your Will to ensure your estate passes to those who you wish to benefit on your death.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you (the donor) to make a choice now, when you are fit and healthy, about who you would trust (the attorney) to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf if, in the future, you lose the mental capacity to make them for yourself.
There are two types of LPA. One type is a Property and Financial Affairs
LPA which allows the attorney, to make decisions about your finances and property. A Property and Finance LPA is very flexible in that it can be used whilst someone is incapacitated, but as soon as they have returned to health the attorney will step aside – it is not a permanent arrangement unless it needs to be. The other type is a Health and
Welfare LPA which gives the attorney authority to make decisions for you in respect of giving or refusing consent to healthcare, staying at home and receiving support, or moving into care. A Health and Welfare
LPA can only be used when a person has lost capacity.
All LPAs have to be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), before they can be used. If it appears that the attorney is abusing their position, then anyone can raise a concern with the OPG or Social Services, who will investigate.
Lasting Powers of Attorney and Will planning
If you have an accident or become ill, it may For more be too late to make an LPA and then an application will have to be made to court information, to appoint somebody, called a Deputy, to look after you affairs. This person may not please contact be your choice, and appointing a deputy Adam Hillier on through the court it is also a longer and more expensive process. This can take at least three 01935 846165 months and there are costs which include application fees, medical assessments, solicitor’s fees, deputy appointment, annual management email at adam.hillier@battens.co.uk fee and a security bond. Your Will is used to appoint a person (your executor) who will deal with the administration of your estate after you have died. The Executor is responsible for valuing your estate, closing bank accounts, dealing with your house, paying any tax that is due as well any debts and making sure that the balance of the estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries. If there is no Will, the Law of Intestacy sets out who can inherit your estate and how much they can inherit. This may not be what you want. Making sure your Will is up to date will provide you with the comfort of knowing that your family is provided for how you want them to be even if times are uncertain. Your solicitor will help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney and Will that gives effect to your wishes. You can then rest assured knowing that your family will benefit from your planning. For more information, please contact
01935 811307
For your business, family and future
enquiries@battens.co.uk www.battens.co.uk Offices in: Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London
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What is a Lasting Power of Attorney, and do you need one?
If you need somebody to rely on in later years, perhaps to take over making decisions on your behalf, that person will need your formal written authority. This authority is given by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney. Lasting Powers of Attorney are documents that, when registered, mean you have given another person legal power to deal with financial decisions for you, or medical and welfare decisions. At Winterborne Legal Services we can help you to put suitable protection in place in your Lasting Power of Attorney, so that you can be comfortable giving power to your children. Making a Lasting Power of Attorney can be a big leap of faith for you, if you have any questions we are ready to help. Please call us on 07860 772274 or email
christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk
By Katrina ffiske
Mary Hatt reached the grand age of 100 years on 6 February, and staff and residents of St Johns’ House, Residential Home, Sherborne, were honoured to celebrate her special day with her. Karen and Sarah, house wardens at St Johns’ House, said: “Mary is one of our longest residents here, so we all know her very well, she is a great character. She came here in November 2009, and has been part of our closeknit family ever since. In her younger days she worked in London at Great Ormond St Hospital as a nurse tutor, she always has tales to tell of her time in London and the good work she did. “Mary was thrilled to begin her birthday by opening a card from the Queen then one from The Houses of Parliament, signed by Chris Loder, our local MP. As her birthday was on a Sunday, we were able to go to the Abbey to join in the morning service. Mary was very touched when the congregation sang Happy Birthday and presented her with a beautiful bunch of flowers. “After a short rest and lunch, residents, staff and trustees gathered for birthday tea, with balloons and cake. We were joined by two musicians from the boy’s school who serenaded us with a piano and violin. Everyone enjoyed themselves, particularly Mary.”
Essential roof repairs at St Peter and Paul
St Peter and Paul is the only Anglican church in Wincanton.Following the impact of covid-19 restrictions regular activities are resuming and focus on its use as a community hub. However, they urgently need to raise funds to repair two sections of roof on the Grade II* listed building. After careful consideration by the PCC, it was agreed that both roofs should be replaced. It was recognised a duty of care must preside when making such decisions, especially as our church is a listed property. Tenders to undertake the work have been invited and received, and an indication of the total cost of the work involved is circa £130,000. Funding has to be secured before work can commence. The PCC has agreed to designate the sum of £50,000 towards the project, which leaves a shortfall of £80,000. Grants are currently being sought from various grant funding bodies. However, this can be a lengthy process, without any guarantee on the eventual outcome. If you feel you would like further information, or could offer help, please feel free to make contact. Parish Church Office, 38 High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JF. Telephone 01963 824503 Email: office@wincantonparishchurch.co.uk Website: www.wincantonparishchurch.co.uk
By Lorraine Gibson
Readers may recall the story about the devastating impact that Dorset council’s threat to pull funding for Wimborne’s Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre would have on Wimborne Wagtails Swimming club for disabled people. Wagtails’ Julian Vernon, whose son is a club member, urged folk to object via a consultation. However, despite their best efforts, the council’s Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee were asked to approve a recommendation that the subsidising public use of the centre should end
Wimborne Wagtails swim on Marnhull mower
in hope of a happy ending A good news story! in two years’ time.The consultation pointedly asked whether the council’s contribution was value for money since there were other leisure facilities within a 20-minute drive. According to David Allen at Wagtails this question doesn’t fully consider the challenges his club members face. “We have such a range of disabilities and need very specific facilities,” he said. “Having been in a wheelchair for months myself, I’m very aware of the challenges our members face. “We’re worried. Our group is the most vulnerable in our society and it’s not just the physical wellbeing, the socialising’s so important, too and for many of them, driving or travelling any distance, is not an option.” David says the group is “plugging away” and hoping that the centre will be taken over - with a special place reserved for the wonderful Wimborne Wagtails. www.wimbornewagtails. org.uk The bad news was that the mower and strimmers Marnhull Cricket Club used to mow the Marnhull children’s playground, were stolen from the club’s storage shed. The good news is that thanks to generosity of Dike’s Superstore in Stalbridge and their ‘Making a Difference Locally Fund’, the club have been able to purchase a new mower ready for the grass cutting season to begin. The fund donated £500 to the club to replace the stolen machinery. Pictured here with the mower in the playground are Tony Clarke, long-time volunteer who mows the playground, Arthur and George two current Marnhull CC Youth players and Frank who was happily playing on the rocking horse before being asked to join the photoshoot.
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By Nicci Brown
The small Blandford Welcome Group charity, which is working to bring a refugee family, originally from Syria, to live in Blandford, has organised a series of film shows at The Blandford School. Welcome Group member Mrs Audrey Burch attended the January Blandford Town Council meeting to explain to councillors about the local efforts being made for the resettlement of refugees. There is already one Syrian refugee family living in Blandford, and the Welcome Group is hoping to resettle another, stressing that they will come from a UN refugee camp and are not illegal immigrants but are classified as highly vulnerable. The first of the films, each with short talks by the producer or director starting 7pm, is on Tuesday March 9 and will feature Notting Hill, one of the most enjoyable RomComs of all time, with a Q&A session from the producer Duncan Kenworthy, who lives locally and is one of the UK’s most successful recent filmmakers. The second film, on April 8, is At Her Majesty’s Pleasure, a series of comic sketches from Monty Python, the Goodies, Beyond the Fringe and Peter Cook, all filmed live at a ground-breaking theatre performance in 1976, which will be preceded by a talk by the director, Roger Graef, who also lives locally. Further events are yet to be announced. For more information see https://blandfordwelcome. group/
NEW FROM
Starting March 7th 2022
Every Monday 12:30 - 2:00pm
Friends of Stour Connect recognise that many people in North Dorset feel lonely or isolated in their own homes, and it’s for this reason we are starting up this new scheme to help alleviate loneliness for those in our community who need additional help. Transport is FREE OF CHARGE in association with Nordcat (but please arrange by the Friday before each Lunch Club. Lunch Clubs will be held in our café or in The Panel Room at: Stour Connect, Stour View Close, Sturminster Newton, DT101JF
Set menu; cost per person is £7.50 for a regular main meal, including a pudding, Or £6.50 for a smaller portion (vegetarian options also available) To arrange for transport phone: 01258 471359 For more info visit: www.friendsofstourconect.org/lunch-clubs
