The New Blackmore Vale (03.02.23)

Community cares

Fontmell Magna’s village hall is a hub for the community, providing a lifeline for anyone needing

warmth, company and advice

Fontmell community support hub takes place every Wednesday (except 15 February) until 5 April in the village hall from 12pm. Community lunches are served at 12.30pm with hot drinks and cakes available all afternoon. Children’s tea is served from 4pm, and there are activities to entertain little ones after school while parents and carers relax with a hot drink. All are welcome from the Fontmell Magna Parish and the Iwerne Valley Benefice plus all parents and children from St Andrews School, Fontmell Magna

Advisers and support workers from local charities are on hand from 1.20-3.30pm to help with the impact of the rising cost of living on individuals and families, so if you need to speak with someone in confidence do pop in. On 8 February Dorset councillor Jane Somper will be at the hall all day, and Steve from Citizens Advice will be on hand from 3pm. Revd David John will be helping in the kitchen cooking lunch. On 22 March, the community hub is hosting the Blackmore Vale Partnership Health and Well-being team, who will be demonstrating how to access and use online triage software Klinik. Food bank boxes are available on request too.

Organisers say the hub is a community lifeline: “The lunches and pop-up cafes we ran at the hall last year were a great way of getting together and meeting people, especially on these cold, wet days. Everyone is welcome – come along and enjoy lunch, a cuppa and cake, a chat over board games. Our advisers can help with problems you might be having and everything discussed with them is in complete confidence. The community hub offers free wi-fi, free chat, free smiles, free friendship and companionship.”

For more information or to volunteer, contact: Lisa Le Druillenec, secretary.fmvh@mail.com or 07962 138039; RosieAnne Yates, 07710 326339; Siân Highnam, bookings.fmvh@mail. com or 07774 647060. For more information about food bank boxes please email susanannekeen@gmail.com

Frustration as Wincanton’s funds bid snubbed

A long-serving Wincanton councillor resigned from an influential regeneration group he says has been a ‘political shambles’

THE Wincanton Regeneration Board was set up to oversee development of the town, primarily the centre, in a bid to bring investment and visitors.

However, ahead of the creation of a new unitary council in Somerset, a £5m funding pot for the town has been withdrawn.

The new council, which comes into existence on 1 April, says it is facing financial pressures which mean the cash will no longer be available.

Remaining elements of the regeneration plans have been deferred until 2024/25 ahead of Somerset Council’s first budget, which will be set on 22 February.

Meanwhile, funding requested through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for a scheme involving Wincanton and Wells, was also rejected.

The disappointments have prompted anger from some representatives, including Wincanton’s South Somerset councillor Colin Winder (Con, Wincanton), who has resigned from the regeneration board.

Speaking after his resignation, Cllr Winder said the project had been an example of a ‘political shambles’.

In his resignation letter he wrote: “The aims of the board have been doubtful from the early days, and the basic principles of democratic accountability have been abused. Democratic voting has been denied, and the representation of elected councillors from the county council denied access.”

He slammed some of the board’s schemes, including town centre regeneration projects, which he said were ‘very limited’ and ‘failed to accept physical restrictions of the high street and the nature of traffic usage’.

“The proposals for the upper High Street were rejected out of hand by the residents and have been withdrawn,” he added.

“The central High Street is the most important and long-standing requirement for modification to single line traffic and controls. This is the most pressing requirement, but requires detailed consultation with the Highway Authority.

“The Market Place area is the centre of pedestrian usage, and the junction of the Bruton Road and the one-way system.

“The Post Office, the town hall and the active shops make this a busy pedestrian and vehicular area. The retention of this commercial hub is essential, and the present scheme fails to provide a workable solution.”

Cllr Sarah Dyke, portfolio holder for environment at South Somerset District Council and chair of the Wincanton Town Centre Regeneration Board,

A walk around… Winterborne Stickland

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

START by visiting the church. If you go there on a Monday morning you’ll find it full of friendly people enjoying coffee, cake and chat. I recommend the cheese scones! Then walk a short distance south along the road to join a road on your left, leading steeply uphill to the north east. At the top it becomes a bridleway and you can enjoy the first of many wide views you’ll see during your walk.

After about a mile you reach the parish boundary and a road that takes you north alongside Broadley Wood. Much of the walk follows the parish boundary so keep an eye out for ancient boundary markers such as banks and ditches. At a T-junction at Normandy Lodge, turn right, north east, and in a quarter of a mile, at a bend in the road, join a bridleway on your left that takes you north west then bends to the south west. This section can be rather muddy so tuck your trousers in your socks.

At the bottom of the slope there’s a meeting of ways. Take the

said:“Wincanton is of huge strategic importance to the south east of the county and I am committed to regenerating our communities and town centres.

“The Levelling Up Fund 2 bid would have provided funding for 100 sq m of co-working and 100 sq m of museum and event space, in Wincanton town centre.

“The enterprise, innovation, business collaboration opportunities, plus footfall generated, would have also positively impacted the High Street and retailers.

“Together this would have helped to rejuvenate Wincanton bringing vitality and viability to the town centre, businesses and community.”

She said the town centre regeneration was among projects ‘paused’ for a year under plans which are set to be approved in the coming months.

bridleway to the left that takes you along the edge of the forest at first uphill and then down to meet the road at Hedge End. Turn right and head northwards up the road for half a mile until you find a bridleway on your left, heading west. Join it and after half a mile, not far past a large barn, join another bridleway heading south, uphill, along a farm track. At the hill top it turns right, south west for a quarter of a mile then (beware as there’s no sign!) left, down a steep hill and up again past a wood.

That was the last of the hills. Soon you come to a road, which you cross to join the bridleway leading along the boundary with Winterborne Houghton, downhill for nearly a mile. When almost at the road, turn left along a footpath that parallels it for nearly a mile back to the village, near the pub. By the time you get back to your car you will have walked about 8 miles.

Wincanton’s South Somerset councillor Colin Winder has resigned from the regeneration board in protest

Jobs could go at ‘unsustainable’ St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne

Spiralling costs and the Covid pandemic are behind plans to close the Sherborne Almshouse in its current form

THE St John’s Almshouse charity is consulting with staff, residents and other stakeholders over the future of the property, as it says the ‘current operating model is not sustainable’.

Sherborne Almshouse, in Half Moon Street, dates back almost 600 years to 1437, when it was first licensed to house ‘12 poor men and four poor women’.

In recent years, it has been home to 18 elderly residents as part of a ‘unique’ community-living set up.

Now, trustees have revealed an uncertain future for the building. They said Covid had brought ‘significant challenges’, including higher costs, stretching resources.

After a review of the financial position of the Almshouse, they said they had ‘reluctantly’ concluded the model was ‘not sustainable’.

“The trustees of the St John’s Almshouse charity confirm they are consulting with staff, residents and other stakeholders about the way that the Almshouse will operate in future,” a statement said.

It went on: “During the last three to four years, we have found it increasingly difficult to attract new residents who both want to live in the House as it is currently configured and are fit enough to do so.

“While St John’s provides fully serviced accommodation, it is not a care home and we have found that people who are fit enough to

enjoy all that St John’s has to offer are now seeking to live independently in their own homes rather than as part of a community.

“Covid has also made communal living less attractive.”

Combined with the running costs of a Grade I-listed building, the charity said it ‘does not have the funds’ to keep going, in the current form.

“Unfortunately, at this stage, this means that there is a risk we may have to make redundancies, and we have therefore commenced a consultation process to explore this fully,” the statement said.

It added: “The trustees are very sad at the possibility that our current operation may have to change and are very mindful of the anxiety and stress that this news will bring.

“We are seeking to be as open and transparent as we can and support residents and staff through what we appreciate and fully understand will be a difficult time.”

Any decisions over the future of the site are expected in the coming months.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is a genuine home with the best location in town. It is also the most affordable place to live in Sherborne.”

Half marathon runners to return to Vale roads this weekend for big race

THIS weekend will see scores of runners take to Vale roads for the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon.

The event, organised by the Lions Club, will get underway from Bishop’s Caundle sports field at 11am on Sunday (February 5).

Organisers are encouraging last-minute entrants to get their running shoes on a register online until Saturday (February 4).

“The more runners and sponsors we have the more we collect for charity and the more we can help worthy local, regional and international good causes,” said a Blackmore Vale Lions Club spokesperson.

“We can do our bit for charity. We need you to help us. Every little helps.”

People are also being encouraged to turn out to support those taking part - and the group would be keen to hear from anyone able to help out on the day - see the map right.

Organisers said a very limited number of entries would be accepted on the day.

To enter beforehand, log on to RunBritain.com or www.bvlhm. yolasite.com.

Age Concer n North Dorset

Caravan plans appealed

AN appeal has been lodged after no decision was made on a planning application to install caravans to house Ukrainian refugees. The scheme, submitted by Savills on behalf of Bryanston (RFE) Ltd and The Rothermere Foundation, would see up to 40 caravans sited on land at Deer Park Farm, near Blandford, for up to five years.

Initial plans said the units would be used to house Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.

“The proposed development would provide much needed refugee accommodation within Dorset and responds to an ongoing humanitarian crisis,” it added.

Blandford Town Council, in its response to the application, said it objected to the scheme as it would form ‘an unsightly and unwelcome intrusion in this environmentally and historically sensitive site’.

Now Savills has referred the application to the Planning Inspectorate due to delays over a decision from Dorset Council. The council has a target of eight weeks between an application being submitted and a decision being made.

The application for Blandford was submitted in July last year, meaning more than six months has elapsed, with no decision made.

Savills’ application to the Planning Inspectorate says it has been made as the council has ‘Failed to give notice of its decision within the appropriate period (usually eight weeks) on an application for permission or approval’.

The half marathon route runs from Bishop’s Caundle

Revamp on the cards for Stur scout hut

Plans for a new youth centre in Sturminster Newton have been submitted to replace an old ‘uninspiring’ scout hut

THE scheme, on behalf of the town council, aims to provide ‘appropriate, flexible youth facilities in the town at the site of the current building, at the recreation ground.

Mortimer Design, on behalf of the town council, submitted the application to Dorset Council.

It said: “Sturminster Newton suffers from low levels of anti-social behaviour. There are a limited number of activities available which are carried out in a number of locations and are subject to the goodwill of building owners.

“This project will provide a home for youth groups and support organisations in Sturminster Newton.

“To ensure the long-term viability of the centre it is vital that the new trust can produce an income outside the times that the youth groups will be using the building.

“The design incorporates spaces including a café which would primarily be used for the youth groups but also family support groups, children’s parties, meetings and in connection with activities on the adjacent recreation ground.”

The proposed development would include a single-storey extension to house the cafe, with solar panels on the roof to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

“The proposed building will form an important element of the children and youth provision within Sturminster Newton,” the application added.

“The building provides adaptable spaces to meet the current and foreseeable future potential needs for the youth of Sturminster Newton.

“The current building is

uninspiring and lacks a presence.

“The proposed building will have a softer impact on and greater connection to the conservation environment.”

Residents can now comment on the application. For full details and to submit a response, log on to www.dorset.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2022/06628.

Plans for the new scout hut are more sympathetic to the natural environment

Traditional snowdrop parade returns

The Shaftesbury Snowdrop Event will return for 2023 next month, it has been confirmed

PREVIOUSLY, there had been fears the event could be called off due to financial problems, but organisers have rallied to ensure people will get to mark the blooms on 18 February.

Two sessions will be held for people to create lanterns for the traditional parade.

They will take place at the Trinity Centre between 10.30am and 1pm and from 1.30pm to 4pm on the day.

“The parade itself will set off from the Trinity Centre at between 6pm and 6.15pm,” said one of the organisers, Shaftesbury town councillor Tim Cook.

“We wait for it to get fully dark to create the spectacle.”

He added: “Anyone with a lantern from previous years can also attend one of the lantern workshops to refresh theirs.”

Tickets for the workshops are free, available from Shaftesbury Tourist Information Centre.

Cllr Cook also said there would be a talk on snowdrops on the day, with full details to be confirmed, as well as Dances in Time performing at the parade.

“After the procession, musicians will retire to a town hostelry for music and more,” Cllr Cook said.

On Sunday 19 February, the National Trust at Kingston Lacy gardens will be open from 9.30am to 5pm, where people can see more spectacular snowdrops.

For more details on the event, log on to www. shaftesburysnowdrops.org

Elsewhere, Springhead at Fontmell Magna will be holding an open garden from 1pm until dusk, with free admission, donations welcome.

Winter garden glory at Springhead

First open garden of the year takes place in early February and promises to be a treat for garden lovers

SPRINGHEAD’S beautiful gardens lie at the foot of north Dorset’s spectacular downland and benefit from imposing views across the Blackmore Vale. Their renovation has been a labour of love, begun by the painter Harold Squire in 1926 and finally finished in 2017 by Rosalind Richards, whose parents Rolf and Marabel Gardiner extensively renovated the gardens after they bought the property in 1933.

Now a registered charity, the Springhead Trust works to look after the historic buildings on the estate and keep its gardens maintained. The charity’s mission is to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to experience and value the rural environment, and to learn about the sustainable use of natural resources. It also works to conserve the buildings and gardens as a special place for education, enjoyment of the arts, music and rural culture.

As well as having the chance to wander around the formal and informal lakeside gardens and enjoy the beautiful drifts of snowdrops, visitors will also be able to see some of the named snowdrop varieties held at Springhead.

The gardens will be open from Monday to Sunday 6-12 February from 11am to 3pm. In addition, the gardens will be open on Saturday 18 February from 1-4.30pm as part of Shaftesbury’s annual snowdrop celebrations. These times are, of course, weather dependent.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the day on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February provided by, and in aid of, St Andrew’s Primary School, Fontmell Magna.

Entry to the gardens will be free but donations would be appreciated. Dogs on leads are welcome and there is assisted wheelchair access.

For more information email info@springheadtrust.org.uk or call 01747 811853.

Practical energy advice for Shaftesbury residents

Have

Planet Shaftesbury can help…

by Diana Harris

PLANET Shaftesbury is delighted to be able to offer Shaftesbury residents an opportunity to benefit from practical advice and guidance about how to reduce energy bills, gain access to energy saving grants and/or funding towards heating and insulation, including solar panels.

As part of Planet Shaftesbury’s regular monthly meetings, the group welcomes Peter Bywater, CEO of Ridgewater Energy to Shaftesbury town Hall on Thursday 23 February at 7.30pm. Ridgewater Energy has been appointed by Dorset Council and Public Health Dorset (under the banner of Healthy Homes Dorset) as the firm to

Platinum Award-Winning Care 2022

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

deliver advice and services to residents of North Dorset, and Planet Shaftesbury is keen to ensure that residents receive a fair share of the advice and free support that is available. So often nowadays investigating what to do about the rising cost of living involves wading through conflicting advice, and resisting pressure to buy certain products. Peter will be able to tell you the most up-to-date recommendation for cavity wall and loft insulation, and in some instances may be able to arrange for your property to be surveyed and for work to be carried out free of charge.

One local resident was impressed by the speed with which Ridgewater Energy responded to a telephone request for advice, and is eagerly anticipating a slightly warmer house, hopefully in the very near future.

The Planet Shaftesbury meeting will also hear from Katie Petra-Mears who will talk about electric vehicle charging for small businesses and charities and what she hopes

to achieve with her start up company, Daisy Electric, near to the town.

Refreshments will be available, as well as lively discussion with like-minded folk. Find out more about Planet Shaftesbury at www.planetshaftesbury.org or contact planetshaftesbury@gmail.com

Comfort & elegance

Current resident

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

Loyal staff

Stunning views

Exceptional Care in Stunning Surroundings

Live life better... every day at Spetisbury Manor

Bright, airy spaces

you ever wondered about how you can improve the insulation of your house without having to listen to a sales pitch?

Ekaterina Krusanova on UnSplash

Welcome to your new home providing plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship...

Fern Brook Lodge, located in the heart of Gillingham, is welcoming new residents to stay warm, safe, and cared for this winter. The invitation is extended to friends, family and loved ones who are welcome to share in the Food, Fun and Friendship on offer in the bright and comfortable communal spaces with views over the beautiful gardens, creating a sense of peace and serenity for all.

Care South is a notfor-profit charity and leading provider of residential and home care across the south of England. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to the care and comfort of residents.

Staff always go the extra mile to help

residents maintain their lifestyle and independence while receiving hearty, nutritious meals and a wealth of fun activities.

Fern Brook Lodge offers residential, respite and dementia care in a safe, homefrom-home environment. It boasts 75 welcoming bedrooms and benefits from an abundance of local shops, cafés, restaurants, and other facilities, allowing residents to continue doing what they love, whether that’s coffee with friends or enjoying time with visiting loved ones. Whether you’re looking for a short stay, a change of scenery to give you and your family members a break, or even a new home, Fern Brook Lodge offers it all.

For further information about Fern Brook Lodge call 01747 449812 or visit www.care-south.co.uk

Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to the care and comfort of the residents.

FAULT DIVORCE” IS GREAT BUT DON’T IGNORE THE NEED FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE

Kay Levene, Partner

Whilst the “no fault” divorce process simplifies that part of the breakdown of a marriage, the more complex and challenging elements of sorting out the fi nances remains the major concern for most divorcing couples.

Early Legal Advice Can Save Time and Money

When considering the assets of the marriage, and the parties (which are not necessarily the same thing), independent legal advice remains essential to ensure that both parties maximise their fi nances and ensure that a fair and reasonable settlement is reached.

Seeking advice at an early stage allows a party to discover what options may be available to achieve a practical and fair settlement, how to move forward in a positive and constructive way, what fi nancial disclosure is necessary to enable an amicable and early settlement to be reached. Each case is different and will depend upon the knowledge and trust of each party of the other – or lack of that!

Make Informed Decisions

An amicable settlement should not be one of ignorance. A settlement must be based upon information and both parties being open about their fi nances. If a settlement is fair, there

is no reason for a party not to provide details of their assets, including capital assets, pensions, property and business details, as well as income received. If one party is not prepared to give this, or seeks to discourage the other from seeking advice from a solicitor before entering a settlement, ask yourself “why, if it is fair?”

Even if the parties do not think it necessary, a court requires such information before it will approve a fi nancial settlement. And if you fail to disclose assets as you should, the agreement may not be binding!

And, if you are sadly in the situation where matters are not amicable, or like many, you feel confused or overwhelmed, seek advice! Early legal advice and knowledge from a solicitor can make all the difference, empower you to make informed decisions, as well as give you peace of mind as to your rights, what costs may be involved and how these can be met.

If you are looking for independent legal advice get in touch with our family law experts, Kay Levene, Margaret Baker, Leanne Weatherill, Darren Francis, Debbie Roper or Justin Martin.

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Donations will divert deer damage

Bere Marsh Farm’s new willow saplings need protecting from the attention of Dorset’s deer DEER cause catastrophic damage to trees by stripping the shoots, foliage and flowering buds. The fence will protect the recently planted willow saplings when they are at their most vulnerable, and in the long term continue to protect the coppiced trees as they re-grow.

The willows are being planted in an area of Bere Marsh Farm that regularly floods so arable crops would not survive, and it is unsuitable for livestock. In keeping with the CRT’s mission to carry out nature-friendly farming, its solution is to create a willow bed of common osier that thrive in the heavy clay soil at Bere Marsh Farm.

The willow will be harvested for use in crafts like basket weaving, which in turn generates a small income for the charity.

Within the fenced area the CRT will also plant some Flanders red and Brittany green hybrid osier, to add colour to woven products. To avoid having to purchase all the osiers, cuttings from the CRT’s Lark Rise Farm in Cambridgeshire are being used to establish most of the new trees but the hybrid versions will need to be purchased.

The fence will also allow for natural regeneration within the protected areas, attracting the wildlife to the new habitat, such as sedge warblers, willow tits and butterflies.

“We’d be hugely grateful for any donation made to this project. Protecting the osiers as they become established is essential, and

our broader plans for Bere Marsh Farm are bold in terms of improving the habitat and biodiversity in this part of the Dorset countryside,” says Bere Marsh Farm manager, Elaine Spencer White.

Just over £4,000 of the fencing money has already been raised, but the CRT needs a further £1,000 to reach its target. If you’d like to help with a donation of any size, please get in touch with the CRT at Bere Marsh Farm online (www.thecrt.co.uk/bere-marshfarm) or in person, or by emailing CRT head of development Hayley Neal on h.neal@theCRT.co.uk.

Willow saplings are being planted at Bere Marsh Farm but need protecting from the attention of local deer if they’re to survive

Swimming club closes after 30 years

Abbey Swimming Club gifts £23,000 to local charities as it closes after over 30 years supporting community swimmers

THE Abbey Swimming Club, located at the Milton Abbey School Pool, had its first swimming session on Tuesday 14 June 1988. The club was run solely by volunteers – including volunteer lifeguards, volunteer swimming teachers and all committee members. For almost 32 years (until it was forced to close in March 2020 due to Covid-19) it held around four swimming sessions per week for members, who ranged from a few months old to the over-80s.

For over 30 years the club ran a busy programme of children’s and adult’s swimming lessons, catering for all ages and abilities. It was also a valued social club, holding regular events to raise funds, such as New Year’s Eve barn dances, summer barbecues, skittles evenings and quiz nights. Since 2001 it was actively involved with the Milton Abbas Street Fair and ran the cream tea stall. The whole swimming community came together at these events.

After COVID the club was hoping to re-open at the Milton Abbey School Pool. Unfortunately under new safeguarding rules the school would only allow the club to access the pool during some school holidays. So, sadly, the members voted to wind up the club in September 2022.

On the evening of Wednesday 18 January, a farewell reception was held at the Milton Abbas Reading Rooms. The club assets have been distributed to local charities chosen by club members and the following cheques were presented during the evening:

• £7,000 to Wimborne Wagtails – a Dorset-based swimming club

for the disabled. The cheque was received by the club chairman, Julian Vernon.

• £7,000 to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The cheque was received by Becky Heath.

• £7,000 to Weldmar Hospicecare – a Dorset-based charity providing specialist end of life care. The cheque was received by Marie Notley.

• £2,000 to Milton Abbas Street Fair. The cheque was received by the chairman, Freddie Robinson.

Representations from each organisation were present and said a few words of thanks and described how much the donation would mean for their organisation.

Cheques were presented to Wimborne Wagtails (left) and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (right) during the Abbey Swimming Club’s farewell reception

New year, fresh start

BLANDFORD Evening WI’s first meeting of the new year is always the one where the resolutions are discussed and voted on. After a brisk discussion and a conclusive vote, the results were announced and noted for relaying to the County Federation Office.

To lighten the mood after the serious business, four of the ladies who attend an art group displayed some of their work.

Karen Howell, a serving member of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, gave an insight into her life at sea on missions around the world. She described her apprenticeship and showed images of her performing her secondary duties as a first-aider and a firefighter on board ship.

The evening ended with a surprise game of bingo.

Vital help for Wessex families

A new appeal aims to help families with young children get through the remainder of this winter’s challenging months

HOME-START Wessex’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal is raising vital funds to continue its work helping families as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

In a recent survey by Home-Start UK, 74 per cent of families said they were expecting to need financial support this winter, with their children unable to sleep because they are cold and hungry.

In 2022, Home-Start Wessex helped a record 300 families across Dorset and the borders of Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Demand increased by 30 per cent as more families struggled to cope and needed their help.

On your bike!

Entries are now being accepted for this year’s Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

ON Sunday 23 April, the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will weave its way through some of Dorset and Somerset’s most beautiful countryside.

With a mixture of quiet back roads, interspersed with some demanding climbs and equally hairy descents, the event has something to offer for everyone, organisers say, with pit-stops along the route providing a well-earned rest and refreshments.

There are 600 places and two routes available; a 55-mile route that starts at Watchet Harbour in Somerset at 10.30am and finishes in the Dorset seaside resort of West Bay and a shorter 11-mile route, which starts at the Royal Oak public house in Drimpton at 2pm, which also finishes in West Bay.

Emma Jones, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance fundraising manager, said: “We can’t wait to see everyone again at this year’s Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge. The atmosphere amongst the cyclists and those who support them at the start, en-route and at the finishing line is incredible.

“It’s a truly emotional day. In the past, the cyclists have consisted of patients who have experienced the work of our service first-hand, those who are cycling in memory of loved ones and those who simply want to challenge themselves and support the charity.”

Entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. Entrance fees are £35 for adults and £15 for under 16s.

Sign up and register online at www.dsairambulance.org.uk/c2c

Volunteers provide practical, compassionate and emotional support to parents whose worries about finance are adding to the challenges of post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems and bereavement.

Alongside one-to-one support, the charity’s volunteers also run five family groups and weekly Wellness Walks to help families get

outside and connect with others whilst having fun and getting some exercise.

Home-Start Wessex is also working with other local organisations to make sure the families it supports get the emergency supplies or expert help they need.

Kathy Fryatt-Banks, chief executive of Home-Start Wessex, said: “Parents from across the area are telling us how they are worried because they can’t afford to heat their homes and are missing meals to buy nappies and food for their babies.

“We know times are tough for many people at the moment. But please give whatever you can. Even a small amount will make a huge difference in preventing families’ suffering this winter.”

To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/ homestartsoutheastdorset.

For more on the charity, including details on how to volunteer, contact michelle@ homestartwessex.org.uk, or visit homestartwessex.org.uk.

Barn stormer

ST PETER and St Paul’s Church in South Petherton is the venue for a barn dance which will help raise funds for the church and Petherton Folk Fest 2023.

Local band Hobson’s Choice will provide the music on Friday 10 February with the event for adults and children of all ages running from 7.30-11pm. A raffle will also be held.

Pete Wheeler, chairman of the Folk Fest committee, said: “We anticipate that there will be a great community spirit, and lots of fun and laughter on the night.”

Tickets cost £12 adults, £6 under-16s and include a ploughman’s supper. Visitors are asked to take their own drinks.

Tickets are on sale until 4 February and can be purchased from N & D News and The Brewer’s Arms in South Petherton and Seavington Community Store.

Petherton Folk Fest 2023 is on Saturday, 17 June.

Reindeer helped farm raise £10,000

RED-nosed reindeer did their bit to pull in more than £10,000 for charity.

The 2022 Nutley Farm Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience, organised by Anne Roots and her son Julian Hubbuck for the third time, raised money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

And recently, the pair handed over a cheque for £10,467 to the charity, taking their fundraising total over the years to more than £26,000.

In 2015, Anne was rescued from her home by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance after her horse and carriage overturned, having been spooked by farm machinery.

“I had harnessed one of our ponies to go for a carriage drive with a friend,” she said. “We had a good drive and on returning to the farm, we were aware that the pony could be frightened by a digger, so we

decided to stop.

“As I prepared to dismount, the pony bolted and overturned the carriage, throwing my friend clear and trapping me underneath in a heap of muck. As the pony panicked, I found myself being dragged underneath the carriage, before both the pony and carriage galloped over the top of me.

“It was terrifying and my life flashed before my eyes. One moment I was having a nice time and the next I was being airlifted to hospital with major injuries to my head and across my middle from the carriage.

She said the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance saved her and prompted the farm’s efforts to help the charity.

“We continue to support them as a way of saying thank you and try to raise as much as possible,” Anne added.

“We thank all our customers for attending our Christmas

Lights and Reindeer Experience and helping us raise a significant amount once again.

“I feel proud of the team at Nutley Farm, who are all helping to make a difference for patients, like me, who one day might need such an important service.”

Charles Hackett, CEO of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: “Anne and Julian’s Christmas gift to the people of Dorset and Somerset is such an amazing thing to do.

“While giving pleasure to the many families that enjoy the Nutley Farm Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience, they have raised money that far exceeds the cost of Anne’s individual

care by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and so, will help us to provide that life-saving care to many others.

“With no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery, we rely on the generosity of the public for support. It is the commitment of people like Anne and Julian, that helps to ensure we are there when patients need us the most.”

For over 30 years we have been making and erecting Timber Gates of all types in softwood, Iroko and Oak. Our gates are made in-house by our team of joiners, so madeto-measure is available. Our experienced installations teams will ensure your gates are professionally installed with the best quality hardware. Automation is also part of our expert gate service. With swing or slide systems we can accommodate most projects (including commercial), plus intercoms as required. Contact us for advice or to request a survey.

From left: DSAA CEO Charles Hackett, Julian Hubbuck, ‘Parsnip’ the Reindeer, Anne Roots and Becky Heath from the DSAA

Look to the stars

Contemplate your connection to the cosmos while staring at the sky over Shaftesbury with a mindful stargazing expert

WHEN was the last time you paused and looked up at the night sky with wide-eyed curiosity, appreciating the magic and awe of the stars? The practice of mindful stargazing is about slowing down, immersing yourself in the experience of the night time and contemplating what it is to be a human in this vast cosmos.

On 25 February, from 5-9pm at Tokes Farm, Shaftesbury (SP7 9AP) local expert Mark Westmoquette is hosting a mind-expanding evening of stargazing. He’ll be encouraging everyone to develop a first-hand knowledge of what it is not to look out at the Universe, but to be in the Universe.

Mark explains: “During our evening together, we’ll be exploring a variety of mindful stargazing practices, focussing on contemplating our place within the cosmos and our connections to it – scientifically, energetically and spiritually. Before going outside, we’ll practice a cosmic body scan, sensing different parts of our body and how they’re made of material that was produced in stars billions of years ago.

“Then as we go outdoors, we’ll spend some time immersing ourselves in the experience of the night sky, and explore how we can feel part of the cosmos, at home in this immense universe of ours. We’ll finish by contemplating some amazing images of space and exploring some of the myths and stories associated with the constellations.”

A hive of activity

February is a busy month for the Blackmore Vale’s wonderful libraries

TONY and Gareth from Cranborne Chase Astronomy Club will be at Shaftesbury library on 4 February to explain the joys of star gazing, while on 11 February Pip Johnson will be guiding a gentle yoga session suitable for all ages and abilities. On Saturday 18 February there’s a willowweaving session, in which you can make your own bird feeder to take home. All events run from 10-11am and are free –please call the library on 01747 852256 to book your place.

Shaftesbury library is also the hub for a series of community policing surgeries, from 10-11am on 23 February and 23 March. PCSO Leatt will be offering crime prevention advice and listening to local concerns.

The library also hosts regular children’s activities: a craft session from 11am-12 on 13 February, Rhyme Time on Tuesdays at 2.15pm for pre-school children and babies, and Lego Time on Saturdays at 11am. There is no need to book (children under eight must be accompanied by a carer).

Mark is a mindful stargazing expert, astronomer, author and Zen teacher. He holds a PhD in Astrophysics and was a professional astronomer for a decade before teaching yoga and mindfulness full-time. He is the author of three books about mindful stargazing: Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers, Stars: A Practical Guide to the Key Constellations, and The Mindful Universe

Mindful stargazing costs £55 per person, which includes a hearty supper and hot drinks. The event will go ahead whatever the weather. To book your place please visit westmoquette.cademy. co.uk/mindful-stargazing-evening

Sturminster Newton library

On Thursday 16 February from 2.303.30pm, Sturminster Newton library will host ‘Pirate Stories and Activities’. Free and suitable for children aged three-plus. Booking is advised – visit Eventbrite online or call 01258472669.

Gilligham library

On Monday 13 February (10.30-11.30am) and Friday 17 February (3-4pm) pop in to Gillingham library for Lego fun sessions, no booking required.

Footprints and Poo on Tuesday 14 February (10am-12noon and 2-4pm) is especially suitable for 7-12 year olds, and involves looking for clues and matching evidence in nature.

For accompanied children under five, Rhyme Time on Thursday 16 February (10.15-10.45am) will be followed by Nature Craft Fun for families from 11am-12noon. Dress suitably for this messy activity.

And on Saturday 18 February from 10.30-11am there will be a SENsational story and play for 0-5-year-olds and their parents/carers. This is a fun session of sensory play, stories, and rhymes.

Booking is advised for all free activities at Gillingham library – book via Eventbrite online or call 01747 822180.

Sherborne library

This February sees a packed calendar at Sherborne library. On Friday 10 February from 2.30-3.45pm, author Sarah Acton will present ‘Seining Along Chesil’. Hear about Sarah’s new book, which remembers and celebrates the seine fishing communities.

There’s a storytelling performance on Thursday 23 February from 7-9pm, with ‘The Gods Are All Here’. The performance uncovers Phil Okwedy’s experiences of growing up as a child of dual heritage in Wales in the 1960s and 70s Wales. Suitable for ages 12+, tickets cost £10 and booking is essential (see below).

On Friday 24 February you can join Phil Okwedy for an interactive storytelling workshop from 11am-1pm. For adults, tickets cost £2 – booking is essential.

Entertain the children on Thursday 16 February from 3-4pm, with ‘Jungle Crafts’ – a free activity suitable for children aged 3+. Booking is advised for all free events. To book free events and buy tickets visit Eventbrite online or call 01935 812683.

Running out of room

Do you have a plot of land you don’t know what to do with? Well, how about turning it into a cemetery?

BURIAL spaces in Gillingham are almost full, so the town council has hatched a plan to address the issue.

They want to hear from anyone who has a piece of land they could purchase, in order to create a new cemetery to serve the town.

A town council spokesperson said: “Gillingham Cemetery was opened in 1890 and is the resting place for more than 4,000 (people). In 2015, the town council removed paths to create additional burial plots. However, the majority of these areas are now full, and the town council is looking for land to create a new cemetery.”

In many countries on the continent, burial spaces are reused after a period of time. The lack of this process in the UK means space is running out across the country.

According to the University if York, an audit of burial space in London, published in 2011, showed many authorities were struggling for burial spaces.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests the problem is not restricted to large metropolitan areas,” the university added.

“Other burial authorities also report problems, for example with financing the purchase of new land for burial and securing appropriate land at a reasonable distance from the community to be served.”

A BBC survey, completed in 2013, found a quarter of local authorities only had sufficient burial space to last 10 years – to 2023.

In December last year, cemetery experts called on the government to revisit the Victorian-era laws overseeing burials in the UK, which prohibit the reuse of graves.

Also at the end of last year, the Law Commission launched a review of burial and cremation law.

No date on any outcome is known.

Anyone with land they think might be suitable for a new cemetery should contact the town council clerk, Julie Hawkins, on 01747 823588.

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine DEADLINES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre,

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

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

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

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

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

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

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

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

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

Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

www.valecraft.co.uk

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

www.valecraft.co.uk

Telephone 01747 826888

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

Gillingham, SP8 5JG (Showroom by appointment only)

www.valecraft.co.uk

www.valecraft.co.uk

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

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

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Telephone 01747 826888

Telephone 01747 826888

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

www.valecraft.co.uk

Tel: 01747 826888

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Photo by Zach Lezniewicz on Unsplash

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THE LUXURY LAMPSHADE COMPANY

A one-of-a-kind lampshade boutique opened in the heart of Wincanton in August 2022 and has since attracted the attention of homemakers and interior designers from Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and beyond!

The Luxury Lampshade Company specialises in hardback single-and double-sided lampshades across a range of shapes and sizes, from large contemporary drums, to small ovals and squares and more traditional empire shades. You’ll also find a carefully curated collection of artisan lamp bases and artwork available for purchase in store. Every lampshade is thoughtfully designed and lovingly handcrafted on site, allowing them to offer a bespoke service alongside their ready-made collection.

What makes The Luxury Lampshade Company even more special is that all of the designer fabric they use to make their lampshades has been saved from landfill. There is an abundance of surplus fabric from some of the leading names in the interiors industry and a lot of it has, sadly, been destined for landfill. Founder and Designer Maker, Laura, says “We can’t bear the thought of these high-end materials going to waste, so we purchase them to create beautiful, limited-edition lampshades that you’ll be hard pushed to find anywhere else”. Whether you’re starting from scratch and need some inspiration or you have a clear vision of your new lampshades, Laura will carve out time to understand what you’re looking for, advise on shape, size and fabric and bring your perfect shades to life.

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7 Market Place, Wincanton, BA9 9LL

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Email: hello@theluxurylampshadecompany.co.uk

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Fovant Independent Ladies Group

Originally a small Women’s Institute group, FILGroup became independent in 2015 in order to reduce running costs and work towards becoming a more informal get together of friends and newcomers.

Meetings take place once a month on a Thursday evening in Fovant Village Hall and are accompanied by various interesting speakers or organised craft workshops.

Each year a local charity is chosen by the members and supported by raffles and donations. Everyone is welcome, membership is £25 for the year and non-members £4 per visit.

January saw the group back in the village hall and in good cheer, despite a very wet and miserable day. To celebrate a new meeting time for the New Year (2.30-4.30pm instead of in the evenings for at least the next three months) the ladies enjoyed a convivial afternoon of tea and cakes and a glass of prosecco with the option of learning how to make a beaded necklace. Everyone took up the workshop and there were some very impressive results. Thanks to Linda Bailey for doing such a great job as head teacher.

The next FILGroup meeting will be on 9 February in the village hall at 2.30pm. Professor Nigel North will be talking about PTSD: “The Hidden Menace”. The ladies hope to see as many of you as can spare the time, men included, to find out more about this very perplexing subject.

For more info please contact filgroup15@gmail.com

Halcyon days of Gillingham club sadly over

Town bids a fond farewell to community hub that has entertained the elderly for 50 years

GILLINGHAM Day Club has been meeting for coffee, board games, lunch and a jolly good natter for the last 50 years and during that time the committees of the day have organised coach trips and representatives from local organisations to speak with them.

The club has enjoyed celebrations, including members’ special birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Special lunches have been organised to mark the milestones over the years, not least its 50th birthday when the town mayor Councillor Sharon Cullingford and the deputy mayor Councillor Barry Von Clements joined the members for a celebratory lunch. Some of the kitchen helpers, without whom the club could not have stayed open, also joined members to celebrate.

Today’s members are eternally grateful for all of the committee members, cooks and kitchen staff too numerous to mention from over the year. There have been many friendships formed and some very sad losses over the years.

Gillingham Day Club would like to acknowledge the help, cooperation and support it has received from the caretakers of the Gillingham Youth and Community Centre.

Family Law Advice

Family Law Advice

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

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

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

To book an appointment please call us on 01747 852377

MP’s missing pooch appeal

Simon Hoare’s dog Jerry, inset, has been missing since last Friday

Sew Jessalli Sewing School

MP Simon Hoare and his ‘distraught’ family are appealing for help to find their missing dog.

Mr Hoare (Con, North Dorset) has been searching for Jerry the terrier, who went missing on Friday, January 27.

“Jerry, our terrier has gone missing/awol/walkabout,” the MP wrote on Twitter.

“He’s chipped so if found please dm or email me.

“I’ve three very distraught daughters (and Mrs H and I aren’t feeling particularly grand either).”

Since his initial appeal, Mr

Hoare and his family have been searching for Jerry, with no success.

Policiticans and members of the public have been pledging their support for the family.

James Vaughan, former chief constable of Dorset Police, said: “Ahh, hope you find him soon Simon.”

And others offered tips in locating a missing canine.

Lady Hope wrote: “Go back to thelast place you had him and leave an item of clothing with your scent there.

“Keep checking back to that spot.”

Sew Jessalli is a creative space for people of all ages to learn how to sew and progress their sewing and crafting skills. Visit our shop and sewing school to stock up on your basic supplies and get inspiration for your next projects. If you want to advance any skills you can book one-to-one lessons with us. Or if you fancy meeting likeminded creatives, you can join our weekly craft clubs. They’re a fun, social time to get your projects finished and

bounce ideas off each other. We can’t wait to welcome you to Sew Jessalli.

Dorchester train station makeover any day now

Progress on ‘overhauling’ a railway station site and demolishing an ‘eyesore’ building could be made soon, according to a Dorset MP

CHRIS Loder (Conservative, West Dorset) has urged South Western Railway (SWR) to ‘finally’ demolish the disused Red Star Parcel building at the Dorchester South station site.

The MP made the call as part of his campaign to improve the station, which includes lobbying for refurbishments to overhaul the station building’s accessibility and to improve facilities for rail users.

SWR has now confirmed demolition work is set to begin in February.

“I have championed Dorchester South many times in Parliament,” Mr Loder said.“This is also why I have been fully making the case for this station to properly reflect its status as gateway to Dorchester and West Dorset more widely.

“I am hoping to see progress shortly to finally overhaul the station building with the interests of our many disabled passengers at heart and look forward to the day, hopefully soon, that the eyesore parcel building will be demolished.”

Mr Loder said he put the challenges to SWR regional

development manager Andrew Ardley during a recent meeting at the station.

They also discussed the need for a properly accessible station for disabled passengers seeking to travel between platforms.

“After much work in ensuring all parties are aligned in a way forward, I am strongly supporting an Access for All funding bid with the Government which, if successful, will ensure this vital local station is able to be fully accessible for all those wishing to travel,” Mr Loder added.

An SWR spokesperson said work on the demolition of the building had been rescheduled.

“The demolition of the former Red Star parcels building has now been rescheduled for the weekend of 4–5 February,” they said.

“It was due to take place in December during track maintenance work in the area, however this was cancelled when strike action was called.”

Our loose Canon

There’s a need for honourable champions at the top of the political pile…

by Canon Eric Woods

I CAN’T tell you how much I am looking forward to the institution and installation of the new Vicar of Sturminster Newton, Lydlinch and Hinton St Mary next month. Since my wife and I moved to Stur following my retirement from Sherborne Abbey, I have had to spend far more time than I reckoned on helping to keep “church” alive in our Benefice. Along with two other retired priests, I don’t think we have made a bad fist of it – and the laity have been marvellous.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. But once a priest, always a priest. We don’t strike, go on demos or constantly complain about our lot. We still regard our role as a vocation – a calling – and if earthly rewards are pretty lean in comparison with other trades and professions, we dare to believe that our prospects are out of this world!

At least there has been a little more time to read, and latterly I have been reading about two politicians in the first half of the 20th century. They were on different sides of the party-political divide, but had a great

deal of time and respect for each other. They both deserve the now long-forgotten title of “statesman”. They weren’t mired in the grubbiness of party politics, and wheeling and dealing. They were men of honesty and integrity. They had a massive sense of duty, and obligation to public service, and a huge appetite for work. Who do I mean? Well, not that devious fornicator David Lloyd George (who seems to be a role model for many of today’s politicians), or lazy old Stanley Baldwin. I mean Neville Chamberlain and Ernest Bevin. Chamberlain? Perhaps you have bought wholesale into the caricature of him as the pin-headed innocent who was duped into appeasement by Adolf Hitler. Read his biography by Walter Reid [The Passionate Radical] and you will change your mind. And Bevin? A Union leader regarded by Chamberlain as the most honourable champion of the “working class”. Read Alan Bullock’s magisterial three-volume biography [Ernest Bevin: Foreign Secretary

1945-1951] and you will see what I admire about him.

Of course, they both had their faults. Who hasn’t? But constantly I found myself wondering, why don’t we have statesmen anymore? Why do our political parties seem to be mired in sleaze and scandal? Why does there seem to be a new revelation every week about politicians who have been fiddling taxes, accepting bribes, making unacceptable sexual advances?

Of course there have always been bad apples in the political barrel. But it’s time to empty the barrel and get rid of them. I have been told over and over again in recent days, “we need a General Election, to clear the air”.

Would that work? I don’t know. But I cannot but recall the words of Oliver Cromwell to the Rump Parliament in 1653: “You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

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Art to brighten dark months

An exhibition by Shaftesbury’s Richard Hoare runs at Messums, Tisbury, until 26 February

by Katrina ffiske

Shaftesbury artist Richard Hoare has a new exhibition, Threshold, at Messums Wiltshire, Tisbury. Most of the works in this exhibition feature the landscape of the remote and westernmost fringe of Europe – the hills of Achill in Mayo and the north-west coast of Scotland.

Light floods into Richard’s studio from a window in the eaves. It’s organised and tidy; one table on wheels holds a large board used as a mixing palette and a long wooden rack with a tight range of colours carefully arranged in separate bays.

“From early on I have used a limited palette,” Richards tells me. “I never use paint in its raw format and I use a very narrow range of brushes, occasionally using sticks.” As a student Richard spent time at the V&A, The National Gallery and Tate Gallery, where he was particularly inspired by Rembrandt. “I saw how few colours were in his palette and was inspired to paint in a similar way improvising from what was available.”

Richard likes to paint surrounded by nature, standing for hours at a time, capturing and absorbing his surroundings. “There is always light and movement in the

landscape. I don’t resist the change of light and weather, I embrace it with paint. One time the wind was so strong, the board I was painting took off. I had to let go as it and I tumbled into the undergrowth.”

“While painting the works for Threshold, I lost myself in the remote landscape of Ireland and Scotland, finding myself connecting with the ancient prehistoric cultures.”

On the back of each painting is a solar date mark, the numbers referring to how many days have passed since the last winter solstice. “I believe the waves of renewal constant in Nature are rarely so perceptible than on the day after the winter solstice, when the days lengthen once more. My work focuses on light, so by including this date mark I am acknowledging the central role and orientation towards the sun in my work.”

Richard’s works are inspiring, a mixture of abstract and representational. I left his studio seeing the clouds, landscape and light with new, keen eyes. This exhibition, Threshold, couldn’t come at a better time – the light, bright paintings are a breath of fresh air during the dark months of winter.

Threshold runs until 26 February at Messums, Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury (SP3 6LW) www.messumswiltshire.com

An Corrán – Winter Evening by Richard Hoare

Live the life you choose at home

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Spotting wildflowers in early spring

As winter recedes to make way for spring, you’ll start to see flashes of light and colour in the undergrowth as the early spring wildflowers begin to emerge. Here are three to look out for when walking in your local area

by Alex Hennessey, Dorset Wildlife Trust

(March to July)

The marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), as its name suggests, can be found in wet woodland, ponds, marshes, damp meadows and ditches. Its bright yellow blooms, reminiscent of buttercups, make

it easy to spot. Even before the flowers open, swollen buds that start off like small brussels sprouts and its glossy, deep-green scalloped leaves, give it away. Marsh-marigolds are also a brilliant addition to a wildlife-friendly pond, as it provides shelter for frogs and important early nectar for insects.

Primrose (December to May)

The Primrose (Primula vulgaris) can flower from as early as December in mild winters, appearing and flowering all the way through the spring until May. Their creamy yellow petals with a vibrant yellow centre, perched atop a rosette of wrinkly leaves, make this plant unmistakeable. Primroses thrive in woodland clearings, hedgerows and grassland, and will sometimes even pop up in gardens. Primroses are the foodplant of the caterpillars of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly, which is a Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Wood anemone (March to May)

Wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) grow in mature woodland and are easy to identify. They are low-growing, with six to seven large white or pink-tinged ‘petals’ (these are actually sepals) forming a star around a centre of clustered yellow anthers. Its leaves are lobed, and it has a thin, red stem. Wood anemones grow

Lizzie

best in dappled shade and traditional woodland management techniques, like coppicing, can help bring sunlight through the tree canopy to the plants below. Dorset Wildlife Trust carries out woodland management work such coppicing at nature reserves in Dorset such as

Girdlers Coppice in Sturminster Newton, where wood anemones bloom each spring.

over 60 bed frames available

To discover and identify more plants and wildlife in your area visit the Dorset Wildlife Trust website: dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ wildlife-explorer

Girdlers Coppice in Sturminster Newton is managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust and boasts a beautiful display of wood anemones at this time of year

Mark Hamblin

Stourhead stalwart adds to Queen’s Green Canopy

Stunning Japanese maple is given pride of place…

HE’s now in his 90s and planted thousands of trees across the Stourhead House estate in his lifetime, but Dennis Chapple said it was a special privilege to plant a Japanese maple as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. He first worked on the estate at age 14 for the Hoare family and then was head forester for the National Trust from 1951 until he retired.

The tree was planted on behalf of villagers in Stourton

and Gasper where Dennis has lived most of his life.

The parish council obtained a grant for the tree and worked with the National Trust team to find a prominent position to site it at the start of the main drive to Stourhead House where it will provide autumn colour as it matures.

The Queen’s Green Canopy provides grants to local groups to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the tree at Stourhead House, marked by a plaque, is one of millions planted up and down the country.

Lighten up

Sustainability is the theme of a trail of lights on display in Wincanton later this month

ARTISTS, shopkeepers, schools and community groups have been invited to create artworks and light installations for the Wincanton Town Festival in Lights. The artworks will feature in 15 locations in and around the town’s High Street, including indoor retail spaces, hidden alleyways and green spaces. Local businesses taking part at the time of going to press are:

Bootmakers

Sara Kirkby

Wonky Dog Gallery

Cale

Gordon & Mary

Phoenix Hair Studio

The Growing Space

Balsam Centre

Rule #65

Camelot Photography

The Luxury Lampshade Company

High Street Records

Cole’s Yard

Seed Cafe

The event is designed to raise the profile of issues surrounding the environment and to attract new and existing audiences into the High Street to experience its architecture, goods and services. It follows a successful event last year and is supported by South Somerset District Council and the Somerset Community Foundation.

Wincanton Town Festival in Lights runs from Saturday 18 February to Saturday 25 February between 6-8pm.

Artworks by Zac Greening (above and below) will be among those on display on and around Wincanton High Street from 18–25 February

Retired head forester Dennis Chapple plants a Japanese maple at Stourhead

Mopping up at the Mill

Walford Mill trustees dashed with mops to Wimborne’s grade II listed mill building as heavy rainfall saw water seeping through the ancient flagstones

ALTHOUGH the ground floor was briefly immersed, swift action and the drop in water levels meant the charity-run attraction has been able to reopen to the public as planned after the New Year break.

“What a baptism we’ve had for the new season, but visitors can now expect a dry welcome,” said trustee Greg Hoar.

The Mill Studios and Gallery, open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday every week, are a home to Dorset

Lions foodbank help

Terry Wheeler, chairman of Trustees, wields a mop at Walford Mill

craft makers, artists and visiting exhibitors. February features a photographic display by The Long Exposure Collective. For more information visit www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk

BLANDFORD and District Lions Club has given £1,000 of meat vouchers to Blandford food bank, thanks to generous donations.

Each voucher is worth £20 and allows recipients to buy fresh meat from local butcher Matos.

Gail Del Pinto, from the food bank, said: “These vouchers are an important means of helping us support local families in these very difficult times.”

Pictured are past Lions president James Mayo and Gail Del Pinto.

King Arthur’s School is on the up

the next step in our adventure.

“We are thrilled that the inspectors have recognised the rapid progress we have made and validated all the tangible success and hard work of leaders, staff, students and our families.

KING Arthur’s School has been upgraded to ‘requires improvement’ after a recent visit from Ofsted inspectors.

The new rating is an improvement for the West Hill school, which joined the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) in April, 2019.

Inspectors praised progress at school, under headteacher Jen Jacklin, awarding it a ‘good’ rating for personal development and praising students, saying they are ‘active citizens who contribute to the community’.

The report said the school ‘is now ambitious and reflects the high aspirations they have for all pupils’.

Mrs Jacklin said: “We have been on an amazing journey at King Arthur’s and have achieved so much and we now look forward to

TUTORING FOR DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY, GCSE & A-LEVEL 01258 473598

HANFORD

OPEN MORNING

Saturday 4th March 9.30am - 1.00pm

Independent boarding and day school for girls aged 7 to 13

To book call Karen on 01258 860219 or email her at admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk hanfordschool.co.uk

“We are proud of our school and its place in the community. We have grown in every way over the last three years and worked hard to ensure that we live our mission to provide the very best education in all we do, every day.

“We look forward to taking the next step in our journey.”

The inspection report saw the school upgraded across all four Ofsted areas, with the new overall grading of ‘Requires Improvement’ sitting in line with the school’s long term improvement plan.

Colin Sinclair, CEO of SAST, said: “We are incredibly proud of our team at King Arthur’s, they have shown ambition and determination over the last three years.

“They have turned the school around and are midway through implementing its strong improvement plan, which is already addressing the actions points from this inspection.

“The school continues to go from strength to strength, with admission numbers rising 20 per cent in the last year.

“We are excited that our families have recognised the fantastic educational experience that King Arthur’s offers, and are actively choosing King Arthur’s for their children.

“We look forward to welcoming even more students in September 2023.”

For more on the school, log on to www.kingarthurs.org.uk.

Science challenge

YOUNG people in Somerset and the surrounding area are being invited to take part in a digital challenge as part of the Somerscience Festival being held in Castle Cary and Bruton in May.

The festival is working with TCS, the UK’s largest computer consultancy, to challenge youngsters aged between nine and 14 to develop their computer science and design thinking skills.

They are challenged to design an app – about saving water, sustainable fashion, reducing food waste or anything else – to help people take action to reduce the impact of climate change.

School teams can compete or individuals or groups of young people can enter with a parent’s consent. The goal is to design a prototype on a storyboard and to create a three-minute video to pitch the idea.

Finalists will be invited to show their video at the festival and the winner will be announced by TCS live on stage.

To sign up or to find out more email team@somerscience. co.uk or go to the contact form at the bottom of the website home page www.somerscience.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 31 March.

A Wincanton school has been praised for improvements since it was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2017

Inspectors rate Hanford ‘Excellent’

A Vale school is celebrating after being rated as ‘excellent’ by inspectors

HANFORD School, an independent day and boarding prep school for girls, has received the rating across the board following an ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) Inspection.

Inspectors visited the school over four days in November 2022 and looked at all areas of the educational offer, including pastoral care, the girls’ development and the school’s overall compliance against the ISI’s required standards.

Headmaster Rory Johnston said: “To pass with such flying colours is a wonderful endorsement of the education and care that the girls receive at Hanford.

“The inspectors clearly saw the benefit of our approach to education, where creativity, freedom and discovery is nurtured alongside encouraging girls’ confidence and instilling a life-long love of learning.”

The report praised a range of aspects of education at the school.

“Pupils have excellent study skills. They are highly organised in the presentation of

responses to tasks interesting and clear,” it said.

It added: “Pupils achieve highly and make strong progress over time, in successful fulfilment of the school’s aim to enable pupils to fulfil their potential.”

Mr Johnston met teaching and support staff this week at the start of the spring term

the inspection.

He said: “Such a successful inspection is not a result in itself – rather it is a validation of all the wonderful work that staff and pupils do all the time at Hanford.”

For more information and to read the full report, visit wwww.hanfordschool.co.uk/ welcome/inspection-reports

School wins international reading award

Sherborne Primary School pupils rack up 64 million words in an outstanding year of reading, devouring 9,922 books in 365 days!

PUPILS and staff at Sherborne Primary School are celebrating after winning the Renaissance Award for Success and Achievement, beating schools from around the world, after an outstanding year of reading by pupils throughout the school.

for their dedication to teaching, as well as celebrating whole school achievements.

Renaissance’s Accelerated Reader software helps track pupils’ reading age and ability throughout their time at school, and children can keep track of how many books – and even words – they have read each year.

Deputy headteacher Felicity Griffiths said: “Our children love reading because of the vast selection of books in our library, and because they know they can read what they love and what interests them.

“We centre our English curriculum around sharing amazing reads and promoting a love of literature, and because of this we achieve amazing results.

“Over 95 per cent of children in Years 2 to 4 are meeting or exceeding their expected reading age, which is truly fantastic!

“Last year, children in our school read 9,922 books, totalling nearly 64 million words! Pupils can earn awards for the number of books they read, and earn millionaire badges when they exceed that many words.”

The school has also teamed up with Sherborne bookshop Winstone’s to further enrich its library.

A ‘buy a book for the school’ wishlist has been created where families or members of the local community can donate books to the school from the shop.

Anyone interested in donating a book can find out more at www.shop.winstonebooks.co.uk/collections/ sherborne-primary-school-book-wishlist

‘I was running’: How man’s Forrest Gump moment changed his life...

“I WAS like Forrest Gump - I just felt like running.”

In April last year, Ashley Gingell went out for a run, embarking on a journey that would change his life.

At the age of 37, Ashley had stopped playing sport and, having always been ‘big’, weighed in at around 20st.

But that April morning, he decided he wanted to change.

“I just woke up and decided I wanted to run,” said Ashley, who turned 38 on January 26.

“Being big was affecting my confidence and I woke up one morning and felt like runningand that’s what I did.”

After hitting the streets around his Yeovil home, Ashley’s fiancé, Sarah Sinclair, surprised him with a motivational tool - entry to the 2023 Yeovil Half Marathon, in a bid to keep him motivated.

“I didn’t have a choice then. It all took off from there,” he said.

From focussing on his goal of running 13 miles in Yeovil, Ashley attacked his fitness efforts with gusto and continued pounding the streets, developing a passion for running.

“I took to entering races. A 10k in May, which wasn’t particularly fast, but I got through it.”

More followed, and Ashley’s desire grew with the number of miles he was running.

“I get quite competitive. I used to play American football and I tried other things, but I umm-ed and ah-ed about joining a running club because I was doing the same route over and over again, running by myself,” he explained. “I took a while to get the confidence, but I did join the club (Yeovil Road Running Club) and it was probably the best thing I ever did.

“Running with other people and going to different places, club run on a Tuesday, pub run on a Thursday...”

It was through the club Ashley ended up taking a big step - completing his first marathon in September 2022, a whole eight months before he was due to line up in Yeovil.

“I always said I couldn’t run that far. The more I thought about it, I thought, ‘Why can’t I run a marathon’?”

So, five months after taking up running, Ashley crossed the line at the Barnstaple Marathon after being invited along by running club friends Rob and Tim.

But his progress didn’t end there.

“I did another in December with about three weeks’ notice.”

And it was during this run Ashley became aware of his ability.

“I got about halfway round and pulled away a little bit from my friends,” he said. “It was snowing and I stopped at a drinks station and they said I was in seventh position. I couldn’t believe it.

“I had some idea, because I could count the footprints in the snow, so I started checking numbers off.

“When I went to collect my T-shirt and bits at the finish, they said I finished in third.”

More races followed and now, Ashley is looking forward

to finally completing the race set as a challenge by his beloved Sarah back in April - the Yeovil Half Marathon.

However, his sights are set higher.

He was named best newcomer at the YRRC awards for 2022 and is eyeing an ultra-marathon run in the coming months.

He has completed a number of other races, including alongside stepsons Kion, 14, and 11-year-old Taylor. The couple also have a son, Angus,

inches now, a fact Ashley discovered while buying clothes for a new role at his workplace, at Norseland in Ilchester.

“I was a fork lift driver and I saw a job come up,” he said.

“I probably never would have gone for it before, because of how I looked. I don’t think they would have taken me seriously.

“But one of the things I said when I went for it was that if I can go from 20 stone to 12, I can achieve anything. And I got the job.”

Now, he is full of encouragement to anyone who feels they may want to follow in his footsteps - or pursue another hobby to improve their lives.

“Joining the running club was the best thing I ever did,” he added. “If I had stayed running on my own, I don’t think I would have stuck at it. But everyone is so friendly and encouraging, it is more like a family.

“Anyone thinking about starting running, I would say don’t give up. “Enjoying it is the most important thing. The social aspect is the biggest thing for me. I like to be around other people and I have made a lot of friends, just from running.

“But I would urge everyone to find something they love, as I’ve found with running.

“What’s worked for me may not work for someone else, especially if they don’t enjoy running, but perhaps they love swimming, or cycling, or squash.

who is eight.

But Ashley’s achievements have not all been in his running.

His efforts have seen him slim down from 20st to around 12st, a staggering drop of 8st in weight.

His waist has dropped from 42 inches last April, to 29 or 30

“But I think it’s important - if you’re going to stick at something, you have to enjoy doing it.”

As Forrest Gump tells us, ‘You’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on’.

Ashley is certainly moving on - at a run.

Ashley before he took up running, left, and right, after another marathon

Ashley with stepsons Kion and Taylor, who have started running

SNOWDROP WEEKEND

St GEORGE’S CHURCH

Damerham SP6 3HN

11th-12th February

12 noon -4pm

QUIZ EVENING ON

FEBRUARY 24TH at 7.30 pm , cost £ 4 each to be held in Woodlands village hall near Verwood Dorset, in aid of Woodlands Methodist Church. For details phone Brian on 01202 822066

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

CLASSIFIED ADS

SHAFTESBURY LIBRARY HOBBIES SEASON

CONTINUES. Gentle Yoga

11th February, Willow Bird

Feeder Making

18th February.

Fee events 11-12 noon

SCOUT JUMBLE SALE

2pm East Coker Village Hall

25th February

JUMBLE SALE at Marnhull

Royal British Legion

Sackmore Lane DT10 1PR on Saturday Feb 11th.

Doors open 10:15am

Place your ad today

Events

Tug-of-War

Teams of 8 are invited to take part in a new competition.

At The Wessex Heavy Horse Show

SP7 9PL on Sunday 24th September 2023

Prize Pot, Trophy & Prestige to the winners.

Lizzie Wilmot

Classified Ads

call 01963 400186

For further information

wessexheavyhorsesociety.co.uk

Advertising Feature

Blandford Fashion Museum

Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

‘And So To Bed...’

Charting the history of sleepwear, with beautiful nightdresses and stylish pyjamas

Blandford Fashion Museum

Lime Tree House, The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

Reopening February 13 th , 2023

Introducing two new dazzling exhibitions: ‘AND SO TO BED’: The History of Sleepwear and ‘CHANGING TIMES’: The 1920s Plus, other d isplays covering 200 years of fabulous fashion

Tearoom and gift shop

Opening Hours: Monday ; Thursday; Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

‘Changing Times: The 1920s’

Marking 100 years since the Roaring Twenties by showcasing fashion from across 1920s society

Two newly restored dresses will also be on display featuring an original silk poppy

The museum features displays covering 200 years of fabulous fashion, including the Regency, the 1950s and underpinnings

Tearoom and gift shop Opening Hours:

Monday 10am - 4.30pm

Thursday 10am - 4.30pm

Friday 10am - 4.30pm

Saturday 10am - 4.30pm

Adults – £5.50

Seniors (60+) – £4.50

Students (16+) – £3

Children under 16 – Free

Essential Carer – Free

Currently we have no lift access to the 2nd floor

www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

• Lower Stour church services: Sunday 5 February: 10.45am Together Communion

– Blandford St Mary. Sunday 12

February: 9.30am Communion

– Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion – Langton Long; 11am Family Service – Tarrant

Rushton. Sunday 19 February: 9.30am Communion –Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service – Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship –Langton Long; 11am Communion – Tarrant

Keyneston. Coffee and cake –Spetisbury 10-11.30am

February 6 and 20; Coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary 10-11.30am February 16; Coffee stop – Charlton Marshall Parish Centre 10.30am-12.30pm

– Tuesday to Friday.

• Church of the Sacred Heart & St Aldhelm, Westbury, Sherborne: Snowdrop

Remembrance & Thanksgiving Service on Friday 3 February at 11am. An opportunity to remember loved ones and add a name to the Sherborne Book of Remembrance. Refreshments available.

• Digby Memorial Hall: Shrove lunch on Sunday 19 February, 12.30pm for 1pm. Obtain tickets from the parish office in good time so the cooks have plenty of notice for catering purposes. Tickets £10 (adults)/£5 (children).

• Longburton Village Cafe: The cafe in the village church of St James provides tea, coffee – free refills – and great cakes for just £2. It is open on Tuesdays 14 and 28 February

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

To place your classified adverts

CLASSIFIEDS

10.30am-noon.

• Sherborne Abbey: Visiting choir In Ecclesia is singing both services on Sunday 12 February while the Abbey Choir has a week off, and will be singing choral evensong on Saturday 11 February at 5.pm. Music by Stanford, Blair and Berkeley.

• Sherborne Abbey: Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society Concert on Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah with 170 singers drawn from the local community, Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls. Conductor Dan Marks; soprano Sarah-Jane Morris; alto Susan Legg; tenor Andrew Morris; bass Peter Grevatt. Tickets £15, £12 and £10 from 01935 812249 or tickets@sherborne.org

• St Mary’s Stalbridge: 5 February – Family Service

9.30am.

• St Paul’s Church, Sherborne: Warm and welcoming space every Tuesday and Friday until April from 2-5pm. Refreshments will be offered.

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

• Blandford Methodist Church: Sunday services at 10.45am followed by refreshments. Thursdays: coffee and chat with refreshments from 10am-noon.

This is a ‘warm space’ for those wanting to reduce their energy bills for a morning. Fridays: Lunch club for over-55s from noon. Phone Joyce Wild on

ST GREGORY’S CHURCH

MARNHULL, Every Sunday

8am and 10am

07817 505 543 to book a meal – price £5. The church is anxious to offer help to those in need – call steward John Cornish on 07799 516 735. If leaving a message state name and contact details.

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

• Churches in The Donheads, Charlton, East Knoyle, Semley and Sedgehill: A team of friendly people are available to offer home visits. Contact Revd. Kate at rector@ benofbart.org.uk, 01747 830174.

• Community cafes: Every month in St Bartholomew’s Benefice 10.30am-noon, everyone welcome. First Tuesday – St Andrew’s, Donhead St Andrew; second Tuesday – St John’s, Charlton; fourth Tuesday – St Mary’s, East Knoyle.

• Gillingham Methodist Church: Sunday recitals 3pm (about one hour). Admission free, retiring collection. Superb two manual William Sweetland organ restored and enlarged in 2006/2009. Video screen. For details and updates visit the website at www.musicatgmc. org.uk or phone 07817 379006.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

• St Bartholomew’s Benefice: A warm place and a warm welcome at community cafes held every month – first Tuesday – St Andrew’s, Donhead St Andrew; second Tuesday – St John’s, Charlton; fourth Tuesday – St Mary’s, East Knoyle. Everyone is welcome 10.30am-noon.

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

• Sacred Heart, Tisbury, and All Saints’ Wardour Catholic Parish: Sunday Mass times –Sacred Heart, Tisbury 9am, coffee after Mass; All Saints’ Wardour 11am.

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

SNOWDROP WEEKEND

ST GEORGES CHURCH

DAMERHAM SP6 3HN

11th-12 February12 noon

-4pm Come & see the Snowdrops in our Norman Church yard. Home made refreshments plus other stalls. Toilet facilities. A warm welcome to everyone.

• 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

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

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

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

Teachers’ unions should think again

REGULAR readers of my New Blackmore Vale column will know of the importance I place on education. The skills and learning our young people gain from the school experience provides them with the foundation stones of life. Education is the key to open all doors.

With three school aged children I see week after week the huge input teachers make in the development of my daughters. Parents across North Dorset will see the same.

During Covid-19 our schools stayed open – a fact often lost in the media but one I was always at pains to be thankful for. They stayed open to educate the children of key workers as well as vulnerable children. They also provided online engagement for children at home. They have vested huge time since Covid-19 to help children catch up.

Why did they do this? I believe they did so because they, more than anyone else,

Conservative MP for North Dorset

understood and understand the importance of education. I hear and see this in every school I visit.

So, for the reasons above I deplore the fact that teachers have voted for strike action. I hope it can be averted.

When I was at school – a State school in South Wales

should you be interested on the edge of a very large council house estate – we had strike action. I remember how it affected adversely those who could least afford the hit. Indeed, so irritated was I by the strike, that I ended up, as an A-level student, teaching some history classes to the younger pupils. I believed, and believe, that no child of school age should miss out.

There are, of course, additional harms to these threatened strikes. Kids, desperately catching up post-Lockdowns will be disproportionately hit. Working parents, during a time of acute financial and cost of living concerns, will be forced to take time off work to care for their children. In so doing many will forego income as not every job can be undertaken from home and the computer.

So, the strike will hit children hard in education and wider learning terms as well as impacting negatively on parents’

wage packets. Both impacts taking place at precisely the worst time.

There will also be knock-on effects for the delivery of public services – doctors’ receptionists, care workers, health visitors, public transport workers etc having to take time off, and in so doing, causing disruption to a huge number of people’s lives. Businesses tell me one of their big headaches is recruitment, so staff taking time off to look after their children, will also impact the economy of North Dorset. You may be interested to know that most of the above, while also being my sentiments, are the thoughts of a number of teachers who have told me how they feel about the strikes. I share their sense of unease of the disproportionate impact this threatened strike action will have upon those who can least sustain or accommodate it. I would urge the teachers’ unions to think again. Our children –and their families – really do deserve better.

Council defers second home decision

A DECISION over whether to impose full council tax on second homes in Dorset has been delayed.

Dorset Council’s cabinet has taken the decision to defer its ‘Council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties’ report to allow more councillors to be involved before a decision is made.

The report recommends the council takes up flexibilities contained in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which, if it becomes law, will enable the introduction of a 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes.

As written, the Bill requires the council to make a decision a year in advance of introducing a premium on second homes, so the earliest the change could be introduced is from April 2024.

The premium could bring in

an extra £9.5 million of council tax revenue from second home owners each year, from more than 5,700 second homes registered in Dorset.

Another change proposed in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill would enable the council to introduce a premium where a dwelling has been empty for a year.

Deputy Leader of Dorset Council Cllr Peter Wharf was set to present the report at a cabinet meeting on Monday (23 January). However, it was agreed the report should be discussed by as many councillors as possible before it is taken to a vote at full council.

Cllr Wharf said: “Parliament is still considering the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which will give us the flexibility to apply a council tax premium on second homes and other homes if

they have been empty for a year.

“We originally had a report about this on today’s cabinet agenda so that a recommendation could be made to the February full council meeting.

“As the Bill is still being considered in Parliament, we have a great opportunity to further discuss and debate the report locally.”

The report will now be added as a new item to the place and resources overview committee on Thursday 9 February, to consider before providing recommendations to cabinet on 28 February.

If agreed, it will then go to a full council meeting at the end of March, which has been brought forward from April so the proposed introduction of the premium isn’t delayed.

Cllr Wharf added: “This ensures as many different

opinions as possible are heard before we make such an important decision, and demonstrate the transparency of local democracy in Dorset.

“I strongly encourage everyone to follow this report’s committee journey by going to our website and watching our live and recorded video streams.

“If you have an opinion or question about the report, contact us via the committee webpages or engage with your ward councillor to make your views known.

“I look forward to hearing –and participating in – the discussion around this report next month.”

In order for the premium to be implemented in 2024, the Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill must have received Royal Assent by 1 April.

Simon Hoare

Tory sleaze – the continuing story

WHILE pondering the news this week I could not stop thinking about the 1960s Tory Government which loitered on through Macmillan and Douglas-Home but was basically scuppered by the Profumo affair.

This was an unprecedented event triggered by the Tory Minister of Defence telling lies to his political boss and to Parliament. Once this was uncovered, Profumo had to go.

He took the honourable route and resigned. Even so, this was the major contributory factor to the defeat to Harold Wilson’s Labour Party in October 1964.

Apologies for this history lesson but I draw a comparison with the current situation when Tory Ministers are caught in a number of embarrassing positions, yet resignations take an age. Tory standards of morality have transformed since then.

We have witnessed a Tory Chancellor and party chairman who had to settle an outstanding disputed tax bill, including penalty, of a reported £5 million while in charge of yours and my tax affairs.

In addition to which, Nadim Zahawi and his associates threatened an investigative journalist from Tax Policy Associates who wanted to go public with the facts which would have exposed him.

Zahawi even attempted to take the public and colleagues for fools by maintaining he was unaware of any investigation into his tax affairs, despite being summoned to a meeting with HMRC in June 2021.

Questions remain about how much PM Sunak knew and when, with newspapers being briefed that he was provided an ‘informal’ warning before appointing Zahawi.

We also learnt recently that the tentacles of Boris Johnson continue to ensnare the unwary. It has come to light that Johnson’s choice for BBC chairman was not only an old chum of his but was a facilitator in putting Johnson in touch with a remote cousin who secured an

£800,000 loan – to keep him and his new family in the manner to which they were accustomed. You really could not make this up!

Do not forget this is the ‘unruly left-dominated’ BBC which Tory back-benchers are always spitting blood at. Kept in tow by a Tory-subscribing Boris chum!

While the list of Tory sleaze merchants gets ever longer there is a more serious point to be made here. A point about trust.

All the while this weak and vacillating premier who promised a government of ‘integrity, accountability and professionalism’ allows these matters to rattle on, so the credibility of the Tory Party continues to plummet.

The Profumo Affair of the 1960s was bemoaned by Macmillan as ‘events’. With this current Conservative lot, it is a saga of immorality that never seems to end.

Questions on ‘Levelling Up’ agenda

EXTRA maths this week – if you take away £15 billion and then put back £4 billion, are you up or down? If you put something that you should be doing anyway into a pot called ‘Levelling Up’, have you made any progress? If you maintain an iron grip at the centre on all the decision-making associated with levelling up, haven’t you just entirely missed the point?

Meanwhile, as a nation we are falling behind in crucial areas, especially in industrial investment, especially in the regions that are furthest behind, including the South-West.

The truth is that for three years this Government has had its eyes off the ball, Covid-19 notwithstanding. It has been distracted by its leadership issues and knocked off course by Brexit realities and other self-inflicted economic wounds.

Worse, though, it is being led by a much-monied few.

Oligarchs, if you like. Not only do they not seem to understand what gives at street level but they seek to sustain the environment in which they rose to the top including, it seems, an interactive role for donors and

other influencers.

If you want levelling-up, fairness, equality of opportunity. If you want non-partisan professional people on the job, then a fit-for-purpose modern electoral system is an essential condition, a sine qua non – sorry, the Latin translation is for Boris.

It is only by working together across the nation that we can get the elitism, the Home Counties focus out of government.

You will not get that by see-sawing from blue to red, red to blue every few years. Nor do you get it by backing one lot for more than a decade. As we are seeing now, that gives rise to a preoccupation with careers, with prospects for re-election rather than a focus on what needs to be done and how best to do it.

Lib Dems know that the way ahead is about innovative policies that improve fairness and inclusiveness – opportunity

for all – across society. We need to be rid of the dead hand of left and right dogmas that prevent practical and necessary change, and which perpetuate many of our deep-seated, structural socio-economic problems.

Politics should be about looking ahead, not hankering for a bygone era or failed ideology, about stopping doing what doesn’t work and doubling down on what does work.

It might mean radical change, even upheaval to get us back on track. It does mean there must be effective, trustworthy communication between government and the governed. It does mean creating the conditions for productive, investment-intensive interaction with industry and commerce on a strategic, purposeful agenda – driving positive change, looking ahead and divesting ourselves of the clutter and baggage of the past.

Alan Cross, on behalf of Dorset Labour

Mike Chapman on behalf of Liberal Democrats across the Blackmore Vale

Protests provide a glimpse of light

HAPPILY, there are occasional glimpses of light amid the growing gloom about the worsening environmental situation.

Let’s face it, the situation isn’t a happy one however you look at it.

Except, of course, for those people who refuse to accept the science and the evidence of steadily increasing global temperatures, and instead prefer to tune in to the siren voices seeking to reassure us that everything is going to be fine and there’s plenty of time before we need to take action.

The fact is that despite all the annual international environmental conferences to date – 27 and counting – and politicians’ promises, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise relentlessly, and the consequent climate impacts are increasingly being felt around the world.

So, what about those

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset

glimpses of light that have helped to stop me from throwing in the towel?

One is the ever-increasing number of citizens who have decide enough is enough and are taking to the streets. Small,

isolated protests are all too easily ignored, so what’s needed are much larger public protests that are impossible to ignore and that will force the media, which to date has been largely hostile, to reassess its response and focus on the message rather than attack the messengers.

Another bright spot was the recent news about the trial of the seven women who in April 2021 broke windows at the offices of Barclays in the heart of London’s financial district.

Protesting about the staggering sums of money that Barclays continues to invest in fossil fuel projects, they wore signs with the Suffragette slogan ‘Better broken windows than broken promises’.

After breaking the windows they quietly sat and waited to be arrested. At their subsequent trail they were found guilty, but instead of being jailed they received suspended sentences.

And Barclays wasn’t

awarded any damages for the window repairs costed at more than £90,000.

I’m well aware that some people reading this will respond by calling the women criminals, and will be outraged they weren’t sent to prison.

I can only invite them to consider who are the bigger criminals, these women willing to risk their freedom to get the climate crisis taken seriously, or the political and corporate decision makers who continue to allow our planet to be diminished to the point of destruction?

Finally, a friend recently posted a picture on social media of a group of people stood looking out at a sunrise, with the words: “We are not here to fear the future. We are here to shape it”.

A simple message, but it helped me to reframe the day’s news which up until that point had been pretty bleak.

Push on for train station upgrades

THE Online Safety Bill was debated just over a week ago in Parliament, and I was one of 37 MPs to sign and support an amendment to this Bill. This amendment proposes to give Ofcom the power to prosecute individual executives from tech companies if they were proven to have ‘connived or consented to breaking the elements of the Bill designed to protect children’s safety’. It would also give power to judges to send such individuals to prison for up to two years.

On Tuesday two weeks ago, I was very pleased to welcome Sherborne School for Girls to visit Westminster. It was great to meet the students and discuss the issues that matter most, as well as the world of politics in general right at the heart of our Parliamentary democracy.

Back in West Dorset, I met South Western Railway at Dorchester South Station to

Conservative MP for West Dorset

Chris Loder

urge it to go even further with its plans to refurbish the station by demolishing the derelict parcel building and finally resolving properly the disabled access issues which I have at every opportunity outlined in the House of Commons. I wrote to the Transport Minister shortly after this to urge him to support a vital ‘Access for All’ bid to install a new lift at the station which I know would make a

huge difference to so many.

Last Friday, 20 January, it was great to speak to so many from in and around Thorncombe at a parish surgery at the village hall and, the next morning, warming up with tea and coffee at Bradford Abbas to discuss another wide range of issues with local people there.

I have been a strong voice in Westminster over the past several months arguing for fair treatment of the many people, particularly in rural areas, reliant on oil tanks for heating in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Last week, the Government set out more detail on which households will be eligible to receive £200 of support under its Alternative Fuel Payments (AFP) scheme, with most eligible households due to receive the payment automatically from 6 February. Most households will not need to take any action to receive the

support. A small proportion of households will need to apply for the AFP if, for example, they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier. More information on the AFP is available on the Gov.uk website.

Considerable concern has been expressed to me in recent weeks over the future of apprenticeship schemes at Kingston Maurward College. I share these concerns both locally and of land-based college programmes across the UK. I spoke out about this on Tuesday during a Westminster Hall debate in the House of Commons. At a time when food security and food sustainability needs to be encouraged however we possibly can, I believe it is imperative that land-based apprenticeship programmes are afforded priority of resources to properly empower young people to take up fulfilling careers in farming.

Stressed nurses facing financial, physical and emotional strain

I WAS disheartened to read Simon Hoare’s opinion in The Alfred: “North Dorset MP Simon Hoare told Alfred that striking nurses and ambulance crews should call off their wintertime action to help ease the pressure on the NHS.”

It is due to his government and its dysfunctional leadership that the NHS is in crisis.

Health care professionals and ambulance service are at breaking point.

They are working with unsafe staffing levels which puts a huge strain on them emotionally and physically which, of course, has an impact on patient care.

Health care professionals do not take striking lightly – they have seen colleagues leave through ill health and poverty, even though they want to continue their career.

They are left short staffed with vacant posts unfilled and the situation is increasingly dangerous every day.

These are the reasons they strike – more harm will come if they don’t.

I recently left the NHS after 20 years’ service, due to staff morale, mismanagement, posts left unfilled and stress.

I nurse now for a local charity which matches NHS pay rates.

Simon Hoare should be asking his PM to sit down and talk with the unions, to call-off the strikes.

If your government does not, more patients will die in the NHS and more staff will breakdown or leave.

All nurses pay annual subscriptions to a governing body for the privilege of being able to work – on top of this many pay to join a union to help protect them.

With the cost of living

increasing how do you expect nurses to afford to live?

Nurses look after other people’s loved ones, many go above and beyond to cover an underfunded service.

This takes away emotionally and physically from their own family.

My family supported my professional development for a year for an extra £47 a month!

I took on more responsibility and learning, knowing I would not be financially rewarded.

People need enough to be able to live and for many this means hyper-inflated costs of rent and child care, hardly frivolous. You can’t get a mortgage on a nurse’s salary!

Some nurses I know and myself included have gone to food banks, how is this right?

Especially in an area as rich as Dorset. The gap is too wide and unsustainable.

Sarah Potts RGN BSc Shaftesbury

A J SELBY’S article – New Blackmore Vale 6 January – was spot on if slightly depressing and it was interesting to read that farmland comes out as the worst for loss of birdlife.

The usual suspect is, of course, insecticide spray but there is another farming operation that isn’t helping and that is the overzealous use of the flail hedgecutter.

Thousands of miles of razor-edged rows of sticks masquerading as hedges are not much good for wildlife with no cover such as ivy or bramble, no blossom or berries, and any potential sapling will never be allowed to reach more than 3ft.

The mystery is that with the price of diesel notwithstanding

this activity has such a high priority in the farming calendar, especially as it doesn’t increase farm income one jot.

A Hammond East Knoyle

CHRIS Loder’s attempt to deliver a cornucopia of achievements – New Blackmore Vale, January 20 –falls flat on its face.

As usual, he skips from topic to topic, always superficial providing no depth at all.

Let’s mention the ‘B’ word, which Mr Loder omitted from his piece.

He tells us that the second reading of the Procurement Bill will remove an existing 350 rules derived from EU regulations and that this will enable businesses to drive down costs.

As a small business owner, since leaving the EU because of Brexit, I have only seen costs rise and so much so that exporting to the largest market on our

doorstep is no longer economically viable.

The Government’s own figures published on January 24 show that the UK will now be 15 years late in achieving its £1 trillion annual export target with its forecast showing a fall to about £707 billion next year.

Rather than dart about like a hapless party foot soldier, can he please give us at least one specific example of how a small business in rural Dorset might benefit from these changes?

If he thinks that my ability to bid for a public sector contract might be it, I worry that I simply do not have the necessary contacts to find and join a VIP lane.

Charles Ellis Blandford Forum

‘

COUNCIL tax rise on the cards...’ – New Blackmore Vale, January 20 – was inevitable, but the commentary was tediously repetitive.

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall – justsocaricatures.co.uk

To divert attention by focusing on the £1.41 a week increase is a cynical trick – there was no mention of the embarrassing reality that the cumulative effect of all those £1.41 equivalents every week of every year has helped drive Dorset’s council tax to the fifth most expensive in the country.

Only Nottingham, Bristol, Rutland and Northumberland were higher in 2022/23.

The other irritating statement that gets wheeled out for its annual mention is: “We continue to lobby government for fairer funding for Dorset so that we can reduce the burden on local taxpayers in future.”

Each year Cllr Flower gives a statement like this, so too the MP, yet the tax just creeps up anyway. All that lobbying is clearly ineffective!

If a positive result were to be miraculously achieved from lobbying efforts, would reducing the burden mean a reduction in council tax?

Or would it mean the funds will be diverted elsewhere and council tax will just go up anyway – because it can – and because councils are now allowed to do so in five per cent increments each year?

Clive Pallot via email

THE letter from Charles Kemp [about the ‘puddle’ flooding the B3145] – New Blackmore Vale, January 20 – made some good points about Dorset Council’s attitude to Stalbridge and probably North Dorset in general.

At a meeting at Durweston village hall in 2019, just after the new council was formed and which I attended as a member of Stalbridge Town Council, I asked a question about the lack of funding for North Dorset going back many decades and if it was going to change.

The council official told me it had looked at the finances going back a long way, and it had accepted this was the case and North Dorset had not had its fair share of financing.

I thought no more of it, wrongfully as it turns out, now

we know that a leopard can’t change its spots and, in this case, never will.

Dorset was given a chance of Levelling Up money – at least six bids – to do things for Dorset. In a town council meeting I asked our ward councillor what the chances were of money to improve Stalbridge’s traffic problems.

These are only going to get worse with all the new homes planned for the town, as we will be 35 per cent larger than we were five years ago when all the houses are built.

I was told we would have no chance at all, the money was going to West Dorset as this would give Dorset Council a bigger bang for its buck.

Stalbridge needs help with its road system – we have several blind junctions, cars parked on roads because there is nowhere else to park and, being on the A357 main road, large lorries and agricultural vehicles.

We need a relief road but any chance of that will disappear when the building site at Station Road is completed, because that is the only easy way to build it.

The bigger picture is to make the relief road bypass Henstridge, Yenston and Templecombe, where a lot of house building is taking place, and which have some of the same problems as ourselves.

Our MPs should be helping with this but I do not hold out much hope.

Bob Lovell Via email

IN response to the letter – New Blackmore Vale, January 20 –about the border collie jumping up and putting muddy footprints on a member of the public.

I totally agree that dogs which cannot be controlled by voice command should be kept on a lead.

There’s nothing worse than an out-of-control dog running up to someone, barking and putting filthy, wet paws on them.

I love dogs and have one, but it doesn’t mean to say I love your dog behaving that way.

As for the owner’s rude

comments, well, what can you say? In fact, I’ll say nothing. A regular Stour meadows dog walker

I READ with interest the new s article in the 9 December edition of the New Blackmore Vale about Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, and police visiting the homes of clean water campaigners.

May I suggest he conducts a survey of all the residents in his constituency to find their opinions on the following issues for which he’s voiced controversial views:

n Should more be done to penalise polluters of Dorset’s rivers and coastline?

n Should we strive to protect Dorset’s wildlife?

n Should conservation bodies in Dorset be valued and supported?

n Should Dorset’s valued green spaces be protected from uncontrolled development?

I expect he will find that few people share his views.

Malcolm Conrad Via email

MANY people in our area are members of the National Trust and enjoy days out at the wonderful properties and gardens we are so lucky to have on our doorstep, but did you know there are National Trust Associations around the country whose aim is to support the work of the trust in their area?

Our local association, the Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association, run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers, is not-for-profit and all moneys raised go to help the properties we support –Stourhead, Montacute House, Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Gardens. We aim to provide little extra comforts for visitors or enhance their enjoyment of the properties.

Recently, our local association provided garden equipment and plants, a wheelchair ramp for Barrington Court, a new bench for Montacute House and tablets for Lytes Cary Manor loaded with a virtual tour of the upper floor, not easily accessible for

visitors with reduced mobility.

These are the type of benefits the association aims to provide for the properties it supports which have been greatly appreciated by the management and visitors.

We obviously need to raise money to provide these extras for the properties and there is a lively social side as well. The association holds lunches in local venues, meetings in the Digby Hall, Sherborne, for a varied series of talks in autumn and winter and day trips in spring and summer to local and not so local places of interest.

As well as all that there are members’ newsletters in spring and autumn to keep everyone up to date.

Recent talks have covered historical crossings on the River Severn, changes in the Dorset landscape over the last 75 years from aerial photographs and what went on at Dunster Castle in 1263!

A coach trip took our members to Winchester for the Christmas market and there are talks on the history of Sherborne Castle Gardens and Life on a Fairground still to come.

Last summer, our outings with coach pick-ups and drop-offs in various places went off to Dunster Castle, Croome Court, The Vyne and the Sandham Memorial Chapel, Castle Drogo and a guided tour of ancient and interesting churches in east Dorset, and for the sprightlier there was an annual walk, this year a gentle stroll up to Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead.

These activities are greatly enjoyed by our members and provide an opportunity to meet friends and visit places which wouldn’t normally be on the agenda, and, of course, raise a little money to help our National Trust properties.

Why not come and join the association? Our membership secretary would love to hear from you on BVYNT membership@outlook.com

Geoff Goater Committee member, Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association

blackmorevale.net

Ready, steady – it’s panto-time!

MEMBERS of Wincanton Amateur Dramatics Society will be taking panto audiences on a journey to the depths of the ocean and to a fabulous little kingdom on land when they present The Little Mermaid.

The show, written and directed by Dani Wood and Charlie Bentley, is packed full of songs, dances, fun, mayhem and everything a panto should be.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We have a great cast. Our mermaid and her prince are played by Hazel Perret and Codi Benson, our evil sea witch is Amanda Graffham and her sidekicks are played by Jayne Bentley and Cara Bentley.

“We have a fabulous and flamboyant Dame played by Mike Benson, our underwater King is played by Owen Hance and our leading boy and girl have best friends played by James Adams and Hope Cook.

“Our mermaid’s sisters are played by Grace Leydon and Poppy Martin – we even have an EHO played by Dawn Henson, and lastly, but by no means least, our Chorus played by Clare Day Maggie Benson, Siobhan Domoney and Yosef Janach.”

The panto is at The Memorial Hall in

Wincanton on Friday 17 February at 7.30pm and on Saturday 18 February at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £10 adults and £5 children and concessions are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk and on the door. Doors open half an hour before the show starts.

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THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (LIVE)

Wednesday 15 February at 7pm

TURANDOT (LIVE)

Thursday 22 March at 7.15pm

CINDERELLA (LIVE)

Wednesday 12 April at 7.15pm

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (RELAY)

Thursday 27 April at 6.45pm

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY (LIVE)

Wednesday 24 May at 7.15pm

IL TROVATORE (LIVE)

Tuesday 13 June at 7.15pm

Rock ‘n’ roll hits from ‘The Big O’ and fellow greats

SOLID gold rock ‘n’ roll hits galore are promised when Barry Steele and friends rock up at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

Steele and a cast of musicians and singers promise to have the audience dancing in the aisles when they present the Roy Orbison and Traveling Wilburys Story on Thursday 9 February.

The first part of the concert is inspired by The Black and White Night TV special filmed in Cocoanut Grove, Los Angeles, in 1988 and featuring Roy Orbison performing alongside Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and KD Lang.

The second part pays tribute to the Traveling Wilburys, the British-American supergroup made up of Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.

Tickets priced £26.50 are available from the box office or on 01935 422884 or visit www. octagon-theatre.co.uk

Arts centre group taking on Grease

THE music and drama group at Shaftesbury Arts Centre is gearing up for its summer production, Grease, with a launch night next week.

The show offers a range of parts from high school students to teachers and other adults, and members of the cast need to be aged 12 or above, although there is no upper age limit.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Even if you are above ‘high school’ age, you may ‘look’ the right age in the right costume, so please do not hesitate to come along.”

The group would also like to hear from anyone who would

like to get involved backstage, with lighting, props, costumes or set building.

The spokesperson added: “We are also looking for people who would like to be part of the band – we need keyboard, bass guitar, electric guitar and tenor saxophone.”

The launch night is on Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm – anyone who cannot get along but would like to be involved should email stage@ shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Grease runs from Thursday to Saturday 6-8 July and Thursday to Saturday 13-15 July.

Barry Steele and friends are coming to the Octagon Theatre

Half-term fun at the village hall

ENTERTAINMENT for youngsters is on offer around Dorset this February half-term with three professional children’s theatre companies on tour.

Georgia & The Iceberg, from Dorsetborn is at Child Okeford village hall (01258 861621) on Wednesday 15 February at 10.30am, Winfrith village hall (01305 853783) on Thursday 16 February at 10.30am; and Broadwindsor Comrades Hall (07796 454203) at 3.30pm. It is suitable for children seven-plus.

The King of Nothing is a magical puppet musical for all the family presented by Monstro and Little Angel Theatre. The anarchic re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s Emperor’s New Clothes is at Litton Cheney community hall (01308 482514) on Friday 17

Artists’ showcase at theatre

MEMBERS of Yeovil Art Group are showcasing their latest work in a New Year Exhibition at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

The display includes original paintings and drawings on many subjects in mediums such as graphite, pastel, oils, acrylic, coloured pencil and watercolour.

The work on show in the theatre’s Gallery Bar and Restaurant is available to buy at

February at 11am.

Paddleboat Theatre Company is promising a perfect first-time theatre experience for little ones when it takes Hansel & Gretel to Sixpenny Handley village hall (01725 552812) on Monday 13 February at 11am.

The performances are held in conjunction with Artsreach, Dorset’s rural arts charity. For more information and tickets visit its website at www. artsreach.co.uk

affordable prices.

The exhibition runs until Saturday 4 March and is open Monday to Saturday, 1-4pm. Admission is free

Corn Laws in the spotlight

LOCAL history author Philip Browne will talk about a violent episode in Dorchester’s past at the town’s Shire Hall Museum tomorrow (Saturday 4 February).

In 1850, on a wet February day, a violent disturbance over the Corn Laws culminated an irate farmer killing a 19-yearold youth.

The subsequent manslaughter trial at the Shire Court revealed

a deep split in Dorset society and led to a verdict many saw as a miscarriage of justice.

Mr Browne explains why the Corn Laws provoked such strong feelings and pitted Dorset landowners against free traders and Dorchester’s poor.

The talk, ‘Sticks and Stones, the trial of John Brake, 1850’, is at 2pm and tickets are £6 on the door or from www.shirehall dorset.org/whats-on

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE

Hansel and Gretel at the Gingerbread House

Lazy Afternoon, by Faye Edmonton of Yeovil Art Group

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The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

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Rockies’ late late show

Aiden Shepherd put 1888 ahead with a smart turn and finish in the 13th minute.

by Avril Lancaster

United Services Portsmouth 2

Shaftesbury FC 1888 4

Wessex League Premier

SHAFTESBURY hauled victory from the jaws of defeat at HMS Temeraire with three goals in the 86th, 88th and 90th minutes to give manager Luke Burbidge, Jim Milligan and Sam Lanahan three points.

That followed the disappointing result against Laverstock & Ford, a side United Services Portsmouth had beaten 4-0 in December.

SCHOOL SPORT

But the home side went 2-1 ahead through Dan Sibley and Danny Burroughs before Burbidge made changes in the last quarter of an hour.

Dominic Pansear-Dower was the creator, along with Bailey Rowe, as Liam Farrugia headed Shaftesbury level.

Nathan Walker repeated the feat to put 1888 ahead and another substitute, Sam Bayston, broke through forcing Owen Craig to save, before hooking in the fourth.

That sealed a much-needed three points to move Shaftesbury up to 7th place.

Dorset Athletics tournament success

PUPILS from St Andrew’s Primary School, Fontmell Magna, emerged victorious in the Dorset Athletics tournament at Gillingham School.

Their agility, strength and

fitness were put to the test in events including relays, speed bounce, triple jump, long jump, vertical jump, obstacle course, chest push and javelin.

Headteacher Debbie Brown

Ade’s out in front in tough conditions

ANGLING

by Simon Hebditch

THE sixth and final round of Gillingham AA’s winter championship was fished in tough conditions on the River Stour from Trill to Catholics.

The 18 anglers had to contend with a very fast-flowing river and temperatures of minus six degrees, so the river fished hard and chub were the order of the day.

The winner was Adie West who drew peg 59 at Catholics. Adie caught a couple of chub and a roach on the stick, before adding another couple on the bread feeder to weigh 9-09.

said: “Watching our young people thrive in this competitive environment was an absolute pleasure and highlighted so many talented individuals –many of whom lacked

Runner-up was Craig Fletcher who drew Blackthorns, peg 39 at Trill, and caught a couple of chub on the stick to weigh 4-07.

Other places went to: 3 Rich Fripp 4-02; 4 Richard Cake 4-01; 5= James Kiernan and Dave Anders with 2-05.

Dave Anders won the knock-out.

The final winter league table is set to be announced in the coming week once match officials have made final tallies.

The next match is the club pairs match on 5 February followed by the Upper Stour Dave Hillier Memorial Match on 19 February, which is an open. For both fixtures contact the club on 01747 823159.

confidence and doubted their capabilities, yet they prevailed!”

The tournament win propels the children into the County Athletics final hosted at Purbeck School later this year.

Jill’s hole-in-one

GOLFER Jill Scott bagged a hole-in-one on the 130-yard seventh hole at Sherborne Golf Club last week during a five clubs and a putter competition.

Jill, pictured holding the hole-in-one salver, also had a hole-in-one at Mendip golf course four years ago.

Two other ladies section members, Kim Kennedy and Shirley Dark, had holes-in-one last year.

GOLF

Rockies boss Luke Burbidge and Jim Milligan

Sampson makes hay in North Dorset local derby

by Andrew Wallace Clune

Blandford 1st XV 12

NDRFC 1st XV 50

NORTH Dorset 1st XV travelled to Blandford for the local derby, and it was the home side that took an early lead when scrum-half Oli Richards exploited the blindside of a scrum, before chipping the winger then winning the race to the try line to score an unconverted try after seven minutes.

But North hit back with captain Charlie Jobling leading the way, shrugging off several would-be tacklers to score two minutes later, and fly-half Will Johnson converted to give North the lead.

Jake Cannings crossed shortly after, finishing off a try from lovely interplay between Jobling, Henry Dimmack, Luke Biggs and Jaime Bettesworth.

Sean Perry added to the try tally on the other wing finishing off a strong kick return from Rylie Lewis, which Johnson

converted.

Number 8 Brad Bignell returned to the North Dorset 1st XV after a period of injury and his hard running was rewarded with a try.

North’s pack had the measure of Blandford in the scrum and Robbie Sampson was the benefactor of a good forward driving scrum when Bignell popped the ball to him close to the line for a converted try at the close of the half so that North took the half-time lead 31-5.

Sampson scored North’s first two tries of the second half, both of which were converted to see them increase the pressure on the home side.

But Blandford kept playing hard rugby and pushed North all the way. Inside centre Conor Homes showed some initiative and took a quick tap inside the 22 to stroll over for Blandford with 20 minutes to go for a try that saw Ryan Boardwell adding the extras.

North Dorset’s debutant Henry Morgan scored the last

try of the day with his second touch of the ball to see the final score 50-12 in favour of North Dorset.

Brandon Ward, Will Willoughby and Sam Stinton had strong games defensively, and Sam Trevis threatened all day at 12. Robbie Sampson was awarded the Gritchie Brewing Company man-of-the-match award for his three tries and for the second week in a row Rylie Lewis won the Richard Poe Shield. North Dorset Badgers 43 Bradford on Avon 12 NORTH Dorset 2nds hosted a crunch match against Bradford on Avon in a must win match and must win they did.

Richard Miller, Charlie Coleman and Jake Hunt had strong performances in the pack, while Tom Nicholls and Jack Lennane led the way in the backs.

Dave Allen, Lennane, Toby Davies and Sam Rose scored tries, and Miller and Hunt scored two tries each. Elijah Taylor converted four.

n TOURNAMENT results: Division One singles, winner – Chris Watkins (Stalbridge); runner-up - Adam Dewey (East Stour). Division Two Singles, winner – Peter Jones (Compton); runner-up – Steve Ible (East Stour).

WINCANTON Golf Club results.

Seniors Monthly Stableford – 6 January: 1 Simon Lenton 38; 2 Phil Francis 37; 3 Kevin Francis 36.

Seniors Winter Fourplay Best Ball – 13 January: Winners –Trevor Mills/Cliff Hibberd 19 points.

Winter Fourplay Foursomes – 14 January: 1 Rab Clyde/Mike Taylor 42; 2 Pete Anyan/Phil Francis 34; 3 Chris Chapman/ Trevor Mills 31; 4 Adam Smith/ Steven Ireland 28; 5 Kevin Francis/Simon Lenton 26. Monthly Medal – 21 January: 1 Jim Phillips nett 69; 2 Ricard Czemerda 72 ocb; 3 Ray Hirst 72.

Wincanton Ladies FC 2

Pen Mill Ladies Reserves 0

WINCANTON Town Ladies FC recorded their second victory of the season beating Pen Mill

Ladies Reserves for the second time. In a well contested game, Heather Wise slotted home WTL’s first before Donna Hitchens coolly converted a penalty to seal the match.

TABLE TENNIS

RUGBY

GOLF

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Arrow words

Crossword

Fashion Designers

1 Naked (6)

2 More mentally fit (5)

3 Not emotionally entangled (5-4)

5 Shout disapproval (3)

6 Supply too many staff (7)

7 Culinary herb (5)

8 Promise on the Bible, eg (5,2,4)

13 Most recent previous date (9)

15 Space-station entry area (7)

16 Declared (6)

17 Keyed in (5)

19 Make use of (5)

21 Period of history (3)

6 3 4

3

9 3 1 7 2 1 6 4 2

Brain chain

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

Killer sudoku

Cryptic crossword

Across

1 Condescend to sojourn around Ohio (5)

Across

Down

1 Condescend to sojourn around Ohio (5)

4 Eastern way of speaking not caught in variant of a newspaper? (7)

4 Eastern way of speaking not caught in variant of a newspaper? (7)

9 Graduate with tie and car spread microorganisms (8)

10 Some comedian affectedly vulgar (4)

2 Jewelled headwear? It is put up by a London art institution (5)

9 Graduate with tie and car spread microorganisms (8)

3 Old team played with a line in pale brown

10 Some comedian affectedly vulgar (4)

5 Small drink before a moment is restricted friend in a sensational way (12)

11 A warm drink found in good university – and cake (6)

11 A warm drink found in good university – and cake (6)

6 Smell initially ignored in freshwater fish (5)

7 Policeman averse to cooked rice (7)

12 A medic touring hospital spontaneously (2,3)

13 Firm with a liberal source of energy (4)

12 A medic touring hospital spontaneously (2,3)

13 Firm with a liberal source of energy (4)

15 Greek character in hotel embraced by another (3)

16 Recalled regret over currency (4)

17 District fringing new stadium (5)

19 Area abandoned around Malta nearly (6)

21 Aspect of the sea is drawn, it’s said (4)

8 Old car Liam’s repaired showing selfcongratulatory attitude (12)

15 Greek character in hotel embraced by another (3)

16 Recalled regret over currency (4)

14 Enthusiastic acclaim on a TV I fancy after Oscar is given (7)

17 District fringing new stadium (5)

19 Area abandoned around Malta nearly (6)

16 Unusual names arranged almost as a crowd (2,5)

21 Aspect of the sea is drawn, it’s said (4)

18 Put up some reflective rectangles (5)

22 Sickly American, one in operation? That’s false idea (8)

22 Sickly American, one in operation? That’s false idea (8)

23 Analysis is broadcast to many around Austria (7)

Across

24 Northern jug is more recent (5)

1 Condescend to sojourn around Ohio (5)

4 Eastern way of speaking not caught in variant of a newspaper? (7)

9 Graduate with tie and car spread microorganisms (8)

10 Some comedian affectedly vulgar (4)

11 A warm drink found in good university – and cake (6)

12 A medic touring hospital spontaneously (2,3)

13 Firm with a liberal source of energy (4)

15 Greek character in hotel embraced by another (3)

16 Recalled regret over currency (4)

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

17 District fringing new stadium (5)

19 Area abandoned around Malta nearly (6)

21 Aspect of the sea is drawn, it’s said (4)

22 Sickly American, one in operation? That’s false idea (8)

23 Analysis is broadcast to many around Austria (7)

24 Northern jug is more recent (5)

20 Make noise in retirement? (5)

23 Analysis is broadcast to many around Austria (7)

24 Northern jug is more recent (5)

2 Jewelled headwear? It is put up by a London art institution (5)

3 Old team played with a line in pale brown (7)

5 Small drink before a moment is restricted by friend in a sensational way (12)

6 Smell initially ignored in freshwater fish (5)

7 Policeman averse to cooked rice (7)

8 Old car Liam’s repaired showing selfcongratulatory attitude (12)

14 Enthusiastic acclaim on a TV I fancy after Oscar is given (7)

16 Unusual names arranged almost as a crowd (2,5)

18 Put up some reflective rectangles (5)

20 Make noise in retirement? (5)

For the solutions, turn to page

Clarke’s gets new sale year rolling

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley is preparing for its first sale of the year being held on the second weekend of February.

A saleroom full of period and modern furniture will include a Merrow Associates style glass dining table, Julian Chichester Design furniture and two stylish chandeliers designed by the American designer Tony Duquette for Remains Lighting.

Period pieces of furniture include a 19th century teak Campaign chest, mahogany and pine chest of drawers and a ‘Sweeny Todd’ hydraulic barber’s chair commissioned for a theatrical production, perfect for the man-cave!

Two impressive scratch-built model boats are also consigned, which were popular in the Victorian period up to the

Amazing American cars at auction

middle of the 20th century.

One is a large 1950s river cruiser, about 140cm long, with a painted wooden hull and removable cabin section, powered by a two-stroke single cylinder petrol engine.

The other is an early 20th century scratch-built ten-rater wooden pond yacht with rigging and sails and measures an impressive 154cm long. Both could be used on the water but are more sought after as interior design pieces.

The usual selection of antique and modern furniture, collectables, silver and jewellery, rugs, militaria, paintings and garden furniture and so on will be on offer – the colour catalogue can be viewed on the-saleroom.com and Easyliveauction.com the week before the sale.

Antiques & Collectables Sale

Friday 10th & Saturday 11th February 2023

FOUR vintage American cars dating from 1924 to 1930 are looking for new garages in the Charterhouse specialist auction of Vintage & Classic Cars on Thursday 9 March.

“To say these are imposing cars is probably an understatement,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house. “They are all ready to be enjoyed or possibly used even as a business, as they are perfect for use as wedding hire cars.”

All four cars – a 1924 Buick, a 1927 Packard, a 1928 Packard and a 1930 Cadillac – come to auction from a West Country deceased estate.

They have all been cherished, are well maintained and on the button, and each car is estimated at £10,000-15,000.

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for the

9 March Classic & Vintage Car Auction at the prestigious Haynes International Motor Museum and its Thursday 30 March auction of classic and vintage motorcycles.

Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset, are available for help and valuations on 01935 812277 or via cars@ charterhouse-auction.com

Viewing Thursday 9th February

This 1930 Cadillac Town Car is estimated to sell for £10,000-15,000

Silk top hats from renowned makers

DUKE’S upcoming Sporting & Natural History auction has been creating quite a stir in sporting communities.

The auction, on 15 February, incorporates more than 500 highly collectable lots, beginning with impeccable taxidermy followed by bone and leather whips, vintage fishing and shooting accessories, and sporting pictures.

An exquisite collection of hats, including silk top hats by renowned makers Christy’s of London, Hebert Johnson of London, Dunn & Co of London and Scott & Co of London, is not to be missed.

Viewing begins on Saturday 11 February in Dorchester.

Duke’s is inviting entries for its upcoming spring auctions

which include jewellery, watches, silver, coins, contemporary and fine art.

The antiques market is stronger than ever – operating on three online platforms ensures every item achieves global awareness.

Auction results have shown this with a striking sapphire and diamond Cartier brooch selling for £39,000 and a 1847 Queen Victoria silver crown making £7,800. A confidential valuation can be arranged with one of Duke’s specialists either online or in person. Other services can also be provided – insurance, probate and private treaty. For more information phone 01305 265080 or email enquiries@ dukes-auctions.com

6

Ever

Have you always wanted to know how much your items may be worth at auction? Come and meet our specialists, many of whom are well known faces on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, to have your items appraised and receive a free auction estimate.

Appointments available at the Auction Salerooms or at home Contact us to book: enquiries@doreandrees.com

Jewellery

GOOD CONDITION VINYL RECORDS WANTED

Larger collections preferred No classical please, cash paid 07831-266478

Sherborne Digby Hall Monthly Market. Kerry: 07717 454643 PAINTINGS,

Thursday 23rd February JEWELLERY, WATCHES &

Friday 24th February

Viewing Wednesday 22nd 10am-5pm

Dragon dishes lot sells for £20,500

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, had a buoyant start to the year with a successful two-day auction in January.

Two antique Oriental Dragon dishes and another made £20,500, an 18ct emerald and diamond ring £2,400, a Cartier ladies wristwatch £1,000 and a circa 1800 enamel and pearl ring £750.

Acreman has noticed over the past year or so a trend towards the interesting and unusual realising sometimes astonishing prices, including, in November a small collection of circa 1960s nodding Christmas decorations making £160.

If you have a loft, barn or house to clear, Acreman is happy to advise and assess, free of charge, items for auction.

This year it will be holding specialist sales of Coins and Banknotes; Stamps, Ephemera, Postcards and Photographs; Oriental, Militaria and Textiles; Fashion and Apparel.

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

downsizing or need to deal with a whole house it can help with advice and valuations, and can arrange full house clearances at competitive rates – it is also happy to make house visits if required.

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

The auction house holds a valuation day every Wednesday 10am-4pm, at which it offers free valuations on items being considered for auction, at Acreman Auction, 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH.

150+ 33 and a third long playing records. Many classical. Contact Rowland 07598 740345 offers

PASTIMES

of

Thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys.

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

Telephone: 01935 816072 Mobile: 07527 074343

Antique oriental dragon plates sold for £20,500

Climbing roses have simple demands

by Sally Gregson

PERHAPS the archetypical flower of any English garden is the rose.

More pages have been written, more photographs taken and more songs sung about the rose than any other flower. And yet roses are becoming less widely grown than ever before. Perhaps it’s the pruning, or perhaps it’s the prickles, with which not all roses are adorned, or perhaps they are just contrary to the ‘natural, untamed’ look of modern borders.

Climbing roses are much simpler to grow. They just need good, improved soil, mostly in sun, and somewhere to climb. The growth potential can vary quite a lot. From the relatively short variety Rosa Souvenir du Docteur Jamain with its velvety red flowers produced in mid-summer, through the rambling R. Brenda Colvin with clouds of creamy, semi-double flowers in June and July, to the

humungous R. Paul’s Himalayan Musk which would smother a house if left to its own devices, although its millions of small, pale pink flowers would take your breath away.

Many of the more popular climbing roses have weak necks, which is an entirely desirable trait. If all the flowers on a climbing rose looked up to heaven, what would we earth-bound mortals have to admire? Rosa Zéphyrine

Drouhin has semi-double, deep pink flowers that gaze down from above with quantities of perfume. Most usefully, La Zéphyrine has no prickles at all. So she could be planted by a doorway and would not reach out and grab every passer-by as they came and went. At the opposite extreme, R. Mermaid has big, beautiful, lemon-yellow single flowers. And long, vicious thorns that would tear any passer-by to shreds. She

might be very useful on a boundary fence.

Rambling roses do just that – they ramble all over any neighbouring shrub and cover it with blossom in summer. If you have the space, try mixing Rosa Veilchenblau with its greymauve flowers, double white R. Rambling Rector and the crimson Chevy Chase. They

flower over the course of about six weeks depending on the summer.

In autumn R. Rambling Rector has small red hips that dance over the whole plant until the birds have feasted on them all. Prune back any flowered shoots in autumn, and allow the long, new wands to get ready for another glorious summer.

Seed potatoes are now in! It’s still a good time to plant bare root and rootball hedging. Also, our hellebores are looking gorgeous!

In autumn Rosa Rambling Rector has small red hips that dance over the whole plant

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

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

Experience, Quality & Service

Lizzie Price Shading Solutions has been set up by husband and wife team Peter & Lizzie Price. Lizzie will be familiar to many as she has been involved with interiors, blinds and soft furnishings for over 28 years for a Wincanton based company, while Peter has over 40 years experience in the building and window industry.

Lizzie and Peter have a similar outlook on business with first class customer service paramount, and top quality products UK manufactured where possible combined with first class installation.

Lizzie has been a Silent Gliss specialist for over 15 years and is fully qualified to advise and measure for this premium product.

They offer a huge range of shading solutions for inside and outside the home including fabric roller, vertical and pleated blinds as well as venetians in aluminium and wood, either manual of motorised (an option that is becoming ever more popular and competitive says Lizzie).

With the onset of winter and increasing energy costs it is worth considering honeycomb pleated blinds with air trapping pockets to help retain heat within the room and during the summer they will help keep your rooms cool too.

Peter & Lizzie are delighted to have

sourced a British manufacturer of Plantation Shutters, avoiding the extended lead times and potential damage in transit with imports. These can be offered in any colour.

Lizzie Price Shading Solutions offer external roller blinds to reduce solar gain at source, awnings (manual or motorised) and to extend your outdoor living season they offer aluminium louvred roofed Pergolas, these are available in any RAL colour.

Lizzie and Peter offer home visits, with no obligation quotations, where they can show you a wide selection of samples

DEADLINES

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

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

DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING

www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

Crown Garden Care

Lawn Service, Fencing, Hedges, Tree Work etc.

All Garden Maintenance Services

Domestic & Commercial. Fully Insured & Reliable.

Tel: 01747 821726 07904 355 921

your fencing and decking needs

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

Sherborne Fencing Ltd

Tel: 01935 814272

Mobile: 07814246332

TOOLS WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 850474

WANTED - Dave buys all types of tools

Call 01935 428975

LANGTON NURSERIES

(C W Abbott & Son) Seed potatoes, Onion Sets and Shallots, Wild Bird food, Perennials & Shrubs.

Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Large selection of pots. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258 452513

HEDGING PLANTS

Quickthorn £119/100 & Blackthorn £128/100

FELLTEC TREE SERVICES

Based in North Dorset providing a professional service for your trees and hedges.

Services include: Tree Felling, Crown lifting, Crown Reductions,Pollarding, Pruning, Full Dismantles and Hedge Cutting. Please contact us to book a free no obligation Quote. jackspencer@felltectreeservices.com - 07758262673 jakemoore@felltectreeservices.com - 07592375431

MarlottAccountants

Supporting effective financial management

Are you a charity/small business trying to navigate the complex world of finance? We can help. CIMA members in practice with over 50 years experience across a range of accounting frameworks and systems.

chat in the first instance

07590 627591

01258 820245

Building Construction Specialists

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

MAN WITH VAN Gillingham. Brian 07410 580499. No trips to tips!

R&W FENCING SERVICES

All types of fencing, Agriculture and Domestic 01258 880892 / 07980 036250

KEVIN MITCHELL PROPERTY SERVICES

Property maintenance, refurbishments, brickwork,stonework, carpentry, ceramic tiling, painting,decorating, bathrooms, kitchens, City & Guilds qualified, free estimates, no VAT, Gillingham 01747 824664 or 07957 882003 kevin.mitchell@yahoo.co.uk

Book online: blackmorevale.net

Established over 40 years

Phone: 07979 210 074 / 01747 855 280

E: andy@sandsltd.biz

w: www.sturgessandsturgess.com

Domestic & Commercial

REPLACEMENT TANKS

INSTALLATIONS

RE-SITING

TEMPORARY TANKS

EMERGENCY PUMP OUTS

BUNDED /SINGLE SKIN

METAL TANKS/FUEL STATIONS

ABOVE GROUND OR BELOW

MOLING SERVICE FOR BELOW GROUND UTILITIES

COMMERCIAL BOILER REMOVAL

New bunded tank installed for between £1300 and £1900 +VAT depending on size of tank. All areas. OFTEC Registered

Tel: 01963 363870

24hr Emergency, Leaking Tanks or Oil Spills 07836 502683

office@bgp-oiltanks.co.uk www.bgp-oiltanks.co.uk

Damp Control Timber Treatments

Dry Rot

Condensation Control 30-Year Bonded Guarantee

Tel: Wincanton 01963 202382

Mobile: 07881 504426

Email: maplepres@aol.com www.maplepreservation.co.uk

SUB-LIME

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

NO JOB TOO SMALL NO UP FRONT COSTS NO VAT

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

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS

All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786

e: swbuildandrenovation@ gmail.com

NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING

all types of plastering, floor screeding & rendering. Wincanton & 20 mile radius.

HELPFUL ADVICE & FREE QUOTATIONS. CALL NEIL: 07974 185923 or 07811 211586

FLATPACK ASSEMBLY. SHELVING. Small Carpentry work. New locks fitted or replaced. 07552 540540

Serving

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk

•Alterations

Local Services

CARER

EXPERIENCED SELF EMPLOYED CARER available

Monday - Friday. Insured, DBS, references. Blandford Forum and surrounding areas. Call: 07342752273

Email: personalcare121@hotmail.com

CHIMNEYS

K.SANSOM CHIMNEY

SWEEP: Brush & vacuum

APICS registered 01963 370038

STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING

HETAS registered woodburner and flue installer.

Birdguards and cowls 07932 655267

Smokin Nicely Chimney Sweeps

NACS certificates issued Chimneys and Flues Extremely clean service Fully insured (£5m)

Tel: 01258 455251

smokin.nicely@hotmail.co.uk smokinnicely.co.uk

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

solidfuel3@aol.com www.solidfuelinstallationsltd.co.uk

blackmorevale.net

CLEANING

SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING

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

www.shinystoves.com

COMPUTERS

Place your classified advert today

CLASSIFIED

01963 400186

DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons). PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 01963362403 07855287150

http://www.dcenet.co.uk

Joseph Crocker Computers

Custom built gaming & office PCs

Desktop & laptop repair Help with mobile devices General computer and IT advice NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL 01963 23669 07484 690824

josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

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

• Friendly, patient, and knowledgeable help

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

• Sell online easily, quickly and reliably

• Buying advice, setup and installation

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

AND GENERAL

loft conversions and extensions.

bathrooms, doors, painting and plastering. 07852 201867

TAXIS

Comfortable, spacious and clean estate cars. For hospitals, airports, seaports and local work. Distance no object, day trips and special occasions. Lady driver available. For safe Covid-aware transport.

MATHEMATICS

tuition with very experienced Mathematics teacher. 01747 870361

TUTORING AVAILABLE Primary, 11+, 13+ and GCSE English Primary, Secondary & GCSE History

exams NVR & VR

A* and A results – online or in-person (evenings & weekends) 07468 252785

Maiden Newton Clearance Ltd

We clear houses, garages, gardens across Dorset. Our experienced team will bag, box and clear everything. We will purchase some items or advise on those that should go to auction. Free quote on viewing. Where our waste goes – we try to recycle as much as we can however some of the items cleared are not reusable. Our waste is split into categories of household waste, wood, rubble, metals, and hazardous waste such as old refrigeration units, paint and mattresses. Our waste

Knives out!

Budding chefs demonstrated their skills in the kitchen at Shaftesbury School, hoping to progress in the Rotary Young Chef

competition

Six competitors took part in the relaunched Rotary Young Chef competition at Shaftesbury School on 26 January. There were four entrants in the Senior Competition and two in the Intermediate/Junior competition.

The entrants had to prepare two courses in 90 minutes, and were judged on a range of criteria including planning, the health aspects of their dishes, the correct use of knives and equipment, the neatness of their working area and the range of skills used. And, of course, the quality of the finished dishes! The judges were treated to a superb range of cuisines, ranging from burgers to scallops. The desserts included chocolate brownies and chocolate tart.

The professional judges from the Fleur de Lys, Shaftesbury and The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury had their work cut out, but the eventual winners were Charlie John-Smith in the Senior Competition and Evie Brown in the Intermediate/Junior Competition. They will now progress to the Rotary Young Chef

Comfort eating

Quick and easy, a mug cake will satisfy sweet cravings and can be whipped up in a matter of minutes from store-cupboard ingredients…

There’s no need to heat your whole oven, when you can make a single-serving cake in the microwave in a matter of minutes. Choose a large coffee mug to avoid a lava-flow of molten cake searing itself to your microwave!

Ingredients

60g butter

60g caster sugar

60g self-raising flour

60g milk

2 drops vanilla essence

Additional flavourings: 1 tsp fresh or frozen blueberries, chocolate chips, sprinkles or sultanas, 2 tbsp cocoa powder.

Method

1 Place the butter in your mug and microwave in 10-second bursts until it’s soft and beginning to melt.

2 Add the sugar, flour, milk and vanilla essence, and mix thoroughly until no lumps or dry ingredients remain.

3 Now it’s time to add the good stuff – take your inspiration from our list of additional ingredients, stirring in your choice of tasty treats.

4 Place the mug in the centre of your microwave and cook on full power for between 1 and 2 minutes, until it has stopped rising and is firm to the touch.

District Final to meet area winners from across the region on 11 March at South Downs College in Portsmouth. The event was run by Shaftesbury Rotary

Enford Farm Shop

Durweston DT11 0QW

Half a lamb £70.

Home reared and locally produced meats, game, deli, fruit, veg, free range eggs and lots more.

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

Half a pig approx £120.

Chicken feeds etc available.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 8.30am-4pm. Outside shop with self service for essentials open daily 8am-8pm

01258 450050

Congratulations to Evie Brown (above) and Charlie JohnSmith (right) who both made it through to district final

The Tarrant Valley had 23 inches of rain between October 20 and the end of December, more than half the 40 inches total rainfall for 2022

Farmers’ eyes always to the skies

by Barbara Cossins

AFTER that long dry spell in summer, even into November, when the River Tarrant was still not flowing a drop of water, people would regularly say they had not seen it so dry when they came to visit us in the Tarrant Valley.

Then it started raining and,

my goodness, it rained from October 20 until the end of December. We had 23 inches of rain, half the rainfall for 2022, which was 40 inches in total. This is above average for us and it was still relentless through the start of January.

Farmers always talk about the weather – apparently talking

SMALL YEOVIL BASED HOSPITALITY BUSINESS for sale with no competition. Can be run from home or would be a good add-on for pub, restaurant, social club or village hall etc. For more information email: info@yeovilth.co.uk. 15k

about the weather is a national sport, which is in the top ten things you should know about UK culture.

All joking aside, for farmers it is a massive factor in running their businesses and looking after the animals. When we had that really cold spell, and it is looking like we could have another one, it was so hard making sure all the animals had water.

Now we are struggling with them coping with the wet weather and the mud, especially the young animals we are wintering on stubble turnips, a winter feed. The crops that are growing for next harvest get water-logged, which is not good for young plants, and causes serious issues for farmers.

Climate change and the extreme weather farmers are having to cope with is causing so many challenges for all food production globally. I can’t stress enough how important it is for us to be growing our own crops to produce food for our tables here in England.

Food prices are still soaring, and we should not be relying on imported food. Our government agriculture policy seems to be going backwards – it’s a disaster and a disgrace in 2023. Farmers need to make a stand – I hope they do as they need to get angry and stand up to what our government and

supermarkets are doing to the agriculture industry, their livelihoods and generations of history.

Being in the hospitality industry as well as farming, I know people want to support British farmers and I always feel quite sad when I attend farming meetings and I hear farmers say the public don’t want to support us.

I know people want to support British food and they want to support local farmers – it’s trying to get the right messages out there.

The right prices are key and the more you support British food the more competitive we can become. Labelling for people to know what they can trust is also so important –please make sure you read the country of origin when you are shopping in the large supermarkets as their labelling can be misleading.

Farmers and food producers need to get enough information to help educate people about what’s happening in the farming and food industry. People want to know, and they want to learn, so let’s work together and make sure education is key.

n Barbara Cossins is founder of Love Local Trust Local; www.thelangtonarms.co.uk; www.rawstonfarmbutchery. co.uk; www.lovelocaltrustlocal awards.co.uk

Vitamins and keeping well hydrated

by Fiona Chapman

THERE seems to be an inordinate number of nasty bugs around this year. It is probably because we were all so isolated over Covid-19 that our immunity has taken a bit of a knock. My husband is coughing and spluttering and complaining that he has never had such a longlasting cold and my voice has gone, possibly a relief for everyone!

It does, however, remind me how important it is to try and keep as healthy as you can over the winter months.

Vitamin D is generated by sunlight and we don’t get nearly enough in the winter, even if out walking lots. I would urge everyone to supplement with this. Vitamin C is also very important, and again we often are lacking it, so that too is a good supplement to be taking.

It is also extremely important to keep well hydrated. We all live in centrally heated houses

or have fires lit which takes some of the moisture out of our bodies. We get rather like plants and dry up and wilt if there is not enough water in our system. It makes us lethargic and lacking in energy.

Good, filtered water is essential and we should all be drinking about two litres of it a day. Every cell in your body needs it, it helps keep the blood moving and hydrates the brain and all our joints. Our liver needs it to make bile which helps digest all our food and keeps the bowels moving. Our kidneys obviously need water to help filter our blood and dilute toxins and make them easier to pass out of the body.

If possible, it should be filtered – reverse osmosis is the best as it gets rid of all the hormones that are still in our tap water, but any filter is better than none. You should also try to drink room tem-perature water – not freezing cold – as

the cold water dampens the digestive ‘fire’ and try not to drink with meals as that dilutes your digestive juices.

I am someone who does not feel thirsty, so easily forgets to drink water, but will then crave salty food. That is my body saying, ‘give me water’. Likewise, when eating sugar, the body needs water to break

the molecules down, which is often why you are thirsty after eating something sweet. It does make you pee more – but think of that as a positive. You are getting rid of toxins and keeping your body well hydrated and happy.

n Fiona Chapman is a Naturopathic Herbalist

(Pellyfiona@gmail.com)

London Road Clinic

At 56 London Road we offer the very best in health & beauty care, we are conveniently located on the A30 with free parking and disabled access, in the pretty village of Milborne Port, near Sherborne Dorset. Established in 2005 this integrated clinic offers various therapies, with five well equipped and beautifully furnished therapy rooms, you can relax and know you are in safe hands.

Our highly trained therapists really do offer the very best in their field: - Physiotherapy and Acupuncture, Integrative counselling, Trauma & Bereavement counselling, Advanced clinical Massage, luxurious Hot Stones treatment, Bowen, Scarwork , Sports & remedial Massage, Soft Tissue Therapy, Shiatsu Therapy for chronic pain relief and long term health, Microblading by MJC, Professional Foot Care, Solution-focused hypnotherapy, Beautician, we welcome Serina Galliers and all her customers, Serina has joined us from her own Salon in Sherborne where she has traded for over 7 years. For further information: www.56londonroad.co.uk or call 01963 251860.

We have a fantastic business opportunity for an Osteopath or / and Chiropractor to join our team, for further information please do get in touch.

We should drink about two litres of good, filtered water a day

PHOTO: Engin Akyurt/Pixabay

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Meditations in nature: A day out on Dorset’s heathlands

by Susie Curtin

For 1:1 Mind/Body Coaching

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07855256338 - nicolacorbett@mac.com

“In order to heal, we need to feel” My sessions include a number of healing modalities, breathing, movement, Nutrition, Energy healing, intuitive teachings & more, all alongside the healing horses.

BRIGHT sunshine and a biting wind greet me as I arrive at RSPB Arne, now part of the wider Purbeck Heath National Nature Reserve – an area where the birds and amphibians of this lowland heath are valued and protected. I have come here today to enjoy the flocks of winter waders, particularly the avocets and the spoonbills, and, of course, the light and atmosphere that can only be experienced here in this wild, open landscape beside the watery expanse of Poole Harbour.

Lowland heathlands are characterised as being under 300 metres above sea level. The soil is often comprised of sand and gravels, interspersed with peat and inky, amber-coloured pools. These, and the heathers,

gorse, pines and birches, paint the landscape in vibrant hues. In summer, the heath has a slight Mediterranean feel, but not today under an icy blue sky and wispy winter light.

Following the trail, I soon find my favourite hide, tucked away in the woodland overlooking the reedbeds. From here, my eyes feast upon a pair of marsh harriers quartering low over the feathery fronds of champagne-coloured reeds. I can hear the haunting calls of curlew in the distance and the chatter of brent geese. Alone in this wild place, the problems of the world slip away. It is just me, the birds and the land.

Once the harriers are gone, I gather my belongings and make way towards Shipstal Point in search of the resident flock of spoonbill. Passing by an old oak

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tree, I watch as a tree creeper, beginning only a foot off the ground, silently edges up the trunk. His curved beak searching in between the masses of ivy for tiny insects. Such an exquisite, busy bird.

Beyond the oaks and pines, I am greeted by a forest of birch trees, their gleaming white bark and purple catkins looking resplendent against the blue sky. From here, the path heads out towards the hide that overlooks the saltmarsh and I hope provides a sighting of Arne’s growing flock of spoonbills.

Spoonbills are a genus of waders that can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. They are large white, heron-shaped birds with distinctive flat, spatulatype bills that sweep side to side as they feed on aquatic creatures in the shallows. In the summer they develop an exotic-looking feathery crest at the back of their heads and a patch of yellow feathers on their breasts.

I am in luck. Eight of them are huddled together like snow-white sentinels at the end of a thin, muddy spit. These are Eurasian spoonbills. Typically, they are asleep with their astonishing beaks hidden under their wings. The species is of European conservation concern. Although they bred in the UK in medieval times in East Anglia,

they did not breed here for 300 years. Then in 2010 they returned, and we now have 29 breeding pairs with Poole Harbour hosting the largest flock in autumn and winter. I particularly love to watch them in flight when their necks and legs are fully extended, and you can see their black wingtips. Despite their slumber, I am delighted to see them. A perfect end to a perfect day.

As I make my way home, I recall that Thomas Hardy was a child of the Dorset heathlands. In The Return of the Native, he described the heath as “a harsh, unaltered land of sombre nature intensifying the sad hours of day and night”. That is certainly not a description I recognised today.

Phoenix Hair

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n Dr Susie Curtin is a nature writer and qualitative researcher; wildlife travel blog

RSPB Arne, now part of Purbeck Heath National Nature Reserve, is home to spoonbills. The birds have distinctive flat, spatula-type bills that sweep side to side as they feed on aquatic creatures in the shallows

Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing

Two key coaching questions...

By Alice Johnsen

IN my coaching sessions, clients do most of the talking. My role is to listen with focus and an open mind, ready to ask questions that push the issue forward. Sometimes the questions bring about small steps, sometimes they are turning points. Or sometimes they just get my clients to look at issues in a new way.

My two favourite questions – that you can use in any part of your life without waiting for a coaching session, are ‘why’ and ‘so what’. These two questions are the ones I ask most often and with greatest effect. Here’s why.

Why? As in: Why did that person say that? Why doesn’t my team listen to me? Why do I feel frustrated about this business? Why am I procrastinating away from that decision? Why am I holding back?

Stopping to think about the reason behind an issue brings clarity. With clarity comes acceptance, understanding, a new way of seeing through the problem. But it is not automatic. We get too caught up in the issue itself to see through the distracting emotion or built up layers of reaction to see the true reason. When that happens, we’re not ‘doing anything wrong’ – it’s just how our minds work. But we can help ourselves by asking ‘why?’.

So what? Asking this pushes us to think beyond our immediate reactions to the steps that follow. It takes us further down a way of thinking or to a new idea. Great not only for developing plans or moving away from current blockages but for a more effective way of managing our everyday lives.

I remember this question being particularly helpful for a GCSE student revising last year.

They were always being asked to ‘expand their answers’ –remember that one?! All very well if you know you have more to say but if not, asking yourself ‘so what’ pushes your thoughts further.

And in daily life it is helpful when it comes to planning logistics or administration because it helps us move through a problem in a logical way. We can use the question ‘so what?’ to help us think

through things thoroughly and carefully as well as to push the boundaries of our original thought.

Try these questions when you are next feeling stuck or aware you are putting something off or when you next have to make plans. I hope they help you.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based near Sherborne. Phone: 07961 080513; visit www. alicejohnsen.co.uk

Asking ‘why’ and ‘so what’ can help you if you are feeling stuck or aware you are putting something off.

PHOTO: Mohamed Hassan/ Pixabay

NISSAN X-TRAIL 4X4

2007, A/C , 6 Speed 200k MOT March 23

Requires drop link and 2 tyres (could do with a service). Car runs and is very reliable £400 07462 872191

2012 1.2 HYUNDAI ACTIVE, MOT 27/10/23 £20 Tax, £2,450 01963 363698

WANTED all types of car trailers, cash paid 07736 871092

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

UNWANTED VEHICLES bought for cash ●Mot failures ●Nonrunners ●Unfinished projects

●end of life scrap vehicles

●minimum of £200 paid for complete vehicles. Call Ryan on 07474 737577

Sell your car by placing a classified advert

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MOTORBIKES WANTED

Non runners and Unwanted Phone Keith on 07966 213344

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

Please Phone Paul 07890 096907

2018 (68) MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS 1.5l Petrol, 5dr, automatic, 161 BHP, 1 owner, ONLY 13,000 miles, AWD, 360 degree camera, 18in alloys, Apple carplay, Android auto, cruise control, parking sensors front & back, Full Mitsubishi history…............................£17,995

2018 (68) RANGE ROVER EVOQUE TD4 2l Diesel, 5dr, automatic, 178 BHP, 29,000 miles, 4x4, Bluetooth, InControl touch navigation, 18in alloys, front & back parking assist, Land Rover 8 speaker sound system, heated window washer jets, full service history..£24,995

2017 (17) TOYOTA YARIS DESIGN 1.3 dual UVTI Euro6 5dr red/black, Petrol, 2dr, ONLY 13,000 miles, manual, 98 BHP, 16in alloys, air con, Bluetooth, cruise control, reversing camera, multi-information display, full dealer service history x4. £30 road tax….........£10,695

2019 (68) PEUGEOT 108 COLLECTION 1l petrol, manual, 3dr hatch, ONLY 8,000 MILES, 1 private owner, FULL service history, 72 BHP, 15in alloys, 7in multifunction touchscreen, Bluetooth, DAB Radio, calvi blue & green fizz ambience, automatic headlights, reverse camera……..........................................…£8,995

2016 (16) Subaru Forester “Boxer” XC Premium symmetrical AWD Automatic, only 36,000 miles. Full main dealer history, finished in Pearlescent metallic White with contrasting Black Leather interior. Fantastic specifications over and above the norm, including electric sunroof and reversing camera. Beautiful condition throughout, great value..................... £16,995.

2013 (62) BMW 118D, convertible Exclusive Edition Finished in White, with Black fully electric soft top 6 speed manual (Euro 5) 1 former owner, service history 103,000 miles great performance and economy. Excellent value at..............£5,995

2017 (17) TOYOTA AVENSIS ESTATE business edition D4 (diesel 6 speed manual) finished in white, 1 former keeper, full dealer history, 86,000 miles, big specification, sat nav, reverse camera etc, fully loaded, only £20 tax and ULEZ compliant, great performance and economy, great value at.... £8,995 PX to clear 2001 (Y) Vauxhall Polo 1.4 5 door 87,000 miles good history............................................... £1250

Arriving shortly –

2015 (65) MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS SALON C200 BLUE TEC AMG LINE, 1.6 automatic diesel, 41,000 miles, silver blue metallic,black leather,all usual refinements sat nav etc, fantastic performance and economy, a real eyeful, only £30 road tax........£16,495

2004 (04) MERCEDES 220CDI CLASSIC SE AUTO, finished in gold metallic, just reached 100,000 miles with full service history, only 2 owners, all usual Mercedes enhancements………...….............….£2,195

2012 (12) VAUXHALL INSIGNIA SRI NAV VX/LINE CDTi, 6-speed manual, finished in grey metallic, 2 owners, 95,000 miles, with full Vauxhall service history, fantastic spec…….....................................…..…£3,695

2015 (65) MERCEDES BENZ E350 AMG LINE BLUE TEC DIESEL AUTO CONVERTIBLE, black with black hood, black leather, only 59,000 miles with service history, every conceivable extra, what an eyeful...£15,995

RARE OPPORTUNITY 2002 MGTF (SPORT) Registration M3GTF only 70,000 miles, drives lovely, MOT 10/08/23 (no advisories) will be sold as spares or repairs only.............POA

1997 BMW 520iSE 4-door 2.5 petrol automatic, black with black leather, massive service record, 140,000 miles, MOT 03/07/23, will be sold as spares or repairs only.............£1,595

2003 (03) Suzuki Jimny JLX Finished in metallic Blue, one local private owner from new, good service history and good example of this sort after vehicle POA.

Motoring Wincombe MOT & REPAIR CENTRE

Established for more than 10 years, Wincombe MOT in services from oil changes to complex engine works, for all the major manufacturers

Car & Van MOTs

Brakes

Servicing on all makes

Clutches, suspension and timing belts

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2015 (15) Audi Q7 3.0TDi S-Line Sport Edition Quattro 4x4 Automatic 7 Seat SUV 5dr. 245bhp, diesel, 8 speed auto gearbox, flat folding 3rd row seats, leather, heated seats, Sat Nav, reverse camera, park sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, electric tailgate, Bluetooth, 71,500 miles..............£21000

2016 (16) BMW X3 2.0TD X Line Automatic 4x4 SUV 5dr. 19bhp, diesel, 8 speed automatic gearbox, 4 wheel drive, heated leather, Sat Nav, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill start & descent control, electric tailgate, parking sensors, head up display, high seating position, decent boot, upto 54mpg, 63,700 miles...........................................................................................£17650

2020 (69) Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost ST Line 5dr. 125bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, multi award winning engine with outstanding performance & economy, Sat Nav, parking sensors, sign recognition, hill start assist, lane keeping aid, Bluetooth, auto lights, heated front screen, 16,500 miles ....£13650

2017 (67) Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium Nav 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, new shape, Sat Nav, cruise control, hill start assist, auto lights & wipers, lane keeping aid, sign recognition, heated front screen, Bluetooth, award winning engine, great performance & upto 65mpg, 30,500 miles .£11450

2013 (62) Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Zetec 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, heated front screen, air con, Bluetooth, hill start assist, Free road tax, 65mpg, new cambelt kit just done by Ford, 54,700 miles .........................£6450

2018 (18) Ford C-Max 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium Navigation MPV 5dr. 125bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, high seating position, large boot with a low loading edge, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill start assist, parking sensors, sign recognition, multi award winning engine, 21,500 miles ......................................................................................................£13250

2015 (65) Hyundai i30 1.6 SE Nav Automatic 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, Sat Nav, reverse camera & parking sensors, touch screen, cruise control, hill start assist, Bluetooth, 31,200 miles............................£10750

2015 (65) Kia Optima 3, 1.7CRDi Saloon 4dr. 139bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, Sat Nav, reverse camera, parking sensors, ½ leather, heated seats, heated steering wheel, lane keeping aid, sign recognition, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, Bluetooth, hill start assist, £20 road tax, 67mpg, 72,800 miles .............£9250

2013 (13) Mini Hatch 1.6 Cooper Sport Chili 3dr. 122bhp, petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, partial leather, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, Bluetooth, usb, air con, alloys, hill start assist, 81,600 miles ......................................£6250

2015 (15) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 Exclusiv SUV 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, high seating, decent boot, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, Bluetooth, cambelt replaced, 62,500 miles........................£7250

2012 (62) Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 Bi-TDi T32 Kombi Van SWB 5dr. 180bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 2 side doors, 5 seats, bulkhead behind seats, Sat Nav, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, F&R parking sensors, rear view / reverse camera, heated seats, cambelt kit replaced, 82,500 miles, NO VAT to pay......................................................................................................£19500

COMMERCIALS

2017 (17) Nissan Navara 2.3DCi Visia 4x4 King Cab Pickup 4dr. 158bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 seats, 4 doors, switchable 4 wheel drive, hill start & hill descent control, cruise control, auto activation lights, Bluetooth, air con, bed liner, 52,500 miles ..............Available soon £12000 +VAT = £14400

2012 (62) Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 Bi-TDi T32 Kombi Van SWB 5dr. 180bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 2 side doors, 5 seats, bulkhead behind seats, Sat Nav, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, F&R parking sensors, rear view / reverse camera, heated seats, cambelt kit replaced, 82,500 miles, NO VAT to pay

SUNRISE SERVICE & MOT CENTRE

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

SUNRISE SERVICE & MOT CENTRE

Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

MOTS,

MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES

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Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.

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MOTS – class 4,5 and 7

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15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798

15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798

Email sunriseservicecentre@hotmail.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com

Email sunriseservicecentre@hotmail.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE

Peter James Down trading as Kingsmere Surfacing Ltd of Station Yard, Lower Station Road, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4PZ is applying to change an existing licence as follows: To keep an additional 1 Goods Vehicle at the operating centre at Station Yard, Lower Station Road, Gillingham Dorset, SP8 4PZ.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE

Ash Leaning trading as Mayflower Logistics Ltd of 4 Market Cross Mews, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1AN is applying to change an existing licence as follows:

A change at Mark Billen of 7c, Butts Pond Industrial Estate, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1AZ for 1 goods vehicle and 0 trailers to 1 goods vehicle and 1 trailer. There will not be a trailer stored on site, but it is necessary to have on the licence for the purposes of traction only work. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

IN MEMORIAM

FRED EVILL: 3/2/1921, DIED 4/2/2013

VALERIE EVILL: 14/2/1925, DIED 29/6/2020

Both sadly missed and always in my thoughts

Their son, Rupert

GRAHAM JEANS

Treasured memories of a loving and much loved brother who was taken from us so suddenly on 5th February 1973. Always in our hearts and thoughts.

With love Jenny, Colin, Mel and Martin xxxxx

DEATHS

DOWNTON CONSTANCE BARBARA (Connie)

Aged 89 years of Wincanton. On 29th December 2022, peacefully at her home. A dearly beloved mother, grandmother and friend. Funeral service has taken place. All enquiries to Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

DEATHS

GILES Alan Henry George

Aged 87 years of South Barrow. On 21st January 2023, peacefully at Yeovil District Hospital. A much loved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Funeral Service at Yeovil Crematorium on Wednesday 15th February at 10.am. Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Alan are being invited for Yeovil Freewheelers (EVS) C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367.

DENNIS LANE

On 15th January 2023 aged 83 years of Melbury Abbas. A much loved husband to Jo, dad to Mark and the late Tina, also a much loved grandad to Lois. Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Monday 6th February at 2pm. No flowers please but donations if desired to the British Heart Foundation may be made online at www. mhfd.co.uk

or send cheques c/o Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

MICHAEL YOUNG ‘MIKE’

1941 – 2023

Passed away peacefully at home. Sadly missed by his wife Brenda, brother Paul, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mike’s service will take place at Hinton Park Woodland Burial Ground on Monday 13th February at 12:30pm. Donations are in favour of STARS Appeal or Marie Curie and can be made using the following website michael-young-1941-2023.muchloved.com

CLIFFORD EDWARD GEORGE LYDFORD ‘George’

Passed peacefully away at Dorchester County Hospital on Friday 20th January 2023, aged 87 years. Much loved Husband of Christine and father of Sarah and David, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Funeral service at Sturminster Newton Vale Methodist Church on Tuesday 14th February at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please donations in George’s memory to ‘Shine’ Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus support.

C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, High Street, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0RB. Tel 01963 362570

KATHLEEN DAVIDGE

Peacefully in her sleep on the 12th January 2023 in the loving care of The Old Rectory, Stalbridge. Kathleen Joyce aged 95 years of Stalbridge. A dearly loved Mum, Gran & Great Gran. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday, 13th February at 12.40pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Cancer Research UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High Street, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

PATRICK SWEENEY

Peacefully passed at home in Gillingham, Dorset on the 16th January 2023. He was much loved and will be sadly missed by all. Any Donations if desired for Cancer Research UK via Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors. For Funeral details please contact Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QL. Tel: 01747 822494.

GRAHAM STUART FUDGE

Passed away suddenly on 13th January 2023. Dearly loved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Funeral will take place on Thursday 23rd February at 12 midday at St Andrews Church, Leigh. No flowers please but donations if desired to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Enquiries to A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ

BACKHOUSE MARGUERITE TRYPHENA ALICE

Originally Post Mistress at the Old Post Office Glanville’s Wootton

Sadly passed away at the Hayes Residential Home in Sherborne on Saturday 21st of January 2023 at the age of 95 years.

She was a well loved and respected member of the community.

Her funeral to be held on Friday 17th of February at St Mary The Virgin Church in Glanville’s Wootton at 12 noon and after at the Village Hall. Flowers welcome or donations, if desired, to the Cats Protection League

PEARL ROSE VINCENT

February 1st 1935 - 8th January 2023

Adored wife of the Late Dennis Vincent.

A loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

Funeral service to take place at Salisbury Crematorium on Thursday 16th February at 13:00. . Family Flowers only by request. For enquiries about donations please contact Bracher Brothers on 01747 822494

PHILIP GRAHAM DUCKWORTH

On 27/01/2023 peacefully after a short illness in Salisbury District Hospital aged 90 years of Shaftesbury. A loving Husband, Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad. Private family service but donations if desired to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

LOOSMORE Marian Christine

Passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday 11th January. A much loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma and a good friend to many. Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Wednesday 8th February at 1pm. Family flowers only please but donations if desired for The RNLI or The Dogs Trust may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or send cheques made payable to either charity c/o Merefield & Henstridge FD, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

STEVENS – Bessie

Passed away on 14th January 2023 aged 82 years. Beloved wife and partner to Gordon, Mum and Grandmother.

Will be deeply missed by all who knew her. A service of Thanksgiving will take place at 2 pm on Thursday, 16th February 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Witham Friary.

Donations in memory of Bessie for Cancer Research UK and Dementia UK may be sent

c/o A J Wakely & Sons, Carrington Way, Wincanton BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310. Please make cheques payable to the Charity.

BARDEN Mark (of Holnest)

Passed away peacefully at home on 25th January, 2023 aged 68 years.

Much loved husband of Jenny, loving father to Gregory, Miles, Emma and Jonathan, adored grandfather to his seven grandchildren.

A Service of Thanksgiving will take place at St. Marys Church, Holnest, on Friday 24th February, 2023 at 1.30pm. Donations in memory of Mark for the Dorset Wildlife Trust may be sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.

RONALD HENRY HARRIS

Passed away peacefully at home on Monday 16th January, aged 88. He was the loving husband to Wendy, father to Allan, Keith and Rosemarie, a dearly loved father-in-law, grandad and great-grandad. He will be missed dearly. A private family cremation will be held. The family would like you to join them for the evening to celebrate Ronald’s life to be held at the Udder Farm Shop on Monday 6th February at 5:30pm.

Donations to Dementia UK and Dorset Mind Your Head.

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Recruitment

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Full or Part Time £ 24,000 per annum (pro rata) Gillingham

Working in a well-respected architectural and planning practice you will provide administrative support to the Partners and professional staff.

Duties will include:

Working in reception and answering/transferring calls, collating and submitting applications and appeals on-line, monitoring the progress of applications on Council websites, producing invoices using time recording software and Microsoft Excel, supporting the Practice Manager and general administrative duties.

You will need to demonstrate a positive can-do attitude and experience of being a pro-active team player.

You will need to be flexible and prepared to work to deadlines when necessary. You will have excellent IT, transcribing of audio dictation, communication and organisation skills and experience of working in a busy office environment.

If you believe you have the right aptitude for the job and would like to know more, then please contact Diccon Carpendale on 01747 823232. Applications should be submitted in writing (letter and CV) explaining your suitability for the role, by email to blp@brimblelea.com no later than 13 February.

Funerals at Harbour View are relaxed and unhurried. We guarantee a separation of 90 minutes between funeral services. And because everything needed for a dignified and personalised funeral service is available on-site, there’s no need to move from location to location.

WANTED RELIEF MILKER

Relief Milker required for one day per week + holiday cover (if possible). Excellent modern facilities. Milking alongside one of our experienced assistants and wider farm team. Flexible start date. For further information please contact David McKie on 07748960918 or david.rj.mckie@gmail.com

Wimborne, Dorset

LOOKING FOR SEMIEXPERIENCED AND WILLING DAIRYMAN/ GENERAL FARM WORK. Apply to Factory Farm, Fifehead Magdalene, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5RS or 07792537839. NO TEXTING.

BLANDFORD FASHION

MUSEUM is looking for volunteers to help in our tearoom, stewarding or with our education team. Call 01258 453006 or email fashionmuseumblandford@ gmail.com

RELIEF MILKER

Spring calving herd. 1st March 2023. Apply to P Wade. Factory Farm, Fifehead Magdalene, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5RS or 07792 537839. NO TEXTING.

BRICKYARD FARM CHEESE REQUIRES PRODUCTION

STAFF for approx 20hrs a week Mon - Friday .For More info please Call 01963 32231 and ask for Bradley

ADMINISTRATOR. Small Holwell based publisher seeks self-employed person to despatch books globally. Precision/ability to work alone. Laptop required. Flexible timing. £12.00PH. angela@evropublishing.com

STOCKMAN/GENERAL FARM WORKER with a passion for livestock, required on a progressive mixed dairy farm at Ludwell. Come and work as part of a team with a good variety of jobs and involvement in most aspects of the business.

Phone evenings Peckons Hill Farm 01747 828832

SKILLED GROUNDWORKER/PLANT OPERATOR

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team. 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

Sarum West Primary Care Network are looking to recruit an experienced Elderly Care Facilitator to work across their region. The region covers seven practices but would be working predominantly in the East of the PCN which would include Wilton and West Lavington. Working with local practices and the PCN to carry out detailed clinical assessments on nominated patients within professional boundaries.

Professional clinical qualification essential. e.g. Nursing/paramedic. Educated to degree standard or equivalent, or evidence of ongoing professional development required. Experience of working in a primary care setting or in a direct clinical role with elderly patients is also highly desirable.

30 hours pw preferable but flexible working is available. Ability to work alone or as part of a team essential. Reports to the PCN manager and clinical lead.

Responses to Ian.hall20@nhs.net

Closing date of 17th February but may close sooner if the right candidate is identified.

ASSISTANT GARDENER:

Full time position available, 08.30-16.30, for a large country estate on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.

You will be working under the guidance of the Head gardener. Experience an advantage but training will be provided for the right person who is hard working, flexible and willing to learn. Salary D.O.E Send cover letter and CV to: countryhousewiltshire@gmail.com

Ashcombe Estates are looking for motivated, friendly individuals to join the Compton Abbas Air eld team!

We are recruiting for the following roles:

Deputy Café Manager & Operations Assistant. Deputy Café manager must have restaurant and/or café experience and Operations Assistant will ideally have ight experience (not essential).

Both individuals must have the following attributes:

Excellent Customer Service & Management Skills

Enthusiasm Calm Under Pressure

Organisation Friendly & Approachable

Strong Work Ethic Reliable & Proactive

Team Player Available For Weekend Shifts

For the full job description send a CV and covering email to air eld@to guy.com

Applications close 14th February 2023. Come and join the team!

GARRETT

C Commercials Ltd

of Sparkford have a vacancy for an HGV Technician. Any mechanical background considered. Please contact Nick Garrett on 07977 064095 for an informal chat or email nick@garrettcommercials.com Friends

18 HOURS PER WEEK OVER 3 DAYS (10.00 – 16.00) £11.10/ HOUR

We are looking for an efficient and organised administrator to join our office located in Blandford Forum. Supporting our Charity Shops and Community Transport teams your main duties will be co-ordinating our volunteer groups and helping to ensure that our shops and services run smoothly. An excellent telephone manner and IT skills are essential as is a friendly and reassuring disposition.

For further information about the role please contact Leonne Hughes on 01258 450095

Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded from our website: www.friendsofblandford.org uk or requested on 01258 450095

To apply please send in covering letter and CV to leonne.hughes1@nhs.net or Leonne Hughes – Charity Team Manager, Friends of Blandford Community Hospital, Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DD

CLOSING DATE MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2023

INTERVIEWS FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2023

Registered Charity - No. 800482

FULL TIME HOUSEKEEPER / MOTHERS HELP

Role will include cleaning, cooking, laundry and light gardening. The occasional childcare. Please reply to Annie on 07791 786138

CRACKMORE GARAGE

Small friendly company looking for full time NVQ Level 3 Vehicle Technician / MOT Tester to join our friendly team. £24,000 - £40,000, please send CV to crackmoregarage@gmail.com or contact 01963 251221

SENIOR PRACTITIONER and Early Years Assistant required at Dinton Pre-School. Minimum level 3 in childcare with experience. Contact Alison enquiries@ dinton-pre-school.co.uk 01722 716011

Recruitment

HOUSEKEEPERS REQUIRED. Must Drive due to rural locations. For more information email laura. housekeepingkam@gmail.com

‘LIVE-IN’ DEMENTIA CARER NEEDED

Job-sharing - fortnight on, fortnight off Sitting-room. TV. Separate bathroom. 07772 086099.

GENERAL FARM WORKER WANTED with a machinery bias to join our family run dairy farm near Shaftesbury. A forward thinking mindset will be key. Progression and learning are encouraged. No accommodation available. Please contact 07745 236126.

Independent Boarding and Day School for Pupils aged 4 -18 GSA/CISC

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

TEACHER OF HOME ECONOMICS PART-TIME

Driver Required

Required as soon as possible

We are seeking a well-qualified and dynamic teacher to teach Home Economics to either KS2 and/or KS3. You will be expected to teach Food and Nutrition to a high standard.

This role is for approximately 9 hours per fortnight, the working of which is flexible as we operate a two-week timetable.

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

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

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

Closing date: Midday Friday 10th February

Interviews will be held: w/c 20th February

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston.dorset.sch.uk

number 295175

Outpatients Clerk/Hospital Receptionist, Band 2

Yeatman Community Hospital, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3JU

We currently have a vacancy for the above administration post(s) and are looking for someone who can provide a timely, accurate and responsive service to the Medical Records/Outpatients and Reception team. You should have excellent interpersonal and IT skills and will need to be able to work well as part of a team and enjoy working in a busy environment.

Previous experience advantageous but not essential.

Flexibility is essential as cover required Monday to Friday between the hours of 08:00 – 17:30, depending on service requirements. This is a part time role of 33 hours; however, we will consider a job share of 18 hours and 15 hours per week.

To apply for this vacancy, please visit https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ and search for vacancy reference 152-C496.22. This post is open for applications until midnight on 12th February 2023

For further information please contact: Jayne Martin (01305) 361591 or Amy Dodge (01305) 361532

Mosaic – Supporting Bereaved Children Training and Development Coordinator

Hours: 20 hrs per week

Salary: £10,400 - £11,440 (FTE £19,500 - £21,450)

Base: Milborne St Andrew, Blandford, DT11 0LG

Are you looking to use your office and people skills to help others? We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join the Mosaic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the administration and support of training and study days, both on-line and face-to-face, and the Mosaic Conference.

Requirements:

Experience of using on-line platforms (Zoom, Teams)

Excellent organisational skills and time management

Good, accurate, administrative skills

Good telephone manner

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Closing Date: 17/02/2023

Full job description application form available from: 01258 83707, cathy@mosaicfamilysupport.org

www.mosaicfamilysupport.org

Registered Charity: 1158138

Port Regis is a delightful preparatory school, for day and boarding children aged 2-13, in Shaftesbury, Dorset.

We are seeking to recruit candidates for the following roles:

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER HEAD OF MARKETING HEAD OF ADMISSIONS

The successful candidates can expect a competitive salary and benefits package; and to join an exceptional working environment and staff team.

For full details of the roles and application procedure, please visit our website - portregis.com/vacancies

Early applications encouraged

Port Regis (Charity No: 306218) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS and safer recruitment vetting checks.

SITUATIONS WANTED

EXPERIENCED SELF EMPLOYED CARER available

Monday - Friday. Insured, DBS, references. Blandford Forum and surrounding areas. Call: 07342752273

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

SIGMA ENGINEERING Vehicle Technician

Full time (Monday–Friday)

Classic cars, engine rebuilding etc

FULL TIME GARDENER

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced gardener. You will be working under the supervision of the Head Gardener, within the gardening team at a large manor house.

We are responsible for maintaining and developing a diverse set of gardens which include a kitchen garden, formal and informal gardens and lawns, greenhouses, wild ower meadows and rose gardens.

Gillingham

info@sigmadorset.co.uk

Candidates will need good gardening general knowledge, experience with rose and ornamental shrub pruning, familiarity with herbaceous perennials and grasses. Some understanding of wild ower meadows and greenhouse works would also be an advantage. A great opportunity for a motivated person to contribute to a fantastic garden.

Please send for a job brief to:

Gavin Fauvel, The Estate O ce, Cranborne, Dorset, BH21 5PS or email info@cranborne.co.uk

Independent Boarding and Day School for Pupils aged 4 -18 GSA/CISC

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

Librarian and Cover Supervisor (FULL TIME)

Driver Required

37.5 hours per week

Term Time

Leweston School is seeking an organised, efficient and friendly individual to provide a stimulating environment that contributes to the delivery of the curriculum and to promote independent learning.

Email: Personalcare121@ hotmail.com Mosaic

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

The successful candidate will be able to support students in developing study and research skills and to maintain and build on Leweston’s buoyant reading culture across campus. The role will also involve managing and supporting classes during teacher absence where work has been set by the teacher and can be carried out independently by pupils.

Previous experience in a similar role is desirable.

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

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

Mosaic is a Dorset wide charity offering support to bereaved children, young people and their families facing the death of a loved one.

We are seeking fully qualified counsellors/therapists as sessional workers in North and West areas of Dorset and Purbeck. If you have experience of working with bereaved children, young people and their families and would like to be part of our friendly and supportive team, please contact us for further information and an application form.

Requirements: Counselling qualification and CPD certificate in working with children and young people. Minimum of 1 year post qualification. Experience of working with children, young people and families. And a driving licence.

Closing date for Applications: Tuesday 28th February 2023

Please send your CV with the names of two referees to the HR Manager, Leweston School Leweston, Sherborne, DT9 6EN or email: recruitment@leweston.dorset.sch.uk

www leweston co uk An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the School Closing date: 15th August 2017

Further details and application form available from: 01258 83707, cathy@mosaicfamilysupport.org

blackmorevale.net

Worms can cause significant harm

By Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

INTERNAL worms are parasites that can live in various places within the body. Typically, they live alongside the host animal without causing too much damage, but some can cause significant harm and, in certain circumstances, death of the host.

Broadly speaking, in pet animals in the UK, the types of worms are divided into roundworms and tapeworms. Most roundworms live in the gut and live off the food passing through it as the animal eats. Some travel via the lungs or heart as part of their lifecycle and some live off the blood via blood vessels in the gut wall and, when present in large numbers, can cause anaemia.

Roundworm, particularly in dogs, can cause problems in

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growing children. The larvae of the worm can track to the developing optic nerve causing blindness. Roundworm eggs can survive in the environment and on infected animals’ fur, so it is essential that dogs in contact with children are wormed effectively.

Puppies can become infected from their mothers by transplacental infection and puppies and kittens can get them from their mother’s milk. Even healthy, regularly wormed bitches are likely to carry low levels of roundworms. Puppies have no immunity to these worms so require regular worming from two to three weeks of age. Effective wormers will kill adult worms present at the time, but encysted stages present in the gut wall will then mature and a new adult population of worms will develop.

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Other less common types of worm, such as lungworm and hookworm, can also be seen. Lungworm can cause a cough and a clotting disorder, as well as other less common symptoms, and are obtained by eating snails and slugs. The prevalence of lungworm is unknown but may be underestimated as a cause of clinical disease. Hookworm is a type of worm which burrows through foot pads and is more common in kennelled dogs such as greyhounds and can cause significant blood loss – and even death – in puppies.

Two commonly found forms of tapeworm are found in our pets. Infections are attained from eating raw meat and from fleas. Cats which eat wildcaught animals are commonly infected with tapeworm and can

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Many wormers are available but they vary significantly in their effectiveness as well as which worms they treat

develop visible external segments three weeks after initial infection. Fleas commonly carry tapeworm eggs and pets grooming themselves when infested with fleas will often swallow fleas and the tapeworm eggs inside will develop inside the pet. Pets which do not have fleas and do not eat raw meat are at low risk of tapeworm infections.

There are many wormers on the market and they vary significantly in their effectiveness as well as which worms they treat, with most ‘off the shelf’ products not covering lungworm. If you want to ensure you are treating your pet correctly, please speak to your veterinary practice so they can assess the relative risk and advise you which wormer to use.

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£800 ono

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PHOTO: ewa pniewska/ Pixabay

MID DORSET BRANCH CATS PROTECTION Cats looking for new homes

Kevin, one. A very confident happy boy who needs to learn some boundaries

Bonnie (14) Bonnie is a sweet chunky older lady who came to us through no fault of her own. She has a minor recurring health need so does need occasional trips to the vet

BEHAVIOUR TIPS

Tip #32: How to survive dog’s adolescence

by Helen Taylor

Trigger, two. Gorgeous chunky chap who was found as a stray

Bill and Ben, two. Bill and Ben are a delightful pair looking for a home together

Hamish, three. Very loving, but a little unpredictable, great character needing an experienced cat owner

Thelma and Louise, six months. A shy pair that will need an experienced cat owner

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, please contact us via our website, phone or Facebook.

Please make sure we have a contact phone number so we can get in touch with you quickly if needed.

n Tabby and white, missing since about January 11 from Burgess Close

area of Marnhull.

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 might be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner.

n Ginger tabby, found in Merley, chipped but not registered.

We are still offering neutering and micro-chipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10 and DT11, SP7 and SP8, and BH21. Phone: 01258 268695.

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION

Loving homes needed for cats and kittens in our care.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford

(Formerly Blandford & Sturminster)

Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary Practice Ltd

BUILDING a solid groundwork of force-free training and socialisation, and interest in the owner, before your young dog hits adolescence is vital.

His obedience will probably still go backwards, but you can do a lot to limit the damage and –while it may feel as if he has forgotten all his training – it is all still there under the surface! Continue to scrupulously prevent him from rehearsing undesirable behaviours as this is a prime time for bad habits to form – such as rushing up to every other dog he sees.

It is also important to adapt your training and management strategies to allow for his adolescent limitations.

Remember his reduced ability to cope with frustration – make sure your adolescent can ‘win’ at tasks easily and ensure the reward is worthwhile and that your training processes are not themselves inadvertently creating frustration. Increase the value and/or rate of your rewards and decrease distractions to ensure he remains motivated to respond to you.

And finally, be realistic – remember all mammals go through adolescence, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it! But it does not last forever!

n Helen Taylor BSc(Hons) ADipCBM; certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB); ABTC register of Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Animal Training Instructors; full member APBC & APDT (881); phone: 07951 985193; help@helentaylordorset.co.uk; www. helentaylordorset.co.uk

Field & Stream

Snow leaves lambs in skittish state

by Tria Stebbing

A BUSY few weeks in the field. We took a road trip to Chard to pick up a sheep foot mat. A couple of the girls have had recurrent foot problems, so we decided to bite the bullet and invest in a sheep foot bath system.

The main part is the mat on which you put the medicated foot wash, which the sheep walk through, soaking their feet in some good stuff, and hopefully getting on top of the problem from the bottom up.

The excessive mud has led to a bit of foot rot, with some of the ewes hobbling and getting heavier, and it was time to try something new. Up until now, we have kept up with purple spray, which attacks the germ, not the problem that causes it.

The next task will be to round them all up and lead them through one at a time – we are waiting for a dry weather window to try this.

At the time of writing, the mud has been replaced by sheet ice, and today snow. So we have gone from sheep happily

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munching their way across the paddocks to sheep having nothing to munch on in two days. A paddock covered in snow looks very pretty but if the

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sheep can’t get to the grass they will quickly lose condition.

Sheep are so very curious –we have started to take bales of hay up to them to supplement their diet. Hay bales, to the sheep, are clearly an unknown predator which needs to be treated with the utmost suspicion. It took a day for the older ewes to go near them and then realise they were great for munching on, and then another for the young lambs to follow.

The lambs have not seen snow before and have been very skittish, running away at the slightest thing – their world is temporarily different and they are very edgy.

Water has also been an issue as the troughs freeze every night still – today I filled a

bucket with snow, hoping that a slight thaw would give them a drink.

Feed has also been increased for the older ladies as we are certain they are in lamb – it will be an-other four weeks before we can scan to see, but already their shapes are changing, some carry around the middle and some underneath.

The rams remain on top of the next paddock and occasionally call over to the ewes, but overall are pretty well behaved. Hormones seem to have settled down again and there is not so much head butting at the moment.

One of last year’s lambs, King, has just come back from a little holiday on a local care farm. We chose King to go as he has the best calmness about him and is an approachable little chap. It was a bit of a gamble as he was only just over six months old, and we were not sure if he was up to the job.

Clearly King had a great holiday with his ladies and is due to be the proud father of several sets of twins. He will make someone a lovely ram this year and now he is proven, we hope he will be sought after.

Those lambs are due a month before ours, so good timing all round. We are not sure what they will look like as the mothers are another breed that does not usually cross with a Zwartbles, but we are hopeful for a good fleece, whatever the colour.

I am hoping the snow leaves us soon as it was a hard trek today dragging a bale up the hill for the rams, but they tucked in so readily that and muscles that ached were quickly forgotten.

Hay bales have been taken to the sheep to supplement their diet

Back to times past down on the farm

by A J Selby

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there”.

L P Hartley – The Go-Between

A SHORT walk from my house is a ford over a delightful little river and I pause awhile to watch for any signs of life.

Sometimes I see ‘ratty’, the resident water vole, busying himself where the bank meets the flowing water. Today, though, I watch a pair of mallards intermittently quacking and foraging as they paddle against the steady current. Just out of sight I can hear moorhens, too. I bid them farewell and walk across a marshy paddock towards the stand of deciduous trees in the next field.

In fact, there are three fields side by side – the marshy one is lower went, then middle went and upper went. On a neighbouring farm there is a field called ‘Four Wents’, although I am unsure of the etymology of the word ‘Went’. Middle went has recently been under the plough and atop a furrow 20 yards in from the headland I espy a glint of metal reflected by the low winter sun. I hop over the clods and ease the object out of the brown earth, rub it on my sleeve and put it in my jacket poacher’s pocket.

I look up at the trees, which rise away up a short escarpment and note there is a subtle change in the look of the wood – in December the thin, black branch tips were like a crone’s fingers pointing towards the distance, whereas now, with hazel and alder loaded with catkins, and buds imperceptibly swelling, the entire wood has filled out and lightened in colour. At the edge of the wood is an old bench and a huddled figure was sat there taking in the stillness of the day. It was the oldest resident of the village, the ‘old man’ as he is known, well into his 90s but still sharp in mind if slower in movement. I sit down and exchange

pleasantries and we speak a little of the turning of another year and the prospects for the spring.

He tells me he was born in the same month as our recently departed monarch and this is his first winter without her. He left school at 13 at the beginning of the war to help on the farm – his father and grandfather before him were head horsemen on the same estate and he planned to follow in their footsteps. In September 1939 the world changed forever. He started the war as a boy and when it was over he was a man, but things were different with tractors replacing the Suffolk Punch horses he was always at one with. The War Ag needed acres ploughed to grow corn and potatoes to feed the nation – a horse could plough an acre a day, a tractor with a two- or three-furrow plough could turn over ten to 15 acres a day.

He paused for a while, resting his elbows on his knees and steepling his fingers, thinking back. Across the field to the village in the late winter silence we heard the church bell ring out the quarters but little

else apart from an occasional crow overhead, a ruffle of black feathers against the clear blue sky. I reached into my pocket and told him I had just picked something out of the plough ground in the next field – it was a big horseshoe and his eyes lit up as I passed it to him. He rubbed it between his gnarled fingers and turned it this way and that, and then his eyes glazed over and he quietened as time travelled backwards. I am sure he could hear the two Suffolks pulling the plough, the creak of the thick leather against their giant frames, the rustle of the chains that linked the plough to the harness on their powerful flanks, and the burst of their breath in the cold air like silent pistol shots as these most noble of beasts plodded forward turning over the dark brown sods.

“You know,” he said to me after a while, “until the war I thought it would always be like that. I thought I would work horses and pass the skills to my son and then to his.” I agreed and said that in my own younger farming days only half a century ago I didn’t foresee

the changes to come either. Then we talked of modern tractors with huge wheels and even bigger implements, of cows giving twice the milk yield of his day and of the disappearance of so much wildlife. We talked of turtle doves, nightingales and yellowhammers, and a dozen skylarks above the earth, and of the now almost extinct corncrakes in the wheat whose buzzing call would accompany the men as they left the fields in the dusky twilight at the end of their day’s labours.

And there were wildflowers and insects aplenty in the hedgerows, bullfinches scared away from the orchards by young boys, the dung beetles in the meadows and the blood red poppies nodding above the whispering barley in the days before herbicides. He was thinking back to his youth and harder but simpler times as was I in another era but again, so different to today. As I bade him a good morning to continue my ramble a thought came to me: “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”

Changing times: The Suffolk Punch could plough an acre a day but a tractor with a two- or three-furrow plough could turn over ten to 15 acres in the same time

NFU responds to latest ELM scheme details

NFU vice-president David Exwood has responded to the latest changes announced by Defra for the roll-out of its Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme.

Mr Exwood said: “It’s encouraging that Defra has provided us with more detail on the future of the ELM programme and brought forward a broader, more flexible offer for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

“Information on the six new standards for SFI 2023, payments rates, as well as the evolving Countryside Stewardship scheme, is incredibly useful and provides some of the clarity we have been asking for.

“For farmers and growers making crucial long-term decisions that are essential to running viable and profitable food producing businesses, it’s vital they have the full scheme details as soon as possible and

know how the different schemes will work together.

“A speedy application and payment process will also be key to give farm businesses some much-needed security.

“If ELMs is to be successful, we’ve always said that it needs to be simple, provide certainty and fairly reward farmers for taking part.

“This means schemes being developed that are inclusive and available to every farm business – whether upland or lowland, tenant or owneroccupied.

“British farmers are committed to delivering net zero agriculture by 2040, and the NFU remains committed to working with Defra to improve its ELM offer.

“It’s in all our interests to ensure sustainable, climatefriendly British farming in the future, with farmers producing food alongside their work in maintaining and protecting the environment.”

Dog owners must control their pets

by Ruth Kimber ENJOYING

and enduring the cold weather! For sure it’s doing good to our soils and killing off some of the bugs. The pictures of frosty fields and hoar frost on trees and foliage is a lovely winter sight, which we haven’t had much of over the last few years.

However, minus 5 degrees and so on doesn’t come alone –when the frost is out, no doubt there will be fractured pipes and other things to deal with. We have had a few problems keeping water to the animals, including the garden birds, which also need water.

Sadly, we also lost an 18 month dairy heifer – she slipped on ice and broke her leg and had to be destroyed. Such a loss, and to add to it we have to pay for her to be taken away. Years ago, these losses were paid for by the

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‘knacker man’, who took away the body and made use of it in various ways.

We were having a family gathering on New Year’s Day when Darren had a call that one of his sheep had been attacked by a large local dog. It had gone for its throat and shoulder. The other sheep had been chased and there’s no knowing if they had subsequently lost their lambs. We will have to wait and see.

It underlines again the problem of loose dogs out of

control in the countryside. Not only farm animals are at risk but wild animals – if a deer is injured but not killed its fate is for a long-suffering death.

In our village we have had several such attacks on livestock in recent years.

So yet again a plea goes out to dog owners – keep your dogs away from livestock. It is a dog owner’s legal responsibility to keep their dogs under strict control and know where they are at all times. A farmer/owner has the right to protect their animals, and if a dog is found attacking a sheep it can be legally shot.

The local police have been most helpful and are active in this matter.

When buying a puppy, it so important to match the dog with its home, space, ability to exercise, suitability to live with children and other animals and

so on. All puppies look sweet and appealing but grow into animals with specific needs –some that are most suited to work become bored and often troublesome.

Multiple dogs turn into packs and can chase and kill as part of their ‘natural pack behaviour’. During lockdown there was a greater demand for puppies with maybe heart rather than head driving some of the purchases. Those same puppies are now fully grown and sadly the dog homes have had a glut of unwanted pets.

n Kimber’s 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; opening times Tuesday-Friday 8.30am5pm; Saturday 9.30am-4pm.

Sheep are sometimes the victim of dog attacks

Lump Sum Exit Scheme take up could boost farmland supply

THE Government’s Lump Sum Exit Scheme (LSES) initiative could boost the supply of farmland to buy in England according to findings published in Savills Spotlight: The Farmland Market.

Data from Defra indicates more than 2,000 applications were received for the LSES by its close last September, representing 2.6 per cent of England’s farms.

In terms of acreage, Savills’ analysis shows a bias towards smaller farms, which can in part be explained by the £100,000

LSES payment cap in place.

According to modelling by Savills research these applications collectively cover 260,000 acres of land, which is 1.2 per cent of England’s agricultural land area, equivalent to 20 per cent of Lincolnshire’s agricultural land area or 50 per cent of Hampshire’s.

Put another way, it’s double the area of farmland offered for sale publicly in England during 2022.

To access the lump sum, retirees must sell, let or transfer

Reasons for farm machinery sales in 2022

their land by May 2024 meaning realistically this year is the only marketing season available.

Geoff Jones, of Savills rural agency team in Salisbury, said: “We predict the amount of farmland for sale will not increase significantly because capital taxation policy continues to encourage its long-term retention. Also, in many cases, the farm is the family’s longstanding home, so ties are

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Further evidence that the LSES and the agricultural transition will lead to some sales of farms and farmland are supported by Savills’ analysis of the reasons for farm machinery dispersal sales.

In 2022 ‘sale of the farm’ was explicitly stated as a reason for the machinery auction in 15 per cent of cases, and higher proportions refer to retirement or a ‘change in farming policy’.

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Unexpected change of direction benefits livestock farmer

For livestock farmer Mike Roberts, a change in farm management style has not only taken him by surprise but significantly reduced input costs and means the farm is well on the way to being carbon negative.

“Having soil as our primary focus has improved performance across the farm in a very short time,” said Mike, while speaking to the Cornish Mutual Future Farming Programme.

The change in direction came following the return of his son Sam to the 435-acre farm.

Following a farm review, the Roberts chose to reduce their herd size and focus on improving their soil by adopting a new rotational grazing system, reseeding more frequently and incorporating new species to extend grazing.

“Introducing herbs, such as chicory, plantain and yarrow, legumes and other

diverse species, to enhance the soil and its biology has reduced damage, improved crop yields and extended our grazing season from six months to 12 months,” Mike explained.

“We are trialling new ways to graze our cattle by adding mixed species

to increase the efficiency of our beef production, without compromising the quality, taste or nutrient value. We will monitor our results, change when needed and hope to be carbon negative within five years.”

Mike Roberts and his son Sam Picture:Precision Grazing Ltd and Sian Mercer

6th

6th - 10th February 2023 Free Farm Valuation Week

In 2022 we sold over 3,500 acres across 8 counties.

In 2022 we sold over 3,500 acres across 8 counties.

In 2022 we sold over 3,500 acres across 8 counties.

In 2022 we sold over 3,500 acres across 8 counties.

In 2022 we sold over 3,500 acres across 8 counties.

We currently have 880 farm buyers and 1,505 land buyers registered. Our team, pictured below visiting buyers in London, are the best in their field at selling Farms, Estates, Land and Rural Property. For a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sale purposes, call one of our specialist farm agents.

We currently have 880 farm buyers and 1,505 land buyers registered. Our team, pictured below visiting buyers in London, are the best in their field at selling Farms, Estates, Land and Rural Property.

For a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sale purposes, call one of our specialist farm agents.

We currently have 880 farm buyers and 1,505 land buyers registered. Our team, pictured below visiting buyers in London, are the best in their field at selling Farms, Estates, Land and Rural Property. For a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sale purposes, call one of our specialist farm agents.

We currently have 880 farm buyers and 1,505 land buyers registered. Our team, pictured below visiting buyers in London, are the best in their field at selling Farms, Estates, Land and Rural Property. For a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sale purposes, call one of our specialist farm agents.

We currently have 880 farm buyers and 1,505 land buyers registered. Our team, pictured below visiting buyers in London, are the best in their field at selling Farms, Estates, Land and Rural Property. For a free, no obligation, market appraisal for sale purposes, call one of our specialist farm agents.

Auction 2nd March 2022

Merley House, Wimborne and via Livestream

Broadstone Guide £750,000

A substantial Edwardian property, requiring complete renovation and nestling within secluded grounds of 0.53 acres. Freehold; EPC F; CTB G

Wimborne 01202 843190

S Marshall Guide £475,000 A 4 bedroom village property with excellent potential for updating, adjoining countryside at the rear.

Freehold; EPC E; CTB E

Wimborne 01202 843190

Shroton Guide £475,000

A bungalow in about 0.66 acres with scope for modernisation, extension or replacement (STPP). Freehold; EPC G; CTB E Blandford 01258 452670

Bournemouth Guide £350,000

A detached 2 bedroom bungalow requiring modernisation with spacious accommodation of approx. 1,036sqft. (96sqm). Freehold; EPC E; CTB D Wimborne 01202 843190

Shillingstone Guide £350,000

A 0.35 acre building plot with full PP to erect two detached dwellings with gardens near the middle of the village. Freehold. Sturminster 01258 473766

H Plucknett Guide £330,000

A deceptively spacious 3 bedroom, 3 reception room Grade II Listed Cottage with garage and parking. Freehold; EPC Exempt; CTB E Ilminster 01460 200790

S Newton Guide £325,000

We’re inviting entries for our first auction of the year, to be held on 2 March in Wimborne. Entries so far include a number of properties for renovation, agricultural and building land, and even a barge! out how this fast and efficient method of sale and purchase can work for you,

We’re inviting entries for our first auction of the year, to be held on 2 March in Wimborne. Entries so far include a number of properties for renovation, agricultural and building land, and even a barge!

A detached house for updating with stunning views in 2.17 acres on the market for the first time in 96 years. Freehold; EPC F; CTB D Sturminster 01258 473766

Mark Lewis | 01258 473766

Mark Lewis | 01258 473766

Meredith Holmes | 01202 843190

Graham Barton | 01297 33122

H Plucknett Guide £250,000

A 4 bedroom detached Grade II listed house for modernisation with rear garden, a share of a garage and parking. Freehold; EPC Exempt; CTB E Yeovil 01935 423526

Symonds Sampson SOLD SOLD

Meredith Holmes | 01202 843190 Graham Barton | 01297 33122

Ashill Guide £175,000

Portland Guide £185,000

Beaminster Guide £275,000

We’re inviting Wimborne. Entries

A modern 2 bedroom semi-detached bungalow with garage and garden, presented in excellent order. Freehold; EPC C; CTB C Beaminster 01308 863100

To find out how this fast and efficient method of sale and purchase can work for you, please contact:

To find out how

Blandford Forum Guide £185,000

Symonds &Sampson SOLD SOLD SOLD

Praa Guide £150,000-£175,000

Affpuddle 21% above guide

A 2 bedroom bungalow for modernisation with a good sized garden and just ¾ of a mile from Praa Sands. Freehold; EPC E; CTB B

A 2 bedroom house in need of general updating, with scope to extend (STPP) in a rural location with countryside views. Freehold; EPC E; CTB B Ilminster 01460 200790

100% success rate at our December Auction

100% success rate at our December Auction

Crewkerne Guide £125,000

Affpuddle Sold 21% above guide

Axminster 01297 33122

West Morden Sold 45% above guide

A 2 bedroom cottage in need of some modernisation, situated in an elevated position within easy reach of the town centre. Freehold; EPC E; CTB B

An extended 3 bedroom 1930’s house with scope for modernisation, garage and garden, situated close to amenities. Freehold; EPC E; CTB B Poundbury 01305 251154

Falmouth Guide £85,000-£105,000

West Morden Sold 45% above guide

Ilminster 01460 220790

‘La Peniche’, a 40 metre converted French Barge currently berthed in Falmouth, most recently used as a dining restaurant with rooms

Winterbourne Houghton Sold 233% above guide

Axminster 01297 33122

Symonds &Sampson SOLD

A partially-renovated 2 bedroom cottage, presenting an opportunity to create a charming home in a central position. Freehold; EPC TBC; CTB B Blandford 01258 452670

100%

West Moors Guide £100,000

A parcel of 13.42 acres of woodland with river frontage, located a secluded location.

Wimborne 01202 882103

West Moors Guide £75,000

A block of land measuring 5.21 acres comprising a mixture of permanent pasture and woodland, with river frontage.

Winterbourne Houghton Sold 233% above guide

Wimborne 01202 882103

Affpuddle Sold 21% above

Symonds & Sampson

Merley House near Wimborne is the venue for Symonds & Sampson’s first property auction of 2023 to be held on 2nd March and with a diverse and impressive catalogue of property and land spanning an area from Bournemouth to Cornwall.

The benchmark is high following a 100% success rate at our December sale, but auctioneer Mark Lewis is confident. “The media might try to talk the market down, however the reality for many types of property and land is that demand is high. The lure of building or renovating your own home is as strong as ever, which bodes well for the many properties for renovation we have in the catalogue.

Woodland and agricultural land attract interest from local buyers, those looking for their piece of English Countryside, and investors.”

Of particular note is Wesper Farmhouse in Sturminster Newton. Built in 1947 and believed to be the first house built in the town after WWII, it’s now on the market for the first time in 96 years! The 3-bedroom house in 2.17 acres has wonderful views to Hambledon Hill to the rear and is a very exciting prospect for a buyer with imagination.

Similarly, a substantial detached Edwardian house in private grounds of 0.54 acres in Broadstone is a rare opportunity to modernise a wonderful character property.

Properties for modernisation in Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall are entered in the auction, which also contains a first for Symonds & Sampson, a barge. ‘La Perniche’ is a 40m steel vessel built in France in the 1930’s, which has seen service as a commercial barge, a river cruiser in Burgundy, and most recently as a restaurant berthed in Falmouth.

Head to our website to see all the lots entered, or call into your nearest Symonds & Sampson office to collect a copy of the catalogue, graced with a beautiful painting by Angie Rooke.

1 Merriefield Drive

La Perniche

Wesper Farmhouse

Land and Woodland at West Moors

£620,000

An impressive top floor apartment situated in the heart of Wincanton. Tastefully refurbished, two bedrooms, modern open plan living room/ kitchen, shower room and long lease with share of Freehold. EPC Rating: D. Leasehold.

£325,000 Templecombe

A four bedroom semi-detached house situated on a small development of individually designed properties. Stunning master bedroom with en-suite shower room, large kitchen/diner, lounge with wood burner, central heating, garage, secluded courtyard garden, off road parking and cloakroom. EPC Rating:

Thinking of moving in 2023?

NEW INSTRUCTION

We are enjoying a busy start to the year having registered many buyers looking to purchase aproperty in the local towns and villages.

If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to provide you with a free market assessment and valuation.

BRUTON £225,000

Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

and en-suite. Spacious lounge/diner, fitted kitchen, private garden, garage and no forward chain. EPC Rating: C.

NEW INSTRUCTION

£485,000

WINCANTON £145,000

An attractive two bedroom mid terrace house situated in a small close on a mature development. Spacious sitting room, kitchen/diner, bathroom, easy to maintain garden, allocated parking, ideal investment or first time buy. EPC Rating: C.

WINCANTON 01963 34000

Shaftesbury 01747 851151

WINCANTON £226,500

An exceptionally well presented three bedroom semi-detached house with stunning far reaching views over Wincanton and countryside beyond. Sitting room, stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, cloakroom, driveway and garage alongside property,

£365,000

Wincanton

WINCANTON £179,950

A spacious two bedroom semi-detached house situated on a popular residential development. The property is presented in excellent order and enjoys the benefit of a car port, long driveway, enclosed garden, sitting room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and potential to extend (STPP). EPC Rating: D.

HAMLET LETTINGS

01963 34006

E. Freehold.

A detached stable block conversion situated on an impressive complex of former farm outbuildings. Stunning drawing room with vaulted ceiling and exposed timbers, dining hall, three bedrooms, study, kitchen/breakfast room, garage, private front garden and large parkland style rear garden. EPC Rating: D. Freehold.

Horsington

An exceptional four bedroom detached house situated on a popular development. Spacious family home comprising downstairs study, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room with French doors to garden, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, bathroom, attractive garden and garage. EPC Rating: B. Freehold.

A modernised one bedroom retirement flat in the heart of Wincanton. Larger than some within the building. Bedroom with dressing room, open plan living room/kitchen, dining area and stylish bathroom. EPC Rating: C. Leasehold.

£140,000 Wincanton

Stalbridge

Puzzle solutions (from pages 46-47)