Items For Sale

White Belfast Sink, 2ft x 18" wide x 8.5" depth £40 01258 451507. Double size wardrobe, approx 66" x 48", good condition £25 0196323333 Bishops Caundle. New John Lewis Cino Express Christmas tree stand £15 07802 233864. Canaries for sale. £13 each. 01963 33156. His Master’s Voice Portable Wind Up Record Player plus 36 classical 75's £100 - Tel 07749 259 000 /hugh.notley@gmail.com. Walker & Wheelchair, 3 wheeled walker £35, wheelchair £65 - both as new - Tel - 01258 456497. Model tug boat approx 38" long £50. Tel No - 01747 228845. Ornaments - Horse and Wagon £40, Gypsy Caravan and Horses £40 - 01963 371239 Well rotted horse manure £95 per transit load, delivered within 20 miles Sherborne - Tel 01963 210269 Wicker hampers (fill for Christmas) Can deliver to Blandford area £10, £15 and £2, Carol - 01202 423909 Wahl electric hair clippers, two in case, new, collection only, Salisbury £25 - 01722 711456. 20 jam jars £5, 25 pickling jars £10 - 07854 966 770 / 01747 824 240. Vax vacuum £50 ono, good condition, one recliner chair green, good condition £50 or 01747 829056. Staddle and striker stones for sale £60 to £100 each, Phone 01747 840835. Doll’s pram, excellent condition plus two dolls £10, 01258 818078. Flymo 300 mower and grass box, £10, set of drain rods and attachments £10, 3-in-1 rechargeable portable jump starter £10, 01258 489188 Vintage Pendragon English leather suitcase £35, Regency rosewood picture frame £20 01935 389064 fish tank l48", h24", w12", lights, heater, autofeeder large/small filters, air pump etc, £100 - 07947 865774 golf carry bag, integrated stand, club dividers, zipped pockets, strap, good as new £30 - 01747 840681. Doll’s house perfect condition, six rooms plus all furniture, £50 - 01258 818078. Echo hostess trolley, good condition £40 - 01963 362159. 2 large Marco Polo suitcases £5 each - Tel 01258 880506. Set of 20 children's Britanica £5 ONO - Tel 01258 880506. Dunlop golf shoes, never used size 10 £33 - new golf balls still boxed £40 - 07787550145. Singer hand sewing machine £80 01258 860113. Brother word processing typewriter £80 01258 860113. Adler portable typewriter £40 01258 860113 Loom table, new, Ashford, £60 01963 34498 Grooming table 17 x 22 inches for small dog £20 01747 840018. Folding 5 panelled bath shower screen VGC £30 01747 825792. Bisley light grey 2 drawer filing cabinet VGC £35.00 01747 825792. 1 pair lined red velvet curtains 6 ft wide and 7 ft long, pinch pleat, heading, professionally made £75ovno 07523 564678 Black glass tv stand, 3 shelves perfect condition £40 01963 363978 Computer desk pullout keyboard shelf, printer, shelf, disc compartment £40 01963 363978 Z bed, as new condition £50 01749 850201. Beige faux leather double headboard, as new, bargain £10, 01963 548224. Karaoke DBD, CDG player and disks, as new, great fun for all, £30, 01963 548224 Chainsaw bib and brace safety trousers, 38/40" waist, as new, £60, 01963 548224. Solid teak dressing/console table in VGC, W100xD45xH78cms + matching stool £65 - email maryfield1957@msn.com for picture. Grey metal office grade, 4 drawer metal filing cabinet + hanging files H132xW47xD64cms £50 email maryfield1957@ msn.com for picture. Persian carpet approx 10ft x 8ft main colour red, cost £1,000 will accept £100, 5/6 yrs old, 01963 210546 or 07815 589393. Faux black leather sofa bed excellent condition free! 01747 850546 (evenings) Old Newspapers 1940's, 1950's Free, Ring Rose on 01963 548522 2 part pool cue, Riley 9mm tip c/w, rigid box £10. Car bike carrier, Avenir Arizona, New, till in original packing £50 Call Tony 07763 008426.

CLASSIFIEDS

Nattuzzi red leather sofa £750, chair £350 EXCELLENT CONDITION 07588 053555

Victorian Tiled Fireplace, tile depicts lily's in pot. With fire basket. Good Condition £500.

Stihl FS45 2 stroke strimmer. Used for one season only, been in garage unused for several years, £35. Contemporary dining chairs with high backs, Pine Colour, black vinyl seat covers, set of 8, £50. Hazelbury Bryan Area, Call 01258 817389

Very attractive - 2x wooden 65mm curtain poles 275cm (9ft)long. Complete with rings, corded and minaret finials with extended brass brackets. £350ono (new £1,000+) 01747 839831

1950s Haberdashery counter in excellent condition £1,950 07588 053555

Aga, black with chrome lids, oil fired, dismantled and indoors, extensive flue , £250. 01258837250 m. 07710249177, email markjcrussell@ gmail.com

Vertical radiator panels (2) - white (Milano) design; 11"x63". £40 each or £60 the pair. Tony 07949467117 (Shaftesbury)

Teenager launches calendar to fund his conservation work

A calendar featuring old pictures of Blandford is being offered for sale by a teenager fundraising for a 2021 school expedition to Costa Rica to work on a conservation programme. Isaac Readhead, 15, lives near Broadstone but his mum Emma works in Blandford at the Blandford Chiropody 20 Clinic in Tabernacle Walk, and the pair say they have fallen in love with the town. Isaac needs to raise £4,500 to take part in the four week Camps International expedition focusing on community development, environmental conservation work, and wildlife protection and conservation. He has so far raised around £700. The calendar costs £8 and has been sponsored by Blandford Town Museum, which has supplied the photographs and which will be offering the calendar for sale. It will also be on sale at the Blandford Chiropody Clinic and other local outlets, and by post. Email BlandfordCharityCalendar@ gmail.com or go to gf.me/u/w54pjj

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Villagers in Mere fighting to keep their pub have won the first skirmish in a battle to prevent development of the site. The Butt of Sherry was sold by pub chain Enterprise in July to Oxygen 56, a London-based property developer, despite the community offering to buy it. The pub has been shut since but Oxygen later put in an application to build a holiday cottage on the land, replacing two garages. Protesters say it was a first attempt to start work on the site and pub, a 250-year-old Grade II listed building in Castle Street, a conservation area. It was also pointed out that the ‘holiday home’ is actually a three doublebedroomed house, which would have access onto a single-track lane. The application was withdrawn last week. Pub supporter Mel Wilkinson said: “There were a lot of people objecting as they thought this was the start of something bigger. We can only hope that the campaign to have any development stopped was successful. We have won the first round.” Mel is a member of The Butt of Sherry Preservation Society (BoSPS), a group which fought for months to raise enough to buy the pub. Apart from The George Hotel, it was the only pub left in Mere. They obtained an Asset of Community Value certificate, which temporarily prevented a sale for development, and raised £275,000, half in cash and half as a mortgage. The BoSPS believe their offer exceeded that of Oxygen 56, but that Enterprise wanted it all in cash. But the group haven’t given up hope that Oxygen will sell to them if plans to develop the pub fail – and there is precedent. The Spotted Cow and Calf pub in Belper, Derbyshire was also bought by Oxygen – who sold it after failing to win permission for change of use. It is now a community owned pub, café, Post Office and guest room. “We still want to buy The Butt,” said Mel. “So much has already gone in the town and Mere is well on the way to becoming a dormitory town. What we will lose is not just a pub but also the aspirations that we had for it. As it stands there will be no photographic society, no ukulele club, no book club, no collecting for the food bank in the pub.”

BUTT INN: Mel Wilkinson at the Butt of Sherry

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Two more markets are set to be held at Shaftesbury’s town hall this year. The markets, which raise cash for Weldmar Hospicecare and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, will be held on

Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20 from 9.30am until 4.30pm. It is an indoor market with buskers outside, and features stalls offering jewellery, pin boards, candles, jigsaws, It was a really proud moment when Button Cottage Lockdown author Anne Kings, from Gillingham and known as ‘Granny Annie’, presented a cheque for £1,500 from the proceeds. Anne and her three grandchildren, Bella Rose and Noah and Abel Brady, who all attend The Abbey School in Shaftesbury, handed the cheque to Sarah Agnew, area fundraiser for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. Anne wants to thank all those people who have played such a big part in helping her along the way in getting this book published at a time when everything was in lockdown, especially Shireen Brickell, who produced lovely illustrations, Anne Marie Reeves, who managed the book, all the shops and everyone who has bought copies. toys, dog coats / blankets, face masks, preserves, body shop, fragrance, household items, craft items, decoupage, photographs, cards and lots more. Most stalls are new produce and local small afternoon please). One ex-Stur woman now living in Bristol also wants to pay membership for the year for one household. There are also 25 volunteers: four in the shop. Items on green shelves will be £1.50 or under, those on red shelves above that. Cllr Jones wants to show a little flexibility on the ten items dependent on the number of people in the household. Savings are considerable: it is estimated 1,200 households benefitted from pantry membership last year, saving £650 on food bills. But another businesses and stalls will be different each day. Shaftesbury High Street is pedestrianised during those hours, so parking in marked disabled bays or the local

Granny Annie’s book sale boost for Julia’s House Hospice

people who sold copies, and – not least –

COTTAGE INDUSTRY: Anne Kings presents a cheque to Julia’s House after raising cash with her book Button Cottage Lockdown

Pantry opens for community food

By Steve Keenan news@blackmorevale.net A community food pantry network that helps feed struggling families opened a branch in Sturminster Newton yesterday. Your Local Pantry originated in Stockport, south of Manchester, in 2013. It’s like a co-operative: you pay to join and can then visit the shop and take 10 or more items. The joining fee in Stur is £4.50 a week – in return, the basket value is worth £20-£25. The Stockport-based scheme says the format removes stigma and gives dignity and choice to local people on low incomes. Dorset Councillor Carole Jones organised the shop in Market Place, Stur, and The Vale Primary Care Network (PCN) is paying the bills. Stur was 22 chosen as the North Dorset base as data on social deprivation in shows the town top of the list. In fact, it is the first rural pantry to be established in a network of 31 – and the first in southern England. About 40 households have already become members at The Vale Pantry and Cllr Jones said 100 would be the cap. “I have never been involved in anything quite like this,” she said. “It is such a brilliant idea and the response from the community has been phenomenal.” There is a weekly delivery from Fareshare, a charity distributing surplus food from producers and retailers. The membership pays for the delivery. But already residents have given donations and offered free veg and fruit (always welcome, bring in Wednesday free streets or car park.

important aspect is creating a social hub, which helps tackle social isolation. The Blackmore Vale Partnership estimates half its appointments are for social, not for medical reasons. The BVP and Gillingham Medical Practice make up the Vale PCN, which will pay the running costs. The Pantry is in the former Spears Travel office and is open on Thursday from 58pm and Saturday, 9am-noon.

A Sherborne man is asking for people’s help to get recognition for two war heroes killed in the town 80 years ago. Brian Matthews is concerned that the memories of two young RAF pilots who died on Black Monday aren’t remembered on the town’s war memorial. He said: “On September 30 I laid flowers beneath the plaque at the War Memorial to the civilians killed on ‘Black Monday’ in Sherborne 80 years earlier. “The dedication I included was to two people whose names are not presently recalled in connection with that awful event. They are Sergeant Leslie Reddington and Flying Office John Hardacre, young RAF pilots who gave their lives in an attempt to defend the town from the misdirected Luftwaffe raid. Both pursued the bombing force until off the coast of Portland and disappeared, presumed killed in action. The body of the unmarried John Hardacre was washed ashore on the Isle of Wight over a week later and was buried at Fawley in Hampshire, but no trace of Leslie Reddington or his Spitfire have ever been found.” Open spaces in Gillingham have been awarded Green Flag accreditation. The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards wellmanaged parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the UK and around the world.

RECOGNITION: Sergeant Leslie Reddington and his daughter Lesley, who was born just months after his death

Brian has researched the lives of all the aircrew involved on that fateful day, and contacted one of Leslie’s daughters, aged 79, Gillingham’s open spaces were part of more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect an award for 2020. Mayor Barry Von Clemens said: “We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining our open spaces to such a high standard.” Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison OgdenNewton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our who lives in Lincolnshire. Leslie’s wife, Georgina, was pregnant with their second child when her

Prestigious prize for open spaces

husband went missing. Brian parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time. “It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Gillingham Town Council has achieved the highest international standards.” said: “She gave birth to a baby girl in February 1941 who was, poignantly, christened Lesley after the father she would never know.” He added: “Earlier this year I contacted the Dean at Sherborne Abbey and the Town Clerk to ask for their support to add a further plaque to the memorial recording the RAF pilots’ names. “I proposed the town should consider naming two roads in any future developments in their honour. I received polite acknowledgements but no positive support, despite pointing out I would undertake fundraising to pay for the memorial and its upkeep. “Therefore, I now turn to the people of the area for support. “If, like me, you feel it is time the town showed a modest appreciation of the sacrifice of these two men and their families please send an email to info@sherbornetc.gov.uk voicing your support for my campaign or contact your local town councillor, individual contact details can be found at sherborne-tc.gov.uk/ Your_ Councillors_2045.aspx.

New number for Citizens Advice

Dorset residents can now contact Citizens Advice free of charge, using a new freephone adviceline number. The Dorset Adviceline number has changed to 0800 144 8848. Helen Goldsack, chief officer for East Dorset and Purbeck Citizens Advice said: “This is a real benefit, as it allows everyone access to advice without having the added worry of call charges.” 23

Check out our smashing pumpkins

North Cadbury Primary School children had a fabulous day immersed in pumpkin craft during the Pumpkin Extravaganza. Pumpkins galore were delivered and every child scooped out the seeds of their pumpkin and then marked out an individual face design for carving later at home. Nothing goes to waste at North Cadbury, and the seeds were collected up and went home with members of staff who happen to own pet pigs. The children loved the day and proudly left school clasping their individual Harvest Pumpkin. 24

£7k lights to cheer Blandford folks up

PLANS are being made to light up Blandford’s Woodhouse Gardens in December to add to the festive spirit and increase people’s morale in the run up to Christmas. The town’s streets will again be decorated with trees and column lights at a cost of more than £7,000. But town councillors have also agreed to bring in a local company specialising in sound and lighting to provide the extra scheme at a cost of just over £1,200. The idea is for the gardens to be transformed with a mixture of colourwash and fairy lights each evening as the light fades, and remain open to visitors until 9pm, when the lights will be turned off and the gates locked to secure the equipment. Councillor Nocturin Lacey

By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Clarke said: “It’s a really great idea, but there is a big dilemma as to whether this is the best use of our funds.” Councillor Alan Cross, who was the only person to vote against the proposal, said he would have problems justifying the expenditure, and asked how many would use or visit the gardens. But Councillor Lynn Lindsay said: “I think after the difficult year we have had, we should to the best we can to raise a smile, and maybe hold a socially distanced event.” Councillor Hugo Mieville agreed, saying that anything that cheered people up could be justified. n Sherborne Festive Shopping Day, December 6 has fallen victim to the lockdown. The Sherborne Chamber of Commerce says: “Even though lockdown is due to end on December 2, we feel it would be irresponsible to hold a day that would normally attract thousands of visitors just four days after this.” n Gillingham Christmas Food and Craft Fair, Riversmeet, November 29. n The Remembrance Service at St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Newton planned for Sunday, November 8. Rev Philippa Sargent has recorded the key spoken parts and will be putting an online version of the service on the church website from November 8 to 14. To enjoy the service go to stmaryssturminster newton.org.uk n Shaftesbury Remembrance: There will be no parade or service at the Town Memorial on Sunday 8 November, or at St Peter’s Church afterwards, and the short commemorative service outside the Town Hall at 11am on Wednesday, November 11 has also been cancelled. Each local organisation is invited to place its wreath on the Town Memorial on Park Walk individually and separately on Sunday 8 November, taking care to avoid others doing the same. Members of the public are encouraged to remember the fallen from their own homes, at 11am on Sunday and Wednesday. n Blandford Town Council rescheduled its Remembrance service (in isolation for broadcast on Facebook) to Wednesday. Ceremonies they had planned for Sunday and next Wednesday have been cancelled.

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INFORMATION

n Information Public Health Dorset: 01305 224400 and West Dorset: A multi–agency team helping people with food, money and medication along with loneliness, isolation, advice and information. 01305 269444, enquiries@ageuk nswd.org.uk Volunteers: Essential shopping and prescription collections during lockdown. Bev 07789 884984 or Sandra 07787 784009 buckhornweston2020@ gmail.com The Dorset Game Larder –01258 857206 Phoenix Frozen Foods –01903 215170 A free delivery service to customers in the village on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To order 01258 820116, enquiries@hawtree andsons.co.uk 0333 370 6700 n Coronavirus schools and

families information, latest advice and co–rdinated community response, Dorset Council: 01305 221000 Support Group: food aid support service – 01747 852420 de Lys. A takeaway meal service with free local delivery in Shaftesbury and a small charge for up to a three-mile distance. Pies £5, mains £15–£20, salads and desserts £7. Pick up and delivery Wednesday – Saturday between 4pm and 7pm. Grocery deliveries too. Order 24 hours in advance. 01747 853717 Catering. Wednesday to Saturday – Cooked meals and light lunches delivered free within 10 miles of Shaftesbury (or £3 charge within 20 miles) Sarah 07944 790514 Being Matters. We provide personalised home support including transport, shopping services, companionship and welfare checks. Amanda Whitlock –07786 251637 n Covid–19 advice and

THYME TEAM: Margot and Steve at Thyme After Time near Stalbridge are ready to help

support from the Volunteer Centre Dorset: 01305 269214 n Shopping services Age UK (North, South and West Dorset): 01305 269 444 Today and tomorrow, 58 households will be delivered home cooked food from the Thyme After Time café run by Margot and Steve Dimmer at Spire Hill Farm, near Stalbridge. One house which has requested five steak and kidney puddings (£4.50). The orders were all placed before the cut-off of Monday lunchtime, as the café once again geared to offering a takeaway meal service. “People know us from the last time we had lockdown,” says Margot, so she will likely also get orders for extras such as There are three meal options –the pies, lamb keema (£4.50) and medjool dates (£3.85). Customers add their own veg. The meals can be delivered or collected. Call 01963 362202.

FOOD DELIVERIES, SUPPORT, SHOPS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES

n AGE UK North, South n Buckhorn Weston n Blandford food delivery n Frozen Food Delivery n Marnhull Stores: n Oakhouse Foods n Shaftesbury Community n Shaftesbury: La Fleur n Shaftesbury: Black Cat W: blackcatcatering.co.uk n Sherborne: Total Well–cheese, sausages and pasta.

totalwellbeingmatters.com n The Rose and Crown, Longburton: Food delivery and collection service Roast available ThursdaySunday. The Larder offers delivery and collection on milk, bread, veg boxes, meat boxes and essential food shopping Monday-Friday (9am–3pm) and Saturday (9am–1pm). 01935 713179 n Shillingstone: The Big Yellow Bus Project. The big yellow bus garden project will stay open for anyone who needs time out from the challenges of lockdown. The four-acre site has lots of room for social distancing, so if you just need time out to collect your thoughts, ground yourself and seek solace in nature, you know where to come. 01258 471 759, office@eqcic.co.uk n Sturminster Newton: No 41 Bakery in Bridge Street. Hot and cold food deliveries including all-day breakfast, cakes and traybakes including brownies and Aero rocky road in portions of four or eight will be available for home delivery. Open daily for takeaway bread, cakes, pies and pasties 07887 856433 or via our Facebook page n West Stour: Riverside Garage and Spar Shop The garage and shop will be open every day between 7am and 10pm and Sunday 8am and 10pm. The Hawtree brothers will be offering free delivery to West Stour, East Stour, Stour Provost, Kington Magna, Buckhorn Weston and Fifehead Magdalen on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The garage will also take orders for collections Monday to Saturday. Call 01747 838487 or email enquiries@ hawtreeandsons.co.uk n Yeovil: Nick’s Fruit and Veg. Next day delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables –07703 292670 n Zeals: La Chasse Charlie and Cath Cotton are doing home deliveries in lockdown. 01747 840996 W: laschasselimited.co.uk

STARS OF THE SPAR: Riverside Garage in West Stour will be doing deliveries

COMMUNITY HELP

n Age Concern North Dorset: 01258 475582 n Age UK (north, south and west Dorset) 01305 269444 n Blandford Stour Rotary Club – 01258 860743 n Bourton Community Support Group – 07543 777607 n Buckhorn Weston Community Volunteers – 07789 884984 n Blandford Food Bank The Methodist Church The Close – 01258 456093 n Briantspuddle, Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle Covid-19 Support Group – 07745 796 118 n Blandford Rotary Club – 07793 048075 n Colehill Resilience – 01202 880049 n Compton Abbas coronavirus support – 01747 850515 n Cranborne & Edmonsham Parish Council – 01725 551188 n Child Okeford Covid Support Group – 01258 863817 n Cerne Abbas Coronavirus Support – 01300 341 400 n St Mary’s Charlton Marshall PCC – 01258 454653 n Frome Terrace / Orchard Street residents – 07470 338629 n Gillingham Cares: 07739 873147. n Gillingham Town Council – 01747 823588 n Gillingham Medical Practice has set up Gillingham Community Kindness as a permanent source of short-term essential support such as shopping or prescription collection or longer-term befriending. Call 01747 859202 or email gillinghamcommunity kindness@gmail.com. To register as a volunteer, call Liz Rose on 07960 043980 or Liz.Rose@dorsetgp.nhs.uk n Hermitage and Hilfield community group – 07718 900208 n Holwell Parish Council – 01963 23349 n Iwerne Minster Covid–19 Volunteer Group – 01747 812259 n Kington Magna Community Support – 07712 761427 PROFESSIONAL HELP

n Butterflies Cancer Support Group Dorchester: covid support and buddy list: 07591 100672 n Covid–19 Information and advice for businesses in Dorset Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry: 01202 714800 n Carers Covid–19 helpline – The Leonardo Trust: 01202 698 325 n Five Ways Training –Coping with Covid, LiveWell Dorset: 0800 840 1628 n Specialised counselling for anyone affected by covid: Dorchester Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy 07714 330120 n Specialised Covid–19 vounselling for key workers in Dorset & Somerset: Dorchester Trust for Counselling and 646052 Group – 01929 459244 Covid–19 Community Support – 07825 880807 or 01258 837033 01305 490000 07881 786526 Rood Church) Covid–19 Support – 01258 863774 Volunteers – 01300 348899 or 07818 063922 Response – 07717 885480 Lackington Support Group – 07702 370882 Burleston and Tolpuddle Covid–19 Community Group – 07881 678126 Council – 07469 780548 WhatsApp Group – 07778 864375 Psychotherapy 07714 330120 n Coronavirus hub Dementia UK: 020 8036 5400 n Coronavirus Support and Information Alzheimer’s Society: 0330 333 0804 n Dorset Recovery Education Centre – support & advice podcasts and videos for wellbeing: Dorset HealthCare 01202 584478 n Coronavirus and mental health – online support, tips and advice: Young Minds 0207 0895050 n Coronavirus information and advice for carers: Dementia Carers Count 020 3096 7894 n Coronaviris and older people – healthcare professionals advice: The British Geriatrics Society 020

n Leigh Lifeline – 07942 n Lower Winterborne Covid n Milborne St Andrew n Marnhull Village Helpline –n Motcombe is United –n Okeford Benefice (Holy n Piddletrenthide n Piddletrenthide Covid n Piddlehinton & White n Puddletown, Athelhampton, n Sturminster Marshall Parish n Spetisbury Community 7608 1369 n Friends of Stour Connect Covid–19 Action Group – 01258 471359 n Sixpenny Handley Covid–19 Outbreak Support – 01725 552735 n Sydling Support Network –01300 341386 n Stalbridge Helpers – 07746 100299 or 07512 489531 n Stalbridge Good Neighbours – 01305 265893 n Sturminster Newton Covid19 Action Group – 01258 447058 n Sherborne Viral Kindness – 07884 115987 n Sherborne – White Feather Care – Emily 07737 496617 n Shaftesbury Community Support Group – 01747 852420 n Tarrant Monkton & Launceston Parish Council – 01258 830527 n Wimborne Minster Community Resilience Response – 01202 881655 n Church of England Wimborne Minster – 01202 882340 n Yetminster Community Support – 07563 88332 27

Lions club member

Barrie Haynes raised money for Breast Cancer

Now by cycling from

Poole Harbour to Gold

Hill in Shaftesbury in high winds and pouring rain – dressed as a pink bunny.

Barrie had previously undertaken the Special

Olympics by cycling in the other direction dressed in a Lion suit!

Gillingham, Mere &

Shaftesbury Lions Club donated £100 towards his efforts, as did fellow Our estimable editor Miranda, hearing that I have retired after 27 years as the Incumbent of Sherborne Abbey, has invited me to contribute a regular column to the new BVM. I am delighted to see the BVM back in its new fortnightly form, but think I need to introduce myself to those of you east of Sherborne who have never heard of me. Being the Incumbent (or Incumbrance?) of the Sherborne Benefice for all Lions Clubs in Wareham and Blandford and his own club, Bournemouth & Christchurch Lions. The Mayor of Poole saw him off and he was welcomed to Shaftesbury by Radio 2 legend DJ Johnnie Walker and his wife Tiggy. Lion David Taylor said: “GMS Lions would like to congratulate Barrie for his efforts and say a sincere thank you to Johnnie and Tiggy for braving the elements on

IN THE PINK: Barrie Haynes is welcomed to Gold Hill by Jonnie Walker and his wife Tiggy

Out of the Woods...

with The Reverend Canon Eric Woods DL

such a foul day.” those years was a joy and a delight. I had never wanted to be anything other than a parish priest. Covid-19 robbed me of the great and glorious retirement services, presentations and parties which were planned – but what were such little disappointments compared with the very real tragedies going on around the world? Until I retired, I had for many years contributed a weekly column to the Western Gazette. My 500 words then are 400 words now. I will do my best. But I have asked Miranda not to put me on the “Church” page. I want to be able to range more freely. My academic background is in history, theology, philosophy and ethics, and if that sounds like swank I can only respond that my only concern is to encourage my readers to use their little grey cells and think for themselves. My dear former parishioners at

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to Gillingham and surrounding villages for further afield please call Helen and we will be happy to assist you. Sherborne will recognise that: I started and we ran a wonderful series of lectures, which we called the Insight Lectures, which could sometimes fill the Abbey with those of all faiths and none. For me, the genius of the Church of England is – or ought to be – that it doesn’t ask anyone to leave their brains at the church door. Sadly, far fewer of us nowadays can actually go through the church door, though here in our newlyadopted town of Sturminster Newton, Vicar Philippa is doing a wonderful job at keeping the church doors open as much as possible for regular services. We live in a time when freedom of speech and expression seems to be horribly under threat. There are many self-appointed Thought Police, who want to suppress anything and everything with which they happen not to agree. This column will appear just before Remembrance Sunday. It was for freedom that members of my family fought. It is for freedom of expression that we must continue to strive. I would be glad to play a small part in that.

By Nicci Brown news@blackmorevale.net IT was with added poignancy that Blandford Royal British Legion hosted their annual Act of Remembrance at the town’s cemetery on Sunday. The government’s announcement the previous day of a national lockdown from November 5 brought with it the realisation that plans for an albeit restricted but covid-secure ceremony in the town’s Market Place on Remembrance Sunday would have to be abandoned. The gathering a week before the main national and international commemoration acknowledges the military casualties of war – the majority during the two world wars– who are buried in Blandford. It was this year scaled down to include invited guests only, who included the Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay, the commander of Blandford Garrison Col Mike Morton and Malcolm Yeomans of SSAFA, together with the President Gyan Tamang, chairman Terry Clarkson, and Poppy Appeal Organiser Robert Taylor of the Blandford Royal British Legion branch and Marilyn Gibbons, president of the RBL Club, all of whom laid wreaths on the Cross of Sacrifice. Branch secretary Bryan Kelly read the poem High Flight by John McGee. Mrs Lindsay thanked everyone for attending what could be the only formal service of Remembrance this year – a service which was important to them as it was to her – and Mr Taylor said that this year it focussed on the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which

RESPECTS: Blandford Garrison Commander Col Mike Morton, Mayor of Blandford Lynn Lindsay, and President of Blandford RBL Club Marilyn Gibbons prepare to lay their wreaths

TRIBUTES: Standard bearers Tony Lucas of Blandford RBL and Terry Smith of SSAFA with their lowered standards for the Last Post. Mr Smith, aged 81, has been a standard bearer for 50 years

SILENCE: A silent soldier watches over the military graves and, right, President of Blandford RBL Branch Gyan Tamang offers a prayer after laying his wreath saw German pilots interred in Blandford alongside British casualties. “While the number of dead buried here at Blandford cemetery is small compared to the millions who lost their lives during the Second World War, it is not the number that tell the story,” he said. “Every individual who died has his own story, which was destroyed by the war which ripped them out of their normal life and for which they made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Many people in both countries have dedicated themselves to good relations between Britons and Germans, and today’s event is just one part of the process, showing that former enemies can become friends and partners and that friendship can grow out of hatred and tragedy.” The service was led by the recently appointed branch chaplain, the Rev David Flower, and assisted by standard bearers Tony Lucas and Marie Parsons of Blandford RBL and Trevor Smith of RAFA, Geordie Thomson who played the Last Post and Reveille were played by Geordie Thomson, and piper Lyndon Wall.