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Blackmore Vale The new

Stunning dress in tribute to the fallen

Three generations spent days creating this gorgeous Remembrance dress. Kayleigh Jones and her six-year-old Max, spent days making scores of big poppies for the skirt, with Max making the green belt from poppy leaves. Kayleigh and her mum Nicola pinned them all on, which took three hours. “It was a labour of love,” says Kayleigh. “But it was worth it.” The pair run the Exclusively Yours Bridal Boutique in Salisbury Street, Blandford. While they are sadly forced to close during lockdown they are offering click and collect on all accessories and mother of the bride outfits.

LOCKDOWN II: Where to turn for help in your area: PAGES 26-27

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Stardom for blind gran in TV ad

By Steve Keenan A Stalbridge grandmother with no professional acting experience is spearheading an emotional £3m TV advertising campaign. Julie Bennett, 61, plays a blind granny loved by her family and renowned for her standout Sunday roasts. The ad for frozen food firm Aunt Bessie’s aired in the UK last month and runs through the winter. The affectionate film was inspired by the ad agency’s creative director, whose own Nanna June was certified blind at 16. And it has moved many viewers to tears – including many of the pupils Julie taught at Sturminster Newton High School for 18 years from 1991. n Turn to page 3

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What’s inside this week

Angling 82 Arts & Entertainments 60-63 Antiques & Collectibles 44-45 Beauty 37 Business 50-52 Church 66-68 Equestrian 78-79 Farming 83-88 Field And Stream 80-82 Food & Drink 40-42 Funeral Services & Death Announcements 34-36 Gardening 30-31 Health & Wellbeing 47-49 Home & Gardens 30-33 Items For Sale 20 Letters 64-65 Local Services 30-33 & 42-43 Motoring 69-72 MPs’ Round-Up 58-59 News 1-29 Pets 38 Planning Applications 54, 55 & 57 Property 87-95 Puzzles 56 & 67 Recruitment 53-54 Sport 73-77

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Ruth Armishaw Commercial manager newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Kate Smith News editor newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

Steve Keenan Reporter sport@blackmorevale.net Tel: 07940 143223

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Although she has never acted, Julie taught drama and dance and is still known to all she taught as Mrs Lea. “My daughter put the film on Facebook and lots of former pupils have written comments,” says Julie. “I have had tons of reactions. Some say how they cried at the film and found it moving. “You don’t appreciate sometimes what effect you have on their lives…” Julie herself went blind 10 years ago. An operation to remove a tumour near her pituitary gland was successful but a nerve in the brain was disturbed and she lost her sight. “It was like cutting a wire,” she says. Julie was then living in East Anglia with her second husband and ended up in hospital for two months. As part of her fragile rehabilitation, a friend persuaded Julie to join a drama group in Ipswich. Another drama group, this time of people with varying degrees of sight, followed. It was that group that ad agency Grey London contacted as they looked for a lead actor. Julie had to film three videos and there were online interviews during lockdown. But her talent shone through and she was cast. “You could have knocked me down with a feather,” she says. Filming was in the first week of September in London. She even had a wardrobe mistress. “I was made to feel like Julia Roberts!” The film is meant to reflect the 1990s that the creative director, Chris Clarke, remembered in visiting his Nanna June. The film does not immediately make it clear that the granny cooking a Sunday roast in her kitchen is blind – that only emerges when viewers see a strip of braille stuck on a tin. Julie’s screen ‘husband’ then serves her plate and tells her the

A STAR IS BORN: Julie in the TV ad

beef is at six o’clock and the spuds at nine. “Braille was the only option back then,” says Julie. “I tried to learn the numbers as I play cards but I only got up to six.” Filming took two days and Julie loved it all. The advert was first shown during Coronation Street and was seen by some of her seven grandchildren. One didn’t say anything at the time but later asked her Mum why Granny was on the television, she laughs. Sadly, her second marriage didn’t survive the difficult times that followed her operation and accident and, in 2017, Julie moved back to Dorset to be near her youngest daughter, Jennifer, and her four children in Stalbridge. But she is upbeat and has mastered technology to help in her home. “I’ve created my life again,” she says. Now my phone and TV speak to me and I feel I have achieved a great height at 61, being on TV,” she said. “I wouldn’t say no to more. It could be a series, like the Gold Blend adverts. Or Bisto.” See the film at youtu.be/CU7VAIup27U

myhomemaker.co.uk Please ring for latest stock availability. Collection and delivery service is available, please call for further details. We are currently following government guidelines at this time - please stay safe.

Shaftesbury

Longmead Industrial Estate Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL 01747 851476

Warminster

5-6 George Street Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8QA 01985 219200

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net A year has passed but the identity of the elusive Dorset Banksy remains unknown. Since last autumn, seven road signs on or close to the A30 between Shaftesbury and Sherborne have been adapted. You may call it vandalism –but you can’t deny the quality of the additions. The first to appear was a cowboy and lasso added to the cattle sign on the A30 outside East Stour. Then two pedestrian signs outside of Fifehead Magdalen were altered: one had a top hat and carried a rabbit in a hat, the other bowler hats and a velociraptor on a lead. Fifehead Parish clerk David Redwood first saw them last September: “I asked around in the village as there are a few I thought might be capable of doing this - but any involvement has been flatly denied. I suppose it’s vandalism but I find it humorous: it adds fun to our mundane lives!” The self-adhesive silhouettes took a darker turn when another pedestrian sign was adapted on the A30 near Sherborne, adding a machete and severed head. But in February, the humour returned. A ballerina was added to a humpback bridge sign on a bridge, and a man propped up a narrow road warning they are at the same spot, as you enter Henstridge from How many crisp packets are there in 22 kilos of them? A Shaftesbury woman can tell you, after collecting the mammoth amount in a drive to recycle. Alison Harding is collecting all sorts after registering with Terracycle earlier this year. The list of items she can take for recycling include: Pet food pouches, treats bags, biscuits bags, lids, plastic

Cracking highway code to reveal ID of Banksy tribute

the east on the A30. A second cow/ cowboy image also appeared on the A30 before the Nyland turn. The last two also had a selfwrapper securing six packs (pouches need to be cleaned and dry), crisp packets and plastic can carriers. She can also recycle Hasbro toys, Ferrero Rocher packaging (all except paper cups), Lavazza coffee eco caps (with or without coffee grounds), Ella’s Kitchen and other brand food pouches with caps and all cheese packaging , but not with nets

mocking stencil ‘autograph’ added. Since covid-19 appeared, the artist has gone to ground: no more signs appear to have or wax). Loads of different plastics can be dropped off at her address in Shaftesbury – to get a full list go to her Facebook page Alison’s Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Terracycle. The items are sent off to make other items including tables, chairs and watering cans. Not only that, but the money been adapted in the area. The ‘artworks’ have generally been well received in the A30 villages. On Facebook, West Stour resident Peter Walker said: “Far from being vandalism, it brings the notice sign to the road user’s attention.” Another West Stour villager Pam Powell agreed with his comment. “They make people happy and we have a good idea who it is.” Asked if the artist was from West Stour, Pam would only say: “The hunt is what it’s about. Entrance to a village hall is the clue.” She added cryptically: “We don’t want staged fights.” n Do you know who the artist is? Or have you seen any other signs? Do let us

Recycling wizard Alison’s charity collection

4 know! Alison gets for all this environmental goodness goes to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. All money gets sent direct to them via Terracycle. Alison said: “To date £170 has been raised for this worthy charity. “This week I sent off 22kg of crisp packets!” Go to her Facebook page for details.

Bikers all revved up with the spirit of Halloween ride-out

Bikers gathered on the

Milldown car park in the darkness on Saturday, but then the lights were switched on to reveal the ghoulish masks and ghostly faces for their third annual

Halloween ride through

Blandford.

They rode up through

Heddington Drive and

Holland Way to the

Blandford Heights estate A ten-year-old boy who breeds endangered pigs is becoming a bit of a star after winning a legion of fans. Sebastian Carr, who lives between Sturminster Newton and Hazelbury Bryan and attends St Nicholas’s School in Child Okeford, was given four British Saddlebacks for Christmas when he was just eight, after his parents installed the animals under cover of darkness on Christmas Eve. Two years later and Sebastian has his own rapidly growing business, selling meat and piglets, and recently won a national award for best young member of the British Saddleback Breeders Club. Mum Lissy is a teacher at Milton Abbas school, who and back down Larksmead, Elizabeth Road and St Leonards Avenue to Wimborne Road, East Street and the Market Place, then on through Blandford St Mary before returning via the town centre and White Cliff Mill Street to finish back at the Milldown. Joint organiser Kirsten Wareham said: “Two years ago there were only a few of Saddleback pigs specialises in vocational education and forest school and has always kept animals. She said: “The breed is on the ‘vulnerable’ list on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist. “Sebastian’s hobby came us, but last year there were a few more, and now we are hoping we can turn it into an annual event.” Although they were unable to stop to give out sweets or have pictures taken this into its own during lockdown as there was work to be done every day. We noticed a real surge in people becoming interested in keeping livestock during that time. “Life for the farming community just goes on,

year, they were happy to keep the Halloween spirits high for people who couldn’t get out, and dressed up with lot of lights, inviting others to join them

Breed all about it! Seb’s a rising star

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

PORK OF THE TOWN: Sebastian Carr with his rare breed

or just wave as they passed. despite the doom and gloom.” Sebastian is “very interested in preserving bloodlines and keeping this lovely breed going”, says his mum. His Facebook page (Seb’s Saddlebacks at Silver Birch Farm) is popular and he has lots of customers for his pork, weaner pigs and breeding stock. His pigs are expecting four litters next year – they have about ten to 12 piglets in each litter. It’s great news for the breed, as there are only just over 120 registered breeding boars and 300 sows in the UK. The animals are well cared for – the family has even installed CCTV to watch over them, particularly when piglets are due, and Sebastian delivers the litters himself. 5

By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net centre have described the move as “hugelyAn announcement by Dorset counterproductive”.Council that car park charges The changes includeare to be imposed from 8am extending the chargeableto 8pm each day including period, currently 9am toSundays has been greeted 6pm, in all car parks fromwith disappointment and January next year together some anger. with the introduction of Those hoping to see a post- charges on Sundays incovid return of footfall and Blandford, Sturminsterreduction in on-street Newton, Gillingham,parking in Blandford town Shaftesbury, and Sherborne. Free parking during the full covid lockdown was widely welcomed in Blandford and resulted in fewer

NATURAL STONE PAVING, PATIOS, people seeking one of

FENCING, PATHWAYS, DECKING, the limited number of

GARDENWALLS, SLEEPER BEDS, free on-street parking

PONDS, TURFING AND ROCKERIES. spaces when they

MINI DIGGER AVAILABLE came into town.

T: 01747 590157 M: 07809 415 902 Jamespricelandscapes@gmail.com @jamespricelandscapes And there had been hopes that the chargeable period might be reduced to

encourage residents unable to find parking near their homes when they returned from work to use the car parks more overnight. The council says that the changes are being brought as part of an ongoing review to make charging more consistent across the Dorset Council area following the creation of the new council, and most rates remain unchanged, with the exception of some popular visitor destinations on the coast. A consultation will also take place this autumn on a suggested council-wide shoppers permit giving discounted rates, similar to that which has operated in West Dorset for over 20 years, and will be consulted upon this autumn. Towns will continue to be offered free car parking on four days a year together with Small Business Saturday and one weekday in December. Chairman Nic Nicol of the Both Blandford’s county councillors have opposed the move, saying they will be questioning officers and voicing their objections to the portfolio holder and leader of the council. Councillor Byron Quayle said: “Like many residents in Dorset I was surprised by the announcement regarding the parking changes. “Although I support a fair funding model in which car park users are charged equally across Dorset, I do not support the new recommendations and will be voicing my objections. “Simply, Sunday charges will negatively impact Blandford business and Blandford Town Team said: “I can understand the need for parking charges to go up, and like the idea of the permit scheme, but extending the chargeable hours to between 8am and 8pm and including Sundays is likely to be hugely counterproductive.” Town councillor Roger Carter said: “It’s an appalling decision. How on earth is our evening economy ever going to recover after covid? It’s a slap in the face to the many people around Blandford who are struggling financially.” Catherine Chapman, chairman of the Blandford Business Support Group, said: “My initial thoughts were we are trying to bring people into Blandford, NOT turn them away. “I appreciate the council need to raise funds, but if the council is not careful the already suffering High Streets will definitely close

County councillors oppose move to charge for parking

for good. charging from 6pm to 8pm does not take into account the pressures on local residents living in a town that does not have adequate on road parking.” Councillor Nocturin Lacey Clarke added “My wife and I, as residents in town that doesn’t have parking, will definitely be affected badly.” Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We are trying to achieve a delicate balance of maximising income from our car parks while ensuring residents and visitors will still choose to support our high streets, beaches and attractions.”

Well known Shaftesbury resident Mary Thomas has celebrated her 102nd birthday at her home in Bimport with a small private party for her immediate family. Afterwards Mary, who is believed to be one of the area’s oldest residents, said she was ‘happy but rather overwhelmed’ after receiving cards and presents from so many people. Mary, who has lived in the town since 1987, was a regular volunteer until quite recently with organisations such as Shaftesbury Royal British Legion, Westminster Memorial Hospital, Probus, the Women’s Institute and the local branch of North Dorset Conservatives of which she was president for a time. In 2000 she also took part in the Shaftesbury millennium community play On The Green Rock where she had a speaking part as a nun. Mary retired to Shaftesbury from West Sussex with her late husband Cubby, a former RAF bomber pilot who flew operations in North Africa during the Second World War against Rommel’s Afrika Corps. They met during the war in Egypt where she was born a month before the end of the First World War. He died in 1994. The party was attended by two of Mary’s three children who live locally, both of whom also went into the Armed Forces - daughter Jane, who lives in Gillingham and was in the RAF, and son Richard who was in the Army and served in the Gulf. Richard, who is now an author and journalist, published Egypt Tales, a private account of his mother’s family’s time in Egypt before the Second World War in time for his mother’s birthday.

BIRTHDAY GIRL: Mary Thomas celebrates her 102nd birthday

Safely welcoming new residents to our recently refurbished residential wing

4 March 2020

To arrange a virtual tour of the new wing, or for more information about creating a home at Fern Brook Lodge, please visit our website or call Home Manager Stanley today

Fern Brook Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QD | 01747 834020 info@care-south.co.uk | care-south.co.uk

The new wing provides bright, spacious communal lounges, peaceful sensory rooms and modern, personalised bedrooms with en-suite facilities. Throughout COVID-19, Fern Brook Lodge has been a safe haven, providing companionship and comfort to new and existing residents to enjoy life with peace of mind.

New manager for town’s foodbank

Gillingham Foodbank has a new manager. Hannah ‘Han’ Gibbons has decided to step back from managing the foodbank in order to focus on heading up Gillingham Community Church’s Open Door café. Han has been the foodbank manager since its inception in 2011, and has been responsible for co-ordinating its development from a startup to what it is today. Neil MacBean, a Gillingham resident who has been volunteering at the Foodbank since 2014, takes on his new post at a time when an Solicitors in Blandford are tackling a particularly hairraising case in tribute to a much-loved colleague. Staff at Blanchards Bailey are taking part in Movember – an annual event involving growing moustaches during November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. Ben Jones, from the practice, said: “In October last year increasing number of families are having to cope with a reduced income. Neil said: “One of my aims is to raise the profile of our foodbank locally and reassure people needing help who wouldn’t normally consider seeking an emergency food parcel, that the foodbank is here for them too. We at Gillingham Foodbank are ready, willing and able to assist anyone –individuals or families – who would benefit from a little extra help to provide meals. “Not only can we offer food parcels but also household we lost a beloved colleague to prostate cancer, Mark Bellman. Mark was one of the founders of Blanchards Bailey in its current iteration and was a popular part of the local business community. “prostatecanceruk.org tells us that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and the second most common cancer in men worldwide. More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that’s 129 men every day. “Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer –that’s more than 11,500 men every year. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed

necessities, debt advice and additional support.” If you need help, or if you know of anyone who could do with a bit of support, then with prostate cancer in their lifetime. “In honour of our friend Mark, a number of the Blanchards Bailey men (‘Mo-bros’) are going to grow their mo and raise awareness and funds towards prostate cancer research. We are recruiting other “MoBros.” Each Mo-bro will raise sponsorship and awareness of prostate cancer over the month. Even the ladies are getting involved, pledging to run or walk 60km or more over the next month to raise awareness and sponsorship. The team has even designed a special moustachioed face mask, each bearing a mojestic mo which will be available for £5 from the Blandford office (postage can be arranged). Decorating, bedazzling or embellishing face masks is actively encouraged and the best decorated face mask by the end of the month will win a bottle of bubbles. The most outstanding mo at the end of the month will also be awarded a bottle. Ben added: “Participants will be encouraged to raise

HERE FOR YOU: Neil MacBean is the new manager at Gillingham Foodbank

email info@gillingham. foodbank.org.uk or on 01747 822076 during Foodbank hours (Monday and Thursday

Handlebars are wunderbar at law firm

Notice of making a Public Spaces Protection Order under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

TAKE NOTICE that: 1. Dorset Council has carried out the necessary consultation on its proposal to make The Dorset Council Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2020 (the PSPO) in accordance with the Section 72 of the above act. 2. The PSPO has now been made in accordance with Section 59 of the act and it comes into force on the 1st of January 2021 and will expire on the 31st of December 2023. 3. For further information on the content of the Order, penalty levels, maps and exceptions see dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/environmental- health/dog-warden-service/responsibilities-of-a-dog-owner.aspx 4. Under the provision of Section 66 of the act, an interested person may apply to the High Court within six weeks of the date that the PSPO is made, to question its validity on the grounds that: (a) That thee local authority did not have the power to make the order of variation, or to include particular prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied); (b) That a requirement under Chapter 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was not complied with in relation to the order. 5. An “interested person” is defined by Section 66 (2) of the act as being an individual who lives in the restricted area or who regularly works in or visits that area.

Dated this 27th day of October 2020:

Signed: mornings).

MO-GNIFICENT: Ben Jones as he may look come November 30

awareness and funds by sharing progress pictures by email, Twitter, Facebook, carrier pigeon, smoke signal… (you name it!) with contacts, colleagues, clients, friends and family. We would love to get as many people as possible to join us in using the hashtag #markmovember.” Follow their progress at uk.movember.com, searching for Mark’s Mo Bros and Mo Sisters. Call 01258 459361 if you would like to join in or buy a mask.

By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net REMEMBRANCE activities will sadly be restricted this year with covid restrictions making the usual gatherings and parade impossible. But work recently carried out in the cemetery has come as a timely reminder that not all the graves with military connections are listed and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for those of 50 British First World War casualties, 20 from the Second World War, nine Germans and six non-world war service personnel. A suggestion from Lt Col Retd Bob Brannigan before he retired as Garrison SO was followed up by town council staff who searched for any military reference on the gravestones, and in the council database. During the lockdown a meeting was held with members of the Royal Corps of Signals Junior Command Training Team with 11th Signal Regiment based at Blandford Camp who agreed to carry out some maintenance work and cleaning of some of the stones on the list. Town clerk Linda Scott Giles said: “We would ordinarily seek permission from the grave owner, but these were clearly not attended for whatever reason. Sergeant Instructor TKQ Raratabu and Put poppies in your windows for Stalbridge Remembers 2020 is the message from the town council. This year the Royal British Legion is working with St Mary’s Church and the Town Council to encourage community involvement in a safe act of remembrance. The traditional format which has been followed for many years has been changed –there will not be a parade to

MAINTENANCE WORK: Sergeant Instructor TKQ Raratabu, on the right, at Blandford Cemetery with his colleagues

Signals soldiers help out with gravestone tidy-up

his colleagues spent a morning working there, focusing on cleaning the headstones which for whatever reason have been unattended for years of those who served their country and did not have a Commonwealth War grave in Blandford. The grounds staff have also fixed the little pillars back on one of the graves.” The gravestones they worked and from the church and the number of people taking part in the act of remembrance at the war memorial needs to be reduced to a minimum to keep people safe and will be by invitation. Stalbridge residents are being asked to put pictures of big poppies in their house windows and atand at their front doors at 11am on Sunday for the two minutes’ silence. They are also being on included those remembering Reginald Durdle and his parents, Leonard Arnold, and Leo Weldon and his son Julian, who died on active service in Korea in 1954 and is also remembered at St Mary’s School, Marnhull. Reginald William Durdle was the son of Salisbury Street tailor Robert William and Alice Sarah Durdle, urged to support the RBL with online donations. Arrangements are subject to change at short notice due to killed in action in 1918 age 25 while serving with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), and is buried at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery. Leonard Alfred Arnold was killed in action age 33, and his CWGC record reveals his number and rank as 1412625 AC 2nd Class and that he died on December 8 1941, and was buried at Whitley

Pop a poppy in your window to show you remember

10

Bay cemetery.

NEW WAY TO SHOW RESPECT: Stalbridge residents are asked to put a poppy in their windows

covid-19 restrictions. Contact clerk@stalbridgetown council.gov.uk or call on 01963 364276.

A loving sister is offering special poppy face masks to raise money for the Royal British Legion and Macmillan in her brother’s memory. Kevin Challis lost his battle with cancer aged 70 on August 9, 2018, leaving his wife of 48 years Beryl and his sister Angie bereft. Father of two Kevin – known to his mates and colleagues as Pat – served many years in the RAF as a rigger. “He was a big man in every sense of the word,” says Angie. After leaving school Kevin trained to be a gardener, starting his training at Belvoir estates, working for the Duke and Duchess of Rutland before joining the RAF. He served all round the world and was always on 24 hours standby, ready to be flown to wherever he was needed. His son Kieran followed in his footsteps and daughter Zoe became a teacher in China. ln his retirement as well as enjoying his gardening, Kevin and Beryl enjoyed travelling round the UK in his VW T5 campervan, bird watching and visiting places of interest. But two-and-a-half years ago Kevin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was cared for by Macmillan nurses ‘until his last breath’, says Angie, who is determined to raise as much as she can for the cause. She added: “With the coronavirus these two good causes are not able to do their usual fundraising activities and cancer and other life-threatening illnesses don’t stop because of it.

FUNDRAISING TRIBUTE: The face masks in memory of Kevin Challis, pictured left with his wife Beryl and, right, on their wedding day

“I’m selling these masks till November 11. They are washable with a washable filter, with a soft nose bar and adjustable ear bands for an all-round comfortable fit, helping to stop glasses misting. They are £5 each plus £1 P&P – wear them with pride for all service men and women who have served us in the past, present and the future.” To order yours email ang.challis@btinternet.com or call 07765 256875, or visit Bartletts County Stores in Blandford Forum.

Stay home to pay respects on Sunday

Gillingham Town Council is urging people to: “Please stay home and pay your respects the Remembrance Sunday”. Due to current government guidelines the parade will not take place in Gillingham this year. The town council and the Royal British Legion’s Gillingham Branch are asking people who would normally come to pay their respects to stay home.The council and the RBL will instead conduct wreath invited to lay a wreath on the afternoon laying on the town’s behalf, with the in accordance with government Mayor and a representative of the RBL guidelines.” after a two-minute silence at 11am on Sunday, November 8. Sturminster Newton Branch, The Royal British Legion A council spokesman said: “As a Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 9th November at 8.00pm. mark of respect, you may wish to Due to Covid restrictions it will be held as a virtual meeting via stand on your doorstep for two Zoom or MS Teams. All current members are encouraged to attend. For a copy of the agenda and for minutes’ silence at 11am. instructions on how to join the meeting please email Representatives from Gillingham SturminsterNewtonRBL@Gmail.com. For further info contact the Chairman on 01258 821612. groups and organisations are (Registered Charity number 219279) 11

A Fair Trade volunteer from Mere has exceeded her fundraising target with a sponsored trek along The Pilgrim’s Way. Janet Way has been volunteering to help farmers and growers get a fair price for 40 years, and to mark the milestone she decided to undertake a 12-day trek from Winchester to Canterbury, aiming to raise £1,650. But friends and family have all chipped in and now Janet has raised a brilliant £2,000 for Traidcraft. She said: “I have been a involved in the Fair Trade movement as a voluntary rep for Traidcraft for 40 years. It has always been a way by which I have felt able to help the craft workers and farmers around the world to a sustainable way of life through Fair Trade. “Because of the uncertain times we have been living in, I have been unable to hold any fundraising events but through the generosity of friends, family and the wonderful people in Mere, I have now raised £2,000 for the Charity which will make a real and tangible difference to the lives of millions of people.” Janet was greeted at the finish line, Canterbury Cathedral, by her sister and brother-in-law holding a winning ribbon after ‘a wonderful 12 days’ walk’ including lovely sights along the River Itchen, the Surrey Hills and the North Downs. She said: “The walk led through all these small villages where the pilgrims of old would have stopped to rest.” Once back home Janet gathered all her sponsor money with a final fundraising event, a raffle outside the post office.

Charity’s snips and chips for a fiver

The Blandford & Sturminster Newton Branch of Cats Protection are offering people on low incomes or benefits the chance to get their cats neutered and microchipped for £5. If you are claiming benefits or on a low income and live in DT10 DT11 BH21 and parts of SP5 SP7 please call 01258 268695 to get a voucher. You will need to use one of the charity’s vets. A female cat can get pregnant at four months of age, so it is recommended to get them neutered between A temporary non-contact doorstep delivery Home Library Service is now on offer to keep readers entertained during the long winter evenings. Anyone who can’t easily get to their local library can take advantage of the free service, which includes large print and talking books as well as four and six months and keeping them safe indoors until you do. As well as avoiding pregnancy, which will help reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens, neutering your cat can be good for their overall health: For female cats, neutering

the risk of picking up some infectious diseases and reduces the likelihood of developing tumours, womb infections and other illnesses. Neutered male cats are far

New library book home delivery service

reduces 12

ordinary print. The Home Library Service had to be suspended due to covid, however there is now a non-contact delivery service. Books are chosen by staff at each library, based on individual preferences, and made ready for our volunteers to pick up and deliver to our clients’ front doors. The volunteers can also pick up books and return them to the library. To find out more contact Maria Jacobson, Service Manager Dorset Home Library Service, on 01305 236666 or 07786 635154, or email maria.jacobson@royalvolunt aryservice.org.uk. less likely to end up injured as a result of fighting. Their ‘wander lust’ is reduced resulting in them being less likely to go missing or be hit by cars. It will also stop spraying indoors.

If you had a voucher from the charity earlier in the year, please make sure you use it or let them know if you no longer need it as they have a limited budget for this scheme.

So far this year they have issued vouchers to neuter 221 cats and kittens.

They’re dab hands Dorset Police are to be become one of the first forces in the country to use new technology to remotely transfer fingerprints for analysis directly from crime scenes. It’s one of a number of projects being run by the Forensic Capability Network (FCN), dedicated to improving forensic science in policing.

Due to Storm Alex it was a seriously soggy affair when the instigators and sponsors of the Great Dorset Pants

Fence gathered to raise the banner onto the designated fence at Gorcombe Extreme

Sports ready to receive contributions.

Due to covid restrictions, the raising was always going to be a limited affair with just five attendees.

In the event, Blandford Council tax payers in Blandford will not be asked again to pay extra to support the town’s leisure centre – to which they have contributed half a million pounds over the last ten years. Town councillors have agreed that they have fulfilled the commitment they gave in 2009 to support the centre with £50,000 a year for ten years when the centre was threatened with closure. They were told Dorset Council believed a further £50,000 payment was due, but investigations confirmed that the town council had already made ten payments. And they agreed on September 28 that the Evening WI was represented by the treasurer, Sheila Chapman, dripping in her waterproof, Gorcombe by a hardy Phil Meaden soaked in shorts, and rain-lashed in their company jackets the sponsors, Danielle from Cheap Printing Dorset which designed and produced the banner, and Neil Middleditch from Bailie House Warehouse.

By Nicci Brown council was not minded to renew its service level agreement with Dorset Council over the leisure centre. Town and county councillor Nocturin Lacey Clarke, who made the proposal –seconded by fellow county councillor Byron Quayle –said: “I can’t see it means anything will change. But Dorset Council will have to find another £50,000 from this year’s budget.” Councillor Lynn Lindsay, whose proposal that the council should not make an 11th payment was seconded

Nikki Davies-Thomas from the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was up to the top of her wellies in water. And the first contributions to the fence got dropped in the mud and had to be taken home and washed! The Great Dorset Pants Fence is a fun adaption of the New Zealand Cardrona Bra Fence to highlight the message of the current WI Resolution “Don’t Fear the by Councillor Lacey Clarke, said: “It would be a travesty for us to pay more, and we would have to reconsult to do so.” Councillor Steve Hitchings, who as then district councillor chaired a Blandford Leisure Action Group at the time of the original agreement, said: “We said at the beginning that the leisure centre was important, and it would have closed without our support.” But he said Dorset Council have now signed an extension of the contract to 2025 with Everyone Active which will then be amalgamated into one contract for all council-run leisure centres, and there

Blandford Evening WI’s Sheila Chapman with the Great Dorset Pants Fence at Gorcombe Extreme Sports in more clement weather than on the launch day

Smear” and to encourage people to take tests for cervical and prostate cancers. Pants can be contributed any day, with pegs supplied from the Gorcombe café where a donation box is placed, and refreshments are being served only on Saturdays at the moment. Refreshments are also available from sponsors Bailie House Warehouse in

Council stops leisure centre funding

newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Sturminster Marshall. were big players who would love to have it.

A report to Dorset Council last month revealed that

Blandford Leisure Centre, which reopened on July 25 after four months of lockdown, had been busy with more than 1,250 visits from members keen to get back in the gym, where additional safety measures include one-way systems, enhance cleaning regimes and structure sessions.

Group exercise classes were operating at over 85 per cent capacity, with additional classes added in September, and swimming lessons and bookable lane swimming were similarly proving popular.

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Former Top Gear presenter James May has driven off in two new directions – he’s bought half a pub and is fronting a new cookery show. The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, just off the A30 between Shaftesbury and Salisbury, had been closed since the lockdown. But as May lives within walking distance of his home in Ansty, he has stepped in to help it reopen. “I don’t want to be in a village where there isn’t a pub within walking distance, that would make life utterly pointless,” he told one magazine.

School so proud of fundraisers May, Clarkson and Hammond famously left Top Gear and the BBC in 2016 to set up a rival series on Amazon Prime, The Grand Tour. But with coronavirus severely hampering filming this year, there will only be two episodes of The Grand Tour in 2020 – giving publican May time to call time in his new pub. The Oak re-opened last week. Said a sanguine mine host: “More than 10,000 pubs have shut in the last decade. There has never been a worse time to buy half a pub. This one has never made a profit and the previous owners had enough. “Coronavirus means the capacity of the pub has been reduced by 50%, and if

capacity goes down by more than 25%, it goes into the red.” But despite his logic, May has been hands on, involved in the redecoration, choice of furniture, even deciding the sign ‘Loos’ be removed. “I hate it.” He is open to suggestions. The perfectionist publican who won’t stand nonsense has also added a note to the menu - * Served on pieces of wood, £100 extra.’ May has given a copy of his new book Oh Cook to Johnny, the pub chef, in the hope that he may include fish pie on the menu. The book’s strapline is ‘Go easy recipes that any idiot can make.’ May begins his new cookery

series on Amazon shortly.

A group of Sturminster Newton High School students were set to visit Fuoni, a school in Zanzibar, in July to help with building work and spend time with the pupils. Funds were raised by holding car washes, cake sales, a very popular quiz night, a Ska evening and the sale of Christmas cards. Students also helped The Lions with their Father Christmas visits. In total the students and their teacher / parent helpers raised £2,167.22. The trip was called off due to covid-19 and though all the students were very disappointed they wanted the money to support the children. With the help of African Adventures, the school in Zanzibar said that they would like to use the funds to finish their perimeter wall, ensuring the safety of the site and the children there. A local NGO recently donated some desks and chairs to one classroom at Fuoni, and has committed to funding more if the school can improve security measures. This means the completion of the wall will not only help keep the pupils safe during school hours, but indirectly improve the facilities.

NEW FACILITIES: The school in Zanzibar

Emily Brookes from the school said: “We are very proud of the hard work put into fundraising by our students Sofia, Virginia, Amy, Flora, Finn, Freddie, Kayley, Honey, Jamie, Darren, Dimitar and Naomi, and so pleased that the money will have such a huge impact on the school in Zanzibar.”

Age UK North, South & West Dorset holds regular surgeries where over 50s can come and ask an expert questions about benefits they may be entitled to receive. Working in partnership with Dorset Council, these benefit advice sessions are one-toone surgeries, free and by appointment only. Due to covid-19, these surgeries will go ahead but will be by telephone only. The charity also offers better balance workshops, footcare clinics and a range of lunch and games clubs, outside of lockdown. Richard Bristow from Age UK North, South & West Dorset said: “We are working in partnership with Dorset Council and can assist older people to access the benefits they are entitled to such as attendance allowance and pension credit “If anyone is not sure about the benefits they may be able to claim, I would encourage them to make an

By Steve Keenan North Cadbury is the latest village in the region to begin a potentially long and bruising battle with land developers. At a parish council meeting last week, architects Boon Brown unveiled outline plans for 80 houses on a field owned by farmer Paul Longman, of which 30 would be affordable. The concept also included a nature reserve and new road from the estate to the A359. There was no clarification whether Mr Longman would build on or sell the land on Ridgeway Lane if he won planning permission. If 80 homes were built, it would increase the population of the village by half, to 650. appointment at one of our telephone surgeries. “We are also still offering help to complete benefit forms, such as attendance allowance, over the telephone through our welfare benefits team.” To book a telephone appointment please call Age UK North, South & West Dorset on 01305 269444 or email enquiries@ageuk nswd.org.uk For further details of other ways in which Age UK North, South & West Dorset can help you, please telephone 01305 269444 or visit ageuk.org.uk/ northsouthwestdorset Age UK North, South & West Dorset is a local charity supporting older people to live fulfilling and active lives. It provides a wide range of services and activities thanks to the ongoing support of the local community. The idea of one large, new estate was rejected by villagers in a survey conducted a year ago which will form part of a neighbourhood plan, due to be finished by Christmas before undergoing independent analysis. Michael Martin, chairman of the working group, said: “The resounding message was that people didn’t want urbanisation of North Cadbury.” A neighbourhood plan gives the community a much stronger say in shaping development and growth in local areas. Nine towns and villages in North Dorset have developed one since 2017, including Motcombe and Bourton. Mr Martin said the Cadbury plan would include provision Shaftesbury Town Council has paid tribute to Ray Humphries, twice Mayor of the town, who died last week. He was also a town councillor for 13 years, as well as Mayor in 1997 and 2001. “His time in office is remembered for his distinguished service and unfailing good humour,” said a council statement. Ray was known throughout the town, stretching back to his drumming days in Shaftesbury in the 1960s. He was also a core member of the Town Silver Band, chairman of the carnival committee for 37 years, chairman of Shaftesbury in Bloom and a member of many other organisations. “In recognition of their unparalleled and dedicated service to the town, the town council was honoured that Ray and his wife Chris, accepted our invitation in to build 60 houses in the village, as demanded by South Somerset District Council, but that they would be spread out over 19 pockets of land and infill –not one estate. He suggested Boon Brown could be racing to push through its plan ahead of the local plan being signed off sometime in the new year. As last week’s meeting was simply to show initial plans, any public consultation will have to wait for detailed plans – perhaps at the next council meeting on November 25. But likely protests are that three tree preservation orders and rights of way would be affected, while a consultant’s report states the land is partially on a flood plain. “This does nothing to benefit 2010 to be Freemen of the Town – a rare honour that has only been awarded to 11 people,” read the statement. “In 2011, in recognition of his long service to our community Ray was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. We extend our deepest sympathies to Chris, and to Ray’s family at this very sad

North Cadbury to take on developers

newsdesk@blackmorevale.net time.” North Cadbury, apart from the pub and shop,” said Mr Martin. n A development firm is continuing its fight to build a number of houses in Milborne Port, despite being rejected twice. Toft Hill first submitted plans to build 56 homes on Station Road in February, 2018. Toft went to appeal and lost, then reduced the number of homes to 30 –which was turned down by South Somerset District Council. The firm is appealing again. The council refused plans on the grounds of road safety, the look of the houses, the fact that the primary school could not cope and insufficient information on how Toft intended to protect local ecology. 15

AT the start of 1918, three years before the British Legion held their first Poppy Appeal, the Red Cross Pearl Appeal was launched. Lady Northcliffe, whose husband owned The Times and the Daily Mail, appealed to women to donate a pearl from their necklaces in the hope a single necklace could be created and sold to help wounded soldiers. The response from the grieving nation was overwhelming and 41 necklaces were created – raising £100,000. The Pearl Appeal was one of the most successful fundraising campaigns of the With November arrived, it's time to get out warm, waterproof jackets from Seasalt. Shirley Allum’s November promotion is 20% off all UGG, FLY and Wolkies First World War. Now Anne Kings from Gillingham is launching The Remembrance Pearl Appeal to help raise finds for the Poppy Appeal. “I need everyone reading this to help,” she said. “We all know that the Poppy Appeal fund this year is going to struggle due to covid-19 regulations, so maybe we can steal the idea from what happened in 1918 and do a similar thing in this time of exceptional circumstances –100 years later. “I know many people have little trinket boxes somewhere bargain before they all go. Her cashmere knitwear department is larger than ever, with amazing colours. There is also a larger selection of Brax Jeans, with in the home which hold odd leftover pearls, which have been collected over the years. “Now could be the time to sort out those little boxes. “If you are reading this and are someone who would be willing to part with a single pearl then these will be strung into beautiful pearl necklaces, which will be auctioned at a later date, with the funds raised going to the Poppy Appeal. “And who knows, you may be lucky and own one for yourself, or buy one for someone special, when these beautiful necklaces are ready to be sold. There couldn’t be cords and velvets and Robell trousers in an array of colours and patterns (jeans and trousers in sizes 4-26). New in lingerie is Hatley Christmas nightwear. In bras they have sizes 30-50 necklaces with more meaning!” Anne added: “Every one will be unique, pearls will not match in quality, colour, shape or size but in a way this will add to the charm and all will be beautiful.” Send your pearls to The Remembrance Pearl Appeal The Copy Shop, High Street, Gillingham SP8 4QT before December 20. Or The Post Office, 12 High Street, Gillingham SP8 4RZ Allum and Sidaway are the jewellers who will thread the pearls. For any more information email

Gorgeous winter treats now in stock at Shirley Allum’s

winter boots – so grab a abnekings2@btinternet.com back size, AA to K cup size –something for every size and shape. Gift vouchers are available for Christmas with a free box of chocolates if over £50. Shirley and the team look forward to assisting you.

When face-to-face care home visits were banned back in the Spring, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of our loved ones living in care homes, especially those living with dementia, were left feeling bewildered and abandoned. Despite the constant kindness of the tireless care assistants, many older residents simply couldn’t understand why their families and friends were no longer popping in to say hello, give them a hug or sit down for a cuppa and a chat.

For those of us watching the daily news bulletins at the time, the reasons were obvious. It seemed as though the only option for care homes was to pull up the drawbridges, cancel all nonessential visits, don the PPE, introduce even more stringent hygiene procedures and try their very best to explain to residents why all these measures were for their own good. Despite many of the residents having lived through World War II, it was such a challenging time for everyone concerned, not just for the residents, but for their friends and families as well. But tough times call for ingenuity. It’s times like these that can bring out the best in us all, not just our compassion and our determination, but our creativity as well. ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

At residential care homes such as Bramley House in Mere and The Old Rectory in Stalbridge, both owned by Dorset-based care business Bramley Care, managers could instantly see the dilemma. Vicki Collins, Registered Manager at The Old Rectory, Vicki explained how they and Caroline Nicholson, quickly realised that the Registered Manager at solution was going to be Bramley House, both spoke special visiting rooms in the on the one hand of the overwhelming urge to keep gardens, so that visitors wouldn’t have to enter the their precious residents safe from harm, but on the other homes at all. “Building them at the height hand, they both knew just of the pandemic was how vital it was for the residents to have regular definitely a challenge, but we’re both really pleased contact with their loved ones. with the end result. The wooden cabins look lovely, and they’re fully heated, with comfy furniture, so our residents and their visitors can really enjoy their time together. There’s a glass panel running from floor to ceiling across the middle of the room, so it’s safe for our residents and their families, While battling with the daily but they can feel really close frustrations caused by to their loved ones.” lockdown, such as sourcing “We’ve installed a PPE and toilet rolls (yes, microphone system that even care homes were means chatting through the struggling to get hold of glass is really simple,” added them), Caroline and Vicki Caroline, “and the room gets put their heads together fogged (professionally .….via Zoom of course! cleaned) after every visit.” “Our residents and their families have been really overjoyed with their new visiting rooms. They’ve been a lifeline for so many during the bleak months of lockdown and they’re still in constant use, while we all of us wait for life once again to return to normal.” For those residents for whom the short journey to the visiting rooms is simply too arduous, maybe for those nearing the end of their lives, arrangements can also be made at both homes for relatives to visit loved ones in their own rooms, though strict precautions are taken in these circumstances. While government guidelines have at times been unclear, Registered Managers such as Caroline and Vicki have had to shoulder the unenviable task of deciding what is best for their residents. Both homes have remained Covid-free throughout the pandemic, and their residents are happy in the knowledge that their loved ones can visit whenever they choose, so it looks as though they’re both doing a pretty amazing job!

For more information or a friendly chat, call Caroline at Bramley House (01747 860192) or Vicki at The Old Rectory (01963 362624). info@bramleycare.com www.bramleycare.com 17

Those with long memories and possible local ancestry may well remember when Ferne Estate, located in the parish of Donhead St Andrew, operated as an animal sanctuary, owned and run by the late Nina, Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon. The animal sanctuary was founded at the start of the Second World War in 1939, providing refuge for more than 6,000 pets during the war years – many of whom lost their owners during this time. Today, Ferne Animal Sanctuary still survives, largely adhering to the principles laid down by its founder, although since 1975 it has been based near Chard in Somerset. Last year it celebrated its 80th anniversary, an event in which they took great pride. The sanctuary has a small archive of material covering aspects of its history and volunteers are trying to gather as much information, archives and photographs as they can – particularly material relating to the years between 1939 and 1975 – for a new book, which will raise funds for the charity. Spokesman Sarah Cutler said: “As the Duchess sadly passed away in 1951 the survival of Ferne Animal Sanctuary during subsequent years would not have been possible without the hard work and loyalty of so many people and we feel that they too deserve to be remembered for the part they played in our history. “To this end we are calling on the people and families of Shaftesbury and surrounding areas, requesting your help in sharing with us any recollections pertinent to the early years of our small but greatly loved sanctuary. “Names of individuals do survive: Mr Joe Allen, who 18

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? Miss B Broms, Miss P Reid, Miss M Atherton and Nina, Duchess of Hamilton, let the dogs out of the kennels and, below, feeding time

was with the Ferne Estate for more than 30 years and took particular responsibility for the horses and cattle and his assistant Mr Eric Butt. “Other names that are recalled are Mr E. Roberts, Mr J. Scammel, Mr D. Davidge, Mrs Joan Reynolds, Mrs May Clapp, Miss Peggy Reid, Miss B. Broms, Miss Avril Tucker, Miss Ann Wigger, Miss Joy Tanner, Miss Betty Clarke, Margaret Barrett and Miss Mollie Atherton (Superintendent). “Any relevant material or lingering memories of the part they, and others, played would be greatly welcomed.

“If you can help, please do contact us, either by writing to: Sarah Cutler, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Chard, Somerset TA20 3DH Tel: 01460 67587 or email: volunteering@ ferneanimalsanctuary.org. “Alternatively, Adrian Dixon can be contacted on 01308 868612.”

PET SUBLECT: Ferne Estate animal sanctuary founder Nina, Duchess of Hamilton, with some of her beloved dogs. Below, Nina and two horses which were saved from slaughter after the mechanisation of the dust carts and, below, right, Ferne House with residents

Deaf student is fundraising for uni

A Blandford Nepalese student is appealing for help to achieve his dream of getting a university degree. Aayush Gurung is profoundly deaf, unable to speak and relies on sign language to communicate. The 22-year-old moved to the UK from his home country of Nepal in 2016 when he was 17 to improve his education. After passing his A-Levels, Mr Gurung has been offered a place at Bournemouth University, studying

By Nicci Brown Accounting and Finance. He has chosen to study at Bournemouth as he can easily travel to and from the campus from Blandford and will not have to pay any accommodation or maintenance expenses. But his immigration status of ‘limited leave to remain’ means he is unable to apply for student loans, Disabled Student Allowance (DSL), or any loans from the UK government, and his parents both have low incomes are unable to support him. He has started a GoFundMe page to help him further his educational ambitions with an original target amount of £24,000. But Bournemouth University has agreed to reduce the fees by giving him ‘home’ fee status, and he has won the support of the Charity of William Williams with a £3500 grant together with £500 from Blandford Rotary Club and £840 from fundraising at Blandford Camp, so has reduced the target to £14,810. By the middle of October £2500 had been raised towards his tuition fees, British Sign Language interpreters and note-taker costing £7800, and books, equipment and travel costing £2100. He said: “I have faced many barriers throughout my life but I will never give up. Donations from the public will help me to achieve my dreams, all donations will be very much appreciated.” To donate, visit gf.me/u/ywgi8d 19