Arts & Entertainments

ON SONG: The Farrant Singers are at St Martin’s in Salsbury on October 23 Singers’ tribute to composers

St Martin’s Church in Salisbury will resound with the heavenly voices of The Farrant Singers, who are celebrating their first appearance since 2019 on October 23 at 7.30pm. The concert is the first to be conducted by Philip Lawson, the new co-director, and aptly entitled ‘The Old Order Changeth’ and will include works by William Byrd, Charles Villiers Stanford and Sir Edward Elgar. The second half is a tribute to two composers, Richard Lloyd and Richard Shepard, who both sadly passed away this year within two months of each other. Richard Lloyd founded The Farrant Singers in 1958, and Richard Shephard conducted the choir between 1974 and 1983. Tickets are available at £15 from Casa Fina in Salisbury, at farrantsingers.org or by calling 07773 210706.

In accordance with the Government’s advice to businesses, we would encourage customers to continue to wear a face covering to reduce the risk both to themselves and to others and respectfully request that customers continue to use the hand sanitisers provided, and to check in using the NHS COVID-19 app.

Paul’s at the Legion tonight

Folk guitarist, singer and composer Paul Downes, pictured, is returning to Blandford tonight, Friday, October 15, for a performance at the Wessex Acoustic Folk Club in the Legion at 8pm. Paul is accompanied by his brother Warwick, a renowned bass player and supported by Blandford’s Rod Jenkins, with a selection of mellow Americana. Entrance is £15, with limited seating to enable safe spacing. Ring Kathy at the box office on 01202 732239.

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE

Wimborne Drama presents TOWARDS ZERO

21st - 23rd Oct, 7.30pm, matinee Sat 23rd Oct 2.30pm Tickets £14 (£12 Matinee) 1 in 10 free

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) TOM PETTY:

The Making of Wildflowers

(SCREENING)

Monday 25th October, 7pm Tickets £16.50 (£15 concs)

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) CLIFF RICHARD

– The Great 80 Tour

(SCREENING)

Wednesday 27th October 7.45pm Tickets £16.50 (£15 concs)

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) THE GARY FLETCHER BAND

Thursday 28th October, 7.30pm Tickets £18.50

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW

Friday 29th October, 7.30pm Tickets £23.50

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)

Sh*t Faced Shakespeare: ROMEO & JULIET

(Over 16’s only)

Saturday 30th October, 8pm Tickets £20 ONCE UPON A PRINCESS JIMEOIN

– Turn It Up Tour JOHN COOPER CLARKE

– The Luckiest Guy Alive Tour

Sunday 31st October, 12pm & 4pm Tickets £12

Wednesday 3rd November, 7.30pm Tickets £16.50

Thursday 4th November, 7.30pm Tickets £27.50/£23.50 STORY OF GUITAR HEROES

Friday 5th November, 7.30pm Tickets £20

Fans of nonsense poems are in for a treat – and a children’s hospice is in for a donation – after a Gillingham pensioner published his first book of silliness. Retired civil servant Richard Evans, 71, has always enjoyed ‘playing about with words’ and invented the eponymous Joshua Piecrust 50 years ago. “He’s my alter ego,” said Richard. “I’ve always written odd bits of verse, just for my own amusement. But then I joined a writing group called Scribblers in Milton on Stour and they asked me what my hopes were for this year. I didn’t have any, so I thought I’d write a lot of poems for my grandchildren.” The poems in Joshua Piecrust and his Alphabet of Rhymes (With Occasional Breaks for Refreshment) have been described by reviewers as ‘Great fun’ and ‘wonderfully eccentric’. The gloriously silly rhymes take the reader through the alphabet with one creature per letter. Fabulous drawings by prolific illustrator Lyn Stone were funded by Richard, and all proceeds are going to Julia’s House children’s hospice. Richard said: “I told Lyn that Joshua Piecrust looked a bit like me, and she came up with a caricature that looked so much like me it makes everyone laugh.” He added: “I’ve never written a book before – odd bits of verse but just for myself. But now I’m writing a second book. It’s a nonsense novel aimed at me, really write to amuse me and if someone else likes it, great. “It’s about a bookseller who… well… it’s complicated…” Joshua Piecrust and his Alphabet of Rhymes is the perfect stocking filler for children and adults alike –and it’s on Amazon for a trifling £2.89 right now. Richard’s wife is Japanese, and their daughter Emi Evans, is an internationallyknown singer/songwriter who now lives in Tokyo. Emi has made quite a name for herself since being scouted by a SONY Japan producer at the age of 16. She was heard singing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, and you can hear her voice on a great many computer games.” Richard said: “Emi has been plugging my book in Japan, too! Everyone who reads it seems to like it.” Search for Joshua Piecrust at amazon.co.uk. Writing group Scribblers met on the second Thursday of the month in Milton on Stour at 7.30pm. Call 01747 835689 or email tiggyhayes@hotmail.co.uk.

HAVE A LOOK, AT MY BOOK: Author Richard Evans Kangaroos

Kangaroos, with little grace, go ricocheting round the place for reasons not entirely clear; it’s very dry, it’s very hot. (Shall I join in? I’d rather not.) Yes, Kangaroos are queer. The large elastic Kangaroo goes ‘Pyoinggg! Pyoinggg! Pyoinggg!’ the outback through where seldom English feet have trod; and in its pockets you may find small replications of its kind – Yes, Kangaroos are odd. Kangaroos are poised, some think, precariously on the brink, more cuckoo-witted than was feared. “Have they no brain? No intellect?” All bounced to mush, so we suspect. “You mean they’re bonkers?” Quite correct – Yes, Kangaroos are weird. Extravagantly over-sprung, all Kangaroos, both old and young, have trampolines instead of knees; and can, with disconcerting ease, go into orbit if they sneeze. Are Kangaroos bizarre? Too bounding right they are!

You’re just in time for nonsense rhyme

Comedy nights are back, raising funds and raising a laugh

Popular charity stand-up comedy nights that used to run bi-annually at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton are back on. On Saturday, October 16, at 8pm there’s a fresh comedy night, with a great line up of acts, from the National Comedy Circuit, and a well-stocked bar. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets at £15 are available on the door, or in advance from the Exchange (01258 475137). These events previously ran for about 10 years and raised over £20,000 for local and overseas good causes. All profits from this show will go to The Vale Pantry, Sturminster Newton and the Sudanese Community Development Project (a school for Sudanese refugee children living in Cairo). The school relies entirely on donations and the money will be used to give the children a basic brunch every day.

The David Hall in South Petherton is hosting a number of events in November.

n A craft fair – a ‘Support The Hall’ event – will be held on Saturday, November 6 from 9.30am-12.30pm. Enjoy a relaxing morning wandering around the delightful stalls of the craft producers. Find a ‘one of a kind’ artwork, great for that special Christmas present, or a treat for yourself. Free Entry.

n Folkies Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman will be playing on Saturday, November 6 at 8pm. The pair have long established themselves as one of the UK Folk scene’s most rewardingly enduring partnerships. It’s now over 25 years that this popular wife and husband duo have been making music. To celebrate and acknowledge this milestone, the couple will revisit and reinterpret songs which span their career. From the early days of Folk supergroup Equation through to Personae, with a nod or two along the way to their extracurricular musical adventures, the evening promises a whistle-stop tour through their artistic journey to date. Tickets: £18.50. £17.50 concessions.

n Martyn Joseph will be playing on Saturday. November 13 at 8pm. Martyn is described as ‘a completely unique and mindblowing artist. For just one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge farreaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to 200 people or 20,000, he blows the crowd away night after night’. Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions. nThe Goat Roper Rodeo Band will be playing on Friday, November 19 at 8pm. With just two old guitars and a bucketful of aching harmony, The Goat Roper Rodeo Band are preaching ‘Cosmic Country Blues’ like you never heard… From a lonesome shack in the North Wales hills, over the past decade Jim and Sam have honed their craft on a diet of Country Classics and ‘down home’ Roots records, culminating in their own brand of trippy yet soulful Acoustic Blues. There’s a hint of Gram, a sniff of Dylan and a twist of Waylon’s Blues. Tickets: £17 Full. £16 Concessions.

HAND IN HAND: Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman Another busy month for hall with a wide range of events

n A Quiz Night – another ‘Support The David Hall’ event – will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 7.30pm. Test your knowledge, enjoy a ploughman’s supper and raise money for The David Hall at the same time. Tickets: £7 inc supper. No concessions. Advanced booking only by Wednesday, November 17. No tickets available on the night. Maximum four team members. n A coffee morning will be held on Wednesday, November 24 at 10am. Pop in for a cup of real coffee and a chat. Look around the book and bric-abrac stalls and more often than not, listen to some live music. Entry is free.

n Skerryvore – A ‘Chance to Dance’ Event Thursday November 25 @ 8pm Over the last 15 years, Skerryvore have brought their performances to audiences across the globe, from their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars to festival crowds in the USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe. Picking up Scottish traditional music’s Live Act of the Year twice on the way – in 2011 and again in 2016 – the band’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically-expansive, highenergy set that excites and captivates audiences. ‘A great bunch of guys and superb live – really infectious and hard not to get swept up in what they do’ –Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Tickets: £23. No concessions n Petherton Picture Show Presents: The Father (12A) (2020) Friday November 26 @ 8pm A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as grows older. While he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Coleman, Mark Gatiss Tickets: £5

n Acoustic Night –Saturday November 27 @ 7.30pm On our performers’ night, The David Hall hands over its professional stage and outstanding acoustics to budding artists of all genres. If you would like to attend our Acoustic Night as a performer or audience member then please email Chris Watts at folk@chriswatts.org or call 07715 501157. Please pre-book your performance slot or seat. Do not walk up on the night! Entry by suggested donations of £2. Tickets can be booked at thedavidhall.org.uk or by phone on 01460 240 340.

Pictures for The Beehive, a contemporary art exhibition hosted at the home of the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury, has raised a stunning £100,000 towards a hydrotherapy pool for people with profound disabilities. The two-day exhibition and auction took place at St Giles House in Wimborne in aid of the £1million Diverse Abilities Splash Appeal. The exhibition culminated in an elegant party and auction, in which the 29 donated works from artists including Antony Gormley, Maggi Hambling, Paula Rego, and Catherine Goodman, went under the hammer by Guy Schwinge of Duke’s. The exhibited works spanning a range of media, raised over £84,000 and other proceeds collected through the exhibition took the total to well over £100,000. Henrietta Young, curator and artist, said: “We were delighted with the interest shown in this wide ranging and exciting show, delighted with the fantastic sum we raised at the auction – thank to the enthusiasm, expertly kindled by Mr Schwinge, of the bidders –but really delighted that so many more people now know, and care, about The Beehive, the excellent work done there, and the acute need for this pool. This is only the start!” Helen Mortimer, development manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “All of us at Diverse Abilities have been overwhelmed with the support of artists, volunteers and those who have bid. The hard work and generosity of all these people made this possible and has taken us a huge leap closer to building a therapy pool.” Artist Amy Shuckburgh added: “I was delighted to be asked to donate a picture to this charity and for such a worthwhile cause. The work I donated is part of a series exploring my experience of caring for children and seemed an appropriate piece to offer for the auction. One of my children has learning difficulties and this series on motherhood began as a way of processing and celebrating the particular challenge of caring for a child with special needs. The term special needs has a bitter-sweet ring to it, and in any context, however ‘special’ the needs, caring can be the hardest job and also the most rewarding.” The exhibition also featured portraits and drawings of those who attend The Beehive. Visit thesplashappeal.org.uk for more details.

FUNDRAISER: Mark Powell, Helen Mortimer and Henrietta Young at St Giles House with some of the works on show Beehive auction nets £100k for hydrotherapy pool fund

E TH T H EXCHANGE

Live a more eventful life

Friday 22nd October Dream orse (PG)

7pm Tickets £7/£5 ––––––––Saturday 6th November Jenny Eclair: Sity! (FFS)

7.30pm Tickets £20 ––––––––Saturday 13th November The Carpenters: Voice of the eart

7:30pm Tickets £20/ £19 ––––––––Thursday 18th & Friday 19th November Living Spits Frankenstein

7:30pm Tickets £15/£13 Saturday 20th November Lollypops and Moptops

7:30pm Tickets £20

01258 475137

info@stur-exchange.co.uk Find us on Facebook www.stur-exchange.co.uk

Casting the net for film extras

Men of all ages over the age of 17 are being asked to sign up to star as extras in a ‘major new feature film’ being shot in Dorset. The Casting Collective put out the call earlier this month for the as-yet un-named film. It says it’s looking for people of all ethnicities and looks but adds: “We are particularly looking for people from Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin and mixed-race ethnicities.” The company says all applicants must have a valid National Insurance number, be legally allowed to work in the UK and be over 17 years old. They must also have their own transport and live within a 6090 minute drive of Dorchester

Handmade for Christmas

and be available for costume fittings and rehearsals from the middle of this month and filming from early to mid-November. Dorset has featured in a number of blockbusting movies over the past few years. The 2017 movie Dunkirk starring Harry Styles, pictured, and Mark Rylance was filmed in Weymouth and Swanage, Brad Pitt filmed part of his World War Z at Lulworth Cove and Ammonite, starring Kate Winslet as Mary Anning was filmed at Lyme Regis. Apply at castingcollective.co.uk/ artistes/urgent-casting-calls.

Open daily 9.30am – 4.30pm 16th October until New Year’s Eve

A glorious collection of unique and beautiful handmade gifts from local makers, designers and artists

Visit us or shop online... The Workhouse Chapel Bath Road Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 1DS www.workhousechapel.co.uk

Wilburys are travelling

The Unravelling Wilburys Return to Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Saturday, November 13 at 7.30pm. The Unravelling Wilburys are the ‘complete package’ with a great combination of brilliant musicianship and tongue in cheek humour. The band play their songs in their familiar country-rock style while stealing a few choice numbers from those famous five icons: Messrs Orbison, Harrison, Dylan, Petty and Lynne. An experience is not to be missed. Tickets £18 Under 18s £16 from shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk or 01747 854321.