32
New Blackmore Vale, November 12, 2021
Show organisers set to Spring into action
The organisers of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show have announced plans for a new Spring Countryside Show on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24. Whether you are a garden enthusiast or a food lover, the show will have something for everyone, focusing on woodland and forestry with wood carving and axemen, gardening with show gardens and nurseries, local food & drink with a food marquee, street food area, beer, cider and gin garden, alongside showcasing rural life. Organiser James Cox said: “We wanted to create a new show that celebrated one of the most special seasons in the calendar. Spring sees the rolling countryside come to life in so many colours and shades while on the farm and in the woodland we see the birth of new life.” Show chairman Giles Simpson said: “The show hopes to support local businesses, especially in the food and craft Industries. Trading at the show starts at just £35.” Early bird tickets to the new show go online at the end of November for just £5 per adult and £1 per child. n gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk
NOVEMBER SUNDAY LUNCH 21 Nov £45 KINGSTON LACEY CHRISTMAS & LIGHTS 4 Dec £55 DECEMBER LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT 8 Dec £69
TOURS/HOLIDAYS THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 13–15 Dec £325 – 1 TICKET REMAINING CHRISTMAS IN LYNTON, NORTH DEVON 23–27 Dec £549 NEW YEAR IN DERBY 2022 30 Dec 2021 – 2 Jan 2022 £445
2022 THE ROYAL MINT PROJECT IN WALES 12 Mar 2022 £75 WALES AND CHEPSTOW TOUR 15–19 May 2022 £525 LIVERPOOL & MERSEY TOUR 21–25 Aug 2022 £535
Book your getaway!
01963 363000 www.valecoaches.com Find us on Facebook
blackmorevale.net
By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net
The flooding of a road bordering Gillingham’s planned housing expansion has raised new concerns over the impact of the project. Heavy rainfall on the morning of October 31 saw Cole Street Lane disappear under water, with some homes flooded for the second time in 10 days. The lane borders farmland on which Welbeck Land plans to build 961 homes, nearly half the total envisaged for Gillingham’s vast southern extension. Work has already begun on a new arterial road across the site, sections of which flooded due to the downpour and River Lodden bursting its banks. Resident Andrew Pring said on Facebook: “Water running into Cole Street Lane can’t get away, has flooded Cole Street Farm car park and up to my doorstep. First time ever.” Another resident, Vicki La Bouchardiere, added: “Cole Street Lane completely flooded. Our house is flooded for a second time but much worse than before. This never happened before.” The Lodden also flooded houses in the centre of Gillingham, covered a bridge and Wren Place playground. Resident Rachel Joan said: “We’ve lived here in Wren Place 16 years, bought from new and have never seen the river so high. “I’d say you wouldn’t want to buy at the back of the new estate.” She was referring to 90 new houses currently being built behind Lodden Lakes by Taylor Wimpey, which also has approval for 115 more homes in a second phase. Another resident, Verity Minns, posted: “I’ve lived here seven
RAIN STOPS PLAY: Wren Place playground Picture: Rachel Joan
WATER MEADOW: Lower Lodden Meadow at Gillingham Picture: Kane Armstrong
AWASH: The newly completed Durweston Causeway crossing the floodplain
years and never seen the river so high until they started building work, cutting down all the blackthorn trees and turfing up the marsh grass.” This week, developers and house builders were invited to bid for the right to build 205 houses, the first phase of 971 homes planned on the Welbeck site. A further 634 homes are planned the other side of the Gillingham-
Repair café in need of your expertise Blandford’s repair café is being revived! And they are on the lookout for fixers. They are looking for amateur and experienced electricians, handy people, carpenters, engineers, bike experts and craftspeople who may be able to spare two hours to help at the Blandford Repair Café sometime in
early December. The café is a place for people to bring broken goods and have them fixed or receive advice on how to fix them to reduce waste and encourage sustainability. Please email emmadesaram@ yahoo.com with some indication of your availability.
