Obituary
‘Basil’ stood tall to win his dream job By Karen Bate A policeman who served in Gillingham, Blandford and Shaftesbury for 36 years has died, aged 70. Alan Refson, affectionately known as Basil Butcher to his friends and colleagues, died suddenly in the garden of his Gillingham home in August. His widow Fiona said: “Alan loved his job with the police force and he touched the hearts and lives of so many people. “He will be sorely missed. This photograph is my Alan on Gold Hill whilst he was serving in Shaftesbury. Alan was often seen on his bicycle while talking to his community, which he felt was such an
AWARDS: Alan Refson
honour and his great pleasure.” Born in Aldershot in 1950, Alan grew up wanting to be a policeman. He joined Hampshire Police as a cadet at 16, and went on to join Dorset Police in 1967. Fiona said: “Alan sailed through his interview with Dorset Police, but they said he was unable to serve because he was too short. Alan was bereft and sat on
the wooden bench outside the interview room and wept. A kind gentleman ushered Alan into the medical room, and, after much shuffling through drawers, handed Alan something. ‘Put these in your shoes, stand tall and I will call you in again to be measured.’ “Alan passed!” Alan met Fiona when she was nursing at Blandford Hospital. Fiona fell for this dark-haired police officer with his dry sense of humour and charm. Alan proposed outside the Bastard Pump in Blandford in 1992 and the pair married at Blandford Church a year later. Fiona said: “My memories of Alan are of a funny, loving and caring husband. I was a very lucky girl that he chose
me to marry.” Over the years of policing, Alan received many commendations for bravery and courage. He was involved in policing the Miners’ Strike for 14 weeks and attended many notorious football matches, most notably the Bournemouth v Leeds match in 1990, which saw 104 arrests and 12 police officers suffering serious injuries. Alan served in Blandford Forum as a community beat officer and taught school pupils Stranger Danger before being posted to Gillingham, which he loved. He retired from the force in 2004. Alan is buried at St Mary’s Church in Motcombe.
Food & Drink
Great way to refuel offered
We are open for takeaway or Dial & Deliver!
Fresh bread locally baked each morning, with your choice of flavoursome fillings, including home-cooked roast meats and vegetarian options, made to order every time. Some examples: Breakfast Box Jacket Potatos Toasties/Paninis 2 bacon, 2 sausages, Cheese & beans Cheese & red onion 2 eggs, beans/tomato, Coronation Chicken Tuna melt mushrooms & toast Chicken mayo & bacon Bacon Brie Cranberry Tomato Mozzarella & Pesto
The Filling Station on page 23 last edition is in Gillingham, not Mere! The café is now offering takeaways, including a host of tasty lunches and dinners, including gourmet steak burgers, lasagne, jacket potatoes and freshly-baked pasties and turnovers all served with fries or salad. Owner Carole Jennings said: “We took over from the Cure Coffee Works in August 2020, totally revamped the place and put in a commercial kitchen.
“We sell every kind of fresh bread and patisserie you can think of, handmade pasties, turnovers and such like. Preordering is essential for the bread. We have a fully loaded sandwich bar, breakfast bar, the most inviting sit in area when allowed and a full takeaway menu, we also have milkshakes and smoothies.” The Filling Station is open Mon-Thurs 5.45am-3pm and 5.45am-8pm Fri-Sat. For information or to order, ring 01747 826289.
These are not just breakfasts, rolls and sandwiches. These are The Filling Station, made-to-order, breakfasts, rolls, baps, subs, sandwiches, French sticks, toasties, 100% steak burgers, southern fried chicken, homemade lasagne, plus cakes, drinks...
The Filling Station
2 Lower Station Road, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QA Orderline: 01747 826289 Line 1: 07767844824 Line 2: 07875711772 39
