The New Blackmore Vale Magazine by The Blackmore Vale Limited

Edition 16

Friday, April 30, 2021

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Edition 16

Friday, April 30, 2021

w e n he

Blackmore Vale

Fortnightly

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Post Office Ltd ruined my life I’ve lost everything, says Tracey By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

A former postmistress from Wincanton has revealed the full extent of the damage done to her after Post Office Ltd accused her of fraud. Tracey Merritt, 52, ran Yetminster Post Office until 2011, when she was suspended amid claims of theft. Last week, the Post Office admitted its failings and said compensation would be paid to people who suffered at the hands of its deeply flawed Horizon software, which caused hundreds of subpostmasters to be accused of fraud. n Turn to back page

Photo: LEN COPLAND

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What’s inside this week Announcements Arts & Entertainments Antiques & Collectibles Business Church Education Equestrian Farming Field And Stream Food & Drink Health & Wellbeing Home & Gardens Items For Sale Letters Local Services Motoring MPs’ Round-Up Pets

30-33 60-63 42-43 71-73 40 36-37 84 87-93 85 38-39 56-58 44-47 66-67 34-35 48-56 n High-flying June celebrates her 101st birthday: P6-7 n John Humphrys’ praise for his brother’s village of Marnhull n Mum running Jurassic Coast for Young Minds: P23 68-70 59 Property 94-103 Recruitment 74-79 64-65, 86-87 Sport 80-83 66-67 Puzzles

Meet the Team Miranda Robertson

Lloyd Armishaw

Lorraine Drake

Editor

Publisher

Distributor

newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net Tel: 01963 400186

lorraine_drake @icloud.com Tel: 07850 529937

Debi Thorne

Ad sales manager debi.thorne@ icloud.com Tel: 07714 289409

Contact Us Advertising: adverts@blackmorevale.net Editorial: newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Postal enquiries to: 3 Alfred’s Way, Wincanton, BA9 9RU Classified ads: classified@blackmorevale.net,

Karen Bate

Ellie Rose

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01963 400186 or online at blackmorevale.net Sport stories: sport@blackmorevale.net

DEADLINES The deadlines for advertising and editorial is the Friday before publication.However every effort will be made to include death announcements until the Tuesday.

Steve Keenan

Reporter sport@blackmorevale.net Tel: 07940 143223 Sue Kennington

Account manager sue.kennington@ blackmorevale.net Tel: 07714 289403

Ruth Armishaw

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Great news! Sherborne MIU to reopen By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Dorset HealthCare has announced the Minor Injuries Unit at the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne will be ‘back up and running this summer’. David Hayes, chairman of charity arm The Friends of Yeatman Hospital, has issued his thanks to the Sherborne community who joined The Friends to ‘plead the cause and state the case to re-open the MIU’. He said: “This is marvellous news for Sherborne and surrounding villages to know the voice of our community has been heard. On behalf of the Friends, I wish to thank all of the town’s GPs, and Patient Groups, Chris Loder MP, Sherborne Town Council, Sherborne Chamber of Trade and the many

individual voices who joined with the Friends to plead the cause and state the case to re-open the MIU. “It is also important to acknowledge the work of DHCT’s executive team and staff commitment to reopen the MIU – whom we thank. This positive news has to be the best 70th anniversary present we could wish for. “It is important that on behalf of all of the Friends of the Yeatman, my fellow trustees and advisors, and of course the people of Sherborne, to acknowledge and thank DHCT for their commitment to reopen the MIU at the Yeatman Hospital.” The Sherborne community, which has a population of some 22,500 people, are breathing a sigh of relief at the decision, which will mean those who need

medical treatment for minor injuries will no longer have to travel to Shaftesbury, Bridport, Weymouth or Wimborne. Now Sherborne MIU will revert to its pre-covid opening hours from June 21, but with pre-booked appointments SAVED: The Yeatman Hospital’s MIU following to the pandemic and we know telephone assessments. this has caused disruption and Jane Elson, Dorset concern for local people. HealthCare’s Service “We’re delighted that we can Director for Integrated now plan to re-open services Community Services, said: which had to close “We have adapted our urgent temporarily in line with the care services very rapidly easements of lockdown, over the last year and learned and look forward to a huge amount about how continuing to support local people use them. people and continuously “We’ve all had to change the improve services for the way we do things in response future.”

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Inspired Rebekah’s on a medal mission By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

A postman from Suffolk who has reunited families after researching old war medals has inspired care home services advisor Rebekah Goddard to launch a similar project from the Trinity Manor care home in Sherborne. Adam Simpson-York spent lockdown buying unwanted war medals online, researched their history and provenance before reuniting them with their families. So moved by the story, Rebekah got in touch with Adam, to find ways to unite members of the Sherborne community with their families. She said: “I want to organise a project that our residents, schools and the community can be involved with. “Adam has received national press of late through his random acts of kindness in returning First World War medals that he has purchased, found or had given, to the families of the people who originally owned them. “Through his coverage, he

GREAT IDEA: Rebekah Goddard at Trinity Manor and, right, postman Adam Simpson-York. Inset: Some of the medals Adam has researched

has now been asked to trace other items, such as books with inscriptions, pocket watches with engravings and certificates of which he has had a lot of success in finding the original 01258 450019 owner’s 14 East Street, families, Blandford Forum much to DT11 7DR their surprise and Quality Care Guaranteed delight. Now Accepting New Patients “He asks Google Reviews for nothing 0% 昀nance & monthly payment options available in return. “I contacted www.national.dental

Adam and have had several conversations over the phone as to how we can work together with our residents and the community to do something similar with the Sherborne community. “He said he would be happy to help us if we became a local drop-off hub for anyone locally who has any medals, trinkets or such that could be traced back to the owners.” Now Rebekah is appealing to Sherborne residents and organisations to search their drawers and attics for old medals, watches and

treasures and drop them into Trinity Manor so between the care home residents and Adam, the owners can be traced. “With any local successes we have, we would love to have a mini handover ceremony and photograph the item with our residents before sending the treasure back to their new home. “I think this would be a really lovely ongoing project for all the community.” For more details go to facebook.com/MedalsGoing Home.

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Yeovil College University Centre is hosting ‘Student Finance Uncovered’, a webinar dedicated to explaining how you fund university-level study. The free event, on Monday, May 10 at 6pm, can be accessed on phones, tablets or computers. This is focused on post-18 and applies to all universities and higher

education centres. The deadline to guarantee a student finance application will be processed in time for September is May 22. To attend, pre-register on Eventbrite using this link: eventbrite.co.uk/e/student-financeuncovered-tickets-151602259439. Visit yeovil.ac.uk for further information.

By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

In response to our story on page 3 of our last edition, Blandford Town Council has responded by revising their policy of not allowing kerb sets in the newest part of the town's cemetery. The story told of a family’s heartache after they were told they could not install the kerbstones their loved one had wanted, even though a neighbouring plot had them. The council’s operations manager Jon Goodenough told the NBV: “The kerb set in the new section of the cemetery was installed there due to an administrative error on the part of the town council. As it was our error it would not be right for us to ask for it to be removed. Although this could be confusing/upsetting it does not change the regulations as they were set by council to try to make maintenance of the new section easier. “A letter was sent to the

Council U-turn after our story

Bridget Weston’s family at her graveside

resident who raised the issue of the kerb set asking if she would like to have this added the town council at their meeting on the April with a view to reviewing the regulations. “Despite not receiving a response it was added to the agenda anyway.” Councillors, many of whom had been contacted over the issue, were asked if they wished to review the policy,

and Councillor Noc Lacey Clarke said: "We have all seen Facebook and been lobbied over this – we either have to insist that the kerbstones put down accidentally are removed, or allow them for everyone, and I am on the side of allowing for all." Councillor Hugo Mieville said: “I don't have the heart to make anyone remove them.” Other councillors agreed unanimously, Councillor Cathy Jacques saying: “The family are distraught, with a lot of family issues and disagreements. We should not deny people the right to decide how they treat a loved one.” Mr Goodenough told the meeting: “Our cemetery is popular because we are flexible in what people can do, and the issue of kerb sets being damaged by maintenance work is not something which has happened in my time.” In his report on the issue, he

said that staff maintaining the cemetery felt that allowing kerb sets would not make maintenance more difficult, and in some cases could be easier and more attractive. “There is now a precedent, and in addition others have put other items on and around graves which are not as neat as formal kerb sets. We do still get requests for kerbing in the new section which we have always declined, but clearly that process will now be more complicated, and it will become more of an issue now we have used up nearly all of the plots in the old section. “Whilst the original idea of having the new section looking similar to a Commonwealth war graves area with just headstones and nothing else was a fair one at the time, it does not appear that this is the wish of those who have interred loved ones in the area.”

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Joyce still flying high as war veteran By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

She may be 101 today (April 30) but Joyce Poolman can still recall looking down over Dresden from the glass nose of a Lancaster bomber flying over the devastated city. Joyce had joined the Women’s Royal Air Force in 1942 and spent three years as an armourer at RAF Mepal in Cambridgeshire, moving bombs up from the stores to a squadron of Stirling then Lancaster bombers. The base was home to the 75 New Zealand squadron and one day in 1945, a pilot walked into her barracks. It was Squadron Leader Nick Williamson, a Kiwi, and he said to the ground crews: “Anyone want to come for a flip?” Joyce recalls: “I had always wanted to fly. I volunteered and got dressed up in all the gear and flew in the nose of a Lancaster over France, Holland and Germany.” The flight was to look at the damage inflicted by Bomber Command, which had blitzed several German cities in February and March 1945. Dresden was the worst hit. Some 800 aircraft destroyed the centre of the city over three nights, dropping 4,000 tonnes of explosives and killing 25,000 people in the explosions and subsequent firestorm. “We were flying

BIRTHDAY GIRL: Joyce Poolman celebrates her 101st birthday, pictured by neighbour Marion Baker. Inset below: Squadron Leader Nick Williamson

at 9,000ft and you could see all the damage from there. I could see mothers pushing prams around the wreckage and cyclists on the streets,” said Joyce. She vividly recalls her WRAF days and the young men who didn’t return from the raids. And also remembers D-Day. “We were up all night belting the .303-bullet ammunition

for the planes coming back and forth. All the belting was done by hand: we didn’t think about going to bed or sleeping.” Telling her stories while sitting in her light-filled and tidy flat in Royal Lodge, Gillingham, Joyce is physically well and alert. Her 100th birthday card from The Queen is on her mantlepiece and today there may well be a socially distanced party for her 101st. But her memories of the war years aren’t all about bombs.

She lived in a Nissen hut with 20 beds, 10 on each side with a small, pot-bellied stove the only heating. When the fuel ran out, Joyce volunteered to climb the tennis court fence and chuck some lumps of coke to her mates. She also stepped out with a local farmer for a while and remembers the taste of fried eggs and potatoes – a lot better than the ‘awful’ food on offer on the base. “I don’t think I had a dinner in the last nine months in the WRAF. It was awful – bread

Safety fears cancel Historic Vehicle Rally for second year The Sherborne Historic Vehicle Rally has been cancelled for the second year. Organisers feared the courts space at Sherborne School did not allow for appropriate safety measures and social distancing and have regretfully shelved 6

the event until 2022. The event was due to be held on August Bank Holiday Sunday. Brian Chant, chairman of the organising committee and director of Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions, said that the committee decided it was too great

a risk. More than £50,000 has been raised for charities supported by the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles through previous HVR events. For more information, go to sherbornehvr.org.uk

‘just gets on with’ her 101st birthday

WAR HEROES: The 75 NZ Squadron and, below, a Lancaster being loaded with bombs at RAF Mepal 1944 and, right, Joyce in uniform in 1942

and marge and a bit of cheese.” But the relationship with the farmer didn’t last. “A friend asked me if I was going to marry ‘that turnip’ and it put me right off him. I couldn’t see him after that without a turnip on his head.” Joyce was born in Southall, west London in 1920. She left school at 14 and sewed blouses for West End shops before moving for more money to the Crown Cork Company in Southall, which switched to making cans and

gas masks in the War. Her eldest brother joined the Army and taught his siblings how to shoot. “I learned when I was 10 and was quite a good shot – it’s why I wanted to join up and work with guns and ammunition. “It was great – I loved it.” After the war, she met and married ex-sailor Bill in 1947. The couple had two sons, one of which moved to the USA 40 years ago. Until recently, she flew to Pennsylvania every other year to visit.

Bill died a decade ago and Steve, her other son, moved to Somerset with his family and suggested Joyce came to live locally. She lives on the main street in Gillingham, independent in her flat in a retirement complex. She shops for herself, plays cards and crib with her neighbours but misses her regular meetings with The Macular Society in the town library, halted by covid. Joyce has lost her central vision, meaning she can’t read or write but can see the buildings over the road, but

a talking computer supplied by the charity Blind Veterans gives her access to emails and the internet to stay in touch with family. Joyce also has a pedal machine to keep fit and goes for walks daily, “when it’s not raining.” She has a friend she walks with “quite a bit, down to the river” and admits he’s a bit of a toy boy. He is also 95. And Joyce has a motto: accept it and just get on with it. Which is just what she will be doing today.

U3A are having a laugh with comedy writer’s Zoom talk The Blackmore Vale U3A is inviting its members to a Zoom talk on May 4 at 3pm, with comedy writer Brad Ashton. They say: “A sense of humour has been essential during lockdown. Who has not chortled at a funny WhatsApp or belly

laughed through the repeat of a favourite comedy series? “This could have been one written by Brad Ashton our next Blackmore Vale u3a speaker.” For how to link into this or if you would

like to share your newly acquired lockdown skills with u3a groups please contact Susan Kidd at skiddsbvu3a@gmail.com. For more info on the group go to u3asites.org.uk/blackmore/home. 7

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Residents, visitors and stakeholders are being urged to have their say on the way Wincanton town centre looks – but hurry, you only have until Wednesday. The district council wants to enhance the town centre through multiple projects as MAKING PLANS: An artist’s impression of how Wincanton’s Market Square could look part of the adopted Wincanton Town Centre regeneration programme. The aim is to make the town centre feel more enhance the The spokesman added: attractive for residents, attractiveness of the “We want to hear your businesses and visitors. overall town centre views and opinions on The council wants to environment where how the areas could improve the public much of the look, based on the perception of the town infrastructure is very concepts that have been and support businesses dated and has been designed. Now is your by encouraging people unchanged for opportunity to have to visit and stay longer. decades.” your say on the A spokesman said: The public consultation consultation that is “Wincanton town is focusing on four key being run until the end centre enjoys an areas: of Wednesday, May 5.” abundance of attractive n Market Place Go to consultation. heritage buildings; n ‘Clementina’ southsomerset.gov.uk/st improvements to public Square/central High St rategy-commissioning/ spaces, footways and n Carrington Way wincanton-publicroad layouts will n Eastern Gateway realm to have your say.

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How you can help Stanley keep smiling By Karen Bate newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

This is smiling Stanley Dallison, who is set to undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery to help him walk and give him the best possible chance in life. Stanley has cerebral palsy and when he isn’t getting around in his wheelchair, he is bunny hopping, which is putting enormous pressure on his hips. A huge fundraising campaign has been launched to raise £30,000 for vital physiotherapy before and after the fivehour surgery to reduce muscle stiffness. So his grandad, John Dallison from Blandford St Mary, has set himself a target to raise £3,000 by walking 3,000km in fancy dress at well-known locations including the Blandford Trail, Moors Valley Country Park and Weymouth beach. Dressed as Bananaman, a cowboy and the Knight Templar, John has been attracting the attention of fellow walkers and passersby to help him reach his target. And now John is issuing a heartfelt plea to our generous readers would dig deep in their pockets to help him reach £3,000 for Stanley. He said: “I hope to raise as

STAN’S THE MAN: Stanley Dallison is facing life-changing surgery and his grandad John Dallison is helping to raise money for him by walking in fancy dress

much towards the £30,000 as I can. “For my part I plan to do 3,000K by end of lockdown, gym work and walking. We started dressing up in fancy dress costume at the gym, in the home, out walking, and to our local Tesco store. “I started with a small target of walking 1,000km by Christmas last year,

which we smashed, so I set a new target of 3,000km. “In run-up to Christmas, we decided to go to the gym in fancy dress to gain some momentum for the fundraiser and approached several fancy dress shops, with one donating quite a lot of old or damaged costumes. “We have achieved a great response from people and

have received lots of smiles. On May 29, we are planning a biggish event at the play park in Blandford and hope to get as many people as we can on board to raise as much money as we can.” For more details email John at Jdallison5612 @gmail.com. Donate at justgiving.com/ crowd funding/stanley-dallison

Last chance to sample the grape and the grain in tandem It’s last orders at the bar for an experimental beer and grape fusion born out of a Blackmore Vale partnership. The British Grape Ale was a small batch production of 1,500 bottles created by the Gritchie Brewing Company at Ashmore, mixing ale with the juice of moscaris, seyval and solaris grapes from Breezy Ridge vineyard in West Melbury. With

just a few cases left and a sell-by date is looming, there is only a couple of weeks left to taste the latest feature from filmmaker Guy Ritchie. Well, he didn’t actually make the beer, to be honest. That was the work of a former head brewer at Gritchie and Daniel Ham, a winemaker who presses the Breezy Ridge grapes and makes their award-winning wine.

Becky Fear, who runs Breezy Ridge, says: “They were experimenting with seasonal varieties, trying something different. “Customers say they’ll just try it as a novelty – then say it is surprisingly nice!” The brewery has produced several specialist ales, alongside traditional IPA, bitter and lagers. The British Grape Ale is no longer available on the Gritchie

online shop but Breezy Ridge is offering it as a package with cheeseboard for £15 in its newly opened visitor centre. Or it’s £3.20 at the cellar door. Becky said the first couple of weeks of opening had gone well, with 20 bookings last Sunday for cheese, charcuterie and wine options. “We’ve been a bit overwhelmed by the enthusiasm,” said Becky. 9

Cheers all round for the G&S Show By Karen Bate ACTIONPACKED: This year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show features attactions for all the family

newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

Country lovers wanting to sprinkle some magic on their summer can now buy their tickets for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, which this year is in partnership with actor and producer Guy Ritchie and the Gritchie Brewing Co based in Ashmore. The Gritchie Brewing Co Main Ring will play host to headline act, the Adrenaline Tour and Showjumping Classes along with a host of captivating falconry and livestock displays. Guy said: “After all of the disruption and heartache of the last 12 months, it was a breath of fresh air to be asked to be part of this year’s Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, and with this in mind, we are

delighted to be sponsoring the main ring. “Come and meet the team and share a pint at the Gritchie bar.” James Cox, the show’s organiser said “We are so excited to be working with the team at Gritchie Brewing Co and to form a partnership with such a local but special business. Without the kind support of companies like the team at Gritchie, the show simply would not be able to return this summer. The safe return of the show is our number one priority alongside ensuring the show is a true celebration of the Great British countryside.” The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show will be on August 18 and 19 and tickets are available at gillinghamandshaftesbury show.co.uk

Issue flagged up at meeting By Nicci Brown Dorset Council only recently discovered that the absence of a policy meant that it did not have permission to 'fly the flag' on the three existing flag poles at County Hall. The Northern Planning Committee was on Tuesday asked to approve permission for the activity on the site within the Dorchester Conservation Area in Colliton Park and opposite the Grade II listed Colliton House. It is also visible from a number of listed buildings in High West Street, and adjacent to the ancient monument of the Dorchester Roman walls. But officers advised that it was considered that the installation of various flags - technically advertisements - on the flag poles would be 10

appropriate when view in context, and not detrimental to the character of the conservation area or to the setting of listed buildings. There was some discussion on how extensive the permission might be, and whether it gave blanket approval for any type of flag, but the advice was that it would be limited to those listed – flags for specific named organisations and events, and that any others would need to have specific consent and approval of the precise detail.

May Day dancing called off The famous bells of Dorset’s longest-established morris dancing team will be silent on May Day – for only the second time ever – as a result of the pandemic. Led by their fearsomelooking Dorset Ooser, Wessex Morris Men traditionally climb the hill on May 1, to dance at sunrise in the enclosure above the famous Cerne Abbas Giant and then process dancing into the village waving sprigs of May blossom. Hundreds of people would normally gather on the hill to watch the side – founded in 1957 – perform traditional dances plus some of their own, including one entitled The Giant, composed by the late Don Byfleet, who was side’s foreman for many years. “For the second year, due to ongoing Government

The Wessex Morris Men dance in the square after descending the hill in 2019 – the last time the ceremony took place

restrictions Wessex Morris Men will not be staging their traditional May Day event in Cerne Abbas,” said a spokesman for the side. “We will hopefully return with a limited programme of danceouts later in the summer which will be advertised accordingly.” Despite not being able to

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perform at present, Wessex Morris Men are determined to return and the side welcome new dancers when they are permitted to practice again. Whether you are an experienced dancer or a complete novice, email squire@wessexmorris men.co.uk with your contact details for information.

Hall to reopen Stalbridge Hall will be reopening on May 17, with guidelines designed to keep all users safe. Not all the old clubs and societies will be returning on the 17th so please check their new website stalbridgehall.uk for contact numbers or email stal.hall@outlook.com or contact the booking agent at williamsflorists@live.co.uk or 01963 362355 for further information. The hall complex has three areas for hire, the main hall, the community hall and the youth area annex. The committee is looking for someone to run yoga and exercise classes in the hall. While the hall has been closed the management committee have continued improvements. The main hall floor has been sanded and resealed thanks to a grant from the town council and the main toilets have had their refurbishments completed, plus other minor works. They are also looking to employ a new caretaker from May 17 – please see recruitment.

“The staff here are quite simply wonderful, they can’t do enough for you. The food is excellent with plenty of variety and my quality of life has improved since moving here. I only wish I made the decision sooner.” Current resident

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I’ve started so I’ll finish by writing By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Broadcasting legend John Humphrys has written an open letter of praise to the Blackmore Vale village where his big brother lives. Graham Humphrys, 82, moved to Marnhull in 1969 when still serving in the Royal Navy. He has lived there since and his little brother is a regular visitor. John confesses that he was surprised when Graham settled for a quiet Dorset village when he was still sailing the seven seas. “Surely he’d bored to

BROTHERS: John and Graham Humphrys and, right, with sister Anne. Below: John hosting Mastermind

death?” But at a surprise party for his brother’s 80th birthday, John told 60 family and friends that he realised he was wrong. “Marnhull is more than a village. It is a real community.” The brothers were born four years apart in a working-class area of Cardiff. In conversation with The New

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Blackmore Vale – which today publishes John’s open letter to Marnhull – Graham told how close the brothers have always been. “I slept in the same bed as John for years!” he said. “At my party in the village hall, he told everybody that I used to get him to scratch my heat bumps – and that he charged me 1d.”

He also asked Graham how many girlfriends he had actually had. “I was a sailor!” he replied. “A girl in every port.” Graham was in the Navy for a decade, signing up in 1966, the year that his brother reported on the Aberfan disaster in Wales and then joined the BBC. The two travelled the world in their respective careers – John in journalism, Graham as a radar operator in the Navy. On returning to Dorset, Graham began selling jewellery. He was a wellknown market trader in Sherborne and Sturminster Newton, and he loved it. “You’re out on the streets and you know everybody – and they know you.” The brothers have three other siblings, who have all died. Graham has five children, six grandchildren and two great

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a letter praising my brother’s village grandchildren and has been married to his second wife, Sandy, for 36 years. He is a past president of the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, loves village life and was a regular at The Crown in Marnhull. “You could walk in the pub for 20 years and it would be all the same people there. You’d know everybody.” He and Sandy were among guests when John was the subject of a This is Your Life TV show in 2001. The brothers also made Coming Home, a 2014 documentary for BBC Wales in 2014 which researched the family’s past and found that their great grandmother Susannah had been in a workhouse in Cardiff. Graham is clearly proud of his little brother and admits that if he’s bored, he’d watch an old episode of Mastermind, the

quiz show John presented for I have to confess I was a little surprised when my 18 years until this February. brother Graham told me he was movi ng to Marnhull “He made 760 shows, you more years ago than I care to reme mber. We had both know,” says Graham. “But the travelled the world when we were young men. He had joined the Royal Navy. I last 30 were made in Belfast as became a foreign corr espondent for the BBC. they moved it over there. That Why would he want to live in a litt le village, was enough for him.” miles from any great city, I thou ght? Surely he’d At his 80th party in Marnhull be bored to death. How wrong can you be! My Village Hall, all of Graham’s first memory is a fishing trip we made to Weymouth back in the seventies. children were there as well as Nothing tastes bett er than a freshly caught mackerel John and his partner, Sarah – except perhaps the great beer in The Crow n in Marnhull Butler-Sloss. and Graham’s home-grown tomatoes . The brothers speak every two I have been back many times over the years. I reme or three weeks on the phone. mber being guest speaker at the Marnhull rugby club dinner in the seventies and John also visited last year. Graham’s Pres ident’s Dinner for the Blackmore They are both keen gardeners Vale Lions Club in 1982. Sadly, I missed his wedding to his and Graham gave him some of lovely wife Sand y in 1985 as I was in Ethiopia and his tomatoes. Graham has 80 Chad reporting on the famine ther e. Most recently I was in the village plants growing this year, with hall for his 80th birthday party in 2019, and 12 varieties. that’s when I trul y realised how wise he had been “It was in covid and we just sat to move to Marnhull all those years ago. out in the garden last summer What struck me so forcibly was the warmth and the and talked,” said Graham. kindness of the many friends he and Sandy had made over “The whole family has always the years. Marnhull is more than a village. had a good relationship. When It is a real community. That’s how you gauge what make s somewhere a truly great place he was leaving, he said: to live. John Humphrys ‘Bugger it Graham. Let’s have a little cuddle.’”

Bin collections to be a day later Almost all of the collections in the week of the Early May Bank Holiday on Monday, May 3 will be one day later, Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) has announced. With no collections on Bank Holiday Monday, usual Monday collections will take place on Tuesday and Friday collections will take place on Saturday May 8 and will affect recycling, rubbish, garden waste, clinical, assisted and bulky waste and container deliveries. Recycling sites are unchanged. On Friday April 30, 10 sites will open 9am to 6pm: Bridgwater, Chard, Frome, Highbridge, Minehead, Somerton, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Yeovil. All 16 sites are open 9am to 4pm on May 1 and 2. The sites will be open 9am to 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday: Bridgwater, Castle Cary, Chard, Cheddar, Crewkerne, Frome, Minehead, Street, Taunton,

Wells, Yeovil. For more information on kerbside services, recycling sites, and on covid and waste, visit: somersetwaste.gov.uk or follow @somersetwaste on Facebook or Twitter

Writing group is launched A new group is being formed in Shaftesbury for authors – published, self-published, and aspiring – of both fiction and nonfiction. Members will meet for mutual support and advice, with occasional speakers. Deborah M Jones, retired academic and journalist, is launching the group. All local members of the Society of Authors or the Alliance of Independent Authors, or of neither, welcome. Please contact Deborah at Shaftesburyauthors@ mail.com

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MP hopeful of law change as animal cruelty Bill progresses West Dorset’s MP is determined to get tougher sentences for animal cruelty passed into law and has one parliamentary step left before HM The Queen gives Royal Assent to Bill. Chris Loder is hopeful of changing the law within a month, as his Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill passes its Second Reading in the House of Lords. Mr Loder’s Bill, which completed its passage through the House of Commons in March, increases the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 tenfold, from six months to up to five years. Mr Loder says: “We are just a couple of steps away before Her Majesty The Queen gives her Royal Assent for my Bill to become law and to get justice for

WELFARE LAW: Chris Loder

animals through tougher sentencing for animal cruelty.” The MP, who is a fourthgeneration farmer’s son and an advocate of high animal welfare, is determined to change the law within weeks. It is a race against time to get the Bill to be signed into law before the Queen’s Speech, which is expected on May 11. The MP has wide support from cross-party MPs, Defra, the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and other leading animal welfare organisations.

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Remembering the

TRAGIC: The gravestone of Francis Emmet, aged 12

By Karen Bate newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

A historian was inspired to write a fascinating article about the lives ‘not to be forgotten’ after taking walks through Gillingham New Cemetery during lockdown. Robert Wellen, who was born in Charlton Marshall and moved to Gillingham in 1989, has written a piece, documenting the past lives Francis George Emmett, Harry Richard Balls, The Chantry servants, Kenneth Drew, the Pelly Baronets and Peter De Roeper who are buried in the cemetery and whose gravestones inspired more research. The articles will be published in full in the Gillingham History Society and eventually on its website. Robert said: “I am sure that others with an interest in history, like me, read the inscriptions on the headstones in churchyards and cemeteries they visit and say to themselves,

HONOURED: The headstone of Peter John de Roeper

‘there’s a story there’. “These fading words carved in stone, obscured by lichen, are akin to the opening lines of a history book, but how often do we read further? “Naturally on such visits we gravitate towards Commonwealth War Graves, but other civilian graves also have stories to tell. Here are just six moving stories of past lives. Stories of tragedy, bravery, service and loyalty, from different

fascinating lives beneath the gravestones

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES: Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, Benita Brooke nee Pelly Viscountess Alanbrooke and, right, Peter John de Roeper

EXPLORING THE PAST: The four Chantry servants are buried together and, right, Kenneth Drew’s death made headlines

ages and classes in our town.” Here is a snapshot of the much fuller stories which Robert has cleverly spun together into six fascinating tales. Francis George Emmett, aged 12, the son of John Emmett who was employed by L and SW Railway company, lost his life whilst swimming in the River Shreen at Bay in 1898. Francis’ mother, Elizabeth Emmett died soon after, December 31 1899, aged 49,

and was buried in Gillingham with her son. John moved to Wimborne Minster, where he was employed as a Railway Gate Man, and lived with his surviving children, Edith and John and his two sisters. Harry Richard Balls (1862-1906) was a Suffolk and Cambridgeshire man, who only came to Gillingham late in his relatively short life. Harry, aged 28, worked for the Post Office on the Telegraph, with his wife and

later four children. In around 1903, the family moved to Gillingham, and on January 29, 1905, a fifth child, Leonard, was born. Harry died suddenly on August 23, 1906 aged just 43. Robert details the lives of Chantry servants, Ellen Hann 1845-1906, Sarah Ann Hedges and 1841-1915 and Fanny Emily Young 18641927 who served Robert and Agnes Freame, who are buried close to their servants.

Robert writes about Kenneth Edward James Drew 1910-1932, a porter at Tisbury Station who was killed on the line, the Pelly Baronetcy, which dates back to 1840 and to Sir John Henry Pelly (1777-1852) the 1st Baronet and Peter John De Roeper, 1930-1963, commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers on 27 July 1950. He was repatriated in September 1953 and his Military Cross was ‘London Gazetted’ in 1954. 15

Celebrate golden age at Nostalgia Festival P

People who love looking back with misty eyes to the past are being invited to the Vintage Nostalgia Festival at Stockton Park between September 10 and 12. This fun-filled nostalgic weekend in the heart of the Wylye valley celebrates all that was good before the turn of the century up to the 1980’s and with classic and vintage cars to veteran cycles and old tractors and from fashion to music, antiques and traditional children’s entertainment, the festival is sure to hit the sweet spot. Visitors are encouraged to wear period attire and if you fancy a complete transformation, Pearls Pin Up Parlour will be on hand to create any style or look which will be guaranteed to gets heads turning as you enter the 1963 Titan Double Decker Bus Bar for a glass of Pimms. A spokesperson said: “Bring your dancing shoes and come and enjoy those balmy summer evenings with us!” Tickets are available at vintagenostalgiafestival.co.uk/tickets

Squeak, oink! The night SETTING SAIL: Kota Mama 3, the expedition flagship built of reeds on Lake Titicaca

Motcombe’s legendary explorer John Blashford Snell is writing for The New Blackmore Vale Magazine several times a year. Here, he describes things that go squeak in the night…

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In 50 years of expeditioning I’ve slept on camp beds in the bush, jungle hammocks, foam rubber mats on glacier rocks, upturned inflatable boats and ‘bivvy’ bags in Tibetan snow. As a solider I’ve made my bed in muddy trenches and even on a pile of dead goats in an Iranian helicopter carrying supplies to a beleaguered garrison in Oman. I reckon I can sleep anywhere at anytime and I often do …. even on the back of an elephant whilst tracking giant jumbos in the remote forests of Nepal. Although a snake and a rat once chased each other repeatedly across my sleeping bag in a frontline bunker it is not those who share my bed that usually bother me. However on an expedition on a South American river I did have a strange experience. My bunk was beneath the chart table in a crude wooden shack that served as our ‘operations room’ on the deck of a noisy Bolivian freighter. Escorting a fleet of traditional reed boats from Bolivia to Buenos Aires we were studying the

ancient trade routes. In order to gather archaeological information we gave medical aid to the Indians and one grateful group presented us with a hairy, ginger, Paraguayan piglet whom we named Rocket. Thriving rapidly on leftover food from a bucket labelled “Rocket fuel” he soon became a lively pet …. especially at night. The Patagonian wind was bitterly cold at 3am when the sound of deep breathing woke me. Wondering if the adjutant who shared the wooden hut was getting fruity, I lay still and listened carefully. Then to my horror someone began to lick my feet. “Such affection will not enhance your promotion prospects,” I growled, disentangling myself from the blankets. A shrill squeal resulted and our piglet emerged. Heaving the protesting porker out I tried to sleep but he’d been gathered up by a member of the crew and popped into the bed of another. Pandemonium broke out when the occupant returned from a late-

I shared a bed with a piglet called Rocket

PORK OF THE TOWN: Rocket the piglet with historian Richard Snailham and, right, the late Captain Jim Masters of Kingsdon, Somerset, Colonel JBS, Eric Catari, an Amhara boat builder from Lake Titicaca

night party and a tirade of curses woke me once again. I enjoyed a much more comfortable bed in the Senate House of a British university where I had gone to lecture. After an exhausting day I longed for sleep as I was ushered to my quarters in the 16th century wing. A single table lamp cast a dull light on the enormous bed and a coal fire bathed the panelled room in a faint glow. Sinking into the deep feather mattress I only glanced at one feature of my lodging. Over the mantelpiece hung the portrait of a severelooking old man whose eyes stared directly at me. The fire was out and the room cold when an especially vivid unpleasant nightmare had me sitting bolt upright. Convinced I was not alone I flicked on the light. Nothing was amiss but the old man’s eyes still gazed straight at me. “A bad dream,” I thought, returning to my slumbers. Departing at dawn I asked the hall porter whose portrait it was. “Ah that be Judge Jeffreys” he said shaking his head. “You know sir, the hanging judge”. “Yes,” I murmured, “I do know what you mean – he was my ancestor.”

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n Details of expeditions organised by John Blashford-Snell and supported by the Scientific Exploration Society are found on websites johnblashfordsnell.org.uk and ses-explore.org/ 17

n The Gillingham Discovery Trail is the second created to introduce visitors and residents to the history of the town. A walking guide put together by Billy Kelly from the Town Team earlier this year is a superb, pictorially-led guide to the town, based on information from the Local History Society and Gillingham Museum. And this week the Team produced an Art Trail (gillingham-art-trail.org), showing various shops and offices where 15 local artists are exhibiting during Dorset Art Weeks in May and June. The Town Team was launched in 2013 to promote the town and revitalise the High Street with a mix of community, cultural and retail activities. Public art, coherent signage, planting schemes and other aspects of the town’s presentation are under consideration. See gillinghamenterprise. co.uk/events

Walking trail fundraiser is By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Inspired by her daughters’ love of treasure hunts, a Gillingham mum has created a brilliant walking trail of the town to raise funds for their school. Jenny Trim is secretary of The Friends of Wyke Primary School, where daughters Ella, nine, and sixyear-old Maisie are pupils. And when covid put paid to any normal fundraising activities, Jenny had to put her thinking cap on – and her Gillingham Discovery Trail idea is selling like hot cakes. “I was looking for ideas and thought of my daughters love of treasure trails – I’ve made them at home for a bit of fun. “It had to be something that didn’t cost anything, just in case the idea didn’t take off.

“So I took the girls for a walk around Gillingham for a good look around.” There are ten parents on the Friends committee who all suggested a few things to include, said Jenny. “We found more and more things that were interesting – things I didn’t know about before and I’m from Gillingham. I could have

We are back

included more but had to narrow it down a bit in the end.” It took the family two days to put together the 1.7-mile circuit suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs – and which passes coffee shops. “We didn’t want to make it too long – it takes on average about an hour.”

Just Like the Old Days

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a step in the right direction STEPPING OUT: Jenny Trim with daughters Ella and Maisie walking in Gillingham. Inset: Jenny’s Gillingham Discovery Trail

Handily, Jenny is a graphic designer and put together the challenge. The trail gives specific walking directions from The Slade Centre and there are 13 clues to look out for along the way, to be added to a crossword. Such as: when walking around the back of Waitrose, the Town Crest features a red deer below what item?

Or, what was the name of the lady who dug the first turf for the Salisbury and Yeovil Railway? The idea is educational, as well as fun and profitable – and there are already plans to produce a second trail. “This covers just a small area of town,” said Jenny. “So we could do a second….” Dozens of parents have

downloaded the trail: a £5 donation is suggested and the initiative has already raised £215 of a £250 target. Those who answer the clues are invited to enter a monthly draw in April and May for a prize. nMore details: justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/ discovergillingham

n The Gillingham Walking Festival will go ahead this year, with a week of walks pencilled in from September 4-11. It will be the eighth year of the festival, the town being the sole Dorset member of the Walkers are Welcome scheme. The 2019 festival was themed around Food and Drink and had more than 20 walks of varying length. Some began with a train ride from Gillingham to Templecombe and Sherborne and a walk back to town. In other years, the festival has focussed on the medieval forest that surrounded Gillingham and more recently, the White Hart Link, a 50-mile circular route linking the towns and villages of North Dorset. Details of this year’s festival walks will be posted at: gillwalkers arewelcome.btck.co.uk

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Boutique’s new website One of the most prominent independent fashion boutiques in Dorset, Shirley Allum, is launching a new online store this week. The Shaftesbury based boutique is renowned for its wide choice of casual fashion and lingerie and will launch a capsule collection with new designers added every week throughout May. Owner Shirley Allum said: “We have been working hard over the last few months to add our wide range of summer fashion to our new online store. We have some exciting new collections to launch online over the next few weeks.” Leading boutique brands such as Numph, Villagallo, Sahara, and Seasalt will feature from the launch. Customers are encouraged to sign up for the new fashion

Specialist plant fair in aid of church

email updates for details of the new designers as they become available online. All styles are also available in the Shaftesbury boutique. The new website will also see the introduction of a new click and collect service in addition to the mail order service. Visit shirleyallum.co.uk for more details.

A specialist plant fair is being held at Yarlington House (BA9 8DY) by kind invitation of Count and Countess Charles de Salis on Saturday, May 22 from 10am-4pm. The sale will be be held in the spacious park at Yarlington House with social distancing measures. It’s an opportunity to buy plants from specialist dealers from all over the South West – plus a selection of unusual annuals on the Yarlington House stall. The beautiful

flower garden and walled kitchen garden will be open. There will be tea, coffee and cake all day and a plant raffle. Entrance is £5 (under 16s free) Please bring exact money. For further information please ring Carolyn de Salis 01963 440344 Proceeds to St Mary’s Church Yarlington and Yarlington Village Hall. This will be the 19th charity plant fair at Yarlington House.

Scouts are so proud of facelift at hut By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Leaders of the 2nd Templecombe Scout Group have spent scores of man hours giving the Scout Hut a facelift ahead of its reopening and have paid tribute to the companies who donated materials to make this possible. After face to face meetings were approved by the Scout Association, the first sessions for the Cubs, the Scouts and the Explorers took place last week and they will meet biweekly ongoing. Group Scout Leader of 2nd Templecombe Bryan Gay said: “Those that have been out for their daily exercise and passed the Scout Hut may have noticed that the existing building has gone through a light refurbishment. From the outside it may appear the building has had a facelift, but it’s not only the outside. The leaders have spent hours cleaning, redecorating, enhancing the toilet facilities to ensure all users are as safe as possible. “Our thanks would like to go to local traders which have kindly donated time and materials to enable our preparation for re-opening. Some of the companies which have donated materials and products are A&D Supplies, Stalbridge Building Supplies, Kellaways, Travis Perkins, Sherwood Mechanical & Electrical, Oakfield Carpentry & Building, Crabb Taxis, J Coles Garden Maintenance, Mini Marquees, and Westree Company to name a few. “Unfortunately because of coronavirus the Beaver Section currently will not be available. “The nearest Beaver Colony is either Stalbridge, or Wincanton. Stalbridge meet on Tuesdays and Wincanton

HUT REVAMP: 2nd Templecombe Scout Group on an international camp

meet on Thursdays. “Templecombe group have also decided that the Cub, Scout and Explorer sections will meet face to face every other week. This is to ensure the hut is sanitised between uses and has 70 plus hours between meetings. “I know the group is looking forward to welcoming old and new members.” The Cub pack will meet on Wednesday, May 5 between 6.30pm and 8pm, the Explorers will meet on Monday, May 10 between 7pm and 9pm and the Scouts will meet on Thursday, May 13 between 7pm and 9pm. For more details please contact: n Cubs, Andy Smith – 2ndtemplecombecubs@mail. com n Explorers, Jason Coles – camelotexplorers2016@btint ernet.com n Scouts, Geoff Crabb – geoffcrabb@talktalk.net

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By Miranda Robertson Westminster Street in Yeovil will be the first area in the town centre to see improvement work under the Yeovil Refresh public realm enhancements. Midas Group will start work on Westminster Street the week commencing June 28 and finishing by the end of September. Before then, Midas will be creating a site compound at South Street car park, undertaking survey work and clearing the site of clutter. Both South Somerset District Council and Midas Group will be communicating with nearby businesses. The street will be closed while the work is carried out, with a diversion in place. Other elements of the public realm improvement scheme will see enhancement works at The Borough, Middle Street, Lower Middle Street and the High Street. Ian Timms, Yeovil Refresh project manager, said: “This is the first of a series of work that will be undertaken in the town centre over the next couple of years as we aim to improve the experience in several of our key town centres across South Somerset.” Westminster Street runs from the traffic light controlled crossing across to the Tesco car park to the clock tower in the town centre, however this scheme of work will not include work to the clock tower area. In a future scheme of work, the council hopes to improve the area around the clock tower, but not move it. Consultation events were held in 2018 to help identify

STREETLIFE: Mike Borkowski, business development director for Midas Construction, left, with Ian Timms, Yeovil Refresh project manager and Natalie Fortt, regeneration programme manager on Westminster Street in Yeovil. Inset below: An artists’ impression of how Westminster Street could look

Street to have a makeover priority projects for Yeovil Refresh. The public told the council they would like to see main high streets kept clean and better kept with nicer planters and other greenery, while keeping the streets from being too cluttered. They wanted improvements in vehicular and pedestrian access into the heart of Yeovil for

locals and visitors and there were concerns about some vehicle access to parts of the town centre (in particular on Middle Street). People also wanted to make the town’s open areas more appealing, using the space that is available to encourage visitors. From the feedback obtained, the following priority projects were set: Assessing further pedestrianisation of parts of

Middle Street. The creation of a Public Realm Design Guide to help shape the use and look of open spaces in the town centre An assessment of access to the town centre A review of car parks in Yeovil (assessing current and future provision, cycle parking, electric charging points and more) Yeovil Refresh projects will be delivered over a 4 to 5 year programme with an early priority given to the initial priority projects above. You can find out more about the Yeovil Refresh programme at yeovilrefresh.co.uk.

Licence granted for barn despite neighbours’ objections By Nicci Brown A new premises licence for the Twisted Cider Barn at Spring Farm in Bradford Lane, Longburton, has been granted by Dorset Council’s licensing subcommittee, which met virtually to consider the application by Benjamin Weller. 22

The new application followed a fire in June 2020 which destroyed their premises, and was for a single purpose-built room constructed from concrete block walls inside a larger agricultural building which is not accessible to the public. But the premises are in a different location from those

they replaced, and attracted objections from a number of neighbours, and particularly from Lara Webster and James Tonge, who in their eight-page submission highlighted the personal impact that this commercial unit, immediately in front of the garden and master bedroom of their house, would

have on them. Lara, a deputy sister at Dorset County Hospital, said: “I have had more sleepless nights and unwarranted stress and anxiety in the last six weeks over this matter, than during the last year of unprecedented challenges in my work life with the covid-19 pandemic. “My garden is my sanctuary

Mum’s on the Jurassic run for YoungMinds By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@blackmorevale.net DETERMINED: Emma LyonWatson is running the Jurassic Coast to raise money for the YoungMinds charity which has helped her daughter Finnia

A Yetminster mum is to run nearly 100 miles of backbreaking terrain in a labour of love to support the charity that supported her daughter. Emma Lyon-Wilson is training to run the Jurassic Coast – 95 miles of hilly, rocky, toughness – on June 26 and 27. She is even considering completing the feat in one go, though admits this might be a stretch. Emma is running for the YoungMinds charity as well as for her daughter’s school. She says her daughter suffered from anxiety, but they struggled to access help from the NHS as child mental health services (CAHMS) are so chronically under pressure. She said: “2019 and early 2020 was a challenging time for our family as our eightyear-old daughter, Finnia, struggled to cope with her growing anxiety levels. “It very quickly became apparent that there is a huge lack in the support systems available for young children suffering from low grade mental health problems. “In fact, I was told by CAMHS their resources were too stretched and they had to give priority to the ever-increasing pressure of teenage suicide attempts. “I felt totally powerless and let down. “I had no idea where to turn and didn’t feel I had the

skills on my own to know how to help Finnia. “Our very brave and amazing daughter is currently in a far better place

in her head. We are incredibly proud of how hard she has worked to get to where she is and we have had tremendous support from

Finnia’s school, Parrett & Axe and from our family, without whom I think we would have lost our way a long time ago. “The teachers and teaching assistants have gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting Finnia.” She added: “There are many, many other children and young people out there who, like our daughter, need help and support to learn how to process and manage their thoughts and feelings in order to prevent them becoming teenagers in crisis. Half of all mental health problem manifest before the age of 14. Funding for CAMHS equates to just 0.7% of the total NHS budget and just 7% of mental health expenditure and yet one in 10 children aged 5-16 have a diagnosable mental health problem. Emma will be running with Lemmy, her faithful lurcher, with her family in support. The South West Coast Path from Exmouth in Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, is mostly steep, with one of the most daunting climbs being Golden Cap, 191 metres above sea level. n To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding /robert-blake-1

away from work and where I go to de-stress and re-connect with nature. I feel that the presence of increased and more intrusive commercial activity will impact on my physical and mental wellbeing.” Mr Weller had originally applied for live music on three occasions for Wassailing on the second Saturday in January (4 to 8pm), the Twisted Cider Open Day on

the first Saturday in July (12 to 10pm) and a Christmas market in December (4 to 8pm) with alcohol on and off the premises Monday to Thursday 9 to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 11pm and Sunday 10 to 8pm. Following representations he revised it, and the subcommittee, chaired by Cllr Emma Parker, agreed to allow it as amended on Monday to Thursday 9am to

6pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 10 to 4pm, omitting the live and recorded music, although they are permitted 8am-11pm under the Live Music Act 2012. He told the committee there would be seating for only 20 people inside, and any gatherings would be in a controlled environment, with only 20 per cent of the building

licensed. He said he wanted to grow his on-trade, but his business was in producing cider, not holding large events, adding: “I have lived peacefully with my neighbours for ten years.” Neighbour Gary Siggins said: “People have gritted their teeth over a few events in the past, but we’re all frightened that there won’t be a mechanism to prevent it causing a nuisance.” 23

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Festival looks ahead to summer of Gold By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

The vibrant Gold Hill Fair, which has been a popular summer highlight for 30 years has been relaunched as the Gold Hill Festival and is taking place on Sunday, July 4 at Barton Hill in Shaftesbury. Following a year of uncertainty, together with the cancellation of hundreds of local events, including the much-loved fair, Shaftesbury Rotary Club are ‘looking ahead with optimism’ and organised the festival to give residents in the town the chance to ‘have some fun!’ And with support from Shaftesbury Town Council, sponsorship from Western Marquees and the first Shaftesbury’s Got Talent, Rotarians want to hear from anyone who wants to be involved including all the local organisations. Shaftesbury Rotarian Tim Cook said: “We are very excited by this year’s event, as it will give residents of

GOLDEN WONDER: Gold Hill Fair in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury a chance to have some fun. Taking into consideration Covid-19 restrictions, it was decided that Park Walk would not be possible as a venue. “Shaftesbury Rotary Club approached the Town

Council who kindly agreed to the use of Barton Hill Recreation Park, a more spacious and usable space. “Gold Hill Festival will have the usual stall holders around the field, with street food outlets and a central stage

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and music throughout the day, including the first Shaftesbury’s Got Talent. “This year will be different, with The Fringe will not taking place until the Bank Holiday Weekend in August, Gold Hill Festival will operate as a standalone event.” Gold Hill Fair was a prominent part of Shaftesbury’s community life for almost 30 years. Initially started by Rotaract it has been run by Shaftesbury Rotary for over 20 years. Tim added: “Entry will be free. We want you to come and enjoy the day and have fun! If you have a particular talent and would like to take part then please let us know. We are very lucky this year to have a sponsor, Western Marquees, who are very kindly donating the marquee, stage and generator for the event.” If you would like to take part or even get involved, please email goldhillfair@hotmail.co.uk

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Application expected soon on plan

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

A solar farm proposed east of Gillingham would need to run a cable three kilometres long to join the National Grid at a sub-station in Shaftesbury. The 90-acre site is on Park Farm, next to Orchard Park, with the entrance off the Gillingham-Shaftesbury road. It’s a sizeable project that would generate 45MW of power – that’s more than a quarter of all photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity installed in the UK in the first three months of 2021. No planning application has been lodged while a public consultation is under way. But an application is expected shortly after consultation ends on May 4. The project is called Fern 26

Brook Solar Farm, after the stream that runs across the farm. The site is largely within Motcombe parish, and a briefing document has already been distributed to parish councillors. It’s been written by council vicechairman Peter Mouncey, who says that visibility will be the main issue. “We all welcome alternative energy – but in the right places,” he says. He says the parish council has yet to take a stance on the proposal, with few details yet available, such as whether the high voltage cable to Shaftesbury would be overground or require a trench to be dug.

There are a range of issues to consider, said Cllr Mouncey. There may be a conflict, he said, with a wind turbine project proposed locally in the Dorset Local Plan, now being formulated. The parish council has already objected to that idea. Another issue is that the solar farm would border a bridleway, King’s Court Wood and The White Hart Link, a new 50-mile circular walk that links North Dorset towns and villages. Dorset Council is paying for improved signage and stiles along the Gillingham to Motcombe stretch of the Link this summer. One person has already responded to the consultation by posting on

‘We all welcome alternative energy, but in the right places’

the developer’s website: “I suggest anyone thinking of approving it goes for a walk near it (the site can be viewed from miles around it’s right next to the ancient woodland Kings Court Wood) so they understand what an eyesore it would be for this beautiful part of Dorset. “The bridleway next to it and the footpaths provide vital breathing space and walking recreation for locals and the solar park will heavily impinge on anyone’s desire to walk there.” The developers are Low Carbon, an investment company that built its first solar farm a decade ago and now claims a portfolio of 2GW of UK solar, enough to power 660,000 homes and save 440,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. Fern Brook would provide

for solar farm

Cllr Peter Mouncey

enough to power 14,900 homes – but none locally, it would seem, despite the site being adjacent to the Southern Extension of Gillingham. That includes 634 homes to be built by CG Fry on land sold or leased from Park Farm, a diversified dairy farm that also gave over land to build Orchard Park and Kingsmead Business Park. Under the solar farm arrangement, 90 acres will be leased from Park Farm for 40 years, after which the panels and infrastructure would be removed. The market rate for solar farms is currently £1,000 a year, inflation-linked rent for each acre. It will be a £20m investment for Low Carbon, which claims it can build the site within 18 weeks. In a bid to save time and money, the firm has asked Dorset Council for a prescreening of the planning application to determine whether the site will need an environmental impact assessment. The size of the site is also significant, as it will not require higher approval. Finlay Colville, head of research at industry analysts Solar Media, says: “It remains the case that almost all project developers of

new solar farms in the UK are staying well away from National Grid or central government approval, by staying below 50MW for individual sites.” The key factors for Low Carbon are planning approval and grid connection but it is making a big effort to bring Blackmore Vale residents on side, with a glossy information pack delivered to homes in the area. The pack highlights the 2m bees Low Carbon hosts on its sites, the honey the firm makes, wildflower borders alongside rights of way, biodiversity and ecological efforts. Some consider the pack to be a sales leaflet. It could be some time before any decision is made. Dorset Council currently has a huge backlog of planning applications, and developers will inevitably appeal if the initial decision goes against them. But Motcombe Parish Council is prepared, says Cllr Mouncey, and is in contact with two other councils that defeated plans for a solar farm, including one at Fifehead Magdalen in 2019. There a 12MW farm was proposed on 70 acres of pasture land: 249 representations were made against the scheme, compared with 19 in favour. Dorset Council said it accepted the need for renewable energy but in refusing the application said: “The proposed development by reason of location, appearance and scale would harm the character of a valued landscape and would result in harm to the setting of designated heritage assets.”

Public inquiry into homes

The site in Stalbridge

A public inquiry opened on Tuesday, April 27 into the appeal by Land Value Alliances against Dorset Council’s non-determination of their outline planning application P/OUT/2020/0406 for up to 114 dwellings and 2000 square metres of employment space and one retail unit on land south of Lower Road, Stalbridge. The inquiry, held virtually and open to the public online through TEAMS, was expected to last four days. Dorset Council’s Northern Planning Committee, asked in February to decide

whether or not to object to the application in the appeal hearing, agreed to do so on the grounds that it was too remote from the main Stalbridge settlement, the lack of need in the area, and a level of development which would be out of keeping with the character of existing and planned development surrounding the site. Revised plans were submitted under application P/OUT/2021/00170 in January for which comments closed in March and against which there continued to be objections from Stalbridge Town Council and others.

HIGHCLERE CASTLE* ............................................................................... 28 July £75 ARUNDEL CASTLE* ..................................................................................... 8 Aug £75 BOWOOD HOUSE & GARDEN’S ......................................................... 14 Aug £69 AUGUST SUNDAY LUNCH .................................................................... 22 Aug £45 PAIGNTON & DARTMOUTH RAILWAY* ......................................... 25 Aug £79 HIGHGROVE GARDEN’S GUIDED TOUR +1½HRS IN TETBURY .... 11 Sept £89 SEPTEMBER SUNDAY LUNCH IN LOOE, CORNWALL .............. 26 Sept £45 BRYAN’S MYSTERY TRIP* ..................................................................... 30 Sept £60 BISHOP’S PALACE & GARDEN’S* ......................................................... 23 Oct £55 OCTOBER SUNDAY LUNCH ................................................................... 24 Oct £45 GREASE AT THE MAYFLOWER THEATRE ......................................... 13 Nov £107 NOVEMBER SUNDAY LUNCH ................................................................ 21 Nov £45

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Are science and faith incompatible? Our Loose Canon...

with Canon Eric Woods DL

In October 1975 I arrived at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read for the Theology Tripos. Although already a history graduate of the “Other Place”, I was nevertheless small fry compared with the extraordinary scholars who were the Fellows of Trinity. One of them was Dr John Polkinghorne, Professor of Mathematical Physics and a Fellow of the Royal Society. I had always assumed that the popular view that science and faith are incompatible to have at least a particle of truth about it. John, a theoretical particle physicist, showed me how wrong I was. He was a stalwart of the college chapel. But I never guessed that in 1982 he

would arrive as a humble assistant curate in Bristol, where I had just become a chaplain at the university. Of course, he wasn’t allowed to stay there long, and in 1986 became Dean of Chapel at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and in 1996 President of Queens’ College. He died last month, which is why I am reflecting on him now. Another particle physicist is Peter Higgs, the Nobel Laureate and Companion of Honour (think “HiggsBosun”). I don’t pretend to understand particle science, but I do understand his verdict on the archpriest of atheism, Richard Dawkins. Once highly regarded as a biologist, Dawkins has made a second career pouring vitriol over religion in general and Christianity in particular. Describing Dawkins’s fundamentalist atheism as “embarrassing”, Higgs argues that, although he is not himself a believer, he thinks science and

BOSON BOFFIN: Renowned particle physicist Peter Higgs

religion are not incompatible. “The growth of our understanding of the world through science weakens some of the motivation which makes people believers. But that’s not the same thing as saying they’re incompatible.... Anybody who is a convinced but not a dogmatic believer can continue to hold his belief. It means I think you have to be rather more careful about the whole debate between science and religion than some people have been in the past.” He adds that many scientists in his field are religious believers: “I don’t happen to be one myself, but maybe that’s just more a matter of

my family background than that there’s any fundamental difficulty about reconciling the two.” It’s food for thought. Last time I went back to Trinity was to preach at Evensong. One of the lessons was read by the then Master of the College, Lord Rees of Ludlow OM, cosmologist and astrophysicist, and the current Astronomer Royal. In 2010 he was awarded the Templeton Prize “for making an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension”. He told me at dinner that the true scientist never looks for “proof” but for hypotheses that work. On workable hypotheses they build more. He regarded Christianity as an hypothesis that works remarkably well. The old equation that science and religion are not compatible is now so discredited as to be laughable. Only a few old dinosaurs believe it. If you are one of them – wise up!

Council refuses plans for ATS site By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

New plans for the redevelopment of the now vacant ATS Euromaster site in New Road, Shaftesbury have been rejected by eight to two votes by Dorset Council's Northern Planning Committee. A proposal by Renaissance Retirement for a 28 apartment sheltered housing block were controversially approved in December 2016 with an earlier split vote by North Dorset District Council's planning committee. It was never implemented, but would have been a substantial three-storey building with a limited amount of parking. The new application, substantially revised since it was originally submitted by Westcoast (Bristol) Limited is 28

for for 18 dwellings in two blocks with a new access to Kings Hill replacing the original in New Road, car parking and landscaping. The previous approval had established the principal of residential use for the brownfield site, and loss of employment land on the edge of the Conservation Area and in close proximity to a number of listed buildings, which planning officers felt could be an enhancement to the character of the area and edge of the town centre. It would also represent a benefit of contributing to the council’s housing land supply in a highly sustainable location. But the officer report said the site was in a prominent location within the townscape where any development would have an impact on the

historic character of the town as a whole. Councillor Brian Heatley queried the independent viability assessment which concluded that although there should be contributions amounting to £125,206.70 to play facilities, informal outdoor space and education, there could be no affordable housing provision. But the committee was advised that it was not something which could be a ground for refusal. Councillor Heatley also felt there were significant issues about the appearance, and whilst refusal might result in an appeal in view of the presumption in favour due to the shortfall in housing supply, he was not happy with the scheme and wanted to refused it. Plannning officer Hannah

Smith said the presumption in favour did not apply if there was felt to be harm to heritage aspects. Councillor Tim Cook, who queried the access and impact on the users of Kings Hill, and particularly on Abbeyfield House, but was assured by highway planner Steve Savage that it was acceptable, said: “I absolutely agree that Dorset needs houses, but do we need them here? This will be the last thing people see on leaving the town, and will not be complimentary to its surroundings.” He said the town council had consistently objected, and whilst Shaftesbury had had a lot of development recently, some was good and some 'not so good'. “This will fall into the category of ‘not so good’,” he said.

Waste recyling? It’s in the bag... Homes in South Somerset will have a Bright Blue Bag delivered as Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) heralds the launch of Recycle More to protect the environment and tackle climate change. Most people in the county are recycling and Recycle More makes it easier to more as the new service means the following can be recycled:

nPlastic pots, tubs and trays nFood and drink cartons nSmall batteries

nSmall electrical items Every home will have a new recycling container, a Bright Blue Bag, delivered

Make your mark count as ballot boxes open for polls By Nicci Brown Electors across the country go to the polls on Thursday May 6, and in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset have a variety of matters to vote on. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm, electors should wear face coverings (unless exempt) and take a pen or pencil to mark their ballot paper, and have until 5pm that day to apply for a replacement for spoilt or lost paper or an emergency proxy vote. First they will be selecting their Police Crime & Commissioner for Dorset, Wiltshire and Avon & Somerset. The five candidates in Dorset are Patrick Canavan (Lab & Co-operative), Dan Hardy (Ind), Mark Robson (LibDem), David Sidwick (Con) and Claire Seymour (Green) In Wiltshire there is a choice of six – Junab Ali (Lab & Cooperative), Julian Malins (Reform UK), Brig Oubridge (Green), Mike Rees (Ind), Jonathon Seed (Con) and Liz Webster (LibDem). And in Somerset, for the Avon & Somerset Police, again five candidates – Kerry

Barker (Lab), Cleo Lake (Green), Heather Shearer (Lib Dem), Mark Shelford (Con) and John Smith (Ind). In Wiltshire, voters will also be choosing those to fill all 98 seats on the unitary Wiltshire Council, but few are fighting an election for the county’s town and parish councils, where over 120 parish wards received sufficient nominations for their councils to remain quorate, and can co-opt to fill vacancies, and six face another election in the absence of enough nominations. In only one parish, Alderbury, were there 12 nominations for the 11 seats. There are also referenda on the neighbourhood plans of nine parishes, including one in Hindon, Market Lavington and the Winterbornes In South Somerset, county elections have been deferred until 2022, but there are elections in six parishes – Wincanton (10 candidates for 6 seats), South

Petherton (2 candidates for one seat), Kingsbury Episcopi (2 candidates for 1 seat), Crewkerne (5 candidates for 2 seats) and Chard Town Holyrood Ward (3 candidates for 1 seat). Neighbourhood Plan referenda are taking place in Martock and Queen Camel. In Dorset, there are no county elections but a seven town ward and parish elections, including in the north for Shaftesbury West (two candidates for one seat), and seven Neighbourhood Plan referenda, including Milton Abbas, Blandford+ (Blandford, Blandford St Mary and Bryanston) and Shaftesbury.

a week or two before the new service starts in June. Extra weekly recycling means far less rubbish, so rubbish bins or black sacks will be collected every three weeks instead of every two. Collection days will change for around a third of residents. Residents will be sent information about Recycle More before the service starts and more details can be found on the SWP website somersetwaste. gov.uk/recycle-more

CELEBRATE OUR CENTENARY The Stalbridge Branch of the Royal British Legion is 100 years old this year! Along with other branches in Dorset, we are marking this centenary with a digital history to be shared across the county. Do you or your relatives have any old pictures of Stalbridge War Memorial (perhaps it being built or opened), Legion parades or events, stories or documents you would like to share? If you do, please email baileym785@icloud.com Thank you – Branch Chair

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PUBLIC NOTICES DEATHS PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is given that David Britton has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Barton Hill Recreation Ground, Shaftesbury to host the Gold Hill Festival involving live music and provision of alcohol. On the first Sunday of July 10am to 5pm Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by emailing: licensingteamb@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ within 28 days from the date of this notice. The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours or on dorsetforyou.com/406629.

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is given that Adrian Peskin has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Woodshedding Ltd, Launceston Farm, Tarrant Launceston, Blandford Forum, DT11 8BY for the provision of alcohol generally between the hours of 12.0023.00, Monday-Sunday Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by emailing: licensingteamb@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ within 28 days from the date of this notice. The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours or on dorsetforyou.com/406629. It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine on summary conviction is unlimited. DATE: 08/04/2021

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is given that Tack Room Distillery Limited have applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Brook Farm, Milton on Stour, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5AB for the provision of alcohol generally between the hours of 09:0017:00 Monday to Friday and 09:0012:00 on Saturday. Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-mailing: or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ within 28 days from the date of this notice. The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours or on . It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine on summary conviction is unliited. DATE: 26 April 2021

VALERIE RENDELL Unexpectedly on the 13th April 2021 at Musgrove Park Hospital. Val aged 75 years of Horsington. A dearly loved mum and nan, who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her. Private funeral service. Donations if desired for The RSPB. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services. Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570.

VITINS ERIC Passed away peacefully on 18/04/21, aged 64 years. A much loved husband and friend. Funeral service to be held at Yeovil Crematorium on 04/05/21 at 14:40. Family flowers only. Covid restrictions apply. To make an online donation in memory of Eric please visit his tribute site at: funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations. Co-operative Funeralcare, 4 Market Square, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1FG. Tel: 01258 472073

COLIN HENRY BUTCHER On 15th April 2021 peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital aged 83 years of Shaftesbury. Much loved husband, dad and grandad, who will be sorely missed by all family and friends. Private family service, but donations if desired to The Friends of Westminster Memorial Hospital may be sent to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

HEWITSON JENNIFER Jennifer Hewitson of Sturminster Newton sadly passed away on 6th February 2021 aged 77 years. Jennifer will be missed by so many. Private funeral service to be held at East Cemetery, Boscombe. A thanksgiving service will be held at a later date. No flowers please but donations if desired for the Dorset County Hospital and Friends of Blandford Hospital, c/o Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Telephone 01258 471024 or made online by visiting grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

Announcements TEWKESBURY MIKE After a short illness Mike died peacefully in Dorchester hospital on 16th April 2021. Mike had lived in Marnhull since 1975, and was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Due to covid restrictions a private funeral service will be held at Salisbury Crematorium. A Thanksgiving will follow in due course. Donations if wished to National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) or The Salvation Army UK c/o Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Telephone 01258 471024 or made online by visiting grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

WADE JOHN ERNEST Aged 91 years of North Cadbury. On 16th April 2021, peacefully at his home. A dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Funeral service has taken place. Donations in memory of John are being invited for the British Heart Foundation. C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

DAVID EDWIN JACK ADLEM On 16th April 2021 passed peacefully at home in Shaftesbury. Much loved husband of Janet and loving dad to Karen, Robin and the late Simon. David was a special grandad and is sadly missed by all his family and friends. Private family service. Donations if desired to The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust may be sent to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

RUTH KENDALL With deep sadness it is announced that Ruth Kendall from Thornford passed away at 87 years on Sunday 18th April. Ruth was originally from Templecombe but spent her adult life in Thornford. She was much loved by her son Stephen, partner Roger, family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

RAYMOND TOOGOOD Passed away peacefully on April the 8th aged 89. Much loved husband of Brenda, loving father of David and Greg. He will be very sadly missed by all of his family and many friends. The funeral service will be held at St John’s, Enmore Green. Please note, attendance has been restricted, if you wish to attend, please confirm with the family before attending or contact The Co-operative Funeralcare, Shaftesbury on: 01747 858968. Please do not send flowers. If desired, donations can be made at funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations or by cheque made payable to: Dementia UK, c/o The Co-operative Funeralcare, Greenacre House Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, SP7 8BS.

DAVID E COLEMAN (Proprietor of Ivy Cross Garage 1981 – 1993) Sadly passed away on 13th April 2021, aged 81 years. David will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Due to current restrictions, a private funeral service will be held on Friday 30th April 2021, 12pm at Yeovil Crematorium. Donations if desired for Marie Curie and Weldmar Hospice Care may be sent by cheque, payable to Woods Dorchester Ltd, 11a Icen Way, Dorchester, DT1 1EW

WALWIN DAVID REGINALD Of Wanstrow passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 21st April 2021, aged 85 years. Much loved and will be greatly missed by his wife Eileen, daughters Caroline and Sandy, son-in-law David, daughter-in-law Sandy, wife of his late son Tim, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all who knew him. Due to covid restrictions, it will be a private family funeral. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, made payable to Dementia UK, may be forwarded to Trotman Funeral Directors, Ashdene, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4QQ.

IN MEMORIAM BOLT MURIEL 02/05/20 A year has passed since the Lord called you Home. A dearly loved Mum, Granny, Great Granny and a dear friend. Forever in our thoughts. Love Sue and family xx

ALAN J. PELLOW 12.03.1950 – 13.04.2020 Gone are the days we used to share. Loved and remembered every day. Barb

THANK YOU

RHONA KINGSBURY Of Henstridge. Des and Leisa would like to thank everyone who has kindly donated to Dorset Deaf Children’s Society in Rhona’s memory. A fantastic total of £1458.88 has been raised. Rhona would have been so proud and these funds will be gratefully received by the charity. The family would also like to say a big thank you for all the support given.

Announcements DEATHS PULLIN KATHLEEN MOLLY (MOLLY) Passed away at home in Gillingham on 16th April 2021, after a long illness bravely borne, with her girls by her side. Formerly of Abbotsbury and Melbury Park. Beloved wife of the late Gordon. Much loved mum of Richard, David and Anne, dearly loved nan, great nan and great great nan. Donations in memory of Molly, can be sent directly to: Marie Curie, Supporter Relation Team, PO Box 23897, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh EH6 7EB.

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JOAN MAIDMENT Passed away peacefully after a short illness, on the 31st March, aged 85. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her in Milborne Port and beyond. Joan was a kind and generous mother, sister, auntie and grandmother. A private family service took place on Wednesday 28th April at Yeovil Crematorium. Donations, if desired to be shared between Cancer Research UK and The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, c/o Bracher Brothers Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL

Death notices and memorials: 01963 400186

Aged 84 years of Holton. On 18th April 2021, peacefully, with his daughters, at Yeovil District Hospital. A very much loved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Private Funeral. Donations in memory of Bill are being invited for St Nicholas Church, Holton. C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367.

DURSTON DAVID JOHN

NUGENT AMY LOUISE Aged 37 years of Mere. On 12th April 2021, peacefully at Salisbury Hospice. A much loved wife of Ben, mum, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, aunt and friend. Private funeral. Donations in memory of Amy are being invited for Salisbury Hospice. C/O Harold F.Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367

LANGTON JUSTINE FLORENCE Passed away suddenly, but peacefully in Dorset County Hospital on 23rd March 2021 Aged 79. Much loved wife of the late Ron, mother to Stephen, Charles and Beverley. Due to current circumstances a private funeral service will take place. Donations if desired for DCH NHS Foundation Trust (Intensive Care) may be sent c/o Woods Funeral Services, 11A, Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EW. Telephone: 01305 250425

Formerly of Bryanston and Stourton Caundle. Sadly passed away at his home on 8th April 2021. Will be sadly missed. Funeral has taken place.

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Letters

Litter more pressing than bungalow The Disappointed Dog Walker writing in the February 16 edition of the New Blackmore Vale about the construction of a bungalow, mentioning Cools Farm and Toke’s Lane, should reflect that it is customary to allow new residences on farms for either the retiring generation or the newest and that Cools ORGANIC farm has long been in possession of a wellrespected local farming family. The rural landscape which we enjoy is in fact an industrial site, the industry being farming, and it looks the way it does because of the farmers. He or she might do better to seek to explain the presence of litter in idyllic Toke’s Lane – this has appeared over the past two years or so and in increasing quantities. This is a true crime against the environment and humanity – not only for the toxic element and danger to wildlife, but for microplastics which scientists have recently discovered, not just in carrots and fish but in the human digestive tract and most recently on both sides of the human placenta. ‘Disappointed’ would be well advised to address their campaigning zeal to this filth which mars any – indeed every – favourite walk. Anne Booth Shaftesbury n Re: Various letters in NBV. A letter I have just received from Gillingham Medical Practice list the names of six Partners and three salaried GPs in the heading - a total of nine doctors! Surely it is much easier (for the Patient) to phone for an appointment. Jill Trainor Gillingham n Looking at your latest 96page bumper issue I have to congratulate you on the incredible transformation you have achieved with the BVM. 34

profusely for anyone been upset is comical. Brian Welton Sturminster Newton

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

Now we have a vibrant publication which is a genuine mirror of our spread of communities – well-written and crisply presented with judicious use of colour. It is a pleasure to read and with increased traffic throughout the issue this will greatly benefit your advertisers. Here’s wishing you great fortune Peter Jackson (former editor of both TVTimes and the Sunday Times Magazine and publisher of ELLE magazine)

imprecise that it is used, with intent to offend, with no regard for its meaning. That meaning is prejudicial conduct towards a person because of his/her distinctive racial characteristics. How can such an honourable man as Mr Woodhouse remotely be thought of as ‘racist’? It was most disappointing to see the editor bending the knee to Dr Robinson. Jeremy Nieboer

n I write to protest at the attempt to suppress a genuine opinion held by one of your most regular and longstanding correspondents, Bill Woodhouse (BVM page 32 edition 15). A journal such as the BVM has a duty to foster free expressions of opinions on matters of public interest. This does not require them to share such views. Freedom of expression is no freedom if confined to what others will not feel offended by. Feeling offended is an option, not a necessary consequence of reading opinions one does not share. Racism is a term so

n Dear NBVM, so Hazel Robinson and Michael Stone were shocked at Bill Woodhouse’s comments. Was it on the Dorset Council News 16 page documents, or was it about the road closure or even his observations on his travels to Sturminster? I am also trying to find where Mr Woodhouse has a swipe at Dorset Council’s support of the Gypsy community. Would someone please point out where Bill was a blatant racist? Some of us enjoy the world as seen through the eyes of Bill Woodhouse. And as for NBVM apologising

n On this sunny April afternoon, I find myself strongly urged to write to you in response to Bill Woodhouse’s letter, published 2nd of this month. After reading Mr Woodhouse’s words regarding his thoughts on the latest Dorset Council News, his confusion on an unmarked road closure, a general observation of his journeys surrounding, and because of the latter, a missed dental appointment; I honestly gave no other thought to what he freely had to write. So, to read in your latest publication a letter written by Dr Hazel Robinson and Michael Stone on their disgust at his racist rants, I felt I had no other choice than to write to you for answers. As a woman in her mid-20s, I’m perplexed at how a Dr could find something like this so offensive. I feel more than ever we’re being exposed to the horror of racism and the devastating effect it so clearly has on individuals and society. You only need to open a newspaper, turn on the television, flick onto social media to see the struggle so many people are still wrongly facing in 2021. I would highly appreciate if you could clearly point out where the racist comments are and why has NBMV mentioned the council supporting his allegations? I have been left feeling saddened and frustrated for Mr Woodhouse. What has happened to freedom of speech? After all of this, I do hope he has finally found out why the road was closed! I very much look forward to hearing your response, Hannah Louise Sturminster Newton

Letters n With the lovely sunshine and the easing of lockdown, we took a trip to Shearwater Lake to get some exercise walking along the lake. The car park, owned by the Longleat Estate, opposite the cafe, had been closed during lockdown. We have always used this car park over many years. We innocently decided to park on the road a short distance from the café. Quite a few other people had done the same thing. Imagine our surprise and upset when we returned to our car to find that Wiltshire Council had issued a fixed penalty parking offence notice. It appears the road along the side of the lake is covered by a clearway. It seems that Wiltshire Council are using this as a very underhand cheapskate method of enforcing a parking ban. I think most people would regard a clearway as something to prevent dangerous stopping and parking on busy trunk roads, not minor country lanes. A far more appropriate and transparent method would be to use yellow lines with notices at intervals. It seems many people had arrived, intending to use the car park. In finding it closed they found the nearest place to park not realising it is a clearway It appears Wiltshire Council are hell bent on exploiting this situation in order to raise as much cash from unsuspecting motorists as possible. Rather than using discretion and not enforcing the parking ban until the car park is open they have decided to abuse the powers vested in them to entrap as many unwitting motorists as possible. This really is contemptible behaviour. If this letter prevents even one of your readers from falling into the same trap as us it will have been worthwhile. Roger Phek n I just wanted to say a quick thank you for publishing the article on our charity’s anniversary – our phone has been ringing all week! We’re getting some

What a wasted opportunity A double electrical vehicle charge point in Bell Street car park, Shaftesbury – the town’s main car park – opened for public use just before Easter. But who would know? Neither Dorset Council, who installed the charge point as part of its rollout of EV charge points across Dorset, nor Shaftesbury Town Council marked the event with a photocall or formal opening or put out any publicity of any sort about it. What a wasted opportunity. It makes you wonder if they really understand or accept the urgency of the climate crisis affecting the planet that fantastic new volunteers on board, and it shows just what a good reach you have. Thanks again Juliet Ruddick Dorset Reading Partners n Your headline in the NBVM of 16 April, ‘Iconic landmark set to benefit from extensive weeding’, rather saddened me: it needs so much more than that. The sycamores growing along the top of the wall, which were coppiced in 2011, are now showing substantial regrowth, resulting in multiple shoots pushing through the wall to a length of several feet. The valerian, although pretty when in flower, is a blight which, without substantial treatment, will form large clumps of compressed roots within the wall; when exposed, these resemble large logs of wood, not something to be encouraged in ancient stonework. The back of the Town Hall is also affected by this plant, and an annual trimming back will have no deterrent effect on damage to the stonework by the roots. Since the considerable expenditure of £40,000 in 1982 1984 and the tree work in 2011,

resulted in the Government this month (April) bringing forward the crucial target date to achieve carbon neutrality in Britain by 15 years to 2035. Nothing but nothing is now more important than dealing with this issue with urgency – and maximum publicity. Jeff Thomas Shaftesbury nothing appears to have been done which is other than cosmetic. What happened to the Gold Hill Preservation Committee set up at that time? Why isn’t English Heritage involved in the preservation and maintenance of Shaftesbury’s ancient, valuable monument? The ‘extensive weeding’ should be only the start of what will become a rescue operation. Jenny Jones Shaftesbury n May I, through your pages, raise a question (and possibly draw it to the attention of the panel of MPs, who regularly contribute to your magazine)? Following recent Government guidelines, I ordered a covid-19 self-test Kit, and was surprised to find it was delivered as a ‘Tracked 24’ item. Having checked on the Royal Mail website, the current cost for this package is £4.02, as opposed to £1.83 for normal First-Class postage. When medical samples are sent for assessment, I accept there is a need for urgency and also reassurance that the items have reached their destination (especially if the contents are potentially hazardous). As I understand it, however, the

home-test kits are designed as a preventive measure, to be distributed routinely to potentially a large number of households (and there is no indication on the package to suggest the contents are hazardous). At an additional £2.19 per package, delivered to even one million households on a weekly basis over, say, a six-month period, the additional cost is in excess of £56 million. Whilst this may appear as the proverbial ‘drop in the ocean’ compared to the overall cost of Covid, I do feel it might be put to better use in supporting our existing hospitals, or possibly even building a new one. I fully appreciate that the financial cost of Covid, however great, is preferable to further human cost; but at some point, the coronavirus bill, in all its enormity, will have to be faced. All I ask is: Is this particular additional expense really necessary? If the occasional package goes astray, by all means send a replacement – and track its progress. For the most part, however, why not send it first class – and put your trust in the Posties who, by all accounts, have been doing sterling work throughout the pandemic? J Micklewright Milborne Port n I picked up my first copy of NBV today and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the journalistic style. There’s a ‘standard’ method of constructing and writing news articles most journalists seem determined to follow. It results in most publications appearing to have been written by robot/ computer and is not appealing. Your publication seems different. the writing feels as if it’s done by ‘real’ people and for a local publication I think that’s excellent. it makes me feel as if your journalists probably actually care about the local area and people. I hope you go from strength to strength. Andy Tebbutt-Russell 35

Education New plants donated before village toddler group opens Pupils at a village pre-school are enjoying the colour and beauty of plants donated by Waitrose. The Gillingham store gave Stower Vale Preschool, in Woodville, Stour Provost, plants to use in their garden. Chairman Sam Wattridge said: “As a small, rural preschool, we are hugely supported by the local community the recent donation of plants for our children to enjoy in our garden area is no exception. “In recent years we have been able to, with the support of local organisations, develop our outside space and

consequently offer an even more engaging environment for the children that attend our preschool to enjoy. “Set within the grounds of Stower Provost Community School, we have lots of outside space for the children

to enjoy, including access to the schools wonderful forest school and pond area, this recent donation of colourful plants will brighten up the garden space even more and we, as always, remain grateful to the local community for

their wonderful support.” This week the pre-school relaunched its toddler group, Stower Vale Toddlers, offering a ‘stay and forest play’ session to parents and toddlers, every Wednesday, during term time between 9.30-11. This session will be a rustic, forest play session for children to engage and enjoy the natural environment within the grounds of Stower Provost Community School. Sessions are limited to 10 adults, at present. For more information or to book find Stower Vale Preschool on Facebook or go to stowervalepreschool.co.uk.

College to spend £30m on transformation By Miranda Robertson Tens of millions of pounds of government funding is set to transform Yeovil College’s facilities over the next three years. The college’s award-

winning training restaurant, hair and beauty salon, performing arts studio, gym and sports hall will be redesigned, and plans are afoot to build an accessible and ultra-modern student hub and learning zone.

Branching Out For encouragement and insightful support through your INTERVIEWS, contact Caroline... caroline@branchingoutmentor.com or 07983 786650 www.branchingoutmentor.com Whatever the stage you are at, I will equip you with tools to approach your interviews with a genuine self assurance.

Yeovil is one of just 16 colleges in the UK to receive their share of FE capital transformation fund, which is worth £1.5 billion and was introduced to rebuild college estates and create modern, fit-forpurpose spaces to meet the needs of students and the communities they serve. The college is set to spend more than £30 million, including money from the Department for Education’s (DfE), capital generated from the Institute of Technology (IoT), and its own significant investment. Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal, said: “We are delighted with this news. “Although our current campus is beautifully maintained and cared for, there is the need for improvement if we

are to fulfil the potential of our learners and the community, creating the space to fulfil our aspirations. The campus transformation plans will deliver a campus which reflects our approach and attitude to all that we do – only the best is good enough at Yeovil College. “The recent DfE announcement secures a big piece in the jigsaw for our ambitious £30 million plus campus transformation plan, which commenced in 2020 and will be mostly complete by 2024. With more than £5 million of development either complete or due for completion this year, the student experience is already leaping ahead with true 21st century facilities being developed to give our learners the edge in

their careers.” The DfE investment will help to shape a large proportion of the campus, its learning spaces and social areas. It will be specifically used to progress plans for several new buildings and benefit almost every curriculum area, but most notably A Levels, sport, protective services, performing arts, travel and tourism, hospitality, beauty, hair, media make-up and foundation learning and will create an ultra-modern and repurposed learning resource centre, catering facilities, digital social and learning spaces. Construction is expected to start in summer next year, with the building being completed and ready for the September 2024 cohort.

Education By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

When the Friends of Archbishop Wake asked teachers and pupils at the Blandford primary school to record themselves singing a special song during lockdown – little did they know how powerful the effect on families and the community would be. Now Archbishop Wake CE Primary School in Blandford Forum are celebrating the success of this music video, which has captured the hearts and minds of the local community and beyond. Inspired by an idea from the school’s parents/carer association, The Friends of Archbishop Wake, the children, staff and community have come together on one unique video to collectively sing, Count On Me – an original song by Bruno Mars. Parent Dan Baker composed the special version and pieced together the video, which features the children

School’s song is a smash hit online and staff singing and dancing along with sign language interpretation. The DofE were so impressed and showcased the video through their social media channels and in just one week of the song going live, the video secured 2,400 views on YouTube. Headteacher Daniel Carter is immensely proud of the video and the way it brings the community together. He

said: “After such a long and difficult year with the disruptions of lockdowns, this video came at a time where we really wanted and needed the community to be together – and this video has done exactly that. Archbishop Wake is a very special community to be involved with and we are all very proud.” Teaching assistant, parent and chair of the Friends of

Archbishop Wake Anna Butler said: “The song brought our community together in a magical way and brought a tear to many eyes. Especially grandparents who haven’t seen these children for so long.” The video is available at youtube.com/watch?v=I7CN kklqZus or Facebook: facebook.com/educationgovu k/videos/4050563558307842

Review of wifi service after inspection By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

The first monitoring inspection by Ofsted of the boarding section of Shaftesbury School since it was judged ‘good’ under former head teacher Mark Blackman in 2017 has found only a few causes for concern. It was carried out because Ofsted has not visited the boarding school since the last full inspection, and also to review concerns raised in surveys about bullying, the quality of meals and WiFi restrictions in boarding schools. Children said that incidents of bullying in the boarding provision are rare and that, when they did occur, the

boarding staff took immediate action. Children also told the inspectors that the quality of food had improved – although the choices available could be improved – and that while the WiFi signal was good, they were not happy with the current restriction filters in place. “Senior leaders are aware of this and are reviewing the appropriateness of sites that children have asked to access.” The report by Lead Social Care Inspector Sharron Escott and Social Care Inspector Wendy Anderson says: “Positive recognition of how the school has managed the pandemic was confirmed by parents who contributed to

this monitoring visit. Most commented positively on how well the boarding staff communicate with them and said that their child enjoys boarding.” The inspectors visited the school, which caters for up to 100 11-18-year-old boarders but had only 66 on roll, mostly from abroad, to meet the children and staff in person. The inspection did reveal that improvement was needed in the effective use of consultation meetings with children, which did not take place regularly or were well recorded, and that a tour of the boarding provision in Barton House, a short walk from the main school site, identified that limited work

had been completed to meet recommendations made at the last inspection. A review of records and additional interviews took place remotely and found that in the short time since the appointment of a new headteacher, Donna LondonHill, and head of boarding, areas for improvement in the boarding provision had been identified and formalised into a development plan. The new senior leaders are designated safeguarding leads for the school, and identified that while the safeguarding recording system is complex and requires improvement, there were no errors in records and no safeguarding concerns in the boarding provision. 37

Food & Drink ENFORD FARM SHOP Delightful pairing for sunny days Home reared Lamb along with locally produced meat, veg, fruit, deli and game. Follow us on Facebook for all of our latest deals and offers including weekly meat pack deals

HALF PIG APPROXIMATELY £100 (depending on weight) Open all day, everyday outside shop Fri, Sat Farm shop open 8.30am-5pm Also Arts disiplay Durweston, near Blandford.

01258 450050

Asparagus and rocket are both in season currently and make a delightful pairing in this light salad, perfect for enjoying alfresco in the beautiful sunshine we have been blessed with recently. Asparagus is a good source of a myriad of different nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, and B6, potassium, folic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, phosphorus, iron, protein and fibre. The dietary fibre in asparagus is classed as a prebiotic as it has been shown to feed the beneficial bacteria in our gut microbiome, such as the Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species. It is the amino acid asparagine in asparagus that gives it the characteristic odour when excreted. Asparagus is usually served steamed or grilled, but this time we are keeping it raw. Rocket is another nutritional powerhouse, containing vitamins A and C, folic acid, manganese, calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, potassium, copper, iron, and zinc, an excellent source of antioxidants. Bitter leaves such as rocket are believed to aid digestion and are a traditional accompaniment to heavy or fatty meals. Asparagus and rocket salad (serves 2-4) 1 pack of asparagus 1 large handful of rocket 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil juice of ½ a lemon 1 tsp mustard of your choice 10g grated parmesan pinch of black pepper

Rebecca Vincent is a Wincanton nutritionist

Optional extras: lightly toasted mixed seeds, or crispy bacon lardons Cut or snap the woody ends off the asparagus and ribbon length-ways using a peeler, or mandolin on the thin setting. I find one of the easiest ways to do this is to work from one side halfway through, then start from the other side and work through to the centre. Place the asparagus ribbons in a salad bowl and move on to the dressing. Combine the oil, lemon juice, mustard, parmesan, and pepper, and pour over the asparagus, mixing well. This can be left to sit for a couple of minutes, so the lemon juice softens the asparagus ribbons. Just before serving add the rocket and mix. This makes a lovely accompaniment to chicken and fish, or even a lentil dahl, as I recently discovered! Rebecca Vincent BSc BANT registered nutritionist rebeccavincentnutrition.co.uk

Food & Drink

Cooking...

with Mrs Simkins

Dorset Moonshine You never seem to hear of this traditional Dorset pudding now but it’s well worth a revival: the name itself conjures up images of a lone highwayman clattering down coach roads on a black steed by the light of the full moon or smugglers hauling contraband ashore in a moonlit Purbeck cove. A little less romantic than that, but delicious all the same, moonshine is simply bread-andbutter pudding, made lovingly with extra care and cossetting and a couple of extras. Serve just as it is or with cream: utterly gorgeous. Serves 6 75g salted butter, softened to spreadable consistency A small uncut white loaf (around 400g) cut into 12 slices, crusts removed 110g mixed dried fruit and peel 50g golden granulated sugar

Grated rind of 1small lemon 3 eggs, beaten 300ml milk 150ml single cream Freshly grated nutmeg You will need a buttered 20cm square (or similar) ovenproof dish Preheat oven to 180C (160C fan oven) gas mark 4 or equivalent.

Butter the bread and cut into triangles. Layer the slices in the dish butter side up and scatter each layer with sugar (save some for the top) lemon zest and fruit, ending with a plain buttered layer. Whisk the eggs and cream together and heat the milk to almost boiling point. Pour the hot milk gradually over the egg mix, whisking constantly

Mum’s Kitchen... Lamb Tagine with Prunes and Apricots This serves 6, and it freezes well Ingredients 1 kilo boneless leg of lamb cut into bite sized chunks 16 dried apricots, soaked in a cup of water for at least two hours 2 tablespoons rape seed oil or similar 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large onion 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground turmeric ½ teaspoon ground cumin

and then pour carefully over the pudding. Allow to stand for 20-30 minutes or until the custard has soaked into the bread. Grate the nutmeg generously on top and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the custard has set and the top is crisp and golden. Variation The pudding moonshine appears to have no connection to the illegal liquor of the same name, but you can soak the dried fruit in 1-2 tablespoons of rum or brandy beforehand, in memory of those imagined smugglers: this is highly recommended! MrsSimkins.co.uk twitter.com/MrsSimkinsCooks info@MrsSimkins.co.uk

with Diana Holman

1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika 1 tablespoon Ras el Hanout 1 400 gm can chopped tomatoes 1 cup dried prunes cut into bite size pieces Salt to taste Method Preheat oven to 160C, 140 fan oven. In a heavy-based pan with a lid or tagine, heat the oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ginger, ground cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, paprika

and Ras el Hanout. Make sure spices are evenly distributed. Add lamb and mix well. Add ½ cup reserved apricot water and the canned chopped

tomatoes. Cover and cook for one hour, then add apricots and prunes. Taste for salt and cook an additional hour. Serve with couscous. 39

Church

Christ shows up in ordinariness, to provide what we need with the Rev Richard Priest, of Stour Vale Benefice

Vicar in the Vale What is truth? What do we mean when we say that something is the truth? Suppose you are grieving over the death of someone you love, and you read the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, you read. You have read it or heard it or sung it thousands of times, and yet now when you read it again the truth seems dearer, more personal than ever. You come to its familiar conclusion: ...and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. And you nod yes. Deep down, you know that you are reading truth, a kind of truth that cannot be measured, a truth that can only be experienced. This is biblical

truth, and it comes to us in different forms. We know that nearly always when Christians gather for worship there are those who are despondent, fearful, confused, and looking for answers. Then without warning, there is a real sense of the presence of the divine among them. They don’t know what to make of it. It comes as a complete surprise, but from that experience comes a real peace and a deeper understanding of life as we have to live it. Somehow in worship there comes a courage that we didn’t know we had, a sense of guidance for decisions we have to make, an encouragement for the way we are going. All of this happens, not every time we worship, but it happens often enough. We hardly know how to describe it. Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to understand the scriptures. All of the postresurrection stories describe a

presence – mysterious, inexplicable, even profound but nevertheless real. When you consider all of the resurrection stories as a whole, one thing that astounds me is how they come in such ordinary times. Jesus just shows up with the most normal, ordinary greeting: Shalom...peace be with you. I don’t know what to make of such ordinariness other than the obvious: the resurrected Christ is prone to appear in our ordinariness. In other words, there is a religious value in routine. It’s Sunday; we go to church. We don’t have to make the decision every week. The decision is already made; we go to church on Sunday. There is a routine about it. We are here; we talk about important things; we volunteer to help; we greet familiar people; and lo and behold, Christ appears in the routine, and you know that Christ’s presence is as real as that solid pew you sit in. On a routine Sunday, Christ speaks

peace to you, and you leave that place a stronger person than when you came in. This is no accident; Christ joined you. This is pure grace. Christ stands with us, renews our strength and courage, and reveals himself to us modernday disciples as clearly as he did in the stories of the resurrection. The resurrection stories make it clear that Christ shows up in ordinariness. It is not because we have special skill in faith or that we are somehow more spiritual than others. Christ’s presence comes as a gift, part of Christ’s promise to come to us, not to leave us alone, to give us what we need to be faithful followers. He does it still. And that’s the truth! Amen.

Gillingham & Milton on Stour Sunday 2 May 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham Sunday 9 May 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham 10.30am Holy Communion at St Simon & St Jude, Milton on Stour Thurs 13 May Ascension Day 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham Sunday 16 May 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham Sunday 23 May 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham 10.30am Holy Communion at St Simon & St Jude, Milton on Stour Sunday 30 May 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham

Sunday 6 June 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham Sunday 13 June 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham 10.30am Holy Communion at St Simon & St Jude, Milton on Stour Sunday 20 June 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham Sunday 27 June 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Gillingham 10.30am Holy Communion at St Simon & St Jude, Milton on Stour St Mary's Church remains open for private prayer every day of the week 10am – 4pm. Blandford Methodist Church You are warmly invited to our Sunday services that start at 10.45 am with

Covid-19 practices in place. Please prebook your seat(s) on 01258 577 030. We will return your call. Please wear a face-mask and stay 2-metres apart from those not in your bubble. No singing for the time being. We are anxious to offer you help. Please leave your message on our answer phone 01258 577 030 and we will return your call within 24 hours. John Cornish, Steward at Blandford Methodist Church. n Mass times for Catholic churches in Marnhull on Sundays and Thursdays, 9.30am; in Gillingham on Sundays at 11am and Wednesdays at 10am.

ROGATION SUNDAY SERVICE in the Woodland Gardens at Bush Farm Bison Centre. West Knoyle. 2nd May 10.30am

Church services Shaftesbury Team Ministry Sunday 2nd May 9.30am: St James’ - Parish Communion 9.30am: St Peter’s - Family service 11.15am: Enmore Green Family Service 11.15am: Margaret Marsh – Matins 6pm: Motcombe - Evening Communion Sunday 9th May 9.30am: St Peter’s - Parish Communion 9.30am: Motcombe - Parish Communion 11.15am: West Orchard – Parish Communion 11.15am: Melbury Abbas – Matins 6pm St James’ – Pilgrim service Team Office: 01747 853060 facebook.com/ShaftesburyCofE Church of England services in 40

Antiques & Collectibles Stunning vehicles in DVCA sale Dorset Vintage and Classic Auction‘s 20th May specialist auction sale is already boosted by two private collections, one from Dorset offering a mouthwatering selection of pre and post-war British motorcycles, and the other from Devonshire, offering a selection of part restored prestige vehicles. Prestige entries so far include: Five from Jaguar: a 1947 MkIV 3.5 Saloon part restored, a 1949 Mk V 3.5 litre saloon, a part restored 1957 XK150 Coupe SE, a 1988 XJS 5.3 Convertible, and a 1994 XJS 4.0 Coupe with manual transmission. A brace of Bentleys: a 1953 R Type Saloon and a lovely 2000 Arnage Red Label (powered by the Bentley 6.7 litre engine as

opposed to a BMW unit). A part restored 1936 RollsRoyce 20/25 Six Light Saloon by Cockshoot, and a 1955 Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire 346 Auto, (ex-wedding car). Sporting entries are : 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV T-Spark Lusso 1971 MG B Roadster with fast Road Specification and 5 speed gearbox, 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, professionally maintained regardless of cost, 1949 Triumph Roadster 2000 with modifications, 1971 Volvo P1800E Coupe manual with overdrive and a great history with one owner from new, 1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Bertone Sprint Go to dvca.co.uk for the latest consignments. If you would like to include your historic vehicle in the May Sale, call Brian Chant on 01963 363353, or info@dvca.c o.uk

n A large quantity of fine paintings, pictures and prints from a local manor house will be in Clarke’s next sale on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of May. They include a half-length portrait of Willis Hudson painted by Joseph Herbert Bentley RBA (British 1866-1940), which was exhibited in 1896 at the Royal Academy, London, and the Grafton Gallery, London, at the sixth exhibition of Portrait Painters and carries a pre-sale estimate of £200-£400. Two large decorative oil painting portraits each depict father and son seated in front of the manor house with their dogs and a pair of ‘fresh to the market’ Scottish Highland scene watercolour painting by Lionel Edwards RI (British 1878-1966). Edwards was born in Clifton and was a hunting, horse racing and military artist, mostly known for his hunting scenes but also of other sporting related subjects. Also for sale is an oil painting by British artist Thomas Smythe (1825-1906) depicting a poacher on horseback with his dog, and

General Sale Thursday 6th May 10am Open for viewings Saturday 1st, 10am - 12 noon Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th, 10am - 5pm

CLARKE’S AUCTIONS Auctioneers & Valuers NEXT SALE: Friday 7th May and Saturday 8th May Sale starts at 10am both days

Edward Seago (1910-1974), Norfolk Village, oil on board £6000 - £8000

Fine Art & Antiques Sale Thursday 17th June House clearances arranged Probate & Insurance valuations Contact info@busby.co.uk 01308 420 100 The Old Hemp Store North Mills, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3BE

Antiques, Collectables Chinese, Asian and Middle Eastern Art & Ceramics, Paintings, Garden & Architectural, An early 20th century Ceramics & Glass, 9ct gold and black enSilver & Jewellery, amel Dunhill lighter. Sold for £1,300 Militaria and Rugs An Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts the.saleroom.com & easyliveauction.com enamel plaque depicting a lady. Sold for £1,350

Please contact Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, SP7 9BU enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk clarkesauctions.co.uk

Thomas Smythe (1825-1906) Winter landscape with Gypsy on horseback Estimate £300 - £500

many sporting related pictures and prints to include Cecil Aldin and Charles (Snaffles) Johnson Payne. A quantity of late 18th / early 19th century wool work pictures and needlework samplers including a Scottish crofters scene with figures, cattle, mountains and loch, in its original eglomise reverse painted matt & gilded wooden frame and another similar depicting a shepherdess and her flock are also included in this sale and one of the more modern paintings is a lithograph by the American artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976) entitled Circus Ringmaster. WANTED, PARACHUTE REGIMENT DENISON SMOCK. Contact 07990 832472 Antique & Classic Clock Repairs & Restoration

Longcase Clocks a speciality Antique Clock sales

Clocks Unlimited Tel: (01935) 423233 Mobile: 07974 520545 www.clocksunlimited.co.uk clocksunlimited@aol.com

WE BUY RECORDS, COLLECTIONS LARGE and SMALL. Call BILL 07967 816506 or 01747 811100. Email bill@rebornrecords.co.uk GOOD CONDITION VINYL RECORDS WANTED Larger collections preferred. No classical please, cash paid 07831266478

Antiques & Collectibles

Nursery plates collection A collection of Victorian pottery nursery plates and mugs forms part of a single owner auction on Wednesday, May 5 at Charterhouse in Sherborne. Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: “Rarely do you come across Victorian pottery nurserywares as many did not survive being used by children and the past 180 years. So to come across a collection of 100 pieces is a really rare treat.” The Victorian pottery nursery plates collection came from a country house near Shaftesbury after a family member passed away. The family had been collectors for decades, with a particular interest in naïve art such as the nursery plates. The little plates were transfer printed in bright colours with religious text, animals, letters of the alphabet, tales and morals to

Free Jewellery & Watches Valuation Day on Tuesday, 18th May

A collection of Victorian pottery nursery plates

teach children how to behave and are highly sought after. These, and the contents including other ceramics, silver, pictures, prints, a mineral collection and even a Victorian shepherd’s hut, are all being sold without reserve and are expected to sell for over £30,000. The items are part of a three-day auction. On May 6, there are hundreds of lots of silver, jewellery and watches, followed on the 7th with Beswick, antiques and interiors, with some 1,100 being sold over the three days. You can now view and attend these auctions and see all the lots at charterhouse-auction.com or drop into their Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne between Monday, (3) and Thursday (6). 01935 812277/info@charterhouse-auction.com

Meet Julian Smith, Watches Specialist & Deborah Doyle, Jewellery Specialist Luxury Auction: 1st July Duke’s Auctioneers Copper Street Brewery Square Dorchester DT1 1GA

Please contact Victoria Wild to book your appointment 01305 265 080 victoria.wild@dukes-auctions.com

Bowl is particularly fine example Busby Auctioneers in Bridport will be holding their postponed Spring Fine Art Sale on Thursday, June 17. One of the highlights of the sale is expected to be a particularly fine example of a Lucie Rie stoneware bowl, pictured right. Rie (1902 -1995) has come to be one of the most renowned potters of the 20th century. Austrian born, she studied pottery in Vienna before fleeing Nazi occupation in 1938. Her career flourished in England among a community of potters including Bernard Leach. She is best known for her bowls, notable for the clean modernism of her lines and aesthetics, described as cosmopolitan. Rie received many major awards, and her work is on display in the V&A. She is sold regularly at the London auction houses. Busby is delighted to offer this bowl, which is in

immaculate condition, with an estimate of £6,000 - £8,000. The bowl has a white glaze, with the artist’s monogram impressed to the base, and is expected to draw interest internationally. Following the easing of lockdown, Busby will finally be able to open for public viewings for all sales, the first of which being the May 6th General Sale, with viewings on the Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as usual.

30th June

Sold for £12,000

14th July

Had A Lockdown Sort Out? Specialist Free April Valuation Days Royal Doulton & Border Fine Arts 19th Silver, Jewellery & Watches 20th Coins, Medals & Stamps 21st Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys 22nd Picture, Books & Postcards 23rd

June Classic & Vintage Motorcycles July Classic & Vintage Cars Further entries now being accepted The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 • www.charterhouse-auction.com 43

Home & Garden TRADES

LOGS

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

Season Barn Dry Logs

Garages, sheds, lean tos,roofing and cladding Collection and dismantling by registered hazardous waste carrier. Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478

20 miles radius of Sherborne

Tel: 01935 815534 LOGS LOGS WELL SEASONED HARDWOOD WELL SEASOND HARDWOOD Cut & split to your requirement Various size loads delivered from £140.00 1.6m³ Tel: 01258 857 824 | 07741 463 605 Card payment accepted

Serving all your interior & exterior maintenance needs

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk

•Alterations •Renovations •Carpentry •Kitchen Fitting •Bathroom Fitting •Wall/Floor Tiling •Plastering •Hard Landscaping •Painting & Decorating •Plumbing •Electrical

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

FRANKS MAINTENANCE GROUP

LTD

LOGS R US 1 ton pickup load of logs £90 double load £150 dumpy bag £60 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081

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Milton on Stour Gillingham SP8 5QA

01747 824015 Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Summer bedding for colour Tomato, courgette and pepper plants Vegetable seedlings and herbs 44

Geraniums and fuchsias for pots Lovely new hydrangeas French and English lavenders

Home & Garden

Is your Conservatory too cold in winter and too hot in summer? We are a local family-run business transforming conservatories into comfortable rooms guaranteed for use every day of the year whatever the weather

For a free quote call 01202 124107 Conservatory Insulation Specialists Ltd www.conservatoryinsulationspecialists.co.uk

Create your perfect kitchen with our designers in store Personal service – we know not everybody wants the same, we’re here to help you choose.

Shaftesbury: 01747 851 476 Longmead Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL

Specialists who will work with you to design a kitchen that covers practicality, functionality and more.

Warminster: 01985 219 200 5-6 George Street, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8QA

A kitchen that is beautiful not just to look at, but to be in.

www.myhomemaker.co.uk

Your local kitchen and appliance specialists... 45

Home & Garden

Gardening...

...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

Why some plants survive the frosts and others jack it in It was going to be an early spring, record high temperatures were recorded at the end of March, then, April’s incredible run of consecutive frosts placed the season on pause. Frost poses a life-threatening phenomenon to plants. As water freezes its molecules become more spaced than in liquid form. This causes it to expand by around 10 per cent. If ice crystals form within the cells of plants they rupture with lethal consequences – killing cells, whole leaves and potentially entire plants. Many plants can adapt by protect themselves from environmental threats, such as frost. This protection is only triggered when the plant perceives the threat, because changes within the plant incur a cost. Unsurprisingly, they are unable to predict cold weather, so sudden drops in temperatures, as we have experienced, can damage native plants that would otherwise be robust in all weathers. Over the past month the sharp-eyed amongst us may have noticed stinging nettles and red campion frosted in the countryside. The price paid for luxuriant growth during warm weather followed by a sudden cold snap. Of course, these plants will recover, but some garden plants won’t.

Plants are often divided into either ‘hardy’ or ‘tender’. This refers to their cold tolerance. Hardy plants normally withstand temperatures well below freezing whereas the same conditions make tender species curl up and die. The main factor for these differences relates to where they grow naturally. Those from warmer climates never experience a frost, so have no mechanism to avoid it. How do hardy plants survive the freeze? As plants sense cooling conditions, they gradually remove some of the water from their cells. This increases cellular concentrations of dissolved sugars and salts (solutes) and consequently lowers the freezing point, a bit like gritting highways with rock salt to reduce the threat of ice on roads. Many plants also produce an antifreeze protein, which further increases their cold tolerance. Some plants can even undergo supercooling, where the

sap within cells remains liquid at temperatures well below freezing. ‘Hardening off’ is a phrase gardeners use – it means gradually acclimatising plants that have had protection from life outside. This often refers to temperature but is equally important for strengthening the entire plant. The idea is simple, protected plants need to gradually experience cooler conditions before initiating the responses that will safely bring them through cold weather. Gradually placing them in cooler conditions: from heated greenhouse to coldframe, followed by; coldframe with the tops off during the day; tops open partially at night; fully open at night, will prepare plants for outside temperatures. A few sheets of newspaper or horticultural fleece placed over plants provide good protection from spring frosts. If you forget

and your prized plants get frosted you may still have a chance if you’re quick. Wash the frost off with cold water before the direct rays of the sun hits them, it doesn’t always work but sometimes it will save your plants. That said, all plants have their own tolerance limit for cold. Plants from the tropics and sub-tropical regions, which includes many of our summer bedding plants, will never tolerate frost. So don’t be tempted to rush out and plant your summer bedding after an unusually warm spell because, as we have learnt cold weather returns with vengeance. Next time, why do plants have tonguetwisting scientific names? soilvalues.com.

Soil Testing Service Professional laboratory soil tests

• gardeners • landscapers • small holders

Wild昀ower meadows, veg, fruit, 昀ower, new & established gardens.

Fast, accurate & easy to interpret soil report within 7 days

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Home & Garden GARDEN SERVICES

(see also Local Services)

GRASS & BRUSH CUTTING Orchards, paddocks, plantations etc.

ROTAVATING

Rough ground to seed bed

MINI DIGGER/SLEW and high lift DUMPER MOSS PROBLEM Scarifying, spiking & coring

PATIO & PATH CLEANING etc.

Call 01963 237890 24/7

Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotations

amralphlandscaping@gmail.com Tel: 01747 850544 www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk Mobile: 07921 637227

GREENHOUSES supplied/erected alloy/ten colours spares-repairs-glass Chris Abrams 01258 452632

DORSET RURAL GARDENING Regular lawnmowing service, maintenance or single tidy up. Please contact 07787 544626

TREE SERVICES

GARDEN RESCUE TEL 01747 821 726

TJ Allard Tree Surgery

Professional tree care, 15 years experience NPTC qualified & Fully insured

MALCOLM KELLY. Grass cutting and hedge cutting. All garden maintenance. 01258 817541/07717 368134.

t Felling and removal t Crown reductions & thinning t Specialists in large trees t Tree dismantling & pollarding t Site clearance & mulching t Stump grinding t Fencing t Ground work Tel: 01747 838342 Mob: 07825786449

TREE SERVICES

Treecare Co. Tree Specialists

TREE STUMP REMOVAL Pruning, bracing, shaping. Preservation of mature trees. Hedge cutting. Trees supplied & planted. Landscaping & maintenance. Heavy duty winch hire available. Tree Surgery BS.3998 Contractors to local authorities.

WOOD CHIPPINGS FOR SALE Free Quotes & Advice Tel/Fax: Shafts 853512 Mobile: 07831 262083 Established in 1976

At TreeCare we care...

Tree Tree Surgery. Surgery. Reductions. Reductions. Felling. Felling. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip Woodchip supplies. supplies. Family run business Family run business since since 1946 1946 Tel: Tel: 01963 01963 250005 250005 Mobile: Mobile: 07976 07976 934 934 252 252 www.bandgdown.co.uk

TREEWISE LAWN SCARIFYING Moss and thatch removal. 01747 821 726 SCREENED TOP SOIL FOR SALE - Delivered tel no: 01258 861046 WANTED - garden ornaments, garage clearance and also old tools wanted. Good prices paid, Mere 01747 860637 OLD BYGONES & COLLECTABLES. Rural, garden & agricultural itmes bought & sold. Tim 01725 517268 / 07311 478301

MAN WITH MICRO-DIGGER Garden clearance, patios, fencing, decking, landscaping, driveways. 30+ years’ experience. Contact Ken - 07882 441873 01963 32034 TOPSOIL Always available Barn stored, screened or as-dug. Small or large amounts Tel: 01963 363208 07836 747895 LAWN MOWING SERVICE, Tel 01747 821726

Experts in all aspects of TREE SURGERY, HEDGECUTTING & STUMP REMOVAL NPTC qualified & fully insured No job too small, Friendly, personal advice and free quotations. Make a wise choice and call David Merefield today on 01747 850906 / 07966 522361

North Dorset Tree Surgeons We carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Fully insured and NPTC quali昀ed.

Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional

(Established 1997)

Tree Surgeons

Professional and experienced tree surgery and landscaping services to residential and commercial customers. We also offer a range of equipment for hire. Available 24/7 Free quotations Fully qualified team Full public liability insurance Safe Contractor Approved

Tel: 01747 228484 Mob: 07770 833734 www.valetreesurgeons.com Vale Tree Surgeons Limited, Gillingham SP8 4LX

Experienced

Reliable

WELL ROTTED MANURE, £50 per load within 20 miles of Sherborne, 01963 210269 47

Local Services ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

B.LUCAS

Architectural Services Planning & Building Applications for New Build, Extensions and Conversions

01747 822162

Our advice is always free www.bell-associates.co.uk

Quantity Surveying Estimating Surveying Building Dispute Resolution

01749 813625

Robert Chalke Associates www.rca-qs.com ELECTRICIAN: Small jobs to full rewires. Fusebox upgrades. testing & certification. Prompt, quality service at reasonable rates (no VAT). Call Alan 8am-8pm 07388696147. Email alanaac@me.com

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS swbuildandrenovation@ gmail.com All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786

Damp Control Timber Treatments Dry Rot Condensation Control 30-Year Bonded Guarantee

Tel: Wincanton 01963 202382 Mobile: 07881 504426 Email: maplepres@aol.com www.maplepreservation.co.uk

DORSET WOOD TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS

Oak Timber Framing Bespoke Timber Building Traditional Building Specialist inc All Building WorkGAll aspects of Lime External and Internal Rendering/Plastering/Repointing Lime Crete Flooring Chimney Rebuilds and Repointing

www.dorsetwood.co.uk Contact Dave Welsh 07838 654468

djwelsh@btinternet.com

Davies & Sons – Builders All aspects of building works undertaken Over 20 years of experience FMB Registered since 2002 For a free no obligation quote Call Mark on 07525834551 or Email: davies.mark66@yahoo.com Find us at fmb.org.uk

Search for Davies and Sons or our postcode BA10 0DZ

To book your ad, call Debi on 07714 289409 or email debi.thorne@icloud.com

General builder

25 Years Experience, City & Guilds Qualified Extensions, Renovations, Alterations, New Build, Plastering, Floor and Wall Tiling, Brickwork, Blockwork, Stonework and Patios, Fencing and Decorating.

FREE estimates, No VAT 01747 228827 07809 362919

Steve Guppy Home Maintenance & Improvements

Fully Insured Tel: 01747 590584 Mob: 07812 106 513

ECR Services All types of building and electrical work undertaken Fully qualified New builds Extensions Maintenance Attic conversions including rendering, plastering, paving and tiling Free on site estimates No VAT No job too big or too small

01963 364553 07966 496299 www.ecrservices.co.uk

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS AND PROJECT MANAGERS IN CONSERVATION AND TRADITIONAL BUILDING SPECIALISING IN STRUCTURAL WORKS AND FINE FINISHING

Building trust with quality workmanship

• • • • • • • • •

Masonry and Cob Plastering and Brickworks Façade Cleaning and Paint Removal - Thermatech Oak Framing Roo昀ng including Thatching and Stone Roof Tiling Sash Refurbishment and Joinery Workshop Stone and Wood Flooring Decorating and Interior Finishing Kitchen, Bathroom and Bespoke Fittings

CONSERVATION AND REPAIR OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS

We provide end-to-end communication, budgeting, staffing, organisation and project management to produce a solid, high quality building, every time. Our commercial projects include new construction and repairs or restorations.

Maple Building & Developments

Tel: 01747 832386

We’ll get the job done

enquiry@stswithun.com | www.stswithun.com

Local Services APPLIANCES SALES, REPAIR & INSTALLATION

Jeans Electrical

www.jeanselectrical.co.uk

Jeans of Mere, offer appliance repairs on most brands with fixed labour repair charges (parts on top)

Call 01747 860215

££££££ CASH PAID FOR

WASHING MACHINES

CLEANING, HANDYMAN & GENERAL SERVICES CLEANER Efficient and organised. Satisfaction guaranteed. Refs available. Andrew 07838 377788

AN EXPERIENCED & RELIABLE HANDYMAN call Chris 01258 860826 07413 678076

DEAD OR ALIVE

07761 578482 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS, Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens etc, Call Darren or Jason 07979 976514

BOOK YOUR AD: 07714 289409 (DISPLAY) OR 01963 400186 (CLASSIFIEDS)

SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING Ovens,Ranges, Aga’s, etc. Independent Family Run Business Covering The Blackmore Vale Area

Tel 01935 592461 Mob 07875 272401 www.shinystoves.com

Are you fed up of cleaning after the cleaner? Looking for that something extra? North Dorset Changeovers for your holiday home, from changing a light bulb, offer a unique, bespoke garden maintenance and specialist and renovation, to changeover property PAT Testing your management electrical appliances experience, to those and sourcing hot tub wanting to take cleans! the ‘hassle’ out of NDC can also take letting their holiday care of the linen homes. Kayley Raymond and laundry, as well With Director as offer welcome, special Kayley Raymond at the event packs, including forefront, they have an cream teas, champagne, experienced team, happy and hard working, ensuring roses and more. Tell us what reliability, quality and you need consistency, with an acute and we eye for detail. North Dorset Changeovers will build a package offer a full management around you. and maintenance service

Door hanging & skirting boards Guttering and facia clearing and replacement Fencing Pointing etc...

No job too small Please call with your requirements 01963 364457 07368 516658 dorsethandyman26@gmail.com www.jchandymanservices.com

GUTTERS CLEARED Windows, fascias, soffits,gutters cleaned, repairs, free estimates 07788 376752

Need a little help to manage your holiday let?

J & C Handyman Services

Plumbing Painting & decorating Shed erecting & repairs Flat pack furniture Shelves & curtain rails

HAVE YOUR LAWN CUT, hedges trimmed, strimming and ground clearance done using Stihl’s latest electric equipment. Avoid disturbing wildlife, horses etc. Call David 07786658708

Helping hands with your holiday home... A unique changeover property management and service experience for those wanting to take the ‘hassle’ out of letting their holiday homes. Our reliable team tailor a service to fit your requirements, presenting a beautiful holiday home that is fresh, ready and welcoming for your guests.

We’re here to help you ensure that your guests have many happy returns!

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Get in touch for a free quote... 07960102721 Contact@northdorsetchangeovers.co.uk www.northdorsetchangeovers.co.uk

If Carlsberg did adverts... they’d do New Blackmore Vale adverts. Book yours on 07714 289409 (display) or 01963 400186 (classifieds) 49

Local Services DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY

GARDENING &

Spring a great time for a makeover

FOOTINGS, Driveways, Drains, Bulk Excavation and Farm Tracks. call 07955 808983 SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE, 01258 861647 DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123

John Banham’s

Property Service REFRESHING Bathrooms & Kitchens

Upgrades and Carpentry Decorating services Refreshing sale and rental upgrades Handyman projects Plumbing repairs Tiling services Contact: John Banham

Of昀ce: 01747 838 087 Mobile: 07768 190 131 email: refreshingrenovations@gmail.com

REFURBISH YOUR STAIRS AND JOINERY NO OBLIGATIOND SURVEY AN PRICING

INSTALLATION BY OUR OWN TEAM

New of refurbished stairs using our contemporary glass or quality stop chamfered/ traditional turned newels, spindles, handrails and mouldings. WE ALSO MANUFACTURE BESPOKE DOORS AND WINDOWS

01202 825 555

21 Black Moor Rd, Ebblake Ind Est, Verwood, BH31 6AX

www.briggs-products.co.uk

Blue Tulips have been established for 20 years and have built hundreds of gardens. Greg Whale has decided to now concentrate purely on the design R&W FENCING side. He is offering a hard SERVICES landscaping conceptual design All types of fencing, service covering the whole of agriculture and Dorset. The service covers a free site visit to discuss your domestic thoughts and ideas. He will then 01258 880892 measure the site and note level 07980 036250 changes, converting these into specifications. He also works an outline plan of the plot, closely with a local plantsbefore producing two conceptual designs for you or woman who can provide you your landscaper to build. The with planting plans. Alternatively if you fancy final drawing comes with learning how to design your guidance notes considering own garden with 4 site visits materials, levels and and guidance he also offers these coaching LES BENHAM sessions. Go to PHILIP STIRK Painting services bluetulips.co.uk for full PAINTING, Property details and to book DECORATING & maintenance your free site visit. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE carpentry, wall tiling, guttering, general repairs. Free quotations / No VAT. Tel: 01747 825725 mobile: 07984524446. Email: philipstirk@btinternet.com

Domestic/ commercial Inside or out Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/ 07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co .uk / check a trade

SEMI RETIRED TRADESMAN, property maintenance, exterior painting, small contracts. North Dorset area. Please Phone Hugh 07813 864334 or 07716 959791 General building Extensions/Renovations Loft conversions Oak frame buildings Groundwork/Landscaping All your property needs Tel: 01747 851149 Mobile: 07979 527379 email: alanlewisaml@aol.com

DORSET LIME Specialists in all external and internal lime work. Lime crete flooring. All aspects of traditional building.

Call Dave or Dan 07492 181788

PAINTING & DECORATING Local, Quality Painter & Decorator 35 Years Experience Free Quotes • No VAT Call Richard on

Home: 01258 880670 Mob: 07825 512 627 ‘Your home in safe and capable hands’

Local Services LANDSCAPING (see also Home & Garden)

Machine or Hand-Lay Local Authority Approved ESTABLISHED 1988

All aspects of Surfacing Roads Drives Footpaths Drop Kerbs Resin Bond Drives

For all your fencing and decking needs Closeboard, panels & sheds supplied and fitted. Gates made to measure.

Sherborne Fencing Ltd Tel: 01935 814272 Mobile: 07814246332

ALL IRONWORK Handrails, gates, railings, repairs., restoration. 01258 880301 LOCAL SERVICES CLASSIFIEDS: 01963 400186

D KING & SON Tree and Garden Services, 25 years experience, registered waste carrier, free estimates, all areas covered, no job to small, 07831 091239, david.king63@aol.co.uk

Crown Garden Care Concrete & Floor Screed Mixed On site Any Quantity Delivered

Call for a free quote 01747 820234 The Depot, Longcross, Warminster BA12 6LJ

info@cgtarmac.co.uk

www.cgtarmac.co.uk

Sand Gravel Stone Cement Blocks etc Supplied Loose or in Big Bags Good Quality Top Soil in Stock

Now available... Rockery Stone

Competitive Rates HARGRAVES LANDSCAPE & DEMOLITION Call us now for a free quotation on 07871 327962.

01747 853687 or 01747 855630 www.hardimanconcrete.co.uk

Lawn Service, Fencing, Hedges, Tree Work etc. All Garden Maintenance Services Domestic & Commercial. Fully Insured & Reliable.

Tel: 01747 821726 07904 355 921 Mullins Garden Services

Lawn Mowing Hedge Cutting Strimming Clearances Please enquire on (M) 07585334780 or (H) 01258473502 for a free quote Covering Sturminster Newton and surrounding areas.

Local Services PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAINAGE

LTD

•Boiler Replacement •Boiler Servicing •Gas, Oil & LPG MAINTENANCE GROUP •General Plumbing •Bathrooms Installations, •Landlord Certification servicing and •Solid Fuel Stove maintenance Installation and

Domestic & Commercial

REPLACEMENT TANKS INSTALLATIONS RE-SITING TEMPORARY TANKS EMERGENCY PUMP OUTS BUNDED /SINGLE SKIN METAL TANKS/FUEL STATIONS ABOVE GROUND OR BELOW MOLING SERVICE FOR BELOW GROUND UTILITIES COMMERCIAL BOILER REMOVAL

New bunded tank installed for between £1300 and £1900 +VAT depending on size of tank. All areas. OFTEC Registered

Tel: 01963 363870

24hr Emergency, Leaking Tanks or Oil Spills 07836 502683

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk Phoenix Chimneys

& Property Maintenance Clive Young carries out Chimney Sweeping Solid Fuel Stove Servicing & Repairs All Chimney Work Birdguards & Cowls Repointing & Leadwork

Call 01258 455947

mandy4phoenixchimneys@gmail.com

Servicing

HEATING AND PLUMBING

Bryan G Paulley Ltd FRANKS Oil Tank Services

D&T Plumbing and Heating Oil servicing and repairs, plus all other aspects of plumbing and heating carried out

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WINDOWS & DOORS

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Health & Wellbeing

A walk around... IBBERTON This is a relatively short walk of about three miles, but parts are steep and rugged so be appropriately shod. Park in the main street, where it’s wide enough not to be a nuisance, and make your way south to a junction, then east, passing the pub. After a while you’ll see a sign directing you to the church via a halter path. It’s rather steep and must make it difficult for the elderly and infirm to attend services. The church is on a levelled (more or less) area half way up the hill with a good view 56

over the village and Vale. Instead of being aligned east to west as churches normally have been for well over 1,000 years, it’s at about 66 degrees. Strange. After this the going gets rough up a rugged sunken track for a short distance until it meets the road. Here you turn left and follow the hollow way uphill until you get to the cross roads at the top. Turn left and head north for a mile. The views over the Vale are stupendous. You’ll pass several rights of way on your left offering a shortcut back to the village, but I wouldn’t recommend them unless you fancy

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade rolling downhill. parish. At a junction turn This can make you very right, west, through Leigh giddy: I think they call it a then, at a cross roads turn ‘legal high’. left and head south east back About halfway down the hill to your car, possibly buying you’ll be entering the next eggs or marmalade en route. parish, but David Stanton IAC ICPT ISOCS ISSUP don’t worry, Senior Psychotherapist/Counsellor. Trainer and Mental Health Consultant. you don’t Individual and Group face to face sessions; also via video need a on WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger and Zoom. Clinical Supervisor to other Health Care workers. passport. Counselling for Individuals, Groups, Couples, Children, When it Adolescents and Families. 40+ years experience. Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self Esteem, Relationship problems, levels out Family Dynamics, Bereavement, Eating Disorders, you’ll be at Substance/Alcohol Abuse, Addictions. Isolation, Loneliness, PTSD, Bi-Polar, OCD, Sexual/Physical Abuse, Belchalwell Self Harming, Death Anxiety, Sex Issues. Lack of Meaning & Purpose, Anger, Phobias, Gender, Sexuality. Street. Turn Social Justice. Con昀ict Resolution. Crisis Management. left at the Available for Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Workshops, Retreats, Seminars, Training and Talks. crossroads Emotional Intelligence and Awareness Educator and head to all Education Establishments and Businesses. south west CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED Please contact through the websites for half a www.tatvacenter.com mile back www.edas-addictionservices.com or telephone - David 07 584 711 488 into Ibberton

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: In search of the rare Pasqueflower Today, I am on my annual pilgrimage to pay homage to the rare and endangered Pasqueflower that I have only encountered a handful of times. Like many British species, it clings precariously to the margins between agriculture and wilderness. Now on the IUCN red list of endangered species for the UK, this wild pulsatilla is only found on a few chalk and limestone grasslands. And so, my quest brings me to the Cranborne Chase; a high chalk plateau that provides a wide expanse of sky affording views over the Blackmore Vale, the Dorset Downs and Salisbury Plain. It is a place I come to when I need to find air and space. Just like being by the sea, my eyes are drawn to far horizons, allowing my thoughts to fly as freely as the buzzards and red kites that climb on the thermals. Although it remains a sparsely populated region today, there are signs of human habitation that date back to Neolithic times. Numerous barrows,

henges, hill forts and even a Roman dyke, give it a mysterious atmosphere especially first thing in the morning when the mist shrouds the valleys below. I often get a strong sense of passing through time in this landscape when I contemplate the many civilisations that have gone before; all just moments in the long history of our planet. There is much wildlife to be enjoyed here; hares and fallow deer in the winter and summer migrants such as turtle doves, cuckoos, and hobbies. But what I cherish the most are the wildflowers and butterflies of

spring and summer. Pasqueflowers normally bloom around Easter, befitting their other name of ‘anemone of Passiontide’, but they are late this year. As I find my way to their hiding place, I am relieved and thrilled to see them in full bloom. Lying prostrate to study the bell-shaped, deep purple petals and the bright yellow club-like stamens, I find myself temporarily lost in a face of vivid colours. Legend has it that the Pasqueflower flourishes on the spilt blood of Romans and Danes given its tendency to thrive on the undisturbed earth of ancient barrows. Mission accomplished, my attention turns to the birds; the deep raspy call of a raven warding-off a red kite, a newly

HEALTH & WELLBEING

PODIATRY CLINIC ST EDMUNDS Burton Street, Marnhull DT10 1PS NEW CLINIC

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arrived wheatear, and a flock of linnets. Satisfied, I set for home, glad that I have reacquainted myself with this astonishing plant. Dr Susie Curtin curtin.susanna@gmail.com Nature writer and qualitative researcher rewildingjourneys.com

WOULD LIKE TO MEET Martin 63 meet lady 45-70 at Swan, Sturminster Newton every Saturday in May Male, 72 Seeks cuddly sized lady 60-70 for friendship & LTR. 07516 712808

HEALTH & WELLBEING ADELE CLINCH, BSC, HCPC, registered chiropodist/ podiatrist. 01935 812231 Home visits in NW Dorset Sherborne sherbornepodiatry.com

NATURAL PAIN RELIEF therapist in Gillingham. Bio resonance scan and atments.clinical reflexology & baby/ toddler reflexology.T: 01747 826931 yvonne@intelligenthealthclinic.co.uk

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| www.acnorthdorset.org.uk 57

Health & Wellbeing

Time to cast a clout now heart-strengthening may is out! Hawthorn is one of the most researched and important herbs we have. It has been used for centuries by the Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Native Americans as well as western herbalists. Known as the May tree, the hawthorn leaves come out first (the fresh green leaves we see just starting in hedgerows) and is then followed by small white or sometimes pinkish flowers. The expression “cast ne’er a clout ‘til May is out”, is believed to be “don’t take your winter clothes off until the may is out.” The blossoms and green tops were called “bread and cheese” and can be eaten, but bringing flowering hawthorn into the house is believed to be bad luck – this is probably because the flowers contain trimethylamine, which is one of the first products formed when animal tissues start to decay. Once well out, the flowers give off this scent which attracts flies to pollinate it. It heralds in the

summer, it is a pagan symbol of fertility and in folklore, sitting under the ‘hag-thorn’ as it was known, meant that you may be abducted by fairies. Hawthorn has been well researched for its amazing ability to strengthen and regulate the heart. It actually does much more than that, but if there is any mention of high (or low) blood pressure, angina, irregular heart beat, arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, or the fluid build up suggestive of congestive heart failure, a herbalist will

automatically think hawthorn. As it improves the flow of blood around the body, so it improves circulation and helps with breathing. You use the flowering tops (just as they are about to open) in May and the berries in the autumn and you can make your own tincture by harvesting both. For now, pick as many flowering tops as you can

(remembering, if you believe in folklore, to ask the fairies first). Give them a good shake to get rid of any bugs, allowing them to sit in a colander for half an hour. Then put into a big jar and pour vodka or brandy over them. Cover them completely. Put on a lid, LABEL and then pop it into a dark cupboard. Try to give it a shake once a week. This keeps until autumn when you add the berries. There is much to say about hawthorn so I will come back to it, but to get a really good tincture you need to think about it now. A word of caution, do not take hawthorn if on heart medication without seeing a qualified herbalist first. pellyfiona@gmail.com

Fiona Chapman is studying naturopathy and herbal medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine

We must talk about men’s depression Earlier this week I spoke to Mark, a friend and unofficial spokesman for men’s depression. He sets off soon on the next leg of his challenge to sail round Britain, visiting every single harbourmaster. Why, you might well ask? Well, partly why not and partly to raise awareness of men’s mental health. Also to support the Seafarer’s Charity. Regular readers of this magazine may well remember an article about Mark’s harbour master sailing challenge. We talked about depression, in particular, postnatal depression for men. I admit, until our conversation I didn’t know about this but it is not uncommon. So, here are some facts in case this is 58

affecting you or someone you know: n 1st time fathers are more vulnerable n It is more likely for the father to suffer if the mother is experiencing postnatal depression as well n Younger fathers (25 or younger) are more vulnerable n Symptoms can include, amongst others, confusion, fear, anger, withdrawing from family and friends, indecisiveness, insomnia, indigestion, headaches, feeling on the edge, unable to concentrate, change in appetite There are many different forms of depression, some more acute than others. Men are more likely to see their doctor because of the

physical symptoms than the emotional ones but both need to be taken just as seriously. Whilst women with depression are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to die by suicide because they tend to use more lethal methods. I’m sure, like me, you find that last fact particularly shocking and just horribly sad but I include it because I think men, perhaps society as a whole, still tend to brush mental health under the carpet a bit, particularly men’s mental health. Mark is fantastically honest about his experiences of postnatal depression and how he managed it and continues to live with it. His best advice which he kept coming back to was if

you feel you are suffering from this or any other form of depression, talk to your GP. They are trained, experienced and have the tools and medical support to help. Mark also pointed out he had been very open with his children as soon as they were old enough about his depression. One day, they might spot a friend suffering too and that previous knowledge could be invaluable. More evidence that the more we start talking to each other the better. n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based just outside Sherborne. 07961 080513 alicejohnsen.co.uk

MPs’ Round-up

This week, as elections are looming, we asked our MPs some fun questions – no politics allowed! Two of them obliged.

I can balance just about anything on my chin... What’s your earliest memory? I have a lasting memory, burnt into my mind, of eating a breakfast of baby food in the back of our old Austin A35. Parked in a layby, my parents had woken me on the (then) long, overnight journey to Somerset for our summer holiday. It was as exciting then to be heading to Somerset as it still is, returning each week from Westminster. What was your first job? I had so many jobs in my youth, but I think the first one was as a paperboy. My round was early in the morning, collecting the papers on my bike and then cycling as quickly as possible to get it done before spinning off to school. Lovely in the summer, but dark and cold winters were grim.

Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton What was your first pet? We had an enormous white rabbit called Lottie. She lived until a great age and was (almost always safely) housetrained. What were you like at school? At primary school I was diligent and enthusiastic, but my parents had rather a messy divorce which sent

life a bit awry in secondary school. I found myself in trouble fairly frequently and perhaps overenthusiastically enjoyed myself. It was a long road back up. Was anyone surprised when you became an MP? Most of my friends. Do you have any hobbies? Playing the piano is something I cannot do without. And reading. It is possible to do both simultaneously. Do you have a party trick? I can balance just about anything on my chin. Chairs, tables, you name it. It’s not yet proved useful. What’s your favourite record? And the first you ever bought? This is incredibly difficult. There’s so much music that is important. But I can’t go more than a week or so without listening to

something from Andras Schiff’s luminous 1980s recording of Bach’s WellTempered Clavier Book 2. And the first album I bought was Led Zeppelin II, which I still enjoy… What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever been asked to do as an MP? Too many to list. Refereeing a mud-wrestling contest was quite an experience, but joining scores of naked people to open NudeFest, the largest naturist gathering in the UK and held near Langport, was eye opening, believe me. My clothes remained on. What would your superpower be? Instant travelling. Dispensing with the journey from Somerset each week or the occasional challenge of airports (which I despise), would be a joy.

I was probably a nauseating swot! What’s your earliest memory? Planting parsley seeds with my paternal grandfather. He was a very keen gardener and I think this is where I discovered my love of gardening What was your first job? For our family business which was all about the recycling of oil. We were very environmentally aware even then What was your first pet? A wonderful grey and white rabbit called Benny. We’ve always had pets and a house doesn’t feel like a home without something non-

MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare human to look after What were you like at school? Bookish, non-sporty and, in all honestly, probably a

nauseating swot Was anyone surprised when you became an MP? Me Do you have any hobbies? I’m really tempted to say ‘my children’ as I really do adore doing things with them. Do you have a party trick? No What’s your favourite record? And the first you ever bought? I’ve never owned a record player so have never purchased a record. The first cassette I bought was Handel’s Water and Firework Music (told you I

was a swot). I love it and my wife and I left the church after our wedding to With Trumpets & Harps. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever been asked to do as an MP? Decency prevents me from saying what it was but suffice to say it would have been uncomfortable, anatomically challenging and possibly illegal in some countries What would your superpower be? Hindsight (for use at the time decisions were taken rather than subsequent to).

CONTACT YOUR MP: LOOK THEM UP AT members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP 59

Arts & Entertainment

It’s only tools and horses for ace sculp A super talented sculptor has unveiled his latest creation in Stur. Martin Galbavy uses scrap metal and old tools to create the most gorgeous sculptures. His horse’s head sculpture has been purchased by Martin Jones, who has kindly loaned it to The Exchange in Sturminster Newton to replace the Elizabeth Frink sculpture that was previously displayed there. Martin’s glorious creations incorporate tons of scrap metal, including horseshoes, springs, chains and oddments. The results are dynamic, startling and lovely. He said: “I like to think I make beautiful sculptures from discarded items that people no longer have a use

PRECIOUS METAL: Martin with the spectacular piece now on show near the Exchange and, right, a cockerel he created

for. However, if I am completing a commission it’s nice to be able to use items that have a sentimental connection to the client.” His work is being sold through Elm Yard Gallery,

Flying Geese Gallery

OPEN AGAIN!

Thurs-Sat 10-4.30pm, Sun 1-4.30pm

Come in to enjoy the Antiques/vintage collection Relax in the Barn Café to enjoy the countryside views

Flying Geese Gallery Pleck, Hazelbury Bryan DT10 2EG

sister company of Dorset Forge and Fabrication in North Wootton, where he works. He is best known for his six-metre WW1 soldier ‘The Haunting’ which was featured in local and national

news and press. His work has recently featured in Quest’s Scrap Kings programme several times and other work is available to view during Dorset Arts Week at the gallery.

Gallery Q&A Sue Coke from the Flying Geese answers our questions. How did the Flying Geese Gallery come about? I’ve always loved quilts and after visiting my daughter Primrose in Tennessee my returning suitcase was full of beautiful hand-crafted quilts! I had just retired and needed a project. Quilts show the ingenuity and flair of women with little fabric and materials, many are made up of shirts, dresses even ties, all stitched with love and memories. On the farm we have an original cow stalls building, and I had the idea of displaying the quilts from the roof trusses like in a medieval banqueting hall with their displays of heraldic banners. Visitors say the building brings back memories seeing cows tied up for the milking, the churns left at the side of the road ready for Sturminster Creamery. Is there anything else for sale? I have a lifelong passion for antiques, vintage and collectibles. Friends and locals have provided

me with an eclectic mix of items, toys, clothing, textiles and occasionally a treasured quilt. When did the café arrive? I wanted to provide refreshments for Dorset Art Weeks in 2016. Petra and her sister Annette offered to step in; I acquired a vintage 1973 caravan called Nellie, sited her in the hay barn and the café was born. Visitors love the setting; they can sit and enjoy the views with delicious home-made refreshments. It is peaceful and quiet and has been a safe haven in recent times. We will be taking part in Dorset Art Weeks at the end of May. What inspired the name? A trio of geese live on the farm and I love the quilting pattern called ‘flying geese’, a series of triangles flying in formation.

Arts & Entertainment

ptor and his latest metal masterpieces

NOW OPEN

CYGNET GALLERY The Creative Heart of Shaftesbury Where established and new artists exhibit their work

Open: 10.00am – 4.30pm Cygnet Gallery Swans Yard, Shaftesbury SP7 8JQ www.thecygnet.org.uk The Cygnet Gallery is a Swans Trust Project. Charity no. 1063757

Fab art trail starts tomorrow Wylye Valley Art Trail will be held from May 1-9 between 10.30am and 5.30pm each day. The trail features a rich seam of talent, with many artists of international standing living in the upper Nadder Valley and especially the East Knoyle area. The Summerleaze Gallery is opening its doors on May 1 for the WVAT with an exhibition showing the pictures of five of the most talented painters in the locality. Anthony Connolly RP is principally a portrait painter but will be showing his still life and beautiful flower paintings, Tom

Hoar, his vigorous landscapes both in oil and watercolour, Paul MacDermot, ethereal landscapes in oil and tempera, Lucy Portman, her evocative oils of largely coastal scenes and Tim Scott Bolton, mainly local landscapes painted during lockdown. They are joined by jeweller Issi Bullock, with her individually cast pieces direct from nature. Tim Scott Bolton from the gallery said: “We are lucky here at Summerleaze, we have several spacious galleries and social distancing will be no problem.” 61

Arts & Entertainment

Founder’s relative backs £23m plans An impassioned speech to South Somerset District Councillors by the great grandson of businessman and philanthropist W Stanley Johnson, the founder of what is now the Octagon Theatre, highlighted the importance of the arts and gave the council’s £23million plan to turn the centre into a flagship cultural venue his endorsement on behalf of his family. Adam Dunseath said: “I am delighted to support this project and endorse it on behalf of my family. My great grandfather did so much to ensure the people of Yeovil and the surrounding area had access to excellent cultural and sporting facilities, so I wanted to play my part in the development that will bring happiness and

wonderful opportunities for generations to come.” Stanley Johnson founded the Johnson Hall 1974, who gifted £40,000 towards the building of the hall in 1950. Adam Burgan, Arts and Entertainment Venues Manager, said: “We know

how much The Octagon means to our audiences and artists and we can also see the huge potential for developing the theatre to bring bigger and better shows and provide opportunities for everyone to benefit from the arts and

entertainment. After what has been a very bleak time for theatre and live entertainment the future looks very bright and incredibly exciting.” The project will increase the seating from 622 to 900, become fully accessible and add two boutique spaces along with a cinema, purpose built studios and separate restaurants areas. The Government has pledged £10million and the council hopes to raise £250,000 from its campaign ‘Name A Seat’ and fundraising from The Foyer Club Charity. Funding will also be sought from grant making bodies including recovery grants, Section 106 and Community Investment Levy. Picture: An artist’s impression of the new theatre

PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KI OU NG WEBSR ITE

TE SE NO PL E A

S MASTK BE MUS RN WO

SIMON EVANS:

The Work of the Devil

Wed 19th May, 8pm Tickets £16.00 (over 16s only)