The New Blackmore Vale Magazine by The Blackmore Vale Limited

Edition 12

w e n he

Friday, March 5, 2021

Blackmore Vale

Fortnightly

FREE FANTAST-TECH: Gracie-Mae Barnett from Sherborne, 10, who attends St Andrew’s in Yetminster, is delighted at the success of a campaign to provide laptops for kids in the SAST group of schools (laptop model’s own)

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Picture: Gemma Leanne’s Photography gemmaleannes photography@ gmail.com

Laptop campaign reaches nearly £43k in four weeks “Our town has really put its children at its heart,” said Ian Bartle, headteacher of Sherborne Primary School after an ambitious crusade to gift a laptop to every child

who needs one raised a staggering £42,881. Up to a million children UK schoolchildren are struggling with lessons at home because they are unable to access the

technology needed and children in North Dorset are not immune. The Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles launched a gofundme campaign to

gift a laptop to every child in the Sherborne area who needed one to learn at home during lockdown and beyond. n Continued on back page

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 Obituaries

30-33 57-59 40-41 70-73 66 54 82 84-89 83 37-39 53-55 42-46 6, 28 34-36 47-62 n The day our pub caught fire: P15 n Dinosaurs go missing in village: P19 67-69 n Sporting history of the mighty Zebras, in black and white: P80-81 62-63 Pets 64-65 Puzzles 60-61, 64-65 29 Property 90-95 Recruitment 74-77 Public Notices 28 Sport 78-80

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: 07876 563683

Contact Us Advertising: adverts@blackmorevale.net Editorial: newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Postal enquiries to: The New Blackmore Vale, 3 Alfred’s Way, Wincanton, BA9 9RU

Karen Bate

Sharon Evans

News editor

Classified adverts

karen.bate@ blackmorevale.net

classified@ blackmorevale.net Tel: 01963 400186

Classified and private ads: DEADLINES classified@blackmorevale.net, The deadline for the next 01963 400186 edition will be Friday, or online at blackmorevale.net March 12 as usual, but for the edition due out on Letters: Good Friday the deadline newsdesk@blackmorevale.net will be Thursday, March 25 to accommodate the News stories: bank holiday. Our offices newsdesk@blackmorevale.net will be shut on Good Friday and Easter Sport stories: Monday. sport@blackmorevale.net

Steve Keenan

Reporter sport@blackmorevale.net Tel: 07940 143223 Ruth Armishaw

Commercial manager newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

Family ‘overwhelmed’ with kindness By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Tiffany and Rupert Ransome say they have been ‘overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers’ after the New Blackmore Vale highlighted their plight of losing their East Stour home in just 13 days on March 18. Since covering their story in our last edition, the familyof-five have been offered a deposit, a bungalow in Gillingham and even the chance to share the home of a disabled veteran. And they have been offered first refusal on a house in Gillingham. Tiffany said: “I cannot believe the kindness so many strangers have shown. One lady called Linda, rang me and wanted to help financially – she is a remarkable, generous and wonderful lady and I cannot

believe she would help us in Dorset Council housing list this way without even too, but again, there is a knowing us. She told me she bidding process and a understood how painful our priority list, and we have not situation is and wanted to been deemed as an help after her daughter found emergency.” herself in a similar position. I In the last 12 months Dorset burst into tears after talking Council has let 163 properties to Linda. in the North Dorset area. In “Just when I thought the North Dorset, 29 households world was a terrible, dark are in the Emergency band, place, strangers are showing 156 in Gold, 393 in Silver amazing generosity. and 589 in Bronze. Of these “Our situation is not about 74 households who would money, my partner has a like to live in Stalbridge, two secure job in Stalbridge households are in the where he has worked for ACCOMMODATION SOUGHT 15 years, but it is the lack Young 62 year old male self employed Senior Mental Health professional and Auxiliary Nurse. Ex-farmer. of privately Honest, reliable, responsible, polite, rented homes tidy and respectful. Own transport. and the Looking for self contained/catering accommodation bidding for min 6 months in BV area, preferably furnished. Would be happy to help someone part time (shopping, process driving, gardening, odd jobs, house keeper/pet sitter, operated by carer, companion etc) in exchange for reduced rent. letting Will consider all offers. Excellent references. agents. We Please phone David 07584 711488 or email stantondavid@hotmail.co.uk are on the

Emergency band, nine in Gold, 18 in Silver and 45 in Bronze. Dorset Council is advising any households at risk of becoming homeless to contact them via dorsetcouncil .gov.uk/housing/homelessness /at-risk-of-becominghomeless.aspx#Contact The family are seeking a three-bed house, ideally close to Stalbridge. If you can help contact karen.bate@blackmorevale.net WANTED: BUNGALOW OR HOUSE TO RENT Elderly couple wish to rent bungalow or house within a radius of 10 miles of Castle Cary (countryside), such as Evercreech, Bruton, etc Call 01373 813091

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Homeworkers driving up house prices in the county By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

An influx of homeworkers and retirees moving to Dorset is driving up house prices and rapidly diminishing opportunities for locals to buy. The majority of new build sales in the county are to those aged 55-64 from outside Dorset who can afford to buy, says a report from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). The buyers are mostly from the south of England and Midlands but there is also a new wave of buyers: wealthy families from London who want to go rural. The CPRE says four in 10 UK home buyers are considering a move from the city. Indeed, Dorset has seen a 50% increase in house sales since last June, say estate agents

Savills – with sales of houses worth more than £1m doubling in a year. More than half of buyers were relocating to Dorset, with 19% from London and 16% from Hampshire and Surrey. “Lifestyle relocation remains a big theme as people reassess their work-life balance. More than ever, buyers want somewhere with greater space, a large garden, good schools and countryside,” said Savills’ Ashley Rawlings. The rush to live in Dorset comes at a time when the county’s workforce has been hit hard by covid-19. The number of benefit claimants in Dorset has risen from 6,085 in Jan 2020 to 8,945 a year later. The average wage in Dorset is also just £23,267 but house prices are rising fast. In March 2020, the average house price in England was £248,000 but in Dorset it was £285,000, with new build houses averaging £325,000. The Dorset Local Enterprise Programme (LEP) says that, in its view, an average Dorset income struggles with the affordability of buying a house, as the mortgage multiples are out of reach.

Dorset Council’s Local Plan, currently being debated, acknowledges a shortage of affordable housing is seeing radical changes to the county. The Plan states: “These high house prices, combined with a reliance on low wage economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture, create a high level of affordable housing need. “They also contribute to the out-migration of younger people which, combined with an in-migration of older people, results in an ageing population and often makes it difficult for local people to buy or rent houses locally. “From 2007- 2017 Dorset saw a net loss of 15-19 year-olds to other parts of the UK, with net gains mostly among those aged 30+. However, the highest gain was in those aged over 65.” According to the CPRE, in the decade to 2018 only 17% of affordable houses were built by housing associations or local authorities – the rest were built by commercial developers. This is another area of concern, as the CPRE points out that developers always

promise a proportion of new builds will be affordable homes – often 30%-40% – but then cut figures, blaming costs and cuts to their profit margin. The first 90 Taylor Wimpey homes in the Gillingham southern extension currently only designate 20% as affordable. In Shaftesbury, Redrow was last week accused of failing to honour agreements on its new estate at Littledown, while trying to add 41 homes to its original plan for 170. Dorset Council is asking residents to give their opinions on housing, including second home ownership. It concludes: “We have undertaken some analysis of our need for the tenure of affordable housing which looked into what Dorset residents could afford, compared to the costs to either purchase or rent homes in the Dorset Council area. “It showed that although some residents could afford to purchase homes, there is a proportion who cannot.” n Local Plan reaction: P20, 21

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A landmark court case against credit checker Experian which could see almost every adult receive £750 from a share of £34.5bn damages has been brought by a mother-of-four from Gillingham. IT company director Liz Williams, 58, answered an appeal issued by law firm Harcus Parker, wanting potential claimants to come forward as a representative for the case. Ms Williams filed a writ for £750 at the High Court and if successful, it could mean the company owes the same amount to the 46 million adults in

England and Wales of whom it holds data, which amounts to 95 per cent of the population. The writ accuses Experian of collecting people’s data from a variety of sources and then selling it to third parties, and building inaccurate financial profiles, which can affect credit decisions. It’s claimed Experian stores information including which supermarket they may use or newspaper they read. Ms Williams said she had no idea her report contained information which revealed what she and others were doing

online and was being sold on. She said ‘legal levers’ were needed as penalties for bad behaviour. Ed Parkes of Harcus Parker said it was hoped the case would “deter” future disrespect of the laws on personal data. In October 2020, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) found the credit company was selling the data onto third parties. The company could be fined £20m. Experian has launched an appeal against the ICO view and did not believe there were “reasonable grounds” for bringing the case.

Groomer Kelly’s final chance of glory By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

She made it! Wincanton dog groomer Kelly Davis reached the final of the BBC1 challenge Pooch Perfect, which aired last night (Thursday, March 4). The show invited 16 professional groomers from across the country to show off their skills and knowledge: three made it to the final. In the semi, Kelly was again named Best in Show, meaning she was adjudged the best trimmer and groomer in each of her three rounds. Kelly lives in Bruton and runs the KD Grooming studio and training centre in Wincanton. And in the semi, she used all her skills honed in 18 years of grooming, “I’m in it to win it,” she said after qualifying for the final.

TOP CLIP: Groomer Kelly Davis is in the final of the BBC’s Pooch Perfect

In the semi, the four contestants had to trim a Bedlington terrier, a dog bred as a ratter with ear tassles, a roached back and eyes that can’t be seen from the front. “I commend you Kelly. Well done,” said judge Colin Taylor of her cut. Kelly also correctly

identified a cross breed puppy as a working cocker spaniel mixed with a beagle. And she rounded off her day temporarily transforming a giant poodle to look like a gorilla, a standard challenge in professional competition. Said Kelly: “I feel as if I have done everything I could

possibly do to prove myself to the judges.” And it worked – “Kelly’s design was something I have never seen before,” said co-judge Verity Hardcastle. Sadly, we went to press before knowing the result. But fingers crossed – and well done Kelly!

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Wincanton and District Gardeners’ Association has reluctantly decided to cancel its shows this year. The committee reviewed its planned scheduled activities for 2021 in response to the covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in the monthly talks being suspended and the Rose & Sweet Pea Show being cancelled. Sadly, it has also been decided to cancel the 2021

Flower Show, scheduled for September 4. Association secretary Gill D’Arcy said: “This was not an easy decision, as it is a very popular event and the pinnacle of our gardening year. “Planning by the committee is undertaken throughout the year and in the current situation this cannot take place. In these uncertain times our association cannot sustain a potential financial

loss, if we were to proceed and subsequently have to cancel. “We can only hope, that as the virus becomes controlled, we will be able to resume some form of normality. This may be able to happen later in the year, in which case we will publicise our events. “Thank you for your support and understanding. “In the meantime, happy gardening and enjoy the summer.”

‘Insulting’ councillors are reprimanded By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Two Shaftesbury Town councillors have been found to have insulted fellow members during debates and have been reprimanded for their behaviour. Councillors Karen Tippins and Peter Yeo faced three Code of Conduct complaints before a Dorset Council subcommittee, which concluded that they had bought the Town Council into disrepute. The pair say they were “picked on” for challenging spending plans, including the funding of a 3G pitch for Shaftesbury Football Club and proposed spending on PPE last April. They also described the complaints as vexatious and trivial, that their treatment has been prejudicial and that councils should expect robust debate. They also say that neither have been invited to sit on council committees. The complaints were that: n Cllr Tippins did not face the screen during a presentation from a visiting speaker, failing to show good manners which reflected negatively on the council. It was decided she should write a letter of apology to the speaker. Cllr Tippins said the seating made it difficult to turn to 6

COMPLAINTS: Karen Tippins and Peter Yeo

the screen and that she wrote “copious notes.” It was a vexatious complaint, she said, both petty and trivial. n Cllr Tippins called a fellow councillor an idiot and thick, and that Cllr Yeo said: “She’s got a point.” Their conduct was described as childish and disrespectful by the investigating officer and the pair were ordered to undertake Code of Conduct training. n Cllr Yeo made an offensive gesture with his hand and swore. Cllr Yeo said his microphone was switched off while defending a “one-way, nonstop defamation” of Cllr Tippins during a hearing of no confidence against her, so he made the gesture to express “his disgust” at the proceedings. He was censured by the committee.

Cllr Mike Parkes, chairman of Dorset Council’s Audit and Governance Hearing sub-committee, said: “Cllr Tippins and Cllr Yeo behaved disrespectfully towards members of the public and towards fellow councillors in public meetings, thereby bringing the council into disrepute.” But the issue is not finished, as far as the councillors are concerned. They have referred the hearing to the Ombudsman, saying due process was not followed and that independent advice was that the investigation was not warranted. Said Cllr Tippins: “This ultimately means that it is the taxpayer who picks up the cost of an expensive series of investigations on events that occurred over a year ago that lasted no more than minutes

and an apology issued six months ago.” Their fight received the backing of Richard Thomas, a former Shaftesbury and North Dorset councillor, who appeared at the hearing as a witness. “We have here two councillors who were properly elected but who have been banned from any committees. There is quite clearly an agenda at work,” he said. In a statement, he added: “My view is that Mrs Tippins, who I know to be a conscientious councillor, is being unfairly victimised. It is hardly surprising, that Mrs Tippins, who is of an emotional temperament, is sometimes stung into intemperate outbursts out of sheer frustration and upset. “Shaftesbury Town Council has to take positive steps to heal the divisions within its council and the key necessary steps to doing that is not only to include both Mrs Tippins and Mr Yeo in standing committees but to be mature enough to understand that means they cannot expect either member to agree with them always on everything. Disagreement and challenge is not only healthy and necessary, it is democracy.”

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

An Italian woman is appealing for help in piecing together the story of her grandfather, a prisoner-ofwar near Shaftesbury in the Second World War. Vittorio Cortelletti was 32 and a soldier in the Italian Army when he was captured in Sicily in 1943 and shipped to England. He ended up as a PoW in 47 Camp, a barracks in the grounds of Motcombe House. The house had been bought by local businessman Charles Prideaux in 1929 to save it from demolition, but he never lived there. The purpose-built camp opened in 1942, and for three years it housed Italian PoWs in 30 huts. Now Dora Nevi, the granddaughter of Vittorio, is appealing through the Shaftesbury page on Facebook for any details which could shed light on his internment in North Dorset. “I write from a small town near Rome,” she posted. “My partner and I are trying to reconstruct the whole story of our grandfather. His name was Vittorio Cortelletti (in the photo in the green circle) born on 18 July, 1911, in Mahovliani, a city of the former Yugoslavia which is today Bosnia. “He left as a soldier from Italy and then was captured in Canalicchio in Sicily, probably by the Allied forces, after the armistice of 8 September 8 1943 and was taken to a prison camp: 47 PoW Camp Motcombe Park Camp, Shaftesbury Dorset.” Dora says he died in Italy in 1996. It is likely he was

WARTIME STORY: Vittorio Cortellitti, circled, was held as a Prisoner of War in the grounds of Motcombe House. Now his granddaughter is appealing for information about his life

Help Dora explore the history of her PoW grandfather repatriated to Italy in late 1945, when the camp was given over to Germans. While there were up to 800 prisoners at Motcombe at

any one stage, it was also base camp to 12 ‘hostel’ camps across Dorset, which were semi-autonomous and provided labour for farms.

Records show that as of December 1947, there were 560 Germans in Motcombe camp, which a visiting officer described as “extremely well-appointed,” with a further 1,400 German PoWs in the satellite camps. Nationally, there were 400,000 German PoWs in camps across Britain in 1946, when they contributed 20% of all farm work. Repatriation of German PoWs began in September 1946, and all were home by 1948, bar 25,000 Germans who opted to stay in Britain. The request from Dora for information about her grandfather has elicited many responses from the Shaftesbury area, recalling PoWs working on farms, including Bittles Green Farm in Motcombe, Whitings Farm in Guys Marsh and farms in Berwick St John. Italian PoWs also worked in the milk factory at Okeford Fitzpaine and United Dairies in Semley. Helen Ritson posted in response: “Hi Dora, wishing you the best of luck with your research. I recently inherited a few sentimental items from my grandmother, including a ring that was made for her by an Italian PoW who worked on her farm in Stour Row. It’s such a lovely thing to have.” Motcombe House became Port Regis school, which leased the house and 150 acres in 1947-48. The prison huts were removed in 1962 and the Prideaux family sold the freehold to the school in 1972. nSee Facebook.com /groups/shaftesburydorset – search for Dora Nevi.

Holiday firm’s £1 pledge to help county’s community A tourism boom in the wake of the government announcing its covid-19 roadmap will bring a dividend to Dorset Community Foundation thanks to a holiday firm’s generosity. Original Cottages has pledged £1 from every booking until the end of March to community foundations across the

country. In Dorset it will be donating the funds to Dorset Community Foundation. Gemma Davenport, brand manager for Original Cottages in Dorset, said: “It has been so busy, we have seen recordbreaking numbers ever since the announcement. People are just so desperate to get away and so many

people are heading to Dorset.” Dorset Community Foundation Director Grant Robson said: “We are very thankful for this gesture from Original Cottages and it is good to know that they are not only helping the voluntary sector but making a real contribution to the county’s economy.” 7

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A three-day judicial review of the government’s decision to approve a road tunnel near Stonehenge is set to start on June 23 until June 25. The three-day hearing will be held at the High Court in London. Transport secretary Grant Shapps approved the £1.7bn road scheme for the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down in November 2020 despite the reservations of planning officials. The Planning Inspectorate had recommended the transport secretary refused consent, warning it would cause ‘permanent, irreversible harm’ to the World Heritage site.

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Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) is challenging the decision and believes it will have a detrimental impact on the ancient site. The project, expected to take five years to complete, is scheduled to get under way in 2023.

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VISITORS WELCOME: South Somerset Visitor Information Centre provides visitors with advice and a gift shop at the popular picnic site on the A303

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to covid, but the wait has been worth it for such fantastic news. “After such a busy and successful year in 2019-2020 who could have envisaged what was in store for 202021, but the team are busy working behind the scenes to ensure the information centre and gift shop will be well stocked for as soon as the lockdown is lifted.” John Clark, portfolio holder for Economic Development, said, “It has been an exceptionally difficult 12 months for our tourism businesses, but when circumstances allow South Somerset is in a great position to benefit from the expected increase in staycations.” South Somerset Tourism are proud to be sponsoring the important Accessible and Inclusive Award at this year’s event. The team will discover if they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze at the online Awards Day on March 18.

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Prayers answered as church work proceeds By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Conservation works and repairs taking place behind the scaffolding at Holnest Church near Sherborne are taking shape, answering the parishioners’ prayers. Funds amounting to £125,000 have flooded in from the National Lottery, local charities, organisations and the Sherborne community for the Mend and Make Good project to repair the chancel roof, church windows and repoint the masonry, which are progressing apace. However, during the scheme of repairs on the Grade 1 Listed building, several expensive and extensive surprises were revealed. After the careful removal of the tiles, contractors found several chancel roof trusses and the wall plate were in a

WORK IN PROGRESS: Holnest Church near Sherborne

much poorer condition than originally thought and the north slope was close to a state of collapse. Closer inspection of the church tower revealed the fourth quoin was in a very fragile condition and in danger of collapse onto the church porch. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) took advice from the architect and a structural engineer to agree workable solutions. Now the south-east quoin, in

accordance with permissions obtained from Salisbury Diocese, is being rebuilt using stone sourced from a local quarry and expertly tooled, positioned and secured by skilled stonemasons. So, given the additional repairs and building works needed, coupled with covid-19 restrictions, the cold spell with its plunging temperatures and increased costs, it is little surprise the work has been delayed. The PCC are expecting to re-open the church towards the end of May, but the church yard is open for those who want to visit loved ones. Churchwarden Jenny Hunnisett (Holnest PCC) said: “We are really pleased with the good progress being made on the repair and conservation

works at the church and thrilled to have received so much interest and support for the ‘Mend and Make Good’ project, thanks to National Lottery players and thanks to local charities and organisations and supporters within the community, who have contributed towards funding the project. “Holnest Church is the only public building in a village with no shop, school or public house. It serves as an important hub in this rural environment. “This project provides an opportunity for our community, which extends well beyond our parish boundary.” “Holnest PCC is extremely grateful for the generosity of all its supporters over many years, they have collectively enabled this project to proceed.” Jenny added: “Unfortunately, due to covid-19 the final push to fully fund the project and to raise funds for the additional costs has been severely hampered by the cancellation of planned fundraising events and little chance of planning new event in the near future. “Therefore, the PCC continues to be open to receive donations.”

... here’s how you can help Holnest Church is a Grade 1 listed building dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The church boasts unusual architectural features including an original 13th century font, a stone porch dating back to 1650, a sixsided Jacobean pulpit and Georgian box pews. To date the PCC has received financial support from Dorset Historic Churches Trust £10,000, Erskine Muton Trust £10,000, local Whist Drives £7,000 and the Friends of Holnest Church £5,000. These generous donations put the PCC in a very strong position to apply for further 10

funding and from the National Lottery Heritage fund, successfully securing £74,500 and a further £14,500. The Friends of Holnest Church have also pledged a further contribution towards the additional costs. If anyone would like to donate towards the church repairs please get in touch with churchwarden Jenny Hunnisett on 01963 210562 or email jenny7keith @btinternet.com or the PCC treasurer, Ben Lane, White Hart Lodge, Holnest Park, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6HA or email ben.lane289 @gmail.com.

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Scheme to extend station & railway on the right track By Nicci Brown newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

The Phase 1 Planning Application for the extension of the Shillingstone Station and railway to Bere Marsh is now available to view online. The application by North Dorset Railway for engineering and landscaping works and the relaying of track, along with enhancements to the trailway, can be found in the North Dorset section of the council’s website at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ planning or at the Dorset

Council offices, during normal working hours, reference P/FUL/2020/0044, with a closing date for comments of March 3. The application was filed in December but a backlog of applications at Dorset Council delayed its validation, and NDR say that liaising with council representatives has presented some challenges, since the council’s capacity has been severely reduced during a period of major reorganisation and the overwhelming effects of covid-19 on their staff and ways of working.

TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE: Lamb house bridge, which will carry the extended railtrack towards Bere Marsh

NDR chairman David Caddy said he hoped people would look at the application, which includes the results of the various studies and assessments prepared by NDR’s planning and development committee

in a complex process. “We are very fortunate to have retired civil engineers on our volunteer team along with a retired planning officer, and have benefitted enormously from their professional expertise in

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EXTENSION PLANS; Looking towards Bere Marsh from the end of the current station site

JUST THE TICKET: Shillingstone station

bringing this application to fruition. I would like to emphasise that most of what you see and read in the application, including reports, plans and diagrams, has been completed by NDR

they hope to receive a decision on the planning application by early summer. Preparatory discussions have been held with the council regarding the necessary extension to

volunteers and add my personal thanks to all those involved.” Subject to the outcome of this consultation period, and the planning officer’s assessment of the proposals,

NDR’s lease which requires planning approval before it can proceed further. Agreement for both will enable them to start preparatory site work soon after.

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Village pub owners have taken advantage of the lockdown downtime and have been going through their memories. Barbara Cossins, owner of the 17th century family pub The Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton, found these pictures of the huge fire which ravaged her pub in 2004. She said: “It is a time for us to look back and reflect at The Langton Arms this week. On March 2 2004, a spark from a chimney ignited our thatch roof and the resulting fire quickly took hold as we watched in horror as our livelihood was engulfed by flames. We remain thankful to the 80 or so firefighters from stations across Dorset that came to our aid and the support of our villagers who formed a human chain to salvage valuables. The roof and most of the first floor were destroyed and downstairs suffered extensive water damage.” Community spirit coupled with hard work and determination paid off that week, as the Langton Arms miraculously re-opened the following weekend. “We managed to re-open the following weekend, albeit obviously with a very limited service, using our function room as a temporary bar,” said Barbara. “Somehow we managed to pull-off a pre-booked

BLAZING: Fire at The Langton Arms in 2004 and, below, rebuilding with the community

Up in smoke! Recalling the day fire ravaged village pub wedding within the first fortnight. It took six months for the pub to be completely re-built and back to a fully functioning local pub and restaurant. “We rebuilt The Langton Arms and our business

thankfully survived. This was by no means an easy task and was in part thanks to the huge community spirit and support we received from our locals, local businesses and villagers.”

The Cossins family are fifth generation farmers wellknown in the area. Along with the Langton Arms, owned by Barbara, the family own the Rawston Farm Butchery and Farm Shop in Tarrant Rawston.

Work set to continue on Badger roundabout until July Works will be continuing at the Tesco/Badger roundabout at the junction of the A350 and A354 for the next four months in connection with the Bellway Homes development. Phase one started in February on the A350 and Church Lane, Blandford St Mary, and is scheduled to last until the end of March, with two-way signals on the A350, together with a road

closure on Church Lane, with the possibility of overnight working in the event of large delays in the area. The next phase from April 1 to June 7 will be at the A350 junction with the Badger roundabout, including site clearance, installations as at Church Lane of new storm water drainage, kerbs and edgings, together with ducting, the construction of a

toucan crossing on the A354, installation of traffic lights, and a zebra crossing north of the roundabout in Bournemouth Road, which is being installed opposite Tesco. During this phase there will again be temporary multiway signals on the Badger roundabout, with overnight working to minimise disruption when the country is expected to be out of

lockdown. The final phase from June 8 to July 6 includes vegetation clearance and landscaping to create visibility splays at the A354 entrance and the same installations as in other phases. There will be temporary two-way signals on the A354 with extended daylight working hours for seven days a week, and temporary 30mph speed limits on the A354. 15

Generous donations create a garden haven for children By Karen Bate

While the rest of the world was quiet during February half-term, a green-fingered husband and wife duo transformed the tired Millennium garden at Stalbridge School into a flourishing green space to be placed at the heart of learning. Landscape gardener Alex Stonebridge, his wife Sian and farmer Dave Gould gave the garden a serious makeover thanks to £400 from Dorset Garden Trust and generous donations from local tradespeople. A little over 20 years ago, with help from the pupils and a grant from the Dorset Garden Trust, a Millennium garden was created at Stalbridge School, which has been a source of joy for two decades. Sadly over time the garden

Tessa Eaton, Archie Smith and Esme Hill with the Stonebridge family and headteacher Simon Elledge. Right, the dramatically improved garden

has deteriorated and has been very much in need of an overhaul to revive it into the much-loved, and safe space it once was. Alex donated his time and expertise, Stalbridge Timber Supplies donated the timber for nine raised planters, Stalbridge Building Supplies donated a mini digger and

supplied the soil, stone and play bark and farmer Dave Gould arrived on his big, blue tractor to haul away rubble and level the ground. Sian said: “The tired rundown area has been transformed into a prosperous growing patch for the children to go out and learn about the importance of

our local environment and doing a little bit towards building a greener future.” Pupils will now help plant young trees along the boundary fence, followed by flowers and perhaps veg in the coming months. Sian added: “It’s the perfect time of year to start growing and thinking about the jolly times ahead!” Stalbridge School headteacher Simon Elledge said: “Part of our school’s Christian vision is about discovering the potential of our world and in ourselves. “As we look forward to the children returning to our school, this garden will offer tremendous opportunity to not only plant and nurture but also to use this as a vehicle for learning and we are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Stonebridge as well as the Dorset Trust, who transformed our garden.”

North Dorset set for staycation boom By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

North Dorset is poised for a spectacular tourism season following lockdown, sparking a broader economic stimulus to the region. Self-catering cottages with gardens, camping and glamping are the most popular types of accommodation, as customers look to maintain their distance on holiday. The latest research from Visit Britain shows that the southwest is the region where most people want to stay, voted for by 29% of those interviewed, with Scotland a distant second on 16%. Most cited outside areas as the most important factor and while a camping holiday on the coast rated highest at 33%, a similar holiday in a village or countryside followed closely (29%). To maintain distancing, some campsites are installing open16

air showers – and bookings are already pouring in. While only one in five of those asked said they would take a UK break between April and June, the figure rises to 50% between July and September – reflecting the huge demand from families to get away in the school holidays. Mark Ralph, who has six yurts at Caalm Camp in Stour Row, said his bookings are up 200% on previous years, mostly families from the south of England. His guests are regulars at nearby pubs and The Udder Farm Shop. “Any reservations that we get are very good for the local economy: Guests like to shop locally when they stay,” he said. Publican Sally Griggs has put a four-bedroomed house at Coking Farm Fishery, West Stour, on the holiday market for the first time this year, through holidaycottages.co.uk. “The school holiday weeks

and half-terms are gone: the booking company said it normally takes three years to get where we are already,” said Sally. “People want to be safer, to get away with their family – and they want to bring the dog.” Sally is using a local company which cleans her pub, The Ship at West Stour, to clean the holiday home laundry. The knock-on benefit from tourism is keenly felt in an area which has suffered badly in lockdown. In Dorset, 14% of employees work in tourism. Many were furloughed but the number of people whose main job was in tourism during JulySeptember 2020 was 10.8% lower than in the same quarter of 2019, mainly people aged 25-34. Tourists also mean more jobs and business in pubs, restaurants and shops. The holiday providers often provide welcome hampers,

which encourage guests to buy more to take home. Kirsty Adlem, who has two shepherds’ huts (Dither and Faff) in Marnhull, said: “I supply a hamper with all local produce: my guests never go home without stocking up on sausages from Holebrooks Deli, Thomas Fudges’ flapjacks and Dorset Dairy Co yoghurt.” Her huts are almost full for the rest of 2020. “Guests have booked for longer too, so instead of a couple of nights, the majority have booked for a week. A high percentage are from London, looking for a countryside retreat,” said Kirsty. The confidence in this season is also built on the experience of 2020. In the southwest, bed occupancy increased from 19% in April to 72% in August – no other English region exceeded 58% occupancy after March.

Charity welcomes £6k dolls donation A collection of 43 Reborn and New Silicon dolls has been donated by an anonymous donor to Dorset’s disability charity, Diverse Abilities, to give fundraising a boost. The dolls resemble true to life infants, come complete with full outfits and accessories, including dummies, jewellery and their own tiny toys, and all vary in height, ethnicity and style. The total value of the collection is £6,000. Emma Bovey, fundraising manager, said: “We are so thankful to our anonymous donor for passing this collection on to us to help find it a new home. We know that parting with cherished collections can be a very difficult thing to do, especially when you’ve built an emotional attachment to all the different dolls.” The charity is aiming to rehome all the dolls as one complete collection, however,

OH BABY: Some of the dolls donated to the Diverse Abilities charity

offers will be considered for smaller sections of the lot. Monies will be split 50/50 between the charity and the original owner. Diverse Abilities is the only charity in Dorset that supports both children and adults with profound physical and learning

disabilities, and their families. Emma added: “Charities certainly aren’t the only industry that’s been hit hard during the pandemic, but what’s helping businesses get through is innovation and stepping out of our comfort zones. “We’ve found ourselves with

incredibly generous donations of furniture, masks, handmade bags and decorations, all sorts, all to sell and help raise funds for the people who need us most in lieu of our usual fundraising calendar.” n See diverseabilities. org.uk/dolls for more details

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Inner Wheel gift buys Companion Pets for dementia Dementia Friendly Gillingham received a wonderful cheque from the Gillingham Inner Wheel, to buy two more ‘Companion Pets’ for people who are living with dementia. Dementia Friendly Gillingham would like to thank the ladies of the Gillingham Inner Wheel, and must also thank anonymous donors who have enabled the purchase of three extra pets, for which, through nominations, have been found new homes in and around Gillingham. Pictured is Barry Von Clemens, chairman of Dementia Friendly Gillingham, receiving the cheque from Esther Hussey Gillingham Inner Wheel branch President; who were accompanied by two of the pets.

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Developers win costs in first of plan appeals By Nicci Brown THE first of four appeals against non-determination of planning applications by Dorset Council within the appointed timescale has resulted in full costs being awarded against the council. Bellway Homes won their appeal over their development at Blandford St Mary. The five-day virtual inquiry took place in December, and appeal inspector Paul Griffiths, in his decision announced the following month, said the main issue was whether the scheme was acceptable in character and appearance, having regard to the site and its surroundings, with particular reference to its potential impact on the settings of the Cranborne Chase and Dorset AONBs but also whether on-site features, notably a group of lime trees, had been properly considered. He said that in granting outline planning permission for up to 350 dwellings and approving the access, the council must have satisfied itself that 350 dwellings could be satisfactorily accommodated on the site and accepted the two accesses and the spine road between them. He said its location in the setting of two AONBs, and its sensitivity and value, did not present any barrier to it being allocated in the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan. The council has effectively accepted that the site would undergo significant change and in granting detailed permission for the first phase had accepted the general approach to design.

He said it was “clear that the manner in which the proposals have been designed would lead to no unacceptable impact on the setting of the AONB and certainly nothing beyond what would have been inevitable when …. outline planning permission for 350 dwellings was granted.” He also rejected a number of conditions suggested by the council, and awarded full costs as a result of what he found was its “unreasonable behaviour” in seeking to put forward fewer than the 350 granted at outline and arguing against the visual impact of the scheme put forward. “It is very plain from analysis of the visualisations, informed by site visits, that the scheme would not be unduly prominent, and the treatment of the lime tree roundel would be respectful. I cannot see how the visual evidence produced by the council can remotely justify the conclusions that were drawn,” he said. A decision is expected soon on an appeal against non-determination by Dorset Council of an application for 70 homes at Charlton Marshall which was the subject of a hearing in December. Further appeals to the Planning Inspectorate against nondetermination of applications are also in progress in relation to an application for 23 affordable homes on land north of Enmore Court in Shaftesbury, for which a hearing by written representation started in January, and a separate application for 47 homes at Pleydells Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine.

One of our dinosaurs is missing! By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

In a twist in the tale of the Dorset Banksy, the artist who adapts road signs has had his own artwork tampered with. This sign on the outskirts of Fifehead Magdalen recently lost its velociraptor, one of several features that ‘Banksy’ had added to signs along the A30. But the beautifully drawn silhouette has not slipped its leash – it’s been scraped off, a new development in an 18-month mystery. In the six months to February last year, seven road signs on or close to the A30 between Shaftesbury and Sherborne were adapted by the elusive artist. They include a cowboy added to a cattle sign at East Stour, a ballerina on a humpback bridge sign at Henstridge and two identical signs in Fifehead – the other one sports a top hat and carries a rabbit in a hat. Since covid-19, the mystery artist has gone to ground with no more adaptations, although his signs have remained intact. Until now. The velociraptor’s involuntary disappearance was broadcast on Facebook last week by Alan Newport of Marnhull. “Oh my word. Where has the Fifehead dinosaur gone? Presumably walkabout ...anybody seen him?” His concern for the

THERE IT WAS, GONE: The road sign amended by the Dorset Banksy on the A30 near Fifehead Magdalen and, right, with the velociraptor erased

disappearing dinosaur then sparked a thread, not wholly of deep concern. Roger Grix, Fifehead: I noticed it had disappeared a couple of days ago. At first I thought it might be some over-zealous jobsworth but the other artwork seems to be intact. Hopefully the artist will replace it. John Witcomb, Fifehead: Please let us have our terrible

lizard back. Seems we have a dinosaur kidnapper in our district. Or perhaps he’s gone to find a mate. Fil Baker, Marnhull: Perhapshesaurus coming, and ran away.

Dee J, Donhead St. Mary: Perhaps Banksy has been in town............and gone. Alan Newport, Marnhull: Dee...Me thinks you aren’t taking this awful situation seriously…

Keep first aid course in Mind Mental health charity Mind is giving keyworkers and teachers 20 per cent off the cost of its internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid Course. The charity’s Dee Swinton said: “We’ve witnessed increasing demands for support and must provide critical support for our employees to thrive when we emerge from lockdown. “It’s worth noting that by investing in training with our expert training team, you’re supporting your local community – all profits help us support people in Dorset with their mental health.” The training from Mind is for individuals and business. You can book online, or speak to the training team directly via training@dorsetmind.uk 19

Plans are submitted to convert former pub into housing Plans have been submitted by Spruce Planning Ltd for Addis Homes Ltd for the conversion of the Woodpecker pub (formerly Drax Arms) on the A350 at Spetisbury to form three dwellings and build two more on the site. Neighbour consultations closed on February 15 for the scheme, whose submission followed a pre-application enquiry to Dorset Council to seek views on the proposed demolition of the existing building and construction of seven new houses. The applicants say that although no response to that enquiry had been received, following further

HOUSING PLANS: The former Woodpecker pub at Spetisbury

consideration of the proposals the scheme had been revised to retain and convert what is an attractive building with character,

which includes the pub/restaurant on the ground floor and manager’s accommodation above, and construct two new homes in

the grounds. The Woodpecker ceased trading in February 2019, and they note that the decision of the owner to close the public house followed an extended period of falling trade and so was not a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They also note the existence of other nearby public houses in Charlton Marshall to the north and Sturminster Marshall to the south east. Spetisbury Parish Council has raised no objection to the proposal and welcomed the retention of the building, but a neighbour has raised concerns about the proximity of one of the new homes to his listed property.

County Local Plan draft under attack The draft Dorset Local Plan, which is out to public consultation until March 15, has been criticised by Blandford town councillors for grouping the town not in the North Dorset area, but in the South East. Haydn White said: “We are a black hole in a black hole, linked with the eastern area because building land is required. Was there any consultation with anyone before this paper appeared? “Villages served by the town are not in the same area.” Town and Dorset councillor Byron Quayle agreed it was ridiculous and had been described as disastrous on the public forum. He said it was presumably because there was a lot of flow towards the eastern area by people living in Blandford and working in Bournemouth and Poole. “But there was no consultation with us, and I certainly don’t agree with it. I hope BFTC will put something forward.” A council working group has been tasked with drawing up a detailed response for approval by full council. More than 1,500 homes are suggested for the Blandford area, including the 350 20

‘UNDERUSED’: Sturminster Marshall Golf Course

proposed by Bellway Homes at Blandford St Mary, 180 on the former Blandford brewery site, 75 at lower Bryanston Farm, 220 to the south east of the Bellway Homes site, and 680 to the north and east of the Blandford bypass. A campaign has been launched in Pimperne against an application by Wyatts Homes for 600 houses of those, to include a new primary school, local centre and relocation of the existing Lamperd’s Fields allotments. A banner appeared on the roadside between the two development sites, either side of the Salisbury road, saying ‘Say No to Overdevelopment in Pimperne/Letton’ together with

a placard saying ‘No to Allotment Move’. However allotment holders were shocked to find at the end of February that their small roadside sign protesting at the proposed move had been taken down by the council, on the grounds that it was on highways land on the corner of the Salisbury road roundabout which was not in their ownership. The total number of homes exceeds the 400 suggested in the Blandford+ Neighbourhood plan covering Blandford, Blandford St Mary and Bryanston, which awaits final approval following a legal challenge from Pimperne Parish Council.

Nothing is indicated in the draft Dorset Plan for Charlton Marshall, where a number of applications remain undecided, or Spetisbury, but Sturminster Marshall has been earmarked for 425 homes, including 120 at Sturminster Marshall Golf Course. The plan says although the golf course is in use, it is “underused”. Also threatened with development is the Dudsbury Golf Course, which could accommodate 700 of the 1640 homes proposed for Ferndown and West Parley. In North Dorset area, a total of 4,389 homes are forecast, including 300 new homes at Market Field site in Sturminster Newton, 610 in Stalbridge, 1200 in Sherborne, nearly 2000 for Gillingham, but little for Shaftesbury, which has seen much expansion in recent years. By far the most development is foreseen in the central area of Dorchester, Weymouth, Chickerell, and surrounding areas, which fall within the Central Dorset geographical area - including proposals for Dorset’s largest new housing development of around 4,000 homes in countryside north of Dorchester. n See page 21

DEVELOPMENT PLANS: The River Frome near Dorchester after heavy rain

Taking STAND against homes plan By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Campaigners fighting a development for 4,000 houses on 500 acres of countryside north of Dorchester have expressed dismay that the controversial scheme has been included in Dorset Council’s revised Local Plan despite a ‘groundswell of opposition’. The Dorchester North extension has been put forward as the ‘preferred option’ for housing in Dorset Council’s Local Plan, which is currently out for consultation until March 15. But residents, councillors, campaign groups, including The Thomas Hardy Society and Dorchester Civic Society, and West Dorset MP Chris Loder have united against the option with the 38 Degrees Petition already securing more than 5,000 signatures. Save the Area North of Dorchester (STAND) spokesman and Dorchester town councillor Alistair Chisholm said: “We have yet to locate a single person in town who is in favour of the development and we have seen considerable opposition from outside of the area – even as far as New Zealand.” STAND claims the scheme will have devastating consequences on the environment including permanent damage to wildlife, light and noise pollution and fears over flooding and compromising a Bronze Age cemetery and a deserted village.

n Dorset Council’s Local Plan sets out a blueprint that will help shape development in the county for the next 15 years. Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: “We’re required by central government to plan for the housing target calculated using their standard approach. If we don’t plan to meet these targets, we’re required to demonstrate exceptional circumstances. “We appreciate some groups by their very nature will question this need to build housing, but we must ensure that Dorset residents have places to live and work – especially young They also say the development is inconsistent with Dorset Council’s climate change commitment. Mr Chisholm said: “Despite a groundswell of opposition from all quarters, Dorset Council is pressing on with its plan to concrete over a vast area of farmland in its desire to satisfy central government housing targets. “The risk of flooding from these large scale developments is now well evidenced. The consequences of covering over 500 acres of farmland in concrete were certainly not considered when this development was conceived. “We are now in a very different situation with extreme weather patterns becoming the norm. It does not take much imagination to envisage the future repercussions of building on land that directly overlooks Dorchester. The run-off into the Frome river plain and water meadows could be devastating. “Dorset Council has already

people – and our local economy is able to support those who already live here. This is a true consultation for the draft Local Plan and, because of the pandemic, we are doing more than we ever have before to publicise and support the consultation to ensure as many people as possible can have their say.” STAND is urging people to register their objections to the development (Ref DOR 13) at dorsetforyou .com, planningpolicy @dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Spatial Planning Dept, Dorset Council, South Walks House, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ. To sign the petition or find out more visit stand-dorchester.net

declared a climate emergency, it is our view this development is inconsistent with their legally binding climate change commitment, and adds further weight to a whole range of environmental issues that underpin our opposition.” He added: “We have already demonstrated the permanent damage to the wildlife and habitats that will occur but equally important are the factors of CO2 emissions, light and noise pollution. The drain on resources will be immense, estimates vary but a development of this size will require thousands upon thousands of tonnes of concrete, just for the foundations. “The devastating effect on all aspects of our environment cannot be overstated. Dorset needs to be taking a lead on this local and global issue. “We must do everything within our power to prevent large areas of Dorset being swallowed up by unnecessary developments.”

The North Dorchester Consortium of developers and landowners is backed by Persimmon Homes, one of the country’s biggest housebuilders. MP Chris Loder said: “Persimmon does not have the best record here in Dorset and for 500 acres of greenbelt land of historical and environmental interest to be built on near Dorchester with almost 4,000 houses does not feel right to me. “Our priority needs to be for good quality homes, for local people to be able to live and work here throughout the county, not just in a few places. New homes need to support our village schools, shops, pubs, garages and churches through the county, not just in the county town. The Dorset environment and countryside should not be sacrificed to make up the £1bn annual profit of a developer, and that is why the community needs to respond to Dorset Council to ensure its local plan is delivering what we want and need.” 21

Health centre staff up to the challenge in MIND fundraiser Staff at Wincanton Health Centre are celebrating making a flying start on the vaccine rollout by undertaking an unusual charity challenge. ‘Team Wincanton’ have pledged to cycle, swim, walk or run the distance between the two most distant vaccination centres, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Penzance – 522 miles – to raise cash for the mental health charity MIND Somerset.

They started their challenge on February 19 and aim to end on Friday, April 2. A spokesman said: “We, along with all our other colleagues in the NHS, have been very busy during the pandemic. It has affected all our lives, both physical and mental, personal and professional, and we see this reflected in our patients too! “All of us are working at above normal levels of demand and in new and innovative ways, while

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U3A hosting a talk on Zoom Blandford & District u3a invites you to a lecture on Zoom on Friday, March 19 at 3pm, where Julian Black will be speaking on the Bankes family of Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy. Please phone 01258 455081 for further information. WINCANTON TO RENT. Unfurnished one bedroom house, £495pcm, available end of March, 01963 33705

could contribute towards would be good for staff morale.” If you would like to donate to this amazing charity and support them on this team challenge, please go to: ustgiving.com/fundraising/ wincanton-health-centre nMIND Somerset is a Mental Health charity. It also works to raise public awareness and understanding of issues relating to mental health.

The busking piper Reader Jonathan Hill sent us this lovely photo of a busking piper in Cheap Street, Sherborne. With any luck, buskers will return to a street near you soon.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Hot sandwich deal includes any hot sandwich, wedges and any regular hot or cold drink. Chicken goujons deal includes chicken goujons, wedges and any regular hot or cold drink. Red Bull 7p extra, Coca-Cola Classic 330ml 10p extra and Coca-Cola Classic 500ml 14p extra. All deals exclude soup. Regular speciality latte 30p extra. Upgrade to a large hot drink for 30p extra. Subject to availability. Images show serving suggestions. Sit in prices may vary. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. LUCOZADE, LUCOZADE ENERGY and the Arc Device are registered trademarks of Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ltd. All of our allergen information is available in our allergen guide. Or visit greggs.co.uk

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. Subject to availability. 2. This voucher may be redeemed for a FREE hot drink (excludes soup) with any purchase. 3. Offer valid at Greggs Falcon Gillingham until 05/03/2021. Offer excludes all other shops. 4. Greggs reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. 5. See greggs.co.uk/terms-conditions for full terms and conditions.

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Valid from 27th Feb 2021 - 6th April 2021 TO THE CUSTOMER: Redeemable at Budgens of Gillingham. Not to be used in conjunction with any other off er. Limit one coupon per transaction. Original coupons only. Qualifying spend excludes tobacco, baby milk and formula, fuel, car wash, jet wash, National Lottery, scratch cards & electronic top up. Please note staff discount is not redeemable alongside vouchers.

Tel: 01747 859771 Gillingham Service Station, Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5FB

£5 OFF WHEN YOU SPEND £20 IN THE SHOP

Battens Solicitors

FAQ - Making a Will in 2021

What is the process of making a Will during the pandemic and how a solicitor can help? Although face- to- face meetings have reduced most solicitors have conducted interviews using the telephone, email, zoom or google meets. The most important thing is that both the client and solicitor are able to communicate clearly with each other. Wills can be posted or emailed out to clients and the signing of them is possible with some forward planning.

What are the risks of using a DIY Wills kit or an unregulated service?

What could happen to your estate if you die without a valid Will in place?

DIY Will kits do not provide you with the guidance that you need to make sure that your Will is clear and deals with all eventualities. Solicitors are experienced in dealing with all circumstances and can therefore tailor your Will specifically to your needs. They are also trained on the legal intricacies that will determine the best way of distributing your estate regarding inheritance tax planning.

If you die without a valid Will then a set of rules called the ‘Intestacy’ rules determine how the estate will be distributed between blood relatives. In limited circumstances, the rules of intestacy can suit the family of the deceased. However, there are a lot of circumstances whereby the intestacy rules are not suitable. If you are not in a civil partnership or married then a ‘partner’ does not receive any of your estate. And if your estate is worth £270,000 or less your spouse or civil partner will receive everything leaving nothing for children from a previous relationship. Your estate may even pass to unknown family members. The intestacy rules also ignore the distribution of any personal items and charities that the deceased may have supported. Without a Will you haven’t appointed executors to administer your estate which can also cause more work and delay.

enquiries@battens.co.uk www.battens.co.uk Offices in: Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London

You shouldn’t use an unregulated service to manage one of the most important documents you need. People are often tempted by low fees (but watch hidden costs). If Solicitors fees are your concern there are schemes that we can utilise to assist with the cost of a Will.

Solicitors also have insurance so that if Will instructions are not interpreted correctly then beneficiaries have some recompense. Unregulated services and DIY kit companies do not have such assurances. Is it important for everyone, no matter their age, to consider making or updating their Will? Everyone should have a Will and keep it updated because we do not know what may happen today, tomorrow. Making or updating a Will ensures your wishes are clear and comprehensive, giving you piece of mind. For more information on making or amending a Will, contact Adam Hillier on 01935 846165 or email: adam.hillier@battens.co.uk

0800 652 8373

Solicitors

Specialist Legal Advice and Solutions for whatever life brings - at home or at work

Agricultural Matters t Business Services t Commercial Property Construction t Debt Recovery t Dispute Resolution Employment t Family Matters t Immigration t Landlord & Tenant Lasting Powers of Attorney t Matrimonial t Moving Home Medical Negligence t Personal Injury t Planning t Probate t Tax Planning Wills, Trusts, Estates

www.battens.co.uk Offices in Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London

Down to the knitty gritty

Free wills advice Age UK North, South & West Dorset, in partnership with local solicitors from Nantes, Blanchards Bailey and Humphries Kirk, is holding a free over-the-phone service for anyone over 50 to ask an expert questions about wills and power of attorney. Due to the covid-19 situation, these surgeries will go ahead on pre-planned dates by telephone and will be by appointment only. Richard Bristow from Age UK North, South & West Dorset added: “We are happy to work with local solicitors to provide this much needed and valuable service to local older people. Issues around making a will or power of attorney can be confusing and being able to talk things through with a solicitor can make all the difference.” To book a telephone appointment, please ring Age UK North, South & West Dorset on 01305 269444 or email enquiries@ ageuknswd.org.uk. For further details of other ways in which Age UK North, South & West Dorset can help you at this tme, please telephone 01305 269444 or look at the website: ageuk.org.uk/ northsouthwestdorset.

Gillingham Community Kindness Group is inviting people to be part of its “Bringing Gillingham together while keeping apart” project for Red Nose Day. On Saturday. March 20 for one day only the group is renaming itself The Gillingham Commuknitty Kindnose Group. They are aiming to cover the Town Meadow in knitted squares to form the biggest blanket ever made in Dorset, and entitled “Hanky Blanky on the Town Meadow!” This will then be made into smaller blankets to be donated to Comic Relief projects. They also want to make a heart shape from pompoms to be saved and used

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to decorate the town Christmas tree. Here’s how you can help: Please knit six-inch wool squares of any colour, or pompoms for the heart in any colour and bring them to the town meadow on the day from 10am2pm. Bring a written record of your name to be added to the list of contributors that will be displayed on the Town Meadow noticeboard. They can provide wool if required – send them a message on their Facebook Page (Gillingham Community Kindness Group).For further information please contact Rosie Thompson thompo42@hotmail.com

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Shaftesbury Rotary Club is paying tribute to eight special people and the members of the town’s British Legion who have gone above and beyond for their community during the pandemic. Townsfolk have been nominating their covid-19 heroes – all those people who have provided support and given up their time to selflessly help others. And now, Shaftesbury Rotary Club have awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the following people: nPeter Cockburn: Peter delivered prescriptions and groceries to people who were and are self-isolating in Shaftesbury, providing a vital service.

n Andria Glasgow

n Glenn Hollands

n Robin Miller

n Jenny Franks: Jenny baked cakes for the staff at Shaftesbury Hospital and left anonymous biscuit deliveries for the ambulance staff, giving them a lift and energy boost. n Shaftesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion: They have continued to provide services to the community during the pandemic, offering a telephone buddy system and helpline to enable people to gain support. They also managed to raise nearly £20,000 for the Poppy Appeal. n Brian Lock and Glenn Hollands: Brian and Glenn organised and administered a team of people to deliver prescriptions to the vulnerable, elderly and those self-isolating, over 2,000 deliveries have been made and they are continuing to deliver to those in need, providing a vital service. Thank you to them and their team of volunteers as well. n Andria Glasgow from 26

n Jenny Franks

n Peter Cockburn

Rotary club pays tribute to the heroes of the pandemic Hope2Bake: Andria has been preparing and delivering cooked meals to vulnerable individuals in the community, providing food to those in need. n Russell Smith: Russell took over the terra-cycle bins for Shaftesbury from his house and frequently goes out litter picking in the town, usually at Zig Zag n Keri Jones: Keri, who runs This is Alfred, has focused on isolation, which

is a big issue during the pandemic. Keri has provided podcasts, to help people feel connected with one another and their community during lockdown. He has kept people informed about what is happening. One of Keri’s nominators said “Keri’s upbeat, optimistic determined support for all our community has joined us all together”. n Andy Hargreaves: Andy has provided all the

technical support behind the scenes at This is Alfred. Genette Gale, chair of Shaftesbury Rotary’s Community and Vocation Committee, said: “We at Shaftesbury Rotary hope at some point to meet with the nominees and invite them to join us for a meal, until then we would like to say a huge thank you to all nominees, those who nominated them and everyone else, who is doing their bit to support their community.”

MP Murrison called up to help armed forces with jab roll-out South West Wiltshire MP and Royal Navy Reservist Dr Andrew Murrison has been called up as part of the Armed Forces’ Operation Rescript to support the national covid-19 vaccination programme. This will be the second time the ex-regular has been mobilised. In 2003 Surgeon Commander Murrison was called up during Operation TELIC to serve as a

battlegroup Medical Officer in Iraq. He was approved as an NHS Medical Support Worker under covid-19 emergency regulations in June and undertook training designed for doctors returning to the NHS in order to assist in the pandemic. Mr Murrison, who is due to start work with a team of Armed Forces medics later this week, said: “I’m pleased to be able to

do my bit to help out alongside a large number of my own constituents in South West Wiltshire – regulars, reservists, volunteers and medics returning to the NHS. “Our NHS is doing brilliantly in this crisis. “We should all be very proud of the UK vaccination programme and those on the frontline of this RN RESERVIST: crisis.” Andrew Murrison

Look out for toads crossing the road By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

The signs are up and volunteers are on the lookout for lovelorn amphibians in this year’s toad patrol. The annual migration in Kington Magna began on February 17, when the first toad was spotted crossing the road from the church pond to a breeding pond at Prospect Farm. Within three days, there were reports of toads on roads in neighbouring village West Stour and two miles away in Henstridge. In Kington Magna, warning signs have been taken out of the garage and placed above and below the route taken across Church Hill. And now, every night between dusk and 9.30pm, there will be volunteers out on the hill lifting toads and newts off the road and to safety. They don’t start moving en masse until early evening temperatures reach 7-8C, especially if it’s drizzly. The migration normally lasts a month (last year was February 21 to March 25) and is led by villagers Melody and John Bennett with help from the Hicks family at Prospect Farm. “We are hoping for fewer casualties this year due to the reduction in traffic during lockdown,” said John. “Please spread the word to use Chapel Hill in the

TAKE CARE: One of the road signs warning motorists to look out for migrating toads in Kington Magna

village instead.” The village’s toad patrol has kept records of their work since 2014. Last year, a record total of 179 amphibians were lifted to safety: 90 male toads, 51 females and 38 newts. In 2019, a total of 149 were placed in buckets and lifted to safety. But not all survive and some are squished on the road by traffic. In West Stour, Lorraine Spedding said: “Our toads are out as well, mainly on the little stretch of road past the church. Was thinking of making some signs to warn drivers as sadly seen a few killed already over the last few days.” For anybody wanting advice about toads on roads, John Bennett advises looking at the website: froglife.org/what-wedo/toads-on-roads.

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Public Notices GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE Wessex Internet Ltd of The Old Laundry, Ranston, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8PU is applying for a licence to use Ranston Farm, Ranston, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8PU as an operating centre for 3 goods vehicles and 0 trailers. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS0 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representators must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE SAUL AND EVA HARVEY trading as HARVEY of Mosfas Little Acre, Corscombe, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0NS is applying for a licence to use Ham Hill Masonry Works, Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset, TA14 6RW as an operating centre for 2 goods vehicles and 0 trailers. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hill Crest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds LS9 6NF stating their reasons within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE

Mothering Sunday: back to basics It’s Mothering Sunday on 14th March – this Sunday week. And the first thing to do is to get the name right. No, it is not ‘Mother’s Day’. Mother’s Day took off in the USA early last century as a national celebration, not of motherhood in general but of individual mothers by their own families. But in England the correct name is Mothering Sunday, which originally meant something quite different. Sadly, like the American grey squirrel pushing out our native red, ‘Mother’s Day’ seems to be sweeping all before it. But it’s terribly important to go back to basics, and reclaim Mothering Sunday and all it stands for. At least we haven’t adopted the American date – the second Sunday in May. We still use the traditional fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also known as Refreshment Sunday, or Midlenting Day. It all began in the middle ages as a day-off from the rigours of Lent, in honour of the Virgin Mary. The practice developed of giving people time off to celebrate this holy day (‘holiday’) to visit their Mother Church – the cathedral, or their own family parish church. For those working away, this brought an opportunity to make a rare and fleeting visit home – picking a nosegay of wildflowers for mum on the way. And so the seeds were sown

CONNOR PAUL LYSONS & STUART JOHN MOGRIDGE trading as MOGSONS WASTE LTD of Montana House, Weston Lane, West Winterslow, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 1RQ is applying to change an exITEMS FOR SALE isting licence as follows: 2 white breakfast bar stools, To add an operating centre to keep 2 wooden, £25 the pair. goods vehicles and 0 trailers at Unit 1 Tel: 07974907094 Clump Farm Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford Forum, Dorset, 12 litre day dehumidifier. Still DT11 7TD. Owners or occupiers of in original box, £25 - 01747 land (including buildings) near the op821538 erating centre who believe that their Winter caravan cover, suit 18 ft use or enjoyment of that land would be caravan, £20 - 01747 821538 affected, should make written repreModel railway items 1980s 3 sentations to the Traffic Commissioner locos boxed stock track £35. Tel at Hill Crest House, 386 Harehills 01747 853294 Lane, Leeds LS9 6NF stating their reaXL dog crate available. sons within 21 days of this notice. RepCollection: Stour Provost. Only resentors must at the same time send £25. Call/Text: 07957965845 a copy of their representations to the 4 rockery conifers £3 each, also applicant at the address given at the assorted rockery plants 50p top of this notice. A Guide to Making each 01747824488 Representations is available from the Antique pine library steps Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

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of today’s version of the celebration. Yet Mothering Sunday can be a bitter day for many people – those mothers and children who are estranged from one another, and the childless, the single and the divorced. In fact for anyone who doesn’t live in a warm, united and loving family. So perhaps we need to be honest and admit that as a nation we are in a muddle about how to build good and lasting relationships, and not let Mothering Sunday be another divisive occasion. Personally, I believe that Mothering Sunday can still have a meaning for everyone if we see it as a chance to celebrate what The Queen in her 2012 Diamond Jubilee message called ‘the power of togetherness’. She said this: “In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.” For all sorts of reasons, those words have a special resonance in 2021.

0146055105 Large vintage industrial storage bin. £45 Details 01460 55105 39 piece Czech dinner and tea service, gold rimmed, white background with blue and white floral design, bone china £40 01747858451 Lady’s leather tanned jacket, sheep skin linned, large, VGC £30 01747 858451 3ft mattress. As new. Been replaced with essential pressure mattress. £40 ono. Tel. 07966 053208 Royal Albert Belinda 21 piece tea service plus tea pot £30 07773 657363 Fruit/vegetable cage, portable 6m x 6m, steel supports. £20 01747 840026

2 x 2ft 6in single beds stacked. Can be used as 2 singles or put together to form 5ft double. Hardly used. Collection essential. Any reasonable offer accepted. Call 01747 838373. John Lewis double futon with mattress, handy & versatile. Good clean condition, buyer to collect £45 ono, 07483 875814 Original Chris Brasher walking boots. Hardly used. Size 10.5. £70. 07969 964598 Szevafem fruit crusher approx 7l hopper £40 johngriffithsws@gmail.com Used roof trusses 6.5m wide 1.9m high. £35 each. 27 available. 07969 964598. Small LEC Deep Freeze, 25"x 20" x18", GWO, £30 - 07811 993795.

Obituaries

Olive Ellen Couture Many may have known her only as ‘The Blandford Hat Lady’ or ‘Mrs Hat’. Olive Ellen Couture, who died aged 87 on January 25, was born in Hertford, the sixth of seven children. Five of them were boys, and Olive was apparently ‘a bit of a tomboy’ who spent her childhood and early teens during the war frequently sheltering in the coal cellar during air-raids, and remembered teachers reading to the children in the shelters. She met and married Michael, who served with the REME, and travelled and lived all over the world with their daughter Penny during his active service in Aidan, Kuwait, Germany, Brunei and Oman. A talented seamstress who made her own clothes and prided herself on her appearance throughout her life, her collection of hats started during her travels, continuing with many donations by family

MRS HAT: Olive Ellen Couture

and friends, and she was also a semi-professional singer, who proudly recalled singing on the Ark Royal when the Royal Navy aircraft carrier visited during one of her husband’s postings abroad. They later settled in Blandford St Mary, where they had bought a cottage in the 1970s. Olive had often stayed there while Michael was away on service, and became involved with Blandford St Mary Church. She regularly gave talks on hats to local groups, and in April 1995 she helped to

organise The Hat Affair, held in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel, in support of the church, raising a total of £1,078. The programme featured a talk by the managing director of James Lock, hatters of London; her own talk; Mrs Betty Penny with the Cavalcade of Costume; hats donated for auction by Locks and other leading London milliners, including Philip Somerville and Graham Smith and stalls featuring hats and fashions from local shops. Eventually the couple moved

to a bungalow in Larksmead, and after Michael passed away nine years ago, Mrs Couture moved to Chestnut House in East Street, from where she used to regularly walk into town to take lunch at the Crown. Latterly and living with dementia she became a resident at Whitecliffe House Care Home in Whitecliff Mill Street, where she died, leaving her daughter Penny and family, who thanked the care home and the many individuals and businesses in Blandford who had been so kind to her, particularly since her husband’s death. A private family funeral was held in February, and donations, if desired for Alzheimer’s Society, could be made online by visiting closefuneral.co.uk or by cheque payable to the charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU.

Hazel Warrington Hazel Lillian Warrington, who died on January 22 aged 84, after suffering a series of strokes, was the wife of Blandford’s longest-serving Freeman Peter Warrington, and both served the community in a number of ways after the family moved to live in Blandford more than 40 years ago. They celebrated their diamond wedding in 2016 at the house in Bayfran Way, which was still their home. Hazel, nee Walters, had spent over two years during her childhood evacuated to a village in Worcestershire, but in 1943 returned to her home in Clacton, where she and Peter were childhood friends and neighbours and later work colleagues at the local Woolworth store. After their marriage in 1956, they moved regularly around

EX-MAYORESS: Hazel Warrington, pictured in 1972 just before she came to Blandford with husband Peter

the country as Peter was transferred from one store to another by Woolworth, for whom he became a store manager. Once all the children had started school, Hazel enjoyed working as a home help for many years, but when Peter took early retirement from his job as manager of Woolworth in Salisbury Street

(now Iceland) after turning down another move to Farnborough, she joined him to run the fashion store Gemini (now Blandford Furniture Bazaar) further up Salisbury Street for 15 years until their retirement in 2002. As the parents of five children, both had become involved in the Cubs, Scouts, and the PTAs and governing bodies of local schools, so in addition to general ladies’ fashions stocked school, scouting and guiding uniforms and became one of Blandford’s main clothing retailers. Hazel had joined Peter for eight years on the town council, of which he was a member for many years, and together they served as Mayor and Mayoress in 1998. Deciding in 1999 that she wanted to ‘Ring In’ the new Millennium, she joined the

parish bell ringers, and when her hands were no longer able to grip the bell rope, she became a member of the Shottesford Peelers, who played with a set of 12 handbells from the church tower at care homes, hospitals, the Georgian fayre and various other events. She became their treasurer and eventually leader until numbers fell, the group closed and the handbells were returned to the Blandford Church Tower. In retirement she also joined Knees-Up Healthy Living in the studio behind M&Co, becoming a committee member, and also volunteered with the Age UK shop and Age Concern lunch club until poor health forced her to stop. Her funeral service was held at Poole Crematorium on February 19. 29

Announcements IN MEMORIAM

BIRTHDAYS

Remembering

JACQUELINE ASHFORD

GROUP CAPTAIN DAVID CHRISTOPHER HENCKEN who slipped the surly bonds of earth on Saturday, 5th March 2010. Loved and missed by all your family. Thank you for the gifts you gave us.

ERNEST GEORGE OATEN 18/8/1927 - 3/3/2020 One year has passed Missing you every day All my love Gill xxx

Happy 80th Birthday for the 1st March, all our love from your husband, Bob and children, Anita and Stephen, Shaun and Becky and grandchildren, Zoe, Dan, Phoebe and Kayla, Kerry, Jake, Lilly and Cameron, Martin and Lucy, Claire and Ryall, Lauren and Eli, xxx

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

06.03.1971 26.03.2020 Remembering our Beloved son JAY On his 50th birthday Love Always Mum and Michael xx

PETER MAIDMENT 5th March 1990, always fondly remembered and much loved and missed by Dee, Anthony, Nigel, Tessa and their families

Passed away peacefully at Nazareth Lodge on 22nd February, aged 94. Much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The funeral will be at the Memorial Chapel, Kings Stag on 11th March at 12 noon. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired for MFPA (Mouth and Foot Painting Artists). c/o Grassby and Close, 4 Innes Court Sturminster Newton, DT10 1BB.

ANGELA ASTON Ted, Deb and Rob would like to thank everyone for the kind words, love and support that has been shown to them during this difficult time. A wonderful total of £1,510.02 was raised in Angie’s memory for Weldmar Hospicecare. Please accept this as their personal message of thanks.

DEATHS DENNIS PRATT

JAMES DAVID GARNER ROBERTS

BLONDEAU EDITH DOROTHY

Aged 77 years of Sturminster Newton, Passed away peacefully at home on 31st January 2021 after a bravely fought battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Patsy, much loved dad of Nicholas, Deborah and Andrew. Loving grandad to Ella, Eva, Josh and Sam. Father in law to Rose and Rachel. He will be sadly missed but forever remembered by all who knew and loved him. Private family cremation due to covid. Donations in memory of Dennis to Cancer Research c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Henstridge, BA8 0RB (01963) 362570.

COLE MILLICENT (MILL) of Bailey Ridge, died peacefully on 16 February 2021, aged 93 years. Dearly loved mum to Sheila, Janet and Terry and a loving nan and great nan. Private family service. Donations, if desired, for The British Heart Foundation which may be sent c/o A J Wakely & Sons, 91 East Street, Bridport DT6 3LB.

KINGSBURY ASHLEY FRANCIS Of Buckland Newton. Passed away unexpectedly on 16th February 2021 at Dorset County Hospital aged 72 years. Dearly loved husband of Yvonne. Much loved dad, grandad and great grandad. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Due to current restrictions a private funeral will take place at Yeovil Crematorium. Donations if desired to Cancer Research may be sent c/o Woods Funeral Services, 11a Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1EW. Tel: 01305 250425

JAN RUTTER Wife of the late Jo Rutter died peacefully on 16th February at The Cedars Nursing Home, Shaftesbury. There will be a private funeral followed by a memorial later in the year, date to be announced.

ISOBELLE ELIZABETH BURR (ISSY) On 20th February 2021 peacefully after a short illness in Westminster Memorial Hospital aged 81 years of Shaftesbury. A much loved wife to Peter and a loving mum to Allie, 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, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

Announcements IVY ESTHER WHITEFORD On 15th February 2021 peacefully in Hays House Residential Home, Sedgehill aged 90 years of Shaftesbury. "Reunited with Jim." A much loved mum, gran and great gran who will be sorely missed by all family and friends. Private family service but donations if desired for Dementia UK may be sent to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

SHEELAH MARY TURNER Passed away on February 12th at Shaftesbury's Westminster Hospital aged 95. Adored by everyone who knew her, and a much loved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt and great-aunt. Private family cremation to take place on March 12th. Donations if desired to Melbury Abbas Church Preservation Society c/o Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors 01747 853532

MATTHEWS MARGARET MARION Passed away on 12th February 2021 aged 97 years. Remembered by Gail, Roger, Ian, Susan and families. Sincere thanks to Carrington House and especially Candlelight Care. Donations if desired to SSAFA, C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB

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Announcements BRINE GORDON RICHARD

ROBERTS, SAL (EILEEN)

Passed away peacefully at home in Horsington on the 13th February 2021, aged 92 years. Much loved husband, dad and grandad. Private funeral service. Donations if desired for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570.

Formerly of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire and Abbeyfield, Shaftesbury passed away peacefully on 2nd February at Bramley House, Mere after a short illness, aged 94 years. Loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Sal will be sadly missed but always remembered by all who knew and loved her. Private cremation due to current restrictions.

CYNTHIA SARAH ANNIE SNOOK

IRIS SYLVIA SURREY

Dearly loved, Cynthia passed away peacefully at home on 9th February. Fred, Rob, Mark and Anna would like to extend our gratitude to all family and friends for all the care, support and best wishes during this sad time. A friend to many, she will be greatly missed. Donations if required to NSPCC, c/o LC Hills Funeral Directors, Mere or via cynthiasnook.muchloved.com

Died peacefully on 21st January 2021 at Castleman House. She will be missed. Private funeral. All enquiries c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133

GARRETT BARBARA JOSE

Died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Tuesday 16th February, aged 61 years. Beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Gladly Kissed, Sadly Missed. Private funeral service to be held, donations if desired for ‘Cancer Research UK’ c/o Lesley Shand Funeral Service, 28 East Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7DR, tel: 01258 453425 or online www.funeraldirector.co.uk/jackie-laws

aged 78 years of Hardway, Bruton. On 16th February 2021, peacefully at her home. A dearly beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Private funeral. A memorial service to follow at a later date when restrictions allow. All enquiries to Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury. Telephone, (01963) 440367.

CHAMBERS ISABEL Aged 73 years of Castle Cary. On 22nd of February 2021, peacefully at her home. A much loved wife, mother, sister and friend. Private funeral. Donations in memory of Isabel are being invited for CLIC Sargent, c/o Harold F Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES, Telephone 01963 440367.

LAWS JACKIE

SHEILA MARY RATCLIFF MACLAUGHLIN On 15th February, peacefully in Westminster Memorial Hospital, aged 90 years of Shaftesbury. She will be missed by all family and friends. Private funeral service but donations if desired to Shaftesbury RC Parish PRCDTR may be sent to Merefield & Henstridge, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

Family Run Caring & E cient • Private Chapels of Rest Personal Day & Night Service “Golden Charter” Pre-paid Funeral Plans available Memorials in Stone Marble & Granite, etc.

Shaftesbury (01747) 853532 imere昀eld@aol.com Gillingham (01747) 835335 www.mhfd.co.uk “Ridgemount”, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU

Announcements Funeral directors’ Q&A

GEORGINA MOORE (NEE WOODBRIDGE) Peacefully at home on 18th February 2021, aged 73 years, of Gillingham. Now reunited with her loving husband Bill. Much loved mother to Stephen, Tina and Claire. Dearly loved grandmother of Sophie, Harry and George and a much loved sister. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Private cremation. Donations if desired, in memory of Georgina, may be made directly to Cancer Research Uk: cancerresearchuk.org & Cystic Fibrosis Trust: cysticfibrosistrust.org.uk

FURNELL TERESA VIOLET Passed away peacefully at Salisbury District Hospital after a short illness on 1 February 2021 aged 78. Beloved wife of Brian and loving sister to Dorothy, Doreen and Cynthia. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. Private funeral service to be held at Salisbury Crematorium. Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to Dementia UK via Chris White Funeral Service. Tel 01722 744691

PETER JACKSON FUNERAL SERVICES Independent Family Owned and Run Funeral Directors Private Chapels of Rest • 24 Hour Service • Golden Charter Pre Paid Funeral Plans

Henstridge (01963) 362570

Mons, High Street, Henstridge, Somerset BA8 0RB

Gillingham (01747) 833757 Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QJ

pjfs@btinternet.com www.peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk

GREENOUGH Frank Geoffrey 24th April 1936 – 25th January 2021 Gardener Late of Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place, give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortunes bubbles rise and fall, who sows a field or trains a flower or plants a tree is more than all.

EDNA STACEY Aged 95, peacefully on 15 February at home in Motcombe. Beloved wife of the late Roy, dearly loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Grateful thanks for all Edna's care from the district nurses, carers and the Trinity Centre, Shaftesbury

A J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

– 24 Hour Service –

Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 Pre-payment plans available

Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

Pauline Guy is funeral manager at Woods Why did you become a funeral director? I became a funeral director by accident. I joined Woods in 2005 in their furniture store and then assisted with admin. Upon the retirement of a funeral director I was asked if I would like to study for the diploma and become a funeral director. It was the best choice I ever made. What is the best thing about being a funeral director? Satisfaction in knowing you’ve carried out family requirements and made a very sad time special for them. What’s the most unusual request you have had? One was recently when a gent asked if he could take his wife to her funeral in his Honda Jazz car – which we did. How has the pandemic affected funerals? I think the pandemic has taken away the personal touch as so much has been done electronically over the past year and sometimes the first and only time we meet the family has been on the actual day at the church or the crematorium. What’s your favourite reading or music? Too many to mention – every time I think I have one another appears. A friend of mine died recently – she was quite elderly but wrote poetry and she wrote a poem about the pandemic which was read at her funeral. 33

Letters

The rights and wrongs of Withdrawal Bill I agree with Adrian Fisher. The Withdrawal Bill should be scrapped for all reasons he mentions. Also, UK and EU musicians and artistes and actors should be allowed to wander at will across the the UK and EU to perform as they have done so for 40 years as messers Elton John and Roger Daltry demand. Also, our exporters and importers should also have tariff and cost free access to EU markets as is their right. And our fishermen and women should also be allowed to carry on as they were. And I too should be allowed to drive on French roads without the need for more red tape in the form of expensive insurance and international drivers licence. And I should also have the right to work and live in the EU as I used to enjoy. Better still let’s rejoin the EU. Garry Barker n I sympathise with Adrian Fisher MBE regarding the difficulties of doing business with Northern Ireland following the end of the Brexit transition period (Business Opinion edition 11 Feb 19). However, I think his anger is misdirected at the EU. It takes two to make an agreement. We can’t blame the other side for negotiating hard in their own interests, no matter how unreasonable we may feel they have been. Boris Johnson did not have to sign the Withdrawal Agreement and subsequent trade deal which have caused these problems. He repeatedly told us that he was prepared to walk away without an agreement or trade deal and that no deal was better than a bad deal, so he must be happy with them. Indeed on Christmas Eve he told the nation that he had got everything he wanted from the negotiations. Despite what Mr Johnson told us at the time, there was always going to have to be a trade-off between sovereignty and the economy in leaving the EU. In the end, he chose to prioritise sovereignty over 34

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

the economy at least in the short to medium term (indicated as 10 years by Dominic Raab on the Andrew Marr show on the BBC). Theresa May’s proposed withdrawal agreement prioritised the economy at the expense of some degree of sovereignty and would have avoided the problems described by Mr Fisher, but our elected representatives in Parliament chose not to support her. Mr Fisher’s anger should be directed at Boris Johnson and all the MPs who voted against Mrs May’s proposed withdrawal agreement. Dr Gordon Lethbridge Sherborne n As Adrian Fisher correctly observes in his opinion piece (19/2/21), the UK voted to leave the EU. It was the decision of the Conservative government that we should also have nothing to do with the Single Market, but would instead have to accept all the regulations, forms and impediments that come with being

a third country and that are causing him and his business colleagues so much trouble and expense at the moment. It was the decision of Boris Johnson’s Conservative government to put a customs border in the Irish Sea, and Johnson’s claim that of course this would not involve any more bureaucracy or restrictions was either astonishing ignorance or a lie. The EU has certainly not covered itself in glory over vaccines and triggering article 16, but the blame for our current situation rests firmly with the government and their cheerleaders in the media. It is unclear to me how Mr Fisher’s preferred solution of ripping up even the limited trade agreement we have with the EU would make things any better. Neville Morley Castle Cary n In response to the inclusion of Adrian Fisher’s anti- EU spread in last week’s Opinion column I feel the need to remind readers that the

2016 referendum results showed Northern Ireland as 55.8% in favour of remaining in the EU, well behind Scotland but well ahead of England and Wales. It was Westminster that decided that regional differences should be ignored and the overall result of just 600,000 vote swing voters, equivalent to a city the size of Bristol, decided the outcome of the UK vote. We have all been alerted to the danger of an Irish Sea Border since early 2017 as raised by the DUP vociferously, particularly Ian Paisley Jnr, at the time. It is plainly ridiculous for Boris Johnson, who in 2016 finally decided to campaign to Leave then developed his campaign resulting in the 2019 election to PM, should not be aware of the play of politics. Mr Fisher blames the entirety of this mess upon the EU but that is obviously wrong. There are two parties in every bi-lateral negotiation so Mr Johnson is also to blame, and probably more so as he was the protagonist in the original argument. I agree, we should never have been in this mess. It was a total mess from the start, from the date that the Tory party got scared of their own minority back-benchers, themselves stirred up by the upstart Nigel Farage. If Mr. Fisher voted for Brexit then he must count the cost. I didn’t, but still count the cost, not just personally, to the whole of the U.K. Adrian, think again, think of the 55.8% of the voters in Northern Ireland who didn’t even want any of this to start with! This rot started, and remains, at the core, in Westminster, in the rank & file members thereof. Tim Hargreaves Gillingham n I used to read the old magazine each week but then gave up as it was all adverts etc. This week I picked up a copy and was pleasantly surprised at the change. I have just spent an enjoyable

Letters couple of hours reading it from end to end. It’s changed dramatically. Your articles are plentiful, lengthy, different, interesting and varied now. Well done. Keep up the good work. I will definitely read it again another week. John Fuller Shaftesbury n Thank you for your three interesting pages on Zeals House in the late February issue of the New Blackmore Vale. At the time of the millennium Margarite White asked me to write of my memories of Zeals House, which I had known from the early 1930s. I was shipped back from Egypt where I was born and where my father was serving, with heat fever to be looked after by my grandmother and subsequently spent many years living at Zeals House. Margarite was one of three daughters of Farmer White who was tenant of the Home Farm for many years before the last war. Margarite wanted someone who knew Zeals House well to put thought to paper. None of my cousins would oblige and I felt someone in the family should rally round so, reluctantly, I did my best. This is published in A Tale of Two Manors, Zeals a Wiltshire village. Again, many thanks for memories of what was once a glorious house with many happy memories for me. Bill Woodhouse n Following a driving incident last winter I decided I should not drive again. Having been driving for over 67 years it took some time to adjust to a new life without a car. A complete new situation was created, initially I found there was a limited bus service but it was not long before the service was curtailed as it was no longer cost effective, most of the passengers travelled free as I did. Now we have no local service, I cannot even get to my doctor’s surgery without the cost of a taxi –at least £10 per trip. With a population approaching 16,000 and still growing, car pollution will continue to grow at a

Spring has sprung!

Here are some pics I took of new lambs on my daily walk at Charlton Musgrove on February 23. They were enjoying the sunshine, jumping around. Nick Dibben

considerable cost to the area as a whole. I refer to the BPC Council document ‘a case for change’ and a sum of money is being allocated to Dorset Council to help resolve the situation. But why is there no mention of North Dorset specifically unlike other areas? Perhaps Gillingham Town could financially sustain a new town only bus service funded by a standard fare for all so much per trip. Probably serving the town in two sections all revolving round the town centre. Jerry Anderson Gillingham n On the ill thought out and seemingly kneejerk reaction to buy St Marys school for £10million, plus taxes and legal costs: Since the purchase DCC are asking comment on their proposal to turn the facility into a facility for special needs children. They are asking for other proposals. Clearly this purchase was not thought out, planned or costed. Not only the purchase price but the ongoing costs of running and maintenance. If a fee-funded school was forced

into bankruptcy, what is to stop the same happening under DCC? Councils are dependent on the Government and local community tax payers for their income. The merger of the district councils was sold to us on the basis of economies of scale. Immediately, in this area our rates went up to equal those of Bournemouth. Where are the monies to finance this? This is local government by a bunch of self-important cronies. I believe there is still a trust involved and the school in fact is in Wiltshire, not Dorset. With the merger of the councils and amalgamation of facilities, I would have thought that DCC would have numbers of redundant facilities available to them, across the county. What is equally disturbing is that I have been told by two of my local CCs (one did not return my call) that councillors were not allowed a vote on this matter. The decision was taken as an executive management decision, whatever that is. What it is not is democratic. Why do we vote for councillors when they are denied votes on

such important issues? It is pointless. How often do we actually meet a prospective candidate canvassing on our doorstep? In my experience, never. This is taxation without representation. Jeremy Bloomfield East Stour n I was greatly disturbed to receive this month’s newsletter from Dorset Council, sent to every household, stating that they have decided to withdraw funding from the remaining Tourism Information Centres. At a time when the prosperity of Dorset relies on the reopening and promotion of the Hospitality industry to survive. With little thought or promotion given to the one industry which is the backbone of the rural economy of the west country. Which was why, many years ago I, together with others set up a group known as the DTA. (Dorset Tourism Association) to put pressure on local politicians to acknowledge and recognise the importance of visitors to this vital industry and our local economy. Seems like I gave up the battle too soon? Nothing changes and at a vital moment in this disastrous time Dorset politicians are taking the easy road out again, instead of looking at alternative ways of promoting this vital industry. Della Jones In an age when so many people seem to want to take offence at the slightest thing, a publication like Blackmore Vale could so easily become bland and boring. So it is excellent to see two articles – by Canon Woods on the Church of England and by Adrian Fisher on the Withdrawal Agreement as it affects Northern Ireland - that are feisty, provocative and well argued. I completely agree with both and hope you will continue to give space to such opinion pieces. Roger White Sherborne CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 35

Letters Extra

Farmers’ market brings a little cheer During these times I stay away from our lovely, but empty, high street in Sherborne as I hate to see so called non-essential shops shut. Today was different as it was the farmers’ market and there was a distinct bustle about. The picture, right, shows the things I managed to buy in the market and from Steve at the greengrocers. Dorset crab, Wootton Organic cheese, an almond and lemon cake plus a treacle tart and an exciting first for me some award-winning sweet chilli sauce and some marinade too. Steve provided the pink rhubarb and beautiful organic oak leaf lettuce plus some daffodils from Cornwall. I was too late for the organic chicken from the market but I now order in advance. With thanks to all those involved with bringing a little cheer into our lives with their endeavours – you are much appreciated. Barbara Elsmore n I have a genuine and heartfelt sympathy for Canon Eric Woods DL ‘Loose Canon’ February 19th with his honest appraisal of the Church of England during the pandemic. Streamed, recorded and zoomed services may not, as he suggests, be the same as in person. Spiritual hunger, as rightly observed, is high. I would encourage Canon Woods not to despair since he has through your column in this excellent publication a precious chance to preach the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place for our sins. Through repentance and placing our trust in the Saviour we receive the gift of eternal salvation... and help to meet our every need at this difficult time. I sincerely pray the Lord will strengthen and uphold Canon Woods as he continues his column. Janice Horsman, Yeovil n Recent media releases by the committee and trustees 36

would like to give the impression that the Shaftesbury Civic Society is dead in the water and closing its doors. In fact the members’ voice has not yet been heard: a number of very able professionals and civic minded people have volunteered to take on the trusteeship and management. The trustees’ answer to this has been to close down the public interface. They have removed the website and taken down the social media pages, both essential elements for keeping both the members and public informed. All members should request a copy of the minutes about these extraordinary goings on. It is time the trustees now fulfill their duties and start working to ensure the continuing of a society with an almost 60-year track record. Otherwise resign and make space for able and willing professionals. Write to the society and express your support. Pierre Jordaan Shaftesbury n Having gained a cycle way, extra traffic lights and easier access to Waitrose, Gillingham has also been deprived of the welcome sight of thousands of daffodils. Were the uprooted bulbs saved? If not, will there be compensation for this loss? If and when there are funds available for replanting may I suggest a succession of early to mid season varieties. It should be possible to enjoy uplifting colour from December to April. A variety called Early Sensation regularly brightens life for

Wincanton residents before Christmas and continues into the New Year, an added bonus being the spent leaves will be ready for the first cut of the grass with no detriment to the plant. Shaftesbury has snowdrops in abundance, Wincanton has a stunning display to take them through the dark days, why not brighten Gillingham for spring? CM Ross n I was interested to read “Loose” Canon Eric Woods’ article in the BV (Feb 19). I share some of his concerns regarding the future of the Church of England. Since 1900, the Church of England has created more dioceses, bishoprics and structures whilst at the same time the number of parochial clergy has declined (especially in rural areas where one priest is probably now doing the work that was done by five or six priests 50 or 60 years ago). People find it easier to relate to their local church. Some struggle with the concept of a united benefice let alone something larger at a deanery or archdeaconry level. Chelmsford Diocesean Synod has approved the axing of 61 posts by the end of this year with the possibility of a further 49 being axed should the financial situation post-covid not improve and this a diocese which now has seven archdeacons! Let’s hope similar reductions are not being planned in Salisbury or Bath & Wells dioceses. John Radford, Wimborne St Giles

n There seems to be some disagreement among townspeople (and the council) as to whether the grass verges and green spaces in our town should be kept neat and tidy, or left a little unkempt in order to conserve the wildlife habitats. Feelings on both sides of this argument run quite high, understandably. As a keen gardener and vegetable grower, I have learned over the years about the benefits of wildlife in our gardens and farms. The numbers of all sorts of bugs and small critters are decreasing. The difficulty is in relating all that media stuff to our own back gardens, to the plants we grow and the food we eat. Many of us like to grow veg and even if we don’t have the space or time to grow our own, we often buy our veggies from local markets. Crops need a variety of insects to pollinate them, and all these insects need other insects to feed on, or to provide food for other creatures. Indeed if we had no bees we would lose many of our food crops. So what’s all that got to do with cutting our grass verges or not? Our town is spreading rapidly and many of our fields are being built on and wildlife is losing out. Their natural habitats are disappearing. Just today I was walking in fields which are to become the ‘Southern extension’, and already I felt that this was just a pocket of green space surrounded by roads, and soon to be swallowed up altogether. We need to preserve all the natural vegetation we can: wildflowers for the bees and butterflies to feed on; flower heads for birds to eat and scatter seeds; undergrowth for insects and small creatures. Town verges and green spaces really can look just as good without being regularly cut. We can live happily alongside the wildlife and still keep our green spaces under control with a little careful maintenance. Linda Philp, Threshold Cohousing Community member

Food & Dink

Cooking...

with Mrs Simkins

English Monkey During the lockdowns, comforting cheesy snacks on toast have enjoyed a bit of a revival: for some of us, they never went out of style! If you’re fond of cheesy things on toast, who can resist English monkey? Dating back a couple of hundred years, this thrifty relative of Welsh rarebit helps eke out the cheese and goes further than the classic rarebit mix. Store leftover monkey topping in the fridge: it keeps fresh for several days. This version contains far fewer breadcrumbs than recipes from years ago (too many make the monkey stodgy) plus extra seasoning borrowed from the classic rarebit. Tips Make sure the bread for the crumbs is 2-3 days old and on the dry side. Tear the bread into small pieces and whiz in a food processor so they are as fine as possible for a nice smooth finished mixture. The cheese should be extra mature for the fullest flavour. Season with a generous hand.

Top with a little extra grated cheese and a sprinkle of Cayenne before popping under the grill. Enough for 6-8 slices of toast Small knob of butter 200-250ml milk 50g breadcrumbs (see Tips) 125g extra mature Cheddar cheese, grated 1 medium-large egg, beaten ¼ teaspoon dry mustard, freshly ground black, ground white and cayenne pepper Shake of Worcester sauce to taste 6-8 pieces of bread Extra butter for spreading Melt the butter, in a heavy

bottomed milk pan. Add 200m milk and the crumbs and warm through over a low heat, stirring until you get a smooth consistency. You may need to add more milk. Add the cheese a little at a time, stirring until melted. Once melted, stir in the beaten egg gradually and season with mustard, pepper and Worcester sauce.

Mum’s Kitchen... Baked Portobello Mushrooms This is a very easy to prepare starter, and serves four people. Ingredients 4 large Portobello mushrooms, stalks removed Olive oil 150g Boursin Bunch of chives, finely chopped Finely grated zest of one lemon 55g (2oz) fresh white breadcrumbs 8 slices of pancetta

Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes with the heat low, until thick and bubbling, Toast the bread, cool slightly and let the steam escape before buttering thinly, taking the butter right to the edges. Pour or spread over the toast. Top with extra grated cheese and pop under the grill until bubbling. Reviving Leftover Monkey Heat through any refrigerated leftovers with a little extra milk stirred in and pour over the toast as before. Alternatively, spread directly on the toast straight from the fridge. Try also spreading over toasted crumpets and topping with extra cheese and a red pickled jalapeno before popping back under the grill. Utterly delicious! Check out Mrs Simkins’ website for more recipes MrsSimkins.co.uk twitter.com/MrsSimkinsCooks email: info@MrsSimkins.co.uk

with Diana Holman

Method Preheat the oven to 220c/180 fan. Place mushrooms skin side down in a roasting tin. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix together Boursin, chives, lemon zest and breadcrumbs and season lightly. Divide the mixture between the four mushrooms and bake for around 20 minutes or until tender. Grill the pancetta until crisp. Divide the mushrooms between four plates, top with pancetta, and serve with green salad. 37

Food & Drink

A delicious way to boost your vitamins

Rebecca Vincent is a Wincanton nutritionist

This week we are going to look at some of the wonderful cruciferous vegetables we are lucky to have in season now. There are lots of types of broccoli, and the sprouting varieties such as purple sprouting broccoli are currently in season. Broccoli is especially rich in vitamin C, and actually has more per 100g than oranges! It also contains good levels of vitamins K, B6, E, and A, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and fibre. Cauliflower, also being a member of the cruciferous family, has a similar nutrient profile with excellent levels vitamins K and C, fibre, potassium, phosphorus, boron, and B vitamins. The beauty of this recipe is that it works with any type of broccoli or cauliflower you happen to have at the time, so will see you through the year as different varieties come into season. As with all of my recipes you can add your own touch with different herbs and spices to suit your tastes, make it your own and enjoy! Cauliflower and purple sprouting broccoli frittata (serves 4) 150g broccoli (trim the stems and slice any thick stalks in half lengthways) 38

150g cauliflower (cut into small florets) ½ red onion (cut into wedges) 2 tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves (finely grated) zest of ½ lemon (finely grated) leaves from a few springs of thyme 20g parmesan (finely grated) 8 eggs pinch black pepper Heat the oven to 180. Mix the oil, garlic, lemon zest, and thyme. Coat the broccoli, cauliflower and red onion in the mix and spread out on a baking tray. Roast for about 15 minutes, mixing halfway through. Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, parmesan, and black pepper, and grease a round oven-proof dish or skillet. When the vegetable mix is done transfer to the ovenproof dish and pour over the egg mix. Pop in the oven for 15 mins, or until the eggs are set. Serve salad, an extra sprinkle of parmesan and a drizzle of oil. The leftovers are great cold for lunch the next day! n Rebecca Vincent BSc BANT registered nutritionist rebeccavincentnutrition.co.uk

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

The volume of milk sold direct from the farm has grown substantially in the Blackmore Vale since lockdown, say farmers. The introduction of milk vending machines five years ago helped farms move to direct sales, at a time when supermarkets were paying rock bottom prices. Instead of receiving 19p a litre, farmers could sell direct for £1 – and the enthusiasm for milk straight from the herd has continued to rise. Church Farm Dairy in Semley was the first in the area to introduce a milk vending machine in August 2017, and initial sales were around 60 litres a day. That rose steady to 100 litres before lockdown – and has climbed again to 130 litres daily. “Our bottle sales went up quite a lot in March 2020, with a lot of new customers,” says Jenny Allan, a vet and partner of farm manager Jacob Bowerman. “I thought that if people were going to buy from us, they would have come by now. “But a lot of people are looking to buy British, and people have been really positive about it.” The ability to buy direct is a win-win for the farmers and consumers. While farmers now earn an average 30p a litre from supermarkets, they can sell direct for £1. Gate sales account for only 3-4% of milk produced by its 140 Friesian herd but 10% of income. And customers get creamy, unhomogenised milk within hours and with zero food miles while being able to support farmers such as

Straight

Church Farm, run by Graham and Serena Bowerman for the past 45 years. But Jenny acknowledges that there are only so many people who want cream on their cereal, and thinks her market of Semley locals may now be saturated. And so Church Farm is diversifying, also now supplying Ansty Farm Shop and Coffee Angels in Tisbury with its milk: customers bring back their empty bottle and receive a full one. Jenny points out that buying a glass bottle for £2 and

Food & Drink

from the herd till the cows come home

refilling it each time prevents the use of thousands of plastic milk bottles annually. “We also engage a lot more with the village,” she says, which affirms what Graham and Serena thought back in 2016: that the farm had lost connection with consumers. Several farms across the Blackmore Vale have followed Church Farm’s lead and have now installed vending machines, often selling other dairy products such as butter, cream and cheese at the same time. The figures stack up. Say a machine generates £1,000 a

week, compared with £300 from selling commercially. Take out (generous) running costs of £100, start-up costs of a shed to house the machine, security cameras and so on, and farmers could pay off the cost of a vending machine within a year. “The machine paid for itself,” said Jenny, “and the cashflow had paid for a local apprentice who helps with the farm work. “We now manage it by ourselves. We could get somebody in but the priority is always to pay for improvements to the farm.”

More farmgate milk stations in the Vale n Meggy Moo’s Dairy, Shroton. Milk plus milkshakes, cream, juice, eggs and homemade cakes. Open 7am-7pm daily. n Madjeston Milk Station, near Gillingham Open 24/7 at Newhouse Farm plus eggs, cheese, milkshakes, cream and other items. n The Dorset Dairy Company, Stalbridge Strained yoghurt, butter and

cream is made at Crib House Farm – available from milk stations at Harts of Stur and The Hub, Stalbridge. n Woodbridge Farm, Sturminster Newton Home to Blue Vinny cheese, there is a milk vending machine and other goods: chutney, butter, eggs, pies, even rice pudding, plus local sausages and bacon. Open 7am-8pm daily. n All sell pasteurised, unhomogenised milk at £1 a litre.

ENFORD FARM SHOP Home reared Lamb, along with locally produced meat, veg, fruit, deli & game Follow us on Facebook for all of our latest deals & offers including weekly meat pack deals

Half lamb £65 Open All day, everyday outside shop Fri, Sat Farm Shop Open 8.30am-5pm also Arts & display Durweston, near Blandford

01258 450050 39

Antiques & Collectibles

Exceptional 1929 Bentley to be sold as part of collection This exceptional 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre, which will be sold as part of the Newton House Collection on the 11th March, offers the buyer an opportunity to become part of the great British Bentley legacy. This extraordinary vehicle has had a long and exciting life. She was first supplied to Geoffrey Joel in 1929 and still retains the open touring coachwork design by Vanden Plas, of the attractive Long Bonnet shape. Joel had a close connection to Bentley from the start, not only did he finance Bentley Motors, but he was also the cousin of Woolf Barnato of “Bentley Boys” fame. The second owner was a Mr C E A Flewitt, who was known to race Bentley cars; we have a picture of him at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb The third owner of this 4 ½

The 1929 Bentley

litre was a Lt Col Mir Haider Khan, who exported the car to India. This could have been very early in its life, the car was never registered for road use in the UK, so perhaps even in the early 1930’s. It then fascinatingly disappeared for a considerable time, to be next discovered in Afghanistan in 1971, in the possession of Hassan Hamid. After some necessary restoration carried out to a very high standard in Hamid’s factory, the owner

Coins, Militaria, sporting and Tribal Art 11th March 2021 11:30am Bid online, by telephone, by commission bid www.dukes-auctions.com 01305 265 080 enquiries@dukes-auctions.com

A late medival style dagger With engraved decoration to the tapering blade and a faceted pomme, 52cm. Provenance: Part of the Collection of Edged Weapons, Taxidermy and Fishing Tackle from the estate of the late Rufus Eyre Estimate: £500 - £1,000

WE BUY RECORDS COLLECTIONS LARGE and SMALL. Call BILL on 07967 816506 or 01747 811100 Email bill@ rebornrecords .co.uk OLD BOOKS BOUGHT also autographs, diaries, photographs & postcards. £10 per volume paid for decorative leather bindings. We call by appointment entirely without obligation. We have been buying in Dorset for over 50 years. Bristow & Garland 01747 855666

employed his friend and member of the Bentley Drivers Club, Lt T N Allan of the RAF, to drive the car back to England. After aiding the preparations of the vehicle, Mr Allan took four weeks and over 57,000 miles to complete this remarkable expedition, the car suffering no serious problems. The story is fantastic, involving Land Rover windscreen wipers, prison time and many a slow puncture. The journey is fully documented in an article in the Bentley Drivers Club Review. This achievement is a serious testament to the durability

and mechanical prowess of the vehicle. Mr Allan was to comment on ‘the incredible soundness of design, the longevity and strength of W. O.’s great cars’. Lot 1 | 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre, Coachwork by Vanden Plas | Estimate: £500,000 600,000 | The Newton House Collection - 11th March For more information, please contact William Batt william.batt@dukesauctions.com Duke’s Auctioneers Brewery Square Dorchester DT1 1GA, 01305 265 080

Town pump similar to those at Hampton Court Palace!

Our newest columnist is Hilary Townsend, who was born and brought up in the Blackmore Vale and always wanted to write. She has been a freelance writer for many years and her books include: n Blackmore Vale – an illustrated guide n Blackmore Vale Childhood – an account of her childhood n Silk Hay – an account of the mediaeval/Tudor house she lives in n Stalbridge to Siberia – an account of her worldwide travels. She is president of Stalbridge History Society. The society grew out of a

history group formed when some newcomers were curious to know more about Stalbridge. The society has flourished and grown and in 2018 mounted an outstanding century exhibition of the 1918 Sale of Stalbridge Estate. This attracted members from well beyond Stalbridge and national publicity. Schemes for fresh research come up constantly and are followed up with unbelievable enthusiasm. Stalbridge Town Pump, towards the pointed end of The Ring (which is really a

Antiques & Collectibles

Hectic bidding goes on into the night Despite the current lockdown Clarke’s Auctions at Semley are finding themselves extremely busy having just held their very successful February sale of over 1,100 lots. Starting at 10am it went on until late at night, with fierce online bidding achieving great results and ending with only 70 lots being unsold. A 1930s Herbert Terry three-step anglepoise lamp in original but worn condition fetched an impressive £600. The three-step base lamps were produced for a limited time between 1930 and 1938 and this model, the 1227, is one of the most sought-after models, fitting well into the modern industrial

A 19th century chemist's apocothary chest. Sold for £580

look that is so in fashion now. Another lot that sold beyond expectation was a 19th century chemist’s apothecary chest in ‘barn find’ condition, finally selling for an impressive £580, and a beautifully delicate bronze model of a dancer by the renowned Austrian sculptor Josef Lorenz (1882-1943). Lorenz was a sculptor working during the Art

triangle) in Stalbridge stands a rather splendid town pump. It is mounted on a sturdy base, painted a warm green and obviously fashioned in the best traditions of high Victorian ironwork. It really does look impressive at the head of a wide green lawn. So why is it there? It seems that the pump dispensed water for the centre of Stalbridge for many years in the purposebuilt pump house towards the top of Station Road. Unless householders were lucky enough to have a well in their garden, they had to fetch their water by the bucketfull from this pump. If they lived at the top of Church Hill, they had to get their water from the famous ancient spring remarked upon by Leland in the 16th century that still runs on the Hill. A lady who lived in one of the houses opposite brought up seven children

Deco period and with an estimate of £100 - £200 it finally sold for £900. They are finding that the housing market is still ticking along and with people having the time on their hands to sort out all their unwanted and unused household items they are extremely busy with house calls and collections. Their next Antiques & Collectibles sale, to be held on Saturday 13th of

there and fetched all her water by this method. The pump house is still in Station Road and for many years shared an unenclosed entrance to the original Congregational chapel. A passage to the left is still clear and led to that small chapel. A new chapel was built on the other side of Station Road in 1870. About 10 years ago a retired civil servant and holder of the National Register of Village Pumps, noticed our Town Pump on The Ring. He said it was an unusual design

March is already looking to be another bumper sale with the usual array of antique and period furniture, modern design furniture, silver and jewellery, ceramics and glass, paintings, rugs and collectables so if you are having a clear-out please get in touch with them on the telephone number below. March sees the first of three Classic Car, Motorcycle and Automobilia auctions of the year with their first sale being held on Sunday 14th March. Motorcycles remain very sought after in the current market, with enthusiasts adding to their collections and new connoisseurs starting their adventures.

and identical to pumps at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, Esher, Surrey, Cranfield Beds and Brasted Kent. Hampton Court is of course a Royal Palace. Our Town Pump provided water from Station Road until mains water was put in during the 1930s as a form of relief in the Depression. The pump was not then needed but it stayed where it was until the Pump House was restored and listed about 30 years ago. Now it stands proudly on The Ring as a remarkable landmark.

ANTIQUES, FURNISHINGS, ART, TRAVEL, SPORTING AND MORE. Based in Sherborne, free informal Valuations.

H O LT B Y & C o

@holtbyandco • holtbyandco.uk • 07877 240 015 • george.holtby@gmail.com

In the motorcycle section we have all the Marques one would expect from the Rock and Roll era including an Ariel Red Hunter with an estimate of £3,800 - £4,200, A BSA 1971 B50 SS with an estimate of £4,800 £5,200 and a rare 1938 BSA B21 with an estimate of £3,000 £4,000. In the automobilia section they have a good selection of car sales brochures from the 1960’s, mascots, an automotive library of books, a collection of Le Mans themed model cars and ephemera, Austin 7 spares and more. They are still accepting entries into this sale so please contact Matt Whitney at the main office.

CLARKE’S AUCTIONS Auctioneers & Valuers NEXT SALES Antiques & Collectables Saturday 13th March Automobilia Sale Sunday 14th March 10am start Colour catalogue available the week before at An Art Nouveau The.saleroom.com & Arts & Crafts enamel plaque depicting a lady. Sold for £1,350 easyliveauction.com Please contact Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, SP7 9BU enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk clarkesauctions.co.uk 41

Home & Garden

Hellebores are graceful and colourful No early spring garden should be without a few Hellebores. These wonderful evergreen plants provide early nectar for bees and will flower all the way through from late winter to spring. Even when the flowers, which now come in doubles and singles, are over, you can continue to enjoy their colourful bracts for weeks afterwards. Gone are shy heads that hid their beauty. The new upright Hellebores sing out in a colour range that gets wider every year. At Plant World this year, we have them from the purest white, to green, pinks, purples, yellows, to almost black. Plant them in clumps in dappled shade, maybe under trees, where they can have

jjhjh

cool roots, and you will soon find them interbreeding, which they do with gusto. Who knows you may even find next year’s must-have colour among their offspring.

Hellebores clump up nicely and only require a tidy up in autumn. Cut back any old or dead leaves and old bracts before growth restarts ready for new flowers in the

coming spring. There is no better investment for your winter/spring garden so come and have a look at the wide range we currently have in stock.

Milton on Stour Gillingham SP8 5QA

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

Seed potatoes and onion sets Lots of beautiful primulas Snowdrops in the green 44

Spring bedding and bulbs Bare root and rootballed hedging Soft fruits and fruit trees

Home & Garden

in the early spring HEDGING PLANTS 40-60cm Green Beech £128/100 Hornbeam £134/100 Quickthorn £126/100 & Blackthorn £143/100 For list and availability Call WILLIAMS GARDEN CENTRE

01963 362355 williams-florist.co.uk Station Rd, Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2RQ

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...

ASBESTOS REMOVAL Garages sheds lean tos roofing and cladding, collection and dismantling by registered hazardous waste carrier. Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478 OLD TOOLS WANTED FOR CASH: BEST PRICE IN UK VINTAGE,COLLECTABLE & GOOD USED TOOLS, boyshilltoolsandtreen.co.uk Tel 07977298834 danletts51@gmail.com

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... 43

Home & Garden

Soil Testing Service Professional laboratory soil tests

• gardeners • landscapers • small holders

Gardening... ...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

Go forth and multiply your plants

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

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

www.soilvalues.com 07598 714 082

Curtain Circuit We turn your unwanted top quality Curtains, Rugs, Small Chairs into CASH. Our stock changes daily so come to see us soon. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am to 1.00pm The Old Cycle Shop, Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BS 01935 815155 info@curtaincircuit.co.uk Instagram curtaincircuitsherborne

Serving all your interior & exterior maintenance needs

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

LTD

FRANKS MAINTENANCE GROUP

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

There is something magical about being able to remove a section of plant and make an entirely new independent specimen. There are various methods of taking cuttings that largely depend on season and maturity of growth. Spring is the focus of ‘softwood cuttings’. Softwood, the term used for young, flexible growth, usually occurs on plants during spring and early summer. They can be taken from a wide range of plants, most commonly perennials, shrubs, houseplants, occasionally annuals and vegetables. It is common practice to bring plants, such as fuchsias, geraniums, chrysanthemums, or dahlias, inside on a warm windowsill or greenhouse to force soft growth in readiness for taking cuttings. This is a really good way to boost your number of plants for free. From late winter, garden centres sell seedlings and mini plants of petunia, begonia, busy Lizzy, antirrhinum, and verbena. These are easily propagated by cuttings, so buy a few, pot them up immediately, keep them warm and when the growing point is large enough, take it as a cutting. The original plant will become bushy, allowing further harvests of cuttings if desired. This can happen repeatedly, so you should be able to produce lots and save a small fortune. This column has insufficient space to explain the procedure of taking cuttings, but fortunately there is a plethora of easily accessible information elsewhere. Here we will look at how rooting takes place. Like animals, plants have hormones, chemical compounds in extremely small concentrations that regulate growth. One of the main types is auxin. Auxin is concentrated in the growing tips of plants and have a range of roles. Among them the suppression of side shoot development, which is why the removal of growing tips (that also removes the area of auxin) encourages a plant to become bushy. Consequently, removing a shoot encourages more shoots to develop from leaf joints, and to somebody

wanting to increase their plants it means more cutting material. Once a shoot is removed, auxin within that shoot takes on other functions. It travels down the stem to the severed base and facilitates the wound to heal, then promotes root development. The important part of propagation is providing ‘life support’ until root formation occurs, and the cutting becomes an independent plant. A cutting without roots is unable to take up much water, so life support needs to focus on reducing its loss by keeping its environment humid and moist, but not wet. This should be done by placing them in an enclosed propagator, covering with a large clear plastic bag or a trimmed fizzy drink bottle. Reducing large leaves by half their length will also help. The cuttings’ wound requires air spaces within the compost to encourage healing then rooting. Therefore, a free-draining compost is needed. Personally, I find a John Innes Number 1 seed and cutting compost mixed with 50:50 sharp sand or grit does the trick. Ideally, the base of the cuttings should be kept warmer than the above ground portion. This hastens rooting and explains why electric propagators are so popular. The cuttings of some plants benefit from being dipped into rooting hormone, a synthetic rooting chemical that speeds rooting that is freely available from garden shops. You will often notice when cuttings have rooted, they lose their tired appearance and resist a slight tug on the stem. Once rooted pot them up and they will grow away rapidly. Next time, growing tomatoes.

Home & Garden GREENHOUSES supplied/erected alloy/ten colours spares-repairsglass. Chris Abrams 01258 452632

A A FRAMPTON, seasoned hardwood logs, full load, 2.2 cu metres, £135, half load, £80. Dumpy Bags £55,Call 07860 242485, 01747 826408

SEASONED LOGS FOR SALE: Barn stored ash, beech and oak, dumpy bags delivered £70. 01963 23733 07967 929055 07903 535745

LAWN SCARIFYING, Moss and thatch removal Tel 01747 821 726

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

WONDERWOOD LOGS All Seasoned Hard Woods, Oak, Ash, Beech, £75 for 1 cubic sq metre or £140 for 2 cubic sq metres, 07990 511340 or 07847 659881 LES BENHAM GARDEN PROPERTY MAINTENANCE All hedge/tree work, rubbish clearance, gravel driveways, pressure washing, patio and fencing work. Fully insured. Free quotes 01258 458849/ 07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk

/ checkatrade

D & N GARDEN MAINTENANCE Lawns cut large or small, leaf clearance, hedge trimming, strimming, tree care, rotavating. 07591684393 OLD TOOLS WANTED FOR CASH BEST PRICE IN UK. VINTAGE, COLLECTABLE & GOOD USED TOOLS, boyshilltoolsandtreen.co.uk Tel 07977298834 danletts51@ gmail.com

GARDEN RESCUE TEL 01747 821 726

Season Barn Dry Logs 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

Experienced

Reliable

CONSERVATORY OWNERS: IS YOUR CONSERVATORY TOO COLD IN WINTER & TOO HOT IN SUMMER? We turn conservatories into really comfortable rooms you can use every day of the year, whatever the weather, guaranteed For a free quote call 0333 242 3870 conservatoryinsulationspecialists.co.uk

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

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS Barn stored, delivery up to 20 mile radius, Sherborne. Call 01935 815534

20 miles radius of Sherborne

Tel: 01935 815534 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HEDGE CUTTING, pruning, coppicing and land clearance using Stihls electric equipment causing less noise and pollution. Call David 07786 658708

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

ROB’S CLEARANCE: House, shed and site clearance. Rubbish removed. Recycling carried out. Good/interesting items purchased for cash. Friendly and reliable. 01747 839751/ 07956 414896 SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS £145 double load £85 half load 01258 880892 07980 036250

TREEWISE 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

REACH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF READERS WITH AN AD IN THE NBV! CALL 01963 400186

MAN WITH MICRO-DIGGER Garden clearance, patios, fencing, decking, landscaping, driveways. 30+ years’ experience. Contact Ken - 07882 441873 01963 32034 GARDENING maintenance, references gladly provided. 07731 646505

Home & Garden

Fancy a redesign ready for springtime? ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Spring and summer are around the corner, so it may be time to redesign your garden. Greg Whale has been running BlueTulips.co.uk based here in Dorset for the past 15 years after studying garden design at Capel Manor over 25 years ago. He has designed hundreds of gardens from small makeovers to grand designs! He has a great passion for design and offers his services as a garden landscape designer to private clients. He also offers coaching taking you through the stages of designing your own garden with four on-site guided tutorials. Conceptual Design Service This option includes a visit to discuss your brief and to carry out a site survey for measurements and levels.

He will then draw out the site as an outline plan and start working on some ideas. These ideas will be transformed into two concepts for discussion and a final drawing of the garden design. The cost of this service is £250 plus VAT. Garden Design Coaching Alternatively he runs ‘one to one’ coaching sessions in your garden, which allows you to design your garden

with his guidance. There are four coaching sessions on site that cover... 1. Measuring your own garden and transferring the results onto graph paper as an outline plot. 2. Guidance on placing ideas onto tracing paper as overlays to the outline plot. 3. Advice on converting these ideas into a concept and discussing material choices and costs.

4. Preparation of the final hard landscape design ready for your own build project or presentation to landscaping companies for estimations. You will be provided with all the drawing equipment you need. The cost of this service is £400 plus VAT. Have a look at the website BlueTulips.co.uk or email gdsltdco@yahoo.co.uk or call 01258 881112/07900 431701 for a free site visit.

GARDEN SUPPLIES AT

Seed Potatoes Now In Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Shallots Summer Flowering Bulbs, Seeds, Compost, and Garden Sundries Williams Florist, Station Rd, Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2RQ

Tel: 01963 362355

williams-florist.co.uk

Normal Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

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: 01963 250005 Tel: 01963 250005 Mobile: Mobile: 07976 07976 934 934 252 252 www.bandgdown.co.uk 46

TJ Allard Tree Surgery

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

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

WANTED – someone qualified to overhaul a 1936 radio. 01747 840830 WANTED - GARDEN ORNAMENTS, Garage Clearance and also old tools wanted. Good prices paid, Mere 01747 860637

Local Services

Why advertise in Local Services? By Miranda Robertson Welcome to the latest roundup of local services in the Blackmore Vale. Every edition, this section grows by about half a page of small ads. We are on our way to achieving ‘bible’ status! Advertisers love this section – it is often more fruitful to book a small ad here than a bigger one elsewhere in the paper. Even the tiniest ads seem to generate a big response, as evidenced by the feedback

LAWN MOWING SERVICE, Tel 01747 821 726

we get from advertisers. And with prices starting from under £20 for a fornight’s advertising – often longer, as people keep their copies to refer back to – it’s great value for money. Don’t just take our word for it – this is what our advertisers say: Pamela Hassam of Chair Doctor said: “Since placing the advert in the NBV we have been inundated with calls from new customers, resulting in an astonishing amount of work which we have been very happy

FINE ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY large format printing service. Call 07826 924786. Mere.

about.” David Merefield of Treewise said: “I have been advertising in the New Blackmore Vale since September of last year. I knew my ad was working as soon as the paper had been published as my phone was ringing more! “This is the ‘Bible’ to local businesses in the area, it is unique and exactly what is need within the local community. It looks fantastic and it is local. “The team are friendly, professional and Debi

NEED HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN? Call Tim for a friendly and reliable service. 01747 835278 07825 006013

worked with me with the design and a campaign to suit my budget and plans.” Darren Blake of Double King Appliances said: “Double King is a new, small and independently owned business and we have been advertising in the Blackmore Vale since November 2020. “With extremely reasonable advertising rates and a large catchment area of potential clients, not working with Miranda and the team simply doesn't make sense!! “Keep up the good work, Blackmore Vale!!”

NEW FOREST FASCIAS. PROFESSIONAL UPVC, fascias, soffits and PHOTOGRAPHER guttering. Replacement available, primarily and repairs, Established children. but can take since 2001, Contact on all sorts! Madeleine 07843 800839 Cardozo 07826924786

If we can’t beat your quote, we’ll match it on... Replacement double glazing Shower screens Bespoke mirrors As cut bits of glass Polishing for mirrors and glass Toughened glass Balustrades Secondary units Horticultural glass Splashbacks for kitchens Covid screens UPVC windows and doors E E FQUROTATION ...and much, much more Covering Dorset and surrounding areas

Elite Glass & Home Improvements Sales@eliteglasscompany.co.uk

07933 521 675 47

Local Services GRAHAM'S WINDOWS & DOORS More than 15 years’ experience installing high quality UPVC windows and doors, conservatories, warm roofs & aluminium. We provide the very best products with a wide range of colours and designs.

See our reviews on Facebook: facebook.com/GrahamsWindows We are a Yeovil-based, family-run business, covering Dorset, Somerset and the South West. Reasonable prices and friendly service!

grahamswindowsanddoors.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

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

Based in Wincanton

Tel: 07931 583614

valesideroofing@hotmail.com Find us on

Sherborne Guitar Tuition 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com HOME TUTOR AVAILABLE KS2/3/4. £15ph or tailored deal negotiable for block booking. First 30min free. Call 07957965845. HARGRAVES LANDSCAPE AND DEMOLITION. Call us now for a free quotation on 07871 327962. WANTED - Dave buys all types of tools. Call 01935 428975

Good Quality Top Soil in Stock

Now available... Rockery Stone

Competitive Rates 01747 853687 or 01747 855630 www.hardimanconcrete.co.uk 48

PLANNING CONSULTANT

Local, Quality Painter & Decorator

Site appraisals Planning applications Appeals Planning drawings Advice

35 Years Experience Free Quotes • No VAT Call Richard on

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

LES BENHAM Painting Services Property maintenance domestic/ commercial Inside or Out. Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/ 07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co. uk / checkatrade

01963 371180 0789 4020 735

www.whiteacreplanning.com

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.

Tom the Roofer I cover all aspects of roofing work, gutter replacement, cleaning and repair work

t:01747 854887 m:07525 755 696

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

LOCAL LOCKSMITH 2 Counties Locksmith Covering Shaftesbury & Gillingham Tel 07747 488587 Member of the master Locksmith’s Association

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

t:01747 854887 m:07525 755 696

FRANKS MAINTENANCE GROUP Installations, servicing and maintenance

01747 826656 franksgroup.co.uk

•Boiler Replacement •Boiler Servicing •Gas, Oil & LPG •General Plumbing •Bathrooms •Landlord Certification •Solid Fuel Stove Installation and Servicing

CHRIS LANGLEY FLAT ROOFING BLANDFORD Specialist in Hi-performance felt & GRP. All of our work is GUARANTEED. All types of roofing professionally carried out. PERSONAL SUPERVISION OF ALL ORDERS.

HEATING AND PLUMBING

Sand Gravel Stone Cement Blocks etc Supplied Loose or in Big Bags

PAINTING & DECORATING

LTD

Concrete & Floor Screed Mixed On site Any Quantity Delivered

( 07530 693187

FREE D AN QUOTESATES IM T S E

01258-450879 | 07855-402799 Clangley12@aol.com

Local services

ADVERTISE HERE: CALL 01963 400186

MJ HPPS LTD Plumbing and Heating Contractors Oil/Natural Gas/LPG Installations Bathroom and Kitchen Installations New Boilers and Cylinders Underfloor Heating & Renewables Landlord Safety Certificates All workmanship guaranteed, along with manufacturers’ warranties.

Office: 01747 829222 Mobile: 07900916810 Email: mike@mjheat.co.uk

Quantum Locksmiths •24 Hour Call Out •UPVC Repairs •Key Cutting •Lock Changes •DBS Checked •No VAT

Flushing

• Condensing and

Combination Boilers

Call: 07900-196427 01258 721236 Email: info@quantumlocksmiths.co.uk Follow us on

• Natural Gas, LPG and Oil • Central Heating and Power

01258 446186 07973 183658

• Landlord’s Certificates • Bathrooms, Kitchens and Tiling

• All of the Blackmore Vale area covered

www.quinnsheating.com

Clive Smith Ltd. SKIP HIRE

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

Over 30 years experience

SKIP HIRE ALL AREAS COVERED ALL SIZE OF SKIP AVAILABLE PLEASE RING

CLIVE SMITH ANYTIME

Best prices paid please call:

www.kpcleisure.co.uk

01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243 49

Local Services DORSET LIME Specialists in all external & internal lime work. Lime crete flooring. All aspects of traditional building Call Dave or Dan 07492 181788

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

01747 822162

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

Friendly Service Free Estimates Mobile 07973 248319 scott@scottmilesroofing.co.uk

SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647 SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786 swbuildandrenovation @gmail.com

FOOTINGS, driveways, drains, bulk excavation and farm tracks. Call 07955 808983

PIANO TUNING, REPAIRS sales of reconditioned pianos. Julian Phillips BA CGLI 01258 471194

• Felt Roofing Specialist • Tiling, Slating and UPVC • Velux Windows • No Job Too Small • Insurance Work • Leadwork

Joseph Crocker Computers

FENCING AND REPAIRS, No VAT, Call Dave Whitehand on 07549 151799

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

Custom built gaming & office PCs Desktop, laptop and mobile device diagnosis and repair General computer and IT advice

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL 01963 23669 or 07484 690824 josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

ARCHWAY PLASTERING: Traditional/modern rendering. Finishplastering/dry-lining 07500 280483

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

Steve Guppy Home Maintenance & Improvements

Fully Insured Tel: 01747 590584 Mob: 07812 106 513 JACK’S HOUSE CLEARANCE, Often without charge. Books also wanted for cash. 07542 389447 And website jackshouseclearance. co.uk

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

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

Tel: 01747 821726 07904 355 921

DORSET WOOD TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS

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Health & Wellbeing

Meditations: roll out the green carpet

You know that winter is turning into spring when your garden birds begin to forage for nest material. This morning as I sit and drink my tea, I watch a pair of robins pull the moss from around my pond to line their nests. I don’t blame them, I too love the sensuality of moss; the cool, soft sponginess of those delicate fronds under my feet. It is interesting that many gardeners bemoan it or try to rid it from their lawns whilst in the Zen gardens of Japan, there is an inherent desire to preserve it due to its virtuosity, resilience and the length of time it takes for some moss species to grow; thus bringing maturity and wisdom to a garden. My own love affair with mosses first began when I explored the surviving

pockets of our Atlantic coastal rainforests that reside in the temperate Western seaboards of Britain. These forgotten magical wild woods are like something out of Tolkien created by the clean, humid ocean air of the Gulf Stream. I remember how I hugged the gnarled, furry green trees and marveled at the ferns, lichens and mosses that painted the boulders, riverbanks, and forest floor in a translucent verdancy; a greenness that fed my spirit and imagination. The colour green sits at the centre of the

spectrum and represents harmony, and balance. Our still primitive brains associate greenness with nourishment because where there is green, there is water and where there is water there is life, and sometimes moss. Mosses belong to the Bryophyte family and have colonised the Earth for 450 million years. We have over 1,000 species of them in the UK. Looking just like miniature rainforests in their own right, water is collected in capillary spaces in their fronds thus creating tiny rivers

April cycling skills courses on offer A Blandford cycling instructor is launching a series of courses aimed at getting people out and about on two wheels. Dilys Gartside of CycleWise will run three CouldUCycle2 courses starting early April. There will be a choice of day and venue and each week participants will learn a basic skill followed by a short ride on the Trailway to practise it.

She said: “It’s not too late to get involved in Cycling UK’s challenge to ditch the car for short journeys and cycle or walk instead. This is the perfect season to start an outdoor habit. To register your interest or for more information, email cyclewisesouthampton@gmail .com or call 01258 860157 CyclewiseSouthampton.co.uk CyclewiseDorset.co.uk

and lakes that house microscopic creatures. With no root system, they rely on rhizoids to attach themselves to surfaces. The complexity and variety of mosses are so easily overlooked or trampled upon. That is, until you stop and really look into their intricate world of fronds, creatures and the fine, feathery stalks that are topped with the capsules that hold their spores. As the robins fly off and I finish my tea, I recall my grandmother’s words of warning that “a rolling stone gathers no moss”. Perhaps it is good to stay in one place after all. Dr Susie Curtin curtin.susanna@gmail.com

Nature writer and qualitative researcher rewildingjourneys.com

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Health & Wellbeing

Gardener’s nemesis is great for health At last I managed to get out into the garden the other day. I had been feeling overwhelmed by what there was to do and so procrastinating. Luckily I managed to enlist the help of Tim who came and did some brilliant clearing for me and gave me the inspiration to crack on. Whilst doing this Tim said I had a problem with couchgrass. This was very exciting to me, as couchgrass is a good herb and to my shame I had no idea what it looked like. I am most certainly not an expert on grasses and I was having difficulty identifying it. Now I have been shown, the rhizomes and stolons make it much easier to spot. It creeps along and once you have it, it is very difficult to eradicate. I proudly said that it was a herb, but when asked what it did, couldn’t remember it all. So I have done a bit of research and it really is a very

useful, simple and effective herb to use. Primarily it is used for the urinary tract. It has lots of mucilage in the rhizomes (roots) which is always soothing for all the mucous membranes. It has diuretic and healing properties so it helps any inflammation and infection including cystitis or irritable bladder. It is reportedly good for prostatis and benign enlargement of the prostate, and helps to prevent and remove kidney stones and gravel. It contains silicic acid, which is great for healing after infections or for helping with urinary incontinence or bed wetting. It is very soothing throughout the gut and will help with any inflammation of the stomach, liver and gall bladder. The mucilage, most of which is undigestible, absorbs toxins from the intestine and adds bulk to the stool which then encourages the excretion of

wastes so it is helpful for gout Traditionally, boiling up the and its anti inflammatory roots was used as a spring action is good for arthritis. tonic and it can be used It is also good for the lungs, topically as a gargle or to with antimicrobial and anti speed up healing of wounds. inflammatory properties It is also very popular with helping to relieve irritating animals. Dogs when eating coughs and bronchitis. It is grass will often be eating said to clear catarrhal couchgrass to help with their congestion through its digestion. soothing actions on the mucosa of the nose and throat. The Fiona Chapman is silica in it studying naturopathy has a healing and herbal medicine at effect on the the College of lungs. Naturopathic Medicine

The pros and cons of living in a routine

The recent half term brought about a change of routine with hopefully less screen time and more just doing ‘stuff’ as our children felt like it. What is it about routines that are so good for us but so nice to get away from? If we have structured our lives so we follow a regular pattern, we are providing a skeleton on which the rest of our day can sit on. Additionally, routines allow our brains to operate more efficiently. As our daily actions and behaviour become routine, it means we do them automatically and without much thought. Cleaning our teeth, switching the kettle on for that ‘first cuppa’ – these are all things we do without really thinking, freeing our brainpower for more important things. But what about more consciously formed routines? We all have 54

specific tasks allocated to specific days of the week, ensuring the essential tasks are done as they need to be. But does it also mean we have more time for other things? The simple answer is, yes. In the same way that planning your week means you use your time as efficiently and effectively as possible, by having a routine for the regular jobs means we know that time is already allocated. We don’t need to worry about

when we are going to do something because we have it planned out. We are creatures of habit so it means we are more likely to remember the regular things. The cons? We have been living a much reduced version of our lives, on repeat, for a year. Just now we are probably viewing the routines of our lives with something wavering between irritation and despair. If the routines form the structure of

our lives and the skeleton on which creativity, stimulation, inspiration, learning, development and growth can sit, they really are only at their best if they have all those things following them. If we are just living through a series of routines, yes, they help us achieve and remember but there’s not much variety without all those things listed above. It’s about balance. We need both aspects to make the best use of our lives. This is key – to remain in control of our routines, not to be controlled by them. I hope, as we begin the slow process out of Lockdown, we can embrace the security and liberty that routines bring to our lives. Alice Johnsen is a life coach based just outside Sherborne. 07961 080513 alicejohnsen.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing

A walk around... HAYDON Haydon is one of the smallest parishes in Dorset, in area and in population which is about 44. It’s very peaceful with more vehicles going overhead than on the roads. There aren’t any modern buildings at all. Park near the church, which was built in 1883 but includes parts of the old one from Saxon times. Over the road is a lodge at an entrance to the Sherborne Castle

Estate. The notice says there’s no access but there’s a public footpath. We might go there on another occasion. Take the lane going south east past the church, which leads to Haydon Farm. When you’re past the farm, the Tarmac runs out and you’re on a byway, Huish Lane. After nearly a mile you reach a road, Ashmore Lane. Follow it south west for five furlongs then turn right, west north west up a narrow footpath then, over the hill, downwards.

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade Now you’ll be glad you wore wellies or that you remembered to dubbin your walking boots as a stream runs down the path. After a while, at a confluence, cross a little bridge and head uphill through a wood and soon you’ll be back on a road. Turn right and head north for half a mile and you’ll be back at your car. If you have the time and the energy you might like to head up the lane leading uphill to the west, curiously named West Lane. It has pleasant views.

Being on clay soil, there are several ponds next to the road at the top of the hill, which might be interesting at tadpole time. When you reach the third hedge on the right you’ve reached the parish boundary, so turn round and go back to your car.

Trying to ‘fix your feelings’ with drink, work or exercise? Psychotherapist David Stanton lives near Sherborne. All too often, I hear clients say: “but I had such a good childhood” or “currently life’s not too bad, just a bit more stressful than usual” – then they justify why they’re at the end of their tether and have sought therapy. In mental health we’ve learnt trauma is not necessarily just about those significant blow-up events; a massive car accident, surviving torturous abuse, being in combat or having a near death experience etc. We can be traumatised by seemingly insignificant life events; or even an ‘off the cuff’ remark. I had an anorexic client, whose 15-year eating disorder started with one small critical comment about her weight and looks. Her way of dealing with perceived rejection and subsequent deep insecurity was to control her intake of food. It led to years of utter misery for her; let alone her parents and

siblings who had to watch her nearly starve to death, feeling powerless to help her. This week, someone I know celebrated 25 years in recovery from 17 years of chronic alcoholism. When I asked him why he’d started ‘self medicating’ he said alcohol gave him confidence and initially helped him to feel included and ‘belong.’ He said it washed away his insecurities and gave him ‘energy to cope.’ I’m currently seeing another client who was recently diagnosed with clinical depression and acute anxiety. She’s a middle-aged nurse in a local hospital on the high-intensity covid ward. She’s witnessed and experienced more emotional distress than at any time in her 27-year career so far. At the time, her understandable response was to work flat out as many hours as possible; causing her to ‘burn out’ with emotional and physical exhaustion. So what have all these individuals got in common? They’ve all

tried to fix their uncomfortable feelings – the anorexic tried to control her body image, the alcoholic tried to fix his insecurities and the nurse tried to fix her distress and sadness with excessive work. ‘Fixing feelings’ is something most of us do at some time or another; which if not kept in check, can have a very detrimental effect on our well-being, mentally and physically. Comfort eating, endless shopping, over working, excessive exercise, using drinks and/or drugs, binge watching television, hours of video games or being on social media, keeping busy – are all ways to avoid painful emotions. Especially in times of fear and high anxiety, it’s very tempting to try and make ourselves feel better, happier, more positive and productive. Our behavioural responses take the edge off the guilt and/or shame. It’s often a form of distraction

and escapism. It lifts us from the pit of melancholia and brooding about how hard life is at times. Unfortunately we have a culture where being low in mood or depressed is also something we find difficult to handle; in ourselves and other people. Denial has

become a huge problem for many and the meaning of ‘self care’ is often misconstrued or misunderstood. Stress is at an all-time high for many. Just the thought of stopping and being silent or still can be very scary; because then we’re left with ourselves and our thoughts and feelings.

David Stanton IAC ICPT ISOCS ISSUP Senior Psychotherapist/Counsellor. Trainer and Mental Health Consultant. Individual and Group face to face sessions; also via video on WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger and Zoom. Clinical Supervisor to other Health Care workers. Counselling for Individuals, Groups, Couples, Children, Adolescents and Families. 40+ years experience; including working with Relate, the Samaritans, MIND, Turning Point, Action on Addiction, Emmaus, CAMHS. GP Surgeries. Schools, Universities, Youth Service, Prisons, Courts. HR Depts, Corporates. Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self Esteem, Relationship problems, Family Dynamics, Bereavement, Eating Disorders, Substance/Alcohol Abuse, Addictions. Isolation, Loneliness, PTSD, Bi-Polar, OCD, Sexual/Physical Abuse, Self Harming, Death Anxiety, Sex Issues. Lack of Meaning & Purpose, Anger, Phobias, Gender, Sexuality, Social Justice. Conflict Resolution. Crisis Management. Available for Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Workshops, Retreats, Seminars, Training and Talks. Emotional Intelligence and Awareness Educator to all Education Establishments and Businesses. CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED.

Please contact through the websites www.tatvacenter.com www.edas-addictionservices.com Or telephone - David 07 584 711 488.

Education

For Greene’s a jolly good Fellow! Yeovil College and the Yeovil College University Centre have awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Jo Roundell Greene. This honour is traditionally reserved by colleges and universities for those who have shown distinction in academia or public life.

Jo has been a familiar and popular figure in the community for many years having spent 16 years as a South Somerset District Councillor. During her time on the council, Jo was Deputy Leader and a member of the Executive Committee, with specific responsibilities for Economic Development, the Environment and Equality and Diversity. Jo was a board member of Yeovil College until 2013 and during that time she launched several charitable fundraising campaigns. Jo re-joined the

board last year. Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal of Yeovil College, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jo to our select group of Fellows. “As a member of the Yeovil College Corporation, for the second time, Jo is a long-term supporter of our great college, always prioritising the best interests of our community and student body. Her wealth of experience and passion for our community positions Jo as a brilliant ambassador for our college.”

Jo Roundell Greene Photo by Len Copland

Special online art workshops offered to pupils Special workshops delivered by acclaimed and award-winning artists are the latest in a series of online events at Bryanston during the pandemic. An invitation has also been extended for pupils in Years 11 and 12 at The Blandford School to join the next live online workshop to be hosted by highly respected portrait artist Paul Brandford. Bryanston’s art department is also exploring the possibility of producing a series of short films to promote creativity in online art lessons for primary schools within the Blandford Schools Network

once restrictions are lifted. Head of art Doug Knight said: “Delivering an effective and fulfilling remote learning experience for pupils has been a challenge for all schools, all teachers and all parents.”

He added: “We know how pupils thrived from the experience of earlier prelockdown workshops at the school so we were keen to add similar variety and interest to our own online resources.

“However, the new initiatives have also provided us with the opportunity to extend similar support for neighbouring schools, which has been really well received.” Mr Knight added: “We’re delighted that, as well as our art scholars, so many pupils attended the two-hour live online workshop with many others in different time zones also watching a recording of the event. It was a rich, hectic, amusing and inspirational afternoon and the positive feedback from the different year groups has been outstanding.”

School issues plea for your support Blandford School has issued an urgent appeal for help as it prepares to re-open to all pupils. In an open letter, the resources committee of the TBS Governing Body say: “We hear the best place for children is in schools, and that the government places great value on education. “Perhaps less often heard is the financial impact of covid on schools, now and over the coming months or years. “Many schools in Dorset ran a ‘licensed deficit’ before the pandemic – The Blandford School was no exception. “Schools, open to students from key worker and other homes, have had to take measures to be 56

covid-safe. “To date, these have cost TBS more than £60,000, which includes cleaning and health and safety (to comply with covid regulations) of around £15,000, as well as teaching cover and catering. At the same time, facility hire has ceased, resulting in a loss of income of around £40,000, for which there will be no compensation. “The DfE states that schools will have some covid expenditures reimbursed, with schools the size of TBS eligible for up to £75,000. But the conditions are strict, and schools are refused permission to claim for making premises ‘covid-secure’. Of the

approximately £60,000 additional expenditure, the school has only been able to reclaim £6,500.” Since January this year, TBS has been covid testing almost 200 pupils, and with testing staff from local primary schools. “Much of the cost of the testing is underwritten by external funders, but the school still must buy additional sanitiser, PPE, medical waste disposal bags and pay for medical waste disposal. “When children return to TBS full-time, it is very likely the school will need to scale up the testing regime which will also add extra costs. “As a governing board we want

TBS to be fully open again, to provide the best possible learning and educational outcomes for all its pupils. “However, we are most concerned that the school – and therefore its returning student body – is at risk of being seriously underfunded. As a board we are keen to build on the support from the local community – the town council, Chaffers and Rotary to date – to help the school over what is likely to be a challenging period in many respects. If you can assist in any way, we would very much appreciate hearing from you.”

Arts & Entertainment By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Dorset folk duo Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere, better known as Ninebarrow, are planting 1,000 native trees and 200 shrubs in three acres of land outside Gillingham to celebrate the launch of their new album A Pocket Full of Acorns and help off-set their own carbon footprint. The pair and their socially distanced family members, are planting ten different species including 500 oak trees, 250 silver birch, chestnut, hornbeam and elder to form The Ninebarrow Woodland. A Pocket Full of Acorns is set to be launched today (March 5), with breathtaking vocal harmonies and melodies inspired and rooted in the Dorset landscape. Ninebarrow were nominated for Best Emerging Act at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and are known for their stand-out songs and, until the pandemic struck, had a busy UK touring schedule. Jon said: “Jay and I have long had concerns about the impact our touring has on the environment. In a normal year, we’d drive more than 10,000 miles across the country and that alone is a frightening thought in terms of the carbon footprint it creates. One wet Sunday afternoon, we started thinking about the fact that Ninebarrow’s carbon footprint is generated not only by us but also by the audiences that travel to come and see us play. “Being a bit of a spreadsheet geek, I decided to try to calculate our carbon footprint. We sell a lot of gig tickets through our own website, so have a fairly good idea how far people travel to come to our shows. It took quite a bit of research and some estimating as to

Folkie duo are branching out with new album NINEBARROW: Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere

who may have shared cars or taken public transport – but at the final reckoning we’d worked out that every year, Ninebarrow was generating over 2.5 tonnes of Co2 just through the mileage we were clocking up. On top of that, we estimated that a further half tonne of Co2 was being generated per gig through audiences travelling to and from the venues. “It was a shock to discover that across our musical careers, which started in 2012 and might, if we are lucky, span some 25-30 years, we would generate nearly 1000 tonnes of Co2.” That thought was in their minds as they started

working on their fourth studio album. Whilst visiting the National Trust’s Souter Lighthouse in South Shields, Jon and Jay learnt about Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, Lord Nelson’s second-incommand at the Battle of Trafalgar. At the time of the Napoleonic Wars, the grand ships of the Royal Navy were built from mighty oaks and Collingwood became concerned that forests were being depleted. Fearful for the future of the Navy and the nation he took to carrying acorns in his pockets, planting seeds in suitable places as he went on his rambles.

Jay said: “The story really touched us. The notion of using one’s time on earth to help secure a future for those who come after us seems to have been lost in modern times. We decided to make the resulting song, A Pocketful of Acorns, the title track of the new album and the more we thought about it, the more we felt the need to do more. “Writing a song about other people doing something for future generations just didn’t seem to go far enough. And so we came up with the idea of planting a wood. A wood with enough trees to offset not only Ninebarrow’s past and future carbon emissions but also the carbon footprint of our past and future audiences too.” Ninebarrow Woodland is being grown in the three-acre field which belongs to a family member and is currently lying fallow. The Woodland Trust is covering 75 per cent of the costs, with 25 per cent being covered by their fans. Jon said: “We’re under no illusions about the imperceptible impact that planting 1,000 trees will have on the climate emergency our planet is currently facing. “But we wanted to make a statement about the fact that it is within all our powers to do more than we are currently doing. We all need to play our part and take what action we can to ensure future generations and life on this planet in all its myriad forms have something to inherit.” n Ninebarrow will perform a special streamed album launch show at 7pm on Saturday March 13 on Youtube. A Pocket Full of Acorns is released on the Winding Track label on Friday, March 5 available at ninebarrow.co.uk 57

Arts & Entertainment By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@ blackmorevale.net

When I heard the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival was back on this year I actually did a jig of joy. The drab and dreary spectre of 2020 suddenly vamoosed, to be replaced in the party part of my brain with colour, music and sunshine. The Boy and I first attended this glorious, gentle, yet buzzing festival when he was five. He will be 13 this time and still it’s quite our favourite camp-out of the year. While the line-up has grown and grown, it’s still an intimate, safe-feeling festival for young and old alike and is set to take place on August 19-22. And where else can you take part in a beard-off, swap your old clothes and throw a clay pot while listening to hundreds of different and wonderful artists playing on half a dozen stages? The site, in a glorious area of farmland just outside Swanage, offers spectacular views over the steam railway. Several fields are laid out for different groups – those with campervans, those with tents, a glamping spot, a quiet site… Two main areas offer glorious foods from around the world, masses of activities for adults and kids, stalls offering colourful, wondrous clothes and there are chances to grab an open mic slot, take part in yoga or just… sit and let it all wash over you. As well as the beard-off, where people go to enormous lengths to snare the prize, and the poetry slam, where would-be poets compete, there’s a themed fancy dress day (it’s the letter V this year), with prizes for adults, kids and 58

TAKE YOUR PARTNERS: Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is set to return in August this year

Dancing in the streets as folk festival set to return teams. The Boy was Kim Jong Un for the letter K, so I will be seeking a Vladimir Putin mask this time. I have just six months to grow my beard, then I shall appear not only in the beard-off, but as Veet the Victorious. Not a problem. Each year organisers Catherine and Paul Burke try to increase their offer for kids, using all the money they receive from ticket sales and putting it directly back into paying performers and workshop hosts to lead fun activities for kids of all ages to take part in. Catherine said: “Kids’ activities are going to be bigger and better than ever this year with kids crafts running throughout each day, a storytelling tent, theatre

and games workshops, toys swapshop, welly wanging, hoolahooping, space hopper obstacle course, and MR WOW is back! Woohoooo!!!” Wessex Circus will offer juggling, stilt walking, unicycling, diablos, devils sticks, poy, and acrobatics with an inflatable tumble mat, and low-level practice trapeze – and adults can have a go at all these activities too. We’ve all missed our freedom for the last year. For me, PVFF will assure me this nightmare is truly over. I cannot wait. For more information and to buy tickets go to purbeck valleyfolkfestival.co.uk

Arts & Entertainment By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Westlands Entertainment Centre in Yeovil has secured £38,926 from the government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund to implement covid-secure measures to allow the community access to the arts, culture and film. This award is in addition to the £298,697 lifeline support grant received for the Octagon and Westlands in October last year on behalf of Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Westlands Entertainment Centre was closed for the second time since December 26, 2020 and has welcomed the financial support, which is a lifeline to protect jobs and retain skills. Arts and Entertainment Venue Manager, Adam Burgan, said: “Westlands is and will always be a community venue offering you the very best entertainment, from film to festivals. “The period since March has been very worrying and difficult and while we have always tried to do whatever we can to continue being there for our communities this funding helps to protect the venues and people who work so hard to bring joy, entertainment and hope. “It will help to ensure we can continue to be there for our audience, now and in the

RECOVERY AWARD: Westlands Entertainment Centre has received £38,926 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund

The show must go on after venue handed £38k lifeline future”. Adam added: “We are very thankful for the support we have received from the community over the past ten months, from our colleagues and Foyer Club volunteers who have continued to

donate their time to our success and to the patrons that have returned since July to show their support for the venue whilst restrictions have allowed indoor cinemas to operate.” Culture Secretary Oliver

Dowden said: “From restoring Georgian lidos and Roman Baths to saving local screens and synagogues, our Culture Recovery Fund is helping to save the places people can’t wait to get back to, when it is safe to do so.”

Literary festival still alive and well-read on social media The Blandford Literary Festival, which held its very successful inaugural event in 2019 and had hoped to make it an annual occasion until the pandemic hit, is alive and well on Facebook, where it is continuing to promote existing and emerging authors, host workshops and plan events. In February, in celebration of

#NationalStorytellingWeek, they posted a video of a story told by one of their favourite story tellers, Alex Ultradish, who attended the festival in 2019 and was a bit hit with parents and children. They also hosted a Valentine’s short story competition, which was free to enter, and for which stories of up to 2000 words

could be about any type of love – serious, sad or funny – with the promise of a £50 dinner for two from Rebekah’s Kitchen served by home delivery due to lockdown. They have asked those who supported the 2019 festival to get in touch by email to info@blandfordliterary festival.com if they have any

new projects you would like them to share, and whether they’d be interested in being part of a live panel Q&A, submitting an article for a guest blog post, send a video of a reading or give a live talk or link to their latest work, saying they are passionate about sharing people’s with the community. 59

Puzzles Arrow words Yahoo competitor (inits)

Crossword 1

Roman garments

Changes

Put on

Make fuzzy

7 8

Swimmingly

Hospital provider (inits)

Kiss

Biblical paradise

Knights

Risks

15 Tried to catch cod, eg

Mix

Junkie

Outdo

17 18

Hearing organ

Quick

Stops

Sales feature (inits)

Utmost, with ‘degree’

Cashpoint It follows jay (inits)

Back

Very similar

Tater

Across 6 Smell (5) 7 Paths (6) 9 Irritable (7) 10 Housing contract (5) 11 Consumes (4) 13 Liquid container (6) 15 Fasten (5) 16 Salad fruit (6) 17 Section of a chromosome (4) 20 Racket (5) 22 Marine (7) 23 Device for taking pictures (6) 24 Evergreen trees (5)

Unbroken

Legend

Wordsearch Mongol Emperors

Z T U E E N A H K R U M E T Z

C O H N R A A Z N Z I I U T H

U R I N C H I N B A L G I K T

K E U L Z I H E A T H N K O H

R G N M R I G I A T I H G N A

ARIQ BOKE BERKE GENGHIS KHAN GUYUK KHAN MENGU-TIMUR OGEDEI KHAN RINCHINBAL SARTAQ

S E M T I K U A E B M E T T A

U N K I H T Y M E B D B R H I

B E D A O N U G N E M A D U T

I K N Q D R K G I R E R N L N

Q H T A E N K K N K A I I A A

N A H K S I H G N E G Q H G G

T T T D M A A A I G M B G H N

N U D R N N N T C N G O I C E

TEMUR KHAN TINI BEG TOQTA TOREGENE KHATUN TUDA MENGU TUGH TEMUR ULAGHCHI UZBEG KHAN

M N N N A O H G E T G K Q H O

G Q O I A S L M O T H E O I E

Down 1 Impetus (8) 2 Outline drawing (5) 3 Practice (5) 4 Prospect (7) 5 Sixth letter of the Greek alphabet (4) 6 Counterbalancing (10) 8 Acknowledgements (10) 12 International trade organization (inits) (3) 13 Hidden copy of an email (inits) (3) 14 Ministering to (8) 15 Drove a car (7) 18 Commonplace (5) 19 Swellings (5) 21 Mosque prayer leader (4)

Sudoku

3 7

9 2

7 4 1 9 3 5 2 1 8 9 1 4 6 6 8 2

4 8 1

For the solutions turn to page 56-57

5 3 9

Brain chain RESULT

+50%

-17

-47

÷6

Puzzles (for cleverclogs)

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword 1

1 5 2 1 6 4

2 9

1 5

4 1 8 4 2 6 6

2 5

8 9 8

2 1

7 4

6 2 8 1

8 6

4 3

1 8 4 2 9 3

6 3

3 6

9 5 6 8

2 7

7 5

7 4

30+

5×

21+

Killer Sudoku Pro: 14+

14+

15+

14+

504×

120×

12×

216×

14+

48×

15+

20+

96×

18×

84×

336×

168×

45×

Brain chain (Hard version) RESULT

+128

÷5

×3

+76

-88

Can you solve these brain chains entirely in your head? Start with the bold value on the left of a chain, then follow the arrows and apply each operation in turn. Write the result in the box.

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3×3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dashed-line cage, and each dashed-line cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage.

648×

Place 1 to 9 once each into every black-bordered 3×3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

1 4 8 9 10 11 13 16 19 20 22 23 24

Across US writer marks verse composition (4) Elevated tie wrong when reviewed (8) Varied praise for ancient empire (6) Go round the Italian bishop in hat (6) Reportedly, film star is inactive (4) Detailed low point around house (8) Litany Genesis played? It’s undemanding music (4,9) Name largely in a besieged place for outrage (8) Work in cash register (4) A commercial vehicle enters hot area in Caribbean capital (6) Suit shown by British and Italian novelist and writer (6) Get a role that’s unusual for trusted friend (5,3) Element in beach for French novelist (4)

Down 2 Banking arrangement concerning preliminary outline (9) 3 Inexplicable event in tale of suspense (7) 4 Characteristic source of indigestion in Italian eatery (5) 5 Not having comic getting impassioned around university (7) 6 Greek character taking in at home money (5) 7 Seize Northern sailor (3) 12 Information lent possibly about scholar, courteous chap (9) 14 Copy computing etc in India and China (7) 15 Observes refusals of summer desserts? (7) 17 Make a speech somewhat inferior at event (5) 18 Old boy and lad brought up loutish figure (5) 21 Trouble from beer, we hear (3)

MPs’ round-up

We’re nearly free! Time for extra mental health help The 21st of June is now dangling tantalisingly before us – a date on which we’ll regain those freedoms which we’ve been forced to abnegate for too long. And in the weeks leading up to that date – and in the months beyond, we’ll see an exponential explosion of growth – physical infrastructure mushrooming, businesses expanding and offices reopening. Goethe once described architecture as ‘frozen music’. And even as we’ll see the aptness of that comparison in the world around us, I’m conscious that there are hidden, unseen problems that have been created or exacerbated by the enormously testing times through which we’ve all lived. Having had the privilege to

Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton help literally thousands of constituents across the course of the pandemic, I know that mental health will have to be a real priority for the post-covid agenda. So it’s about our internal architecture, too, unthawing the internal freeze

so many have felt during this period and ensuring that they can find responsive chords in the world around them. I know from my conversations and correspondence that many in our area have suffered acutely from loneliness, a sense of despair and the appalling emotional wrench of compelled separation from family and friends. And this seems an appropriate time to ensure that physical and mental health finally enjoy parity of esteem. The Government have pledged an additional £2.3 billion for mental health services by 2023-24 – an increased share of the NHS budget – to ensure that the silent suffering we’ve seen can find relief. And it’s worth saying this is not merely a

problem that results from economic hardship, but also hits our young people – those who haven’t been able to see their teachers and friends for months and others whose ambitions have stalled as a result of exam cancellations or fewer employment opportunities. So we’re also going to see a further £1.4 billion to improve accessibility and availability of mental health support for young people. If the aim of building back better is to be realised then it’s about doing so in a holistic sense – ensuring our mental, physical and economic resilience is strengthened. That’s what I’ll be attempting to achieve and support in the weeks and months ahead.

Tide is turning in incinerators argument Back in December, I wrote about proposals for an energy-from-waste (EfW) incinerator in my constituency. In that piece, I wrote: ‘We still have a lot to do in terms of our emissions reductions in Wiltshire, the south west and nationally. Wiltshire Council declared a climate emergency in 2019; Westbury has an Air Quality Management Area; the U.K. is en route to a carbon neutral future and is hosting COP26 next year. More incinerators contradict these policies and ambitions.’ Well, the campaign against Northacre Renewable Energy’s (NRE) incinerator continues with renewed emphasis on these points. This week, we had the first session of COP26 oral parliamentary questions to government ministers - the President, Alok Sharma MP, 62

MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison and Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP. I was squeezed into proceedings on Wednesday just before PMQs, when I had the opportunity to ask whether the Glasgow summit later this year will provide an opportunity to debate the question of our burning waste. I believe that in this COP presidency year we

should be doing nothing that will encourage old-style incinerators that pump effluent into the great landfill in the sky in places like Westbury. Part of Minister Trevelyan’s response was: “The work that we have done already in the Resources and Waste Strategy is leading the way and we are looking to eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050.” The Strategy in question outlines plans to create greater efficiency from EfW and ensure that ‘all future EfW plants achieve recovery status’. A second strategy – cited earlier in proceedings by Alok Sharma – is the PM’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. Under this, the government sets out plans to increase energy from low carbon hydrogen. NRE’s proposals for a

moving grate old-style incinerator fall well short of being efficient, a recovery facility, or low carbon hydrogen fuelled – as the government’s strategy rightly demands. Indeed, NRE already has permission for a gasification plant at Westbury based on cleaner technology. It seems the tide is turning, however. My comments came just days after Minister Kwasi Kwarteng refused permission for a 390,00 tonne EfW facility in North Kent. The decision for the Westbury incinerator is currently in the hands of the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Council – both of whom have now closed their consultations. Hopefully they will prevent its construction, and with it the need for the Secretary of State to be called upon to rule on this proposal.

MPs’ round-up

School staff have been phenomenal So! The sensible and steady path from lockdown to more normal times will soon be opened and we will all begin to take our tentative steps forward. The Prime Minister is right to tailor future moves based on solid data rather than arbitrary dates. Coronavirus is an atheist virus. It did not recognise Christmas and has no intention of changing its habit for Easter. Baby steps rather than a buccaneer’s stride are what is needed and that is what I shall support. I am delighted that it will be our schools who will benefit from the reduction in the R rate, the wonderfully high numbers of those being vaccinated and the fear of the NHS being swamped abating. But when we say ‘schools will reopen from the 8th March’ people think school gates closed for Christmas and will only be unlocked in the early spring sunshine. Our schools have never fully shut. As the parent of three school-aged children (1 at Gillingham High and 2 at St Gregory’s Primary in Marnhull) I have seen at first

MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare hand the challenge that teachers have overcome. Schools have stayed open to ensure education is provided to some of our most vulnerable children and to those of key workers, allowing them to carry on their key work, for which we are all so grateful. We have seen teachers perform an impressive balancing act in delivering both in-class and athome learning. The qualitative step change in the latter since lockdown 1 has been amazing. The High School has even delivered a parents’ evening which was slightly akin to speed dating (so I am told having never sped-dated) but it worked.

Teachers, heads and governors have kept the ship afloat, preparing and delivering lessons for two parallel universes; receiving completed work both physically, via Teams or email. Responding to pupils’ questions in real time through a virtually raised yellow hand or keeping a weather eye on the chat bar. Multi-tasking par excellence. Having been involved with helping to administer the lateral flow tests at Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Blandford high schools I have seen those teachers and pupils in school on a daily basis. They are not reopening; they have never closed. I fervently hope that this approach means that we have reduced the risk of losing a generation. Having discussed with heads their plans I am hugely encouraged they are alert to the needs of being hands-on and alert to identify and support those who found home learning hard. They have monitored them over the weeks. I know that they won’t leave anyone behind. The support staff who keep the

schools clean and covid secure are the unsung heroes. Invidious I know to name check but the work I’ve seen people like Rachel and Tina do in Gillingham, keeping the school clean and the testing hall spick and span, is so important. To all the Rachels and Tinas in our schools, again, I say ‘thank you’. To those staff who, with little notice, set up testing centres, and their colleagues who mucked in the heartfelt thanks of parents across North Dorset. Our local schools are phenomenal places of learning and development. I’ve always believed (having toyed with being one myself) that teaching is a vocation not a career. We have seen the very best these last months and I know we will continue to see it. I fervently hope that society will now see our teachers in a new and respectful light. They are the potters and sculptors helping to create and shape our next generation. Their work is of the utmost importance. I salute and thank them all.

release us more quickly, but with the South African variant continuing to be a concern, the Government doesn’t believe that the risk can be taken. The plan gives us the brightest light at the end of the tunnel we have had for the past year. Here in Dorset, 15% of people work in the tourism sector. It has been a tough year, but we can now look forward to 12th April when the Prime Minister’s roadmap will bring renewal to the hundreds of pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels and tourist attractions across West Dorset and the wider area, setting the path to sunnier skies and greener pastures with the safe re-opening of hospitality and

visitor economy. In normal times, 685,000 overnight trips are made to West Dorset each year, along with five million day trips! Last week, I joined a number of online meetings about the Dorset Local Plan. It is becoming clearer to me that the Dorset National Park proposal is now influencing the proposal to have developments of thousands of houses forced upon Dorchester and Gillingham and Sherborne as they lie outside the proposed National Park area, meaning we absorb the quota being in the authority area, but outside the National Park. It strengthens my view that we should not have a National Park for Dorset. 63

A bit cautious maybe, but welcome news

A couple of weeks ago, I visited one of our vaccination centres in Dorchester to see first-hand the hard work that our healthcare staff and volunteers are doing at the Atrium Centre. At the time of writing, our vaccination program continues to deliver the highest vaccination rates in Europe. It was just over a year ago that the Chief Medical Officer asked me to attend a briefing with him in Parliament about a new Coronavirus. The following week I met him in Downing Street and a month later we were in a lockdown. Eleven months after that day, on Monday last week, the Prime Minister set out a roadmap to

MP for West Dorset Chris Loder finally get out of these national restrictions. The plan is cautious. If I’m honest, a bit too cautious for my personal preference and I was hopeful that the hard work to get us into Tier 1 at the end of 2020 would

Pets

Ask the vet... What Do I need to look for in a Pet Insurance Policy ? Pet insurance allows you to have the financial back-up you might need if your pet needs veterinary treatment. Young animals are more likely to have an accident and older animals are more likely to become ill. It is important to know what to look for when choosing a policy. Many breeders and most vets will provide you with a free cover note providing one month’s cover for your puppy or kitten. This gives you the time to shop around and set up long term insurance before the cover note runs out. It is important to know that most policies exclude illness for the first 2 weeks of the new policy so allowing some overlap is a good idea. The main areas to compare are the amount paid out per condition and per year and whether a condition is covered for one year only or for life.

with Lynn Broom

For instance, if your pet is referred to a Veterinary Referral Centre for an MRI or CT scan as well as specialist spinal surgery, costs are currently around £6,000. Long-term conditions such as diabetes or Addison’s Disease require ongoing monitoring and lifelong medication and this can add up to £1,000s over the life of your pet. The excess is the amount of the claim that you have to cover. This is often a set amount but can be a percentage of the overall claim particularly as your pet gets older. Most insurers require your pet to be regularly vaccinated and having your pet neutered often leads to lower premiums. Certain breeds are more prone to illness than others and their

premiums will be higher to reflect this. Preventive treatment such as vaccines, worming and flea treatments are not covered by insurance and most policies exclude all costs associated with breeding. It is really important to note that, if your pet has ever had a particular condition or injury, changing insurance company will mean that this condition is very likely to be excluded. This is particularly important when your pet has an ongoing lifelong condition. A common example is where a dog has had a skin or ear problem. Many skin conditions are caused by allergies and all future similar symptoms are likely to be excluded. Insurance is there to provide cover for the unexpected. If your pet has had symptoms prior to you taking out insurance it is unlikely that

any condition associated with these symptoms will be covered in the future. It is a good idea to speak to friends and other pet owners regarding their experiences particularly in relation to claims. Research the company you are considering using and read the small print. Not all companies provide the same service!

Puzzle solutions (From pages 60-61) Crossword

Sudoku

5 9 7 6 8 1 3 2 4

1 2 4 3 9 7 5 6 8

3 8 6 5 2 4 7 9 1

7 4 2 9 1 6 8 3 5

6 1 8 2 5 3 9 4 7

9 5 3 7 4 8 6 1 2

2 6 5 1 7 9 4 8 3

4 3 1 8 6 5 2 7 9

8 7 9 4 3 2 1 5 6

O F F S E T T I N G

Brain chain 48

D R A O

M O M E N T U M

O I M C A M

D D U R R A I T F U L T L S W S T I A T O E B S E A R N M E R A D L

O Z O U T E S T T R L E A S E O F B O T T L E C K R R C G E N E L A N Q U A T I C M I E P I N E S S G

Any problems with these puzzles? Email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Arrow words M T S M O S N O G D A F I S F S T I R R E A U S P M I S P U D

S B O T H L Y A U N G E R S H E D I S E A R E N D S R D A K I N N T A C T M Y T H

Pets LOST AND FOUND Blandford & Stur Cats Protection For Homing: Jeffery (3) tabby boy with attitude, semi outdoor home needed. Malcolm (1) black boy: Lost Cats: Downside Close, Blandford – calico tortie since 5/1 Stour Road, Blandford: black boy. Milton Abbas grey & white boy with collar on. Found Cats: Ludwell – fluffy tabby & white timid. Cann – fluffy tabby & white very wary Milborne Port: l/h tabby boy with chip (address details incorrect). Sturminster Marshall: young black female. Blandford: b/w boy New Road, Gillingham: b/w cat. Tel 01258 858644 n We are still offering neutering and microchipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10, DT11, SP5, SP7, BH21 and now also in SP8 call 01258 268695 LINTRAN V10 DOG BOX for sale, VGC plus extras, £320 - text 07769 045452

My puppy farm heartbreak My friend sent me an ad for the last remaining cross-breed pup. The puppy was advertised as a happy, eight-week-old boy from a litter of six, the pictures depicted a pup with his siblings, pup sitting on a toddler’s lap and a video of pup playing merrily with his baby toys in a family home with muddy wellies of all sizes in the background, soft furnishings scattered on squishy sofas and a gorgeous photo of mum lying next to the Aga. My husband rang the number and had chat with the owner, asking about microchipping, vaccines, diet and birthdate. And paid the deposit. I don’t agree with online animal sales, so wasn’t entirely happy, but my husband was convinced this was a genuine advert. Pup would have a wonderful life with our lab/cocker dog with acres of forest on our doorstep. “He can’t walk mum,” said my daughter when she rang me frantically from home. “He is in a terrible state and there is no way he is eight weeks old.” “I’ll be home in 20 minutes,” I said, feeling sick to my stomach. Buddy was tiny, probably six

The weakly pup and right, after five days with our anonymous writer

weeks old at most. His fur was sticky, he was pear shaped and had no strength in his back legs. Pressure sores were on his paws, his claws were long and I could feel every bone in his body. “The owner came out of the house with just the pup mum,” said my daughter, in tears. “It wasn’t the house in the advert and when dad asked to see the mum, she said she was out on a walk. I couldn’t leave the pup, it looked like he might die.” That weekend we fed him often on the finest, warmed puppy food, he slept on sheepskin in his crate, we kept the wood burner stoked and slept next to him, praying he would make it through the night. He did. The vet saw Buddy the following day, who confirmed

our fears. He was six weeks tops, full of worms and of course, there was no microchip. Buddy displayed all the signs of a puppy-farmed dog. The vet said: “The pup is given to someone to advertise. The buyer arrives, and if they have knowledge of dogs, will more than likely take the pup because they fear if they don’t it will die, which it may do regardless. “Sometimes people without experience buy pups, believing everything they are told. The pup will more often than not die.” The vet gave us a three-day wormer and his love. For more details about campaigning for animal welfare, puppy farm investigations and how you can help go to naturewatch.org

Puzzle solutions 30+

5×

648×

21+

14+

15+

6 14+

9 14+

504×

120×

216×

12×

14+

48×

3 18×

6 5

336×

2 84×

15+

96×

20+

168×

45×

Brain chain (Hard) 27

155

Any problems with these puzzles? Email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Killer Sudoku Pro

169

6 7 3 4 8 5 1 8 8 2 7 2 3 5 2 6 9 2 1 3 2 5 4 9 7 5 1 8 9 1 4 5 4 1 6 7 9 6 4 8 5 6 3 6 4 9 1 7 7 3 4 9 4 7 2 9 7 3 5 1 3 6 8 9 1 8 7 4 5 1 8 3 2 5 4 92 6 5 3 7 13 8 6 3 6 4 2 1 7 5 6 3 5 6 2 8 1 6 8 2 9 7 3 9 8 4 2 2 7 2 3 7 8 9 6 3 9 5 4 1 2 5 1 8 4 8 9 9 6 8 1 5 2 6 3 4 6 4 8 2 7 1 2 4 4 9 7 1 7 9 2 3 5 7 9 5 1 8 5 1 2 3 5 6 4 4 7 3 6 7 9 3 8 7 3 8 6 1 6 8 4 6 5 8 5 1 9 2 5 4 9 4 9 3 5 8 7 2 1 6 8 5 2 9 6 1 73 1 5 3 2 46 9 2 1 7 3 7 8 6 5 1 4 4 2 7 7 8 9 1 8 3 3 4 2 5 9 6 9

Cryptic Crossword P O V P E R I D R E A F A T

E M T O Y R R S I A T I L E T H R S Y L I S M R O C I T R T H A V A N A I T T A L T E R E G

W I T H O U T Y O B B O

E R I N G H A R I L B Y N R O U G H E E N I N G O T T I L L I E E C O M E E A S A N D

Church

Mother’s frail hands belie her sacrifices Mothering Sunday 14th March will be when we honour the love and care that mothers give their children and this story of a mother and daughter’s shopping trip reminds us how we should remember their sacrifices for us… The daughter writes: A few years ago my mother came to visit and asked to go shopping because she needed a new dress. Now I have to admit I am not a very patient person and I hate shopping for myself, never mind for other people. But because it was my mother we set off for the high street together. We visited nearly every store

that carried ladies’ dresses and my mother tried on dress after dress and rejected them all. As the day wore on I grew irritable and my mother grew frustrated. Finally, at our last stop my mother tried on a lovely dress which suited her. The blouse had a bow at the neckline and as I stood in the dressing room with her, I watched as she tried with much difficulty to tie the bow. Her hands were so badly crippled with arthritis she couldn’t do it. Suddenly, as I watched her fumbling with those arthritic hands, it hit me. My impatience gave way to an overwhelming wave of

compassion for this woman – my mother. I went over and tied the bow for her. The dress was beautiful and she bought it. Our shopping trip was over but the event etched itself indelibly on my mind. For the rest of the day my mind returned to that moment in the dressing room and to the vision of my mother’s hands trying to tie that bow. They are old and stiff now but I remembered that these were the loving hands that fed me, bathed me, dressed me, tied my shoelaces and bows, caressed and comforted me and, most of all, prayed for me.

Blandford Methodist Church We are unable to hold Sunday services until further notice. We will keep you updated when we are able to safely re-open. If you have a prayer request, are feeling lonely and need to chat, then please leave your message on our answerphone 01258 577 030: we will keep your information confidential and observe data protection regulations. We aim to return calls within 24 hours.

9.30am: St James - Parish Communion 11.15am: Enmore Green Family Service 11.15am: Margaret - Marsh Matins 6pm: Motcombe - Evening Communion Sunday 14th March: 9.30am: St Peters - Parish Communion 9.30am: Motcombe – Parish Communion 11.15am: West Orchard – Parish Communion 11.15am: Melbury Abbas – Matins for Mothering Sunday facebook.com/ShaftesburyCofE

n Mass times for Catholic churches in Marnhull on Sundays and Thursdays, 9.30am; in Gillingham on Sundays at 11am and Wednesdays at 10am.

Shaftesbury Team Ministry Sunday 7th March:

n St Simon and St Jude’s Church of Milton on Stour are collecting used ink cartridges for recycling. This is raising much needed funds for the church. All donations are gratefully received and can either be left in the collection box in the porch of Milton church or contact Karen and we will arrange covid-friendly

with the Rev Richard Priest, of Stour Vale Benefice

Vicar in the Vale Later that evening I went to my mother’s room, took her hands in mine, kissed them, and to me they were the most beautiful hands in the world. I only hope my own hands will earn such beauty. Pray for all who care for you God bless Rev Richard

collection – 01747 822263. n St Mary’s, Stalbridge There will be a service of Morning Worship on March 14 to celebrate Mothering Sunday. Holy Communion will take place on Easter Sunday. Both these services will start at 10am. Future services will take place on every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Facebook.com/stalbridgechurch

WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN WORSHIP Here is the latest information on worship in the Blackmore Vale nSt John’s Church, Yeovil Church Services on Sunday and Tuesday will be going ahead, but only attend if you feel it is safe to do so. Sunday 10:30am – booking is required to attend or watch on the live stream. Book at sjyeovil.org.uk. Tuesday, Communion – You are able to attend in person, there is no need to book nSt Mary’s the Virgin, Gillingham Sunday at 10am – Sunday Service For more details go online at achurchnearyou.com or ring Carole Blackmore on 01747 821598

nSt John’s Church, Shaftesbury Church Services are returning online. More details at facebook.com/ShaftesburyCofE nBlandford Parish Church Services have been suspended at both churches during January 2021. There is an online service each Sunday at 10am on the Blandford Parish Church Facebook Page followed by Zoom Coffee from 11am. View our Thought for The Day here on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays on our Facebook Page led by members of our congregation. If you require any assistance during this new period of

lockdown or would like someone to pray with you, please contact us or email pastoral care@bfpc.org.uk or prayer@bfpc.org.uk nSt Mary’s Church, Sturminster Newton The church remains open for individual prayer from 2pm until 4pm on Wednesdays. We are also open for Sunday services. Some services may vary from our usual, so please check our latest information online at stmaryssturminsternewton.org.uk nWincanton Parish Church Sunday Communal worship has been suspended during lockdown. The

church is open for private prayer on Sundays between 9am and 11am and on Wednesdays between 12noon and 2pm. You are very welcome to come inside the church for private prayer and contemplation, distancing and wearing face coverings. Rev Alison Way can be contacted on 01963 33151 or 07515 958988 or rector@wincantonparishchurch.co.uk nSherborne Abbey Worship in the five churches of the Sherborne Benefice has been suspended. The Parish Office is closed but the parish secretary can be contacted on 01935 812452 between Monday and Friday, 9am - 4.30pm.

Motoring

An artist’s impression of how the eco hub might look

Chance to have say on eco hub plan By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

An eco hub providing rapid charging for electric vehicles is being planned near Blandford. The hub is being proposed by Naturalis, a joint venture between renewable energy companies REG Power

Management and Falck Renewables. Given that the Government aims to stop all sales of new vehicles using fossil fuels by 2030, far more charging points are needed in Dorset. Many homes do not have a driveway to be able to charge vehicles and this will prove a growing

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problem if the scant availability store power and balance supply of public charging points and demand. continues. “This is an innovative and However critics of the plan, exciting project that will which would see ‘superfast’ provide a modern charging hub chargers installed at a site just for aspiring EV drivers and off the A354 near Winterborne help avoid so-called ‘range Whitechurch, say they wonder anxiety’. The site is well suited why a site has been chosen ‘in to this development and would the middle of nowhere’. plug a regional gap in charging Directors front of the 1899 brewery One EV driver said: “It’s one ininfrastructure. A five-fold thing to park at Tesco and have increase in the rate of a browse around the installation of chargers will be supermarket while charging required to allow the rapid rollyour car, but to have to drive out of electric driving.” out of town to charge your car The proposed site is about ¼ of where there’s nothing to do a mile north-east of the village. would make it a bit of a dealIt is currently used for arable breaker for me. Maybe they farming. Excess power from could open a coffee shop there the solar farm would be fed – or a barber’s!” into the local electricity However, the reasoning behind network at Winterborne the location becomes clear Kingston substation, with all when you consider it is hoped cabling underground. to use green electric from a Mr Patridge added: “At the eco nearby solar array to power the hub, around 12 electric vehicles chargers, making it a win-win at a time would be charged for the environment. with green electricity, Naturalis is inviting public generated on-site by the comments before it submits a proposed solar farm and stored formal planning application to in batteries when necessary.” Dorset Council. The project team were set to Matt Partridge, development hold a briefing online on director for the project, said: Thursday, March 4 between “Electric cars have a vital role 5.30pm and 7pm. If you have to play in the transition towards an early copy of the NBV there a more sustainable, low-carbon may still be time to attend and society, particularly where they meet the project team, provide can be powered by clean feedback and ask any questions energy. The Blandford Hill Eco they may have. Hub combines modern electric If you’ve missed it, head to vehicle charging with clean blandfordhillecohub.co.uk energy from a new solar farm where a recording of the event “next door” and batteries to will be uploaded. 67

Motoring

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Councillor By Karen Bate Okeford Fitzpaine councillor and co-ordinator of the campaign group 20s Plenty for Dorset, Dilys Gartside, is urging residents with a passion to reduce ‘inappropriate’ speed limits to get in touch and add their weight to the campaign for policy change. Dilys took the role of coordinator following a recent meeting attended by councillors and residents, which was hosted by Anna Semlyen the national campaign manager of 20sPlentyforUs, to gauge support for 20mph to become the default speed limit on urban and residential streets. Anna said: “Already over 20 million people in the UK, which is one in three of the population live in local

Motoring

leads 20mph campaign authorities which are adopting or have adopted this policy.” In February 2020, Global Ministers mandated 20mph speed limits wherever cyclists or pedestrians mix with motor vehicles, with exceptions only where strong evidence exists that higher speeds are safe. This was endorsed in August 2020 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Several Dorset villages already have a 20mph speed limit for most of their streets thanks to the organisation, which has spearheaded some 500 campaigns. Dilys said: “People are frightened to step out from their front doors because of the speed of traffic. “Many residents and villagers are concerned at the speed of an increasing volume and size of vehicles passing their homes schools and shops, where narrow often winding roads must be shared by all users, including horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians.

“There are many aspects to speeding traffic but education to bring about behavioural change is a primary need. “During lockdown with fewer cars on the roads, many more people were cycling and walking and one can see the impact which vehicle speed has on these vulnerable road users. “If someone is hit by a car at 30mph there is a 20 per cent chance of death which rises alarmingly to 50 per cent at 35mph, while at 20mph that chance drops to just 2.5 per cent.” Dilys added: “If you have a passion for this initiative and the willingness to give of your time to it, please contact me soon. In this instance it’s a case of many hands make light work, rather than too many cooks.” The next meeting will be held online mid-March. To get involved or to find out more contact Dilys on 01258 860157 or email dilysgartside@gmail.com

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Business

Funding match of the day a real winner for local businesses A new scheme is offering micro, small and social enterprise businesses up to £5,000 of match-funding, provided they can raise an equivalent amount from 10 or more supporters. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) set up the Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign in response to the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic. Developed as part of Crowdfunder UK’s pay-itforward campaign and with support from Enterprise Nation, the scheme has so far pledged over £36,000 in match-funding to nine businesses and projects

across Dorset. Among them is Weymouth’s Nothe Fort, which raised £5,000 through crowdfunding, matched by Dorset LEP, to make the heritage attraction covid safe, enabling over 35,000 visitors to safely enjoy the attraction throughout the summer of 2020. Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director, said: “While there has been a substantial amount of government funding available to businesses in Dorset throughout the pandemic, there are inevitably businesses and organisations who fall through the cracks

or that have been – and continue to be – affected more than others. “Along with a range of other business support schemes, we created Crowdfund Dorset Business as an additional opportunity to help local businesses and organisations – from sole traders through to larger SMEs – adapt to the challenges of trading through the pandemic. “We have seen how it has made difference to some businesses already, and while restrictions remain in place, we’re sure it can benefit others as well.” Other projects that have

received funding include Christchurch Seagulls Swimming Club, Chaplin’s Bar, Coda Music Trust and the Dorset Artists Emergency Fund. The Crowdfund platform provides great access and support to attract investors and supporters and once eligible applicants have reached 25% of their target, Dorset LEP will commit match-funding of up to £5,000 payable when the target is met. n Businesses and organisations interested in finding out more should visit dorsetlep.co.uk/crowdfunder.

Make assets sweat to unlock productivity Some years ago, we were building a Mayan Temple mirror maze at Port Aventura, Spain’s largest theme park. I needed to drive from Tarragona to catch a plane at Barcelona Airport, and tried to join the Autoroute. Unfortunately I misread a road sign, and found myself in heavy slow-moving traffic struggling for several kilometres from one intersection and small roundabout to the next. After what seemed an interminable age, I saw another sign for Barcelona, collected my toll ticket and joined the autoroute. Suddenly I had three lanes and a hard shoulder almost to myself, all the way to Barcelona. What was going on? This splendid autoroute had been built with EU funding, which if you want to be specific, came partly from British taxpayers to provide regional funding for the Spanish economy in particular and to help Europe prosper as a whole. That much I wholeheartedly applaud. The clue was in that toll 70

ticket. Virtually none of the Spanish traffic could afford to use the autoroute, whether cars, vans or lorries. It’s not as if the road needed paying for, for goodness sake. It had already been paid for, and given to Spain. The Spanish economy was thus needlessly underperforming by failing to use its assets to the full.

All the more reason to applaud the Severn Bridge toll arrangements I found last year on the M4 into Wales. The toll booths had disappeared without trace. The bridge has now been paid for, so no more tolls need to be collected. This is a brilliantly simple and effective way to help the

Welsh economy prosper What’s true for motorway tolls is also true for businesses. What assets can we put into effective use, at little extra cost, or perhaps at no extra cost at all? What equipment and resources are lying idle and unused for most of the time? Why own equipment. when we can rent them whenever needed? Can we run the business using less of our existing premises, perhaps by installing shelves and using all those unused cubic metres towards the ceiling? If so, what else could we use that free floorspace for? My brother’s mining company in Toronto had some spare office space, and he let two freelance entrepreneurs use it for free. Later they asked him to be the chairman of their new company, and all three ended up with shareholdings in a valuable mineral mine. Open doors to others, and perhaps they will open doors for you! Make those assets sweat! n Adrian Fisher is an awardwinning maze designer in Durweston.

Business

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Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd.

Business

Community firm putting You First By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Formed as a social enterprise and community interest company in 2014, You First Support Services, based in Martock, has grown exponentially and is now officially recognised as one of the leading providers for people with significant and complex needs across Somerset and surrounding areas. Formed as a social enterprise DELIVERING SUPPORT: Andy Robinson of You First and as a Community Interest 70 people and delivers more Company, You First was established from scratch with than 1,700 hours of support each week to some of the a desire to help build and grow the lives of people with most vulnerable people in and outside Somerset. autism, learning disabilities You First has secured and mental illness, in ways hundreds of success stories that made sense to them and over the years, enabling establish a workforce that people to enjoy a significant felt connected and valued. range of outcomes including: Over the last seven years, You First employs more than n Enabling young mothers

REMOV ALS & STORAGE

with learning disabilities and/or mental illness retain custody of their children and enjoy their basic human right to a family life n Supporting an individual with agoraphobia, who had not been outside his home for many years, and who has an overwhelming and debilitating fear of hospitals, attend an appointment at Yeovil District Hospital and undergo an invasive and painful procedure under local anaesthetic n Enabling a 50-year-old woman with significant autism, sensory processing disorder and bi-polar condition, who had experienced institutional abuse in another setting, rebuild her life, regain trust in people, reclaim old skills and learn new ones and become a respected member of her community n Building the confidence of a young man who had been told he would not succeed at life to a point where he took and passed his driving test and found employment and who now no longer requires support n Facilitating the move from long stay mental health hospitals to real community settings and seeing people flourish and build lives of value, worth and meaning n Building micro-teams around people who had been labelled as ‘challenging’ or ‘difficult’ and seeing people engage in college, voluntary

activity, building relationships, grow as individuals and not only enjoy their community but make meaningful contributions towards it n Being aspirational for people and seeing people gain awards linked to their hobbies and interests and become proficient in key areas, for example, exhibiting photographic art Andy Robinson of You First said: “We deliver much of its support via Personal Budgets, meaning that people remain in control of their lives by retaining absolute control of their support. Many people supported require us to be with them 24 hours a day, others engage with us for just a few hours a week, but in all cases the ethos remains the same - we exist to enable people to live their best lives according to their own world view and according to their own values. “There are many, many more positive stories, stories of real people, leading real lives. This is not about You First success, it’s about people being given the space to become who they are and achieve success for themselves.” nYou can find out more about You First at youfirst supportservices.org.uk on Facebook at youfirst supportservices, at or ring 0300 111 9999.

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Business

Standing by with free legal and financial advice for businesses Dorset LEP provides free legal and financial advice for businesses to trade overseas Free help is on offer to Dorset businesses who need support with international trade. To enable business growth, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) is funding expert legal and financial advice. Dorset LEP has appointed Lester Aldridge and PKF Francis Clark to provide up to two hours of individual specialist advisory support on complex international

trade matters and this is now available for businesses to take advantage of. Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP Director said: “We’ve been encouraging businesses to prepare for EU transition and signposting to the government’s CheckChange-Go campaign for some time. I “It’s become clear that there is a need for more focused support around legislation, taxation and finance for businesses trading overseas and this support will enable Dorset’s businesses to make

necessary changes quickly and reduce disruption to their operations.” This support is available to all businesses in Dorset, whether they are already trading internationally, looking to enter new overseas markets or are entirely new to international trade. Businesses interested in the service can find out more about the different services on offer and complete an enquiry form at www.dorsetlep.co.uk/exportdeclarations-service

Dorset LEP Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset. n For more information visit the Dorset LEP website dorsetlep.co.uk.

Jolly Elephant making jumbo impact By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Sustainable fashion brand Jolly Elephant, based in Kingston, Sturminster Newton, has seen positive growth and increased interest from around the globe since it launched in 2019. The ethically made, carbonnegative and sustainable clothes are made from 100 per cent organic cotton and recycled materials is making a big impact on consumers who are suitably impressed that 10 per cent goes to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. A Jolly Elephant spokesperson said: “Protecting elephants and wildlife is an enormous task, and something close to our hearts. “Only together can we make a difference by preserving loving and compassionate animals and habitats from extinction. “By purchasing and wearing Jolly Elephant products, you are joining us in the fight to rescue the biodiversity of endangered

habitats by preventing the effects of the ivory trade and the loss of habitats, while supporting ethical and sustainable manufacturing. “We’re a fairly small team so haven’t been impacted by lockdown restrictions as much as a larger company might. “We have been able to carry on printing, stocking, and sending our sustainable and ethically-made clothing to customers and influencers alike. “We have been able to continue using our suppliers, both local and national, and continue to arrange things like photoshoots in nearby Poole with social distancing and other covid measures in place and we have actually seen an increased interest from individuals from around the world, and are looking forward to increasing our product range – expanding into children’s clothing, which has been our most requested range of products.” Jollyelephant.com 73

Recruitment

MP backing campaign to save our pubs

SUPPORTING PUBS: MP David Warburton

By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Beer sales in British pubs halved last year dropping to the lowest levels since the 1920s as they faced tough restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. David Warburton Conservative MP for Somerton and Frome has pledged his support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs in his constituency of Somerton and Frome survive. Mr Warburton has joined the 502,442 people to date who have signed the petition so far, including 1,126 in his constituency, urging the Chancellor to cut beer tax in the Budget. In 2020 beer sales in pubs fell by 56 per cent, which amounts to £7.8bn in lost sales. Brewing and pubs in Somerton and Frome supports 1,565 jobs and contributes £40.2m to the local economy. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers pay more in beer duty each year than those in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland combined. Mr Warburton has long been a keen supporter of local pubs, having launched his own ‘Save the Pub’ campaign in Somerton and Frome in 2014 while he was 74

a Parliamentary candidate. He has since lobbied the Government on many occasions to reduce beer tax, business rates for pub landlords and cider duty for independent cider producers. Mr Warburton said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across Somerset, but with pubs bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic the Government should consider a cut to beer tax.

“I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.” David Cunningham, the programme director of Long Live The Local, added: “Beer duty has increased by 60 per cent over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. “When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in

the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across Somerton and Frome that have suffered so much in the last year. We are very grateful to David Warburton MP for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”

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LIVE IN CARER available for the elderly. Specialist in Dementia Care, First Covid Vaccination done, excellent references and DBS check available, Contact Cecilia on 07711 356062

Recruitment

Candidate’s pledge to fight for victims By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

North Dorset resident Liz Webster is standing for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in the elections on May 6 to give a voice to the victim by preventing crime, protecting residents and engaging with communities. Liz knows only too well the horrors victims face in the aftermath of a crime after her son Henry was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit with the sharp end of a claw hammer in an assault by a gang on the tennis courts at Ridgeway School in Wroughton in 2007. Liz said: “Fighting for his life in hospital I begged and hoped for my son’s survival but I couldn’t help but wonder why such an event was ever allowed to unfold

in the first place. Who had failed? Was it the school, police or the politicians? Finally, after three and half years, my persistence led to an independent inquiry publishing the many systemic failures so that lessons could finally be learnt. “Thankfully, Henry survived and he has been able to move on, however I continue to worry that this could happen to someone else’s child. “This is why I am standing for Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, to use the knowledge I gained during my family’s struggle to improve the system for better policing and crime prevention. I know all too well the horrors victims face in the aftermath of a crime and I am committed to giving them a voice. Those

troubled times are exasperated by the outdated court system, which protects perpetrators, and leaves the victims behind.” Liz has spent more than a decade as part of the justice system as a victim, and as a campaigner to bring about positive change. Liz’s plan for Prevention, Protection and Engagement includes: n Roll out cost effective Community Speed Watch technology to tackle speeding on our roads to support our community teams. This approach will also deter anti-social behaviour and burglaries n Work with charities to protect victims of domestic abuse and rehabilitate offenders. n Implement an Elderly and Vulnerable Protection Plan to

improve E-literacy and provide protection against burglary n Improve community cohesion with immediate appointment of a dedicated Traveller Liaison Officer n Encourage the police to identify pet theft specifically so that the crimes are followed up and criminals caught n Develop a Youth Crime Prevention and Support Plan to intervene early, coordinating anti-drug sessions, introducing cyber champions to improve resilience against pressures of online abuse and misinformation and finally to introduce social intervention in schools to prevent bullying and its progression to violent hate crime. You can contact Liz via lizwebster.org.uk or office @wiltshirelibdems.org.uk

Castle Cary R E M O VA L S

S T O R A G E

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Apply to transport@armishaws.com

COOK: PART-TIME – Must be experienced and skilled with a good knowledge of safe food hygiene legislation and practices. £10 per hour. 17.5 hours per week with optional additional shifts. 8am-1.45pm. CARE ASSISTANT: PART TIME – Must have experience of working with elderly people and be kind-hearted. Excellent rates of pay and ongoing training provided. 25 hours per week with optional additional shifts. 6.45am2:15pm or 2pm-9pm or 2pm-10pm. CATERING ASSISTANT: PART TIME – Must have catering experience & a good knowledge of safe food hygiene legislation and practices. 20.5 hours per week with optional additional shifts. 6.45am-1.45pm or 10am-1.45pm or 2pm-6.45pm. PLEASE CALL 01963 350697 (CASTLE CARY) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE VACANCIES.

Recruitment

Board members sought for Guys Marsh By Karen Bate newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Inside every prison there is an Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which is made up from members of the public, from all walks of life, who monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison to ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. IMB members are independent, unpaid and work three days per month and are not influenced by the prison establishment. HMP Guys Marsh in Shaftesbury is appealing for open minded and clear thinking people to join its IMB team of nine. The HMP Guys Marsh community is ‘home’ to 430 men and a workplace for more than 200 local people. It is a Category C Adult male prison with a capacity of 466 men, but this is likely to be expanded over the next few years. Category C prisons house those offenders considered unlikely to pose a risk to the general public. Rob Norton, IMB Guys Marsh chairman, said: “It is rarely spoken about and hardly celebrated, which given its growing strengths as noted by the Prison

Inspectorate in their latest report, is a shame. “The word ‘prison’ tends to bring out some very different responses in people. Whatever you feel about the purpose of prisons, most people would agree that they ought to be institutions which are safe and where the occupants are treated in a decent way. Prison life, despite all the myths, is not much fun. Most men at Guys Marsh deal with their incarceration in a pragmatic way; the crime is committed, the consequences of it need to be dealt with, and then move on. However, some find it much harder to cope with loss of family, friends and freedom. “In normal times, prisons are busy places

Millbrook House R E S I D E N T I A L CAR E H O M E

in Child Okeford is recruiting for a

BANK KITCHEN ASSISTANT This position is to cover sickness and holidays. The role will cover both the chef ’s position (8am-4pm) and the kitchen assistant’s position (7.30am-2pm or 3pm–7pm). Cover will also be required at the weekends. Previous experience in a chef ’s role would be preferable as well as knowledge of the dietary requirements of the elderly.

Please call us on 01258-860330 or email gini@millbrookhouse.co.uk to request an application form.

during the day. Guys Marsh being a training and resettlement prison, has workshops, farm and garden teams, kitchens and education courses, for trades and literacy/numeracy, all providing valuable experience and preparation for release. “Sadly, at the moment, all this activity is in abeyance, but we all look forward to happier future days. During an earlier lockdown, a team of prisoners were charged with the production of ‘scrubs’ for PPE.” The IMB is a voluntary organisation appointed by the Ministry of Justice, to provide an overview to ensure that prisons are safe and run in a humane way. All prisons have an appointed board made up from members of the local community. The role is

entirely voluntary, but it is one way of ensuring that what goes on in prisons is visible to the general public. The board has no role in There’s a placemanaging prisons, but members have a right to go into all areas of the prison and observe what is going on. Prisoners who feel that the prison service has acted unreasonably can appeal to the IMB to intervene on their behalf. The board publishes a report annually to the Minister of Justice and is made public for all to read. Rob added: “Might you be interested? The commitment would be no more than three days a month at a time to suit you. We would welcome applications from all those who are interested.” n Applications are available at imb.org.uk/joinnow/current-vacancies/

Recruitment STOCK PERSON required on dairy farm near Sherborne, to help with cows milked by robots and with youngstock. Some tractor work and general farm work. Must be capable stockperson. Tel: 01935 812170 or 07814 077548.

EXPERIENCED CARER REQUIRED To join a fantastic team who provide 24/7 care. Daytime hours weekdays / weekends. Providing personal 1:1 care for an elderly gentleman (90+ years). Dementia/semibedbound. Situated in Cranborne Chase area (so own car required). Flexible hours. DBS & references required. Please contact 07866 446879

Kingfisher Landscapes LABOURER REQUIRED. Must be hardworking, reliable & be able to work some Saturdays. Experience in hard landscaping would be an advantage. Driving licence required. Contact - 01963 364396

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly team. APPRENTICE GARDENER We are looking for an enthusiastic full-time apprentice gardener to work with us on our award winning gardens and public open spaces, attending college as required. Closing date for applications: Friday, 19th March 2021 Further information available via website: www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk/recruitment telephone: 01747 823588 email: gtc@gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Base: Yeatman

Hospital, Sherborne, Dorset Post: Outpatients Clerk/Hospital Receptionist Salary: £10,803 to £11,602 p.a. We are looking for an Outpatients Clerk/Hospital Receptionist who can provide a timely, accurate and responsive service to the Medical Records and Outpatients Department at the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne. You should have excellent interpersonal and IT skills as the position requires the use of several different patient administration systems, and constant contact with the general public. Previous experience in medical records and using outpatient systems is advantageous but not essential for the right person. Flexibility essential. This is a fixed term part time position of 21 hours per week over three days between the hours of 0800-1730, depending on service requirements. For further information please contact:

Jayne Martin on 01305 361591

JB Garden Services. We are looking to fill two full time positions, landscaper and a gardener. Holwell, Dorset, Telephone 07929 094811, email: jbgardenservices@live.co.uk ADMINISTRATOR We are looking for a wellorganised and friendly administrator to support the Church of England parishes of Spetisbury, Charlton Marshall & Blandford St Mary. 6 hours a week, working from home. For information please contact Rev. Carolyn Couzens on revcarolyncouzens@gmail.com Deadline: Monday March 15th 5pm COUPLE REQUIRED to manage beautiful Dorset free house country pub live-in Experienced couple sought to manage beautiful Dorset country pub. Enthusiastic, energetic couple – one cook/chef and one front of house - with excellent communication skills, required to run a fantastic pub with superb atmosphere, excellent cask ales and great food. Three years’ pub management experience, with two years in a general manager’s position required. You must hold a personal licence. Fulltime permanent position, requiring you to live on-site. Base salary plus bonus incentive. Please provide detailed CV and covering letter to info@mpirecruitment.com

Sport

It’s all there in black and white: Colin’s By Steve Keenan sport@blackmorevale.net

Calling all Sherborne Town FC fans! Super fan Colin Goodland needs you to help complete his lockdown project – the entire history of the club. Colin already knows a great deal about the club, having spent 15 years as secretary and his digging has already unearthed a lot more information. For example, did you know that: n In the aftermath of the Titanic disaster of 1912, Sherborne were invited to play a benefit match to raise funds for the wife and child of Harry Spinner, a former player of Yeovil Town, who was a third-class passenger on the ship. His body was never found. n Don Travis, a player/manager in the early 1960s, started his career at West Ham. He scored four goals on his reserve team debut and four more on his first team debut. It is still a record at the Hammers today. “We have lots of team photographs in our clubhouse depicting players who I wanted to find out more about,” says Colin. “Some of the older supporters would talk about certain

COME ON YOU ZEBRAS: The current Sherborne Town side and, below, the first team line-up after the Second World War, wearing army-issued kit as clothing was rationed. Inset below: Super fan and Life President Colin Goodland

players who they would describe as the best player to play for Sherborne, or this or that team was the best ever. “This project combines my two passions, football and history. The club has been blessed with hard working individuals who I think we owe a great debt to, and their stories should be remembered.” He specifically mentions Ken Mullins, Bill Slate and Geoff Hunt, three “stalwarts” who have between them already spent 150

years of service, whether playing, managing or being involved in the administration of the club. Ken is one of three Life Presidents of the club – including Colin himself, who was honoured with the title by the club’s committee in January, 2020. “It was Ken who started the ball rolling with this project, giving me a brief outline of the past and I’ve continued from there. I started last October and found out some amazing things about the club…”

Did you also know that: n Rugby football was played at Sherborne School from 1846, introduced by headmaster Charles Thomas Penrose. It wasn’t until about 1880 that the two sports diverged. “I’m convinced the local boys would watch the public schoolboys play this new game and tried to emulate what they saw,” says Colin. n Two brothers from Sherborne were instrumental in the birth of the club: Herbert Seymour and his younger sibling, Walter.

Sport

labour of love recording club’s history

MATCH OF THEIR DAY: The first ever team photograph was taken in the 1901/02 season and, below, the trophy-winning team from the 1920-21 season

Both fought in the Boer War (1899-1902). Colin has been combing the archives of the Western Gazette newspaper and one report has thrown up a mystery, that of a match on the Terrace Playing Fields in 1888, the current home of the club. However, the club was only

officially founded in 1894. A number of team photos have survived from the last 120 years including one from 1901/02 where the team are wearing half black, half white shirts – hence the team’s nickname of The Zebras. Curiously, half the team wear black on the left side: the others on the right.

There is also a team photo from 1946. “These are the lucky lads who returned from the fighting in Europe after the Second World War,” said Colin. “This is a photo of the first Sherborne Town team reformed. I’m sure the kit the team is wearing is an army issue one as clothing was then rationed.” Did you also know that: n Jim Wiltshire from Sherborne was the referee in charge of the 1947 FA Cup Final (Charlton beat Burnley

1-0). “Incidentally, he applied for the £1,500 a year Newcastle United manager’s job!” says Colin. n In the 1960s Sherborne Town produced two lads who played professional football: Len Vallard and Dave Noake, who played for Reading and Luton Town respectively. n The club reached the last 32 in the FA Vase 2007. They were the lowest ranked club still in the competition, losing 2-1 to Mildenhall. Colin feels he still has 25% of the club’s history to cover and collate and is appealing to fans for their help. He said: “I am looking out for any items (newspaper cuttings, team photographs, or stories) from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Anything would be greatly appreciated.” Today, the club has senior teams in the Toolstation Western League First Division and the Cadburys Business Park Dorset Premier League. It also has a strong youth set-up, with teams from under-6s to under-18s, and a ladies’ team. But it’s not just the players that Colin wants to acknowledge: “I`ve uncovered unsung heroes, chairmen and presidents of the club who gave a lifetime of dedication to enable the youth of Sherborne to play football. “Some will say it’s all about the players on the pitch, but there’s a lot of people who play a huge part off the field of play.” n Colin hopes to turn his research into a book in the summer. If anyone has any information, or would like to sponsor a page in the book, you can contact him at colingoodland@live.co.uk 79

Sport On your marks: Get set for big reopening Sport is returning to the region with a swathe of differing venues able to open from the end of the month, with more in April. From March 29, the following can re-open: outdoor sport facilities for gyms, swimming pools, sports courts (such as tennis and basketball courts), golf courses, water sports venues, climbing walls, driving and shooting ranges, riding arenas at riding centres and

FORE-MIDABLE: Golf is to resume from March 29 and ground staff at Sherborne GC have been busy. “After what has seemed like an eternity, it was finally dry enough to cut, spray and feed the greens this week,” the club wrote on Twitter.

archery venues. And no sooner than April 12, many of the same sporting facilities can open indoors – gyms and leisure centres, sports courts, swimming

pools, dance studios and fitness centres, driving and shooting ranges, riding arenas, archery venues, climbing wall centres. Venues must only be

attended/used in line with the wider social contact limits – as a single household or bubble indoors; or in a group of six people or two households outdoors.

Gillingham Town FC are hoping to hear this month whether they will be playing in a higher league next season with near neighbours Sherborne and Wincanton. The Gills currently play in the Dorset Premier League, one level below their two rivals who play in the Toolstation Western Division One. All clubs were forced to finish their season early, with lockdowns and bad weather meaning there was not

enough time to complete fixtures. The absence of fans, and income, was another important factor. But the Football Association is thought to be pressing ahead with plans for reorganisation of non-league football, first mooted to happen last season and now being revived. With no automatic promotion possible, the FA is expected to base any decisions on how teams have fared in their two partseasons. Gillingham were lying fifth when this season

was called off, and third last season. “The FA is trying to do the restructuring this season regardless of what happened in the leagues. We’ve been led to believe they will make a decision in three or four weeks’ time,” said manager Paul Down. Gillingham, along with Hamworthy Rec and Dorchester Sports, have all applied to be promoted from the Dorset Premier League – but the other two want to join the Wessex League. It’s all to do with making

Quickfire cup competitions are planned for later in spring after lockdowns and the weather forced the regular season in non-league football to be abandoned. The Dorset Premier League has written to all clubs suggesting a cup competition in April and May. It is up to each club if they want to participate. The format is to be decided but is hoped to start on May 3 –

four days after the government roadmap allows spectators at outdoor sports. With outdoor hospitality also allowed, it will bring some income to clubs as well as giving players the opportunity to play. “The lads are desperate to play,” said Gillingham Town manager Paul Down. But the Toolstation Western League, which includes Wincanton and Sherborne, had

leagues more localised, and saving players and officials travel time and costs. Playing Sherborne, Wincanton – and Warminster – locally and at a higher level could also encourage more fans, says Gills chairman Pat Fricker. “We want to get the crowds back up to 100, and we are good to go,” he said. The pitch and stadium are up to standard, and the club would only need to add floodlights, which Fricker believes would be feasible by August and the start of the next season. But Pat is kicking on, with plans to convert a standing area into a seated stand for 150, and drive crowd capacity up to 300. A new clubhouse is also in the pipeline, with work hoped to begin this summer. The chairman’s ambitions for the ground are also matched by his ambitions for the team – up to the Western League Premier division, and then on the Southern League, where both Salisbury and Wimborne play.

Gills hoping to join rivals in upper tier By Steve Keenan newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Teams up for the cup after abandonment

not announced a cup competition as we went to press, to the anger of Wincanton manager Chris Wise. Referring to the Dorset Premier League plans, he tweeted: “Another cup competition made by another league. “Pleeeeeeeeeeaaassse @TSWesternLeague announce a tournament for April/May. “The silence is deafening!”

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Equestrian

Polo: Sport of kings set for comeback By Jade Leahy The exact origin of polo – ‘the sport of kings’ is unknown, but it is likely to have been first played by the nomadic warriors in the middle east 2,000 years ago. Its name is derived from the Balti word ‘pulu’ meaning ball and can even be played on elephants. It was brought to us by the Army. The sport of kings is played right-handed, the stick is held in the right hand whilst the pony steered with the left hand. Tedworth Park offers all levels of polo up to 8 goal but is also known for offering beginners the chance to experience the game. Each low goal game consists of 4 chukkas of 7.5 minutes each and is played 4 aside, the polo pony plays a maximum of 2 nonconsecutive chukkas in any game. A polo pony is around 15 hands and many are thoroughbred, although a lot have been sourced from south America. Tedworth Park in Wiltshire is a local home to Polo. The county is also the home of local armed forces and Tedworth House, which is run by Help for Heroes and supports injured service

EQUINE CLASSIFIEDS ORGANIC SMALL HAY BALES, 2020, £4 per bale, contact: goldhill organicfarm@gmail.com - call 01258 861916

personnel. Tedworth Equestrian Charity took over Tedworth park in 2018. It’s is a low goal polo club with the largest low goal polo membership in the country, with a mix of approximately 60% military members and 40% civilian members. Manager Jess has a 1 goal mixed and 5-goal ladies handicap and has been the polo manager since 2010. She grew up around horses and played polo at Millfield She’s a fantastic level 3 coach and HPA accredited assessor. Covid permitting, the club’s biggest fixture of the year, the Rundle cup match (army verses navy) takes place on 10th July and Help for Heroes day is 5th of June. The Help for Heroes day has been one of the club’s most important fixtures for

the last seven years because it showcases the growing sport of para polo. The para team manage a variety conditions, ranging from PTSD to spinal injury and limb loss. The day includes the renowned Navy verses RAF and Army verses women in polo matches. Women in Polo is aimed at promoting ladies’ polo, particularly at amateur level. Ladies currently reign unbeaten. If you can canter competently, you too could try your hand at a chukka but the club can also offer taster sessions for even the most inexperienced of riders. Individual lesson: £95 per hour Group tasters for 4 people from £85 each per hour and threeday intensive courses for £650 Jess Andrews 07740 723353 tedworthparkpolo.com

PADDOCKS For all your Paddock & Field maintenance, call Mark 01747 821271 or 07810 540725 HORSE PADDOCK SERVICES Chain harrowing, rolling, aerating, over seeding, spraying & topping with ATV Call Nick 07495 090101 Bedrap, Bedmax, white shavings, wood pellets, chopped wheat, hay and straw. Ring Val 07889 064294 SMALL WHEAT STRAW and some small and big hay bales for sale 01258 880558

Spare a thought for riding schools struggling in lockdown By Charlotte Williams After reading about the struggles of the nation’s riding schools in a well-known equine magazine, I thought I would call Alison of Pevlings Riding School in the aptly named Horsington, who I last spoke to in November. Alison told me that although the first lockdown had been tough, the better weather had made life more bearable. This time around things at the riding school are even tougher. Income has dropped and the riding school is operating with a handful of staff to care for the horses, who still need bedding, food, hay and sundries. 82

But fortunately, Alison told me about the kindness of many. Alison’s horse feed is supplied by a company called Dengie, who have very generously donated bags of feed for the horses of which Alison said was an extremely kind and welcome gesture. Any extra help, no matter how small, is very much appreciated at the moment, especially as costs always escalate at this time of year, with large amounts of hay, feed and bedding required, not to mention the ongoing cost of shoeing, worming and veterinary care. And the weather has been grim. Anyone who works outdoors

knows that this time of year is particularly hard, you are either frozen solid or soaked to the skin. It is hard for the horses too. As there are no lessons, many of Alison’s horses are lacking their regular amount of work, which in the drier summer months is not such a problem, but with all the rain the fields are at saturation point, and many horses are unable to be turned out, which has become a real problem. The fields in February are often more mud than grass, which, as any horse owner will know, can lead to the dreaded mud fever. This is a horrible, painful condition for the horse, which is very hard to prevent and equally

hard to treat. Pevlings Riding School like so many others, have been affected for nearly a year now and with their continuing loss of income they are almost reaching crisis point. I am very aware that without people’s generosity many of these establishments may not survive, which would be a great shame for so many horse lovers. But in brighter news, Boris has just announced the reopening of outdoor sports facilities from March 29, which will come as a huge relief not only to Pevlings but for so many other riding schools. Let all horse lovers support our local equestrian facilities!

Field & Stream

Jocasta, Jemimah... name our lambs! THE FIELD with Tria Stebbing Today is the start of our lambing season. In ‘normal’ times we manage, sadly this will be our second lockdown lambing which makes some of the simple tasks harder. Normal life goes completely out of the window as we do not live on the field, so must check on the ewes every couple of hours, including overnight. We have made up a lambing bag with some very strange items in, that we carry around like sheepish midwives, waiting for the moment we are greeted by the first. Luckily him outdoors is a farm manager, so has a very understanding boss and if needed he can drop everything and run; he is also able to take annual

leave during this time. Meals become snatched between checks, and sleep can become a couple of hours in the barn on some very scratchy hay. Our breed are good lambers and do not necessarily need us to be present, but you can guarantee that if we are not there something will happen. It is also a good idea to watch both mum and baby for a while after birth to ensure that the first drink of

colostrum has been successful and that mum has accepted her new baby or babies, an important time. This year the Zwartbles Association have asked that all lambs are named with the letter J. Last year being H we had Hope, Hallaballoo and Hero. This year’s mums to be are Gemma, Gismo, Gorgeous, Gayle and two older ewes that we started the flock with. By using the letter system, we can tell

what year the sheep was born in, which is useful both for breeding purposes and for when we come to sell. So far, the names used by other breeders include Jack and Jill, Janet and John and Jilted John (he was rejected by his mother). I need to name possible 12 lambs so over to the readers. Those in the village will notice that we have put a box up for ‘Sheep post’ – please feel free to jot your suggestions down and post it through. There is a list of field jobs that need doing, so whilst on lamb-watch we will crack on and work our way through. It is a good time to rake the weed off the pond, avoiding the frog and toad spawn. Hedge laying season is about to end as bird breeding season is about to begin, so tools will be cleaned and put away, time to focus on the next field project.

We’re helping wild owls – and they’re helping us humans too By Alan Wells, founder of Pitcombe Rock Falconry Owl Box Project Extraordinarily little is known about the good work carried out by Pitcombe Rock Falconry for the good of our wild owl population. Tucked away in Pitcombe near Bruton is a small falconry centre run by a dedicated team of volunteers who specialise in the rescue and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Apart from taking in these birds to help them on the road to recovery and potentially release back to the wild, I maintain a vital owl box project to help support the local owl population providing boxes for them to roost and hopefully nest. Three of our native owls

Alan Wells with an owl box

frequent boxes or hollows in trees or rock faces so at Pitcombe Rock Falconry I provide boxes for all three: barn owls, tawny owls and little owls. All the boxes are made in house using proven designs and they have a life span of about 10 years. As well as making the boxes I

survey all possible sites for their suitability, then install the box ensuring it is secure and in exactly the right place to attract an owl. The service does not stop there – I then continually inspect the box looking for signs of habitation. Having an appropriate licence issued by the British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) I can examine the box and take recordings of occupation, feeding information on to the BTO, allowing a bigger national picture of our wild owl populations, however this has been disrupted this year for obvious reasons. Pitcombe Rock Falconry currently has more than 120 owl boxes covering Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire with a current

target of 200 by the end of 2021. You will be surprised just how varied owl box locations are and we have found that owls will occupy boxes quite close to human population, which gives us the benefit of placing web cams in these boxes enabling us to get realtime monitoring. We have established and located owl boxes in orchards and vineyards, where the owls keep the rodent population down and the growers increase yields from trees and vines surviving rodent attack at the roots not to mention eating the fruit as well. If you are interested in supporting our owl box project you can contact us through our website. prfalconry.co.uk 83

Farming G R E E N S L A D E TAY L O R H U N T Forthcoming Dairy Sale Telephone: 01278 410250. Email: livestock@gth.net SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Thursday 11th March at 11.00am The Dispersal Sale of the Milking & Incalf Heifer Portion being

305 ORGANIC HOLSTEINS & CROSSBREDS

Comp: 248 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk & or Incalf; 36 Incalf Heifers; 20 A Lot Heiffer Calves & Pedigree Ayrshire Bull. HERD AV: 6,500KGS. 4.41%BF; 3.38%P; SCC=140 * HERRINGBONE Parlour; CUBICLE Housed * BREEDS INC: British Friesian, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn X, Holstein Friesian, Jersey X, Montbeliarde X, * Norwegian Red X & Swedish Red X COWS: 153 1st – 3rd Lactation * YOUNG CALVING: Dec-Mar (107); Apr-Jul (64); Aug-Nov (63) * SERVICES TO: Aberdeen Angus, Ayrshire, Dec, Limousin, Maverick, Milkstar, etc. * For GNB Farm Ltd (removed from Great Stone Farm, South Molton, Devon) ** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE Thursday 18th March at 10.30am with the Heifer Calves The Lady Day Collective Dairy Sale of

420 DAIRY CATTLE

50 Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers from Beneknowle, Clenchers, Dinnaton, Hinxden (x10), Holmead, Lilylane, * Pegasus, Walkabout, & Wapley Cows from MJ Lock & Partners (Dispersal) * 881Incalf Heifers from JF Cobb & Sons, Fortune (Dispersal), MJ Lock & Partners (Dispersal), Lowerwield & Pegasus * 46 Incalf Bulling & Yearling Heifers from Ashlea, JF Cobb & Sons, Clenchers & Lowerwield * 70 Heifer Calves from AR & HA Bristol, JF Cobb & Sons, AW Frampton & Son Ltd, Loford & TJ & MJ Lloyd & Partners * To include Two Dispersal Sales

The Dispersal Sale of 90 ORGANIC NMR Holstein Friesian & Crossbred Dairy Cows & Heifers together with Milfos Herringbone Parlour & Fabdec 5,000L Bulk Tank for LS, KM & CJ Davies (Removed from Glastonbury, Somerset). Herringbone Parlour, Cubicle Housed. & The Dispersal Sale of 84 Holstein Friesian & Crossbred Dairy Cows & Heifers For RD & SA Patch (Removed from Honiton, Devon). Herringbone Parlour, Cubicle Housed. ** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **

Forthcoming Fodder Sale

MARCH Sat 20th................. SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The Collective Fodder Auction of Hay, Silage and Straw. Entries to be in by Monday 8th March 2021.

Forthcoming Devon Cattle Sale

MARCH Tues 30th.............. SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The Devon Cattle Breeder’s Society Annual Spring Show and Sale of Ruby Red Devons.

Sedgemoor Auction Centre

North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, Junction 24). Telephone: 01278 410278 www.gth.net TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 5295 Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation Returns for Saturday 27th February 2021

DAIRY CATTLE (65) Heifers to £2020 (2x). Others £1950. Cows to £2000. Others £1820. (1097) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD STORES (699) Steers to £1455 (LIMX). Others £1440 (FLE) £1390 (CHX) & £1380 (CHX). Heifers to £1385 (LIMX). Others £1360 (LIMX) £1250 (LIMX) & £1235 (3x CHX, HEX & BRBX). GRAZING COWS (10) to £995 (2x BRBx). SUCKLERS (7) to £1020. STIRKS (403) Bulls to £1095. Steers to £1045 (2x LIMX). Others £1000 (3x CHX) £995 (LIMX) & £990 (2x CHX). Heifers to £990 (CHX). Others £890 (4x SIMX) £875 (CHX) & £850 (2x LIMX & SIMX). CALVES (342) - Beef Bulls to £500 (BRBX). Others £450 (BRBX) £435 (AA) & £385 (BRBX). Heifers to £370 (6x AA). Others £340 (HEX) £320 (3x BRBX & LIMX). Black & Whites to £288. Others £215. (2305) SHEEP STORE LAMBS – Friday (1202) to £134. Others £133 & £132.50. Overall Ave £100.92. CULL EWES & RAMS (642) Ewes to £156. Others £149 & £146. Rams to £145. Others £144.50 & £143. Overall Ave £98.53. BREEDING EWES (18) to £100. Others £76. COUPLES (133E & 199L) Doubles to £262 (£87.33/life). Singles to £178 (£89/life). Overall Ave £70.04/life. ORPHAN LAMBS (91) to £41 (6x). Overall Ave £19.24. (160) PIGS – WEANERS (47) to £45. CULL SOWS & BOARS (15) to £106. FORWARD STORES (96) to £112.

The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs Returns for Monday 1st March February 2021

PRIME CATTLE (106) Steers UTM av 194.4ppk to 226.5ppk & £1,612.53. Others 226.0ppk, 225.0ppk & 224.5ppk. Others £1,560.24, £1,511.77 & £1,493.82. Heifers UTM av 197.3ppk to 220.5ppk and £1,369.20. Others 220.0ppk, 219.5ppk & 214.0ppk. Others £1,347.26, £1,250.55 & £1,247.01. BARREN COWS (44) Continental av 156.4ppk to 164.5ppk and £1,297.39. Others 163.5ppk. Others £1,296.53. Native Beef av 138.4ppk to 140.5ppk and £1,031.27. Others 138.5ppk. Others £929.34. Dairy av 132.3ppk to 163.5ppk and £1,182.96. Others 156.5ppk. Others £1,167.39. FINISHED SHEEP (1175) Hogg ave 276.96ppk to 292.0ppk (2x) and £160.00. Others 291.0ppk, 287.0ppk & 286.0ppk. Others £145.00, £142.00 & £141.00 (2x). Lamb ave 305.99ppk to 315.0ppk and £138.50. Others 309.0ppk. Others £136.50.

FORTHCOMING SPECIAL SALES

MARCH

For full COVID-19 rules on market attendance and up to date sales list please refer to our website https://www.gth.net/sedgemoor-auction-centre and/or Saturday market report https://www.gth.net/market-reports. Please note a Drop & Go home immediately system is in operation for Vendors.

Fri 5th.........................Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats. Gates Open 12 Noon Sale 4pm Fri 5th.........................Starlight Show & Sale of Potential Show Cattle ***To Be Rescheduled*** Sat 6th........................Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Ring 2 Sat 6th........................Special Entry in the Dairy Section – The Sale of 18 Holstein Friesian Incalf Heifers for Mr R Evans. Ref ATC. Fri 12th.......................Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats. Gates Open 12 Noon Sale 4pm Sat 13th......................Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls 12.30pm Ring 1 Sat 13th......................Special Sale of Busk Calves 11am Ring 3 Sat 13th......................Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am Sat 13th......................Special Entry in the Dairy Section – The Sale of 14 Holstein Friesian Incalf Cows (due June – Sept to Lim and HF (sexed) for E Hudson Baker. Herd Av: 8,995 kgs. 4.46%BF, 3.15%P, SCC=149. Closed Herd. Ref ATC. Fri 19th.......................Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats. Gates Open 12 Noon Sale 4pm Sat 20th......................Special Entry in the Dairy Section – The Sale of 14 Holstein Friesian Incalf & Calved Cows (due June to Nov to Lim and HF (sexed)) for E Hudson Baker. Herd Av: 8,995 kgs. 4.46%BF, 3.15%P, SCC=149. Closed Herd. Ref ATC. Sat 20th......................Collective Fodder Auction 1pm Mon 22nd...................Easter Show & Sale of Suck Lambs 9.30am Wed 24th....................Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in with the market of昀ce by 17th March. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or CSC.TBlicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk Sale commences 4.30pm Sat 27th......................Special Entry in the Dairy Section – The Sale of 20 Holstein Friesian Bulling Heifers for E Hudson Baker. Herd Av: 8,995 kgs. 4.46%BF, 3.15%P, SCC=149. Closed Herd. Ref ATC. APRIL Fri 2nd........................Good Friday – Of昀ce Closed – No Sheep Market Sat 3rd........................Normal Saturday Store Market to include Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats & Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Ring 2

Farming

WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH Sale of Dairy to Include: 90 Holstein Friesian H/B Autumn Served Heifers Due Aug/Sep 2021 Served to AI & Pedigree AA Sweeper Stock Bull Closed Autumn Block Calving Herd Av BF 4.99% P 3.51% Ltr 7500 Huskvac, Lepto & BVD Vac Programme Genuine Dispersal

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New or Secondhand Shot & Air Guns, Rifles and Repairs. Game, Coarse & Sea Angling Equipment

WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL Pedigree Breeding Bull Sale Commencing 2pm Entries Invited TH

WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL Frome Markets 1st Inaugural Spring Stirk Fair Show & Sale Kindly Sponsored by Barbers 1833 Auctioneers Trevor Rowland: 07968 480 401 Lester Williams: 07778 646 031 Ross Whitcombe: 07815 985 737 Charlie Coleman: 07494 588 013 Fieldsmen Mark Ferrett: 07702 264 502 Tom Rogers: 07384 462 288 Strict Social Distancing rules apply. Everyone to provide their own face masks and gloves. Face masks to be worn at all times Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QB Tel 01373 830033 Email: info@fromelivestock.com Website: www.fromelivestock.com

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For Sale - 32 EWE LAMBS, Lleyn and Lleyn x Poll Dorset, Born April 2020, telephone 07968 049218

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SATURDAY 10TH APRIL Poultry Sale Subject to Covid & Avian Flu Restrictions

SHEEP GRAZING WANTED, Tisbury/Shaftesbury Area, Any acreage considered, Call 07968 049218

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WANTED - Barn, yard or land for sale or to let, anything considered (to continue working and completing a project) Call Steve 07470 750294 15 Flocked pigeon decoys, nets, poles, box/seat plus more. Offers. Wooden Larsen Trap, Offers. 07759 196385 SHEEP KEEP urgently wanted for flock of ewes and lambs, anything considered, contact 07566 850572 CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS For cow tracks / retaining walls. Contact Ricky or Robert at Liquiline Limited. 01258 830324 / liquiline.co.uk

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Farming

Join our online spring lambing course By Alice Miller, of Friars Moor Livestock Health It is a welcome relief, after what feels like a very long winter, to see that spring is finally here! It could be the appearance of the daffodils and croci confirming the changing season, however, it is actually due to the notable increased frequency of emergency calls to attend lambings and calvings! As a farm vet you know spring is here when the seasonal workload gets heavier, and we love it! At Friars Moor Livestock Health, we pride ourselves on frequently running discussion group meetings and training courses, whilst we miss doing these face-to-face, covid has not stopped us from adapting to safe online versions. If you are approaching lambing on your farm or smallholding or are a student looking for some up-todate training and work experience why not book onto our online lambing course? We have reduced the usual fee of the practical lambing course to £50 since the hands-on element has become restricted. However, the content is certainly the same, and we will be offering the next best thing by carrying out live

Suspect Land Rover alert

demonstrations from my husband’s lambing shed at home! One of the main concerns people have is when they should intervene, how to correct birthing difficulties and when you should call the vet, so by answering these questions and more, we try to ensure anyone attending comes away feeling more confident and prepared. One of the keys to the success of lambing is ewe health. If optimal, this ensures good growth of the unborn lambs, so strong lambs are born. Prelambing ewe nutrition is vital to ensure good quality colostrum production too. We will discuss how you can test colostrum quality and how to stomach tube lambs that are too weak to feed

from the udder themselves. One of the most daunting parts of lambing is correcting difficult births, and this is a common occurrence since many sheep breeds have more than one lamb, and so with some twins and triplets trying to come at the same time it is not unusual to have to untangle tricky presentations. We will be demonstrating how to correct these to deliver the lambs safely. Alongside many other tips and advice, including how to resuscitate a lamb. To book your place on our first online Lambing course and to join Jo Childs and I over zoom on Wednesday 24th March from 1pm please call the farm office on 01258 472314 or email: events@friarsmoorlivestockheal

Independent veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Collection points for livestock medicines and supplies at Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury Please call the office on 01258 472314

www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk 86

Farmers and landowners are being alerted to a vehicle whose occupants are behaving suspiciously in north Dorset. Dorset Police Rural Crime Team say a black Land Rover Discovery with the registration O*65*ZW has been seen in suspicious circumstances around farms around the north and south Dorset area. The vehicle is believed to have been displaying motor trade plates. The occupants were enquiring about buying machinery from farms but were also believed to be paying attention to farms. Rural Crime Team PCSO Tom Balchin is appealing for anyone who spots this vehicle or other vehicles acting suspiciously to gather as much information as possible such as the registration number and descriptions of the driver and any passengers. He said: “If it’s safe to do so take a photograph, but don’t put yourself in danger to do this, warn police. Call Dorset Police immediately on 999 if the vehicle or occupants are seen committing crime. For non-emergency call 101 or at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk.” If you wish to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers Rural Crime Reporting Line by calling 0800 783 0137 or visiting ruralcrimereportingline.uk. If you are a Farm or Horse Watch member and would like a farm or horse watch sign contact the Rural Crime Team by email to ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.p olice.uk and they will send some signs to you.

Farming

Rural crimes being reported incorrectly Ruth Kimber’s Farmer’s Diary March already! Farmers are getting itchy feet, desperate to start spring work, land condition is key. We farm mostly clay and must be careful not to damage the soil. Some manure has already been spread and a little fertiliser. Fences must be checked before we let animals out, it’s surprising how much a winter blast can damage fences. We are hoping for an early spring, the grass is growing and the price of concentrate feed has risen sharply, so the sooner we can feed grass the better. The dreaded TB test is this week, always worrying, a Somerset farmer friend has just had 41 dairy cows test positive, they have been taken for slaughter. They will now face a long road of frequent testing, fears of further animal losses, more restrictions on movements and not being able to replace the milkers. The emotional and financial stress is huge. The verges along our lanes are spoilt with litter, mostly fastfood containers, drink cans and plastic bottles, not helped by another fast food take away opening locally. Many people collect discarded litter from the verges all year round but it’s easier now, before the spring growth. If only more people did

this, it would make a real difference. Why are we still using so much plastic? The NFU had its annual conference online this year, one of the topics was Rural Crime. I was surprised to learn many crimes are not reported and those that are, often don’t get allocated to ‘Rural Crime’ so a tractor may be recorded as a vehicle! Funds are allocated according to the perceived need, backed up by crime numbers, please report all crimes, thefts etc. to obtain that all important Rural Crime Number, then funds will follow and help in the fight against crime in the countryside. Another issue; fly tipping, this is a really big problem; if rubbish is discarded on private land, it becomes the legal responsibility of the property owner, how can that be just? If you witness fly tipping please take note of vehicle details and report it. On ‘Public funds for Public Goods’, still no detail of the new scheme is forthcoming. The Indian government is proposing to change the way their farmers are paid, and allow them to deal directly with the buyers. Their government has tried to sell this notion as a positive, however with the millions of small individual farmers pitched against multi nation giants, they fear for their future. UK Indians are backing their farmers and sending

finances and political support to them. I see some parallels with our own struggle, dairy products selling to supermarkets, they produce the contracts, decide the Ts&Cs and PRICE. The countryside is bursting into life, snowdrops, celandines,

primroses, and more, bluebell shoots are inches high already. Oh, to be in England! Kimber’s Farm Shop BA9 8HD, B3081 Wincanton Racecourse Road. kimbersfarmshop.co.uk Tel 01963 33177. Open Tues-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm

Mob: 07966 244536 Hydraulic Hose Specialists and Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive and Transport Industry Pneumatic fittings Quick release couplings Air brake fittings Pressure wash hoses + lances Hose clamps Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Hydraulic Hoses Variation of oils Mobile service available

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TOP PRICES PAID Skips/HAIB lorry available for onsite collection Tel 01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243 87

Farming

Spring earlier than ever FODDER AND MACHINERY AUCTIONS WILLMORELEIGH FARM, FARWAY, COLYTON, DEVON EX24 6EQ Thursday 18th March 2021 Genuine Dispersal of Tractor, ATV, Farm Machinery, Workshop Equipment, Household Furniture and Miscellaneous Items To be sold via Live Online Auc琀on commencing at 11.00am

Lots to include: 1997 Renault Ceres II 95X with MX loader (4,500hrs), 2006 Honda 450cc Foreman S ATV (600hrs), MTD LS550 25T 600 Towable Log Spli琀er, Pezzolato Towable Chipper, 2019 Alko T693.7 Ride On Lawn Mower, 2002 Spearhead 2500HD Flail Topper, Spearhead 6’ Topper, Quantock Post Driver, Ifor Williams HB510R Hunter Horse Box, IAE Sheep Turnover Crate, Vicon Varispreader, Approx. 10’ Chain Harrows, Lister Bale Elevator, MX GF125 Dung Grab, MX 5’ Tractor Bucket, Kongskilde 10’ Triple K Cul琀vator, Twose Transport Box, 6’ Sheep Hurdles, Feeders, Drinkers, Fencing Equipment, Various Road/Tra c Signs, Pony Rugs, Chaps, Head Collars, Bridles, 18” An琀ll GP English Saddle, Belle Mini 150 Electric Cement Mixer, DAB Water Pump, Post Bumper, Pneuma琀c Post Driver, Hand Tools, Wire Rope Pulling Hoist, Gallagher Mains Fencer, S琀hl KM130R Mul琀tool, S琀hl Strimmer with Harness, Massey Ferguson Spares, S琀hl BT45 Drill, Hayes Steel Strainer Clamp, Hayes 108 Wire Strainers, S琀hl M660 36” Chainsaw, Cherry Wood Dressing Table, Corner Display Cabinet, Umbrella Stand, Occasional Table, etc. In all approx. 160 Lots On behalf of Mr & Mrs D Surridge (having sold the farm)

Next Fodder Sale Tuesday 23rd March – Entries welcome, closing Monday 8th at 12 noon Next Online Timed Collec琀ve Sale 25th March - Entries welcome, closing Wednesday 10th at 12 noon To be held on the last Thursday of every month Contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 or Rachael Holder 07772 310482

Land to Let by Informal Tender LE

March brings breezes loud and shrill; to stir the dancing daffodil. There are many good reasons for waking up each morning and being thankful for the chance of another day. In no particular order; we live in a time of relative peace, we have food aplenty on our table, we have excellent prospects of a long and happy life, and at this time of year we have the recurring wonder that is spring-time in England. Is there anything that gladdens the heart more than feeling the warmth of the first sunny days on our backs, the increasing crescendo of birdsong in the countryside, and the explosive growth of plants and trees as the daylight hours increase? Spring means different things to different people: the first daffodils, the first cuckoo, the discovery of frog-spawn or the tasselled catkins of hazel and alder. For me it’s the duotone call of the chiffchaff. I have noted the dates of their first appearance for the last 20-odd years and it’s never been earlier than the ninth of March and never later than the 17th. This small bird loves nothing better than finding the topmost branch in a thick hedgerow or copse and belting out its endless ditty. Soon his sound will be 88

PLEASE NOTE: This Sale will be held using marteye.ie. Please download the app or visit marteye.ie to register prior to the auc琀on

Country Diary with AJ Selby

accompanied by blackcaps, willow warblers and whitethroats, and as March turns to April the countryside will burst with colour, growth and song. As a lad I used to record the appearance of the first flowers and birds, and it’s interesting to look back at that data to see how much later the spring came almost half a century ago. It may only be a matter of a week or ten days but in ecological terms, that is quite significant. Call it global warming or climate change or what you will, but there is no doubt that the natural world is changing and having to adapt. Where are the yellowhammers, bullfinches and skylarks of my youth? These birds were once common and seen or heard daily but are becoming very scarce. In contrast I see more goldfinches now than I ever did, and both buzzards and red kites have had population explosions. As the days lengthen (so the cold strengthens, as the old saw goes), March brings the blizzard-white display of the blackthorn and with it, a short cold snap. It’s what we call the blackthorn winter and it’s a small blip in the gradual warming of spring. The blackthorn of course, is the shrub that produces sloes, so you may console yourself during your spring walks that a good display of blossom may result in a bumper crop to fill your gin bottles in the autumn. A.J. Selby

Land at Hardington Marsh, Yeovil

94.81 acres available on a 3 year Farm Business Tenancy Tenders closing 12 noon Tuesday 6th April 2021 For further informa琀on please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 or Lucy Carnell 07940 256550

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Farming

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LONDON 15/02/2021 15:27:52

Property LIVESTREAM AUCTION 19 March 2021 DORSET DEVON HAMPSHIRE SOMERSET WILTSHIRE LONDON

Fifehead Magdalen

Guide £250,000 A handsome 2 bedroom village house in 0.2 acre garden with panoramic country views and oﬀering tremendous scope to renovate and reconﬁgure (STPP). EPC=G.

Kings Stag

Guide £250,000 A decep vely spacious 3 bedroom co age in need of complete modernisa on, with with a goodsized garden, garage/workshop, lots of parking and a po ng shed. EPC=G.

Sturminster 01258 473766

Sherborne

Guide £190,000 A parade of 3 shops in a prominent posi on with a spacious 3 bedroom apartment above, and a garden to the rear with development poten al STPP. EPC’s E,C,B,C

Nr Crossways

Dorchester 01305 261008

Wimborne 01202 843190

Iwerne Minster

Guide £170,000 A charming 3 bedroom co age da ng back to the 1850’s with pre y garden, on the outskirts of this popular village, perfect for a property investor or as a holiday let/second home EPC=F.

Blandford

Blandford 01258 452670

Dorchester 01305 261008

Guide £68,000 A block of 0.17 acres in a rural loca on a mile from Crossways, oﬀering the possibility of development poten al for a dwelling or campsite in the future (STPP).

Guide £75,000 A 1160sq versa le lock up business unit in an accessible loca on, currently laid out as workshop with oﬃce/showroom and parking. EPC=D.

PLANNING

VALUATIONS

BUILDING SURVEY

Property

QUALIFIED EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL

Guide £499,950 A detached and par cularly spacious 3 bedroom bungalow with a south facing garden, just a short walk from the middle of the village. EPC=D.

Dewlish

Guide £1,000,000 An a rac ve south facing former farmhouse in 0.8 acre, with an annexe. Further land and former stable yard of about 4.9 acres (leasehold) available by separate nego a on. EPC Exempt.

Sturminster 01258 473766

Dorchester 01305 261008 U OF NDE FE R R

Marnhull

Stourpaine

Guide £675,000 A modern barn conversion with versa le 3 bedroom accommoda on, double garage and a large garden fron ng the River Stour. EPC=E.

Ibberton

Blandford 01258 452670

Sturminster 01258 473766

Marnhull

Guide £510,000 A totally renovated, remodelled and extended detached 4 bedroom house with a rac ve gardens, in an excellent central village loca on. EPC=D.

Hamworthy

Sturminster 01258 473766

Wimborne 01202 843190

SALES

LETTINGS

AUCTIONS

Guide £375,000 A detached Grade II Listed 2 bedroom co age with tremendous character and charm in the heart of this sought a er village. EPC exempt.

Guide £760,000 A substan al 3 bedroom former farmhouse home oﬀering a blend of tradi onal and modern architectural features, within a short walk of Poole harbour. EPC=D.

Property

As our world opens up... If you are thinking of selling your property, we would be delighted to come and discuss how we can help. For more information, or to book a market appraisal of your home, please call your nearest o ce. Photo by Yoksel Zok on Unsplash

jackson-stops.co.uk

Property PROPERTY & LAND LIVESTREAM AUCTION WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH 2021 AT 3PM Scan code for further details

PENDENE, BRADFORD ROAD, SHERBORNE

LAND & STABLING AT HAM HILL, MONTACUTE, YEOVIL

A two bedroom, double fronted cottage positioned in the heart of Sherborne with driveway parking and garage, requiring modernisation throughout.

An attractive parcel of permanent pasture land situated in an elevated position on the edge of the village of Montacute. The land extends to approximately 2.84 acres (1.15 Ha).

AUCTION GUIDE: £200,000

AUCTION GUIDE: £50,000

Sherborne Office: 01935 813577 residential.sherborne@gth.net

Yeovil Office: 01935 423474 farms.yeovil@gth.net

LAND AT HILL ASH FARM, WOOLSTON, NORTH CADBURY

THE LAURELS, OLD BRISTOL ROAD, EAST BRENT, HIGHBRIDGE

Lot 1 - A productive block of sloping pasture land with good road frontage and access. In total the land extends to 8.06 acres (3.26 ha) or thereabouts.

A 4 bedroom residential property in need of renovation and modernisation with a large garden, outbuildings and garage set within approx. 0.93 of an acre.

AUCTION GUIDE: £65,000 Lot 2 – A smaller parcel of sloping pasture land located to the south of Lot 1. In total the land extends to 5.66 acres (2.29 ha) or thereabouts, with access via a right of way. AUCTION GUIDE: £45,000 Yeovil Office: 01935 423474 farms.yeovil@gth.net

AUCTION GUIDE: £290,000 Burnham on Sea Office: 01278 782326 robert.stone@gth.net

THE MERCHANTS HOUSE, ANNANDALE, THE HILL, LANGPORT

PLOT 8 SOUTHWOOD MEADOW, BUCKLAND BREWER, BIDEFORD

A unique renovation project in the heart of Langport, within a Grade II listed building, with views across the Somerset Levels.

Building plot with planning permission for a single dwelling and garage. Site area in total extending to 0.25 acre (0.10 ha) approx.

AUCTION GUIDE: £200,000 Langport Office: 01458 250589 residential.langport@gth.net

AUCTION GUIDE: £110,000 Yeovil Office: 01935 423474 farms.yeovil@gth.net

FURTHER ENTRIES INVITED For further information about selling by auction please contact: Justin.lowe@gth.net 01935 423474 G R E E N S L A D E TA Y L O R H U N T

w w w. g t h . n e t

Property

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Price £99,950

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Townbridge House, High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AA Telephone/Fax: (01747) 822244 E-mail: chapmanmoore@btconnect.com See all our properties on www.rightmove.co.uk & www.zoopla.co.uk

Price £152,500 +VAT C

Edition 12

w e n he

Friday, March 5, 2021

Blackmore Vale

Fortnightly

FREE

Donors rally round to help kids learn n From front page And in just four weeks, kindhearted locals, Rotarians, families and friends raised the staggering sum, which has enabled 200 laptops to be purchased and presented to pupils at 13 schools in the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST). Ian Bartle, headteacher of Sherborne Primary School, one of the schools receiving new laptops, said: “I cannot begin to thank the Rotary Club and the immense generosity of our community for kindly providing our pupils with the essential tools required to access education and learning during this pandemic and partial school closure. “I wish I could share with you the joy and gratitude of our families, when they receive their donated device and the difference it will make to their child’s learning. From a school’s viewpoint, the large rise in active engagement with online learning has been great to see.” As children are set to return to schools next week, many

GRATEFUL: Sherborne Primary School headteacher Ian Bartle and right, children using the devices

laptops will remain with the children to support them with their learning. Devices in school will help with digital lessons, enabling students to master technology skills they will need in the future. Dave Pearson, joint president of the Rotary branch, said: “We started the appeal in the hope that we could raise a small amount of money to purchase laptops for some of

the many primary school children in the local area who were unable to access online learning. “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals as well as local trust funds who have donated to this cause and raised nearly £43,000. “Our club would like to thank everyone who has supported this appeal, which has enabled all the children

in the 13 SAST primary schools to now engage with the schools’ provision for learning at home.” Along with money raised through the campaign, the Rotary Club received donations of laptops, iPads and tablets for many secondary pupils. And some of the funds have been directed to primary school pupils outside the Sherborne area.

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