n Remembering Jack Yeatman

A social get together is being held in the Ibberton and Belchalwell Village Hall to pay tribute to the late Jack Yeatman, who raised thousands upon thousands of pounds in his lifetime for the Benefice. The farewell fundraiser will serve as a fitting tribute to the countryman, who raised £85,000 after holding biannual open days at his farm at Lowbrook from 1980 until 2010, which later evolved into Turnworth in Spring. Jack died on October 3, 2020. Passionate about family, farming, shooting and his community, Jack helped to raise thousands more with his involvement in charity shoots and the village marquee to name but a few. Jack’s son Owen said: “My father remained very able right up until the recent end, and was active during the lockdown period in moving his video library over to digital media. His aim was to hold an evening showing in the village hall. “Unfortunately he was unable to achieve this last held ambition, so this is why we are looking to show with a social get together to celebrate his life and raise money for the church and village hall.” Jack was born at Peaches

Getting together to remember community fundraiser farmer Jack Yeatman

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Farm at Fifehead St Quintin on December 31, 1925. Christened Maurice John Yeatman, and the youngest of four, he was known as Jack. The family moved to Lowbrook Farm in Belchalwell in 1927 when Jack was aged two. Later, Jack would share his stories of the Second World War with his sons. Owen said: “During a bombing raid on Bristol, a German bomber having been intercepted on its way, was hit and turned back, jettisoning its bombs as it went. One bomb dropped west of Whitmore Wood, and another dropped in the field at the back of Lowbrook. As the house rattled due, Jack’s father Maurice yelled upstairs to Jack, who was 15, telling him off for bouncing around on the bed, and making the windows rattle.” Jack joined the young farmers, and along with his future brother-in-law Vic White, and Bobby Chapman from Ansty, they won a place at the YFC National finals, for the tractor and binder fault finding competition in 1947. The team came third, which was not bad for three Blackmore Vale dairy farmers. Later that year, on Christmas Eve, Jack met Pam and the pair married in October 1950, setting up home at Lowbrook Farm. Owen said: “With Grandad White having given Pam his best cow as a wedding present, told Jack that he had given him his best milker and best worker!” Their family started in 1953, with the birth of Austin, and Owen in 1959. The pair worked tirelessly to build the business. In 1969, Jack purchased the freehold of Lowbrook from the Pitt Rivers Estate, along with two neighbouring farms. In 1976, Home Farm Turnworth was added to the farming business. Owen said: “Dad became church warden of the church in 1970, a post he has held for over 40 years and following the death of Pam, he also took on the role of treasurer, retiring from both position in 2012, whilst remaining on the PCC until the end.” Jack and Pam were heavily involved with community activities – carol singing and bonfires, fetes and parties, but specific fund raising for the church began with the open days at Lowbrook. They also donated a corner of a field for the Belchalwell playing field. In 1986 Pam and Jack

bought Turnworth House, deciding to retire from front-line farming. However, the move to Turnworth was really more a career change, as Jack threw himself into the garden, and together with Brian Young, launched a combined shoot. Owen said: “The move to Turnworth house gave Jack and Pam many more opportunities to expand their fund raising community activities, from teas on the lawns for residents of local old folks homes, to the development of one of their greatest achievements Turnworth in the spring.” In 1994 Pam died after a battle with cancer. Owen said: “Austin and Jo, living at Home farm, virtually next door, were able to help him through the dark days, with Jo taking up the role of ensuring that he was well fed. He had his five grandchildren, Tom, Tim, Georgina, Alf and Rose all of whom adored both him and granny, but were now to have the best of times with grandad. “These times together, allowed the children and grandad to form an incredible bond, and leave them with the most precious memories that will last their lifetime.” Jack remarried in 2000 and with Helen at his side, he continued to throw himself at his various activities, and also supported her in hers. With an incredibly wide circle of friends and relatives, they hosted many shoots and events over the years. During a Benefice visit to Oberammergau in Southern Germany Jack suffered a severe heart attack. Owen said: “For me the memorable part of this trip, was that whilst he didn’t have any identification on him, they knew he was English, due to his trademark flat cap.” Jack moved to Greenwood with Helen, spending happy days in the garden. Owen said: “Whilst he had moved away from where he had spent the majority of his life, he was still fully involved in the communities where he had spent so many years. Returning to village functions, supporting all of parish’s event within the benefice, he was still very much part of the life in north Dorset.” “We all have our memories of Jack, and I’m sure that they are all happy ones, he lead a full and happy life and we are all the much richer for being lucky enough to have been able to share his incredible journey.” n The final fundraiser to Jack will be at the Ibberton and Belchalwell Village hall on Friday, September 24 from 3pm. The Chalke Valley Challenge – a 3km fun run and 10k race – will be held on Sunday, October 17 from 10.30am. Come and enjoy a beautiful, undulating course on quiet country roads. Start and finish at Broad Chalke Sports Field, SP5 5DS. Register at: letsdothis.com/ gb/e/189385. No registration on the day. All proceeds to Friends of Broad Chalke Primary School. No dogs allowed. The fun run costs £8 per entry (UKA £7) and the 10km race is £18 per entry (UKA £16).

Special branches

A Tree Festival activity to celebrate the beautiful trees around Shaftesbury with craft and story-telling is being held in Shaftesbury Library on September 25 between 10.30am and 11.30am. Booking is essential by ringing 01747 852256.

U3A glass talk

Blandford and District University of the Third Age is inviting people to an Open Meeting on September 24 at 2pm at Durweston Village Hall, where Dr Francis Burroughes will be speaking on the history of glass. Everyone is welcome, whether they are a member of Blandford & District u3a, another branch, or not at all. Membership of the Blandford & District u3a costs £10.00 per annum More details on 01258 628079.

Probus meeting

Shaftsbury Gold Hill Probus Club are pleased to announce meetings have recommenced on the second Monday of the month at the town hall. Coffee at 10 am, talk at 10.30am and optional bookable lunch at noon.