The New Stour & Avon - Issue 93

What’s inside this issue...

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Birthday joy for Pam p36

Cover: White Mill bridge, Sturminster Marshall

Dance the night away at charity ball

There’s still a chance to get your ticket for Diverse Abilities’ eighth Gala Ball, which will be held on Saturday, November 16. Tickets are available for both groups and individuals, with funds raised helping the 1,500 children and adults supported by the charity across Dorset every year.

Tickets for the ball are £110 per person or £1,000 for a table of 10.

Demi Tarrant, events executive at Diverse Abilities, said: “The Gala Ball is without a doubt one of the highlights of our calendar.”

To find out more and order your tickets, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events2024/gala.

Town launch of Poppy Appeal

The town mayor of Wimborne, Cllr Jeff Hart, purchased the first Poppy to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal in the Town Square. Arriving with mayoress Barbara Hart in a military vehicle, the trumpets were sounded before the town crier and town mayor’s Serjant, Chris Brown, gave a special cry before the mayor

purchased the first Poppy. David Keig, the Poppy Appeal organiser said: “Last year more than £30,000 was raised from the Poppy Appeal in the town and I hope a similar figure will be raised from this year’s appeal.”

For the next fortnight Poppies will be sold from gazebos on the square and outside Waitrose. It is not too late to offer to collect... there is a list in the British Legion club in West Borough where you can sign up.

Bake a name for yourself

Ever watched Bake Off and thought you could do better? Now’s your chance, as the hit show is looking for top amateur bakers to audition for next season.

“Just tell us as much as you can about your baking,” it says.

“We’re not expecting you to be brilliant, just give us an idea of what kind of baker you are.”

Send in at least five photos of different recipes in your repertoire and you can also include a oneminute video.

Applications close on December 9 at 1pm – more details here: applyforbakeoff.co.uk.

Thief is jailed

Ringwood man Quincy Rufus Digby Hopkins has been jailed for shoplifting in the town. The 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 16 weeks behind bars at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 21, for nine counts of shoplifting. Hopkins had already pleaded guilty to nine thefts at previous hearings at the same court on September 18 and 30.

Whether it’s incorporating your loved one’s personality and preferences or honouring their passions, we’ll create a meaningful and personalised farewell.

Cartons and Foil now accepted in your kerbside recycling collection

Food and drink cartons, as well as foil trays and sheet foil, can now be placed in your household recycling bin for collection.

Cartons have been difficult to recycle in the past as they are similar to cardboard when sorting mechanically but contain foil/plastic. Our sorting facility partners are now able to separate these cartons for recycling, which we hope residents will find more convenient than the banks in car parks.

We now accept empty food cartons and drinks cartons (e.g. soup, milk, juice etc.) in your recycling bin or box.

We will also accept cardboard tubeshaped containers (e.g. curved crisps, hot chocolate, gravy granules).

Just make sure they’re completely empty, flatten them, and pop the lids back on (if possible) before placing in your recycling bin.

We now accept the following foil items in your recycling bin or box:

• Foil containers (e.g. pie trays, takeaway dishes)

• Foil sheets (e.g. to cover food or wrap sandwiches)

• Confectionary foil wrappings (e.g. Easter eggs, inner wrappings of chocolate bars)

• Foil lids (e.g. yoghurts, noodles)

Please rinse foil trays and wipe sheet foil clean if possible. Sheet foil or wrappers should be scrunched into a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball before placing in your recycling bin. If it does not scrunch, it’s not the kind of foil that we can recycle.

Some items that look like foil (e.g. crisp packets, sweet/biscuit/chocolate bar wrappers, pet food pouches etc.) are joined with plastic or paper and cannot go in your recycling bin.

Ten years of tripping the light fantastic

Blandford’s Performing Arts Theatre Academy is celebrating its 10th Birthday.

It was set up in November 2014 with just 20 pupils learning acting, musical theatre and singing at the Parish Centre in the middle of the town.

The academy now has its own studios in the Grainstore complex on Shaftesbury Lane, moved there in 2019 and now has more than 100 pupils participating in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, musical theatre, acting and singing. In its 10 years, the academy has performed in a number of community and charity events and produced four musicals, raising more than £1500 for local charities Mosaic, Teddy 20 and Dorset Mind.

Principal and founder Rebecca Hollands said: “We believe it’s incredibly important to give back to and support our local community and with each production we choose a new charity to support that has a connection to us.”

Pupils have excelled across all disciplines and have attended workshops, theatres and dance conventions to broaden their experience.

Past pupils have gone on to performing art collages and jobs in the industry.

Rebecca added: “We’re very proud of our alumni and can’t wait to see what all our pupils go on to succeed with.”

The academy hopes to continue to grow and support more local schools and events in the area and raise more money for charity. If you are interested in being part of the Performing Arts Theatre Academy and starting a new skill, visit the website at thepatheatreacademy.uk

Help Friends for Christmas

A Christmas Fayre in aid of charity Tyler’s Friends, which helps families with the cost of memorials for children, is taking place on Sunday, November 10, at Hamworthy Social Club. The fayre, from 11.30am-4pm, will feature stalls selling gifts and goodies, a Santa’s grotto, a tombola, raffle and much more. Tables cost £10, plus the donation of a raffle prize. More information from lisa@ tylersfriends.co.uk.

Quizzical winner

A quiz held to raise funds for Victoria Hospital, Wimborne, was a resounding success, with more than 100 joining the fun-filled evening. Participants showed great enthusiasm, and the event made more than £700 towards the hospital’s fundraising efforts. The evening concluded with two teams tying for first place, with both groups taking home attractive prizes.

Jeff Hart, trustee, and Mayor of Wimborne, said: “What a great night. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”

Pupils’ poems go with the flow

Schoolchildren’s creativity was amply demonstrated in a poetry competition on the theme of ‘Rivers’, held as part of the Planet Wimborne Green festival.

The competition, designed to encourage a deeper connection with nature, attracted an encouraging number of entries from schools in Wimborne and beyond, with the theme inspiring the children to write about rivers’ beauty, strength (‘Stour power’) and the urgent need for us to protect them and the wildlife that depends on them. Worthy winners were Mia Hill Puig, Eloise Sheppard and Evie Smart from Allenbourn School, Rex Pincroft and Willa Short from Colehill First School and Heidi Steele from Witchampton First School. In an award celebration at Wimborne Library, they were each presented with a certificate and book token

by Linda Bunting, chairman of Planet Wimborne Green Festival.

Competition organiser and town mayor Jeff Hart, who is also a director of Planet Wimborne, said: “It was a delightful presentation - the pupils read their poems aloud so well, and their contributions brimmed with ideas, creative thoughts and concern for the environment.

“I’d like to thank all the young poets who took part in the competition, their families and teachers.’ The winning poems are on display in Wimborne Library and are available to read on the Planet Wimborne website at planetwimborne.org. Pictured are the competition winners with Linda Bunting and Jeff Hart.

Picture: BARBARA WATHEN

A blooming good fair

It is hoped that around 30 charities and organisations will come together under one roof for a Grand Charities Fair which will take place on Saturday, November 9, between 10.00am and 3.00pm in the Allendale Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne.

Each charity/organisation has been allocated a six-foot table from which they can either publicise themselves or

raise money for their own causes. It should prove a useful opportunity to do both –especially so as we approach the Christmas period.

Tables are still available at £15.00 each and anyone interested should contact John Allen on 01202 889761.

Entrance will be free, courtesy of Wimborne in Bloom.

Anthony Oliver Wimborne

Hall celebrates its 50th AGM

The St Leonards & St Ives Village Hall committee held its 50th annual general meeting in October.

Back in the 1970s, the original village hall, like many of that era, was a wooden construction that was ultimately consumed by fire.

Plans for a new facility were soon under way and, in October 1975, the final lease was drawn up and the hall was opened just a few weeks later.

Being a village hall, the

refreshments were an afternoon tea for guests, which included current hirers of the facilities, others who join events such as our Community Café, the committee and friends.

The village hall is in Braeside Road, just off the A31 between Ringwood and Ferndown. Further information is available on the village hall website at stleonardshall.org.uk or by contacting me at vhmc@ btopenworld.com. Viv Frecknall

Rotary craft fair raised £440

The Wimborne Rotary Craft Fair, held in the Allendale Centre at the end of September, raised £440 for Rotary-supported charities. Some 20 stallholders presented a range of crafts and interests with appreciative visitors attending throughout the day. We were delighted with the support from the crafting community and equally pleased to welcome so many interested members

of the public.

We plan to run the fair again next year, and the monies received from this year’s event will be used to benefit Rotary-supported charities.

John Gully

Wimborne

Numbers are up for new play

Following their very successful plays (‘n Chips productions) in September, Broadstone Players are well into rehearsals for their next play, ‘Lucky Numbers’ by Mike Yeaman. It is a lovely comedy, directed by Alyssa Thompson, about a missing lottery ticket and the family who have bought it. The play will be performed in Broadstone War Memorial Hall theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, November 19 to 23, 2024, each evening at 7.30pm.

There will also be a matinee performance on Saturday 23rd at 2.15pm. Tickets are £10 and, for the matinee, include tea and cake!

Tickets can be reserved by emailing honsec@ broadstoneplayers.co.uk or phoning 01202 678449. They are also on sale in Broadstone News on the Broadway. We hope that you will be able to join us in the search for the winning ticket!

Mar Godfrey Broadstone

Music and mystery for twinners

Things were really bopping at last Saturday’s annual Musical Soiree, held by Fordingbridge Twinning Association. The event was held, as usual, in Fordingbridge Town Hall, with the music provided by local musician, Graeme Parsons.

The next event to look out for, provided by the association, will be its spring Murder Mystery Evening, again always a sell-out. It will be taking place on Saturday evening, February 22, 2025, when the Detective

Inspector in charge will be the ever-popular Will Peak. For further details, please contact me on 01425 650770, or by email on DaddyDelboy44@BTInternet. com.

Derek Ayling Fordingbridge

Awards for design & conservation

The Ringwood Society has presented its annual Design and Conservation Awards, with two awards and a commendation being presented by president Steve Rippon-Swaine and chairman Joe Moorhouse.

The awards, delivered at the annual autumn open meeting, are the flagship event of the society calendar.

The awards, first launched in 1981, were revamped two years ago, and are awarded annually. The award for Best Residential Project went to Jade and Richard Levell, left, for

Avonside House, which was judged to be a testament to hard work and attention to detail in the remodelling of their home. Modern cladding was removed, traditional render reinstated and new sash windows were installed.

The Best Commercial Project award went to Rose & Lily Florals Ltd, centre, for their new signage and shopfront at their shop on Christchurch Road. The society noted that having taking over the long-standing florists in the town last year, Zoe Wallis, assisted by Rebecca Galton,

had transformed the shop with a new look that blended the best of tradition with the best of contemporary graphics and colour palettes.

The society awarded a Commendation to Lindy Stuart Studio, right, for the signage at their brand-new premises in the town, having relocated from Christchurch.

Nominations for the 2025 Ringwood Society Design and Conservation Awards are now open.

Visit ringwoodsociety.org.uk/ awards.

We have been awarded this much sought after accolade for our work with Gold Standards Framework

“Your staff are exemplary in every way. They care for my every need, showing genuine kindness and always go above and beyond the call of duty. The excellent chef caters for my special diet - all cooked to perfection. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Current resident

Week of action over speeding

A crackdown on speeding in Dorset saw more than 200 speed and other offences processed by the police in one week.

The concentrated week of action, from October 14 to October 20, saw community speed watch (CSW) volunteers deployed in more than 100 locations across the county. The volunteers monitored 15,700 vehicles - with 387 warning letters issued to those going over the limit. The letters advise the driver they have exceeded the limit and aim to educate them to be more aware of their speed.

The highest speed recorded was 55mph in a 30mph limit.

Mark Armstrong, head of road safety at Dorset Police, said: “The results from this event are a testament to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, which helps toward creating a tangible difference to the safety of all road users.” Find out more about CSW atdorsetroadsafe.org.uk.

Could you give a child a foster home?

Personalised social worker support, 24/7, 365

Regular training Informal get togethers

Excellent financial rewards

The role of core values

School Summer Holidays at Footprints

As the summer holidays draw to a close, it is a time to reflect on a fun filled 6 week break from school and start preparing for the beginning of the new term and new school year. For some children this is an exciting time to see their teachers and friends again and to establish their routine again. For others, it can be a daunting time, symbolizing the start of a new school, changing classes or an important exam year.

Independent Agency or Local Authority? Helping you to make an informed decision

We always suggest exploring all your options before making a commitment and find a fostering service that you feel is right and comfortable for you. Here are some hints on what to consider when choosing your foster care provider:

areas of foster care, through high quality training and extensive support

Loyalty: Allowing all to flourish with a strong support network

Training and Support – when setting out on your journey to fostering always bear in mind that everyone develops at a different speed and your confidence in fostering may grow greatly or require more support and training. Always seek a fostering provider that can fit your needs with training and support.

At footprints we believe that all children should enjoy their summer break, to regain their energy from a tiring school year and get ready for what is to come in the next year. A lot of our foster carers will take the foster children on holiday with them within the country and abroad, however this is not an expectation.

Care: Every child matters, we strive to support carers in meeting young people’s potential

Age of placements – Local authorities tend to have more placements that are young children and babies, whereas independent agency although still have some placements veer on the side of slightly older children.

Fostering payment – Although fostering is not about the money, and we emphasise the will to care over the benefits. It is important to always consider your financial situation whereby an independent fostering agency tends to provide a higher reward.

In the era of technological development, innovation and increased market competition, industries are ever changing. We have seen the increased need for digitalization in fostering where what used to be done on paper is now all electronic, helping our carers have instantaneous responses and up-to-date case notes. While moving forward can setem rapid, it is important not to forget the most simple, basic but crucial aspects of an organisation - core values.

This year, all foster carers and children were invited to an activity centre to enjoy a day out socialising with each other and engaging in outdoor activities. We also organise informal meet ups but as the foster carers get to know each other they also arrange get togethers, this shows the sense of community when being part of Footprints.

Location – From placements to support, think about how far you would like to travel and check with the fostering provider which areas they serve for placements.

As an independent agency we, Footprints offer tailored training and support that suits your needs. Also as the agency is small, you bond close relationships with fellow foster carers meaning the training is great fun! The social workers have low caseloads so can provide you with 24/7 support. Finally we are local, serving the local community, someone is never far away and you will always be greeted upon visits to the office by one of our team.

Respect difference: We are all products of our own individuality and upbringing - the world would be a dull place if we were all the same Trust: Building trustworthy honest relationships is the foundation of the Footprints culture, striving to achieve exactly what we say

Sometimes foster carers would like some personal time away from the foster children, and in these cases the Footprints team will help to arrange some respite care with another carer who knows the child and their needs. This helps to ensure continuity of care and enables the carers to also feel refreshed and revived!

Yes, independent fostering agencies and local authorities have key differences, but the main thing to remember is the child, and both options ensure that the well-being and safety of the child in care is at the forefront of service.

We have a set of core beliefs that we as an organisation take pride in from the time of starting the agency just over 10 years ago to today. We believe that people are the heart of our organisation, and as our most important asset we invest, support and guide from all angles, which is reflected in the defined six core values:

If you have given it some thought over the summer, that holidays are just a lot more fun with a full household, fostering may be the right step for you and we would love to hear from you here at Footprints.

Excellence: As a small agency we strive to achieve this in all

We would welcome you at footprints for a further discussion to help you make an informed decision, either give us a call, email or pop by the office!

Confidentiality: Maintaining the highest level of confidence for carers, social workers and children, treating all information respectfully. Together, we stick by our motto of ‘taking steps towards a brighter future’ and we are sure that you can achieve this too when joining Footprints.

FERNDOWN TOWN COUNCIL WINTER 2024 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

2nd November - Free fireworks display at King George V Playing Fields

6th November - Royal British Legion Concert of Remembrance

10th November - Ferndown’s Remembrance Parade

18th November - Parishioners’ Engagement

30th November - The Ferndown Rotary’s Christmas Light Switch On

11th December - Bournemouth Youth Marching Band Christmas Concert

For more information, including event timings, please visit our Ferndown Town Council website. www.ferndown.gov.uk

Political round-up

Restoring the UK’s international reputation

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Labour government. On the economic front, there was good news as the country returned to growth, following the stagnant last months of the previous regime.

Inflation also fell to 1.7%, the lowest rate since April 2021. Then there was the recordbreaking investment summit, where a total of £63billion of investment across the UK was presented along with 38,000 new jobs being created.

These stage-managed set pieces, where capitalism’s upper classes mingled with royalty in St Paul’s Cathedral, may not be to many Labour members’ taste. Indeed, I doubt the attendees arrived on a P&O ferry.

But restoring the UK’s reputation internationally as an attractive place to invest is important.

I think we all suspect that the imminent budget will be one that increases taxes in order to release critical public services

from the grasp of austerity.

As Labour has promised not to raise taxes on working people in its manifesto, that only really leaves taxes on businesses and unearned income as a place to go.

The summit helps place this short-term pain within the context of Labour’s longer-term plans to grow the economy, bringing in revenue for our public services through volume of activity rather than increasing percentage rates of tax. Growth matters.

But for any government to be successful, people need to feel the benefits of its policies directly, rather than just in abstract inflation and other economic indices.

A key part of our programme is the New Deal for Working People.

It seeks to undo the conditions which have seen a growth in exploitative working practices and declining real wages. The deal includes employment

rights from day one, ending fire-and-rehire practices and requiring those on zero-hours contracts to be able to gain guaranteed hours if they want them.

The Bill will ensure people can access flexible working where they need it.

It’ll also make sure the

minimum wage reflects the cost of living.

Whilst these measures will improve working conditions for many, the fact remains that in many families one of the adults, often the mother, cannot afford to go to work.

That’s because the cost of childcare for two kids still exceeds the minimum wage in may parts of the country - and that’s if you can find a nursery with places.

While the last government committed to increasing the availability of childcare, making it possible for parents to go back to work, the policy wasn’t properly funded.

Many providers have struggled to keep going on the income they receive to fund free hours. The new Labour government will deliver an extra 3,000 new or extended nurseries, making use of underused classrooms in primary schools.

We’ll make childcare pay, as well as making work pay.

Low productivity is undermining our country

By the time this column is printed, the content of the Budget will be known. One acid test in evaluating the decisions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be whether significant economic growth is delivered.

Without growth, any increases in public expenditure have to be funded by additional taxation or borrowing or both.

Low productivity, especially in the NHS, has been undermining our country’s prosperity for years.

It is for that reason that I asked the chairman of NHS Dorset at a recent meeting by how much NHS productivity in Dorset had increased.

Despite ‘increasing productivity’ being one of the three national priorities for our health service, my question could not be answered immediately.

When the promised response arrives I shall share it with readers.

One of the key causes of

local avoidable NHS waste is bed-blocking in our hospitals. This policy failure is now euphemistically described as ‘patients with no criteria to reside’.

My continuing pressure on NHS Dorset to resolve this problem did result in a welcome target being set of halving the number of Dorset hospital beds being blocked in 2024/25. The bad news, however, is that, over the summer to the end of August, the number of ‘blocked beds’ increased by 23 to a daily total of 259.

The basic cost of more than £1million per week keeping patients in hospital unnecessarily takes no account of the impact on patients, including the inability of our hospitals to provide beds for those who need them. Postponed operations are far too frequent. I shall continue to badger the NHS until the promises made are delivered. n Places for select committees

for this Parliament have now been filled.

I shall be serving on the Energy and Net Zero Committee and look forward to being able to investigate the burdens being imposed on consumers by net zero zealots.

The market for new cars is a perfect illustration of the law

of unintended consequences flowing from arbitrarily restricting the supply of non-electric cars. There is increasingly widespread consumer disquiet about electric vehicles and sooner or later the Government will have to respond to consumer choice. I shall also be continuing as a member of the Speaker’s Panel of Chairmen. Chairing the Renters’ Rights Bill is my first responsibility.

It is likely to be a frustrating experience not being able to express my opinions or vote on it.

As a minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government, I was much involved with the supply side reforms which transformed the market in rented housing by reviving the private sector through the introduction of shorthold fixed term tenancies. Hopefully, others will articulate the arguments which I shall be prevented from expressing as a neutral chairman.

Christchurch & East Dorset CHRIS CHOPE MP

Dorset Labour GREG WILLIAMS

Which tory effigy should be put on the bonfire?

Forget the nightmare before Christmas, Hallowe’en has been upon us.

Christmas is still a few months away and stories of Christmas past under the Conservatives and Christmas future under Labour.

Whilst bleak, we should not skip reflecting on this Hallowe’en and bonfire night. Since coming into power, we have seen a Labour government make the ‘decision’ to commit more than 20,000 of our elderly to a premature death over the term of their time in office, due to hypothermia or hunger - a number supported by their own analysis.

They have spent nearly three months trying to justify this decision using all sorts of excuses including denying the analysis because a different Labour Party leader commissioned it. We have seen them give away

sovereign territory without any public or even Parliamentary debate and, worse, they have agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to the nation they are gifting our sovereign and strategic territory to, and we are still waiting to hear how much that annual sum will be.

This lease-back arrangement is to be paid by the British taxpayer for the next 100 years, an unbelievable decision by Starmer and his Foreign Secretary - we are certainly in trouble with five more years of these novices in charge.

Labour released back onto the street large numbers of inmates from prisons, many of whom are already back in prison or on the run for having committed more offences.

The list of things to be scared about this Hallowe’en goes beyond a few kids knocking on your door and demanding sweets.

Reform UK

Christchurch

ROBIN ADAMSON

Thinking the nightmare that is the Labour Party could not get more harrowing based on the last 100 days, it is clear there are more nightmarish things to come in Labour’s first budget. Little has not been leaked in advance of the ‘Mischief Night (the night before Hallowe’en) Budget’, and life under Labour

will be like a Hallowe’en nightmare every day for the next five years.

The Conservatives will have taken three and a half months to widdle down six candidates to two and for members to choose their new leader, confirming why the Conservatives were rejected by voters in July.

It typifies the dysfunctional nature of the Party when they were in power and would be, if ever in power again.

It is the abject lack of decisionmaking that is the only memorable thing about the Conservatives over the past 14 years.

The new leader to be announced tomorrow, November 2, is just in time for Party members to decide what effigy to put on top of their bonfires or not, and who to celebrate with an extra loud firework, maybe.

Communities need to be given more control

Following my appointment as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government, I was invited to visit Harrogate to speak to the Local Government Association at their annual conference.

Most people have little appreciation for the way in which local government impacts on their life. I have lost count of the number of frustrated people who ask ‘what exactly do I get for my money’ when a council cuts back on the frequency of road sweeping, reduces the opening hours of the local library or takes too long to deal with the renewal of their blue badge. The message from the conference was stark. The increased demand for adult social care and support for children in care or those with special educational needs means that almost half of the ‘upper tier’ councils will not survive the next two years without government intervention or increased funding. That not bad management, or wasted money, it’s because Westminster has starved councils for too long. In Dorset, the central

grant has been cut by between 95% and 99% over the last decade, removing around £200m PER YEAR from the budgets of the two councils (Dorset and BCP) compared to 2015.

In my role I will be voicing the concerns not only of councils but of residents who are fearful that in trying to maintain domiciliary care for elderly people, supported living for those with disabilities and foster care for children, other services will be lost.

In the last couple of weeks I have challenged the ministers and the Secretary of State on reform of business rates, town centres regeneration and on rough sleeping support.

It is clear that after a decade of Conservative decline there is a financial crisis in the UK and it will take time for the new Government to rebuild. But rebuild is the right phrase, as this must be done with care and a long-term vision to avoid the mistakes of the past. In the immediate term, councils need an emergency injection of funds but only as a sticking plaster.

Mid-Dorset & North Poole

VIKKI SLADE MP

What we need is real reform, where communities control - and do - more, with support from councils. We need to be careful of toxic nostalgia dragging us back to imagining the past was perfect and all we need to do is return to that place to fix today’s social and economic problems. That place has gone. Some people may regret it but with automation and digital services we don’t want to do jobs that are mundane or dangerous and we want to buy things from around the world not

just from around the corner. People with disabilities want to use their skills and fulfil their potential, and working parents or carers want work modernised to accommodate their needs. We have an ageing and more educated population and a reducing birth rate which means the proportion of people of working age is dropping and those who need (or will need) support is increasing. Until we have an honest conversation about what this means for public services, councils will tinker at the edges too afraid of the ballot box to make radical changes. I disagree profoundly with some of the decisions this Labour government have made. But I think they are right to try to reset the dial and I hope the much-promised conversation on the NHS and public services is entered into with vigour by all. This way we can renew society and make sure local government, the public sector and the economy protect the poor and sick and enable everyone to meet their potential and follow their dreams.

Antiques & Collectibles

Medal collection of a lifetime

A huge single-owner medal collection is being sold by Charterhouse in Sherborne on Wednesday, November 27.

Charterhouse’s Richard Bromell said: “The owner, who passed away earlier this year, had been a Charterhouse client for many years and his wife has instructed us to auction his collection without reserve.”

The earliest medal in the collection is a Waterloo medal awarded to Cpl J Chappel (Coldstream Guards) with the latest medal in

awarded to A Green (HMS Fearless).

The owner, who travelled extensively for business, started collecting medals when his wife gave him her late father’s Second World War medals and he was immediately bitten by the collecting bug.

Medals from more than 160 years are represented, with no one particular regiment or campaign collected.

There are gallantry to coronation medals with the collection estimated to sell for

n Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse Team can be contacted for specialist advice and valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or via rb@ charterhouse-auction.com.

As Remembrance Day approaches, the Museum of East Dorset is inviting people to find out more about their brave loved ones who fought in the First World War. Through a comprehensive free database, people can explore records of more than a thousand serving men and women from Wimborne and the locality. The database includes military and death records and photographs where available. It is part of the museum’s One Hundred Year Heritage Of The First World War For Wimborne And East Dorset project.

Delayed by the impact of Covid, the extensive research has now enabled the museum to record and map details from all commemorative memorials in East Dorset, whether private, public, or religious.

Museum director Francesca Hollow said: “Our aim has been to ensure the names of those who died in the conflict from the community are available in one place for current and future generations.

“To make sure that the precious photographs, letters, diaries, postcards, medals and other links to the First World War are recorded, we worked with the community to take digital photographs of the artefacts and memorabilia they shared with us to ensure these are recorded, on our own website and also with the Lives Of The First World War Imperial War Museum digital project.”

You can find the database and war memorial information at museumofeastdorset.co.uk/ east-dorset-first-world-war/.

Students donate to food bank

Bryanston pupils, along with parents and staff in the community, collected essential ingredients to create more than 100 recipe bags for Blandford Food Bank. Each bag, carefully assembled by the pupils, contains all the necessary ingredients to prepare meals like cottage pie and tuna pasta, ensuring that families in need can enjoy nutritious, home-cooked food. This follows Bryanston Prep’s recent harvest festival service held at St Martin’s Church in which donations were also contributed to the food bank. Bryanston’s head of charities and community engagement, Doc Fearnley, emphasised the school community’s

commitment to helping others. She said: “Humanity and a sense of community is at the heart of what we do at Bryanston. Our pupils are aware of the struggles faced by many people in our local area and understand the importance of coming together to offer support and help in any way they can.”

This week also saw donations of children’s coats and pyjamas by prep school families to the clothes bank in Ferndown, which is linked to Wimborne Food Bank.

The donations are part of an ongoing commitment to promote a compassionate and socially responsible environment for its pupils.

Top venue to host special charity dinner

Mayor of Wimborne, Cllr Jeff Hart, has announced a special charity dinner evening at the Rosemary, Wimborne, on Monday, November 4, at 7.00pm. The event promises to be an unforgettable evening of delicious food and community spirit, all in support of a great cause. Tickets are available for £25, which includes a two-course dinner, with a vegetarian option available.

Guests will enjoy a delightful menu in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Rosemary.

It is a chance for people to come together for an evening filled with food, conversation, and the opportunity to give back. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the mayor’s charities - Planet Wimborne and Wimborne Victoria Hospital - making a meaningful difference in otheur community.

Tickets are £25 per person and spaces are limited so people are urged to book their tickets early. To reserve a place, contact gary.mason@ wimborne.gov.uk or call 01202 881655 or visit ticketsource.co.uk/wimborneminster-town-council.

Christmas Fair at Bryanston School

Welcome to our 1st Christmas Fayre at Bryanston School!

After three years of running our hugely successful Bryanston Summer Fair, Wessex Events invite you to join us at our first Bryanston Christmas Fair on the 23rd and 24th November.

With over 90 stands inside and out, selling food, drink, crafts and homeware gifts, this is the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping.

We also have 2 wreath making sessions running each day. You can book your place on the workshop by following this link. https://www.bryanston.co.uk/christmas-wreaths

Local musician Phil Smith will be playing and singing throughout the weekend.

We also have our Street Food Area, where you can enjoy mid morning snacks and lunches, including Pizzas, Bratwurst, Falafels, Indian Vegan Street Food, Dorset Lamb burgers, Hot Potatoes, Seafood and desserts, all washed down with coffee, tea, soft drinks or gluwein.

There is also lots for children to enjoy. Inside our children’s entertainment area will include a Frozen themed room,

where kids can meet, and have their pictures taken with Elsa and Anya, who will be joined by Captain America and Spiderman . They can also enjoy our craft room where they can make Christmas decorations, make Sand Art pictures, or have their face painted. In association with our sponsorship partner, Meyers Estates, our children’s areas will be raising money for this years charity.

As well as parking on site we are also running a Shuttle bus every 15 minutes from Blandford Tourist Information Office starting at 9.30am and running all day.

So come early, stay late and enjoy a wonderful Christmas shopping day in the most beautiful of settings.

£4 for Adults

£3.50 for Concessions

Under 16s FREE

We would like to thank our sponsors, Save Energy UK, The Blackmore Vale Ltd and Meyers Estate Agents for their support of this event.

Christmas Countdown to

Festive Fun with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra!

Festive

Fun with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra!

The holiday season is once again just around the corner, and the BSO is back with a selection of live concerts at their home of Lighthouse, Poole which celebrate the very best of Christmas music for the festive period.

The Last Night of the Christmas Proms (21 Dec) this year welcomes the talents of pianist and singer extraordinaire Joe Stilgoe, who will be showcasing his musical talents with a hamper full of Christmas musical goodies alongside all your favourite orchestral treats.

Other choral offerings include Handel’s glorious Messiah (11 Dec) with the Bournemouth Symphony

Photo by Corin Messer

Chorus and two spirited performances of The Snowman alongside BSO Voices (14 Dec).

And you can join in with the singing yourself in the ever-popular Celebration of Christmas Carols (23 Dec) – a final heart-warming way to prepare for the big day itself!

And spin into the New Year with a flourish with the swirling majesty and joyous sounds of the traditional New Year’s Day Viennese Gala (1 Jan). Featuring waltzes, polkas and marches by Johann Strauss II and his contemporaries!

Visit bsolive.com or phone 01202 669925 to book your tickets. Have the merriest of Christmases with the BSO this year!

Concert Season 2024/25 Lighthouse, Poole

The

Snowman and BSO Voices

A Christmas Cracker for all Saturday 14 December, 3pm & 7pm

Last Night of the Christmas Proms

Magic and Sparkle with Joe Stilgoe

Saturday 21 December, 7.30pm

bsolive.com 01202 669925

Christmas is a magical holiday rooted in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It dates back to ancient times when people began commemorating this special event.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, families transform their homes into festive wonderlands. Colourful lights adorn houses, and trees are decorated with shiny baubles and ornaments. The aroma of pine fills the air as families pick out the perfect Christmas tree, a symbol of the season’s joy.

For kids, one of the most exciting aspects of Christmas is the arrival of Santa Claus. Dressed in his iconic red suit, Santa brings smiles to children’s faces as they eagerly anticipate his visit. On Christmas Eve, children hang stockings, hopeful for surprises and gifts.

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the sound of carols filling the air. Families and friends gather to sing these cheerful songs, spreading warmth and happiness. The tunes range from classics like “Jingle Bells” to traditional hymns that remind us of the season’s true meaning.

Christmas is a time for feasting and indulging in delicious treats. Families come together to share a hearty meal featuring a succulent roast turkey, glazed ham, and an array of mouthwatering side dishes. Desserts, ranging from pies to cookies, add a sweet touch to the celebration.

Christmas is also a season of giving. Many children participate in acts of kindness, such as making handmade cards for loved ones or contributing to charitable efforts. It teaches them the importance of generosity and compassion.

Enterprises Ltd

Christmas Countdown to Special Santa Experiences at Museum of East Dorset

Wimborne’s award-winning Museum of East Dorset is offering very special Santa experiences for the festive season.

For the first time, the museum is hosting SEN Santa experiences on Thursday 5th December between 5pm and 6pm. Designed for children with special educational needs, the Santa visit promises no queues and is kept short and sweet with five-minute time slots to meet Santa in the peace and quiet of the Garden Room Grotto. A maximum of two siblings are welcome to join the visit too. The SEN Santa experience is £10 and £8 for siblings.

Museum of East Dorset Director Francessca Hollow said: “We understand that some children with special educational needs may find Christmas activities a bit of a challenge and we aim to provide a calmer opportunity for them to meet Santa with this session devoted to them. Our SEN Santa experience has been designed to cater for children with Autism, ADHD or with a similar diagnosis whose condition means that they have been unable to visit Santa with their family previously. There will be no queuing, loud noises, or flashing lights.”

She added: “We’d love parents to let us know their child’s interests when booking and Santa will be able to chat to them, even if they are non-verbal.”

In the beautiful setting of the historical museum house, there will also be Santa visits open to all. These take place on Saturday 30th November and Saturday 7th December. Children will be given a ‘Golden Ticket’ to see Santa and a gift to take home. There will also be a chance to explore the museum free and follow the festive trail as well as hands-on Christmas crafts to make.

And not forgetting the most important thing – the chance to write a letter to Santa and hand it over to the great man himself as well as enjoy an interactive story session told by Santa.

This Santa visit is £15 per child from age 2 upwards.

Enjoy Traditional Festivities

The museum tearoom will also be open with delicious homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and hot chocolate on sale during the visit.

Book your Santa slot online now via www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk.

These Santa visits are a fundraising event for the Museum of East Dorset and money raised will help to go towards the running of the museum.

Don’t miss Wimborne’s festive celebrations.

30th November

Christmas Lights Switch-On day and Christmas Market from 1pm

7th December

Support local businesses for Small Business Saturday

14th December

Annual Save the Children Parade from 2pm

20th December

Carols in the Corn Market at 6pm

Photo by Jayne Jackson Photography

Food & Drink

Cooking... with Martha Legg

Thai Green Noodles

Lunches can be a bit difficult for us - we are trying to eat more healthily and get away from sandwiches.

This is a very quick and easy recipe (apart from preparing the vegetables!) We do have a mandolin, but Martin has banned me from using it as I keep cutting my fingers!

In Thailand, there are lots of roadside cafes, all with my size of chair, which Martin struggles with!

They all serve a variety of rice and noodle dishes. What we normally do is wait until someone orders something and if it looks good, we ask them what it is. Our pet hate, in Asia and abroad, is the picture menus outside restaurants. Usually, the pictures are so faded that they bear little resemblance to what is served (another pet hate is men calling you into the restaurants!) We are always amazed by the way the Asians eat. Rather than the western way of using a knife and fork, they use chopsticks or spoons and put their faces down to the bowl, and shovel it in. I am sure there’s a good reason.

As cooking practices developed, chefs in Asia realised they could cook food faster

and conserve fuel by cutting it into smaller pieces. This eliminated the need for knives at the dinner table and made the use of chopsticks more prevalent, and by the 5th century, they were common.

On one trip, we were given chopsticks to eat fish, which wasn’t too bad and then we decided to hone our skills by picking up peanuts!

We were on a boat with a group of people we didn’t know and it was a great way of

making friends.

So, as well as being a quick lunch, this recipe reminds us of competitions with chopsticks!

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 tin light coconut milk

2 heaped tbsp Thai green curry paste

2 tbsp each fish sauce and light soy sauce

1/2 chicken stock cube

1 carrot, julienne or peeled into ribbons

Handful tender stem broccoli

1 red pepper

3 tbsp peas

160g raw prawns (or chicken)

2 spring onion

2 nests of dried egg noodles

Method

Tip the coconut milk into a large saucepan. Fill the tin back up with water and tip in. Add the Thai paste, chicken stock cube, soy, and fish sauce. Bring up to a simmer. Prep your veg in the meantime. Mix, add the noodles into the centre, veg and prawns around. Cover with a lid and let simmer for 4-5 minutes until everything is cooked. Serve and enjoy. Leftovers will keep for two days.

Warming recipes for those pumpkins

Roast chicken & pumpkin traybake

A traybake always makes an easy, healthy and delicious supper. Just put everything in the roasting pan, pop it in the oven and forget about it until you’re ready to eat. And, even better, there’s hardly any washing up afterwards. What’s not to like?

Ingredients

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 Minutes

Cook time: 40 Minutes

Calories: 200 kcal per serving

Steps: 2

Ingredients

300g skinned chicken breast fillets

4 garlic cloves, crushed grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 150g pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and cut into wedges

½ red onion, peeled and cut into wedges sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary spray oil, preferably olive sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

a handful of rocket or watercress, to serve

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180C, gas mark 4.

Place the chicken breast fillets in a roasting pan and sprinkle with the garlic and lemon zest. Pour the lemon juice over the top. Place the pumpkin and red onion in the pan and tuck the rosemary

and thyme sprigs in between them.

Season with salt and pepper, and spray everything lightly with oil. Roast in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked right through and the vegetables are golden brown and tender.

Serve hot with some fresh rocket or watercress.

Variations:

Experiment with different herbs – try marjoram, oregano or lemon thyme.

If you don’t have fresh ones, sprinkle with some dried herbs. No bake mini pumpkin pies Method

In a food processor, add your the 1:1 Diet Orange & Ginger Bites with 1tsp of water and mix until it breaks down and starts to combine.

Press the bites mixture into a mould and leave in the fridge to harden.

In a mixer, combine 3tbsp of canned pumpkin, 50ml of water, 1/2 a sachet of the 1:1 Diet Vanilla Flavour Shake, as well as the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Layer the pumpkin mixture on top of the bites base and leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes. Remove from mould. To decorate, add a serving of squirty cream and a small sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top.

n

Second podcast series focuses on MND

Forest Holme Hospice Charity has launched a second season of its ‘Life & Loss’ podcast series, which begins with two deeply-moving interviews exploring the immense physical and mental challenges of living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and the impact it can have on a partner and their family. In the first episode, Danny FudgeHarman, a 47-year-old property consultant from Poole, reflects on life before and after his diagnosis 11 years ago, and how, despite losing the ability to walk, use his arms, or breathe unaided, he has become a passionate advocate for the MND community and explains his own personal journey which is a testament to his strength in the face of adversity.

In the following episode Danny’s wife Annabella talks about her own personal experience of caring for her husband and the challenges and experiences involved in supporting a loved one through this cruel and relentless disease. She discusses the impact of his diagnosis and the subsequent effect it has had on their daily lives, as well as on her own mental health and wellbeing, but also the moments of joy they have shared together.

MND has been in the national spotlight recently following the conclusion of the heartbreaking Coronation Street storyline featuring popular character Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash, who died in hospital following his diagnosis in 2023. Viewers of the soap have watched in recent weeks as Paul suffered the devastating effects of MND, including using a wheelchair and a computer to recreate his voice, which are both challenges Danny has experienced. The ‘Life & Loss’ podcast brings

together individuals of different ages and backgrounds with unique firsthand experiences, alongside healthcare professionals, to share their stories, knowledge, information and strategies for coping with the many challenges associated with life-limiting illnesses and grief.

The podcasts are available on Forest Holme Hospice Charity’s YouTube channel youtube.com/@ forestholmehospicecharity and on all audio platforms via linktr.ee/ forestholmehospicecharity.

DECEMBER

Deadline - Mon 16th Dec - Noon

Booking Deadline - Wed 11th Dec - 4pm Booking Deadline - Tues 17th Dec - 4pm

n Danny Fudge-Harman in conversation on the ‘Life & Loss’ podcast series

Experience the new Hypnos Legacy range at Beds Are Uzzz

This year Hypnos are celebrating 120 years of bed-making experience. In tribute to their legacy in the art of bed-making they have created an exciting new range of beds - The Legacy Collection.

The Legacy Collection consists of six elegantly refined, expertly handcrafted mattresses that celebrate the history and expertise of Hypnos. The range features traceable British Wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard and resilient comfort layers of natural Talalay Latex tapped from managed rubber tree plantations, and firm, breathable recycled eOlusTM fibres.

The Hypnos Legacy

The Legacy Collection gracefully blends our 120 years of knowledge in the art of traditional bedmaking, with contemporary comfort and style.

Ethical, Natural Fibres

Handcrafted using a combination of ethically sourced and traceable fibres such as RWS certified British wool, natural Talalay latex, Himalayan allo, kapok and cotton.

Traditionally Crafted

The perfect night’s sleep thanks to artisans with skills passed down through the generations, and Hypnos’ obsession with choosing the finest natural, ethically sourced materials.

Visit the Beds Are Uzzz showroom in Southbourne to experience the new Hypnos Legacy range. Their experienced and friendly sleep experts will help you find the perfect mattress to give you a good night’s sleep.

What’s more, they are offering a free size upgrade throughout November - king size for the price of a double, plus a free Panda Bamboo mattress protector and 40 night sleep trial on all Hypnos mattresses

BL ACK

EVENT

Join us at the Bakhtiyar Winter Exhibition

Steeped in three generations of history, Bakhtiyar has long been a respected leader in the Persian and Oriental hand-knotted carpet trade. Headed by internationally renowned carpet expert Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi, he and his son Koroush continue to carve a new path for the industry.

Spend time with Bakhtiyar’s specialists and you will quickly discover their passion and love for the craftsmanship of the carpets they source. As an authoritative figure within the industry, Masoud is often invited to share his expertise and insider knowledge with media outlets such as the BBC to discuss the ever-changing market. He also advises auction houses, insurance firms and institutions to identify and value Persian rugs and carpets.

But we would be remise to say that is all we do, we carry out general carpet repairs for clients, whilst also working with many historic organisations to clean and restore carpets, bringing them back to life, in some cases removing 200 year old stains.

Our team of highly skilled cleaners and restorers, based in our London Warehouse, carry out repairs using the traditional knotting methods to fully restore rugs to their former glory, taking wool dated from the same period as the rug, to perfectly match the rest of the piece.

We invite you to explore our winter exhibition in the Mintern Barn at Luccombe Farm in Dorset, and discover a wonderful world of exotic goods.

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th of November 2024 Open 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily

Purchase from a large selection of hand woven Persian carpets, runners & kelims ranging from antique to modern pieces from internationally renowned Persian carpet specialist Masoud Mazaheri’s latest buying trip.

Persian food will be served daily with all proceeds raised being donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

MINTERN BARN, LUCCOMBE FARM, MILTON ABBAS, BLANDFORD FORUM, DORSET, DT11 0BE

Directions: Approach the exhibition at Luccombe Farm from Winterborne Whitechurch (A354), using the signed Milton Abbas Road. Ample parking is available and Mintern Barn is wheelchair accessible.

How chiropractic can transform your posture

Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments.

Proper posture:

Aligns bones and joints correctly, reducing wear and tear on the body.

Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently.

Decreases the risk of back and neck pain Boosts confidence and appearance, making you look taller and more poise.

How Chiropractic Care Helps:

Chiropractic care is focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those related to the spine. Here’s how it can significantly improve your posture:

Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to correct misalignments in the spine. Misalignments, or subluxations, can lead to poor posture as the body tries to compensate for the imbalance. By realigning the spine, chiropractic adjustments help restore proper posture and reduce pain.

Muscle Strengthening: Chiropractors often provide exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Strong, balanced muscles are essential for maintaining good posture. Specific exercises target the core muscles, which play a crucial role in

keeping your spine aligned.

Postural Education: Chiropractors educate patients on the importance of good posture and how to achieve it in their daily lives. This includes guidance on ergonomic adjustments for workspaces, proper sitting and standing techniques, and ways to reduce strain during activities.

Improved Mobility: Restricted mobility in joints can contribute to poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments improve joint mobility, allowing for a greater range of motion. This makes it easier to maintain proper posture throughout the day.

Pain Relief: Chronic pain, particularly in the back and neck, often leads to compensatory postures that are detrimental in the long run.

CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE

THERAPY TREATMENTS

We strive to give every patient the absolute best chiropractic and massage care , as well as providing outstanding customer service. We are a motivated team passionate about getting you better and enabling you to live a pain free life, getting you the best version for you ! Conditions we can treat:

• Migraines

• Lower Back Pain

• Joint Pain

• Frozen Shoulder

• Tennis Elbow

• Neck Ache

• Sports Therapy

Sports Therapy Consultation And Results Session Is £65

£45 (NORMALLY £120)

By addressing the underlying causes of pain, chiropractic care helps you maintain a more natural and healthy posture.

Real-Life Benefits:

Many patients report significant improvements in their posture after a series of chiropractic treatments. These improvements often come with a host of additional benefits, such as:

Reduced Back and Neck Pain: Proper alignment reduces the strain on these areas. Increased Energy Levels: Efficient muscle use leads to less fatigue.

Enhanced Physical Performance: Better posture improves athletic performance and reduces the risk of injury.

Boosted Confidence: Standing taller and more aligned can positively impact self-esteem.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with poor posture or associated pain, consulting a chiropractor could be a significant step toward better health and well-being. Remember, good posture is not just about looking good—it’s about feeling good and functioning at your best. If you’d like to book in to see one of our chiropractors, please call us on 01202 604707 or email admin@wimbornewellnesscentre. co.uk.

We look forward to helping you soon!

Night of reflection and community spirit

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is excited to announce the return of their poignant event, ‘Candles on the Green’, set to illuminate Wimborne Minster on Saturday, November 16, from 6pm to 8pm. This enchanting event invites the community to come together to celebrate, remember, and reflect on their loved ones.

Attendees can dedicate a message on a candle, which will be displayed on the Green adjacent to Wimborne Minster, creating a magical spectacle. The evening will begin with the Boscombe Salvation Army Band, which will set a reflective and heartwarming ambiance with their performance outside the Minster.

Inside, the local choir Cantilena Voices and the popular Rock Choir will

provide additional musical delight, enhancing the event’s uplifting atmosphere. A suggested donation of £6 per candle will help fund Lewis-Manning’s Bereavement and Family Support services, ensuring that essential support continues to be available to those in need

within the community.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care events fundraiser Anna DuRose shared her enthusiasm.

She said: “We’re delighted to bring this magical event back to Wimborne for its second year.

“It offers a wonderful

On the Green, Wimborne

Saturday 16th November

6pm to 8pm

Wimborne Minster

opportunity for the local community to reflect, celebrate, and remember their loved ones while supporting our vital Bereavement and Family Support services.

“Special thanks to our headline sponsor, Care South, for their continuous support of our Candles events and also sponsors Douch & Small Funeral Directors and MJP Law.

“We’d like to express our appreciation too to the Rock Choir, Cantilena Voices and the Salvation Army Band for their brilliant support of this event.”

Anyone wishing to take part is urged to pre order a candle at https://lewis-manning.org.uk/ candles/

Candles will also be available to purchase on the evening of the event.

Health & Wellbeing

Nicki Edwards: The Cambridge Lady 07904 331589 www.one2onediet.com/NickiE

Care home’s £1,170 for storytelling project

If truth be told, Care South has donated £1,170 to storytelling project, Truth Be Told.

The cause provides interactive, Christian-based storytelling sessions to residents in care homes based across Dorset.

Each session carries a different theme with props to help spark the residents’ imagination and these are attended by local families and children.

The team at Castle Dene Care Home in Bournemouth nominated the project for a chairman’s 2020 Fund donation of £1,170 for the residents to enjoy 26 storytelling sessions over the next year, which will be delivered by Coastline Church.

Care South’s Chairman’s 2020 Fund was set up to give back to community groups, services and organisations which directly benefit Care South’s residents and staff, and their At Home clients.

Lana Wright, home manager at Castle Dene, said: “We are proud to support the Truth Be Told team to visit our residents and provide their storytelling sessions,

especially as many of the residents enjoy exploring their Christian faith.

“We love to provide the residents with different activities to enable them to pursue their interests and we find that Castle Dene residents particularly enjoy interactive activities so they are looking forward to their first visit.”

Gemma Gillard, who is the tfounder and CEO of Truth Be Told, said: “Thank you to Care South for their generous

donation which enables us to explore a whole host of themes in our storytelling sessions with the residents at Castle Dene care home.

“It’s lovely to see the joy that storytelling brings to care home residents, who light up when they realise that a character during the stories has been named after them or an idea they have is being included in the session.”

Sponsored walk for dementia action group

Staff and residents at Moors Manor Care Home in St Leonards have taken part in a sponsored walk in the home to raise money for West Moors Dementia Action Group.

Residents and staff decided to walk the equivalent of the Three Peeks Challenge which is 23 miles. Staff and resident Marianne took to the

treadmill to clock up the miles, while residents Jenny, Rita, Christine and Eileen did loops round the garden with staff walking with them.

All were happy to be raising money for this wonderful cause.

Residents, their relatives and staff were there to cheer on the participants as they began the fundraising challenge.

Gemma Chalkley, general manager, said: “Taking part in this challenge has been a huge amount of fun and everyone at the home has been behind us all the way.”

A total of £150.80 by completing the challenge, which will be donated to West Moors Dementia Action Group.

Home & Garden

HOUSE CLEARANCE

Sheds, Attics, Garages & Gardens Quality Items Offset

Waste Carrier Tel: 01202 001614 or 07853 275379 enquiries@back2market.com

Annual meeting for club

Some 40 members and friends attended the October meeting of the Wimborne Gardening Club.

The first part of the evening was the annual meeting when a report of the year’s activities was given along with the current state of the finances. These showed that at the end of September there was a heathy balance of £2,400 in the account.

In the elections, Martin Stewart continued as president of the club with Pam Chamberlain continuing as honorary secretary and Anthony Oliver as honorary treasurer.

Jane Green continued as a

member of the planning group with three new volunteers, Jane Jackson, Tim Jones and Sarah Cheney.

Membership subscriptions for the new year, at £12.00 per year, were due and several members renewed whilst others joined.

The annual meeting was followed by an illustrated talk by planning group member Jane Green entitled My Really Rewarding Allotment Experience.

The November meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, at 7.30pm at St. Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane (Rodways Corner),Wimborne, when Hayley Bishop, one of the two senior gardeners of the Kingston Lacy gardening team will present a talk entitled the Kingston Lacy Kitchen Garden, Past, Present And Future. Members and nonmembers are warmly invited.

With over 20 years experience of installing systems, we are Plumbing, Heating & Renewable specialists. Heat pumps use sustainable energy to generate heating and hot water for your home and reduce energy bills. As we are certified MCS certified intallers, you will also be able to take advantage of the Government’s £7500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme and zero VAT. Scan the QR code below to find out more.

Learn how to make wreaths in New Forest

HOPe, which helps older folk living in the New Forest, is inviting people to a Christmas wreath workshop, a fundraising event to support their information and befriending services. Everyone is invited to go along for an evening of festive fun with mulled wine and mince pies on Thursday, December 5, from 7.30-9.30pm at Greyfriars Community Centre in Ringwood.

Cost of the workshop is £30 per person.

Email fundraising@ hopenewforest.org or call 07542 059967 to book. If you or someone you know could benefit from HOPe’s services, call 01425 629009 or visit hopenewforest.org/ contact.

Open day at care home

Hyacinth House in Stapehill will be opening its doors to the local community tomorrow, Saturday, November 2, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. You can meet general manager Kamila Gagala and her team, take a tour of the home, sample delicious food prepared by the head chef, discover the activities available and meet residents. See how they celebrate life and how they personalise care to support you or your loved ones’ needs and interests.

Making the move into care doesn’t mean you have to lose who you are. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see what makes Hyacinth House so special.

Hyacinth House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Hyacinth House provides residential care for 32 residents from respite care to long-term stays.

All fired up for big switch-on

Musket fire will greet the switching-on of the Christmas lights in Wimborne later this month.

The Wimborne Militia will be on hand on Saturday, November 30, when a special event will take place in the Town Square.

Meanwhile, a Christmas market is planned for the High Street car park, with festivities and entertainment running throughout, starting at 1pm.

The lights will be switched on at 4.30pm, while the militia will fire muskets on Minster Green at 5.15pm.

“It promises to be a fun-filled event for the whole family, and everyone is welcome to attend,” said a spokesman for Wimborne Town Council, which has organised the event.

(15)

County award for music star PJ Harvey Events

Dorset musician, composer, poet and songwriter PJ Harvey is to be honoured with a special award for her Contribution to Dorset Music at the Original Music Awards at Lighthouse Poole on Friday, January 17.

Having consistently drawn on her Dorset roots, from the gutsy songs of her 1992 debut album Dry, through the Mercury Prizewinning Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea and Let England Shake, to last year’s I Inside The Old Year Dying.

In 2022, she published her verse novel Orlam, the first substantial work written in the Dorset dialect for decades.

Polly Harvey grew up on a farm near Corscombe and cut her musical teeth playing pub back rooms and get-togethers in West Dorset before joining Bristolbased band Automatic Dlamini that precipitated her forming her own band in 1991 and moving to London where their first demo tape attracted the attention of John Peel, the music press and record labels.

Announcing the award, the Original Music Awards panel 2024 said: “We are recognising PJ Harvey with this award, not because of her notable successes, but because Dorset has always remained at the heart of her work.

“Whether it be using soundscapes of Dorset in her creations or writing poetry in the Dorset dialect, it’s very clear that she has always remained true to her roots.

“We want to celebrate the inspiration this brings to grass roots Dorset musicians, particularly the younger generation.

“This award is for her often unseen or overlooked contribution to the music scene, but one that we think is highly important to recognise and should indeed be celebrated.”

The annual awards celebrate original music talent and the creative services that support it in Dorset.

“The sole aim is to hail this area as a hotbed of musical talent,” said organisers Matt Black and Mel Berkhauer of Hangover Hill, the team behind Live and Unheard, the monthly grass roots music night at Lighthouse.

A host of awards will be presented on the night, most of which will see the winners of each category announced from a list of three nominees decided by the judging panel of music writers, presenters, event organisers and PR specialists.

The Original Music Awards are at Lighthouse on Friday, January 12, 2025.

Tickets available now at lighthousepoole.co.uk or on 01202 280000

Top tribute act is in the building

by Lorraine Gibson

Uh well, ah-bless my soul, looks like Elvis is in the building soon!

Not the actual Memphis Flash, but a fair facsimile of the legendary singer who remains one of the world’s most successful solo artists.

Instead of 1950s Beale Street, let’s travel back to Stokeon-Trent in the early 1970s, where a young Gordon Hendricks would play to an imaginary crowd, harmonising to a constant soundtrack, played on repeat by his sisters. The music was rock-n-roll. The artist was Elvis.

Little did Gordon know that, years later, those performances would lead to a career impersonating the King and working with his legendary musicians.

When karaoke led Hendricks to ITV’s show, Stars In Their Eyes, he rose from runner-up to champion by winning a record number of votes.

Along with 12million gobsmacked viewers, also watching was Elvis’s own songwriter Geoff Morrow; touched by how Hendrick’s voice ‘recaptured the spirit of the song’, Geoff signed him to his label and they recorded and released Where Will I Be, originally written for Elvis. Among the accolades he’s garnered since, he says the greatest was being crowned Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artiste Champion 2017 at Graceland twice after competing against global artists.

Hendrick’s The King’s Voice 2024 tour journeys from the 1968 special through to

the Vegas era, from soul into ballads and rocking iconic jumpsuits. And, if you’re wondering where the 1950s are, special guest, Michael Glaysher will cover the early Elvis years. The tribute performer and actor has been awarded Best 50s Elvis In 2016 and performed across the UK and Europe. There’s only one Elvis Presley and only one Gordon Hendricks.

He may not hold the true crown but he may just leave you All Shook Up.

Sunday, November 3, 7.30pm bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

Radio play dips into theatre archive

A new radio play, using extracts from Wimborne Community Theatre’s extensive online archive, has been created by Adrian Newton. Into The Archive is a sound collage which provides a flavour of stories and sounds from over thirty original community theatre productions set in East Dorset.

Sound artist and ecologist Adrian was involved in many WCT productions, capturing natural sounds and voices to provide another layer to the theatre experience. His idea for creating Into the Archive was to celebrate WCT’s achievements, while also highlighting the value of an archive of so many previous performances about local people and stories, all now accessible via the new website. He said: “Spending time exploring the archive, I was reminded what a fantastic body of work there is: Some wonderful storytelling and excellent use of music, with many unforgettable songs.

“I’ve included some of these in the radio play, which also combines extracts from previous performances mixed with more recent material produced by members to tie the piece together.

“Hopefully, Into The Archive will provide an interesting introduction to what WCT is about and what it seeks to achieve through its performances.”

Extracts can be heard at: wimbornecommunity theatre.co.uk/into-the-archive-a-radio-play/ and will shortly be available as a broadcast on internet radio and as a podcast.

Events Detective play full of malice

Who doesn’t love John Rebus, Sir Ian Rankin’s complicated Scottish detective whose latest case will be played out on stage at Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre from November 26-30?

A Game Called Malice sees a splendid dinner party in an Edinburgh mansion concluding with a murder mystery game created by the hostess.

A murder needs to be solved but the guests have secrets of their own, which are threatened by the very game they are playing.

Our hero kicks into action and the usual Rankinesque twists, turns and quips ensure before the shocking conclusion.

More details available at lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/ rebus-a-game-called-malice.

Dorset Mammal Group, Vegan Fair, Sunday 3rd November, 10am-4pm. The Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, BH21-3AP

Cookery Demonstration by George, Master Chef Semi finalist. Saturday 2nd November. Sturminster Marshall Memorial hall 6.30 for 7.00. Free glass of Fizz, finger food and a fun night. Tickets £20 liz. york@btinternet.com or 01258 857528. @ Wimborne

Pam reunited with son on her birthday

A Poole care home resident has celebrated her 102nd birthday by being reunited with her son.

Pam marked her big birthday by welcoming son, Michael, who now sleeps in the room next to hers at Elizabeth House in Dolbery Road.

Pam also enjoyed a party with afternoon tea, banners, balloons and decorations, alongside the other residents, as well as opening a range of cards and gifts, with bunches of flowers to decorate her room.

Pam was in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the war before getting married to husband Basil, with whom she travelled to Egypt for his work. Together they welcomed three sons, Michael, William, and John. Speaking about her big birthday, Pam said: “The secret to reaching 102 is smiles and laughter.

“My son Michael is very happy to be here. I loved sharing our first lunchtime together. Now that he’s next door to me, it’s wonderful because we can tap on the wall to each other when we’re not together.”

Michael taught English language and media to college students in Peterborough before moving to Dorset with his wife, Anna. Michael has always had a keen interest in sport and participated in many triathlons, which once saw him win the over-60s

category of the Bournemouth International Triathlon, as well as a host of other medals over the years.

Michael said that it was ‘fantastic’ to be sharing the home with his mum who he ‘absolutely’ loves.

He says he’s happy in his new home, adding: “The staff are nice, the food is very good and I

like looking at the flowers in the garden.” Elouise Powell, home manager, said: “It was a special moment to see mother and son reunited under the same roof.

“We like to make every resident feel special and include their families in the care experience, so it’s wonderful to have Pam and Michael living here together.”

Registration plates too rude for the road

Following a Freedom Of Information request to the DVLA, private plate supplier Regtransfers has revealed the 25 series plates deemed too rude for Britain’s roads. As with every registration series released to the public, the DVLA has withheld a subset of vehicle registration numbers that it considers to be potentially offensive, distressing or provocative.

The combinations kept back by the DVLA are those that may represent insults, swear words, sexual references, references to criminal organisations and activity, references to terrorism, references to drugs, references with racist, sexist or LGBTQ+ connotations, as well as some political and religious references.

Among the banned combinations are several ‘wildcard’ plates - registrations that share a partial string of characters deemed to be unsuitable for release.

**25 HAG, **25 HAT, **25 LAG, **25 LUT, **25 PAS, **25 PAZ and **25 TAB are among these partial combinations due to their rude or ableist connotations, as well as **25 RUS and **25 UKR, in response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

More banned plate combinations reference war, such as AR25 WAR, EU25 WAR, GB25 WAR, GO25 WAR.

Also banned are PE25 RVT and PE25 VRT, which somewhat resemble the word ‘pervert’, while PS25 CHO, PU25 MAD, CR25 PLE, CR25 PPL find themselves on the list due to their ableist nature.

Curiously, the list of banned plates includes one that very closely resembles a fairly famous plate which, in contrast, isn’t banned.

Despite its fairly obvious sexual reference, ORG 45M is currently available to purchase, while OR25 ASM, a slightly less

clear representation, is one of those which has been banned from issue as part of the 25 series.

Commenting on the list of banned registrations, Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee said: “It’s always entertaining to see some of the plates deemed inappropriate by the DVLA, but there are also those that remind us why this is a necessary process. “Personalised number plates are an excellent form of self-expression, but they shouldn’t be used to display genuinely harmful messages or views.

“As well as the usual sex and violence references, there are those subtle combinations that don’t seem to convey a clear meaning at first sight.

With a little thought, however, we see how numbers such GB25 BAD, GB25 BOM, and GB25 SHT could seem to convey antiBritish sentiments that might offend some.

“To ban or not to ban is obviously a bit of a balancing act.”

The first registration number series of 2025 will be the 25 series, eligible for use on the roads from March 1, 2025.

The 75 series will follow in September 2025.

seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, heated front seats, hill hold, cambelt kit has been replaced, 90,200 miles ....................£21000 + VAT = £25200

2006 (06) Mercedes-Benz CLK200 1.8 Kompressor Sport Automatic Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, petrol, 5 speed auto gearbox, recent new roof & shocks absorbers, full history, 15 stamps, heated leather, electric roof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, MOT June 25, private sale on behalf of a customer, 77,500 miles ............................................................................£4250

2015 (65) Mini Countryman 2.0TD Cooper S D SUV 5dr. 143bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, Chili pack, park sensors, auto lights & wipers, hill hold, ½ leather, heated seats, cruise, upto 60mpg, 83,800 miles ......................£6450

2011 (11) Nissan Note 1.6 Visia Automatic Estate 5dr. 109bhp, petrol, 4 speed automatic gearbox, high seating, big boot, spacious interior in a mid-sized car, great value automatic with only 41,500 miles .........................DUE IN SOON

2012 (62) Nissan X-Trail 2.0DCi Tekna 4x4 Station Wagon 5dr. 173bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, high seating, big boot, switchable 2 & 4 wheel drive, hill descent control, hill hold, heated leather seats, sat nav, reverse cameras, auto lights & wipers, cruise, sunroof, full history, 155,800 miles ...................................................................................................£4850

2014 (63) Peugeot 2008 1.2VTi Allure Estate 5dr. 82bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, big boot, partial leather, parking sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise, £35 a year road tax & upto 57mpg economy, just had cambelt replacement, 80,500 miles ............................................................DUE IN SOON

2019 (19) Renault Captur 1.5DCi Iconic Automatic SUV 5dr. 90bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, cruise, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, hill hold, high seating, upto 67mpg economy, 20,300 miles ......£12250

2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, cruise control, pre-collision assist, sign recognition, 63,600 miles....................................£6950

2016 (66) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6CDTi SE 4x4 SUV 5dr. 136bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, high seating, big boot, heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, auto lights & wipers, cruise, parking sensors, hill hold, performance & economy, upto 60mpg, 65,500 miles ............DUE IN SOON

Farming & Environment A day at the farm with Richard Boden

Richard is a member of staff at High Mead Farm in Longham, Ferndown.

High Mead is a working farm run to promote the benefits of engaging with animals, soil and nature.

We create purposeful roles for our co-farmers, young people and adults alike, to help bring about a sense of wellbeing and self-worth that many have never before experienced

Thank you to everyone who attended our last Open Day of the year – we had a beautiful autumn day and a steady stream of people came to visit.

We will be doing more in 2025, along with our Spring Fayre, already booked for May 17, 2025.

In this issue we wanted to write an update regarding our Farm Shop which is the only part open to the public during the week.

We are open Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm, and has been growing in popularity since its opening in July 2021.

The shop sells the produce grown on the farm by our enthusiastic Co-farmers under the watchful eye of Rachel our horticultural expert and our extremely knowledgeable volunteers. Our produce varies with the seasons and we then supplement them with other local produce. Each year we grow something different –loofahs and watermelons this year!

The Co-farmers also produce large bags of kindling, which are made from donated pallets.

We then break down, de-nail and gradually chop the wood down into kindling. This is already becoming popular as the weather changes and we start to fire up those wood burners. The farm also raises its own meat for sale and in the next

week we will have our own lamb which will be a firstand we still have some pork. We subsidise our meat by using that from New Forest Meats and Stone Family Butchers in Ferndown.

The Farm has its own fivehive apiary, which enables us to produce our own raw honey.

This is important for local people with allergies as a teaspoon a day will be of benefit. The Farm Shop is also trying to support other small local businesses and craftspeople. Every Tuesday and Thursday we have fresh bread from the artisan baker Bigwigs and we will happily take orders for deliveries on those daysjust call in to the Farm Shop at least 48 hours before a delivery day – we have a

list of items available. Sweet Treats will be providing handmade chocolates from the beginning of November for Christmas gifts and various flavours of Dorset Ginger are also available, with the favourite for the winter being Ginger Punch.

The shop is now stocking a large number of products that are ‘Free From’ ie gluten, lactose. etc. and are vegan friendly. We are trying to keep these more varied and interesting than those available in the supermarkets.

The farm now has a milk vending machine from the Allen Valley Friesian cows where you can purchase fresh whole milk. It is dispensed as a litre (card or cash), or smaller amounts

with cash. Bring your own container or purchase a glass bottle that can be refilled each time.

n The farm is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.00pm at Ham Lane, Ferndown, BH22 9DR. info@highmeadfarm.org.uk Tel: 07517 328094.

Firm’s positive impact on the environment

A new report reveals a Dorset recycling and renewables company prevented 122,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere last year.

Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions achieved the figure by successfully diverting more than 265,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

This included recycling:

66,908 tonnes of green waste

40,976 tonnes of food waste

84,082 tonnes of excavated soil

55,019 tonnes of wood waste

18,392 tonnes of street sweepings

Eco, which has sites in Parley, Piddlehinton near Dorchester and Weymouth, converted the waste into green energy and highquality landscape products.

The figures are contained in the company’s newly-released Sustainability Report for 2023.

In what MD Justin Dampney described as a

‘fantastic year’ the company also: Produced enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 6,200 homes

Planted 50 native tree and hedgerow saplings as part of the Conservation Volunteers’ ‘I Dig Trees’ initiative

Sowed 200sq metres of wildflowers at the Weymouth site

Donated 109 bulk bags of its products to nine different organisations

Recycled 27 tonnes of Christmas trees, helping raise £57,788 for three charities. Eco’s commitments for this year include sowing more wildflowers, planting more trees and continuing to manage ongoing projects.

Last month Eco won the Environmental Impact Award in the Dorset Business Awards.

Precision livestock farming boosts business

Given the current economic climate and climate change it has never been a better time to be introduced to the concept of precision livestock farming (PLF). After doing a bit more research and having participated in a few meetings on the subject I discovered a whole lot of very useful information about how farms can use PLF to gather livestock data, which can be fed back into the business to generate or save money. I found the word ‘precision’ intriguing and started to look at how farms can operate with more precision, enhancing what they are already doing to maximise profit, help with the labour shortage, climate change and how vets can add value. The challenge for dairy farms in general is to achieve the best possible standards of animal health and welfare, together with high lactation performance and minimal environmental impact. For larger farms, this may need to be done with a much lower ratio of husbandry staff to animals. Recent engineering advances and the decreasing cost of electronic technologies has allowed the development of ‘sensing solutions’ that automatically collect data, such as physiological parameters, production measures and behavioural traits. Such data

can potentially help the decisionmaking process, enabling early detection of health or wellbeing problems in individual animals and hence the application of appropriate husbandry practices.

Precision livestock farming is an opportunity for farms to put these new technologies to good use. There are a lot of technologies available now, from cow monitoring systems (ear and neck tags, intraruminal devices and pedometers) which give very accurate data about the health, reproduction and feeding of the animals to large-scale automation systems (robot milking, ventilation fans, robotic manure collection, automated feed pusher and herd vision). And that’s just a few examples.

Good news is that access to grants can significantly ease the financial burden of adopting new technologies in precision livestock farming. The farming and equipment grant for 2024 is closed now but there is hope it is going to open again in the spring of 2025.

Recently, a few of our farms have implemented GEA cowscout neck tags which gives data on heat detection health monitoring and cow position.

Andy Roberts at Higher Farm in Margaret Marsh who fitted the

GEA cowscout in the spring of 2024 said: “Using the collars and

significantly reduced the time our dairyman spends on drafting bulling cows during milking”. But PLF is not only about using the newest technologies. Faecal egg count to monitor the worm burden, applying the right vaccines at the right time, good youngstock management, a good diet and accurate feeding to yield, good pasture management incorporating herbal leys to boost livestock health, soil fertility and encourage biodiversity, are all part of precision farming. Fine-tuning and enhancing attention to detail in PLF can lead to better animal welfare, improved productivity, and more sustainable practices.

01258 472314

by Bogdan Butnaru MRCVS

Boxers reach the peak of helping charity

Members of CNC Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club have faced one of their toughest bouts to date – taking on three mountains in support of an autism charity.

The team tackled the infamous Three Peaks Challenge, with five of the eight members raising funds for Christchurchbased Autism Unlimited

The trekkers raised £3,120 in total.

The challenge involves climbing the highest mountains of Scotland, England, and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – one after another, in under 24 hours.

The club’s head coaches, Joe Hayes and Jon Woods, came up with the idea of supporting autistic people.

Jon said: “When Joe said he and some of the boys were doing the challenge I said ‘why don’t you

do it to fundraise for autism?’”

“My son Bobby is autistic, so I know the barriers families like mine can face when looking for support, and how charities like Autism Unlimited step in to provide that support.

“Joe was very keen because he was passionate about making sure the money they raised went to a local charity.”

Joe said: “As a club we have also become more aware of Autism Unlimited since it opened its Sixth Form building in Airfield Road, near where we are based in Groveley Road.

“They do some truly amazing work with their students, and we really wanted to raise some money to support that.”

The challenge requires meticulous planning and high levels of fitness to stay within the 24-hour deadline.

Ben Nevis stands at 1,345m and

is the highest peak in the UK. Scafell Pike is the tallest peak in England at 978m, and Snowdon is Wales’ highest mountain at 1,085m.

Only 40% of people who attempt the challenge complete it within the allocated time.

“We’re all fit and love to push ourselves, and we all trained intensely for it. Even so, this was another level,” added Joe.

“Every mountain presented a different set of challenges.

“As we climbed Ben Nevis, the temperature kept dropping and dropping. We reached the peak to find ourselves in a minus nine-degree blizzard.

“At which point I wished I hadn’t worn shorts!

“We were with a trained guide, a super-fit paratrooper and it was a case of posing for a quick picture and then getting down, with him, as fast and safely as

Rainbows rising at Damerham

It’s always an exciting day. The opening of a new season gives Poole and Wimborne Fly Fishers a clean slate and the race is back on from scratch. Anglers descended on Damerham Trout Fishery near Fordingbridge for the season’s opening battle.

We love Damerham - it’s in a beautiful setting and is hosted by a fantastic owner who always makes us feel welcome. It’s also the home of the famous Damerham blue trout which

is famed for its strong fighting abilities and sweet taste.

The action was fast and furious but the clever fish soon realised that it was not the place to be.

Fishing fell off towards lunchtime and only the most determined anglers made it through to the end.

Triumphant was Paul Burton, pictured, whose bag included an 8lb 13oz rainbow.

Paul also won the biggest bag, a huge 13lb 13oz.

Great angling Paul.

possible and onto the bus to get the next mountain.

“Ben Nevis wasn’t the toughest part though.

“On the second mountain, Scafell Pike, we were all really feeling it trying to keep up with the guide’s pace.

“When we reached the top, he told us we were going to have to ‘pick things up’ on the way down and that was going to hurt – and he was right!”

The team started the challenge at 6am on September 28 and finished at 5.30am on September 29 - 35 minutes before the 24-hour deadline. Joe added: “When we got home it took me 10 minutes just to get out of the car!

“But when we realised we’d raised over £3,000considerably over our £500 target, it made all the pain worthwhile!”

n From left, Joe Hayes, Stuart Wood, David Harding and James Blanch who, with Pete Elgar, raised funds for Autism Unlimited

Bowled over by training facilities

Cricket Dorset Ltd and Bryanston School have announced a formal partnership to provide a high-quality training centre for Dorset Cricket’s Emerging Players Programme.

For the past year representative teams, along with the boys’ and girls’ Emerging Player’s Programmes, have been training at Bryanston School in Blandford.

Under the new three-year agreement, Dorset Cricket will continue to use the school’s premier sporting facilities which include two state-of-the-art sports halls, a physical training room and classroom spaces.

The Dorset Cricket Talent Pathway has never been stronger, with four graduates on the Hampshire CCC staff and one player in both the Hampshire and Southern Vipers Academy programmes.

Additionally, four dualregistered players are involved in Hampshire’s under-16s programme.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ben Skipworth, managing director of Cricket Dorset

Sound advice on divorce & matrimonial finances

Divorce and matrimonial finances

‘Setting Aside’ Court Orders

Courts don’t generally like doing this because they like to assure you of certainty, but if matters have materially changed since the order was made, concerning the disclosure of income, capital and/ or pensions they may consider this form of remedy. Generally, an order will stand, unless major events prevent it from working.

Where’s the evidence?

If a substantial financial asset of the marriage has not been disclosed and you can prove it, unless disclosure of this wouldn’t have made any difference to the outcome, you can ask that the order is set aside (cancelled).

Mistake

This is something that may have an impact and if a material mistake is made by your former spouse that leads to an undisclosed asset then, depending on the value, you can have this reviewed.

The asset has to be substantial enough to make a material difference to the outcome, as with fraud.

Subsequent events

We’ve touched on this above.

Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to have cemented our partnership with Bryanston.

“Their top-class facilities will provide our players with an excellent environment to develop their skills.

“This agreement will not only help the players in their journey to becoming professional cricketers, but also underpins Bryanston’s standing as a premier institution for sport in the county.

“Our three-year agreement offers a fantastic opportunity for the next generation to follow in the footsteps of Scott Currie and Joseph Eckland and become the next professional Dorset cricketers.”

Rory McCann, director of sport at the school, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the shared commitment to nurturing local talent:

“Dorset Cricket plays a pivotal role in growing the sport across the county and nurturing the next generation of talent.

“At Bryanston, we share their commitment to providing high-quality coaching and support through our all-year-round programme at the school.”

Fraud

The deficit in question that arises against you should be such that it would be unfair to disregard it and that a different order should be considered as a result.

As with all of these examples, an application has to be made reasonably promptly, with the event having occurred relatively quickly after the order is made. It is therefore a rare case where this circumstance will apply. ALWAYS consult us if you are suspicious, or worried, about the effect of your order, if something has happened that might affect its fairness.

Rob Price, Associate Family Law Solicitor

Next Free Legal Advice Clinics

Saturday Clinic At Our Verwood Office

HGW Solicitors, 3 & 4 Restynge House, 11 15 Ringwood Road, Verwood, BH31 7AA

Saturday, 16th November 2024

From 10am to 12am

At The Coffee Lounge West Moors

Buy a hot drink and get free legal advice

Wednesday, 27th November 2024

From 12am to 2pm

Our experienced solicitors will be available to answer any questions and provide guidance on your legal matters: Wills, Trust and Probate, Conveyancing, Family Law Employment Advice, Dispute Resolution and Litigation. No appointment is required.

Please Note: For conveyancing questions, we offer free legal advice by phone. Visit our clinic to fill out a form, and we'll arrange a callback from our experts at your earliest convenience.

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The Wessex Event Company presents... Bryanston Christmas Fair

Killer Sudoku Pro

1 Alter surprised expression about backward dog (6)

1 Alter surprised expression about backward dog (6)

4 Stick everyone gets within police (6)

4 Stick everyone gets within police (6)

9 Support afternoon meal for audience (3)

10 Set up chapter about number (9)

9 Support afternoon meal for audience (3) 10 Set up chapter about number (9) 11 Bones in straight lines from the centre (5)

11 Bones in straight lines from the centre (5)

12 Disgusting unknown character in middle of week showing sinister glance (4,3)

12 Disgusting unknown character in middle of week showing sinister glance (4,3)

14 Stylized italics lent sparkle (11)

14 Stylized italics lent sparkle (11)

17 Label I revised about old garden plant (7) 18 Hiss off stage stupid person (5)

17 Label I revised about old garden plant (7)

20 A girl chap upset is vividly depicted (9)

18 Hiss off stage stupid person (5)

22 Payment or no payment right away (3)

20 A girl chap upset is vividly depicted (9)

22 Payment or no payment right away (3)

23 Priests left measure of work in case of curacy (6)

24 Cross part of lengthy bridge (6)

23 Priests left measure of work in case of curacy (6)

24 Cross part of lengthy bridge (6) Down

1 Fully developed team played around old city (6)

1 Fully developed team played around old city (6)

2 Fear about to be found in pop (5)

2 Fear about to be found in pop (5)

3 Imaginary disagreement Republican brought out with a liberal (9)

3 Imaginary disagreement Republican brought out with a liberal (9)

5 Sensational Italian boxing noted ring champion (3)

Killer Sudoku Pro:

5 Sensational Italian boxing noted ring champion (3)

6 Most noisy thug circling table mostly (7)

6 Most noisy thug circling table mostly (7)

7 Expression of sympathy in article on religious education (5)

7 Expression of sympathy in article on religious education (5)

8 Heir with ancient that’s formulated bequest (11)

13 Difficulty say with friendly country in criminal mode? (9)

8 Heir with ancient that’s formulated bequest (11)

13 Difficulty say with friendly country in criminal mode? (9)

15 Source of advice with time about British vegetable (7)

16 Back three successive notes before finish (6)

17 See leader of group in charge showing reason (5)

15 Source of advice with time about British vegetable (7)

16 Back three successive notes before finish

19 Tender chest first off (5)

21 Embrace husband half with a nasty look! (3)

17 See leader of group in charge showing reason (5)

19 Tender chest first off (5)

21 Embrace husband half with a nasty look!

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 all the digits in each cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

SKILLED GROUNDWORKER/PLANT OPERATOR

We are looking for an experienced Groundworker who can also operate a 360° Excavator for local interesting contracts, working as part of a team. Ability to set out & read drawings preferred. Applicants must be con dent in their ability to carry out all aspects of groundwork to a good standard with attention to detail.

We o er a safe working environment with good rates of pay. Local work and an opportunity of long-term employment with a friendly family run business.

If

who can also operate plant to a good standard please call, Martin

Micky aims to raise £10k in Africa challenge

A Ringwood businessman is a iming to raise £10,000 by cycling 500km in Africa. From November 9 to 16, Michael ‘Micky’ Chilman, 62, from Ringwood, along with his buddy, Rob Pimenta, will join 80 cyclists in the 500km Ride Africa Kenya: Mara Calling challenge from Lake Nakuru to the Masai Mara National Park in the hope of collectively raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for CHILD.org. This is the fifth time Micky (above left) has undertaken

Puzzle solutions

the gruelling ride for CHILD.org, the charity that supports maternal and child healthcare in Kenya. The

pair are completely selffunding the expedition whilst aiming to raise an impressive £10,000 through several

fundraising events and sponsorship support. To date the pair have raised £7,000 for the charity.

Micky said: “As in previous years we are all cycling in aid of CHILD.org, which has sustained, helped, and cared for and saved the lives of thousands of children and mums and people in need across the poorest regions in Africa, and the poorest regions across the world.” To donate, visit justgiving. com/page/micky-and-robride-africa-2024.