We must work to save our countryside

from The New Stour & Avon Edition 61

On The Move

I am sure, like me, you watched Springwatch more intently than usual this year, looking for those familiar views and favourite spots on Arne and the wider Purbeck area.

We are so blessed to have these incredible nature reserves so close to home and to have the support of the organisations dedicated to nature and to improving the biodiversity of the place we all call home. But sometimes I wonder whether we get a bit disconnected. Having such abundant places down the road or up the river can lead us to believe that nature is doing well. These reserves are landscapes of plenty, but if we do not ensure that wildlife thrives in our towns and gardens, they risk becoming islands of nature, unable to sustain our long-term ecosystem.

When told that without bees we cannot survive, it is easy to find this so fanciful that we do not believe it. But think it through.

Bees and other pollinators –butterflies, beetles, birds, and bats – ensure that 80% of crops can seed. Without them, our diet would be depleted but so too would the diet of the animals in our food chain, and the animals that stabilise the wider ecosystem. These pollinators may live within the nature reserves, but they need corridors through our gardens and along the verges to reach the farmers’ fields. Without flowers on which to feed they cannot travel to the crops and work their magic. So, when we lay down a plastic lawn, or pave over our front gardens to provide parking, mow the verges while the buttercups provide early nectar, or spray harmful chemicals on the veg in our allotments we reduce the risk of the pollinators surviving and doing their jobs.

Most people have heard of the climate emergency, but many are unaware that we are also living

Platinum Award-Winning Care 2022

We have been awarded this much sought after accolade for our work with Gold Standards Framework in an ecological emergency, and that UK nature has been reduced. More than 40% of UK species of plant and animal have declined since the 1970s, with one in seven species facing extinction. Small actions like cutting our lawns less often – or leaving part of our garden unmown –or sowing wildflower seeds in window boxes or even leaving out a saucer of water during hot weather can make a difference. The Liberal Democrats have launched their Green Recovery Plan with one of the five key pledges being to Save Britain’s Countryside. This involves restoring our waterways, renewing peat bogs and planting trees to double the natural environment. With the Government having missed 17 of the 20 biodiversity targets they set themselves, we cannot afford to waste any more time.

Our Party Policy Paper which we will be debating at Conference in Bournemouth next month includes a Right to Nature, provides a Fair Deal for Farmers and will introduce incentives for green choices. These policies will form our manifesto for the General Election that is expected to take place next year and make clear the Liberal Democrats clear commitment to environmental issues, and confirm us as the real alternative to the Conservatives in Dorset

“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

07922

Art

After a successful Ma San July sale there were many exciting items which caught bidders’ eyes. A notable mention was lot 84 - a damaged 19thcentury Chinese vase with repair around the rim. The porcelain vase, measures 63cm tall and is decorated in a celadon ground with underglaze blue and copper-red, featuring dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst cloud scrolls. The vase sold for £10,400 with premium, selling to an online Chinese bidder.

So why so expensive?

This specific style of decoration featuring both underglaze blue and red together is a notoriously difficult technique to master as it requires precise control of heat in the kiln combined with expert preparation and knowledge in the use of copper oxide.

We’ve all seen the typical blue and white porcelain vases, but with the added red it really is a special item, so do be on the lookout!

Antiques & Collectibles

We’re coming back

Just like the Old Days

Pastimes

of Sherborne (near the Abbey)

Thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys.

Top prices paid for all types of model railway, die cast cars, early Action Man and Star Wars, Scalextric, Meccano, unmade Airfix kits etc. Those magical makes; Hornby, Dinky, Triang, Spot-On, Corgi, Subbuteo, Britains, Timpo plus plus plus

Telephone: 01935 816072

Mobile: 07527 074343

COVID SAFE

ANTIQUES WANTED furniture, paintings, glassware, Asian art, ceramics, studio pottery, records. Call Jerry 07906 530054

WANTED

Coins and Coin Collections Call 07754 058850

WANTED Books hardback, fountain pens, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid. Tel Mr Jones 01202 733550

WANTED Vinyl Record Collections Please call 07754 058850

WANTED

All militaria bought British/Foreign Single items or collections Contact Tim on 07904 082997

Signs of the times

The Charterhouse specialist auction of enamel signs and automobilia on September 26 has some fabulous lots on offer. “The market for enamel signs, whether sausages or train stations is particularly high,” said Richard Bromell of Charterhouse.

Included in the auction is a rare Lyme Regis station target sign estimated at £400-£600.

Charterhouse are now accepting entries for their summer auctions of classic bikes, cars, coins, medals, stamps, collectors items and automobilia.

n Richard and the team can be contact for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or rb@ charterhouse-auction.com.

European Ceramics & Glass; Clocks & Instruments; and Selected Antique Furniture & Objects

Saturday 16th September

For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website

A gentleman's Rolex GMT-Master 16700 wristwatch with Pepsi bezel.

SOLD FOR £10,000

For free verbal valuations please contact

Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbur y SP7 9AN 01202 842 900 www.semleyauc tioneers com and South Kensington, London

Specialist Free Valuation Days

Valuation Days in Sherborne

Monday 12th Pictures, Maps, Books & Postcards

Tuesday 13th Silver, Jewellery, Watches & Clocks

Chinese & Japanese Ceramics & Art 14th

Wednesday 14th Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys

Jewellery, Watches & Silver 15th

Thursday 15th Medals, Militaria, Coins & Stamps

Coins, Medals, Militaria & Stamps 16th

Friday 16th Asian Ceramics & Works of Art

Model Cars, Trains, Dolls & Toys 17th

Classic Motorcycle Auction 28th October

33 & 45 rpm Records & Film Posters 18th

Classic Car Auction 11th November

Classic & Vintage Car Autumn Auction

Classic Motorcycle Autumn Auction

Further entries now being accepted

The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS

Verwood Rotary Club’s Rustic Fayre takes place this year on August Bank Holiday Monday (28th) at Potterne Park playing fields in Verwood.from noon to 5pm.

Entry price has been held at £5 per adult with accompanied children free. it is fully signposted and car parking is free.

Verwood Rotary Club took on the event in 1994 and have built it up to become Verwood’s favourite day out!

A large team of Rotarians and volunteers, headed up by ‘Rusty’ Vern Harris (Rustic Chair), ensure it all runs smoothly. Verwood Rotary Club is very grateful for all the support and assistance received in so many ways to ensure the Fayre can go ahead every year, both financially and physically, and offers a sincere thank-you to all, including all those whose sponsorship makes such a huge difference. Enjoy this opportunity to support your local community by coming along - last year morte than £10,000 was raised and distributed to more than 20 different nominated organisations, clubs and charities.

It’s also a great place to meet up with old friends and make new ones!

All the old favourites will be there to make it a great afternoon of fun, along with many new attractions.

These include:

Live music throughout the afternoon in the arena and around the park, including:

Verwood Concert Brass and the Purple Parrots Steel Band

A full programme of arena acts (see below).

Classic Vehicles Display with a range of classic cars, custom cars, motorcycles, stationary vehicles, tractors, military and commercial vehicles expected dating from the 1920s right up to the 1980s.