The Salisbury & Avon Gazette (13/02/23)

Pupils enjoy school visit from Bishop

PUPILS at a primary school near Salisbury received a visit from a Bishop recently.

Pitton CofE Primary School welcomed Bishop Andrew of Ramsbury, part of the Diocese of Salisbury, as part of Collective Worship.

The whole school participated with the worship, focussing on the value of perseverance.

Headteacher, Emma Wilkinson, said: “It was an honour to have the Bishop visit the school. His message to staff and pupils was an uplifting and inspiring one of hope and aspirations.”

Bishop Andrew then met with all classes, giving children the opportunity to ask questions and explore what being a Bishop involves.

Two year six pupils also gave the Bishop a tour of the school, where he was able to learn more about the ‘State of being’ curriculum.

For more information on Pitton school, or to arrange a visit, contact the office via admin@pitton.wilts.sch.uk or call 01722 712322.

Digital hoarding could be installed

PLANS to convert an advertising billboard in Salisbury from paper to digital have been submitted.

The scheme, for the display at 57 Estcourt Road and 1A Park Street, has been proposed by Alder King planning consultants on behalf of operator, Wildstone Estates Limited.

It would see the sign, which measures 6m x 3m, converted to a digital screen display showing a rotating number of advertisements to passing road and foot traffic.

“This represents a like-forlike replacement of the existing advertisement signage on the site with regard to size, orientation and

position,” it said.

It adds: “The proposal is submitted as part of a nationwide project to upgrade traditional advertising hoardings to a modern digital format, which will see an overall reduction in adverts, as multiple advertising campaigns can be supported by single panels.”

The planning application says the replacement would also see a reduction in vehicle trips to ‘repost’ adverts every two weeks, as adverts could be changed remotely.

For more details on the proposal, log on to www. wiltshire.gov.uk and search for planning application reference PL/2023/00848.

The whole school was involved in the Bishop’s visit

ANPR cameras at hospital car parks

NUMBER plate recognition cameras have been installed in car parks at Salisbury District Hospital.

Staff and patients are being urged to use public transportor share a car - in a bid to cut waiting times for parking spaces as roll-out of the cameras comes into force this week (February 6).

Bosses say parking at the hospital is ‘very busy’, with peak times between 10am and 4pm.

They have urged people to find alternative ways to get to the hospital if possible in a bid to cut the queues.

“Car parking at the hospital is very busy, and at peak times, typically 10am – 4pm, demand for space is greater than capacity, resulting in delays in finding a car parking space,” a spokesperson said.

“We encourage all staff and visitors to use public transport and other sustainable means of travel to the hospital, like lift sharing, whenever appropriate and possible.”

The cameras will capture vehicle registrations as people

drive onto the hospital site, a spokesperson said.

“When you return to your vehicle, at the end of your hospital visit, please enter your vehicle registration number into the car park pay terminal, located inside the car park and pay for the time used.

“Payment can be made with cash, bank card, including contactless, or via mobile phone app. Please note the payment machines do not give change.”

Applying 24 hours a day, the cost of parking is:

Up to 2 hours £2.70

Up to 4 hours £4.50

Up to 6 hours £6.50

Up to 24 hours £8.00

However, people can pay using their smartphones, by downloading APCOA connect app and entering location code, 2759.

For more details visit www. apcoaconnect.com/ locationDetail.

The following groups of patients and visitors are entitled to free parking:

Blue Badge holders - display your Blue Badge on your dashboard. Register your Blue Badge on the APCOA Blue Badge Permit Portal ideally before you come to hospital at bluebadge.apcoa.co.uk.

If you arrive at hospital before registering your Blue Badge, you can validate your free parking using the tablets at the Main Entrance Enquiries Desk or the cashiers

Parents of children staying in hospital overnight - Your parking is free if your child has to stay overnight in hospital. Speak to the ward team caring for your child, who will validate

your parking.

Regular outpatient attenders - Parking is free to all outpatients who attend hospital for an appointment at least three times within a month and for an overall period of at least three months.

A ‘month’ is defined as a period of 30 days.

Short-Term Parking Permits / Season Tickets - If you are going to be attending hospital regularly for a short period of time, you can save money by purchasing an unlimited parking permit, with charges of £12 for a week.

Season tickets are available for patients and visitors who satisfy certain criteria and they will be charged at £12.00 per week.

Patients and visitors should apply by filling out a request form available from the administrator of the ward or department that they are visiting.

Electric vehicle parking is not included in the charging fee and should be paid for at the parking payment machines or on the app.

Speeding driver said he was ‘late for work’, court told

A SPEEDING driver clocked at 65mph in a 30mph zone said he was late for work.

Daniel Walker, of Burbage Wharf, Burbage, was caught driving at more than twice the speed limit in Downton Road, Salisbury, by Wiltshire PC Hammond.

The PC was conducting speed checks in the area when he clocked 43-year-old Walker, who was summoned to Swindon Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty. He has now been banned from the road.

Walker was fined £660 and required to pay a victim surcharge of £66 and court costs of £110, as well as being disqualified from driving for 56 days.

After the hearing PC Hammond, of the Salisbury Response Team, said: “Being late for work is never an excuse for speeding.

“Always plan ahead and make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey and prepare for unexpected delays.”

Speeding is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ – the five factors which increase the risk of road

users being significantly injured or killed in a road traffic collision, Wiltshire Police said.

The other four are drink/drug driving, driving while using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and careless or

dangerous driving.

“All these factors make it harder for a driver to stop their vehicle safely and significantly reduce the driver’s reaction time,” a Wiltshire Police spokesperson added.

Downton Road in Salisbury, where Walker was caught driving at 65mph in a 30mph zone

Tributes to ‘best of Salisbury’ former MP

ROBERT Key, MP for Salisbury between 1983 and 2010, has died at the age of 77. He was elected six times and served as an under secretary of state in three governmental departments – Environment, Transport and National Heritage, as well as sitting on a number of house committees.

In 2015, he chaired the Salisbury Cathedral Magna Carta 800th Board in Salisbury Cathedral. In 2017, the City Council awarded him the Honorary Freedom of the City at a full council meeting held at the Guildhall.

He was also Chair of Governors at Salisbury Cathedral School.

Salisbury City Council announced that it would be flying the Guildhall’s flag at half-mast as a mark of respect, adding: “We are saddened to hear of the death of Mr Robert

Key. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Current Conservative MP for Salisbury, John Glen, took to social media to pay his respects, adding his, ‘thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sue and their three children at this difficult time’.

He added: “Very sad news today to hear of the passing of Robert Key. For 27 years in Parliament he represented the people of Salisbury with dedication, distinction, and a strong ethos of public service.

“Rob was the very best of Salisbury, always thinking of what was in the interest of our city – from his three ministerial roles in government, his position as a member of the General Synod of the Church of England, and his work with Salisbury Cathedral.

“I was delighted to see Rob receive the rare honour of

How to protect your home from care costs

Nobody likes to think about getting old, but it is certainly worth thinking about if you value your home. That is because your house could very well be sold by the local council to pay for your care fees.

As an example, let’s say you own a home jointly with your partner and you live there until one of you dies. The surviving partner continues to live in the house until they must go into a care home run by the local authority. At that point, the local authority will assess the surviving partner for care fees. If their capital and savings are worth more than £23,250, they will have to fund their own care.

Councils place a charge on the property, which is paid when the house is sold. Alternatively, you may be required to sell the house immediately to raise the cash. Money raised from the sale of the house will fund your care until your savings get down to £23,250. That won’t leave much of an inheritance for your family and loved ones.

There are two solutions to the problem available to you. One is a will trust which protects 50% of the value of your home from care costs. The second is a living trust which shields 100% of the property. Both are relatively inexpensive to put into place. Every trust is administered by trustees, the trustees can be the partners or surviving partner and children.

The situation won’t get better over time. The UK’s fastest-growing age group comprises those aged over 85. Councils will face even more pressure on budgets, leaving them with little choice but to continue to sell people’s homes.

To protect your home, contact Oakwood Wills on 07832 331594

The main thing to remember with trusts is that because you do not own the assets held in the trust in your own name, it is more difficult for those assets to be taken away from you or from the beneficiaries of the trust.

Chris Tennant, Oakwood Wills

said: “I first met Robert Key in one of the many corridors of the Houses of Parliament. I think he must have been on his way to choir practice. He had a wonderful voice.

Freedom of the City from Salisbury City Council at the Guildhall in December 2017 – a fitting tribute to his service.

“I know many Salisbury residents will sorely miss Rob’s unique contribution to our public life but will always be grateful for the impact he had on all our lives.”

Paul Sample, who stood against him at the 1992 election,

“Robert had recently been elected as the MP for Salisbury and I was the recently appointed research assistant to the Parliamentary Liberal Party. I didn’t tell him I was going to come home to Salisbury to fight the seat. In the end I stood against him nine years later at the 1992 General Election.”

Salisbury’s mayor, Tom Corbin, tweeted: “I’m very sorry to hear that Robert Key has passed away.

“Many people like me will have known him as a very well respected MP for Salisbury (1983-2010) and I had the privilege of being present when he was awarded Freedom of the City of Salisbury in 2017.”

Robert Key

Hospital order for driver who killed biker on road through village

A MAN who killed a ‘beautiful human being’ by deliberately driving into him on a road near Salisbury and knocking off his motorbike has been sentenced to a hospital order.

Paul Barrett, of White Road, Mere, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (January 31) to be sentenced after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

On the evening of December 22, 2021, 42-year-old Barrett was driving a Volkswagen Touran along the B3089 Hindon Road in Dinton when he observed motorcyclist Ryan Brindley riding alone in the opposite direction.

Barrett turned into a side road and then continued in the opposite direction, following Ryan and accelerating at high speed to catch him before deliberately colliding with the rear of the bike.

Ryan was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Barrett was arrested and taken to hospital for assessment before being taken into police

custody.

Shocking dash cam footage, taken from Barrett’s vehicle showing the moment of impact, was shown in court. We have chosen not to publish the video.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Childe, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The killing of Ryan Brindley was an entirely random and unprovoked incident which has understandably caused shock and upset to the local community and all those who knew and loved Ryan.”

He added: “We do not believe they were known to each other, or that there had been any previous interaction between the pair. It seems that Ryan was targeted entirely at random.

“I would like to pay tribute to Ryan’s family who have suffered such a devastating loss, and thank them for the support they have shown during the police investigation. Ryan was taken from them in the cruellest of circumstances and my thoughts remain with them at

this extremely difficult time.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the investigation team who have worked diligently on this case to ensure justice was served as swiftly as possible.”

In a victim impact statement, Ryan’s partner said: “Ryan was a beautiful human being – he will be missed by so many.

“He was a deeply private man and although I understand there are many people who want to read and understand what happened, I would like to request that everybody, including the media, are respectful of Ryan’s remaining family and their privacy.

“I know that Ryan would be hating all the attention this case has brought.

“I would like to thank the police for their support and investigation all the way up to today. I want to thank the investigation team for being kind, gentle and understanding with us at every point, and I want to say thank you as we would not be here today if it wasn’t for the work of the investigation team.”

Stationery chain Paperchase goes into administration

STATIONERY retailer Paperchase has gone into administration.

The firm, which has stores in Salisbury and Ringwood, failed to secure a rescue package in recent weeks.

However bosses at the 50-year-old brand say the stores, which are also at Clarks in Street and in Taunton, would remain open ‘in the short term’.

Paperchase has 106 stores and employs around 820 staff.

Begbies Traynor, who have been appointed as joint administrators, said: “Unfortunately, despite a comprehensive sales process, no viable offers were received for the company, or its business and assets.

“However, there has been significant interest in the Paperchase brand and attendant intellectual property.”

It has been reported that Tesco was on the brink of buying Paperchase’s brand name and other intellectual property, but not its shops.

Anyone with a Paperchase gift card is being advised to use it in the next two weeks, after which redemption will not be possible.

Paul Barrett, left, admitting the manslaughter of Ryan Brindley, right, by reason of diminished responsibility

Paperchase stores - including in Salisbury - are open for now

Royal representative unveils plaque celebrating trees for The Queen

A PLAQUE celebrating the seven trees that were planted to mark the seven decades of The Queen’s reign has been unveiled by a royal representative.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, unveiled the sign, which marks Salisbury Cathedral’s Queens Green Canopy planting.

Seven saplings have been planted in the Cathedral Close spot as part of the planting programme launched to mark Her Late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The plaque marking the tree planting is mounted on a stone from the Cathedral Works Yard, a suitably natural ‘sculptural’ block, complete with embedded fossils.

Sourced from Chicksgrove Quarry, the same stone is used for cathedral conservation and restoration and is taken from the same seam as the stone used to build the cathedral in the 13th century.

The Lord Lieutenant was joined by Dean of Salisbury, The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, the cathedral’s canon treasurer, Canon Kenneth Padley, clerk of

works Gary Price and members of the Cathedral Chapter for a short unveiling ceremony, after which the Dean said a short prayer for Her Late Majesty and for King Charles.

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “Our green canopy is a living tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and a cherished project for

the initiative’s patron and champion, King Charles.

“We look forward to our saplings growing and thriving in sight of the Cathedral’s soaring Spire, giving joy to visitors and residents alike for hundreds of years to come.”

Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sarah Troughton said: “Thousands of trees have been planted all over the county and across the UK, a moving tribute to a very special

monarch, and a treasured friend.

“What better place to remember someone who has given so much to this country and who loved the natural world than the cathedral’s lovely historic close.”

The trees and the plaque are sited at the far end of Marsh Close in the Cathedral Close and can be reached on foot via an opening opposite the Harnham Gate.

Dean of Salisbury Cathedral The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, left, with Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton, second left and other cathedral staff Below: A close-up of the plaque that marks the site of the plantation Pictures by Finnbar Webster

Cost-of-living campaign launched by Home-Start Wessex charity

A NEW appeal aims to help families with young children get through the challenging winter months that remain.

Home-Start Wessex’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal is raising vital funds to continue their work helping families as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

In a recent survey by Home-Start UK, 74 percent of families said they were expecting to need financial support this winter, with their children unable to sleep because they are cold and hungry.

In 2022, Home-Start Wessex helped a record 300 families across Dorset and the borders of Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Demand increased by 30 percent as more families struggled to cope and needed their help.

Volunteers provide practical, compassionate and emotional support to parents whose worries about finance are adding to the challenges of

post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems and bereavement.

Alongside one-to-one support, they also run five family groups and weekly Wellness Walks to help families get outside and connect with others whilst having fun and getting some exercise.

Home-Start Wessex is also working with other local organisations to make sure the

families they support get the emergency supplies or expert help they need.

Kathy Fryatt-Banks, chief executive of Home-Start Wessex, said: “Parents from across the area are telling us how they are worried because they can’t afford to heat their homes and are missing meals to buy nappies and food for their babies. We know times are tough for many people at the

moment. But please give whatever you can. Even a small amount will make a huge difference in preventing families’ suffering this winter.”

To donate, log on to www. justgiving.com/ homestartsoutheastdorset.

For more on the charity, including details on how to volunteer, contact michelle@ homestartwessex.org.uk, or visit homestartwessex.org.uk.

Garden office was destroyed in early-morning blaze

A GARDEN office in Salisbury was destroyed by fire.

Two fire crews from the city were sent to the scene, in Endless Street, at just after 8am on January 26 after reports of a blaze in an outbuilding.

“On arrival the building, which was being used as a garden office, was reported to be well alight,” said a Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson.

“Firefighters used two hose reels, a main line and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.

“Hay drags were employed to turn over the remains and damp down the area.”

It is understood no one was injured in the fire.

A Bumps and Babies group run by Home-Start Wessex

The garden office, in Endless Street, was destroyed by the earlymorning blaze

Jab’s all folks! City Hall closes as vaccine centre after 290,000 doses

CITY Hall in Salisbury host its last Covid jabs on Saturday, January 28, after delivering almost 290,000 vaccine doses.

The venue had been used a vaccination centre since January 2021 as part of a partnership between Wiltshire Council and the NHS, helping deliver 10.7% of the total Covid-19 vaccinations in the region.

During the Covid surge in 2021, 1,700 vaccinations in a day were carried out.

In the meantime, Wiltshire Council is continuing to look at options for City Hall, including re-engaging with the industry to seek partners for running the venue.

A recent bid for the Government’s Levelling Up Funding submitted to help with improvements to Salisbury’s cultural offer was unsuccessful, but the council’s preliminary market consultation has taken place to better understand the type of arrangement a third-party operator would potentially enter into.

Cllr

Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire

Council, said: “We were happy that we were able to work in partnership supporting our NHS colleagues using the City Hall as a successful vaccination centre to help the residents of Wiltshire through the Covid-19 pandemic.

“.In terms of the venue itself, whilst it’s unfortunate that we were unsuccessful in our bid for Levelling Up funding for City Hall we continue to work hard to look at the options available and we’ll keep people as updated as possible throughout this process.”

Hayley Morgan, a consultant in public health for Wiltshire, said: “Having a vaccination centre at City Hall has been great asset in the Covid-19 response, and we want to congratulate our NHS colleagues for helping to protect so many people across the county.

“While City Hall will no longer be a vaccination centre, you can still get vaccinated at other Wiltshire locations to

protect yourself and your family.”

Gill May, chief nurse at the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, added: “City Hall has been an essential site for our vaccination program for more than two years, and has helped to deliver over 10% of total Covid-19 vaccinations in our region.

“And while it is bittersweet to leave this venue after so long, we do so in a much better place, with the vast majority of our population now vaccinated against Covid-19, and the height of the pandemic firmly behind us.

“Of course, we will continue to keep a close eye on Covid-19, and should there be a need to stand-up a large vaccination site in Salisbury in the future, we will absolutely be ready to go again.”

Other vaccination clinics continue to run across Wiltshire. For more details on how to get a vaccine, visit www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.

St Thomas’ International Pancake Race returns

DUE TO the demainds of public pressure, or enthusiasm, St Thomas’s Salisbury is pleased to announce the return of the International Pancake Race on Tuesday, February 21st .

This popular community event, organised by St Thomas’s in conjunction with Salisbury

Foodbank, helps to focus attention on local poverty, homelessness and social exclusion.

Interest in this year’s event is high with a number of organisations already in training, but those wanting to hone their ‘flippin’ skills should

reserve their place in the competition without delay, to avoid disappointment.

A sumptuous prize is promised for the winner, as well as the unparalleled prestige of winning the Golden Frying Pan for the year ahead. The event is due to take place in Salisbury’s

High Street from 11am. However, if the weather looks like it wll be inclement, it will revert to Salisbury Cathedral Cloisters.

To enter, contact: The Parish Manager, St Thomas’s Parish Office at: office@stthomassalisbury.co.uk

Almost 290,000 vaccine doses have been delivered at Salisbury’s City Hall since January, 2021

Teams scramble to repair potholes as record number of reports received

MORE than 3,600 potholes on Wiltshire roads were reported in January, with teams battling to fill them.

Wiltshire Council says it is continuing its focus on fixing potholes after the reports - a record number.

The authority puts the increase in potholes down to several factors, including the hot and dry summer of 2022, followed by very wet and cold weather so far this winter.

Along with the usual pothole teams, which respond to issues based on customer reports, the council has enlisted its 18 Parish Stewards – one for each community area in Wiltshire – to focus solely on fixing potholes in their area.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We have received a record number of 3,623 pothole reports through our MyWilts reporting system this January.

“This compares with 924 reports in December and 677 reports in November, which illustrates the scale of the problem we’re dealing with across over 2,500 miles of roads in Wiltshire.

“But we’re doing all we can to fix them and have ensured that filling potholes is the focus of all 18 of our Parish Stewards around the county to support the usual pothole teams.

“Our Parish Stewards are key resources. During the recent cold snap, many drove gritters to help keep our highways safe and before that they were helping with local flooding.

“But as the wet and cold weather has subsided for now, they have moved back to

pothole-filling.”

She said the teams have to balance the work they do, with larger, deeper potholes requiring more urgent attention.

“We’re prioritising filling these in the first instance,” Cllr Thomas added.

“To fill a pothole, the Parish Stewards clear the hole of debris and then fill it with a quick-drying filler, before using tools to smooth the road surface.

“Our priority is always to fill potholes to make them safe. However, in doing this at times we appreciate that some temporary repairs may not be as good as resurfacing

the road.

“Nonetheless, depending on conditions, these repairs can last many years and, importantly, the approach means our stewards can fill up to 100 each week.”

The council has urged people to continue reporting potholes through the MyWilts reporting system - either through the MyWilts app, or online at www.wiltshire. gov.uk/mywilts.

Issues on the M4, A303 and A36 are managed by National Highways, so issues should be reported at report. nationalhighways.co.uk.

Local band signs first record deal ahead of latest tour

Carsick, winners of a number of awards at the recent Salisbury Music Awards signed its first record deal before heading out on tour. The band has signed to the ilovealcopop label, based in London.

The label posted the following on its Twitter page: “Absolutely made up to sign @carsickofficial – a SUBLIME band from Salisbury who are as wonderful as people as their songs are HIT smashes... Lots and LOTS happening over the next couple of months and beyond... This is a cast iron Alcopop! guarantee you’re going to dig this.”

The band replied: “WE HAVE SIGNED WITH @ilovealcopop! we’re thrilled to announce we’ll be working alongside such a passionate label and it’s an honour to be joining such a talented line-up of artists on their roster.”

Wiltshire Council teams have been battling to fill potholes amid a record number of reports

Council confirms one-hour parking grace period for Blue Badge holders

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL has confirmed that it will implement a grace period for Blue Badge holders that will give them an extra hour on any parking ticket they purchase in council-run car parks.

The update was announced by Wiltshire Council Leader Cllr Richard Clewer at a cabinet meeting on 31 January. Cllr Clewer said: “We are pleased to announce this additional one-hour parking grace for Blue Badge holders.

“I’ve spoken to and listened to feedback from disability groups in Wiltshire about this issue, and seen at first-hand that some people who have Blue Badges, and pay to park in our car parks, require that little bit extra time to leave and return to their vehicles, so we think this measure is a sensible solution.

“We hope this supports Blue Badge holders to have a better and more comfortable experience using our car parking facilities. It also helps us deliver on our Business Plan aim of having vibrant, wellconnected communities.

“We’ll work hard to get this up and running as quickly as possible.”

A date for when this measure will be formally introduced is expected to be confirmed in due course, but the council is looking to implement it as soon as possible.

When it is introduced, Blue Badge holders will need to purchase a ticket and display their Blue Badge as usual when parking in Wiltshire Council car parks, and the additional time period will be implemented from when the ticket time has expired.

Go-ahead for 24-bed hospital ward

PLANS for a new, 24-bed inpatient ward at Salisbury Hospital have been approved.

In October last year, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust submitted an application to Wiltshire Council to build a new ward built on the current Odstock Road hospital site.

It has now been approved and a hospital spokesperson said demolition of existing buildings would begin in March, before building gets underway in May.

“A new inpatient ward is about to be built at Salisbury District Hospital,” they said.

“This ward will help us reduce waiting times for elective surgery. There will be 24 additional beds in this state-of-the-art ward.

“It will be an environmentally sustainable building that our clinical teams have been heavily involved in designing.”

They said access to Sarum Entrance will only be via the Main Entrance between approximately February 7 and April 28.

“Access to all other buildings will remain unchanged throughout the ward construction,” the spokesperson added.

The new, two-storey building will be constructed in place of two older, single-

storey wings, as well as some small green spaces on the current hospital site.

The plan comes after the Trust secured government funding for the wing, which must now be completed before March 2024 in a bid to address Covid backlogs in care.

“The site is located within the central part of the existing Salisbury District Hospital site and there is a high degree of visual containment from the existing hospital buildings,” the application said.

“There would be a slight loss in the overall area of external green space as a result of the proposed development, although this would be offset by the replacement of aging and slightly dilapidated buildings with a new, purpose built hospital ward.”

Planning firm Stephenson Halliday, which has submitted the application on behalf of the Trust, said the new wing would not impact on views, except for those

already on the site.

how

ward could look at the hospital

“The only notable effects on views would occur for users of the hospital site itself, including those visiting, living and working there, and for recreational users of byway BRIT16 which passes through the hospital site to the east of the proposed development,” the application said.

“There would be no notable effects on landscape and visual receptors or designated landscapes outside of the Salisbury District Hospital,” it added.

Credit: Amit Bansal/Unsplash

Inset,

the new

Jailed over death of popular Freddie

“SADLY, this case highlights just how devastating one punch can be.”

Those were the words of Detective Chief Inspector Simon Childe after a man was sentenced for causing the death of a popular Salisbury man in a fight on a night out.

Connor Pool, of Winterbourne Gunner, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Freddie Fontete-Jones and has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

Freddie, 23, died following an assault in New Canal, Salisbury, on February 20 last year. Police were called to the area at around 3am following two 999 calls. When officers arrived, Freddie was unconscious and paramedics were giving first aid. He was taken to hospital and sadly died two days later.

Pool, 25, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on February 6.

After the hearing, Freddie’s family said: “Freddie was the best brother, the best son and simply the greatest friend anyone could have. It is so difficult to put into words just what an amazing person Freddie was and the impact he had on so many lives.

“We, as a family, share so many incredible memories of him and we will always be so proud of him and what he achieved. We are devastated beyond words that his life was cut short in the cruellest way imaginable.

“We would like to thank everybody who has provided support to us since his passing.

“We would like to thank the hospital NHS staff that attended to Freddie during his final hours. We would also like to thank the people of Salisbury

for their kindness and generosity, as well as the police and investigation team for their support.”

DCI Childe, from the Major Crime Investigation Team at Dorset Police, said: “As a result of Pool’s actions, Freddie sustained a traumatic brain injury from which he never recovered.

“Pool’s actions were both callous and reckless and have completely devastated Freddie’s family, many friends and local community and I know his loss will be felt for many years to come. Our thoughts remain with Freddie’s family today.

“Sadly, this case highlights just how devastating one punch can be. A split second decision to act in a violent way can destroy lives. Your actions can cause complete devastation and

a lifetime of regret.

“We’d urge people to really think hard about their decisions when consuming alcohol on a night out – think about what triggers you and what you can do to prevent your feelings from escalating. If you ever find yourself in a situation which has the potential to escalate into violence, please – walk away.

“From the very beginning, this was a fast-paced investigation, with multiple witnesses to interview in order to ascertain the circumstances leading up to the assault.

“Both the local uniformed officers who were called to the incident and those from the Major Crime Investigation Team who have subsequently been involved in the investigation have been dedicated and diligent throughout and I would like to thank them all for their efforts in securing justice for Freddie’s family.”

Crews ‘took pictures of crash victims’: Claims

CLAIMS firefighters photographed women who had died in car crashes and shared them in a WhatsApp group are to be investigated by police.

The allegations were made by a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) firefighter to ITV News, who said she had heard derogatory comments made by colleagues regarding the victims.

DWFRS said it was taking the ‘deeply concerning’ claims seriously.

Meanwhile Dorset Police said it had not yet received any information regarding the claims, and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell, of DWFRS, said: “The matters that have been raised with us are deeply concerning and we take allegations of this nature extremely seriously.

“As allegations of criminal behaviour are involved, we have immediately alerted the police so the appropriate action can be taken.

“I am also commissioning an independent investigation. As part of this investigation, I will be providing all of our female staff with the opportunity to speak to

an independent organisation. It is vital to have their help in identifying any inappropriate behaviour - in a modern fire and rescue service there is absolutely no place for it. In addition, we have set up a confidential helpline so if any of our staff have immediate issues as a result of these allegations, the right support is in place.

“There is an expectation for our staff to work in line with our code of ethics which sets out high levels of expected behaviours. The vast majority of our staff are good people, working hard and doing a great job. But when and if those standards are not met, we will move quickly to address it.

“Where people do come forward with concerns, we conduct thorough investigations in accordance with our disciplinary procedures.

“We are unable to comment on individual cases, but what we can say is that we continue to work to ensure that our organisation is a safe place, where staff feel able to report concerns of inappropriate conduct or behaviour.

“We are extremely shocked and appalled to hear about these allegations. We would ask that any individuals affected, provide us

with further information to allow us to investigate these allegations and to enable us to offer our support to them.”

Dorset Police said: “The limited details available in the news report are of a very concerning nature but will have understandably caused concern among the public and especially families of victims.

“We share that concern and will robustly investigate any information or evidence that is shared with us. Following liaison between Wiltshire Police and Dorset Police, it has been decided that Dorset will take the lead in the enquiries.

“Unfortunately, neither force has so far been provided with any specific details as to the precise allegations. ITV has been approached to disclose any information it has regarding these allegations, which could potentially be used as evidence, but it has yet to do so.

“We would urge anyone who has any details regarding the matter to contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/ contact or by calling 101, quoting Operation Pine.

Connor Pool

Tidworth-based army unit completes tank exercises ahead of deployment

BRITISH SOLDIERS and Challenger 2 main battle tanks have taken part in Exercise Tallinn Dawn, a major military training exercise in Germany to prepare them for deployment to Estonia as part of the UK’s contribution to NATO.

The 22-day exercise, held in Sennelager, saw 800 soldiers and 250 vehicles from the Queen’s Royal Hussar’s Battlegroup, who are based in Tidworth, taking part in training ahead of deployment to Estonia as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), demonstrating the UK’s continued commitment to the Baltics and NATO.

Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior and other armoured fighting vehicles were involved in the exercise, the types of equipment that the UK is providing to Ukraine to support their defence against Russia.

Lieutenant general, Sir Ralph Wooddisse KCB CBE MC, commander field army, said: “Exercise Tallinn Dawn is a demanding exercise designed to test all elements of the Battle Group ensuring they can fight and win. As part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in

defence of Europe and the deterrence of Russian aggression.

“Once deployed, they will train alongside our allies and partners, providing powerful, capable, and ready forces to support NATO and show the UK’s commitment to peace and security.’’

The Queen’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup is complemented by a Company from the French

own tanks, armoured infantry, engineers, artillery and logistics.

NATO established the eFP in the Baltic States after Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, designed to protect and reaffirm the security of the alliance’s member states. British units rotate on a continuous basis alongside Danish, French and host nation Estonian forces.

Operation Cabrit was established in 2017 and is the name of the UK operational deployment to the NATO eFP in Estonia and the Baltic states, where around 900 British personnel lead a multinational, combatready force Battlegroup.

The QRH took up the role as Battlegroup from the King’s Royal Hussars as part of the regular rotation of forces, having last been based in Estonia in 2021 on Operation Cabrit 7. UK Armed Forces and partners

have a pivotal role to play, enhancing Euro-Atlantic security in the regions, reassuring our allies and deterring our adversaries.

For some personnel, Cabrit will be their first overseas deployment.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace visited the eFP in Estonia last week, where he met troops alongside counterparts from European nations to agree further support for Ukraine.

The visit came as the UK announced the most significant package of combat power to date for Ukraine to accelerate their success in expelling Russian forces.

That package included a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks with armoured recovery and repair vehicles.

The UK was the first country to donate modern, Western main battle tanks and the Challenger 2 will provide Ukrainian troops with better protection and more accurate fire power.

Soldiers refuel during Exercsie Tallinn Dawn

Credit: © AHQCPL

800 soldiers and 250 vehicles from the Queen’s Royal Hussar’s Battlegroup took part in the exercise Credit: © AHQCPL

More room for mums at Neonatal Unit thanks to the Stars Appeal

EVERY MUM with a baby born prematurely or critically ill at Salisbury District Hospital can now stay by their side on the Neonatal Unit thanks to the Stars Appeal.

The Stars Appeal, Salisbury District Hospital’s Charity, has funded the construction of two additional ‘mother and baby rooms’ on the Neonatal Unit. There are now six of these rooms along with four larger en-suite family rooms where mums and their partners can stay together.

The £25,000 expansion of the unit’s family accommodation also includes additional space for breastfeeding clinics and other support.

The Neonatal Unit, which is sometimes referred to as the special care baby unit or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), provides care for up to 10 babies at any one time, so now, even when the Unit is full, there’s room for every mum to stay.

The Kavanaghs, from Fordingbridge, are just one of the families to experience the benefits of staying in one of the new Stars Appeal rooms for mums and their babies.

Emma and her wife Lisa welcomed son Cohan late last year, who needed care at the Neonatal Unit after being born five weeks early.

Lisa spent a week in one of the new rooms, which provided a private space for her to be with Cohan. She said: “It is just what a Neonatal Unit should be like. That is what is unique to Salisbury. Had we not had the room, I would have been in a separate ward and lost out on spending time with Cohan as I would not have been able to stay with him.”

She added: “Being able to wake up with him next to me was fantastic because as a parent you don’t want to leave them.”

Emma, 41, was given a chance to stay in one of the family rooms but would go home to be with their two-year-old son Ellis after visiting the Hospital. She says she was glad to have that option available to them.

The couple also say the Stars Appeal playroom on the Neonatal Unit made it a “fun and positive” environment for Ellis to meet his baby brother in hospital and cope with being separated from Lisa.

They praised the “incredible” hospital staff. Emma said: “We can’t thank them enough,” adding: “It was an amazing experience even though it was one of the most stressful times we remember having.”

Speaking about having the accommodation for parents, Lisa said: “We thought that it was just standard but it isn’t. What Salisbury and the NICU do is unique and for us it was an

essential part of keeping us close as a family.”

“It made a really difficult process easier to cope with,” continues Lisa. “I can’t imagine not having that.”

Emma said: “What the Stars Appeal has created keeps families like mine together when they need it most.”

The family have been settling into life at home with Cohan and Emma says he is “getting stronger” day by day, adding: “He is doing as well as we could hope.”

Speaking to the charity’s supporters, Emma said: “We want to say they are incredible and their contribution makes a significant difference to parents in challenging times. We are grateful that these facilities were on our doorstep and feel very fortunate as this might not have been the case if we had to go elsewhere.”

Neonatal Unit matron, Geoff Dunning, said: “It’s fantastic that we can now offer all of our mums a place to stay alongside

their baby. Our parents’ accommodation is among the best in the country. We just couldn’t do it without the generosity of local people who donate to the Stars Appeal.”

The Stars Appeal is looking to fund projects for 2023 that will enhance the care of babies at the hospital. These include a £20,000 cerebral function monitor to monitor babies’ brains on the Neonatal Unit.

As well as a £142,000 echocardiogram machine for the Cardiac Investigation Unit that will reduce waiting times for patients awaiting diagnosis, £55,000 for new scalp cooling machines to help reduce hair loss for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on the Pembroke Unit, and a £15,000 mechanical CPR machine.

To find out more about projects the Stars Appeal is looking to fund in 2023 visit starsappeal. org/what-were-fundraising-for

The Kavanagh family on the Neonatal Unit Inset: Baby Cohan

Laser-focused ethical business partners

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

James Skinner, 31 and Claire Hayward, 30 own Willow Crafts New Forest where they produce scented candles and chopping boards with laserengraved wooden lids.

When remembering how the business got its name, Claire recalls: “My family have lived in the New Forest for over 400 years, with my late grandparents living in a property with ‘Willow’ in the name.

As a touching tribute to them, as our products involve the use of wood, and we are in the New Forest, we chose the name Willow Crafts New Forest. Being eco-friendly is important for the business partners. “We use as much renewable energy as possible to make our products, such as solar power for our laser engraver, which we use for our candle lids, chopping boards and for labelling cardboard packaging.

“We also use as much recyclable packaging as possible and we’ve recently changed our labels to recycled paper and we

will continue to use biodegradable bubble wrap and recyclable cardboard boxes.”

And the ethical approach doesn’t end there. “The business is self-sustained. We started by using some old furniture we had in storage, upcycling it and selling it on. This helped us buy more products to expand the business to where it is today.

“Our biggest success is that we have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to sell our products in a charity run emporium called The Shed, which has been set up for adults with learning disabilities to learn employable skills and have the opportunity to connect with the local community.”

Right from the beginning, Willow Crafts New Forest has been a family affair, as Claire’s dad donated her late granddad’s work van allowing them to collect and deliver more items.

Friends and family have bought products as gifts and regularly share business content on social media platforms.

“Our customers regularly comment on the strong scent of

our candles,” said Claire, “along with the uniqueness of the engraved wooden lids. We have had some of our products taken to France and America as gifts, so we have become a truly international business.

What have they learnt from running the company? “If you have an idea for a business,

absolutely go for it, but remember success doesn’t always happen overnight. Keep at it and don’t give up. Eventually you will be reaping the rewards!”

Find prodcuts at Stuff Emporium, Salisbury The Shed Emporium, Netley Marsh Wokshops and The Shop in the Courtyard at The George, Fordingbridge.

Kiln-fired handmade gifts really were love at first throw

FOR Nikki Williams, the 55-year-old business owner of Pottery Moon Gifts, her first experience of clay in 2001 was love at first throw.

“I have been doing pottery as a hobby for many years after attending evening classes,” she explained. “About eight years ago, a friend asked me to make her a bowl for a wedding gift and then other orders started coming in for bespoke items such as anniversary and birthday gifts.

“During Covid, even though I had a full-time job and I was working from home, I loved being with clay, as it has therapeutic qualities. The joys of opening the kiln to see how your items have turned out is very addictive.”

So what does Nikki enjoy about the process of making and selling clay pieces?

“I love the idea that someone has bought an item that they

love and has chosen to display it in their home or give it as a gift. I put a lot of love into even my smallest pieces as they come from my heart when I’m making them. Each piece is a small part of myself.”

Like many small businesses, Nikki’s journey has not been easy. “Starting a small business is hard at any time but even harder when the cost of living is so high and people don’t have much spare money to spend.

“My kiln previously cost £5 a firing but that has doubled to £10 which has an obvious impact. I have learnt many lessons in the past 18 months to understand how to make the business work using online sales, craft fairs and selling from different outlets like the wonderful Stuff Emporium.

Despite the hard work, it’s always worth it. “I designed a house sign for a customer last year for her villa in Greece. This year she came back and asked me to design another one.

“That makes me so happy that not only did they love the first one, they entrusted me to create another for them. Feedback from customers is also very special. It is one of the highlights of having people purchase your handmade pieces and appreciating the fact that you made every part of it.

“The Great Pottery Throwdown has meant that pottery is more accessible for people to try than ever before. Just have a go and you never know what skill you might develop that you didn’t know you had.”

James and Claire try to be as ethical as possible

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

Nikki Williams, Pottery Moon Gifts

Turning animal magic into a thriving business

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

ALL ARTISTS take different journeys on their way to turning their hobby into a living.

For 43-year-old Lucia Lovatt, owner of Paintings by Lucia, it all happened in 2019.

“Although I had planned to give up my day job and devote my full attention to selling my paintings, it was a lockdown that gave me the opportunity to do so,” she explains.

“I taught myself online marketing and was able to promote my paintings, commission services and make enough money to avoid returning to my previous job.

“I want to show the wonder and beauty of animals through my simple, colourful paintings, and celebrate those who love these animals.

“I sell original artwork, as well as art prints, with the aim of bringing joy into people’s homes.

“I take commissions to paint pets, among other things, honouring these loved animals

and celebrating the love their family has for them.

“People love the simple colourful character studies I do and feel a connection with them. I have lots of people get in touch to tell me how some of my paintings/ prints make them feel, or remind them of a story from their past.”

Lucia has received many positive reviews. The most frequent compliment she gets is that she is able to capture the character of an animal or beloved pet, especially through the eyes.

One of Lucia’s previous customers, Laura L said: “She has made me smile again with the beautiful life-like painting of our gorgeous Jasmine, whom we lost in July last year.” Reviews like these reveal just how much of an impact Lucia’s paintings have on those who commission them.

For aspiring artists who want to make a living from their work, Lucia advises people to “be prepared to put in the hours and learn lots of new things every day. Every day is a school day for me. Always be honest and open about your business practices.”

Lucia is currently running a free print

For Sale & Wanted

BOOKS BOUGHT

promotion, to show off her artwork. There are four prints available in this offer – cow, goat, sheet and pig. If you’d like to take advantage, you can do so on this link: www.artprintsbylucia.com

Lucia Lovatt’s paintings capture the personality of animals, earning rave reviews

Hooked on lockdown jewellery love

Words

by Tristan Ovington

THE LOCKDOWN caused many people to pivot in their careers. One example of this is Kane Barker, 24, who owns Blue Giraffe Jewellery.

“I began making silver and gold jewellery using recycled metals on January 26, 2021,” explains Kane. “It started as a hobby during lockdown and I really enjoyed it so I increased production and started taking my products to fairs. When I started the business I set up my Etsy sellers account and I had to choose a name. I had recently painted some blue giraffes so I just used that and it stuck.”

Reflecting on what he was planning to do before lockdown, Kane continues: “I was at university, studying a Masters in Public Health, but I completed the course just as lockdown began which meant

no jobs existed in public health. I have always enjoyed painting and anything arty and when I saw videos of people using precious metal clay which involves a way to make silver jewellery more cheaply as it involves less expensive equipment, I was hooked.”

But it isn’t all about making gold and silver coins to fill his coffers. “The values of the business are very important to me so I try to keep it as eco-friendly as I can. I use paper-based packaging and all the furniture I use for fairs is upcycled. I have always felt that being ecofriendly is important in every aspect of my life, so I carried this through to the business.”

Kane’s family must be patient for him to hone his craft at home. “I still live with my Mum who has been really generous and patient as I have taken over half of the dining

room table for my jewellery equipment. And I fire the metals on the hob in the kitchen, so she can’t cook when I’m making my jewellery.”

But the family sacrifice has paid off. “In 2022, I was featured on Kirsty’s Family Christmas which was themed around handmade festive gifts and I

won against three others. I was so proud of myself, as I hadn’t been making jewellery for very long. To build on this success I have more fairs booked in. “I am thrilled to have made so many new friends at the stalls of all the fairs I have attended. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.”

and photo

Kane Barker makes all his jewellery at the family home

Government gives up on air quality

AT THE end of January and flying in the face of public opinion and scientific research, environment secretary Therese Coffey abandoned air quality targets set by the government in 2018. It is an appalling decision in terms of public health and further erodes the credibility of the current Conservative government.

A government which publishes a 12-year target for improvement for such a significant public health and environmental issue, and then four years later simply dismisses them without any credible justification, cannot claim to be acting in the best interests of our nation.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of charity Asthma and Lung UK expressed her concern in no uncertain terms: “…air pollution is a public health emergency which causes 36,000 premature deaths a year…”

Sarah claims the government has ignored calls to bring forward its compliance date, to reduce an unacceptably high incidence of debilitating respiratory conditions. Once again the burden will inevitably fall on our already underfunded NHS service.

Last week, a report from the statutory watchdog the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) criticised the government for failing or showing little progress on

Cllr John Wells Labour Chair of Environment and Climate Committee (Salisbury City Council)

nearly every environmental measure. The report revealed the government is failing even to collect data on many key areas.

Greenpeace UK was scathing, with Doug Parr, the group’s policy director, saying: “Ministers want to crack down on dual flush toilets while letting water firms pump tonnes of raw sewage into our rivers and seas.”

Introducing her revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), contrary to research produced by air pollution experts from King’s College and Imperial College, Coffey declared the targets unachievable without reference to any specific evidence. “I would have loved to have made our target to achieve 10 micrograms by 2030, not 2040.”

Something is seriously awry with government planning if a 12-year target suddenly becomes a 22-year one. It makes you wonder if the date was simply plucked out of the air to give the impression of commitment to some kind of plan.

Having fobbed off the press with a revised plan (EIP), which does nothing more than (excuse the pun) provide the government with ‘a bit of breathing space’ in delivering on environmental targets, Coffey’s master stroke in abdicating responsibility was to offload the problem to local councils.

She insists they already had enough power to tackle the problem of air quality. Instead of new tools, or any additional funding councils will be “challenged” to improve air quality faster and will be assessed on how they use existing powers. Wiltshire Council, already forced to commit 38% of its budget to shore up social care, will no doubt be delighted to hear it now has the challenge of increasing the rate at which it is improving air quality.

Challenge without support often ends badly. Coupled with a lack of leadership it is fatal. Unfortunately, we have a government that avoids accountability by every means possible through vague

‘Three ways to cut families’ bills’

I HAVE a new arsenal in my small talk. It never fails to get people going and fills any awkward pause. A banal conversation about the weather (although, may I say the recent sunshine has been very welcome) can now be upgraded with a simple mention of the impact of the weather on our energy bills.

Without fail, as the end of the month rolls around I have exclaimed with friends and acquaintances over invoices from energy companies. “£400 in December! £400!” “For a three-bed semi-detached, £400!” I messaged my husband at work when the bill came through for January: “A whole £13 less than December!”

I have spoken about the cost of heating my home with people I work with, retired neighbours,

comfortable business people and it always goes the same way.

It has become an actual topic of conversation as people still cannot grasp the enormous hike in energy costs in a mere matter of months. And yet, in April, it is due to get worse.

The Energy Price Guarantee - the discounted cost of gas and electricity to consumers - is due to leap from £2,500 per year to £3,000 for households.

At the same time, the £400 of government help ends, that £67 on a £387 bill will stop at the end of March.

The two mean costs will soar for many by up to 40%, against a backdrop of the wholesale cost of energy falling, record profits for energy giants such as Shell, and stories in the press of bailiffs being used to forcibly

Victoria Charleston Lib Dems Parliamentary Spokesperson

install pre-payment meters in homes struggling to pay bills.

I support the three demands Liberal Democrats are making to ease the burden on hardworking families:

First, we must properly tax companies such as Shell and BP. It is obscene that companies are able to publish record-breaking profits when customers face record costs.

Second, halt the installation of all prepayment meters until after April to prevent punishing

those who are struggling to pay with a ‘poverty premium’.

Third, invest in improving our housing stock. Our homes are some of the worst quality in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency.

The government should commit to upgrading insulation in all existing homes by 2030, creating thousands of new green jobs and reducing our national dependence on foreign oil and gas.

A different path is possible, yet this government have shown they are incapable and unwilling to tackle real issues facing families.

As the weather warms, I look forward to not having to worry so much about how we will pay for our energy bills, but I can’t shake the feeling there is worse to come.

Tribute to Robert Key, MP

I FIRST met Robert Key in one of the many corridors of the Houses of Parliament. I think he must have been on his way to choir practice. He had a wonderful voice.

Robert had recently been elected as the MP for Salisbury and I was the recently appointed Research Assistant to the Parliamentary Liberal Party.

I didn’t tell him I was going to come home to Salisbury to fight the seat.

In the end I stood against him nine years later at the 1992 General Election.

It was a disappointing night for my party, but I was delighted to poll an all-time record of 22,573 votes for the Liberal cause, and I carved nearly 2,500 votes off his majority. Not enough.

The Conservatives should have sent him to the Lords in return for a lifetime of loyal service, as lesser men and women have been, but his liberal views had become unfashionable.

Pro-European and devoutly loyal to the one-nation tradition of Heath and MacMillan, the recent behaviour of Johnson and Truss was a step too far. He has recently berated his party and voted Lib Dem last time round. I wrote him a letter of

New trend puts comfort at the core of the home

THE LATEST trend predicted to sweep our homes in 2023 is all about comfort. That’s comfort with a capital cool, trendy, designer price tag.

Though perhaps not necessarily, because although comfortcore and dopamine dressing will be high on the hype list, they are ‘aesthetics’ that can be achieved easily enough because more than anything, they are states of mind.

In essence, what underlies both comfortcore and dopamine dressing is a two-pronged decorative approach that combines relaxation and frivolity.

Comfortcare exudes the calming tones and finishings that became popular during lockdown. It is about creating a calm, relaxing, almost enveloping environment that remains uncluttered, helping you to relax and unwind. Think plush, soft furnishings, think a cosier extension of the hygge principles.

It seems strange to think of dopamine dressing as being related to the concept of comfortcore, but it can be seen as a natural extension, when comfortcore just gets too comfortable.

Essentially, dopamine dressing is taking your home and adding a touch of colour or pattern, here and there. It’s about adding things that make you feel happy, hence the dopamine.

Whether you add a splash of colour with bold cushion or use a vivid painting to really bring a wall to life, dopamine dressing is all about adding fun to the places in your home that let you escape from the world outside.

thanks on election night and took it round to Harnham. It seemed things had come full circle.

He has been taken from us too young. There will be a lot of liberals at his funeral – and people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

I’m sure he will be up there singing lustily the old hymns with us. Paul Sample, Cllr, St Edmund’s Ward, Salisbury City Council

Dangerous dogs should not earn our trust

I HAVE just read the January edition of the Salisbury and Avon Gazette and was shocked to see that the Dogs Trust are offering two known dangerous dogs for re-homing both breeds of which are mentioned in a recent Daily Mail article as having killed people.

Although the Trust states that the American Bulldog should be in a home with only adults some of those killed were adults. Surely these large dogs described as ‘bouncy and excitable’ would be very difficult to control even in experienced

hands. What on earth are they thinking of? Name and address withheld

Why was the church so cold?

IN THE afternoon of Sunday 29th January, we attended a concert given by Salisbury Baroque in St Peter’s, Shaftesbury.

The church was completely unheated, indeed colder than the outside temperature.

Salisbury Baroque perform on period instruments, and struggled with the effect of the low temperatures on their strings. They also must have had difficulty keeping their fingers moving properly.

Many of the audience were elderly, and suffered considerably. I know I did. We had paid via SAC for our tickets (£15 apiece), and presumably this income was shared with the venue.

Simply on health and safety grounds, those who administer St Peter’s had a duty to provide at least a basic level of heating. Not to do so was reprehensible.

I am bringing this to your attention in the hope that there will not be a similar threat to concert- and church-goers health in future.

Rosemary Washington

Charity joins coalition aiming to protect the future of farming

COUNTRYSIDE charity, CPRE has joined farmers and environmental charities to agree on a set of principles for the future of farming.

In doing so, it hopes that those princinples will help farmers and environmentalists work together more effectively to create sustainable farming that works for people and nature while providing resistance to climate breakdown.

The principles were agreed at the 2023 Oxford Farming Conference.

Graeme Willis, agriculture lead at CPRE, said: “Farmers need support in facing the nature, climate, and financial crises. This consensus unites farmers and charities who are passionate about nature and the environment. It sets down all we agree on – which is much – and a set of core ideas that bind us.

“We know how vital it is to think strategically about how we use the precious asset that land is. This will be the start of a wider conversation over the next six months.

“We’re also keen to hear from all our farming members – and others besides. What in this consensus resonates with you, or what would you do differently? All views are welcome.

“We’re pleased to be part of this powerful collective voice, which aims to create a more

resilient, fair, and sustainable food system.”

The countryside charity has long advocated for nature-based farming and climate solutions, and for improving food security. With farmland making up two-thirds of the countryside, it has highlighted the need to support a system that restores habitats, provides fresh air and clean water, and nurtures the landscapes that make the countryside special.

In November 2022, CPRE surveyed more than 1,100 farmers and found that hedgerows were important to many of them.

High Quality 5 string meadow hay bales available £35 available Bales of paper shredding, ideal for 07714 289400

It has since called on the government to set a target of increasing the hedgerow network by 40% by 2050.

With much of this likely to be on farmland, the CPRE argues that farmers must receive support to regenerate hedgerows.

A few weeks ago, the government indicated that it will pay more to farmers who help with nature restoration –

but the CPRE is clear that this is only part of the solution.

Research by the charity also revealed that thousands of hectares of productive farmland has been lost to development. This puts huge pressure on food security, with large areas of quality farmland also at risk of flooding due to climate change.

The recent consensus has a set of core principles that forms its foundation. It sets out that a healthy environment underpins food security, and that farming is central to tackling a range of environmental and health crises.

Further, it argues that diversity in nature, farming, and communities, as well as in crops and animals, is crucial. It supports resilience and innovation in the face of the climate emergency and the economic challenges we face today.

The coalition includes the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Pasture for Life, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, CPRE, Soil Association, Sustain, RSPB, WWF UK, National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and Woodland Trust, among others.

The countryside charity has long advocated for nature-based farming and climate solutions

CPRE has joined a number of other organisation in agreeing sustainable principles

Farming in Protected Landscapes programme extended for further year

DEFRA has announced that its Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has extended to run until March 2025. Originally, the programme was due to end a year earlier, in March 2024.

The programme offers funding to farmers and land managers in Areas of Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks and and the Broads. It is not an agri-environment scheme, but is part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan.

The programme will fund projects that support nature recovery, mitigate against the impact of climate change and protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape in the designated areas. Projects will also need to provide opportunities

for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage.

You could be eligible for up to 100% of the project costs. Although, if you are likely to benefit commercially, then you will receive a proportion of the costs. The exact amount will depend on how much the project will benefit your business.

It is open to farmers and land managers operating within an AONB or National Park in England, or the Broads, whether they are from the public, private or charity sector.

Crucially, it is also open to farmers and land managers on land outside of protected landscapes providing the proposed project benefits the landscape, or the protected

landscape body’s objectives or partnership initiatives.

To apply you must “manage all the land included in the application and have control of all the activities you would like to do”, or “you must have written consent from all parties who manage and control the land”. Common land is also eligible

for programme funding. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.

For more information about the programme, eligibility and project outcomes, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ funding-for-farmers-inprotected-landscapes

Plantlife welcomes funding award

A Salisbury-based international conservation membership charity is celebrating an award of £390,000 from the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund.

Plantlife is the only UK membership charity dedicated to conserving wild plants and fungi in their natural habitats. It is also determined to help people enjoy and learn about them.

Founded in 1989, the charity has more than 15,000 members, owns 23 nature reserves covering almost 4,500 acres across Britain and employs 70 people.

As a registered charity, Plantlife is funded by donations from its members and supporters, through grants and charitable trusts and through pioneering land management advice and projects.

The company will receive £390,000 over three years with the funding to be used to develop a science and impact programme. The programme will help with the protection of wild plants and fungi by enhancing interest in plant science and developing the next generation of conservationists.

Plantlife has an established relationship with the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund, which has supported the charity with funding since 2013.

CEO Ian Dunn welcomed the news: “We are absolutely delighted to be selected as one of The Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund Strategic Partners for the coming three years. The grant will enable a step change in Plantlife’s Science and Impact programme at a time of evergrowing public awareness of the need to do more to help nature.

“Such funding will support us in combining evidence with action, giving the plants and fungi, so fundamental to a healthy natural world, the best possible chance to thrive in years ahead.”

Plantlife is one of seven charities chosen to share a pot of £1.95m over the next three years.

Volunteers and wildlife group plant hedgerows

IN JANUARY, despite the wet weather, a dozen volunteers from the local neighbourhood joined members of the Salisbury Wildlife Group to plant a hedgerow at the newly created Fisherton Wildlife Meadows.

With the expertise and tools kindly provided by the Salisbury Wildlife Group, 80 metres of native hedge whips were planted on the day. The hedgerows will be very beneficial to wildlife, providing fantastic habitat, cover and food for animals, birds and insects.

The Fisherton Wildlife Meadows are a new project by Salisbury City Council using land that was previously grazing paddocks to create areas with the primary aim of benefitting nature. Through the combined effort of volunteers and the City Council’s Grounds Team, it is intended

to be a space for the creation of wildflower meadows, but also where trees can be planted, more hedging laid and a wildlife pond added.

Cllr Victoria Charleston said: “Thank you to everyone who battled the elements to plant hedgerow at Fisherton Wildlife Meadows.

“The Meadows is a fantastic new initiative that will benefit wildlife and improve biodiversity and it is just one of many activities the City Council is undertaking to help the environment in Salisbury.”

Stargazers: your countryside needs you

A STAR-FILLED night sky is one of the most magical sights, one that is especially enjoyable in the countryside. But sadly, even out in the country, light pollution is leaving fewer stars than ever visible to the naked eye.

CPRE: the countryside charity is asking for help in tracking how light levels are changing.

No telescopes are required and the count can be enjoyed by adults and children. Last year’s event attracted thousands of amateur star-spotters. Each count will help the CPRE populate a map that reveals where skies are still deep and dark and where they are affected by light pollution. The charity can then work with local councils and other stakeholders to devise a plan of action to restore darkness.

The ultimate aim is to ‘rewild’ the sky for the benefit of humans and animals.

This year’s cosmic census takes place between 17 and 24 February. Participants will be asked to choose a clear night and to count the stars they can see with the naked eye within the easilyrecognisable and prominent constellation, Orion.

You can register your interested on the CPRE website: https://takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/118799/data/1

Volunteers helped to plat 80 metres of native hedge whips on the day

Credit: Salisbury City Council

Wildlife declines will persist if government funding is not increased

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust says that new plan must be given full backing

THE GOVERNMENT published its much anticipated Environmental Improvement Plan at the end of January.

The plan sets out how the government aims to contribute to reversing the chronic loss of wildlife and meet its target to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

In a statement, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust welcomed the goals included within the plan, including to:

● Launch a Species Survival Fund to create, enhance and restore habitats

● Create, restore and extend around 70 areas for wildlife through projects – including new National Nature Reserves, and the next rounds of the Landscape Recovery Projects

● Protect 30% of the UK’s land and sea for nature through the Nature Recovery Network

● Implement the Environment Act 2021, including rolling out ●Local Nature Recovery Strategies to identify areas to create and restore habitat, and achieve Biodiversity Net Gain

● Provide the public with access to green space or water within a 15-minute walk from their home, such

as woodlands, wetlands, parks and rivers

● Support a transformation in the management of 70% of the UK’s countryside by incentivising farmers to adopt nature-friendly farming practices

● Publish an updated Green Finance Strategy

New legally-binding targets for nature were recently passed under the Environment Act and a landmark international agreement was reached at COP15 – new policy measures must be capable of ensuring that nature can recover.

With less than seven years left to meet this target, a dramatic increase in funding is needed to achieve it.

While Wiltshire Wildlife Trust welcomes the government’s renewed focus on restoring nature and improving people’s access to the natural environment, it is concerned that environmental targets are currently not on track to be met and a dramatic increase of £1.2bn extra per year is needed to restore nature.

Nature’s recovery takes time. It is widely acknowledged that wildlife declines will persist for several years before reversal can be achieved with the current level of funding, even under optimal conditions.

Gary Mantle, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “A dramatic increase in funding is needed if the UK is to reach its target to protect 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030.

“Progress towards this target is painfully slow because government funding for biodiversity is more than 10% lower than it was a decade ago – yet we know that £1.2billion extra each year is needed to restore nature.

“The government must find new cash to do this – not just recycle existing funding pots under new names.”

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust joins

other Wildlife Trusts across the country and other environmental organisations in expressing concerns about the following:

● There is still no plan on how to reach 30 by 30 – this is the government’s stated commitment to manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

● Progress towards this international target has been painfully slow, with just 3.2% of the nation’s land currently protected.

● Only 38% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England are in favourable condition despite being some of the most precious sites for nature. This is despite there being a policy commitment to reach 50% of SSSIs in favourable condition by 2020 (set out in England’s biodiversity strategy for 2010 to 2020). Far more funding is needed to improve SSSIs for nature.

● The Retained EU Law Bill threatens to undermine progress by removing thousands of laws that protect our most precious wild places and rare wildlife at the end of this year.

Arrow words

Crossword

Fashion Designers

1 Naked (6)

2 More mentally fit (5)

3 Not emotionally entangled (5-4)

5 Shout disapproval (3)

6 Supply too many staff (7)

7 Culinary herb (5)

8 Promise on the Bible, eg (5,2,4)

13 Most recent previous date (9)

15 Space-station entry area (7)

16 Declared (6)

17 Keyed in (5)

19 Make use of (5)

21 Period of history (3)

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

Brain chain

Hospital radio celebrates 70 years of entertaining patients and staff

By Faith Eckersall

MOST PEOPLE remember 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and the first ascent of Everest. But, in Salisbury, at the town infirmary, another important milestone was being set: the first broadcast of Radio Odstock.

Officially opened by the town mayor, just a decade after the opening of the hospital itself, the station’s come a long way in 70 years – moving from huge, cumbersome speakers to being available over the internet, as well as from units at hospital bedsides. But, says presenter, Gilbert Scammell, the values remain the same.

His live shows go out on Thursday evenings and on Sundays between 8am and 12 noon and subscribe entirely to the idea of bringing information, entertainment and a little escapism for people who are patients at the hospital and hospice, as well as for those who work there.

“We’re here for our listeners, including staff and patients, and we can be a conduit for them from the hospice to their home and friends,” he says.

Together with some of the station’s other volunteers, he’s been researching Radio

Odstock’s history. One of the reasons the idea of hospital radio caught on, he says, is because it was far less easy for people to be entertained in hospital in the 1950s.

“TV sets were enormous, so you couldn’t have those in wards, and of course, there were no smartphones or things like that,” he says. “Basically, people listened because it was the only way they could get to hear their favourite music.”

Then, as now, volunteers visited the wards, chatting to patients – who often stayed for much longer than they do now – and taking details for music requests.

“I think people really liked chatting to these volunteers as they came round; they could request their favourite song was played, or make a dedication to someone else,” he says.

The original paper request forms show a lot of detail about the patient; full name, address and sometimes the nature of their condition which, says Gilbert, wouldn’t be made public now.

“We can only say a first name and a ward when we do requests but we’re back to going round the wards to chat to people, now that the Covid rules have changed,” he says.

While the station is now digital and has its own music library, in the past they were dealing with occasionally temperamental reel-to-reel tape machines, 75s and vunyl records.

“In the early days, there used to be a record shop called Suttons in Salisbury,” says Gilbert. “If a song was requested, someone would go down there on the bus, pick up the record, bring it back and play it, then package it up and take it back again the next day.”

At its beginning, Radio Odstock only broadcast one hour per day. The station now broadcasts 24/7, 365 days a year. Some shows are recorded whereas others, including his, are live.

“We have one live show every day, ranging from

Caroline’s Coffee Break on Friday mornings, to Gilly & Friends, from 7pm-10pm on Thursdays,” says Gilbert.

Around the live programmes are pre-recorded packaged shows and they also have their own news service.

Weekends and evenings, says Gilbert, are most popular with listeners, perhaps because people in hospital would normally be out with friends and family at the time. Favourite music changes with the decades but, he says, Cliff Richard and the Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell are perennially popular with ‘our recycled teenagers!’.

The station is supported by a range of volunteers who all have other work – Gilbert is a Tesco Community Champion. They also have a school teacher as well as civil servants assisting.

They have a partnership with Salisbury Hospice Charity but, says Gilbert: “We always welcome offers of help, or of fundraising.”

Radio Odstock’s anniversary falls in July but they will be celebrating all year. To listen or find out more, visit radioodstock.org.uk

Radio Odstock staff and helpers

Left: Inside the studio

Odstock anniversary marks 30 years since infirmary closed its doors

SALISBURY DISTRICT

Hospital is celebrating a number of anniversaries over the next 12 months.

The first is the 30th anniversary since the hospital on the Odstock site became fully operational, following the closure of the Salisbury General Infirmary on Fisherton Street on 25 January, 1993. The final move to the current site took place on 30 January.

This move meant that all patients, staff, equipment and services were transferred from the Infirmary to the new building, as well those from Newbridge Hospital and the School of Nursing, which had been located on Crane Street.

The transfer also included a number of Odstock-based wards and departments into the new building, including the operating theatres and main kitchens.

The move to the new Salisbury District Hospital (SDH) site in Odstock started on

the 15th January and took 15 days. The Pathology and Wessex Genetics Laboratory services had already been transferred to the new building in April 1992.

Gwyn Blenkinsop was the district planning nurse, and in1987 became a member of the SDH design team and then the project lead for the move.

As part of the project, members of the hospital commissioning team, along with a scale model of the new hospital, presented at over 350 road shows in Salisbury and the surrounding villages.

The major concern for most people was not the hospital itself, but what car parking and public transport facilities would be available.

Gwyn says: “I remember vividly the open days for visits to the new building during December 1992, between Christmas and the New Year.

Over the course of two days, 1,700 people came through the doors.

“We had advertised this event in the local papers, on local radio

and on public transport and offered free transport to and from Salisbury for the occasion under the headline, ‘Would you like to spend some time in hospital this Christmas?’.

“Another memory was, following the transfer of the Accident & Emergency service from the infirmary to the new hospital, we had our first opportunity to test the major fire alarm protocol when at 7:35am I was alerted that the department’s fire alarm had been activated.

“Upon my arrival, followed quickly by members of the fire service, we found that a member of staff making their breakfast had positioned the toaster immediately below a smoke detector.”

The old infirmary, Newbridge Hospital and the School of Nursing buildings were sold for property development, and vacated buildings on the Odstock site were demolished.

Buses running on Dews Road, we have the evidence

from The Salisbury Museum Blog, by volunteer Alan Clarke

WHAT fun it is looking through old photographs and finding the unexpected. Would you ever have expected double decker buses to be routed along Dews Road near the railway station? This photograph shows the building where the Salisbury Times was printed, in Dews Road. The Salisbury Times was a full size newspaper which was a rival to the Salisbury Journal before the Salisbury Journal eventually bought it out.

Back in the days of this photograph, all the town buses were double-deckers with conductors as well as drivers.

Walking along Dews Road today, the Times building is still there, now put to another use.

But the road still seems too narrow for double decker buses to get through.

The photograph below shows New Canal on a Tuesday where all the buses from all the local villages used to park. People would make several journeys from their coach to the market with purchases, a procedure not possible if the coaches were parked further away from the market.

Until quite recently there were 14 different coaches using the New Canal on a Tuesday. Unfortunately, the council was only aware of the Wiltshire ones (very few, as most came from Dorset or Hampshire) and thus removed almost all of the spaces.

Out of the city, the main road going north from Amesbury

(Countess Road) crosses the river Avon in a valley. The A303 now runs along this valley, splitting Countess Road in two via a roundabout.

This photograph shows what happened when the river Avon used to be in flood. It also shows that bus services still carried on through the floods and provided a vital service to those on foot who would have had difficulty getting to and from Amesbury without the bus.

Could it happen again today? I expect it could well flood, but

Construction crew at Salisbury District Hospital; moving vans at new site

I wouldn’t hold out much hope that the buses would keep on running.

Memorial to the Secret Spitfire sets city’s wartime history in stone

EIGHTY-THREE years have passed since the Luftwaffe bombed the Spitfire factories in Southampton and drove production underground.

Production moved to numerous facilities in Salisbury, effectively becoming hidden from German bombers.

To commemorate these ‘secret’ Spitfire makers, Salisbury Cathedral clerk of

works Gary Price and stonemasons Dave Vanstone and Matt Barton have fixed a carved stone on the Cathedral’s East End.

The carving, which celebrates the largely untrained workforce of young girls, boys, women, elderly men and handful of engineers who built the aircraft secretly in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Reading and Southampton, was

installed facing inwards – a story waiting to be discovered by future generations of masons restoring the building in centuries to come.

Almost 2,500 Spitfires were built in Salisbury as part of this ‘undercover’ plan, with a total of around 11,000 built across the region, hidden in sheds, garages, back gardens, a bus depot and a hotel. An amazing

wartime effort that was instrumental in winning the Battle of Britain.

The stone was paid for from the proceeds of a 2018 screening of The Secret Spitfire documentary in Salisbury Cathedral. The film’s producers kindly donated their profits to the Cathedral’s fabric fund and the stone was carved in its workshops by stonemason Carol Pike.

Main: Stonemasons David Vanstone and Matt Barton manouevre the stone into place

Below L: Stonemason Carol Pike; R: Stonemasons Dave Vanstone (l) and Matt Barton (r) with Clerk of Works Gary Price (centre)

All photos credit: Finnbarr Webster

Lent address tackles questions about the decline in declared Christians

RESPONDING to the 2021 Census, which revealed that just 46.2% of people in England and Wales describe themselves as Christians, Salisbury Cathedral is holding a series of Lent Addresses that will explore some of the reasons why people may not be embracing Christianity.

Entitled simply 46.2%? the series of five talks, led by members of the cathedral clergy and the Bishop of Swindon, Dr Lee Rayfield, will take place in Sarum College every Monday during Lent.

Details of the individual events can be found below:

27 February

Science proves you’re wrong!

Religious faith is incompatible with the discoveries of empirically-based science? Led by the Bishop of Swindon, the Right Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, a former lecturer in immunology at the University of London.

6 March

It’s irrelevant!

Faith has no connection to the concerns of everyday living, which can be navigated successfully and ethically without recourse to a God. Led by The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury.

13 March

You’re all bigots!

Faith is exclusive and has legitimised the ill-treatment of women, gay people and people of colour for generations. Led by Canon Anna Macham, Canon Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral.

20 March

Why does bad stuff happen?

Cancer and earthquakes: terrible calamities

befall humanity and take the lives of the innocent every day. How can there be a supreme God? Led by Canon Kenneth Padley, Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral.

27 March

You’re all corrupt…

The church is a wealthy institution which is concerned only to protect its interests and those of its people. Led by Canon Edward Probert, Canon Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral.

Speaking about the series of talks, the Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos said: “The census results are by no means cataclysmic and can be interpreted in a number of ways, as can all statistics, but they are a signal that the church needs to stop and listen.

“People raise reasonable objections to Christian faith – we need to address these. That is what we hope to do in this series.”

The 46.2% Lent Addresses take place in Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EE from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

All are welcome and no booking is required. There will be time for questions each evening and sessions will conclude with prayer.

Concert and choir tour of Channel Islands will mark bailiwicks attachment to the Diocese of Salisbury

TO MARK the attachment of the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey to the Diocese of Salisbury, the cathedral choir is touring the Channel Islands at the end of March, singing a series of services and concerts.

This will be the choir’s first tour since the pandemic and forms part of the cathedral’s welcome to its Channel Island colleagues.

On Sunday, 5th March, a special pre-tour concert that will feature highlights from the tour repertoire will be held in Salisbury Cathedral.

The concert programme, which reflects the poignant season of Lent, features Gregorio Allegri’s setting of

Psalm 51, Miserere mei, Deus, Hubert Parry’s Lord, let me know mine end and Stanford’s eight-part Latin Magnificat, which he dedicated posthumously to Parry.

The concert will be sung by the full choir (boys, girls and men) and will be conducted by David Halls, Salisbury Cathedral’s director of music. The choir will be accompanied both at the concert and on tour by John Challenger, assistant director of music.

Tickets for the concert on 5 March are on sale via the Cathedral website.

Doors open at 17:30 for an 18:00 start. Adults £10 and children £5.

Visitors with access requirements can book tickets via the Cathedral Box Office by emailing boxoffice@salcath.co. uk or phoning 01722 656555.

Salisbury Cathedral Cross

Credit Ash Mills

The Box Office is open Monday to Friday, 09:30am and 4pm.

The Cathedral’s Choristers will tour the Channel Islands

Credit: Finnbarr Webster

Arts & Entertainment

Playhouse spring shows go on sale

LOOKING for something to do on a spring evening? Wiltshire Creative has the following shows going on sale from Friday, 6th February.

26 April, 7.30pm Nashville Bad Boys of Country

A brand new production celebrating the massive catalogue of Country and Western hits throughout the years.

With a good measure of humour and a smattering of slapstick (but minus kitsch or party-shop fancy-dress cowboy outfits) audiences will revel in the sounds of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, John Denver and many more.

With their powerful vocals, stunning musicianship and harmonies, this eight-piece will have you up on your feet, singing and clapping along.

27 April, 7.30pm

The Magic of the Bee Gees: You win again tour

Direct from London’s West End, now in their 9th spectacular year. . . Whether you’re a brother or a mother, when the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, it’s time to put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the songs of music royalty, the Bee Gees.

With a brand-new show for 2022, complete with stunning visuals, prepare to experience the distinct sound of one the greatest bands to have ever graced the stage.

Immerse yourself in the brothers’ music through the 60s, 70s and 80s. This authentic production ensures the Gibb brothers’ legacy is well and truly stayin’ alive!

28 April, 7.30pm

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars Present, The Ronnie Scott’s Story

Direct from London’s worldfamous jazz club and combining world class live jazz, narration and rare archive photos and video footage, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, led by the

club’s musical director, celebrate ‘The Ronnie Scott’s Story’.

Mixing classic music from jazz greats who have performed at Ronnie Scott’s over its incredible 60-year history, alongside tales of old Soho, miscreant musicians and police raids, this is a unique evening celebrating one of the world’s most famous jazz venues, its music, and history.

29 April, 1pm

Sing-a-Long-a Encanto Gather la Familia. From the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music and Sing-aLong-a Frozen, the smash hit film musical of 2021 about the Family Madigral, with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing.

Cheer on Mirabel as she tries to save the magic surrounding the Encanto. Sing your heart out with the live host, who will teach you dance moves, help you create magic and show you how to use your free props bag.

It couldn’t be easier or more fun. The first rule of Sing-along-a is there are no rules...

Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential. You, the audience, are the stars.

29 April, 7pm

Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman

Look out ‘cause here it comes… it’s the smash hit film musical that everyone just can’t stop singing. Cheer on Hugh Jackman, lust after Zac Efron as you experience The Greatest Showman in the greatest way possible – and with lyrics on the screen you can join in as loud as you want.

A live host will teach you a unique set of dance moves that will make you ‘come alive’. As they show you how to use our interactive prop bags. You, the audience, will rewrite the stars.

Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential.

From top: Nashville Bad Boys of Country; The Magic of the Bee Gees; The Ronnie Scott All Stars; Sing-a-Long-a Encanto, Sing-aLong-a The Greatest Showman

Events

Tug-of-War

Teams of 8 are invited to take part in a new competition.

At The Wessex Heavy Horse Show

SP7 9PL on Sunday 24th September 2023

Prize Pot, Trophy & Prestige to the winners.

For further information wessexheavyhorsesociety.co.uk

Blandford Fashion Museum

Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

Reopening February 13th 2023

Advertising Feature

Blandford Fashion Museum

Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

‘And So To Bed...’

Charting the history of sleepwear, with beautiful nightdresses and stylish pyjamas

‘Changing Times: The 1920s’

‘And So To Bed’: The History of Sleepwear

Introducing two new dazzling exhibitions: and

‘CHANGING TIMES’: The 1920’s

Plus, other displays covering 200 years of fabulous fashion

Tearoom and gift shop

Opening Hours:

Monday; Thursday; Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm

www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

Marking 100 years since the Roaring Twenties by showcasing fashion from across 1920s society

Two newly restored dresses will also be on display featuring an original silk poppy

The museum features displays covering 200 years of fabulous fashion, including the Regency, the 1950s and underpinnings

Tearoom and gift shop Opening Hours:

Monday 10am - 4.30pm

Thursday 10am - 4.30pm

Friday 10am - 4.30pm

Saturday 10am - 4.30pm

Adults – £5.50

Seniors (60+) – £4.50

Students (16+) – £3

Children under 16 – Free Essential Carer – Free

Currently we have no lift access to the 2nd floor

www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

Succulent salmon will make the most of your air fryer on Valentine’s Day

THESE TINY convection ovens are the cost of living crisis’s hottest gadget, promising to save you cash while cooking up a storm.

It seems like everyone loves an air fryer right now – and if you’re interested in exactly how much money they can save versus your traditional oven, check out the 23 June 2022 episode of Sliced Bread on BBC Sounds.

But as well as saving you cold hard cash, air fryers promise to pep up your culinary repertoire too. A little inspiration wouldn’t go amiss…

The consensus from evangelical air fryer converts is that when it comes to potatoes, they really can’t be bettered. Whole articles have been dedicated to the perfect air fryer chip but to summarise, the secret to success is to remove starch and liquid before cooking.

To create crispy chips for four people, peel and chop 450g of Maris Piper (or another

floury variety) potatoes. Soak in cold water for 5 minutes, drain and refill the pan with boiling water.

Add a teaspoon of salt and bring back to the boil. Boil for 7 minutes, then drain and gently pat dry. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

Set the air fryer to 200°C, coat the raw chips with groundnut oil then transfer to the cooking basket. Cook for 20 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to give the basket a really good shake.

The standard potato’s more colourful cousin, sweet potatoes make delicious fries but are quite difficult to crisp up.

Play around with coatings like fine polenta, liberally seasoned and added after you’ve coated your fries in oil.

There’s no need to par boil them first, simply cook at 180°C for 15 minutes, giving them a gentle shake halfway through the cooking time.

Die-hard air fryer fans cook whole meals in theirs, layering

up various carbs, protein and vegetables to cook efficiently with minimal washing up. Something like steak and chips will cook in under 20 minutes with minimal intervention.

Oily fish is particularly suited to air fryer cooking – which cooks the outside of foodstuffs more quickly then the centre ensuring a seared fillet that stays tender and flaky.

Their natural oil content keeps the fillets deliciously moist, all that they need is seasoning with salt and pepper and a light dusting of your favourite herbs or spices.

Salmon and veggies, air fryer style

Serves 2

● 2 skin-on salmon fillets

● 2tbsp olive oil

● Salt & pepper

● 2 courgettes

● 1 red onion

● 1 red pepper

● Fresh thyme

● Half a tsp lemon juice

● 1 tbsp tartare sauce

Method:

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 200°C.

2. Slice courgettes into discs the thickness of a pound coin. Place in a bowl.

3. De-seed the red pepper and cut into chunks the same size as your courgette slices. Add to the bowl.

4. Peel the onion, remove the top and the root then cut in half from top to bottom. Chop each half into slices the same thickness as your courgette. Add to the bowl.

5. Drizzle the vegetables with all but half a tsp of the olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and sprinkle with thyme leaves.

6. Rub the remaining oil onto the salmon, and season well.

7. Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, in one side of the air fryer basket and the vegetables in the other.

8. Cook for 10 minutes. Plate up and garnish with tartare sauce.

This recipe first appeared in our sister paper, The New Blackmore Vale.

Credit: Malidate Van/Pexel Images

Chocolate truffles, easy and decadent

FANCY an easy but decadent treat?

Of course, you do. Chocolate truffles are fun to make, great to share and can certainly impress the right person. And it’s pretty easy to make these delicious balls of chocolate goodness a vegan treat as well.

You’ll need (all approximate):

● 300g good-quality dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids

● 300ml double cream or coconut cream for a vegan version

● 50g unsalted butter or vegan butter

● For an exotic twist, add in a splash of Amaretto… or dash of espresso

Chop or break the chocolate

into a bowl, then heat the cream and butter gently in a saucepan until the butter melts. When it begins to simmer, take it off the hear and pour over the chocolate. Stir the mix until the chocolate melts and the mix is smooth.

Add your flavourings at this stage. If you want to make several flavours, you’ll need to divide into smaller bowls. Leave to cool, then chill for four hours. There are many ways to shape your truffles. You can use

a specially designed tray, a scoop or even your hands (coated with flavourless oil). Drop each ball onto greaseproof paper.

Now the fun part. Toppings and coatings. Do this once you have shaped them. Dip them in melted chocolate and top with coconut, pistachios, dried and

rushed raspberries, cocoa powder, lemon zest. Let your imagination run wild.

One way to coat your chocolates is to use a skewer of some sort. Not only will it help you dip and get a great coating, you can even leave the truffles to chill and use the skewered truffles as lollies.

Local MP visits Tops Day Nursery to hear from parents and staff members

JOHN GLEN, MP, met with Cheryl Hadland, managing director of Tops Day Nurseries, on 27 January, to discuss the issues being faced in the Early Years sector.

Tops Day Nurseries

Salisbury, based onsite at Salisbury District Hospital, is part of a nursery chain with over 30 nurseries the region.

John was given a tour of the nursery and was shown the different room set ups and resources since his last visit. He even got to meet the chickens.

During his visit, John was introduced to Sam, one of the parents at Tops Salisbury, who also works for the NHS. John listened to Sam’s concerns and got to hear first-hand the type of

challenges the local community have to face.

He also met with Sam’s daughter, Genevieve, who attends Tops Salisbury and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was three-years-old.

Genevieve explained to John how her specialised medical equipment works and how the nursery has supported her through this journey and have ensured all staff are trained in knowing what to do.

This visit offered a great opportunity to raise the of the Early Years sector. Cheryl and John were joined by Andrew Dearsley, financial director of Tops Day Nurseries, to discuss a number of issues, including:

● Tops Day Nurseries Queens

Saturday 4th March 9.30am - 1.00pm

To book call Karen on 01258 860219 or email her at admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk hanfordschool.co.uk

Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development).

● The underfunding of early years provision and parents by the government.

● Why underfunding means not being able to pay for and retain top-quality nursery teachers. There is a national shortage of nursery teachers which is reducing availability of places, and damaging the quality of education.

● The importance of apprenticeships from starting to degree level for early years staff.

● Requirements for opening up the workforce for skilled migrants.

● Means testing for funding for early years places and funding to enable all children to attend for 30 hours.

● Local authorities are not applying for relief on business rates for day nurseries despite notice to do this from the Department for Education.

● Air pollution, which is causing asthma and lung disease in small children.

● The nurseries EV and charging points.

● Dairy milk provision for early years children being unsustainable, whereas fruit and vegetables would be

more beneficial for children’s health,

● Waste costs of disposable nappies being 4% of the domestic rates bill, plus £1,000 per nursery p.a.

Speaking after the event, Cheryl Hadland said: “Making childcare more affordable for parents and paying early years staff more can only be good for everyone, even short term more parents and grandparents could return to work thus paying more tax/receiving fewer benefits and taking pressure off employers with vacancies.

“Long term, the benefits are vast through the children flourishing with a good start.”

John Glen MP commented: “It was good to meet the dedicated staff and pupils at Tops to discuss early years education and care. It is crucial we give every child the best possible start in life.”

Tops Day Nurseries offers care and education for children from three months to school age, all year with extended opening hours, as well as having an afterschool and holiday club.

Cheryl Hadland (left) with Sam Douce (parent) and Fynnley and Genevieve, Lucy Dempsey and John Glen MP

Antiques & Collectibles

Oyster perpetual offered at Semley

SEMLEY

Auctioneers’ next sale includes a number of highlights, including a gentleman’s Rolex Explorer II Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch, circa 1991 (pictured).

The watch is offered complete with original box, tags, extra link and paperwork including service receipts

The pre-sale estimate for the timepiece is £4,000-6,000.

Also being offered is a Georgian emerald and seed pearl ring. The vibrant clean emerald measures approximately

Win

6 by 6 by 3mm, the square setting engraved to the underside ‘Sophia Ann Smith 1823’, size P.

The pre-sale estimate is £1,000 -£1,500. Recent sale highlights include a rare Chinese reverse decorated bowl, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-35), which was sold for £84,000.

Entries are being accepted for the March, April and May specialist and monthly antique furniture and objects sales. The next sale takes place on Saturday, 18th February. For

Pic tures, Books & Prints, and Selec ted Antique Furniture & Objec ts Saturday 18th February

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

SOLD FOR £30,000

For free verbal valuations please contact

Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbur y SP7 9AN 01747 855122 www.semleyauc tioneers.com

and South Kensington, London

Jewellery

handcrafted with recycled Sterling Silver, responsibly sourced gems, and sea glass gathered along the Jurassic Coast

An 18th centur y Chinese gilt bronze Buddha, 10 inches high.

Initiative launched to help owners worried about the weight of their pets

PDSA and Royal Canin invite pet owners in south west to join in and ‘Weigh Up’ their pets

PDSA and Royal Canin are calling on pet owners in the south west to take advantage of a free weight check for their fourlegged friend by signing up to the new ‘Big Weigh In’ initiative.

The partnership launched the first Weigh Up campaign in 2021, offering pet owners free online resources to assess and understand their pets’ weight throughout the pandemic.

The latest PDSA Big Weigh In initiative will take place during February and March 2023 in conjunction with veterinary practices across the UK to help tackle the pet obesity crisis the UK pet population faces.

In 2022, the charity’s annual PAW (PDSA Animal Wellbeing) Report revealed 60% of owners regularly give their pet human food in some form, such as leftovers (26%), cheese (22%) and bread or toast (10%).

Human food is often high in fats and sugar, and can contribute

to obesity and weight problems as well as potentially leading to an unbalanced diet for our pets.

As per PDSA calculations, feeding a dog a slice of toast with butter, is the equivalent of a human eating two portions of fries. Similarly, feeding a cat three small cubes of cheese, is the equivalent of a human eating two quarter pounders

One weight loss success story involves Roscoe, who initially came into PDSA’s care weighing 75kg and after a tremendous effort from his owner, Roscoe managed to shed 23kg and is very nearly at his ideal weight.

The excess weight was affecting Roscoe’s daily life through his breathing and energy levels, so losing the weight was vital for his health and happiness.

The main aim for the PDSA Big Weigh In is to help other pets like Roscoe live a better and hopefully longer life, by maintaining a healthy weight.

PDSA veterinary surgeon, Lynne James said: “Our Weigh Up campaign was popular

amongst pet owners who were keen to understand more about their pet’s weight, in order to keep them fit and healthy.

“Now we are taking the next step and launching PDSA Big Weigh In – where we are inviting owners to join in and visit a participating practice for a free weight check.

“We have also launched the PDSA #WeighUp Pet Weight Loss Support Group, for fellow pet owners to join, share their progress and access exclusive tips and content, including weekly Q&A’s with PDSA vets and vet nurses, all to help each pet owner with their pet’s weight loss journey.”

Top: Roscoe’s excess weight was shed after last year’s event Below: why you shouldn’t feed your pets human food

Microchipping plan for cats set to be unveiled by government ‘in weeks’

LEGISLATION that would make it law to have a pet cat microchipped is set to be introduced ‘in the coming weeks’, according to a government minister.

Transport minister Richard Holden (Con, North West Durham) told a Parliamentary debate the proposals would be brought before MPs after a consultation process was held into the move last year.

He told the debate: “In the last few years, we have pushed microchipping. It is the best way of reuniting owners with pets that have been tragically killed, stolen, or had a variety of other issues.

“Since the introduction of compulsory microchipping for dogs in 2016, over 90% of the dog population has been microchipped. That has been particularly successful in increasing reunification rates for stray dogs.”

He added that the consultation over compulsory microchipping had received 99% favourable responses.

“We are committed to introducing it, and we will lay the legislation for England before Parliament in the coming weeks,” he said.

Mr Holden said the move would help reunite cats injured or killed on UK roads with their owners. However, he stopped short of backing calls for a law to be introduced making it an offence for drivers not to report collisions involving animals such as cats.

“In 2021, there were 348 reported road collisions in which both an animal and a person were involved directly,” he told the debate. That is just an animal and a person. If we were talking about hundreds of thousands of cases, there would be a huge extra impact and administrative burden, especially given the free-roaming nature of cats.

“It is for that reason that the Government do not plan at present to make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report collisions with cats.”

Introducing Phils Happy Dogs

Hi, my name is Phil. Along with Amy and my two dogs, Buddy and Wendy, we are Phils Happy Dogs. I have always been interested in how dogs think and behave, ever since I was a child, in fact. I love everything about nature and wildlife. It never ceases to amaze me.

I arrive at every customer’s house with an open mind because all dogs are unique and all situations are unique. Only once I have assessed their dog will I formulate our plan going forward. I can control any dog, yet I do not pride myself on that fact. I take pride in the fact that my customers can control their dogs, because with what I teach my customers, that will be the case.

I wholeheartedly believe that all dogs can change for the better once you have the right knowledge, determination and confidence. These are the attributes that I give to my customers. We are so passionate about dogs that we have rehabilitated rescue dogs from an animal rescue and both of our dogs are from an animal sanctuary, that is why we offer a 30% discount for rescue dogs. Our aftercare is second to none

Tonia Antoniazzi (Lab, Gower), the shadow minister for Northern Ireland, said: “I am 51 years of age, and we have always had a pet in the family; I know how much it hurts to lose a pet.

“I thank the minister for what he said about the legislation on compulsory microchipping that will be introduced in the coming weeks.”

Legislation that would make microchipping your cat a legal requirement is set to be introduced

Women’s hockey thriving in Salisbury

THE SUCCESS of the GB team in recent Olympic tournaments –bronze at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, gold at Rio 2016 and the Commonwealth Games in 2022 – has raised awareness of the sport and it’s fair to say that participation levels in the women’s and girl’s games are in a very healthy state.

Salisbury Hockey Club offers a welcoming environment for anyone interested in playing hockey. It caters for all levels of player and runs both weekly training sessions and match squads for a wide range of abilities across both men’s and women’s sections.

The club works to balance two main aims: one the one hand, the club wants everyone to have fun and enjoy playing hockey, whatever their age, skill level or ambition. On the hand, the club works to actively deliver the best results on the pitch.

Balancing these aims is the work of the club’s volunteer committee members, coaches and squad captains who work together week-on-week to make sure every player is given as much opportunity as possible to find the highest level of potential they want to achieve.

We spoke to the ladies club co-captains, Laura Valjak (representing 3s, 4s, 5s and development squads), and Louise Davidson (1s and 2s squads).

Together, they work with the men’s captain, Andy Renshaw,

to deliver on the club’s goals and aims.

What does co-captain do?

Laura: “We sit on the Salisbury Hockey Club committee and act as a representative of the squads we support. For me, that’s the Ladies 3-5 XIs and development side, and for my co-captain, Louise, that will be for the 1s and 2s.

“Part of this involves asking questions, offering feedback and passing on concerns from players and captains as the season progresses. Issues might include training needs and selections, for example.

“The committee is there to keep the club running smoothly and that all players feel part of what the club is trying to achieve.

“We have a couple of big events, such as trials and season kick-off that fall on the club captains to organise, and we coordinate selections and player review with the selections panel through the year.

“Louise is particularly great at making sure we have our social calendar in order and rallying us all to sort out those big events (Christmas, end of season dinner, fundraising).

When did you first get involved with the team?

Laura: “I joined the club in 2015, after a 15-year break. I played at school from age nine up to the age of 18. My highlight

was going to South Africa at 18 for a hockey tour with my school. Not long after that, I had to stop playing because of ankle issues.

“I was encouraged by a parent on the sidelines while watching my then 10-year-old son. Now nearly 18, he plays in the Men’s 2nd XI and I have made it as far as the Ladies 3rd XI.

“Soon after joining, I was selected for the 5s, then 4s and I have been in the 3s for the last couple of seasons. I very much doubt I’ll creep any higher than that, it’s all downhill from here…

Louise: “I joined when I was about 15 after being invited by a teacher at school as their team needed a goalie. I began in the 3rd XI and by 17 had worked my way up to the 1st XI.

“Outside of Salisbury, I have played for Southampton, right up to Liverpool and have always felt so welcome (as a goalie I particularly feel welcome as we’re a relatively rare breed).”

What were your ambitions for the season?

Laura: “The aim of each squad is to field the strongest teams we can and to be as successful as possible. Ultimately, the aim would be to reach promotion in each of the leagues our teams compete in.

“It is also really important to recognise that hockey is our hobby. We aren’t professionals and give up a lot of time and money to play. That being said, many of the players have played together for years. Hockey is our social time, time to de-‘gunge’ from work, family etc…

“For the mums on the team it is time to claim back a little bit of our identity. After not being able to play consistent hockey through interrupted seasons due to COVID-19 over the last two years, it has been lovely to be able have some ‘normality’.

“When reflecting on ambitions for the Ladies 1st team, captain Jenna Whittle said: ‘Our ambitions are to compete in the league, give our opposition a

good competitive game (with a friendly and welcoming attitude), and play well for each other –finishing in the top three would be amazing and achievable.’

“We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and friendly club, whether that be to new players, opposition, spectators, or umpires and coaching staff alike –maintaining this atmosphere is an overarching standard we seek to achieve every season.”

Do you have a tactical style or philosophy?

Laura: “One thing Salisbury Hockey Club does have is heart – every player across every team turns out because we love the game and give it our all from the first to the final whistle.”

Louise: “We play hard for one another because of the bond we have, we want our team to do well because we are all friends and family. We are motivated not to let our team down.”

Laura: “We have always been extremely lucky in the ladies section to have some great coaching staff from our men’s section. We have also recently welcomed our new head coach, (former Team GB head coach) Jon Royce, who is bringing more of the tactical awareness side to the ladies game. Namely, ‘pressing’, ‘set pieces’, and recognising and pushing talented individuals to ensure that they have the best possible opportunities for success.

Have the achievements of the GB ladies hockey team led to an increase in interest?

Laura: “There has been far more awareness of grassroots hockey since the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. England Hockey has become far more visible and supports many more charities and grassroots hockey clubs with bursaries and endorsements to help improve facilities and give people an opportunity to try and get back into hockey or pick up a stick for the first time.

“Local schools are also playing more hockey, which is great for the game.

“We have seen a huge increase in interest in hockey with both children and adults. The GB hockey ladies are fantastic ambassadors for the sport and we are extremely grateful to have had several of them engaged with our club, inspiring our players.

“In 2017, Olympic gold medallist, Alex Danson, visited the club and led a training session followed by a Q&A session with our juniors.

“The following year, the club welcomed Olympic gold medallists Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, who led a training session followed by a Q&A with our adult section.

“More recently, our Ladies 1st XI had the support of Commonwealth gold medallist, Anna Toman, on the sidelines for one of their games. One of our youngsters is even acting as a mascot for a GB game next year.”

What plans are their going forward?

Laura: “Financially, our plans include funding a new Astro, to seek and encourage local sponsorship and further enhance player development and youth training, while balancing players’ enjoyment of the game alongside encouraging a strong competitive spirit. Something for everyone.”

Louise: “The pitch at the Salisbury & South Wilts Sports Club, is coming to the end of its life and is due for replacement.

“To make sure we can continue to provide a high-quality facility, not just for our hockey players, but all the local clubs and organisations who use the pitch throughout the year.

“We are working actively on fundraising to be able to meet the significant financial commitment needed within the next two to three years. We are seeking major sponsors, and contributors at any level, towards those fundraising efforts.

“A number of small local businesses very generously contributed prizes and gifts to the club’s Christmas fundraising raffle back in December. “

What has changed at a local level over the last few years?

Laura: “As you can see with regards our pipeline of talent and the growing interest in becoming a member of the club, we’ve definitely noticed an increasing interest.

Hockey is a high-tempo and skilful sport and it is now being broadcast far more [BT Sport, for example], which makes it more accessible.

“Rules evolve over time, bringing with it a faster pace and movement. One example is the ‘aerial ball’, which is something that’s come in more in recent years (when a ball is lifted – in a controlled manner – and passed over the players on the field to its destination.

“Where something like that was once preserved for the national/international teams, it’s coming into local play more and more. It’s a skill that really opens up the pitch, allows passes that otherwise would not have been possible, all increasing the tempo and excitement.

“Another example a few years back was the removal of a short corner – instead of now being taken from the back corner of the pitch, you now take this from the 25 yard line, which gives more advantage to the attacking team. And, the offside rule went out many years ago.”

Is there a lot of interest in the sport?

Laura: “We see lots of regular interest, which is really encouraging. I’d say our pipeline of young talent is healthy. We often have waiting lists for the junior training sessions, but we do everything possible to invite and welcome everyone to join who wants to.

“We regularly field new enquiries from young and old, looking to either pick up a stick for the first time, get back to it after a number of years away, or from those who move to the area keen to train and compete with Salisbury.

“It’s also an incredibly social and family-orientated club, and we are made up of both players and members who have lived in

and around the Salisbury area for years, as well as those who moved to the area slightly more recently. Some of our players travel significant distances each week to be part of the club.

“We have lots of players who have been with the club for years – from the ‘70s and ‘80s, and a number of those players who are still actively competing within one of the league squads.

“Our women’s 1st XI squad captain this year is Jenna Whittle, whose mother Jane Tait currently plays in the 5th XI and has been with the club since around the mid-70s.”

What advice would you give for a woman or young woman looking to either get into the game or progress their own game?

Louise: “If you’ve never played before, head down to your local club and give it a go. Hockey players are a lovely bunch of people and will make sure you feel so welcome.

“Also, if you can get to London to watch some international games, I would

highly recommend it. I’ve been multiple times and have got tickets to see GB vs USA in thesummer. It’s a great way to watch those at the top of the game and to learn from the best.

“I was lucky enough to be in the crowds when England won the Commonwealth gold last year. The atmosphere was incredible and it got me itching for our season to start again.

Louise: “SHC is a friendly, welcoming club open to players of any age and any ability. We welcome new players at any time of the year.

“If you would like any more information about SHC, or hockey in general, then please contact Laura and me on ladiesclubcaptain@ salisburyhockeyclub.co.uk and we’d be more than happy to chat further.”

If you would like your sports club or team to feature in this section, please contact newsdesk@ salisburyandavon.co.uk

Above and opposite: Salisbury Ladies Hockey teams in action All photos: Salisbury Hockey Club

Council’s Early Years Team achieves national recognition for SEND work

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL is one of the first local authorities in the country to gain special recognition for its commitment to inclusion for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the early years.

The council’s Early Years Team has been awarded the Dingley’s Promise Ally Level Kite Mark, recognising Wiltshire as an Inclusion Friendly Local Authority, only the second local authority in the country to achieve the award.

The Early Years Team is in the process of completing the Dingley’s Promise training and has been encouraging early years nurseries, settings and childminders in the county to sign up.

At the heart of the programme is a desire to ensure children younger than fiveyears-old with SEND are given equal opportunities.

Childcare providers receive training in a number of areas, including inclusion for SEND children, support to be ready for school, and dealing with challenging behaviours.

It also helps early years practitioners to increase awareness of the needs of children, especially those with

SEND, and their confidence in supporting the learning and wellbeing of all children in the setting.

Dingley’s Promise started in 1983 when a group of parents recognised the need for their children to have more than just medical intervention.

The Early Years Inclusion Programme aims to increase the number of young children with SEND accessing early years and childcare places.

Wiltshire is one of the local authorities to have been chosen

to work on the project. The programme is funded by Comic Relief.

Already, 62.5% of the Early Years Team has completed the Introduction to Inclusive Practice course and 20% of the team is completing all of the available training courses within the Early Years Inclusion Programme. The team has also been supporting settings within the local authority area to sign up to the training.

So far, Wiltshire is the top local authority in the country with the highest number of learners accessing the programme.

Emma Cooke, service manager for early years, said: “Dingley’s Promise training has benefitted the whole team and is also making a difference to childcare providers in Wiltshire, so they have the skills to ensure our young children with SEND benefit from the best childcare.

“We are really pleased to have this recognition for our teams’ hard work and we look forward to sharing it with more settings in the future.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services

said: “This is a wonderful achievement and I want to congratulate the hard working team who have shown their commitment to ensuring we provide support and opportunity for people with SEND as early as possible.

“I’m encouraged to hear so many early years settings are signing up for the training. Ultimately, families with children with SEND will know that Wiltshire takes inclusion seriously and they will be assured their child will be well received and have the same opportunities so they can get the best start in life.”

Amanda Brown, training programme manager at Dingley’s Promise said: “It’s been my absolute pleasure to award our Ally Level Kite Mark to the Wiltshire Council Early Years Team.

“They have been so supportive of our changemakers project from the start and their commitment to both the undertaking and rollout of our training programme has been outstanding.

“A very well-deserved award. Well done!”

Survey reveals the need to find more time to talk about mental health

A REPORT commissioned by mental health charity Mind found that more than a third of UK adults never talk about mental health and that almost 80% of adults feel that their health has been affected by the cost of living crisis.

The problem is worse for those with existing mental health issues (94%).

The survey, conducted by Censuswide, revealed that the equivalent of 19.6 million people aged 16 and over never made time in their day to talk about their mental health.

The cost of living crisis is not only negatively affecting the nation’s mental health it is also leading to fewer conversations about it. Mind commissioned the survey as part of Time to Talk Day. The event aims to

make talking about mental health an everyday occurrence, whether at home, in schools, in the workplace or online.

The survey backs up previous Time to Talk Day research that highlighted how the cumulative effect of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis is taking its toll on the nation’s mental health.

And the cost of living crisis is likely to make it even more challenging to address rising mental health issues. The survey also revealed:

● A quarter of respondents said they can’t afford social activities that help them stay mentally well

● A quarter are having to work longer hours due to the rising cost of living so have less free time

● A shocking 16% simply can’t afford to contact their support network to have these conversations (e.g. over phone, text, social media), showing the real impact of digital poverty

● 18% can’t afford to travel to their usual support networks in communities.

Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, said: “It’s vital we make space in the day for a conversation about mental health. Yet so many of us are finding that looking after our mental health has taken a back seat.

“Worryingly we fear stigma if we speak up, we can no longer afford to access the things or places that keep us mentally well, or we don’t want to be a burden on others.

“We know that talking about our mental health and listening to others about their experiences can help us feel less alone, more able to cope, and encouraged to seek support if we need to.

“That’s why it’s time to talk and to listen this Time to Talk Day.”

Time to Talk Day 2023 is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, See Me with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in Scotland, Inspire and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland and Time to Change Wales.

It is being delivered in partnership with Co-op as part of a shared ambition to reach those who wouldn’t usually engage with mental health support.

https://www.mind.org.uk

Van Driver & Removals Person Required

Enjoy driving and being part of a team?

We’re looking for a van driver and removals porter to join our team in Salisbury SP2 8RA

Experience in removals and van driving preferred.

You will need to be polite, smart, with a can-do attitude. The job will involve working away from home at times for which you will receive extra allowance.

* Salary circa £11.00 per hour.

* Monday to Friday working with very few Saturdays

* Weekly salary + Tips + Overtime

* Uniform and safety wear provided

* Opportunity of progression

For more info, please contact Steve Mobley on 01722 322616

Senior Practitioner and Early Years Assistant Required at Dinton Pre-School.

Minimum Level 3 in Childcare with experience

Contact Alison enquiries@dinton-pre-school.co.uk. 01722 716011

Sarum West Primary Care Network are looking to recruit an experienced Elderly Care Facilitator to work across their region. The region covers seven practices but would be working predominantly in the East of the PCN which would include Wilton and West Lavington. Working with local practices and the PCN to carry out detailed clinical assessments on nominated patients within professional boundaries. Professional clinical qualification essential. e.g. Nursing/paramedic. Educated to degree standard or equivalent, or evidence of ongoing professional development required. Experience of working in a primary care setting or in a direct clinical role with elderly patients is also highly desirable.

30 hours pw preferable but flexible working is available. Ability to work alone or as part of a team essential. Reports to the PCN manager and clinical lead.

Responses to Ian.hall20@nhs.net

Closing date of 17th February but may close sooner if the right candidate is identified.

a new wave of Nurturing Nature wildlife surveyors in Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire

Creating

Cranborne Chase AONB is an area of great ecological importance – famous for its ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands and streams, and habitats supporting important species of arable plants, birds, dormice, orchids,

butterflies, and bats. Through a diverse programme of free training courses, online talks and site surveys, many volunteer surveyors and wildlife experts are coming together to learn more about the area’s vast biodiversity. This is thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme. Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre is managing this new project in collaboration with the wider CCLP Scheme team. And over the next few months, the team will be delivering dozens of community events to reach out to local communities across Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire to tell people more about the training programme. The training will be online as well as in-person across the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership area, with full details available from the project team and through the Chase & Chalke Volunteer and Training Hub www.bttr.im/cnmw2 .

Nurturing Nature Volunteer Wildlife Surveyors Needed

- Do you want to learn new skills in wildlife identification and recording?

- Do you want to volunteer in your local area?

- Do you want to contribute to the conservation of important wildlife?

This project is focused on collecting data on the distinctive flora and fauna of the Cranborne Chase AONB. We aim to train over 100 people, with little or no experience in wildlife surveying, to become ‘biological recorders’. We are offering free training and unique volunteering opportunities, within an amazing landscape, collaborating with a wide range of wonderful people.

To find out more information, please contact AnnaC@WSBRC.org or visit www.cranbornechase.org.uk/ chaseandchalke

Venatu Recruitment Group have moved to a new location in A2Z House, Milford St, Salisbury

The company now has a total of nine locations across the UK, ranging from the North East to Salisbury. Venatu Recruitment Group specialises across 10 different divisions including Automotive, Contact Centre, Construction & Engineering, Engineering & Manufacturing, Driving & Logistics, Human Resources, Industrial, Catering & Hospitality, Sales & Marketing, and Professional Support These Divisions and the Specialist Recruiters in them offer a wide variety of roles, such as Warehouse Operatives, HGV/PSV Technicians, Chefs, Finance roles, Office Support jobs, plus many more

Their Specialist Recruiters are secured from the very industries they represent; this high level of service means 82% of our business is repeat With five of the company’s divisions now based in Salisbury

Craig Small the Branch Manager at Salisbury said “The team has grown at a steady rate over the last three months as the demand for our services has increased We now have a team of five Specialist Recruiters with the highest level of service who all work with temporary, contract, and permanent positions This move to a central location signals our intention to become the go to recruiter for the people and businesses of Salisbury and the surrounding areas”

If you’re a client looking for employees or a candidate looking for a new role; Venatu Recruitment Group can provide that service. Make sure to reach out and get in touch. Drop into the office or call on 01722 449931

WE SOURCE STAFF FOR BOTH PERMANENT & TEMPORARY POSITIONS

Asda jobs to go as store plan waits

NIGHT workers at Asda could face losing their jobs or earning less money under new plans. The supermarket giant is proposing to change shift patterns at 184 smaller superstores, moving night shifts to the daytime.

The move would see the ‘removal’ of up to 211 night shift manager roles, and a change to working patterns of around 4,137 staff.

Those paid by the hour would see their earnings cut due to the removal of a night-shift premium - understood to be worth more than £2 per hour – if their hours transfer to daytime.

As well as the changes for night shift workers, Asda is also proposing to reduce opening hours at all 23 in-store Post Office branches, affecting 23 managers and 200 hourly-paid workers.

In addition, seven of Asda’s 254 in-store pharmacies woudl also close under the plans, affecting 48 hourly-paid staff and 14 pharmacists.

Ken Towle, Asda’s retail director, said: “The retail sector is evolving at pace and it is vital we review changing customer preferences, along with our own ways of working, to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible, so that we can continue to invest and grow our business.

“We are now entering a period of consultation with our colleagues on these proposals.

“We recognise this will be a difficult time for them and will do all we can to support them through this process.”

Asda has supermarkets at Gillingham, Yeovil and Frome. None has a Post Office,

but Yeovil has a pharmacy. No further details on which pharmacies will close has been released.

Plans for an Asda store at London Road in Salisbury have been submitted to Wiltshire Council, though no decision has yet been made.

For more details, log on to www. wiltshire.gov.uk and search for planning application reference PL/2022/04875.

How a planning application showed a new Asda store in Salisbury could look Picture: Wiltshire Council/HGP

Warning over red X motorway signs

ALMOST 10 percent of drivers ignore a red X on motorway gantries, according to a new report.

The signal is used to close lanes when obstructions or crashes have closed a lane, or a broken-down vehicle is causing problems.

But National Highways data showed they were ignored by one-in-10 drivers.

Drivers should abide by the signal by law, and is vital to avoid a potentially serious collision, and fines.

Enforcement cameras are now be used to automatically detect vehicles passing illegally under a red X or entering the lane beyond the signal.

Breaking the rule can result in a fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points on your licence.

However, in more serious cases, these penalties can be increased, or you could even end up in court.

Now, emergency services

have joined forces with National Highways to remind drivers of the risks of ignoring red X marks on motorways.

Surrey Police begun enforcing camera-detected red X offences in November 2019 and have issued 9,427 first Notices of Intended Prosecution.

Out of those, 4,926 drivers have completed a safety awareness course, while others selected alternative disposal options such as paying a fixed penalty or having the matter heard at court.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Roads Policing, said: “Red X signals are in place on the motorway for your safety and the safety of others.

“Sadly, there are too many instances where motorists fail to comply with a Red X signal and put others in incredible danger by driving in a closed lane.

“This is unacceptable and

drivers who do so need to understand they face prosecution.”

RAC road safety spokesman, Simon Williams, said: “This is a very worrying statistic. For some time, we’ve been concerned that red Xs displayed on signs at the side of the road aren’t nearly as clear as those positioned on gantries directly above each lane.

“We fear this may be a factor in some of the non-compliance. For this reason, it would be helpful to know drivers’ reasons for not obeying red Xs.

“If it’s the case drivers say they hadn’t seen or understood signs at the side of the road then

there may be an argument for installing more expensive gantry signage.

“It’s critical drivers obey the red X as it’s often the first line of defence for anyone stranded in a live lane of smart motorway traffic.”

National Highways Traffic Officer, Dave Harford, said: “We don’t take the decision to close lanes lightly, but when we do, drivers must obey the closure.

“A red X signal is there for the safety of everyone on the road – including people in difficulty, traffic officers, recovery and emergency services helping them, and all other road users besides.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of drivers do comply with the signals but those who don’t put themselves and others at risk.”

Lee Bowyer of Bow Engineering working alongside Robin Higdon.

Robin Higdon Motors incorporating Bow Engineering

Motoring

Ketchup, dog and a passport: Some of the unusual items left in sold cars

A BOTTLE of ketchup, a passport, a dog and even a baby are among items left in cars sold last year.

Online car buyer, webuyanycar, has revealed some of the weird and wonderful items its customers left behind after selling their car last year.

The company estimates staff find around 130,000 forgotten items each year, from the understandable to the downright shocking.

Perhaps the most astonishing discovery was a baby, which both mum and dad thought the other had taken out of the car.

Thankfully, webuyanycar branch managers in Cumbernauld, Glasgow, were happy to babysit until the panicked parents were able to return.

Similarly, a manager at webuyanycar’s branch in Kingston Retail Park, Newcastle, was surprised to find man’s best friend in the back of a car purchased last year.

The dog was swiftly collected by his frantic owner a short while later.

Other belongings abandoned in cars include a bottle of ketchup, a ‘lucky’ hardboiled egg, a photo of a llama, athletes foot cream, Champagne, a kebab, a passport and a wheelchair.

Richard Evans, head of technical services for webuyanycar, said: “Having bought more than 3 million cars over the years, it’s really no surprise our team comes across a few misplaced or forgotten items in cars. Webuyanycar strives to go above and beyond for our customers and sometimes that involves reuniting them with the strange things left behind by motorists.

“We do have a golden piece of advice for future customers: If you’ve just sold your car, have you checked to make sure

you took everything out?”

Elsewhere, the manager at webuyanycar’s Cambridge branch was surprised to find £2,000 in cash left in one car, alongside the keys to a pub, while a buyer in Milton Keynes was amused to find a suitcase full of fancy dress costumes.

The most common items left behind are cables and chargers, with 85 percent of webuyanycar buyers saying they’ve come across these after a sale.

Next on the list are CDs or cassettes (72 percent), spare change (70 percent), dashcams (57 percent), keys (56 percent) shopping bags (54 percent) and child car seats at 31 percent.

Webuyanycar branch managers also revealed that 69 percent of customers celebrate when they complete the sale of their car, with the majority (92 percent) going in for an enthusiastic handshake, while

some 15 percent will whoop or cheer. Seven percent even break out into a little dance or jig and another 5 percent go wild with an air punch.

Unusual items left in webuyanycar vehicles in 2022:

● Dog: Kingston Retail Park, Newcastle

● A baby: Cumbernauld, Glasgow

● Photo of a llama: Southend Branch, Essex

● Children’s toys: West Bromwich, Staffordshire

● Bottle of ketchup: Beckton, London

● Lucky hardboiled egg: Fleet, Hampshire

● Wheelchair: Hornsey, London

● £2,000 and keys to a pub: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

● A rat: Gloucester, Gloucestershire

● Passport: Gloucester, Gloucestershire

● Loose cat litter: Milton Keynes, Bucks

● UPVC Window: Bridlington, North Yorkshire

● Athletes foot cream: Birchwood, Merseyside

● A single wellington boot: Aldershot, Hampshire

● Christmas presents under the spare tyre: Hinckley, Leicestershire

● Child’s car seat: Imperial Retail Park, Bristol

● iPad: Imperial Retail Park, Bristol

● Bike: Imperial Retail Park, Bristol

● Champagne: Truro, Cornwall

● Floppy disc: Milton Keynes, Bucks

● A kebab: Folkstone, Kent

● A bible: Pontypridd, Wales

● A set of golf clubs: Andover, Hampshire

● Suitcase of fancy dress costumes: Andover, Hampshire.

Some of the items found in cars sold to webuyanycar

Symonds & Sampson

Merley House near Wimborne is the venue for Symonds & Sampson’s first property auction of 2023 to be held on 2nd March and with a diverse and impressive catalogue of property and land spanning an area from Bournemouth to Cornwall.

The benchmark is high following a 100% success rate at our December sale, but auctioneer Mark Lewis is confident. “The media might try to talk the market down, however the reality for many types of property and land is that demand is high. The lure of building or renovating your own home is as strong as ever, which bodes well for the many properties for renovation we have in the catalogue.

Woodland and agricultural land attract interest from local buyers, those looking for their piece of English Countryside, and investors.”

Of particular note is Wesper Farmhouse in Sturminster Newton. Built in 1947 and believed to be the first house built in the town after WWII, it’s now on the market for the first time in 96 years! The 3-bedroom house in 2.17 acres has wonderful views to Hambledon Hill to the rear and is a very exciting prospect for a buyer with imagination.

Similarly, a substantial detached Edwardian house in private grounds of 0.54 acres in Broadstone is a rare opportunity to modernise a wonderful character property.

Properties for modernisation in Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall are entered in the auction, which also contains a first for Symonds & Sampson, a barge. ‘La Perniche’ is a 40m steel vessel built in France in the 1930’s, which has seen service as a commercial barge, a river cruiser in Burgundy, and most recently as a restaurant berthed in Falmouth.

Head to our website to see all the lots entered, or call into your nearest Symonds & Sampson office to collect a copy of the catalogue, graced with a beautiful painting by Angie Rooke.

1 Merriefield Drive

La Perniche

Wesper Farmhouse

Land and Woodland at West Moors

Wiltshire fails to make new property prices hotspot list from Rightmove

WILTSHIRE does not make a list of property price hotspots for 2022 - though one area of Dorset does.

The list, from property website Rightmove, details the 10 areas that saw the largest increase in house prices in 2022, when compared to 2021.

The data compares average house prices across the UK.

Top of the list was Eastwood, in Nottinghamshire, which saw a 29 percent increase from 2021 to 2022.

The average price for a home in Eastwood was £231,381 in 2022, up from £179,194 in 2021.

New buyers in Eastwood with a 10% deposit face average monthly mortgage payments of £1,374, which drops to £1,115 per month for those that can afford to put down a 25% deposit.

Hulme in Greater Manchester is second on the list, where average asking prices rose by 26% from £188,454 to £238,249.

Meanwhile, Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, pictured, is third where asking prices rose by 22%.

The South East features the most price hotspots within the top 10, while the North East saw annual growth of 10.3% last year.

Overall, average asking prices were

5.6% higher across Great Britain at the end of 2022 than they were at the same time in 2021.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove property expert, said: “Property prices have risen exceptionally over the last three years.

“If we compare with December 2019, just before the pandemic started, the average asking price of a home in Great Britain has risen by a staggering 20%.

“To put that into context, asking prices rose just 3% in the previous three years, and we need to go all the way back to 2013 to see similar price growth.

“We expect average asking prices to drop by 2% next year now that the frenetic period for the market is over, and it is likely that some sellers, particularly those in locations and sectors of the market that have benefitted the most from pandemic price growth, may be willing to give up some of their gains in this calmer market in order to negotiate a successful sale.”

The full list, with the increase in average house prices, is:

1 Eastwood, Nottingham: +29%

2 Hulme, Greater Manchester: +26%

3 Sandbanks, Dorset: +22%

4 Heathfield, East Sussex: +21%

5 Chelston, Devon: +20%

6 St Peters, Kent: +20%

7 Cowes, Isle Of Wight: +20%

8 Little Lever, Manchester: +20%

9 Birchington, Kent: +19%

10 Deeping St James, Cambridgeshire: +19%

Boss says developer set for fewer new schemes in 2023

FEWER new developments have been approved and recruitment frozen at a UK housebuilder.

Developer Barratt says the moves are the result of a ‘marked slowdown’ in the

housing market over the past six months.

Following the ‘mini budget’ crash under former Prime Minister Liz Truss and her chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, Barratt boss David Thomas said

the market had been hit by “political and economic uncertainty”.

Rising mortgage rates, which made homes less affordable, were also affecting the market outlook, he added. “Political and

economic uncertainty impacted the first quarter, compounded by rapid and significant changes in mortgage rates which reduced affordability, buyer confidence and reservation activity through the second quarter,” he added.

‘Energy efficient homes do better’

HOUSEBUYERS are showing a greater interest in homes with high energy efficiency ratings, according to new data.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says energy efficient homes are outperforming other properties in the current housing market.

The RICS said six out of 10 estate agents say homes with high energy efficiency ratings are holding their value despite the overall market slowdown.

At the same time, 40% said they are seeing more interest from potential buyers in energy efficient homes.

And 41% said sellers are attaching a price premium to their home if it has a high energy efficiency rating.

Mairead Carroll, senior specialist in land and property standards at RICS, said: “It will be fascinating to see how

important energy efficiency becomes to buyers over the next 12 months.”

Property firm Zoopla said the survey reflected its findings that buyers are becoming more value-conscious due to higher mortgage rates, inflation and the cost-of-living squeeze.

And the growing appeal of energy efficient homes isn’t just because buyers want to save money on their bills, the firm added.

Banks and building societies are also factoring in energy costs when assessing whether people can afford a mortgage.

“If a lender thinks your budget is too tight to cope with further increases to energy

costs, they may only be prepared to lend you a lower amount,” a Zoopla property expert said. “First-time buyers and those on lower incomes are most likely to be impacted.

“On the other hand, if you can show lenders that your home has a high energy efficiency rating - and so it costs

less to run and heat - they’re less likely to be concerned about your impact to manage future gas and electricity price rises.”

Properties are given an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which rates their energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, pictured above.

Puzzle solutions (from pages 26-27)

Brain chain (hard)

Edition 9

Arrow words