Valley News December 2018 January 2019

E E FR December 2018 for Whitechurch, Whatcombe, Clenston, Stickland, Houghton, Turnworth & Milton Abbas

January 2019 Issue 142 Whitechurch’s War Memorial Picture by Gill Walker

Helping to inform and unite the Community

you can make your home a safer by removing clutter and other trip hazards.

Stay social - by maintaining an active social life, you will stave off depression, increase your self-awareness and prolong your independence.

If you would like to find out more about taking more exercise, finding out about local social opportunities, losing weight or reducing your alcohol consumption and smoking less, please contact your GP Surgery reception team who will be able to help you.

Opening hours over the festive period Mon 24th Dec: normal hours Tues 25th Dec: Closed Wed 26th Dec: Closed Thu 27th Dec: normal hours Fri 28th Dec: normal hours Mon 31st Dec: normal hours Tues 1st Jan: Closed Wed 2nd Jan: normal hours When the surgery is closed - Call 999 in an emergency - chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

- If you are unwell when the surgery is closed, contact NHS 111.

Calls to the NHS 111 service are free from both landlines and mobiles (although pay-as-you-go mobiles must have at least 1p credit). This service is for urgent medical situations-if you or a member of your family becomes ill and you are concerned. It is not for routine enquires.

Check your repeat medications Will you need a repeat prescription over the holiday period, especially if you're going way? Make sure you put in a repeat request in good time. . . . . and finally Make sure you have a good stock of over the counter medicines for those coughs, colds, tummy upsets and headaches!

Wishing you all a very Happy & Healthy Christmas and New Year!

Editorial Apologies to our readers that our November issue was a little later in the month than usual. Our printers - Purely Print of Blandford - had a problem with their printing machine, and spare parts had to be ordered from Germany. We should like to thank them for working so hard to get the magazine printed as quickly as they did after receiving the spares; their support meant we were able to get the magazines out before the end of the month. Our delivery team worked really well too; not just last month, but every month, and we thank them for their continuing support.

Rest assured - this magazine will be a Brexit-free one this month.

The process of discussion, debate and decision-making has been so tortuous - even torturous! - that we decided not make any reference to it. We're sure everyone who wants to follow the political process will be able to do so elsewhere without any difficulty‌ Remembrance Day commemorations last month were very moving, with special tributes paid as the world remembered the 'Great' War that ended 100 years ago. Would that the world had been able to fulfill the hope that this would be 'the war to end all wars'. (WWI was called the "war to end all wars" because there were people who felt that it would lead to the destruction of the sorts of governments and attitudes that caused war.) It is unlikely that such large scale commemorative events will be repeated for World War 1 as the War passes further back in time, but there was significant recognition that the events of this war and the second World War must continue to play an important part in the education of subsequent generations. Did you see the sand 'sculptures' on several of our beaches? It was such an amazing tribute to the fallen and attracted some large crowds, many of whom said that they had been very moved by the experience of watching them being created, and then being washed away by the tides.

Next month sees another 'themed' week - this time it's to be Village Halls Week, from January 22nd - 28th. It's a good opportunity to remind ourselves of the important role these institutions play in the life of our villages, all run by volunteers, and we thank all those who help keep them running for the benefit of the community.

Please remember that this is the last edition until February. All the Valley News team would like to extend their best wishes to everyone deliverers, advertisers, readers, contributors - for the festive season.

May your Christmas and New Year celebrations be really happy and enjoyable. Season's Greetings!

The Valley News Team

Dunbury Academy Marking the Centenary of Armistice Day Over the last few weeks the whole school have been learning about and commemorating the centenary of Armistice Day. Maple class made poppies with messages of thanks attached to the leaves which were then made into a beautiful wreath for the church. Beech class also designed and made their own poppies which they made into a colourful display at the base. At Whitechurch base the children made poppies for the church, as well as creative writing to reflect on remembrance, thankfulness and hopes for peace.

The children have amazed us with the depth of their thinking and the sensitivity they show in expressing themselves. The children and staff wish to show our deep gratitude for the sacrifices made on our behalf.

Milton Abbas Surgery Thank you to everyone who attended one of our flu clinics this year with a large proportion of our eligible patients attending. If you are eligible and have not yet had your flu vaccination but would like to, please contact the surgery.

Due to staff shortages, we will be closed on Saturday 1st December.

Also a reminder that over the festive period we will be closed on 25th and 26th December 2018 and 1st January 2019. We will be open as usual on other days.

With best wishes to you all for a happy Christmas and a healthy 2019.

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow, Peacefully below The sunset, a hot furnace in the sky Questioning the reason why, In Flanders Fields.

In Flanders Fields, the poppies grow, Under the clouds we shall go, In Flanders Fields.

In Flanders Fields, the soldiers that saved our lives, Are safe, in Flanders Fields.

Blandford Surgeries How can we keep the effects of aging at bay?

Sleep well - at least seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night.

Ask for advice if you think you may have a sleep disorder.

Watch what you eat - a plateful of colourful foods and a serving of lean protein with each meal.

Stay active - older adults should walk at least 30 minutes each day.

If walking is boring or difficult, other fun exercise options include line dancing and sports, or try a bike or treadmill. Keep your mind active by participating in hobbies you enjoy - anything from reading, to working puzzles to woodworking.

Drop the bad habits - alcohol and cigarettes have a major impact on health. Smoking can lead to lung and throat cancer. Stopping alcohol helps your liver remain healthy and you may lose weight and sleep better.

Avoid accidents - 33% of seniors experience falling injuries. Even if you're fully mobile, issues such as fainting from low blood pressure and misjudging a step can lead to injury. You can't avoid all accidents, but

In Flanders field where the poppies grow, In Flanders field that's where we go, To fight for peace, to fight for freedom, In Flanders field where the poppies grow.

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Bastardy Records, the leases, surveys, and maps. We still have a lot of wills to transcribe. All these records are in searchable spreadsheets so it is now easy to look up the name of a person who lived here and find out their stories. We are now putting all the information together to see what life was like in Milton Abbas when Lord Milton pulled down the Old Town and built the new cottages in the Street.

Our website is proving popular with more visitors than ever and offers of help in our research.

Our next meeting is on 5 December when Chris Fookes will be telling the story of the Fookes Brewery together with samples of Fookes Beer, which has been brought back to life using a recipe from his archive of the brewery. We will also have our traditional mulled wine and mince pies. We are expecting a full house so this meeting will be for members and invited guests only. A happy Christmas to our readers.

Streamwatch We receive a steady flow of feedback over the year about the river from well-wishers, the satisfied and unsatisfied. All work carried out is done by volunteers who all wish to do well in the interests of wildlife and flood prevention, and maintenance programmes are about striking a balance between these two factors. One reader, following the November article, commented that The Winterborne continued to flow throughout the summer almost to the end of Clenston for the first time in about 15 years.

Bere Regis Floral Group On Tuesday December 11th, floral group members will be gathering together at Athelhampton House for the group's Christmas lunch. The first meeting of the new year will be the AGM on Tuesday January 8th at 2pm in Winterborne Kingston village hall. The meeting will be followed by tea and cakes.

Artsreach kickstarts Christmas with song & comedy Bringing bucketloads of Christmas spirit to the Pamela Hambro Hall, and touring for its tenth consecutive year, is Near-Ta Theatre's cult festive comedy, "Christmas Time".

Charlie and Toby are feeling low - and why wouldn't they? It's Christmas Day, and they're serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure. But why shouldn't they be having a merry Christmas, in spite of their incarceration? What's stopping them creating Christmas around them?

Absolutely nothing! And off they set on their festival of carols, Claus, Christ and custody....

Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomimes, musicals, Christmas dinner and Christmas films! See how they build a wonderfully Merry Christmas around them, with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in this truly festive show that puts the "cell" firmly back in "celebration"!

A show for all the family (recommended 10 and over) - see advert in this issue for full details.

Graeme Gale

Evidence of water shrews and voles remain with us and further reports of Water Voles have been shared along three or four sections of Water Lane this year.

Although still remarkably warm throughout October and November, our winter birdlife is slowly returning. Grey Wagtail are often seen flying ahead of walkers with their high pitched call, long slender tails and flashes of yellow underwing (males with yellow breast and females with yellow rump). The Grey Wagtail is included on the RSPB Red List of birds that are noted as globally threatened and, as a species, have been in decline over the past 25 years.

Another species featured on the birds in decline list is the Yellowhammer. These were frequently seen some five years ago particularly around the lower ford area and we would be grateful for any reports of Yellowhammers in the Valley.

Sightings of the kingfisher never fail to delight and several people remark upon how wonderful and uplifting watching this spectacle can be. This bird is on the Amber list of concerns about declining numbers so it is a great pleasure to host kingfishers once again.

The Goldcrests are back. They have a call similar to that of Grey Wagtail but as one would expect, much higher in pitch. Finally a sighting of a female Stonechat has been recorded - look out on both sides of the river for perching birds sitting on fences occasionally flying to the ground below and then returning to the fence.

Thank you for all your comments and continued interest in the river, and especially to all our volunteers. We wish you the compliments of the season and many enjoyable walks along Water Lane.

Book Review Don't try this at home, by Angela Readman Readman tells her short stories with a rushing, confiding voice and a sharp eye for singular detail. Her quirky tales are rooted in the domestic lives and unspoken suffering of ordinary people, though sometimes they shout 'imaginative artist' at you - like the opening piece about a woman who keeps cutting her boyfriend in half, creating duplicates which come alive and make life complicated.

Many of the stories give a poignant sense of a more unusual life that might have been - or which just might happen in the future. The author uses her striking creativity to suffuse her main characters with great dignity. Her writing is engaging, with pithy descriptions of women who breeze through, such as a girl's mum's half-sister: 'Her pale hands fluttered over her black dress with white ribbon on the trim. The inside of her purse winked at me, a glint of satin, pink as a kitten's mouth.'

Readman won the Costa Short Story award with 'The Keeper of the Jackalopes', and was runner-up previously with 'Don't Try This at Home', both of which feature in this collection. However, I found 'There's a Woman Works Down the Chip Shop' more memorable. Typically, the narrator is an innocent young girl. She watches her mum turn into a kind of Elvis impersonator when she strikes up a friendship with a funny woman and they become close. Mum's friend goes away when people say nasty things, and mum goes quiet. The reader fills in the gaps.

The back cover blurb compares Readman to Angela Carter (magical realist author of 'The Bloody Chamber') and David Lynch (director of 'Twin Peaks' and 'Mulholland Drive'). But this seems off the mark to me.

Yes, she has an uninhibited and sometimes dark imagination, but, in the best of her stories, Readman's people are more real and vulnerable than the surreal but cardboard figures around whom Carter or Lynch weave their mythic inventions.

Mark Hudson

Stickland River Management Group

Milton Abbas Local History Group A brilliant record attendance of 37 people at our meeting on 7 November, so it was quite packed in the Reading Rooms! Apologies if the refreshments seemed like a rugby scrum. There were a number of visitors from Milton Abbey School including some from the Association who had come along to hear about the founder of the School in 1953, the Rev Francis Brown. Also some memories from an early pupil of what life was like at the new school. One particularly vivid picture was of breaking the ice in the wash basin with a shoe before being able to clean one's teeth in the morning. This presentation was given by Martin Lockwood who has spent some years researching Rev Francis Brown.

We have been very busy this month as we now have eight transcribers around the world - two from the USA, one from Canada and the rest from England. Fantastic progress is being made on transcribing 18th century documents from Milton Abbas. We have now completed the Overseers of the Poor Account Books, the Churchwardens Account Books, the Settlement Examinations, the 4

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Pamela Hambro Hall 100 club November 1st 193 Jane Robbins 2nd 153 Sue Eggar 3rd 161 Karen Evans

What’s Cooking?

December 1st 171 Mr Westby 2nd 141 Jilly Spencer 3rd 144 Mrs A Martin

Christmas is around the corner, I always try and remember it is only a few days and really is just a roast dinner with extras. Planning ahead is crucial so that the cook can enjoy the days as well as everyone else, and also so that nothing gets forgotten.

It is also the time of year for comforting food: casseroles, baked jacket potatoes, fruit crumbles, warming dishes and easy dishes.

Casseroles benefit from being made ahead of time which allows the flavours to develop, it is also a good idea to cook a large quantity and freeze portions for those days when you don't have much time. Game is becoming increasingly more available and game casserole flavoured with juniper and cinnamon is delicious with potatoes or with pasta, being low in fat it is also good for us. Farmed venison is more tender than the wild venison and is very versatile. Venison sausages cooked with puy lentils makes a delicious sustaining supper dish served with mashed potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes. For the puy lentils sauté some finely sliced onion and a couple of cloves, finely diced garlic until soft, add the lentils and some stock, bring to the boil and then turn down the heat and simmer until cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper. Thyme is the perfect herb to add to the lentils while cooking, rosemary works equally well, it's your preference.

Sweet recipes that can either be a cake or a pudding are always useful. The following recipe for plum cake is one such recipe. Although it is a plum cake use any fruit you have available, last time I made it I used pears and it was just as delicious. Pre heat the oven to 180C, Gas 4. Butter and paper a baking tray or pie dish measuring 28cm x 20cm.

Ingredients: 180g butter, 160g sugar, 4 eggs, ½ tsp vanilla essence, 100g plain flour, 125g self-raising flour, pinch salt, 10 small plums, 1 tbsp icing sugar.

Cream butter and sugar together until pale. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla essence, sift the flour together with the salt, add spices, such as mixed spice, cardamom and sprinkle top with cinnamon.

Then beat the flour into the batter until well mixed. Spoon the batter into the baking tray or pie dish.

Cut the plums or other fruit around their circumference, twist apart and remove the stone. Arrange the fruit cut side down in neat rows on top of the batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until a thin skewer comes out clean.

Serve warm as a pudding with ice cream, custard cream or cold as a cake. It is delicious. It does need some spices to lift the sponge, use your favourites, the original does not have any but I have changed the recipe to enhance the flavour of the fruit. In the summer apricots and peaches also work well.

In the New Year the Seville orange makes an appearance. Apart from making marmalade, it is worth putting some in the freezer as the juice works well in savoury dishes adding that bite to casseroles and just lifting the flavours, in a similar way that chocolate works so well with meat. Unlike chocolate which is always available Sevilles vanish very quickly. If you eat oranges it is worth saving and drying some of the peel, a zester or potato peeler work well. Orange zest is delicious in casseroles and lifts a basic chicken casserole to another level. An orange cut in half and put inside a chicken before you roast it adds moisture and flavours the bird and the gravy. Winter has always been the time of year when our food was spiced and flavoured to help with preservation and also to enhance an old dry piece of meat. Aren't we lucky we have freezers and accessible food.

This is the time of the year when I can put my 'pen' down for a couple of months and put my feet up, I wish you all an unstressful December and a happy and healthy New Year.

Claire Scott

Thank you Norman and I would like to thank everyone for all the help and support given to us in these last few weeks. Thank you to all of Tim's friends from Leeds and Belfast, to his school friends and village friends and all who shared so many parts of his life. Joan and Norman Wellstead

Update from Corfe Mullen We are all well here – (that is Des and myself, the three dogs and Skye the horse!)

I sincerely hope that none of us have the deep snow we had earlier this year – that was a worry, as my horse hasn’t got any shelter at all in his present field, and I had to rely on him having an extra thick horse rug and plenty of hay to keep him warm. The three dogs, being Pomeranians, with very thick woolly coats didn’t worry about the cold and snow, but they suffered in the extreme heat of this summer. Our new ceramic tile floor in the kitchen was useful – they spent all day lying on its cool surface!

I’ve managed to keep our lovely small garden well stocked and looking good this year, despite the heat of the summer. I never managed to keep on top of things at Hillcrest!

We’ve had a constant stream of visitors this year and as we have a lovely secluded garden with a patio, it’s been fun entertaining friends.

I miss the peaceful countryside of Winterborne Stickland and wish I could ride through Charity Woods and Clenston Manor farm – I have so many lovely memories.

It’s a different way of life here, but we have a tranquil garden, and the walks we’ve found when out with the dogs are also peaceful, so all is not lost!

May we take the opportunity of wishing you all a very happy Christmas, and a healthy New Year!

Heather Sims

Lily May An Artist who is named Lily May, With palette and paintbrush one day Painted a scene, of red, gold, and green, which the fairies then took on their way.

They added some grasses and trees.

Riffled by the lightest of breeze.

Then, just for good measure, they popped in a treasure, Their own little fairy Louise.

They placed a young fawn by her side, and a unicorn for her to ride.

Two silver rings, painted onto her wings, which she opened, and fluttered with pride.

Bright flowers were placed at her feet, and mushrooms and berries to eat.

Along a silvery trail, stands a knight dressed in mail.

Are the knight and the fairy to meet?

The picture is returned to Ms May. To complete in her own special way.

For only she knows, if a romance will grow, twixt the fairy and knight on this day.

Down the Garden Path As the end of the year approaches and we plan for the next season it is a good time to take stock of how this year went, our successes and failures, the magic accidents of nature and those unexpected things that happen every year.

It has definitely been a year of extremes, winter in March, the rainy season in April and then a heat wave and drought. The crop of figs has been wonderful…… (continued on page 14)

Jackie Grearson

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The Winterborne Valley & Milton Abbas Benefice completed? What have we accomplished in this present voyage around the sun? What have we contributed to the life of the planet?

As we travel through Advent we can begin to think about the birthday that Christmas is all about. Since the birthday of Jesus the world has voyaged around the sun two thousand and something times and we still talk about him. Whether we believe in him as the Son of God, or as a historical figure, the impact that he has made on the world is immeasurable. At a personal level, he still changes the lives of individuals.

As we revisit the Christmas story each year, we are reminded that if we place God's Son at the centre of our world, the journey can be so much richer! As the lives of both the shepherds and the kings were changed that first Christmas when they centred their lives on the babe in a manger, so will our lives be changed when we do that!

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Alan

Dear Reader, Since writing for the November addition of the Valley News, Harriet and I have made an unexpected short trip to Australia to meet our latest grandchild. She has been named: Coco Summer and is sister to Dylan Thunder.

On our return, we had the delights of our English grandson Eric's first birthday. His Dad wrote, "Congratulations on successfully completing your first voyage around the sun." For me, that was a new and different way of thinking about a birthday. It certainly helps me to think about life as a journey, as well as trying to adjust to what it means to be a grandparent. Thinking of my own grandfather (and I only knew one), he always seemed very old!

Moving from the season of remembering into the season of Advent and on into Christmas, it is perhaps a good time to be thinking about our life's journey. How many voyages around the sun have we

FROM THE REGISTERS

FUNERALS

Tim Wellstead Anne Sibley Blease Sonia Honeywood Edie Rose Sanders

BAPTISM

DECEMBER Clenston Houghton

2nd December 9th December 1st Advent 2nd Advent Purple Purple 1000 Advent carols JHB/PC 1800 HC AR 1800 EP (BCP) AR

Milton Abbas

1000 MW IB/WB

Stickland

1600 Christingle AR/HR

Turnworth

Old Testament Psalm Epistle Gospel

16th December 3rd Advent Purple

23th December 4th Advent Purple

17th 1800 Carol Service AR 1800 Abbey Carol Service 1000 HC AR

Call to Wisdom

Prepare the way of the Lord Jeremiah 33:14-16 Malachi 3: 1-4 Psalm 25: 1-10 1 Thess 3: 9-13 Luke 21: 25-36

Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3: 8-15a Luke 3: 1-6

24th December Christmas Eve Purple White for WW

1000 HC AR

1800 HC St C’s AR

1000 MW JHB/PC

1600 Candle Lit Service ?

25th December Christmas Day White 0930 HC AR

30th December Christmas 1 White

1100 MW SL

1100 HC AR 1600 Carol Service 2330 HC AR DA/PC Rejoice in God our The quiet drama of Saviour God Micah 5: 2-5a 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 Psalm 80: 1-7 Psalm 89: 2, 19-27 Philippians 4: 4-7 Acts 13: 16-26 Luke 1: 39-45 Luke 1: 67-79

Call to action Zeph 3: 14-20 Isaiah 12: 2-6 Philippians 4: 4-7 Luke 3: 7-18

JANUARY

6th January Epiphany White

13th January Baptism of Jesus White

Clenston Houghton Milton Abbas Stickland Turnworth Whitechurch Theme Old Testament Psalm Epistle Gospel

1000 HC 1800 HC 1000 MW 0830 (BCP) sHC

1800 EP (BCP) 0830 HC BCP

Breaking the boundaries Isaiah 60: 1-6 Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14 Acts 19: 1-7 Matthew 2: 1-12

at St Mary's, Winterborne Stickland at St James, Milton Abbas at St Mary's, Winterborne Whitechurch at St Nicholas, Winterborne Clenston

1000 HC Benefice service JHB/AR

1000 Carol Service ?

1000 HC AR

Whitechurch Theme

0830 HC BCP AR

on 25th October on 5th November on 12th November on 4th November

1000 MW 1000 HC Surprising voices Isaiah 43: 1-7 Psalm 29 1 Cor 6: 12-20 Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

Spot light on the manger Isaiah 9: 2-7

Why are you searching for me?

1 Sam 2: 18-20, 26

Psalm 96 Titus 2: 11-14 Luke 2:1-14

Psalm 148 Col 3: 12-17 Luke 2: 41-52

20th January Epiphany 2 White

27th January Epiphany 3 White

1800 EP 1000 HC

1000 HC 1000 MW 1800 HC 0830 (BCP) sHC One body, many parts Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Cor 8: 1-13 Luke 4: 14-21

1000 MW One spirit, many gifts Isaiah 62: 1-5 Psalm 36: 5-10 1 Cor 7: 29-31 John 2:1-11

SERVICES KEY: BCP 1662 Book of Common Prayer Traditional EP Evening Prayer HC Holy Communion (Eucharist) SHC Service without hymns or music MW Morning Worship, informal service for all, with old & new hymns & songs, without HC MP Morning Prayer Rev'd Alan Ryan - AR • 01258 880482 • winterbornevalleyandmiltonbenefice.com Rev'd Sue Litchfield SL; Rev'd Jimmy Hamilton-Brown JHB; Rev’d Tina Sterling TS; Rev'd Helier Exon HE; Rev’d Jo Davis JD Debbie Albery DA; Harriet Ryan HR; Jenny Tory JT; Ian Bromilow IB; Wilma Bromilow WB; Piers Chichester PC

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G P Lewis

D.YOUNG GENERAL BUILDER & MAINTENANCE

Interior/Exterior Painter & Decorator

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All aspects of painting and decorating undertaken including Domestic, New builds, Refurbs and Commercial.

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Events COFFEE MORNING & CHARITY SHOP Mondays, 10.30am-12.00, St. Mary’s Church, Stickland WHITECHURCH YOUTH CLUB (7-14 year olds welcome) Mondays, 6.30pm, Whitechurch Village Hall COFFEE STOP Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.00, St James, Milton Abbas CUP & CAKE Wednesdays, 10.30-12.00, Old School Room, Whitechurch ROUND ROBIN RAMBLERS SUN 2nd DEC 1.30pm Buckland Newton 4½m, Meet near the Buckland Newton Church.

SUN 6th JAN 1:30pm Gussage All Saints 4½m, Meet near Gussage All Saints Church Info: Ian Bromilow 880044 FRI 7th DEC Milborne Movies presents 'THE GREATEST SHOWMAN' (PG) 7.30pm, Milborne St Andrew Village Hall Bar open 7pm. Tickets £3.50 THU 13th DEC CANTAMUS CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT 7.30pm, Milton Abbey Tickets Adults £10, Under 18s £5.

Proceeds to the Milton Abbey Heritage Charitable Trust FRI 14th DEC VALLEY MUSICAL EVENING 7.30pm Please phone 880548 for details FRI 14th DEC BINGO 7.30pm, Whitechurch Village Hall Raffle, Refreshments. In aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance FIRST BINGO OF 2019: FRIDAY 18th JANUARY

news@valley-news.co.uk

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Polly 'Bs' Local lady doing: Holistic Treatments, Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Ear Candling.

Also Beauty Treatments Facials, Waxing, Eyebrow/Lash tinting.

Manicure and Pedicure Nail cutting and Hard Skin Removal.

Appointments available during the day and evenings.

Some treatments can be done in your home.

Ring Pauline on 01258 880084 / 07760 303332 Gift Vouchers available.

COPIES AVAILABLE FROM • • • • • • • •

Winterborne Whitechurch Church East Farm Shop, Winterborne Whitechurch Milton Abbas Post Office Pamela Hambro Hall, Winterborne Stickland Winterborne Stickland Church The Crown, Winterborne Stickland Blandford Tourist Information Centre Hall & Woodhouse Visitors Centre, Blandford St Mary

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Jasmine Cars 07495 922821 Comfortable, Spacious Estate Car Experienced Lady Driver Local, Hospitals, Airports, Seaports Any Distance Pre-Booked only Just Ask For A Quote

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The Winterborne Stickland Solar Fund Committee would like to remind residents of Winterborne Stickland that funding is available for community projects.

Applications for funding should be emailed to sticklandsolarfund@yahoo.com Decisions are made every 2 months.

The basic criteria is that ideas should have benefit to the community. A committee of volunteers select successful projects.

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and I have continued to pick ripe figs through November, a delicious addition to any breakfast especially so late in the season. The outdoor tomatoes were even better than the greenhouse ones and again continued ripening through November and quite delicious. The medlar crop was fantastic. I found an old recipe book of my mother's from 1947 which advises leaving the fruit on the tree until after the first frost which will soften them. So much easier than picking and leaving in a dark place to blet. Last time I did that I forgot all about them until the spring! I now have to make the jelly.

I have been very late planting bulbs but as it has been so mild, I am hoping that they will still put on a fine show next year. Tulips like a late planting but daffodils need time to get their roots down. The dry summer caused lots of problems for the bulb growers who suffered with smaller bulbs and a smaller crop, which meant that some garden centres sold out very early. I am planting some up in pots which I can then put into gaps in the garden in the spring. The onion crops also minded not having sufficient rain and being too hot. My onions were pathetic this year as were my garlic, again not enough water.

I have written before about water harvesting and growing drought tolerant plants; every time I have done that, we have had a very wet following summer. Water butts are so essential, even when there isn't a drought. Plants do not like all the chemicals that we put in our drinking water, they much prefer rain water to thrive. Feeding plants, especially when in pots, is so important but also the soil in our borders gets depleted of nutrients with heavy rain which leaches out those necessary nutrients. Mulching helps to keep moisture in and prevent leaching but feeding with well-rotted manure is best left until the spring so that the rain does not remove the goodness.

Once all the leaves have fallen and been gathered up to make leaf mould, it is time to start the winter pruning. Do not prune plums in the winter. The wound makes them susceptible to fungal attack, that needs to be done once the fruit has set. Apples and pears need winter pruning in addition to summer pruning, to maintain their shape, removing any dead branches and making sure that the air can circulate through the branches.

Shrubs and hedges also benefit from a winter prune to encourage

vigorous young growth. It is a good idea to cut to the ground one third of a shrub every year, once it is established. Look for the old wood and reduce those stems, this will enable the young growth to mature and let in more light to encourage new strong growth.

Indoor flowering bulbs are a joy in the winter for their perfume and colour. If you are given a pot of hyacinths leave them in the cool until they have grown tall, if you put them in the warmth immediately the flowers will be short and disappointing. Indoor plants have come back into favour and there are an increasing number available to buy, apart from the supermarket orchid. Violets are perfect being small and also like a north facing windowsill which is a difficult place for flowering plants. The general rule is that they do not like draughts or to be overwatered, but it is possible to resuscitate a plant which has been ignored and been dry but a waterlogged plant will have no roots, which will have rotted. It may be possible to take a cutting but usually it is a case of compost and a replacement.

I was given a Strelitzia reginae, also known as a bird of paradise flower or crane flowers, which is one of the most beautiful of all exotic flowers; it is not difficult to grow, it likes rich soil and sun. Keep feeding it every time you water it and you will be rewarded with the beautiful flowers that look like a bird of paradise on the wing. It does get quite big with age; root pruning helps to reduce its size but it is not a windowsill plant. Hibiscus are a gorgeous flower in a wide range of colours. They can be put out in the garden for the summer and flower for months, feed well, and bring in before the first frost. They like a sunny spot and will reward you with glorious flowers. Plants are very sensitive to light quality, it is the reduced light which tells them winter is coming and the increased light quality that tells them spring is on its way. If you put an indoor plant in a place in your house and it looks unhappy, move it. The plant will reward you once it has found the conditions that it likes and it will tell you when they are happy.

I have to put my pen away until February. It just leaves me to wish you a happy productive couple of months with lots of pleasure planning your garden for next year, ordering your seeds and bare root trees and roses and sitting with your feet up in the dark evenings enjoying a well-earned rest.

Claire Scott

(Continued from page 6)

Rainbow east of Winterborne Clenston Mark Hudson

14

A&P SKIP HIRE MINI AND MIDI (2 AND 4 Yard) SKIPS CLEARANCES SCRAP METAL COLLECTED FREE LICENSED WASTE CARRIER T. 01258 456381 M. 07597 642341 LAST MONTH’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS CRYPTIC Across 1. Dilemma: herb = dill; line = l; Austen novel = Emma 4. Crybaby: shout = cry; extremes of brutality = by; sailor = AB 8. Spiderweb: anagram of brew spied 12. Elder 13. Nose: backward offspring = nos; drug = E 15. Husky 16. Scar: contained within molusc area (4) 20. Torchbearer: anagram of broth and career 23. Owns: posh dresses = gowns 24. Witch: with; a hundred = c 25. Etna: bet = ante 30. Genoa 31. Narcissus: contained within narc is suspect 33. Retinue: receiver of images = retina 34. Jackdaw: knave = jack; daw as in Margery Daw Down 1. Dashing 2. Lair: storyteller = liar 3. Mar: contained within dream arrangement 5. Yeild 6. Aide 7. Yardarm: anagram of drama plus ry from rye 9. End 10. Wrought iron: worked = wrought; press = iron 11. Backbencher: support = back; seat = bench; queen = er 14. Satin 17. Carat 18. Pry 19. Err 21. Younger: anagram of one guy r 22. Bandsaw 26. Brawn: outskirts of Brighton = bn; uncooked = raw 27. Koi: contained within musk oil 28. Unit 29. Used 32. Cha: part of cha cha, or cha cha cha EASY Across 1. Arbiter 4. Kipper 8. Alexander 12. Suede 13. Noun 15. Acrid 16. Dour 20. Indentation 23. Soya 24. Laity 25. Crop 30. Ovoid 31. Scentless 33. Exactly 34. Odourous Down 1. Abalone 2. Blew 3. Eon 5. Pasty 6. Epee 7. Scenery 9. Ash 10. Descendants 11. Radioactive 14. Unify 17. Owner 18. Ado 19. Kid 21. Isotope 22. Spouses 26. Cadet 27. Tat 28. Goya 29. Hero 32. Nod

15

16

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17

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Misty morning view from Bulbarrow Lynne Rainford

Valley Organisations & Contacts Abbey Swimming Club Milton Abbey Swimming Pool. Tue 1830-2030, Fri 1930-2030, Sat 1000-1200, Sun 8am-9am, Lynn 881443, Pat 880601, Stephen 881524, abbeyswimmingclub@gmail.com Aquacise and lane swimming for fitness Exercise in the water - safe and fun for all ages. Ladies and gentlemen welcome Fridays 6.30pm Maria 880895 secretary@masportsclub.org.uk Bere Regis Floral Group 2nd Tue each month, 2pm, Kingston Village Hall, Diane Edmunds 01929 472 331 British Horse Society (Dorset) County Bridleway Officer • 01258 880318 carolshoopman@btinternet.com Bus2Go Margo www.bus2godorset.org 01258 837749 / 07917 298321 Dunbury Church of England Academy www.dunbury.dsat.org.uk • 880501 Extend Exercise (to music for 60s+) Fri 10am-11am, PHH, Jilly Spencer 07971 755715 Golf Club Milton Abbey School, Laura Haim 881872 Jan’s Fun Art & Craft Classes 07836 639514 janodesigns@yahoo.co.uk Ladies Keep Fit Wed 7.30pm WVH. Mary Fripp 880416 Milborne St. Andrew Village Hall Events Alice Harrall 01258 837371 msavillagehall@gmail.com Milton Abbas 2001 Women’s Group Pauline Northeast 880223 Milton Abbas Art Group Mon 7pm-9pm, RRMA, Elizabeth Walker elizziewalker@yahoo.co.uk Milton Abbas Local History Group 1st Wed each month, 7pm RRMA Bryan or Pamela Phillips 880385 VENUE KEY OSR Old School Room, Whitechurch PHH Pamela Hambro Hall, Stickland RMA Reading Rooms, Milton Abbas WVH Whitechurch Village Hall

Milton Abbas Neighbourcar For your medical transport needs, 01258 470333 Milton Abbas Riding For The Disabled Friday 10am-12noon Term time, Luccombe Riding Centre, Sue Hodder 880229 Milton Abbas Sports Club Andy Smith 880310 The Middleton Players Mike Roberts 880976 Pamela Hambro Hall 880969 • pamelahambrohall.wix.com/home Patient Voice (the Patient Reference Group for Milton Abbas & Milborne St Andrew Surgery), Sec. Nigel Hodder 880229 Pilates 1 hr classes: Mon 10am; Tue 6.45pm; Wed 10am; Thu 12.00; PHH, Jilly Spencer 07971 755715 POPP Wayfinders for The Winterbornes Sue Inman 07920 650608 Sue.Inman@helpandcare.org.uk Richard Hewitt 07971 338129 Richard.Hewitt@helpandcare.org.uk Round Robin Ramblers Normally 1st Sun & 3rd Wed each month Ian Bromilow 880044 River Stickland Management Group Richard Marchant 881716 (Secretary) r.marchant@btinternet.com Short Mat Bowls Mon 1.00pm PHH Francis Dennett 880129 The Spanish Society Susana 01258 721261 / 07766 069836 Sticklebacks Parent & Toddler Group Tue (Term Time) 10am-12pm, PHH Cheryl 07795687151 cheryl_s84@hotmail.com

To add or update a listing on this page please email news@valley-news.co.uk 19

Swimming Lessons Juniors and adults. Beginners and improvers.

Maria 880895 or Richard 837402 Table Tennis for Adults Tue 2pm-4pm & Fri 7pm-9pm, PHH Graham Case 880740 Tennis Club Winterborne Sports Club, Stickland Jerry Kelsey 07665 777451 Valley Ringers John Close (Tower Capt, WW) 880457 Ann Fox (Tower Capt, WS) 881156 Valley Computer Club Richard D’Silva 880118 Valley Gardening Club sites.google.com/site/vgcdorset Valley Players 881415, www.valleyplayers.co.uk Whist Drive 3rd Wed of month, 7pm, RRMA. Entry £1 W. Stickland Sports & Community Club Vaughan Manners 880969 • wssc.club Whitechurch Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Tue, Beavers, Dunbury School Gym Girls & Boys 6-8 years Fri, Cubs 6.30-8.15pm, Dunbury School Gym Girls & Boys 7½-11 years Fri, Scouts, 6.30-8.30pm, WVH Girls & Boys 10½-14 years. Leader: Skip, winterbornewhitechurchscouts@gmail.com Secretary: Anna 880363 anna@annaway.plus.com Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall See Text Ads Yoga Thu 9.30-10.30am, PHH, Louise Hull 860381 Zumba WVH, Various classes, AM & PM, Tue & Thu Tracy 07971 636437 Parish Council Websites winterbornestickland.org.uk winterbornehoughton.org.uk miltonabbaspc.org.uk. winterbornewhitechurchparishcouncil.org.uk

Thanks again to Nick Donnelly for compiling our Valley News Crossword.

There are two sets of clues, Cryptic and Easy, but remember, you cannot mix the clues as the cryptic answers are different to the easy ones.

Answers will be given in the next edition.

CRYPTIC

EASY

Across 1. French friend held by clever relatives (6) 4. This teatime treat holds a hundred and the Christmas candle (6) 8. Tea is almost heavenly, have a glass with the turkey? (7) 10. Information loses head after humbug sung piece (7) 13. Stellar performance of traitors held by Capone (6) 15. After Capone, to do with the mail (6) 17. Puncture American Dad! (3) 19. Fellow feeling when EU wrestles with English robins? (15) 21. Score as doorway loses small width (3) 22. They raise the roof but lose their head for dessert (6) 25. Entrance to antipodes? Example of 22 (6) 26. Levelling misfiring engine around five (7) 28. Drink and its agitator (7) 29. Date, for example, holding small songs (6) 30. History, boring without start, maybe Danish (6) Down 2. Mad Marti ate the biscuit (8) 3. Most eyes are agreeable (3) 4. Diocese chalice held wine like this? (3) 5. Irish county leading titanium minus iodine equals red (6) 6. Known people, maybe Milan team; whimsical tangos with no leader (13) 7. Five hundred after container, the French endure around pole, it kills the flame (13) 9. Sounds like a lazy pop star (4) 11. On a backwards vessel (4) 12. Enjoying preserving, keeping what belongs to us (9) 14. Biblical tribe once engaged to a Beatle (5) 16. Board game? Yes, yes! (5) 17. Curiously choose to down a red (3) 18. Nose is nimble, missing Sweden (3) 20. North east blow confused miser (8) 23. Diminishes flaky repast (6) 24. Witness symptom (4) 25. Prostrate after good flush (4) 27. Talk about reverse droop! (3) 28. Taste of his kipper, oddly (3)

Across 1. Brawl (6) 4. Semi-precious stone (6) 8. Woodwind players (7) 10. In a vertical direction (7) 13. Had an irritation (6) 15. Spicy rhizome (6) 17. Insect (3) 19. Not very impressive (15) 21. Request (3) 22. Gauguin's island (6) 25. Celestial messengers (6) 26. Capable of being heard (7) 28. Pocket (slang) (7) 29. Plant protector (6) 30. Sentries (6) Down 2. Paper size (8) 3. Affirmative (3) 4. A member of the antelope family (3) 5. Insect with pincers (6) 6. Concerning the science of growing things (13) 7. A type of florists greenery (9,4) 9. Amphibian (4) 11. Sudden emotional feeling (4) 12. Essential (9) 14. Choose (5) 16. Playwright (5) 17. Snake (3) 18. English or Scottish river (3) 20. Listed (8) 23. Composer (6) 24. Poem, about pastoral charm (4) 25. Tree (4) 27. Hole in a needle (3) 28. Strong boat (3)

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