Issue 186 The Final Edition
Editorial
As we publish our final edition and end with a traditional message, we wanted to show our appreciation for those kind people who have taken the trouble to thank us for producing the magazine. We have enjoyed what we have done, and it has been rewarding to know that many feel we have contributed in some small way to encouraging a supportive and engaged community. We sincerely hope that this will continue as this is a special community and a wonderful place to live.
We send our very best wishes for a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year. The Valley News Team
All Good Things Come to an End
I think it was sometime in 2007 when Dave Heath who was the landlord at the Crown asked me if I had time to join the Valley News team and take over the job of finding advertisers for the magazine. I agreed and so began a job that lasted 13 years until I retired last year and handed my job over to my good friend Carolyn. It was a very rewarding experience to contribute to the running of our local magazine. Best of all was to be part of the brilliant team who have voluntarily designed, edited, produced, written articles and even compiled crosswords every month. Advertisers were found, money collected, accounts kept and printing costs paid for. Quite often we managed to make enough profit to donate money to local organisations. The many people who have supported us by delivering the VN to over 1000 homes in the Valley have played a vital role and this would not have happened without excellent coordination and management by Sue and Angela.
Graham has been our constant, efficient and considerate leader throughout the years. Mark has single-handedly produced the magazine every month which is an amazing achievement - especially as he is the only person on the team with a full time job! Jan has kept immaculate records of the finances for us. And I should also mention those who left the team previously, especially Valerie who was a tireless and enthusiastic supporter and team member, John who was a previous treasurer, and Claire and John Scott whose articles informed and entertained us. We have also been well supported by Purely Print, enjoying a close and helpful partnership approach.
It is time for the magazine to end in its current form after 186 editions and I hope that the ‘gap’ that has been left will be filled by people with new ideas and ways to ‘inform and unite the community’.
Well done team!
Anne Donnellyrecent flu and Covid clinics. We would also like to make a special mention of Nigel Hodder, Andrew Cheeseman and David Norman who also helped with car parking. You were all invaluable! Finally we would like to say a thank you to all the staff who gave up their weekends and days off to help run the clinics.
Flu Vaccinations
If you are eligible for a flu vaccination and have not yet had one, it’s not too late - please call the surgery on 01258 880210 to book in for one.
Christmas Survival 2022
Christmas is an exciting time for many but there may be some of us who are struggling with financial concerns or loneliness.
Please don’t skip meals to pay bills. Families or individuals can be referred to local food banks (Blandford or Dorchester) by Kelly, our Social Prescriber. Please call the surgery or send an email to miltonabbassurgery@nhs.net for her attention, and she will help in any way she can. There are also community fridges in Blandford and Dorchester, and you can just pop along to those.
Anyone who is going to be on their own on Christmas Day and looking for something fun to do is invited to join a quiet but jolly get together at the Parish Centre in Blandford between 11am and 2pm. All the food and drink has been kindly donated by the community. For further information please contact Justine on 07494 141752.
If you need support over the Christmas or New Year Holidays, there are people ready and waiting to take your call:
Samaritans 116 123
Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24/7)
Connection 0800 652 0190 (24/7 Helpline)
Childline 0800 1111
Cruse Bereavement 0808 808 1677
The Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90 (for anyone aged 55yrs+)
Around the World Challenge Update Back in October, Milton Abbas Surgery took part in a challenge of epic proportions! To encourage staff to be more active, the Mid Dorset Primary Care Network challenged all nine practices to an Around the World event– each practice was to see how far around the world they could travel by walking, running, or cycling. If you haven’t already seen the update on our surgery page, we would like to tell you that we came… first with a distance of 3403.9km!! Poundbury Surgery came a close second with 3396.7km.
As a whole Practice Care Network we travelled a massive distance of 14,023.20km around the world (35% of the way) taking us to Bogia in Papua New Guinea, or Croker Island off the coast of Australia, or Antarctica - depending on whether you fancy it hot or cold! Well done to all who took part!
Thank you Graham
There's one person who's never been properly thanked, who's been with the Valley News team even before it was formed!
Graham Case was one of those responsible for the re-introduction of the magazine back in 2006.
Since then, Graham has been our 'leader', supporting the rest of the team and driving the magazine forward over the last 16 years.
Every month, he has written the editorial, proofread the magazine before it was sent to the printers and chaired our team meetings.
Graham has helped us resolve the small number of issues that have occurred and has been happy to deal with them.
From all of the Valley News team past and present, thank you Graham for support, leadership and friendship.
Mark Steele on behalf of the VN Team.
Milton Abbas Surgery
Christmas & New Year Opening Times
Fri 23rd Dec: Open as usual Sat 24th Dec: Open as usual
Mon 26th Dec: CLOSED Tue 27th Dec: CLOSED
Wed 28th Dec: Open as usual Thu 29th Dec: Open as usual
Fri 30th Dec: Open as usual Sat 31st Dec: Open as usual
Mon 2nd Jan: CLOSED Tue 3rd Jan: Open as usual
A BIG THANK YOU!
We would like to say a massive thank you to all of our lovely volunteer Health Champions who gave up their time to help with car parking and looked after the team with hot drinks during our
If you are inspired to get more active or try a new challenge, why not pick up a copy of our Milton Abbas Surgery Wellbeing Team Bulletin in our surgery waiting room to see highlights of groups and activities happening in your area.
A Christmas Card to our Patients
May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note, and make way for a fresh and bright new year.
Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas!
From all of us at Milton Abbas Surgery
Blandford to Dorchester Bus Service
Re-instatement
of village bus service Blandford – Dorchester via Winterborne Stickland, Milton Abbas, Hilton, Ansty, Melcombe Bingham, Cheselbourne, Dewlish, Puddletown.
If you would like to see the village bus service re-instated (and more importantly use it), or you know anyone who needs the service, please email Cllr. Clive Jones, Hilton Parish Council cj.moonfleetfarm@btinternet.com or hiltonclerk@gmail.com Only by confirming a real need for the service and establishing “numbers” will we be able to apply pressure for the service to be re-introduced. Thank you. Cllr. Clive Jones
Stickland Coffee Pot
Scones, cakes, delicious coffee and a warm and friendly welcome – what better way to spend a Monday morning. Mondays are always tough after the weekend especially as the winter begins to bite, so why not pop in to St Mary’s Church, Winterborne Stickland any time between 10.30am and 12 noon for a coffee and a natter. You could have a delicious home-made scone or cake, a welcome drink and sit with friends and neighbours in the warmth of the Church. All our refreshments, are priced at just £1 each, and if it’s your very first visit then you can enjoy the extra welcome bonus of a free coffee/tea and cake. Working from home on Monday mornings so can’t join us? You are very welcome to pop in and choose something delicious to take away to help cheer up your Monday morning break.
Thoughts from a Valley News Volunteer………
Until I delivered, I’d never considered what’s involved in a Valley News round
It’s not as straightforward as I had thought and this is what I have found……..
Setting off with a heavy bag it gets lighter by turn as I post all the mags
Up hills and steps I have to go and post through slots both high and low
Stretching and toning my every limb - it’s as good as a workout at the gym!
Postboxes vary in nature and size and to the awkward ones you soon get wise
There are all kinds of flaps in containers and doors and some are so deadly my fingers get sore
Some are so low for my poor old back, some grab my hand and won’t give it back!
Once a month I deliver gaily but ‘Hats Off’ to Posties who do it daily
Sometimes I’m slow if I stop for a natter but nobody minds so it doesn’t matter
I’ve delivered in all weathers - sun, snow and rain but as of next month will never again……
Talking of sad losses, my lovely pony Skye had to be put down before I could get there to say 'goodbye' - he became very poorly and the vet, quite rightly, put him to sleep before he suffered further.
Like the end of the Valley News, it's the end of an era for me. I've had ponies since I was 10 years old!
I cried for days, but tried to remember the fantastic fun I've had with all my ponies, and especially with Skye, riding through Charity Woods in Winterborne Stickland, especially in the autumn. Wonderful memories.
Life hasn't been easy recently, my husband Des was rushed to hospital with a vicious infection which laid him low for two weeks. Thankfully, he is recovering slowly at home.
May I wish everyone farewell from the pages of the Valley News and to wish you all a very Happy but importantly, a healthy Christmas and New Year. God bless you all.
Thank you to the VN Team
Heather SimsWhen Margaret & I moved into the Winterborne Valley about 11 years ago we were very impressed with the fact that there was a magazine that covered the area called VALLEY NEWS.
This was one of the things that makes living here so good. We could find out easily what was going on, where & why. There is an enormous amount - how do we choose what is right for us? It might be things such as croquet, cricket, the Crown or crochet. Information about when, where, who or why was all to be found on its pages. Then there were the numerous adverts for food, fun, friendship, and facts.
And now sadly it all is coming to an end and we at any rate will miss it. Not that this end is anybody’s fault. It is just force of circumstances, which largely began during covid with the lockdown. This contributed to obvious problems! A significant factor in the decision to cease production was the noticeable lack of articles from local residents which made the magazine less appealing as a monthly read. Advertising became more difficult to find - this income is what has funded the magazine printing costs, which like everything else must go up.
The organising committee had very little choice but to close it down due to some difficult circumstances that now prevail. We are all sorry now that it is coming to an end, and reluctantly come to the conclusion that there is no way to carry on even in a different format.
It may be that it can, in some small way, be replaced by Next Door on the net, but that covers a very wide area, and we get an enormous number of irrelevant emails with things that do not interest us, from villages miles away.
VN has always been of inestimable value to the churches & you produced, free of charge, notification of what was going on. Our life will be much more difficult without the support you have given us. The Rector & Jennifer produce a weekly Pews News online, but space is limited. (If you would like this sent to you online please let Jennifer Harrison know on wvmabenefice@gmail.com. Like VN it is free.)
Farewell Valley News Team and as the end nears, many thanks for your work over so many years!
Caroline Ward
Thank You Valley News Team!
We would just like to say a very big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has been involved with the Valley News over so many years – from the team who have voluntarily given their time to organise, administer and prepare the magazine, to the band of volunteers who have delivered it to our door mats in all weathers. We have submitted a wide range of articles and advertisements over many years and have always received a positive and helpful response from everyone on the team, even when we have been a little too close to meeting deadlines! Thank you for your patience and support and our very best wishes to you all. St Mary’s PCC Winterborne Stickland
Hello from Corfe Mullen
Well, hello everyone! - but for the last time. What a shame that the Valley News will no longer be around. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the magazine for so many years. It is indeed a sad loss.
So to the Committee and all those who have given of their own expertise from Chairing, to writing, organising the layout, keeping the advertising going, the photography, the design, & the distribution we want to say thank you. You have done a wonderful & professional job, mostly behind the scenes. We shall miss your contribution to Valley life. Now you can enjoy a well earned retirement until, of course, you find something else to keep you occupied.
Jimmy Hamilton BrownWinter Daydream
Striding down the snow-covered pathway in my new Hunter wellies I notice the bright sun is casting my shadow long and lean ahead of me. My legs appear slim and I look tall. My hair looks longer on my shadow and for a moment I escape the reality of my less than lofty stature and enjoy what appears to be a more attractive impression of myself, likened maybe towards a willowy model gliding confidently down a catwalk. Yes, hips and stumpy legs long gone, for the moment, I strut proudly on towards the untouched glistening diamond-like meadows rising into view.
My beautiful canine partner, enchanted by her first experience of
snow and sporting a stunningly shiny black coat is galloping in all directions, creating, in my opinion, a fabulous artwork canvas. Some would say she has ruined the sparkling surface displaying its million twinkling diamonds, but anything this wondrous creature does is akin to art to me. I may take a picture with my ‘everything device’ and place it proudly on our kitchen wall.
Still admiring the antics of my bounding dog, who is far away from me now, I imagine, for a moment, that the little black speck of her, gliding around in all directions, could easily be a sinister black raven joining us in what has now become a wondrous display of nature’s very own spectacular shimmering winter theatre. Could life be any better than this?
I take my thoughts back to my fabulous shadow and continue to build on my new slender gorgeous self. Observing said shadow it seems I am perfect in every way, and this position has granted me the most fulfilling and happy life. David, my husband, who may not be particularly handsome, although to me is frightfully attractive, was drawn to me the moment we first met, and has lavished upon me a life, and sparkling personality, that is equal to my own choice of a perfect heaven.
David has been the perfect companion. He likes to hike, ride our horses and take cultural holidays making us quite the perfect match, so all in all I am blessed. I could ask for anything and he would oblige but I am fulfilled with the life I have with him, our dog, my horse and my shabby rustic Land Rover, which is in dire need of an overhaul, but that’s the way I like it so it shall remain so for the foreseeable future.
My dog can read my mind, so as we approach the end of our long circular walk, I find she is back beside me, still beautiful although a little messy. My fabulous shadow is behind me now, and as I turn my head to take a final look and admire again my long legs and flowing hair, I think now would be a good time to phone my housekeeper to ask that she turn my full-length mirror towards the wall, only to remember that I don’t actually have a housekeeper.
One last go
Chrissy AdamsonHaving reached my fourteenth birthday, I felt entitled. I waded into the water and was surprised to find it wasn't as cold as I was expecting. By the time the water reached my shoulders, I turned excitedly towards our beach tent, waving to my brothers wrapped in their beach towels. Reluctant to take the last swim of the holiday they were already tucking into their afternoon snacks before returning to our grand parents' home. The season was over.
End of August, the temperatures had dropped, the winds were warning of rain to come, the dark clouds threatening some thunder. I was annoyed at finding myself taking the final dip on my own. "A load of chickens!" I thought. "Little boys!" I ducked under the water a few times, relishing the warm waters. Every time my shoulders rose above water, I could feel the cold wind. Now big drops were hitting the surface of the sea in angry little splashes. I allowed myself to sink down into the soothing warmth trying to work out how long it would take for the goose pimples to disappear from my arms.
The tide was ebbing steadily. While I stood in the water, I could feel the slight tugging around my ankles and my feet sinking slowly into the soft sandy seabed. With a kick, I was floating again, whirls of sand where I had just stood in the clear water. I practised a few dolphin jumps, hand stands with my feet pointing straight up above the water, like an upside-down ballerina, and a few dead man floats, face up, face down. Delicious water! The waves were getting up now and I tried to defy their strength by diving up through them just as they were about to crash on me.
Soon I realised that I was out of my depth but I was a good swimmer and the shore was very near. I broke into a crawl towards the beach but felt little progress, unaware yet that every wave was pulling me further back. Indeed, it seemed that the beach tent was getting smaller and smaller and then I couldn't tell if my brothers were still sheltering under it.
It now dawned on me that I was in trouble. I was getting tired and began to feel scared! I'd broken all the rules drummed into me since I was a young child. What more, I was supposed to be in charge of
a clutch of younger brothers, responsible for their safety. Now I was giving them such a bad example. Was my father ever going to trust me again?
Long rumbles of thunder were gradually creeping nearer and the rain suddenly darted painfully on my head and my shoulders. I saw clearly that I was never going to get back to the safety of the beach. Was this going to ruin the departure for the long journey home the next day? What was my dad's punishment going to be for me being so irresponsible? "If I get back, I must bribe the boys not to tell” | thought. "If I don't... Oh God, let me get back,” I prayed. As I stared up to the sky pleadingly, I gulped a mouthful of salty water. "Sorry God, sorry but if you are there, please, please take pity. Take pity on my family!"
My throat was burning with the salt, I kept my mouth closed but I felt like choking. Now the burning was going up my nose. If only I could take a deep breath! My ears seemed ready to burst and my heart was racing out of control. “Control, that's what you need, girl,” I thought. By now, my limbs felt incredibly stiff and heavy. With a superhuman effort, I started swimming with the current. I knew it would take me to the other end of the bay, near the jetty where all sorts of debris had accumulated in the course of the summer holiday.
The next thing I was aware of, I was lying in the recovery position, feeling sick, on the floor of my father's inflatable outboard dinghy. Every inch of my body hurt and I couldn't stop my teeth clattering. I peeped at the massive silhouette leaning over me, not daring to meet my father's eyes.
Annie ThomView the magazine online at issuu.com/valleynewsdt11
Dorset’s winter hedgerows
If you’re taking a stroll through country lanes this winter, here are some examples of hedgerow plant species you might spot. Hedgerows provide a diverse range of trees and shrubs, providing a thriving habitat for all sorts of wildlife. At this time of year, berries are particularly tempting to birds, but not all berries are safe for them (or humans) to eat.
Hawthorn: Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyny) is one just of the staple shrubs found in our autumn and winter hedgerows, producing deep red fruits resembling very small apples, called ‘haws’. These fruits are enjoyed by many birds including hawfinches, thrushes, fieldfares and redwings, as well as a range of small mammals. Waxwings will enjoy haws left on the tree in December or January. Common hawthorn is a rich habitat for all kinds of wildlife, from hawthorn shield bugs, to wood mice and slow worms sheltering in the thorny thickets.
Spindle: One of the most striking vibrant early winter berries can be found on this small hedgerow and woodland tree. The berries on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) are bright pink with bright orange seeds inside, and while they look exotic, they are a native plant to Britain. The berries are toxic to humans, but enjoyed by a range of wildlife including mice, foxes and birds such as house sparrows.
Spindle is an ancient woodland indicator, so its presence in woodland settings may mean you are in a particularly special habitat. Ancient woodlands have continuously been on the same site since 1600, or before, creating a specific ecosystem with a host of plants and animals. One such woodland can be found at Hibbitts Woods, a Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve near Yeovil.
Black Bryony: Take a look at an autumn or winter hedgerow and you may see stems of bright red berries climbing up the trees and shrubs. This may well be black bryony (Tamus communis), our only native member of the yam family, and is a poisonous plant. Its leaves are glossy and heart-shaped, and in summer it has yellow-green flowers with six-petalled blooms. Despite their names, and similar hedgerow climbing habits, white bryony (Bryonia dioica) is not a relative of black bryony. The poisonous berries are not of much value to wildlife, though the summer flowers are visited by pollinators.
To find more information on all Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves, visit: dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves
OnBehalf of Dorset Wildlife Trust
CRYPTIC
Across
8. Afterthought about soldier having captured last of patchouli oils (6) 9. Onset of unacceptable rent (8) 10. Casual speech about can is oblique (8) 11. Carried fuse around back of ship (6) 12. Spacious tent follows axis (7) 14. Broken vials found on a spit (6) 15. Intelligence of card players (4) 17. Several Ibizan nightclubs provide evidence of innocence (5) 18. Metal way enjoyed by Muffet (4) 19. Sounds vulgar, but it’s class (6) 21. Gets model, that woman, in state (7) 23. Farewell ditty about exhausted libido (2,4) 25. Sentences exchanged in this tipsy one due gaol (8) 26. Spirit shadow with tail of newts found in inglenook typically (8) 27. One gives out last of dubious values (6) Down 1. Depression from servant, so it’s said (6) 2. Kremlin evacuated after topless star has dark horses (8) 3. Mixed-up mail and drunken siesta, go native! (10) 4. Sound money (4) 5. Lather Thatcher’s enemies from the East (4) 6. Devious, like the Tate, they say (6) 7. Refashion to earn more (8) 13. Condition of award with first person embedded (5) 14. Down around central Braintree, zealous patron in cardigan (5,5) 16. Profitable European scam award in Cannes initially (8) 18. Singer agrees with phone company people (8) 20. Firm also back in negative figures (6) 22. Arch over drinking vessel in a stuck up manner (6) 24. Advance split muscle (2,2) 25. Admires oddball holding back treat (4)
CONCISE
Across 8. Cites (6) 9. Prickly mammal (8) 10. Reputation (8) 11. Self-effacing (6) 12. Ruled (7) 14. Exercise (6) 15. Fruit (4) 17. Live (5) 18. Awfully (4) 19. Entertain (6) 21. Type of goose (7) 23. Jewel-like (6) 25. Fairness (8) 26. Face veils (8) 27. Fastened with a headed spike (6)
Down 1. Better (6) 2. Tools (8) 3. Task (10) 4. Ruffian (4) 5. A type of cheese (4) 6. A parish officer of yore (6) 7. Weigh up (8) 13. Deed (5) 14. Observing (10) 16. Hostile (8) 18. City in Spain (8) 20. Time periods (6) 22. Seal (6) 24. Medical photograph (1-3) 25. Prank (4)
