Valley News September 2018

E E FR Issue No. 139

September 2018

for Whitechurch, Whatcombe, Clenston, Stickland, Houghton, Turnworth & Milton Abbas

Helping to inform and unite the Community Š Valley News 2018

Content may not be reproduced without prior permission of the contributor

is a Dementia Friends Champion. You may have a family member or a friend who lives with this condition and may find Dorothy's talk inspiring so please come along to the meeting if you wish to learn more.

A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into positive action.

Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help.

Patient Voice meetings are open to all patients at Milton Abbas & Milborne St Andrew Practice. Even if you cannot make the quarterly meetings you can still obtain notes of them by contacting Nigel Hodder (Secretary) at ma.patientvoice@gmail.com or ringing 01258 880229.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to learn more about Dementia Friends, please contact Dorothy direct on 01258 881669.

Editorial What a summer! This has been a very long and hot one and plenty has been written and said about it, but it can't go unmentioned in our magazine. The need for some prolonged periods of rain has become ever more pressing - and who would have thought we would be saying that in our country, famed the world over for its green fields and lush vegetation? It seems as though there will have to be further action to try and mitigate the effects of the extreme weather that we have been seeing, and there is some talk about homes needing to be built with their own water storage systems for the 'grey' water - trying to ensure that the most precious natural resource is not wasted, and what water we have can be used in the most efficient way. A few years ago some doomsayers were predicting that water would become such a rare commodity in certain parts of the world that all kinds of troubles would follow as people got ever more desperate to maintain a water supply.

When this was first mooted it seemed like a science fiction scenario, but after just these few months without the normal rainfall we can see how difficult life could be if our natural rain patterns were to change significantly and permanently. Our best wishes to all farmers in trying to cope with the problems of no grass re-growth, and needing to use winter fodder in summer and autumn. We know that this means shortages in the winter and more expense buying in additional feed.

We can also expect shortages of some foods, root vegetables especially - perhaps even of sprouts for the Chris - no we won't mention that word yet‌ This month sees the return to school of pupils and school staff.

There doesn't seem to be a very long period when schools aren't in the 'firing line' for one thing or another, whether it be standards of learning or behaviour or being expected to take on ever more additions to the curriculum; but here locally we seem to have a really good range of schools that serve or children well, and at as the new school year gets underway it's a good time to thank all those who do such a good job with the children. It's not just in schools either - let's remember too those people who give of their time to run local scout groups or youth clubs.

As we move forwards during the year it is really pleasing to be able to express thanks for the suggestions and articles that have been sent in following our request for more articles. We are very grateful to those who have taken the trouble to help us out and this month sees the first of these appear, a most interesting account of a newly-acquired interest and expertise with shepherd's huts! Thank you, Greg, for taking the trouble to send this in for our readers - those who have already read it have enjoyed it. Do keep asking yourself if you have an interest or hobby that could interest readers - it makes for a much more readable magazine - and can lead to new friendships building if it triggers a response from one of our readers.

The Valley News Team

Nigel Hodder

News from the Blandford Surgeries How soon can I get my prescription?

Ever been left wondering when your prescription will be ready to collect?

From Whitecliff Group Practice Dispensary Please allow 2 full working days. If you request a prescription Monday morning, it will be ready to collect from the Surgery dispensary Wednesday after 3pm.

The dispensary offers an online ordering and a text messaging service that tells you when your prescription is ready for collection.

Speak to the dispensary team to set this up for you.

Please keep in mind the surgery doesn't process prescription requests over weekends as it is closed.

From the Pharmacy (Boots or other pharmacies) Ordering a prescription from Boots, please allow at least 3 full working days, e.g. if you request a prescription on a Monday morning, it will be ready to collect from "Boots" on Thursday, after 2pm.

If Boots or another pharmacy organises your monthly repeat medication (FRPS), they will give you a collection date - usually when you collect your latest medication (e.g. if your monthly prescription is ready to collect on 2nd August, your next collection date will be 30th August.)

Unless Boots is requested to change that date, your prescription will not be ready before. Please note your next collection date.

Boots also offers a text messaging service to tell you when a prescription is ready for collection.

Remember: make a note of your medication review date with your GP surgery (see top of prescription) as you may be refused further prescriptions until it is completed.

Opportunity for disabled children to ride a pony Do you know a young disabled child who could benefit from the chance to ride a pony?

Riding supports the child's physical development - for example, children with mobility problems have the opportunity to develop core stability, improved posture, co-ordination and muscle tone. The children can also build relationships with their pony and their helpers which positively impacts self-image, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Milton Abbas Riding for the Disabled Group has a few opportunities for young disabled children to benefit from pony riding and join our group on a Tuesday afternoon in term-time. We are able to support children with either physical or learning disabilities (or both) with a maximum weight limit of 8 stone (50.8kg) because of the ponies available.

Riding lessons take place in a covered arena and sometimes out on the farm tracks in good weather and we would ask for a donation of ÂŁ10 per lesson from those families able to contribute.

Or, have you thought about volunteering?

Do you have a few free hours on a Tuesday (late) afternoon?

You do not need to have any experience with horses or disabled children.

Please consider helping these children benefit from the experience of pony riding.

To find out more about riding for your child or becoming an RDA volunteer please contact Sue Hodder on 07739 469946 or email suehodder01@talktalk.net to discuss further.

Milton Abbas Surgery A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: FLU CLINIC NEW DATE Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to change our date for this year's flu clinic at Winterborne Whitechurch village hall. This will now be held on the morning of Saturday 20th October. If you are eligible for a flu vaccination, please make every effort to attend this clinic as this is the most efficient way for us to ensure we have time to vaccinate everyone. Thank you Please can I ask that when you are given an appointment at the surgery, you arrive in good time to attend. We appreciate that sometimes the doctors and nurses may not run to time and that patients may have to wait beyond their allocated appointment time to be seen, but if you are late it is likely that you will be asked to make an appointment for another day. We hope you understand that we are here to look after all of our patients and that care doesn't always fit neatly into ten minute slots- remember it might be you that needs more of our time one day.

Living with Dementia The next Patient Voice meeting will take place in Milton Abbas Reading Rooms on Thursday 27th September at 6:30 p.m.

This meeting will include a 30 minutes talk by Dorothy Bryan who

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Other ways of keeping cool are as you would think: less activity during the hottest part of the day; seeking shady places in trees where air circulates more freely; perching under thicker branches and leaf cover where heat is absorbed by the canopy above; bathing, diving.

Birds with lighter coloured plumage might turn lightest parts towards the sun to reflect solar radiation. Buzzards will soar at higher altitudes where air is cooler. Not that we see these either, but vultures will urinate on their legs so that the evaporation process helps cool them down.

So what can we do to help? There are three tips recommended by the RSPB: (i) top up bird baths regularly with clean water, perhaps create a mini pond, (ii) create shady landscapes, (iii) provide food that reduces the need for birds to travel thus lessening their activity (fat balls are not wise as these will go rancid in prolonged hot conditions).

If you can help with the Autumn tidy-up and preparing the river for winter, please contact Richard Marchant 01258 881716.

Streamwatch There has been a distinct lack of bird sightings along the lane throughout August and not much in the way of bird song either which begs the question, 'What happens to birds in hot weather and how do they keep cool?'

The bit about bird song can be partly answered by the fact that when nesting season is coming to an end, birds no longer need to attract partners and bird calls tend only to be alarms or warnings. The other factor is that extreme heat reduces bird activity in their attempt to stay cool.

The stonechats that stayed throughout the summer and winter in 2017 have moved on partly because the Winterborne Valley is not a habitat that this species frequents, so food and conditions were not satisfactory for them in this case. A recent article in The Telegraph concluded that research on 2000 animals and plants showed that species are generally moving 11 miles further north every decade, suggesting that the world's animals are shifting 8 inches north every hour on average. At the same time some species are moving to higher altitudes. The article cites the example of birds like the Little Egret, which was previously only seen on the continent, are now frequently spotted in southern England and even the midlands and the north. We certainly have experienced this phenomenon in the Valleys.

Stickland River Management Group

Tommy silhouettes at Milton Abbey Milton Abbey announces commemorative installation of four iconic life size Tommy silhouettes Historic Milton Abbey set in a glorious Capability Brown landscape and surrounded by the countryside of North Dorset is the first location in Dorset to have Installed four six foot high Tommies as part of the There But Not There project created by the charity Remembered. In fact there are only four venues sporting these life size Tommies in the whole of the South West.

The silhouettes were designed by artist Michael Barraud to commemorate the fallen and to educate all generations, particularly today's younger generation, to understand what led to the deaths of 888,246 people from Britain and The Commonwealth.

The Tommies at Milton Abbey are positioned in the north transept of the Abbey around the magnificent Damer Memorial.* The location is particularly fitting because one of the representative figures pays tribute to a particular soldier from the Damer family who died in the First World War. A surviving relative, Edward Dawson-Damer has confirmed that his great, great uncle 2nd Lieutenant The Hon George Seymour DawsonDamer (10th Royal Hussars) was killed at Monchy-Le-Preux near Arras in April 1917. Prior to transferring to the 10th Hussar he was an Officer in the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry (QODY) and served at Gallipoli with them.

Brian Larcher, Development Manager from the Milton Abbey Heritage Trust, said, "When Milton Abbey heard about There But Not There we immediately wanted to be involved as a quiet and beautiful location, a former home to Benedictine monks and somewhere people from across the South West could gather and remember the sacrifice of those who took part in the First World War. "At this iconic North Dorset location we have very close links to the forces with Blandford Military base close by and there are long associations with families, residents from nearby villages and visitors to the Abbey who come here to remember those who have served and gone before them. With the installation of four six foot high Tommies in the space around the stunning Damer Memorial inside the Abbey we are able to offer a space for reflection and contemplation.

In fact There But Not There sits particularly well with the Benedictine edicts of Service and Community. In serving others we meet Christ and grow in love of each other: "People are not to pursue what they judge best for themselves, but instead, what they judge is best for others." And Community: We grow as individuals through a life of inter-dependence. "They should each try to be first to show respect to the other, supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behaviour".

The Tommies have also been designed to help heal all those suffering from the hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder and other lasting legacies of combat, by raising funds for our beneficiary charities.

Picture by Karen Marchant

Wild birds are well adapted to hot climates. A whole host of migratory birds such as swallows successfully cross the earth's hottest regions twice a year, and temperatures in excess of the 30 degrees centigrade experienced recently in the UK. Heat generally does not present a problem for birds; physical and behavioural characteristics help them beat the heat, so how do they do it?

Birds have a naturally higher body temperature than most other creatures, around 40oC. They also have a high metabolic rate and active life style which can generate even more body heat and so must be managed in various ways to help them keep healthy and cool. Birds do not have sweat glands but they do have high respiration rates that dissipates heat more effectively, they can also pant to increase this process. There is a blood supply to the bill so by opening up, blood is cooled on both inner and outer sides of the bill. Apparently Toucans can increase or decrease blood supplies to their large bills which helps release or retain heat in hot or cold conditions - not that many toucans have been seen on Water Lane! However birds with larger bills do have this added advantage.

Another physical attribute is having bare skin on legs and face.

These small fleshy patches, even the tiny areas around eyes, help to reduce heat. Another 'cool trick' is Feather Fluffing, lifting feathers and holding their wings out so that air can reach their skin and carry away some of their body heat - you may have seen this where birds seemingly sun bathe with their wings spread. (This trick is sometimes performed over ant's nests and used to get rid of mites.)

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prevention. They have trained fellow officers, call handlers and radio operators to ensure that the Force is dealing with reports of rural crime consistently and effectively.

According to the survey approximately half (47%) of all Dorset respondents were aware of the specialist Rural Crime Team, compared to just 32% of respondents nationally who were of aware of their local rural crime teams.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: "Almost half of Dorset's residents live in rural areas and it is important that they are engaged and their voices are heard. Having met with a number of farmers, rural business owners and residents on my patrol visit with the Rural Crime Team earlier this year, it is clear that progress has been made in reducing the fear of rural crime in Dorset.

"The results of the survey also confirm what we already suspected - that rural crime is massively underreported. We want to encourage people living and/or working in rural Dorset to report crime. There seems to be a culture of not reporting crime in some rural areas and this is something the Rural Crime Team is trying to address.

"I am pleased the percentage in Dorset of people living in rural areas not reporting crime is lower (28%) than the national figure (36%). Police cannot tackle crime if they are not made aware that it is happening in the first place. Similarly, intelligence is needed to help bring offenders to justice. It is therefore vital that the public come forward with information and report crime to help the police help victims."

The National Rural Crime Survey received over 20,000 responses with more than 600 responses coming from Dorset residents.

Rural Crime Prevention Advice Want to find out what you can do to prevent rural crime from your farm or smallholding?

Are you after some advice for your farm or smallholding about rural crime prevention?

Not quite sure as to what security precautions to take?

Want to look at new methods to protect your farm or small holding from Rural Crime?

Want to find out what you can do to prevent rural theft from to your farm or small holding?

We have put together a comprehensive guide to rural crime prevention.

The Dorset Police Rural Crime Prevention Checklist can be found here: https://www.dorset.police.uk/media/56148/rural-crime-teamcrime-prevention-checklist.pdf If you would like a personalized crime prevention visit to your farm or small holding please send the team an email to ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk

Dorset Police Do you live in a rural area of Dorset?

Do you work in a rural occupation?

Do you like to walk, cycle or ride your horse in the wonderful Dorset countryside?

If the answers yes to any of the above then we need your help in order to help you!

If you were a victim of a rural crime would you report it to Dorset Police?

If crime or incidents happen and are not reported to Police, it's not recorded and it hasn't happened and we cannot begin to help fix the problems.

We need our rural communities help to fight rural crime and this starts by telling us what's happened and where.

After all our rural communities know the rural areas better than anyone else. If you hear or see anything suspicious please report this.

This information can be recorded, investigated and crime prevention advice offered and other prevention tools we have at our disposal to stop this happening again.

In this year's National Rural Crime Network Survey around a third of rural crime wasn't reported to Police. The full report can be read here: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net If our rural people don't report crime, incidents or suspicious circumstances to Dorset Police we cannot begin to help our rural communities that we serve across Dorset.

Remember if it's not reported and recorded then in the eyes of the Police it hasn't happened unless you tell us.

Reporting can be done by calling 101, emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or alternatively visiting our website at https://www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/ If you wish to remain anonymous then please call Rural Crimestoppers on 0800 783 0137 or by visiting www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk Tackling Rural Crime In Dorset Work is already underway in Dorset to tackle two key concerns highlighted amongst rural communities by a national survey.

Respondents to the 2018 National Crime Survey identified fly-tipping and speeding as the crime types they were most concerned about.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill is a member of the National Rural Crime Network who commissioned the survey and is the national lead for fly-tipping. He said: "We have beautiful countryside right on our doorstep but it isn't just attractive to us, it is also attractive to criminals.

"Fly-tipping blights our rural landscape and has a detrimental impact on the environment as well as generally being an eyesore.

"Fly-tipping is a complex issue and requires a multi-agency approach. The Problem Solving Forum I recently held on the issue brought together partners and agencies with Dorset Police to discuss the problem and a partnership action plan is now in place to tackle it."

According to the survey, the percentage of Dorset respondents who thought speeding was a problem has reduced by over 30% since the last national rural crime survey in 2015. This is a greater reduction than was seen nationally where the figure has come down by only 21% over the same period.

Martyn Underhill continued: "For a small force, Dorset Police is already punching well above its weight in tackling driving related offences. It's well known No Excuse team has had many successes in tackling the 'fatal five' driving offences in our county, of which speeding is one. The dedicated road safety team is even being replicated in other forces.

"The Force also works closely with community speedwatch groups and funds various initiatives to educate drivers from all backgrounds about the dangers of speeding.

"Road safety is an area Dorset Police has focused on and the work it is doing is making a difference. But 30% of Dorset respondents still feel that speeding is a problem so we cannot be complacent."

Dorset Police has had a Rural Crime Team since 2016 as a result of one of the police and crime commissioner's election pledges. The team is dedicated to tackling rural crime and issues, with a focus on crime

Milton Abbas Needs Your Help Do you have ancestors who lived in Milton Abbas around the time of the First World War? If so we would love to hear from you.

We are working on a project looking at the effect of World War 1 on the local community. This will culminate in a major exhibition being held from 5th - 7th October. A considerable amount of information has already been obtained from researching local and national archives and online databases. This has thrown up a large quantity of names of soldiers, sailors and airmen who served in the war, those who were wounded or died and information about families who lived in Milton Abbas during the war period.

In order to enhance our findings and make the exhibition more relevant and personal we would love to include family stories and anecdotes. From our research we have found that many families and individuals moved away from the village to surrounding villages and towns; and others who moved into the village. We are keen to find out whether any residents in the surrounding areas have information about people who lived or worked in Milton Abbas during WWI, or Milton Abbas people who served in the war.

You will find a detailed list of all the Milton Abbas men we have found who fought in the war at our website www.miltonabbashistorygroup.com. Please take a look and see if your ancestor is on the list. You can also find more information about the exhibition. Any information would be gratefully received. You can contact us either by email via our website.

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The Winterborne Valley & Milton Abbas Benefice Dear Reader, It is half way through August and the harvest is coming in. The warm weather and sunshine has been and now we seem to be getting some rain - just as people are on holiday. They are either away, or holiday makers are here. Dorset is a popular holiday destination and it is good to see people enjoying the surroundings that we sometimes take for granted.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Casting the Net. The scarecrows have generated a lot of conversation and pleasure. In one way or another many people have taken part through the two weeks and my thanks go to you all for making it such a good event. Messy games at Stickland Sports Club was a well organised event. I enjoyed the soaking! Why was I given the water pistol challenge? Teas and quizzes have been popular. It has been good to see people exploring our church buildings, or sitting quietly for a moment of prayer and reflection. Casting the Net was about giving something to the communities. I hope that in some way you were able to get involved.

While I am writing about church matters, I should give you an update about our parish churches. The buildings are old and some of them are quite tired. They belong to the parishes - not the congregations, although it tends to be the congregations that are involved in the maintenance of them.

St Andrew's in Winterborne Houghton is suffering from heating and electrical problems. Somehow we have to raise about £32,000 to keep this building safe and open.

St Mary's in Turnworth needs rewiring. (Electricity came to Turnworth in the 1950s) A re-wire etc may cost in the region of £15,000 (no formal quotes yet) but the start of remedial work to the stonework and tower could bring the total to £30,000. Turnworth PCC values the support of the village and good friends but, as always, there is more to do.

St Nicholas' in Winterborne Clenston is enjoying some sizeable congregations and is hoping to have a loo and kitchen area before too

long. Funds are hopefully in place to carry out this work.

St Mary's in Winterborne Whitechurch is experiencing some growth in the congregation. A modern worship band is coming for the 2nd Sunday of the month service at 10am and this change seems to be very welcome. But St Mary's, WW has a continuing struggle to pay its way.

St James' in Milton Abbas is having a spate of vandalism and has difficulty in raising sufficient funds to meet the annual cost of having a church in the village. There are electrical problems in this church building, costs as yet are unknown. Thanks to the roof work, the roof is now leakproof. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to gather the funds for this work to have happened.

St Mary's in Winterborne Stickland needs to find £14,000 to repair and improve its organ. It is not possible to get grants to repair an organ, but we can get grants to replace one. Therefore we were hoping to install an excellent refurbished, replacement organ and were two thirds of the way to raising the £17,000 needed for that. However, an electrical inspection in July has dealt a cruel blow and means that the heating and some of the other electrics have been condemned. Estimates for the repair work are approximately £30,000: It could be a cold Winter in Stickland.

On top of these unusual extra costs, to cover the running costs of each church they each have to raise between £10,000 and £15,000 every year. That is before they do anything. It is a tall order to keep a village church open. Did you know that when a parish church closes, the property in that village may lose about 10% of its value? That might be a good enough reason to get involved with your local church!

This all looks rather a tall order if you add up the figures. We need help! Any help that you can offer, would be very gratefully received. The church building is a village asset that belongs to all. Could you help with grant applications and fund raising?

On the bright side, harvest festivals begin in September, look out for when the harvest service is in your village, it would be good to see you there.

Blessings, Alan

FROM THE REGISTERS Alice Sarah Froud 12th Aug Baptism 2nd September Proper 17 14th after Trinity Green Clenston 1000 HC JHB/PC Houghton 1800 HC TS Milton Abbas 1000 MW IB/WB Stickland 0830 (BCP) sHC AR Turnworth Whitechurch 23rd September Proper 20 17th after Trinity Green Clenston Houghton Milton Abbas Stickland Turnworth Whitechurch

at St Mary's, Stickland

9th September Proper 18 15th after Trinity Green 1800 EP Harvest. SL 0830 HC BCP TS 1000 MW SL 1000 HC AR 30th September Proper 21 18th after Trinity Green

1000 HC IB/JHB 1030 HC Milton Abbey 1100 Harvest. SL 1800 HC AR 0830 (BCP) sHC AR

16th September Proper 19 16th after Trinity Green

1800 EP Harvest. SL 1000 HC TS 1000 MW PC/CB MIDWEEK SERVICES: Mondays & Tuesdays 0835 Morning Prayer Stickland Wednesdays 0930 HC Milton Abbas

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 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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to share stories of their research.

The Saxon reenactment camp organised by Brian Larcher was an additional bonus, and many members took advantage of it to explore our Anglo-Saxon heritage of Milton Abbas.

Although we take a break from our formal meetings every summer, there is still plenty going on. We have members researching documents and family histories, as well as people in Canada and Australia transcribing for us. One of our members has visited The National Archives at Kew and found some interesting documents, including a rent book from 1720 which gives the names of the tenants of Milton Abbey estate then owned by Jacob Bancks (no relation to the Banks of Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle). The estate then included parts of Houghton and Whitechurch.

The new edition of The Buildings of England: Dorset, Michael Hill, John Newman and Niklaus Pevsner, was published in May this year.

There is quite a lot of new information compared to the previous 1972 edition and is highly recommended.

We are now in touch with family researchers of the Vacher family and they would love to hear from anyone with Vacher connections. They can be contacted via our Facebook page "Milton Abbas History Group".

The Vachers were prominent here from 1640 to the 20th century.

If any of our readers are interested in the history of this amazing place then please get in touch via our website or Facebook page - just type "Milton Abbas History" and we should be near the top of the search list.

Winterborne Stickland Parish Council News On Sunday 5th August 2018, Cllr Godden & the Stickland Parish Clerk attended the North Dorset District Council Community Hero Awards. This was held at the Durweston Village Hall, an afternoon tea was served & enjoyed by the nominees & the proposers who had put the names forward for the awards. 28 awards were given out in total and these went to members of the public that been nominated for their outstanding work or volunteering efforts in the local community. All of the award winners were wonderful people who really do make a difference to the quality of life in our district and without them our towns and villages would be much the poorer. Winterborne Stickland Parish Council had nominated Kevin Oakley for his recent work helping to restore the village sign, but also for his support to Stickland generally, along with his volunteering for various community projects in Stickland.

Kevin attended the awards with his wife and received his award and a glass paperweight as a thank you. This was presented to him by Cllr Val Pothecary, the Chairman of North Dorset District Council.

Crop Circle In a field of golden corn, there came without a sound.

A scientific marvel, which swirled and weaved around.

A pattern left unbroken.

In perfect symmetry.

Created in the darkness, for all the world to see.

Jackie Grearson

Read Easy is helping people in town and country

Tim Cox our local milkman also received the same award, for the service that he provided to customers during the past cold and snowy winter. Tim ensured that we all received our milk and supplies as normal and his service really was a lifeline for a number of elderly & disabled customers. Tim Cox was nominated by Hilton Parish Council. The Parish Council would like to say thank you to both our local heroes, Tim & Kevin, for all their hard work & congratulations on receiving the awards.

The next W Stickland Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 24th September 7.30pm 2018 at the Pamela Hambro Village Hall, all welcome. Sam Smith (Clerk) 880310 or wsticklandpc@gmail.com

There's a popular misconception that people who live in urban communities with major social problems will struggle in school and with aspects of their learning. However being able to read can be as much of a challenge to those living in our rural communities as towns.

Government figures suggest roughly 5% of us have the reading age of a 5 year old - virtually no ability to make sense of the written word.

What's more, they may be our neighbour and we may not know it.

For many people not being able to read is something they try to hide. One Dorset lady, Sarah, had a very responsible job as a ward sister in a hospital. Tragically, in her late forties, she suffered a stroke which robbed her of the ability to read. An active member of the W.I., she lived in fear of her fellow members finding out. When they want out for lunch she would wait for someone else to order off the menu and then say "I'll have the same".

Fortunately, help was at hand. Read Easy provides one to one coaching in safe, quiet locations in and around the Blandford area, working at the pace of the reader. It is a service provided completely free of charge. In Sarah's case her patient coach, Fiona, helped restore her ability to read and in so doing transformed her life.

Read Easy is a national charity founded in 2010 and helps a wide range of different people - the youngest 18, the oldest to date 86 - a lady brought up in Lancashire who lost years of her schooling to meningitis and who then went into a mill to work at the age of 13. She just wanted to be able to read a bed time story to her grandchildren.

Supported by volunteers from all walks of life, Read Easy is helping to change lives in Dorset. In particular it helps people to find employment, to feel positive about themselves and their future.

If you know someone we can help, or if you would like to help us as a Volunteer in one of many fulfilling roles, please call me, Ann Fookes on 01258 880215 or 07789 771999 or email blandford@readeasy.org.uk Also visit our website www.readeasy.org.uk

Milton Abbas Local History Group On a glorious summer's day forty enthusiastic history group members used their imagination to take a virtual tour of the Old Town of Milton Abbas. Starting at the remains of the Market Cross, which must have once been a very splendid edifice and the centre of a thriving town in 1750, the group was led by Pamela and Bryan Phillips. We found the locations of four pubs, the Vicarage, the Grammar School, the High Street, the blacksmith, cooperage, and the dwellings of many named families. We were all surprised at the large size of the roads and town layout - the High or Market Street being 10 metres (33 feet) wide and 100 metres (110 yards) long. The streets were wide enough for two carriages to pass and for the shops to have stalls outside. We walked into the courtyard of the George Inn following the route the coach and horses would have taken. Remember that Milton Abbas was once a hub of the road network in Dorset, but in today's Capability Brown landscape and golf course a lot of imagination has to be used to recreate the bustle of the old market town.

After this tour we were treated to a fine BBQ organised by Pamela Phillips and Jill Cocking. Thanks to Jill and David Cocking who hosted this event. We were lucky to have full sun and a beautiful evening in such a fine setting. Members from as far as Northampton and Southampton came along to share in the enjoyment and get together

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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, 10.30am-12.00, Old School Room, Whitechurch ROUND ROBIN RAMBLERS SUN 2nd SEP 2pm, Minterne Magna & Cerne Abbas 4½m Meet at the car park opposite Minterne Magna Church WED 19th SEP 11am, Hilton & Dorset Gap 7m, Meet at the Old School, Hilton. Bring a packed lunch. Coffee & cake will be served from 10:30am.

SUN 7th OCT 2pm, Kingston Lacy Estate & Badbury Rings 4½m Meet at the Badbury Rings car park Contact Ian Bromilow 880044 FRI 14th SEP BINGO 7.30pm, Whitechurch Village Hall Raffle, Refreshments. In aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance FRI 14th SEP Milborne Movies present DARKEST HOUR (PG12) 7.30pm start, Milborne St. Andrew Village Hall Hall and Bar open from 7pm. Tickets £3.50 on the door WED 19th SEP Talk: Kingston Lacy’s Japanese Garden by Andrew Hunt (Head Gardener) 7.30pm, Pamela Hambro Hall, Stickland Raffle, Refreshments. Entrance £2, VGC members Free

Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall

Pub Night Social Evening Saturday 8th September at 7pm All welcome Come for a chat and a drink

Auction Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall

Sunday 16th September 12pm Lots to be left in the hall on Saturday 15th September between 9am - 4pm Viewing Sunday 16th September 9am - 12pm

Contact Jim 01258 881204 11

compost bin onto a bed, after I had removed the potatoes, and although it was a good four inches thick the worms took it all down within a couple of weeks just leaving egg shells on the top. They really are very efficient and it makes it much easier for us not to dig but to get the worms to do it for us.

It is clear from the weather this year that looking after our soil will become increasingly important. Feeding the soil to enable it to survive the cold and the heat, the dry and the wet, will be vital as we get more extremes both with temperatures and also rainfall and wind. Good compost heaps will be even more necessary to provide the humus rich feed that the soil needs to stay healthy. I was having a discussion with a friend about house plants and how they appear to eat the soil and become pot bound with very little soil. The soil is a live organism and it "eats" itself which is why soil levels go down and seem to vanish.

Wormeries produce amazing liquid feed and also "soil" which is very rich and perfect for topping plants in pots to feed them and nurture the soil. Be warned, when topping outside pots, the soil will be full of baby worms and the blackbirds have a field day. The mess a blackbird can make in a short time is extraordinary. They can throw the bits they don't want quite a long way, and even after you have swept it all up and put it back you can guarantee that they will be back. Being worm eaters they have struggled in the dry weather as the ground has got harder and harder and the worms have gone deeper, but they are tough birds and great survivors. Water has been is short supply for the garden birds as well as for the plants. They need to drink as well as wash. it is a lovely sight watching birds having a good bath, the water goes flying all over the place and they really look as if they are enjoying themselves. Making bug homes for the winter hibernation is a fun thing to do. Lots of ideas can be found on-line from log piles, bricks and rubble to hollow bamboo and twigs. If we are to continue enjoying our gardens to the full we need to keep an eye out for the wild life that relies on them. This can be as simple as having something in flower all year round and also fresh water all year round, and growing shrubs which have berries and not clearing away all the seed heads too quickly. Watching little birds feeding on teasels cannot fail to bring a smile to your face.

Claire Scott

The Story of Jo's Hut....

I have always been a practical person working in engineering for 20 years and landscaping for 18 years, but 2 years ago I asked my wife if she would like a 1953 Chevy Truck or a Shepherd's Hut for our 25th Wedding anniversary. She chose a Shepherd's Hut. I started looking at huts for sale and there was a lot of variety in quality, price and authenticity. I looked at kits as well but was slowly drawn into shepherds' hut history. After finding three original Farris huts owned by local people I took pictures and measurements and decided to build my own based on the Farris huts. Finding the wheels was the hardest part but one call to an enthusiast leads to other leads and eventually I found a traditional set.

The hut was then built around the axles and chassis for those wheels and finished off inside as an authentic looking hut with lamb's wool insulation and a Tortoise stove. The pull-out bed is very comfortable and we are fortunate enough to have been offered a location with wonderful views to enjoy the sanctuary of the hut and surroundings.

Jo has enjoyed the hut so much that now she is to become her own shepherdess looking after 6 sheep and their lambs.

I have also recently been lucky to have found an old Tasker Hut which is over 100 years old and was in need of some serious restoration.

That restoration is now complete and the hut resides in the same field to keep the medicines and to be a shelter for any sheep that fall ill.

I have been so inspired by the whole process that I have since built a Granary Store which I have placed on staddle stones next to the field to store their food.

It is funny how one thing leads to another, what next?! Greg Whale

Down the Garden Path It is hard to believe but it is bulb planting time again, yes September and daffodil bulbs need to be planted. The Garden Centres, nurseries and catalogues are full of choice from miniatures to the tall and majestic, the choice is yours. Planting pots can be a problem as they are occupied by plants which are still in bloom but I have not had a problem when planting daffs in pots in early autumn; the other option is to pot up in smaller pots and when the big pots are free transplant them into their final position but the issue is that daffodils take longer to get a really good root system going which is why they prefer to be in the ground earlier than tulips.

It is not too late to plant salad seeds for winter leaf, rocket, mizuna and mibuna are winter tolerant types that add interest to winter salads and can be treated as cut and come again. It is also not too late to sow beetroot for their leaves and for baby beets. All of these will need some winter protection especially if we get a beast from the east again.

If you grow fruit then you are in the midst of harvesting though it all started earlier than usual with blackberries and some apples being ready in the middle of last month. Try to keep the fruit on the trees for as long as possible to help stagger the glut. This month is also the time to think about adding additional fruit trees to widen your choice, whether it is apples, pears, plums, quince medlars or mulberries the choice is enormous.

Beans, courgettes and marrows will keep going so long as they are picked. The flowers of the beans this year have been extra pretty, I like to mix up the varieties so that there is a mixture of flowers, the red, red and white, purple, purple and white and the pink, and each has a different bean from the runner, barlotti, French, yellow, purple and long thin green beans which all look so pretty. My best peas this year were a heritage purple podded pea some of which I grew in a pot with morning glory and sweet peas. The pods were a lovely contrast to the flowers and could be picked as mange tout or left to form peas. So many vegetables add interest and colour to the garden. They also freeze well and when picked, podded and frozen all within 20 minutes they couldn't be fresher.

It was possible to grow tomatoes outside this year, the long hot dry spell kept blight away for a change, but many vegetables struggled with the heat and were smaller than usual even with regular watering. It showed up the areas of soil that need some extra compost added this autumn to help the soil retain water and nutrients. Some of the soil in the raised beds shrank away from the sides, in spite of being watered, which indicated to me that the soil needs feeding. I emptied a black

What's Cooking There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently about gut flora following research that studied the number and the effects of gut flora. It seems that the research has found that our diet of takeaways and microwave meals has been killing off our flora. It has always been known that antibiotics and cancer treatments kill the flora but it seems that our processed foods do the same. The research also showed that the larger the variety of our flora the better for us and that some of these floras treated illnesses and reversed diseases such as diabetes.

There is even a treatment for people with very low flora where they swallow a pill made from the faeces of someone with very good gut flora and at the extreme end need an operation during which faeces are inserted into the patient's gut.

The researchers found that a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, live yoghurts and some fermented foods were all beneficial in developing good gut flora, with benefits in health, weight and energy.

Fermented foods tend to be made in countries with more severe winters than Britain as a way to preserve food. Sauerkraut is a classic German example. Fermented foods can have a sour taste which increases with time and can be eaten quite young before they become very sour. This recipe is from the Ukraine and is called Kvashena kapusta and is brine fermented cabbage. Take a 500g white cabbage, cut out the core and shred into long thin strands. Massage it with your hands to soften and then mix with 150g peeled and roughly grated carrots. Add 40g caster sugar and 25g salt and massage again. Pack tightly into a plastic container and cover with a clean piece of muslin, then a plate and weigh down with something heavy. Leave the container somewhere warm for about three days. Check the cabbage and rinse the muslin cloth every day. The cabbage is ready when it is pleasantly sour. Transfer to a sterilized 500ml preserving jar and seal. Keep in the refrigerator and use over a couple of months. It is typically served with some sliced red onion and some well flavoured sunflower oil to go with meats or oily fish.

Oily fish are recommended for their Omega 3 and sardines, simply grilled with a salad, are a firm summer favourite but not always easy to 12

Hanford Adventurers and Explorers’ Festival

Activities will include raft building with Jasper Shackleton and bush craft survival skills with the Wildway Bush Craft Company.

Monday 10th - Hanford parent, Nick Foulerton, who has clocked up 120,000 miles and 83 countries on his motorbike will talk about ’The British Trans-Americas Expedition 2017'.

The inaugural Hanford Adventurers and Explorers’ Festival, 10th to 15th September, promises to be an inspirational and action-packed week of talks, workshops and activities, aimed to encourage us all to achieve the extraordinary. At Hanford, the girls have an innate sense of adventure and fun. They are always willing to have a go because they are given the freedom to grow and develop at their own pace. As a result, they often achieve the extraordinary, both inside and outside the classroom.

Tuesday 11th - Dorset-based Lalage Snow, an award-winning photographer, film-maker and writer, will be talking about her experiences in areas of conflict, including her latest book, ‘War Gardens – A Journey Through Conflict in Search of Calm.’

Wednesday 12th - Sarah Outen, a TED speaker, who is an adventurer by land and sea, will talk about her most recent major expedition, London2London, an attempt to row, cycle and kayak 25000 miles around the Northern Hemisphere.

Last term, the Festival was launched by the Ice Maidens, a group of British army soldiers who were the first women to cross Antarctica on foot. This term, Hanford have decided to share their love of teamwork, creativity and courage by opening up the festival to members of the public and local schools.

Thursday, 13th - Jasper Shackleton, who lives in Dorset and now makes exquisite furniture, and who is a relation of Sir Ernest, will talk about his extraordinary adventure, recreating Bligh’s 4000 mile voyage in a replica boat which Jasper built himself.

Hanford have brought together 22 individuals from the world of exploration and adventure. Some will be giving talks such as Ella Al-Shamahi, the presenter and associate producer of BBC2’s ‘Meet the Ancestors,’ and Ed Parker, the co-founder and CEO of Walking with the Wounded, to name but two. Others are running workshops: Anna McNuff, listed in the top 10 female adventurers of this century

by The Guardian, will be leading one on growth mindset whilst James Ketchell, the first and only person to have rowed across the Atlantic, successfully scaled the summit of Everest and cycled 18,000 miles around the world, will be exploring how to set goals and push boundaries.

Friday, 14th - will be given by renowned pioneer explorer and conservationist, Pen Hadow, whose iconic solo trek from Canada to the North Pole has never been repeated and whose leadership of scientific exploration on the Arctic Ocean is without equal.

All evening talks are open to the public and cost £8 including a glass of wine. Drinks will be served at 6.30pm and the talks will commence at 7pm. Tickets can be booked beforehand via Eventbrite. Please go to www.hanfordschool.co.uk and follow the links to the Adventurers and Explorers’ Festival.

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find. Mackerel are another oily fish much more readily available, but make sure that their eyes are bright and shiny and not sunken, which means that they have been out of the sea for a while. The French partner mackerel with gooseberries which cut through their oiliness, if you grow your own gooseberries and have some in the freezer just cook them till soft and mash to make a sauce to go with the fish. Grilling oily fish is the easiest and quickest way to cook them, about five minutes each side for a medium fish, you will see the oils from the fish and the skin will become firm and crisp. Served with potatoes and beans, or brown rice with onion, lemon zest and finely chopped kale and courgettes or taken off the bone and shredded onto pasta with finely diced courgettes and a good pasata topped with shredded basil, or whatever takes your fancy, mackerel make a delicious quick healthy meal.

I had a party this summer and made some fruit tarts. The usual filling for fruit tarts is crème patissiere. Sugar and egg yolks beaten until pale and creamy, the flour is added and, when combined, hot milk is added.

When combined and smooth this is returned to the saucepan and put on a low heat to cook the flour and thicken. It is usually flavoured with vanilla and put into a pastry case when cool. I decided to make a change and I cooked some gooseberries, whizzed them, put them through a sieve, and the result was then folded into crème patissiere and used to fill a cooked puff pastry case and decorated with gooseberries. I did the same with some mangoes and also red and white currants which turned the crème a beautiful pink. They went down very well especially the gooseberries as they are not easy to get hold of unless you grow your own. This year's crop was very sweet with all the sun and was ready early - I grow dessert and cooking gooseberries and always make some gooseberry jam which turns a glorious red as the fruit cooks. They are fiddly to pick and have a habit of grabbing an arm with their thorns but it is well worth the pain.

Figs are a fruit from the Gods, delicious in any fruit salad, baked with goats cheese and a drizzle of honey or with a platter of meats. I found a new recipe this year which is oh so simple. Buy some puff pastry and cook a pastry case the shape of your choice. Mix two pots of ricotta with a tablespoon of honey, pile into the pastry case and decorate with sliced figs and bake in a medium oven for half an hour. So easy and quite divine. The figs have been ripening early this year as with so much fruit but that is one fruit that I am happy to eat every day.

Claire Scott

it being moved without removal, these devices are good to use when out in the field.

• Physically secure your machine using suitable locking devices and fixed ground anchors secured to the floor using heavy duty security chains and padlocks.

• Consider fitting isolating systems to machines that will prevent theft such as fuel and battery isolators.

• Keep and doors or windows to sheds shut to prevent persons seeing what’s inside when there not in use.

• Cover any windows to the building where your vehicle is kept this will prevent any persons looking through the windows.

• Consider installing security lighting and CCTV with sensors and PIR Alarms on the perimeter of the building or premises.

• Get your machine marked with security marking schemes such as Datatag or CESAR. • Consider fitting forensic marking solution’s to quads and ATVs • Consider fitting immobilizers, VHF and GPS Tracking devices.

• Why not contact your local dealer and ask them what they can do for you to prevent your vehicle from being stolen?

• Insurance companies will often offer a discount to premiums with these types of measures. Machines fitted and registered with security markings are 4 times less likely to be stolen and our 6 times more likely to be recovered if they are stolen.

• Record machinery serial numbers and take photographs for reference. If the machine is ever stolen a photo will increase publicity prospects and recovery of the machine.

• Report suspicious vehicle or callers to Police by calling 999 if the vehicle or occupants are seen committing crime or phone 101 or via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk if the vehicle is seen acting suspiciously.

To find out more information on ATV or UTV security or to arrange a bespoke crime prevention visit to your farm or rural premises please email the team directly at ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk.

Nominate Your Best Neighbour Of 2018 Neighbourhood Watch and our sponsor Co-op Insurance has just launched a nationwide search to find and celebrate some of the best and most considerate neighbours of 2018!

We’re urging people to nominate the most deserving good neighbours and there is also an opportunity to put forward your ‘Hero Next Door’ for a true act of heroism.

Neighbourhood Watch and Co-op Insurance are working together on these exciting awards and anyone can nominate their good neighbours today!

We’re talking about the local heroes in your street and community whose acts of kindness and neighbourliness really set them apart.

We want to recognise the people who are making such a vital contribution to community life and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

You don’t need to be a Neighbourhood Watch member to nominate and the person you nominate doesn’t need to be a member either.

Click here to join in– before nominations close on September 5 – and you’ll be taken to the nomination form where you can share your stories of great neighbourly activities and acts of kindness.

You can also share the link to the nominations page by cutting and pasting it from below. https://joinin.coop.co.uk/opportunities/159 So nominate your good neighbours today!

To read more about the awards visit our website: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/nominations-are-open-for-ourneighbour-of-the-year-awards/

Police Extra HMRC Scam Unfortunately, Dorset residents are still being targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC. Fraudsters are clever, manipulative and they have done their homework. They know exactly what to say to get you to trust them.

They know your name, your address, your partner’s name, your children's name and your pet’s name. They find all of this out to trick you into believing their claim.

Do not engage in conversation with anyone you suspect to be a fraudster.

The more you engage with these people, the more chances you are giving them to convince you their scam is legitimate.

Please stay aware and stay fraud alert. Tell your friends, your family and your neighbours. Help us to spread the word of this scam.

To view the latest fraud alerts, please visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/scamsfraud-cyber-crime/dorset-fraud-alert/ Rural Crime Prevention Do you own an ATV or UTV in Dorset?

Last year we had a rise in quad bike thefts in May then another rise in August.

Did you know that sadly we had 19 quad bikes stolen from rural premises last year in in Dorset?

What is your security arrangement like for your ATV or UTV? Is it secure enough to stop thieves taking it?

We have put together a list of security measure to consider using to secure your ATV’s and UTV’s.

• Keep your vehicle in a lockable garage or building and make sure you remove the keys and keep them in a secure location and out of view, not hidden on the vehicle and out of view of any windows.

• Use a grip lock that locks the breaks on the machine to prevent

Deadlines for October’s Valley News

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G P Lewis Interior/Exterior Painter & Decorator All aspects of painting and decorating undertaken including Domestic, New builds, Refurbs and Commercial.

Qualified and with over 30 years experience,will offer friendly advice if needed.

1st class finish Free written quotes Fully insured No job too small or big No VAT If you require a job done hassle free, by an honest friendly tradesman, please give Gavin a call, Winterborne Kingston 01929 471704 or 07977 047314 Email g.lewis515@btinternet.com

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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.

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TEXT ADS

Counselling and

ACUPUNCTURE 1:1 PILATES CLASSES HOPI EAR CANDLES

Psychotherapy

Clinics at: Winterborne Stickland & Blandford 01258 880464 07913 985495

Robert Kelso

DEBORAH MANNION

01258 881550

BA (Hons) Lic.Ac. MBAcC Foundation Pilates

Email: robert@kelso.org.uk

Are you building a new extension?

Are you doing alterations to your home?

Do you need some free advice & a quote for drawings?

WANTED

jo d designs Posters Advertising Planning Drawings Building Regs Drawings Call me:

01258 721347 or 07703 034127 or email: kempo79@sky.com

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Fast Professional & Friendly Service for Business or Home use.

Advice, Health Checks, Repairs & Upgrades, Virus & Spyware Removal Networks - Wired or Wireless, Disaster Recovery Web Site Design / Hosting Contact Mark Watson on: Tel: 01300 308653 Mobile: 07437 054185 Problems Solved Fast

Domestic and Industrial J.I.B. Registered Robert Way Electrical Contractor Wyvern Cottage North Street Winterborne Stickland 01258 880363 07713 148896

Free Estimates 24 Hour Call out Service

CASH BUYER SEEKS LAND ROVER DEFENDERS Prompt free collection Mature polite buyer No pressure or obligation DVLA paperwork completed Feel free to call for a chat

Tory Logs Seasoned logs sourced locally from managed woodlands, delivered to you.

Call Graham 07870 829160 or Richard 07766 913943

07967 245172

Logs Logs Logs Logs Logs Logs

WINTERBORNE WHITECHURCH VILLAGE HALL is available to hire

Domestic and Industrial J.I.B. Registered

Parties, wedding receptions, meetings and any function that needs a bit of space.

Kids birthday parties welcome.

Kitchen facilities, toilets and bar area.

Disabled friendly.

Booking charges are £7 per hour.

Also available to hire are marques and gazebos.

Bookings: Jim Luke 01258 881204

www.wwvh.co.uk MUCKY BOOTS DORSET Dog walking • Doggy day care Home boarding We provide a caring environment where your dog can socialise and have some fun.

Friendly reliable service, licensed with NDDC, Insured & CRB checked.

Visit: www.muckybootsdorset.co.uk Email: julie@muckybootsdorset.co.uk Tel: 07816 031280

J.P.L Gardens Professional Garden Services

Robert Way Electrical Contractor Wyvern Cottage North Street Winterborne Stickland 01258 880363 07713 148896

Free Estimates 24 Hour Call out Service

NIGEL KELLAWAY General Builder & Maintenance 35 years+ experience • City & Guilds qualified Flint & Stonework • Wall & Floor Tiling Brickwork • Dabbing & Plasterboarding Footings • Extensions • Patios Brick Paving & Driveways Garden maintenance All aspects of building work undertaken Free estimates • No job too small

MOBILE: 07901 731287

Foot Care In the comfort of your own home.

Lawn Mowing • Hedge Cutting Garden Maintenance • Garden Clearance Nail trimming, Treatment of corns, Callus, Mole Catching • Landscaping and fencing Cracked heels, Fungal and thickened nails, Small tree work Verrucas, Athletes foot, Nail reconstruction

Call Jerry Legg 01258 489977 • 07940 895803

and Ingrowing nails

23 May Grove, Charlton Marshall, jplegg48@googlemail.com

Contact Michelle Foot Health Practitioner Tel: 07864 069657

Stickland Mowers

Carer Available

TRAXS

Servicing and repairs carried out on all makes/models of Garden and Horticultural machinery, with over 27 years experience.

Experienced, and qualified carer available, for all personal care duties, respite care, cooking, shopping, domestic cleaning, days out, up to date training, DBS checked, and insured.

Free collection and delivery

Call 01258 880149 Mobile 07879 338334

Please call sue: 01258 880149 Mobile: 07879 338334 Email: susancarolinerampling@gmail.com 18

Curtains & Blinds Supply & Fit Curtain Rails & Poles Make, Hang & Dress Curtains & Pelmets with your own material Make & Hang Blinds – Roman, London, Roller, Venetian, Vertical Pole & Track Maintenance

John Holden 01258 881685 • 07949 079241

Rob’s Clearance HOUSE, Shed and site clearance Rubbish removed Recycling carried out Good/interesting items purchased for cash Friendly and reliable

Winterborne Whitechurch Old School Room is available to hire.

This beautiful large room, ideal for parties, meetings and family or community gathering.

Come and visit to appreciate the charm of this lovely venue.

Full kitchen and cloakroom facilities.

Disabled friendly.

Booking charges £7 per hour.

Bookings : Mrs Ann Guy 01258 837959

Tel: 01747 839751 07956 414 896

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 Badminton Fri 6.45, Rec Hall, Milton Abbey School Anita Handley 882118 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, Janet Maughan 881210 Milton Abbas Cricket Club Thu, Juniors 6.45, Seniors 7.30 Rec Hall, Milton Abbey School, Milton Abbas Local History Group 1st Wed each month, 7pm RRMA Bryan or Pamela Phillips 880385

OSR PHH RMA WVH

VENUE KEY Old School Room, Whitechurch Pamela Hambro Hall, Stickland Reading Rooms, Milton Abbas 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 Tennis and Squash. Based at Abbey School.

Maria 880895, secretary@masportsclub.org.uk 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 Running Club Sunday morning social runs with Milton Abbas Sports Club Madgits. Maria 880895 or Jonathan D: madgits@masportsclub.org.uk Short Mat Bowls Mon 1.30pm 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 Tap Dancing (Adult) Thu: Intermediates 6.15, Advanced 7.30 RRMA. Elizabeth Goodchild 01305 268029 Tennis Club Winterborne Sports Club, Stickland Debbie Albery 451873 Valley Ringers John Close (Tower Capt, WW) 880457 Ann Fox (Tower Capt, WS) 881156 Valley Computer Club Richard D’Silva 880118 Valley Gardening Club Talks: 3rd Wed (Sept-Jun), 7.30pm, PHH WS 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

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

Deadlines for October’s Valley News

Stickland Church Jackie Grearson

Exercising the hounds Julie

Valley News Information VN Team: Advertising: Distribution: Printing: Payments: Small Ads: Charity Events: Articles: Deadlines: Websites:

Graham Case, Valerie Ashford, Claire & John Scott, Barbara Luke, Jim Luke Anne Donnelly ads@valley-news.co.uk 01258 881261 Treasurer: Janet Snook news@valley-news.co.uk Sue Eggar and Angela D'Silva news@valley-news.co.uk Layout: Mark Steele news@valley-news.co.uk Purely Print www.purelyprint.co.uk 01258 459977 All advertising to be pre-paid. Cheques payable to ‘Valley News'. Internet Bank Transfers now accepted.

Private sellers only. Small ads will be included for a donation and confirmed for publication when the donation is received.

Events in the Valley News area will be listed free on the Events page. Normal advertising rates will apply for boxed ads.

Send by email to Mark Steele at news@valley-news.co.uk or to Valerie Ashford, 11 Fairmead, Stickland (DT11 OND) Please include name & contact number in case of any queries.

For Advertising : 10th of the prior month. For all other submissions (articles, pictures etc.): 15th of the prior month.

Late items may not appear until the next edition.

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Valley News is printed by Purely Print incorporating Stour Print Tel: 01258 459977