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© Jess Upton Photograph by Robin Mills

The best from West Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon

No. 266 May 2021

COVER STORY Robin Mills met Jess Upton at Pymore, Bridport

© Jess Upton Photograph by Robin Mills

’W

e lived in Uploders for the first 6 months of my life, my Mum (Susy) and my Dad (Michael), who was an artist. We then moved to South Perrott, in the northwest of Dorset. My Dad worked in London at the Royal Academy when I was little, which meant he was away for most of the week. When I was 7 we moved to Bridport, and I went to Bridport County Primary school, which is where my son Thomas now goes. I have a brother, Sam, who is three and a half years younger than me and lives in London.

I’ve always sung, but my Mum started me on violin lessons when I was quite young, about 5, and I learned what’s called the Suzuki method, which was more about learning by ear rather than by reading music. My Mum and Dad weren’t practically musical (although my Dad and some artist friends were actually in a band called The Flying Lizards in the ‘80s, playing rather avant garde numbers, (with spoken lyrics rather than singing), but from a very early age I was taken along by my Mum, and her twin sister Rose, who together spent a lot of time going to book fairs, as they were both book dealers then. Sadly my Mum passed away when I was 15 (and I went to live with my Aunt and Uncle, Jane and Dave Young), but I have happy memories of joining in with their singing as we drove along, and my Granny would Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 3

proudly say “she was singing harmonies by the age of four!” We would sing lovely songs like “You are my Sunshine”, which I tried out on Thomas, who’s 8, but he found it too sad because he didn’t want the sunshine taken away! It became clear as I grew up, whatever instrument my parents tried to get me to learn, it always seemed to come back to me singing, although I wish I’d persevered with an instrument well enough to accompany myself—but I’m surrounded by talented friends who will always oblige.

When I got to Colfox I was lucky enough to have Rex Trevett as my music teacher. He was just amazing, and nurtured people with even the smallest musical talent. At Colfox there was his Big Band, which I joined in my first year, and I sang with them for the five years I was at secondary school. I then went to Weymouth College to do the Performing Arts Diploma, taught by Lindsay Ingram. I had been getting singing lessons with Sammy Hurden from when I was 13, so to have been taught by Rex Trevett and Sammy Hurden, both so inspirational, was amazingly fortunate. With Sammy, I learned how to breathe properly, and she taught me to sing such a variety of music, e.g. African, Bulgarian, Jazz; in fact with both her and Rex it was more about what I wanted to sing instead of being told what I had to sing. I had been influenced a bit by my Dad’s vinyl collection, which at one point I “borrowed” from his house. There was reggae, Dylan, lots of “Americana”, the Laurel Canyon musicians, all very eclectic, but Sammy widened my musical horizons. Then I saw the film The Commitments, in 1991.

I’d always known that I wanted to sing, and now I knew it was with Sammy, and it was she who then suggested we do a couple of small gigs. I had been singing with the Big Band so wasn’t too scared of performing, but this was very different because the Big Band was 40-odd people, and very structured. At one of these gigs was Chris Lonergan, bass player from Weymouth, who saw lots of potential in what we were doing, and that was how the Jess Upton Soul Band was born. There was me, Sammy, Chris, Clive Ashley on tenor sax, Julie Trevett on alto sax, Matt Barge on trumpet, Terry Cottam on guitar, Dave Kenderdine on drums, and Steve Mutter, a conga player.

We performed a lot of songs from the Commitments soundtrack, so it was mostly classic soul—Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and once even a cover of Stevie Wonder doing Blowin’ in the Wind, which was a bit bizarre. Later we branched 4 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

Jess Upton

© Jess Upton Photograph by Chessie Diomede

out a bit into some instrumentals, a bit of acid jazz, some Randy Crawford and a Nina Simone number I loved to do. Mainly the music was danceable, had a funky bass line and a horn section, and with a few slower numbers well placed in the set, people really enjoyed our gigs. We performed at weddings and parties all over the country, and gigged in London at the Mean Fiddler.

Julie Trevett had started a new course at Weymouth College called the Jazz Diploma, and that introduced me to loads more musicians. One of them was Steve Wilson— he and I just clicked, and we found ourselves performing in a play that David Martin and Lindsay had written called Feet, a modern imagination of the Christmas story. That was followed by another play that Lindsay wrote for her MA, called The Return of the Grievous Angels, about two country singers, a fading star and his rather more successful (and talented) girlfriend, played of course by Steve and me, and performed at Weymouth College. The soundtrack was lots of Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Lowell George, and so Steve and I got a set together and started gigging, sometimes with other Weymouth musicians Robbie McIntosh, and Marco Rossi.

The Soul Band continued through all that until I moved to London in 1999, when simply because of the distance it became difficult to keep it all organised. But when I moved back to Dorset, my friend Gabby Rabbitts was running the Electric Palace, so we would do Christmas reunion gigs, which were excellent fun. The Soul Band lasted for about 20 years all together, then Steve and I got our own band together, which we called Jess Upton & The Guilty Pleasures. There have been a few different incarnations, but being a bit smaller than the Soul Band made us a bit more affordable for weddings, etc. We perform songs that belong to different genres than the Soul Band would have done, but we think they’re really fun. And Steve, Robbie and I perform as a trio as well. I’ve also sung on a few of Sammy, Steve and Robbie’s recordings.

I had moved to London needing a change of scene. Some friends needed another person to share a flat in Highgate, and asked me to join them. My Granny had recently died, and I’d inherited a bit of money, so off I went to London, travelled a bit, and worked at various jobs, including one as PA to a magazine editor. Gill Meller, Lindsay’s

© Jess Upton Photograph by Robin Mills

son, was working with Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall in the early days of the River Cottage TV shows. I would come back to Dorset to visit my then boyfriend, who was also cooking with Gill and Hugh. It turned out I knew one of the girls on the River Cottage team from London when I’d worked as a PA, so when Hugh needed one, she suggested me. Until I actually had my first day at work with Hugh, I had only had two phone calls with him, so it was a bit of a baptism of fire. He handed me a huge file of correspondence and I’ve been trying to catch up ever since! That was 2005, so

I’ve been with him 16 years. I’ve worked on all the books and TV series since then. It’s the most diverse job I’ve ever had, but it’s never, ever dull. I love working for Hugh; he’s so passionate about what he does, it’s hard not to. I was only in the office at HQ a couple of days a week before all this, so working from home isn’t that different, but I do miss the company sometimes. Just to have someone to bounce ideas off.

As a musician, at the beginning of the pandemic our entire diary was emptied within a few days. A year of work down the drain. I was lucky I had a job to fall

back on. For those whose sole income it was, it has been devastating. And obviously there were weddings, parties etc… people’s plans up in smoke. Some postponed and rebooked, but some found that with the financial uncertainty, they just couldn’t afford to. It has been very sad.

Thomas and I sing harmonies in the car sometimes; he picks up a tune quite quickly. But in true offspring style he finds me acutely embarrassing—when I remind him people actually pay me to sing, he’ll say “yeah, Mum, I know, you told me already…”

But he did wish me luck with this interview.

’

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UP FRONT Having a last read through this issue and listening to Seth Dellow’s audio interview with Jane Ashdown, the encouraging impression I am left with—as ever—is the level of diversity and resolve in and around our little patch of the South West. From Caroline Julia Moore’s extraordinary story of how art has helped to express her vision, as well as support her though debilitating mental health issues, to the resilience and dignity expressed by the late Paddy Ashdown’s wife, there is so much to inspire and so much to give us hope. Tentative efforts to open shops after a bleak winter have seen businesses begin to trade again, while those such as the subjects in Tim Booth’s upcoming exhibition ‘Circus’ can see the possibility of performing for the first time in many months. Tim’s photographs capture more than a moment frozen as the shutter clicks—there is determination, perseverance and dedication in his subjects, which in many ways mirrors the efforts made by so many people throughout this area in the last year. Not least those that have given their time in volunteering roles across so many supportive initiatives in the community. That same dogged persistence helped turn a conversation at a long lost Bridport pub into a thriving local rugby club. Bridport team captain, Andrew Livingston, has given us a history of how the club began, and after watching premiership and international rugby played with no audience over the last few months, many of us look forward to a resumption of team sports—a vital element in the health, both physical and mental, of the wider community. Local sports, community groups and meetings will play an important role in offering a path toward recovery to the many who have struggled with the effects of both the pandemic and lockdowns. Margery Hookings writes about recently made recordings of elderly people talking about their experiences, one of whom mentions the need to participate in regular activities such as lunch clubs. We all hope for the gradual resumption of events, courses, exhibitions and classes over the coming months and look forward to that section of this magazine growing, as again we rebuild communication and normal interaction over the community.

Fergus Byrne

Published Monthly and distributed by Marshwood Vale Ltd Lower Atrim, Bridport Dorset DT6 5PX For all Enquiries Tel: 01308 423031 info@marshwoodvale. com

THIS MONTH

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Cover Story By Robin Mills Past Present and Furture - Jane Ashdown Event News and Courses News & Views Laterally Speaking By Humphrey Walwyn Rugby in the Spotlight By Andrew Livingston Recording Thoughts and Memories

by Margery Hookings Islington or Ilsington? By Cecil Amor

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House & Garden Vegetables in May By Ashley Wheeler May in the Garden By Russell Jordan Property Round Up By Helen Fisher

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36 37

Food & Dining Asparagus with watercress and candied walnut salad

By Lesley Waters Scrumpy Fried Asparagus By Mark Hix Anchovies By Nick Fisher

38 38 44 48 52 53

54 56

Arts & Entertainment Visually Speaking By Fergus Byrne Galleries Catching the Act By Fergus Byrne Young Lit Fix By Antonia Squire Screen Time By Nic Jeune Health & Beauty Services & Classified “The greatest threat towards future is indifference.”

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Twitter @marshwoodvale

Editorial Director Fergus Byrne

Contributors

Deputy Editor

Cecil Amor Seth Dellow Helen Fisher Nick Fisher Richard Gahagan Mark Hix Margery Hookings Nic Jeune

Victoria Byrne

Design

Fergus Byrne

Advertising

Fergus Byrne info@marshwoodvale.com

Russell Jordan Andrew Livingston Robin Mills Antonia Squire Humphrey Walwyn Lesley Waters Ashley Wheeler

The views expressed in The Marshwood Vale Magazine and People Magazines are not necessarily those of the editorial team. Unless otherwise stated, Copyright of the entire magazine contents is strictly reserved on behalf of the Marshwood Vale Magazine and the authors.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of dates, event information and advertisements, events may be cancelled or event dates may be subject to alteration. Neither Marshwood Vale Ltd nor People Magazines Ltd can accept any responsibility for the accuracy of any information or claims made by advertisers included within this publication.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Trades descriptions act 1968. It is a criminal offence for anyone in the course of a trade or business to falsely describe goods they are offering. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. The legislation requires that items offered for sale by private vendors must be ‘as described’. Failure to observe this requirement may allow the purchaser to sue for damages.

Road Traffic Act. It is a criminal offence for anyone to sell a motor vehicle for use on the highway which is unroadworthy.

Jazz and Blues to start festive summer

J

azz Jurassica, the four-day jazz and blues festival in Lyme Regis, will go ahead at the end of May according to organisers. After a year in lockdown, Jazz Jurassica will kick off this year’s summer festival season with a bumper line up, featuring performers and sounds from around the globe.

After receiving special funding from the Arts Council to stage a socially distanced festival, organisers are confident they can press ahead over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

This year’s line-up features exuberant Afro-Cuban music, gritty blues from the Mississippi Delta, New Orleans boogie-woogie, vintage ragtime and 60s soul, and much more, says Julie Sheppard, its director. ‘We’ve chosen a diverse mix of music to attract those who’d never consider going to a “jazz” festival. And we’ve sourced music from around the world, so even if you can’t jet away to exotic shores just yet, you’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean, New Orleans and Mississippi on your doorstep’ Programme highlights include a seventeen piece Latin big band, Martin Harley’s new electric blues and a showstopping soul music revue recreating the 60s and 70s favourite soul classics.

‘Tickets are now on sale and the full programme is up on our website’ says Julie. ‘We can’t wait for the return of live music. There’ll be over a hundred musicians playing over the weekend and lots of music to enjoy for free. It’s

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Martin Harley Photograph by Michal Augustini

been a difficult eighteen months for festivals, and we aim to make up for it. As a small independent festival, in an iconic location, we’ll blaze a trail for live music over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.’

Because of social distancing the number of tickets will be halved compared with previous years. ‘We advise people to book soon to avoid disappointment. And they can book with complete confidence as we’re guaranteeing full and automatic refunds should we have to cancel’, says Julie Sheppard.

Jazz Jurassica runs from Friday 28 - Monday 31 May. For more information and tickets visit: www. jazzjurassica.co.uk.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 11

Past, Present and FUTURE Jane Ashdown talks to Seth Dellow

I

n a wide-ranging audio interview—available in full on the Marshwood Vale Magazine website—Lady Jane Ashdown talks candidly and emotionally about her life in and around the world of politics.

A little over two years since the untimely death of her husband, former leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Paddy Ashdown, she opens up about her experiences in places as diverse as Northern Ireland, Geneva and Bosnia, as well as talking about her life as a wife, mother and supporter of her husband. She also discusses some of the more painful episodes of her husband’s career, and offers her observations on what lies ahead after the impact of Brexit and a worldwide pandemic.

Those who decide to enter the political arena are usually well aware that this means intrusive public scrutiny and for many the constant glare of a media spotlight. But to inherit the role of the supposedly ‘silent’ partner is another prospect altogether. To be ‘married’ to politics takes enormous courage, fortitude, determination and a level of loyalty found in very few.

In Seth’s interview, Jane explains how enormously different she and her husband were. ‘As people we were very, very different’ she says. ‘I’m a slow West Country woman, born and bred in Somerset. Slow to rise; perhaps slightly slow to make decisions—feet of clay that sort of thing. But Paddy was entirely opposite. He had a very ready

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Photograph by Seth Dellow Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 13

temper, but it used to go.’ She explained how ‘he would say something frightfully harsh or rude to somebody and then forget all about it and wonder what he’d said.’ She describes him as ‘the greatest fun and slightly hair-brained.’

With remarkable poise and a deeply entrenched sense of justice Jane talks to Seth about the ups and downs of a life with someone she lovingly refers to as a ‘crazy bloke’.

‘He was one of these people who was very curious about all sorts of things’ she says. She talks about how he once stood up after he had thrown a hand grenade to see how it burst—‘well it’s not an advisable thing to do really.’

She describes how Paddy always used to push himself to the nth degree. ‘He parachuted a lot which he hated’ she says. He joked with her that pulling a drawstring on a parachute might end with his dirty laundry coming out rather than a parachute.

Long before their days in politics, Jane and Paddy struggled like any other couple starting a new life together.

After leaving the services, Paddy had spent periods of time unemployed. His parents and siblings had emigrated to Australia as ‘ten pound poms’ after the failure of the pork market in Ireland—a result of the successful marketing of Danish bacon.

Paddy’s fledgling efforts to enter political life took time.

‘Yeovil had been Tory for 72 years’ Jane says ‘and it took us eight years to win it back. And I tell you those eight years were very hard. They were very happy, but they were very hard.’ Jane remembers fruit picking to help put food on the table. She tells Seth how difficult it was but at the same time says there was no point in worrying, regardless of what obstacles presented themselves. ‘Well you just got on with it didn’t you? I knew 75 ways to make mince go around but unfortunately by that time both the kids were vegetarians. It pushed your imagination quite a bit.’

And yes, she also talks about the media frenzy around her husband’s affair and how the ‘rat pack’ hounded them.

With enormous dignity she says ‘I’m going to talk about something that’s very personal’ explaining that in the end, despite the obvious pain and public humiliation, “Paddy Pantsdown” became a subject of laughter to them. ‘Thank God for a sense of humour, that’s what I always say.’

She also talks about some of the many other emotional highs and lows in her life. For example, her irritation when people didn’t take her husband’s politics seriously because he wasn’t in one of the main parties. ‘It was that, that really hurt me’ she explained. ‘People didn’t take him seriously.

He was very serious about his politics but he was written off because he was a Liberal. If he’d been a Tory or a member of the Labour party then people would have taken him more seriously.’

But Paddy wasn’t one to give up easily and although the odds were not in his favour, his achievements, including becoming leader of the party were immense. However, for Jane and the children, their support and occasional foot on the brakes were a vital part of holding it all together.

‘We told him when he was wrong’ she says. ‘But we also supported him when he was right.’ She travelled around the country with him when he was leading the party. ‘Which was eleven years. My God that went very quickly indeed.’

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‘The eleven years that he was leader I must say aged us hugely. We were very lucky we came through those eleven years as a couple fairly unscathed. But it was a heartbreak when he did give up the leadership of the party.’

She remembers a very emotional speech he made saying goodbye using an Irish blessing. With tears streaming down her face she had to walk out ‘because where was the party going to go?’

And indeed where were they going to got? The next chapter may have been the most harrowing of all. They move to Sarajevo after Paddy became High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The war there had been horrific. Jane describes it as a ‘most brutal’ war. She was appalled by ‘the raping of women and the starvation of men in concentration camps.’ Women who had been raped would come to talk to her rather than to a man. She tells how Paddy used to bring ‘medication, sanitary towels and stupid things you’d never think of as presents’ when he went through the tunnel into the city. ‘But they helped sustain life because the people of Sarajevo couldn’t get them’ she says. ‘People were begging on the streets and you gave them what you could, because they did it to

sustain themselves and their families. They were a very hurt nation.’ The experience was life changing for Jane. ‘It was a very emotional time... Please, dear God there’s never another place like that.’

Today Jane lives with the memory of an extraordinary life. She misses her husband and there are some things that make the pain more acute. ‘I find it sometimes difficult’ she says. ‘Particularly listening to classical music. The place used to resound because Paddy adored his music. I can’t listen to classical music anymore. I’m afraid I’ve lost that luxury because it makes me cry and that’s stupid—maybe one day I shall.’

In the meantime, she lives with the same disquiet that has beset many whose lives have been changed by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. She talks about her concern for those that may not want a return to the life they had before, although she worries mostly for the young who ‘are going to suffer in the long run.’ With her son a teacher she is well aware of the damage caused to education and the challenges ahead.

Jane’s political fears echo the thoughts of many. ‘I can see that before long Scotland will be independent’ she says.

‘Northern Ireland will go probably back within Ireland as a whole and we’ll be left with Wales. I don’t know if Wales will want to be independent but the Union will cease to exist. I was a passionate European, I still am and so was Paddy. In fact when he died he didn’t have a British passport. He had an Irish passport—like John Le Carré, who was a friend. I can’t tell you how much that saddens me.’

After a life with and around power she sees a great hill to climb on the political landscape. A voice with experience and extraordinary wisdom she is open with her fears: ‘The future will be very difficult to deal with and I don’t envy anybody in power quite frankly.’

Seth Dellow’s interview with Jane Ashdown offers an insight into her life unlike any before. Seth said afterwards that it had been a ‘privilege’ to spend time with her, especially as it fills a void frequently created in the narrative of political history. One that Seth explains focusses all too often upon statesmen and women, and sidelines those in the background.

The full interview with Seth Dellow is available to listen to on the Marshwood Vale Magazine website. Visit www.marshwoodvale.com.

Photograph by Andrew Johnson on Unsplash Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 15

May

EVENT NEWS AND COURSES May 2 - 29

Unique Framecraft welcomes artist Barbara Green. Exhibition of artwork includes oil on canvas, collographs and silk screen prints etc all will be displayed in the reception area. This is a nonprofit venture and was started after the first lockdown to support local artists and all money from sales go directly to the artist . Unique Framecraft, 4-5/Millwey Rise Workshops, Second Avenue, Axminster EX13 5HH. Tel :- 01297631614. Instagram: uniqueframecraft

May 21

Lyme Regis u3a SciTec Group has a talk on Lucretius, the Roman poet and philosopher, by Ian Black online via Zoom at 10am. Please see the web site www.lymeregisu3a.org for all the activities of this learning co-operative and how to join this event.

May 22

Martock Farmers Market 10-1 in the Co-Op shopping precinct off North Street, Martock, TA12 6DH. Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 8 mile walk from Beaminster. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

‘The Devon Bluebell’ an online painting workshop on Zoom, 10am – 1pm. Cost £15. Bluebells have many names including Cuckoo’s Boots and Wood Bell. Using watercolours learn how to paint these beautiful flowers as a single flower or in a woodland.

To book a place please visit the What’s On section of our website: www.axminsterheritage.org For more info and a materials list contact gina.youens@btinternet.com

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 6.75 mile walk from Charmouth. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

Kilmington (Shute Road) Gardens EX13 7ST in East Devon near Axminster - Opening three gardens for the NGS on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May, 1.30 - 5.00pm. Further details: https://ngs. org.uk/view-garden/35539. Pre-booking available or pay on the gate.

Neighboring garden at Well Cottage and Pilsdon View will be open as part of the National Garden Scheme. Opening times 12.00 to 17.00 with joint ticket £7 for adults and children free.

Refreshments including home made cakes available at Well Cottage.

Well Cottage has featured in Amateur Gardening magazine and Pilsdon View is a past winner of the best garden at the Melplash show. Also open May 23 and 24.

May 14

May 23

May 8

Lyme Regis Farmers’ Market 9am-4pm Monthly artisan market returns with a fantastic selection of producers, growers and makers from a 30-mile radius of Lyme Regis. The Shelters, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. DT7 3JE www.lrdt.co.uk/lymeregisfarmersmarket Lyme Regis u3a presents a talk on Assistance dogs, online via Zoom, at 11am. Please see the web site www.lymeregisu3a.org for details of membership and all the activities of this learning cooperative for people no longer in full time work.

May 15

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 8 mile walk from Chilcombe. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

May 19

Scottish Country Dancing. Classes are due to resume on Wednesday May 19th. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 at Hatch Beauchamp village hall TA3 6SG . Learn the steps, formations and dances in a fun setting and led by a fully qualified teacher. £3.00 per session, pay as you go. Come and join us. For more information please contact Anita on 01460 929383 or email anitaandjim22@gmail.com . We look forward to welcoming you.

May 20

Bridport & District Gardening Club Zoom Lecture “A Look at Costa Rica’s Wildlife” by David Boag.

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Kilmington (Shute Road) Gardens EX13 7ST in East Devon near Axminster - Opening three gardens for the NGS, 1.30 - 5.00 pm. Further details: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/35539. Prebooking available or pay on the gate.

Singing Bowl Soundbath 2pm-3.30pm The David Hall, Roundwell St, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA £15 Lie down, relax, and allow the Pure Sounds of a crystal and Tibetan bowl soundbath plus sacred vocal overtoning take you into the deeper brainwaves states of ‘the relaxation response’, while charging and balancing the aura and chakras of the subtle body, and detoxing the physical body. Numbers restricted to ensure social distancing, so please book firmly in advance–no ‘on the spot’ admissions. Covidsecure venue operating hand sanitiser, track and trace, etc.01935 389655 or email ahiahel@live.com

May 24

Hawkchurch Film Nights, in association with Devon Moviola, presents ‘Military Wives’, (cert. 12A, 112 mins), an uplifting true-life tale from the director of ‘The Full Monty’, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan, who organise a choir while their husbands are on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Tickets are £5 and are available in advance only from Chris at csma95@gmail.com or leave a message on 01297 678176. Two performances, allocated seating, social distancing and full Covid-19 counter-measures will be in place. Hawkchurch Village Hall, EX13 5XW. Performances at 4.45pm (doors 4.30pm) and 7.45pm (doors 7.30pm).

May 25

Village Magic. Professor Ronald Hutton M.A.(Cantab.), D.Phil.

(Oxon.), F.R.Hist.S., F.S.A., FLSW, FBA will talk on Village Magic and Witchcraft. 7.30 pm. He is a leading authority on history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. Also the leading historian of the ritual year in Britain and of modern paganism and a prolific author. The lecture is by zoom, apply to fergus.dowding@btinternet.com for the free link.

Bridport and District u3a presents a talk by Prof. Gerald Seaman, titled ‘My Musical Life in Russia’, online via Zoom. 2 pm.

Bridport and District u3a is an organisation for people who want to undertake learning for its own sake, with like minded people, in a social setting. There is no minimum age, but you should be no longer in, or seeking, full time employment or raising a family.

Since March 2020 most of our face-to-face activities have been moved online, and over 20 new online groups have also started.

We continue to run our full programme of scheduled monthly talks, currently using Zoom. Please visit our website for specific details and contact information www.bridportu3a.org.uk, or email membership@bridportu3a.org.uk

May 26

Scottish Country Dancing. Classes are due to resume on Wednesday May 19th. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 9.30 at Hatch Beauchamp village hall TA3 6SG . Learn the steps, formations and dances in a fun setting and led by a fully qualified teacher. £3.00 per session, pay as you go. Come and join us. For more information please contact Anita on 01460 929383 or email anitaandjim22@gmail.com . We look forward to welcoming you.

May 28 - 31

Jazz Jurassica, Lyme Regis. Socially distanced weekend of indoor and outdoor concerts for jazz enthusiasts. More information and tickets from: www.jazzjurassica.co.uk.

May 30

Singing Bowl Soundbath 2pm-4pm Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA £15Lie down, relax, and allow the Pure Sounds of a crystal and Tibetan bowl soundbath plus sacred vocal overtoning take you into the deeper brainwaves states of ‘the relaxation response’, while charging and balancing the aura and chakras of the subtle body, and detoxing the physical body.Numbers restricted to ensure social distancing, so please book firmly in advance–no ‘on the spot’ admissions. Covid-secure venue operating hand sanitiser, track and trace, etc.01935 389655 or email ahiahel@ live.com

May 31

Severalls Jubilee Bowls Club in Crewkerne is having an Open Day from 10am to 4pm to welcome people of all ages and abilities to come and try outdoor bowling. Safe coaching, bowls and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. All we ask is that you wear flat soled footwear to protect our green. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Free membership to anyone who joins our club on the day. For more information phone Geoff on 01308 867221 or 07849 600366 or email geoffkerr47@btinternet.com

EVENTS IN JUNE

Live or Online send your June event details to info@marshwoodvale.com by May 14th.

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News&Views

LYME REGIS Grant success for Marine

The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis was among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. The second round of awards will help the Marine to look ahead and fund reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations, this funding will be helpful for organisations such as the Marine transitioning back to normal. COVID-19 safety means increased costs and work for arts venues after a year without normal income. Director of the Marine Theatre, Gabby Rabbitts, said: ‘This is very good news for Lyme Regis residents who like to have fun. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome back the community.’

SEATON Tramway opens with grant

Seaton Tramway in East Devon has received a grant of £217,500 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen. A registered charity, Seaton Tramway has been operating in Seaton since August 1970 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. The Tramway operates a 3-mile track between the coastal town of Seaton and the town of Colyton and has a fleet of 14 trams. The trams range in age from 1904 to 2007 and include a fleet of heritage trams of which ran on the streets of London, Bournemouth and includes the last surviving tram to run on the streets of Exeter.

18 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

BRIDPORT Skatepark consultation

A consultation questionnaire has been produced to find out the views of local people in regard to the modernisation of Bridport Skatepark. The park has been a successful venue for wheeled sports in the town for over 15 years. Over time the facility has become tired and in need of modernisation and the Council are spearheading a project to rejuvenate the area and develop a bespoke, spray concrete facility. The plan is to create an open, welcoming, community space that encourages younger less experienced riders to get involved. To contribute your views visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp QLSebOL38jWCr2ssta4YQLhrmTAs3bdMsS OmttEhOUZgWTuMY-Q/viewform

HOLWELL Neighbourhood Plan

A review of the Holwell Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to the council for examination. The plan has been reviewed by local people, and agreed by the parish council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community. People who live, work or run a business in the Holwell neighbourhood area have until the end of Wednesday 19 May, to raise any concerns they may have about the plan review.

These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.

The plan can be viewed online at https:// www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/holwellneighbourhood-plan.

WEST BAY Events despite cancellation

Although the Melplash Show has been cancelled for 2021, facets of the popular agricultural show will go on. This year, organisers will host several educational and community events as well as competitions along with the Discover Farming education programme. Planned events include Garden & Allotment, Farm and Flock competitions in June and July: a craft and home produce competition including classes for children in August: a horticulture and craft competition later in the year and a farm produce show in late Summer. The annual Hedging & Ploughing match is scheduled for Sunday 19th September near Salway Ash. For more information visit www.melplashshow.co.uk

Special Days Laterally Speaking by Humphrey Walwyn

I

love having special days—days to plan, celebrate and to look forward to. We’ve got religious special days like Easter and Christmas and this month we’ve got two Bank Holidays when everything closes including banks (which may make no difference to you if your local bank has been closed for the last 3 years). Bank holidays are also an occasion to join the traffic jams along the A35 while awaiting your turn to sit on the one available square metre of sand on Bournemouth beach. Then there’s a mixed bag of uncategorized special days—some of them well known like Guy Fawkes or Valentine’s Day and even the American import of Halloween, although quite why we all go mad for orange witches and black spiders is still a mystery to me! In addition to Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day (both of which are exclusively owned by the Greeting Card industry), we also have lesser-known celebrations such as World Elephant Day (August 12th), Be Nice To Nettles Day (May 24th) and Europe Day (May 9th) although this last one may not be so popular after Brexit!

In the UK, we don’t have that many proper holidays. We’ve only got 8 while the USA has 11, Spain has 14, Japan has 16 and India has a whopping 18 holidays a year. So, we definitely deserve some more. Here is my lateral selection of new holidays for a post-lockdown UK. Take your pick. I already have. All of them!

Dumping Day: After all the romance and kisses of Valentine’s Day in February, we need an antidote to loving soppiness. I suggest Dumping Day (only for singles) in the middle of March, when partners can separate without any shame or unpleasantness and try to be romantic again with somebody else. Please note… if you’re married, this day does NOT apply to you! If you’re too shy to tell your partner to his/her face that your relationship is doomed, you can buy them a Dumping Card containing words like “So sorry, but this isn’t going to work between us” or “Dear (your name), it’s been fun but I’m afraid you and I cannot be an item anymore” or even more brutally “It’s over!”. Let a well-chosen Greetings (or in this case Goodbye) Card save you embarrassment and do the dirty work for you at a distance.

Family Dinner Day: I enjoy watching celebrity TV chef programmes if only to serve as a reminder of what is technically possible, compared to what has actually been served up under lockdown. Indeed, this magazine is full of highly talented cooks and their intricate recipes. But I think it may have all gone too far and is now overly rich and fussy.

I have to confess that over recent isolationist months I’ve become addicted to crinkly oven chips and even factory made fresh sliced bread. It’s the trouble-free convenience that I find appealing. Family Dinner Day is therefore a rebellion against overly fancy posh food and will encourage a return to good old fashioned English nosh for one day in the year. It’s like pushing the reset button on my tummy. I’m removing my upmarket Beurre blanc and chucking my over-priced Ragu of wild boar (with freshly snouted truffles) into the recycling bin

for one day, where it will be perfectly at home.

Instead, let me have a good old-fashioned dinner of Toad-in-the-Hole followed by super solid jam roly-poly or bread and butter pudding smothered in lashings of custard.

Plus chips!

David Attenborough’s Wildlife Wednesday: Held in late Spring, this day celebrates the glory of nature.

Viewers will watch Attenborough animal programmes on an endless loop through the day. Every year Sir David is keen to publicise our very tiniest animals and insects who may be small in size, but are huge in evolutionary importance. Last year he was seen climbing up windows and walls as he celebrated the humble house fly.

Somerset resident dressing up for This year, his guest will be Greta International Giraffe Day Thunberg who will arrive dressed as an ant.

Austerity Day: Now that we’re coming out of lockdown and things are starting to return to normal, don’t you really miss those long periods of blessed home isolation and loneliness? Remember how you never had to ‘tidy up’ just because Auntie Pat was perhaps coming round for coffee.

Naturally she never came round and nor did anyone else. I wore the same shirt for several months and nobody noticed!

(Except my wife who has an excellent sense of smell).

Austerity Day is the day when you stay at home and can wear and do exactly as you like. Just like last year! You can’t go out because everywhere will be closed in memoriam of lockdown.

No visitors, no guests—just the two of you at home by yourselves! Sit in quiet contemplation and remembrance of the pandemic. Start to read one of those many books you said you would read during lockdown, but never even opened, let alone actually read.

St Netflix Day: Once the pandemic has truly passed, various international bodies will bestow awards to organisations who did the most to help us all during lockdown. Netflix is one such example and is even up for canonization by the Vatican. During this day, all streaming services will be free and St Netflix will bless the airwaves and waft dogmatic incense over every roof in the UK (subscribe now—special St Netflix offer is only £199 per home).

Forgetful Friday: Celebrated in mid-December, everyone has to write down all the things they were supposed to have done over the last year but haven’t been able to complete. The finished list is also useful a fortnight later as it becomes your list of New Year’s Resolutions—things that you really HAVE to do before next New Year. This list has to be compiled before Christmas, otherwise you’ll eat so much and have such fun over the holiday, you’ll forget everything on it.

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Rugby IN THE

SPOTLIGHT It takes determination and a lot of hard work to bring local sports clubs together and Bridport Rugby Club is no exception. Senior team captain Andrew Livingston has spoken to some of those responsible for getting the club to where it is today.

W

hen I was just four years old I was given an ultimatum... Ride or rugby? As a fiveyear-old, I thankfully opted to head with my Dad to join Bridport Rugby Club rather than play ponies with my Mum. As a child playing and training on the Brewery Ground, I had no idea of the history that built the club to where it was today.

It all kicked off in 1968, when a then 26-yearold David Williams caught an advert in the Echo calling for any interest in creating a local men’s rugby team. Shandy, as he is most commonly known, was playing for the Dorchester team at the time. He told me: ‘For me, a home game was away cause I’d travel from Nettlecombe to Bridport, Bridport to Dorchester and you’ve got to remember that roads weren’t so good. But when you went on to London from there or to Plymouth to play away, it’s a whole day gone.’

With this in mind, Shandy rang the author of the advertisement, John Osbourne, and the two arranged to meet that evening in the Seven Stars pub on Barrack Street. Before reaching a few ‘degrees of inebriation’, the two had hatched a plan to formulate a brand new rugby club for the people of Bridport. Shandy exclaimed: ‘The beauty of me and him [Osbourne] was that I knew about local rugby, but he knew about local people. He’d gone to Colfox, he was a local lad. he knew everybody in Bridport.’

With the help of Shandy, Osbourne’s advert had managed to drum up a squad to play their first season at Colfox school, where they even managed to scrounge a set of shirts that ‘had been given up as moth-eaten ten years previous’ by the school.

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The First Team photo from 1969

‘We didn’t have any money and we thought “well we’ve started so we are going to have to get our own kit”. Shirt, socks and shorts—so everyone brought their own on the proviso that if you were dropped next week you’d leave your shirt, short and socks behind.’

The first season completed and the club moved to a new home—the Brewery Ground. First-class Clifton came to visit from Bristol to christen the new home of the Bridport Rugby Club and by all accounts gave the lads from West Dorset what Shandy to this day describes in his local twang as a ‘f***in’ good hiding’ which was no matter as they had a lovely day and ‘all got pissed’.

From talking with the now 78-year-old Shandy, it seems that drinking was slightly synonymous with the team. This may have been partly down to their recruitment strategy. He told me: ‘If we couldn’t get

fifteen for a Saturday [game], we would troll the pubs on a Friday night waiting for them to get pissed so we could convince them to play. That’s what we used to do, but we enjoyed what we did.’

Decades passed and the club grew from strength to strength and soon had both a second team and a colts section. Still, however, they all shared the cold and damp cricket pavilion that they called a clubhouse.

Till, in 1989, former first-team player Malcolm Heaver stepped up to the position of Club Chairman.

Malcolm held the position for eleven years and is largely responsible for how the club looks and runs today. He told me: ‘When I became chairman, there was three things I wanted to do, one was provide training lights, second a clubhouse and third a mini section.

‘The lights were done. Got those sorted and then raising the funds for the clubhouse began in earnest.

Celebrating the club’s 50th anniversary year

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its door to children to play. Malcolm explained: ‘John and I started it off and I think in the first week we had about 10 or 11 and then certain parents got themselves coaching licenses and started helping to coach.

‘Bit by bit it built up and then we bought a minibus, which was the last thing I did as chairman. We started taking the kids to Poole, Blandford, Weymouth all over the place to play Sunday morning fixtures.’

Within the first waves of juniors that joined the club was a young Haydn Thomas who would later go on to play for the Exeter Chiefs and make one uncapped appearance for England. Heaver exclaims that when the future star was six he had to keep ‘shepherding him off the pitch as he wasn’t allowed to tackle’.

Today, Thomas has retired from playing rugby professionally and is now a senior coach with the Chiefs, but still remembers his time as a junior. He recounted to me how everyone initially trained together: ‘I was five when I first started, there were no under-fives but my brothers were playing at under-sevens and under-nines, so I just went down anyway and wanted to be a part of it.

‘They were building the clubhouse and we had that

Beg, borrowing and stealing from everywhere we could and raising the money over some time, £160,000 I think it was.’

Malcolm was passionate about providing somewhere for the club to be proud to watch their club as the old clubhouse was ‘a real dive’. He went on to explain: ‘It was single skinned walls, I lined them out with baton and polystyrene to make it warmer and got some heaters put in there to make it as nice as we could.

‘I wrote to every single rugby club in the land, I used ‘To build the original Leisure Centre, the clubhouse had to go and we were left with a to leave the Dot Matrix printer going at 7:30 at night room that is now called the Bacit Studio, which and it would go all night printing off envelopes...’ was going to be the bar and I kicked up merry hell to say “it doesn’t even face the pitch. How could that be a rugby club?” So they gave us a new and it was brilliant. I have memories of it being so bar downstairs, which is now where the administration cold sometimes out there training, we would have to offices are and the club was dying, the place was run back into the main Leisure Centre just to warm our horrible.’ hands up.’

The chairman and his printer went to all ends to raise Every Saturday he and his two brothers would come the funds needed to get the project underway for the and watch the seniors with his Dad whilst on a Sunday club to have a clubhouse they could call their own. ‘I his Mum work in the kitchen, cooking 100 sausage and wrote to every single rugby club in the land, I used to chips for all the juniors. leave the Dot Matrix printer going at 7:30 at night and The former scrum-half says that numerous people it would go all night printing off envelopes. I think I’m in the club helped his development as a player. ‘Kevin right in saying about 2000 letters went out and we got a Bullock, Nick Woodhouse and Derrick Hoskins were little back from that.’ pivotal in my development as a youngster.’ He went on With enough money raised, construction commenced to add: ‘I had a great time with my career and if it wasn’t in 1992 in conjunction with the building of the for Bridport Rugby Club I would have never done what swimming pool that is bound to the Leisure Centre that I did.’ looms over the club today. ‘Work parties were organised In 2018 the club celebrated its 50th-anniversary and club members would form a human chain to load celebration at Freshwater Holiday Park. With John bricks and blocks into the shell for the subcontractor to Osbourne’s sad passing in 2015, Shandy marvelled on lay.’ his own at the work that the two of them started in the Travis Perkins, Bradfords, JC Phillips and Heavers Seven Stars back in ‘68. all donated materials to help keep the costs down. ‘The I quizzed him on how he feels about everything last major part was to lay the engineered oak floor. This the club has achieved and he explained: ‘We’ve had a was carried out by myself and Guy Ewert. Our knees wonderful time, we’ve had some great dinners and some have never recovered, every joint needed to be glued and great speakers. We’ve done as well as anybody I would secret nailed.’ imagine in the Dorset and Wilts area.

A year later, on the 24th October 1993, the clubhouse ‘What we have provided and what we have to be very was opened by Sir Peter Yarranton, who at the time proud of is the fact that so many thousands of people was Chairman of the UK Sports Council and a former would have played rugby down there because the club England international for rugby union. was started in the first place. Not just me, I’m irrelevant Arguably, Malcolm’s greatest achievement in the club really, but all the people that have put together over the was not the clubhouse, but the formation of the junior years, the times that the coaches have given up to help section in 1991. With the help of former First XV the youngsters.

Captain John Greig, the club for the first time opened ‘What could I have done better in life?’

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Advertorial

Cycling should be fun – shouldn’t it?

CYCLING evokes memories of warm summer days, lanes lined with wildflowers in hedgerows, picnics by the river and carefree times pedalling along enjoying the sun. For so many of us though, these are just memories. When we think about biking now, many of us instead imagine steep hills, unflattering lycra and breaking out in an unpleasant sweat.

But there is a way we can return those happy memories to the present and make some fantastic new ones. Hikobike customers constantly confirm this with tales of their trips and plans.

The first time you get on an electric bike and pull smoothly away, you can recall why cycling really can be fun. Overcoming the resistance is suddenly easy. Customers who have not ridden for years have become irrepressible enthusiasts once more.

Hikobike UK sells quality, affordable electric bicycles suitable for every type of rider. The bikes are designed in New Zealand (NZ) and the components are selected from the best worldwide suppliers.

Having come across Hikobike during a trip to NZ in 2018 to visit his wife’s family, Mark Essame and his team decided to start importing these bikes to the UK. ‘I was really impressed by the design of the bike and quality of the components’ explained Mark. ‘I could see a space in the UK market for a well-priced electric bike that combined the quality and style Hikobike had to offer’.

It took until early 2020 to get some bikes to the UK but starting an electric bike business during the first national lockdown turned out to be fortuitous timing. Electric bike sales were really picking up as people moved away from public transport and were looking for ways to enjoy the Spring sun. Electric bicycles not only offer that, but also the ability to go further and faster than a standard bicycle. Being able to choose how much to use the motor means you can push yourself as hard as you like, whilst knowing you can travel significant distances.

Mark, a trained bike mechanic, runs Joshuas Harvest Store alongside Hikobike. Joshuas focuses on local produce and ethical and healthy living, which Mark said fits really well with the electric bike business: ‘E-bikes provide a low cost, energy efficient mode of transport which is both practical and sustainable. I am sure the demand for them will keep increasing as people look for new ways to decrease their environmental impact’.

Hikobike stock a range of bikes, which cater for people looking for e-bikes at different price levels and for both city and country riding. The Hikobike philosophy incorporates designing and manufacturing comfortable, functional electric assist bikes from the best quality components, which allow the user to experience trouble free riding adventures for years to come.

Tempted to try out an electric bike? Hikobikes are available to view at Joshuas Harvest Store, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1NU. Visit them to remind yourself, yes cycling is fun. www.hikobike.co.uk Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 23

Recording Thoughts and Memories The coronavirus pandemic has been hard for us all, but particularly for older people on their own. A little over a year after the country went into its first lockdown, Margery Hookings finds out more about a project run by the Windrose Rural Community Trust to record the thoughts and memories of older people living at home in Dorset.

A

series of telephone interviews with older people during lockdown has just been uploaded onto the website of the Windrose Rural Media Trust.

Known for its archive film collection, the charity also works with people in rural communities across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire in a wide-range of projects. One of them, a partnership with Age UK North, West & South Dorset, and funded by a £5,000 grant from Dorset Community Foundation, has proved to be a real eye opener when it comes to assessing the impact the pandemic has had on older people in the county.

Ali Grant and Debra Hearne spoke to people by telephone and Zoom to record their memories and life stories as well as talking to them about how they have been affected by restrictions during the pandemic.

Says Ali: ‘Like the rest of us, older people have been having to cope with lockdown and lots of restrictions to normal life.

However, unlike lots of us, many of these people live alone and have had all their regular activities—such as lunch clubs— cancelled.

‘I feel privileged to have had so many of my interviewees share some pretty personal stuff with me, some of which is just too sensitive to put in the public domain. It is clear that many of them are lonely and have just wanted someone to talk to. One lady told me that it had really helped her to talk to me, and that she felt better.

‘Another lady I spoke to, who I first met a few years ago when I was working on another project, lost her husband in July 2019. They had been married for 64 years, and she had cared for him at home for his last ten years, as he had Alzheimers. She spoke movingly about how he had died in her arms, and how he has helped her through the last few months because she talks to him every day, which is getting her through.

‘I spoke to another lady who regrets her decision to move to Dorset from Surrey a few years ago, as she hasn’t really made any friends, and the pandemic has been a very lonely time for her. She had planned a party for her 90th birthday, which would have been a mass gathering of friends and family from her home town. Obviously that couldn’t happen, and she was really hoping her 91st birthday would be one to remember, for different reasons.

‘It has been very humbling to hear these stories and I wish there was more I could have done for those who are feeling lonely and missing loved ones.’

Along with the sad tales of loss and loneliness, there were happy and some funny stories that came from the interviews.

One woman shared her memory with Ali of giving Mary Berry cookery tips in the days before Bake Off. Ali says: ‘She was doing a book signing in Poundbury and my interviewee was taken by her daughter to get some books signed. The daughter happened to mention to Mary Berry and her mum was an expert toffee apple maker, to which Mary Berry responded that she’d never made them. My lady then

proceeded to explain how to do it! As we were recording this story, we were both laughing and wondered if Mary Berry ever ended up making toffee apples.’

One of the older people who spoke to Debra Hearne was Ron Creed, who was born in 1928. He had a tough early life and recalls how food was often short. He relates that health worries were a concern especially pre-NHS. He remarks that when the NHS was born he and his family felt a sense of relief, because financially they didn’t have to pay for health care anymore.

Says Debra: ‘Ron was 11 when the war started. He was evacuated and he missed two years of schooling. He compares the disruption in his education, to how young people today are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic today.’

Ron told Debra: ‘It had a lasting effect on my life because, when you are young and being taught, you’re taught a lot of basic things, that you miss out on. During that time there was no schooling.’

Ron compared what was happening in the world today to those wartime years. He said: ‘We’re going through this COVID-19 virus and basically it’s similar conditions except that it’s a silent enemy that we’re facing now, we don’t know who and where it is and consequently, I think we need some kind of inner discipline to carry out the things that the government have told us and to keep ourselves safe and that’s what they did during the war, to try and keep us all safe and that’s what they are trying to do now.’

Ron went on to explain his thoughts on the comparisons with today’s young people missing out on their education.

He told Debra: ‘I realise it’s so important the period you’re at school, because it only occurs once in your life. You only have one chance at it and I think it’s more important for children to go to school than the actual virus itself…there are similarities between the two. I think today’s parallel is quite distinct. The main is we don’t have to sit in air raid shelters being bombed.’

Ron said to Debra that he had enjoyed talking about his memories and was grateful to have the opportunity to talk about things that were on his mind.

He told her: ‘When you get into your 90s you start to think about your life, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, so it’s nice to put it into some kind of context to help people today know how we suffered during the war years and compare it to today’s suffering.’

Debra said: ‘Feedback from the interviewees was extremely positive. It enabled many of them to reflect on their lives, to relive precious memories, to give something back to others and to engage and participate in a project that will be available for future generations to hear.

‘For some participants, sharing and comparing their experiences during the Second World War to today’s pandemic was important to them as Ron Creed commented. ‘Some participants have felt very lonely and isolated during the pandemic and having an opportunity to share their memories

and to reflect on their thoughts and feelings has been positive.

‘Above all the interviewees felt listened too, which they felt helped them make sense of what has been happening in the world. Some of the participants said that it was nice to relive their memories and be able to pass on the audio to their family.’

To listen to the audio interviews, go to Windrose Rural Media Trust’s YouTube page https://www.youtube. com/user/windroseRMT and visit the interactive Close Encounters map on the charity’s website - https:// windroseruralmedia.org/close-encounters/

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Advertorial

BEER QUARRY CAVES Reopening on May 17th While we were shut, we improved the site, but Steve Rodgers searched Between two thousand and five thousand years ago one of our ancestors squatted in a field close to Beer Quarry caves and carved a flint (chert) axe head. A few weeks ago Steve Rodgers, the Caves custodian, found that axe head. It may not be totally unique and it may not be as old as the axe heads found a few miles away at Broome near Axminster, which date back 350,000 years ago and to a different kind of human, the Neanderthals; but my goodness, Steve’s axe head, it is beautiful. A virtual work of art.

And it serves to point times arrow and the history of the area of the caves much further into the past than the caves themselves. Beer Quarry caves are a mere 2,000 years old and date from well into the reign of homo sapiens in the area. It was a late version of homo sapiens, the Roman kind, who excavated the caves themselves from between 43 AD and 70 AD for the limestone they used in their villa and barracks at Seaton and probably in Exeter.

But all around the Roman stonemasons lay evidence of much earlier tool manufacture close to the site. Indeed it is highly likely that the Romans were well aware of the ready supply of flint around beer and used it for the flint fire lighters each group of soldiers carried with them to light fires and cook their meals.

Before the Romans came. Looking deeper into mankind’s history around Beer If we only follow the flint trail this takes us up to Beer Head, and then to Farway, the largest and most important stone age burial ground west of Stonehenge. The Farway site is, by modern standards, poorly documented and poorly excavated. Its outer rim is only a few hundred meters from the caves themselves, where there is a bowl grave at Fir Cross. Based on what is already known we estimate that the Beer stone age settlement was actually four separate but interacting settlements, three known.

Sidbury, Farway and Blackbury, but with the key stone age settlement at Beer itself. Not enough is known about the diet of the settlers in the three identified settlements, but almost all stone age settlements relied on fish as part of their diets. It is highly likely that the fish supply for the area came from the precursor of Beer village. All stone age life relied on drinking water however, There were no plastic buckets available so stone age men

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and women lived within easy reach of running, drinkable water. And it was an important part of their burial rituals.

There are a series of 9 graves neatly lining the bank of the Brook Sid between Farway and Sidbury.

There is a whole forgotten world around us out there, just waiting to be discovered. And why discover it?

The plague year 2020 We have just lived through a plague year. Many died but it was not the Black Death of 1347 when over 50% of the inhabitants of England succumbed. The scientists tell us that planet earth suffered 5 great extinctions, and in more recent time England itself suffered 50 or more plagues between the 8th and 18th century. Now, the scientists warn us that we are in the middle of a 6th extinction, almost certainly man made. And they also warn us that COVID-19 may only be the precursor of species hopping diseases, again caused by man kind’s interference with nature.

There were no plastic buckets available, so stone age men and women lived within easy reach of running, drinkable water.

The local geological formations out of which the local area was formed, and which lie below the caves, carry the remains of at least 3 of the great extinctions. We will now try and look for them, where they may occur in the cave walls themselves. Come, join us in our search So, our additional task at the caves this year will be to start researching and documenting the area around the caves mainly but not only to take in the 4 stone age settlement sites. Or more particularly, to find the lost settlement of Beer itself.

New Visitor attractions Our new permanent toilets should be open in May. Our kiosk will have new coffee and tea making facilities and a wider range of food. For our evening special tours we will have regular barbecues for visitors. We are planning new programmes for our younger visitors, with students invited to help us document the caves themselves, as well as the area around them. Our invitation is to help make and document history, not just look at it.

Kevin Cahill, Fellow Emeritus of the Royal Historical Society.

Historian in Residence at Beer Quarry Caves and Stephen Rodgers, Director.

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Islington or Ilsington?

By Cecil Amor

O

f course, in Dorset it is Ilsington, whereas Islington is London. However I have frequently made the mistake as I did about 27 years ago, when the Chairwoman (I started to write Chairlady, but thought this could be misread as Charlady) of one of our local groups asked for a visit there. I discovered Ilsington to be near to Puddletown, which Thomas Hardy called “Weatherbury”, near the Valley of the Great Dairies in his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

We made a summer afternoon visit, by appointment, to Ilsington House, and discovered a sturdy manor house, once owned by England’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole and then passed to his son Sir George Walpole in 1751. Sir George did not marry. The estate then passed on to Horatio Walpole, fourth Earl of Orford in 1791, also a politician and a writer of gothic novels. When he died in 1797 the manor passed to his cousin, Horatio, Baron Walpole.

King George III started visiting Melcombe in 1789, until 1811, staying at Gloucester Lodge which had been built by his brother, the Duke of Gloucester a short time earlier.

It has since been converted into an hotel and bar, on the esplanade, with a fine view over the sea front and across the bay. Melcombe and Weymouth were close together and both benefited from the royal patronage and now we tend to think of them as Weymouth. King George is celebrated on the sea front by a statue, together with a bathing machine, which he famously used to be transferred to the waters edge, when he bathed and presumably re-entered to dress in private, not far from Gloucester Lodge.

Hardy, in The Trumpet-Major describes how the George III reviewed his troops on the downs, with two Dukes and two generals on horseback, followed by two coaches, drawn by cream-coloured horses. The first coach held the Queen and three princesses and the second brought the two remaining princesses. Hardy writes, in dialect, the comments of the spectators, “There’s King Jarge”, “That’s Queen Sharlett”, “Princess ‘Lizabeth”, “Princesses Sophiar and Meelyer”.

Part of his retinue described was the Kings Equerry, Major General Thomas Garth, who leased Ilsington House and daily rode his horse from there to Gloucester Lodge to join his king.

When we made our visit to Ilsington House the guide showed us around the old manor house, with its rich wood panelling to see the paintings of past family residents, the antique furniture and ornaments. We probably had a cream tea, although the memory of that has long gone. Afterwards we were able to walk around the gardens, which matched the splendour of the old building and I have been reminded by a friend who was also visiting, that there were several sculptures made from willow branches. One of these, the largest, was of a “Withie Man” who straddled a path so that one walked between its legs.

During the tea our guide told us some of the history of the house and its people. One of the most interesting stories was about Major General Garth, which in retrospect was probably what several people were waiting to hear. He was not a tall man and had a “port wine” birthmark on his face.

One has to feel somewhat sorry for King George III, as he suffered from a hereditary disease, Porphyria, which made some refer to him as “mad King George”, and he also had problems abroad. Some of his children misbehaved, in particular the Prince Regent, who became King George IV, but perhaps their father, George III, may have been partly responsible. It has been said that whilst in Weymouth if he had to leave them on royal business, he would lock them inside Gloucester Lodge and forbid them to go out.

King George III and his Queen, formerly Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz, had fifteen children.

Their twelfth child was Princess Sophia Matilda, born on the third of November 1777. She was frequently left alone at Gloucester Lodge with Major General Garth. Despite his being thirty three years older than Princess Sophia, who was described as beautiful, she developed a considerable liking Detail from ‘Royal dipping’ by John Nixon, published © British Museum

for Garth and one quotation said “She could not contain herself in his presence”. Occasionally some of the young royals also stayed overnight at Ilsington House, en route for Weymouth, including the Duke of York and three Princesses, Mary, Amelia and Sophia.

General Garth also frequently stayed at Windsor Castle when the King was in London.

During one of the King’s absences from Gloucester Lodge it was rumoured that Princess Sophia gave birth to a boy. It was said that the Queen knew of the birth, but it was kept secret from the King and smuggled out of the Lodge and christened as a “Foundling”, as Thomas Ward, in August 1800. The baby was taken to a tailor and his wife, Samuel and Charlotte Sharland who had just had a child. They were paid to look after him and told not to talk about the affair, but apparently they did. General Garth was paying the bills and when the tailor went to him directly the child was removed from them, taken to Ilsington House, adopted by General Garth and renamed Tommy Garth. He was taken to London and was sent to Harrow School and eventually joined the King’s Hussars, Garth’s regiment. He fell into debt and when he suspected the truth he asked General Garth, or the Palace to pay his debts. Presumably neither helped him. Tommy Garth married and had a daughter.

Locally there were rumours, from the midwife, the tailor and his wife and eventually stories reached the press and this made Princess Sophia’s life difficult, although the King seemed to be in ignorance. I have a well rubbed halfpenny of 1816 and he looks undisturbed!

There was another suggestion, that the father of Princess Sophia’s child might have been her brother, Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, who was very close to her and on one occasion kissed her publicly.

Of course, this might just have been family affection, but tongues wagged.

Princess Sophia was always a frail child and late in life she became blind and it is said that Princess Victoria protected her.

In 2016, Dorset author Roger Guttridge produced a book Dorset—Curious and Surprising, including “Puddletown’s Royal Secret”, which covers basically the above subject matter.

In The Trumpet Major Thomas Hardy describes the excavation on the hill above “Overcombe” (believed to be Sutton Poyntz) by forty navvies of the chalk figure of King George III, wearing his cocked hat, on horseback. Hardy would be disappointed if he could see it now, as it is dirty and needs a good scrubbing, or rechalking. The King’s face is not as brown as the half penny I mentioned, just a dirty yellow. The skeleton staff on the cruise liners in the bay must wonder what it represents.

Bridport History Society will meet on “Zoom” on Tuesday 11th May at 2 for 2.30 pm to learn from Photographer George Wright about his book Vanishing Dorset, with illustrations. Details from Jane FerentziSheppard on 01308-425710 or email jferentzi@aol. com.

Cecil Amor, Hon President, Bridport History Society.

Sunflowers and Sweetpeas DORSET’S disability charity, Diverse Abilities, has relaunched its #GrowTogether fundraising campaign encouraging everyone to send seeds of hope to friends, family, neighbours, and the community, ahead of the social distancing guidelines coming to an end.

The campaign was created in the first 12-week lockdown to spread positivity and boost morale among those in isolation and raised more than £600.

For a £5 donation (and 75p postage and packaging charge), the charity will distribute sweet pea and dwarf sunflower seeds for recipients to plant, nourish and grow at home during the government’s lockdown period.

Sunflowers and sweet peas are both known to symbolise joy and happiness, and gardening is proven to help us keep fit, connect with others, and enjoy being a part of nature.

People can also decide to send flowers to someone they do not know, and fundraisers and volunteers will distribute them to local care homes and community groups, as well as to the people supported by Diverse Abilities.

Naomi Richards, fundraising officer at Diverse Abilities, said: ‘Our #GrowTogether campaign was so much fun last year and it was lovely to see everyone sharing pictures of their flowers growing into the summer months.’

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/growtogether for more details.

House&Garden

Vegetables in May

By Ashley Wheeler

April was a particularly cold month this year, but we tend to go by the time of year rather than the weather as to when to sow crops, so we continued with our plans and everything was planted out under fleece, which helps to keep the cold at bay, but as importantly kept the cold, drying winds off new plants. The weather during April has been perfect for us on our slow to drain soil. It has meant that we can get lots of beds prepared for planting as it has been dry enough to cultivate.

In the past we have used a lot of mulch on beds but are veering away from this now. We have always bought in a lot of municipal compost and used it as a surface mulch, which helps to retain some moisture in the soil below, makes hoeing a little easier on our soil that can bake solid in the summer, and helps to suppress the weeds a little too.

However, we are not totally comfortable relying on lots of inputs into the market garden, especially when we don’t know where they are from.

Although it feels great to have newly mulched beds and feels like the right thing to do in terms of adding lots of organic matter to the soil, there are potential downsides to it in terms of over-feeding the soil. Leaching can occur, leading to problems with surrounding waterways, and plants can grow too lush and be more susceptible to pest and disease damage. So, we are now applying compost more methodically to certain crops that require a little more—such as brassicas, and we will be sowing lots of green manures throughout the year to add organic matter and help to protect the soil and improve soil structure.

As with lots of ideas in gardening and veg growing there are many different ways of preparing the soil, and for us it is important to always be questioning what we are doing rather than “just doing it because we always have done”.

For us, this is at the heart of true organic growing—always pushing ourselves to think how we could grow veg in a more sustainable way—without relying on so many external inputs and trying to build a thriving ecosystem where natural systems can be integrated into the veg growing systems.

One example of this is that we are putting more flower strips into the garden this year. Although this may take up a small amount of valuable veg growing space, it will provide vital food for insects, as well as birds which will help to pollinate our crops and predate some of the insects that eat our crops. It also creates a beautiful space to work in. We will be sowing all sorts of flowers—mainly annuals with lots of pollen, but also lots of umbellifers such as dill which attracts huge numbers of parasitic wasps and hoverflies that in turn eat aphids. We will sow lots of sunflowers, some of which we can pick to bring in the house, but lots of which will be left to seed and provide food for birds through the autumn and winter.

It is easy on a small scale to get carried away with trying to squeeze as much produce out of the space as possible, 30 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

A bed of mixed flowers including phacelia attracting pollinators

however, incorporating flower strips in to the growing space will pay back with the benefits that it provides.

WHAT TO SOW THIS MONTH: kale, forced chicory, carrots, beetroot, chard, successions of lettuce and other salad leaves (not mustards and rocket—these will bolt too quickly now and get flea beetle), autumn cabbage, broccoli, parsnips (direct sown), successions of basil, dill and coriander, early chicory—palla rossa and treviso types, cucumbers (for second succession), french and runner beans, courgettes, squash and sweetcorn if not already sown.

WHAT TO PLANT THIS MONTH: OUTSIDE: salads, spring onions, beetroot, chard, shallots and onions from seed, courgettes, squash, corn, kale, last direct sown radish early in the month, french and runner beans INSIDE: If not already done—tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, chillies, indoor french beans, basil OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS THIS MONTH: Keep on top of the seed sowing, but don’t sow too much of anything—think about sowing successionally. Keep on top of hoeing and weeding—ideally hoe when the weeds are just starting to come up on a dry, sunny, breezy day. We usually hoe about one week after we have planted, and then usually another hoe a week after and after that the crop canopy hopefully shades out any subsequent weeds.

For more information about our veg bag delivery scheme go to trillfarmgarden.co.uk/boxscheme.html and for information on courses coming up this month go to trillfarmgarden.co.uk/courses.html

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May in the Garden

By Russell Jordan

I

n a ‘normal’ year, if there is such a thing, I’d be hoping that by the time we reach May the risk of frost is practically zero—in the balmy south west at least. Given the number of proper frosty nights that we’ve had in April, much later than usual, I’m slightly ‘once bitten, twice shy’.

Every year I try to warn gardeners not to plant out tender plants until ‘all chance of frost has gone’ but, especially given their early availability in garden centres and online, I know that the temptation to acquire lovely new plants, and getting them planted immediately, is hard to resist!

Apparently, if the news reports are to be believed, there has been a huge increase in the number of people gardening since the pandemic forced many folk to spend less time in an office and more time luxuriating in their own surroundings. I really hope that new, inexperienced, gardeners won’t have been put off by any failures that they may have suffered due to the run of frosty nights in April and that they will persevere with planting their gardens in the hope that May will deliver decent weather and warmer nights.

Things really are in full swing now—it seems a new plant is in flower every time you step outdoors. I love the abundance of the perennials which belong to the ‘edge of woodland’ tribe. These are often related to the kind of plants which make our hedge-banks and roadside verges look so wonderful at this time of year; Ajuga (bugle), Aquilegia (Columbine or ‘Granny’s Bonnets’), Lamium (Dead Nettle) and, of course, Geranium (hardy or perennial geraniums) to name but a few.

On the maintenance front keeping on top of things without being a martyr to the garden is a hard balancing act. If you managed to do a decent weed removal job in early spring, followed by a mulch, then you’ll be laughing.

If, like me, you didn’t quite get around to doing it all then concentrate on the areas where you know weeds could get a foothold and try to keep them in check. Getting them out ‘roots and all’ is obviously the best thing but just pulling off

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the tops, every time they appear, is better than nothing. It will stop the weed from flowering, a good thing, and buys you some time until you can get in with the fork and dig it out properly.

Unfashionable though it is, the use of a non-persistent weedkiller, generally based on glyphosate, at this time of year is most effective because it relies on the treated weeds to be in active growth in order to work properly. If you want to use it in a very targeted way, the best option, then painting on your chosen weedkiller with a paintbrush, wearing gloves of course, allows you to kill weeds, such as dandelions, which might otherwise invade your ornamental beds and borders. Weeds with a long taproot are notoriously difficult to remove, by hand weeding alone, so having a chemical herbicide in your arsenal is practically essential to prevent your garden from becoming overly burdensome.

The same with pests; blitzing with pesticides is somewhat frowned upon these days but picking off caterpillars, and the like, as soon as you spot them helps control them until natural predators get into their stride. On tough shrubs blasting with a jet of water goes some way to removing aphids but is not recommended for precious herbaceous / bedding where a jet of water will do the plant more damage than the bug.

After weed control and pest control I suppose the third most timely gardening task is the feeding and maintenance of plants. If you have a lot of plants in pots and containers then, especially given the lengthy dry spell this April, then you’ll know that they rely on you to provide them with water and nutrients. Although I tend to use a slow release fertiliser, whenever I’m planting up a new display, it is important to remember that this initial feed will not last forever and top dressing with fresh compost, plus added slow-release granules, every spring is beneficial. Displays of showy, predominantly annual or tender perennial, plants will require liquid feeding at every other watering, or as directed by your chosen fertiliser brand, if they are to keep flowering

for the whole of the growing season.

Trimming fast growing hedges, like privet and lonicera, every few weeks starting now, will keep them neat and dense. Cutting out the flowered stems from shrubs which bloomed in early spring, forsythia being the main culprit, allows them to produce strong new growth for flowering next year. Constant removal of old stems from all shrubs in the garden is the key to keeping them fit and healthy. The best time to do it, for any specimen, is as soon as the flowers have faded. Have a quick run around your garden, right now, to see whether your spring-flowering shrubs could benefit from this timely intervention—it’s one of those essential gardening tasks that’s easy to overlook until your shrub has become so overgrown that complete removal is your only option.

On the subject of ‘trimming’ and ‘constant maintenance’; the lawn will be in full growth by now. Regular mowing is the best way to keep it in fine fettle and, if you started mowing with at a higher cutting height, now your lawnmower can be returned to its regular height to deal with the more rapid growth. While growing actively you can use proprietary ‘weeds and feeds’ on the sward if you are seeking verdant perfection and your grass is being superseded by weedy interlopers. If you have acres of lawn then you might be willing to join the trend to allow certain areas to ‘go native’, i.e. treating it like a meadow, but this isn’t usually practical if your lawn is needed to carpet your ‘outside room’ or is required to act as a foil to your abundant borders.

As with so much in horticulture it’s a case of ‘horses for courses’—just do what makes you happy :-)

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PROPERTY ROUND-UP

May this be your dream home?

By Helen Fisher

THORNCOMBE £450,000

An attractive double fronted, detached 4 bedroom house of approx 20 years old. Spacious hallway with galleried landing above, reception room with multi-fuel stove and French doors to the conservatory. With pretty, fully enclosed rear garden and double garage. Short walk to village shop.

Gordon & Rumsby Tel: 01297 553768

BRIDPORT £830,000

A magnificent 1st floor apartment within a Grade II* listed mansion house.

Built in 1789 with remodelling in 1893 & 1999. Many period features inc: shuttered windows, panelled doors, fireplace and cellar storage. With farreaching southerly views to the coast. Communal wooded grounds and formal gardens. Garage and parking.

Kennedys Tel: 01308 427329

CHARMOUTH £825,000

BRIDPORT £425,000

This 3/4 bedroomed home is situated perfectly to appreciate the sea, coastal and countryside views. Recently refurbished to a very high standard to take advantage of the natural light and outstanding aspect. Set on a generous, well established, southfacing plot with off road parking and garage.

Stags Tel: 01308 428000

An immaculately presented 2/3 bedroom detached chalet bungalow on the outskirts of town. Split over 2 floors with light and airy rooms and double-glazed throughout.

Conservatory leads onto the low maintenance garden with rural views. Off road and visitor parking.

Goadsby Tel: 01308 420000

CHIDEOCK £550,000

BURTON BRADSTOCK £900,000

A handsome Grade II listed 6/7 bedroom family house with far-reaching countryside views. Recently renovated yet retaining many character features inc: casement windows, open fireplaces and period staircase. Rear walled, mature garden with summer house and shed.

Symonds and Sampson Tel: 01308 422092

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A detached family home with 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms and large kitchen with Aga. Set in a highly desirable location with country views and sea glimpses. Easy walking distance to the village centre and beach. Conservatory leading onto south-east facing gardens. Double garage and ample parking.

Stags Tel: 01308 428000

Museum Celebrates 100th Birthday LYME Regis Museum is 100 years old this year and is looking forward to welcoming new volunteers as well as visitors. The museum has an exciting summer season planned with fabulous fossil walks, engaging activities and new exhibitions.

Built on the site of Mary Anning’s 1st home, Lyme Regis Museum is an architectural gem, first opened to the public in March 1921. With a fascinating history working with volunteers from the start—the geologist W D Lang was one of the early volunteers, the writer John Fowles helped save and transform the museum in the 60s and 70s and David Attenborough is a current patron of the Friends organisation.

Volunteering at the museum is an opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the history and heritage of Lyme. There are a variety of roles from ‘meet and greeters’, to fossil walk helpers, and gallery guides. As Lizzie, one of the long serving and loyal volunteers, says: ‘Working with such a varied group of people, within the museum, I’m always continuing to learn. The Visitors are so diverse too. You never know who’s coming through the door next. I’ve met relatives of Mary Anning from across the globe, the British Ambassador to the Ukraine and her son, to coaching Kate Winslet with her dialect in the recent film, Ammonite’ The museum would love to hear from people who are

interested, friendly, like meeting people and who would like to help them share Lyme’s fascinating history with visitors.

2021 will be especially exciting time at the Museum; not only is it their Centenary year but the film Ammonite, starring Kate Winslet and filmed in Lyme Regis, is due to be released. Plus it is expected to be an especially busy Summer.

This will be a truly exciting time to get involved with an organisation that is at the heart of Lyme Regis and the Jurassic coast. No previous experience is necessary as training and support will be provided. If you are interested please visit the website www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk where you can find details of volunteering opportunities. If you would like to find out more please contact Sue Jones on museum@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

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Food&Dining

ASPARAGUS WITH WATERCRESS AND CANDIED WALNUT SALAD

LESLEY WATERS

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 2 bunches asparagus • 2 tbsp olive oil + drizzle for watercress • 1 bunch watercress, washed and picked • 15g butter, melted • 100g shelled walnuts • 1 ½ tbsp caster sugar • pinch salt • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat the oven to 190C fan oven, gas 5. To make the candied walnuts, toss the walnuts in melted butter and sprinkle over the sugar and salt. Toss well to coat and place on a baking tray. Place in the oven at 190C for 3 minutes. Remove tray and give them a shake, return to the oven for 2-3 minutes. Set to one side until needed.

2. Prepare the asparagus and place in a roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil and season well. Roast in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until just tender.

3. Place the watercress in a bowl and lightly dress with a little balsamic and olive oil.

Serves 4

SERVE ALONGSIDE SOUFFLÉ OMELETTE WITH BLUE VINNY INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 15g butter + extra for cooking • 15g plain flour • 100ml milk • 1 bay leaf • grating of nutmeg • 2 free-range eggs, separated • 30g Blue Vinny, crumbled

1. Place butter in pan and heat until melted, add flour and cook for 1 minute.

2. Add milk, bay leaf and stir well, cook for 3 minutes.

Season with nutmeg salt and pepper.

3. Remove pan from heat and beat in egg yolks.

4. Whisk egg whites until just stiff. Beat in a spoonful of the egg white to loosen the mixture and fold the rest into yolk mixture.

5. Place a small frying pan over a medium heat, add a small knob of butter.

Serves 4

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6. Add the egg mixture and cook for 1minute until firm and lightly golden on the bottom side. Scatter over the Blue Vinny and place in the oven for 1-2 minutes until puffed, golden and just set.

7. Remove the pan from the oven and score the omelette in half then flip over.

8. Serve the omelette on a serving plate with the watercress candied walnut salad and asparagus. Serve straight away.

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SCRUMPY FRIED ASPARAGUS As we get into asparagus season it’s great to have a few asparagus recipes up your sleeve. At the Fox I’m doing an asparagus menu with three asparagus dishes on and will change weekly through the short season.

We should celebrate particular British ingredients like this and make the most of it and fly the flag for our British growers and avoid yourself picking up a bunch of imported spears.

You can change the sauce according to what you have growing, in your fridge or in your hedgerows like Ramsons for example.

MARK HIX

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 120g gluten-free Doves Farm self-raising flour • 200ml cold cider • A bunch or two of medium asparagus with the woody ends trimmed off.

• Oil for deep frying • Salt and black pepper

1. To make the batter, put the flour into a bowl and slowly whisk in the cider until you have a smooth consistency, then season.

2. Meanwhile, heat some vegetable oil to 160–180°C (320–360°F) in a deep-fat-fryer or heavy-based saucepan (no more than half full).

3. Cut the asparagus spears in half. Test the oil by dropping in a little batter: if it lightly browns after 30 seconds or so it’s ready.

4. Dip the asparagus spears into the batter.

Cook them a few at a time for a minute or so until they are crisp and light golden.

5. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate with kitchen paper on it and lightly season with salt.

6. In a small bowl, whisk the herbs and mayonnaise together. To serve, spoon the sauce into serving dishes and serve the asparagus on a large serving plate or individually.

For the mayonnaise: • A few leaves of wild garlic or another herb, finely chopped • 2-3tbs good-quality mayonnaise Serves 4

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Anchovies

By Nick Fisher

I

n Russia they smoke them. In China they dry them to a crisp. In Italy they can them. And in Vietnam they pound them into a pungent fish sauce. In Corsica, they blend them with baby figs and sweet red peppers. For such a tiny inconsequential fish, the anchovy has a global fan base.

Most of us Brits only really ever experience anchovies as something super-salty stuck to the top of a pizza, or the inhabitants of the world’s smallest and flattest tin cans.

The anchovy is a member of the herring, or clupeidae family.

It’s an incredibly bony, filter-feeding fish which strains plankton though its gills, and is only really comfortable travelling in massive shoals. These heavily-attended anchovy migrations around the Mediterranean and southern European coastlines, stretch up as far as southern Norway and even Devon and Cornwall during the winter months Holland’s massive inland sea, the Zuider Zee, is a regular stopover for the anchovy caravan. The shoals enter the shallow warm sea in the early summer months, where the high water temperatures and low current movement are conducive to spawning. Like so many of God’s creatures, the anchovy regards Holland as its number one top sex venue.

Anyone who’s ever flirted with Nigella Lawson or got naked with Jamie Oliver, might consider themselves very modern and enlightened, for seeking out fresh anchovies for their culinary creations. But anchovies are in fact something the British have a long and salty history with.

The Romans first brought anchovies to Blighty, and in Elizabethan times a barrel of salted anchovies was de rigeur in the best larder. The anchovy really earned its place in our hearts in the 18th and 19th centuries when it became the essential ingredient of many of our favourite bottled sauces like Pontac Ketchup and Burgess’s Anchovy Essence (1760).

It hit the big time in 1838 when it was used as the basis for Worcestershire Sauce.

When anchovies are caught, they have white flesh. They are beheaded and gutted then packed in layers of salt. In some delicatessens these simply cured white anchovies can be bought in round tubs, sometimes preserved in additional vegetable oil. These are the biggest, plumpest anchovies. The smaller ones are cured and pressed for longer. The better class fish are later removed, washed and canned, while the smallest ones are left in the cure until they soften and liquefy

and then get shipped to Lea and Perrins to make the perfect addition to a first class Bloody Mary.

Although anchovies are all pretty small, size does matter.

And any anchovy connoisseur will tell you that there are between 35 and 37 perfect anchovies per kilo. Not more.

Not less. For the highest market price and most valuable culinary value this is the perfect size.

Humans aren’t the only anchovy enthusiasts. Flocks of sea birds and just about every fish-eating fish enjoys an anchovy appetizer. And researchers in California have discovered that ants are crazy to get in on the anchovy action.

Members of a research team were fascinated to observe millions of ants swarming over piles of sea bird poop. They concluded that the anchovy component in a seagull’s dump was what really got the ants’ tastebuds talking. And so, using anchovies mixed with salt, sugar and poison, they went on to produce one of the most effective ant pesticides. Even when it’s laced with toxin, the ants can’t resist the prospect of an anchovy snack.

The anchovy and the sardine have a strangely choreographed dance of life and death around each other.

When the sardine populations are healthy, anchovies are in trouble, and vice versa. Biologists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have been tracking the rise and fall of the opposing populations over the last century, and have discovered that the health and welfare of these shoaling fish relates also to massive shifts in the world’s climate patterns.

Explosions in sardine populations have meant wet spells in the south west of the USA. And a rise in anchovy population has coincided with long term drought. Since the 1990s we have been experiencing a decline in the sardine population, and we are now entering a new ‘Anchovy Regime’, which is matched by increasingly dry weather in New Mexico. The last time the anchovies thrived was between the 1940s and 1970s, during which time New Mexico suffered a twenty year drought.

Surface weather patterns affect the seas, and the recent shifts in water temperatures has caused increased upwelling currents in the Pacific which brings plankton to the surface for anchovies to feed on.

Global warming might cause earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and flooding around the world, but at least the pizzas should be good.

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Arts&Entertainment

Visually Speaking As a child, Caroline Julia Moore lived with an inner monolgue — an ever changing narrative of the world around her. Today, as a digital artist, she gives vision to that world. She spoke to Fergus Byrne about her journey to a new life.

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Above ‘Taboo’ and opposite page ‘As Above’ © Caroline Julia Moore

S

ome of Caroline Julia Moore’s earliest memories are times spent swimming around in her own imagination. Outside of the occasional friendship in school, she remembers her world as being like an ‘in skull TV’. A digital artist, now living in Beaminster, Caroline recalls different channels in her head ‘where my inner monologue would discuss the types of ways I would throw a tennis ball on the wall down the side of our house, the books I was reading, why space and infinity was mind-blowing, what colour actually was.’ She would imagine plays and run through scenarios of what to do when approached and bullied. ‘I was bullied a lot’ she says ‘always the odd-ball; arms too long, teeth too full of braces, brain too brainy, a mix-wired tangle of awkwardness!’

Today, that vibrant imagination, bursting with colour, sound and boundless creativity is responsible for extraordinary digital artistry. She initially began to paint as a method of absorbing negativity after mental health

issues. Fascinated by colour she began experimenting with thick acrylic paints using palette knives on canvas.

‘I believe that many people, especially creatives, have a certain degree of synaesthesia’ says Caroline. ‘For example, visualising sound emitting from colours and making senses malleable. The world began to feel fascinating to me again. I was lost in paint and the emotions carved out from and within colour.’

She experimented with digital art and her small studio space, initially in St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport, became a haven of escapism as she developed and found the medium that allowed her imagination to reach a new canvas. Now, as well as tutoring students in advanced Photoshop techniques and Painter tutorials, her work has been highlighted internationally in publications including Photoshop Creative, Digital Photographer, Dark Beauty and Living The Photoartistic Life.

As a conceptual photographer and a digital artist, Caroline has been referred to as a ‘creative powerhouse’

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‘The Room’ © Caroline Julia Moore

but her talents were once directed to a very different industry. Her journey toward a career in art came in a fascinating, yet roundabout way—via science.

In those younger days, her feelings of awkwardness, shyness and difficulty ‘fitting in’ had the effect of making her study more. ‘By the time I got to secondary school’ she says, ‘I became so anxious about going that I would have nose bleeds. Not that I told anyone. I hid my anxiety and studied hours and hours more than I needed too; I wrote poetry, created art, listened to music. It amazed me how petty people were when the world was so blindingly brilliant.’ She describes feeling like Worzel Gummidge ‘trying on different heads for different things; Brave Caroline, Student Caroline, Friend Caroline. I certainly did not know who the Caroline at Home was.’

But studying opened up another world. Going to college rather than school to do A levels she developed a fascination for English Literature. ‘So much could be said with words that were unsaid’ she recalls. ‘Even void of actual semantics, words could mean a sound, a texture, the most intricate image.’ One of the books she studied was Thomas Hardy’s Return of the Native. She remembers a Kingston College of Further Education coach trip on a Saturday when they visited Hardy’s house, walked across

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Hardy’s countryside and had tea in a café in Dorchester.

She remembers ‘the feel of the spongy burial mounds’ and spending the journey back ‘filled with the raw beauty of it.’

She went on to study Psychology at Goldsmiths, moving into halls of residence in Camberwell, South East London. ‘I was fascinated by the different ways that behaviour could be studied’ she says. ‘Evolutionary psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology.

I must admit, one of the reasons I chose the degree was based on just how awesome the different “ologys” sounded!’ It took her a while to adapt to University, but she thrived on studying, and like many a student before and since, also discovered a love for cutting loose. ‘I could feel like the real me when I let my hair down and lost my inhibitions.’

After her degree she led what she describes as a ‘dual life’; tutoring Psychology Degree students and doing research work, whilst becoming embroiled in the underground alternative scene; squat parties, raves and sound systems. ‘I was inwardly terrified by both realities’ she says. ‘I had no idea who I actually was. This dissociation of self has been a life-long battle for me.’

Diagnosed with depression when she was 17 she had been given Prozac which didn’t suit her. But generalised anxiety, social anxiety, depression and panic attacks were always tapping away in the background. ‘When I left University, the tapping became more like a war drum’ she says. ‘It was like living with a fishbowl over my head that changed sounds and sensations. Like being in a bubble where the outside wasn’t there. Everything was unbearable and my overriding sadness physically hurt—my goodness, the relief when anti-depressants worked!’

Less than a year after getting her degree she was headhunted for a research position at Hammersmith Hospital working on a project funded by the Stroke Association.

‘I worked on a series of language studies using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans mapping blood flow in the brain; revealing the use of different brain regions in real-time. Quite literally mind-blowing.’

She won a very competitive and sought-after award from The Brain Research Trust which funded study for a PhD for three years. ‘I researched the effect of categoryspecific anomia (where, for example, patients cannot name types of animals but can identify tools). I looked at object naming and reading in healthy people during brain scans and also patients with severe damage to their brains.’ She published several research articles in scientific journals, travelling to present findings in places like Boston, New Orleans, Copenhagen, San Francisco and Montreal.

Despite being involved in ground-breaking studies and carrying out fascinating research, Caroline’s over-riding memory is of feeling acutely like an imposter. ‘Imposter Syndrome is definitely real’ she says. ‘I felt like I wasn’t gifted, I was just obsessional and a very focused learner.

And it was scary. I felt out of my depth.’ The research, because of its prestigious nature, was highly stressful and competitive. The Department at Queen’s Square was a world-class functional imaging research unit. Doctors from across the globe fought for research positions. ‘I was there by chance, the right place at the right time. I

felt like I didn’t really know what I was doing.’ This was all compounded by a fear of not fitting in with the people she worked with: ‘These bright young things who were just brilliant, and me, who (in my view) was not.’ It still brings flashbacks of school: nosebleeds, awkwardness and not belonging.

After a year at the Institute of Psychiatry doing research on Fragile X Syndrome and the effects of CGG triplet repeats on brain structure and function, she handed her PhD to the binders on the day her first child was due. It had been an exhausting time. She remembers travelling to Strasbourg to a conference to present work, whilst three months pregnant. ‘This was the first conference I attended on my own and I thought my head would explode from the pressure of travelling, navigating trains in France, finding my hotel, getting to the conference. I had to put on my Worzel Gummidge Bolshy Head to try and form contacts and collaborations.

I spent the whole time with my heart pounding in my throat, desperate to be back home.’

She married, had another child and after living for years on the top floor of a Council Estate block in Camberwell found her mental health ‘down in the depth of a swamp somewhere.’ With her marriage falling apart she visited her parents in Lyme Regis and decided to move. Within two weeks she found herself in a small rental in Bridport with an almost-three-year-old and an almost one-yearold—daunting, but a new start.

‘Bridport was, quite literally, like a different planet in comparison to Camberwell’ she recalls. ‘It took about six months for me to adjust and actually look people in the eye as they walked past me. I adapted to accepting that people I didn’t know could say hello without ulterior motive (I lost count of how many times I was mugged on the bus in London). I felt thrilled to be living in Dorset.’

After her move to Dorset and finishing writing up scientific papers she settled in Beaminster. She worked for Bridport Community Playgroup and as a special needs teaching assistant at St Marys School in Beaminster. ‘I had my third child in 2005 and, despite there being difficult times, I am thankful every time I walk outside that I am here and no longer in London’ she says. ‘I have three children who are fiercely amazing but strong, private individuals, as they should be. I have no need to live through them or to relay anecdotes. They are their own selves, but I will just say how incredible it is to exist in their circle.’

Like a soothing balm, the move from science to art was not only calming but allowed for an enormous development of her creative spirit. However, it wasn’t instant. ‘I tried to concentrate on more traditional art mediums but would get frustrated drawing and painting because my work would not always turn out how I wanted it to. I could not articulate the confusion or sensory overload that so often resided within my head, or the absolute wonder of senses that would obsess me. The work I produced began to feel empty.’ One day, doing Below ‘The Lake of Regret and Sorrow’ © Caroline Julia Moore

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‘The Pain of Existing No Everything is Not Okay’ © Caroline Julia Moore

‘Insomnia 3’ © Caroline Julia Moore

a joint exhibition with Dorset photographer Nathalie Roberts, it was suggested she try using Photoshop to expand her digital work.

‘As soon as I clicked “New File”, Photoshop became like an intrinsic extension of myself ’ she recalls. She describes it as ‘like opening a Pandora’s box, discovering a way to create different realities. I could produce an image with resonance and a smoother transition from the vision in my head to the work on my screen.’ Signing up for a Sebastian Michaels’ Photoshop course she quickly developed a passion for the medium and her craft took wings. Making use of her ability to focus, she took her creativity to new heights. As she puts it ‘with enough passion for learning something, you can quickly become an expert.’

As well as using stock photography as a base point, she began taking her own photographs using an art gallery and photographic studio, The Art Asylum in Brewers Quay in Weymouth. It had been set up by photographer Sean Hepburn and artist Felix Thompson. ‘The Art Asylum quickly became my second home’ she says ‘and I formed amazing collaborations and friendships with both photographers and models. We were like our own bizarre community, pushing boundaries and trying off the wall techniques. I recall Sean telling me that I often seemed to have a head full of frogs, jumping around with ideas and sparking connections and offshoots of related ideas.

Indeed, my head sometimes felt like it would explode, but

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it is difficult to maintain such high creativity all the time.

But when your brain demands downtime it is unsettling.

You feel as though you will never have an idea for an image again. I have learnt that it is okay to have creative downtime. It always comes back eventually.’

Caroline’s Photoshop work ranges from cinematic to eerie and bizarre. She also likes to do more experimental, conceptual photography-based work, mainly in black and white—sometimes incorporating in-camera effects such as double exposure, deflecting light and movement with slow shutter speed. ‘There are so many ways to try to unravel part of what makes the model I am working with unique’ she says. ‘Or to show an emotion that is difficult to verbalise—a depth that goes beyond a quick portrait. I suppose that my aim is for my work to evoke an emotive reaction and challenge perception.’

Caroline wants to do more location shooting with models but inevitably Covid has made that difficult. In April she did her first ‘virtual’ shoot, and when movement is less restricted, she looks forward to using the new Art Asylum Reloaded Studio in Weymouth, since the original in Brewers Quay had to close.

Her love of words has never left her. As well as other writing projects she still writes poetry and hopes to one day produce a coffee-table art book of her poetry and images. She knows that some of her plans seem overly ambitious but that won’t stop her. ‘Unless you set your goals high, you have nothing to strive towards’ she says. ‘I have never believed in constraints. You can do so much if you put your mind to it and your belief behind it.’

To have done so much already is a testament to an extraordinary person, and much of Caroline’s achievements can serve as inspiration to those that struggle inside their heads. ‘I walked for too long in fear of myself and was bullied and laughed at’ she explains. ‘I hid speaking as I was petrified that I didn’t know how to adapt in different groups. But I feel more at home in West Dorset than I have anywhere else. It is an area that draws a lot of creative and unique individuals to its sea, woods and fields. I will always be a bit of a misfitted jigsaw piece in society but that is fine by me. I am learning to be more comfortable being myself.

‘And just because you have had a crazy life it doesn’t mean you are defined by crazy. It means your foundation for perceiving and creating is richer. You are not tethered to a merry-go-round. It is okay to be a contradiction. To smell Hardy’s earth underfoot. To feel wild like Tess of the D’urbervilles or Eustacia Vye; to walk alone in your eccentricity. But to feel somewhere is undeniably and intrinsically home is to put whatever form of roots you have down. And to not allow them to disconnect and rot.

To reach the resonance where you communicate in the unheard, with other trees in your tribe; to flourish.’

To see more of Caroline Julia Moore’s work follow her on Instagram - @carolinejuliamoore

‘Let Go of Sanity’ © Caroline Julia Moore

Left, ‘Impossible Boxes’ Right, ‘Let The Battle Commence’ © Caroline Julia Moore Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 45

May

GALLERIES

May 1 - 29

George Young Recent Paintings. The Art Stable. The Art Stable Child Okeford Blandford Dorset DT11 8HB

Until May 2

Bjork Harraldsdottir The patterns on Björk’s ceramics echo the distinctive black and white designs of Icelandic woollen garments, rugs and tapestries, inspired by snow, nets and other crystalline and geometric forms. Messums Wiltshire, Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW. https://messumswiltshire.com.T: 01747 445042

Until May 3

Spring into Art. Grasping the first opportunity to showcase their Associate members’ work, Sou’-Sou’-West Gallery will be exhibiting original and innovative work to uplift all our spirits. Creating inspiring work during stressful and isolated restrictions, the members of Lyme Bay Arts CIC have focused on hope, reconnecting with the outside world, and renewed social interaction. The exhibition will start online in early April and will then open in the gallery (where the latest Covid-19 precautions are in place) as soon as conditions allow. Sou’Sou’-West Gallery & Shop, Symondsbury Estate, Dorset DT6 6HG. 01308 301326 www.sousouwest.co.uk.

Until May 12

Landscape and Still Life. Vanessa Bowman, Lynne Cartlidge and Emma Haggas. The Jerrram Gallery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN. www.thejerramgallery.com

From May 15

The Sea, the Sea. Anthony Garratt, Frances Hatch, Janette Kerr PhD RSA Hon, Nicholas Jones. Sladers Yard, Gallery and Café Sladers, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL.

May 17 – September 5

Lockdown Reflections Work by gallery & guest artists, The exquisite Tincleton Gallery will be holding a Summer mixed show of over a dozen of their gallery artists, plus three guest artists, including a range of sculptures, oils, and prints. We think everyone could do with places to go that are calm and peaceful and inspiring, so you are most welcome to visit. Tincleton Gallery, The Old School House, Tincleton, nr Dorchester, DT2 8QR. Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon from 10:00 17:00, no admission fee. 01305 848 909. http://www.tincletongallery. com

May 20 – August 14

Until May 4

New Ground – An Exhibition of New Paintings by Julie Oldfield.

The Malthouse, Town Mill Galleries, Lyme Regis.

Mike Perry/Land Sea brings together two recent bodies of work: Wet Deserts and Môr Plastig. Part of THG and East Devon District Council’s multi-site programme of exhibitions, events and activities titled Climate Conversations. Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG): Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com Open Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 5

Until May 8

May 29 - June 4

Dorset & Wiltshire Stories. David Inshaw Prints and Drawings, Petter Southall, Furniture, Adela Powell, Ceramics. Sladers Yard Gallery and Café Sladers, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. Exhibition can be viewed online. https://sladersyard. wordpress.com/in-the-minds-eye/

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The John Hubbard Estate showing a selection of John Hubbard’s Dorset inspired work. 12 - 5 pm daily at Chilcombe, Nr Bridport, Dorset DT6 4PN.

Until June 27

In Pursuit of Spring. Black Swan Arts have joined forces with Somerset Art Works for their first exhibition since last year’s coronavirus lockdown. ‘In Pursuit of Spring’ has been inspired by poet Edward Thomas’ account of his journey by bicycle between London and Somerset to meet the arrival of spring in 1913. Around 50 Somerset Art Works members have created artwork to illustrate the Somerset leg of Thomas’ journey. Black Swan Arts, 2 Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BB. https://www. blackswanarts.org.uk/

Until June 6

Henry Taylor (online until further notice). Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NL. https://www.hauserwirth.com/

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Fifty Years of Dorset Inspiration A Unique exhibition of John Hubbard’s Dorset inspired work is being presented by The John Hubbard Estate for Dorset Art Weeks

John Hubbard (1931-2017) Dorset Landscape 1965 Oil on paper, 22x19cm © The John Hubbard Estate

John Hubbard (1931-2017) Windy 1963 Oil on paper, 22x19cm © The John Hubbard Estate

FOR Dorset Art Weeks 2021, The John Hubbard Estate is presenting a oneoff exhibit of 50 years of work by John Hubbard (1931-2017) inspired by the landscape of Dorset.

American-born Hubbard first came to West Dorset in 1960, as a guest of Reynolds (the wood-engraver and designer) and Janet Stone, at their house in Litton Cheney. The landscape struck a chord—this was where he wanted to live and work. Thanks to a tip-off from the Stones, Hubbard and his wife Caryl bought the Old Rectory in Swyre in 1961. Nine years later they moved up the hill, to Chilcombe.

The exhibit is installed in the gallery space at Chilcombe, where the artist lived until his death in 2017, and work will include oil on paper, oil on canvas and charcoal on paper. Subjects range from Swyre, to Lyme Bay, Abbotsbury Gardens and Bulbarrow Hill, stopping at Burton Bradstock and West Milton on the way!

When Hubbard first settled in the UK, the influence of abstract expressionism—he had studied at the Art Students League in New York and with Hans Hofmann—on his use of texture and colour was clear. Looking at John Hubbard (1931-2017) West Bexington 1962 oil on paper 13x15cm © The John Hubbard Estate these works today, we also see the extent to which Hubbard brought a fresh eye and radical technique to the traditions of English landscape painting. Yet he also acknowledged his affinity with the landscape painters of the past such as Turner and Courbet.

In the works selected for this exhibition, Hubbard’s unique sense of ‘place’ has been rendered in his characteristically dramatic fashion. Instead of portraying the particular features of a location, he merges light and landscape together with sky and sea to create an overall atmosphere and feeling.

In a sense, all of Hubbard’s work from the 1960’s onwards was inspired and influenced by his daily life in Dorset. However, the works specifically located in that landscape have never been shown together and some have never been shown before.

The exhibition will be open Saturday 29 May - Friday 4 June inclusive. 12 - 5 pm daily at Chilcombe, Nr Bridport, Dorset DT6 4PN. The Gallery Space is on the first floor accessed via external steps.

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Dorset Art Weeks opens new doors DORSET Art Weeks will be a little different this year but the good news is that it is going ahead.

Many artists and makers will be resourcefully using outdoor space and some venues will be by appointment only, with others online only.

The three different ways you can see and experience all these brilliant venues will be clearly labelled on the new Dorset Art Weeks App and Website. Both enable you to browse by Artform and even store your favourites and include links to artist’s own platforms to find more information and facilitate sales.

For those that want to enjoy DAW from the comfort of their own home, there will be Online Events such as studio visits, artist talks and demonstrations to get involved in.

However you discover Dorset Art Weeks this year, we hope the wonderful breadth of talent this county has to offer will continue to inspire you, we feel lucky to have so many talented Artists & Makers on our doorstep!

Whenever you visit, please wear a mask and respect the 2 metre distance rule and all sanitising arrangements that are in-place.

The Dorset Art Weeks App is available free via the App Store and Google Play. For more information and news, follow @dorsetartweeks on social media or visit www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk

Bold colours delight in Philip Sutton woodcuts AN exhibition of Philip Sutton RA’s early woodcuts opens in his Bridport studio at the end of May. As strong and relevant in 2021 as they were in the 60s, these woodcuts are unique, and their bold colours and balanced shapes find a natural harmony. The show brings together a collection of woodcuts that the artist made in the 60s and 70s, the exhibition was shown previously at the Royal Academy in London and went on to tour Britain.

When upcoming exhibitions were cancelled in 2020, the artist found a way forward, opening his own gallery in Bridport’s vibrant Art and Craft Quarter.

The inaugural exhibition celebrated Sutton’s brilliant and diverse 21st century paintings. Although he has been shielding, Philip came to see the exhibition and cut the ribbon, in accordance with social distancing measures.

Philip is enjoying being out in his garden more often now that it is Spring and is painting in the open air once again. He is enthusiastic about his work and takes pleasure in observing the world around him, from a passing bird to a particular plant in the garden. He is excited at the prospect of his latest exhibition and is glad to be showing his woodcuts here in Dorset.

Philip Sutton—Woodcuts 1962 - 1976 will be on at The Philip Sutton Gallery, Bridport from 22 May to 26 June. It coincides with Dorset Art Weeks and the exhibition will feature among the events. Open Wednesday - Sunday 11 - 1.30 pm and 2 - 5 pm. The Philip Sutton Gallery, 6a Foundry Lane, St. Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 3RR. philipsuttonra.com

Petal Poise in East Lambrook

A Ruffled Plumage (Parrot Tulip) Oil on canvas 71x61 cm

EAST Lambrook Manor Gardens is hosting Helen Simpson’s first solo exhibition in four years and her first in Somerset. Many of the plants that inspire her work grow in this very special garden. The exhibition in May will be predominately oil paintings and will include some of her ceramics. It will take place 1 - 29 May and 24 July-14 August 2021 in the Studio and Malthouse Gallery in East Lambrook Manor Garden, East Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH.

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Catching Photographer Tim Booth has a new exhibition opening in May. He talked to Fergus Byrne about images from both sides of the lens.

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few years ago, in an interview about a new body of work that Dorset photographer Tim Booth had just begun working on, he said that photography is not reality. He described it as an ‘interpretation of the truth, or, of what you perceive to be the truth.’

Those that like to debate the subject of photography have long challenged the notion that a photograph is a moment captured in time; it is more an opportunity to allow the photographer and the viewer to create their own narrative. The challenges are creating engagement, empathy and offering a platform for imagination. Next month Tim will launch an exhibition of work on a theme that offers a vast canvas for those that wish to imagine life beyond the subject. Entitled Circus the exhibition will offer a first look at the early stages of a project that Tim hopes might become his next book.

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Although he could have chosen from a number of themes that he has explored in his fine art photography in the past, Tim sees a powerful image of human endeavour and achievement in the direction circus has taken. ‘Circus, in the old days, was a massive extended family with lots of animals’ he explained. ‘It was all very community and now it’s become, in a way, much more disparate. You’ve got individual circus artists who are probably out there on their own, training very hard, and they’ll all come together to do a show—but then they’ll all leave again. They’re not all part of the community. So they are pieces of a puzzle really, rather than one picture.’

There is an irony in the change. ‘Now the humans are training themselves rather than training animals.’

He also believes that the current level of human skill in a circus, compared to forty years ago, is huge.

‘You’d have a strong man and very bendy girl and

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‘Previous page ‘Falcon’. Above ‘Airborne’ © Tim Booth

a woman with a beard and some poor sod who’s prepared to be fired out of a cannon. But now you’ve got people who’ve developed much more radical skills.

It’s changed a lot and I think become more interesting and become more of a spectacle and less of a kind of pantomime. I’m not dissing old-fashioned circus but now it’s almost more gymnastic based.’

However, although circus life has traditionally been a fascinating community of eccentricity, a part of it has always been an intriguing association of discordant individualism, bound together through a thread of creativity, adventure and a passion for precision and excellence. And it is that passion and human determination that Tim captures in so many of the photographs in this exhibition.

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Although much in demand over many decades for his commercial work, Tim describes this project as ‘different, more fun, more interesting’ and says that ‘even if it isn’t more commercially successful— artistically it’s more where I’d like to be.’

There is little doubt that these images offer more than a moment captured in time but the question of what is reality—somewhat like a trapeze artist in midair—remains suspended. Explaining this philosophy Tim says: ‘I’m definitely not a realist photographer. I don’t do documentary. Years ago I used to do street photography and that kind of stuff. But I suppose I’m a bit of a romantic, and even with my landscapes, I tend to show my interpretation of the world, my interpretation of what I think it looks like. And the

same with the circus, they’re not really representative portraits of the act, because the circus act is a story really. It’s a narrative that normally lasts between three to fifteen minutes and each performer is telling a story—whereas I can’t do that with a picture that’s taken in a fraction of a second. So I’m trying to create my own narrative, which is normally based on a structure and shape that represents what they do but isn’t meant to be real. I want to make them look the best they can, but also to try to isolate them in a way.’

In the end, he hopes the viewer sees what he sees; something ‘more emotional—more to go away thinking about.’

Circus is showing at The Malthouse Gallery, The Town Mill, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU from 5th to 18th May 2021. 10.30 am – 4.30 pm. For further information visit https://www.townmill. org.uk/town-mill-arts/

Above ‘Branch’. Below ‘Stack’ © Tim Booth

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YOUNG LIT FIX IN MAY PICTURE BOOK REVIEW The Rock from the Sky

by Jon Klassen

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: The Edge of The Ocean

by L.D Lapinski Ages 9+ RRP £6.99

Ages 4+ RRP £12.99 A picture book of five short chapters, The Rock from the Sky gives us a snapshot into the life of a tortoise, an armadillo and a snake, unknowingly facing the existential threat of a falling rock and possible alien invasion. Klassen uses his minimal style to create gratifying suspense and illustrates the stubbornness of friends perfectly.

It would appeal to children and adults, and if you liked the Hat trilogy, you will love this philosophical delight. It is pure deadpan comedy, and had me and my son laughing right from the start.

MIDDLE GRADE REVIEWS The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

by L.D Lapinski Ages 9+ RRP £6.99 Twelve year old Flick has moved with her family to a new home in a new town. She will soon be starting a new school and she is not at all keen on the idea. On a walk to discover more about her new and ever so boring surroundings, she stumbles across The Strangeworlds Travel Agency. It is a very rundown looking shop but conversely, the sign is bright and inviting, luring her inside.

She meets Jonathan, guardian of the Strangeworlds society, who is not at all easy to get along with and very confident and persuasive. It transpires that his father is missing, and he persuades Flick to join him in his search across the multiverse. Neither of them have any idea what dangers await them, and how important Flick will become to the future of one world in particular. Can they save it before it disappears completely?

I absolutely adore this fun packed and fast paced adventure. Flick is warm and sensitive and Jonathan is a very satisfying blend of Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes and I love them both. This is a superb middle grade, science fiction adventure, where suitcases provide portals to other worlds and magic holds the universe together.

After becoming a fulltime member of the Strangeworlds Society (unbeknownst to her family) and earning her own Looking Glass which enables her to see the magic around her, Flick has been grounded for the whole summer and is desperate to get back out there into the multiverse.

As luck would have it, Jonathan persuades Flick’s mum that she can do some “work experience” at the travel agency and so mum agrees to her spending one day there.

A surprise visitor and a magic telegram arrive at the Agency on the same day as Flick and someone needs their help. Another world is in danger of extinction and the Society members need to be quick if they are to save the ocean world and all its inhabitants before the day is over.

More magic is disappearing which is unsettling Flick and she makes a world-shattering discovery about her family history.

I was blown away for a second time by L.D Lapinski’s writing and was smitten with the diverse characters that she has lovingly created.

TEEN REVIEW Burn

by Patrick Ness Ages 13+ RRP £7.99.

Published May 6th.

Imagine a world where dragons walk among humans, where cult cells of “Believers” worship these dragons, worship the Goddess; the Creator. Add to this a cold war between America and Russia and an assassin, who will stop at nothing to fulfil that which he has been training for all his life.

Burn is a remarkable and surprising story full of tension, twists, wonderful climaxes and wholly believable characters.

Patrick Ness is a superb writer who never fails to satisfy my need for a seamless blend between high fantasy and representational YA fiction. He has really hit the mark with Burn. I loved it.

All reviews by Nicky Mathewson at The Bookshop in Bridport.

10% off RRP of these books for Marshwood Vale Readers at The Bookshop, 14 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NQ.

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Screen Time with Nic Jeune

Meryl Streep in August: Osage County (2013)

NETFLIX August: Osage County (2013) Whilst this adaptation of the award-winning play retains its indoor stage setting, it is packed full of wonderful performances led by Meryl Streep.

“There are no surprises, just lots of good old-fashioned scenery chewing in August: Osage County director John Wells’ splendid film version of playwright Tracy Letts’ acid tongued Broadway triumph about three generations in a large and highly dysfunctional Oklahoma family.” Variety. Scott Foundas .

The Woman in the Window 2021 This film’s release was delayed twice last year. No reviews available but adapted from the best-selling novel by A J Finn with a script by Tracey Letts (August: Osage County) and directed

by British director Joe Wright (Darkest Hour. Atonement.)

“Amy Adams stars in this psychological thriller with Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore and Anthony Mackie.” Netflix AMAZON Mad Max (1979) “Junky, freaky, sadistic, masochistic, Mad Max has a perverse intelligence revving inside its pop exterior. It’s a crazy collide-oscope, a gear-stripping vision of human destiny careening toward a cosmic junkyard.”

Newsweek, Jack Kroll

Milk (2008) Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man voted into public office in the United States, holding a seat for District 5 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 after 4 attempts.

“Sean Penn never tries to show Harvey Milk as a hero, and never needs to. He shows him as an ordinary man, kind, funny, flawed, shrewd, idealistic, yearning for a better world.”

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Wes Anderson’s films have their own style, and this is another quirky tale from a very original film director.

“A very charming, beautifully wrought, eccentric but heartfelt, and thought through to the tiniest, quirkiest detail in the classic Anderson style.”

The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw.

BBC The Elephant Man (1980) A new 4K restoration, with both picture and sound overseen by director David Lynch, starring Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt.

“The film shows how Joseph Merrick found an advocate in Dr Frederick Treves. Sadly even 150 years later in today’s so-called sophisticated world people who look different still need those champions.”

James Partridge. Founder of the charity Changing Faces.

“One of the most moving screen dramas of the 20th century” BFI. Mark Kermode.

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Health&Beauty

Michael Dooley appointed High Sheriff of Dorset

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Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who worked at Dorset County Hospital for over 25 years, Michael Dooley has been appointed to become High Sheriff of Dorset 2021-22. Michael was appointed

by Her Majesty The Queen at a private meeting of the Privy Council, held at Windsor Castle on 10 March. The Declaration took place at Damers School Poundbury under strict Government Covid Guidelines.

His Under Sheriff is Mrs Katherine Jones, Solicitor from Humphries Kirk and his Chaplain is Reverend Jonathan de Kretser.

After 25 years at Dorset County Hospital Michael is now Medical Director of The Poundbury Clinic, Dorchester, an integrated clinic that aims to create harmony in women’s health, wellbeing and infertility care. There is also a satellite clinic in King Edward VII Hospital London.

He congratulated his predecessor George Streatfeild for an inspirational year and thanked George and his wife Amanda for all their support.

Michael’s aim is to awaken the possibility in other people and create equality, justice and harmony for all, through education in a sustainable environment. ‘I aim to seek out all those organisations and individuals within Dorset that encourage both the prevention and help stop re-offending of crime’ he says. ‘I also look forward to taking an active part in supporting and promoting voluntary organisations within the wonderful county of Dorset.’

He pointed out that the pandemic has demonstrated enormous inequalities in Dorset, and hopes that by encouraging a vibrant community spirit, some of the solution will be found. ‘My aim is that through my active role in supporting, encouraging and listening I hope the eyes of Dorset will begin to shine a little brighter.’

Michael Dooley was born and educated in Wimbledon and qualified as a medical doctor from London University.

His post graduate training continued in London, Oxford and Southern Ireland where he met his wife Barbara. He is a recognised expert on exercise in women’s health and has attended two Olympic Games as team doctor and was senior gynaecologist for London 2012 Olympics.

Michael Dooley new High Sherriff of Dorset

He has been an advisor to The Football Association and English Cricket Board and is Treasurer to The College of Medicine and past President of The Section of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at The Royal Society of Medicine. Michael has published four books on women’s health including one on The Menopause and another on Infertility.

Michael met his wife, Barbara, at Pony Club and has long term interest in equestrian pursuits. He actively supports fund raising for local and national charities and sits as on the advisory board of The Challenge Hub and The Active Pregnancy Foundation. He has three children Denis, CEO for New Forest Events, who is married to Jo; William a trainee Obstetrician and Gynaecologist based in Essex who is married to Fran and Rebecca a Head teacher in London who is married to Tom. He also has five grandchildren.

In his spare time, he enjoys long distance walks, ballet and reading books on the history of medicine, as well as spending time (Covid permitting) with his family. Michael has recently purchased an electric bike and he aims to use this to travel to events if possible.

Vamps star takes on seven challenges for Julia’s House JAMES McVey, lead guitarist and singer with The Vamps is raising money and awareness for local children’s hospice Julia’s House, by taking on the charity’s virtual Seven Wonders of the World fitness challenge.

The musician and former I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star is a long term supporter and Patron of the charity, which cares for some of the most seriously ill children and their families across Dorset and Wiltshire.

After completing the Machu Picchu challenge through the virtual app earlier this year, James decided to take on all 56 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

seven wonders of the world for Julia’s House with a combination of running and cycling – 883 miles in total.

James says, ‘I like to challenge myself with things out of my comfort zone.

Taking on all seven challenges definitely fits into that category!’

The trained nurses and carers at Julia’s House provide medical, practical and emotional care for families of children with life-limited conditions – in the home, in the community and in the charity’s hospices in Corfe Mullen and in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Growing up near the Corfe Mullen

hospice, James remembers driving past on his way to Corfe Hills School when he was a pupil there.

‘When I first visited the hospice, I had a chance to see for myself just how inspiring the children, parents and staff are,” he says. “It’s vital that we remember that charities like Julia’s House are still working, regardless of whether businesses and leisure facilities are open.’

Find out more about Julia’s House and the Seven Wonders of the World fitness challenge at www.juliashouse. org/seven-wonders

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 57

Services&Classified FOR SALE New, white washbasin/ pedestal. £40. Exact size/ photo can be provided.

Tel 07398760637, Dorchester.

This England magazine Complete and in perfect condition from 1982 to 2001. Also years 1975 to 1978. 162 copies. £120 o.v.n.o. Can deliver if required. Tel. 01305 265468 Rosewood bookcase with 2 shelves overall size 90cmx94cmx28cm. VGC Guide £15. Tel: 01297 561512.

Brand new pair of men’s slip on trainers size 12.

Telephone 01308897750.

Collection only. £35 ono Large gilt framed bevelled mirror 61 x 91.5 cm / 24 x 36 “; - new condition. Very attractive good quality heavy gilt framed mirror £20 Tel: 01935 872217 Peter James best-selling author crime and thriller novels, Roy Grace series 14 paperbacks in order from ‘Dead Simple’ to just released ‘Find Them Dead’ £25. 01395 577859.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Window cleaners 8ft We are looking for a aluminium ladder £65.00. reliable, kind home Allen walkover 18inch lawn sprayer with 5 help/cleaner with high litres of moss treatment. standards for beautifully £85.00. Can supply photos refurbished 4 bedroom for the above. Seaton cottage 4 miles north 01297 22603 of Dorchester. 7 hours Collins Encyclopedia a week. Pay dependent Volumes 1-24; 1967/8 on experience but Year Book and guideline £12ph. Please International Standard ring 07771 900692 to Dictionaries. VGC Guide discuss. £45 Tel: 01297 561512.

Fridge, under counter, about 1 year old little used.

HOLIDAY RENTAL £50. Axminster. 07742 935594.

St Ives apartment unexpectedly available 17th to 29th May. Magnificent position overlooking harbour.

Sleeps 4+2. Call 01297 489066 for details.

FOR SALE

LAND WANTED Wanted to buy, field, half acre upwards. Not best land, to grow few trees for environment.

Can decide immediately! Trees I have ready, urgently need space to grow.

Tel:- 07508 106910 Jun 21

CURTAINS Little Curtains.

Handmade Curtains, Blinds and Cushions.

Contact 07443 516141 or 01308 485325

May 21

RESTORATION FURNITURE. Antique Restoration and Bespoke Furniture.

Furniture large and small carefully restored and new commissions undertaken. City and Guilds qualified.

Experienced local family firm. Phil Meadley 01297 560335

Beko automatic washing machine 1,000 spin very little use, will accept £45.

Child’s high chair, good condition, as new. £10 ono. 01308 861474.

Pro Metal Detector.

To include headphones, control box cover and scuff cover in mint condition, unwanted Xmas pressie, used twice. Phone To advertise on these pages email anytime £400ono. 07594 info@marshwoodvale.com 687485.

Secondary glazing, white aluminium, various sizes 2 & 3 pane. As new, Also make excellent and SURFACE PREPARATION easy cold frames. £25 each. Fr dimensions and details call 01460 929648.

Alberny Restoration Lockable cycle rack fits In-house blast cleaning on to tow bar holds two for home and garden bikes. £20. 01297 22371. furniture, doors and Reclaimed concrete gates. Agricultural/ block pavers. Free. Approx construction machinery 100 grey 200mm x 100mm and tooling. Vehicles, x 50mm. Collection only parts and trailers Axminster area. 01297 etc. 01460 73038, 552131. email allan@alberny.

MK4 Spitfire front bumper rusty £15. Seaton co.uk, FB Alberny Sandblasting 01297 22622. jun 21

58 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

ELECTRICAL

WANTED

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Vintage & antique textiles, linens, costume buttons etc. always sought by Caroline Bushell. Tel. 01404 45901.

Apr 21

Secondhand tools wanted. All trades.

Users & Antiques.

G & E C Dawson.

01297 23826. www. secondhandtools.co.uk.

Oct 20

Dave buys all types of tools 01935 428975

July 21

FOR SALE

Victorian Grandfather chair upholstered red velvet £250 and nursing chair red velvet £150.

‘Adidas Campus’ trainers (brand new) 5 ½ offers.

Dec 21 01297 552007.

Derby Tweed Keeper’s Coins wanted. Part jacket, chest 44” length £32, perfect condition or full collections £45. 01305 266273. purchased for cash.

SnapOn Torqometer 3/8 Please phone John on drive 12” long. Dial gauge 01460 62109 Jul 21 to 300 pounds in original plastic box £30. 01460 Comics. Private comic 234755. collector offering prices Late 19th century for comic collections.

American antique rocking All genres welcome. chair, newly upholstered Ring George or leave a in cream with padded seat, voicemail 07891 630569 back and arm rests with original shaped sprung rockers £180. Photo can FOR SALE be emailed. 01395 577859.

Wooden Kennel, also Victorian carved suitable for cats, birds, mahogany tub chair, upholstered in red velvet, ferrets etc. Sleeping good condition. £150ono. compartment, enclosed run, wire front. 12 foot 01297 560707.

Sherborne Electric Rise long, 46 inches wide, 60 inches high. £100. 01308 and Recliner Armchair.

868816.

Upholstered in light ‘Stag’ dressing table oatmeal fabric. Good with stool £30. ‘Stag’ low condition and working level drawers £20. Set of order. Photo available. pine drawers w. 3ft. h. 4ft.

Buyer collects. Back d.1 1/2 ft. £50. 01297 removable for easy 553782. transpot. £90. 01308 Spare parts for a Morris 424668.

Minor 1969 Traveller MigWelder. Cebora Pocket Turbo 130, welding incl. engine and gearbox, helmet, rolls wire, nozzles. wheels and tyres, radiator, windscreen, rear and front £60. 01460 234755.

Wanted: Old tractors and vehicles. Running, non running. Good price paid. 01308 482320 07971 866364

bumpers etc. Job lot or will sell separately. 01460 220181.

Old Stamp Albums.

Afghanistan/ Zanzibar.

Seven, will sell as whole or split-up. £770 ono. Mike 075 275 38863.

Dressing Table Mirrors.

Three bevelled glass units. £40. Victorian bebelled glass fire screen. 335.

Brand new wheel and tyre 195/SS R15 85H. £40.

Tall Bettacake pet gate £15. Flymo garden vac. £30. 07939 553167. Or 01460 54578.

Two large Chinchilla cages. Suitable for ferrets etc. Also large parrot cage on legs £35 and smaller one £10. 01308 868816.

Knoll settee drop side light green, need TLC. 350ono. J Cook DT6 6PA. Building flints for sale, various sizes and quantities, knapped / unknapped, reclaimed and field. £145 per approx 1 tonne dumpy bag. For collection, phone for further details 01305 889291 2-section metal extension ladder, approx 7m full height. £45 ono 01308 897121 Table, 3ft square, extends to 3 x 5ft, mid oak 1930s £35. Shoe box seat £10. Mower, cobra petrol

DISTRIBUTION

FOR SALE model M40SPB Briggs 450E, 400mm cut £50 Colyton 01297 551455 Spoon collector’s cabinets, 4. £10 each.

Garden shredder. Allen £15. Apple/ cider press 325. Flymo 1200W Garden vac, £30. Child’s balance bike used twice £15. 07939 553167. Or 01460 54578.

Antique chair light beech wood frame, new cushion fillings, recovered in wool spot deign fabric. £350. Pair B&O speakers, teak cabinets 3 speakers per cabinet £175.00. Deco chair new cover £275.00 07745 572196

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 59

FREE ADS for items under £1,000 This FREE ADS FORM is for articles for sale, where the sale price is under £1000 (Private advertisers only — no trade, motor, animals, firearms etc). Just fill in the form and send it to the Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX or email the text to info@marshwoodvale.com.

Unfortunately due to space constraints there is no guarantee of insertion of free advertising. We reserve the right to withhold advertisements. For guaranteed classified advertising please use ‘Classified Ads’ form

Name ............................................................. Telephone number .................................

Address ................................................................................................................................

Town .......................................... County....................... Postcode ..................................

Monthly Quiz –

Win a book from Little Toller Books

Send in your answer on a postcard, along with your name and address to: Hargreaves Quiz, Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX. Study the clues contained in the rhyme and look carefully at the signposts to work out which town or village in South Somerset, West Dorset or East Devon is indicated. The first correct answer drawn out of a hat will win a book from local publisher Little Toller Books.

There is no cash equivalent and no correspondence will be entered into.

Last month’s answer was Odcombe. The winner was Mrs Gallimore from Broadwindsor

60 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 Tel. 01308 423031

BUSINESS NEWS

A Callout for Finance Trustees PEOPLE with financial experience at a strategic level, who would like to put their skills to use making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers, are being asked to consider becoming a trustee for Carer Support Dorset.

Carer Support Dorset is a local charity that supports and advocates for unpaid carers. Since the start of the Covid pandemic the charity has been providing vital services to carers. Many carers have been shielding to protect the person they care for and no longer have some of the support and respite they will have relied on. Carers are more likely than the general population to suffer with feelings of isolation and loneliness and Carer Support Dorset has been offering support with its helpline service, regular postal and email communications and virtual cuppas and workshops.

The charity is currently looking to recruit a treasurer as well as a trustee with financial experience. The role of treasurer will be filled by someone who has good working knowledge of financial legislation relating to the running of a registered charity and is a qualified accountant with minimum of five years’ experience.

Judy Walker is Chief Executive of Carer Support Wiltshire, the parent charity of Carer Support Dorset. She says: ‘Trustees play a hugely important role in running a charity. Volunteering to help vulnerable people in our communities has never been as important, and we know that being a volunteer provides many benefits to an individual, such as improving self-confidence and life satisfaction and combating depression. Many of us have spent the past year perhaps without many opportunities to learn new skills and meet people, so it could be the perfect time to try something new.’

If you have financial experience and are interested in making a positive difference to carers in Dorset by becoming a trustee, you can view the volunteer role description at https://www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/ about-us/job-opportunities/

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine May 2021 61