The Blackmore Vale October 21

ISSN 2634-8810

POLITICS

NEVER PRINTED October ‘21

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POLITICS

Good People in this issue

LOUISA Adjoa

Parker

For the very best fifteen minute rambling voice message I've ever had, for replying when poorly, and for being an all round top human bean. Thank you..

Andy PALMER This month I broke him. This will cost me.

Roger GUTTRIDGE For the actually creepy ghost story. *shudder*

SHENA KOZUBA-KOZUBSKA Because she's either an absolute hero or bonkers bananas.

RUPERT Hardy

For using one of my favourite quotes. Solvitur ambulando

Carl BOVIS

Three pages of beautiful birds, some truly top useful tips - and for being brave and coming out

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Front cover: Kingfisher on the stour - Sharon Towning.

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INDEX

These are clickable short cuts: just click the number to jump to the page

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A Country Living - Russell Woodham

50

Animals

92

Art with Edwina Baines

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BV Awards

66

Book Corner

101

Business News

72

Charity pages

70

Citizen's Advice Q&A

16

Community News

115

Deaths

30

Education

46

Equestrian

99

Family Law

52

Farming

74

Food & Drink

95

Health

113

Legal Notices

68

Letters to the Editor

14

Looking Back | Roger Guttridge

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News

90

Night Sky

18

Obituary - Richard Batterham

55

Out of Doors

86

Photography

32

Police News

21

Politics - Simon Hoare MP

122

Property

85

Puzzles

64

Random 19 - Louisa Adjoa Parker

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Rural Matters - CPRE

116

Situations Vacant

56

Take a Hike

36

Tales from the Vale | Andy Palmer

38

Then & Now | Roger Guttridge

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What's on

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Wildlife - with Carl Bovis

Overwhelmed, powerless and hopeless. My always-chipper mood has been dented and dulled this last couple of weeks. Everywhere I look, there seems to be yet another source of anxiety or world-ending concern. Whether it’s girl’s education in Afghanistan, the disastrous race to the bottom of our oceans, the climate stopwatch ticking, the unspeakable stupidity of the fuel shortage, or Sarah Everard’s murder, everything feels so BIG. So unfixable.

I’m not sure if it’s just the lack of a break - we’ve been working soldily for thirteen months now, and haven’t left Dorset for two years - or if it’s just another natural wave of ‘crisis fatigue’ that I’ve come to expect over the last two years.

Whatever it is, I’m aware that the hanging weight of anxiety over issues far out of my control is not healthy, and it’s a slippery slip from here into a downwards spiral.

Switching off So I’ve done what I would counsel my teenagers to do. I have stopped rolling though the doomscroll of endless bad news. We have booked a family holiday. I have downed tools and headed out for quick walks in fresh air to chat aimlessly with C. I have trained my TikTok algorithm to show me funny animals, uplifting stories of human kindness and not much else.

I’m choosing to put my energies into smaller, local projects where I really can make a difference. And I’m saying yes to exciting new projects, and goodbye to old tired ones.

Oh, and I’m planting kisses and hugs on unsuspecting teenagers, and demanding affection from the world’s most independent cat.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this month’s read - if you’re looking for me, I won’t be here. Hurrah.

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NEWS

by Rachael Rowe

What to do with 7,000 unanswered calls to local GPs every month?

Like every general practice surgery in the NHS, Gillingham Medical Practice is under pressure. But despite the workload, the priority is always making sure the patients get the right care from the right person in a timely way.

There has been a lot of publicity in the mainstream media recently about GPs not offering face to face appointments and increasingly long waiting lists.

There has been significantly less reported on what clinical staff have done about working ‘smarter’ in order to protect vulnerable people. A lot of this work goes on behind the scenes Dr Chris Pearce from Gillingham Medical Practice

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and is generally invisible to the for a moment. That’s just one public - but is, in fact, making a practice in Dorset. Others have big difference. Dr Chris Pearce the same issues. And it’s not explains some of the issues sustainable. The team, like so and why Gillingham Medical many other practices across Practice had to the county, “Gillingham Surgery have turned to change some of the ways it technology to received 14,500 assesses patients phone calls a month. help them, and by adopting a new implemented Only 53 per cent solution. a new system of those calls got “Prior to the called Total new system, Triage and answered; there Gillingham eConsult. Of simply weren’t Surgery received course there’s enough people to 14,500 phone still an option calls a month. pick up the phone” to simply phone Only 53 per cent the practice of those calls got and make an answered; there simply weren’t appointment, but patients can enough people to pick up the now use an online system to phone. It’s impossible to deal describe exactly what they with that volume.” would like help, along with any Just think about that number symptoms. eConsult is based

NEWS on evidence-based algorithms - it is will cut in and tell them to call an ambulance. The system also flags people who need to be assessed quickly by the local surgery. Every patient’s data is very secure under the NHS system and the system also links to your GP record. But it’s what happens next that is beginning to make the system more efficient.

What happens to your form?

A team of clinicians at Gillingham Medical Practice look at each online requests; they make assessments and aim to get the patient seen by the most appropriate person. People are usually contacted within a day for more serious issues. Minor issues are dealt with in three working days - sometimes faster.

Chris told me they have two meetings a day to review the online submissions and agree who will speak to the patient; it doesn’t always have to be a GP. For example, someone

with a chronic arthritis flare up may benefit most from seeing a physiotherapist to help with exercise. Someone with a complex medication issue could be better off seeing the pharmacist. And if a GP has been handling a particular case, the triage system means they can continue seeing them instead of the patient being allocated to a clinician unfamiliar with the history. In Gillingham, the team is managing 300-400 people a week in this way and they are working far more efficiently as a result.

Dr Pearce was enthusiastic about being able to maintain continuity by using this system of triage: “General practice cannot function without continuity of care.”

What about those phone calls to the surgery?

As a result of implementing the new service, the number of phone calls has decreased

to 8000 a month. 74 per cent are being answered which is a significant improvement. But for those using eConsult, the new system means they are triaged and assessed more efficiently.

We’re always open Practice manager Karen Rhys is also keen to emphasise that though the Barn Surgery is temporarily closed for safety reasons, the practice has always been open. ”We have never been shut, and by doing things differently we can ensure vulnerable people are protected.”

It is clear that a lot of healthcare needs to be delivered differently in future and all of us will need to adapt to new ways of doing things. What hasn’t gone away is the dedication, the care and compassion from our local GPs and primary care staff who are doing their utmost to ensure that people get the best possible care in North Dorset.

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BV AWARDS

The Blackmore Vale Awards 2021 We’re thrilled to announce the launch for the inaugural digital Blackmore Vale Awards, in partnership with Marketing West Events.

The BV Awards are here to celebrate the range and quality of local businesses – as well as our community heroes – often working entirely unacknowledged among us.

In the face of an astonishing couple of years, local businesses have shown not only amazing resilience and ingenuity but also a community spirit we should all be cheering. We’re immensely proud that the first digital Blackmore Vale Awards will celebrate the people in business in the Covid era – the people who have pivoted, the people who have survived and those who have simply coped with unprecedented change.

And of course those who, like us, thought the pandemic might be an excellent time to start a new adventure…

These free-to-enter awards promote innovation and enterprise in the rural North Dorset area; whether you are a single-person start-up or an established large business, a great boss or a happy employee, there are categories for you to enter and opportunities to celebrate and share.

The Community Hero As well as the business awards we’re also looking for a Community Hero – chosen by public vote. The person who genuinely makes a difference to their local community Entry is open now, so get nominating – and yes of course there’ll be a fabulous gala ‘do’ for awards night. All finalists will be invited – details to be revealed, but save the date (and your posh frocks) for May 9th 2022.

Our Three-Point Promise: • Entry is free.

• Judging will be independent.

• There will be a category for every business.

The categories: • • • • • • • • • •

Large Business of the Year Small Business of the Year Best Place to Work Business Leader of the Year Local Producer-Artisan Business of the Year Young Business of the Year Best Digital Innovator of the Year Young Entrepreneur of the Year Green/Eco Business of the Year Community Hero Award

Click here for category details and entry guidelines Please use the form on the website here to enter. You can enter as many categories as you wish but must make separate entries for each category. We reserve the right to add entrants

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to additional categories, where suitable.

Please read the entry guidelines before entering. We suggest you read the gudilines, and then draft your nomination before

completing the form. Then simply copy/paste when you get to that point.

Entries close at 2.00 pm on Friday, 25th January 2022.

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POLITICS

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NEWS

by Laura Hitchcock

14yr old Ruby ‘The Pocket Rocket’ Else-White is crowned Two Time National Champion

Last weekend Stalbridge teenager Ruby Else-White competed in the England Boxing National Schools Championships, and once again was crowned champion. Twice-national champion Ruby was also selected as Female Boxer of the Tournament by the England Talent coaches.

Earlier this year we reported that 14 year old Ruby Else-White from Stalbridge has earned recognition as one of Europe’s top boxing prospects. As she boarded the flight to Newcastle Ruby admitted that she felt confident for Saturday’s semifinal, with a game plan that she stuck to. But the Sunday final saw her nerves jumping.

“I didn’t know my opponent; she’d come from nowhere so I hadn’t had the prep I usually do. I was proper nervous. We knew nothing about her - I just managed to watch her semi-final after my own.”

Winning the title Did she feel like she’d won?

Ruby grinned again. “I thought so. I keep a count in my head of the punches they land, and the ones I do. Plus Shaun tells me at Ruby Else-White with her coach Shaun Weeks in Sturminster Newton ABC where Ruby trains. image © Courtenay Hitchcock

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the end of each round how I’m doing” I wondered if her coach Shaun Weeks would really tell her midfight if she was losing? “Yes he does! It’s ‘fight harder, do more, be smarter, you’re not working hard enough!’ So if he says I’ve got it, I know I’m doing okay. But nothing’s ever guaranteed.”

The Team GB pathway The England Boxing National Schools Championships has now been running for a century and gives young boxers their first taste of competitive action on the national stage.

More than 200 boxers took part this weekend - and though Ruby was thrilled to win her class (female 48kg), it was being selected as ‘Female Boxer of the Tournament’ - from all classes - by the England Talent coaches

that really made her grin as we chatted. “it means I’ve been noticed!”

Those who won Classes A and B titles are now invited to train with the England Talent coaches later this month.

In March next year Ruby plans to make it ‘Three Times National Champion’: “If I make the final of the National Junior Championships, I’ll compete for England in the Tri Nations European Championship. If I win that then I’m put forward to represent GB in the Junior European Championships next summer. Next stop Olympics 2028!”

Shaun cautions that Ruby would need to continue winning National Titles over the next four years in progressive age classes, to be in a very strong position to be selected by the Oly mpic committee: “there is a lot of hard work, commitment, dedication and sacrifices to be made to get there” She’s a girl with a very clear plan; it’s easy to think that the drive and determination might be allconsuming. And yet hearing her complain about the ‘huge bruise’ on her cheek (“I never get hit!”), and seeing her checking her hair in the gym mirrors before posing with her golden gloves, blithely ignoring the older male boxers waiting for her to be done, it’s easy to see she’s just a 14 year old girl who loves to box.

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by Laura Hitchcock

NEWS

14 year old Ruby Else-White from Stalbridge the day after she was crowned England Boxing National Schools Champion. Ruby has now won the National Title twice, and the MTK Lonsdale Box Cup Title twice. She’s won the Bristol Box Cup, Riviera Box Cup, and the Golden Girls Championships in Sweden. Ruby was awarded the Best Prospect Award in Sweden, and finally was selected as the Best Female Boxer at last weekends National Finals. image © Courtenay Hitchcock

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NEWS

by Andy Palmer

How a murder in India in 1857 halted Dorset traffic last month

Mr. Peter Metcalf of the VC and GC Association welcomeing guests including Mr. Robert Salkeld who is preparing to unveil the plaque on the south side

A young Dorset army officer, severely wounded during the 1857 Indian Mutiny, succeeded in leading women and children to safety despite being under constant rifle and shell-fire.

The 27 year-old hero, raised in Fontmell Magna where his father was vicar, became the first man to posthumously win the Victoria Cross, the highest medal for courage in the face of the enemy.

Lt Philip Salkeld had his arm amputated without anaesthetic and it is thought that the shock and insanitary conditions of an impromptu casualty station, during a battle, led to his slow and agonising death.

Lt Salkeld’s courage was commemorated at a small and solemn occasion last month as a plaque in his name was revealed at Salkeld Bridge near Plumber Manor, close to Sturminster Newton, causing a slight delay to

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traffic. The bridge was chosen to reflect the dead hero’s job in the Bengal Engineers as his life was dedicated to civil construction.

He was also a dedicated family man who had saved £1,000 (£108,000 in today’s money) to support his younger brother’s education.

Unfortunately his savings were looted by the rioters from the London and Delhi Bank in India’s capital.

However a public fund was established for his brother’s education which was generously over-subscribed and a memorial was erected to him in Fontmell

Magna at his father’s church.

Last month’s ceremony was attended by Lt Salkeld’s greatgreat nephew Robert Salkeld and Sara Jones CBE, widow of Lt Col ‘H’ Jones of the Dorset Regiment who received a posthumous VC in the 1982 Falkland’s Conflict.

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by Andy Palmer

Exceptional courage

Lt Salkeld’s exploits in what India calls The First War of Independence reads like a Boy’s Own story.

When the uprising broke out the rebels ran amok killing all the Europeans they could find. He narrowly escaped death in the early rioting and found himself with survivors near the Kashmir Gate. With the enemy closing in, he led a group to the top of the bastion and ingeniously formed an escape ‘rope’ from linked leather sword belts.

Under heavy fire they managed to escape, meeting up with more soldiers, including a Lt George Forrest (who also won a VC) who was in a state of shock having been shot through the hand.

Also in the party was Lt Forrest’s wife, who had been shot in the shoulder, and his three young daughters, the youngest being nine. The party waded across

British soldiers defending against insurgents near Delhi. Created

by Janet-Lange, published on L’Illustration Journal Universel, Paris, 1857

the Ganges Canal, the River Jumna and were robbed by bandits. Lt Salkeld made the journey barefoot having given his shoes to one of the young girls.

Having delivered the dishevelled group to safety, the exhausted

Lt Salkeld returned to the battle and was severely wounded in a huge explosion when he led a group of soldiers to re-take the Kashmir Gate.

He died in acute pain in the early hours of 10th October 1857.

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NEWS

by Rachael Rowe

Dorset trials ‘sensor-based’ care to keep elderly at home Independence is important to all of us - but as we reach a certain age or develop a medical problem and the threat of a care home looms, it becomes a jealously guarded treasure.

The ability to stay in your own home is beneficial for all sorts of reasons. Now, there’s a new technology being tested in Dorset and you don’t even need to be able to use the internet to take part. But does it work, asks Rachel Rowe.

So who is Lilli?

Dorset Council is working with a technology company called Lilli on a three month trial using assistive technology in homes. Having been completely unnerved by an Alexa device in a friend’s home recently,

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I’m sceptical - and like most people, wondering where my information is going. Dorset Cabinet Lead Member for Health Cllr Piers Brown explained: “The Lilli technology consists of some very discreet sensors that are placed around a person’s home. They simply detect movement around the house.

The data collected from the home is transmitted to a team of occupational therapists working in the social care department at Dorset Council. Using artificial intelligence and cloud technology, the team are able

to monitor trends and overall health with that person.”

I’m still left wondering whether this is all a bit too intrusive but I’m reassured by Piers. “The sensors are very discreet. You barely know they are there. It’s not like one of the pendants that older people are given to wear- and then of course are not wearing it when they fall over.”

All the data is handled securely

by Dorset Council and the project has to undergo a rigorous assessment to ensure a person’s information is handled in confidence before it can start.

by Rachael Rowe The technology does not ‘observe people’, it simply detects movement – or a lack of it. And one of the things that fascinated me was how it can detect a problem before it happens.

It’s all in the hips Fractured hips are one of the biggest causes of someone over 50 losing their independence.

They result in decreased physical activity, losing the ability to go out and socialise, having to move to residential care - and research shows one in three adults aged over 50 dies within 12 months of suffering a hip fracture. And that’s before anyone starts talking about the cost to the NHS and hospital bed occupancy. But what if that could be prevented? That’s where technology like Lilli comes in. When the occupational therapy team are monitoring the data, they can pick up when someone’s balance is deteriorating and do something

NEWS about it before they fall. A therapist could introduce a few exercises to help that person, or place an appliance in the home to support them.

Staying out of care homes.

The Lilli technology can also detect a urinary tract infection (UTI) before it happens just by monitoring the number of times someone uses the loo.

Given a simple UTI in an elderly person causes dementia-like confusion and can lead to them falling at home, there are huge opportunities for the occupational therapy team to intervene and deal with an issue almost before it has happened, preventing admissions to hospitals and most importantly, keeping people healthier and more independent in their homes. Often, someone about to be discharged from hospital just needs a little support to stay independent. Instead of needing a care home bed they can go

straight home to the comfort and familiarity with the Lilli monitoring arrangements.

Dorset Council is currently recruiting 100 people for a three month trial.

Staff will identify people suitable and participants will have a choice of taking part.

You don’t need to be able to use the internet or even have a computer to have the Lilli technology in your home.

Piers is clearly an enthusiast.

“The technology enables us to design reablement (temporary care to help a convalescent get back to normal and stay independent) care around the person. It makes a meaningful difference to someone’s life.”

With the ability to improve quality of life by keeping people safe in their own homes and improving health, the new technology makes it an exciting time for reablement in the county.

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LOOKING BACK

The intelligent poltergeist

by Roger Guttridge

On January 11, 1895, the Western Gazette published a story about strange goings-on in a Dorset village. The paper described ‘considerable excitement’ at Durweston ‘in consequence of the supposition that one of its cottages is haunted’.

The cottage was one of a semidetached, white-walled pair that stand high on the hill above Durweston.

They have been a familiar landmark for 170 years and can be seen to this day from the A350 and the trailway between Blandford and Stourpaine.

The events that caused the stir began on December 13, 1894, when widow Mrs Best heard knocking and scratching sounds in various parts of her cottage.

The strange noises recurred several times over the next few days, gradually increasing in volume until next-door neighbour Mr Newman could also hear them.

Bizarre occurrence The village blacksmith said the sounds were ‘as heavy as sledgehammer blows’.

Mrs Best, aged about 60, had recently taken in two orphaned sisters from the workhouse, Annie, aged 12 or 13, and Gertie Cleave, who was four.

Annie was in poor health. A doctor described her as ‘of a markedly consumptive tendency’ and ‘hysterical’.

As December wore on, even more bizarre occurrences took place.

Small stones flew through the windows, breaking the glass, then returned of their own volition through the clean, round holes they had made.

On December 18, Annie saw an old boot fly from the garden and strike the back door, leaving a muddy mark.

Gamekeeper Mr Newman saw beads strike the window while a ‘quantity of little shells’ and two thimbles travelled horizontally 5ft off the ground.

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‘They came very slowly and when said the incredulous gamekeeper. they hit me I could hardly feel Other witnesses included them,’ said Mr Durweston’s Newman. ‘The rector, the Rev W “Small stones thimbles struck flew through the M Anderson, and my hat.’ schoolmaster, Mr windows, breaking Sheppard.

Other moving the glass, then objects included a Following the two slate-pencil and a returned of their men’s arrival, hasp.

Mrs Best put the own volition After the old girls to bed in Mr through the clean, Newman’s house boot returned, Mrs Best threw round holes they and lay down it outside and beside them. had made” Mr Newman put Loud rappings were his foot on it and heard on the walls commanded: ‘I defy anything to in different parts of the room, move this boot.’ along with occasional scratching ‘Just as I stepped off, it rose up sounds. behind me and knocked my hat Despite checks to ensure no-one off; there was no-one behind me,’ was playing tricks, the ‘loud and

get in touch with Roger: roger.guttridge@btinternet.com

LOOKING BACK

by Roger Guttridge

continuous’ sounds continued The white cottages at Norton high above Durweston, where the poltergeist events began in 1894 for much of the night.

By using a specified number of raps for ‘yes’, Mr Sheppard asked the ‘agency’ if it would communicate by writing on a slate.

This was not just any old poltergeist but one with intelligence. It was clever enough to answer a series of questions as to where the slate should be single note’. in Durweston, the poltergeist placed, declining every location ‘The only tune we asked for went with them. apart from the windowsill. which was not rapped out was Scratching and tapping sounds The presence’s first attempt The British Grenadiers,’ he said. were heard even when the girls on the slate resulted in a few The sisters were split up soon were asleep and plaster fell on meaningless scratches but after and the story has a tragic their heads. after Anderson ending.

Before many and Sheppard “...it produced witnesses, the Annie, who was thought to be asked it to try the conduit for the poltergeist, curves that were presence again again, it produced went initially to Iwerne Minster rapped out answers ‘beautifully curves that were and then to London, where she to questions. drawn’ with ‘beautifully drawn’ Then came perhaps died of tuberculosis. with firm, bold lines firm, bold lines the most intriguing What happened to Gertie is ‘such as no child ‘such as no child event of the whole unknown. could produce’. could produce” saga – it tapped out When the exercise a well-known tune.

Roger Guttridge’s books was repeated twice Fred Cross Paranormal Dorset and more, the words ‘MONY’ and requested several more ‘comic, Dorset: Curious and Surprising ‘GARDEN’ appeared on the slate. school and sacred songs, which both include chapters on the When Annie and Gertie stayed were all answered by raps on the with the Cross family elsewhere Durweston Poltergeist. head of the bedstead for each

Investigating destructive haunting Book review by Roger Guttridge

Books on ghosts abound but there are very few on poltergeists, a rarer and more specific phenomenon which usually involves furniture and other objects moving around, sometimes with considerable violence.

Poltergeists also tend to be associated with a particular person and rarely last more than a few weeks or months.

Ghosts, on the other hand, occur at a specific location, are often seen by many people and can go on for years or even centuries.

In a new book, paranormal investigator John Fraser contends that while ghostly sightings are almost impossible to prove, poltergeist phenomena

can be empirically verified.

Fraser – former vice-chair of the Ghost Club and a leading member of the Society for Psychical Research – invites his readers to join his quest to discover the truth behind this complex and contentious subject.

His journey embraces poltergeist cases ancient and modern, famous and little known, and includes his own investigation of The Cage, a medieval jail at St Osyth, Essex, where 13 witches were imprisoned while awaiting their trial in 1582.

Fraser personally interviewed two dozen witnesses, including owner Vanessa Mitchell, who was driven out of her home by the

poltergeist activity.

• Poltergeist: A New Investigation into Destructive Haunting, by John Fraser (6th Books).

by Tracie Beardsley

COMMUNITY

Heroic horsewoman runs the London marathon (aged 77) for the charities that saved her life

This month, Shena Kozuba-Kozubska will be running her second London Marathon. It’s likely to be even tougher than the one she did 30 years ago. Running that one, she “only had a fractured skull and broken hand,” she recalls understatedly.

Shena Kozuba-Kozubska on Balou before her near-fatal accident.

What this top-class horse rider had actually suffered was a massive blow to the head, resulting in near-fatal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Her horse had bolted, flinging her head-first on to some posts.

Even with these injuries, Shena managed to complete the gruelling 26.2-mile race in four hours, and raised £6,000 for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.

The charity helped her financially to get back in the saddle after she couldn’t run her equestrian school for a year.

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Second near-fatal accident Forward to 2021, Shena’s now 77 and once again recovering from near-fatal injuries. An horrific accident five years ago left this internationally renowned horsewoman and instructor from Donhead St Andrew with broken breast bone, hip, ribs, shoulder and pelvis, plus internal injuries resulting in her losing a kidney.

“The entire left side of my chest was caved in and I had massive internal bleeding. I shouldn’t be here, I really shouldn’t, but thanks to the amazing action of

paramedics and Somerset Air Ambulance, I survived.”

All Shena can recall from that fateful day is stopping her ‘bombproof’ horse to let a car pass. She woke up four weeks later in intensive care. The horse was found nonchalantly grazing by her side, uninjured.

Her story of recovery is not easy.

It took three people to get her out of bed. She recalls being left in excruciating pain in a chair in Southampton hospital. She rang the call-bell and shouted but it took overworked nurses three Always free - subscribe here

by Tracie Beardsley

COMMUNITY

agonizing hours to come to her aid. She had to learn to walk again after being wheelchairbound.

Horatio’s Garden Shena was intensely grateful to be moved to Odstock Hospital in Salisbury. Here she rebuilt her strength and delighted in the fresh air of Horatio’s Garden, connected to the spinal injury unit. “I’m an outdoors person so the confines of hospital were extremely difficult for me.”

Shena also had to cope with the grief of losing her sister Joanna to motor neurone disease. “Joanna had died a year and a day before my accident. My sister Danuta and I had cared for Joanna, who was an incredible woman. She’d been a prison governor in charge of the infamous Moors murderer Myra Hindley followed by a successful career in business management.

“Motor Neurone disease is devastating - that’s why, as well as Somerset Air Ambulance, I’m fundraising for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as well as Horatio’s Garden. I know how much this green space helped my sister as well as me.”

A long career Shena’s equestrian career began after she was introduced to riding at Longham stables in Ferndown when four years old.

She progressed to pony club competitions and after leaving school trained at Wylie “the best and only training yard that there was at that time.”

She went on to become the youngest British Horse Society Accredited instructor. At 18 she competed at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials and has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the equestrian world, including HRH Princess Anne, Olympic champions Lucinda Green, Virgina Leng and Richard Mead, our most successful male equestrian

Shena was apprenticed to Lady Hugh Russell who rode the World Three Day Eventing Championship at Burghley in 1966. In 1967, Lady Russell broke her back in a fall, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. She chose to focus on training young riders, which she did from her “mini moke”, a car without a roof. Shena got to ride Lady Hugh Russell’s horses, and at just 18 years old in 1969 she rode Badminton Horse Trials; the gelding Flamingo was only eight.

Olympian. She’s also worked to walk up hills, let alone run with Chris Bartle, dressage up them. “I swore I’d never do champion and now eventing it again but I’ve been feeling coach for Olympic riders. crumpled and useless. I can’t Born in Kenya, Shena has ride and would never get back returned there to run horse on a horse as it wouldn’t be clinics. She also fair to Danuta, “...I’ve been feeling taught Carole who cared for crumpled and Annett to ride, me through wife of Olympic useless. I can’t ride... my recovery. I athlete, Lord can’t even keep I can’t even keep Sebastian Coe. horses, as just a horses as I’m still nudge from one This contact came in handy when could send me not stable” Shena wanted flying as I’m still to enter her first not stable. I’m marathon in 1991. really hoping I won’t get pushed “My head injury had meant I over amongst the 50,000 plus couldn’t work for a year. I was runners! overweight so set myself the “I’m not strong enough to jump challenge of running a marathon. out of a plane or wing-walk.

It was January and the race was I don’t knit! So, I will run, or happening in April so I called Seb totter this time, for these crucial and he managed to get me in!” charities because none of us This determined woman hopes know when we or our loved ones to raise £6,000 again this year. may need them.”

She admits the training ‘is almost Support Shena through her killing’ her as she still struggles JustGiving page here

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OBITUARY

Richard Batterham in his Durweston studio in 2016 © Millie Pilkington

Richard Batterham 27th March 1936 - 7th September 2021

Richard Batterham, of Durweston, was one of the most revered potters of his time.

It was Donald Potter and Bryanston School that set Richard off on a lifetime’s work making pots. After school he studied for two years at the Leach pottery in St Ives, where he met fellow potter Dinah Dunn. They married and moved to Durweston, where they set up the pottery in which Richard worked for nearly 60 years.

He made his last pots at the age of 82.

Richard sold his work at David Mellor and Joanna Bird in London, Simon Pearce in New York, and at Sladers Yard in West Bay. He had exhibitions across the UK and Europe. His exhibitions closer to home were often with artist Richard Bawden, his friend from childhood, or John Maltby, a long term friend and fellow potter and sculptor.

sold directly from the pottery, and Richard formed close friendships with long-term customers. Their visits were nearly always accompanied by warm and wise discussions and a walk around the vegetable garden which formed as much a part of his life as the pottery.

Little changed at the pottery in those 60 years, apart from the ongoing development of his pots. The pottery gave several generations of family and visitors a huge stability, forming an integral part of their lives, reinforced with the daily use of his pots.

Richard rang the bells at Durweston church for more than 40 years, he played Joseph in the Christmas play at Lower Berrycourt Farm for as many years, and he kept Bees until varroa struck.

Wise discussions in the vegetable garden Many, many of his pots were

A life’s work He faded away peacefully at home on the 7th September age

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85, after spending two years working with the V&A in London, planning an exhibition of ‘life in pots’ which will open on 26th November 2021 and will include a book to mark his life. This gave a focus to his reflections on a productive and extraordinary life once he was no longer able to make pots.

He has been described as one of the ‘greatest artists of Modern times’ - an accolade he would have smiled at and just got on with making pots.

Dinah died in 2007. Richard is survived by their five children, Annabel, Imogen, George, Jessamine, and Reuben, by 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and by his brother David.

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POLITICS

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Sixth Form

Information Event 9 October

Presentation from the Head and Head of Sixth Form Discover our diverse range of A Levels. BTECs and EPQs Feel the energy and vibrancy of Clayesmore’s Sixth Form community

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Why I’ve changed my stance on raising National Insurance

POLITICS

by Simon Hoare MP I’d guess that there are not many people in North Dorset who do not know at least one person, a friend or family member perhaps, who is not waiting currently for an operation, scan or some other medical intervention.

I know from my inbox that the waiting lists are growing, and that people are worried. When will they get help? When will their pain be eradicated etc?

It is for that reason that the Government had to act to inject extra resource into the NHS to cope with the Covid-generated backlog. I was concerned that we were breaking a manifesto commitment not to increase National Insurance contributions. But it was written in a different, pre-pandemic age. An analogue document for a digital age. Covid has changed so much. Those who know me know I am no ideological purist.

Rather, I plant my flag as a confirmed and proud centre-ground pragmatist.

Following the decades old Tory tradition of finding practical solutions to problems; not hogtied to dogma or ‘little red books’. So, the new money will go to the NHS and hopefully that will help tackle the mountain range like waiting list problem.

‘Flush with money’ But, as a Tory I also know that injecting money into anything, let alone such a vast public service as the NHS, can never be the end in itself. Listening to health commentators it is clear that outputs and productivity go up when money is at its tightest as every ounce of health benefit is squeezed from every pound. When an organisation

is ‘flush with money’ it can often occurs when patients no longer mean that financial rectitude need acute care but are not and prudent management go able to return home without out of the window at worst or an integrated care package. take second place at best. We As a result, they cannot be must therefore look to those discharged. This often leads to who control the thousands of beds “I plant my flag nationally being purse strings to as a confirmed used for nonensure that the maximum benefit medical care. That and proud can be derived is why we are trying centre-ground from this windfall to defuse the Social pragmatist” cash injection.

Care time-bomb 150% of our entire before it detonates.

GDP could go to health provision Health and Social Care are two and it would still not be enough. sides of the same coin. A major Medical science is outpacing contributor to the problems of public financing. We must focus social care provision has been on productivity and outputs. It is the disproportionate reductions in the patient’s interest to do so. in Government-provided funding to local government. It is A skill shortage local councils who know their Doctors and nurses do not grow communities and its needs on trees. It is not just a question better than Whitehall. I shall of the money but also having the continue my advocacy for Local medical staff to deploy to use Government funding within it. There is of course a moral Westminster to make that case. dimension to skill-raiding from overseas, often depleting other Future of care countries of medical expertise.

Two final points if I may? First, That said, and while there is a we now need to sculpt what we huge need for front line staff want adult social care to do and (let us not forget many of them look like for the next 30-40 years. are physically and mentally on The model needs a radical their knees as a result of Covid), overhaul to reflect the change in we will need to ensure there is a demographic demand. timely flexible response from the Second, we will at our peril Home Office regarding visas and forget that ‘social care’ is not processing applications. ‘elderly care’. There is a huge and growing demand among The Social Care timebomb children and young people for A big part of the NHS capacity social care and they cannot be crisis is the bedblocking that overlooked.

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A COUNTRY LIVING

by Tracie Beardsley Russell Woodham whilst competing in the Melplash Show Hedgelaying Competition in September, where he won the Cecil A Marsh Challenge Cup. Image: Tim Russ

BEST HEDGES

For wildlife: edible hedges with berries or nuts such as hazel and hawthorn are perfect. Native hedges of blackthorn, hornbeam and el make great natural highways For security: hawthorn or blackthorn will keep intruder at bay.

The skills that make Russell a champion hedge-layer It’s an idyllic winter rural scene. Log fire roaring in his grate. Dogs sprawled at his feet. He sits with a sewing needle... methodically extracting vicious blackthorn spikes from his scratched arms. For Russell Woodham, this is just one of the hazards of being a hedge-layer.

As far as this multiple-champion hedger is concerned – unbeaten 11 times in local Melplash Agricultural Society show and three times winner at the National Championships – there is no better occupation.

Come early September, this Dorchester-based 54 year-old is “twitching with anticipation”, keen to get back to his winteronly job.

A former countryside warden on Lulworth range and parttime grass cutter at weekends, Russell’s work dried up in the winter. He explains: “I was watching River Cottage on TV and a feature about hedge-laying came on. The fact it could only be done in winter sparked my interest.”

The man demonstrating turned out to be a tutor at Kingston Maurward College. Russell enrolled in March 1999, leading

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to a mid-30’s career change National Hedgelaying Society. he’s never regretted. His very Russell keeps meticulous records first job was a 261 metre-long of every hedge makeover. Over blackthorn beast. “I think it was a 20 years, he’s regenerated test to see if I was cut out for this 25, 606 metres of hedgerows, occupation!” he the longest “On a cold, wet day measuring a recalls.

The following with a bitter easterly staggering 1038 year, he entered and I’m on my third metres, and in the novice class one winter can rain-soaked coat, at the Melplash expect to layer I wish someone Agricultural around 3000 Society, winning would fix my office’s metres. first in his first leaking roof but I “I’m not sure if competition. you’d call me still wouldn’t swap passionate or Twenty-two years later he’s sadly passionate this job” entered close about what I do, to 50 competitions and been but I love it. On a sunny, winter’s overall champion in many. He day I have the best office in was the first Dorset Hedgelayer Dorset. On a cold, wet day with to be invited to Highgrove to a bitter easterly and I’m on my meet HRH Prince Charles, Patron third rain-soaked coat, I wish of The National Hedgelaying someone would fix my office’s Society. He runs training days leaking roof but I still wouldn’t and is Committee member of the swap this job.”

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s

lm s.

rs

by Tracie Beardsley Russell works solo, with his uniform and species-poor aptly-named dogs Bay and hedgerow of little value to Conker for companionship wildlife. Russell explains: “If you plus scurrying mice, voles and keep flailing a hedge, it will come inquisitive birds of prey. He to look like an upside down doesn’t “plug in”, enjoying umbrella. It becomes gnarly silence and time to think. and will eventually just rot away “I put the world “...flailing of hedges and the growth to rights when underneath is an especially I’m working. will gradually destructive part of It comes so disappear. naturally to me modern hedgerow “Pleaching[1] now I often look a hedge will management” back on a day’s tidy it up and work and think will encourage how did I get that far along the it to thicken and rejuvenate. hedgerow?”

Ultimately it is better for This ancient art for rejuvenating the environment and for hedges still mainly involves landowners.” hand-held tools - axe, chainsaw, There’s also the bonus of a wellbillhook and, most importantly, laid hedge gaining back land for a flask of tea. Resilient gloves are the farmers: crucial; a generic workaday pair “The amount of land I’ve gained can be destroyed in a morning people back is extraordinary – of tackling brambles and barbed I’m talking football pitches.” wire.

This champion of these natural Russell’s motto is “Lay it, don’t highways will work anywhere flail it.” Annual flailing of hedges in the UK or abroad, with is an especially destructive commissions on huge estates, part of modern hedgerow smallholdings and domestic management, whereby a gardens. “Hedges are back in mechanical flail creates a vogue and their value is being

A COUNTRY LIVING recognised again as vital for nature.”

And when our winter draws to an end, Russell is planning an alternative winter stint in Australia.

“I have to make hay while the sun doesn’t shine.”

You can see Russell in action at the National Championships on Saturday Oct 23rd at Rotherfield, Hampshire. www.dorset-hedgelayer. co.uk or follow Dorset Hedgelayer on Facebook

- Pleaching is a traditional hedgelaying technique used to improve a hedge to form a thick, impenetrable barrier suitable for enclosing animals. It keeps the lower parts of a hedge dense, and was traditionally done every few years. The stems of hedging plants are slashed through to the centre or more, then bent over and interwoven. The plants rapidly regrow, forming a thick barrier along its entire length.

[1]

Champion hedgelayer Russell Woodham puts the finishing touches to one of the last natural hedges he cultivated last season.

Russell has been practising the ancient craft of naturally rejuvenating hedgerows for over 20 years.

Image: © ZacharyCulpin/BNPS

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RURAL MATTERS - monthly column from the CPRE

The World Becomes Welcoming and Good?

I love walking in the Dorset countryside, especially on the hills and downland. I gain a sense of achievement climbing to the top, which promises wonderful and often surprising views of our beautiful landscape.

In North Dorset, Hambledon, going from Batcombe to Plush Bulbarrow, Melbury Beacon and along the northern ridge of the Hod Hill are all favourites. All the downland. A detour from Plush seasons have their moments, to the Lyscombe Valley to the but spring is very special as east, with its restored chapel hedgerows first come alive with and ruined farm buildings, is an blackthorn blossom, and then unforgettable experience. the trees begin to leaf. The limey translucent colour of early beech Far from the madding crowds. leaves is magical, especially We are also fortunate that most in juxtaposition to the vivid walks in North Dorset are rarely cobalt of a crowded, unlike bluebell wood. our Jurassic “What a joy walking Birdsong is a coast. I have is. All the cares of life, to agree with real pleasure all the hopeless, inept Bill Bryson, our then as migrating f**kwits that God has former CPRE males arrive at strewn along the Bill President, in their nesting his book The Bryson Highway of grounds first, Road to Little Life suddenly seem far to be followed Dribbling: soon after by “What a joy away and harmless, the female. walking is. and the world Autumn is All the cares becomes tranquil and of life, all the wonderful welcoming and good” hopeless, inept too with leaves turning f**kwits that colour from God has strewn deep butter yellow to russet along the Bill Bryson Highway and copper. We are lucky of Life suddenly seem far away here with lots of long distance and harmless, and the world walking trails, such as the becomes tranquil and welcoming Wessex Ridgeway, the Jubilee and good.”

Trail, the Stour Valley Way and The Covid Lockdown may the longest of them all, the have encouraged most of us Hardy Way, which runs for no to walk more, but still not less than 220 miles through enough. It would be great to Thomas Hardy’s Wessex. There see walking displace more is an especially lovely part of it short car journeys, thus easily

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reducing our carbon footprint.

A generation ago 70% of British schoolchildren walked to school, now less than half do. It would be wonderful if local planning authorities and housing developers would invest in concepts like the 15-minute neighbourhood, where our workplaces and the services we regularly need can be reached in a short walk from our homes.

The recent draft Dorset Council Local Plan was singularly deficient in new ideas here.

Keep walking!

Rupert Hardy, Chairman North Dorset CPRE The health benefits from walking are legion, and it is not just burning calories: • 5 minutes aids digestion • 20 minutes improves heart health • 30 minutes is good for weight loss, blood pressure and reduces the risk of diabetes • 40 minutes improves blood circulation and reduces stress • 50 minutes will strengthen muscles and improve productivity • 60 minutes relaxes your nerves and brain, increasing creativity.

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by Laura Hitchcock

COMMUNITY

Meet Your Local Shop (you’re eating all the pies) Discover the faces and stories inside the village shop. This month we’ve been chatting to David Fawthrop who runs the Chettle Village store.

How did you end up at the shop?

I started at Chettle Village Store about six months ago with a background in retail management and business development. I have run a successful farm shop and Café near Bath, and I spent three years doing business development for a charity retail operation.

Following a rocky 2020 (being made redundant twice in the space of three months), I needed a new challenge.

When I saw an advert for a ‘small village shop with big ambitions’ looking for a business development manager with a background in independent retail, I couldn’t believe my luck. Such a perfect role for me, and so close to home! Following a great conversation with the owner Alice Favre about her visions for the shop and the wider community, we found that we had a lot of shared concerns around the environment and the negative impact of intensive farming and supermarkets muscling out independent shops. I was offered the role, and so far it’s proven to be everything I hoped for.

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How big is your team?

There are seven of us, a mix of Chettle residents and some from the neighbouring towns and villages. There’s always a friendly face in the shop to welcome you - a village shop isn’t just a place to buy your groceries and other essentials. We’re a cornerstone of the community, and a good chunk of the team’s day is spent catching up with locals and regulars and maintaining those invaluable relationships that make Chettle such a great community to be a part of.

Is there a ‘shop pet’?

Technically no... but the shop backs on to the neighbour’s garden, and we see a lot of their cat, several chickens, and two ducks called Crumpet and Mable who like hanging out in my office.

Their lovely rascal of a dog called Moo quite often takes the opportunity to make a bolt for freedom through the shop forcing the staff to give chase, much to the entertainment of

customers enjoying a pie and a coffee outside!

What’s flying off the shelves?

It’s the Pies! Pies Pies Pies!

We sell a range of cooked pies and pasties that are renowned throughout the local area, and we get new customers on a daily basis telling us that they have heard by word of mouth how good our pies are. We’ve had to start offering them frozen to cook at home too! But people come for the pies and stay for the other local products we sell; including the wide selection of vegan, gluten free, dairy free and environmentally conscious foods we offer.

Tell us about your local suppliers?

We’re really proud of our relationship with local suppliers and are always keen to hear from local businesses, especially ones that share our values for locally sourced, organic, and sustainably produced goods. We get organic, Always free - subscribe here

COMMUNITY

ethically sourced meat from Angel Cottage near Okeford Fitzpaine, organic bread from Long Crichel, cider from the Cranborne Chase, and fruit and veg grown naturally and unsprayed from Wimborne St. Giles. Overall, we have about a dozen suppliers based with 10 miles, and another 20 based within 30 miles.

What’s been your biggest challenge since taking over? What are you proud of?

Making sure we don’t become victims of our own success! This summer was the busiest in the shop’s history; bolstered by the campsite in the village and the thousands of tourists who would usually be off to Spain or Greece for their holidays. Keeping our tiny shop well stocked, keeping the staffing levels up and maintaining customer service whilst being more than twice as busy as usual has been challenging. I’ve been doing my fair share of 60 hour weeks!

What part of the shop is your absolute favourite?

It’s a cliché, but my favourite thing about the shop is the people. I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction from happy customers, and seeing staff go the extra mile.

What are you most proud of?

It’s the extra little things that we do for the community; yes we are running a shop, but we are also happy to take parcel deliveries for people in the village, stock cards and postcards designed by artists who shop with us, sell tickets for local events, sell produce grown in the village to raise money for community projects such as tree planning, or

order in special requests to save space is holding us back. The villagers having to make a trip to plan is to move a few yards a bigger town. We support local down the road to the old dairy businesses and farm. This is a big “...happy to take are at the heart project, and will of everything that parcel deliveries allow us to open makes Chettle for people in the a café as well. But so unique and moving the shop village, stock cards special. is just a small part and postcards by of a much bigger artists who shop vision for Chettle.

What’s with us, sell tickets We’re planning happening to overhaul food for local events, production in the now?

A big focus for sell produce grown village, producing us is minimising in the village...” much more of wastage. Unless our own food you’ve been living under a rock using organic, sustainable, for the last 10 years, you’ll know and agroecological farming coffee cups are a big offender! techniques. The vision is to We recently started working with build a sustainable community, the Eco Coffee Company, a local and the shop and café will be coffee supplier, and now have the public face of this vision for fully bio-degradable takeaway decades to come. coffee cups. We’ll shortly have a new coffee machine which The Chettle Village Store is easily collects the coffee grounds found by following the signs from to turn in to fuel briquettes, the A354 between Blandford and used to roast the next batch of Salisbury. The shop is in the heart coffee. Lastly, we’ll be offering of the village with ample roadside big discounts to customers who parking just opposite the playpark. bring their own cups - keep an If you’re condiering a pie, we eye on Facebook and Instagram recommend phoning to pre-order for details.

What’s next?

Huge plans! We’re bursting at the seams, and whilst the current shop is full of character, lack of

on 01258 830223

Opening hours are 8:30-18:00 Monday to Saturday, 10:00-14:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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COMMUNITY

Free festival to showcase Dorset’s bright digital future How will learning change for our children in the digital age? How is tourism reinventing itself? How could technology help improve wellbeing and independence? What does the future of agriculture look like and how can it support climate change?

Dorset may be a county steeped in tradition, picture postcard villages and old world charm.

But it is also a leading proponent of cutting edge technology. The ground-breaking 5G RuralDorset project, backed by Dorset Council, has just scooped three national awards and Dorset Council were the 2020 winners of the national winner of the Digital Skills Award - given for the work going on across the county to help everyone in Dorset make the most of the digital tools available to them and make sure Dorset becomes a truly digital place.

The new innovation centre -

called Defence BattleLab - being built at Dorset Innovation Park, the site of the former Winfrith nuclear facility, has a £3.1 investment from the Ministry of Defence and £2.6m from Dorset Council and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The BattleLab will allow defence personnel to work with academic institutions and private sector companies on new military technologies.

The Return of FutureFest Dorset Council’s Festival of the Future is back - a five-day festival staged at locations across Dorset next week to showcase the

county’s exciting digital future.

In 2020 the first Festival of the Future was by necessity a Zoomonly online event. Thanks to its 2020 success, tis year the festival is back, this time in a hybrid format. Dorset Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wharf, said: “Our festival will be a fully-fledged hybrid experience where we will be live with a local audience and available online for people to view as a live broadcast.

It promises to be a lot of fun, very exciting and enlightening as we look into what our future holds – and best of all it is completely free to attend.”

To book your place, click the day you are interested in attending

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COMMUNITY Held from 4th to 8th October, #FutureFest21 will highlight the innovation and technology that is set to transform the county as a place to live, work, visit, learn and do business in.

What is happening Each day of the festival has a different theme, and the guest speakers are all leaders in their fields: • Monday The business world takes centre stage live from the Dorset Innovation Park in Winfrith. See how the defence industry created the unique BattleLab to trial new innovations and hear how digital can underpin Dorset’s future economy.

• Tuesday Live from Shaftesbury and future of education.

The festival goes back to school to ask what will the classroom of the future look

•

•

•

like?

Wednesday is Tourism Day - industry and digital leaders will discuss how innovation can enhance and revolutionise the industry and the visitor experience.

Thursday is all about rural affairs and the environment.

Live from a farm near Blandford, experts will demonstrate the latest innovations in farming; technical ways of monitoring production and how a new breed of robots can zap weeds and improve yields.

In the afternoon session, the festival will explore the climate and ecological emergency in Dorset; considering aquaculture, the natural environment and how Low Carbon Dorset is helping organisations reduce their energy carbon footprint.

Friday is on the very

important subject of innovation in health and social care, and will be shared from Moors Valley Country Park.

The morning session will look at how technology can help people live independently and how the pandemic changed services.

The final afternoon will see the festival end on a high talking about digital leadership and promoting wellbeing.

Dorset Council’s chief executive, Matt Prosser, said: “We hope as many people as possible with an interest in business, tourism, education, rural affairs and health and social care come and join us for our Festival of the Future 21 – either in person or online.”

For more details and to book free tickets go to www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/festival-ofthe-future-2021

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EDUCATION

Two new state-of-the-art science labs for Hazlegrove Prep School

The impressive addition to the teaching facilities at Hazlegrove is as a result of a donation made by a family connected to the School. Headmaster, Mark White said, ‘ Two years ago Science and Technology took centre stage in our STEM Festival. Its aim was to deepen the interest for budding scientists and to recognise the possibilities of scientific enquiry.

Two years on, that ambition has resulted in new laboratories through a very generous

donation to the School, and for that donation to originate from within the Hazlegrove community is a wonderful testimony to the sense of family that we have here’.

Encouraging curiosity Head of Science, Mr Zach Brown said, ‘Science is so important at Hazlegrove as we aim to not only develop our pupils’ understanding of the world around us, but to be curious and

to seek out more knowledge.

Looking ahead to the future, Hazlegrove has never been in a stronger position to inspire and nurture a love of science in our pupils. We are now able to provide more opportunities to learn through making ‘hands-on’ connections.

Mr White added, ‘The labs are amongst some of the very best offered by schools in the UK and they create a wonderfully motivational learning hub’.

Okeford Fitzpaine set out to ‘Feed the Community’ Passionate about the children and their families being supported by their village community, okeford Fitzpaine Primary School had an idea to develop a ‘Feed the Community Garden’. The aim was to grow and provide the community with a selection of fresh vegetables and fruit b y turning the front area of the school into raised beds containing vegetables and fruit. When children are collected from school, they can select vegetables to take home with them for their evening meals. Following a successful grant application through

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Active Dorset and Public Health and Dorset Gardens Trust the raised beds have been installed.

Plants and other useful planting resources have been obtained from a local village to help the ‘Feed the Community Garden’ start to bloom. Watch this space for more elements of the project to appear outside the front of the school, and information in the Fippenny News when the fruits and vegetables are ready to go home.

We are keen to hear suggestions on how we can develop our community garden in the future.

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EDUCATION

Join in with our Daily Mile Experience life as a pupil at St Greg's Learning in action across the classes Visit all areas of the school Headteacher - Mrs Field / Admin officer Laurie Shea both available for any questions See our school grounds Tours from our older children Tea / Coffee / Cake / chat

It’s a pond-erful life!

From swamp to safe haven, the Cranborne Middle School pond has been transformed into a wonderful space for the children to visit.

The work was completed by Mr J Greetham and his terrific team of Year Six pupils (with the assistance of the Southern Aquatics team) who worked tirelessly to create an area where children and staff can sit quietly and observe nature.

The school are not stopping now, and are hoping to add some fish to finish off the project and give the school a marine mascot. Once this has been completed the student council will then be targeting the rest of the nature area so that everyone can experience the fantastic views on offer and the lovely opportunity for some outdoor learning.

The school will be holding its Open Day and Evening on the 10th November, where parents and children will be able to see the pond first hand. If interested, do please visit their website for more details: www.cranbornemid.dorset.sch.

uk

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POLICE

Fixing the future - an open letter from David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

All too often, many of the problems in society are attributed to young people. Young people are seen by some as having nothing better to do and are regularly vilified as being responsible for causing nuisance and disorder, as well as other issues.

I know this perception is Excluded kids get a breath of incorrect, and young people fresh air should never be lumped Future Roots is an organisation together as a group to be feared. that uses one of Dorset’s Indeed, teenagers are more greatest resources – the rural likely to be victims of crime than environment – to offer young perpetrators. people the chance to boost When it comes to youth, it’s their wellbeing and reach their incredibly important we get it potential. right. It’s vital we tap into the I visited the service at their enormous potential our young farm near Sherborne earlier people have and steer them in the summer to see how the towards making better choices. hands-on farm-based activities Thankfully, there are several they provide, help young people organisations across Dorset become more comfortable which are already with who they are, “teenagers are build confidence doing an incredible more likely job of providing them and identify their with this guidance. to be victims strengths.

It’s led by Julie of crime than Dragon’s Den Plumley, a farmers’ perpetrators” daughter who went I’d been invited to sit on the judging panel on to have a long for a Dragon’s Den style event, career in social work and decided in which police cadets were to create an organisation that asked to deal with an anti-social combined the best of both behaviour scenario, very similar worlds. She stresses that young to those ones which police people don’t go there because officers and council staff have to they are ‘naughty’ or ‘bad’ but respond to on a regular basis. because they need a safe and It was fascinating to hear their secure learning environment. suggestions and to see them bounce ideas around as they School’s not always the answer attempted to come up with The traditional school setting solutions. doesn’t work for every child, The teenagers I met were and Julie told me about many fulfilling useful roles in their examples of families and young communities, as well as people who have found the developing confidence and life solution they were looking for skills such as communication at Future Roots. This includes and team building. teenagers who had been But good as the police cadets is excluded from school, who had as a youth organisation, it will become known to the police, never be for everyone. as well as those who were just

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unable to cope with lockdown.

Their lives had been transformed simply by working among animals in the fresh air.

I also visited the Dorset Youth Association in Dorchester recently. It enabled me to connect with a wide range of people in the voluntary and community sector, to find out more about some of the challenges they face.

Equipping our young people I am making commitments not only to cutting crime and antisocial behaviour, but to putting our community first. That means making sure young people are not left behind, and that by working with a wide range of partners we provide proper support for those who are struggling.

Fixing the future by addressing the problems our young people face is a big challenge which goes far beyond policing. But it’s important we do what we can to give them the right tools to make the right decisions.

PCC David Sidwick Always free - subscribe here

POLITICS

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY

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by Andy Palmer

TALES FROM THE VALE

Tales From The Vale

Not Andy’s unmown chruchyard, but the similarly wild Durweston churchyard this summer. image: Courtenay Hitchcock

with Andy Palmer

The slow escape

Big hoo-ha in Mappowder: a tortoise has gone missing (easily identifiable – it’s wearing a shell suit) which led my wife to ask, ‘what’s the point of tortoises?’

I told her that was a bit rich from someone who as a girl had a pet stick insect and claims that ‘Sticky’ was ‘very interesting’ because ‘sometimes he moved.’

Cutting remarks

For four years or so I, along with Ivan Croad, would regularly mow the church lawns and graveyard in my village.

It was fun: Ivan always has a wealth of stories and jokes, which he delivers in his lovely deep Dorset burr and, as I grew up in Stalbridge, we know a lot of the same people, for example, three sisters who lived on a farm, of whom in my youth I was very fond. Very fond indeed! (For God’s sake don’t name them, they may read this. Ed).

Ivan would tackle the tricky bits around the gravestones and I was given free rein around lawns. But I was loath to mow the wild flowers so would cut around them. Over time this resulted in lanes, or passageways, banked by fivefoot high wild flowers.

Ivan and I agreed that it looked charmingly wild and natural – unlike the clinical bowling green trim of some churchyards.

‘It’s what Jesus would have wanted,’ I said, actually meaning it. Despite not believing, I grant that there was a charismatic bloke 2,000 years ago who may

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have been a good egg (unless you were a Roman).

After one session at the church, I was back sitting in my garden when a villager (my then neighbour, now emigrated) approached wanting ‘a word about the church land.’

I didn’t expect wholesale praise from a breathlessly grateful village (just as well as apart from a couple of exceptions I didn’t receive any) but I certainly didn’t expect her to tell me that ‘some of the villagers didn’t like the wildflowers being left and the lanes in the tall grass.‘ She was a bit vague on who the villagers were.

Well, blow me down: I was minded to say, ‘I’m sorry to hear that, maybe they’d like to spend their own time and petrol mowing the (insert mild swear

word) grounds themselves!’

But do you know what?

Unusually for me, I didn’t.

I pointed out that the wild flowers attracted bees and butterflies and that children loved running through the passageways. I made it clear that I’d continue leaving the wild flowers. She went off in something of a huff.

Next year I started mowing again in May or when the grass started shooting-up and, absentmindedly, I mowed everything.

My fellow mower, new to the game, came up and strongly rebuked me. ‘We don’t do it like that,’ she said, ‘we like to avoid the wild flowers in order to attract pollinating insects and children like to run in the passage ways.’

Not often I’m lost for words.

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by Andy Palmer

Warbirds

Sitting in the garden on a sunny day we were entranced by the singing of an individual bird. Kae said it was a robin, I thought it a wren. Chirruping away it was.

Quite glorious. But what was it?

Kae downloaded the song of a robin. Our songful garden guest was clearly a robin and even more clearly wasn’t that chuffed (or choughed*) at a suspected rival as it went ballistic. And two robins in our neighbouring lands also exploded into song. All very pretty.

The explanation was simple (after I consulted Professor Google). Robins are aggressively territorial and the real ones obviously thought another bird was invading their patch.

I mentioned this to my neighbour who said, ‘you’ll only get one robin in each garden.’

Oh you petty things…

I started a chess club a while ago - not just for my village but for everybody who wants one evening a week of mild intellectual stimulation and good conversation.

So my wife designed attractive posters and we went around putting them up in shops and village notice boards.

Two days later I found that some small-minded people had taken down the posters from their village notice boards.

Why? The posters that weren’t taken down attracted a superb crossgathering of north Dorset and Somerset society, from keen eight year old girls to lonely

TALES FROM THE VALE widowers. Thanks to the posters that were not removed a lot of peoples’ lives were enhanced.

We read that in Afghanistan the Taliban are removing all posters and hoardings advertising – and banning games and music. Let’s try and encourage harmless activities in Dorset?

So; everyone’s invited to Charming Chess at The Antelope Hazelbury Bryan on Wednesday from 7pm. There are no clocks or league tables – it’s a bit of fun with plenty of laughs.

Off with his head!

I’ve been playing chess since I was nine or 10 (not the same game) and it’s only recently struck me why it so popular around the world.

Chess is the only board game I’m aware of that has no element of luck in it (apart from draughts).

Take backgammon, any card game, Monopoly. They are all dependent on the throw of a dice or the hand of cards you’re dealt.

But with chess both players start with exact equal footing (save for skill). It is not even worth arguing ‘whoever draws white has the advantage,’ as some players opt to play black.

Harsh reward

The game is believed to stem from Persia when a Shah, bored with dice and card games, challenged his people to come up with a game of pure intellect and no luck. The story goes that a courtier invented chess and the Shah was delighted. ‘What riches can I bestow on you,’ the Shah asked the inventor.

‘Oh Great One,’ said he, ‘give me a grain of rice for the first square of the board, give me two grains of rice for the second square and multiply two-twos so I get four grains for the third square, multiply four-fours so I have 16 grains of rice for the fourth square and so on.’

There are 64 squares on a chess board. The inventor was effectively asking for more rice than Persia possessed, so he was beheaded by the Shah. I think I’d have been more modest in my demands had I been the inventor, say, a new elephant (with furry dice).

I’m not sure if the maths of the above are correct so if anyone – a maths teacher or graduate, perhaps - can enlighten me as to the likeliness of this being a lot of rice, please mail the editor and we’ll print your reply.

Sob story

I always thought that when your children flee the nest it’s a time for rejoicing (my parents did but then they had cause to) but obviously it’s not always the case.

Our friends Claire (top lawyer, just won a multi-million case in the courts) and James (strongminded bloke) delivered their only child, Joe, to university last weekend.

They drove home in silence.

They sat on the sofa and James (this is a bloke who successfully manages huge building sites and deals with rough, hairyarsed blokes) looked at Claire and said, ‘I feel really sad.’

And both of them cried their hearts out!

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THEN AND NOW

by Roger Guttridge

A tale of two changes at the Old Rectory

A concert party at Lydlinch Rectory circa 1905, from the Barry Cuff collection

Happily tucked away from the passing A357 traffic is this magnificent example of Georgian architecture – the Old Rectory in Holebrooke Lane, Lydlinch. The grade II listed building dates from 1775 although an attached cottage is thought to be 15th or 16th century.

The picture shows a wellattended summer concert in the early 1900s, when the Rectory was the home of the Rev Samuel and Mrs Maud Hooper.

Present owner Jonathan Elwes was not aware of the Hoopers’ concert parties until he saw this picture from the Barry Cuff collection, published in David Burnett’s book Lost Dorset: The Villages & Countryside.

But he was aware of the tower and glass-roofed verandah on the building and is glad they are no longer there.

Mr Elwes explains that when Queen Victoria did anything, everyone copied it, so the inclusion of belvedere towers on Osborne House on the Isle of Wight spawned a rash of similar towers across the country.

‘The Georgian characteristics were ruined by what I think are monstrosities,’ he says.

Both the Old Rectory’s tower

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and verandah disappeared decades before Mr Elwes and his wife arrived in 1996.

‘I like the simplicity of the house’s Georgian lines,’ he says. ‘The windows are a great feature of the house. They give tremendous light.’

In Lydlinch’s historic church across the road is a memorial to the Rev and Mrs Hooper’s youngest son, Leonard, who served in the Dorsetshire Regiment and was killed on the Somme 12 days before his 22nd birthday in 1916.

A similar view of the Old Rectory today

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ADVERTORIAL

Easy steps to take to protect your assets against Care Home fees.

Protection of assets against care home fees remains a hot topic and a pressing concern for many. Blanchards Bailey Partner and Head of Private Client, Jerome Dodge, gives his views on the recent government announcements.

“Proposals to put a lifetime cap provide protection against care on the amount an individual home fees? has to pay towards their longterm care are surely a step Wills made by couples can forward on the basis that usually ringfence half of the state provision of social care assets from care home fees has been underfunded for It is perfectly possible for many years. However, plans Wills to be made by a couple to impose an £86,000 cap on in which the assets of the first care costs are more person to die are “decisions complex than they placed into trust to first appear and allow the survivor regarding there is a question whether you are a guaranteed right mark as to how to occupy the main much extra funding looked after at residence, receive home or moved income from other is actually being provided. It should into a care home assets and ensure be noted that the are made by the the capital value of cap does not apply the assets in trust state and not cannot be taken into to “hotel costs” e.g. your family” account by the Local accommodation, food etc.

Authority should Where does this leave the two the survivor need long term vehicles commonly used to care. Due to the cap, it would

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seem that this protection will be beneficial in fewer cases, but it is important to factor in the ‘hotel costs’ in assessing whether such protection is still of practical benefit for any particular couple. It is also worth bearing in mind only care costs incurred after October 2023 benefit from the cap.

Health and Care (Welfare) Lasting Powers of Attorney (H&W LPA) If you do not have a H&W LPA, decisions regarding social care (e.g. whether you are looked after at home or move into a care home) are made by the state and not your family, should you lack the mental capacity to make that decision yourself. These documents have become very important in Always free - subscribe here

recent years and the proposed changes to the funding of social care make them even more vital. A H&W LPA gives those you love and trust, the legal authority to insist on the care you are entitled to if at the time you lack the required mental capacity.

I think it will also become crucial that as people reach the cap in their personal contribution towards funding, that the decision as to whether care is provided by the state, (which is usually of a lower standard than the private sector provides), or continues being provided privately, is made by those you have appointed, rather than the Local Authority.

A H&W LPA not only puts the decision making in the hands of the right people, but allows you to document your wishes in this regard and gives authority for them to be carried out.

Jerome Dodge would advise all clients to consider the following Estate Planning and Asset Protection Checklist: Wills • Has your will been reviewed in light of Inheritance Tax changes and particularly the introduction of the Residence Nil Rate Band?

• If you are a couple, have you considered trusts to protect assets from care home fees?

Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPAs’) • Do you have Health and Care (Welfare) LPAs? • Does your Enduring Power of Attorney/Financial Affairs LPA include the ability for the attorneys to instruct a broker/Independent financial advisor on a

discretionary management basis? If not, this is something you should discuss with us.

Inheritance Tax planning • Do you understand your Inheritance Tax position, and have you recently reviewed the options available to you to mitigate tax?

• Have you received advice on your private pension and ensured it fits in with your estate/Inheritance Tax plan?

We are always very happy to have an initial discussion with current or prospective clients free of charge to see how best we can help. To speak with Jerome or any member of the Wills and Estate Planning team please contact 01258 459361.

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by Carl Bovis

WILDLIFE

Want to take great bird pictures?

Carl Bovis reveals his secrets

This chaffinch and blue tit did not feel like playing nicely and sharing the seed.

Image © Carl Bovis

Photographing birds is a huge passion of mine, and judging by the interest I see on Twitter, it’s becoming a passion for many other people too. My account (@CarlBovisNature) has recently passed 100,000 followers; I’m not famous, that’s just how popular photos of birds are.

Village ponds are great for finding birds used to humans.

Canada Goose Gosling © Carl Bovis

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Everyone has a camera, even if it’s just the one on their phone, and therefore we all have the ability to take our own photos.

Taking pictures of wild birds is about as challenging as it gets, so the sense of achievement when getting a photo of one of our feathered friends is greater than that of most other forms of photography.

Social media makes it easy to share any photos, and get instant feedback. The whole process is addictive, and

more and more people are delving into the interesting and rewarding world of bird photography as a result.

I’m lucky enough to have a decent DSLR camera and zoom lens; while nowhere near the perfect set-up, and certainly not the most expensive, it does help me to take some lovely pictures.

Most people won’t have the same quality of equipment, so here are five bird photography tips that are not dependant on equipment or settings used.

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by Carl Bovis

TOP TIPS FOR SUPERB BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Find the birds Seems obvious; after all, with no birds, there’s no possibility of bird photos!

However, you can greatly increase your chances of getting a good bird photo by going to the right places. Most birds are small, so getting as close to them as possible, without disturbing them, is important.

Therefore, areas where birds are used to humans are ideal.

Village and town ponds are great for this. Ducks, swans, geese and gulls are great photography subjects. Closer to home, your garden is perfect. Instead of going out to find the birds, you can attract them to you with food such as sunflower hearts and fat and seed blocks. A bird bath will also be popular; a plant pot base with an inch or two of water is ideal.

2. Get low Being at eye level with birds will make your photos more dynamic. Not only that, when you’re low the birds will not see you as so much of a threat and may even walk (or hop) closer if you stay still. I’ve used this technique to photograph many species on the ground, Including ring plovers, bearded tits and pied wagtails. The hardest part is getting up again, especially if you’ve been laying on your front for a while!

Move your feet to find a better background Goldfinch Image © Carl Bovis

3. Watch the light Photography is all about making the most of the available light, and none more so than with bird photography. On a sunny day, the position of the sun in relation to your subject is vital. Ideally, in most situations, you want the sun behind you, unless you’re wanting a silhouette image with no detail on the bird. If the sun is to either side of you, the bird will likely have a harsh light on one side and shadows on the other.

Learning favourite perches means you can wait for the birds to come to you.

Pied Wagtail © Carl Bovis

When the sun is low, there’s a more diffuse light that can make your bird photos more striking, so shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset are great times for bird photography.

4. Predict Birds move quickly, especially small species. In the blink of an eye, a photo opportunity can come and go, giving you no chance of capturing the moment.

The answer is to predict the movements of the birds you are hoping to photograph, you won’t have time to react otherwise.

In this respect, it’s worth taking time to get to know the birds and how they behave. If you feed birds in your garden, it’s obvious that they’ll regularly land where the food is, but often they’ll have a favoured spot where they’ll land briefly to check that the coast is clear before coming down to feed. This could be anything from a branch to a shed roof. Once you have identified a favoured perch, set your camera on that perch and wait...

Continued on next page

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WILDLIFE This robin would like to remiind you that a bird bath will always be popular; a plant pot base with just an inch or two of water is ideal. © Carl Bovis

5. Compose Composition is always important in photography, and bird photography is no different. There are no hard and fast rules, but in general

you want a bird to be looking ‘into’ the picture, not out of it. If the bird is looking to the right, for example, then position it on the left hand side of the image.

If it’s looking to the left, then Mute Swans make spectacular subjects © Carl Bovis

position it on the right. If it’s looking straight ahead, position it front and centre.

Backgrounds can make or break a photo. I like to change position when photographing a stationary bird so there’s a nicer looking background ‘busy’ backgrounds can be very distracting, and the aim is to make the bird the star of your photos, not the clapped out Ford Escort behind it!

It’s never all about the equipment So there you have five easy tips that have nothing to do with camera equipment or camera settings. Remember these and you’ll soon be getting fabulous bird photos, no matter if you have a huge lens the size of a bus or a humble camera on your phone. Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!

Carl

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WILDLIFE

by Jeannette Hampstead

They all touch my heart but Peggy was special What a busy couple of months we’ve had here at The Hedgehog Rescue in Hazelbury Bryan - we’ve had miracles and we’ve had tragedy.

We’ve been inundated with sick and injured prickly friends – from the very young to the more mature.

One of our favourites, we call her WD40, has consumed plastic.

We prove this by examining her faeces under the microscope.

She was tiny and failed to gain weight, she would not eat and only drank from a syringe.

Giving her a diet of gravy cat food helped to pass the bung of plastic and, although she is still a little reluctant to eat, she’s now putting on weight so, hopefully, panic over.

I sat in my car and cried Sometimes it’s hard to save a sick hedgehog.

I had great affection for Peggy who came to us dragging a back leg which was swollen from the toes to the hip joint. When she curled into a ball her foot was left out because it hurt her so much.

We started her on antibiotics and pain-killers and, thinking she’d broken her leg, took her to the vet. I feared for her.

For weeks we administered antibiotics and bathed the wound three times a day. But her wound was so close to her rear it was often covered in urine and faeces and just would not get better.

I sat in the car park and cried after my third visit to the vet with her. She did not come home with

us – the wound was down to the bone and there was little hope of it healing. Before I left the vet’s I looked into her eyes and begged forgiveness They all touch my heart but Peggy was so special.

A miracle recovery from starvation Possibly one of the most rewarding jobs I have is to feed the babies and watch them grow into lovely, round adolescents, such as Bonzo and Doodaa, who came to us from Sturminster in late September.

Young animals have such beautiful faces but these two came to us as starving babies.

On their first day with us they gained 40 grams each. This is an unheard growth – they must have been so hungry. I am really glad they were found and brought to us in time.

Please do contact us for advice on keeping hedgehogs safe and healthy - just call 01258 818266.

Little WD40 had ingested a lot of plastic, but is now weel on her way to being released again.

Firework night is nearly upon us so please be wildlife-aware when you position your bonfires and ensure animals do not use them as new shelter.

Hedgehogs are too precious to lose to a fire and what a terrible way to die.

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EQUESTRIAN

Lucy Procter, co-owner of the Glanvilles Stud, shares a diary of life on a Thoroughbred stud.

This month - pregnancy checks and floating teeth.

Stud Life October 1st is a key date in the Thoroughbred breeding industry. That’s the date when mare owners are contracted to inform the stallion owners whether their mare is still in foal. If a vet confirms a live foetus is present on 1st October, the stallion covering fees become due.

Monday saw us busily bringing mares in from the fields and our vet carrying out an internal examination on each one to confirm their pregnancy.

Thankfully they were all in foal - except for the sixteenth mare we brought in. We’d forgotten she had been left empty and we’d loaded her into the stocks in error. And yes, it is she who is looking somewhat surprised in the photograph!

palpate the mare’s uterus via the rectum; “As the pregnancy progresses, some are really easy to detect - they shake hands with you!’ says Paul Legerton our vet as he grapples with yet another leg.

Horses need regular dentist checks too.

Another job for the morning was a mouth flush for one of our broodmares that had been identified with periodontal disease in February. Now post-

They shake hands with you Internal examinations are routine, and most of the mares don’t object. For safety it’s usual to use stocks to help prevent the vet getting kicked, but if a vet is checking just one mare they can be examined in a stable if they are quiet enough, or over a stable door. The vet puts on a long, plastic examination glove, lubricates his hand with gel and inserts it into the mare’s rectum.

In early pregnancy the foetus is detected using a scanner and internal probe, but at several months old the vet can manually

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EQUESTRIAN surgery she was having the first of what will for her be routine, six-monthly veterinary checks.

Normally, food and bacteria do not accumulate between a horse’s teeth. Sometimes, though, just as in humans the teeth grow slightly wonkily* , resulting in gaps which food can pack into. This will cause decay, painful pockets in the gums and ultimately displacement of one or more teeth, thus increasing the size of the original pocket and setting up a vicious cycle of dental issues which can become extremely painful if left untreated.

We ask the vet to carry out regular, 6-18 month teeth checks on all our broodmares, with the frequency depending on age and any previous issues.

Floating a horse’s teeth is the process of gently filing away sharp edges or hooks to present a firm, flat surface for more efficient chewing. The small file or rasp used to do this is called a float, which gives the process its name. The term was originally used in masonry to describe the process of leveling a row of bricks - a ‘float’ is also a tool used to smooth concrete image: Lucy Procter

Floating a horse’s teeth Sharp edges are a result of the natural eruption of equine teeth; coupled with reduced grazing compared to a horse living wild and, if teeth are not rasped smooth by an equine dental professional (‘floating’ - see picture), may cause discomfort when eating. This might cause the mare to reduce her overall feed intake or, if the mare is in pain, it might make her disinclined to eat much at all.

This will obviously affect not only the condition of the mare, but may also result in a small, poorly nourished foal.

The Glanvilles fitness regime Having breathed a sigh of relief that all mares were in foal, we gave them all their Autumn tapeworm dose, measured a couple of the foals who had come in and returned the mares to their fields. With the furthest field half a mile up the track and each girl leading only two mares at a time, that was a lot of walking. With each of us clocking well over 20,000 steps on a daily basis, we’re all pretty fit here at The Glanvilles Stud!

(*technical Vet’s term! - Ed)

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POLITICS

Do you have space to make a home for these horses?

Rehoming a horse is incredibly rewarding. Give a loving home to a rescued horse or pony, find a companion for your own horse - and allow MGAR to continue helping other horses in need too. Click the link to see the horses at MGAR currently looking for a new home.

Name: Lacey Age: 21 Breed: Arab I am a 21 year old, 13.2hh Arab crossbreed. I am a very intelligent pony and enjoy doing some groundwork. I am incredibly sweet but I can be a little sensitive so will need an experienced home. I am up for re-homing as a non-ridden companion.

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Name: Brandy Age: 18 Breed: Welsh pony I am an 18 year old, 14.2hh welsh type Pony. I came into the centre as an unhandled 13 year old. I can be rehomed to a suitable, experienced home. I pick things up very quickly and will be a very rewarding project for someone who will give me time and has the ability to bring out my true potential.

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by Sara Greenwood,

EQUESTRIAN

Why you should take Pony Club Efficiency Tests The end of the summer holidays brings the Pony Club Efficiency Tests.

Members will have been prepared while having fun at camps and endless rallies, and the nationally-recognised upper tests are excellent additions for CVs and Personal Statements.

The Pony Club (PC) Efficiency Tests provide a staircase of knowledge and progression when taken in sequence, starting from ‘E’ and going all the way up to the prestigious ‘A’ Test.

The PC training structure encourages members to take the tests, which enable them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding.

The PC Efficiency Test levels are acknowledged as a high level of achievement worldwide and definitely worth attaining - if nothing else but as an additional valued qualification on your CV. What is covered?

The level of knowledge required obviously increases as you work through the levels. For example, the ‘C+’ Test’s objectives are: • to become an educated and practical horseman • To ride over fences at all paces • To gain practical experience and knowledge of the care of a stabled pony and of a pony at grass • To be capable of riding a well-mannered pony in all Pony Club activities

A successful group are happy with their certificates image: Sara Greenwood

•

To ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the country, and with a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline when riding alone and in groups.

The recommended minimum age is 14 years, and once you reach C+ level the exam is split into two sections: C+ Horse Care and C+ Riding. You need to pass both before progressing to either B test Riding or B test Horse Care. Once you have passed your

C+ you can also do your UKCC level 1 coaching certificate and start assisting in instructing.

How do I book a test?

That depends on the level: • E, D, D+, Road Rider, C and C+ Tests.

These are organised by Branches and Centres contact your DC, Chief Coach or Centre proprietor if you’d like to book on to one of these.

• B, B+, Lungeing and AH Tests.

These are organised by your club’s Area Representative - get in touch with them if you’d like a book a test.

• A Test These are booked centrally via the national Pony Club Office. Visit the A Test Training and Test Days page for more details on this much sought after (and recognised worldwide) award.

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VET

How do I overwinter my elderly horse?

by Julian Radburn BVM&S CertEM(IntMed) MRCVS

Owning an older horse or pony is very rewarding. They are usually (but not always!) more sensible; if still actively working or competing, they know their job, and get on with it.

Traditionally, a horse or pony was recognized as a veteran at just 15 years of age. These days, many horses do not reach their competitive peak until their mid-teens. Countless horses and ponies are still active well into their twenties and even thirties!

Senior horses will find it hard to keep warm during the winter months and so they will most likely need a rug and some sort of shelter. Rugs are great for the senior horse as they can lose weight quickly if they become cold. Please note that horses diagnosed with Cushings disease may get too hot in a thick rug, due to their hairy coats. Providing shelter, whether it be a stable or field shelter is also important as it will offer protection from the weather – sun, wind and rain.

A key factor in maintaining a healthy senior horse is nutrition.

As horses get older their digestive efficiency reduces, which means they absorb less protein and nutrients from their food. There is no one-size-fitsall option, so what you choose to feed should be adapted depending on their health and condition. If your horse is no longer able to eat hay, you will need to provide fibre through a hay replacer. Horses with dental problems may also require a special diet as they may find chewing difficult. Therefore, you will need to provide fibre that your horse can chew, to ensure they get the nutrients they need.

We recommend doing an annual health check before the winter.

An annual health check,

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30 Is the new 20 for Senior Horses; advances in equine health care mean your horse has a much better chance of leading a happy and productive life well into his third (or even fourth) decade than his predecessors did 20 years ago.

provided by your vet, will ensure your horse is checked over thoroughly and allow them to diagnose any problems early.

What does an annual health check include?

• Body condition score – This will provide a baseline before you go into winter of where your horses’ weight is.

• Dental check – ensuring good dental health will help your elderly horse to properly digest their food and keep weight on in the colder months.

• Listen to heart and lungs – this helps to pick up any problems early on.

• Eye examination – especially important if your elderly horse is still ridden, this

•

•

again can pick up any early signs of problems they may have.

Blood sample - a general screen which often includes an assessment of red blood cell count, white blood cell count, protein levels, liver and kidney enzymes.

Worm egg count – the vet can then advise on what wormer your horse may need.

If you haven’t already, do check the Damory Equine Team out on Facebook and Instagram for lots of information to help with the care of your horse.

We are currently running a great competition for one lucky elderly horse or pony!

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RESCUE ANIMALS

Could you give these old age pooches their furry-tail ending?

Dogs Trust Salisbury is hoping National Grandparents Day on Sunday (3rd October) will prove every dog really does have its day, by finding a forever home for their elderly pooches. The team is searching for homes for five very special Old Age Pooches (OAPs) who have a combined age of 67. They are all currently enjoying their home comforts with canine carers at the rehoming centre, but are hoping as the nation celebrates National Grandparents Day, they will capture the hearts of new owners.

So far this year, almost 46% of people looking to adopt a dog from Dogs Trust were looking for a fourlegged friend under six months, compared to 6% looking for a dog aged 8 and over. But the Salisbury team are confident that this adorable bunch will catch the eye of their very own special someone soon.

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FARMING

Help secure the future of British food Back British Farming! That’s our over-riding message – whether it’s to the public, Government or any policy holder who‘s decisions impact our farming businesses.

It’s the sixth year of the NFU’s big campaign ‘Back British Farming Day’, which is always held in September. The aim is to drive support for the British food and farming sector through simple actions like buying British produce, enjoying the countryside responsibly, and spreading the word with friends and family.

Why is this important?

The UK food and farming industry contributes more than £120 billion to the UK economy, with our farmers producing the raw ingredients for the food industry. Here in the South West (SW) we have over 1.7 million hectares of farmed land - that’s 1,700,000 rugby pitches! Every SW farm trades with an average of 48 other businesses, whether that’s tractor dealerships, animal feed companies or vets. The farmed landscape also makes a key contribution to the tourism industry by managing our glorious countryside. All in all, the value of farming to the South West’s economy stands at a gross output of £4 billion and a gross value added of £1.6 billion.

So, yes it is important!

Reasons to be proud This year on our Back British Farming Day on Wednesday 15th September, Jeremy Clarkson

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joined the NFU and thousands of farmers and growers, MPs, celebrities and members of the general public to take part in the annual celebration of British farming. You may have seen farming champions across the nation using the hashtag #BackBritishFarmingDay on social media with videos and pictures of why they were proud to produce the nation’s food.

And quite right they are to be proud - British farmers produce some of the best food in the world. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it’s produced to incredibly high environmental, animal welfare, traceability, and food safety standards – something not every country is able to say.

Food self-sufficiency Yet, over the past few years the country has watched its selfsufficiency drop from 78% in the mid-1980s to its current level of just 60%. As an island nation very well suited for quality food production, it would be a mistake to become even more reliant on the rest of the world to feed us.

We would encourage you to add your support to our letter to George Eustice, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and ask him to keep food self-sufficiency levels above 60%: Help secure the future of British farming.

If our government truly backs the potential of British food and farming, the country could see huge benefits. British farmers could increase the industry’s economic contribution and provide more nutritious, affordable, climate-friendly British food for UK shoppers while bolstering domestic food security.

The Cheese Festival.

Our local office in Sturminster Newton was delighted to be supporting the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival again the weekend before Back British Farming Day. The Festival has raised over £100,000 for local charities and organisations.

We were delighted that Dorset Tractors & Agricultural Equipment - CJ Cox Agricultural Engineers donated to our stand their striking pink tractor and the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show their enormous floor tractor puzzles! Alongside our wooden milking cow “Daisy” we were able to entertain and talk farming to people of all ages and show where your food comes from, whether its wheat becoming bread, barley becoming beer or oats becoming your porridge.

Louise Stratton NFU Dorset County Adviser

In association with

VOICE OF A FARMER Autumn sowing at Rawston Farm sixty years ago Image: James Cossins

The Great British Sowing... bet

by James Cossins, a fifth generation farmer in the Tarrant Valley.

The annual gamble is upon farmers – when do we sow next year’s crops?

As we move into October our on two cows as to how quickly main activity is planting autumn we can be classified as TB-free. It crops, winter barley and winter is very frustrating. wheat. Our grass seed, oil seed We have though, I think, made rape and cover crops are already progress as we are not losing as in the ground. many cattle being confirmed as The timing of sowing these TB cases as in the past. Fingers crops is becoming increasingly crossed that in our next test in critical. If the crops are planted 60 days we are clear. too early aphids will spread The milking cows are now viruses to the leaves leading to beginning to eat into their winter diseases affecting the yield. Also supply of food and with our early sowing will increase the maize crop still to be harvested amount of fungal disease in the we look as if we have a plentiful crop leading to more supply of “Crops can be pesticides having to be fodder to see successfully applied in the spring. us through to Yet, sowing the crop next spring. established in too late can mean the November – if only It was a busy fields are too wet to month for our we could predict farm audits get the operations completed. from the the weather” In recent years Red Tractor we have experienced some Scheme and the Food Standard extreme weather conditions Agency. Both visits were at short preventing machinery from notice, or no, notice so they travelling in fields because of certainly came as a surprise . excessive rainfall. Crops can We have a few non-compliances be successfully established in to correct otherwise we were November if only we knew what reasonably in order. There is a the weather conditions would be lot of debate within the farming like. community about the benefits from the Red Tractor Scheme Attacking deadly TB . My feeling is that if it brings The TB test of all our cattle was farms up to a sensible standard partially successful with no of food production and a high reactors having to be taken from standard of animal welfare then the farm, but we have to re-test it is worth keeping. But there is two milking cows as their results a need to explain to consumers are inconclusive. what the Red Tractor logo means So our future TB status depends on food products.

What is the Red Tractor Scheme?

Primarily the food will be produced to a certain standard and the farm inspected regularly. The logo also means that the produce has come from this country.

The labeling needs to be more readily identifiable to consumers. Also food products coming from outside the UK which are processed in the UK have the logo on the packaging. I believe this is wrong.

Currently there are concerns that cereals produced abroad are being mixed with home-grown cereals and given a Red Tractor logo. Yet the imported grain has not gone through such rigorous checks.

Trust local At our Rawston Farm Butchery we are promoting the Trust Local Love Local brand (p.80) After hosting Open Farm Sunday a few years ago it was apparent that consumers wanted to support the British Farmer.

We hope that other counties will follow Dorset’s lead and use the logo with their county flag on to show where the food comes from.

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In association with

FARM TALES by Andrew Livingston

Here comes Martha

Farming recently became the second love of my life - last month saw the introduction of my first child to the world. I’m not promising now that my little Martha will grow up to be a tractor driver or shepherdess, but once her hands grow big enough to hold an egg she’ll certainly be spending her days on the farm helping me.

I didn’t grow up on a 300-acre farm, driving tractors and chasing sheep. I had a more relaxed introduction to the country life on my parents smallholding. My mother was obsessed with everything equestrian, whereas my dad chased his 20 sheep around the small village of Hooke just outside of Beaminster.

With his history of being a herdsman on large dairy farms, I doubt my dad would have ever admitted to the fact that he was now a ‘hobby farmer’.

But while I was growing up he worked his full-time job, ran a small farm and carried his share of the raising of both me and my brother.

His dedication to the 34 acres that enriched the borders of our house didn’t pay for me to go to private school or have Andrew and baby Martha - she has some growing to do before her egg collecting days begin.

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Andrew’s dad Guy gave him an early introduction to farming, and Andrew cherishes the memories.

expensive holidays. It did mean “You see that potato? First lot we had a home-grown lamb of the year, dug fresh out the roast every Sunday. Fifteen ground today,” or it would be, years later, visits “Guess where that “Guess where that leek is from?” for lunch at my leek is from? The The amount of parents result in my dad chiselling amount of soil on soil on the plate a lamb joint out would usually give the plate would of the freezer, usually give a clue” a clue. so old that you couldn’t tell if it died in an I was spoilt growing up on a abattoir or of freezer burn. farm. Not with nice presents Without a doubt, my dad’s or expensive gifts. Instead, I favourite plot of land on the grew up with experiences, and farm was his vegetable patch. memories that I would never be As a child, I didn’t quite see the able to forget. Mornings before attraction of growing your own school would be spent bottlefood, but since starting my own feeding lambs or swearing at family I have managed to not the tiny David Brown tractor as quite kill a potted parsley and it was too cold to start. chive plant. I won’t be running My dad taught me so much as a fruit and veg stall any time a child - but how I am to raise soon, but to grow your own my own daughter I am clueless produce is exciting after all. about at the moment. All I My dad would go to great pains know is that if Martha has half to explain the origins of every the dad that I had growing up, piece of fibre on the plate: I’ll know I’ll have done alright.

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Old Manor Farm House, Yetminster © Copyright Mike Smith

by Paul Birbeck

The rich history that makes Yetminster a unique village

Tucked away on the western edge of ‘The Vale’ is a village with a very unusual history, indeed, possibly unique – Yetminster.

Situated about five miles southwest of Sherborne, Yetminster has a fascinating range of grand local stone buildings around the village. In addition, St Andrew’s church, rare ‘Hall’ houses, and clues around the village all provide evidence of a thriving, self-sufficient, agricultural and trading community. Interesting local stories and associations with important historical figures like Benjamin Jesty and Robert Boyles just add further interest.

From Bishop to Raleigh To understand Yetminster today one has to understand how the Salisbury Diocese managed and controlled the land-holding system from Saxon times - and remained largely unchanged until the 1950’s.

From 705 AD Yetminster, with its tithings of Leigh and Chetnole, were owned by the Bishop of Salisbury. In 1089, in order to generate income, Bishop Osmund of Salisbury established four Manors; Yetminster Primary and Upbury, Secunda, Ecclesia and the fourth he kept for himself. After the Reformation in the 1540’s Queen Elizabeth seized that fourth part and gave it to her favourite, Sir Walter Raleigh; eventually part of Sherborne’s Digby Castle Estate.

Unusual freedom Pre-Reformation, three ‘prebendary canons’ regulated

next Court Baron of the Manor daily village life. They lived in and pay a small fine. The system Salisbury and managed their lasted until the early C20th as manors through agents, putting 100-year leases ran their course. the annual revenue into the Yetminster never suffered from cathedral. The Canon’s stalls enclosures (rich may still be seen farmers taking “...neither Sir in the Chapter the best land); House of Salisbury Walter Raleigh, the area had no Cathedral, nor Henry Prince great landowners bearing the name as the Church still of Wales, nor Yetminster.

Even after the the Digby family controlled the tenancy system.

Reformation,

interfered in affairs”

neither Sir Walter village Raleigh, nor Henry Prince of Wales, nor the Digby family interfered in village affairs. Tenants became freeholders in all but name, and the customs for tenancy were generous.

Security meant better housing Tenants of Yetminster were allowed to collect building materials (wood and stone), and could improve property.

Widows were allowed to remain after their husband’s death.

Tenants had the option of passing on their property to a son or another person, retaining a part for their own use. This security meant tenants felt it was worthwhile investing money in maintenance, and many improved their buildings knowing they could pass them to their sons or to whom they wished.

Holdings could also be bought and sold - it was only necessary to register the transaction at the

Visible clues Clues to this rare legacy can still be seen around the village. Look out for the late C17th Court House - formerly Church Farm - with its early squint for looking down the road so the owner could keep on eye on the village business! Until the early C20th, young pigs were driven to Court House dairy where cheese makers would fatten them on whey. A tannery still existed into the 1960’s; the last horse-drawn cart in 1971. The barns around the rear were next to the orchards, so cider-making was common; the blacksmith and the water pumps can still be found. And this is only one of many interesting buildings!

Paul offers a popular guided village tour that explains this fascinating history. The next on October 30th is fully subscribed, but contact paul@ sherbornewalks.co.uk if you would like to join a future walk in the Spring.

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POLITICS

The Piddletrenthide to Hog Hill circle 9 miles A fabulous walk taking in the very best of the amazing Lyscombe Hill horseshoe views. Wide, well-signed and easy-going tracks offering continuously far-reaching views. The second half is downhill all the way (without any stiff climbs in the first half!), and the whole three hour walk (actually 8.6 miles) is an absolute joy.

Take a Hike...

The routes we feature have always been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them - we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible!

You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app - see all our routes here.

The track down from the top of Plush Hill, looking out to Dorchester and the coast beyond.

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CLICK THE MAP TO SEE THE ROUTE ON OUTDOOR ACTIVE, OR SCAN THE QR

Oh I do love this view - the curve of Lyscombe Hill to the right, the cross dykes on Hog Hill to the left, and Lyscombe Bottom laid out below.

NB - This is a TOP lunch spot!

Another view out across Lyscombe Bottom, this time from the ridge between Hog Hill and Lyscombe Hill.

Do take a snack or lunch with you almost the entire horseshoe-shaped ridge from the top of Hog’s Hill to the top of Plush Hill is one long, amazing, picnic spot.

After the steady starting climb up from Piddletrenthide, the track immediately opens to the first of your big-sky wide views.

Does anyone else think the ragwort been spectacular this year?

Parking is in Piddletrenthide itself there’s usually plenty of space, but do be considerate to the villagers as you’re parking on the main street.

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FLOWERS

How much bud? Are you feeling bouquet?

Charlotte Tombs, an experienced Dorset flower farmer at Northcombe Flowers in Sturminster Marshall, shares her growing year and seasonal thoughts with us.

Imported flowers, as we should all be aware by now, are not only costing the Earth they are also breaking the bank; the demand for cut flowers this year has never been so high There are a number of factors that have caused this price rise: the first of which, believe it or not, is snow storms in Ecuador.

This is where all the pretty garden roses are imported from (do people not realise that England is the home of the English garden rose?). But also Brexit and yes our new but powerful enemy, Covid-19 have had an effect. All these coupled with fact that it is becoming increasingly harder to employ people to pick and harvest flowers. Some roses in the fashionable antique muted tones at the moment are selling for £5 to £6 a stem - and that’s wholesale. Crazy prices, crazy time; with double the amount of

Charlotte suggests if you’re shocked at the cost of flowers for your wedding or event (or your home), then DIY flowers are the answer. Buy them by the bucket and arrange them yourself. No air miles, no pesticides, just British flowers at their best.

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Buying locally grown flowers like Charlotte’s not only supports UK flower farmers, but also helps to reduce your carbon footprint - and puts a scented country garden straight into your vase.

There are of course British flower and foliage growers (why would I otherwise be writing this?). But the British flower industry needs to be supported, by the government and by the British public. Smaller growers need to join forces so we are able to roses in supply the wedding the fashionable industry from within. Many are antique muted Flower auctions now hell bent on tones at the work very demanding to know differently to a where their food moment are normal auction. comes from, and yet selling for £5 to Where you would never think about £6 a stem” usually expect the source of their prices to start low flowers? and the bidding to move them slowly higher, the opposite is We can all make a start for true for flower auctions. When ourselves. that perfect coloured rose comes Sow your hardy annuals such as up for auction, and you have a cornflowers, calendula, ammi customer, perhaps a bride who majus and poppies now, and has stated that this particular you’ll be rewarded with earlier, shade will make or break her stronger and healthier blooms. wedding, then the florist will What is not to love? Plus the quickly bid whatever it takes, for hungry pollinating insects will fear of missing out. Thus pushing thank you next year after a long prices up. grey winter. weddings taking place post-covid high demand will surely further inflate the prices. It’s not the individual growers, wholesalers or florists making huge amounts of money, either - everything has just got more expensive.

You’ll notice even your regular groceries bill is increasing, almost “Some weekly, it feels.

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All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey…

There’s something to be said about the chill of Autumn arriving around this time of year. Summer 2021 was a bit sporadic in terms of the warmth, but we weren’t short of heatwaves and lots of bright days.

Being able to reconnect with friends and family with the sun shining upon us brought smiles to our faces here at Thorngrove. Even with the adaptions we’re making to cope with life eventually moving past the pandemic, it does feel the most ‘normal’ things have been in a long time, and the arrival of a new season brings time for reflection on those things, but also, for looking ahead!

Here at Thorngrove, planting season is underway.

Nursery Manager Mark Hoskins has his hands full; “Autumn is probably my favourite time of year, both personally and work wise. I like the autumn colours of the leaves, and it means we get to do some proper nursery work, potting up all the bare root stock, the bare root roses

are due in November, and the students, with some new trees shortly afterwards. Right arrivals too, all settling in well now we also have some nice and continuing to be a vital trees and shrubs part of our team “...taking scented with autumn here. Their work berries - including geranium cuttings experience Pyracantha, allows them for next year, Cotoneaster, to get involved and snipping Callicarpa, in all aspects flower heads of Symphoricarpos. of running the Stop by garden centre agapanthus” Thorngrove to see and café, so it’s if something takes great to see them your fancy and could have a new all getting stuck in after the home in your garden”. summer break.

The glasshouses team are also The new season may mean we’re busy as we move into Autumn, saying goodbye to summer, taking scented geranium cuttings but the freshness of Autumn for next year, and snipping is another new beginning, flower heads of agapanthus and and we’re excited to continue drying them ready to sow the planting and then look ahead as seeds. we start getting festive…yes, it’ll be here before you know it!

And so the year moves on.

September also saw the return Kelsi-Dean Buck of our Employ My Ability Thorngrove Garden Centre

Callicarpa

Cotoneaster

Pyracantha

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In association with OUT OF DOORS The comma butterfly gets its name from the only white marking on its underside, which resembles a comma. When resting with wings closed this butterfly has excellent camouflage, the jagged edges and cryptic colouring of the wings conceal hibernating adults amongst dead leaves. The larvae, flecked with brown and white markings, bear close resemblance to bird droppings.

The voice of the allotment

with Barry Cuff

Due to the lack of any substantial amounts of rain for many weeks (at the time of writing!), all the later plantings and sowings needed frequent watering during September.

These included leeks, Winter and Spring cauliflowers, Romanesco, Savoy cabbage and calabrese.

Other crops needing water were the Witloof chicory, celeriac and celery. The celeriac was also mulched and fed with liquid seaweed.

All the Autumn salad crops sown during late August and early September were watered every other day and put on good growth.

We finished picking the Swift sweetcorn on the 23rd. From 45 plants of this early extra tender and sweet variety we harvested about 70 well filled cobs. Many of these were eaten with lashings of butter within a few hours of picking, the remainder ending up in the freezer.

Carrots, beetroot, radish and lettuce were harvested as required. The plants from our last sowing of lettuce will be protected by cloches and will be ready in October.

Brassicas and cob nuts The last Cheesy cauliflower was

cut mid month, and next to attracted by Tithonia, sunflower harvest in October will be Fargo and Cosmos. We have noted and Di Sicilia violetta Comma, “we harvested with purple curds.

Peacock, about 70 well filled Painted Lady Cendis will follow during November and corn cobs. Many of and Small December and then these were eaten Tortoiseshell.

Medallion in February Both Large with lashings of and March. We aim White and butter within a few Small White to have cauliflower available for about six hours of picking” have been months of the year - to very active achieve this we raise and grow laying eggs on the Brassica five different varieties. plants. Their eggs and caterpillars Early planted Ironman calabrese are squashed before they can do is providing us with some good too much damage. The plants are heads. Hopefully these plants will inspected daily as the caterpillar produce smaller side shoots over of the Small White is green and the next few weeks. quite often lies along the midrib The cob nut bushes in our hedge of the leaf making it difficult to have given a heavy crop of large spot. nuts. These bushes were planted An interesting plant still about 25 years ago. flowering on the plot is Weasel’s Our raspberry canes have snout (Misopates orontium), a cropped over a two month period miniature snapdragon with pink and at the moment the variety flowers (below). This is a fairly Joan J is doing exceptionally well. rare annual weed. Over the next few weeks we will be requesting In other news... catalogues from seed companies The sunny September days saw and ordering well rotted horse many butterflies on the plot manure from a local farm.

Due to its decline, weasel’s snout is classified as “Vulnerable”. The pink flowers resemble a miniature snapdragon and are Always free - subscribe here

60followed by a hairy green fruit which is said to resemble a weasel’s snout. Image: Barry Cuff.

by Pete Harcom Head Gardener at Sherton Abbas Gardening

Garden jobs for October

For an organic treatment, Neem Oil works well to suppress powdery mildew, black spot, and other rose diseases. As an added benefit, it also repels Japanese Beetles and keeps them from decimating your roses.

For chemical control, the fungicides tebuconazole (Provanto Fungus Fighter Concentrate), tebuconazole with trifloxystrobin (Provanto Fungus Fighter Plus, Toprose Fungus Control & Protect), and triticonazole (Fungus Clear Ultra) are labelled for the control of rose black spot.

Autumn is the best time for planting trees and shrubs and hedge planting. The winter can be too cold and in autumn the soil is still warm and usually moist.

Autumn is officially here! We can look forward to the spectacular display of colours from our deciduous trees and shrubs.

Here are a few jobs for you this month: • In general terms Autumn is the best time for planting trees and shrubs and hedge planting. The winter can be too cold and in autumn the soil is still warm and usually moist.

• Cut back and divide herbaceous perennials, and protect half-hardy plants with leaf mould or compost if you are leaving them in the garden borders. Hardy fuchsias will definitely benefit from this.

• Move tender plants (fuchsias, pelargoniums etc), into the greenhouse to overwinter.

• The usual advice is to dig up dahlia tubers from the borders and overwinter them in dry compost in the shed or greenhouse. But with the milder winters we have nowadays, you may wish to take a chance and

just leave the tubers in the ground - especially if they are in a sheltered (warm) location in your garden.

• Clear up your borders, remove annuals, and plant up for spring with wallflowers, pansies and perhaps Bellis Perennis daisies.

A little maintenance If you have shade paint on your greenhouse glass, now is the time to remove it. When it is dry remove the paint carefully with a dry cloth. This will help let in more light and help grab as much of the sun’s heat in the cooler days Clean out the greenhouse or shed and prepare for the winter sowing. Clean and disinfect all pots, the staging and shelves plus the inside of the glass with a warm solution of Jeyes fluid to reduce pests and any fungal infection. Also use this time to clean up and maintain all garden tools and equipment.

Now’s the time to treat black spot on your roses.

Black spot is caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rose. The fungus develops in cool/damp/ humid situations, especially early in the year, so now is the time to try and prevent it. At first, roses appear to cope with black spot, but in a year or two they will become susceptible to other diseases. During the warmer months try to keep foliage as dry as possible; only water early in the day so the plant can dry before evening.

Keep rose beds and plants clear of fallen rose leaves if black spot is a problem. Do not compost the leaves if they have the fungal black spot on them.

One effective treatment is a fungal spray to control overwintering spores and the rose will need to be sprayed again in the early growing season. There are organic methods which include sulphur, and Neem oil which are available as sprays or dusting powders.

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Services include: Tree felling Crown lifting/reductions Pollarding Pruning Full dismantles Hedge cutting

Book your free no obligation quote: Please call either Jack on 07758262673 or Jake on 07592 375431 or email: jackspencer@felltectreeservices.co.uk

THE RANDOM 19 QUESTIONS

The Random 19 with writer Louisa Adjoa Parker Louisa Adjoa Parker is a writer and poet of EnglishGhanaian heritage who Louisa Adjoa Parker lives in Dorset. Louisa has image: Robin Mills been highly commended by the Forward Prize; twice shortlisted by the Bridport Prize; and her grief poem, Kindness, was commended by the National Poetry Competition 2019. Louisa gained wide local attention in the summer of 2020 with her poem Dear White West Country People.

1. What’s your relationship with the Blackmore Vale (the area, not us!)?

I have lived in West Dorset since I was 19 – North Dorset has always been the beautiful neighbour I can pop over and visit!

2. What was the last movie you watched? Would you recommend it?

People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan! People Just Doing Nothing is one of my favourite TV shows.

I love the writing, the characters, the cringe comedy, even their story as actors. It was my first cinema trip for nearly two years, and it was a brilliant film. I’d recommend watching the TV shows first though!

3. What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Books and the printing press, without a doubt!

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4. It’s Friday night - you have things. So I’d say to 15 yr old me: the house to yourself, and no “No matter what people say, you’re not fat. You’re not work is allowed. What are ugly. Things will get better. you going to do?

Life is tough, it’s going to be Netflix and some prosecco! If challenging. But there we had a bath, I’d be in it, but we don’t at “No matter will be lots of joy too. in there, and just the moment. Soon, who tells you Hang keep going.” hopefully!

so, you’re not fat. You’re not ugly. Things will get better”

5. What would you like to tell 15yr old you?

Oh. Okay. Well I had a tough childhood and a difficult adolescence. We moved to Paignton to be near my grandparents when parents split - I was 13, and sadly within a few weeks my granddad died. It was a tough time, and I really struggled as a teenager – especially being mixed race in Devon. I saw no-one who wasn’t white. I struggled to make sense of myself, I got into drinking, smoking, all the typical teen

6. What’s your secret superpower?

Resilience. I’ve been through a lot of tough times, but I’ve learned to cope – and also to recognise when I’m not coping so well, and to look after myself.

7. What shop can you not pass without going in?

I do love clothes, I love to take a look at what’s happening with the latest fashions. Oh, actually I really love a good health food shop. If I see one I’m in.

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THE RANDOM 19 QUESTIONS 8. Chip Shop Chips or Homebaked Cake?

Oh this is hard. These are hard! I like both. I’m trying to cut carbs (I know, I’m so boring), but I love to bake cakes at home with ground almonds. This is really tricky… okay, I’ll go for cake. No chips. No, cake. Chips. Cake! Then I can put what I want in it.

9. If you were sent to an island for a year and could only bring three things, what would you bring? (the island has a magical power source and a laptop waiting for you) I’m going to choose a book, a duvet and headphones. But don’t ask which book. Far too hard for me to choose!

10. What in life is frankly a mystery to you?

Why humans do the things we do. I really really struggle to understand it.

I think that we have this amazing capacity to do great things, to be so kind and compassionate; and yet so often that just gets lost, and we behave in awful ways. I really don’t understand why. Humans are imperfect, and make mistakes, but how do people turn on others so easily? Why don’t we learn?

11. What’s your most annoying trait?

Hmm. I talk a lot? Some people might find that annoying.

Actually, it’s probably that I’m

over-sensitive to noise, I’m sure that’s annoying to a lot of people.

Especially my husband. Lots of noises irritate me – even someone eating can put me on edge. That’s probably very hard to live with!

12. The best biscuit for dunking?

I’m one of those mildly annoying people that’s given up gluten and refined sugar. I haven’t actually had a proper biscuit for years. But I can still remember how much I loved a chocolate digestive dunked in a mug of tea.

13. Who’s your celebrity crush?

Right now it’s going to be the entire People Just Do Nothing cast!

14. What book did you read last year that stayed with you?

A state of fear by Laura Dodsworth. She challenges the reader to think and interrogate what’s been going on since last March, and offers an alternative narrative which is incredibly well researched and beautifully written.

15. Your top three mostvisited, favourite websites?

Clothes sites - including Cos and H&M. I’m trying to be more ethical and they seem committed to sustainability.

Netflix!

I get involved with the comedies and dramas, I really escape into stories (probably why I became a writer), I love choice, and I love binge watching!

Spotify - I have loads of playlists and love a wide range of music!

16. Favourite quote? Movie, book or inspirational - we won’t judge.

Oh. My favourite one is sweary, I can’t say that! Hmm. I think it has to be ‘This too will pass’. I know, it’s hippyish. But when I’m struggling, it’s good to be reminded this isn’t going to be here forever. I find it can be reassuring and powerful.

17. What’s the best evening you’ve ever had?

Recently I went to see a band called Laid Blak in Lyme Regis. It was just the most fun - being able to dance, in a room full of people, seeing young people having a good time, a couple of cheeky glasses of wine... Just being with people who are happy. I think all my good evenings have involved all those things; people coming together and having a good time.

18. Favourite crisp flavour?

Salt and Vinegar, without a doubt.

(The first spontaneous answer in a year to this contentious question! Well done. Ed) 19. You have the power to pass one law tomorrow, uncontested. What would you do?

I would declare that everyone had to be kind. Just be kind to other humans. It seems to be something we’ve lost, and social media makes it easy to be horrible and not think about the consequences of our actions. So I’d pass the law to make everyone act compassionately and with empathy.

Louisa’s poetry pamphlet, She can still sing, was published by Flipped Eye in June 2021, and she has a coastal memoir forthcoming with Dorset’s Little Toller Books.

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BOOK CORNER

Voice of the Books

Sherborne’s independent bookshop Winstone’s has won the ‘British Book Awards South West Bookseller of the Year’ four times and was winner of the ‘Independent Bookseller of the Year’ national award in 2016.

Owner Wayne Winstone is one of the three judges for this year’s Costa Prize for Fiction. This year Wayne was selected as one of the top 100 people in the Book Trade’s Most Influential Figures listing.

Join us for a talk and signing with Elly Griffiths, the author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Novels on the 28th October. The multi-award winning crime novelist Elly Griffiths will be talking about her new book Midnight Hour which is a Brighton Mystery novel followed by a signing.

Brighton, 1965.

When theatrical impresario Bert Billington is found dead in his retirement home, no one suspects foul play. But when the postmortem reveals that he was poisoned, suspicion falls on his wife, eccentric ex-Music Hall star Verity Malone.

Frustrated by the police response to Bert’s death and determined to prove her innocence, Verity calls in private detective duo Emma Holmes and Sam Collins. This is their

first real case, but as luck would have it they have a friend on the inside: Max Mephisto is filming a remake of Dracula, starring Seth Bellington, Bert’s son. But when they question Max, they feel he isn’t telling them the whole story.

Emma and Sam must vie with the police to untangle the case and bring the killer to justice.

They’re sure the answers must lie in Bert’s dark past and in the glamorous, occasionally deadly, days of Music Hall. But

the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they find themselves in...

‘Elly Griffiths writes with a sharp, smart eye and great elegance’ - Peter James ‘Great on character and suspense’ - Val McDermid ‘Ruth Galloway is one of the most engaging characters in modern crime fiction’ - Kate Mosse

Event details Thursday 28th October 6.30 for 7pm Cheap Street Church, Sherborne.

Tickets £5 available from Winstone’s, Sherborne or online by clicking here.

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READER’S LETTERS

Letters to the Editor Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to letters@theblackmorevale.co.uk A correction I very much agree with C. Owen, who said the photograph of Compton Abbas church doesn’t look anything like Compton Abbas St Mary. Not that it matters but may I suggest an internet search by the editor to decide for themself?

N. Dallison You are quite correct, as was C.Owen last month the church in the image in question is indeed not St Mary’s, Compton Abbas, but Sutton Waldron church. The photographer apologises for his mistake, and thanks your eagle eyes! Ed.

On Hardy once more May I say how much I have enjoyed the back-and-forth on Hardy on the last couple of issues? In fact, I should probably say how much I enjoy the entire magazine, the warm tone of which is a surprising and refreshing change.

However, I am aware that such a good letters page does not waste its space with banal pleasantries. So I would like to add my thoughts: does it matter that Hardy is inescapably miserable? Even Dr Tracy Hayes acknowledges he is.

And yet - he gave us Tess.

So fully realised and deeply felt. Tess may not be the smartest, or the bravest, or the most adventurous heroine in literature. She has very traditional goals and doesn’t particularly concern herself with affairs that occur outside of her small, countrified world.

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She isn’t what you would call a Strong Female Character. But I think her story is incredibly important and relevant today.

It’s a mistake to overlook or dismiss her - or many of Hardy’s characters. He writes a compassionate and overwhelmingly insightful view of the double standards that women were, and still are, held to.

A. Trevett

How amazing that you published the full historic speech by Neville Chamberlain declaring war on Germany on the 82nd anniversary of the event.

As a retired English teacher I was not aware of the beauty, elegance and clarity of the words – and wish I had been when teaching as I’d have used it as a perfect example of communication. I urge today’s teachers to think about enhancing students’ lives with this.

I wonder if I could make a further point: during the war British people pulled together despite great danger and insecurity. All we’re facing today is a temporary lack of petrol and, yes, a pandemic which has largely been beaten yet our nation appears more divided than ever.

B Simmons, Verwood

We’re coming into winter and the roads and lanes around my rural community are getting plastered in muck – yet last

year I was stopped by a police car while in Yeovil and they threatened me with an £80 fine as they said my number plate was unreadable.

Can I urge our police through your pages to be more understanding? I can’t stop my car every five miles to clean the plates – it’s dangerous, for a start.

Name and address withheld One of our columnists was stopped for a similar offence (again in Yeovil) and he explained the matter politely to the police. He said he’d wipe the plates immediately. They agreed to let it pass and added, ‘but next time you’re stopped for the same offence…’.

The law is the law. We have the fortune to live in a beautiful county and we must bear the not very onerous consequences. And I note that you do not say you were actually fined. That shows tolerance. I’m with the police on this one. Ed.

Your photos of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Fair presented images of hundreds of attendees – and not one is wearing a Covid mask!

Is that responsible journalism?

P Lyons, Yeovil We wore masks, as did many others, inside the marquees.

Outdoors they are not necessary, and personal choice.

There was, however, noticeably little hand shaking or hugged greetings amongst the crowd.

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I would like to thank you for raising awareness of the issue of food poverty in our seemingly rich county (Sep issue, p.21).

It was especially interesting to read that those families with children with special needs are particularly affected - lack of care once they’re no longer classed as children (or simply not being able to access care which is built to cater for complex needs) must be very isolating for the parents.

North Dorset also has a high level of households with older residents affected by income deprivation and fuel poverty.

Hopefully we can all remember to add a few extra items to our shopping baskets for the local food banks, or drop off an extra pack of tampons or laundry powder to the Vale Pantry - for it is of course not just food that affected families are in need of.

I am deeply concerned at the coming £20 cuts to the Universal Credit - as cost of living continues to rise, and energy bills frighten us all, this will indeed affect the very poorest.

And I think we all all know that it is not, in fact, a simple matter of ‘get a job’. Here in the South West, almost 40% of claimants are already in work.

Those that are not are more likely to be those with personal circumstances which prevent them taking on more paid hours outside the home.

How are we justifying this removal of a basic living? With careful and frugal shopping, this is not just ‘a few coffees’ to those on the most basic of income. £20 can genuinely be the difference between eating and heating.

What an alarm call Rupert Hardy’s last column was. regarding Ash Dieback (September issue p.24). I clearly remember the national distress as we lost our elm trees 40 years ago. And yet here we are watching the slow death of 80% of our ash trees, with barely a murmur being made on a national stage?

Since reading his column I have taken notice of the ash trees I pass - and far too many show the grievous signs of the dreaded dieback. When I see a large ash standing alone, I cheer silently, and resist the urge to rush to pat it with encouragement.

What can be done? I can find no mention of a national scheme to replace these bastions of our native countryside?

Amy W, Sturminster Newton.

F Winter, Shaftesbury.

Eye Bridge, Wimborne at sunrise - Nicky Wicks

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A CITIZEN’S ADVICE

How will I cope with my bills?

A local expert from Citizen’s Advice answers a question from the public. This Month: How to cope with the upcoming £20 cut in Universal Credit.

Q: “I keep reading that Universal Credit is going to be cut. I struggle to get by as it is and I’m really worried that if I lose £20 a week, I’ll get into serious debt. I’m already behind on some of my bills. What can I do to avoid things getting worse?”

A: Firstly, depending on your situation, you might be able to ask to have your Universal Credit paid differently - these are called ‘alternative payment arrangements’. This might be an option if you’re in debt or rent arrears, among other things. To apply for an alternative payment arrangement, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 Behind on the bills If you’re behind on some of your bills, the first step is to make a list of how much you owe and add up how much you need to pay each month.

You now need to prioritise your debts. We have advice on our website to help you do this.

Some bills can cause you more problems than others: Rent or mortgage arrears, council tax and energy bills are your priority debts - there can be

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serious consequences if you to get advice from a debt adviser don’t pay them. Get in touch first - they’ll check all your debts with the organisations you owe to see if they’re covered by the money to (these are known as scheme. your creditors). They might be Finally, it’s always a good idea to able to help “Rent or mortgage have a budget - take a by letting you look at the budgeting arrears, council tax tool on our website pay smaller and energy bills are and make sure you’re amounts or taking a your priority debts - getting all the income break from there can be serious you’re entitled to. payments. consequences if you Ask for help.

Many organisations Everyone’s don’t pay” have put in circumstance is place protections for people different, particularly when it who’ve struggled to pay their comes to managing personal bills during the pandemic. finances. If you need more The government-backed specific support or don’t feel able Breathing Space scheme could to manage your situation alone, also give you extra time. If contact your local Citizens Advice you’re eligible, you could get 60 or call our debt helpline: 0800 days where your creditors can’t 240 4420. Other organisations contact you, take action to make providing free debt advice you pay, or add interest and include Stepchange and National charges to your debt. You’ll need Debtline.”

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Life’s complicated.

Instructing a solicitor shouldn’t be

Because no one can predict the future, we can help you prepare.

Whatever you require, we will advise you with clarity and efficiency, offer value for money and an unparalleled level of legal advice.

Contact Lucy Horsington in our Sherborne office on 01935 811136 to discuss your will and powers of attorney.

We can also help with: • Family law

• Employment law

• Conveyancing

• Dispute resolution

• Trusts

• Commercial property

• Funding care

• Corporate commercial

info@porterdodson.co.uk www.porterdodson.co.uk

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CHARITY PAGES POLITICS

Gilbert’s on his way The Prout Bridge Project is a small youth and community charity that makes a big difference by delivering services for people of all ages in rural West Dorset.

Gilbert the van with the Prout Bridge Project team.

The Prout Bridge Project exists to provide opportunities for people of all ages in West Dorset to come together socially, participate in our community, make friends and support each other. We provide: • Youth clubs and youth work (age 8-18) • Mental health support and a free counselling service (age 16+) • Sports, art, music and community activities for all ages • Access to information, support and other services including the Food Bank, Citizens Advice and the Space Youth Project (a safe space for Dorset’s LGBQT+ young people).

The arrival of Gilbert Following a successful Crowdfunder campaign earlier in 2021, the Prout Bridge Project went mobile over the

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summer with the launch of business partners and patrons. a new outreach programme.

Their valued support and input Thanks to the generosity of all into the charity has helped us get who gave money and rewards to to where we are today. the campaign, and to the time Paula Tuff, Manager, said and support “We are all “We operate from the of many more, small town of Beaminster so grateful to we were able and in a typical year we everyone who has to buy and kit work with more than 500 supported us. We out an outreach young people & adults” feel as through vehicle. The we achieved the van is affectionately known as impossible, and can now take Gilbert, named after the late our services out and about to founder of the charity Gil Streets. isolated areas.”

It means that vital youth and community work can take place Beaminster Community in local villages and at the new Centre Beaminster skatepark.

The charity has also just The campaign was backed by reopened the Prout Bridge Dorset Council, Comic Relief, Youth and Community Centre Sport England’s Return to Play, in Beaminster, which has been Power to Change Community closed because of Covid, and Business and the Dorset Local has launched a new Autumn Enterprise Partnership. We’d programme of activities. also like to mention a special For further information or to thanks to Mayfair, Multiform, support us please visit our the Ollerod and Tangerine, along website, facebook, Instagram, or with all our local community call 07802 514171.”

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Ward Goodman specialises in the charity, community and not for profit sector.

Ward Goodman has a dedicated team of accounting and auditing professionals delivering a comprehensive range of POLITICS services to registered charities, community groups and not for profit organisations. The team are trained specifically to carry out charity accounting, auditing and reporting and to communicate effectively with Trustees, management and volunteers. Contact the team today for a freeConsultation.

Shaftesbury has one of the best volunteer-led arts centres in the South West

‘Shaftesbury Arts Centre aims to take the lead in seeking to optimise opportunities for the community of Shaftesbury and the surrounding area to experience and take part in the highest standard of the widest range of the creative arts.’

Established in 1957 in the old covered market in the centre of the medieval Dorset hilltop market town of Shaftesbury, Shaftesbury Arts Centre is now widely recognised as one of the best volunteer membershipled arts centres in South West England.

The regular, varied and lively year-round programme of amateur and professional plays, films, art, photography and craft exhibitions, workshops, and training courses draws people from surrounding counties. It is also increasingly taking the arts out into the community.

shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk They are always looking for people to help front of house, backstage and in the general running of the Arts Centre – so there’s something to suit everyone.

Fancy being a volunteer?

It’s a great way to meet people, A returning schedule of events be at the heart of something Little by little, things at the Arts amazing, and to enjoy new Centre are getting back to some experiences. sort of normality.

“The charity The charity room hire is relies solely on relies solely on The gradually picking volunteers to volunteers to up, rehearsals are manage every underway for the manage every aspect of the Arts Centre, from aspect of the Arts October production of Bugsy Malone set building to Centre, from (tickets are selling selling tickets, and set building to well already) and from make-up to selling tickets, and plans are afoot for maintenance.

If you’ve got a from make-up to a pantomime in January. little time, would maintenance” The Friday films like to meet new were back in people, and get September and the monthly involved in any way, pop into Tuesday afternoon seniors’ the Arts Centre and have a chat, matinees (for over 50s) have or drop an email to: contact@

returned. These are ticketed events, which can be bought on the day or in advance.

The Gallery continues to thrive with increased footfall and in the autumn, we hope to allow artists to resume holding private viewings, albeit with reduced numbers.

For more information, visit www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Sir Cliff Richard invites fans to be part of the most fabulous big screen party of the year.

On Saturday 20th November Shaftesbury Arts Centre will present a recorded Live Streaming event from the Royal Albert Hall.

The Great 80 Tour features a selection of his greatest hits.

Cliff Richard’s incredible energy and passion on stage will sweep you off your feet and be sure to have you swaying in the aisles.

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by Simon Vernon

FOOD & DRINK

The largest food awards in the world are from Gillingham The wait is over for the producers who entered the ‘Oscars’ of the food industry, the Great Taste Awards; they finally know if they have been awarded one or more of the coveted stars.

Back in April the judging No, one, two or three stars? process started with over The judging process is simple 12,000 products blind tested, but rigorous and fair. The judged to be one, two, or products are blind-tasted three star or no stars. The (to reduce recognition) three * products were then by members of the food judged at a later session to industry, for instance, find the overall Champion. producers, buyers, and The Great Taste Awards were journalists, initially each set up by Bob Farrand of The item is assessed by a table of Guild of Fine three or four Food, based with positive “The products in Gillingham, awarded stars will be comments to Dorset, in 1994 passed around other feedback to along with the producer, tables of judges to get The World a grading is a balanced view” Cheese Awards. then applied of The baton no, one, two or has now passed to his son, three stars.

John Farrand, with Bob still The products awarded stars assisting, and are now the will be passed around other largest food awards in the tables of judges to get a world with all categories of balanced view from a greater food and drink assessed. number of palettes, this The Great Taste Awards judging in 2021

Writer and baker Martha Collison was a Greeat Taste Awards judge in 2021

increases the fairness of the system.

The golden fork The three-star products are assessed again to select the regional winners, “The Golden Forks” and the Supreme Champion. This entire process takes four months with the results announced during the latter half of September each year.

The awards have become the premier indicator of quality - a product having one of the GTA star labels on the packaging is a sure sign that it will be worth trying.

by Simon Vernon, Food Consultant & Great Taste Awards Judge 74

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POLITICS

Three local companies won a coveted Three Star award:

Capreolus Fine Foods in Rampisham have won TWO 3 star awards (and three two stars too): Venison and Pork Chorizo ‘Medium heat fermented Dorset chorizo handmade with wild venison and free range pork and authentic Spanish purple garlic, The Wasabi Company in Owermoigne have won for their Organic White Sesame Oil :

The Hollis Mead Organic Dairy in Corscombe won the cherished three stars for their Hollis Mead Organic Salted Butter (find it in a vending machine near you)

smoked Pimenton de la Vera flake and powder, sweet ancho chilli. Filled into a natural hog casing’ Dorset Soft Salami ‘A handmade Dorset fermented salami but soft & spreadable ambient pate style. Scoop out of casing spread on hot toast.

Rounded flavour sweet hint of orange zest and paprika with notes of rosemary and juniper.

‘A supreme delicately textured, bright, clear colour and wonderfully enticing flavour this is the epitome of fine organic sesame oil. Roasted and pressed by 4th generation experts.

‘Pure and naturally sweet organic butter made from cows milked just once a day. Fed 100% on grass grown on our farm, using zero herbicides, pesticides, insecticides or artificial fertilisers. Churned on-site and hand-rolled, lightly salted.

Who judges?

The judges are made up of top chefs and restaurateurs who know their onions. People who run delis and farm shops, top food hall and retail buyers, acclaimed cooks, food writers and journalists, jam and cake experts from the WI, cheese makers and farmers. This diverse mix of judges ensures that every product is judged fairly and that nothing can slip through the net.

Local Two Star Awards:

• •

• • •

•

•

• •

Wan Ling Tea House for Mei Zhan Oolong Tea (plus a one star award) Solkiki Chocolatemaker for Sakura Cherryleaf 65% Dark Milk Chocolate with Gran Palo cacao (plus four ‘one star’ awards) Semley Honey for Semley honey Ajar Of for Spicy Tomato Kasundi Chutney (plus a ‘one star’ award) The Dorset Dairy Co. - no less than FOUR two star awards: Dorset Strained Yoghurt - Whole Milk, Dorset Dairy Cultured Cream, Dorset Cultured Butter - 2% salt and Dorset Cultured Butter – Chilli Edition (plus two one star awards) The Real Cure Ltd won two stars for both Dorset Nduja and Fennel and White Pepper Salami Woodlands Dairy Ltd for Woodlands Dairy Melbury Cheese (plus a ‘one star’ award) Madjeston milk station for their Double Cream (plus a ‘one star’ award) Lyons Hill Farm for Prime Aurox Beef Mince (plus two ‘one star’ awards)

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by Heather Brown

FOOD & DRINK

Raspberry Crumble Bars Ingredients (makes 12) For the Base: • 230g butter (or dairy free margarine) • 100g caster sugar (or granulated) • 1tsp vanilla essence/extract • 250g plain flour (can use gluten free plain flour) A Jar of raspberry jam (or any jam) for the middle layer.

For the topping: • 100g oats (regular or gluten free) • 140g soft brown sugar • 80g plain flour (can use gluten free flour) • 120g butter (or dairy free margarine) • fresh raspberries (or any fruit) • Plus a little icing sugar and water to finish.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to gas 6 or fan 180º.

2. Line a 9″ x 13″ baking tin (approx 1″ deep) with baking parchment.

3. For the base – Melt the butter and then stir in the rest of the base ingredients until well combined.

4. Spread this sticky dough/paste on the bottom of the tin and bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the top is a little golden.

5. Whilst the base is baking, melt the butter for the topping and then mix in the rest of the ingredients (except the jam and the fresh raspberries). This will make a fairly crumbly mixture.

6. When the base is baked, carefully spread a good layer of raspberry jam across the base.

The base will be soft (and hot!) so you’ll need to be gentle so as not to crush the base too much (Tip: if you sort of blob the jam onto the base and wait for a few seconds, the heat will melt the jam slightly and that will make it easier for you to spread).

7. Sprinkle over the crumble topping to loosely cover the layer of jam. Add in a few fresh raspberries onto the crumble layer.

8. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin.

9. Once cool, gently take out of the tin and cut into pieces (I usually cut the edges off, but you don’t need to).

10. Make up a little water icing by mixing the icing sugar with a little water (you can add some extra vanilla here if you want to) and then drizzle across the top to finish.

“I have been so impressed with how the Hospitality industry has coped with the hugely busy summer - whilst they perhaps have a moment this month to catch their breath, many in the industry might be feeling the strain, physically and mentally. wThis is a great time of year to reach out to your favourite businesses and restaurants to say thank you; write them a great review, share their social media or book a table for a future date are all great ways of showing your support.

If you work in the hospitality industry and you feel like you need some mental health support, then The Burnt Chef Project offer a number of ways that you can receive some free help. Visit their website at www.theburntchefproject.com or you can access their free, 24/7 support service by texting BURNTCHEF to 85258.

This month’s recipe is made using fresh raspberries and raspberry jam, but these can be easily substituted for more seasonal fruit like blackberries and plums. You can also switch out the flour for gluten free flour or butter for vegan friendly butter, making this bake very versatile.”

Heather

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POLITICS Heather Brown is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene.

Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with food industry clients.

Raspberry Crumble Bars image: Heather Brown

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MEET YOUR LOCAL

by Laura Hitchcock

Meet Your Local: The Thimble Inn, Piddlehinton Our regular column in which you discover the faces and stories behind the pub sign. This month we’ve been chatting to Emma-Jayne and Michal who run the Thimble Inn.

How did you end up at The Thimble Inn? Michal and I met working together at a large wedding venue & hotel in Somerset. After working long hard hours for someone else we decided to venture out on our own; Michal had been a cook for 28 years and had plenty of experience running busy kitchens, and I love to talk (!) so starting our

own business seemed liked the obvious next step.

We decided to approach Palmers - I grew up in a Palmers pub in Bridport and my mum spoke very highly of them. After our initial meeting with them, we narrowed our list of requirements down; we were looking for a busy pub with a thatched roof in a pretty village, with a large garden and one that already had a good Emma-Jayne Sweeting and Michel Trawicki took over The Thimble Inn two years ago.

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reputation. The Thimble ticked all of those boxes!

Tell us about the last 18 months?

Luckily as owner operators we stayed open for takeaways at weekends - it was a strange but we quickly adapted to a new routine. The support we received was amazing! Friday night was our “pub classics” menu, dishes such as our Fish & chips, our Thimble Pie, Burger etc.

Saturday night was our theme night, which we changed each week, the Mexican & American night were definitely the favourites! And then Sundays were all about the traditional Sunday lunch.

Mothers Day and Valentines Day were incredibly busy, we fed way more people than we would ever have been able to fit inside the pub. Now that we are back to normal hours, business is busier than ever! We have more staff working for us than we have ever had before.

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MEET YOUR LOCAL

What’s your favourite local place to visit on an afternoon off?

We love to eat out, but sadly, like us most good establishments are closed on a Monday, so any spare time we do have is spent walking the dog... we love Puddletown Forest, it’s so pretty any time of year and we also love Thornecombe Woods.

We also have great walks here in the Piddle Valley countryside which we discovered during our lockdown.

What part of the pub is your absolute favourite?

Our well is our favourite feature - when the pub’s extension was built the owners of the building at the time decided to make a feature and put a glass top on the well. Our guests love it!

What’s been your biggest challenge since taking over? What are you proud of?

Apart from covid, probably our biggest challenge is juggling family life with our working life.

But that’s part of normal working life for anyone!

The best thing to come out of our time at The Thimble so far is being featured in the Financial Times Magazine. Tim Hayward

the FT food critic had a meal here in the summer and gave us a glowing review which we are extremely proud of.

So what’s next - do you have big plans on the horizon?

Which dish is your most popular?

At the moment we are taking each day as it comes, just making sure that we deliver good food, good drinks and good service to all our guests.

Although Christmas will be fast approaching!

We have just launched our brand new Autumn menu - it’s early days but people are loving our Hake dish. Its a Catalan stew with squid, mussels & prawns mixed with potatoes & chorizo. The feedback so far has been pretty good.

To book a table at The Thimble call 01300 348 270 or do it online here: www.thimbleinn.co.uk/

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POLITICS Blanchards Bailey are a Dorset based law firm specialising in commercial and private law. Recognised by the Legal 500 as one of the top firms in the south west.

A new way to help local food businesses

After a tricky couple of years, the team at Love Local Trust Local are so proud to be one of a reduced pool of business-orientated awards fortunate enough to be running in Dorset 2021, particularly when it comes to the food and drink sector.

It means so much to the team that we have been able to continue to shine a light on the smaller local food and drink producers who have worked relentlessly and somehow survived - and in some cases thrived - in what has been a difficult time for businesses and the public alike. And of course, this is the time that these small businesses need the support the most.

No-one appreciates this challenge better than our fantastic sponsors, including the digital Blackmore Vale, who truly make these awards happen.

Although the Love Local Trust Local Food and Drink Awards are free to enter, they are of course not free to run; which is where our sponsors have truly enabled these awards to continue.

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The Award partners hail from a who support our awards are, in variety of industries, and each some cases, winners or entrants have a unique connection to the of last years’ awards who really Love Local Trust Local concern. felt they benefitted from taking One thing part. They our fantastic “...their dedication and wanted to be sponsors commitment to supporting associated all have in with the local food and drink common, awards again, producers, pioneering however, to not only is their local shopping and eating, raise the dedication of and championing smaller profile and their own businesses” commitment business, to supporting but to help local food and drink producers, guide and support other local pioneering local shopping and producers. eating, and championing smaller Tracey at Dorset’s well-loved businesses for their ultimate ‘A Jar Of’ and Shroton’s very success. So who are they and own ‘Meggy Moo’s Dairy’ are why should we care? both great examples of food producers who took part in Fellow Foodies our inaugural 2020 awards and The food and drink producers wanted to continue helping the Always free - subscribe here

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POLITICS Blanchards Bailey are a Dorset based law firm renowned for their personal expertise, excellent client service and active role in local communities.

local food and drink community to thrive.

Add to that highly esteemed vinter, Langham Wine Estate, independent supermarket Dike & Son, Roberts Food Service and Caffe Delizia; a bevvy of successful Dorset food and drink businesses who know exactly what it takes to diversify and evolve to succeed in a competitive industry.

Professional Services We really appreciate that the awards are also supported by a plethora of local and national professional services from insurance and trade body NFU Mutual Wessex, Damory Veterinary Clinic, Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants, Symonds & Sampson Estate Agents, Blanchards Bailey LLP, and Harbarn Developments. Each of these organisations are absolute champions of local produce, be it for business or personal reasons.

This group of organisations are

an absolute credit, not only when it comes to promoting the label and supporting the food and drink producers who come through our doors, but also in terms of the expertise they bring to the table – each organisation has worked with the farming and producing industry.

Farming Friends & Producers Engaging fellow farmers in our plight is also critical to the success of both the awards and the Love Local Trust Local food label. Love Local Trust Local was in fact established in order to help better support the local farmers and producers, as well as educating the public on what they are really eating.

Previously the industry has relied upon a limited small group of organisations who the team at Love Local Trust Local had learned were not all they were cracked up to be.

Tarhinton Farms, home of the Great British Steam Fair, Chase Farming, Peggs Farm, Crib

House Farm, Hemsworth Farm, Baskets & Blooms, and our very own Rawston Farm have been working with Love Local Trust Local to get behind the farmer in a genuine and authentic way. We’ve even started to roll out the Love Local Trust Local plaques, which our farming community have proudly chosen to display at their farm gates in a bid to pass the message on.

Giving farmers and food producers a sense of support and belonging is a worthy task.

Farmers are too busy (quite literally putting food on your table) to get out there and do it themselves – there are more critical tasks at hand!

The Best of the Rest To round up our remaining sponsors yet unmentioned, Minster Furniture and Conyers Home & Country are a credit to the organisation when it comes to advocating shopping local, sourcing local and eating local.

Our support from Kingston Maurward College allows us to help educate the up-andcoming farming and producing community, to help them fully understand the challenge that lies ahead when it comes to British farming and producing.

Love Local Trust Local welcomes sponsors and supporters from all industries, as well as fans and friends.

How to support us To support the Love Local Trust Local Food and Drink Awards 2021, you can follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, for all the latest news and updates.

You can also pop on over to the Rawston Farm Butchery & Shop to purchase your ‘support LLTL’ tea towel or car sticker!

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By Rachael Rowe

FOOD AND DRINK

Gin there, done that Gin is having a moment, with several craft producers here in the Blackmore Vale producing award-winning gins. But is the ‘gin thing’ all hype - or are there deeper reasons for wanting to produce the spirit?

Hannah Wilkins from Vineyards in Sherborne explained why she and her partner and co-owner Sadie created their own gin: “When I was young, my parents had a restaurant and you could smell when someone had a gin and tonic. When a mainstream producer cut the juniper content of their gin, I wanted to do something. Our ‘G’ Sherborne Gin contains double the amount of juniper as well as the 12 botanicals. It’s a proper gin.”

Immediately, I’ve twigged why my mother took to serving an incredibly strong knockout G&T Sadie Wilkins (pictured) created ‘G’ Sherborne Gin with her wife and co-owner Hannah Wilkins Viper Gin is created in Cerne Abbas by Carl Hankey

in recent years - she was clearly trying to recreate that distinctive smell but ended up with alcohol and not juniper – that was her excuse anyway.

Known for making Sherborne smell of gin a couple of years ago, Hannah and Sadie also collaborate with local businesses to create their range of gins and liqueurs. The baked-apple sipping gin for example, is a partnership between Vineyards and Dorset-based Liberty Fields, and they also work together with the distilling process. Batches of 60 -100 bottles are produced at a time. ‘G’ also won a Great Taste Award in its first year of production.

many of his own botanicals including Szechuan pepper. The Viper Venom gin contains Dorset Naga chillis and the Viper Cherry Gin is made with local cherries for example. His award-winning Viper London Dry Gin contains 10 botanicals and the company plans to create more varieties of artisan gins.

The Tack Room Distillery is based at Milton on Stour in an Equestrian yard

Dorset-grown botanicals Local provenance is a feature of Cerne Abbas based Viper Gin. Founder, Carl Hankey, was about to clear some long grass to grow his botanicals when he spotted a viper snake – and named the product in its honour. Carl produces gin from a copper still in small batches and grows

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FOOD AND DRINK

By Rachael Rowe

Downton Gin just over the Wiltshire border has one of the most inspiring bottle designs I have seen (see right) - but like most people I’m more interested in the contents (for research purposes naturally).

Appropriately, Explorer’s Gin is a nod to the past with inspiration taken from the Golden Age of Exploration and Sir Walter Raleigh; the gin is distilled in a shed that once belonged to Sir Walter himself. Western red cedar provides the principal undertone to Downton’s first gin. There is juniper too and Szechuan pepper among the botanicals, but it’s definitely got something. What’s really innovative is that you can buy recyclable refill packs from wine merchants and local shops.

James May’s gin Downton Gin has also been helping James May create his first gin - using parsnip of all things. The gin is called Asian Parsnip Gin, and yes includes parsnips, but also lemon peel, lime, and several flavors of Asian influence along with the necessary juniper. It’s definitely both an unusual and an acquired taste.

Two other gins have recently started production in the Blackmore Vale. Marnhullbased Mounter’s Gin uses 13 James May’s Asian Parsnip Gin is also distilled by the Downton Distillery.

Downton Distillery, creaters of Explorer’s Gin, was born in the old barn at Downton Manor - once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was gifted Downton Manor House

by Queen Elizabeth I.

botanicals with former British Airways pilot Chris Sharp developing a floral taste to his product. Mounters 13 is already being recognised with a Guild of Fine Foods Great Taste Award.

The Tack Room Distillery is based at Milton on Stour in an Equestrian yard and has recently started producing a small batch London gin with 14 botanicals.

With its citrus taste, this is another local gin to watch - and

has 100% recyclable packaging.

Discovering gins in the Blackmore Vale has been a joy, but it also reflects a lot about the culture of working in this region. Local provenance, sustainability, protecting the environment and collaboration all shine through. And for those planning to stock up on drinks for the festive season - you can shop local and definitely still get a ‘proper’ gin.

Mounters Gin is a micro-distillery based in Marnhull.

‘Mounters’ were the Roman settlers in the area where Mounters Gin is produced

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Coffee | Lunch | Events

at The Raleigh Hall

Enjoy Great Food And support the most vulnerable in Sherborne

£6 for a 2 course sit down lunch at the Raleigh Hall, Sherborne “Enjoy great food and build important social connections” Support your local charity and help the vulnerable in Sherborne and the surrounding villages. For every 4 people who pay £6 for a freshly cooked, 2 course meal prepared by our professional chef, your contribution will pay for 1 vulnerable person to share the same social experience.

EVERY FRIDAY : Doors open at 11:30am, Lunch served at 12:30pm.

Please book your lunch by calling our reservation volunteers on 07561 067381 between 9:00am and 12:30pm weekdays Teas, Coffees & Cake available for a small additional fee www.sherborne.kitchen

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

JIGSAW

Simply click to complete on your tablet, computer or phone - or there’s a download option if you prefer pen and paper.

This month’s jigsaw image is of the field below Rawlsbury Camp during september. Who can resist a daisy? Just click the picture to complete (you can

choose a different number of pieces to start with - make it harder or easier, it’s up to you!).

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY

An evening stroll - Nicky Newman

No.47 Mower Madness - Nigel Maddison

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY POLITICS Escargot - Benn Churchill

We welcome photography submissions from readers the only rule is that they must have been taken locally in the last month. Our cover shot is usually selected from our submissions pile each month.

If you’d like to join in, please either use #BVPhoto and tag us on Instagram (@ theblackmorevale), share it in our Facebook Group, or simply email it to photos@ theblackmorevale.co.uk.

Dorset Cultivation - Rebecca Bower

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY Steam train coming in to Gillingham - Phil Cutler

A misty start - Mary Seer

Harvest time in fields near Cheselbourne - Richard Mower

Lunch time - Caroline Robins

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READER’S PHOTOGRAPHY Happy days - Marilyn Peddle

1940 swordfish at Compton Abbas Airfield - Chris Robinson

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NIGHT SKY THIS MONTH POLITICS

by Rob Nolan Find RPN Photography on Facebook here and on Instagram here.

The Elephant Trunk

Whilst most are mourning the long summer days, astrophotographers across the country are excited to see the longer hours of truly dark sky.

The longer nights allow us to gather lots of data on a target, and that is what provides us with the detail we need to produce some spectacular images.

The Elephant Trunk The image this month is of the Elephant Trunk (IC 1396A).

Called the Elephant Trunk for its appearance, it is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within the much larger ionized gas region IC 1396, located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.

This image was taken using a Skywatcher 200 PDS Newtonian Reflector Telescope and dedicated Cooled Astro Camera with around 5 hours of total integration time. Another piece of equipment that I wouldn’t be without is the computer that helps orient my targets, and gathers the image. Some choose a setup that requires them to keep watch throughout the imaging session, sometimes staying outside all night, even during those freezing nights.

We less hardy souls chose a system that can automate many of the tasks required. I choose

to use the ZWO ASIAIR Pro, and have also been chosen as an Experience Officer for the later ‘ZWO ASIAIR Plus’, a very clever bag of tricks that simplifies the minefield of astrophotography, and automates the process. I’ll be releasing a review of this device on my Facebook page in the next couple of weeks, so please do keep a look out if you’re interested in what it can do. There are lots of different solutions and software out there, so its worth investigating to see which might be best for you if you’re starting to get into the hobby.

The Night Sky, October - what to see this month: October is a subtle month for astronomy and star gazing.

Pegasus dominates the southern skies this month, with Andromeda, our nearest cosmic neighbour, firmly attached to his side.

Soon these dimmer autumn constellations will be superseded by the brilliant lights of winter.

Among these, the beautiful star cluster of the Pleiades is sure to delight and dazzle any star gazer.

Watching Andromeda October is a great month to start looking at the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in the darker night skies.

Visible to the unaided eye, the galaxy fills an area of our night sky that is four times bigger than our Full Moon. It appears in the sky as a fuzzy patch of dust and stars with a brighter elliptical core.

Andromeda is a spiral galaxy much like our own Milky Way, and in around 2.5 million years, the two galaxies will collide to

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create a new giant elliptical galaxy, fondly nicknamed ‘Milkomeda’.

around our Moon, with Jupiter appearing on the left and Saturn on the right.

The Seven Sisters The next bright target to look out for is the Pleiades star cluster, a leading feature in our winter sky.

The Seven Sisters, as they are known, are just a small fraction of the larger 1,000 star cluster, and great to view even using binoculars to truly appreciate their beauty.

Halley’s comet On the nights of the 21st and 22nd, the peak of the Orionid meteor shower will be visible, as debris from Halley’s Comet collides with our atmosphere.

The Moon may somewhat spoil the event this year unfortunately.

Halley’s comet itself is only visible from Earth every 75 years, with its last appearance back in 1986: I was 2 years old then! I look forward to hopefully being able to see it myself in 2061.

Also on the 22nd, whilst waiting for the meteors to appear, take a look at the Moon near the Pleiades.

On the 31st October at 2am, we formally bid British Summer Time farewell, and the long nights really start to draw in. I for one cannot wait!

Look to the planets On the 9th October, looking towards the south-west after sunset, viewers will be rewarded with a stunning view of a narrow crescent moon adjoining Venus, with the Antares star to the left.

Jupiter and Saturn are still well within view albeit moving away from the Earth now, and are clearly visible on the nights of the 13th, 14th and 15th dancing

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by Edwina Baines edwina@theblackmorevale.co.uk

ART

Inside Kim Pragnell’s studio in Iwerne Minster. image: Edwina Baines

In the Studio with Kim Pragnell Why are so many of us lured to the beauty and power of the ocean? As inhabitants of a small island, we are perhaps more connected to the sea than others. The soothing ebb and flow of the waves mimics our breath, and yet that same power can also evoke dread and fear.

You can almost see, hear and smell the ocean when you see Kim Pragnell’s seascapes: “To be able to both understand and appreciate the majesty of the sea, to recreate the energy and excitement, and to play with the light, colour and texture is something every artist should experience,” he says. There is a strong family tradition of painting in Kim’s family: a non-confirmed rumour relates him to the French painter Pierre Bonnard, who was a founding member of the PostImpressionist group of avantgarde painters called ‘Les Nabis.’

However, he says his mother “spun some interesting yarns!”

He has been a painter for over 40 years; his unique style, close to the Romantic traditions of British maritime art, has ensured a great following of collectors. He communicates through the use of line and tone, those essential elements that make being an

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artist a delight and privilege and large unsold painting at the end with a firm Ruskin-type belief of an exhibition and a lady was that drawing is the cornerstone studying it closely. She told me of art, the ability “...a farmer’s son it lacked focus to observe, and needed some living miles away seagulls rising investigate and from the sea, at the above the waves. draw has been the foundation of age of 14 Kim was I borrowed some all his work. paints and put in signed up for 12 the seagulls and years in the Royal It started with the same lady ten shillings. purchased the Navy” Kim’s art painting! I have experience has been largely learnt from that experience.” influenced by the work of the late 19th, early 20th century painters A farmer’s son at sea such as Montague Dawson, Incongruously, as a farmer’s son Stanhope Forbes and also the St and living miles away from the Ives School. The Victorian artists, sea, at the age of 14 Kim was Ruskin and Holman Hunt, were signed up for 12 years in the also influential. In fact, he started Royal Navy. Later on, he served painting at the age of five; at the on seagoing tugs, cable ships age of ten his first client was the and in traditional boatyards.

Dame of Sark who paid him ten He later pursued a career as a shillings, which at the time was Theatre Designer: his time as one tenth of his father’s income! a scene painter influenced his “I’m learning all the time. For use of colour and light. It also example, I had come to collect a provided an authority and Always free - subscribe here

Kim with one of his new ‘romantic’ paintings - Wool on the wire image: Edwina Baines

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ART

by Edwina Baines edwina@theblackmorevale.co.uk

confidence in brushwork - Kim’s mark-making is full of energy and movement and drama.

His overriding interest has always been the sea but now, miles away in Iwerne Minster, Kim has nurtured a charming cottage garden, where, in his delightfully sunny, self-built studio he is changing course and beginning to paint the local landscape. He is experiencing more excitement and emotional satisfaction - it is a return to his roots and is allowing for further experimentation, providing a more interesting palette. The seascape palette tended to be just five colours: white, Payne’s grey, raw sienna, indigo and black. He commented that it could be due to his resentment of the fact that he was sent to sea at such a young age that he has now turned his back on his dark and stormy maritime paintings. ““I’m having much more fun with these. … What drives me forward is trying to use paint to find light and depth in a painting. Painting is a bit like Bluebeard’s castle.

Every door you go through brings you nearer to the truth.

Kim’s ‘Down on the Stour’ shows his enjoyment in experimenting with a new and inetresting palette. Image Edwina Baines.

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Kim Pragnell’s ‘What lies beneath.’, sitting below ‘Wool on the Wire’ in his Shroton studio. image Edwina Baines.

I’ve gone from the torment of the sea to the pastoral. To the beauty of Dorset.”

These new paintings will be launched at a Shaftesbury Arts Centre exhibition from 13 -19th October. A further exhibition in It is an interesting 2022 is planned at new venture for the Slade Gallery “I’ve gone from Kim: ‘Wool on the torment of the in Gillingham, the Wire’ is an with a new group sea to the pastoral. of artists named example of his To the beauty of The Dorset new direction: “Dorset is a Romantics. Their Dorset” spiritual place”. aim is to start a The softer new movement blending of the silver-blue-green of Romantic painting of the local palette and dreamy effect of landscape, recognising that the style is reminiscent of the Dorset is such a special place. work of the 19th century French landscape painter, Jean-BaptisteKim’s work can be found Camille Corot who said: “Though on his website: I constantly seek to imitate https://kim-pragnellreality, I don’t for one moment theseascapepainter.co.uk lose sight of the first impulse of and at the Tincleton Gallery, emotion. Reality is part of art. near Dorchester https:// Feeling completes it.” tincletongallery.com Always free - subscribe here

HEALTH

Recognising the impact of grief and loss…

POLITICS

All of us will lose someone or something important to us at some point in our lives. And when it happens, it can quite literally hit us for six.

This has never been more relevant than over the last eighteen months - the pandemic affected the UK in ways we’ve not yet fully seen. And sadly, we’re all likely to know someone that was bereaved or affected by loss in some way.

The process of coming to terms with what’s happened and the resulting range of intense emotions is called grief. Grief affects everyone completely differently and at different times and pace. There is no defined way to react and no wrong or right way to feel.

The triggers of grief It’s useful to understand that a similar pattern of feelings can also be brought about by losing something. This might be a former way of life or friendship, your health or an education or career pathway that’s been forced to change direction.

Grief can also be triggered by a variety of reasons in your workplace as well as at home: changes to job roles and demands, reductions in workforce due to isolation or redundancy.

The effect of external losses and changes should not be underestimated. They can also affect employees at work. Issues such as bereavement, physical and mental ill-health, financial insecurity, job insecurity, and changes in childcare and education provision are all extremely challenging.

Dorset Mind has launched a six week group programme, held at Stour Connect, Sturminster Newton. The mental health charity provides a safe space and an experienced facilitator to help explore complicated feelings, thoughts and behaviours relating to loss.

You’ll be participating alongside other people with similar experiences and will benefit from sharing information and experiences.

The programme aims to: 1. Offer an environment of mutual support 2. Provide information about grief and loss to help you understand the way you are feeling 3. Explore techniques that many people experiencing

loss have found useful 4. Share resources for further support If you would like further details about the programme, contact Dorset Mind’s Adult Services by email to: adultwellbeingservices@ dorsetmind.uk. This face-to-face course will start at the week beginning 4th October 2021 places are limited.

Support and Education Find out more about Dorset Mind’s range of education, workplace training, and 1-to-1 and group support for adults and young people in Dorset from aged 11 upwards, by visiting dorsetmind.uk (adults), or dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk (young people).

A safe space in Stur To help people that might be experiencing feelings of grief,

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HEALTH

by Karen Geary, a Registered Nutritional Therapist DipION, mBANT, CNHC at Amplify

Nutrient bombs in your hedgerow There are some brilliant nutrient bombs, absolutely free, waiting for you to simply pick in the hedgerows right now. The golden rule with foraging is to always be 100% certain of what you are collecting and if in doubt, don’t. The internet and some clever plant recognition apps are a great source for checking fruits and berries to help you stay safe.

Elderberries We are at the end of the elderberry season but the dark colour of these little black berries mean that there are high levels of compounds call anthocyanins proanthocyanidins, and phenolic compounds, as well as being especially high in vitamin C. These compounds have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Elderberry is known for its antiviral properties, particularly flu and other upper respiratory infections. Studies indicate that they may have a beneficial effect on a healthy immune system.

If your elderberries have already

been taken by the birds, you can buy dried ones online. Always cook fresh and dried elderberries before consuming as they can be poisonous eaten raw.

My version of Elderberry Rob opposite is based on a version by medical herbalist Janine Gerhard, but I have significantly reduced the sugar content from the original recipe by reducing the syrup by 25%.

Rosehips Now is the time to be picking rosehips. They have a wonderful fruity flavour and are tart due to their very high levels of vitamin C. If you can collect enough blackberries,

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Hedgerow Jelly Wild hedgerow berries like blackberries, rosehips, haws, sloes, elderberries or rowan berries are low in pectin, so combine with apples for a good set.

Wild crab apples work well, as do cooking apples.

Makes enough to fill four to eight small jars.

• 1kg crab apples or cooking apples, washed and cut into chunks (no need to peel or core them) • 1kg blackberries, rosehips, haws, sloes, elderberries or rowan berries • Granulated sugar Put the apples and berries in a preserving pan. (If using rosehips, chop them roughly first - take care with the irritant fibres.) Add enough water almost to cover the fruit, bring to a simmer, and leave to cook gently until the fruit is soft and pulpy. Tip into a jelly bag and leave to drip for several hours or overnight.

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rosehips, hawthorn berries, sloes, crab apples, elderberries or rowan berries, Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall has an amazing Hedgerow Jelly recipe (below).

Sloes Famous for sloe gin, sloes are actually better if they are kept on the bush as long as possible, until the first frosts. But where I live people are picking them already. Freeze them first and then prick them with a pin before adding to your favourite sloe gin or vodka recipe. This is better when left to mature - I’m hoping that the sloes I picked last year will be good for this Christmas.

Prepare your jam jars by washing them in hot soapy water, then put them in a low oven to dry out and heat up. Put a saucer in the fridge.

Measure the juice and transfer to the clean preserving pan. For every 600ml juice, add 450g sugar. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then bring up to a rolling boil and boil hard for eight minutes. Now start testing for setting point. Turn off the heat, use a teaspoon to drip a little jelly on to the cold saucer and return to the fridge for a couple of minutes. Push the jelly with your fingertip: if it has formed a significant skin that wrinkles with the push, it’s reached setting point; if not, turn the heat back on and boil for two to three minutes more, then test again. (Err on the side of caution: a lightly set jelly is far nicer than a tough, solid one).

Once setting point is reached, pour into the hot, sterilised jars and seal at once. Leave to cool, label and store in a cool, dark place. Use within a year.

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POLITICS In some areas of England, it was particularly important to plant an Elder tree outside your door.

It was said that the Elder tree keeps witches away.

Others say that you must be particularly careful whilst collecting your berries, as to not offend the Elder spirits, who it is said are the fiercest of all the tree spirits.

The easiest way to collect your elderberries is to remove them by the cluster and pop them into a bag ready for processing at a later date.

Image: Karen Geary

Elderberry Rob recipe Elderberry Rob is an old traditional recipe, used as a warming treatment for coughs and colds. Simply take 1 tablespoon daily during colds and flu season. It can be taken alone, drizzled on yogurt, or diluted with hot water to make a tea.

Homemade Elderberry Rob Image: Karen Geary

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

8 cups of elderberries 8 cups of water 2 large slices fresh ginger 3 cinnamon sticks 2 star anise 3 cloves 1 orange, sliced 500g sugar

Method • • • • • •

Strip the berries from the twigs using a fork Add berries, water, spices and orange to a pan Simmer 30-40 minutes Strain, squeezing out all juice, return to pan adding sugar Simmer for a further 20 minutes, reducing the liquid by 25% Cool, and pour into a sterilised bottle. You can also add a small amount of alcohol to act as a preservative.

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HEALTH

From couch potato to exercise hero - how to begin your new life

by Mel Mitchell Mel Mitchell is a personal trainer, group exercise instructor & sports massage therapist based in Sturminster Newton.

Starting down the exercise route can be daunting and intimidating particularly if you feel you are too unfit to even start, and are unsure how to take those first steps.

It is reassuring to know that regularly - just standing and even the most fit among us walking around are massively had to start from somewhere. beneficial. Not only is it helpful Sometimes it’s good to know the to move more, but it’s also easy steps you can take to help important not to lose the ability get you started. to perform everyday tasks.

Firstly, it is “...getting up and Squats and lunges important not down from sitting, are a couple of to overwhelm fundamental climbing stairs and exercises that yourself. Start off even bending down carry through slowly by adding just a bit more to pick things up all into our everyday movement into involve squatting movement your life. Time is a patterns. Getting and lunging” luxury that some of up and down from us just don’t have, sitting, climbing and it can be a struggle to find stairs and even bending down to the time for exercise. Try thinking pick things up from the floor all about where you can incorporate involve squatting and lunging. So more movement into your usual why not add in a few more? Try daily routine. For example, if going up and down your stairs you work in an office that has an while brushing your teeth, or do lift, think about taking the stairs a few squats while waiting for the instead. kettle to boil.

Fundamental Movements Desk jobs unfortunately mean that we spend long periods of time sitting down, encouraging a sedentary lifestyle. Try setting a computer reminder to make you get up from your desk more

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minutes for a short walk every day, and gradually build from there. Walking is a great starting point and will build an excellent foundation for other forms of exercise. Why not replace short car trips to the local shops with a stroll into town instead? Not only do you get your steps in but you get the added challenge of carrying your shopping back.

The key is to move more, but it is all about finding what fits into your daily routine.

Always happy to answer your questions - send them to me on melmitchellmassage@gmail.com

Walk it off Walking more is a great next step to getting more exercise with the added benefit of fresh air. This doesn’t mean you have to go out for mammoth hikes - start small, just going out for a few Always free - subscribe here

FAMILY LAW Expert help on common domestic legal issues from the team at Porter Dodson LLP. This month: why should you consider creating a Trust?

To have a Trust or just to trust, that is the question…

Making a Will can be a daunting process, but for many - especially those with blended families - it is an opportunity to provide peace of mind.

Forming a new relationship respective children in specified can provide a dilemma for shares? This is the simple option, those considering their legacy. but will there be a breakdown How do you provide for your in relationships? Do you trust current partner one another to “Will your and your children continue to provide from a previous partner make for your children? relationship? a new Will and Will your partner Wills are make a new Will disinherit your and disinherit your automatically children? Will children? Will your revoked by marriage. Without your partner re- partner re-marry a valid Will in will revoke marry which will which force, the rules of their Will anyway? intestacy dictate that revoke their Will Stepchildren do your current spouse not benefit under anyway?” or civil partner (CP) intestacy. Will your take your personal possessions partner have mental capacity to and the first £270,000 of your make a new Will? assets. Half the balance passes Having a Life Interest Trust in to your spouse/CP and the other your Will enables you to give half to your children in equal your partner a right to enjoy an shares. If you are not married, interest in your estate. This could there is no automatic provision be an interest in all your assets for your partner. which pass via your Will, or just some of them, such as your What you can do home. The Trust can come to Doing nothing is not the best an end when your partner dies solution. Do you both make Wills or if they remarry, or in other leaving all your assets to each stated circumstances. When the other initially and then to your Trust ends, your Will says what

happens to the assets held in trust. These can simply pass to your children, of course, but the precise arrangements can be fine-tuned to suit your individual circumstances.

We have the experience to advise and to consider inheritance tax implications, as these scenarios can be complex. Everyone’s situation is different, and though it’s not always an easy conversation to have it is so important to plan ahead.

For more information, please contact Lucy Horsington, Solicitor lucy.horsington@porterdodson. co.uk or 01935 811136

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Battens Solicitors

What are the benefits of leaving a gift to a charity in your Will?

The philanthropy of give to charity aside, are you aware of the tax benefits of leaving money to Charity in your Will? Private Client specialist Lesley Eveleigh explains: What are the benefits of leaving a gift to a charity in your Will?

Not only is a gift to charity free of inheritance tax (IHT), should you gift over 10% of your estate to charity and your estate is still subject to IHT, it will be charged at 36%, rather than the usual 40%.

What are the different types of legacy you can leave to a charity?

You can leave them a fixed sum of money, a particular asset, such as a shareholding or a house, or you can leave them a percentage of your estate.

Can you leave your entire estate to a charity? Can this be disputed?

In this country we have ‘testamentary freedom’, which means you are free to leave your estate to anyone you wish, including leaving everything to charity. However, potentially family members, anyone you have cohabited with over 2 years, and anyone who was financially dependent on you could make a claim against your estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependents) Act 1975. Whether they are successful or not will depend on the circumstances.

How is your donation passed onto your chosen charity after your death?

Your Executor will need to account to a charity for your gift once they have access to your funds and after various deadlines have passed. This is usually after they have obtained a Grant of Probate which can take some months. In any event, they should if possible account to the charity within one year of the date of death, otherwise ‘statutory interest’ is added to any fixed sum of money left to a charity (but not a share of your estate). This is known as the ‘Executors’ Year’.

How can a solicitor help you include a donation to a charity in your Will and ensure your wishes are carried out?

A solicitor can advise you on the best way to leave a gift to a charity. There are different implications for leaving either fixed sums of money, specific assets or a share of your estate and the procedures after your death and any costs associated with administering them, will be different. So it is important that you take professional advice. Your solicitor can also advise you on the IHT implications of leaving a gift to charity.

For further information please contact Lesley Eveleigh on 01935 846275 or email lesley.eveleigh@battens.co.uk

Specialist Legal Advice and Solutions for whatever life brings - at home or at work

Battens Solicitors can help you make your next move, for you and your family Providing services for individuals and businesses, our expert teams are here to help you every step of the way

Contact us today to see how we can help you enquiries@battens.co.uk 0800 652 8373 100

www.battens.co.uk Offices in Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Always Bathfree - subscribe here and London

BUSINESS NEWS

How to strike the right balance with Dorset Chamber’s CEO Ian Girling As we settle back in to life post-pandemic, one of the major issues for businesses owners is how teams will work in the future – at home, in the office or a mixture of the two.

I believe this is more than an operational decision, and a major one for any business that deserves careful consideration and an understanding of the implications. For many businessses this is not issue; staff need to be in the workplace due to the very nature of their role. But for many firms, we’ve learned over the last 18 months, many of us can work remotely.

But is this the future?

When home working was thrust upon us, we all adapted incredibly well. Video calls quickly became the norm and the words “you’re on mute” became the most common phrase in the English language.

So many of us enjoyed not having the drudgery of our daily commute on the bus, train or sat in traffic, and we all enjoyed a much more relaxed way of dressing for work. It’s also clear that home working can give us a much better work/home life balance within our busy lives.

I think many employers also learned it’s OK to trust our staff.

We all adapted well.

But there is a flip-side - whilst it works for some, that’s not the case for all. Some people found working at home incredibly isolating. For those fortunate to have our families around us, it

was easy. But to be living and seeing them sat around a table working completely alone for together sharing ideas and months must have been dreadful catching up in the kitchen. I and it’s clear that worry that for this has taken its toll “As an employer, colleagues on the mental health I missed hearing working at of many people. And home, it’s easy the laughter of my to withdraw for those who didn’t colleagues, seeing in to their suffer from isolation that important divide them sat around small part of between work and the business a table together home disappeared and lose that sharing ideas” and many found perspective they actually missed on the bigger this. picture for the company. It’s also easy to for staff at home to Perhaps hybrid is the answer rely on email and begin to lose Now we are returning to work, contact with their colleagues. many employers are being We need to understand that asked by their staff if they will our working arrangements will consider home working, or have an impact on the culture what we are now referring to of our businesses. This is the as a ‘hybrid’ model; a mix of issue business owners need to home and office working. This carefully consider. needs careful consideration I’ve always tried to do the best and I believe we need to look for my team and be a flexible, at the needs of the business family-friendly employer. But it’s as well as the employee. As become clear to me we missed a business, we managed well being in the office, we need to be during the pandemic. All of the together working as a team. We team worked incredibly hard need that energy, creativity and and adapted quickly. It’s clear camaraderie. many enjoyed home working but we also had many of the team Ian Girling extremely eager to return.

Chief Executive at Dorset Chamber, Dorset LEP Board Keeping the connection Member, GU6 Champion As an employer, I missed hearing the laughter of my colleagues,

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BUSINESS NEWS

by Laura Hitchcock

Motcombe couple launch a new festival that won’t cost the earth

A pioneering young couple have started plans for a revolutionary new festival ‘Artemis’, set to take place July 2022. Unlike most British festivals, Artemis will not centre around music, but Natural History, Conservation and Sustainability.

Spurred on by the 2021 IPCC report, Ben Hussey and Natalie Bourchier have approached every element of the Artemis festival with a serious level of climate consciousness: “We are designing the festival to minimise its environmental impact. The sale of all singleuse plastic will be banned, all stallholders and sponsors will be selected based on their ‘green’ credentials and we will Carbon offset ticket sales in order to help to reduce the impact of emissions.”

Ambitious plans The festival plans include engaging live talks, demonstrations and workshops by experts on a range of subjects; from conservation projects in South America to sustainable packaging solutions

developed in Central London.

In additon there will be a kids zone filled with activities and workshops as well as entertainment provided in the form of live music, art and dance. There will also be a space to explore state-of-the-art green technology such as kinetic pavements and ‘living’ buildings.

Natalie is a keen wildlife photographer and sustainable farming advocate. With a degree in Zoology and a YouTube series exploring the wildlife in North Dorset, Ben has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the environment.

The couple are currently looking for businesses and individuals who would be interested in supporting the event, either

through sponsorship, as a stallholder or even as an enthusiastic steward. If this sounds like you, please contact them via the Artemis Festival website.

Artemis Festival will take place near Shaftesbury, on the 23rd & 24th July 2022.

Information about the event can be found by visiting www.artemisfestival.co.uk

Rural Business invests in new defibrillator Rose Engineering, a Dorset based Engineering and Construction Company has invested in a new defibrillator as part of their commitment to the local community.

“With our rural office location we felt it was necessary to invest in the lifesaving equipment that will also be available to the local community.” Managing Director, Tom Rose said.

“The UK ambulance service attempts over 30,000 resuscitations each year; 72% of

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cardiac arrests occurring in the home and 15% in the workplace.

We hope the new defibrillator will give some peace of mind to our local area.

“The defibrillator is sited at their main offices in Bagber, Sturminster Newton. It can be used without training by anyone, with easy to follow instructions and voice commands. We hope it will never need to be used but we would like to let our local community know that it is there should they need it.”

Rose Engineering’s MD Tom Rose with the new defribrillator at Bagber.

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Supporting you and your business As a business owner, life is undoubtedly busy – with accounts to file, staff to manage and targets to meet. So it’s not surprising that keeping on top of your own personal finances can sometimes fall down your list of priorities.

We offer a local, friendly service backed by the strength and security of FTSE 100 company, St. James’s Place Wealth Management. We understand that business and personal finance management need to be considered hand-in-hand; our experience and support can help you successfully secure and enhance both.

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WALKER WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

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The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

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National Diversity Award for Dr Anjana Khatwa

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30/11/2019 10:32

Wessex Museums is thrilled to announce that its Engagement Lead, Dr Anjana Khatwa, was a winner in the prestigious National Diversity Awards 2020.

At an award ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral on Friday 17 September, Dr Khatwa was presented with the award for Positive Role Model in Race, Faith and Religion.

The awards celebrate the achievements of grass-root communities, including charities, role models and local heroes.

It’s an opportunity to showcase their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

Dr Khatwa is Vice Chair of the Dorset Race Equality Council, and has an international reputation as an expert on Earth Science and World Heritage education. She has published

numerous papers on glacial geology, developed award winning teaching resources and won the Royal Geographical Society Geographical Award for Excellence in educating the public about the Jurassic Coast. Dr Khatwa appeared on BBC Four’s ‘Beach Live’, as the show’s resident geologist expert, engaging audiences with her insight and knowledge about geology and fossils.

Wessex Museums Wessex Museums is the partnership of Dorset, Poole, Salisbury and Wiltshire Museums. Kristina Broughton, Wessex Museums Partnership

Manager, said: “We are hugely proud of Anjana’s achievement, in recognition of her contribution to underserved communities and to the heritage sector. We offer our warmest congratulations, it is so very well deserved.”

Dr Khatwa is one of the leading voices in the cultural and natural heritage sector, advocating and championing for change for underserved audiences. She has fought personal and professional adversity in her life to become a strong voice and leader in the sector.

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BUSINESS NEWS

by Laura Hitchcock

Lisa Takes the Honours at Society of Master Saddlers’ National Competition

Master Saddler Lisa Hoskins from Kington Magna won the prestigious Open Bridle class for a Bridle suitable for Cross-Country riding.

“To win at the National Saddlery Competition is always a great achievement, something to be proud of after all the work and effort” said Lisa “I love making bridles, especially ones with ‘bling’ browbands!”

Hard work and high standards The Award recognises those who uphold the highest standards of leathercraft skills. Lisa has won the Open Bridle Class of the National Saddlery Competition three times, and has also won The Alf Batchelor Award for Best Piece of Bridlework.

Recently, she has judged at the competition too.

Not just saddles.

As a Master Saddler and Qualified Saddle Fitter, Lisa’s work varies hugely from making a dog collar to fitting and flocking saddles and putting zips in boots. Lisa enjoys her trade, but confesses that saddle fitting is among her favourites. “It gets me out of the workshop, and I get to meet some lovely people and horses; many clients have become good friends.” www.bespokesaddlery.co.uk

Sherborne’s Independent businesses join in with Fiver Fest

Thousands of independent businesses are coming together this October to highlight their contribution to the Great British high Street To show the importance of supporting our high streets, Sherborne is joining with other independent High Streets across the UK to put on very special £5 offers across two weeks in October, in the ‘Totally Locally Fiver Fest 2021’.

Just Five Pounds For Fiver Fest, Totally Locally is partnering with Visa, and together, they are calling on shoppers to divert just £5 of their weekly spend to support the small businesses in their communities.

Jane Wood of Sherborne Chamber of Commerce said

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“If every adult in Sherborne spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £1.9m per year going directly into our local economy. That leads to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy & a nicer place to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?!”

We’re shopping more locally YouGov research has shown that 59% of shoppers have used more local shops to support them during lockdown.

And they want to keep on supporting them; Fiver Fest makes that even easier.

During Fiver Fest, every participating business creates a £5 deal to support the ‘just £5’ message. Offers can be imaginative and varied; from £5 massages, to a £5 locally sourced meat packs, £5 bestselling book offers to £5 lunch deals, £5 walking tours and even £5 vintage bus seats!

Many businesses find it to be their busiest time outside of Christmas.

Sherborne is joining with the National Fiver Fest 9th – 23rd October. Any independent Sherborne business wishing to participate, please contact Jane Wood on 07917 754757.

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WHAT’S ON

Sturminster Newton The Rod Stewart Experience

The original and premier tribute to Rod Steward and the Faces.

Friday 5th November, 7:30pm Adult/ Concession £18

Jenny Eclair: Sixty! (FFS!)

Comedian Jenny Eclair confronts a new decade of decrepitude!

Saturday 6th November, 7.30pm Adult/ Concession £20

The Carpenters: Voice of the Heart A celebration of the music of The Carpenters.

Saturday 13th November, 7:30pm Adult £20, Concession £19

Living Spit’s Frankenstein The duo return with original music, preposterous puppets and grotesque gags!

Thursday 18th & Friday 19th November, 7:30pm Adult £15, U18 £13

Lollypops and Moptops

A must see show for all 50s and 60s music fans!

Saturday 20th November, 7.30pm Adult/ Concession £20

Box Office: 01258 475137 www.stur-exchange.co.uk 105

Sturminster Newton is a pretty market town and the unoffocal ‘capital’ of the Blackmore Vale. Its picturesque 1,000 year old mill on the River Stour is seen by all those passing the narrow arched bridge into the town. Once home to Thomas Hardy and Dorset dialect poet William Barnes, Sturminster Newton is a small town with a big community.

Community Shops in Stur We don’t do justice to charity shops when we refer to them as ‘pre-loved - these shops always do so much for the wider community, and Sturminster Newton’s town-owned shops are no different.

‘The Boutique’ in Market Cross is the renamed former ‘Community Chest’ and contains a hoard of pre-loved ladies and children’s clothes and accessories.

Renamed, but the same lovely quality clothes at fair prices.

The Emporium in the Market Place recently celebrated its first anniversary as a treasure trove of household items looking for new homes; china, glass, ‘collectables’, kitchenware, children’s toys, books, music and much more. A new addition is the Gentleman’s Clothes

The book corner in The Emporium is a popular spot for a browse with its attractive ‘Four for a Pound’ bargain offer. image: Tim Robins

Boutique with its own changing room. The money raised from both The Emporium and The Boutique is used for the benefit of the town – you will soon see a defibrillator appearing on the outside of the building as their latest project.

The house of repurposing.

The Emporium is a place for rehoming but it is also an ecohub of recycling. The plea from Shop Manager Cheryl Basten is “we want good quality goods

The Boutique is Sturminster Newton’s community shop for ladies and children’s pre-loved clothing. image: Tim Robins

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to sell but our motto is that ‘nothing goes to waste’ if we can possible avoid it. Please do remember us when you are having a clear out.”

If clothes and goods are not of good enough quality to sell in the two shops they are not sent to landfull but sold on for recycling.

The Emporium also collects: • milk bottle tops which go to a cancer charity • stamps which go to the RNIB • batteries for recycling • bras which go to women in the developing world • glasses - handed on to a local opticians, again for a second life in developing countries • printer ink cartridges for recycling • buttons which are put on cards for sale • old woollies - these are made into gloves • broken costume jewellery used to decorate handbags.

The Emporium also houses a community fridge with free food for anyone who wants to help themselves. Cheryl says “we take surplus food from The Pantry or food shops, including produce from local gardeners and most recently free-range eggs. Please don’t be shy, come and help yourself and fight food waste”.

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STURMINSTER NEWTON

Job Fair in Sturminster Newton

Local businesses and voluntary bodies report that they are struggling to find workers and SturBiz (Sturminster Newton Chamber of Commerce) has responded by setting up a Job Fair to bring them together.

Stur is holding a Job Fair on Thursday 21st October at The Exchange, 10 am – 2pm, offering opportunities to job-seekers and volunteers.

If you are considering selfemployment or have a new business idea, then this event is for you. If you’re looking to gain new skills and training, you’ll be able to talk to someone about this. Maybe you have time to spare for voluntary work, or want to expand your CV with additional skills – come and see what is on offer.

This event provides access to a wide variety of businesses and organisations offering: • employment • volunteer roles to aid job or career enhancement, or social use of spare time • career opportunities and advice • training As an employer or volunteer organisation this event provides the following opportunities: • speak face to face with jobseekers / potential volunteers • engage in mini interviews on the day • great networking opportunities • business support, including start up • access to training information and grants • meet potential employees / volunteers and raise awareness of your company or organisation Who should attend?

Within a week of the announcement this free event had already secured 16 exhibitors with many more to follow. It will be a ‘one stop shop’

where job seekers and career changers can meet employers face to face who are offering job opportunities within a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, hospitality, service, retailing, engineering, administration, transport and IT. To find out more and to book a place use this link - Job Fair Sturminster Newton What is Sturbiz?

SturBiz is the Chamber of Commerce for Sturminster Newton and surrounding area and has been working hard to keep Stur thriving through Covid.

SturBiz is the organisation behind a number of events and activities held this year, including the Sturminster Newton Art Week, Scarecrow Festival and Sturminster Summer Fete.

SturBiz employs Jacqui Wragg as its Coordinator, working from an office above The Emporium.

Jacqui’s proud of her office

“it’s affectionally named the ‘Ideas Factory’, we respond through local intelligence to community and business needs to make Stur a good place to live, work and play – it’s the town which always smiles”.

A Celebration of Poetry Don’t miss the fantastic ‘Stur’s Celebration of Poetry’ event which supports National Poetry Day. Renowned local and national authors will be giving readings.

Venue: The Exchange Date: Thurs Oct 7 Time: 7pm

For further information see the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival facebook page.

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WHAT’S ON

Enjoy an early Christmas Market Fontmell Magna are offering an opportunity to get a head start on your Christmas Shopping!

Fontmell Magna Village Hall, Saturday 16th October, 11am to 3pm.

It may be early, but it pays to be prepared; and the free Early Christmas Market is an excellent opportunity to start your festive preparations in good time.

What will the stalls sell?

The range of goods is astonishing - you may need to take a breath here: local cured produce from the Real Cure, Dempsey’s gin, handmade soaps and beauty products, pictures, framed die cast models and art, knitted and sewn items, pottery, handmade ceramics, felted creations, candles, up-cycled lamps, hand painted silk scarves,

textured art, sheepskin and leather goods, throws and rugs, dorseteco’s bamboo and coconut household items, weaver green bags and blankets, children’s homeware and clothing, dog treats, toys and accessories.

The renowned Truckle Truck, North Dorset’s local travelling cheesemonger, will be present selling cheese and gifts.

Plus there will be a range of Christmas decorations and cards. There will of course be the usual homemade cakes, jams and chutneys on sale.

Not forgetting the Grand Hamper Raffle - tickets available on the day or from

Fontmell Magna Village Shop.

All proceeds go towards the upkeep of the Fontmell Magna Village Hall Playground, Friendship Garden and Recreation Area For further information please email: Secretary.fmvh@mail. com or find us on Facebook or Instagram.

An award winning new film about farming and the environment.

Mostly filmed in Dorset.

With a brief talk and discussion with the Director Robert Golden

Thursday October 7th Film starts 7.30 pm The Methodist Hall, Gillingham Refreshments A free performance sponsored by GANG

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WHAT’S ON

Yeovil Stroke Club

Community transport offers pick ups in Yeovil - people from all areas are very welcome to join, but currently the group cannot provide for transport outside Yeovil. A lunchtime meal is provided, and once a month a trip is organised, sometimes a meal out or speakers are invited.

Volunteers are much-needed - even if you just have some time to spend simply talking to members it would be a tremendous help. To find out more about becoming a member or a volunteer, please contact Jeni Wright (chairman) on 01258 82138.

Discover the u3a

There are 24 special interest groups who regularly meet, enjoying a range of activities from wine appreciation to Mahjong. Members draw upon their knowledge and experience to share and learn from each other - just for pleasure. Most groups meet once or twice a month.

Once a month there is an open invitation for a general meetings - non-members are very welcome. These are usually on the 3rd Thursday of the month, at which invited guests speak on a wide range of topics.

All meetings start at 3.15pm and are in the Bow Room of The Exchange in Sturminster Newton.

The Yeovil Stroke Club is a support group for all with epilepsy who have had a stroke.

The group is run by a team of volunteers to give carers some valuable free time, safe in the knowledge that someone is taking care for a few hours.

Across the UK, u3a members are discovering new things, staying active and having fun in later life. It’s local, social, friendly, low-cost and open to all!

“Make the most of life once you’re no longer in full time work by exploring new ideas, skills and interests with Sturminster Newton u3a!”

What happens at the u3a?

Founded in 2008, Sturminster Newton u3a always welcomes new people to its active membership of about 200.

‘Tales of a Roving Reporter

The next meeting is October 21st, when speaker Alan Jones will share takes from his ‘twenty years of weird, wonderful and downright crazy stories, from nudists to royalty, dangerous animals and nervous Bishops’. Everyone is welcome, why not give it a try?

Lawrence: After Arabia, the eagerly anticipated new film Shot in Dorset, the new film features Olivier and Golden Globe winning Brian Cox, stars local actor Tom Barber Duffy in the title role, with a largely local cast and crew.

The film has won a swathe of awards at a slew of festivals including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Soundtrack, Special Jury Award and Audience Award.

It is the story of the last year of the life of T.E. Lawrence Lawrence of Arabia - a scholar, writer, soldier and reluctant hero. Retiring to his cottage in Dorset he hopes to escape his past but is pulled into political intrigue. He has many powerful friends but has made dangerous enemies. As they plot against him he dies in a tragic motorcycle crash. Was his untimely death an accident?

Or was it an assassination and cover-up by the British Secret Service? Lawrence died a few hundred yards from his cottage

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on a road he knew well after careering into the back of two boys on bicycles - after being passed in the opposite direction by a black car which was never traced. The film premieres at Poole Lighthouse on the

9th of October. It will have local screenings in Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Moreton and Sturminster Newton - please see the website here for details of dates, times and tickets: www.lawrencethemovie.com Always free - subscribe here

WIN - Four tickets to the Halloween Fireworks at Minterne House Yes, thanks to the lovely team at Minterne House we have have four tickets to give away to one lucky winner for the Halloween Firework Spectacular!

Please note these tickets are non transferrable – so before you enter, make sure you’re available on the 29th October and can get to Minterne House. Gates open at 6pm, and the fireworks are at 7.30pm.

To be in with a chance to win just click the image on the right to go to the website.

The closing date for this competition is 22nd October 2021 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The prizes will go to the first randomly chosen entry. Good luck!

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WHAT’S ON

Tumble outta’ bed and stumble to The Bristol Hippodrome to see Dolly Parton’s smash hit musical!

Tue 12 - Sat 16 Oct Bristol Hippodrome Starring Louise Redknapp and fresh from five star reviews in London’s West End, 9 to 5 the Musical tells the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

Why go and see it?

Dolly Parton’s smash-hit musical is the most fun you’ll have in the theatre all year. Coming to you direct from London’s West End, expect a rip-roaring score by the Queen of Country herself! With an Oscar, Grammy and Tony

award-nominated score by Dolly Parton herself, this hilarious new production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business.

Join the Walk for Wards When everyone was at home in lockdown, NHS staff at Yeovil Hospital were going to work every day, knowing that they would be in contact with the virus and putting themselves at risk. Many of them moved out of their family homes and lived alone for weeks on end to keep their loved ones safe.

A way to say thanks The hospital, its staff and its patients are supported by Yeovil Hospital Charity and as a way to officially thank all of those hard-working front line staff, the charity has organised a sponsored walk around the picturesque grounds of Leweston School, Sherborne.

James Kirton, Head of Fundraising at the charity, is hoping people will raise as much as they can in sponsorship.

“The pandemic continues and there are still huge challenges at the hospital, but now seems like a great time to hold a safe outdoor event and for people to give something back to the NHS. People can sign up online at www.yeovilhospital. co.uk/walk-for-wards or just call us on 01935 383020 and we will sign them up. We have a 5km route and an accessible 2.5km route so there is something for everyone!”

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WALK FOR WARDS

Leweston School Sherborne

£10 Adults | £5 child | Under 5's free Price includes free Burger or Hotdog

TAKE PART IN A 5KM OR 2.5KM SPONSORED WALK THROUGH THE GROUNDS OF LEWESTON SCHOOL AND RAISE MONEY FOR YEOVIL HOSPITAL CHARITY

Saturday 23rd October Start: 10am - 10:45am

Register online or scan the QR code: https://yeovilhospital.co.uk/walkfor-wards/

Enquiries: 01935 383020

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LEGAL NOTICES

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Pre-paid funeral plans

If you want everyone dancing, a glitter ball on your casket and a camper van hearse, have it.

It’sPROPERTY yourSPECIAL funeral.

Our pre-paid, inflation-proof funeral plans guarantee the way you want to be remembered and protect your loved ones from unnecessary burden and costs.

Drop in to see us today, visit us at funeralcare.co.uk or call us on 0800 243 380 Funeral homes in: Frome l Gillingham l Shaftesbury l Sturminster Newton l Warminster

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our pre-paid funeral plans*

Enter BLACKMOREVALE21 at: funeralcare.co.uk/funeralplans or take this coupon along to your local funeralcare home. *Terms & Conditions: The voucher may only be redeemed against eligible Southern Co-op funeral plans costing £3,000 or more and will be deducted off the cost at time of sale. The voucher has no cash value and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount, offer or promotion. For full terms and conditions visit: funeralcare.co.uk/ funeralplanterms, request a copy from any Southern Co-op funeralcare home or by calling 0800 008 6878. This voucher is valid until 31/12/2021.

DEATHS

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Join our team and make a difference in your community every day!

A career with Apex Prime Care is much more than just a job.

Our home care assistants connect the community and support our clients in the comfort of their homes.

Visit www.apexprimecare.org/careers to apply Apply online or call our Recruitment Team today!

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Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or letting, we help you open the next chapter of your life.

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Swallowcliffe, Salisbury Guide price £1,300,000

Sutton Veny, Warminster Guide price £1,350,000

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Hanging Langford, Salisbury Guide price £695,000 UNDER OFFER

THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 BEST VILLAGES IN THE UK.

It’s your last chance to purchase your dream home at Upbury Grange in the beautiful Dorset village of Yetminster. Reserve home 34 The Gable or home 44 The Upbury before 17 October 2021 and spend Christmas in your new Burrington Estates home, plus receive £3,000 in John Lewis vouchers to spend when you move in.

A stunning collection of new homes by award-winning developer Burrington Estates nestled in the tranquil Dorset countryside.

For further information or to book an appointment, please contact our Customer Experience Executive, Jill on 01935 345020, email upbury.grange@burringtonestates.com.

Marketing Suite open Thur-Sun 10am-5pm call

01935 345020

to book an appointment.

NEW SHOW HOME OPEN WEEKEND

9TH-10TH OCTOBER

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The Gable home 34 The Gable provides spacious living for all the family to enjoy.

• High-quality kitchen with integrated appliances, quartz worktops and a breakfast bar.

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• Bi-fold doors onto rear turfed garden and patio.

• 3 generous double bedrooms and one single bedroom/home office.

• Luxury family bathroom and en-suite.

• Separate garage and two parking spaces.

£520,000

1,626 SQ FT

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The Upbury homes 40, 44

FROM £550,000

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This open-plan, five bedroom home spread over 2.5 storeys, makes the most of contemporary living.

• High-quality kitchen with integrated appliances, quartz worktops and a breakfast bar.

• Utility room with outside access.

• Good-size study for home working.

• Bi-fold doors onto rear turfed garden and patio.

• Second floor king-size master bedroom with en-suite.

• Dressing area with fitted wardrobes.

• Separate double garage and two parking spaces.

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The Greystone home 42

£595,000

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Grand double fronted, three storey home offering everything you could want.

• High-quality kitchen with integrated appliances, quartz worktops and a breakfast bar.

• Good-size utility with rear access.

• Study space on the ground floor.

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• Separate double garage and two parking spaces.

www.burringtonestates.com

*For completion in time for Christmas 2021, and to be eligible for the £3,000 voucher offer, reservation required by 17th October 2021 and exchange within 6 weeks of reservation is required. Please note: Images may differ in accordance to the specific plot, illustrative purposes only.

lodestoneproperty.co.uk

Drop into r Property Pop-Up at The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury Wednesday 6 October, 10.00am – 12.00pm Lodestone Property in Shaftesbury have teamed up with local professionals to offer a unique Property Pop-Up. Join us for a cup of coffee at The Grosvenor Arms, where Lodestone will offer advice on buying, selling or renting a property in the area.

We are joined by a select group of property professionals, offering free advice on: Property Sales & Lettings Conveyancing Planning Architecture

Garden Landscaping Interior Design Banking Education

Wherever you are on your property journey, we are happy to advise.

Come and see why we are different – coffee is on us!

bruton@lodestoneproperty.co.uk 01749 605099

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£595,000 Crown Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1LN 3 bedroom property for sale

£499,950 Sackmore Lane, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1PN 5 bedroom house for sale

£650,000 Sixpenny Handley SP5 5RP 4 bedroom house for sale

£595,000 Wimborne Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 9HL 4 bedroom house for sale 127

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Sunset on Okeford Hill Image: Laura Hitchcock

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