The Blackmore Vale, Oct 20

Blackmore

Vale

A Vale as old as time... and a new local magazine that's a modern take on a timeless classic October '20

ISSN 2634-8810

The

cover image: White Park cattle taken on the Ox Drove where it meets Ferne Hollow | Courtenay Hitchcock

Letters Dealing with the C word Lockdown Secrets Looking Back with Roger Guttridge Meet Your Local - The Ship Inn Inn Extreme Times Education Thought for the Month Then & Now | Roger Guttridge Young Journalist Award | Alice Plunkett Voice of the Blue Light

Letter From The Editor Well, hello! After Fanny's beautiful introduction (and virtual passing on of her baton) last month, it felt right to simply wave and let you move on. But this month there's time and space to introduce ourselves!

I'm Laura, Courtenay's sitting over there *points behind me*), and the kids are all about somewhere. We've four of them. We know, you don't need to say a word. Three of them teenagers, one thankfully out the other side and just into his 20's (phew).

Though originally from Essex, we moved to Sturminster Newton at the start of the 90s - and we've been here ever since.

Tales from the Vale | Andy Palmer View from Westminster | Simon Hoare MP

Business News

Our home, our businesses, our friends - all are right here, in this special area we love so much.

Announcements Food & Drink Recipe - No Tricks All Treats Cake Sadie Suggests Wine Column Open Studio with Jane Shaw Open Studio with Polly Cazalet A Vet's Voice

That's all of us - back in the days when we were allowed to take family pictures, and we all used to be out doing stuff actually with each other.

Rescue Animals Wild Corner | Brigit Strawbridge Take a Hike Young Farmers In The Garden Health Beauty Classifieds Fine Times | Fanny Charles What's On Situations Vacant Auction News Sport Puzzle Property

Courtenay's a wedding photographer (2020 has not been kind to the wedding industry) and locals will know him as Chair of the Trustees of Sturfit.

I've been running an award-winning website for parents of teens for the last fifteen years. Oh, and we home educate the not-very-smalls too.

And that's us. A two-man team doing everything (and yes, I do mean everything. Except for when I can bribe a teenager to make the coffee). This is genuinely an exciting labour of love for us - when you ring, it'll be us that answer. No team, no accounts, sales or backers. Just us.

We love this place we live in, and we hope we're sharing the very best it has to offer with you. Keep sending us your news, write to us with your views, share with us your pictures - and always come say hello on Facebook or Twitter. We're usually about for a chat. We'll bring the biscuits.

Letters to the Editor While it is great to have [a new version of] the BVM back I found the opening part of the article by Mr Palmer not to follow the ethos of the original BVM which was very nonpartisan with regards to politics. Please leave the political bias to the BBC and the national media and stay with local matters. I do not necessarily support what the government has been doing but they are getting enough “kicking” without the BVM adding to it.

Looking forward to the next issue. Phil O. I believe editor Lauren is mortified* after thanking ‘the lovely Reg Guttridge’ in her inaugural letter to subscribers, and twice compounding the error on the contents page. I have warned her that ‘the lovely Reg’ has an ugly side when crossed. On the plus side, my father (whom many mature Stur readers will remember as Tom) will be chuckling on his cloud in heaven’s equivalent of Hanover Close, as he was known on his side of the family as Reg (his second

Have you seen the most beautiful autumnal floral window display in Sturminster’s Daisy Delbridge, the little female-run flower shop?

Theheart-warming artistic creation is the work of shop owner, Esme, and her colleagues Jenny and Rae. In these dark times it's a small thing to be cheered up with Esme’s creative displays.

Andrew P.

Hooray for you! Delighted to see your first issue I'd like to raise the plight of all of us who are struggling along the A350 between Shaftesbury and Blandford, ask for photos of the lorries that use it, record the numbers that pound along it...but above all, just press, with all your might and main to get the improvements made.

One vast pantechnicon after name) to distinguish him from another, and their size is so great his father, another Tom. As will that the road is marked with black the legendary boxing rubber as they swerve round the commentator Reg Gutteridge, tight bends, and all of us in cars, or on bikes, are pressed into with whom I’ve often been hedges to avoid them. confused despite the slight The New A350 has been promised difference in spelling. for decades: now that Happily, Laura managed to government money - our taxes correctly spell the names of have poured into local my longstanding colleagues government coffers, there is every Franny Charles, Gay River-Weir reason to begin serious work on and Andrew Dipthroat. Or this, which is the route from something like that. What’s a Poole to the A303 name between friends, Best wishes, and in hope, anyway?

J&L Buckland

The less-than-lovely Roger Guttridge * you have no IDEA how much apologetic grovelling went on... Ed.

Readers picture: Taken on 25 September 2020 in a field near Stourton Caundle.

Wild flowers planted on arable field margins, it was a joy to come across.

Jo Williams, Stourton Caundle.

Keen Photographer? Seen something noteworthy? Send your photos for next month to editor@theblackmorevale.co.uk

THE BLACKMORE VALE

Dealing with the C word

by Andy Palmer

You may find this shocking, but please read it. June, well known locally for her pink hair and big smile, explains how to cope when your worst fears are founded.

My name is June, and I’m a 55 year old mother of four living in Sturminster Newton.

I make and sell jewellery online and at local craft events.

I’m known for my pink hair.

the sobbing of a

And I have breast cancer.

Yes. The C word.

Pagyn and June on race day

That’s a shocker. You probably weren’t expecting it.

"Me neither, because it always happens to other people, right?"

That’s exactly what I thought too when I was doing a breast check in the shower late one evening. I thought I felt a lump but I was tired so decided to check it another time. The day after I couldn’t find a lump at all, so put it to the back of my mind.

Four weeks or so later I just happened to catch sight of myself naked in my dressing table mirror and to my surprise, there it was. I could see the shape of the lump under the surface of my breast. Lots of prodding and poking of it ensued and yes, it was definitely a lump.

You never think it will be you.

At this point I wasn’t worried.

Even with a family history of my paternal aunt and gran having had breast cancer, I never considered that I would also develop it. Despite clearly being naive I made the right call at this point, and called the GP surgery.

I was told to come in that morning, where they reassured me that it didn’t look like anything awful but they would refer me to the breast clinic urgently just to be sure. So yeah, in my mind it was just going to be a cyst.

"That was how I found myself in the waiting room at the breast clinic in the Dorset County Hospital a couple of weeks later, listening quietly to

the sobbing of a woman in one of the nearby consulting rooms. " She’d clearly had bad news, and she’d received it alone due to COVID-19 restrictions. That was sobering for sure, but it still wasn’t something that was going to happen to me. I would have a cyst drained and be on my way.

Praise to the NHS. At this point let me say how impressive the breast clinic is in Dorchester.

It’s a one-stop clinic where your appointment might well take a few hours but you will see your consultant, have an ultrasound scan, mammogram and a biopsy if necessary. I had all this and was given another appointment for a second biopsy on the other

breast, the one with no visible lump.

I wasn’t expecting that!

I also didn’t expect my consultant to ask me at the end if I wanted her to be truthful with me.

Of course I said, ‘yes’, and it was then that she told me it did look like cancer in my right breast, and there could be something going on in the left one too.

the right breast, and high grade 18mm ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, pre-cancer) in the left.

I was so pleased with that, with all thoughts of cysts finally gone it seemed like one of the better outcomes. Only pre cancer in one, and only grade 2 that didn’t look like it had travelled to the lymph nodes in the other.

"It does seem ironic.

This year, 2020, the year I took control of my health...and then got cancer!"

So bearing all that in mind I decided to do something positive and run the Race for Life this I was smiling and relieved when I year. It being 2020, all told my husband in the car park, participants must run alone or Surprisingly I accepted this news only to see his face crumple with with their households. We completed the 5k easily, with a calmly, and told her I’d like the worry. He’d still really thought combination of jogging and pair of them lopped off as soon they would be wrong and it as possible, please. No would be nothing to worry about. walking, and so far between us we’ve raised over £1,300. Not bad lumpectomies or reconstruction, as I was so over them and wanted I’d worked hard to get bearing in mind we only decided to enter it a week before it them gone! fit. happened, and it’s great to have done something positive.

"I didn’t cry until I I’d used lockdown and the reached my husband subsequent months to get fit through exercise and diet, so am The positivity of in the car park and in the best shape I’ve been in for laughter. had to tell him the decades. My daughter Pagyn and news, and then again I used the Couch to 5k app, Laughter has kept me sane, walking, some static cycling, and I sometimes quite dark humour, when I got home and also did some gardening to too, as is our family preference. told my adult achieve over a two stone loss.

It’s really helped to keep me We’re both also back at Slimming positive throughout this offspring."

World, and after a very halfexperience. Pondering whether hearted attempt at it a few years you’re still eligible to be You may not want to read this next bit. It’s technical. This is what back we’re now taking it Slimmer Of The Week if you’ve seriously. I’ve put my Type 2 I was told: just had a double mastectomy, My second biopsy was done, and diabetes into remission, and my for instance, or whether that’s asthma is all but gone. my test results were in. A 28mm classed as cheating! grade 2 invasive breast cancer in cont.

June and Pagyn on race day

How to check your breasts Macmillan Cancer Support

How to check your Testicles

I’m in no pain, I feel better than I have for years; until I have my operation*, my life is pretty normal.

I’ve opened up with you. If you take anything from my experience let it be this. It could happen to you, so keep checking yourself on a regular basis. Be pro-active, and know your body so you can get changes checkedout. Don’t be too scared to get something suspicious looked at.

The earlier cancer is caught, the better chance of recovery you have.

Ladies, check your boobs, men, check your balls. And follow everything up that doesn’t seem right.

"I don’t feel I can only be feminine with breasts. Cancer is a "I only cry if someone scary thing and is sympathetic to me should be treated face to face. What is with a healthy that all about? You’re respect and fear, but being nice to me, so I you can’t live like must cry!" that on a day to day basis. You have to Overall though, I’m positive about the whole experience. I chose the keep getting up, double mastectomy. I am planning making dinner, a magnificent tattoo to cover the And keep smiling and exercising, living scar on my soon-to-be totally flat chest. laughing throughout. your life with your Reconstruction doesn’t appeal; I will family and friends, embrace and own being flat - or I may just pop a couple of falsies in a enjoying yourself!" bra.

*Ed note - June had her double mastectomy on October 7th. With her astonishingly perpetual bravery, she's given me permission to share her first Facebook update with you all just as we go to press:

So this is where I’m at today, 1 day post double mastectomy surgery. I slept really well propped up in my big nest of pillows, but I’m sure the Oramorph helped with that. I’m fatigued, and definitely feel like a large motorbike ran over my chest, but it’s not as bad as I imagined it would be. It’s manageable.

I’ve had just over 5lb of breast tissue and skin removed, but I’m the same weight I was prior to surgery because of fluid build up I guess. Yes, I did ask my surgeon to let me know how much they weighed!

I’m going to try and go for a short walk today, I need to move around to avoid DVT. And the weirdest thing about this? The sloshing under my skin when I move around, the fluid build up sounds like the water in a hot water bottle! #doublemastectomy #breastcancer

NEWS

Yeovil Breast Cancer Unit needs your old jewellery For patients who think they may have breast cancer and for those who have had a breast cancer diagnosis, a visit to hospital can be a daunting experience. Not helped by having to find multiple locations at Yeovil Hospital for different aspects of their appointment.

The Charity want these patients to receive their care in a unit that is built with their privacy and dignity in mind.

The new unit will bring all of the relevant services together.

Patients can have their clinical examination, an ultrasound scan, a mammogram, a biopsy, a prosthesis fitting and an appointment with a specialist nurse, all in one place. There will also be space for difficult conversations, a dedicated waiting area away from the rest of

the hospital and a meeting room for support groups and wellbeing activities.

They have already secured over £1.5m, but like many charities, their 2020 fundraising events have had to be postponed or cancelled, making reaching their target a challenge.

With that in mind, the Yeovil Hospital Charity are asking people if they might like look in their jewellery boxes for any unwanted or broken jewellery and watches, which they may like to donate.

If you would like to support the appeal through donating any unwanted or broken jewellery, please contact Maggie Hague, Breast Cancer Appeal Volunteer, on 01963 250108.

Dorset Council need your opinion as a parent.

The Council is asking all parents and carers to have their say, and to help shape future childcare provision.

What would you like to see more of? Do you get what you need when you need it? Are services and activities close enough? This is your chance to tell the Council.

You can have your say by filling out an anonymous short survey which will only take five minutes to complete.

There is also a chance to win one of two £25 Amazon vouchers as you will be entered into a prize draw (contact details will only be used for this purpose).

The Council want to hear from parents and carers of children aged 0 to 14 (18 if they have SEND) that currently use childcare – whether that’s from a childcare provider, after school or holiday club, or even just a friend or relative. Your answers will help to shape the development of childcare in the area - the aim is to make it more flexible, sustainable and in tune with the specific needs of our community.

The Council are particularly

interested to hear the views from parents/carers of children with additional needs, including special educational needs or disability.

They also want to hear from parents unable to find suitable childcare.

The survey closes on 11 October 2020.

Parents can complete the survey online here

NEWS

What happens if you're 11, and still like Fireman Sam?

You get teased, that's what. And then the real fire service find out...

At the start of lockdown Cara Hennis from Gillingham turned to Facebook for help. Her 11yr old daughter Kittanna is a huge Fireman Sam fan - but she was being teased, and made to feel that it was just for babies.

Kittanna with the Tisbury Fire Crew image: Courtenay Hitchcock

questions.

an exact replica of the fire crews' helmet - in pink! - in Kittanna's Then on a windy, rain swept size, and Bristol Uniforms made Gillingham High Street last her a uniform identical to that Saturday, Tisbury Fire Crew made which they supply the fire crews. all Kittanna's dreams come true.

Kittanna's million-watt smile Her face lit up as the fire engine absolutely lit up the gloomy flashed its blue lights at her on Saturday Cara hoped that a real Firefighter its approach - and the entire might send a message to brighten crew presented Kittanna with a Mum Cara commented "I have Kittanna's day. Several crews got bundle of Fireman Sam goodies been blown away at just how in touch with messages, including kindly donated by Mattel, and much they have done to help those in Gillingham and Tisbury. also a personalised firefighters Kittanna feel empowered by her Tisbury Fire Station then uniform. love for Fireman Sam, and arranged a video call for Kittanna But this was no child's dressing encouraged her ambition to one to enjoy a virtual tour of their fire up outfit: the Fire Service had day join the Fire Crew." truck, answering all of her talked to MSA Safety who created

Kittanna in her fire gear image: Courtenay Hitchcock

NEWS

Frank, 100, enjoys ‘party of the century’ Unbeknown to Frank Reed, several months of planning took place to co-ordinate his centenary celebrations at Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton.

After a breakfast checking through dozens of cards and video greetings, staff sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him en masse in the garden, before six members of a luncheon club Frank attends in Marnhull, serenaded him from just outside the front door.

While Frank was on a Skype call with his granddaughter Bethany in Australia, four other family members were secretly ushered into the rear of Newstone House and kitted out in full PPE. Frank was greeted by the sight of his son Clive, daughter Helen, and their partners, preparing to raise a toast to him.

The family enjoyed a two-hour-

Dorset Tea are Naturally Naked!

The Dorset brand have switched to fully sustainable packaging from removing the gold lettering on the outer packaging so that it is 100% recyclable to the sift proof packaging which no longer requires inner foil bags. It's more than just the box too - they have introduced biodegradable teabags using plant-based, heat sealable paper that can be industrially composted.

Frank Reed on his hundredth birthday.

long party with bubbly, stout and cake as Londoner Frank opened cards from the Queen and Fulham FC, where he saw his first match aged eight in 1928 and who he has supported ever since.

Frank, who has lived at Newstone House for more than three years, was a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Signals during WWII. He served in both North Africa and Italy and was twice mentioned in dispatches for bravery.

In civilian life, he was a manager at the Gas Light and Coke Company (later becoming North Thames Gas). He played a major part in the migration of large swathes of London to North Sea

gas in the late 1960s and 70s.

After his retirement in 1980, he and his late wife Joan moved to Marnhull where they nurtured their love of gardening and Frank spent time watching cricket matches and continuing to follow football.

“We are extremely proud of him reaching 100 years old,” said Clive.

“He has always been there for us, a constant in our lives.”

Clive added: “We can’t thank the staff enough for all the hard work they put in to make the day such a celebration, especially when you think of all the current restrictions they face. They were absolutely brilliant.”

Your Lockdown Survival Secrets I’m sure we’re all watching the news with all fingers and toes crossed that we’re not looking down the barrel of another major lockdown at some point in the coming months.

But no matter what happens nationally, I think we can all acknowledge that it’s not going to be a sociable winter, by any means.

We may not be banned from leaving our homes, but we are all clearly facing severe restrictions upon our social lives – and we’re all figuring out how to make that work for us.

But this time, we’re forewarned, aren’t we? We’ve already been round this merry-go-round once – so if we’re going to do it again (and this time in rubbish British winter weather too!), let’s go into it with our eyes open, and with a pack of yeast at the ready…

So we thought why not do it again – only this time we've been collecting a 2020 learned wisdom.

We wanted to know what has really helped this year.

Has it been a new hobby – or actually was it dropping one that eased your mind? Did you find joy in Zooming with your friends? Or did you find a walk Last month we collected your every day soothed your soul?

COVID thank yous – and it was We asked our readers to share the most read part of the the thing that helped them magazine, with thousands of make it through lockdown this people reading every single year - long walks, funny talks, one, sharing individual games nights, pizza nights, messages across social media knitting hats, Zoom chats... we and spreading the simple wanted to hear it. And you heartwarming kindness of responded magnificently... people.

LOOKING BACK Roger Guttridge recalls a colourful character from old Dorset

The Reddlewoman

Thomas Hardy fans will remember a character in The Return of the Native called Diggory Venn, the Reddleman. This Victorian travelling salesman made his living by selling reddle or raddle, a red powder widely used by shepherds. Long before Hardy’s death in 1928, Dorset’s Reddleman had been succeeded by the Reddlewoman. And Mary Ann Bull was every bit as colourful as Venn, whom Hardy described as ‘completely red’ with dye covering ‘his clothes, the cap upon his head, his boots, his face and his hands’.

Dorset writer Olive Knott remembered the Reddlewoman’s visits to Sturminster Newton before the First World War. ‘Year after year this woman pitched her tent on the same spot in the grassy lane,’ Olive wrote.

to a four-wheeled open van.

Even the van was bright red in colour.’

In this picture the Reddlewoman has a twowheeled cart pulled by a pair of donkeys.

The late Roy Adam, of Pimperne, once told me that ‘To the children of the Mary Ann actually came from neighbourhood, she was wrapt Somerset and her reddle from in mystery.

Cornwall.

‘A fire of sticks usually burned ‘At sheep-dipping time she outside her tent. Nearby was would peddle her wares, also her dark brown pony tethered selling brickdust for cleaning 6

harness,’ he said.

‘According to my late mother, she had a weatherbeaten countenance and wore layers of petticoats, which made a good hiding place for her money.

‘She trusted her monies to various publicans and collected on the return journey. They included my grandfather, Joe Dowling, a horse dealer and licensee of the Farquharson Arms,

Pimperne.

‘Mary Ann smoked a pipe and had a bad temper, like the lurcher that was tied to her cart.

‘She knew the value of herbs and prescribed cures for many ailments.’

The Reddlewoman was a regular at events such as Shroton Fair and Woodbury Hill Fair, Bere Regis.

She slept under bags and canvas beneath the cart, guarded by the lurcher.

Abbas Union and died on waste ground at Cerne, according to information given to me many years ago

by Doris Allen, of Dorchester.

The late Larry Skeats, a former Dorset shepherd and landlord of the Deer Park at Lydlinch and the Trooper at Stourton Caundle, explained to me how reddle was used either side of World War Two.

LOOKING BACK ‘The shepherd used the colours in the order of yellow, red and blue and changed every 14 to 17 days.

‘So if the ewes returned, the lighter colour was obliterated by the second colour and in turn by the third.

‘This enabled the shepherd to bring the ewes into the lambing yard in their respective colours without overcrowding the yard.’

‘Reddle was a very fine powder which came in three Ewes that returned a third colours,’ he said. time were usually barren but ‘It was mixed to a paste with not always.

The dog took its duties so oil to make it waterproof. seriously that when its ‘It was used to age-mark the mistress fell ill at Stourpaine flock and was also put on the chalk pit, it had to be put ram’s brisket so the ewes were down before she could be marked when served at helped. tupping-time.

Mary Ann was taken to Cerne

Joe’s Black Cab Co has been established within the North Dorset area for over 10years providing a taxi service to the local community. We are a small family business, priding ourselves on excellent service and professional, reliable drivers. Our convenient location close to the Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire borders means we can provide a quality service to all three counties and beyond.

We have vehicles that can accommodate 1-8 passengers subject to COVID regulations and our vehicles are fully insured, licensed and maintained to a high standard. We offer a huge range of special services to suit every occasion from wedding transport, executive private hire & business travel to school runs and customer’s individual needs.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week on all prebooked long-distance and local travel. Our phones are always open so feel free to call and discuss your requirements.

NEWS

Cezary Salamoncyck, a school teacher from Sherborne's partner town of Chonja in Poland, has brought six students to the town for work experience at our local hotels.

Cezary Salamończyk and wife Ada

The students will be here for the rest of the month, and they will also have English lessons and learn technical terms. The students are accompanied by Edyta, another school teacher.

Our Sherborne students have also appreciated reciprocal visits to Poland.

between England and the European Union and be financially supported.

Cezary has worked tirelessly for a number of years to strengthen the ties between our countries and his students have benefited greatly from their experiences here since 2005.

The students have been funded by the ERASMUS scheme, and Sherborne Douzelage have provided social events for them during their stay. I normal times they would enjoy a skittles match with a Ploughman’s lunch, or fish and chips, and share in some of our local traditions.

COVID-19 has also had an impact and Douzelage are unable to provide the usual social interaction this year, but it is hoped the students will enjoy this last visit and that other ways will be found to continue the long friendship with all our European friends.

Our hotels have also benefited from the hardworking loyal students, and have expressed their appreciation.

The ERASMUS scheme will cease this year, due to BREXIT, so this will be the last year that students will be able to travel freely

Laura Hitchcock

A new service from Weldmar allows them to reach more people in our local communities, to provide help, advice, and information support them.

Popping down to their The Community Vehicle at Castle Gardens, with Weldmar village shop or post Hospicecare's Director of Nursing Caroline Sweetland, and the Mayor of Sherborne, Cllr Jon Andrews. office might be the only time some patients leave Weldmar’s Community Outreach their home. So Weldmar wanted Vehicle was launched in to make sure that they continue September 2020, after to be a support, right inside successfully securing the funding communities. That’s why they from our Christmas 2019 Appeal, introduced Weldmar’s and a trust donation from the Community Outreach Vehicle.

Werth Foundation.

The vehicle acts as a mobile hub, 47% of Weldmar's patients live in travelling throughout the county rural locations. This means that each week parking outside GP they can easily feel isolated with surgeries, supermarkets, town little around them to centres or village hall car parks.

It visits some of the most rural parts of our county offering a hub for patients and their loved ones, as well as members of the community, to find out more about Weldmar's services, or receive advice or support from our team of dedicated experts.

And you don’t need an appointment! Anyone can pop along for a cuppa and a chat with the warm and friendly team.

Laura Hitchcock

NEWS

Valuable help for low income families in Sturminster Newton with the launch of the new Vale Pantry Low income families across the Vale have had limited choice in recent times - simply shop in the nearest supermarket, or when desperate be forced to resort to Food Banks.

But now there's a third way, thanks to the The Vale Charitable Trust which has been set up through the Blackmore Vale Surgery; the new Vale Pantry is part of the national ‘Your Local Pantry Group’.

A Food Pantry goes beyond the food bank model, creating a sustainable and long-term solution to food poverty.

Members pay a small weekly fee, usually £3.50, for which they can choose typically around £25worth of groceries. Food is sourced from Fare Share, who collect surplus stock from supermarkets and then redistributes it to each of the Pantries.

Tanya King, Social Inclusion Manager at Stockport Homes, where the Food Pantry scheme began said: "Food poverty is a reality...

The Pantry model is an effective way to make sure that people’s budgets go further. The benefits of Pantries are numerous: they provide breathing space for struggling families, they offer fresh food to households that would otherwise be limited to cheap, less healthy food; and

they tackle social isolation.

Members say the Pantries have allowed them to have enough money to pay for essential bills, or to save for Christmas or to visit family."

Sturminster Newton will be the very first rural pantry within The Vale Charitable Trust's group.

County Councillor Carole Jones is one of the Trustees: "I set up the local COVID Action Group – and through this have seen the number of local people who find it difficult to manage.

The Pantry is going to be there for any person or family who is on a low income and needs help in obtaining good fresh food weekly at the most affordable price."

are yet to be fixed, but it is anticipated they will be open 2/3 half days each week, and are now looking for volunteers to help them do this.

All being well. half-term week, (the last week in October) has been set for opening day.

"Once we are established, we aim to create Pantry outposts in Gillingham, Shaftesbury & Blandford, so that we can reach out and serve the whole community of North Dorset." continues Carole.

"I'd like to ask anyone who might wish to use the new Pantry to get in touch so that we can gauge the number of people we need to be stocking food for as we open."

Contact Carole on: 01258 472497 Via her Facebook Page here

Importantly, people will be able to choose their own food supplies from a range of fresh, frozen and staple items – there will be a good choice that will change each week with what is being donated to Fare Share.

The Vale Pantry will be opening within what was Spears Travel in Sturminster Newton, directly in the heart of the town, with easy access to parking. Open hours

Or email her on carole4stur@gmail.com

The Trustees of Vale Pantry are especially grateful to both Spears Travel who have very kindly allowed them to use the remainder of their lease and to John Roman, a local businessman who is supporting their efforts with the shop premises.

MEET YOUR LOCAL

Meet Your Local: The Ship Inn Our regular column in which you discover the faces and stories behind the pub sign. This month we've been chatting to Gavin at the Ship inn in West Stour.

The Ship Inn is owned and run by Gavin and Sally Griggs, owners of the Ship Inn, West Stour How did you end up at the Ship Inn? Throughout my teens, and university, I had always worked in pubs, bars and hotels so back in 2005 when the London-based photography agency I was running was sold, I decided to do something I had always wanted to do, move out of London and buy a country pub. Fifteen years later, I am still here.

Tell us about lockdown – were you entirely shut down, or could you pivot your business to offer something new?

We totally shut down. Two days after lockdown came I started helping out down at the Hawtree Riverside garage in West Stour.

I have known the Hawtree family for a long time and Sebastian and Paul who run the business were finding themselves

inundated with requests for food and drink deliveries from the Spar supermarket side of the business.

"I ended up helping out for twelve weeks doing whatever was needed, from stacking shelves, answering phones, taking orders, working the till, processing the food and drink orders and then delivering them to all the surrounding villages."

It was different to running the pub, but we were still helping the community where we could. With the forced closure of lockdown and with Sally being a decorator, she used the time to

Gavin Griggs outside The Ship Inn image: Courtenay Hitchcock

completely spruce-up and redecorate our trading areas.

What was the biggest challenge in getting ready for reopening?

Making sure that all the correct Covid measures had been correctly put in to place so that when we re-opened the premises, it was safe for both staff and customers.

The government guidelines to reopening were extensive and certain parts were not applicable to all hospitality businesses as they all vary in shapes and sizes.

The Ship Inn at East Stour . Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

Nominate your own local for next month - send an email to editor@theblackmorevale.co.uk

MEET YOUR LOCAL Inside the bar in the Ship Inn. Iimage: Courtenay Hitchcock

big sliding wooden bolts on one side to keep them in there, and the door has large holes drilled in it for ventilation, some of which were later plugged up with cork to stop the wind whistling through!"

Which of your dishes do your customers rave about?

Roast loin of venison, with truffle!

Once the guidelines were read and absorbed there was a great amount to do from doing risk assessments, subsequent customer guidelines, adjusting the trading areas to meet social distancing guidelines to buying all the necessary signage, hand sanitisers, protective screens, PPE, training the staff, implementing our own web based track and trace system. We opened on July 7th so from when the guidelines were released to when we re-opened it was a short space in time to get all this done and make sure that it was done correctly.

Which bit are you most proud of?

The team I have at The Ship from the front of house to the chefs in the kitchen and the housekeepers, the way we have all had to adapt to a different way of working in that everyone is kept as safe as possible.

Did the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme work for you?

We didn’t take part in the scheme.

With the reduction in covers from 78 to 38, throughout the whole pub we were already fully booked throughout August. Not only that, but we had also

had a delay of several weeks in furlough payments; if we were to give away money from each meal and then claim it back, there was concern about those payments being delayed as well at a time when cash flow into the business was of the utmost importance.

What part of the pub is your absolute favourite?

The old door that's between the middle and bottom restaurant.

The pub was built in 1720 by an old ship’s captain and when he retired he was given his boat. He dismantled it, and used it for the timbers of the pub. The old door remains and information we found in a local library tells us the history of the door.

It is gnarled and worn and on it has the initials “BC.” - it's the door from the Bosun’s Cabin from the original ship.

"Back in the days of coach and horses, they used to transport prisoners from Exeter jail up to Andover jail and they used to stop overnight at The Ship to feed and water the horses. The prisoners would be locked overnight in what is now our bottom restaurant, so the old door has two

(*and I'd strongly recommend the chicken & bacon ciabatta for lunch, myself - Ed)

What’s your favourite thing to do locally with some time off?

Running a hospitality business, with my wife, Sally, a painter and decorator who also helps out at The Ship, well, we don’t really get a great deal of time off together!

But when we do have a day off we like to walk our dogs, Douglas and Elliot, up in Duncliffe woods.

As for eating out, we both like spicy foods, so more often than not we would probably end up going for a curry in Shaftesbury at either Chutneys or Aroma in the evening.

What’s next?

Social distancing has meant a great drop in the number of people that we can seat indoors, from 78 covers to 38. The warm months of July and August meant we could utilise the garden more but as the winter is now drawing in and people not wanting to sit outside we are largely going to be relying our interior areas. The reduction in seating volume, together with now a 10pm curfew present further challenges as we head into the winter months.

Contact The Ship Inn here or call 01747 838640

Inn Extreme Times A lot of tired old pubs have changed hands recently in north Dorset – with significant money and imagination spent on their refurbishment.

I include here, The Three Elms in North Wooton, near Sherborne, (now re-named The Elms Farmhouse Kitchen) which looks a super smart coffee shop selling cakes and tucker. They’ve got the ace chef from The Udder, the big posh farm shop near Shaftesbury, and he’s obviously working his magic at his new stoves. The EFK’s car park is crammed.

The Green Man in King’s Stag has had a tasteful refurb and is now run by the owners of Stock House, with its famous deer park. Hopefully when Covid has passed they’ll make a decent buck out of it.

Hosting Stag parties. Make lots of doe. Too much? (yes, Ed).

The Plough at Manston is still undergoing extensive building work but their media page doesn’t suggest an opening date – or it didn’t last time I looked. The White Hart in Sturminster has re-opened and looks great – although a pint at £4 may be worth

reconsidering. This ain’t Knightsbridge. This be Dorset.

The beautiful old Antelope in Hazelbury Bryan has been acquired by an apparently nice bloke who’s minted, as he’s also bought The Elm Tree, just outside Weymouth, which used to be the in food place, when people wore flared trousers and medallions.

A really lovely family, Greg, beautiful Rhiannon and their smiley smart daughter Hannah, friends of the owner, are running The Antelope.

lovingly prepared stock, infused with saffron, into a sieve placed directly over the sink. I instinctively knew that Matt felt my pain.

Matt said that once he told a sous chef to clean some mussels. He went into the prep room later to find fifty quid’s worth of mussels in a bowl of hot soapy water.

All these hard working Dorset entrepreneurs are struggling. If just 10% of The Blackmore Vale's vast readership visited their Greg and family are South local just once a week even Africans who were doing the for a coffee than that would round-the-world trip but now go some way to help the seem committed to upping the community. The average Ante. pub puts £150,000 back into their community in the way They’ve started offering cream of wages, rates, local teas on Thursday and Friday suppliers. Lose a pub and afternoons which are doing you’ve lost your best well. They do Thursday community asset. evening specials, including a South African beef curry which But pub managers, a quick they insist is called Bunny word. I had a pint this week at Chow – no amount of a pub whose tenants I really explaining that that might be like, but that pint cost £4.30. I misinterpreted would won’t name the pub – it’s not convince them not to put it on one I’ve mentioned, but I will the notice boards. not go there again. This pub was a tenancy so their The White Horse at Hinton St wholesale price will be dictated Mary continues to impress, by the brewery, in this case under the ownership of Palmers of Bridport. Directors Sharon and chef Matthew, of Palmers – do not jeapordise another South Africaner. your hard-working tenants.

They’ve got an imaginative Your tenants are struggling. menu that appeals to women – Matt’s into seafood - Andy Palmer. at very attractive prices. I had a fantastic bouillabaisse there, and mentioned to Matthew that I once spent an hour making this French fish soup, but managed to strain my

Things have turned cosy at the Green Man, King's Stag After an extraordinarily busy summer, we now have the fire lit and warming autumnal food on our menu and are welcoming guests for a cosy winter’s pub experience.

2020 has been an interesting time for pubs with closures and ever changing rules & restrictions but our friendly staff & atmosphere has never faltered.

Our menu is ever changing with the seasons and you can expect to find local game, including pheasant and venison from just a mile or so away as well as famous Dorset Blue Vinney and other delicious Dorset produce. On Sunday expect a Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Our beers and wines are carefully selected and we include local breweries were possible.

We know that going to the pub might not be possible for some people at the moment, so we have re-started our popular takeaway service that thrived throughout Lockdown. This way, everyone can still experience The Green Man, even from home.

Whilst this year may have tried to hold us back, we continue forward and have plans to create a coffee shop in the near future. We will keep you posted!

Plumber Manor went into lockdown just after we had reopened from our winter re-furb: it was a great shock, and we simply had to furlough all the entire staff and mothball Plumber.

As soon as there was a glimmer of hope we made plans and were open on the 4th July; obviously in new COVID-19 mode.

We have been surprised, delighted and so grateful to all our local guests who have flooded back to us, bearing with the restrictions but still enjoying the usual Plumber cuisine and One of the Plumber Manor Dining Rooms

hospitality. We have a generous offer for 3 nights or more and have been delighted by the number of bookings we have taken for bedrooms. Europe’s loss has been our gain!

We have now had 5 wedding receptions (including one marriage) and we have now got 4 dining rooms where tables of up to 6 can come and dine within the COVID-19 regulations.

Outdoors will now be less inviting but the open fires in three of the dining rooms will more than make up for it.

Our Christmas Party menu is opposite - please contact us by phone 01258 472507 or email book@plumbermanor.com

for more information on COVID-19 restrictions and timings.

Did you hear Sturminster Newton featured on Radio 4?

BBC Sounds came to the town to record a segment for the PM programme on how North Dorset is defying the UK decline in market towns. They spoke to Ken Wilson the Town Orderly, Steve Oxford from Oxford's Bakery, Graham Hart (from Harts...) and a long interview with Lord Mark Price of Sturminster Newton.

It's a wonderful slice of positivity about our area - and raises some excellent points about the benefits of localism to rural areas in a postCOVID economy.

Click on the image to go to the BBC catch-up recording (it's live until the 23rd - if you're here after that I'll add an audio clip for you). You need to go through to 25mins and 30 secs

NEWS

Gillingham Car link: Not to resume this winter.

The Car Link Management Committee have had several meetings recently to try and decide whether it would be safe for drivers and clients if the Car Link resumed business. The final decision is that the Gillingham Car Link Scheme will not be resuming operations at the moment.

The Committee did not come to this decision lightly or easily, and will keep this decision under constant review. We will resume our service as soon as it considers it safe to do so both for our clients and our drivers. No timescale unfortunately can be set, as none of us knows how this pandemic will develop and we can all see that this autumn and winter, so far, the situation is deteriorating again.

We massively regret the inconvenience this may cause you, but we hope that you understand our predicament. Our foremost concern is trying to decide what is in the best interests of both clients and drivers and the safety of everybody and their families and friends.

Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2021 Calendar A beautiful calendar of scenes around Sturminster Newton alongside quotes from Thomas Hardy and William Barnes has been produced to help fund the town’s literary festival.

The photography was kindly provided by local photographers Marilyn Peddle and Adie Ray and production was sponsored by Rutters Solicitors. All proceeds will fund Sturminster Newton Literary Festival in 2021.

Calendars will be on sale locally, but to preorder a copy contact Rachael Rowe on sturlitfest1@gmail.com or 01258 861979.

Calendars are priced at £7.50 (can be posted anywhere in the UK for £10).

Sturminster Newton Literary Festival focuses on the writing of Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and Robert Young as well as Dorset writers. The 2021 festival will be held from 14 -20 June.

EDUCATION

A month in to the new term, and we've stopped talking about the schools Throughout lockdown and on to the summer, it seemed like the biggest subject on every parent's list and in every newspaper (well, apart from the whole global pandemic situation thing, obviously) was education. Schooling from home - who was doing what, how tough it was, how everyone was making it work, who had a good planner, which schools were setting which homework, could anyone help with this maths question please...

And though we parents got a summer off, I know that teachers across the country (headteachers particularly) spent most of their waking hours wondering quite how they were going to make returning into a seemingly-impossible COVID-safe

Laura Hitchcock

school in September work in any way at all.

But they have. And they've done it so well, that no one's even talking about it.

Teacher friends of mine spent the first few days of term in a constant daze of stress and adrenaline, trying madly to adjust to a new normal whilst maintaining cheerful positivity for the kids in their care. So a month into term, I thought it would be nice to see how the local schools were faring: You can see their comments, but the overwhelming tone is one of proud gratitude for staff and kids alike who have all stepped up and simply got on with making the best of their situation.

Stalbridge Primary's fabulous NEW Reception children in their first week at school - aren't they a gorgeous bunch!

Our fabulous NEW Reception children in their first week at school - aren't they a gorgeous bunch!

"I could not be prouder of the way in which our pupils, staff and parents have responded to the extraordinary events of the last six months."

Head of Milton Abbey School, Judith Fremont-Barnes "Our ambition here has always been to enable our pupils to ‘learn differently’ and this year they have shown us that they can rise to any challenge.

"Having planned for the possibility of remote teaching since late January, when the government advised closure, we were able to launch our Online Learning Environment - which soon became affectionately known as ‘the MOLE’ immediately.

With the breadth of courses on offer here, it was no mean feat for our teachers to adapt their teaching, providing a full programme of face-to-face classes, mentoring and one-toone tuition online throughout the summer term.

students remained immersed in their studies, inspired by the passion of their teachers for their subjects. As one parent put it, ‘you managed to take him with you, without even being there’.

"On top of this, we ran over 35 co-curricular activities per week online. Sessions as diverse as baking and hat-making, studentled yoga, zumba and meditation sessions, a music festival, mapreading, masterclasses in History, Sports Psychology and History of Art and a virtual cycle race to Istanbul kept students busy and engaged. We even joined with a neighbouring school to hold our annual cricket fixture, with the players completing batting, bowling and fielding challenges from their own homes.

spread across the UK and around the world.

We held weekly assemblies celebrating their successes, chapel services live-streamed from the Abbey, and an end-ofterm celebration for our Sixth Form leavers that will be remembered for its sense of pride and poignancy.

For many a highlight was the fascinating lecture from this year’s Entrepreneur in Residence, Charlie Bigham.

"We saw our pupils learning to serve without counting the cost: making PPE for hospital nurses, baking for the local community, helping to counter loneliness and shopping for older neighbours.

From History to Hospitality, Physics to Fashion Design, and English to Entrepreneurship,

"Milton Abbey is more than a set of courses and timetables.

From the outset, we were determined to keep our sense of school community alive, despite staff and pupils being

"Amazing as the period of site closure was, it’s even better to be back at school: to hear the laughter back in the corridors and see the sport back on the pitches.

With all the necessary changes in arrangements in place, from oneway systems to oceans of hand sanitiser, staff and students are loving being back on site at Milton Abbey."

MiltonAbbey.co.uk

Thought for the Month.

A regular column open to thoughts from all faiths and beliefs. There's no strong theme - simply something timely and thought-provoking, based upon current local or national issues, the seasons, or simply something our columnist feels inspired to talk about. This month: The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne

Going forward with Hope in our Hearts Despite the challenges of the last seven months, and the cancellation of village fetes, County shows, and local festivals we have been able to keep the community spirit going! In fact, many places have managed to renew community life as people have cared for neighbours, clapped for carers and even in some places enjoyed take away cream teas and harvest suppers.

People have worked hard across Dorset for the sake of others this

year, including supporting and running foodbanks, keeping open the villages shops and diversifying businesses to meet the needs of the day, for which we are so grateful. These efforts have greatly renewed our hope.

It is important therefore that as the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder that we continue to creatively look for ways to encourage and help each other. With the cases of Covid-19 continuing, the temptation is to keep in the warm and draw ourselves in, however as the summer has shown much happiness can be

found in neighbourliness and community. Already I am hearing through our churches about plans for Christmas – carol singing in the streets, advent windows on display around our towns and villages, community Christmas trees which all can decorate. Participation in such events is not just for the good of others but our own wellbeing too as St Francis of Assisi famously prayed ‘For it is in giving at that we receive.’ That is where joy will be discovered as we continue to enrich our common life and that is how we can ensure hope in our hearts for the months. ahead.

THEN & NOW

Then...

Roger Guttridge recalls a fire that ripped through terraced cottages at Shaftesbury

What a difference 63 years makes! covered the terrace pre-1955.

The above picture shows some of the devastation after fire swept through six terraced cottages at St James’s Street, Shaftesbury, on June 17, 1955.

The modern picture features the same terrace in 2018 complete with the tiled roofs that replaced the thatch of yesteryear.

The fire was accidentally started when a painter’s blowtorch set light to the thatch below the galvanised sheeting that also

trucks from the US Air Force, stationed at Guy’s Marsh, who A strong wind fanned the flames, helped to fight the fire and clear which quickly spread from No. 77 up the debris. to five neighbouring cottages, Their efforts were hampered by including No. 79, home of James the design of their hoses, which Parsons, one of the 50 Dorset and didn’t fit the local hydrants.

Wiltshire firemen who fought the There was also a general shortage blaze. of water and hoses had to be run His uncle, Charles Parsons, was hundreds of yards to supplement Shaftesbury’s chief fire officer. the supply.

Almost 300 residents formed a human chain to rescue furniture More pictures of the fire appear and other possessions, most of in Roger Guttridge’s book which were saved and stored in Shaftesbury Through Time the nearby school and church (Amberley). hall.

The 1955 picture, from the Gold roger.guttridge@btinternet.com Hill Museum collection, features

and Now.

YOUNG JOURNALIST AWARD Competition to be one of our three Young Voices - be a regular contributor with a byline, and receive personal mentoring from Alice Plunkett, journalist and TV Presenter.

Of all the exciting things to have happened over the last few weeks (believe me there has been a LOT of excitement. Or terror. Either/or), this one is probably the most exciting of the excitements.

Breaking into journalism has always taken talent, tenacity and entrepreneurialism. But it just seems to get harder - young would-be journalists also face the challenge of trying to gain some experience in a diminishing local scene; exactly where, historically, most reporters got their first break.

It's tough standing out from the crowd when you all have the same cookie-cutter CV of qualifications.

smart young brain to drive their own business forwards. We've been there - we ARE here, and we want to help.

But not alone.

We're totally thrilled to be partnering with the amazing Alice Plunkett - journalist and TV presenter (plus the small matter of being the only woman to have ridden at both Badminton Horse Trials and over the Grand National course at Aintree).

This award is Alice's brainchild, and her help and personal mentoring are part of the prize.

"Young people in our rural county often find it difficult to find a platform - but they all have a voice, and unique experiences and perspectives which need to be heard. I'm really excited to be part of such an opportunity for them."

But Look! We're here! And as parents of four ourselves, we're acutely aware of how deeply important real life skills are as our young people head into We are looking for young Dorset adulthood. Whether it's for a Uni residents, 25 or under, who application, to place on a CV - or would like the opportunity to simply as the springboard for a write for The Blackmore Vale. In

addition to featuring through the coming year, they will also be mentored by Alice Fox-Pitt - in both their writing and their role as a journalist.

We want to give young people a unique chance to share their local news to the wider community with the help of an established local news outlet and professional journalist and broadcaster.

How to enter?

Simply report on an aspect of living in Dorset which is important to you.

You can write it, record it as a podcast, make a Vlog - we're a digital publication, so we can accommodate and and all media forms.

All entries will be judged on editorial merit – the strength of story, originality, and the personal story or background around it.

We will be looking for a range of diverse stories from across the county.

The three winners will each be invited to contribute features over the coming year with a highlighted byline, whilst enjoying regular collaborative Zoom sessions plus one-to-one mentoring sessions with Alice Plunkett.

Voice of the Blue Light: Sergeant Jane Moore As the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Sergeant I am responsible for Blandford Town and Blandford Rural (also Verwood and East Dorset Rural).

My team and I work closely with our patrol colleagues in dealing with issues across your communities. The NPT strive to find solutions to longer term community safety issues or persistent more complex issues.

We do this by listening carefully to our communities, assessing the risk of harm associated with these issues and then if appropriate collaborate with our partner agencies. By working jointly with our partners we have more success in resolving community issues.

Agreements to tenants, but we also signpost some of them to other more appropriate partners for on-going support. Many of the persons we come into contact with have vulnerabilities and a very important part of our role is to safeguard them from harm.

It is vital that we ‘engage’ with our communities to allow you to tell us what issues affect your communities; however as much as we love our face to face meetings, due to COVID-19 restrictions we are not yet able to re-start these engagements.

So please do take a look at our North Dorset Police Social Media pages linked below.

We also encourage the use of www.dorset.police.uk/doitonline as a way of reporting nonemergency Police issues to us.

The team here at Blandford have had some great successes in dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour by working with local Housing Associations. We The Dorset Police Website also conduct joint visits if appropriate has loads of and issue Acceptable Behaviour useful North Dorset North Dorset Police Police

Dorset wife, mum, nan, and businesswoman Barbara Fowler has written a children’s educational book called HapiLots and Friends.

Barbara explains: “The book aims to educate children about what going into hospital can feel like, and make them a little less scared during what can be an overwhelming experience, even with parents

information and links to help you.

We try and remain as visible as possible and myself, the PCs and the PCSO regularly conduct patrols in Blandford town and also the rural communities. We do even do foot-patrol! This allows us to speak to people at a social distance, and can be an alternative to the ‘virtual’ communication we are using more of these days. So if you do see us out and about please stop and speak to us, we rely on you to tell us what is happening in your neighbourhood, this is vital to help us to help you.

The Blandford and Blandford Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team are: PS Jane Moore, PC Dave Mullins, PC Tom Harness, PCSO Mike Sinnick, PCSO Jamie Burt and PCSO Ken Lightfoot.

North Dorset Police

and wonderful doctors and nurses around to explain a procedure.”

Profits from the book will be donated to children’s hospitals for specific projects. Wellknown in the local business community, Barbara continues to tirelessly support various Dorset organisations in a voluntary capacity.

HapiLots and Friends is available on Amazon for £6

PS Jane Moore

Monthly news from different voices within the North Dorset Police Team.

Tales From The Vale

by Andy Palmer.

My very first morning back in the Blackmore Vale was a revelation. I drove through a narrow country lane to the next village to get a paper – The Erotic Review, if you’re interested (actually it was The Times) - and a curious thing happened. A 4X4 travelling towards me pulled-in and flashed me. I stopped, perplexed, and asked if they were OK. ‘No, just letting you through,’ they replied cheerfully. I was genuinely moved. Sincerely.

No-one in the South East who drives a Chelsea Tractor, as they’re called there (naturally not one such spotless 4X4 has ever been ‘off-road’), would in a million years pull in to let a modest car go by. It just would not happen. And this consideration wasn’t a one-off. It happens every day. I still feel quite emotional about it and mention this to mates back in the snarling horror of the South East. They don’t believe me.

Pauline on Probation

joke. Cheese isn’t that easy to pun with – so any suggestions, mail the Editor and I’m sure she’ll pass them on to me There are many things that claiming them as hers, impress me about Dorset, not obviously. She’s like that. I’ll least of which is my Parish be waiting for a reader to say Council which actually does that they went to a cheese good things. It communicates festival in Wales and they with the parishioners and, on a drove Caerphilly. less parochial scale, those that run Sturminster Newton, and I like and admire Pauline for that I think we’ve got a lot Batstone. She’s a very hardto thank Councillor Pauline working woman with a great Batstone for. Pauline has sense of humour, she’s recently stepped down from achieved a lot. the stresses of being Chair of Dorset Council. Her hair has Pauline used to be a Probation gone quite auburn with grief.

Officer. Here’s a funny she Stur could easily be a dying town. But the locals, which include Pauline, are fighting back with market days, car rallies and a small alternative to the fantastic annual Cheese Fair – an event organized with brio, as well as brie.

Thank you. Thank you for smiling (wincing - Ed) at my 6

told me. As a Probation Officer she handled the usual rum mixture of cases, including a posh elderly bloke who specialized in nicking old E-Type Jaguars. He’d take them to his workshop and very skillfully and conscientiously refurbish them. I’m unsure if his intention was to re-sell them or profit in anyway, but it

would seem he couldn’t bear to see an E-Type that needs attention. I feel the same way about smoky bacon crisps.

Such was his notoriety among our rather benevolent police – and believe me, I’ve worked in other countries, our police are the best - that whenever such a Jag was swiped, our boys in blue would unhurriedly drive to the eccentric old geezer’s workshop and as often as not find the ‘hot wheels’ being over-hauled. And the police would be professional, but understanding about his little ways.

The E-Type thefts got to the stage where when a distressed E-Type owner reported her or his car missing, the police advised the owner to hang on a month or two then report it, as they’d then deliver a perfectly re-conditioned classic motor – and all for free.

POLITICS

View from Westminster

by SIMON HOARE MP A few weeks ago I logged in a little late for a Zoom call to discuss a local issue with some Parish Councillors. I explained that a Select Committee meeting overran. After the meeting I received an email from one of the attendees asking me what a Select Committee was. So, I thought this month I would answer that question.

Select Committees were set up by Mrs Thatcher in the early 1980s.

Chairmanships were allocated to the main Parties according to the broad balance of their number of MPs. Chairs, and members (which are also allocated according to reflect the balance of the House) were appointed by the respective Chief Whips.

In order to ensure my Committee is as balanced as possible my Party provides two seats to the Unionists while Labour has allocated seats to the Alliance Party and the SDLP. Before the 2019 election there were only DUP members taking their seats in Westminster (Sinn Fein continue to absent themselves). Following the Events have moved on and the election of SDLP and Alliance MPs Committees are more democratic. the Committee is now better Chairs are elected by all MPs, balanced, and our discussions while members are elected by more robust, as we are able to their own Parties. Both elections accommodate both unionist and take place with a secret ballot. nationalist voices representing NI The introduction of elections constituencies. rather than appointments has made the Select Committees So, what do we do? more independent of We meet weekly, in public, when Government as they can no the House is sitting and hold a longer be stuffed with pliable variety of Inquiries. Recent work MPs who will do the bidding of has covered the NI Protocol, their respective Whips. This is Legacy of the Troubles, Tourism great news for those who serve and Historical Abuse. We take and an obvious nightmare for evidence from interested parties, the Party Managers. these can include academics, civil society, local government, trade Each Government Department is bodies and the like. We have our shadowed by a Select Committee. own secretariat of House of It has been my very great Commons Clerks who keep me as privilege to have been elected by Chair on the right side of the MPs across the House to Chair the rules.

Northern Ireland Affairs Select We are able to summon Committee twice, in 2018 and witnesses, and we have held two 2020. We shadow and scrutinise very important sessions with the the Northern Ireland Office and Secretary of State and Michael follow with interest (but with no Gove regarding post Brexit scrutiny powers) the workings of trading. the devolved NI Assembly at Our Inquiries are published and Stormont.

then submitted to Government, which then responds to them in another public document. Inquiry Reports can be presented on the floor of the Commons. We visit Northern Ireland regularly and the Republic at least once a year.

Over the last weeks I have had a briefing meeting with our new Ambassador to Dublin, and with President Trump’s NI Envoy. The position of Chairman also includes a great deal of media work, never more so than with the NI Protocol being front and centre.

As Chair of the Committee I also sit on the Liaison Committee. This is the ‘senior’ scrutiny Committee of the House and deals with a lot of House business that never hits the airwaves. Our only meeting that does is when the Prime Minister comes before us for cross examination. This takes place around three times a year.

I hope the above has been of some interest (if not my apologies). The Select Committees are an extremely important part of in-depth Government scrutiny and play a vital role in our democratic function. Long may they continue!

RURAL MATTERS

How Covid is Changing The North Dorset Economy Before Covid19 swept the globe, concern about the environment had reached tipping point. Now, as a radical shift to new sectors of the economy emerges it is vital that the environment is top of the list of concerns, and we support the entrepreneurs and emerging companies that are setting out on a course to protect the environment, as well as promote a path to prosperity.

Covid19 has changed behaviour and created opportunities. One key change is localization – we are travelling less to offices and are investing more time and money in our local communities.

expanding its garden centre and opening a café. Wessex Internet, based in Iwerne Minster, specializes in delivering high speed internet solutions to rural locations. Award winning Prodigy IT Solutions, based near Blandford, offers IT service management to small and medium business across Dorset.

The Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is supporting a digital and cultural transformation across Dorset by funding growth in Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing (AEM), Creative Technology and Agriculture/ Aquaculture.

Investment includes engineering and construction centres in Weymouth College, and construction and design in Bournemouth and Poole College.

It is hoped local high streets and retail parks may attract new customers as a result.

Online services still thrive, from food delivery to piano lessons - many of these are delivered by businesses Courses in cyber security, visual at a local level. effects, gaming, animation, app creation and post production are Located in Sturminster Newton, available in Bournemouth Harts is one of the largest in- Universities.

This year 162 store and online retailers of apprentices trained on high spec kitchenware in the UK. With the workshops and machinery at majority of its business online, Kingston Maurward, and the LEP Harts has developed an award- have funded an innovative agriwinning app and is currently

tech company, draperVENT, to develop computerized climate control systems for the agricultural sector. Dorset has a long and proud tradition of farming – the agricultural sector is worth over £100m.

The government’s programme, KickStart, provides funding for 16-24 year olds in a six month job placement but will need to do more to support those made unemployed due to Covid19. Our rural and emerging technology economy also needs a more flexible use of the apprenticeship levy to provide technology skills training.

There are reasons to be positive – we live in beautiful countryside and Dorset people are a resilient bunch. If we shop local, choose local produce and use local businesses and services, this will help both our rural economy and the environment.

Jane Westbrook, North Dorset CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England)

BUSINESS NEWS

with Andrew Diprose of DORSETBIZNEWS

Major office supplier Staples is the latest big name to list products designed and engineered by JPL Telecom in Sturminster Newton.

Staples Netherlands has added JPL to its Staples Advantage portal which is being extended into Poland, Nordics, Germany, and Portugal.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the massive global shift towards home working and home learning led to a huge spike in demand for USB headsets.

It proved challenging for Staples because major headset vendors experienced large order backlogs.

“Rory suggested JPL Telecom, which had recently adapted one of its popular headsets with a USB connection.

“After an initial trial, we were happy to present the headsets to our customers.

James Clarke

Its innovative headset and webcam range are now available to customers from its stores and online presence in the UK and Europe.

Staples Europe has also signed a partnership agreement with JPL Telecom to resell the JPL headset product line including its webcam, known as the JPL Vision+. portfolio.”

Pete Wilson, Sales Manager at JPL Telecom, added:

“Audio, vision and voice solutions are at the heart of our range.

“Therefore, to have an office “The feedback has been supply giant such as Staples excellent and JPL Telecom has actively selling our products kept supply routes open during is fantastic and a great the past difficult months, achievement to all involved.” which has led to the brand being named one of our See the range at Staples here ‘reliable and trusted vendors’.”

James Clarke, CEO, JPL Telecom

Ross Barker, Technology Category Manager at Staples, said: “Demand exceeded supply and as we needed to explore alternative solutions we contacted our Nimans’ Account Manager, Rory Heard.

“Nimans is the largest next-day delivery distributor of telecoms and data equipment.

said: “We are delighted to welcome Staples as a Strategic Partner in association with Nimansand we are gearing up our efforts in Europe for further growth and brand awareness.

“Staples Europe are ambitious to offer solutions for their customers and we delighted to be part of the Staples solutions

4 Andrew Diprose is the Founder and Editor of Dorset Biz News, Dorset's No.1 business website

with Andrew Diprose of DORSETBIZNEWS BUSINESS NEWS

The aim is to promote future thinking and share positive stories and business opportunities.

With many businesses focusing on the here and now, DGH is hoping the event will help with forward thinking, what to prioritise next, what’s changed and what businesses can improve.

The free five day audio event will be held from October 19 to 23.

Each day, three podcast episodes will be released for 24 hours only.

They will be followed the next day by a Q&A panel with the guest speakers that featured in each episode.

Mary Lloyd, DGH’s Marketing Manager, said “After running over 60 online events on Zoom, we started to think about how we could do something new and exciting, bringing together businesses from Dorset alongside larger national brands.

“We went through the process of thinking we would just cancel the conference all together, and wait until next year, but I think businesses really need a little positivity and inspiration to just keep going at the moment.

Mary lloyd

A brand new audio conference called BEYOND2020 – The Future of Business is to be launched by Dorset Growth Hub (DGH).

“As an organisation, we are trying new platforms, pushing boundaries as we try to reach as many businesses as possible to provide helpful content that can make a difference.

“The episodes we have recorded so far are really practical, full of tips and inspiration for ambitious business owners and managers.

“The topics we have chosen are rarely covered locally, but are priorities that we think are paramount going into the next 12 months.

“They will be spoken about from differing perspectives.

“From local start-ups like Ethicly and Street Agency, established local brands like OnBuy and RNLI, to national brands like ITV and Wessannen (Clipper Tea, Kallo & Whole Earth).

“We have some great speakers lined up.”

To register and see all the speakers announced so far, click here.

The event is completely free to attend. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Dorset Growth Hub.

A different topic will be explored each day: • • • • •

Sustainability Culture Diversity & Inclusion Attracting New Business Future Trends.

Last year’s annual conference featured speakers from Dyson, Monzo and Jimmys Iced Coffee.

5

BUSINESS NEWS

with Andrew Diprose of DORSETBIZNEWS

Anyone with employment concerns as a result of Covid-19 is urged by Citizens Advice Dorset and Dorset Council to reach out and seek advice as soon as possible.

Citizens Advice Dorset has helped more than 1,000 people with employment issues since lockdown.

That’s a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Redundancy, furlough and pay are the top issues it has dealt with during the pandemic.

“We have helped people with a huge range of issues since lockdown, but we know that as the furlough scheme draws to an end, lots of people may be feeling worried and need advice.

This includes checking your “If you’re at risk of redundancy, redundancy is fair, entitlement to it’s important to know you do redundancy pay, furlough, notice have rights to help protect you period, holiday pay and paid time from unfair dismissal and to off to look for work. ensure you’re paid what you’re owed.

Details of the support “It’s completely understandable available can be found here. that you may find the rules and procedures overwhelming, but Helen Goldsack, Chief Officer of you don’t have to face Citizens Advice Purbeck, said: redundancy alone.

Andrew Diprose, an experienced Dorset journalist, set up Dorset Biz News one year ago this week.

An entirely independent and alldigital business news site for Dorset, Andrew has championed businesses large and small across the county, with most business owners staying tuned for his daily 'top three' - we've reached those giddy heights twice ourselves, and can honestly say Andrew's support and encouragement in this our

“We are here to help on 03444 111 444 or visit the council’s Reaching Out pages.

new venture have been a cornerstone of our early success.

Dorset Biz News started with zero name recognition and a zero audience.

And now?

• Over 17,500 unique users • Over 1,100 business stories • 1.3 MILLION views across all platforms • Over 16,000 ‘likes’ on social media.

Andrew shared his launch story on LinkedIn, one of the best platforms for networking and

Andrew Diprose

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY DORSET BIZ NEWS!

Helen Goldsack

If you’ve lost your job, had your hours or pay reduced, or redundancy is on the horizon, Citizens Advice is stressing it can help.

conversation: "I was 58 when I founded Dorset Biz News.

I wouldn’t presume to offer advice to anyone.

Except to say this.

It really is never too late to pursue your business idea or passion.

BUSINESS

Simple Steps To Taking Your Small Business Online.

I’ve been blogging since 2010 and pretty much most of my skills revolve around small business and digital awareness. Yet I’m still surprised by how many small businesses don’t have their own dedicated website, streamlined branding and are barely visible on social media. The thing is, if 2020 has taught us anything it is that digital is everything! When you shut the doors to your bricks and mortar shop at the end of the day (that’s if you are even back up and running), or wave off the last customer, online is still running.

24 hours a day, all over the world.

As a blogger, I work hard to keep my website visible; as soon as lockdown started there was a dramatic increase in views, especially content about using social media, Facebook, Twitter and starting a small business blog. Online shopping increased by 129%* in the first few weeks of lockdown. Heck, Morrisons in Verwood didn’t even offer online shopping or click and collect until April.

I know that 'Going Digital' is a vast, intimidating and often overwhelming topic. But it’s important to feel like you are taking steps and making progress - so here are three simple, actionable tasks for you to do today which will make your customer journey hassle-free.

1. Get in touch:

2. Make a purchase:

3. Digital Advertising:

Check your social media and website is your email address clear? And is it actually yours?

Facebook, for example, has a tendency to autofill with a messenger email. Set up autoresponders directing customers to FAQ or giving a clear directive, this can alleviate the pressure from you replying straight away to every email even at 2am.

You wouldn’t believe how complicated some websites make it to actually take your cash!

Ensure you use as few steps as possible to get from product image to checkout. You might have noticed that platforms such as Instagram provide a way to integrate your shop making the customer experience easier, quicker and reduce the risk of them wandering off somewhere else.

Using the same colours, fonts, logos and name across the board makes your small business instantly recognisable to potential and regular customers.

Streamlining your brand is one of the simplest ways to make your customer experience easier.

Are you easy to find?

* Online shopping surges by 129% across UK and Europe and ushers in new customer expectations of retail

Joanne Dewberry is an Author, Sage Business Expert and multi awardwinning, 30-something coffee lover who lives in rural Dorset with her long-suffering partner and three children. When she isn’t writing or networking she is partial to a bag of crisps and a crime drama. Check out Joanne’s new book “Networking A Successful Small Business” which can be purchased via Amazon Joanne will be sharing her expertise with us every month, offering simple, easy tips and advice aimed at small local businesses looking to grow in an ever-changing modern marketplace.

*When I have a digital query or a tech-flummoxed brain, Dave Lakins is always the first person I turn to for an answer. So it seemed right to ask him to share his thoughts on the current issues facing our local businesses. - Ed

Buying behaviours have changed dramatically in the last six months and many of those behaviours are likely to stick.

How businesses can benefit from the surge in online shopping

People are spending more time online than ever before, and turning to their smartphones to explore, research, and plan their purchases.

Nobody thought that life would look this different as we started 2020. As a digital agency we have seen the use of technology by people and businesses leap forward during lockdown, accelerating remote working, e-learning, ecommerce, and online social connections.

We all know that the High Street is having an incredibly difficult time right now. But some businesses are finding that maximising their presence online can help them reach potential customers who do want to buy in person.

Connecting the offline and online experiences has never been more important.

Having an online presence as well as a physical shop is more important than ever.

It is the ability to drive growth and connect with your customers wherever they are. It is about looking at more ways to provide valuable services to your customers: • Contact-free purchases or check-ins • Displaying live inventory and availability online • Providing Click and Collect or “pick-up later” options • Displaying accurate opening times on Google My Businessand the rest of your digital channels.

The business environment post-lockdown will continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and thankfully, there are a wealth of online marketing tools and advertising options that can help drive recovery.

Whilst none of us know what the rest of 2020 and 2021 will bring, I do know the use of technology will help people and businesses prepare for what’s next.

Dave Lakins

(If you would like to discuss how your business can use digital to prepare for changing customer behaviour, then please get in touch.

Call us - 01305 542000 www.key.digital

DEATHS

FOOD & DRINK

Local dairy spoons up the stars in the 2020 Great Taste Awards Out of a record breaking 12,777 entries from 106 different countries, 42% were awarded a highly prized Great Taste accolade and a remarkable 441 are based in the South West.

Among the Great Taste 3-star winners in Dorset are a number of products fresh from the dairy’s door, including the “creamy, rich and thick” Dorset Strained Yoghurt - Whole Milk from The Dorset Dairy Co in Sturminster Newton, declared to be a “yogurt that delivers everything you want”.

Four further products were awarded Two Stars; Butter, Cream and the fat free version of their strained yoghurt.

Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine

Following 14 weeks of judging, the results of the world’s most trusted food and drink awards, Great Taste, have been released, with success for a number of local independent food producers.

Food, values taste above all else, with no regard for branding or packaging.

Whether it is cake, coffee, kippers or kombucha being judged, all products are removed from their packaging before being tasted. The judges then savour, confer and retaste to decide which products are worthy of a 1-, 2- or 3-star award.

The Book and Bucket Cheese Company in Cranborne managed to achieve four single stars, and one two star award for its 'Shakespeare' Brie-style sheep's milk cheese.

Woodlands Dairy in Blandford won two stars for both its Organic Sheepmilk Yoghurt and its Melbury cheese.

The Real Cure Ltd in Hartgrove

were awarded two stars for their Wild Venison Pepperoni.

Christine's Puddings in Sturminster Newton gained one star for their Christmas Pudding.

Ludwell butcher T Buttlings enjoyed one star success with their traditional pork sausages.

Green and Grainy from East Orchard won two stars for two products, their Caramel Crunch Bar and their Maple Pecan Slice.

On the drinks front, three local companies had products awarded 1 star: Wan Ling Tea House in Blandford for their Mao Xie 'Hairy Crab' Oolong Tea, Laycocks Cider in Purse Caundle for their Medium Dry Sparkling Cider, and Olives et al for their Ěstía No.7 London Dry Gin.

Good To Know: As the judges searched for the stars of 2020, waste was kept to a minimum, with unused products being donated to local food banks and hampers made up of excess products for local businesses to raffle in aid of charities. No plastic plates or cutlery were used during the judging rounds, reducing plastic waste by almost 100%. The Guild of Fine Food also donates surplus computer equipment, used to record the judges’ comments, to community-based projects across the UK, which are then refurbished and used to facilitate after school clubs and many other initiatives designed to support underprivileged families.

FOOD & DRINK The Book & Bucket Cheese Company was started in January 2019 by Peter Morgan after a lot of reading, research and help from good friends.

Their ‘Shakespeare’ cheese, a creamy brie style cheese, was awarded both a Taste of the West Gold medal and 2 Great Taste Gold Stars. One of Great Taste judges noted about Shakespeare…

“A very attractive little cheese with a softly delicate bloomy rind that melts in the mouth.

The cheese inside is soft and creamy with hints of hay and farmyard and fresh air. It melts on the tongue, leaving a soft creamy rich cheese with notes of lactic acid just at the back of the tongue. Milky and clean, this is a really delicious cheese.”

To celebrate an award winning summer, The Book & Bucket Cheese Company have launched some Limited Edition ‘Winners Selection Boxes’ which contain all 5 cheeses with a Great Taste gold star. These boxes are £20 for 5 cheese or £30 for the 5 cheeses plus some savoury biscuits and chutney.

You can buy The Book & Bucket Cheeses from more 30 stockists or directly from their website for home delivery.

Heather Brown is a food writer and home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed which helps to champion Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with clients to recipe test, write food based copy, help foodie businesses with their online presence and make food for digital content.

IG: @dorsetfoodiefeed

No Tricks Sweet Treat Cakes

by Heather Brown October is peak Pumpkin season and many of you may have already had your Pumpkin spiced lattes and visited your local Pumpkin patches to be able to make delicious soups, cakes or pies, to carve, or to decorate your home with.

If you haven’t picked up your pumpkins yet, then worry not, there is still plenty of time! There are ‘pick your own’ patches in Dorset at Sopley Farm in Christchurch, Lenctenbury Farm in Corfe Castle, Cat & Fiddle Farm and Cafe in Hinton and Dorset Country Pumpkins in Milton Abbas, as well as just over the border with Ansty Farm near Salisbury and ‘Pumpkin Picking Patch’ in Fordingbridge. Until carved, pumpkins keep brilliantly so you can both enjoy them as an autumnal decoration and then make all your favourite recipes once Halloween is over.

For the Cake • 10oz/285g butter • 10oz/285g caster sugar • 5 eggs • 10oz/285g self raising flour • 1 tsp vanilla extract For the Icing

If you were hoping to go Trick or Treating but were unsure of the safety aspect this year, then you can get involved in ‘The Great Dorset Pumpkin Trail’.

Instead of collecting sweets, simply pop a lovely picture of a pumpkin in your window and families are taking their children to see how many they can find as they walk around the neighbourhood.

Currently the Facebook group for this event has more than 10,000 members and is rapidly growing so get involved in some of the fun!

If you still want your kids to have their sweet fix, then this recipe is full of colour and fun and can be topped with all your favourite sweet treats. It is super simple to make and would be a great fun to make with your children over half term.

• 4oz/110g softened butter • 8oz/225g icing sugar • a little extra icing sugar • some food colouring in fun colours.

• oodles of your favourites sweets

Method: • Smear some butter around the base and sides of a 9inch x 13 inch baking tin. Then line the bottom of the tin with greaseproof paper. Preheat the oven to gas 5 (170º fan).

• In a stand mixer, with an electric whisk or with a wooden spoon, beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl really well. The mixture will change to be light and fluffy and the colour will turn pale.

• Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well between each egg. If the mixture curdles, you can add one spoonful of the flour and then beat well.

• Slowly stir in the flour. Take care not to beat hard and knock out all of the air that has just been worked into the mix.

•Spoon the mixture into the tin evenly and level the tops so they are mostly flat. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. The cakes will be done when the cakes have come away slightly from the edges of the pan and the top of the cake is springy to the touch.

• Leave the cakes to cool.

To Ice The Cakes: • Remove the sponge from the baking tin.

• Make a simple buttercream icing by combining the butter with the icing sugar in a mixer and beat well together. If the mixture becomes too stiff, soften with a little milk. If the mixture is to soft, you can just add some more icing sugar.

• Spread the buttercream across the top of the whole cake so that it is evenly covered.

• Cut the cake into squares and move the squares slightly apart from each other.

• Mix 4 or 5 tbsp of icing sugar in a little bowl with a tiny amount of water and some food colouring to make brightly coloured water icing and drizzle these across the tops of the squares.

• Top with all your favourite sweets.

FOOD AND DRINK

Wine and Food: a match made in heaven.

Sadie Wilkins is a Wine Merchant from Vineyards of Sherborne, the award-winning Indie right here in the heart of the Blackmore Vale. We're thrilled to have her on board, teaching me us all a little more about one of our favourite (and baffling) drinks.

There’s no doubt about it, there’s definitely an art to pairing the right bottle of wine to the given context. However, once you understand a few principles, it’s something that will boost your experience of wine drinking overall.

Now, I must start by saying that you do not need to be hosting a three course dinner party in order to ‘pair’ a wine to a ‘situation.’ All contexts matter. Food, is definitely a factor when choosing wine, but so are many other things including the weather, the company and your budget.

So, food… if you are cooking something that has elements of fruit e.g a middle-eastern tagine with apricots, hoisin duck, or pork with apple, then it’s a match made in heaven to choose a fruity wine - perhaps a Dolcetto d’Alba from Northern Italy, which is packed full of cherries, or a Viognier that oozes stone fruit flavours.

Saltiness in food really sings alongside a wine with real acidity.

Think fish and chips with a Sauvignon Blanc, or Asian cuisine involving a salty soy sauce

with a bone dry Riesling.

Alternatively, you can contrast the saltiness in a dish with sweetness; that’s why the age old combination of Stilton cheese and Port is a win win.

butter that would benefit from being ‘cut through’ with a high acidity wine to give an overall palate cleanse.

Final thoughts on food are relating to sweetness. Pudding All things are wonderful in wines are still underrated in my moderation and we all enjoy the view and are one of life’s greatest odd ‘high fat’ rich dish. Indulgent pleasures. When dealing with the meals cry out for big and bold sweeter end of the spectrum wines to meet them head on. Rib- there is one key principle, ensure eye steak and a gnarly that the wine is sweeter than the Argentinian Malbec is one of my dessert. Otherwise it will all be a favourite combinations, albeit a bit flabby. Pistachio ice cream tad stereotypical. Or a spicy bowl with candied Sicilian nougat and a of curry packed full of chilli and Passito di Pantelleria is a ‘go to’ herbs works incredible well with for me - no wonder it was dubbed a rustic Côtes du Rhone. to have been used by the Roman Something else to have in the and Greek gods to woo a back of your mind, is whether or potential lover! not the dish has cream, fat, or Lastly, match the wine to the

THE BLACKMORE VALE FOOD & DRINK

Apples, Apples Everywhere – and Plenty More to Drink At one time there were over 10,000 orchards in Dorset. Today there’s a profound sense of peace and calm as I walk through the community orchard at Broad Oak. Established for the enjoyment of the village residents the orchard contains a variety of fruit trees. A tree is laden with Kate apples, one of the last to be harvested.

Community orchards are not only a wildlife haven and source of food but enable everyone to learn about how to maintain fruit trees and be more environmentally Production of cider and other aware. apple products has been heavily It has been a bumper year for the impacted by lockdown. Local apple harvest. Bill Meaden of producers such as Liberty Fields at Halstock missed out on Cranborne Chase Cider summed festivals and shows this year, it up. “The season has been one of extremes with a very hot where significant trade is usually achieved. Owner Robert Imlach spring meaning a good blossom and heavy rainfall meaning good described it as a “quiet year.” sized fruit. At the moment we are seeing fruit fall 2-3 weeks earlier Liberty Fields famous apple than normal putting the pressure syrup (Dorset’s answer to maple on us to get the crop harvested syrup if you haven’t discovered it) and pressed earlier in the is still a strong seller, along with season.” their balsamic vinegar.

Cranborne Chase Cider

Robert also gave me a cracking tip for the festive season: “Our dessert cider tastes wonderful on Christmas pudding.”

At Cranborne Chase the business has adapted to the pandemic by producing more bottles and 5 litre boxes than the festival size containers. Bill has also spent time producing apple juice from some of the cider apples this

Broad Oak Community Orchard

year. Minchington Blend uses Brown’s apples and other varieties from his orchards.

There’s also a Red Devil variety which retains the rose pink colour from the apples for a few months. Both apple juices will be on sale from mid- October.

Liberty Fields has also diversified with their apples by partnering with gin producers. The baked apple gin produced in partnership with Vineyards of Sherborne is definitely going on my Christmas wish list.

It may have been a quiet year for cider and drinks production but the creative diversity of our local producers has given us a great opportunity to make the most of the apple harvest by sampling some of these delicious goodies.

Rachael Rowe www.rachaelrowe.com

Are you a local artist keen to share some news or a new piece of work? We'd love to feature you!

Send it to us on editor@theblackmorevale.co.uk

Artist Snippets In March of this year as lockdown was starting I watch a TV programme about the American abstract artist Larry Poons and was hooked. I have produced 60+ pieces since then, sold a dozen pictures and loving every second of it. I paint in the evenings after work and at the weekends. It is thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing, and keeps me out of the pubs !!!

Image: THE CARNIVAL PARADE Nick Parker www.nickparkerart.com

ART

The Open Studio of Jane Shaw and Polly Cazalet.

by Edwina Baines

To the west of Winterborne Houghton, rising to over seven hundred feet above sea level are the chalk downs and woodland haunts of owls. According to folklore, a villager was lost in these woods and, calling for help, mistook the answering calls of owls for human voices; so residents came to be known as "Houghton Owls.” Behind the road to Higher Houghton and nestled at the end of this valley in a magical garden, I found the Open Studio of Jane Shaw and Polly Cazalet.

Polly Cazalet & Jane Shaw image by Edwina Baines

I was intrigued to know how these last few months under lockdown had changed Jane and Polly's creativity, for the summer could have been one of lost incentive. However, freed from regular school runs and with fewer distractions, they’d both found the luxury of extra time.

This they felt was the greatest change, giving them an increased focus. Indeed, Jane found her sculptures have begun to take on a more literary meaning; so the first piece she completed during this time, is appropriately titled “Isolation.” It is of a horse with its head drooping down, its pose exhausted - but its form supported by a rock. “Ugly can be beautiful. There is a great beauty in sadness.” And this sculpture conveys that beauty in the strength of the horse on its strong foundations.

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Jane then demonstrated how each piece begins with armature which she covers in wax or clay and continually adds and takes away - and how the ‘Jane energy’ that is obvious in every one of her sculptures is conveyed.

for there is “no point in creating only a replica of the subject in front of me.” Drawings and photos will be done in the field from direct study and then continued at home in the studio as she continually builds her knowledge of the subject matter, understanding movement especially through intense observation.

The finished piece will not necessarily be a portrait of the animal. The sculpture changes as she searches for the essence of the animal, focusing on the hidden emotions of her subject matter.

By fluid, spontaneous and strong gestural strokes with any material she uses, she portrays the power and character of individual animals.

“When building up in wax or clay or any material I use, its all about the ‘line’, and creating lights and darks as well as the overall balance, just like a painting. I look at how to make the sculpture work first, and then the subject matter comes second. I want the materials to be seen, and simple imprints from my hands, my thumbs and fingernails.”

Even when working on a commission, her work evolves,

Jane Shaw explaining her process image by Edwina Baines

Isolation - image by Millie Pilkington

“Covid has given us time to reflect and turn in on ourselves….there is now more expression, more of a narrative in each piece.”

their heads towards each other, the ears of both disproportionally bigger, symbolising their method of communication; and soft eyes gave out messages of love and kindness for she wanted to capture the support and bond between them.

Jane also wanted to express optimism about the future, especially for the next generation, so a second new A stunning third bronze of a bronze, “Love and Hope,” shows Mongolian eagle hunter and his two horses sensitively inclining paramount. The hunter sits

Love and Hope - image by Millie Pilkington

astride the strong form of a horse, trusting it to carry him and responding to his every move; whilst the eagle, its wings outstretched, perches on his hand. The hunter must trust not only the horse but also the eagle: he has to let the eagle go - but the eagle will return. The symbolism of a trinity cannot go unnoticed.

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In their combined Open Studio, Jane’s sculptures and paintings provide a powerful backdrop for Polly Cazalet’s sensitive ceramics.

blended practicality with beauty.

She uses natural products such as poppy seeds to create her delicate Polly has also found these last few patterns, for porcelain months have given her a new “picks them up in subtle clarity, a clearer focus - for her, ways.” Her use of colour is the actual process is all simple and calm, the aqua important: blues, pale translucent greens, silvers and light “When I have the chance to get greys creating a tranquil a big piece of clay, I am totally gentleness; so it was no absorbed with the process of surprise when she told me throwing and being in the that she practises and moment. Porcelain doesn’t let teaches yoga. Indeed, you work on it for long as it working with porcelain distorts; so I let it evolve on its seems, in itself, to be a own.” meditation.

Indeed, in the kiln each piece takes on a life of its own.

Polly showed me some bowls to demonstrate this technique; and in particular, a beautiful Japaneseinspired tea-set of little bowls caught my eye. Drawn to the ritualistic, slowing-down that their Tea ceremony represents, she has

afterlockdown. that Polly Cazalet at She workbelieves in her studio pottery is good for the soul lockdown. She believes that pottery is good for

As well as teaching yoga, she helps at local Town Farm Workshops teaching adults with learning difficulties to create hand-crafted articles which they can sell to create a small income.

She has also been asked by villagers to start pottery classes and hopes to start these after

lockdown. She believes that pottery is good for the soul and is certain that most people love to be creative. “The actual process is important, for it becomes physical and meditative.

"So many people have suffered during the pandemic and not just through physical ill health…..Art is such a lovely therapy.”

Polly Cazalet's Japanese-inspired tea set

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These two complementary artists, strongly rooted in the local countryside, are passionate about capturing the overall essence of the material in their work.

Afterwards, wandering around the garden I noticed that Jane has also developed an ever expanding array of powerful outdoor sculptures which are placed sympathetically with the stunning backdrop of the green hills and woods around me. These large sculptures of life size goats, hares, horse heads etc all have a contemporary twist to them – primarily because of the way Jane has sculpted them using plaster and scrim to accentuate the flow of energy and movement. My lasting image is of the sculpture underneath an overarching tree, of a small child with its arms stretching up in hope towards the sky is appropriately called “Reaching for the Stars” – Jane believes that we should let children feel ‘anything is possible’ – A lovely optimistic thought as you leave the garden!

The studio will be open by appointment during October. www.janeshawsculpture.com www.pollycazalet.com “Reaching for the Stars” - image by Edwina Baines

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ANIMALS

A Vet's Voice: Talking Cats...

by Lynn Broom BVSc MRCVS. Lynn shares the benefit of her twenty year experience as practicing vet.

Lynn's with the Longmead Veterinary Practice in Shaftesbury.

Cats are the second most popular pet owned in the UK. They are generally easier to look after than dogs because they are often quite independent and don’t need to be taken for walks. They do, however have certain specific needs.

They are ‘obligate carnivores’ which means they need certain nutrients found naturally only in meat (although vegan foods which contain synthetic products do exist). When fed an unsupplemented non-meat based diet they will suffer health problems including eye and heart defects.

Healthy cats do not need a lot to drink but they always need access to fresh clean water. Wet cat foods contain around 75% water whereas dry biscuit diets contain 10%. It stands to reason, therefore, that they will drink more when fed a dry diet. Many cats will drink from outside sources but be aware that, in hot or freezing weather, outside sources may become unavailable.

Cats often prefer to drink running water such as from a tap. Cat water fountains are available and encourage cats to drink enough. Cats which don’t drink enough are more prone to urinary issues and constipation.

A free range cat will often prefer to go to the toilet outside although some will still choose to come back inside to use a litter tray ! In snowy weather cats are often reluctant to go outside and, when a litter tray is not available, this makes them more prone to

cystitis because they avoid urinating for longer periods. Cats prefer a clean litter tray and will be less keen to use one that has already been used making them either reluctant to use it and they may go elsewhere within the house. Providing multiple litter trays in several different quiet locations is the best way to encourage them to use the trays appropriately.

Stress is a surprisingly common issue in cats but they do not show it in the same way as humans or dogs. Stress in cats typically presents as inappropriate urination/ defaecation (for instance they may urinate on a humans bed), cystitis (by far the most common cause of cystitis in cats – it is much less commonly due to infection) or over-grooming.

Changes in the household such as a new person moving in or building work starting can set off these behaviours.

A common cause of stress in cats is living with another cat. Even cats that appear to get on well can still be stressed by sharing their space with another cat. You can minimise this stress by providing multiple litter trays and providing food and water in more than one place so that food guarding can’t happen.

Cats make great pets, often because of their independence.

They are good at hiding symptoms of illness so noticing subtle differences in their behaviour from normal may be a sign of an underlying problem which may require investigation.

ANIMALS

Older ladies looking for their forever homes

"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile.

(William Cullen Bryant)

Our wildlife columnist

Brigit Strawbridge Naturalist, wildlife gardener, well-known British environmentalist and bee advocate.

Autumn has arrived, and along with it the myriad reds, yellows, coppers, browns and golds we associate with this most glorious of seasons. And from beneath the fallen leaves, mushrooms and toadstools emerge, popping up here, there, everywhere, erupting from the earth as though by magic. The appearance of these mysterious fruiting bodies has been a little later this year in North Dorset, than last - due in part I imagine to a dry(ish) September - but they’re making up for lost time now.

Hedgerows, too, are laden with seasonally coloured fruits and berries; crab apples, hollies, hips, haws, sloes, to name but a few; all providing welcome forage for wild creatures as they make their preparations for the cold winter months ahead. And, of course, there are nuts. This has been a wonderful year for nuts, not least, acorns. A single Oak tree can produce up to 90,000 acorns each containing large amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals; making them an important part of many wild

image: Brigit Strawbridge

animals’ diets. Small mammals such as mice and squirrels feed on them, as do birds and deer.

I find it impossible on my walks not to gather up pockets-full of fallen fruits, nuts and berries, as well as pretty coloured leaves, fir cones, seed heads, feathers, and anything else (bar fungi) that catches my eye. Usually I take my finds home, filling our windowsills with objects more beautiful and unique than anything I could ever find in a shop, but sometimes I use them to create Nature Mandalas (a form of nature art) which I leave by the side of a path or woodland clearing; for others to find, wild creatures to eat, or the wind to blow away.

A mandala is a Hindu and Buddhist symbol, circular in design, representing the universe. You don’t need to be artistic to create a ‘nature’ mandala; just work from the inside outward, maintaining symmetry and balance, adding whatever you want until you are

happy with what you have created, or have used up all your materials. So long as it is circular, there is no right or wrong way to make such a thing. Nature mandalas are such a beautiful way to revel in nature’s bounties, mark the changing of the seasons, and reflect on the passing of time. Maybe you’d like to give it a go? But beware… they can become quite addictive!

Answers to last month's quiz from Paul: 1 - The cobbled street used by Ridley Scott was Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. 2 - Cerne Abbas was up for sale in 1918. 3 - St Thomas a Beckett Church, Lydlinch has apotropaic symbol 'graffiiti'. 4 - Holwell has the oldest post box in England, the red pillar box arrived in the Dorset village in 1853 & bears the initials of Queen Victoria.

OUT OF DOORS

Old Places, New Adventures

By Paul Birbeck, Blue Badge Tour Guide.

This month, I'm looking at the fascinating area around the ancient settlement of Marnhull (Marn’ll), about 6 miles north of Sturminster.

Historically, this area is part of the Royal Forest of Gillingham. Today ‘forest’ implies woodland, but in the Middle Ages (C12th – C15th) a forest meant an area of land over which the King had hunting rights, and which was subject to special forest laws. The area was not necessarily wooded, but included open heathland, open arable fields, pasture and meadows of local manors held within the boundary.

Marn’ll was part of the Forest which contained a King’s Court, where the king occasionally stayed, set in a wide-spreading park. Forest officials included a forester-offee, assisted by a ranger and foresters who maintained the walks and rights. The legacy of

these times still influences the position of houses, pub names, field names and local traditions.

There are many walking routes radiating from Marn’ll, ranging between 4-8 miles. The free park opposite the butchers in Burton Street is a useful starting point.

Walk up past the Blackmore Vale pub and keep straight on down Ham Lane. At the end is a superb view of the River Stour flood plain out towards Gibbs industrial estate at Henstridge and across the ‘Vale of Milk’.

Walk down the gently sloping ridge to a footbridge across the river. This area allows you to explore the dairy areas around Hamwood

The Marnhull Landscape - Paul Birbeck

and Crib House Farms.

The latter is the home of the Dorset Dairy Co. which supplies the local milk machines and has developed a range of innovative dairy products, including Greek yoghurt.

Continue walking across the fields on the flood plain to Gomershay Farm. From here turn left to cross the river before walking up the ridge to Chantry Farm.

Continue along to Marnh’ll church and the Crown Inn with its fascinating ‘Priest Hole’ and Hardy room. Turn left up Church Hill back to Burton Street to explore the local shops and pleasant mix of architectural styles, with post-war developments existing alongside properties dating back to Tudor times and earlier.

Thomas Hardy described Marnhull as 'Marlott' in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. The Crown Inn is described as 'The Pure Drop Inn', and The Blackmore Vale Inn as 'Rollivers' - a disreputable and illegal drinking house, where secret ale drinking groups gathered upstairs. As always, there are also magnificent descriptions of the dairies and surrounding landscape which link the past and present.

OS Explorer Map 129 and local guide books will help you plan your route.

Make sure you wear wellies in the winter months and follow the countryside code. There is so much to appreciate and enjoy!

Race to save beloved barn owls from being forced into homelessness Just weeks after moving into its showcase Dorset farm, the UK wildlife friendly farming charity, the Countryside Restoration Trust, is facing a desperate race against time to rescue its oldest and most However, recent trends of modernising and converting beloved residents from becoming homeless.

A new roof needs to be literally put over their heads before the onset of winter if the family of barn owls which have bred and nested for over 20 years at Bere Marsh Farm in Shillingstone, near Blandford Forum, are to be saved from being forced out by the chicks and the start of a new elements. breeding cycle with the onset of winter.

‘Bere Marsh Farm without its Barn Owls would be unthinkable. CRT Fundraising Manager, Hayley It is essential we rescue them Neal explains ‘All the local walks from their plight. We need to do and the North Dorset Trailway everything we can to make sure run through the farm which that they remain safe because means everyone gets to see they are the iconic symbols of them at some time. They are this wildlife farm,’ says manager, beautiful birds and are a huge Elaine Spencer White. attraction in the area.’

Ever since they settled at Bere Marsh, the owls’ home has been in the roof of a 100-year-old barn sited amidst the meadows and fields of the 92-acre farm.

The iconic owls are regularly spotted by the families, hikers, cyclists and runners on the nearby trailway; familiar friends to watch out for in this beautiful stretch of the Vale close by the Stour.

The Trust hopes this much-loved familiarity will help them raise the necessary £30,000 to replace rotten roof timbers and re-tile the 100-year-old barn in the short period this Autumn between the owls’ completion of the rearing of their current

Barns owls are regularly active in daylight, particularly on long summer evenings when they need to make frequent hunting forays across farmland and meadows to feed their voracious chicks. This ensures regular sightings and their presence in a locality means habitats and food chains are robust and thriving.

Originally, Barn Owls nested in the roofs of old barns and hollow trees – hence their name.

barns into rural homes have severely reduced their natural habitats and now up to 85% of today’s birds live in specially erected nest boxes.

This makes the Barn Owl Barn at Bere Marsh Farm even more important to save and restore as it shows the iconic species in its traditional, natural setting.

'It is vital we carry out and complete the repairs before the onset of winter, so the race is on.’

It is expected that the work to the Barn Owl Barn will take approximately two weeks to complete, and is hoped to start at the end of the month once this year’s chicks have left the nest and before the owls re-start their nesting and breeding cycle in early winter.

Simply click here to pledge your support and make a donation.

The Bere Marsh Farm Barn Owls | Photo: Alan Wicks

Take a Hike...

Ansty Circular via Cheselbourne, taking in Gallows Corner, and the Dorset Gap. 9.7 miles.

A new long hike each month, not always in the Vale but always within reach for a day's walk.

We've always created and then walked them ourselves - and aim to create interesting, 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 ViewRanger app see all our routes here.

We usually do 10-15 miles - let me know if you'd like different distances.

Slowly summiting the hill on the path away from Cheselbourne

My favourite spot on the walk, on the cross dykes above Higher Melcombe, looking across Lyscombe Bottom.

Pausing for breath after a stiff climb up Coombe Hill

An easily navigated, rewarding route with big skies and wide views, plus a smattering of ancient green lanes.

The Dorsetshire Gap is always worth the climb up - you can of course always reverse the route if you don't want to finish with the climb!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL ROUTE

The ancient green lane to Gallows Corner

We use the paid version to get the full OS maps, but the free version of the Viewranger App is excellent.

On the hill just after leaving Bingham's Melcombe.

FARMING Matt Frampton is the Dorset Young Farmers County Chairman - we're so pleased he's agreed (succumbed to my bribery) to write a regular column for our farming pages. 2020 has been quite the year for all of us, but as you'll see below, Matt's had a bit of a year all by himself.

My year as County Chairman has certainly seen some highs and lows - but to prove to you what an incredible organisation this is, I will tell you a bit about my own year.

Since December I’ve been fighting Testicular Cancer, and following two operations and nine weeks of chemo I am finally out the other side and starting to return to a bit of normality!

The amount of support and kind messages from members throughout the county that I received have kept my spirits high, and made me realise how many friends Young Farmers has given me.

The whole County as a team came together and decided they wanted to raise some money for a charity of my choice. I chose “Orchid”, the charity fighting men's cancer.

Pulling all their brains together they produced a Quiz and a 'Wacky Pants' Competition - and raised over £7000!

But this column isn't all about me.

2020 has been a trying year for many within Dorset Young Farmers - I thought it might be a good idea to kick off the column with a brief

Electrox – the fast, efficient, low cost and ecological way to keep your business sanitised Electrox Sterilising Water is an ecological disinfectant that kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, spores and fungi significantly faster than chlorine bleach and other traditional disinfectants.

80x more effective than bleach pH neutral No alcohol Hypoallergenic

overview on what we get up to, along with some of our plans for the COVID-safe future!

Our Young Farmer year starts off with our 9 club AGM’s in September/October, when all the new club officers step up and meet the county team!

We had a great start to the year with our Entertainments Competition, Sports and a huge variety of Public Speaking Competitions! A highlight for many is the South West Area Activities weekend, which was held in Newquay in March and was a huge success.

Soon after we got home, the nation went into Lockdown, which meant all our clubs had to stop face to face meetings obviously.

However this didn’t dampen a lot of member’s spirits, and we were having fortnightly quizzes, Zoom meetings and games nights online!

The farming industry hasn’t stopped throughout this whole pandemic with members out every day come rain or shine.

Young Farmers means so much to Non-corrosive Low risk to health if swallowed Classified as non-hazardous No need to rinse after use Businesses can benefit by combining the use of Electrox Sterilising Water with cold fogging – enabling areas to be disinfected in a fraction of the time it would take to disinfect them manually, saving time and money.

Electrox is already helping businesses across the south west rapidly sanitise their premises – giving peace of mind to staff and customers.

a lot of people; in a rural community it's a great way to connect, whether it be competing or catching up with friends you have made through the organisation.

I’m sure the Federation is going to thrive into 2021; if you're aged between 10 and 26, love rural life and want to get involved in something new, then Young Farmers is for you! You certainly don't need to be a farmer, in fact you don't even need to own a pair of wellies.

Best wishes to all Matt Frampton

OUT OF DOORS

In The Garden: October It’s planting season! Now’s the time to start looking ahead to spring and beyond. Get some spring-flowering bulbs to ensure a colourful display when spring arrives. Try planting clumps of

five or seven bulbs of the same variety through a border, for a really effective display sure to impress! Plant them at a depth equal to twice the height of the bulb. At Thorngrove, we like to

Things to do this month:

bulbs that are labelled ‘prepared’ and plant them in early October.

•Planting and moving October is an ideal time for moving and planting trees, shrubs and climbers, as well as for hedge planting.

• Grow hyacinths for winter flowers and fragrance Plant prepared hyacinths in vases to provide winter scent and a splash of colour to your home. For hyacinths that will flower around the Christmas period, make sure you buy

• Protect plants and structures from frost Preparation is key before frost, snow and high winds arrive. Check any high structures such as fences, sheds and gates for signs of weakness and rot in October.

Insulate any outdoor containers from frost using bubble wrap or fleece and where possible, move pots of tender or borderline hardy pots into a greenhouse!

from The Thorngrove Team

encourage our customers to plant their own trees too – and it’s simpler than you think! Watch our recent ‘How To’ video about tree planting and then grab your new tree from us today!

Cold, wet, windy winter weather can damage trees, shrubs and garden structures such as trellis. Improving shelter, staking plants, mulching, wrapping pots and careful matching of plants to places will help to prevent this kind of damage.

For more expert advice, visit Thorngrove Garden Centre, and our staff will be happy to help. Also, connect with us on social media!

Already thinking about Christmas Cards?

Consider buying these, and support Blandford Hospital.

Although less and less people have been sending Christmas cards year on year, in these extraordinary times sending a Christmas card is a lovely way of keeping in touch and reminding people you are thinking of them.

The Friends of Blandford Hospital have 9 different designs of cards sold in packs of 10 for just £3 per

pack at their charity shops in Blandford and Sturminster Newton. Whatever your taste there is something to suit everyone and profits from the sale will support Blandford Hospital and the valued community services programme that the charity hope to resume as soon as possible.

The cards can also be purchased

by mail order from the charity using the order form that can be downloaded from their website: www.friendsofblandford.org.uk For further information on the charity, their shops and volunteering opportunities, take a look at their Facebook page or website."

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HEALTH

Your Winter Wellness Checklist

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

Much has been written this year about keeping our immune systems in good condition and it is something I’m asked about regularly in clinic. Even if your immune system is compromised there are things you can do as a self-help measure: alcohol, cigarettes, all rob the Look after your Gut and drinking before bed body of nutrients, create It is said that 80% of our immune • Leave a two-hour gap before inflammation, damage your gut system resides in the cells that intense exercise and bed and give you nothing in return. line our gut. Eat plenty of fresh • No devices two hours before fruits and vegetables. Rich in bed and start to reduce your Exercise vitamins and minerals, choose exposure to light.

Inactivity is associated with a what is in season and organic if higher incidence of infection, possible. Fill half your plate with Stress slower recovery and poor vegetables or fruit and try to “Eat Stress chemistry is inherently antibody response. Try to get the Rainbow” as each colour inflammatory. Cortisol is released outdoors in the fresh air, even if brings its own benefits and the in response to stress and has an just for a daily walk. Excessive wider the diversity, the better for immune suppressive action. We exercise can lower immunity so your gut bugs. all have stress in our lives, some try to find balance. of it useful, but we can help Sleep ourselves by switching off the Get your vitamin D levels Disordered sleep promotes news and limiting social media. checked inflammation and healthy sleep Take time to relax and laugh. Find Along with good gut health, supports an anti-viral immune one thing a day that brings you vitamin D is the cornerstone of a response. As part of your wind joy. strong immune system. An down routine, deploy the two optimum level of vitamin D is hour rule for healthy sleep: Reduce immune depressors around 100nmol/L. You can get • Leave two hours between eating Sugar, refined processed foods, an at-home test for £29 .

‘What is the best way to get fit?’.

Experienced Trainer & Gym Manager Roger Teasdale shares his personal tips and recommendations.

In order to get fit or maintain fitness you need to commit some time to it for the long term. The most important thing is for you to find something that you like and enjoy – this will give you the best chance of forming a good habit and sticking at it.

The next thing to consider is when you are willing and able to undertake your activity – some people are early birds and mornings would suit them, whereas others will take a bit of time to get going through the day and are more suited to evenings.

Obviously there are life things to consider such as work and family, but identify the timings that will fit you best. Once you

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have, block this time out in your diary and make it an immovable entry – do not compromise on it.

Activity wise, your local leisure centre would be a good place to start. Usually there will be a gym, some exercise classes, some sports clubs and other activities like running or walking groups.

with instructions on how to use the equipment safely, and chat with you about your goals and the sort of things you should start with on your journey towards them.

It is important to start out gently when embarking on a new fitness campaign, particularly if it has been a while. You need to give your body time to adjust - if you There are many different types of do too much, too soon then you gym - find one that will suit you. are likely to ache be put off, or Call and ask for a visit; have a worse injure yourself. look around and get a feel for the atmosphere, trainers and Regardless of what you decide to other customers. do as an activity, by including it in your schedule you will be in a ‘I wouldn’t know where to better place than you were start’ before.

All gyms will have an induction

Roger Teasdale

HEALTH

HEALTH

Caroline is a multi-award winning Dorset makeup artist, who runs the renowned 'Amazing Face'.

We're thrilled she's going to be sharing some of the professional secrets from inside her beauty box.

Caroline from Amazing Face

I really couldn’t be happier to share with you that I found my joy in life (makeup!) quite early, and to say what a privilege it is to share my knowledge and experience with the fabulous readers of this gorgeous local magazine.

Out Of The Beauty Box: Winter Skin Tips

now as a bridal makeup artist I Now Moisturise! have had the opportunity to Trilogy Rose Hip Oil (£20) is like meet clients from all walks of life. the Holy Grail of facial oils. It protects, improves fine lines and All have their own dreams, their aging, rejuvenates, and it is rich in own aspirations and a unique antioxidants (substances like story. Life is all about people, the Vitamin C that can help prevent opportunity to meet and connect slow damage to your cells caused with interesting people and one by wind, rain and heat to your Of course I love beauty products, of the biggest reasons I love face). and the newest beauty trends, being a makeup artist. just as much as the next woman Lastly get out and exercise! but I've found it goes much Please do feel free to email me We’ve got all that lovely Dorset deeper than that. I'd love to share with any beauty questions you countryside to roam in; make latest trends, but also might have as we will be covering sure you’ve moisturised well, professional tips with you lots of beauty topics over the make sure you have an spf to keeping it simple and fun too. next few issues, hopefully of protect from the elements, and interest to you and helpful too. get out there. Even a gentle walk My job at the moment is mainly will improve your circulation and bridal makeup artist and makeup Winter skin tips: will give your skin more colour. lesson guru; my special skill is to enhance people’s natural beauty, Signing off now, looking forward Exfoliate! and help bring out the most to any questions you may have .

Aim for all those summer dead confident and natural version of skin cells once a week. My themselves. People feel good Caroline X personal favourite is Pixie Glow when they look good - and being Amazing Face Dorset Tonic it removes dead skin with help to help them feel good Caroline@amazing-face.co.uk a fruit acid and really brightens means the world to me.

With over 25 years of experience your skin.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

HOME AND FURNITURE Large range of Portmeirion pottery for sale - very good condition. £50 for the lot.

TOOLS

FOR SALE

Wanted! Dave buys all types of Stirling Midi Mobility tools: useable/collectable Scooter. First Class Condition Telephone 01935 428975 £400 delivered.

Tel: 07367 565050

TEL . 07749259000 Rob's Clearance - House, shed and site clearance.

Rubbish removed. Recycling carried out. Good / interesting items purchased for cash.

Friendly and reliable.

TEL: 01747 839751 or 07956 414896.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Whistles Cleaning. Reliable, experienced, domestic cleaner. Sherborne and surrounding areas. DBS checked. References.

Call Jilly on 07980 560199. whistlescleaning.co.uk I arrive with a smile!

OUT OF DOORS

LOGS FOR SALE! £145 for a double load £85 for a half load Telephone – 07980 036250 / 01258 880892 WANTED! Permanent grass keep or yard and building For 6 yearling heifers Yearly rent paid in advance Tel : 07367 565050

CARER AVAILABLE NVQ 3 trained | Excellent references | Sherborne / Yeovil area | 25 years experience.

CALL DEBORAH 07753 301530 CLEANING SERVICES OFFERED. Thorough and hardworking Polish lady.

Please ring 01258 860 136.

AGRICULTURAL

ANTIQUES / COLLECT'S

Ridley Rappa in 3 reel sets; 3 x 500 metres polywire,3x400 metres polywire, 5x400 metres wire. To include reel posts, end/corner posts (mostly wooden), intermediate stakes ( 1 per 10 metres). Ridley Rappa wheelbarrow. Mole Electric fencer no; D1000. Askerswell.

ENQUIRIES - 07709 271077.

Wanted good hardback books and collections. Also china, collectables, vintage and interesting salvage and clearance items. Cash paid.

Please call Jack on 07542389447 www.jackshouseclearance.co.uk

ELECTRICALS

R & W Services All Types of Fencing Hay & Haylage and Agricultural Contracting Call 07980 036250 / 01258 880892

To book a classified ad, email Courtenay on advertising@theblackmorevale.co.uk or do it online here.

Can you choose your top 5 fiction books?

It's the sort of dilemma that fills any book lover with tingly excitement and existential dread.

That's the challenge that Dorset Libraries have set us this month - to celebrate Novel Writing Month in November they're asking you to nominate your all time favourite reads - but just the top five - to create a list of 100 top reads by Dorset residents.

Click the picture to tell them your five best loved reads - but don't worry, you have the whole month to narrow it down!

WHAT'S ON Meet your Local

Fanny Charles

Small but well-read at Yeovil YEOVIL Literary Festival is back at the end of November. It’s a bit shorter than usual, and there’s a new venue, but the quality of the speakers is as interesting and diverse as ever.

Running for three days, Friday

29th November to Sunday 1st December, the festival has moved to Westlands, where the sofa-style seating makes for greater flexibility for socially distanced seating.

Speakers include the royal historian Lucy Worsley, on her new book, If Walls Could Talk, Dame Jenni Murray, who has just retired after more than 30 years as presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, chemical

weapons expert Col Hamish de Bretton Gordon, and Jonathan Coe on his latest novel, Mr Wilder and Me. The festival is run jointly by Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, Westlands Entertainments Venue, South Somerset District Council, Waterstones Yeovil and Yeovil Community Arts Association.

For more information visit yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk

A Christmas robin at the Playhouse CINDERELLA won’t be going to the ball at Salisbury Playhouse this year, but families can still enjoy a Christmas show, with a welcome return for the charming Little Robin Redbreast, from 1st to 27th December.

For tickets and more information visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk

This delightful festive treat is written by Wiltshire Creative artistic director Gareth Machin and composer Glyn Kerslake.

Robin links the pictures in his advent calendar together as he makes his magical, musical journey towards Christmas Day, encountering a street-wise squirrel, an attention-seeking mouse, a family of reindeer and a curious cat along the way. It’s a show full of songs, magic and surprises for all the family.

Gareth said: “I’m really delighted that we’re bringing back this truly magical show... I hope that this year, especially, it will bring joy to more people young and old.”

WHAT'S ON

Nurse Nellie Saves Panto!!

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without panto. So, whilst keeping everyone safe, the Octagon Theatre are pleased to announce a very special show that will be great fun for all the family.

Don’t miss this fun-sized festive treat for the whole family starring the Octagon's regular panto stars, Gordon Cooper, Jack Glanville and Thom Ford. When a baddie steals the joy of pantomime, will Nurse Nellie and her friends manage to rescue it? Oh yes they will!

Written by Paul Hendy, and with a cast of five, this hilarious, socially distanced, 70-minute extravaganza will feature all your favourite panto moments including great musical numbers; the cart routine; and, of course, the famous ghost gag bench (‘well, we’ll have to do it again then, won’t we?!’)

Joyous, funny and uplifting, this really is a must-see show and the perfect antidote to 2020!

With a reduced number of tickets available, we strongly advise booking early for this!

Made to Measure Productions and The Tivoli Theatre are delighted to confirm that this year’s Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk WILL be going ahead!

The show will be slightly shorter than usual, at just over an hour (with no interval), but the fun starts before the curtain even goes up as our hilarious cast get you up and dancing (socially distanced, of course!) in our pre-show warm up – there’s even a panto quiz to have a go at!

We’re also looking forward to our increasingly popular ‘Grown-Ups Only’ nights, which return for a third year on 29th & 30th December and 2nd & 4th January. These usually sell out, and with social distancing in place there are very limited seats available so get in there quickly!

WHAT'S ON

What's On

Got an event coming up in November? Our next publication date is the 6th, submission deadline midday on the 5th of October. editor@theblackmorevale.co.uk

Shaftesbury Arts Centre is delighted to resume its live streaming events with Romeo and Juliet.

Choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky and performed by the Bolshoi Ballet company.

Celebrated Bolshoi stars Ekaterina Krysanova and Vladislav Lantratov portray the star-crossed lovers destined to pay the ultimate price for their forbidden romance.

The box office is currently closed, all bookings must be made online.

Sunday 11 October at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets £15, Under 18s £12 Find full details at www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

please book online here

WHAT'S ON At TREASURES FROM THE SILK ROAD you will find exotic textiles, jewellery and accessories.

Anne Hildyard’s first contact with the embroideries and weavings of Central Asia was made during overland travels through these countries in 1992. Subsequent visits to Istanbul each year, meeting with dealers in the bazaars, who, in the tradition of the Silk Road traders, specialise in the textiles of Uzbekistan and surrounding countries, and adding to the variety of ‘treasures’ from the traditional work of Turkey, has filled the showroom with colour and texture an explosion of creative talent, old and new, from far and wide.

Anne was in Turkey at the beginning of the year, and so now, as all selling events have been since been cancelled, the showroom is fully stocked.

She is now welcoming visitors at the beginning of each month up until Christmas. Shopping may not be high on our list of priorities these days, but a visit to the showroom might make an enjoyable outing - as well as possibly helping with ideas for presents.

You are welcome to email Anne anne@treasuresfromthesilkroad.co.uk, or call 01258 817518 with enquiries. And do check the Instagram account for some beautiful images.

WHAT'S ON For almost 80 years the Millers have farmed at Longclose. Following the very wet autumn of 2019, part of the wheat crop failed to germinate and they found themselves with a large bare patch in the corner of one of the fields.

Combine that with the start of lockdown and many hands suddenly being available,... Having always had aspirations to diversify and try a novel crop such as pumpkins , the opportunity of time and space was too good to miss.

All the pumpkins have been individually grown from seed in the Millers' greenhouse and hand planted in the one and a half acre patch. They have hand watered and weeded the patch, and not used any herbicides or pesticides.

Come and choose your own - there's a mix of varieties with a lovely variation of sizes and colours for you to choose from.

For track and trace purposes the Up To Snow Good Christmas Market event at Wincanton Sports Ground is ticketed this year.

This is for everyone’s safety so that numbers can be tracked closely, and will also make check in quicker!

Tickets are £2 - you can express interest via their Facebook event here, and you can book tickets via Eventbrite here Get your Christmas shopping and stocking fillers in one place!!

AUCTIONS SITUATIONS VACANT Meditech is a well established supplier to the NHS Supply Chain, delivering medical products to UK Hospitals, clinics and care facilities. Meditech products are 90% UK manufactured, providing Breathing System Devices and surgical consumables. All Meditech products carry the CE mark and conform to all the regulatory requirements.

Due to our established relationship with the NHS we are continually offering assistance during this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and have been working 24/7 for many months. We are listed as a pandemic supplier for oxygen therapy already with NHS. We are looking for keen individuals to help us maintain supply and demand. We need Production staff with the following qualities, Full Training will be given.

• Attention to detail • Ability to work well with others.

• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

• Flexible Contact Julie - julie@meditechsystems.co.uk Meditech Systems Limited, Shaftesbury Tel: +44 (0) 1747 821546 https://www.

SITUATIONS VACANT This post will commence: 2nd November 2020 or as soon as possible.

We are looking for the successful applicant to:

Learning Support Assistant 26.08 hours/week (Mon-Fri) term time only Salary Grade 15: £18,065 - £18,426 pro rata fixed term until August 2021 Click here for Learning Support Assistant post details and application form Application forms should be accompanied by a full letter of application and sent to the school office by post or email the School Finance Officer – judith.ham@horsington.bwmat.org Closing date: Wed 14th October 2020 Interview date: Thursday 22nd October 2020

• To have a flexible approach to work at Horsington Church School to support pupils in their learning • Have knowledge and experience or a willingness to learn how to adapt lessons to meet the needs of individuals within the class • Support and direct literacy, numeracy and daily tasks, clarifying and explaining instructions, whilst contributing to the modification and differentiation of materials; • Be flexible and adaptable, meeting new challenges within the classroom setting with a positive attitude; • Contribute to and assist in the development and monitoring of systems for review and recording of pupil’s progress; • Manage time well; • Be willing and flexible to take on other duties or tasks that the school requires.

• Work as part of the lunchtime team in the classroom and the outside areas.

AUCTIONS

DVCA Autumn Auction Breezes In October gales are already battering our country but there are also some exciting entries blowing in for DVCA’s specialist historic vehicle auction sale on the 22nd of October.

The latest arrivals include a 2009 Auto Speciali 427 Cobra Recreation with only 1600 miles covered since an engine rebuild and located in Yorkshire (so grab

your bus pass and go!).

Also consigned to the sale is a 1997 Honda Prelude 2.2 VTi that offers amazing value for such a usable motor car; a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E Auto with modest mileage – and a good example of a reliable family of saloons which are proving to be both collectable and enjoyable to drive; a 1959 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible which is a conversion carried out by The Morris Minor Centre and looks very smart with its red hood and trim, and is sensibly priced too; a 1952 Riley RMA Saloon that has been extensively and expensively restored and is gorgeous in dark British Racing Green; a wellappointed 1976 Vanden Plas 1500 that, with a little imagination whilst wafting along the country lanes, is just as good as any luxury car, and finally, over two hundred lots of interesting automobilia and memorabilia.

for historic vehicles and automobilia), you will be most welcome to join DVCA for their autumn sale.

All lots are available to view by prior arrangement before the auction sale on the 22nd October.

It will be possible to bid in three ways: by commission (the auctioneer will bid on your behalf up to your maximum amount stated. You may be confident that if bidding stops at a lower figure, the auctioneer will sell on your bid providing the reserve has been met); by telephone (you will be contacted by DVCA and therefore will be able to hear the auctioneer and instruct bidding accordingly); and finally, online via Easy Live Auctions (you must register before 24 hours prior to the auction sale and this process will effectively place you in front of the auctioneer. It may seem alarming but is actually rather fascinating if not mildly addictive.

Whichever way DVCA’s clients wish to participate, the auction house will be delighted to help.

Whether buying, selling or simply interested in how an online auction of classic cars is presented (by a wellPlease contact them by established auction house, emailing Brian Chant at who specialise in nothing other info@dvca.co.uk or by than finding new homes telephone on 01963 363353.

SPORT Image by Kerry Rawson Photography

Local Stalbridge lad takes a win at the British Supersport championship at Oulton Park Continuing his success in 2020, Brad Jones took the top step at Oulton Park last weekend in the British Supersport Championship with a sterling performance in both races. Running the pace all weekend, Brad battled for his illusive first win of the season and pressured team mate Rory Skinner for the top step. Making a great start in race one and taking the lead for the first time on lap five the team mates were changing positions every few corners, but ultimately Brad held off Rory’s attack to take his first win. He said: “We worked to our plan throughout the weekend to set us up strong for the races. We Image by Kerry Rawson Photography

had shown good pace throughout the weekend and it was mega to back that up with a win in the sprint race.

Rory pushed me all the way but it felt great to have the winning pace after a tricky start to the year!”

Qualifying pole for race two and a blinding start gave Brad the holeshot maintaining a Team Appleyard McAdam 1-2 at the end of lap one. The pair lapped over half a second faster than the chasing pack, with Brad on Rory’s tail every lap. Brad said: “To start from pole position in race two and go on to battle for

another win was a real confidence boost and although I missed out on the double by 0.3 of a second, it was nice to take a strong points haul and show my true potential which now we can take through to the final two rounds.”

“There are just four races to go in the British Supersport Championship and I’m holding 2nd position overall. I have to say a massive thank you as always to all my amazing sponsors, fans and readers for all the support this season so far!”

FOOTBALL

SPORT

The Hornets were knocked out the county cup in the first round on a wet & windy morning. This left for some sloppy play in the first half for the Hornets but they improved United continued their unbeaten in the second, regularly testing the start to the season with a Old Spa keeper without reward. thumping 13-3 victory over the Famous Old Spa take the 4-0 The Barbarians travelled to Comets thanks to goals from victory & progress to a second Sturminster Rovers on a rather wet Kieran Davis [6], Charlie Brown [2], round tie against fellow BVFL weekend for everyone & began the Iwan Walters [2], Patrick Golden [2] member, Sturminster Rovers. match the better. Two well created & Nick Hewlett. The Comets chances in the first five minutes goalscorers were Jordan Lynk with RESULTS, Sunday, saw a Will Heron effort saved off a spectacular half way line goal the line before a Dale Hofmann using initiative to spot the keeper Kellaway BS Division 1: Bruton one on one was coolly converted. off the line, Rob Dersley with a chip United Colts P Bradford Abbas P, Rovers got themselves back into of the keeper & Harry Lucas using Sturminster Rovers 1 Donhead the match just before halftime with his pace to put it in the far corner Barbarians 4, TGR 6 Team Jamie Bugler successfully slotting of the goal.

Gryphon 2, South Cheriton Comets home from the penalty spot.

3 Wincanton United 13.

The second half saw the With the rain pouring down, AFC Barbarians step it up once more & Blandford United travelled to R.A.B Dorset Sunday Challenge Cup, were rewarded with a Joe FC for their county cup first round Round One: Famous Old Spa 4 Patterson goal after some nice tie. Played in a good spirit, both Hazelbury Hornets 0, R.A.B. FC 4 work from substitute Ryan Down. teams played a good game but it AFC Blandford United 5.

From here on it was all Barbarians was Blandford who went into the creating chance after chance but break with a 3-1 lead thanks to FIXTURES, Sunday, failing to hit the back of the net. Up goals from Lewis Freak, Archie steps Ryan Down to get a goal of McCarthy & Brad Parry. The Kellaway BS Division 1: Bradford his own burring one from 25yards second half saw RAB come out Abbas v TGR, Donhead Barbarians & then got another after spotting fighting with the conviction to turn v Bruton United Colts, South the keeper off his line & lobbing it the tie on its head & take a 4-3 lead Cheriton Comets v Hazelbury in from 40yards. This is how the with their fourth being an Hornets, Team Gryphon v match ended giving Barbarians unstoppable shot in off the Sturminster Rovers, Wincanton three points to take them third in crossbar. Blandford rallied United v AFC Blandford United. the league. together & went on the offensive which was rewarded with a Lewis The Gryphon derby started off at a Freak frantic pace with an early goal for both sides but after that TGR settled down & took control of the match scoring another three goals before half time. After the break, TG still could not get back into the match & TGR extended their lead scoring two more times before TG ended the match with another consolation goal. The goalscorers for TGR were Haydn Warrington [2], Dan Prigg [2], Alan Tallis & Luke Hancock while TG’s two goals came through Tom Hargreave & Dan Costello. equaliser before a Brad Parry strike won them the tie. Blandford will now travel to Wyke Smugglers for their second round tie.

BLACKMORE VALE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PUZZLES You asked, we delivered. Your interactive Jigsaw - and yes, next month a crossword too.

This month's image is of the river Stour, on a walk just outside Sturminster Newton.

Image courtesy of your favourite editor...

To complete the jigsaw simply click the image and the interactive jigsaw will pop up.

If you wish you can choose a different number of pieces to start with - make it harder or easier, it's up to you!

This is the control panel which appears click the grid to select your number of pieces, click the arrow to shuffle the pieces.

THE BLACKMORE VALE

LEGAL

Duties and responsibilities of an executor: Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

Expert help on common legal issues from the team at Porter Dodson LLP. This week: Being an Executor. straightforward to administer, but others can be extremely complex and can even take several years to complete.

Some of the duties and responsibilities expected of an executor include, but are not limited to:

Lesley Hamilton So, you have been named as an executor in someone’s Will. An executor can be a family member, friend or professional. Being chosen as an executor is an honour; however it also comes with certain obligations.

You have the legal authority to deal with their assets and to undertake the administration of their estate on their death.

A common misconception is that you cannot act as an executor if you are a beneficiary. This is not the case. However, you must ensure you act in the best interests of the estate, which can sometimes conflict with what your wishes may be as one of the beneficiaries!

It is a great responsibility to take on the role of an executor, and is a lifelong appointment. Some estates will be relatively

• Accurately identifying all assets and liabilities of the estate; • Obtaining formal valuations of the assets (where appropriate); • Calculating the value of the estate and any tax liability; • Claiming the available allowances to offset against any tax liability; • Settling any tax due within six months of the date of death and before interest starts to accrue (where possible); • Ensuring the assets of the estate are safely preserved for the beneficiaries until distribution; • Settling the personal taxation of the deceased; and • Completing the estate in a timely manner You could be held personally financially liable for any loss resulting from a breach of duty, even if the mistake is a genuine one.

You must ensure you have carried out sufficient investigations in relation to any creditors or debts the deceased

may have had. If you pay any of the deceased’s debts and additional creditors come to light which then exceeds the value of the assets, you may become liable to settle all debts in full.

Similarly, if you make distributions from the estate to the beneficiaries too early, and a successful claim is then brought against the estate, you may be personally liable to settle the claim from your own resources.

Before distributing the estate to the beneficiaries, you must carry out checks as to their respective financial positions. If a beneficiary is bankrupt, their entitlement may instead be payable to the trustee in bankruptcy.

As you can see there is a lot to consider when taking on the role as executor and it can seem rather a daunting prospect.

However, the law does have procedures in place to protect executors.

You should consider instructing a firm of solicitors to assist you with the administration of an estate to navigate you through the process. Any legal fees are due from the estate, not you personally. Do not get caught out and open yourself up to unnecessary risk!

FAMILY FINANCE

Over The Years I have set down many times with clients over a cup of tea, to have the conversation about how they will retire.

Retirement is one of those really important milestones and financial planning is key to a comfortable retirement. You need to be confident that what’s going to come in, will take care of what needs to go out each month.

It is very important to invest your funds correctly for the growth required when you are building up your retirement pot, it is equally important to make the right decisions at retirement from the wealth of options available.

There are numerous types of pensions out there and when you come to retire you should

by Steve Napier

take independent financial advice, and don’t accept straightaway what the provider offers you.

Some pensions come with guarantees and enhanced benefits, which can be extremely valuable, getting the right advice to point these things out is vital.

There are many options at retirement open to people in the modern era. If you want to have certainty for some or all of your income, to help pay the essential bills, then to convert part of your pension into an annuity may be suitable. Annuities come in different shapes and sizes. If your health and lifestyle are taken into account, then it is possible you will obtain a higher income.

Many people like to remain invested so they can be flexible on if, how and when, they take money in the future. Utilising modern drawdown contracts can allow, in event of death, people to pass wealth to their beneficiaries.

The pension can pass down and will continue working for your children and beyond. There are also inheritance tax benefits to keeping money invested in pensions and so delaying or flexibly accessing your retirement savings may be more suitable.

There are many different investment options for people who opt to stay invested.

For something so important to you and your family it warrants taking the right advice from someone you can talk to about the minefield of options.

When you consider we are all living longer, the amount of time you come to depend on your pension could be a third of your lifetime, so good retirement advice can help you have a comfortable difference.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only. A pension is a long-term investment.

The value of your investment (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation which are subject to change in the future.

Steve is an independent financial adviser with Bloomfield & Associates Ltd in Shaftesbury

PROPERTY

New Estate Agent in Shaftesbury aims to do things differently...

Simon Neville-Jones is the manager of the new Shaftesbury office of Lodestone.

Born in Wareham, Simon has worked throughout Dorset for the last 35 years, including 13 years with Savills.

“I was looking to work for a firm who were trying to do things differently.

Lodestone are the only agency operating locally who genuinely understand how to fuse modern technology with a traditional agency.”

When I asked Simon what’s interesting about the local property market, he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm – or his knowledge of the local area, rapidly reeling off his excitement at the huge variety of property we have here in North Dorset, ranging from Manor Houses, through large modern houses, rectories, farmhouses, to cottages covering all periods, and some really good starter homes.

And of course in such a wide variety of situations - from bustling towns like Sherborne, through smaller conurbations like Sturminster Newton to lively thriving villages like Child

by Laura Hitchcock

Okeford, Marnhull, Yetminster, Tollard Royal and the Donheads.

And Simon’s plans for Lodestone in Shaftesbury?

Quite simply, to be the first port of call for anyone buying or selling.

“we try to bring something different for our clients, with staff who have a deep personal knowledge of the area. We know it's about location as much as the property - and we want to really be part of the community."

'The Blackmore Vale' is published by Bluebean Publishing Ltd in Dorset, UK.