Paul Jones - Editor in Chief
We love hearing your news and views. Get in touch with us by emailing newsdesk@blackmorevale.net or calling 01963 400186
Lloyd Armishaw
newsdesk@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186
Lorraine Drake
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A COMMUNITY hub in Henstridge offers the chance to reuse and recycle – and enjoy a right good rummage through its stock of curios, collectables and clothes.
The Honesty Jar is inviting you to be part of something special… This community reuse project is a bustling hub where treasures are rediscovered and useful items are kept out of landfill.
Its huge selection of goods for sale includes anything that fits on a shelf or rail,
from clothes and books to toys, games, textiles and homeware.
The set-up is unique, because shoppers make a voluntary contribution, enabling them to take home whatever they find for whatever they can afford.
Any profit made by the Jar helps run family-friendly community events such as live music, crafting workshops and training sessions for home carers and youth groups on topics such as autistic spectrum disorder, dementia awareness, mental health and conflict management.
It’s currently looking for passionate volunteers to help sort, organise and display donations. It’s a fun and rewarding way to get involved in your community, learn new skills and meet people. No pricing required – just a helping hand and a positive attitude.
The Honesty Jar has about 40 volunteers, who process over 100 tonnes of donations
annually. To fit around your schedule, shifts are offered from 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm, and you can choose to commit to a regular slot or pop in occasionally.
The Honesty Jar is open six days a week, 10am-4pm every day except Wednesdays, set within the lovely grounds of Grassroots Garden Centre (Stalbridge Rd, BA8 0SA). Find out more at www.facebook.com/ thehonestyjar or email thehonestyjar@ bearcatcollective.co.uk
PICK up inspiration from the beautiful gardens around the Vale, open in May as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The Old Vicarage East Orchard, Shaftesbury SP7 0BA
Hundreds of different snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, tulips and many other bulbs and winter flowering shrubs. A stream meanders down to a pond and there are lovely reflections in the swimming pond, the first to be built in Dorset. The new acre has been planted with several unusual trees. Wildlife garden, pond dipping, swing and other children’s attractions.
Open Friday, May 16, and Sunday, May 18, (2pm-5pm), £5, children free. Visits also by arrangement from January 2 to December 3.
Bookham Lane, Buckland Newton, Dorchester (DT2 7RP)
This Japanese-inspired oasis is tucked away in the West Dorset countryside. A garden of tranquility is full of surprises, stories, scenery and sculptures. Highlights include a stunning metal bridge, charming tea house, lucky torii gate, gilded stepping stones, Buddha island and ancient meadow. Enchanting installations include a kominka pavilion for reflection, sensory waterfall and
a restored rickshaw.
Open Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, (12pm-5pm). £8, children £4.
Wincombe Park
Shaftesbury, SP7 9AB
Extensive mature gardens with sweeping panoramic views over parkland to a lake. Enchanting woods, through which you can wander among the bluebells. This garden is a riot of colour in spring, with azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons in flower among shrubs and unusual trees. Beautiful walled kitchen garden.
Open Sunday, May 11, and Wednesday, May 14, (2pm-5pm), £8, children free.
Woolland, Blandford Forum (DT11 0ES)
A small to medium segmented cottage garden, sympathetic to wildlife. Includes a small wildflower meadow and pond. Part flower, part fruit and vegetable, it offers a mix for everyone. Interesting hostas in pots and numerous chilli plant varieties grown from seed in the greenhouse.
Open Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, (10am-6pm). £5, children free.
Dorchester (DT2 7EA)
Four acres of formal and informal gardens surround this 18th century rectory with splendid views.
Yew pyramid allées and hedges, circular herbaceous borders with late summer colour.
Exuberantly planted terrace, purple and white beds.
Box parterres, mature trees, pond, sheets of daffodils, tulips, glorious churchyard. Ha-ha, pleached hornbeam circle. Enchanting bog garden with stream and islands. Ten acres of woodland walks.
Open Sunday, May 25, and Thursday, May 29, (2pm-5pm). Admission £9, children free. Visits also by arrangement May 1 to September 15.
Bembury Lane, Thornford, Sherborne (DT9 6QF)
This peaceful garden has lawns and large herbaceous borders informally planted with interesting perennials around unusual trees, shrubs and roses.
Large collection of clematis; also, a pretty woodland walk, wildflower corner, lily pond, oak circle, yew hedges with peacock, clipped hornbeam around the kitchen garden and plenty of seating.
Open Sunday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 21, (2pm-6pm). Admission £8, children free.
Golden Hill, Stourton Caundle (DT10 2JP)
A traditional 18th century thatched cottage with an extensive and well-stocked garden. The present owners moved in three ago and,
as well as maintaining the mature box and yew hedges and topiary, have created many more perennial beds. The garden is particularly attractive in late spring time.
Stourton Caundle, Sturminster Newton DT10 2JW Contemporary Arne Maynard inspired garden of almost three acres, with wildflower meadows, orchards, kitchen garden and lawns, linked by a sweeping mown pathway, studded with topiary, divided by box, yew and beech hedging.
Combined opening – Grange Cottage and Wagtails Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, (2pm-5pm). Combined admission £10, children free.
Rampisham, Nr Dorchester DT2 0PR
Designed in 1847 by Augustus Pugin, who also helped to design the interior of the Houses of Parliament, this Grade I-listed building is surrounded by four and a half acres of garden.
A large front lawn is filled with rhododendrons. There’s an orchard, and beyond the River Frome a woodland walk.
The walled garden is planted with shrubs, roses, clematis, masses of unusual perennials and Japanese anemones against a backdrop of espalier fruit trees and box hedging with spirals.
Visits also by arrangement May to Sept for groups of 10+.
Benville Lane, Corscombe, Dorchester DT2 0NN Contemporary garden, with landscape interventions by Harris Bugg Studio within a varied ecological ANOB and historic landscape. Herbaceous borders, woodland planting, walled vegetable and cutting garden, cloud pruned topiary, ha-ha, ornamental and productive trees and moat, which is a listed ancient monument.
Combined opening – Pugin Hall and Little Benville House Sunday, May 11, (12pm-5pm). Combined admission £10, children £5.
THE Cerne Giant Festival boasts four weeks of walks, talks and workshops connecting with the landscape and cultural roots of Dorset. To kick things off, on Saturday, April 12, join medical herbalist Eleanor Gallia at Lower Barton Farm, Nether Cerne (DT2 7AJ) to gather ingredients for the Beltane Beer.
Starting at 10am, you will explore the ancient chalk downland of Smacam Down, learning about the historic, medicinal and celebratory properties of the native plants and trees that play a prominent role in the Celtic quarter days.
Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing and bring secateurs, gloves and a basket. There is livestock and wildlife on the hill so please do not bring dogs, thank you.
The wild spring herbs harvested will be brewed in the afternoon workshop at Cerne Abbas Brewery.
You can continue your day, or start afresh at Cerne Abbas Brewery, Chescombe Barn, Barton Meadows (DT2 7JS) starting off the Beltane Brew from 1.30pm-2.30pm.
The annual limited edition Beltane Brew is always eagerly anticipated, and provides liquid nourishment for the thirsty revellers at 5.30am when the Morris Men dance to greet the sunrise. Come along to help them create this year’s elixir. Medical herbalist Eleanor Gallia will explain the cleansing and invigorating herb ingredients, then take your turn to toss them into the wort as it seethes in the vast copper.
Beer and cider will be on sale, both on tap and bottled. Lunch will also be available.
The morning, including homemade nettle soup and roll is £15. The afternoon at the brewery, including a half pint, is £7.50. The full day costs £20.
JOIN the team at Shaftesbury library over the Easter holidays for activities including egg-themed crafts!
Friday, April 11, 11am-12pm What creature will hatch from your egg? A chick? A dinosaur? You choose.
Monday, April 14, 11am-12pm Create an egg shaped suncatcher to brighten your window.
Saturday, April 19, 11am-12pm Listen to the story of Paddington’s Easter Egg Hunt and then follow the trail around the library.
Regular events will be happening as usual throughout the week:
Monday 10.30am-11am Story Time
Tuesday 2.15pm-2.45pm Rhyme Time
2nd and 4th Thursday 2.15pm-2.45pm SENsational Story and Play
Thursday 3.30pm-5pm Board games
Saturday 11am-12pm Lego
All events are suitable for children over three years old. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. For further information please call Shaftesbury Library on 01747 852256 or email shaftesburylibrary@dorsetcouncil. gov.uk
Booking is available via Eventbrite to guarantee your space.
A FUN-FILLED open day is set to raise much-needed funds for Blandford Animal Farm & Sanctuary.
Becky-Beth Cox set up the sanctuary to provide a safe haven for rescued and homeless animals, helping to bring them back to health and educate the local community about responsible animal care.
Residents include a mix of the fluffy and the furry, including guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, ponies, donkeys and baby goats.
At the open day – on Sunday, April 13, between 10am-4pm
– visitors can try their hand at grooming and hand-feeding.
A sheep-shearing demonstration will run between 10am-11.30am, and drinks and cakes will be on offer.
The sanctuary is at The Field, Higher Shaftesbury Road, opposite Sunrise Business Park, where parking is available.
Entry is £5, including access to sheep and goats and sheepshearing, while small charges apply for guinea pig hugs and pony grooming.
To book tickets, visit www. ticketsource.co.uk/blandfordanimal-sanctuary
THE Shaftesbury Nature Collective will celebrate the arrival of six million or so migrating birds as they return to Great Britain this year, with the town’s first Cuckoo Day.
The birds start arriving from Africa from mid-March to the end of May, having negotiated obstacles such as the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean.
The nature collective is hoping to raise the profile of the cuckoo in particular, an important harbinger of spring with its iconic call.
It says it is necessary to conserve wild places on the doorstep, such as woodlands and reedbeds, for the cuckoo and many resident species.
Cuckoo Day, on Thursday, April 24, will feature a Cuckoo Calls & Choirs event at Park Walk starting at 11am.
Karen Wimhurst and other clarinetists will offer cuckoo calls, while choirs proceed from the town hall to Park Walk singing cuckoo songs.
Mike McCarthy, former environment editor of The Independent and author of Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo and The Moth Snowstorm, will give a talk at The Grosvenor Hotel at 7pm. He will speak about the wonders of bird migration, highlighting the cuckoo and the swift. Tickets are free but should be booked with
HELP the conservation team discover which species of minibeasts –including insects, spiders and worms – lurk among the weeds, grass and soil of Vicarage Meadow.
Biologists Jane Still, Pauline Pires and others will be on hand with identification guides, nets and magnifying lenses to help you identify and record the minibeasts.
The safari will take place at Vicarage Field, 4 Back Lane, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester (DT2 7JW) on Tuesday, April 15, from 2-4pm and costs £5 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ice creams will be on sale at the end if the weather merits it!
Garden View at Bramley House in Mere is our exclusive, intimate wing offering unparalleled, personalised care for residents with advanced-stage dementia. Garden View provides a rare opportunity for personalised, high-quality care in a serene and controlled environment. This exclusivity ensures that each resident receives the utmost attention and bespoke care, tailored to their unique needs.
by Brian Stubbs WINCANTON Camera Club
members continue to enjoy success in competition and a varied programme of speakers offering help and advice.
In November, we were out and about in town taking night-time photographs.
Our members split into groups, each with a more experienced photographer, to learn about long exposure photography.
I delivered a presentation on my photography of horses and dogs, with advice for those wanting to improve their photography of these subjects.
Our club competition was on the theme ‘a splash of red’. There were 58 images entered, of which five were awarded the maximum mark of 20. There was a varied range of subjects.
In January, the club was visited by John and Di Tilsley who presented prints and projected images on the theme of ‘photography in cold places’. All the photographs were taken inside the Arctic Circle.
This year’s Western Counties Inter-club championships in Exeter saw Wincanton just three points short of retaining the best small club award for the third year on the trot.
Even so, Wincanton were ranked 16= out of all clubs – including some very large ones in Bristol and Dorchester
– in the West of England. Paul and I both achieved marks of 14/15 for one of our images, and my picture of two springers was highly commended.
In our February club competition the theme was Open – any subject at all. Huw Alban, our external judge, awarded maximum marks to two printed images and seven digitally projected images – evidence of the very high standard of entries. Amanda Checkley gained her first maximum score and a couple of 19s to boot.
Also in February, we were treated to an outstanding presentation by Tony Worobiec FRPS (Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society) who took us through his work documenting ‘abandoned America – fragments of an American dream’. Tony entertained and educated us with humour and deep insight into the landscape he was documenting which still hasn’t recovered from the days of the American depression.
Since then we have enjoyed a photographic quiz night, and a presentation of photographs from Kenya and Tanzania by Meyrick Griffith-Jones.
We’re looking forward to a nature photography presentation by Paul Dyer, an astrophotography presentation by previous Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year,
and our final club competition on the theme of ‘back alleys’.
On May 14, we are looking forward to welcoming Andrew Dibben of AJ’s Studio and Camera Supplies.
Andrew’s business is one of the leading independent suppliers of photographic lighting and studio equipment in Europe. He will be bringing along a selection of his lighting equipment and light modifiers to our meeting to demonstrate their use.
To help with this, he will be assisted by Mark Pickthall, a professional photographer based in Bruton, who will be taking photographs of a professional model, using Andrew’s equipment, and talking us
through how to set up various lighting scenarios.
The presentation will be at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Wincanton. Anyone is welcome to join us at a cost of £5 on the door. More details are available from our club website at www. wincantoncameraclub.co.uk
Members of the public are very welcome to come along to our meetings if you want to see what we are about and whether you would like to join us. We are very inclusive and welcome absolute beginners through to aspiring competition winners. There is no requirement to enter competitions – if you just want to watch and learn you can.
We are a sociable group who share an interest in photography of all types. We meet every other Wednesday in Wincanton Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
A NEW date has been announced for the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, which was cancelled in February because of issues caused by bad weather.
The event, organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, will now be held on Sunday, July 13, at 11am at Bishops Caundle Recreation Ground.
The main charity beneficiary will be Diabetes UK.
SHILLINGSTONE Station contains a wealth of interesting information about railways –especially about North Dorset Railway.
On Easter Sunday, between 10.30am and 3pm, families are invited to take part in a quiz which will take them on a trail around the station to find the answers.
Pick up a question sheet from the café, and see what you can find!
Everyone in the family can get involved, and every child will receive a Cadbury’s Crème Egg at the end.
No booking is needed, and the entry fee is £2.50 per child, with all funds raised going towards the development of the railway.
The cafe will be open from between 10am and 4pm, with free access directly from the trailway.
Entries for anyone who has already entered will be carried forward and the race has been re-opened for new entries.
To enter, visit englandathletics.sport80.com and search for Blackmore Vale Half Marathon.
To help at the event, or to offer sponsorship, contact the club at bvlions.yolasite.com or phone 0345 8337423.
THE convenience retailer Co-op has relocated to The Triangle, Castle Cary, with a new store more than three times larger than Co-op’s former premises in the town.
The new store supports 15 local jobs, and includes an in-store bakery, Costa Coffee express and focus on fresh and healthy produce.
Castle Cary’s new Co-op store will see an increased range across the store, including food-to-go and meal deals; Fairtrade products, pizzas, flowers; ready meals, everyday essentials and, award winning wines.
Additional services include payment services via PayPoint, and parcel collection through Amazon. Soft plastic recycling is also available, enabling shoppers to return crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals, biscuit wrappers and pet food pouches.
April Mattravers, Co-op’s
Store Manager, said: “The whole team is delighted to invest in Castle Cary and launch Co-op’s newest store. It looks fantastic, with a significantly enhanced range and choice. We really look forward to welcoming our members and customers into their new Co-op. We’re here to contribute to local life and conveniently serve and support our community.”
The store opens between 7am-10pm daily.
JOIN Dorchester-based folk singer Alastair Braidwood for a country walk around Cerne Abbas, accompanied by traditional folk songs relating to nature and rural ways from years gone by.
Setting off from St Mary’s Church, Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas (DT2 7JQ) at 2pm on Monday, April 21, the walk will be about three miles long, taking two hours to complete, with frequent stops for songs.
Bring your own water bottle, stout walking boots, and headgear if it’s hot (and waterproofs if it’s not).
Walkers are responsible for their own surefootedness.
£10 per adult, kids walk for free! Tea, sandwiches, and cake will be on sale at St Mary’s at the end of the walk.
MEMBERS of the Shaftesbury & Gillingham 41 Club were delighted to tour Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s airbase after presenting the charity with a donation of £500.
They were shown around the helicopter and hangar and had the opportunity to see CPR demonstrations.
A seminar led by DSAA's critical care doctors sought views from those who attended on its plans, which include the purchase of a second helicopter and a vision to become 24/7.
Last year, the service was tasked to perform more than 29,000 missions using the helicopter and outreach cars, and this year sees the charity celebrate 25 years of saving lives in the local community.
Shaftesbury & Gillingham 41 Club is made up of veterans of Round Table – the social, sports and volunteering society for men aged 18 to 45.
Many 41 Clubbers and Tablers have spouses and partners who are members of Tangent and Ladies Circle.
Shaftesbury & Gillingham 41 Club has 27 members who meet at least monthly, during evenings at different pubs usually, while Round Table is making a comeback locally and seeking to boost its membership.
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THIS month marks the 10th anniversary of Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre.
Nestled in Higher Bockhampton near Dorchester, the centre has welcomed over half a million visitors since first opening its doors a decade ago, providing a gateway to the area’s rich wildlife and heritage. Built in 2015 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a partnership between
Dorset Council and the National Trust, the centre boasts convenient parking, wellsurfaced paths, excellent facilities, and insightful interpretations. It serves as the perfect starting point for exploring Thorncombe Wood and Hardy’s Cottage.
Thorncombe Wood is a designated Local Nature Reserve spanning 26 hectares, acquired by Dorset County Council in 1968. Home to ancient woodland, heathland, and a scheduled ancient monument, the reserve is recognised as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
The woodlands and surrounding areas are known to have been a source of inspiration for the renowned author Thomas Hardy. Visitors can still immerse themselves in the landscapes that influenced his novels and poetry, from the serene Rushy Pond to the enchanting ‘dips and hollows’
known locally as swallet holes.
The reserve is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, where visitors can spot nightjars, spotted flycatchers and resident marsh tits, as well as various reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. Soon, the bluebells will be in full bloom, creating a carpet of blue across the woodland floor.
This magical pocket of woodland and heath is managed with the help of dedicated volunteers who support the council rangers and help enhance the visitor experience.
Claire Platten, Dorset Council’s senior ranger (site manager) at Thorncombe Wood, expressed her gratitude, saying:
“Without our volunteer helpers over the years, this wonderful location would have been very hard to manage. We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed
MEMBERS of Cerne Sheep Group enjoyed an illustrated talk by John Calder on the Great Big Dorset Hedge Project at their last meeting.
This Monday (April 14) the group will host two vets from Damory Veterinary Clinic, talking about a range of topics which may include blue tongue, bird flu and lambing. There will be a Q&A session, time allowing. Takes place at 7.30pm at The Fox at Ansty (DT2 7PN).
Monday, May 12, sees the first outdoor meeting of the year.
Looking ahead, Monday, May 26 is the Sherborne Show, incorporating Dorset Rare Breeds Survival Trust Show. Anyone wishing to enter should contact Rosemary Lovegrove on 01935 891415 or rosemary.lovegr@btinternet.com.
ROBIN Mills has lived and farmed in the Cerne Valley since boyhood. During the last 20-odd years he has photographed the people and scenes of farming and country life around him.
Following a successful exhibition at The Sherborne, on Tuesday, April 22, at St Mary’s Church, Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas (DT2 7TQ) Robin will be in conversation
with Michael McCarthy, talking about his farming life, and showing a selection of his evocative black and white images.
Signed copies of Robin’s book, Deep Roots, will be on sale after the talk, price £25. £5 from each book sale will be donated to Giant Festival funds.
Doors at 7pm for 7.30pm; entry £7 including wine or soft drink.
to making it such a fantastic place to visit.”
Volunteers also play a crucial role at Hardy’s Cottage, owned by the National Trust. The cottage, where Hardy grew up with his family, now offers guided tours led by volunteers who bring the property’s history to life and help maintain the gardens.
To find out more about Hardy’s Birthplace and Thorncombe Wood, visit www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/ visiting-hardys-birthplace
BEAVERS disappeared from Dorset over 400 years ago, but since 2021 have been carefully reintroduced.
Steve Oliver of the Dorset Wildlife Trust will tell the fascinating story of how these beavers have settled into their Dorset home. He will explain how these unique mammals can play a vital role in river ecology and provide nature-based solutions to flooding, pollution and species loss.
With a lifelong passion for wildlife and nature conservation, Steve is part of the team restoring beavers the landscape, whilst raising awareness and understanding about what it means to have these magnificent creatures return.
Wednesday, April 23, at St Mary’s Church, Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas (DT2 7JQ). Doors 7 for 7.30pm, entry £7.
GARDENERS in Blandford are being invited to join a new group set to launch next weekend.
The Blandford Forum Gardeners will be run as one of the town museum’s special interest groups and be based at the Victorian Garden.
It will be open to anyone in Blandford and surrounding villages interested in gardening and plants, both indoors and outdoors.
Membership will be free and information about talks and events such as plant sales, shows and coffee mornings will be emailed to members.
Blandford Forum Gardeners is launching at the Victorian Garden behind the museum in Bere’s Yard (DT11 7HQ) on Saturday, April 19, from
1pm-3.30pm and coffee, tea and cake, and a plant sale, will be available.
Blandford Horticultural Society closed about six or seven years ago and since then the town has not had a gardening group.
The recent donation of the society’s trophies to the museum prompted the idea for a new group.
For more information about Blandford Forum Gardeners, or to become a member, email wvoitus@btconnect.com
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THE Ukrainian ambassador to the UK has opened a new exhibition at The Tank Museum in Bovington about the RussiaUkraine war.
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, a four-star general and former chief of staff of his country’s armed forces, also offered his uniform to the museum.
He thanked those behind the exhibition and the British people for their ‘support, solidarity and true friendship.’
The exhibition, Ukraine: Armoured Warfare in the Modern Word, includes tanks and poignant possessions of refugees who fled their country after the invasion in 2022.
General Zaluzhnyi took the opportunity to mention the anniversary of the liberation of the ‘Hero City’ of Chernihiv.
He said: “The city became a symbol of resilience. It was surrounded, cut off from communication, lacking weapons – but full of faith in freedom.
“Chernihiv held out because it was defended by ordinary Ukrainians –volunteers, members of the territorial defence and soldiers. Armed not only with rifles but with unbreakable spirit.
“The same spirit is what this exhibition
represents. Not technology for its own sake, but armour that became a shield to protect human life.”
The general described the history of the tank and their importance but noted: “Even the strongest armoured vehicles are losing their advantage in the face of new threats – drones, precision strikes and digital intelligence.”
He concluded his speech by stating: “We will win.”
He toured the exhibition and was moved to meet Ukrainian refugees, some of whose stories are told.
He said: “This exhibition is not only about machines. It is about people. About Ukrainian soldiers who fight not for new borders, but for the right to live in their own country. About British instructors who shared their knowledge. About families who became refugees but never lost hope.”
Chris Price, museum director, said: “It was a great privilege to have the Ukrainian ambassador open our new exhibition.
“After looking around the exhibits he met some Ukrainian refugees and was clearly moved. He also offered us his uniform, which is extremely generous.
“In his speech he talked about the history of the tank and obviously has a deep understanding of armoured vehicles, but also the importance of new technologies.”
Tobias Ellwood, a former MP who served with Royal Green Jackets, said: “The exhibition explains the horrors of conflict as it unfolds every day. That’s why it is so impressive.”
A SUNDAY bus service returns to Yeovil after 10-year absence.
Local passengers and transport campaigners gathered at Yeovil Bus Station on Sunday, April 6, to celebrate the return of a regular Sunday bus service for the first time in over 10 years.
The newly launched 376 Sunday service, which links Yeovil and Bristol, marks a significant improvement in public transport access for residents across South Somerset. The new service is part of wider changes to bus routes in Somerset this April.
The return of Sunday services follows campaigning by local groups including the Somerset Bus Partnership.
Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, was on hand to open the new service and welcome the first bus on Sunday morning. He said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to see the return of Sunday bus
services in Yeovil. This is a real step forward for public transport in South Somerset and will make a big difference for those who rely on buses to get around. It’s vital we keep investing in sustainable, affordable travel that connects people, reduces isolation, and supports our town centres. I want to thank the Somerset Bus Partnership and everyone who’s worked so hard to make this happen.”
Cllr Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital, added:
“Reintroducing Sunday services has been a longstanding ambition, and I’m proud we’re delivering on that. I hope people across the county will take advantage of this new service and show there’s a strong demand for accessible, sustainable bus routes.”
Linda Snelling from Somerset Bus Partnership also welcomed the news:
VINTAGE tractor owners are getting ready for one of the first local tractor runs of the year.
The Easter Bunny run, organised and hosted by Phill Bascombe and family of Mannington, Wimborne, will take place on Easter Sunday, leaving Bascombe’s yard at 10am.
This is a charity fundraising event – last year, with the help of over 50 tractors, a cheque for £1,500 was presented to the friends of Victoria hospital. Organisers hope to raise more funds this year for this excellent, local charity.
Get your tractor on the run for the princely sum of £10, which also gets you a bacon bap and cup of tea.
The run, which takes in 20 miles and passes through many East Dorset villages, is supported by local tractor owners and many members of the East Dorset Trac Pack.
A lunch stop at Witchampton is planned for about 1pm. Call John on 07836 525330 or email johnmaiden1@talktalk.net for more info.
“This is a great win for Yeovil and for passengers across the route. Many people in our community depend on buses and have been left without Sunday buses for far too long. The launch of the 376 Sunday service Yeovil to Bristol, which will also offer a 6 day a week evening service, marks the ‘beginning’ or improvements for this town, with a further
town Sunday service and a new service linking Lysander Road later in the month. We’re thrilled to see this progress and will keep campaigning for further developments.”
For more information about changes to local bus routes this April, including the new Sunday services, visit: www. somersetbuspartnership.co.uk/ april-2025
A READING group for people with visual impairments will meet on Thursday, May 1 at 2.30pm.
On Friday, May 9, Colin Goodland will be talking about the history of Sherborne Town FC. This free talk takes place from 2.30pm-3.30pm.
To find out more about either event, please contact Sherborne library on sherbornelibrary@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
A SPRING coffee morning and cake and produce sale will be held tomorrow (Saturday, April 12) at Hooper Hall, in Lydlinch (DT10 2JA).
Organised by member of St Thomas a Becket, it will be open 10am-12.30pm. All are welcome.
HOLY Week (Sunday April 13 to Sunday April 20) is a time to reflect on the relationships of human beings to power, and the events during it explore this.
Take time to think and celebrate at St Mary’s Church, Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas (DT2 7JQ).
THE community is coming together as Castle Cary bids for three gold medals in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.
The town won one gold and two silver guilt medals in Britain in Bloom in 2023 and is now working on its entry for 2025.
Britain in Bloom is a countrywide Royal Horticultural Society project, and Castle Cary will enter the south west area competition.
Penny Steiner, chair of Cary in Bloom Working Group, said: “The award is not just about flowers, though making our town look good helps a lot.
“We need to consider sustainability, the environment and the community.”
The working group includes the local primary school, garden association, Eat Cary, Moat Garden, U3A groups, the Allotment Association, The Newt and Higher Farm.
Work started on the Britain in Bloom bid in July 2024 and judging will take place this July.
It will see houses and businesses display hanging baskets/ window boxes or tubs, and the construction of a ‘living wall’ – the greening up a town bus shelter.
A scarecrow festival will also be held, as well as a series of informative and educational talks and walks, and an exhibition on Cary in Bloom in which local U3A art and photography groups are taking part.
The primary school has included Cary in Bloom in its curriculum and will use it in science and art topics.
Anyone interested in learning more about Cary in Bloom, can contact Penny Steiner at penny@castlecary.net
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Leweston Senior and Sixth Form Visit Week | 28 April – 2 May
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Contact their Admissions Team, or visit their website to book your place – admissions@leweston. dorset.sch.uk | 01963 211015 | www.leweston.co.uk
TWO friends from Blandford, Sarah Philbrick and Susan Richards, are set to deliver trucks to transport the wounded on the frontline in war-torn Ukraine.
The pair are also appealing to New Blackmore Vale readers for medical kit and other items.
They are motivated by the words of one Ukrainian volunteer, Maksym, who said: “Right now what’s keeping us going is the support of ordinary people.”
The trip will be a first for Sarah and a second for Susan, who say morale in Ukraine is at rock bottom.
Sarah said: “Whatever the next months and years hold, Ukrainians will need and value our help.
“That’s why, even after so many have already given money, time, materials and shelter, both here in Dorset and in Ukraine, we need to keep doing so”.
Sarah and Susan, Susan’s son, Max, and Sarah’s nephew, Rob, are going to Ukraine with Oxfordshire-based venture Driving Ukraine.
It finds secondhand farm vehicles and prepares them for
the near 1,300-mile, three-day journey across Belgium, Germany and Poland to Lviv in Ukraine.
It has so far taken more than 170 vehicles to Lviv, which are used for taking the wounded to field hospitals.
British right hand drive vehicles are said to be especially prized as they confound enemy snipers.
Sarah and Susan must raise a minimum of £5,000 each to source and prepare the trucks for the trip and subsequent use.
“The more money we raise, the more trucks we take in our convoys, the more medical aid and tourniquets,” Susan said.
“The tourniquets are vital – you see one-legged and one-armed men in the streets of Lviv who were not supplied with them.”
She added: “Stas lost his leg, now he’s part of the team that will deploy our trucks to the front.
“Before they go, the ‘graffiti lads’ move in to spray-paint our trucks with camouflage.
“Well, before the war, they were called ‘graffiti lads’. ‘Now
netting are best. Ukrainians cover buildings, cars and trenches with nets to stop drones directed at them.
• Portable chargers/power banks.
we’re artists,’ one of them told me, proudly”. Items that would be useful include:
• Major trauma kit: tourniquets, bandages, gauzes and dressings. Anything in a first aid kit that would be useful to a military paramedic.
• Diesel – and petrol –generators.
• Netting – either football
• GoPros or action cameras: For the men who will receive the trucks so they can send video updates of their work.
Anyone who can help fund Sarah and Susan’s trip, link Driving Ukraine to medical and other supplies or who would like to drive on a future trip, should visit www.
drivingukraine.org and https:// donorbox.org/sarahukraine.
The early spring days that we have with the sun shining through our windows remind us that if it feels hot now behind the glass it’s going to be unbearable by the summer. With that in mind the Spring is a good time to get planning how you are going to keep your home and outdoor living areas cool over the summer.
At LPSS we have a vast range for internal and external shading. If you are looking for blinds or shutters we are experts in getting the right product installed to provide you with a cooler, shaded room or a darkened room for sleeping as the daylight hours lengthen.
Our extensive range of products for your outdoor living area include folding arm retractable Awnings, pergola Awnings, Verandas with glass or polycarbonate roofs with optional sides and sliding glass doors. External roller blinds for rooflights or windows, and premium quality louvred roof pergolas. We will listen carefully to what you want to achieve and advise you on the best option for you and guarantee our first class installation.
Tel: 0787 9992000 E: enquiries@lizziepriceshadingsolutions.co.uk
Fern Brook Lodge care home residents got into the creative spirit with a clay activity inspired by Easter.
Deborah from Creative Clay for All hosted the afternoon session at the care home on Fern Brook Lane which saw each resident get hands-on while designing their own clay Easter bunny.
The care home’s dedicated activities team runs a daily programme of events to encourage residents to socialise and make friends.
Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of the not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care.
Visitors can enjoy complimentary cakes and hot drinks while experiencing the warm and friendly atmosphere at the home’s Welcome Wednesdays sessions from 2pm to 4pm each week.
Fern Brook Lodge also hosts Memory Cafe sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 11 am for people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book - just drop in on the day.
Atheatre fan watched a theatre play for the first time in 20 years thanks to the support of his home care team.
Paul receives assistance from carers based out of Care South at Home’s West Dorset office. He is visited by the Care South at Home team twice a day for help with general housekeeping and taking his medication. During one of his visits from the team he spoke about his long-held wish to watch a play at his local theatre.
The Care South at Home team booked tickets for Paul to watch Macbeth at Weymouth Pavilion. As a special surprise, they also contacted the theatre company so that Paul could meet the cast before the show.
Paul said: “It was fantastic. It was nice to talk to other actors about theatre, which I haven’t done for a long time. I’m very grateful to Karen and the Care South at Home team for this experience.”
Care South at Home’s West Dorset team provide flexible and personalised care to meet a wide range of needs. Their services include daily support, companionship, assistance with collecting prescriptions and shopping, as well as more specialised support for dementia and end-of-life care.
Karen Moger, Care Coordinator in Care South at Home’s West Dorset office, said: “It was so lovely to support Paul by fulfilling his wish of coming to the theatre. At Care South at Home, we love getting to know the individual wishes, likes and dislikes of our clients, so we were pleased to enable Paul to create lasting happy memories.”
For more information about the care at home services available, go to care-south.co.uk/care-at-home or call Care South at Home’s West Dorset office on 01305 233103.
Scan
(L to R) Alan Holley, charity coordinator, Society of Dorsetmen; Mary Gubbins, vicar; John Barrett, church warden; Chris Tuffin, PCC; Sally-Anne Barrett, PCC; Louisa Elwes, PCC
“LYDLINCH Bells be good vor sound”… So wrote William Barnes in his poem of the same name, published in 1879.
The poem celebrates the distinctive sound of the Lydlinch bells at St Thomas a Beckett church, but sadly these bells are in urgent need of restoration.
As part of the restoration project, a number of volunteers are having bell-ringing lessons from the Mere branch of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers, with the aim of raising a village team.
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Fund raising has started in earnest with a target of £55,000 and a Just Giving Page set up. It was fitting that the first donation came from the Society of Dorsetmen.
www.myhomemaker.co.uk
HAYNES Motor Museum’s monthly car boot sales are starting again this April through until October.
The car boot sales will be taking place on the first Saturday of each month, with the exception of one on September 13.
Held in the Museum’s dedicated outdoor hardstanding events area, these bustling sales are some of the largest in the Southwest, welcoming up to 500 vehicles.
Sellers have a fantastic opportunity to clear out unwanted items and make some extra cash. The Museum grounds offer a simple but effective setup, allowing for on-the-day arrival and setup without pre-booking.
For buyers, the car boot sales are a treasure trove of bargains and unique finds. Whether you’re hunting for vintage pieces, rare collectables or simply a great deal, you’ll find a wide variety of stalls to explore.
Proceeds from the sales will support the Museum’s ongoing charitable aims of delivering learning activities, inspiring
future generations, as well as conserving and preserving its motoring heritage collection.
Sellers can arrive from 7.45am, with admission costing £5 per car. Buyers can enter from 9am with admission priced at £1 per person to be paid at the gate. Children under 10 go free. There is also the option to enter early from 8.30am for £5 per person.
After a morning of treasure-hunting, visitors can combine their visit with a trip to the Museum or Museum cafe.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.haynesmuseum.org
STAFF from Fitness by Design, in East Stour, attended a special dementia awareness session presented by Annie and Hilary from Dementia Friendly Gillingham. Individuals living with dementia may be encouraged to lead a normal active life but may need understanding from those they interact with.
Colin Fricker, from Fitness by Design, said dementia awareness was essential for staff and the gym displays window stickers to show its commitment.
YOUNGSTERS at Stalbridge Primary School got to quiz vets on how they treat animals during a recent visit.
Staff members Vicki, Sarah and Megs from Stalbridge and Marnhull Vets talked to the reception class about how things happen at a veterinary practice.
They found out what sort of animals visited the vets, who worked and helped, and about some treatments.
“They all were so eager to explore and hold pieces of veterinary equipment, while dressed in their own ‘surgical aprons’” said a Stalbridge and Marnhull Vets spokesperson.
“The children loved putting the equipment into real life practice using our life-sized stuffed Labrador. “Bandaging and trying to find a heartbeat using the stethoscope was a favourite activity. All the children got hands on during the
‘urine’ (apple juice) collecting activity; filling lots and lots of urine sample pots ready for ‘testing’.”
To finish the session, pupils got to meet Olive the Labrador was brought to show the children how a dog would be checked over during their consultation.
“They were all very involved and showed they had learnt a lot during the presentation and activities by guessing all the equipment correctly, as we used them to check over Olive,” the spokesperson added.
“We had a lovely afternoon with all the children, it was lovely to see them all so engaged and having fun.
“They were so attentive and had such an understanding of calmness and kindness when meeting and greeting Olive the dog.”
A SIXTH-FORM student at Milton Abbey School at Milton Abbas has shone in the UK Biology Olympiad. Maddie W achieved a silver medal in the prestigious competition, which encourages students to broaden their scientific understanding.
Maddie has received firm offers to study Biology at both Durham and Bath universities.
A whistlestop tour of the bible, for the uninitiated and familiar alike
by Canon Eric Woods
PALM Sunday is on April 13, and Easter Day on April 20. I have written about both before, but I am still trying to digest the news that sales of the Bible are soaring amongst “Gen Z”, young people born between about 1997 and 2012. That they are thinking deeply about their spirituality and want to explore Christian books in general and the Bible in particular, is a phenomenon I hadn’t foreseen.
I welcome it. But reading the Bible is not a simple matter. It is not a book but a library of 66 books of chronicle, poetry, songs, prophecy, wisdom, letters – and four Gospels about the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps a whistlestop tour of the story might be helpful.
The Old Testament begins with the creation, when God was close to his created beings. But that intimacy was damaged by the rebellion of Adam and Eve, after which God gradually withdrew from his people. And the more they rebelled, the more God withdrew. Moses did at least get a glimpse of God, though not his face, on Mouth Sinai. But the rebellions continued, until at last God declared “I shall hide my face from them”. So began God’s long, sad withdrawal from intimacy with his Chosen People – constantly trying to call them back to faithfulness through the prophets; constantly being failed by a stubborn and rebellious people.
The last time God was said to be “revealed” to a human being was at Shiloh, when “the Lord revealed himself to Samuel.” The last time God “appeared” to a human being was to King Solomon. The last public miracle was that of the divine fire produced for Elijah in his battle with priests of Baal on Mount Carmel. But God refused to appear to Elijah. He passed Elijah by on Mount Horeb, but not in the earthquake, wind or fire. All Elijah heard was a “still, small voice” or a “low murmuring sound”.
The last personal, as opposed to public, miracle was to Isaiah and Hezekiah: the shadow of the sun went backwards by ten steps on the sundial as a sign that Hezekiah would be healed. Then, finally, by the time we reach the Book of Esther, one of the latest books in the Old Testament Canon, God is not mentioned at all.
By this time Judaism had become something of a hollowed-out shell of a religion, hardened into a fiercely legalistic institution because God now seemed far away and unattainable, so different from when God made his covenant with Noah, Abraham and Moses. And that is why God sent his son, Jesus, into our world. And he too was rejected.
This is the background to the story of the arrest, trial, death and resurrection of Jesus which I hope many of you will be reading in your Bibles over the next couple of weeks. It is a story, not of defeat, but of victory, as the experience of resurrection travelled to all his followers, and then beyond them to others who answered his call, until millions throughout the world experienced resurrection in their own lives. They still do. Read on, Gen Z.
and pictures by
It was an excellent production, very well attended. Music was performed on stage while the play took place off stage at the front of the hall. It was a very effective set-up.
by Hanna Wood
THE Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital are an independent voluntary organisation and registered charity.
Through their hard work and passion for the hospital, the Friends raise funds that make a difference to patients and the community.
Over the years, the Friends have supplied the hospital with much needed equipment such as the X-ray facility. We regularly receive positive feedback from patients who mention the ease of parking and having an efficient service close to home.
Last year the Friends funded a lift that enables patients in a hospital bed to access the gardens. This makes such a difference to patients’ well-being, especially those who may have worked in agriculture or in the outdoors. All the hospital patients appreciate the garden space at the hospital.
The Friends are very well respected in the wider community for all the support they give the hospital. Testament to this is shown by the amount of people who attend the fundraising events such as the garden party, summer fete and Christmas fayre. The Friends hold a coffee morning at the hospital on the third Tuesday of every month.
If you’d like to know more about the Friends of Wincanton Hospital contact Viv Armson at vivienarmson@gmail.com
WINCANTON Health Centre’s metabolic health talk was a resounding success.
More than 150 attended the event at Wincanton sports ground, which included talks from medical experts and inspiring people who have radically improved their health and fitness.
Dr Campbell Murdoch led an engaging session on metabolic health and introduced the 28-day plan. Dr Rob Taylor followed with an insightful presentation on the importance of sleep in maintaining good metabolic health. Attendees were also inspired by Jack Lewis, a patient who has successfully followed the metabolic health plan, demonstrating that real change is possible by losing 10 stone in just over a year and getting his asthma under control!
Many participants shared positive feedback, describing the talk as fantastic and highly motivating – a perfect kick-start to their own metabolic health journey.
The event also featured Wincanton Sports Centre, which works with GP gym referrals.
A health coach stand provided valuable metabolic health resources and group information, while a hypertension stand allowed attendees to learn more about heart health.
Wincanton Health Centre is looking forward to hosting more metabolic health events in the future and continuing to empower the community towards better wellbeing!
Sally says- I joined Slimming World in April 2024, fast forward a year and I have reached my personal target with 2 1/2 stone weight loss! I feel so much healthier, fitter and have some amazing friends which I have met through the Gillingham evening group.
In my first 7 days I had lost 4 and a half pounds, which felt good, especially as I love to tuck into with foods that I enjoy like spaghetti bolognese, cooking up recipes from the SW App which the whole family will enjoy & benefit from too. Spending time with my three grandsons teaching them to cook and eat healthier is always something we enjoy together.
Reaching my target in January was a wonderful feeling and I want to help and support other people along their own journey of achieving their dreams too,
If you would like to join then please to come along, we have lots fun and support each other every step of the way. Tuesday 5.30pm 7pm - Gillingham social club, Hardings lane.
Blandford
Methodist Church
Tuesday 7pm
Blandford
Methodist Church
Thursday 5.30pm, 7.30pm
Tracey 07776309982
Blandford
British Legion
Wednesday 8.30am, 10am, 11:30am
Tracey 07776309982
Shaftesbury
Royal Chase Hotel
Thursday 7.30am, 9am, 10.30am
Lorraine 07771013728
Shaftesbury
Royal Chase Hotel
Thursday 5.30pm, 7.30pm
Gail 07748643783
Gillingham
Youth and Community Centre
Tuesday 9.30am, 11am
Lorraine 07771013728
Gillingham Social Club
Hardings Lane
Tuesday 5.30pm, 7pm
Sally 07968979810
New Consultant from 22nd April
Sherborne
Raleigh Hall
Digby Road
Tuesday 5.30pm, 7pmz
Sally 07973665167
Sherborne
Wednesday 9.30am
Sally 07973665167
Sturminster Newton
The Exchange
Monday 5.30pm, 7.30pm
Gail 07748643783
Wincanton
Memorial Hall
Wednesday 5.30pm, 7pm
Gail 07748643783
Puddletown
Village Hall
Thursday 7pm
Julie 07871821928
TWO sixth-form students from Leweston School, near Sherborne, have received offers to study Medicine at university.
Will T has secured an offer to study at the University of Exeter – and has further interviews at Cardiff and Birmingham Medical Schools.
He undertook extensive clinical work experience and secured a volunteering position in preparation for his application.
Jessica C has received offers from Queen’s University Belfast and Keele University.
She is studying Chemistry, Maths and Fine Art at A-level.
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Opening Hours Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm Saturdays by appointment only. Closed Sunday.
www.solsticekitchens.co.uk
We’re working hard to enhance the water supply network in your area, ensuring you have improved quality and a more reliable source for years to come.
As part of this improvement drive, we’re carrying out essential work on Front Street (A30) in East Stour during April and May.
This will involve a closure of Browns Lane, as well as multiway traffic lights on Front Street (A30) in East Stour between Tuesday 1 April and Friday 16 May, while we carry out this project.
Our team will be working hard to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and we’re also working closely with local businesses, ensuring that they remain very much open to their customers throughout this period.
We thank all our local customers for their patience, support and understanding and we hope you will continue to support your local businesses while the essential work is taking place.
STAFF and students at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne have collected more than 100 Easter eggs for the local food bank.
The donated eggs will now be delivered to Wimborne Food Bank to be distributed to families in need in the area this Easter.
School headteacher, Thomas Neill, said: “Our students and staff have risen to the challenge, and we are delighted to have collected these Easter eggs and gifts for Wimborne Food Bank.
“As a Church of England school, we are mindful of our faith and we hope this gesture reflects our Christian values of community, respect, kindness and love.
“Thank you to all our QE families for their goodwill and kindness in helping us to make this generous donation.”
by Trysh Williams
APRIL’S meeting of Child Okeford WI was the first to be held in the village hall following the group’s move from the community centre – and what a success that was!
As luck would have it, the move coincided with our annual meeting, which began with a talk from Sara Jacson from the charity Friends of the North Dorset Refuge.
She told us about the work of the Friends and just some of what is involved in supporting the women who stay there.
Sara was warm, full of information and inspirational.
We presented her with a cheque for £1,000 which we had raised over the year in various ways including selling craft items, raffles and generous donations from our members.
We meet at 2.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month in Child Okeford village hall.
AS part of the Great British Spring Clean, Mere residents scoured the streets of litter on Sunday, April 6. Well done all!
YOUNGSTERS in Sturminster Newton United Football Club’s youngest youth team have been given smart new kit.
The Under-8s showed off the kit, sponsored by Jamie Fox and Son, Civils and Groundworks, when they were mascots for the men’s team in their match against Bristol Telephones FC at Barnetts Field in the Jewson Western League.
The Under-8s enjoyed a training session before the match and photos with Jamie Fox and his son Eli – and then saw Sturminster Newton win 2-1.
A spokesperson for the club said: “The boys are thoroughly enjoying their first season in the Dorset Mini-Soccer League –hopefully you’ll see some of them playing for the first team in years to come!”.
PATIENTS of doctors’ surgeries in the Blackmore Vale Partnership are being invited to attend a series of ‘health events’ focusing on serious health issues over the next six months.
The next event will focus on diabetes and high blood pressure, and takes place at Father’s House, Christy’s Lane, Shaftesbury (SP7 8PH) on Wednesday, April 16, 6.30pm-8pm.
Dr Patterson, Kay Green and the Wellbeing Team will be able offer advice, answer questions and signpost local support services. People can just turn up, booking is not necessary.
Future events will cover children and young people’s health, respiratory conditions, nutrition and dermatology.
For more information visit www.blackmorevalesurgery.co.uk
With over 40 years of qualified experience in the swimming pool and water feature industry, both domestic and commercial, West Country Pools and Water offer bespoke solutions for all aspects of your garden water.
Regular servicing contracts, maintenance and repairs to component level, as well as liner replacements and rain water harvesting.
We keep everything in house where possible, keeping the costs low without compromising the quality, excellent workmanship and customer service.
We have close working relationships with a range of established UK Suppliers and Manufacturers, ensuring we are always using high quality materials and goods providing you with a cost - effective but always high quality finish.
Nigel really knows his stuff. I needed some advice on a variety of matters to do with pools/ tubs and he is a fountain of knowledge. I would definitely recommend him.
J. Breslaw
SONGS FROM THE SHOWS Saturday, 26 April at 7pm, Thornford Village Hall, DT9 6QB, Tickets £10 on the door, www.friendsofstmichaelschurchbeerhackett.org
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PLEIN AIR PAINTING?
Workshops starting from May and during the Summer. There are a few places left in a monthly Art Class. Tel 01258 721490
Please enquire: marionrroberts167@gmail.com
DORSET CHAMBER CHOIR EASTER CONCERT
St Mark’s Passion by Charles Wood Monday 14th April at 7:30 pm - Broadstone URC, BH18 9AB Tickets £10, students/children free. Available on the door cash/card or website http://www.dorsetchamberchoir.com/
Saturday. April 26th 9am - 2pm at The Cheese and Grain Frome, Somerset
The New
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
THE FORESTRY BAR,
Wimborne St Giles, Line Up: Live Music with street food catering changing each week.
See what’s on at http://www.stgilesdorset.com
JUMBLE SALE, Saturday 26th April, Templecombe Social Club, BA8-0JY. 1.30-3pm, Entrance 20p
TACK TABLE TOP SALE, 10th May, Damerham Village Hall SP6 3HU, Sellers £10 10am, Buyers £1 11am, Book info@ damerham.org, Refreshments.
SIXPENNY HANDLEY
SPRING CRAFT FAIR, Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ, Saturday 12 April 10.30 am2.00 pm, FREE entry, Crafts / Veg & Bedding Plants / Homemade Cakes. Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
DISPLAY ADS - Tuesday 15th April - 10am
JUMBLE SALE including books, Saturday 26th April 2pm-4pm. Stour Provost Village Hall, SP8 5RZ. Admission 50p.
FONTMELL MAGNA VILLAGE HALLVide Greniers Saturday 26th April From 11am-2.30pm Many stalls selling pre-loved items. Food & Bar
YARD SALE - Barn and house clearance - Okeford Fitzpaine DT11 0RE Village Hall Car Park Saturday 12th April 11:00am- 2:00pm
MODEL RAILWAY MINIMART.
*Sell *Buy *Swap. Saturday 12th April 2025. Free admission, 10am - 3pm. Royal British Legion Hall, Coppice Street, Shaftesbury SP7 8PF. Easy Parking, Disabled Access.
Blandford Fashion Museum Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA
With a new exhibition:
DISPLAY ADS COPY - submit by Thursday 17th April - 4pm
Thursday 17th April - 4pm
Adverts maybe accepted after this, however these will be subject to space
Plus other displays covering 200 years of fabulous fashion
Tearoom and gift shop
Opening Hours: 10am - 4pm
Monday; Thursday; Friday & Saturday
www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk
JUMBLE SALE Saturday 12th April 2.30pm Buckhorn Weston Hall. SP85HF
ALWESTON CAR BOOT
SALE, 21st of April , Sellers 7am, Buyers before 7.30am - £5, Buyers after 7.30am - Donation. See Facebook for more
LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull
Royal British Legion DT10 1PR on April 21st. Eyes down 7pm.
SHERBORNE SCHOOL SWING BAND.
Wednesday 30th April at 7pm Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton. DT2 7BX Bar, Refreshments, Raffle. Proceeds to the Chancel Roof Repairs.Tickets £10. 01300345 434 or 07971 277584
5 40 64 22
Stalbridge Hall
Thursday 24th April
90
Doors open 6.30pm Eyes down 7.30pm In aid of hall funds
LARMER TREE LI
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring reowned soloists, a full ochestra and a large chorus if emerging young artists
Marquee Bar | Picnics | Formal Dining
Sunnyhill Campsite & The Jolly Farmer Bar
April 1st to Oct 31st
Open mics last Thursday of the month with bar available Bar Friday & Saturday 4pm
Breakfast Cafe Sat & Sun10am-2pm SUNNY HILL BIG WEEKENDER FESTIVAL AUG 22ND-24TH
FREE CAMPING WITH YOUR TICKET 14 YEARS AND UNDER FREE sunnyhillcampsite.co.uk https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ e/1049827170327?aff= oddtdtcreator welcomes LOCALS & CAMPERS
22, 25, 26 July at 19:00 | 24 July at 14:00
Double Bill Pietro Mascagni
Puccini 23, 24 July at 19:00 | 26 July at 14:00
Coade Theatre, Bryanston, Blandford Forum Box Office: dorsetopera.com 07570 366 186
THE Dorset Council News for spring 2025 arrived through our door the other day.
In it was ‘Our Budget Explained’ showing how Dorset Council will spend its money in 2025/26.
The smallest slice was £2.4 million for ‘supporting businesses and creating jobs’, yet ‘adult social care’ was £159.6m.
I attended a meeting in Shaftesbury on March 21, advertised in the New Blackmore Vale, where Dorset Council announced ‘your ideas were needed’ on because it was ‘growing the economy’.
We were shown statistics confirming the age of the local population had dramatically increased.
The council is completely stuck on the fact that we have an increasingly elderly population, yet it is small businesses like my family’s that provide it with most of the services they need – plumbers, gardeners, electricians, general builders, pubs, hairdressers, garden centres, garages, domestic carers.
They also provide work experience and apprenticeships to local young people who do not want or are unable to increase their academic qualifications.
Does our council know how many pensioners are very well off with large index-linked pensions, early retirement pensions?
They can look after themselves and the council should know this.
I am sure the statistics will show that a growing older population in the south is a resource not a cost.
Many ‘pensioners’ have moved down here having sold their homes and are looking to retire in a safer, warmer area, in the south of England.
Just look around Dorset. How many early retirement teachers, police, ex-service people can you see around you?
They often tell you about paying for private healthcare because they can.
They drive around in the latest cars, constantly go abroad, they are frequently at lunch or in sports centres –good for them, they deserve it!
But Dorset Council needs to think of the small businesses struggling with higher basic wages, national insurance and business rates – you ignore them at your peril.
Without them many of the services will go.
Who will wash the elderly’s windows, groom their dogs, paint their nails, sort out the leaky roof, change the tyre when they go – Dorset Council?
Christine Ayres Director New Elms Garage
IN an article in the New Blackmore Vale, March 14, 2025, page 39, the Conservative MP for North Dorset, Simon Hoare, made a number of, as we claim, false statements in regard to Reform UK and its MPs, these are evidenced below.
Simon Hoare stated that “when the Foreign Secretary gave an update on the situation in Ukraine, not a single Reform MP took part in the debate”.
This is a false statement.
Readers can see at 20.16 and 25.43 from the livestream of the debate from Parliament TV, the deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, can clearly be seen in the debate trying to be called by the speaker of the House to ask questions. The Reform UK MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, James McMurdock, can also be seen at both intervals.
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=lu_SSHeBA1k&t=13s
For context, about 10 Conservative MPs were present at these intervals, representing around 8.5% of the sitting MPs
within the Conservative party. In contrast, two Reform UK MPs were present, representing 40% of the then sitting MPs within the Reform UK Party. Readers can decide for themselves which of those two figures represents greater representation in the debate.
Simon Hoare stated in his column for the New Blackmore Vale that “when the PM stood to make the important statement on increased defence spending and why it was necessary, not a single Reform MP was present.” This is a false statement. As readers can see at 6.36, 38.21, 50.26, 1.00.26 from the livestream of Parliament, the Reform UK Member of Parliament for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, is present at this statement.
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=un-Yl-Uq0nQ
Thomas Gargrave Reform UK
Dorset county co-ordinator
ON Wednesday, March 19, I walked down the High Street to Wincanton Post Office and I recall thinking that the pavement wasn’t too good, but didn’t think any more about it.
On the way back up the High Street, I was passing Clementina’s Cafe when I stubbed my toe against a paving stone and found myself falling with nothing I could do to stop myself and I just lay on the pavement not knowing what to do.
I would like to thank three people who came to help me: A lady who was driving and saw me fall, and who stopped and came over to help me; and a lady working in Clementina’s who came out and did what she could in between looking after her customers.
I would also like to thank the gentleman who stopped to help the ‘car lady’ pick me up and
who walked with me until I was confident enough to make my own way.
These people were so kind to me, and I can tell them that I escaped broken bones – nasty bruises came out, but they will go eventually.
I shall be going for a coffee in Clementina’s soon!
Angela
Keay Wincanton
I LIKE to see the different protagonists give their views in the New Blackmore Vale’s ‘politics’ pages – each getting half a page and identical layout.
I think it is a good basis for discussion.
I do not think you should apologise because one pressure group dislikes one of the others.
I think the saying is: ‘Don’t shoot the messenger!’.
The art of debate is to discuss these things, for “nature always does contrive...that every boy and every gal that’s born into this world alive is either a little Liberal or else a little Conservative” – Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera Iolanthe. Martin A. Rooke-Matthews via email
AS readers are aware, the audience for this cherished magazine is made up largely of people who work in, or are related to, those that work in the farming sector.
Farmers’ Weekly is investigating whether the level of neurodiversity in people working in the sector is larger than the average population.
I wrote the letter below to the magazine, which was published recently, and wanted to share it with readers of the New Blackmore Vale
I hope you get some helpful tips, recipes and inspiration
from the naturedoc.com website.
Name supplied Via email
Food for thought on neurodiversity – I am pleased to note the continuation of your Level the Field campaign for 2025 and the emphasis you are placing on neurodiversity in farming.
A book by Lucinda Miller called Brain Brilliance has proved useful to people, families and employers who encounter neurodiversity.
Many of the neurodiverse people in farming work as part of a family and eat together.
This book deals with this subject, notably the impact food has on the neurodivergent.
I am a dairy farmer and have a son with Tourette’s, managed mainly by diet.
I have found it incredibly useful with my own family situation, and if it can help any other farming families out there, that would be great.
It can be found online at naturedoc.com, where a range of recipes is available – free of charge.
VAPING, the popular term for using electronic cigarettes, is becoming increasingly common among young people.
Despite restrictions, many teenagers find ways to access e-cigarettes, while experts are issuing strong warnings about their significant impact on both health and the environment.
Initially marketed as a less harmful alternative to smoking tobacco, growing evidence now suggests that vaping poses serious risks, particularly for developing children.
The UK is taking decisive action against vape devices, recognising their growing threat to public health and the environment.
One of the biggest concerns with vaping is that many devices contain nicotine, which can have severe consequences
for adolescent brain development.
The human brain continues to develop until the mid-20s, and nicotine use during this crucial period can negatively affect concentration and memory.
Additionally, young people who vape are more likely to develop lifelong nicotine addiction.
Another issue with e-cigarettes is the flavouring chemicals used in vape liquids.
While research on their long-term effects is still limited, many experts warn that inhaling these chemicals can cause lung and respiratory damage.
The most alarming aspect is that vape products are designed with sweet and fruity flavours to attract young users, making them more appealing to children.
British authorities have recognized the increasing dangers associated with vape devices and have passed legislation to ban the sale of disposable vapes starting June 1, 2025.
The goal of this decision is to reduce the accessibility of vape products to young people and prevent the spread of harmful health effects among children and teenagers.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised that this ban is a crucial step in protecting younger generations from nicotine addiction.
In addition to health concerns, disposable vape products also contribute significantly to environmental pollution, creating large amounts of waste that further burden the ecosystem.
Beyond the health risks, vape devices pose a significant environmental problem.
They contain plastic, lithium batteries and electronic components, making disposal and recycling complex.
Most people improperly discard vapes in general waste, even though they require specialised recycling methods.
As the number of discarded vape devices continues to rise,
experts stress the need for better recycling and disposal systems.
Several major economies and governments have already initiated collaborations with companies specialising in responsible waste management, many of which come from the medical sector.
Companies like Wastless are setting an example by maximising recycling efforts for complex waste materials.
If not properly disposed of, the batteries and chemicals in vape devices can pollute soil and water, like certain types of medical waste.
This is why developing proper disposal systems and encouraging users to act responsibly is crucial.
Vaping is not harmless,
especially for children and teenagers.
In addition to serious health risks, vape products also generate environmental waste that is difficult to manage.
The UK’s ban on disposable vape devices is a step towards protecting both public health and the environment.
However, a long-term solution requires education, responsible regulation and improved waste management systems.
Only through a comprehensive approach can we ensure a healthier future for younger generations and reduce the negative impact of vape products on our planet.
the roads through our village have very many potholes, but the photos are of some of the worst.
They are all within a two-mile radius of our house in East Orchard, north Dorset.
They have all been reported many times by other villagers, but nothing ever gets done.
They are now so bad that in several places it is not even
possible to take evasive action by going onto one side of the road or the other.
We, along with the other residents of the village, pay handsome sums of council tax and I would like to know exactly what it is used for.
We do not even get our dustbins collected – we have to drag them down the lane for half a mile – so we take all our refuse and recycling to Shaftesbury in the back of our car.
MUSICIAN Jon Pickard will be offering a glimpse into the world of harp-guitars when he performs at St Mary’s Church in Bruton.
Pickard is a musician, composer, performer, instrument designer and teacher.
“Harp-guitars are like guitars but with extra added banks of strings to extend the range and textures,” he said.
“They represent the pinnacle of plucked strings evolution.”
Harp-guitars have been around in many forms for 300-400 years across the globe, and Pickard is recognised
internationally as one of the most unique and versatile artists in this genre.
He has released three harp-guitar albums and been included on two compilation albums from Europe and the USA.
Some of his videos have been broadcast in more than 40 countries on the CMusic cable TV channel.
He also teaches piano and guitar in local schools and privately.
Pickard will be playing two self-designed unique harpguitars in Bruton, performing
THE Athenaeum Singers are holding an auction fundraiser at the civic centre in Warminster later this month in aid of music in the community.
The choir is seeking to develop more opportunities for people in the area to sing and is launching a new choir for men.
The event on Saturday, April 26, will include a silent auction, and an auction of catalogued items with Roger Day, a former auctioneer, in the chair.
Local businesses have given items and services for lots
which include vouchers for local restaurants, tea rooms, the farm shop, claret from Harrods, jewellery and a new Shark corded vacuum cleaner.
The catalogue can be viewed on the choir’s website, www. athenaeumsingers.com, or picked up from the civic centre.
Entry is free of charge from 7pm when visitors can browse the lots in a silent auction before the catalogued auction gets under way at 7.30pm.
A licensed bar will be available.
classical, folk and original tunes with music by Bach, Debussy, Dire Straits and himself.
The concert is on Saturday, April 26, at 7.30pm, and tickets
priced £15 – over 65s/under 16s £12 – are available from www. wegottickets.com/event/653062 and Bruton Convenience Store.
THE Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival promises great ales and live music when it returns to the Westland Entertainment Venue this month.
Westland’s, which has hosted everything from the Somerset Gin Festival to Yeovil Literary Festival, held the beer and cider festival for the first time last year.
This year’s event will offer locally brewed drinks from hoppy IPAs and rich stouts to
refreshing, flavourful ciders.
Food will also be on the menu, along with music.
The event is on Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, and will raise funds for local charities and good causes.
Ticket prices start at £12 for the Friday evening session – 6pm-11pm – with the Saturday all-day session – 2pm11pm – £16, and a weekend ticket £25.
The festival is over-18s only.
THE Dorchester-based Encore Singers, a mixed choir of about 40 members, is looking for more male voices.
The choir sings songs from the shows and other easylistening pieces, and puts on three concerts a year for the benefit of local charities, raising hundreds of pounds each time.
Chair, Liz Williams, said: “We are keen to welcome more
tenors and basses to join the choir, so that we can extend our repertoire even further.
“Some knowledge of reading music is desirable, but we will offer support if you’ve not sung for a while and are a bit rusty.”
The choir meets on Thursday evenings in term time at the United Church in South Street, Dorchester.
For more information, phone Liz on 01305 786421.
THE award-winning MPO Musical Theatre, based in Milborne Port, is heading into new territory when it stages Witches of Eastwick, a sexy, adult-themed show.
“It’s funny, tuneful and devilishly clever, combining heart-wrenching ballads, dark humour and lively ensemble numbers in a must-see production,” said a spokesperson for the group.
The film, based on the 1984 novel by John Updike, hit the big screen in 1987 and starred Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer.
A musical adaptation became a Broadway and West End success.
The show features three single women looking for love
but suffocated by the confines of small-town mentality.
Their prayers are answered by the ‘magical’ arrival of Darryl Van Horne, but at what cost? Who is he? Can he be tamed? Can Good overcome Evil?
The cast features all the MPO award nominees and regulars, plus a few talented newcomers, and promises to be a musical and visual treat, with some stunning special effects.
Karen Pankhurst directs, with Caroline D’Cruz directing the music.
The show runs in the Milborne Port Village Hall from Wednesday to Saturday, April 23-26, the week after Easter.
Performances start at
Alexandra Spofford (Sukie Read),
and
7.30pm.
Online booking is available at www.mpopera.co.uk
THE Art Stable at Child Okeford is presenting a memorial exhibition of the work of Michael Cullimore, with paintings spanning four decades.
Michael was born in
Wiltshire in 1936 and returned to Hindon in the 1980s where he made work about the landscape of the Dorset/Wiltshire border.
Michael Cullimore, Magic and Mystery, Watercolours from 1980-2020 runs until Saturday, April 19, and is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am-3pm.
NUCLEAR annihilation might not seem the obvious choice for comedy, yet Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 movie Dr Strangelove somehow turned Cold War terror into brilliantly silly satire.
Happily, Armando Iannucci and Sean Foley’s explosively funny new stage adaptation also pulls off that near-impossible high-wire act, with Steve Coogan succeeding Peter Sellers in bouncing between multiple outlandish roles.
Coogan, in fact, outdoes Sellers in playing four parts to his three. That necessitates some lightning-fast quickchanges and the odd creaking plot mechanism to get Coogan offstage.
But the knowingness of the latter fits the tone of Foley’s assured production, which easily flips between Airplane!style genre-busting farce and alarmingly resonant commentary on humanity’s reckless self-destructiveness.
Coogan first appears as RAF Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, whose stiff-upper-lip stoicism gets a bally good pasting when American general Jack Ripper goes rogue and orders planes carrying thermonuclear missiles to attack the Soviet Union.
Clueless US President Merkin Muffley – also Coogan – tries to avert global catastrophe, a task made harder by the mysterious Doomsday
TEDDY Rocks, the music festival in Blandford which has raised more than £600,000 for good causes since it began in 2011, will feature well-known names and top tribute acts when it is staged next month.
The Friday night Pop Party at the event at Charisworth Farm will feature Dick & Dom, B*Witched and Peter Andre, with other acts over the weekend including Punk Rock Factory, Hybrid Theory – a top Linkin Park tribute band –InMe, Toploader and The Bottom Line.
Festival organisers decided last year to feature tribute acts to help cut ticket prices and secure the future of the festival.
Among this year’s bands are Foo Forgers, Stiffbizkit, P!nk, Bon Giovi, Fell Out Boy and Metallica Reloaded.
Festival founder, Tom Newton, said: “We are on track for our first ever sold out Teddy Rocks Festival.
“Camping sold out last month leaving a very small amount of weekend and day tickets remaining.
“This is the year we have always dreamed of, and thanks to everyone’s support it’s finally selling out!
“It is so exciting to think of what this will mean for the charities we support.
“It has come a long way since the days of this gig being in the pub!”
Teddy Rocks last year won the award for Best Festival for Families at the UK Festival Awards.
The event has raised money for children’s cancer charities helping children and families going through treatment and research into childhood cancer.
It started with a small gig 14 years ago to raise money for Teddy20, a children’s cancer charity founded by Tom Newton and his family after he lost his 10-year-old brother Ted to a very rare bone cancer.
This year’s festival runs from Friday to Sunday, May 2-4.
Weekend and day tickets are available at teddyrocks.co.uk from £22.20 for children –aged five to 15 – and £38.85 for adults.
Machine and a tangle of bureaucratic absurdity.
It does seem depressingly likely that we’ll bring about Armageddon not through grand Bond-villain plans, but via workplace incompetence – a subject that Iannucci has lovingly spoofed before.
Other facets feel oddly contemporary – our disastrous over-dependence on machines, fears about fakes and misinformation, a shadowy Russian president assassinating his enemies and an American candidate who refuses to accept the election result.
There’s also the conspiracy theory that begins the whole saga. General Ripper believes
that communists are poisoning America’s water supply with fluoride to weaken their ‘precious bodily fluids’ – the kind of mad conjecture you’d now find promoted on X by Elon Musk or bleated by Donald Trump.
At a time when the world feels terrifyingly precarious once again, this is very much a play for today – both an astute skewering of our worst tendencies and most paranoid fears, and an outrageously funny, much-needed release valve.
The National Theatre screening of Dr Strangelove is at Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Saturday, April 19, at 7pm.
CONTRIBUTED
‘Folk with Led Zep vibes’
THE Magpie Arc, described by Mark Radcliffe on BBC Radio 2 as playing ‘folk/rock with Led Zeppelin vibes’, are coming to the David Hall at South Petherton.
The ‘folk supergroup’ features the multi-awardwinning talents of Nancy Kerr, Findlay Napier, Tom Wright, Alex Hunter and UK folk legend Martin Simpson – on electric guitar!
The band will focus on new
material but will play some great cover songs plus their own re-workings of traditional songs.
Magpie Arc’s first full length album, Glamour In The Grey, was released in November 2022 and enjoyed 12 months in the UK Official Folk Chart debuting at number 9.
Magpie Arc visit South Petherton on Sunday, April 20, (7.30pm).
Never heard of it? Well – it really is the one where they all end up dead, as well as being very funny and definitely NOT Shakespeare.
Since its debut on the stage of The National in 1969, Tom Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead’ has become a much-loved staple in British theatre and gained critical acclaim worldwide, as well as multiple awards. While widely performed by both amateur and professional troupes, this production is being performed by The Music and Drama Group at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, with a team of familiar faces in new guises, alongside some new cast and crew joining the group for the first time.
The play plucks two very minor characters – the titular Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – from Hamlet and makes them the centre of the action, showing, from their very lowly viewpoint, the ‘backstage’ scenes of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, including pivotal events that typically happen unseen and offstage. Courtiers and childhood friends to the Prince, the pair receive an urgent summons to an audience with the new King but are left stranded in a curious place while they await their instructions, where nothing seems quite real, but is none-the-less strangely familiar.
Led by The Player, an enigmatic, larger than life figure are The Tragedians, a motley, down-at-heel troupe of travelling players who come and go in the guise of the more familiar characters from the royal court of Hamlet. They confound and challenge Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with tasks that seem impossible, trapped as they are by their fate, they seek out the cause of Hamlet’s lunacy, find the body of murdered Polonius, escort Hamlet to his death in England. But all too soon, they find themselves inevitably betrayed and at the end of their own fateful journey – or was it the beginning all along? Destiny and free-will, mortality, philosophy and faith are all examined as they struggle to reconcile reality with the absurdity of their situation.
Brilliantly funny, haunting, wildly inventive and imaginative, Tom Stoppard’s play is a delight from start to finish.
Photo shows: Left, Guildenstern (Harvey Cormack), Middle, The Player (Jerome Swan) Right, Rosencrantz (Ethan Speed) Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead is on at Shaftesbury Arts Centre from 23rd to 26th April. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased via the Box Office (01747) 854321 or via the website: www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk
Across
1 Tense sot in film (6)
Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.
5 High mountain areas occupied by principally cowering animal (6)
8 Astound section of biggest union (4)
9 In bed I reviewed French article –characterizing horrid food? (8)
10 A Channel Islands detective touring island is sour (6)
11 Lament medal on a rogue (6)
12 See in the morning clay-like soil (4)
Down
2 A movement that’s instinctive after time high room (5)
3 Realm, part of sinking dominion (7)
4 Greek character put in place so awkward regarding bishops’ rule (9)
5 Outstanding type of service (3)
6 Priest is before mass showing range of colour (5)
7 Conservative and a liberal to diversify religious site (7)
14 Greek character past it on a regular basis (3)
15 Remains reported in ancient river (4)
16 Artist in last works having a star-like quality (6)
18 Protection for the leg old English footballer curtailed (6)
20 Casually come across no good type with drink before round (4,4)
22 Motorists might pay this cost in damage? (4)
23 Grassland in Maine and a hill lately obscured (6)
24 Standard new test probed by Frenchman (6)
Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.
11 Lower shoot (5,4)
13 Little known copper wearing varied robes
15 Lieutenant enters vertical refuge (7)
17 Speedy attack to restrain leader of pirates
19 House producing difficulty in Virginia (5)
21 Original three directions (3)
THIS month brought fantastic news for Yeovil – and for the wider South Somerset economy. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a £165 million contract extension with Leonardo to continue maintenance and support for the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 and Mk4 helicopters.
This is more than a defence contract – it’s a vote of confidence in Yeovil’s workforce, skills and future.
The deal will directly secure more than 200 high-quality, skilled jobs here in Yeovil and support hundreds more in the wider supply chain, many of which benefit communities right across the Blackmore Vale. It also includes training opportunities for apprentices, giving local young people a clear pathway into careers in engineering, aerospace and
Lib Dem MP for Yeovil
Adam Dance
advanced manufacturing.
Having visited Leonardo multiple times and spoken to ministers in Westminster about its vital role, I am incredibly pleased to see this investment come through. I’ve been clear with government – Yeovil is not just a manufacturing town, it’s a centre of excellence in UK
defence capability. Our local workforce has the experience, knowledge and passion to deliver cutting-edge technology that keeps our country safe.
But it’s not just about defence. Leonardo is one of the biggest private employers in the region, and its presence underpins a local ecosystem of suppliers, small businesses and skilled trades. When Leonardo does well, our whole local economy benefits – from engineering firms and training providers to cafes and shops on our high streets.
The contract extension comes at a crucial time. Families and businesses across the Blackmore Vale are facing serious economic pressures –from energy bills to interest rates. That’s why I’ll keep fighting to bring investment and opportunity to our area.
I’m especially proud that this deal also supports apprenticeships. We know that when young people can train and work locally, they’re more likely to stay and contribute to our communities for years to come. Creating those opportunities is essential if we want to keep our local economy strong and vibrant.
Looking ahead, I sincerely hope Leonardo will be successful in securing the Ministry of Defence’s upcoming New Medium Helicopter contract. If awarded, it would mean even more jobs, more investment and a major boost for Yeovil and the surrounding area.
This is a proud moment for our town. I’ll continue to do everything I can to support good jobs, skills and investment across South Somerset.
SPRING is a season of rapid change – bare branches and empty fields one day and new leaf and livestock the next. So, my first task is to remind all of us dog owners to keep our charges on leads when around livestock, especially ewes with lambs. There have been too many sheep worrying incidents and do remember the farmer/ shepherd has the right to shoot a dog found worrying livestock. As the seasons change, proposed change is in the air but not all of it welcomed. Let me deal with two issues I am working on. Recently the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust announced its ideas for reforming sixth-form provision for Sturminster and Shaftesbury’s high schools. Many parents from both schools have contacted me expressing unease. I met the chief executive recently and raised several questions. He was receptive to those and our next step is for me to sit down with
the trustees to discuss. I have made it abundantly clear that the interests of students must be up front and centre. This cannot be an economising measure of itself. My young constituents deserve the best start in life and education is the provider of the key to unlock all of their future doors.
Lib Dem-led Dorset Council is currently ‘consulting’ on plans to radically reshape Adult
Centre provision in North Dorset. I put consulting in ‘’ because I remain to be convinced that it is a consultation. Rather I fear it is a fait accompli with the ‘consultation’ as a tick box exercise. I have met those who run the centres in Shaftesbury and Blandford. They do excellent work providing a venue to meet etc for many people as well as providing a much-needed respite haven for those who care for them. The council seems hellbent on a hub and spoke model focussed on Sturminster Newton. This neglects that users, their families and carers have already adopted a hub and spoke model with the towns of Sturminster, Blandford and Shaftesbury not just meeting their needs but, and equally importantly, the villages that surround them as well. This natural hub and spoke model is working well and I can see no compelling reason to reset it. One parent told me they used
the time to get the house sorted, do shopping and attend to any personal health appointments – tasks made almost impossible when their child was not at the centre, which is seen as a safe and friendly environment. If they had to make the trip from Blandford – Sturminster –Sturminster – Blandford and the same for the pick-up they could not do those things. Another told me it had taken an age for their son to settle and look forward to their days at the centre. If the location moved their son would opt to stay in his bedroom, meaning losing out on socialising etc. We all appreciate the public finances are under pressures, but some services are too precious to cut. Adult centres, I believe, are one. I have met Dorset Care – the arm’s length council provider – and my next meeting is with the council itself.
Might I close by wishing all New Blackmore Vale readers a very happy and peaceful Easter.
WITHOUT doubt being in government is hugely difficult, with a multitude of conflicting demands to try and balance without upsetting too many people. And all the while the opposition and media are on your case, seizing every opportunity to highlight your failings while downplaying your successes.
That said, some things simply have to be got right, and protecting the wellbeing of citizens is surely right at the top of the list. Both the Tories and Labour have failed us badly on this, and Reform would do even worse were it to be given the chance, particularly in respect of dealing with the changing climate.
Widespread dissatisfaction with the state of British politics has doubtlessly contributed to the relative success of Reform. However, instead of addressing the problems with politics both Labour and the Tories have tried
to win back voters by adopting policies that lean towards Reform’s ideology. Their biggest mistake has been to row back on policies that address global warming.
Kemi Badenoch has declared that achieving net zero by 2050 is impossible without a significant drop in our living standards and bankrupting us.
Yet the Confederation of
Business Industry has stated that last year the net zero economy grew by 10% and added £83 billion to our national income, and that ‘now is not the time to step back from the opportunities of the green economy’.
The consequences of carrying on with fossil fuel business-as-usual would be devastating. We are already seeing increasingly severe weather patterns develop, impacting the ability of farmers to produce our food. Longer term consequences include disasters like rising sea levels as ice caps melt. Arctic air temperatures are rising even faster than the global average, so the massive Greenland icesheet is being particularly affected by global warming. It has been steadily melting for the past 27 years as global temperatures rise, and as it covers 80% of the island and is kilometres thick, it contains
enough water to eventually raise global sea levels by 7 metres. In the UK that would submerge whole farming areas including Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Imagine the drop in living standards that would cause. Some argue that there is no point in us reducing our emissions, because China’s emissions are so much larger. But we are responsible for a share of China’s emissions, because they manufacture so many of the things we consume.
Importantly, China has spotted the great opportunities to be had in transitioning to clean energies. Last year it installed more renewable energy generation than the rest of the world combined, including eight times more than the United States and five times more than Europe. Renewable energy creates jobs, cleans polluted air and lowers energy bills. That’s what we have to gain and cannot afford to lose.
I HAVE recently instigated a series of monthly roundtables pulling together stakeholders on key themes to discuss action that can be taken at a local and national level. Last week was the first. It was on the topic of water and the environment. We met in Lyme Regis and I was pleased that both Wessex Water and South West Water were in attendance, along with Dorset Council, and representatives from local and national pressure groups including Surfers Against Sewage, CROWD, CPRE and others.
Obviously, we discussed sewage but also nature-based solutions, rainwater harvesting, improvements to planning, building regulations and land use. As well as chemicals and forever-plastics in our water and the potential for a ‘chemical-free
Dorset’ scheme. I have a number of actions to take away and pursue at a Parliamentary level, but also the potential for some West Dorset pilot projects. I’ll be reconvening the group in 12 months to assess the progress we’ve made and discuss what we can do next.
I’m extremely grateful to all those who attended and for the constructive and productive conversations.
Alongside the meeting I met with the citizen scientists of the River Lim Action Group to see first hand their fantastic work monitoring pollution and ecology in the River Lim, visited the Dorset Wildlife Trust beaver sanctuary to ask questions about its project, and met Sustainable Dorset to discuss how we can support more school leavers training in environmental and renewable energy jobs locally.
This week I’ll be holding another roundtable event, this one in Dorchester, on transport. It will be a chance to meet with groups and stakeholders to look at how we can address some of issues around local transport in West Dorset, including bus and
rail, and road improvements, as well as funding issues.
One thing I am especially eager to discuss at the meeting is the increasing use of our back roads by HGVs. I am repeatedly contacted by concerned residents who are seeing roads, verges, and too often their houses, damaged by large vehicles using short-cuts that are entirely unsuitable for the size of the lorry. As well as the damage they cause, they clog up our roads, force other vehicles off and too often create jams where there are no passing points. I am eager that we find a way to reduce this scourge.
Future roundtable subjects include farming, health, tourism and education, among others, and I’ll be sure to feedback any progress made on the issues raised.
NATIONALLY there has been a steady increase in the number of independent councillors over the past decade, with more than 2,200 across England and Wales. Groups of independents are involved in running 63 councils, either on their own or in partnership with other parties. Independents argue they can better reflect local views as they do not have to follow the positions of a national party.
As an existing Wiltshire Independent councillor, I work with officers who sometimes can solve problems at best and give guidance at worst. I find that county-wide issues that impact the Mere division need resolving before they get to a higher level like full council. It is unlikely amendments can be won at full council, except in a few cases. Early intervention is required.
For example, a few years ago I spotted new street trading licences were to be introduced and it was proposed off-street functions such as church fetes
Wiltshire Independent councillor George Jeans
would need a licence. With the aid of another councillor, I stopped this at an early stage. I have also sat on a broadband project board that helped improve broadband provision in the division I represent. Independents often sit in a group, mainly for the purpose of gaining seats on committees that must be politically balanced. These groups have no view, unlike political groups whose members sometimes find themselves at odds with the
elected area they are in.
An independent group has a leader who does not express the views of the independent group at full council, unlike political group leaders.
It is important to me to belong to local community groups, sit on committees as a trustee, attend the local town and parish council, belong to a town or parish council and attend local functions, that way I can judge what most people would like.
It is not possible to please all the people all the time, in varying degrees electors do not like being said ‘no’ to, which on occasion is necessary to serve the true majority, not the vocal majority. However, I do my best to represent all.
Independents can aspire to higher office on occasion – I was chair of the South West Area Board for one year.
For some reason in Wiltshire, I am not aware we have ever had a female independent councillor, but I hope someone
by Tria Stebbing
IN with a bang out like a fool, well that theory went out of the window as lambing was over by April 5.
Conditions were ideal, the sun shone, the nights were starry and the ewes chose relatively sociable hours to lamb.
Neil, the premature ram lamb, has been on quite a journey of survival. Born in the mud, two weeks early, he caught an infection, and at two days old it was touch and go as to whether he would make it. He went from walking behind mum feeding to lying unable to stand within 48 hours. At first we thought he had picked up an infection called ‘sheep ill’, which affects the joints and
makes standing difficult. He had to be supported to feed as he had no strength in his limbs to stand and drink. The prognosis was not great, but despite the odds being against him, he became a feisty boy, who refused to give up. At 10 days he took his first tentative steps, albeit very wobbly – now, at the time of writing, he is running and playing with the other lambs. He stands tall and has a real character about him.
Lambing ended on the same note as it began. Twins were expected, the first arrived but the ewe showed no sign at all of pushing the other out. I ended up gloving up and helping the lamb into the world. From the offset mum showed no interest in the poor little thing,
will come forward in future years.
Political group councillors have group meetings and often decide the position they will all take on an agenda item before a committee or full council meeting – sometimes individual councillors of that party will have a free vote, however an independent councillor always has a free vote, deciding how to vote based on the debate at the meeting.
At one time, I, with other independents, held the balance of power when Salisbury District Council existed.
I see no need for national politics on councils, I feel a local councillor should put most of their efforts into local case work and not spend a large amount of time on the wider problems of Wiltshire.
I gain satisfaction in serving others, those who do not, may not want to be a councillor. Please consider those who have an independent voice at the May 1 elections.
preferring to fuss over the first born. Whenever the lamb tried to stand, she aimed a hefty kick at it, worse still, it was tiny, the size of a small kitten. We stuck with it, but after trying all day to encourage the relationship, we admitted defeat, and as I write the lamb is curled up next to me, having become a house
lamb. She will run with the other lambs during the day, so she understands she is a lamb, but return home with us for safety.
We have seen foxes, buzzards and crows nearby, and would hate to see her carried away by a predator.
Exhausted is an understatement, but the sunshine and a lamb cuddle fixes most things. We have a way to go with the flock and are not out of the woods yet with some, and on the look-out for mastitis. The grass is growing, the swallows were seen this week and life is good.
There has also been exciting news from the hairy beasts on the hill. More on that next time, I need sleep.
THE country’s largest airport –one of the largest airports in the world – was shut down for a day and the Government didn’t seem all that bothered. As I told the Transport Secretary in the Commons a few days later, what happened at Heathrow was a national embarrassment and should never have happened.
The Government’s response was remarkably evasive. Almost every question was met with the reply ‘Heathrow is a private company’ to let the Government off the hook and avoid answering the tricky stuff –“Not me, guv!” Besides, the minister said, Heathrow had ‘a range of back-up generators and uninterruptible power supplies.’ It’s just that ‘they were never designed to support full operation of the whole airport.’ Then it wasn’t enough! You could almost see the minister shrugging her shoulders. Where
was the passion, even the anger, at this humiliating episode? Indeed, where was it when British Steel announced its intention to close the steelworks in Scunthorpe? Government keeps having to bail out the steel industry because we’re being out-competed by cheaper
steelmakers abroad. If we want to be able to stand on our own two feet in this turbulent world, as I said to the Minister for Industry on the floor of the House, we need to maintain our own critical industries like steelmaking, and that means bringing down the cost of energy. That is how we make ourselves competitive again. A government actually – rather than rhetorically – driven by a growth agenda would make it so.
Instead, the Government has poured cement down the only two horizontal shale gas wells in the country so they can never be used again. Those wells were costing the taxpayer nothing. They were effectively mothballed. The company, Cuadrilla, didn’t want to plug and abandon its own wells. Our gas reserves are already running low and gas prices are sky-high
because of our reliance on imported gas. And yet that didn’t stop Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary and net-zero zealot. This act of deliberate self-harm seems all the more remarkable after Mr Trump’s wrecking ball on ‘Liberation Day.’
The M4 to Dorset Coast Strategic Study I wrote about in my previous column has the potential to create the longawaited bypass around Yarnbrook and Westbury. Having written to the Transport Secretary and met with National Highways this week to discuss the proposals, I’ve written a second letter requesting a meeting with the minister. I’ve made it clear to them that I could not and would not support a ‘strategic route’ without a Westbury bypass. Let us hope that when the details are clarified, a bypass is among them.
WITH the recent beautiful weather, it’s felt like the worst of winter’s pressures were possibly over, but unfortunately Labour’s Spring Statement put paid to any illusions people in Glastonbury and Somerton may have had that the Government might see sense and do the right thing for once.
Not only were farmers dismayed at the Government’s failure to rethink disastrous family farm tax decisions made in the Autumn Budget, but further shocking cuts to some of the most important disability payments were announced. For those who had hoped a Labour Government would be different after years of austerity, this move has increased anxiety levels for many of our most vulnerable residents.
I’m deeply concerned as to what these cuts to vital personal independence payments (PIP) mean for the disabled and their carers. Many disabled people – including those with cancer
and people with severe learning difficulties – rely on these payments to live. I believe the Government has yet again been foolhardy in failing to assess the true impact before announcing the cuts.
The extreme stress this causes will be exacerbated in rural areas like Somerset, where challenges for the disabled and sick are increased by lack of access to healthcare, isolated locations
and higher than national average ambulance wait times.
I have highlighted these issues recently in Parliament, demanding the Government take steps such as rolling out rural health hubs, ring-fencing funding for the NHS and establishing a winter taskforce to build resilience in hospitals and reduce ambulance wait times.
I’ve always used my voice to speak up for the most vulnerable, demanding proper support for carers and social care relentlessly in Westminster as well as fighting winter fuel payment cuts. I will continue to fight this Government to reverse this decision. Carers need more support, not less. Snatching away the little support they get will do nothing to help people into work but will put more pressure on already overstretched care services, social care and the NHS.
Liberal Democrats have
repeatedly called for the Government to seriously rethink and tax the big banks and gambling companies rather than allowing the cost of the previous Conservative Government’s abysmal financial mismanagement to fall on the shoulders of the most vulnerable. These PIP cuts aren’t just cruel, they are a false economy, and I urge ministers to think again. If the Government was serious about cutting welfare spending it would get serious about fixing health and social care and the DWP. We must bring the welfare bill down and support more people into work. It’s right for people and our economy. As always, I want to hear from you. If you would like to share your views, have an issue I can help with, or wish to register your interest to attend one of my regular advice surgeries, please don’t hesitate to contact me at sarah.dyke.mp@parliament.uk
• Anglican High Mass at Wimborne St Giles: First Sunday of each month at 11am. BH21 5LZ.
• Blandford Methodist Church: Sundays – everyone is invited to services at 10.45am. Thursdays – coffee and a chat from 10am-noon. Fridays –lunch club for over-55s from noon at £5 per meal. Phone Joyce Wild on 07817 505543 to book. The church is anxious to offer help to all those in need – call church steward John Cornish on 07799 516735.
• Blandford Evangelical Church: Sunday – 10am Family Service, including classes for three-18 year olds. Monday – weekly gathering for older people 2.30pm-3.30pm. Tuesday – Footprints, an activities playtime for preschool children, 10am-11.30am and 1.15pm-2.45pm. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings – small groups meet at homes at 7.30pm. The church is in Albert Street. Phone 450689 for more information.
• Castleton, Sherborne, St Mary Magdalene (DT9 3SA): First, third and fourth Sundays, Sung Mattins; second and fifth Sundays, Holy Communion. All services are BCP at 11.15am.
• Chalbury Church: Fourth Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.
• Digby Memorial Church Hall: Easter Messy Church on Saturday, April 12, 2pm-4pm. Easter-themed art and craft activity session, all ages from four-plus – to be accompanied by an adult – no charge.
• Hinton Martell: Second Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.
• Horton Church: First Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.
• Horton & Chalbury Village Hall: Third Sunday of the month, 9am Breakfast Church.
• Kingston Lacy: Second Sunday of the month, 9.15am Holy Communion. Fourth Sunday of the month, 9.15am Family Service.
• Lillington: All morning services now begin at 9.30am.
• Lufton Church: BA22 8SU, just to the west of Yeovil. Prayer Book services every Sunday at 6pm. Sung Mass on the third Sunday. See www.lufton.co.uk for details.
• Our Lady’s RC Church, Marnhull: Mass Sunday, 9am and 6pm.
• Sacred Heart, Tisbury, and All Saints’ Wardour Catholic Parish: Sunday Mass – Sacred Heart, Tisbury, 9am, coffee after Mass; All Saints’ Wardour 10.30am.
• Shaftesbury Benefice: Monday, April 14: 6.30pm, St James, Evening Prayer. Tuesday, April 15: 10.30am, Motcombe Grange; 11.30am, St Denis Lodge; 6.30pm, Motcombe, Evening Prayer. Wednesday, April 16: 10.30am, St Peter’s, Holy Communion; Wednesday, April 16: 6.30pm, St Peter’s, Stations of the Cross; Maundy Thursday, Thursday, April 17: 7pm St Peter’s, Maundy Thursday Eucharist; 7pm, St James’, Maundy Thursday Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar; 7pm, Motcombe Eucharist with Stripping of the Altar. Good Friday, Friday, April 18: 9.45am, Enmore Green, Meditation at the Cross; 11am, Shaftesbury, Walk of Witness; noon, Melbury Abbas, Meditation; 2pm, St James’, Good Friday Liturgy; 2pm, Motcombe, Meditation and Prayer at the Foot of the Cross; 6pm Margaret Marsh, Meditation and Prayer at the Foot of the Cross (TBC); 6.30pm St Peter’s, The Way of the Cross. Easter Day, Sunday, April 20: 5.45am, Park Walk, Sunrise Service(CTS); 9.30am, St Peter’s, Easter Communion; 9.30am, St James’, Easter Communion; 9.30am, Motcombe, Easter communion; 11.15am, Compton Abbas, Easter Communion; 11.15am, Melbury Abbas, Easter Communion; 11.15am, MM/ O’s, BCP Communion; 11.15am, Enmore Green, Easter Communion.
• Shapwick: Third Sunday of the month, 9.15am Holy Communion.
• Shaftesbury Quakers (Society of Friends): Meets for one hour each Sunday from 10.30am at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB.
• Sherborne Abbey: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am Morning Prayer; The Sepulchre Chapel. Mondays, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Tuesday, noon CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion with Homily; The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP). Thursday, noon BCP Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Friday, 9am Ecumenical Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel.
• St Gregory’s, Marnhull: Sunday services 8am and 10am. Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk.
• St James Church, Longburton: Village cafe, tea, coffee – free refills – and cakes for just £2.50, Tuesdays, April 15 and 29, 10.30am-noon.
• St John’s Church, Enmore Green: Service every Sunday at 11.15am; parish communion on the first Sunday of the month; prayer services every other Sunday. St John’s Singers, Seven Steps from Palm to Calm, Palm Sunday, April 13, 6pm. Good Friday, April 18, 9.45am, Mary at the Cross Meditation. Easter Day, April 20, 11.15am, Easter Day Communion.
• St Margaret’s, Margaret Marsh (Shaftesbury Benefice) SP7 0AZ: Alternating first Sundays Mattins and Holy Communion, 11.15am. Everyone welcome.
• St Mary’s, Motcombe: Evening worship (BCP) – every first Sunday 6pm; parish communion – every second and fourth Sunday 9.30am; evening worship – every third Sunday 6pm.
• St Mary’s, Sturminster
Newton: First, third and fourth Sundays – 11am Holy Communion; second Sunday – 9.30am Morning Prayer; fifth Sunday – 11am Benefice Holy Communion; second and fourth Sundays – 6pm Evensong; Wednesdays – 10am Holy Communion.
• St Mary & St Bartholomew’s Church, Cranborne: Book of Common Prayer Evensong with the Benefice Choir, first Sunday of the month at 6pm.
• St Peter’s, Hinton St Mary: First, second and third Sundays, 9.30am Morning Prayer. Fourth Sunday, 9.30am Holy Communion.
• St Thomas’, Lydlinch: Second Sunday, Holy Communion 11am; third Sunday, Evensong 6pm; fourth Sunday, Matins 11am. Spring coffee morning and cake/ produce sale, Saturday, April 12, 10am-12.30pm, Hooper Hall, Lydlinch DT10 2JA.
• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, April 13, Palm Sunday –9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Family Service at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. Friday, April 18, Good Friday – 2.30pm Good Friday Reflective service at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary. Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday – 9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Tarrant Keynston.
• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church (BA22 7QB). Palm Sunday, April 13, 6pm – evening service; Good Friday, 10.30am – service on The Green, 6pm – Reflective Service; Easter Sunday, April 20, 6pm – Easter Praise Service. Contact Geoff.mead@yahoo. com or phone 01935 850838.
• Witchampton Church: Third Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.
ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, is holding its 20th Century and Modern Art Auction on Thursday, April 24, at 10am; General Antiques & Collectors Auction on Thursday, April 25, at noon; and Jewellery, Silver & Watches on Friday, April 25, at 10am.
The catalogue will be available to view one week before the auction on Acreman’s two online platforms, Easyliveauction.com and Saleroom.com
Physical viewing is on Wednesday, April 23, from 10am-4pm. Acreman is now holding regular valuation days at its premises at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne DT9 3PH where prospective sellers can
take in items for its specialists to evaluate.
Valuation days run from 10am-3pm: Jewellery and watches, Tuesdays and Saturdays; silver and obje’t d’art, Tuesdays and Saturdays; toys and collectables, Wednesdays and Saturdays; oriental and Asian, Thursdays and Saturdays; coins, stamps, books and ephemera, Fridays and Saturdays; militaria, Fridays and Saturdays; textiles and fashion, Saturdays; paintings and contemporary art, Saturdays.
Anyone unable to get along to the allocated days can phone or email to make an appointment – house visits can also be arranged if required.
20thC & MODERN ART
Thursday 24th April 10am
GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS
Thursday 24th April 12 noon
JEWELLERY, SILVER & WATCHES
Friday 25th April 10am
VIEWING
Wednesday 23rd April 10am-4pm
Mowlem
Acreman is also accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and can offer advice on items being considered for auction.
Photographs can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or visit the salerooms, open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm. Acreman can take in everything from single items to
complete collections. It can also offer advice and valuations to householders who are downsizing or who need to deal with a whole house and can arrange full house clearances at competitive rates.
Anyone who has anything they would like to consign should contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 or via the email address above.
Antiques & Collectibles
Advertiser’s announcement
CLARKE’S Auctions is offering more than 1,200 lots of interesting antiques and collectible items this weekend, starting with its Classic Vehicles & Automobilia sale on Friday, April 11, at 10am.
It will be selling a small selection of classic motorbikes, including a 1955 Triumph 5T Speed Twin and a 1961 exworks Don Smith Greeves 24TE 101 Scottish trials bike.
The sale includes a single owner collection of Minichamps 1:12th scale Grand Prix British Superbike motorcycles consisting of more than 200 lots.
It also features a single owner collection of pre-Second World War maritime-related
models and a variety of items ranging from fine boardroom models of clockwork ships and steamships to 19th century toys and other maritime-related pieces.
The furniture section on Saturday includes a very large fine quality gilt-framed wall mirror with quiver and pineapple finials estimated at £400-£600, a large pine refectory table, Globe Wernicke stacking bookcases, traditional mahogany furniture and mid-century 20th century design furniture.
The gold, silver and jewellery section features almost 200 lots, including a fine 9ct gold miniature hip flask, an Italian design 18ct gold fancy
Auctioneers & Valuers
This 9ct gold miniature hip flask is estimated at £600£1,000
link necklace and an 18ct gold Albert pocket watch chain.
Clarke’s colour catalogue showing these and all the other lots can be viewed at thesaleroom.com and easyliveauction.com
Clarke’s is taking entries for all future Antiques &
Collectibles sales, and for enquiries about consignment, probate or insurance valuations, full or part house clearances, phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at the salerooms at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.
Antiques & Collectibles Sale
Friday 11th & Saturday 12th April
Viewing
Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August
Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th & Friday 11th April
A diamond butterfly brooch with old cut diamonds and ruby eyes. Sold for £12,200.
An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600.
Clarke’s Auctions o er free home visits and verbal valuations. Now accepting items for this and future sales
The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk
e Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk Antiques,
Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk
A RARE George III silver coffee Biggin valued at £4,000-£6,000 features in Charterhouse’s specialist auction of silver, jewellery and watches on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1.
“This coffee Biggin would certainly have graced the table on a country house and has always been an expensive and desirable way to make your coffee,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.
Of classical form, it was made by Paul Storr, one of the country’s leading 19th century silversmiths, in 1803.
This coffee Biggin, along with various other items of silver, from trays to a wine
funnel, were taken to a valuation day at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, in a vintage suitcase where they had been hiding away for over a quarter of a century.
Wrapped up in old newspaper, they were all valued, catalogued and entered into this specialist auction.
Further entries of silver, jewellery and watches are now being invited for this huge two-day auction.
Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, on 01935 812277 or via rb@charterhouseauction.com.
Jewellery, Watches & Silver 14th
Model Cars, Trains, Toys & Dolls 15th
Coins, Medals, Militaria & Stamps 16th
Doulton, Beswick & other Ceramics 17th
Moretonhampstead Motor Museum
Dispersal Auction 15th & 16th May
Classic Motorcycle Auction 5th June
Classic & Vintage Car Auction 26th June
Further Entries Now Invited
Jewellery & Watches; Coins & Objets de Vertu; and Silver Saturday 19th April
Advertiser’s
DUKE’S auction house, based in Dorchester, will hold two major auctions this spring.
The Spring Auction on Wednesday, April 16, will feature a variety of items, including a portrait of Sir Frederic Gustavus Fowke Bart estimated at £2,000£4,000.
The Art & Design post-1880 auction follows on Thursday, April 17, focusing on contemporary art with notable pieces including Conrad Leach’s enormous work
Brooklands George, estimated at £3,000-£5,000.
Both auctions offer the opportunity to bid in person, by phone or online via platforms like The Saleroom and Easylive Auction.
Prospective buyers can view the lots at Duke’s premises in Dorchester, with viewing dates commencing on Monday, April 14, until the day of the auction.
Full details on consignment, viewing and bidding can be found on Duke’s official website.
THE Spring Auction at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter is always a bright and cheerful affair – with the lengthening days and even the odd patch of sun in the sky, thoughts turn to those long put off domestic or garden projects.
A day at the saleroom then
can be a hugely rewarding kick-start, with highly desirable ‘statement pieces’ on the market, usually for the first time in decades.
Anything from an alluring and impressively large oil painting
of a nude – Venus and Cupid in the manner of Titian – lot 508, estimated at £6,000£9,000, pictured – to a substantial and extremely elegant Carrara marble garden bench – lot 952, estimated at £3,000-£5,000
– can be found. The usual swathes of refined and decorative furniture, works of art, clocks, ceramics and pictures, are also on offer at pre-sale estimates to suit all wallets.
The auction is on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15-16.
by Sally Gregson
AS the garden re-awakens after a long winter, the Pulsatilla or Pasque Flower opens its large, hairy flowers to greet the gentle light of spring. It has always been a symbol of renewal and new beginnings. Its name comes from the French for Easter, ‘pâques’, when the plant usually flowers in western Europe. So, it comes as a symbol of hope and renewal after winter.
The Pulsatilla is a British native, indigenous to the drier side of the country – East Anglia. It grows most happily on the well-drained slopes of chalk downland with its head in the sun. Its range spreads east into Sweden and Finland, and as far as Ukraine.
It is a remarkably pretty native. Generations of cottage gardeners must have carefully
removed plants and put them in their gardens, happily to no detriment of the native population. Pulsatillas produce mauve, ‘red’ or white bells over hairy crowns of leaves that are followed by large tassels of hirsute seed, just right for clinging to the coat of any passing badger or rabbit.
Over the years, nurserymen and growers have selected out some lovely double-flowered forms whose essential hairiness seems emphasised by the extra petals. Of course, as a native plant, the Pulsatilla is very hardy. These diminutive little plants survive quite low temperatures down to -20˚ degrees centigrade. They are much tougher than they appear.
The copiously produced seeds are easy to germinate. Sow them straight away in summer, pressing them down
onto a shallow pan of compost, the seeds anchored by a layer of sharp grit. Label and water the pan well and place it somewhere warm but shaded –pans of compost dry out very easily. The seed should
by Sally Gregson
AT last, the time has come for the ‘singing of birds’ and ‘flowers to appear on the earth’ as King Solomon once noted. There is a definite warmth to the daytime temperatures. Not only are the birds singing and our woolly jumpers shed, but the soil has warmed to above 10 degrees centigrade. It is a critical temperature below which seed will just rot off and not germinate.
In the vegetable garden, if the soil is not already weed-free and raked, it is time to prepare the beds for sowing. Remove every visible weed, and if the ground suffers from docks, dandelions or worse, insert a fork deep down and hoick them out. It is more easily done now than when giant dandelions are surrounded by struggling seedling lettuces.
Rake over the soil to a ‘fine tilth’, that is, the texture of
Spring is here and the soil has warmed, allowing seed to germinate
breadcrumbs, if possible. And then mark out rows with the corner of an inverted rake. The old fashioned method is still the best. Broadcasting seeds all over the ground sounds like a good idea to use the available space, but you will need to be able to identify weed seedlings
from their cotyledons – seed leaves – and tweak them out. It’s so much easier to spot a uniform row of seedling cabbages among all the weedy chaos.
Sow the vegetable seeds thinly in the indented rows then cover them with earth, turn the
germinate in a few weeks and the seedlings can be pricked out into larger trays, individual plugs or small pots. Keep them in a cold frame, ideally until the following spring, when they can be planted out.
rake over and tamp down the soil with the back of the tines, label the row and give it all a good watering. Most vegetable seedlings will be up within a fortnight. Unless, that is, we get a few very cold, frosty nights. Often the newly germinated seeds are burned off by a late frost. If this happens, there’s still plenty of time to sow another row alongside.
Once you are confident there is a row of vegetable seedlings coming up, you can take care of them – weeding and watering. After a few weeks, the growing plants will probably need thinning down to the required distance apart. This is usually noted on the seed packet.
Half-hardy vegetables such as courgettes, French beans and cucumbers should be started off under protection by the end of March. And by summer you will be picking fresh cabbages, lettuces and young vegetables.
Family
Tel: 01963 250005
HEDGING PLANTS
Tel: 01963 250005
07976 934
07976 934 252
Quickthorn £86/100 & Blackthorn £119/100 For list and availability Call WILLIAMS GARDEN CENTRE 01963 362355 Station Rd, Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2RQ
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478
WELL ROTTED MANURE, (4years) £80 transit load. Tel: 07774-223252
ATCO GT36H TRACTOR MOWER Kawasaki engine FSH +mulch plug Excellent condition £1,850 07780-665082 Collection only
UPRIGHT PIANO AVAILABLE. Needs van to collect. Silton Dorset please message 07879 850200 For all your fencing and decking needs
Closeboard, panels & sheds supplied and fitted. Gates made to measure. Sherborne Fencing Ltd Tel: 01935 814272
Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195 WALK BEHIND BRUSHCUTTER AND OPERATOR HIRE paddock,orchards and neglected area clearance 07432 773151
G.D HOUSE CLEARANCE. Fully Licensed, Family run, FREE Quotes. Tel: 07301-094707
Anaturalistic garden is a mix of ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials planted to achieve an informal and natural look. Using large drifts or odd-numbered groups of plants will achieve this informal design. Add some structure with tall grasses or large perennials.
Our recommended grasses include Stipa and Switch grasses (Panicum). Great perennials are coneflowers (Echinacea) in various shades of reds, purples and white together with Rudbeckia or Helenium to add sun-yellow or orange tones. Achillea is one of our all-time favourites and a reliable option for long-flowering informality. Maintain a consistent theme and colours, repeating plants throughout the border, and avoid too many different varieties.
Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotations amralphlandscaping@gmail.com www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk
Tel: 01747 631471 Mobile: 07921 637227
Native wildflowers are also an important addition to a naturalistic garden design. Plant within the design to achieve a low-maintenance garden that is sustainable, requires little watering, feeding or heavy weeding.
Naturalistic planting also provides food and habitats for insects across the seasons, which in turn, are an important nutrition source for birds and other wildlife, therefore increasing the biodiversity in your garden.
Peat free plants for a naturalistic garden can be found at our nursery. Come and visit us from 1st March.
All types of blinds supplied and fitted for home, office, conservatory or commercial premises. We also supply patio awnings (electric and manual), shutters, curtains and poles. FREE No obligation quotes
01747 852111 • info@bvblinds.co.uk • www.bvblinds.co.uk
SMALL FENCING JOBS. New or repair. Special Low Rates for OAP’s. No VAT. Phone Phillip on 07716-207150
WALK BEHIND BRUSHCUTTER AND OPERATOR HIRE
paddock,orchards and neglected area clearance 07432 773151 paul25.06@outlook.com
TOOLS WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 416022
WANTED -
Dave buys all types of tools Call 01935 428975
SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647
GREENHOUSES
Supplied/Erected Alloy TenColours Spares-Repairs-Glass Chris Abrams 01258-452632
FOREVER-GREEN LANDSCAPES. All aspects of garden maintenance & landscaping 01747 825134/ 07885-586716 mathughes@hotmail.co.uk
MILLERS EXTERIOR CLEANING.
Somerset & Dorset. Gutter clearing. Pressure washing. uPVC cleaning. Window cleaning. Roof cleaning. Fully insured. Call/message Nick 07870-498616
WELL ROTTED MANURE
£60.00 a transit load. Contact Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502
FOR ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING, Driveway, Patios & Fencing etc. Contact Billy 07849-571742
HEDGE CUTTING and Lawn mowing services, Shaftesbury-Blandford & local villages. Please call Trevor 07970-012130
All Hedge/tree work/rubbish clearance Gravel Driveways/Pressure Washing Patio and Fencing Work Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk / check a trade
BLACKMORE VALE LOG SPLITTING AND CHIPPING
- Your local mobile service07760 469411 LOGS
SEASONED HARDWOOD
LOGS
£200 double load
£110 half load 01258-880892 07980-036250
GOOD QUALITY
SEASONED HARDWOOD for sale
Barn-stored Any size of load. If you want anymore help contact Andy 07773-254174
LOGS R US
Tipper Load £200
Half Tipper Load £100 dumpy bag £90
All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081
LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son)
Bedding and Basket Plants, Shallots and Onion Sets. Fruit Trees and Ornamental Trees, Perennials & Shrubs, Terracotta pots, Wild Bird food 20kg £14.50, Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258-452513
JAMES AYRES
DORSET TREE CARE
Specialist Tree Workers
All kinds of trees expertly felled, topped and pruned. Hedge cutting. All rubbish cleared. Licensed waste carrier. Fully insured. Tel: 01747 850129 / Mob: 07951 284639
DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING
www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123 / 07751 278363
HASKELL FENCING
Close board specialists. Groundwork also undertaken. Blandford. Tel: 07751-001515
JACKS AFFORDABLE TREE CARE 07387-687037
LAWN MOWING SERVICES. Tel: 01747-821726
CURTAIN ALTERATIONS Curtains made to measure Tel. Sue Marsh 01747 853680
Fascias,
Soffits,
Repairs,
OF YOUR WOODEN WINDOWS, DOORS and So Much More. Embrace the old don’t buy new. Ask me
BAILEY & SUN LTD.
Groundwork, man and machine hire. Footings, ditchings, driveways, new build, drainage, extensions plus lots more. Call for a quote. 07546-762236. sun@baileyandsun.co.uk.
HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076
G ROSE PLASTERING. For all your Plastering needs Experienced and reliable Phone 07766-243762
G.S GENERAL BUILDER. Extensions, renovations, alterations, plastering, brickwork, block-work, stonework and patios, fencing. NO VAT. Call Garry: 07933-921382
HARRY JACK, HOME SERVICES. Handyman, home maintenance, landscaping, roofing. Harryjackhome services@gmail.com 07855-544618
ALL DIGGER WORK. Natural Stone Walls. FootingsDrains-Drives. Tel: 07301-007855
KBB KITCHEN FITTER, all aspects of kitchen fitting undertaken. 30 years experience, free estimates given. Tel: 01963 364550 or 07890 841827
ASA ARCHITECTS. All drawings for planning and construction. 07770 421624. Free consultation Based in Shaftesbury. Works throughout Dorset. www.asa-architect. co.uk. andystrange@btinternet.com
Accredited installers of Wood burning & Multi fuel stoves, Chimney liners, twin wall flues, fireplace conversions, replacement hearths, chimney restoration
Martin Simmonds
and
Martin Simmonds
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963 370038
Martin Simmonds
Martin Simmonds
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
Martin Simmonds
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
Chimney Sweep Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
01935 592461 Mob 07875 272401 www.shinystoves.com
DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons). PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 01963362403 07855287150 www.dcenet.co.uk
Purchase advice, Virus Removal, New PC Setup/Installation, Internet Connection, Upgrades, Computer/Software TuitionCall Gregg on 01963 370713
TELECOM & WIFI ENGINEER. Problems solved, fully insured & DBS checked. 35 years experience. Adrian 07799 105008
Or you can drop off your machine at my workshop for quick, efficient care and maintenance.
CARPENTRY Doors, repairs, general maintenance etc Call Nick on 07887 358570 PAUL
and wall-paper specialist. Also hand-man. 35years experience. Free quotes. 07773-459168. paul.west945@gmail.com
& M PAINTING & DECORATING. 30 years experience. Fully insured, clean & tidy. References available. FREE no obligation quote. Tel: 07534-952486 / 01305-849380
by Susannah Curtin
AT last, winter is behind us and British Summer Time has begun. The sky is a misty blue punctuated by palls of hazy cloud. Although the wind still holds its chill, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my back as I hike up towards the ridge at Whitecliff Down, high above the villages of the Deverills. I am too early for the bluebells on Bidcombe Hill, but there are celandines galore and the odd patch of wild daffodils. Nuthatch have paired up and are issuing their punchy, staccato calls, and the fine flowers of the blackthorn light up the hedgerows with their frothy white blossom. As I leave the thickets behind me, I emerge on top of the Wiltshire downs. .
Balanced on a mound of earth, I sit with my flask of tea and just enjoy the light and space around me. It is not long, however, before the plaintive mewing above my head catches
my attention. Then I notice how the sky is full of raptors. I count at least 20 red kites with their unmistakable long, slender wings, deeply forked tails and languid mastery of the breeze. These social birds are stacked above me like aeroplanes waiting to land, circling on the rising thermals. There are also six common buzzards, a pair of kestrels and the aerobatic exploits of two pairs of ravens. Red kites hold a particular place in my heart for they have literally been brought back from the brink of extinction. Once so rare, they are one of the UK’s most successful conservation stories. In 1903, a species that was once considered to be as common as a carrion crow, was estimated at just five breeding pairs in their last remaining stronghold of mid-Wales. Persecution, egg-collecting and their susceptibility to poisoning contributed to their decline. Although they are cherished
now, and are Wales’s national bird, they were once utterly detested. Due to their liking for refuse and carrion, kites are often seen over the world’s poorest cities. While working in Kathmandu, I can remember being fascinated by the number of black kites that relentlessly circled over the city, thriving on the poor sanitation.
In the 1980s, the red kite was only one of three native UK species to be considered globally threatened, thus making it a conservation priority, and in 1989 the first red kites were reintroduced into Buckinghamshire and Scotland. Over time, these graceful, tenacious birds have gradually spread north, east, south and west into Somerset and Dorset. Today, they are a protected species estimated to number 6,000 pairs in the UK. Resident all year and feeding mostly on carrion, they can be seen over grasslands, heathlands, moorlands, woodlands, roads, towns, gardens and farmlands. They produce young in their second year when they build extremely untidy nests. These are often built on top of an old crow’s nest and are lined with all sorts of rubbish such as cloth, paper, plastic and bits of sheep’s wool.
I am thrilled that their numbers in Dorset have
expanded, and that I can now see them regularly flying above my house. Their flight is so captivating that I always stop to admire them. With a wingspan of nearly two metres, they can adjust the angle of their tail, using it like a rudder, while barely moving their wings. Sitting on this little mound in the watery sunshine, I become transfixed as I watch aerial behaviour I have never seen before. Red kites are monogamous and usually mate for life, and at this time of the year they exhibit courtship behaviour to re-establish bonds. Right in front of me, in the valley below the ridge, I watch as these masters of the air glide slowly towards each other, fly in a circle together and then simultaneously twist and tumble towards the ground with their wings folded back before suddenly breaking apart. Then they regain height before doing it all again. They are sometimes so close to me I can hear their wingbeats.
I will always remember this day high up on the hills where the red kites soar. It has filled me with such joy and admiration for these birds – creatures that we once nearly destroyed but which have at last found the veneration they deserve.
n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com).
by Fiona Chapman
WHILE I was away, my poor daughter had full-blown flu. She couldn’t move, slept for days and didn’t eat for a week. I got home to find a very white, thin girl with her raw nose permanently in a tissue.
I think when you have been ill, you wonder if you will feel well, have any energy or be happy ever again, so addressing the virus, the immune system and general mood is very important. Off I went to my trusty herbal cabinet to come up with a suitable formula for her. Obviously, I needed Echinacea in there as this
stimulates the white blood cells to fight off any infection.
I also wanted Astragalus membranaceus, vital for balancing the immune system and a general tonic for all the organs.
Baptisia tinctoria, or wild indigo, majored in my mix as it is specifically for flu. It is anti-microbial and helps to modulate the immune system as well as stimulating the lymphatic system – so important in fighting infections. It is also analgesic and sedative and so to calms the mind, very necessary when you feel desperate about work or getting things done.
Schisandra chinensis was another herb – it is a powerful adaptogen and liver tonic. This means it strengthens the body and allows it to adapt to its environment as well as protecting the liver while helping it get rid of toxins – all very important when you are ill.
Angelica sinensis is a blood tonic, protects the heart and liver and the uterus – again, just to strengthen her.
I then added the king of bitters – much to her disgust – Andrographis paniculata – this is a strong anti-viral herb and the bitters in it stimulate the liver and gall bladder to produce
bile and so help with digestion and getting rid of toxins.
Last but certainly not least was my trusty old Hypericum perforatum, which lifts the mood, is a great anti-depressant and nervine herb. It also helps to detox the liver.
The whole body needs to be treated when ill – lots of good water to flush the toxins out and healthy, strengthening foods. My poor daughter forced the bitter herbs down, but within 12 hours was beginning to feel better.
n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist; email Pellyfiona@gmail.com.
by Kay Parkinson
“SHE’S so capable.” “He always seems to cope with everything.” “You’re the strong one in the family.”
We hear these things as compliments – and often, they are. But there’s a shadow side to being the one who ‘always manages’. It’s easy to become fluent in the language of high performance and emotional containment. Smile, keep going, push through. Internally though, the experience can feel hollow, disconnected or quietly exhausted.
In therapy, I often see this pattern in people who are not in immediate crisis. They have careers, families and routines. They’re ticking the boxes. But they’ve stopped feeling like they belong in their own lives. They’ve been praised for functioning well for so long that asking for help feels like failure. Their needs have been edited out of the picture.
This is the landscape of high-functioning anxiety, masked depression, or what some call ‘smiling burnout’. And it’s more common than we think. It’s not weakness to admit that ‘fine’ isn’t the full story. It’s courage. It’s a quiet act of self-honour to ask: “What do I need, if I stop performing and start feeling?”
Many of us learned, early on, that worth comes from achievement. That being calm and useful makes us lovable. That expressing sadness or fear might burden others. And so, we become emotionally self-
sufficient. We pride ourselves on resilience, but secretly we crave rest, validation and deeper connection. We all need places where it’s safe to not be the strong one. To be held rather than hold it all together. To let go of the curated version of life and attend to what’s real.
Sometimes this begins with small acts of honesty – with ourselves or someone we trust. It might sound like: “Actually, I’m struggling,” or “I’m not sure I can keep going like this.” These moments are powerful because they break the spell of isolation. They make space for real connection. And in that space, something remarkable happens – self-compassion becomes possible. We stop treating ourselves as machines and start relating to ourselves as humans. Not projects to improve, but people to care for. This is where emotional wellbeing begins –not in striving, but in softening. In allowing ourselves to be seen as we are – messy, growing, still enough.
If this resonates, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It may mean something important inside you is ready to be honoured – your need for rest, your longing for connection or your quiet hope that life could feel different. That signal isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And it’s worth listening to.
n Kay Parkinson is a therapist specialising in trauma, emotional neglect and the impact of shame on identity and self-worth. Visit www. placetotalktherapies.co.uk.
WHEELED COMMODE, 450mm wide, adjustable to 600mm seat height. As new £90.00. 07754-679719
PRIDE MOBILITY TRAVEL SCOOTER, dismantles for transportation, little used, condition as new £950. 07754-679719
www.belinda-roberts.co.uk A holistic treatment to help release deeply held patterns of trauma, tension and pain.
HEALTH CARE CLINIC
Every Thursday at Age
Concern Sturminster Newton
We offer:
Foot Care for foot health issues | Foot care with nail cutting & filing | Hand care with nail cutting & filing | Combined hand and footcare treatment | A Safe and welcoming environment | Complimentary fresh coffee/tea and biscuits
For information and appointments Call: 01258 475582
info@acnorthdorset.org.uk | www.acnorthdorset.org.uk Book Online classified@ blackmorevale.net
The Malthouse Care Home Bay Road, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4EW
Our friendly team truly care for your family like they would their ownproviding compassion, respect, and dignity.
With a deep commitment to meeting residents’ individual needs, whether it’s residential or respite care, The Malthouse is your perfect choice. healthcarehomes.co.uk
FINE dining restaurant The Clockspire in Milborne Port has taken home the award for ‘Best Front of House Team’ in this year’s Trencherman’s Awards.
The awards, which honour the very best of the south west dining scene, seek the region’s best culinary experiences, from bar lists and innovation to the best restaurant.
The Clockspire was also shortlisted for the second year running for ‘Best Restaurant’.
The accolade adds to the two AA Rosettes, an AA Notable
Wine List Award, a recent entry in Square Meal’s Top 100, and recognition from Hardens and Michelin.
General manager, David Hill, formerly of the renowned Catch in Weymouth, heads up the team.
He said: “I am absolutely
delighted that we have won Best Front of House Team at Trenchermans this year.
“Winning in front of our peers, alongside some incredible industry names and venues, made it even more special.
“I am so proud of the team,
who work incredibly hard every single day, and it is wonderful to see that dedication recognised on this stage.
“We send our heartfelt thanks to the many guests who took time to vote for us.”
Visit www.theclockspire.com for more information.
EXPERTS at The Times have named a Shaftesbury hotel as one of the best places to stay for under £150 a night.
Each year, experienced reviewers stay at hundreds of hotels before whittling them down to a final list.
This ‘33 of the UK’s best hotels for under £150 a night’ list forms part of The Times 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025 guide.
The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury made the cut, with The Times experts praising the
‘shabby-chic bar’ and its local, wild and organic food offering.
The article said: “Countrycasual charm is in abundance at this revamped grade II listed coaching inn in the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury.
“It’s had several facelifts over the centuries and the latest has successfully loosened the old girl’s corsets without compromising her Georgian elegance.
“A mellow palette of earthy greens, browns and greys leads in the bedrooms, where abstract
art, potted plants and blasts of blue and pillar-box red for cushions and throws inject extra energy.
“The shabby-chic bar has a
cosy wood-burner, bedded-in leather sofas, mismatched banquette seats and a constant throng of locals, dropping in for coffees, cocktails and craft beers to keep the ambience cranked up to jolly.
“Food at the restaurant, overseen by Tom Blake –formerly of River Cottage –puts local, wild and organic produce to the fore.
“This grade II listed coaching inn sits centre stage in the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury.”
IT’S handy to have a quick fix available sometimes, especially, perhaps, if you have children on their Easter holidays or visitors coming to stay.
Try making these healthy dips for crisps or crudités rather than buying them from the supermarket – the difference in taste and freshness is huge compared to a ready-bought tub.
It’s also much cheaper and more fun to make them – and the kids, or even your guests, could get involved, too!
Mackerel pate
Packet smoked mackerel fillets
Teaspoon of horseradish sauce
Handful of curly parsley
Half a lemon
150ml creme fraiche – or
mayonnaise – I like a clean finish, so use creme fraiche, or a bit of each.
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blitz.
Huomous (plant-based)
Tin of chickpeas
Tablespoon tahini
100ml olive oil – use more or less where needed
3 cloves of bashed garlic – I love a lot, bland humous is not
exciting! Add a roast red
too!
Good pinch Maldon salt
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blitz.
Avocado dip (vegetarian)
2 ripe avocados
1 large garlic clove
Half a lemon
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blitz.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
n Annie des Forges, DirectorChef, The Table Bruton; Annie Austin, Director-Host and Concierge, Somerset Roadtrip.
Peter and Karlene are delighted to invite you to the Plough Inn at Manston and look forward to seeing you soon.
We are delighted that our renovation and expansion project has been well received by customers as have our food and beverage offerings. After a very long search, we now have a fully staffed kitchen and offer our full lunch and dinner menu every day from Tuesday lunch until Sunday lunch. We are closed after lunch on Sunday and all day Monday. We offer a wide range of beers, cider, wines and spirits as well as a range of non-alcoholic options.
A Pub With Warmth And Atmosphere
The bar and snug have been refreshed but retain all the old features that made this cosy area so attractive. And, by popular demand, we have a new wood burning stove to provide atmosphere and warmth whenever needed! We have a completely new kitchen, beer cellar and new male, female and disabled washrooms. The old conservatory is now an insulated garden room and we have a new dining area which can accommodate a further twenty guests.
Hearty Food And Distinctive Drinks
By experimenting with our menu and listening to our customers we have developed a popular menu ranging from light snacks to exciting specials and everything in-between. Please look at our menu and see if you can spot your favourite country pub meal. For Sunday lunch, in addition to our full menu, we offer a traditional roast with all the trimmings. Our range of drinks has evolved in response to customer demand and caters for all tastes. But most importantly we have built a wonderful team to look after you all and ensure a great experience at the Plough.
We hope to see you soon, Cheers, Peter & Karlene
In Loving Memory of Chris Mills,
1 year has gone, still sadly missed by partner Fliss and family. xxx
The Skiplander 101 Trust has been formed and was notarized on 13th September 2024 by Nigel Maurice Pugh
I, Oliver Dowding am applying for a new premises licence, at Apple HQ, Shepton Montague, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8JW. My application is made to Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY. I am applying for the following licensable activities: sale of alcohol (9am – 11pm). Should you wish to make representations to the council it must be in writing and/or you can view my application by emailing licensing.south@somerset.gov.uk or writing to the Licencing Department, at Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY by (28 days from the date the Licensing Authority accepts your application). It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
Notice is given that Cuma Uyar has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Family Kebab Pizza House, Unit 2 Ivy Cross House, Shaftesbury for the sale of alcohol (off the premises) generally between the hours of Monday to Sunday 11am to 23:00 Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-mailing: Licensing@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ within 28 days from the date of this notice. The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours. It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.
DATE: 01/04/2025
Mr Jack Berry, Trading as JB Metal & Waste, Mampitts Farm, Mampitts Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP78PG, is applying for a licence to use Mampitts Farm, Mampitts Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP78PG, as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicle, and 0 trailer Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centres who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-guideto making-representations-objections-and-complaintsgoods vehicle-operator-licensing
on 19th March 2025 aged 99 years. Of Shaftesbury.
Funeral service has taken place.
Donations in her memory for Enmore Green Church can be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532
of Long Sutton, passed peacefully away on 17th March 2025 aged 66 years. A much loved wife, sister, daughter-in-law, aunt and friend to many who will be sadly missed by family and friends. Funeral Service at Taunton Deane Crematorium on Wednesday 23rd April 2025 at 2pm, colourful clothing preferred. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired may be made online at www.funeral-notices.co.uk or cheques made payable to M S Society may be forwarded to Forsey and Son Funeral Directors, Willowfields, Lowerside Lane, Glastonbury, BA6 9GY
Passed away peacefully on 16th March, aged 85 years. Now reunited with her beloved Geoffrey. She will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by her loving daughters Vanessa and Lyn , grandson Kyran and son -in-law Gary and all her friends.
Funeral service to take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday 22nd April at 14:00. Family flowers only please. Donations in Jeans memory are to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. There will be a collection on the day or donations may be sent direct to the charity. Cheques, only may payable to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance may be sent C/O The Co-operative Funeralcare, 2 High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QT
Suddenly on 5th April 2025, aged just 24 years. Dearly loved Daughter of Terry, Tracy and David. Beloved Partner of Mac. Much loved Sister, Granddaughter, Auntie, Niece, Cousin and friend. She will be forever in our hearts. Funeral service at All Saints Church, Hilton on Wednesday, 23rd April at 12.30pm, followed by interment. Please wear something casual and bright to the service. No flowers please. Donations in memory of Paige, for All Saints Church, Hilton can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 26th of March 2025 at the age of 95. Head of Biology at Gillingham School and member of Mere WI she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral at St Michael’s Church, Mere, Wednesday 16th April at 11am. Wake at The Grove Buildings after service. Donations to The Deaf Institute or RNIB.
Passed away peacefully at home in Woodville, Stour Provost on 22nd March 2025 aged 89 years. Much loved wife of William and mother to Jacqueline, Grant, David, Laura and Rachel. Nanny to Lewis, Megan, Paul, Samuel, Emily and Joseph. Funeral service at St Edward’s Catholic Church, Shaftesbury on 10th April at 11:00 am. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired to Dementia UK and sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge. BA8 0PP.
Passed away peacefully on 25th March 2025 at Yeovil District Hospital, aged 80 years of Stalbridge. Beloved partner of Henry. Much loved Mum to Theresa & Sue. Dearly loved Granny & friend to many. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Wednesday, 16th April at 12.40pm. No flowers please, donations if desired for Weldmar Hospicecare or the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made via peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to either charity can be sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570.
Peacefully on the 15th March 2025 at The Knoll Nursing Home, Yeovil, aged 90 years. Formerly of White Pit Farm, Shillingstone. Beloved Wife of the late David. Much loved Mother of Stephen, Paul & Fiona. Loving Grandmother & Great Grandmother. Thanksgiving Service at The Church of The Holy Rood, Shillingstone on Monday, 28th April at 2pm. No flowers please, donations for either Burton’s Community Orchard or Cancer Research UK can be made via peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to either charity may be sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570.
Much loved wife of Edward Ireland sadly passed away on 21.4.2025.Funeral service will be held at Salisbury crematorium at 2pm on 17 April. Family flowers only Donations to Dimentia UK. Funeral directors LC Hill and Son, Mere
Aged 85 years of Horsington Marsh. On 23rd March 2025 peacefully at her home. Funeral service has taken place. Donations in memory of Anne are being invited for Yeovil Heartbeat. C/o Harold F Miles Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Tel: (01963) 440367.
of Gillingham , formally of Buckhorn Weston peacefully passed away age 91 on 17.03.25. A beloved Husband of Patricia , father to Pauline, grandfather to Kirsty ,Justine , Lauren and great grandfather.
Aged 90 years of West Camel, On 24th March 2025. Peacefully at her home. A much love Mum, Nan, Great Nan, Aunt and Friend. Funeral Service at All Saint’s Church, West Camel, On Thursday 24th April at 1pm. Donations in memory of Pam are being invited for All Saint’s Church, West Camel, C/o Harold F Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone: 01963 440367
Peacefully on 20th March 2025 in Wincanton Community Hospital, aged 86 years of Templecombe. Much loved Husband of Rosemary. Dearly loved Dad to Mary, Andrew and the late Elizabeth.
Much loved Brother-in-Law & Uncle. Funeral service at Templecombe United Reformed Church on Thursday, 17th April at 12 noon. Please wear a little token of something red in memory of Arlo to the service. Family flowers only please, Donations if desired for either Templecombe United Reformed Church or Yeovil District Hospital Charity can be made via peterjacksonfuneralservice.co.uk or cheques payable to the charity can be sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570
On 3rd April 2025 passed peacefully away. Loving mum to Tamsin and Sorrel and wife to Peter. Funeral service to take place at Higher Ground, Corscombe, 24th April 2025 at 2pm. Donations if desired to Weldmar Hospice Care
Died peacefully on 9th February 2025, aged 87, with her family by her side. Cherished wife of the late Harold, beloved mother of Jonathan, Elizabeth, Diana and Rosemary, sister, auntie, grandma, great grandma and dear friend. Brenda was a poet, artist and dressmaker. Her humour, love for humanity and zest for life will be missed forever. A Service to celebrate Brenda’s life will be held at 11:30am on Monday 28th April, 2025 at Christ Church, East Stour, Gillingham, SP8 5LR. All welcome, please wear bright colours. Family flowers only. Donations in Brenda’s memory, if desired, to RNLI or NSPCC c/o Merefield and Henstridge Ltd at https://mhfd.co.uk/donations/ or by post to Ridge Mount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, SP7 0BU.
Peacefully on 26th March 2025 at Bramley House Care Home, aged 93 years. Formerly of Triangle Farm, Stalbridge. Beloved wife of Gordon. Much loved Mum of Diana, Gary, Donald and the late Trevor and Stephen. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday, 29th April at 2pm. In memory of Therese, please wear something colourful to the service. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and his angels, in Wincanton Community Hospital on 1st April 2025 (after midday!) aged 73 years. A very much-loved husband, dad, grandad, brother, brother-in-law, family member, and a valued friend to many. Funeral service will take place on Monday 28th April 2025,12.40p.m. at Yeovil Crematorium. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Andy for St. Margaret’s Hospice also The Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital may be given online at www.ajwakely.com or sent c/o A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310. Please make donations cheques payable to your chosen charity.
Passed away 22nd March 2025 at Dorchester Hospital. Aged 94 years. Funeral Service to be held at Blandford Forum Parish Church on Thursday 24th April 2025 at 12 noon, followed by family burial. Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired for either NSPCC or British Heart Foundation, may be made online by visiting www.close-funeral.co.uk (Via the Much Loved Link) or cheques payable to either charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133
Peacefully passed away on Sunday 30th March at the Mellowes Care Home Gillingham. He will be sadly missed and loved by his many friends and family members. His funeral service will take place on Thursday 24th April at St Mary’s Church Gillingham. Gerald’s family invite you to join them for a drink in a celebration of his life at The Phoenix Pub, Gillingham SP8 4AY. Donations are being collected for Cancer Research and will be accepted on the day. Any enquires you have please contact: Bracher Brother Funeral Directors, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QL Tel: 01747 822494
Passed away peacefully at Castleman House with her dear friend Rosemary by her side on 25th March 2025. Aged 93 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Les Ward. Much loved by her family and special friends. Funeral Service to be held at All Saint’s Church, Langton Long on Friday 11th April 2025 at 1.30pm Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired for Treads Young Peoples Advice and Information Centre, may be made online by visiting www.close-funeral.co.uk (Via the Much Loved Link) or cheques payable to the charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133
On 23rd March 2025, peacefully in Blandford Community Hospital aged 86 years. Of Gillingham. Beloved wife of the late Robert, mum of Peter, Tracey and Susan, mother in law of Liam, much loved nan to Izaak and Imogen and great nanny Linda to Daisie, Jacob and Luke. Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Tuesday 15th April at 12.00noon. Donations in her memory for Great Ormond Street Hospital or The Woodland Trust can be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to Merefield & Henstridge Ltd.
Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 – 24 Hour Service –Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse
01963
816817
816817
Small friendly manufacturing company in Semley, now recruiting for the following full-time role;
- Machinery Assembly, Commissioning & Service Technician –Will suit someone with an interest in electrical and mechanical assembly. A personable and motivated individual, willing to learn multiple disciplines. Someone capable of working alone & as part of a team.
Worldwide travel required as the role progresses.
Basic PC literacy essential.
• due to increased workload & retirement
• immediate starts available
Driving of 3.5T tipper (with & without trailer), making collections, deliveries and general labouring between our sites. Dumper & mini digger experience an advantage.
Visit our website for a more detailed job description
All aspects of masonry work.
•
•
All general building items including plastering, wall & floor tiling.
Please apply through our Office
T: 01963 824444 E: info@hhpltd.co.uk W: builders-south-west.co.uk
(Full and part time vacancies available)
Ideally you will have previous housekeeping and cleaning experience in a similar environment, but we are still keen to hear from you if you don’t - it is important to us that we have the right person for the team and someone with a passion for cleaning! You will work as part of a team carrying out a range of routine and additional cleaning duties to contribute to the cleanliness in all areas of the site. This includes classrooms, bathrooms, office spaces and leisure facilities. Closing date for applications: 20 April 2025
• Term time only, permanent 15 hours per week from 07.00 – 10.00 Monday to Friday
• All-year, full time fixed term contract, 37 hours per week (will consider less) Monday to Friday until the end of July
Call 01747 449 858 to find out more information, request a full job description and application form or visit our website to apply online: www.coombehouseschool.org.uk/about/recruitment/
We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.
RELIABLE CLEANER REQUIRED 2 hours weekly. Shaftesbury area.01747685786
CLEANER WANTED, 2 hours 2 days a week. Lydlinch. Please call: 01258-471538
HARVEST HELP REQUIRED
For Combine & Tractor Operators
Including general farm duties in Sixpenny Handley
Please call 07836 665 725
TRACTOR DRIVER
WANTED for Drainage work at Remedy Oak Golf Club. April to September, Contact Tim 07775 812770
A.P.STEPHENS AND SON:
Require “General Labourer” to join the team, Experienced ideally, Full time work, Must be able to drive, Good work ethic, Dorset based work, Call Luke on 07818297152 Pay to be discussed
LIVE IN HOUSEKEEPER/CARER, cleaning, laundry, cooking and dog walking. Animal lover essential. Rural Dorset location. Excellent accommodation, use of car. Hours and salary by agreement, references required. Email to silverbirches1929@btinternet.com
WANTED EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPERS
to join our team. Positions from Labourer through to highly skilled, to work on prestigious contracts through Dorset. Previous experience required and references. 07792-892999.
Vehicle Mechanic/Engineer
Required for work on classic road and race cars. Engine rebuilding, repair, fault finding etc. Gillingham, Dorset.
Email: info@sigmadorset.co.uk 01747 823 270
We are looking for people with skills suited to working in the following areas;
• Warehouse personnel for order picking and processing
• Steel preservation and paint line operatives
• Saw operatives
Experience in these areas is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided.
Applicants must be highly safety conscious, accurate and reliable with the ability to work as part of a team as well as under own initiative.
These roles require a proactive attitude, ideal for someone that likes to take ownership for their own workload.
Shot blast and paint line
• HGV training can be provided for right candidate Benefits include:
• Free on-site parking • Uniform and PPE provided
• Competitive salary • Overtime opportunities
by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice
CATS are often very selfsufficient and will often breed easily, but it is always worth considering the bigger picture before you allow her to produce kittens.
Cats Protection is often full with unwanted cats. These were often taken on as muchloved kittens but then that person’s situation altered, either a change of personal circumstances or economic position. It is not unusual for people to move house leaving their cat behind.
Cats can get pregnant from five months old and, because they are often not fully grown at that age, they remain small and do not reach their full adult size. They can also get pregnant again soon after their kittens are weaned and, if you want to avoid repeat litters, getting her spayed when the kittens are five weeks old is the safest time for her and her existing kittens.
Kittens that get infected with cat flu are much more likely to develop serious symptoms and often remain
infected for life. Symptoms may resolve but will recur at times of stress such as when re-homed and they can infect other cats they come to live with.
Your cat may have a lovely temperament but, if you allow her to breed with a passing tom cat, you can end up with kittens of unpredictable personality. Feral tom cats fight more with other cats and have sex with multiple females. This makes them more likely to be infected with viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and these can be spread to your cat during
mating.
Nervous cats may have a genetic predisposition which they pass on to their kittens and are more likely to produce anxious kittens through learnt responses to situations.
Multiple age groups of adults and kittens increase the spread of infections and unvaccinated or young animals with undeveloped immune systems are more likely to catch these and pass them on.
The coronavirus causing Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) can cause sudden death in kittens and is more likely to cause FIP in older cats in these situations.
If you have multiple kittens
to re-home and there is less demand, then you may need to consider less suitable homes, and this may lead to an increased likelihood of them being abandoned or needing re-homing.
While cats are less likely to need veterinary intervention than dogs during pregnancy and giving birth, they may still need a caesarean or develop an infection such as mastitis and the demands on their own bodies may increase their risk of picking up other infections or having a recurrence of cat flu symptoms. Pet insurance often excludes any condition associated with breeding.
Pedigree cats have a higher market demand but are more likely to carry certain viruses and are more likely to need veterinary intervention. It is important to ensure genetic testing is carried out where possible and steps are taken within breeding colonies to minimise transfer of infection.
Please consider the bigger picture before allowing your cat to breed so that you aren’t bringing more cats into this world where good long-term homes are not available.
WESTIE PEDIGREE
PUPPIES for sale, KC registered, Licensed breeder, Sherborne. 07907-716666
SHORT LEGGED JACK RUSSELL ready now. Tan & White Dog available Frontline, wormed and microchipped. Used to cats and handled by children. 07769-960360
COCKER SPANIEL BITCH
Pet & Wildlife
Dog - Wet, Dry & Frozen Food
Cat - Wet & Dry Food
Bird/Hedgehog/WildlifeFood, Feeders & Accessories
Old Market Car Park, Hound St, Sherborne, DT9 3AB 01935 812107
2 years old from working stock but more ideal for a pet. £500. 07495-423751.
LABRADOR PUPPIES. Sire and Dam both working/pets with great temperaments. KC registered, will be microchipped and health checked. Ready 11/04/25. Contact 07775-913515
Misty and Jasper are a delightful pair of cats desperate to find a new loving home soon.
They are great friends and we would love to home them together.
They came into us in September last year when their owner was unable to take care of them any longer.
They are both delightful cats, very affectionate and loving, and great characters.
and Sue
Misty is 10 and in good health, Jasper is coming up to 12 and has been through the wars in the last few months.
He’s had most of his teeth removed his right eye and has an overactive thyroid which is being easily managed on medication. He is now fit and eager to be in his new home with Misty. Could you give them that home? They need a safe location with a garden of their own.
by Raychel Curson
IF you’ve ever seen your cat suddenly dart around the house at full speed, leaping over furniture and skidding across the floor, you’ve witnessed the infamous cat zoomies – also known as frenetic random activity periods – FRAPs. These episodes usually involve rapid running, darting and playful pouncing. While zoomies can look chaotic, they are actually a normal and natural behaviour in cats of all ages. This bizarre yet entertaining behaviour is completely normal, but have you ever wondered why cats do it?
Pent-up energy
Cats, especially indoor ones, accumulate energy throughout the day. Since they are natural hunters, they need to release their energy somehow, and zoomies help them do just that.
Post-litter box celebration
Some cats experience a burst of energy after using the litter box, likely due to a feeling of relief or excitement.
Hunting instincts
In the wild, cats chase and pounce on their prey. Zoomies mimic this instinctual
behaviour, even if there’s no real prey involved.
Ageing and medical reasons
Kittens and young cats get zoomies more often due to their playful nature. However, sudden excessive zoomies in older cats could indicate underlying health issues, such as hyperthyroidism.
What should you do about cat zoomies?
n Let them run – Zoomies are a natural way for cats to expend energy, so as long as they are in a safe environment, let them have fun.
n Provide playtime –Interactive toys, wand toys and regular play sessions – always ending in a catch or kill – can help reduce zoomies by giving your cat an appropriate outlet for energy.
n Ensure a routine – Feeding and playtime schedules help regulate your cat’s energy levels and minimise unexpected zoomie episodes.
Cat zoomies are a quirky and amusing part of feline life. As long as your cat is healthy and safe, embrace their wild sprints and enjoy the show!
n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBC-CAB FABC ABTC-CAB is owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching; email raychel@ petpeevessomerset.co.uk.
n For details, please call the helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website www.cats. org.uk/middorset
Loving homes needed for cats and kittens
For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/blandford (Formerly Blandford & Sturminster)
Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary Practice Ltd
Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners.
Collection Service Farewell Room Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border
654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk
MORE than 100 older drivers have taken part in a series of workshops in Dorchester to get advice about road safety.
The Older Drivers Forum provided an opportunity for drivers to be reminded about how they can keep themselves and other road users safe.
“Our road safe colleagues joined up with partner organisations to hold workshops for older drivers to highlight potential issues, listen to concerns and give safety advice,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.
“The Older Drivers Forum aims to keep motorists on the road safely for longer by giving practical, informative help and support to continue driving or pointing older drivers in the right direction for an appraisal or assessment for their driving needs.
“We are committed to working with every sector of the community to prevent any road traffic collisions in Dorset that could have potentially serious or fatal consequences.”
Dorset Police organised the workshops, and they were
joined by representatives from Dorset Road Safe, Dorset Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Institute of Advanced Motoring and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
Information, advice, videos and courses about road safety are available online at www. olderdriversforum.com or www.
MILLIONS of people will be preparing to hit the roads over the long Easter holidays, inevitably leading to hold-ups on routes across the country.
However, planning your departure time could make all the difference between a trouble-free journey and hours in gridlock.
To help drivers navigate the holiday rush, Plates Express analysed traffic data from Easter 2024 and identified the peak congestion periods and the best windows to travel over the long weekend in 2025.
It has come up with the worst and best times to travel:
n Thursday, April 17 – Early getaway chaos. Busiest time: 2pm to 7pm. Best time to travel: Before 1pm or after 8pm.
n Good Friday, April 18 – Peak holiday rush. Busiest time: 11am to 3pm. Best time to travel: Before 9.30am or after 5.30pm.
n Saturday, April 19 – Day trip crowds. Busiest time: 10am to noon. Best time to travel: Before 9am or after 2pm.
n Sunday, April 20 – Moderate flow: Busiest time: 11am to
1pm. Best time to travel: Early morning or after 3pm.
n Monday, April 21 –Homebound surge: Busiest time: 10am to noon. Best time
dorsetroadsafe.com
Anyone with concerns about an older person and their driving is asked to speak to the driver concerned or, if necessary, report the matter to the police if there is a risk to safety.
More information on this can be found at www. dorsetroadsafe.org.uk
to travel: Before 9am or after 1pm.
To ensure a stress-free Easter journey it is advised to check live traffic apps before departure and to check your vehicle’s tyres and fluids.
It is also a good idea to plan rest stops to avoid fatigue and pack essentials such as water, snacks and phone chargers.
“We analysed Easter 2024’s travel data to help motorists avoid unnecessary delays this year,” said a spokesperson from Plates Express.
“The mid-morning to early afternoon window is consistently the busiest across all five days.
“Travelling earlier or later in the day can significantly reduce journey times and frustration.”
THE image of the British tradesperson as a pie-eating, tea-drinking, white van-driving stereotype is officially a thing of the past.
New research from Isuzu UK reveals that today’s tradespeople are embracing a modern, mindful and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
From yoga and meditation to skincare routines and electric vehicles, this new generation is challenging perceptions.
According to the research, over half (56%) of the ‘tradies’ surveyed say they enjoy mindful activities, such as yoga, while a whopping 41% admit they prefer cricket to football.
43% care about the planet enough to recycle, while 62% say that tradespeople are more likely to drive an EV vehicle now than a ‘classic white van’ because of their concerns about the planet.
36% describe themselves as an avid reader – and forget about ‘clean me’ written on
their vehicles – as three-quarters (76%) pride themselves on always keeping their van clean and tidy.
More than one in five (22%) have a nightly skincare routine and 19% drink herbal tea instead of the stereotypical milk and two sugars.
Continued on next page
More than a third of ‘tradies’ described themselves as avid readers
Continued from previous page
Three-quarters (74%) of modern tradespeople would rather have something healthy like a salad or wrap than a pie or pasty, while 10% even meditate.
Wolf-whistling out of the window (43%), saucy images
BULLIT HUNT 250cc ,New MOT ,18plate ,low milage, excellent condition. £1200, 07444761594 or 01963 33579
stuck to the inside of the van (41%), empty junk food pockets cluttering up the footwell (39%) and cigarette butts dotted around the vehicle (35%) are all considered the most outdated stereotypes, along with fluffy dice hanging from the rearview mirror (34%) and empty energy drink cans (28%) on the floor.
79% agree that stereotypes are old fashioned and outdated, with a whopping 93% agreeing that amassing a list of good tradesmen is vital in life.
2003 MERCEDES ESTATE C270 CDI Auto. MOT-0126 164k. Reliable workhorse. Only 4 keepers. £1,300. Any questions: 07830-212549. Gillingham/Wincanton. FIAT
MYLIFE, 2011, long MOT, 83.750 miles, two owners, low tax & insurance, perfect for new driver, £600, 07768-166881
ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES
SUNRISE SERVICE & MOT CENTRE
Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, f rom small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work welcome.
MOTS , SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES
MOTS – class 4,5 and 7
MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES
Bodyshop
Diagnostics
Air conditioning Valets
Bodyshop also available.
MOTS – class 4,5 and 7
MOTs – class 4, 5 and 7
Courtesy Cars
Diagnostics Air Conditioning
Collections within a 5 mile radius
Courtesy Cars
Diagnostics Air conditioning Valets
Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services
Concessions for Armed Forces and Emergency Services
Courtesy Cars
Collections within a 5 mile radius
Concessions ed Forces a es
15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798
15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road
Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798
Email info@sunriseservicecentre.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com
Email sunriseservicecentre@hotmail.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com
2017 (17) Ford KA+ 1.2 Zetec 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, parking sensors, cruise control, hill hold, air con, Bluetooth, upto 56mpg economy, small exterior with a spacious interior, 76,900 miles ....................................£6450
2013 (13) Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6HDi Platinum Automatic 7 Seat MPV 5dr. 110bhp, diesel, automatic gearbox, park sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, sunroof, cambelt replaced, 50,700 miles................................£6950
2016 (16) Mini Convertible 2.0 John Cooper Works 2dr. 231bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, electric roof, heated leather, reverse camera, parking sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, Chili pack, 45,900 miles......................£13500
2012 (62) Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. 69bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, £35 yearly tax, 50+mpg, simple car with basic spec, cambelt replaced, MOT Nov 2025, private sale on behalf of a customer, 73,500 miles .......................................£2950
2021 (21) Ford Puma 1.0T ST Line X MHEV SUV 5dr. 155bhp, petrol hybrid, manual gearbox, partial leather, sat nav, park sensors, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, collision detection, road sign assist, 47,200 miles...........................£14650
2006 (06) Mercedes-Benz CLK200 1.8 Kompressor Sport Automatic Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, petrol, 5 speed auto gearbox, recent new roof & shocks absorbers, full history, 15 stamps, heated leather, electric roof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, MOT June 25, private sale on behalf of a customer, 77,500 miles ...........................................................................................................£4250
2010 (60) Nissan Juke 1.6 Tekna SUV 5dr. 115bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, heated leather, sat nav, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, 85,300 miles.................................................................................................£3850
2014 (14) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 163bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, high seats, leather, heated seats, heated screen, sat nav, park sensors, auto park, reverse camera, sunroof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, lane aid, sign recognition, hill hold, electric tailgate, cambelt replaced, 92,500 miles .........£7450
2018 (68) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi ST Line SUV 5dr. 150bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, high seating, sat nav, road sign assist, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, park sensors, auto parking system, ½ leather, 61,800 miles.......................£12750
2014 (14) Ford Transit 2.2TDCi 350 Trend L2 H2 12 Seat Minibus 5dr. 125bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, 11 seats plus driver, 3 front seats, 9 rear seats, Bluetooth, electric step, 75,500 miles...............................£11500+VAT = £13800
2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles ............£21500 + VAT = £25800
2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, parking sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,100 miles................................................................................£18000+VAT = £21600
2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, heated front seats, hill hold, cambelt replaced, 90,200 miles.........................£19500 + VAT = £23400
2008 (08) Honda Jazz 1.4 SE Automatic 5dr. 82bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, lovely low mileage example, flat folding rear seats, parking sensors, only 39,900 miles......................................................................Available soon £4650
2014 (64) Kia Venga 3, 1.6 Automatic (Sat Nav) 5dr. 123bhp, petrol, 4 speed automatic gearbox, high seating, decent boot, sat nav, parking sensors & reverse camera, electric sunroof, partial leather, heated seats, cruise control, sign recognition, hill hold, only 38,800 miles........................................................£7850
2022 (22) Kia Stonic 2, 1.0T Automatic 5dr. 99bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, auto lights, main beam assist, cruise control, parking sensors, balance of Kia 7-year warranty, only 9,900 miles...............................................................£14950
2016 (66) Mazda 3, 2.0 SE-L Nav Automatic 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, sign recognition, heated seats, hill hold, 75,900 miles...................................£8450
2015 (65) Peugeot 308 1.2THP Allure Automatic 5dr. 130bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill hold, only £35 a year road tax, 50+mpg economy, cambelt has been replaced, 69,500 miles..............................................................DUE IN SOON
2017 (17) Suzuki Ignis 1.2 SZ-T 5dr. 90bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, great looking small car, low running costs, £20 yearly road tax, upto 60mpg, sat nav, reverse camera, automatic lights, Bluetooth, 42,900 miles............................£8250
2019 (19) Renault Captur 1.5DCi Iconic Automatic SUV 5dr. 90bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, hill hold, high seating, sliding rear seats, upto 67mpg economy, 20,300 miles .........................................................................................................£12250
2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, cruise control, pre-collision assist, sign recognition, hill hold, Bluetooth, 63,600 miles ..............................................£6950
2016 (66) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6CDTi SE 4x4 SUV 5dr. 136bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, high seating, big boot, heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, hill hold, performance & economy, upto 60mpg, 65,500 miles ....................................£7250
2018 (68) Volvo V40 Cross Country 1.5 T3 Pro Automatic 5dr. 152bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, winter pack, heated leather, 54,900 miles................£12650 WE BUY CARS & VANS SO IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL GIVE US A CALL, WE PAY GOOD PRICES & CONSIDER MOST
VANGO KALARI 380 Air
Awning with carpet. Good Condition, hardly used £500 ovno. Tel: 07712 839886
SCHREIBER EGG
SWIVEL chair, tan, lovely condition,1970’s? £250 07814-630408
DFS VERY LARGE CREAM
LEATHER curved sofa, Chaise Lounge on one end, adjustable head rests, plus foot stool, no pets, children or smokers. £350. Tel: 07970-568679
FOLDING LIGHT WEIGHT
4 wheel walker, with seat and bag, ex.condition. £150 Tel:01747-840317
JOHN LEWIS BROWN LEATHER CHAIR/DIVAN
BED as new, bought for £700. Offers over £100. Buyer collects. 01935-813474.
HAMILTON BISTRO TABLE and 2 chairs. with cushions, beige/grey (2 tone) only used a couple of times last year. £275. Tel: 01722-744287 (Barford St Martin)
OIL TANK. 1400 litre bunded kerosene tank. DESO SL1400BT. Made 2014. 2.1m long. 0.7m wide. 1.6m high. Excellent condition. Collect from Shaftesbury area. £450. Email james.grazebrook@crendell.co.uk for pics. 07768 534538.
WILLIS & GAMBIER ANTIONETTE BEDROOM SUITE, comprising of roll top double bed frame, triple wardrobe and two matching bedside cabinets. A classic, rustic french influenced design in mahogany. Excellent condition. Will need to be dismantled and collected by buyer. £975ono. Contact 01935 389606
NUPOWER 2ton TROLLEY
Jack £20. 07785 534 524.
SMALL CHEST TYPE FREEZER in good condition Free of Charge. Milborne port 07751-016907
VAX PLATINUM CARPET CLEANER. Used twice. £50. Wimborne 01202-887542
56lbs. CAST IRON OLD Weights, £50,the Two, £28 for One. Gillingham, t. 01747 824 240
STONE GARDEN TROUGH
Length 74 x width 26 x depth 27cm VGC Can email photo £15 Gillingham 01747 825614
PALLET TRUCK FREE TO COLLECT. A puller for caravan or trailer £50.to collect. TEL: 01935475451
GRANDPARENTS SELLING
Travel cot and mattress (bought separately) only used twice £50 ono 01935 421313 (Yeovil)
POWAKADDY FREEWAY
electric golf trolley with battery and charger £49.99. 07977-587573
2 NO PORTABLE GAS FIRE heaters, complete with 13Kg gas bottles [full] In good working condition £50 each 07964 307869. Must be able to collect.
FOUR WHEEL WALKER, new, seat and basket, £30. Tel: 01258-452749
BRUNELL BINOCULAR
MICROSCOPE, very little used and immaculate. Bought to study pondlife £45, 07732-179986 Shaftesbury
NEW MOUNTFIELD
LAWNMOWER 2 rechargeable batteries and charger unwanted gift £50 bargain! 07899-691847
TV (NON SMART) 42 INCH screen) simple to use,reliable and affordable only £20 Sparkford Tel 07951-132253
LARGE STONE BELFAST SINK (used for plants) £50 Tel: 01749-830241
RECLINING/RISER ARMCHAIR, used, very good working order, needs a clean £50. 07946 021242
EMSMORE WHITE LAWN Bowling Trousers 34” waist 29” length. Hardly worn. £15. Telephone. 07791-099012
EDWARDIAN/VICTORIAN
GLASS & china decorative shoes £2.00 each, Jam preserving pan (large) £2.00, Tel: 07814-630408
RALEIGH AIRLITE CYCLE LADIES, 21 gears, good condition £50.00 or near offer. Beaminster 07790 932007
MACALLISTER HEDGE TRIMMER, 240v 50cm + extension cable used once £50 Tel.01458 224501
4 FOLDING ALEXANDER ROSE Garden Chairs in good condition £50 Shaftesbury 07971-118899
VICTORIAN WRITING SLOPE needing a refurb exciting project for the right person. £30 buyer collects Sherborne-07747 789587
CHILDREN E-SCOOTER, red w/ charger. VGC, rarely used. User weight 50kg, speed 12km/h. £50, collection 07792 181314
GRAND PARENTS SELLING
MY BABIIE Car Seat height range 76cm to 150cm brand new only used once £50 01936-421313,( Yeovil)
DRESSING TABLE with triple mirror, good upcycling project £25, 07588 053555
WALNUT DAVENPORT DESK 3 drawers, red leather top, warped and slight crack. £50. Buyer collects 01935-813474.
CABLE 4mmx13mm long £20. 01258-830233.
MAC ALLISTER LONG REACH electric hedge trimmer. Hardly used £25 07340-324462
ONE UNUSED COMPLETELY full 15 kg Butane Calor Gas bottle (blue). Refill’s are around £55. oo. Will sell for £35. Shaftesbury 01747 854190
HONDA UMK 425E strimmer for sale, good running order £50 Call 07340-324462
EIGHT GALVANISED RAISED BEDS with fittings. Off Black Colour. 4ft X 4ft, 30cm height. As new. £20 each. 07732-264850
STRIKER AND STADDLE STONES from £25 each and upwards. Tel: 01747-840835
WILLOW FOR LOGS. Cut 2022, most 1 -1.5m long, some 15” diameter. Free. Collect from Shroton. 07788-214961.
REALLY NICE 43 INCH
SAMSUNG plasma television with stand and remote control handset. Super picture.Collection from Shaftesbury. £50. Please phone Colin: 01747 854850
DOG GUARD - For VW Golf Estate - trav all TDG 1407 with fitting instructions - £20 Tel: 01747 853942
LARGE ‘LIFE LIKE’ WOODEN rocking horse, £25. 01963-23477
DOG, TWO DOOR TRAVEL CAGE 30”w x 18””d x 20”h, new / unused . £30. 07760 776792
DOG CRATE -AIRLINE APPROVED. W67 L 87 H 90cm Sturdy plastic Good condition £20 ONO (Weymouth) Coral 07563 105 836
SHAKESPERE FISHING RUCKSACK chair. with backrest. New, unused, £25. Tel: 07907-044084
GOOD GARDEN TOP SOIL, 3 Large Wheelbarrows of, For You to Collect, £15. Gillingham, 01747 824240.
Vintage computers and Hi-Fi, 1960s-1990s era. Call Mike 07795-349466
ELECTRICAL ITEMS, HIFI including Stack Systems and Separates, VHS Players, Camera’s, Hand Held Camcorders, Must be in working order, good prices paid, will collect. Call Andrew on 07799417711
BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392 602014
FOUR Shaftesbury Cricket Club juniors have been selected for the 2025 Dorset Cricket Talent Pathway squads – Max Moore for the under-10s, Jayden Keulemans for the under-12s, Marina Pool for the girls under-13s and Lucas Bradford in the combined under-15/16 squad.
The selection process was tough with players from all over the county attending observation days.
The teams have taken part in winter training sessions and will play opponents from Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire this season.
Head of Junior Cricket, Tim Bradford, said: “Their hard work and dedication has paid
off and they all fully deserve their opportunity in the talent pathway squads.
“Marina is our first junior girl to go into the county pathway, which tells us we’re doing things right, and hopefully will encourage more girls to come and play cricket.
“We re-started the juniors at Shaftesbury eight years ago with six players from the local under-8s football team who could just about catch and hit a ball.
“Now we have more than 70 children attending the sessions on Friday evenings.”
The club are also running All Stars Cricket again in 2025 in
which mums and dads can get involved and play cricket with their children for an hour each week. Sessions start on Friday, May 23, for children aged five to eight.
The club run teams from five-15 where players can learn skills, make friends, play matches against and have fun on the field. Junior training begins on Friday, April 18. For more details contact shaftesburyricket @outlook.com
Pitching In Southern League 1 (South) Bishops Cleeve 3 Shaftesbury 1 by Avril Lancaster
THE Rockies were hit by a three-goal blast in four minutes by a Bishops Cleeve side looking to claim a play-off place in Pitching In Southern League South Division 1.
Toby Holmes rounded home keeper Lewis Clayton in the 17th minute to give Shaftesbury a surprise lead.
But that was quickly extinguished in a swirling wind as Ross Langworthy levelled after good approach play from
WINCANTON Golf Club results.
Seniors monthly medal
– March 25: 1 Jon Reed, nett 67 ocb; 2 Brian White, nett 67; 3 Mike Case, nett 67.
Seniors nine-hole medal –March 25: 1 Geoff Lye, nett 34 ocb; 2 Harry Eden, nett 34; 3 David Hallett, nett 36.
Jay Malshankskyi.
Malshankskyi then put Bishops Cleeve ahead a minute later and Langworthy tucked away his second of the match after Shane Murphy could not quite hold onto the ball as Cleeve ran riot.
Murphy denied Langworthy a hat-trick with a stunning save from a downward header.
The Rockies improved greatly in the second half with Jack Hoey, Alefe Santos DAbadia, Remus Nixon and Holmes peppering the home goal but could not get back into the game.
With one point from the last 12 Shaftesbury now face a crucial relegation battle fixture with Helston Athletic on Saturday at Cockrams.
Seniors monthly stableford – April 1: 1 Chris Mieville 40; 2 Richard Strong 37; 3 Phil Francis 36.
Seniors nine-hole stableford – April 1: 1 David Hallett 20; 2 Keith Williams 19 ocb; 3 Alan Rogers 19.
Seniors roll-up stablebleford - April 4:
Winners: Pete Starkey/Alan Rogers/John Morgan – 53 points.
Anniversary Texas scramble – April 5: 1 Nigel Orr/Davin Amann 41; 2 John Burns/Richard Czemerda 35 ocb; 3 Steven Ireland/Anthony Garrett 35; 4 Simon Lenton/ Jim Phillips 34.
by Graham Howard, DDAS junior secretary
ROUND two of the Dorchester & District Angling Society (DDAS) Juniors points championship took place at a rather out of sorts Luckfield Lake in Broadmayne.
After a couple of cancellations, eight juniors drew their pegs on the 10-peg venue. All had their fingers crossed
that the recent low pressure would stimulate the fish into feeding.
Most caught steadily throughout the day and, surprisingly, no one went away ‘empty netted’.
Josh Roe came out as the winner with 17lb 1oz, including an impressive carp weighing 10lb 8oz.
Newcomer Alfie Ellis won a tight battle for second place with 14lb 11oz of nice bream,
with Josiah Wells-Parkes third with 14lb, including a 9lb 9oz carp.
Congratulations to all the participating juniors fishing on a tough day.
For more information on DDAS Juniors visit ddasjuniors. co.uk or contact the junior secretary on juniors.sec@d-das. com
For venue and club information go to www.d-das. com
by Luke Coakesy Blandford Utd 2
Bournemouth Electric 1
AFTER a disappointing result last time out at Bournemouth Sports, and with no fixture last weekend, the Royals had plenty of time to prepare for their final home game of the season against Bournemouth Electric.
The first half will not go
THE Excite Rally Raid Team from Dorchester will be competing at Bovington in Round 2 of the All Wheel Drive Club Comp Safari Championship.
The team run a British designed and built Desert Warrior 3 T1 class and full international FIA spec car. Excite team will be using the event as a test before heading to Morocco for a week-long rally raid at the end of the year.
In the Bovington event, on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, driver John Hardy will
down in the annuls of Blandford footballing history.
The home side did threaten in the 42nd minute when Ryan Horwood found Rueben Stanley who headed wide. A moment that just about summed up the first 45 minutes.
Goals finally arrived after 52 minutes when Dan Holland played it to George Coleman who slipped it through to
be co-driven for the first time by Michael Booth.
Mike is normally part of the service crew but is stepping into the rally car for a one-off event and his first ever rally.
The Oak at Dewlish, Winterbourne Abbas Tyre and Auto Services, and Equine and Rural Planning, also from Dewlish, are sponsoring the team for this event.
John Hardy said: “As a Dorset-based team, it is lovely having some local support. We at Excite team are still looking for sponsors to join us on our road to Morocco.”
Michael Booth added: “It is going to be amazing, sitting alongside John and seeing what the car is capable of. I usually only see the car at the service area on rallies.”
The championship sees modified 4x4s race against the clock on off-road courses.
Stanley who rounded the keeper for a cool finish.
Louis Whetton went down in the box on 72 minutes and the referee pointed to the spot. Coleman put Blandford 2-0 up.
Some defensive frailties from the home team allowed Electric to restore some pride on the 90th minute.
Job done, the Royals march on.
by Nic Boyd
THE first ladies’ competition of 2025 at Wheathill Golf Club was the long-awaited Celee Trophy.
This is an annual commemoration of two past lady captains, Sandra Ceebo and Jackie Lee, who are remembered with fondness for their sense of fun and love of the game.
The trophy is a combination of their names and played as a bowmaker format with three of the best scores counting from a team of four.
The winners were Sylvia Bates, Marion Hodgson, Anne Scott and Gin Stewart.
by Ruth Kimber
WE have enjoyed lovely sunny dry weather, which is great, but dare I say a little warm rain would be welcome! The old saying comes to mind, ‘February field dyke, March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers’. Well, we had virtually no rain in March and several windy days. What we don’t want is heavy rain in April. We’ll see.
The farm shop continues to be busy with orders coming in for Easter. Mothering Sunday purchases were up, in particular meat for Sunday lunch. We are not looking forward to the additional costs brought in by the government and we hope we can minimise the effect on customers.
Tom has invested in new technology with a folia feed fertiliser spreader. The fertiliser is mixed with water and spread on the plant’s foliage, being readily available to the leaves.
We used to spread it in its dry pellet form, which then has to reach the plants’ roots before the leaves can make use of the feed. The other attractive feature is the reduced amount of fertiliser needed per acre. This should reduce ground water contamination and run off, and help reduce input costs.
We had our French friends with us last week – we have known the family for over 30 years when Yves, a farm student came to stay as part of the twinning initiative between Wincanton and Gennes and Les Rosiers-sur-Loire.
I am thoroughly embarrassed about the amount of rubbish on our road verges. It is even more obvious at this time of year, until the grass grows and covers it up. Most of the rubbish is fast food and snacks wrappings. We go to Bath Farmers’ Market each week and the Frome bypass is particularly bad. Much of the rubbish will be
minced by verge trimmers and some will enter the water courses and eventually the sea.
Our farmhand, Alfred, told me that many people don’t like rubbish in their cars, so they wing it out the window! He said it doesn’t make sense, trashing your country, rather than taking it home and binning it! A refreshing chat with a young man.
There used to be a Keep Britain Tidy campaign, council workers and volunteers collecting rubbish, and I really believe far less was being discarded.
The advent of fast-food establishments generates loads of packaging, drink cans and bottles, crisp bags, chocolate wrappers and so on, which represents the biggest amount in our verges.
I have also noticed that after
Drivers often throw rubbish out of their car windows rather than disposing of it properly at home
a road accident or tyre blowout, the car has been cleared away, but smaller bits of the vehicle are left behind, bumpers, bits of tyre and so on. Many people do dispose of their rubbish properly, but the problem has become so big, a national approach is called for. Education and awakening of basic pride in our country and respect for the wild environment are urgently needed.
We will be on the farm with the fencing trailer, to repair fences damaged by the winter storms. The treatment of fencing stakes has changed to avoid the use of carcinogenic substances that were previously used. However, the resulting effect is the stakes rot at ground level after only a couple of years or so. It is an expensive operation in cost and time.
ORGANISERS of this year’s Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show are asking people across the Blackmore Vale to find their flock of fluffy toy sheep to be in with a chance of winning a free family pass to this year’s two-day country show.
The wayward flock can be rounded up in eight farm shops in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, all within a 30-mile radius of the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe, where the show takes place.
Find a sheep and scan the QR code on the ear tag for a chance to win one of four single day family passes which will entitle you to entry to the show and the VIP members’ area.
A family pass is for two adults and two children – ages five-16 – while under-fives go free.
If you share your find on
Find the flock and win a family day out to this year’s Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
social media and tag Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, you get an extra entry to the competition. For more clues, check out the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show on social media. Bleat the competition and find the flock before April 21!
The show is on Wednesday and Thursday, August 13-14.
All
Grass flail and scrub flail available for the management of scrub, brambles, grass etc.
Working on slopes of up to 50 degrees with operator.
On behalf of Mr M C Denning FOR SALE BY AUCTION ON THE PREMISES 175.71 Acres (71.21 hectares) OF ORGANIC GRASS KEEP Comprising 134.69 Acres (54.61 hectares) in 5 Lots At Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen and 41.02 Acres (16.60 hectares) At Kings Court Palace, Gillingham Available to both Organic and Non-Organic Farmers Auction at Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen SP8 5RR on This WEDNESDAY 16th APRIL 2025 at 7.00pm Sale particulars available online or by post Enquires to Iain Soutar 07971 571608 iainsoutar@scauctioneers.com
WEDNESDAY 23rd APRIL
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices.
Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.
MOBILE CRIMPING AND ROLLING. All cereals, pulses and maize, up to 20 tonnes per hour. Call Andy 07979-758907.
D.E.D RESISTANT ELM TREES.
Ademuz. 2m Tall Bare Rooted Whips. £25 each plus VAT and delivery. Phone Peter Shallcross 07974 140848 Plant Healthy certified
SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE / HIRE
Tel: 01258 472288
Mob: 07977 936109
New and second hand
containers - blue/green - all with box locks
VINTAGE & CLASSIC TRACTORS wanted for parts. 01935-873169.
ROUND BALE SILAGE for sale. Milborne Port. 07811-594029
SHEEP KEEP WANTED for a small flock of yews and lambs. Anything considered. 07495-423751.
CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE. Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040
GALVANIZED WIRE HOOPS for low polythene covers. Double row. 4000 plus. £350. Sherborne 01935814593.
R&W FENCING. Agricultural paddock and stock. Also part time help required. 01258-880892 - 07980-036250
CARAVAN REMOVAL SERVICE, old, unwanted caravans, cars, trailers, vans, etc. Garden machinery, tractors, scrap metal. Yard, garden, garage removal clearances undertaken, dismantling and gas cutting service. Please call 01935873169 or 07368-380477
LAND WANTED. 1-5 acres, agricultural/woodland or other, cash buyer. (Blackmore Vale Area) Tel: 07557-123742 LAND WANTED BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP
MUCK HEAPS REMOVED 07977 561860
Sedgehill Shaftesbury Quality hay from well managed grassland
07973 318593
GRAZING AND/OR STABELLING for 1 ridden horse. Sandley, Gillingham. Tel: 07719-311693
QUALITY
hay . All June made. 3ft, 4ft and 6ft bales. Collect or delivered. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300 345293
Pneumatic fittings
Air
Hose clamps
Hydraulic Hoses
Pressure wash hoses + lances
Up to 1 ½ “Hose
Dorset
Dorset
acres Standing Straw
1298 acres of Straw
1298 acres of Standing Straw
• 599ac Wheat
• 599ac Wheat
• 599ac Wheat
• 281ac Winter Barley
• 281ac Winter Barley
• 281ac Winter Barley
• 119ac Spring Barley
• 119ac Spring Barley
• 119ac Spring Barley
•
229ac Oats
• 229ac Oats
• 70ac Oil Seed Rape
On behalf of Mr John Hawkins t/a Bagber Farms (Change in farming policy)
Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk
Thursday 10 April
On Farm Fodder Sale - Entries invited
Thursday 17 April at 11.00am
STANDING STRAW AUCTION
Field off Bindon Lane, East Stoke, Wareham, BH20 6AS
Thursday 17th October at 11.00am
Dispersal Sale of Tractor, Grassland & Livestock Equipment, etc
Thursday 17th October at 11.00am Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN
Thursday 17 April at 11.00am Farm, East Stoke, Wareham
Bindon & Pinhay
Thursday 17 April at 11.00am Manor Farm, East Stoke, Wareham
Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm
Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm Bindon & Pinhay
The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset
Including: John Deere 6195R with Loader 2,100hrs (22), 2 x Stewart 32’ 18t Bale Trailers (21 & 13), West 10t Grain Trailer, Kverneland 85112 10 Rotor Tedder (18), Kverneland 9578C Twin Rotor Rake (12), Opico 6m Grass Harrows with Seeder (17), Twose 10’ Tandem Ballast Rollers, Ifor Williams 16 Tri Axle Trailer, Fleming 8’ Ballast Roller with Tow Kit, 8’ Cambridge Roller, Albutt Flat 8 Bale Grab, Twose Bale Squeeze, Various Sheeted Doors, Miscellaneous Gates, John Deere Wafer Weights, Straps, Ramps, etc
Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer,
behalf of John Online
The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw
Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment
Dispersal Sale of Tractor, Grassland & etc
Dispersal Sale of Tractor, Grassland & Livestock Equipment, etc
Dispersal Sale of Tractor, & Livestock Equipment, etc
• 461ac Wheat
461ac Wheat
Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817
DISPERSAL
• 237ac Winter Barley
237ac Winter Barley
AUCTION
2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds
132ac Oats
• 132ac Oats
Saturday 29th July
Saturday 29th July
July
Saturday 29th July
On behalf John Swain Limited (Retiring) Online bidding available Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817 517467
On behalf of John Swain Limited (Retiring) Online bidding available Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817 517467
Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland
John 6195R with Loader (22), 2 x Stewart 32’ Bale Trailers (21 & West 10t Trailer, Kverneland 85112 10 Tedder (18), Kverneland Twin Rotor (12), Opico 6m Grass Harrows with Seeder (17), Twose Tandem Rollers, Williams 16 Tri Axle Trailer, Fleming Ballast Roller with Tow 8’ Cambridge Roller, Flat 8 Bale Grab, Twose Bale Squeeze, Various Sheeted Doors, Miscellaneous Gates, John Wafer Weights, Straps, etc
Including: John Deere 6195R with Loader 2,100hrs (22), 2 x Stewart 18t Bale Trailers (21 & 13), West Grain Trailer, Kverneland 85112 10 Rotor (18), Kverneland 9578C Twin Rake Opico 6m Harrows with Seeder (17), Twose 10’ Ballast Rollers, Ifor Williams Tri Axle Fleming 8’ Ballast Roller with Kit, Cambridge Roller, Albutt Flat 8 Bale Grab, Twose Bale Squeeze, Various Sheeted Doors, Miscellaneous Gates, Deere Wafer Straps, Ramps, etc
Including: John Deere 6195R with Loader 2,100hrs (22), 2 x Stewart 32’ 18t Bale Trailers (21 & 13), West 10t Grain Trailer, Kverneland 85112 10 Rotor Tedder (18), Kverneland 9578C Twin Rotor Rake (12), Opico 6m Grass Harrows with Seeder (17), Twose 10’ Tandem Ballast Rollers, Ifor Williams 16 Tri Axle Trailer, Fleming 8’ Ballast Roller with Tow Kit, 8’ Cambridge Roller, Albutt Flat 8 Bale Grab, Twose Bale Squeeze, Various Sheeted Doors, Miscellaneous Gates, John Deere Wafer Weights, Straps, Ramps, etc
Friday 30th June at 12 noon Durweston
Down Farm, DT8
Durweston
Buckham Farm, Beaminster 3SH
Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH
sale of 4 Farm Machinery, Bygones
Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Miscellaneous
Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset 6,220 acres of Standing Straw
Dispersal of 4 Tractors, Machinery, Bygones and Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
• 2,442ac Wheat
Introduced: Claas Dominator 108SL Combine with C510 Header, Land Rover Discovery 3 (06), Ford Transit Connect Van (07), McHale Fusion 2 and 3 Balers, Marshall Livestock Trailer with Sheep Decks (19), Richard Weston SF 14 Silage Trailer, Amazon 2.5t Fertiliser Spreader, Elho V-Twin 600 Rake, 2 x Toyota Hilux Canopys, Twose Transport Box, John Deere Starfire 6000 Receiver, John Deere Row Crop Wheels (6195R fitment), Quantity of Sheep Lambing Hurdles, etc.
6,220 acres of Standing Straw • 2,442ac Wheat
2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland T7.210 (3,610hrs) & T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, 2012 JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, McConnel 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, Twose & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn VariMaster 153 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford Hawk 6m Hedgecutter, Kuhn FC313 TG Mower Conditioner, 2 x Stewart 16-21L Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc.
1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, McConnel 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, Twose & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn Vari-
Introduced: Livestock Box with Sheep Decks, Ford Van, Browns Buzzard 8 Bale Grab, Tilt, Fibreglass Canopy, Twose Transport Box, Quantity of Lambing Hurdles, etc.
Introduced: Marshall Livestock Box with Decks, Ford Connect Van, Browns Falt Bale Grab, Ifor Williams Tilt, Fibreglass Canopy, Twose Transport Box, of Sheep Lambing Hurdles, etc.
Introduced: Marshall Livestock Box with Sheep Decks, Ford Connect Van, Browns Buzzard Falt 8 Bale Grab, Ifor Williams Tilt, Fibreglass Canopy, Twose Transport Box, Quantity of Sheep Lambing Hurdles, etc.
• 2,006ac Winter Barley
Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988
Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 (6,800hrs), 1988
Including: Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988
Master 153 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford
• 1,557ac Spring Barley
Same Explorer 70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973
Friday 7th July at 12 noon
Please
Dairy Event on Wednesday, 2
Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner,
Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, Marshall SM6 Drop Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner, Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.
Further suitable entries welcome.
17 April at 11.00am Manor Farm, Stoke, Wareham On of C E Barnes Son (Retiring)
On behalf of C E Barnes & Son (Retiring)
On behalf E Barnes & Son (Retiring)
Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909/07817 517467
Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467
Further suitable entries Please Greg Ridout 07817 517467 RESIDENTIAL | | COMMERCIAL Our Agents will be Dairy Event on 2 October Please call
The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, 1298 acres of Standing Straw
Further suitable entries welcome. RESIDENTIAL | AGRICULTURAL | COMMERCIAL on
RESIDENTIAL | AGRICULTURAL | COMMERCIAL Our Agents will be at The Dairy Event on Wednesday,
Please in to our refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural
Please call in to our stand for refreshments
70ac Oil Seed Rape Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk
Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817 517467
on Wednesday, 2 October
Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.
Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.
136 acres (55.04ha) available in 2 Lots to let by tender. Lot 1: Approximately 66.01 ac Lot 2: Approximately 69.99ac Closing date for tenders 12 noon on Monday 21st April
Further suitable entries welcome.
Further suitable entries welcome.
Please call in to our stand for refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural experts
Please call in to our stand for refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural experts
Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909/07817 517467
Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 RESIDENTIAL | AGRICULTURAL |
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025
PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024 AT THE DIGBY CHURCH MEMORIAL HALL, SHERBORNE AT 2:00PM AND VIA LIVESTREAM
2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE, WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM
Bere Regis
£60,000
North Perrott Guide
£45,000
East Stoke
Guide £95,000
Witchampton Guide
£50,000
Fordingbridge
Guide £100,000
Verwood Guide £125,000
Sixpenny Handley
Guide £150,000
3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.
Wimborne | 01202 843190 Guide
A potential development opportunity comprising a 0.13 acre parking area with a favourable pre-app response for a detached dwelling with off-road parking and garden.
Yeovil | 01935 432526
Black Torrington
Guide £195,000
13.02 acres of wetland and woodland, rich in biodiversity with an abundance of flora and fauna, in a secluded, peaceful area south of the River Frome.
0.19 acres of amenity land with scope for a range of uses (STPP/consents), adjoining residential properties. Freehold.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Gover Valley
A large steel framed and clad barn with Class Q prior approval to convert into 2 substantial semi-detached residential dwellings in grounds of about 5.00 acers.
Guide £195,000 -£235,000
Pallington Guide £350,000
38.42 acres (15.55 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good accessibility. Conveniently split into three workable parcels. The land has previously been used to grow salad crops and is understood to be very productive, more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the land has been drilled with a cover crop. Freehold.
Axminster | 01297 33122
Dorchester | 01305 236237
An adorable 2 double bedroom detached cottage for comprehensive modernisation in 0.33 acres, enjoying an idyllic wooded setting.
Axminster | 01297 33122
Bournemouth
Guide £200,000
Seaton
Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000 20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.
Guide £225,00-£250,000
Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope£115,000
6.66 acres of unspoilt wetland, woodland and meadow with potential for a range of uses (subject to planning permission), situated close to Fordingbridge town centre.
1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.
Salisbury | 01722 334323
Wimborne | 01202 843190
A detached barn measuring approximately 125 sq. m./1,345 sq.
Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold.
the village.
Blandford Forum | 1258 452670
Dorchester | 01305 236237
Guide £200,000
Dorchester
Guide £200,000
A charming 2 bedroom terraced cottage in a village location, with beautifully landscaped gardens and countryside views.
Bridport | 01308 422092
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
A centrally located Grade II Listed property currently arranged as 3 x 1 bedroom flats and walled front and rear gardens, requiring modernisation throughout.
Winterborne Houghton Guide £400,000 42.94 acres (17.38 ha) of productive arable land. Free draining loam soil over chalk, two road access points, a cattle handling race, outstanding views and private water supply. South east aspect suited to vines and solar. Freehold.
Dorchester | 01305 261008
Hammoon
Guide £250,000
Shaftesbury Guide £95,000
Tarrant Rushton
Guide £250,000
A grand, 4 storey (including basement) mixed-use Victorian building occupying a prominent corner plot on Lansdowne Crescent, with full planning permission for 4 new flats on the upper floors.
A character, 4 storey town centre property comprising a 3 bed flat and a ground floor shop with prior approval to create a 2 bed flat.
Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000
Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237
Axminster | 01297 33122
Holton Heath
Guide £275,000
Chilcompton Guide £195,000
A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.
A partially renovated and extended 2 bedroom bungalow for completion, with potential for upwards extension, subject to planning permission.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Hurcott Guide £200,000 A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.
Guide £275,000
An attractive semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage in need of renovation throughout with a generous garden situated in this much favoured North Dorset village.
Iliminster | 01460 200790
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
A peaceful, secluded bluebell wood of about 26.31 acres, set in an idyllic rural landscape with good access off the public highway and The Dorset Trailway.
A charming 1 bedroom property forming part of a Grade II* Listed building, ideal as a buy to let investment or bolthole. Leasehold with 50% share of freehold.
A detached, extended 3 bedroom cottage for renovation, with potential for further extension (STPP), enjoying a rural position and delightful countryside views in 0.20 acres of gardens.
Milborne Port Guide £150,000 An attractive period property for renovation enjoying a generous garden sitting on the outskirts of Milborne Port. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Okeford Fitzpaine
A substantial former primary school measuring over 6,300 sq. ft./585 sq. m. in grounds of 0.54 acres, providing development potential, subject to planning permission.
Tarrant Gunville Guide £225,000-£250,000 A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670
Guide £295,000
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Blandford Forum | 01258 452670
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Motcombe
A charming semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage with a separate 1 bedroom, single storey annexe with off-road parking, gardens and countryside views.
Belchalwell Guide £250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre plot for modernisation/replacement (STPP) with a positive pre application response for a 4 bedroom house. Freehold.
Guide £295,000
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025
2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE, WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM
Charlton Marshall
North Perrott Guide £45,000
3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.
23.55 acres of permanent pasture, with fishing rights along the River Stour which borders the land, benefitting from good vehicular access.
Wimborne | 01202 843190 Guide £300,000
Yeovil | 01935 432526
Guide £325,000
Witchampton Guide £50,000
Fontmell Magna
Guide £350,000
Corfe Castle
Guide £375,000
0.19 acres of amenity land with scope for a range of uses (STPP/consents), adjoining residential properties. Freehold.
A Grade II Listed public house with a 3 bedroom flat above, skittle alley, beer garden, and car park, situated in the middle of the Marshwood Vale.
Marshwood Bridport | 01308 422092
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Pallington Guide £350,000
Wimborne
A substantial detached bungalow requiring renovation throughout, providing potential for extension or replacement, subject to planning permission. Situated in a rural position and enjoying grounds of 1.60 acres. Subject to permission/consents.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
A former doctor’s surgery in 0.58 acres with prior approval for change of use to a residential dwelling under application P/PACD/2024/02991/.
Verwood Guide £125,000 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Wimborne | 01202 843190
A charming Grade II Listed3 bedroom stone cottage for complete renovation, situated close to the centre of this highly sought-after village.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
42.94 acres (17.38 ha) of productive arable land. Free draining loam soil over chalk, two road access points, a cattle handling race, outstanding views and private water
Somerford Road, Christchurch
A site measuring 0.39 acres with full planning permission for an exclusive development of 9 x 2 bedroom apartments (8/22/0470/FUL), situated in the heart of Christchurch close to Avon Beach and Mudeford Quay. Potential for alternative schemes subject to planning permission.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Guides £40,000 to £115,000
20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.
Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope -
Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000
Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford Forum
Blandford Forum | 01258 452670
Chilcompton Guide £195,000
A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
An equestrian facility comprising a substantial, detached property with a separate 2-3 bedroom annexe, outbuildings, and 3.42 acres of paddocks and gardens, situated on the edge of the town close to amenities and road links. A further 2.50 acres available as a separate lot.
We are taking entries for our forthcoming summer auctions.
Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold. Hurcott Guide £200,000 A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.
Iliminster | 01460 200790
Please call Mark Lewis 01258 473766 or Meredith Wallis 01202 843190 for a free no obligation auction appraisal
Tarrant Gunville Guide £225,000-£250,000 A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670 Shaftesbury Guide £95,000
Belchalwell Guide £250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre plot for modernisation/replacement (STPP) with a positive pre application response for a 4 bedroom house. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
DORSET |
DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON
Charlton Horethorne
Mappowder
Guide £810,000
Part of a small development of exclusive houses within the picturesque village of Charlton Horethorne, this property provides flexible accommodation, brimming with character and charm throughout.
Guide £595,000
Newton
Guide £580,000
A well planned bungalow with attached annexe and garages, now requiring modernisation; on the edge of town but with views of water meadows adjoining the River Stour.
Guide £525,000
A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.
surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Guide £439,950
An appealing brick and flint 3 bedroom new build semi-detached house with double garage and enclosed garden on a small development on the edge of this highly sought after village.
Guide £435,000
Shroton Guide £435,000
village. CTB D. Freehold.
This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Newton | 01258 473766
Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000
Guide £180,000
A light industrial/warehouse unit with forecourt yard and parking area, suitable for a variety of commercial uses. Includes separate office and storages areas. For sale by public auction Thursday 5 June 2025.
Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,
Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
| 01258 423526
facing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.
A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Guide £215,000
OIEO
A beautifully converted first floor apartment with well proportioned large rooms, good ceiling heights, large windows and high quality fixtures. Situated in an excellent High Street location. Leasehold.
OIEO £400,000
An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.
the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Guide £150,000
Leigh OIEO £500,000
A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland.
12.07 acres (4.88 ha) of permanent pasture, with the benefit of single bank fishing rights on the adjoining River Lydden. For Sale by Informal Tender. Offers to be received by 7th May 2025.
A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
£750,000 Wincanton
£320,000
Now Spring has arrived we are registering many buyers looking to purchase a property in the local towns and villages. If you are considering a move in 2025 we will be delighted to offer a free valuation and marketing advice on your property.
Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net
Please call 01963 34000 or email wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment.
RHJ CONSTRUCTION LTD SPECIALISTS in listed building restorations, extensions, project management and general building. Member of The Federation of Master Builders RHJConstruction.co.uk 07747 606 605
Opportunity
5 miles from the stunning S W Alentejo coast. 16 acres of mature corks, olives and fruiting orange trees with a small registered ruin (dated from 1912), Re-roofed and re-rendered.
Permission for 450m2 of further development. Ideal for a villa and resort.
Borehole, pump house and water storage tank. Pure, drinkable water, analysis available. Mains electric. Small river crosses the property. Easy road access, very close to walking/cycling route of Rota Vicentina. 20 minute drive to surfing beaches of Odeceixe. Future urban potential as land borders the market town of Sao Teotonio.
Guide price €315,000 (Approximately £262,500). Offers always considered. Further details: https://www.marcelapropriedades.com/ property-for-sale/plot-with-ruin-odemira-ref_rc275/24309 Speak to agent Helen Sands in Portugal 00351964387482 (WhatsApp) or the vendor Robert Awdry 07960 737646 in the UK
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