The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 121 by The Blackmore Vale Limited

Edition 121

FREE EVERY FORTNIGHT

Friday, May 9, 2025

The New Blackmore Vale www.blackmorevale.net

SHE’S OFF! Janine is ready for her next charity trek PAGE 12

MUCH MISSED Town pays tribute to community champion PAGE 3

RACE PACE London Marathon runners raise over £50,000 for cancer trust

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

What’s inside this issue…

• Main pic: Students at Milton Abbey School completed two charity challenges already this year page 31 • Above: Funding is available for farming in protected landscapes page 7 • Left: Council promises better bus services are on the horizon page 11

Announcements Antiques & Collectables Arts & Entertainment Church Equestrian Events Farming Field & Stream Food & Drink Health & Wellbeing Home & Garden

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EDITORIAL

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Hundreds pay respects to pillar of the Wincanton community HUNDREDS of people gathered to say farewell to Andy Chilton – a “pillar of the community” in Wincanton. Navy veteran and community stalwart Andy sadly passed away at Wincanton Community Hospital on April 1 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 73. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Monday (April 28) at Yeovil Crematorium, with hundreds paying their respects. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Andy joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15, serving for 35 years before retiring as a senior Warrant Officer Stores Accountant in 2001. In 2000, Andy and wife Dee moved to Wincanton, getting involved in a range of social activities with neighbours and friends. He gave much to the

Wincanton community, including setting up and running the South Somerset Community Acceptable Transport Scheme (CATBUS), supporting people in the town and surrounding area, a role he relished for 16 years. He grew the service from scratch into being an invaluable asset that continues to be treasured. Even after retiring from that post, Andy continued to be a pillar of the local community, both military and civilian, volunteering and maintaining close links with the Balsam Centre, Growing Space, Wincanton Live-at Home Scheme and CATBUS organisations, as well as the Wincanton Royal British Legion branch, the Wincanton Armed Forces Breakfast Club,

and latterly the new ‘Got Your Six’ hub in Wincanton. “Anyone who walked through Wincanton with Andy, or visited the local shops, cafes and pubs with him, would tell you it was rare not to be stopped

for a chat by somebody else,” said a tribute. “Always ready with a genuine big smile, a supportive listening ear, and a bit of cheeky banter, he will be sorely missed by many. “He will be remembered as an all-round ‘good guy’ local, even though he never lost his Geordie accent, and a much-loved and loving family man, manager and friend to all. “Andy’s life was an adventure well-lived and enjoyed to the full. Andy will be sadly missed by his wife, Dee, and each of their respective children and grandchildren, as will his many contributions to the wider Wincanton town and surrounding villages community.”

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Get ready to ramble as walking festival kicks off THE Dorchester Walking Festival kicks off tomorrow, but there’s still time to book tickets. Nine days of guided walking is programmed to take place in around Dorchester, with tickets for each walk sold separately. Whether you’re a wildweather wanderer, a solitary stroller, a hardcore hiker or a weekend walk-and-talker, the festival is an excellent opportunity to celebrate everything you love about getting out in nature. Walks include a walk by train to Maumbury Rings, a walk through 17th-century Dorchester, and a seasonal walk through Thorncombe Wood. Why not lace up your boots and join one of our the festival’s knowledgeable and experienced walk leaders. Proceeds from the festival walks will be donated to a charity chosen by the volunteer walk leaders. This year’s beneficiaries are: The National Trust, Dorset Air Ambulance, Dorset Wildlife Trust, People

Spring Festival Need Nature, War Memorial Trust, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Trees for Dorset, Friends of Lanterns, West Dorset Women's Refuge and The Deacon Foundation. For full details and ticket sales of all the festival guided walks visit: www.eventbrite. com/cc/dorchester-walkingfestival-2025-3974953. More info at: https:// discoverdorchester.co.uk/ dorchester-walkingfestival-2025/.

A CELEBRATION of Dorset literature and landmarks in flowers, music and art is the theme for the Winterborne Kingston Spring Festival. Taking place over three days, the festival will feature a variety of events including floristry displays from the St Nicholas’ Church floral team, an art exhibition by the Dorset 2020 Art Society and concerts by local choirs Cantilena Voices and Vivamente Voices. The event, from Friday to Sunday, May 16-18, will also include music recitals featuring young musicians from local schools, including Dunbury Academy, and a community art project, and will culminate in Hymns and Pimm’s on the Sunday afternoon. Refreshments will be served throughout the

A walk around… Chetnole Soak up the scenery as you walk with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

START at the church (which is conveniently opposite the pub) – it has a large clock that chimes on the hour. Leave the churchyard by the footpath that heads south past a playing field. It then turns left, east, to the old Chetnole mill by the stream, the Wriggle – one of Dorset’s two rivers that wet the Bristol Channel. Having passed the mill, turn right, south, then left, east, to join the road leading south to Charing Cross. Turn right, west, along an unpaved road to a ford with a pedestrian diversion through an adjoining paddock that was being mown by a robot when I visited. You soon get to the main road where you turn left, south, for a furlong to Chetnole Farm. Join a footpath heading west across fields. When you enter the fourth field turn right, north-east, and follow the hedge until you get to the road. Cross over and join the path that follows the field edge for a quarter of a mile to meet the road. Head north up the road for half a mile to join a footpath heading

weekend. Cantilena Voices will present a short concert on the Friday at 6.30pm – tickets are £5 and available from www. cantilenavoices.co.uk. Tickets for Vivamente Voices’ performance on the Saturday from 7pm-9.15pm are £8 and available from www. vivamentevoices.co.uk. The Rev Jane Williams, vicar of St Nicholas’ Church, said: “This is an exciting new event for the village, bringing together local talented flower arrangers, musicians and artists celebrating our beautiful county. “We are pleased for our church to be involved in what sounds like will be a wonderful event within the community. “A warm welcome will await anyone who comes along.”

Photo © Mike Searle geograph.org.uk

north east across a field. Where the footpath meets the Wriggle there’s no bridge! I’ve reported this to Dorset Council and doubtless they’ll fix the problem but possibly not by the time you read this. A short distance downstream there’s a farm ford that I was able to paddle in walking boots without getting soggy socks. You might not be as lucky if it’s been raining. Rejoin the path and continue to meet Herbury Lane, which is muddy in parts. Turn right and head south to meet a road which you cross and continue south along Back Lane for 100 yards and join a footpath on your right which takes you along a field edge to join a road a short distance from where you started over three miles ago.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Plans to close adult day centres would be ‘devastating’ say users CAMPAIGNERS have criticised plans to close day centres that offer “vital” services for elderly residents and adults with special needs across Dorset. This comes as Dorset Council looks to reorganise the way it delivers adult services across the county, with it considering closing several centres and replacing these with a ‘hub and spokes’ model. There are currently 11 day centres operating throughout the county – but only five would be retained under the new model. These hubs would provide a place to meet friends and sign up for activities, while the ‘spokes’ would connect people to specialist services, community centres and groups. But campaigners say that removing these centres could leave people isolated. Under the new plans, centres in Sherborne, Shaftesbury and Blandford would close, with Stour Connect in Sturminster Newton becoming the hub for

north Dorset. Councillor Steve Robinson, cabinet portfolio lead for adult social care, said the proposals would give people greater choice and opportunity and reduce “the need for sometimes old and draughty buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.” However, the council is facing a wave of opposition to the plans with campaigners concerned over the immediate and local impact on its users – some who have been attending the same centres for decades. Many day centre users and their families got in touch with your New Blackmore Vale to express their concern over the plans, as they say that the centres are not only well-used but are vital to users’ wellbeing. This includes Dr Emma Briant, whose father attends the Shaftesbury Trinity Centre. She said her father is not in a position to drive to Sturminster Newton should the Trinity Centre close.

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“Like many elderly veterans, he struggles with PTSD, and like many of the people who depend daily on the support of the day centre, even slight changes to his routine have a tremendous impact on his mental and physical health,” she said. “The council are claiming the day centre is underused, but I have been there many times and it is always busy and full of elderly people.” Dorset Council claims the Trinity Centre only sees a maximum of four attendees a day. It says the proposals came about as a result of asking people who use these centres about their experiences, as they say many would like a “wider choice of local activities with more flexible options”. Dr Briant said the Trinity Centre provides key services, such as checking that people are taking their medication and making sure they are looking after themselves. “The day centre isn’t just about ‘activity provision’, it creates a close community of people with relationships, who care about each other, connections that revolve around meeting in that place every day… those relationships will be torn apart and lost if the council closes the day centre. “They seem to think because these people are disabled and elderly, the continuity of their relationships is irrelevant. The people this will impact are terrified.” There is no direct bus between Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton, making attending the proposed hub difficult for those unable to drive. MP Simon Hoare (Conservatives/North Dorset) wrote about the proposed closures in his latest column in the last issue of the New Blackmore Vale. He said his inbox is full of people anxious over the plans,

adding that he is doing all that he can to ensure that these “vital local services are continued”. He said: “The council’s plans are fundamentally wrong. We have an ageing population, youngsters with very complex needs and a growing population through new housebuilding locally.” These worries have been echoed by many readers. This includes Mary Kinsler, who volunteers at the Blandford Connect Centre, where her disabled son attends. Mary says that the new model means changing a system that is “working well” and that her son would struggle to understand the need to change his routine. “For people that have been going to the same centre for 20 years, you can imagine – especially if they have a disability – its very difficult to understand why their services are being moved,” she said. “This is even more difficult as a parent, and many who have been told about the proposed closures are quite upset. If the changes go through as proposed, the impact would be devastating.” A spokesperson for carers, parents and other users of the Blandford Connect Centre believes Dorset Council are taking cost-cutting measures. They added: “We see alternatives to making the centre work and made it known to Dorset Council instead of disrupting a community of people of varying ages and personal needs, taking into account some of this community have been there for over 20 years and have made friendships.” People have until June 9 to have their say on the online consultation at https:// consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov. uk/c-e/dayopps/. A petition calling for Dorset Council to reconsider has reached 1,804 signatures.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Help for protected landscape projects CRANBORNE Chase National Landscape is welcoming enquiries for farming funding. Farmers and land managers who live in Cranborne Chase National Landscape can now apply for Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding, for projects which will provide benefits for nature, climate, people and place by March 2026. Cranborne Chase has awarded over £2 million since the FiPL programme was launched in 2021. The money enables projects that support local landowners to meet nature and climate challenges while keeping rural communities sustainable. Following Defra’s recent announcement that FiPL funding will continue until March 2026, Cranborne Chase National Landscape is now encouraging enquiries relating to projects that will support the priorities of its Management Plan and Nature

Recovery Plan. FiPL can play a leading role in the delivery of the Nature Recovery Network and achieving the government’s commitment to protect 30% of land by 2030. The National Landscape would particularly like to hear from applicants who have not previously benefited from FiPL funding. It is also encouraging collaborative projects between farm clusters and multiple farm or land managers from across the landscape. One of 46 National Landscapes in the UK, Cranborne Chase National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is conserved and enhanced for the nation's benefit. Overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset, 64% of the National Landscape is farmland. FiPL has quickly established itself as a dynamic

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and successful programme in support of nature friendly farming initiatives, while boosting farming businesses in this deeply rural area. In Cranborne Chase National Landscape alone, 181 farmers have participated in the FiPL programme, with 672 volunteers engaged. Of these projects, 15 have helped to reduce flood risk while 10 have made the landscape of Cranborne Chase more accessible to visitors. 6,124 metres of permissive paths have

been created, improved or better managed. Nine projects have been specifically targeted at recovery of threatened species, including dormice. To find out more about FiPL in Cranborne Chase National Landscape, see some successful past projects and learn how to enquire about funding for this year, visit cranbornechase.org. uk/our-work/farming/farmingin-protected-landscapes. Find out more at www. cranbornechase.org.uk.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Gillingham Singers prepare for their Spring Concert by Richard Nye, musical director

IT is noticeably lighter as we (me, my wife Heather and daughter Rosie) drive towards Gillingham on what turns out to be an unusually warm evening. As the car pulls up at Wyke Primary School, we can already see chairs being set up in the hall. The weekly practice begins in 15 minutes, so there is plenty of time to get things ready. As we enter the hall there are the usual cheery greetings as chairs continue to be arranged. Our secretary, Carole shares some updates for our forthcoming concert including the good news that tickets are now being snapped up. Hilary, our chair, comes over and we end up talking about logistics and how we are going to fit a string group in front of the choir. We both very much like the name the string group have chosen and now it just about making sure plans are in place so that everything goes smoothly on the day. We talk some more and before I realise it, the clock is showing it is almost 7.13pm. We start singing at 7.15pm. Our rehearsal is a busy one. After a warm-up, which includes stretches and breathing exercises, we run through a pre-planned practice programme. Each week I email the choir with a list of the music we will tackle the following week accompanied by any notes and links to suitable recordings. This regular contact (through the wonders of technology) allows choir members the opportunity to practice at home. The choir has embraced this approach, and it makes such a positive difference. Warm-up over, we begin with the practice. Music at the start may be pieces that require some attention from the previous week. A tricky section may need looking at again, or it might be that we all just need to feel that we have now ‘got it’. We move on to some challenging works and those are the tricky moments. Stopping for regular water breaks and a breather, we move forward. David, the choir’s wonderful accompanist, moves from keyboard to the choir’s bass section as we go from piece to piece. The Spring Concert has quite a few unaccompanied pieces this year, and David is a very welcome vocal addition as we run through first a madrigal followed by David

Ogden’s wonderful setting of Were you there? The choir is providing all the soloists for this concert, which means that we can rehearse complete sections, fine-tuning the entries and making sure the balance works for everyone. Our busy practice ends with a warmdown (singing something short that we know as a complete ‘performance’) before tidying the hall and locking up. The rehearsal might be over but work for the choir continues. The following day, the choir committee meets. This group of members works hard behind the scenes organising and running fund-raising events, planning future concerts and ensuring that funds are directed to keep the choir running as it should. The Spring Concert in May was planned last year and as musical director, I share thoughts on how it might look and then with the help of everyone on the committee, start to build a picture that everyone can see. We are very excited to be able to include a string ensemble which will accompany us as we sing Fauré’s beautiful and well-loved Requiem. The vocal solos in this work are well within the reach of our singers, and we have some lovely voices in the choir, so those moments will be very special. This planning and support includes everything from organising the music to running the website and social media – and is essential as we are already thinking ahead. In November, the choir will be giving the world première of Stephen Deutsch’s Stars. This work for spoken voice, choir and electronics has been composed especially for the Gillingham Singers by Stephen, an American composer living in Dorset, who frequently collaborated with the playwright Peter Barnes in addition to writing scores for the BBC. This concert will take some planning, and the committee is already working on

the venue and logistics. As I drive us all home after our busy practice, one thing that often comes to mind is how many people have been involved in making it all happen. It is very much a team effort. Everyone has a part to play – it would not be a choir without each person being present and contributing – and is why choral music making is such a joy. The Spring Concert by the Gillingham Singers is on Saturday, May 17, at Motcombe Church. Earlybird tickets are £10 (£12 on the door) and include a glass of wine. More details can be found at the choir website www.gillingham-singers.org. Stephen Deutsch’s website can be found at www.stephen-deutsch.com.

Eat well with help from food club

HEALTHY eating is on the menu at the Digby Hall in Sherborne next week. The Sherborne Primary Care Network event will see Livewell Dorset deliver talks on nutrition and healthy eating, and the Friendly Food Club give cookery demonstrations. Sherborne Community Fridge will publicise its provision and Sherborne PCN Pharmacy and Digital Support teams will give advice and support on cholesterol, blood pressure, weight management and pre-diabetes. Th event is on Friday, May 16, from noon-5pm.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Lunch part of Easter celebrations PHOTO AND TEXT: George Jeans

GOOD Friday saw a wooden cross carried from the town square in Mere to Castle Hill. Readings were given along the way before the cross was erected at the top of the hill. Churches Together in Mere and District organised the well attended event. A Lent lunch was served at the Grove Building, Mere, afterwards.

Songbirds in concert

BLACKMORE Vale Lions Club (BVLC) is staging a concert with the Songbirds choral group at Henstridge Village Church this weekend. The concert will raise money for educational and support charity Future Roots, based at Rylands Farm, Holnest. The Songbirds, with the Raucous Chorus and The Youth Choir, under the direction of Becky Peckover-Mitchell, are performing on Saturday, May 10. Doors open at 6.30pm and the concert begins at 7pm. Tickets priced £10, including glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles, are available from peter.oswick@btinternet.com or on 01963 636281.

Trust history

THE early history of The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust will be the subject of a talk by Fiona James at the trust’s annual meeting. The meeting is at the United Church, 29 South Street, Dorchester (DT1 1BY) on Tuesday, May 20, at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Light refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. For more information, email thefortuneswellcancerturst@ gmail.com.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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The Sherborne Castle Country Fair returns on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May ADVERTISING FEATURE

et in the beautiful grounds of Sherborne Castle in Dorset, this local, much-loved event appeals to all ages. With dragon boat racing on the lake, main ring attractions, dog competitions, online auction, rural crafts, rare breeds show, music, funfair, vintage vehicles, food and shopping there is something for everyone. The event is organised entirely by volunteers and last year it raised a wonderful £41,000 for children’s charities in Dorset and Somerset. The Fair itself has raised over £1.35M since it was first started in 1996 and over the years has supported over 100 local children’s charities. On offer in the main ring are the Dartmoor Hawking team - flying eagles from horseback and the daring Dangerous Steve with his thrilling quad bike stunt show. Elsewhere the Mini Pony Show returns and the fiercely competitive Gundog Team Challenges take place in the Deer Park. Elsewhere there is plenty to see, do, watch ……or simply sit and have a picnic in the beautiful Castle grounds. Entry in advance is £15 for an adult, £4 for a child (www.sherbornecountryfair. com/tickets/) – and of course all money raised from ticket sales goes directly to the charities that the Fair supports. So you can enjoy a lovely day out whilst also supporting charitable youth work in your local area.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Council promises better buses – soon BUS services across Dorset are set for improvement this year if plans by Dorset Council get the go ahead. The council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) includes increasing bus service frequencies, launching community transport schemes, upgrading infrastructure and trialling an electric minibus to promote a sustainable, lowemission fleet. Developed in partnership with local transport operators, the delivery plan was approved see improvements in areas including Dorchester, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham. This delivery plan, conditional on its submission and publication online, will benefit residents and visitors while supporting Dorset’s environmental and social goals, says Dorset Council. The Council has announced

Photo: David Baker Photography

its key projects for 2025/26. These include: • Service 10 (Weymouth – Dorchester): Weekend services enhanced to 15-minute intervals on Saturdays and 20-minute intervals on Sundays, with improved connectivity to Portland. • Saturday services for CR6 (Bridport – Yeovil), CR2 (Gillingham – Shaftesbury), and CR3 (Gillingham – Sturminster Newton),

improving frequencies and connectivity. • New Community Transport Service: Launch of a pilot enhanced community transport provision, using an electric vehicle – a vital first step towards a zeroemission fleet • Replacement and modernisation of RealTime Information (RTI) displays on bus stops, introducing vibrant, colour-coded ‘totems’. • The renewal of bus stop infrastructure, including poles, flags, and shelters at targeted locations across the county. Responses to Dorset's Local Transport Plan (LTP4) highlighted better public transport as the number one priority among residents, especially in rural areas. Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for

place services, said: “The projects we’ve planned for 2025/26 are incredibly exciting and represent a real opportunity to enhance public transport in Dorset. “But we want to do more. Dorset remains disadvantaged by the current funding allocation formula, having received the fourth lowest revenue allocation in the Southwest region. The money we’ve received from Government is only a small part of what is required to transform the bus network across Dorset, and longer-term funding is key to us achieving our BSIP vision. “We will work closely with our MPs to advocate for fairer funding in the future to truly unlock the potential of public transport across our county.” You can find out more at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ bus-service-improvement-plan.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Janine’s trekking for cancer awareness A SELF-DESCRIBED Dorset lass is raising money for breast cancer charity Coppafeel! by organising a prize draw – and completing a marathon trek! Janine, from Gillingham originally but now living in Motcombe, is a bit of a marathon nut and is taking part in the trek for the second year on the trot. “At the age of nine, my baby brother passed away from a brain tumour),” said Janine. “This hit us all hard. People didn’t like to talk about cancer back then, especially to us kids. By supporting charities, raising funds, I hope to help educate and create a greater awareness of their work. “I’ve run eight or nine marathons now (I’ve lost count), completed a mountain trek in Iceland, Endure24 races, various other treks and runs, always raising money for a range of charities in memory of loved ones.” CoppaFeel! was founded in 2009 by Kris Hallenga and her twin sister Maren, after Kris was diagnosed with incurable (stage 4 / secondary) breast cancer at the age of 23. “Over the years, I’ve known close people in my life diagnosed with breast cancer.

Had they not known the signs and noticed changes to their bodies they would not have made an appointment to be seen by a professional,” said Janine. Now back in Motcombe after working away, Janine has set up an holistic treatment clinic, Elms Botanical. “One incredible lady I met lost her fight to breast cancer in 2024. I visited her at hospital and at home, because she wanted to feel pampered. *Packed lunch included in these trips

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“Honestly, the strength this lady had for her family and herself was something I had never seen. She knew she was about to leave her young children, her husband and her pets… but she was still smiling, making jokes as if it was a normal day. “She was so strong and for the short period I knew her she has inspired me even more to try and help anyway I can.” On May 17, Janine will be joining Giovanna Fletcher and the CoppaFeel! team to take on the incredible CoppaFeel! Trek Challenge in the South Downs. “This journey is not just about trekking; it’s about making a real difference in the fight against breast cancer,” said Janine. As well as her trek, Janine is running a prize draw to help reach her fund-raising target of £750. Local businesses have contributed to a pamper hamper worth £300, plus a host of other goodies. All donations of £5 via Janine’s Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/page/janineclarke-2) get one entry to the prize draw. Donate £10 and get three entries. Once you’ve made your donation, message Janine on 07835 229976 to be entered into the prize draw.

Put on your dancing shoes

A DINNER and dance with a Latin theme is planned later this month to raise money for Dorset Menopause Support. The evening is being organised by Bev Blandamer and Susana Baltar Quintana. They sadly lost a very dear friend, and are hosting this event to honour that friendship. It promises to be an evening full of fun, great dance and delicious food! “This organisation does a great job offering support, guidance and education on perimenopause, menopause and the post menopausal years,” the friends said. “We wanted to show our support and appreciation. “This event is being held in memory of a very special friend, who we all lost too soon and who was very prominent on the local dance scene. “DJ Susana will be playing a wide variety of music to cater for everyone, dancers and non-dancers alike. The amazing Lily's Cuisine Co will be our caterer for the evening and Emerald Bar1 will be there with their well equipped bar for you to purchase your drinks.” This fun-filled event will be held from 6.30pm to 11pm at Herrison Hall, Charlton Down (DY2 9UA) on Saturday, May 24. Tickets are £40 to include food and are available from Bachata Caliente, Eileen Spracklen's School of Dance, SBK Weymouth and Sunday Salsa Workshops. Alternatively, contact Bev Blandamer directly via Facebook messenger. Find out more about Dorset Menopause Support at www. dorsetmenopausesupport.co.uk.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie Date for your diary Wednesday 14th May

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RA FITTING DAY with Lucy from FANTASIE & WACOAL will be in store 10am – 3pm. 7 out of 10 of us are wearing the wrong size bra, are you one of them? Come in and have a bra fitting on Wednesday 14th May and receive 10% off all Fantasie bras and every purchase enters you into a free raffle to win a bra on Wednesday 14th May. Sizes D-H cup. All our lingerie team are qualified bra fitters and happy to advise on your perfect bra. We stock for 30AA to 48K so something for everyone. Fantasie also do an amazing smooth easy brief in lots of colours. Not forgetting we also stock Sloggi Briefs from Triumph – still a few 4 packs available in white, black and nude. Looking forward to seeing you.

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Dorset tops recycling league table – again!

DORSET Council has held on to a top spot in England’s recycling league table. The Council is once again the number one unitary and disposal authority in England for recycling rates 2023/24, according to DEFRA. Dorset Council now recycles 60.5% of all the waste it collects at the kerbside, against a national average of 44%. In addition to achieving the top unitary spot, Dorset Council proudly ranks fifth overall among all councils, trailing only four collection authorities. Dorset Council also secured an impressive third place for the lowest residual waste collected per household, with an average of 363kg per household. Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's cabinet member for place services, said: “I want to thank Dorset’s keen recyclers and our waste services team for this result. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication of Dorset residents to sustainability and the hard work of our officers. “Let’s continue to push this recycling rate even higher by putting the right stuff in the right bins, and reducing the amount of waste we produce. Together, we can set the benchmark for environmental stewardship and make a positive impact for future generations.”

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Inspiring women and girls FEMALES in sport was the topic of a conference at Bryanston School which featured women from the worlds of sports media, business and wellbeing. The event, held in partnership with The Powerhouse Project, was aimed at youngsters in year 8 and above and was attended by Bryanston’s senior students and girls in years 7 and 8 at Bryanston Prep, along with up to 200 students from other schools, along with staff. Inspiring speakers included Rosie Kmita (Sports Business), Keely Watson (Sports Media) and Edel McCann (Sports Wellbeing). Workshops and discussion panels were also staged and Bryanston’s Physiotherapy team offered practical sessions at the Sports Centre. BryRadio featured interviews with keynote speakers, focusing

on the event’s aim to empower women through sport. Assistant director of sport, Beth Rodford, said: “We’re delighted by the enthusiasm and openness of everyone who participated in this year’s conference. “It’s been a privilege to see pupils, staff and guest speakers come together to champion women’s sports and spotlight

the importance of confidence, resilience and collaboration.” The keynote speaker, Rosie Kmita, co-founder of the Powerhouse Project with sister, Mollie, addressed social pressures, gender stereotypes, body confidence issues and

News self-belief. Rosie and Mollie are former professional footballers and now established sports broadcasters, and are on Bryanston’s Sports Advisory Board. Director of Sport, Rory McCann, said: “By partnering with The Powerhouse Project, we’ve united schools and thought leaders who share our commitment to empowering girls and women through sport. “The success of this conference demonstrates that, when given the right platform, young athletes are eager to learn, grow and ultimately transform the sporting landscape for the better.”

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Shed success stories PLANS for a Men’s Shed in Sherborne are moving ahead after a meeting at Castle Gardens in the town. The meeting, opened by mayor of Sherborne, Councillor Robin Legg, was attended by about 30 people. Men’s Sheds are designed to foster social connections, reduce isolation and promote wellbeing through hands-on activities such as woodworking, repairing and crafting. Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, which own Castle Gardens, spoke about how the space a Men’s Shed would occupy was previously used by The

Green Shed, which provided a workshop for adults with dementia and learning difficulties. Men’s Shed UK ambassador, Patrick Abrahams, shared success stories from other Men’s Sheds, such as Frome Shed, which he set up in 2014, and gave practical advice on setting up and running a shed. Visitors shared their thoughts and ideas on how a men’s shed could be operate and toured the planned space. It is hoped to appoint a treasurer, secretary and manager to a steering committee before officially launching the Sherborne Green Shed this summer. Sherborne town councillor, Guy Patterson, is inviting anyone who would like to be considered for a role on the steering committee to email him at guy. patterson@sherborne-tc.gov.uk. In the picture (from left) Guy Patterson, Councillor from Sherborne Town Council; Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group; and Men’s Shed UK ambassador, Patrick Abrahams, outside The Green Shed at Castle Gardens in Sherborne

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Shepherds and their flocks

MEMBERS of Cerne Sheep Group are hoping the warm spring weather holds in readiness for their first outdoor meeting of the year. On Monday, May 12, the group will gather at 7pm at Rivers Corner, Sturminster Newton (DT10 2AD) to see the show Silverbirch Herd of Wessex saddleback pigs owned by Lizzie Carr. The group reminds its members that the Sherborne Castle Show is on Monday, May 26, and Rosemary Lovegrove is still taking show entries (rosemary.lovegr@btinternet.com or 01935 891415). Later in May the group will be visiting Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Lyscombe Farm. If you’d like to know more about the group, or join, please call its chair, Celia Messer, on 01258 459599 or 07816 291103.

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Marathon effort raises a record sum for cancer charity RUNNERS raised a record £51,500 for Wessex Cancer Support in last month’s London Marathon. The charity had its largest ever team with 15 runners taking part in the 26.2-mile event. One of the runners, Darren Godbert, raised about £3,600 towards the overall total. “It still doesn’t feel real,” he said. “There were moments I didn’t think I could do it. Moments when my legs screamed at me to stop and the finish line felt a lifetime away. “But I kept going, because I wasn’t just running for myself. I was running for every single person who believed in me when I doubted myself. I was running for the incredible Wessex Cancer Support and all the lives they touch. “I proved to myself that with love, faith and sheer stubbornness we are capable of far more than we ever dare to believe. “I’m broken but I’m also full of pride, full of gratitude, full of something I can only call magic.” The event set a new world record for the number of finishers – 56,640 runners

crossed the line – despite the hot conditions. Two-time London Marathon runner and Wessex Cancer Support volunteer Paul Thorley supported the charity runners during their training and joined them in the capital with a cheer squad. “It was an extraordinary day,” he said. “I feel so honoured to have been able to go on this incredible journey with them. “I was so proud to see their months of hard work, training and fundraising come to fruition. Congratulations to you all, enjoy the moment, you deserve it.” The charity has a limited number of golden bond spaces for next year’s London Marathon and is now accepting expressions of interest. Lorraine White, interim head of community and events fundraising, said: “Everyone associated with Wessex Cancer Support is so proud and grateful to all 15 runners who took part. “They absolutely smashed their fundraising target – an amazing achievement by everyone. A huge thanks to

Darren Godbert ran the London Marathon for Wessex Cancer Trust

Paul, too, for doing such a great job supporting them all. “This money will make such a difference to our ongoing efforts to support people living with cancer. “Thank you all so much. And if you’re inspired to be a part of Team Wessex next year, please register your interest.” To register interest for a golden bond space with Wessex Cancer Support in 2026, visit bit.ly/3Yobd1v.

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Catering for all park visitors VISITORS to Dorchester’s awardwinning Borough Gardens can soon enjoy top-notch refreshments worthy of their surroundings. The Gardens’ newly refurbished kiosk, the Temple of Refreshment, opens tomorrow (May 10) and will provide park users with a carefully selected range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes and ice creams. The barista coffee is made with freshly ground beans from Clifton Coffee, with milk from Craig’s Farm Dairy (just 15 minutes from Dorchester). Temple of Refreshment is perfectly placed for people using the play area, outdoor gym and tennis courts, or enjoying musical performances from the bandstand. The Temple of Refreshment will be officially opened by the mayor of Dorchester, councillor Robin Potter, with a ceremonial cake cutting at 11am on Saturday.

Students bring a treasured tale to life STUDENTS at Leweston School, near Sherborne, rose to the challenge when they presented The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The play is based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel about a 15-year-old boy with autism spectrum traits, as he investigates the mysterious death of his neighbour’s dog. The play was performed by a cast of 10 students from years 10 to 13 in the round with an ambitious combination of lighting, sound and projection effects. Miss McIntosh, drama teacher and lead staff member for the production, said: “For both the cast and

crew, this production was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences undertaken. “The students’ dedication, professionalism and creativity was a testament to the power of theatre in education – not just as an art form, but as a means of promoting empathy, resilience and collaboration. “It was a privilege to bring this story to life and we are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to its success.”

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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News from North Dorset Railway: The third Okeford? by Hilary Daniels

MANY people do not know that the original name for Shillingstone was Shilling Okeford, making it the third of the three Okefords, with Child Okeford and Okeford Fitzpaine. Based in Shillingstone, North Dorset Railway (NDR) will be at the Three Okefords Rally on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, bringing along the station’s 1936 Scammell ‘Mechanical Horse’. It needs a starting handle and a lot of determination to get the motor running and, on a good day, has a top speed of 20mph. Volunteers from NDR will be on hand all weekend to chat about what is going on at the

railway –there’s a lot! And, possibly, encourage visitors to buy a raffle ticket, with prizes including life membership of NDR, a £50 voucher to spend at Hall and Woodhouse’s brewery shop, and a framed Bournemouth AFC shirt signed by the first team. The full list of prizes can be viewed on the station’s website, www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk, and all proceeds from the raffle will go to developing the railway, which is run entirely by volunteers. The station itself will be open as usual from 10am-4pm throughout the weekend, a short and scenic walk away from the rally site, along the trailway.

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WW2 medal haul MEDALS awarded to a heroine of the Second World War, who played a crucial role in rescue efforts in the London Blitz and the D-Day landings, are coming up for sale. Marsie Taylor, a Londonborn member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS), was honoured for her bravery during the Blitz in 1940, when she helped rescue civilians trapped in the Morley College air raid shelter after it was destroyed by a high-explosive bomb. She worked tirelessly for over 10 hours, knowing the building could collapse at any moment. For her actions, she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). In 2016, the French

government awarded her the Legion d’Honneur – making her the first woman to receive the honour – from the French ambassador for her role in the liberation of France. The auction lot includes her BEM, the RN Auxiliary Service Long Service Medal and other wartime awards. Auctioneers Lawrences expects the lot to fetch £400£600 when it features in its Miltaria Auction, held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 14-15. Matthew Denney, Lawrences’ militaria specialist, said: “Marsie Taylor’s service was remarkable. Not only for her gallantry during the Blitz but also for her critical contributions to planning the Allied invasion of Normandy.”

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Defashion Dorset A CELEBRATION of sustainable fashion returns to Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, on May 16-17 (10am-5pm). Defashion Dorset 2025 aims to counteract the overproduction and overconsumption of the fashion industry, which produces over 100 billion items of clothing a year. Fashion is one of the most polluting and exploitative industries, impacting people, nature and animals. Founder, Jennifer Morisetti, is on a mission to promote a sustainable clothing culture in Dorset. The weekend will include lace making and spinning demonstrations, talks from the likes of Amelia Twine (founder of Sustainable Fashion Week) and Alice Nicholl (creator of the first Swish Shop in Bournemouth), and workshops designed to inspire and empower you to rethink fashion. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a curious beginner, you can have a go at Dorset button making, felting, upcycling from a tablecloth, crochet or visible mending. Browse stalls showcasing fibre producers and makers including Gutchpool Farm, Harvard Farm, Rails Farm, Tamarisk Farm, Woolcraft with Wensleydale, BlueBarn Life, Made by Jules and Alastair Braidwood. There will be upcycled clothing from Purple Guava, ceramic buttons from Joanne Rutter and woven bags from The Creative Skills Hub, as well as vintage clothing as well as haberdashery. Tickets are £5, children free, details at www.hawkersfarm. org or www.tickettailor.com/events/defashiondorset/1543480.

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by Robbie Baird, North Dorset Beekeepers

FOR many people, new-born lambs in the fields and daffodils in full bloom are signs that spring has arrived, and that summer is on the way. For members of the North Dorset Beekeepers Association, it’s the sight of worker bees bringing fresh pollen back to the hive that says spring has arrived and the colony is kick-starting the queen into laying the eggs that will become the first of the new season’s bees. They’ll have been visiting the willow trees and the fruit trees like apple, cherry and plum, as well as wild flowers like the dandelion. A second sign is the start of the beginners course, and once again we had a full cohort of 30 new members at the introduction day on April, 5 ready and excited about what

lies ahead through the rest of the summer months as they delve into the amazing world of the honey bee. Back at the beehives, the bees out foraging for food are getting pretty old. They’ll have been born in late summer last year and their main role through the winter months has been to keep their home warm so that the bees, including the queen, survive the cold. They do this by shivering their flight muscles and clustering together, eating their honey stores to fuel their efforts. It’ll be a cosy 21°C at the centre of the cluster in midwinter when there’s no brood to look after, even when it’s frosty outside. By now, those bees are six months old, but they have a massively important job to do before they die. It’s their job to bring back nectar and pollen to feed the

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A beekeeper’s spring next generation of bees, and to nurture them on their journey from an egg laid by the queen, through the larval stage of their development, until they pupate and emerge as a new bee, taking about 21 days in total. Soon, colony numbers will be increasing fast from the 10,000 winter bees to around 55,000 in mid-summer, and they’ll be working so hard, their lives can be measured in weeks rather than months. After spending around three weeks working inside the hive, they start to forage for the colony’s food, literally working themselves to death by the time they’re five or six weeks old. In its life, a worker bee will bring back enough nectar to make one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey. That jar of honey in your kitchen cupboard is the life’s work of many, many bees!

If you’d like to learn more about the honey bee while having a fun afternoon, North Dorset Beekeepers are running Bee Experience Days on three dates in May and June. Visit the website for more information and to book a place (www.northdorsetbeekeepers. org.uk). They make great gifts too!

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Rotary’s fashion fix

WIMBORNE Fashion Show in the Old Library at Merley House raised £1,400 for Rotary Club supported charities. The event, organised by Wimborne Rotary and compered by Debbie Perkins, featured casual and formal wear presented by debnique boutique of Poole. Rotarian, Joy Dennett, said: “I was delighted that the evening proved to be a sell-out and would particularly thank Debbie at debnique boutique and Ingrid Sumner for their work in selling tickets. “The proceeds raised will go to charities which Wimborne Rotary supports, and the generosity of our audience is very much appreciated.”

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Go-ahead for controversial shop, café and housing plan in Marnhull

A CONTROVERSIAL development of a food store, café and up to 120 homes in Marnhull will go ahead after being approved by a planning inspector. In recent months, a bitter row has erupted in the village over plans - submitted by landowner and village farmer Paul Crocker - for land west of Church Hill, known as Tess Square, and off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane. The scheme would also see other commercial buildings developed, as well as a new parking area for St Gregory’s Church and the nearby primary school. Dorset Council refused permission for the development in July 2024, a decision appealed by Mr Crocker, with some opponents in the village raising funds for representation

at the hearing. However, after hearing evidence on April 8 in Dorchester, planning inspector Jonathan Bore allowed the appeal, meaning the development can go ahead. As a result, the decision said, “full planning permission is granted for a mixed-use development on land west of Church Hill to erect a food store with café, plus office space and two flats above; to erect a building for mixed commercial, business and service uses, to form vehicular and pedestrian accesses and parking; to form a parking area for St Gregory’s Church and St Gregory’s

www.beaminstersheds.co.uk 01308 861144 info@beaminstersheds.co.uk

Primary School; to carry out landscaping works and associated engineering operations; and to demolish redundant agricultural buildings”. It added: “Outline planning permission is granted for the erection of up to 120 dwellings on land off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane, with all matters reserved except for access; at land West of Church Hill and land Off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane,

Marnhull”. The inspector’s decision said there were two ‘main issues’ in the case; whether Marnhull is an appropriate location for the development, and the impact on the character and appearance of the village. Mr Bore wrote in his conclusion: “The position is one of very high identified housing need. There is no up to date spatial strategy that responds to this position, no up to date policy that establishes the

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Gear up for May Half Term

amounts of development to be than simply a housing extension apportioned to different to the village,” he said. locations in the light of “It would help to retain trips this need, and no prospect within Marnhull, and this that a new local plan will be together with the improvements adopted until 2027. to the footpath network would “The position is serious. The encourage walking rather than scheme would provide much the use of the motor vehicle.” needed housing, including The impact on transport and affordable housing, against this traffic “would not result in an background.” unacceptable impact on He said the “scale of both the highway safety, or severe ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISING FEATURE housing development and the residual cumulative impacts on his May Half Term, gear up for a thrilling motoring adventure at retailhis andMay commercial parts road network”, added. at Half Term, gearofup for the a thrilling motoring he adventure Haynes Motor Museum. Hayneswould Motornot Museum. the scheme be out of “It must be stressed that this Enjoy a jam-packed line-up of family-friendly activities, including family character Marnhull”. decision has been reached Enjoy awith jam-packed line-up of family-friendly activities, includingonfamily trails, Scalextric racing and outdoor car displays. “Part of Church Hilland would basis of a level balance of trails, Scalextric racing outdoor carthe displays. Watch automotive history come to life as Museum vehicles take part in Watchmore automotive history but come to life as Museum vehicles takeand partthe in become commercial planning considerations daily outdoor displays. Showcasing cars from different eras and marques, daily outdoor displays. Showcasing cars from different eras and of marques, the straightforward merits the this offers a unique opportunity to get up close and maybe even sit in some this offers a unique opportunity to get up close and maybe even sit in some character of the great proposal,” Mr Bore concluded. of these iconic cars. of these iconic majority of thecars. village would be After the decision was Race past Somerset’s most famous landmarks - from Glastonbury’s Race past Somerset’s most famous landmarks - from Glastonbury’s unaffected,” he went on. issued, MP Simon Hoare Pyramid Stage to Cheddar Gorge - on the exclusive Somerset-themed Pyramid Stage to Cheddar Gorge - on the exclusive Somerset-themed Scalextric track. Mr Bore also highlighted (Conservative, North Dorset), Scalextric track. Journey through history on the ‘Go! Go! Go!’ family trail and discover how the scheme would “provide reiterated his previous Journey through history on the ‘Go! Go! Go!’ family trail and discover a series of motorsport vehicles, from royal go-karts to F1 cars. Answer aauseful range of facilities opposition to the scheme, series of motorsport vehicles, from royal go-karts to F1 cars. Answer walkable the whole saying he was “very exhibits. questions and learn fun facts as you wind through the Museum’s exhibits. questions from and learn fun facts as you wind through the Museum’s Don’t miss the updated Williams Racing F1 exhibition, featuring new village”. disappointed”. Don’t miss the updated Williams Racing F1 exhibition, featuring new cars, fresh stories and interactive exhibits, plus let the kids run wild in the “Along with the continue to believe the cars, fresh stories andproposed interactive exhibits,“Iplus let the kids run wildthat in the motoring-themed play area. motoring-themed area. housing, it wouldplay have the proposal is out of scale for the Enjoy a full day of fun, history and hands-on learning at Haynes Motor Enjoy a full day of fun, learning Haynes Motor advantage of creating a history and hands-on siting, needs andatcharacter of Museum this May Half Term – an experience that will leave the whole Museum this May Half Term – an experience that will balanced development rather the village,” heleave said.the whole family revved up and ready for more! family revved up and ready for more!

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

Art with a heart SNAP up original art in an online auction raising money for a charity dedicated to patients having treatment for cancer. Treatment Bag, based in Wincanton, delivers bags packed with hand-wrapped treats – from Pukka Tea, True Grace and Bramley lotions and potions, Saskia’s Flower essences, Chocolate and Love, Clinisept, La Roche-Posay and many more – to chemotherapy patients. Volunteers donate bags to seven NHS hospitals a month, including Yeovil, Salisbury and Taunton. Bags can also be bought online at www. treatmentbag.co.uk and delivered to patients anywhere in the UK. The charity’s story began when one of its trustees was in hospital having chemotherapy. In walked a fruit farmer laden with carrier bags full of apples. He handed a bag to each patient

e l a V

before settling down for his own treatment. “The atmosphere in the room was transformed as everyone felt the support, love and hope from this act of kindness,” they explained. The charity’s aim is to replicate that feeling for each patient who receives a bag via the wonderful nurses who hand them out during treatment. From 10am on May 7 until May 14, an online auction of artworks from 100 different artists, including some famous names, will be live at www. galabid.com/perfectly-formed. Last year’s auction raised £10,000, and featured artists including Rob & Nick, Luke Piper and Flora Roberts. Each piece of art is donated anonymously and prices start at £55, so you could bag yourself a masterpiece for a fraction of the price it might sell for in a gallery.

blackmorevale.net

Christian Aid Week

THE Shaftesbury Area Christian Committee is highlighting Christian Aid Week, which runs next week from May 11-17. Chair, Sue Ballett, said: “Christian Aid has more than 70 years’ experience of working in partnership to support communities to live and thrive. “It tackles the root causes of poverty so that men, women and children the world over are strengthened against future knocks and, if disasters strike, people get the help they need straight away. “Money raised during Christian Aid Week enables the organisation to continue this vital work.” Donations can be made via churches or online at www. christianaid.org.uk.

Healing herbs: talk and lunch A HERBAL medicine and homeopathy talk will be held to raise money for the upkeep of All Saints church in Fifehead Neville. The talk, which includes a vegetarian lunch, will be given

by registered medical herbalist Luzia Barclay at 12.30pm on May 20 at Fifehead Neville Village Hall (DT10 2AL). Tickets are £25 from Janet Mackinnon 01258 863516 or Rose Joly 07484 914528.

Improving East Stour’s water supply East Stour water supply improvements – Phase two B3 09 2

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.

Tuesday 20 May – Monday 30 June 2025

Br o

Lane ns w

Village Hall

Safety zone and area of work; Access maintained for residents of Candleford and Grosvenor

) 92 30 (B

East Stour

eet Front Str Front Street (A3 0)

Kings Arms Inn

Fernl Hil

(A30)

Tuesday 20 May – Monday 30 June 2025

Hill chey Scot

Our team will be working hard to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and we’re also working closely with local businesses, including the King’s Arms, at the junction of Common Lane and the A30, ensuring that they remain very much open to their customers throughout this period.

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L New

This will involve a further section of multi-way traffic lights on Front Street (A30) and Common Lane in East Stour between Tuesday 20 May and Friday 30 June, while we carry out this project.

Bac kS tr ee t

As part of this improvement drive, we’re carrying out essential work on Front Street (A30) in East Stour during May and June.

Commo

Multi-way traffic lights on Front Street (A30), at the junctions with New Lane and Common Lane; Access maintained for residents and Kings Arms Inn remains open for business

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.

www.wessexwater.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Children learn with community support

PUPILS at Witchampton First School brought stories to life when they baked their own gingerbread men. The activity was part of this term’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ theme. Children in Hedgehogs Class have been reading a variety of traditional tales. This week was the turn of The Gingerbread Man and what better way to learn about the story than to make some gingerbread men in class.

Summer fun

They needed to buy the ingredients first, so the children walked to the Witchampton community shop. Once they had sourced all the ingredients they needed to bake their gingerbread men, the pupils returned to school to show off their baking skills. Executive Headteacher at Witchampton First School, Sharon Staddon, said: “The children were very well behaved as they studied the shelves at our community shop, showing our Witchampton First School values of respect as they thanked the shopkeepers for their help and hard work. “Thank you to our wonderful Witchampton community shop volunteers for welcoming us so warmly – we are already planning our next visit!”

A SUMMER fair makes the most of Bryanston School’s beautiful house and gardens. The Wessex Event Company is holding its fourth summer fair at Bryanston on the weekend of May 24-25. It promises a host of artisan foods, crafts, plants and garden furniture for sale. There are two street food areas, offering pizzas, bratwurst, Thai food, falafels, Dorset lamb burgers, hot potatoes, barbecue, Tibetan food, strawberries and prosecco, ice cream and crepes. Feeling thirsty? There’s also coffee, tea, soft drinks or something slightly stronger from the fair’s bar. Entertainment includes foraging, willow weaving and flower arranging workshops. There will also be the ever-popular falconry displays and classic cars Children's entertainments include a climbing wall, cave, bouncy castle, rides, games, face painting, a circus skills workshop on both days, Magic Man, Rugby Tots, Craft Area, Alpaca walking and meet the Disney Princesses and Superheroes. Entry is £4 for adults, £3.50 for concessions, with children under 16 £1.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Cooking up a storm THE Friendly Food Club is offering men of all ages the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills at a free, menonly cooking group, starting in Sherborne this month. Breakfast and Banter will run in conjunction with Sherborne Food Bank on Wednesdays for six weeks at West End Hall, in Littlefield, with all ingredients, equipment and utensils provided. Friendly Food Club tutor and chef, Dr George Petry, said: “Having talked with men attending Sherborne Food Bank, Sherborne Men’s Shed and other local groups, we know that many guys, and especially older men, would like to be more confident in cooking. “Reasons for a lack of cooking experience can be generational, cultural or just down to feelings of selfconsciousness. Some men may already cook but would simply

like more knowledge. “Whatever they are looking for, we are looking forward to welcoming them to enjoy some easy and enjoyable cooking, set at a relaxed pace, with demos on how to prepare fresh, inexpensive ingredients before cooking them into a healthy and nutritious meal.” Sally Baxter, depot manager at Sherborne Food Bank, said: “We often get told by our male older clients they simply haven’t picked up cooking knowledge. “In other cases, people have suddenly found themselves having to cook for themselves – perhaps because they are widowers, unexpected carers or now live alone.” The Friendly Food Club charity provides fun, friendly and free cooking programmes for adults, families and children across Dorset. As with all sessions,

participants at the men’s group will be encouraged to sit and eat what they cook with their fellow group members. George said: “We hope people will stay, eat and chat. Our sessions are very sociable, as well as being guaranteed to widen your culinary horizons.” Breakfast and Banter is funded by Communities Against Cancer and will cover healthy eating and cooking for health conditions, with the aim of also breaking down barriers about NHS cancer screening programmes. Friendly Food Club chief executive, Liz Guilmant-Cush, said: “We hope this will be the first of many new and free

cooking courses in Dorset available to men and would like to hear from organisations and companies interested in funding sessions in their own communities.” Sessions are on Wednesdays at 9.30am, at West End Community Hall, in Littlefield, Sherborne, and people can book by calling 01202 057100 or via www.thefriendlyfoodclub.org.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Gillingham community support Memory Gillingham community support Memory Cafe relaunch ADVERTISING FEATURE Cafe relaunch ADVERTISING FEATURE

The free events run every Thursday from 10 – 11am in the home’s The Brook community space, welcoming people living with dementia and their loved ones. The sessions offer a warm, friendly environment with support from Dementia Friendly Gillingham.

he Gillingham community gathered to celebrate the relaunch of Fern Brook Lodge’s weekly Memory Café sessions, now held in partnership with Age UK North, South and West Dorset.

The re-launch event was attended by the Mayor of Gillingham Cllr Roger Weeks, alongside Terri Lewis (CEO of Age UK North, South and West Dorset), Simon Bird (CEO of Care South), and Deb Wiltshire, Home Manager of Fern Brook Lodge.

PHOTO: George Jeans, Mere

South and West Dorset, expert Q&As, and engaging activities to promote social interaction.

educator William Barnes. Fern Brook Lodge, which is Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson performed in the part of the not-for-profit charity production, sponsored by the Friends of St Michael’s. Care South, offers residential, The event raised funds for the William Barnes Society, respite,needs and dementia which £35,000 care, to create an archive of Barnes’ work.

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of the not-for-profit charity Care South, offers residential, respite, and dementia care, supported by a full daily activities programme.

Throughout the year, the event will feature Maintenance Throughout the year, the event will feature Maintenance Celebrating Barnes Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) led by Age UK North, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) led by Age UK North, South and West Dorset, expert ST MICHAEL'S Church in Mere was the venue for a Q&As, and engaging activities celebration of Dorset poet, philologist, clergyman and to promote social interaction.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Back in the saddle THE RAC Saddle Club at Bovington has been hosting the wives of six members of the Armed Forces on a two-day equestrian camp. They were visiting with Forces Wives Challenge (FWC), which aims to give military spouses the chance to take part in challenges and connect with others who know what it is like to have a partner in the military. The women were aged from 29 to 51 and came from across the UK, including Dorset and Wiltshire. One of the group, Steph Quintrell, who has been in a wheelchair since 2019 due to a neurological condition, said the equestrian camp was the first of its kind for FWC. “It’s proving to be an exciting and transformative experience,” she said. FWC activities were more than just fun, she added, they were designed to stretch participants mentally and physically. “We don’t just offer spa days – we offer real challenges that help women build confidence, connect and support each other,” she said. The lifestyle for military wives can be

both rewarding and challenging, as moving every two to four years is a reality for many, with spouses deployed for months at a time. Harad, one of the participants, said: “I don’t live on a base, so I don’t often meet other military wives who understand what it’s like. “But coming here, I’ve found a sense of community. “It’s so comforting to meet women who I’ve never met before but who truly understand military life.” The RAC Saddle Club charity allowed the women to take part in activities from dressage and jumping, to hacking and cross-country riding. Rebecca, another member of the group, said: “The opportunity to meet other military wives and connect over something as wonderful as horses has been incredible. “Everyone is so friendly, and it’s amazing to be able to ride some great horses and use these fantastic facilities from the clubhouse to the many arenas.” Anja, another participant, said: “Our husbands get these types of adventures all

by TV’s Clive Attrell from ITV and BBC Television Clive has a well-established and successful antiques warehouse on the High Street in Hastings Old Town. You may also recognise him from Dickinson’s Real Deal, on which he was an appraiser for over two years, and numerous other television productions. Clive is always in the area and FREE private/home valuations are available by appointment.

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the time, but it’s brilliant to have our own!” FWC is a social enterprise formed in 2019, with a membership of more than 2,000 women and runs adventures and challenges in the UK and abroad. Last year it hosted 20 challenges, and this year has 30 scheduled.

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Mon 9th June (AM) RINGWOOD

Members of Forces Wives Challenge on their visit to the RAC Saddle Club at Bovington

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

News

blackmorevale.net

Rising to the challenge STUDENTS at Milton Abbey School at Milton Abbas have raised £8,900 with more money to come in by taking part in an Oceans Seven Challenge and Peaks Challenge. The money will go to two charities the youngsters have chosen, Tiny Miracles and Project Planet Earth, and the school’s 75th fund. More than 100 students and

staff took part in the challenges, held over one day. In the swim challenge, 27 team members swam more than 9,840 lengths (246km) from 8am to 9pm. Lower-sixth student Leila P swam 600 lengths, Mrs Burg completed 15km and Mr Hanney, head of swimming, completed 20km. Mr Hanney said: “What a

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pleasure it was to be involved in another fantastic challenge with the students. “It was amazing to see so many pushing themselves to achieve something special.” The Peaks Challenge was a gruelling 7km or 12km run in the area around the school, including climbs up Bulbarrow Hill, Bogey, King Eddie’s Drive and The Shute.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Events

blackmorevale.net

New this year at the Bryanston Summer Fair ADVERTISING FEATURE

he Wessex Event Company are delighted to be holding our 4th Summer Fair in the beautiful house and grounds at Bryanston School on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May this year.

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WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS AND CHLDREN We will be running 3 workshops on each day led by experts .

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Homeopathy Talk with Vegetarian Lunch

CHILDREN’S CHOCOLATE LOLLY MAKING – Laura from Levoco Chocolate wilt be helping children to cover and decorate their lolly. FLOWER ARRANGING - Allison Finch member of the South West and IOW Flower Arranging Society. As places will be limited to 20 participants at each workshop, to reserve your place contact Lindsey on 07519760215.

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By Luzia Barclay DBTh MIRCH Registered Medical Herbalist By Carol Sanders Homeopath

20th May 12:30 Fifehead Neville Village Hall, DT10 2AL Tickets £25 from Janet Mackinnon 01258 863516 Rose Joly 07484 914528 Raising funds for upkeep of All Saints Church, Fifehead Neville

JUMBLE and PLANT SALE On Sat 10th May at 10.00 - 12.30 in Melbury Abbas Village Hall SP70DB EXHIBITION Through the Garden Gate by Dawn Thomson. 14-20 May at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, Bell Street, Shaftesbury. Free entry. COFFEE MORNING AND PLANT SALE, Saturday 10th May at 9.30am. Bruton Community Hall, Celebrating 100 years of Bruton & District Horticultural Society Place your classified advert today CLASSIFIED

01963 400186

24th & 25th May 10am - 5pm Admission

Adults £4.00 | Concessions £3.50 | Under 16’s £1.00

Adults £4.00

www.thewessexeventcompany.co.uk

Concessions £3.50

Under 16’s £1.00

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Events

blackmorevale.net JUMBLE SALE WITH PLANTS, cakes and refreshments. Stower Provost School SP8 5LX, 17th May 9.30am 50p entry, all welcome! TACK TABLE TOP SALE, 10th May Damerham Hall SP6 3HU, Sellers 10am £10 a table,book, info@ damerham.org, Buyers 11am £1, Refreshments RAFA SLESSOR CLUB, Sherborne. Special AGM on Tuesday 13th May 8-00pm to elect a new Chairperson. All Members are asked to attend. STOURPAINE, SATURDAY 17 MAY, 10am to 4pm, plant sale 10 – 12, BBQ and limited bar 12 – 4, free french boules, 12 onwards, come and join us in Stourpaine at our village hall for a day of plants and petanque. DT11 8TJ PHEONIX MEDIEVAL SOCIETY presents Templecombe International Medieval Pageant. 31st May - 1st June, 10.30am - 5pm. In Loving Memory of Geoff Wilson and Devon Wyatt. Family (2+2) £26. Adult £10. Child/OAP £7. Use post code BA8 0JX GARAGE SALE 11-05-25 10am-3pm. Gardening tools, household goods, nuts, bolts and screws, wood, wool and cushions, model tractors. 24 Downsview Drive, Gillingham, SP8 4RL.

A Talk by David Beaton

Dorset Heroines

Milton-on-Stour Church Friday 23rd May 7.00 for 7:30 p.m. Join us for 350 years of colourful Dorset history.

Free admission but donations welcome. Refreshments & Prize Draw. Parking is available at Milton School.

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull Royal British Legion DT10 1HR on May 19th. Eyes down 7pm. EARLY SUMMER GOOD AS NEW CLOTHES SALE Tuesday 13th May 10am7pm at The Tithe Barn Hinton St Mary Sturminster Newton, DT10 1NA. Entry £5. Refreshments available, please bring a friend. 100% of proceeds donated to the Weldmar Hospice Care. SILTON PLANT SALE Summer Bedding, Perennial & Herbaceous Plants Vegetable Plants & Seedlings, House Plants Produce & Bric-a-brac Stalls & Refreshments Saturday 17th May 10a.m. to noon. Silton Village Hall, Silton, Dorset SP8 5PN (signed from B3092 between Milton-on-Stour & Bourton)

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7.00pm AT STALBRIDGE HALL

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TICKETS: MILLFARMDORSET.COM/EVENTS/FOLKFESTIVAL25 EARLYBIRD FROM £18 ADULT / £8 CHILD (U17’S) £40 FAMILY TICKET / U5’S FREE

SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2025

Hawkers Farm Stour Provost SP8 5LZ

Promoting a local clothing culture - Fibre Growers - Makers - Vintage garments - Haberdashery - Workshops - Talks

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th May

Tickets £5 For tickets and info visit:

www.hawkersfarm.org/defashion-dorset

Lets Eat Cake!

ALL WELCOME

for St Mary’s Church

Sunnyhill Campsite & The Jolly Farmer Bar

There will be a cake event on St Mary’s Church Hall (behind the church) on

stal.hall@outlook.com

welcomes

LOCALS & CAMPERS 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

Sturminster Newton

Saturday, 24th May, 10.30 to 12.30

to raise money for the repair of the stone work round parts of the East Windows, behind the altar. This will cost a minimum of £20,000. Refreshments and cake will be provided. There will be a selection of home-made cakes and many types of edible items available for you to choose. Please give generously, as all proceeds will go towards the repairs. Please come, enjoy the morning and help us to raise funds for St Mary’s in Sturminster Newton.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Letters

blackmorevale.net

10-point plan for business AT full council on Thursday, May 15, we shall be calling on Dorset Council to increase support for our beleaguered Dorset businesses. Low growth sits behind almost all our national public policy challenges. But it is of acute concern at council level, too. The health of our local economy affects our tax base, our ability to pay for the services residents care the most about and the overall vibrancy of life in our county. We know that many of the levers that exist to improve our economic performance are out of the council’s hands. But we strongly believe there is more we can be doing at a local level. With the support of Conservative councillors from across north Dorset, we will seek to place economic growth at the heart of council decision making and give local businesses the recognition they deserve in policy. The council will be asked to commit to a 10-point plan which will include a strategy for business rates to help grow the number of businesses in the area, speeding up the regeneration of our market

towns and ensuring that planning policy supports economic growth. Dorset Council must recognise that there is a moral as well as an economic case for economic growth. If adopted, this motion will represent a clear declaration of intent by Dorset Council to better support local business in the face of unprecedented challenges. Cllrs Simon Gibson and James Vitali Dorset Council members for Verwood, and Stalbridge and Marnhull Wards

Roadside rubbish: Time for action

I WAS pleased to see the article by Ruth Kimber – New Blackmore Vale, April 11. I wrote to the Conservative government for 14 years and now Labour to try to do something about the state of our roadside. They all ignore the issue. Surely, we need a national approach through social media and town councils and cities. It looks like we live in the Developing World, not the First World.

READER’S PICTURE New Blackmore Vale reader Tim Balmer sent in this photo of a red kite he took recently in north Dorset. He says the birds are becoming more widespread, perhaps even common, in the area

The highways department and local councils fail to do their jobs. We need to encourage people to take litter home and respect the countryside. What can we do to bring about change? Can we start by taking the lead in Dorset? Can you help? Carrie Harvey Via email

Call for help finding relative

I AM trying to find out any information about my second cousin, David Brewer. He was born, I believe, in the 1950s. Does anyone know of him or of his whereabouts? I believe he moved from Mere to Gillingham some years ago. David’s parents were Peter and Joan, who managed the Talbot Hotel, now returned to the George. Any help or leads in my quest to find David would be gratefully appreciated. Paul Brewer Ipswich Phone 01473 831962 or 07759 257491, or email paulbrewer55@gmail.com.

Cruel practices of shooting industry

I WOULD like to draw New Blackmore Vale readers’ attention to the cruel and destructive practices of the shooting industry. The caged breeding of ‘game’ birds to provide more birds to be shot for ‘sport’ is cruel and takes place on an industrial scale. Breeding birds are trapped in cramped conditions for most of their lives, resulting in unimaginable injury and stress, all to lay eggs for the shooting industry. The hatched birds then live in miserable pens before being released and killed for sport. Most are then dumped or

incinerated, with only a tiny fraction entering the food chain. How can this be right? There is widespread public backing for making these practices illegal. National polling commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports and conducted by Survation found that 75% of the UK public thinks the use of cages to breed game birds should be made illegal. The people of the UK agree we need to eliminate this practice. Instead of releasing millions of non-native birds to be shot, we should be looking after local wildlife and the natural environment. Caged breeding of game birds is just the start of the industrial-scale cruelty in the name of sport. It’s time for change. I am joining Dame Joanna Lumley, League Against Cruel Sports and Compassion in World Farming in calling an end to these practices now. Sign the petition now: Google ‘Joanna Lumley and Caged Breeding’. Sandra Heron Via email

Thoughts on second homes

PEOPLE regularly moan about empty second homes in holiday locations but if those homeowners put their properties up for sale it needs someone with the money to buy them. Unless the housing market suffers an incredible drop, it still needs people in work with sizeable deposits to buy those properties. If those second homeowners stop visiting these holiday locations, then businesses will close or make redundancies, so that reduces the number of people who can afford to buy a house. It is a tough old world, and it is better if communities are prosperous. Nick Smith via email

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

blackmorevale.net

Miners’ Mass festival finale ICONIC Anglo-Chilean band Quimantú is collaborating with community singers from Dorset choirs to perform Misa de los Mineros – The Miners’ Mass – in concerts across the county. The debut concert in Blandford Parish Church in April featured the singers of Palida Choir and Shaftesbury School Choir. The second concert in the series features Dorchester’s Cloud 9 Chorus, and takes place in Cerne Abbas Church on Sunday, May 11, and will be the finale event of the Cerne Giant Festival. Specially programmed repertoire for the second half will reflect the festival’s celebration of ‘humanity in the landscape’ and will feature songs from Cloud 9 Chorus, led

by Kathie Prince. The Misa de los Mineros is a powerful musical piece, fusing elements of British culture with profound Latin American roots. It was composed by Mauricio Venegas-Astorga, who fled Chile during the Pinochet regime five decades ago and made the UK his home. The Miners’ Mass was conceived as a prayer of the coal miners in Chile, who cried out for dignity and light amid the darkness of the underground tunnels. In its new symphonic choral version from 2023, it is a plea for justice and humanity. The concert at St Mary’s Church gets under way at 6pm – for tickets and more information, visit www. artsreach.co.uk.

Folk duo journey back in time... US songwriter/author David Berkeley and British songwriter/producer Ben Parker are the men beneath the hats of the transatlantic folk duo, Sons of Town Hall, who are coming to Dorset. The pair conjure their timeless mythic universe under the aliases Josiah Chester Jones and George Ulysses Brown, 19th-century vagabonds who travel the world in a hand-built boat to escape troubled pasts and search for adventure and love. Weaving wild stories between heart-breaking and rousing songs, Sons of Town Hall take audiences on an imaginative voyage complete with Victorian-era costumes, sing-alongs and meditations about the seafaring life.

Sons of Town Hall

Sons of Town Hall are billed as a treat for fans of Simon and Garfunkel, Tom Waits and Monty Python. They are visiting Dorset with rural arts charity Artsreach as part of a UK tour and are at Broadwindsor Comrades Hall on Friday, May 23, and Langton Matravers Village Hall on Saturday, May 24, both at 7.30pm. Full details and tickets can be found at www.artsreach.co.uk.

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KIN OU G W E B SR ITE

CLOUDBUSTING: THE MUSIC OF KATE BUSH Saturday 10th May 7.30pm Tickets £25 Last seats remain

ZZ TOPP’D: AFTOURBURNER

Saturday 17th May 7.30pm Tickets £21

THE PENGUIN LESSONS

12th & 13th May 7.30pm Matinees 14th May 1.30pm & 15th May 11.30am Adult: £9.00 £8.00 Matinee Under 16s: £7.00

OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH (PG)

19th May 7.30pm Matinees 20th May 2pm & 21st May 1pm Tickets Adult: £9: Evening £8: Matinee Under 16s: £7

CHRIS JAGGER

Wednesday 14th May 7.30pm Tickets £20

WIMBORNE DRAMA PRODUCTIONS PRESENT: CALENDAR GIRLS BY TIM FIRTH

Thursday 22nd Saturday 24th May 7.30pm, Matinee Saturday 24th May 2.30pm Tickets: £18.50 eve / £16.50 Matinee 1 in 10 free all performances (available via Box Office only)

PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KING IT’S A BEAUTIFUL O U R NOISE W E B SSTEVENS WITH FISHER ITE Tribute to Neil Diamond Thursday 15th May 7.30pm Tickets £28.50

ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK: THE VERY BEST OF STING

Wednesday 28th May 7.30pm Tickets: £25

PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KIN OU G W E B SR ITE

TALON: THE ACOUSTIC COLLECTION

Friday 16th May 7.30pm Tickets £20

BOBBY DAVRO: OVER 18’S ONLY

Thursday 29th May 7.30pm £29.50/£27.50 Concessions 1 in 10 free availble (via Box Office only)

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

blackmorevale.net

Author’s battle to save the swift CONSERVATIONIST, bird lover and author Hannah Bourne-Taylor will give a talk at The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury next week. Hannah is seeking to save the swift and is founder of The Feather Speech, a campaign to make swift bricks compulsory in the construction of new houses. She has also lobbied, campaigned and even walked naked – with strategically placed artwork swifts – through the streets of London, twice, to place the plight of the swift on the government’s doorstep. Her latest book, Nature Needs You, offers a deep dive into the highs and lows of trying to win hearts and minds in a fight to save swifts from extinction. It was described by The Observer as ‘Intelligent, poetic

and moving’ and has received praise from many within the conservation field. Local author, Keggie Carew, said: ‘‘This book might make you scream. It is the story of a fight that started with a promise to a small bird. It is about bird spirit and the spirit of a very singular human. Hannah Bourne-Taylor has a searing eye for both truth and charlatans.” Shaftesbury Book Festival’s ‘interim year’ event, An Evening with Hannah BourneTaylor, is on Monday (May 12) at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 – concessions £5 – and booking is essential. Find more information at www. shaftesburybookfestival.com. The main festival, held every two years, will return in March 2026.

Hannah Bourne-Taylor, The Feather Speech’s official campaign portrait PHOTO: Tim Flach

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

On the beat with a man of many talents

Bagpipe band are hot stuff! THE Red Hot Chilli Pipers stormed the Glastonbury Festival last year and are back in Somerset again next week at the Cheese & Grain in Frome. The band – pictured – formed in 2002, had a cameo appearance at T in the Park with The Darkness in 2004 and opened the main stage in 2014. They are billed as “The most

famous bagpipe band on the planet...ever!” and promise “bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show that leaves people with warm hearts and smiles on their faces.” The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, with the Red Hot Chilli Dancers, visit Frome on Friday, May 16.

POET, author, actor, director, broadcaster and screenwriter Leo Aylen will be appearing at The Sherborne – the newly restored arthouse at the top of Cheap Street – next week. Leo, who lives near Sherborne, will be performing his show of jokes, stories and poems called Why I Am Not a Policeman. The show springs from his friendship with a jolly police officer who never arrested anyone but stopped riots in the street by cracking jokes and telling stories. Leo was born in 1935 in Zululand, South Africa, where his father served as a bishop. He went on to attend New College, Oxford, and later earned a PhD in drama

from the University of Bristol. His literary career includes nine poetry collections and his work has been broadcast extensively on BBC Radio and international platforms. He has performed his one-person poetry shows at venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and taken his performances to schools, prisons and Zulu communities in apartheid-era South Africa. He has also written and directed 15 films for the BBC and ITV. Leo is at The Sherborne on Thursday, May 15, at 6pm – for tickets, visit its website and click on the events page.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net

Folk-rock legends still going strong LEGENDARY folk-rockers Steeleye Span are stopping off in Dorchester on a UK tour next weekend. The band formed in 1969 and changed the face of folk music, taking it out of small clubs and into the world of gold discs and international tours. Their pioneering debut album Hark! The Village Wait set out the blueprint for folkrock. Band members have come and gone over the years but the line up for this tour is founding member Maddy Prior, Liam Genockey, Julian Littman,

Arts & Entertainment

Roger Carey, Andrew ‘Spud’ Sinclair and the latest and most glamorous addition, Athena Octavia – part of indie folk band Iris & Steel and an acclaimed classical violinist. Steeleye Span’s last release, The Green Man Collection, brought together tracks from their previous albums along with new versions of three of the band’s classics, including a reworking of Hard Times featuring Status

Quo’s Francis Rossi, and a cover of Elvis Costello’s Shipbuilding. The title track, The Green Man, is by Bob Johnson – a member of the band throughout the 1970s and responsible for many of their classic ballads from the era.

The song, previously lost for 40 years, addressed climate change long before it became widely discussed. The new album, Conflict, will be available exclusively on the road during this tour. Steeleye Span are at The Hardye Theatre, Dorchester, on Saturday, May 17.

The South are set to visit the Electric Palace in Bridport

THE South – featuring former members of the British pop institution The Beautiful South – are back on the road again and coming to Bridport. The nine-piece include singer Alison Wheeler and sax player Gaz Birtles, who fronts the band with Alison, on vocal duties. They will play all the hits,

including number one single A Little Time, Perfect 10, Rotterdam, Song For Whoever, Old Red Eyes Is Back, Good as Gold, and Don’t Marry Her, plus other singles and album tracks, and a few choice The South originals. The South are at the Electric Palace in Bridport on Saturday, May 17.

Steeleye Span are playing The Hardye Theatre in Dorchester

Sounds of a British pop institution

‘Festival magic’ on a smaller scale THE Cursus Festival returns to Dorset on the spring bank holiday weekend later this month promising fantastic live music and good vibes. The established festival at Myncen Farm, near Blandford, has a capacity of just 500 people, making it a chilled and friendly event. Headliners are festival legends Dub Pistols and Mad Dog Mcrea, supported by Skimmity Hitchers, Carsick, Mad Apple Circus, The Great Malarkey, Imprints and more original acts. Children can enjoy a DIY

Den activity area, and a DJ tent, rural craft demonstrations, camp fire and tuk-tuk rides ensure a diverse and fun experience for old and young alike. Festival organiser, Kev Davis, said: “If you’re looking for a genuine festival experience without any of the hassles or expense of a major event, Cursus is the place to be! “Whatever your age or group size you will find a friendly welcome and plenty of festival magic.” The event runs from Friday to Sunday, May 23-25.

Cursus Festival headliners the Dub Pistols

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 BLACKMORE VALE

THE NEW

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Church • Anglican High Mass at Wimborne St Giles: First Sunday of each month at 11am. BH21 5LZ. • Blandford Methodist Church: Sundays – 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. • Chatty Café Scheme: Pear Tree Café, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Mondays 2pm3.45pm. • Cheap Street Church, Sherborne: Prayer time – 9.45am Thursday; Thought for the Day – 10.30am Thursday. Sunday service at 10.30am. Monday Music second Monday of the month at 6.15pm with a bring and share supper. Taizé Service second Sunday each month at 6.30pm – half an hour of prayer, meditation and music; further details from vicarlesley@outlook.com. Rendezvous Community Cuppa – third Monday each month, 10.30am-12.30pm; chat, ‘cuppa’ (£1) and cake (£2); support/ advice from local surgery, speak to a pharmacist, blood pressure checks and Age UK will attend;

blackmorevale.net all welcome; profits to Rendezvous. • Digby Memorial Church Hall: Parish of Sherborne with Castleton & St Paul’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), Sunday, May 11, 4pm. Mothers’ Union: Friday, May 23; 10.30am. Sherborne Quakers – meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room. For more information, phone Nick on 07870 192599. Children’s Choir – rehearses at the Almshouse on Mondays at 4pm. Contact charlie. gurnham@sherborne abbey.com, assistant director of music, to join, or just turn up. • Friends of Sherborne Abbey: Annual meeting in the abbey, Sunday, May 18, at 7pm for 7.15pm. Friends’ Evensong at 6pm and a short reception – drinks and nibbles – before the meeting. • 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 at 9.30am. • Longburton Village Café: In St James’s church. Tea, coffee – free refills – and cakes £2.50. Tuesdays, May 13 and 27, 10.30am-noon. • 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. • Milton-on-Stour Church: David Beaton will give a talk on Dorset Heroines on Friday, May 23, at 7pm for 7.30pm. Free admission but donations welcome; refreshments and prize draw; parking at Milton School. • 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. • 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. • Sherborne Abbey: Volunteer welcomers required to meet and greet visitors. Just one fixed hour a fortnight and training will be given. Anyone interested or who knows someone who might be, should contact Suzanne Short via the Parish Office or email suzanne.short@ sherborneabbey.com. • Sherborne Abbey: The abbey shop is looking for a volunteer shop assistant. Training will be given and the commitment is two hours a week, on a Saturday or every other Tuesday. For more information, email Chris.Hamon@ sherborneabbey.com. • St Gregory’s, Marnhull: Sunday services 8am and 10am. Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk. • 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 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. • Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, May 11: 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Family Service at All Saints Church, Tarrant Keynston; 4pm Reflective service at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall. Sunday, May 18: 9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. • Witchampton Church: Third Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Politics

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Big lesson from 10 years as an MP

BY the time you are reading this, I shall have served as your MP for a decade. Little did I know, back in 2015, just how eventful that decade would be. We have gone through fastchanging, tumultuous times. It remains the honour of my life to serve you and represent you in Parliament. I want to thank you for putting your faith in me to always do my best for you and North Dorset at the last four elections. I want to thank the North Dorset Conservative Association for concluding that my face fitted and selecting me to carry the Tory colours into battle. I want to thank the councillors, organisations, schools, businesses, charities and so many others who engage and work with me to help North Dorset. I want to thank my Parliamentary team for ensuring we keep the show on the road. Finally, I want to thank my wife, Kate, and our three

Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare wonderful daughters, for all their love, support and encouragement. Politics really is a team sport. If I have learned anything these last 10 years – and I have learned a lot – it is how we are governed that needs attention. Readers may remember that I wrote recently of my support for the disbanding of NHS

England. I was convinced it had to go when I heard it refuse successive Health Ministers’ requests to use the NHS logo on a peer-reviewed information leaflet giving advice to parents and carers of the signs to look out for in childhood cancers. The fact that officials could do so, and against such a public health benefiting campaign was perverse. The fact that Ministers could not overrule them was a travesty that needed correcting. Following a vote by all MPs in the Commons I was elected to chair the Public Administration & Constitutional Affairs Select Committee. We scrutinise, primarily the Cabinet Office, which, in turn, has oversight of what we used to call QUANGOs but are now Public or Arm’s Length bodies. My committee is embarking on a major piece of work to establish the benefit of these bodies over our daily lives and how they should be reformed.

There are so many of these bodies, which have grown up over the decades, that a recent Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office to find out how many existed could only be answered with an ‘as far as we are aware there are approximately’ type answer. This is simply not good enough. These bodies, such as Natural England, the Environment Agency, Homes England and Highways England cost a King’s ransom to run. Is value for money being achieved? Perhaps more importantly is how they have grown the gap between Ministers and Parliament and we MPs to hold them to account. Many have become a law unto themselves. Ministers feel frustrated and the public perplexed as to the overwhelming, unaccountable control they have over large portions of our lives. That has to change and change quickly.

constituency are living with high blood pressure – well above the national average of 14.4% and even higher than the south west regional figure of 15.7%. Men in particular are more likely to have high blood pressure, especially before the age of 65. This is something that’s too often missed – many of us don’t make time for regular health checks. But getting your blood pressure tested takes just a few minutes, and it could save your life. I’ve been encouraged by the work NHS Somerset and Somerset Council are doing locally. Their campaign is helping raise awareness and providing easy-to-understand advice about how and where to check your blood pressure. You can find more at www.

oursomerset.org.uk/workingtogether/blood-pressure. We need to make it easier for people to access checks – whether that’s through their GP, local pharmacy or mobile clinics at community events. Preventative care like this can reduce strain on the NHS and save lives. I’ll continue to push in Parliament for better access to basic health services across our part of Somerset. So, this May, let’s all take a moment to look after ourselves. Get your blood pressure checked. Eat well. Keep active. Cut down on salt and alcohol. These small steps make a big difference – not just for us, but for the people we love. Let’s help make South Somerset a healthier, happier place to live.

High blood pressure the ‘silent killer’

THIS month, I’m supporting May Measure Month – a global campaign focused on raising awareness about high blood pressure and encouraging people to get theirs checked. As someone who’s passionate about preventative healthcare, this is something I really believe in – and I’d encourage everyone in South Somerset to take part. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is sometimes called the ‘silent killer’. That’s because it often has no symptoms, yet it can lead to serious problems like strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease and even vascular dementia. It’s one of the biggest preventable health risks we face, and the earlier it’s spotted, the easier it is to manage – whether through

Lib Dem MP for Yeovil Adam Dance lifestyle changes or medication. Worryingly, new data shows that rates of high blood pressure in our area are above average. Figures from the House of Commons Library reveal that nearly 18% of adults in the Yeovil

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Politics

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Rwanda scheme was ditched in haste IT’S fair to say that Labour was overwhelmingly for remaining in the EU. It would have us back in a flash if it thought it could get away with it. Indeed, you can imagine the sorts of conversations Sir Keir is having with his European oppos at the moment. But Brussels’ rigidity on things like agrifood standards, fish and freedom of movement stand in the way. They are also potential roadblocks to securing more international trade deals, most proximately with the US. I am highly unlikely to support any measures that will damage UK farming and fisheries, a sector already hammered by this government. I’m also not going to tolerate the suborning of Parliament or our domestic

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison courts to EU institutions. For me, that ship sailed in 2016 – except, that is, among the North London chattering classes whose patron saint Sir

Keir is. With the good weather has come more illegal migration – record numbers, in fact. We now find other countries are looking at schemes that look suspiciously like the UK Rwanda scheme that Sir Keir ditched even before it had a chance to prove its worth or otherwise. What nonsense was that? A wiser man would have run it for a year or so to see if it worked. If it didn’t, he could have canned it and blamed his predecessor. As it is, Sir Keir must own the current record levels since he scrapped the only plan with a chance of reducing the numbers crossing the Channel. By the time this column is printed, the local government elections will be done. Wiltshire has been well run. It

is solvent, unlike other authorities. Rubbish is collected, unlike places like Birmingham. While it has contained council tax and discharged statutory functions such as social care at an independently verifiable decent level, it has still managed to find cash for discretionary things – the much-needed leisure centre in the county town, for example, on course to open next year. However, sadly, too many of the small numbers who turn out to vote for local councillors just see it as an opportunity to vent their spleen at national politics. That’s a real pity. Can I then take the opportunity to thank those who have served us as councillors and those who were prepared to put themselves up for election.

Zionism without qualification’ I’m not optimistic. As consumers we can play our part by boycotting Israeli goods on sale here, such as their fruit sold in our supermarkets. A small gesture perhaps, but better than doing nothing. Talking of doing nothing, I appreciate the difficulty of dealing with the economic legacy inherited from the Tories, but all too often it seems that government spending decisions are based purely on consideration of costs, with little regard for the benefits. There is also no apparent recognition that there are costs associated with failing to do something. A personal example is the £1,000 cost of repairs to my car’s suspension over the past three years, arising from the neglected state of many roads here in Dorset. A particularly short-sighted

cost-cutting demand, favoured by politicians chasing votes, is for net-zero plans to be either watered down or cancelled altogether. The claim is that we can’t afford it, but that completely ignores the benefits, as well as the costs of inaction. The benefits include homes that are warmer in winter and cheaper to live in, cars that are cheaper to drive and clean unpolluted air. The costs of inaction are illustrated by the town of Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire which has been flooded seven times in the last four years and suffered disruption and damage that took months to repair. The Government says it can’t afford the £30 million scheme that would prevent the town flooding again, as weather events become more extreme with the changing climate. Prevention is not only better than the cure, it is cheaper, too, in the long run.

Britain should be tougher on Israel AS the dust settles from this year’s local elections, it is hoped we’ll see better media coverage of a worsening humanitarian crisis in which the UK is shamefully complicit, namely the Israeli onslaught on Gaza. Nothing excused the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, which saw the taking of hostages and the deaths of 1,200 people, most of them civilians. Likewise, nothing excuses Israel’s subsequent ongoing assault that is destroying Gaza and reducing it to rubble. To date tens of thousands of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, have been slaughtered and maimed, with more now set to die of starvation as Israel is preventing humanitarian aid. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, journalists and international aid workers have also been killed, but in spite of it all, Britain is

Ken Huggins on behalf of the Green Party in North Dorset still failing to condemn Israel’s actions and is continuing to allow it to buy British made military hardware. Our government needs to do much more to prevent any British made equipment being supplied directly or indirectly to Israel, and to work towards a political settlement of the crisis. However, with Keir Starmer having stated that he ‘supports

SOMETHING TO SAY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Politics

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New housing must be ‘affordable’ I HOPE you had a wonderful Easter. We didn’t quite get the glorious sunshine I might have hoped for but at least it didn’t rain the whole time. Bradpole put together an Easter egg trail for the kids, which was great fun despite the drizzle, and Cerne Abbas did a brilliant job with an Easter egg hunt on the school playing field despite the mud. The sun did at least shine on the Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade, and I was proud to wear a hat fashioned by my extremely talented wife. There was a huge turnout, both participants and spectators, and I was hugely impressed by the amazing millinery on display from people of all ages. I also nipped in to the Dorset Food and Drink Festival at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, which had so many of our amazing local producers displaying. With local elections across the border in Devon fast

Lib Dem MP for West Dorset Edward Morello approaching, I spent some time supporting LibDem candidates in Sidmouth at the weekend. As well as visiting residents in Sherborne to hear their views on what improvements they would like to see in the town. I also had the opportunity to

meet the English Heritage team responsible for looking after Sherborne Old Castle. We discussed their plans to move to a ‘free to visit’ model and increase opening times. However, this will be reliant on them being able to recruit local volunteers interested in helping out. If it is something you might be interested in getting involved with, please get in touch with them directly. I visited Loop Technologies in Poundbury to see the UK’s largest industrial robot. Loop is a brilliant local success story manufacturing and exporting world-leading highly complex machinery to some of the biggest aerospace companies around the world. We discussed some of the barriers it faces and how I can help businesses like theirs continue to grow and stay in West Dorset. The Housing Minister, Baroness Taylor, visited Poundbury last week and I

joined the estate team and representatives from the Duchy to discuss responsible house building. With Labour’s housing target of 1.5 million, and Dorset earmarked a significant increase, it is incredibly important that where we do build new houses, we build good, sustainable, environmentally friendly, attractive and, most importantly, affordable houses. It is also vital that any development comes with the necessary infrastructure – GPs, schools, dentists – and doesn’t just increase the burden of already stretched services. Parliament returned from recess last week and one of my first jobs was to appear in front of the Backbench Business Committee to argue for Parliamentary time be given to debate the Government’s plans to cut international development aid. I’m delighted to report the committee has granted my request.

recently to hear about the benefits this relationship has made to their lives. These charities are not just providing services – they are offering a vital lifeline. That’s why I have repeatedly called on the Government to work more closely with grassroots organisations to ensure that no veteran is ever left behind. As an MP, I’m proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to ensure Parliamentary debate is informed on matters concerning the armed forces. It’s been a privilege to learn more about the Royal Navy’s important role and further my knowledge so I can better support armed forces personnel in my work. The world is an increasingly volatile place and our armed forces play the most critical role in our national security. The Liberal Democrats fully support

raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but this must be a minimum increase given the threats we face from a variety of international actors. In addition, I hope we will also see a rapid reversal of the Conservative Party’s short-sighted and irresponsible decision to cut our Armed Forces by 10,000 troops. So, as we honour those who fought in the Second World War, and those supporting veterans today, we must also look to the future. I’ll keep using my voice to champion our veterans and serving personnel in Parliament to ensure they receive the recognition and support they deserve. 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.

Proud to stand up for our veterans

YESTERDAY marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a seminal moment in our country’s history, and one I was glad to honour with a moment of solemn reflection and gratitude. This weekend, I’m looking forward to joining events around the constituency to mark the occasion. I am proud of our longstanding links to the Armed Forces – RNAS Yeovilton lies at the heart of the constituency, and 11.5% percent of households in Glastonbury and Somerton include at least one veteran. Since being elected, I’ve had the huge privilege of meeting many veterans and the organisations that support them. At a recent Got Your Six event, I met Hazel, a constituent who served in the army as a young woman in 1957. Listening to her story was truly inspiring. She epitomises the strength, resilience and humour so many

Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke of our veterans carry with them. Somerton-based charity, Service Dogs UK, is dedicated to supporting armed forces and emergency services veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and has matched rescue dogs with veterans across the region to help them move on with their lives. I was so pleased to meet veterans and their dogs

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Antiques & Collectibles

Brutalist brooch sold for £1,300 in auction

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, had some great results in its 20th Century & Modern Art sale. The highlight was a Dora Carrington (1893-1932) religious scene reverse painted on glass with foil detail which sold for a hammer price of £5,500. In the General Antiques & Collectors sale the highlight was a rare proof 1847 Queen Victoria gothic head one crown coin which made £5,500. In the Jewellery, Silver & Watches sale, a collection of Brutalist and mid-century gold jewellery included a gold Brutalist brooch set with emeralds and diamonds which

blackmorevale.net

Advertiser’s announcement

sold for £1,300, and an 18ct gold albert chain which made £3,800. This month’s auctions are General Antiques & Collectors on Thursday, May 29, and Jewellery, Silver & Watches on Friday, May 30. The catalogue will be available to view one week before the auction on Acreman’s two online platforms, Easyliveauction.com and Saleroom.com. Acreman holds 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 on the allocated days can phone or email to make an appointment – house visits can also be arranged if required. Acreman is also accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and can offer advice on items being considered for auction.

This Brutalist diamond and emerald brooch made a hammer price of £1,300

Photographs can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or visit the saleroom, 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.

ACREMAN ST. AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SHERBORNE

GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS Thursday 29th May 10am

Next Sale

JEWELLERY, SILVER & WATCHES

Asian Arts; Rugs, Carpets & Textiles; and Antique Furniture & Objects Saturday 17th May

Friday 30th May 10am

VIEWING

Wednesday 28th May 10am-4pm

For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website

Brutalist diamond & emerald brooch Hammer £1,300

Catalogue available to view through thesaleroom.com & Easyliveauction.com We are now accepting items for our May auctions For all enquiries please contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 auction@acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

A very rare ‘Girl in a Swing’ factory tea-caddy, circa 1752 (cover missing).

SOLD FOR £20,000

For free verbal valuations please contact Head Office & Salesrooms: Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury SP7 9AN 01747 855122 www.semleyauctioneers.com Offices in Semley, Wiltshire; Wimborne, Dorset; and South Kensington, London

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net

Advertiser’s announcement

Antiques & Collectibles

out Recent coin find Find what jewels may make £1,500 and watches

CLARKE’S Auctions is holding its May sale this weekend, starting on Friday, with a large single owner collection of air rifles, pistols, telescopic sights, gun cabinets and other shooting-related items. More than 150 lots of .77 and .22 rifles and pistols, and shooting-related items, are on offer, ideal for country pursuits and gun clubs. One of the interesting lots for sale on Saturday is a 14th century medieval gold Quarter Noble of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders. A local enthusiast found the coin, estimated to sell for £1,000-£1,500, near Milton Abbas in February. A pair of Victorian Derbyshire Blue John table

lamps is another interesting lot estimated to sell for £600£1,000. Blue John is one of the rarest minerals in the world, found only at Castleton in Derbyshire. Clarke’s furniture section features fine mid-20th century and later design furniture including stylish Scandinavian design and Tradition Fly furniture lounge chairs and two-seater sofa, a set of six Cox & Cox oak counter stools and a glass President desk by Gallotti & Radice. Other designer names include Orta, Nicky Cornell, Williams Sonoma Inc, Trioh, Julian Bowens and Oka. Enquiries about consignment into Clarke’s June 13-14 sale, should be made to Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592.

Clarke’s Auctions

Auctioneers & Valuers

Antiques && Collectibles Sale Antiques Collectables th & Saturday 10th May Friday Friday 9th9& Saturday 10th August Viewing Days

Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May

Colour catalogue available at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com An Omega Seamaster De Ville wristwatch. Estimate £300-£500.

An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600. Clarke’s Auctions offer free home visits and verbal valuations.

The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Now accepting items for this and future sales Road Gillingham, 4QF Park,Road Units 1 & 2Factory, KingsettleSP8 Business The Old Glove Buckingham Gillingham, SP8 4QF

01747 685592 01747 685592 01747 855109

enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

are worth

DUKE’S Auctioneers is offering a chance to have your items valued, free of charge, at its salerooms in Copper Street, Dorchester, next week. The confidential valuations could answer questions about the cost and quality of your jewellery and watches. Have you ever looked at a piece of jewellery or a beloved watch and found yourself wondering, ‘what’s this really worth?’. It’s a question that often lingers, whether it’s an inherited heirloom, a gift from a special occasion or something you’ve simply collected over time. Understanding the true value of these precious items can be informative for insurance purposes, estate planning or

Duke’s sold this Tompion and Banger silver pocket watch for £6,200, inclusive of buyer’s premium

even simply satisfying curiosity. Duke’s offers a discreet and complimentary opportunity to have those questions answered. On Monday, May 12, its Fine Art premises in Brewery Square, Dorchester, will host a confidential valuation day for jewellery and watches. This is a chance to have your treasured items assessed by experts in the field, without any obligation. Contact reception on 01305 265080 or at reception@ dukes-auctions.com to make an appointment.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Antiques & Collectibles

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Advertiser’s announcement

WANTED Classic Cars & Motorbikes For private collection Call 07885 373113 or 01278 431244 Graham

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01963 400186 | adverts@blackmorevale.net

WE BUY RECORDS, COLLECTIONS LARGE AND SMALL Call BILL 07967 816506 or 01747 811100 Email: bill@tunes.co.uk

Antique & Classic Clock Repairs & Restoration Longcase Clocks a speciality Antique Clock sales

Clocks Unlimited

Tel: (01935) 423233 Mobile: 07974 520545 bclocksunlimited@aol.com www.clocksunlimited.co.uk

15th May

29th May

16th May

The Moretonhampstead Motor Museum Dispersal Auction 15th & 16th May Viewing at the museum TA13 8LG Wednesday 14th May & sale days from 9am Full details & internet bidding on our website

Specialist Valuation Days

Rare commissioned Beswick racehorse valued by Charterhouse at £1,000

Racehorse set to be a winner A PORCELAIN racehorse with a jockey up, understood to be a unique piece of Beswick, is estimated to sell for £1,000 in the Charterhouse three-day auction of Beswick, Doulton, wine, port, whisky, coins, medals, militaria, stamps and other collectors’ items in Sherborne. “The market for some Beswick has softened over the past few years but this racehorse, almost certainly unique, has already attracted a good deal of interest,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house. The racehorse, understood to be called War Lace, was commissioned by its Somerset owner, Elizabeth Dudgeon,

from Beswick, around 1959-60. Mrs Dudgeon, who later married again, becoming Elizabeth Ellis, had the horse trained by Jim Ford of Wincanton. Further entries of Beswick, Doulton, wine, port, whisky, coins, medals, militaria, stamps and other collectors’ items are now being invited for this huge three-day auction on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 28, 29 and 30, at Charterhouse. Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, on 01935 812277 or via rb@charterhouse-auction. com.

Coins, Medals, Militaria & Stamps 12th Wine, Port & Whisky (bottles or cases) 13th Jewellery, Watches & Silver 14th Model Cars, Trains, Toys & Dolls 15th

Classic Motorcycle Auction 5th June Classic & Vintage Car Auction 26th June Further Entries Now Invited

The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 • www.charterhouse-auction.com

B/H Mon 26 May

www.grandmasatticfairs.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

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Take a fresh look at lovely lilacs by Sally Gregson ONCE no garden would have been without a lilac that flowered in spring, just like Ivor Novello’s song. At the turn of the last century and right up until the fifties, the cultivated form of Syringa vulgaris was everywhere. And now, quite suddenly, lilacs have fallen from favour. Possibly because Syringa vulgaris has a large but rather uninteresting presence for most of the summer. But the genus Syringa does deserve another look. Other species of lilac such as Syringa x meyeri ‘Palibin’ and S. persica, the Persian Lilac, are just as popular now as they ever were. The former makes a bushy shrub about 1-1.5m in height and width. It flowers very happily anywhere sunny in the garden, in most soils, perhaps with the exception of very acid, poorly draining clay.

Lilacs were once ubiquitous but have now fallen out of favour

It produces panicles of scented, lilac flowers. They are conical and pointed in shape and have an intense perfume. Syringa x persica is also a lover of full sun and rich but draining alkaline soil. Persian Lilacs are altogether daintier

than the usual large-flowered forms, with more attractive foliage. Whereas the Common Lilacs can reach 5-7m in height and probably in width if given space, this form grows to about 3-4m after 10 years. Many varieties of S. vulgaris

Making more lilacs: A step by step guide

by Sally Gregson CUTTINGS of some shrubs will root easily in a glass of water. We’ve all produced forests of willows and dogwoods. Others are considerably more tricky. Lilacs, unfortunately, are among the latter. So, it’s wise to take at least twice as many cuttings as you think you need at the outset. Then add a few more for good luck, if you can. Taking cuttings of the species lilacs, such as Syringa x meyeri and S. x persica, is best carried out during a brief window of opportunity after they have flowered. Lilacs make sideshoots below the flower-head, and it is this material that roots the best. Once the side shoots have made about 4-6cm of growth, and before they extend

It’s wise to take at least twice as many cutting as you think you’ll need as lilacs do not root easily

any longer, they can be detached from the main stem with finger and thumb, pulling down, leaving a ‘heel’ – a sliver of skin – on the end of the cutting. Try hard not to bend the cutting stem itself while detaching it. Take as many, and more, as you think you need, and lay them down on a clean

surface. Remove the tip of the shoot to prevent it wilting and detach the lower leaves without skinning the cutting. Now, fill a half-pot – recycled Chrysanthemum pots are the right size – with 50-50 mixed potting compost and grit. Tap the pot down to settle the contents.

in particular have a suckering habit, which can be off-putting. But if these suckers are cut down to below ground level, the tree will produce lots of new growth in the crown. Lilacs are relatively fastgrowing trees or large shrubs, making over 30cm of extension growth every year in the right conditions. A newly planted shrub or small tree may take a few years to settle down, reaching maturity after about 20 years. They are very long-lived, so it’s sensible to give a new, young lilac plenty of space to expand for over 10 years. Give it a feed in spring that is low in nitrogen, which tends to promote leafy growth only –and high in potash to encourage flowering. And your lilac will repay the effort with clouds of flowers with the scent of yesteryear. Dip each cutting in fresh hormone rooting powder – which is available online and should be less than six months old since opening. Push each cutting down around the edge of the pot into the rooting compost, then label the pot with the name and date, and the number of cuttings you took to help you ‘guesstimate’ next time. Water the cutting well, drain it and pop the pot into a plastic bag. Blow into it to deliver a dose of CO2 and keep the sides from touching the leaves, tie up the bag and put it somewhere shady. Keep an eye on the cuttings and open the bag once they have ‘perked up’. They can gradually be acclimatised to life on the greenhouse bench before potting them up and putting them outside. Re-pot them every spring for a year or two. They should be ready to plant out once they have grown enough to stand up for themselves in your garden.

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

blackmorevale.net

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

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GARDENING SERVICES AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE Lawn mowing, strimming, hedge cutting, etc. Contact Billy 07849 571742

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Welcome to Wooden Gate Makers! BEAUTIFUL WOODEN GATES & GARAGE DOORS

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WINDOWS & DOORS

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Wooden Gate Makers supply a wide variety of styles in both hardwood and softwood from our workshop in Poole, Dorset.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

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PRECISION FENCING & GATES • Installation • Repair • Maintenance Feel free to give us a call on 07355-295534 or email at Precision-fencing@hotmail.com

HUSSEY CARPET AND FLOORING, South Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AP Domestic and Commercial Carpets,Vinyl,Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate and Wood Flooring. Contact Chris Hussey 07885273470 husseyflooring@gmail.com

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Bedding and Basket Plants, 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.

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Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Home & Garden

blackmorevale.net Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication. DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123 / 07751 278363

M&AJ Landscaping

JACKS AFFORDABLE TREE CARE 07387-687037 LAWN MOWING SERVICES. Tel: 01747-821726 FOR MOWING AND STRIMMING, including large areas of short or long grass mulching. Call David on: 07786-658708

~ Fencing ~ Walling ~ Patios/Steps ~ Concreting/Tarmac ~ Tree work ~ Garden maintenance malcgin@hotmail.com 07399-521377

WELL ROTTED HORSE MANURE £60.00 a transit load. Contact Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502

To place a classified ad in the Local Services section email: adverts@blackmorevale.net

LOGS BLACKMORE VALE LOG SPLITTING AND CHIPPING - Your local mobile service 07760 469411

GOOD QUALITY SEASONED HARDWOOD for sale Barn-stored Any size of load. If you want anymore help contact Andy 07773-254174

TOM H GENERAL SERVICES All jobs considered, clearance work, mowing, cleaning, paperwork, DBS clear, TEL: 07584 622545

LES BENHAM

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OUTDOORS TREES R US Dorset.co.uk. Hedges, Patios, Turf & Fencing call Peter 07976-667130

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SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS £200 Transit Load £110 half load 01258-880892 07980-036250 LOGS R US Tipper Load £200 Half Tipper Load £100 dumpy bag £90 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Local Services

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ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL Book Online Damp Control Timber Treatments Dry Rot Condensation Control 30-Year Bonded Guarantee

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L R MASONRY GENERAL BUILDER, Stone work, Brick work 07971-982565 llewie30roberts@gmail.com

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CALL NOW FOR YOUR PERSONAL QUOTATION

Tel: 01963 363870

24hr Emergency, Leaking Tanks or Oil Spills 07836 502683

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL

All aspects of traditional building work undertaken External & internal lime works Full restoration service for older & listed properties Bespoke extensions, disabled & granny annex conversions - from planning to completion Cob work - new & repairs Oak timber framing Project consultation service

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T F PLANT

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL CHARLIE IVE PLANT HIRE LTD, Operated & Self Drive, Excavators & Dumpers -- 0.5T - 6T -Attachments--- Breakers - land Rake- Riddle Bucket -Augers- Tiltrotator, -07388441638 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.

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The New

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ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

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Established in 1978

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

CHIMNEYS SOLID FUEL INSTALLATIONS LTD

Accredited installers of Wood burning & Multi fuel stoves, Chimney liners, twin wall flues, fireplace conversions, replacement hearths, chimney restoration & rebuilding, dealing with water ingress, cowlings, bird guards. Fully Insured, long term established.

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CLEANING

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SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING Ovens,Ranges, Aga’s, etc. Independent Family Run Business Covering The Blackmore Vale Area

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PARKER

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NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL 01963 23669 07484 690824

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R Laptop R Tablet R Smartphone R desktop PC High quality fireplace installation at great prices. Specialist multi-fuel & wood burning stove installations with our qualified hetas engineers, including a large experienced in house building and maintenance team, insuring a quality finish and not waiting for other tradesmen. Established reputable company with excellent reviews and vetted by checkatrade. Relining existing woodburners, all building work undertaken from plastering/rendering/demolition and fireplace alterations even exterior painting or chimney/roof leak fixing.

Call now for a free survey 07521647885

Services include • Wood & multi-fuel stove installation • New build houses – No chimney No problem • Electric fire installation • Metal twin wall chimney installations • False fireplaces & media walls • Chimney take down rebuilds • Hetas inspection repair to current regs • Log burner flexi liner installations • Fireplace alterations drone surveys • Cherry picker & scaffold if required • Thatch property wood burners • Plastering rendering exterior decorating

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• Friendly, patient, and knowledgeable help • Keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues for free over the Internet • Sell online easily, quickly and reliably

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Call me now on 07805 783147

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

COMPUTERS / Wi-Fi & TECH DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons). PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 01963362403 07855287150 www.dcenet.co.uk COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS Purchase advice, Virus Removal, New PC Setup/Installation, Internet Connection, Upgrades, Computer/Software Tuition Call Gregg on 01963 370713

DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY PAUL WEST DECORATING SERVICES and wall-paper specialist. Also hand-man. 35years experience. Free quotes. 07773-459168. paul.west945@gmail.com M & M PAINTING & DECORATING. 30 years experience. Fully insured, clean & tidy. References available. FREE no obligation quote. Tel: 07534-952486 / 01305-849380

Painting & Decorating Local Quality Painter & Decorator.

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COUNTRY CARPENTRY Doors, repairs, general maintenance etc Call Nick on 07887 358570

The New

Blackmore Vale

Magazine

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP For jobseekers and employers

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Tel: 01258 880670 Mob: 07825512627 ‘Your home in safe and capable hands’

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine DEADLINES

Display ads must be booked by Wednesday the week prior to publication, with final copy submitted by the Friday. Classified ads may be accepted after this, HOWEVER these will be subject to space.

DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY CARPENTRY, KITCHENS, BESPOKE FURNITURE. Charles Rees Interiors Tel. 07724417978

INTERIOR PAINTER & DECORATOR Excellent quality work, attention to detail. References available. Free no obligation quote. Call Kerry - 07785-912667

LES BENHAM PAINTING SERVICES

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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ITALIAN LANGUAGE LESSONS The New Blackmore Vale Magazine To place your classified adverts

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Shaftesbury 01747 812335 | Mobile: 07971 865496 email: okefordheating@yahoo.co.uk

MJ HPPS LTD Plumbing and Heating Contractors

General Plumbing Oil/Natural Gas/LPG Installations Bathroom and Kitchen Installations New Boilers and Cylinders Underfloor Heating & Renewables Landlord Safety Certificates All workmanship guaranteed, along with manufacturers’ warranties.

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ABBEY DRAINAGE UNBLOCKING DRAINS

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PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAINAGE

D&T Plumbing and Heating Oil servicing and repairs, plus all other aspects of plumbing and heating carried out

t:01747 854887 m:07525 755 696

FOR WATER LEAKS, new services and drainage problems call Real Utilities for a free quote 07824-859627

inding the right tradesperson for getting a job done around your home can be daunting. Is the company reliable? Honest? Providing a fair price? That’s why Total Energy Services are proud to have been awarded TrustMark status. Choosing a TrustMark Registered Business gives you the confidence that the job will be carried out professionally and to high standards.

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What is the government TrustMark Quality Scheme? TrustMark is the UK’s only Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements, repairs, renewable energy installations and low energy retrofits that are designed to make your home more comfortable and cheaper to run. The Scheme Providers and Registered Businesses work in accordance with set codes and charters as well as the codes of practice relevant to their industry. Peace of mind about quality of work and customer service The TrustMark logo is a reassuring sign of quality and standards. TrustMark Registered Businesses are required to adhere to high standards of technical competence, customer service and trading practices, all underpinned by a Customer Charter, the Code of Conduct and the Framework Operating Requirements. Benefits of using a TrustMark business; • The business will act in a responsible and professional manner • They will carry out a proper testing and a detailed hand-over process so you know about how things work and how they must be maintained • They are responsive, approachable, treat you fairly and with respect • They will communicate clearly and in good time • Work areas are kept safe, with minimum of disruption and their area is tidy at the close of the day How can Total Energy Services help? If you would like any further information or would like to book a complimentary home visit to discuss any heating, plumbing or renewable jobs please call 01258 472132 or visit totalenergy.co.uk All engineers are local, reliable and professional, fully insured and DBS checked. Our family run business has been established for over 30 years and much of our work comes from customer recommendations.

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PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAINAGE K & M PLUMBING SERVICES for all your plumbing problems. 24 hour call out 07932-574294

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ROOFING

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PRESSURE WASHING PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES, driveways, patios, fences, paths, walls, and gutter clearing – dwpressurecleaning@gmail.com. Tel 07360-678429

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STORAGE

WASTE & HOUSE CLEARANCE Clive Smith Waste Transfer Note.qxp_Layout 1 01/10/2020 09:33 Page 1

Clive Smith Ltd. SKIP HIRE

TrustScore 4.4

SKIP HIRE Waste Transfer Note

Smiths Triangle, Fifehead, St Quinton, Sturminster Newton, DT10 2AW (Also disposal site) www.clivesmithskips.co.uk Email: clivesmithskips@hotmail.co.uk

Household Storage

Tel: 01258 860 166 Mobile: 07974 822243 Waste Carriers Number: CBDU112820 Permit Number: EPR/JB3101KP VAT Reg Number: 634 6316 44

Ticket No:

PLEASE NOTE

Safe. Secure. Simple.

CUSTOMERS ORDERING VEHICLES OFF THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY DO SO ENTIRELY ON THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITY

IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRANSPORT AN OVERLOADED SKIP, THIS INCLUDES BOARDS TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE LOAD. THE DRIVER MAY REFUSE TO REMOVE AN OVERLOADED SKIP AND/OR AN EXTRA CHARGE WILL APPLY TO COVER COSTS.

• No Asbestos • Do not move skip • No Plasterboard/Gypsum • No Fires in Skip • No Sludge • NO Fridges/ Freezers • Tyres • Gas Bottles • Toxic Solvents • Paints and Liquids

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Date ________________ ALL AREAS COVERED ONLY • AVAILABLE • LEVEL LOADS ALL SIZE OF SKIP PLEASE RING

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Customer

Address

ANYTIME

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SKIP HIRE ALTERNATIVE We do all the Work! Please call Paul on 01258 440838 or 07853 275379

Rob’s Clearance • •

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HOUSE CLEARANCE Plus Sheds, Attics, Garages & Gardens Quality Items Offset Registered Waste Carrier

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TREE SURGEON LOCAL TREE SURGEON Yeovil based reasonably priced. For a no obligation quote call: 07985-160422 stctreeservices.co.uk

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WINDOWS & DOORS BLACKMORE WINDOWS AND DOORS. Locally based company in Stalbridge with 25 years experience. All your window and door needs undertaken, from repairs to replacement. Contact Terry on 07514224712 or find me on Facebook and WhatsApp. FREE QUOTATIONS.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net

Meditations in nature: The goggle-eyed birds of Salisbury Plain by Susannah Curtin MY quest on this sunny spring morning is to find one of our most scarce summer visitors. I have left Dorset for the rolling chalk hills of Wiltshire to explore an RSPB reserve on Salisbury Plain. I am always excited to visit somewhere new and usually I am happy to take whatever comes, leaving any lofty expectations at home. But today, I am on a mission. There is a strange bird that I have not encountered since I was with my two young boys on the Whitsunday Islands off the east coast of Australia where we had gone out one night to marvel at the Southern sky. I will never forget that evening. The southern cross was bright above our heads and the stars swept all the way over the ocean to the horizon. We felt like we could just reach out and touch them. It was one of the best and most memorable night skies I have ever seen. But what made the night even more remarkable was the eerie, wailing cry of the stone curlews. I remember how we sat on a rock, huddled together as we took in our surroundings and captured this wild moment in our hearts. The next day we went back and found the

strange-looking birds who had haunted us the night before – they were lanky, goggle-eyed creatures with piercing, reptilian yellow eyes. Ten species of stone curlew are found throughout the tropical and temperate parts of the world. The ones I am looking for today are European stone curlews which migrate to the UK in spring and summer from southern Europe and north-west Africa. Although they are categorised as waders, they prefer semi-arid, bare, open and stoney landscapes, choosing to nest in a simple scrape, making them particularly vulnerable to predators such as foxes, badgers, owls and harriers. Although mostly nocturnal, they can be seen during the day when they are feeding young. Setting out along a grassy path adorned with thousands of pink blackthorn petals blown off by yesterday’s high winds, and lined with the deep blue flowers of bugle and ground ivy, I disturb a sleeping hare which makes me jump as he bounds out through the hedge across the open fields. Around me the air is thick with the melodic songs of blackcaps and whitethroats. When eventually I come to a

The man at the station: What VE80 can teach us about honour

Health & Wellbeing

viewing screen, I eagerly scan the ground for signs of birdlife. Alas, as hard as I look, I cannot find anything that resembles a stone curlew. I decide to enjoy the rest of the reserve and follow each of the paths, noting the kestrels, red kites and buzzards soaring overhead. As I walk through a yellow hue of cowslips and oxlips, I meet an elderly gentleman who tells me he has lived in the nearby village since he was three, and he has never once seen a stone curlew. Taking my leave, I tell myself not to be deterred. After all, many people, unless they are shown, can miss the wildlife around them. Just as I complete the circuit and reach the car park, I decide to have one last look for these elusive birds. As I make my way towards the viewing screen, good luck prevails. I pass a lady with beautiful purple hair and a large scope. She asks me whether I am here for the stone curlews? ‘Yes’ I say. She then explains in great detail where I should scan the ground. As I settle at the hide again, I look with renewed enthusiasm, and after 10

minutes, I spot one, and then another. Through the shimmering heat haze, I can just make out these medium-sized, upright birds on long gangly legs. Unfortunately, they are too far away to get all the detail through my binoculars, but they are unmistakable, despite being perfectly camouflaged against the stoney ground. What a wonderful sight to behold. Stone curlews were once common in spring and summer all the way between Yorkshire and Dorset, but now they can only be found in the Norfolk Brecklands and here on Salisbury Plain. By the mid1980s, only 150 pairs remained. Their decline was due to the disappearance of suitable places for them to nest, as they need light, free-draining soils where they have an abundant supply of insects to eat. When their favoured downlands and heathlands disappeared, they were forced to nest on arable land where their nests and chicks are vulnerable to the agricultural machines of intensive farming. Today, with a great deal of effort and cooperation from farmers, agri-environment schemes and the creation of special nesting plots monitored by volunteers, they are making a comeback. In 2024 there were 350 pairs in the UK and a 90% success rate of fledglings. As I drive home, I am so pleased that I made the effort to see these extraordinary birds. Perhaps next time I come, it will be for the great bustards, which also reside on the Plain. n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin.susanna@gmail.com).

by Kay Parkinson EIGHTY years ago, a train pulled into Swanage Station. On board were children – frightened, exhausted, carrying small suitcases and even smaller scraps of hope. They were fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe, part of the Kindertransport rescue. Waiting for them was Trevor

Chadwick, a local schoolteacher who played a vital role in saving hundreds of lives. He arranged papers, sat with children on their journeys and offered calm in the middle of chaos. His statue now stands at that same platform, a tribute honouring his courage. This VE-Day, I want to Continued on next page

Stone curlews declined to only 150 pairs in the mid-1980s

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Silton Village Hall

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1.30pm & 2.30pm from 16/05/25

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BELINDA ROBERTS RCST CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY A holistic treatment to help release deeply held patterns of trauma, tension and pain.

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Lauren Leahy RN Ear Wax Removal Specialist Blocked ears? I can help! Fully insured professional offering irrigation and microsuction treatments from the comfort of your own home.

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What VE80 can teach us

Continued on next page invite you to pause. Not just to remember the past, but to gently notice the present. What are we carrying emotionally, mentally and quietly? What has been passed down, not in words, but in silence? For many who lived through war, there was no space to speak of grief, fear or trauma. Back then, mental and emotional health wasn’t a conversation, you just got on with it, but that silence didn’t disappear. It found its way into homes, into relationships and into parenting. Often children grew up learning not to ask too much, not to feel too deeply, not to need too often. And now, we feel the echoes, in the pressure to keep going, the discomfort of rest, the sense that struggle is failure or that strength means silence. These are survival patterns passed down through generations. They may have once helped people cope but they can become heavy, especially when we’re not sure why they’re there in the first place. So, what if this VE-Day was also an invitation to honour ourselves? Not as an act of indulgence, but of continuation, a way to carry forward the strength of the past while laying down its weight. What if honour today looked like honesty,

blackmorevale.net

Children arrived at Swanage Station carrying small suitcases after fleeing Nazi-occupied mainland Europe

softness, slowing down, choosing peace not just globally, but internally? Choosing emotional wellbeing is an act of honour, for ourselves, and those who never had the chance to name their pain. It’s how we build something better in their memory, not in rejection of what came before, but in response to it. We may not be standing on platforms guiding frightened children to safety, but we can be present in other ways. We can show up for our families, our communities and ourselves with gentleness. Trevor Chadwick showed us what quiet courage looks like, and we can follow his lead, not in grand gestures, but in the everyday decisions to live with care. Let’s honour those who came before by creating something softer for those who come next. Remembering there is no shame in struggle and there is deep, steady honour in choosing to heal. n Kay Parkinson is a therapist specialising in trauma, emotional neglect and the impact of shame on identity and self-worth. Kay’s work focuses on transforming shame through the lens of authentic honour. Visit www.placetotalktherapies. co.uk.

SMART PHYSIO Treatment in your own home! SMART PHYSIO

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Food & Drink

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Chicken Caesar salad with a contemporary twist Ingredients and method for four THREE chicken breasts, butterfly and boil for five-10 minutes until cooked through in a deep frying pan with salted water, half an onion, a handful of fresh thyme and a clove of garlic, then shred or slice. 200g frozen edamame beans, boiled in salted water. 100g kale cooked and wilted with the edamame beans. Blitz Caesar sauce together in a blender 300ml creme fraiche 1 lemon 3 anchovies – tinned – or to taste 50g curly parsley 3 red radishes to slice and garnish 50g grated Parmesan – and extra to grate over when served Croutons LARGE, cubed sourdough

bread Olive Oil Maldon salt Place cubes of sourdough bread covered with oil and salt flakes and put in a low oven at 130 degrees to dry out for 20 minutes or until crunchy and golden. Once all the ingredients are cooked and prepared, start to build the chicken Caesar salad, folding chicken pieces through the sauce or pour over afterwards. Layer the greens, the chicken, the croutons and lemon wedges onto a platter and garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers from the garden and serve. n Annie des Forges, DirectorChef The Table Bruton; Annie Austin, Director-Host & Concierge, Somerset Roadtrip.

*Redeem this voucher to receive a discount of £5 off your breakfast bill. Only 1 voucher per table. Minimum spend of £20.

This Voucher is valid until 26th June ‘25

UDDER FARM RESTAURANT www.theudderfarmshop.co.uk

01747 838899

REAL ALES GOOD FOOD GREAT GINS ... . . .and a warm welcome from Pam & Ciaran await you at our Dorset pub. Sunday Carvery . . . Come and enjoy our famous carvery! Choose from several different roasted meats, roast potatoes, yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables and our signature cheesy leeks and gravy.

Wednesday Carvery . . .

You can also enjoy our carvery on Wednesday lunchtimes, same offering and prices as Sundays, except we also do a Senior Citizen Plate for just £10.

Please book as soon as possible on 01747 838325 to avoid disappointment. To see our full menu visit https://www.kingsarmseaststour.com/page/Default

BUSINESS OPEN AS USUAL

Whilst Wessex Water undertake their work on the A30, we will be open for business as usual.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Food & Drink

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Advertising made

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Come and visit our new shop. Coffee, cake, toasties & retail bags of coffee to enjoy at home!

01963 400186

33 Salisbury Street, DT11 7AU tag us @groundedcoffeeroasters

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Enford Farm Shop Durweston DT11 0QW

Home reared and locally produced meats, game, deli, fruit, veg, free range eggs and lots more. Follow us on Facebook for all our latest meat pack deals and what’s in fresh that week. Chicken feeds etc available. Half a lamb £90 | Half a pig approximately £160

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm.

01258 450050

Coffee is served

BLANDFORD couple Jon and Rosie Rowe have opened their new coffee shop, Grounded Coffee, in Salisbury Street in the town. Jon and Rosie began in business 10 years ago, taking coffee trucks out to events and festivals before progressing to roasting their own coffee and opening their first shop in Poole in 2020. The couple, who have a four-year old daughter, Lola, and a 10-week-old son, Leon, say they are ‘super excited’ to have opened the Blandford shop.

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB SERVING FINE FOOD AND DRINKS 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

PLOUGHMANSTON.COM 07783 009402

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net

Food & Drink

THE OLD BREWERY Café & Kitchen

Announcements BIRTHS

Congratulations to Ellie & Charlie Sutton on the birth of their beautiful son,

Riley Larry Sutton born Easter Sunday

Lots of love to you all, Mum xxx

THANK YOU Bridget and Eddies Wedding.

Delicious

SUNDAY ROASTS NOW AVAILABLE Your go-to spot for delicious breakfast, lunch & coffee Housed in what was once Matthews & Co Brewery, the cafe maintains many of the buildings original features, including a stunning garden for all to enjoy. With the addition of a classic motorcycle collection and a wonderful array of food and drink on offer, The Old Brewery Cafe & Kitchen is a destination not to be missed.

FOOD & DRINK

HIRE OUR VENUE

ENJOY OUR MOTORCYCLES 01747 442 164

enquiries@theoldbrewerycafeltd.co.uk

THE OLD BREWERY CAFÉ & KITCHEN

THE OLD BREWERY, WYKE ROAD, GILLINGHAM, SP8 4NW

We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to The Exchange Sturminster Newton. To all the volunteers, Springhill florist, the Hinton st Mary flower ladies and The Reverend Mary Gubbins.

Dr J. Kenneth M. MacCormac (Ken) THANK YOU for all the lovely cards, messages and flowers, and to everyone who attended Ken’s funeral and wake on April 7th or joined us online. We especially thank the staff at Yeovil Hospital where Ken was so well cared for at the end, Rev. Ron Wood who took the service held at St Mary’s Compton Pauncefoot, and Malcolm Gregory for the music. We would also like to thank Alison at South Cadbury Hall, the staff of Dorset Delights catering, Wakely Funeral Service and Yeovil Crematorium for all their help. Donations are still invited in memory of Ken for Yeovil Hospital Charity, and for Somerset Churches Trust care of A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Thank you all Audrey, Richard, Helen, Lorna, Julian and the family.

DEATHS WAREHAM Anthony George James ‘Tony’

Tony passed away peacefully on 20th April 2025 at home, aged 81 years. Much loved partner for 27 years to Ann. Loved and respected by all his family and many friends. Funeral service at St Nicholas Church, Winterborne Kingston on Thursday 22nd May at 12 noon, followed by burial in the Cemetery. Family flowers only please but donations to The Injured Jockeys Fund or Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance may be made online by visiting www.grassby-funeral.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity can be sent c/o Grassby Funeral Service, 8 Princes Street, Dorchester, DT1 1TW

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Announcements

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DEATHS William Arthur John Hill

DOROTHY MARY GOSNEY

Passed away peacefully in Yeovil District Hospital on 23rd April 2025, aged 90 years. A Thanksgiving Service will take place at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton on Friday 23rd May 2025 at 12:00 noon. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of William for Cancer Research UK may be given online at www.ajwakely.com or sent c/o A J Wakely & Sons, 33 Sparrow Road, Yeovil, BA21 4BT (please make cheques payable to the charity).

Of Pinkton Magna. Passed away peacefully at home, aged 91 years on 27th April 2025. A devoted Mother to Deborah, Karen and the late Marilyn. Loved beyond words. Private cremation at Dorothy’s request.

MARGARET ANNE SMITH Peacefully on 29th April 2025. Margaret fell asleep aged 88 years. Much loved Mum to Sarah and Paul, Mother to Andrew and Sarah, Grandma to Emily and Jessica, Granny Smith to Samuel, Natalie, Stuart, Robert and Richard. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 22nd May at 12.40pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Templecombe Indoor Bowls Club. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 362570

Batsford Thomas Colin Peter – ‘Tom’

Davina Chalkley Peacefully on 30th March 2025, Davina aged 66 years of Gillingham. Much loved Mother and Grandmother Funeral service at Hamdown Woodland Burial Ground on Friday 16th May at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Pancreatic Cancer UK or RSPCA. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QJ. Tel 01747 833757

Jane Baxandall It is with great sadness that the family of Jane Baxandall, of Blandford, announce her passing on Friday, 18th April. She was 95. Beloved wife of Peter, mother of John and James, and granny to Emma, Will and Rein. She will be laid to rest on Tuesday, 13th May at 2pm, at Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground, Child Okeford. Much loved and in our hearts forever

Unexpectedly on 14th April 2025 aged 39 years. A private family funeral will take place at Salisbury Crematorium. Tom’s family would like to invite anyone who knew him to a Service of Thanksgiving for Tom’s life, to be held at St Michael’s Church in Mere at 12.00 on 19th June 2025, followed by a Wake at Mere Social Club. If you have a favourite band or festival T shirt please wear it if you would like to, otherwise there is no dress code. No flowers please but there will be a collection at the church for donations in Tom’s memory in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Mere Toddler Food Bank.

Formally of Child Okeford, passed away peacefully at home on 17th April at the age of 86. Loving father of Tanya, Paul, Dennis & Diane and grandfather to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all. Funeral service to take place at 12pm on Thursday 15th May at Ham Down Woodland Burial ground, Shillingstone. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, can be made to The Louis Ross Foundation at www.louisross.org or on the day in his memory.

Mary Watts

Philip LOCK

Passed away peacefully at Salisbury District Hospital on 17th April 2025, Aged 90 Beloved Wife of the late Bob. Very Much loved Mum to Shirley, Alison & The late Pauline Nan to Christian, Joleen, Zoe & Roxanne Great nan to Grace, Lucy & Samuel Funeral Service to be held at St Mary’s Church in Gillingham on Friday 23rd May 2025 at 11am Family Flowers only please. Donations if desired in the memory of Mary for The Stars Appeal C/O L C Hill & Son Funeral Directors Water Street, Mere, BA126DZ

Reginald Crane (Reg)

Passed away peacefully at home, on Wednesday 30th April, aged 84 years. Much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Philip’s funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday 27th May 2025 at 1:20 pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired in memory of Philip are for Weldmar Hospicecare. All donations and enquiries to A J Wakely & Sons Funeral Directors, 16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ. Tel: 01935 816817. (Please make cheques payable to the charity) or visit www.ajwakely.com

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Announcements DEATHS Patricia May Bartlett Peacefully on 21st April 2025, Patricia aged 79 years of Hinton St. Mary. Much loved Mum and Nanny. Funeral service at St Peter’s Church, Hinton St. Mary on Tuesday 20th May at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 362570

Peter James Doggrell Peacefully on 21st April 2025, Peter aged 87 years. Much loved Husband, Father, Stepfather, Grandfather, Step Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Funeral service at Toomer Farm, BA8 0PH on Tuesday 13th May at 2pm. Family flowers only please donations if desired for The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust or St Peter’s Church, Purse Caundle. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0PP. Tel 01963 362570

FUNERAL DIRECTORS H E L P I N G YO U E V E RY S T E P O F T H E WAY H E L P I N G YO U E V E RY S T E P O F T H E WAY

Your Local Local Your Funeral Professionals Professionals Funeral • Unattended funerals starting • Unattended from £995 funerals starting from £995 • Tailored and unique • Tailored unique Attendedand Funerals Attended Funerals • Prepaid funeral plans • Prepaid funeral plans also available also available • Local knowledge and expertise • Local expertise with aknowledge reputationand for quality with a reputation for quality that is second to none that is second to none • Reassurance that your • Reassurance your loved one willthat be looked loved one utmost will be looked after with care and after with utmost care and professionalism professionalism

BRACHER BROTHERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS BRACHER BROTHERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Newbury, Gillingham Newell, Sherborne Newbury, Newell, SP8 4QL Gillingham DT9 4EZSherborne SP8 4QL 822494 DT9 4EZ 813479 Tel: 01747 Tel: 01935 Tel: 01747 822494 Tel: 01935 813479 Available 24 hours a day. Available 24 hours a day. Find us at: dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

Find us at: dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

Pricing is correct at time of print and is subject to change. Price stated is for an Unattended Funeral.

BROMLEY Frances Mary Cavania Passed away on 8th April 2025, aged 78. Wife of 52 years to Alan, loving Mum and Granny who will be sorely missed. Formerly of Stourpaine, but living in Taunton. The church service and wake will be held at St Michael’s Church, Galmington, Taunton on 16th May at 11am. As a celebration of Fran’s life we ask for no black to be worn only bright colours. No flowers. Donations in her memory for St Michael’s Church and/or Dementia UK may be sent c/o H Tredwin & Son, 15 & 17 North Street, Wellington, TA21 8LX, Tel: 01823 672287

Pricing is correct at time of print and is subject to change. Price stated is for an Unattended Funeral.

FAMILY RUN FUNERAL SERVICE COLIN J. CLOSE

Peel Close, BLANDFORD FORUM

Tel. 01258 453133

www.close-funeral.co.uk

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

GRASSBY & CLOSE

Innes Ct, STURMINSTER NEWTON

01258 471024

www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Recruitment

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

FARMER REQUIRES A GARDENER for several properties. Might suit active retired person. Free hand. 07971-590540

GARDENER OCCASIONALLY to maintain borders in North Sherborne. Pretty garden 01935-812695.

01963 400186 | adverts@blackmorevale.net

PART-TIME CARER/PA WANTED for the Tisbury area. Flexible, cheerful and energetic please! 07790-524241

FARMER REQUIRES A GARDENER for several properties. Might suit active retired person. Free hand. 07971-590540.

Proudly serving your local community

Book Online

Advertising made

simple

01747 860 361

classified@ blackmorevale.net

Water Street, Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6DZ

Call us for immediate support, advice, or to find out more about our prepaid funeral plans. We are here to help 24 hours a day. "

blackmorevale.net/jobs

www.lchillandsonfuneraldirectors.co.uk

GENERAL FARM WORKER NEEDED on a dairy and beef farm, between Wincanton and Bruton. Tel: 07812-009364

CLEANER WANTED. Must be experienced, reliable and have references. Permanent position. 6 hours per week in my beautiful home in Henstridge. 07429117479

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.

PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER to support our Estate Manager in running the financial operations of our farm/estate on a freelance basis. Bookkeeping qualification required or qualified by experience. 7-10 hours a week on site at our estate office NE Dorset. Please email: admin@ranston.co.uk for full job description.

A J Wakely& Sons J Wakely& Sons AA J Wakely& Sons AAAJ JWakely& Sons ely& Sons Sons J Wakely& Wakely& Sons Independent

ndependent Independent ndependent Independent Independent Family Funeral amily Funeral Family Funeral Family Funeral Family Funeral mily Funeral alDirectors Directors Directors Directors Directors AA JJ Wakely& Wakely& Sons Sons Directors Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

HELP WANTED WITH GARDEN MAINTENANCE and other general outside work. must be able to drive a small tractor, use a strimmer, chainsaw etc. 2 days a week in stour provost. good references and a happy outlook essential. tel 07836 626053

BLACKMORE VALE

JOBS GROUP For jobseekers and employers

Choice of Hearses available including Land Rover Hearse Choice Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse Choice ofofHearses available including our Land Rover Hearse Choice ofour Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse – 24 Hour Service – – 24 Hour Service – Independent ChoiceIndependent of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse – 24 Hour Service – – 24 Hour Service – – 24 Hour Service – Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Tel:01963 0193531310 816817 e including our Sherborne Land Rover Hearse – 24 Hour – Family Family Funeral Funeral Wincanton Tel:Service

Sherborne Tel: 816817 Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817Tel: 01935 Sherborne 816817 Tel: 01935 01963 31310 Your dream job is waiting Pre-payment plans available Hour Service –Wincanton Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 Directors Directors Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Pre-payment plans available Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for31310 any advice or guidance. for you Wincanton Tel: 01963 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Tel: 01935 816817 Pre-payment plansour available Choice Choice ofof Hearses Hearses available available including including our Land Land Rover Rover Hearse Hearse Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310 Pre-payment plans available Pre-payment plans available Tel: 01963 Pre-payment 31310 contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice guidance.team for any advice or guidance. plans available Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of ourordedicated Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

ease contact Richard Wakely, or a–member of Service our dedicated –2424Hour Hour Service – – team for any advice or guidance.

Sherborne Sherborne Tel: Tel:01935 01935816817 816817

ent plans NOW ON Facebook ntact Richardavailable Wakely, or a member Tel: ofTel: our dedicated team for any advice or guidance. Wincanton Wincanton 01963 01963 31310 31310 ber of our dedicated team for any advice or available guidance. Pre-payment Pre-payment plans plans available Please Please contact contact Richard Richard Wakely, Wakely, oror a member a member of of our our dedicated dedicated team team forfor any any advice advice oror guidance. guidance.

The New

Blackmore Vale

Magazine

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net/jobs

HUNGRY NOW?

Recruitment

Due to continuous expansion, we require: 1 x machine operator and 1 x groundworker (Both self-employed). Immediate start. Work within 1 hour of Gillingham, Dorset. Driving licence required. Excellent rate of pay for the right applicants. Training provided where required.

t e h g al i r y eV p r o o C m k Needed Volunteers c a l Team Leader & Cleaners B

Your business could be here for as little as £45 per week...

*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert

For more information, please call Simon on 07967 808045 or email Gary at gary@charlestonhomes.co.uk

Mid Dorset Cats Protection

Stock Gaylard Estate needs a

We are looking to strengthen our branch and need more volunteers to help us in a variety of roles Fundraising Team Leader, Fosterers, Fosterer support driver Gillingham based, Enquiries, Homing and Fundraisers

The love of cats and a bit of time being the primary requirements

If you would like to find out more about any roles Please contact us on 01258 858644 Email: enquiries@middorset.cats.org.uk Website: www.cats.org.uk/middorset

Yurt changeover staff Mon, Wed, Fri - May to October Team Leader £15/hr Cleaners £13.50/hr

Email: office@stockgaylard.com

Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary Practice Ltd

CHARITY CO-ORDINATOR Age Concern North Dorset, based in Sturminster Newton, requires a part-time Charity Co-ordinator to join this well-established, small and independent charity. You will be ensuring the continuity and smooth running of the office, supporting all the services run by the charity, liaising regularly with the small team of volunteers and supporting the Board of Trustees to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity. A flexible 22-25 hrs per week. Applicants must have excellent communication skills as well as a good working knowledge of Word, Outlook and Excel, be able to work alone as well as with a small team of volunteers. Use of social media and management of our website will also be required. This is an office-based role and would suit someone with good management and customer care experience as well as patience and good listening skills. Hours and salary by agreement. Closing date for applications is 23rd May 2025. For more information and an Application Form please contact the Age Concern office on: 01258 475582 or e-mail dianne.cooper@acnorthdorset.org.uk

VOLUNTEERS WE NEED YOU! Dorset Mud Run Saturday 17th May &/or Sunday 18th May 9am - 3.30pm Lunch Provided, Free T-Shirt & Chance to Run for Free

Contact: office@dorsetmudrun.com SITUATIONS WANTED CHEMISTRY TUTOR Experienced GCSE and A Level teacher. Call 07732 418488 or visit www.cometugrow.com/services. HOME HELP NEEDED, for woman invalid, Sherborne. Suit young woman. Hours, Sat 5-6.30pm, maybe more @ £15p/h. Text: Richard, 07305-657010

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Pets

blackmorevale.net

Dangers of dogs and foreign objects by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice DOGS like chewing and eating unsuitable things. Sometimes they chew them and spit them out, sometimes they swallow them and they pass through – or they vomit them back up – and sometimes they cause an obstruction. Foreign bodies such as bones and potatoes can obstruct the oesophagus causing acute distress and unproductive retching. A large foreign body can compress the trachea causing respiratory distress and regurgitation of other mouth contents can be inhaled causing pneumonia. This is a life-threatening emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention. The foreign body can either dislodge from the oesophagus or pass directly into the stomach.

Stomach foreign bodies can sit there for weeks or months causing intermittent outflow obstruction and associated intermittent vomiting. Large, multiple or irritating stomach foreign bodies can cause continuous vomiting. I’ve removed multiple household items, which had gradually gone missing over a period of months, from a dog’s stomach! If the foreign body moves into the small intestine, it can cause an acute obstruction with ongoing vomiting. Dogs that are not eating or drinking but continue to vomit large volumes of fluid typically have a small intestinal foreign body. Some foreign bodies show up well on x-rays, such as metal or stone, but some, such as material or plastic, are less easily identified. X-rays

LABRADOR PUPPIES. Due to time wasters, we have 2 gorgeous KC registered boys available. Born on Valentines Day. 1 Dark Yellow, 1 Black. They have been raised in the family home with children and other pets. Used to everyday sounds, handled daily and well socialised. The pups have been Vaccinated, Wormed, Microchipped and Health checked. They leave with their Pedigrees, Puppy packs and Contract. Sire & Dam both working/pets with great temperaments. They are both fully health tested. Genuine enquiries only please. Contact 07775913515

L SO

CELEBRATING

50 YEARS

OF SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Branscombe Kennels and Cattery consistently offers high levels of boarding care for the four-legged members of the families, from across Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and beyond.

Dog boarding Day boarding

Cat boarding Twice daily walks

Exercise and agility arena On-site groomers Shop selling the Albion range, other animal feed, dog toys and accessories

01747 838323

www.branscombekennels.co.uk www.facebook.com/branscombekennels

Branscombe Kennels, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, SP7 0QW

Dogs are prone to eating unsuitable things

showing intestines distended with gas are suspicious for an obstruction. If the x-rays are repeated and the gas remains, this is a strong indication for surgery. It is not unusual for surgery to be indicated even if a foreign body cannot be identified if the combination of clinical symptoms, blood results and x-ray findings indicate a high suspicion of a foreign body. A complete obstruction can cause pressure on the intestine wall which can die off and leak gut contents into the abdomen causing life-threatening peritonitis. It is better to carry out surgery to remove or rule

C.B. Brett & Son Pet & Wildlife Dog - Wet, Dry & Frozen Food

out a foreign body early than to have to resect dead gut and try to manage peritonitis if left too long. Linear foreign bodies can be due to material or string. Peristalsis can cause the material to ‘cheesewire’ through the gut wall, often in multiple places. I operated on a puppy once which had swallowed several feet of string with a nail on one end. Abdominal palpation revealed ‘knotted’ gut and x-rays confirmed significant abnormalities. At surgery I found the string hooked over his tongue at one end and, the end with the nail, in his colon. The rest of his gut was knotted into a ball as the string had become progressively tauter and he required six incisions into his intestine to release and remove the string. Miraculously, he eventually went on to make a complete recovery. Intestinal foreign bodies can be difficult to identify and decisions are made based on a combination of factors. They can be missed if symptoms are not typical and surgery may be indicated even if a foreign body is not seen but suspected. BLACK LABRADOR KC PUPPIES. 3 males left from a loving home, make great working and family pets. Please call 07816-760757.

Cat - Wet & Dry Food Bird/Hedgehog/Wildlife Food, Feeders & Accessories Old Market Car Park, Hound St, Sherborne, DT9 3AB

01935 812107

Book Online classified@ blackmorevale.net

Red Fox Labrador Puppies

Available in early June.

Father and grandfather working field trials and gun dogs. Excellent family dogs. Come and see them in their home environment.

Contact mazmon01@gmail.com or 07770700464 | 01722 712947

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025 blackmorevale.net

Counting down to two! Dog adolescence

by Raychel Curson IF you have had an adolescent dog recently, you will understand! I often tell my clients struggling with their adolescent dog it takes two years for your dog to be two years old and, unfortunately, there is no way to speed up the process. We all feel pressured to have the perfect dog, but it is important to understand what your adolescent dog is going through. When Sonny was going through adolescence, I remember someone saying that during the adolescence phase, when you cue your dog, it feels that they are asking you ‘WHY?’, but when they hit adulthood, finally things click into place – and it was true! With Sonny, his recall was always a work in progress. He was on a long line, and one day when he was two years old, it suddenly clicked into place. He could come off his long line! It is important to understand that your dog’s brain is not fully developed until it has finished its adolescence phase – around 18 months to two years old. The part of the brain that is responsible for risk taking analysis and emotional regulation is the last place to fully form. Also, during adolescence, males have the highest testosterone levels they will in

their whole lives and females are likely to be experiencing hormonal shifts as well. Although when they reach adulthood, they still have a lot to learn, they’re able to concentrate, assess risk, consolidate and become more consistent. My lovely Harley is 18 months old and she’s gone through her first season, so we, too, are in the process of getting through those initial two years. Around six months old, Harley started barking at people – she didn’t like hands going over her head and this was her way of telling people to not touch her before they could even do so. We did a lot of work with her, which eventually led to finding out that she is hyper mobile. She’s been on a pain trial that’s been going well. We have been building her confidence around people that aren’t going to touch her and training her in various environments around people. We are now at the point that she rarely barks at other people on walks, and often have walks where she hasn’t barked once. She was well socialised with people from a young age and was super friendly, but as soon as adolescence hit her, something changed. For the last six months we’ve been building confidence and getting her out and about in a positive way – also celebrating any tiny step in the right direction and telling myself it will get better in time. 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.

Mid Dorset Cats Protection

Loving homes needed for cats and kittens in our care.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: cats.org.uk/middorset Sponsored by Longmead Veterinary Practice Ltd

Pets MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION Cats looking for new homes

n Cole, 17, bit of a character

n Meme, six, gentle loving girl

n Rosie, three, sweet girl looking for a quiet home

n Teasel, seven, beautiful little fluffy girl, no young children

n Jasper, 11, and Misty, 10, delightful pair still looking for their forever home together

n Robin, eight, shy boy, lost an eye. Needs an indoor home and a special person to bring him on

n For details, please call the helpline on 01258 858644 or visit our website, www.cats.org.uk/middorset

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation 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 Contact us on: 07900 654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Motoring

blackmorevale.net

ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES SUNRISE HORSEBOXES SERVICE & INCLUDING AND MOTORHOMES MOT CENTRE SUNRISE SERVICE & Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, from small SERVICING scratches complete resprays, MOT to CENTRE MOTS, AND REPAIRS work ON ALLinsurance VEHICLES UPwelcome. TO 3.5 TONNES MOTS, MOTSSERVICING – class 4,5AND andREPAIRS 7 INCLUDING HORSEBOXES ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES Diagnostics AND MOTORHOMES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES

AND MOTORHOMES Air conditioning Bodyshop also available. Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, Valetsto complete resprays, from small scratches MOTS classwork 4,5 7 MOTs –– class 4, 5 and and 7 insurance welcome. Courtesy Cars Diagnostics MOTS – class 4,5 and 7 Diagnostics Air Conditioning Collections a 5 mile radius Airwithin conditioning Diagnostics Courtesy Cars Air conditioning Valets Concessions forConcessions Pensioners, for Armed Forces Valets Courtesy Cars and Emergency Services Armed Forces and Emergency Services Courtesy Collections within a 5 Cars mile radius Collections within a 5 mile radius Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services and Emergency Services

15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST 15B Sunrise Business Higher Shaftesbury Road 15B Sunrise Business Park,Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 Tel: 01258 459798 Blandford DT11 8ST8ST Tel: 01258 459798 Email info@sunriseservicecentre.com Tel: 01258 459798 Email sunriseservicecentre@hotmail.com Email sunriseservicecentre@hotmail.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com

Peacemarsh Garage est. 1997

Peacemarsh, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4HB www.peacemarshgarage.co.uk 2019 (19) KIA PICANTO 5dr

28k

£6,995

2019 (19) DACIA SANDERO ACCESS

20k

£5,995

2014 (64) NISSAN MICRA 1.2 TEKNA 5DR

52k

£5,750

2014 (14) SKODA CITIGO ELEGANCE

28k

£5,750

77k

£2,995

26k

£16,995

2018 (18) RANGE ROVER SPORT, AUTO BIOGRAPHY 62k

£32,995

2018 (18) RANGE ROVER VOGUE, SE, SDVS

103k

£22,995

2014 (64) RANGE ROVER EVOQUE, 2.2 AUTO

105k

£7,995

AUTO 2008 (08) RENAULT KANGOO 1.6 AUTO

ELECTRIC CARS

2022 (72) MG4 TROPHY, LONG RANGE

4x4

We don’t buy any car... but we might buy yours Servicing, Valets, MOTs, Bodywork Hankook & Laufenn Tyre Dealership, Competitive Rates

01747 822307

01747 854789 www.crewscars.co.uk CAR SALES

VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT

2018(17) (68)Ford FordKA+ Fiesta Active X 5dr. 140bhp, 2017 1.21.0T Zetec 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, 5 petrol, speed manual manual gearbox, gearbox,sat nav, parking sensors, partial leather, heatedupto seats, cruiseeconomy, control, parking sensors, cruisereverse control,camera, hill hold, air con, Bluetooth, 56mpg main exterior beam assist, sign assist, 12,800 miles.......................................£11850 small with aroad spacious interior, 76,900 miles ....................................£6450 2020(62) (20)Ford FordKa EcoSport 1.0T3dr. ST 69bhp, Line SUV 5dr.5125bhp, petrol, manual 2012 1.2 Studio petrol, speed manual gearbox, £35 gearbox, high seating, sat nav, parking sensors, reverse camera, partial yearly tax, 50+mpg, simple car with basic spec, cambelt replaced, MOTleather, Nov 2025, cruise control, road sign assist, 16,200 miles..............................................£12450 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, 2014 (14) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 163bhp, diesel, 6 manual gearbox, partial leather, sat nav, parking sensors, cruise control, collision speed manual gearbox, 4x4, high seats, leather, heated seats, heated screen, sat nav, detection, road sign assist, 47,200 miles....................................................£14650 park sensors, auto park, reverse camera, sunroof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, lane aid, 2018 (68) FordhillKuga ST Linecambelt SUV 5dr. 150bhp, diesel, manual sign recognition, hold,2.0TDCi electric tailgate, replaced, 92,500 miles .........£7450 gearbox, high seating, sat nav, road sign assist, cruise control, park sensors, 2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium L1 miles............£12750 H1 Automatic 9 Seat reverse camera, auto parking system, partial leather, 320 61,800 Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable 2014for(14) Ford Transit 2.2TDCi 350 Trend 12 Seat 5dr. front seats conference or forward facing, auto lightsL2& H2 wipers, cruiseMinibus control, heated 125bhp, manual gearbox, 3 front seats, 9 rear seats, Bluetooth, standing seats, parkdiesel, sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles ............£21500 + VAT = £25800 head room, 75,500 miles..................................................£11500+VAT = £13800 2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 320 driver, L1 H12Automatic 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual2.0TDCi gearbox,Titanium 10 seat plus front seats, 9 9 Seat. diesel, automatic gearbox, cruise control, heated seats,front parking rear seats,130bhp, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, heated seats, sensors, cambeltreplaced, replaced, 90,200 97,100 miles.........................£19500 miles..........................£18000+VAT hill hold, cambelt + VAT==£21600 £23400 2016(64) (16)Kia Mini Convertible 2.0 John Cooper Works 231bhp, petrol, 2014 Venga 3, 1.6 Automatic (Sat Nav) 5dr. 2dr. 123bhp, petrol, 4 manual gearbox,gearbox, electric roof, speed automatic high leather, seating,heated decentseats, boot, reverse sat nav,camera, parking parking sensors & sensors,camera, cruise control, pack,partial 45,900 miles.........................................£13500 reverse electric Chili sunroof, leather, heated seats, cruise control, sign recognition, hill hold, only 38,800 miles........................................................£7850 2014 (14) Peugeot 308 1.6HDi Allure 5dr. 115bhp, diesel, manual gearbox,

£20 road upto 3, 74mpg, sat nav, sensors,5dr. reverse camera, cruise control, 2016 (66)tax, Mazda 2.0 SE-L Navpark Automatic 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed cambelt replaced, automatic gearbox,91,100 sat nav,miles....................................................................£4500 auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, sign recognition, heated seats, hill hold, 75,900 miles...................................£8450

Five Square Motors (Bosch Garage) Salisbury Road (A30) Shaftesbury SP7 8BU

2019 (06) (19) Mercedes-Benz Renault Captur 1.5DCi Automatic SUV 5dr. 90bhp, diesel, 2006 CLK200Iconic 1.8 Kompressor Sport Automatic automatic gearbox, sat nav,petrol, parking sensors, cruise control, roadnew sign roof assist, upto Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, 5 speed auto gearbox, recent & shocks 67mpg, cambelt replaced, 26,800 miles.....................................................£11650 absorbers, full history, 15 stamps, heated leather, electric roof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, parkRenault sensors,Scenic MOT June 25, private sale onTom behalf customer, 77,500 2012 (62) 1.5DCi Dynamique Tomof5aSeat MPV 5dr. miles ...........................................................................................................£4250 110bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, sat nav, partial leather, park sensors, cruise control, sunroof, cambelt £20 road tax, 85,100 2015 (65) Peugeot 308 replaced, 1.2THP Allure Automatic 5dr.miles.....................£3450 130bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic satMeriva nav, park auto lights & wipers, 2011 (11)gearbox, Vauxhall 1.4sensors, SE 5dr. reverse 100bhp,camera, petrol, manual gearbox, cruise control, hillsensors, hold, only £35control, a year road tax, 50+mpg cambelt sunroof, parking cruise clearance car to beeconomy, sold as seen, MOThas been replaced, IN SOON April 2026, only69,500 51,800miles..............................................................DUE miles........................................................................£2000 2019 Captur Iconic SUV 5dr. 90bhp, diesel, 2018 (19) (68) Renault Volvo V40 Cross1.5DCi Country 1.5 Automatic T3 Pro Automatic 5dr. 152bhp, 6petrol, speedautomatic automaticgearbox, gearbox,satsatnav, nav,parking cruise sensors, control, auto lights & wipers, parking reverse camera, cruise control, sensors, hill hold, high seating, sliding rear seats, upto 67mpg economy, 20,300 winter pack, heated leather, 54,900 miles...................................................£12650 miles .........................................................................................................£12250 2017 (17)WE Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 100bhp, 5 speed manual gearbox, BUY CARS & 5dr. VANS SOpetrol, IF YOU HAVE auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, cruise control, pre-collision assist, sign SOMETHING TO SELL GIVE US A CALL, WE PAY recognition, hill hold, Bluetooth, 63,600 miles ..............................................£6950

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Motoring

blackmorevale.net

M25 named the worst motorway

THE M25 has retained its crown as the UK’s worst motorway, according to a new poll of AA members. Four out of 10 respondents (40%) said the London Orbital motorway was the worst motorway to drive on – in 2013 a similar poll found 30% detested the M25. One AA member said: “It has a poor surface and is very noisy in places”. Another said “the hold-ups around certain junctions, artificially caused by the auto-signage gantry boards” adds to the frustration of driving on it. Another driver added: “I have been horrified by aggressive drivers changing several lanes impulsively, at speed, without indicating. It feels as if the national speed limit has been abandoned there. 80mph is not only acceptable

but essential and average.” The M25 opened 50 years ago and was fully completed in 1986 – it is 117 miles long and carries about 200,000 vehicles a day, making it the UK’s busiest motorway. The M6 came second in the poll (21%) with the M1 third (13%). One respondent, speaking about the M6, said: “Dangerous. Always hold-ups or accidents.” Another added: “For a long time too many 50mph stretches adding to the length of journey. Also, lots of sections without hard shoulder, which makes me uncomfortable, and the fourth lane doesn’t really help as many people sit in middle lanes reducing capacity greatly.” Nine of the top 10 disliked motorways have had sections converted to so-called ‘smart’ motorways over recent years. This has led to years of roadworks followed by more misery for drivers as emergency areas have been retrofitted to each section.

A 1979 VWT2 WEST FALIA CAMPERVAN. Service history, more info: 07950-450824. FORD FIESTA, Eco-boost 1.0, 2015, Black, MOT, 106k miles, Zero Tax, Excellent condition, £4950. Tel: 07968-968869 VW CAMPERVAN 1972 Late Bay. Great condition, MOT, leisure battery, power assisted steering and electronic ignition fitted. Lots of service/work history. £22k ono. 07867 802070 OLD, INTERESTING & CLASSIC CARS wanted pre 1990s Any condition including unfinished projects Cash/Transfer. Please Phone Paul 07890 096907

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STORAGE FOR CARAVANS, boats and cars at Enford Farm near Blandford. 01258 450050 / 07704 813025 CARAVAN / MOTORHOME STORAGE, and secure site. Wincanton, £35 per month. Tel: 07891-855580 UNWANTED VEHICLES bought for cash ●Mot failures ●Nonrunners ●Unfinished projects ●end of life scrap vehicles ●minimum of £200 paid for complete vehicles. Call Ryan on 07474 737577

WANTED VANS, CARS, 4x4's MOTOR HOMES, CARAVANS, MOT FAILURES RUNNER & NON RUNNERS, FARM MACHINERY or just in your way ANYTHING CONSIDERED Please call James anytime on

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Sport

blackmorevale.net

Yeovil teams enjoy a stellar 2024/25 HOCKEY by Nick Mowat YEOVIL & Sherborne Hockey Club have been celebrating a stellar season with three teams securing top four finishes. The Ladies’ 1s clinched an impressive third place in the highly contested West Women’s Division 2 Central. Similarly, the Ladies 2s finished third in their league, West Women’s Wessex Division 1, winning 12 of their 18

matches and boasting a goal difference of plus 31. The standout performance from the ladies’ squads came from the Ladies 3s, who secured top spot in West Women’s Wessex Division 2 with 14 wins, three draws and just one loss across 18 games. The Men’s 1s had a challenging yet productive season in West Men’s Division 2 Central, finishing fourth. The Men’s 2s mirrored the achievement of the first team,

finishing fourth in West Men’s Parrett Division 1. Despite finishing 11th the Men’s 3s remained determined and showed resilience. The Under 14 Girls and Boys both won the Somerset County Championships. Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club have a thriving junior section with youngsters under the age of 10 given coaching and the chance to take part in mini-tournaments. The club can supply sticks to anyone who

wants to try out the sport. Over the summer, the club will run a number of activities, including a Back to Hockey course for anyone picking up a stick for the first time or refreshing their skills. Activities will also be on offer aimed at junior players, while, at the other end of the age range, Thursday Evening Masters pay and play sessions are held at Yeovil Recreation Centre. For more information, visit www.yshc.co.uk.

Club issues invite to give sport a go CASTLE Cary Bowling Club are staging an open day later this month in a bid to recruit new members, as part of Bowls England’s Big Weekend. Visitors can view the club’s facilities and try out outdoor bowling themselves. The club, which formed 40 years ago, will welcome new members of all ages and abilities – and have recently installed a ramp to access the playing surface for those with limited mobility. No previous experience is necessary, and the club have a qualified coach. Castle Cary Bowling Club offer Tuesday club nights for a friendly roll-up, a mixed

BOWLS Wessex friendly league and two other county options for both ladies and men. Tea and biscuits will be provided free of charge at the open day and a well-stocked bar will serve drinks at attractive prices. New members will be offered an attractive discount on their first-year fees. The open day is at the club in Churchfield Drive (BA7 7LB) on Saturday, May 24, with the clubhouse and bowling green open from

2pm-5pm. A spokesperson for the club said: “You will be assured of a warm welcome, so turn up and try your hand at this

friendly game. “We will provide all the equipment, just wear a flat pair of shoes. We look forward to seeing you on the day.”

Sam Boulton to back heel over the line. The returning Luke Delaney salvaged a point for the Rockies in the 75th minute, driving a free-kick through the visitor’s wall, which sent Larks keeper John Dylan the wrong way. Falmouth Town 2 Shaftesbury 1 JACK Bray Evans’ 77th minute winner sent the Rockies to defeat in what was Falmouth Town’s fourth game in eight

days. Leighton Thomas put the Rockies in front after 37 minutes with his fifth goal in four games. Falmouth Town’s top scorer Rubin Wilson levelled in the 55th minute before Bray Evans won the points for the Cornish side. The season ended with defeat for Shaftesbury, but they had secured Southern League South safety.

The Rockies ended their season with a draw and a win

Members of Castle Cary Bowls Club and in action (left)

Rockies stay up and make their point FOOTBALL

by Avril Lancaster Shaftesbury 2 Larkhall Athletic 2 SHAFTESBURY’S Luke Burbidge levelled William Merrett’s free-kick for the Larks a minute after the away side’s 11th minute opener. Larkhall went ahead again in the 37th minute when Alexander Lambert knocked down a Max Williams corner for skipper

GOT A STORY OR REPORT? Then email sports@blackmorevale.net

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Sport

blackmorevale.net

Margarita Cocktail Pairs GOLF WHEATHILL Golf Club ladies played the annual Margarita Cocktail Pairs competition on a lovely sunny day with the course in spectacular shape following the Gloucester and Somerset pros’ visit the previous week. Past lady captain, Sue Rees, introduced the competition in 2000 to provide lady members with more experience of different

formats of play. The ladies play six holes of four ball better ball, six

Blandford end season on a high HOCKEY

by Paul Cross Blandford and Sturminster 2 Bournemouth 5s 0 BLANDFORD Hockey took to the turf at Bryanston School for the final match of the season. In the opening exchanges, Blandford struggled with a number of wayward passes and touches, putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. However, aided by goalkeeping debutant, Liam Young, they held Bournemouth at bay, soaking up pressure and

Heads up: Blandford and Sturminster in their game against Bournemouth 5s

hitting them on the break. A Blandford break put Brian Bell through on goal on 16 minutes. The Bournemouth keeper came out to meet him, then go through him. The

BOWLS

n BOWLERS have got a new season under way at Mere Bowls Club. Anyone who would like to find out more about joining the club should contact John

FitzGerald on 01747 86867 or email fitzgeraldjns@sky.com. Members can treat the sport as competitively as they wish. PHOTO: George Jeans

holes of greensomes and six holes of foursomes. Twenty ladies entered and the winning team was Gin Stewart-Burnett and Carolyn Durston who came in with a total of 50 points, in front of the second pair of Jill Byrne and Jenny Marshfield on 44. The ladies received a monetary prize and were presented with a trophy and a box of golf balls, given by Sue Rees. keeper, lucky to stay on the pitch, instead had to stand on his line as Matty Lewis calmly placed the penalty stroke past him. Bournemouth heads dropped briefly, allowing Blandford to establish a foothold, but the game was finely poised heading into half-time. Blandford started the brighter after the break. Twice Andy Smith went close, first placing the ball into the back of the net from outside the D. His second effort was even closer, a blistering reverse strike from the left of the D that hit both posts, before smashing off the sideline. Smith drove down the right and flashed a ball across the D, but the keeper got a crucial touch to deny Brian Bell at the back post. Blandford were on top but were struggling to get a breakthrough. Even their defenders began to get in on the action, with Rob Browning getting into the opposition D. Joe Wikramata-Clarke got open in the D and while his initial shot went wayward, the ball remained in the D, flashing up in the air. Captain Cross kept his cool, contorting his body around two players to place a reverse volley past the keeper to seal victory. The win capped a magnificent season for Blandford Hockey, finishing second in their debut season and sealing a double promotion to South Central 5.

KARATE

Club trio in GB team

BLACKMORE Vale Karate Club, in Gillingham, are celebrating after three members were selected for the Great Britain Martial Arts Team. Exponents of Ryu/Shukokai karate at their local club, Ryan, 16, will be competing in Kumite – points fighting, while Ben, 19, and Kathryn, 38, are competing in Kumite and Kata – patterns of moves – as the British team head to the World Martial Arts Games in Oslo, Norway. As well as training at Gillingham three or four times a week, the trio will now be training with the national squad each month.

GOLF SHERBORNE Golf Club – Women’s May Medal. 1 2 3

Division 1 Fleur Collins Claire Woolley Caroline Beaumont

91 - 20 = 71 95 - 22 = 73 84 - 7 = 77

1 2 3

Division 2 Denise Case Mayumi Crawford Jane Close

103 - 29 = 74 106 - 30 = 76 108 - 32 = 76

1 2 3

Division 3 Gillian McKnight Jennie Grinter Helena Peart

114 - 40 = 74 108 - 33 = 75 119 - 40 = 79

SKITTLES CASTLE Cary Skittles League – winners/runners-up: Division 1 – Toby Hikers/Killer Sharks; Division 2 – Generation Gap/ Porky Blinders; NOM KO – Catash 100s/Spoofers; KO Cup – Lydford Sports Club/Killer Sharks; Fours KO – Lydford Sports Club/Catash 100s; Pairs KO – Toby Hikers/Lydford Sports Club.

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Items for sale

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WORKSHOP HEATER POWRMATIC CPX 060X/ EPC/28SEC. 2018 floor mounted very good condition. £500. Tel: 07775-575238. PINE BUNK BEDS for sale as new including mattresses £150. 01935-862998 MINELAB X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack metal detector/extra accessories. Unused.£600. 07874-266213

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS LEC FRIDGE WITH FREEZER compartment, underworktop model, to suit 60cm space. Clean, in good condition with instructions, £25. must be able to collect. 07964 307869. QUALCAST ELECTRIC LAWN SCARIFIER. 30cms width. £15. 01258-821259 WOODEN STANDARD INTERNAL DOOR. 15 panes of glass. £15. 07791-847767 PART-WORN TYRES, 3 x 205/55 R16. 2 x 6mm-7mm 1x 7mm8mm. Winter tyres £30. 2 x 215/55 R16. 1 x 5mm-6mm 1 x 6mm-7mm. £20 07850-999899 PART-WORN TYRES, 2 x 235/50 R18. 1 x 4mm-5mm, 1 x 6mm7mm. £25. 07850-999899 GARDEN SHED. 10ft x 8ft. Seller can dismantle. £50 ono. Tel 07870 669889 NEARLY NEW 2 FOLDING CAMPBEDS £20ono. Ring Yeovil 01935 706998 or mobile 07787 123702 NINJA FOOD MAXI, Dual Zone, 9.5 litre, Air Fryer. With a smart cook system. New. £50. Tel: 07518-771925 2CV MEMORABILIA. 2 Dick Twining pictures 2CV print. 2 Solido Boxed, 2CV Models, various 2CV models, not boxed. 2 CV History Miniture Cards framed. £50 ono. Tel: 01749-346838 STEERING WHEEL LOCK heavy duty. £5.00 used. 01747-812569 STURDY, STRONG, SMART COOLBOX. Ideal for summer picnics! £10 (Sturminster Newton) 07919 338105

DOG TRAVEL CRATE/PEN , 30” w x 18” d x 20” h excellent condition £30 . Tel 07760 776792 Shaftesbury. BISSELL CARPET and hard floor cleaner pale green hardly used. £35 07563-340823 Frome. GENTS ELEGANT BLACK morning suit with tail coat; 40 chest - 36 waist £50. Tel: 07879-880-250. LG 9kgs WASHING MACHINE. Good working order. Buyer disconnects. £50. 07785 -534524. SWIVEL OFFICE CHAIR, £20. Tel: 01202-677607 ARKE GAS CARBONATOR 3 sparkling drink water maker with unopened raspberry flavour. 01747-826654 Gillingham. £50. PURE WOOL FLEECE under blanket double bed size £5. 01258 820869 Marlene.

TAMPICO SCOTT SPORTS & Teman Urban foldable cycles. £40 each. Child Okeford 07413-877130. Buyer collects. HIGH CHAIR fully adjustable,white painted metal frame,six height settings & three backrest positions,wipe clean seat covering straps & removable tray. £15 07721 530520. SICLIA BBQ FROM HOMEBASE run by gas cylinder very good condition £50. 01747-840835. TWO B&Q 2 SECTION GROWHOUSE Tunnels. Brand new, in original packaging. £20 each. Tel 07732264850 TWO DRAWER 32 INCH HIGH mahogany filing cabinet . Excellent condition £25.00. Tel 01935-816481 PUPPY CAGE ROSEWOOD Option2 24inch cage VGC. foldable.£25 ono 07840-986402. K9 FOUR PAWS KEEPER Excercise Pen- size: W61cm x 76cm - 8panels-£50 07967444150 or 01747 840141 leave a message Gillingham Area EXCELLENT MUSIC STAND, 2 treble recorders, complete with cases and cleaning equipment, instruction books. Everything you need for a beginner. £40. 07732-179986 Shaftesbury

FREE! up to £50

RALEIGH ‘SPIRIT NEXAVE’ Hybrid Lightwave Ladies bicycle. Super condition Shimano brakes & 21 speed. Brand new tyres. Photos. £45. 07976-937830. HEAVY METAL PARASOL BASE, Tower Stick Vac Cleaner £5 each. Selection of china jugs. £2 each. Tel: 01963 -50118 21x14 inch FRAMED PRINT OF DESERT ORCHID winning gold cup (1989) plus 6x4 photo of Sherear signed by Stoure £25. Tony: 07598-982824 SET OF 4, HENSELITE LAWN BOWLS, size 5, in a box. £30. Tel: 07707-596857 GENTS BICYCLE, 10 speed (Triumph) £30. Tel: 01747-870824 ASH TREE - well-established in large blk pot. Ht=5’ & 5” with clear stem (c.1”) before branching. £12 STREET 01458 44 32 64 TWO VINTAGE SLR 35ML CAMERAS. 1 PENTAX ASAHI super Takcmar Lens, 1 Zenit 3M industar 3.5 lens + 2 light meters. All working order £50 Ono. Tel: 01258 818219 UNUSED STAINLESS STEEL Rotovent spinning globe chimney cowl £40 01935 420432

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WANTED

15 x 500 PCS PUZZLES all complete. £20 job lot only 07885614137 (evenings) Gillingham

ELECTRICAL ITEMS WANTED, Camcorders, VHS Players, Digital Cameras, DVD Recorders, Vintage Consoles. Recycle your old items, we pay good rates for working items and collect from you. Call Andrew on 07799-417711

NEW, HITACHI 110V SDS Hammer Drill + Drill Bits In Case. £50.00. Tel: 07903-678306

OLD BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392 602014

ANKLE LENGTH BLACK WOOL cashmere ladies coat size 12/14 purchased from Wallis excellent condition as new £40 Gillingham area 07769-708992

WANTED

BOSH WASHING MACHINE, Excellent Condition, 1 year old, selling because of house move. £50 ono Tel: 01935-812985 UNUSED TRIVIAL PURSUIT GAME. £12. 01747-850322.

AIR RIFLES & AIR PISTOLS FOR PRIVATE COLLECTION ANY MAKE OR MODEL, ANY CONDITION

Tel: 07970 742471

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Farming

blackmorevale.net

How Nirvana came back from brink

by Tria Stebbing I AM not quite sure what happened to April, it came and went and was taken up with the lambs, in every aspect of life. Nova, the little kitten-like creature, has thrived and has tripled in size since she was born and rejected. She never had the input from her mother from day one, which has made her quite reliant on human intervention. When Nova was almost a week old, I noticed that one of the lambs was covered in brown sticky mess, when I arrived to check them. With flies pitching on her a risk, I gently washed her off and put her back with Mum. Mathew was on checking duty the next morning and sadly found the little thing barely breathing and unresponsive. Together we gently laid her on a towel on the bonnet of the Land

Rover and set about trying to resuscitate her. She was tube fed a small amount of milk and had some energy paste put underneath her tongue. The poor little mite was unresponsive and at death’s door for the whole day, not able to even hold her head up. At times like this you wonder if you should intervene, or whether you should let nature take its course. We bought her home and put her in with Nova, who in comparison looked like a hyperactive cat on heat. The following morning, she opened her eyes and started to groan, lifting her head for short periods of time to feed from a bottle. She had clearly been left to fend for herself by Mum and had very cleverly, or not, crawled

into the energy lick bucket to try and survive. She had, though, lived for a couple of weeks with the rest of the flock and was more ‘sheep’ than Nova. Mathew named her Nirvana. A loose interpretation of which is the state of the cessation of suffering or a blissful state. Nova and Nivana are now four weeks old and have the run of the house. I cannot move without tripping over a lamb. The bottles are increasing in size, and we have now introduced hay and some creep to develop their rumen/stomach. During the day they are taken to join the rest of the flock and Nirvana has great fun playing with her cousins before coming home to feed and sleep. Unfortunately, Nova, who never had any time

with the flock, runs after me when I try and leave her, often making it back to the car before me. She is currently out in the garden chewing cud reflecting on her behaviour – I hope! Thinking out of the box, she will be easy to halter train and may end up being shown at country shows as the most compliant version of a sheep there ever was. Exhaustion has not really left us and the cows have been TB tested this week, Blue Tongue immunisations booked demonstrating that there is never really long to dwell on much for long. Shearing needs booking as midges are rife now and the sweet grass is making for some messy rear ends. On the plus side, the sun is beautiful this week, and it warms the heart to see the ewes and lambs out grazing together.

Take care with dogs in countryside by Ruth Kimber WHAT gorgeous weather, blue skies, warmth and loveliness. The countryside looks beautiful bathed in sun, bringing with it

the spring flowers and unfolding tree leaves. It’s the turn of bluebells to delight, and in our lane, we have early purple orchids to enjoy.

We have the first of the silage cut and it will be in the barn by the time you read this, and the maize will be planted. We have a good dry field

near the farm shop on which we’ve grown an early crop of grass. This will be given a cover of farmyard manure, ploughed, Continued on page 81

Conyers

Country Outfitters

(Justin J Frampton) R.F.D.13D

New or Secondhand Shot & Air Guns, Rifles and Repairs. Game, Coarse & Sea Angling Equipment

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Farming

blackmorevale.net

VINTAGE & CLASSIC TRACTORS wanted for parts. 01935-873169.

CONCRETE GROOVING SERVICE. Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040

WANTED

Cows Cows Cows All Grades Also, Bulls plus Organic Cattle Farm Assured or Non-Assured No V.A.N Number, No Problem! Payment on the day - Farm purchases Haulage Arranged Brookfield Livestock Marketing Ltd 7 Days a week. Tel: 07811 381 159

EVERY WEDNESDAY WEEKLY SALES OF PRIME CATTLE CULL CATTLE DAIRY CATTLE & CALVES. PRIME, STORE & CULL SHEEP ********************************************************************

EVERY FRIDAY – SALE OF STORE & BREEDING CATTLE ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 14th MAY HERD DISPERSAL OF 80 QUALITY FRIEISAN HOLSTEIN HEIFERS & COWS DUE JULY – JANUARY. PREDOMINATLY HOMEBRED, CLOSED HERD. FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS

HAY MAKING SERVICE. Small and Large Bales. Also, round bale, square bale, haylage, silage. Tel: 01258880892 - 07980-036250

R&W FENCING. Agricultural paddock and stock. Also part time help required. 01258-880892 07980-036250

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE / HIRE Tel: 01258 472288 Mob: 07977 936109 New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

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

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. Call us on 01749 813957 or 07971 012628

or find us at

********************************************************************

FRIDAY 16th MAY - SPECIAL SALE OF BREEDING CATTLE ********************************************************************

APPROX 220 CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS for sale £10 each plus VAT We can deliver for an extra charge Phone Roger on 01202 826502 or 07885-826396

Equestrian QUALITY HAYLAGE, hay . All June made. 3ft, 4ft and 6ft bales. Collect or delivered. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300 345293

www.southwesttyreservices.co.uk

Andrew Lee Vegetation Management

MONDAY 19th MAY SALE OF TB RESTRICTED CATTLE ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 21st MAY SALE OF REARED CALVES ********************************************************************

FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL

BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288 TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031 ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Somerset, BA11 2QB 01373 830033 info@fromelivestock.com www.fromelivestock.com

Grass flail and scrub flail available for the management of scrub, brambles, grass etc. Working on slopes of up to 50 degrees with operator.

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Skips/HAIB lorry available for onsite collection Tel 01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243

1298 acres of Standing Straw • 599ac Wheat New•Blackmore 281ac WinterVale, BarleyMay 9, 2025 • 119ac Spring Barley • 229ac Oats • 70ac Oil Seed Rape

Farming

blackmorevale.net Continued from page 79 worked down and planted into maize, along with two other fields. There is so much to do in the spring, but it is so much easier when the weather is good. The cattle are losing their winter coats, replacing them with slick shiny ones, and they like to have a place where they can have an itch and scratch! Piles of cow hair lie about, but it is not going to waste as the birds swoop down to use it in nestbuilding! As cattle and sheep repopulate the fields, respect for their space is all important, as is the safety of walkers, especially if accompanied by a dog. Cattle are inquisitive by nature, and sheep timid, and both are protective of their young. When walking in the countryside, take care. If you have a dog with you, it is probably best to steer clear of fields with cattle, especially youngstock or cows with calves. If you find yourself compromised, let the dog go,

they can usually outrun cattle. Mostly it’s the dog that attracts the cattle’s attention. They would see it as a threat – wolf – in their minds. Sheep, on the other hand, will often panic and group together and run away. Many dogs are excited by this and will take chase – even the most placid and obedient dogs can behave like this – causing fear and injury to the sheep. If more than one dog is involved, the pack instinct is aroused and sheep worrying can result. This message is sent every year to walkers, dog owners and cattle owners to help protect all concerned. The end of the year accounts is now upon us, stock taking in the farm and shop, finalising the accounts and starting the new financial year. It’s a worrying time with all the extra costs government has put on business, with the national insurance and increased wage costs. We have seen several businesses fold and others being taken over – we will see how the year turns out.

Wednesday 14th May

STANDING STRAW AUCTION

ON-FARM AUCTION Herd Dispersal of the Higher Oborne Farm Herd

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am Removed to Frome Market for convenience Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pmof Sale SilverlakeBindon Farm, Sherborne, & Pinhay DT9 6SN Holstein Friesian In-Milk Cows & Heifers The66 Grain Store, Rousdon, Dorset Genuine Dispersal ofHeathfield, Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift,3.27%P Pick-Up, On behalf of John Swain Limited Online bidding available 830ac of Standing Straw NMR Herd Av.(Retiring) 7,527 litres 5.18%BF Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment 461ac Wheat Extremely•low SCC of those in sale: 35

Contact Greg Ridout:DISPERSAL 01935 382909 / 07817 517467 ON-FARM AUCTION

• 237ac Winter Barley 2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario British 770 Header, AI Services to Aberdeen Angus, Blue &Shelbourne Holstein Reynolds • 132ac Oats RSD20 Stripper Header, Calving, 2011Saturday Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey July – January Herringbone Parlour, Cubicle Housed 29th July Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH BVD vaccinated. The Friday Herd is 30th naturally free of IBR, Leptospirosis and Johnes June at 122012 noon T7.210 (3,610hrs) & T7.200 (4,365hrs) Tractors, JCB 531-70 (2,145hrs) & 1997 527-58 Telehandlers, 2010 Durweston Isuzu Rodeo Pick-Up, Doosan Pro5 18 Forklift, Dispersal saleRest of 4 Farm, Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Durweston, Dorset McConnel Travellers 8.2m & 6.3m Cambridge Rollers, TwoseBlandford, & Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, Miscellaneous 6,220 acres of Standing Straw KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding 2,442ac Wheat Power Harrow, KV DXA 4.7m•Trailed Discs, KV LD85 5f Rev Plough, Kuhn VariIncluding: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988 2,006ac Winter Barley Master 153 5f Rev Plough,•McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kverneland TL Geospread Same Explorer•70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973 1,557ac Spring Barley Fertiliser Spreader, McConnel Magnum Euro 280 Hyd Offset Topper, Bomford Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, • 178ac Oats Hawk 6m Hedgecutter, Our Kuhn FC313 TG Mower Conditioner, Agents will be at 2 x Stewart 16-21L Marshall SM6 Drop• Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping 37ac Oil Seed Rape Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc.

The Dairy Event

& TS91 Ploughs, Krone Friday 7thAM242Z July at 12Mower noon Conditioner, Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc. On behalf of Pittard Partners (Ceasing Milk Production) on Wednesday, 2 October Wynford Eagle

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, In conjunction with Cooper & Tanner

entriesfor welcome. Please callFurther in tosuitable ourDorset stand refreshments Online bidding available via MartEye 1298 acres of Standing Straw and to meet our rural and agricultural experts Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 • 599ac Contact Greg Ridout: 01935Wheat 382909/07817 517467

Mob: 07966 244536 Online bidding available

On behalf of John Swain Limited (Retiring)

Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909 / 07817and 517467 Hydraulic Hose Specialists ON-FARM DISPERSAL AUCTION

JDG Structural Steel Ltd Steel frame buildings for agricultural, industrial and equestrian enterprises Pre-cast concrete wallings panels supplied and erected Roller shutter doors supplied and fitted All steel frames are designed, fabricated & erected to conform to current CE markings

Tel: 01747 811711 Mob: 07860 570258 Email: johnguttridge@aol.com Email: Info@jdgstructuralsteel.co.uk. www.jdgstructuralsteel.co.uk

Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Saturday 29th July Automotive and Transport Industry Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH Pneumatic fittings Quick release couplings Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Air brake fittings Pressure wash hoses + lances Miscellaneous Hose clamps Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wdof(6,800hrs), 1988 Hydraulic Hoses Variation oils Same Explorer 70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973 Mobile service available Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, Our Agents will be at Marshall SM6 Drop Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner, Feeders, Engines,2 Signs, Bygones, etc. onStationary Wednesday, October

The Dairy Event

entriesfor welcome. Please callFurther in tosuitable our stand refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural experts Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 Cote Farm 6RF S A Works, L E S | L E T TKilmington, I N G S | A U C T I O Warminster, N S | P L A N N I N G |Wiltshire N E W H O M EBA12 S RESIDENTIAL | AGRICULTURAL | COMMERCIAL symondsandsampson.co.uk Email: hoses@ardiesels.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Property

blackmorevale.net

PROPERTY FRIDAY 16 & MAY 202515 NOVEMBER 2024 PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAYAUCTION 25 OCTOBER 2024 FRIDAY AT THE DIGBY CHURCH MEMORIAL , SHERBORNE AT 2:00PM AND VIA LIVESTREAM 2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE,HALL WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM Bere Regis

Guide £60,000

A 0.13 acre (559 sqm.) parking area with a favourable pre-app response for a dwelling with parking and a garden. Freehold. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Guide £95,000

East Stoke

13.02 acres of wetland and woodland, rich in biodiversity, in a secluded, peaceful area south of the River North Perrott Guide £45,000 3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping Frome. Freehold. pasture land| 01202 with direct road access. Wimborne 843190 Freehold.

Sixpenny Handley Guide £150,000

A detached barn432526 of about 125 sqm. Yeovil | 01935

in just under 1.70 acres with off-road parking and paddock. Freehold.

Dorchester

Guide £200,000

£50,000 AWitchampton centrally located GradeGuide II Listed 0.19 acres of amenity land with property currently arranged as 3scope x for a range of uses (STPP/consents), 1 bedroom flats and walled gardens, adjoining residential properties. requiring modernisation throughout. Freehold. CTBs A, EPC Exempt, Leasehold.

Bournemouth Verwood

Guide £200,000

Wimborne

Guide £225,000

Guide £125,000 AWinfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 semi detached, extended 4 bedroom

Dorchester 261008 Wimborne| 01305 | 01202 843190

A grand, 4 storey (including basement) 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a mixed-use Victorian building occupying residential location falling within the amain prominent plot onarea Lansdowne urban corner development on the Crescent. RV: £53,500, £8,300, CTB A, Local Plan. Freehold. EPC TBC. Freehold. Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237 Wimborne | 01202 843190

Tarrant Rushton Guide £250,000

Horton Heath

20.42property acres (8.26 of level, period for ha) complete productivewith permanent pasture land renovation a generous garden adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. adjoining Ferndown Forest. CTB C, Freehold. EPC F, Freehold. Wimborne | 01202843190 Dorchester | 01305 236237

Blandford | 01258 452670

Hammoon

Guide £250,000

A peaceful, secluded bluebell wood set in an idyllic rural landscape. About 26.31 acres. Freehold. Sturminster | 01258 473766

Charlton Marshall

Guide £300,000 Pallington

£350,000 A detached, extended 3Guide bedroom 38.42 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good 23.55acres acres(15.55 of permanent pasture, cottage for renovation, enjoying a rural accessibility. Conveniently into three workable parcels. The land has with fishing rights along thesplit River position and delightful countryside previously been used to is understood toof begardens. very productive, Stour, which borders thegrow land.salad crops and views in 0.20 acres CTB C, more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the Freehold. EPC G, Freehold. land has been drilled with a cover crop. Freehold. Wimborne | 01202 843190 Blandford Forum | 01258 452670

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Guide £275,000

Fifehead Magdalen Guide £250,000

Houghton Guide2 £400,000 An attractive semi-detached AWinterborne partially renovated and extended 2 42.94 acres (17.38with ha) of productive land. Free draining soil over chalk, bedroom cottage for loam renovation with a bedroom bungalow potential for arable two roadextension, access points, a cattle handling race, outstanding andinprivate water generous gardenviews situated this much upwards subject to planning supply. South east aspect suited to vines and solar. Freehold. favoured North Dorset village. CTB E, permission. CTB C, EPC E, Freehold. EPC G, Freehold. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Okeford Fitzpaine Guide £295,000

Fontmell Magna Guide £350,000

Corfe Castle

A charming semi-detached A formerGuides primary£40,000 school measuring Batcombe, Dorchester 2 bedroom to £115,000 cottage with(12.01 a separate 1 bedroom, 20.70 acres ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots. over 6,300 sq. ft./585 sq. m. in grounds single with off-road Lot A –storey 15.02annexe ac arable capable pasture land gentleproviding south facing slope ofwith 0.54aacres, development £115,000 parking and gardens. CTBs C & A, EPCs potential, subject to planning Lot 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick D & BB,-Freehold. permission. EPCpumphouse D, Freehold.- £40,000 Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Sturminster | 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 473766

AShaftesbury former doctor’s surgery in 0.58 acres Guide £95,000 A charming 1 bedroom property with prior approval for change of use to partdwelling of a Grade II* Listed aforming residential under application building, ideal as a buy to let£5,100, P/PACD/2024/02991/. RV: investment or bolthole. Leasehold with EPC C, Freehold. 50% share of freehold. Sturminster | 01258 473766

AMilborne charming Port Grade II Listed3 bedroom Guide £150,000 An attractive period property for stone cottage for complete renovation, renovation a generous situated closeenjoying to the centre of this garden sitting on the outskirts of EPC highly sought-after village. CTB E, Milborne Port. Freehold. Exempt, Freehold.

Chilcompton

Tarrant Gunville Belchalwell Guide £250,000 Guide £225,000-£250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre Somerford Road, Christchurch Guide £650,000

Motcombe

Guide £295,000

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Guide £195,000

Hurcott

Guide £200,000

A partially built 5 bedroom detached A period detached cottage in need of house, with double garage and gardens. general improvement throughout, set in A bungalow requiring renovation, providing potential foracres extension PPsubstantial was granted under application spacious gardens of 0.21 (0.08 or replacement, subject to PP,Freehold. in a rural position enjoying grounds of 1.60 acres. reference 2022/1683/FUL. hectares). Freehold. Subject to an AOC. CTB E, EPC F, Freehold.

Horton, Wimborne Guide £450,000

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Wimborne | 01202 843190

Iliminster | 01460 200790

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Guide £375,000

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Sherborne | 01935 814488

A detached 2 bedroom cottage for plot for modernisation/replacement A site measuring 0.39 acres with full planning permission for an exclusive complete renovation, situated in (STPP) with a positive pre application development of 9 x 2 bedroom apartments (8/22/0470/FUL), situated in the this highly sought after village within response for a 4 bedroom house. heart of Christchurch close to Avon Beach and Mudeford Quay. Potential for Cranborne Chase. Freehold. Freehold. alternative schemes STPP. CIL: £98,735.93, Freehold.

Blandford | 01258 452670

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Wimborne | 01202 843190

R E S I D E N T I A L | A G R I C U LT U R A L | C O M M E RC I A L

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Property

blackmorevale.net

PROPERTY AUCTION THURSDAY 5TH JUNE 2025 PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024 AT THE DIGBY CHURCH HALL , SHERBORNE AT 2:00PM AND VIA LIVESTREAM DIGBYMEMORIAL HALL, HOUND STREET, SHERBORNE, DT9 3AA Leigh, Sherborne

Guide £60,000

A 1.31 acre (5,282 sq.m) plot of level land on the edge of the village. Freehold. Sturminster | 01258 473766

Osmington, Dorchester Guide £100,000 3.10 acres of grassland with three stables, hay store and tack room. North Perrott Guide £45,000 Freehold. 3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping Dorchester | 01305 236237 pasture land with direct road access. Melplash, Dorchester Freehold.

Guide £150,000

12.94 acres of level to sloping pasture land with far reaching views over the Yeovil | 01935 432526

Hinton St Mary Guide £95,000 Guide £50,000 AWitchampton former garage and MOT bay with full 0.19 acres of amenity with scope planning permission forland conversion to 2 for a range of uses (STPP/consents), x 2 bedroom dwellings. adjoining residential properties. EPC Garage F, MOT bay E. Freehold. Freehold. Sturminster 473766 Wimborne| 01258 | 01202 843190

Blandford Verwood

Guide £125,000

Yeovil

Guide £150,000

Guide £125,000 AWinfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 2 bedroom, 2 reception room

An imposing Grade II Listed Georgian 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a property for complete renovation or residential location falling within the re-development subject to planning main urban development area on the permission/Listed Building consent. CTB C, Local Plan. Freehold. RV: £7,300. Freehold with flying freehold. Blandford | 01258 452670 Wimborne | 01202 843190

20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, bungalow requiring modernisation, productivefrom permanent pasture land benefitting a large garden, adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. driveway parking and a single garage. Freehold. CTB C, EPC F, Freehold. Yeovil | 01935 423526 Dorchester | 01305 236237

surrounding countryside. Freehold. Dorchester | 01305 236237

Askerswell, Dorchester Guide £400,000 A useful sized block of productive pastureland extending to 42.30 acres with an agricultural building located just off the A35. Freehold. Dorchester | 01305 236237

Pallington Lamyatt, Shepton Guide £475,000

Yeovil

Guide £150,000

Guide £350,000 A retail premises with planning 38.42 acres (15.55 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good approval for conversion to residential 46.47 acres of pasture land and accessibility. Conveniently split into three workable parcels. The land has use (planning ref:23/02564/LBC), two stone barns available in 3 lots. previously been used to grow salad crops and is understood to be very productive, within the town centre . RV, EPC D, Freehold. more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the Freehold. Sturminster land has been| 01258 drilled 473766 with a cover crop. Freehold. Yeovil | 01935 423526

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Beaminster

Guide £348,500

Over Compton

Guide £400,000

A fabulous opportunity to purchase 3 A versatile commercial property offering Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000 cottages (one(12.01 Gradeha) II Listed) a in a quiet 20.70 acres tuckedwith away ruralofposition 3 lots. a range potentialinuses (subject to generous garden plot to capable be sold as one land Lot A – 15.02 ac arable pasture with a gentle south facinginslope necessary consents), situated a desirable £115,000 lot. All in need of renovation throughout. village, in grounds of 1.29 acre. RV: £16,250 Lot BC- EPC 3.57 18 ac pasture andE,woodland oldC,brick pumphouse - £40,000 CTB D 20 D 22 Freehold. including EPC an Shop Restaurant C, Freehold. Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Beaminster | 01308 863100 Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Chilcompton Guide £195,000 Hurcott Guide £200,000 East Lambrook, SomersetdetachedLot A Guide £475,000 Lot B Guide £20,000 A partially built 5 bedroom A period detached cottage in need of house, with barn double garage and gardens. general set in A detached conversion with outbuildings withimprovement 14.68 acres. throughout, Lot B 0.70 acre PP was granted under application spacious gardens (0.08 of paddock. The successful purchaser of lot A will be offered LotofB0.21 at a acres fixed price referenceCTB 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold. hectares). Freehold. £20,000 B. EPC D. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Yeovil | 01935 423526

Iliminster | 01460 200790

Mosterton

Guide £175,000

Blandford

Guide £275,000

Guide £400,000 A detached 2 bedroom bungalow with AWinterborne mid terrace 3Houghton bedroom cottage in a 42.94location. acres (17.38 ha) of productive land.for Free draining loam soil over chalk, scope modernisaton/extension village Unlisted with garden arable twoparking road access points, a cattle outstanding viewsoff-road and private water (STPP) with a garage, parking and for 2 vehicles. CTB B,handling EPC race, South east aspect suited to vines and Freehold. andsolar. private garden. CTB C, EPC D, E,supply. Freehold. Freehold. Beaminster | 01308 863100

Blandford | 01258 452670

East Knoyle, Wilts Guide £400,000 An opportunity to re-develop Shaftesbury Guideexisting £95,000

Codford, Warminster Guide £425,000 AMilborne modern suite open£150,000 plan Portof largely Guide

A charming 1 bedroom property barns with planning permission forming part of a and Grade II* Listed (PL/2022/04148 15/05830/FUL), ideal as alocation. buy to letFreehold. inbuilding, an idyllic village investment or bolthole. Leasehold with 50% share of freehold. Sturminster | 01258 473766

An attractive property forclose offices, set in aperiod rural location but renovation a generous to good roadenjoying links. Forecourt parking garden sitting on the outskirts of for around 20 vehicles. RV: £57,000 Milborne Port. Freehold. EPC TBC Freehold.

Tarrant Gunville Nether Compton, Sherborne, Dorset Guide £225,000-£250,000

Belchalwell

Blandford | 01258 452670

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Guide £250,000

Guide A detached bungalow on a£1,200,000 0.30 acre detached 2 bedroom plot for modernisation/replacement AAunique opportunity to cottage acquire for a historic Grade II Listed property, originally built complete renovation, situated in neighbouring (STPP) with a positive application as a gamekeepers cottage for the Manor House. Withpre outbuildings, thisgardens highly sought after village within response a 4 bedroom house. and and grounds of 8.35 acres, tucked away infor a secluded position. CTB G, Cranborne Freehold. Freehold. EPC Exempt,Chase. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488

R E S I D E N T I A L | A G R I C U LT U R A L | C O M M E RC I A L

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Property

blackmorevale.net

Bowridge, Gillingham Guide £1,250,000 A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating Mappowder Guide £595,000 from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3village reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A fine Grade II listed former Post House with attractive gardens, Outside is a wonderful stone barn with (stp), workshop, largechurch garden and a substantial barn/workshop and potential lovely views to the village and paddock, in totalcountryside. 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available. surrounding CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton Sturminster Newton || 01258 473766 472244

Hazelbury Bryan Guide £1,150,000 An extended and modernised period house combining character and Marnhull Guide £525,000 charm with contemporary family living quiet location a noA character south-facing stone house in in anaexcellent centralonvillage through roadawith views, land and stables. In alland about 2.40 workshop southlocation with largewonderful oak-framed double garage, acres. CTB F, EPC D,E.Freehold. facing gardens. CTB Freehold. Sturminster Newton 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 |473766

Holwell Guide £825,000 Shroton Guide £435,000 An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage haswith beenstunning fully updated countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. G, EPC B, but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart ofCTB this most desirable Freehold. village. CTB D. Freehold. Sturminster| Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne 01935 814488

Bedchester Guide £810,000 North Cheriton OIEO A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with£400,000 wonderful far-reaching views3-bedroom and gardenperiod and grounds of tucked one acre. CTB An attractive, double-fronted property away on D, Freehold. an EPC idyllicF,country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 Sturminster | 01258814488 473766

Donhead St Mary Guide £800,000 Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation Tucked away down through lane is this extended and very well over three floors in aa no quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yardD, & Freehold. paddocks, in total over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 473766

Okeford Fitzpaine Guide £775,000 Leigh OIEO £500,000 An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ accommodation, setof in the attractive and backing farmland. garden in the heart village.gardens CTB F, EPC Exempt,onto Freehold. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488 Sturminster | 01258 473766

R E S I D E N T I A L | A G R I C U LT U R A L | C O M M E RC I A L

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Property

blackmorevale.net

ST NE RU W CT IO N IN

ST NE RU W CT IO N

H ◆A ◆M ◆B ◆L ◆E ◆D ◆O ◆N £775,000 Wincanton £385,000 Bruton

£365,000 Cary £595,000 Castle Wincanton

bedroom Edwardian house situated in an elevated position An imposing attractivesix Grade II Listed attached natural stone cottage situated in the of Bruton justover a short from the High Street amenities. Full withheart far reaching views The walk Blackmore Vale. This impressive property of charm and character comprising living room an withinternal wood burning enjoys versatile accommodation incorporating annexe stove, which flagstone floor, window seat, exposed kitchen/diner, three flows seamlessly within the house whilstceiling offeringbeam, potential for independent bedrooms, bathroom andEPC courtyard garden. EPC Rating D. Freehold multi- generational living. Rating:style D. Freehold.

II listeddesigned period cottage with parking for several An attractive impressiveGrade individually four bedroom detached housecars. with ample parking and integral garage. The propertyroom, has andownstairs expansive Spacious sitting room with double open fire, kitchen/breakfast sitting room three featuring a wood burning stove, large kitchen, room/ cloakroom, bedrooms, bathroom, delightful garden dining with useful snug, utility/boot room, garden spacious master bedroom with stylish en-suite and outbuilding and feature well, gas central heating and large boarded a well-appointed familyEPC bathroom. EPC Rating C. Freehold loft. No forward chain. Rating: E. Freehold.

WINCANTON

£410,000

An individual and deceptively spacious four bedroom detached bungalow which enjoys the benefit of a large landscaped garden. Characterful sitting room, separate dining room, large kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite and useful attic room. EPC Rating: D.

SOUTH CHERITON

£430,000

A substantial three bedroom detached bungalow situated in a small close in the sought after village of South Cheriton. Spacious sitting room with open fire, separate dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility/boot room, en-suite shower room, attractive landscaped garden and garage.

ST NE RU W CT IO N

Thinking of Moving Thinking of in 2025? moving? IN

The spring market Having enjoyed a busycontinues summer to webe still have registered withtous busymany with buyers many buyers looking to purchase purchasewishing a property in the local towns within the local towns and villages.a and villages. If you are considering If you are considering bringing to move in 2025 we will be delighted your property to the market offer a free valuation and marketing we would be delighted advice on your property. OIEO £375,000 Wincanton £400,000 Bruton £125,000 Henstridge £140,000 Wincanton to hear from you. A spacious substantial (735sqft) and characterful one A delightful two bedroom floor flat delightful three bedroom first semi-detached four bedroom detached house with a bedroomrear firstgarden. floor apartment with the room benefit of comprising light and inairyexceptional sitting room order with Pleasecall call01963 0196334000 34000toorarrange email house presented delightful Light & airy sitting with Please a modern long lease (964 years) share of Freehold. opening to aThis stylish kitchen, property two double throughout. impressive is fireplace, largeand kitchen/diner - French wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment or email Eleganttositting room, light and room, airy kitchen/diner, bedrooms, modern bathroom suiteto local and situated in a convenient position close doors garden, utility/boot cloakroom, BRUTON £225,000 WINCANTON £226,500 an appointment. wincanton hambledon.net double bedroom and parking for 2 cars. EPC allocated parking. An ideal investment or first @ amenities. Garage, parking, attractivehouse garden. en-suite shower Aroom, family and house situated within a short walk of spacious four bathroom bedroom terrace An exceptionally well presented three bedroom semi-detached with Rating: garage. D. Leasehold. double EPC Rating. D. Freehold. local schools. The property enjoys the benefit of a loft conversion creating

ST NE RU W CT IO N

time buy.over EPC Rating: Freehold. No forward chain. EPCC.Rating: C. Freehold. stunning far reaching views Wincanton and countryside beyond. Sitting room, stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, cloakroom, driveway and garage alongside property, landscaped garden. EPC Rating: C.

ST NE RU W CT IO N

a master bedroom with dressing room/study and en-suite. Spacious lounge/diner, fitted kitchen, private garden, garage and no forward chain. EPC Rating: C.

£445,000 £410,000 Wincanton Wincanton WINCANTON

£145,000

£500,000Wincanton Bayford £325,000 WINCANTON £179,950

An extended fivefour bedroom detached househouse providing a versatile family home’ home. A substantial three bedroom detached bungalow delightful rural viewsorder over exceptional detached presented ‘show Anon impressive three bedroom detached house with presented in excellent An bedroom attractive two bedroom terrace houseinsituated in a small close A spacious two bedroom semi-detached house situated on a popular Generous livingfaraccommodation including amid delightful sitting room, separate adjoining fields. Spacious including ainlight and sitting condition with reaching views to thesitting rear. Impressive kitchen/bathroom, throughout. Sitting roomliving with accommodation feature bay window, light and airyairy kitchen/ a mature countryside development. Spacious room, kitchen/diner, residential development. The property is presented excellent order and dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with ideal en-suite shower woodthe burner, fitted kitchen opening to the dining area leading providing breakfast room, utility spacious living room,parking, separate dining room/or firstroom diner withenjoys stylish units, integrated appliances and French doors easy room, to maintain garden, allocated investment benefit of a car port, long driveway, enclosed garden, sittingouta room, family bathroom, shower room,room, garage with electric door and and wonderful socialideal space, cosy snug, conservatory and utilitytoshower room. A room, large timber timeen-suite buy. EPC Rating: C. room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and potential extend (STPP). potential home office, shower attractive garden,roller driveway to the garden for alfresco dining, stylish en-suite long Rating: D. delightful landscaped rear garden. EPC C. Rating D. Freehold garage/workshop, attractive gardens and PV panels. EPC Rating: Rating. C. garage. No forward chain. EPC Rating: Freehold. driveway,EPC detached garage and EV charging point. EPC B. Freehold. Freehold.

Wincanton W I Wincanton NCANTON 01963 0Tel: 1 9(01963) 634000 3 3 434000 000

Shaftesbury

Ha mlet Lettings

Newton G I Gillingham LLINGHAM S H Shaftesbury AFTESBURY S T USturminster RMINSTER N EWTON 01747 851151 01963 34006 Tel: (01747) 824924 Tel: (01747) 851151 Tel: (01258) 472647 0174 7 8 2 4 9 2 4 0174 7 8 511 51 012 5 8 47 2 6 47

HM AM ED . N. ENTE T W WW WW. W H .A BBLL E DOONN WWW.HA MBLEDON.NET

New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

Property TO LET OFFICE/SALON/STORAGE in traditional tythe barn to let. Prices from £24pw to £33pw. 07811 837061 OFFICE / STORAGE SPACE AVAILABLE on a private secure access farm just outside Fovant, SP35LQ. 1015sq ft Underfloor heating, kitchen, wc, secure parking. sales@brightseeds.co.uk STORAGE UNIT, 10ft X 12ft, Dry, Secure, £18 per week. Wincanton, Tel: 07891-855580

PROPERTY DETACHED FOUR BEDROOM river frontage property near Blandford. Fishing and mooring rights. No forward chain £475,000. 01258-857787.

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01963 400186 adverts@blackmorevale.net

Puzzle solutions Easy sudoko 9 7 1 4 5 3 6 2 8

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Bestwall Park for sale at £4.25m

BESTWALL Park, a private estate in Dorset with spectacular views, is up for sale at a price tag of £4.25million. The estate includes a six-bedroom period country house, equestrian facilities and 160 acres of land on a private peninsula about one mile from Wareham. The house was built in 1911 and was extensively restored by the current owners in 2001. The land includes a five-acre lake which was restored with advice from Slimbridge Wetland Centre on habitats for breeding birds. The property, for sale with Savills, also has a sunken, Moroccan-style heated open air saltwater swimming pool and a

field levelled for polo. Savills head of rural agency in the south, Geoffrey Jones, said: “Bestwall Park is in a secluded setting, with no neighbouring properties, on an almost entirely private peninsula. “The sale of Bestwall Park represents an incredibly rare opportunity to acquire an estate of this scale in such a spectacular setting.”

(from pages 38-39)

Edition 121

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Cryptic crossword

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New Blackmore Vale, May 9, 2025

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Rent from £27.50 per week CCTV, Palisade Fencing & 24/7 access Located at Enterprise Park in Piddlehinton

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