The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 124

THE COVENT GARDEN DANCE COMPANY

returns to HATCH HOUSE this July for

BALLET UNDER THE STARS 2025

We invite you to come and join us in the beautiful 17th Century walled Dutch garden at Hatch House to enjoy a spectacular evening of ballet and dance. The garden is covered for the event to create a magical dinner theatre. The company of internationally acclaimed dancers will perform three 30 minute sections of dance, each section between a dining interval. The walled garden theatre seats 430 guests each night, at tables of 10 (up to 12). Smaller parties, as well as single ticket holders, can be catered for.

Stroll, pre-show, through the gardens with cocktails in hand from the Café Folle. Then, surrounded by the scents of summer flora, you will be invited to take your seat at your table to enjoy the evening’s performances within the ancient walled garden.

After the performances have ended you can return to Café Folle to enjoy the evening further with friends, wine and dancing until carriages at 1am.

This is an unmissable highlight of the summer calendar.

TICKETS START AT £185 and include a three course gourmet dinner with paired wine and all performances.

Gardens open at 5.30pm, performance finishes at 11:30pm. Gardens close at 1am.

Villagers

• Main pic: Dorset residents will soon have to book tip trips online page 16 • Above: Teachers walk out over changes at vale schools page 8 • Left: Station project summer tea party to celebrate railway birthday page 18

Paul Jones - Editor in Chief

We love hearing your news and views. Get in touch with us by emailing newsdesk@blackmorevale.net or calling 01963 400186

Lloyd Armishaw Publisher newsdesk@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

Lorraine Drake Distributor lorraine_drake@icloud.com 07850 529937

Duplo stay & play

POP into Shaftesbury Library on the first and third Thursdays of every month (2.15pm-2.45pm) for Duplo stay and play

Bring your pre-schooler to play with the Duplo while you chat with other parents/carers.

For more information please call Shaftesbury Library on 01747 852256 or email shaftesburylibrary@dorsetcouncil. gov.uk

Rescued garden opens to the public

THE star of an episode of BBC Garden Rescue is opening their garden for charity next month.

The garden at 34 Imber Road, Shaftesbury (SP7 8RX) is filled with scents and textures, designed for the visually impaired.

Find out how the planting has developed and grown since the

garden was featured on the programme in September 2024.

The garden will be open on July 12 and 13, from 1pm-5pm.

A minimum donation of £3 per person will be given to Dorset Blind Association and Sjögren UK. Cash or card on the day, under 16s free. Tea, coffee and cake will be on sale.

Swan songs

ABBOTSBURY Swannery will be the subject of a talk by Charlie Wheeler to Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild.

The group meets at Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury (DT1 3DF), and the meeting is on Monday, July 14, at 2pm.

Visitors are very welcome – entry £4. For more information, phone 01305 832857.

The Dorset Baker

ONE of the founders of the artisan baking revival in the UK, Paul Merry, who is based at Cann Mills in Shaftesbury, is launching a new book.

The Dorset Baker has lots of recipes and advice on making bread, the history of bread making and how bread makers are shaped by the environment in which they ply their craft.

Paul arrived in the UK in the 1970s from Australia and in collaboration with Michael Stoate, of Cann Mills, created a bakery where he has been baking and teaching for 20 years.

Flour has been milled at Cann Mills since before the Doomsday Book in 1086.

Paul has run Panary courses for dough enthusiasts covering everything from basic bread making and using a wood-fired oven to French baking with sourdough, and pizza and Italian baking.

The Dorset Baker includes photographs by local photographer Mark Cornwell and illustrations by Sean Slater.

It will be launched on Friday, June 27, at 6.30pm in the Assembly Room at the Grosvenor Hotel, Shaftesbury.

West Country publisher Riversmeet is hosting the launch in collaboration with the Kitchen Table Bookshop, Shaftesbury.

It will begin with a question and answer session between Sarah Rudder, of the Kitchen Table, and Paul about his life and work.

Words underground

SHAFTESBURY’S foremost poetry night makes a welcome return to Nun’s Passage.

Following a packed out and enjoyable night in March, Words Underground returns on June 20, from 7pm-9pm.

Taking to the stage at the cellar venue below Shaftesbury’s King Alfred’s Kitchen café will be Shaftesbury writer Richard Foreman and special guest Virginia Astley.

musician, but in recent years has turned her hand to poetry. The English River – a collection of her poems about the River Thames, along with her photography has been published by Bloodaxe.

There will be five short open-readings slots, and –organisers hope – a musical interlude.

Leak

Virginia has had a long career as a singer and

There’s no charge for entry, but there will be a call for donations to help cover costs. Capacity is limited, so early arrival is advised.

Legal battle launched as villagers fight back against plans for 130 homes

PLANS to build 130 houses in a tiny village on the Dorset/ Somerset border hang in the balance after residents launched a legal challenge.

Barratt David Wilson Homes secured planning permission on appeal in 2018 to build the homes at the Townsend Green site on Woodhayes Way in Henstridge, located on the busy A357.

This was approved despite concerns that as the development would be located to the south of the village, any future residents would have to walk along the A357, which has no footpath in places, and battle with the oncoming cars and HGVs.

A key condition of the planning approval granted by the Planning Inspector was that pedestrian safety concerns should be resolved and agreed to

by the local authority prior to construction starting.

However, suggestions put forward, such as a traffic light scheme and a yellow box scheme, were dismissed or proved unworkable by Somerset Council’s highways department.

Failed solutions over the years eventually saw the five-year time limit on the planning permission lapse, which prompted the developer to apply for the removal of the condition, which was subsequently approved by the council’s planning officers through delegated powers.

This removal of the condition is the catalyst for the Judicial Review that was organised by Paul Dimishky from the A357 group, which opposed the development since 2017.

Paul said: “The traffic light scheme was dismissed by

highways and other schemes suggested, including a yellow box scheme, were tried but proved unworkable.

“This safety scheme needed agreement before development commenced.

“Barratt failed to do this and commenced development illegally just prior to the final date that the permission expired. Barratt subsequently applied for a certificate of lawfulness to make their illegal start legal.”

Paul said that this application was submitted to Somerset Council but was incorrectly drafted.

Rules prevented Henstridge Parish Council from taking up legal proceedings, so Paul decided to commence proceedings as an individual in December 2024.

He said: “This case is about

small village in Somerset, but the circumstances are not unique to Henstridge.

“Councils across the land are facing large development companies wishing to build in inappropriate places.

“Councils find themselves in the position where they are either unwilling or unable to reject such applications.

“This is partly related to bias in favour of developers and often the inability to fund a defence against court actions.”

The hearing is expected to take place towards the end of the year, and a Crowdfunder page has been set up to cover the £50,000 in predicted legal costs for the hearing.

To make a donation to this Crowdfunder, visit www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ paul-dimishky.

Fun show could be your pooch’s chance to shine

A VALE dog trainer is preparing for an international agility competition later this year.

The International Mix and Breed Championship Agility (IMCA) takes place in Italy this September.

Fifteen countries will be competing, in four groups based on the height of the dog.

Charlotte Baker, a trainer with JJ Dogs based in Wincanton, has been competing in agility since 2017. She has competed at Crufts and IMCA for four years, bringing home a bronze medal in 2024.

Now she’s hoping to increase her medal haul.

Charlotte and Kita beat 30 dogs for their place on the team. The team is self-funded, and relies on generous sponsorship from Naylor Agility, Le Shuttle, Agility Wear and Spytech.

But with more funding required, Charlotte and JJ Dogs will be holding a dog show on Sunday, July 13 at their base on

High Winds Farm, Higher Holton (BA9 8AP).

This fun day out for the family will include classes including waggiest tail, best trick and most unalike pair. There will be rosettes and prizes – entry is £2 per class (cash).

Entry is from 11.30am, with judging starting at 12.30pm.

Library closures

ESSENTIAL building work is set to disrupt services at Gillingham Library later this month and next.

The work is needed to prepare for the installation of new technology which will allow library members to use facilities beyond staffed opening hours.

Limited service will be available from Monday to Friday, June 23-27, with the foyer open to allow customers to return items, collect reservations and order or renew books.

The library will then be closed from Monday to Friday, July 14-18, before reopening on Saturday, July 19.

During the closure, customers can borrow up to 20 books, and loan periods will be extended to ensure no returns are due while the library is closed.

Customers are also encouraged to visit nearby libraries at Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury where they can

borrow and return books as well as use the facilities.

Customers can also access our 24/7 online library offer for E-books, E-magazines and E-newspapers, to view their account and find information about our other services and library opening times.

The investment in Gillingham Library has been funded by Arts Council England and is part of a broader project to launch 'extended access' at four Dorset library sites –Verwood, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham and Sherborne.

Cllr Ryan Hope, portfolio holder for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement at Dorset Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to improve the facilities for our customers at Gillingham Library thanks to funding from Arts Council England.

“We know the residents will benefit significantly from the investment and expansion of opening times once the work has been completed.”

Time for tea?

ENJOY a brew and soak up the heart-warming show, TEABREAK, at Westlands Entertainment Venue. The performance is part of Yeovil Together – a free, vibrant, and welcoming celebration of Yeovil’s rich cultural diversity. It offers a packed programme of food, music, performances and activities.

In TEABREAK, audiences are invited to enjoy a complimentary cup of chai or peppermint tea, served from Trigger’s beautifully handpainted tuk tuk, while two dancers perform among them. As you sip your tea, you’ll be guided on a gentle audio journey through the history and rituals of tea, celebrating how this simple comfort connects people.

Yeovil Together is at Westlands Entertainment Venue on Sunday, July 6, from 12pm-5pm. It is organised by Love Yeovil, Somerset Diverse Communities and supported by Yeovil’s Ethnic Diverse Communities.

Volunteers increase dementia awareness

COMMITTEE members and volunteers at Age Concern North Dorset, based in Sturminster Newton, attended a special Dementia Awareness Session, presented by Annie and Hilary from Dementia Friendly Gillingham, at Stour Connect in Sturminster.

Two of the Medical Centre’s health champions joined the group.

Nearly all the participants had considerable experience of working with people with some form of memory loss or dementia, but feedback after the session showed they had all gained a great deal from what had been discussed.

Participants were encouraged to interact with items used to help individuals in their dementia journey, including twiddle muffs, companion pets and hydration jelly drops.

Charlotte and Kita take a breather after training

NatWest banks to close

NATWEST has announced a string of upcoming closures to branches across the country that will see 55 close.

Included in the list is the Dorchester branch on South Street on October 22 and the Bridport branch on East Street on October 29.

These closures will leave west Dorset without a NatWest branch, with Bridport customers soon having to travel 18 miles to Somerset for in-person banking, and Dorchester customers facing a 21-mile trip to Weymouth.

According to NatWest, the Bridport branch has seen a 58% drop in average counter transactions between January 2020 and January 2025, with the Dorchester branch seeing a 59% decrease.

In Dorchester, 105 personal customers and 147 business customers used the branch in an average month, with the Bridport branch seeing 227 personal customers and 132 business customers on average each month.

A shift to online banking has been credited with the closure, with bank bosses saying more than 80% of its active current account holders now use digital services and more than 97% of retail accounts opened online.

NatWest confirmed that both the Bridport and Dorchester branch closures will be supported through a “supporting you through our branch closure event”, but the details have not yet been published.

Customers can still manage their accounts and payments online or in hubs inside a post office.

The nearest NatWest branches to both locations can be found in Weymouth, Yeovil, Poole and Taunton.

Third person dies after A36 crash

A MAN in his 60s is the third person to have died after a car and three motorbikes crashed on the A36.

The crash, which took place at Knook at around 10.30am on May 31, involved a red Toyota Prius and three Vespas.

Robert Best, a Vespa rider, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a woman in her 60s riding pillion on a separate

Vespa died in hospital.

Wiltshire Police has now confirmed that a third person, a man in his 60s riding the third Vespa, died from his injuries in hospital.

“His next of kin are aware and our thoughts are with his family,” a spokesperson said.

The family of Robert Best previously released a tribute to him, describing him as being

“loved and adored by all who knew him”.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wiltshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01225 694597 using log number 101 of May 31.

Information can also be sent to SCIT@wiltshire.police.uk

Teachers on strike over controversial changes at two Vale schools

STAFF at Shaftesbury School walked out this week (June 17) over controversial restructuring plans – which will include some pupils attending lessons remotely.

The Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST), which oversees the school, is planning to merge the curriculum with that of Sturminster Newton High School –another of its schools.

However, parents are fearful the move will see pupils being taught by staff at the other site – meaning remote lessons, and heads of departments and years based almost nine miles away.

Parents have this week been sent a three-page letter explaining the move, but many fear their children’s education will be impacted by the changes.

And members of the National Education Union (NEU) have today staged the first of a number of planned days of industrial action in protest over the changes.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said the changes were “deeply upsetting” and that they fear “no one is thinking about the children and the impact it will have on them”.

In the letter to parents, the trust said both schools had been “operating significantly over budget” and that the planned changes came after an independent review by a Department of Education consultant.

“The financial choices we faced were to close one or potentially both sixth forms, or restructure the school leadership teams, so that we could focus on front line teaching and keep a broad curriculum for students,” it went on.

“We strongly believe that both Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton should have sixth form provision in their local

communities. This is a crucial stage in enabling students to follow their chosen career paths, and so for us the choice was simple – we reduce leadership posts, keep a broad curriculum, and look at how we can innovatively deliver excellent education in both schools.

“Restructuring is never easy, or popular. We are pleased that we have not had to make any compulsory redundancies, and that many of the staff who have chosen to leave will take up promotions elsewhere.”

It added: “Staff were invited to apply for the new leadership posts, and we are pleased to have appointed a fantastic team of Heads of Departments, who are already planning and bringing in changes.

“These members of staff are talented, enthusiastic, and driven by the desire to improve outcomes for our students. There will be a Head of Department in one school, who is responsible for results, staff management, and department budgets, and a Lead Teacher on the other site, who will be responsible for supporting in the delivery and development of the curriculum.

“They will work together to help drive improvements in our curriculum, and by sharing resources, reduce teacher workload. Heads of Department will regularly meet with staff across both sites, and we believe this collaborative approach will deliver benefits.”

But Jon Timbrell, from the NEU, said: “Our members at Shaftesbury School

remain very concerned with the detrimental impact that certain aspects of the restructure will have on both student attainment and staff development.

“The trust claims that the new structure will increase collaboration, but members worry that the solutions are financially driven and will make delivering high quality teaching even more difficult.

He added: “Highest among concerns is the proposal to merge curriculum leadership structures across Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton.

“Leaving aside the material loss this will mean for a large number of staff, our members believe a school is at its best when it is responsive to the needs and context of its pupils and community.”

Echoing the sentiment of the parent, he said the move would mean teachers are less able to respond to the needs of individual pupils, with Shaftesbury School being left without heads of English, maths or science on the site.

Further strikes are set to take place on June 24 and 25, and on July 1, 2 and 3.

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Players celebrate successful season

ADULT amateur dramatics group the Wriggle Valley Players have given £1,000 to a good cause following the success of their Snow Queen pantomime earlier this year.

They made the donation to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Philip Tebbit, a dedicated member who took part in many performances and wrote for the group.

The Players are now preparing for their next performances at Chetnole Village Hall on Friday and Saturday, June 27- 28, at 7.30pm.

The evening will feature two one-act comedies and a ploughman’s supper.

The first play, Perfect Partners by Alan Richardson, is set in the 1980s and follows Edwina and Jonathan Lovelock, a couple running a dating agency while facing divorce.

Their troubles escalate when a journalist client plans to write a scathing expose on their business.

The second play, Little Grimley: Saving the Planet, by David Tristram, follows the Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society as they face a challenge from the local council to reduce their carbon footprint. Chair Gordon devises a plan to raise funds for low-energy theatre equipment, but chaos ensues.

The play humorously highlights the group’s attempts to be eco-friendly while dealing with their usual mishaps.

Tickets for the evening, which includes a ploughman’s supper, are £10 and available at www. wrigglevalleyplayers.co.uk

The Players are also preparing for their February 2026 pantomime – Cinderella, directed by Amy Parker – and would welcome new members to join the group.

Anyone interested can go along to an information night and read through on Wednesday, July 9, or auditions on Wednesday, July 16, both at 7.30pm at Leigh Village Hall to learn more about the show.

Video auditions are also accepted.

For more info, email Amy at amygfellow@gmail.com. For children interested in participating, contact the Friday night Power of Performing group, run by Amy Parker at powerofperforming@gmail. com. Spaces are limited.

Rehearsals will generally be on Wednesday from 7.30pm9.30pm at Leigh Village Hall.

Family festival raises £164,000 for cancer charities

THE Teddy Rocks festival, which took place at Charisworth Farm, Blandford, last month, raised an amazing £164,233.

The money will go to five children’s cancer charities: Teddy20, Young Lives vs. Cancer, Bone Cancer Research Trust, George’s Rockstars and Alfie’s Wish.

This year’s festival headliners included Punk Rock Factory, B*Witched, Peter Andre and Linkin Park tribute act Hybrid Theory.

Festival founder, Tom Newton, said: “2025 was a very special year for Teddy Rocks.

“It was the first year to sell out and was at a level we never thought possible when this all started back in a pub almost 15 years ago.

“The festival is growing and we’re looking forward to

planning bigger and better things each year.

“A huge thanks goes out to all the supporters, sponsors, artists and volunteers who make this remarkable and special weekend happen every year.”

In 2024, Teddy Rocks won the award for Best Festival for Families at the UK Festival Awards.

Tom added: “By supporting Teddy Rocks you are contributing to the most amazing charities enabling them to do crucial work.

“This is so much more than a music festival, it’s a real family.”

Tickets for next year’s festival, taking place between Friday and Sunday May 1-3, 2026, are available at teddyrocks.co.uk from £22.20 for children – aged five to 15 – to £44.40 for adults.

PHOTOS: Charlie Raven Photography

News Forgotten gem

by Seth Dellow

IN the tiny village of Glanvilles Wootton near Sherborne is the neglected grave of Tristram Hillier RA (1905-1983), a famous surrealist artist of the Unit One group – who worked alongside Henry Moore and Paul Nash.

I first encountered his work at an exhibition back in 2020. Tristram took inspiration from the landscape of Dorset and Somerset, and it feels fitting he is buried here.

I found his overgrown, neglected grave in 2023, and for the last two years, I have tended it and laid flowers.

I have never seen any other activity at the grave – no other family members and no other flowers – in all the time I have been going. The gold lettering is peeling off. It is rather sad considering his importance in the surrealist movement.

My attempts to contact the family have been unsuccessful, including asking the Museum of Somerset to pass on a message. It would be nice to restore Tristram’s grave. Its state makes me wonder how many other forgotten graves among our countless churchyards are being tended by strangers.

Repairing is caring

VOLUNTEER ‘fixers’ will be hard at work at Netherbury Repair Café next weekend.

Volunteers include those who tackle general repairs, electric appliances and needlework – while the café team offers a range of Clipper teas, coffee and cakes, including vegan.

One volunteer said: “It’s a great community event that brings smiles to the faces of people who we can help repair cherished items!”.

The Repair Cafe runs at Netherbury Village Hall on the last Sunday of every month – apart from August and December – from 10am-noon.

The next events are on June 29, July 27, September 28, October 26 and November 30.

For more information, phone Lisa Willis on 07870 950 666; email info@repaircafenetherbury.org; or visit www. repaircafenetherbury.org or www.nextdoor.com

Petals and praise

THE congregation of St Michael and All Angels church in Stour Provost is preparing for a weekend celebrating the beauty of flowers and all the fun of a village get-together.

The small, picturesque village of Stour Provost is tucked away just south of the A30 at East Stour, on the B3092, with a mill that is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Grade I-listed church was largely built in 1302, although it has gone alterations and rebuilding over the centuries.

There will be short musical interludes at 3pm and 4pm each day and the event will conclude on Sunday with Pimm’s and hymns at 5pm and a songs of praise service at 5.30pm, led by Revd Clare Dean Vicar of the Stour Vale Benefice.

The concert is on Monday, June 30, at 7.30pm. Admission is free with a retiring collection. A

Delicious home-made cakes and cream teas will be available in the village hall and work by children at Stower Provost Primary will be on display in the church.

June 21-22, 2pm-5pm. Entrance £5, under 16s free.

Joyous voices

THE girl choristers and lay vicars of Salisbury Cathedral Choir, directed by David Halls with organist Jacob Costard, are giving a concert in Wimborne St Giles Church.

The programme will feature music by Byrd, Gibbons, Mozart, Parry and Tallis, and include Howard Goodall's famous theme from The Vicar of Dibley

Otters about town

THIS August sees the return of the otter trail to Blandford Forum.

From Saturday, August 2, to Sunday, August 31, you can wind your way through the town, in search of Ollie, Molly and Baby Ottis, plus all their old and new friends who will be hiding in windows of shops and businesses.

Hidden about town are a collection of around 40 handcrafted characters and Blandford’s historic buildings, including the Fashion Museum and St Peter’s & St Paul’s church. They have all been made by the owner of Cotton Moon, the towns fabric, wool and haberdashery shop.

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Festival of flowers

A VALE village is looking forward to the return of its popular flower festival and open garden later this month.

The village of Shillingstone will be welcoming visitors over the weekend of June 20-21 (11am-5pm). Village gardens will be open to visitors, with cream teas for sale.

Holy Rood church will be adorned with floristry from Martha & the Meadow, the Big Yellow Bus Project, Shillingstone CofE Primary School and local florists.

On entering the church you will be greeted by a sound installation of bird song.

Designed by members of the local garden club, spearheaded by Margaret Kennard and Emma Whicher, the main church feature will see the space bathed in a gentle swathe of hedgerow greenery.

“I hope we have created something special in the church where the outdoors meets the indoors,” said Emma.

“It has been fantastic linking with our local charities and schools to pull together what will be beautiful displays.”

Parking and tickets (£10, children go free) are available at the Portman Hall (DT11 0SF).

Scarecrow trail

Pictures by Michael Jeans; words by George Jeans MERE is once again bedecked with scarecrows, as the Gardening Club has organised another festival.

This year’s theme is historical figures. A trail is sold locally for £1 to help locals and visitors alike find the location of the many scarecrows dotted around town.

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Time to book your tip trip online

USERS of Dorset Council’s Household Recycling Centres – HRCs, or ‘the tip’ – will have to book time slots when a new system comes into force this autumn.

The council says the booking system will reduce waiting times and make for quicker visits.

Tip users can book a slot online and after providing their name, address and vehicle registration will be offered a selection of bookable half-hour timeslots up to two weeks in advance.

Most bookings can be made for the same day and are free of charge, and no limits will be imposed on the number of visits for most vehicles.

Slot bookings over the phone will be introduced later.

Those people unable to book online from day one can still take their waste to the tip where they will be given assistance with using the new system on

site.

Many other councils, including Essex, Swindon, Suffolk, Kent and Gloucestershire, have already introduced a booking system.

“The current just-turn-upand-drop-off system at our HRCs has served us well over the years but is now showing its limitations,” said Councillor Jon Andrews, the council’s cabinet member for Place Services.

“Many of our sites, especially at Dorchester and Wimborne, experience long periods of queuing and crowding that cause frustration for visitors, nearby residents and local businesses.

“This system will improve the overall customer experience by preventing these problems.

“We understand people will need to get used to something new, and there will be a period of adjustment for many people who have become accustomed

to the current process.

“But a few extra minutes at home booking a slot before loading up your vehicle with waste will potentially save you much longer delays when you arrive at the HRC, leading to a better experience for everyone.”

Exemptions may be made for those unable to easily book a slot.

Cllr Andrews added: “We appreciate this will be a big change for some, especially

those who drop off small amounts of waste frequently.

“But the evidence is clear from our colleagues in other authorities that a new booking system is worth implementing.”

Current arrangements, such as opening hours, types of waste accepted, vehicle permits, chargeable waste and so on will remain unchanged.

More information will be provided when the launch date is confirmed.

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Gardener Evie’s best in show

GARDEN designer Evie Pace, who is based near Frome, came away a winner from the Royal Windsor Flower Show – and received her trophy from celebrated broadcaster and horticulturalist Alan Titchmarsh.

Evie won first prize in the Garden Makers competition for her garden which explored the theme of the show, Patterns in Nature.

This year’s event was opened by the Duchess of Edinburgh and attended by His Majesty the King.

And Alan Titchmarsh, who described it as “my favourite flower show in the world”, presented Evie with the silver cup.

Evie’s pocket-sized show garden is designed to promote wellbeing and is underpinned by sustainability and resilience. All the plants are drought-

tolerant, helping to reduce water use, materials have been repurposed and the garden will be relocated to the local primary school in Horningsham.

A panel including Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winners judged the Garden Makers competition.

Station project party

THE Spetisbury Station Project is planning to stage a Railway 200 Summer Tea Party.

Visitors are invited to the old railway station in Spetisbury to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of modern railways.

They can explore the beautifully kept station site, learn about its history and maybe enjoy a picnic.

Pimm’s, tea and coffee, scones, cakes and other tasty treats will be available.

Good quality secondhand railway books, DVDs and other gifts will be for sale, together with a range of exhibits and information provided by North Dorset Railway.

Blandford Ukulele Group will performfrom 12.45pm to 1.45pm.

The summer tea party is on Sunday, July 13, from 10am to 2pm and donations – cash only – are requested to the Spetisbury Station Project to help it maintain and improve the station site.

If wet, the event will be in Spetisbury Village Hall.

For more information, visit www.spetisburystationproject. wordpress.com

Flower power

by Liz Newton, SFAG chairman

SHAFTESBURY Flower Arranging Group (SFAG) was formed in 1950, by a few like-minded people in the Shaston Gardening Association – and the rest, as they say, is history.

At 75 years old, we are the oldest club in the country.

To celebrate this milestone, SFAG is putting together a flower festival entitled 75 Floral Years to be held in St Peter’s church, Shaftesbury, from Thursday, July 3 to Saturday, July 5, (10am-4pm).

There is no entry charge but there will be an opportunity to make a donation which will be split between Julia’s House and Weldmar Hospicecare.

We are a thriving and friendly club, part of the Dorset and Guernsey Area of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies – the umbrella organisation for floral art clubs in the United Kingdom.

Our club meetings are usually on the third Monday of the month in Shaftesbury Town

Hall at 7.30pm, although our December meeting is usually the second Monday of the month.

There is an outing in June and in August we have started meeting for an afternoon tea.

Other meetings are either demonstrations or workshops/ practice evenings and we hold an open meeting in the Arts Centre in November.

New members are always welcome and as we say on our promotional posters around Shaftesbury: “Love flowers but don’t know what to do with them? Come to our next meeting as a visitor – £8 on the door”.

Or if you’re an experienced arranger come and be among people who share your hobby. There is the opportunity to buy raffle tickets to win one of the arrangements, which is always an exciting prospect.

If you’d like more information, please contact Liz Newton on 07747 333484 or chairmansfag@gmail.com

Liz Stopford, Krys Gigiel, Liz Flower and Theresa Kendall of Shaftesbury Flower Arranging Group blackmorevale.net

GWM Launches at Vale Motors Wincanton — Drive the Future Today

Exciting news for motorists in Somerset and beyond — GWM (Great Wall Motor) has officially arrived at Vale Motors in Wincanton, bringing with it a bold new range of cutting-edge hybrid and electric vehicles.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive brands, GWM is gaining global recognition for its innovative design, smart technology, and commitment to sustainable driving. Now, customers can experience it for themselves with the arrival of the Haval SUV hybrid range and the strikingly stylish, allelectric ORA 03.

To celebrate the launch, Vale Motors is offering a series of exclusive offers. Be among the first 10 customers and receive an extra £500 saving on top of already outstanding launch deals. Plus, if you take a test drive before 30th June 2025, you’ll receive a £2,000 voucher towards selected GWM vehicles.* It’s the perfect time to discover the future of driving.

The Haval range combines everyday practicality with hybrid efficiency and bold SUV styling, while the ORA 03 delivers retro-inspired design with modern electric performance — both models come loaded with intuitive tech and advanced safety features as standard.

“We’re thrilled to welcome GWM to the Vale Motors family,” said Sales Manager Ryan King. “This is a brand that genuinely pushes boundaries, and we can’t wait for our customers to discover what makes it so exciting.”

Whether you’re thinking of making the switch to greener driving or simply want something refreshingly different, visit Vale Motors in Wincanton and explore the GWM range today.

For more information, visit fjchalke.co.uk or meet the team in the Vale Motors showroom, opposite Morrisons in Wincanton — Saxon Way, BA9 9RT.

*Terms and conditions apply. Test drive must be completed by 30th June 2025

The Lydlinch bells be good vor sound!

THE seventh annual ‘tea in the garden’ will be held on July 6 in aid of the restoration of the Lydlinch bells.

The Lydlinch Bells were immortalised in verse by Dorset poet William Barnes, who thought they were the best sounding bells in the county.

Four of the five bells were cast in 1681. All were last restored in 1908 and are now in urgent need of attention.

The restoration costs will be in the region of £60,000. Removing the bells from the church is very difficult, because there are no hatches in the tower to take the bells down through. When the bells were restored in 1908, the west window was removed – but using this method today would add a significant cost to the project. It is interesting to note that the cost of restoration in 1908 was circa £300!

‘Tea in the garden’ will take place at the Old Rectory, Stock Gaylard (DT10 2BG) from 2-5pm on July 6. There is easy parking and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome

Parishoners will be providing the same fabulous ‘help your self tea’ and this year hope to exceed last year’s profit. To date, the annual event has raised nearly £10,000 towards maintaining Lydlinch church and the churchyard.

The parish has a group of beginners learning bell ringing ready to ring once the work is complete. The group is grateful to the Mere Branch Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers for undertaking this.

and text

THE National Garden Scheme – where gardens are open for charity – saw two splendid gardens open to the public in Mere.

The weather was very amiable, not too hot or too cold. The Chantry in Church Street and Burton Grange in Burton, Mere were open, Burton Grange having over 100 visitors.

Future leaders

TWO young people are being given the chance to take part in a fun and free leadership weekend in the New Forest thanks to the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA).

The activity, offered through Wimborne Rotary, is at Tile Barn Outdoor Activity Centre, Brockenhurst, from Friday to Sunday, August 15-17.

It is open to young people aged 16 and 17 in July, and anyone interested should contact Wimborne Rotary to obtain an application form, either by email at youth@ wimbornerotary.org or via its website, www.wimbornerotary. org/youth.

Rotarian Neil Hutchinson, who is co-ordinating the opportunity, said: “This weekend offers participants an understanding of the values they can bring to a team, an opportunity to gain effective communication skills through a variety of practical exercises and learning the real need for planning.

“But, best of all, there is no cost for the two young people as all costs will be met by Wimborne Rotary.

“I would encourage parents, teaching staff or eligible young people to apply early and before the closing date of July 15.”

Sherborne Classic & Supercar Show 2025: A Must-See Event

The Sherborne Classic & Supercar Show returns on Sunday, 20th July 2025, bringing over 1,500 vehicles to the stunning grounds of Sherborne Castle. From vintage classics to modern supercars, this event has something for every motoring enthusiast.

This year’s show will feature a special guest appearance by renowned racing driver and TV presenter Tiff Needell. Known for his expertise and passion for all things automotive, Tiff’s presence will be a highlight for fans eager to hear his insights and stories from the world of motorsport.

Adding to the thrill, Mini Landrovers join the lineup—scaled-down, fully operational replicas of the iconic Land Rover. Perfect for young enthusiasts, these vehicles offer children the chance to navigate a custom-built course, introducing them to the joys of driving in a fun and safe setting.

Beyond the cars, visitors can indulge in a diverse selection of food outlets, offering everything from gourmet street food to classic British fare. Whether you’re craving artisan burgers, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, or indulgent desserts, there’s something to satisfy every palate. The event also supports local charities through Sherborne Classic Cars CIO.

Doors open at 10:00 AM, with early access from 9:30 AM for advance ticket holders. Adult admission is £18 in advance (£22 on the day), and children under 16 go free.

For tickets and details, visit https://classic-supercars.co.uk/

Photos by Len Copland.

Pictures

by George Jeans, Mere

Moonlit stroll?

MOONWALK pals Lyn Weller, from Gillingham, and Lyndsay Ferrari were tickled pink to raise nearly £1,000 for breast cancer charities.

The pair dressed in inflatable flamingo suits for the MoonWalk half-marathon – 15.1 miles –held in London.

Lyn – pictured left – was diagnosed with breast cancer last

year and underwent a gruelling course of chemotherapy.

Husband, Gary, said: “We’re all very proud of her achievement as she is still going through long-term treatment which has a detrimental effect on her day-to-day activities.”

The MoonWalk is organised by Walk the Walk, which raises money for breast cancer causes.

School building to reopen after villagers band together

VILLAGERS’ ambitious plans to save a school building from demolition have come to fruition – and it is set to welcome children later this year.

When news that a former school site in Winterborne Stickland near Blandford was up for auction, there were concerns that the site could be redeveloped or demolished by a new owner.

The building on Dunbury Lane was previously gifted to the village by the Hambro family in 1859 to serve as the village school and was run by the Diocese of Salisbury before it closed in 2013.

Since then, the Stickleberries Preschool operated at the site before its sudden closure in August 2023 following concerns from Ofsted that children “may be at risk of harm”, which left the school vacant, over 100 children without a school and families scrambling for day care.

This triggered a clause that meant the whole site gets handed back to the benefactor’s family.

Concerned that the building could be

demolished or redeveloped by a new owner, villagers rallied together to create a community interest company to buy the building with the idea to reopen it as a nursery and set up a GoFundMe to meet the rumoured £350,000 asking price.

They have now been successful, and the nursery will soon be ready to open to support families and children with full-time, year-round childcare from the age of nine months upwards.

Trustee for the nursery, Anna Way, praised everyone involved who helped make their dream a reality.

been so incredibly heart-warming to see how much kindness and community spirit there is within our local community.”

“This has been an amazing community project,” she said.

“It has only been possible with the support of so many people in so many different ways – from fundraising; the donation of specialist skills; volunteering time to decorate and assemble furniture and all the local businesses who have given us free or dramatically reduced materials.

“It’s a difficult world at times and it has

The nursery will be open in time to support families eligible for the new government-funded places in September.

Staff said they are “delighted” that the vital importance that early years education plays in supporting people’s life chances has been recognised.

Deputy manager Robyn Hunt said: “We all aim never to stop learning and now we can ensure that everybody gets the same chances right from the very start.”

28 years of the Beaminster Festival

In its 28 years the Beaminster Festival has established a tradition of supporting BBC Young Musicians. Previous guests such as Benjamin Grosvenor, Nicola Benedetti, Emma Johnson and Alison Balsom will all say how important local festivals such as ours are to young performers.

This year, Jacky Zhang, still only 17 and finalist in 2024, phenomenal pianist and composer, will play Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. Ewan Millar, oboe and finalist in 2020, presents a highly virtuosic but charming programme. Pianist, Martin James Bartlett, winner in 2016, returns for the 3rd time, playing 4 hands piano with his colleague Dina Duisen including iconic duos by Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Debussy (Dolly Suite). Finally, Guy Johnston, winner in 2000 and now one of the most celebrated cellists of his generation, joins another finalist of that year, Tom Poster, piano, in a fabulous cello recital.

A highly unusual concert is given by the Corvus Consort together with the Ferio Saxophone Quartet with music by Bach ( Jesu, Joy: Wachet Auf; Air on a G string) and the glorious Allegri Miserere revoiced by Owain Park.

Brochures available at TICs, libraries, and other local outlets.

Find out more and book your tickets at: www.beaminsterfestival.com Or call 0333 666 33 66

If lighter music is to your taste we have the Fairey Brass Band; Steve Knightley with music from his Winter Yards Album; cool jazz by James Pearson (Artistic Director of Ronnie Scotts) together with Lizzie Ball; Planet ABBA; and Graffiti Classics, who combine comedy and dance with a dash around some pop classics.

As well as music, theatre, art and literature are well represented. The Three-Inch Fools, a brilliant, multi-talented, fast paced musically driven troupe will be performing in the gorgeous grounds of Beaminster Manor. Local artists will be displaying their talent throughout the week at Beaminster Public Hall, and five literary events, including authors Trevor Ware; Alan Edwards; Daisy Goodwin; Julian Evans and Lalage Snow.

With some 70 volunteers helping, this really is a community event. The 28th Beaminster Festival promises to be the best yet with ticket sales already extremely buoyant. Brochures are freely available, or visit www.beaminsterfestival.com or buy tickets on 0333 666 33 66, and visit this charming little town in West Dorset. You are sure of a warm welcome.

3 JUN

3pm | Three Inch Fools – The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I (Beaminster Manor)

9 JUN

5.30pm | Choral Evensong University MusicBournemouth-Chamber Choir and Friends

28 JUN–6 JULY

10am–5pm (4pm last day) | Beaminster Festival Art Exhibition in conjunction with Mosterton Art Group (Public Hall)

28 JUNE

2pm | KNDS Fairey Band

Secret Galleries and Gardens of Beaminster (all weekend)

29 JUNE

7.30pm | Martin James Bartlett, Dina Duisen: piano 4 hands

30 JUNE

11.30am | Morgan Szymanski: guitar

7pm | Gildas String Quartet

1 JULY

11.30am | K. Dienes -Williams: organ

2.30pm | Trevor Ware: Arctic Genius: Sir William Parry (L)

7.30pm | Steve Knightley: Winter Yards

2 JULY

11.30am | Jacky Zhang: piano

2.30pm | Alan Edwards: I Was There, with Kevin Long (L)

7.30pm | Corvus Consort & Ferio Sax Quartet choral concert

3 JULY

11.30am | Ewan Millar: oboe, Tobias Boyles: piano

2.30pm | Daisy Goodwin: Diva with Jo Willett - Maria Callas (L)

7.30pm | Lizzie Ball, James Pearson: Gershwin

4 JULY

11.30am | Graffiti Classics: fun String Quartet

2.30pm | Julian Evans: Undefeatable with John Dean (L)

7.30pm | Guy Johnston: cello recital, Tom Poster: piano

5 JULY

2.30pm | Lalage Snow: My Family and other Seedlings (L)

8pm | Planet ABBA (Beaminster School)

6 JULY

7.30pm |Meliora Collective: Gala Concert

Venue: St Mary’s Church, Beaminster DT8 3BA unless otherwise indicated. (L) Literary event

Photo: Steve Ullathorne

Jack Zhang Fairey Brass Band

Steve Knightley

Martin James Bartlett

Our loose Canon

Sometimes what we need to hear isn’t what we want to listen to by

Canon Eric Woods

I HAVE been trying to sort out the books I brought with me from Sherborne Vicarage nearly five years ago. I had thinned my library from about 30,000 books to 15,000, but that still meant too many for a modern house after a seven-bedroomed Victorian vicarage. But as all bibliophiles know, it is terribly hard to get rid of much-loved volumes – and all too easy to start reading them again.

So I have been re-reading the books, mostly of sermons, by a hero of mine. Canon Eric James, who died in 2012. Eric James left secondary school in Dagenham at the age of 14 and went to work as a clerk in a wharf-side company on the South Bank of the Thames. A love of music drew him to Southwark Cathedral for lunchtime organ lessons, and there his sense of vocation to ordained ministry began to grow. He was eventually ordained – not without a struggle, as he had no educational qualifications – and by 1955 was chaplain of the biggest, best and most illustrious college in Cambridge, Trinity. As you may have guessed, Trinity is my college too! It was on one of his frequent return visits that I first met Eric in the 1970s, when I was reading Theology there.

Canon of the cathedral. It was not the last time he was to resign over a matter of principle. Apart from a further cathedral stint, this time at St Alban’s, he was to be outside the ecclesiastical Establishment for the rest of his life. And that suited him, because he was that awkward thing, a prophet.

We are short of prophets these days – and I don’t just mean religious ones. Winston Churchill was a prophet during the rise of Nazi Germany, constantly warning of the threat posed by fascism. A complacent Establishment ignored him, and those are now called his “wilderness years”. Ironically, the body which most appreciated Eric’s prophetic gifts was Gray’s Inn, one of the four ancient Inns of Court, and he served for 20 years as chaplain to many judges and barristers who relished the probing depth and relevance of his sermons. But the Church didn’t.

My path was to cross Eric’s several times in subsequent years, and I always admired his readiness to speak out on uncomfortable issues: homelessness, gay rights and the needs of the poor and deprived. Being a speaker of unwelcome truths meant that his life was sometimes lonely, and that too is often the lot of prophets. They are, as Jesus himself said, frequently without honour in their own country.

By this time Eric had had a massive falling-out with the then Bishop of Southwark, which led to his resigning as a Residentiary

So who are today’s speakers of unwelcome truths which we nevertheless need to hear? Who are the prophets in Church and State? Can you think of any? I’m not sure I can. If they are there, is anyone listening to them? We desperately need prophets. As the Bible warns, “Without vision, the people perish”.

Photo by Eric Mok on Unsplash

Historic crane is back on trackside

by Hilary Daniels

A CRANE which used to transfer barrels of beer from a private railway to the Somerset & Dorset mainline has been resurrected at Shillingstone Station in Dorset.

It started life at Binegar in Somerset, the terminus of an industrial narrow-gauge railway built by a brewery a couple of miles away.

When the line was built in 1904, Oakhill Brewery was producing between 2,000 and 2,500 barrels a week of its award-winning Oakhill Invalid Stout –more than Guinness – renowned for its restorative properties.

for many years.

The railway had two steam locos shuttling barrels to the main line at Binegar, where the track ended in a goods shed at a wooden crane which moved the beer barrels across to main line wagons.

The brewery went into decline during the First World War and its railway was taken out of use in 1921.

Binegar station itself was closed in 1966, and the crane languished in the goods shed

It was eventually rescued by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and then sent out on long term loan to North Dorset Railway at Shillingstone Station in 2023.

A team of volunteers, including pupils from nearby Clayesmore School, took on the restoration and refurbishment, which was completed last year.

The 120-year-old timbers and ironwork were in remarkably good shape, needing little more than fresh paint.

Winnie celebrates 102nd birthday at Fern Brook Lodge

AGillingham care home

resident celebrated her 102nd birthday with a tea party.

Winnie, who lives at Fern Brook Lodge care home on Fern Brook Lane, was joined by her best friend, daughter, and some of her friends from the care home for afternoon tea in one of the home’s communal lounges.

Winnie was delighted to be treated to a homemade birthday cake which had been baked by Phil the home’s head chef. She said that it was ‘the small things in life that made the day so special’ for her.

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of the not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care. The care home’s dedicated activities team runs a daily programme of events to encourage residents to socialise and make friends.

Visitors can enjoy complimentary cakes and hot drinks while experiencing the warm and friendly atmosphere at the home’s Welcome Wednesdays sessions which run from 2pm to 4pm each week.

Fern Brook Lodge also hosts Memory Café sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 11 am for people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book - just drop in on the day.

In the last few weeks foundations have been laid, and a specially designed and constructed support structure was raised and bolted into place.

It is an unlikely survivor of many decades of neglect, but the Binegar crane has now been lifted into place, another bit of railway history saved at Shillingstone’s heritage station.

The station is open for visitors on Wednesdays and weekends between 10am and 4pm and entry is free.

PHOTO: SR Gillett/S&DRT collection

Salisbury’s Finch House Hosts Heartwarming Charity Ride-In

Platinum Skies’ Chapters community teams up with local bikers, Help for Heroes and Salisbury Foodbank for an afternoon of fundraising and friendship.

On Wednesday 21st May, homeowners of Chapters, the affordable senior living community by Platinum Skies, welcomed 15 gleaming motorcycles to the Grade II-listed Finch House - renovated into 21 unique apartments - for a special afternoon celebrating shared passions, heritage, and two very worthy causes. The bikes, arriving in convoy from the Salisbury Motorcycle and Light Car Club, ranged from a 1928 vintage machine to modern classics. Their proud owners lined up their shining vehicles as curious guests and neighbours gathered to admire the lovingly preserved collection

The charity collaboration in aid of Salisbury Foodbank and Help for Heroes was more than just a motor show. It was a community effort to raise funds and awareness for those facing food poverty and for veterans who’ve experienced life-changing injuries in service. Guests were treated to a delightful spread of cakes, bubbly Prosecco, and a charity raffle, all against the backdrop of some truly eye-catching engineering history.

Among the afternoon’s highlights was a short address by Philip Kimber, an ambassador for Help for Heroes. As a former member of the Bomb RAF Regiment (an often-unsung ground force of the Royal Air Force), Philip shared his emotional story of recovery after being seriously injured by a missile while serving. He spoke of how Help for Heroes provided the support he needed to rebuild his life.

“It’s thanks to Help for Heroes that I’m here today - not just physically, but emotionally too. Events like this remind us that people care. With support from community partners like Platinum Skies, we can spread that message of hope even further.”

The event raised nearly £200 for Help for Heroes and Salisbury Foodbank, all through donations for refreshments and raffle entries. More than just the money, the day created moments of connection between generations - homeowners, veterans, and bike lovers swapping stories, admiring chrome and craftsmanship, and enjoying the sunshine.

With the backdrop of restored motorbikes, warm sunshine, and conversation, the event captured the very best of what community means - fun, meaningful, and making a real difference.

To watch the highlights from the motorcycle event and explore more heartwarming moments from the communities, head to platinumskies.co.uk/community-in-action.

To find out more about Chapters in Salisbury, call 01722 442865 or visit platinumskies.co.uk/ salisbury

Author hopes to save our seas

“THERE’S a book in all of us,” says Ian Cade, who, after seven years working on the project, has just published his first effort, Langamull. Ian, from Stourton, was told he could be cured of cancer at the age of 53, but the diagnosis ‘rocked his world’ and prompted him to set about writing a book.

Langamull highlights the issue of microplastics pollution and a percentage of the proceeds from sales will go to the Marine Conservation Society.

Ian said: “Human beings are realising that plastic pollution, especially microplastics, are a huge problem.

“Langamull is for all of us but reading it to your children or grandchildren, I hope, can show them that our generation is trying, like the rock pool community in the book, to clean up our oceans and shorelines.”

The book sees Bubbles Moore return home to Langamull from a distinguished career in the music halls of Tablelands and, aware of her declining health, embark on the urgent task of

protecting the community from a microplastic Armageddon, along with honouring the family legacy.

Could a crab's foresight truly prevent a catastrophe in the rock pools?

Inheriting not only a talent for singing but the

cherished Moore family music hall, Bubbles' determination to refurbish the venue to its former glory, as well as re-establishing its reputation as a centre of musical excellence, plays out.

A practical solution to both these challenges emerges in the guise of a talent show.

Whimsical and engaging, the tale is a poignant reminder that everyone is intricately connected within the web of life.

Anyone who would like a copy of Langamull should email ian.cade@outlook.com

Fete fans

GUSSAGE All Saints village fete, being held tomorrow, is a traditional local affair.

This year’s event at Gussage Hall includes the Bierfass Band, children’s entertainer Jamie Jigsaw, traction engine rides and maypole dancing.

There’s also bric-a-brac, cake and plants and produce stalls, and a barbecue, cream teas and ice creams.

Proceeds from the fete help maintain the village hall and church.

The village hall is a charity which seeks to provide a community space for local people and support older individuals.

The fete is on Saturday, June 21, from noon-3pm and entry is £3 – children free. No dogs allowed.

Sensory garden opens at Dorset County Hospital

A NEW sensory garden has been opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) – thanks to a £50,000 cash boost.

The Dorset County Hospital Charity received money from the Greener Communities Fund – a partnership between NHS Charities Together and the environmental charity Hubbub, supported by Starbucks which supports the development of green spaces to help health and wellbeing – to turn a disused courtyard opposite Special Care Dentistry into a space for patients, staff and visitors.

A planting plan for the garden was carefully designed to stimulate people’s senses, featuring a mixture of fragrant flowers, shrubs and plants, with the garden designed by students from Kingston Maurward College.

Wooden benches have also

been installed, and the ground has been made level for disabled access.

More plants will be added to the garden over the coming weeks and months, and additional planters will be installed – including a wheelchair-accessible planter.

Jo Howarth, director of nursing at DCH, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to turn a disused outdoor space into a beautiful sensory garden.

“Whether you’re a patient, staff member or visiting a loved one, it’s important to be able to step away from the busy, and sometimes overwhelming, hospital environment.

“We want to use our outdoor spaces to support people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and I hope the new sensory garden provides a moment of calm for those who use it.”

Events

HUGE DOWNSIZING & MOVING SALE

SAT 21 JUNE 10 - 4 THE OLD RECTORY BEER HACKETT DT9 6QP 07976 937830

JOIN US FOR LUNCH, SHERBORNE

COMMUNITY KITCHEN, only £7. Every Thursday and Friday at the Raleigh Hall. Doors open from 11.30 tea, coffee. Lunch served 12.30. To book: 07561-067381

DO YOU REMEMBER STURMINSTER NEWTON

MARKET or would you like to know more from those who were involved? Come along to the old Senior & Godwin office (now The Stur of The Moment Cafe) on Monday 30th June between 12 and 3 to chat and reminisce.

SPETISBURY CHURCH & VILLAGE, FETE AND DOG SHOW, Saturday 28th June, 12 – 4 p.m. At Spetisbury Manor DT11 9EB, Everyone welcome, £1 adults, children under 16 free

ODDFELLOWS BRASS IN CONCERT 29th June at 3pm Stalbridge Village Hall, Lower Rd, Stalbridge, DT10 2NF Tickets £10 from Judy on judy.penfold@oddfellows. co.uk or at Williams Florists, Station Road and The Swan, High Street. Stalbridge.

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM

Friday 11th & Saturday 12th July 9 - 4.30pm

Town Hall Shaftesbury Lots of wonderful locally crafted & consumable items for sale. Free Entry

SIXPENNY HANDLEY

SUMMER CRAFT FAIR Village Hall, Common Road SP5 5NJ

Saturday 28 June 10.30 am - 2.00 pm, FREE entry Crafts / Hot Snacks / Homemade Cakes Information: 6dhandleyhall@gmail.com

SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM

Friday 20th & Saturday 21st June 9 - 4.30pm

Town Hall Shaftesbury

Lots of wonderful locally crafted & consumable items for sale. Free Entry Supporting DSAA & Weldmar Hospice

SALE OF BRIC a BRAC JEWELLERY PLANTS AND BOOKS

Brewham Village Hall BA10 0LE

Saturday 28 June 2-5pm Tea and Cake

BINGO 27th JUNE 2025 at the RBL Hall, Coppice Street Shaftesbury. Doors open 6:45 p.m. Eyes down: 7.30 p.m. Cash prizes. Light refreshments. Raffle. Proceeds to the Poppy Appeal Chauffer driven

The perfect car for your

Join us at Chalke History Festival

Michael Palin, Anthony Scaramucci, Ian Hislop, Tom Holland, Kevin McCloud and Kate Mosse, are just some of the incredible speakers you can expect to hear from at the Chalke History Festival this year, 23-29 June, in Broad Chalke near Salisbury.

As well as star speakers, visitors can immerse themselves in interactive living history displays, thrilling performances, lively music and hands-on experiences – even stand-up comedy from The Pub Landlord, Al Murray - all set in the beautiful Chalke Valley. In just a few weeks’ time, the familiar sounds of canon fire, sword-fighting and screams of delight from the historic fairground will be ringing out across the festival site, as hordes of fans arrive for their annual fix of history, live entertainment and the best local food and drink in the county.

With free tickets for under 16’s, the Chalke History Festival makes a great day out for the whole family. Experience history like never before at the Chalke History Festival, in partnership with Evelyn Partners. Chalkefestival.com

TRENT FETE, DT9 4SW: Saturday 21 June, 2 till 5pm. Pet Show, raffles, tombolas, games, teas, BBQ, bar and more….

COFFEE MORNING.

21.6.25. 10.30am-12noon, Marsh Farm, Ibberton, DT11 0EJ. Cakes/Produce; Bring-and-Buy; Plants; Bric-a-brac; Raffle. Children welcome. In aid Woolland Church Enquiries: 01258-817423

A GLIMPSE BEHIND BARS.

The Exchange- Sturminster Newton

Friday 29th August 2025 Come and see what goes on at Guys Marsh Pison. Free entry

TEA IN THE GARDEN on Saturday 6 July 2-5 pm at The Old Rectory, Stock Gaylard , DT10 2BG. Fabulous “Help yourself” Tea £7, stalls, raffle Children under 10 free, dogs with well behaved owners welcome. Cash and cards accepted. All proceeds in aid of Lydlinch Bells Restoration Appeal.

THE PILGRIM SINGERS present, A Summer Serenade, A Charity Concert in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières, at The Dogs, Tout Hill, Wincanton, BA9 9DL, Sunday 6 July 5pm, Garden opens at 3pm for picnics, Tickets £15 (under 18s free), Available: on the door, from choir members, Wincanton Post Office, or contact 01963 33695, Strawberries & Cream and Pimm’s included, Marquee cover

SATURDAY 21ST JUNE

12.00 - 4.00pm

Summer Church Fete and Dog Show in Sturminster Marshall. Barbecue, Cream Teas, Pimm’s, Fairground Organ, Stall, Games and Family Fun.

MERE AMATEUR

DRAMATIC SOCIETYWe welcome everyone, no matter how keen to act on stage or help backstage, with our next meeting on the 12th August at 7.30pm in Mere Lecture Hall. Our next performance will be “ALLO ALLO 2” performing 4 nights in November due to popular demand we are performing 4 nights instead of 3.

HAZELBURY BRYAN FETE and fun Dog Show. June 28th 1-4.30pm. Alec’s Field opposite Antelope. Refreshments, stalls, grand draw. Admission by donation.

STOUR PROVOST

FLOWER FESTIVAL

CREAM TEAS AND STALLS, 21 & 22 JUNE 2PM TO 5PM. ENTRANCE £5 UNDER 16 FREE, POSTCODE SP8 5SA

FAMILY DOG RACING! BBQ and Bar! Friday 27th June 6pm Terrace Farm SP8 5LS

ORGAN RECITAL by SIMON BENDING

Milton-on-Stour Church Friday 4th July 7:00 for 7:30 p.m. start

Come and join us for an evening of wonderful organ music played by our regular organist Simon Bending. Entry is free but please donate if you can to help run our church. Refreshments & Raffle.

LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull Royal British Legion DT10 1HR on June 30th. Eyes down 7pm.

CHARITY CLAY SHOOT

In aid of Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust

Sunday 6th July at 10am Holcombe Farm, Alton Pancras, DT2 7RT

348788 www.ducksdrakescancertrust.org.uk

2 X TICKETS TO RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Friday 25th of July Westlands Ballroom - Yeovil TO ENTER VISIT: https://blackmorevale.net/comps/ and answer this simple question: Which Instrument is most closely associated with traditional Irish music?

Arts & Entertainment

Sound of brass for ‘newbies’ and experts

TOURING 28-piece band, Oddfellows Brass, is bringing its popular performance to Stalbridge Village Hall next weekend.

The ticketed public concert is organised by local friendship group Phoenix Oddfellows.

The Leicestershire-based band regularly competes at local and national level and will be playing in the area for the first time since 2016 – a wellreceived concert at the Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum.

The two-hour show – with an interval – covers genres such as classical, opera and stage and film, as well as traditional brass band works and compositions.

Rob Boulter is the founder and former musical director of Oddfellows Brass and still plays in the band today.

He said: “If you’ve never

been to a brass concert before, our show is an ideal place to start, while still being right up the street of seasoned concertgoers.

“We love travelling up and down the country and bringing our music for all to enjoy –there’s nothing better than seeing audiences singing and dancing along.”

The concert is on Sunday, June 29, at 3pm and tickets cost £10.

They are available by emailing Phoenix Oddfellows’ branch secretary, Judy Penfold, at judy.penfold@oddfellows. co.uk

Tickets also available in Stalbridge from Williams Florists in Station Road and The Swan in High Street.

Judy said: “We’ve been looking forward to welcoming

‘Visionary artist’ in the spotlight

THE artistic and personal life of esteemed sculptor and artist, Dame Elisabeth Frink, is being showcased in a major exhibition at The Salisbury Museum.

Sculptures, drawings and original prints that explore the artistic processes and influences that shaped her life and work will be on display.

Elisabeth Frink – A View from Within features about 80 works including working plasters that formed the basis of her distinctive bronze sculptures.

Elisabeth Frink (1930-93) lived in Woolland, North Dorset, for the latter part of her life, and the exhibition shows how she flourished in her light-filled studio and muchloved garden with its animal

the band to the area for a while so that people in the community can experience their spectacular show.

“If you can’t join us for this one, don’t worry. We’ve plenty more brilliant community events coming up.”

Other upcoming events being organised by the local friendship group, to which all are welcome, include its annual walk around Sutton Bingham Reservoir on Wednesday, July 23, from 11am and a meal at Mei’s all-you-can-eat buffet in Taunton on Friday, September 26, from 6pm.

The Oddfellows is one of the

UK’s oldest and largest friendly societies and has sponsored and supported the band since its formation in 1981.

The society, which aims to improve people’s lives through friendship and support, also hosts about 70 free online events every month that are accessible to everyone.

As well as the social events, Oddfellows members can access a wide range of benefits, including care and welfare support and a travel club. Contact Judy or visit www. oddfellows.co.uk for more information about Phoenix Oddfellows.

sculptures mingling with real horses, dogs and chickens.

There will be an emphasis on printmaking, with a selection of original prints showing how Frink mastered techniques such as lithography, etching and screen-printing.

The other sections will explore her love of nature, her belief in human-animal interdependence, spirituality and humanism, and her dedication to freedom and working against human rights abuse.

Adrian Green, The Salisbury Museum director, said: “Elisabeth Frink was a visionary artist whose work speaks to the very core of human experience.

“Through this exhibition, we not only celebrate her artistic

achievements but also invite audiences to explore the profound themes she championed – identity, movement and the raw energy of form.”

Elisabeth Frink working on the Dorset Martyr group in 1985

PHOTO: Anthony Marshall/ Dorset History Centre

The exhibition is in the main exhibition gallery of The

and runs until Sunday, September 28.

Salisbury Museum

Oddfellows Brass in performance

PHOTO: Evie Redfern Photography

Partners in crime pure chemistry in filmed musical

BONNIE Parker and Clyde Barrow are one of the most famous criminal duos in history, their spree of bank heists, carjackings and murders being the subject of countless films, books and television programmes.

Now a screening of a musical about their life, recorded live at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is being shown at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Bonnie and Clyde the Musical is packed with catchy tunes and a fantastic cast.

Alex James-Hatton was made to shine in the role of Clyde.

His stage presence and confidence left the audience both loving and loathing this rogue of a character.

It truly felt like it was a role made for him.

Katie Tonkinson stepped into

the part of Bonnie with every bit of sass, confidence and sultriness she needed in this femme fatale role.

Her partnership with Alex was pure chemistry on stage.

The arts centre screening is on Saturday, June 28, at 7pm –tickets from the box office or the website, www.shaftesbury artscentre.org.uk CONTRIBUTED

‘Swing thing’ in aid of good cause

ENTERTAINMENT by Bridport Big Band, Moonlight Swing Band and Dr Jazz, along with classic cars, will be on offer when

Swingtime comes to the Borough Gardens in Dorchester. Refreshments, stalls and a grand raffle will also be on

offer at the event on Sunday, July 6, from noon.

All proceeds will go to The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust supporting cancer patients in

Dorset. Admission to the event is free.

For more information, contact Thefortuneswell cancertrust@gmail.com.

Alex James-Hatton and Katie Tonkinson play Bonnie and Clyde

Arts & Entertainment

Ben’s bringing rock ’n’ roll home

BOOGIE-WOOGIE maestro

Ben Waters has returned to Dorset to stage shows locally after performing around the world over the last 12 months.

The renowned pianist was born in Weymouth and is based in Sherborne.

The last 12 months have taken him from the Sydney Opera House and Blue Note Hawaii to the heart of New Orleans, Cuba, Colombia, St Kitts & Nevis, Las Vegas, Memphis and all across Europe – including Paris, Spain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and even the Isles of Scilly.

He also played the highest gig in the world, performing at 17,000 feet aboard the Andean Explorer train in Peru.

“It’s been unbelievable, overwhelming and so much fun,” said Ben, “but nothing beats coming back to home to beautiful Dorset.”

Ben’s recent musical adventures include sessions and collaborations with the Rolling Stones, Cher and George Thorogood.

This summer he will be staging his Raising Spirit Festival on his farm with a line-up including Grammywinning New Orleans pianist Jon Cleary, UK chart-toppers

Toploader and more.

For more information on the festival, visit www.

raisingspiritfestival.com, and for local gig dates go to www. benwaters.com.

Shakespeare al frecso at museum

PERFECT entertainment for a summer’s evening is promised when the Festival Players present As You Like It in the gardens of Shaftesbury Abbey Museum.

The play is probably Shakespeare’s most entrancing romantic comedy.

Rosalind, the daughter of a displaced Duke, is banished from the court by her usurping uncle.

Along with her cousin, Celia, she escapes to the

Ten Steps forward

UK singer-songwriter Dan Whitehouse and New Yorkbased hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT will be stopping off in South Petherton as they tour their debut collaborative album Ten Steps

The album blends spoken word, soulful melodies and intricate dulcimer compositions, creating a meditative and immersive listening experience.

It explores themes such as personal growth, fatherhood and

Forest of Arden disguised as a young man.

She teases Orlando, who does not recognise her as the girl he loved at a distance.

global events, and has received praise from critics.

Dan Whitehouse and Max ZT – pictured – are at the David Hall on Saturday, June 28.

As You Like It is at Shaftesbury Abbey Museum

As You Like It is on Saturday, June 21, at 7pm with gates open for picnics from 6pm.

Tickets are available from the Abbey Shop on 01747 852910 or at office@ shaftesburyabbey.org.uk priced £17, £15 Friends, £10 students 18 and under.

The Festival Players, an all-male professional touring company, are known for their energetic, accessible and boisterous performances.

GUITARIST Dean Carter will perform tracks from his Wheel of the Year album at Durbervilles Café in Sherborne.

The instrumental album is themed around ‘each of the stations of the wheel of the year’.

Time permitting, Dean –pictured – will also perform selections from the albums Songs Without Words/Towards Tomorrow, Songs Without Words Vol 2, Out of the Loop and new and unheard pieces.

He is at the cafe in Cheap Street on Thursday, June 19, at 7pm – suggested donation £5.

Members of the audience should take their own lowbacked chairs or rugs –refreshments will be served in the gardens.

Ben Waters has been performing all over the world over the last year

Thoughts on assisted dying

IN all the debate about assisted dying, it seems that the last people to be consulted are those most directly involved.

As one approaches the end of a long life, it is natural to put less value on preserving it.

During the pandemic we often heard comments about the elderly that ‘x-number of people have sadly died’.

The adverb was in the wrong place – probably many of these people, in their last years, happily died.

Let us remember the old label of pneumonia as ‘the old man’s friend’ – and the late Prince Philip’s wish not to reach 100 because everything would be falling apart.

If someone has had a long and fulfilling life, but feels that this life no longer has any value, why should he not choose to declare his innings closed?

As we consider the related subjects of assisted dying and the staffing and funding of care homes, surely it is better to allow that choice than to maintain what are essentially warehouses for people who are simply waiting for the end.

The old concept of the absolute sanctity of life has been compromised by medical science which can keep people alive beyond their natural term.

Surely, we must now recognise that this requires a fundamental rethink.

Mike Keatinge Sherborne

DNA could solve dog poo problem

LOCALS and farmers complain, quite rightly, about unwanted and ‘anonymous’ dog poo on paths, pavements and fields.

I remember reading ages ago that all the dogs and cats in towns in a certain area abroad had to have a DNA registration certificate.

Then any poo in the wrong place could be analysed and tied

to an individual animal and steps taken to chastise the owners.

Could this not be introduced here in the UK, at the same time as the animal being chipped by the vet?

Eventually all animals would have their DNA on file.

This would, it is hoped, remove the ‘anonymity’ factor from the problem.

Nick

Jones Via email

BBC radio falling short on music

THANK you – to you and to Michael Tarrant – New Blackmore Vale, Letters – for highlighting the dismal shortcomings of the BBC.

He is quite right to point out that the BBC’s music output is lacking in certain areas – dare I suggest that our national broadcaster is trying to form our national taste?

I remember in the 1990s, it refused to play Cliff Richard’s songs.

Now, Cliff Richard has a lot of fans, likewise the performers of what used to be known as ‘standards’.

Yes, easy listening, wellcrafted songs, performed by accomplished artists and enjoyed by many people.

But not approved of by the BBC!

On the other hand, Lynn Jaquest makes clear that she does not like that kind of music, preferring something more avant garde.

Well, that kind of music IS readily available, especially on the BBC.

She has many stations to choose from.

The kind of music I enjoy is broadcast by two stations, BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, but I rarely listen, as the ratio of talking to music seems to favour the talking.

And quite a lot of it is ‘talking down’ and desperate requests for us to tell them what

we want to hear.

We are tuned to Radio 3. We would like classical – or baroque, or early – music, please.

You’re being paid to play it – surprise us!

Lynn MacGrath Blandford

Old tune on social media

JAMES Ackland and Michael Tarrant – letters, New Blackmore Vale – simply need to move off radio.

The current popular song on multiple social media shorts/ reels is Pretty Little Baby by Connie Francis from 1962.

Lucy Heaton Via email

Wood carving in the spotlight

CANFORD and Merley WI would like to invite visitors to join us to share friendship, education and fun.

We meet on the second Wednesday of the month, 7pm for 7.30pm at Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive, Wimborne.

Our next speaker meeting is on Wednesday, July 9, at 7.30pm when Mike Tuck will talk about wood carving. We would love you to join us.

Anyone interested in attending can contact me on 07780 705702 for more details.

Hazel Clarke Canford

New Blackmore Vale reader Phil Grenville-Hunt, of Blandford, took this photo of his two-year-old Blue Belton English Setter, Granger, on a walk in Pimperne

Arrow words

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Killer Sudoku Pro

Across

8 Friend abroad, fighter in a circle (5)

9 Twist in prisoner wrong (7)

10 New-fangled chain? It offers Italian wine (7)

11 More depraved country resident ignoring delay (5)

12 Original soprano with a person behind piano and organ (9)

14 Female singer taking part in promotion openly (3)

Down

1 Bird of prey represented on calf (6)

2 Polite Arab taking in West in internal conflict (5,3)

3 Note number in retirement in a short time

4 Stint shown by offender in Sweden and Portugal (6)

5 Academic institution with poetic output for world (8)

6 Function, we hear, for some bread (4)

15 Bearer in regular places making slip (3)

16 Aid for tourists before row showing indication of course (9)

19 Runs by Russian river regarding the countryside (5)

21 Annual seller? (7)

23 Manager around 50 given award gets to flourish (7)

24 Preside over college musical (5)

Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

7 Renovated store around back of house, source of music (6)

13 One regularly appearing in rings? (8)

14 Old European capital housing popular liberal of an innovative kind? (8)

15 Dress in French republican given award

17 Notoriety in relatives I left out (6)

18 Complete new time to enter republic (6)

20 Course announced for English cricketer

22 Element of grouchiness that hurts (4)

Politics

Spending Review misses the mark

LAST week’s Spending Review was a chance for the Government to show it understood the pressures facing rural communities like ours. But instead of support and certainty, we got silence on the issues that matter most to Somerset –particularly for our farmers and families needing extra help.

This review should have been a turning point. Farmers in our area are working harder than ever, yet they’re being hit from all sides – rising costs, supply chain pressures and continued uncertainty around funding. The Government had a clear opportunity to protect the sustainable farming budget and give our family farms some clarity for the years ahead. Instead, it said nothing. Not a word on reversing the so-called ‘family farm tax’ or protecting incomes for those working to

feed the nation and care for our countryside. If this Government truly values rural Britain, it needs to back words with action. We can’t tackle food security or support nature recovery if we’re leaving our farmers behind.

It’s not just farming that was left out. I’ve been calling since my election last July for proper investment in support of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Parents across Somerset tell me they are exhausted, fighting for basic help their children should be entitled to. We need early intervention – starting with universal screening in primary schools – and proper training for teachers on how to support neurodiverse children. The Chancellor didn’t mention SEND once. Not once. Families were left out entirely. Following the announcement, I stood up in Parliament and asked the Chancellor directly whether Somerset had been overlooked. I asked about GP pressures, SEND provision, lack of affordable housing, rural

transport and rising energy costs. I asked if she could truly say that this budget leaves enough for councils and departments to properly invest in places like Yeovil. I didn’t get a straight answer.

There were some welcome announcements – continued investment in NHS infrastructure and free school meals – but let’s be clear, none of this means much if rural areas like ours don’t see the benefit.

People in our part of the country work hard and expect fairness. They want to see farming protected, children supported and local services properly funded. This Spending Review was a missed opportunity to deliver that – and I’ll keep pushing in Parliament until our communities get the fair deal they deserve.

Social care crisis must be fixed

JUNE is proving to be another hectic month. I’ve been busy in Parliament and across the constituency, holding advice surgeries, meeting the Avon and Somerset Police Rural Crime Unit, speaking to farmers and judging the British Cider Championships at the Royal Bath & West Show. I’ve helped to support the community in Henstridge take ownership of their much-loved local pub and celebrated National Fish and Chip Shop Day, serving lunch to residents of a Glastonbury care home. But, of course, the big news last week was the Government’s Spending Review.

I held a glimmer of hope Labour might have been listening on some issues, following its U-turn on the winter fuel payment cuts. I hoped we might see a reversal of other damaging tax decisions made in the Budget –particularly for farmers and small businesses. But the review was more of the same

Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke

– missing the opportunity to draw a line under years of Conservative neglect.

My concerns are many –most pressing is failure to address the social care crisis. While I welcome capital investment for the NHS, the reality is unless we fix the crisis in social care and give local authorities the resources to care for people at home, it will all be wasted.

The elephant in the room is that already strained hospitals

cannot discharge patients well enough to go home, because there isn’t social care available to support them. We know people recover better in their own homes, the data is indisputable. So, wouldn’t the best choice to improve patient wellbeing and free up hospital capacity be to invest in the system that will quickly and efficiently make that possible?

Further disappointments were in store. There were hopes the Government would see sense and walk back the disastrous family farm tax. Or at least delay its implementation to give farmers time to plan. This is something I have been calling for relentlessly and in my role on the EFRA Select Committee scrutinising policy this approach has emerged with cross-party support as the most sensible course of action to protect the sector from losing yet more farms.

In fact, the Government chose to add a further blow to already beleaguered farmers,

opting to cut the farming budget in real terms over the next few years. On top of the family farm tax, Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme closure, years of Conservative mismanagement, botched trade deals and post-Brexit red tape, many farmers will despair at news of further squeezes to already stretched-to-breaking budgets.

Farmers, small business owners and the care sector deserve support, not more pressure, tax and poor policy, when many are already at breaking point. I’m committed to continuing to fight for them and holding the Government to account on its short-sighted and damaging financial policies. 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

Lib Dem MP for Yeovil

Adam Dance

Screeching U-turn on fuel allowance

A SACRIFICIAL junior minister was led out to announce the Government’s U-turn on Winter Fuel Allowance. Announced last July as one of Sir Keir’s first acts, it was meant to help fix the mystical black hole he had conjured up. The one designed to justify tax rises, cuts and blaming his predecessors.

The reasons nobody trusts politicians is they are seen as not telling the truth, dissembling and not ‘fessing up when they’ve messed up. As here. The sacrificial lamb bleated on about ‘removing uncertainty’ for pensioners beginning to eye the coming winter with dread. Uncertainty, that is, created by the unfortunate minister’s boss last July. Still, I welcomed the U-turn which will benefit less well-off pensioners in South West Wiltshire. No apology

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire

Dr Andrew Murrison

from the minister, though, for one unnecessarily chilly winter for millions across the land.

As I write, I do not know what the Chancellor will inflict on us on Wednesday in her Spending Review. I have noticed that she’s been talking

much less about growth, though, particularly after the National Insurance hike and tax rises on small business. The job of government is to provide the conditions for a vibrant economy and then let business do the rest. Tax flows follow. I’m just a simple doctor but even I know that. Apparently, Rachel Reeves, who’s an economist, you know, knows better. Will we be shaking the magic money tree?

One of the biggest questions is how much this government is prepared to spend on defence and national security and what it intends our Armed Forces to look like up to 2035. I was disappointed with the eagerly awaited Strategic Defence Review published last month. Too much management speak and thin on detail. So, are we to have tactical nuclear weapons

again, or not, and should we have an iron dome style layered missile defence system, or not. Just two examples on which I’m none the wiser but about which we’d better decide pdq.

Just putting it out there that I have a problem with obsessing about percentages of GDP spent on defence. We all do it but that doesn’t make it right, or sensible. It’s a bit like asking what level of existential threat you can afford. 3.5%, if you press me, feels about right but waiting until 2035 to spend 3% is too little, too late. In any event, Sir Keir says he’d only contemplate it ‘if economic conditions allow.’ I doubt Mr Putin feels so constrained and I very much doubt he’ll oblige by waiting until Europe manages to disentangle itself from a suddenly less avuncular Uncle Sam.

If you can see it, you can be it!

IN January, I was delighted to be accepted on Cohort 3 of the Labour Party’s Bernie Grant Leadership Programme – an in-person and online course designed with the purpose of training and motivating the next generation of British political leaders of African and Caribbean ancestry.

Research tells us that programmes targeting specific under-represented groups in all walks of life not only lifts their confidence and adds to the skills of the individual taking part but also encourages those who have felt at a disadvantage in the past to put themselves forward for something new, push themselves further than ever before and go for it!

In the ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ pledge in the Labour Party’s 2024 general election manifesto, we committed to levelling the playing field across the board, by bolstering the 2010 Equality Act with a

new Race Equality Act and passing the landmark Employment Rights Bill – all working toward greater access and opportunity for all. Labour Party programmes such as the Bernie Grant

Leadership Programme, Jo Cox Foundation Leadership Programme – devised and delivered by the Labour Women’s Network – and the Trade Union Labour’s Future Candidates Programme, all form the framework by which the party’s equalities mission will be fulfilled, leaving space for such programmes to be expanded and extended to whoever feels they would benefit – for example, to white working class young people, neurodivergent people and those living with disabilities or long-term illness. Why not these groups, too?

Let’s look at the success of the Jo Cox Leadership Programme. Set up in memory of the brilliant, late Jo Cox MP, a friend and colleague of mine, who was assassinated nine years ago this Monday (June 16) while out serving her constituents.

Gender wise, our UK cabinet is the most diverse in history. Women hold 13 of the

27 cabinet positions. Many of those women, including Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, attribute graduating from the Jo Cox Leadership Programme as a catalyst for turbo-charging their self-belief, leading to the pathway of putting themselves forward for high office. Of all Jo Cox graduates, 22% are now MPs!

Last week, I was not only honoured to graduate from the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme in Birmingham, receiving my certificate from the reputed Labour Party NEC executive member, Abdi Duale, but also honoured to have been given the opportunity to meet and witness my fellow cohort in action. The talent in the room was through the roof and I would challenge any candidate selection panel, or future employer, not to snap us up, very, very, quickly.

As the research shows, representation matters – if you can see it – you can be it!

Candice JohnsonCole, on behalf of Dorset Labour

Politics

U-turns and wrong turns at council

FOR this edition I wish to focus on two elements – stability and instability and the benefits/ disbenefits of both.

As your MP I have the great honour of working in a Royal Palace. Parliament, both Commons and Lords, is part of the original Palace of Westminster long before the foundation stone of Buckingham Palace was set. The Lords hosts the Throne Room and the throne from which the King’s Speech is read. The Mace, which is carried before the Speaker for each day’s Commons sitting, is the sign of the authority of the Sovereign and that the Government is His Majesty’s Government and Ministers, his Ministers of the Crown. The Union Flag flutters above us. No legislative Bill can become a Law until Royal Assent is secured and Le Roy le veult – The King wills it – is declared. In an ever-changing world there is a stability in this which is beneficial to us all.

I reflected on the settled, enduring and comfort given

Conservative MP for North Dorset

Settlement this week when I walked alongside the Supreme Court to attend Sung Evensong at Westminster Abbey as the Dean & Chapter wished to mark the importance of Parliamentary service to our national life.

Our Parliament, the Court and the Abbey are all within sight of each other and barely a two-minute walk lies between them all. Church, Parliament and Judiciary juxtaposed not just physically but in purpose. What should give us actual joy and comfort is that each leg of that three-legged stool knows

its place. Separate yet interwoven. The ‘seat’ upon which we all rest is only supported and sustained by those three ‘legs’. Our nation could not survive without them. We live in ever and faster changing times, but the stability of our Constitutional Settlement is our great protector – of rights and freedoms. We must never take them for granted nor the benefits that stability accrues to us all.

And now I am afraid I must (re) turn to the instability of Lib Dem – I was going to say run but that does not seem apt – Dorset Council. This is not political critique for the sake of political critique. Let us examine the facts.

Hot on the heels of: ‘we are going to introduce night-time car parking’ – pause for Conservative opposition and local outcry from towns like Blandford, Shaftesbury and Gillingham – and an inelegant U-turn is announced on This is Alfred

Next comes ‘we are going to

close adult day centres in Shaftesbury and Blandford’ –pause for Conservative opposition and local outcry from those towns and their surrounding villages – and a further inelegant volte face is mooted with a ‘if we knew then what we know now we would have done this differently’! An autumn U-turn is to be hoped for.

Reflect again on the council’s deputy leader making an announcement so new that not even his leader knew about it – I have the email to prove it – that Shaftesbury’s Barton House was to become a facility for the homeless – cue all sorts of questions from the community to me, for example, for local people only or further afield, what extra services support would be received etc – and yet again the project is dropped because the building is too big and the demand too small!

This Lib Dem speak before thinking has to stop. It creates anxiety. It generates instability. It benefits no one in North Dorset.

UK needs to step up on Israel-Iran

I WOULD usually use this column to speak about local issues, however, so many of you have been in touch about events in the Middle East that I wanted to acknowledge what is going on there. Last month I was in Washington DC with the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting with Members of Congress and the Administration. Sadly, there was an abject refusal to discuss Gaza from the Republicans we met. In the absence of an engaged USA and now with the conflict escalating between Israel and Iran it has never been more important that the UK step up, along with European and Commonwealth allies, to urge de-escalation.

Last week the Chancellor stood up to reveal the details of the Spending Review. I was

Lib Dem MP for West Dorset

Edward Morello

struck by the complete lack of reference to the south west. No recognition of the urgent need for more money for rural police, transport and health services. The reality is that it costs more to deliver services in rural Britain than in urban areas, and

the broken Treasury funding model fails to recognise this.

Funding for the NHS in the south west is especially important. NHS Dorset will have to deliver £190 million in savings to balance its budget this year, as well as being asked to cut backroom staff up to 50%. This puts frontline services under considerable pressure. I will continue to fight for our NHS in Parliament and am hugely thankful for our NHS staff who continue to work hard to deliver quality care for residents under such constraints.

I have tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill currently going through Parliament. Recently a 14-year-old girl, a resident of West Dorset, was brutally attacked by another girl in a premediated attack, while others filmed on their phones and then

deliberately circulated the videos among local schools and on social media. My amendment would criminalise the malicious filming of violence or harassment with the intent to circulate. I hope something good can come of this horrendous incident.

Last weekend I went to Home Farm, near Marshwood, for Open Farm Sunday. More than 1,200 people come along to look round the farm, ride tractor trailers, see cows being milked, learn about nature-friendly farming, and enjoy quality locally produced food and drinks. Open Farm Sunday is a brilliant initiative that gives people the opportunity to learn about the hard work and effort that our farmers put in to producing our food and looking after our countryside.

Simon Hoare

• Anglican High Mass at Wimborne St Giles: First Sunday of each month at 11am.

• Blandford Methodist Church: Sundays – services at 10.45am. Thursdays – coffee and chat from 10am-noon. Fridays – lunch club for over-55s from noon at £5 per meal. Phone Joyce Wild on 07817 505543 to book.

• Blandford Evangelical Church: Sunday – 10am Family Service, including classes for three-18 year olds. Monday Fellowship – weekly, 2.30pm-3.30pm, everyone welcome, term times only. Tuesday – Footprints, an activities playtime for preschool children, 10am-11.30am and 1.15pm-2.45pm, term times only. 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; all welcome; profits to Rendezvous.

• Coffee morning: Marsh Farm,

Ibberton (DT11 0EJ), Saturday, June 21, 10.30am-noon. Cakes/ produce, bring-and-buy, plants, bric-a-brac, raffle. Children welcome. In aid Woolland Church. Enquiries, phone 01258-817423.

• Digby Memorial Church Hall: Mothers’ Union on Friday, June 27, 10am for 10.30am.

MU Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, by Rosemary Allen. Sherborne Quakers – meet Sundays 10.30am in the Griffiths Room.

• 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.

• Lufton Church: Prayer Book services every Sunday at 6pm. Sung Mass on the third Sunday. See www.lufton.co.uk for details.

• Milton-on-Stour Church: Organ recital by Simon Bending on Friday, July 4, 7pm for 7.30pm.

• 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.

• Sewing machine appeal: Sewing machines are wanted for Mothers’ Union members in Melanesia and Sudan. Contact Jo Higgs at musecretary@ sherborneabbey.com

• 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 Remembering the Fallen: Short service on the third Friday of the month at 11am in the Lady Chapel.

• Sherborne Abbey: Welcomers are needed to fill a few vacant slots on the rota. Anyone interested in doing an extra duty or anyone interested in joining should contact Suzanne.Short@ sherborneabbey.com or the parish office.

• 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 Paul’s Church: Men’s breakfast at The Mermaid, Blackberry Lane, Sherborne, on Saturday, July 12. £9. Contact St Paul’s Church office on 01935 816444 or email admin@ spcsherborne.co.uk.

• 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, June 22 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am BCP Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Crawford. Sunday, June 29 – 10.45am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long. Coffee and cake – Spetisbury: 10am11.30am; first and third Monday of each month; coffee and cake – Blandford St Mary: 10am11.30am; Wednesday, June 19; ‘crafternoons’ – Blandford St Mary: first Thursday of each month; 2pm-4pm; £3 including refreshments; coffee stop –Charlton Marshall Parish Centre: 10.30am-12.30pm; Tuesday to Friday.

• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meeting at All Saints Church (BA22 7QB). Sunday, June 22, 6pm – visit of Chris Hemborough of Project Mozambique+ Sunday, June 29, 6pm – United Service. Contact: Geoff.mead@yahoo.com or phone 01935 850838.

• Witchampton Church: Third Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.

Antiques & Collectibles

Advertiser’s announcement

ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers Sherborne is holding a two-day auction at the end of this month.

Its General Antiques & Collectors auction on Thursday, June 26, at 10am includes a collection of 13 early Victorian

Mess plates estimate £2,000£3,000, a beautiful antique burr walnut Davenport desk with pop-up top estimate £300-£500 and a selection of paintings and sketches, mostly 20th century. Jewellery, Silver & Watches

Continued on page 48

Philatelic treasures for sale in auction

WINCANTON Auctions is staging a special sale of Stamps, Postcards, Cigarette Cards, Bank Notes, Coins and Medals on Tuesday, September 16.

It has already curated some exceptional and impressive philatelic treasures, including elusive single stamps, intriguing errors, expertly curated albums and captivating pieces of postal history with consignments from private collections, house clearances and probate discoveries.

Prospective buyers never know what rare gems they might uncover.

The auction offers seasoned philatelists, investment collectors and passionate enthusiasts a chance to acquire a

distinguished piece of history. The sale will take place at the auction house’s our Wincanton salerooms with live bidding in the room and online.

Viewing is on Monday, September 15, from 10am-4pm, and from 9am on sale day, with the sale starting at 11am.

To view the full preview brochure, scan the QR code or visit https://online. flippingbook.com/ view/240823042/ Anyone who would like to explore the possibility of consigning their own collection for sale is invited to get in touch with Wincanton Auctions via www.wincantonauctions.com; email info@wincantonauctions. com; or phone 01963 361611.

THE Salvage Hunters film crew, accompanied by Drew Pritchard, filmed at Station Road Antiques Centre in Semley in October last year.

The programme is set to be aired on Quest this autumn.

The antiques centre is open for business as normal seven days a week despite ongoing roadworks in Station Road. Station Road Antiques Centre is home to dealers specialising in antique oak furniture, brocante, industrial, lighting, gardenalia, haberdashery, jewellery, art, homeware and vintage clothing.

Antiques emporium featuring on TV BUSBY

Auctioneers & Valuers

Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm

Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, SP7 9AN 01747 228008 @stationroadantiques info@stationroadantiques.co.uk www.stationroadantiques.co.uk

Good prices for gold jewellery

THE market for traditional antiques is constantly evolving with gold, silver and jewellery items among the few categories consistently rising in value.

Good quality antiques and rare, unusual pieces will always hold their value, but with the generation that was so fond of traditional antiques now downsizing and the younger generation preferring the clean lines of the more modern Scandinavian look, the market is ever changing.

Clarke’s sale last weekend saw top results in the jewellery section with an 18ct gold modern design bracelet selling for a shade over £3,700 and from the same vendor two pairs of 18ct gold continental clip-on earrings making a total of £3,200.

A good quality 19th century

triple pedestal dining table saw fierce bidding on both online platforms and from three telephone bidders and a final sale price of £3,200, including premium, showing that good quality pieces will always find their level.

Clarke’s Auctions offers free valuations to prospective sellers, so if you have any interesting pieces, pop down to the salerooms for a free verbal appraisal.

For enquiries about consignment into Clarke’s Friday and Saturday, July 11-12, sales, future sales, probate or insurance valuations, full or part house clearances, phone

Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.

Continued from page 46

on Friday, June 27, at 10am includes an impressive higher carat gold-mounted antique portrait miniature locket with green enamel and pearl, with plaited hair detail, in its original leather case estimate £800-£1,200, a beautiful 18ct gold emerald and diamond ring estimate £1,800-£2,200 and an 18ct gold heart pendant encrusted with diamonds estimate £1,500-£2,000.

The catalogue and bidding are available through Easyliveauction.com and Thesaleroom.com, and Auctionet.com for Acreman’s timed auctions.

The auction house is now accepting Garden & Architectural items for its end of July specialist Auction.

Acreman holds regular valuation days 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, Mondays and Saturdays; paintings and contemporary art, Mondays and Saturdays.

Acreman is also accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and can offer advice on items being considered for auction.

Photographs can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk or visit the salerooms, open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm.

Anyone who has anything they would like to consign should contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 or by email.to the address above.

Units 1 & 2 Kingsettle Business Park, 01747 855109 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk Antiques & Collectibles Sale Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August

Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th and Friday 11th July Viewing Days

Colour catalogue available at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

Attribute to Huang Zhou. An album of Chinese watercolour paintings depicting ballet dancers. Sold for £8,500.

An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600. Clarke’s Auctions o er free home visits and verbal valuations. Now accepting items for this and future sales

The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

e Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road Gillingham, SP8 4QF 01747 685592 enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk Antiques & Collectables 11th & 12th July 2025

Memorabilia from musician’s career Cartier, Rolex, Omega and more

WEST country resident musician Jo Burt, who played bass guitar for bands including The Troggs, Black Sabbath and Sector 27, has instructed Charterhouse in Sherborne to auction his personal collection of memorabilia.

He also worked as a session guitarist with Freddie Mercury and toured with Elton John and The Police.

“To say that Jo played bass guitar with and in some of the leading late 20th century bands and iconic artists would be an understatement,” said John Snape, from the auction house.

Burt’s illustrious career extends beyond Black Sabbath. He toured with The Troggs – 1977 US Tour – and collaborated with Tom Robinson in Sector 27 –including memorable

performances opening for The Police at Madison Square Garden and a final show at Wembley Stadium.

Jo has also graced stages with Elton John, Bob Geldof, Kim Wilde and Brian Setzer, and contributed his skills to session work for Melanie and The Bryan Adams Band, among others.

The Jo Burt Collection, now up for auction, includes stage-worn Black Sabbath leather jackets, guitars and memorabilia.

Viewing at Charterhouse in Sherborne is from June 30 with the auction on Friday, July 4.

All the lots, with live internet bidding, are available at charterhouse-auction.com

For further information, contact John Snape at Charterhouse on 01935 812277.

Specialist Valuation Days

DUKE’S upcoming auction promises a treasure trove of luxury for discerning collectors.

The Fine Jewellery, Watches, Accessories, Wines and Spirits auction showcases a carefully curated selection, highlighted by prestigious brands like Omega, Tudor, Rolex, Breitling, Cartier and Tiffany & Co.

Beyond the allure of timepieces, the auction features exquisite antique jewellery, boasting a dazzling array of precious gemstones including sapphires, diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

Rounding out the offerings are timeless fountain pens and a sophisticated range of aged wines and spirits, catering to a diverse range of refined tastes.

The auction is taking place over Wednesday and Thursday, June 25-26, in Duke’s Dorchester Fine Art saleroom.

Bid and watch live on its website, www.dukes-auctions. com.

A Burma no heat sapphire and diamond cluster ring comes to auction with a pre-sale estimate of £3,000 - £5,000 Thursday 17th July 2025

Home & Garden

How to care for tomatoes

by Sally Gregson

IT is definitely a sign that summer has really arrived when the home-grown tomatoes are ready for picking. There can be few more delicious scents than that of bruised tomato leaves as the fruit is picked. But they can be a little disappointing if they are too small or green. They are a high-maintenance crop which makes them very definitely a ‘hobby plant’.

Firstly, the decision has to be made whether to grow them in a frost-free greenhouse, or to try them outside in the garden soil in a sunny place. Usually, Bush Tomatoes are selected for outside fruiting – they are planted a little later than indoor varieties, but have terrific potential in a long, hot summer. Perhaps global warming will

provide more tomatoes this year.

They should be planted in deep holes, well-prepared with plenty of well-rotted horse manure or garden compost. Stake the plants well – all tomato plants are top heavy when they fruit. And as the summer progresses it is wiser to resist the temptation to let more than five trusses set on each plant. Usually, the production of trusses inhibits further growth. Keep them well watered regularly. Invert a deep plastic pot alongside so that when the tomato is watered, the moisture fills the pots and reaches the roots first.

Greenhouse tomatoes are just as easy to look after – they need staking or tying to the greenhouse structure and

regular watering, daily, or more often when the sun shines, for thin-skinned juicy fruits. The embryonic side-shoots should be carefully removed between finger and thumb as soon as they appear in the leaf axils where they join the main stem. Indoor tomatoes also need regular feeding. Use a proprietary tomato food that is

high in potash to promote lots of fruit, as soon as the fruit sets. And don’t overdose them –more food is not better. If the solution in the compost becomes too strong, the water can be drawn out of the plant and damage it. Follow the dose on the label. And soon you will be giving tomatoes to your grateful friends and neighbours.

Tomatoes are high maintenance and therefore a ‘hobby plant’

Home & Garden

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hints and tips,

Follow your nose for some splendid scents

WALKING through our garden, especially in the evening, is a great delight at the moment. The scent is just magnificent and is produced by several plants, especially a honeysuckle, Lonicera Hall’s Prolific, with its creamy white flowers. It is a great evergreen variety as it flowers from May through to September.

Scent in the garden is essential and is an extra dimension that designers sometimes forget. It’s even more important in gardens where visual impairment for the gardener is an issue. One of my favourite plants was introduced to me by a wonderful lady and a great gardener who had lost her sight. She was asking for Lemon Scented Verbena – Lippia citriodora – which, as the name suggests, has lemon-scented leaves – more ‘lemony’, than lemon – and she told me she kept it right by her back door so that she brushed past it, producing a waft of lemon.

decent-sized tree. So, you will need space, but if that is possible then the rewards are many.

During the summer, scent from the well-known Jasmine is fabulous in the garden and can also come from the Star Jasmine, an evergreen Rhyncospermum jasminoides – also found as Trachelospermum jasminoides. This evergreen climber would prefer more acidic soil than we generally have, but as long as that is known, then by regular feeding it can be overcome. The flowers come in great numbers and the scent is terrific. It is also enjoyable in the autumn and winter when the foliage colours up in shades of deep plum. Later in the year, two shrubs come into their own. The holly-leafed shrub Osmanthus heterophyllus in its various forms is a great year-round performer but is at its peak in the autumn when tiny white flowers open with a powerful scent. The varieties include some with purple young leaves – O. Purpureus – and variegated forms O. variegata and Goshiki, although the latter is a shy flowering form. They are very adaptable shrubs and will cope with quite deep shade, too.

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I also love the scent of the Candy Floss tree. When I first came across this it was at Knightshayes Garden, near Tiverton. I searched and searched for the source of the extraordinary scent, which is so vividly Candyfloss, and eventually found a large shrub. The scent comes from the leaves in the autumn at leaf fall and occasionally at other times, too. It also has great autumn colours and eventually becomes a

The last scent of the calendar year in the garden comes from the Christmas Box, Sarcococca, which has tiny white flowers which pack a scented punch through the autumn and winter and always at Christmas, in my experience. The shrub isn’t a great looker but should be positioned where one walks on a regular basis in the winter to get most enjoyment. So, follow your nose and it’s amazing what you will find!

latest gardening news,

with Mike Burks, MD of The Gardens Group

Home & Garden

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Total Energy Services Achieves MCS Accreditation for Solar Panels and Heat Pumps

Total Energy Services, a trusted family-run heating and plumbing company based in Blandford, Dorset, is proud to announce that it has officially achieved MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation for both solar PV (photovoltaic) systems and air source heat pumps.

This milestone allows the company to offer fully certified renewable energy solutions to customers across Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, while also unlocking access to government-backed financial incentives, including the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant towards the installation of air source heat pumps.

Managing Director, Robert Lamb, commented:

“We’re delighted to receive MCS accreditation, which reflects the high standards and training of our engineers. As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, we’re committed to helping local households and businesses reduce their carbon footprint while saving on energy bills.”

With MCS certification, customers choosing Total Energy Services for heat pump installations can now benefit from the £7,500 government grant, significantly reducing the upfront cost of switching to clean, energy-efficient heating.

MCS is a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Certification under MCS demonstrates that Total Energy Services meets rigorous standards for the design, installation, and commissioning of renewable energy technologies.

In addition to air source heat pumps, the company is now also certified to install MCS-approved solar PV systems, helping homeowners generate their own electricity and take advantage of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

With this new accreditation, Total Energy Services is expanding its renewable offering across Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Hampshire, alongside its trusted oil, gas, and LPG heating services. About Total Energy Services

Established in Blandford and serving the local community for over 25 years, Total Energy Services is an OFTEC-registered company providing heating, plumbing, and renewable energy services across the South West. With a reputation for reliability, quality workmanship, and customer care, the company continues to lead the way in sustainable home heating solutions.

How can we help?

To book your complimentary home visit please call 01258 472132 or email info@totalenergy.co.uk.

Meditations in nature: Sun, sea and sand lizards

by Susannah Curtin

I AM on a coastal expedition today and couldn’t be any happier. The sun is shining brightly and the sea is a turquoise blue, etched with the dazzling reflection of the sun’s rays that cast a diamond river towards the horizon. I am heading towards a cove where I have previously encountered sand lizards – one of the UK’s rarest and, I think, prettiest reptiles. Their usual habitat is either heathland or sand dunes, so it is rather strange that this little colony can be found on this rocky shoreline.

As I make my way along Dorset’s unique undulating and often challenging coast path, I am accompanied by the scratchy, irritable tune of whitethroats, one of our summer songbirds. They have a long tail, which they flick and stick up as they dart rapidly in and out of cover. The male has a grey head, a white throat, a brown back, a fawn-coloured belly and is easily spotted as he likes to perch on top of a bush from where he sings his heart out. As well as the whitethroats, there are also the familiar sharp, loud, high notes of stonechats that sound like two stones being tapped together. The male stonechat is a very smartlooking little bird with his white collar, like he has dressed up for dinner.

Every now and then, I also look out towards the sea with my binoculars and scan the water for dolphins. They are regularly spotted here, but, alas, not by me! I have better luck looking down at my feet for the occasional group of early spider orchids that appear along this stretch of coast. Spider orchids are primarily a Mediterranean plant and one of the earliest orchids to flower in the UK,

despite them being at the most northerly reach of their territory. The only other place you can see them is in West Sussex and Kent.

Eventually, I reach the path to the cove, hop over the style and make my way down the cliff to where I remember seeing sand lizards. On a small outcrop of rocks, I find a suitable place to sit and wait. But it is literally only a matter of minutes before I spot the first one, and then as my eyes get drawn in, there are more. In fact, this long, hot spell of dry spring weather has brought them out in abundance. I admire them through my binoculars before trying to get close enough to photograph them. Their delicate feet are particularly fascinating as they can quickly lift each foot off the ground if it gets too hot and sometimes, although not today, they can lie on their bellies with all four feet in the air.

Sand lizards are more stocky than our common lizards, and can reach up to 20cm in length. Both sexes have brown varied patterns down their backs with two strong dorsal stripes. The males have extremely striking, exotic green flanks which are particularly bright during the breeding season in late April and May. Whenever I see them, they remind me of the European green lizards that I would encounter on my early travels around the eastern Mediterranean. However, once mating has taken place, their green flanks fade. In comparison to the males, female sand lizards usually have a brown or grey background colour which makes them much duller but far better camouflaged.

We are so lucky to have these exceptional looking lizards right here in Dorset, as they are very rare and highly protected, only

Health & Wellbeing

Sand

lizards like to partake in long basking sessions

occurring elsewhere in isolated places in Surrey, Hampshire and on the protected dunes of Merseyside. Indeed, Dorset has 70% of the UK population. They were once widespread, but habitat loss, especially of sandy heathlands and sand dunes, has played a part in their decline.

The UK has three species of lizard – common lizards, sand lizards and slow worms. The common lizard is our most widespread and commonly seen reptile as it favours many different habitats and likes to sunbathe in the open. Whereas common lizards and slowworms give birth to live young –known as viviparity – sand lizards are

the only native UK lizard species to lay eggs – that is oviparity. In late May or early June, females dig a burrow for their fertilised eggs in a patch of sand that is warmed by the sun. Between late August and September, the tiny, perfectly formed hatchlings emerge from the sand to begin a life that can last on average five to six years.

Sand lizards also like to partake in long basking sessions but close to vegetation so that they can escape the crows, kestrels and smooth snakes that prey on them. Their only defence once captured is to detach their tails, which continue to move in order to distract their attacker.

I spend a good few hours watching these fascinating creatures and just enjoying this dramatic stretch of coast. Yet even I cannot help snoozing for a while, as I take my own opportunity to bask in this beautiful warm sunshine. n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com).

Health & Wellbeing

Community and a sense of belonging

by Nicole Asghar REFUGEE

Week begins on June 16, and this year’s theme is community. Sometimes, when we talk about ‘community’, it’s easy to think of it as a place or a group of people who already know each other. But, in truth, community is a living, evolving relationship – it’s something we choose to nurture, especially when someone new arrives at the edges.

For me, the week is not just a calendar event – it’s a human reminder to hold space for the stories of people who have left behind family, homes, cultures and languages. Not because they wanted to, but because they had to. And in that journey of

displacement, there’s often fear, grief and uncertainty. But there’s also hope. There’s survival. There’s resilience. A chance for us to connect with others.

From a therapeutic perspective, we know that belonging requires connection. People need to feel seen, safe and accepted in order to begin healing. Community plays a vital role in that process – not through grand gestures, but through quiet, consistent presence. Bournemouth and Boscombe are just two places in Dorset that offer this stable and consistent presence.

The Old School House –TOSH – in Boscombe has an ongoing project that supports

refugees with art and creativity; and The International Care Network offers assistance and advice for refugees and asylum seekers. Both charities provide a chance for us to pause, reflect and make space for nurturing.

During the events that happen throughout Refugee Week, we’re invited not just to observe, but to practise openness. To examine where we may hold assumptions or discomfort, and gently ask ourselves where compassion fits in. This is not about guilt – it’s about growth. We all have the capacity to expand the boundaries of our empathy and events such as this can highlight this.

Rose’s petals a herbal hug

by Fiona Chapman

OUR daughter’s wedding was last week. We were so incredibly lucky with the weather, it was beautifully sunny and a day full of joy, love and laughter. I am writing this a week later looking at the rain, counting our blessings and thanking the spirits for looking after us.

As last week was all about love, I thought I would write about herbs that are used for, or representative of, love. Of course, the first herb that springs to mind is the rose. Roses have been used for years to give as symbols of love and purity, but the petals of the beautiful damascena rose in a tea are also hugely beneficial to the digestive and immune system, as they contain powerful

Dorset is a big county with a big heart and I believe people can feel this when they visit, and when they integrate into the towns and cities within. I invite you to explore what your local community offers and how it might welcome those that are new here.

n Nicole Asghar is an integrative therapist working with adults and children online and in Bournemouth and Poole. She specialises in neurodivergence and trauma and enjoys using yoga and movement to help clients connect with themselves and others. Find out more at www. ourluminousminds.com or email nicole@ourluminousminds.com.

antioxidants. Their fragrance is calming and soothing and us herbalists use the petals for those who we feel need bit of love. They are a herbal hug.

Lavender is another herb associated with love. Again, because of its fragrance, which is calming and conducive to creating a loving atmosphere. The deep purple colour is also a symbol of devotion, and lavender was and still is used in spells and amulets to attract love. In a tea it is antibacterial and anti-fungal, as well as helping to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. I love lavender in a tea, but it is a strong flavour, so only a small amount is needed.

Basil, quite surprisingly, was another herb that was used for love, or as an aphrodisiac, particularly by the Romans as it enhances and increases blood flow. Tulsi, or holy basil, is a sacred plant in Ayurveda medicine and encourages positive energy and a bringer of

blessings.

Chamomile can be used for love – the flowers – or essential oil – can be put in the bath to relax and unwind. It is a sun herb, flowering in mid-summer, and represents the sun God and virility.

Meadowsweet, another herb that I love, which is just beginning to flower, has a very delicate scent and was used for centuries to promote love, as it ‘hints to the mystery of women’. Lots of ‘potions’ – or teas –can be made with these herbs, the common denominator, however, being that they are scented and calming, creating a conducive atmosphere for love. n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

Lavender is associated with love

STAG VIRGINIA CHERRY DINING CHAIRS, 4 chairs and 2 carver. Recovered in cream, good condition. £150 01258-861638.

THULE BIKE CARRIER as new. 2 bike towbar fitting, offers about £300. Tel: 07748-630524

TWO BRAND NEW NEVER USED GARAGE DOORS by ‘Garador’. Finished in slate grey. Door size is 2112 x 2115. Opening size 2134 x 2136. Buyer collects. Price £975 each (Normally over £1200 from supplier). 07476-818044.

CLASSIFIED ADS

STAMP COLLECTION FOR SALE, mainly GB. 07971-962152.

MILLE WASHING MACHINE, genuine reason for sale £350 07588 053555

LEATHER 2 SEATER SOFA and recliner chair, chestnut brown. £100. 07817-031241

MINELAB X-TERRA ELITE EXPEDITION PACK metal detector/extra accessories. Unused.£600. 07874-266213

RANGEMASTER Classic cream freestanding electric ceramic cooker 60cms CLA60ECCR/C. Purchased August 2023 for £874. Oven and grill never used. £400 Tel 07485 163197

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

SHARK VACUUM CLEANER. £20. Tel: 07518-771925

PINK LEATHER OPEN TOE wedge heel shoes size 6 never worn. £10 Gillingham area 07769-708992

MANS BLAZER, immaculate condition. size 48R. £18. Tel: 07895-718046

2 x PLASTIC CHICKEN CARING CRATES £20.00 each. Guys Marsh 07780-358597

ELECTRIC BACK MASSAGE, £50 ono. Tel: 01747-853913

SMALL WHITE PAINTED METAL glass-top table. £20. Tel: 01747-837834

GRANDPARENTS SELLING PRAM, pushchair and baby carrier bundle. Good condition. £40. 07817-031241

YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE

JACKET with armour. New. never worn. Size XL. £50. 07966 282313.

FOR SALE: CHAINSAW. Can be seen in Marnhull.Call Trevor on 07484-293137

IKEA POANG ARMCHAIRS with birch frame and grey cushions. Very good condition. £45, no offers. 07929 639692.

BLUEAIR AIR PURIFIER 3210

Near new, excellent condition £25 (Gillingham) 07963-319751

GARDEN SUN LOUNGER £30 07588 053555

DOUBLE MATTRESS (Moonraker Waverley 1700), as new costs £650. For sale £50 Tel: 01258-820869

25M EXTENSION LEAD CABLE - Heavy Duty, 240V 16amp Hook Up Cable Orange High Vis Orange Mains Power £15.00 ring 01258 820344

RACLETTE GRILL 8 PERSON

ELECTRIC with pans and spatulas. Adjustable temp. Make - Andrew James. Very good condition. £40.00. 07389-876997 Portesham

FOUR DINING/CASUAL CHAIRS in Brown Fabric/ Simulated Suede. Good Condition. Complete set £25.00 For further information Tel: 01963 33160

BERLINGO LADDER RACK unused suitable van/MPV £20. 01747 853294

5 CARARAMA DIE CAST

VEHICLES, All Boxed, Never Used. 4 Trucks, 1 Snow Plough. £10 Each. Tel: 07775-714302

ALLEN 18” 2 STROKE PETROL hover mower. Non-runner for repair. Any offers around £20. 01747-840835.

2 FOOT WOODEN FOLD UP slatted table and 2 chairs. £25. 01747-850322.

WAGNER FENCE AND DECKING Sprayer . Used once, boxed as new. £35.00. Telephone 01963-362924

DOUBLE SIZE TEAK BED FRAME (no mattress). Hardly used. £15. 07785 534 524.

SPANISH GUITAR FOR SALE— £45 . Can deliver with in reasonable distance of Gillingham, Dorset. 01747-825108.

GENTS SMART LIGHT SUMMER SUIT M&S: 44 Chest – 38 Waist - £35. TEL: 07879-880-250

BUSH PORTABLE FM RADIO/ CD PLAYER with remote control Mains/battery.Gold colour.£15’ Tel 01747-811611.

LADIES ELECTRIC RISER RECLINER armchair 3 yrs old beige £50 buyer collects Tel: 07805-595995 Semley

WEDDING POST BOX RED with gold letters Wooden 76cm high x 40cm diameter £35 Tel 01258-473127

FIRE and ICE

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BLANKET OTTOMAN upcycle project needs recoverin £10 ONO. 01258-880506

NINJA AIR FRYER MAX 6.2 litre, also features roast and bake. Still boxed, unwanted present. £50. 01935-814856. After 6pm.

PENN 14ft TIDAL XR surfcasting hybrid rod. Like new £50. 07907-044084.

BREEZI CHILD’S HIGHCHAIR. Similar to Stokke Tripp. Solid wood, adjustable. Reasonable condition. Much loved by previous user. £40. Tel 07553-033045

OLYMPUS C5000 Z00M WITH SPARE BATTERY AND 3 PICTURE CARDS,NUMERUS CABLES.£49.50 01747-812457

NEW ROOFING SLATES, 500x250. £1 each. 01258 863526

BLACK SMALL CONTEMPORARY armchair. New never used 1960 style £50 ono 07899-691847

BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN WALNUT SIDEBOARD 8 DRAWERS 164 x 90 x 48 EXC. COND. DOWNSIZING £45 07976 937830

TRAINS (Steam) CALENDAR2025. Unopened. Size: 12” x 12”. £3.50 (Happy to post). STREET 01458 44 32 64

SMALL CAR TRAILER FOR SALE, 4’ x 3’ . £50 ono. Gillingham. 07966-967709

POLO HANDBAG BY RALPH LAUREN Black with central strip of red and white and small gold Polo logo. New. Price £40 07483-811492

SLIDE PROJECTOR {35MM} with screen and stand £15 Tel.01747-811611.

NEFF DUPLO Induction Hob N44K30N0. Pacemaker forces sale. £50. 01258 861526

SMALL BARBECUE KETTLE GRILL with lid made by Gardenesque, bought 4 years ago and box still sealed. 48 x 56 x 85cms. £25 Tel 07485 163197”

VINTAGE HIFI, either separates or complete systems, turntables, cassette decks, amplifiers, speakers, mini radios. Will consider items that are not tested or working. We pay fair prices and are happy to collect. Call Andrew 07799417711

Food & Drink

Thai fishcakes a taste of summer

THESE Thai fishcakes make a lovely light summer lunch or starter.

Ingredients

(Serves four to six)

400g coley but salmon, crab meat or prawns could also be used

1 tbs Thai green paste

50g French beans, finely sliced in rounds

1 lime juiced

Fish sauce – a few splashes (it’s salty, so there’s no need to add salt)

1 handful coriander

1 egg (to make it ‘spongey’)

Half a mild red chilli finely diced, no seeds

Method

Put all the ingredients – except the beans and chilli – into a blender and blitz.

Then tip it into a bowl and with your hand or a fork fold in the raw fine beans and red chilli.

Leave to marinade in the fridge or, if short on time, make the fish cakes by rolling them into balls and gently flattening them into patties.

On a medium heat, and when the oil is hot enough for them to sizzle and turn golden, place the fish cakes carefully into a non-stick frying pan four to six

at a time. Cook for two to four minutes and turn over. A medium to low heat is best so they cook all the way through without burning.

Serve hot with a green salad and a sweet chilli sauce mixed with rice vinegar and sushi ginger for a dip.

n Annie des Forges, DirectorChef, The Table Bruton (email annie@thetablebruton.com); Annie Austin, Director-Host and Concierge, Somerset Roadtrip.

Safe to eat? ‘Sniff test’ not enough

THE Food Standards Agency’s consumer survey, Food and You 2, has shone a spotlight on some of the risky behaviours taking place in household kitchens across the country.

The Wave 9 report shows that more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) would rely on the ‘sniff test’ to assess whether raw meat is safe to eat or cook with.

A further 73% of respondents said they would rely on the sniff test for milk and yoghurt, and 65% of respondents said they would do so with fish.

The report also found that many respondents would eat bagged salad (72%) or cheese (70%) after the use-by date, while around six-in-10 respondents would eat yoghurt (63%), milk (60%) or cooked meats (58%) after the use-by date.

The FSA’s advice for foods

with a use-by date is that the ‘sniff test’ is not an appropriate method for testing whether the food is safe to eat or cook with.

This is because food can look and smell fine even after the use-by date has passed, but the product will not be safe to eat and could cause food poisoning due to harmful bacteria which we cannot see or smell.

The survey also found that around four in 10 respondents said they wash raw fish or seafood (40%) or raw chicken (38%), at least occasionally, when preparing it.

The FSA recommends that people do not wash raw meat, fish or poultry because doing so can splash harmful bacteria onto the hands, work surfaces, ready-to-eat foods and cooking equipment.

Some of the more positive findings in the report show that 94% of respondents would

never eat sausages when they are pink or have pink juices, and the majority of respondents (62%) reported that they always check use-by dates before they cook or prepare food.

Most people (83%) also reported that they would only reheat leftover food once, in line with FSA guidance.

FSA chief executive, Katie Pettifer, said: “There are around 2.4 million recorded cases of foodborne illness in the UK every year, but by following the FSA’s food hygiene advice on cooking, cleaning, chilling and cross-contamination, you can reduce the risk of you or your family becoming unwell.”

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.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. 01258 450050 Chicken feeds etc available.

Half a lamb £90 |

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

Announcements

PUBLIC NOTICES

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence

North Farm Horton (Contracting) Ltd Of North Farm, Horton, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7HL is applying to use North Farm, Horton, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7HL as an operating centre of 1 goods vehicle. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centres who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-guide-to-makingrepresentations-objections-and-complaints-goods-vehicleoperator-licensing

IN MEMORIAM

Dave Roberts

27/11/49 – 27/06/24.

My lovely Dave, I will always love you and you are in my head and my heart forever more. You are loved by me, your Louise x

Gemma Palmer

Missing you everyday. It’s been 14 years since you’ve been gone. Still in our hearts and minds. Love you always Mum and Dad xx

Gemma Palmer

Mum love and miss you today and always. Lilia, Macey and Evie xxx

HANCOCK

Keith Rex

Peacefully on 28th May 2025 at the Weldmar Hospice, Dorchester, aged 78 years, of Stalbridge. Dearly loved Husband, Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday, 26th June at 11.20am. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Keith for Weldmar Hospicecare can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

MARGARET MURIEL GLADYS DENNETT

Sadly passed away on 9th June 2025 aged 96 years. Of East Orchard.

Wife of the late Ralph, much loved Mum to Shirley and Nan to Jason, Ivonna, Jack, River and Harley. She will be sadly missed by her family and all who knew her. Special thanks to The Mellowes Care Home in Gillingham who were so kind.

A service to celebrate her life takes place at St Margaret’s Church, Margaret Marsh on Thursday 17th July at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only please. Donations in her memory for Guide Dogs for the Blind may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to “Guide Dogs”.

Osborne Barbara

Aged 84 years of Charlton Horethorne. On 30th May 2025, suddenly but peacefully at her home. A much loved Mum, Nan, sister, aunt and friend. Funeral service at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Charlton Horethorne on Friday 18th July at 11am. Followed by private cremation. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Barbara are being invited for Macmillan Cancer Support or St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Charlton Horethorne C/O Harold F Miles Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone 01963 440367.

Hopkins John Richard

Aged 93 years of Castle Cary, formerly of Wincanton, on 31st May 2025. Peacefully at his home. A much loved partner, Dad, Grandad, Great Grandad, Brother, Uncle and friend. Funeral service at All Saint’s Church Castle Cary on Monday 23rd June at 2pm. Followed by interment in the cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of John are being invited for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance C/O Harold F Miles Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone 01963 440367.

CHERRINGTON

Margaret Rose

Peacefully on 29th May 2025 in Yeovil District Hospital, aged 78 years, of Yeovil.

Beloved wife of the late John. Much loved Mam, Nan, and Great Nan. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday, 1st July at 12.00pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired, for Hedgehog Rescue Of Hazelbury Bryan can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

DEATHS

DEREK OWEN GAWLER

Passed away on 20th May 2025, aged 80, at Salisbury District Hospital. Much loved husband of Dianne for 56 years, dad of Susan and Jonathan, father in law of Stephen and Becky, and grandad of William and Lauren. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all his family, near and far. Funeral service was held at West Wiltshire Crematorium on 18th June. Donations, if desired, can be made online to the Stars Appeal starsappeal.org

Wendy Burke

Passed away peacefully at Dorset County hospital on 1st June, aged 78. Mother to surviving children Sara-Jane and Michael. Also a cherished grandmother. Funeral service at Poole crematorium on 27th June at 12 o’clock. Donations to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. We’re asking people to wear something yellow. Family flowers only.

MOLLIE GWENDOLINE DOWN

On 1st June 2025, quietly passed away in Salisbury District Hospital aged 91 years. Of Shaftesbury. Wife of the late Eric, mum to Maureen, Sandra, Clifford and Rachel and the late Roger, Robert and Nigel. Also a loving nan and great nan who will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service takes place at St James Church, Shaftesbury on Tuesday 24th June at 11.30am. No flowers please but donations in her memory for St James PCC or The Stars Appeal SDH may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to the individual charity of choice.

SYLVIA FLORENCE LEGG

Sylvia passed away peacefully in Blandford Grange on 5th June 2025 aged 93 years. Formerly of Cann Common, Shaftesbury. She was a loving wife to the late Basil, mother to Nigel and Andrew, mother in law to Fiona, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at St Thomas’s Church, Melbury Abbas on Tuesday 24th June at 2.00pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired, for Cancer Research UK can be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Jean Smith

79 years of Charlton Horethorne, passed away peacefully in Yeovil Hospital on 09.06.2025.

RACHAEL ALLCOCK NEE BENNET

Sadly passed away suddenly but peacefully after a short illness on June 2nd aged 50 Very much loved Wife, Daughter, Sister, Aunt. Stepmother and Step grandmother. Will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends.

NIGEL GRAY

On 29th May 2025, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital after a short illness, aged 76 years. Lifelong resident of Shaftesbury. Son of the late Jack and Joan Gray, brother to the late Mollie and uncle to Karen, Robin and the late Simon. Funeral service takes place at St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury on Tuesday 8th July at 11.00am followed by interment. Donations in his memory for Shaftesbury Carnival may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to Merefield & Henstridge Ltd.

DOROTHY JOAN TITT

On 30th May 2025, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital aged 86 years. Of Compton Abbas. Beloved wife of David, mum to Jonathan, Rachel and Hannah, nanny to Charles, Becky and Matthew and great granny to Kaydee, Ryan and Tegan. She will be sadly missed by all family and friends. Private cremation.

A service to celebrate Dorothy’s life takes place at St Mary’s Church, Compton Abbas on Thursday 26th June at 11.30am. Donations in her memory for The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth and The Barn Owl Trust may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to the individual charity of choice.

Announcements

DEATHS

Pearce, Spencer John

Passed away peacefully at home on 1st June aged 86. A dearly loved Husband, Dad and Grandad. His funeral will be held at St Michael’s Church in Mere on July 4th at 3pm. Family flowers only but donations if desired in memory of Spence for Cancer Research UK and Barnardos. All enquiries to LC Hill & Son. 01747 860361.

Barbara Moore

Peacefully passed away at home on Sunday 25th May 2025. Funeral is to be held on Monday 23rd June 2025 1:30pm at Mendip Crematorium, BA5 3RR

The family would like to invite you to a celebration of Barbara’s life at The old Brewery Café, Gillingham SP8 4NW. Following the service. Donations welcomed to The Alzheimer’s Society Forget Me Not Appeal. Funeral being conducted by Bracher Brothers, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QL. 01747822494

The family of Thomas Ponsford Winder, DOB 8/4/29

wish to announce Tom’s death on 18/5/2025 after a short illness, bravely fought at the age of 96. He was dearly loved by his wife Barbara and his daughters, Karen, Bridget and Louise and his extended family. Tom’s funeral is being held on the 24/ 6/ 25 at Bournemouth Crematorium at 11:30am.

Family flowers only, others may wish to make donations to `The Friends of Dolphin` Charity, where Tom had many happy trips on the boats

MCKAY

Colin George Henry

Peacefully on 8th June 2025 at home in Stourton Caundle, aged 83 years. Dearly loved Husband of Margaret. Loving Stepfather to Mandy and Michele.

Much loved Grandad and Brother. Funeral service at St. Peter’s Church, Stourton Caundle on Monday, 23rd June at 12.00pm, followed by interment.

At Colin’s request, please refrain from black attire. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Colin for either Weldmar Hospicecare or Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

NETHERWAY BARRY ALAN

Aged 84 years of Cole, on 9th June 2025, peacefully at Bath Royal United Hospital. A much loved Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle and Friend.

Funeral Service at St Leonard’s Church, Pitcombe, on Monday 7th July at 2pm. Followed by interment in the church yard. Family flowers only please, Donations in memory of Barry are being invited for Beagle Welfare.

C/o Harold, F Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Tel: 01963 40367

IONE HOMES

On 13th June 2025, peacefully with her family by her side, aged 99 years. Private family service.

Donations in her memory, for St Mary’s Church, East Knoyle, may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Please make any cheques payable to St Mary’s Fabric Fund.

DEW Michael John (Mick)

Of Blandford St Mary. Peacefully at Dorset County Hospital on 12th June 2025 aged 79 years. Mick will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. A simple service is to be held on Friday 11th June 2025, 2:00pm at Lesley Shand Blandford Service Chapel. Please wear something red as Mick was an avid Liverpool fan. Donations are invited for the Injured Jockeys Fund and can be made c/o Lesley Shand Funeral Services, 28 East Street, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DR, 01258 453425 www.funeraldirector.co.uk/funeral/michael-dew

Elizabeth Joan Woolsey (Joan or Liz)

Aged 85 years, peacefully, on 4th. June 2025 at The Mellowes Care Home in Gillingham, of Sedgehill and previously of Tisbury. Dearly loved wife of Peter and mother to Gordon and loving gran of James and Laura. Funeral Service at Salisbury Crematorium on 3rd. July at 3.00 p.m. Wear something colourful. Family flowers only, but donations may be made to: The Stroke Association at: https://www.stroke.org.uk/donate/give-memory

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William “Bill” Peter Douglas Lamb

Aged 92 years, passed on 30th May 2025, peacefully at Highfield House. Much loved husband of the late Fay. He will be greatly missed by family and friends across the world. Funeral Service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium, on Friday 4th July 2025 at 10:40 am. Donations in memoriam may be made to the Gurkha Welfare Trust: https://www.gwt.org.uk/

Redman, Jannie

Died peacefully at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Saturday, 7th June, aged 84, surrounded by her children. Beloved Wife to Peter (deceased), Mother to Sally, Kate, Thomas and Charlotte and Granny to Struan, Eleanor, Camilla, Josh, Olivia, Chloe, Storm, Hendrix, Matilda, George and Wilfred. Donations in Jannie’s memory to Cancer Research UK. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, 2nd July at 2 pm, at St. Gregory’s Church, Marnhull. Flowers from the family only, please.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

GIUSEPPE LANZA

Peacefully on 7th June 2025 in Yeovil District Hospital, aged 79 years, of Henstridge. Loving Husband of Amalia. Dearly loved Dad of Claudia, Maria, Silvio, Sue and Fabio. Much loved Nono, Great Nono, Brother and friend. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday, 3rd July at 11.20am. No flowers please. Donations if desired, for Yeovil Hospital Charity can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent:

C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570

The top 10 most in-demand jobs in the UK

A NEW study has revealed the most in-demand jobs in the UK. Experts at employee benefit app, Go Joe, analysed the average monthly search volume over the past 12 months of terms related to job searches in the UK, such as ‘[job] vacancy’ and ‘[job] jobs’. Those with the highest search volumes have been deemed the most indemand jobs.

The most in-demand job is cabin crew member, with an average monthly search volume of 12,020. The typical base pay for this role ranges from £17,000 to £33,000 a year, depending on the airline and experience. Customer service and teamwork skills are highly desirable.

In second place is studio

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director, with an average monthly search volume of 4,820. The typical duties of a studio director are to manage the day-to-day operations of the studio, as well as handling client relations. Studio directors can earn an average salary of £38,265.

Pundit takes third place, with an average monthly search volume of 4,410. A pundit is typically an expert in a particular field, such as sport or politics, and provides commentary or opinions. Salaries can vary, with famous pundits making an average of £395,000, but many pundits earn much less.

Claiming fourth place is electrical engineer, with an average monthly search volume

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of 3,610. Typical duties include creating or maintaining electrical systems and ensuring compliance with all regulations. An electrical engineer can expect to make about £40,463 a year.

Ornithologist is in fifth place, with an average monthly search volume of 3,150. Applicants typically need a degree in zoology, biology or ecology to enter this line of work and can expect to earn around £30,000 each year.

Sixth place is taken by music manager, with an average monthly search volume of 3,110. Salaries can vary hugely depending on experience and success, but the average salary reported is £34,955. Many music managers have undertaken degrees in music business or marketing for this position.

In seventh place is naval architect, with an average monthly search volume of 2,950. Naval architects design and evaluate ships and marine vessels, ensuring they are

Recruitment

compliant with regulations. The average salary is around £35,000 for mid-level engineers.

Ergonomist is in eighth place, with an average monthly search volume of 2,910. Experienced professionals can earn between £35,000 and £65,000 each year, and they work to ensure that people are comfortable and safe in various industries.

Ninth place is claimed by silversmith, with an average monthly search volume of 2,520. The average annual salary for a silversmith in the UK is £29,298, and most silversmiths go through an apprenticeship of about one to four years to develop the experience needed for the role.

Lastly, in 10th place, is data and compliance manager, with an average monthly search volume of 2,520. This can be a very lucrative role, with an average salary of £60,956, but requires extensive experience in risk management or compliance-based roles.

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Motoring

90 years of the driving test

DRIVING tests have been compulsory for 90 years, but only a third of drivers are sure they would pass a driving test retake.

New research, from the AA Driving School, launched to coincide with the anniversary, shows only 32% of drivers are very confident they would pass a retake of their practical test today.

Just 17% felt the same about a retake of their theory test.

As might be expected, younger drivers were more likely to feel very confident about passing a retake compared to those over 65 (40% against 30%).

When asked why they thought they would fail, in both the practical and theory tests, the top five reasons were:

Practical test: 1 bad habits (73%), 2 nerves (33%), 3

reversing manoeuvres (30%), 4 following a sat nav (25%), 5 mirrors/attitude to other road users/other (all 13%).

Theory test: 1 Highway Code knowledge (88%), 2 other area of theory (50%), 3 rules of the road (46%), 4 knowledge of road signs (38%), 5 hazard perception (32%).

Compulsory testing was brought in on June 1, 1935, for all drivers and riders who started driving on or after April 1, 1934. Prior to this, testing had been voluntary.

The driving test has changed considerably over time, as these comparisons show:

n Pass rate: 1935 – 63%, 2025 – 49%.

n Duration: 1935 – 30 minutes driving, 2025 – 40 minutes driving, 80 minutes theory test.

n Requirements: 1935 – hill start, emergency stop, Highway

Code knowledge, correct use of arm signals; 2025 – eyesight check, general driving ability, reversing vehicle, 20 minutes independent driving, ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions, separate theory test.

n Number of examiners: 1935 – 250; 2025 – 1,627.

n Test centres: 1935 – none –candidates met examiners somewhere like a post office or train station; 2025 – about 320

centres offer practical car driving tests. n Cost: 1935 – 7s 6D; 2025 – Practical £63 (weekdays), £75 (evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays), Theory – £23.

n Annual road deaths: 1935 – 7,343; 2025 – 1,607 (projected).

BSM, founded in 1910 before the compulsory driving test, is the UK’s oldest driving school, and is owned by the AA.

2017 (17) Ford KA+ 1.2 Zetec 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, parking sensors, cruise control, hill hold, air con, Bluetooth, upto 56mpg economy, small exterior with a spacious interior, 76,900 miles ....................................£6450

2013 (62) Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. Clearance car, sold as seen, MOT Feb 2026, recent clutch & cambelt change, £35 tax, 1 owner, 119,000 miles................£1750

2012 (12) Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr. Parking sensors, cambelt has been replaced, only 61,500 miles...............................................Available Soon £4650

2012 (62) Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. 69bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, £35 yearly tax, 50+mpg, simple car with basic spec, cambelt replaced, MOT Nov 2025, private sale on behalf of a customer, 73,500 miles .......................................£2950

2021 (21) Ford Puma 1.0T ST Line X 155 MHEV SUV 5dr. Partial leather, sat nav, park sensors, cruise control, collision detection, road sign assist, 47,200 miles...........................................................................................................£13750

2008 (08) Mini Convertible 1.6 Cooper 2dr. Clearance car, sold as seen, new MOT, park sensors, last owner for 16 years, 104,700 miles...........................£2250

2010 (60) Peugeot 107 1.0 Millesim 5dr. £20 tax, MOT May 2026, clearance car, sold as seen, selling on behalf of a customer, 84,500 miles....................£2250

2006 (06) Mercedes-Benz CLK200 1.8 Kompressor Sport Automatic Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, petrol, 5 speed auto gearbox, recent new roof & shocks absorbers, full history, 15 stamps, heated leather, electric roof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, MOT June 25, private sale on behalf of a customer, 77,500 miles ...........................................................................................................£4250

2018 (68) Renault Clio 1.5DCi GT Line Nav 5dr. Sat nav, cruise control, partial leather, parking sensors, cambelt replaced, 63,000 miles.............................£7950

2014 (14) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 163bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, high seats, leather, heated seats, heated screen, sat nav, park sensors, auto park, reverse camera, sunroof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, lane aid, sign recognition, hill hold, electric tailgate, cambelt replaced, 92,500 miles .........£7450

2018 (68) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi ST Line SUV 5dr. Sat nav, road sign assist, cruise control, park sensors & auto park system, reverse camera, partial leather, 61,800 miles...........................................................................................................£11750

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles ............£21500 + VAT = £25800

2014 (14) Ford Transit 2.2TDCi 350 Trend 12 Seat Minibus 5dr. 3 front seats, 9 rear seats, removable rear seating, ideal for day van or camper conversion, 75,500 miles...............................................................................................£12600

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 Automatic 9 Seat. Cruise control, heated front seats, reversible & removable rear seats, parking sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,100 miles....................................................£19800

2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 rear seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, heated front seats, hill hold, cambelt replaced, 90,200 miles.........................£19500 + VAT = £23400

2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 Automatic 6 seat. Wheelchair access vehicle, 3 front seats, 3 removable & reversable rear seats, multi-purpose space, heated front seats, cruise control, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 98,800 miles...............................................................................£13500

2014 (64) Kia Venga 3, 1.6 Automatic (Sat Nav) 5dr. 123bhp, petrol, 4 speed automatic gearbox, high seating, decent boot, sat nav, parking sensors & reverse camera, electric sunroof, partial leather, heated seats, cruise control, sign recognition, hill hold, only 38,800 miles........................................................£7850

2005 (55) Mercedes-Benz SL350 Automatic 3.7 V6 Convertible 2dr. Sat nav, heated leather, parking sensors, cruise control, selling on behalf of a customer, 61,500 miles.................................................................................................£7500

2016 (66) Mazda 3, 2.0 SE-L Nav Automatic 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, sign recognition, heated seats, hill hold, 75,900 miles...................................£8450

2015 (65) Peugeot 308 1.2THP Allure Automatic 5dr. 130bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill hold, only £35 a year road tax, 50+mpg economy, cambelt has been replaced, 69,500 miles..............................................................DUE IN SOON

2019 (19) Renault Captur 1.5DCi Iconic Automatic SUV 5dr. Sat nav, parking sensors, cruise control, road sign assist, cambelt

2019 (19) Renault Captur 1.5DCi Iconic Automatic SUV 5dr. 90bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, cruise control, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, hill hold, high seating, sliding rear seats, upto 67mpg economy, 20,300 miles .........................................................................................................£12250

2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4 SRi 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, auto lights & wipers, parking sensors, cruise control, pre-collision assist, sign recognition, hill hold, Bluetooth, 63,600 miles ..............................................£6950

2016 (66) Vauxhall Mokka 1.6CDTi SE 4x4 SUV 5dr. 136bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4 wheel drive, high seating, big boot, heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, hill hold, performance & economy, upto 60mpg, 65,500 miles ....................................£7250

The driving test came into being in 1935

Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “The driving test was introduced to help stem the tide of rising road deaths.

“Safety has remained at its core and over time more features have been added to help ensure new drivers are as prepared as possible for life on the road.

“Learners today can take lessons with a qualified instructor on the motorway and must show they can follow

directions from a sat nav or road signs.

“It’s a robust test, so it’s no wonder so many qualified drivers think they would struggle with a retest.

“With electric vehicles gaining popularity; autonomous vehicle technology evolving and an ever greater focus on road safety, the next 90 years will undoubtedly bring many more changes to the test and process of learning to drive.”

Drivers beware summer storms

THE AA is advising drivers to be aware of sudden changes in driving conditions in thunderstorms and heavy showers this summer.

Fire brigade statistics released in April show a big spike in flooding rescues in June.

Covering the period 2023-2024, flooding and other water incidents jumped at least 25% compared to incidents in the spring.

A combination of flash flooding and summer travellers on unfamiliar roads that may become inundated with heavy rain can be a particular danger.

A car submerged by just a couple of feet can float away, the AA warns, and drivers need to approach flooded

stretches with extreme caution and likely go another way.

In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.

This is because tyres have less grip on the road.

Drivers count the cost of motorway service stops

THREE-QUARTERS (77%) of respondents to a new AA survey say the price of fuel at motorway service areas (MSAs) is unacceptable.

MSAs have such a bad reputation for high pump prices that most drivers avoid them for fuel, unless desperate, according to the survey.

Fuel at an MSA can be up to 25p a litre more expensive than a fuel station a few miles from the motorway.

The poll of 13,700 respondents claimed that prices in general were inflated at MSAs.

Just 8% said the prices in shops at MSAs are reasonable while 9% believe the price of food and drink are fair.

For those driving an electric

vehicle, just 15% said sufficient charging points were available.

With the Government’s ambition of 6,000 high-power chargers on England’s motorway and A-road network by 2035, more needs to be done to help convince drivers to make the switch.

It is not all bad news for MSAs, in most circumstances customers are stopping for a toilet break.

Three-fifths say there are good facilities which are generally clean and tidy. Similarly, half of customers say MSAs have improved in recent years.

Some of the extra cost of items such as food and fuel can be put down to the additional running costs of MSAs.

MSAs are open 24 hours to provide facilities – including free toilets – to drivers at all times, therefore they incur higher staffing costs than facilities which are not 24 hours.

While some drivers see an MSA as a convenient stop to break a journey up, they are very important for HGV drivers.

Offering those drivers a decent and secure place to stop, sometimes overnight, is important, especially as most freight in the UK travels by road.

It is generally recommended to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours when driving long distances.

This helps to prevent fatigue and maintain concentration.

Jack Cousens, AA head of

Fuel prices were unacceptable to 77% of respondents

roads policy, said: “Motorway Service Areas can play an important role in reducing drowsy driving, but many are inclined to ‘drive on’ when they consider the cost of stopping at one.

“Drivers could be forgiven for feeling held to ransom over the cost of fuel and food when they are readily available at a fraction of the cost a short distance away from the motorway.

“Installing playgrounds, dog walking areas and refurbishing their overall appearance have been good investments to cater for the wide range of visitors.

“But more could be done to enhance the experience such as installing more charge points for EV drivers.”

Field & Stream

Me and my shadow – Nova, the survivor

by Tria Stebbing

THIS week I have decided to go ‘off-grid’ with my column and write about one of the two bottle-fed lambs that have been living with me for the last few months. Chris and I have never had to bottle feed any of the lambs before, as Zwartbles are such good mothers, usually. For whatever reason, this year proved to be very different. Nova came first. She was born on April 5. The ewe we had scanned was expecting twins and had become very large. When the time came to push, she did. She is one of the new ewes we bought to supplement the flock, and we had not put her to lamb before, so we had no history to work with.

First to arrive was a beautiful ewe lamb and mum did all the right things, licking it to encourage it to stand up and drink and nudging it affectionately. A calm serene scene which was rudely interrupted by my thought process telling me that she should be pushing the other lamb out by then – I even went and got my little notebook to double check she was expecting

two.

This was one of the rare moments I was on my own with the sheep – Chris had popped out to check on the cows and I realised quickly that this was down to me. The Rookie.

Nothing was emerging, and I am not one to panic, but realised that the ewe and the unborn lamb were at risk if it was not delivered promptly. So, I gloved up, shut my eyes and put my arm in. I had been told to shut my eyes and feel, trying to identify limbs, heads or feet by feeling blind. My gloved hand felt a head – a very little head and it was still a long way back. The action of putting my arm in, prompted the ewe to start pushing against me, and amazingly out came my arm closely followed by the little lamb.

The ewe was still fussing over the first born and showed no interest in the little arrival. I persevered, but when she started to kick it, decided to pick it up and check it over.

Perfect, but very small, the size of a runty kitten. The lamb needed colostrum to give her the best start, so while she dozed in

the corner of the barn, I milked the ewe into a collecting bottle, the thick creamy fluid flowing well and so valuable to the lamb. I am not one to advocate tube feeding a lamb, as I find it traumatic for both of us, but in this instance there really was no option.

Hand rearing a lamb is not for the faint-hearted. The Disney image of lambs cosied up by the Aga is a long way from the constant making up of bottles, the towels that mop the mess and the incessant ‘baa’ that could be heard over the top of Radio 2. She took a liking to my garden plants as she grew –Hollyhocks with no lower leaves and flowerless lavender now populate my garden.

She was named Nova, the definition being “a star showing a sudden large increase in brightness and then returning to its original state over a few

months”.

Nova is now thriving, but firmly believes I am her mother, despite mixing her with the rest of the flock from the off. She has spent the last few weeks sleeping in her crate in our home before being dropped off with her bottle at the field first thing. I am not sure when she perfected her escape skills, but she seems determined NOT to be left at the field and can find her way out of any enclosure and back to walking by my ankles most days.

Her twin sister, raised by the ewe, is twice the size and there is no recognition at all from either the ewe or the twin. Nova spends her days now learning to be a sheep, to graze, to chew cud and to play with the other lambs – and to escape.

We will always have a special bond, and I am immensely proud of her determination to survive.

Bat boxes prove worth in the woods

A RARE whiskered bat has been spotted flourishing in Gillingham thanks to the work of the local men’s shed.

The species is fairly widespread but is usually seen up close during trapping surveys rther than in bat boxes.

The Gillshed Team worked with Dorset Wildlife Trust to create 32 new bat boxes in Duncliffe Wood as part of the Gillingham Royal Forest project, taking the number of boxes in the wood to 50. These bat boxes, created in

early 2024, provide a space for bats to roost.

Duncliffe Wood boasts many old trees but most of the woodland is still relatively young, as many oaks, ash and conifers were planted around 50 years ago.

These trees have not yet developed splits, lifting bark, rot holes and woodpecker holes which provide ideal roosting sites for bats, so the provision of boxes gives bats more places to roost and is important for the breeding colonies of brown

long-eared and natterer’s bats in the wood.

The boxes are monitored each month from spring to autumn, giving the wildlife trust an opportunity to learn more about the bats’ relationship with the woods.

A Dorset Wildlife Trust spokesperson said: “We were very pleased to find bats using the new boxes almost immediately, and since they have been installed, 20 of the 32 new boxes have been recorded to be used by bats, a fantastic

uptake, showing they really do provide valuable additional roosting opportunities for bats in Duncliffe Wood.

“The highlight so far has been finding a whiskered bat in one of the new wooden boxes in July 2024.

“The new boxes have also resulted in many more Soprano Pipistrelles being recorded on surveys. Both these species are considered ‘crevice-dwelling’ bats, hence their preference for the narrow slots of the wooden boxes!”

Nova at a week old and then grazing at 10 weeks

Pets

Understanding when antibiotics are – and aren’t – needed

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

WE have become increasingly aware that antibiotics should be kept for when they are known to be needed rather than ‘just in case’ or ‘belt and braces’. Stricter guidelines have been introduced to reduce unnecessary use.

Not giving antibiotics can be perceived as witholding treatment but it is important to understand when their use is not appropriate. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Uncomplicated kennel cough, for instance, is commonly a viral disease. Treatment involves rest and pain relief for the sore throat. However, a dog with other immune-suppressing health conditions, a high temperature or one that is not responding as expected may need antibiotics for the bacterial form of kennel

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cough or a secondary bacterial infection.

Cystitis in cats is commonly sterile – no infection involved – and treatment is aimed at controlling the pain involved and reducing underlying causes such as stress. However, other underlying causes can develop and it is important to investigate and treat these appropriately, which may involve antibiotic use.

Certain wounds such as dog bites and contaminated or old – several days – wounds are likely to require antibiotics because the risk of infection developing is high. However, surgical wounds, wounds which have been appropriately cleaned and many drained and flushed abscesses will not require antibiotics. Some may subsequently become infected due to additional factors or patient interference, for

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Antibiotics should be kept for when they are known to be needed rather than ‘just in case’ or as ‘belt and braces’

instance, and antibiotics would then be prescribed.

It is important to understand that infections can develop for many reasons and a vet was not negligent not providing antibiotics to prevent an infection so long as you were aware that, if an infection did develop, the signs are recognised and treatment is then provided.

Vets are now required to determine the type of infection present prior to dispensing certain ‘protected’ antibiotics. This may involve taking a swab and starting appropriate antibiotics based on a culture

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result or changing the antibiotic used once the results are back to ensure the correct antibiotic for that particular infection. A common problem causing antibiotic resistance is not completing an antibiotic course or underdosing. This leads to easily killed bacteria dying off quickly but leaves more resistant bacteria to survive – which would have died had, for instance, the antibiotic course been completed. Without the competition of the now dead bacteria the resistant forms grow rapidly and cause a more severe infection to develop which is then less responsive to future antibiotic courses.

CUDDLES FOR CATS reliable cat sitting in your home.Jacqui 07791-198679

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Fully health tested home raised puppies. Kennel club registered and insured. Microchiped and vaccinated, flead and wormed to date. Tricolour little girls available. 07484-679645

MID DORSET CATS PROTECTION Cats looking for new homes

need

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

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

LOST CATS

If your cat has gone missing, Cats Protection offers practical steps to help bring it home safely. Start by searching your local area thoroughly, checking sheds, garages and outbuildings where it might be hiding. Create posters and share them in your neighbourhood and online communities. Inform local vets and animal rescues in case someone has found your cat. Ensure your cat’s microchip details are up to date, as this can be a vital tool for identification, and update the microchip database to advise your cat is lost. For a detailed guide and additional advice visit the Cats Protection website or call us on 01258 858644.

FOUND CATS

If you have found a stray cat, Cats Protection has helpful guidance to ensure the cat gets the care it needs. First, check if it is in distress or injured and contact a vet if necessary. Look for an ID tag or take the cat to a vet to check for a microchip. If the owner cannot be identified, share details about the cat locally via posters, social media and community groups. Cats Protection advises against assuming all stray cats are lost, as some may simply be exploring. For full guidance, visit the Cats Protection website or call us on 01258 858644.

Is trick training worth the effort?

by Raychel Curson

TEACHING tricks to your dog is more than just a fun pastime – it offers real benefits for both you and your canine companion. From strengthening your bond to developing essential skills, trick training is a powerful tool that supports a happy and healthy relationship.

Stronger bond

ONE of the greatest advantages of teaching tricks is the enhanced connection it creates between you and your dog. Dogs thrive on attention and interaction, and training provides focused time together. As your dog learns and succeeds, they associate you with positivity and fun. This consistent interaction builds trust, deepens emotional connection.

Skill development for you and your dog

TRICK training can help you develop your teaching skill and sharpens your ability to communicate clearly and patiently. You’ll become more attuned to your dog’s body language, learning to read subtle signs of understanding or confusion. At the same time,

your dog becomes better at interpreting cues and developing focus, coordination and self-control. These skills translate into better behaviour in everyday situations.

Cooperative care

MANY tricks, like ‘chin rest’, ‘touch’ or ‘scratch’, have practical uses during vet visits or grooming. Teaching your dog to willingly offer a paw or to stay calm on cue can make nail trims, exams and brushing less stressful for both of you. These cooperative care behaviours can prevent fearbased reactions and make handling a more positive experience.

In short, trick training is a low pressure way to enrich your dog’s life, improve your own training skills and create a more enjoyable and harmonious relationship. It’s a win-win activity with benefits that go far beyond just the fun of showing off a new trick.

n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBC-CAB FABC ABTC-CAB is owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching. Email raychel@ petpeevessomerset.co.uk.

n Cole, 17, bit of a character

n Tabatha, 15. Sweet lady in

of an indoor home only

n Mia, seven. Sweet shy girl

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

n

n Zac, 10. Friendly, gorgeous, boy

n Big Ginge, 16. Affectionate. Home with no other cats

Sport

Sporting legend’s gift to club

GOLF

by Russell Mead SHERBORNE Golf

Club has been honoured with an unexpected gift from one of the greatest names in golf – Gary Player.

The South African icon, one of only six players ever to achieve golf’s career Grand Slam, sent the club a personally dedicated memento from last year’s Open Championship.

The career Grand Slam represents golf’s most elusive milestone – winning all four of the game’s major championships, The Open, The Masters, the US Open and the US PGA Championship.

Only six golfers in the history of the game have achieved the feat – Gene

Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Gary Player.

The gift, a mounted presentation pin flag from the

2024 Open Championship, was delivered to Sherborne Golf Club via Player’s long-time manager, Marc Tudhope, who is also a member at the club.

The flag includes a handwritten dedication from Mr Player, adding a personal touch to a treasured piece of golfing memorabilia.

Club captain, Jim Stewart, said: “To receive such a thoughtful and meaningful gift from a true legend of the game is a moment of immense pride for Sherborne Golf Club.

“It speaks not only to the spirit of generosity shown by Mr Player, but also to the special connection shared through our member, Marc Tudhope.”

The commemorative flag will be displayed in the clubhouse, where members and visitors can see it for years to come.

It is a lasting reminder of the club’s connection to the wider world of golf – and of how one remarkable gift can leave such a meaningful mark.

Mixed fortunes for club’s bowlers

BOWLS

THE outdoor bowls season is now well under way for Mere Bowls Club.

The club had mixed results in the first few matches, both home and away in the Wessex League with two wins and two losses, but in the Westbrook league, they had five wins out of five and are currently top of the league.

The Wessex League is mainly clubs to the west of Mere, as far away as Chard, and the Westbrook league is mainly clubs to the east, as far away as Amesbury.

Jon and Marie Wright played in the first round of a Family National Pairs competition at

Melksham, unfortunately losing.

But Les Manwaring and Shaun Tealey, playing in the same competition, but in Foundation Pairs – where one player must have under three years’ experience – are through to the Wiltshire area semi-finals.

The club triples competition was won by Les, Ron Heesom and John FitzGerald, in a close fought final against Alan Isgrove, Penny Allen and Jon Wright.

The season-long club competitions are also in full swing with the finals on September 6.

Anyone interested in trying out bowls is invited to go along to the club on Tuesdays and

The new season is under way for bowlers

Thursdays at 5.30pm or Saturdays at 3pm for roll-up –practice – sessions.

All that’s need are flat-soled shoes – the club supplies the rest, including refreshments afterwards.

Contact club secretary, John FitzGerald, for further information on 01747 860867 or via e-mail at fitzgerald.jns@ sky.com

PUPILS at The Abbey Primary School in Shaftesbury were delighted when they played in a new school football kit for the first time.

Local building firm Marshway Contracts sponsored

the kit and PE coordinator Sophie Ferre purchased it. The young footballers are pictured with Dave Marsh, from Marshway Contracts.

Marc Tudhope, Gary Player’s manager, presents Sherborne Golf Club captain, Jim Stewart, with Player’s gift to the club

at Mere Bowls Club

PHOTO: George Jeans

Shaftesbury eye solidity with new signings

by Avril Lancaster SHAFTESBURY

boss Jim Milligan continues to build up his squad for the forthcoming coming Pitching In Southern League Division 1 (South) season with three new signings from last season’s successful Bemerton Heath Harlequins squad.

Harlequins only just missed out on the play-offs and have decided to return to the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division.

FOOTBALL

Milligan said: “We have concentrated on hard-working and determined players to build a squad ready for next season, with a view to signing players that are right for the club and its ambitions.”

Charlie Burden, Brandon Munday and Charlie Rayfield arrive to help the Rockies be a competitive force at Step 4. Milligan and assistant Chris James have been further

boosted by the return of midfielder Alefe Santos DAbadia.

The former Hungerford Town player has become a favourite on the Cockrams terraces.

Midfielder Burden and defender Rayfield both had brief spells in North Dorset earlier in their careers.

Like Munday, they really made their mark in a Bemerton Heath Harlequins side that went from Wessex League Division 1 to the Southern League.

Strength in midfield and defence is a vital component in Step 4 and despite Shaftesbury playing good football many times, nous was sometimes lacking in a turbulent debut season at that level.

Milligan and chair Steve

Coffen have made pragmatic signings to compete in a league that due to how the relegation positions from Step 3 ended sees Swindon Supermarine, Frome Town and Winchester City drop down.

Winchester were relegated on the final day having an inferior goal difference to Bracknell.

All three big clubs that were competitive in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South will no doubt be the bookies favourites, although Malvern Town, Exmouth Town, Melksham Town, Mousehole AFC and Bishops Cleeve will be up there.

And with the team Shaftesbury have assembled it could be an exciting season ahead.

Becky wins Maryland Trophy

THE annual Maryland Classic competition was held on another lovely Sunday morning at Wheathill Golf Club with 18 ladies entered. The competition was started by one of the club’s founder members when it began in 1993.

Sadly, Val Boothman

passed away last year, but her legacy lives on through this competition and a donation in her will which allowed the club to create a raised ladies tee on the 16th hole to get to the fairway over Beechers Brook hedge.

Her initials are emblazoned on new flags on the greens.

This year’s winner was Becky Thompson, who scored 39 stableford points to win the coveted trophy.

Send your sport reports to kye.harman@armishaws. com.

Heavy rain puts a damper on juniors’ match

by Graham Howard, DDAS junior secretary

THE latest round of the Dorchester & District Angling Society Junior Championships took place at Revels fishery in torrential rain.

Seven juniors started the match in almost perfect conditions with some early carp caught, but it turned out to be a false dawn as the rain started to fall and the larger fish seemed to disappear.

The juniors got busy trying to catch smaller fish, as the rain fell harder and harder.

One or two caught carp towards the end, but for others, the end could not come quickly enough.

The next round is at

on Saturday, June 21.

For more information, contact the junior secretary at juniors.sec@d-das.com or visit

ddasjuniors.co.uk

Club information is available at www.d-das.com. Fishery information at Revels fishery and tackle shop on Facebook.

Winner was Josh Roe with 14lb 12oz, second was Austin Scott-Kennedy, weighing 11lb 14oz, and third was Kenzie Toulson with 8lb.

Todber Manor

Match winner Josh Roe caught 14lb 12oz of fish

Second-placed Austin ScottKennedy had 11lb 14oz

Third-placed Kenzie Toulson had a bag of 8lb

GOLF

National Johnes Management Plan, Phase III

by Yoav Alony-Gilboa DVM CertSHP MRCVS

Understanding Johne’s Disease

JOHNE’S disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). This slow progressing, incurable disease affects the intestinal tract of cattle, leading to watery diarrhoea, weight loss and eventual culling of affected animals. Infected animals can shed billions of bacteria into the environment long before showing clinical signs, making control particularly challenging.

The economic impact on dairy farms is substantial. Infected herds typically experience 10-20% reductions in milk yield from affected cows, increased levels of lameness and mastitis, reduced fertility and overall increased culling rates.

Young calves, in their first month of life, are most susceptible to infection, but older animals up to 12 months can also

be infected. Calves born to infected dams should also be considered ‘high risk’. Contracting the disease as an adult cow is rare but possible, depending on the level of infection on individual farms.

On-farm management and control strategies

THE primary route of infection is via contaminated faeces from infected, shedding cows, and to a lesser degree colostrum and milk. This makes calf management the cornerstone of control. Farms should attempt to reduce the risk of contamination to calves by improving hygiene in calving areas and ensuring no faecal contamination from infected cows in calf rearing pens or fields grazed by animals under 12 months of age.

Infected cows should be identified by regular, predominantly milk antibody testing, either quarterly or at critical management points in the herd calendar.

Managing positive animals requires careful consideration of various factors including test results over time, production performance and breeding value. High-value animals may warrant repeat testing before making culling decisions, while persistently positive animals, particularly high shedders, should be prioritised for removal, while still holding some value. When immediate culling isn’t feasible, management strategies should include segregating positive animals, avoiding their use for breeding, and ensuring they don’t contaminate calfrearing areas.

Control of Johnes has been a ‘Red Tractor’ requirement for a number of years, and all milk buyers require farms to have a control plan in place. Most farms are now working closely with our vets and taking part in the NJMP now entering phase III.

NJMP Phase I update

JOHNE’S disease continues to challenge UK dairy farmers, but the tools and knowledge for effective control are now well established. The National Johne’s Management Plan provides a structured framework for disease control, while Phase III introduces enhanced requirements designed to

accelerate progress.

All herds must obtain an Average Test Value (ATV). The ATV provides a standardised measure of herd infection status, calculated as the average of all milk ELISA test results conducted within a year. This metric allows for consistent benchmarking between herds and tracking progress over time.

The minimum requirement to generate an ATV will be a 60-cow random screen. The 30-cow targeted screen is no longer an acceptable option.

The third phase will also see the creation of a national Johne’s Control Index target ATV of 5.5, with a goal to achieve this by 2030. This ambitious target reflects the industry’s commitment to substantial disease reduction.

The objective for Phase III is unchanged and keeps the basic structure of the NJMP, which requires regular vet/farmer dialogue focusing on risk management and implementation of an appropriate control strategy. This will continue to be backed up by annual veterinary certification. All our Friars Moor vets are qualified NJMP advisors and are engaged with all our farmers to:

Farming Focus™ LIVE: Building Resilience on the Farm

Resilience in farming took centre stage in a special LIVE episode of Cornish Mutual’s Farming Focus™ podcast.

Hosted by Peter Green, the episode features a panel of award-winning voices from across the region, including 2025 Devon Farming Champion Niall Tewson, business consultant Chris Clark, first-generation tenant farmer Amelia Greenway and St Ewe Free Range Eggs CEO Rebecca Tonks.

The panel explores what resilience looks like on the ground, covering everything from community engagement to farming with nature. However, when it comes to building and maintaining resilience, it is clear there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

For Chris Clark, there is only one consideration: “Profitability is the only true measure of resilience.” His data from 350 farms shows 80% are not covering their costs before external support. But for Amelia Greenway and her husband, who farm without subsidy, the secret lies in collaboration. Working closely with their landlord, the National Trust, and other valuesaligned organisations, they’ve built a system that works both financially and ecologically.

Niall Tewson highlighted the importance to his business of diversification, which benefits him in both profitability and connection with local

consumers, the latter being “what the real buzz is about,” he says.

Rebecca Tonks echoes the importance of connection, especially as her business has expanded. “There’s so much more pride in producing an amazing product if you know where it’s going to be sold,” she explains. Keeping that ‘family feel’ remains a priority as the business grows.

And one thing was clear: successful farms are those willing to adapt, connect and stay focused on long-term sustainability.

Listen to this bumper episode at https://www.cornishmutual.co.uk/news-advice/ farming-focus-podcast/ - also available via Spotify and Apple podcasts.

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Equestrian

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

R&W FENCING.

SHEEP KEEP WANTED for a flock of ewes. Anything considered. 07495-423751

. All June made. 3ft, 4ft and 6ft bales. Collect or delivered. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300

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

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

WEDNESDAY 27th NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS FATSTOCK SHOW CLASSES FOR HANDLED & UNHANDLED PRIME CATTLE. BARREN COWS. PRIME LAMBS. PRIME PIGS & CALVES FATSTOCK SHOW DINNER FRIDAY 29th NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY 4th DECEMBER SALE OF REARED CALVES ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 27th NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS FATSTOCK SHOW CLASSES FOR HANDLED & UNHANDLED PRIME CATTLE.

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE / HIRE

Tel: 01258 472288 Mob: 07977 936109

New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks

Agricultural paddock and stock. Also part time help required. 01258-88089207980-036250 EVERY WEDNESDAY WEEKLY SALES OF PRIME CATTLE CULL CATTLE DAIRY CATTLE & CALVES. PRIME, STORE & CULL SHEEP

APPROX 150 CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS for sale £10 each plus VAT We can deliver for an extra charge. Phone Roger on 01202 826502 or 07885826396

HEDGE PLANTING AND HEDGELAYING for more information phone James 07930-262639

COLLIE PUPS, BLACK AND WHITE, smooth/rough coated. Fantastic working parents, sweet pups. Ready from 30/6/25. £500. Gemma 07741-252553.

CONCRETE GROOVING

WANTED SHEEP KEEP around Sparkford area. 07526-521014.

WEDNESDAY 11th DECEMBER FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS ********************************************************************

BARREN COWS. PRIME LAMBS. PRIME PIGS & CALVES FATSTOCK SHOW DINNER FRIDAY 29th NOVEMBER ********************************************************************

MONDAY 16th DECEMBER SALE OF TB RESTRICTED CATTLE ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 4th DECEMBER SALE OF REARED CALVES ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 11th DECEMBER FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF PIGS ********************************************************************

WEDNESDAY 18th DECEMBER LAST MARKET BEFORE CHRISTMAS SALE FOR ALL SECTIONS INCLUDING REARED CALVES, PIGS & STORE CATTLE ********************************************************************

MONDAY 16th DECEMBER SALE OF TB RESTRICTED CATTLE ********************************************************************

MONDAY 30th DECEMBER SALE FOR ALL SECTIONS EXCEPT PIGS ******************************************************************** FOR ADVICE ON ALL CLASSES OF STOCK PLEASE CALL BRADLEY TOWELL 07496 263916 TOM ROGERS 07384 462288

WEDNESDAY 18th DECEMBER LAST MARKET BEFORE CHRISTMAS SALE FOR ALL SECTIONS INCLUDING REARED CALVES, PIGS & STORE CATTLE ********************************************************************

07815 985737

MONDAY 30th DECEMBER SALE FOR ALL SECTIONS EXCEPT PIGS

07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863 .....................................................

TREVOR ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031 ROSS WHITCOMBE 07815 985737 CLIVE PEACH 07970 620859 ANDREW FRIZZLE 07977 136863

ROWLAND 07968 480401 LESTER WILLIAMS 07778 646031

Continued from page 84

n Plan testing schedules and format for best disease control results.

n Understand their herd’s ATV and benchmark against industry targets.

n Review and potentially intensify control strategies based on improved data.

n Consider the long-term benefits of enhanced disease control against short-term increased costs for those who relied on a minimum 30 cow test up until now.

The prevalence of Johne’s Disease has been successfully reduced across our farms through

the previous phases, demonstrating that coordinated action can achieve meaningful results.

However, challenges remain. The disease’s long incubation period means that benefits from improved management may take several years to become apparent. Additionally, the voluntary nature of the scheme means success depends on continued farmer engagement and commitment.

If you have any questions about Johnes control in your herd, and the implementation of phase III, please speak to your vet at your next routine visit or call the office on 01258 472314.

Andrew Lee Vegetation Management

Grass flail and scrub flail available for the management of scrub, brambles, grass etc. Working on slopes of up to 50 degrees with operator. Contact Mobile: 07850489782

Sporting Shotgun & Rifle Stock Makers

STANDING STRAW AUCTIONS 2025

Friday 20th June

Friday 20th June

STANDING STRAW AUCTION

ON-FARM AUCTION

Wednesday 25th June

ON-FARM AUCTION

Gomershay Farm, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am

Thursday 17th October at 11.00am

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm

Wednesday 28th June at 6.30pm

Genuine Dispersal of 2 Tractors, Telehandler, 24:24 Parlour, Poly-Tunnel, Grassland & Livestock Equipment, Workshop Items, etc

Genuine Dispersal of 2 Tractors, Telehandler, 24:24 Parlour, Poly-Tunnel, Grassland & Livestock Equipment, Workshop Items, etc

Approx. 760ac of Standing Straw

Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

Bindon & Pinhay

Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

Silverlake Farm, Sherborne, DT9 6SN

Bindon & Pinhay

Friday 27th June

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw

The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon, Dorset 830ac of Standing Straw

Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

Travellers Rest Farm, Durweston, Blandford

Genuine Dispersal of Combine, Self Propelled Sprayer, 4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

830ac of Standing Straw 461ac Wheat

4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

2021 Merlo TF 42.7 CS Turbo Farmer (2,690hrs), 2010 Case Puma 140 (10,939hrs), International 674 with Loader, 24:24 Fullwood Afimilk Parlour, Cotswold Flush, Fullwood Auger Master Feeders, Ambic Teat Sprayer, 2000

4 Tractors, 2 JCB Telehandlers, Forklift, Pick-Up, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

830ac of Standing Straw 461ac Wheat

• 461ac Wheat

2021 Merlo TF 42.7 CS Turbo Farmer (2,690hrs), 2010 Case Puma 140 (10,939hrs), International 674 with Loader, 24:24 Fullwood Afimilk Parlour, Cotswold Flush, Fullwood Auger Master Feeders, Ambic Teat Sprayer, 2000

• 461ac Wheat

Approx. 8,950ac of Standing Straw

• 237ac Winter Barley

• 237ac Winter Barley

237ac Winter Barley

132ac Oats

• 132ac Oats

Fullwood 12,500ltr Fabdec Bulk Tank, ND Jeanes 15t Bulk Bin, Rowlands 20t High Discharge Bin, Mollasses Tank & Stand, 2018 Anka Pro Foot Trimming Crush, 2010 Marshall QM2 Silage Trailer, 2005 Joskin 11000ME Slurry Tanker, 2017 Keenan

Grain

Emergency

37ac Oil Seed Rape

Workshop Items, Weights, etc.

Fullwood 12,500ltr Fabdec Bulk Tank, ND Jeanes 15t Bulk Bin, Rowlands 20t High Discharge Bin, Mollasses Tank & Stand, 2018 Anka Pro Foot Trimming Crush, 2010 Marshall QM2 Silage Trailer, 2005 Joskin 11000ME Slurry Tanker, 2017 Keenan

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds RSD20 Stripper Header, 2011 Bateman RB17 (3,708hrs) Sprayer, 2019 Massey Ferguson 7720S Dyna6 (2,320hrs) & 7718 Dyna6 (2,880hrs), 2016 New Holland

Friday 7th July at 12 noon Wynford Eagle

Friday 7th July at 12 noon

ONSITE AUCTIONS

Wynford Eagle

Wynford Eagle

Thursday 24th July – Maiden Newton, Dorchester

Wynford Eagle The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298 acres of Standing Straw

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298 acres of Standing Straw

• 599ac Wheat

Dispersal Sale of Claas Lexion 420 Combine with C-540 Header, Case Puma 165 Multicontroller (21), JCB 524, Arable Machinery & Livestock Equipment

The Grain Store, Manor Farm, Wynford Eagle, Dorchester, Dorset 1298 acres of Standing Straw 599ac Wheat

281ac Winter Barley

• 281ac Winter Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 119ac Spring Barley

• 229ac Oats

• 229ac Oats

229ac Oats

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

• 70ac Oil Seed Rape

Case Puma 165 Multicontroller (21), Claas Lexion 420 with 17’ Header, JCB 524-50 (06), Marshall QM11 Grain Trailer, Bale and Grain Trailers, Watson 10’ Tandem Rollers, Abbey 2250gln Tandem Axle Vacuum Tanker, Lemken Solitaire 8 3m Combination Drill, Krone 2.8m Mower Conditioner, Amazone ZA-V 2700 Fertiliser Spreader, Dowdeswell 5f Rev Plough, McConnel 3m Shakerator, Kuhn 360 Haybob, Plough Press, Ifor Williams Livestock Box, Parmiter Post Driver, Parmiter Drag Harrows, Bale Spike, Bale Squeeze, Dung Fork, Kubota GR1600 Ride-On Lawn Mower, John Shepherd 15’ Feed Barriers, Round Feeders, Feed Hoppers, Workshop and Livestock items, etc.

Suitable outside entries invited

behalf of

Covering farms from Podimore, Yeovil, Cerne Abbas, Blandford and surrounding areas, Salisbury, New Forest and Andover Contact Yeovil Office – 01935 382909

Gomershay Farm, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton STANDING

Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk Saturday 29th July Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8

Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk

Full catalogues available at symondsandsampson.co.uk

Wednesday 25th June

Wednesday 25th June

ON-FARM DISPERSAL AUCTION

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Saturday 29th July

Approx. 1,000ac of Standing Straw

Saturday 29th July

Approx. 1,000ac of Standing Straw

Buckham Down Farm, Beaminster DT8 3SH

Friday 27th June

Friday 27th June

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Pinhay and Bindon – The Grain Store, Heathfield, Rousdon

Approx. 8,5000ac of Standing Straw

Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Miscellaneous

Approx. 8,5000ac of Standing Straw

Dispersal sale of 4 Tractors, Farm Machinery, Bygones and Miscellaneous

Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988 Same Explorer 70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973 Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, Marshall SM6 Drop Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner, Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.

Including: 1995 Same Silver 80 4wd (6,800hrs), 1988 Same Explorer 70 4wd with Loader (4,700hrs),1973 Ford 4000 (fully restored), 1976 International 454 2wd, Marshall SM6 Drop Side Silage Trailer, Markham 3t Tipping Trailer, PortAgric 6’ Topper, Ransomes TS59 & TS90 & TS91 Ploughs, Krone AM242Z Mower Conditioner, Feeders, Stationary Engines, Signs, Bygones, etc.

Our Agents will be at The Dairy Event on Wednesday, 2 October

Our Agents will be at The Dairy Event on Wednesday, 2 October

Further suitable entries welcome.

Further suitable entries welcome.

Suitable

Please call in to our stand for refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural experts

Please call in to our stand for refreshments and to meet our rural and agricultural experts

Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909/07817 517467

Contact Greg Ridout: 01935 382909/07817 517467

07817 517467

Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467

Please contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467

KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding

Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc. On behalf of John Swain Limited (Retiring)

Grain Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares,

Emergency Bulk Tank, Concrete Water Troughs, 60ft x 30ft Poly Tunnels. Further entries invited.

2017 Claas Lexion 650 Combine with Vario 770 Header, Shelbourne Reynolds

KRM Sola Ares 2713 Drill, Vaderstad NZ 6m Cultivator, Kuhn HR 4004 Hyd. Folding

Trailers, Marshall BC25 Bale Trailer, Cattle Hurdles, Attachments (Q-Fit), Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc.

Machine Spares, Workshop Items, Weights, etc.

Bulk Tank, Concrete Water Troughs, 60ft x 30ft Poly Tunnels. Further entries invited.

Bowridge, Gillingham

Mappowder

| SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL |

SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

Guide £1,250,000

Hazelbury Bryan

Guide £595,000

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Outside is a wonderful stone barn with potential (stp), workshop, large garden and paddock, in total 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available.

Marnhull

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village

An extended and modernised period house combining character and charm with contemporary family living in a quiet location on a nothrough road with wonderful views, land and stables. In all about 2.40 acres. CTB F, EPC D, Freehold.

Guide £525,000

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Holwell

Shroton

Guide £825,000

An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. CTB G, EPC B, Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

| 01258 473766

Donhead St Mary

Guide £800,000

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Farrington, Blandford Forum

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation over three floors in a quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, Freehold.

presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Will Wallis 01305 236237

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Bedchester

North Cheriton

An attractive, double-fronted

Guide £810,000

A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with wonderful far-reaching views and garden and grounds of one acre. CTB D, EPC F, Freehold.

OIEO £400,000

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Okeford Fitzpaine

Guide £775,000

Leigh OIEO £500,000

An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ garden in the heart of the village. CTB F, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

Guide £4,795,000 (Whole) 211.78 acres (85.71 ha). An enchanting and meticulously preserved arable and livestock farm. Comprising a handsome 5-bedroom period farmhouse, working Granary Mill, two cottages with traditional and modern farm buildings sitting centrally in productive arable land, pasture land and woodland. Freehold; CTB G,C,C; EPC Exempt,D,D.

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens,

DORSET

Somerton

Bowridge, Gillingham

Bowridge, Gillingham

Mappowder

Mappowder

Mappowder

|

|

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

| DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

Guides £240,000 - £550,000

Guide £1,250,000

Guide £1,250,000

Hazelbury Bryan

Bryan

Guide £460,000

Guide £1,150,000

Guide £1,150,000

Guide £595,000

240.77 acres (97.44 ha). A mixed portfolio of productive arable land with areas of pasture and woodland. Soils range from limestone brash to Evesham clay over Blue Lias to Alluvium. Available in five lots from 54 to 30 acres. Freehold.

£595,000 A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens,

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

Marnhull

Marnhull

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens,

A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Outside is a wonderful stone barn with potential (stp), workshop, large garden and paddock, in total 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available.

A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Outside is a wonderful stone barn with potential (stp), workshop, large garden and paddock, in total 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available.

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

Andrew Capel, Robinson Hall | 01234 352201

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Fifehead Neville

Holwell

Holwell

Guide £1,695,000 (Whole)

Shroton

Guide £825,000

Guide £825,000

42.51 acres (17.20 ha). Planning consent for a detached 4 bedroom country house extending to over 3,600 sq.ft, a garage and stable block complex, an existing 4 bedroom barn conversion and free draining pasture land. Freehold. CTB – E, EPC C. For sale as a whole or in 3 lots.

52.89 acres (21.40 ha). An attractive block of level pastureland, split into four parcels. The land is classified as a mixture of Grade 2 and Grade 3. The soil is described as predominantly freely draining lime-rich loamy soils. Freehold.

Guide £525,000

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village

Marnhull Guide £525,000

Shroton Guide £435,000

Shroton Guide £435,000

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated

An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. CTB G, EPC B, Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated village. CTB D. Freehold.

An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. CTB G, EPC B, Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold. DORSET | DEVON |

An extended and modernised period house combining character and charm with contemporary family living in a quiet location on a nothrough road with wonderful views, land and stables. In all about 2.40 acres. CTB F, EPC D, Freehold.

An extended and modernised period house combining character and charm with contemporary family living in a quiet location on a nothrough road with wonderful views, land and stables. In all about 2.40 acres. CTB F, EPC D, Freehold.

Lucy Carnell | 01935 423526

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Hinton Martell, Dorset

Bedchester

Bedchester

Guide £1,950,000

Guide £810,000

Guide £810,000

Cheriton

Cheriton

North Cheriton

168.10 acres (68.02 ha). A parcel of fertile, predominantly arable land farmed in a cereal rotation and with good vehicular access, conservation appeal and sporting potential. In two lots. Freehold. Subject to lease to 31.12.27.

A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with wonderful far-reaching views and garden and grounds of one acre. CTB D, EPC F, Freehold.

A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with wonderful far-reaching views and garden and grounds of one acre. CTB D, EPC F, Freehold.

OIEO £400,000

OIEO £400,000

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 DORSET | DEVON |

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Frampton, Dorset

Guide £2,300,000 (Whole)

St Mary

Donhead St Mary

Guide £800,000

Guide £800,000

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Nr Sturminster Newton

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation over three floors in a quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, Freehold.

A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation over three floors in a quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, Freehold.

presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

62.88 acres (25.45 ha). An attractive residential farm with a distinguished farmhouse, cottage, useful outbuilding, pastureland, woodland and a hazel bed situated within parkland in the Frome Valley Freehold. CTB – G. EPC C&C. For sale as a whole or in four lots.

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

George Whittaker | 01305 236237

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Morgan Fry | 01202 882103

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Guide £450,000 (Lot 1)

Okeford Fitzpaine

Okeford Fitzpaine

Leigh

Guide £775,000

Guide £775,000

OIEO £500,000

Leigh OIEO £500,000

53.99 acres (21.85 ha) of productive pasture land with two areas of woodland and stream frontage on the edge of this popular village. Arable capable and mains water. In 2 lots, 48 and 6 acres. Freehold.

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation,

An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ garden in the heart of the village. CTB F, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ garden in the heart of the village. CTB F, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Andrew Tuffin | 01258 472244

North

Hazelbury

Donhead

North

OIEO £400,000

Limington

Fontmell Magna

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET | HAMPSHIRE | WILTSHIRE | CORNWALL | LONDON

Limington

Bowridge, Gillingham

Bowridge, Gillingham

Mappowder

Mappowder

A fine Grade II listed former village

Guide £1,250,000

Guide £750,000

Guide £1,250,000

Kingston

Hazelbury Bryan

Hazelbury Bryan

Guide £865,000

Guide £1,150,000

Guide £1,150,000

An architect-designed residence blending contemporary elegance with timeless country charm. This 4-bedroom home offers expansive living and an enviable position. Freehold. CTB-F; EPC-B.

Guide £595,000

Mappowder Guide £595,000

Guide £595,000

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Outside is a wonderful stone barn with potential (stp), workshop, large garden and paddock, in total 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available.

A fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Outside is a wonderful stone barn with potential (stp), workshop, large garden and paddock, in total 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available.

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens,

A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold.

Marnhull

Marnhull

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Holwell

Gillingham

Shroton

Shroton

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village

Guide £765,000

Guide £825,000

Guide £825,000

Shroton Guide £435,000

Guide £435,000

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated

A 5 bedroom house in an excellent enclave of Gillingham. Of particular note is the integral 1 bedroom annexe giving flexible living space to the whole house. Driveway and double garage. Freehold. CTB-G; EPC-C.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated village. CTB D. Freehold.

An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. CTB G, EPC B, Freehold.

An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. CTB G, EPC B, Freehold.

This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 DORSET | DEVON | SOMERSET |

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

St Mary

Donhead St Mary

Sturminster Newton

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000

Guide £800,000

Guide £800,000

Guide £425,000

A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation over three floors in a quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, Freehold.

4 bedroom

A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation over three floors in a quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, Freehold.

A fine bungalow, in a good plot with wrap around garden / drive. Set well back in White Lane Close, the house still has easy access to the town . Freehold. CTB-E; EPC-D.

home with stable yard & paddocks, in 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold,

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

A solid 1980’s spacious house with large open plan reception rooms, extensive hallways and landings and a beautifully tended mature south facing garden with orchard and pond. In all 0.63 acres. Freehold. CTB-F; EPC-E.

Marnhull Guide £525,000

Guide £525,000

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

An extended and modernised period house combining character and charm with contemporary family living in a quiet location on a nothrough road with wonderful views, land and stables. In all about 2.40 acres. CTB F, EPC D, Freehold.

An extended and modernised period house combining character and charm with contemporary family living in a quiet location on a nothrough road with wonderful views, land and stables. In all about 2.40 acres. CTB F, EPC D, Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

North Cheriton

Guide £810,000

Guide £810,000

A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with wonderful far-reaching views and garden and grounds of one acre. CTB D, EPC F, Freehold.

Bedchester A 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with wonderful far-reaching views and garden and grounds of one acre. CTB D, EPC F, Freehold.

A substantial detached house in the heart of this small town with an integral annexe and plenty of parking and outbuildings quietly to the back of the house along the driveway. Freehold. CTB-G; EPC-C.

Cheriton OIEO £400,000

North Cheriton OIEO £400,000

OIEO £400,000

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold.

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Okeford Fitzpaine

Okeford Fitzpaine

Leigh

Guide £800,000

Guide £775,000

Guide £775,000

OIEO £500,000

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland.

A versatile house with stables and 2 acres situated within a sought-after village with good road links to Blandford & Wimborne. Freehold, CTB-D;EPC-C.

An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ garden in the heart of the village. CTB F, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse with plenty of charm and original character features along with a 100’ garden in the heart of the village. CTB F, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold.

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Blandford| 01258 452670

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Leigh OIEO £500,000

Nr Sturminster

Bedchester

Holwell

Donhead

North

Sturminster

Stalbridge

Spetisbury

Bere Regis

Stourpaine £25,000

PROPERTY AUCTION THURSDAY 24 JULY 2025 AT 2:00PM THE DIGBY MEMORIAL HALL, DIGBY ROAD, SHERBORNE AND VIA LIVESTREAM

PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025 2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE, WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM

PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024 AT THE DIGBY CHURCH MEMORIAL HALL, SHERBORNE AT 2:00PM AND VIA LIVESTREAM

Guide £60,000

2.23 acres of woodland and pasture

Sturminster 01258 472244

Queen Camel £50,000

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

2.15 acres and a traditional stone building Yeovil 01935 423526

Holt £80,000

East Stoke

4.51 acres of permanent pasture

Wimborne 01202 843190

Wareham £110,000

North Perrott Guide £45,000

9.13 acres of pasture and woodland

Guide £95,000 13.02 acres of wetland and woodland, rich in biodiversity, in a secluded, peaceful area south of the River Frome. Freehold.

Wimborne 01202 843190

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Charlton Marshall £225,000

3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.

Sixpenny Handley

Guide £150,000

23.55 acres of pasture bordering the Stour with fishing rights

Wimborne 01202 843190

Yeovil | 01935 432526

A detached barn of about 125 sqm. in just under 1.70 acres with off-road

A peaceful, secluded bluebell wood set

Charlton Marshall

Yeovil

Guide £142,000

Dorchester

Sutton Mandeville

Guide £775,000

Guide £200,000

Witchampton Guide £50,000

Bournemouth

Sutton Mandeville

Guide £200,000

Guide £85,000

Verwood Guide £125,000

Wimborne

Henstridge

Guide £225,000

Guide £300,000

A centrally located Grade II Listed property currently arranged as 3 x 1 bedroom flats and walled gardens, requiring modernisation throughout. CTBs A, EPC Exempt, Leasehold.

0.19 acres of amenity land with scope for a range of uses (STPP/consents), adjoining residential properties. Freehold.

72.24 acres of productive, Grade 2, chalk arable land with a useful timberframed barn and good highway access, enjoying southerly views to Sutton Down. Freehold.

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Sturminster | 01258 472244

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Tarrant Rushton

Blandford

Guide £250,000

Guide £125,000

1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.

A grand, 4 storey (including basement) mixed-use Victorian building occupying a prominent corner plot on Lansdowne Crescent. RV: £53,500, £8,300, CTB A, EPC TBC. Freehold.

5.90 acres of productive agricultural land with a area of woodland situated in the heart of the village with direct highway access. Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Heath

Winterborne Zelston

Guide £275,000

Guide £185,000

A 2,300 sqft. workshop with 0.66 acres of fenced, level commercial land thought to provide potential for development potential (STPP). Freehold. RV: £9,600 and £12,000.

A semi detached, extended 4 bedroom period property for complete renovation with a generous garden adjoining Ferndown Forest. CTB C, EPC F, Freehold.

Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202843190

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Commercial | 01035 236237

Guide £275,000

Dorchester

Guide £190,000

Guide £300,000

Pallington Guide £350,000

23.55 acres of permanent pasture, with fishing rights along the River Stour, which borders the land. Freehold.

A detached, extended 3 bedroom cottage for renovation, enjoying a rural position and delightful countryside views in 0.20 acres of gardens. CTB C, EPC G, Freehold.

A Grade II Listed building offering several uses/options with planning permission and LB consent for conversion to residential. Freehold. RV TBC.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

A Grade II Listed former restaurant with residential above, for complete renovation/redevelopment subject to planning permission/Listed Building consent. Freehold. RV: £7,300. CTB C.

38.42 acres (15.55 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good accessibility. Conveniently split into three workable parcels. The land has previously been used to grow salad crops and is understood to be very productive, more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the land has been drilled with a cover crop. Freehold.

Blandford Forum | 01258 452670

Yeovil | 01935 423526

Dorchester | 01305 236237

Blandford | 01258 452670

A partially renovated and extended 2 bedroom bungalow with potential for upwards extension, subject to planning permission. CTB C, EPC E, Freehold.

A semi-detached 3 bedroom property for refurbishment with scope for extension and remodelling (STPP), in a convenient location on the A31. Freehold. CT C. EPC E.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Winterborne Houghton Guide £400,000 42.94 acres (17.38 ha) of productive arable land. Free draining loam soil over chalk, two road access points, a cattle handling race, outstanding views and private water supply. South east aspect suited to vines and solar. Freehold.

A mid terrace 2 double bedroom property in need of renovation throughout, with an enclosed rear garden situated close to the town centre. Freehold. CT C. EPC D.

An attractive semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage for renovation with a generous garden situated in this much favoured North Dorset village. CTB E, EPC G, Freehold.

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Blandford | 01258 452670

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Fontmell Magna

Guide £200,000

Dorchester

Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000 20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.

Guide £200,000-£225,000

Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope£115,000

A charming semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage with a separate 1 bedroom, single storey annexe with off-road parking and gardens. CTBs C & A, EPCs D & B, Freehold.

A charming ground floor character apartment with lofty ceilings throughout, conveniently situated in the town centre with parking. Freehold. CT D, EPC D.

Sturminster | 01258 473766

A former primary school measuring over 6,300 sq. ft./585 sq. m. in grounds of 0.54 acres, providing development potential, subject to planning permission. EPC D, Freehold.

Yarlington

Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000

Sherborne Sherborne | 01935 814488

Grade II Listed former offices with full PP and LB consent for conversion back to a pair of handsome 3 bedroom townhouses in the heart of Dorchester. Freehold. RV £12,750.

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244

Dorchester | 01305 261008

Horton, Wimborne

Guide £450,000

Guide £395,000

Chilcompton Guide £195,000

Somerford Road, Christchurch

Sandford Orcas

Shaftesbury Guide £95,000

A former doctor’s surgery in 0.58 acres with prior approval for change of use to a residential dwelling under application P/PACD/2024/02991/. RV: £5,100, EPC C, Freehold.

Guide £250,000

Shroton

A charming 1 bedroom property forming part of a Grade II* Listed building, ideal as a buy to let investment or bolthole. Leasehold with 50% share of freehold.

A semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage in 0.89 acres, offering character and charm throughout and enjoying views over the surrounding landscape. Freehold. CT C. EPC E.

Sturminster | 01258 473766

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Sherborne | 01935 814488

A charming Grade II Listed3 bedroom stone cottage for complete renovation, situated close to the centre of this highly sought-after village. CTB E, EPC Exempt, Freehold.

Guide £350,000

A charming, extended, Grade II Listed property with a private rear garden, situated in this favourable village on the edge of the Cranborne Chase. Freehold. CT E.

Milborne Port Guide £150,000 An attractive period property for renovation enjoying a generous garden sitting on the outskirts of Milborne Port. Freehold.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Blandford | 01258 452670

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Guide £395,000

Guide £400,000

Bridgehampton

A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.

A detached 3 bedroom character property in a village location with scope for improvement, sitting in a 0.66 acre plot less than 2 miles from Sturminster Newton. Freehold. CT F. EPC F.

A substantial bungalow requiring renovation, providing potential for extension or replacement, subject to PP, in a rural position enjoying grounds of 1.60 acres. Subject to an AOC. CTB E, EPC F, Freehold.

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Fiddleford Sturminster | 01258 473766

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Hurcott Guide £200,000 A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.

Tarrant Gunville Guide £225,000-£250,000

A site measuring 0.39 acres with full planning permission for an exclusive development of 9 x 2 bedroom apartments (8/22/0470/FUL), situated in the heart of Christchurch close to Avon Beach and Mudeford Quay. Potential for alternative schemes STPP. CIL: £98,735.93, Freehold.

A 4 bedroom bungalow in need of modernisation throughout, enjoying 0.62 acres of grounds, multiple outbuildings and stunning views. Freehold. CT E. EPC E.

Iliminster | 01460 200790

Sherborne | 01935 814488

Wimborne | 01202 843190

A 6 bedroom farmhouse in need of renovation throughout, with far-reaching views, a courtyard of traditional and modern farm buildings and 1.82 acres. Freehold. CT E. EPC G.

A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold.

Blandford | 01258 452670

Guide £500,000

An equestrian facility comprising a substantial, detached property with a separate 2-3 bedroom annexe, outbuildings, and 3.42 acres of paddocks and gardens, situated on the edge of the town close to amenities and road links. CTB F, EPCs C, Freehold.

Yeovil | 01935 382901

Belchalwell Guide £250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre plot for modernisation/replacement (STPP) with a positive pre application response for a 4 bedroom house. Freehold.

A residential development site measuring 0.87 acres, with full, detailed planning permission for 7 dwellings, and a 1.13 acre paddock to the south. Freehold.

A further 2.50 acres available as a separate lot. Freehold.

Yeovil | 01935 423526

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Blandford Forum | 01258 452670

Horton

Fifehead Magdalen

Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford Forum

Chilthorne Domer

£775,000 Wincanton

£259,000 Bourton

Bruton

Thinking of moving?

Thinking of Moving in 2025?

call 01963 34000 or email wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment. £480,000 Shepton Mallet

As we enter the summer months we still have many buyers looking to purchase a property in the local towns and villages. If you are considering a move in 2025 we will be delighted to offer a free valuation and marketing advice on your property.

We are enjoying a busy start to the year having registered many buyers looking to purchase a property in local towns and villages. If you are considering a move in 2025 we will be delighted to offer a free valuation and marketing advice on your property.

Having enjoyed a busy summer we still have many buyers registered with us wishing to purchase within the local towns and villages. If you are considering bringing your property to the market we would be delighted to hear from you. Please call 01963 34000 to arrange an appointment or email wincanton@hambledon.net

single garage. EPC Rating: C. Freehold.

Gillingham

£595,000 Castle Cary

PROPERTY & LAND AUCTION

THURSDAY 26TH JUNE AT 2PM AT THE SHRUBBERY HOTEL, STATION ROAD, ILMINSTER, TA19 9AR

Scan code for further details

HIGHER BROADACRE FARM, HENLEY, LANGPORT

A spacious farmhouse requiring complete renovation together with a range of outbuildings with conversion potential (subject to planning) and 6.96 acres (2.82ha) of pasture land.

Auction Guide: £475,000

Langport Office: 01458 250589

THE OLD BAKERY, NORTH STREET, MARTOCK

A period, Grade II Listed, end of terrace Hamstone house in need of modernisation, with two small courtyard gardens and a storage area/small garage.

Auction Guide: £200,000 Yeovil Office: 01935 415300

ASHFORD OLD BARN, ILTON, ILMINSTER

A rare and exciting opportunity to acquire this gorgeous, semi-rural 3 bedroom barn conversion with private driveway, front and rear gardens, open-plan living, parking and a great potential income stream or idyllic country home.

Auction Guide: £325,000

Ilminster Office: 01460 57222

LAND AT EAST MOOR. MUCHELNEY, LANGPORT

An attractive parcel of permanent pasture land located on East Moor lying on the edge of Muchelney that extends to about 6.78 acres (2.75 ha).

Auction Guide: £20,000

Langport Office: 01458 250589

AGRICULTURAL BARN NEAR NEWLANDS, NEWTON TRACEY

A large adaptable agricultural building with alternative use potential (subject to planning), occupying an outstanding rural position enjoying panoramic views, extending in total to about 0.26 acres.

Auction Guide: £45,000 Barnstaple Office: 01271 233777

LAND AT THORNHILL DROVE, WITCOMBE LANE, MARTOCK

An attractive parcel of permanent pasture land extending in total to approximately 2.63 acres (1.06 ha) or thereabouts.

Auction Guide: £50,000 Yeovil Office: 01934 423474

BEER COTTAGE, BEERCROCOMBE, TAUNTON

A two bedroom detached cottage with sensational views, huge potential, private garden and situated on the fringes of the ever popular village of Beercrocombe. Offered with no onward chain.

Auction guide: £300,000

Ilminster Office: 01460 57222

7 QUEEN SQUARE, NORTH CURRY, TAUNTON

A characterful double fronted Grade II Listed cottage situated in the extremely popular village of North Curry, requires complete modernisation throughout.

Auction Guide: £140,000

Taunton Office: 01823 277121

HIGHER DROVE FARM, HIGHERCHILFROME, DORCHESTER

An attractive block of agricultural land with a small range of agricultural buildings, a static caravan, certificate for the retention of a temporary dwelling and a site for lapsed planning permission for the erection of a dwelling, 7.60 acres (3.07 ha) or thereabouts.

Auction Guide: £325,000 Yeovil Office: 01935 423474

BAKERS YARD, SHUDRICK LANE, ILMINSTER

Desirable and unusual opportunity to acquire a block of 3 No. flats, in the heart of Ilminster, for completion.

Auction Guide: £80,000 Yeovil Office: 01935 423474

THE CARAVAN AT HENLEY LANGPORT

A small parcel of land that has previously been utilised for recreational/amenities purposes in a peaceful and rural location on the outskirts of Henley, 0.14 acres (0.06 ha) or

Auction Guide: £10,000 Langport Office: 01458 250589

LAND AT BEER DROVE, ALLER, LANGPORT

An attractive parcel of pasture land, extending to about 5.85 acres (2.37 ha).

Auction Guide: £30,000

Langport Office: 01458 250589

THE OLD CHURCH ROOM, CHURCH STREET, ILCHESTER

A unique opportunity to secure a Grade II listed former church school in the heart of the historic town of Ilchester, with a positive pre-application response to convert into one or two residential dwellings.

Auction Guide: £100,000

Langport Office: 01458 250589

A desirable and versatile parcel of permanent pasture land in an easily accessible position on the edge of

Auction Guide: £80,000 Langport Office: 01458 250589

LAND AT LONG DROVE, COXLEY, WELLS

The land presents an opportunity to purchase two parcels of level pasture land situated just off the A39 near Coxley and within close proximity of Glastonbury and the City of Wells, 17.57 acres (7.11ha) or thereabouts.

Auction Guide: £100,000

Redhill Office: 0117 203 5577

LAND AT ASHCOTT, BRIDGWATER

A parcel of amenity land, extending to about 0.35 acres (0.14 ha).

Auction Guide: £20,000

Bridgwater Office: 01278 425555

LAND AT HENLEY, LANGPORT

Henley. In all about 8.94 acres (3.62 hectares).

What’s in a – house – name?

CAN you increase the price of your property simply by adding a name? What are the UK’s most common house names? Which names should you avoid?

Armishaws Removals visits thousands of homes each year and has been lifting the letterbox on the UK’s house

TO LET

TO

Stalbridge. 01963-362182

SUNNY ROOM WITH ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM IN QUIET PRETTY LOCATION OUTSIDE KINGS STAG. USE OF ALL USUAL FACILITIES AVAILABLE 1/8/25TEL 07760 584 389

SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION on quiet farm near Yeovil 01935 892476 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT on quiet farm near Sherborne. 07973-403969

names.

Added value

ADDING a name can increase the value of your property. Studies have found houses named using words like ‘Cottage’, ‘Willow’, ‘House’ sell for a higher value than similar homes without a name.

The Law

AN act of Parliament in 1765 required all addresses to have a number and street name. At the time, house names were reserved for grander homes and stately manors.

Claire Cottage

TO make a new house name official – or remove a house name – you need to register it with your local council. This typically costs about £40.

Wits End

NAMING a property increased in the housing booms following

both world wars as more people became homeowners for the first time. Sunnyside, The Residence, The Firs, were seen as adding grandeur. Names with a comedy bent also started to appear beside letter boxes –Dunroamin, Bedside Manor, Wits End.

UK’s worst house names (All genuine house names): Ersanmyne;Deja Views; Llamehtdos (read it backwards); Never Inn; Over-the-Hill; Brixham Aughter; The Dog House; Morning Glory; The Mad House; The End; Soddom Hall; Windy Bottom. Most popular house names The Hollies; Meadow View; Rose Cottage; Orchard House; Sunnyside; Corner House; Woodside; Oaklands; Hillside; The Willows; Woodlands; School House.

THE BENETT ARMS SEMLEY

Pub and Letting Rooms

17th century free house situated in the picturesque village of Semley

Weekly Specials

Happy Hour Tuesdays! - All starters half price from 6-7pm Steak Night - Two 6oz Sirloin Steaks for £25, every Wednesday

Fish Fryday - Fresh beer-battered Haddock & homemade chips, every Friday Pizza Nights - Pizza direct from our pizza oven, every Friday & Sunday evening Sunday Roasts - Home Cooked Sunday Roasts with 3 meats to choose from, Sundays 12:30-2:30pm

Photography by Alice Pennefather