of college’s new outdoor gym equipment page 26
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
NEW green space at Bere Regis will help to help protect Dorset’s heathlands.
The site, just outside the village, near the A35, is part of Wild Woodbury, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) 170-hectare rewilding project.
The Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) will allow people to connect with nature and ease visitor pressure on internationally important heaths.
The space, funded through contributions from developers collected by Dorset Council, includes car parking, dog waste bins and walking paths through open glades and emerging woodland.
have helped shape the space’s design.
The area is currently grassland but is being allowed to return to its natural state, while maintaining walking paths.
A food forest is being planted with fruiting trees and bushes, and a large community table will provide a space for people to gather, share and learn.
Bere Regis Primary School and residents
Information boards and hand-written chalk signs help visitors keep up to date and discover more about local nature and the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury.
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and cabinet member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, said: “This is a brilliant example of how we can balance nature recovery with public access.
“It provides an alternative recreational area that helps protect nearby heathland,
home to many of Dorset’s most treasured wildlife species.
“Dorset Wildlife Trust has done a tremendous job restoring Wild Woodbury. The SANG is an accessible way for people to experience and engage with the rewilding journey, without disturbing the delicate heathland and the wildlife it supports.
“Funding collected from developers when new homes or buildings are constructed, has enabled the creation of this valuable green space for the community.
“This is a great demonstration of how development and conservation can work together.”
DWT is holding a community open day at Wild Woodbury on Saturday, November 15, from 10am to 3pm. Visitors can help plant trees in the community forest, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with fellow nature lovers and explore the rewilding site to learn about the diverse range of species that call it home. Guided walks set off at 11am and 1pm.
COULD you, or someone you know, be missing out on Pension Credit and other financial assistance?
Pension Credit is a government benefit designed to help people aged 66 and over on a low income. It can provide up to £75 a week and unlock access to additional support such as:
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Council Tax reduction
• Housing Benefit (for renters)
• Support for Mortgage Interest (for homeowners)
• Free TV licence (for those aged 75+)
• Help with NHS costs
It is separate from the state pension, which means that you could still be entitled to Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home, if you fall within the criteria. It is easy to check whether you are eligible – use the Pension Credit calculator online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 991234.
If you’re struggling to access information online, digital champions can also help you get online and apply for Pension Credit. They can be contacted at libraries and other public buildings, or by calling our digital hotline 01305 221048.
For more information and advice, about Pension Credit and other benefit entitlements and help, contact Citizens Advice or Age UK on the free Dorset Adviceline – 0800 144 8848.
CENTRAL Dorset Citizens Advice says about one in 10 people across the south west have fallen victim to a scam in the past year
In September 2025, Citizens Advice commissioned a survey to reveal the impact of scams on the public.
That research shows that an estimated 10% of people across the south west, and around seven million people nationally were caught out by a scam in the past year.
Common scams include:
• Online shopping – fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods.
• Investment scam, including ‘get rich quick’ schemes
• Banking, fake loans, card and bank account fraud
• “Help me’ scams, in which victims are tricked into thinking someone they care about needs money urgently
• Mobile network scams, like taking out a new contract or paying for a new handset.
As scammers get more sophisticated, it’s important to
stay alert to new tactics. It might be a scam if:
• Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly, or you’re asked to transfer money quickly
• You’re being asked to share personal or security information like passwords, PINs or codes
• You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company, for example there’s no postal address
• You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – paying by debit or credit card gives you extra protection if things go wrong.
If something seems too good to be true or doesn’t feel right, it might be a scam, so take a moment and get advice
If you think you’ve been scammed, talk to your bank or card company immediately. Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123204.
For more advice and support, call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0800 144 8848 or via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ about-us/contact-us.
THE Dorchester Committee of the Children’s Society is hosting another of its popular coffee, cake and stalls events. It is taking place on Saturday, November 8, from 10am until midday, in the United Church Hall (at the lower end of South Street).
Entry is free, with coffee and homemade cake for £2.50. There will be a variety of stalls and a tombola.
rutterslaw.co.uk
PENSIONER Carol Verney, from Blandford, dressed up as Dracula’s bride when she made her 100th donation of blood at Halloween.
Carol, 80, who has been giving blood for over six decades, was accompanied to the blood donation suite above Boots in Poole by her husband, Malcolm, dressed as Dracula.
Carol, with her friend, Bridget, started giving blood when she was 19 and working at Portals in Hampshire.
Carol successfully made her donation and went on to give blood in Newbury, Bournemouth, Sherborne and Poole, but Bridget unfortunately passed out and never gave again.
Carol said: “I kept giving and they kept taking, and the good news is, they tell you where your blood has gone.
“The other month it went to a children’s hospital, and I was chuffed about that.
She added: “I’m very proud of my achievements. Giving blood is an amazing thing to do and the feelgood factor beats anything else.
“You might need blood yourself one day and you’ll thank the person who donated it who saved your life – plus you get a lie down, a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit!”
Carol said she would like to say farewell to her friend Bridget’s sister-in-law, Lois, who thanked her for being a blood donor after being given a transfusion while being treated for breast cancer.
Lois got over breast cancer but sadly the cancer returned and she did not survive.
A SPECIAL photography exhibition will be held at St John's Church in Yeovil in honour of Norman Brown, a member of the congregation, who is 90 this month.
The exhibition, called Tread Softly in This Precious Paradise, celebrates a lifetime devoted to capturing the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
Norman's love of photography began in childhood, inspired by his father, who won an award for his photography the year Norman was born.
His father taught him the craft and Norman spent decades working exclusively with film cameras.
The exhibition features a stunning collection of landscapes from the USA, Canada and France right through to the beautiful coastlines of the west country.
Among the prints featured is a striking image of Ben Nevis, taken in 1950 and developed over 50 years ago in Norman’s own darkroom.
St John’s Model Railway Group will be at the launch on Saturday, November 22, with its detailed model of Yeovil Junction.
Norman was a valued member of the group for many years, contributing to the development of the model and remaining a passionate advocate for local transport throughout his life.
Visitors are invited to experience this remarkable retrospective from Saturday, November 22, to Saturday, November 29, 10am-3pm – closed Sunday – at St John's Church.
Parish administrator, Emma Handcock, said: “Norman's work reminds us to ‘tread softly’ and appreciate the precious world we share.”
THE weight of a hippo has been saved from landfill thanks to the work of Sherborne Repair Café since it began in 2021.
The café, which runs every third Saturday of the month at Cheap Street Church, has weighed in with 1,446kg of repairs over 42 sessions in the last few years.
On the back of that success, a sister Repair Café is planned to launch which will focus mainly on larger items for repair.
It will be held every first Saturday of the month at Sherborne Youth Area and Community Centre, Tinneys Lane – off Newland – where ample parking is available.
‘How to’ workshops are also in store to encourage individuals to learn the skills needed to repair things themselves.
The Repair Café is looking
for additional repairers to mend the items brought in and new recruits to run the sessions.
Unlike the Cheap Street operation, Tinneys Lane will be run via an online booking system.
It is hoped to have the new Repair Café up and running by February 2026.
A Library of Things is also in the pipeline which would allow users to borrow items in return for a small fee or donation.
Items in excellent condition will be needed to stock the library, along with a team of volunteer helpers.
It is hoped the Library of Things will be operational by April 2026.
Anyone interested in getting involved should email repaircafesherborne@gmail. com.
Admission to the exhibition is free. Photographs can be purchased on a donation basis in support of St John's Church and Christians Against Poverty.
DORSET Police has issued warnings to rural communities after an increase in diesel thefts.
The force is currently investigating three reported thefts of diesel from farms in Winfrith and Duntish and a commercial isolated property near Wimborne.
Many farm tanks are full this time of year as the maize harvest comes to completion.
Diesel theft involves stealing diesel fuel from vehicles and storage tanks and is a growing problem for farms and rural building sites. It’s often committed by siphoning or breaking into tanks.
Prevention methods include:
• Improving security with fences, lighting and cameras
• Securing fuel tanks with robust locks and alarms
• Alarm systems that can alert you to unauthorised access
• Deterrents like ‘diesel dye’, that make fuel traceable
• Monitoring sight gauges on tanks for signs of tampering
The red diesel stolen in these thefts can only be used in authorised vehicles.
If you see any suspicious activity near diesel tanks, please call 999 if you think an offence is taking place.
For other suspicious activity, please note down the details, in particular vehicle registration numbers.
Anyone with information should visit www.dorset.police.uk, quoting the relevant crime reference number. Alternatively, you can contact crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.
SANTA Claus is making his annual visit to Shillingstone Station on Sunday, December 14, between 11am and 3pm, accompanied, as usual, by Mrs Santa.
Children hoping to meet them, and receive a gift from Santa, will need to ask a parent or carer to book an appointment for them by phoning the station on 01258 860696 or visiting the station cafe or shop during station opening hours.
The cost is £5 per child, with all proceeds going towards the continuing restoration work of the North Dorset Railway.
Young visitors to the station can now also pick up free activity sheets from the cafe carriage, with a quiz about the station, puzzles and a picture to colour in.
The sheets can also be downloaded from the station’s website, www. northdorsetrailway.co.uk.
The station is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and entry is free.
THE next open meeting of the Netherbury Nature Group is at Netherbury Village Hall on Friday, November 14. Dr Sam Rose, director of West Dorset Wilding, will present on The Brit Valley Project. Doors open at 6.30pm, there will be a cash bar and admission is £3.
A COFFEE morning will raise money for a rescue centre that cares for stray cats in Dorset.
Sam’s Stray Cat Rescue currently cares for more than 30 cats on site in Wincanton, with many more dispersed in foster homes in the area.
The coffee morning will feature items for sale. It is being held at the Sun Lounge, Wincanton Memorial Hall from 9am-12pm on Saturday, November 15.
A COFFEE morning later this month will raise money for hedgehog rescues and fosterers of sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs in Dorset.
Blandford Hedgehog Group fundraising coffee morning is on Saturday, November 22, at Blandford Parish Centre (DT11 7DW) from 9.30am-2pm.
In addition to refreshments, there will be hedgehog information, refreshments, homemade cakes, guest stalls, bottle stall, raffle, tombola and bric a brac.
Entry is free.
ARMED Forces personnel and veterans can travel into London for Poppy Day and Remembrance Sunday by train – fare free.
Service personnel and veterans are able to travel free on South Western Railway (SWR) services to attend Remembrance Sunday events in London.
The offer includes travel to London Waterloo for the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on either Saturday 8 or Sunday 9 November, returning on Sunday 9 November.
The free travel offer is funded by the Department for Transport, and available to anyone who is travelling in uniform or able to show an appropriate form of identification and is applicable throughout Great Britain.
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway, said:
“Remembrance Day carries special significance at SWR as many of our colleagues have a background with the Armed Forces, and as this year’s Railway 200 celebrations have shown, the railway played a significant part in both world wars.
“That’s why we are proud to continue our offer of free travel, to both active personnel and Armed Forces veterans, who are attending Remembrance Day and London Poppy Day events.”
SWR has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, holds the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, and has an active Armed Forces Network of colleagues who have served.
THE subject of Sherborne Historical Society’s final talk before Christmas is Sir Edwin Lutyens, who is perhaps best known for designing the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
He was also one of the inventors – with Gertude Jekyll –of the Arts and Crafts country house and architect of the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi.
The speaker is Charles Hind, chief curator emeritus of the RIBA Collections and chair of the Lutyens Trust.
He will be talking about how Lutyens’ career was entwined with politics and ties of family and friendship.
The talk is at the Digby Hall in Hound Street, Sherborne, on Thursday, December 4, at 8pm.
THE lives of some of Dorset’s most influential women will be described in an illstrated talk by David Beaton.
It will include Mary Anning, whose study of fossils changed Victorian perceptions of pre-history; and Dr Marie Stopes, who shocked the world
ON Remembrance Sunday, November 9, the parade will march off at 10.20am from outside Wincanton War Memorial Hall to the parish church.
A service of remembrance will commence at the parish church of St Peter and St Paul’s at 10.45am, lasting for approximately one hour, following which the parade will reform and march to Churchfields car park.
On Armistice Day – Tuesday, November 11 – a short service of remembrance will be held at the war memorial in the grounds of Wincanton War Memorial Hall.
Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive no later than 10.45am.
Following this service, there will be another at the Bayford viewpoint memorial to Old Faithful, the US Bomber that crashed during WWII, killing the whole crew.
NOVEMBER’S repair cafe will be held on the last Sunday of the month (November 30) from 10am-12pm at Netherbury Village Hall.
The September Netherbury Repair Cafe saw the return of this popular community event after the summer break.
Three new potential volunteers came to observe and have now joined the dedicated team of expert repairers adding expertise in engraving, general repairs, electrics and upholstery.
The team can mend clothing, woodwork and metalwork and
electronics. Volunteers will take a look at anything – just remember to bring any spare parts if needed.
The cafe offers home-made cakes, delicious coffee and a range of Clipper teas.
New volunteers are always needed, so if you love fixing things, baking or being part of a fun community event then come along.
For more information visit www.repaircafenetherbury.org, call Lisa Willis on 07870 950666 or email info@ repaircafenetherbury.org
with her book Married Love and inspired modern birth control.
Their lives, and those of several less well-known Dorset women, will be covered in David’s talk, which will be at 2pm on Sunday, November 23, at St John’s Church, Enmore Green (entrance: £8 per person).
CERNE Sheep Group member Malcolm Thompson will be giving a talk, mostly about sheep, at the group’s next meeting at The Fox at Ansty on Monday (November 10).
Mechelle Maidment will talk about other aspects of sheep keeping, mostly related to wool, at the meeting on Monday, December 8.
That will be followed by the Christmas supper and raffle – donations welcome.
For more information, email jill_hole@outlook.com
THE Wriggle Valley Players have presented £500 to Yeovil Hospital Stroke Unit from the profits of plays performed at Chetnole Village Hall.
The two one-act comedy plays, Perfect Partners by Alan Richardson and Little Grimley: Saving the Planet by David Tristram, were performed over two evenings with a ploughman’s supper in June.
The Players chose the Stroke Unit in memory of Gordon Morris, who died this year. Gordon is sorely missed by the
ORGANISERS of Gillingham’s community Christmas lunch are calling for anyone who wants to attend to book now.
Nobody in Gillingham and the surrounding area needs to be alone or miss out on festivities, because the Gillingham community Christmas lunch team is laying on a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Organisers promise entertainment and a gift to take home after the meal, all made possible by the wonderful team of volunteers, donations from local businesses and by Three Rivers Partnership.
Gillingham Car Link will provide transport for those who need it to and from North Dorset Rugby Football Club, where a warm welcome awaits guests of all ages.
At the helm in the kitchen will be chef Vicky Adamson; entertainment will be provided by Liz Dewer (music) and Dave Ball (magic); gifts are donated by Kilmington and Stourton WI.
Everyone is welcome but booking is essential.
James and Zara Dunham have raised £10,700 for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).
They organised the Oakfest community event at Dorchester Cricket Club this summer in aid of a cause very close to their hearts.
James and Zara experienced first-hand the work of the SCBU at DCH when their son, Oakley, spent time there after he was born in March 2024.
They have requested that the money raised is spent converting non en-suite bedrooms to en-suite facilities to provide families with a better level of comfort at a very stressful time.
Oakfest included a cricket match, live music, children’s entertainment and food, and was supported by friends, family and local businesses including Maxgate Properties, Bumblebees
Childcare, Sam Scaffolding, Blackmore Events and Chris Rawlings Building & Maintenance.
James Dunham said: “It was a fantastic day, bringing people together for a great cause, and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone involved.
“Raising funds for SCBU at Dorset County Hospital has been an incredibly meaningful journey for Zara and me.
“The idea of providing en-suite facilities for relatives really resonated with us. When you’re spending long hours at the hospital, having a private space to rest and take needed time makes a huge difference to your wellbeing and ability to support your baby.
“We also hope that by sharing our story we can inspire others to get involved and support SCBU in whatever way they can, to try and make those difficult days for local families just a little
A TALK, presented by the Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust, considers the structure of Iron Age society in Dorset. Paul Cheetham will be talking on the subject of radiocarbon dating and DNA studies of later Iron Age burials from Dorset.
The talk will be held in the Bow Room at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (DT10 1FH ) on Wednesday, November19, at 7.30pm. Entry is £4.
bit easier.”
Head of fundraising for Dorset County Hospital Charity, Jodi Hibbard, said: “We are so grateful to James and Zara for their amazing fundraising efforts – bringing the local community together for a day of fun and fundraising for our local hospital is such a fantastic idea, and a wonderful way to raise money for a cause that it is close to so many people.”
AUTHOR Jane Wade, of Sturminster Newton, is fond of the colour red.
Writing as Jane Wade Scarlet, she has recently completed her trilogy of novels with the publication of Shadow’s Land.
Together with Wolf Wind and Wolf Shadow, the books recount the life and loves of a troubled man, and those with whom he is associated – family, friend or foe.
Evoking the untamed spaces of 19th century USA, the tale begins with a boy called Cub, and his escape from ill-treatment by the man who claims to be his father.
Wolf Wind, Wolf Shadow and Shadow’s Land are all available from Amazon in paperback and eBook.
Money was also raised through online fundraising with bingo nights and ticket auctions. Anyone interested in organising a community event to raise funds for any ward or department at Dorset County Hospital, including the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, can email charity@ dchft.nhs.uk or phone 01305 253215.
For all your upholstery needs, find us...
Words and pictures by George Jeans, Mere
THE Social Club at West Knoyle held a harvest supper evening, for which the hall was packed to capacity.
As in previous years, a supper of cold meats and salad was followed by apple crumble with custard and a cheeseboard.
During the evening a huge wooden spoon was awarded to the club’s ‘number-one stirrer’ for the past year – Mel Hull, presented by Corinne Leonard.
A raffle with many prizes was held.
Husband and wife team Lucy and Mark first opened a furniture sales shop specialising in pine furniture in February 1995.
During the late 80s and 90s, pine was the furniture of choice.
From those early years, their initial business concept continued to grow and evolve.
Now celebrating 30 years in business, A World of Furniture stocks many top brands such as G Plan, La-Z-Btoy, Alstons, Sherborne, Silentnight, Sleepeezee and Highgrove.
The company has made looking after the environment and sustainability one of its top priorities in the last 20 years.
It has been awarded and recognised as a leader in the world of business-based ‘environmentalists’.
Lucy and Mark currently employ more than 25 staff, ‘all of whom are absolutely amazing,’ Mark says. He adds: “Lucy and I are so thankful for the opportunities and some success.”
“The furniture business and our daughters have shaped our lives. Life is a great leveller and we have faced many hurdles. I’m hopeful that, with the introduction of more furniture brands and our own brands, 2025 will be an improvement over the previous year. 2025 and beyond will see us ‘serving up’ more fantastic furniture and the growth of our mattress collection and recycling service.”
Picture by Christina (Snowy Owl); words by Sue Jeans MERE 1st Brownies’ and Guides’ Halloween party was held at the Grove Building.
All were dressed-up and made-up for the occasion, including fake blood (or was it?!)
The volunteer DJ was Craig, with Nikki helping. Apple bobbing resulted in some wet faces and fallen soggy witch’s hats!
SANTAS galore will be raising money for good causes in the Santa-Stour River Fun Run in Wimborne in the run up to the festive season.
Wimborne Rotary Club is organising the event, which will coin in the cash Julia’s House children’s hospice and other Rotary-supported charities.
The event is on Sunday, December 14, with the start at 10am at Wimborne Town Football Club in Ainsley Road (BH21 2FU), where free parking is available.
Adults, teenagers and children are welcome and can
choose either a 2.5km or 5km course with the route in part alongside the River Stour.
Entry is £10 adults and £5 under-18s, and entrants should pre-book by registering at www. wimbornerotary.org/giving.
Limited places will be available for those who turn up on the day, but pre-booking guarantees a place.
Runners can choose to receive a free Santa suit or festive hat, and a free mince pie and drink will be on offer at the finish.
Runners are encouraged to fundraise for their own favourite charities by seeking their own sponsorship.
Run organiser, Rotarian Neil Hutchinson, said: “Once again we look forward to welcoming all levels of runners to this fun charity event.
“We have secured several local sponsors for the run but welcome other local businesses which would like to become involved, either through sponsorship or by helping on the day.”
Cross Keys owner David Grindley (front) with representatives of the charities the pub has raised money for. The amount shown on the cheques shows the total raised since fundraising started
THE annual charity beer festival at the Cross Keys Inn at Lydford on Fosse has raised thousands of pounds for good causes over the last 12 years.
This year’s three-day event at the end of September attracted hundreds of visitors and featured more than 40 different beers, ciders and lagers, plus local music, food and entertainment.
The Cross Keys recently hosted a special cheque presentation evening with free food, drinks and live music to thank volunteers and supporters.
Owner, David Grindley, thanked the ‘wonderful volunteers and sponsors’ who made the event possible.
He also reminded the audience that the pub ‘doesn't like odd numbers’ and rounded up every cheque to larger totals.
This year’s event raised funds for The National Brain Appeal and more will be coined in over the year.
Charity funds continue to grow with the sale of T-shirts, glasses and collection boxes.
Fundraising totals to September 31, 2025, are: Alzheimer’s Research, £11,500; Cancer Research UK, £8,100; Mind, £4,000.
The National Brain Appeal funds research and treatment into a wide range of neurological and neuromuscular conditions, including multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and head injuries.
£4,418 had been raised for charity by September 1 but the Cross Keys rounded that up to £5,000 with further funds expected to come from ongoing merchandise sales and donations.
Professor Ley Sander, a world-renowned neurologist, professor at UCL and consultant at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery received a cheque on behalf of the charity at the celebration evening.
The Cross Keys Inn says it has raised £46,000 for good causes over the last 12 years – up £15,000 from last year.
THERE’S a new church in Blandford. Riverside church is a church plant from Broadstone Baptist Church.
The new church initiative will be led by Reverend Steven Driver, alongside a dedicated team of families.
Find out more at www.riversidechurchblandford.co.uk, email Steven@broadstonebaptist.org.uk or call 07476792029.
Bramley Care has launched an innovative new service designed to help older adults live safely and independently for longer, while keeping families informed and reassured.
Bramley Pre-Care is a smart home solution that uses discreet, non-intrusive sensors (no cameras or microphones) to monitor the daily routines of the person living in the home. The system tracks movement, temperature, humidity and even sleep patterns, raising an alert when something seems out of the ordinary, such as a missed routine, a fall or unsafe environmental changes. For families, especially those living at a distance, this service
offers real-time insight without intruding on privacy. It is not about constant surveillance, it is about knowing when something needs attention and being able to act early.
Unlike wearable alarms or call buttons, the system works completely passively, ideal for individuals who may forget or feel reluctant to use conventional devices. It also supports fall detection without the need for wearable or manually operated devices.
Key features include:
Contactless fall detection
Routine and sleep monitoring
Temperature, humidity and air quality alerts
Family app notifications for peace of mind
It is perfect for individuals who value their independence but could benefit from a little added safety, as well as for families who want to stay gently connected without being intrusive.
Bramley Pre-Care is the latest example of Bramley Care’s commitment to delivering compassionate, forwardthinking support for the local community.
To learn more, call 01747 855844 or visit bramleycare.co.uk
Stay connected, stay informed and let your loved ones live safely at home with confidence.
Unless we share the stories of past conflicts, they will be forgotten
by Canon Eric Woods
WHEN the Second World War broke out, my father duly went to join up, only to find – to his disgust – that he was in a reserved occupation. He was a brewer, and beer was regarded as an essential part of the war effort! He had to content himself with becoming a Special Constable and with endless fire-watching in our home town of Bury St Edmunds.
However, both my uncles enlisted, one in the RAF and the other in the Army. The RAF uncle was to win the Distinguished Flying Medal and later, after he received his Commission, the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was shot down over Holland and badly injured, but he and his crew managed to make their escape back to England.
respective wars. They had seen too much, experienced too much and suffered too much to want to relive it simply to satisfy the curiosity of a young nephew.
I dimly understood that then, and I understand it much better now. But the danger is that, if the stories of that conflict and other conflicts are not told, they will be forgotten. Without a memory there can be no remembrance. And I believe that remembrance is absolutely vital to us all if we are to hold on to what is true and right and of good report in our land.
Meanwhile my other uncle was in Burma with the ‘Forgotten Army’ and there he lost a lung. His health was permanently affected, and my memory of him is hazier than of the RAF uncle, as Burma ensured that he never made old bones.
So the three men had very different wars. But whereas my father was only too pleased to talk about war-time Britain, and the many privations (and the many happy moments) of that period, by contrast both my uncles were always remarkably reticent about their
Let me explain what I mean. The fact that stories from the years 1939 to 1945 can be told freely and openly in England today is utterly dependent on the freedom which was won for us by the allied forces who fought against tyranny and oppression during the Second World War. If Adolf Hitler and his axis allies had won that conflict, we probably wouldn’t be here now, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to write as I am doing now.
So, we must remember, in order to be renewed and re-inspired by the stories which are our foundation history. Just eighty or so years ago our freedom to hear any of the stories of our nation – or our salvation, for that matter – was in peril. That freedom was preserved for us by those brave men and women, service and civilian, who gave their today that we might have a tomorrow. And that’s why it’s worth making the effort this Sunday to go to a Remembrance Service in a church or attend a Commemoration at a War Memorial near you.
SPRAY FOAM REMOVAL
FROM £995.00
If spray foam is fitted to your property it can mean that it may be unmortgageable, meaning when you come to sell your property the new owners may not be able to secure a mortgage due to the spray foam installed between your afters. If you have spray foam fitted in your roof, if left it can cause rafters and timbers to rot. The spray foam in your roof can be removed by our professional roofing team, rafters will be sanded down and wood filled and treated. Spray foam will be removed from your property and disposed of safely.
FIND AND REPAIR LEAKS & MOT FROM £175.00
Do you have damp patches, stains on the ceiling, water coming into the property? DON’T DELAY! Call Worksmart today on 01963 530544 / 07958 662504. Someone will be with you within 12 hours.
I am a great believer in prevention is better than cure. So my team and I are offering a moss removal service which entails all moss removed and to re-point any defective cement works from ridge line and re-cement any broken gables. MOSS REMOVAL
THE people of Gillingham gathered at what many called the “best coffee morning in town”.
Organised by Jeanette Haskett and friends, the event raised over £1,000 for Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal – a local charity dedicated to enhancing patient care at Salisbury District Hospital.
This popular annual event, held at Gillingham Social Club, smashed previous fundraising records.
Visitors enjoyed a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a stunning selection of homemade cakes, tea and coffee, and an amazing raffle brimming with prizes.
The organisers would like to thank everyone that joined them, as well as the helpers including Donna, Gary, Yvonne, Carol, Sue, Alison, Jeanette, Anne, Graham, Sarah, Anne, Scarlett and Thomas.
VINTAGE-SAVVY shoppers are getting ready for the return of the Winter Fair at Wincanton Racecourse.
All proceeds from the one-day event support The Balsam Centre in Wincanton, with more than a record £30,000 raised in 2024.
The fair is the culmination of a year’s hard work.
“It’s such a happy, fun fundraising sale and offers some incredible bargains for everyone who comes along,” said Pilla Dingle, co-chair of the fair’s volunteer organising committee.
“We are proud that every penny raised goes directly to The Balsam Centre, supporting its vital work within the local community.”
Co-chair, Suki Posnett, added: “The Winter Fair simply
wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of its many loyal friends.”
Items set to be for sale include jewellery, clothes and handbags, artworks, toys and kitchenware. Other stalls will offer homemade goodies, such as deli treats and seasonal planters.
Everything sold on the day has been handmade, donated, upcycled or repurposed, and the volunteers are proud of this sustainable approach.
The Winter Fair is at Wincanton Racecourse on Saturday, November 15, open from 10am to 3pm. A shuttle bus will run throughout the day from Wincanton Memorial Hall. Entry to the fair costs £1. For more information, visit www.balsamcentre.org.uk
Shoppers at last year’s record-breaking Winter Fair
A VALE craft club is celebrating 20 years in action, and holding an exhibition of work by its members.
Marnhull Craft Club was established 20 years ago and is now a thriving group, which meets on the first Thursday of every month. Members enjoy learning about, and taking part in, a wide range of crafts in an informal, friendly environment.
On Monday, November 17, from 10am-12pm, the club is holding an exhibition of crafts, in support of the Marnhull Methodist church in the Methodist Hall, Burton Street, Marnhull (DT10 1PS).
Club members are looking forward to showing their work at the exhibition. As well as knitting, crochet, embroidery and handmade cards, there will also be more
unusual crafts including mosaic, feltwork, stained glass, pergamano and even brooches made from recycled teabags.
There will be stalls with craft books, craft supplies and gifts, all available for a donation.
The Crown at Marnhull has kindly donated a carvery voucher for two as the first prize in the raffle. Other prizes include a crocheted acorn from The Green Lake Craft Studio in Sturminster Newton, a voucher from Mamma Italia Pizza and many others.
Everyone is very welcome. Entry is free. There will be no facilities for contactless payments, so please bring plenty of cash!
For more information email marnhullcraftclub@gmail.com.
TThe National Trust’s iconic Stourhead estate is preparing to dazzle visitors once again as its enchanting Christmas light trail returns from Friday, November 28, to Wednesday, December 31.
he National Trust’s iconic Stourhead estate is preparing to dazzle visitors once again as its enchanting Christmas light trail returns from Friday, November 28, to Wednesday, December 31.
Christmas at Stourhead is brought to life by internationally renowned light trail producers, making it a highlight of the UK’s festive calendar.
Christmas at Stourhead is brought to life by internationally renowned light trail producers, making it a highlight of the UK’s festive calendar.
Along the route, visitors may even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, adding an extra sprinkle of seasonal magic for families.
Along the route, visitors may even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, adding an extra sprinkle of seasonal magic for families.
No festive stroll would be complete without delicious winter treats, and this year’s hand-picked street food vendors will be serving up an irresistible selection of seasonal snacks.
No festive stroll would be complete without delicious winter treats, and this year’s hand-picked street food vendors will be serving up an irresistible selection of seasonal snacks.
Whether it’s a spiced winter warmer, a creamy hot chocolate, or a perfectly toasted marshmallow*, there will be plenty of opportunities to indulge in the flavours of Christmas.
Whether it’s a spiced winter warmer, a creamy hot chocolate, or a perfectly toasted marshmallow*, there will be plenty of opportunities to indulge in the flavours of Christmas.
With its stunning new installations and magical atmosphere, Christmas at Stourhead is set to be one of the must-visit festive events of the season.
With its stunning new installations and magical atmosphere, Christmas at Stourhead is set to be one of the must-visit festive events of the season.
Tickets are on sale now, and early booking is strongly advised to secure your preferred date and time for this unforgettable after-dark adventure.
Tickets are on sale now, and early booking is strongly advised to secure your preferred date and time for this unforgettable after-dark adventure.
For full pricing, ticket information and bookings visit: https://www.mychristmastrails.co.uk/events/christmas-at-stourhead
For full pricing, ticket information and bookings visit: https://www.mychristmastrails.co.uk/events/christmas-at-stourhead
Showroom in Orchard Park Garden Centre, Gillingham SP8 5JG Open
A VALE school says its new qualification – a T-level in digital software – is the groundwork for a career at the cutting edge of technology.
Gillingham School Sixth Form will be offering the qualification – a two-year, Level 3 course, the equivalent to three A-levels – from September 2026. It combines classroom learning with real industry experience.
The school is encouraging prospective students and families to attend its sixth form open evening on Thursday, November 20, to find out more.
T-levels are a new, nationally recognised qualification, designed in collaboration with employers.
One T-level carries the same UCAS points as three A-levels, enabling students to progress
onto higher level apprenticeships, further education or the workplace.
T-level students are also able to gain valuable industry experience through a work placement.
Students not only gain a qualification, but also have meaningful work experience that will set them apart in future applications.
Students will study programming, software development, cybersecurity, IT
support, and digital project management with a focus on emerging technologies.
Director of Sixth Form, Olivia Worthington-Richards, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be introducing the Digital Software Development t-level at Gillingham School. Digital skills are among the most in-demand in today’s job market, and this new T-level ensures our students will leave us not only with advanced knowledge but also with meaningful experience that employers are looking for.”
Sixth form open evening is on Thursday, November 20, in the main hall at 6pm.
Find out more at www. gillingham-dorset.co.uk/ welcome-to-sixth-form
Gillingham care home residents entertained by ‘Redcoats’ for Butlins Day ADVERTISING
Brook Lodge care home residents enjoyed a day of fun and games during a Butlins-themed celebration.
Staff at the home on Fern Brook Lane, part of the not-for-profit charity, Care South, donned red jackets inspired by the famous Butlins Redcoats.
Everyone joined in with a singalong and played traditional games from years gone by. Residents from Maiden Castle House in Dorchester and Buxton House in Weymouth, also run by Care South, visited for the special event.
Residents also had a kickabout during the day as part of their regular seated football sessions, run by AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust through an ongoing partnership with Care South.
Fern Brook Lodge provides residential, respite and dementia care A dedicated activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.
The home also hosts its own Memory Café sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm, supported by Dementia Friendly Gillingham, for people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book – just drop in on the day.
For more information about the care services available, visit care-south.co.uk or call the Fern Brook Lodge team on 01747 449812.
Placing your main residence into a living trust can provide effective protection against potential future care costs. If you were to require long-term care, the property held within the trust is ring-fenced, ensuring that it is safeguarded and that your intended inheritance is preserved for your loved ones.
Inheritance Tax Planning: Are you concerned about losing 40% of your already taxed hard earned wealth to the government? Our bespoke legal strategies, meticulously crafted using trusts and wills, ensure your assets stay where they belong – in your family’s hands. Fully compliant with UK law, we shield your estate from the grasp of inheritance taxes, giving you peace of mind and financial security.
Transferring ownership of your home—and potentially other assets—into a living trust can help to shield those assets from a variety of risks. These include potential claims from creditors, the financial ramifications of divorce or remarriage, and claims associated with care costs. By utilising a living trust, you can ensure that your estate remains secure and less exposed to unforeseen claims.
Opening Hours Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm Saturdays by appointment only. Closed Sunday www.solsticekitchens.co.uk
Care Fees Protection: With average care fees hitting £2,000 per week and typical stays ranging from 3 to 7 years, these expenses can quickly deplete most estates. Our custom-tailored solutions offer a lifeline. While many believe protection is impossible, we’ve developed a tailored legal strategy fully compliant with UK law to safeguard your assets, including protection against care fees.
A living trust can also play a central role in estate planning, especially in terms of minimising inheritance tax liabilities. Assets placed within a trust may be excluded from your taxable estate upon your passing, which can reduce the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries may be required to pay.
Tel 01747 7 840885 or 0800 0833623
pitmanwindows.com Gillingham Showroom 01747 833 789 Unit 21, Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JG
Wills: Don’t leave your loved ones squabbling over vague wills! Oakwood Wills specializes in drafting crystal-clear documents that leave no room for ambiguity. No more family feuds. Just smooth, conflictfree asset distribution that honours your final wishes. Lasting Power Of Attorneys: Statistics don’t lie – the chances of incapacity rise with age. With our Lasting Power of Attorneys services, you can appoint trusted individuals to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. No more court approvals, no more uncertainty in times of crises – just peace of mind knowing your interests are in safe hands.
Upon establishing a living trust, you typically appoint yourself as the trustee. This means you continue to maintain control over your assets, managing and using them as you see fit. Should you decide to move house, the trust remains in place and extends its protection to your new home.
For a complimentary consultation, reach out to Oakwood Wills.
Tel: 07832 331594 or Email: info@oakwoodwills.co.uk
The effectiveness and suitability of a living trust will depend on your personal circumstances. Oakwood Wills offers a complimentary consultation in the comfort of your own home. For further information, you can call 07832 331594 or email info@oakwoodwills.co.uk.
A DORSET hospice charity is inviting everyone to remember a loved one who will be missed this Christmas.
Weldmar Hospicecare’s Light up a Life services are open to everyone, whether or not your loved one was cared for by Weldmar.
The 30-minute services include readings, hymns and time for reflection. Dedicate a light to your loved one, and your donation will help Weldmar to continue providing specialist care for people living with life limiting illnesses in Dorset, and support for their families and loved ones.
Services are held across the Vale and beyond, on the following dates:
• Lyme Regis The Town Mill – Thursday, November 27, 6pm
• Bridport Groves Nurseries –Friday, November 28, 6.30pm
• Wareham Holme for Gardens – Sunday, November 30, 4pm
• Blandford Forum The Crown Hotel – Monday, December 1, 6.30pm
• Dorchester Weldmar Hospicecare Inpatient Unit –
Tuesday, December 2, 6.30pm
• Sherborne Castle Gardens –Wednesday, December 3, 6.30pm
• Gillingham Orchard Park Garden Centre – Thursday, December 4, 6.30pm
• Weymouth Weymouth Pavilion –Monday, December 8, 6.30pm Weldmar will be broadcasting a service on Wednesday, December 10, at 7.30pm on Facebook and YouTube, which will show the switching on of the lights at all of the
services, and remain available to watch over Christmas.
Gloria McCartney, Fundraising Lead, says, “The run up to Christmas, and the Light up a Life services, is a very special time at Weldmar Hospicecare.
“Being able to provide our communities with the opportunity to remember loved ones at such a special time of year is a privilege for all of us.
“For many people across Dorset, being able to dedicate a light to a loved one at the beginning of the festive season has become an important Christmas tradition.
“We see both new and familiar faces attending their local service each year. It’s a lovely act of remembrance at a time that can be both sad and challenging for those experiencing grief.”
Those wishing to dedicate a light and find out more can visit weldmarhospicecare.org/ lightupalife
YOUNG performers gave their all at a Matilda musical workshop.
Hosted by Rama Life – a community organisation that runs creative workshops, educational groups, and learning opportunities – the day was led by Thomas Sutcliffe, a West End performer and teacher.
The workshop was bursting with energy, laughter – and a whole lot of catchy tunes.
The room was packed with enthusiastic young performers who sang, danced and acted their hearts out, filling the space with confidence and creativity.
just as captivated as the children performing.
Over 250 pages full of snippets, facts, place names and colour photographs. Available for £22.95 +p&p online at w ww.downstreamdorset.co.uk www.spiral-books.com
the Dorset and
By the time they took to the stage for their final performance, the smiles said it all – parents, grandparents and siblings were
Later in the day, Rama Life hosted an evening of singing for fun for adults.
To find out more visit www. ramalife.co.uk or email info@ ramalife.co.uk
Our shoe and Boot department is getting larger with sizes 3-8 and Brands such as Fly, Gabor, Geox, Pikolinos, Blundstone, Birkenstock, Crocs and much more, so pay us a visit and get booted up for Winter.
We also have Sea Salt Winter Raincoats now in store too. Shirley and the Team look forward to assisting you.
Now is a great time to join our Rewards, as sales over £50 receive a free voucher for £10 off your next shop. (1 per customer and does not include reduced items).
A DORSET charity, which opened during lockdown, has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the local community.
The Pavilion in the Park (PiP) café and community hub, on Poundbury’s great field, has been awarded The King’s Foundation ‘Building a Legacy’.
The award recognises one organisation a year that has been created in a new development and has brought cohesion, bonding and created a place where people feel welcomed and want to be.
PiP opened in the heart of lockdown in 2021 on what had been a desolate playing field, before investment by the Duchy of Cornwall transformed it into a wonderful playpark, including a mile of paths, the planting of more than 500 trees and the creation of a fantastic open space for the community to enjoy.
“PiP is the embodiment of what can happen when you bring people together to brainstorm what a new community needs,” says Helena Conibear, founder of The Talk About Trust charity.
“At Poundbury it was a space that was inclusive offering free events and clubs for everyone of all ages, incomes and abilities who live here or in the local villages around.
“Consultation with residents and local school children also showed they wanted PiP to be eco friendly, to offer good value refreshments, shelter and supervision of the planned park to ensure it would be a safe and welcoming community space.
Helena Conibear, founder of The Talk About Trust and Pavilion in The Park ( PiP) with PiP trustees, volunteers and staff
“We’re proud to say that with more than 20 clubs and groups running from PiP, from the weekly park run to the digital drop in, the senior social, teen hang out, youth club and holiday clubs, we are delivering on that vision thanks to the wonderful volunteers, partners and organisations as well as the staff at PiP that make it not only possible, but a joy to provide.”
For many older adults, staying safe and independent at home is a top priority yet falls remain one of the most common and serious risks.
According to the NHS, around one in three people over 65, and half of those over 80, will experience at least one fall each year. Among people over 75, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths.
Live-in care can play a vital role in reducing this risk. By offering 24-hour, tailored support, live-in carers provide not just reassurance but practical help that keeps people safe in their own homes. From assisting with mobility to ensuring that living spaces are free of trip hazards, carers help to create a safer environment while supporting independence and dignity.
Simple precautions can make a big difference: wearing non-slip footwear, keeping hallways and
stairs well lit, and taking time instead of rushing to answer the door or phone. In bathrooms often the most hazardous room in the home installing grab rails, using a shower seat, or fitting a rubber mat can significantly reduce the risk of slips.
While no system can prevent every fall, having a trained care professional living in the home provides constant support and peace of mind. With companies like GoodOaks Homecare offering personalised live-in care plans, more older adults can remain safe, confident, and independent in the comfort of their own homes.
Stay at home with around the clock care, companionship and home-cooked meals.
Care tailored around you and your routine
Experienced care professionals matched to you
Keep your beloved pets where they belong - With you
A SPECIALIST education and training college in Dorchester is undertaking an ambitious redevelopment programme designed to make it ‘fitter’ for purpose.
Whitfield Rural Activity Centre, owned and operated by the South West Regional Assessment Centre (SWRAC), provides young people with skills for life and work, and offers a range of opportunities for practical activities such as animal care, horticulture, rural and estate skills.
The four-acre site, a mile from the centre of Dorchester, features an education block, a dedicated emotional literacy support room and extensive outdoor spaces including an orchard, greenhouses, woodland and paddocks.
Independent education provider SWRAC supports young people with SEND and those who cannot attend
mainstream education. It works with employers to provide work experience and internships in careers chosen by its students.
Lauren Bourne was appointed centre manager of the Whitfield campus in June and has started work on the five-year project to further develop the site.
She said: “We have a stunning location in Whitfield and have achieved a great deal since taking it over in 2019, but with
our student numbers growing, there are more things we want to do to get it working exactly how we want.”
Work is currently underway on refurbishing some of the study spaces with plans to further develop two large greenhouse spaces for enterprise projects.
A range of new outdoor exercise equipment was also installed this summer.
“It’s an extremely exciting
time,” Lauren added.
“Our new outdoor gym equipment is already giving our learners, many of whom struggle with concentration and sensory overload, the chance to come outside in the fresh air, and engage in movement breaks and exercise sessions in a stress-free environment.
“We are currently working with 68 young people – our largest cohort to date – and are looking forward to engaging widely in local events this winter and going forward. We hope the community will support us in what we are trying to achieve.”
SWRAC’s programmes are open to 16-year-olds with an Education, Health and Care Plan and include Prepare for Life, Prepare for Work, Supported Internship, Thrive and Thrive+
out more.
Brenda has loved to dance all her life, and just because she’s moved into care there’s no reason to stop now.
Brenda has loved to dance all her life, and just because she’s moved into care there’s no reason to stop now.
She remembers herself, as a child, dancing on Sunday afternoon in front of visiting relatives, and relishing the applause. As a young lady she would go dancing on a Saturday night at the local ballroom with friends, where she met her husband Jack.
She remembers herself, as a child, dancing on Sunday afternoon in front of visiting relatives, and relishing the applause. As a young lady she would go dancing on a Saturday night at the local ballroom with friends, where she met her husband Jack.
“He did whisk me off my feet” she recalls. “He was tall and strong and I am quite petite, so he was an ideal leading man!” Their shared love of dancing was the start of their relationship, and a lifetime of love of each other, music and dancing.
“He did whisk me off my feet” she recalls. “He was tall and strong and I am quite petite, so he was an ideal leading man!” Their shared love of dancing was the start of their relationship, and a lifetime of love of each other, music and dancing.
Brenda still loves to get on her feet and put a wiggle on, and the team at Care Dorset care homes are there to ensure that interests such as dancing are not forgotten and always supported. Their focus is to celebrate life and provide enjoyment and smiles, as well as exercise, to make every day as fulfilling as possible. As Tess and Claudia say, “Keep on dancing!”
Brenda still loves to get on her feet and put a wiggle on, and the team at Care Dorset care homes are there to ensure that interests such as dancing are not forgotten and always supported. Their focus is to celebrate life and provide enjoyment and smiles, as well as exercise, to make every day as fulfilling as possible. As Tess and Claudia say, “Keep on dancing!”
Find more at www.caredorset.co.uk on or Facebook.
Find more at www.caredorset.co.uk on or Facebook.
Your business could be here for as little as £45 per week... *Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert
Nordman Non-Drop, Cut & Potted Trees from £40 plus delivery
Come and see us and Choose a tree at FarmKimber’s shop
www.potentpines.co.uk | 07970 503351
It’s all smiles at the county’s favourite care provider, Care Dorset, for the best in residential, dementia and respite care.
It’s all smiles at the county’s favourite care provider, Care Dorset, for the best in residential, dementia and respite care.
With established welcoming homes in Blandford Forum and Sherborne, we’ll surround you with the best in care and a fun and engaging life. Great home-cooked food, daily activities, and quality support around the clock from our highly trained colleagues will help you thrive.
With established welcoming homes in Blandford Forum and Sherborne, we’ll surround you with the best in care and a fun and engaging life. Great home-cooked food, daily activities, and quality support around the clock from our highly trained colleagues will help you thrive.
We’re setting the standard for affordable care that families can trust.
We’re setting the standard for affordable care that families can trust.
For more search ‘The Hayes Care’ or ‘Castleman House Care’ on-line, call 01305 224318, or e-mail referrals@caredorset.co.uk
For more search ‘The Hayes Care’ or ‘Castleman House Care’ on-line, call 01305 224318, or e-mail referrals@caredorset.co.uk
Join us at The Winter Brocante on Friday & Saturday 14 -15th November in the beautiful setting of the Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury.
Afavourite winter fair, long anticipated for Christmas shopping and seasonal gifts and homewares. This year the fair will host 40 Exhibitors offering a considered range of sustainable seasonal gifts & decorations, homewares, interiors, textiles, art, decorative antiques, furniture, French Brocante and flowers.
Friday & Saturday 14th-15th November LARMER TREE
For more details or to buy tickets, please visit: www.thedorsetbrocante.co.uk
Each day there will be Seasonal Workshops taking place, which include Christmas decorations, Wreaths and Hand Embroidery.
Enjoy fresh coffee and light refreshments in the beautiful gardens after shopping.
The fair will be held over 2 days. On Friday 14th November from 10 - 4pm & from 10 - 3pm on Saturday 15th November - all tickets £7:50. There is plenty of free parking on site, accessible facilities and beautiful gardens to explore. Please note that assistance dogs only are allowed into the event and gardens.
For more details about The Winter Brocante, to book Workshops or to buy advance tickets, then please visit www. thedorsetbrocante.co.uk
We look forward to welcoming you.
CAR BOOT SALE, (Indoors) at the Dolphin Pub, Gillingham. On Saturday 15th November, Doors open at 10am for buyers. Free entry
AUTUMN FAIR Saturday
15th November 10.00 to 12.30, Melbury Abbas Village Hall, SP70DB. Presents, nearly new, books, raffle, home made cakes and a pop-up Cafe.
WINCANTON 2025
CHRISTMAS FAIR. Wincanton Racecourse, Tuesday 25th November, 10-4pm. £5 entry. Supporting Children’s Hospice, South West.
SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th & Sat 22nd November, 9 - 4.30pm, Town Hall Shaftesbury, Lots of wonderful locally crafted & consumable items for sale. Free Entry, Supporting DSAA & Weldmar Hospice
SHERBORNE
DOUZELAGE AGM20 Nov 2025 Catholic Hall, Sherborne 7pm. Light refreshments . All welcome. If you are interested in a project in Europe, meeting new friends or joining the committee, please contact Mary marydmc38@gmail.com
CRAFT MARKET,
Penselwood Village Hall, BA9 8LS, Saturday 8th November, 10am - 3pm, beautiful handmade items for sale in time for Christmas
CHRISTMAS FAYRE.
Shaftesbury Town Hall. Sunday 23rd November, 10.30-2pm.
EXHIBITION.
The natural Beauty of British hardwoods. Stourprovost village hall, 6-7 December 10-4, light refreshments.
FRAMPTON CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR. Saturday 15th November, 10.30-3.00. Find your gifts, Support Local Makers. Light Lunches and refreshments. Frampton Village Hall, dT2 9NH. Adults £1. Children FREE
Place your classified advert today
CLASSIFIED
Hildyard’s collection of Central Asian embroideries and robes, Turkish kelims, bags, shoes, interesting and unusual presents...
13th - Sun 16th November 11am - 4pm
attraction on Saturday 15th
Coffee morning with Stalls in the Village Hall next door 10am - 12.30pm www.treasuresfromthesilkroad.co.uk
Join us for an evening of talk and music with the renowned musician Martin Barre, best known for his 43-year tenure as lead guitarist in the iconic rock band Jethro Tull
Tickets £5, available from Winstone’s or online at www.winstonebooks.co.uk
THE SWANS TRUST AGM will be held at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre at 6pm on the 26th November. All welcome.
LYN’S BINGO at Marnhull
Royal British Legion DT10 1HR on November 17th. Eyes down 7pm.
TOP BRASS AND WIND CONCERT BAND, St Marys Church, Gillingham. Saturday 29th November, 6.309pm. Featuring Dorset Mutineers Shanty Singers, FREE entry, Donations to Food Bank and NORDDIS Charities, Gillingham.
2nd TEMPLECOMBE SCOUT GROUP
Christmas Bingo Saturday 6th December
Eyes down 7.30pm Templecombe Village Hall
16th November at 8am. Windmill Farm, Montacute. TA15 6UT For info contact B.Jones, 01935-824543 or D.Fox 01935-822845
STOUR PROVOST CHRISTMAS FAIR
Gifts, plants, produce, tombola & raffle.
Saturday 22nd November 11am - 2pm.
Free entry Village Hall SP8 5RZ.
SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 10AM – 4:30PM SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 10AM – 4:00PM
KING ARTHUR’S SCHOOL, WEST HILL, WINCANTON, SOMERSET, BA9 9BX
ADULTS: £7.00
ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN: FREE
Saturday 15th November 10am - 4pm Alweston Village Hall
Pop Up Farm Shop Gifts - Crafts - Decorations
Free Entry
ACTOR Tim Bentinck, who plays David Archer in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, will be appearing at Blandford Literary Festival.
Tim, who has been a professional actor since 1978, will be taking part in the festival’s Desert Islands Books where he will talk among other things about the books that have shaped his fascinating life and diverse career.
The festival will include author talks, stories, workshops, music and poetry in a busy programme at venues
throughout the town.
The creative writing competition has the theme of peace, with three categories, short story, poetry and cartoon strip.
Tim Bentinck is appearing on the Saturday of the festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday, November 14-16.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite and for details of all events, authors and competitions, visit the event’s website, www.blandfordliterary festival.co.uk
The festival also has a
MEMBERS of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will present a programme especially for families at The Exchange in
Sturminster Newton.
The strings ensemble will perform Karl Jenkins’ Palladio, Holst’s bubbly and joyful St
Q THE Music’s James Bond Concert Spectacular is coming to the Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil.
They will be performing all the iconic tunes on Sunday, November 16, in a show compered by Caroline Bliss, who played Moneypenny in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
GoFundMe page – any contributions would be welcomed.
Paul’s Suite and an ethereal Lullaby from Gershwin, as well as Starburst and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Novelletten Musical Families, presented in partnership with Artsreach, is on Thursday, November 20.
In 2017 they provided the music at Roger Moore’s memorial at Pinewood Studios and in 2019 performed at the 50th anniversary event for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service with George Lazenby, held at Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps. They have also sold out several of the most prestigious venues in London’s West End and received critical acclaim.
IN May, the Gillingham Singers performed to a sold-out audience at St Mary’s Church, Motcombe. Faure’s much-loved Requiem was the ‘feature piece’ with the Concordia Strings and David Grierson providing the accompaniment.
For their latest concert at St James’ Church, Shaftesbury, the Gillingham Singers will be featuring a world première.
The composer of the new piece is Dorset-based Stephen Deutsch. Born in the USA, Stephen has lived in England for over 50 years, and in Dorset for 45 years. As a youngster, he was educated at the Julliard School in New York and is
SCULPTOR Robert Marshall’s Ukrainian Door will be a centrepiece on stage at a Concert for Ukraine at St John’s Church in Wimborne.
The bomb-blasted front door was rescued from a home in Toretsk in the eastern Donbas region of the country during the ongoing war with Russia.
Dorset Police Male Voice
Choir is staging the concert to support more than 1,700 mainly women and children living in the BCP area who have fled the conflict.
The choir will perform a raft of popular and newer songs, romantic, patriotic and from its well-known repertoire.
Among them will be Anthem from Chess, He Aint Heavy, He’s My Brother, Do You Hear the People Sing? and Bui Dois
Professor Emeritus of Postproduction at Bournemouth University.
His music has been played by eminent artists including The Medici Quartet, the Gaudier Ensemble, the London Mozart Players and others. His stage music was played at the RSC and other companies, and he has written more than 30 scores for film and television.
Stephen said: “Stars was composed in 2025 especially for the Gillingham Singers. It is a piece which comprises many elements – spoken text, electronic sounds, instrumental sounds and location sounds. It is about the wonder of the
heavens.”
The Gillingham Singers will perform Stars for the first time at their concert on Saturday, November 22, at St James’ Church. The concert begins at 7.30pm and will feature a composer’s introduction to the new work by Stephen himself.
The concert will also include music by Bob Chilcott, Philip Stopford and others.
Tickets are available on the door priced £12 – cash only with a glass of wine or soft drink included – and in advance priced £10 from Novia, High Street, Gillingham, or from the choir via Carole Brooks on 07572 786416.
The Ukrainian and British national anthems will also be played.
Interspersed with the musical programme, Ukrainians represented by the Dorset Ukrainian Community, will tell the story of the attack on their country in song and dance.
Concert for Ukraine is on Saturday, November 15, at 7.30pm.
Tickets priced £8 are available from choir members; online from Eventbrite – search Concert for Ukraine; Sue Stein at St John’s Church following Sunday morning worship; and on the door, if still available.
n DORSET Police Male Voice
Choir, which includes serving police officers, police service employees and civilians, is celebrating 30 years since its
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed storyteller, playwright, folk singer, songwriter and musician, Nick Hennessey, is coming to Dorset for three performances of Dreaming the Great Bear
Nick – pictured – has been storytelling around the world for over 20 years, performing at venues such as the South Bank Centre and Royal Albert Hall.
He has also broadcast documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and had musical work featured on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction
foundation this year.
It meets weekly to rehearse, taking short breaks only over Easter, mid-summer and the Christmas holidays.
Enquiries to book the choir from charitable and similar good causes are welcome, and for opportunities to sing with the choir, visit www. dorsetpolicemalevoicechoir. co.uk
Nick is particularly drawn to North European cultural traditions and has been awarded high honours in Finland for his work on its national epic, Kalevala. In Dreaming the Great Bear, he uses electric harp, vocal looping and acoustic wizardry to create a world of sound as the audience enters the wild, playful and surreal territories of the Kalevala.
Nick Hennessey is at the village halls at Sandford Orcas on Friday, November 14, Child Okeford on Saturday, November 15, and Broadmayne on Sunday, November 16, all at 7.30pm. Tickets and full details are available online at www. artsreach.co.uk
Welcome to Pauline’s Patchwork , our family run business for all your patchwork needs! We supply fabrics, pre-cuts, notions and everything in between.
Feel free to pop in and visit, or for any enquiries please contact us using the below details:
BOOGIE-WOOGIE piano player Ben Waters, who has played some of the biggest venues in the world, is set to perform at Sixpenny Handley Village Hall.
Ben, from Dorset, is known for his energetic performances and powerful renditions of early boogie-woogie and rock ‘n’ roll.
He plays the music of his heroes, including Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Amos Milburn, Little Richard, Ian Stewart and a host of others.
He has also played with some of the biggest names in the music world including Jools Holland, Shakin’ Stevens, Cher, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall and Johnny Depp.
Ben has composed hundreds of songs and has been featured on television and radio all over the world in 35 years of touring.
His album Boogie for Stu
topped the blues charts worldwide.
“Ben has played sell-out shows at Sydney Opera House, The Royal Albert Hall and some of the largest festivals in the world,” said Penny, from Sixpenny Handley Village Hall.
“So we are really thrilled he and his band are coming to play a gig for us in Sixpenny Handley. How lucky are we!
“Come and join us for what is sure to be a fabulous evening of music and entertainment.”
Tickets cost £20 – plus booking fee – and are available at www.ticketsource.co.
uk/6dhandleyhall
All profits from the evening will go towards Sixpenny Handley Village Hall CIO to help keep the venue up and running for the local community.
Ben Waters is at Sixpenny Handley on Saturday, November 8, at 8pm – doors and bar open at 7.30pm.
ARTIST Bridget Beattie is set to stage an exhibition of paintings of local subjects at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. It runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, November 19-25, from 10am-4pm.
THE lives of women who worked as spies in France during the Second World War are brought to life through music and song in a new show coming to Dorset.
Songwriter and storyteller Louise Jordan tells the stories of women who served in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in Behind Enemy Lines
Prime Minister Winston Churchill established SOE after the fall of France in 1940 and the recruits, transgressing gender expectations, were trained in sabotage, subversion and silent killing.
Thirty-nine women were infiltrated into Nazi occupied France and their courage, daring, ingenuity and sacrifice helped defeat Nazi terror.
Behind Enemy Lines is at the village halls at Broadwindsor on Friday, November 7, at 8pm; Marnhull on Saturday, November 8, at 7.30pm; Nether Compton on Sunday, November 9 at 3pm; and Piddletrenthide on Friday, November 14, at 7.30pm.
Tickets and more details are available online at www. artsreach.co.uk
villages
THE world-renowned Treorchy Male Choir will be performing a one-off concert at Sherborne Abbey on Saturday, November 15, at 7pm.
Tickets priced £25 are available from www. ticketsource.co.uk/sherborneabbey
DORSET’S brightest business brains have been honoured for two decades of supporting the local economy to grow and thrive.
The Dorset Business Mentors service – which sees successful business leaders help entrepreneurs to succeed – is 20 years old.
And to mark this milestone birthday, Dorset Council invited the mentors to a special thank you event at Coastland College’s Kingston Maurward Manor House.
Cllr Richard Biggs, cabinet member for Economic Growth, said: “For two decades exceptional business leaders have given up their precious time so they can support our local economy to grow.
“They do this by offering to be mentors to businesses, using their expertise to help entrepreneurs to succeed.
“Thanks to this help, we have seen many businesses take off and thrive – helping to create jobs and wealth for our county.”
Since 2005, the service, which is supported by Dorset Council, grant funding and sponsorship, has helped more than 2,500 businesses to success.
And today, the service currently supports 130 Dorset businesses.
Dorset Business Mentors can offer an affordable annual rate for people to receive mentorship thanks to the funding and
sponsorship it receives, as well as mentors giving their time for free.
Local businesswoman, Gemma Puzas, is proof of the service’s success and said her business mentor changed her life.
Gemma, who runs sports injury clinic Corefithealth, said her mentor, Julia Macmillan –who has been mentoring for 16 years – was the key to helping her succeed.
She said: “Julia has been my business mentor for two years now. I can’t express in words just how much my life has improved in those two years.
“I have gone from feeling lost in the world of business after having three children, to thriving in my work and home life.
“Julia’s a fantastic mentor and role model and been there for me every step of the way.”
The celebration event at Kingston Mauward was not only a moment to reflect on success stories like Gemma’s, but to also look ahead and discuss how the service can continue to evolve grow.
Rob Jones, senior investment director and Bournemouth office head at Rathbones, also gave attendees an insight into the current financial climate.
To find out more about the Dorset Business Mentor service go to dorsetbusinessmentors.uk
Dorset, 17 October
2025 – Blanchards Bailey LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its services in Weymouth and Portland, with the relocation of its current office to a new premise at Granby Industrial Estate. This move reinforces the firm’s long-standing commitment to providing first-class legal services across Dorset and the Southwest.
The office launch forms a key part of the firm’s strategic five-year growth plan, focused on investing in local talent and enhancing the delivery of legal services tailored to the evolving needs of Dorset and the surrounding counties. By establishing a new, full-service office in Weymouth, Blanchards Bailey builds on its strong foundation in the county, which it has developed over the last century and most recently since its incorporation as an LLP in 2008.
Paul Dunlop, Managing Partner commented, “Weymouth is a pivotal location in our business, offering a unique blend of a flourishing business landscape and an exceptional quality of life. Our strong team will provide trusted legal services to residents and businesses in Weymouth and Portland as they enjoy all that the region has to offer.”
The new office will be led by Partners Lucy Mignot and Ben Jones, supported by a team of legal experts including Weymouth locals Meggie Crane, Lauren May and Julie Keogh, and will offer a full suite of legal services including Agricultural Law, Commercial and Business Law, Commercial Property, Employment Law, Family Law, Litigation, Residential Property, and Wills, Probate and Estate Planning. Each legal professional brings deep regional knowledge and legal expertise, ensuring clients benefit from advice that is both professionally sound and locally informed.
Paul emphasised, “This expansion allows us to further enhance our service offering across all legal practices. We have been deliberate in recruiting professionals with strong local ties – individuals who not only understand the legal landscape but are passionate about supporting Dorset’s communities and economy. Our investment in Weymouth is more than a business move; it’s an investment into the heart of our community.”
The new Blanchards Bailey Weymouth office will officially open its door in autumn at the following address: Unit 1, Oxford Court, Cambridge Road, Granby Trading Estate, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9GH
About Blanchards Bailey LLP
Blanchards Bailey LLP is a leading legal firm serving many of the largest and most successful owner-managed and family-owned businesses in Dorset as well as the surrounding counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire. The firm also attracts clients from London and other major conurbations.
Recognised for our expertise in key areas of law and various business sectors, the firm is committed to providing exceptional, proactive service. Our team delivers practical and clear advice in a friendly and approachable manner.
Blanchards Bailey has been ranked in The Legal 500 for 2025/2026 in several practice areas, including Contentious Trusts and Probate, Agriculture and Estates, Commercial Property, Employment, Trusts and Probate, Commercial Litigation and Family. Many of our lawyers, including the managing partner and partners, receive individually recommendations. For more information, please visit our website: https://blanchardsbailey.co.uk/
• All Saints Church, Langton Long: The church is offering hot lunches to eat in or take away throughout the winter months – November to March inclusive – on the first and third Friday of the month, noon to 2pm. Donations welcome.
• 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. The church offers help to those in need – call church steward John Cornish on 07799 516735.
• Bell Street United Church, Shaftesbury: Sundays – services at 10.30am. Second Sunday of the month, All Age Service. Everyone welcome.
• 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 – 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.
• 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. Rendezvous Community Cuppa – third Monday each month, 10.30am12.30pm.
• Cheap Street Church: Members of Harry Guthrie’s
Continuum Choir will perform carols and Christmas music on Friday, December 12, at 7pm. Adults £20, students £10, children free. Tickets – cash only – from Winstone’s Book Shop.
• 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.
• Our Lady of Lourdes & Saint Cecilia, Blandford: Sunday, 9am Holy Mass; Monday/ Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, 9.10am Morning Prayers, 9.30am Holy Mass; Tuesday, 6.10pm Evening Prayers, 6.30pm Holy Mass; Saturday, 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament/Confessions; 5.30pm Vigil Mass of Sunday.
• Our Lady’s RC Church, Marnhull: Mass Sunday, 9am and 6pm.
• Sacred Heart, Tisbury, and All Saints’ Wardour Catholic Parish: Sunday Mass – Sacred Heart, Tisbury, 9am, coffee after Mass; All Saints’ Wardour 10.30am.
• Shapwick: Third Sunday of the month, 9.15am Holy Communion.
• Shaftesbury Quakers (Society of Friends): Meets for one hour each Sunday from 10.30am at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB.
• Sherborne Abbey: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am Morning Prayer; The Sepulchre Chapel. Mondays, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Tuesday, noon CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion with Homily; The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP). Thursday, noon BCP
Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Friday, 9am Ecumenical Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel.
• Sherborne Quakers: One hour of silent prayer or meditation every Sunday at 10.30am at Raleigh Hall, Digby Road DT9 3NL. Everyone welcome. Contact Nick Jackman at sherbornequakers@gmail.com
• St Gregory’s, Marnhull: Sunday services 8am and 10am. Other services, visit www. stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk.
• St John’s Church, Enmore Green: Service every Sunday at 11.15am; parish communion on the first Sunday of the month; prayer services every other Sunday.
• St Margaret’s, Margaret Marsh (Shaftesbury Benefice) SP7 0AZ: Alternating first Sundays Mattins and Holy Communion, 11.15am.
• 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 Mary’s Church, Stalbridge: All Sunday Services start at 9.30am. Everyone welcome. Rector, Canon Richard – phone 01963 363367; email canonrick@icloud.com
• St Nicholas, Durweston: Family Communion Service every first Sunday of the month
11am; Evening Service every third Sunday of the month 4pm.
• 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.
Sturminster Christian Fellowship: Service every Sunday at 10.45am – 10.30am for coffee.
• Sturminster Christian Fellowship: Service every Sunday at 10.45am – 10.30am for coffee.
• Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, November 9 – 10.45am Act of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 10.45am Act of Remembrance at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 10.45am Act of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary; 10.55am Morning Worship with Act of Remembrance at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 10.55am Family Service with Act of Remembrance at All Saints Church, Tarrant Keynston. Sunday, November 16 – 9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 9.30am Family Service at St Mary’s Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. Coffee and cake – Spetisbury, 10am11.30am, first and third Monday each month.
• West Camel Independent Methodists: Meet at All Saints Church BA22 7QB every Sunday at 3pm. The friendly, growing church extends a warm welcome to everyone. Email Geoff. mead@yahoo.com or phone 01935 850838.
• Witchampton Church: Third Sunday of the month, 10am Holy Communion.
THE King has wisely conferred on his troublesome brother a new title – Mister.
I was privileged to be with His Majesty at the unveiling of a fine memorial to LGBT servicemen and women who were very badly abused by Defence in years past at the wonderful National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield, on Monday. As always, he was on good form, his presence making all the difference.
Our King’s well into normal retirement years and is not in the best of health but works tirelessly in the manner of Her late Majesty. I can’t imagine the extra stress his brother has brought him, but top marks for dealing with it.
There’s a lot of blather about removal from the line of succession. That’s a constitutional matter which, as in the past, is for Parliament. However, since its academic, in my view we shouldn’t be wasting time on it. If, God forbid, it became a live issue, we could easily leapfrog Mr Windsor to the next in line. Beyond encouraging him to cooperate with US authorities in any ongoing investigations, I think
we should now move on.
I’ve been exercised about town centres. In Westbury things are smartening up, especially at the library end, which is nice to see, and in Trowbridge, our county town, the old town hall is back again as a fantastic centrepiece, while construction of the new leisure centre proceeds at pace. Such a pleasure to say a few words at the town hall unveiling last week. Fantastic job everyone.
But there are still too many boarded-up shopfronts, empty
listed buildings and derelict properties. Some of this is down to modern consumer trends that are difficult to buck. But the rules don’t help.
Empty listed buildings are exempt from business rates and derelict ones can be taken out of council tax on request. In other words, the system disincentivises property holders, many of them large scale national outfits, from actively seeking tenants.
After a walkabout with the Warminster Regeneration Group, I’ve written to the Chancellor to urge her to address these perverse incentives. I hope she will take time out from her own property problems to do so.
Unfortunately, this Government’s new Pride in Place initiative isn’t helping us. Its £150 million ‘Impact Fund’ is reserved for pre-selected local authorities judged to be needy. Wiltshire is not a priority. Happily, Trowbridge did get a big allocation from the last government from its Future High Streets Fund. The town hall project depended on it.
Other pots, like the Community Ownership Fund, may reopen. National Lottery
funding may be an option, too. We must have our fair share of anything going.
Last week we found out that the Home Office is going to house asylum seekers in MoD accommodation to get them out of hotels. That’s all very well providing its intention is not to shift the burden on the Service people and their families who, unlike the good burghers of Epping, can’t complain.
In the chamber I sought assurances that the Government would only release MoD sites at the austere end of the range. As MP for a garrison town, former defence minister, father of two service women and veteran, I’m nervous that accommodation deemed acceptable for troops might not be considered good enough by the Home Office for the increasing number of people entering the UK illegally.
Hotels are one of the ‘pull’ factors drawing people in small boats cited by President Macron. As the minister conceded last week, we have to send a message to people safely billeted in France that living conditions here will be distinctly basic if we are to remove the incentive to cross the Channel.
THIS month, the Government quietly confirmed that its long-promised Schools White Paper – which was meant to include vital reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision – will now be delayed until next year.
For families across South Somerset, this is another broken promise. Parents have been waiting years for a system that truly works and every delay means more children missing out on the support they need.
Locally, teachers and parents tell me the same story – the system is at breaking point. Schools are struggling to get
Education, Health and Care Plans processed, councils are overwhelmed and families are
left exhausted from fighting for their children’s rights.
SEND is not a niche issue. In almost every classroom, there are children with additional needs such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism or sensory processing difficulties. Yet too often, these challenges go unnoticed until it’s too late.
As someone with severe dyslexia, I know how it feels to be overlooked. I was lucky enough to get support, but many others are not. That’s why I introduced a Bill in Parliament earlier this year calling for universal screening in primary schools and better training for teachers – so no child’s needs go unseen.
These are simple, achievable reforms. What’s missing is the political will to make them happen. By delaying this White Paper yet again, the Government is sending the wrong message to families who’ve already waited too long – that SEND is not a priority. Here in South Somerset, I’ll keep fighting for change. Every child deserves to feel confident in their abilities and to get the support they need to reach their potential. The Government may be content to delay, but I am not. For children sitting in classrooms right now, the time for action is now, not next year.
AS we approach the Budget in just a few weeks’ time, worrying revelations have emerged about the Government’s determination to press ahead with its damaging changes to farming inheritance tax – specifically to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). Reports suggest the Treasury did, at one point, seriously consider walking back these proposals before deciding to proceed regardless. That decision will come as a crushing blow to farmers who have already endured a year of anxiety and uncertainty – for many having a detrimental effect on their mental health. For families who now face losing land that has been farmed for generations, this cavalier approach to their livelihoods is nothing short of despicable. Adding insult to injury, we have only just seen the first public impact assessment on these tax changes, produced by
Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke
the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation using HMRC data. This is something I have been calling for since the policy was first announced last autumn. We needed hard evidence – real figures that show exactly how these reforms will affect smaller and tenant farmers, and whether
they truly meet their stated aim of targeting large estate owners who use agricultural land primarily as a tax shelter rather than to farm.
As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, I have consistently pressed Ministers and the Chancellor to publish their workings. To forge ahead with such a fundamental change to the agricultural economy without data on how many family farms could be lost – and how that loss could affect our national food security – is reckless in the extreme.
The Centre’s findings are damning. Its report concludes that the tax could and should be better targeted to protect working farms. It shows that while only about 20% of non-farming landowners would pay more under the new rules, as many as half of ownerfarmers, tenant farmers and mixed-tenure farmers would be hit with higher taxes. In short,
YOU wouldn’t think it, given the media’s unbalanced focus on Farage and Reform, but happily we’ve seen a number of encouraging developments recently that clearly show the political left steadily gaining support, both here and abroad. Disappointment and dismay at the Labour Government’s drift to the right has no doubt contributed to the recent sharp increase in membership of the Green Party, which now numbers more than 150,000 and is still rising. That makes ours the UK’s third largest party membership, which is much needed welcome news for everyone concerned at the toxic and divisive nature of much of today’s politics.
Here in Dorset we’re delighted to welcome our share of enthusiast new members, eager to be part of a positive vision for our county and country, and keen to counteract
the political drift to the right which sadly includes the Labour Party. Right-wing claims that the British public wants radical change are correct, but that doesn’t mean we want to fall into an authoritarian fascist state.
There were three things of note in the recent Welsh by-election result in Caerphilly. First was the historic defeat for Labour, which had held the seat
this policy punishes those who actually farm the land, while offering a disproportionate advantage to large estates where agriculture is merely a sideline. I have raised this once again in the House of Commons this week, urging the Chancellor to rethink. Now the evidence is public, there is no excuse for inaction. The Government must amend these proposals to protect small and tenant farmers.
As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Rural Affairs, I will keep fighting for farmers across Glastonbury and Somerton and beyond, who deserve certainty, fairness and respect from this Government.
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
for over 100 years. Then there was the way Plaid Cymru pushed Reform into second place, and finally there was the increased voter turnout of over 50%, the highest ever in a Senedd by-election. Great to see more people being inspired to get out and vote for the politicians who genuinely have their best interests at heart. Democracy only has a chance of working if we participate in it!
While there has also been recent good news about the recovery of some species, following targeted conservation efforts, the fact remains that the window of opportunity is rapidly closing for us to deal with the twin challenges of global warming and the destruction of the natural world. One thing that’s certain is that the future is going to be very different to the present, and whether it will be better or worse is up to all of us.
Which leads me to express my
huge thanks to Sustainable Dorset & Zero Carbon Dorset for organising the excellent third Dorset COP, held in the Stur Exchange on Saturday, November 1. The well-attended day was filled with workshops, creative actions, community connections and conversations about topics such as rural energy ownership and community power. The workshops I attended were all packed to overflowing, and the many exhibition stands on display served to highlight the large number of organisations in Dorset that are working hard to address our challenges. It was particularly pleasing to see so many younger participants, many of them already well informed and speaking with great passion and enthusiasm. They contributed hugely to the event, raising everyone’s spirits!
NOVEMBER is undoubtedly a sad month. In our Christian tradition it is the month of All Souls where we remember our dead loved ones. Perhaps the most famous is Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos. I remember as a child scribbling the names of dead family members on slips of paper in church so that the congregation would collectively pray for them. It is a month of remembering. It is a month which heard the roar of guns and the cries of pain silenced on the November 11,1918, as the most horrific war reached its agonising climax. Over the coming days villages, hamlets and towns will gather at cross, memorial or simple plaque to ensure that we do ‘remember them’. On Remembrance Sunday I shall be in Gillingham and Blandford. Wreaths will be laid by Councillors Gibson, Jones and Brown on my behalf in Verwood, Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury. All generations will gather. Many with family members who have served or are serving. Many who have no such ties but somehow know, with the certainty of a migrating swallow, that November is the time to wear a poppy and to, if possible, turn up to show respect.
But, it is not just respect and honour that we pay. Our greatest sentiment should be gratitude. If we had lost the First
World War, the British Empire would have lost territory, but the interconnecting European Royalty family bonds would have broadly maintained the status quo. It is always useful to remember that First World War started more by accident than by event. Not so the Second World War. Defeat in that titanic struggle would have changed EVERYTHING. Permanently. The boundaries of the Empire, of course, but far more importantly our liberties and democracy. That war was a battle of ideas. No shades of grey for equivocation but a straight fight between right and wrong; good and bad. The flickering flames of democracy
LIBERAL Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, has demanded urgent action from the Prime Minister to fix the worsening crisis in NHS dental provision across Somerset.
Raising the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions, Sarah, who serves as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Rural Affairs, described the desperate experiences of her constituents unable to access NHS dental care locally.
and the Rule of Law would have been extinguished. This is not a retrospective retrofitting rationale. It is abundantly clear that the UK and the Empire realised just what was at stake. We don’t see the Jingoism of the recruits of the First World War replicated in the Second World War. Churchill’s speeches amplified to the world the scale of the struggle and the Armageddon that defeat would represent. So, yes, we will remember them with November sorrow and solemnity. We will also remember them with pride. But moreover, let us remember them with heartbursting, lump-in-throat generating gratitude because the horror they ended needed to end. As our world continues to face uncertainty from tyrant and anti-democrat the values that our Armed Forces defend are as important today as they were in 1939. I don’t say this as a chest-beating patriot – although
I am one – but talk to any other nation’s leaders, parliamentarians or military and you hear the regard they hold for our Armed Forces. Professional, decent, reliable are among the adjectives I have heard. And they are right. So, it was with honour and pride that I attended Blandford Camp recently to present certificates of graduation and service belts to the latest cohort of recruits to the Signals. It was my father’s regiment, so I was particularly pleased to do so. Those young people, from a range of backgrounds and motivations to join, represent the best of us. So, as we remember the fallen let us not forget to remember those who today and tomorrow put on a uniform to defend not just our shores but our values. “At the going down of the sun; and in the morning: we will remember them”.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Dyke said: “Many in Glastonbury and Somerton are forced to travel hundreds of miles to see an NHS dentist, or suffer in agony, or fall into debt to pay for private treatment, or to resort to DIY dentistry like Jennifer, who extracted two of her own teeth.
“They simply can’t wait for the consultation on the broken NHS dental contract – they deserve immediate action.”
DORSET has some of the most beautiful and enchanting historic sites.
From castle ruins and stately homes to country inns and churches, our county is a treasure trove for history buffs.
I will briefly highlight the importance of history as an academic discipline before shining a spotlight on some of Dorset’s historic gems.
History is the study of the past through analysis and interpretation of evidence to construct narratives, helping us to understand the present and shape the future.
It is a fundamentally grounding discipline because it finally makes us what we are.
Both now and the future are grounded in the past, and we will eventually all ‘become’ history.
A few years ago, after an inspiring work placement at Hampton Court Palace, I decided to educate myself about Dorset’s castles and country houses by meeting the families and staff that call them home.
I completed work experience at Athelhampton House.
I then worked as a tour guide at Sherborne Castle and as a volunteer at Mapperton House.
All these stately homes are in Dorset and are definitely worth a visit.
I was struck by the care and dedication the families and their staff showed for the buildings.
They are not merely the occupants of them, they are the custodians of our shared heritage.
This sense of responsibility to something which will outlive all of us is an admirable quality – something we should all seek to find in our own lives.
In a way, much like a country house, we are all ‘custodians’ of society getting ready to pass it on to posterity.
Elliott
Wagner-Hale Vice-president of The Stately Homes Society
DID you know there are about 50,000 deaf children in the UK, with three born every day? Nine out of 10 deaf children are born to hearing parents, with little or no knowledge of deafness.
Our own research has shown that the early years are vital in setting up deaf children with the essential communication and social skills they’ll need in later life, but all too often this happens too late.
That’s why it’s critical they get the right support as early as possible, so they can get the best possible start in life.
The National Deaf Children’s Society knows a lot about the challenges facing deaf children nationally, but it’s the parents of deaf children, and the local organisations who support them, who have the local knowledge.
They are best placed by far to know what support deaf children need within their own communities – and how to get it
ONCE again the ongoing saga at Jhoots in Bridport and Lyme Regis continues to occupy me. At my Bridport surgery last week I met with some of the affected staff and this week I met Department of Health Minister Kinnock to demand action on their behalf. For the third month running staff have gone unpaid, and residents in both towns and the surrounding area are without proper pharmacy access. More worrying news emerges every day about questionable business practices at Jhoots and I am writing to the Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency to ask whether these activities warrant being investigated by them. However,
my primary concern remains getting staff paid as quickly as possible, and pharmacy services restored to the local area by
to them quickly. So, we’re offering grants for local groups to provide support for deaf children in their local communities.
We’re urging community groups across the region to join us in helping deaf children get the vital support they need, when they need it. Because every moment really does count.
For more information about the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Community Grants Programme, visit www.ndcs.org. uk/community-grants
Angela Calder, Community Grants lead, National Deaf Children’s Society
HAVING read Mr East’s letter, ‘Five Takes on Climate Change’, New Blackmore Vale, October 24, I thought I might add a sixth take?
It might have escaped Mr East’s notice, but last winter the country had several months of virtually totally calm weather
someone other than Jhoots.
In my role as a member of the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy I have also been involved in the enquiry in the China spying case collapse. While some may think this has little baring on life in West Dorset, I disagree. Attempts by foreign governments, whether it be Russia, China or others, to undermine our democracy and create division in our society should matter to us all. They are very determined, and we must be more vigilant.
This week the House debated The Sentencing Bill, and The Victims and Courts Bill. In both cases I brought amendments to try and
enshrine Isabella’s Law, named after a young girl from Lyme Regis who was cruelly recorded while being assaulted and the video circulated on social media and in private WhatsApp groups. Such actions cause ongoing emotional and psychological harm to the victim of the assault, but also to those who see or are shown the video afterwards. Outlawing the deliberate filming and distribution of a pre-mediated attack will protect future victims, as well as going some way to prevent other children from being exposed to the content. It is a campaign I won’t give up on.
and prolonged overcast skies when, as reported in the national press, for week after week, virtually no electricity was generated either by wind or solar, this at a time of maximum demand.
No amount of wind or solar would have helped in those circumstances and the country was reliant on imported fossil fuels to keep the lights on, not to mention the vast amounts of electricity needed to power computing in general and AI in particular.
Mr East mentions the ugliness of the new Somerset power station.
While acknowledging that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, many would also point out that neither wind turbines, some the height of Salisbury cathedral, or vast areas of solar PV panels covering acres of otherwise productive agricultural land, have any particular beauty.
Wind turbines are also proven to be an extremely inefficient way of generating relatively small amounts –certainly much less than their designed and often quoted maximum – of electricity, needing constant maintenance, which includes the use of oil.
Their installation also needs large amounts of concrete for their foundations, concrete being one of the most polluting of substances.
If a fraction of the eyewatering amounts of money spent chasing the climate change theory had instead been spent on devising ways of cleaning up emissions generally, and this country had not turned its back on nuclear technology, in which it was once a world leader, we would now, unlike France, which is almost wholly reliant on nuclear, not be facing severe generating problems.
If Mr East feels the need for further enlightenment on the whole argument for and against climate change, I would recommend Christopher
Booker’s readable book The Real Global Warming Disaster, one of many such books for and against the subject which have given me a basis for my current view.
Simon Green Fontmell Magna
CLEARLY nettled by my letter pointing out the factual flaws in his arguments about climate change, Paul East – New Blackmore Vale, October 24 –has leapt back to his keyboard to denounce me as a right-wing climate denier.
This, I’m afraid, is a tried and trusted tactic employed by people who find the facts conflict with their narrative but want to close down the debate rather than address the issues.
It is intellectually disreputable.
At the risk of trying the editor’s patience, perhaps I can make the following points.
Mr East appears to agree with me that renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms are intermittent but suggests that the wind not blowing and the sun not shining don’t often happen together.
I’m afraid this isn’t really true – the Germans have given the name ‘Dunkelflaute’ to prolonged periods where it is the case, and as readers will remember there were many instances of it last winter – and we have already had others this autumn.
He glosses over the fact that the science of battery storage is not yet sufficiently developed to overcome this.
And, in fact, as proof of this, when the wind is blowing too hard the government pays producers large amounts of taxpayers’ money to turn them off. How ridiculous is that?
He clearly doesn’t favour nuclear power, and certainly the new Hinkley Point – which
I have seen from a distance – is not a thing a beauty.
But even Ed Miliband, a climate fanatic if ever there was one, agrees that nuclear needs to be part of the mix.
Experts seem to agree the most sensible way forward is small nuclear reactors – such as developed by Rolls Royce –that are very much cheaper and easier to fit into the countryside.
But perhaps Mr East doesn’t really care about the impact of climate change technology on our countryside, saying that ‘we haven’t scratched the surface of available areas for turbines and solar’.
Tell that to the many people fighting the growing flood of proposals to industrialise the countryside with vast acreages of solar panels – for instance the Wyke Farm development between Sherborne and Yeovil.
Having sheep grazing around them does not make the visual impact on the landscape any less and, of course, turbines that are hundreds of feet high inevitably dominate and scar the landscape for miles around.
Changing forever the immemorial landscape of Dorset is not a trivial matter.
He might like to re-read my final paragraph, in which I say ‘we can probably all admit that climate change is happening and needs to be addressed’.
I am not a climate-denier by any reasonable definition, but I do think that truth and facts matter.
Roger White Via email
ACROSS much of England, the flags of St George and the Union Flag hang forlorn from lampposts and roundabouts – not in celebration, but in occupation.
Once symbols of shared
pride, they have become banners of division.
When flags are lashed to traffic signs and streetlights, rather than flying from parish church towers and town halls or marking festivals, something vital has been stolen – not the cloth, but the meaning.
As Polly Toynbee observed in The Guardian recently: “St George’s flag, stripped of pride and history, is waved as a warning: you are not one of us. It is a distortion, and a dangerous one.”
The far right thrives on such theft.
They know that symbols carry power – to rally, to intimidate, to draw lines of belonging and exclusion.
By wrapping themselves in the flags, they claim the mantle of tradition, pretending to speak for England itself.
It is a lie – but lies repeated often enough can stick.
Fly the flags, yes – as symbols of shared pride and hospitality, never as tools of division or intimidation.
The far right owns these symbols only if we allow it. If we shrink back, whispering that the flags are ‘compromised’ or easily misread, the hijackers win.
Where the flags of St George and the Union Flag fly from church towers and civic buildings above our towns and villages, raised in celebration of shared community, they do so in quiet rebuke to the hijackers of our lampposts and roundabouts.
Where bigots festoon our streets with stolen symbols, they do so under false colours.
Fly the flags – as symbols of shared pride and hospitality, never tools of division or intimidation.
England deserves better –and it is up to all of us to make sure these flags fly for welcome, not fear.
Revd James Mercer
Via email
Across
1 Claim without justification a quantity of money in the Home Counties (6)
Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.
4 Remove suspicion from inspector with second gun, say (6)
9 Bust-up excluding a polymathic comedian (3)
10 Manly trio working in ordinary state (9)
11 Prominent feature with a country in Asia (5)
12 Celebrated characteristic of popular restaurant? (7)
14 Function society held among transport people – entrepreneurial types? (11)
1 Act upon dubious fact about iron (6)
2 Needles kept among rusty links (5)
3 Title many presented as wrong way of thinking (9)
5 First person put up poster for Cretan mountain (3)
6 English novelist largely skilful and friendly
7 Bay is choppy in Middle East perhaps (5)
8 Statue, say, gained by exciting male round Germany – an athletic award? (6,5)
13 Challenge meant to alter formal declaration
17 Break down in lane, say, after crashing (7)
18 Offer in section of hospital to remain (5)
20 Inspire enthusiasm in jaded male with suit? About time! (9)
22 Drink broth sparing nothing (3)
23 Some former miners in fur (6)
24 Good man keeping bay, say, in thoroughfare (6)
Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.
15 Metal found shortly in middle of hut? (7)
16 Source of drink confusing to a pet (6)
17 Part of supermarket is swamped by drink
19 Paper lacking leader is matter under discussion (5)
21 Vase hidden by furniture (3)
(6,5)
WINCANTON Auctions is looking forward to Three Days of Discovery – its autumn auction event from Thursday to Saturday, November 20-22, starting 10am daily.
It follows September’s Stamp & Coin Sale, which saw Qatar and Dubai banknotes achieve £2,800; a Zanzibar 1895-96 3r Error make £1,350; and a GB 1913 £1 Dull Blue Green sell for £1,050.
As autumn’s colours fill the countryside, collectors, enthusiasts and the simply curious are invited to the three-day auction that celebrates history, craftsmanship and the thrill of discovery. The sale promises something for everyone with
2,000 lots spanning antiques, art, jewellery, household treasures, vinyl and books.
Day one – Antiques, Art & Curiosities, Thursday, November 20, 10am.
The opening day presents an array of antiques, collectables, fine art, toys, gold and silver, jewellery, militaria, mid-century design, china and porcelain.
Highlights include the Military Cross Group, sword and personal scrapbook of Major MCM Wills, Royal Engineers. Collectors will also find carved jade ornaments, gold sovereigns, a Van Cleef & Arpels clock, a bronzed equestrian group, A Horse and Jockey, and fine camera
20TH-22ND NOVEMBER 2025
equipment including Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars and an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
Among the rarities are Royal Navy ship crests, including a brass tampion from HMS Nelson and the crest of HMS Shikari, the last ship to leave Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo in 1940. A Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson bookshelf also features, along with more than 200 lots from the estate of a long-established antiques dealer, offering a treasure trove of unique and eclectic pieces – all to be sold without reserve.
Lots donated to support the Wincanton Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal will be sold without buyers’ or sellers’ commission.
Day two – Homes, Gardens & Workshop Treasures, Friday, November 21, 10am.
Friday’s sale features garden items, tools, white goods, electronics, furniture and general household effects,
including the liquidation of a picture framing business – a superb opportunity for artists and trades alike – with framing equipment, art materials and frame stock offered without reserve.
Day three – Vinyl, Hi-Fi & The Library Sale, Saturday, November 22, 10am, library sale at 1pm.
Saturday begins with a special sale of vinyl records and hi-fi equipment, followed by the Library Sale featuring volumes such as The Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson –Limited Signed Edition No.13 of 50, early editions of Lewis Carroll and a four-volume Jane Austen set illustrated by Hugh Thomson.
Viewing: Wednesday, November 19, 10am-4pm. Buyers can bid live in the room or online. For more information, see the website at www.wincantonauctions.com
CLARKE’S Auctions is offering almost 700 lots of interesting items in its sale on Saturday.
One of the decorative lots is a child’s two-part painted wardrobe in the style of a Georgian townhouse doll’s house and in the painting section is a well painted 19th century oil on canvas half-length portrait depicting a gentleman in traditional Scottish dress with tartan Tam o’ Shanter cap and tartan fly plaid. Although not signed and the artist unknown it is expected to attract strong interest and is estimated at £100-£200.
Clarke’s is already preparing for its December sale which will take place between Christmas and new year and so far has catalogued more than 100 lots. The sale is usually its most successful of the year, largely
because very few other auctions are held during that week and, as a result, it attracts thousands of bidders from the UK and around the world – many of them eager to treat themselves to something special – and has therefore historically achieved high prices.
Clarke’s is currently accepting entries and would be delighted to assess any collectable items prospective sellers may like to consign.
Anyone who has anything they would like to consign can phone to arrange a home visit or a visit to the salerooms. For probate valuations, insurance valuations or full or part house clearances phone Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592 at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.
ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers saw good results in its two-day October auction with its monthly Specialist Jewellery Sale doing particularly well – a 9ct ingot pendant on chain, hammer £1,400; a 9ct charm bracelet, £1,100; three Georgian silver and paste brooches, £2,100; and an 1871 sovereign on chain, £600.
The next auctions are on Thursday, November 27, 10am – General Antiques & Collectors and Friday, November 28, 10am – Watches, Jewellery & Silver. Viewing is on Wednesday, November 26, 10am-4pm.
On offer is a one-owner collection of more than 30 watches, including a gold-cased 1950s Precision Rolex.
Acreman is still accepting entries for these sales. The catalogue and bidding is available online through
easyliveauction.com and thesaleroom.com
Acreman holds regular valuation days where prospective sellers can take in items for its specialists to evaluate at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PH.
Photographs of items can be emailed to auction@ acremanstreetantiques.co.uk
Experts are also happy to make house visits if required free of charge.
Anyone who has anything they would like to consign can contact Gill Norman on 01935 508764 or 07908 333577 or email auction@ acremanstreetantiques.co.uk
Acreman Auctioneers and Valuers at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PH is open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm.
LOVELY EDWARDIAN OPAL BROOCH, in exchange for a nice brightly coloured opal ring. Tel: 01963-33464
WANTED Books, collectables and bric-a-brac. Call Jack: 07542 389447
GENERAL AUCTION, Sunday 9th November,Okeford Fitzpaine village hall.1pm viewing 3pm start.Entries invited. Tel, 07971 298562.
SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
Charnage, Nr Mere, BA12 6AR
For more information, please go to the website: www.magpieauctions.co.uk Or Call: 07809 294390
Monthly auctions held at the West Woodlands Showground, Frome, BA11 5ES. Next Auction is Sunday 23rd November.
DUKE’S Auctioneers once again invites collectors and connoisseurs to its muchanticipated Asian Art sale, a highlight of the autumn calendar.
This curated event showcases an exquisite range of works spanning centuries of craftsmanship from China, Japan, India and beyond.
From delicate jade carvings and porcelain treasures to fine bronzes and scroll paintings, each piece reflects the enduring artistry of Asia’s cultural heritage.
Duke’s reputation for presenting museum-quality works continues to grow, following the success of
previous sales.
Highlights from past years include a Qianlong-period imperial vase that achieved a remarkable £380,000.
Currently consigned is a magnificent gilt-bronze Shiva, the Hindu deity of destruction and recreation, estimated at £20,000-£30,000.
The auction on Thursday, November 20, promises new discoveries for seasoned collectors and first-time buyers alike.
Duke’s Asian Art sale, with provenance, rarity and beauty at its core, offers an opportunity to engage with history and to acquire a piece of it.
A SET of silver Maundy coins from the reign of King Edward VII is going under the Charterhouse gavel in its auction of medals, militaria, coins and stamps on Thursday, November 27.
“The set have survived in wonderful condition over the past 121 years due to them being kept in their original little leather fitted box,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house.
The Maundy ceremony originated under the reign of King Charles II in 1662 when the king handed out specially struck 4d, 3d, 2d and 1d silver coins.
Each year, the Royal Maundy ceremony is held on Maundy
Thursday, the number of recipients matching the sovereign’s age. The set in the Charterhouse auction, estimated to sell for £100-£200, is just one of 63 sets handed out by King Edward VII, who was born in 1841.
Charterhouse is accepting further entries for its busy programme of specialist auctions including coins, medals and stamps; wine, port and whisky; model trains, cars and dolls; and pictures, prints and books.
Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, are available for valuations on 01935 812277 or via rb@ charterhouse-auction.com
by Sally Gregson
AS we adapt to the cold, dark months ahead, it’s good to welcome flowers that brave the November weather with a smile on their faces. And, justifiably, they are widely grown. Winter jasmine bears sunshine yellow flowers on bare green stems through the darkest months into February. It’s good to plant it where it is seen by everyone every day.
Not only is winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, a real ‘toughie’, but it will be happy to grow wherever it finds itself, providing it’s not too shaded. Little bits can be taken off larger plants and dug into any unsuspecting corner, whatever the type of soil – thin poor sand or heavy clay. You need never be without it.
However, bringing a little discipline to such a happy-go-
lucky plant only increases its appeal. It has a great desire to grow upwards but lacks any means of remaining vertical – no twining branches, no thorns, nor any perpendicular strength. If it’s grown against a wall it will need to be kept upright with wires or tied into a trellis. Alternatively, it can look very beautiful if allowed to trail over the sides of a large pot or the edge of a low wall.
Winter jasmine can become bare in places if it is not pruned after flowering from time to time. Once the spring has warmed up, cut back the long, flowered stems to encourage the plant to produce side shoots. These will flower the following winter.
There is a golden variegated form. Jasminum nudiflorum Aureum which is a little less vigorous, and the variegation
brings out the colour of the flowers very well. Whereas winter jJasmine is very easy to propagate simply by digging out rooted shoots and planting, or potting them up separately, it is important to ensure that stems of J. nudiflorum ‘Aureum’ are typically variegated. They do not ‘variegate up’, that is, green shoots will not become
by Sally Gregson
THERE are countless books and innumerable websites devoted to growing vegetables. So much so that it can be quite daunting. Where to start? What to plant? How much work and effort will a vegetable garden take? And have you got the time? Regardless of the answers, once you have tasted fresh vegetables grown within feet of your kitchen, you will be converted.
It’s wisest to begin small and grow, rather than start by clearing an enormous area. A few vegetables planted in the border could provide a welcome addition to any meal. But it does help to prepare the places you are going to use, and to sow and grow plants that will both be welcomed by the family and be easy to grow. Now, in autumn, is the time to clear the spaces between the perennials, checking there are
no hidden bulbs below the surface. Rake in some garden compost, then sit back and browse the seed catalogues. Alternatively, if a bigger area is required, the same preparations need to be done. Clean the area of perennial weeds – the docks, dandelions,
nettles and any other unwanted bullies. Ensure their roots are taken out completely so they don’t get the wrong idea. And throw the debris away, not on the compost heap. Try to ensure these persistent weeds don’t have a chance to set seed or you
variegated as the plant roots and grows.
It is a pleasant task to keep on top of winter jasmine, and it will provide its jaunty flowers for weeks. A little jug of sunny yellow blossom on the kitchen table will always bring a smile to the lips on a dark winter morning.
might be shocked at their opportunism.
Once the area has been weeded, the organic method of discouraging them is to cover the area with sheets of plain cardboard. Large boxes can be dismantled and laid out on the ground, robbing any seedlings of light. By spring, the cardboard will have decomposed and the ground beneath should be ready to grow vegetables.
Seed merchants advertise their wares online from the onset of winter. Their seeds are stored correctly – not in a greenhouse with its extremes of temperature. And they have a will to grow once they are sown in the ground at the right time or in a heated propagator a little earlier. There is a great art to growing vegetables and success brings its own rewards.
WANTED -
TOOLS WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 416022
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
M & A J
Landscaping
~ Fencing ~ Walling ~ Patios/Steps ~ Concreting/Tarmac ~ Tree work
~ Garden maintenance malcgin@hotmail.com 07399-521377
DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING
www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123 / 07751 278363
WELL ROTTED HORSE MANURE
£60.00 a transit load. Contact Roger on 07885 826396 or 01202 826502
PRECISION FENCING & GATES
• Installation • Repair • Maintenance
Feel free to give us a call on 07355-295534 or email at Precision-fencing@hotmail.com
LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son)
Spring Bulbs, Onion Sets and Garlic now available. Fruit Trees and Ornamental Trees, Perennials & Shrubs, Terracotta pots, Wild Bird food 20kg £14.50, Stockists of Kings, Franchi and Fothergill Budget Seeds, Potting Compost. Open daily 10am– 3 pm. Langton Long Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 9HR. Telephone 01258-452513.
PETER PORT UPHOLSTERY A Local Family Run
Business based in Shaftesbury, Offering a wide range of services including foam cut to size and Re-stuffing of feather cushions. 01747-228384 Peterportupholstery@googlemail.com.
LES BENHAM
Garden Property Maintenance
All Hedge/tree work/rubbish clearance Gravel Driveways/Pressure Washing Patio and Fencing Work
Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk / check a trade
JAMES AYRES
DORSET TREE CARE Specialist Tree Workers
All kinds of trees expertly felled, topped and pruned. Hedge cutting. All rubbish cleared. Licensed waste carrier. Fully insured. Tel: 01747 850129 / Mob: 07951 284639
• Fully qualified & insured tree surgeon
• All aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting & stump grinding
• Competitively priced
• Free no obligation quotes 07851 498248
JACKS AFFORDABLE TREE CARE 07936-498493
GREENHOUSES
Supplied/Erected Alloy TenColours Spares-Repairs-Glass Chris Abrams 01258-452632
NPTC qualified & fully insured No job too small, Friendly, personal advice and free quotations.
Make a wise choice and call David Merefield today on 01747 850906 / 07966 522361
FOR MOWING AND STRIMMING, including large areas of short or long grass mulching. Call David on: 07786-658708
We carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified.
We carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified.
Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741
Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741
Professional Experienced Reliable
Professional Experienced Reliable
Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turfing Free Quotations amralphlandscaping@gmail.com www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk
Tel: 01747 631471 Mobile: 07921 637227
TOM H CLEARANCE CO House, garage, probate, garden, workshop, office clearance. Tel: 07584 622545
SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647
HEDGE CUTTING AND LAWN MOWING SERVICES, ShaftesburyBlandford & local villages. Please call Trevor 07970-012130
• Windows,
• Fascias,
• Soffits,
• Gutters cleaned,
• Repairs,
• Free Estimates 07788-376752
WALK BEHIND FLAIL MOWER and operator hire. Paddock, orchards and neglected area clearance 07432 773151
EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195
HANDYMAN SERVICES Available. Call Gavin. Tel: 07495-892240
L.DAVIS AND SONS
Fencing, and garden design
Concrete bases, patios, gravel, garden clearance and much more. We also deliver compost, pots, bark, logs and other gardening products. 01458-241230 or 07950-261510
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620 or 01722 414478
MAN WITH MICRO-DIGGER & 1.5TON DIGGER, stump grinder, Garden clearance, patios, fencing, decking, landscaping, driveways 30+ years’ experience
Contact Ken 07882 441873 / 01963 32034
HUSSEY CARPET AND FLOORING, South Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AP Domestic and Commercial Carpets,Vinyl,Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate and Wood Flooring. Contact Chris Hussey 07885-273470 husseyflooring@gmail.com
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SEASONAL LOGS. Barn dry. Mainly Ash. 20 miles radius of Sherborne. Preferably evenings01935 815534.
SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS
£200 transit load £110 half load 01258-880892 07980-036250
LOGS R US Tipper Load £200 Half Tipper Load £100 dumpy bag £90 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081
07773-254174
LOGS FOR SALE transit tipper load £260 Half transit tipper load £160 Dumpy bag £100 (Delivered FREE in and around Sherborne) TEL: 07450-435993 or 07846-345294
GATES & RAILINGS FENCING GROUNDWORK
GENERAL WELDING REPAIRS METAL FABRICATION
25+ Years Experience, City & Guilds Qualified Extensions, Renovations, Alterations, New Build, Plastering, Floor and Wall Tiling, Brickwork, Blockwork, Stonework and Patios, Fencing and Decorating.
Local, friendly, family business. CAD drawings available on request. Contact Philip on: 07902 003573 obrienp307@gmail.com SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS LTD. All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786 e: swbuildandrenovation@gmail.com
Home extensions | Barn Conversions
Cottage Renovations | New Build Homes
Project Management
Established over 40 years
Phone: 07979 210 074 / 01747 855 280
E: andy@sandsltd.biz w: www.sturgessandsturgess.com
Concrete & Floor Screed Mixed On site Any Quantity Delivered
Sand Gravel Stone Cement Blocks etc Supplied Loose or in Big Bags
Good Quality Top Soil in Stock Now available... Rockery Stone
HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076
G ROSE PLASTERING. For all your Plastering needs Experienced and reliable Phone Gavin 07766-243762
COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING: New Builds | Extensions | Renovations Brickwork | Stonework | Carpentry Barn & Loft Conversions | Landscaping
30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE
07588804253 | 07791432215 Elevatebuild@outlook.com
NEIL PIERCY PLASTERING ALL TYPES OF PLASTERING, FLOOR SCREEDING & RENDERING. WINCANTON & 20 MILE RADIUS. HELPFUL ADVICE & FREE QUOTATIONS CALL NEIL: 07974-185923 or 07811-211586.
Sand, gravel, cement and topsoil supplied Trade & DIY. Supplied loose or collected. Small or large loads also bulk bag materials & small handy bags. Muck-away service of inert materials
Trusted family-run business, ring for enquiries 01747 826107
TF Plant, 8 Brickfields Industrial Estate, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4JL
GENERAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES, Painting & Decorating, Carpentry, Interior/Exterior. For free quote call Tim 07793 837073
ASA ARCHITECTS. All drawings for planning and construction. 07770 421624. Free consultation Based in Shaftesbury. Works throughout Dorset. www.asa-architect.co.uk. andystrange@btinternet.com
Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net
*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert (Not including VAT)
Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance 07368 250305/01747 590799
Manual and Power Sweeping, Stove Servicing and Maintenance, Camera Inspections, Property Maintenance. 07368 250305 / 01747 590799
NVQ Qualified. APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
NVQ Qualified, APICS Registered Friendly, Reliable Service longthorpeindustries@gmail.com
appointments available. 07725-112160 K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963 370038
STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING HETAS registered woodburner and flue installer. Birdguards and cowls 07932 655267 CHRIS
DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY
PHILIP STIRK
Painting, Decorating & Property Maintenance
Free Quotations/No VAT
Tel. 01747 825725 or mob: 07984 524446
Email: philipstirk@ btinternet.com
AND RELIABLE Painting and decorating service. Please contact Nick 07914-360571
GARETH TANNER
G.O.T. DECORATING City and Guilds qualified Interior/exterior Decorating Free Quotes no VAT Tel 07736644452 go.tanner93@gmail.com
M & M PAINTING & DECORATING. 30 years experience. Fully insured, clean & tidy. References available. FREE no obligation quote. Tel: 07921-783296 / 01305-849380 PAUL WEST DECORATING SERVICES and wall-paper specialist. Also handyman. 35years experience. Free quotes. 07773-459168. paul.west945@gmail.com
COUNTRY CARPENTRY
Doors, repairs, general maintenance etc Call Nick on 07887 358570
PAUL SPILLER PAINTER & DECORATOR, Interior & Exterior. Est. 1984. 01258-471037. 07903-069556.
LES BENHAM
PAINTING SERVICES
Property Maintenance
Domestic/Commercial
Inside or Out
Fully Insured/Free Quotes 01258 458849/07788 907343 lesbenham@yahoo.co.uk / check a trade
Bathrooms & Kitchens
Upgrades and Carpentry
Decorating services
Refreshing sale and rental upgrades
Handyman projects
Plumbing repairs Tiling services
Contact: John Banham Office: 01747 838 087
Mobile: 07768 190 131
email: refreshingrenovations@gmail.com
Thank you all for attending Jans funeral and all the cards and good wishes. A total of £737 was raised for Weldmar Hospicecare. Please accept this as my personal thanks. Dave
Judy & Amanda wish to thank everyone who attended Ray’s Memorial Service. A donation of £1,000.00 has been passed to Sturminster Newton United Football Club.
Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 13 Lane Side, Shaftesbury, SP7 8DY, who died on 07/08/2025, must send written details to the address below by 08/01/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified
Farnfields Solicitors, 4 Church Lane, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JT. Ref: LHL/91592-1
Deceased
Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of Cranborne Edge, Haywards Lane, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8DU, who died on 25/09/2025, must send written details to the address below by 08/01/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified Laura Staples c/o Humphries Kirk LLP, 17 Market Street, Crewkerne, TA18 7JU Ref: MDL/291847G
Name of Applicant: Raychalle Squibb Address of Premises: 49 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AX Description of Premises: Café/Bar/Restaurant Notice is hereby given that an application has been made to Dorset Council for a Premises Licence in respect of the above premises. The application is for the following licensable activities: ● Sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises ● Live music ● Late night refreshment Proposed hours for licensable activities: ● Monday to Sunday: 9:00 to 00:30 A copy of the application can be viewed at: Licensing, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ Or online at: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/licensing Any person wishing to make a representation in respect of this application must do so in writing to the Licensing Authority at the above address or via email to licensing@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 18 November 2025.
An application has been made to Somerset Council for the grant of a premises licence under the above Act. Applicant: Lorraine Daniel, Address of premises: 38 Wheathill Way, DT9 5HA, Proposed licensable activities: Sale of Alcohol. A summary of the application can be viewed online at www.somerset.gov.uk on the ‘Recent licence applications’ page. The Council keeps the licensing register in digital form. You can ask to be sent a copy of the full application by email by phoning 0300 123 2244 or by emailing licensing.south@somerset.gov.uk. Any person wishing to make a representation do so in writing to the licensing authority, giving in details the grounds of objection, with 28 days of the date of this notice. Representations can be emailed to licensing.south@somerset.gov.uk. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine for which a person is liable, on summary of conviction, is a level 5 on the standard scale. Date: 15/10/2025
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
S & B Cinemas Limited is applying for the Grant of a Premises Licence for Plaza Cinema, South Street, Wincanton, BA9 9DL. The Licence if granted is to enable the following activities to take place: sale of alcohol on the premises & provision of regulated entertainment. On the following days Monday –Sunday, 09:00 – 23:00 Any person wishing to make a representation in relation to this application must do so in writing to by 24th November 2025 and send it to; Somerset Council, Licensing, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR. Representations may be made for 28 consecutive days from the date of this notice. A copy of the application for the grant of the above licence is available on our website: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/business-economyand licences/ licensing/recent-licence-applications/ Alternatively, a copy is kept by; The Licensing Unit, Somerset Council, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR. The application can be viewed Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Not including bank holidays. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for making a false statement is level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited amount).
Date: 19th October 2025
Peacefully passed away on 16th October 2025. Aged 77 years of Blandford Forum. Much loved Mum, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend. Private Funeral, Donations if desired to The Red Cross.
Passed away 6 November 2021 and reunited in eternal rest with husband Albert. Treasured and loving memories of a very dear Mum, Nannie and Great Grandma, so sadly missed. Always in our thoughts. With love from Jayne, Susanne & Valerie, and all the family
Peacefully on 14th October 2025.
‘Sylv’, aged 92 years of Okeford Fitzpaine. Much loved Mum, Gran, Great Gran and Great Great Gran. Funeral service at St. Andrew’s Church , Okeford Fitzpaine on Friday 7th November 2025 at 2.30pm.
Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Children with Cancer UK, c/o Colin J. Close Funeral Services, Peel Close, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133
(23rd June 1941 – 15th October 2025)
It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Michael Anthony Caws at Yeovil District Hospital on 15th October 2025, aged 84 years. Michael was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Katrina Ann. He was a devoted husband, cherished Dad, Grandad, and Great Grandad.
A retired Naval Officer, Michael was known as a true gentleman—respected for his strong values, incredible patience, gentle and unassuming nature, and a wonderful sense of humour. He was well liked by all who knew him. The family are deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden passing. They would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in his care.
A Service to Celebrate his Life will be held at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, 21st November, at 12.00 midday.
Family flowers only please.
Donations, if desired are for two homeless charities. ‘The Bus Shelter Dorset’ and ‘The Rendezvous’ in Sherborne, and may be left at the crematorium, sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ.
(Please make cheques payable to the charities) or donate online at www.ajwakely.com
Died suddenly at home on the 1st October 2025 aged 84 years. Rob will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. The funeral service will place on Friday 14th November 2025 for 10:00am At Salisbury Crematorium. No flowers Donations, if desired, in memory of Rob can be made for The Friends of Westminster Memorial Hospital via donation box at the service or Online using www.friendsofwmh.org.uk
Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on the 22nd October 2025 aged 95 years. Doris was of Shaftesbury. She was a much loved Mum, Nan/Grandma, Great Grandmother, Sister, Auntie and a special friend to many. Her funeral service will take place at Salisbury Crematorium on Monday 10th November at 10.00am. Any donations in her memory for The Stars Appeal 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.
Passed away on 17th October 2025 at Salisbury Hospice with his family at his bedside. He will be deeply missed by all. Relatives and friends wishing to attend Mike’s funeral service are invited to meet at St. Lawrence’s Church, Cucklington at 11.30am on Tuesday 11th November 2025.
No flowers please. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Salisbury Hospice, c/o A. J. Wakely & Sons, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310.
Please make cheques payable to Salisbury Hospice Ltd.
Peacefully on 10th October 2025 at home in Marnhull, aged 82 years. Dearly loved Husband of the late Jane. Loving Dad, Grampy and Brother. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, 14th November at 10.40am. Funeral attire: Casual.
No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Pete for RABI 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
Died peacefully on Wednesday 29th October, aged 93 years. A Thanksgiving Service will take place at St. Gregorys Church, Marnhull On Thursday 20th November, at 2.30pm. Donations in memory of Michael for Yeovil Hospital Charity may be sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JQ. (Please make cheques payable to the charity) or donate online at www.ajwakely.com
Passed away on Saturday 18th October 2025, aged 53 years.
Much loved son to Michael and Rona, brother to Ross, brother in-law to Louisa, and uncle to Reuben and Austin. His Funeral Service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Yetminster on Wednesday 12th November 2025 at 1:00 pm.
Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired in memory of Spencer are for ‘Future Roots’ and ‘The Shire at Crockermoor’, and may be sent c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ. or donate online at www.ajwakely.com.
(Please make cheques payable to Future Roots or Social Farms and Gardens)
Peacefully on 19th October 2025.
John aged 76 years of Newgate Street Village, Hertford.
Dearly loved Husband of Myra, Father of Philip and Jenny, Grandfather of Helen, Christopher, Roseanna, Isaac and Lucy, and Brother of the late Susan. Service of Thanksgiving at St John’s Methodist Church, Potters Bar on Friday 14th November at 12pm.
Family flowers only please; donations if desired for Orbis eye charity. C/O Chas A Nethercott and Son Funeral Directors, 150 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN61AF
Peacefully at home in Henstridge on 7th October 2025, after a short illness, aged 67 years.
Lifelong Partner of Rick. Dearly loved Mum of Lisa. Loving Sister, Aunty and Mother-in-law. Funeral service at St. Nicholas’ Church, Henstridge on Monday, 10th November at 11.30am, followed by interment. Donations if desired, for St. Margaret’s Hospice Somerset can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk or cheques made payable to the charity may be sent: C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP. Tel: 01963 362570
Passed away 20th October 2025 at home. Funeral to take place. Family Flowers only. Enquiries to Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford, DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133.
Died aged 91 on the 25th of October.
Leaves husband Alan, Grand-Daughter, Lucinda and Amy, Great Grand-Daughters Annabel and Florence. Cremation at Harbour View, 18th November at 2.30pm. No black or flowers please.
Peacefully on 29th September 2025. Sue aged 73 years of Shillingstone. Dearly loved Sister of John, Aunt of Philip & Jenny and Great Aunt. Service of Thanksgiving at Sturminster Newton Methodist Church on Friday 7th November at 3pm. Family flowers only please; donations if desired for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Shaftesbury Road, Henstridge, BA8 0PP
On 28th October 2025, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital, aged 87 years. Of Compton Abbas. Private family cremation service. All friends are welcome to join the family at Fontmell Magna Village Hall to celebrate Bill’s life on Saturday 15th November at 11.00am. Any donations in his memory for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance 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.
Peacefully at home on 16th October 2025. John aged 88 years of Kington Magna. Much loved Husband of Marina, Dad of Anthony and Tina and Grandad to William and Katie. Funeral service at All Saints Church, Kington Magna on Thursday 13th November at 11am.
Family flowers only please donations if desired for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Henstridge, BA8 0PP.
Peacefully on 13th October 2025. Terry aged 78 years of Templecombe. Dearly loved Husband, Father and Grandfather. Funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 13th November at 10.40.
Family flowers only please, donations if desired for The Friends of Wincanton Memorial Hospital or Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, The Old Reading Room, Henstridge, BA8 0PP.
Passed away suddenly after a short illness on Wednesday 22nd October 2025, aged 66 years. Beloved Husband to Wendy, Brother to John, Brother-in-Law to Diane, John and Ann, loving Dad to Ben. Funeral service will be held at Mendip Crematorium on Monday 24th November 2025 at 11:30a.m.
Colourful clothing is preferred. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the British Heart Foundation also Cancer Research U.K.
All donations and enquiries to A. J. Wakely & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310.
Following a short illness, Derrick passed away peacefully at home on 31st October 2025 aged 89 years. Beloved husband of the late Lorna and much loved Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad. Known and loved by many. Funeral service will take place at Salisbury Crematorium on Friday 28th November at 11.00am.
Family flowers only. Donations in his memory for 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
•
•
•
•
•
COLIN J. CLOSE
COLIN J. CLOSE
Peel Close, BLANDFORD FORUM Tel: 01258 453133 www.close-funeral.co.uk
Peel Close, BLANDFORD FORUM Tel: 01258 453133 www.close-funeral.co.uk
GRASSBY & CLOSE
Innes Ct, STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 471024 www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk
GRASSBY & CLOSE
Innes Ct, STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 471024 www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk
GRASSBY
GRASSBY
27a High Street, SHAFTESBURY Tel: 01747 440815 www.grassbyshaftesbury-funeral.co.uk
27a High Street, SHAFTESBURY
Tel: 01747 440815
www.grassbyshaftesbury-funeral.co.uk
When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide and reassure youevery step of the way
Please call Teresa or Daniel for an appointment
100 Lenthay Road, Sherborne DT9 6AG
Email: info@wsbrister.com 01935 812647
Woodside Court, Woodside Dairy Yard, Sparkford BA22 7LH
Email: info@wsbrister.com 01963 850165
www.wsbrister.com
by Susanna Curtin
IN the words of a friend of mine,
‘I am a westerling’ – someone whose natural inclination is to ‘head west’. The western fringes of our glorious Isles have always called me to their realms for they are governed by their magnificent sunsets, high remote moorlands, temperate rainforests and wild jagged coastlines carved out by the ravages of the North Atlantic Ocean. So it is with a happy heart that I headed west to Devon and Cornwall for a few days, and to places I have long associated with happy times spent with loved ones.
However, on my journey
home from Cornwall, I decide to take a short detour to visit Lydford Gorge, a secret wonderland hidden on the edge of Dartmoor. It is a place I have heard so much about but not yet visited until now.
Having donned my walking boots and paid my entrance fees, I begin to enjoy the wooded paths that descend into the gorge. The cliffs that tower above its surface are not the granite that I imagined, but sandstones, mudstones and limestones –softer rocks that have succumbed to the incredible forces of the river that has invaded them over millennia. Following the recent rains, this
DarPod PODIATRY and Chiropody. Home visits by qualified HCPC registered Podiatrist. For appointments please ring 07943194611
deep river valley is dripping with the sound of trickling water, either flowing in small waterfalls or as constant drops that edge their way through the thick green mosses, lichens and vegetation that cling to the hillsides. Behind these curtains of greenery, the rocks have been polished silky smooth by the streams that continually stroke their surface. Around and above me are ancient oak trees and towering beeches that stretch towards the light from the shade of the valley floor – their leaves carpeting the path in orange, russet hues.
As I descend further and turn a corner, I am greeted by the cascading White Lady waterfall, a 30-metre delight created by a small tributary of the River Lyd. Approaching this famous spot, I can feel the temperature drop from the cool spray filling the air. Getting closer, the sound of smashing water against the smooth black rock dominates my consciousness. What is it about waterfalls, I wonder, that make them so captivating? I instinctively move closer, mesmerised by the constant sound over which nothing can compete. For a moment, I am totally awestruck by this natural phenomenon and the tiny rainbow that hovers above it.
The humidity from this waterfall and the deep gorge have created a microclimate of temperate rainforest characterised by high rainfall and humidity, and low variations in temperature. Our rainforests in the UK are part of the Coastal Temperate Rainforest biome which makes up less than 1% of the planet. It is globally rare and only occurs where there is an
wax removal in the
oceanic climate. As a habitat, it is more threatened than tropical rainforest. But here in the UK, it can be found in small pockets along our western seaboard. This unique habitat can contain more than 200 species of bryophytes, that is, plants that live on trees such as mosses, ferns and liverworts, and 100-200 species of lichen and fungi. But one of the most endearing things about them is that the trees are often totally covered in a luxurious, huggable, furry moss that engenders a verdant green light and a spiritual calmness. Before leaving Lydford Gorge, I make my way to the last and most exciting of its landmarks, the Devil’s Cauldron. This is the deepest part of the ravine where the river twists and turns, then plunges and dives through narrow gaps and into deep potholes. The rock faces are covered with life and constantly drip with water. Although the path here is steep, narrow and slippery, the drama calls you forward along the trail where the river turns from a quiet stream into a raging torrent that thunders through a deep narrow passage. I am here alone in this dank place and for a moment I feel like I have been cast to the Underworld. As I look above me, only a tiny patch of light is visible beyond the dark, dripping, green mossy cliffs. Shuddering, I turn tail and make my way out of these fusty depths marvelling at the incredible power of water to hollow out such a deep narrow gorge and a bubbling cauldron. Leaving this incredible place behind, thoughts of home are very appealing.
n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin.susanna@gmail.com)
07544 857 560 enquiries@nowaxear.co.uk www.thenowaxearcompany.co.uk
by Nicole Asghar
WHY is it that time is often seen as the enemy? As something to fight against, something that steals our youth, or appeal, and value. Society tells us that to stay relevant, we must be able to update and renew, conditioning us to believe that age, in any form, equals decline. Ideas become irrelevant, properties cautious and people uninteresting. How have we got this so wrong? What if time isn’t our foe, but our most loyal friend, one that reveals new approaches, ideas and wisdom. We don’t question the beauty of an ancient oak tree, its roots intertwined with history. Our eyes widen at the beauty of a vintage car passing by, our tastebuds respond to the depth of flavour in an older wine. We treasure the worn pages of a favourite book, the crackle of an old record or a family recipe passed down through generations, seasoned with
memory and love. Time doesn’t diminish these things – it refines them.
So why do we struggle to see the same beauty in ourselves, in each other? Our preoccupation – or, in fact, neural predisposition – with novelty can leave us dissatisfied, always reaching for the next thing instead of appreciating what has been shaped and softened by years gone by.
To see time as a friend, we might need to slow down and listen. Sit with someone who has lived a little longer. Ask questions. Explore old music without wincing at the sound quality! To read something written before your time, and wander through antique shops or historic towns. These experiences show us that the phrase ‘wisdom comes with age’ only happens with a perception shift, an openness and a desire to look beyond the smooth and shiny.
by Fiona Chapman
WITH the onset of autumn, comes a new crop of nettles, much to my husband’s annoyance, who thought that one strim would get rid of them all. This is nature telling us we should be making the most of these autumn flushes of green things to make our bodies strong for the winter months. Nettles are full of nutrients that the body needs, including iron, magnesium, calcium, selenium, chlorophyll and vitamins A, B, C, E and K, to name a few. They are incredibly good for us and strengthen the blood. They are also brilliant for those who
suffer hay fever, as they have anti-histamine properties.
I thought I should make the most of this abundance and made a delicious nettle and pea soup and thought I would share the recipe.
One large onion and four cloves of garlic chopped and cooked gently in a splash of olive oil. Add one de-seeded and chopped chilli. Once nice and translucent, add a tablespoon of turmeric – extremely good for inflammation in the body as well as strengthening the blood and an antioxidant – and a good lot of black, freshly ground pepper. (This is needed, along with the
What might it be like if we begin to see time as something to trust?
‘Trust in the process’ is often said in the therapy world, and it can be incredibly challenging for various reasons. So perhaps, for today, we simply start by being open to a perception shift, away from novelty-seeking and ‘inviting in the new’, and towards cherishing what has come before this moment. Out with the new and in with the old?
oil, to increase the bioavailability of the curcumin in the turmeric). Add one peeled and chopped organic celeriac and two tins of organic coconut milk with filtered water to make sure the celeriac is well covered. Cook until the celeriac is soft. Add a colander full of freshly picked – with gloves – and washed nettle tops and half a small packet of peas. Drop in a
If you have any thoughts on this topic, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to get in touch. n Nicole Asghar is a Dorsetbased therapist working online and around Bournemouth. Specialising in neurodivergence, trauma, yoga and nervous system regulation, she helps clients reconnect with themselves and with others. Get in touch via nicole@our luminousminds.com or www. ourluminousminds.com
couple of organic vegetable stock cubes to give a bit of body. Cook until the nettles are soft, but not too long otherwise you lose the lovely green colour of the nettles and peas. Then blitz the whole lot up with a good pinch or so of Himalayan sea salt.
This makes a thick and sustaining soup that is incredibly good for strengthening the body and blood. I toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds as well and popped them on top. You could add goat’s cheese and let it melt in, or parmesan, to give an added bit of flavour and protein. It also makes you chew the soup. I find I can gulp soup down with lots of air, which can make for a very uncomfortable tummy, so something to slow intake down helps enormously!
n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).
BUTTERFLY chicken and herbs is such a quick and simple dish but a brilliant way to impress friends or family!
I always give a squeeze of fresh lemon for that extra kick!
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts, butterflied
2 leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced
200ml crème fraîche
1 tbsp olive oil
25g butter
1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds depth)
2 tbsp fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, tarragon or thyme work well)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional, for brightness)
250g long-grain or basmati rice Method
Prepare the rice
Cook the rice according to the packet instructions. Once done, keep warm with the lid on. Cook the chicken
Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.
Season the butterflied chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Pan-fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and just cooked through.
Remove the chicken and set aside on a warm plate. Sauté the leeks and garlic
In the same pan, lower the heat slightly and add the remaining butter.
Add the sliced leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for
5-7 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Make the creamy sauce
Stir in the crème fraîche and Dijon mustard (if using).
Add the herbs and a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce if needed.
Season to taste and return the chicken to the pan, coating it in the creamy leek mixture.
Serve
Spoon the rice onto warm plates, top with the chicken and the creamy leek sauce, and scatter over a few extra herbs for garnish.
Serving suggestion
Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.
n Annie des Forges, Director/ Chef, The Table Bruton. Annie
Austin, Director/Host & Concierge, Somerset Roadtrip. Email annie@thetablebruton. com Butterfly chicken and herbs
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.
MANY supermarkets in the UK are opting to remove best before dates on certain products in a bid to fight food waste.
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Co-op have all removed the dates from a range of products, including fruits and vegetables.
Misunderstanding date labels on fresh produce can lead to significant and unnecessary food waste.
According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), removing these dates could prevent thousands of tonnes of edible food from being discarded annually, as consumers often throw away perfectly good items, assuming they are unsafe after the date has passed.
Use by and best before dates are often confused, but they are different, so it is important to understand which each means and what to look out for.
Dr Richard Anderson, head of Learning and Development at
online training provider High Speed Training, said: “Use by dates indicate when a product may no longer be safe to eat.
“You should not eat, cook or freeze it after the date displayed, even if it looks or smells fine.
“Use by dates are typically present on meats and dairy products, as well as ready meals like salads.
“Always follow the storage instructions on the product – usually refrigeration or freezing.
“Otherwise, it may no longer be good to eat – even before its use by date.”
Using food after its use by date can put individuals at risk of food poisoning.
Foods that have passed their use by date may still look okay to eat, but harmful bacteria cannot be seen and do not have a smell.
Foods labelled with a use by date should be checked daily to make sure they are still safe to eat.
Freezing food before its use by date extends its life, but once defrosted, individuals should eat the food within 24 hours, and not freeze food after its use by date.
Dr Anderson added: “Best before dates are an indication of quality rather than safety.
“You can still eat food after its best before date, but its flavour and texture is most
likely not as good as before the date.
“Best before dates are usually displayed on products that do not require refrigeration or freezing, such as dry pasta, bread, tinned products, fruits and vegetables, and uncooked rice.
“They are also often found on products with a longer shelf life.”
The other dates to be aware of are sell by and display until dates.
These often appear next to the use by and best before dates on food labelling.
They are instructions for the retailers, not customers and do not determine the date past which it is safe to eat the food.
For more information, visit highspeedtraining.co.uk
MICROWAVE, Bosch
800watts, virtually brand new, cost £129. £70. ono. Tel: 07598-927694
LARGE 2 SEATER SOFA, Italian Leather, in soft red. Excellent condition. £395 Tel: 07588-053555
BRAKE TRAILER 5’x3’
depth 16”. Spare wheel, jockey wheel, cover. £550 Martock 07963-951651.
WOOD BURNING STOVE
Hunter Herald 5kw Dimensions. W=460mm, D=370mm, H=500mm Price= £125. Phone 07807-309572
BRAND NEW SINGLE BED and mattress - £125 ONO, Will need to collect - in Longburton, If interested, please ring 07850 378173
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Series
1,2,3,4, 6 DVDs, £5.00, 01258 456400
TWO COMFORTABLE FOLDING sunbeds. VGC. £30. Tel: 01963-220538
NEFF GAS HOB, as new. £30. Buyer Collects. Tel: 07354-825081
BARGAIN. Polished wood trolly. 26” x 17” extends, 26x37 makes a table, with shelf under. useful item £8. (Sherborne) 01963 812328
DEHUMIDIFIER - Duracraft DD- TEC10E + instruction booklet. £45. Tel: 01747 838574
WHARFDALE WEDGE
SHAPED powered speaker with graphic equaliser (EVPX12PM). £30.00 collect Kington Magna 01747-838882
THREE PARAFFIN LAMPS and one paraffin oil heater for sale. £50 for the lot. 07879-880-250
MAGNUSSON SUPPORT
RODS x2. Extendable up to 3m. Ideal for installing plasterboard. £15 07960 914925
CORONA 2 DOOR WARDROBE £50 Tel: 07840-725705
2 TIER SHOE CUPBOARD £5 Tel: 07840-725705
BRASS COAL SCUTTLE, old, helmet shaped, in vgc £20. 01747 854294
CANDY SMART PRO CONDENSOR DRYER, perfect condition, £50 Tel: 01747-811916
BARBIE DOLLS MATTEL x 12 includes ken and wheelchair, chelsea and wheelchair, musical doll etc.
£20 01747-835680
LOCKSHIELD RADIATOR VALVES. Drayton TRV4. Angled 15mm. Chrome. New/ Unused. 4 available. £5 each. Sherborne 07906 102490
6ft ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE £10, baubles £2, tinsel £2, 8ft fireplace garland £8 01747 824482
DOG GUARD - to fit VW Golf Estate - trav/all TDG 1407£20 - 01747 853942
FREE - 150 Double Wall/ Ripple paper cups and lids plus 100 plastic sandwich boxes - 01747 853942
BURTON GOLF BAG 12 section good condition. £45. Tel: 01935 813564
STIHL HS45 PETROL
HEDGE TRIMMER £35 Tel. 07719-409647
KAMPA CAMPING
ALFRESCO double gas hob and grill. As new, not used and still in its original box £15. Tel: 01963 33160
LEVELLING RAMPS for motorhome/camper van. Fiamma. Brand new. Original packaging. £25, 07874-266213, Blandford
HEATERS, ELECTRIC, 3 wall panel, low wattage heaters, plus 2kw stand-alone heaters. £45. Good condition. Tel: 07827-225997
PLANTS AND FOOD for sale on the green in Gillingham Dorset. £1-£3. Wednesday - Saturday 9am-12pm. Wednesday-Friday 2pm-4:30pm
ALLOY WHEEL TO FIT A SKODA Karoq/Kodiaq. Size is 2253018. £50. 01985-844428
MAKITA PTR2500 Petrol Hedge Cutter 1.5 metre reach £40, Tel.07933-262659
MAC ALISTER ALUMINIUM FOLDING work station, 60 cmx 30 x 0.47m high. New only £20 Sparkford 07951-132253
VACUUM CLEANER. Sebo upright X1.1 . Red. Excellent working order. Few scuffs to casing. £45, 07874-266213, Blandford
60 HISTORICAL NOVELS, free and collection only. Gillingham 01747 708257
LOVELY STAMP ALBUM full of Great Britain stamps (over 1000) £25 Ono Tel 01747-822422
WADE WHIMSIES. 17 items, various animals ,good condition , not boxed. £17 ono. Tell 07980 380287
TALL FREEZER, six compartments, prime condition £20 Tel: 01258-470523
VINTAGE SINGER TREADLE sewing machine. Buyer collects. £50 Tel: 01258 453250
RALEIGH FOLDING BIKE. Good roadworthy condition. Bike lock. Tools. £15. Blandford. 07768-911002
2 PART EXTENSION alluminum ladder, £45. Tel: 07943 844356 (Blandford Forum)
DARK WOOD DRESSING TABLE, great painting project. £45. Tel: 07588-053555
CARPENTERS WORK FRAME. (MacAllister). £35. Child Okeford, 01258-860113
BEE VEILS x 2. Perfect for beekeeping activities. £15 for the pair. Collection BA9. Phone 07814 559096
THREE PARAFFIN LAMPS – AND ONE PARAFFIN ALADDIN OIL HEATER, £40 for the lot. Tel: 07879-880-250
2 DOLLS TINY TEARS and Teeny Tiny Tears dressed in pretty knitted outfits. £35 the pair. Enquiries Sherborne 01935-813920
LARGE WOODEN TOOL BOX. 40” X 14” X 16”. £20. Plus a bundle of wall ties. £10. Tel: 01747-840835
DRY-SOON HEATED CABINET, with cover, hardly used, boxed. £50. (Current Lakeland) Tel: 01722-744287
3x PALLETS - good condition. Free for collection in Shroton. 07788 214 961.
6ft SNOWY GRANDIS FIR Natural, Christmas Tree. Still in box. NEW. £40. Tel: 07833-641242
VINTAGE DOLLS HOUSE with furniture and charachers. £45. Ideal Christmas Present for children or collectors. Tel: 07886-538350
GENT’S BIKE 21” 21 gears. £40. 07963-951651,
3 BOXES OF GLASSES, 6 each sherry, wine, water. Never used. £5 per box or £12 for 3. 01747-838521.
HOME LAUNDRY, Wincanton based sought for fortnightly task; approx 6 fitted sheets and duvet covers 24 pillow cases washed and ironed approx 6 hrs/£90. laundry is delivered to you; please call Philip 07711-788709
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.
OLD BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392 602014
Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication. blackmorevale.net
CLEANER WANTED, North Dorset area. 01747-811186.
The Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance operates a 14 seater minibus running a number of outings per week to enable members of the Sherborne community with restricted mobility the chance to get out and about and widen their landscape.
If you are an excellent driver with a friendly and positive personality who may like to help those a bit less mobile in our community to stretch their wings, please follow the links for more information.
Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance is seeking somebody to take on the role of driver/manager from January 2026 as the long-standing local legend John steps down after distinguished service.
Email: sherbornevoluntaryambulance @gmail.com www.sherbornevoluntaryambulance.com
An enthusiastic Sunday groom is required to join an existing team on a private yard in West Dorset. You will be required to work every Sunday until the middle of March to cover the hunt season. Duties will include mucking out stables, turning out, bringing in, feeding, hay and water. Rate of pay £15 per hour. Over 18’s only.
Please send CV with a covering letter highlighting all experience via email to estateoffice@ilchester-estates.co.uk or call Lee on 07974 428669 for further details.
Full-time Senior Care Assistant
Part-time
Full-time Night Care Assistant
Full-time Night Care Assistant (Maternity cover)
ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES
MOT CENTRE
Bodyshop
MOTS , SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING
MOTS, SERVICING AND REPAIRS ON ALL VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES INCLUDING HORSEBOXES AND MOTORHOMES
Bodyshop also available.
Bodyshop open for all repairs and restorations, f rom small scratches to complete resprays, insurance work
VISITORS to the Christmas lights switch on event in Gillingham next month are being encouraged to make the most of a new car park that will be free for the day.
MOTS – class 4,5 and 7
MOTs – class 4, 5 and 7
MOTS
Courtesy Cars
Diagnostics Air conditioning Valets
Diagnostics Air Conditioning
radius
Concessions for Pensioners, Armed Forces and Emergency Services
Concessions for Armed Forces and Emergency Services
Courtesy Cars
Collections
Concessions
15B Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 459798
Email info@sunriseservicecentre.com www.sunriseserviceandmotcentre.com
2016 (65) Audi A5 Coupe 1.8TFSi S Line Nav 2dr. Sat nav, park sensors, cruise control, leather, heated seats, road sign assistance, Bluetooth, 92,900 miles............................................................................................................. £8650
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
2011 (11) BMW 118D 2.0TD M Sport 3dr. £35 tax, 62mpg, park sensors, Bluetooth, M Sport styling, comfort pack, cruise control, 1 owner & only 46,950 miles..............................................................................................Available soon
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
2014 (14) Ford EcoSport 1.5TDCi Titanium X Pack SUV 5dr. High seating, leather, X pack, parking sensors, cruise control, Bluetooth, £35 tax, cambelt kit replaced, 87,800 miles..................................................................................£5450
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
2014 (64) Ford B-Max 1.0T Zetec 5 Seat MPV 5dr. New cambelt wetbelt kit, high seating, big boot, sliding rear doors, park sensors, £35 tax, 1 owner & only 57,900 miles.................................................................................................£5250
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
2021 (21) Ford Puma 1.0T ST Line X MHEV 5dr. Self-charging petrol hybrid, partial leather, sat nav, park sensors, cruise control, main beam assist, road sign assistance, Bluetooth, 47,800 miles............................................................£13250
2018 (68) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi ST Line SUV 5dr. High seating, big boot, sat nav, Bluetooth, road sign assist, cruise, park sensors & auto park, reverse camera, partial leather, 61,800 miles........................................................................£11750
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
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
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
The new 83-vehicle capacity car park at the former Roses and Sons yard near the railway station is now up and running and has been welcoming motorists who may have previously struggled to find space in the official railway car park.
Motorists can park free of charge for up to 30 minutes –and a pay on exit system puts an end to guessing how long drivers have parked up for.
The town is set to be a buzz of activity on Saturday, December 6, for the Christmas lights switch on, complete with live music, a visit from Santa, face painting and food and
drink to enjoy.
Those looking to drive to the event can park at the new car park free of charge for one day only, allowing those on all budgets to enjoy the festivities.
Gillingham Mayor, Councillor Fiona Cullen, will mark the official opening of the car park on December 6 at 12.30pm.
The car park is part of a wider development of the site,
2009 (58) Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 SZ5 4x4 Station Wagon 5dr. High seating, big boot, heated leather, switchable 4-wheel drive, electric sunroof, cruise control, only 85,500 miles.........................................................................................£4650
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
2017 (67) Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Life 5 Seat MPV 5dr. High seats, big boot, Bluetooth, cruise, 19,800 miles.....................................................................£6450
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
2023 (73) Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0TD 3100 Pro L2 Van 6dr. Sat nav, reverse camera, cruise control, air con, twin side doors, ply lined, bulkhead, exceptional condition, 21,300 miles, selling for a customer...............£17250 + VAT = £20700
2004 (54) BMW Z4 2.2 SE Roadster Convertible 2dr. MOT June 2026,
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
with ambitious plans to create a multi-retail space which will be part-deli, part farm-shop that is being designed to draw more people into the heart of the town.
It is expected to open next spring.
n BLUE Badge holders will once again be able to park free of charge in Wiltshire Counciloperated car parks.
They were asked to pay to park in 2022 when the council
was Conservative run, but the Liberal Democrats pledged to restore free parking before council elections this year.
Wiltshire Council decided to allow blue badge holders to park for free once again following a vote at full council last month.
The move is estimated to cost the council up to £40,000 a year.
Car park signage will be updated as soon as possible.
HONDA JAZZ 2013 1.4 petrol, manual. MoT September 2026. Well above average condition. Drives like new. Complete service record.£4500. Location Lytchett Matravers. Tel. 01202 624196/ 07891496768
FORD FIESTA, 2015, EcoBoost, 4dr. 1ltr, 106k miles, Black, 12 months MOT. Excondition. £4,500 ono. Tel: 07968-968869 (Shaftesbury)
STORAGE FOR CARAVANS, boats and cars at Enford Farm near Blandford. 01258 450050 / 07704 813025 OLD, INTERESTING & CLASSIC CARS wanted pre 1990s Any condition including unfinished projects Cash/Transfer. Please Phone Paul - 07890 096907
@blackmorevale.net
Classic car upholstery & servicing Lower Leigh Farm, East Knoyle, Salisbury SP3 6BZ
by Lynn Broom BVSc, GPCert(ExAP), AdvDipAAB, MRCVS
THE Competition and Markets Authority has recently announced the findings of its review of veterinary services and published its recommendations. I thought I would add some information to put veterinary costs into perspective.
When I qualified in 2000, I worked in rural practice. We had limited equipment with manual x-ray processing –produced variable results often not of good diagnostic quality, no ultrasound scanner and unqualified lay staff. Now practices have digital x-rays – allowing incredible detail for diagnoses, high quality ultrasound scanners, access to CT and MRI scanners and highly qualified veterinary
nurses increasing the care and safety of procedures. Progress costs money and the service provided now far outweighs the service we were able to provide then. I insure my own dog to ensure specialist care is affordable for him if he needs it.
I used to work a one in two rota which involved working every day from 8.30am to 5pm plus every other night and every other weekend. When my boss went on holiday I worked two weeks entirely on my own. Now many practices use out of hours services so that staff can have a reasonable work-life balance. Rural practices cannot provide this option and still do their own on call, meaning that staff who have worked all day may still be called at 3am. This makes employing staff much more difficult because staff choose jobs with a less demanding rota
which leads to understaffing and use of expensive locums.
Out of hours (OOH) services employ staff who specialise in emergency care and often have extra qualifications. OOH services have significantly higher overheads with higher salaries due to the unsociable hours and the inability to earn income from routine sales of medications such as wormers and flea treatments.
Veterinary medicine is not simply a sale of an item like a tin of beans. It is a service with a personal aspect and can be a relationship which takes you from your puppy’s first vaccine to their final minutes. It is important to be up front with costs and estimates should always be provided to ensure the options available are realistic and affordable. Just because an option is available does not mean it is the correct course of action for you and your pet.
numbers of previously independent practices.
Veterinary practices are required by the Veterinary Medications Regulations (VMR) to comply with strict rules such as only using medications licensed in animals if they exist instead of significantly cheaper generic or human licensed products leading to significantly higher purchase costs. They are not even allowed to recommend using a human medication such as paracetamol to keep costs down – though many do to ensure animal welfare.
In 1999 it became legal for non-vets to own veterinary practices because of the Competition Act 1998. While this had benefits such as allowing veterinary nurses to be involved in veterinary practice ownership, it has, ironically, led to large scale corporate ownership leading to reduced competition because several companies bought up large
The NHS is an amazing service and ensures that everyone regardless of income can access medical care. This does mean that we have no concept of the actual costs involved in medicine unless we access private care. Even a private CT or MRI scan costs less for people than animals because animals require anaesthesia to keep them still enough and throughput is much lower leading to higher maintenance costs.
Please be aware that front line staff rarely set costs and they are doing their best in an increasingly blame-led culture where costs are being increasingly disputed.
n Squeak, three, super affectionate
n Cats Protection also has Muffin, two, a gorgeous girl who could be homed with Muppet (pictured); Howl and Sophie, four months, who need the right people to bring them on; and Chandler, Monica and Rachel, four months, who are looking for rural homes where they have the choice of an outdoor life if they choose it. Farm and stable homes needed for outside cats
n Bubbles and Derek, five. Semi-domesticated black and white boys looking for a home where they get to sleep indoors but prefer the great outdoors
n Muppet, one, gorgeous girl could be homed with Muffin
n For details, call our new helpline number, 07831 586114, or visit our website, www.cats.org.uk/ middorset
A TELEVISION vet is urging dog lovers in the south west to visit the RSPCA’s website as new research shows the region loves a Border Collie and the charity has lots waiting for homes.
The RSPCA cared for a record number of dogs this summer, with most being looked after in private kennels as RSPCA rehoming centres were full.
Television vet and RSPCA ambassador, Rory Cowlam –pictured – who shares his home with rescue lurcher Nala, said: “There are too many dogs and not enough homes, so I will always adopt and I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting a dog to check out a rescue first.
according to figures from RSPCA Pet Insurance, with 700-plus policy holders owning the breed.
RSPCA operations manager, Glenn Mayoll, said: “RSPCA centres are full and we have hundreds of animals waiting to get in so they can start their journey to finding a loving forever home.
“We love dogs of all shapes and sizes but it’s a sad fact that larger dogs like Border Collies can wait up to seven times longer to find their forever home.
“Not only is it hugely rewarding but you are changing the life of a dog in need.”
The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting larger dogs.
New data from the charity reveals it can take up to seven times longer for some larger dog breeds to find a new home compared to smaller dogs.
However, dog lovers in the south west open their homes to Border Collies and crosses more than any other region in the UK,
“All of our dogs have been rescued from heartbreaking circumstances – or even born in our care after their mums were rescued – and we desperately need people with the time, patience and love to give them the happy-ever-after life they deserve.
“We know people in the south west are partial to a Collie, so we are calling on them to take a look at our lovely dogs who are looking for homes, and if they aren’t able to adopt from us, to please share with their family and friends.
“Who knows, their perfect home could be just round the corner.”
Pitching In Southern League
Division 1 (South)
Shaftesbury 2
Tavistock AFC 0
by Avril Lancaster
THE Rockies made it two wins in a row and finally managed to defeat Tavistock AFC in the process to move into the play-off positions following Winchester City’s draw with Bishops Cleeve.
The visitors looked anything but a team starting the day second from bottom and were unlucky not to score when Bradley Williams cracked one against the crossbar in the second half as the Lambs poured forward at 2-0 down.
These are the kind of games in which Shaftesbury need to eke out wins. An even first half saw Tom Hewlett have the best effort, cracking a shot just over Daniel Holman’s bar. Tavistock had set up well and Jack Crago and Bradley Williams had gilt-edged opportunities to put the visitors ahead. Former Helston Athletic forward Crago,
down in the box and Santos DAbadia did the necessary from the spot on 57 minutes.
Milligan and his entourage will now focus on an unknown quantity in Sporting Club Inkberrow.
BLACKMORE Vale Golf Club. Seniors Monthly Stableford – October 21. 1 Chris Dibben 34 ocb, 2 Colin Jacobs 34, 3 John Wolstenholme 34, 4 Philip Dewar 34.
leading the line, held the ball up well with Williams and Jacob Bowker switching across the home side’s defence.
Skipper Brandon Mundy had to go off in the 22nd minute, replaced by Charlie Burden. But it was two players with a lorry load of experience that carved out the opening goal three minutes from the break.
Toby Holmes cut the ball across for Harry Baker to finish for his 13th goal of the season and one he really needed. Baker and Holmes now have 24 goals between them.
Milligan brought on Jack Hoey and Moss Jackson-Collis in the second half with the young striker making useful inroads into the visitor’s defence, and Hoey, along with Harry Morgan, doing the hard work centrally. Tavistock pushed up well with Ethan Wright testing the defence.
Holmes, once again raiding down the flank, was brought
Verwood 2
Sherborne Reserves 1 by Adam Hector
ON a bright sunny Saturday afternoon Sherborne Town Reserves faced Verwood Town away at Potterne Park.
Sherborne started the game well, with an attack in the first minute, but were snuffed out the box by Verwood Town’s defence. The home side again went close in the first half with chances for Grzybowski and Craciun but both were kept at bay by Sherborne’s keeper.
Verwood scored after 36 minutes when Pope headed in a cross from the left. Eight minutes later Pope doubled Verwood’s lead from the penalty spot, sending the hosts into the break 2-0 up.
Sherborne pulled one back in the second half with a low shot past the post, but in the end the visitors did not quite have enough to complete a comeback.
by Nic Boyd
WHEATHILL Golf Club’s Lady Captain for 2025, Fiona Cruse, celebrated her Lady Captain’s Day in style by holding a Beach ParTee.
27 competitors dressed up in ‘beach’ related costumes, including two lifeguards to make sure we all stayed safe! We enjoyed dry and warm conditions for the event.
The course was made more challenging by turning all the par three holes into crazy golf games. These included teeing off with a putter using an ice cream cone, standing on a body board to tee off, beach cricket, using a paddling pool for the hole and finally going via the beach –bunkers – to get to the 18th hole.
Refreshments were served at the half-way house which included beach-related cocktails and the day ended with fish, chips and ice cream thanks to Vicky in the clubhouse.
The Lady Captain’s Drive took place with money collected going to the Lady Captain’s charity, Cancer Research UK, and was won by Sue Longman. The winning team were Victoria Edmunds, Sue Rees and Sandra Bradshaw.
Jill Byrne, who made made her costume herself, won best costume. Best Par 3 – crazy golf – score was Joan Stone and nearest the wicket were Sam
Thorpe and Victoria Edmunds. An enjoyable day was had by all.
The annual Pick-n-Mix competition at Wheathill Golf Club saw the Ladies excuse themselves from their normal partners to join another man for the mixed Greensomes Competition.
It was another dry day with some sunshine and barely any wind, but autumn was clearly evident in all its glory in the trees around the course.
16 pairs took part and the competition was won on count back by Jen Warmington and Steve Madden with 61 points.To add to the day’s excitment, Carolyn Durstson had her first hole in one on the 18th.
Seniors 9 Hole Monthly Stableford – October 21. 1 Harry Eden 17 ocb, 2 George Wagland 17, 3 Geoff Lye 17.
Seniors Roll Up Stableford Front 9 – October 24. Winners: David Hallett/John Wolstenholme/Jim Bunce – 51 points.
Monthly Medal – October 25. 1 Nigel Orr nett 71; 2 Jim Phillips nett 72; 3 David Amann nett 78.
Seniors Texas Scramble –October 28. Winners: Jim Stephen/George Wagland/Andy Blandford – 45 points.
Seniors 9 Hole Texas Scramble – October 28. Winners: Harry Eden/David Hallett/Jon Reed – 20 points. Seniors Roll Up Stableford Back 9 – October 31. Winners: John Wolstenholme / Nick Young/Jim Bunce/Jim Stephen – 63 points.
2025 Merit Board Winner –Steven Ireland.
2025 Seniors Merit Board Winner – John Westaway.
2025 Seniors 9 Hole Merit Board Winner – Keith Williams.
Vale Table Tennis League.
by Hannah Waters
Basingstoke 4s 4
Blandford and Sturminster Ladies 1
THE Ladies of Blandford and Sturminster Hockey Club played away against a brave Basingstoke side, a team in turmoil after their clubhouse had a fire.
Blandford came out ready and raring from the first whistle, quickly winning a short corner. Jenny Smith injected to her sister Caroline, whose shot was defended by the Basingstoke keeper – a lastminute step-in, who had already played 70 minutes of hockey
earlier in the day. The save rebounded and was picked up by Chantelle Talbot, who, with a little tap, got around the keeper and lifted the ball elegantly into the back of the net.
Lydia Harvey was subbed into an unfamiliar position in defence. After a pep talk from captain Linda Smith on the sidelines, Lydia quickly showed Basingstoke that she was there to play. One run found Lydia in Basingstoke’s D, and, trusting her captain and herself, Lydia took a powerful hit, thumping
by Paul Cross Blandford 3
Wimborne 2s 3
FOR a first league match between the two sides, it was already clear this was going to be something of a grudge match.
Wimborne, having lost three players in the off season to upstarts Blandford, filled the gap by dropping down Tommy Powner and Tim King from their 1s.
It was a gamble that paid off for them, with Tommy being as disruptive on the ball as he was off it. After winning a penalty corner on the 16th minute, he
struck the ball, forcing a smart save from keeper Clint Thrower. Persistent pressure by Wimborne managed to eke out a gap just inside the post for Tommy to squeeze the ball through to give Wimborne an early lead.
Blandford were conceding the opener for the first time this season. Four minutes later, another short corner was won and taken by Tommy Powner, who rifled a shot in to double Wimborne’s lead.
It wasn’t long before Wimborne added a third. A reverse stick strike from Tommy Powner was saved by a
the ball into the back of Basingstoke’s goal.
The second half started with Blandford 2-0 up. The ladies continued to pepper shots at goal, forcing Basingstoke’s stand-in keeper to make impressive saves. Jenny picked up the ball in midfield and drove into the D. She sent a perfect ball to Sally Evans on the back post, who neatly swiped it into goal, putting the score at 3-0.
Blandford were feeling confident, which caused a lapse in concentration, and Basingstoke capitalised. The home side won a short corner,
diving Clint Thrower. The rebound fell to young Danny Camp, whose strike agonisingly looped over the stranded keeper before drifting into the goal.
After the break, Blandford’s Gaz Hardiman began to cause chaos in the D, dragging defenders and the keeper out of position. On the 48th minute, Matty Lewis took advantage, drilling a ball into the D. Gaz launched himself like a salmon, his deflection rocketing into the roof of the net.
A minute later, Gaz struck again. Finn Hardiman drove powerfully down the right, beating his man, before lifting a beautiful aerial to his dad, who ripped a vicious volley through the keeper’s stick.
Wimborne were reeling, stunned by Blandford’s
which they swiftly converted into a goal.
Blandford kept their heads up and kept pressing but the Basingstoke keeper and her defence stayed strong, holding the score.
Laura Robinson and Lydia were marauding down the wings, and Lydia once more found herself in the D in the 68th minute. Another impressive hit had the ball clanging against the back board.
With the game finishing 4-1, it was another dominant win from Blandford and Sturminster Ladies.
resurgence. A green card for captain JJ showed Wimborne’s frustration as Blandford continued to press.
On the 67th minute, Fin Hardiman drove down the right again, before pulling the ball back to Theo Browning, who pushed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, to level the game.
Wimborne were down and almost out. Captain JJ received another card, this time a yellow, and Blandford pushed hard to get a deserved winner. However, Wimborne held on for a hard-earned point.
The result maintains Blandford and Sturminster’s unbeaten record across the entire club, making them one of only three clubs in England and Wales who have achieved such a feat.
by Graham Howard, DDAS junior secretary
EIGHT juniors from Dorchester and District Angling Society fished round 10 of the 2025 junior points championship at Whitemoor Lakes, near Wimborne.
The sun warmed competitors after the recent rain and, although water conditions were much cooler, the fish were on
form to give everyone a good day of fishing.
Even the lowest weights were close to 10lb, so the weigh-in was a close call for the minor points placings with all the juniors catching plenty of fish.
Josh Roe planned his match well and achieved a convincing
victory over main championship rival Austin Scott-Kennedy with a winning weight of 46lb 14oz.
Scott-Kennedy kept his title chances alive in second with 31lb 14oz, although his championship lead has now been reduced to seven points with two matches remaining.
Third was newcomer, Dougie Francis, fishing in his first ever match. Dougie fished extremely
well to put a tidy 23lb 8oz on the scales, good enough for 17 championship points. The last rounds of the championship are at Viaduct Fishery and Harbourbridge Lakes.
For junior information, visit ddasjuniors.co.uk or contact the junior secretary at juniors. sec@d-das.com
by Tria Stebbing
A DIFFICULT few weeks on the smallholding – and one which will inform some big decisions regarding moving forward with the animals.
Neil, the poorly lamb, passed away. The first lamb born this year, he developed Sheep Ill, an inflammatory disease, in his first weeks of life. It left him a bit wonky, a bit different and fiercely determined to survive. He had the best summer with his brothers and sisters on the hill and was loved very much for who he was. At exactly six months old to the day, he passed away after inhaling a small piece of sheep mix the wrong way, choking and getting mucus on his lungs. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t completely devastated.
The following week our beloved dog died. Still difficult to process, it really makes you
realise how much the animals form part of our lives.
This week we are TB testing and very stressed indeed. No doubt the Highlands picked up on this and behaved dreadfully for the vet. We allowed plenty of time to get them into the corral we built with high hopes they would venture into the cattle crush this time. All came down and we shut them in, smugly thinking to ourselves that getting them in was easy. Brushing them calms them, so I began brushing and talking to them, telling them how good they were. Along came the vet, who Sebastian – pictured – clearly recognised, triggering a response similar to a silent stampede.
Seb and Babybel have an on
and off relationship, in this instance ‘off’ was the thing. Swinging his head and his horns with gusto, Seb pinned Babybel into the corner of the crush and set about trying to turn him into a pin cushion, while we set about convincing the vet they were just playing. A small area of hair needed shaving on their necks to perform the test, and, looking back on it now, a very large Highland swinging its head around trying to take out its young field mate while the vet is trying to catch them with a hair clipper, did look like a slapstick farce. It was an anxious moment, as we suspect Belle is pregnant and she was becoming stressed by Seb’s behaviour. Having the fold TB tested is compulsory and we go through it every six months. If the cows fail the test, they will have to be culled, along, sadly, with any calf Belle is carrying. The test is far from accurate and urgently
needs an overhaul – healthy stock are frequently culled due to inaccurate testing.
At the time of writing we have had the first part of the test done and are waiting for the vet’s return visit. Stress and mental health issues keep flagging up as a priority in the farming community – is it any wonder? Yields down, blue tongue, bird flu, theft of equipment, weather, isolation and constantly changing government initiatives forcing farmers to diversify and change.
Nature continues to win. The autumn has been a stunning palate of colours, of hedgerow bounty, a bumper apple crop, and my goodness the sloes –many farmers already hitting the hay hard.
Animals are therapy, and despite all of the rubbish currently consuming us, the sheep continue to bring us joy and moments of extreme bliss. Nova and Nirvana leading the flock into winter with their determination and shenanigans, which make us smile every single day.
LEADING rural charity the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is hosting a new series of free online talks this autumn and winter, inspired by the charity’s hands-on conservation work across its network of nature-friendly farms.
Running from November to March, the five monthly talks will feature experts from across the conservation and farming community, exploring topics from conservation grazing to protecting bats, butterflies, farming with ecology and the much-loved hazel dormouse.
The CRT owns Bere Marsh Farm, near Shillingstone, as well as Babers Farm and Harmshay in Marshwood Vale.
The first one, Conservation Grazing, is on Wednesday, November 12, with conservationist Mark Crisp. He will discuss how conservation
grazing is helping him to achieve his aim of good structural diversity within the heathland landscapes he manages for the RSPB in Surrey. During the talk, Mark will explain how conservation grazing is so much more than just a buzz word – it’s a useful land management tool which is good for wildlife and uses both a historical and natural process.
On Thursday, December 11, Ruth Moss, the CRT’s conservation and mapping officer, will delve into the fascinating world of hazel dormice, covering their ecology, behaviour, threats and important role within the ecosystem. She will discuss the different ways in which their population is monitored, the CRT’s plans to support them even more in future, as well as
what individuals can do to help this adorable species from further population decline.
Bat expert Chris Doubell will discuss The World of Bats on Thursday, January 22, looking at what bats need, where they roost, why there is a decline in all UK species and measures taken to protect them – including how people can help them. Chris will also talk about the evolutionary development of bat orders and how tectonic plate movements slowly formed the pattern of continents we know today.
Farming with Ecology with regenerative farmer Matt Elphick is on Tuesday, February 17. Matt will explain how he utilises and encourages insect, plant and animal diversity on his farm. He will explore the impact of this on carbon storage, soil and cow health,
and the quality of our food.
The last talk of the series called Helping Butterflies: Practical Action is on Wednesday, March 18, with the CRT’s wildlife expert, Vince Lea. He will look at a range of butterflies and how individuals can support their habitat. From holly blue butterflies in the garden to marbled white on farms, Vince will look at a range of species and share what the CRT is doing to encourage biodiversity.
To find out more about the free online talks and to book a place, see the CRT website at www.thecrt.co.uk/Pages/Events/ Category/online-talks. Booking is essential to receive the link. Donations are welcomed to support the work of the Countryside Regeneration Trust.
by AJ Selby
“Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and make a trail,” Ralph Waldo Emerson
REGULAR readers will know how I enjoy walking in all seasons but with a view to taking in the scenery, watching the wildlife and just letting the world go by – so ambling rather than head-down hiking. There is no excuse not to take this form of exercise for anyone fit and able – and I often see the less fit and able still making the most of what they can achieve.
We are blessed with many miles of footpaths on this little rock adrift in the cold Atlantic Ocean, with more than 140,000 miles of public rights of way in England and Wales. That’s 246.4 million yards, and with about 68 million inhabitants, if everyone in the country stood on a footpath evenly spaced, there would still be 3.6 yards to the next person, a remarkable figure on an overcrowded island
like this one.
Dorset is well blessed with open access offering nearly 3,000 miles of public rights of way including 4,700 footpaths, 1,700 bridleways and 37 byways. The Dorset section of the South West Coastal Path covers 75 miles across some of the loveliest views over the entire 630 miles of the path. Many footpaths have been around for centuries – the Ridgeway goes back thousands of years – but the creation of definitive legal public rights of way was set down in the National Parks and Countryside Act of 1949 which required local authorities to prepare official maps noting the public paths.
Of course, there are many other long-distance paths apart from the Ridgeway that have been used by travellers for millennia, such as the Roman roads like the Fosse Way built 2,000 years ago and running from Exeter to Lincoln, some 230 miles, and passing
Chapman’s Pool anchorage on the Isle of Purbeck viewed from the South West Coast Path looking towards Weymouth and Portland
to Minehead. There are many short walks within a mile or less of most people’s house, and the best way to find these is a local Ordnance Survey map.
important Roman towns like Ilchester, Bath, Cirencester and Leicester. The Pilgrims Way, running from Winchester to Canterbury, ostensibly for worshipers to travel to the cathedral to pay homage to Thomas à Becket (d 1170), has been a trackway for a lot longer than that. Archaeological dating takes it back to 600BC but some experts think it has been in existence since the Stone Age a couple of thousand years into the distant past.
Some I have enjoyed walking, such as the Saxon Shore Way, the South Downs Way, the Peddars Way, the Norfolk Coastal Path and the Camel Trail. In the north, the Coast to Coast is one of the most famous – a fairly tough walk from Saint Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay covering 183 miles of undulating terrain at the top of the Pennines. It covers three National Parks – the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. It’s on my ‘to do’ list, although the entire route may be a bridge too far.
The beauty of walking, say, the South West Coastal Path, is that it is relatively ‘local’ and can be done in sections of a day or a few days. I have done several of these in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, although I have yet to tackle any of the northern section from Bideford
I was gifted a bespoke map a few years ago and this is a great resource. Rather than a standard map – how many times do I seem to live in the bottom corner? – you can buy a custom map where you order with your postcode as the central point on the map – or any other postcode of your choosing – and you can see all the walks and footpaths within a radius of your house. The Explorer range gives the best detail with a 1:25,000 scale giving loads of information including farms, churches, topographical details and close contour lines. The Landranger maps, with only half the resolution of 1:50,000, are better where a broader view is needed, such as the general area and for car or bike journeys.
Apart from using the maps to find your local walks –footpaths are a dotted green line, bridleways a dashed green line – it’s fascinating to study a map and look at all the places within a few miles of your home and see what is there. National Trails – green diamonds with an acorn, recreational routes – ditto but no diamond, national cycle networks, traffic-free cycle routes, access land, access land in woodland, foreshore access, civil parish boundaries and many other points of interest.
The maps are a joy to look at and I have met many a walker who has dozens of these maps covering most of the country. The stiff paper they are printed on is pretty resilient to folding and a bit of damp, although the ‘new’ way now is to sign up for an annual subscription and download the maps to your phone, which not only means you don’t have to fight wind and rain to see where you are going but a red arrow conveniently tells you exactly where you are.
SPIRALLING energy costs and standing charges on nondomestic electricity bills are adding huge inflationary pressures in the supply chain, the NFU has warned, with these hikes posing an existential threat to the viability of many farming businesses without action.
In a letter to Ofgem, the NFU has raised concerns about the way the current system bases standing charges – the nonvariable part of the bill – on a business’s peak energy use, so seasonal users, such as farms running grain dryers or growers using refrigeration for only part
of the year, end up paying high charges all year round. It calls for Ofgem to introduce a fair and more equitable distribution of costs for seasonal highenergy users.
NFU members seeking
support to help them understand and manage their energy costs are able to receive tailored advice and support during this challenging period from NFU Energy.
NFU president, Tom Bradshaw, said: “Rising energy costs and the impact of increased standing charges are adding huge inflationary pressures in the supply chain. We’re hearing from many concerned farmers and growers that this is threatening their businesses, and in some cases, pushing them to the brink of closure.
“Production costs are high
across the economy and have been for some time. But there’s a fairer way to approach the current standing charge model, one that would allow businesses to reinvest, improving efficiency and resilience.
“Ofgem has already recognised that ‘a more enduring and strategic approach to standing charges and affordability’ is needed. We agree. That’s why we’re calling on Ofgem to introduce a new High Capacity Usage, Low Utilisation scheme, a fairer system that would reduce capacity charges for occasional high-power users.”
PODCASTER Ben Eagle is swapping out the microphone to produce a new podcast bringing fresh voices to the big debates in UK agriculture.
Hosted by dairy farmer Sophie Gregory and the arable and combine karaoke farmer, Ally Hunter Blair, The Big Debate will air robust discussion on some of the wider topics that affect farming.
Ben, who founded podcast production agency, RuralPod Media, is host of Meet the Farmers which has featured more than 300 farmers’ stories from across the UK, Norway, Australia, Ireland and the US.
“The Big Debate has been coming for a long time,” said Ben.
“We could see the need for an ongoing series about
farming and rural current affairs that would challenge misinformation, inform and entertain farmers, but also look ahead to the future and debate issues in a balanced and open way.
“Our hosts come from different sides of the sector to lift the lid on what really matters through entertaining discussion and positive, open
dialogue.
“We will also be inviting guests from across the breadth of agricultural sectors and the world of politics to engage in the ever-live farming debate.”
The Big Debate was set to launch last week on YouTube – search Meet the Farmers – Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other providers.
by Ruth Kimber
WE went to France again this year spending time with our farming family in the Loire Valley. The farm gave up milking about four years ago. They had a small herd of about 30 cows, mostly Normandy cattle, probably the prettiest of all cows with spots of varying shades of brown, chestnut and nearly black on a white coat. Their heads are the same shape as Jerseys but bigger with bulging dark eyes edged with ridiculously long black lashes. They are good milkers giving rich creamy milk and as a dual breed produce beef from the male calves.
The family used to take them along the road to graze with someone walking in front holding a red flag! Paul and I milked their cows on several
occasions for various reasons, one time when our old student got married!
The main enterprise on the farm is growing seeds, maize and other plants including millet, plus flowers – clarkia, night-scented stocks, lupins and others. Yves also grows grass for hay, wheat and pumpkins.
French farmers, like us, had hot dry weather this summer with little rain. They normally irrigate the crops with underground water through pipes fitted with meters. So even if they can still water the crops, it costs! And as any gardener knows, however much you water your garden, a good rainstorm makes the difference. We took our bike and enjoyed the many lanes around the area, all flat along the mighty river and surrounding fertile
SMALL BALE WHEAT STRAW collect/delivered
Tel: 07980-147019 / 01747-870360
DIY LIVERY SPACES on quiet and friendly yard near Shaftesbury. Large stables and great facilities including ménage, horse walker and lunge pen. £238 per month per horse. Tel: 07769-264480
QUALITY HAYLAGE & HAY. All June made. 3ft, 4ft and 6ft bales. Collect or delivered. Call Mark 07860 759996 or 01300 345293. www.henleyhaylage.co.uk
farmland.
We left the Loire and headed for the Massif Central where Naomi had found a delightful house in an ancient protected village, high up overlooking the hills. It is a very mountainous/ hilly area, the French Alps with the skiing in winter. However, farming is the obvious occupation, with many cows, dairy and beef. Brown Swiss and Friesians for dairy and lots of Limousin beef cattle. The size of herds varied.
We saw outside milking bales and went to an open farm, where visitors were at liberty to roam where they liked. It was high up and well off the beaten track and had a rotary parlour. They were making hay – they cut the grass when it is short, lush and very nutritious. At such an altitude the grass dried very
quickly and they gathered it in large trailers and brought it in to the barn next to the cow’s cubicle house. It was grabbed by a machine with four huge arms operated by a man in a cab attached to a track in the barn’s roof. The hay was placed in the barn which had a fan under the floor to make sure the hay was at the right humidity for storage.
The milk from the farm was processed in the dairy on the farm to make Saint Nectaire, soft Brie-like cheese. They had a farm shop on site, where visitors could hire quad bikes to explore the local hills! So just like here, they had to diversify to make a living.
We left France after spending a couple of days in Carentan in the Cherbourg peninsula. We visited a Second World War German bunker system museum and a farm museum, both highlighting the plight of the French people during the German occupation. Food for thought, with all the conflicts of today around the world.
Grass flail and scrub flail available for the management of scrub, brambles, grass etc.
Working on slopes of up to 50 degrees with operator.
Pneumatic fittings
Air brake fittings
Hose clamps
Hydraulic Hoses
Quick release couplings Pressure wash hoses + lances
Anything considered. Within 12 miles raduis of Wincanton. Tel: 07495-423751
07970-974680
WORKING COLLIE PUPS, parents DNA tested, both work daily, Sire in England team 2024 £500. 07976-955701
FENCING. Agricultural paddock and stock. Also part time help required. 01258-88089207980-036250 SHEEP
SALE / HIRE Tel: 01258 472288 Mob: 07977 936109 New and second hand containers - blue/green - all with box locks
Contact Mobile: 07850489782 Email: andrewlee01@btinternet.com We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.
Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Variation of oils Mobile service available
+ HEDGE CUTTER, 07711-980871
GROOVING, Mobile Grain Crimping and dry rolling Service. Cowco Southern. Call Ted: 07970-965040
Bowridge, Gillingham
Sturminster Newton
Guide £1,250,000
OIEO £650,000
Bryan
Shaftesbury
Guide £375,000
Mappowder Guide £595,000
A large chalet-style bungalow on the outskirts of Sturminster Newton with lovely mature gardens giving an outlook over fields towards the River Stour and beyond to the Blackmore Vale. Freehold. CTB F; EPC D.
A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village
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.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Guide £825,000
£230,000
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,
A 3 bedroom house in a development for the over 55’s with communal gardens to the rear and parking to the front behind secure electric gates. Freehold. Management Fee £3680pa. CTB D; EPC C.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
St Mary
Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000
Guide £800,000
£2,450 pcm
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
A substantial, split level family house with attractive, private garden situated in this popular village and enjoying views over the surrounding countryside. Holding Deposit - £565; Security Deposit - £2,826; EPC D; CTB F.
Blandford | 01258 452670
Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
| 01258 473766
A detached chalet bungalow with lovely front and back gardens, off-road parking and garage on a quiet road a short, level walk to the town centre. Freehold. CTB D; EPC D.
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.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sturminster | 01258 473766
OIEO £195,000
A Victorian cottage situated in this sought-after village, ripe for renovation with planning in place to extend and reconfigure with a new staircase and front door position. Freehold; CTB B; EPC F.
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 | 01258 473766
Newton | 01258 473766
Sherborne | 01935 814488 Leigh
£2,500 pcm
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 £775,000
A 4 bedroom former farmhouse with a wealth of character features, an outbuilding and gardens, set within beautiful countryside close to the village of Milton Abbas. Holding Deposit - £576; Security Deposit - £2884; EPC E; CTB F.
A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. No onward
Blandford | 01258 452670
Fitzpaine Sturminster | 01258 473766
PROPERTY AUCTION THURSDAY 24TH JULY 2025 AT 2:00PM AT DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, DIGBY ROAD, SHERBORNE, DT9 3NL
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025 2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE, WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2025 2:00PM THE DIGBY HALL, SHERBORNE DT9 3AB AND VIA LIVESTREAM
AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024
Guide £25,000
Torrington
Guide £50,000
rich in biodiversity, in a secluded, peaceful area south of the River Frome. Freehold.
Level pasture land and a traditional stone building set in 2.15 acres on the outskirts of the village of Queen Camel. Freehold.
Guide £99,500
Wimborne | 01202 843190
North Perrott Guide £45,000 3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.
3.51 acres with a useful agricultural storage shed in an attractive rural location with good access. Freehold.
Yeovil | 01935 382901
Sixpenny Handley
Holt, Wimborne Guide £80,000
Guide £150,000
Tiverton | 01884 218922
Yeovil | 01935 432526
A detached barn of about 125 sqm. in just under 1.70 acres with off-road
An opportunity to purchase a parcel of permanent pasture in the village of Holt, extending to approximately 4.51
Charlton Marshall
Gillingham
Pallington
Guide £300,000
Guides £495,000 & £210,000
Dorchester | 01305 236237
23.55 acres of permanent pasture, with fishing rights along the River Stour, which borders the land. Freehold.
Dorchester
Melplash
Hayle, Cornwall
Guide £200,000
Guide £15,000
Guide £50,000
Witchampton Guide £50,000
0.12 acres in a residential setting with development potential subject to planning permission/consents. Freehold.
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.
A former village hall with parking situated on the main road in the heart of the village. GIA 175 sqm. Freehold. RV TBA.
Axminster | 01297 33122
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 261008
Dorchester | 01305 261008
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Tarrant Rushton
Winterborne Zelston
Guide £250,000
Guide £185,000
Guide £200,000
Wareham Guide £110,000
65.92 acres and 22.50 acres of pasture land with stream frontage on the northern outskirts of Gillingham town. Freehold.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Sturminster | 01258 472244
Dorchester | 01305 236237
9.13 acres of freely draining land, predominantly comprising pasture with an element of woodland, located between Wareham and Wool. Freehold.
Guide
A garage site with full planning permission for 2 dwellings, in an excellent position within this sought after town. 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 semi-detached 3 bedroom property for refurbishment with scope for extension and remodelling (STPP) in a convenient location on the A31. Freehold. CTB-C; EPC-E.
Guide £350,000
38.42 acres (15.55 hectares) of fertile, workable arable land with good accessibility. Conveniently split into three workable parcels. The land has previously been used to grow salad crops and is understood to be very productive, more recently the land has been in a combinable crop rotation. This Autumn, the land has been drilled with a cover crop. Freehold.
£225,000
Sherborne Sherborne | 01935 814422
Blandford | 01258 452670
Blandford Forum | 01258 452670
Motcombe
Wimborne | 01202 882103
Gillingham
Bradworthy, Devon
Okeford Fitzpaine
Yeovil
Portland
Bournemouth
Guide £125,000
Guide £25,000
Guide £200,000
Milborne Port
Wimborne
Guide £225,000
Guide £90,000
Guide £150,000
A Grade II listed building offering several uses/options with planning permission and LB consent for conversion to residential. Freehold. EPC-D.
Verwood Guide £125,000 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.
A former public convenience on Portland Esplanade, suitable for storage/warehouse use subject to planning permission. Freehold. RV £1,375.
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.
Yeovil | 01935 423526
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Horton Heath
Swanage
A building plot with full planning permission for 2 dwellings, situated in a sought after location within Milborne Port. Freehold.
Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000
A semi detached, extended 4 bedroom period property for complete renovation with a generous garden adjoining Ferndown Forest. CTB C, EPC F, Freehold.
20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold.
A charming 2 bedroom ground floor apartment with parking conveniently situated in the town centre, with parking. Leasehold. Service Charge £4,269 pa. G Rent £30 pa. CTB-D; EPC-D.
Sherborne | 814422
Sherborne Sherborne | 01935 814488
Wimborne | 01202843190
Dorchester | 01305 236237
Guide £190,000
Guide £275,000
Guide £80,000
Fifehead Magdalen
Milborne Port
Marshwood
Guide £250,000
Guide £150,000
Ilton
Guide £180,000
Guide
£190,000
Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000
Guide £395,000
20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.
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.
Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope£115,000
Sturminster | 01258 473766 Guide £295,000
An investment opportunity comprising 2 retail units and 2 x 1 bed flats, in a convenient location, next to Gillingham station. Freehold. CTB A. RV £4,950. EPCs D, D, C, C.
Traditional stone barn set in 5.97acres. Positioned in a private location with residential conversion opportunity (STPP & relevant consents). Freehold.
Sturminster | 01258 472244
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Tiverton | 01884 218911
semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage in 0.89 acres offering character and charm throughout and enjoying views over the surrounding landscape. Freehold. CTB-C; EPC-E.
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.
Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000
A rare chance to finish an incomplete new build 4 bedroom property to your own specification, enjoying a good size garden.
Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000
Freehold. CTB E. EPC predicted B.
Sturminster | 01258 473766
Ilminster | 01460 200790
Guide £85,000
Guide £200,000
Chilcompton Guide £195,000
A
Horton, Wimborne
A substantial bungalow
74.24 parcels of level and southfacing arable land, arranged in two parcels of 54 and 20 acres, with the added provision of a circa 1,200 sqft barn currently used for the storage of machinery. Freehold.
A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Wimborne | 01202 843190 Guide £450,000
| 01935 814422
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Guide £400,000
Guide £250,000
An attached 3 bedroom property with scope for refurbishment, conveniently located on the
A 4 bedroom bungalow in need of modernisation throughout, with 0.62 acre grounds, multiple outbuildings and stunning views. Freehold. CTB-E; EPC-E.
A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.
and
Iliminster | 01460 200790
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Wimborne | 01202 843190
A ground floor 2 bedroom flat, of non-standard construction, in need of renovation throughout, offering an excellent investment opportunity. Leasehold. CTB. EPC D.
A mid terrace 2 double bedroom property in need of renovation throughout, with an enclosed rear garden situated close to the town centre. Freehold. CTB-C; EPC-D.
A partially renovated and extended 2 bedroom bungalow with potential for upwards extension, subject to planning permission. CTB C, EPC E, Freehold.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Dorchester Dorchester | 01305 261008
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
A 2 bedroom bungalow of concrete panel construction for refurbishment or replacement (STPP) in 0.24 acres. Freehold. CTB B. EPC F.
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.
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.
Sturminster | 01258 473766
Sherborne | 01935
Axminster | 01297 33122
Fontmell Magna
Guide £350,000
Henstridge Guide £300,000
Milborne Port
Corfe Castle
Guide £395,000
Guide £190,000
A charming 2 bedroom period cottage, situated at the end of a terrace in this popular village close to Sherborne. Freehold. CTB C. EPC E.
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.
Shaftesbury Guide £95,000
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.
Sturminster | 01258 473766
A lofty workshop with large and level fenced outside space. 0.66 acre plot on the Marsh Lane Trading Estate. Freehold. RV Workshop-£9,600 Yard£12,000; EPC-C. Dorchester Commercial | 01305 261008
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Sherborne | 01935 814422
A charming Grade II Listed3
Shapwick
Guide £200,000
A semi-detached 2 bedroom period cottage in need of renovation throughout with a pretty rear garden in this sought after village. Freehold. CTB D.
Guide £250,000
Somerford Road, Christchurch
A semi-detached 2 bedroom cottage believed to date back to the 18th century, located within the sought after
Guide £225,000-£250,000 A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold.
£500,000 A residential development site measuring 0.87 acres with full, detailed planning permission for 7 residential dwellings (planning ref: 20/01206/ FUL). Further 1.13 acre field included. Freehold. CTB-D; EPC-F.
Blandford | 01258 452670
Yeovil | 01935 423526
Sherborne | 01935 814422
Wimborne | 01202 843190
cottage for complete renovation, situated close to the centre of this highly sought-after village. CTB E, EPC Exempt, Freehold.
Milborne Port Guide £150,000 An attractive period property for renovation enjoying a generous garden sitting on the outskirts of Milborne Port. 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. CTB-F; EPC-F.
Fiddleford Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
| 01202 843190
Blandford | 01258 452670
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Frampton
Guide £650,000
A charming semi-detached cottage in the heart of the village with 3 bedrooms, a large garden, and views over the village green.
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.
Guide £275,000
Belchalwell Guide £250,000 A detached bungalow on a 0.30 acre plot for modernisation/replacement (STPP) with a positive pre application response for a 4 bedroom house. Freehold.
A detached 6 bedroom farmhouse in need of renovation and a courtyard of traditional and modern farm buildings, situated in a rural location on a no through lane and boasting far reaching views. In all 1.82 acres. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Dorchester | 01305 261008
Yeovil | 01935 382901 Guide £595,000
Sherborne
PPROPERTY AUCTIONS FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024 & FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025 2:00PM AT MERLEY HOUSE, WIMBORNE BH21 3AA & VIA LIVESTREAM
PROPERTY AUCTION THURSDAY 24TH JULY 2025 AT 2:00PM AT DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, DIGBY ROAD, SHERBORNE, DT9 3NL
PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025 2:00PM THE DIGBY MEMORIAL CHURCH HALL, SHERBORNE DT9 3NL AND VIA LIVESTREAM
Guide £25,000
Guide £50,000
rich in biodiversity, in a secluded, peaceful area south of the River Frome. Freehold.
Guide £50,000
North Perrott Guide £45,000
A small parcel of land, (214 sqm.)
Level pasture land and a traditional stone building set in 2.15 acres on the outskirts of the village of Queen Camel. Freehold.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
3.01 acres (1.22 ha) of gently sloping pasture land with direct road access. Freehold.
Yeovil | 01935 382901
Sixpenny Handley
situated just off Dalwoods, in a quiet location close to the town centre. The land offers potential for a range of uses (STPP/consents). Freehold.
Holt, Wimborne Guide £80,000
Guide £150,000
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Yeovil | 01935 432526
A detached barn of about 125 sqm. in just under 1.70 acres with off-road
An opportunity to purchase a parcel of permanent pasture in the village of Holt, extending to approximately 4.51
Charlton Marshall
Point. Freehold.
Amport, Andover
Guide £235,000
Guide £300,000
Dorchester | 01305 236237
Axminster
Dorchester
Melplash
Guide
Guide £50,000
£125,000
Guide £200,000
Witchampton Guide £50,000
A former village hall with parking situated on the main road in the heart of the village. GIA 175 sqm. Freehold.
RV TBA.
A 2 double bedroom, mid terraced ex-local authority property, built in the 1970’s in a convenient location just a short drive from Axminster’s town centre. Freehold. CTB B. EPC E.
0.19 acres of amenity land with scope for a range of uses (STPP/consents), adjoining residential properties. Freehold.
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.
Dorchester | 01305 261008
Axminster | 01297 33122
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 261008
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Rushton
Winterborne Zelston
Yetminster
Guide £250,000
Guide £185,000
Guide £250,000
Pallington Guide £350,000
23.55 acres of permanent pasture, with fishing rights along the River Stour, which borders the land. Freehold.
Wareham Guide £110,000
A charming 2 bedroom cottage, situated in a sought after village, with excellent commuter links, making it an ideal investment opportunity. Freehold. CTB C. EPC E.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Sturminster | 01258 473766
Dorchester | 01305 236237
9.13 acres of freely draining land, predominantly comprising pasture with an element of woodland, located between Wareham and Wool. 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 semi-detached 3 bedroom property for refurbishment with scope for extension and remodelling (STPP) in a convenient location on the A31. Freehold. CTB-C; EPC-E.
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.
A site with full planning permission for 3 dwellings, currently comprising a detached 3 bedroom bungalow in a sought after location. Ref: P/FUL/2023/06864. Freehold.
Blandford Forum | 01258 452670
Blandford | 01258 452670
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Guide £225,000
Wimborne | 01202 882103
Yarlington
Bradworthy, Devon
Guide
Yeovil
Par
Bournemouth
Guide
£135,000-£150,000
Guide £200,000
Guide £125,000
Upton, Poole
Wimborne
Sherborne
Guide
£225,000
Guide £150,000
Guide £225,000
A semi-detached 3 bedroom property in need of refurbishment throughout, with a garage and off-road parking, ideally situated for Par and the coast. Freehold. CTB B. EPC D.
A Grade II listed building offering several uses/options with planning permission and LB consent for conversion to residential. Freehold. EPC-D.
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.
Verwood Guide £125,000 1.38 acres with a derelict barn in a residential location falling within the main urban development area on the Local Plan. Freehold.
Dorchester Commercial | 01305 236237
Yeovil | 01935 423526
Axminster | 01297 33122
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Dorchester
Horton Heath
Guide £275,000
Guide £190,000
A semi detached, extended 4 bedroom period property for complete renovation with a generous garden adjoining Ferndown Forest. CTB C, EPC F, Freehold.
A detached 3 bedroom property with scope for renovation/extension (STPP/ consents), enjoying a large garden and a convenient location just 4 miles from Poole. Freehold. CTB B. EPC F.
Winfrith Newburgh Guide £170,000 20.42 acres (8.26 ha) of level, productive permanent pasture land adjacent to Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath. Freehold.
A charming 2 bedroom ground floor apartment with parking conveniently situated in the town centre, with parking. Leasehold. Service Charge £4,269 pa. G Rent £30 pa. CTB-D; EPC-D.
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Wimborne | 01202843190
Dorchester | 01305 236237
Fifehead Magdalen
Milborne Port
Guide £250,000
A partially renovated and extended 2 bedroom bungalow with potential for upwards extension, subject to planning permission. CTB C, EPC E, 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. CTB-C; EPC-D.
Dorchester | 01305 261008
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
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.
A charming 2 bedroom period cottage, situated at the end of a terrace in a quiet village location. Freehold. CTB-C; EPC-E.
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.
Sturminster | 01258 473766
Sherborne | 01935 814488 Guide £200,000
Guide £350,000
Henstridge Guide £300,000
Guide £375,000
Batcombe, Dorchester Guides £40,000 to £115,000
20.70 acres (12.01 ha) tucked away in a quiet rural position in 3 lots.
£395,000
Lot A – 15.02 ac arable capable pasture land with a gentle south facing slope£115,000
Motcombe Sturminster | 01258 473766 Guide £295,000
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.
Traditional stone barn set in 5.97acres. Positioned in a private location with residential conversion opportunity (STPP & relevant consents). Freehold.
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.
Lot B - 3.57 ac pasture and woodland including an old brick pumphouse - £40,000
Sturminster | 01258 473766
Lot C – 11.11 ac pasture and strip of woodland with stream frontage - £90,000 Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Tiverton | 01884 218911
Sutton Mandeville
5.90 acres of productive agricultural land and woodland, in the heart of a popular village, with good highways access. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Sutton Mandeville, Wiltshire
Guide £775,000
Guide £85,000
Horton, Wimborne
Sandford Orcas
Chilcompton Guide £195,000
Guide £450,000
A partially built 5 bedroom detached house, with double garage and gardens. PP was granted under application reference 2022/1683/FUL. Freehold.
74.24 parcels of level and southfacing arable land, arranged in two parcels of 54 and 20 acres, with the added provision of a circa 1,200 sqft barn currently used for the storage of machinery. Freehold.
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
Wimborne | 01202 843190
Sturminster Newton | 01258 472244
Guide £400,000
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.
A period detached cottage in need of general improvement throughout, set in spacious gardens of 0.21 acres (0.08 hectares). Freehold.
A 4 bedroom bungalow in need of modernisation throughout, with 0.62 acre grounds, multiple outbuildings and stunning views. Freehold. CTB-E; EPC-E.
Iliminster | 01460 200790
Sherborne | 01935 814488
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.
Shaftesbury Guide £95,000
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.
Sturminster | 01258 473766
A lofty workshop with large and level fenced outside space. 0.66 acre plot on the Marsh Lane Trading Estate. Freehold. RV Workshop-£9,600 Yard£12,000; EPC-C. Dorchester Commercial | 01305 261008
Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766
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.
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
Sherborne | 01935 814488
Guide £225,000-£250,000
Somerford Road, Christchurch
A detached 2 bedroom cottage for complete renovation, situated in this highly sought after village within Cranborne Chase. Freehold.
A residential development site measuring 0.87 acres with full, detailed planning permission for 7 residential dwellings (planning ref: 20/01206/ FUL). Further 1.13 acre field included. Freehold. CTB-D; EPC-F.
Blandford | 01258 452670
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.
Wimborne | 01202 843190
423526
£525,000 Buckhorn Weston
£775,000 Wincanton
£259,000 Bourton
We still have many buyers looking to purchase a property in the local towns and villages. If you are considering a move in the coming months, 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
Please call 01963 34000 or email wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment.
01963 34000 to arrange an
Please call 01963 34000 or email wincanton@hambledon.net to book an appointment.
Templecombe
£225,000 Wincanton
Castle Cary
garage. EPC Rating: C. Freehold.
Bayford
£595,000 Castle Cary
ELEGANT ACCOMMODATION FOR 1 PERSON in annex of country house, 4 miles south of Frome. Dog welcome. Tel: 07827-225832
1 BEDROOM FLAT NEAR CHARLTON MACKERELL.
£800 per month, including electric and water. Tel: 07773-067464
2 BEDROOM COTTAGE TO RENT, town centre Shaftesbury. Parking optional. £1150 pcm, bills not included. Also, a smaller 2 bed cottage available, £1150 pcm bills included. 12-18months. John 07836 616130
SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION on quiet farm near Yeovil 01935 892476
DAMP or mould and high crime rates are the biggest put-offs to prospective house purchasers, according to a new survey.
Springbok Properties surveyed more than 1,000 UK homebuyers to find out what would deter them when it comes to the property itself and the surrounding area.
The top nine put-offs within a property were:
1 Signs of damp or mould – the most common deal-breaker.
2 Very small rooms or a poor layout – a close second.
3 Lack of natural light – ranked third.
4 Strong odours – such as pets, smoke, or cooking smells.
5 Poorly converted garage or loft – viewed as a liability.
6 Outdated kitchen or bathroom
– costly to modernise.
7 Badly maintained gardens or outdoor space – lowers appeal.
8 Unusual flooring choices – for example, carpet in bathrooms.
9 Taxidermy or unusual collections on display –unsettling for many buyers. The top nine outside put-offs were:
1 High crime rates – the top external turn-off.
2 Noisy neighbours – second most off-putting.
3 Lack of parking or contested street parking.
4 Busy roads and traffic noise.
5 Neighbours with large or aggressive pets.
6 Homes under flight paths or near railway lines.
7 Poorly maintained neighbouring properties.
8 Strong political or religious signage placards, murals or banners.
9 Too many short-lets or Airbnbs on the same street.
