The New Blackmore Vale - Issue 143 by The Blackmore Vale Limited

Edition 143

FREE EVERY FORTNIGHT

Friday, March 13, 2026

The New Blackmore Vale www.blackmorevale.net

HONOURED FOR GOING ABOVE &

Town honours residents who help others STFOURLLY: PAGE 6 and strengthen community spirit... HILLS ON THE HORIZON It’s an uphill battle to raise money in the Peaks Challenge Page 3

FACING THE FUTURE Charity foundation is changing children’s lives Page 14

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ALL DRESSED UP… Friends plan a hike with a difference Page 8

What’s inside this issue…

• Main pic: Enjoy a special screening of World’s Toughest Drive at Sherborne School page 16 • Above: Kelvin Davey hands over a cheque to the Friends of Yeatman Hospital page 26 • Left: Yeovil Hospital opens new diagnostic and outpatient centre page 24

Announcements Antiques & Collectables Arts & Entertainment Church DorSET for Easter Feature Events Farming Field & Stream Food & Drink Health & Wellbeing Home & Garden

EDITORIAL 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

62-65 38-40 46-48 33 29-32 48 78-81 77 67 68-69 49-54

Items For Sale Letters Local Services Motoring Pets Politics Property Puzzles Recruitment Sport Wanted

41 34-35 55-61 74-75 72-73 42-45 82-86 36-37 66 70-71 41

ADVERTISING Debi Thorne Sales Director Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409 Rachelle Cooper Classified Adverts adverts@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

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Taking the long way round by vintage tractor ONE man and his vintage tractor are set to take the long road from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in aid of Diabetes UK. Owen Howells, from Blandford, will be driving a Massey Ferguson 35 Petrol/TVO manufactured in 1960 and with a top speed of 17mph. He will be heading off from the northern tip of Scotland on an eight-day journey on Friday, April 17. Owen, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of nine in 1994, says Diabetes UK is a charity close to his heart. He said: “In the last 31 years I have seen a lot of changes for the better and I want to give back something to help the constant, continuous improvement in diabetes care for the next generation.” The tractor, which has been in the family since 2001, had done very little work when it was purchased at a farm sale in Ely, Cambridgeshire. At the time it was manufactured, diesels had already come to dominate the market with the tractor remaining in the dealership

for four years before it was sold. The tractor had been hand-painted when Owen’s family purchased it, so they resprayed the bonnet and wings, which is the only restoration it has had. Owen used the tractor for six years doing ploughing matches. Since 2005, his mother, Jacquie Howells, has taken it to Norfolk on the first weekend in July to take part in the Pink Ladies Tractor Road Run for Breast Cancer Research. Owen will be covering 139 miles on the second day of his tractor trip, which will be the longest day’s travelling. He will be staying overnight at campsites on the route, some of which are letting him stay free of charge. Supporters can follow Owen’s challenge thanks to a live tracker with a link on his Facebook page, ‘John O Groats to Land End on a Massey Ferguson 35’. He will also try to post videos and photos along the journey. To donate to Owen’s challenge, visit

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www.justgiving.com/page/owen-howells-1. Owen would like to thank RJ and KD McLean Ltd, which is transporting the tractor from its yard to John O’ Groats; Tyreworld, which has donated tyres; Track-Wise which has supplied the tracker; and Signs and Display and NWF Fuels.

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Your chance to try the good life

Peak performance

TWO Dorset men are planning to climb each of the UK’s three highest peaks three times within 80 hours in aid of mental health charity The Brave and Determined. Rob Marsh and Sam Butler are training at Cor Fitness in Shaftesbury for the Nine Peaks Challenge in memory of their close friend, Andy Flinders, who took his own life in 2024. The pair will be climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in May, which will involve covering 126km of challenging mountain terrain and 1,700 miles of driving. Now they are seeking volunteer drivers to transport them between mountains and the loan of a campervan or similar vehicle to allow them to rest and recover while travelling. Anyone who can help, should email lucy_lou15@hotmail. co.uk. The Brave and Determined provides six sessions of early intervention lifesaving counselling to people in need. To back Rob and Sam’s Nine Peaks Challenge, visit www. justgiving.com/page/9peaks-badco.

‘VOLUNTEER Fridays’ at Primrose Organic Produce, near Marnhull, will see participants learn practical skills in growing organic vegetables, fruit and flowers. They will also gain an insight into how a small organic farm is cared for throughout the seasons. The events, led by the farm’s grower, Annabel, are held on the first Friday of every month from 9am-1pm at Lymburghs Farm (DT10 1HN). They are open to anyone who lives locally with an interest in gardening, food growing, nature or just spending a few enjoyable hours outside. No prior experience is needed and volunteers are welcome to join as often or as little as they like. The mornings are designed to be informal, welcoming and hands-on, with participants able

to get involved in seasonal tasks while learning about soil care, planting, crop management and the rhythms of the growing year. A spokesperson for the farm said: “In an increasingly fast-paced and indoor-focused lifestyle, initiatives like this provide a valuable opportunity for people to spend time outdoors, improve wellbeing and reconnect with where their food comes from. “Time spent in green spaces has been widely linked to reduced stress, improved mood and a greater sense of calm, while learning practical ‘green skills’ can inspire people to grow more at home and engage more deeply with sustainable living.” For more information, email primroseorganic@gmail.com or visit www.primroseorganic. co.uk.

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Matthew Rutherford and Esther Atkins PHOTO: Tom Jackson

Easter story NIGHT Falls, a fresh, vivid and dynamic retelling of the Easter story, will be performed at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester next week. It focuses on the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and tells the story through the eyes of Lazurus, a man struggling with faith, doubt, fear and hope. The Riding Lights Theatre Company production features Matthew Rutherford as Lazurus. He recently performed in No Such Things As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome and has had previous roles in the

West End, the National Theatre in Oslo and in an international tour of Mamma Mia. Esther Atkins plays Dvora, a mysterious stranger with a secret that will change everything. Night Falls, written and directed by Paul Birch and with original music by Nikki Crowley, is performed on Tuesday, March 17, at 7pm. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk and the Dorford Centre in person either in advance or on the night. Adults £15, concessions £10, 12-18 years £5 – not suitable for under-12s.

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MORE than 50 members of Marnhull WI celebrated the group’s centenary at The Crown in the village. North Dorset MP Simon Hoare and Jenny Preston, vice-chair of Dorset Federation, also went along. m Dorchester The buffet event included a display of photographs and memorabilia from the last 100 years and a speech by WI president Nicola Denham. Nicola spoke about how in the Second World War members made socks for service personnel and helped support evacuees. She said members grew potatoes from two seed potatoes – one producing a crop of 36lb! WI members are planning a visit to the Houses of Parliament and a ride on Swanage Railway as part of their celebrations later in the year.

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Archives on display DORSET Archives Trust (DAT) is fundraising to bring the archive of writer and LGBTQ+ pioneer Sylvia Townsend Warner (1893-1978) into the public domain. DAT aims to create a full, searchable online catalogue. Longer term, it hopes this will help to widen the understanding, awareness and appreciation of the writer and her work. Warner was the author of seven novels and many poems and short stories, including 154 that were published in the New Yorker magazine. Warner’s status and reputation have grown in recent years with, most recently, the unveiling of a statue of the author, her cat and various of her manuscripts in Dorchester town centre following a campaign by charity Visible Women. Warner lived with her partner Valentine Ackland at Chaldon Herring and latterly Frome Vauchurch until her death in 1978. They are both buried in Chaldon Herring. To many, they were brave and unconventional, living as a couple through an era when societal perspectives on same-sex relationships could be anything but tolerant. “This significant writers’ archive deserves to be fully in the limelight,” said Chris Fowler, DAT chair. “Sylvia Townsend Warner was a great observer of Dorset life during the war years and beyond.” Tracy Chevalier, renowned author and patron of DAT, said, “It’s wonderful that

the Dorset History Centre has this extensive archive of one of the county’s most interesting writers. I’m delighted the DAT is working to make Warner’s papers more easily accessible to the public. Documents like this open up the past to us, and really bring a person to life.” DAT needs to raise £48,000 in order to make Warner’s archive accessible. The project welcomes support from anyone wishing to celebrate Dorset’s literary and cultural heritage. As a special 'thank you’, donors will be sent a small collection of unique digital images from the collection, for their own personal use, which reflect the special relationships that the author had with her friends and followers. You can donate on the DAT website at: www.dorsetarchivestrust.org/project/ sylvia-townsend-warner-fundraisingappeal.

LOCAL organisations and individuals whose efforts often go unsung were celebrated at the Wincanton Community Awards held at the town hall. The annual awards celebrate the people who go above and beyond to support others, strengthen community spirit and inspire positive change across Wincanton. This year they went to Got Your Six,

Wincanton Scouts and Beavers, Wincanton Silver Band and Phil and Yvonne Rodgers. Wincanton Mayor, Cllr Howard Ellard, said: "The Wincanton Community Awards are about celebrating the heart of our town – the people who give their time, energy and passion to make Wincanton such a wonderful place to live.”

The archive consists of 85 boxes of records – diaries, letters, photographs, drawings and printed materials – the raw materials of Warner’s creative life

Community awards

Wincanton Silver Band

Phil and Yvonne Rodgers

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Book it to bin it

DORSET residents will soon have to book in advance to use four recycling centres. From Monday, March 23, residents will only be able to visit recycling centres in Dorchester, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Sherborne after making an appointment. Dorset Council says its aim is to make visits smoother, reduce queues and ensure the service remains fair for Dorset taxpayers. Each site currently sees around 380 visits a day. The new system offers 430 bookable slots daily per site, which can be reserved up to two weeks in advance. Visitors will have a 30-minute arrival window, and multiple bookings on the same day are allowed. Same‑day slots will be available. You can book online at www.dorsetcouncil.gov. uk/w/hrc-booking or call 01305 221000 There’s no charge for Dorset residents, but non-Dorset visitors will pay a fee per visit. Six other recycling centres remain open without booking for Dorset residents, except when disposing of DIY waste. Bookings open from Monday, March 16.

Netherbury Repair Cafe

A TEAM of expert volunteers are ready to repair your broken items in Netherbury this March. From blunt knives to redundant electrical items, bicycles, textiles and ceramics, the sentimental to the practical, no repair is too big or small. Bring your broken bits to Netherbury village hall on Sunday, March 29, between 10am and midday. The repair service is free. Please supply any spare parts you may need. Enjoy a pit stop in the wonderful cafe, which offers home-made cakes, delicious coffee and a range of Clipper teas. It is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. New volunteers are always welcome – if you love fixing things, baking or being part of a fun community event then come along. Find out more from Lisa Willis on 07870 950 666 or info@ repaircafenetherbury.org, or visit www.repaircafenetherbury.org.

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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People power

A FREE workshop is open to anyone interested in renewable energy. It’s a chance to explore the potential of renewable energy in Tisbury, Fonthill Gifford, Hindon and the surrounding areas, and see how it could benefit, or be owned by, the local community. Everyone is welcome – you don't need any prior knowledge. There will be a free buffet. The workshop will take place at Hinton Hall, Church Street, Tisbury (SP3 6NH) on Thursday, March 26 from 6pm8.30pm. For more information and to register your interest email communities@cse.org.uk or call 0117 934 1400.

Musical musings

CLASSICAL music aficionados and those wanting to expand their repertoire are invited to a series of talks in Sherborne this month. Head to Ogilvy & More on Half Moon Street on Tuesday, March 24, to catch local resident Mark Strachan waxing lyrical on Puccini’s La Bohème, Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem. He will discuss the merits, context and stories of these most popular operas. Each talk lasts 50 minutes. The first, on La Bohème, starts at 10am. Mark was awarded the British Empire Medal by the late Queen Elizabeth II for services to music after leading a lockdown choir during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Tickets are free and available in person from Ogilvy & More www.ogilvyandmore.com.

Melodies Remembered: now at a new venue EVERYONE is welcome at meetings of the Melodies Remembered singing group, which has moved to a new venue in Shaftesbury. The group, for people living with dementia and their families and carers, is now meeting at the Royal British Legion Hall

(SP7 8PF) on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. A spokesperson for the group said: “It’s the same group, same agenda and all the same fun!” Visitors have the chance to sing along with a variety of musicians, including the Shaftesbury Community choir,

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the local ukulele band, sea shanty singers, guitarists, keyboard or trumpet players. Refreshments are available for a small donation. For more information, phone 07871665927 or email dementiafriendlyshaftesbury@ gmail.com.

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A plethora of sporting challenges SHAFTESBURY Rotary Club has announced its line-up of sporting events for 2026, designed to engage the local community, encourage fitness and fun, and support charitable causes in the area. The club says there is something for everyone from seasoned athletes to casual participants. The first event is the RotaKids Sponsored Swim at Combe House on Sunday, March 22, with three primary schools taking part – Shaftesbury, Abbey and Semley. Each participant will swim for 20 minutes in lanes.

The money raised will go to local charities chosen by the schools, administered by Shaftesbury Rotary. The second event is the Family Fun Run sponsored by Casterbridge Wealth, on Sunday, April 12. 5km and 10km runs start on Park Walk and finish on the iconic Gold Hill. The event is in its third year and has proved very popular with all grades of runners from beginners to experienced. Profits will go to Westminster Memorial Hospital and local charities. The final sporting event is the

flagship North Dorset Cycle Ride, now in its 10th year. First Milk/BV Dairy is once again the main sponsor. This year the cycle ride is on Sunday, May 10, from Park Walk finishing on Gold Hill. The 50-mile ride heads off north into the Wiltshire hills, via Stourhead and Maiden Bradley, before bearing east to Kingston Devrill, Mere, Chilmark and a welcoming feed station at the Nadder Centre in Tisbury, before heading to the finish via the Donheads. The 25-mile route heads north through Motcombe, Sedgehill, Semley before

Trio hope silly costumes will inflate charity haul THREE slightly unfit men in their mid-30s from Yeovil and Crewkerne plan to walk more than 30 miles along the Dorset coastal path dressed in matching red inflatable costumes in aid of Comic Relief. George Dumbrell, a manager at John Lewis; Jed Bennett, a graphic designer and podcaster; and Tyrone Humphreys, a writer and ESOL teacher – who style themselves Apollo Velvet – will over two days walk from Durdle Door, via Swanage to Bournemouth. The challenge aims to raise funds for Comic Relief, which supports projects tackling poverty and injustice in the UK and across Africa. The Jurassic Coast route is known for its relentless climbs and exposed cliff paths – something Tyrone knows first hand. “In 2024 I walked the Jurassic Coast for Macmillan and raised £900,” he said. “It’s a genuinely tough route even in proper gear. Doing it again in inflatable costumes feels like either bravery or poor

judgement.” The trio admit they are not endurance athletes. “We are three men in our mid-thirties, not in peak physical condition,” said George. “There will be hills. There will be wind. There will be a constant battery-powered whirring sound.” Jed added: “We felt Comic Relief deserved something dignified and athletic. Unfortunately, this is what we came up with.” The group have previously fundraised for Mind, Macmillan and the Rob Norris Foundation, and say they wanted to continue supporting causes that matter to them. George will also be taking part in the MoonWalk London in May. They hope the spectacle of three red inflatable figures battling Dorset’s coastal winds will encourage donations – and possibly concern from other walkers! The walk will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ page/av4africa.

heading to the feed station at the Nadder Centre, then it follows the 50km route to the finish. The family cycle ride will again be around the town, with the fun cycle challenges at Barton Hill. Registration for all events can be completed at www. shaftesburyrotaryclub.org. Early registration is encouraged, as spaces may be limited for certain events. For details, sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer, contact the Rotary Club at info@shaftesburyrotary.org or visit www. shaftesburyrotaryclub.org.

Freedom!

COLONEL Lucy Giles CBE has been presented with the Freedom of Wincanton in recognition of her outstanding service, leadership and dedication in the British Army. Colonel Giles, who was born in Bayford and attended King Arthur’s School in Wincanton, received the honour at the Wincanton Community Awards held at the town hall. Mayor of Wincanton, Cllr Howard Ellard, said: “Colonel Lucy Giles’ accomplishments and commitment to service embody the very best of our community’s values. “We are delighted to recognise her achievements by awarding her the Freedom of the Town.” The Freedom is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed by the town council.

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Metabolic Minute: Meet the team by Dr Rebecca Hiscutt PhD MODERN health challenges often require looking beneath the surface. At Wincanton Health Centre, our team focuses on the root causes of illness to help patients improve their metabolic health. This can help patients see improvements in their symptoms within days to weeks. In this week’s article, four of our specialists share their favourite metabolic ‘quick wins’ to help you take back control of your energy and mood. Dr Rob Taylor (GP with a special interest in metabolic health and lifestyle medicine): • “I want to fix the root cause of health problems. Focusing on metabolic health tackles the most important root of all.” • Top tip: Focus on your environment. Ensure your environment supports the habits you want to build. • Healthy habit: Quality sleep is my ultimate energy source. Dr Campbell Murdoch (GP with a special interest in metabolic health): • “Poor metabolic health drains our

•

The metabolic health team (left to right): Dr Rob Taylor, Megan Perrin, Dr Rebecca Hiscutt, Dr Campbell Murdoch

•

energy, mood, and weight. But it can be improved significantly in just weeks.” Top tip: View exercise as a way to make today better – to unwind or socialise – rather than seeing it as a chore. Healthy habit: Prioritising highquality protein at every meal.

Megan Perrin (health coach with a special interest in metabolic health): • “It’s easy to lose your ‘why.’ I help people connect their health goals to

what matters most, like being active for their family.” Top tip: Reduce “decision fatigue.” Design systems that make healthy choices automatic so you don’t have to think about them. Healthy habit: Social connection. Staying mindful and active with others buffers the stress that drains our metabolic battery.

Dr Rebecca Hiscutt PhD (Dietitian with a special interest in metabolic health): • “Metabolic health gives patients hope. No matter where you are starting, you can take a step forward and feel in control again.” • Top tip: Always look for what you can do. If an injury stops you from walking, could you try wall press-ups or light weights? There is always a lever you can move. • Healthy habit: A ‘no-fuss’ meal list on my phone. Having three or four simple ideas (like a salmon tray-bake or an omelette) prevents decision fatigue or choosing food that makes you feel more tired at the end of a long day.

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Serving the service community THE team at Got Your Six UK received the Exceptional Service to the Community award at the recent Wincanton Community Awards 2025. The organisation, which only opened its doors in June 2024, was founded to support the mental health and wellbeing of the Armed Forces community across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. It has quickly evolved into a wider resource with the Wincanton Community Hub at its heart open to all. The Hub’s welcoming drop-in lounge provides a safe space where military and civilian communities connect, reduce isolation and strengthen mutual understanding. In 2025, the Hub recorded 3,139 visits from 56 postcode areas, including 311 first-time visitors. Of those attending, 67.4% were from the Armed Forces

community, 4% from Blue Light services and 28.6% civilian. The Hub remained open throughout the festive period, with 25 people choosing to spend Christmas Day together in a safe and supportive environment. In 2025, 128 hours of military-specific therapy were delivered to high-risk clients – all but one presenting with a mental health condition. Got Your Six UK is a Community Interest Company founded by Tara Coyles-Gould, a military spouse, and is now led by her alongside three veterans supported by about 20 volunteers. Through its Bank Vault Bookshop, pre-loved shop, merchandise line and events throughout the year, the organisation works hard to generate income and move towards long-term sustainability.

But it continues to depend on the generosity of supporters, donations and grant funding to maintain and grow its services. Tara said: “We are incredibly grateful to Wincanton Town Council for recognising the importance of supporting those who serve. “This award reflects not only what we have achieved in a short space of time, but the strength of a community standing firmly behind its

Armed Forces. “The Hub welcomes anyone from the community to visit for a brew, a tour of our facilities and to meet some of the incredible people we work with.” The Hub is open Tuesday 10am-1pm, Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. For more information, visit www.gotyoursix.uk.

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blackmorevale.net Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is pleased to announce a new fundraising event, taking place at Baiter Park, Poole on Saturday 9th May 2026.

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Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is pleased to announce a new fundraising event, taking place at Baiter Park, Poole on Saturday 9th May 2026.

easide Scramble is an action packed 5K obstacle course, designed for all ages and abilities, with an assortment of air ambulance themed obstacles guaranteed to get you giggling as you run, climb, crawl and scramble your way to the finish line. Whether you’re teaming up with family, having a laugh with friends, or bonding with colleagues, Seaside Scramble offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day by the coast, all while supporting a vital life-saving charity.

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Conservation and community action ‘GREEN’ charity Carymoor Environmental Trust, at Castle Cary, is celebrating 30 years of environmental education, conservation and community action this year. To launch its landmark year, the charity welcomed Sarah Dyke MP and members of the school council from Castle Cary Primary School. Carymoor was founded in 1996 by a small group of local enthusiasts with the aim of helping people live more sustainably and reconnect with nature. 30 years on, it has grown into a thriving environmental organisation, inspiring communities across Somerset to reduce waste, enhance biodiversity and care for the environment. One of Carymoor’s biggest achievements has been the transformation of 80 acres of capped landfill into a flourishing nature reserve. Today, the site supports woodland, wetland and wildflower meadows, with staff and volunteers regularly recording 28 species of butterfly, including four priority species. Deer, rabbits, foxes and badgers are now a familiar sight

across the reserve. Carymoor’s nature reserve and eco buildings form the base for a wide-ranging environmental education programme. More than 3,000 young people visit Carymoor each year. Since the charity opened its doors, 85,000-plus schoolchildren have taken part in visits and activities on site. Children also have the opportunity to visit a working waste transfer station, giving them a first-hand understanding of waste issues and showing how everyday choices can make a real difference. Sarah Dyke MP said: “I am delighted to be at Carymoor to celebrate its 30th anniversary. “Carymoor plays an important role in educating the next generation and helping to make environmentally positive behaviours the norm.” Carymoor’s Schools Against Waste project, delivered with Somerset Council, extends this learning into primary schools across the county. Through assemblies and workshops, children explore the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – with practical sessions on topics such as food waste and

single-use plastics. Volunteers contribute in excess of 6,500 hours each year to Carymoor’s work. Many volunteers are recovering from mental health challenges and gain confidence, connection and purpose through outdoor activity. Carymoor staff also teach traditional countryside skills, including hedgelaying, scything and coppicing, supporting wildlife and wellbeing. Chief executive Rupert Farthing said: “Over the past 30 years, Carymoor has made a significant impact on communities in Somerset and beyond, demonstrating that

reducing our environmental impact can be positive and life-enhancing. “As we look to the future, we aim to build on this legacy by expanding our education work, restoring more habitats and strengthening partnerships that help Somerset become a greener, more connected county. “Carymoor is a beacon of positivity in challenging times.”

£207,000 given in memory of Louis A SELF-DESCRIBED “small, local charity” is marking a decade of fundraising, and more than £207,000 given charitably to help young people facing difficulties. Based in Tarrant Keyneston, the charity was founded in 2016 following the tragic loss of Penny and John’s 17 year old son Louis. “We are so incredibly proud that this huge amount of money has been raised in Louis’s name, and has made a difference to a whole host of difficult lives”, said Penny and John. “Receiving applications for help has opened our eyes to the difficulties faced in some young lives… and it is humbling. That this is done in Louis’s name means a huge amount to us.” Last year was a milestone for Penny and

John, as the charity donated an amazing £33,653 – the largest amount to date. The foundation responds to applications, giving money to help children like 14-year-old Sebastian (pictured). Sebastian was born with a very rare muscular neuropathy resulting in physical and mental special needs. The Louis Ross Foundation helped Sebastian’s parents with the cost of a new tricycle to enable him to continue riding safely, to the tune of £3,198. It regularly donates to youth schemes and special schools around Dorset, supporting and changing the lives of

children facing unimaginable difficulties. The very first donation made by the Louis Ross Foundation was to Faithworks’ Sleepsafe Project to assist homeless people. Its 10th consecutive donation brings the total given to Faithworks to £38,000. “This means a great deal to us,” said Penny and John. “It was Louis’s concern for homeless people that guided our first donation to assist this cause.” Fundraising for the Foundation is ongoing – if you would like to be involved, or request support, please visit www. louisross.org.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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Drive for Parkinson’s

THE story of former Sherborne School student Guy Deacon’s solo drive from the UK to Cape Town in South Africa will be told in a charity screening of World’s Toughest Drive – My African Adventure. The former army officer, who lives with Parkinson’s Disease after being diagnosed at the age of 50, undertook the trip to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and to inspire others living with it. The adventure was the subject of the Channel 4 documentary being screened at the school. Rob Hayward, the film’s director and producer, will attend the event and give a presentation sharing insights from behind the scenes and showing previously unseen excerpts from the film. The event, in the Powell Theatre on Friday, March 27, 6pm-9pm, is in aid of Parkinson’s dance classes in Dorset, which help to provide movement, connection and wellbeing for people living with the condition. Tickets are £15 and include a welcome drink – book at www.eventbrite.co.uk or pay on the door.

Tales from history by Antony Wakeling MEMBERS of Wimborne Civic Society and visitors enjoyed an interesting illustrated talk about the transformation of Poole Museum by senior project manager Alison Gudgeon at their January meeting. She described the three-year multi-million pound project from its inception through to completion, so that now many more of the treasures the museum holds are on view and better presented. Scaplen’s Court has also been opened up and includes a cafe. At the next meeting on Tuesday, February 17, members and visitors will be treated to a talk by three archivists from Dorset History Centre on ‘Wimborne in the Archives’. The History Centre in Dorchester holds an extensive

collection of material about Wimborne, dating back several centuries, and the speakers will highlight discoveries from the collection. They will also explain how the cataloguing process works for recording such a variety of archive material and making it accessible to local people. Wimborne Civic Society's evening meetings with visiting speakers are open to all and are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne. Members and non-members are welcome to attend for the modest entry fee of £2 – members – and £5 – visitors. Visitors can join the society at the meeting – subscriptions are £12.50 for a year's membership– individual – or £20 – couple.

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne PHOTO: Len Copland

Bishop Karen marks 10 years AS the Church of England prepares to celebrate the installation of its first female Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church in Dorset has held its own celebration – marking 10 years since the ordination as a bishop of the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne. Bishop Karen was consecrated in Westminster Abbey on February 24, 2016, and was the eighth woman to be ordained a bishop in the Church of England. She became the Bishop of Sherborne on March 16, 2016, the first woman to hold a post whose history stretches back to the early 8th century. Bishop Karen’s 10 years of service and commitment to church, community and county were celebrated at Sherborne Abbey, where local clergy and lay representatives came from across Dorset to join in a special service of Holy Communion. Karen holds a number of meetings each year for community, business and church leaders from around Dorset. Bishop Karen is also patron of several local charities, including the Sherborne Abbey Festival and the Dorset Community Foundation, as well as being chair of the Dorset and Wiltshire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Trust. Reflecting on her past 10 years in Dorset, Bishop Karen said: “I have come to love this county – its people, its places,

its stories – and cherish the privilege of becoming part of that story myself as the tenth Bishop of Sherborne in the modern era, continuing a role that stretches back more than 1,300 years. “I’m often asked, ‘What does a bishop actually do?’ Of course, part of the role is to lead the Church in a particular place. “But it is also about standing alongside people, not only within our congregations, but across the whole fabric of our society. “As the only resident faith leader in Dorset, being a public voice for faith throughout the county has mattered deeply to me. “Equally important has been helping people connect faith with their everyday life, wherever they find themselves. “Local churches matter immensely, and so do the relationships we build with our communities and their leaders. “I see God at work through our churches every day. Across Dorset’s parishes, people are making Jesus known in countless quiet, generous ways. “For me, that is the heart of ministry. It isn’t defined by the big, headline moments, but by the steady faithfulness of individuals – the small acts of love, service and prayer that fill each day. “Those are the things that sustain me, and they continue to shape my own life of prayer and worship.”

Proud to be part of Care South, a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as care at home services across the south of England. Registered Charity No. 1014697. * Correct at time of print.

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Care South named top care home group for sixth consecutive year

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he team at residential and care at home provider, Care South, are celebrating after being rated as a top care home provider for the sixth consecutive year.

Care South, a not-for-profit provider of residential care homes and care at home, has been named one of the UK’s Top 20 Care Home Groups in the MidSize Large Group category at the Care Home Awards 2026. It is the sixth year in a row that the award has been presented to Care South, to champion the high-quality care provided across its 14 care homes in Dorset, North Devon and Somerset. Care South also offers care at home services in Dorset and Somerset. Recognition is based on reviews from residents, relatives and loved ones on carehome.co.uk, where Care South achieves an average group rating of 9.8/10, with many of the individual homes rating even higher. All of Care South’s care homes are also rated ‘Good’ by CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Reviews for Care South’s homes on carehome.co.uk include: ‘My father is very happy at the home. The care is amazing. The staff are attentive, friendly, and respectful. It is a truly happy community and environment. His room is comfortable and warm, with a lovely large window overlooking the garden, which lets in lots of natural light. This makes a big difference to his happiness, as his personal space is cosy, homely and a joy to spend time in, as are the communal rooms, dining room and conservatory. The food is also of a high quality and is plentiful.” Another review for Care South reads: “I am so very impressed with the staff who are kind, caring, friendly and always genuine. They work very hard while managing to make everyone feel special. They are also kind and caring towards visitors. The kindness I have received has been exemplary. The home is absolutely spotless and everything is very tidy. I can’t speak highly enough of the home.”

Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, said: “We are thrilled to be named as a Top 20 Care Home Group for the sixth consecutive year. This is a very proud collective achievement for all our care home teams who go above and beyond to ensure our homes are warm, welcoming places where residents feel cared for, respected and supported as individuals. We work closely with residents, their families and friends to listen and act on any feedback to ensure that we are always doing what is best for their loved ones. That’s why this accolade and recognition is so special – it’s from them. Food, Fun and Friendship, as well as outstanding care, let residents continue to live life to the full in our happy homes.”

Photos: Care South’s Home Managers & Deputy Home Managers celebrate winning the Top 20 award

For more information about the care services available, go to care-south.co.uk or call Care South on 01202 712410.

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Our loose Canon

To what extent does the media control our thinking – and how much are we aware of it? by Canon Eric Woods SOME years ago there was a powerful television commercial for The Guardian newspaper. It began with a close-up of an elderly man carrying his shopping bags as he walked past a high brick wall. Behind him was a youth in a leather jacket, who suddenly accelerated and knocked the old man to the ground. The inference was clear: the old man was being mugged for his shopping by a vicious thug. Then the scene was replayed, from a more distant perspective. The wall was derelict, and bricks were beginning to fall from its top. They looked certain to crash onto the elderly gentleman. The youth had seen what was happening and ran to push him to the ground, protecting him from the falling bricks with his own body. The message was clear: perspective is everything. The Guardian has it; other newspapers don’t. I didn’t “convert”, but have long remembered the ad’s powerful message. This is suddenly very important. We are great consumers of “news”. Nowadays everything is filtered not just through newsprint or television and radio reporting, but through social media too. But we must always remember that there is not really any such thing as “pure” news reporting. Everyone who has ever delivered what we assume is purely factual reportage has always done so from the perspective of where he or she is standing. So, for example,

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blackmorevale.net whatever we learn of the war against Iran by the USA and Israel is shaped by the perspective of the reporter. Are they speaking from Iran (unlikely, given the restrictions on foreign journalists) or Israel or any of the Gulf States, or America itself? Then there is the commentary they add, as they seek to interpret what we are seeing or hearing. But commentary is not and cannot be purely factual. It involves a level of interpretation which will depend on where the reporter is speaking from – but also how their own views are affecting what they tell us. So soon we have moved from “news” to “commentary” and then to “opinion”. This will be coloured by what the reporter thinks and believes about the parties involved. Is he or she “pro-Trump” or “proAmerican” or “pro-Iranian” or “pro-Israeli”? How far are those in the media actually conscious of their own deep-seated bias, one way or another? Think again about the old man walking beside the crumbling wall. Is he being attacked, or being saved? In the hey-day of newsprint, before television or radio, the Press was often known as the “Fourth Estate”. The phrase is said to have been coined by Edmund Burke in the 1770s. Referring to the Three Estates in Parliament – the Lords Temporal, the Lords Spiritual and the Commons – he added that, in the Reporters’ Gallery, there sat a Fourth Estate more important than they all. The powers of the Lords Spiritual have since sunk to virtually nothing. The Lords Temporal are not far behind. The Commons have far less influence on public opinion than they like to think. The Media – not forgetting the often-malign influence of social media – control all our thinking. And that is dangerous.

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Star light, star bright A FESTIVAL of stars kicks off tomorrow (March 14) in Wiltshire. The town of Tisbury is set to become the starlight capital of England when it hosts StarFest 2026, which runs from March 14-21. The week-long annual celebration of the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve promises to blend world-class stargazing with a “mind-bending and diverse” programme of stargazing, storytelling, music, photography and discovery. “StarFest is designed to bring the stars down to Earth and get people, particularly youngsters, excited and engaged with the wonders of our amazing starry skies,” said Jerry Mason, Tisbury Parish Council StarFest team leader. “It’s not just about looking through a telescope; it is about feeling the cosmos through music, film and art. We are creating an experience that resonates with everyone in our community and the surrounding 15-mile ‘Star Orbit’.” The festival features a high-tech inflatable planetarium offering immersive celestial tours, guided dark-sky stargazing sessions led by the expert astronomers of the Cranborne Chase Astronomy Club and interactive STEM workshops designed to inspire the next generation of astronomers and scientists. For full event listings, ticket bookings, and festival updates, visit tisbury-pc.gov.uk/starfest-events or follow @ TisburyStarFest on Instagram and Facebook.

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DCH offers ‘better than expected’ maternity care, says survey WOMEN giving birth at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) in Dorchester have praised staff for their kindness, compassion and support and the high standards of care they and their babies received. The CQC 2025 Maternity Survey looked at the experiences of 16,755 women, across 119 NHS trusts, who gave birth in February 2025, and January 2025 for smaller trusts. The survey asked women about their experiences of care from antenatal care, labour and birth to postnatal care. Responses were received from 111 people at DCH. Compared with other trusts, DCH scored ‘much better than expected’ in questions focused on labour and birth. Mothers particularly praised the advice

and support they received when contacting a midwife at the start of labour. DCH scored ‘better than expected’ in questions focused on staff care, particularly around being treated with kindness and compassion, having confidence and trust in

the staff, attention during labour and being supported at a worrying time. Questions focused on care in the hospital after birth were scored ‘about the same’ compared with other trusts. These questions related to attention after birth, partners’

length of stay and pain management and discharge. Director of Nursing (Acute Care) at DCH, Jo Howarth, said: “We are proud that many families have praised our maternity teams for their kindness, compassion and support during such an important time. “However, we recognise there are areas where we need to do better, particularly around communication, continuity of care and postnatal support. “These findings will help shape our ongoing quality improvement plans, ensuring every family receives safe, personalised and equitable care. “We are committed to listening, learning and working with our teams and service users to make these improvements a reality.”

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Jolly Good thanks! DORSET-BASED dementia friendly charity In Jolly Good Company has thanked two local businesses for their support. The charity provides ‘Jolly Days’ across the county, offering friendship, fun activities, entertainment and refreshments for hundreds of older people. One of its popular events, from April until October, is at the allotments at Kingston Lacy where guests grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, and harvest produce to take home. The Green Man, a traditional family run pub in the heart of Wimborne, hosts guests twice a month over winter for the ‘Jolly Brekkie Club’. The charity would also like to thank to Shoreline IT, which in 2026 has chosen to support In Jolly Good Company for a second consecutive year. The company organised a quiz night, raffle, auction and cricket event last year to raise funds for the charity. Charity founder Sarah Rampton said: “We are incredibly grateful to Kat and Scott at the Green Man and Shoreline IT for their continued generosity and amazing community spirit.

Flower power

“Their support ensures our jolly guests continue to enjoy ‘Jolly Days’.” In Jolly Good Company welcomes support from local businesses and community partners to help it reduce loneliness and bring joy and support to older people. For further information about Jolly Days with In Jolly Good Company contact Sarah at Sarah@injollygoodcompany.com or phone 07884 333117. The charity’s website is www.injollygoodcompany.com.

CRAFT lovers will be able to make a bouquet and help a good cause in Wimborne next month. Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, is offering a workshop at Brothers Farm, Wimborne (BH21 7ND) on Tuesday, April 14, 6pm-8pm. Participants will be guided through the process of making a bouquet using flowers grown at Brothers Farm. Demi Tarrant, events executive at Diverse Abilities, said: “It’s a great opportunity to spend an evening doing something different. “You will also be raising money for a local charity.” To book a place, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events.

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Breaking bread with new friends

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ANYONE over 75 who would otherwise be eating alone is invited to go along to a lunch club at St John’s in Wimborne. The club has been running for 34 years and is a real community effort. Donations of £5 a week are invited and for that participants receive a generous, nutritious two-course meal. The club welcomes anyone who lives in the BH21 postcode area and after an initial free meal they are invited to sign up to attend as regularly as possible. Anyone who would like to go along should book a space – it is not a drop-in lunch. To book, contact the St John’s church office on 01202 842255, email office@ stjohnswimborne.org.uk or call in at 71 Leigh Road, Wimborne

Founder member Gwen, 99, was honoured at her recent farewell to the lunch club

– just by Legg Lane and the church (BH21 1AE). Office hours are 9am-noon Monday to Thursday. The lunch club is based on Christian values and prayer but is open to all, so participants say grace and share faith journeys, biblical messages and hymns or songs. They also play games and quizzes after lunch.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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Locals plan to own their local VILLAGERS in Sutton Veny have taken the first steps in a bid to reopen the historic The Woolpack pub. They are seeking to buy the hostelry, which has been closed three years, and open it as a Community Benefit Society (CBS). They have set a fundraising target of £400,000 to purchase the pub and refurbish it to modern standards while retaining its character. Supporters would be able to buy shares in The Woolpack with a minimum investment of £250 and a maximum of £100,000, and to date £117,800 has been pledged. The ball was set rolling, following months of discussion, when more than 60 people attended a meeting last October. A working group was formed to lead the project. They presented a comprehensive plan for the pub’s future at a further

meeting held before Christmas. That meeting focused on the launch of a questionnaire to assess interest in the plans in Sutton Veny and neighbouring villages including Bishopstrow, North Bavant, Longbridge Deverill and Heytesbury. The questionnaire, which had to be submitted by February 28, was also circulated to local businesses, former villagers, members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and anyone with a passion for preserving traditional British pubs. Interest from further afield is welcomed, particularly from individuals in Australia and New Zealand, as the village has historic links with the ANZAC community thanks to a First World War field hospital located just outside the village, and an ANZAC cemetery. The Woolpack Inn dates back to the early 1900s with the current building erected in the

1930s after the original pub suffered from a fire. The working group is made up of Lucy Fryer, James Sullivan-Tailyour, James Woodrowe, Clive and Sophia Black and Charles Goodbod, who offer experience in accounting, hospitality,

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conveyancing, legal matters and marketing. For more information, to request a questionnaire or to express interest in joining the initiative, contact the Woolpack Working Group at jstailyour@ yahoo.com or visit www. suttonveny.co.uk.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

District hospital opens new diagnostic centre A NEW diagnostic centre has been officially opened next to Yeovil District Hospital. The centre, run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT), in partnership with InHealth, will provide more than 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments a year. It follows the opening of the Taunton Diagnostic Centre in 2021, as well as the ongoing development of the Bridgwater Diagnostic Centre, which is expected to open later in 2026. Jonathan Ockrim, a consultant colorectal surgeon and Somerset FT’s clinical lead for the Yeovil Diagnostic Centre, said: “The opening of our new diagnostic centre is fantastic news for people in Yeovil, North Dorset and the surrounding area. “The modern, state-of-the-art

centre will further enhance patient experience and will help reduce waiting times for a range of core services, ultimately meaning a much improved service for our patients.” The upstairs area is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, with a range of services including: • Audiology diagnostic and rehabilitative services for adults and children, with the latest equipment and specialist soundproof rooms • An ear, nose and throat (ENT) unit co-located with audiology, delivering outpatient, diagnostic and treatment services as well as joint appointments between ENT and audiology • Respiratory diagnostic

services New cardiology department enabling specialist teams to deliver a range of diagnostic and outpatient services. On the ground floor, the Trust’s independent sector partner, InHealth, will run endoscopy and imaging services – including MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound – on behalf of the NHS. MP for Yeovil Adam Dance said: “This new diagnostics •

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centre at Yeovil Hospital is a fantastic facility. “Faster and easier access to scans and tests will make a huge difference for patients, helping people get answers sooner and start treatment more quickly. It will also take pressure off other parts of the NHS and improve care across our area. “I want to thank all the NHS staff and everyone involved for the work they do every day for patients in Yeovil and the surrounding area.”

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

News

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Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie: Date For Your Diary

oin us on Wednesday 18th March for a special Triumph Fitting Day. Chloe from Triumph will be in-store from 10am–3pm, With 8 out of 10 women wearing the wrong bra size, it’s no surprise that so many of us are searching for that perfect blend of comfort, support, and style. This March, Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie invites you to discover exactly that. The store’s own fully qualified lingerie team will also be on hand, ready to share their expertise and

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ADVERTISING FEATURE ensure every woman leaves feeling confident in a beautifully fitting bra. To celebrate the occasion, customers will enjoy £5 off all new-season colours in the iconic Triumph Amourette collection for one week only. And there’s more, every bra purchased on the 18th March will include a free raffle ticket for the chance to win a luxurious lingerie hamper containing a voucher for a Triumph bra of your choice. And don’t miss the ever-popular Sloggi 3+1 pack briefs, available in a range of colours, an everyday essential with unbeatable comfort.

Duo put the ‘fun’ into fundraising

FUNDRAISERS Kelvin and Mandy Davey have been entertaining audiences with their charity Christmas shows in Longburton for a number of years. And Jo Mears, chair of trustees for the Friends of The Yeatman Hospital (FoYH), was delighted and grateful to receive a cheque for £1,003.91 from Kelvin, following another successful show. Anyone interested in supporting FoYH should email admin2@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk.

www.blackmorevale.net

• Assessments for dyslexia, literacy & numeracy, exam access arrangements • Screening and advice for memory, motor control, visual perception, attention and language difficulties • Learning plans and support for school or parents • Reports/advice to support EHCP applications • SENCO services and staff training

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FASHIONS & LINGERIE Chloe from Triumph will be in store March 18th 10am-3pm for bra fitting advice.

30 High Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JG Tel:01747 852444 visit our website www.shirleyallum.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

News

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Last chance for a slow look at Rembrandt TIME is running out to see a celebrated painting at National Trust property Kingston Lacy, near Wimborne. Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait Wearing a Feathered Bonnet has attracted thousands of visitors on its first stop on a nationwide ‘slow looking’ tour. The National Trust’s mindful art initiative invites visitors to pause, reflect and connect emotionally with the artwork. The exhibition, shown with dedicated seating and audio guides, encourages visitors to pause and look deeply – a contrast to the eight second average most people spend in front of an artwork. “It made me look at the painting differently,” said one visitor, “and brought out detail I wouldn’t have noticed.” National Trust curator Amy Orrock said: “Slow looking is about more than just taking your time, it’s a way of being present, of noticing the details and the emotions they generate that might otherwise pass us by. “You’re not just seeing – you’re feeling,

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thinking, connecting.” The painting was once thought to be by a follower but was reattributed to Rembrandt himself in 2013 after in depth conservation and scientific analysis. Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait Wearing a Feathered Bonnet will be departing Kingston Lacy on Sunday, March 22.

AUTHOR Harry Bucknall, from Blandford St Mary, has been out on his travels again for his new book. A Road for All Seasons – A Tribute to Britain, sees him embark on four journeys across the country, totalling more than 6,500 miles, that mirror the changing seasons. Harry served for 12 years in the Coldstream Guards before working in the oil and mining industry, and as a consultant in the Middle East. His first book, In the Dolphin's Wake, told the story of his 5,500-mile journey from Venice to Istanbul through the Greek Archipelago. His second book, Like a Tramp, Like a Pilgrim, was based on his 1,400-mile pilgrimage from London to Rome across Europe on foot.

The New

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Magazine

Easter Deadlines Friday 10th April Edition Booking Deadline DISPLAY ADS - Tuesday 31st March - 10am

Final Copy DISPLAY ADS COPY - submit by Thursday 2nd April - 4pm

Classified Ads Booking Deadline Thursday 2nd April - 5pm Adverts maybe accepted after this, however these will be subject to space

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Lots to do over Easter Bank Holiday EASTER in Dorset is a wonderful time of year with spring in the air and the countryside beginning to bloom.

Villages, towns and coastal areas across the county allow time to enjoy family activities, traditional events and beautiful

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seasonal scenery. a bonus, some are dog friendly. As the weather grows milder, A good selection of local locals and visitors can spend time museums includes The Fashion outdoors and take part in Easter Museum in Blandford and the traditions. Museum of East Dorset in Many families start the Easter Wimborne. weekend by celebrating the Easter in Dorset combines religious meaning of the holiday tradition, nature and community at local churches. spirit. Dorset offers many festive Whether attending church, events for children and families. exploring castles, hunting for Easter egg hunts are especially Easter eggs or walking in the popular and are often organised countryside, the county offers a in gardens, parks and historic charming and memorable way to estates where children follow celebrate the season. trails in search of hidden chocolate eggs. A favourite destination is Kingston Lacy, a beautiful country house surrounded by landscaped gardens that frequently hosts seasonal activities. Many pubs and restaurants have Kingston Lacy country house hosts seasonal special offers for the activities PHOTO: National Trust/Steve Haywood family at Easter and, as

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

It’s 20 Years at the Hunters Lodge, Ride. Explore. Escape. Wincanton! Discover Wiltshire by e-bike this spring

ATURDAY 4th April marks the 20-year Anniversary of the present owners who have developed “Hunters” into a community asset of the highest regard. During their tenure the business has seen extensive development including the addition of 14 ensuite bedrooms, landscaped grounds and seating areas, adventure playground and extended air-conditioned restaurant. The consistent and extensive menu offers something for everyone, allowing it to thrive, positioning itself to meet the demands of all customer expectations. Their well-known home-cooked Carvery served Friday night, Saturday night and all day on a Sunday keeps people coming back for more while the weekend unlimited breakfast buffet sets you up for the day

ahead! Their latest venture is “Hunters on the Road”, a bespoke versatile catering unit able to bring a true representation of the Hunters eating experience to an event near you. The Hunters Lodge would like to thank all the support of its customers past and present and their amazing team that are always on hand to offer friendly service. Been a great 20 years and looking forward to 20 more! Check out their menus at www.hunterslodgeinn.com.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

The Cricketers EastEr Fun!

Get the full Cricketers experience this Easter with our delicious new menu! Live in a DT11 or SP7 postcode? Grab your 10% discount today Join us in the Easter fun: Free easter eggs will be handed out to all the little ones that visit!

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Chicken Shawarma Tortillas & tzatziki £8.50

Cumberland Sausage Mashed potatoes & caramelised onion jus £19

10(oz) Gammon Egg, pineapple pickle, thick cut chips (GFA) £18

Beer battered catch of the day Served with chips, peas & tartare sauce (CBGF) £15/18

8(oz) Flat Iron £20

American Classic 8(oz) Prime patty, hot dog mustard, smoked tomato ketchup, dill pickles, Swiss cheese & milk bun £18

Pulled Burrata & Heritage Tomatoes Wild garlic & basil pesto, crostini (V) £8.50 Soup of the day Please see blackboard Salt ‘n’ Pepper Squid Spring onion dressing Chinese leaf & saffron aioli £8.50 Charcuterie Board Selection of Dorset cured meats, homemade chutneys, pickles & charcoal paprika breads £9/£18

Scampi Served with chips, peas & tartare sauce £18 Pancetta Wrapped Monkfish Tail Potato fondant, seasonal vegetables & bisque £23 Fresh Homemade Pasta Please see blackboard

01258 268107 www.cricketersshroton.co.uk Shroton, Blandford Forum, DT11 8QD

8(oz) Dry Aged Ribeye £25 Lamb Rump £23 All served with chimichurri, confit vine tomato, portobello mushroom & seasoned fries Sauces Whiskey & mustard Pink peppercorn Wild mushroom 7 truffle £4

The Italian 8(oz) Prime patty, red onion jam, basil & rocket pesto, Rosary Ash goat’s cheese & sourdough bun £19 The Frenchie 8(oz) Prime patty, tomato jam, charcoal cheddar, crispy gem lettuce, pickled shallots, black garlic aioli & brioche bun £19 The Forager Ricotta stuffed mushroom, grilled halloumi, truffle mayonnaise, wild rocket & potato bun (V) £19 Add pulled brisket £4, double up burger £3.50, cheese £2 All served with seasoned fries & coleslaw ( upgrade to dirty fries £4)

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Church

blackmorevale.net • All Saints Church, Langton Long: 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. • Blandford Evangelical Church: Sunday – 10am Family Service. Monday Fellowship – weekly, 2.30pm3.30pm, term times only. Tuesday – Footprints, activities playtime for pre-school 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. • 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, 10.30am-12.30pm. • Cheap Street Church, Sherborne: Wessex Strings concert on Sunday, March 15, 3pm in aid of Edmund’s Trust.

• Friends of Sherborne Abbey: Wednesday, March 25, coffee morning 10.30am-1pm in church hall. • 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, Marnhull: Sunday Mass, 9am and 6pm. • Riverside Church: Blandford Scout Hut, Eagle House Gardens, Blandford DT11 7BS. Free Easter Eggstravaganza, Saturday, April 4, 2-4pm. Phone: 07476 792029. • 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. • Sherborne Abbey: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am Morning Prayer; The Sepulchre Chapel. Mondays, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Tuesday, noon CW Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion with Homily; The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP). Thursday, noon BCP Holy Communion; The Lady

Chapel. Friday, 9am Ecumenical Holy Communion; The Lady Chapel. First Friday of the month, 9am Requiem Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. Third Friday of the month, 11am Remembering the Fallen. Saturday, 9am CW Holy Communion; The Sepulchre Chapel. • Sherborne Abbey: Sherborne Chamber Choir with The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble on Saturday, March 14. 16th and 17th century Venice brought to life in music by Gabrieli, Monteverdi and their contemporaries. • Stour Vale Benefice: Sunday, March 22 – 9.15am Parish Communion, St Michael & All Angels, Stour Provost; 10.30am Morning Worship, St John the Baptist, Buckhorn Weston; 11am Parish Communion, All Saints, Kington Magna; 6.30pm Evensong, St Mary Magdalene’s, Fifehead Magdalen. • Sherborne Quakers: One hour of silent prayer or meditation every Sunday at 10.30am at Raleigh Hall, Digby Road DT9 3NL. • St Benedict’s, Gillingham: Sunday Mass, 11am. • 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. 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. • Two Rivers Benefice: Sunday, March 15 – 9.30am Communion at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 9.30am All Age Service at St Mary the Virgin Church, Charlton Marshall; 11am Morning Worship at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am Communion at St Mary’s Church, Tarrant Rushton. Sunday, March 22 – 9.30am Communion at St Mary the Virgin Church, Charlton Marshall; 9.30am Morning Worship at St John the Baptist Church, Spetisbury; 11am Communion at All Saints Church, Langton Long; 11am BCP Communion at St Mary’s Church, Blandford St Mary. • West Camel Independent Methodists: All Saints Church (BA22 7QB), Sundays March 15 and 22, 4pm; Sunday, March 29, onwards 6pm. The friendly, growing church extends a warm welcome to everyone. Contact Geoff.mead@yahoo.com or phone 01935 850838.

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Letters

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Church could dip into own coffers THE Loose Canon – New Blackmore Vale, February 13 – is right to draw attention to the Government’s very misguided and unhelpful decision to end the exemption from VAT for repairs to churches. The Church of England owns the lion’s share of Grade I listed buildings in England and has the unenviable responsibilty of trying to keep them in decent repair – certainly not a responsibility the Government is ever going to volunteer to take on. The Treasury bean-counters – for this is their measure – appear not to realise that in practice the responsibility to fundraise falls squarely on individual parishes, since although English Heritage does have some money to disburse this is pitifully small in the overall context and in any case has to be targeted at the most important buildings – often cathedrals. As the Canon indicates, even repairs to the tower of a small rural church can cost well into six figures, and the Treasury

clearly has no appreciation of the extraordinary burden this places on active parishioners, who may number in the tens rather than the hundreds or thousands. The addition of 20% to the fundraising burden may make it simply unachievable. However, it seems to me that the Church of England may need to examine its own funding capacity in this respect, since as I understand it a lot of money is siphoned from the parishes to help pay for the bloated House of Bishops and the absurd proliferation of staff at diocesan and national level – jobs which are frankly unnecessary when compared with the much more basic need to provide parish priests. The Church of England is also apparently able to afford to put aside £100 million as ‘slavery reparations’ that are not actually justified or necessitated by the Church’s very limited historical involvement in the slave trade. While very much supporting the campaign against VAT on church repairs, I think the

Young volunteer seeks sponsorship

MY name is Ethan, I am 13 years old and live in Blandford and am currently fundraising towards a four-week volunteering expedition to Borneo in 2027 with Camps International. I am looking for businesses to support me through a local advertising and sponsorship opportunity. During the expedition, I will be working on environmental projects alongside local communities, focusing on wildlife conservation, protecting vulnerable habitats, preserving biodiversity and helping to raise both educational and living standards in developing

Ethan, from Blandford, will be going to Borneo next year

communities. The aim of the project is to create a positive and long-lasting impact for both people and the environment. As part of my fundraising, I am planning to take part in Parkrun events at 10 locations across Dorset,

I WOULD like to draw attention to a wonderful opportunity available in Blandford Forum – allotments. These small parcels of land offer countless benefits, and I encourage New Blackmore Vale readers to consider renting one. Growing your own vegetables and fruit is not only rewarding but also delicious and cost-effective. By cultivating your own produce, you can significantly cut down on grocery bills while enjoying fresher, healthier food. Allotments also provide a tranquil space to relax, reflect and take pride in watching your garden grow. In addition to these rewards, allotments promote physical wellbeing. Digging, planting and weeding are gentle yet effective ways to stay active in the open air, which is a refreshing

antidote to indoor routines. Many people hesitate to apply for an allotment because they assume there are long waiting lists. However, Blandford Forum currently has empty plots available, ready for enthusiastic hands to bring them to life. These plots are affordable to rent, inexpensive to run and manageable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned gardeners. Tending an allotment is more than just a hobby – it’s a gateway to community, health and a deeper connection with nature. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, a way to save money or simply a fulfilling pastime, an allotment has something to offer. To take the first step, reach out to the Blandford Allotment Society at secretary@ blandfordallotments.co.uk. Don’t let these wonderful spaces go unused – they’re waiting for you to unlock their full potential. Sarah Mirza Via email

Hampshire and Wiltshire. They include 2k Parkruns at Upton Country Park (Poole), Slades Park (Bournemouth), Moors Valley Country Park (near Ringwood), Churchill Gardens (Salisbury), The Great Field (Dorchester) and Fawcetts Field (New Milton). There’s also 5k Parkruns at Poole Park (Poole), Jubilee Way (Blandford Forum), Fordingbridge Recreation Ground (Fordingbridge) and Brockenhurst College (Brockenhurst). Businesses would be able to gain visibility across a wide local area, reaching many potential customers, families and community members who regularly attend these popular events. In return for their

support, I am offering businesses the opportunity to have their company logo printed on my Camps International fundraising T-shirt, which I will wear at all Parkrun events and other fundraising activities – small logo £30, medium logo £50 and large logo £100. All funds raised will go directly towards the cost of the expedition, such as travel expenses, vaccinations, accommodation and essential kit. If you would like any more information regarding my fundraising journey, please do not hesitate to contact me – email zuzana.moody@gmail. com Ethan and Zuzana Moody (Mum) Via email

hierarchy could well afford to dip into its own coffers, too. Roger White via email

Town allotments available to rent

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Letters

blackmorevale.net

Railway extravaganza memorabilia appeal THE Spetisbury Station Project is holding its Railway Extravaganza on Sunday, July 12, at the old station in Spetisbury. We will be remembering two anniversaries this year – 60 years since the closure of the Somerset & Dorset railway in March 1966 and 70 years since the closure of Spetisbury station in September 1956. We would like to appeal to anyone who travelled on or remembers the Somerset & Dorset line, especially around Spetisbury, to come along with their recollections, photographs or memorabilia to share with us. In addition to refreshments, railway books and DVDs for sale and the popular Blandford Ukulele Group, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust and North Dorset Railway will be staging displays. Entry is free but donations to Spetisbury Station Project help us maintain and improve the station site will be welcomed. Kev Mitchell Spetisbury Station Project

Closures make life difficult for elderly

IN the latest issue of the New Blackmore Vale, several contributors in the politics section, irrespective of political affiliations, rightly complain of the progressive closures of essential local amenities merely to save large organisations money rather than serve their customers’ needs. As someone no longer able to drive, living alone, with many complex medical needs, unable to walk unaided and approaching 90, I resent the way in which these nasty businesses and government departments have progressively tried to make my life a misery. When one reads and experiences wrongly conceived forced closures of necessary services such as fire stations, banks and post offices, it seems as if there is a co-ordinated conspiracy to kill off all the

elderly people in this country, as well as those who live and work peacefully in rural areas, as soon as possible. This will enable the government to allow developers to build on fields we need for agriculture for essential food. Those fields that are not built on will be covered by solar panels. The government will, no doubt, then ask AI what to do next. Towards the end of his most recent article, Dr Andrew Murrison again mentioned the Chagos Islands. Over very many years successive governments and university-produced civil servants have indicated a total lack of basic knowledge of the area. Perhaps the once standard basic requirements of O-level History and Geography no longer apply. As long ago as the Second World War the Royal Air Force had a flying boat base there when confronting the Japanese enemy. During that time service personnel had no difficulty in relations with the local inhabitants. I fail to see why in more recent times they should have been displaced to Mauritius, an island with which they have no connection, just to suit the convenience of a new miliary facility. The natural inhabitants could, at reasonably modest expense, have been relocated with suitable facilities, at one of the other adjacent islands to Diego Garcia. This absurd, crass decision, has led to the Mauritius authorities assuming an unjust claim on the Chagos Islands, many hundreds of miles away, with which they have had no connection. Our Whitehall masters could just as well have sent the unfortunate Chagos Isanders to another group, far away in that ocean, such as the Seychelles or the Maldives. When I was younger, I spent a long time working for an

airline that operated a scheduled service into Mauritius. I can assure Dr Murrison, irrespective of what he might have been advised by government experts, that relating the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, is as daft as the President of the USA looking out for Greenland. There was also another casualty in this sad upheaval. The last postmaster on Diego Garcia lost his job and had to return to England. Michael Tarrant Wincanton

‘Old’ and ‘New’ Greens a world apart

I LIKE to see the political articles in the New Blackmore Vale, as it allows us to note contributors’ views on a range of mostly local issues. Edition 142, published on February 27, was of interest as it contained the monthly edition of Ken Huggins resume of current Green thinking. Only this time it sounded like yesterday’s news, terribly out of date. Mr Huggins is clearly very representative of, should we now, as of the latest by-election, call it, ‘Old Green’ – worthy, respectable, primarily concerned with the environment, and railing against a political system which seems unwilling to take measures to save the planet, often citing the lack of proportional representation as the villain of the piece. I am worried how he will now speak up for ‘New Green’ – a far left, anti-Israel, possibly anti-Semitic, anti-wealth creation, pro drugs for all, pro benefits for all, pro prostitution, pro Islamist sectarianism, pro homes for illegal migrants, pro government control of the means of production – nationalisation. I could go on. In other words, a naive National Union of Students style 1960s faux Marxist party, which has utterly jettisoned any concern the previous iteration may have had for the environment in a desperate attempt to attract the Insta,

YouTube, 16-25 years old generation. I do wish Mr Huggins all the best as he scours his party’s new prospectus for something he can sell to the New Blackmore Vale readership. He, and many ‘Old Green’ activists like him deserve much better than Zack Polanski and Mothin Ali, now the new Greens on the block. Paul Curry Bourton

Real lesson of viral video

I’M sure readers have already met ‘Punch’, the baby monkey who’s gone viral online after being rejected by his mother and finding comfort in a stuffed toy instead. His story has generated millions of views but there’s a bigger picture that most people aren’t seeing – Punch is a traumatised animal trapped in a concrete prison who is exhibiting signs of severe psychological distress. His story is not ‘cute’ or ‘inspiring’, it is abuse plain and simple. Punch’s story is also not unique. This kind of trauma can be found in all systems that confine animals because those systems cannot meet their needs. From primates in laboratories – 1,478 were used in experiments in the UK in 2024 – to pigs and chickens confined on farms, their suffering is profound and usually invisible. We cannot simply root for Punch without questioning the system that put him there. If we truly care about animals, our response should not be to turn Punch’s suffering into viral online content, but to challenge the system that harms him and countless other animals. Readers can learn more about animal freedom at www. animalaid.org.uk/animalrights Elizabeth Davenport Senior campaign manager, Animal Aid

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026 BLACKMORE VALE

THE NEW

MAGAZINE

Edition 143 Edition 90

Z 10

Crossword

Arrow words Ending of a show

Z 10 1

Relish; dressing

Apple variety

Bop

8 3

13 12

Film effects (inits)

16 16

18 18

19 Evil elf

Ward off

Requests

Secret agent

Reside

11 8

So; thus

Bend

5 9

Genesis man

Chief

Rear vistas

1 Openly visible (2,6)

22 22 Decimal base

Headland

Handle a situation

Evergreen climber

Small horse

Tidy

Joke

Fluid-filled skin sac

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O L E O P A R D I C E G L A C

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2626

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25 25

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3 2 1 7

7 6

4 6

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9 1 8 5

2 5 7 1

Brain chain 30

RESULT

+13

-23

÷5

+50%

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Z 10

Sudoku 3D puzzle

7 3 5 2

5 7

8 4

MAGAZINE Edition 143 Edition 90

7 8

7 5 3 1 9 8 4 3 6 4 9 4 8 2 8 5 2 1 1 7 3 3 4 9 5 5 5 2 1 2 7 4 2 9 8 2 1 7 5 8 6 2 9 4 1 7 6 1 6 2 9 8 3 7 3 9 5

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4 8 6

THE NEW

BLACKMORE VALE

6 2

7 9

12 11

15 13

18 16

20 2

5 20

6 21 8

10 22

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Killer Sudoku Pro

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10+

126×

5×

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280×

Brain chain (hard version) 83

RESULT

+165

÷8

×4

+103

-192

For the solutions, turn to page 86

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Antiques & Collectibles

Jaguar E-type perfect project THE Charterhouse specialist auction of classic and vintage cars at Haynes Motor Museum later this month features a great selection of vehicles, but it is perhaps the restoration projects which stand out. “We all romanticise about finding projects in barns and garages, but I am fortunate that this is part of my day job,” said Richard Bromell, from the auction house. “For this auction we have been unusually busy pulling out projects in all shapes and sizes throughout the west country which either home or professional restorers will be tempted by.” Among the projects are two icons of British motoring – a 1970 Jaguar E-type roadster and a 1966 Austin Mini Cooper. The Jaguar was bought by the

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1970 Jaguar E-Type roadster project £30,000-£35,000

owner in 1976 for £1,875. It was used for just two years before being driven into a heated garage near Dorchester. Complete with a rare hard top this project is estimated at £30,000-£35,000. The Austin Mini Cooper has also been in long term dry storage in Somerset and is estimated at £7,000-£10,000. Viewing at the motor museum Continued on page 40

Medallions and cutlery sell well ACREMAN St Auctioneers & Valuers, Sherborne, had some great results across its February auctions. A collection of exhibition medallions presented in the 1880s to Robert Adam, an engineer and patentee of window-related innovations, made a total hammer price of £11,750. In the silver section, an eight-place setting collection of silver cutlery sold for £7,000 and an 18ct gold ladies wristwatch set with diamonds made £4,000. Acreman is holding its first Garden & Architectural Auction on Thursday, March 26, at 10am with a General Antiques & Collectors sale the same day at 11.30am and on Friday, March 27, Jewellery, Silver & Watches at 10am.

Acreman is holding its first Garden & Architectural Auction later this month

Viewing is on Wednesday, March 25, 10am-4pm. The catalogue and bidding is available online through easyliveauction.com and thesaleroom.com In May Acreman is holding a Modern & 20th Century Art Auction. Anyone who has anything

Continued on page 40

ACREMAN ST. AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SHERBORNE

GARDEN & ARCHITECTURAL Thursday 26th March 10am

GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS Thursday 26th March 11.30am

26th March

1st April

2nd April

Classic & Vintage Car Auction at Haynes 12 noon Thursday 26th March

JEWELLERY, SILVER & WATCHES Friday 27th March 10am

Viewing at Haynes Wednesday 25th 10am-4pm Internet bidding & all lots on our website

Specialist Valuation Days in Sherborne Jewellery, Watches, Gold & Silver 16th Chinese & Japanese Ceramics 17th Whisky, Wine & Port (bottles/cases) 18th Pictures, Books & Maps 19th Chinese & Japanese Ceramics 20th

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

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

blackmorevale.net

Advertiser’s announcement

Antiques & Collectibles

Diamond pieces Memento mori worth £1/2m-plus ring a top lot DUKE’S Auctioneers is set to present its upcoming Jewellery, Watches, Silver & Currency sale, featuring a private owner selection of treasures with a combined value exceeding £500,000. The carefully curated sale showcases exceptional craftsmanship, rare stones and timeless designs sure to capture the attention of collectors and jewellery enthusiasts alike. Leading the auction is a remarkable Victorian diamond and pearl double pendant/brooch, estimated at £80,000-£150,000. The impressive jewel centres on a diamond of about 15.00 carats, surrounded by six 1.5-carat old-cut diamonds and six 8.2mm natural saltwater pearls.

The detachable design allows it to be worn as a pendant or brooch. A smaller accompanying pendant features a cushion-cut diamond of about 9.0 carats with six 5.5mm natural saltwater pearls, bringing the estimated total diamond weight to 40 carats. A pair of cushion-cut diamond earrings, each stone about 9.00 and 10.00 carats, elegantly claw-set in yellow metal and estimated at £150,000, is also among the highlights. To explore the full catalogue or place reserve bids for the auction on Wednesday and Thursday, March 18-19, visit www.dukes-auctions.com or contact the office on 01305 265080 to arrange a confidential appointment.

JEWELLERY WATCHES S I LV E R & CURRENCY

CLARKE’S Auctions has been busy getting ready for an exciting two-day sale this weekend – Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 – featuring a large and varied selection of jewellery from several deceased estates. An extensive range of jewellery, including antique and vintage pieces, gold items, gemstone-set jewellery and everyday wearable designs will be for sale, many of the lots without reserve. Clarke’s says now is an ideal time for anyone considering selling unwanted or inherited jewellery, with the value of gold and silver remaining high and continuing to climb. One notable lot in the sale is a rare 17th century gold memento mori ring dating from around 1680. The post-medieval piece has

an inscription inside the band and is accompanied by supporting documentation, including correspondence from the British Museum. Clarke’s Auctions says it provides expert valuation services to anyone interested in selling. Appointments can be arranged at its offices and home visits are available for clients unable to travel. The company also offers probate valuations as well as full or partial house clearance services. Anyone interested in entering items into future sales or making an enquiry can contact Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 685592. The salerooms are at The Old Glove Factory, Buckingham Road, Gillingham SP8 4QF.

Clarke’s Auctions

Auctioneers & Valuers

Antiques && Collectibles Sale Antiques Collectables Friday August Friday9th 13th&&Saturday Saturday 10th 14th March Colour catalogue available from the 7th March at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com A 9ct gold fancy link necklace, 51cm long, 30.6g. Est £800-£1,000

An original Fry & Sons 'Fry's Pure Concentrated Cocoa' enamel sign. Sold for £1,600.

The Old Glove Buckingham Road Clarke’s Auctions offerFactory, free home visits and verbal valuations. Gillingham, SP8 Now accepting items for this and 4QF future sales

MARCH 18 & 19TH

01747 685592

Units 1 & 2Factory, KingsettleBuckingham Business Park,Road The Old Glove Gillingham, SP8 4QF

enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk 01747 685592 01747 855109 www.clarkesauctions.co.uk enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk enquiries@clarkesauctions.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Antiques & Collectibles

Advertising made

blackmorevale.net

Advertiser’s announcement

simple

01963 400186 | adverts@blackmorevale.net

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

Clocks Unlimited

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

www.grandmasatticfairs.co.uk

Acreman St Auctioneers Continued from page 38

they would like to consign should get in touch or pop in for an assessment. Acreman holds regular valuation days at its premises in Sherborne where prospective sellers can take in items for its specialists to evaluate. Valuation days 10am-3pm: Jewellery & Watches, Tuesdays; Silver & Obje’t D’art, Tuesdays; Toys & Collectables, Wednesdays; Oriental & Asian, Thursdays; Coins, Stamps, Books & Ephemera, Fridays; Militaria, Fridays; Textiles & Fashion, Mondays; Paintings & Contemporary Art, Mondays. Anyone unable to go in on the allocated days can phone or email to make an appointment and experts are also happy to

make house visits if required free of charge. Acreman is accepting consignments for its upcoming sales and is happy to advise on anything prospective sellers may be considering for auction. Photographs can be emailed to auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk Acreman Auctioneers & Valuers at 121 Acreman Street, Sherborne DT9 3PH is open Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm. It can take in everything from single items to complete collections and can help with advice and valuations to anyone downsizing or who needs to deal with a whole house. It can also arrange full house clearances at competitive rates. Anyone who has anything they would like to consign can contact Gill Norman on 01935 508764 or 07908 333577 or by email at auction@acremanstreet antiques.co.uk

Charterhouse cars Continued from page 38

Next Sale

European Ceramics & Glass; Pictures, Books, Stamps & Ephemera; and Antique Furniture & Objects Saturday 21st March 2026 For a full list of our specialist sales please see our website

is on Wednesday, March 25, and on the auction day, Thursday, March 26, from 9am with the sale starting at noon. All lots and live internet bidding is available at charterhouseauction.com Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, are available for valuations on 01935 812277 or via cars@charterhouse-auction.com ORIGINAL MOTOR RACING & MOTORING MEMORABILIA wanted by established local dealer Tel 07771 518629 WANTED Classic Cars & Motorbikes For private collection Call 07885 373113 or 01278 431244 Graham

WANTED Books, collectables and bric-a-brac. Call Jack: 07542 389447

Dorothea Sharp (1874-1955) - oil on canvas.

SOLD FOR £17,000 For free verbal valuations please contact

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

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Items for sale

blackmorevale.net

CLASSIFIED ADS XEROX PHASER 7500 Printer. Network connection. A4 and A3. Great for small office. £400. 07950-335303

BRAND NEW, UNUSED, Black Faux Leather Power Chair. Buyer must collect. £300. Tel: 07759-553118

PHANTOM TRANSIT WHEELCHAIR, Break, Foot-rest, Bag, v.g.c. Hardly used. Fold tidy to store, cost was £395. Black. £200. Tel: 01963-351931

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS TELEPHONE BLACK SOFT DIAL. Vintage/historical type 706L. Lovely condition . £35.00. 01747 812569

DOG GUARD ADJUSTABLE width held in position by car head rest stem £25 Gillingham 01747-825614

LOWERPRO EX 160 CAMERA/VIDEO bag/satchel 22” x 6” x 9” approx. £15. ring 01258 820344 4 ESTABISHED POTTED BAMBOO, 6-7 ft tall. £20. each. A pair of iron/steel tressels, £20. Ladder safety legs/stabilisers, 2 sets, £10 per set. Tel: 07754-612761 TWO OIL FILLED ELECTRIC RADIATORS in good condition. 3KW £10 each. 01747-854850 2 X COMPLETE GARDX CAR cleaning kits including bag. £20 each or both sets for £30, 07791-247078 TEAK CONSERVATORY ARMCHAIRS x 2, folding, with cushions. Vgc. £50 pair. Buyer collects W. Whitechurch Tel 07704-574835 SMALL CHEST FREEZER. FREE. Tel: 07780-813184 CAST IRON PROVENCE hot belly calor gas heater on rollers £45 ONO. 07771-349263 HUGO BOSS, 100% dark blue, woollen full length coat, Size M-L. £45 ono. Tel: 07860-969868 ELNAPRESS TABLE TOP IRONING press good condition little use offers. 01963-824376 buyer collects LAWN MOWER 12” mains electric rotary cut. Collection box, adjustable cutting heights, VGC £20. 01963-204533 WHITE, CORNER JACUZZI bath 150 x 100cm - good working order: £50. Tel: 07773-753654

PANASONIC VACUUM CLEANER MC-UL712.£10.00 01747-870778. SNUGGLE ARMCHAIR can seat 2 ,Vgc £49 01258 881217 SHARK UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER. Excellent condition, no longer used. £50. Tel: 01935-812985 FOR SALE HENRY VACUUM cleaner in good condition £10. Marnhull. Tel 07763-439869 6’ x 4’ GARDEN SHED Reasonable condition, completely dry, new flooring required. Buyer to dismantle. £25 ono. 07845-776919 WAINWRIGHTS’ BOOKS 1-7, Coast- Coast, Pennine Way, Outlying, Howgills. Hardly used, buyer collect £50. 01747-830656 AGAPANTHUS, white, sturdy evergreen plant needs splitting for summer £45.Buyer collects. W. Whitechurch. Tel 07704-574835 KARCHER 232 HORIZONTAL POWER WASHER 110bar, in good clean working order £35 ono. 07791-882841. 01747-833691. Gillingham area A PAIR OF DOLLY TUBS garden planters. £50. 01258-817136. WOODEN CHILD’S BOOKCASE 40” by 32” £20, Stella saucepans £10 each, 07588 053555 2 WOODEN PILLAR CANDLE HOLDERS 61cm, 1 wooden pillar candle holder 23cm, £40, Tel: 07874 959716

DEWALT DRILL 3 batteries £20 Stihl chainsaw £20 Car bike rack £10 T: 07791-570097 GENTS MOUNTAIN BIKE, All gears work newish tyres, good condition c/w helmet, £20 Sherborne 07747-789587 BLUE AIR 3250 AUTO AIR purifier. New, unused £40 Gilingham 07963-319751 SIEMENS FRIDGE FREEZER perfect condition 60cm x 185cm. £50 buyer collects. 01747-854175. SONY HOME THEATRE SYSTEM subwoofer and sound bar for TV. Tel 01963 362041. £25 BRAND NEW SPARE WHEEL Meriva SE, 205/55Z16/91W, Tel. 07719-409647 COBB PREMIER BBQ WITH CARRY BAG. Like new, boxed, ideal for camping, etc. £50. 07976-288930. HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, Brick-a-brac, furniture, books, building materials, 50p-£45. Tel: 01747-840835 FREE LARGE QUANTITY OF SEED trays and plastic flower pots, clean and bagged. Blandford area 01258-489055. ELECTRIC HOOK-UP CABLE, for caravan/ motorhomes etc. 14metres, blue, 230volt, 16amp, VGC. £10. Tel: 07976-288930 SLIDING PLASTIC DOG RAMP. £20. Excellent condition. Phone. 07785 534524.

BOSCH ROTARY MOWER Roller and grass box. Model ARM 3200 2yrs old lightly used on small lawn. £35. Tel: 01747-85429 1 FULL (8ftx4ft) and 2 part-sheets 75mm PIR insulation board plus 1/2 sheet plasterboard £50. 07977 563166 VINTAGE KIDS SCHOOL DESK and chair with storage. Desk height approx 63cm. Seat height 37cm. £40. Tel: 07814 559096 GARDEN PARISOL 8m x 2m wind up action, good condition. £50 Marnhull 01258-820908 LARGE DOG CRATE, L92cm H57cm W57cm. £10 Small Dog Crate L61cm H47cm W46cm £8 Adjustable Stair Gate £10 All in excellent condition.. Blandford 07767-622159 TWO NURSING CHAIRS, no arms, nicely upholstered . £50 each 01747 859973 1000 PIECE PUZZLES complete, Ravensburger, wasguis, and others , £2.50 each plenty here, 01747 851296 BFLAT CLARINET “La Fleur” ret’d Pro’ £50, 01747 824455 PIANO. Well maintained, good quality bought for £900. No longer needed. FREE. 07429-117479 PLAYPEN circular hardwood (beech) with castors. Diameter 1.2m (4ft) Excellent condition. £40ono Tel. 01258 456844

WANTED SEEKING A PRIVATE ANNEX FOR A MATURE LADY with her 2 dogs (long term) Tisbury area ,good references from current landlord as sadly selling up contact 07895-573255 OLD BOOKS BOUGHT. Will call by appointment entirely without obligation. Bristow & Garland 07392 602014

WANTED: VINTAGE COMPUTERS (pre 2000). Phone Mike 07795-349466. WANTED, OLD ELECTRICAL ITEMS, Including Record Players/ Turntables, HiFi Seperates, Amplifiers, VHS Players, Digital Cameras, Camcorders. If its gathering dust then we are happy to buy it and recycle it. Call Andrew 07799-417711

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Politics

blackmorevale.net

US use of our bases a slippery slope IT has been an alarming couple of weeks on the global stage, to say the least. I was dismayed to see events unfold across the Middle East as Trump unleashed his dangerous and poorly thought out military action. Along with my Lib Dem colleagues, I am urging the Prime Minister not to allow us to be dragged into another protracted war in the region and am deeply concerned for the security of British people and military personnel around the world. Allowing the US to use British bases for strikes against Iran is, I believe, a slippery slope – the PM must therefore allow MPs a vote before any further escalation. We have a duty to our brave serving personnel to keep them safe, and to achieve lasting freedom and peace for the Iranian people, only multilateral and coordinated pressure, backed and sustained by international law, can deliver

Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke the long-term solutions necessary. Among this chaos, the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement – a fairly lacklustre event. With cost of living still the biggest strain on people’s daily lives and no end in sight given the political landscape, there was not much in the way of good news. The additional cost-of-doing-business crisis created by this Government

Community Front Room ‘a great asset’, says MP THE MP for West Dorset, Edward Morello, visited the new Community Front Room in Dorchester to meet staff and learn more about the mental health support now available in the town centre. The service provides a safe and welcoming non-clinical space for adults aged 18 and over who may be feeling distressed or approaching crisis, offering support without referral or diagnosis. The new Community Front Room is based at 19 High East Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, 2.15pm-9.45pm. It is provided by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA)

in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Morello met frontline practitioners to hear how the drop-in model allows people to seek support early, often before their situation escalates. He said: “I welcomed the opportunity to see the service first-hand and think the approach that allows people to seek help early, without barriers, is a great asset to the Dorchester community.” The MP was shown how the space has been designed to feel informal and comfortable, more like a living room than a support service setting. Staff explained how visitors

shows no signs of abating, and business owners are understandably fed up of being stretched too thin – under greater pressure than ever from energy costs, rents, business rates and employer’s NICs. Businesses deserve to be supported to create jobs – instead of seeing more and more unfair tax hikes. And, of course, all this is being made worse by a reckless and unreliable US President, who keeps threatening Britain and the world with damaging tariffs and chaos on the world stage. Sensible solutions are available, should the Government think outside the box, as we Liberal Democrats do. I’m calling on them to urgently put in place support for rising petrol prices by scrapping the planned fuel duty hike in September, negotiate a new UK-EU customs union to kickstart growth, and to scrap the National Insurance jobs tax to support Britain’s high

streets, boost growth and take pressure off people’s pay packets. While I did welcome the Chancellor’s proposed increase in defence spending, the 2.5% touted is simply not enough in the face of current challenges. And it’s clear the Government doesn’t have any idea how to raise revenue beyond this. Our defensive capabilities are under greater pressure than at any point in recent memory. The Government must act with steely focus to make sure Britain can defend herself as we face the twin threats of an imperial Putin and a US President willing to threaten NATO allies. 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 Edward Morello MP at the new Community Front Room in Dorchester

are welcomed into a relaxed environment, where they can talk things through at their own pace, create safety plans and be signposted to additional services if needed. The Dorchester Community Front Room joins existing sites in Bridport and Shaftesbury, each also offering online support through ‘Attend Anywhere’, designed to make support accessible to people across the county. Shelly Hamon, BCHA’s business manager for Mental

Health Services, said: “I am so pleased we have been able to showcase the Community Front Room and highlight support available during Edward Morello’s visit. “It is so important to let the community know that there is accessible, compassionate support available, right on the high street. “From Thursday through Sunday, 2.15pm until late, we are here for you. Come and have a chat if you feel like you need support.”

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Politics

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A century of progress for women RECENTLY I had the great privilege of joining the ladies of Marnhull Women’s Institute for a lovely buffet lunch at The Crown in the village. The occasion was to mark and celebrate their Centenary. Back in the day, when David Cameron spoke of the Big Society, many people did not recognise what he meant. If anything is part of the UK’s Big Society, it is the Women’s Institute. Providing support, advice and friendship to women of all ages. Passing experience and wisdom from one generation to the next. These are important things and the companionship of the Institute is, I would suggest, more greatly appreciated in our rural areas where loneliness and isolation can thrive. Having been asked whether I wished to say a ‘few words’ – a bit like offering a confirmed alcoholic another drink – I, of course, had said yes. In my remarks I reflected on the changes and changed world those founding members of 1926 would see in 2026. A Lady Chief Justice. Three women Prime Ministers – although I do only prefer to remember two. I shall leave you to guess which. Bodily, reproductive and financial autonomy. A significant 40.7% or 265 women MPs. There was only one in 1928. Women choosing to be out at work rather than having to be at home. And, within the

home, and certainly without being stereotypical, the range of time-saving gadgets we all have to hand which would have seemed like science fiction in 1926. A female Archbishop of Canterbury. Massive changes in how families look and operate. Women in the board rooms in the City of London. Senior female officers in our military, security services and across Whitehall – including just recently the Cabinet Secretary. Over this last century, the scale and pace of change have been of a speed to induce a nosebleed. Swifter social progress than in any other preceding century means that comparing 2026 to 1926 is more than a century of progress when juxtaposed with bygone ages. And throughout all that tumult of change the Women’s Institute

Mr Morello said: “It was a pleasure to visit Dorchester Community Front Room and to meet the dedicated staff behind it. “They provide a vital service for our local community, offering support in a safe space for those who need it most. “Services like this are invaluable and I will continue to champion the role of community organisations like this across West Dorset.”

Visitors can attend in person in Bridport, Dorchester and Shaftesbury or access support through the ‘Attend Anywhere’ virtual drop-in service. Further information is available via the Dorset HealthCare website. In addition to the Dorchester site, BCHA is currently running a Community Front Room pop-up every Friday from 2pm-10pm at AIMCreekmoor in Poole, extending support to more communities across the county.

Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare

has stood firm and steady. We should salute and celebrate Marnhull’s WI achievement and, while doing so, cheer all of those groups and organisations that make our society a richer and greater place. The impact of the AmericanIsraeli ‘adventure’ is beginning to be felt here at home. Where it hurts. In the pocket. Heating oil and petrol/diesel have risen in the last week and, if supply and confidence of supply continue to be hit, then costs and inflationary pressures will continue meaning upward pressure on food prices as transportation costs and the costs of production escalate. Once again, the US has embarked upon a military escapade with no plan and no goal. No regime has ever changed from solely aerial bombardment. You can destroy as many Supreme Leaders as you like but, as long as the Revolutionary Guard remains in

place, then a new Leader will emerge. I have pressed the PM – who I think was and is right to keep legality of action at the forefront of his mind but who I think has been wrong in not energetically defending British interests in Cyprus and elsewhere – to try to persuade Trump that some liberalisation of Iranian society should be a requirement of the US when the inevitable peace negotiations commence. Militarily degrading Iran will be a good thing. Leaving a State, in broadly similar circumstances as it pertains to civil society and liberties will be a missed opportunity. An opportunity to definitely miss is the creation of another failed state but one equipped with circa 400 tonnes of enriched uranium. The US needs committed vision. I fear it does not have it.

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Politics

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A by-election, conflict and a scandal WE used to say ‘a week is a long time in politics!’, now it is more like ‘an hour is a long time in politics!’! Three weeks ago, the postponement of local council elections was on every news segment. Legal advice was taken and adhered to and the 30 council elections were back on – story done! I feel for the staff that have to make their councils’ elections happen in eight weeks’ time, but I have worked with Democratic Services departments many times and they are consummate professionals, that get the job done every time. We have gone from council elections to a military conflict that’s sending shockwaves around the world and has the potential to destabilise our economy and political way of life. I hope diplomacy still has a place here. In between all of this there

Candice JohnsonCole, on behalf of Dorset Labour has been the fallout of more releases of ‘The Files’, the ‘N word’ not being edited out of the BAFTAs ceremony broadcast – despite it being broadcast on a two-hour delay and not actually ‘live’! – and a pretty important by-election in Greater Manchester! Now it would be amiss of me not to mention the constituency

of Gorton and Denton – actually made up of Longsight, Levenshulme, Burnage, Gorton and Abbey Hey, Audenshaw, Denton South, Denton West and Denton North East – and what the community there have had to put up with over the last month – politics was definitely ‘into them’! Armies of volunteers, marshalled by party officials, overseen by party leaders, under the watchful eye of hundreds of journalists and news crews from all over the world descended on those that live there. They were under a spotlight for all to see. The last vote has been counted and the mountain of leaflets distributed are gracing the recycle bins of Manchester City Council. I hope Gorton and Denton will not be forgotten and their new Green Party MP will survive the upcoming media and Westminster scrum and scrutiny in one piece and

put 110% of her time and energies into improving the lives of all the people of the constituency, securing government funds and outside investment from all sectors. After marking International Women’s Day on March 8, I wanted to highlight the fact that of the five candidates that polled highest in the by-election, four were women – a very encouraging development. So, congratulations to Hannah Spencer MP. I am positive we have not heard the last of the Labour candidate, Angeliki Stogia, though! With her political, business and voluntary sector experience, 12 years and counting as a Manchester councillor and her working links to the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Westminster MPs from all parties – she will be back – I’m sure!

increased funding. Sir Keir’s vacillation over whether or not to support the US-Israel attack on Iran impressed nobody. We’ve been trying to negotiate with the Islamic Republic for years in order to stop its nuclear weapon programme – I remember it well from my time as a minister and a fascinating but fruitless trip to Tehran. Meanwhile, Iran has been attacking this country, our interests and our allies, including through the use of terrorist proxies. Enough is enough. The US does not need us militarily for Operation Epic Fury, but it did ask to use our sites. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Sir Keir did his usual pearl-clutching lawyer thing and refused. For him, the tissue that is international law – just remember who those international lawyers are and which jurisdictions they come

from – bests national security. Having upset the Americans, he had one of his signature rethinks and drafted a piece of legalistic sophistry that allows our bases to be used ‘for defence’. Presumably this means Americans can fly out of RAF Fairford to intercept a missile. But what about knocking out a missile launch site or a headquarters or an IRGC unit? In any event, how do you check? Maybe that’s the point – a case of the Three Wise Monkeys. Whatever, it hasn’t impressed the Orange President one bit. Mr Trump has responded by effectively kiboshing the Chagos surrender deal, probably the most craven attempted capitulation in the long history of the Englishspeaking peoples. He’s gone further and announced that the French, the French, are now his best buddies, not perfidious Albion.

Welfare budget the key issue THE Chancellor’s Spring Statement was the non-event of the year. If you remember, in the bright new dawn of her tenure at the Treasury, it was all about economic growth. Nothing would happen, we were told, unless it had passed the growth test. Rachel’s bluster about 14 years of the other lot could not disguise the painful reality that the economic scores on the doors have gone to pot since July 2024. There has been growth, actually, tiny, miniscule growth, barely bumping along the bottom and certainly not where we left it 18 months ago, leading the G7 out of the post-Covid doldrums. Ms Reeves failed to answer some very basic questions, including one from me about when the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan would be published. With the Middle East descending into chaos, you’d think she’d have a stab at that one. The DIP might even

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison boost that elusive growth, particularly in our area. The fundamental issue is the Government’s complete failure to tackle the welfare budget. We just can’t hike taxes anymore, must not increase the size of the tab and cannot divert money from other big-spending departments like healthcare which are all putting out their own calls for

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Politics

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Fire station closures: Have your say MANY people are rightly worried by the recent announcement of a consultation on the closure of Maiden Newton and Charmouth fire stations. This is driven by the so-called ‘long-term funding settlement’ announced by the Treasury. I met with the Chief of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service who took me through the numbers. The service fundamentally disputes the underlying assumptions the settlement is based on, which makes unjustifiable forecasts of population growth in the local area, and therefore the tax receipts. The Fire Chief and his senior team predict this will result in a shortfall of £1.2 million in year 1, rising to £1.5m in year 2. Having reviewed the numbers, I am in agreement. I have raised this with the Chancellor, both in the

Lib Dem MP for West Dorset Edward Morello Chamber and in writing. I have also asked the Fire Minister to meet with me and the Fire Chief as soon as possible – she declined. As a result, I have tabled an Early Day Motion urging the Government to

reconsider the funding settlement for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, which at the time of writing has garnered support from more than 20 fellow MPs. This is a deeply frustrating situation, and the loss of local fire stations in such a vast and rural area as West Dorset will undeniably increase response times in emergency situations. January and February this year were even wetter than usual, and the fire service was heavily involved assisting residents during the recent floods we’ve suffered in West Dorset. Last week, along with Councillor Neil Eysenck and members the parish council, I met with residents of Maiden Newton who have been badly affected. In one case a couple had only just moved back into their house after 15 months of repairs after the last flooding

incident, only to be flooded again. A disabled gentleman had to be rescued by neighbours after his ground floor was inundated after the river broke its banks. I am convening a meeting with Wessex Water, the Environment Agency and Dorset Council to see what additional interventions can be made to reduce the flood risk going forward. Meanwhile, consultations on the proposed fire station closures continue and I would strongly urge residents to make their views known to the Fire Service. You can submit your opinions online through the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service website, or by attending one of the online or in person public meetings. A decision will be made by the elected members of the Fire Authority on Tuesday, June 30, so please do not delay.

certainty to apprentices, engineers and local businesses. It sends a clear signal that advanced manufacturing has a future in our part of the country. The contract also matters nationally. Following the retirement of the Puma helicopters, there was a clear capability gap in our Armed Forces’ medium lift fleet. The AW149 helicopters to be built in Yeovil will fill that gap and strengthen the UK’s operational readiness at a time when global security is increasingly uncertain. Just as importantly, this award secures the UK’s only end-to-end helicopter manufacturing site. In practical terms, that means Britain retains the ability to design, build and support its own helicopters domestically. Sovereign capability is not simply a phrase used in defence circles. It is about

resilience, independence and safeguarding critical skills that are very difficult to rebuild once lost. There were moments when the future of this programme felt far from certain. That is why sustained engagement was needed. I was clear that delay could not continue indefinitely and that communities in the south west deserved clarity. This announcement provides that clarity. It secures investment, protects skilled employment and reinforces our region’s role at the heart of British aerospace and defence manufacturing. For local families, it means stability. For young people considering careers in engineering, it means opportunity. And for our wider economy, it means confidence. This is very good news for Yeovil, for the Blackmore Vale area and for the south west as a whole.

Helicopter contract a big moment THE confirmation that the £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract has been awarded to Leonardo in Yeovil is a moment of huge significance for our area and for the wider south west. For many months, there was real uncertainty around this programme. I made it a priority to press the case in Parliament, securing a dedicated debate, raising questions directly with Ministers and meeting regularly with Leonardo’s leadership and workforce representatives. The message was consistent – this contract was essential not just for Yeovil, but for Britain’s defence capability and our regional economy. Leonardo employs more than 3,000 highly skilled people directly at its Yeovil site, with thousands more jobs supported across the supply chain. Those jobs are not confined to one town. Families across South Somerset, North

Lib Dem MP for Yeovil Adam Dance and West Dorset and beyond rely on the engineering and manufacturing expertise built up here over decades. This decision protects those livelihoods and gives long-term

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

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Book event puts nature front and centre SHAFTESBURY’S natureinspired book festival, Reading the Land, returns for its third year this month at The Grosvenor Arms with another award-winning line up. This year’s programme champions a wide range of nature writing from geology, activism, history, heritage crafts, folklore and land rights to finding awe and connection within the wild world all round us. The speakers include Guy Shrubsole and Michael Malay, previous winners of the prestigious Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing and Nature Writing respectively, as well as a host of other writers –

Jay Griffiths, Paul Lamb, Ben Short, Lisa Schneidau, Martin Maudsley, Michael J Warren, Nicola Chester, Sarah Lonsdale, Anjana Khatwa and Helen Scales. The festival is welcoming Monica Feria-Tinta, the British-Peruvian barrister and author of Barrister for the Earth whose pioneering legal work helped secure protection for the Ecuadorian cloud forest and advanced global recognition of the Rights of Nature. BBC Springwatch’s Lucy Lapwing is also appearing at the festival, and will be speaking about her new book, Love is a Toad, in a special Saturday evening session.

Commenting on the sold-out 2024 festival on social media, award-winning author AmyJane Beer said: “[The festival was] two jampacked days of energising, affirming, collective intent… [it was] an absolute joy and honour to speak, read, rage, connect and celebrate with so many brilliant people.” In addition to the main talks programme, free family nature

walks will be led by 2025 Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction winner Ben Hoare, from Shaftesbury Arts Centre. In the run-up to the festival a series of events will take place in local schools with authors Louisa Adjoa Parker and 2025 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Book of the Year winner Lanisha Butterfield delivering workshops and readings, supported by Shaftesbury Charitable Trust. Families wishing to attend the main festival events will have access to half-price tickets, thanks to a grant from Swans Trust. Reading the Land runs from Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, with tickets for the main programme £10 – concessions available – and children’s events free. All events must be prebooked. Further information and ticket booking can be found online at www.shaftesbury bookfestival.com

inspired by the great swing bands of the 1930s and 1940s. Swing from Paris’s 15-year career has taken them from major jazz festivals – including the celebrated Django Reinhardt Festival at

Samoissur Seine – to appearances on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers and even to the grand opening of the awardwinning Gloucester Services! The ensemble presents stylish, uplifting interpretations of swing favourites and timeless classics on violin, guitars and double bass. Their repertoire includes music inspired by Gershwin,

Édith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and tango master Astor Piazzolla. Swing from Paris are at Portesham Village Hall on Thursday, March 19, Cranborne Cecil Memorial Hall on Friday, March 20, and East Stour Village Hall on Sunday, March 22, all at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.artsreach.co.uk

Swing thing with Parisian flavour GYPSY jazz, vintage swing and sparkling musicianship is promised when Swing from Paris visit Dorset. The UK-based all-string jazz quartet serve up Parisian-flavoured sounds

Swing from Paris are visiting Dorset PHOTO: Leya Ozkan

British-Peruvian barrister Monica Feria-Tinta, author of Barrister for the Earth

Village panto fun

MAIDEN Bradley Pantomime Group presented George and the Dragons at Maiden Bradley Memorial Hall. Profits were donated to village good causes, the Memorial Hall, the Parish Newsletter and the Friends of All Saint’s Church. PICTURE AND TEXT: George Jeans, Mere

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

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Arts & Entertainment

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Kezia headlining Country festival THE Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil is set to hold its first country music festival, Country West Fest. The all-day event will bring together a line-up of UK-based original artists serving up modern and classic country music across two stages. Headlining the festival is

on the main stage – the UKbased four-piece are making waves with their blend of southern rock grit and country soul. The acoustic stage will Kezia Gill, crowned Americana welcome Elizabeth & Jameson, Music Association UK Live Act who promise folk-roots sounds, of the Year 2025. She has a new songs rich in emotion, tight album out now – All On Red. harmonies and storytelling at Wood Burnt Red will also be the heart of their lyrics. Last year saw the release of their second studio album Way Out West, which was followed by a UK-wide tour. The festival – an 18-plus in a country music DJ set from event – is on Saturday, March Frazer Mitchell, running 28, from noon, and culminates through to midnight.

Kezia Gill, Americana Music Association UK Live Act of the Year 2025, is performing in Yeovil

KLEZMER Foygl, an exciting new London‑based ensemble, are coming to Dorset to celebrate the rich traditions and contemporary vibrancy of Klezmer music. Klezmer Foygl – pictured – meaning ‘Klezmer Songbird’ in Yiddish, is led by clarinettist John Macnaughton and features some of the UK’s leading Klezmer musicians.

Josh Middleton – Don Kipper, Raka Balkan Band – is on accordion, Theo Malka‑ Wishart – Oysland – on double bass, and Christina Borgenstierna – She’Koyokh – on percussion.

melodies and original arrangements infused with playful energy. Klezmer Foygl are at Sandford Orcas Village Hall on Thursday, March 26; The Mowlem at Swanage on Friday, March 27; and Drimpton Village Hall on Saturday, March 28. Tickets are available online at www.artsreach.co.uk

Centuries-old musical tradition The quartet brings both authenticity and fresh creativity to a centuries‑old musical tradition. Audiences can expect everything from foot‑stomping dance tunes to haunting PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KIN OU G W E B SR ITE

PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KIN WUTHERING HEIGHTS O U R G (15) Mon 16th &WTues E B S17th March E 17th 7.30pm | MatineesI TTues

Fri 13th March 7.30pm Matinee Fri 13th March 2.30pm Adult £9 evening £8 matinee Child under 16 £7

THE DAZZLING DIAMONDS DRAG SHOW Sat 14th March 7.30pm Tickets £24

AN AFTERNOON OF LAUREL AND HARDY WITH NEIL BRAND THE CENTENARY TOUR 2026

Sun 15th March 2.30pm Tickets £23.50

March 2.30pm & Thurs 19th March 2pm Adult £9 evening £8 matinee Child under 16 £7

JIM DAVIDSON: LAST MAN STANDING... JUST!

KOSSOFF: THE BAND PLAYS ON: REMEMBERING KOSS TOUR

ERIC BIBB: ONE MISSISSIPPI UK TOUR

HAMNET (12A)

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (15)

BAFTA BEST FILM WINNER

LAST SEATS REMAIN OVER 18’S ONLY Thurs 19th March 7.30pm Tickets £30

Fri 20th March 7.30pm Tickets £25

Sat 21st March 7.30pm Tickets £32.50

Mon 23rd & Tues 24th March 7.30pm Matinee Mon 23rd March 2.30pm Adult £9 evening £8 matinee Child under 16: £7

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

GO NOW! THE MUSIC OF THE MOODY BLUES Weds 18th March 7.30pm Tickets £30 AN EVENING WITH TOYAH: SONGS AND STORIES Weds 25th March 7.30pm Tickets £29.50 £50 premium £80 meet and greet

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Hamlet: National Theatre Live

THE production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Robert Hastie and being screened at Shaftesbury Arts Centre with National Theatre Live, is pacey, vibrant and modern – something not often thought of when you think of the play. Hiran Abeysekera is magnetic as the Prince of Denmark, and as the audience we see his journey from grieving yet exuberant young student, to madman sought on avenging the death of his beloved father. He plays Hamlet with an ease and accessibility not often seen – his interpretation of the ‘to be or not to be’ soliloquy comes across as conversational and takes on an almost stream of consciousness quality. This conversational style carries throughout, especially in the scenes between Tom Glenister’s Laertes and Francesca Mills’ Ophelia. There were times that the speedy delivery was sometimes slightly distracting, however, on

REVIEW the whole, the pace of the piece was timed wonderfully. Mills shone as Ophelia, and she felt like a modern adaptation of a character who is normally pitied and scorned. Ophelia was fiery and funny, which made her closing scenes with her descent into madness heartbreaking. Mills and Abeysekera did feel less like a potential love match, rather two old friends looking to keep their families happy. This did not detract from Ophelia’s death, but made it feel even more pointless. The supporting cast were all strong with Ryan Ellsworth’s Ghost being especially effective and a real scene stealer. Geoffrey Streatfeild as Polonius was another highlight, and any excuse for a ukulele is always a talking point. The screening of Hamlet is on Sunday, March 29, at 7pm. Tickets are available from Shaftesbury Arts centre box office or online.

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JUMBLE SALE AT LEIGH VILLAGE HALL, 2pm, Saturday 21st March. All proceeds to Batcombe Church, Admission 50p. LYN’s BINGO on March 16th Marnhull Royal British Legion. Sodom Lane (DT10 1HR). Eyes down 7pm. JUMBLE SALE HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE VILLAGE HALL, BA22 9PQ on Saturday 21st March 2 - 4 pm Also Bric-a-Brac, New goods, Books, Toys, Refreshments FREE ENTRY Proceeds to St. Mary’s Church Enquiries 01935 862363 ILCHESTER SPORTSFIELD FUND CHARITY BOOT SALE 2026 Charity No. 235579 OPEN EVERY SUNDAY Commences 12th April 2026 Sellers Gates Open 7.30am: Cars £6 | Campers/Vans/Van based People Carriers £11 | Merchant/Commercial Vans £16 Trailers - additional £5 Buyers Strictly no trading or access to stalls prior to 8.30am Car Entries up to £2 | Pedestrians/2 wheeled vehicles £1 | Children free

G&S CHESS CLUB meets Riversmeet, Gillingham, SP8 4HX . Mondays 6.30-8.30pm new members welcome. FONTMELL MAGNA ART CLUB Art Exhibition Sunday 22nd March 1pm - 5pm Fontmell Magna Village Hall Tea/ Coffee/ Cakes Supporting Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance DORSET CHAMBER CHOIR, singing “Olivet to Calvary”, music by J. H. Maunder, Broadstone United Reformed Church, BH18 9AB. Monday 30th March at 7:30 pm, Tickets £10, free under 18. Ticket: www.dorsetchamberchoir. com Also available from choir members, or at the door SHAFTESBURY EMPORIUM, Friday 13th & Saturday 14th March, 9 4.30pm, Town Hall Shaftesbury, Lots of locally crafted & consumable items for sale. Free Entry, Supporting DSAA & Weldmar Hospice, Next events:10th & 11th April Place your classified advert today CLASSIFIED

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Events JUMBLE SALE. Penselwood Village Hall on Saturday 28th March at 2pm. Jumble, White Elephant, Raffle, Cakes and Produce, Teas. Proceeds in Aid of, St Michaels Church.

Events

S.S.A.P.C. Sort Out 15th March at 8am. Windmill Farm, Montacute. TA15 6UT For info contact B.Jones, 01935-824543 or D.Fox 01935-822845

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Sherborne’s Indoor Flea Market 2026 DATES:

• 11th April • 6th June • 3th August • 7th November

ENTRY

8.30am £5 9.00am £3 Close 1.30pm

FOR TABLE BOOKINGS CONTACT HILARY 07736 666414 hilarychisholm@aol.com

DIGBY MEMORIAL HALL Digby Road, Sherborne, DT8 3NL

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Home & Garden

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First pickings – preparing a seed bed by Sally Gregson THE sun is trying to shine at least some of the time, and every gardener’s thoughts are turning to spring, and growing something delicious. The soil is in good heart after all that mulch has been added, and with a gentle hoe to disturb the surface, it should be ready to prepare the ground for sowing. Any hardy vegetable seed should germinate with speed at this time of year. A quick sowing of beetroot should produce at least some delicious leaves for early salads. And a few seedlings left in situ will produce some little beetroots for a spring salad later. A useful early variety is ‘Pronto’. It germinates quickly and forms edible globes. In an ideal garden the soil would be light, not heavy clay. If necessary, add a few handfuls of grit to help with the drainage.

First prepare the patch where it is to grow by raking over the soil and removing stones and perennial weeds. Pitch a portable cloche over the area at least a couple of weeks before sowing during March. This will not only warm up the soil but prevent any weed seedlings taking advantage. You will find on examination that the seeds of beetroot are ‘stuck’ together in a clump. This is how the seed sets in a single pod, so they will need thinning out when they have germinated. Sow each ‘seed clump’ about 15cm apart. Once germinated pull up the extra seedlings, trim off the roots and add them to a bowl of salad leaves. The remaining plants should be about 25-30cm apart, depending on their anticipated girth. Beetroots are delicious served hot with lots of butter,

by Sally Gregson TRAWLING around the summer plant fairs often rewards with new, beautiful plants. And by mid-summer there should be one or two plants for sale of a joyful new Buddleja – B. Little Ruby. This sports lots of gorgeous, deep magenta/pink spikes covered in butterflies from mid-summer onwards on a tidy, dwarf shrub. It is quite unlike the usual sprawling buddlejas that seed themselves all around the garden. Buddleja Little Ruby seems to have survived all the rain and cold this winter has brought with it and is currently pushing out its new shoots, promising flowers all over its upright structure. March is the traditional time to give the old-fashioned buddlejas a prune. Cut back the stems of B. Little Ruby by about a half to an

outward-facing bud. This will make a short, dense, rounded shrub that will produce lots of its gorgeous, magenta-pink spikes from mid to late summer. After pruning it back, give the plant a good feed with diluted tomato fertiliser and finish off with a mulch of well-rotted garden compost. Plant it in a sunny place to produce lots of flower. Water it in dry weather especially and watch the butterflies dance in the sun. It needs a warm position with plenty of light. Such a dwarf plant could also be grown in a large container very successfully. It would need, again, a bright, sunny position and regular watering. Each spring ensure the pot is big enough to contain all the roots comfortably with plenty of room for root expansion. Although the shrub seems to be semi-evergreen, a few

Beetroot is delicious served hot with lots of butter, salt and pepper

salt and pepper. And they are at least as good served cold with a vinaigrette. Supermarket beetroot tend to be rather tired and wilted in comparison with a fresh, plump, juicy bulb pulled

straight from the ground, washed and cooked. If they are grated raw and full of goodness and flavour, they make a delicious ‘coleslaw’ mixed with fresh mayonnaise.

Little Ruby a magnet for butterflies

Buddleja – B. Little Ruby – is a magnet for butterflies like this Peacock

polyanthus for the spring would make ideal companions. You could also grow dwarf cyclamen around the base for autumn and winter interest. Try the palerflowered Cyclamen coum with silver leaves for the ‘wow’ factor. These are best bought in flower and leaf in the late

summer. Cyclamen are a bit variable from seed. Alternatively, try a few ferns that might tolerate the situation – Hart’s Tongue ferns are very tolerant of light and drought, but would, of course, prefer damp shade. They would enliven the pot throughout the year.

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

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SKIP HIRE Clive Smith Waste Transfer Note.qxp_Layout 1 01/10/2020 09:33 Page 1

Clive Smith Ltd. SKIP HIRE

SKIP HIRE Waste Transfer Note

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

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

Ticket No:

PLEASE NOTE

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

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

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

PLEASE NOTE

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

LANGTON NURSERIES (C W Abbott & Son) Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets, Shallots and Dahlia Tubers 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.

CLIVE SMITH (See Condition 17 overleaf).

Vehicle Registration

Driver

Customer

Address

MARKO’S

Ride-on Mower Services

ANYTIME

01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243 S.I.C Code: 38110

Skip Size

Description

2 Yrd

Mixed Con, Brick

170107

4 Yrd

Concrete

170101

DELIVERY

6 Yrd

Soil & Stone

170504

8 Yrd

G Mixed Waste

170904

EXCHANGE

Push Mower for Small Gardens High hedges to Low Trees No job too big or too small All garden related work undertaken

DATE

COLLECTION

07742 431 029

By signing this form I confirm I have fulfilled my duty to apply the Waste Hierarchy as required by Regulation 12 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.

Advertising made

PRINT NAME __________________________________ WHITE - OFFICE

SIGNATURE ________________________________

YELLOW - CUSTOMER

simple

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GARDEN SERVICES Dorset Gardens of Steve Manuel Do you want your garden to look gorgeous and vibrant? Contact Dorset Garden Services for expert garden maintenance services at competitive prices.

“If it grows, I’ll cut it!”

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

Tel: 01258 440838 or 07853 275379 enquiries@back2market.com

07814064266

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

ASBESTOS REMOVAL Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620

JAMES AYRES 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

ND GEN

N IO A

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LES BENHAM

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ISHED IN

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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

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Eaton Stonemasons specialise in the supply and installation of quality Quartz, Marble, Granite and Sintered Stone Worktops, suitable for your home and business.

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Eaton Stonemasons 18 Westminster Road Wareham, Dorset BH20 4SP Landscaping, Groundworks and Garden Maintenance, Specialists in Patios, Fencing, Driveways, Walling, Ponds, Turﬁng Free Quotations amralphlandscaping@gmail.com Tel: 01747 631471 www.ralphlandscaping.co.uk Mobile: 07921 637227

@eaton_stonemasons_ltd Eaton Stonemasons Ltd

Scan the code to book in your showroom visit!

sales@eatonstonemasons.com

01929 550653

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SELF DRIVE DIGGER AND DUMPER HIRE 01258 861647

GC GARDEN CARE Garden & Property Maintenance

Tree Pruning/Cutting Lawn Mowing Weed Control Hedge Cutting Driveway/Patio Cleaning Landscaping Low Maintenance Gardens Fencing Stump Grinding Call For

A Free cooperg685@gmail.com

Quote

07754 821 232

TOOLS WANTED. Cash waiting. 01747 416022 Seed Potato’s £4.99 per 2.5kg, onion sets, shallots, seeds, summer bulbs, compost and so much more. Shop local, pay less WILLIAMS FLORIST & GARDEN CENTRE, STALBRIDGE

01963 362355

For all your fencing and decking needs Closeboard, panels & sheds supplied and fitted. Gates made to measure.

Sherborne Fencing Ltd Tel: 01935 814272 Mobile: 07814 246332

Handmade Bespoke Fitted Furniture

A FRIENDLY FAMILY RUN BUSINESS FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS

Stockists of new Alko, Mountfield, Stiga, Weibang and Echo. Servicing, repairs, and parts for all major brands. Come and see our range of garden machinery including lawn mowers, chainsaws, hedge cutters, battery products and more. www.gillinghamgardenmachinery.co.uk

Wardrobes, Dressing Rooms, Alcove Units, Boot Rooms, Bookcases, Kitchen Islands etc.

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

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

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

*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert

Instagram @shakerdorsetcupboardmakers

hello@shakerdorset.co.uk www.shakerdorset.co.uk

01747 859564 Unit 1, Brickyard Lane, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4JL

North Dorset Surgeons North Tree Dorset Tree Surgeons We carry out allcarry aspects surgery, We outofalltree aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and cutting stump grinding. hedge and stump grinding. Ash diebackAsh specialist. dieback specialist. Fully insured andinsured NPTC qualified. Fully and NPTC qualified.

HAMBLEDONS

Call WillCall today ontoday on Will 01747 854517 07872or 970741 01747or 854517 07872 970741

Premium Outdoor Services • Hedge Cutting & Maintenance • Hedge Reduction & Removal • Hedge & Tree Planting • Fencing & Gates • Decking & Pergolas • Sheds & Garden Buildings • Concrete & Garden Building Bases • Drainage & Soakaways • Gravel Driveways & Paths • Retaining Walls • Turfing • Devegetation & Site Clearance • Security Bollards • Commercial & Domestic Welcome

ProfessionalProfessional ExperiencedExperienced Reliable

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hambledons.net info@hambledons.net Get In Touch For a Free Quote

Reliable

Surgery.Reductions. Reductions. Felling. TreeTree Surgery. Felling. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Hedge Trimming. Stump Grinding. Woodchip supplies. Woodchip supplies. Family run business since 1946 Tel:business 01963 250005 Family run since 1946 Mobile: 07976 934 252 Tel: 01963 250005 Mobile: 07976 934 252

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blackmorevale.net WALK BEHIND FLAIL MOWER and operator hire, neglected area clearance 07432 773151

JACKS AFFORDABLE TREE CARE 07936-498493 GREENHOUSES Supplied/Erected Alloy TenColours Spares-Repairs-Glass Chris Abrams 01258-452632

EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195 WANTED Dave buys all types of tools Call 01935 428975 DRYSTONE WALLING AND LANDSCAPING www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123 / 07751 278363 HEDGE CUTTING AND LAWN MOWING SERVICES, ShaftesburyBlandford & local villages. Please call Trevor 07970-012130

WELL ROTTED HORSE MANURE £60.00 a transit load. Contact Roger on

WINDOWS & DOORS

Family run Door and Window installations and repairs company with 20 years’ experience We’ll help you fall in love with your home again at an affordable price Call for a free quote on

01747 859 209 / 07429 680 959

or view our gallery at www.lovedoorsandwindows.co.uk

07885 826396 or 01202 826502

(Established 1997)

Tree Surgeons

FOR CHAIN-SAWING, WOODLAND CLEARANCE, Jet-washing, Grass cutting and mulching, Hedge cutting and general Estate/ Farm/Garden/Maintenance. Call David on: 07786-658708

TREE WORK

Felling Section felling Pruning/shaping Hedge cutting Scrub clearance Stump grinding Planting £10M public liability insurance

HARDWOOD LOGS AND WOODCHIP FOR SALE

ASH DIE BACK SPECIALISTS LANDSCAPING

Fencing Patios Sleeper walls All hard landscaping

Vale Tree Surgeons Limited www.valetreesurgeons.com Tel: 01747 228484 Mob: 07770 833734

PETER PORT UPHOLSTERY A Local Family Run Business based in Shaftesbury, Offering awide range of services including foam cut to size and Re-stuffing of feather cushions. 01747-228384 Peterportupholstery@googlemail.com.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL Garages, Sheds, Lean to’s, Roofing and Cladding Collection and Dismantling BY Registered Hazardous Waste Carrier Call 07973 444620

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ADVERTISE HERE * FOR JUST PER WEEK

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Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net

*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert (Not including VAT)

OUTDOORS TREES R US DORSET Hedges, Patios, Turf & Fencing call Peter 07976-667130

Book your free quote today. Blandford 01258 447005

Dorchester 01305 231267

Shaftesbury 01747 440426

Sherborne 01935 316221

Warminster 01925 984459

Wincanton 01963 34065

www.armishaws.com

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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blackmorevale.net HONDA HRX426 17 inch lawnmower. VGC. Easy start. £300. 07926-850778

01963 400186

TREEWISE Experts in all aspects of TREE SURGERY, HEDGECUTTING & STUMP REMOVAL

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

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

GUTTERS CLEARED • • • • • •

Windows, Fascias, Soffits, Gutters cleaned, Repairs, Free Estimates 07788-376752

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

LOGS SEASONAL LOGS. Barn dry. Mainly Ash. 20 miles radius of Sherborne. Call 01935 815534.

BLACKMORE VALE LOG SPLITTING - Your local mobile service 07760 469411

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

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

LOGS FOR SALE transit tipper load Half transit tipper load Dumpy bag (Delivered FREE in and around Sherborne) TEL: 07450-435993 or 07846-345294

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• Fully qualified & insured tree surgeon • All aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting & stump grinding • Competitively priced • Free no obligation quotes

07851 498248 01747 828460 damorytreecare@yahoo.com

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

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE. 01202 670770

sales@woodengatemakers.co.uk Unit 1, Slader Business Park, Witney Road, Nuffield Industrial Estate, BH17 0GP

www.woodengatemakers.co.uk

Need some inspiration?

Come and visit our SHOWROOM! 01963 401424 www.wrightfires.co.uk @wright.fires 7 Market Place, Wincanton, BA9 9LL

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ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL 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

Bryan G Paulley Ltd Oil Tank Services Domestic & Commercial

REPLACEMENT TANKS INSTALLATIONS RE-SITING TEMPORARY TANKS EMERGENCY PUMP OUTS BUNDED /SINGLE SKIN METAL TANKS/FUEL STATIONS ABOVE GROUND OR BELOW MOLING SERVICE FOR BELOW GROUND UTILITIES COMMERCIAL BOILER REMOVAL

CALL NOW FOR YOUR PERSONAL QUOTATION

J&C Handyman Services

Plumbing Door hanging & skirting boards Painting & decorating and facia clearing Shed erecting & repairs Guttering and replacement Flat pack furniture Fencing Shelves & curtain rails Pointing etc... No job too small. Please call with your requirements.

01963 364457 07368 516658 dorsethandyman26@gmail.com www.jchandymanservices.com

Architectural Services Planning & Building Applications for New Build, Extensions and Conversions

01747 822162

Our advice is always free

enquiries@bell-architectural.co.uk

Tel: 01963 363870

24hr Emergency, Leaking Tanks or Oil Spills 07836 502683

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

Competitive Rates 01747 853687 or 01747 855630 www.hardimanconcrete.co.uk

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ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING & ELECTRICAL Limited Fully Insured, Free Survey Failed Double Glazed Units UPVC Windows and Doors Shower Screens, Balustrades T: 01747 631899 / 07708 180306 e: shaftesburyglass@gmail.com w: www.shaftesburyglass.co.uk

30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE 07588804253 | 07791432215 Elevatebuild@outlook.com

DIY JOBS DONE NO JOB TO SMALL Been in building 40 years Reasonable prices contact Steve 07990418609 BAILEY & SUN LTD. Groundwork, man and machine hire. Footings, ditchings, driveways, new build, drainage, extensions plus lots more. Call for a quote. 07546-762236. sun@baileyandsun.co.uk.

B.LUCAS

3,000+ PEG ROOFING TILES, delivery possible. 07812-766930. HANDYMAN, reliable and experienced Call Chris 07413 678076 Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

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ALL IRONWORK. Handrails.Gates. Railings. Repairs. Restoration. 01258 880301 G ROSE PLASTERING. For all your Plastering needs Experienced and reliable Phone Gavin 07766-243762 L R MASONRY GENERAL BUILDER, Stone work, Brick work 07971-982565 llewie30roberts@gmail.com

General builder

25+ Years Experience, City & Guilds Qualified

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FREE estimates 07809 362919

T F PLANT

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

SW BUILDING & RENOVATIONS LTD. All aspects of building and plumbing catered for. Tel: 07970 437786 e: swbuildandrenovation@gmail.com •General building •Extensions/Renovations •Loft conversions •Oak frame buildings •Groundwork/Landscaping •All your property needs

Mobile: 07979 527379 | Email: alanlewisaml@aol.com

Building Construction Specialists

TF Plant, 8 Brickfields Industrial Estate, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4JL

Traditional builders specialising in older and listed properties

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

Call Dave Welsh 07492181788 or 07838654468

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

TRADITIONAL BUILDING & RESTORATION

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www.repointdorset.co.uk tradbuildrest@gmail.com

DEADLINES

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

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BATHROOMS

CHIMNEYS

WOODROW BATHROOMS

& TILING Tiling • Plumbing Bathroom fitting

07958 119036

Advertising made

simple 01963 400186 adverts@blackmorevale.net

CHIMNEYS K.SANSOM CHIMNEY SWEEP Brush & vacuum. APICS registered 01963 370038

Martin Simmonds Chimney Sweep

STEVE ADAMS CHIMNEY SWEEPING HETAS registered woodburner and flue installer. Birdguards and cowls 07932 655267

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

Manual and Power Sweeping,

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01258 455251

Tel: smokin.nicely@hotmail.co.uk smokinnicely.co.uk

SOLID FUEL INSTALLATIONS LTD

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

01749 677440 – 07921074602- solidfuel3@aol.com

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

Call now for a free survey 07521647885

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

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WWW.STOVEANDCHIMNEYSOLUTIONS.COM

CLEANING Established in 1978

Chimney Sweep • Property Maintenance Fireplace & Stove Servicing  :01258 455947

:phoenixchimneys1@gmail.com

SHINY STOVES OVEN CLEANING

Place your classified advert today CLASSIFIED

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

Tel 01935 592461 Mob 07875 272401 www.shinystoves.com

01963 400186

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COMPUTERS / Wi-Fi & TECH DEREK ETHERINGTON BSc(Hons). PC/Mac, Repairs, Networks, Websites, Tuition. Free local callout. 07855-287150 01963-362403 www.dcenet.co.uk

Joseph Crocker Computers Custom built gaming & office PCs Desktop & laptop repair Help with mobile devices General computer and IT advice

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL 01963 23669 07484 690824

josephcrockercomputers.co.uk

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS Purchase advice, Virus Removal, New PC Setup/ Installation, Internet Connection, Upgrades, Computer/Software Tuition Call Gregg on 01963 370713

DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY PHILIP STIRK Painting, Decorating & Property Maintenance Free Quotations/No VAT Tel. 01747 825725 or mob: 07984 524446 Email: philipstirk@btinternet.com

Advertising made

simple

01963 400186

adverts@blackmorevale.net

Need a website to establish online presence? 07561 762229

LET’S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER!

Website Build | Unlimited Changes | Hosting Domain | Email | Maintenance £99 A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS! (Please see website for Terms and Conditions.) Navigate to https://websitevibe.co.uk or scan the QR code to purchase.

Get connected. Stay connected. WiFi • Email • FaceTime • WhatsApp Skype • Google • eBay • Amazon Facebook • Twitter • Instagram

R Laptop R Tablet R Smartphone R desktop PC

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

• Buying advice, setup and installation

I’m Phil Hudson, your local tech expert and trouble-shooter. I’ll come to you and sort things out, at a time that suits you. Or you can drop off your machine at my workshop for quick, efficient care and maintenance.

Call me now on 07805 783147

PAUL SPILLER PAINTER & DECORATOR, Interior & Exterior. Est. 1984. 01258-471037. 07903-069556.

Painting & Decorating Local Quality Painter & Decorator.

35 Years Experience FREE Estimates. No VAT

Call Richard on

Tel: 01258 880670 Mob: 07825512627

GARETH TANNER G.O.T. DECORATING City and Guilds qualified Interior/exterior Decorating Free Quotes no VAT Tel 07736644452 go. tanner93@gmail.com 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

M & M Painting & Decorating. 30 years experience. Fully insured, clean & tidy. References available. FREE no obligation quote. Tel: 07921-783296 / 01305-849380

‘Your home in safe and capable hands’

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

CAMILLE ELIZABETH PAINTER AND DECORATOR

DUST FREE SANDING SYSTEM Fully Qualified - 20+ Years Experience camillepainting1@gmail.com | 07759 644755

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Local Services

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DECORATION, FLOORING & CARPENTRY 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

ITALIAN LANGUAGE LESSONS

Italian Courses Classes and private tuition Contact

Bespoke Carpentry Quality Craftsmanship Door & Window Repairs Built-to-measure alcove units, shelving, wardrobes, doors, flooring, storage solutions and more expertly crafted to suit your home.

01935 425958

www.italianlanguageservices.co.uk

CLASSIFIED

01963 400186

LOCKSMITHS & GARAGE DOORS Somerset, Dorset & Wiltshire

Repairs, Services, Upgrades, Automation & New Door Installations. High quality doors at low prices from a family run business with excellent service! www.grp-garagedoors.co.uk

Classified ad?

TELL OUR 90,000 READERS for just

£1.12

per word*

24/7 Locksmiths & Garage Door Repairs

Dorset com Doors .com - Residential Lockouts - Garage door repair specialists - New garage doors & automation - Lock repair and replacements

07979 978 751 drew@dorsetdoors.com

*Not including VAT

Book online: blackmorevale.net Email: adverts@blackmorevale.net MUSIC

Place your classified advert today

Dorset based. Contact Nick 07887 358 570 Nick.elliott1@sky.com

LOCKSMITHS & GARAGE DOORS

throughout the year CHRISTINE JEWELS

COUNTRY CARPENTRY

Tel 07969443979

Sectional Doors / Roller Doors / Up and Over Side Hinged / Personnel Doors Spares & Accessories Installation / Servicing Automation / 2 into 1 Conversions Insulated Garage Doors Call 01963 363782 or 01258 472830 www.dorsetgaragedoors.co.uk

PIANO TUNING, repairs, sales of reconditioned pianos.Julian Phillips BA CGLI. 01258 471194

DEAN CARTER GUITAR TUITION 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com

PEST CONTROL SPECTRUM PEST CONTROL

Place your classified advert today

Technician. Member of the British Pest Control Association T: 01258 721462 M: 07379 405080

01963 400186

Wasps, Rodents, and all other pests humanely dealt with. All forms of bird and rodent proofing undertaken.

CLASSIFIED

PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAINAGE

MJ HPPS LTD Plumbing and Heating Contractors

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

Office: 01747 829222 Mobile: 07900916810 Email: mike@mjheat.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

PLUMBING, HEATING & DRAINAGE

D&T Plumbing and Heating Reliable, professional service for all your plumbing & heating needs.

01747 854887 07525 755696

ROOFING

DRAIN UNBLOCKING • All drains unblocked • Camera Surveys • Drain Repairs & Installations • Local family business 24/7

01305 70 55 60

www.dorsetdrainunblocking.co.uk

To place a classified ad in the Local Services section email:

• Felt Roofing Specialist • Tiling, Slating and UPVC • Velux Windows • No Job Too Small • Insurance Work • Leadwork Friendly Service Free Estimates Mobile 07973 248319 scott@scottmilesroofing.co.uk

Tom the Roofer All Roofing Services & Repairs

01747 854887 07525 755696

Advertising made

simple

01963 400186

adverts@blackmorevale.net

UNBLOCKING DRAINS • Sinks

• Installations of new drains

• Toilets

• Manholes and gully’s

• Sewers

• Repairs to existing drains

All Aspects Of Roofing Undertaken

Based in Wincanton

• Downpipes • CCTV Surveys

Contact Chris

• HP Jetting • No dig relining abbeydrainage@outlook.com | 01747 640188 | 07587 238563

FOR ALL YOUR DRAINAGE NEEDS

• Blocked Drains • Drain Repair/Relining • CCTV Surveys for Drains • Drainage Investigation • Septic Tank Installation/Repair • Sewage Treatment Plant Installations/ Services 24 HOUR DRAIN CLEARANCE Office: 01747 859203 Mobile: 07453 319391 Email: Info@wefix-drains.co.uk

Septic Tanks, Treatment Plants & Soakaways Problems with your sewage system? Need to replace your septic tank?

Speak to your local experts 01747 823731 or 07970 484890

Established 1980

www.dorsettreatmentplants.co.uk

valesideroofing@hotmail.com Find us on

Find Us Online

www.blackmorevale.net

CHRIS LANGLEY FLAT ROOFING BLANDFORD Specialist in Hi-performance felt & GRP. All of our work is GUARANTEED. All types of roofing professionally carried out. PERSONAL SUPERVISION OF ALL ORDERS.

FREE D AN QUOTESATES ESTIM

01258-450879 | 07855-402799 Clangley12@aol.com STONE MASONRY

MARKST NE Masonry & Conservation Specialist

Traditional Stone Walling Stone Carving Restoration and Repair Works Traditional Limeworks and Repointing

07738-111953

mark@markstonemasonry.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Local Services

blackmorevale.net

TARMAC / SURFACING

WASTE & HOUSE CLEARANCE

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

Tel: 01258 440838 or 07853 275379 enquiries@back2market.com

-MACHINE OR HAND LAY -OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE -LOCAL AUTHORITY APPROVED -PRIVATE & COMMERCIAL WORKS UNDERTAKEN -ALL ASPECTS OF SURFACING, ROADS, DRIVES, FOOTPATHS & DROP KERBS

www.

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

Rob’s Clearance • •

C&G SURFACING LTD, THE DEPOT, LONGCROSS, ZEALS

House, shed, and site clearance Rubbish removed

• Recycling carried out • Good/interesting items bought for cash • Friendly and reliable

01747 839751 or 07956 414896

TILING

THE HANDYMAN

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

Inside/Outside work Electrics Plumbing Painting/Decorating Tiling

Expand your customer base

Email:

Charles.white40@aol.co.uk

call to advertise

Call: 07788 724616 or 01935 712046

01963 400186

TREE SURGEON

TUTORING

LOCAL TREE SURGEON Yeovil based reasonably priced. For a no obligation quote call: 07985160422 stctreeservices.co.uk

GCSE FRENCH TUTORING offered by qualified languages teacher call Stephen on 07804 943868

CLASSIFIED ADS

.com

Place your ad today call

Rachelle Cooper Classified Ads

01963 400186

WINDOWS & DOORS WINDOW / DOOR REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS  Doors: Composite • Resi • Patio • French • Bifold  Windows : Casement • Sliding sash • Heritage flush  Secondary glazing  Double glazed units Showroom by  Locks, hinges, handles Appointment

Est 2004

01258 488500 www.totalwindowrepairs.co.uk

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

ADVERTISE HERE * FOR JUST PER WEEK

£45

Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net

*Based on our fortnightly rate for a 5x2 advert (Not including VAT)

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Announcements

blackmorevale.net

PUBLIC NOTICES AUDREY MAVIS HILLS Deceased Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 6 Swallowfields, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4US, who died on 16/01/2026, must send written details to the address below by 14/05/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified. Farnfields Solicitors, 37 High Street, Warminster, BA12 9AJ. Ref: JEJ/92437-1

JOAN MARGARET FROLIC Deceased Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 5 River Valley, High Street, Spetisbury, Blandford Forum, DT11 9DW, who died on 30/07/2025, must send written details to the address below by 14/05/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified. Blanchards Bailey LLP, Stour Park, Blandford Forum, DT11 9LQ. Ref: JXD/FRO4750/0004 WILLIAM JOHN CLAPP Deceased

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 11 Brionne Way, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8SL, who died on 24/04/2025, must send written details to the address below by 14/05/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified. Blanchards Bailey LLP, Stour Park, Blandford Forum, DT11 9LQ. Ref: HST/CLA0134/0006

Blandford Fashion Museum

Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

Blandford Fashion: Recruiting New Trustees Blandford Fashion is delighted to announce that we are seeking to appoint new trustees to join our voluntary Board of Directors. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals who:

THANK YOU JAMES BEALING Rosemarie and her family would like to thank all their family and friends for their support through the recent loss of her husband, Jim. For all the cards, flowers, donations and all those who attended the celebration of his life at Yeovil Crematorium. Rosemarie would also like to thank all the staff at Yeovil District Hospital ICU, for their kindness in looking after Jim. Also, many thanks to Peter Jackson Funeral Services and The Reverend Angela Syer for their help and kindness

The Late Adrienne Howell BEM of Mere Julia Woods (niece) and Nick Howell (nephew) and their family’s would like to thank everyone for the kind messages received. Thank you to all who attended Adrienne’s funeral service. Special thanks to the brass band community who came together to play on the day also the Reverend Michael Molano and all at the church of St Michael the Archangel and L.C. Hill & Son for kindness and care.

DEATHS KEITH TRIMBY Peacefully at home in Gillingham on 2nd February 2026, aged 77 years. Beloved Husband of Mary. Dearly loved Dad and Gramps. A private funeral service has taken place. Donations in memory of Keith for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk

• Are willing to take on leadership roles at board level • Can support the development of our sponsorship and donation income streams • Have an interest or specialism in the conservation of dress or the history of dress • Are based within the county of Dorset • Bring diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences to our organisation This is a wonderful opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that champions creativity, heritage, and community impact. For an informal conversation or to express your interest, please contact our Deputy Chair of Trustees, Associate Professor Rebecca Pride at: rebeccapride19@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from passionate, committed individuals excited to help shape our future.

www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

JOHN HOBBS Suddenly at home on 5th March 2026, aged 84 years. Of Bargains, High Street, Shaftesbury. Beloved husband to Jeanette, dad to Michael, Julie, Colin and Susie, loving grandad to Robert, Chelsea and Kai and great grandad to seven. He will be sadly missed by all family and friends. Funeral service to take place at Salisbury Crematorium on Wednesday 1st April at 12.00noon. No flowers please. Donations, if desired, to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance 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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Announcements

blackmorevale.net

DEATHS Marlene COWLEY Formerly of Batcombe Passed away peacefully at home on the 21st February aged 91 years. A much loved wife of the late Raymond and Mum to Karen, Paul, and Stuart. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service takes place at Mendip Crematorium on Wednesday 25th March at 11.30am. Donations in memory of Marlene are invited in aid of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. These may be left after the service sent c/o Harold F Miles, Folly Lane, South Cadbury BA22 7ES or online at www.haroldfmiles.co.uk

Robert William Francis Dowell “Bob” On February 22nd, 2026, peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital, aged 84 years. Of Shaftesbury. Husband of the late Eve, much loved Father to Helen, Paul, Alan and the late Michelle, Grandad to Scott, Kieran, Jamie, Antony, Abbie, Sam, Rina and Danielle and Great-Grandad to Ezra. He will be sadly missed. The funeral service takes place at Yeovil Crematorium on Monday 23rd March at 12.40pm. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for The Stars Appeal at Salisbury District Hospital may be given online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield and Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0BU Telephone 01747 853532

Terence “Jock” Ambrose Lieutenant Commander RN Retired On 9th February 2026, peacefully at home, aged 88 years. Of Bourton. Beloved Husband of Angela. A loving Father and Grandfather who will be sorely missed by all his family and friends. Funeral service will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday 27th March at 1.20pm. No flowers please but donations in his memory to RSPCA & Cancer Research UK may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent to Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532. Please make any cheques payable to the individual charity of choice.

Advertising made

simple

01963 400186 adverts@blackmorevale.net

Barbara Jean Chalk “Jean” On Friday 13th February 2026 Jean of Gillingham, Dorset peacefully passed away at the Cedars Nursing Home. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Jean’s Funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at Salisbury Crematorium, SP1 3JB Family flowers only, donations in lieu to go to NHS Foundation. All enquiries please to Bracher Brothers, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QL 01747 822494

John Robert HEWSON Passed away peacefully at Yeovil & District Hospital on Sunday 22nd February 2026, aged 87 years. A true gentleman loved by many friends in Cucklington, Wincanton and family in Middlesborough. John’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday 17th March 2026, 11.30a.m. at St. Lawrence’s Church, Cucklington. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Donations and enquiries to A. J. Wakely & Sons Funeral Directors, The Old Police Station, Carrington Way, Wincanton, BA9 9JS. Tel: 01963 31310.

Terry Percy Tory “Percy” Peacefully passed away at home on 19th February aged 97. Dearly beloved husband of the late Anne. Much loved father of Chris, Martyn & Amanda. Proud grandfather of his 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. A thanksgiving service will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Shapwick at 2pm on Friday 20th March 2026. All enquiries to Douch & Small Funeral Directors 01202-882936.

Susan Mary Vincent “Sue” Of Stalbridge passed away on 22nd February 2026 aged 80 years following a short illness. Dearly loved by all her family and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral service will take place at St Mary’s Church, Stalbridge on Monday 23rd March at 11.30 am. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for Cancer Research UK 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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Announcements

blackmorevale.net

DEATHS ELIZABETH MARY ROUTH

DOUG PENNY

“Libby, Mum, Libs, Nanny Libby” Passed away at home suddenly and peacefully on the 18th February 2026. Libby is sorely missed by all her family, but will live on in our hearts, thoughts and memories forever. A funeral will be held at Shepton Mallet Crematorium on Friday 27th March at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired to the Salvation Army, either at the service or online at www.salvationarmyorg.uk Libby’s family would also like to express our deepest appreciation for all of the cards and kind messages of sympathy and support which we have received at this sad time, and to thank ARW Connock and Son for their invaluable assistance.

Aged 90. Passed away peacefully at Yeovil Hospital on 9/3/26 With his family around him. Dearly loved by all. Private Cremation.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

JACK OSBORNE Peacefully on 22nd February 2026 at The Mellowes Care Home, aged 91 years, of Buckhorn Weston. Devoted Husband of Joan. Much loved Father of Jill. Loving Grandad to Sarah, Philip and Michael. Dearly loved Grandad Mole to Jack and Effie. Funeral service at Salisbury Crematorium on Thursday, 19th March at 2.00pm. No flowers please. Donations if desired, in memory of Jack for Dementia UK can be made online at peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk

Shelagh Mary Willis Passed away suddenly on 20th February 2026 in Salisbury District Hospital, after a short illness, aged 73 years. Of Shaftesbury. Much loved Wife of Andre and a beloved Mum, Nan and Granny. “Lovingly remembered and forever missed” Funeral service takes place at Salisbury Crematorium on Friday 20th March at 3.00pm. No flowers please. Donations in her memory for Cancer Research UK may be made online at www.mhfd.co.uk or sent c/o Merefield & Henstridge F/D, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532.

Hamshere Brian Anthony. My much-loved father passed away peacefully on 27th February. My dad will be missed by family and friends including the amazing and kind people of Ansty. Funeral Service at Salisbury Crematorium on Monday 23rd March at 11am. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the wonderful team at Salisbury Hospice Charity c/o Chris White Funeral Directors, Wilton – 01722 744691

Independent Family Funeral Directors We've provided compassionate and dignified funeral services for over 100 years together.

Bespoke Cremations & Burials Sherborne:

Direct Cremation

01935 816817

Pre-Payment Scheme Available Wincanton:

01963 31310

www.ajwakely.com

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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

Your Local Local Your Funeral Professionals Professionals Funeral

The New Blackmore Vale Magazine DEADLINES

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

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

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

Find us at: dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

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

Brister&Son

Family run Funeral Service Family run Funeral Service

Independent Family Funeral Directors When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide and reassure you every 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

COLIN J. CLOSE COLIN J. CLOSE

GRASSBY & CLOSE GRASSBY & CLOSE

Peel Close, BLANDFORD FORUM Innes Ct, STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel:BLANDFORD 01258 453133 FORUM Innes Ct, Tel: 01258 471024NEWTON Peel Close, STURMINSTER www.close-funeral.co.uk www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk Tel: 01258 453133 Tel: 01258 471024 www.close-funeral.co.uk www.grassbyclose-funeral.co.uk

GRASSBY GRASSBY

27a High Street, SHAFTESBURY Tel: 01747SHAFTESBURY 440815 27a High Street, www.grassbyshaftesbury-funeral.co.uk Tel: 01747 440815 www.grassbyshaftesbury-funeral.co.uk

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Recruitment

blackmorevale.net/jobs

Farm/Estate Assistant A vacancy has arisen for a farm/estate assistant. The post will require assistance with general maintenance and certification in garden strimmers and chainsaws. The position is full-time 8am-4pm Monday to Friday (negotiable). South West of Sherborne. Apply- f.f.t.carter@btinternet.com

MERE SURGERY, WILTSHIRE

RECEPTIONIST 21 hours per week

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team at Mere Surgery Working front of house, the successful candidate will assist patients contacting the surgery and processing requests. Successful candidates will have strong interpersonal, customer care and organisational skills. Ideally, candidates have previous general practice experience although training will be provided. Candidates must be able to work a combination of shifts including 0830-1700 and flexibility to work additional hours for holiday and other absences is essential. To see the job description and person specification please visit the Vacancies section on www.meresurgery.co.uk To apply please send a CV and covering letter to: Michele Mason, Practice Manager, Mere Surgery, Dark Lane, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6DT or alternatively email: michelemason@nhs.net Telephone: 01747 860001

PERSON WANTED TO TIDY GARDEN on regular basis hours to suit, Sherborne Tel 07736-283197 FARM/ESTATE ASSISTANT A vacancy has arisen for a farm/estate assistant. The post will require assistance with general maintenance and certification in garden strimmers and chainsaws. The position is full-time 8am-4pm Monday to Friday (negotiable). South West of Sherborne. Applyf.f.t.carter@btinternet.com

RECRUITMENT IN ADVANCE OF SEASONAL REOPENING PARACHUTE TAPROOM, BREWERY & BAR SHERBORNE

RELIABLE CLEANER WANTED for private house 4 - 6 hrs per week. Shillingstone. Please call Fiona: 07742-453285 LOCAL PERSON NEEDED for 1-2 hours twice daily to help our elderly father in Shillingstone. Must like dogs. Please call for further information 07796-403327 QJ HULL LTD. QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN required Full or Part time. Immediate Start. Rates by negotiation 01747 830518

GARDENER WANTED with some experience. Largish garden, Okeford Fitzpaine. 4 hours a week or flexible. 07833-384333

The New

Blackmore Vale

Magazine

Disclosure and Barring check will be carried out at the level relevant to the post

Applications to be received by: 21 March 2026

BLACKMORE VALE JOBS GROUP For jobseekers and employers

NEW PART-TIME TEAM MEMBER REQUIRED

Winterborne Stickland Nursery School CIO “We care...”

One of our staff team: “This is a setting where we feel listened to, supported and valued. The children are at the heart of everything we do!” One of our many happy parents: “Thank you for making Nursery such a fun, safe and exciting place for our child!” Does this sound like somewhere you would like to work? As well as a beautiful working environment and a friendly, supportive team, we can offer competitive salaries and the chance to help us make Winterborne Stickland the centre of Early Years Excellence! Having opened our doors for the first time in September 2025, we are now looking to build on our reputation for creative and exceptionally caring childcare and want to expand our team. Our Trustees and our staff are passionate about what we do and ambitious to achieve the very best outcomes for our children. We are looking for Early Years Practitioners trained to at least Level 3 – with additional salary incentives for anyone with Inclusion or Baby Room Leader experience. We offer full-time, year-round childcare for little ones from 9 months up to and including pre-school age. For details and application form email: hello@winterbornesticklandnursery.co.uk For a chat or a visit, please contact 07714 364750 Winterborne Stickland Nursery School CIO is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.

NOW ON Facebook

Over 18. Mainly afternoons, evenings and weekends. Enquire: office@parachutebrewing.co.uk

GARDENING ASSISTANT An opportunity has arisen to join a small garden team in a very beautiful and extensive private garden in Somerset. The successful applicant will either have varied experience and/or good horticultural instincts with an active desire to learn more. Salary will realistically reflect experience and potential. Please contact Kay Brewer at:

kayfbrewer@gmail.com

SITUATIONS WANTED PRIVATE CARER, has availability Mon-Fri. 25 years experience. NVQ3, references. please call: 07889-256860 MATURE LIVE-IN ASSISTANT near Wareham. Light care only. References/DBS/Driver. Tel: 07867-978558

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Food & Drink

blackmorevale.net

10 top tips to cut food waste FOOD waste can have a big impact on the environment, as it can waste resources, generate greenhouse gases and lead to land degradation. According to Love Food Hate Waste, each year, UK households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food, worth £17.5 billion and creating 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. To mark Food Waste Action Week this week, the food hygiene experts at High Speed Training share how to make a few small tweaks at home to drastically reduce food waste and help protect the planet. Dr Richard Anderson, director of Learning at High Speed Training, said: “It can be hard to quantify 9.5 million tonnes of annual food waste and this often leads people to think that their own food wasting habits aren’t contributing to the larger problem.

“However, wasting food is often easier than you may think and households in the UK throw away, on average, 1.96kg of food per day, roughly equivalent to eight meals a week.” 10 top tips to reduce food waste at home: Plan ahead: This can save you time and money and helps to ensure you aren’t buying more food than you can eat. Consider meal prepping or planning your weekly shop. Make your freezer your friend: This can preserve freshness and prevent food waste. Freeze your leftovers for quick and easy meals later. Freezing trimmed or peeling waste can come in handy when making soups or smoothies. Compost: Composting at home stops food from rotting in landfills and provides you with great compost that benefits your garden. Preserve your food: Food

aditional village pub A tr in t

preservation methods such as freezing, canning, sugaring, salting and even vacuum packing help to maintain food quality and extend its shelf life. Organise your kitchen: Implement habits such as a food audit before shopping or stock rotation where you move older items to the front and new items to the back. This can help manage your kitchen and have a better idea of the food you have in your house and what needs to be used first. Buy loose: Buying fruit and vegetables loose enables you to buy solely what you need. Love Food, Hate Waste, an initiative launched by WRAP, estimates that if all apples, bananas and potatoes were sold loose instead of in bags sold by weight, 60,000 tonnes of food waste would be saved each year. Donate any surplus: Donating surplus food helps to ensure that your excess food is

he h eart of

put to good use and benefits those in need rather than wasting away in a landfill. Give it a sniff: Date labels can be confusing and cause people to throw away perfectly edible food. The sniff test is an appropriate method for foods with a ‘best before’ date as this date denotes food quality not safety. If you’re unsure about the ‘best before’ foods in your fridge, give them a sniff and use sensory cues such as signs of visible mould or smell to determine if the food is still okay to eat. Love your leftovers: Get creative with your leftovers and adapt simple dishes or side dishes into something new, quick and tasty. Embrace the ‘wonky’: Cosmetic imperfections are not necessarily reflective of the food’s safety or quality. Buying ‘wonky veg’ from supermarkets is often cheaper than the more aesthetically pleasing options and helps to stop those wobbly carrots ending up in a landfill.

Dorset

A pub with warmth & atmosphere 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.

07783 009402 | email@ploughmanston.com | ploughmanston.com Shaftesbury Road, Manston, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1HB

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Health & Wellbeing

blackmorevale.net

Meditations in nature: The wildlife amid the skyscrapers by Susanna Curtin I AM sat on a bench alongside the River Thames, just east of Tower Bridge. Views of the city are gleaming in the warm March sunshine. Across the river lies the financial centre of Canary Wharf and the historic district of Wapping – all a far cry from the rolling hills and wide open landscapes of the Blackmore Vale. But, of all the capital cities I visit, London is the most remarkable with its vibrant arts scene, ancient history and the incredible modern architecture that sits handsomely against the distinctive elegant lines of the Stuart, Regency and Victorian buildings with which we are so familiar – together it forms a fascinating kaleidoscope of old and new. On my regular trips to the capital from the quiet Hertfordshire village of my childhood, I remember a distinctly different London in the 1970s. It was black, fumid, dirty and utterly unwelcoming. I hated every moment of every visit except our annual excursion to the Natural History Museum. Even today, rattling through the underground stations, I feel a million miles away from the natural world

that is my cornerstone. But once I exit the now gentrified, efficient and ultramodern tube stations, I encounter a very different urban centre, and one where there is a surprising degree of biodiversity, even in central London. In fact, our capital has become a leading blueprint for urban wildlife conservation. It has 1,500 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation which cover nearly 20% of the city that protect important habitats from development. Here, near Canada Water, where I am staying, the once derelict, post-industrial docklands of my youth have become a model of habitat restoration, and a place that demonstrates how densely populated urban centres and wildlife can coexist. It is indeed heartwarming to see local residents jogging, commuting and relaxing alongside functioning and thriving ecosystems which are good for wildlife and a necessary reset for city dwellers. I have, by now, strolled around Canada Dock, Surrey Water and Surrey Docks Farm, the Russia Dock woodland and the Stave Hill Ecology Park. My species list is steadily growing. I have seen a

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The common frog – Rana temporaria – is the most widespread amphibian in the UK but numbers have declined in recent years

kingfisher, coots, swans, herons, moorhens, Egyptian geese, thriving urban foxes, squirrels, popular garden birds and green parakeets, a peregrine falcon and two species of butterfly. And now, as I write this, I am watching a basking frog who has found a small patch of weed alongside the old brick wall that separates the pedestrian walkway from the banks of the River Thames. I have seen at least 50 people walk or jog past it while I have been sitting here, and not one has stopped to notice or disturb its slumber. I find it so ironic that I barely see any frogs or toads at home despite them once flourishing in my garden pond and the field behind my house. Over the last 10 years they have all but gone, and yet here in this urban jungle, they appear to be doing well. The common frog – Rana temporaria – although the most widespread amphibian in the UK, has declined by an alarming per cent in recent years due to a loss of breeding habitat, urban development, pollution and disease. Many also get run over by traffic. But there is evidence to show how habitat creation, like here, can work wonders to restore at least some of the natural balance of biodiversity, even in the city. Despite my enthusiasm and delight to see this wetland regeneration, it is clearly not

without its challenges. The high density urban setting and continual pressure for housing developments can place biodiversity under threat by separating the ‘green corridors’ and the ‘mosaic’ habitats wildlife rely on, thus reducing its ability to move in between sites. Increased human populations also place further demand on green spaces, raising the question of how to balance human amenity with nature conservation, and then there are the tonnes of plastic waste and litter that affect the water quality of these important aquatic habitats. Now in early spring, nest building has begun, and I cannot help but feel saddened by the chunks of plastic woven into the nesting material of the moorhens, coots and swans that use the manmade platforms in these lakes and canals. Nevertheless, as a flock of green parakeets fly over Surrey Docks Farm, I am reminded of the resilience of urban wildlife, the will and imagination of the developers and wildlife conservation organisations, and all the community volunteers who together have envisioned the possibilities of creating this space for people and wildlife – perhaps a lesson for all developers given the current building boom. n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin.susanna@gmail.com).

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

blackmorevale.net

Why we freeze in conflict by Kay Parkinson, Place to Talk Therapies WINTER has a way of drawing us indoors. We gather in warm kitchens, around crowded tables or in living rooms where conversations stretch longer than the daylight. And somewhere between the roast potatoes and the television remote, tensions can rise. A comment lands awkwardly. A tone sharpens. Suddenly, you are in a disagreement and something unexpected happens. You freeze. Your mind goes blank. Words vanish. Later, while washing up or lying awake at 2am, the perfect responses arrive fully formed. Shame often follows close behind. ‘Why did I not say that?’ ‘Why do I always shut down?’ Many people assume this reaction means they are weak or passive. But freezing is none of those things. Freezing is biology. When your nervous system senses overwhelm, it

Fight, flight and freeze are the three survival responses. Fight argues back. Flight leaves the room. Freeze goes still

activates one of three survival responses – fight, flight or freeze. Fight argues back. Flight leaves the room. Freeze goes still. It is the body’s way of protecting you when things feel unsafe or emotionally charged, even if the danger is emotional rather than physical. In family settings especially, old patterns can wake up quickly. Your adult self may be sitting at the table, but your nervous system might be reacting from a much younger place. And in close communities, where you might

Health & Wellbeing

see the same faces in the shop the next morning, that freeze can feel even more exposing. It is easy to believe you have failed in some way. Yet honour tells a different story. Honour recognises that your body stepped in to keep you safe in the only way it knew how. It can help to understand that freeze is not a conscious choice. It is automatic. Your body temporarily shuts down speech and action so it can focus on surviving the moment. This is why you cannot force yourself to speak when you are frozen, no matter how much you want to. And it is why the words return later, once your system has settled. So, what can you do? First, notice it. Quietly saying to yourself, ‘this is freeze,’ reduces panic and brings a little space back into the moment. Second, create safety. That might mean stepping outside for air, pressing your feet firmly into the floor or

asking for a pause in the conversation. Third, return later. You can always say: “I have had time to think, and I would like to come back to what we were discussing.” The courageous act is not never freezing. It is responding kindly to yourself afterwards. Shame wants to criticise. Authentic-honour invites compassion. So, this winter, if you find yourself buffering midargument, remember this. Your nervous system is not sabotaging you. It is protecting you. The real strength lies in how gently you thaw. n Kay Parkinson is a MBACP (Accred) therapist specialising in trauma, emotional neglect, and the impact of shame on identity and self-worth. Based in Bournemouth and working with a team of associate counsellors offering one-to-one and couples therapy locally and nationally online. www.placetotalk therapies.co.uk

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Sport

Sprake trains first winner EXPERIENCED rider Charlie Sprake, based at North Barrow, near Ilchester, trained his first ever point-to-point winner at Larkhill last month. Charlie, who has 29 point-topoint winners and a hunter chase winner to his name, has started a training yard at the Ortewell family farm with his partner Winnie Ortewell. His first winner was Gelino Bello, a previous Grade 1-winning hurdler for Paul Nicholls at Aintree in 2022 and

POINT-TO-POINT two novice chases. The horse had lost his way and had been pulled up on his previous three outings before being given to Ella Ortewell, Winnie’s older sister, and put into training with Charlie. Charlie said: “I have four horses to train, including this boy, for a group of family friends called the Sloe Gin Syndicate.” Asked how he had brought

about Gelino Bello’s return to form he said: “We have just tried to sweeten him up with a different routine – I wanted to see whether he still had it in him to be competitive.” Darren Andrews gave the horse a very positive ride and Charlie said he was delighted to have Darren riding for him. Charlie has decided not to ride this season but has not ruled out a return to the saddle in the future.

Rockies return to form FOOTBALL by Avril Lancaster Larkhall Athletic 1 Shaftesbury 3 Pitching In Southern League (South) 1 SHAFTESBURY returned to form with a win at Larkhall Athletic. Charlie Rayfield netted a rebound after Liam Armstrong saved Harry Baker's shot on 25 minutes for the Rockies’ first goal. The home side piled on the pressure and Harvey Pritchard got free of the defence to slot

home the leveller after 31 minutes. Freddie King, Ryan Beckinsale and Dawid Regula all went close to scoring for Larkhall Athletic. But Harry Morgan, on for the

Toby Holmes scored his 23rd goal of the season in Shaftesbury’s match against Larkhall Athletic

injured Jack Hoey, put Shaftesbury ahead in the 55th minute with a chip into the box which squeezed over the line. Toby Holmes swept home his 23rd goal of the season with 11 minutes left following good

blackmorevale.net GOLF WINCANTON Golf Club results: Three Cubs and Putter – February 21: 1 Terry Ings 24 ocb, 2 David Whitehand 24, 3 Jim Phillips 23. Seniors Monthly Stableford – February 24: 1 Kevin George 33, 2 Tim France 29, 3 Geoff Lye 26. Seniors Monthly 9 Hole Stableford – February 24: 1 Philip Dewar 15, 2 John Wolstenholme 14, 3 Malcolm Faulkner 12. Seniors Roll Up Stableford – February 27: Winners – Cliff Hibberd/Andy Blandford/Colin Jacobs/Mike Case – 53 points. Monthly Stableford – February 28: 1 Kevin Bieda 26, 2 Jim Stephen 25, 3 David Whitehand 23. Seniors Greensomes – March 3: 1 George Wagland/Stephen Parker 33, 2 Rick Graham/John Westaway 30, 3 Nick Young/ Phil Francis 28. Seniors 9 Hole Stableford –March 3: 1 Geoff Lye/Tim Godfrey 13, 2 Keith Williams/ Malcolm Faulkner 10. Seniors Roll Up Stableford – March 6: Winners – David Hallett/George Wagland/ Stephen Parker 48. Monthly Stableford – March 7: 1 Adam Dickens 34, 2 Jim

Blandford look for new recruits BLANDFORD Bowling Club are once again welcoming new members and inviting bowlers and novices to join them at one of their open days. Friendly coaches will be on hand to give pointers for those pushing their first bowl – the only requirement is flat shoes. The bowling club is a social hub, holding weekly events through the winter to help stave off the cold weather. Bingo, quiz nights, coffee

BOWLING mornings, even a Friday night meat draw, fill a busy social calendar and keep members connected. The club can be found at Milldown Road, Blandford DT11 7DD and the open days are on Saturday, May 2, 10am-4pm, and Saturday, May 23, 1pm-4pm. To find out more, visit the club’s website, www. blandfordbowlingclub.com, or phone 01258 450102.

Blandford Bowling Club are holding two open days in May

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Sport

blackmorevale.net

Ladies wrap up league title by Hannah Waters Portsmouth 2 Blandford and Sturminster Ladies 3 BLANDFORD and Sturminster Ladies secured another win to secure the South Central Women’s Division 3 South League title. After a slow start Blandford found their feet with Lydia Harvey and Caroline Smith flying down the wings, but Portsmouth defended well. An opportunity came when

by Paul Cross Blandford & Sturminster Men 6 Southampton Uni 4s 1 AFTER the previous week’s defeat, Blandford were back in action with a full complement of players, including debutant Aaron Brookshaw. Having drawn the reverse fixture, the home side were keen to show what they could do. Things couldn’t have started better for the home fans. Within two minutes, Blandford opened the scoring. Theo Browning won the ball on the left hand side and played an early ball to

Susan Bovenizer passed into Lyn Wood, who received it in Portsmouth’s D. Wood crossed to Sally Evans, who swiftly swiped it into goal. Portsmouth hit back, converting a short corner to equalise. The Smith sisters, Jenny and Caroline, ‘one-two-ed’ the ball down the pitch, before Caroline came into the D. Evans was in the perfect space for Caroline to

make the pass and Evans tucked it away. Blandford began the second half displaying more confidence and had multiple shots on goal, but Portsmouth keeper Kirsty Harley made some fantastic saves. The home side’s persistence paid off when they won a short corner and a scramble in the D resulted in the ball being defended off the line with a foot. Blandford were awarded a penalty flick, and no discussion

was needed as Jenny Smith stepped up to calmly tuck it away. Moments later, Portsmouth won a short corner and a strike on goal was again cleared off the line with a foot. The resulting penalty was tucked away resulting in a nervy run to the final whistle. Blandford held on and with second-placed Southampton drawing their game are now 10 points clear with just three games of the season left to play.

Gaz Hardiman. He got the champagne moment in early, chucking a delicious ball into the D. It hung in the air for son Finn Hardiman to casually connect and open the scoring. Two minutes later and Blandford scored again. The ball broke down the right before being sent inside for Finn Hardiman to slot home his and Blandford’s second. Within another two minutes, Blandford got their third. The ball broke again on the right and this time it was Gaz Hardiman who slotted the ball home.

Southampton pushed back and on 23rd minute they broke the lines and surged into the D. Clint Thrower did well to save their first effort but the follow up was pushed inside the posts to make the score 3-1. Finn Hardiman got within striking distance after some mazy dribbling, but Southampton Uni prevented the shot, putting it out. But from the resulting short corner, captain Matty Lewis struck a sweet shot, which pinged off the keeper’s toe on its way to the back of the net. Having soaked up some

early pressure, 10 minutes into the second half Blandford got their fifth. A slick one-two from Paul Cross released Finn Hardiman on the left. Hardiman ran the length of the pitch, slaloming past the Southampton defence, before sliding the ball inside the post from a tight angle. With 20 minutes to go, another Hardiman goal as Gaz H got Blandford’s sixth. Consistent pressure down the left hand side of the 23 led to a ball inside to Gaz, who made his reverse strike look simple. With Havant’s loss and

HOCKEY

Six of the best for Blandford

Gillingham slip to narrow cup defeat by Jess Hussey GILLINGHAM Ladies first team made a long Sunday road trip to Epsom to face Cheam Hockey Club in the quarter finals of the England Cup Competition but were edged out 6-4 despite a strong attacking performance. Gillingham thought they had taken the lead within the first couple of minutes when Katie Webb expertly darted around the goalkeeper and found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed and Cheam soon opened the scoring with a quick counter-attack. Livie Dorgan swiftly

Gillingham Ladies went down to Cheam in the England Cup but they put up up a competitive show and Livie Dorgan bagged a hat-trick

responded to level the game, but Cheam struck twice more, including a short-corner routine, to take a 3-1 lead into half-time. Gillingham came out strongly in the second half after a positive half-time chat, Dorgan scoring two goals in

quick time to complete an excellent hat-trick and bring the visitors back into the match. Cheam soon regained momentum with a successful penalty flick before Hannah Stevens expertly fired a superb strike into the top left corner to

keep Gillingham in contention. Further pressure from Cheam saw them add two more goals to secure the win, but Gillingham can take plenty of positives from a competitive performance and Dorgan's hat-trick. Gillingham Hockey Club continue to welcome new players of all abilities across its women’s, men’s and junior sections. Anyone interested in getting involved in local hockey, whether returning to the sport or trying it for the first time, is encouraged to contact the club through their social media pages.

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Pets

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How to manage wounds by Lynn Broom BVSc, GPCert(ExAP), AdvDipAAB, MRCVS WOUNDS can occur following an injury or planned surgery. Both types can have delayed healing, get infected or need resuturing if not managed correctly. Optimum wound healing occurs if the wound is clean, is not interfered with and exercise is kept restricted. Cleaning a wound effectively when it first occurs or prior to suturing minimises the presence of infection and maximises optimum healing. If the wound is contaminated or likely to be contaminated, such as occurs with bite wounds, antibiotics are indicated prophylactically – in advance of visible infection developing. However, antibiotics are not provided if infection risk is low. If infection does develop, however, antibiotics may subsequently be required. Repeatedly cleaning the wound, however, is often counterproductive because new cells growing in can be removed and may be killed by

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Some pets are very ingenious in their attempts to reach a wound and a larger buster collar and/or other form of protection may be needed

antiseptic medications. Patient interference is a common cause of wound breakdown or infection. This typically occurs from licking but may also occur from rubbing if the wound is inaccessible to licking. Rubbing abdominal wounds or head wounds are common causes of secondary damage and the area needs to be protected if this occurs. It can COCKAPOO’S READY. Both parents can be seen 07395 821548 CUDDLES FOR CATS reliable cat sitting in your home. Jacqui 07791-198679 WANTED: BORDER COLLIE PUPPY tri-colour, a bitch, fluffy or rough coated, wanted as a pet. Please ring 01749-860347.

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also be your pet’s friend – cat or dog or rabbit or other small furry – who licks the wound and this needs to be avoided by covering the wound or keeping friend’s separate while the wound heals. It is surprising how apparently inaccessible wounds can still be licked. Some pets are very ingenious in their attempts to reach a wound and a larger buster collar and/or other form of protection may be needed. Even a medical coat may not protect the wound sufficiently if repeated licking makes the coat wet or if the coat is chewed and the wound exposed. Most wounds will heal faster if exercise is restricted. Reduced exercise is essential when wounds are large or are in high motion areas such as over joints. Movement of the wound edges delays healing,

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causes fluid to collect around or under the wound and can cause sutures to come loose requiring resuturing. Managing exercise can be difficult in young and/or active animals but controlled lead exercise is better than free exercise if you cannot avoid exercise altogether. Pain relief is often required because a non-painful wound is less likely to draw unwanted attention. Anti-inflammatory pain relief can also help reduce inflammation further speeding up the healing process. Sometimes lightly sedating pain relief is also required to minimise excessive activity. Managing your pet with a wound will ensure rapid healing and reduce the costs and additional time needed for healing to complete if resuturing is required.

Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication. GREYHOUND WHIPPET BEDLINGTON. Requires new home, due to owners ill health. 14 months old. £150. Tel: 07951-094821

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Pets

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Boundaries! Stop giving me those puppy-dog eyes! by Raychel Curson

DOES your dog stare, whine or paw at you every time you sit down to eat? You’re not alone! Many dog owners struggle with this common behaviour, and although it may seem harmless, it can get frustrating, but the good news is it can be changed with consistent training and clear boundaries. Understanding why dogs beg and how to address it can make mealtimes more peaceful. Dogs are naturally foodmotivated animals.

When they see humans eating, their instincts kick in, associating the sight and smell with potential rewards. Additionally, if they have been given scraps in the past, they quickly learn that begging often results in treats. Over time, this behaviour can become a learned habit that’s difficult to break. How to stop begging Ignore: Avoid giving in to begging. Don’t feed your dog from the table or acknowledge their whines or pawing. Consistency is key.

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patience. Over time, your dog will learn that staying relaxed earns rewards, not begging.

Raychel Curson

Establish a designated spot: Train your dog to stay on a mat or in a bed during meal times. Reward them for staying in their spot with treats or praise during the meal and then delay the treat delivery until after you have finished. Train them a cue such as ‘PLACE’ or ‘BED’ to be able to manage their begging. Feed before you eat: Giving your dog their own meal or a snack before you sit down can reduce the temptation to beg. Use positive reinforcement: Reward calm behaviour and

LOST CATS

IF your cat has gone missing, Cats Protection offers practical steps to help bring it home safely. Start by searching your local area thoroughly, checking sheds, garages and outbuildings where it might be hiding. Create posters and share them in your neighbourhood and online communities.

Begging at the table is a common issue, but with consistent training and clear boundaries, it can be changed. Understanding your dog’s motivation and redirecting their attention during meals promotes better manners and a calmer dining experience for everyone. Patience and consistency are the keys to success, ensuring mealtimes are enjoyable for both you and your furry companion. n Raychel Curson BSc (Hons) MA CCAB APBCCAB FABC ABTC-CAB is owner of Pet Peeves Animal Behaviour & Teaching (email raychel@petpeevessomerset. co.uk) Inform local vets and animal rescues in case someone has found your cat. Ensure your cat’s microchip details are up to date, as this can be a vital tool for identification, and update the microchip database to advise your cat is lost. For a detailed guide and additional advice visit the Cats Protection website or call us on 01258 858644.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Motoring

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n the modern era of internet scams, fraudulent buyers & sellers, legal implications, fluctuating vehicle values and your DVLA obligations as a registered keeper of a vehicle, it can be a difficult and sometimes worrying prospect to sell your vehicle privately. Crews don’t charge fees for payment and they also complete all associated paperwork for you, even obtaining a refund on any un-used road fund licence (Tax) that is paid back directly to you from the DVLA. Most vehicles will be considered for purchase but please remember, a nice clean & tidy vehicle with a good service history is always going to be worth more than a vehicle that requires a lot of work. Crews will always be honest with valuations and will try to offer you the best possible deal. The process is simple and easy, get in touch with Jason at Crews on 01747 854789, please have your vehicle registration number and current mileage available so that we can start the process of a valuation. If you are pleased with your valuation guide price, the whole process can be completed very quickly once we have seen your vehicle and confirmed it’s value, so contact Crews today. Crews can be easily found, located on a main road site at Five Square Motors, (Bosch Garage), Salisbury Road (A30), Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 8BU, we are just ¼ mile from the Royal Chase roundabout in Shaftesbury.

5 Star Trustpilot Reviews

Museum’s DB4 beautifully restored AN ICONIC Aston Martin is back up and running – and on display – thanks to hundreds of hours’ work by Somerset car experts. Haynes Heritage Engineering has brought a 1961 DB4, owned by Haynes Motor Museum, back to running condition. It is now on public display at the museum, near Sparkford. Originally purchased at auction and donated to the museum by John Haynes OBE and his wife Annette, the DB4 is said to embody a remarkable chapter in British automotive history. “Widely regarded as one of Aston Martin’s most desirable models, the DB4 combined Italian-influenced Superleggera design, a powerful straight-six engine, and effortless highspeed touring ability, establishing the blueprint for

01747 854789 www.crewscars.co.uk CAR SALES

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2016 A5KA+ Coupe S Line Nav petrol, 2dr. Sat5 nav, parking sensors, cruise 2017(65) (17)Audi Ford 1.21.8TFSi Zetec 5dr. 85bhp, speed manual gearbox, control, leather, heated seats, road sign assist, Bluetooth, auto lights & wipers, hill parking sensors, cruise control, hill hold, air con, Bluetooth, upto 56mpg economy, holder, 92,900 miles £7950 small exterior with a....................................................................................... spacious interior, 76,900 miles ....................................£6450 2018 Panda 4x4Studio 0.9T Twin 5dr. Rugged drive, good ground 2012(18) (62)Fiat Ford Ka 1.2 3dr.Air 69bhp, petrol, 54-wheel speed manual gearbox, £35 clearance, holder, switchcambelt for extra light steering when yearly tax,Bluetooth, 50+mpg,hill simple carcity withsteering basic spec, replaced, MOT Nov 2025, private great sale on behalf of a &customer, needed, performance economy,73,500 50,600miles miles.......................................£2950 ..................................... £8950 2021 ST Line X MHEV 5dr. 155bhp, nav, parkingdiesel, sensors, 2014(21) (14)Ford FordPuma Kuga1.0T 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUVsat 5dr. 163bhp, 6 speedcontrol, manualauto gearbox, high seats, seats,sign heated screen, sat nav,hill cruise lights4x4, & wipers, mainleather, beam heated assist, road assist, Bluetooth, park sensors, park, reverseadjustable camera, sunroof, auto&lights wipers, cruise, lane aid, holder, collisionauto safety systems, boot floor mega&box storage, 47,800 sign recognition, hill hold, electric tailgate, cambelt replaced, 92,500 miles .........£7450 miles ............................................................................................................ £12650 2020(18) (69)Kia Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat 2018 Ceed 1.6CRDi GT-Line 5dr. Sat Nav, reverse camera, parking sensors, Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable cruise control, auto lights & wipers, hill holder, road sign assist, Bluetooth, 60+mpg, seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front 46,500 miles .................................................................................................. £9650 seats, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles ............£21500 + VAT = £25800 2019 (68) Kia Venga 4, 1.6 Automatic 5dr. High seating, sat nav, reverse camera, 2020 (69) Ford Transit 2.0TDCi Trend 350 MWB MR L2 H2 11 Seat Minibus parking sensors, heated seats, heated steering wheel, sliding rear seats, adjustable 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 10 seat plus driver, 2 front seats, 9 boot auto lights & wipers, cruise control, Bluetooth, holder, 22,950 rearfloor, seats, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sunroof, sensors,hill heated front seats, miles… hill hold,........................................................................................................ cambelt replaced, 90,200 miles.........................£19500 + VAT =£12250 £23400 2018 Soul 2, 1.6 High seating,(Sat goodNav) sized5dr. boot, sat nav,petrol, parking 2014(18) (64)Kia Kia Venga 3, 5dr. 1.6 Automatic 123bhp, 4 sensors &speed reverse camera, cruise control, auto lights, Bluetooth, hill holder, road sign assist, automatic gearbox, high seating, decent boot, sat nav, parking sensors & only 29,500 miles electric .......................................................................Due in control, soon £9350 reverse camera, sunroof, partial leather, heated seats, cruise sign recognition, hill hold, only 38,800 miles........................................................£7850 2008 (08) Mercedes-Benz CLC 200 2.1CDi SE Automatic Coupe 2dr. Bargain clearance car,Mazda MOT December 2026, automatic a budget price, not perfect 2016 (66) 3, 2.0 SE-L Navluxury Automatic 5dr.for 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed nav, miles auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, asautomatic its an oldgearbox, car, only sat 63,500 ................................................................. £2650 sign recognition, heated seats, hill hold, 75,900 miles...................................£8450

The 1961 DB4 PHOTO: Haynes Motor Museum

generations of Aston Martin Grand Tourers,” a museum spokesperson said. “Prior to being acquired by John Haynes, the DB4 was written off in its first year of use and later involved in a number of smaller incidents, meaning it required significant structural repairs. “These included the careful reconstruction of the front section and the correction of historic repair work, with every step prioritising the car’s originality and historical integrity.”

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Motoring

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

blackmorevale.net

Field & Stream

by Tria Stebbing SPRING has arrived, for a few days at least. The Highland cows, Belle and Sebastian, have settled into a new routine together and the paddock has a real feel of calm about it. At the time of writing, Belle has not had her calf, but we can feel it kicking when we lay our hands on her side. She has developed a pre-birth serenity and we can now say that it definitely was the right thing to do, to move her previous calf, Babybel, on to pastures new. Each day the weather gets warmer and the evenings get lighter is a better chance for the calf, and easier for us to discreetly observe. The hedge-laying finished with a flourish on March 1, the last few metres proving quite tricky, with some older trees mixed in with the softer branches. The whole village has been behind the new hedge look, and it is refreshing to see that people do now understand

Belle, hedge-laying and Arthur the cuckoo...

the need to preserve these ancient hedgerows for future generations. Bluebells are already coming up, seeking out the newly opened spaces, where they have previously lain dormant. The flock is in multiple sites as is usual at this time of year – by rotating the stock we are allowing favourite paddocks to

regrow. The rams are currently going between wildflower meadows in the home village. Hopefully their droppings are being put to good use, as is their digestion of any seeds lying on the ground. Real results are now being seen in these meadows, with new larvae reported, which will lead to new butterflies, some of

which have not been in the village for some time. Nature has a way of healing and already the grey relentless days of January seem a distant memory. Spare time when we get it is spent clearing out sheds and outbuildings, bits of bale twine that has been chewed and feed sacks that are now redundant. The mower and baler are next on the list so that they are good to go when the hay is ready to cut in the summer. A friend has a cuckoo tracker and tracks Arthur the cuckoo on his travels. In the last week he has moved into Liberia in West Africa, more than 3,000km – 1,864 miles – from where he has spent the winter months. In the last few days, he has flown a further 300km – 186 miles – north, skirting the border with Guinea and moving back towards the Ivory Coast. How does Arthur do it? In fact, Arthur does this every year AND finds his way back to us again. How does he know when to set off? Clearly all is quiet currently in the field as I have had the time to ponder on this. Hurry up Belle!

GILLINGHAM is set to become an even friendlier place for butterflies, and the wider wildlife that depends on them, after pledging to support a national conservation campaign. Gillingham Town Council has committed to becoming a Butterfly Friendly Council in partnership with Butterfly Conservation, the UK charity A Common Blue butterfly dedicated to protecting butterflies, moths and their habitats. Biodiversity Action Plan and The move comes at a critical Pollinator Action Plan, with a time for the UK’s butterfly renewed focus on improving population with more than half habitats in public open spaces of species in long term decline across the town. due to habitat loss and pollution. Mayor Cllr Fiona Cullen By signing the pledge, the welcomed the step forward. She council will build on its existing said: “I am delighted that

Gillingham Town Council has taken this important step. “This pledge reflects our continued commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across our town and ensuring our public open spaces support wildlife for future generations.” The council’s grounds team has worked alongside Dorset Wildlife Trust for many years and will continue delivering a Nature Recovery Plan aimed at boosting biodiversity throughout Gillingham. Town clerk Julie Hawkins said the town was already in a strong position to support the initiative. She added: “We are fortunate

that many of Gillingham’s public open spaces are already rich in biodiversity and ecological interest. “We are looking forward to creating ‘Moon Meadows’ in suitable areas which will provide valuable shelter and food sources for moths and other nocturnal pollinators and help contribute towards Dorset’s nature recovery plan.” Residents are being encouraged to play their part by planting nectar-rich flowers, creating wildlife-friendly spaces at home and reducing pesticide use – small steps that, collectively, could make a big difference for some of the UK’s most loved insects.

Scarlet elf cap and catkins are in abundance in the hedges

Town backs butterfly campaign

GOT A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Farming

Fertility: Testing bulls/tups – how testing prevented poor fertility problems by Josephine Child, BvetMed CertAVP PGcertVPS MRCVS and Helen Rogers MA, VetMB, MRCVS, DBR Friars Moor Livestock Health IN 2025, 28% of bulls tested at Friars Moor Livestock Health failed their Bull Breeding Soundness Examination (BBSE). This means we identified a cohort of subfertile bulls, ahead of them being used in or purchased for suckler or dairy herds. By removing these subfertile bulls, we reduce the chances of a poor conception rate and subsequent high empty rate for block calving systems, as well as a protracted calving period. Buying a bull sounds like a relatively straightforward process, but the reality is very different! Matching up your health status, genetic and EBV requirements with actual bull

availability is a real headache. We need to ensure that the BBSE is rigorous and correctly identifies subfertile bulls. The benefits of carrying out a BBSE are undeniable, but as bull purchasing can be challenging, the procedure needs to atbe carried out well in advance of the start of breeding season to ensure there is an opportunity to retest and replace a subfertile bull. As bull semen production takes 61 days, we recommend carrying out the procedure at least two months prior to use. The length of the sperm production cycle is slightly shorter in rams – 49-61 days – however, a target of testing your rams two months prior to the start of the service period is equally sensible. The procedure for both rams and bulls involves a physical examination of all areas required to serve a cow/ ewe, the eyes, musculoskeletal

system, heart and lungs, as well as scrotum, penis, prepuce and internal sex glands. In addition, a probe, inserted into the rectum, is used to stimulate the ejaculatory nerves and a semen sample is collected. This is immediately analysed and the general – gross – and progressive –forward – motility assessed, alongside the morphology. There are specific targets to meet for each of these factors to allow the male to pass his exam. Most of our BBSE exams are now carried out in our foot trimmer crushes, which provides a great opportunity to also check and trim the feet of the bull. A proportion of subfertile bulls are identified as soon as we pick up their feet, establishing that they are not viable to last the service period. Lameness is one of the most common causes of subfertility in breeding bulls

blackmorevale.net and rams. What do we do when we identify a subfertile bull? DEPENDING on the findings, we may recommend culling and replacing the bull ASAP. Alternatively, we may book in a retest and assess whether any improvement has occurred since the previous test. This is only possible if there is sufficient time left before the start of the service period. If you have a team of bulls or rams, all breeding males should be tested regardless of how well they have performed in previous years. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security just because you have calves and lambs on the ground this year. Illness, fever or injury will have an effect on sperm viability, and we are not always aware of these occurring in rams or bulls. Rams are more commonly run as a team compared to bulls, which allows us to use the data we generate in different ways. We can advise on optimal ram:ewe ratio for each male tested, allowing us to support sub-optimal rams by running them with other prime rams. A large estate in Wiltshire Deadline to place your advert is the Friday before publication.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Farming

blackmorevale.net runs 850 mule x ewes with a mixture of Romney, Suffolk and Texel rams. They have been working with us to semen test all the rams in this flock prior to the mating season for the last four years. On average, we find 30% of these rams are subfertile. The shepherd for this flock is really pleased with the results – he says it allows him to place less fertile tups with two more fertile ones in a group mating setting and gives him the confidence to single-sire mate elite groups of ewes. It has also led to a tighter lambing period, with reduced returns in second and third cycles. Over this time, the lambing percentage has increased across the flock by

around 5%, and the barren rate for 2026 is just over 1%. It has been an interesting exercise to see how different rams perform in subsequent breeding seasons, especially first-time breeding rams and older rams towards the end of their working lives. One ram this year was found to be producing double-tailed sperm. This ram passed a physical examination with no problem in terms of physical health and size of testicles – however, examination of a semen sample revealed a high percentage of sperm with this abnormality. Should you wish to explore fertility testing services with your own flock or herd, contact your vet to discuss the options available.

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Farming

‘Lambs hopping and skipping for joy of being alive’ by Ruth Kimber SPRING is fighting winter! Spring is winning some days not others. March winds are very effective in drying up the land and as optimism is high, we look forward to the effects! Darren has seen the first lambs born and they can be seen gambolling around at the shop in little groups, hopping and skipping for the joy of being alive. The grass is growing and catkins and daffodils are abundant. The discussion about the accepted need for docking lambs’ tails is being brought into question by new animal welfare rules. Shortening the lamb’s tail to massively reduce the problem of flystrike has for many years been best practice.

It must be done when the lamb is under seven days old and the tail has to be long enough to cover the female’s vulva and the male’s anus. An area of bare skin under the tail can give a clue where the rubber ring should be placed, where the skin meets the wool-covered part of the tail. It is about three bone joints down. The problem of flystrike is real and can kill sheep within hours of the blowfly laying its eggs on mucky tails, which happens really quickly when the weather changes, often when the grass responds to warm wet weather and produces lush rich growth, which in turn can make the sheep’s faeces runny and in turn can easily contaminate its rear end. The blowfly’s maggots

blackmorevale.net It’s too wet on the land for Ruth Kimber’s cows to go out

are laid and quickly find the sheep’s skin, where they begin to burrow in and consume the animal’s flesh. It is horrid to see the results, and if not treated with great haste the animal will die a cruel, painful death. The first signs of flystrike are often a sheep backing up onto something and rubbing or itching its back end or rolling onto its back to try to relieve the irritation and painful, crawling feeling. The administration of chemical applications will quickly kill the maggots – thousands can be seen pouring out of the animal’s flesh. Obviously, this has a huge effect on the sheep, which if it survives will be severely ill and take weeks/months to recover. Secondary diseases often follow

the weakened immune system. Tail docking goes a long way towards helping reduce the numbers of cases. Many shepherds also take the preventative measure of ‘crutching out’ – this means shearing off the wool around the anus and wool at the top of the legs of the ewe, to help it keep free of soiling, which is the prime site for a blowfly to lay its eggs. Good luck to all shepherds as they care and tend their sheep, often getting up in the night to check their ewes. Tom has cut the first grass to zero graze the cows – it’s too wet on the land for the cows to go out just yet, but they are very happy to be eating freshly cut grass!

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Farming

blackmorevale.net

Guide £900,000 (TBC) Broad Oak, Sturminster Newton Mappowder Guide £595,000 A and modern ranch stylePost detached A spacious fine Grade II listed former village HouseAOC withbungalow attractive boasting gardens, aa stunning outlook with 12.42 acres of views pasture woodland. Further substantial barn/workshop and lovely to and the village church and 6.72 acres available. Freehold. CTB E; EPC D. surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton Sturminster Newton ||01258 01258473766 472244

Fisherton De La Mere, Warminster Guide £325,000 Marnhull Guide £525,000 An attractivesouth-facing parcel of pastureland featuring agricultural building and secure A character stone house in an excellent central village storage Situated with convenient transport connections, providing workshop and southlocationoptions. with a large oak-framed double garage, direct to CTB the A36. Offered as a whole. 11.69 acres. Freehold. facingaccess gardens. E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Salisbury | 01722 334323

Thursday 19th March at 10.30am - Druce Farm, Druce, Dorchester, DT2 7SU South Dorset Plant & Machinery Sale Tractors, Telehandlers & Vehicles – John Deere 6215R (20), John Deere 6215R (17), John Deere 6320 Premium, Valtra T195, Case 5140 with Loader, Ford 4610, Massey Ferguson 3125, Merlo TF35.7CS, Claas Scorpion 7044, New Holland LM430, John Deere Gator (16), Land Rover Freelander, Pel Job EB12.4 Mini Digger, etc. Arable Equipment – Claas Quadrant 5300 Baler, Claas 2200 Advantage Baler, New Holland BB9080 Baler, McHale Fusion 3 Baler, John Deere 550 Round Baler, New Holland 376 Conventional Baler, Horsch Maestro 8.75 Trailed 8 Row Maize Drill, Gaspardo 8 Row Maize Drill with Front Tank, Horsch Sprinter Drill, Accord 3m Air Drill, Accord 4m Air Drill, Proforge Disrupta 4.5m Hydraulic Folding Cultivator, Kongslide 3m Vibrotilth Cultivator c/w Crumbler Roller, Simba 7m Tined Cultivator, Simba 5.6m Unipress, Horsch Terrano 6m, Kverneland RS100-8 6f Semi Mounted Reversible Plough, Kverneland 5f Reversible Plough, Flexicoil Furrow Press 2.6m, 6.5m Cambridge Rollers, 10ft Flat Roller, etc. Grassland Equipment – Strautmann Giga Vitesse 3201 Silage Wagon, Claas Liner 3000 Rake, Claas Liner 2900 Rake, Krone Swadro 1400 Rake, Voglesang 15m Dribble Bar, Krone EasiWrap 150 Bale Wrapper, Krone ActiveMow R200 Mounted Disc Haybob, Haybob, North Teagle Cheriton Compact Fertiliser Spreader, etc. Shroton Mower, Kuhn FC283 Mower Conditioner, Kuhn 300 Guide £435,000

OIEO £400,000 This delightful 2-bedroom cottage has beenTanker, fully updated An attractive, 3-bedroom Trailers, Spreaders andend-of-terrace Tankers - NC 2500gln Vacuum Richard Western 10t Rear double-fronted Discharge Spreader, Marshallperiod property tucked away on butBC28 retains great charm. It isAxle situated in the heart this most desirable idyllic country character features Bale Trailer, 29’ Tri Bale Trailer, HerbstofLowloader, Bailey Drop DeckanLowloader, Droplane Deckwith Lowloader, Bailey 14t throughout and views over village. CTB D. Freehold. the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. Grain Trailer, Richard Western SF11 Silage Trailer Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne | 01935 814488 Livestock Equipment, Spares & Miscellaneous – Hustler Unrolla, John Deere Starfire 6000 Receiver, Keenan 350 Diet Feeder, Keenan 20m³ Diet Feeder, Shelbourne Reynolds Power Mix Pro 13m³, 10 x Galvanised Calf Pen Fronts, Gates and Troughs, Briggs M10 MKII Roto-Rainer, Massey Ferguson Panels, Parmiter Post Driver, Hyundai Long Run Diesel Generator, Post Borer, Hydraulic Top Link, Rappa Hurdles, Sheep Trailer, Foot Trimming Crush, Ifor Williams Livestock Trailer, etc.

Tuesday 24th March at 11.00am - Lower Kingston Russell Farm, Long Bredy, Dorchester, DT2 9HS Dispersal Sale of 2 Tractors, Excavator, Quad, Farm Machinery & Livestock Equipment Including: Deutz Fahr S120G with Stoll Loader (21), New Holland T5060 with Q45 Loader (09), Yamaho Kodiak ATV (23), Daewoo DH130 Tracked Excavator, Vicon Extra 332 Mounted Disc Mower, Vicon Fanex ZF524H 4 Rotor Tedder, Parmiter Disc Harrows, Parmiter Drag Harrows, INO Euro Flail Topper, Vicon PS04 1354 Fertiliser Spreader, 10ft Flatbed Trailer, Griffiths 8T Dump Trailer, Weeks 4T Trailer, Wessex BFR-180 Round Bale Unroller, Mobile Cattle Handling System, Ifor Williams Trailer, Gallagher Weigh Platform, John Shepherd Cattle Hurdles, Workshop Items, etc Introduced: Krone Easycut R20CV Mounted Mower Conditioner, Krone KWS.50 4 Rotor Rake,

Kverneland Straw Chopper, Bateman Calf Weigh Crate, etc Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 Leigh OIEO £500,000 Tucked away down a no laneFarms is thisLimited extended and very well A tastefully Onthrough behalf LKR (Auctioneers having sold the Farm) improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious presented 4 bedroom country home withInternet stable yard & paddocks, accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. bidding availablein total 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 | 01935 814488 Contact Yeovil OfficeSherborne – 01935 382909

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

blackmorevale.net

Buckhorn Weston Guide £1,800,000 Mappowder Guide £595,000 A striking and imposing former Rectory with wonderful far-reaching A fine and Grade II listed former village PostinHouse withofattractive gardens, views secondary accommodation the heart this popular a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and village. Freehold. CTB H; EPC D. surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton || 01258 01258473766 473766 Sturminster Newton

Hazelbury Bryan Guide £965,000 Marnhull Guide £525,000 A large family house with over 3000 sq.ft of internal family A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central accommodation and lovely south west facing gardens withvillage wonderful location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southviews to Bulbarrow. In all 2.35 acres. Freehold. CTB G; EPC D. facing gardens. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton|| 01258 01258473766 473766 Sturminster Newton

Bedchester Guide £895,000 Shroton Guide £435,000 A comfortable and characterful period house with lovely views and This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated adjoining field in an elevated rural location. but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable Freehold. CTB F; EPC D. village. CTB D. Freehold.

Marnhull Guide £565,000 North Cheriton OIEO £400,000 A spacious detached bungalow occupying a corner plot and An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on overlooking a field at with the rear of thisfeatures desirable cul-de-sac. an idyllic country lane character throughout and views over Freehold / Leasehold. CTB F; CTB EPC C. C.Freehold. the neighbouring countryside.

Sturminster Newton || 01258 01258473766 473766 Sturminster Newton

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne | 01935 814488

Stalbridge Guide £450,000 Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 A detached bungalow on a quiet no-through lane in need of Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well modernising with extensive back garden of over a third of an acre. presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total Freehold. EPC E. 4.11 acres.CTB CTBD; E.Freehold,

Child Okeford Guide £395,000 Leigh OIEO £500,000 An excellent 3 bedroom bungalow on a quiet cul de sac in the highly A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious regarded village of Okeford. accommodation, setChild in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. Freehold. D;CTB EPCF.D.Freehold. No onwardCTB chain.

Sturminster Newton || 01258 01258473766 473766 Sturminster Newton

Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne | 01935 814488

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

blackmorevale.net

Long Crichel

Guide £15,000

76.91 sqm. (827sqft.) of land and a derelict building with a footprint of 45.33sqm (487sqft.), situated in an accessible location just 2 miles from the A354. Freehold. Wimborne | 01202 843190

Chard

Guide £25,000-35,000

2 x garages with yards and forecourts, providing scope as a commercial development opportunity (STPP). Freehold. Axminster | 01297 33122

Wiveliscombe

Guide £35,000

A former BT storage hut with the benefit of planning permission for use as 1 holiday accommodation, in 0.03 acres. Freehold. Tiverton | 01884 218911

Mosterton

Guide £35,000

An attractive single parcel of level pasture land with a timber outbuilding extending to 0.67 acres (0.27 hectares) bordering the village of Mosterton. Freehold. Yeovil | 01935 423526

Mappowder Guide £595,000 A fine Grade II listed former village Post House with attractive gardens, a substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village church and surrounding countryside. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Marnhull Guide £525,000 A character south-facing stone house in an excellent central village location with a large oak-framed double garage, workshop and southfacing gardens. CTB E. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Lower Blandford St Mary Guide £65,000

Christchurch

Blandford Forum

Dorchester Commercial | 01305 251008

Wimborne | 01202 843190

A versatile commercial property situated just outside the market town of Blandford Forum, with scope for redevelopment (STPP). Freehold. RV (04/26 - £2,500.

Guide £85,000

A bright and airy third floor flat, in good order, situated in a convenient location close to amenities, the beach and good transport links. Leasehold. CTB B. EPC C

Guide £95,000

A retail unit with a 2-storey 1 bedroom maisonette above, all in need of general improvement, in a prominent position in the town centre. Freehold. RV £5,200 (04/ 26) CTB A Blandford | 01258 452670

Worth Matravers Guide £280,000 A former WWII RAF radar base, previously converted to a 24-bed rural retreat centre, now providing scope for re-development opportunities, subject to planning permission. Freehold. RV £6,400.

Dorchester Commercial | 01305 251008

Shroton Guide £435,000 This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage has been fully updated but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart of this most desirable village. CTB D. Freehold. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

North Cheriton OIEO £400,000 An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom period property tucked away on an idyllic country lane with character features throughout and views over the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. Sherborne | 01935 814488

Corfe Mullen, Wimborne

Colehill, Wimborne

Guide £225,000

A detached 2 bedroom bungalow for general improvement, with off-road parking, garage, and workshop, in a convenient location close to amenities and road links. Freehold. CTB D. EPC D.

Guide £250,000

A detached 2 bedroom split-level property for renovation, with potential for extension (subject to planning permission/consents), situated on a sought after road on the edge of Colehill. Freehold. CTB D. EPC D.

Wimborne | 01202 843190

Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 Seaborough, Beaminster Guide £275,000 Tucked away down a no through lane is this extended and very well A spacious 3 bedroom detached bungalow with an Agricultural Occupancey presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & paddocks, in total Condition, enjoying a rural position in Seaborough, and far-reaching 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, countryside views. Freehold. CTB D. EPC E. Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766

Leigh OIEO £500,000 Corfe Castle, Wareham Guide £325,000 A tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light and spacious A charming Grade II Listed period property, in the historic village of Corfe Castle. accommodation, set in attractive gardens and backing onto farmland. In need of renovation throughout, offering good size rooms and character features No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold. and benefitting from a level garden and off road parking. Freehold. CTB E. EPC D. Sherborne | 01935 814488

Beaminster 01308 863100

Wimborne | 01202 843190

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

blackmorevale.net

ST NE RU W CT IO N IN

ST NE RU W CT IO N

H ◆A ◆M ◆B ◆L ◆E ◆D ◆O ◆N £650,000 West Stour

£595,000 South Cadbury

Positioned on a quiet village lane, this five bedroom detached home blends space, comfort, and easy modern living. Light filled reception rooms, an open plan kitchen/breakfast space, utility, study, family bathroom, principal bedroom with en-suite. Outside features a private wrap around garden and double garage. No onward chain. EPC Rating D. Freehold.

Set in a desirable village surrounded by open countryside, this four bedroom detached home offers relaxed modern country living. Inside, a sleek kitchen, utility, cloakroom, bright reception spaces, family bathroom. Outside, a generous garden with a pond and seating area, along with a long private driveway leading to a detached double garage. EPC Rating D. Freehold

WINCANTON

£410,000

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

SOUTH CHERITON

£430,000

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

£210,000 Wincanton

ST NE RU W CT IO N

As we are entering the spring market, now is the best time to sell your home. If you are considering a move in the near future, we will be delighted to offer a free valuation and market advice on your property. IN

ST NE RU W CT IO N

Thinking of Moving?

£125,000 Wincanton

This spacious two bedroom mid terrace home is A wonderful opportunity to purchase a well kept, one bedroom conveniently positioned within easy reach of the town ground floor flat offered with a tenant in situ, an ideal addition to Please call 01963 34000 or email centre. It features a bright, welcoming sitting room, a any investment portfolio. Set within a well maintained development wincanton@hambledon.net to book modern kitchen/diner and a family bathroom. Outside, a a short walk from the town centre, the property benefits from an an appointment. An exceptionally wellopen sunny rear garden gives access tofour two bedroom allocated parking plan livingthree room/bedroom kitchen, shower room and a private garden. A spacious terrace house situated within a short walk of presented semi-detached house with spaces. EPC Rating C. Freehold. Buy views to let investors only. EPC Rating Leasehold beyond. local schools. The property enjoys the benefit of a loft conversion creating stunning far reaching over Wincanton andD.countryside

BRUTON

£225,000

£226,500

ST NE RU W CT IO N

Sitting room, stylish fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower room, cloakroom, driveway and garage alongside property, landscaped garden. EPC Rating: C.

ST NE RU W CT IO N

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

WINCANTON

£365,000 Wincanton WINCANTON

£145,000

£435,000 Bruton WINCANTON £179,950

An extended four-bedroom semi-detached house situated within a mature An exceptional three bedroom detached bungalow with views of the surrounding An attractive two bedroom mid terrace house situated in a small close on A spacious two bedroom semi-detached house situated on a popular development, conveniently to local amenities. Open-plan hilltops and the iconic Bruton Dovecote. Featuring an extended modernorder kitchen/ a mature close development. Spacious sitting room, kitchen/dining kitchen/diner, bathroom, residential development. The property is presented in excellent and room, spacious sitting room, cloakroom, principal bedroom with en-suite, a dining room, utility, cosy sitting room burner, principal bedroom easy to maintain garden, allocated parking, ideal investment or first enjoys the benefit of a car port,with longwood driveway, enclosed garden, sittingwith private enclosed garden with summerhouse and driveway leading to single en-suite and family bathroom. a front garden and to attractive garden time buy. EPC Rating: C. room, fitted kitchen, Outside, conservatory and potential extend rear (STPP). EPC Rating: garage. EPC Rating D. Freehold. leads to parking and aD.single garage. EPC Rating D. Freehold.

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

Shaftesbury

Ha mlet Lettings

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

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

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

blackmorevale.net

11 questions to ask when viewing a house VIEWING a property isn’t just about looking, it’s a chance to learn as much as possible about your potential home. But many of us simply don’t know what to ask. To help with your hunt, Armishaws Removals has the 11 best questions to ask during a viewing. Questions to ask the estate agent 1 How long has it been on the market? IF it isn’t selling, there may be a reason. Or if it’s been on the market some time, the sellers might be open to a cheeky offer. 2 What’s included? ARE all the fitted appliances staying or will you be left with empty spaces? Are the sellers removing that halfdemolished shed or leaving it behind? Ask now to avoid issues after the sale. 3 When… WAS the boiler last serviced? The chimney swept? The windows replaced? Questions about general maintenance will give you an indication as to how well the property has been cared for and what immediate problems/bills you might face. 4 Why are the current owners selling? ARE there any red flags you should be aware of? 5 Which boundaries will you be responsible for? IS that falling down fence between you and next door something you’ll need to fix? Or worse, does it belong to the neighbour who isn’t bothered and isn’t going to fix it.

Officially the Best Letting Agent in Sherborne!

e always knew they

participation. Judges personally

6 Have the sellers found a were good, but now mystery shop every estate new property? agentBryan against a set of 25 Guide criteria everybody knows just how Bowridge, Gillingham Guide £1,250,000 Hazelbury £1,150,000 fine period farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating extended and modernised period house combining character and Mappowder Guide £595,000 An Marnhull Guide £525,000 THIS will give you an idea of Afrom obtain a stone balanced overview good Symonds & Sampson’s 1737 the farmhouse offers 3village reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. charm with contemporary family living quiet location a noA fine Grade II listed former Post House with attractive gardens, Ato character south-facing house in in anaexcellent centralonvillage Outside is a wonderful stone barn with (stp), workshop, largechurch garden and through roadawith views, land and stables. In alland about 2.40 workshop southa substantial barn/workshop and potential lovely views to the village and location with largewonderful oak-framed double garage, how long the chain is and how paddock, in totalcountryside. 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available. acres. CTB F, EPC D,E.Freehold. surrounding CTB E. Freehold. facing CTB Freehold. of gardens. their customer service levels. Residential Lettings team Sturminster Newton Sturminster Newton 01258 473766 Sturminster Newton || 01258 473766 472244 Sturminster | 01258 |473766 fast/slow the sale could take to in Sherborne is, as they are Robert McLean from The complete. awarded the prestigious ‘Best British Property Awards Letting Agent in Sherborne’ 7 How fast is the internet? said, “Our awards have been award for 2025-26 by the IF the estate agent doesn’t specifically designed to British Property Awards. know, and you need to work be attainable to all agents, from home, you can check removing common barriers to Between them, the internet speeds at ofcom.org and entry, such as cost, to ensure established team of Trudi Guide £825,000 Bedchester Guide £810,000 simply enter the postcode into Holwell that we have the most inclusive Gumbrell, Karen Mitchell and Shroton Guide £435,000 A North Cheriton OIEO An exceptional detached 5 bedroom residence, finished to an impeccable 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with£400,000 standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens wonderful far-reaching viewsagent and gardenperiod and grounds of tucked one acre. CTB away on This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage haswith beenstunning fully updated An attractive, double-fronted 3-bedroom property its ‘broadband checker’. awards. If an has been Gemma Cassidy has a combined countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. G, EPC B, D, Freehold. but retains great charm. It is situated in the heart ofCTB this most desirable an EPC idyllicF,country lane with character features throughout and views over Freehold. village. CTB D. Freehold. the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. awarded one of our awards, it 60 years of experience in local 8 How old? Sturminster| Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne | 01935 Sherborne 01935 814488 Sturminster | 01258814488 473766 is simply down to the fantastic lettings. They let and manage HOW old is the property, is it customer service they have around 100 properties in the listed or in a conservation area? demonstrated over a prolonged local area, many on behalf of This could affect any future period. The team at Symonds long-standing clients, and are changes you want to make. & Sampson in Sherborne frequently commended for Questions to ask yourself performed outstandingly the professional, efficient and 9 Will this house grow with throughout the extensive friendly service they provide. D O R S E T | D E V O N | S O M E R S E T | H A M P S H I R E | W I LT S H I R E | C O R N W A L L | L O N D O N us? judging Guide £800,000 Okeford Fitzpaineperiod, which focused DonheadIn St Mary Guide £775,000 recent reviews, an overseas An HOW will it feel when small Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 Leigh OIEO £500,000 A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse Tucked away down through lane is this extended and very well Aon tastefully improved 4-bedroom village house with light andwith spacious customer service levels. over three floors in aa no quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views with plenty of charm and original character features along a 100’ Landlord said ‘I would definitely presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yardD, & Freehold. paddocks, in total accommodation, setof in the attractive and backing farmland. – messy – over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD garden in the heart village.gardens CTB F, EPC Exempt,onto Freehold. 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, No onward chain.who CTB F. Freehold. Agents go that extra recommend them to anyone Sturminster Newton | 01258 473766 Sherborne | 01935 814488 toddlers become Sturminster | 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 473766 mile and provide outstanding looking for reliable, supportive, big – messier customer service are rewarded and efficient property – teenagers? Or, R A L our | C Oaccolade, M M E R C I A Lwhich R E S I D E N T I A L | A G R I C U LT U with management!’ whilst a tenant will a house for serves as a beacon highlighting who has rented a property from your family of these attributes to their local them for over four years said three still be big Bowridge, Guide £1,250,000 marketplace. Hazelbury Bryan Gillingham Guide £1,150,000 couldn’t recommend them A fine‘Iperiod farmhouse in a quiet position boasting far reaching views. Dating extended and modernised period house combining character and Mappowder Guide £595,000 An Marnhull Guide £525,000 enough if you from 1737 the farmhouse offers 3village reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. charm with contemporary family living quiet location a noA fine Grade II listed former Post House with attractive gardens, A character south-facing stone house in in anaexcellent centralonvillage Outside is a wonderful stone potential (stp), workshop, largechurch garden and through roadawith views, land and stables. alland about 2.40 To meet the team, and to Infind enough’ – barn allwith reaffirming why workshop southa substantial barn/workshop and lovely views to the village and location with largewonderful oak-framed double garage, in totalcountryside. 4.13 acres. CTB E, EPC E, Freehold. Further land available. acres. CTB F, EPC D,E.Freehold. become a family paddock, surrounding CTB E. Freehold. facing gardens. CTB Freehold. out how they can help you with the team have so deservedly Sturminster Newton 473766 Sturminster Newton |473766 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 Sturminster Newton || 01258 472244 of four? Could your rental property, please call won this award. this house adapt 01935 814488 or call in to the Congratulating Trudi, Karen to suit your office opposite the Abbey in the and Gemma, Partner and Head future needs? heart of Sherborne. of Lettings, Rachael James said, 10 Can I add “When choosing an agent to value? let what might be your most IF this isn’t your forever home valuable asset, you need to but a step on your property Holwell Guide £825,000 Bedchester Guide £810,000 knowdetached that 5they trustworthy. Shroton Guide £435,000 A North Cheriton OIEO An exceptional bedroomare residence, finished to an impeccable 4 bedroom house in a lovely rural location on a quiet lane with£400,000 ladder, consider where/how you standard. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens wonderful far-reaching views3-bedroom and gardenperiod and grounds of tucked one acre. CTB This delightful 2-bedroom end-of-terrace cottage haswith beenstunning fully updated An attractive, double-fronted property away on Thisgreat award our countryside views, in a highly sought-after village. G, EPC B, D, Freehold. but retains charm. It isreaffirms situated in the heart ofCTB this most desirable an EPC idyllicF,country lane with character features throughout and views over Freehold. village. CTB D. Freehold. the neighbouring countryside. CTB C. Freehold. can make changes to increase confidence in473766 the excellent Sturminster | 01258 Sherborne | 01935 Sherborne | Newton 01935 814488 Sturminster | 01258814488 473766 the value when you come to service that Trudi, Karen sell. and Gemma have constantly 11 How much is it really delivered, and we are incredibly worth? proud of them and of their THE asking price might not achievement”. Left to Right, Lester Williams, reflect the true value. You can Partner, Karen Mitchell and THE BRITISH PROPERTY view what other houses in the Trudi Gumbrell, Residential AWARDS are one of the most street have sold for or how Guide £800,000 Okeford Fitzpaine Donhead St Mary £775,000 Lettings Manager, and KirstyGuide Nr Sturminster Newton Guide Price £1,100,000 Leigh OIEO £500,000 transparent estate agency A particularly spacious family house with 3500 sq ft of accommodation An attractive and beautifully restored Grade II listed former farmhouse Tucked away down through lane is this extended and very well A tastefully 4-bedroom house with light andwith spacious much the property was worth over three floors in aa no quiet location with wonderful far-reaching views with plenty improved of charm and original village character features along Residential Partner, all a 100’ presented 4 bedroom country home with stable yard & Freehold. paddocks, in total Simpson, accommodation, set in the attractive and backing farmland. award providers, and are over the Wiltshire/Dorset countryside. CTB G, EPD D, garden in the heart of village.gardens CTB F, EPC Exempt,onto Freehold. 4.11 acres. CTB E.Freehold, No onward chain. CTB F. Freehold. last time it sold at www. from the Sherborne Office. Sturminster Newton | 01258 Sherborne | 01935 814488 structured to473766 ensure maximum Sturminster | 01258 473766 Sturminster | 01258 473766 rightmove.co.uk/house-prices For more house hunting and R E S I D E N T I A L | A G R I C U LT U R A L | C O M M E RC I A L moving tips head to www. armishaws.com/blog

New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

Property

blackmorevale.net

TO LET TO LET (WINCANTON AREA) 2/3 bed rural self-contained Annexe, for mature (40+) tenant or couple. Unsuitable for children or pets. £950pcm. References required. Tel 07742 417904

LIVE-WORK COTTAGE IN RURAL WILTSHIRE Charming cottage on a small agricultural holding in a peaceful countryside setting. Ideal for an individual or couple working from home or seeking to establish a ruralbased business (e.g. craft, agricultural or similar – subject to agreement). Opportunity to utilise land or outbuildings by arrangement. We seek responsible, practical applicants interested in a long-term arrangement, comfortable in a rural/farm environment, and happy to provide general oversight when landlords are away (not a full-time caretaking role). Idyllic location with space and privacy, yet within reach of local towns. Rent and terms by discussion. Please get in touch with a brief introduction about yourselves and your work or business plans. GH@fowlerfortescue.com; 01747 359142

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BEDSIT TO LET Sturminster Newton bedroom, en-suite, separate kitchen. Long term let. Suit clean, tidy, quiet professional. £720 includes bills. Tel 07799-777970. STUNNING RURAL LODGE TO RENT, nr Shaftesbury, sleeps 6, 2 bathrooms, £1500 per month plus bills. More details: mvwinery.co.uk/cedar-holiday-lodge-to-rent/ Call Clare 01747 854206

TO SELL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, VILLAGE LOCATION, Detached 4 bed/2 bath house for sale, Detached garage & wrap around gardens. Land to side for 2/3 bed house or coach house above garage. Plans drawn. £650,000. 07738 573577

Book online: blackmorevale.net

(from pages 36-37)

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STUDIO FLAT Sherborne, £550 pcm. Fully furnished. Single occupancy. Tel 07875-566224

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SINGLE ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED. Near Wareham. Tel: 07867-978558

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New Blackmore Vale, March 13, 2026

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