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St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Marshall is officially the best fundraising parish of the year for Dorset Historic Churches.
The accolade comes after the parish raised nearly £5,000 in the Ride+Stride sponsored event in 2024 - impressive given that the village has a population of around 2,000. Their efforts saw them awarded the Morshead Trophy from Dorset Historic Churches.
David Grant, chairman of the trust, presented the trophy to the church’s treasurer, Edward Warren, at a gathering in the Old School attended by a large number of supporters, including the vicar, Revd Jane Williams. David said that Sturminster Marshall was a worthy winner of the trophy and had made a significant contribution to the total of more than £104,000 raised
across 132 participating parishes in Dorset.
The cash raised is used to make grants to churches in Dorset which are in need of repair - mainly to roofs and walls to keep out the rain.
Half the money raised by each parish is returned directly to them, but the trust has still made grants of £1.16m in the last 10 years.
The Ride+Stride 2025 is on September 13.
To get involved, seek out a local rep or visit dhct.org. uk and follow the links to Ride+Stride.
Skittles fun for theatre funds
Wimborne Community Theatre is inviting people to a fun skittles evening on Friday, June 6, to raise funds to support the development of our future production on the theme of ‘Home’, writes Gill Horitz. Come and meet the friendly team to find out more about their next project. With new home developments being built on the periphery of the town, we’ve been asking ‘What does home feel like; what’s it like for someone to move to a new house/town; how do they begin to feel a sense of being ‘at home’?’
There are prizes for the winners, and a raffle. Entrance fee is £5 on the door. Time is 7.30pm for a prompt start at 7.45pm at the Coach and Horses, Poole Road. For further details, contact: 01202 884201 or barbarahart414@gmail.com.
£11,500 raised by school students
Bryanston School pupils have raised more than £11,500 for YMCA Bournemouth through a series of studentled initiatives, including the school’s annual Whole School Walk and an overnight Sleep Out event. YMCA Bournemouth raises awareness of homelessness locally and tackles the hardships of homelessness through various support schemes.
The fundraising at Bryanston began with the Whole School Walk, a scenic 10km route that winds through the school’s woodland and the surrounding Dorset countryside.
This longstanding school tradition brought together pupils, staff, Old Bryanstonians, and families for a day of community spirit and charity.
A Year 12 student rallied classmates to run the course for sponsorship. Joined by 20
fellow runners and supported by staff her efforts raised more than £5,600. Cakes were also baked and sold at checkpoints to boost the fundraising total. Momentum continued with the highly-anticipated A3 Sleep Out.
More than 100 Year 12 students spent the night on Bryanston’s floodlit Astroturf, braving the chill in speciallycrafted cardboard shelters, a symbolic gesture inspired by the YMCA’s call to ‘sleep out
for one night so that others don’t have to.’
This marks the fourth year Bryanston has taken part in the YMCA initiative, and the event continues to grow in both impact and participation. The evening was supported by event sponsor Steele Raymond and catering staff provided hot chocolate and biscuits. Steele Raymond also treated the pupils to pizzas, ensuring morale remained high during the night.
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• Your own pets’ ashes within 3 days
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• Keepsakes, Urns, Caskets & Ashes Jewellery
• Your own pets’ ashes within 3 days
• Keepsakes, Urns, Caskets & Ashes Jewellery
T: 01202 906440
E: info@dorsetpetcremations.co.uk
W: dorsetpetcremations.co.uk
Citizens up for the cup
There was a great response from the public to decide on their favourite Wimborne cup design, with 463 votes cast across the three designs.
Becky Dodd of Doddy Design, who created the designs, said: “It was great to see so many people voting for their favourite cup design.
“I can’t wait to see people with the cup at the Folk Festival and other events around town.”
And the winner has now been revealed.
Steve Cheshire of Wimborne War on Waste said: “There has been a terrific response to introducing the reusable Wimborne cup at this year’s Folk Festival.
“We’re really pleased with the final design and hope people will enjoy using the cup to help cut down plastic waste and litter.
“We also ask people to look in their cupboards and bring their reusable festival cups with them.”
Katherine Valenti, landlady of the Green Man and chairman of the Pubwatch group, said: “The pubs are happy to fill festival cups providing they are either Crown or CE marked.
“There will be posters up in the pubs reminding people of this and where they can buy the Wimborne cup.
“We wish everyone a happy and more sustainable Folk Festival.”
Summer Fair at Bryanston
The Wessex Event Company are delighted to be holding our 4th Summer Fair in the beautiful house and grounds at Bryanston School on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May this year.
Bring the whole family for a fabulous day out, there is something for everyone.
After being inspired by the host of artisan foods, crafts, plants, garden furniture and accessories, why not chill out in our two Street Food Areas, where you can enjoy mid morning snacks, lunches and afternoon treats, including Pizzas, Bratwurst, Thai, Falafels, Dorset Lamb burgers, Hot Potatoes, BBQ, Tibetian Street food, Ice Cream and Crepes, all washed down with coffee, tea, soft drinks or something slightly stronger from the fairs Bar. While you sit and eat and relax you will be entertained by fabulous local artists
NEW THIS YEAR
Foraging, Willow making, Children’s Chocolate lolly making and Flower Arranging workshops.
There will also be the ever popular falconry displays and classic cars.
There is so much for children to enjoy. Our children’s entertainments will include a climbing wall, cave, bouncy castle, rides, games and face painting. We also have a Circus Skills Workshop, on both days for children to participate in and learn some of magic of the circus, Magic Man, Rugby Tots,
Craft Area, Alpaca walking and meet the Disney Princesses and Superheroes.
The cost of entry is just £4 for Adults, £3.50 for concessions, with children under 16 just £1, making this one of the most affordable, family friendly, value for money days out you will find in the area this summer.
So come early, stay late and enjoy a wonderful day out in the most beautiful of settings.
We would like to thank our sponsors Meyers Estate Agents Blandford, The Blackmore Vale Magazine, Holt Recruitment and Taylor Wimpey for their support of our events.
Bryanston Summer Fair
We must focus on the facts - not fiction
The power of words is something that cannot be denied or ignored.
We live in a perpetual cycle of rolling news and social media, on our screens, smart(!)phones and for some of us still, radios! Worryingly, standards seem to be slipping in the presentation of the facts.
Now, this might be due to the share volume of government policy, opposition reaction and parliamentary business required to be gathered, reported on and fed back to us.
Or could it possibly be by design? I dread to think.
I have witnessed many opposition politicians, interviewers, commentators and presenters, shape their own language around government policy and putting it out there for voters to lap up and debate over - ‘family farm tax’, ‘Winter Fuel Allowance cuts’, ‘two-tier’, ‘migration invasion’!
More often than not, blatant inaccuracies are left unchallenged.
Take the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) for example and yes, I am not afraid to go there!
The word ‘cuts’ and ‘axed’ are used often in this debate, when in fact the annual allowance amount of £200 or £300 has not been cut and remains the same.
The WFA used to be received by every pensioner regardless of income or wealth and now is only paid to those who qualify for Pension Credit, ie pensioners on the lowest incomes.
Spurred on by the government publicity campaign and possible loss of their WFA, 50,000 additional pensioners who had not realised they qualified for Pension Credits, are now receiving up to £984 per month extra (single person) in their pocket, with many now also automatically qualifying for Housing Benefit, Council Tax
Benefits, free prescriptions, dental and eyecare!
We all know when something is awarded based on income, there has to be a figure where people no longer qualify and it is those people who just miss out on the help with their bills that will feel it most.
This is where the Household Support Fund comes in; an extra £742m given to councils in September 2024 by the Labour government, to assist those who just missed out on Pension Credits and therefore the Winter Fuel Allowance and also other households.
When the newly-elected Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, stated in a post-results interview that Doncaster Council used council moneys to help those who no longer received the WFA, she was actually referring to her share of the governmentsupplied £742m.
So, if you know any pensioners who no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance and are struggling to heat their homes and pay the utility bills, please help them to contact both their local council about the Household Support Fund and their nearest Citizen Advice (previously Citizen Advice Bureau).
Incredulous at district judge’s lenient sentence
Many readers will share my incredulity at the decision of District Judge Michael Snow at Poole Magistrates’ Court as reported in the Daily Telegraph in the case of Tariku Hadgu. Hadgu was spared immediate imprisonment by the judge despite having assaulted two female police officers outside a bar in Bournemouth on April 18 this year.
Both constables were punched with one suffering bruising on the face and cheekbones. One police officer fell to the ground after being hit and was then repeatedly punched in the abdomen.
Hagdu, who also had cannabis in his possession, was described as ‘very drunk’ and said that he had no memory of the incident. Ordering him to pay £250 compensation to each officer, the judge told the asylum seeker, who arrived by boat three years ago, ‘you’re a young man of 20 and your brain is not fully formed.’
The extraordinarily small penalty imposed makes a mockery of Parliament’s decision in 2018 to emphasise the gravity of such assaults by enacting the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act.
Ironically, if the sentence had been imposed by the Crown Court, it would be possible not only for Members of Parliament but also for members of the public to ask the Attorney General to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal as being ‘unduly lenient’.
But such a power does not apply to sentences passed in magistrates’ courts.
As a result of the Hagdu case and the outrage that the lenient sentence has triggered, I have written to the Attorney General requesting that the power to review lenient sentences should be extended to include sentences in the magistrates’ courts.
Currently, such sentences can
be appealed by the defendant but not by the prosecutor.
In a discussion with Dave Sidwick, our local Police and Crime Commissioner, we agreed that assaults on the police must be effectively deterred.
n The national debate about the costs of net zero zealotry on
ordinary households is heating up.
My criticism of Ed Miliband for sacking one of his net zero advisers for disagreeing with him was reported nationally.
At the end of April, the Climate Change Committee published its latest report on the need to face up to reality that, irrespective of domestic net zero policies, the UK must urgently adapt to the unavoidable consequences of global warming, which will include much-increased flooding risk threatening more than six million homes and national infrastructure.
Public policy is about priorities. Subsidising windmills, solar farms and biomass incinerators increases the cost of electricity for consumers through levies on every bill. The Government should be investing in flood defences instead and accept the imperative of increasing resilience in the face of the inevitable.
Dorset Labour CANDICE
JOHNSON-COLE
All hail... it’s the great tail trail sale!
With thousands of visitors since it launched on April 5, the Great Tail Trail has been a huge splash in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
And now you have a chance to own your very own, with the giant mermaid tails available to the highest bidders as the Great Tail Trail Grand Auction goes live, with all proceeds going to support Julia’s House children’s hospice.
More than 40 of the uniquely designed mermaid tails will go under the hammer at a grand auction at the Italian Villa, Compton Acres on June 20, with professional auctioneer, Charlie Ross co-ordinating the bidding. Tickets are limited and need to be booked in advance. So why not join Charlie on the night and bid for your favourite mermaid tail? -
Food & Drink
you could be taking home a one-off piece of artwork created by one of the trail’s acclaimed artists as well as a wonderful legacy of the trail. Set to be a truly memorable event, the evening begins with a barbecue and welcome drinks set against the beautiful backdrop of Compton Acres gardens. To dive in and register your interest in the auction, visit juliashouse.org/tailtrail/events /great-tail-trailauction.
If you can’t attend in
Cooking...
Home-made Summer Salad
As the weather has been hotting up, (and our weight seems to be joining it), I decided it was time to start having salads. Martin and I like the salad counter, available at various supermarkets, where you can fill a container with as much variety as you like.
I must admit, we are both skilled in getting as much in as possible, so that you can barely shut the lid!
It used to be good value for money, but the price has gone up, and the containers are getting smaller.
I decided that I could make some of it myself and store it in the fridge. (I brought 100 plastic containers with lids at the Chinese supermarket.)
So, this is what I made:
For bow tie pasta with green pesto, just cook the pasta and then, when it’s cooled slightly, add some mayonnaise and green pesto, mix together and that’s one done. I did the same with shell pasta, but this time used red pesto.
I cooked vermicelli pasta and, when it
person, you can still join in the excitement from the comfort of your sofa, with live streaming and online bidding. You can place your bid right now as the online auction has already gone live!
Go to gtt.wildinartauctions. com.
All funds raised at auction will help Julia’s House continue its lifeline of care for seriously ill children across Dorset and bring comfort and support to their families.
The giant mermaid tail sculptures are on display across BCP until June 1, creating an unmissable art trail through some of the region’s most popular and beautiful locations. Before they swim off to auction, they will all be on display all together for the very last time at a fintastic Farewell Weekend at Bournemouth International Centre.
Don’t miss the chance to say goodbye! Book tickets at juliashouse.org/tail-trail.
was cool, mixed in some sweet chilli sauce. With the cous cous, I added some herbs, garlic, paprika and cumin, and then some chopped up sun dried tomatoes. I also made some quiches, though I think the red onion one is really a tart.
For the caramalised red onion and goats cheese tart I cheated and used ready to roll pastry, as my husband says mine is too thick; charming!
with Martha Legg
I lined a cake tin with the pastry - I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t blind bake it, so I had a bit of a soggy bottom! I chopped up the red onion and fried it gently, until it was soft. I then added some sugar to caramelise it, put the onions in a layer and then added slices of the goats cheese. Cooked at 180C until the cheese has melted.
For my cheese, onion and ham quiche, one of my local supermarkets sell shredded ham in a pack, which is great for adding to quiches and salads.
So, I did the same with the pastry (soggy bottom again!)
In a bowl, I mixed two eggs with a handful of the ham, a small chopped onion and some grated cheese.
I didn’t really measure anything, I just knew when it was the right consistency (sorry that’s not very helpful!).
Cooked at 180C, I knew it was ready when the top was golden brown. And there you have it, a cheaper version of salads, complete with quiche and tart. Now, where’s the Pimms??
Flower power for campaign
Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset’s Forget-MeNot campaign has seen an overwhelming response, with a staggering 8,500 knitted and crocheted flowers donated to support this year’s Dementia Action Week, which takes place from May 19 to 25.
People from as far away as Glasgow and Lancashire supported the campaign. The initiative, inspired by the Alzheimer’s Society’s symbolic Forget-Me-Not flower, invited knitters and crocheters of all ages to contribute handmade woollen flowers.
The museum provided free patterns and wool, encouraging community participation in honouring and remembering those affected by dementia. Many of the donated flowers came with touching notes about how the flowers have been knitted in memory of a lost loved one who grew up in Wimborne, a museum spokesperson said. The flowers will now be knitted together to create giant forget-me-nots showcased at the museum, highlighting the importance of the museum’s variety of dementia-friendly initiatives.
Secure Your Legacy with Confidence
PD Wills specialise in Will writing and Estate Planning, helping individuals and families protect what matters most. Planning for the future is not just about distributing assets—it’s about ensuring clarity, security, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Whether you require a Will to formalise your wishes, a Lasting Power of Attorney to safeguard your affairs in the event of incapacity, or a Trust to provide greater control over your estate, I offer expert guidance tailored to your circumstances.
I appreciate that these discussions can be delicate, which is why I take a professional yet personable approach, meeting you in the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. With clear advice and meticulous attention to detail, I help ensure your affairs are in order with confidence and clarity.
To arrange a consultation, call me, Pete Dunn, on 01980 881 212
Call fathom five, on the seabed it lies... treasure
Charterhouse in Sherborne have been instructed to auction a group of maritime items salvaged off the Dorset coast in the late 1960s in their threeday May sales.
Richard Bromell of Charterhouse said: “The owner originally trained as a mechanic but changed career and went into diving due to a love of the sea.”
A house move a couple of years ago resulted in his salvaged treasure being relegated to the garage and workshop.
Having decided to have a sortout, he contacted Charterhouse and took advantage of their home visit valuation service where he was please to hear his two salvaged ships telegraphs and brace of steam whistles are
collectively estimated to sell for more than £2,000.
Further entries of collector’s items, coins, medals, militaria, stamps, Beswick, Doulton, Moorcroft, wine, port, whisky and other items are now being invited for this huge three-day auction on May 28, 29 and 30 at Charterhouse.
Pictured is Charterhouse crew member Elizabeth with the salvaged maritime items collected off the Dorset seabed in the late 1960’s estimated to sell for more than £2,000.
n Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse Team can be contacted for specialist advice and valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or via rb@ charterhouse-auction.com.
VALUATION ROADSHOW
•
• PRINTS / BOOKS
• TOYS / GAMES
• ANTIQUE IVORY
• OLD COINS • JADE ITEMS • SOVEREIGNS
•
Steeped in three generations of history, Bakhtiyar of Stockbridge and London has long been a respected leader in the Persian and Oriental hand-woven carpet trade. Headed by internationally renowned carpet expert Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi.
Spend time with Bakhtiyar’s specialists and you will quickly discover their passion and love for the craftsmanship of the carpets they source. They pride themselves on meeting client’s specification, advising on projects whether it be a trade enquiry at their London warehouse, or a customer at one of their shops in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Masoud is often called upon by auction houses, insurance firms and institutions to identify and value carpets and invited to share his expertise with media outlets such as the BBC.
We would be remiss to say that is all they do, carrying out general repairs for clients, whilst also working with many historic organisations to clean and restore carpets, bringing them back to life, in some cases removing 200 year old stains.
Their team of highly skilled cleaners and restorers carry out repairs using the traditional knotting methods to fully restore rugs to their former glory, taking wool dated from the same period as the rug, to perfectly match the rest of the piece.
Friday 6th to Sunday 8th of June 2025 Open 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily
Join Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi, third generation and internationally renowned Persian and Oriental carpet specialist, together with his son Koroush and immerse all your senses in the delights of hand woven carpets, runners & flat weave kelims at our three day selling exhibition. With contemporary pieces freshly cut off the looms, to eye catching antiques found in the hidden depths of the Bazaars and Mosques, there is something to suit all interiors.
Home viewings can be arranged during and after the exhibiton.
Taste the delicious home-cooked food of Persia over a leisurely lunch, with all proceeds raised in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
We offer a cleaning and repair service and are giving complimentary appraisals during the exhibition.
Directions: Approach the exhibition at Luccombe Farm from Winterborne Whitechurch (A354), using the Milton Abbas Road. (AA signposted)
Ample parking is available and the Mintern Barn is wheelchair accessible.
Summer is just around the corner and, with the temperatures set to rise, we need the perfect sweet treat to keep us both cool and on Plan. Enter our yoghurt bark recipe. Bursting with goodness thanks to our new Peach & Passion Fruit Yoghurt Drink, it’s the ultimate recipe hack for the upcoming warmer months.
First thing’s first though, let’s learn more about our newest yoghurt drink...
It’s big on flavour and nutrition; this thick and creamy yoghurt drink is packed with 14g of protein and vitamins, making it your go-to meal.
Good to know: 14g of protein
Just 202 calories
Packed with vitamins A, C, D & B12
Ready to drink
Suitable for veggies
Ingredients:
Peach & Passion Fruit Yoghurt Drink
Handful of fruit (you decide, but we think berries work best)
You’ll need:
Tray, freezer
Method:
Step 1:
Twist the cap open and pour it onto your tray.
Step 2:
Scatter your favourite fruit over the top of your yoghurt,
Summer’s coming….
lightly pressing them in.
Step 3:
Pop the tray into your freezer and leave it for at least four hours (overnight is best).
Step 4:
Once your bark is completely frozen, break it into large shards and keep them in the freezer, ready for when you fancy a sweet treat. Ready to drink is available in a host of different flavours through a Consultant.
Loving this recipe? Then make sure you check out our many other recipe hacks on The 1:1 Diet blog. There are lots of yummy ideas to help get you inspired and keep you on track.
n Nicki Edwards - The Cambridge Lady 07904 331589
Chiropractic can help your upper back
Upper back pain is a common complaint we see at Wimborne Wellness Centre - that affects people of all ages and lifestyles, often linked to poor posture, prolonged desk work, stress, or injury.
While it may not be as widely discussed as lower back pain, discomfort in the upper back can significantly impact daily life, from restricting movement to interfering with sleep and concentration.
Chiropractic care offers a natural, noninvasive approach to managing and correcting these issues.
Chiropractors are trained to assess the musculoskeletal system, identifying misalignments or imbalances in the spine that may be contributing to pain or poor posture. When the vertebrae in the thoracic spine (upper back) are not aligned correctly, it can lead to muscle tightness, nerve irritation, and restricted movement.
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations, help restore proper alignment, improving mobility and reducing tension in surrounding muscles.
One of the most effective aspects of chiropractic care for upper back pain is its focus on holistic, longterm solutions. Rather than simply addressing the symptoms, chiropractors work to identify the root causes of pain. This often includes evaluating postural habits, workstation ergonomics, and lifestyle factors. For example, many patients unknowingly adopt a forward head posture or rounded shoulders due to prolonged screen time. Chiropractors can offer practical advice and exercises to help correct these habits and support spinal health.
CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENTS
We strive to give every patient the absolute best chiropractic and massage care , as well as providing outstanding customer service. We are a motivated team passionate about getting you better and enabling you to live a pain free life, getting you the best version for you ! Conditions we can treat:
• Migraines
• Lower Back Pain
• Joint Pain
• Frozen Shoulder
• Tennis Elbow
• Neck Ache
Sports Therapy Consultation And Results Session Is £65
• Sports Therapy NEW PATIENT CHIROPRACTIC CONSULTATION, RESULTS SESSION AND FIRST TREATMENT ONLY £45 (NORMALLY £120)
In addition to adjustments, chiropractic treatment may include soft tissue work such as massage or trigger point therapy, rehabilitative exercises, and posture retraining.
These approaches work together to not only relieve pain but also strengthen the muscles that support proper posture, reducing the likelihood of future discomfort.
Improved posture can have widereaching benefits beyond just pain relief. Better alignment can lead to enhanced breathing, improved circulation, reduced fatigue, and increased confidence. Over time, patients often report feeling more balanced, energised, and aware of how they carry their bodies throughout the day.
If you’re experiencing persistent upper back pain or noticing your posture slipping, it may be worth consulting one of our chiropractors. With a tailored approach that combines hands-on care and practical advice, chiropractic treatment offers an effective path towards long-term relief and better overall spinal health.
Team members at Kings Park Care Home in Ferndown were recently treated to a specially-organised ‘Wellbeing Day’ as part of Stress Awareness Month.
The event at the home was designed to recognise the work of the care team and offer them an opportunity to relax, recharge, and prioritise their own wellbeing.
The initiative was led by senior general manager Jenna May, who aimed to create a day that would show appreciation for her staff while also supporting their mental and physical health.
The day began with a Pilates session led by Jenna, followed by a programme of relaxing and revitalising therapies
delivered by three generous local wellbeing professionals who donated their time and expertise.
Alexa Warner, founder of Healthful Mind Clinic & Wellbeing Centre offered a group session incorporating breathwork, imagination, mindfulness, anchoring techniques and laughter yoga.
Angela Moody, a Tropic Skincare leader and ambassador provided soothing facials, hand and arm massages and skincare advice. The team also enjoyed a calming group singing bowls meditation,
Indian head massages and Reiki delivered by Jane Scanlan of Peaceful Pathways Dorset.
In addition to the treatments, the home’s hospitality team prepared a nutritious and delicious lunch to help nourish both body and mind.
Jenna has also adapted the staff break areas to create a more tranquil and restful environment for ongoing daily use.
70 runners to celebrate 70th anniversary
If you’re feeling inspired by the London Marathon Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, is looking for 70 runners to celebrate the charity’s 70th anniversary.
Diverse Abilities was established in 1955 by Phyllis Edwards when she formed a group of parents’ intent on providing better opportunities for their children with physical and learning disabilities.
At the time, the only option was to send your child away to another part of the country.
This group of parents decided that was not good enough, and this was the start of what is now Diverse Abilities. The charity has grown from that small group of parents to supporting thousands of children and adults across Dorset, providing a special school, children’s respite, family support, an adults’ activity and therapy centre, and a supported living service.
To mark their 70-year anniversary the charity is looking for 70 runners to take on challenges in 2025. Runners can sign up to any run of their choice
or sign up for a charity place for the Dorset Mud Run or Run Bournemouth.
Francesca Potton, community fundraiser at Diverse Abilities said:
“We’re on the hunt for 70 runners to take on challenges to help us celebrate our 70th anniversary.
“We’d love for people to take on a challenge, whether you are an experienced runner or a newbie.
“We’ll help guide you through your training and give you everything you need to succeed in your fundraising.
“It’s a great way to challenge yourself as well as raising money to support children and adults with disabilities in your local community and ensure we can keep going for the next 70 years.”
Find out more and sign up at diverseabilities.org.uk/70runners.
Home & Garden
Top tips now those long sunny days are here
Summer is in full flight with lots of long, sunny days and it’s great to be out in your gardens, allotments and outdoor spaces. Summer baskets, patio pots and borders are brimming with summer bedding plants, flowers and perennials in every colour and shade.
Plants and baskets can be planted for full sun or shady areas. Ask for advice at your local nursery and garden centre. Vegetable beds and pots can still be planted and peas, beans and root crops can all still be sown directly into the soil.
For tomatoes, courgettes, cucumber, chillies, peppers, plant in hot sunny positions. Keep them all watered and well fed. Keep topping up the soil on your potatoes, to increase the yields. Do not dig them too soon as they need time to form and grow. There’ll be dead heading and tying up for all plants. For roses and perennials, stake everything to stop wind damage
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and keep blooms and fruits off the ground.
Watering will be needed for all your pots, containers, baskets and greenhouses daily.
Lawns and grass areas should be looking great now after all the spring raking, aeration, feeding and seeding.
If the weather is very dry raise the cut height by 20-25cm - this will be less stressful and keep your lawns greener for longer.
Keep an eye on bugs and pests, netting fruit and vegetables from birds and use fleece to protect vegetable beds from butterflies and caterpillars.
Some spraying, to clear aphids and bugs, can be carried out but never in full sun.
There are plenty of organic sprays and pest controls now available. When all the tasks are done then you can relax, admire all your garden, patio pots and baskets and enjoy the sun.
Small urban plantswoman’s garden filled with a remarkable selection of mostly vibrant perennials. Teas
Open: Sun 8 June (2-5) Adm £3.50, chd free
22 AVON AVENUE, Avon Castle, BH24 2BH
Wonderful Japanese themed water garden featuring granite sculptures, ponds, waterfalls, azaleas, cloud topiary. Teas
Open: Sun 8 June (12-5). Adm £5
THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE
& PENMEAD FARM
Blandford DT11 8PF
Combined opening of two very popular gardens – not to be missed! Teas
Open Sun 8, Thurs 12 June (26) Combined adm: £5, chd free
OAKDALE LIBRARY GARDENS
Poole BH15 3EF
Award winning, wildlife
friendly gardens.
Commemorative garden, nautical themed garden, herb garden, childrens adventure trail
Opening: Wed 11 June (10-1) Adm by donation
HANDFORD SCHOOL
Blandford Forum DT11 8HN
Working kitchen garden growing seasonal veg, fruits &
flowers. Beautiful lawns, Ancient cedars. Childrens own garden plots! Teas in Great Hall! Open: Sun 15 June (1-5). Adm: £5 chd free
MANOR FARM, Hampreston BH21 7LX
A huge favourite with visitors this garden is noted for its herbaceous borders and rose beds within box & yew hedging. Water & bog garden. Teas
Open Sun 15 June (1-5). Adm: £5 chd free
THE HOLLOW
Blandford forum DT11 8NJ
Delightful hi maintenance hillside cottage garden. Water features. Productive fruit & veg garden. Interesting variety of plants. Teas
Open: Sat 21, Sun 22, Wed 25 June (2-5). Adm: £4, chd free
ANNALAL’S GALLERY
Home & Garden
open to the public for charity - June 2025
Christchurch BH23 1DN
Enchanting 180 yr old cottage, home of two Royal Academy artists.
Unusual studio and garden room.
Open: Sun 22 June (2-4) Adm: £3.50, chd free
WESTERN GARDENS
(pictured)
Branksome Park BH13 7AN
‘This secluded and magical 1acre garden captures the spirit of warmer climes and begs for
repeated visits’ (Gardening Which?).
Home-made teas
Open: Sun 22 June (2-5), Admin £7 chd free
DEANS COURT
Wimborne BH21 1EE
13 acres of peaceful, partly wild gardens in ancient monastic setting.
Mature specimen trees, Saxon fish pond, herb garden, orchard and apiary. Teas Open: Wed 25 June (11-4).
STEPHEN CHEESE GRASS CUTTING SERVICES
Adm: £8, chd free Special ticketed event: MUSEUM OF EAST DORSET
Wimborne BH21 1HR Evening garden lecture by Tim Miles, former Head Gardener of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens tells the story of how the gardens evolved into one of the most exciting new gardens of this millennium. Over 250 types of exotic animal reside in the 160-acre site, and the opportunity to reflect
their habitats with creative landscaping and planting has been fully embraced. Light refreshments
Open: Fri 13 June (6-8.30). Adm: £15. Pre-booking essential at www.ngs.org.uk.
n Entries may be subject to change – for latest information please check www.ngs.org.uk. Tickets can be purchased on
Home & Garden
The ShutterShack are your local leading specialist in the supply and installation of interior shutters.
Specialising in just shutters, they offer great expertise and advice for shutters on every type of window, door or space. As an independent company with 14 years in the industry, they source premium shutters, using reputable suppliers who provide a fantastic 10-year manufacturing warranty and take genuine pride in the finished product. Most of the ShutterShack’s business comes from recommendations and reputation. They offer the best and most affordable prices on the market, without compromising on quality. The ShutterShack are proudly invested in the local community, sponsoring Verwood Town Youth Football and supporting local schools with donations.
Dave buys all types of tools. Call 01935 428975
Farming & Environment
A day at the farm
with Sharon Boden
Sharon is a member of staff at High Mead Farm in Longham. High Mead is a working farm run to promote the benefits of engaging with animals, soil and nature. We create purposeful roles for our co-farmers, young people and adults, to help create a sense of well-being and self-worth many have never experienced before. Due to safeguarding, the farm shop is the only area currently open to the public
We have been blessed with some lovely warm weather recently and so all the plants and young lambs are growing rapidly.
The past couple of weeks we have slowly been preparing the Farm for our fundraising event - our Spring Fayre. Fences are being painted, plants being planted, animals being asked to display good behaviour and preparations to get the food, entertainment and games areas set up. There is a generalised low buzz of excitement as we draw nearer to the day. Why do we hold our Spring Fayre? We are a Community Interest Company (CIC)
which is similar to a charity. Our income to cover our overheads - utility bills, vet bills, staff wages, training, repairs along with the unexpected expenses, are funded solely by income generated by our Co-Farmers. We host our Spring Fayre to open our gates to the local community so that you can all enjoy our space, meander around the stalls, play traditional games and enjoy food and drink.
Last year was a great success and a real family feel event. Any profit from the day goes directly back in to the farm to go towards our expenses and it the only event we host
where we ask for donations - we do hold Open Days which are free but this is a far bigger and more enjoyable event and also bring the local community together. It is also lovely because all you readers of this publication get to know some of our regular animals and human faces through the photographs we attach, and so it is nice for you all to be able to see us all in the flesh! We are looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, May 17, 10.00am to 4.00pm. There is parking a 10 min walk away with restricted
disabled parking on site, so we ask whenever possible please car share, walk or cycle to us. We can take card or cash but please try and bring a bit of cash for our games.
Farming & Environment
Community group thanks its town council
Eco group Verwoodians on Waste (VoW) has presented an award to staff and councillors at Verwood Town Council in recognition of their exceptional support in helping the community to deliver a plastic and litterfree environment.
Presenting the award to the Mayor, Revd Julian Macro JP, the chairman of VoW Anita Rigler said: “VoW exists to gently encourage local people to make affordable and easy plasticfree and lifestyle changes in order to help reduce global warming.
“But it’s team work. We need
everyone working towards reducing their carbon footprint.
“Since our inception seven years ago the town council have excelled at supporting this aim”.
Earlier in the year the council took on the responsibility of providing a medicine blister pack recycling facility.
The loss of this waste stream by VoW had been felt by many people keen to recycle this difficult waste.
The public were overjoyed when the council agreed to host a recycling bin.
Vice chairman Peter Timothy, right, who is
passionate about keeping Verwood’s main roads litter free, agreed that the initial purchase of high-visibility safety wear by the town
council has been invaluable. He said: “We’ve recently cleared the Verwood to Ringwood Road and would not attempt this stretch without the correct equipment.
“We receive a great deal of praise from members for attempting to keep our verges clear and our wildlife safe”.
The mayor and Cllr Simon Gibson expressed their gratitude for the award and for recognising the commitment in supporting local community groups to achieve their goal.
Visit vowverwood.com.
Dry cow nutrition and transition-related
by Jade Mowlem BVMSci MRCVS
The close-up dry period is a critical period in the last three weeks before calving to prevent transition-related diseases and ensure a successful lactation. It is very tempting now we have had some nice weather, to chuck the dry cows out to grass and leave them there until calving!
Over the past year, as a practice, we sold the following drugs that are related to transition-related diseases:
- 538 tubes of Metricure (to treat endometritis)
- 225L of propylene glycol (to treat ketosis)
- 708 bottles of Calcibel (to treat milk fever)
In this article, I am going to discuss some options for dry cow diets that may help to reduce transition-related diseases.
The target calcium level in a dry cow diet is 30g/head/day. To put this into context, the average calcium content of grass silage is 8-10g/kg DM. If a cow eats 12kg of forage DM a day, she will consume 120g of calcium. Excess calcium will stop a cow from mobilising it from
her bones when she needs it at calving. Heavily-fertilised grass (high in potassium) will also reduce calcium mobilisation. So, what are some options?
Goldilocks diet
- The term ‘Goldilocks’ is used as it provides just the right amount of nutritionrequirements are met but not exceeded when the diet is fed ad-lib.
- A diet low in energy and high in low-quality forage (such as straw) to achieve good rumen fill
- Straw must be chopped to 2cm for palatability
- Can be fed for the entire dry cow period
- No grass silage used
- Should contain >1.2kg of metabolisable protein, provided by a concentrate such as soya
- Good at preventing milk fever and ketosis
DCAB diet
- Balances minerals in diet to create slightly acidic conditions in the blood to allow calcium mobilisation from the bones
- Magnesium chloride flakes are used as an anionic salt
- This diet is harder to monitor
- blood acidity can be measured by testing urine pH
- Used in higher-yielding herds
Calcium binders
- Bind excessive calcium in the
diet to reduce milk fever
- Used where a high amount of silage is fed in the diet
- Usually approximately 500g zeolite/head/day
- Can feed alongside a fairly normal diet
- Expensive
- Does not reduce other transition-related diseases well, such as ketosis
- May be useful in smaller AYR calving herds
Standing hay for grazing herds
-Leave fields to grow for >2 months and then strip graze to provide a high fibre, low energy
diseases
-High-yielding cows will need supplementing with dry cow rolls
-Cheapest diet
-Works well for outdoor systems, but weather can play a big part in this
-Works well for autumn block calving herds
Forage and dry cow rolls
-Forage such as haylage (2530kg fresh weight) and dry cow nuts (2-3kg/head/day)
-Simple
-Dry cow nuts provide protein and energy
-Works well with smaller groups
If you think you’d benefit from a review, give the practice a call.
Lighthouse set to feel the Force For Good
A major arts organisation is partnering with a team of software engineers from a major financial institution to explore ways of using technology to grow its business and enhance the experience for its customers. Lighthouse Poole, one of the UK’s largest multi-venue arts centres, has successfully applied to participate in JPMorganChase’s Force For Good programme. As one of many tech-for-social-good offerings driving impact in the community through the skills of their tech workforce, Force For Good supports socially-focused organisations by building and delivering tech solutions to help them advance their missions.
For the next eight months, a team of technologists will be working with Lighthouse to develop a system whereby they can introduce bespoke communications and tailored experiences for its customers that will enhance their enjoyment of visiting the popular venue.
John Baker, head of audiences and communication, said:“This is a very exciting collaboration between Lighthouse and JPMorganChase’s Force For Good scheme. It will enable us to pilot new ways to improve our overall customer experience and grow our earned income to make even more of an impact in our community”. In the coming weeks, the Force For Good team will get to know how Lighthouse systems work and visit Lighthouse to fully experience the customer journey.
CAR BOOT SALE Bank Holiday Monday 26th May
Pamphill Green
Wimborne
BH21 4EE
Cars £7, Car plus trailer and vans £10
Sellers 8am
Buyers 9am
Refreshments available
Top talent at series of spring and summer recitals
Broadstone Music Series presents an evening with Hugo Svedberg on Friday, May 23, at 7.00pm at the United Reformed Church, Higher Blandford Rd, Broadstone, with Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto No.1.
Hugo will be accompanied by Jesper Svedberg on piano.
This will be an informal concert with the BBC Young Musician of the Year semi-finalist.
It is a wonderful opportunity to hear
this amazing talented performer. There are no tickets for this event but donations will be welcomed. Please give generously.
And there will be a concert of summer sonatas on Sunday, June 8, at 7.00pm.
This is a violin and piano recital by alumni violinist Lewis Lee, accompanied by Maria Del Mar Umbert Kimura on piano.
From the impressionistic colours of Debussy to the rhythmic jazz of Grant
Still, and with seasonal scenes by Clarke and Pejačević after the interval, join Lewis and Maria for a tour through the sights, sounds, and colours of summer.
Many will have followed Lewis’s music journey during the last 10 years and this is a special opportunity to hear him perform.
Tickets, which include interval refreshments, are £12, under-19s £3, from broadstonemusicseries.info.
Get in festival spirit with folk dance workshop
Come and dance your way into history! Wimborne’s award-winning Museum of East Dorset invites you to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of English folk dance with two engaging, familyfriendly workshops on morris dancing and longsword dancing.
The half-hour sessions will be held on Wednesday, May
28, in the museum garden room or outside, weather permitting, starting with longsword at 1pm until 1.30pm and a morris dancing workshop from 2pm until 2.30pm.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, this is your chance to experience the rhythm, energy, and camaraderie of these
traditional art forms. And all just in time for Wimborne’s annual Folk Festival.
Led by local folk groups Southern Star Longsword and Anonymous Morris, these workshops will introduce participants to the fundamental steps and techniques of these lively and historic dances. No prior experience is required - just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun!
Judith Proctor from Anonymous Morris said: “Morris dancing and longsword dancing are part of England’s heritage.
“Longsword dancing is a tradition dating back more than 300 years and morris dancing goes back to Tudor times and has evolved into several different forms.
“Both dances can be learned at the workshops.
“We’ll be teaching a simple dance that anyone from age six upwards should be able to learn.”
The workshops are free with museum entry and are part of the museum’s Merry Month Of May celebrations, a festival dedicated to traditional springtime customs.
Visitors can also enjoy maypole dancing, craft activities, and interactive exhibits that bring history to life.
Visit museumofeastdorset. co.uk for more information. And don’t forget the offer that with one admission price you get 12 month’s free entry to Wimborne’s award-winning museum.
Summer fair a day out for all the family
The whole family is being invited to a special day out at the beautiful house and grounds of Bryanston School.
The Wessex Event Company is holding its fourth Summer Fair on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 from 10am to 5pm.
The fair will offer a host of artisan foods, crafts, plants, garden furniture and accessories, as well as two street food areas where people can tuck into midmorning snacks, lunches, afternoon treats and much more.
This includes pizzas, bratwurst, Thai, falafels, Dorset lamb burgers, hot potatoes, barbecue, Tibetan street food, strawberries and Prosecco, ice cream and crepes.
There’s plenty for children to enjoy as well.
This includes a climbing wall cave, a bouncy castle, rides, games and face painting.
New activities this year include foraging, willow making, children’s chocolate lolly making
and flower arranging workshops.
There will also be the everpopular falconry displays and classic cars.
A Circus Skills Workshop will take place on both days for children to participate in and learn some of the magic of the circus.
Not to forget Magic Man, Rugby Tots, a craft areaas well as the chance for alpaca walking and the opportunity to meet the Disney princesses and superheroes.
“Bring the whole family for a fabulous day out; there is something for everyone,” a spokesman said.
“So come early, stay late and enjoy a wonderful day out in the most beautiful of settings.
“We would like to thank our sponsors, Meyers Estate Agents Blandford, the New Blackmore Vale Magazine, Holt Recruitment and Taylor Wimpey, for their support of our events.”
Entry is £4 adults, £3.50 concessions, with children under 16 just £1.
All aboard for volunteer days at railway
Come along to one of the Volunteer Days at Shillingstone Station, either Wednesday or Saturday, May 28 or 31, and you could be in for a surprise writes Hilary Daniels.
A heritage project like North Dorset Railway (NDR) is the sum of many moving parts; volunteers doing very different things but all with one objective.
There are people laying track, running the café, restoring rolling stock, keeping buildings in good shape, tending the garden, and serving in the shop. There are painters, engineers, carpenters, plumbers, crane drivers, gardeners and electricians.
But that’s just those you might spot any time you’re at the station.
Behind the scenes there are administrators, planners, photographers, fundraisers, designers, magazine editors, cakemakers, CAD technicians, curators, movie editors, archivists, researchers and people looking after finances, the membership, PR, event planning, health and safety, environmental issues and training.
And in 2026 NDR is aiming to go ‘operational’, offering train rides to passengers, which means it will also be needing volunteer drivers, guards, shunters, signallers, ticket sellers and crossing gatekeepers. There are currently 150 enthusiastic volunteers, including family groups,
and many will be at the Station on the two Volunteer Days, ready to share their experience and excitement, answer your questions and, hopefully, encourage you to join in.
Are you happier with a spreadsheet, a spatula or a screwdriver? Would you like to keep up your skills, learn new ones, add to your CV, or make your UCAS Personal Statement more eyecatching; do you have a lot of spare time to offer, or only a little; do you like meeting people?
Whatever your skillset, your motivation or your availability, there’s sure to be a role to suit you.
The station is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
And if you miss the Volunteer Days there are leaflets and application forms at the station, or you can apply on-line at northdorsetrailway.co.uk/volunteer. php.
n If you’re at the station on May 28, it’s your last chance to buy a raffle ticket as the draw will take place on Saturday 31st.
Your number’s up if you want these plates
A Freedom of Information request made by private plate supplier Regtransfers reveals the banned number plates from the forthcoming ‘75’ release.
These latest plates will appear on cars from September 1, but a total of 436 specific character combinations have been banned by DVLA, deemed as combinations that may be seen as offensive, provocative or otherwise unsuitable for release.
In September 2024, Regtransfers reported that 210 specific character combinations would be censored and removed from the first batch of 2025 registration numbers, the ‘25’ registrations.
Now, this new list brings the total number of specific
banned combinations to 646.
There are also plates containing ‘wildcard’ characters - which could be anything.
For example, asterisks in the censored combination **75 HAG indicate that all registrations ending in ‘75 HAG’ will be withheld from release, regardless of which
two characters precede the combination.
This means that the actual number of withheld registrations is much greater than the 436 explicitly listed.
As an example of the combinations appearing in this latest list, AU75 WTS and AU75 WTZ appear to reference the infamous
Auschwitz complex in Poland. Also banned are the combinations LE75 KLL (Let’s kill) and LE75 LSD (Let’s LSD), which can both be construed as encouraging criminality.
Concerning modern politics, references to divisive political issues such as Brexit and EU membership appear also, with plates like EU75 OUT, EU75 SHT, EU75 WAR, EU75 YES banned due to their potentially provocative context.
On the latest list of banned plates, Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, said: “These bans ensure that number plates on the road aren’t those that could be translated into something offensive, inflammatory, insulting, obscene or otherwise problematic.”
2014 (63) Ford Fiesta 1.0T Zetec 5dr. 100bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, cambelt kit replaced by Ford dealer, £20 a year road tax, upto 60mpg economy, parking sensors, 56,900 miles...........................................................Available soon £5650
2017 (17) Ford KA+ 1.2 Zetec 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, parking sensors, cruise control, hill hold, air con, Bluetooth, upto 56mpg economy, small exterior with a spacious interior, 76,900 miles ....................................£6450
2005 (55) Mercedes-Benz SL350 Automatic 3.7 V6 Convertible 2 dr. 245bhp, petrol, automatic gearbox, electric folding hard top, sat nav, heated leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control, 61,500 miles.....................................£8500
2019 (19)
2012 (62) Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. 69bhp, petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox, £35 yearly tax, 50+mpg, simple car with basic spec, cambelt replaced, MOT Nov 2025, private sale on behalf of a customer, 73,500 miles .......................................£2950
2020 (20) Ford EcoSport 1.0T ST Line SUV 5dr. 125bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, high seating, sat nav, parking sensors, reverse camera, partial leather, cruise control, road sign assist, 16,200 miles..............................................£12450
2006 (06) Mercedes-Benz CLK200 1.8 Kompressor Sport Automatic Convertible 2dr. 163bhp, petrol, 5 speed auto gearbox, recent new roof & shocks absorbers, full history, 15 stamps, heated leather, electric roof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, park sensors, MOT June 25, private sale on behalf of a customer, 77,500 miles ...........................................................................................................£4250
2021 (21) Ford Puma 1.0T ST Line X MHEV SUV 5dr. 155bhp, petrol hybrid, manual gearbox, partial leather, sat nav, parking sensors, cruise control, collision detection, road sign assist, 47,200 miles....................................................£14650
2014 (14) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium X AWD 4x4 SUV 5dr. 163bhp, diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, high seats, leather, heated seats, heated screen, sat nav, park sensors, auto park, reverse camera, sunroof, auto lights & wipers, cruise, lane aid, sign recognition, hill hold, electric tailgate, cambelt replaced, 92,500 miles .........£7450
2018 (68) Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi ST Line SUV 5dr. 150bhp, diesel, manual gearbox, high seating, sat nav, road sign assist, cruise control, park sensors, reverse camera, auto parking system, partial leather, 61,800 miles............£12750
2020 (69) Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0TDCi Titanium 320 L1 H1 Automatic 9 Seat Minibus 5dr. 130bhp, diesel, 6 speed automatic gearbox, 8 seat plus driver, reversable seats for conference or forward facing, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, park sensors, cambelt replaced, 97,000 miles ............£21500 + VAT = £25800
2015 (65) Peugeot 308 1.2THP Allure Automatic 5dr. 130bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, park sensors, reverse camera, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, hill hold, only £35 a year road tax, 50+mpg economy, cambelt has been
2014 (64) Kia Venga 3, 1.6 Automatic (Sat Nav) 5dr. 123bhp, petrol, 4 speed automatic gearbox, high seating, decent boot, sat nav, parking sensors & reverse camera, electric sunroof, partial leather, heated seats, cruise control, sign recognition, hill hold, only 38,800 miles........................................................£7850
2013 (63) Hyundai i10 1.2 Active 5dr. 85bhp, petrol, manual gearbox, great value low-cost motoring, £20 a year road tax, up to 60mpg, only 45,000 miles.................................................................................Available soon £3850
2016 (66) Mazda 3, 2.0 SE-L Nav Automatic 5dr. 120bhp, petrol, 6 speed automatic gearbox, sat nav, auto lights & wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, sign recognition, heated seats, hill hold, 75,900 miles...................................£8450
Killer Sudoku Pro
8 Feat shown in old narrative about Italy (7)
9 First sign of ice and lot of darkness in Arctic residence (5)
10 A French hairstyle is not subject to restriction (5)
10 A French hairstyle is not subject to restriction (5)
11 By the sound of it, feeble climax in period for relaxation? (7)
11 By the sound of it, feeble climax in period for relaxation? (7)
12 French award given to US actress and to date concerned with now (4,3,2,3)
12 French award given to US actress and to date concerned with now (4,3,2,3)
16 Page commuter turns to get technological diversion? (8,4)
16 Page commuter turns to get technological diversion? (8,4)
20 Small pastry later cooked in middle of butter (7)
20 Small pastry later cooked in middle of butter (7)
23 One who has gown, ermine in part (5)
24 Theme is mostly leading film (5)
23 One who has gown, ermine in part (5)
25 Opposed to a profit by revered figure (7) Down
24 Theme is mostly leading film (5)
25 Opposed to a profit by revered figure (7)
Down
1 Meeting place even altered around university (5)
1 Meeting place even altered around university (5)
2 Detailed description of requirements by US president largely showing vivid range? (8)
Killer Sudoku Pro:
3 German entering Belgium and Malta last (6)
2 Detailed description of requirements by president largely showing vivid range?
3 German entering Belgium and Malta last
4 Lodge in Sweden with cut off community (4)
4 Lodge in Sweden with cut off community
5 Most astute fellow is established? Not altogether (6)
6 Sticky stuff starts to get left under everywhere (4)
5 Most astute fellow is established? Not altogether (6)
7 Worthwhile extra farewell (7)
13 Copy primate (3)
6 Sticky stuff starts to get left under everywhere (4)
14 Powerful man I don’t upset (8)
7 Worthwhile extra farewell (7)
13 Copy primate (3)
15 Excellent art gallery producing clear film (7)
14 Powerful man I don’t upset (8)
17 Free article in Le Monde by rugby player (6)
18 See graduate engaged by good league on a worldwide basis (6)
15 Excellent art gallery producing clear film
17 Free article in Le Monde by rugby player
19 Fine US novelist making something trivial (5)
18 See graduate engaged by good league worldwide basis (6)
21 Prepared meat dish with time gone ready to eat (4)
19 Fine US novelist making something trivial
22 Group of workers gets to abound, we hear (4)
21 Prepared meat dish with time gone ready eat (4)
22 Group of workers gets to abound, we hear
Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3×3 box.
No digit may be repeated in any dashed-line cage, and all the digits in each cage
Chamber partners with Dorset Council
Dorset Chamber and Dorset Council have joined forces to help boost business in the county.
The chamber has strengthened its ranks by welcoming the local authority as its latest Platinum Business Partner.
Dorset Council is the local authority for the unitary area of Dorset, providing around 450 different services to 380,000 residents.
Dorset Chamber, with nearly 700 members representing more than 37,000 employees, is the county’s leading business support organisation. Its business partner programme is for members that wish to make a greater contribution to the organisation and the business community.
Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Dorset Council as a platinum business partner.
“It is important for business and the local economy that there is a strong public-private relationship based on transparency, respect and open lines of communication.
“This strengthens our strategic relationship and our ability to work together to support business across Dorset.
“Dorset Council will be a valuable addition to our dedicated group of business partners who play a key role in helping the chamber drive the local economy and support its vision for a vibrant and prosperous Dorset business community that enhances the quality of life for all.”
Dorset Chamber, founded in 1949, works closely with its business partners on campaigns, events and support for the business community.
Dorset Council is the top tier of local government and
recently appointed a new chief executive, Dr Catherine Howe, who will take up her post in the summer. It is a major local employer with around 4,800 staff and has 82 elected councillors representing 52 wards. The council supports economic development in Dorset through a number of initiatives and as an organisation spends more than 50% of its annual budget on buying external goods, services and works from more than 6,000 suppliers locally - of which 51 per cent are based in
the county.
Nick Ireland, Dorset Council leader, said: “It’s great that Dorset Council can build on its traditional partnership with Dorset’s Chamber of Commerce.
“We already collaborate on a range of projects, so I hope that becoming a business partner will present new opportunities for local businesses and will help us meet our key priority to grow Dorset’s economy.
“We are committed to creating a vibrant and thriving community where businesses can excel, and residents can benefit from increased job opportunities.
“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will bring to Dorset.”
Dorset Chamber is the county’s ‘voice of business’ and the only chamber in the county accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which gives it a top seat for lobbying government.
Pictured are, from left, Richard Biggs (cabinet member for property & assets and economic growth), Nick Ireland (leader of Dorset Council) and Ian Girling (chief executive, Dorset Chamber).
Visit dorsetchamber.co.uk for more information.
Gift shop’s new owner is present and correct
Wimborne’s longest-running, independent gift shop, Present Company, is celebrating its silver anniversary in the town under new ownership.
Wimborne entrepreneur Daniel Lee, who also owns the successful Card Gallery, also on Wimborne’s High Street, has wrapped up a deal to buy the business which is a popular go-to for gifts.
He said: “Having run the Card Gallery here in Wimborne for four years, I know the town is vibrant, busy and thriving.
“With that evidence, when Present Company came up for sale just a few doors down, it seemed a good gamble and a brilliant opportunity to expand into a market that complements my greetings card business.”
The original Present Company team of manager Angela Hudson and four part-timers will continue to work at the busy gift emporium.
Angela said: “Aside from a ‘year’s hiatus’ I’ve been working here since the very first day the shop opened its doors in 2000 and I’m so excited to be back in the shop that I love.”
Daniel added: “Continuity is key for me.
“Angela and her team are well-known
and much liked by customers.
“Their knowledge of the gift industry and excellent customer service skills are such an asset.
“They are also great fun and there is always a lot of laughter during our busy working days.”
Customers can expect to see an injection of new gift ranges and accessories including sunglasses, hats, baby-grows and ceramics. “We want to expand our ranges with unique gifts at affordable prices that are not stocked anywhere else in the town whilst still offering the kids pocket-money toys
that the shop is famous for,” added Daniel.
The shop will be officially celebrating its 25-year anniversary tomorrow, Saturday, May 17.
To show appreciation for the loyalty and support of their customers over the past 25 years, there will be special discounts, balloons, sweets and chocolate giveaways plus surprises throughout the day.
Wimborne’s town crier will also be visiting at midday to thank the town for its support to the business.
Pets
Drumming up a new home for star Ringo
Hello, I am Ringo, an 11½-year-old labrador collie cross.
I am told I have the heart of a puppy and the charm of a true gentleman. Despite my age, I am full of life and enjoy spending time with people.
I like to be friends with everyone and everything.
It is said that I bring joy to everyone I meet and my affectionate cuddles, playful energy, and lovable personality never fail to make people smile.
I am a big fan of other dogs, although I can get quite excited when I meet them and a bit eager to say hello.
I am strong on the lead so would like someone who is confident and able to handle me on my walks. I am a little overweight but working on this.
I have lost 5kg already! I do need to shed a little more so would like a home where I could have some help with my diet.
Whilst I am in my golden years, I am truly young at heart and ready to share my love with a family who can offer me the care, companionship, and continued support I deserve.
If you are able to offer Ringo or any of his lovely friends a forever home or a foster home please contact our office on 01202 875000, e-mail: admin@ waggytails.org.uk or visit our website www.waggytails.org.uk.
We also have lots of other dogs looking for their forever homes.
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Complications with Wills incorporating Trusts
If you are appointed as an Executor and Trustee of a Will which includes any form of life interest trust over their property, placement of their Residuary Estate into any form of ‘Trust Fund’ or the creation of a Discretionary Trust, then it is becoming more and more important for the Executors and Trustees to seek the advice of a qualified Wills, Trusts and Probate specialist before making your application for the Grant of Representation.
The specific terms of a trust can have implications on the available inheritance tax-free thresholds and so understanding the effect of each trust is important to ensure that the maximum thresholds available are claimed to reduce the value of the estate chargeable to inheritance tax.
The inclusion of these trusts, whilst beneficial, also come with complications which if not dealt with correctly at the outset, can lead to costly and timeconsuming work later down the
Sport
line. The Executors and Trustees have a two-year period to prepare and execute documents which could potentially minimise or resolve these complexities and so seeking advice early is imperative.
These trusts are also subject to registration with HMRC via their Trust Registration Service which should be completed within 90 days of the date of death of the testator of the Will, the responsibility for which falls on the Trustees of any Will Trust created.
If a loved one has recently passed away and their will references any form of trust and you are unsure on what to do, please contact our friendly team of Private Client specialists who can advise you on the implications and formalities of dealing with these trusts correctly and effectively.
James Rust, Associate Head of the Private Client Team
School appoints netball star as coach
In a significant move to further enhance its sports offering, Bryanston School has appointed Asha Francis, former England and Singapore international, to the role of head of netball and performance sports lead. Asha, who enjoyed a successful playing career that included Superleague titles with Team Bath in 2006, 2010, and again
as captain in 2013, brings a wealth of leadership and coaching expertise to the school.
Following her international netball stints, Asha spent time as both an assistant coach for Superleague club Mannas and general manager of the Sport Ready Netball Academy in Singapore.
Upon her return to the UK in 2021, she was named technical coach at Team Bath and later promoted to head coach in 2022.
Most recently, she was head coach of the French netball team and has been working at the University of Gloucestershire, overseeing all aspects of the netball programme to ensure high standards and development
opportunities for student athletes.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Asha said: “I’m really looking forward to joining Bryanston to have the opportunity to leverage my coaching expertise and
experience to inspire and develop more young players.”
Bryanston’s director of sport, Rory McCann, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Asha to Bryanston.
“Her exemplary coaching skills and impressive track record speaks for itself.
“The appointment reinforces our commitment to offering the best sporting experiences for our girls and ensuring that our scholars receive exceptional support from top-tier sports professionals.”
Asha will begin her role from September, focusing on strengthening the school’s netball programme and driving broader performance sport initiatives, continuing with success and development at all levels of competition.
Will I need to get planning permission?
Moving home or staying put, you might be looking to make additions to your property but unsure of the legalities, so here’s a quick guide from Armishaws Removals.
Side Extensions
Under ‘permitted development’ planning permission is not required as long as:
It doesn’t exceed half the width of the original house. It is single storey, no taller than 4 metres.
Materials used (such as bricks) match those of the existing property
It covers no more than 50% of your original garden area (including outbuildings)
Eaves cannot exceed 3m in height if the extension falls within 2m of a boundary.
Rear extensions
Under ‘permitted development’ planning permission is not required as long as:
It’s single storey with a maximum height of 4m
Materials used match those of the existing property
Maximum depth; 3m for semidetached/terraced properties, 4m for detached properties
Eaves cannot exceed 3m high if the extension falls within 2m of a boundary It covers no more than 50% of the original garden area (including outbuildings).
If you’re adding a veranda, you will require planning permission.
Front Extensions
All front-facing extensions require planning permission regardless of size and will need to comply with building regulations.
Loft conversions
Under ‘permitted development’ a loft conversion doesn’t require planning permission as long as:
On The Move
It doesn’t exceed a volume of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses, or 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses
It doesn’t extend higher than the existing line of your property
Materials used match those of the existing property
Side facing windows must have obscured glass.
Bay windows
If you’re rteplacing an existing bay window you don’t need planning permission.
If you’re adding a bay window to the side or back of your property, in most cases, you don’t need planning permission.
You do need planning permission if you’re adding a bay window to the front of your property.
Dormer windows
In general, dormer windows at the back of your property are allowed within ‘permitted development’ but it’s always best to check with your local authority.
Dormer windows at the front of your property will require planning permission.
Porches
Exceed 3m in height
Be located closer than 2m to any boundary or highway, including pavements and pathways
The floor must not exceed 3sq m.
In cases where you wish to exceed the limits (like
the distance to the nearest pavement), you will need planning permission. In most cases this is a fairly straight forward process.
Converting a garage
Most garage conversions fall under ‘permitted development’ and won’t require planning permission but materials must match those of the existing building. However, if it changes the front of your property, you should always check with your local planning authority.
Please note;
All information was correct at the time of writing, however you should always check with your local planning authority before making any changes to the size or layout of your property.
Any new porch must not: Obstruct public pavements or pathways
