The West Dorset Magazine Edition 6, April 22, 2022 by westdorsetmag

Edition 6

Friday, April 22, 2022

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The West Dorset Magazine We’ll be dancing... come what May

GIANT FUN: The Wessex Morris Men are returning to Cerne Abbas with a new version of their scary old friend. Picture by HEATHER NEWLAND

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Miranda Robertson Karen Bate Editor News Editor miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

01305 566336

News, letters to the editor and general feedback: newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk Display advertising: advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk Classified advertising (text ads): classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk Sport: sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk Post: 15 Stanstead Rd, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0BL

Nick Horton Chief Sub

Stuart Wickham Sports editor

nickH@westdorsetmag.co.uk stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Contents: News & features Whasson? (events) Vittles (food & drink) Home & Garden Down to earth Births, marriages & deaths Constituency issues Politics Letters

Alana Robertson Classifieds

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Items for sale 2-30 6-9 31-33 34-37 38-41 42-43 44 44-45 46-47

Culture

48-51

Business

52-53

Just the job

54-55

Puzzles

56-57 & 70

Health & Beauty

58-59

Church

Sport

61-66

Agriculture

67-70

Property

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( We have a new number! 01305 566 336 n The West Dorset Magazine is printed in West Dorset on paper from sustainable sources

Thomas Hardy’s mirror returned to Max Gate

An original bedroom mirror belonging to Thomas Hardy has been returned to the author’s former home, Max Gate, by Florence Hardy’s goddaughter Sally Baker. The mirror dates from around 1830 and is of a type usually found on a dressing table or chest of drawers. It is now on display in the attic room at Max Gate. Sally, who is now in her nineties, was not only Florence Hardy’s goddaughter, but also the

daughter of Hardy’s solicitor, Henry Osmond Lock, who followed his father into the Dorchester firm, Lock, Read and Lock, becoming the solicitor for both Thomas and his sister Kate Hardy.

The mirror, along with other items, were left to Henry, who gave it to his youngest daughter Sally. Sally got in touch with the National Trust, wishing to reunite return the mirror to Hardy’s home. Elizabeth Grant, senior collections and house manager at Max Gate, said: “We are delighted to have it back and at present it is on display in the attic bedroom at Max Gate. “Originally the mirror would have been at Hardy’s Cottage when Kate

Hardy lived there, but the environmental conditions are more stable at Max Gate.” Max Gate is an austere but sophisticated town house on the outskirts of Dorchester. Thnomas Hardy designed the house himself in 1885. The house was named after a nearby tollgate keeper called Mack. At Max Gate, Hardy wrote Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, along with much of his poetry.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Poverty campaigner retires after three decades A well-known campaigner is retiring after 32 years of shedding light on Dorchester’s often hidden poverty. Dorchester Poverty Action are saying a sad farewell to Dr Margaret Barker after more than three decades leading the organisation. Friends, donors, professional colleagues and the local clergy came together for a cream tea to celebrate the very many successes of the charity. Wendy Hilton from the charity said: “Her name has become synonymous with the charity. “Over the last 32 years in excess of £100,000 has been given in grants to local people living in DT1 and DT2 at points of financial need, who

have been referred by a local professional. “The grants are used for furniture for those coming out of care or from an abusive situation. Fridges, school uniform, car repairs where a car is essential to get to work, nursery equipment etc. “Also every year over £5,000 is distributed in Co-op vouchers to 13 caring agencies. Margaret was also instrumental as chairman in setting up Second Chance Furniture in Weymouth, the first Credit Union in Dorchester and the Hub for homeless people. “Margaret was awarded an MBE in 2013 for her work in the Dorchester area. Councillor Molly Rennie, deputising for the Mayor, presented Margaret with a

THANKS: Molly Rennie presents Margaret with her retirement gift

rose named Margaret. “Although retiring from being chairman, Margaret is remaining as a trustee and is taking on the role of vicechairman.”

For more details about the charity, how to donate and how, as a professional, you can refer a client living in DT1 or DT2, go to dorchesterpovertyaction.org.uk

Indian ‘at risk’ in plans for building By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Fears that Sherborne would lose its only dine-in Indian restaurant after a planning officer at Dorset Council approved plans for the building were raised at a town council meeting this week. Azizul (Abdul) Haque has run Rajpoot in Half Moon Street for 35 years and has a firm following. However Huish Estates’ plans to increase residential use of the building could ruin his business, it is feared.The expansion of the residential area of the building would eat into the area where Mr Haque’s kitchen and toilets are, leaving him unable to trade, it is claimed. On Tuesday night former

UNDER THREAT: Rajpoot in Sherborne’s Half Moon Street

town councillor Oliver Chisholm outlined his concerns for Mr Haque and for the town, if Rajpoot cannot continue to trade. He said: “We will not only lose an immensely popular restaurant but also have yet another empty commercial premises in the heart of the town to add to the growing list. He added: “Some may suggest there are plenty of places where the Rajpoot could relocate. But there is

none suitable and in any case, why should a man who has spent years building his reputation now have to start all over again?” Mr Chisholm also referred to an application to do much the same thing at the Three Wishes restaurant in Cheap Street. On Dorset Council’s planning portal the developer appears to be a different company, Swanmore Estates, but which has an officer in

common with Huish. Swanmore are hoping to reconfigure Three Wishes, including moving the kitchen to the first floor in order to create a flat. They also want to convert a store to the rear into a second flat and re-configure a first floor flat to create a third. They are also asking to create four separate gardens for the flats. Mr Chisholm said: “I am hoping we can at least stop this happening at Three Wishes, and I hope it’s not too late to stop the work at Rajpoot. A spokesman for Dorset Council said: “There were no planning grounds for us to decline this application. “Planning policy considers the available housing land supply and delivering of a sufficient supply of homes.”

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

IN FLIGHT: A barn owl in flight at Lorton and, below, and adult female barn owl at Lorton Meadows Pictures: Paul Williams, Andy Rouse/2020Vision

Owls’ webcam is a real hoot Cosy up to a family of barn owls online thanks to a 24-hour webcam set up by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. The webcam at Lorton Meadows nature reserve near Weymouth allows wildlife lovers around the world to watch live as a pair of nesting barn owls raise their chicks. A spokesman for the wildlife trust said: “This year, viewers are able to watch the owls in colour and much higher definition thanks to the new upgraded webcam which was installed in the nesting box at the beginning of the season. “Over the past few years, tens of thousands of viewers have followed the progress of the barn owls and witness first-hand their intriguing behaviours, including preening, mating and eating, and hear their characteristic chittering, screeching or hissing, all live via the webcam.

“With the breeding season now upon us, the pair have already produced four eggs and there may well be more to follow.” Webcam followers are invited to comment on the dedicated barn owl webcam Facebook page @DWTBarnOwlWebCam to share what they see and help build a picture of how the pair are progressing. The trust spokesperson said: “A great way for webcam viewers and wildlife lovers to help protect these majestic but declining birds in Dorset is to adopt a barn owl online through the Dorset

Wildlife Trust website. “The adoption pack includes a certificate of adoption and a fascinating sheet of barn owl facts, for just £15. “The proceeds will help ensure barn owls across the county continue to benefit from good quality habitat, through Dorset Wildlife Trust’s conservation work on nature reserves and engagement with the local community and farmers. “Barn owls hunt rodents such as voles, shrews and mice in rough grassland, but much of this habitat has been lost due to increased pressures on the

countryside from development and food production, contributing to their widespread decline.” Emily Newton, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s landowner liaison officer, said: “The new upgraded webcam is giving us the opportunity to see the barn owls so much more clearly and it’s very exciting to be able to view this pair already settling into their nest. “We are very much hoping that they will successfully breed this year – the rougher grassland fields at Lorton Meadows provide plentiful supplies of food such as field vole to help them to rear their young.” n To watch the barn owls live, visit dorsetwildlife trust.org.uk/wildlife webcam To adopt a barn owl for £15, visit dorsetwildlife trust.org.uk/shop

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Anger over XR’s protest at meeting Dorset Council’s newest member said she felt ‘furious’ after Extinction Rebellion protestors disrupted an authority meeting on the climate emergency. Belinda Bawden, the new Green councillor for Lyme Regis and Charmouth, has also accused other councillors of ‘playing politics’ by using the disruption as an excuse to make decisions and end the meeting without sufficient debate. Cllr Bawden said that before the council meeting was disrupted by protestors, she and her fellow Green Party members were calling for a motion to be reworded. Green Party members said the wording of the motion called on the government

MEETING DISRUPTION: Cllr Belinda Bawden

to utilise ‘whatever forms of energy generation sourced from within the UK are necessary’. Cllr Bawden said: “We wanted this ‘any means necessary’ type wording to be removed and we were in

the midst of debating this when two protestors came down from the gallery and basically glued themselves to the table. “I sympathise with their frustrations but that is against democracy.” The meeting was immediately adjourned and the councillors were ushered to safety while the police arrived to deal with the protestors. But after the meeting was reconvened in an adjoining committee room, Cllr Bawden says there was no further debate of the issue and it was made clear that the motion would be put forward with no further amendment. Cllr Bawden said many council members had already left the meeting ‘in disgust’ at that point over

the lack of further debate. Just seven days before the shambolic authority meeting, Cllr Bawden had romped to victory in her local by-election, winning 594 votes (44% of all cast). Cllr Bawden beat Vicci Stocqueler for the Conservatives who won 359 votes, independent candidate Cheryl Reynolds with 320 votes and David Hart for Labour with 82 votes. Cllr Bawden said: “This meeting was not what I was expecting at all. The protestors’ actions were against democracy but so was not allowing sufficient debate of the climate emergency. “We have to work together to make sensible decisions on how to deal with the climate emergency.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) n On Saturday, April 23 from 1pm-4pm a St George’s Day Fair will be held at St George’s Church Fordington. There will be music, games, activities, refreshments include tea and cakes in the church hall, with a performance by Dorchester Ballet and Dance. n On Saturday, April 23 from 10am-noon Bridport Big Band will be playing in Bucky Doo Square. n On Saturday, April 23 from noon to 4pm there’s a Free Nappy Give & Take at The Great Field Poundbury as part of Earth Day. Reusable nappy demonstrations and free reusable nappies to anyone that would like them. Please bring any reusable nappies you would like to donate to the shop (Loving by Nature on London Road, DT1 1NF) in the week before the event - or to the event if you can't make it before. Any unwanted nappies will be donated to the UK Nappy Network for distribution to nappy libraries across the UK. Details for the Earth Day event can be found at https://fb.me/e/1pIe04fi2

Talk at Bridport Library Local author Caroline Repton will be holding a book reading and question & answer session on Wednesday, May 25 at Bridport Library from 2pm-3.30pm. Caroline will talk about her new book Lotus-Eating Days, which chronicles the lives of her parents, an unlikely match between a middle-class Englishman and the daughter of Chinese immigrants in colonial Singapore. Whilst they grew up on opposite sides of the globe, they shared the common bond of having both survived Japanese-occupied Asia during WWII. Caroline’s meticulous research – aided by her on sale in the beautiful Secret Garden. Free tea, coffee or herbal teas as you wander. Open 10.30am-5pm each day.

n On Sunday, May 1 from 10am-2pm the sixth Dorchester Jumble Trail will be held in the streets around Monmouth Road. Residents will be selling everything from clothes to cakes, books to toys, plants to cars! Come along and find something you didn't know you needed.

n On Sunday, May 1 from 11am-4pm Dorset TUC will hold its May Day Celebration at The Borough Gardens, Dorchester. There’ll be music, beer and talks, celebrating the good work that key workers and their unions in the county do for their members and the wider community. Bands include Psychadelephant, The Darwins, Sharron White, Dylan Ross, Mustafa Musto and Dorset Red.

n There’s a Spring Moving Sale on now at The Potting Shed on the A37 towards Yeovil (BA22 9RH). Thousands of plants, pots, gifts, statues & metalwork are

n A table top sale will be held in Beaminster Public Hall DT8 3EF on Saturday, May 14 from 9.30am to 1pm. Why not declutter your home, garden shed or garage!

father’s letters and diaries and her mother’s memoirs recorded on tape – results in a remarkable book and an entertaining read. Caroline will also discuss the process of writing and the challenges of getting published. Free: eventbrite.co.uk 01308 422778 Reserve a table for £10 in cash at Yarn Barton Community Centre, DT8 3EF 01308 862715. Doors open for stallholders only at 8.30am. All welcome - free entry. Coffee, tea and home-made cake and raffle. Purchases with cash only. Proceeds to Ukraine Relief. Enquiries: Jane 01308 862367 or Mary 01308 861615. n Bridport Choral Society presents Summer is a comingin on Saturday, May 14 at Bridport United Church, 7.30pm. Musical director James Crawshaw and accompanist Peter Parshall will present a selection of choral music from the 11th century to the present day, including anthems, folk music, popular songs and excerpts from Requiem (Fauré) Tickets: £12, available from Bridport Music Centre, Smith

& Smith or on the door. n A community coffee morning is held at St Swithun’s Church in Bridport on the first Thursday of the month from 10.45am11.45am. There’s fresh coffee and cakes. All welcome. Every Thursday after 10am Mass there’s coffee and biscuits at 10.45am. n Sherborne’s Digby Hall is holding its monthly market on May 7 fom 9am-12.30pm. There’s arts, crafts, food and more at the hall (DT9 3AA). n A fun dog show is being held in Martinstown Village Hall on Saturday, May 21 at 2pm. Entries will be taken from noon. Refreshments will be served in the hall and the show is planned to take place on the grass area next to the hall. Main classes include Veteran, Pedigree, Rescue, Heinz 57 and cost £2.50 to enter. Fun classes are £1. There will be lots of prizes and rosettes. Ring Antonia for more information on 07813 196958. n St James Church Longburton (DT9 5PG) is holding a bric-a-brac sale of good quality items on Saturday, April 30 from 10.30am-12.30pm. n Bridport & District U3A will present a talk by Deb Fullbrook, her husband Keith and hearing dog Elmo about the role of hearing dogs and how they can help a deaf person in the Bridport United Reform Church Hall at 2pm on Tuesday, May 24. The talk is free to members and there is a £2 charge for non-members. Please see the Bridport U3A website for

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) further information about this and future talks and if you are interested in becoming a member: bridportu3a.org.uk n On Saturday, April 30 the Cattistock Point-to-Point Horse and Pony Races take place in the natural amphitheatre of the Chilfrome Valley, near Maiden Newton. Entrance is off the A356 (DT2 0EL). Gates open 11am, the first pony race starts at 1pm. There will be local food, a licensed bar, bookies, ice cream, bouncy castle. A great day is promised, out with wonderful views in beautiful countryside. n A fun dog show, plant sale and boys’ bake-off contest will be held in Frome St Quintin church field on Sunday, May 1 from 2.30pm-5pm.

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The dog show will be held 3pm-4pm. Apply to sophie.stovin@hotmail.com for the recipe to enter the bake-off. Tea and cakes too! All money raised to go towards repairs to the church roof. n The Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre on Oborne

Road is hosting an open day on Sunday, April 24, from 11.30am to 3.30pm. Visitors are invited to see how this area overcame a previous health emergency. Waterwheel and steam engines running, with audio visual displays of restoration work and many items of local and historic interest. There’s a tea room

and a picnic area. Free parking on road. Entry by donation. SSWC.co.uk n The Arts Society West Dorset is holding a talk entitled British Travellers in Mexico: Lost Cities and surreal worlds on Thursday, May 19. Speaker Chloe Sayer will start her journey at 2.30pm in Bridport Town Hall. Visitors welcome @ £7.50. n The Wessex Morris Men will be dancing on Sunday, May 1 above the Giant in Cerne Abbas at 5.15am and at 7am in Cerne Abbas Village Square. Later that day, from 2pm-9pm, a ‘May Day celebration of all things fertile and unwholesome’ is being held at Cerne Abbas Brewery ‘in the shadow of that gurt famous pecker…’ CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE WEEKEND TICKETS £135

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) There’s live music from Dorset's prodigal sons Skimmity Hitchers, with more to be announced. Delicious local food from Pappa Cheese and his grills and smokers. Lots of locally made beer and cider, plus wine and spirits and stuff too! Tickets £10 from cerneabbasbrewery.com or drop in to the brewery to buy one in person.

n From Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1 Teddy Rocks Festival (teddyrocks.co.uk/tickets) returns to Charisworth Farm with its biggest event to date. Lots of stages offering a wide range of music, camping, food, kids’ activities. All raising money for Teddy20, a children's cancer charity.

n On Saturday, April 30, from 10am-3pm Athelhampton House will be holding a Pop Up Producers, Growers & Makers Market. A host of Dorset producers, growers and makers will sell their produce on Athelhampton's West lawn. The market is free to attend Untitled-1 1 18/04/2022 10:10:45 and is open to all.

n On Saturday, April 30 from noon to until Sunday, May 1 at 6pm there’s a beer festival at Copper Street Brewery in Dorchester’s Brewery Square. Music from Vinyl Van on Saturday, Food on Saturday from Sour Dough Ted. n On Saturday, April 30, from 10am-4pm there’s an open day at Hardy’s Monument, which was built

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in 1844 in memory of ViceAdmiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Free, timed entry, bookable in advance. Limited accessibility (small entranceway and a tight spiral staircase of 120 steps). No toilet or catering facilities. Book at nationaltrust.org.uk/hardymonument n On Sunday, May 8, from 10am Minterne will be holding a garden plant fair with classic car display. If you would like to bring your classic/vintage car, please contact Alex Charlesworth on 07852 294076 by April 29 to confirm attendance. n On Tuesday, April 26 at 4.15pm The New Hardy Players will be staging a poetry performance in the garden at Max Gate. Folk song, poetry, and prose with the theme of the ‘salt, the sea and salt of the earth characters in Hardy’s works and the writing of others’. Booking is not required. A £3 per person cash-only entry fee will be taken on entry. The house will not be open but access to a toilet will be available. If there is forecasted bad weather this event may be cancelled at short notice. Bring a chair or mat to sit on. You are very welcome to bring a picnic. n On Thursday, May 5, from 10am-noon there’s a Hapa Zome Workshop/ Plant Prints at Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods. These outdoor creative workshop will teach you the simple method of Hapa Zome. Using plants, stones

and cloth to make prints and patterns from seasonal flora. The session includes foraging in the woodland reserve and time to make a minimum of two designs. Suggested donation £5. Booking essential 01305 251228 or Hardysbirthplace@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk n On Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 from 8am-5pm the Cerne Giant Endurance GB ride will be held. The 42km route takes a sweeping loop across downland bridleways and tracks. Some steep hills but plenty of opportunity to canter. Most gates tied open. 23km has no gates/livestock and almost no road. Saturday: 23km - 80km Graded Endurance Rides Sunday: 15km-23km Local Group Pleasure Rides egb.myclubhouse.co.uk n Wessex Morris Men will be dancing in the centre of Poyntington, DT9 4LF at 7pm on Monday, May 2, followed by The Mitre Inn Sandford Orcas, DT9 4RU at 8.15pm. Then on Monday, May 9 they will be at The Cross Keys Sherborne, DT9 3BJ at 7.30pm and The Digby Tap Sherborne, DT9 3NS at 8pm and Weavers Club Sherborne, DT9 3EL at 8.30pm. n Dorchester’s Shire Hall is hosting an exhibition examining the life and works of one of the country’s favourite crime writers, Agatha Christie between April 29 and September 2. From Hercule Poirot to Miss Marple, Agatha Christie’s characters and stories have captivated readers and audiences for over 100 years.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

This exhibition will give visitors further insight into Christie’s writing and personal life, from the inspiration behind her work to the infamous story of her disappearance. n Martin Green Interiors will be holding a five-day event from Thursday, April 28-Monday, May 2. Beautiful things for your outdoor spaces including: statues, furniture, planters, vintage tools, stoneware, art and more. 10am-4pm at the Walled Gardens, Moreton, Dorchester, DT2 8RH. n Chideock WI will be celebrating their 103rd birthday on Tuesday, May 3 from 2.30pm-5pm.

There will be a talk by Denys Brunsden on The Pioneer Women of the Jurassic Coast in Chideock Village Hall. Tickets £5 including tea and cake available from Janet Carey 01297 489782; email: janet.carey747@btinternet.com chideockwi.org.uk n Cream teas will be on offer on Sunday, May 15 from 2pm-5pm at Strongate Farm, Salway Ash, DT6 5JD. Freshly baked scones and home made cakes, plant stall & raffle. Proceeds to Holy Trinity Church Salway Ash. n On Saturday, April 23 at 7.30pm the Cassandra String Quartet will play at Cattistock

n On Sunday, May 1, from 10am-4pm there’s a Pop up in the Yard event outside Loving by Nature and De Danann Antiques Centre, 25 London Rd, Dorchester DT1 1NF. Delicious food from Feed the

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Church, in the inaugural Cattistock in Concert. Works by Haydn, Britten and Mozart, and a light-hearted nod towards St George’s Day. Entrance is free with a suggested donation of £10, drinks will be served at the interval. Cattistock in Concert plans to put on a series of classical concerts in the village in the future, so join us for a wonderful evening of music!

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Soul, beautiful homewares from Lufu Ltd, vintage and reworked fashion from What Meg Found, and more! n On Friday, April 22 at 9pm there’s live music with The Leggomen at the Coach House Inn in Winterborne Abbas from 9pm. n On Sunday, April 24 from 10am-3pm there’s a ForFit Open Day at ForFit Fitness Wellness Centre in Dorchester (DT1 2LR). Fun and games for the family, free adult taster sessions and massage and kids’ taster sessions plus lots of stalls for other small businesses. Free entry, refreshments, raffle and lucky dip. Competitions with prizes!

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Hankies and sticks welcome summer By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

As we steam towards the first day of summer, the Wessex Morris Men will be celebrating the first sight of the sun in the wee small hours on May Day at Cerne Abbas in a ritual dating back centuries. With the new Dorset Ooser in tow, and playing quite a part in the party, the Morris men will be hanky swinging, bell ringing and stick clashing as their rebel spirit shines on. Nobody knows for certain why or indeed when Morris dancing began, although the tradition was considered ‘old’ in the days of Shakespeare. Speaking on behalf of the Wessex Morris Men, Bagman Ray Dyson, said: “We do know that it was taking place locally in Poyntington, near Sherborne, in 1606 through evidence put before the Star Chamber where Sir Edward Parnham, who was a close friend of Sir Walter Raleigh, was tried for promoting a church ale with bull baiting and to have joined in Morris dancing. “The origins are thought to be based on male fertility rites designed to please Mother Earth, a figure common to the religions of all races in the northern hemisphere, and thus ensure fertility, fecundity and crops, kin and community. Evil spirits would be driven off by the waving of handkerchiefs, the clashing of sticks and the jingling of bells. These

sounds also served to wake the Earth, bringing forth new life each spring.” The Wessex Morris Men formed in 1957 as a ‘revival’ side to keep these distinctive village traditions alive. Ray said: “Many Morris sides of our vintage started out in the folk ‘revolution’

of the late fifties and sixties and have grown older together as a band of brothers, with the occasional recruit arriving from another part of the country, unlike sports teams where you leave once you’re ‘past it’. Morris sides perpetuate almost as ‘social clubs’ which you can still be part of until you leave the side ‘feetfirst’. “We obviously need new blood to carry on the tradition and more importantly bridge the gap between the younger family man and the grandads, who form the

majority of the side. It’s a fun, fit and fulfilling pastime which hopefully brings joy to the wider public who witness it.” It’s true, to this day no cultural caper or May Day event would be complete without a ‘side’ of Morris dancers. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it looks likely that Strictly Come Dancing will fade away long before the Morris dancing tradition. But to join, a little bit of bravery and a rebel spirit will keep you in good stead. Ray said: “The photos taken at Sherborne Castle

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

....with bells on!

Roman House tours to restart in the summer Guided tours of Dorchester’s Roman town house will start again this summer following extensive refurbishment. Dorset Museum has partnered with Dorset Council to offer guided tours of the covered structure and grounds near County Hall. The museum’s trained guides will deliver a brief history of the site, and the artefacts that were recovered and are now on display at Dorset Museum,

before taking visitors to the site. Described by the museum as ‘one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England’ the Dorchester house features some of the original wall paint and mosaics and a beautifully preserved example of an underfloor heating system. Tours will run from 10.30am until noon on April 13 and 20, May 7 and 21, June 11 and 25 and July 9.

Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan

A photo accompanying an article about the Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan in a previous WDM Magazine showed members of the steering group and local residents, rather than just steering group members.

LET’S STICK TOGETHER: Wessex Morris Men are looking forward to a busy summer of Morris dancing with their giant Dorset Ooser, inset left

Country Fair were taken by the wife of one of our newest recruits, a brave chap in his thirties who’s dared to be ‘different’ and expose himself in public as a Morris dancer with the rest of us dancers, aged 60 and many aged 70, who don’t give a fig what people think about us!” The Wessex Morris Men will be performing dances in Fieldtown, Headington and Adderbury, among others at a host of events this year, including the Sherborne Country Fair and the Bath and West Show, along with folk festivals in Weymouth, Bridport and South

Petherton. Ray said: “Part of the tradition is ‘passing the hat’ and as we say, ‘the more you put in, the better your luck’, so thank you, and good luck to you all – we hope you enjoy our dancing and company!” If you would like to join the Wessex Morris Men, the best time is autumn when practice season starts on Mondays at Pulham Village Hall at 8pm. Ray added: “Whether you have danced before, or are a complete beginner, Wessex Morris Men are a welcoming bunch.” n wessexmorrismen.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

County town hopes for arts bonanza By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Hopes are high that a multi-million pound refurbishment of two arts venues will be the rebirth of performing arts in Dorchester. Almost £2million has been spent overhauling Dorchester’s Municipal Building – the town’s Corn Exchange – including a new roof, a new biomass boiler, retractable theatre seating for 150 people, plus new lighting, sound and projection equipment. At Thomas Hardye School, the theatre seating for 400 people has also been overhauled plus new lighting and sound equipment has been installed. Both projects have been completed using funds diverted from Dorset Council’s failed Maltings Project proposed for Dorchester’s Brewery Square. Now Dorchester Arts director Mark Tattersall is hoping the overhaul of the Corn Exchange and the school’s theatre will help reignite people’s passions for the performing arts. Mark said: “Both projects

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OUT OF THIS WORLD: Luke Jerram’s Mars installation and, inset below, seating at the Corn Exchange

really achieve the aims of the original Maltings project but at a much lower cost. “That aim now is to get people to come out to theatrical shows again. Some audience members are still cautious of course, and the economic climate has been tough for audiences and performers alike, but there

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seems to be a real enthusiasm for theatre and the arts around the town.” Mark said the overhaul of Dorchester’s Muncipal Building’s theatre is a welcome improvement. He said: “The new retractable rake seating is much easier to deploy and can be locked against the wall when not in use. “It would previously take two hours to set out seating in the theatre but now it takes half an hour at most. “Having seating like this

allowed us to stage exhibitions like Luke Jerram’s Mars, which attracted more than 5,000 visitors, and The Bubble Show, which was also popular. “Now Dorchester Arts is running the whole municipal building we’re able to take a more holistic approach and are more capable of working with community groups and working with their needs. “We’re very excited about the potential the building has now that it has proper facilities, lighting and sound – it has the potential to be a real community asset.” Describing the work done at Thomas Hardye theatre, Mark said: “The school welcomed the overhaul of the theatre. They now have access to a really wellequipped 400 seat theatre with an updated lighting and sound system and it’s going to give the audience a much better experience.” Mark added: “We really want to hear from people who want to use these spaces for their community and performance projects – please contact us.” n To book a show, hire a space for an event, or to find out what is on at the Corn Exchange and Municipal Buildings, visit dorchesterarts.org.uk or call 01305 266926.

n Many people are currently struggling with everyday expenditure, so Citizens Advice has re-opened its face to face library sessions, with funding supplied by Dorset Council. Citizens Advice will be available at Bridport Library on Tuesday, 10am-noon and Dorchester Library on Monday, 10am-noon. To book ring 0800 144 8848.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

26 years of mobility excellence

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Ladies in fun run for Ukraine Children are being invited to walk, skip, hop or run around St Mary’s Field in Bridport to raise money for youngsters in Ukraine. The fun run, which will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 2pm-4pm, is being organised by Bridport Ladies’ Circle. Money raised will go to Unicef’s Ukraine response. There will be lots of

fun for families including food and games. £1 a runner. Bridport Ladies’ Circle is a group for women aged 18-45 who want to make new friends,

have fun and do some fundraising along the way. More information can be found at facebook.com/ bridportladiescircle

Court battle couple’s homeless fears A West Dorset couple fear they will be left homeless after losing a high court battle with a medicinal cannabis tycoon. Wedding planner Alo Brake, 56, and her husband Andrew, 57, sold their £7million West Axnoller Farm wedding venue, between Beaminster and Corscombe, to a company owned by Dr Geoffrey Guy in 2017. Dr Guy, a medicinal cannabis entrepreneur known by many as ‘Dr Pot’, has just won a high court battle claiming the couple have now been Le sure Leisure Breaks reaks Normandy ormandy

trespassing on his property for more than three years. Alo Brake and her husband claimed during the court hearing that Dr Guy had promised not to evict them for at least five years following the sale of the property, but this claim was rejected by the judge hearing the case. Dr Guy, 57, made his fortune by founding GW Pharmaceuticals, a company famous for creating multiple sclerosis treatments from the cannabis plant. Following the sale of the West Axnoller farm site, the

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Brakes continued to work there for Dr Guy, living either in the house or in a nearby cottage when an event was being hosted. But by November 2018 the couple had been fired by Dr Guy and were told to leave the property. Mrs Brake told the court she is worried that the ruling will leave her and her husband ‘totally homeless’. She said their assets are frozen because of the legal battle and that they will struggle to rent because they have a dog. Barristers acting for Dr Guy told the court the couple had been ‘trespassing’ on the farm for over three years and that this had cost the cannabis tycoon around £320,000 in lost revenue. Judges heard Mrs Brake bought the farm in September 2004 and that it was derelict at the time. The court heard that Mrs Brake and her husband had renovated the property, converting it into an upscale holiday letting business and wedding

venue. But when the credit crunch of 2008 hit, the couple began looking for investors. The Brakes’ first partnership was formed with a businesswoman in 2010 but that partnership later failed. The farm was then sold to another company in 2015 before being sold again to Dr Guy’s company, The Chedington Court Estate, for more than £7million in 2017. After Dr Guy fired the couple in 2018, they refused to leave the site, claiming Mr Brake was there as an ‘agricultural tenant’ and that promises were made that he and his wife could stay. But the High Court ruled in February that Mr Brake was not an agricultural tenant because the farmland he tended was a ‘stage set’ for the wedding business. It was also ruled there had never been an assurance from Dr Guy that the couple could stay on at the site.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Where you can give being a DJ a spin Celebrate Record Store Day by spinning the wheels of steel yourself in Dorchester’s Brewery Square. Mark Smith, owner of independent record shop Vinyl Van, is hosting a special event on Saturday, April 23. Vinyl Van will open its doors at 8am and is inviting customers in to try their hands at being DJs, spinning their favourite tunes as part of an all-day Joy of Decks event. Mark said: “Previously, we’ve been too independent to take part in Record Store Day, but we’ve spent time getting accounts with some of the major labels and we feel really excited to be having our first celebration this

ON THE DECKS: Helen Moody of the Vinyl Van

year. We’re not sure what to expect but we hope it will be a great day for everyone. We feel so lucky to be doing what we do. We love music and the connections we are making

through the shop and the community that is building around it. “We feel really proud of what we’ve achieved in difficult times and the fact that we’re still here and

still smiling.” Brewery Square centre manager Charlotte Spracklen said: “Vinyl Van is a fantastic asset to Brewery Square, bringing a unique offering to make shopping experiences even more special. “Independent stores like Vinyl Van are cherished by our local community, so we encourage everyone to come and show their support on Record Store Day by paying a visit and having a spin on the decks from their incredible selection of music.” Vinyl Van will host its ‘oy of Decks event between 8am and 5pm on Saturday, April 23 at its shop, located at 8a Pope Street. Refreshments will also be served throughout the day.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Only natural to apply for community funding Community groups in West Dorset who use the natural world to improve the lives of locals can apply for a small grant from Nature Heals Seed Fund. Nature Heals Seed Fund is working with Dorset High Sheriff Sibyl King, to give financial help to small groups which have an annual expenditure of less than £250,000. Small grants of up to £1,000 are available for small, local groups running low-cost community activities and is particularly relevant

for groups wanting to try out a new idea. A spokesman said: “We are happy to take risks and support new initiatives so this is your chance to try something different. However, we can also fund existing small-scale activities that meet fund priorities and are in need of funding to continue or develop. “We are interested in funding a wide range of projects that use the natural world and connection with nature to benefit local people or to enhance

services and activities for local people.” To meet eligibility, groups must be local, have a management committee or board of directors, be a registered charity, voluntary organisation, social enterprise or community interest company (CIC) have a written constitution, bank account and safeguarding policy. For more details ring Ellie Maguire on 07592 032666 for support. The deadline for applications is midday on May 13, 2022.

Alena taking lead for dog sanctuary By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

An accountant who was so moved by the plight of dogs in Sri Lanka when she visited on honeymoon is hosting a five-mile walk along the West Dorset coast to raise funds for their care. Alena Warburton was so upset by the number of injured and sick dogs on the streets she returned to her home in Sturminster Newton and vowed to make a difference. The 35-year-old founded charity Lucas Helps Dogs – named after her late pet – and began making and selling handmade collars to fund the treatment of sick animals. Due to the pandemic she has been unable to physically help until now, when she returned to the country to volunteer for nearly two months. She said: “It was amazing to be back in Sri Lanka and I just wanted to get stuck in straight away helping these inspiring dogs. There are so many on the streets who are injured from vehicles, suffer cancers and awful skin diseases.”

FUR PLAY: Alena makes a new friend out in Sri Lanka

Alena and her trustees had spent months before their trip collecting donations and buying medications, leads, collars and harnesses, which are difficult to get in the country. They spent their time volunteering at dog rescue sanctuaries and through Lucas Helps Dogs also funded and carried out the spay, neuter and rabies vaccination of more than 50 street dogs. Alena added: “The idea behind making collars came after seeing so many

dogs with embedded chains and rope in their neck. Not many are owned over there but the ones who are often don’t have a proper collar which leads to injury. “It was great to see this time how many were wearing a ‘Lucas’ collar after being given it by the various local charities we work with.” Lucas Helps Dogs is now working to raise funds and target spay and neutering in the tourist town of Ella, by organising monthly clinics to bring the stray dog population under control.

Alena said: “These dogs suffer a life of misery on the streets and the only way to stop this is to prevent more being born into this vicious cycle of death and disease. “All proceeds from collars, leads and our other handmade products go directly to Sri Lankan street dogs, or please consider donating.” Items are available to order online or buy at a pop-up shop from May 1 to May 31 at The Stur of the Moment on Bath Road. On September 3 at noon, the charity’s first ever fundraising walk will start from Golden Cap, Bridport DT6 6EP. The five-mile hike will allow participants to talk dogs, rescues, charity and at the end everyone will have a wonderful picnic. There will be a stall where you can buy collars, leads, bandanas and much more. Entry is £5 per dog and all proceeds will go towards organising another spay and neuter clinic for street dogs of Ella, Sri Lanka. n To buy tickets, donate or buy items go to lucashelpsdogs.com

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Bid to rescue inn at £80k milestone By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The campaign to save the Piddle Inn has reached a landmark £80,000 in pledges and hopes are high that the much-loved pub could be saved. The Friends of the Piddle Inn in Piddletrenthide – a community benefit society – have been gathering pledges of financial support to try and buy the pub and reopen it. It is currently used as holiday accommodation, but the Friends believe the interior is still set out as a pub and little work would be needed to reopen if they could afford to buy the premises. Pledge forms and more information on the campaign is at friendsofthepiddleinn.co.uk The campaign group held their second successful pop-up pub in the village’s Memorial Hall. The event raised £1,700 with local beers, pizzas donated by Basilico pizza van and a cash prize raffle – the

THE INN CROWD: The Friends of the Piddle Inn committee

winner immediately offered it to the Ukraine fund. The previous pop-up pub and a Crowdfunder appeal raised money for a Business Buyer’s Report that has helped to inform the developing business plan. The report looked at the costs needed to get the closed pub reopened and what operating costs and potential profits could be attained. These figures are lower than the current price the

owner has offered to the community. The total target for fundraising through a share offer, match funded grants and loans or mortgage is around £550,000. This figure includes purchase, fees, searches, and initial stock costs. The Friends of the Piddle Inn will continue fundraising through community events and online fund raiser Easyfundraising at Friends of the Piddle Inn

Fundraising. But the management committee needs volunteers to help run and organise these events. If anyone wants to be involved either email friendsofthepiddleinn@gm ail.com or contact a member of the committee. They are also looking for testimonials and examples of how important the Piddle Inn has been to the community. Any information can be emailed to friendsofthe piddleinn@gmail.com

Education helpline helping 60 families with expert advice The Dorset Education and Advice Line has helped 60 families worried their child may not be making educational progress or may have emerging special needs. Sarah from West Dorset was worried that her daughter had missed a significant amount of school because she had developed severe anxiety last year. Working together with her school, they had suggested some measures of support, however her daughter’s anxiety meant that attending school to receive this help was difficult. Sarah rang the Dorset Education and Advice Line and spoke to SEND family worker Claudia, to talk

through some advice and to see what support could be organised. As a result, her daughter has taken part in some educational activities which Sarah felt helped immensely, her daughter is occasionally heading into school outside of normal school hours to get more comfortable with the school environment and is working towards attending full time. Most importantly, monthly meetings have been set up so that Sarah, her partner, the school and Dorset Council’s inclusion team can all check-in on her daughter and coordinate their support. Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children,

Education, Skills and Early Help said: “The Education Advice Line will help to ensure that families and professionals work together at the earliest opportunity to engage in early identification and universal support for families in Dorset. “If you are concerned about your child’s academic progress, or social and emotional development, then please do get in touch. “Our special educational needs family workers are here to listen, offer advice and can talk through your concerns with you.”

n Ring 0800 14 040 41 to speak to a SEND worker

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Air ambulance in good connection A regional internet provider has set up a new connection for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for free. A spokesperson for Wessex Internet said it was ‘delighted’ to install the ‘ultrafast full fibre’ broadband package for the charity at its Henstridge airbase. James Gibson Fleming from Wessex Internet added: “As the air ambulance is so important to everyone in our Wessex Internet coverage area, our work team dropped everything to get this link

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“We’re delighted to have made it happen.” Bill Sivewright, chief executive officer for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: “Getting to patients quickly, safely and efficiently, not surprisingly, requires access to the latest information from a number of different sources. “However, we are increasingly reliant on fast and reliable internet communications for every aspect of our operations, from sharing vital clinical or aviation information, to education, governance and logistics. The introduction of full-fibre to our airbase represents a real investment into the future of our communications. Wessex Internet has been supporting us for a number of years and this most recent upgrade to our system is a clear demonstration of their enduring support and generosity for which we are incredibly grateful.” Paul Owen, operations manager for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, added: “Having a reliable and fast internet connection ensures that all the

WE’RE FLYING: Norton Maby (installation engineer) and Michael Rose (installation engineer apprentice), alongside the DSAA crew of Ben Channon, Kev Rutherford, Jonny Price and Tom Ghee

planning that is necessary during inclement weather and particularly during the night can be conducted quickly and in a reliable manner. “It also saves us time when we log and record incidents after returning to base and enables us to use zoom and teams type platforms effectively, which was generally unachievable, especially when we were trying to communicate remotely as a large team during the lockdown periods. The entire process of installing this state-ofthe-art technology, including the digging and burrowing underground, to the teams working on both the inside and outside of the building went extremely smoothly. From start to finish it could not have been better and the internet now works beautifully.”

The West Dorset Magazine, March 25, 2022 Bridport and Sherborne are among the best places to live in the UK according to a national newspaper. Both West Dorset towns appeared in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live list 2022. Describing Bridport, The Sunday Times wrote: “The market town…brings a comfortable bohemian edge along with bucketloads of breezy fresh sea air to the rugged Jurassic Coast. “The harbour at West Bay, a 35-minute walk away, hit the small screen as the backdrop for ITV’s detective series Broadchurch, but beyond the flip-floppers and rubber-necking tourists it is now the turn of its historic buildings to be in the spotlight. Bridport’s star was rising well before the first lockdown but there’s no doubt that it has

TWO OF THE BEST: Bridport and Sherborne are among the best places to live according to the Sunday Times

Just in case you didn’t know, you’re in the best place to live

benefited enormously from the recent (west) country renaissance, superfast broadband, and a muchappreciated Waitrose.” Describing Sherborne, The Sunday Times wrote that “locals can choose from a

wealth of independent retailers, from a violin repairer to made-tomeasure corsetière; bustling markets on Thursdays and Saturdays (and) more antique shops and art galleries than you

can shake an ormolu candlestick at’. Topping the South West regional list of best places to live was Chalke Valley, Wiltshire while the overall UK winner was Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

It’s overwhelming: Amazing support By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Two friends from Bridport who decided to take action to help people in Ukraine have been completely overwhelmed with the staggering level of support they have received. Claire Nuttall and Jane Wain were chatting in the pub not long after war had broken out. “We were feeling so terrible about it,” says Claire. “We thought that as it was the quietest month for Jane’s shop (Bridport Music Shop) we could offer to be a collection point, so when we got home about 11pm we put it on the Bridport Banter Facebook page. “By 11am the next day she rang me in an absolute panic – the shop was totally full – that’s Bridport for you. “It just didn’t stop coming – unbelievable amounts of stuff. I took some at my studio at St Michael’s estate, then my landlord at St Michael’s rang me to offer an empty unit. “So within 48 hours of putting that initial post online we had a unit and put a call out for help because we needed to pack all the donations and sort it all properly. “We had 50 volunteers, which is just incredible. In other towns the efforts have waned as people got tired, but in Bridport they’ve just carried on and on.” Though their campaign only started a few weeks ago “it feels like a lifetime,” says Claire, 50,

DOING OUR BIT: Jane Wain, right, with Ukranian friend Olena and, above, packing in Bridport and, below, receiving the goods in Ukraine

an artist who installs murals around West Dorset. Since they started they have sent two artics-worth of aid and sorted ‘a mountain’ of donations. About a quarter of the donations were unsuitable to send to people in a war zone – such as evening wear and vintage clothes. So the pair are staging a three-day event to sell the clothes, bedding and other

items – lots of them new with tags – and raise some cash for what people in Ukraine do need. A vintage clothing expert has been helping organise racks and racks of lovely items and local musicians have offered to play. The event will be held from 10am-4pm April 30May 2 at St Michael’s Trading Estate DT6 3RR, behind Burwood’s Electrical. There will be

live music from Nina Garcia, Ben Wain and others, burgers, cream teas and prosecco and the chance to bag a gleaming new wardrobe while knowing 100 per cent of the money will reach the people who need it. Cash and card accepted. Claire said: “It’s not really us at all – we’re middle men. We’ve got 50 people who come in and they are all over it. You daren’t put

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

for friends’ mission to help Ukraine

FROM US TO YOU: Villagers in Ukraine receive aid packed by volunteers at St Michael’s Estate in Bridport, below

your bag down because it will get packed and shipped. In fact we’ve lost two coats! And there’s a brand new Superdry fleece now being worn by someone in Ukraine that arrived on a volunteer… “There are some lovely clothes that were unsuitable to send, so people can really get a bargain. And there’s loads of bedding because initially bedding was on

the wish list but then suddenly wasn’t needed. Much of it is brand new and we have so many clothes with the labels still on.” Now the initial rush has calmed, Jane and Claire are hoping to keep working with an orphanage in Romania which took in Ukranian orphans. Claire said: “My partner Ben McGachy, who is a

paramedic, took annual leave to drive all the way to Lviv twice to deliver our donations, then came back here and immediately drove to Romania where he delivered food, nappies, clothing and toys to an orphanage there. “A child psychologist who can speak Russian found us on the net and asked for our help after an influx of 60 orphans from Odessa – they had nothing for them.

“Long term we want to keep a connection with that orphanage and keep an eye on them, they just had nothing and not a single adult could speak their language. They came over with no medical history, nothing.” n Anyone who would like to help can go to the Bridport to Ukraine Facebook page or just turn up to the event from April 30-May 2.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

Calling all gardeners: It’s your chance to shine Chelsea Flower Show eat your heart out – the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Annual Garden and Allotment Competition is giving gardeners the chance to shine. Open to all gardens and allotments within a 12mile radius of Melplash Village Church, and sponsored by Bridportbased William James & Co and Chedington Compost, the competition is open to everyone – the only stipulation is that the garden is designed and made by the entrant. There are prizes for the best large, medium, small garden and best allotment based on the following criteria: n Overall condition of the garden or allotment

ACE OF SPADES: Tim and Sybil Gale in last year’s overall winner

n All around interest/ cropping schemes n Quality of crops, flowers, plants n Originality of layout and planting n Ingenuity in

overcoming local problems n Any special features Judging is on June 16 and 17 and the winners of each category will be presented with their cups

and prizes at the Melplash Agricultural Show on Thursday, August 25. Entries close on Monday, June 6. Application forms are available from melplashshow.co.uk

Shake-up in the big break-up laws

Major changes are being made to the way divorce procedures are handled, Dorchester’s Citizens Advice Bureau has warned. A bureau spokesman said the changes will be introduced through the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 which came into force on April 6. The spokesperson said the new ‘no fault’ divorce procedure reform ‘brings an entirely new basis for obtaining a divorce’. The spokesman said: “The law will no longer apportion blame to one party, for example by listing out examples of their ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in the petition. There will no

longer be a requirement for those involved to prove fault and they will instead need to make a statement of irretrievable breakdown of marriage, or a joint statement if both parties have applied for a divorce. “Joint petitions and joint applications for the final divorce will be allowed. Much of the archaic language will be gone; instead of a Decree Nisi there will be a Conditional Order and the Decree Absolute will be replaced by a Final Order.” The new procedure means it will be possible to apply for a divorce online or by paper application with a target completion time of 26 weeks. Further

information about these changes will be on the Citizens Advice Bureau’s website. Dorchester’s Citizens Advice Bureau has also announced that now covid restrictions have been eased, the small teams that have kept the bureau’s offices open during the pandemic will be increased gradually by more advisers and other staff who have been working from home. The bureau said this move ‘will be kept under regular review but should mean that more face-to-face appointments will become available in addition to phone appointments and email advice’. The bureau also said each of its

interview rooms will have an air filtration unit. West Dorset residents are also being reminded that they can book appointments with GPs at Bere Regis, Cerne Abbas, Crossways, Puddletown and Maiden Newton via the bureau. Finally the bureau is urging anyone with concerns about pensions, employment, benefits, housing, family, household, energy bills and consumer issues to contact Citizens Advice Bureau via its Freephone Dorset Advice line number on 0800 144 88 48 from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively visit citizensadvice.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Feeling the urge to Love Your Verge? By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A project spearheaded by Dorset Council to transform roadside verges into habitats for wildflowers is being given another boost this year, with the launch of the Love your Verge campaign. Vast stretches of roadsides and verges along rural roads are boasting birdsfoot, daisies, and trefoil, encouraging butterflies and invertebrates and deterring littering, thanks to the initiative from Dorset Council’s Coast and Greenspace Service and Litter Free Dorset. Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “The loss of natural habitats is a major threat for pollinators, which are essential for helping plants and crops to grow. We’re proud of the work Dorset’s Coast and Greenspace Service do each year, which is helping to transform our verges and restore some of these vital habitats. “Safety remains our top priority, so our approach must strike a balance between cutting verges regularly where needed for visibility and working to protect and enhance Dorset’s natural environment. “By raising awareness about the important work to encourage and protect the plants and wildlife in our verges, we hope more people will do their bit by choosing to take their litter home and disposing of it responsibly.” Dorset Council is making

TAKING SIDES: There’s so much wildlife alongside busy roads

changes to verge management including an increase in cut and collect mowing – a technique which helps to reduce the soil fertility over time, creating a better environment for wildflowers, and has reduced verge cutting throughout the rural road network to once instead of twice each year, to allow more flowers to complete their life cycles before being cut. Verges which already have high biodiversity value, known as ‘conservation verges’, are managed to ensure biodiversity can continue to thrive each year. The Wildlife Trust already recognised a number of verges in the county as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), a designation given to sites which hold substantive nature conservation and geological value and the council aims to establish more of these special sites this year. And to help discourage littering, the campaign will include colourful signage

installed around the county. The signs feature a range of animals and insects, drawing attention to the types of wildlife that inhabit the verges and thanking drivers for taking their rubbish home with

them. Residents and visitors can get involved with the campaign by sharing their photos or videos of the plants and wildlife they’ve spotted in Dorset’s verges and using the #LoveYourVerge.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

It’s a tour de force at tourism awards By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

and Andrew Diprose editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk

Tourism businesses in West Dorset clinched a clutch of gongs at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2021/22 finals in Exeter. West Bay Discovery Centre won gold in the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Business category, in which Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster, received a bronze. Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype scooped gold in the Holiday Park of the Year category, followed by Golden Cap Holiday Park, Seatown, which won silver. Monkton Wyld Holiday Park in Charmouth won Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year. Nearby, but not in West Dorset, Weymouth’s Nothe Fort won gold for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. There were many other silver and bronze awards for our tourism businesses, too. Discovery Centre trustee John West said: “We are absolutely delighted with this achievement. To achieve a gold in competition with other top businesses and visitor attractions from the South West’s six counties and Bristol and Bath is a great accolade for all the team at the centre. “Care for the environment and promoting sustainability has and will always be central to what

GOLDEN WONDERS: The West Bay Discovery team

HONOURED: Highlands End and, right, Monkton Wyld

BRONZE: The Dorset Museum team

we do, so this award means a lot to us. “We aim to have a low impact on the environment by buying sustainable and locally produced merchandise, recycling our waste, and promoting local beach cleans. We are also a Bridport Plastic-free business champion.” Dorset Museum, which reopened in May 2021 after an extensive refurbishment, won bronze in the Large

Visitor Attraction Of The Year category. Its commercial director Roger Maughan said: “The team at Dorset Museum are delighted to receive Bronze for this prestigious award at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. This recognition is a credit to our wonderful staff, volunteers and trustees.’ This year’s awards saw 90 finalists drawn from 476 entries in the region which also covers

Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It was the first time they’ve been held in person since February 2020. More than 70 judges spent months poring over entry submissions, websites, social media and review sites, as well as carrying out business visits, many of them mystery visits. Reports and recommendations were then submitted to an independent panel which made the final decisions. Some of the finalists are expected to represent the South West in the national VisitEngland awards later in the year. Other winners include: B&B and Guesthouse Of The Year Bronze: St John’s Guest House, Weymouth Experience Of The Year (Active Or Learning) Bronze: Jurassic Coast Guides Pub Of The Year Silver: The Acorn Inn, Evershot Tourism Event/Festival Of The Year Bronze: FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington Lakes near Dorchester. n The Discovery Centre is run by a local charity and is open Tuesday-Sunday. New volunteers are always welcome – visit the centre or contact manager@westbay discovery centre.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

More than 200 striking sculptures by 30 contemporary artists are on display at Dorchester’s Sculpture by the Lakes until the end of May. The new artworks include nine pieces by the late Heather Jansch, the first exhibition of her work since her death last year. Also among the new sculptures are Barn Owl III by British sculptor Carl Longworth, sited alongside the River Frome, as well as Greer, Guardian Angel – a winged figure hovering over a water feature by the awardwinning Ed Elliott. Simon Gudgeon, sculptor and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes. Said: “People seem to love what we’ve created here I’m happy to say. We’ve had plenty of regular and return visitors, and many coming through our gates for the first time, as well as a few collectors and buyers travelling several hours to be here. “This is a special event at a very special place. My team and I have worked for a year to bring on board some of the finest contemporary artists and curate a collection in works of exceptional quality. Here visitors and buyers can see them at scale with their surroundings, in a beautiful environment which enhances that experience. “Visitors tell us it is uplifting, energising, and

IMRESSIVE: Ed Elliott-Greer’s Guardian Angel bronze at Pallington

Standing still by the lakes

Lucianne Lassalle’s Breakdancing Icarus, Heather Jansch’s Clover and, right, Diana, the Huntress by David Williams-Ellis.

enriching – which is exactly what great art should be.” The exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes includes new pieces by Adam Binder, Nick Bibby, Fred Gordon, Carol

Peace, Nadine Collinson, Nicola Godden, and Lucianne Lassalle among others. Also, shown for the first time, is Simon Gudgeon’s newest piece Parallel Passé, a ballerina sculpture created with Voronoi patterns, in a pose inspired by Prima Ballerina Ksenia Ovsyanick, the principal ballerina with the Staatsballett, Berlin, who

came to model for Simon at his Dorset studio. Simon added: “I am also working on a new kinetic sculpture, Sail. It’s an experimental piece which, if I can get enough time in my studio, could be shown for the first time in the final stages of our exhibition.” n Sculpture by the Lakes is at Pallington Lakes, Tincleton.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Bridport going all out to pull visitors By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Bridport traders, the town council and the chamber are on a mission to breathe new life and vitality into the high street of this seaside town, and with a few campaigns up their sleeves, their quest is one of hope. On market days, Bridport is a shining example of a thriving town. Saunter along any one of the town’s three main streets on Wednesday and Saturday and you can find everything from flowers to plants, hardware to electricals, antiques, brica-brac and a mouth-watering selection of food. On the remaining weekdays things are a little quieter so traders are starting a campaign, backed by the town council and the chamber through Totally Locally Bridport, to encourage more people into the town on non-market days. The Magic Tenner campaign will run for ten weeks and focuses on how spending £10 on a local shop, organisation or service can grow and add extra cash to the local economy. “The campaign works by spending £10 on items from local producers. For example, if you buy a local-made pie from a local shop, a big part of your money is passed on to the local piemaker. “The piemaker sources his ingredients from a local farm and spends a big percentage of his

CREATIVE THINKING: Bridport is busy on market days – but traders are getting together to offer something extra on Tuesdays and Fridays. Below: Roy Gregory of Clocktower Records Town pictures: NEIL BARNES

money with the farmer. The farmer then spends some of his money at his local garage, the garage owner then…well, you get the idea,” said Totally Locally. Roy

Gregory from Clocktower Music said: “The campaign is aimed at boosting footfall every working day of the year for the Independent Businesses in Bridport and District. The Town is extremely popular for visitors to its Wednesday and Saturday Market and we wish to

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

in with special non-market day offers

LOTS OF INTEREST: Bridport brings in visitors from far and wide for its market days. Inset below: Town mayor Ian Bark

additionally make Bridport a destination town for the large number of small businesses that also exist in the area. “You can find the majority of items that are available on the internet here in Bridport. “There can be few High Streets where you can see ‘David Bowie’ and visit a forge.” Mayor of Bridport Ian Bark said: “Business is a vital part of what makes Bridport such a vibrant town in which to live. It is

not only the high street with its range of wonderful shops but businesses large and small beavering away on trading estates, in offices and at home that make this an economically healthy town throughout the year. “That said we are a coastal town and there is a distinct seasonality to the trading that takes place in some sectors more than others. The hope is always that the peaks are sufficiently high to fill the troughs. “To that ends as mayor, I

will be supporting the Totally Locally group in their efforts to increase footfall to the independent businesses in the town. There is much work to be done and I am sure that by working together we can take Bridport forward into a new, more prosperous era for businesses and, pleasanter shopping and relaxing era for customers.” n Totally Locally Bridport are inviting all local independents to

join, email totallylocallybridport@ gmail.com or ring Roy on 07429 102645

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Volunteers keeping the coast clear of By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A charity set up after two fishermen died near a disused coastguard lookout point is helping keep people safe on the West Dorset coast. The National Coastwatch Institution has two lookout points in West Dorset – at Hive Beach and at Charmouth. They are the eyes and ears of numerous agencies, including HM Coastguard, the RSPCA, the RNLI and more, and can avert all sorts of catastrophes with their ‘spot, plot and report’ system. The service is very much needed, as in spite of large yellow notices the public can be a foolish lot. “We had to talk to one parent playing chase the waves with their young children,” said watchkeeper Karen Herbert. “And tell them that if one of them fell over, they’d be dead.” Other horror stories include a family who set up their tent under an overhanging cliff (that overhang has since plunged onto the beach), and a couple of caravanners who had to ask if the tides would happen again… “You’d think it would be common sense,” said station manager Judy Clark. “But apparently they had come from an inland area

HERE COMES THE TIDE: Judy on the beach and, below, showing the time of the tides

so they didn’t know about high and low tides happening twice a day.” Between the two lookouts they have 97 volunteers,

some of whom man Hive Beach from 9am until 7.30pm seven days a week and Charmouth from 11am-3pm Friday to Monday. In Burton Bradstock, the two volunteers on duty work from a repurposed garden shed, lined with radios, scanners, powerful binoculars to scan the seven or eight miles to the horizon and a computer showing vessels nearby. In Charmouth, they use an

old and tiny Grade II listed look-out originally built in 1804. The two look-outs come under Lyme Bay NCI, which costs between £7,000 and £8,000 a year to run, all fundraised locally. Covid hit their fundraising hard, but an unexpected windfall came in the form of a generous legacy from a Burton Bradstock man’s estate. There were once look-outs

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

danger and keeping the public safe

EYES AND EARS: Judy Clark and Karen Herbert at the Lyme Bay look-out

all around the coast, but these fell into disuse with new practices and technology. These days it will be the NCI volunteers who inform Customs & Excise if contraband washes up rather than officers nabbing smugglers on sight. The NCI volunteers also let the RSPCA and other authorities know if a whale washes in, or a seal is spotted. Anything that could pose a

concern is reported to the relevant authorities, including numerous munitions that wash up, and the volunteers all have to absorb a lot of information, contained in a chunky manual. Their logbooks often provide vitally important information to the courts, such as the weather conditions recorded when someone dies at sea. In Charmouth, it’s fossil hunters who keep the

volunteers busy. They often climb the softened cliffs after a storm in search of fossils turned up by the bad weather, risking life and limb. The charity was founded in 1994, after two fishermen died within sight of a former coastguard lookout in Cornwall. People in the county were so distressed by this they formed the NCI and now there are 2,600 volunteers

manning 56 stations around the coast of England and Wales. In West Dorset, with many of the 97 volunteers inactive, there’s a need for more volunteers, who are only required to work seven to eight hours a month. The Lyme Bay crew would also like to hear from anyone who would like to fundraise for them, or have a collection pot in their premises. They receive no public funding and rely solely on their own efforts – in fact Judy cycled 1,000 miles on a turbo trainer in her garage, raising more than £4,000. Their next event is a breakfast and coffee morning at Litton Cheney village hall in School Lane (DT2 9AU) this Saturday, April 23, from 10am-noon. There will be bacon butties and cake and the chance to chat to some watchkeepers about their work. n Just turn up and to to find out more about helping the NCI call Judy on 07786 354403 or email lyme.bay@nci.org.uk n Nci.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

A weekend of spectacular events in Lyme Regis will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June. Plans are coming together for an exciting programme of music, entertainment and community celebration to honour The Queen’s 70 years of service to the country and Commonwealth. Over the weekend of June 2 to 5, Lyme Regis will join the nation in marking the historic occasion, with a big finale event on Sunday, June 5. The events are being hosted by Lyme Regis Town Council, in partnership with Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee, Jazz Jurassica and the Marine Theatre. The celebrations begin on Thursday, June 2 with a torchlight procession, when the glow of more than 300 blazing torches will illuminate the Langmoor and Lister Gardens as the sun sets. Led by the mayor and the town crier, the procession will move through the seafront gardens and onto the beach to make a spectacular ring of fire. As darkness falls, the mayor will be escorted to the harbour’s north wall to set the town’s beacon ablaze. Entertainment will come across the weekend from Jazz Jurassica, which opens on Thursday, June 2 and features performances at the Marine Theatre and free open-air concerts on the seafront. On Sunday, June 5 is there will be a

IN THE LYME-LIGHT: Lyme Regis has a spectacular series of events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A right royal celebration to mark Queen’s jubilee Jubilee Picnic in the seafront gardens in the late afternoon. The public are invited to bring their own picnics to enjoy with a view of Lyme Bay, while being entertained by local performers on the seafront rooftop. Music will come from the talented young musicians of B Sharp and the traditional brass strains of Lyme Regis Town Band, as well as dancing from Lyme Morris. As evening falls, all

attention will turn to the main stage on the beach, where the spectacular BBC Big Band will perform. The orchestra comprises of 18 or more musicians, including a full brass section and vocalists, in full black tie, playing a wide repertoire of genres, from rat pack, to swing and Last Night at the Proms. There will be some rousing British songs to celebrate the occasion, including the National Anthem to close the evening. Following the BBC Big Band’s performance, a magnificent fireworks’ display over the Cobb will round off the weekend’s celebrations with a bang. Cllr David Sarson, chairman of the council’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee working group, said: “This is set to be a truly spectacular weekend of

celebrations in Lyme Regis. “We believe the events will be a fitting way to mark this historic occasion and honour the remarkable service The Queen has given to this country. “Earlier in the year the town council planted more than 70 new trees in Lyme Regis in a scheme called the Queen’s Green Canopy. Those trees will create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations. “We hope the celebrations on the weekend of 2 to 5 June will also be remembered for many years to come and provide lasting memories of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion for Britain’s longest reigning Monarch.” More details about the events are available on the town council Facebook page facebook.com/ lymeregistowncouncil or at visit-dorset.com/lymeregis/whats-on

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Vittles (food & drink) Lizzie Crow – AKA Lizzie Baking Bird – is a self taught baker, who has a stall outside her home in Upwey each Saturday. See her scrumptious eats at lizziebakingbird.co.uk or find lizzibakingbird on Instagram.

Formidable! Tasty ham and cheese croissants Now this is a bit of a family favourite. It is a lovely recipe that you can do for breakfast. It is particularly child friendly, so you can make it with your young ‘uns and enjoy it together! If you’re a vegetarian you can replace the ham with mushrooms – or you can go crazy with ham and mushrooms. Ham and Cheddar croissants Serves four Should you have leftover croissants on hand, use them up. If not, pop out and buy some – these will be well worth it. Four croissants 40 g butter (or margarine) 40 g flour 290ml milk 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard Salt & pepper 125 g strong white cheddar plus 20g extra for topping. Ham, sliced or shredded (or mushrooms, sliced and fried) Melt the butter in a heavy based saucepan over a low heat. Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes whilst stirring. The flour and butter will come together and form a paste that needs to be cooked to get rid of the taste of raw flour. Pour in about a quarter of the milk. Allow it to

bubble a little and then whisk like crazy. Repeat this until all the milk is used up, whisking well so that the sauce isn’t lumpy. Stir in the cheese, mustard and a good crack of pepper and take the pan off the heat. The cheese will melt so give it a good whisk and see if it needs salt. Allow to cool. You can make this the day before and pop it in the fridge until you want to use it. Heat the oven to Gas mark 6/ 200C. Once the sauce is cool or cold, slice the croissants in half lengthways (you will probably want to do this if your nippers are wee). Lay the halves on a baking tray. Spread sauce over each of the halves (8) and reserve a little for the top. Lay on a thick slice of ham (or much or as little shredded ham as you like). Close the croissants to give four servings. Spread the remaining sauce over each croissant and sprinkle with the extra cheese. Pop in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve them as is or, if you are having these for lunch rather than breakfast, accompany with a green salad and tomatoes. n Lizzie is at The Old Ship Inn in Upwey on a Saturday morning. Find out what she’s up to at lizziebakingbird.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

Vittles (food & drink) Karen Broad lives in Burton Bradstock, with her husband and two mad dogs. She ran The Mousetrap in Dorchester, has lived in France and loves discovering new food producers.

Take a tip from me: Enjoy asparagus Driving up the narrow track which leads to Bothen Hill, it is hard to believe that you are less than a mile from the centre of Bridport. The song of a skylark hovering over the open farmland, welcomes you, around you the fertile green sloping hills, provides the perfect backdrop. It is a bright, chilly Spring afternoon, with just a glimpse of a watery sunshine. You can smell the sea, perfect saline soil for growing a very ‘regal’ crop. It is April and time for harvesting asparagus! Bothen Hill is a modest bustle of activity. One thing that strikes you is the vast array of verdant green vegetables, standing by a box of freshly picked leeks the

Ingredients: 300ml dark rum 150g pitted prunes 200g butter, chopped 200g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids, chopped 200g caster sugar 200g cooked whole chestnuts or chestnut

water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, or melt on a low heat in the microwave if you are confident with this method. Cool a little. Place butter, sugar, chestnuts, egg yolks and prunes and rum into a food processor and whizz until it is smooth and creamy. Add the melted and cooled chocolate and whizz again until evenly combined. Scrape into a mixing bowl.

Whisk egg whites in a clean dry bowl until stiff, but not too firm. Beat one third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to loosen, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and smoothe the top. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hr 15 minutes. The cake should be dry and firm on top and coming away from the edges of the tin. Cool completely. Serve with cream or crème fraiche.

FLAN-TASTIC: Asparagus and Pancetta flan and, right, Dorset Asparagus

scent is so heady my mouth begins to water. Chip and Anita De Greeff simply burst with pride having achieved the status of West Dorset Largest Organic vegetable grower. But, despite the plethora of vegetables on show, it is the asparagus that is their ‘showpiece’. Anita explains the complexities

Mum’s Kitchen...

Chocolate Rum Cake This gloriously rich cake is easy to prepare and makes a wonderful dessert to end a special meal. It is gluten-free, and serves 810

of growing asparagus. Grown from ‘crowns’ it is not an instant harvest, and it can take three years before you start picking. Once established, it can continue for 15 years. Hard work and passion evident, they explain they began in 2001 with just 200 crowns on their 30acre site.

Currently they devote five acres of their site to growing 40,000 crowns as well as a staggering 150 varieties of vegetables. It is well worth a visit, and you can buy vegetables from the farm gate. This trifid ‘look alike’ is an aristocratic little vegetable packing a wealth of health benefits, though it is also known for its aphrodisiac qualities. Asparagus has huge versatility, it ideal to steam, roast, sauté, wrap in bacon, make soups, add to pasta, or rice, or just have it with a dippy egg! Simple is best. Avoid boiling as the flavour ends up in the water, it is best just to blanch for two minutes, drizzle with olive oil and lemon. Without a doubt it is a ‘Jewel in the crown’.

puree 3 large eggs, separated Method: Preheat the oven to 160C, 140C fan. Line a greased 20cm loose-bottomed tin with baking paper. Place the rum and prunes in a pan, bring to the boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool for 15 minutes. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Asparagus and Pancetta flan Cheat and buy short crust pastry Roll out and place pastry into a flan dish. Blanch asparagus Beat five eggs with some

cream and sprinkle in some grated cheese Pan fry the Pancetta and place into pastry case Pour egg mix over Carefully arrange Asparagus on the top and bake until golden brown.

with Diana Holman

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Homes & Gardens

The down to earth engineer making By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

When glamour model Katie Price, AKA Jordan, wanted a baby pink AGA for her mansion she was given short shrift by the company itself, with the ‘posh cooker’ company drily declining to help, whatever her star status. But when her agent called Bradford Peverell’s Craig Fournier he leapt into action, enlisting the help of his enameller to create the one-off appliance and his dad to help him lug it to her home. These days you can order an AGA in a rainbow of shades, but back then AGAs were the preserve of the rich and there were only a handful of classic colours to choose from. Like it or lump it. It’s typically Craig, that pink AGA. He’s always been able to spot a business opportunity, which has seen him go from a YTS AGA Rayburn apprentice on £29 a week, aged 15 with no GCSEs, to a busy trade servicing, installing and refurbishing AGAs and central heating boilers. Now he’s offering a new service – converting planet-plundering oil and gas AGAs to electric, saving owners huge amounts of money and cutting the use of fossil fuels in the process. You can save 40 per cent on your energy bills with an e-control AGA. He started Fourniers aged

HOME AND THE RANGE: Craig and Jayne Fournier at home in Bradford Peverell and, below, some AGA doors

25 with just £20, buying a white AGA and selling it on. “I wondered why it was so cheap,” he said. “Then when I got to this big old place it appeared they had built the house up around it and it was now only accessible through a hatch in the floor. “I had to take it apart piece by piece to get it out…” He reassembled it, gave it a good clean and the BBC bought it for £400 for a

prop. “I couldn’t believe it!” said Craig. “Four hundred quid! I thought, I’m on to something here. So I bought two more and just kept going.” During his 33 years working on the cookers he’s met many A list celebrities, including Kate Moss, George Harrison and Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Mary Berry and even Theresa May… But his favourite will always be Katie Price, who had

just got together with Peter Andre at the time, after meeting on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. “She was so down to earth,” said Craig. “She kept the cups of tea coming and even went to get me a sandwich. “She kept the place so hot and walked around in next to nothing. Dad being dad, he turned down the heating and told her to put some more clothes on.” However starry some of his clients might be, Craig has never forgotten what it’s like to scrape by. He often goes to places where the resident has been left with an AGA they can’t afford to replace and enjoys making them more efficient for them, and he reconditions old cookers and sells them for a fraction of the original price. Craig and his wife Jayne launched Fourniers 23 years ago. Jayne was pregnant with their son Daniel at the time – he now works for the business, and their daughter Georgia has worked on their website. Massive amounts of hard work saw the business go from sweeping chimneys in the evenings after finishing his day job with Spillers of Chard, to a large showroom in Dorchester and many employees. The Fourniers decided the overheads were affecting what they had to charge customers and these days they run a much sleeker

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Homes & Gardens

AGAs better for the planet operation from home, to make their services more affordable. These days he’s all about The many colours of AGA available the servicing and the conversions, which have become all the more SHINY STOVES urgent with biofuels Oven cleaning making up an increasing Family-run business part of central heating oil. Eco-friendly products Biofuels aren’t good for 01935 592461 / 07875 272401 AGAs and can wreck their KEEPING IT WARM: The latest forms of insulation are shinystoves.com components. used and, below, conversion is recommended if you have SISTERS CLEANING TEAM And the government aims solar panels or a wind turbine Experienced, efficient, and for 70 per cent of heating hardworking. Open to deep oil to be biofuels by 2030. cleans, spring cleans, Fournier’s also replaces changeovers…cleaning service inefficient Rockwool with tailored to your needs. a more modern substance, References available on which offers the same request. jane@jane-shaw.com insulation of 12 inches of 07931 772387 Rockwool in just 25mm. Craig is still, even after all your boiler or your tank, it could end up costing these years, passionate millions to put right, he about AGAs and central heating boilers, getting so says, especially if oil leaches into neighbouring animated as he tells me properties, and Craig says about nozzle sizes (very important) and flexi pipes this risk could be averted with a couple of 50p (also crucial), that he O-rings or a £12 flexi reminds me of comedian pipe. “Insurance Lee Evans. companies won’t pay out The nozzle thing is if you haven’t kept up to significant as many oil date with servicing,” he boilers have been said. previously fitted with a larger nozzle than its BTU “There was an incident in rating – whether that’s due Alton Pancras which cost to the engineer fitting it in nearly £2million, caused by old O-rings.” error or because that’s all He tries to look serious at they had in the van. this point, but he’s so A larger nozzle can triple ebullient it’s futile trying the amount of oil used. to be sombre. “There was a fourHe breaks into a big smile bedroom house in again and starts talking Cattistock I went to that about campervans. had a nozzle meant for a n Fourniers can be factory,” said Craig. reached on 01305 262411 “That meant they were or by email at craig@ burning 3,000 litres of oil fourniers.co.uk. instead of 1,000.” n fourniersltd.co.uk If you have a leak from

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Homes & Gardens

Horticulture...

...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

Born and bred in West Dorset, Dave has worked in horticulture and botany locally and internationally, notably in Belgium, Jordan and the UAE. He brings a wealth of practical knowledge with its underlying principles to his writing

Learning to train your untamed tomatoes Tomatoes were domesticated around 3,000 years ago in Central and South America. Yet on their arrival to our shores they were treated with great suspicion and were considered unpalatable for the next century. It wasn’t until the mid1700s that their culinary merits became widely appreciated, today they are ubiquitous and a staple food for many. Tomatoes are easy to grow in a greenhouse and can quickly become rampant. Taming their growth is key to achieving a bumper crop. Tomatoes are naturally vines with an ungainly rampant habit that responds

MAJOR TOMS: Managing tomatoes can increase your crop

to warm weather by accelerating growth. Success is found by preventing plants becoming thicket of stems, because THE FENCING athese will seldom produce quality in large & GATE Co numbersfruit and provides the Free survey & quotation perfect breeding ground for mildew as it cools in 01935 330095 autumn. 01305 330031 In my experience, the usual scenario is that plants grow Soil Testing Service increasingly quickly until Professional laboratory soil tests they hit the greenhouse • gardeners • landscapers eaves. • small holders Then faced with this Wild昀ower meadows, veg, fruit, 昀ower, dilemma: do you train them new & established gardens. up the greenhouse roof; Fast, accurate & easy to interpret soil report within 7 days keep removing the tops to www.soilvalues.com prevent them getting any bigger; or let them flop 07598 714 082 around and do their own thing? If this sounds familiar why not adopt a different

approach that increases yields with fewer plants? I grow tomatoes as double cordons, a method borrowed from training apple trees. A double cordon allows two stems of an apple tree to develop. So why not try this technique on tomatoes? When plants reach 15cm in height remove their growing tip (these rapidly root if more plants are needed). Removing the tip encourages side shoots. Select two of the strongest and remove the rest. Transfer your plant to its final position and treat each of the plant’s two stems as if they were separate plants. Tie each stem to its own cane inserted at slight

angles to each other and remove all side shoots as they grow. The result will be a double-stemmed plant on a single root system. Dividing its resources in this way a shorter, more manageable and highly productive plant is produced that is unlikely to hit the roof of the greenhouse. Bush or cherry tomatoes are even more vigorous than the larger fruited types. Common advice is to leave their side shoots on to create a ‘bush’ habit. Using this method, I find plants to be productive early in the season but as their growth rate speeds up, their flowers are lost in foliage and fruit set is poor. My method for growing them is the same as for larger fruit types, only I select four stems, removing all side shoots along their length. This allows a much more manageable plant enhancing air circulation leading to better pollination and bumper crops. My plants are trained along the roof and the fruits hang like bunches of grapes. In our family we eat a huge number of tomatoes during summer, yet using the methods described I only need to grow three plants. This allows more room for other crops and maximises growing space. Why not give this method a go this year and let us know the results?

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Homes & Gardens

Quiet gardens providing balm for life By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Tuning in to the quiet of a garden is a powerful way to tune out a busy life. Since 1992, the Quiet Garden Movement has secured a global network of hundreds of gardens whose hosts open their green spaces for people to experience the silence and spend time in prayer and contemplation. Now The Fellowship of Meditation in Dorchester will be opening their garden for Quiet Days in June for two afternoons. Fellowship office manager Becky Dovey said: “We are delighted to be joining the worldwide Quiet Garden Movement. In joining we

mark the importance of silence together in natural surroundings and will be exploring the health and spiritual benefits of taking regular times of quiet in nature.” The world’s largest study into the links between rest and wellbeing, The Rest Test study published in 2016, showed that ‘being alone’ and ‘in the

natural environment’ were rated in the top three most restful activities. The Quiet Garden Trust is a Christian charity, with the primary aim of nurturing low cost, accessible, outdoor space for prayer, contemplation, rest and inspiration in a variety of settings, such as private homes, churches, schools and hospitals. Founder Reverend

Philip Roderick said: “The Quiet Garden Movement is about giving people permission to step back and experience a sense of stillness and wonderment. We live in a world where we are swamped by methods of communication and yet we find ourselves unable to communicate. “Silence is the missing and vital ingredient. Even as little as five minutes can be restorative and healing.” The Quiet Days are being held on Saturday May 7, from 2.30pm-4pm and on Friday, June 17 from 12 noon-4pm at Marian Dunlop House, 8 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1PW. To attend, contact Becky on 01305 251396 or fellowship. meditation@gmail.com.

JORDAN SHAW LANDSCAPING

( 07920 514403 * jordanshawlandscaping@gmail.com

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Down to earth

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

“You haven’t even mentioned shells yet,” admonished an admin in a Facebook shell group. Personally, I can take them or leave them. Granted if I pass a deserted sandcastle I might stop to plunder. It’s not that I don’t like shells, it’s just I like historical artefacts more than natural history. However, along the way between Lyme Regis and Weymouth I have picked up a few shells and squirrelled them away for future projects. Researching for this article I have warmed to shells. Mostly, as I have discovered they are in fact historical artefacts used down the centuries for a myriad of purposes from currency to musical instruments. I collected up my shells from all over the coast in West Dorset and decided to take them on a photo shoot at Pirate’s Cove, Weymouth. Making shell pictures on the sand I found I was inspired by recent news about what sort of energy power we are going to utilise. The pod razor shells made me think of the wind blades of turbines. These shells are named after the cutthroat razors that some old-fashioned barbers still use. To me, they usually conjure up tense scenes in

A HAND CASTLE: On the beach at Pirate’s Cove and a pod razor shell as a windmill

SHORE THINGS: A variety of shells with the common whelk at the back then common cockle (bivalve) then the wee wentletrap and finally at the front left the large flat sand gaper or could be a common otter shell

She sells sea shells on the seashore... Westerns or Crime thrillers of the 1940s. I suppose they are a bit ugly but I would always prefer any natural wind power over nuclear or fossil fuel. With a little adaption it was easy to make my razor clam Wind turbines look more like the more traditional windmill. If only we could do this in real life.

As a spin-off from doing a blacksmithing course with our son I learned about cuttlefish casting with silver. The cuttlebone is really a shell, an internal shell full of air which helps the cuttlefish float. Glancing through the last Dorset Art Weeks brochure I noticed a lady called Sian Evans had offered some

workshops of this wonderful skill. I contacted Sian with regard to this year and she will be showing with Liz Somerville and Emily Myers and will bring some work in progress but does not plan to do workshops at present. However, courses are sometimes available in South Petherton, eight miles from the Dorset border, with Juila Thompson ( 07886 906262). Dorset Art Weeks run from May 14-29. Sian Evans and fellow artists are number 255 in Powerstock in this year’s Dorset Art Weeks brochure available online.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Down to earth Dorset Council received £19 million from the government as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to make publicly owned buildings more energy efficient. Solar panels have been added to the roofs of the Crookhill waste services depot in Chickerell and the Poundbury waste services depot in Dorchester, which the council say are already producing over 200,000 kWh of renewable energy each year – providing most of each building’s power needs. At Crookhill, 302 solar PV modules are expected to produce around 135,180 kWh of electricity each year – the equivalent of 36 homes’ power – and saving around 30 tonnes of carbon emissions. While the panels are expected to provide around 70% of the power needed at the depot, it’s worth noting that some recent sunny days have seen the whole Crookhill site running purely on solar-generated electricity alone, from dawn until dusk. At the Poundbury depot, 182 panels are expected to

PANEL GAME: Solar panels at Crookhill waste depot

Solar energy powering council’s waste depots generate around 71,057 kWh each year, which is more than the site’s typical annual usage, saving around 18 tonnes of CO2. Similar panels have already been installed in schools, libraries, and leisure centres as part of the PSDS programme and the work also includes heat pumps, LED lighting and improved building management systems. Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder

for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “At a time when energy is so expensive for everyone, I’m delighted to see we’re reaping the benefits of producing our own renewable electricity across these waste depot buildings. Not only will this save money that we’ll be able to redirect toward more essential services, but the carbon savings will help us reach our net-zero emissions

target as per our Climate and Ecological Emergency strategy. I would encourage people to investigate whether installing solar panels or other energy saving measures at your home may be useful. If you run a business or a public/community sector organisation, our Low Carbon Dorset programme may be able to help you improve your efficiency and increase your use of renewable energy.”

First spring show for two years is a blooming success The first Bridport and District Garden Club Spring Show since 2019 was a roaring success with 260 entries of spring flowers, herbs, artwork, preserves and cakes. This year was organised by president Monique Pasche. “It’s brilliant to be back and to see the fantastic work everyone has been doing in their gardens and kitchens,” she said. Although it was late in the season, the six different classes of daffodils

showcased the diversity of the form, size, and colour in this flower which seems so familiar. The judges viewed these symbolic specimens from all angles, finally awarding the

Daffodil Society bronze medal to Charlie McCormick to join his armful of cups including the Charlie Barrett Cup for overall show winner. Perhaps the most eyecatching plant was the

beautiful white orchid for which Thelma Pratt won best in class. Outside on East Street the plant stall raised over £200 for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. In giving out the cups and awards Mayor of Bridport, Ian Bark led thanks to all the contributors and to Monique Pasche together with her small team, for stepping in to organise the show and reminded everybody about the late summer show on Saturday September 3.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Down to earth

Take a seat in the Devil’s Armchair PAGAN VIEWS By Jo Belasco

The first two times I went looking for The Devil’s Chair, I got lost. Happily, I was able to enlist the help of Chris Slade, a retired Dorset rights of way officer and West Dorset Magazine columnist. Chris gallantly reconnoitred and then escorted me in the sweeping ceremonial route down the hills into the valley. How could I have missed it? The public footpath runs right through. Although, having said that, you probably would not find the footpath unless you knew it was there as it is not clearly signposted. In Peter Knights’ Ancient Stones of Dorset he writes: “To the author’s amazement the site is not a listed Ancient Monument, a status which it certainly seems to warrant.” The stones may have been a chambered long barrow and the ‘Devil’s Armchair’ or ‘Granny’s Armchair’ could have been used for meditation or ritual as Knight suggests. FEET UP: Chris Slade takes a seat and, top, a sign for As you enter the valley Barrow Lane and, right, burial mounds near Corscombe bowl you notice some iron visited in the summer a Armchair. It does connect railings in the middle of few years ago he pointed up, but only with a the field. The atmosphere out a lane called Barrow dramatic dive to the left in this part of the walk for Lane. where a big sign me at least is a bit unnerving and I wondered Revisiting Corscombe this ‘bridleway’ seems to year I felt drawn to walk redirect you through a tiny if the railings once modern estate. protected a ‘cursing- well’ up Barrow Lane and see how easy it is to connect On the ridge above the but then the sun came up with the possible Standing stones there out… When Chris and I had barrow near the Devil’s appears to be some bumps

which reminded me of Bincombe bumps – they looked like a series of tumuli or barrows. If one followed the path of Barrow Lane it looks like it would lead up to these seeming barrows directly. Zelda the dog and I decided we may need to scrutinise the map and call on Chris’s help again to check that we would still be on a public footpath. But here I include a picture of the tantalising Corscombe bumps – maybe burial mounds to be investigated at a later date. The grid reference for the stones is 514048 and it’s eight miles north-west of Maiden Newton.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Down to earth

It’s England v Spain in the battle of the bluebells Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. Sally will be writing seasonal pieces for The West Dorset Magazine and you can see her work, Sparrows in a Puddle at Instagram.com/ sparrows.puddle.photos I am privileged to celebrate my birthday at the absolute best time of year – bluebell time. The end of April is the most spectacular time in ancient woodlands when thousands of bluebells carpet the ground creating an intoxicating sight and scent. British woodlands have almost half the world’s bluebells and there are plenty of wonderful places to see them in West Dorset, my personal favourite being Thorncombe Wood. Flowering earlier than many other plants, they’re a great source of nectar for woodland pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hoverflies, though

some bees ‘steal’ the nectar by biting a hole in the bottom of the flower, leaving pollinating to others! In the Victorian language of flowers these ‘cuckoo’s boots’, ‘witches’ thimbles’, or ‘fairy flowers’ were associated with humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. If you wore a garland made from the flowers you were compelled to tell the truth and if you managed to turn a flower inside out without it tearing you would eventually win the one you love. However, many folk stories have made bluebell woods enchanted, if you pick a bluebell the fairies will lead you astray and if you trample them, expect bad luck as the fairies will be angry. I should think the fairies are grateful that

bluebells are now protected by law and must not be removed from the wild! Our English bluebells are under threat, however, from the faster growing Spanish bluebell. Very common in gardens, and annoyingly still in mine despite my best efforts, the Spanish bluebell can be distinguished from the native flower by its thicker stems and broader leaves. Both varieties attract pollinators and cross-pollination between the two species is a potential risk with hybrids occurring, particularly in urban areas near to woodlands. The poet Emily Bronte wrote that ‘its blossoms have the mightiest power to soothe my spirit’s care’. Why not test the power of the bluebells yourself with a walk, even if it’s not your birthday you can still follow it with cake!

Rubbing spalt into the wounds of wood-turning JOHN WRIGHT is a naturalist and forager who lives in rural West Dorset. He has written eight books, four of which were for River Cottage. He wrote the award-winning Forager’s Calendar and in 2021 his Spotter’s Guide to Countryside Mysteries was published.

With the need for a log fire abating, you may not need to sort through your log pile until October. But when you do, pay special attention to any beech logs you may find. The split surfaces and cut ends frequently display irregular black lines. The wood is ‘spalted’. You may have seen this before on your logs, or perhaps in the forest, though there is one other place you may have seen them, of which more shortly. These lines are in fact the

edges of internal membranes which form enclosed chambers within the wood and mark the defensive peripheries of abutting fungal colonies. Fungal colonies do not generally get on well together, so, like all good neighbours, they put up high (or in this case, tough) fences. Several fungi enclose themselves in these membranes, which are known as pleurosclerotial plates (PSPs). The main fungus, however, is Brittle Cinder, Kretzschmaria deusta, seen as irregular black lumps on the bark when it fruits. You may even have noticed just the PSPs. If you have ever wondered why many of the fallen small branches and bits of branches of beech lying of the forest

floor are often completely black, I can tell you that they are encased in a PSP. Last year in the New Forest, I found a longfallen beech that was quietly rotting away. The topmost surface had rotted almost completely but had left a honeycomb of PSPs. PSPs are naturally impervious to fungal attack and remain long after the wood has disappeared. I was a furniture maker in and around Dorchester for thirty years and people would sometimes come to admire my work and perhaps commission a dining suite or dresser. Some of them, heady, no doubt, on the smell of sawdust, would express a passionate desire to take up wood-turning when they retired from their job as a hedge-fund manager or

some other incomprehensible occupation. I would be encouraging, and tell them that yes, woodturning is a fine skill to learn and terrific fun. But I always felt sorry for their friends and family. These unfortunates would be required to tolerate any number of turned candlesticks, bowls, vases and other novelty items on their mantelpieces. Such turned objects, although a great pleasure to make, are appalling blots on the domestic landscape. It is for such horrors that spalted wood is frequently employed and it is impossible to visit a craft fair without encountering them. Beware.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Births, marriages and deaths

Tractor Trundle bids a fond farewell By Jane Norman newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

More than 100 family and friends gathered at Manor Farm in Godmanstone on Saturday, April 9, for a Tractor Trundle, to pay tribute to Les House, who passed away unexpectedly at home in May 2020, during the first lockdown. The memorial was organised by Les’s cousins Sammy Biss, her brother Adam, and the rest of the family to celebrate Les. Covid restrictions at the time of his funeral only allowed ten people to attend – and the family knew many of his friends wanted to pay their respects. “We organised a tractor trundle, because, to be honest, that’s how Les would have liked it,” said Sammy. “A good chat in a field surrounded by tractors, stationary engines, for a good cause, and not much fuss!” Some 55 tractors (all pre1990), ten Land Rovers, ten stationary engines, and a couple of trailers lined up in one of the fields, with family, friends from work, ploughing and clubs setting off for an hour’s trundle around the fields before returning for lunch and a raffle. Born in July 1958, Les was raised and lived all his life in Dorchester, and on leaving school did his apprenticeship with Dorset Tractors, before moving on to another tractor

FOND FAREWELL: Les House and his beloved dog Ebony. Above: The tractors make their way across Dorset and just a small section of the ‘rather large’ raffle Pictures: Jane Norman and Sammy Biss

dealership, where he gained more knowledge of the trade and fabrication. He eventually decided to become self-employed, doing a lot of work with G Hallet with Land Rovers, and local farmers. He was also one of the founding members, and long-standing committee member of the West Dorset Vintage Tractor and Stationary Engine Club, and a big part of the rally held each summer at the Melplash Showground, helping to raise thousands of pounds for local charities. Les got great enjoyment

from ploughing matches, including judging – and was a national ploughing judge. He and friends would often be away at weekends judging, whatever the weather, and he’d also hold his own ploughing match with a friend each autumn. A keen supporter of tractor rallies and shows, he loved tractors and Land Rovers too, and when he had a bit of time, a spot of gardening. Peter Symonds said: “We met Les over 25 years ago at the Great Dorset Steam Fair and became firm friends going to rallies and

ploughing matches together over the years; and starting our own ploughing match in Chideock 22 years ago, and any monies raised going to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.” And as many of his friends will attest, Les loved a good chat in Tesco on a Saturday morning, and if you were lucky he’d give you a box or two of freerange eggs, often in exchange for a jar of homemade marmalade. Just about everywhere he went, his beloved rescue dog Ebony, went with him. After only being

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Births, marriages and deaths

to Les House, a good friend to many

shown a picture, he and his mum June went to meet Ebony in France – and that was it. The very next day they were out on the fields together, as if it had always been that way. Ebony became a fixture at ploughing matches, always by his side and always hoping a bit of stray

sausage sandwich would come her way. Returning from the trundle, the raffle (which ended up needing a 14ft trailer to stage the 80-plus prizes on it) was drawn, raising £1,300 for Dorset & Somerset Ambulance. Thanking the many people and local businesses who

had donated to the ‘rather large raffle’ the Biss family said: “We’d also like to thank the landowners at Manor Farm, Will and Pam Best, and John Morris, for their time and space and support to hold the event for Les. “And thanks to friends and family who helped things

run smoothly, to Dorset Grill for catering, and to Dorset Rural Photography who photographed the tractors en route, where picture sales via their website will be donated to the air ambulance.” Summing up the bittersweet day, Simon Mills said: “Les was a long–time good friend. “We first met when he was a mechanic at Dorset Tractors. I also knew him from ploughing matches and latterly when we judged at ploughing matches together.

Dorset Downs

Natural burial meadow Simple, natural burials in the heart of West Dorset. Call us for more information 01305 564075 or visit the website: dorsetnaturalburials.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

Regulation will deal with online threats

Last week, the murderer of Sir David Amess was sentenced to life in prison for assassinating a Member of Parliament. Sir David’s death shocked many of us, not just in parliament, but citizens across the country. Within days, The Times said that two other MPs had also been targeted. Less than two weeks afterwards, several colleagues were named in the press for being at increased risk. I was one of those MPs in the Sunday Times. There are very few occasions that I feel vulnerable walking down the street here or in my own home, but that was one such occasion. I tend not to talk about the hate nor the threats that I receive as your MP, but this week is relevant not just the sentencing of Sir David’s

murderer, but also because the Online Safety Bill has had the first main debate in Parliament on Tuesday. A lot of my colleagues, particularly lady colleagues have been victims of this terrible sewer culture that pervades social media, particularly Twitter. There are too many people that use free speech as an excuse for abusing, bullying or intimidating someone else online, when they would not even dream of saying such things face to face. But it is local as well as nation-wide. For example, a primary school governor from Dorchester has posted online that he hopes I am ‘interred’ (meaning buried). And

shockingly Twitter thinks this is acceptable. If I think it’s bad based on personal experience, I’m afraid social media should be a much greater concern for our children. Bullying, for example, isn’t something that can be left at the school gates, should this be a problem. It has a huge influence on young people and has been totally unregulated. For too long now, big tech and social media platforms have operated in the modern equivalent of the ‘wild west’, with barely any accountability for their actions. This Bill will get a grip with these issues, with proper regulation and a proper categorisation of content, including illegal content

and that which is harmful to children especially, but with other important categories too. The most important thing about this world-leading piece of legislation is that it will usher in a new age of accountability for big tech companies, enshrining in law the rights of people to express their views, while obliging tech companies to remove and stop the spread of harmful content. Further provisions to tackle some of the most depraved crimes will also be introduced as well as a strict penalty regime of fines to companies that fail in their duty of care to their users. This is an important piece of new legislation and I look forward to supporting it over the coming months.

Politics

Are we getting value for money from council? Have the Conservative Councillors running the new Unitary Dorset Council lost the plot? Three years ago Dorset County Council and five district councils merged to form one unitary council. You may remember that one of the major reasons for merging all of the senior councils in Dorset was to save on duplication and, in particular, reduce the cost of management. As part of this the structure of the council was meant to be streamlined and the number of directors greatly reduced. Dorset Council is now three years old but what’s

By ANDY CANNING West Dorset LibDems

actually happened? Well, depending on who you ask, Dorset Council now has either twenty one or twenty six staff paid over £100,000 annually. (It all depends on how you count Public Health Officers – either as NHS or Dorset Council as they did use to count as part of the NHS but now they are paid by Dorset Council.) Whichever way you choose to count it, the number is still up from eighteen last year.

It also compares to seventeen in our neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. It’s no wonder that a recent residents survey found that only 37% of people living in the Dorset Council area think they get ‘Value for Money’ from Dorset Council. And that’s the result of a survey run by the council themselves. These figures aren’t very good and it’s likely that things have only gotten worse. This April Dorset Council’s share of the Council Tax increased yet again by the maximum

allowed and on top of this we’ve seen a large rise in car parking charges. What’s clear is that Dorset Council has a top heavy management structure which is to the detriment of residents. As a result Lib Dem councillors are calling for a complete review of the council’s Senior Management structure and remuneration packages to gauge whether they are fit for purpose. We are convinced that savings can be made and resources switched to make Dorset Council much better value for money for all local residents.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Politics

Let’s not return to pre-pandemic values We have had our first taste of spring and right across West Dorset bulbs, trees and shrubs have burst into life giving us all hope of a lovely summer. The weather and the focus on the environment made us think back to those early months of the pandemic. Whilst we were all locked away trying to avoid the virus, the world took advantage and appeared to begin to heal itself from the impact of constant human activity. With fewer cars on the road and virtually no planes, the air became cleaner, noise levels fell, quite a lot of people got fitter because they took advantage of the chance to go for a walk and many found new ways of working

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

which have continued to reshape the world of work. Now nobody is suggesting for a minute that lockdown was a good thing and we must never forget the dreadful impact on people locally and right across the globe. The loss of family members, economic hardship, the impact on education, the knock on effect on young people’s economic futures and of course the enormous impact on the NHS. But maybe in our rush to get back to ‘normal’ we have also lost an opportunity to step back and think about the type of future we want for our kids

and generations to come. As the world faces yet another terrible crisis, covid has slipped from the headlines but many of the issues which were so dramatically highlighted during the pandemic have not gone away. Should we not now demand that our air should be cleaner, should we not become less dependent on globalisation for everything from food to the way we heat our homes. Should we reflect on the way people rallied to support each other and the difference they made to their communities when the rat race was put on hold and we had time to care. For all the dreadful loss of life and hardship of the pandemic, it did remind us

that the overwhelming majority of people really care about their communities and that it is only the constant pressures of modern living which gets in the way. The second anniversary of lockdown should encourage us all to reflect and to find a better way of involving people. We have become used to seeing politics through the lens of the main stream media but real politics should be about local people, the way we want to live and the legacy we want for our families. If we don’t make our voice heard, those who write the headlines and those who care more about profit than people, will undoubtedly shape the future for us.

Stick to your beliefs, but allow for a debate I would like to start by celebrating our Green Party success at the recent Dorset Council by-election in the Lyme and Charmouth ward. This was not just a victory for our excellent candidate, Belinda Bawden, and our green policies, but a rejection of the negative Conservative campaign. One of the consequences of this victory is that the Green Group of councillors on Dorset Council is now up to five, and the overall Conservative majority down to four. This majority would have been down to two had it not been for a recent Liberal Democrat defection to the Conservatives. The first test of this reduced Conservative majority came

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

the following Thursday at a full meeting of Dorset Council, and the debate of two rival motions about fossil fuels and the energy crisis. The first motion, proposed by the leader of our Green Group Clare Sutton, called upon the council to lobby Westminster to change planning guidelines to allow local authorities to refuse planning applications for energy generation “on the grounds of climate impact alone”. The second motion, proposed by the leader of the Conservative Group,

called for permission to utilise any form “of energy generation sourced from within the UK”, and thus ease the path for fracking and local oil exploration. After a discussion with other group members I decided to save my comments for the second debate. Well, that was the plan. The first debate, though fairly bad natured at times, proceeded without incident and went to the vote – which was won by the Conservatives with a comfortable majority. The chair had just moved to the second motion when two supporters of Extinction Rebellion entered the council chamber and glued themselves to a table at the front. The chair

immediately suspended the meeting and ordered an evacuation of the chamber. Whilst I have always been a supporter of the aims of XR I don’t understand how stopping the debate furthered their ends. After a period of time those councillors that had not gone home were led into a committee room and told that we would finish the meeting there. Except that there was no debate. We were told that we would go straight to the vote, that the chair would take no speakers. Many, including me, were furious at being denied the right to speak. Again the vote was won by the Conservatives, but it was not the finest day for democracy.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Letters

Keep the walks coming – I’ll get round Thank you so much to Chris Slade for his articles. I’m saving them all and enjoying the spring exploration motivation. Maybe we will get a book one day? Many, many thanks. And please, please keep them coming. Happy Easter. Ann Langrishe Jo Belasco’s mention of Knowlton Church in last week’s magazine reminded me of my first visit there well over a decade ago with a group of fellow dowsers. The notice by the entrance to the ancient henge says that the church is Norman and so it should be East-West as all new churches should be since the Celts so agreed with the Roman Catholics at the Synod of Whitby in 664AD. It didn’t look right to me so I got my compass out and found that the church was aligned at about 70 degrees rather than 90. Therefore the Normans must have built it on the foundations of a much earlier, Celtic, Church. We dowsers started walking round the Henge, clockwise, with nothing interesting happening until, about two thirds of the way round, my pendulum suddenly started spinning madly! The wire L rods of the chap behind me also twirled. I looked around and there was no obvious reason, but then I noticed that I was in line with the end wall of the church and there were two holes in the church walls (I’ve forgotten whether door or window) that were aligned so I could see through it. Looking in the other direction, this line, a hypotenuse, headed towards the woody hill with nothing obvious, however the direction seemed to be roughly

edition 5. John Grantham

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall

justsocaricatures.co.uk

in the direction of the midwinter sunrise, which would inform the people of the turning of the year as is the case in Newgrange in Ireland where the sun at dawn on the shortest day goes to the centre of the earthwork. It needs somebody who lives locally and is an early riser to go to Knowlton Church at dawn on the shortest day and see if the sun shines through it. Chris Slade Maiden Newton

war (page 10) clearly shows an American serviceman, holding an American rifle. I have no doubt Hollywood will eventually bring out the blockbuster story of how Uncle Sam liberated the islands, but for the sake of accuracy, not to mention respect for our service men and women, could you not have found a photo of a British soldier? Joe Edwards Oh dear! Sorry about that – I should have checked. Ed

As a visitor to West Dorset this week, may I congratulate you on an excellent community magazine; one of the best I’ve seen. But... the photo of a soldier in your article commemorating the Falklands

Just spotted edition 4 in the Post Office Burton Bradstock and wanted to congratulate you on a very readable and interesting publication. I look forward to seeing

Unfortunately Chris Loder MP and some others, are under the misapprehension that work to repair the A30 wall has commenced. The work that has now been completed is to another wall at a property on the same stretch of road. The scaffolding that has been placed in front of the wall that was hit by a vehicle over eight weeks ago has had no further work attempted. Various rumours abound in the town whilst it is believed that this major trunk road is to remain closed until September 2023. Small roads in the town of Sherborne are clogged with traffic whilst outlying villages are coping with HGVs. How on earth can this situation be left unresolved? Surely someone within the area with influence can sort this awful stalemate out? Iain Maitland Sherborne I read with interest the article this week regarding Poundbury Great Field play park. I would like to ask if the issue of access for children with disabilities has been investigated? I keep looking and hoping that it will end up as an inclusive facility – there are a lot of children in wheelchairs and with limited mobility who would like to (and have a right to) be able to play with their friends but so far I can see no evidence that any of the beautiful bespoke play equipment, which could easily have had ramps and widened easy access to lower levels as part of the design to be inclusive, have this in mind? I have tried asking

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

to doing all of them... one day very soon workmen but they don’t know. Many comments have been made by local parents regarding this. The last time I looked the play area had been gravelled so parents with buggies or with children or siblings in wheelchairs cannot even access the play equipment zone easily! Might be worth a bit more investigation? Maybe there are plans for this but it’s not looking like it at present. I feel very disappointed for kids who have so much exclusion to deal with. I thought inclusive

design was a requirement these days. Trudi Bryson Thank you for article about the Oddfellows, which included information of which I was unaware. I joined the Dorchester Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows after my father died as, reading his paperwork, I realised that our family had been members for generations so I decided to follow on. The annual subscription isn't exactly cheap but, as the Oddfellows

Plant of the week... By botanist Dr Dave Aplin This plant goes by many names including vicar-in-the-pulpit, cuckoopint, wild arum, snakes-head, adder’s root and many more. With so many names it’s not surprising it is common, often inhabiting shady spaces in gardens, hedgerows and woods. The scientific name

reimburse you for money you spend at the dentist or optician etc, I usually get back more than I spend. When my younger son started University the Oddfellows gave him a grant of £300 to buy the books he needed. That was a long time ago and such grants are bigger nowadays. It's not just money but also social events. I first heard and saw a nightijar on an Oddfellows exploration of Tadnoll Heath led by my second cousin, Stephen. A couple of weeks ago 14 of us

gathered at Moreton Walled Garden to view it and have a natter. I also attend the monthly meetings at the Wessex Royale Hotel where (until covid) the agenda, business and ceremony has remained unchanged for about 200 years! We're part of history. An important art of the meetings is learning about the health and welfare of those not able to attend and who have been visited or telephoned by our welfare officer. Chris Slade

Lords-and-ladies – Arum maculatum ‘maculatum’ refers to spots that often, but not always, occur on their glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. The flower, technically a collection of flowers called a spathe and has a fascinating story. To help illustrate this, I’ve removed a small portion of the spathe to reveal its inner workings. The spathe produces an unpleasant

odour attracting flies. Once in the flower they fall into the deepest part of the spathe, unable to escape due to a ring of hairs that only allow downward travel. Overnight, pollen is released dusting the flies. Then the hairs wither allowing the pollen-laden insects to escape and to find another spathe and complete pollination.

Items for sale Round driveway or road traffic mirror 17 inches diameter Heavy duty never used 20 pounds 01308 897385. Exercise bike by JLL model 200 recumbent type. Cost £200. As new £95 01935 812527. Mountfield Manor Compact 36 Tiller Rotavator 100cc Very little use. As New £100 Halstock. 01935 891992. Bread maker, ROHS, never used,as new. £25. Trangia 27 Aluminium meths camping stove £10.

VINYL RECORDS BOUGHT Clocktower Music Bridport Please phone 01308 458077

Sherborne 01935 977985. Radio controlled 4wheel drive Rock Hopper excellent condition £20ono. Dorchester 01305 261817. brendfrank33@gmail.com 12” stainless steel Vernier height gauge. Never used

£40 (worth £160). 01308 425269. Drive Devilbiss Aluminium Four Wheel Rollator walking frame with seat and storage beneath. Only used once, as new condition. £80 07855944668. Tripp Trapp highchair by Stokke, with baby set and harness. Versatile wooden chair (in green) that can be altered as your baby/child grows. Good condition. £85. Maiden Newton. 07855 944668. Lhasa apso model made in

USA from stone. Approx 7ins wide. £15. 01305 848262. Pair of Laki walking poles with angled feet. £20. 01305 848262.

Advertise your items for sale priced up to £100 FREE: Email newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Culture

Arts groups share a £66k windfall By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Scores of art, sport and museum organisations in West Dorset have received the lion’s share of the £66,094 from the second round of Dorset Council’s community and culture project. The funding will help deliver exciting and GOOD NEWS: Several arts groups in West Dorset have inclusive projects to received extra funding benefit people of all young musicians. study for dance for people abilities. with MS and their carers. n Bank of Dreams and The list of organisations n Emerald Ant, £4,150 a Nightmares, £2,000 a are as follows: four-day creative creative writing project n Artsreach, £3,500 to residency at Yewstock for disadvantaged young deliver 24 children’s Special School and a day people in Bridport. creative workshops in tour of the Iggy n Bittersweet Harmony, rural villages. Experience to Beaucroft £4,000 to deliver a series n Arts Development Special School. of singing workshops and Company, £4,000 was n Home In Bridport, a community choir awarded to the Raise the £3,000 to create a summer concert. Roof project to train n Co Create CIC, £4,934 composition around the people in creative and Bridport Citizen Charter. to address mental health practical skills. n Lyme Regis n Broadwindsor Group, and loneliness and help Development Trust, deaf people bring their £1,500 to welcome new £5,000 to produce two artwork to a wider residents of the CLT animated films to capture development in Drimpton audience. the Lyme Regis n Dorchester Arts, n B Sharp, £4,010 to mentor and support 15 £3,713 to elevate the pilot community.

n Shire Hall Historic Court, £5,000 to commission a textile artist to create a permanent wall hanging n Outland Opera, £1,500 to produce site specific opera. The fund was launched last year to fund arts, museums, heritage, community, physical and play activities to help make a difference to people living in the county. In the first round, £42,484 was awarded to 15 organisations. Dorset Council portfolio holder for customer and community services, Laura Miller said: “Priority has been given to projects supporting disadvantaged, marginalised or underserved groups in Dorset, and we have seen some fantastic projects get the funding they need to really make a difference to local people.”

Here’s your chance to take part in musicathon Performers and musicians are being invited to take part in an eight-hour sponsored event in Bridport in June, raising money for Weldmar and the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians. The Bridport Musicathon is being held after a covidrelated two-year break in the United Church, East Street on Saturday, June 11 between 9am and 5pm. Performers – soloists or

groups, vocal or instrumental – can take 15minute slots during the day, sponsored by relatives and friends. Double slots can also be booked, which includes setting up time. They also plan to run a performance stage mainly for young musicians in Bucky Doo Square between 10am and 12.30pm. Performance slots in Bucky Doo are likely to be 30

minutes and these can be booked by contacting Richard Toft on 01308 424103/ 07740 985906 or richard.toft@btinternet. com. There will be a brica-brac stall in Bucky Doo, organised by Roz Copson, who will be grateful for any items. A coffee morning will take place in Bridport United Church hall during the morning, light lunches will be available from noon

with tea and cakes during the afternoon, You are warmly invited to join the audience in the United Church and Bucky Doo and give your support to two worthy beneficiaries. To make a booking contact Vince O’Farrell on 01308 427851/ 07754 270370 or vince@jovian.co.uk or Pat Crawford on 01308 456297 or patcrawford15 @yahoo.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Culture

Resort’s role in America’s birth features in show A concert telling the story of the little-known role that Weymouth played in the founding of the United States of America is to be staged in June. Dorset singer/songwriter John West

Weymouth will host the charity concert Trusting in the Waves, which contains original music and historical narrative, on June 13 at The Pavilion. He is intending to also tour this show to the US.

All proceeds of the concert will go to two worthwhile local charities – The Tudor House Museum and the Jubilee Sailing Trust. n Go to weymouthpavilion.com/ shows/ trusting-in-the-waves

A right Royal memory fundraiser School children and care home residents will celebrate the Queen’s jubilee together by creating ‘memory boxes’ for a community project. Dorset based AsOne theatre company has received funding from the Dorset Community Foundation to run The Queen and I project. Jane McKell, artistic director for AsOne, said the project will see pupils from Broadmayne First School and Agincare home residents create memory boxes, including stories, drawings, songs, photos, and letters about the Queen and her reign. Ms McKell said: “Although I had the original vision for the project, the theatre group has gathered a top-notch team to nurture it and give birth to it creatively. “The school and care home will facilitate the initial work but the artists involved are equally committed to creatively inspire both young and old who have missed the stimulus of friendship and learning during the pandemic. The pupils and care home residents will meet up and share with each other the results from this creative activity by

JUBILEE PROJECT: The AsOne theatre group’s The Queen and I team

sharing stories and singing songs. “There will also be a celebratory Platinum Jubilee Tea Party at Broadmayne First School, with the children’s older friends invited.” AsOne successfully applied to The Dorset Community Foundation to fund the project, with cash coming from Arts Council England’s Let’s Create jubilee fund. Ms McKell added: “We are thrilled to have

secured funding but, importantly, we are blessed to have such a creative, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic team delivering this rewarding project celebrating our Queen’s 70 years on the throne.” Ms McKell will lead workshops on storytelling, choral poetry and singing as part of the project. Composer and songwriter Laura Reid will use the stories to compose an original song with both

pupils and care home residents involved. The Queen & I project will culminate in a public screening of a documentary about the project plus the performance of a specially composed song and a choral interpretation of AA Milne’s Buckingham Palace. The date for the event is yet to be confirmed. Downloads of the specially composed song will raise money for Dementia UK.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Culture

Fairey Band’s welcome return for 42nd concert WFEL Fairey Band Concert at Beaminster Review by Diana Holman St Mary’s Church in Beaminster was packed to welcome back one of the world’s finest brass bands, WFEL Fairey Band, for its 42nd concert at Beaminster. This was thanks to event organisers Tony and Margaret, who had been responsible for staging the concert over the years. They received great thanks from the band for the warm welcome and generous hospitality they had always received. The Fairey Band was formed in 1937

by a group of employees at the Fairey Aviation Works in Stockport, and made its first visit to Beaminster in 1979.This very popular event had been returning annually until the pandemic prevented the concerts taking place for the past two years. A wide range of music was played, demonstrating the skill of the musicians and the diversity that the instruments were capable of. Band members spanned a broad age range, with quite a number of younger members, several of whom performed beautiful solo pieces of

music. Two of the young men were each celebrating their 19th birthdays on the day of the concert: Could they have been twins? This was not disclosed! The first half of the afternoon’s entertainment concluded with a medley of music by Queen. A very special part of the band’s encore at the end of the concert was to ask for the audience to stand whilst they played the Ukrainian National Anthem. A collection was made in aid of the Ukraine.

Give Caspar a listen, without Hesitation A Sydling St Nicholas man has released a single from his debut album due out this summer. LastMan Music released Hesitation Wounds in early April, taken from Caspar’s forthcoming album. Listen to the single at caspar.lnk.to/ HesitationWounds Upcoming singer songwriter Caspar, 22, established himself as a popular artist when he leapt on the live music scene last year, as a support act on tour with the Southern blues rock band Broken Witt Rebels. Caspar unveiled songs from his forthcoming debut album drawing plaudits for his emotive lyrics and singing style. His critically acclaimed debut single The Void set the tone and the new single Hesitation Wounds goes further in whetting the appetite for the album that will follow. Caspar’s music has been described as a ‘blend of original, traditional and contemporary songs combined with rock and blues elements’ that fuse to create an

GUITAR MAN: Caspar and, inset, his latest release Hesitation Wounds

‘emotional resonance and punk energy that the genre demands,’ while his lyrics reflect his belief in the importance of self-expression, authenticity, and the aimless mindset of modern life. Influenced by a whole range of contemporary artists, significantly Nick Drake,

Jackson Browne and Elliott Smith, Caspar says of his writing style: “I trust that, because we are all going through the same human experience, nothing we perceive is truly special or unique to ourselves. On that level I hope that my songs will generate some kind of

connection.” Caspar enjoys the vulnerability of being a solo artist on stage, finding it inspiring and in some cases testing when he steps up to play to new audiences. He has many exciting plans for 2022, aside from the release of his new album, he will be back on the road this spring and appearing at various festivals throughout the summer. Twitter: @CasparOfficial_ Instagram: @casparofficial Facebook: @CasparMusicOfficial TikTok: Casparofficial

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Culture Bridport’s Film Festival is heating up with the criticially-acclaimed film, Boiling Point shown at the arts centre on April 30 at 8pm as part of the Page to Screen event. Boiling Point, starring Stephen Graham, achieves the rare cinematic feat of being recorded in a single unbroken shot, a thrilling technique that perfectly reflects its story of the personal and professional pressure cooker of a big restaurant on its busiest night of the year. The film will be followed by a Q&A between the festival’s guest curator, broadcaster Edith Bowman, and the restaurateur Mark Hix. After choosing catering over metalwork at Colfox School, Mark studied catering at Weymouth College before a lauded London career. He now owns The Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis and the Fox Inn pub in Corscombe, back in his native Dorset. Edith is looking forward

PRESSURE COOKER: Stephen Graham in Boiling Point and, inset, Edith Bowman

Film festival has right ingredients

to hearing how much Mark thinks the film reflects reality and said: “Boiling Point is a film that will blow your mind. I grew up in a hotel and I think the way they have captured the pressure of that environment is fantastic. The performances are knockout with Stephen Graham once again showing how

incredible he is. And Vinette Robinson is so captivating.” Director Philip Barantini based the film on his own experiences as an actorturned-chef, and said: “As much as I wanted to live off my acting career it wasn’t quite enough and I needed to earn a living on the side. So, for 12 years I worked in kitchens, up from the bottom to being a head chef. Along the way I personally witnessed the sorts of people and drama

you see in the movie. You’re seeing a sort of amalgamation of people I personally know, or even parts of myself and how I felt working in that industry.” Boiling Point is one of several festival films based on autobiographical stories, including The Long Day Closes, to be shown at 5pm on Thursday, April 28, and Flee which is to be shown at 5pm on Friday, April 29. Flee will be followed by a talk with local landlord Tom Littledyke whose project to take convoys of humanitarian aid from West Dorset to the refugee camps on the Ukraine border has attracted international news coverage. Edith will introduce the 80s gem Paris Texas at 4.30pm on Saturday, April 30 plus Spencer at 8pm on Friday, April 29. The festival closes with its oldest treasure; the 1927 Hitchcock classic The Lodger which will have a live score played by the pianist and BAC director Mick Smith. n See details at frompagetoscreen.info

Get in the frame for series of art history courses Courses in art history are now available to book. From Monday, May 9 for six weeks (missing a week for the bank holiday), there will be a British Pop Art course in Bridport at 2pm at the United Hall in East Street. The course centres around the era of what becomes British Pop Art, which was

the first Pop Art, it is an interesting group of painters and in a wider context of post war recovery and renewal. Some of the artists, designers and photographers discussed: Edouardo Paolozzi, Frank Bowling, Pauline Boty, David Hockney, Barbara Hulanicki, Joe Tilson, R.B

Kitaj, Derek Boshier, Patrick Caulfield, Bridget Riley, Mary Quant, Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, David Bailey, Allen Jones and Peter Blake, plus wider contexts. This course also runs on Fridays online via Zoom. Fee £60 in 3D, £55 on Zoom. From Thursday, May 12

there’s a Late Renaissance Art & Mannerist /Baroque Art, evening course at 6.30pm, on Zoom, six weeks, fee £55. The tutor is Pam Simpson MA, Associate Lecturer London College of Fashion, University of the Arts. To book email chris.pamsimpson@ btinternet.com

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Business

County town awards find a Purple

n Amy Moore at Dorchester Museum

n Polly Greenaway, Domvs

n E-Cyclopic

By Andrew Diprose editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk Pictures by NEIL BARNES

A new venture launched just over a year ago has taken top honours at this year’s Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards. Purple Office was named both New Business of the Year and Overall Business of the Year at yesterday’s awards ceremony. “I’m astonished and delighted,” said James Hart

n Bramblewood Soap Ltd

n Tom Browns

n Shire Hall

n Goldcrest Jewellers

who founded the coworking space in Poundbury with his wife, Vikki. He added: “It’s a big surprise and I really didn’t expect it.” More than 70 people attended the lunchtime awards held at Dorset Museum. Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, the actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter, was guest of honour.

n Dorwest Herbs

n RiskSTOP

n Parkers Property Consultants

A total of 15 awards were presented at the ceremony, staged by MW Events. They included a special award to Grassby Funeral Service which celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2021. Organiser Nigel Reeve said 253 entries and nominations had been received compared to just over 100 a year ago. “These are your awards so let’s cheer, clap, dance and, above all, celebrate

because you deserve it,” he said. Lord Fellowes, who was accompanied by his wife, Emma, said the past two years had been “very, very difficult” for everyone but especially businesses of every type. Highlighting the large rise in the number of entries and nominations, he added: “I think it’s very much in the spirit of optimism that we should be applauding these awards.”

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Business

patch for winners Advertising in The West Dorset Magazine is great for business! n 20,000 copies distributed to 235 stockists (No door to door, all actively picked up by readers) n Every town and village in West Dorset covered n Well over 40% penetration (based on 46,000 households in West Dorset) n Widest read publication in West Dorset n James Hart of Purple Office with Lord Fellowes FULL RESULTS n Artisans and Local Produce, sponsored by Gavin Dixon Finance Solutions: Copper Street Brewery n Independent Business of The Year, sponsored NFU Mutual Dorchester: Shire Hall Museum n New Business of The Year, sponsored by Humphries Kirk: Purple Office n Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by RiskSTOP Group: E-Cyclopic n Excellence in Customer Service. sponsored by Advantedge Commercial Finance: Parkers Property Consultants n Green/Eco Business, sponsored by Battens Solicitors: BrambleWood Soap Co n Rising Star, sponsored by Duchy of Cornwall: Amy Moore, Dorset Museum n Family Business of The Year, sponsored by R Human Resources: Dorwest Herbs n Café, Pub and Casual Dining, sponsored by Dorchester BID: Tom Browns Pub n Best Place to Work, sponsored by Brewery Square: RiskSTOP Group n Professional Services Provider, sponsored by Porter Dodson: The Drawing Office n Health, Beauty and Fitness Business, sponsored by Dorset

n A fortnight’s advertising – cost effective n Trusted, well-written hyperlocal content TESTIMONIALS

n Robin James Aveda

n Copper Street Brewery

n The Drawing Room Biz News: Robin James Aveda Dorchester n Retail Business of The Year, sponsored by Action Coach West Dorset: Goldcrest Jewellers n Community Support, sponsored by Dorchester Nub News: Polly Greenway, DOMVS n Overall Business of The Year: Purple Office n Special Award: Grassby Funeral Service

I have just picked up a copy and seen our little advert this week. Brill. Thank you. The adverts are working. We are so pleased. This magazine is much looked forward to and read by our entire household in some detail! Many thanks go to you all - finally a local magazine for the locals. What a brilliant job all of you have made of the new magazine. We absolutely love it – such a good idea. So many interesting articles to read and keep. Absolutely well done and congratulations.

advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk ( 01305 566336 Edition 5

Friday, April 8, 2022

Fortnightly, FREE

The West Dorset Magazine

Edition 6

Friday, April 22, 2022

Fortnightly, FREE

The West Dorset Magazine

We’ll be dancing... come what May

LOOSE OOSER ABOOT THIS HOOSE: The Wessex Morris Men are looking forward to returning to Cerne Abbas with their scary old frriend.

P10-11

CROWNING GLORY: Princely play park nearly ready P22-23 Cartoon by LYNDON WALL

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Just the job (recruitment) P/T SEASONAL STAFF REQUIRED to support cycling tours in France. Full clean DL and French required (basic+). greenjerseycycling.co.uk/jobs or info@greenjerseycycling.co.uk

Firefighters recruited Maiden Newton fire station has found three potential new on-call firefighters following a recent recruitment event. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service launched a new recruitment drive earlier this year, with a key aim of recruiting more on-call firefighters for each station. Neil Tidball, on-call recruitment manager at Maiden Newton Fire Station, said that so far the scheme has been a success in helping to

reach out to the community for help. Neil said: “During the recent three-week recruitment cycle at Maiden Newton the team worked with the local station team, social media, local, regional, and national employers, and key individuals from the community to help raise the awareness of the need for more on-call firefighters at Maiden Newton fire station.” nContact 01722 691444 or recruitment@ dwfire.org.uk

Council launches move for more foster parents Dorset Council is calling for help to overcome the need to foster children outside of the county. Cllr Andrew Parry, briefholder for children, education, skills and early help, is urging anyone with an interest in foster care to contact the authority. His call comes after it was revealed at a Dorset Council meeting last month that the authority recruited only 19 new foster carers in 2021, despite more than 230 applications. Cllr Parry said: “We’ve been very lucky in Dorset that we’ve had great loyalty from our foster carers over many years.”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer in Dorset should look up the ‘foster in Dorset’ Facebook page and visit fosterwith dorsetcouncil.com Dorset Council is also hosting public events for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 at Gillingham and Shaftsbury Country Spring Show. There are also events on the morning of Thursday, April 28 at Shaftesbury Library, on Thursday, May 5 at Weymouth Library and on Tuesday, May 31 at Kingston Lacy House.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Just the job (recruitment)

Civils Operative Trainee roles also available Role Overview

Essential Skills

Our Civils Infrastructure Team are looking for machine operators to join our Vibratory Mole Plough and Directional Drilling teams.

- Ability to work in a range of ﬁeld environments - Competent using plant and machinery - Positive attitude - Enjoy working outdoors in an active role - A full UK driving license - Work well as part of team - Prior experience working on agricultural land, excavation and or cable/pipe works would be advantageous

Reporting into one of our experienced team leaders you will be working within our larger Civil Engineering Department. Initially your main role will be operating one of our 2.7ton Kubota diggers, supporting the smooth running of the mole plough and or drilling machines.

Full time / £25,000-£32,000 DOE PA Location: Blandford, Dorset or Sparkford, Somerset

Come and join our friendly team. Current vacancies: Garden Works Operative

Field Sales Agent

Civils Planner

Network Planner

Need more support or training? Find out about our trainee and apprentice roles:

2nd Line Network Engineer

Network Operations Centre Manager

Sales Advisor Apprentice

Lead Civils Planner

Fibre Installation Engineer

Trainee Field Sales Agent

Customer Support Advisor

Fibre Designer

Trainee Civils Operative

To apply or for more information: wessexinternet.com/careers

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Brain ticklers Arrow words

Crossword

Fast food item (3,3)

Very basic

Italian volcano

Secretive behaviour

Suppose

7 Aural recipient

Star

Real

Data point (abbr)

Wet earth

11 13

Deeds

14 Aware of (2,2)

Equipment

19 Falsehood

Carries

Reared

Eggs

21 Days before

Suddenly changes course

Could

Roof overhang

Lowest vocal range

Trap

Liable

‘Give __ _ kiss’ (2,1)

Colour of blood

1 9 10 12 14 15 19 20 22 24

Viper

Type of skin swelling

Wordsearch

Across Tools (11) Very nearly (13) Penalizes (8) Come to an end (4) Intense suffering (5) Weeps (5) Falsetto male voice (4) CD precursor (8) In chaotic haste (6-7) Simplifying metaphor (11)

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 13 16 17 18 21 23

Movies With ‘One’ In

P Y N E R T Y A E I E D H L O

R N E N O Z P O R D O P I H H

O H I N A E E T C S N E R T E

T A I G H N I N H L O L O Y D

O W I N E F U N N Y B O N E S

M O I R E N E K E O B N E N R

AIR FORCE ONE CAPONE DROP ZONE FUNNY BONES GONE WITH THE WIND INDIANA JONES IRON EAGLE LONE RANGER

B N N L F S O E I E W E A O W

S H E A I O T E N B N R G M I

T A T N N G R O H O E A L K G

O F R G O R H C N T G N E L E

N E N G N P A T E E S G H I U

E T H E D E A D Z O N E N M E

MILK MONEY ONEGIN PHONE BOOTH RHINESTONE SHE’S THE ONE THE DEAD ZONE TOMBSTONE TWILIGHT ZONE

E L N C T N T C R O N R H N J

S I N D I A N A J O N E S S D

D N I W E H T H T I W E N O G

Down Quick rest (3) Ten hundred (8) Combines (6) Brio (4) A beauty or health care activity (9) Cheerful (5) Slender woman (5) Disco venue (9) Potential customer (8) Go swimming (5) Loathing or disgust (6) Deteriorates (5) Cried (4) Low dice roll (3)

Sudoku

4 7

9 6 8

8 6

4 3

7 1 9

7 1

For the solutions turn to page 70

6 5

4 5

2 8 1

5 2

Brain chain 27

÷4

+48

÷11

×5

RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Super tricky puzzles Jumbo 3D Sudoku 9

6 1 4 2 7

3 2

2 6 9

8 5

7 9 1

8 8

8 7 3

54×

20×

3÷

576×

26+

27+

4 2

8 9 6 2

96×

2÷

216×

36×

378×

4÷

3÷

11+

20×

Brain chain (Hard version) 38

+149

-97

+30%

+120

×1/3

17+

21+

140×

11+

4 9

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

5 9

7 6 4 9 6

7 4

2 5 3

5 9 2

7 8

7 5 8 2 3 9

Cryptic Crossword

Killer Sudoku Pro: Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3×3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dashed-line cage, and each dashed-line cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage.

RESULT

Can you solve these brain chains entirely in your head? Start with the bold value on the left of a chain, then follow the arrows and apply each operation in turn. Write the result in the box.

Across 8 Reduce to nothing reference work with no end of trivia (5) 9 Extremely cold US city agents among outsiders in general (7) 10 Amount of money secured in audience for important figure (7) 11 Tree in a lake with reflected colour (5) 12 Team’s info misrepresented in aims of party? (9) 14 Reserved and quiet unknown character (3) 15 Luminous discharge in amusement area (not half) (3) 16 Get rid of backward work underground and testing (9) 19 Scholar or institute for ancient language (5) 21 Setback about poet’s output? (7) 23 Condescends to include second plans (7) 24 Religious assembly say without a sign of approval (5) Down 1 Male with a thick cut turns up for ointment (6) 2 Aid for remembering varied income after man gets disheartened (8) 3 Miscellany in school I overlooked (4) 4 Go back first off to gain exit (6) 5 Something fancifully extravagant on a car possibly entering major road (8) 6 Look after minister with daughter (4) 7 Cloth workers? (6) 13 Sentiments from fellow, slippery type, having drunk gins (8) 14 Emotionally charged prison with criminal gang (8) 15 A marine with a degree on a set of ships (6) 17 A break, we’re told, for stop (6) 18 Covetous journalist wearing sombre colour (6) 20 Get rid of old American close to bankrupt (4) 22 Enormous tank carrying leader of soldiers (4)

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Health & Beauty

Walking West Dorset STOKE ABBOT This is a comparatively short walk of about three and a half miles but allow plenty of time for climbing steep hills and pausing to admire fantastic views. The village has lots of ancient buildings and few modern ones. Start by visiting the Church which has both ancient and modern features including some lovely stained glass windows. Try hugging the yew tree to see if you agree with my estimate that it’s about 19 feet in circumference at chest height. Then walk up the road,

northwards, and around the corner to the New Inn (which doesn’t look new!). Opposite the pub is the start of a footpath that takes you at first northwards past a pottery and then swings to the left, north-west up a hollow way which emerges onto open downland giving

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

views of a Roman fort on top of Waddon Hill as well as of the landscape to the south and east. At the far side of the field the path descends some steep steps to join a road where you turn right and trudge up to Stoke Knapp giving views of Lewesdon Hill which includes Dorset’s highest point. Turn right and join a footpath heading east along Waddon Hill below the hill fort to which, unfortunately, there’s no public access.

There are fantastic views to the north and east, looking down towards Beaminster. After about half a mile you’ll see down on your left a pond at the head of a beautiful gwyle heading north. Continue along the path until you get to the farmhouse at Chartknolle where you turn right and join a bridleway through an avenue of trees. You descend onto a hollow way that takes you steeply downhill to the village. Turn right and you’ll soon find your car.

How to change your inner identity Hilary Charman is a hypnotherapist based at Partners in Wellbeing, Poundbury. To make a big change we have to change our inner identity and this is most people’s stumbling block. Our inner identity is made up of all the stuff, all the memories and consequent beliefs that we have accumulated during our lives. If our inner identity is that of a smoker it’s very hard to quit smoking. If our inner identity is of someone who is overweight we often find we can lose the weight but it’s like running up a down escalator, it’s so much effort to sustain and very soon we’re back where we started.

Using analytical and solution-based hypnotherapy combined with other techniques can help free you from those old beliefs and support you in creating your new desired identity. There are also lots of things you can do for yourself. Two of the most powerful are visualisations and affirmations. When writing affirmations it’s vital that you believe them. It’s no good saying ‘I am healthy and slim’ if you know you’re overweight and out of breath. However if you change that to something like ‘As I get slimmer and healthier I can feel lighter in my body and mind. As I feel lighter in my body and mind, I can become slimmer and healthier.’ This is known

as a compound suggestion and not only is it an affirmation it is also a hypnotic suggestion that feeds into itself so a fantastic way of helping yourself. So making your own personal compound suggestion and saying it three times out loud, a couple of times a day and visualising how you want to be, whether it’s slimmer, richer, calmer, whatever. Feel, picture, imagine what it’s like, making the picture big and bright in your mind. And the other thing you can do is just pick one thing you can do today to take yourself a step nearer to your goal. And make a promise to yourself to do it every day. It may be just to drink a glass of water

before a meal or go for a 20 minute walk every day but commit fully to it. And soon it will become a habit, a positive habit. So do these three things and gradually you can make real changes in your beliefs and start to move forward and become the person you want to be. Hilary Charman PHHD AMACCPH n HilarysHypnotherapy. com ninfo@Hilarys Hypnotherapy.com

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Health & Beauty

Celebrating a decade of beauty & style By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

An award-winning familyrun Dorchester hair and beauty salon with a difference is celebrating a decade in business. Profile Hair and Beauty was launched by Tracy Baker in Damers Road in April 2012. They moved to Mellstock Avenue in 2017 to have more space to provide a range of beauty treatments, including nails, brows and TAKING CARE OF YOU: Steph lashes. Voice and Claire Dittrich at Profile Unusually, they are a gender Hair and Beauty in Dorchester neutral salon – meaning they price depending on hair Avenue, where there’s free a raffle for their customers length rather than gender. street parking, Profile been for their anniversary, with Tracy’s daughter Steph able to expand its offering £80-worth of products up Voice, who has taken over to include a host of different for grabs. the business from her mum, treatments. Steph has found said: “This is something we space for several selfintroduced after lockdown. employed beauticians, one “We wanted to ensure of whom even has their own pricing wasn’t dictated by brand. There are several gender, for example if a senior hair stylists, one man has long hair it has junior, a colourist and a lash always been unfair that they technician. They all work a would pay less when in few days a week, which reality it takes the keeps the salon feeling 84 MELL MELLSTOC OCK AVE, DOR DORCHES HESTER ER DT1 2BH same time as a calm. Go to lady’s long hair Steph has installed profile-hairand01305 305 257171 25 beauty.co.uk cut and finish. a special Mini car l to book or cal “In the same for youngsters, 01305 257171. way, if a lady where they can ock llst 84 Me had a short Avenue, watch Netflix or Dorchester, back and sides Disney Plus to keep DT1 2BH hair cut why them distracted and should they pay more the whole impression is of for the service just because a lovely place to be for PROFILE-HAIRANDBEAUTY.CO.UK of them being a woman? everyone. @PROFILEHAIRANDBEAUTYDORCHESTER “It also helps people who A new offering is keratin are gender neutral feel more hair smoothing, which can SPECIAL HALF PRICE BROW WAX, comfortable going to a keep your tresses salon. straightened and soft for OFFER 1: TINT OR HD “I think we are also one of weeks without chemicals. the few places in Dorchester The salon has relaunched its SPECIAL 20% OFF HAIR CUT AND who offer this pricing and popular points scheme, OFFER 2: FINISH we have found it works so which entitles people to £5 well.” off when they reach 250 OFFERS VALID FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ON PRODUCTION OF THIS Since moving to Mellstock points. And they are running ADVERTISEMENT. OFFERS MUST BE BOOKED BY JUNE 30, 2022

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Church

Recognising real life in difficult times By The Rev Deb Smith, Team Rector of Bridport Real life is something so unusual that we barely recognise it. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of it, and it touches us with awe; the birth of a baby for instance or listening to a perfectly performed piece of music or beholding beauty in nature, or in a gesture of kindness or in a moment of grace. Real life comes in those moments which are suffused with so much meaning, but so often when they happen to us,

Services Sunday, April 24 - 2nd Sunday of Easter Sherborne Abbey 8am BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Castleton Church 11am Mattins Lillington Church 10am Morning Service Longburton Church 10am Family Communion Celebrant Stpauls@thegryphon

we cannot see how precious they are. The gospel accounts of the risen Jesus suggest that when people encountered him, they did not see him, or at least they did not immediately know him. Even the people closest to him needed help to connect the risen Jesus with the man they loved. When Mary meets Jesus in the garden she is obviously in a state, her eyes are filled with tears, she is anxious and fearing the worst about what could have happened to Jesus’ body. She just does not know him. And the simple

explanation must be true: that real life is something so unusual that we barely recognise it. Easter is about running up against real life, about coming face to face with the glory of God. And most of the time that happens in very ordinary ways, in our life together, in cherishing those we love, in our worship, in living out our faith as the body of Christ, in the ways in which we treat one another and the earth, and how we serve Christ in the world. Even in the suffering and conflict of Ukraine real life

might be experienced in the ways ordinary people show kindness, love and courage in the midst of such pain and suffering. Real life, in which perhaps they glimpse the face of Christ in the darkness of war. My prayer for us all is that we will catch a glimpse of real life this Eastertide, as we journey onwards. He is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

10am Morning Worship Bridport Bridport Catholic Church has Mass every Sunday at 10am. 8am St Mary’s Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion 9am Eucharist at St Swithun’s, Allington 9.30am Holy Communion alternating with Morning Praise, Holy Trinity in Bradpole 11am Holy Communion and Morning Praise, St Mary’s Halstock 9.30am Breakfast Church

Cattistock 10am Holy Communio Milborne St Andrew 9.30am Parish Communion Tolpuddle 10am Go Fourth Puddletown 11am Matins Dewlish 11am Parish Communion Dorchester The United Church, 10.30am Sunday Service St Peter 10.30am Eucharist 9.15am Morning Prayer every day

Dorchester Community Church 10.30am – Celebration Service Live Band, Message, Coffee. Sherborne Abbey: Weekday Services Every Monday at 9am – CW Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Tuesday at noon – CW Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Wednesday at 10.30am – Holy Communion with Homily – The Lady

Inexpensive ways to protect your home from care costs Advertisement feature Nobody likes to think about getting old, but it is certainly worth thinking about if you value your home. That is because your house could very well be sold by the council to pay for your care fees. Let’s say you own a home with your partner and one of you dies. The surviving partner continues to live there until they must go into a care home

run by the local authority. At that point, the local authority will assess the surviving partner for care fees. If their capital and savings are worth more than £23,250, they will have to fund their own care. Councils place a charge on the property, which is paid when the house is sold. Or you may be required to sell the house immediately to raise the cash. Money raised will fund your

care until your savings get down to £23,250. That won’t leave much for family and loved ones. There are two solutions. One is a will trust which protects 50% of the value of your home from care costs. The second is a living trust which shields 100% of the property. Both are relatively inexpensive to put into place. Every trust is administered by trustees, who

can be the partners or surviving partner and children. The situation won’t get better over time. The UK’s fastestgrowing age group comprises those aged over 85. Councils will face even more pressure on budgets, leaving them with little choice but to continue to sell people’s homes. To protect your home, contact Maplebrook Wills on 07832 331594.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

West Dorset will be welcoming some of the world’s top cyclists in September, as the Tour of Britain comes to the county for the first time in its 18-year history. The seventh and penultimate stage of the prestigious race will feature a gruelling 180km course across the county, which promises to be a challenging test of the riders’ ability and provide a fantastic free spectacle for fans of the sport. The stage begins in West Bay, before winding its way along the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site, before the cyclists turns inland, passing through the historic streets of Dorchester. The route then heads back out to the coast before snaking its way up through Briantspuddle and Milton Abbas, then on to Blandford, before heading East and to the finishing line in Ferndown. Race director Mick Bennett said: “Announcing the locations of the Tour of Britain stages is always a day I look forward to greatly, as I know how much people want to watch the race from their own doorsteps. “It is always exciting to be taking the Tour of Britain to new regions, so to have our first Dorset stage this September is truly one to look forward to, and we look forward to showcasing the beautiful countryside and

ON ITS WAY: The Tour of Britain includes a stage in West Dorset in September Pictures: SWpix.com

World’s top cyclists set to pedal across West Dorset

spectacular coastline to our global audience. “The eyes of the cycling world will be on Dorset come Saturday, September 10, and I know that both the world-class riders competing and the huge TV audience the Tour of Britain attracts will be blown away by the sheer beauty of the county. But more than that, the challenging terrain will make for a thrilling day of racing, with the battle for

the stage victory in Ferndown likely to be fierce.” The event is British Cycling’s premier road race and returned to the calendar in its current form in 2004 after a fiveyear absence. The quality of the fields is top class, featuring Olympic, World and Tour de France champions, with recent winners Julian Alaphillippe (FRA, 2018), Mathieu van der Poel

(NED, 2019) and Wout van Aert (BEL, 2021), among the sport’s biggest names. The free-to-view race generally attracts a huge following of 1.5m people and, with the Dorset stage being held on a Saturday and with the race approaching its climax, spectators are expected to flock to the area to cheer on some of cycling’s finest talent as the compete for the coveted blue jersey, whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery which will provide a stunning backdrop. The event will showcase Dorset’s outstanding natural beauty to a global TV audience in 170 countries, which will include live coverage to UK viewers on ITV4.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport

Boss Jemma returns home with her By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

New Sherborne Town Ladies manager Jemma Tewkesbury has spoken exclusively to the West Dorset Magazine about her vision to build a special team in her beloved Dorset. Assistant to Jay Sadler at Tier 3 Portsmouth for two years, Jemma decided earlier this year it was time to move back to the Dorset club where she had a successful spell as a player, with a dream of building a team that ‘girls can be really proud of’. Jemma said: “I learned a huge amount under Jay, and could have stayed, or progressed elsewhere but I am so passionate about building a great team in Dorset. “I was brought up in Dorset, I live in Dorset, and I really want to build a team here that can progress and give local girls and women the opportunity to play at a higher level, without having to travel two or three hours to do so. I am convinced there is the potential to do this and build something truly fantastic.” Sherborne Ladies are currently third in the South West Regional Womens’ Football League, Premier Division, which is a Tier 5 league. The team’s final two games, against second-placed St Austell Ladies and Bishops Lydeard, could, theoretically at least, give

BACK OF THE NET: Sherborne Town Ladies celebrate scoring goals and, right, Jemma Tewkesbury takes charge of training

them the championship title ahead of current incumbents Ilminster Town. However, the leaders’ final game is against bottom club Bideford, and an Ilminister win looks a foregone conclusion, and will be enough to confirm them as champions. A second-placed finish could still give Jemma’s team the chance to apply for entry into a Tier 4 League – the Women’s Premier League South West Division One. Jemma says: “If we got the opportunity to play in Tier 4 now, we would relish the challenge. When you’re playing National League,

levels three and four, it is run by the FA and is a lot more professional – not in terms of financial benefits, everybody still plays for love of the game - but in terms of how things are organised.” Jemma has experience of progressing through the league system, from her playing days with Yeovil. “We did something special at Yeovil and it was great. I joined when I was 15 or 16, and we progressed and became better players as a group, and went up to National League. That’s the sort of progression that “I am passionate about achieving at Sherborne and want everybody to be

proud of – whether they’re playing in our under-9s or an experienced player towards the end of her career.” A free-scoring striker and winger, Jemma still plays, although talks of the difficulty in being a player manager. “It’s really hard, as there’s so much you don’t see when you’re playing. I still play at the moment, very often when we’ve got others out through injury, but I really want to concentrate on managing without putting my boots on. You get a proper insight into how the team is playing and can be far more effective as a coach when you’re

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport

vision for Sherborne Ladies’ future

WHAT A TEAM: Sherborne Town Ladies at the start of the season and, below, Jemma Tewkesbury scoring a goal and leading by example Pictures: BRENT SMITH

watching from the sidelines.” It is quite clear that Jemma is not simply making up the numbers as a player, scoring a hat-trick from right back in the 13-0 drubbing of Bideford, yet Jemma is refreshingly modest and far more interested in the club and how her players perform as a team. Through her work as a development officer for Dorset FA, Jemma supports the development of elite female youth players in Dorset and is the manager of the Dorset Girls’ Advanced Coaching Centre, which sits within the England

Girls’ Talent Pathway. She is currently studying her UEFA A Licence and has a genuine passion to learn more about the game she loves. Jemma says: “Football is pretty much 24/7 for me. If I’m not doing my job for the FA, which is really busy, I’ll be focusing on the team coaching and organisation, staying active and fit personally, or

coaching at the girls’ centre. “I have an open and honest relationship with my coaching team and do tell them if I need a holiday. I love football, but I am allowed a holiday and we are volunteers at the club!” Despite the growing popularity of the women’s game, Jemma admits there is still some disparity with men’s football, not least from a commercial perspective, and admits it is difficult to garner support from business sponsors. “Very often a men’s team might have an owner or chairman who can put in some money, or drive commercial partnerships. For us, we’re run by a very small group of volunteers, with our club secretary fulfilling many roles. “We’re always looking for new players and would love to hear from anybody who might want to get involved off the pitch too – whether they can help us with our social media or publicity perhaps. We’d also love to build some more strong commercial partnerships and would be grateful of any support from the business community.” n The club would love to hear about anybody who may wish to join the team, on or off the pitch. If you are interested in supporting the club in any way, contact sherbornetownladies @gmail.com

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Salisbury City Dorchester Town

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Alfie Stanley’s winner just after half time was enough to give the Magpies the win that ensures they will be playing Premier Division football next season. In an assured team performance at the Ray Mac Stadium, Dorchester’s third straight victory means they cannot now be overhauled by Kings Langley, who lost to Yate Town and sit nine points adrift in the final relegation place. The fact that Glenn Howes’ team guaranteed safety with two games still to play represents a remarkable turnaround in fortunes, winning 12 points from a possible 18 since their dismal defeat at home to Merthyr Town. At that time, the Magpies looked to be sliding towards relegation, but Howes and his players deserve huge credit for producing a series of performances that have steered them away

WE’VE DONE IT: Dorchester players celebrate as they avoid relegation

Stanley on target to ensure Magpies remain in Premier

from danger with some room to spare. The winning goal owed much to Tom Purrington, the midfield man bursting into the Salisbury area leaving a number of players in his wake, before the ball broke kindly to Stanley, who produced a measured finish to send the large travelling support into raptures. Dorchester may have found themselves behind early on

had former Magpie Antonio Diaz been able to shown more conviction with his finish after being sent clear, instead Jack Bycroft was able to save comfortably. The Magpies managed the game well once they had their noses in front, and missed a golden chance to double their lead with five minutes remaining, Harry McGrath off target with the goal at his mercy. Just a

minute later, they were almost made to pay, with Sam Ashton’s dipping long-range strike rattling Bycroft’s crossbar. There were a few nervy moments, not helped by eight minutes of added time owing to a lengthy stoppage, but Dorchester held on to complete the win, and can now look forward with some optimism to next season in the Premier Division.

Bycroft’s spot-kick save kickstarts vital win Dorchester Town Hendon

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Alfie Stanley bagged a second-half brace as the Magpies went a long way towards guaranteeing their Premier Division survival, although it might have been a different story had it not been for Jack Bycroft’s superb first half penalty save at the Avenue. Stanley’s goals came early in the second half, with on-loan striker Olaf Kozzela coolly adding a third in stoppage time to make the points safe, and the Magpies stretched their

cushion over third-bottom Kings Langley to six points to significantly ease the threat of relegation with just three games to go. Bycroft’s save on 27 minutes typified a determined Magpies’ performance, adjusting to block Eren Kinali’s driven spot kick with his legs, the penalty coming after Stanley was adjudged to have tripped a Hendon player in the box. It was a key moment in a half where Dorchester had taken the game to their opponents, and carved out the much better openings, forcing Hendon’s

goalkeeper into action to deny Stanley, Kozsela and Harry McGrath. Stanley gleefully took his chances after the restart, firing home a rebound after Tom Purrington’s shot was parried on 48 mins, before smashing home his second on 58 minutes following good work from McGrath. The striker would have scored a second-half hattrick had his clever lofted effort from the edge of the box had just a little bit more dip. Instead it was left to Kozsela to seal the win in added time with his second goal in two games.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport

Five-star Zebras clinch league crown By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Gillingham Town Sherborne Town

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Chairman John Bowers spoke of his pride in his Zebras’ team as they secured the Toolstation Division One Championship at a canter, with a thumping win over their Dorset rivals giving them an unassailable lead at the top with two games to go. The win, their 19th in a row during an incredible run, never looked in serious doubt at Woodwater Lane, with goals from Ant Herrin, Henry Lawrence-Napier, Ash Guppy, and a double from Dec Cornish, giving them the league title, promotion and local bragging rights. Ant Herrin’s early strike, after just seven minutes, settled any nerves among the players and vocal away contingent. Henry Lawrence-Napier Sherborne Town Oldland Abbotonians

3 2

The Zebras recovered from the shock of conceding an early goal to take another big stride towards the Toolstation Division One title, with a late Ant Herrin penalty ultimately proving decisive. Herrin coolly fired home from 12 yards in the 80th minute, following a foul on substitute Jack Cutmore by the visiting goalkeeper Josh Dempsey. The visitors, seeming determined to be the team to end the Zebras’ long winning streak, opened the scoring on 14 minutes through Andy Nash’s close-range volley. The lead was short-lived,

corner from range. If the game wasn’t already over, Cornish’ second shortly after the break removed any lingering chance of a Gills’ comeback, and the Zebras found time for a fifth through TOP TEAM: Zebras celebrate Ash Guppy clinching the Division One title with minutes doubled Sherborne’s lead on remaining to seal the win, and 25 minutes, and just two spark scenes of jubilation on minutes later, Dec Cornish and off the pitch. made it 3-0 with an absolute Mr Bowers, Tweeting after belter, volleying into the top

the game with the hashtag Zebras, said: “Just letting it all sink in. I am one very very proud chairman of Sherborne Town FC. Champions of Toolstation Western League. Thanks to all the Zebra family for making this possible. Was close to tears today at the full time whistle.” Wayne Jerome’s team have been a united, professional group, relentless in their standards, sportsmanship and level of performances. Their winning streak has been all the more impressive given the constant pressure from the chasing pack of Welton Rovers, Warminster Town and Wincanton Town, whose own records might have been enough to lift the trophy in many other seasons. But this is Zebras’ season, and the trophy will be coming to Raleigh Grove, and deservedly so.

however, with Ollie Hebbard scoring a fine equalizer just two minutes later, firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Dempsey produced a superb point-black save on the half hour mark to keep parity, but could not prevent the Zebras from taking the lead just before half time. Although the Abbotonians’ keeper produced another good stop from a header, Aaron White popped up at the back post to smash home the rebound. The visitors continued to show dogged determination in the second period, and scored a deserved equaliser on the hour, McCallum powering home following an

stunning save to deny Pruett. Town pushed for a winner and were awarded the penalty with just 10 minutes to go, and, despite Abbotonians’ prolonged protests, Cornish kept his cool to slot home.

excellent ball from the influential Pruett. The Zebras, rattled by the goal and lacking much of their accustomed fluency, had Josh Attwood to thank minutes later, the Town number one producing a

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Sport Blandford Bridport RFC

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By STUART BRIGGS

Blues’ front row Brett Chant made his final appearance for Bridport, having decided to finally hang up his boots at the age of 49, as the Blues travelled to second placed Blandford for their final game of the season. Chant’s retirement comes after a staggering 31 years with the club, starting with the Colts in 1991 and clocking up close to 700 games, including being ever-present in the current campaign. The away team took a depleted squad of just 17 players, and despite matching their opponents in the first half, errors and injuries enabled the home side to run out comfortable winners, courtesy of six unanswered tries in the second period. The Blues started brightly, keeping the Blandford backs at bay, and they were unfortunate to lose out to a speculative kick and chase by the Blandford backs to go 7-0 down after 10 minutes,

STUCK IN: Brett Chant pushing forward on his final appearance for the Blues Picture: ANDREW MURLEY

The end of an era as Chant retires although Bridport responded with a Mitch Waters penalty to reduce the arrears shortly afterwards. The Blues withstood some home pressure with good clearing kicks by Charlie Samways coming to their rescue, and from one of these, the Blues were able to turn defence into attack,

and following some quick ball through the backs, enabled Harrison Crane to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. With their tails up, the Blues forced a turnover from the kick-off. A clean break by Andrew Livingston took them over half way, followed by a quick ball from the ruck,

a pin-point long pass from Samways to Crane, who offloaded to Jordan Neil to score in the corner. Unfortunately, this was to be the final Blues’ score of the game with Blandford turning the tide with two converted tries before half time - the first from a poor clearance kick, and the second, with a powerful catch and drive to lead 21-13 at the break. Bridport faded badly in the second half, struggling to find any momentum and continuity in their play with their paper-thin squad exposed and some injured players forced to return to the field to keep the team to 15. They had no answer to the host’s powerful running in all departments, enabling Blandford to clock up an easy win. The Blues finished the season in ninth place, helped by a strong run of results after Christmas. The club will be looking to recruit in the summer with Waters announcing, for family reasons, he was following Chant into retirement, and with captain Livingston moving to the Midlands.

Hockey club launches its summer programme Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club has launched its programme of summer activities, which includes a new initiative aimed at encouraging former players to return to the sport. The Back to Hockey sessions is open to newcomers who want to try the game for the first time, with the first session being free for all. The thriving club runs four ladies and three men’s teams with an established junior section, is hoping to appeal to new players from West Dorset. Teams compete in evening league

matches from October to March, with sociable sessions throughout the summer months. A Men’s and Ladies Summer 7s League will run from late April to early July, with the Ladies league on Tuesday evenings and men playing on Wednesdays. Juniors will be given the opportunity to be introduced to the game at the club’s Junior Summer Hockey Camp, from July 25-27 to coincide with the start of the school holidays. Juniors can attend on a pay per session basis

for the nine sessions, and two groups will run for the under 12s and the under 14s. Oxley Sports Centre in Sherborne is regularly used as a venue, with most of the club’s matches taking place at the Recreation Centre in Yeovil. The club is also hoping to partner with Sherborne Boys’ School to use their indoor facilities. For more details on the club’s summer programme, please contact secretary@yshc.co.uk or visit yshc.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Agriculture

Gale delivers some good news for lambing season Mud-phobic Tria Stebbing lives on the outskirts of Sherborne with her farmer partner and two dogs in a converted stable. She keeps sheep, both stock sheep and pedigree rare breed sheep. She is working on her first book, in between working in a village school to pay the vet’s bills.

After the sadness of losing Gizmo, we all needed a happy event and last Saturday Gale obliged. I had taken my grandson Finley on lamb watch as we knew from the raddle marks that Gale was going to be one of the first to lamb. We settled down with a picnic in the field to watch for the first signs that something was happening. Finley at the age of seven was not sure if lambing was going to QUITE A HANDFUL: Tria with one of the set of lamb be fun or not, so as we triplets recently arrived knew it was going to be twins, we agreed that if decided to leave her fighting for breath. they came, I would help where she was. She spent Carefully I broke the bag the first out and if he felt a while gazing upwards, of fluid away from the confident enough, he another sure sign that she face and watched the would help with the is about to start. lamb take its first breath. second. Finley and I sat down far Gale immediately sprung Right on cue after lunch, enough away to watch, to work licking and in the warmth of the sun, and close enough to cleaning the ewe lamb, Gale started pawing at the intervene if we needed to. encouraging it to stand ground and sniffing where It did not take long for the and wobble its way over she had been laying. tell-tale bubble of fluid to to the colostrum. Ideally at that point we appear, and with a couple Finley was speechless by get them into the shelter, of pushes it was out, a this time, amazed at the but as it was warm, I steaming, squirming mass speed at which the lamb

had appeared and found its legs to get to the milk. Twenty minutes later the whole process started again, and with a couple of pushes, Finley gloved up and helped with his first lambing, expertly clearing the nose and mouth of fluid, another ewe lamb gasping for her first breath. Later when I asked him what the most amazing thing was about lambing, he simply said that the lamb was ‘hot’. Since then, we have welcomed two sets of triplets and are loving the mild sunny weather. The gamble to lamb late and avoid the mud and cold paid off. The flies seem to be early, and we will be treating for flystrike as soon as we have finished lambing. Never a dull moment in the field.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Agriculture Farming

Farmers fearing for future of food

renew their tenancy as the landlords will get more money for the land if they rewild it. The issue is that you can’t just turn land over and leave it. “Rewilding done correctly does need some management and needs grazing by smaller numbers of livestock. “In Wales, big companies are currently buying farms that come up for sale and planting trees on them to offset the carbon their business produces. “This could be echoed

across the UK, and I imagine we will see more companies buying up farmland. We need to be careful. Once we lose our farms and farmers, that is it. We don’t get them back. “I think we have very short memories. The First and Second World Wars showed us that it was essential for us as a country to be as close to self-sufficiency as possible. “Regenerative farming is a much better long-term option then rewilding large areas. Many of our local farmers are now farming using regenerative farming methods and are heading towards being carbon neutral. “We are creating lots of wildlife habitat, encouraging the growth of wildflowers and plants species whilst producing high quality produce. It works and it works well and is much better for the environment and for us then importing produce which is produced using

Rachel Hayball is a married mum of six from Beaminster. She is a herdsperson and has a small flock of sheep and sells lamb. stated that they are happy to pay more if the farmers end up getting more money for the milk, but on the other side of the coin it’s been frustrating to see comments about how

farmers should cut costs and how greedy farmers are by increasing prices. Farmers do not set the milk price. They are told what they are going to be paid by the milk buyer. There is normally a standard price with bonuses for milk quality, and penalties for milk not hitting certain targets. There is also a charge to the farmer for transportation of the milk to the processor. Milk has

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Farmers in West Dorset are calling on the government to prioritise food security and sustainable food production amid largescale nature recovery plans, which could change the face of farming forever. As part of the post-Brexit overhaul, farmers are losing traditional payments in favour of a slice of up to £800m from taxpayers’ cash for local nature projects, such as rewilding, creating woodlands and restoring wetlands by 2028 and restoring 300,000 hectares of wildlife habitat by 2042. Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Through our new schemes, we are going to work with farmers and land managers to halt the decline in species, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, increase woodland, improve water and air quality and create more space for nature.”

WILD AGAIN: Farmers are rewilding fields and creating woodlands in land that would previously have been used for growing wheat, for example

But many farmers are concerned the moves will further our dependency on imports, and worse, from countries which may have sloppy safety records. Many tenant farmers are worried their landlords will not renew the tenancy if they will get paid more to rewild the land than to farm. Farmer Rachel Hayball said: “I know of several farmers who are worried that their landlords will not

You herd it here first...

Don’t blame the farmer for rise in the price of milk We need to talk about the price of milk. Over the last couple of weeks various media outlets have reported that the price of milk in our shops will be increasing. Arla have stated that there

may be a milk shortage unless prices are increased. The comments on social media have been interesting and often enlightening. It has been lovely to see the number of people who have

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Agriculture Farming

production over rewilding projects

VITAL ROLE: Dorset farmers have a vital role in keeping us all fed

lower environmental and animal welfare standards and has a high transport carbon footprint.” Robert Bowditch, who has been farming at Parnham Farm for 50 years, said: “I think the situation is something the government seriously needs to think about. Farms are planting wildflowers, ourselves included however, we are doing it sensibly – planting in strips on the outside of our fields against the woods. “Because of the loss of the single farm payment farmers are losing out and trying to replace the

always been used as a loss leader in supermarkets. Keep the price of milk lower and consumers will keep on coming in for their milk and buy other bits whilst they are shopping. It’s good for the customers, and great for the supermarkets who keep people filling their trolleys, but its not great for farmers The average milk price is currently floating around 35-38 pence per litre

payment with things like rewilding. Farmers must be able to feed their cattle. “And if they don’t do something, they will lose money. “When I was young in the 50s, farmers after the Second Word War ploughed up all the fields to produce more food. If we don’t look out, we will be doing it again.” “People need to make sure they buy British seasonal vegetables. It will be cheaper.” A Dorset NFU spokesman said: “Following Brexit, we are moving away from the old Basic Payment

depending on the buyer and the individual contract. This is the highest that it has been for a while, but if you take into account the huge increase in fuel, feed, fertiliser and electric costs its just not enough. It is predicted that the average farm cost of production for milk is going to hit 40 pence per litre this spring. You don’t have to be a mathematician to see that

Scheme (BPS) towards a system of payment for public goods, which would include environmental work like ‘rewilding’. “Rewilding is quite a broad term, which seems to mean anything from planting additional trees and hedgerows to reintroducing the wolf, depending on who you are talking to. Farmers do take their environmental obligations very seriously, but it is important that things like rewilding (however it is accomplished) are done in cooperation with farmers and not in opposition to

the figures just don’t add up. When bottled water is more expensive then milk it shows that something has gone very wrong. Production prices are not going to drop whilst the cost of everything has gone through the roof, so the price to the consumer is going to have to increase. And sadly it’s not just milk. It’s eggs, meat, fruit and veg, grains etc. We are all going to have to

them. The concerns of tenant farmers about how such schemes may affect them must also be taken seriously. “Important as environmental work is, we shouldn’t forget that – as demonstrated by the covid pandemic and now the issues caused by the situation in Ukraine – food security is most definitely a public good and we must not lose sight of the fact that Dorset’s farmers have a vital role to play in keeping us all fed. “The NFU is calling on the Government to make food security and sustainable food production a strategic priority. This includes not striking trade deals that would allow us to import food that was produced abroad using techniques that would be illegal here. “We are also calling on the Government to do more to promote British food abroad to help our farmers take advantage of any export markets which trade deals may open up.” with Rachel Hayball pay more for our food, which sadly will be difficult for some at a time where we are all being stretched due to the increased energy prices, but please do not blame the farmer. WANTED: SHEEP GRAZING Any size area considered, long or short term 07548 171553

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Agriculture

Good to talk and ease our worries

By ESME MOFFATT of Synergy Farm Health

“Hi, how are you?” “I’m ok” How often do we start conversations like this every day? How often do you say you’re ok, when actually you’re a bit tired, a bit stressed, a bit lonely? How often do you think other people say they’re ok when actually they might be feeling some of those other feelings? A popular tip from mental health professionals is to ask twice and was the topic of the recent Mind Your Head Campaign from the farm safety group Yellow Wellies. Stopping to ask

‘How are you, really?’ is an easy, but effective tool to encourage someone to answer more honestly. We’re all very good at attending to our physical health, but although we’re getting better at it, we still find it hard to be quite so open about our mental wellbeing. Farming notoriously presents people with many situations to challenge their mental health; relentless working hours, loneworking, financial burdens,

multiple stressors such as audits, TB and isolation. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that research conducted by Yellow Wellies found that four out of five young farmers (under 40) believe mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. These young farmers thoughts were proved to be correct when 36% of the 15,000 respondents to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Intuition’s Big Farming Survey at the

From pages 56-57

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

Crossword

9 6 1 8 4 2 7 3 5

3 8 5 7 1 6 4 2 9

7 4 2 3 9 5 6 8 1

4 7 6 5 2 9 3 1 8

1 3 9 4 7 8 2 5 6

5 2 8 6 3 1 9 4 7

6 1 4 9 5 3 8 7 2

8 5 3 2 6 7 1 9 4

2 9 7 1 8 4 5 6 3

Brain chain 27

Killer Sudoku Pro 1

140×

576×

2 8 4

378×

7 9 6

54×

9 6

20×

4 5 8

3÷

3 1

26+

21+

8 4 2

3÷

1 3

9 1

8 7

7 2

11+

27+

216×

4÷

11+

6 5

2÷

20×

5 4

96×

8 4 3

17+

36×

beginning of 2021 described themselves as ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ depressed. If you feel your mental wellbeing is suffering, the most powerful thing you can do, is talk. Share your feelings with someone you trust be that your GP, someone on the end of a helpline, a friend or family member. You don’t have to have a clinical mental illness to reap the benefits that sharing your feelings openly can bring – we all need to get better at starting and having these conversations. n The Samaritans: 116 123 n The Farming Community Network: 03000 111 999

Arrow words

I N S T R H A H A P P R O X P U P U N I S H Y I A A G O N Y B H D A L T O C T C W H E L T E R E U P A B S T R

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

U M E N T S N L R S I M A T E L Y T N A L E S S T O P S P M H C R I E S N O N W A S S E T T E U P A S K E L T E R E C W S A C T I O N

6 5 2 7 4 3 1 4 6 9 8 8 4 1 5 6 3 1 7 8 2 7 3 8 1 3 5 2 3 4 5 9 4 1 9 6 2 9 7 8 7 6 2 5 7 8 2 5 9 2 8 2 1 9 6 8 7 3 8 5 1 4 6 4 3 9 5 1 9 5 7 3 1 3 9 64 6 7 7 9 42 4 6 5 2 3 3 1 2 6 4 6 7 1 8 5 4 3 8 7 8 4 7 6 1 2 3 2 8 5 2 4 5 9 6 5 6 1 9 1 9 4 5 7 1 3 9 6 1 7 3 8 8 7 4 2 7 1 3 8 8 3 8 9 1 9 3 4 9 2 8 5 2 4 3 6 2 6 5 8 5 5 6 7 7 9 1 2 5 6 4 7 4 5 6 9 7 2 9 5 3 4 1 3 6 3 1 2 8 1 3 4 7 2 1 7 9 1 8 9 4 2 5 8 6 9 74 2 8 8 3 41 9 6 6 2 5 5 6 9 8 3 2 3 1 4 5 7 7 2 7 4 6 9 5 1 3 8 9

P R L I M I T F I V E

H E F O T R U S T E N E R U D A C T N O N K I G O V B B N E E E R S N A V E M E R E D A S B A S S C Y S

E S T A T A P T

Brain chain (Hard) 38

187

117

237

Cryptic Crossword B M O A N N U L L E I S O M E O A O M A N I F I E A R C E R L M A O R I A U N D E S I G A T S

E M M G L A C I R C N N E A L D S R E S T O S N T X A M I N I R R R E V E R E A I N S S Y N T T G

C A L E E R G H Y N G R S E E O D Y

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Property

Kennedys named best agent in town Kennedys estate agent has been named the best in Bridport this year by a national awards body. Judges for The British Property Awards gave their 2022 gold star award to Kennedys after a ‘secret shopper’ style evaluation. A spokesperson for the awards body said: “Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels. “Kennedys have now been shortlisted for a number of national awards which will be announced later in the year.” The British Property Awards describe

themselves as ‘one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers as they do not charge to enter’. An awards team personally ‘mystery shops’ every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to obtain what

they call a ‘balanced overview of their customer service levels’ and assessments take place over multiple periods. Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said: “Our awards have been specifically designed

to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. “Our awards have also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period of time. “Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a benchmark for their local, regional and national competition.”

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