The West Dorset Magazine Edition 15, August 26, 2022

Edition 15

Friday, August 26, 2022

Fortnightly, FREE

The West Dorset Magazine SHOWTIME! Meet us and our ace cartoonist at the Melplash Show Get planning some fabulous breaks away with our eight-page holiday cottage special inside!

Plus EIGHT pages of Whasson?, FIVE pages of Sport, SIX pages of culture and puzzles with the correct answers!

Plus the answers to the puzzles we ruined last time...

Same day emergency appointments NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

2

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Karen Bate News Editor

miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Emma Mitchell Advertising sales manager

Lyndon Wall Cartoonist

emma@westdorsetmag.co.uk

nickH@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Alana Robertson Classifieds

justsocaricatures.co.uk

Contact us: 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

Stuart Wickham Sports editor

Nick Horton Chief Sub

Miranda Robertson Editor

classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dan Goater Reporter dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

( 01305 566336 Contents: News & features

4-34 Constituency issues

56

Culture

56-57 6-13 Politics Puzzles 58-59 & 70-71 35-39 Health & Wellbeing 60-61 40-43 Church 62 44-49 Letters 63

Antiques

50-51 Sport

64-68

Home & Garden

52-55 Agriculture

69-71

Whasson? (events) Vittles Down to earth

REMOVALS l PACKING STORAGE l CLEANERS enquiries@back2market.com

( 01305 230830 l 07853 275379 l 0800 2425012

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

RS! E N N U ST PAGE 3

These three gorgeous ponies have a fantastic life in on five acres of grazing in West Dorset.

Bumble the Highland pony, lives on air while Jack and Toots are both in their twilight years and require a little more love, care and attention.

Submit your Page 3 stunnas to newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO VISIT BRIDPORT!

GLOBAL ART & ANTIQUES St Michael’s Trading Estate, DT6 3RR (next door to Ocean Bathrooms)

STUNNING ART FOR SALE BILLY MUMFORD FORGERIES ANTIQUES & CURIOS TOO HEAR OF BILLY’S EXPLOITS

We buy art & antiques etc – call 07894 555107 Open Weds to Sun 10am-4pm globalartandantiques.com

3

4

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Campaign group warning

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

EVELYN MOLLY JENNINGS Congratulations to our darling granddaughter Evie for gaining 4 A star passes in her A levels.

We are so proud of you!

Diana and Bob Holman, Affpuddle

Beach lovers and swimmers across West Dorset were dismayed upon finding the ocean black in large swathes after thousands of gallons of storm sewage was discharged.

Campaign Group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) raised the alarm after heavy rainfall last week, and warned people not to swim in ten locations across Dorset for fear of ingesting sewage.

Human sewage contains bacteria and pathogens, which can cause serious infections from stomach upsets and ear infections to chest infections and

hepatitis. The beaches carrying pollution alerts where sewage had been discharged from sewer overflows included Eype, Eypemouth Stream, West Bay, Seatown, Swanage Ulwell Stream, Friars Cliff in Christchurch, Hengistbury Head and Avon Beach.

A spokesperson from SAS said: “Financial penalties are too easily built into the operating costs of water companies and don’t reflect the true environmental damage caused by the systematic

discharging of untreated sewage. Additionally, weak enforcement of existing regulation from both under-funded and under-resourced environment agencies means no effective driver is in place to ensure water companies change their behaviour.

“The UK’s water quality testing regime, designed to protect water users and the environment, is set up to fail us.

“Evidence shows our water quality testing regime overlooks and ignores the worst pollution events in the country and misleads the

MELPLASH SHOW THURSDAY 25th AUGUST WEST BAY, BRIDPORT DT6 4EG Free bus Lyme Regis – Charmouth – Bridport (see website for timetable)

free car parking + Park & Ride

FREE admission for 16 years and under

Buy tickets to Show early and save!

Adult Advance Ticket £17 (on the day £19) Advanced tickets available online and from local outlets…

Footeprints, Bridport; Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype; Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Burton Bradstock; Golden Cap Holiday Park, Seatown; Gorseland Caravan Park, West Bexington; Girling & Bowditch Veterinary Surgery, Beaminster; Felicity’s Farm Shop, Morcombelake; R J Balson & Son, Bridport; Bridport Tourist information Centre.

For latest info visit www.melplashshow.co.uk

A wonderful day out for all the family

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

as storm sewage discharged into sea

BEACH WARNING: West Bay was one of several beaches to be affected by the discharge of storm sewage

public about the safety of the water.

“Diffuse pollution from agriculture, roads, landfill and poor waste

management exacerbates the problem with rivers and the ocean becoming contaminated with agricultural slurry,

microplastics, car tyres and landfill sources.”

According to the Wessex Water website: “In an ideal world we wouldn’t have

storm overflows at all – they are a legacy from the past. They have always been part of the sewerage network in the UK because the majority of sewers carry both rainwater and foul sewage and they prevent properties from flooding following intense rainfall. Storm overflows have minimal or no ecological impact because what is released is diluted wastewater.

“Although overflows are permitted by the Environment Agency, we agree that they have no place in the 21st century, but it will take time and significant investment to progressively eliminate them.”

Solicitors & Mediators

An honest, straightforward legal team with five-star reviews 01305 819696 or 07825 611436 pharaohlaw.co.uk

5

6

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Thurs August 25 An Afternoon with Elizabeth Lowry will be held 3pm-4.30pm at Dorset Museum.

Spend the afternoon with Elizabeth for a book signing and reading of her highly praised novel The Chosen.

Tender, intimate and atmospheric, this haunting novel transports the reader into the austere house and shocked heart one of England’s greatest writers.

This is a novel about grief and regret, about Thomas Hardy aged 72, about the mystery at the heart of his long marriage to Emma Gifford, and the cost – to him, to those around him – of a writer’s life.

Set in the 11 days following Emma’s death, it’s a love story and a ghost story – and the story of how some of the greatest love poems ever written in English, the ‘Poems of 1912-13’, came to exist.

Elizabeth Lowry was born in Washington DC and educated in South Africa and England. She lives and works in Oxford. Her first novel, The Bellini Madonna, was published in 2008 to great acclaim; her second, Dark Water, was longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. She is a frequent contributor to the London

Ratty, Mole and Badger in the Rings

Calf2Cow Theatre is bringing the muchloved Wind in the Willows to Maumbury Rings at 6pm on Friday, August 26.

Join Mole, Ratty and Badger in a floor stomping, hilarious recount of this Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal.

Friday, August 26 The Outfit is showing at Broadwindsor Film Club at the Comrades Hall at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Hot and cold drinks (inc bar) available for purchase before the film starts. Free for film club members or £4 for one-off visitors. The Outfit (15): an English tailor making sharp suits for the gangsters of 1910s Chicago.

woodland adventure as they save Toad and his shiny new motorcar from deep trouble.

Tickets are 12, £10 and £40 from dorchesterarts.org.uk

BeCider Seaside 15 kicks off at 10am and goes on till August 29 at Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport DT6 4ND. Tickets at bredyfarm.com/ events-at-bredy The 15th BeCider Seaside event will be held on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with a host of bands with something for everyone, played out in beautiful surroundings with a relaxed & friendly vibe.

Artists include Popes of Chillitown, John E Vistic Rock n' Roll Soundsystem,

G¥psy Jukebox, The Intercepteurs, The Acrustic Badger Band, Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra and Town Of Cats, plus The Urban Voodoo Machine, The Guns Of Navarone, Paisley, Joanna Cooke, WIINK, Jimi Needles, Little Thief, Chaz Thorogood, Psychadelephant, Grizzly Rhys Morgan and Travcats.

The festival is child and dog friendly, and tent camping is included in the ticket price. Glamping available (email info@bredyfarm.com).

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

7

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Dorchester

TRINITY Club

Bingo Weds, Sat, Sun Pool, darts & skittles Weddings & events

£5 toa year join!

dorchtrinityclub@gmail.com 01305 262671 Live-in vehicle passes available.

Bar open until 2am.

Cocktail bar, food stalls and much more! bredyfarm.com/ beciderseaside15 Portland Week continues until August 28 at Portland Marina.

There’s much familyfriendly floatable fun and frolics, raising funds and awareness for Clean Jurassic Coast, helping to clear our stunning coastline of plastic pollution.

There's loads to see and do from taster sessions and workshops to our inaugural boat jumble and eco market and, of course, the boatfolk folk boat floating festival, now over two days. boatfolk.co.uk eventbrite.com There’s a beer festival at Copper Street Brewery in Brewery Square from noon until 8pm.

There’s a general antiques and collectors’ auction at Acreman Street Antiques in Sherborne from 10am-5pm, with viewing on the Thursday, August 25 from 10am-5pm.

A Community Kids Zest

Dinghy Sailing Taster Session will be held at Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, 6 Hamm Beach Road,Portland,DT5 1DX from 2pm-3pm.

This is a dinghy sailing taster session for ages eight to 16.

This taster session is for children from the DT3, DT4 or DT5 postcodes who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to try dinghy sailing.

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre provide all equipment required to join in including wetsuits and buoyancy aids, except footwear.

If you are participating in a Portland Week activity, you will get a two hours free voucher for parking in the visitors car park, please ask for this when you arrive for the session. Alternative free parking is located a short walk away opposite Portland Castle or in the Masonic Lodge car park.

Go to Eventbrite.co.uk A pregnancy/mums dads and baby sling walk will be held from 10.45am12.30pm – all welcome – meeting in the car park for Osmington village hall.

This is a Dorchester/ Weymouth/Portland/ Bridport parents and babies

sling walk, where organisers can help anyone with a sling and a front or back carry (maybe if you have an older child). They are available to borrow for the walk (£3) but arrive 20 mins early and let them know in advance.

Cost £2 for the walk.

Drinks and a snack afterwards. Bring change or pay via paypal: tinyurl.com/wj3dzyjc paypal.me/mcbuckle Call Mary-Clare Buckle on 0777 5656782 for info.

The boatfolk Folk Boat Floating Festival will be held at Osprey Quay, 6 Hamm Beach Road, Portland, DT5 1DX from 6.30pm-10pm Friday and all day Saturday.

It's a music festival... with a tall ship for the stage and you, the audience, bobbing about on kayaks, dinghies and paddle boards!

Enjoy music in the Mediterranean setting of Portland Marina whilst floating about in the safety of your own craft. Dancing is encouraged, but be prepared to get wet! Join the marina team in fancy dress with a pirate and mermaid theme...

The festival kicks off on Friday evening with the Little Boat acoustic stage

featuring local musicians Finlay Leslie, Ben Waller and renowned local musician, Finnian McGurk.

Folk Boat ramps up to full volume on Saturday afternoon with Jaunty, a folk band steeped in maritime history and fronted by Finnian McGurk, a renowned local musician, playing folk and shanties with a Jaunty twist as well as their own original music.

Next up on the Moonfleet stage are The Jettys, psychedelic indie perfect for kicking back and floating about to as you let the musical waves wash over you.

Headliners, The Trials of Cato are an award winning folk trio playing stomping tunes and captivating stories.

Bring your own paddle board, dinghy or kayak; as long as it is paddle powered, you can enter the festival area. For safety reasons we ask that no motors of any kind are used once inside the festival buoys. For those who don't have their own, paddle boards and kayaks can be hired from Adventure 4 All

Cont’d next page

8

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Cntd from page 7 – paddle board hire per evening/afternoon – £25.

Kayak hire (single only) per evening/afternoon – £25.

Drinks are available from The Kitchen at Portland's float-thru bar* on both days, purchase tokens ashore to save losing your cash in the sea! Food is available from The Kitchen on both days with a BBQ takeaway option on Friday evening and a pre-bookable platter to take afloat with you on Saturday afternoon.

Tickets at Eventbrite.

Saturday, Aug 27 The Friends of Holnest Church present an evening with Rare Abundance performing music stories and readings in Holnest Church at 7pm.

Pimms and nibbles to start, followed by music, stories and readings. The event is free but donations are welcome and will go towards the upkeep of this historic grade I listed building.

Booking is essential, ring 01963 210632 Want to change the world over breakfast? Then come and tuck in and support Christian Aid, over a delicious morning meal whilst raising money to fight poverty and injustice worldwide.

Christian Aid has been in operation for over 75 years, enabling communities to help themselves. The last few years have been particularly difficult, especially for fundraising and many have suffered as a consequence.

Stem subject of summer show

an open air cinema event at The Blue Pool from 7.30pm till 10.30pm.

Get your tickets at alfrescofilm.co.uk

Sunday, August 28

FLOWER POWER: Summer show cup winners in 2019

Bridport & District Gardening club are celebrating The Living Tree’s 10th anniversary – with the proceeds of their plant sale at the summer show going to the charity.

The show will be held at the United Church Hall on Saturday, September 3.The exhibits can be viewed from noon and prize giving is at 3pm.

Your support makes an enormous difference to people in poverty, struggling to survive the climate crisis, not to mention coronavirus. Due to frequent drought, it is difficult to find enough food and water, but the money raised could help a community build an earth dam, ensuring a supply of water.

The Big Breakfast is being held at Bridport United Church in East Street, Bridport from 9am to 11.30am. Breakfast is £6.

The Dorchester and District Gardening Club will be holding their 76th Annual Show at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB. Doors open to the public at 1.30pm, entry 50p (free entry for

Light refreshments are available and there is a silent raffle. This is an open show, so nonmembers are welcome to enter.

Schedules are available from Monique Pasche on 01308 301272 or from bridportgardeningclub.co .uk where further details on the show can be found. exhibitors). Classes for vegetables, fruit, flowers, handicrafts, cookery and photography. Raffle and refreshments available.

Awards to be presented by The Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Janet Hewitt at 3pm.

A Wizard of Oz Live Experience will be held at Bincombe Bumps, Icen Lane, Weymouth from 10am-6pm.

An immersive Wizard of Oz experience in the Maize Maze! Enjoy interacting with performers from AsOne Theatre Company as you figure out your way out along the yellow brick road, on the hunt for the Emerald City!

Book your time slot at bincombebumpsevents.co.uk Encanto will be showing at

Candles on the Cobb 2022 will be held in Lyme Regis from 8pm.

The event offers people the opportunity to sponsor a candle in memory of a loved one while raising money for Lyme Regis Youth Projects, British Red Cross and Cancer Research UK. The event is a truly wonderful spectacle where thousands of tea-light candles illuminate Lyme Regis’ iconic Cobb harbour wall. In addition, a giant crown will be illuminated on the sandy beach to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Get your candles at candlesonthecobb.com Bridport Vintage Market will be held from 10am4pm at Bridport Art & Vintage Quarter, St Michael’s, Bridport, West Dorset DT6 3RR. You can find an eclectic range of antiques, collectables, clothing and retro pieces! Most of the tenants on the estate are open on the day too.

Lyme Regis Comedy Club with Julian Deane is at Marine Theatre from 8pm, featuring four comedians for £12 (advance bookings).

August's headliner is widely celebrated for his ingenious punchlines.

Julian Deane won the ITV Stand Up Hero and the Laughing Horse New Act

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

9

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) ¢E* ÂEJ¢* E ¢ È * ¢ g J j ¢ * 7KDWFKHG *UDGH OLVWHG 16th WK century FHQWXU\ Thatched, Grade ΔΔ II-listed IUHHKRXVH at DW WKH KHDUW KLVWRULF freehouse the heart ofRI theWKH historic YLOODJH RI <HWPLQVWHU $FFODLPHG 6XQGD\ village of Yetminster. Acclaimed URDVWV Sunday roasts.

1. Genesis 2. PJ Harvey 3. The Beatles 4. David Bowie 5. Pink Floyd

Classics run.UXQ Classic car andFDU DQG &ODVVLFV fun IXQ &ODVVLF PRWRUF\FOH IULHQGO\ motorcycle-friendly.

Large, floodlit asphalt surfaced rear car /DUJH IORRGOLW DVSKDOW VXUIDFHG UHDU FDU park with CCTV. Car wash facilities.

SDUN ZLWK &&79 &DU ZDVK IDFLOLWLHV ¢E* ÂEJ¢* E ¢ू EJ=E ¢ **¢ू È*¢gJj ¢* ू E* s j*ू $s *¢ू $¢ࣆ ࣃ^<

˒˒˒थ˒ɏɔʰȲɏȉʟʰ˘ȲʰɴɔɷʦʰȲʟथȦʁथʹɦ फ ʁɅɅɔȦȲਆ˒ɏ˘ȲʰथȦʁथʹɦ फ ࢛࢜ࢤ࢞ࢠ ࢣࢢ࢝ ࢞​࢞ࢣ

of the Year competitions.

He's joined by Tom Toal and Tom Glover. Julian has appeared on The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One) and supported Paul Chowdhry on a world tour, which included Wembley Arena. He is also an indemand writer, with his credits including Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC Two), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Matt Forde’s Unspun (Dave) and Morgan Spurlock’s New Britannia (Sky Atlantic). marinetheatre.com Bar opens 7pm.

On the door tickets are £15 – 10% off for members.

Monday, August 29 Alweston car boot sale will be held in aid of Folke Church. Car boots after 7am, buyers after 8am.

01963 23525.

The Wessex Morris Men’s Monday tour continues, with dancing at The Sailing Marina, Portland, DT5 1DX at 10.30am, at Portland Heights Hotel, Portland, DT5 2EN at noon, at The Pulpit Inn, Portland Bill, Portland, DT5 2JT at 1.15pm, at Portland Bill, at 3pm and at

THIS WEE WEEK’S TOP TEN VINYL SELLERS

The Cove House Inn, Chiswell, Portland, DT5 1AW at 4pm. Phew!

They’ll be tuckered out!

Dorchester’s Anonymous Festival will be held from 11am-5pm in The Borough Gardens.

Anonymous Festival is a fabulous free event now celebrating its 12th anniversary.

There’s live music from noon – Anonymous supports a range of young local musicians, playing live music and DJing. With an eclectic range of sounds there really is something for everyone.

There’ll be loads of activities to get involved with, including several inflatables, bungee trampolines, and fab crafts, as well as the opportunity to handle exotic animals, try your hand at archery and even learn how to make a special effect wound.

And there will be yummy food providers onsite selling a range of food including, a Jamaican inspired BBQ, delicious Thai dishes, and traditional burgers, sausages and chips – with something for vegetarians and vegans too.

6. Talking Heads 7. Motorhead 8. The Stranglers 9. Jimi Hendrix 10. Ten Years After

Vinyl records bought and sold The kiosk will also be open all day serving light snacks and drinks.

The event has been organised by Dorchester Town Council.

Sponsors include The National Lottery, Dorset Council, Sovereign Housing, Magna Housing,

St Michael's Estate, Bridport, DT6 3RR thecrew@clocktowermusic.co.uk

01308 458077

and The Vinyl Van. BHW Mexican Garden Party the Graveyard Shift will be held from 2pm-7pm at White Lion Bridport.

Enjoy the last day of the bank holiday with Tacos

Cont’d next page

10

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) from Tortilla Cantina, drinks from the White Lion and music from two DJs. Alternative civil servant and jazzman hartung! garden games and fun for everyone.

Weymouth Summer Fireworks will start popping at 9pm, so grab a deckchair and enjoy.

Weds, August 31 Stefan Pitman of SPASE Design will present a talk on The Restoration of Sherborne House at Digby Memorial Church Hall at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Enjoy a glass of wine followed by a very brief Friends of Sherborne House AGM. The Steve Charles Help A Friend Fund is holding its AGM from 8pm at The Dorset Carers Hub in Dorchester (the old M&S building).

The committee is looking for local people to join the charity to help with the running of events so they can help local people. If you are interested in attending the AGM email online.hafhaf@gmail.com

Thursday, Sept 1 A community coffee morning is being held at St. Swithun’s Church in Allington between 10.45am and 11.45am. Fresh coffee and cakes are being served and there will be a raffle.

All welcome!

There’s a HOWL Open Mic Session – a night of live music and entertainment hosted by the legendary Elijah Wolf – from 7.30pm-

Line-up of great films at Corn Exchange The best of world cinema is returning to Dorchester’s Corn Exchange on Monday, September 12 with the launch of the Film Society’s new season.

This follows the society’s successful mini season which was launched earlier this year to celebrate the refurbished venue with its new wide screen and Dolby sound system.

The film society’s 63rd season sees a return of the pre-lockdown line-up of 18 titles, including a nominated and winning films screened at major film festivals such as Cannes, Venice and London.

Recent releases with Oscar and BAFTA mention, also form part of the programme.

The season kicks off with \i directed by Phyllida Lloyd, a departure from her 11pm at NEON, 39 East St, Bridport. Go along and perform, or enjoy the show.

All ages. abilities and genres are welcome to come along and have a go.

There’s a bingo night and raffle at Milborne Port Sports and Social Club at 8pm.

Snowball guaranteed £20, cash prizes. books for sale from 7.30pm and eyes down 8pm.

Friday, Sept 2 A Wooders Wild Weekend is being held at Wooders Camping, Bere Regis, Wareham BH20 7NN from noon until 5pm.

Tickets £5 at eventbrite.co.uk Celebrate the best of what Dorset has to offer in the

mainstream titles, The Iron Lady and Mamma Mia, and continues with a wide range of British and World Cinema including Parallel Mothers, the latest from Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, The Outfit, a tense thriller starring Mark Rylance, and the Finnish film Compartment no.6, which way of small & local, including artists, crafters, makers (& shakers) out there doing their thing in Mid Dorset and The Purbeck Region.

Cars can be parked for £1 each.

Stalls cost £50 per weekend (£25 per day), charities are £20 per weekend. W & P Women In Business £40 per weekend.

They hope to have an open mic night on the Saturday night in the marquee – if you are a musician you can camp for free if you would like to play. Book camping at wooders.co.uk, or to book a fully glamped up bell tent email Fiona via perfectpartytents.co.uk

Saturday, Sept 3 Halstock Fete is being held

was one of the most awarded movies on the 2021 festival circuit from Cannes to Göteborg.

Films will be shown on ten selected Mondays before Christmas and eight Wednesdays in the New Year.

For more details go to dorchesterfilmsociety.org.uk between 1pm and 4pm.

There will be a silent auction, live music, bric-abrac, tombola, book, CD and DVD sale plus a photographic and kid’s LEGO competition, a farming corner and model aircraft display.

A host of refreshments are available including Ices, Bar, a barbecue and teas and cakes.

Entry is just £1 for the over 12s.

The Friends of Weymouth Library (Fowl) are hosting a talk by Richard Hutley, ex Dorset police officer on The History and Future of Policing at 10.30pm at Weymouth Library in support of the library’s events and activities.

Booking is essential, ring the library on 01305

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

11

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

762410 or email weymouthlibrary@dorsetco uncil.gov.uk A traditional village fete is being held in Oborne near Sherborne between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

The event will feature the Wriggle Valley Jazz Band, Granny's Attic, Children's Corner, a barbecue, skittles, and a duck race. Plenty of free parking.

The annual Leigh Flower and Craft Show is being held from 2.30pm-4pm, at Leigh Village Hall, Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HL. Entry £1.50, Children under 16 free. The show will be opened and prizes presented by Julie Plumley of Future Roots, Rylands Farm. There will be wonderful displays of flowers, vegetables, handicraft, art, photography and cookery and delicious teas and cakes being served. To enter an item at the show contact Emma at emma.harris27@btinternet. com for a schedule and entry form by Wednesday, August 31 latest.

Sherborne Digby Hall Monthly Market will be held from 9am-1pm, with a variety of up to 50 stalls selling handmade arts, crafts, local produce and lots more.

Cafe, toilets and free entry.

Teas and Talks – From dishwasher to Dame will be held at Dorchester’s Shire Hall at 2pm, £6.

This Talk given by Melissa Barnett of Chippenham Museum is about the extraordinary life of Dame

Florence Handcock.

Dame Florence rose from poverty in the town to a life in the trade union movement.

One of 16 children, she was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Hancock, weavers at the local cloth mill.

She attended Westmead School until the age of 12 when she left to work in the kitchen of a local cafe for three shillings a week.

At the age of 14, she went to work at the Nestle Condensed Milk Factory, where in 1913 she helped organise a strike for a living wage – the very first factory strike in the town.

A life in the trade union movement followed, first with the Workers’ Union and then the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU), for whom she was National Woman Officer.

In 1949, Dame Florence was elected the second female president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

She died in 1974 having lived long enough to see her life’s work, equal pay for men and women, become law in Britain.

To book your ticket, visit the Shire Hall website or call 01305 261849.

Bridport Hat Festival will start at 10am, with plenty of titfer tat and mad millinery on show. Why not fashion your own and join in?

It will be opened by Bridport’s Mayor Ian Bark at 10am in Bucky Doo Square, followed by music from the Bucky Doo ' Pop Club Stage' with the mass hatted photo being taken in

Bucky Doo Square at 1pm followed by judging of the various hat competitions.

A spokesman said: “We are hoping to, once again, see the occasionally elegant, always creative or technically ingenious and often bizarre creations that are such a feature of this event. Who knows what the tortured minds of our Bridport folk will come up with? – We thus expect to see many making reference to local features, or satirical referrals to topical events –or just downright weird!”

The all-day HatFest Garden Party is also taking place on the same day at Bridport’s Millennium Green where there will be food, a licensed bar, music and entertainment throughout the day from 10am until 6pm.

A collection will be made throughout the town with all proceeds being donated to head related charities such as Brain Tumour Research.

To help with the smooth running of the festival we are looking for some more volunteers who would be prepared to help for an hour or two on HatFest day – if you can help please phone us on 01308 250350 or email on info@bridporthatfest.org Dorset County Show 2022 will be held on the 3rd and 4th at Cokers Frome (see page 13).

All of the usual attractions and sections will be back for everyone to enjoy; livestock, horses, show jumping, horticulture, blacksmiths, homecraft, trade stands, rabbits, cavies, poultry, bees & honey, food & drink, ring

attractions and much, much more.

Tickets at dorsetcountyshow.co.uk – children under 16 free.

There’s a Vinyl Revival at Tom Brown’s Pub, High East St, Dorchester, at 8pm – an all-vinyl disco with music from 50’s-90’s focusing on Northern Soul, Ska, Tamla, Punk and Mod. Truckfest South West 2022 will also be held on both weekend days, at Royal Bath & West Showgrounds.

It’s a must-see show for enthusiasts, families and the road haulage industry.

Proud of its heritage in presenting trucks from all over the world, Truckfest is Europe’s Premier trucking event, showcasing a huge variety of trucks from giant American to jaw-dropping customised vehicles. Find out more at truckfest.co.uk.

There’s Wildlife Wanders at Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods from 10am-noon.

Join Countryside Ranger and bird enthusiast Kath Hernon for seasonal guided walks around Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve.

Kath will share with you her extensive knowledge and passion for Thorncombe’ s wildlife. She will identify species of ancient woodland flower and tree, tell you which butterfly is which by the size and shape of its wings, or identify a bird just from its song.

Kath's enthusiasm for all things 'wildlife conservation' is contagious and these walks

Cont’d next page

12

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) are a highlight of Thorncombe' s 2022 events calendar.

Booking Essential 01305 251228 or hardysbirthplace@dorsetcoun cil.gov.uk £5pp suggested donation Parking charges apply

Monday, Sept 5 There’s an introduction night & read through of Jack & The Beanstalk hosted by The Lyme Regis Pantomime Society at Woodmead Halls from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

The society stages a traditional pantomime every year during February half term.

Membership is open to anyone of school year 7 or above.

All are most welcome.

Bridport Choral Society starts its new season of rehearsals at 7.30pm until 9.30pm in the United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport.

New members are welcome.

They sing a mixture of musical styles, from the old to the new. There are no auditions, but some musical knowledge and ability to read music is useful.

The first two sessions are free.

Call 01308 425987, visit Bridportchoral.wordpress.c om or go to facebook.com/ BridportChoralSociety, or just turn up on the night.

Weds, Sept 7 Wellbeing Wednesday takes place at Sherborne Library from 2pm-4pm.

This is a free event where you can come along to meet new people, start a conversation and enjoy a

cup of tea and piece of cake. They are held on the first Wednesday of the month. Email info@totalwellbeingmatters .com to find out more.

The Dorchester and District Gardening Club will be welcoming Susan Vincent, a historian and National Trust volunteer guide, who will be giving a talk on Thomas Hardy and His Two Wives – who was the real victim in his marriages?

The club meets at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB, doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry for members, visitors £4 on the door. There is also a bring and buy stall and a draw, with tea/coffee and biscuits available afterwards. All welcome. Contact: Jane, secretary 01305 268523.

Thurs, Sept 8 Sherborne and District Gardeners' Association meet at 7.30pm at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, when Bryan Madders will talk on the subject of Dahlias and Chrysanthemums.

Visitors £2. Further information from Richard Newcombe on 01935 389375.

Shire Hall will host a bingo night at 6.30pm with Bingo Barry!

With all cash prizes and a brilliant raffle, Shire Hall's Bingo is a fun night out for everyone. £10 for a book and £1.50 for cash flyer. Refreshments will also be available to buy from Shire Hall Cafe, including teas, coffees, cake and a bar.

Booking is essential at shirehall-historic-courthouse-muse um.myshopify.com NT Live will perform Much Ado About Nothing at 7pm at Dorchester’s Plaza Cinema in Trinity Street. Tickets pddorch.admit-one.eu Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.

The legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities and

royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.

A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.

Following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Antony and Cleopatra, director Simon Godwin returns with this irresistible comedy, broadcast live from the National Theatre stage.

SUMM UMMER ER SALE LE OF ARTS & CRAFTS In the Studio Garden, 4 Frome Lane, Maiden Newton, DT2 0BS 07929 410022 Saturday, September 3 from 10.30am Paintings & greetings cards | Jewellery, felting Decorated boxes & drawers | Dollshouse accessories

ASTER ER SESS SSION IONS: TAS COME ME & GIVE IVE BOW OWLS A TR TRY CO September 10, 11 & 18: 10am­1pm & 2pm­4pm September 17: 10am­2pm Wheelchair accessible | All ages and abili琀es welcome

BRIDPORT & WEST DORSET INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Contact Arthur Stone to book or for more details: 01308 425278 bridpor琀ndoorbowls.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

13

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

60,000 visitors expected at show Organisers are expecting more than 60,000 visitors at Dorset County Show on September 3 and 4.

Dorchester Showground at Cokers Frome will play host to a showcase of excellence in agriculture and a wide spectrum of rural life.

The show has been arranged by the Dorchester Agricultural Society (DAS) for more than 180 years. There’s a full programme of events and attractions across the two days including the main ring events, 6,000 exhibits and trade stands which include Shopping at The Avenue, and local artisan food and drink.

Society chair Nicki Ralph said: “The show team has been busy preparing for this

year’s show which will be an event to remember. We’re all really looking forward to welcoming the community back to enjoy the show and support local businesses after the two-year break. The team has curated a programme of events the public know and love, as well as introducing some new events and activities we hope all will enjoy.”

The show is a family-friendly day out and this year includes a quiz trail, starting in the Fabulous Food and Farming Zone. The trail is free to enjoy and encourages families to experience all the show has to offer while learning about food and farming along the way. Questions can be found in the show programme.

Advance tickets for the show are available to purchase online at £21pp or in person on the day. Children under 16 years old enjoy free entry.

For more information about the show visit dorsetcountyshow.co.uk September 10th 2.30-4.30pm

OPEN AFTERNOON with BLACKMORE VALE SCRIBES at Bradford Abbas Village Hall, near Sherborne. Come and see us at work on Calligraphy projects and maybe try your hand!

HUNNY BUNNIES Fabrics, haberdashery, Craft kits, Handmade products and gifts.

Christmas fabric range, advent calendar and stocking kits now in stock.

07914 387246 Hunnybunnies11@ outlook.com REDLANDS YARD, BROADWINDSOR, DT8 3PX

14

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Hundreds gathered to enjoy Swingtime in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens, a fabulous afternoon of music and entertainment to raise money for The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

The free event saw people making the most of the lovely weather, many bringing picnics, blankets and chairs to sit in the shade and tap their toes while enjoying music from The Purbeck Big Band, The Bridport Big Band, Saxtet Jazz Band and Dorset For Singing Choir. There was also a display of classic cars from Dorchester Classic Vehicle Club.

It was the first Swingtime – an event that has been running for more than 20 years – since covid. It is the main fundraising event organised by the trust’s trustees, committee and volunteers.

“Most donations to the trust are from patients and legacies, along with other fundraising and bigger events done for us,” said vice chairman and trustee Loric Collins.

“But Swingtime is the trust’s main event where we do some fundraising, along with the raffle, teas and cakes.”

The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust (FCT), started in 1998, aiming to improve the services to cancer patients in Dorset, mainly through Dorset County Hospital – and more than 12,000

STRIKE UP THE BAND: Enjoying the music in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens and, inset below, clinical reflexologist Abbigail Langstone-Wring tends to some tired feet

Swinging time in gardens boosts DCH cancer trust patients receive treatment each year in the Fortuneswell outpatient unit and ward. The trust is run by volunteers – and everyone on the committee, (or their partner or spouse), is or has been a cancer patient.

Over the past 20 years or so the trust has donated nearly £1million to major projects at DCH. It also

funds items of specialised equipment for patients, pays for nurses to attend courses and conferences to keep their skills up to date, funds clinical reflexology for cancer patients and even pays for newspapers for patients, so they have something to read as they undergo chemo.

At this year’s Swingtime, clinical reflexologist Abbigail LangstoneWring along with her

colleagues Lorna and Jane from the clinical reflexology team from DCH’s Fortuneswell Trust offered reflexology sessions – giving weary legs and feet the once over – and it was clearly popular as the ladies were busy all afternoon!

“It was a lovely day,” said Loric, “and we raised £1,141.00. Thank you to everyone.” n Go to fortuneswell cancertrust.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

15

New £3.5k beach path a shore-fire hit

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Relieved and delighted beachgoers are praising campaigners and the town council after a new £3,500 wheelchair-friendly path was installed at West Beach, West Bay. The 100sqm of matting on the beach means people who struggle with mobility and walking on the stones can finally get to the shoreline and not have to simply admire the sea from afar.

Photographer Neil Barnes was one of the first to use the path, taking his daughter Lucy down to the waves and even taking a bowl so she could dip her feet in the water.

He said: “Now this is what I call a birthday present!

“Some may recall my campaign a few years back to get my daughter Lucy on to the beach, well it finally happened today.

“After getting the wheelchair friendly tables installed on the Esplanade and at Hive Beach, I’d almost given up hope but a very kind lady Elaine Leader took up the reins and badgered the right people.”

Elaine campaigned for 18 months to get the matting installed. She said: “I’m very pleased the matting is down, even if only for part of this season.

“I’ve been pursuing the project for about 18 months and it’s been very slow and sometimes frustrating. Councillor Kelvin Clayton was my town council contact and he allowed me to present the project at the environment and social

ON THE BEACH: Neil Barnes with daughter Lucy and Penelope Slocock on the new beach path and inset, Gerry Waugh and wife Vanessa

wellbeing committee meeting in March.

“My next goal – phase 2 – is to secure funding for two beach wheelchairs and to get the town council to deal with storage and hire/management of the scheme.”

It was clear from a number of posts on Facebook how much people appreciated Elaine’s efforts.

Penelope Slocock said: “Thank you! I have not been able to go on the beach for many years. This path is great.”

Gerry Waugh took his wife Vanessa on to the beach in her wheelchair. He said: “Living where we do, we go to the seaside quite a lot, but today was the first time in years we have been onto the beach itself.

“Thank you to all the people who campaigned.”

West Bay Harbour Master James Radcliffe and his team installed the matting for the visitor season.

Mayor Cllr Ian Bark said: “We’re delighted with the early feedback from both residents and visitors about the matting, which seems to indicate a genuine sense of freedom from people who haven’t been able to enjoy the beach until now.

“I am so grateful to Elaine for her determination, and to others like Neil Barnes who have campaigned for this provision. I’d also like to thank the Harbour Master and his team for their work in laying the matting.”

Town Clerk Will Austin said: “We managed to

obtain some external funding from Dorset Coast Forum that has really helped, and once we can identify further finance we can look at additional matting, and ‘beach wheelchairs’ for hire.

“These could enable users to move off the path and to enjoy the sea.”

PROPERTIES WANTED NO MORE: Tenant problems Evictions Arrears Property damage GUARANTEED rent income for up to seven years, hassle-free. Family-run business.

Property handed back to you in the same if not better condition.

We work with local businesses to provide accommodation for their working professionals as well as providing guest accommodation.

OUR GUARANTEE: We will maintain your property to the highest standard, with rent on time, no void periods, no tenant problems, no evictions, no arrears and no damage. The property will be professionally cleaned at least once a week and any damage by the guest would be taken care of immediately by us as per our contract.

Can we help you?

Nicholas : 07928 771538 Emily: 07919 441381 info@neraproperties.com

16

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

AND OFF THEY GO: Taking part in the parkrun at Poundbury’s Great Field. Below: Warming up

It’s a run in the park for youngsters Scores of youngsters turned out for the first junior parkrun from Poundbury’s Great Field – now organisers are inviting others to join them.

Junior parkruns take place all over the UK, South Africa and Australia at 9am on Sundays and there are now nearing 400 individual events, with most being in the UK. Junior parkrun is a 2km run (not a race) and is open to children aged four to 14 who are welcome to run, walk, jog, hop, skip or jump the course and receive an official time, free of charge. All they need to do is register at parkrun.com beforehand and bring along their barcode.

Organiser Tom Edmonds said: “We were lucky enough to launch at The Great Field in Dorchester at the end of July after the successful launch of parkrun here back in October 2021. We were astounded at how many little smiling faces we have already welcomed,

and look forward to welcoming more in the future.

“The event is not just for children though! We are super excited to be able to offer volunteering opportunities every week to anybody in our community, and if

anybody would like to get involved with helping at this event I’d encourage them to email thegreatfieldjuniors@park run.com. All of the roles are straightforward and we can explain anything that isn’t clear.”

He added: “We are just the

latest in a line of junior parkruns in Dorset. Moors Valley juniors has been running the longest, followed by Weymouth juniors and Upton House juniors. Slades juniors in Bournemouth regularly draws a large number of children and more recently Lyme Regis has joined the junior parkrun family at Cobb Gate juniors, launching in February this year.

“We’re over the moon to be able to bring such a great community event to Dorchester and to add another great attraction to The Great Field, alongside the new adventure playground and the amazing PiP café.

“I’d like to thank those who financially supported the launch of the event: CG Fry, Morris’s Homes, Ford Civil Engineering, Public Health Dorset, Dorchester Town Council and the Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club.

“Without these contributors we wouldn’t have been able to get the event off the ground.”

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

17

Stuart on march for £20k MS target A charity fundraiser has kicked off a 600-mile walking tour of English Premier League football stadiums.

Stuart Dawson of Broadmayne is aiming to raise £20,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Stop MS Appeal by trekking from Newcastle United’s St James Park stadium to AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.

Stuart said he was inspired to take on the challenge after a number of his family members and friends, including his good friend Nick, were diagnosed with the illness Nick, aged 55 from Dorchester, was diagnosed with progressive MS in 2014 and his mobility has deteriorated since then.

Stuart and Nick first met in 1994 when they played football for rival teams.

They later cemented their friendship when they worked together from 2005.

Stuart said: “Nick has always been committed to helping his community and, although his MS has meant that he is no longer as active as he used to be, he is still a school governor and a trustee for two PLANNED ROUTE 14/08/22: Newcastle United (St James Park) 16/08/22: Leeds United (Elland Road) 18/08/22: Manchester City ( Etihad), Manchester United (Old Trafford) 19/08/22: Everton(Goodison Park), Liverpool(Anfield) 22/08/22: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Molineux), Aston Villa (Villa Park) 24/08/22: Nottingham Forest (City Ground)

STADIUM TARGET: Stuart Dawson is walking 600 miles and visiting every Premier League club’s stadium

Picture: STEVE PALLANT

charities. Personally, I have witnessed how MS can affect lives and bring new challenges for families and I wanted to do my small part in helping find a cure.

“Having regard to how Nick and I first met, it seemed appropriate for me to do something footballrelated to raise money for the Stop MS Appeal.”

Stuart added: “My target of £20,000 is equivalent to the estimated cost of funding Nick’s treatment for a year. I am also hoping that my attempt will raise awareness of the MS Society’s appeal, of Nick’s situation as well as the mental and physical health benefits of walking football.”

Nick’s walking tour of 25/08/22: Leicester City (King Power Stadium) 28/08/22: Tottenham Hotspur (White Hart Lane), West Ham United (London Stadium) 29/08/22: Arsenal (Emirates), Chelsea (Stamford Bridge), Fulham (Craven Cottage), Brentford (Community Stadium), Crystal Palace (Selhurst Park) 31/08/22: Brighton & Hove Albion (American Express Community Stadium) 02/09/22: Southampton (St Mary’s) 03/09/22: AFC Bournemouth (Vitality Stadium)

Premier League stadiums is set to take three to four weeks to complete during August and September and raise £20,000.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Stop MS Appeal is aiming to raise £100million in order to find ‘treatments for everyone

with MS by 2025’.

To support Stuart’s fundraiser visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/stuart-dawson8 Potential corporate sponsors are encouraged to email Stuart at scejdawson@ btinternet.com

18

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Film and festival lovers are in for a treat as two free events are being staged at Maumbury Rings and Borough Gardens in Dorchester to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.

The Open Air Cinema on Saturday, August 27 is showing two classics: Moana at 2pm followed by the 1980s original, Back to the Future at 5.30pm.

During the interval, there will be live music from eight-piece band The Skalatans, bringing a laid back Latin and ska vibe to the afternoon. And a stone baked pizza van, hotdogs, candy floss, popcorn, icecream and coffee will be available plus beer from Brewhouse and Kitchen.

Film buffs should come early, bring a blanket or deckchair and get comfy for a double helping of two classics.

Parking is available at the Fairfield Market car park.

And for those wanting something a little more energetic, the Anonymous Festival is being staged in Borough Gardens on Monday, August 29, between 11am and 5pm.

Now in its 12th year, this event has secured a loyal following.

Music from a host of genres will be performed on two stages, showcasing some of the best young musicians in the southwest including Conor Smith, Ruby Dew, Asha Zee, Olivia Sebis, Shannon White, the Dark Descendants, Ben Reidy, Lizzie Pawsey, Malelei, Vicky Limm and The Undecided.

Headlining this year will be Galaxy Thief, an indie

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: Walkabout entertainers at the Anonymous festival

It’s festival fever for film fans and live music lovers

DOING A TURN: Galaxy Thief and, right, singer Malelei

pop/rock four-piece from Swanage who are Yamaha Music London Ambassadors, representing Yamaha across the UK. Feel free to bring your own blanket or deckchair and make a day of it.

Emma Scott, Dorchester Town Council’s community development officer, said: “I am really proud of Anonymous, which involves so many young people. It’s been

amazing to see how many of the young musicians who have played over the years have gone on to become professional performers and tour the world! And the cinema event will also be a brilliant day out.

“And a special shout out must go out to the funders of the events including Dorchester Town Council, The National Lottery, Sovereign Housing, Dorset Council, Magna

Housing, Brewery Square and the Brewhouse and Kitchen, as well as our partners Antix Music, Air 107.2 and the Vinyl Van. Frazer Mitchell, founder of Antix Music Network, coordinating this year’s Anonymous Festival lineup said: “This year, the line-up is incredibly strong, with solo acts and bands from all over the Dorset area, all under 25 years old.

“Anonymous Festival is exactly the type of event we want to get involved with; helping develop younger artists and giving them platforms for their creativity.”

Entrance and all activities are free. n For more information about the Anonymous Festival, visit the Facebook page or email e.scott@dorchestertc.gov.uk or ring 01305 819463. For Antix Music Network visit antixmusic network.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

19

Return of Veterans’ Breakfast Club Bridport’s Armed Forces Veterans’ Breakfast Club is back up and running again after a brief hiatus caused by covid.

The group, which welcomes former personnel from the army, navy and air force, meets on the first Sunday of every month at The Greyhound Hotel in East Street, Bridport.

The group’s next meeting, following their recent break, will be on Sunday, September 11 from 9am to 11am.

The meeting is open to veterans and their friends and family with organisers promising ‘no subs or joining fees, just breakfast and banter’.

Group chairman Bill

JUST MY CUP OF TEA: The Veterans’ Breakfast Club is back at The Greyhound in Bridport

Davies said the breakfast meetings are an opportunity for people with shared experiences of life in the services to get together.

Bill said: “Because of the decline in member numbers of veterans’ organisations such as the Royal Naval Association, the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Forces

Association, for some of our members this is their only chance to get together.

“As ex-servicemen and exservicewomen, we have a common link.

“We talk about the old days and share information on who may require welfare assistance locally or arrange to give someone a lift somewhere in a car if they need it.”

Bill said that prior to the national covid lockdown around 30 people would attend the breakfast meetings on a regular basis.

Now, following the lifting of lockdown restrictions, around 20 members meet regularly at the pub.

Bill added: “We’re planning to have a couple of nice picnics at nearby Allington Hill soon if the weather holds up well.”

Bill, who is also a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the breakfast club runs from 9am to 11am so people can also attend church services in the town Any former service personnel interested should go to the next meeting on September 11.

NEW IN STOCK! Beds & Mattresses

Carpet Vinyl Laminate Wood

The carpet store that comes to your door

Visit our showroom: Unit 1 Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1ST

( 01305 753998 * info@carpetselect.co.uk

20

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Model railway club back on track with exhibition After many months of the pandemic and inactivity the Bridport & District Model Railway Club is now ‘back on track’ after holding their biggest model railway exhibition to date at the Sir John Colfox Academy.

Alongside the exhibiting layouts with British, American and Continental themes in all popular gauges from ‘N’ gauge (2mm to one foot) up to ‘0’ gauge (7mm to one foot) there were trade stands selling all manner of model railway products.

Exhibition manager Bob Ahrens presented the Best in Show trophy to Bob Holwill from Exeter for his brilliant ‘N’ gauge layout called Moors View showing a winter scene on Dartmoor. Steve Simms came second with his 009-

CHUFFED: Bob Holwill’s Moors View and, right, Steve Simms’ 1914/18 Winter in France.

Below: Purgatory Park and, right, Bob Holwill receives his trophy

gauge layout called 1914/8 Winter in France, depicting the movement of troops in France. Third place went to Peter Hollins from Poole for the 1/35 gauge layout entitled Over the Top, showing the final moments of the Western Front.

Bob Ahrens commented on the very high standard on show and thanked everyone for their efforts.

Club publicity officer Douglas Beazer commented on the many favourable remarks he had received during the day from members of the

public on how good and friendly the exhibition was.

The club was also pleased with the support given by the public and thanked everyone, including the Sir John Colfox Academy, who made the show so successful.

Council accused over Vearse decision Campaigners have accused Dorset Council of ‘negligence’ in giving the go-ahead for 760 new homes to be built at Vearse Farm near Bridport.

Advearse said the council’s decision to consider an application of this size alongside other applications did not allow adequate time for analysis and debate.

The group also questioned why only 18 minutes of public speech were allowed at the planning meeting before a decision was made to allow housing construction at the Vearse Farm site, now officially renamed Foundry Lea. An Advearse spokesperson

said: “This is a huge disappointment to Advearse who have campaigned for the last nine years to have this plan refused because of its impact on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as well as the negative impact on a small market town with limited infrastructure to support the influx of over 2,000 new residents.

“Astonishingly, instead of setting aside a full day for study and comprehensive discussion and debate on an application of such huge scale, which will massively affect the future of Bridport, the council shunted this critical

application into an agenda with several other minor planning issues.

“Moreover, in the last few days before the meeting – and despite strong urgent written objections from Advearse and individuals to the Chief Executive of Dorset Council – objectors were astonished to learn that the number of members of the public and organisations who would be allowed to speak against the application would be limited back to just six people, each having a mere three minutes to speak: 18 minutes for a 760-home application.”

The spokesperson added: “Due to the negligence of

Dorset Council, this development as it stands will, over the next decade, see real risks and damage to Bridport and its residents.”

The spokesperson said these risks include narrow footpaths, construction vehicle movements, a lack of formal plans for water and sewerage services and council ‘ignoring’ its own declaration of a climate emergency.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “We have nothing further to add. This was discussed at the Western and Southern area Planning Committee and all details on that can be found online.”

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Appeal for regular bus service after current deal ends Shoppers, commuters and Mr Driscoll said that bus students still need a services running between reliable bus service running Bridport and Yeovil have between Bridport and been ‘chequered’ over the Yeovil, a public transport years with contracts campaigner has said. changing hands from Bob Driscoll, former Damory Coaches to First chairman of the West Wessex and Buses of Dorset Western Area Somerset, followed by a Transport Action Group reduction in services over (WATAG), made the time until the pandemic hit. comments after Dorset “I don’t think there’s a Council announced the rural bus service anywhere current contract in rural Dorset – or for the number rural anywhere – six service will that makes a great end this year. financial return,” Buses of Mr Dirscoll said, Somerset has “but we have to notified the look at other angles Office of The to it, such as social CAMPAIGNER: Traffic need and the Commissioner it Bob Driscoll number of people will deregister who would the service at the end of effectively be October when the current disenfranchised by not contract ends. having public transport Buses of Somerset available to them in the subcontracts some of the midst of a climate crisis.” service’s journeys to First Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Wessex and this part of the Council’s portfolio holder contract will also end. for highways, travel and The council will then put a environment, said: “It was new contract out to tender. hoped that passenger Bob Driscoll of WATAG numbers would improve as said: “It’s no good we exited the pandemic, providing a service at the but there has not been cheapest possible price if it enough of a rise to cover doesn’t suit anybody. the costs of running the “If we’re going to get service. people out of their cars and “We are unable to keep on to public transport it extending our contract with needs to be convenient and Buses of Somerset as we consistent. have reached our “There’s been so many regulatory limits. changes over the years.

“We are fully aware of the “People need a service that challenges of improving will be unchanged for two bus travel across Dorset.” to three years at a time and First Wessex was will remain operational.” approached for a comment.

21

l TRAILER SALES l TRAILER PARTS & SPARES (next day delivery) l TRAILER SERVICE & REPAIRS We supply spares and parts for all makes and models of trailers l l l l

Brake spares Trailer lighting Trailer wheels/tyres Jockey wheels/ prop stands l Body fittings

l l l l l l

Bearings Mudguards Numberplate holders Aluminium ramps Security Storage boxes

01929 462534 WADDOCK CROSS, DORCHESTER, DORSET, DT2 8QY Please visit our eBay shop for the best prices – ‘Wessex Trailers’ – click the link on our site, wessex-trailers.co.uk or email - sales@wessex-trailers.co.uk

BATHROOM MOBILITY SPECIALISTS Keeping you safe & independent n Design & technical survey n Product purchase n Full installation n Wet rooms n Walk in baths and showers n Bathroom adaptations

n n n n n n n

Smart toilets Tiling Panelling Non-slip flooring Warranty Free quotation!

Covering the whole of the South West!

01935 726216 0800 448 0861 Free quotes: ttfinstallations@hotmail.com

22

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

A bit of light entertainment Thousands of people joined Bridport’s famed torchlight procession, headed up by Mayor Ian Bark, town crier John Collingwood and West Dorset MP Chris Loder.

The event, featuring 1,500 torches, made a memorable finale for the town’s carnival week, which was enjoyed immensely after the enforced two-year break during the pandemic.

The procession made its way to West Bay, where there were fireworks.

Channel swimming pensioners aim for record

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Six swimmers with an average age of 75 are getting ready to swim into the record books, with an epic Channel relay planned between September 8-15.

The swimmers – four of whom are from Dorset – are raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK with their attempt to claim the record for the oldest six-person English Channel relay.

Bob Holman, 77, from Affpuddle, first swam the Channel aged 47 in 1992, gaining the trophy for the most meritorious swim after a gruelling 18 hours 40 minutes in the brine.

Bob, who turns 78 in October, said: “This is not the first time we have done such a swim and as we get older our thoughts are with those who will benefit from our endeavour.”

He added: “Over many years, the sport has given me great joy, pleasure and lifetime friendships. My swimming buddies seem to

BOB, BOB BOBBING ALONG: Bob Holman, left, Bob Roberts, right, and Linda Ashmore

get younger each year just like policemen and doctors, but I can cope with this so long has I don’t take himself too seriously!”

Mother of three and grandmother of eight including identical triplets Linda Ashmore, 75, from Weymouth, fulfilled a childhood dream of swimming the English Channel at the age of 60, becoming the oldest woman to achieve the feat.

She said: “I then started Ironman triathlons at 69, did another Channel swim at 71 to regain my title, and

am still going strong at 75!”

Bob and Linda will be joined by a further two Bobs – Robert Lloyd Evans Poole turns 80 in October and Bob Roberts from Weymouth, who is 74.

Bob Roberts said: “I have been keen on water activities all my life from swimming and diving competitively in my younger years, to water polo, surfing, scuba diving and sailboarding. In later years tennis and open water swimming have taken my interest, which has included swimming the Dart 10k

(x3), Henley Marathon, English Channel relay (2015), numerous Plymouth Breakwater swims and Sharkfest swim in Rhode Island.”

The final two team members are Kevin Murphy, 73, and Parviz Habibi, 70, from London.

Kevin was a member of a team in 1965 which set the then relay record and has swum the English Channel 34 times, including three two-ways. n To sponsor them for Alzheimer’s Research go to justgiving.com/ fundraising/ofitw2

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

23

Campaign group disappointed by snub

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Campaign group Save the Area North of Dorchester (STAND), who oppose plans for 4,000 houses to be built on land north of Dorchester, say they are dismayed and confused as to why their application for a pitch at Dorset County Show was rejected.

Dorset County Show is being held at The Dorchester Showground at Cokers Frome on September 3 and 4, and is a highlight in the county’s agricultural calendar, with its attractions and livestock sections attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Nicki Ralph, Chairman of Dorchester Agricultural Society, said: “Dorset County Show is an apolitical

organisation and as such we adhere to this policy when carefully considering and reviewing all of our trade stand applications.

“On this occasion, STAND’s application was declined as it went against this policy. This is an approach that we take with all our trade stand applications.”

A letter sent by Nigel Kay from STAND to The West Dorset Magazine, says: “We support the maintenance of a flourishing rural economy and believe our values are closely aligned to those of the Dorchester Agricultural Society. STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester) has still not received an official explanation from Dorset County Show about why our application for a pitch at the show was turned

down. STAND is not a political organisation. It is a single-issue campaign opposed to the proposal to build 4,000 houses on agricultural land between Dorchester and Stinsford – including the site of the county showground.

“We are opposed to the loss of valuable farmland for housebuilding, and the resulting damage to the environment – including many important habitats.

“Membership of STAND is not restricted to any particular political party.

“We have received offers of support from local Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians. A number of environmental organisations with similar aims to ours are included among the list of exhibitors.

“They include Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPB, the WWF and the Woodland Trust. Why is an exception being made for STAND? “Dorset Council’s recent announcement that they intend to delay the adoption of the County Plan by two years is likely to mean that the decision about this land north of Dorchester will be a significant issue at the county council elections in 2024.

“STAND will seek assurances from candidates of all parties that they oppose this development.

“STAND remains disappointed by the decision of the show committee not to offer us a pitch at the show.

“We will now look at alternative means of getting our message across to the show’s visitors.”

PLASTERING SERVICE ...including:

• Skimming • Plastering • Rendering • Plaster Boarding We now offer a full PLASTERING SERVICE in addition to our roofing, building and scaffolding teams.

With over 20 years’ experience, you can be assured of a clean and professional job at all times.

Contact us at Poundbury Build & Maintenance for a personal quotation...

Telephone: 07557338592 or Email: info@pbm40.co.uk

24

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Plaque to be unveiled commemorating

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A Second World War army officer who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his remarkable bravery will be honoured with a ceremony and plaque in St Simon and St Jude in Winterborne Monkton, the church in which he was baptised in August 1920.

Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel of the Royal Sussex Regiment (1st Airborne Division) was evacuated from Dunkirk at the fall of France in 1940, fought in the western desert at the battle of El Alamein in 1942 and died in the Battle of Arnhem. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious medal for gallantry.

He is buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Arnhem, Oosterbeek in Holland.

Major Nick Speakman from the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester discovered this remarkable Victoria Cross recipient, and it was decided that a ceremony and plaque would serve as a fitting tribute to honour his bravery.

DECORATED: Captain Lionel Queripel VC

Peter Metcalfe, who volunteered at the Keep Military Museum, served in the Coldstream Guards in the 1960s and over the last 40 years has been repairing military graves in India and Pakistan. He has organised the plaque for Captain Queripel.

Peter has also mounted two

n Lionel Queripel was born in the manor house at Winterborne Monkton in July of 1920 and spent his first six years growing up in Dorchester.

He was educated at Marlborough College and, intent on pursuing a military career, entered the Royal Military College in Sandhurst in January 1939.

On October 22, a few weeks after the outbreak of the Second World War, he was commissioned as a

plaques to Lt Philip Salkeld VC of the Bengal Engineers on the Salkeld Bridge at Sturminster Newton near Plumber Manor.

The unveiling ceremony is on Monday, September 19 at 2pm, by invitation only, and will mark the 78th anniversary of the day

Second Lieutenant into the Royal Sussex regiment.

On April 22, 1941, Queripel was promoted to Lieutenant.

In May 1942 Queripel’s battalion, along with the rest of the 44th Division, now under Major General Ivor Hughes, left England, destined for North Africa.

On July 27, Queripel was promoted to the rank of captain.

After participating in the Battle of Alam el Halfa and the Second

Captain Queripel was killed in action at the Battle of Arnhem.

Close family members, representatives of the Royal Sussex and Parachute Regiments along with retired military representatives and local dignitaries will be attending.

The full citation for Queripel’s Victoria Cross appeared in a supplement to The London Gazette on February 1 1945, reading: Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel (108181), The Royal Sussex Regiment.

(1st Airborne Division) (Dorchester).

“In Holland on September 19, 1944, Captain Queripel was acting as Company Commander of a composite Company composed of three Parachute Battalions.

“At 14.00 hours on that day, his company was advancing along a main road which ran on an embankment towards Arnhem.

“The advance was conducted under continuous medium machine-gun fire which, at one period, became so heavy that the company became split up on either side of the road and suffered considerable

Battle of El Alamein, where they sustained heavy casualties, the battalion was one of several to provide candidates to form the new Parachute Regiment.

Queripel was 24 years old, and a Captain in the 10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, 4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division during the Battle of Arnhem for which he was awarded The Victoria Cross.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

bravery of hero

TURNING POINT: The Battle of Arnhem and, right, St Simon and St Jude at Winterborne Monkton

losses. Captain Queripel at once proceeded to reorganise his force, crossing and recrossing the road whilst doing so, under extremely heavy and accurate fire. During this period he carried a wounded sergeant to the Regimental Aid Post under fire and was himself wounded in the face.

“Having reorganised his force, Captain Queripel personally led a party of men against the strong point holding up the advance. This strong point consisted of a captured British anti-tank gun and two machine-guns. Despite the extremely heavy fire directed at him, Captain Queripel succeeded in killing the crews of the machine-guns and recapturing the anti-tank gun. As a result of this, the advance was able to continue.

“Later in the same day, Captain Queripel found himself cut off with a small party of men and took up a position in a ditch. By this time he had received

25

Talk on Horse Course Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild will be learning about a special programme helping adults and children with mental health difficulties.

On Monday, September 12 from 2pm-4pm at Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, DT1 3DF members and visitors will learn about The

Horse Course, based in Littlemead, Weymouth.

Rene Dewhurst will talk about the work they do with horses, which are trained to give clear and unbiased feedback on mental and emotional self control. Visitors welcome at £2.50.

Queries 01305 832857. Tea or coffee available

T WILLIAMS PLASTERING further wounds in both arms. Regardless of his wounds and of the very heavy mortar and spandau fire, he continued to inspire his men to resist with hand grenades, pistols and the few remaining rifles.

“As, however, the enemy pressure increased, Captain Queripel decided that it was impossible to hold the position any longer and ordered his men to withdraw. Despite their protests, he insisted on remaining behind to cover their withdrawal with his automatic pistol and a few remaining hand grenades.

“This is the last occasion on which he was seen.

“During the whole of a period of nine hours of confused and bitter fighting Captain Queripel displayed the highest gallantry under most difficult and trying circumstances. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were magnificent, and an inspiration to all. This officer is officially reported to be wounded and missing.”

All aspects of interior & exterior plastering

07733 950923

TRINITY STREET, DORCHESTER, DT1 1TT

Trusted, tailored advice on Pensions & Retirement, Investments, Estate Planning and Protection With a presence in Dorset’s County town for over forty years, we at P J Aiken Limited, pride ourselves in offering our clients a personal, bespoke, and professional service, as every client is different and unique.

• Tax ef昀cient structuring including pensions, ISAs and investment bonds • Bespoke investment proposition; creating and managing your investment portfolio

• Socially responsible investment options including sustainability & environmental funds

We look forward to working with you, please do get in touch if you think we can help.

T: 01305 266676 • E: advice@pjaiken.co.uk

www.pjaiken.co.uk P J Aiken Ltd is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 5581988

26

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

By Gwendoline Parish newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

My beautiful, intelligent and funny little girl struggled in many ways as a child. She was a little more anxious than her peers, a little more sensitive, a little less patient. Jessica hated bright lights and busy places and, while she was academic, she hated school with a passion.

I, of course, worried. She was so different to her brother, who had bags of confidence and took everything in his stride. I took Jess to the doctor, spoke to her teachers, found a counsellor, but no-one really knew why Jess fretted so, not even Jess.

Eventually Jess was diagnosed with ADHD, which made a lot of sense. Life went on and after her A-levels, Jess threw herself into the world of horses, which helped in many ways but certainly not all, but she did find friends.

One morning she came home, and her clothes had that distinct aroma of cannabis. She went to have a nap and I quietly put her things in the wash, worried and unsure what to think or indeed say. We have had loads of conversations in the past about drugs. I didn’t want to go mad, but I didn’t want to give her the green light either.

The following day, when I was calm, I broached the subject and Jess laughed and told me that a few of her friends smoked, so naturally her clothes would pick up the smell. With relief I accepted what she said but reiterated that cannabis can crush the spirit and kill motivation. She nodded her head in agreement.

However, over the next few months Jess’s behaviour began to change. She slowly began shirking her responsibilities and was rarely at home. My anxiety grew. When we did talk, Jess would accept she was being

In-house rehab and detox

neglectful and promised to ‘change’ but although she was saying the right things, her behaviour didn’t match. I felt alone, confused, worried and had no idea what to do – she was in her early 20s and

legally, could come and go as she pleased.

Over the 18 months that followed, things spiralled downwards. She became angrier, frostier and sullen, her once sparkly eyes looked

dead and cold. She never had any money to pay for the things that once mattered to her. Eventually, Jess told me she was smoking cannabis regularly and that she thought it was ‘helping’. She couldn’t

A helping hand for those who need one Shig Hayre and Paul Kalaher launched SP Bespoke four years ago, with one sole purpose – to help anyone affected by alcohol and drugs for the long term.

With a team of some 500 experts nationwide, SP Bespoke help people tackle the core issues of drug or alcohol misuse at home and untangle the personal and work problems which eventually come with alcohol or drug misuse.

After a four-hour assessment, SP Bespoke offers an immersive, one-toone, tailor-made plan, including all immediate family members, for several days as a more effective and permanent alternative to a residential rehabilitation treatment centre.

Shig said: “We give you and your family the right help for your unique set of problems.

“Alcohol or drug dependence is not just a problem for the individual – issues permeate through every area of their lives and into the lives of everyone close to them.

“Misuse of alcohol and drugs is an obsession that will cause an immeasurable negative impact on the family, friends, and employers of the primary sufferer. It will cause anxiety and stress for the whole family.

“Our service gives you hope and understanding from those people who have been where you are now. You no longer feel alone, knowing you have dedicated

professional support. You will gain self-respect and dignity, both at home and in your professional life.”

Paul added: “We believe there is rarely such a thing as an insoluble problem and with passion, to see someone become well as it happens is very fulfilling.”

SP Bespoke help you find immediate and long-term solutions for: n Alcohol and drug dependence and addiction n Gambling addiction n Sex/porn addiction n Anxiety, stress, bereavement, ADHD and PTSD n Family problems n Employment problems n Debt problems n Business disputes n Legal advice

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

treatment to ease illness of addiction see that it wasn’t. I looked at options which included rehab or counselling. Jess wouldn’t cope with being in an institution, but I didn’t feel a weekly counselling session would be enough.

Nonetheless, I found a counsellor for Jess and one for me.

My counsellor was supportive and I was able to open up. I felt so ashamed and guilty that my daughter was using cannabis, I had kept it to myself for almost three years.

But it wasn’t until Jess told me she wanted to stop smoking cannabis that my counsellor recommended SP Bespoke – an at-home rehab and detox service.

“It’s not cheap,” said my counsellor.

I didn’t care, I couldn’t put a price tag on my daughter’s life, and I felt desperate, hopeless and helpless. Jess’s cannabis use, and risky behaviour was infecting my own professional and home life.

“I can help your daughter,” Shig Hayre asserted, having listened to my story patiently through my tears.

“Getting her off drugs is the easy part. I can keep her well.”

I trusted Shig immediately. I don’t know why; it made no sense. Here he was, promising me that not only could he stop Jessica using marijuana, which had plagued Jess and us for three years, but he could keep her from wanting to smoke in the longer term.

“I will need to see Jessica, and make an assessment, so I can choose the best people in my team who I think will be the best match. Addiction is an illness Gwen, but

addiction is the symptom of something deeper and my team have the skills to get to the heart of the matter and help Jessica overcome the reasons why she turned to drugs in the first place.

“I can get Jessica well and I can keep her well.”

Big Promises.

Jessica had been having counselling for almost six months and while her consumption had decreased, she hadn’t stopped, although she was repeatedly saying she wanted to. She didn’t know how and never believed she could.

“What if Jess doesn’t agree with the assessment, Shig?” I asked.

He said: “Often people dependent on their drug of choice don’t want an assessment Gwen, they are scared, they are having a battle with their addict brains.

“It’s a frightening prospect to think about stopping something you have relied upon for years. They have become physically, mentally and emotionally reliant on something that is harming them. It is an illness. They believe they can no longer live without whatever it is they are addicted too.

“We have been called to intervene in some situations.

“The families have had enough but the addict does not want to stop. Even in situations like these, we are able to get the addict to agree to our intensive therapy and by the time we are finished, the addict is clean. We don’t fail, but the journey is tough.”

I was lucky – Jess agreed to the assessment.

Jess said: “I was relieved that I was going to get proper help, but I honestly didn’t think it would work, and truthfully, I didn’t know if I could stop. Cannabis at first had given me calm and a sense of contentment, but I knew it was making things worse. My life was not better, in fact I was more anxious than I was before I started. I lost interest in everything I once loved and I didn’t want to do anything apart from smoke. I was in pain, confused and angry. I couldn’t imagine life without cannabis.

“My life and everything in it centred around it. I was lost and trapped and beginning to hate myself.”

Shig and Paul spent several hours with Jess and me at our assessment and, in that time, Shig was able to identify the sort of help from his experts she needed and who would be best suited.

He told me he felt Jess needed a ten-day treatment plan at home starting in less than a week. When he left, he told me he was available on the phone night or day for free if I wanted to talk, which I did and rang him many times.

Treatment is not cheap but it is good value and very effective for the whole family,

27

who also suffer, and with a team of support with members who have proper understanding because of their own journeys.

We agreed a start date and the first member of his team, an ADHD specialist, spent three days with Jess, helping her understand herself and finding a way to love her differences, on day four a former heroin addict arrived with Shig and spent three more days with Jess, and in this time, Jess put down her last joint. The last few days we spent together with Shig and an expert in drug addiction, neurodiversity and family dynamics.

The journey was the toughest one Jess has ever been through in her life, but bizarrely now, instead of reaching for a joint in those moments of pain, she searches inside and a few hours later will verbalise her feelings with a profound level of understanding which astounds me.

It is now six weeks on, and she has not smoked cannabis.

Jess said: “I never want to have a puff on another joint in my life. I never want to go back and all I can see is a future that is filled with hope.

“My drug dealer rang me last week and asked if I was okay.

I told him I had quit and even he said ‘Never go back. Weed is a dream killer’.” n Continued on next page

28

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Turning the corner from certain death

n From previous page

Shig Hayre, director of SP Bespoke, almost lost his life to alcohol, but after specialist medical and psychological help, he has not picked up an alcoholic drink for 16 years.

Shig said: “I was an international entrepreneur.

“From humble beginnings I worked relentlessly and as my businesses grew, it wasn’t long before I possessed all the trappings of wealth – a home with a gym and sauna, a stable of expensive motor cars, and private education for my children. However, the

£895 5

quantity of my alcohol consumption grew to beyond what I thought was a social pleasantry. Drinking turned into a daily coping mechanism, to alleviate workrelated stress. It did not take too many years for my health to reach the point where the next stage would have been death. I was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome, known colloquially as a ‘wet brain’.

“I was in my mid-forties when my family persuaded me to seek support in the USA. I thank God they did as it saved me from certain death. In the last 16 years I have not picked up an alcoholic drink of any sort. My life is not only the healthier for it, but I am happier and richer in the quality of my life.

“Over the years, I have counselled, from the heart, countless fellow alcoholics and

addicts and their suffering families, many of whom now enjoy many years of peaceful sobriety.”

Paul Kalaher, director of SP Bespoke, is an alcoholic friendly lawyer, offering nonjudgemental support to help clients find practical solutions for legal problems. Legal problems are often an inevitable consequence of alcohol or drug misuse.

Paul said: “Hard work and exhaustion led me to look for solace in a bottle. I turned to alcohol in a futile attempt to escape the stresses and strains

of work life. This descent had to stop when my own health failed. I have been lucky enough to retain a loving family, but many are not so lucky.

“My wife of 33 years and my two children have been amazingly supportive throughout but, like Shig’s family, they must have been very worried at times. Along my journey I have seen many people from all walks of life divorced, become unemployable and die from their misuse of alcohol and drugs. Fortunately, I have been able to help many people recover to lead more fruitful lives and my passion is to see people get well and stay well.” n For details about SP Bespoke visit spbespoke.com Email shig@spbespoke.com or ring 07809 565487 Email paul@spbespoke.com or ring 07515 120330.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

ƫ ƫ ƫ č

ĀāăĀĆƫĈĀĀƫāąĆ č

ĀĈĆăĈƫāąĊƫāĂĉ *Offer valid for openings up to 2.ąm wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manualƫ+2!..% !ċ

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

29

say on investment plan No use carping about heat Have Bridport Town Council is investment priorities and agree

By Junior Secretary Graham Howard The junior section of the Dorchester and District Angling Society held their latest coaching session on Firs Lake at Todber Manor Fishery. Thankfully shade from nearby trees made the day much more bearable in the 33° temperatures. A low attendance due to the hot weather and holidays, meant only four juniors braved the blistering conditions to learn about how to fish shallow for carp with a pellet waggler and a pole. I gave two demonstrations before the juniors went away to practice the methods for themselves. The result was plenty of safely returned carp as well as lots of smiling faces on the juniors.

We all had a great day even

Oliver Smith catching carp

though it was very hot.

Many thanks to John Candy and the staff at Todber for hosting us.

DDAS Juniors coaches juniors from six to 17 years old in a 20-mile radius of Dorchester. If you would like more information about coarse fishing, coaching or any of our junior events, go to ddasjuniors.co.uk, email juniors.sec@d-das.com, or find us on Facebook.

working with local businesses to develop an investment plan for the town.

The plan will form the basis for funding bids to improve the town centre and support local businesses in undertaking the transition to a net zero future.

Throughout July and August an online questionnaire has been available to gather investment proposals for consideration.

The online questionnaire closes on August 30th so if you want to contribute ideas for investment in Bridport do so at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/O7JEVX/ In September Bridport Town Council will host a series of open meetings at the LSI in East Street, primarily for local business interests, to share the responses to the online questionnaire, discuss

how an investment plan for Bridport can be used to lever in funding.

Proposed meetings include: n Wednesday, September 7 – exploring jobs, skills and technology needs n Thursday, September 8 – investing in transport, access and movement n Wednesday, September 14 – exploring the arts, heritage and cultural offer of Bridport n Thursday, September 15 – investing in the environment and local food.

If you would like to provide information for display at the jobs, skills and training workshop please reply by September 5.

All sessions will open at 5pm and run for an hour and a half.

For further information contact David.dixon@bridport -tc.gov.uk

Get involved and help people in need

A charity dedicated to helping people in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland is holding its annual meeting on Wednesday, August 31 at 8pm in The Dorset Carers Hub. The Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund gives financial assistance to provide facilities not covered by local authorities and help people experiencing emotional difficulties or problems associated with mental or physical ill health.

The fund now needs ‘an injection of fresh enthusiasm and talent’ to take the charity forward.

A spokesperson said: “The charity is currently operating with only four trustees and our treasurer

has recently resigned as both treasurer and trustee.

“We are very grateful to the many years that Elise Gatehouse has filled this role and for her and her family’s support of the charity. However, this means that the day to day running of the charity has become a struggle. We need an injection of fresh enthusiasm and talent to take this charity forward or face the fact that the charity may need to be

dissolved.

This would be a great shame and we are keen to continue but the forthcoming AGM will be make or

break!”

The charity began in 2010 when local musician, Steve Charles, was unable to fund the private treatment he so desperately needed in his fight against throat cancer.

A group of friends and local musicians headed by Jack Daniels, launched Help a Friend to Help a Friend and began fundraising in earnest.

Money was raised and Steve received the

treatment he needed, giving Steve a few, extra precious months of life but sadly, the cancer spread, and Steve lost his life in June 2010. The memories of Steve and his legacy live on.

The charity continues in Steve’s name, the ‘Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund, and is now run by a very small group of trustees, all volunteers, who are responsible for fundraising, administrating, and allocating funds.

The charity needs volunteers on either a permanent or temporary basis. If anyone is interested, you are invited to the meeting at the former M&S building in Dorchester’s South Street on August 31 at 8pm.

30

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Skate expectations for latest addition to trail Bridport Town Council has welcomed the addition of nine new sculptures by local artist Greta Berlin to the popular Bridport Sculpture Trail.

Now in its third year of development under an agreement with the Arts Development Company (ADC), the additions to the trail are part of a generous gift from Greta to Bridport.

Bridport-based and Royal College trained artist Isla Chaney instigated the trail in 2019, by placing some of her work in public spaces.

Since then, the sculpture trail has evolved with new works by local artists added each year. This year – as well as retaining some established favourite artworks by Brendon

HANG TEN: Skateboarder by Greta Berlin at Plottingham Field in Bridport

Murless, Vik Westaway, Carrie Mason, and Isla Chaney – nine new sculptures by Greta Berlin have been included.

Pick up a sculpture trail leaflet from Bridport TIC, or download the PDF version, and explore the green spaces surrounding the town. Sites with sculptures include Plottingham Field,

Riverside Gardens, Borough Gardens and the Millennium Green.

The sculpture trail is managed and curated by Cleo Evans at ADC on behalf of Bridport Town Council. In the autumn, ADC will being running a public consultation to find out which sculptures have most won the hearts of local people and explore

how to continue to grow the sculpture trail into the future.

Councillor Karen Hunt, a member of the panel that selects new sculptures, said: “The town council is delighted to have received the gift of sculptures from Greta Berlin.

“Our community is rich with highly skilled artists and the sculpture trail provides the opportunity to showcase their talents within our green routes.

“The trail enhances these green spaces and will be lovely for residents and visitors to discover beautiful and thoughtprovoking pieces of contemporary art.”

Some of the artworks are for sale, please contact hello@theartsdevelopment company.org.uk

Rotary donation under the microscope A visitor centre in West Dorset is offering a fresh perspective of the natural world thanks to a new digital microscope.

The Rotary Club of Bridport donated £2,177 to West Bay Discovery Centre to fund the purchase.

Discovery centre visitors can get a highly magnified view of fossils, pebbles, feathers and plants, plus people are invited to bring in their own objects to view.

The rotary club’s cash donation was made up entirely by local firms as part of a business partnership scheme. The money from this scheme is ring-fenced and is

THANKS: Bernard Paull and Chrissie Bailey from Bridport Rotary Club with John West of the Bridport Development Trust

generally used to support youth projects in the area.

The rotary club’s cash was handed to John West, trustee of the Bridport Area Development Trust, by Bernard Paull and Chrissie

Bailey from the Bridport Rotary Club.

Rotary club president Bernard said: “It’s pleasing to know that with the generosity of our business partners we have helped

the local multi-awardwinning Discovery Centre acquire this wonderful new attraction.”

John said: “We are really grateful to the Bridport Rotary and supporting businesses for their help in making this fantastic new addition to the Centre possible. Our other contributors to this initiative include Waitrose, The Fine Foundation and Bridport Car Boot Fund.”

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

31

Simply beautiful 昀漀rs you’ll love for a lifetime.

Washed Character Oak SM-KP144

Lifetime guarantee

The Carpet Company THE KARNDEAN EXPERTS

Available in a wide range of designs, colours, textures and sizes

View the full range in store:

The Carpet Company Can be personalised with design strips or complementary borders

Pouncy Hall, Liscombe Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3DF 01305 261886 | www.thecarpetcompany.co.uk

32

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

To the ends of the Earth and back:

By Dan Goater dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dorset’s most famous explorer John BlashfordSnell CBE has penned a new book documenting his incredible life’s work.

From Utmost East to Utmost West: My Life of Exploration and Adventure details all of Mr BlashfordSnell’s great excursions, from quests to discover giant pachyderms in Nepal to delivering a piano to a remote tribe in Guyana.

A former colonel in the Royal Engineers, Mr Blashford-Snell is the founder of the Scientific Exploration Society and Operation Raleigh.

He has mounted more than 100 expeditions over 60 years, travelling to some of the planet’s most remote, inaccessible, and dangerous places in pursuit of scientific research, wildlife conservation and community aid.

He is seen by many as one of the last ‘true explorers’ of his generation, discovering and documenting unchartered territories, nature and peoples, while pioneering new methods of exploration.

The new book documents several of Mr BlashfordSnell’s firsts as an explorer.

He completed the first descent of the Ethiopian Blue Nile and the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap – including its infamously treacherous Atrato swamp – between North and South America.

He also completed the first navigation of almost all 2,700 miles of the Zaire

RIEVR CRUISE: Near Shafartak Bridge on the Ethiopian Blue Nile in 1968

ALL’S WELL: Opening a new well in in the Ethiopian Highlands in 2005 and, right, a young boy on Mount Magdala in Ethiopia

(Congo) River, combating exhaustion, stress, sickness, crocodiles and bandits.

Perhaps Mr Blashford-Snell’s most famous exploit was delivering a baby grand piano to the Wai Wai tribe in Guyana. The great explorer first

encountered the tribe in 1996 and was asked by a tribal leader if he could deliver them a piano for use in their Christian services.

In October 2000, Mr BlashfordSnell flew a 70-year-old

piano, donated to him by a friend, to the Guyanese capital Georgetown. From there it was transferred to a small plane and flown 350 miles to a small grass airstrip near the Wai Wai village.

From there, Mr BlashfordSnell and his team had to carry the piano five miles through savannahs and jungle before loading it onto a raft and taking it a further three miles by river.

As the exhausted team of British and Wai Wai people transporting the piano arrived in the

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

33

Explorer Blashers’ amazing journey

WELCOME: With the Wiwa in Sierra Nevada, Northern Columbia and, below, lessons on the grand piano we brought from England to Masakenari

ON A HIGH: With Pam Stephany and our guide flying the Explorers Club flag in the Tavan Bogd mountains in Mongolia.

Left: The new book From Utmost East to Utmost West, which comes out in October

village they were greeted by villagers singing: ‘Lift up your hands and praise the Lord’.

QI host Stephen Fry said of John Blashford-Snell that he is: “An inspiration to generations of young people, a fighter for habitats, conservation, scientific discovery and a greater understanding of our extraordinary world.

“These fabulous stories, gathered from a lifetime of intrepid journeys, will thrill, educate and delight.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “Without doubt JBS, as

many know him, is one of the world’s most eminent explorers.”

To this day Mr Blashford-Snell, now 85, supports and works with numerous charities and continues to lead expeditions with the Scientific Exploration Society, of which he is its honorary president. n From Utmost East to Utmost West: My Life of Exploration and Adventure is published

by Bradt Guides and will be available from October 7.

SALES l SERViCE l REPAiRS BiKE FiT STUDiO l MTB, road, gravel, hybrid, children’s & E-bikes

l Large range of spares & accessories

popestreetcycles.co.uk | 01305 520320 @popestcycles – 4 Pope Street, Brewery Square, Dorchester, DT1 1GW

34

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

THANKS: Carol White, centre, receives her prize from the Friends of Yeatman Hospital

Friends’ award for long-serving NHS worker The Friends of Yeatman Hospital presented a prize to a devoted member of hospital staff who has clocked up 40 years of service, which was donated by generous visitors at Sherborne Castle Fair.

The charity arm of the hospital had a stand at the event and hosted a raffle, with some 50 people choosing to donate their winnings to The Friends.

And at the prize draw, one of the top prizes lunch for two with wine at the

Clockspire in Milborne Port, was also donated.

It was agreed the prizes should be donated to health care assistant Carol Wilson, who has worked for the NHS for 45 years with 40 of them being at the Yeatman.

The chairman of the Friends, David Hayes, said: “We consider this prize could not have gone to a more worthy person, given Carol’s devotion of service to the hospital and the community over such a long period of time.”

MIU temporarily shut at weekends The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Bridport Hospital will be closed at weekends until September 3 because of staff sickness and unfilled vacancies.

Dorset HealthCare has ‘temporarily’ shut the unit on Saturdays and Sundays, although it will remain open as normal on weekdays.

Jane Elson, Dorset HealthCare’s Service Director for Integrated Community Services, said: “Our minor injury and urgent treatment service staff have been working exceptionally hard in recent months to help us maintain in-person care at our MIUs, often working

STAFF SICKNESS: Bridport Hospital

additional hours and travelling across the county at short notice to help fill in for colleagues affected by covid-19 or other staffing issues. We are extremely proud of the dedication and flexibility that our staff have shown.

“However, despite our best efforts, it is not possible to safely staff Bridport’s MIU over the next few weekends.

“This situation should be resolved in early September, when new staff will be joining us and other colleagues are expected to return from sick leave. For now, though, we would ask local people to bear with us and continue contacting NHS 111 if they have any injuries or ailments which require urgent attention.”

Anyone contacting 111 will be assessed, and either given expert advice or directed to an appropriate NHS point of care. Often problems can be dealt with

by pharmacists or a GP. If urgent face-to-face treatment is required during those three weekends, an appointment will be made at one of Dorset’s other units: n Weymouth Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) – open 8am-8pm n Swanage Hospital 8am-8pm n Westminster Memorial Hospital (Shaftesbury) – 10am-4pm n Victoria Hospital (Wimborne) – 8am-8pm n Yeatman Hospital (Sherborne) – 10am-4pm (Sundays) If the condition is lifethreatening, call 999 without delay.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

35

Vittles (food & drink)

Valley vineyard up for sale at £1.2m A vineyard in the Piddle Valley has gone on the market with an asking price of more than £1.2million.

Muston Vineyard covers around 44 acres and includes around 30 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties.

The grape varieties are in their sixth year of growth and are set to reach full maturity this season.

A small harvest has been taken from the site for the last two seasons, producing fine English sparkling wine.

Next to the vineyard is an area of pasture, which has previously been used for grazing livestock, sheltered by a small area of mature woodland. The pasture and woodland are approximately 11 acres in size.

The land also comes with planning permission, which was granted in August 2020, to build a 10,000 sq ft agricultural building.

Matilda Stent of Savills southern farm agency team said: “Nestled on a south east facing slope in the Piddle Valley, Muston Vineyard offers a very rare opportunity to purchase an established vineyard at the heart of rural Dorset.

“The vineyard is close to the tourist hotspots of the West Dorset Heritage Coastline and the Dorset

RAISE A GLASS: Muston Vineyard in the Piddle Valley has around 30 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and could lend itself to a wine tourism venture, subject to planning.

“Muston Vineyard is situated in a rural yet accessible location, just one mile from the desirable Dorset village of Piddlehinton, with popular local pub The Thimble Inn, and five miles north east of the market town of Dorchester.”

Muston Vineyard is one mile from the village of Piddlehinton, and five miles from the county town of Dorchester.

For more information, contact Matilda Stent at Savills on 07866 203463.

The Poet Laureate 5 Pummery Square, Poundbury, DT1 3GW

01305 267000 poetlaureate.co.uk Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm, FridaySaturday 11am-11pm and Sunday 11am-8pm Carvery on Sundays and theme nights in the week See facebook.com/thepoetpoundbury for details

36

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 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.

During a recent house clearance, a tatty box was tossed into the skip and in a rather undignified manner, out fell a book. Retrieving it, I dusted it down as I hate to see the destruction of any book – but cookery books... now that’s sacrilege!

Bookshelves at home groan with an abundance of cookery books purchased over the years, of all varieties. But this one, as tatty as it was, it fuelled an interest.

Titled Bestway Cookery Gift Book its cover worn and its spine bleached with time, dog-eared from use, was once a loved and well used cookery book. Inside I found numerous recipes cut from magazines and newspapers of the time, some dating back to 1942. The cuttings were faded and had been well used, splashes of food garnished the text, imprints of times past. Washed-out black and white images combined with charming painted pictures are a complete contrast to the colourful and sumptuous

fraiche mixed with chives, and serve with a green salad – this fills any hungry tum.

This recipe is the past meeting today’s issues as prices rise astronomically.

Smoked salmon can be substituted with anything – even leftovers – and can be a side to any dish.

CHIVE TALKING: Smoked salmon and chive scones

Cheap and tasty recipe from past

cookery books of today.

In true Mr CholmondleyWarner style, one clipping begins: “The other day my luck was in, I managed to obtain a rabbit.” With food shortages and rationing during the Second World War people had to become inventive, stale bread was used in many recipes as was dried eggs, liquid gravy browning, ingredients we would probably turn our

Mum’s Kitchen...

Baked Peaches with Amaretti crumble topping This easy to prepare summer dish serves four.

Ingredients: 4 peaches, cut into halves 85g crunchy Amaretti biscuits, roughly broken up 25g light brown soft sugar 15g plain flour 40g butter, plus a bit extra to butter dish 1 orange – zest grated and juice squeezed

noses up at now. One recipe for a Fish Delight included oatmeal, potatoes, and fish paste. Not an iota of fish in sight! Propaganda slogans didn’t endorse waste.

Flour, a staple ingredient, was coarse and grey in colour, scones were made to mop up gravy and bulk out any scant meal.

The recipe below is a simple ‘summery’ recipe. Serve the scones with dollops of cream

with Diana Holman

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160 fan oven.

Butter an oven-proof dish large enough to hold the peaches in one snug layer. Pour over the squeezed orange juice.

Whizz up the Amaretti biscuits, sugar, flour butter and grated orange zest in a food processor to make a rough crumble and spoon over the peaches. Bake for 25minutes until golden.Cool for 10 minutes. Serve with Greek yoghurt or cream.

Smoked salmon and chive scones 225gm self-raising flour, ½ teaspoon salt and baking powder 150ml milk 1 egg Chives or spring onions Smoked salmon trimmings Method Tip flour and baking powder into a bowl Add chopped butter and rub together until mixture resembles breadcrumbs Mix in milk Add chopped chives and smoked salmon Knead briefly and form into a circle. Cut grooves (or cut individual scones) Beat the egg and brush over the tops of scones. Bake for 18-20 mins in a moderate oven.

With over 420 wonderful self-catering holiday properties across Dorset, choose from over 230 pet friendly cottages, luxury modern hideaways, manors, and traditional thatched cottages with terraced gardens.

Dream Cottages has the perfect accommodation for your next staycation peppered around the Dorset countryside and coast. As Dorset’s leading holiday letting company, Dream Cottages have been supporting holiday homeowners for over 35 years.

Weymouth Offices

Team

You’ll find Dream Cottages’ flagship office in Hope Square, Weymouth.

The Dream Cottages friendly local team are based in Weymouth and Swanage, with an additional housekeeping hub at Burton Bradstock.

Based here is the Owner Relations Team, Marketing and New Property Team. If you’re passing and have a question about properties or holiday letting, pop in and talk to the friendly team who all live locally.

From the Hope Square office, bookings, marketing, property consulting and administration is managed for property owners and potential new owners.

Dream Cottages’ housekeeping and property services hub operates out of a separate office in Weymouth with a fleet of vans ready for each changeover.

If you’re looking for advice on the best crabbing spots on the harbour, the best ice-cream in Swanage or the best place to stay with your family that’s close to the beach – the Dream team are on hand to recommend.

Dream Cottages strive to provide an honest and trusted service for both guests and property owners, enabling guests (and their pets) to enjoy fantastic staycations across Dorset.

From here housekeeping supervisors and property managers are on hand to organise cleaning, changeovers and property maintenance for owners who've selected these service options.

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Swanage Office Dream Cottages’ Swanage office is the third office in Dorset and first in East Dorset for Dorset’s Leading Holiday Cottage Company who have over 400 properties throughout the county.

Here, the team are available to help with new owner walk-ins and appointments along with guests wanting to enquire more about holidays in Dorset.

Find Dream Cottages in Swanage at 8 The Square, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LJ Popular Swanage Properties to stay

2

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Lulworth Lulworth is home to the incredible Lulworth Cove. Situated around the cove and beyond are cottages and properties, pubs, cafes and ice-cream huts.

Dream Cottages represent some of the most popular and pretty properties Lulworth has to offer. From cottages for two people through to twenty, you’ll find something that suits your holiday requirements.

Here you will also find Lulworth Castle, home to Camp Bestival each year, and over the hill, Durdle Door

Lulworth properties for a Jurassic Coast break

3

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Weymouth As one of the most popular places in Dorset, Weymouth and adjoining Portland is full of things to do for all ages. With watersports, beach trips, restaurants, shopping, boat trips and more, there’s something for everyone.

Weymouth Properties a stone’s throw from the Beach

Dream Cottages represents all kinds of properties along the historic harbourside, Victorian seafront and surrounding areas including the villages of Chickerell and Sutton Poyntz. Weymouth is a great place to stay for the family and those who have pets with them too!

Portland The Isle of Portland is connected to Weymouth by a single carriageway road. Those who visit remark how unique its climate and attractions are.

With Portland Bill lighthouse, the carved quarries, climbing and clean harbour for watersports, many couples choose to stay on Portland each year.

Portland Properties overlooking Chesil Beach

4

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

West Bay Home of Broadchurch TV series, West Bay is a great place for the beach, ice-creams and pasties on the harbour wall along with vintage treasure shopping.

Dream Cottages represents chocolate box cottages, harbourside apartments, family homes and bungalows in this area and beyond.

Surrounding West Bay is the village of Burton Bradstock and the bustling town of Bridport where you will find the Electric Palace Theatre and tourist information along with galleries and cafes.

West Bay properties close to the harbour

Beyond Bridport is Beaminster; the properties here are distinct, built mainly with yellow stone.

West Dorset is a popular destination for couples and their pets.

Burton Bradstock properties for a relaxing village break

5

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Holiday in Dorset Last year Dream Cottages welcomed over 32,000 people on holiday to Dorset.

This included young families, young couples, families with teens and retired couples.

If you’re looking for a pet-friendly stay,

Dream Cottages welcomed over 3,000 dogs on holiday in 2021 through 206 properties, so you can be assured your pup can join you!

With so many things to do across the county, various towns and villages await you to explore.

Popular towns for families Just outside of West Bay is Burton Bradstock which has a small Children’s Park and Hive Beach. Burton is a lovely place to stay if you want to be close to both Bridport and Weymouth, with plenty to do in the surrounding area.

Popular villages for couples The village of Corfe is home to Corfe Castle, which is an amazing National Trust castle ruin upon a hill in the centre of the village. If you enjoy walking, cycling or running, Corfe is a great place to stay. The Swanage steam railway also departs from here so you can catch the train to absorb the countryside and rolling hills.

Osmington is a small village outside of Weymouth which is home to the White Horse attraction on the hillside. This is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a quieter stay but want to be close to the action. Sutton Poyntz is at the bottom of the hill which is also a great place if you’re looking for a quieter stay.

6

Dorchester is a hive of activity with the Brewery Square complex featuring restaurants, water fountains, boutiques, and a cinema. Into the town you’ll find lots of high street shops, Dorset County Museum, coffee shops and cafes. Dorchester has a lot of independent places so is great for shopping!

Seasonal Visits Dream Cottages welcomes guests year-round with the months of July and August most popular, during school holidays.

Christmas is a great time to visit Dorset with lots of Christmas Markets, fayres and light switch-ons happening throughout the county. Some properties can also be decorated with Christmas Trees and decorations prior to your stay.

Dream Cottages 01305 789 000 www.dream-cottages.co.uk

Unique Properties With so many properties throughout Dorset, it can be hard to decide where to stay.

Location wins for some, however Dream Cottages are proud to represent some of the most amazing places to stay in the county.

Whether you’re looking for a family gettogether, your first family holiday, girls trip, a romantic break or a walking holiday, you’ll find the perfect place to rest with Dream Cottages.

Thatched cottages

Hot tubs

Thatched Cottages are quintessentially English and make for the most beautiful photos. They’re quirky but charming so if you’re looking for a stunning property in a village, you’ll find plenty.

Sink back and relax after a day of exploring and rest your aches as you sink into your property’s hot tub with a glass of something nice! Some of the Dream Cottages properties host hot tubs in the garden, perfect for a romantic autumn break!

Swimming pools If you’re booking a family holiday or an extended family or friends stay, booking a property with a swimming pool can ensure plenty of fun for all.

Large group stays Looking for a large group stay for up to 20 people or perhaps you need a location for a bigger occasion?

With properties to accommodate up to 40 people, you’ll find an incredible property to stay and create the most amazing memories.

Accessibility Various properties are suitable for those needing accessibility on a ground floor level. From properties with bedrooms downstairs to bungalows, there are plenty of places to choose where to stay to make your visit comfortable.

Electric car charging If you’re looking to bring your Tesla to Dorset, you’ll be able to charge it on the drive at a handful of properties throughout Dorset.

Unique buildings From lighthouses to former churches, each property is individual. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Dorset, you’ll certainly find it with Dream Cottages.

7

Join the Dream Cottages Portfolio Since the beginning as a family business, Dream Cottages has strived to provide an honest, reliable and friendly service to all, and with these values underpinning its services, the company (now part of Sykes Holiday Cottages) has gone from strength to strength.

With now over 400 properties, ranging from seaside beach houses, chocolate box thatched cottages, stylish apartments and historic townhouses, Dream Cottages are proud

to be deemed one of Dorset’s leading holiday letting agencies.

Most of all, Dream Cottages is local!

If you’re looking for far more than simply a marketing service, the local teams are here to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Situated just a stone’s throw from many of the company’s represented properties, Dream can quickly and efficiently help customers and owners.

GET IN TOUCH TODAY

Looking to holiday let your property or thinking of buying a holiday home?

We make holiday letting your property a dream Whatever stage you are at, you can trust us to take the hassle out of holiday letting. We’ll get to know you and your property, and work out exactly what you’ll need to get the most out of your holiday home.

If you’d like to find out more about holiday letting your property, talk to us on 01305 789000 or visit www.dream-cottages.co.uk/letyourcottage

5 Hope Square, Weymouth, DT4 8TR 01305 789000 (option 2) newowners@dreamcottages.co.uk dream-cottages.co.uk/letyourcottage

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

45

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.

Join the courgette set with veggie cake Courgette, pistachio & white chocolate cake My lovely neighbour appeared at my kitchen window this week waving a marrow, only it turned out to be a courgette: Huge.

I wondered what could I create? I grated half for fritters, roasted a further portion and I thought I would make a veggie cake.

If you have a glut of courgettes, as it appears many do,why don’t you have a go at this ridiculously simple sponge? The courgette will add little flavour but will make a lovely moist cake that will keep for several days.

THE SIZE OF IT! I thought it was marrow at first but it was a neighbour’s courgette which helped make this lovely cake

Makes six portions 110g courgette 100g pistachio 110ml sunflower oil 2 free range eggs 175g caster sugar 175g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 vanilla pod, scraped of seeds or 1 tsp vanilla extract Topping 125ml double cream 175 white chocolate 10-12 pistachios Heat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Grease and line a loaf tin with baking parchment.

Grate the courgette into a mixing bowl. Blitz the

pistachios so they resemble fine breadcrumbs and leave until needed.

Add to the courgette, sunflower oil, eggs, sugar and the pistachios.

Beat with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are combined. Add in flour, baking powder and vanilla and mix together. Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 minutes.

The cake is cooked when a skewer comes out clean if inserted into the middle.

Leave to cool before

turning out.

Finely chop the white chocolate and put into a basin.

Pop double cream into a bowl and microwave for 1 minute (or in a pan on the hob) until very hot. Pour the cream over chocolate and combine until blended completely. Leave for 15 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken and pour over the top of the cake encasing it completely.

Take a rolling pin and crush the pistachios and

place on top. Leave to set.

Store in an airtight container.

You may need to refrigerate when the weather is very warm. n Lizzie is to be found, selling her bread, bakes and cakes in The Old Ship Inn, Upwey DT3 5QQ on a Saturday morning from 9.30 - 12.30. Check out how to make the cake on on Instagram lizzibakingbird or lizziebakingbird.com to see where else she is this summer.

46

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Too many cooks? Certainly not the

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A delicious feast of fishiness is due to be served up in Weymouth over two days in September.

Seafeast, which will be held on the Pavilion peninsula on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11, will feature a bevy of brilliant chefs, showing you how to prepare and cook the sea’s bounty in a variety of ways.

The festival also aims to encourage youngsters to eat fish, with a special School of Fish pop-up cookery school for children – places can be pre-booked for free. There will be eight sessions per day (children under eight must be accompanied by an adult).

Organiser Simon Gray said: “The programme is designed to help children learn how to cook and enjoy fish as part of a balanced diet.

“Depending on age, participants will learn how to prepare anything from mussels to mackerel.

Thanks to the Food Teachers Centre supported by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust for this wonderful opportunity.”

The festival is highlighting The Burnt Chef Project, a registered non-profit set up with the sole intention of eradicating the mental health stigma within hospitality sectors.

The Burnt Chef Project

n Matt Budden

n Christian Ølner

was set up in 2019, specifically to support the hospitality trade.

Long, antisocial hours, tough environmental conditions and pressures to perform are just some of the issues that hospitality professionals are fighting against on a daily basis.

n James Burger

James Burger and Matt Budden from The Burnt Chef will be putting on a Ready Steady Cook style show.

Mitch Tonks, who opened his seafood restaurant, Rockfish in Weymouth a few years ago, will be joined on stage by Mark

n Nigel Bloxham

Hix, celebrated chef, restaurateur and food writer, Nigel Bloxham from the award-winning The Crab House Café, Mike Naidoo of Catch at the Old Fish Market, Harriet Mansell of Robin Wylde in Lyme Regis and Mark Woodhouse, family

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

47

Vittles (food & drink)

case at the upcoming Seafeast event

n Duncan Lucas

n Mark Woodhouse

n Mark Hix and Mitch Tonks

n Richard Stokes

director of Hall & Woodhouse, who will be hosting a Badger Beer and cheese pairing tutorial.

Susy Atkins, an awardwinning drinks columnist for The Sunday Telegraph and Stella magazine will be hosting a wine tasting session with Dorset

n Mike Naidoo

n Caroline Drever of Dorset Shellfish

n Susy Atkins

English Sparkling Wines, Bride Valley, Furleigh Estate and Langham.

And Miraval Wines will host a seafood pairing master class and tasting session.

The festival helps to raise money for The Fishermen’s Mission; the

n Harriet Mansell

only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care. n Tickets are limited, booking in advance is advisable. Saturday: adult £10. Sunday: adult £7 Children under 16 are free

of charge.

Book at dorsetseafood.co. uk/book Once you have booked your adult tickets for the Festival, you can book your child’s place on the ‘School of Fish’ cookery workshop at dorsetseafood.co.uk/school

48

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Down to earth

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

One hot beachy day I stuck my toes in the mushiest, gooiest sand I could find and just wallowed. Turns out it wasn’t sand, it was mostly clay – soothing, slippery clay.

I only know this as a man rounded the rocky corner and told me. When he was a child they used to scoop some up and make bowls from it. I was entranced!

And rather worryingly, he told me they would shin up the railway embankment to the old line.

There, they would wait until a train passed and then use the heat from the speed on the lines to dry their creations. I followed his gaze, looking up to the now defunct Rodwell trail and imagining the scene.

He smiled and continued his journey and I attempted to make a pot. Honestly, my pot was more of a photography success of textures than practical as it cracked and crumbled but it was a gateway make to all sorts of pottery. It was just liberating to think I could just pick up some earth and make something.

For a long time one of my dream finds has been a clay pipe. Long have I ogled the posts on Facebook’s London Mudlarks pages, but I still haven’t found a puff of one.

I decided to try and make one and you can see my

CLAY-PRESTO! An impromptu spa treatment, clay beads made into a necklace with beads of hematite, an attempted clay pipe and, right, kebab-style clay beads

ALL GONE TO POT: My attempt at a clay pot and, right, the clay oven

I’m enjoying my feat of clay finished attempt in the photo.

Another beachcombing trip in Weymouth and I was amazed to find a rather wonderful clay oven.

Its architect was a tutor I believe at Portland Sailing Academy. I believe he tried to bake a cake in it for someone’s birthday. Not sure of the outcome but the

very fact that it was there I found wonderful. He made it with his bare hands out of the landscape – true vernacular design.

I decided to try to make some clay beads. Rolling the clay into a ball and then picking out any hard bits.

While it was still wet, poking it with a found stick all the way through to

make a hole – they looked like kebabs! I left the beads drying on the stick and took them home to finish hardening on the windowsill. Yes, they are crude and raw, but that’s what I love about them.

That and that they are made by me from the land where we live and are wonderfully compostable.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

49

Down to earth

Autumn’s night sky is so full of treats Kevin Quinn is a Dark Sky Custodian for the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve who lives in Piddletrenthide.

Read his blog at theastroguy.wordpress.com Spring and autumn are the two ideal periods of the astro-year: the nights are warm and astronomical darkness falls reasonably early, meaning there’s plenty of time to take in and enjoy the sights.

And boy does the autumn night sky have treats aplenty…

I’ve mentioned the planets a lot in recent pieces, but I have to do so again here as they’ll be around for a few more months.

Saturn, although just past opposition, is a stunning sight in a decent scope, as is Jupiter (at opposition September 26) and Neptune (at opposition on September 16). Being ‘at opposition’ means that they’re at their closest points in their orbits to the earth.

Uranus and Mars reach opposition in November and December, respectively.

A good thing about observing planets is that it can be done anytime even while the moon’s up (incidentally, September’s moon is at first quarter on the September 3, full on September 10, last quarter on September 17, and new on September 25).

As amazing as the planets and the moon are, it’s the deep sky that’s where it’s at this autumn.

COLOURFUL: Kemble's Cascade. Courtesy NASA/APOD. Photo by Noel Carboni and Greg Parker

Starting at the northeast, there are dazzling open star clusters in Auriga, Perseus and Cassiopeia (the Double Cluster in Perseus is a must see).

Then there are galaxies in Andromeda and Triangulum; Cygnus the swan is directly overhead; and the Milky Way arcs from overhead down to Sagittarius in the south.

There are planetary nebulae like the Dumbbell (M27) and the Ring (M57); and stunning globular clusters in Hercules and Ophiuchus.

To the northwest there are many, many galaxies and planetary nebulae in Ursa Major

TREE SURGERY &

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

07826 030706

stevettg@hotmail.com

and Draco. I heartily recommend spending at least a couple of hours outside during September, looking up, with just the naked eye or with a pair of binoculars (10x50 are ideal) … there are a couple of really nice binocular asterisms that are ideally placed for viewing: the Coathanger cluster in Vulpecula, and Kemble’s Cascade in Camelopardalis.

The latter is a lovely ‘string’ of coloured stars that ends in the small open cluster NGC 1502.

Check ‘em out, they’re well worth a look.

I’d be very happy to offer guidance/advice on choosing binoculars or a telescope.

You can get in touch via the magazine editor.

But wait, what’s this about two seasons in a single month?

Well, as this edition goes to press, I’ll be jetting off to springtime in Namibia to explore the astro-delights of the southern hemisphere – the large and small Magellanic Clouds, Omega Centauri, 47 Tucanae, the jewel box cluster, the Carina nebula (the subject of a recent JWST image) … It’s been a long-held ambition, and something of a bucket list thing, and I can’t wait.

I’ll be staying at an Astrofarm out in the bush, and will no doubt post regular updates on Twitter and on my blog.

50

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Down to earth

All’s well in search for clean water PAGAN VIEWS

by JO BELASCO

Most people have heard of Glastonbury Tor and the red and white spring water which is said by some to have healing properties.

The history of Glastonbury mixes Christianity and paganism with a flourish. People of all faiths and none at all come on pilgrimages from all over the world. Some seek healing for themselves or others, some forgiveness, some guidance and strength.

Luckily, we have many lesser known but equally magical watering holes to choose from in West Dorset. Some like Upwey Wishing Well and the silver well at Cerne Abbas are well known, others not so much. In my Pagan view it’s good to have a few elemental H2O places you can walk to from your home. Places you can pause and recharge.

Recently, there seems to have been a lot of new scientific evidence explaining why we feel better near water or ‘blue spaces’. The closeness of water apparently lowers our blood pressure and slows the heart rate.

Probably, the ancient racememory equivalent of the relief you feel when you get the wifi password in a new area.

Often villages were built round a village pond, as Portesham is. And tellingly the house next to Portesham village pond is

ROARING: The lion’s head fountain at Glastonbury

HOME: Lawtie Springhead is the house name next to the pond in Portesham

BOOST: Gems and crystals recharging under running water in Abbotsbury

HI HO SILVER: The sliver well at Cerne Abbas and, right, just standing in water feels good to me (welly boots essential.)

called Lawtie. Before churches and courts were built, marriages or handfasts and land disputes were probably performed by the pond-side.

There were many wells called Lady’s or Our Lady’s well, which were dedicated to The Virgin Mary. In certain periods of history the worship of Mother Mary was disapproved of so the adoration of Mary or The Mother went underground – quite literally!

Sometimes I find old wells and springs in my wanderings and feeling a special connection with the place I choose to make it a personal pilgrimage.

When there is a full moon I may take a few gem stones to soak up the beams and the wild running water as seen in the photo.

Other times it’s not so solitary.

Sometimes it’s the liminal draw of crossing from one place to another across

water. Stepping stones or a huge tree trunk bridging two sides of land.

In the photo you can see just such a tree at Happy Island in Bridport.

It was there for many years and provided such joy to children and adults alike.

In this time of world drought we are reminded why water has always been such a valued resource as it is essential to life.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

51

Down to earth

Everybody loves a sunflower, and why not?

Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. You can follow Sally on Instagram at Sparrows in a Puddle It’s hard not to love a sunflower.

Looking like the sun itself from a children’s picture book, buzzing with bumble bees all day long and growing tall enough in just a few months for even my 6ft 2 son to look up at, it’s easy to see why they are so popular. This year though, as we all learned that they were the national flower of Ukraine, growing them has been a show of solidarity with the people from the war-ravaged country, and there are even more sunflowers than usual in the gardens of Dorset.

Sunflowers are associated with

folklore all over the world, representing happiness, optimism, peace, admiration, and devotion.

Although we tend to think of the sunflower as one big flower, it’s actually a large flowerhead made up of hundreds of tiny flowers or ‘florets’.

If you can keep the slugs off them they are perfect for growing with schoolchildren with prizes often given for the tallest flower. I’ve seen some very tall ones this summer, but nothing approaching the current Guinness World Record height of an incredible 30ft 1 inch (9.17m)!

It was generally believed that sunflowers followed the sun’s passage across the sky during the day. But in fact, only young plants will do this and researchers have found that fully grown sunflowers will face east. By facing the sun first thing in the morning they warm up quickly and are

more attractive to the bees. A friend of mine grew some tall sunflowers at the back of a border one year but was not impressed when they flowered facing into her neighbour’s garden.

My garden sunflowers are now going to seed, and the sight of their bowed heads makes me feel a bit melancholic. But having watched the bumble bees have their fill of nectar and pollen earlier in the summer, it’s now time for the birds. Sunflower seeds are extremely nutritious and birds love them. I like to put the seedfilled head out on the bird table.

Before long the sparrows are pulling out the seeds and using their strong bills to break open the outer case to feed on the heart inside. I’ll keep a few seeds though for growing next year’s beautiful sunflowers.

Excuse me while I rabbit on a bit about rabbits 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.

Considering what a great nuisance they can be, it is difficult to believe the rabbits ever struggled to make a living in Britain.

Rabbits, however, are latecomers to the British landscape, having seen the last ice age through in the Iberian Peninsula. Used to the balmy climate that characterised the Mediterranean region in the 12th century, they struggled with the British weather when brought here by the Normans. To keep the poor darlings alive and protected

from predators and poachers, they were provided with purpose-built quarters known as ‘pillow mounds’.

Dorset is fortunate in still possessing several of these relics, the most notable being atop Pilsdon Pen where they look like the burial mounds of giants.

A mound would be built, perhaps with some readymade tunnels or rudimentary doorways made from two brickshaped turfs positioned to form an inverted ‘V’, and the rabbits left to make the best of it. The mounds and the enclosed area around was managed by a warden and thus called a ‘warren’.

The reason that so much trouble was taken was that the rabbit was an introduced luxury and owning a warren a symbol

of wealth. And it was not just the lords of the land that treasured their rabbits, the Church kept them as a Friday comestible, rabbits having been declared a type of fish.

‘Pillow mounds’ is what we now call them due simply to their shape, but previous names directly referenced their inhabitants.

In Britain we use the word ‘rabbit’ but this was once only used for young rabbits. ‘Coney’ was for the adult rabbits or rabbits as a whole, and believed to be derived from ‘cunning’.

A pillow mound was thus called variations on ‘coney’ plus ‘earth’, giving us such delights as cunningerthe, coningarth, conyger, conigree and the slightly eye-watering cunnery.

Rabbits inevitably escaped their comfortable quarters

and wild populations quickly became acclimatised, by which I mean only those that could survive the weather had offspring.

The monetary value of rabbits dropped from the modern equivalent of £12.50 to next to nothing and their status-value with it. Rabbits became the food of the poor. Warrens, with or without custom-built quarters, survived to within living memory and my old friend Gerald told me of the farm he worked on which had a low, close fence all the way round.

It was rabbit-proof but punctuated with little doors that opened only inwards. Rabbits could get in but not out.

52

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Culture

n Hugh Bonneville

n Sheila Hancock

n Maggie O’Farrell

n Kit de Waal

n George Monbiot

n David Owen

Book up early as big names flock to Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville and celebrated actress Dame Sheila Hancock will join a star-studded line up at this year’s Bridport Literary Festival.

The stars from stage and screen will join some of the top names in literature for the 18th Bridport Literary Festival, taking place from November 6 to 12.

Award-winning novelists Maggie O’Farrell and Kit de Waal, travel writer Colin Thubron, environmental activist George Monbiot, singer songwriter Polly Harvey and politicians David Owen and Chris Patten will also join in the festival.

Also taking part are war correspondent Jeremy Bowen, Today presenter

Justin Webb, veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, gardener and novelist Alan Titchmarsh and celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Festival director Tanya Bruce-Lockhart said: “It’s an exciting programme, fitting for our coming-ofage year.

“The team is really looking forward to bringing together these

high calibre speakers to Bridport.’

Sponsored by Dorset law firm Kitson & Trotman, the festival will host various events at the town’s Electric Palace, The Bull Hotel, Bridport Library, The Sir John Colfox Academy and The Book Shop in South Street as well as at Sladers Yard in West Bay and The Tithe Barn at Symondsbury.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

53

Culture

n Melvyn Bragg

n Alan Titchmarch

n PJ Harvey

n Jeremy Bowen

n Justin Webb

n Joanna Quinn

town’s popular literary extravaganza

The highlights of this year’s show will include Hugh Bonneville in conversation with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, Sheila Hancock’s gloriously irreverant memoir and Dorset’s own PJ Harvey on her book Orlam, a ‘poem-sequence of light and shadow’ written in the Dorset dialect.

Debut novelist Joanna

Quinn, whose Dorsetbased novel The Whalebone Theatre is receiving rave reviews, joins a stellar line up of authors including Kit de Waal, and her childhood memoir of her Irish, Caribbean and British upbringing in 1960s Birmingham, as well as Maggie O’ Farrell on her new novel, the renaissance thriller The Marriage

Portrait.

Tanya added: “Last year was a bumper year for BridLit. “We were delighted to see so many of our friends and supporters at events which attracted large audiences from all corners of the county and much further afield.

“This year we’re hosting an even larger programme which will appeal to all

tastes, as well as to children and young people.’ n Information about all the events is now on the bridlit.com website, with priority booking to Friends of Bridport Literary Festival.

General bookings are now available from Bridport’s Tourist Information Centre and online at bridlit.com

54

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Culture

Splash and flash combined for new Described as a collaboration of styles, the Paint and Pixels exhibition is being staged this bank holiday weekend at The Salt House in West Bay, showcasing the stunning work from renowned Dorset photographer Neil Barnes and abstract artist Louise Perkins.

Louise, who owns Essence Lingerie in Barrack Street, has developed her abstract style over the years to produce the most stunning paintings.

She said: “I have developed my artistic flair and passion for colour of the natural world over the last 20 years or so to a level that allows me to share my work via an exhibition.

“My subject matter is always ABSTRACT: Some of Louise Perkins’ paintings which are on show at The Salt House a mystery to me until it appears on the canvas, the paintings very much reflect heart and mind and are always surprising in their form.”

Neil, whose career as a news photographer has spanned decades, turned his attention to landscape photography in the last ten years and his work captures the beautiful area in which we live, most notably West Bay and the Jurassic Coast.

Neil said: “I always say I’m 50 per cent of the way there with our beautiful county, the rest is how I interpret it with the camera. Whilst I will be showing some of my favourite landscapes of West Dorset, I will also be exhibiting some of my more contemporary work which I think people might find unusual and different.” n The Paint and Pixels exhibition will be staged at The Salt House in West Bay from Thursday, August 25 until Monday, August 29.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

55

Culture

exhibition of paint and photography

SPLASH PHOTOGRAPHY: Neil Barnes has been capturing the beauty of West Dorset for decades

56

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Culture

Artist Babs opening garden studio A Maiden Newton artist is opening her creative space to the public for the first time in 15 years on Saturday, September 3.

Babs Thomson is ‘taking the bull by the horns’ and inviting art lovers into her garden studio to view her work, and maybe buy a piece or two.

Babs said: “I sell my things in Weymouth, but this is the first time I am opening my studio.

“I am taking the bull by the horns with the encouragement from a great artist and friend.”

Babs will be showcasing a host of arts and crafts, including stunning, vibrant paintings, greetings cards, jewellery and felting, decorated boxes and drawers and dolls house accessories. n Babs’ garden studio is at 4, Frome Lane, Maiden Newton and visitors are invited from 10.30am onwards.

World’s best on show at film society The best of world cinema is returning to Dorchester’s Corn Exchange on Monday, September 12 with the launch of the town’s film society’s new season.

This follows the society’s successful mini season which was launched earlier this year to celebrate the refurbished venue with its new wide screen and Dolby sound system.

The new season, which is the film society’s 63rd, sees a return of the pre-lockdown line-up of 18 titles,

including a nominated and winning films screened at major film festivals such as Cannes, Venice and London.

Recent releases with Oscar and BAFTA mention, also form part of the programme.

The season kicks off with Herself directed by Phyllida Lloyd, a departure from her mainstream titles, The Iron Lady and Mamma Mia, and continues with a wide range of British and World Cinema including Parallel Mothers, the latest from

Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, The Outfit, a tense thriller starring Mark Rylance, and the Finnish film Compartment No.6, which was one of the most awarded movies on the 2021 festival circuit from Cannes to Göteborg.

Films will be shown on ten selected Mondays before Christmas and eight Wednesdays in the New Year. n For more details go to dorchesterfilmsociety.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

57

Culture

Have your textiles felt at exhibition An exhibition entitled Textures of Dorset will be held at Eype Centre for the Arts, Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport, from Monday, August 29 until Sunday, September 4.

The free exhibition in card and felt by artists Jenny Penney and Di Pattinson will be open from 10am-5pm except Sunday 10am-4.30pm.

Both Dorset artists, Jenny (relief sculpted landscapes and ink drawings) and Di (felt and textiles) are inspired by our natural world, especially Dorset.

Jenny starts every piece of work with a detailed drawing in ink pens (some of which will be on view) before selecting the shapes and colours for the next stage. She produces her landscape pictures by cutting out card and layering it into what she calls ‘relief sculpted landscapes’. The complex pictures are strikingly individual, contrasting from other artist’s interpretation of iconic Dorset views. Jenny is

Di creates 2D and 3D art work using various types of fleece and natural fibres. Feltmaking is the oldest known method of making a fabric and it has always fascinated Di how a seemingly delicate fleece can be manipulated to create a tough durable fabric. She works with undyed and dyed fleece and takes a painterly approach when creating her 2D pieces, laying PAIR OF BLOOMERS: Daisies and, right, Flower Work by down the background and Di Pattinson blending colours to give a multiplicity of shades and tones. She then carries on with a process called wet felting. Di uses a needle felting technique to add finer details. The complex textures and detail give interest and intrigue. Her RELIEF LANDSCAPES: Bat’s Head and, right, Long Tailed 3D pieces are more functional and again the Tit by Jenny Penney design ideas come from also selling printed cards also available. natural forms. Each piece products of her original Mobile: 07711 460372 / is entirely unique. Some images which transfer Email: jennyvp@ are wall hangings and very successfully giving outlook.com Website: others will decorate a the viewer the false jennyvp58.wixsite.com/ lonely cupboard or impression that the prints penneyart tabletop. are also in relief. facebook.com/jenny.

01305 813539 or email: Mugs, bags, coasters and penney.902 di@feltandtextileart.co.uk

Where there’s Ruth, there’s Hope at exhibition Nocturnal and ‘sometimes unsettling’ landscape paintings will go on display at the Malthouse Gallery in Lyme Regis.

Ruth Piper’s Emblems of Hope exhibition features paintings built up in layers of acrylic against dark backgrounds from which plants emerge.

Ruth’s pieces have a ‘gentle, slightly romantic and melancholic

DARK: One of Ruth’s works

atmosphere, with hints of amorphous shapes hidden

in the foliage’.

Based at BV Studios in Bristol, Ruth’s studio has been running for three decades. She has shown her work in London, Germany and the US and at Bridport Contemporary Gallery during Dorset Art weeks.

Ruth said: “I have a particular fondness for the Jurassic coast, having visited regularly since my

early teens with friends and family.

“I am excited to be exhibiting in Lyme Regis, a body of work that began in 2017, inspired in part by the lush fecund atmosphere of the undercliff.” n Emblems of Hope will run from Saturday, September 10 to Wednesday 14 between 11am and 5pm.

58

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Antiques

Inside the Aladdin’s Cave of the A37 Wardon Hill Trading Post has been a hotspot for the vintage vanguard for quite some time, and has flourished following the trend of reuse and recycle.

And with The Cabin Cafe and burgeoning garden centre on patch, it is little surprise this Aladdin’s Cave of collectables and bric-a-brac is securing a loyal following, with visitors returning again and again as stock changes.

Enter the emporium and you are taken on a journey into the past.

There are rocking horses, grandfather clocks, retro jewellery, books and Victoriana, pictures and prints and currently, the

seems cluttered, but swiftly every trinket, every object reveals its individuality and charm – in fact so eclectic are the pieces adorning the shelves, it is indeed possible to while away several hours!

Wardon Hill Trading Hill stands in a lovely setting, it is dog friendly and boasts a children’s play area.

It can be found midway between Dorchester and Yeovil on the A37. Just over the hill from Maiden Newton, look out for The George Albert Hotel and the golf ball and slip into the large car parking space – which is free and roomy.

emporium is showcasing the stunning blankets of Nai Nai. Wardon Hill Trading Post is the official stockist of Frenchic Paint®.

At first glance, the shop We’re coming back

Just like the good old days

BRIDPORT AUCTION Friday 26th August

PASTIMES

An Auction of Collectables and Antiques

Thirty years of dealing in antique & collectible toys.

(starting at 10am) Viewing Days: Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th August

of Sherborne (near the Abbey) Top prices paid for all types of model railway, diecast cars, early Action Man and Star Wars, Scalextric, Meccano, unmade Airfix kit etc.

Those magical makes: Hornby, Dinky, Triang, Spot-On, Corgi, Subbuteo, Britains, Lego, Timpo...

01935 816072

A large 1847 Sunderland lustre jug commemorating the birth of a Bridport man and other china and pottery.

Pop autographs Dinky toys, Fountain pens, Silver tea set, Militaria, Carriage clocks, Postcards, Coins, Books, Pocket and other watches Gold, Silver and Costume Jewellery, Prints and pictures, Ephemera, Oak and Country Furniture and many other items including hats for the upcoming Bridport Hat Festival

Telephone 01308 459400 or email for details Online catalogue from Thursday

18th

August

Saleroom and Office: No.1, St. Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport, Dorset.

Website: www.bridportauctionhouse.com email: info@bridportauctionhouse.com

07527 074343

GLOBAL ART & ANTIQUES St Michael’s Trading Estate, DT6 3RR (next door to Ocean Bathrooms)

HOME TO BILLY MUMFORD’S LEGENDARY FORGERIES! SEE OUR MAIN AD ON PAGE 3

Open Weds to Sun 10am-4pm globalartandantiques.com We buy art & antiques etc – call 07894 555107

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

59

Antiques

Chance to own a slice of royal history at August 26 sale Acreman St Antiques Auction Sherborne has in its August 26 auction an item of great historical interest.

Lot 463 is a leather-cased Bonnie Prince Charlie portrait miniature with a heavy cast brass surround and two fabric tabs from his uniform, worn in 174546 at Fernton (Fairnton) the home of Lord Drummond, and importantly a pair of rock crystal and silver earrings containing plaited hair with the Royal cypher of JR and CR – Bonnie Prince Charlie and his father James Francis Edward Stuart. There is a handwritten letter of provenance that also mentions Flora McDonald

The miniature portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie and earrings, inset, is lot 463 on August 26. Est. £3,000-5,000.

who is best known for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie evade government troops after the battle of

WARDON HILL TRADING POST

ANTIQUES * VINTAGE * COLLECTABLES * CRAFT

Culloden in 1746. Est. £2,000-5,000.

The sale also features a large quantity of jewellery

including 50 lots being sold on behalf of Yeovil Hospital’s New Breast Cancer Unit Appeal. Also on offer are tribal items, paintings, furniture, coins, stamps and banknotes, collectables, etc.

They are now taking in items for their September auction.

They take in from single items up to whole collections and they can also offer a complete house clearance service at competitive rates.

If you would like to discuss consigning your items to auction please contact Gill Norman either by email auction@acremanstreetant iques.co.uk or by phone 07908 333577/ 01935 508764.

ACREMAN STREET ANTIQUES SHERBORNE GENERAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS’ AUCTION Friday, 26th August, 10am VIEWING: Thursday, 25th August 10am-5pm

* OVER 60 TRADERS * CAFÉ & GARDEN CENTRE * FREE PARKING * WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE * DOG-FRIENDLY * SPACE AVAILABLE TO RENT on the A37 Dorchester to Yeovil Road, DT2 9PW Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm & Sunday 9am-4pm

( 01935 83069

Find us on facebook

Art Deco Brooch Est. £2,500-3,000

Catalogue available to view through saleroom.com & easyliveauction.com We are now accepting entries for our September auction For all enquiries please contact Gill Norman on 07908 333577 or 01935 508764 auction@acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

60

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Homes & Gardensx

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

When Karen Burghart from Cerne Abbas was made redundant after 16 years in fashion retail, she felt an element of excitement – perhaps this would be a turning point in her life, the start of the journey to follow a dream.

Her father and grandfather were both nurserymen and being outdoors working on the land was in Karen’s blood.

“Some of my earliest memories were working with my dad, getting up at 5am in the middle of winter to pick the frozen brussels for people’s Christmas dinner and harvesting potatoes and greens for Sunday roasts.

My grandfather fed the troops during the war and horticulture is in my blood,” said Karen.

“I had always wanted to run my own little nursery and so when I was made redundant, I decided it was time.”

In June, Karen took ownership of The Wardon Hill Garden Centre, which lies on Long Ash Lane, and for the last three months, she and her partner Rob have been working tirelessly to stock the centre to bursting with seasonal flowering plants, perennials, bedding plants and bulbs.

And Karen, who wanted to create a ‘quirky little nursery’ has sourced quality ironwork including obelisks, plant stakes and support in a

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Warden Hill Garden Centre and, inset below, Karen Burghart

Quality products with good value... and a little quirky range of sizes, along with garden products, gifts and unusual garden items along with the essentials such as soil and compost.

All the flowers and plants and gifts, products and ironwork is sourced locally, as sustainability is at the heart of Karen’s vision along with offering good quality products for good value.

“I want to give visitors and shoppers a place where

they can source everything they need for their gardens,” she said.

“And if we don’t have something, let me know and I will put it on the list for the next time.”

Wardon Hill Emporium is next door, along with a café.

Karen added: “Wardon Hill is a good place to visit and spend a few hours and since we opened in June, the footfall has been really encouraging.

“Wardon Hill Garden Centre for me is a dream come true.”

Over Bank Holiday weekend, Karen is holding a plant sale, where visitors can come along and take advantage of good reductions of stock and offers Karen the chance to kickstart the autumn season.

She said: “I am inviting anyone who loves their garden to come along and take a look and grab a bargain.” n Wardon Hill Garden Centre can be found off the A37 between Dorchester and Yeovil. wardonhillgardencentre.com

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

32, North Street, Beaminster, DT8 3DY ( 01308 861144 beaminstersheds.co.uk

A family-run business established more than 29 years ago, offering a huge range of sheds and outbuildings, including: l

Bike sheds, dustbin stores and log storage l Sheds to suit all budgets & uses, from hobbies to workshops

l l

Garages & carports Summerhouses & home offices l Playhouses l Beach huts l Field shelters & stables

l

Poultry housing, dog houses, kennels & runs l Garden gates l Fencing l Bespoke buildings

A leading manufacturer of timber buildings throughout Dorset, info@beaminstersheds.co.uk Somerset & Devon.

All our buildings – standard or bespoke – are handmade here in our own workshop in Beaminster

01308 861144

FREE local delivery & erection of garden buildings

61

62

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Homes & Gardens x

Horticulture...

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

Beware the dangers of over-feeding and A few weeks ago, our local West Dorset Magazine stockist seemed surprised when, during a conversation, I told her: “I’ve caused the death of many a plant.”

It happens to us all, but rather than view this a failure it is better to accept it as a learning experience that can turn our fingers a slightly darker shade of green.

My current ailing plant (not dead yet...) is a fern grown as a houseplant. It has done remarkably well this year until a week ago when its fronds became limp. Despite the hot weather, I knew it wasn’t dry, although all the symptoms demonstrated it was parched.

I quickly realised the cause was the fern’s sensitivity to fertiliser. Despite using the same strength liquid feed on other houseplants, which resulted in growth, the opposite was true for the fern.

NOT DEAD YET: My ailing fern has been ‘scorched’

I had inadvertently ‘scorched’ the plant.

Scorched in this gardening context has nothing to do with heat, but everything to do with overfeeding. In

nature, plants inhabit diverse habitats, some love high levels of nutrients, whereas others demand a much lower level. The embarrassing thing (so

Plant of the week: Yarrow Achillea millefolium Yarrow is one of those native plants that blooms occasionally through July and August, reaching its peak during late summer and early autumn.

It is especially visible this year, flowering profusely amongst the parched vegetation of neighbouring

plants. It is resilient and drought tolerant capable of surviving in closely mown lawns, yet in less manicured spaces flowering to 50cm.

Its plants are often unnoticed during summer until clusters of white and/or pink daisy-like

flowers erupt.

Its leaves are curious, much divided and, at least to me, have a slightly odd unpleasant threedimensional texture. Plants provide food for a host of moth species while its flowers are an important food source to pollinators.

please keep it between us), is that I knew this fern enjoyed nutrient-poor conditions, yet for a split second I must have ‘forgotten’ this, and this became the plant’s potential downfall.

So, what has happened to the plant and will it survive?

Plants constantly lose water through their leaves and stems, as a result soil water (a solution of water and nutrients) needs to be constantly absorbed to replenish the loss.

Absorption from the soil mainly occurs through minute root hairs.

The solution enters the root via a process called osmosis (stay with me here). Put very simply, osmosis is the movement of soil solution (water and nutrients) into the root from a high to a low concentration. For a plant to take up water from the surrounding soil the concentration of minerals

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Homes & Gardensx

Summer sale now on!

...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

‘scorching’ plants in the plant’s sap must be greater than the surrounding soil. If it is not, water moves from the plant into the soil, causing it to wilt and possibly die.

Once this has happened, swift action is required.

Flush through the compost by standing the pot underneath a running tap.

Liquid fertilisers are soluble, so with luck you can flush excess from the soil and turn the tide.

The jury is out on the fate of my fern, but I have hope that emerging fronds appear unaffected, but only time

will tell. Unfortunately, killing plants with ‘kindness’ is not confined to plants in pots. I once knew a Somerset dahlia grower, one of the best exhibitors in the country, who inadvertently made his soil toxic by over-feeding and had to give up his passion. I’ve also tested soil closer to home, where my advice has been to stop feeding your plants or risk killing them. While flushing nutrients out of a pot is quite simple, doing the same to your garden soil is futile.

25% off all perennials…

Dahlias now down to £4.25…

Up to 50% off selected stock in the shop…

Subject to availability: While stocks last 16-29 Aug Off the A37 between Dorchester & Yeovil DT2 9PW

Mention The West Dorset Magazine to receive 10% off all LED light bulbs

ADVERTISE YOUR TRADE: 01305 566336 GARDENS

OVEN CLEANING

THE FENCING & GATE Co

SHINY STOVES Oven cleaning

Free survey & quotation

01935 330095 01305 330031

Soil Testing Service Professional laboratory soil tests

• gardeners • landscapers • small holders Wild昀ower meadows, veg, fruit, 昀ower, new & established gardens.

Fast, accurate & easy to interpret soil report within 7 days

www.soilvalues.com 07598 714 082

Family-run business Eco-friendly products 01935 592461 / 07875 272401

shinystoves.com

PLUMBING KDL PLUMBING AND HEATING ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN. FREE ESTIMATES. ☎ 07475 128249 (01929) 448548 (01305) 290265

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING – LARGE RANGE IN DIFFERENT STYLES

Open Monday - Friday 9.30am-5pm Saturday - 9.30am-4pm 52 South St, Bridport, DT6 3NN info@bridportlighting.co.uk 01308 422318 www.bridportlighting.co.uk

Dorset Garden Machinery Ltd Your one-stop shop for all of your garden machinery needs.

Sales, service and repair for residential and commercial customers. We do it all!

UPHOLSTERY BEAMINSTER UPHOLSTERY AND FURNITURE REPAIR Please ring Mike for a quote 07470 007588 or email beaminster upholstery@gmail.com

63

Located between Charminster & Dorchester

01305 756026 |

dorsetgm@aol.co.uk

dorsetgardenmachinery.co.uk

64

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

Such a pleasure to be involved in procession Last Sunday, it was a pleasure to have joined the front of the Bridport Torchlight procession alongside Mayor Ian Bark and Town Crier John Collingwood.

The Bridport Torchlight has become an integral part of Bridport’s Carnival weekend.

It raises much needed funds for the carnival and the local community and is one of the highlights of West Dorset’s social calendar.

It was therefore a shock to have learned late last year that this procession was at risk of being cancelled due to a highways contractor refusing to continue their assistance

in operating the closure of the A35 Crown Roundabout.

After two years of postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, another cancellation was simply not acceptable in my view, and so I was determined to do all that I could to sort this out.

I therefore held a virtual summit with Dorset and Bridport Town Council, the Bridport Carnival Committee and National Highways in order to formulate a solid plan of action.

I then sourced a new contracting company that was willing to operate

the closure, thus fitting the final but crucial piece of the jigsaw.

When joining the procession on Sunday evening, I was surprised by the sheer numbers of people not just participating, but watching the procession follow through the town. I spoke to one person who had come to the event from all the way over in Crewkerne!

I was very pleased to have helped ensure this event could continue this year, and indeed to take part in it – the first time I think an MP has joined it.

The Number 6 Bus between Bridport and

Crewkerne via Beaminster has come under renewed uncertainty in recent weeks.

One of the first major campaigns I was involved in since I was elected as an MP was preventing the cancellation of the Number 6, and now that same effort is being applied again.

I attended an emergency meeting with Beaminster Town Council last Tuesday and I will continue to do all that I can to expedite a solution.

As always, please feel free to contact me via hello@chrisloder.co.uk if there are ever any matters I can help you with.

Politics

It certainly doesn’t sound like a Local Plan to me Dorset’s Local Plan is in disarray after Conservative councillors were forced to admit they made misleading statements concerning government support.

Conservative councillors had implied that the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) was supportive of plans for Dorset to be a pilot scheme for a new housing policy putting local needs ahead of government targets.

If true, this would have been a significant change.

The original draft Local Plan was based on a Conservative Government target of 30,000 new

By NICK IRELAND West Dorset LibDems

houses PLUS an extra 9,000 houses added on to this target by Dorset’s own Conservative councillors.

The draft included the highly controversial plans for a major development north of Dorchester known as policy DOR13.

The first draft of the Local Plan was published in 2021 and received a record number of objections and comments.

Since then very little appeared to be going on.

The detailed results of the public consultation have

still to be published, deadlines have been pushed back but very little information has been made publicly available.

Then Dorset’s Conservative councillors made a surprise announcement.

The Government had agreed for Dorset to be a pilot scheme for a new national planning policy based on local needs rather than national targets.

The date for finishing the Local Plan would be put back two years from 2024 to 2026 to allow for this extra work and the council would receive £135,000 to cover its additional costs.

However, as a result of

detailed questioning it turned out that the £135,000 wasn’t new money at all but was awarded last year and had already been spent.

Then, a few days later, the DLUHC confirmed that no agreement exists.

Dorset Council had asked to be allowed to change the rules but nothing had been agreed.

It is shocking to see the poor relationship between the truth and Boris Johnson creeping into local politics.

This is very bad news for everyone who had hoped for a plan based on local need and the cancellation of the proposed north of Dorchester development.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

65

Politics

Our NHS in dire need of investment and care I’m fast coming to the conclusion that our various health services are being allowed to deteriorate on purpose, to open the door to their progressive privatisation. Whilst charges for routine NHS dental services were introduced by Bevan himself, back in 1952, for most of this time people did at least have access to NHS treatment. Not any longer. Recent research by the BBC shows that of the 38 dental practices in Dorset they contacted none are taking on new NHS patients.

And even those of us ‘fortunate’ enough to be registered struggle to get an appointment. What are people expected to do?

Going private would seem to be the only option.

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

Are GP practices going in the same direction? A recent letter from my practice, the practice covering Bridport, Beaminster and Maiden Newton, openly states that there is a crisis in general practice. The blame for this, it said, is “decades of underfunding and neglect, broken government promises and political contempt” for us the patients. Strong words!

The main issue is a chronic shortage of GPs. In 2019 the Conservative government promised to deliver 6,000 more doctors into general practice, a promise that they have failed to deliver.

Because this current government has so much faith in ‘market forces’, my fear is that private practice and health insurance will soon be promoted as the solution to the crisis.

This crisis is not confined to dental services and general practice. Recent NHS figures show that July saw a record number of people waiting more than 12 hours to be seen at an A&E department, a situation that has a major knock-on effect on ambulances due to them being unable to deliver their patients and thus not being available for further emergency calls.

This crisis also extends to hospital buildings. A government minister has recently admitted, for

example, that there are 34 hospital buildings in England that have roofs made of concrete that are so unstable that they could collapse at any time. This government has resisted pleas from NHS leaders for a major increase in the service’s capital budget to enable an overhaul of an aging estate.

All the solutions to these crises require money – money to recruit and train more doctors and dentists, money to repair neglected buildings. This money can’t be created from further reorganisations, and, if Liz Truss is successful in her bid to become PM and reduce taxes, it won’t be coming from government. The question then becomes: what are people expected to do?

the last protection for farm workers in the form of the Agricultural Wages Board.

Post Brexit farming has also been hit by a lack of pickers, uncertainty over subsidies to replace those received whilst members of the EU, trade deals that will lead to cheaper imports undercutting smaller scale farmers in particular.

It’s not surprising that many farmers are fed up with this Tory government and are turning against it.

The government’s Food Strategy white paper, published in June, made no mention of investing in farming to enable more growing of fruit and vegetables and ignored the difficulty in recruiting

pickers. The £3 billion previously received from the EU is being paid to people with 500 hectares of land for re-wilding and whilst this is an important measure to address loss of biodiversity, it means there is little or no support for the rest nor is it a strategy for food security.

If the government were to invest in farming through subsidies to grow healthy crops and provide a living wage to farm and food workers, we would all benefit from a levelling up of the rural economy, begin to address the UK’s obesity epidemic by making healthy food affordable and help link town and country with shorter supply chains.

Crisis in farming is food for thought

Droughts have been declared in several regions of the UK and although West Dorset is not one of those regions, water companies are urging caution, telling us to use hosepipes only when necessary.

The sight of bone-dry fields and record low levels in rivers and streams in recent weeks has really highlighted how climate change is going to impact food security; it’s time to engage with farmers, food producers and government to rethink how we approach providing for this most basic of needs in a changing economic and climatic environment.

In Britain we import nearly half the food we consume

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

(up from a quarter in the 1980s), while much of the food produced here is made from imported raw ingredients.

This means our food security is highly dependent on what happens in the rest of the world and as a result of this our food and farm sectors are forced to cut costs to make profits, this might be through increased processing of food or by cutting wages and conditions.

When the present leader of the Lib Dems, Ed Davey was environment secretary in the coalition government, he got rid of

66

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

EASIER PUZZLES

Tudor Arcade, Dorchester

Arrow words

Crossword

‘Hellboy’ actor, Perlman

Interest rate (inits)

Second personality (5,3)

Spicy

1

Last Greek letter

4

3

9

Boundary shrubs

It has 28 days (abbr)

Female hare

Stray

11

7

12

13

Tiny amount of money

Evenly

6

10

14 Sports umpire

5

8

Difficulties

Horse’s gait

2

16

15

Bellow

17

18 19

21

20

Circa

22 Forbid

Spooky

Indic language

Lair

23

Golf-ball rests

Open to question (2,5)

25

Fish eggs

Jubilations

Leonard, familiarly

1 4 9 10 11 12 14 16 19 21 23 24 25 26

Owing

Wheel furrows

Wordsearch Afternoon Tea

N E U S E M T N A D M T A E K

E K R E F P T N O O P S A E T

N M A S S A L U A T O R A N E

Y W A I T E R O R G T A E J N

ASSAM BUTTER CAKE STAND CHAMPAGNE CREAM CUP OF TEA EARL GREY ECLAIR

24

U A E N K S C A C K C L S S P

E O F E C L C A E M N O N N R

N E A O Y R I C K O T I C M H

G T N A L E E M U E N E F A O

A E O C U O R C R P S P T E I

P E I P R E E G U R O T K T D

M O T A A E A K L A I F A S R

JAM KNIFE MILK SAUCER SCONE TEAPOT TEASPOON WAITER

A H P E U E A P T R S A T N M

H S O D M R T M M N A A L E D

C E K S S F P A S E U E M C A

B U T T E R J A A M E M C T E

26

Across Apart from (6) Acquire (6) Trattoria dumplings (7) Severely reprimand (5) Animal doctors (4) Dismissal (5-2) Choose not to participate (3,3) Outdoor jacket (6) Type of international post (7) File a digital document (4) Defence excuse (5) Nutty (7) Turmoils (6) Just (6)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 15 17 18 20 21 22

Down Side (4) Nearest (7) Chooses (5) Negotiate (7) Really surprise (5) Sets of linked computers (8) Time without sun (5) At the moment (8) Nuclear-reactor fuel (7) Retaliation (7) Playing card suit (5) Horned African animal (5) Touch or taste (5) Classic children’s game (1,3)

Sudoku

8 6 2 9

5 2 1 6

5 2 9

8 7 1

For the solutions turn to page 70

5 8 1 1 4

8

5 9 4

×1/2

6 3 6

×3

-75%

4 6 9 8

×7

×1/3

RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

HARDER PUZZLES

www.bestpricehearingaids.co.uk | 01305 602240

Cryptic Crossword

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

1

8 9 2 5

9

9

3 8

4

3 7

8

4

8

3

6

6 2

1

1

7 2 6

1 6

6 8 1 3 4

5

6

3

4 4

5

10

5

2 8 4

9 6 1 2

5 3

6

12

5

13

14

7

15

16

19

17

8×

14+

2÷

2×

2

15+

10+

30×

6÷

16+

7+

5+

11+

4

180×

24+

26+

15+

5

0

12+

3

288×

42×

15+

16+

1

4

Brain chain (Hard version) 128

÷8

+187

×6/7

18

20

21

2×

1

7

8

5

19+

1

6

11

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.

15+

5

4

9

3 8 2 6 9 4 9

2

6

9

1

3

9

3 4

8

2

8

2 9

5

8 4

67

÷3

×1/2

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.

22

Across 1 Day came for renovating scholarly institution (7) 5 Adventurous bachelor attending wild party (5) 9 A claim poverty is misrepresented in relative fashion (13) 10 Edison, perhaps, put opening in molten iron (8) 11 Clubs cut some tobacco? (4) 12 A second college with finish in a rising state? (9) 16 Means for seeing Scottish countryside areas first off (4) 17 Daughter by a fine counter holding front of dazzling flower (8) 19 Images about to be withheld in illustrated talks (13) 21 Check showy performance (5) 22 English no good in Asian island? One needs Asian language (7)

Down 2 Sri Lanka possesses comic entertainers (6) 3 Lowers the mood of journalists in beginning on reflection (9) 4 Republican in time at work showing worth (5) 6 Biblical work in short for priest (3) 7 Victor on walkway in elongated hollow (6) 8 Kept flats to redesign in part (6) 11 Nicer song sadly gets deletion of material (9) 13 Part of a novel due to appear with pressure gone (6) 14 Hidden tightknit group suppressing empty rite (6) 15 Token gains possibly by lecturer (6) 18 Devise game of snooker (5) 20 Source of light declined largely (3)

68

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Health & Wellbeing

Walking West Dorset

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 12th WALK Go to Moreton and use the free car park in a field as you enter the village from the west. Walk east along the road and right around the bend where you’ll soon find the entrance to the Walled Garden. It’s free to visit although donations are encouraged.

There are some lovely statues to admire as well as the plant life. Take care not to antagonise the dinosaurs!

Immediately to the south of the Walled Garden is the entrance to the cemetery which contains the grave of Lawrence of Arabia.

Having paid your respects, walk back along the road, northward, and turn right onto a footpath that leads to the church.

There’s a noticeboard that tells you everything you didn’t know about Lawrence. Inside the church you can see all the famous Whistler engraved windows, although some of youcantalk.net is a new wellness and mental health resource launched by Bridport-based duo Kerry Miller, pictured, and Alex Fender. It features lots of free resources to help people relax and take stock.

I recently mentioned how much I appreciate paper records and handwriting instead of storing everything on the Cloud.

My nephew has been researching our family

The Walled Garden, Moreton

them look better from the outside.

Return to the lane, turn right and head north east along the byway.

Soon you’ll come to the famous ford which, on my visit, was full of children and their parents paddling.

Casting my mind back about 70 years I seem to remember my dad driving us through it in his Austin 7.

Continue along the byway until, after crossing another bridge, you join a footpath leading in a dead straight line for a mile, however, if you continue along the byway for half a mile at the right time of day and of year you have a good chance of encountering nightjars and glow worms on the heathland.

Back to the straight path, you’ll pass Waddock Dairy

and eventually join the B3390 which, after turning left, takes you over four bridges to Hurst, where you turn left and go back to your car, having walked 3.5 miles.

Unearthing a family tale of tree. There have been complexities and name changes over the years which make investigating the past difficult.

Two days ago, I received a bound family history which included a narrative, family tree and photocopies of original documents.

There were some surprises in the paperwork.

My paternal grandfather was a loving, fiercely loyal, over-protective man;

he was also argumentative and being of less than average height for a male,

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

69

Health & Wellbeing

Asparagus a good tip for better healing their healing and energy, I did surprise myself that I could still do those hours for two-and-a- half months being in my early sixties before I crashed.

We have now started to clear the old vegetable garden of brambles and weeds and to our surprise we came across some young asparagus plants trying to grow and fight their way through the undergrowth.

These young shoots are beginning to thrive despite the dry weather as they now have light, they are looking very healthy at the moment.

Whilst my column is mostly on energy healing it must be said that asparagus has a lot of healing properties as well as nutritional value.

In fact, just half a cup (90g) of cooked asparagus contains approximately Calories: 20, Protein: 2.2 grams, Fat: 0.2 grams, Fibre: 1.8 grams, Vitamin C: 12%, Vitamin A: 18%, Vitamin K: 57%, Potassium: 6%, Phosphorous: 5% and

Vitamin E: 7% of the required daily intake It is said to have excellent antioxidant and antitumor properties which help fight off cancer cells.

Wound Healing: Asparagus helps the body produce collagen, which increases the rate at which wounds heal.

Regulates Insulin: Different species of asparagus encourage insulin secretion, making Asparagus a great choice for diabetic people.

With all these healing properties, the energy of the plant will have the same effect, but at a much lower level than if digested, nevertheless working in your vegetable garden surrounded by herbs and plants that have many different healing properties will only aid in your total wellbeing. The exercise of weeding, digging and harvesting the fruits of your labour is also great for your physical and mental health giving you a good all-round work out and the sense of achievement.

such overwhelming tragedy

excluding future generations from what might be healing truths.

My paternal grandmother had her tragedies which we were partially aware of, and I thought she was keeper of the family sadness, but actually, it was probably Pompey all along. Poor, poor man.

Legacy writing can help heal wounds, contribute to understanding and bring an entire family peace.

Andy Cole is a reiki healer based in Middlemarsh.

He specialises in planting for healing.

The heat over the last few days has been testing to say the least, and just to make things even more interesting, my back went, pinched the sciatic nerve and I have spent the last couple of days flat on my back.

The timing could not have been worse, as we are up against a deadline for moving out of the old rented premises, into our new site at Middlemarsh, where we are creating a Wellbeing Nursery, Therapy Garden.

During my time on my back, I thought about energy healing and had a reiki treatment which helped a lot. I resorted to modern medicine in the form of painkillers and antiinflammatory tablets. I also went to see my

what he lost in stature he made up for as a forceful communicator.

He had encountered tragedy in his life.

He had lost two daughters: one, aged two, who he took to Harley Street in a desperate attempt to prove the provincial doctors wrong; and another, suddenly to Asian Flu in 1957, taken ill on

NUTRITIONAL: Asparagus

chiropractor, who put everything back where it should be. Nature is truly remarkable; you can drive and push yourself until your body goes nope, that is enough. Having had an enforced stop put on me I have to say I feel so much better in myself, as my whole mind, body and spirit had time to recharge and recuperate, despite the level of discomfort I had; my body was grateful for the time out.

Working with plants and in gardens all the time I wondered how long I would have lasted, doing 14-hour days, seven days a week, if I had not been receiving

Saturday, passing away on Sunday.

I knew this sad history but in the bundle from my nephew, I read two brief announcements in newspaper extracts and was stunned to learn that Pompey (because that was the name I knew him by) had been married before, and hence, my grandmother was his

second wife.

It turned out his first wife, ‘deeply mourned’, had died tragically at the age of 23. His infant daughter, named after his wife, died six months later.

How I wish I had known that.

I’m not sure that even my father will have known that, as family secrets are often so tightly held,

70

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Church

Enjoy the inner peace of the outdoors Often people say to me they feel closer to God when they are outside. And for those who do not speak of God, but have a deep sense of the spiritual within themselves and in the world, the same is true. Being out in nature is where many of us encounter the sacred, the mystery in life.

Walking in this beautiful place we live in, having time to still our hearts and minds, is how many of us pray. You might not call it prayer, it might be centring, focusing, contemplation, peace, inner stillness.

There is an old tradition of using of these journeys in the outdoors to make interior journeys too. At St Mary’s, Bridport some of our church members have created a labyrinth in the grass, cutting into the lawn a road to travel, for anyone who passes by to make a spiritual journey.

Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centring, contemplation, and prayer.

Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, you walk slowly while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer. It is active meditation if you like. By the rhythm of walking, many of us find we can find an inner stillness.

Services Sherborne Abbey Weekday Services Monday to Saturday at 8.30am, Morning Prayer - The Sepulchre Chapel Every Monday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Tuesday at 12noon, Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Wednesday at 10.30am, Holy Communion with Homily – The Lady Chapel Every Thursday at 12noon, BCP Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Friday at 9am, Ecumenical Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel The first Friday of the month at 9am, Requiem Holy

A labyrinth is not a maze. It has no blind alleys or dead ends as mazes have.

There is only one path to the centre and back out. The path twists and turns back on itself many times before reaching the centre, and once at the heart of the labyrinth, there is only one way back out.

Walking a labyrinth requires you to merely follow the pattern, with no puzzle to figure out. This lets your mind focus on your meditation or prayer.

The path of the traditional Chartres Cathedral design, weaves back and forth and takes you seemingly close to the destination at the centre, then sends you off on many more zigzags before you once again appear to be nearing the heart of labyrinth. Ours at St Mary’s is simpler, taking travellers in and sending them back out on their way.

I remember years ago, in another church I worked in, we created a labyrinth outside of the church and offered it to anyone

Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel Every Saturday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 Sherborne Abbey: 8am Holy Communion. 9.30am Parish Eucharist. 6pm Choral Evensong St James the Great in Longburton: 10am Said Holy Communion St Martin of Tours Lillington: 10am Morning Service St Paul’s at The Gryphon: 10.30am All Age Worship St Mary Magdalene: 11am Mattins Burton Bradstock: 11am Holy Communion Shipton Gorge: 11am Holy Communion Swyre: 6pm Songs of Praise Littlebredy: 11am Holy

who wanted to try it. I was bowled over by the numbers who came.

And as I watched I saw people walking the pathway, some very slowly, stopping often, others travelling more regularly. Some looking around them, others very much focused on the next step.

Having walked the labyrinth myself, and finding myself totally absorbed in my own journey, it was quite moving to watch from afar as others made theirs. And I was struck by how those pilgrims, intent and purposeful, often appeared to walk with someone whose path ran alongside their own for a while, and then they would go their separate ways. Some journeys converged several times, a reminder of the unpredictable tangents life can throw at us, and the people it brings.

All of us are making a journey, sometimes it is good to be aware of that, to tune into the deeper truths of the path we are on, and those we travel with.

Happy travels!

Communion Halstock: 9.30am Breakfast Church Maiden Newton: 9.30am Holy Communion Roman Catholic Mass 8.30am Chideock 10am Beaminster Dorchester United Church 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Sherborne Abbey: 8am Holy Communion. 9.30am Parish Eucharist. 6pm Choral Evensong St Martin of Tours Lillington:10am Morning Service St James the Great, Longburton: 10am Village Communion St Paul’s at The Gryphon: 10.30am Morning Worship St Mary Magdalene,

Castleton: 11am Mattins Burton Bradstock 8am Holy Communion.

10.30am Songs of Praise Swyre: 3pm Evening Prayer 6pm Songs of Praise Melbury Osborne: 10am Morning Service Corscombe: 10am Morning Prayer Maiden Newton: 9.30am Holy Communion Dorchester United Church 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church Toller Porcorum: 3.30pm Evening Prayer Puncknowle and Swyre: Breakfast Church will be held at the Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington Village Hall (in Puncknowle) from 9.30am- 10.30am on September 25, and then every fourth Sunday.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

71

Letters

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Puzzling over our puzzles? Fret no more Hello to the Editorial Team, Now here is your quiz question for today – find the solutions to the puzzles which appear on Pages 56 and 57 of the current magazine dated August 12th. Ready, Steady, Go. Did you guess Page 70?

Wrong!

Well, that is actually not completely wrong as most of the solutions are certainly on Page 70 but not for the August 12th but for the July 29th issue. Hooray!!! Can’t wait until August 26th and next fun puzzle, go for it, boys and girls!!

From your biggest fan, Marion Cox Wrong! Actually, boys and girls, the puzzles were from the previous edition and the solutions were the correct ones! Oh dear. I’ll have to run two pages of puzzle answers this time (see page 71)…

I was horrified to read Chris Slade’s Frome Valley Trail in the edition 14 WDM. The route he recommends starts in Tincleton, then along the B3390 for a mile before turning right by Hurst Heath. This one mile stretch of the B3390 is a very busy road with fast traffic constantly flowing through the blind bends and narrow bridges. A lot of heavy large wide vehicles use this route including agricultural machinery, aggregates lorries, caravans and motor homes, in parts the road is not wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other.

The road does not have a footpath or a verge so no refuge, it is lethal for

pedestrians, even if they wear high visibility clothing. It’s certainly not a relaxing walk! There have been many accidents on this stretch over the years due to speeding and ill-judged widths (the bridges are constantly having to be repaired due to vehicles colliding into them). Sadly, many pets have lost their lives on this road too.

I do not recommend that anyone walks along this road, to do so would be totally foolhardy!

Clarice Wickenden Moreton The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust is very grateful to your newspaper for including in one of your recent editions some publicity for our Swingtime event held in the Borough Gardens, Dorchester, on Sunday 17 July.

It was a very successful afternoon which raised over £1,400 and we should like to thank everyone who came along, helped or supported us in any way.

Special thanks go to the Purbeck Big Band, the Bridport Big Band, the Saxtet Jazz Band, the Dorset for Singing Choir and the organisers of the classic car display for entertaining us so well and to all the donors of the Raffle prizes, for which we were very grateful.

Thank you all very much from the trustees, committee and all the local cancer patients who will be helped by the funds raised.

Marjorie Brewer Joint Honorary Secretary Fortuneswell Cancer Trust

Cartoons by Lyndon Wall

justsocaricatures.co.uk

72

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Sport

Murphy’s double gets Zebras back to winning ways

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Town Wellington

3 0

Alex Murphy bagged a second half brace, his first goals of the season, as the Zebras bounced back in style with a comfortable win against Wellington. It was a welcome return to winning ways, with the Zebras losing their two previous league matches against Welton Rovers and league leaders Bridgwater United - and having been knocked out of the FA Cup following a replay against Ilfracombe.

Murphy’s goals came on 58 and 68 minutes, with substitute Brett Cotterill heading home in the closing stages to seal the three points for the home side. Both teams were unable to carve out a clearcut chance in an even first period, although Zebras’

NICE ONE: Two-goal Alex Murphy is congratulated by teammates and, right, man of the match Dec Cornish Picture: JRH MEDIA

goalkeeper Josh Attwood produced a smart save to tip away Eli Collins’ effort.

Sherborne took control after the break, however, with man of the match Dec Cornish a constant threat for the hosts. The opening goal came from his teasing cross from the left wing, and Murphy was on hand to apply a deft finish at the far post.

With Cornish spurning a good chance to add a second, it was left to last season’s top-scorer, Murphy, to double the Zebras’ advantage on 68 minutes, as he reacted quickly to stab home following a mistake by the Wellington defence.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Cotterill pounced

as the opposition goalkeeper could only parry Duncan McCabe’s swirling free-kick, heading home with aplomb.

The win lifts the Zebras to fifth in the table after five matches. They return to Raleigh Grove but take a break from league action, as they host Andover New Street in the FA Vase on Saturday, August 27.

Nine-man Magpies leave it very late Beaconsfield Dorchester Town

0 1

Nine-man Dorchester bagged a superb win courtesy of Jordan Ngalo’s late winner at Holloway Park, lifting the Magpies to the rarified heights of fifth in the Southern Premier League table, just a single point behind leaders Truro.

Glenn Howes’ side might have been forgiven for settling for a point when Ollie Griggs received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on 66 minutes, but Ngalo’s smash-and-grab effort on

83 minutes, ensured that they returned home with all three.

Kieran Douglas then became the second Magpie to be sent for an early bath, picking up a harsh second yellow card in the dying minutes.

Griggs’ dismissal had prompted Howes to take immediate action to reorganise, replacing attacking triumvirate of Olaf Koszela, Alfie Stanley and Shaq Gwengwe, to help shore up the away side’s defences. Despite the changes, the Magpies had to defend well as

Beaconsfield sought to make their advantage count, pouring forward in search of a winner.

The game had earlier been an evenly-contested affair and, in an entertaining first half, both sides created chances with Dorchester keeper Harry Lee and his opposite number Ravan Constable frequently forced into action to keep the game goalless. Stanley had been particularly unlucky not to score, twice denied by the Beaconsfield stopper, and seeing his free-kick go narrowly wide, while Exeter loanee,

Lee, produced a couple of smart saves in the Magpies’ goal.

Lee was to save the best for last though. With Beaconsfield piling on the pressure in search of an equalizer, he produced an outstanding late save to make sure of a clean sheet and ensure a third win of the campaign for the highflying Magpies.

Town return to The Avenue on Saturday, August 27, for the visit of Hartley Wintney, where they will be looking to continue their promising start to the season.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

73

Sport Our Dorchester Town correspondent HARRY ADAMS, right, has been getting a fans’ perspective on the Magpies’ start to the season, and has been talking to long-standing supporter Stuart Voss, who writes for the online blog The Same Old Few.

It has been said that the lower echelons of the English football pyramid are where you will find the heart and soul of the beautiful game. Away from the glitz and glamour of television contracts, sponsorship deals and global franchises, this is where loyal supporters turn up week in, week out to support their local team, whatever the weather, whatever the league, whatever the result.

This is no different down at Dorchester Town, who have just begun the 2022-2023 season in the Pitching In Southern Premier South.

All in all, it has been a decent start to the new season for Glenn Howes’ Magpies. The Avenue faithful have been treated to wins against newly-promoted opposition in North Leigh and Plymouth Parkway, albeit with a 4-0 reverse away to Truro City sandwiched in between.

The 3-1 victory over The Parkway seemed much needed after the weekend’s disappointment in Devon not Cornwall, as Truro are currently ground sharing with, ironically, Plymouth Parkway – with Kieran Douglas, Callum Buckley and Shaquille Gwengwe scoring the goals as The

GET IN: Players and fans celebrate the third goal in the win at Plymouth Parkway Picture: PHIL STANFIELD

Things can only get better for us!

Magpies turned around a 1-0 half-time deficit to claim their second victory of the season.

One of the hearty bunch who travelled to Plymouth for the defeat to Truro was Stuart Voss. Stuart contributes to the humorous and insightful Twitter blog The Same Old Few which covers all things Dorchester Town FC. Speaking after the victory against Parkway, Stuart, pictured inset left, talked about prospects for the upcoming season, the results so far, and touched on his experience following the Magpies through the years.

“It was a hell of a result last night” said Stuart of the victory over Parkway. “We don’t come from behind very often so when we do, it’s always a pleasant surprise.”

“I’d have taken five points from the opening three matches, so to get six is a

bonus really. It’s a shame about the Truro result in the middle of the two wins, but it’s really difficult to draw too many conclusions when you’ve got a central defender in goal for an hour”.

An unfortunate injury to goalkeeper Bradley Snelling after 27 minutes led to defender Kieran Douglas having the almighty task of trying to keep Truro at bay for the remainder of the game.

With the season still in its fledgling stages, I wanted to get Stuart’s opinions on the Magpies’ prospects this season, and whether they can better the 19th placed finish of the 2021-2022 season.

Stuart said: “An improvement and a mid-table finish would be nice, and I think that’s attainable.

“This, on paper, is our best squad for several seasons, but that counts for nothing if we don’t get results.

“A couple of early wins, and last night being a rare win

from being behind, which we’ve only done three times in the last four years, gives me hope that we’ll be okay this season. I’d like to see us closer to the play-offs than the relegation zone at Christmas and go from there.

“In all honesty, I’d take a 12th placed finish and a cup run if I was offered it now.

The last few years, with very few exceptions, have been utter garbage. So, a season of boring mediocrity would be a real improvement.”

It takes a committed and loyal supporter to follow a seventh-tier side home and away, particularly one which has struggled in recent years.

Stuart explains his motivations for supporting the club, as well as his contribution to The Same Old Few. Stuart said: “I was born in Dorchester. I watched my first game in 1996 when I was seven. We were living in Sussex at the time, so the game was Crawley away. I moved back to Dorchester in 1998 and, after watching a lot of Pompey with my dad over the years. I’ve been back regularly since 2008.

“I think The Same Old Few was started in 2012, which was the clubs last in the Conference South, now the National League South.”

Stuart takes no credit for the name of the blog. Coming from the from the wellchosen phrase, ‘it’s always the same old few who ruin it for the rest of us’, which will resonate with football fans of clubs at any level.

With confidence high in the Magpies’ camp following their best start to a season for seven years, here’s hoping that Stuart’s hopes for the season come to fruition.

74

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Sport run in. Hopefully our strength in depth will see us through. Gautham bailed us out of trouble today and we have match winners throughout our team, so hopefully we can keep the pressure on Poole and Wimborne and win our final two games. What we do know is that the finale will be thrilling and exciting.”

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Premier Division Dorchester CC 1st XI 257/8 (50 Overs) Sherborne CC 1st XI 217/7 (50 Overs) Dorchester CC 1st XI won by 40 runs – Dorchester CC 1st XI 18 points; Sherborne CC 1st XI 8 points Guatham Rajendar starred with bat and ball as Dorchester Firsts maintained their assault on a fourth consecutive title.

Batting first on a good wicket, Rajendar’s fine, unbeaten 89 was the bedrock of a strong Dorchester total, coming off 92 balls, and including 10 fours. With the visitors losing three wickets for no runs to leave his team stuttering at 83-4, Rajendar’s composed innings was to prove decisive in setting the hosts a challenging target, with captain Dan Belt adding 28.

In reply, Sherborne looked to be on course for an upset as their openers put on an impressive 131, with Josh Lawrence top-scoring with 76 and Marc Roca making 49.

Rajendar continued his heroics with the ball, dismissing both openers and number four, Ryan Monk, to finish with figures of 3-34. Tight bowling from Dorchester’s attack ensured that the hosts were always behind the asking rate, and regular wickets fell to ensure they could not gain the momentum needed to overhaul Dorchester’s total.

THREE-HORSE RACE: ‘The finale will be thrilling and exciting,’ says Dorchester chairman Mark Derrien, left

Premier race goes right to the wire

They did, however, bat through the overs to deny the visitors full bowling bonus points, and in a season of fine margins, this could prove crucial at the final reckoning.

Dorchester Chairman, Mark Derrien said of the run-in: “It is a real three horse race. Last season went down to the final game and Poole slipped up allowing us to win the title.

We hope history repeats itself.

“Wimborne, Poole and Dorchester have been incredibly consistent. The top three have all beaten the other team at home, lost away and beaten everyone else. We have been pushed hard by Sherborne, Martinstown and Bere Regis and we know that no game is a formality. We have Cattistock next who are battling for survival, then away at fourth-placed Bere Regis so we have a tough

Dorset Cricket League Premier Division – Top Three Dorchester Wimborne & Colehill Poole CC

P 16 16 15

W 14 14 13

Batting Bowling

L points points 2 74 67 2 73 67 2 69 71

Pts 281 280 270

Bere Regis CC 1st XI 320/8 (50 Overs) Broadstone CC Saturday XI 256 (45.4 Overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI won by 64 runs – Bere Regis CC 1st XI 20 points; Broadstone CC Saturday XI 9 points Sam Goodhew’s magnificent 137 not out propelled Bere Regis to a huge total away to Broadstone. Helping his team recover from 44 for 3, Goodhew’s superb innings came off just 118 balls and included 23 fours and a six.

Opener Richard Cole added an excellent 69, with Robert Murphy scoring 41.

Broadstone made a good fist of the run chase without seriously threatening to overhaul the visitors’ total. Goodhew took 2-31 from his 10 overs, and there were also two wickets apiece for Dean Rogerson, Jacob Kennard and Tom Munnings.

Ben Jack top-scored with 64, with Charlie Grove (41) and Dan Cook (43) weighing in with good support, however nobody was able to go on and rival Goodhew’s innings.

Bere Regis remain in fourth place with two matches to go.

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

75

Sport

It’s a clean sweep for Puddletown Dorchester and District Evening Cricket League

By Robin Potter The 2022 season has reached a conclusion and congratulations go to Puddletown for their 100% record throughout the season, carrying off both League and Cup trophies.

Division 2 honours went to Cattistock & Symene who can look forward to the challenge of top division matches next year.

Incredibly, in Division 3, Bere Regis and Frampton could not be separated when a play-off match ended in a tie. Having finished equal on points, the play-off was arranged to decide the holders of the trophy for next year. Fittingly, this match came down to the last ball and with the scores level, the Frampton’s batsman snicked the ball to the wicket-keeper to ensure that the title was shared.

It is expected that the trophy will be shared with both teams promoted to Division 2 to help even up the numbers across the league.

Apart from this game, there was one other tie during the year and several games decided late on in the final over of matches, with great spirit always shown by winners and losers. The greatest margin of victory,

on the other hand, was for New Look/ASM who pulled off an astonishing 193 run victory, their 271-2 being the highest team score of this year.

Particular mention must be made of the game between Cattistock and Dewlish which saw 367 runs scored between the two sides, Cattistock winning by just one of these.

In a year which favoured batters, the game with most runs scored came when Puddletown RFC openers bludgeoned their way to 216-0.

Dorchester Colts’ valiant response of 173-8 therefore had 389 runs scored in one evening of 40 overs - a treat for any spectators, if not perhaps the fielding sides.

At the other end of the scale, Hazelbury Bryan could only manage 73 in their game against

Charlton Down, thus posting the lowest total of 2022.

Individual best performances will be announced following our next committee meeting but special mention could be made here of William

Maltby’s extraordinary 178* from only 75 balls which included 13 sixes.

Unfortunately for William, this feat was done in a Doug Read KO cup match and our rules say only league games count towards final statistics.

Dorchester and District Evening Cricket League Final 2022 League tables Division 1 Puddletown St Georges Martinstown H’bur Bryan Charlton Down

P 8 8 8 8 8

W 8 4 3 3 2

T 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 4 5 5 6

Pts 16 8 6 6 4

Division 2 Cattistock &S Plush Dewlish Cerne Valley Puddletown 2 Abbotsbury

P 10 10 10 10 10 10

W 9 6 5 5 3 2

T 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 1 4 5 5 7 8

Pts 18 12 10 10 6 4

Division 3 Bere Regis Frampton NLook/ASM Puddletown 3 C’ton Down 2 Dorch Colts P’town RFC

P 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

W 9 9 6 6 4 4 3

T 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

L 3 3 6 6 7 8 8

Pts 18 18 12 12 9 8 7

76

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Sport

Triples tourney hailed a huge success Lyme Regis Bowls Club

By Paul Moffitt The club ran their annual Ron Gridley Triples tournament on Sunday, with 27 club members competing in some pretty challenging conditions.

The eventual winners were Richard Cridge, Avril Sherring and Tony Young.

Runners-up were Nicky Driscoll, Jasmine Bishop and Ron Eager. The whole event was run with exquisite precision by our competition secretary, Rom Hunt.

All the league teams were back in action with the championship side losing 2-8 away to Branksome Park, while the second team had a good 8-2 win at home to Sherborne A. The Ladies drew at home to Blandford. On the friendly front, Lyme managed a narrow win against Merriott at home and a good win in their triples game away to Sidmouth.

Results West Dorset Men Div 2

TRIPLES TRIUMPH: Tony Young, Avril Sherring and Richard Cridge Lyme 48.75; Sherborne A 43 C Boyle, R Legg, B Parsons, J Moseley 18-12 J Enticott, J Owen, J Sherring, R Gale 18-12.

B Driscoll, A Hopkins, J Maslen 12.75 - 19, points deducted for fielding only three players.

Friendlies Lyme 62; Merriott 60 J Moon, K Berry, E Sarson, A Weech 11-21 A Sherring, J Murphy, S Hawkins, J Maslen 23-13 R Hunt, L Young, A Darvill, R Gale 17-10 A Hopkins, J Berry, S White, J Sherring 11-15.

Lyme 86; Sidmouth 64 P Walker, P Knight, P Weech 198 M Applegate, A Sherring, A Weech 14-9 N Driscoll, J Maslen, A Darvill 16-8 P Cridge, J Enticott, J Sherring 11-15 P Stoke-Faires, S White, B Driscoll 8-19 J Bishop, J Owen, R Cridge 18-5.

Bridport Bowls Club

By Laura Taylor It was a case of rain stopped play for Bridport Bowls Club last week. The ladies from Blandford arrived on Tuesday afternoon all ready to play the Bridport ladies, then the storm hit.

The green was completely flooded which has not been seen for over twenty years.

The Blandford ladies waited for an hour and a half before the rain had lessened enough to allow them to travel home.

Apparently, once out of Bridport they didn’t even encounter a puddle.

The green drained and was ready for the Tuesday evening club night at 6 pm.

It had been a good start to the week for the club’s men in the County League.

The top team were away to Dorchester A, resulting in one drawn rink and two winning rinks.

Honours to Craddock, Brooks, Shortland and Thorne.

A friendly on Thursday against Crewkerne resulted in just one winning rink – well done to Cheryl Mackenzie, Sandy Peters, John Carter and Bob Taylor.

Members are looking forward to Presidents’ Day on Saturday, August 27, with the promise of fun bowls and cheese and wine to follow.

Try your hand at indoor bowls Bridport and West Dorset Indoor Bowls Club are running taster sessions on consecutive weekends, with budding bowlers of all ages and abilities welcome.

The first sessions will run on the weekend of September 10-11 from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, with the second sessions on Saturday, September 17 from 10am to 2pm and Sunday, September 18 from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. n www. bridportindoorbowls.co.uk

Here’s where and when to watch the Tour cyclists

Organisers of cycling’s Tour of Britain have released estimated timings to help spectators who are looking to get a great view of the world class field.

The seventh and penultimate stage of the race takes place on Saturday, September 10, where it will be passing through West Dorset for the first time in its 18year history.

The stage will get underway at The Esplanade in West Bay at 11am, with the competitors expected to pass

through larger towns and villages at the approximate times below. n West Bay – The Esplanade: 11am n Burton Bradstock: 11:15am n Abbotsbury: 11:26am n Chickerell: 11:38am n Weymouth: 11:41am n Dorchester: 12:06pm n West Lulworth: 12:33pm n Corfe Castle: 12:54pm n Wareham: 1:02pm

n Bere Regis: 1:18pm n Blandford Forum: 2:04pm n Wimborne Minster: 2:24pm n Verwood: 2:45pm n Victoria Road – Ferndown 3pm Spectators are warned to take note of the stage route and consider road closures, and are being urged to find a safe spot early to enjoy the build-up to the arrival of the peloton. An advance vehicle will be on the course 15 minutes ahead of the race.

Please look out for our full preview of the Tour in our Friday, September 9 edition, and check the official website for further spectator information www.tourofbritain.co.uk/

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

77

Agriculture

The tale of travelling sheep Mud-phobic Tria Stebbing lives on the outskirts of Sherborne. She keeps sheep, is working on her first book, and works in a village school.

Show season is finally here and it is brilliant that we can all get out and admire the array of livestock that this beautiful county is blessed with.

We have decided not to show our sheep this year and just enjoy days out looking at other people’s stock and picking up a few tips and hints.

Preparation for showing is long, and with multiple lambs, we could not give it the time that it deserves.

The flock are doing very well despite having no grass to eat, and they are certainly not keen on the brown parched patch that they are currently grazing on.

We are feeding sheep cake and hay until the weather breaks and the green stuff starts growing again.

It is nearly time to start preparation for Humphrey’s annual visit.

We have provided a mineral lick bucket to both the ewes and the rams, and the ewes are certainly getting their body condition back quicker than last year.

Disney Princess Mismarked has a bad foot, or should I say an

ON WALKABOUT: The three sheep visiting our land. Do you recognise them?

intermittent fault that seems to rectify itself when she sees a bucket of food. The rest of the time she holds it up and runs about on three legs, although still managing to put herself into the hedgerow to eat anything she can find.

We have had some visitors to the paddock.

Three sheep appeared in the week in the middle field, we do not know how long they had been there for, but they seemed at home.

We knew that they were not ours because they were the wrong colour!

Content in their new area with access to water we set about trying to find the owners.

Social media posts in the neighbouring villages went out and local farmers were notified, but today they are still there.

The beauty of having a small flock is that we can do a head count daily, with larger flocks it becomes more difficult.

So as I write they are still there, more worrying is that they must have walked through the field

of rams before they got to where they are… black and white lambs could be a thing next spring.

Sheep are not microchipped like cats and dogs, instead they all have their flock number printed on the ear tag.

The ear tag number is only as good as the farmer’s recording so whereas it should be accurate like people with pets, sometimes it is not.

Villagers have suggested that we merge them with our flock which is certainly not an option, and my grandson Fin has suggested driving them around the livestock shows in case someone recognises them.

To put it in context, the field is several miles from anywhere or anyone, so they have come a fair way from somewhere.

Maybe they should have a book written about their travels, which in turn could become a Hollywood blockbuster.

Clearly, they are not feral as we can see that they have had fly treatment recently.

It does however make me

think about my own escape artists and how they would fare if they went walkabout.

Some sheep keepers put numbers around the neck on a necklace-type set-up, ours have a habit of putting their heads through stock fencing and would strangle themselves with those on.

If you do find sheep loose on those country roads, look for a nearby secure field to put them in, walk behind them to herd them with your arms stretched out and notify any homeowners nearby, somebody somewhere will know who they belong to.

I also keep half an eye on my village FB page, most people where I am know my sheep. Sheep will run when confused, so stay calm, and get them off of the road, farmers will want them safe and it really does not matter whose field it is, that bit can be sorted out afterwards.

Meanwhile look out for the new blockbuster “Offroad wandering for sheep”.

78

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Agriculture

Protection for beavers sparks concern in farming Beavers – once almost extinct – are to be given legal protection in Britain, which will make hunting, harming or killing them illegal.

However, the move has sparked a fierce debate.

Many farmers are concerned that beavers could affect agricultural land, such as blocking land drains on lowland arable areas.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “It is unacceptable that the government has pushed through this legislation at the last minute before

summer recess with absolutely no detail and vague platitudes that there will be a management plan published in ‘due course’.

“With the clear impact

beavers can have on agricultural land, a clear management plan following consultation with farmers was the least the government should have created before introducing this legislation.”

However, as we experience some of the hottest weather for decades, many people argue beavers play a vital role in recovering vital wetland habitats and

restoring rivers.

Craig Bennett, chief executive, The Wildlife Trusts, said: “The widespread return of wild beavers can be a game changer for restoring lost wetlands, benefitting all kinds of wildlife, and helping people by holding water back in the landscape, reducing the risk of wildfires and reducing the risk of flooding downstream.

Bringing back wild beavers isn’t just a dream, it is a critical part of addressing the climate and nature crises.”

From pages 56-57

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

5 1 2 4 9 7 8 6 3

7 8 4 6 5 3 2 9 1

6 9 3 8 1 2 7 5 4

8 7 1 3 4 5 6 2 9

3 2 6 9 7 1 5 4 8

9 4 5 2 6 8 1 3 7

Crossword

2 3 7 5 8 9 4 1 6

4 5 8 1 3 6 9 7 2

1 6 9 7 2 4 3 8 5

Brain chain 8

4

12

3

7

21

Killer Sudoku Pro 15+

6 9

8×

1

8

1

1

2

4

5

9

14+

5

7

0

3 1 8 4

2

6÷

7 5 3

2÷

4 8

19+

9 7

3

5 2

15+

3

6

1

8

5

2

4

180×

3

16+

7

6 9

7+

1 6

3

2×

2 1

15+

6 5 4

16+

9 7 8

12+

4 8

2

6 1 9

4

7 3

15+

5 2

2×

24+

2

1

3

6

4

9

8

7

3

8

4

1

2

9

26+

10+

7

30×

6 5

288×

8 4

4

1

5+

11+

42×

7 9 5

5

6 1

2 3

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

Arrow words T

O B A R G E A I A N

N H I G H T T C I L S U E B A N S S S M E

T A I N M E O A S T Z W V E H O R O R A K E S A V E E I A N A S G P R E L Y

Jumbo 3D Sudoku 1 8 5 6 2 4 9 3 7 6 2 6 7 4 2 1 8 5 7 5 2 7 9 4 3 9 2 3 1 6 4 8 3 8 9 1 7 8 9 1 7 9 6 8 5 3 5 4 3 9 5 5 3 1 1 3 9 3 6 5 7 1 4 6 8 4 7 9 2 5 8 6 2 4 6 8 98 2 6 5 8 14 1 7 3 6 9 2 4 1 5 7 3 7 4 2 3 8 5 3 2 4 2 8 4 7 1 2 9 9 2 3 6 5 6 4 4 7 6 7 8 2 3 1 8 4 9 1 5 9 5 6 7 1 7 7 8 9 6 4 5 5 2 5 9 2 3 9 1 7 6 1 1 8 3 2 3 6 4 1 3 5 2 3 8 7 8 5 8 4 7 9 5 4 6 1 6 7 2 4 9 2 4 9 2 1 3 6 8 3 4 9 7 9 8 2 6 1 5 6 1 5 3 2 9 7 6 18 6 9 8 5 49 1 4 7 8 3 1 7 3 8 5 6 4 2 7 7 2 5 4 1 3 3 6 8 2 5 9

A H P R O T R O T N F P R E F E B A N I N E E R I L E J O Y S

B H R D E N

A L T E R E G O

O E M S E D G E O A R E R A U B T R O E D U E R U T S

Brain chain (Hard) 128

16

203

174

58

29

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

B R A V E E A I V E L Y L C H E W E Y I N G S S F O D I L R G T I O N S N A N G A L I

79

The West Dorset Magazine, August 26, 2022

Agriculture You herd it here first...

with Rachel Hayball

Dry summer eating into our winter feed started with the words ‘have you got any grass?’

Cows are excellent at converting grass to milk, however they are useless at converting dust to milk, which is a pity as the majority of the farm seems to be mostly dust. a couple of weeks ago we ran out of grass and had to open the silage clamps and start feeding them silage.

We hoped it was short-term, but last week we were forced to bring the cows inside and feed them on winter rations.

This gives the ground a break, gives the grass a chance to get going and we can make sure

Rachel Hayball is a mum of six from Beaminster.

She is a herdsperson, has a small flock of sheep and sells lamb.

This summer has been an interesting one. When I say interesting I actually mean dry.

Oh, so dry. Grass (or the lack of it) has been the main topic of conversation. I have lost count of the number of conversations that I have had with other farmers that have

that the cows are getting the right nutrition.

The cows are pretty happy to be in cubicles and are enjoying easy access to food and scratching brushes everywhere, but the staff are not enjoying having to do the winter routine in summer. It is also a big worry that we are eating into food made for winter, the price of feed is very high at the moment so we don’t want to end up in a position where we have got to buy in food, however the cows still need feeding, so what choice is there?

Now we have had some rain

From edition 14 (sorry about that)

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

Crossword

1 7 4 9 6 8 2 5 3

9 5 2 3 4 7 1 6 8

8 3 6 1 2 5 7 9 4

5 6 7 8 1 4 3 2 9

2 1 3 6 7 9 4 8 5

4 9 8 5 3 2 6 7 1

3 4 9 2 5 6 8 1 7

7 2 5 4 8 1 9 3 6

6 8 1 7 9 3 5 4 2

Brain chain 20

30

15

5

34

51

Killer Sudoku Pro 1

9 2 1 5

336×

8 6 7

7+

3 4

6

18+

8 4

189×

9 3 7

0

5

12×

1 2

1

3

12+

7 5

1

2

2

11+

5 1

6

1

8

9 8 6

4 3

7

1

1

1

6

810×

4

8÷

8÷

4 9 4

3

5 9

4÷

8 2 7

8

13+

7

5

9

6

1

7

8

4

3

3

504×

12×

1

2 3

7+

1

9

84×

7

1

6

4

2

3

2

3

6

5

4

5

9

8

45×

the current situation should be short-lived. Once the grass gets growing it won’t be long until we can open the doors and let the cows out. They will then hopefully be able to stay out until winter hits.

We are probably facing more summers like this. Many of us are planting drought-resistant herbal leys to hopefully guarantee some secure grazing in future summers. We are constantly learning and adapting. We aim to be more prepared for future years, but let’s face it – the great British weather will always find a way to surprise us.

7+

4 3

144×

2 8 9

18+

5 6

0

7 1

T E C A X I A L R G U I N H A B F T F R E E Z E O S I N O E M A T A L L R C E C H R O N H E S

Arrow words E E A D A M A G I P E I T L A D E O E D R Y E E X V E R D R A N M L E A D I A N N I C K N E E H R

A E S W L E L E L F T O N G G E L E

Jumbo 3D Sudoku 8 3 9 1 5 7 2 2 6 7 4 6 2 3 6 8 4 3 4 9 7 4 5 9 5 4 3 9 1 8 6 9 4 5 1 8 2 1 5 8 1 2 8 1 5 1 7 2 7 3 3 9 4 6 9 6 2 1 5 2 8 7 6 7 5 7 3 5 7 4 6 9 6 4 3 1 41 2 8 7 9 28 3 9 3 1 8 3 5 2 6 8 4 5 8 9 6 3 6 7 5 4 8 9 3 7 2 1 2 6 7 2 3 7 9 8 8 3 1 5 9 5 6 4 1 5 7 9 4 6 9 6 4 5 6 8 4 1 3 6 4 2 3 7 1 3 4 7 7 5 1 9 5 2 8 3 2 9 1 2 9 4 2 9 8 5 6 7 3 1 8 1 5 4 7 8 4 6 8 7 4 1 6 2 6 7 1 3 2 9 7 1 5 2 3 5 9 5 8 9 2 8 2 3 8 4 5 67 9 5 9 6 17 2 1 7 3 4 8 2 4 5 9 3 1 3 6 4 6 6 8 2 8 3 5 1 7 4 9

A C L L R I M E B A R I R K M P H A R A L E M A J D I J P E G

J E C O S B B Q B L F I F R G O I S E E S E S T I S A B L Y A K

Y M E P I C E S

Brain chain (Hard) 142

213

22

189

18

28

Cryptic Crossword A B A N D O N S E A S E

A I A G H D A E A O D E M A R G A N A A T I R I H E L E C T I R U N E E R D N

D O U B L E C R O S S

G M M E L I T E L N S L A T O R S T T E O P A R D U I Y A R D S E P N S G E L M A A H A R P L Y N E S

PROFESSIONAL

EAR WAX REMOVAL FROM

£35 CALL US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ON:

01305 602240 Best Price Hearing Aids 1 Tudor Arcade Dorchester, DT1 1BN

hello@bestpricehearingaids.co.uk www.bestpricehearingaids.co.uk