The West Dorset Magazine Edition 43, August 2024 by westdorsetmag

Incorporating Weymouth, Portland.. and now a bit of North Dorset too! of

The West Dorset Magazine

POWER TO THE PEOPLE?:

Enormous battery storage plant approved despite opposition from the community P5

STANZA AND DELIVER:

Poetic types, get on your marks – could you be the next Bard of Dorchester? P15

STICK IT UP YER CHIMNEY:

Consultation on huge waste incinerator for Portland closing P48 Comment from Kim Berlin: P84

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Letters

The River Lim: blame where blame is due

As always, the front cover cartoon for the July Edition nailed an important local issue while combining humour and insight.

In this case the topic was the sewage pollution affecting the River Lim that has rendered this beautiful river ‘ecologically dead’. Among other things, the cartoon showed an employee of Wessex Water taking measurements from the river, looking puzzled and with a clothes peg on his nose.

I have no time for these avaricious, privatised water companies but you are being unfair on Wessex Water. It is actually South West Water who are responsible for the river Lim.

Instead of maintaining the cleanliness of the river, South West Water has released human sewage in to the Lim in large amounts and it is South West Water who must clean up the mess they themselves have created.

Philip Strange, Totnes, Devon

Sorry Philip, and others who pointed this out online! I chose Wessex Water as they have a record of sewage

pollution and wasn’t thinking who was responsible for the Lim as our cartoons are not necessarily 100% true – I’m fairly sure, for example, the Lim also has no alligators… As we had South Dorset candidates lining up on the tug of war rope as well as West Dorset’s, it seemed to bring more of that constituency in to include Wessex Water! Happy to put it on record that South West Water are the perpetrators of the Lim’s sewage woes. Ed

Our young newshound Sophia Long is on work experience with us at the WDM this week. It is little wonder Sophia, a selfproclaimed ‘cat person’ fell in love with these adorable kittens, so it made sense for her to write our Page 3 stunner.

This is Sophia’s first published piece!

Odessa Williams, from Sherborne, is celebrating the arrival of her cute kittens. These two little angels, Eastly and Baleu, have just turned 16 weeks old. They are ready for many more weeks of bringing joy and warmth into Odessa’s home.

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

IN BRIEF

Transformation

Dorchester Corn Exchange is set for a transformation of its bar and entrance lobby. Work is getting under way this month at the Grade II* Listed building. The venue will stay open throughout the work, although some changes will be made to schedules. The work will return the building to a layout closer to its original form. The removal of the internal walls will allow an enlarged bar to be created in the front of the building with large windows overlooking South Street, new toilet facilities and the narrow dark foyer will be opened up into an area doubling as an extension of the bar and a community space and meeting room. A new accessible box office will be on the ground floor.

Plans for 600 huge batteries approved

By Dan Goater dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

One of the largest battery storage facilities in the world will be built just outside Weymouth after the controversial proposal got the go ahead.

Dorset councillors approved Statera Energy’s plan to begin building the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at East Chickerell Court Farm, south of Coldharbour. The facility will include some 600 batteries, comprised of 2.5million lithium ion cells, which can store up to 400mw of power. The BESS is designed to feed stored electricity back into the National Grid whenever it is needed.

Despite local opposition to the plans – with opponents saying it would be “dangerous” and pointing to 40 fires at similar facilities worldwide –

councillors voted 6-2 in favour of granting permission.

People fear fires at the site creating toxic smoke. However before voting councillors noted neither the fire service nor the Environment Agency had registered any objection. In a design and access statement, the developers noted opponents had commented: “This is not acceptable in this area, it’s dangerous. Find somewhere else away from a busy town.”

Another had said: “What is

actually going to happen to all the surrounding residents when it goes wrong?”

Opponents pointed to a fire at a ‘relatively small’ BESS in Liverpool in 2020, which burned for 11 hours.

But the planning statement said each of the battery units at the site will be of an “exceptionally high quality,” having been tested to “underwater laboratory” standards. The battery units will have individual fire suppression and monitoring systems, and there are four

large containers of water on site in case of a fire.

In a submission to the council, Statera said it wanted to develop the facility at Chickerell because of its proximity to an electricity substation. The company said: “The government considers that larger capacity BESS developments are crucial to meeting the country’s overall net zero 2050 target, as well as its target to decarbonise the power system by 2035, which will require a substantial growth in renewable energy generation, along with electricity storage to balance the intermittent generation from renewables, and stability services to keep the national grid stable.

“In summer months on bright, windy days it is not uncommon for too much electricity to be generated (through renewable means),

on rural landscape

whereas on cloudy wind-less days in winter months there may be a shortfall.

“In each case, National Grid, acting as the system operator, will need to take balancing actions to ensure that supply meets demand. Battery storage facilities can support this constant need for balancing.

“The location next to Chickerell substation presents the opportunity to secure precisely the right sort of grid connection offer, allowing import and export for the battery system.”

The company added: “There is no question that these developments are in the national – and global –interest.”

Ahead of the council meeting where permission was granted, opponent John Paton had written to the authority to express his dismay at the proposal.

He wrote: “Fire suppression is

mentioned, but the truth is that once thermal runaway has commenced there is no stopping it. In this regard it has some similarities with nuclear fission. All manufacturers continue to experience lithium battery failures and indeed fires.

“A characteristic of these fires is the extreme rapidity with which they initiate.”

He continued: “There is no justification for the implied expectation that one hour of thermal insulation alone would be sufficient to reliably prevent fire spreading between containers. These fires normally ‘burn’ for between 6 and 12 hours.

“It remains my belief therefore that, in the event of even a simple fire, there is a very high probability that fire will spread given the very dense packing of cells within the container.”

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

An exhibition on a famed signwriter will be open in Bridport Tues-Sat 10am-4pm from now until August 29. The work of George Biles (19001987) will be the subject of displays at Bridport Museum, The British Legion Hall and Bridport Arts Centre.

A free Holiday Hangout event is being held for nine to 14-yearolds on the Great Field in Poundbury From 11am-4pm. Fun activities including inflatables, craft and rocket building, football coaching, clay modelling, crazy golf and so much more! Children can bring a

GIGS IN AUGUST: Thurs 8th 7pm OPEN MIC SI GENARO. Sat 10th 7pm STICKLEBACK JACK. Sun 11th 5pm, ALAS SMITH & DANIELS. Sat 17th 7pm WILLY TEA TAYLOR from the wild west (bluegrass). Sun 18th 5pm MARKY DAWSON. Weds 21st 8pm JAZZ JAM. Thurs 22nd 7.30pm WILLOW HILL FROM NASHVILLE USA! Sat 24th 7pm TBC. Sun 25th 5pm CARLEY VARLEY BAND. Fri 30th 7.30pm PIRATE NIGHT: CAPTAIN’S BEARD. Sun 28th 5pm JORDAN WATTS. Sat 31st 7pm THE HOOKED. SEPT GIGS: Sun 1st 4pm COBALT BLUE. Sat 7th 7pm BLUE COLLAR (country). Sun 8th 4pm THAT CHRIS PAYN.

picnic or buy a burger or sausage and salad with a piece of fruit for £4. Children eligible for free school meals with a HAF passcode will receive their barbecue for free. Once adults have brought their children for registration, they are free to go.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association will stage their 79th summer show at the Digby Hall, Hound Street. Staging from 2.20pm, judging 4pm-6pm. Open to public 6.30pm, presentation 7.30pm. Contact Richard Newcombe on 01935 389375. West Dorset Ramblers Group 5

miles walk around Bridport Landmarks – To book and for details please contact 07952 517764.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Weymouth’s community radio station Air 107.2 is holding a fundraising event to help pay for transmitter fees, studio upgrades, and licence fees at The Centenary Club at Jubilee Sidings (DT4 7BG). Stalls, food, bingo, games, a disco and a raffle from 4pm. Tickets are £3 from air1072.com Family-friendly event.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

There’s prize bingo at Maiden

Bridport Auction

No 1, St Michael’s Trading Estate, DT6 3RR Established and selling successfully for 25 years Michael Dark and his team of Linda, Maggie, Sallie, Mo, Sarah and Judy work hard on your behalf to identify, research and market your goods to get the best prices for you in our popular worldwide monthly live on-line auctions of collectables and antiques. Entries are now being accepted for our forthcoming auctions.

l Full and part house clearance service l Valuations for probate & insurance

01308 459400 or email for auction valuations

Hours:-

Our Dorset Group monthly meetings are held at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester Sept–April. May–Sept we have lots of events. plantheritagedorset.org.uk martin.plantheritage@btinternet.com

Newton village hall, 2pm for a 2.30pm eyes down.

Bridport & West Dorset

Rambling Club is holding an eight-mile walk from Kingston Maurward Call 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/ visitors welcome.

Weymouth Town Council is inviting residents to Radipole Park and Gardens for a celebration event 11am-2pm to mark the official opening. The event was due to be held on June 15 but bad weather caused the opening to be postponed.

Whasson? (and where’s

Specialist Plant Fair Sunday, Sept 1, at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, 10am-3pm

Organised by Plant Heritage. 25-30 stalls offering a huge range of plants direct from growers & specialist nurseries across the South & West. Admission £7 for the Fair and includes free admission to the award-winning gardens (worth £12.95). Plant Fairs open 10am–3pm, gardens remain open until 5pm. Free parking, refreshments available. Dogs on short leads admitted.

The One World Festival will be held 11am - 4pm in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens. The free family event celebrates the diversity of cultures in Dorset through world music, dance, food, and activities. There’s a programme of traditional and modern music involving our local communities. Come and marvel to the beautiful sounds of the sitar, listen to wonderful traditional songs from Ukraine, enjoy the sounds of traditional Syrian and Kurdish song, and get your dancing shoes on with We Afro Tallawah who will be providing funky reggae tunes and the smoothest musical delights. The

Global Food Village will offer a wide selection of mouthwatering fresh food and drinks from around the world.

Cuisine, from Tibetan dumplings and Middle Eastern falafel to appetising Thai food, authentic Asian curries, South American burritos, Italian pizza, AfroCaribbean jerk chicken, and more!

As well as music and food, the event will feature a wide range of stalls and additional activities to get involved with, including an African drumming session, henna painting, and fermentation workshops. And there’s a bouncy castle and arts and crafts workshops for the kids.

Talks Programme

Sept 12: ‘What Makes a Head Gardener?’ by Ambra Edwards

Oct 10: ‘A Passion for Salvias’ by Paul Scriven Nov 14: ‘Habitat Creations for Butterflies, People and other Animals’ By Clive

Farrell

Chideock WI is holding Bubbly and Cake Tea 3pm-5pm in Chideock Village Hall, Main Street. Go along for a summer tea and purchase tasty WI cakes and savouries. Info from chideockwi@gmail.com or chideockwi.org.uk

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

Darron Garnett, the voice of ‘cool swing’, will play in Greenhill Gardens Weymouth 2pm-4pm to celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.

An open day will be held at the Sherborne Steam and Ct’d next page

MELPLASH MELPLASH SHOW SHOW

THURSDAY 22 nd AUGUST

Adult Advance Ticket £20 (on the day £22) Buy tickets to Show early and save!

Visit Creams Dorchester Visit Creams Dorchester

Waterwheel centre 11.30am3.30pm. Waterwheel and steam engines in operation. Basic refreshments, picnic area and toilet. Free parking on Oborne Road DT9 3RX. Entry by donation. Sswc.co.uk

MONDAY, AUGUST 12

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church will be holding their summer arts & crafts fair from today until Saturday, August 17 10am-4pm (2pm on Saturday). Free entry. Café open all day with a selection of hot bacon rolls, cakes and drinks. Lots of stalls to see.

Weymouth Town Council will

host spectacular firework displays over Weymouth seafront on Mondays in August. The displays will start at 9.30pm and as the fireworks will be fired from a boat moored in Weymouth Bay spectacular views will be available along the length of the seafront.

Wessex Morris Men will be dancing near the War Memorial in Maiden Newton at 7.45pm. Also at the Greyhound Inn, Sydling St Nicholas at 8.30pm.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14

West Dorset Ramblers Group 8 mile walk around Lambert’s Castle Circular – To book and

for details please contact 07587 098079.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

A four-day festival of music, arts, comedy and much more kicks off today just outside Swanage Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a fave on the calendar for even non-folkies, as it features a huge line-up of diverse styles of music on five stages set around farmland.

From the chap on an open mic with his banjo to a barn pumping to the beat of full scale trancefolk, it’s all here. Three nights of side splitting stand-up, a beard-off competition and fancy dress beginning with the letter Y. Camping and glamping available. You know you want to. Book at purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Sherborne Book Fair will be held at the Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL 9.30am-4pm. Secondhand books, maps and printed ephemera will be on offer. Free entry.

Bockhampton And District Horticultural Society (BDHA) will hold its summer show at 2pm at West Stafford Village Hall. Craft, floral art and photography classes. To renew your membership to enter contact show secretary Jeanne Mousley on 07887 489116 or jeannemousley@aol.com Doors will open at 8.30am for staging and close at 10am for judging. Then everyone is welcome at 2pm to view the entries and award winners, enter the raffle or just enjoy a cup of tea.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

An auction of hundreds of lots of

new and used household items will be held at the Upwey Memorial Hall (DT3 5NG) from noon, with viewing from 11am.

Toys, lamps, mirrors, tools, collectables and much more. Enjoy the banter of auctioneer David Graham and pick up bargains from £1. Enquiries to 07586 298714.

11th Hour will be playing at Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth, 2pm-4pm.

A selection of memorable 60s, 70s and 80s music by a group of really talented musicians to enjoy as you laze away the afternoon next to the beach. greenhill-gardens.co.uk

Maiden Newton Annual Flower & Produce Show will be held at the village hall –entries from 9.30-noon, viewing 2pm-4pm – free entry. Flowers, vegetables, fruit, cookery, jams, arts & crafts, photography and various children’s classes.

Details in brochures at the village stores.

Entries are open to all, and there will be teas, coffee and wonderful cakes, plus the popular tombola. Prizes will be presented at 3.15pm.

A coffee morning and tower tours will be held at All Saints’ Church, Wyke Regis. Coffee morning 10am to midday. Cakes, books, Fairtrade stall, music. Tower tours 9.30am and 10.30am. Climb the 100 steps and enjoy the panoramic views from the top. Tickets £6 from parishofwykeregis.org.uk/events

Weymouth Concert Brass will be playing in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens at 2pm subject to good weather.

Enjoying a refreshing afternoon tea in the rare ‘Devon Belle’ Pullman observation car as you steam through the spectacular Purbeck countryside.

Your refreshing and tasty afternoon tea is served by our attentive and helpful attendants dressed in pristine Pullman uniforms.

MONDAY, AUGUST 19

Weymouth Concert Brass will be playing on Weymouth Seafront at 7,30pm subject to good weather.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20

West Dorset Ramblers Group 8.5 miles walk around Obelisk at Weatherby Castle – To book and for details please contact 07826 150114.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21

Dorchester-based Ladies group

The Durnovarioan Dames will be holding their annual table top sale 10am-noon at the United Church in South Street for this year’s chosen charity Yeovil Freewheelers Blood Bikes. Go to the hall at the back of the church – all welcome to come and buy.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

It’s the highlight of the local calendar as Melplash Agricultural Show throws open its gates at West Bay (DT6 4EG) from 8.30am-6pm, celebrating all that’s wonderful about rural life by the sea!

There are show classes: cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, ponies and heavy horses. Horticulture, floral arts, homecraft, handicraft, woodwork competitions. Main ring attractions include Broke Freestyle Motocross Stunt Team and Team Pawsibility dog agility. Other free entertainment includes Discover Farming, The Sheep Show, Munchkins Miniature Shetland Ponies, a New Emergency Services Zone, vintage tractors, cars and motorbikes, Sheridan Sheep Dog, Professor Crump, Strawberry Jam, Rainbow Geckko Bubbleman & Bubble Faerie, Spider-cam, Piano Bike Girl and Dorset Studio of Dance. Enough to keep you entertained all day! Admission is free for under 16s, adult ticket on day £22 (card only) or in advance £20.

Lunchtime concert: Sun and Moon, Sea and Land. All Saints Church, Wyke Regis. 12,45 pm. Piano recital by Rob Sword. Meditations on time, art and mortality evoked through folk-like melodies, plaintive harmonies and distinctive textures.

Free entry. Donations welcome. An Affordable Art Exhibition, raising funds for local charities, will be held at Jubilee Hall, Poundbury, from Thursday, August 22 until August 25, 10am to 4pm. Professional artist Rod Kay believed art ought to be uplifting, and original art be available to everyone to have in their homes. He was preparing paintings for a large exhibition of his work at the time of his sudden death last year. His family, Tim and Kay Kay, are offering some of his works at a special exhibition –many of these paintings have never before been offered for sale because they held meaning for Rod, perhaps an unusual angle on a well known location, a view he found interesting, a new style or technique well executed, or simply a piece he cherished. Rod devoted much of his spare time to helping others in difficulty, inspiring people to appreciate art and encouraging disabled people and the elderly to take up a brush. This inspired Tim and Kay to offer the 200 original, beautiful, accomplished works of art for sale at very affordable prices, £35£275. Tim and Kay also want to make the best use of this unexpected inheritance and so the funds raised will go into supporting a variety of local charities:

Age UK North, South, West, Dorset, Food Share, The Talk About Trust (keeping young people safe), People Need Nature (conservation and wellbeing project), Damers School Values Installation Project, Cycling Without Age (free trishaw rides providing special experiences), Discover and Connect (social activities for disabled and lonely people), Art in Poundbury (creative community projects), and Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

The work of these charities will be showcased in the Hall during the exhibition.

Several of the paintings on show could be won in the raffle, along with other generous prizes

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Sherborne Book Fair

Saturday, August 17, 9.30am-4pm

donated by local businesses. Free parking, refreshments by donation. For more information, email affordable.artpoundbury@gmail. com and follow them on Instagram @affordableartpoundbury or facebook at Affordableartpoundbury

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

Music at Minterne’s second concert will be given by The Bechstein Trio: Priya Michell –violin; Emmanuel Despax –piano; Guy Johnston – cello at 6.30pm. Programme: Piano Trio’s

by Beethoven, Fauré & Brahms. For Tickets £60 inc. reception or to join mailing list please email: MusicatMinterne@outlook.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

Moreton Church has hosted a flower festival for many years, and this year’s theme is ‘Terrific Tales – our favourite stories’.

The festival will be open 10am4pm for three days until bank holiday Monday, August 26. Free entry and refreshments on site.

Abbey Farm Flower Festival will be held from today until

Monday, August 26 in Abbotsbury (DT3 4JJ), from 10am-4pm.

A free festival celebrating flowers, with stalls, local crafts, food and drink, live music and a full programme of walks, talks and demonstrations. Fun competitions and a floral dress code – get involved! To book a stall or get involved email info@abbeyfarmabbotsbury.co.uk or go to abbeyfarmabbotsbury.co.uk

Local Morris dancers, Cynewulf Morris and Rock duo Free Spirits will entertain the crowds in

Bucky Doo Square, Bridport 10am-1pm. Bridport and Lyme Regis members of the Royal Air Forces Association will be holding their Wings Appeal event from 10am to 1pm.

As well as live music there will be a bric a brac and RAFA stall. All are welcome. For more information call Bill Davies on 01308 281200.

Dorchester and District Gardening Club are holding their annual show at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, DT1 1LB. Classes

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Please telephone us for an appointment or we can arrange a home visit

Roger Clarke-Williams 44 Manor Road, Dorchester, DT1 2AX | Tel: 01305 265137 email@ roger.clarke-williams@talktalk.net

for vegetables, fruit, flowers, handicrafts, cookery and photography. Raffle and refreshments. Doors open 2.30pm, entry 50p (free for exhibitors). Awards to be presented by Mayor Robin Potter at 4pm. Entries welcome (no entry fees, no prize money) by August 21. For schedule contact Jane, 01305 268523 or email dorchestergardening@gmail.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

Tony Lowe will be playing in Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth, 2pm-4pm. The singer and entertainer will be on the bandstand with his great collection of songs. For cool swing and Frank Sinatra fans this afternoon is a must! A Weldmar Hospice event. greenhillgardens.co.uk

Tolpuddle’s Summer Fete and Dog Show will be held at Orchard Meadow (DT2 7EU), noon to 6pm. Dog show 3pm. Entrance to fete £5 for family of four. Dog show £2 per class. Stalls, strawberries, games, food, taskmaster, bar, music. All welcome. See tolpuddlevillage.co.uk/ eventsand-activities for more info.

The Dog, Sausage and Cider Festival will be held from 11am on fields next to the Springhead pub in Sutton Poyntz. There will be food and drink, live music by the Leggomen, Weymouth Ukuleleans and Captains Big Band plus bungee trampolines and a bouncy castle. Also more than 50 craft stalls and a petting zoo with Shetland ponies, goats, snakes, and reptiles,

plus a dog show and a sausage throwing comp. Entry is £3, U16 free.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26

Alweston car boot sale (DT9 5HT) will be on early doors –sellers 7am, buyers before 7.30am £5, Buyers by donation. Info: Facebook

Weymouth Concert Brass will play on Weymouth Seafront at 7,30pm subject to good weather.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

A free community event will be held 11am-2pm at Wyke Gardens, with a bouncy castle and arts and crafts activities. Westham Community Centre will run activities, there’ll be an arts and crafts workshop from Houseworks, and local organisations like the Veterans Hub and Wyke Smugglers pub will be involved. There will also be a food bank donation facility at both community events to help support local families in the Westham and Wyke Regis areas. Contributions of non-perishable food items and any spare shopping bags would be greatly appreciated.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

An evening of light classics and songs from the shows is being performed at St Mary’s Church, Charminster, (DT2 9RD) at 7pm. Gregory Steward graduated from Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2022 and is now a classically trained tenor. Along with popular opera Ct’d next page

Long and short term care for the elderly

Come and join our

l Full / part-time hours, nights and days l Free uniform, PPE and DBS check

Contact Lisa to have a chat on 01305 786568 or email lisa@primroselodge-weymouth.co.uk

Primrose Lodge – Dorchester Road, Weymouth primroselodge-weymouth.co.uk

classics, his programme has included a range of work from musicals such as Carousel, South Pacific and Les Misérables

Tickets £10 from 01305 213403 or 07795 347408 to include wine and nibbles. Proceeds towards church funds.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7.5 mile walk from Upwey. Call 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. Visitors welcome.

A traditional village fete will be held in Oborne from 12.303.30pm (DT9 4LA).

Wriggle Valley Jazz Band, Granny’s Attic, children's corner,

barbecue, skittles, duck race and loads more. Free parking. Contact Karen on 07866 933736.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Winterbourne Abbas Village Fete will be held at St Mary’s Churchyard noon-4pm. There will be all the fun of the fair at the traditional village fete, including raffle, tombola, bric-abrac, new to you, plants, books, games for both young and old , teas and cakes, barbecue and much more. Only £1 entry with free parking. Proceeds for St Mary’s Church.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are hosting another large plant fair from 10am-3pm, organised by the Dorset Group of

Plant Heritage. Over the past five years, these fairs have grown and gained in popularity attracting close to 1,000 visitors and some prestigious growers & nurseries. The spacious site is in a flat location on the West Lawn at the heart of the beautiful gardens. You can buy tickets on the day or in advance.

abbotsburytickets.co.uk

Included in the £7 admission is free access to the gardens until 5pm, worth £12.95. In addition to lots of plant stalls, you will find a handful of local crafts & wildlife stalls plus an Italian coffee stall. It is easy to take plants to your car and return to the fair (several times!). The fair proceeds support plant

conservation, education and events in Dorset. The large Plant Heritage stall features plants grown by members and 50% of these sales go to charity. Some stalls accept cash and some card payments (sometimes patchy 4G signal because of location).

plantheritagedorset.org.uk

Darron Garnett will play at Greenhill Gardens Weymouth 2pm-4pm.

The voice of cool swing, Darron will treat you to Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra as you laze the afternoon away with the blue waters of Weymouth Bay as your backdrop. greenhillgardens.co.uk

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

West Dorset Ramblers Group 9 mile walk around Beaminster Circular To book and for details please contact 07952 517764.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Dorchester and District Gardening Club are again welcoming Susan Vincent MA Classical Studies, President of the Richard Wagner (Dorset) Group, Committee Member of the T E Lawrence Society and the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship, for a talk about Pompeii: Eumachia in Pompeii at the time of Augustus. Who was she and why was she so important?

The club meets at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, DT1 1LB, doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry for members, visitors £4 on the door. Bring and buy stall and a draw. All welcome. Contact: Jane, 01305 268523 or email dorchestergardening@gmail.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Ever wondered what the U3A is

or how to become involved? Now is the time to see what is on offer at Blackmore Vale U3A. Come chat to our talented group leaders with a glass of wine from 2.30pm-4pm at Henstridge Village Hall (BA8 0QD). At 3pm John Kilcourse will discuss the Role of Man sheds in the community. More at blackmorevale.u3asite.uk

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Internationally renowned vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six will perform at St Peter’s in Dorchester at 7pm. Book at ticketsource.co.uk/st-peterschurch-dorchester

The Cerne Abbas Star Party will be held at Cerne Abbas Brewery from noon. Tickets on Eventbrite!

A colourful event will be happening today and on September 14 – Bridport’s first Quilt Walkabout! The event was held in Broadwindsor 2001 to 2011. The oganiser has been teaching patchwork & quilting for

SMITH

(USA)

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

25 years and to mark the event she wanted to exhibit the quilts her students and locals have made over the years. The event has been taken from the Amish idea that they hold in the spring called The Airing of the Quilts. They spring clean & air their quilts by hanging them outside making a fabulous colour display around their towns. Weather depending quilts will be hung around the town outside, or in shops, churches & cafes. They will also be hosting workshops and demos and a competition as well as a big reveal of a super quilt on the last day.

To find out more, go to studi0ne.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

The Friends of Weymouth Library (FOWL) will be hearing a talk in the library at 10.30am entitled Keep your Hair on by Alan Jones. Straight, wavy, long or natural, we discover the secretive and lucrative international world of hair. Tickets from the library at £2 for members and £3 for non-

15-18 AUGUST 2024

members. Refreshments available, everyone welcome. A guided tour of Dorchester’s famous Borough Gardens will start at 6pm, by Friends of the Borough Gardens member Joy Wallis, wildlife expert and Blue Badge Guide – free!

Mosterton Art Group will hold their annual exhibition at Beaminster town hall, Fleet street, DT8 3EF from 10am-7pm today and 10am-4pm tomorrow. There will also be a preview party from 6pm-8pm on Friday 6th to meet the artists. All are welcome to the preview! Admission free.

A Blow Your Own Trumpet comedy night will be held at The Convivial Rabbit in Trinity Street, Dorchester (DT1 1TT) 8.30pm10pm. An evening of fun and laughter in this welcoming microbar. Featuring six comedians and your MC Gavin Egan. Tickets £5 plus booking fee from jokepit.com

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College merger

The official merger of Weymouth College and Kingston Maurward College has taken place, with education chiefs saying it marks the “start of an exciting new chapter” in Dorset’s further education. The newly-formed Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College promises to bring “enhanced opportunities and improved educational experiences” for both students and employers across the region.

Kate Wills is the interim chief executive officer and principal.

She has more than 20 years of experience in further and higher education and takes over from Julia Howe at Weymouth College and Luke Rake at Kingston Maurward College.

Open air dance show set to be spectacular

Complex choreography will complement Dorset’s beautiful geography in an open-air show being hosted by Bridport Youth Dance.

The troupe has been working with its own alumni and members of local company Fingerprint Dance to create what they describe as a “fusion of movement, dance, puppetry, music, land and nature”.

The “intergenerational site specific” performance will take place at Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury on September 6 and 7 as part of the LANDscape initiative.

A spokesperson for Bridport Youth Dance said: “Following the sudden intermittent closure of Bridport Youth Dance in March 2020 we established a remote programme initially followed by an outdoor programme. At this time we danced in gardens with live music, we danced on beaches, we created site specific work and short dance films. We also recognised quickly that this was a beautiful way of working and haven’t stopped. Our work in the land continues with Choreography Geography.

“As a part of our new future vision our outdoor dance education programme continues and is now called the LANDscape initiative which creates site specific work in stunning

local rural and coastal landscape.”

They added: “In more recent times we have shifted to explore the beauty of intergenerational dance and are collaborating with Fingerprint Dance, a local dance company of mature adults aged 50 to 70 years old.”

WHAT A BACKDROP: A dancer at Chapel Hill PIC: LEN COPLAND

Rhyme and reason to contest

Shakespeare walks into a pub. The landlord says: “You’re Bard!”

Hopefully that won’t happen to the Third Bard of Dorchester when they are crowned on September 15. A contest to find the third Bard of Dorchester will be held at 3pm under The Brownsword Hall in Pummery Square, Poundbury. The Bard will be appointed to serve Dorchester for a year and a day.

Prospective Bards will present one of their own poems written to a prompt, their own interpretation or performance of a poem by Thomas Hardy and their Bardic Manifesto.

The event will be hosted and compered by Peter Roe, The Second Bard of Dorchester (pictured). The judging panel will be five

members representing different organisations. Ceri Baker, The Bard of Exeter, 2024-25; Kevan Manwaring, 3rd Bard of Bath, Academic and author of The Bardic Handbook; Kimwei McCarthy, The Grand Bard of Exeter; Marc Chutter, chairman and academic director of The Thomas Hardy Society; and Claire Dixon, executive director of The Dorset Museum. A spokesman said: “It looks

to be a lovely event with support from the Poet Laureate Pub, where we hold a monthly open mic event. “We already have four people who wish to enter before we even call for entries. And I am so glad to say that two of them are under the age of 22 and the other two are under 40.

“To support them in growing their craft and mobilise the younger community to be involved in the arts is clearly what we wish to achieve.”

Megan Simson, partner of the current Bard, said: “We are driven by the desire to make Poetry events available to the community of Dorset, through events produced by our CIC The Jawbone Collective.”

To throw your hat in the ring, ask for an application pack by emailing: bardofdorchester@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Lolly in Lyme

Lyme Regis has been named among the top ten most expensive places to buy a coastal property in the country. Rightmove says the town is eighth on the list, with the average asking price £521,932. Rentals are also dear, with a one-bed flat on Facebook for £2,000 a month. One commenter said: “That’s a huge rip-off.”

In first place was Sandbanks, where the average property is worth £1,582,331. By contrast, Saltcoats in Ayrshire, Scotland, is the cheapest coastal area, with an average asking price of £114,365. Easington in County Durham is second at £122,520, and Peterlee in County Durham is third at £124,593.

YOU’RE BARD: Peter Roe

Michael’s our BID winner

We have been overwhelmed with the response to our July competition for a £40 voucher courtesy of Dorchester BID.

There can only be one winner, and from the entrants to The West Dorset Magazine’s competition it’s Michael Kent from Bothenhampton, who correctly stated that BID stands for Business Improvement District. And now he has won the £40 voucher to be spent in any shops belonging to a Dorchester BID member –he has chosen Goulds. Michael said: “That’s amazing to win the voucher. That’s more than I have ever won on the Lottery. ”

Phil Gordon from

Skydiver Mary leads her team

Dorchester BID said: “The Dorchester Business Improvement District (DBID) has been running a wide range of projects and initiatives in town since 2008. Most of these activities are geared towards supporting high street businesses, but many benefit locals and visitors alike.

“The DBID was delighted to be involved with this

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competition with WDM and we congratulate the winner, Michael Kent who has won a voucher for £40 to spend in a shop of his choice in Dorchester, well done Michael.”

DBID has fully funded live music every Saturday in South Street next to Newlook/Café Nero this summer and is running the Dorchester Supersleuth Competition again for children aged up to 16. This year find the flags of Olympic competing countries in Dorchester’s shop windows. Children collect stickers from the shops and can win money to spend in them.

To take part, collect your free mission sticker album from the library or Shire Hall Museum.

Skydiving gran Mary Bates, 80 now has four Spider people willing to jump out of a plane with her on August 31 for Motor Neurone Disease. They include the mother of a little boy who died of the disease, Oliver, and Mary’s own grand daughter Amy and grandson Leon. Mary is fundraising for the charity after her son, the well-known Weymouth drummer Spencer Bates, died of the disease. If you would like to join her, call 07979 494649.

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CONTEST WINNER: Michael Kent

SKYDIVER: Mary Bates

AMBITION: Career lessons at Bridport Primary School

Making a career of it

A herbalist, anaesthetist, actor and costume designer were just some of the guest speakers to inspire career ambitions of pupils at Bridport Primary School Pupils have been taking part in a national pilot scheme, part of the Initio Learning Trust, to help think about different career paths.

The project, Start Small; Dream Big, aims to overcome limiting stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity or social background.

Some 11 careers were covered, including an IT specialist, a counsellor, an actor, a musician and videographer, a gardener plus an artist and biomedical scientist.

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Firefighter’s ruby medal

Maiden Newton Fire Station Commander Andy Elliott was presented with a certificate and medal bar to mark 40 years of operational service.

Andy, who is also a National Wildfire Tactical Advisor, has served the station since July 1983. Andy said: “I’m very pleased and proud to have been able to serve my home community over the past 40-plus years. I hope I have a few

more years left in me. Maiden Newton Fire Station is still short of crew. If you think you might want a rewarding challenge and live within four to six minutes of Maiden Newton, consider joining us as on-call firefighters.”

Andy was joined by his wife Lesley for the presentation by Darren Langdown, who thanked her for her support during the service.

Family help from hubs

New Family Hubs, provided by Dorset Council, are offering essential support to families.

There are hubs in Bridport, Dorchester, Ferndown, Swanage, Wareham and Wimborne, providing families with support for social, emotional, physical and financial needs.

Later this year there are plans for more hubs in Dorset.

The idea behind the Family Hubs is to provide a safe and welcoming space where families can access support in one place in their

community. For more information, visit the council website.

Fun for kids

Schoolchildren can get out and get active this summer thanks to a jam-packed programme of fun activities hosted by Artsreach. They can create a dance film, enjoy pottery workshops, form a shadow puppet theatre group, hear a professional storyteller and create fiery dragons to take home, plus learn circus skills and much more. For more information on the programme visit artsreach.co.uk

GOOD CALL: Andy Elliott with his wife Lesley, crew from Maiden Newton and Darren Langdown

Mind the Gap... Girl power is here

A three-month sabbatical in Cheddington to escape the city limits of lockdown changed the shape of Bron Ellis’ life.

Four years on, Bron together with her daughter Lucy, hold the keys to the historic Winyard’s Gap.

“It was serendipity,” said Bron. “When covid hit we literally popped a pin in the map. The London office was closed so we decided to take a holiday home for three months in Cheddington.

“We found ourselves in the middle of nowhere, totally unprepared with no wellies or raincoats and in January this year, we bought Winyard’s Gap.

“We fell in love with it and this little part of Dorset.

“It was as though it was meant to be, and it has been amazing, although it’s taken some adapting.”

After closing for several weeks to give it a little revamp, the pub opened in style, with local chef Marie Childs at the helm of the kitchen.

Marie said: “I make creative, fresh food of the highest standards with many specials, which I am frequently changing.

We serve pub food done well.

“It has been hard work, but we have exceeded our expectations since opening.”

“We are girl power,” laughed Bron, who has turned this historic inn, with tales of highwaymen, smugglers and gypsies, into a destination pub in

an area immortalised by Thomas Hardy.

“Our raison d’etre is to serve delicious, proper food to every occasion,” said Bron.

“Our diners can choose to eat in our spacious dining room, stylish patio or the garden. We believe in serving good food using locally sourced produce

Film première to open island’s

Portland’s much-anticipated b-side festival begins with an evening of film, poetry and music.

The launch party is taking place on September 5 at SALT, this year’s festival sponsor, on Portland Marina. The evening will feature the première of This Is Us, a new short film by Hugh Dunford Wood in collaboration with Stephen Clarke of Biggerhouse

Film. Following the film screening, attendees will be treated to a live sound poetry performance by Belinda Zhawi.

DJ sets from Vinyl Van and The Hoodoo (We Think We Are) Jukebox will provide an engaging and dynamic soundtrack, setting the stage for the weekend’s festivities at various isle venues.

wherever possible. “Marie is a talent, and we are privileged to have her in our kitchen.”

Winyard’s Gap offers ix tasteful rooms, great hospitality, exceptional food with a summer of music to suit all tastes in a venue commanding the most spectacular views, n winyardsgap.com

arts festival

A festival spokesperson said: “This year’s festival theme, “Who Do We Think We Are?” explores the intricate narratives of migration and identity, resonating deeply with the local community.”

n The launch party is a ticketed event at £7.50. For more information, visit b-side.org.uk

HISTORIC: Winyard’s Gap at Cheddington

By Bethan Stubley

“It’s such a unique story,” said Elizabeth Buckler Gale, a 90-year-old author from Bridport.

Elizabeth is launching her fifth book this month – The Long Journey Back – about her friend of 84 years, 87year-old Betty Mackay.

Betty came to Burton Bradstock in her father’s arms at only three years old, where she met Elizabeth, then six.

Her older brothers and sisters had arrived in the area with their schools a year earlier to escape the horrors of war in their blitzed London home. Betty quickly became a true country girl, says Elizabeth. She fell in love with Burton Bradstock and saw her foster parents as her own, with her real parents rarely coming to visit. The country life was all she knew, however at age 11, she had to return to London and she was dragged from her lovely cliffside home to a flat in a bombed out area in London.

She was desperate to return –but it would be 40 years until she made it back.

Betty often visited Burton Bradstock and she would sob all the way back home. But her parents needed her care and she didn’t want to disrupt her daughter’s education.

Tales of village life and a 40-year battle to return

Finally, she got the chance –on one of her many visits she met David Barnikel, the owner of the Burton Cliff Hotel, who offered her a job with accommodation. Betty threw herself into the village dramatic society, eventually directing Calendar Girls. Elizabeth said: “When Betty returned many of the residents were newcomers, and had no idea of her past in the village. But we always knew that she was a Burton Bradstock girl really and truly.”

Elizabeth, who looks decades younger than her 90 years, said: “I’ve always

written as a hobby. I’ve been in agriculture all my life and was involved in Melplash Agricultural Society for 52 years. When I first took it on all the records were written by hand and I had to do the lot myself. We had an exhibition for the 175th anniversary of Melplash Show and when we celebrated the 150th anniversary everything went right, but there was torrential rain from midday onwards. “The show always used to be held on the Thursday after bank holiday but all the holiday makers had gone home. It took some

persuasion to get them to change the date, but now lots of tourists attend along with all the local people.”

The Long Journey Back is 130 pages long with 40 images documenting Betty’s and Elizabeth’s lives. It is £9.95 from Bridport Museum, West Bay Discovery Centre, Burton Bradstock post office and Cilla & Camilla.

Elizabeth will be signing her books with Betty at the Reading Room, Burton Bradstock from 11am to 4pm on Thursday, August 29. There will be a photo display and refreshments.

500 homes built in a year

More than 500 housing association and shared ownership homes have been built for Dorset residents in the last financial year, say Dorset Council. They include 34 in Weymouth, 31 in Chickerell and 15 on Portland, 34 in Dorchester, 28 in Bridport, with others in Charminster, Drimpton, Fontmell Magna, Halstock, Lytchett

Matravers and Puddletown. A spokesperson said: “In the next few months, a range of new sites will be completed. “These include 50 houses at the former Royal Manor School on Portland, being built by Magna Housing; a second smaller rural exemption site at Maiden Newton in West Dorset and the East Boro site at Corfe Mullen.”

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Left, Betty with a GI – she was the poster girl for American troops. Centre, Betty with her foster mum and right, Elizabeth aged 14 in 1949

IT’S FOR YOU: Joey and Elliot at the book exchange in St Thomas Street, Weymouth

Branch out to grow your very own tree

Read all about book exchange

Weymouth’s Youth Council reps Joey and Elliot have launched a community book exchange project in Weymouth town centre. From classics such as Jane Austen’s Emma to Roald Dahl’s Matilda, fictional novels and Horrible Histories titles,

there’s plenty to choose from for free!

People can take a book but also leave a book for someone else to read. The idea is to take a book and leave a book in exchange, but don’t worry if you don’t have a book to leave – you can still take one to read.

There’s still time for schools, sports clubs and community groups in Dorset to apply to the Woodland Trust for trees. The conservation charity has given away 15million saplings through its free trees scheme since it started in 2010. With applications for a September delivery closing on August 26, the trust is urging people to take advantage of the scheme that helps combat the climate and nature crisis.

In March, the trust sent out 365,985 saplings nationwide, with 26,995 of them coming to

the south of England, of which 4,455 came to Dorset. Woodland Trust senior project lead Steve Shill said: “Planting trees is such a simple action, but the collective impact can make a huge difference to people and the planet.

“Trees help nature, combat flooding, provide shelter and reduce pollution. And they unite communities, inspire pride and bring huge benefits for mental wellbeing.”

n See woodland trust. org.uk/plant-trees/schoolsand-communities

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SUPPORT: Bridport Mayor Anne

Mayor’s backing for family charity

The Mayor of Bridport has selected a non-profit organisation that offers support and emotional advice to families as one of her charities of the year.

Councillor Anne Rickard, now serving as town mayor for a second time, chose Home-Start Wessex as her 2024 charity. The Mayor said: “I have chosen Home-Start Wessex as one of my charities as it puts a focus on our young people.”

Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Mayor of Bridport for choosing Home-Start Wessex. Fundraising is a constant challenge, yet our service is in more demand than ever. This year, we supported 500 families in Dorset, Hants and Wilts.”

Techies wanted for coding day

IT professionals are being asked to volunteer to lead the techies of the future in a special coding day for Dorset schools.

For the third year running, Dorset Council is holding a coding day for children in years 5, 6 and 7 during the week of October 7-11.

To sign up for Dorset Coding Day as a school, homeschool setting, or a tech volunteer, visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk /dorset-coding-day-2024 or send an email to digitaldorset@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Fast-track pledge as barge set to close

South Dorset’s new MP Lloyd Hatton has promised residents of the Bibby Stockholm barge will have their asylum applications fast-tracked after the government announced plans to mothball the Tories’ unpopular migrant accommodation.

Describing the barge as ‘an unworkable, expensive and ineffective gimmick’, Mr Hatton says he has been in dialogue with the immigration minister about how to deal with the fallout after the contract for the barge is allowed to lapse in January.

Mr Hatton says the men currently housed on the barge “will have their asylum cases dealt with as a matter of extreme urgency following months, if not years, of delay”. Ever since the barge arrived at Portland Port, when it was foisted on the area by the Home Office despite

opposition from Dorset Council and numerous local groups, it has attracted much debate. Few have been in favour of the move to place hundreds of asylum seekers on the barge while their applications are processed. There have also been issues with safety, with concerns over overcrowding, an incident of legionella on board and insufficient emergency exits among others.

Mr Hatton said: “It is only right that the barge is shut

down when the current contract expires.

“I will now spend every day making sure that the closure of the barge happens in a smooth and orderly fashion.”

Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland said: “We very much welcome the news that the Bibby Stockholm barge will no longer be operational in Portland after January 2025.

“Our thanks go to the new Labour government for taking an early decision on this.

“Since the Bibby Stockholm

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“We will work closely with the Home Office and other partners to ensure the smooth running of arrangements over the final few months.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Following the announcement that the contract for the Bibby Stockholm will not be renewed in January, we’ve have had confirmation from the Home Office that none of the asylum seekers currently housed there will be moved to Portland, Weymouth or the wider Dorset Council area.”

PLEDGE: Labour MP Lloyd Hatton and the Bibby Stockholm

Have you herd about these elephants?

A herd of brightly coloured elephants is set to stampede its way into West Dorset to raise funds for charity.

Weldmar Hospicecare’s Stampede by the Sea art trail, featuring 50 prettily painted pachyderms, is coming to Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis next March.

Wessex Internet recently announced a partnership with the art trail and is offering schools in the county the opportunity to sign up for a “unique learning opportunity” by adopting their own ‘baby elephant’ to design, paint and install on the trail. It will be returned to the school afterwards.

A Weldmar spokesperson said: “Fifty brightly

STAMPEDE ALERT: Some of the elephants meet staff and pupils at Prince of Wales School, Dorchester

decorated elephants will be arriving in Bridport, West Bay, and Lyme Regis for eight weeks from March 2025, to raise funds and awareness.

“The stampede has been given a boost with the announcement that Wessex Internet has become the project’s learning programme partner,

supporting the rollout of the resources that will be shared with participating schools and youth organisations.”

The spokesperson continued: “Not only is there a stimulating creative benefit for youngsters, but Weldmar will also provide training to teachers in supporting children

experiencing grief and loss, as well as resources linked to physical and mental health, and citizenship.”

Wessex Internet chief executive Hector Gibson Fleming said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to support Weldmar, a charity that provides critical care to so many residents across our Dorset coverage area.

“The art trail struck us as a fantastic opportunity to enable the showcasing of a wide range of artists’ and schools’ work, while encouraging families to engage with the charity.”

Headteachers are being advised to sign up for one of the remaining limited places in the Stampede by the Sea Learning Programme by visiting stampedebythesea.org

Learning about history of art

Two art history courses start in September, with Maiden Newton-based lecturer Pam Simpson. On Monday, September 16, from 2pm-3.30pm at the United Hall, behind United church, East Street, Bridport, a six-week course will explore Six Artists: Colour, Storytelling & Boldness.’ Each of the six artists will be placed in context, Maggi Hambling, Howard Hodgkin, Gillian Ayres, Yinka Shonibare, later career David Hockney and Sonia Boyce. Fee: £65, drop in one-off lectures £13.

On Fridays, from September 20 Pam will be running the same course but online at 2pm, priced £60. To book email: chris. pamsimpson@btinternet. com

School to become an academy

A Dorchester school is set to join a learning trust and become an academy.

St Mary’s Church of England First School in Charminster has been granted permission to join the Initio Learning Trust.

The recent application by St Mary’s governing body to convert to an academy was approved earlier this month by Lucy Livings, the South West regional director for the Department for Education.

School headteacher Mick Homer said: “We are thrilled to be joining Initio as this will bring opportunities for wider collaboration outside of the Dorchester area.

“It will provide us with the support and guidance we desire to ensure that our

school is the best that it can be. We have been working with Initio for a number of months and this has already helped to raise standards within our school, whilst still enabling us to hold onto our uniqueness as a school.

“The entire St Mary’s family are very much looking forward to formalising this partnership and working alongside Initio for many years to come.”

Liz West, chief executive of Initio Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome St Mary’s on board and it will be an absolute pleasure to work permanently with Mick and his team.

“The school joins the trust at a time of growth and we look forward to offering all the pupils at St Mary’s educational excellence and outstanding opportunities.”

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ALWAYS LEARNING: St Mary’s First School at Charminster

Blue ensuring coast is clear

Fundraiser Blue Wilson is walking the UK coastline to support environmental charities.

Often seen walking with a flag poking out of her rucksack, Bue is raising money and awareness for Sea Changers and Surfers Against Sewage.

Blue works full time and is completing the walking challenge in stages. She has now completed the Brownsea Island to Lyme Regis section of the Dorset coastline, bringing her total so far to 2,860 miles.

A spokesperson for Blue’s fundraiser said: “Sea Changers supports Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project community interest company and Dave Taylor from the project met Blue

Windmill’s new roof

A windmill on Portland is one step closer to being restored after a new roof was installed. Isle man Nick Gould said he plans to bring the mill back into full working order. Passers by on the island’s footpath have seen progress on the building in recent weeks, with a crowd turning out to see a cherry picker

near Portland castle, walking eight miles with her along the Fleet.

“The project aims to reduce sea and coastal litter through education, positive action, community projects

and organises litter picks, recycling everything collected where possible.”

Follow Blue’s progress on her Facebook page ‘Blue Wilson Walks the UK Coastline’.

finally drop the roof in place.

Guiding the operation from a ladder, the temporary roof was put in place to protect the structure while Nick sources the right kind of oak for a permanent roof.

You can watch the roof being put in place on YouTube, in a film by Stuart Morris.

ON THE MARCH: Blue on the coast path

TAKE A BREAK: Blue at The Fleet near Weymouth

Ramblers welcome a £11k windfall to spruce up path

Ramblers are celebrating after securing an £11,400 grant to spruce up a right of way in Weymouth. Thanks to the East Berkshire Ramblers’ endowment fund, the South Dorset Ramblers are using cash to improve the path from the RSPB Discovery Centre to the Kingfisher Bridge in Weymouth. The works to improve the path’s surface and signage are set to take place in September and October, managed by Dorset Council.

A ramblers’ spokesperson said: “The reserve is an oasis of wildlife in the heart of Weymouth, and we believe the improvement works will enable more

people, both residents and holidaymakers, to enjoy its delights and to meet nature. The project will improve access to one of Weymouth’s unique and hidden treasures.

“Making the path more

accessible through the year should benefit nearby residents at Westham and Southill and will provide links to the extensive network of paths alongside the River Wey and on the South Dorset Ridgeway.”

Gardens open up to the public

A number of gardens will be open for charity in September, including a number of new venues on the National Gardens Scheme map. New gardens include the Bennetts Water Gardens in Chickerell (DT3 4AF) on Friday, Sept 6, Sheepwash Barn in Bridport (DT6 6HH) on Sunday, September 8, The Potting Shed in Middlemarsh (DT9 5QN) on Saturday, September 14 and Dorset Dahlias in Bridport (DT6 6RD) on Sunday, September 15. Returning gardens include 1 Pine Walk, Lyme Regis (DT7 3LA) on Thursday, September 5 and Sunday, September 8 and Athelhampton House Gardens (DT2 7LG) on Sunday, September 22.

Two gardens in Stourton Caundle will open on Sunday, September 8 – Manor Farm and Wagtails (DT10 2JW).

ON THE RIGHT PATH: South Dorset Ramblers at the RSPB Discovery Centre in Weymouth

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? Antiques expert, Paul Martin, chats to Jean, 105, and, right, speaking to another Paul at Maiden Castle House

Antique expert’s care home visit

BBC Flog It star Paul Martin entertained residents and their families and friends at an event at a Dorchester care home.

Maiden Castle House care home, on Gloucester Road, welcomed the veteran presenter to give a talk about his career in antiques, sign his books and value

items brought to the event. Donations were collected for Weldmar Hospicecare. Resident Norman showed Paul Martin a ceramic whistle he has had since he was a child. He said: “Paul was genuinely interested in my whistle and I found his talk very funny and interesting.”

Nancy, who also lives at Maiden Castle House, said: “He was really lovely and liked looking at my husband’s collectibles. I got his autograph.”

Maiden Castle House, run by the not-for-profit charity Care South, provides specialist residential, respite, and dementia care.

You can take Beryl for a ride

Electric bikes for hire are to start appearing in Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland later this summer after Dorset Council launched its Beryl Bike scheme.

Some 121 bikes will be positioned around the towns to enable people to get about sustainably. The e-bikes will be hired from and returned to designated ‘Beryl bays’, locations yet to be decided after consultation with key local stakeholders.

Beryl currently operates a 202 bike/e-bike share scheme with Dorset Council in Wimborne, Colehill, West Parley, West Moors, Ferndown, Upton and Corfe Mullen. For more information, visit beryl.cc

THANKS: Depot manager Sally Baxter and Persimmon’s land and planning director Rob Clark

Developers in grand gesture to foodbank

Developer Persimmon

South West has donated £1,000 to the Sherborne Food Bank as part of its Community Champions initiative.

The firm’s land and planning director Rob Clark presented the donation to depot manager Sally Baxter and chair of trustees David Kemp.

Sherborne Food Bank relies on the support of volunteers who collect food from donation points, sort it at the depot, pick and pack parcels, and help with deliveries and events. Those interested in joining the friendly team of volunteers can find more at sherbornefood bank.org

Calls for action on ‘nature emergency’

Dorset Councillors have voted to declare a nature emergency.

Leader and cabinet member for climate Nick Ireland urged council members to recognise that nature is in decline and that urgent action is needed to reverse this.

The majority of councillors backed the declaration, with 54 voting to pass the motion, 20 voting against and four abstaining. Work is already underway to develop a ‘local nature recovery strategy’ for the county, which has seen the council work closely with farmers, landowners, businesses, and organisations to identify priorities, opportunities and

actions to recover nature in Dorset. The council aims to create a ‘carbon neutral, nature positive and resilient Dorset’ as outlined in its Natural Environment, Climate and Ecology strategy.

Cllr Ireland said: “Naturebased solutions will also play a huge role in helping our county respond to environmental issues like flooding, climate change, and poor water quality.”

Other commitments in the council’s nature emergency declaration include removing and restricting the use of glyphosate and other chemicals damaging to nature and reducing pressure on wildlife and wildlife corridors.

We are the digital champions!

Digital champions are offering advice for amateur computer users over a cuppa at drop-in sessions in Poundbury.

Visitors to the Pavilion in the Park café can get more than just a ‘byte’ to eat thanks to volunteers working for Dorset Council on Thursdays. Advice sessions will also run at Anglebury House in Wareham on Fridays.

Volunteers Mike Watson and Mike Hicks will be on hand to help people with their technological queries, from getting to grips with a new device, to learning how to use online services like banking apps or booking GP appointments.

Mike Watson, who will be running the Thursday

sessions from 2pm to 4pm, said: “Once again, the council’s digital champions service has set up a new way to help Dorset residents get online safely.

“I get a real buzz from helping someone get online, whether it is for something serious, such as starting to use the NHS App, or something more fun, such as

selling an old sofa on eBay. “Smartphones, tablets and laptops can be our gateway to a huge range of services available on the internet.”

People can find out more about their nearest digital champion, or ask for help over the phone, by calling the council’s digital hotline on 01305 221048 on weekdays during office hours.

A charity is now offering essential footcare services in Dorchester and Weymouth. Age UK North, South and West Dorset is offering toenail cutting services for £22.

A charity spokesperson said: “Toenail cutting is crucial for preventing pain, infections, and complications. Proper foot care significantly contributes to overall health and quality of life by maintaining mobility and comfort.

“The new footcare service addresses these needs with professional, trained, and DBS-checked staff dedicated to providing precise and careful nail trimming.”

To book an appointment call 01305 269444.

LOG IN: Digital champion Mike Watson with the PIP cafe’s community relations manger Kerry Smith

GP receptionists earn plaudits in NHS survey

West Dorset’s GP surgeries have some of most helpful receptionists in the county, according to patients.

A survey conducted by the NHS last year found there was 100 per cent patient satisfaction with Cerne Abbas surgery staff, and 99 per cent satisfaction with staff at Puddletown

and Poundbury. Meanwhile, patient satisfaction with staff at the Wyke Regis and Lanehouse Medical Practice was 65 per cent.

When asked how easy it is to book a GP visit over the phone or using the internet, Cerne Abbas patients found their service easiest to use, with 93 per

cent saying the booking system is ‘good’. When asked how often they speak to a healthcare professional, 95 per cent of Puddletown Surgery patients said they always or almost always have a lot of time. Coming in second place, with a 93 per cent approval rating, was Queens Avenue Surgery.

Natasha’s praise for carers’ support

A care service user has heaped praise on the Portland service that helps her live her life to the fullest each week.

Carers Steve and Kelly have been providing support for Natasha since she was nine, first through fostering, then through Dorset Council’s Shared Lives programme.

Natasha said she loves being with her carers, adding: “We go on holiday for weekends away about five times a year and they have a house in Spain where it is very hot. “They are lovely people and take us out to different places. They also provide respite care for other young people of my age and older – sometimes for a weekend or week.

“I love living with them and never want to leave.”

Natasha shared her comments in a video for the service as it recently celebrated its Shared Lives Week.

Described as an alternative to supported living, home care and residential care

homes, the programme is for over 16s who have a learning or physical disability, mental health concerns, dementia and have identified care and support needs. Dorset Shared Lives arranges long-term, shortterm, respite or day support. Natasha has an education, health and care plan and spends three days a week at college where she is on a ‘foundation living developing skills’ course, studying English, maths and outdoor education. She plans to attend college for a further two years and would

like to complete an internship in the future.

Two days a week are spent at Muntsy’s on Portland, which offers a day service for adults with additional support needs or learning disabilities who wish to develop their independence. Natasha enjoys sewing, swimming, health and wellbeing, life skills and other activities.

She added: “I wouldn’t change anything – Steve and Kelly are very nice people. I recommend them to other people. If they have special needs like me they’d be very

welcome to come and respite with us.”

Muntsy’s director Sue Munts said: “It’s great to be working with Natasha, her carers and the Shared Lives team to support Natasha to develop her independent living skills, confidence and well-being. This team approach is very effective and enables Natasha to develop and achieve her outcomes.”

Dorset Council’s adult social care operations director Julia Ingram said: “It is fantastic to see how Muntsy’s and the Shared Lives Carers Steve and Kelly are enabling Natasha to become more independent and thrive in her community.

“Shared lives carers support the needs of vulnerable adults in a supportive home setting where they can become part of the household and community. We would encourage anyone considering becoming a carer, or who would like to find out more, to contact our Shared Lives team.”

Toiletries donations on offer to charitable groups

A group that supports grassroots Dorset charities is offering its services to others in the county.

Toiletries Amnesty is issuing a call to local charitable groups in need of hygiene product donations.

A spokesperson for the body said: “Toiletries Amnesty was the first organisation in the UK to tackle hygiene poverty and is the UK’s only public directory that allows individuals and businesses to see

exactly where their donations are making an impact in their communities and beyond.”

n Visit toiletriesamnesty.org for more information.

TALKING POINT: Natasha talks to a carer in a clip from the video celebrating Shared Lives Week

Sherborne’s centuries old St John’s Almshouse is to be remodelled – keeping some affordable accommodation while the Abbey will use downstairs for a tearoom and have rooms upstairs for a young peoples’ centre and community group meetings.

The Rector of Sherborne Abbey, Reverend Martin Lee said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for all of us, offering both accommodation for those who need it, and support for important community projects.

“We will need help to realise our vision and will be looking to raise funds. The town has always been very supportive of the Almshouse in the past and we are sure that will be the case again as we move forwards together.”

The Grade I listed St Johns’

Historic almshouse refurbishment plan

House in Half Moon Street has offered low-cost communal living for 575 years.

But lately the trustees had struggled to find people willing to live there –particularly since covid, and they were looking for

ways to utilise the space better.

Richard Hunt, chair of trustees, said: “It has been a complicated process to get here but this exciting joint new scheme has several benefits, not just in providing accommodation

to people who need it, but also in offering a home for the Abbey’s community outreach work and enabling greater public access to our wonderful building.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Sherborne. The need to provide accommodation for local people in financial need remains pressing. This joint approach will enable us to provide new accommodation for local people of all ages to live independently in the heart of our town.”

A public meeting will be held soon regarding the plans.

CENTURIES OLD: The St John’s Almhouse in Sherborne and, inset, Richard Hunt of the trustees

Living together in perfect Harmony

A new centre for a charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the people of West Dorset has been opened.

The new Harmony Centre on St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport was officially opened by Mayor Anne Rickard, and the charity was presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell Esq CVO.

A plaque thanking the charity’s three founders was also unveiled.

Mr Campbell said: “Bridport and its surrounds are lucky to have such a locally created and run service which helps a broad spectrum of clients to live better lives and often rescues them from the downward spiral of serious mental illness.”

absolutely no hesitation in recommending The Harmony Centre for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

HONOUR: Roz Copson,

He continues: “To me it is an extraordinarily successful initiative in the critical area of mental health and represents the very best of voluntary excellence. I have

Harmony now provides support to hundreds of local people each year. It offers friendly advice, help, free weekly activities, and crisis mental health support. All its services are open to anyone 18 and over on a drop-in basis with no referral needed.

A grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, plus trusts and foundations as well as fundraising and donations from the public enabled the move to larger

How to help Marie Curie

End of life care charity

Marie Curie is calling for people to help place, collect and manage charity boxes and tins in businesses and organisations around Bridport. Each tin raises on average

£26 – enough for an hour of nursing care for someone living with a terminal illness. Email your local community fundraiser Kara Frampton: kara.frampton @mariecurie.org.uk or 07712 691510.

and more accessible premises, where they will be able to help even more people.

The first Harmony centre at 5 Downes Street was called Crisis and Care. It was co-founded ten years ago by Ros Kayes, Lesley Archibald and Roz Copson

in response to cuts in local services.

Today, visitors to the Harmony Centre can try arts and crafts, Pilates and wellbeing activities or join an allotment group or men’s walking group. They can also come along for a chat and a coffee; to find out information about mental health and wellbeing services available locally or to talk with a support worker.

The Community Front Room service is accessible Thursday-Sunday 2.159.45pm, for anyone needing immediate one-toone support from qualified, friendly, non-judgmental staff in a safe space. n Contact info@ theharmonycentre.org.uk or visit theharmonycentre. org.uk

WE’RE OPEN: Harmony staff and volunteers with the Lord Lieutenant and Mayor of Bridport

left, and Lesley Archibald, right, receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Take a trip on the magical Moonfleet

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dark skies threatening rain and grey water ripped by the rising wind did little to curb my excitement for a salty adventure aboard Moonfleet, a glorious tall ship which sails from Portland Harbour almost daily.

I join my fellow band of seafarers for a two-hour trip along the Jurassic Coast, just one of the many trips Moonfleet Adventure

Sailing offers on this 1930s steel hulled Gaff Cutter, robustly built by he great seafaring folk of Holland. We slipped silently from her mooring and stopped a little way out into the harbour to raise two huge, white sails. I lack any real knowledge of sails, knots or ropes, the Laser days of my youth have long gone, so ably guided by skipper Steve, my fellow seafarers and I hoisted the main sail, swiftly and without fuss. Today, we’re taking a little excursion around the Jurassic Coast and simply following the wind.

“It just feels like she’s made for these waters. It’s magical,” said skipper Steve.

He steps away from the huge steering wheel, and winks, leaving me at the helm and navigating the harbour walls to make our bid for freedom and the open ocean.

The wheel is heavy, and you need a bit of strength and height to glide this great ship effortlessly through the gap, although my skills are a limited, I made it, the experience

exhilarating particularly as I avoided all the passing hazards – a jet ski here and mirror dinghy there.

And then the clouds cleared to reveal the sunshine, the wind remained, and the sails billowed as we skirted the cliff of this magnificent coastline.

Steve said: “We offer many varieties of trips for people.

A popular summer trip is to moor at Durdle Door, where we can swim from the boat and people love it.”

Along with the sailing trips on offer, Moonfleet is

available for boat charter for bespoke packages for group bookings, educational trips, parties, dolphin watching, bird watching and corporate events. During her early working life, Moonfleet took cargo from Amsterdam to her neighbouring countries on the North Sea before being given a major refit in Urk, a small fishing and shipbuilding town on Holland’s inland waterways. Here she was converted to be a Sail Training Vessel and operated as such from

Amsterdam for the next decade. Following a minor refit at Mashford’s Shipyard on the River Tamar in Cornwall, Jez bought Moonfleet in 2015 and she is now based in Portland Harbour to bring a tall ship sailing experience to budding sailors of all ages between March and November.

The two hour trip literally sailed by and once on land I searched for more offerings on their website, because this won’t be the last time I set sail on Moonfleet.

n moonfleetsailing.com

CALM WATERS: Moonfleet at Durdle Door, and left, in Weymouth Harbour

ALL ABOARD: Taking the wheel, a hen party enjoys the day out a hen party enjoys the day out and the ship’s bell and, right, passengers and crew on the Moonfleet Ts & Cs: The prize is not exchangeable, and there is no cash alternative, and no change will be given. Advance reservation only.

To win, answer this: What was the name of the old brewery that used to be where Brewery Square is now? Email office@brewerysquare.com or by hand/mail to Concierge, 3 Copper Street, Dorchester, DT1 1GH

Auctioneer David still has lots to offer

Auctioneer David Graham has retired twice – but he enjoys the thrill of the sale too much.

The 73-year-old first set up shop at 606 Dorchester Road, Upwey, 20 years ago. Last year he returned to the shop to buy and sell all kinds of household goods – furniture, kitchen appliances and all sorts are piled high around the store. And he couldn’t be happier.

“I couldn’t sit round not doing anything,” he said. “I ran a furniture shop here for years, but closed it when the relief road was built.

“My son Arron opened this business, but he has another job in computers, so I’m back.

“We buy and sell new and used items – hotel contents,

furniture from Wayfair, musical instruments, quality used stuff. We offer free house clearances if we can cover our costs and keep prices low on all our stuff.”

A few times a year David holds an auction in the nearby Memorial Hall, (DT3 5NG) with hundreds of lots starting at £1 with

GUITAR HERO: David Graham at his Buy & Sell shop in Upwey

no reserve, to clear stock.

“It’s good fun,” he said. “People come for the banter, they come for the show and leave with a bargain or two.”

The next auction is this month, from noon on August 18 with viewing from 11am.

There will be toys, lamps, mirrors, tools, collectables

Enabling everyone to flourish in our communities and beyond

OPEN EVENTS FOR PARENTS AUTUMN 2024

Bridport Primary 16 + 22 October 12 November 20 November 9.15am 9.30am 1.30pm Small group tours

Burton Bradstock CE Primary 1 October9:15am Open morning - Individual tours can be arranged with the school office throughout the term

office@bridport.dorset.sch.uk 01308 422846

office@burtonbradstock.dorset.sch.uk 01308 897369

St Mary’s CE Primary Parent tours on Tuesdays throughout October and November. Morning tours on Tuesdays office@stmarybridport.dorset.sch.uk 01308 423065

Sir John Colfox Academy 25 SeptemberTours from 9.30am Headteacher talks at 5.15pm and 6.15pm

office@colfox.dorset.sch.uk 01308 422291

Please contact the school office in the first instance, to book a place and for any queries regarding the open event.

“We welcome the chance to show you the fantastic opportunities that await your children across our Trust. Book your visit to any one of our open events and see the full range of what we have to offer. Our priority is your child’s education, welfare and happiness.” Liz West, CEO, Initio Learning Trust

and much more. Meanwhile, you can always pop to the shop (DT3 5LH) – there’s parking at the rear. David said: “This is the ideal place for people starting out. You can furnish a place from top to bottom very cheaply, with nice furniture and appliances. We test all our electricals and rewax the pine. Our domestic appliances come with a warranty. We try not to send much to the tip – we send all the clothes to charity, so they can either sell them or get the money from recycling.”

The Buy & Sell Shop is open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday. They pay cash for quality used and new items.

n Call 07586 298714.

So many great producers

Scrumptious eats and drinks have won gongs from the Guild of Fine Food –including the WDM’s own Lizzie Baking Bird, from Upwey, for her Christmas pud. Nearly 3,500 companies from 115 countries around the world entered Great Taste, offering 13,672 products for review. Each entry was blindtasted by the Guild’s expert judging panel. Only 1.9% of all entries received a 3-star award, and our area is lucky enough to boast three of them – Baboo Gelato (Rampisham) for its double chocolate gelato, Brassica (Beaminster) for its organic chicken, leek & tarragon pie and Dorset Pastry (Crossways) for its premium all butter puff.

Baboo Gelato also scooped two stars for both its mango and raspberry sorbets, and one star for both its raspberry gelato and passionfruit sorbet, and Brassica picked up a star for its aubergine parmigiana.

Dorset Pastry also won two stars for their organic all butter puff and their premium all butter shortcrust and one star for their premium all butter sweet shortcrust. Chocolate Arthouse of Sherborne won two stars for its salted caramel bonbons and Dorset Sea Salt Co of Portland won two stars for its truffle-infused Dorset sea salt, and one star for its Dorset sea salt flakes and its rosemary Dorset sea salt. Curious Kombucha of Bridport won a star for its raspberry & turmeric kombucha, and Dorset Shellfish of Portland won a hattrick of awards for its fish pie, its dressed crab and its smoked haddock and leek fishcake. Ezpresso of Dorchester won a star for its Ezpresso – Kenyan, Levoco Chocolates of Weymouth won a star for its Hazelnut Delight and Reads Coffee Roasters of Sherborne a star for its Sumatra Bourbon Espresso.

Motivated sales person urgently required for multi-award-winning news magazine (this one!)

We need a hunter... someone who wants to make decent money while working in a small, tight-knit and supportive team.

Bird Media is one of just two or three all-female newspaper publishers in the UK. In just two years, its core product The West Dorset Magazine has won multiple awards and grown its advertising enormously. As the widest read print publication in this area, we have a lot to shout about, and Bird Media’s owners Miranda and Karen are full of ideas to support their sales team, and encourage you to have your own ideas too – it’s very much a team effort.

You will be someone who wants to pull it out of the bag every month, and top your previous sales. You will want to see The West Dorset Magazine thrive – if the magazine thrives, so do you. Salary and commission to be agreed – there’s no one size fits all and we recognise that. You will enjoy flexibility, freedom and generous pay for achieving your goals. Please note, we will only consider applications with a covering letter. Or, give us a call! This is a part-time position working from home with reps expected to visit customers, therefore a valid driving licence and a car is required. advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk

LET’S SPELL IT OUT: Little Acorns are delighted with their inspection

Playgroup proud of outstanding rating

A West Dorset playgroup has been rated outstanding overall in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Little Acorns playgroup at Evershot village hall was rated outstanding in four inspection criteria in terms of the quality of its education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and its management.

Offering 26 full daycare places for children aged one to four, safeguarding arrangements at the group were described as “effective”, with inspectors noting an “open and positive culture… that puts children first”. Staff at the group report “high

levels of well-being” and have recently begun integrating yoga into their routines.

Group manager Jenny George said: “As a team we were absolutely thrilled to be graded outstanding, and all our continued efforts were noted on the day. Little Acorns holds a special place in our hearts as we are either past parents or been employed here for many years. The children and their families are at the heart of everything we do.”

Little Acorns Pre-School chair

Abigail Warne added: “The committee and I are absolutely delighted.”

You chance to be a £250 fireworks night winner

A cash prize is on offer at a Weymouth beachfront tourist spot during summertime fireworks nights.

Alexandra Gardens Arcade and Family Amusement Park is offering a weekly £250 cash prize on August 5, 12, 19 and 26. From 7.45pm to 9.10pm every Monday, competition entrants are invited to write down what they love about Weymouth. People need to supply the town council with their mobile number so the winner can be

Youngsters take stock of herd

The next generation of farmers went head to head in Melplash Agricultural Society’s annual Young Farmers Stock Judging Competition at Pilsdon Dairy Farm near Bridport. Some 14 teams from Beaminster, Marshwood Vale, Puddletown, Sherborne and Wedmore Young Farmers took part. Society chair Philip Hardwill said: “Every dairy farm wants a herd that will not only produce plenty of milk but will also have a calf and maintain good health throughout lactation. Being able to visually evaluate dairy cattle based on the physical traits that are desired in the animal for their health, longevity and high milk production levels is an especially important skill and one that takes practice.”

2024 Results: Juniors: 1st and winners of the Melplash Agricultural Society Junior Shield –Hannah Forsey and Bobby Hutchings, Marshwood Vale YFC 2nd – Jacob Tucker and George Tucker, Wedmore YFC 3rd – Tia Groves and Sophie Raymond, Beaminster YFC. Intermediates: 1st and winners of the Melplash Agricultural Society shield – Lauren Hutchings and Joanna House, Marshwood Vale YFC, 2nd – Grace Willcox and Emily Bell, Wedmore YFC 3rd – Liam Hector and Meg Hatch, Wedmore YFC. Seniors: 1st and winners of the Francis W Hunt Perpetual Challenge Cup – Sophie Kerley and Amy Wonnacott, Puddletown YFC, 2nd – Henrietta Love, Marshwood YFC and Jasper Love, Sherborne YFC, 3rd –Elizabeth Bell and Jack Williams, Wedmore YFC. Best Newcomer: Hannah Forsey – Marshwood Vale YFC. Highest Placed Individual: Hannah Forsey - Marshwood Vale YFC. PICBY TIM RUSS

WARDON HILL TRADING POST

More than 80 traders under one roof,

contacted on the night. The details will not be held by the council after the winner has been picked. The winner will be announced each Monday at 9.15pm via the seafront public address system and there’s no entry fee.

An amusement park spokesperson added: “As a bonus, 50 tokens donated by Helter Skelter Fun Park which are redeemable on the rides at the Helter Skelter on the beach will also be up for grabs.”

DIG DEEP: Scan the QR codes, left, to contribute towards the carnival – every penny helps!

BRIDPORT CARNIVAL Events

SUNDAY 4th AUGUST

Teddy Bear Picnic 11am-3 pm on The Millennium Green, Mountfield Stall, Games, Competitions, Quizzes, Refreshments. Crowning of Royalty 1.00pm

CARNIVAL WEEK 11th - 18th AUGUST

SUNDAY 11th

Crabbing competition at West Bay 10.45 am

TUESDAY 13th

Quiz at The Ropemakers 7.30pm

WEDNESDAY 14th

Bingo at The Beehive, Football Club. Doors open 6.30pm, Eyes down 7.30pm

FRIDAY 16th

Darts Competition at The Beehive Football Club 7.30pm Fair - West Street Car Park

SATURDAY 17th

Golf Competition, at The Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club

The Wessex Military Band in Bucky Doo Square from 10.00am

The Broadsides in Bucky Doo Square from 6.00 - 7.00pm

Carnival Procession line up West Allington from 17.45 - moves off at 7.00pm

Winners Presentation at 9.00pm in Bucky Doo Square, followed by dancing to Static Flight Fair - West Street Car Park

SUNDAY 18th

Torches on sale in Bucky Doo Square from 6.30. Procession moves off at 9.00pm sharp East Beach from 6.30pm – late. Food stalls, bars, bonfire and dancing to The Skalatans

Fireworks after 10.00pm (weather permitting)

Bus to return to Bridport from 9.15pm – 12.00 £1.00 under 10 years FOC

your local print & design team: Creeds Design & Print Mountfield, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3JP 01308 423411 www.creedsuk.com

Excitement is building in Bridport ahead of the ‘best day of the year’ on Saturday, August 17. With its mix of colourful floats, torchlight procession, and costumed carnival lovers dancing to the sounds of the steel band, Bridport Carnival remains the biggest event in the town’s social calendar year after year, delighting the crowds on the third Saturday in August.

Community spirit and cultural diversity is celebrated during a week of activities in the town.

From pub quizzes and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic to a crabbing competition and pub games, carnival week promises to full of family fun. The week culminates with the colourful cavalcade, which has been a summer highlight since 1971, although the first event is believed to have been held in 1911.

Organiser Gill Crump said: “The procession will follow the usual route and there will be a steel band afterwards, the same as last year, it’s wonderful. Steel band music evokes the carnival to me.”

An inspired parade of floats will weave their way through the town in the afternoon before the stunning torchlight procession the following evening from Bucky Doo Square at 9pm to West Bay. Bridport Mayor Anne Rickard’s torch is the first to be lit and in domino fashion, light cascades through the whole procession until it is bathed in torchlight – a magical sight. Once the procession reaches West Bay, the torches are thrown onto the bonfire, and people celebrate with food, drink and dancing until around 10pm when the event culminates with a spectacular firework display. n bridportcarnival.co.uk

Your chance to have your say on council’s priorites

Dorset Council’s new cabinet is asking residents for their priorities for the next five years.

The four proposed priorities are communities for all, responding to the climate crisis, providing high quality housing and growing our economy.

Cllr Ryan Hope said: “We want to

know whether our residents agree with these priorities for Dorset Council, and what they think the council should focus on.”

Elected members and officers will be available to speak to at Portland (Easton Gardens) on Saturday, August 24 from 10am to 3pm, Shaftesbury (Town Market) on

Thursday, August 29 from 9.30am to 2.30pm, Wareham (The Quay) on Saturday, August 31 8am to 1pm, Weymouth (New Bond Street) on Saturday, September 7 10am to 3pm and Sherborne (Market) on Sunday, September 15 10am to 3pm.

Residents can comment at dorset council.gov.uk/a-big-conversation

READY TO GO: Last year’s Ride+Stride at St George’s Church in Fordington

Get walking, riding or cycling for historic churches

Pull on your walking shoes, saddle up your horse or polish up your bike for the 2024 Ride+Stride for local churches on September 14. Last year hundreds of participants

from over 140 parishes raised nearly £100,000, allowing the Dorset Historic Churches Trust make grants this year of over £140,000. At a time of rising building costs for

listed buildings, this is a lifeline for hard-pressed parishes, both urban and rural. Half of the cash raised is returned to the parish that raised it.

n See dhct.org.uk

Project to keep us all fed and healthy

A new network of food projects, businesses, and groups in Dorset aims to plug the gaps and ensure there is enough high quality, sustainable food available for all – and to educate people about food, waste and health.

The Feeding Dorset Partnership has been established to identify any gaps in the provision of sustainable, healthy and affordable food in the county.

Help and Kindness and Dorset Climate Action Network joined forces to establish the partnership last year, and it has just been accepted into the network of Sustainable Food Places across the UK.

A spokesperson said: “A

huge number of people, groups, and organisations work tirelessly to feed everyone who lives in Dorset. These include people growing food, making food and selling food. It includes those who offer training in skills to grow and cook food or run projects offering affordable and emergency food when its needed. There are also those who advocate and work for more sustainable growing practices and urgent responses to the climate emergency. Others promote a better understanding of nutrition and health through diet. There are those who run networks to support the people in these different areas of work.”

They added: “Through the Feeding Dorset Partnership, we aim to be able to build a better understanding of the scale and scope of this web of food projects, businesses, and networks that exist across Dorset and to identify any gaps in the webs as we move towards a more resilient, sustainable and affordable food future.”

The partnership connects all kinds of stakeholders, from small, local projects to Dorset’s NHS and local authorities. They are also working with Bridport Food Partnership, which is already in the Sustainable Food Places network (Bridport is a ‘Sustainable Food Town’).

The Sustainable Food Places programme works across six key areas:

n Promoting healthy and sustainable food to the public

n Tackling food poverty, diet-related ill health and access to affordable healthy food

n Building community food knowledge, skills, resources and projects

n Promoting a vibrant and diverse sustainable food economy

n Transforming catering and food procurement

n Reducing waste and the ecological footprint of the food system

n You can find the Feeding Dorset Partnership page at helpandkindness.co.uk/feed ing-dorset-partnership

HONOURED:

Farm society’s royal honour

Melplash Agricultural Society has won royal recognition.

The society received the King’s award for voluntary service – a certificate signed by His Majesty and a domed glass crystal –from Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell at a recent pre-Melplash

Show meeting. The award was presented to society chairman Philip Hardwill, who said: “It was an honour to receive the King’s award for voluntary service on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers, committee members and stewards, who work throughout the year to

make the Melplash Agricultural Society the success it is.”

Mr Hardwill added: “Every one of our volunteers over the last 177 years has worked tirelessly for the show and the society and this award is a reward for each and every one of them.”

Housing strategy goes online

A new web page has gone live to track the progress of Dorset Council’s housing strategy – in which it hopes to find ways to help increase the number of low-cost homes.

The council’s Home In On Housing Programme features themes of increasing housing supply, building healthy communities and homes for Dorset residents.

Phase One includes new models of housing delivery, and key partners and residents are being encouraged to take part, by sharing expertise, experience and views.

n Go to dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/home-in-on-housing

Philip Hardwill receives the award from Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell

Incinerator consultation is still open

A consultation on whether Powerfuel should be granted an environmental operating permit for a waste incinerator on Portland is open until August 11.

The firm’s bid to build a huge incinerator at Portland Port on the island was rejected by Dorset Council in March last year, and Powerfuel swiftly launched an appeal.

The firm not only needs planning permission for the physical building of the facility, it also needs a permit to operate it, granted by the

Environment Agency – and both applications are currently being decided separately.

In the background, the Government is running a consultation into waste to energy plants, due to end in early August, which may have an impact on Powerfuel’s appeal.

When Parliament reconvenes in September it is expected that a decision will be made on the planning appeal. The new Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government Angela Rayner will be chewing over the evidence for

and against, aided by the planning inspector’s report – which has not yet been published – over the summer break.

Meanwhile, people can have their say on the application for the environmental permit, at consult.environment-agency.gov.uk (search for Powerfuel Portland).

Public responses can include ‘information on local population and sensitive sites’, and the ‘shape and use of the land around the site in terms of its potential impact, whether that impact is acceptable and what

pollution control or abatement may be required’.

You can also raise concerns over the ‘impact of noise and odour from traffic on site’.

However the consultation cannot take account of issues beyond those in the relevant environmental regulations, so the proposed location of the site is irrelevant to the permit.

However, if people believe the site should have a formal designation under the Habitats Directive or other conservation legislation, they can express this.

Powerfuel must demonstrate they can carry out the activity without significant risk to the environment or human health, and many responses already online show people fear a loss of air quality and an impact on the nearby Jurassic Coast.

n To have your say, go online or you can email pscpublicresponse @environment-agency.gov.uk or post to Environment Agency

Permitting and Support Centre, Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF, quoting application number EPR/AP3304SZ/A001.

EVIDENCE: Angela Rayner

Flock stars in a field of their own

The annual Melplash Agricultural Society flock competition rewards farmers in the area for their shepherding and flock management skills. It is open to sheep farmers who live within 12 miles of Melplash village church who keep sheep for breeding whether commercial, pedigree or rare breeds. Steward Phillip Baker said: “The sheep are judged as a flock in the field, and during the process the judge looks at the health and welfare of

Small Flock (15-30 ewes)

1: Richard White, West View, Morcombelake with his flock of Exmoor Mules

2: Phillip Brooks, Brooksfield, Hardington – Poll Dorset

3: Mimi Machin, Bridport –Zwartbles sheep at Chilcombe

4: Kaye Downey, Grove Farm, Hardington Marsh – Mixed ewes

Medium Flock (51-300 ewes)

1: Ed & Jo Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay, Netherbury with their flock of Poll Dorset & Dorset Horn

2: Alice Wade, Colesmoor Farm, Toller Porcorum –Romney x Highlander

the flock and discusses with the shepherd the flock improvement/ breeding programme. It is always a pleasure to visit various flocks and to learn about how they are managed. The role of the shepherd has changed a lot over the last 65 years but one thing that definitely remains the same is that sheep farmers care very much for the well-being of their flock and much time and planning goes into producing the best lamb for the table.”

3: David & Carolyn Gill, Chantmarle Farm – Pedigree Shetland

Large Flock (301 ewes +)

1: Martin Yeates, Manor Farm, Swyre with his flock of Dorset ewes

2: Lee Taylor, Rampisham Manor Farm – Lleyns & Aberfields

3:Ian Johnson, Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum –Mule X

4: Bruce Maltby, Long Barrow Farm, Kingston Russell –Romney

The winners will receive their trophies at the Melplash Show on August 22.

EWE BEAUTIES: Martin Yeates’ flock and, below, Ed and Jo Goodfellow’s and, bottom, Richard White's sheep

Gardens keeping the Green Flag flying high

Greenhill Gardens and Sandsfoot Gardens in Weymouth will once again fly the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving the international quality mark for parks

and green spaces. The gardens are currently a riot of colour with all the beautiful planting, carried out by town council staff.

Party’s call for more rental properties

Bridport Labour Party has launched a petition to demand more housing for social rent for local working age people. They issued the call after claiming the former Jewsons site in South Street has been “lost” to a private developer.

“We already have too many luxury retirement flats,” said town councillor Anna Killick, “at the old Mountjoy school and the JC Phillips site, which Churchill is developing.

“Yet another opportunity to build homes for Bridport workers, on the Jewson’s site, has just been lost to a private developer.

“It could have been an ideal site for the council to buy so that they could provide homes for social rent.”

A local party spokesperson added: “In Skilling, Court Orchard and Court Close, we have found as many as one in two households reporting close relatives living in

overcrowded housing, insecure private rentals or even forced to sleep in their work vans.

“Many have been forced to move out as far as Yeovil even though they work here and depend on Bridport parents for childcare.

“Those in Magna properties say there are not enough when they need to upsize, for example after having a child.

“The town is becoming unbalanced, with too many

Cakes boost poverty group

There were cakes galore at a coffee morning that helped raise £577 for Dorchester Poverty Action.

Dorchester Mayor Robin Potter and his wife Val opened the event and toured the stalls selling items including plants, books, and brica-brac.

Dorchester Poverty Action chair

Wendy Hilton said: “This will make a lot of difference to those living in DT1 and DT2 as we are a very local charity. With nearly £600 we can provide two new

washing machines for those with a young family or incontinence issues; or two grants of furniture by referral to Dorset Reclaim for a young person coming out of the care system and moving into their first home or to someone escaping domestic abuse.”

She also said the cash could buy school uniforms and shoes for six young people, adding: “We would like to thank everyone for their continued support.”

n Visit dorchesterpoverty action.org.uk

retirees and not enough workers.”

They added: “We want to see the new Liberal Democrat controlled Dorset Council announcing how they will take every opportunity to prioritise building for social rent in Bridport, one of the hardest hit of Dorset towns when it comes to finding rentals.

“Let’s have no more luxury retirement villages for incomers until we have housed Bridport residents of working age.”

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

In an extraordinary turn of events during a routine clean-up on Chesil Beach, Dave Taylor, co-founder of the Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project, stumbled upon the skeleton of a baby MerChicken.

“I thought it might just be another bird skeleton, washed up in a storm or caught in a net, but it clearly has a fish tail and an avian body. I’ve never seen anything like it!” said Dave.

“I knew about the Veasta sea monster, but I hadn’t heard of the Portland MerChicken before. Sounds bonkers.”

Many readers may be familiar with this uncanny cryptid of Portland’s folklore, but for those of you who are not, it is claimed this mythical creature, part mermaid, part chicken, was found upon Chesil Beach in 1457, crowing three times to each point of the compass before disappearing without a trace.

Dave’s discovery is a stark reminder of the magic lurking beneath Portland’s waves, urging us all to view Chesil Beach through new eyes.

Dave said: “Portland’s a magical place, so I could see something like this lurking around. Who knows what’s down there!

Fishy tail of Mer-Chicken skeleton washed up on beach Fishy tail of Mer-Chicken skeleton washed up on beach

“It’s silly to think we know everything about the ocean, around 80 per cent of it remains unexplored, and deep-sea creatures are often much larger than those in shallow waters. I wouldn’t want to run into this little guy’s mum!”

up the possibility that other ancient, supposedly extinct creatures might still be alive in the oceans.

Some prehistoric marine animals, like the coelacanth, were thought to be extinct for millions of years until living specimens were discovered, which opens

Portland has a long history of enchanting stories, from ghost ships to sea serpents, and this latest find adds to its mystical allure. According to Dave, this baby MerChicken likely succumbed to the perils of polluted waters, underscoring the importance of beach cleaning and ocean conservation.

Dave added: “I always say

that you don’t need a special event or day to go litter picking. You can get litter picking equipment by Quiddles café on Portland.”

A spokesperson from Portland Museum explained that when the Mer-Chicken was originally sighted, it was followed by huge bountiful harvest of fish.

“This recent find is clearly a sign that we should be protecting our magical island, and its waters!” The Mer-Chicken skeleton will be on display in Portland Museum throughout August.

Duvet know about The Airing of the Quilts?

Take your bedding for a walkabout in the countryside later this year. Echoing an Amish tradition, Bridport’s first ‘quilt walkabout’ will be taking place on September 6 and September 14.

Organisers said: “It comes from the Amish idea they hold in the spring called The Airing of the Quilts. “They spring clean and air their quilts by hanging them outside making a fabulous colour display

around their towns.

“The walkabout is the Australian version. So, weather pending, quilts will be hung around the town outside, or in shops, churches and cafes.”

n Visit studi0ne.com

WHAT A FIND: Dave Taylor with the skeleton found on Chesil Beach and, inset, how the Mer-Chicken appears in island folklore

The weld is my oyster: Metalworker’s

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A metalworker producing stunning artwork alongside classic fencing and gates is marking a year since he took over premises in Bridport. Alastair McGoldrick, 34, had been beavering away in his garage before deciding he needed more space and taking up a workshop at Gore Cross. He learned metalwork aged 15 in his native Lancashire and went on to do an apprenticeship in engineering. But his artistic side finally won the battle during the pandemic, when he had time to think and realised engineering wasn’t for him.

“It’s been good,” he said. “I started doing this part time, but then it got to the point when both my engineering work and my metalwork were both suffering, so I decided to do this full time.

“I do all sorts here – lots of railings, gates and big pieces of artwork, particularly for restaurants, and structures for commercial gardens –high end fabrication. Art is my favourite bit, and I took part in Dorset Arts Weeks. My pieces are still on show at Isaac Cider.”

Alastair produces some ‘copper’ pieces, which are actually plasma coated metal, which won’t go green in the garden. The huge spheres he makes really pack an impact, and take him about a week to build, He recently purchased an

amazing machine that cuts intricate designs out of metal – when I visited he had just cut some legs for an unusually shaped driftwood seat designed by a local craftsman. He would love a permanent space to display his work, from the smaller ornaments such as the Thor hammer and the guitar made from car

parts, up to the giant spheres.

He said: “A lot of people have their own ideas of what they want, but I also have a long list of projects I want to make.”

n View Alastair’s work at Isaac Cider, Orchard Combe Down, Beaminster DT8 3LZ.

Alastair also has an Etsy store (Arc Edge

Metalwork) and a website, arcedgemetalwork.co.uk

You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram, or call in between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday: Unit 1A, Homewood way, Gore Cross Business Park, Bridport, DT6 3FH, 01308 887813 info@arcedgemetalwork. co.uk

METAL MARVEL: Metalworker Alastair McGoldrick in his workshop at Gore Cross and, below and over page, some of his amazing creations

amazing creations

Library help

The Home Library Service in Bridport needs more volunteers to help get books to people who can’t make it to the library. Volunteers choose and deliver books to housebound readers in the area every three weeks.

Please contact Maria Jacobson, Royal Voluntary Service Manager Dorset Home Library Service, on 01305 236666 or email maria.jacobson@ royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk

College hosts Pride event

Hundreds of young people, friends and families celebrated Pride with a special event at Weymouth College culminating with a parade along Weymouth Esplanade.

Weymouth College hosted the Chesil Youth Pride in partnership with Dorset Council, Space Youth Project, The DropIn Portland, Dorset Music Hub and Dorset Police. Chesil Youth Pride kicked off with music, a mix of stalls, food and creative activities to support LGBTQI+ young people in Weymouth and

Portland. Chesil Youth Pride was launched two years ago in response to council feedback from LGBTQI+ young people wanting ‘a safe space’ to celebrate their identity and who they are.

Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “Chesil Youth Pride was a safe space where our young people could be seen and be themselves, and they received a warm reception along Weymouth’s seafront on a lovely sunny afternoon.”

RBL branch’s 100th

Royal British Legion members in Beaminster gathered to mark the centenary of their branch’s formation.

A service was held at St Mary’s Church led by branch member the Rev Chris Luckcraft, with a reading by branch chair Aidan Smith.

The service was attended by the county chair and secretary together with many branch members.

Council bids to buy farm in eco-move

Dorset Council is looking to buy a West Dorset farm to help reduce nutrient runoff into the county’s waterways.

The authority is investigating using cash from a £4.63million government eco grant to purchase Middle Farm at Higher Kingcombe.

The council said if the sale goes ahead it will farm the

land “in a different way” to reduce nutrients flowing into watercourses that eventually lead to Poole Harbour.

Dorset Council’s Lib Dem majority led cabinet is continuing the work which began under the previous Conservative administration.

A council spokesperson said: “The land is ideally

located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery in the headwaters of the River Hooke.

“It is currently farmed as part of a business but is not ideal for a dairy farm as it is managed intensively and suffers from run-off and soil erosion. Changing its use to woodland or rewilding can reduce

nitrates as required and could be achieved with little investment.

“Details are still to be confirmed, but Natural England are in support of the proposals, and positive discussions have also taken place with Dorset Wildlife Trust who manage the adjacent land within Kingcombe National Nature Reserve.”

ON PARADE: Branch members at the service Pic: COLIN FURSMAN

Go back to your roots at group’s plant fair

Get back to your roots at a plant fair at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on Sunday, September 1. Run by the Dorset Group of Plant Heritage for the past five years, organisers say these fairs now attract close to 1,000 visitors and prestigious growers and nurseries.

A fair spokesperson said: “In addition to lots of plant stalls, you will find a

handful of local crafts and wildlife stalls plus an Italian coffee stall.

“It is easy to take plants to your car and return to the fair several times.”

The fair will be held on the west lawn from 10am to 3pm, and tickets are available on the day or from abbotsburytickets.

co.uk Included in the £7 admission is free access to the gardens until 5pm.

We know that choosing an agency to let your property can be a big decision.

At Dorset Hideaways our experienced local team is here to make sure the whole process of letting your holiday home is as simple as possible from day one.

Why not get in touch today for a chat or request a free copy of our Property Letting Guide?

Explore 140 years of harbour history

West Bay Discovery Centre’s new exhibition West Bay – A Resort to Rival Others is now on. The exhibition tells the story of what happened 140 years ago when a group of local businessmen believed Bridport Harbour could become a seaside resort to rival Weymouth or Bournemouth.

Step back in time and discover through images from the time, plans, slide shows and artist recreations West Bay’s dreams of tourism grandeur towards the end of the 19th century. Find out what attractions and holiday accommodation were planned, which were

delivered and learn about those that weren’t. You can also see what toys and games younger visitors might have had to keep them entertained. The extension of the branch railway from Bridport to West Bay – a key element of the plans – is also featured. Visitors will be able to judge just how successful the plans to make West Bay “a resort to rival others” were! The centre will also be offering themed children’s activities on selected days each week during the summer holidays.

The Discovery Centre operates on a charitable basis. Admission is free.

AMAZING: The Broke Freestyle Display Team

Daredevils for show

Daredevil motocross riders are set to be the shining stars of this year’s Melplash Show. The Broke Freestyle Motocross Display Team will be the main attraction at the showground in West Bay on Thursday, August 22. Melplash Agricultural Society chair Philip Hardwill said: “Their

breathtaking stunts including flying 35ft in the air and 75ft in distance will get everyone sitting on the edge of their seats.”

The Broke FMX team will be replacing the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, as the new main attraction. n For more details see melplashshow.co.uk

Somerleigh Court Nursing Home.

Where every resident shapes

the community.

www.somerleighcourt.co.uk

At Somerleigh Court Nursing Home, we pride ourselves on offering high standards of nursing care, in a ‘home from home’ environment. CQC regulated, with Platinum Status in the Gold Standards Framework and rated 9.7 by Care Home UK. We cater for long-term nursing (including dementiafriendly care), as well as convalescence, post-operative care, physio rehabilitation, holiday stays, and palliative care.

A vibrant and caring environment in the heart of Dorchester, there are 40 generously-sized rooms each with TV, telephone and Wi-Fi facilities.

If you are seeking dedicated care for a loved one, please call Sharon Hill on T. 01305 211 833 or E. reception@somerleighcourt.co.uk

Invitation to floral demonstration

Bere Regis Floral Group would like to welcome you to Limelight, a demonstration by Lucy Ellis, national demonstrator, on Tuesday, October 8 at 2pm at Tarrant

Keyneston Village Hall, DT11 9JE.

Tickets £15 to include refreshments available from Bob Holman at bobanddiholman@ outlook.com or 01305 848262.

Sheriff’s backing for library service

The King’s representative in Dorset visited Dorchester Library to learn about its home library service.

The county’s High Sheriff Anthony Woodhouse went to a coffee morning earlier this month to meet the volunteers behind the service.

A library service spokesperson said: “Mr Woodhouse learned about the work that is done by the volunteers of the Home Library Service here and across Dorset and BCP: choosing and delivering books to folk who are unable to get to the library themselves due to health or mobility issues.

“He showed great empathy, saying that people can often feel isolated from society and sometimes

experience real loneliness when it is difficult or impossible for them to go out. He understood how they really appreciate a visit from a familiar, friendly face and look forward to receiving a new set of books from us, every three weeks or so.”

During the visit, Mr Woodhouse presented Royal Voluntary Service long service awards to several of the volunteers, in recognition of their contributions to the Home Library Service, extending from five to an incredible 20 years.

To learn more about the service contact Maria Jacobson on 01305 236666, 07786 635154 or email her: maria.jacobson @royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk

THANKS: Past President of the Rotary Club of Bridport Clive Bath presents Iris Stephens with £500

The stage is set for Iris’ theatre career

Iris Stephens has been travelling to London every weekend to learn the art of performance in a programme for young performers run by the West End Musical Theatre.

UP:

And Iris has successfully auditioned for British Youth Music Theatre in London. Bridport Rotary Club President Mike Green said: “Iris clearly has both the drive and talent to turn her dreams of a future in the musical theatre into reality, for which all of us in Bridport Rotary wish for her a magical journey.”

BOOKED

Anthony Woodhouse at the library

Hear about the new audiology centre opening?

A new NHS audiology facility in Weymouth boasting state-of-the-art equipment is set to benefit patients in West Dorset. The Park Centre facility with its advanced balanced testing equipment will aid diagnosis of problems such as dizziness and vertigo, while video screens for paediatric testing, will

offer more options when testing the hearing of young children.

Trust Dorset Ear Nose and Throat service manager Helen Williams, said: “The new capacity and staff resources will help us provide quicker appointments so we can diagnose and treat conditions faster.”

A return ticket to railway nostalgia

Take a trip back in time along the great rail routes of the South West this summer thanks to an archive film project.

Great Western Railway passengers in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire are invited to view the 1936 film Great Western Approaches, which is being made available by Windrose Rural Media Trust.

The Dorset-based charity has used footage shot between 1909 and the 1990s to craft a short film that takes in 24 rail stations across seven routes.

The journeys shown include Westbury to Weymouth, Salisbury, Bath, Swindon, Bedwyn and Taunton as well as Taunton to Bristol.

Windrose director Trevor Bailey said: “Long ago, the Great Western Railway saw the potential of film to promote its trains and the places they served.

“It has an extraordinary heritage and the modern GWR is proud to link past glories with today’s progress.”

Trevor said the film offers

a unique view of local life as it used to be, allowing people to travel into the past using QR code link on posters displayed at stations, which can be scanned into mobile phones while waiting for a train.

Trevor said: “We have a massive film archive of life in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, which has largely been digitised, and we’ve drawn on this to provide a companion for

people on their train journeys – a window into the past of the places served by stations on seven GWR routes.

“By scanning a QR code, viewers can select the route and station of their choice and find themselves in the past life of that community. It may be a livestock market in the 1930s, daily street scenes in the 1910s, a long-closed railway line, seaside holidays in the

1950s and much, much more.

“These moving images are the nearest thing to living history that exists.”

The Great Western Approaches Revisited project was unveiled at Westbury station and has been made possible by a grant from GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund. The fund is designed to support small and medium rail-related projects that can be completed over the course of the financial year.

GWR business assurance and strategy director Joe Graham said: “The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level.

“We’re delighted to support this exciting series of films, helping to inspire travel across routes we serve. I’d like to congratulate all those involved for bringing it to fruition.”

HEAR WE ARE: The audiology team outside the Park Centre in Weymouth

THE RAILWAY WE WERE: A couple of stills from the film Great Western Approaches

It’s a fantastic line-up for County Show

A stunning line-up of daredevil runners and riders has been announced for this year’s Dorset County Show.

Returning on September 7 and 8, this year’s show will feature displays by Atkinson Action Horses and IMPs motorcycle display team, as well as tomahawk throwing and alpaca competitions.

Organisers say the grand family day out is Dorset’s end of harvest celebration as well as a “major networking event” for the county’s agricultural sector.

A spokesperson for the show said: “It brings together everything the county has to offer, introducing new acts alongside favourite local headliners with a modern twist.

“Atkinson Action Horses promise to thrill, excite and astonish with their high energy, breathtaking, death-defying stunt show.

engines to the awe of a billowing fire jump and the suspense of a multiple motorcycle combination cross-over routine, the IMPs Motorcycle Display team will have you mesmerised by their unmissable display.”

New to the woodland area of the show this year is free tomahawk throwing with Rockley Buddens Activity Centre.

unmissable displays to the county.”

Alongside the new additions to this year’s show, the traditional heavy horse show, livestock displays, crafts, activities and food and drink stalls

will also be in attendance. The show will take place on its usual grounds around a mile outside of Dorchester off the A35 from 8.30am. n For further information and to book a ticket visit dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

“This will be their first time in Dorset, the display will be an phenomenal display of skill by both rider and horse.

“From the sound of revving

Show Organiser James Cox added: “At last year’s show, we introduced new attractions and areas, this year we have built on these positive changes with even more brilliant new acts that not only celebrate Dorset agriculture and countryside but bring fantastic

Solar panels for village hall

Puddletown Village Hall will be installing solar panels thanks to £11.500 from the National Lottery Community Fund and over £5,000 for batteries from Puddletown Area Parish Council.

“We expect the system will significantly reduce our electricity costs and help us limit any future charges to hirers,” said hall treasurer Chris Leonard. “Thanks to National Lottery players, the cost of the hall should be affordable for everyone.”

STAND BY FOR ACTION: Atkinson Action Horses and, inset, the IMPS display team

Visit to Yard a creative experience

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Whenever I visit Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor, I feel a tingle of excitement. Time melts away as I submerge myself in a creative experience which I liken to wandering around the South Bank in London. The former farmyard was transformed into a thriving courtyard and is now full of independent shops, the much-celebrated Stableyard Restaurant and the Gallery of Makers.

While you may want to simply pop in, I guarantee your head will be turned by the fabulous art, jewellery and gifts and you can even book yourself a couple of crafty workshops or wine tasting sessions along with a haircut or manicure to boot. Hours will fly by.

Sarah Williams, who owns Foxy Cottage, bought Redlands Craft Centre almost eight years ago, which she says was a ‘dream come true’.

She said: “I want Redlands Yard, to continue to provide a welcoming atmosphere, a friendly experience and a place where many happy memories will be made, for years to come.”

Foxy Cottage is a lifestyle gift shop and one of those shops that is so easy to fall in love with.

YOU’RE WELCOME:

Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor with the new front entrance, the new conservatory and the new restaurant

“It has a selection of gorgeous clothes, authentic and beautiful things for the home, soft furnishings and beauty products, which has made a name for itself and attracts shoppers from miles around.

If you are a crafter or might even fancy a ‘hands-on’ experience, then Hunny Bunnies is for you. Alison, who used to holiday in Dorset,

Free teacake with every tea or filter coffee at the Stableyard

with this voucher. Max 2 per table. Subject to availability. Offer ends 8th September. Redlands Ln, Broadwindsor, DT8 3PX. n stableyardrestaurant.co.uk 01308 868362

hello@stableyardrestaurant.co.uk

haberdashery for quilting, jewellery making and clothes.

And of course, one of the nicest parts of Redlands Yard in the fantastic Stableyard Restaurant, owned by Linda Paget, who only uses the freshest, finest and locally sourced produce from scratch to create food which is nourishing and delicious. Linda has extensive experience creating food but also possess a hefty knowledge of flavour.

She said: “We are able to prepare exquisite meals for our patrons, whether they are joining us for a threecourse meal, popping in for a quick lunch or in the mood for afternoon tea or something sweet from our cake counter.”

Everything served in the Stableyard Restaurant is gluten free and there are some mouthwatering vegetarian options. n redlandsyard.co.uk

remembers visiting Redlands as a child and always wanting a unit for her fabrics, crafty things, embroidery and

Please see below for special offers at the Stableyard Restaurant, Foxy Cottage and Hunny Bunnies.

Spend £20 or more and get 10% off at FOXY COTTAGE gifts

Until Sept 8 with this voucher. Redlands Ln, Broadwindsor, Beaminster DT8 3PX. thefoxycottage.co.uk | 01308 285001 thefoxycottage@gmail.com

Spend £20 or more and get 10% off at HUNNY BUNNIES haberdashery

Until Sept 8 with this voucher. Redlands Ln, Broadwindsor, DT8 3PX.

hunny-bunnies.co.uk | 07914 387246 hunnybunnies11@outlook.com

You’re invited to enjoy Scottish country dancing

Many readers may be surprised to learn that Scottish country dancing is flourishing in Bridport and Dorset. Not to be confused with Highland Dancing, which is more of a solo performance, it is a very sociable activity where a number of people dance together.

Bridport Scottish Dancers were formed in September 1995, and dance on Wednesday evenings at St Mary’s Church House Hall in South Street Bridport throughout autumn, winter and spring, with three summer social dancing evenings from June to August.

As they enter their 30th year they are planning a taster evening with cake on Wednesday, October 2 in Church House Hall from 7.15pm-9.30pm. The evening will cost £3 to include dancing, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. Call Tony on 01297 560335 or Caroline on 01308 538141.

Young speakers put in a very good word for themselves

Colfox students narrowly missed out on the national final of the prestigious Rotary Youth Speaks competition.

This year’s senior team of Arturo Webster Botella, Poppy Grier and Oliver Chaning-Pearce progressed through the local, district and regional rounds of the competition with Oliver picking up best speaker awards at two levels of the

competition.

To recognise their achievements, the Rotary Club of Bridport awarded each member of the team a book token. President Mike Green said “Arturo, Poppy, and Oliver represented their school with distinction and clearly rose to the challenge of the competition by winning their rounds right up to the National Final.”

Oldest funeral directors move home

Dorchester’s oldest funeral directors are marking 146 years in the business, new premises and a merger. Woods Funeral Service has served the communities in and around Dorchester since 1878. The company was originally a sideline to the Woods furniture business, whose cabinet makers were known for producing high quality coffins alongside their furnituremaking.

Since 1990, Woods Funeral Service have been based in Icen Way in the centre of Dorchester. But following a recent partnership with Tapper Funeral Service, Woods have moved to a new, larger location in Albert Road, opposite Borough Gardens. The beautifully refurbished Victorian building provides large, elegant reception rooms

and a leafy garden alongside full funeral home facilities and much better parking for customers and funeral vehicles. There is also a small ceremony hall for intimate funeral services. In addition to funeral home facilities, Woods Funeral Service provide floristry, stonemasonry and a highly appointed Jaguar hearse and limousine.

Pauline Guy, who will be celebrating 20 years with Woods Funeral Service next year, will manage the new offices, working alongside Becci Wiles and Harry

Godden. The new partnership with Tapper Funeral Service, who have eight branches across Dorset and Hampshire, also means that clients of Woods Funeral Service can arrange for a funeral at Harbour View, a crematorium, funeral home and woodland burial ground in Lytchett Minster.

Since Poole Crematorium closed for cremations, Harbour View has become in demand. It offers three purpose-built ceremony halls, a funeral home, floristry and comprehensive catering and refreshments, all in one beautiful location overlooking Poole Harbour and the Purbeck hills. Harbour View is only available through branches of Tapper Funeral

service or Woods Funeral Service, not via any other funeral director.

Director Steven Tapper said: “We are delighted to be working with Woods Funeral Service. They have a fantastic reputation locally and have been trusted by families for generations. Bringing them to a new home in Dorchester is a privilege. Additionally, Woods are now able to provide the people of Dorchester and the surrounding areas with access to Harbour View crematorium and woodland burial ground, which hasn’t previously been available via other funeral directors in Dorchester.”

To find our more about Woods Funeral Service, Tapper Funeral Service and Harbour View crematorium and woodland burial ground, see tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

WELL DONE: Clive Bath presents the book tokens to Poppy and Arturo. Oliver was not available for the photo

Bards of a feather together to help support swifts

An academic is gathering bards of a feather for a special fundraising concert to support a species in decline.

Poets, storytellers, singers, and musicians from West Dorset will perform at Bridport Town Hall on Saturday, August 24 from 7pm to raise money for the Bridport Swift Town project.

The project was formed in response to the dramatic decline in the UK

swift population, which has fallen by 60 per cent since 1995. In 2021 the much-loved birds were added to the Red List for endangered birds.

The project is a collaboration between local residents, Common Ground, the Bridport Bird Club, Dorset National Landscape, Bridport Town Council, RSPB, West Dorset Wilding, Little Toller Books and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Flights of Fancy, an evening of

poetry, storytelling, and song celebrating our feathered friends, has been organised by Bridport-based writer and academic Dr Kevan Manwaring.

All profits go to the Bridport Swift Town Project. There will be a licensed bar, generously provided by The Woodman pub, and an information stall. Door entry is £10 (cash only). Limited advanced tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Rep returns for summer season of plays

By Sophia Long

Gilroy Theatre will be showcasing A Summer Season of Plays as repertory theatre returns to Lyme Regis this month. Thespians will be treading the boards at the Marine Theatre performing three full-length plays in just three weeks opening with Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton – a classical Victorian thriller.

Farcical comedy from prestigious playwright Alan Ayckbourn Taking Steps will follow, culminating with the sinister thriller Dial M for Murder by Fredrick Knott.

Su Gilroy, the founder of Gilroy Theatre, is passionate about ‘rep,’ the reasons for its decline and hopes for its future.

Su said: “Having researched rep, seen what it was like in its heyday and how important it was to its community, I wanted to take the best bits of rep, as it was, and bring them into the 21st century.”

Many actors such as Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, and

Patricia Hodge cut their teeth on rep, it was their apprenticeship and with many actors performing day and night for weeks at a time, their colleagues became almost family.

Su explained how the towns in which ‘rep’ is performed also create their own sense of community and theatre goers become ‘regulars during the season’.

“If local people become regulars (and there’s a season ticket to help you do just that), they will get to know the company of actors – they become like

old friends. Actors who have been doing rep since the 60s tell of being unable to walk down the street in a town without being recognised and quizzed about what their character did in the last play!

“I want the audience to have a sense of ownership of the season, after all, we’re doing it for them –theatre without an audience isn’t theatre.”

So, why should you go and see the plays this summer? For Su, it’s simple: “The stories –they help us to understand

the world around us.

“Story-telling is one of the oldest traits of humanity –it’s something we’ve always done.”

n Gaslight – Thursday, August 1 – Tuesday, August 6 at 7.30pm

n Taking Steps –Thursday, August 8 –Tuesday, August 13 at 7.30pm

n Dial M for Murder –Thursday, August 15 –Tuesday, August 20 at 7.30pm

Tickets are available at marinetheatre.com starting at £11.

TREADING THE BOARDS: Neil James, Victoria Porter and Su Gilroy of Gilroy Theatre

The fiery music of the Balkans, cool Brazilian sounds and a joyous selection of classical music will be heard at the Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art from August 10 to 18.

The festival, which attracts internationally acclaimed performers, is now in its 42nd year, and alongside a packed programme of music a stunning art exhibition will showcase the work from West Country artists, ceramicists and crafters in the village hall.

The music festival will include Balkan Bradstock, an electrifying performance from leading Balkan band Paprika, Brazilian jazz from Sao Paulo-born singer, Carolina Lelis, a Viennese Soiree, chamber music by Schubert and Fauré, and a late-night performance of Olivier Messiaen’s iconic Quartet for the End of Time

The festival culminates in a Gala Concert performed by the full Festival Orchestra on Friday, August 16, featuring a Bach triple concerto, a seldom-heard version of Mozart’s early masterpiece, his Sinfonia Concertante, and Dvorak’s Rondo for Cello and Orchestra. There are also lunchtime concerts and late-night recitals, and in a special Castaway event, broadcaster and musician Sandy Burnett talks to the festival’s artistic director violinist David Juritz about the music that has shaped his life.

To launch the concert

Spice boys Paprika bring Balkans to Bradstock fest

programme, a Festival Evensong will be held in the music venue of St Mary’s Church on Sunday, August 11 following a Tea Party in the Rectory Gardens with live music.

David Juritz said: “If it’s true that variety is the spice of life, then this year’s festival promises to be not only lively, but spicy too as Paprika open the proceedings with their super-charged rock and jazz-infused take on eastern European folk

music from the Balkans.”

Chair of the festival committee Jenny Malyon added: “As always, we are delighted to see our muchloved regular musicians back in Burton Bradstock again.

“David has put together a wonderful programme of music with something to please everyone.

“We are so fortunate to have so many internationally acclaimed musicians who come to play in our village, and we

are also extremely lucky to have so many highly talented artists and makers in our region to make the art exhibition the success it always is.”

n Tickets from Bridport Tourist Information Centre. More information at burtonbradstock festival.com

The music festival runs from Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 16. The art festival runs Saturday, August 10 to August 18.

READY TO ROCK: Paprika will bring their music from the Balkans to Burton Bradstock

CLASSICAL CHOICE: So much classical entertainment and, right, Burton Bradstock Festival artistic director David Juritz

Ann’s just about managing even after 30 years

BOOK REVIEW

From Breadbin to Boogie

By Ann Waters

I ended up with a really bad back after picking up all the A-list names Ann Waters manages to drop in her hilarious book From Breadbin to Boogie. I also may need to invest in some Tena for Men pants.

This is Ann’s take on her 30-plus years of just about managing her boogie-woogie piano ace son Ben’s amazing career, from his early gigs at the Dolphin pub in Weymouth’s Park Street, to headline dates at the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House, working with The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Jeff Beck and many, many others along the way. It’s a great fun read with guffaw-

inducing anecdotes from a rock’n’roll life on the road around the world and also her early days in Upwey where

she was put in a breadbin (hence the title) as a baby because her family couldn’t afford a cot.

There can’t be many ladies of a certain age who can say they’ve shown off their bunions to a Rolling Stone (Ronnie Wood, in Ann’s case) or to have received a text from an envious Johnny Depp, saying he wished he’d seen them too.

Ann’s chatty, scatty conversational style of writing makes for a quick, easy read, providing valuable insights into the hard work, heartache, hilarity and serendipitous nature of the music business. Highly recommended! n From Breadbin to Boogie is available from Waterstones in Dorchester and Bridport and Phil’s Vinyl Vault in Weymouth, priced £14.95.

Sylvia’s busy year on West Bay watch

West Bay – That Was The Year That Was is the title of a new book charting the seaside community during 2012.

Author Sylvia Stafford has pulled together more than 460 photos showing harbour life, events, people and history.

Sylvia made a New Year’s resolution over 12 years ago, to chart the goings on in West Bay for a year. Her new book is the result – an A4 illustrated journal of one year in the life of the busy harbour and popular tourist resort. Daily events and meetings with local residents, workers and visitors to the area were recorded against the background of what was happening, locally and nationally.

Major national events are covered, such as the

Olympic and Paralympic Games, a royal jubilee, the filming of the first of the acclaimed TV series Broadchurch, as well as the usual calendar of local events including the

Melplash Show, West Bay Day, and the Torchlight Procession. Less welcome events saw some of the heaviest rainfall and worst flooding in the area since 1974, a near disastrous incident during the annual dredging of the harbour, and serious rockfalls and accidents. Many entries highlight the fascinating history and heritage of the historic harbour and local area, and the author has attempted to include all the major listed and historically significant buildings, as well as more

recent developments. West Bay remains a busy working harbour, and fish and fishing feature prominently in the journal, together with the tourist industry and local businesses. Local developments during 2012 were recorded, particularly the work on the sea defences and coastal monitoring, as well as the completion of the West Bay Regeneration Scheme, with what turned out to be, a very controversial development of the local road system.

ISBN 978-1-3999-8617-5 £15.

n Available from: Beaminster Books, Beaminster; The Book Shop, Bridport; Bridport Tourist Information Centre; Waterstones Bridport; West Bay Discovery Centre.

Nick Horton

LITERARY LADY: Ann Waters with From Breadbin To Boogie

Organisers of this year’s b-side Festival on Portland want you to ask: “Who do we think we are?”

With a theme of exploring ancestry and migration, it’s hard to imagine anywhere in the UK more fitting for a contemporary arts festival to be asking that question.

Running from September 5 to 8, this year’s event will feature incredible artworks, performances, and experiences created by artists of national and international acclaim.

The first three installations announced include outdoor artworks inspired by Persian myths of migration, tiny artworks with gigantic meaning in the form of phone SIM cards, and the transformation of £5 notes into portraits of festivalgoers.

German-born artist Harald Smykla’s work combines offbeat approaches to ‘traditional’ art-making with site-specific installation, performance and socially engaged practice.

At b-side, he will invite visitors to sit for a pecuniary portrait, in which he will reface real banknotes, transforming the heads of figures such as Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, and the late Queen, to become the face of the sitter.

Harald said: “Face Value is a personal project that brings the theme of identity to something we see and handle every day –money. Each portrait takes only 20 to 30 minutes to create, and each sitter can

B-SIDE THEMSELVES: Mohammad Barrangi, Liz Hingley and Harald Smykla will be at b-side this year

We do like to be beside the b-side island’s arts fest

‘buy’ their portrait at the note’s face value.”

The SIM Project by Liz Hingley will give tangible meaning to people’s virtual networks and explores how the images we create and exchange through our smartphones map our place in the world.

In workshops combining analogue and digital photography with jewellery making, isle residents including Bibby Stockholm residents will come together to create unique glass prints from personal screenshots using

a bespoke camera, framed in metal.

Each person will make one to keep and another to add to the festival installation.

Liz said: “It’s amazing that something as small as a SIM card can be such a lifeline for people, and can stir up strong connotations of connection and identity. Bringing the SIM Project to b-side adds another dimension to this meaning; Portland is a place where many identities exist.”

One Night, One Dream, Life in the Lighthouse by Iranian born artist and ex-

Paralympian Mohammad Barrangi centres around his experiences of travel, migration and disability. His work heavily derives from his personal heritage and memories, inspired by Iranian mythological stories and contemporary events of social development. The project being exhibited at b-side is a combination of elements of Persian calligraphy, old scientific illustration, storytelling, text and humour. Using a creative process that includes drawing and printing on handmade paper, Mohammad creates works that often become largescale murals using traditional calligraphy pens and marking styles. b-side will take place across various sites on Portland, with events free to attend. b-side Fringe will be taking place between Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 8, with events spanning eight days of creativity and artistic celebration. Festival director Rocca Holly-Nambi said: “This year’s festival will pay homage to the incredible cultural and creative diversity the UK has to offer. We are so lucky to have such an eclectic array of talent in attendance for b-side every year, and this year’s line-up is particularly diverse in both medium and messaging.” n For more information, please visit the b-side website b-side.org.uk and follow b-side festival on Instagram @bsidefestival, Twitter @bsidefest and Facebook @bsidefest.

Culture

VIVIANE HORNE meets more of Portland’s people, Portlanders’ and Kimberlins’ stories of migration to the isle, inspired by B-Side’s community project for the next two years Who Do We Think We Are?’

Inspiring islanders’ lively life stories

Laura Baldwin is probably best known on Portland for speaking out against the incinerator and other plans that threaten the isle’s precious green areas and environment.

Between lockdowns, with Ocean Rebellion in Weymouth Bay, Laura helped highlight the pollution caused by fossil fuels which gained media attention worldwide. During the following two years she attended demonstrations and protests demanding the phasing out of fossil fuels –imperative if we are to halt global warming.

Laura is known internationally for sailing, representing the UK in the 2004 Athens Olympics and at one time ranked second in the world. She started coming to the Weymouth

She organised two marches against the building of a waste incinerator at Portland Port, something that would risk the entire coastline losing World Heritage Site status. Her young son Finn gave a heartfelt speech when the government inspector came to hear evidence for the port’s appeal against the council decision not to allow their plans.

Laura fears for the future of our children if we do not act now and says when her son asks her: ‘Mum, what did you do when there was still time’, she wants to be able to say: ‘Everything I could think of’.

and Portland National Sailing Academy in 2001 and in 2005 her parents bought a house in Fortuneswell. Her dad relocated his business to Southwell in order to support her career, just after the UK won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics. In 2008 Laura went to Australia where she was media and marketing manager for Australian Sailing during the Beijing Olympics and was also the first Cook Island national coach, a job she held for six years, helping three sailors to reach Olympic

qualification. She was also asked to represent Australia by the Olympic team manager, going on to win the Australian nationals and a World Championship bronze medal but at 30

years old and struggling with old injuries, Laura decided to retire from competition and coach.

After 10 years in Australia she returned home, training the single woman’s sailing event for the Australian team in the 2012 Olympics.

The Aussie team took over the Cove House Inn at Chesil Cove and medal celebrations took place there at the end of each day.

The pub was decorated Aussie style complete with bunting and beermats!

At home now she concentrates on decarbonising her home,

happily living a vegan lifestyle and working in the community allotment taken on by a group she formed on Facebook, Portland for the Planet. It brings together like minded folk from all over the island and more recently from the Bobby Stockholm barge.

Every week up to 10 asylum seekers can come and help on the ‘Lottie’, Laura says she’s met such wonderfully kind people, learnt about other nations, their customs and heard terrifying stories that make you grateful to live somewhere like Portland.

In June BBC Spotlight came to film this community spirited activity.

Spearheading campaigns and leading groups is Laura’s forte it seems, setting up a sailing academy in Australia attracting sailors from all over the world, organising protests, helping refugees, establishing a community allotment, giving talks in schools, businesses, councils, coordinating the planting of three thousand trees, three years on the Green Party national executive for campaigns where she was invited to represent the country on the Global Greens Climate Emergency working group,

ISLAND LADIES: Laura Baldwin and, right, Liz Wright

one of four people leading a group called ‘Champions for Earth’ encouraging sports people to speak out/act for the environment, so it isn’t surprising that Laura and partner Etienne Stott (an Olympic slalom canoeist Gold Medallist she met on climate protests) have set up ‘Sport Local for Life’ running sustainability workshops that they call Sport Imaginariums, designed to enable those in power to come to the same conclusions that the two of them have. Backed by Sport England they have been invited to run workshops during the Paris Olympics.

mistress, rented. She said it was great fun but the lack of heating sent her back to London where she rented a basement flat from the Liverpool poet Brian Patten. She looked after her dad for a time, moving in with her mum then met and married an art historian and moved to Kingston.

She joined an old tutor from college, who was looking for a coastal property, on a trip to Weymouth.

Liz Wright’s painting of The Royal Portland Arms regulars, pictured here, grabs you and lures you into the pub.

The colours and characters including the Rommie rescue dog are vibrant and alive.

Liz studied at St Martins in 1968 and achieved her art degree at Bristol. She worked in London for seven years selling sports equipment in Harrods. She was also the manager of Tootsies Restaurant in Notting Hill in the 70s but she has always been an artist. A desire to live in the country took her from Tootsies to Bruton and she also lived in a ‘dower’ house next to Warwick castle which her friend Penny Rose, a wardrobe

Liz’s tutor didn’t end up buying in the area but Liz loved it, so following her divorce, she rented Ranters Lodge in Chiswell as it was affordable and light. Ranters Lodge and the Dead house are currently artists studios but the lodge was originally a chapel for an offshoot of the Methodists, the ‘Ranters’ and the Dead House was where bodies from shipwrecks were taken that washed ashore. Shipwrecks were many along this treacherous stretch of the coast and Chiswell residents saved may lives as well as claiming much ‘treasure’ washed up on the beach. Liz has now been on Portland for 26 years and loves it.

She lives very close to the sea in Chiswell but just far enough that it can’t reach her. The sea is known to ‘come over’ in bad storms. Check out her website where you can buy prints and cards of her art wrightfineart.co.uk

Marina signs up to be island festival sponsor

Portland Marina has been announced as sponsor for this year’s b-side festival. The theme of this year’s arts festival, running from September 5 to 8, is Who Do We Think We Are?, with artists creating exhibits exploring migration and identity.

A festival spokesperson said Portland Marina, part of the boatfolk group, is an “ideal” venue for the celebration.

The marina will host various showcases, including a piece by international artist Gil Mualem Doron titled The New Union Flag Rules the Waves, which has been displayed at Tate Modern and Turner Contemporary galleries.

Portland Marina will also be the site for a mass kitemaking workshop involving hundreds of participants, including local schoolchildren, who will fly

their creations over the isle. A projection event will also open the festival on September 5, highlighting Portland’s significance and the festival’s theme of unity. boatfolk’s area manager Jon Eads said: “We are thrilled to partner with bside as the headline sponsor. Portland Marina is a vibrant hub for all things maritime, and an excellent venue for an event that celebrates human connection and local heritage. We eagerly anticipate the festival.” b-side director Rocca HollyNambi said: “As we celebrate our tenth festival, it remains crucial to spotlight the Isle of Portland’s rich offerings and its stories through art. Having Portland Marina as a major sponsor enhances our ability to foster a sense of community and shared history.”

n Visit b-side.org.uk

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WORK TOGETHER: Jon Eades and Rocco Holly-Nambi

Art club’s 70th anniversary bash is a big draw

Dorchester Art Club members ran a friendly competition to mark the group’s 70th anniversary. The contest for the best painting of 2024 was won by club member Kate, who was awarded the Les and Vonty Philips Cup.

Second place went to Sheila and

third place to Liz, with all of them winning Herring’s vouchers.

Club members celebrated their group’s 70th birthday with tea and cake earlier this month ahead of the autumn term, commencing from September 5.

The first autumn session will be

held from 2pm to 4pm in St George’s Church hall in Fordington, where there is free parking. Tea and biscuits are served halfway through. The Dorchester Art Club welcomes absolute beginners and the more experienced. Details are available on its website, or 01305 264568.

Players’ story of trade union pioneers

The New Hardy Players will present a story exploring how the struggles of ordinary Dorset men led to the birth of British union activism. The players will perform the first part of Six Men of Dorset (the Tolpuddle play) in Dorchester’s Corn Exchange, which was the venue for the original 1934 production.

The troupe will then lead the audience up High West Street to the courtrooms at the Shire Hall Museum where the working men’s trial took place.

The performances are on Saturday, September 21 at 7.30pm, and on Sunday 22 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

A Dorchester Arts spokesperson said: “The gripping drama of the struggles of six Dorset farm labourers to earn a living wage became a national cause celebre in 1834, and still resonates today.

“The six men became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, now credited for creating modern unionism which aims to protect worker’s rights.

“Featuring traditional hymns and folksongs, live music and specially filmed

sequences, this is The New Hardy Players’ most ambitious production to date.

“Following six sell-out performances in June and an appearance at the Tolpuddle Festival, the play is back by public demand, with three additional shows.”

Six Men of Dorset, by Miles Malleson and HA Brooks, is a co-production with Dorchester Arts and the Shire Hall Museum.

n Tickets are from the Dorchester Arts Box Office in the Corn Exchange, by calling 01305 266926 or visiting dorchesterarts. org.uk

COURTROOM DRAMA: The Six Men of Dorset

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US: Dorchester Art Club celebrates its 70th anniversary

Finding Jesus’s love in unexpected places

By CANON DEB SMITH

Years ago, when I was young, I had the most amazing journey –a journey that helped me to see first-hand how Jesus does the unexpected.

My travels showed me how he helps us to see with new eyes, often to see what has always been right in front of our noses, to see God in the things and in the people, we so often take for granted.

I was 25, still new to the life of counting myself a Christian, and I took a trip with people from my church to the Holy Land. Our church was an urban priority parish in Salford – Coronation Street territory. It was a poor community, where many led chaotic lives.

It was an unexpected trip in many ways – our vicar, who didn’t do anything the easy way, came up with the madcap idea of

Services

Sherborne Abbey Weekday Services

taking an old double decker –which we had to do up first – and drive across Europe and over the Mediterranean to Israel. Although we worked on the clapped-out bus for months, it soon became apparent, even to our vicar, that the old wreck wasn’t going to make it out of Manchester, never mind to Israel. But we were offered an old coach by someone, and the dream continued.

Finally, we were ready to go. Along the route we stayed in church halls and even slept outdoors one night when we had nowhere to go, on our week-long journey to get to the Holy Land. The vicar insisted we all wore disposable paper knickers while travelling – to save on carrying lots of smelly laundry – we had no air con, and so tempers often frayed – as we lived so closely with one another on the road. We had many mishaps on the

chickerellmethodist@gmail.com

Weymouth Bay

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 Communion - The Sepulchre ChapelEvery Saturday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel

Methodist Churches in Weymouth

Minister: Rev Ruth Lownsbrough Tel: 01305 820489

ruthlownsbrough59@hotmail.co.uk

W: dsw.church

Sunday Morning Services

10.30am: Chickerell – North Square, DT3 4DX

10.30am: Lanehouse – Lynch Lane, DT4 9DL

10.30am: Weymouth Bay – 32 Melcombe Avenue, DT4 7TH

Sunday Evening Services

6.30 pm - Weymouth Bay – normally 2nd Sunday in month

Weymouth Methodist Church Chickerell

Craft and Chat: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2pm

Craft and Sew: 2nd and 4th Fridays at 7pm

Coffee Morning: last Saturday in the month at 10am.

way – I won’t list them all, but often the travelling congregation sounded like the children of Israel, moaning about Moses leading them out into the wilderness. I often heard people saying: Why did we follow our mad vicar on this bonkers trip?

We had two wonderful, eventful, turbulent and unforgettable weeks travelling in the Holy Land, seeing the religious sites, encountering the places we had read about in the Bible and trying to make sense of this amazing experience.

Often it wasn’t how we imagined it would be. We certainly didn’t all become model Christians, uncomplaining and full of spiritual assurance. We had expected to meet Jesus in the Holy Land. We expected to come away changed and made new. But we were still an imperfect band of northerners when we returned home back to

Wednesday: 10am Coffee Morning – all welcome, tea, coffee, cakes, books and jigsaws to borrow or swap. 10.30am Grace Notes, informal singing group for all abilities. 2pm CAMEO, women’s group meets fortnightly. 5pm Miscellany Band for anyone who plays a musical instrument

Thursday: 2pm Bible study Group

First Friday in the month: 2pm Dementia Café for people with dementia and their carers

Last Saturday in the month: 9am Garden Gang

Sunday, August 11

Sherborne Abbey: 8am Holy Communion, 9.30am Parish

Eucharist, 6pm Choral Evensong

St Martin of Tours, Lillington: 9.30am Holy Communion

St James the Great, Longburton: 10am Family Communion

St Paul’s at the Gryphon: 10.30am Family Worship

St Mary Magdalene, Castleton: 11.15am Holy Communion

St John the Baptist, Symondsbury: 9.30am Celtic Worship

St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton: 9.30am Holy Communion

St Saviour’s, Dottery: 10.30am Morning Worship

St Michael & All Angels, Askerswell: 11am Benefice Eucharist

Burton Bradstock: 11am Holy Communion, 6pm Music

Festival Evensong

Swyre: 6pm Songs of Praise

Puncknowle: 9.30am Holy Communion

Shipton Gorge: 9.30am Morning Worship

Littlebredy: 11am Holy Communion

Abbotsbury: 9am Holy Communion

Portesham: 10am Family Praise

Langton Herring: 11am Holy Communion

Friday, August 16

Sherborne Abbey: 11am Remembering the Fallen

Salford a month later. A few weeks after we got home the vicar called us all for a get together, to share our photos and our reflections on our pilgrimage. In all the excited chatter and reminiscing we realised the unexpected truth. We left grey old Salford for the Holy Land expecting to find Jesus. And we grasped we hadn’t needed to travel all that way to find him – because he had been with us before we set off. He had travelled with us, and we saw him in each other. And he had travelled back with us – and somehow the experience of making that pilgrimage together had changed each of us forever. Jesus keeps showing up in unexpected places, in unexpected ways. Why does it still surprise us?

Sunday, August 18

Sherborne Abbey: 8am Holy Communion, 9.30am Parish

Eucharist, 6pm Choral Evensong

St Martin of Tours, Lillington: 9.30am Morning Service

St James the Great, Longburton: 10am Family Communion

St Paul’s at the Gryphon: 10.30am Family Worship

St Mary Magdalene, Castleton: 11.15am Mattins

St Mary Magdalene, Loders: 9.30am Celtic Worship

St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock: 11am Benefice Eucharist

St Paul’s, Broadoak: 6.30pm Holy Communion

Burton Bradstock: 9.30 Café Church

Litton Cheney: 6pm Evensong

Swyre: 6pm Songs of Praise

Long Bredy: 11am Morning Worship

Portesham: 11am Holy Communion

Langton Herring: 10am Family Praise

Sunday, August 25

Sherborne Abbey: 8am Holy Communion, 9.30am Parish, Eucharist, 6pm Choral Evensong

St Martin of Tours, Lillington: 9.30am Morning Service

St James the Great, Longburton: 10am SAID Holy Communion

St Paul’s at the Gryphon: 10.30am Family Worship

St Mary Magdalene, Castleton: 11.15am Mattins

St Saviour’s, Dottery: 9.30am Holy Communion

St John the Baptist, Symondsbury: 11am Benefice Eucharist

St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton: 6.30pm Evensong

St Michael & All Angels, Askerswell: 6.30pm Evensong

Burton Bradstock: 8am Holy Communion

Litton Cheney: 9.30am Morning Worship

Swyre: 6pm Songs of Praise

Puncknowle: 11am Café Church

Shipton Gorge: 11am Holy Communion

Littlebredy: 11am Morning Worship

Abbotsbury: 10am Family Praise

Portesham: 9am BCP

Langton Herring: 7.30pm Outdoor Evening Service

BRIDPORT MUSIC CENTRE: 01308 455660

18 Statementagreeingtoarequest (4,2)

19 Incite;goad (5)

22 Dullwork (5)

23 Slipping (7) 24 Crazy(4) Down

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.

2 Pixie-like (5)

3 Lettuceandanchoviesdish (6,5)

4 Notthese (6)

6 Large,lavishmeal (7)

7 Adjustthepitchof (4)

8 Stickout (7)

10 Groupswiththepowertomake decisions (11)

13 Three-partwork (7)

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Cryptic Crossword

Across

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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.

An Olympic theme this month. Not really, but I am drawn to the sights and smells of France: crispy baguettes, soft cheeses, creamy butter and rich gateaux all so synonymous with France. Surprisingly enough, considering their diet, stats show that the French are one of the healthiest populations and have the lowest rates of heart disease ‘in the world!’ How can this be when their diet is full of fats and carbs? The answer to this isn’t always about the food we eat; it’s a lifestyle and a culture.

Here in the UK, we pile our plates with foods, the bigger the better, while the French eat small portions and eat slowly. A meal can begin at 7pm, and you won’t see your bed much before midnight. Food is still king, and they celebrate every small occasion. Eating slower is better for the metabolism. We do tend to rush our foods. We eat meals at our work desks whereas the French go to a café. They keep things

Vive la France, and pass the rum please

simple; they follow the five ingredient rule! (We will talk more about that next month.) “Cooking is multisensory. It is made for the mouth, the nose, the ear and for the soul” Pierre Gagnaire.

Entertaining is my ‘go to’ place. It is my solace and my passion. To me there is nothing better than cooking for friends and family: the planning, the preparation and the event.

So, this cake looks spectacular and is sumptuously rich. It’s also easy to make.

Tortuga

Rum Cake

75 ml Dark Rum Rum Syrup.

50 ml Dark Rum

50 g Granulated Sugar

50 ml Water

Rum Icing

180g Icing Sugar

15 ml Dark Rum

15 ml Water

468 g Unsalted softened

Butter

562 g caster Sugar

468 g Ground Almonds

150 g Plain Flour

10 eggs

Mum’s Kitchen...

Chicken, Leek and Cider Pie

Serves 4-6

A reader kindly emailed to say that one of my recipes had been added to their list of favourite recipes. As you can imagine I was really uplifted by this! In consequence this month’s recipe is from my own folder of favourites.

Ingredients:

Heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/325F. This bit is important - Brush a bundt pan with butter and refrigerate. After about 15 mins, take the bundt pan from the fridge and place a large spoonful of granulated sugar in the pan. Rotate the pan until there is an even coverage of sugar, tip away any excess sugar.

Sieve the ground almonds and plain flour together. Cream the butter until smooth.

500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs, or same weight of chicken breasts if you prefer

400g leeks – about 4 average leeks.

400ml dry cider

100g full-fat crème fraiche

320g pack of ready-rolled puff pastry

Rapeseed oil or olive oil for frying

50g butter

Add the sugar and mix. Add a third of the eggs, mix until just combined, and add the remaining eggs.

Add the dry ingredients a third at a time then stir in 75ml of the rum, mix until combined.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared Bundt tin, spreading the mixture round as evenly as possible.

Bake the cake for one hour, until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean. Set the pan on a cooling tray and leave for 10 minutes.

Make the rum syrup by boiling the sugar and water together until all the sugar has dissolved. Add 50ml of rum and leave to cool. Turn the cake out onto the cake plate and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

Using a pastry brush, coat the cake evenly with the rum syrup and allow to cool completely.

To make the rum icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the water and dark rum, mix until the icing is smooth, pour the glaze over the cake.

Beaten egg to glaze the pastry

Method:

Chop the chicken into 2cm nuggets. Wash and trim the leeks and slice into thin discs.

Heat a good-sized saucepan over a high heat, and add a glug of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper and

Vittles (food & drink)

Lizzie Crow – AKA Lizzie Baking Bird – is a self taught baker and has recently moved into her own bakery. She also has a stall outside The Old Ship Inn in Upwey each Saturday. See her scrumptious eats at lizziebakingbird.co.uk or find lizzibakingbird on Instagram.

Easy, cheesy and going back to my roots

Root Veg and Cheese Pie

Serves 4

320g ready rolled shortcrust pastry

2 tbsp olive oil

1 leek, sliced 1 cm thick

1 medium potato, cut into 1cm cubes

350g carrot and swede, cut into 1cm cubes

20g butter, plus a little to grease the pie dish

1 tbsp flour

200g milk

1 tbsp pesto

100g cheddar cheese, grated

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the leek for about 10 minutes, until cooked through. Throw in the potato with four tbsp water and pop a lid on the pan for approx 10 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for a further five minutes, until the potatoes are soft. Meanwhile, cook the carrot and swede in salted water for around 15 minutes. Drain. Heat the oven to 200C

(400F/ gas mark 6)

Put the drained veg on top of the potato and leek mixture and add the butter. Allow it to melt before sprinkling on the flour. Stir well and cook for a minute. Add the milk and stir again whilst cooking for a further minute or so, until it thickens and creates a sauce. Add the pesto and the cheese. Stir. Switch off the heat.

Grease the pie tin with butter then line it with the pastry. Take the trimmings and place them together, pressing gently, to make a single piece for the pie top.

Pile the vegetable mixture into the pastry case. Dampen the edges of the pastry with water and cover with the lid. Fold up the overhang to create a crust around the edge. Brush the top with milk. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until the pastry is browned. Serve with beans or greens!!

Holy molo! Two AA rosettes!

An Italian eaterie in Dorchester has been awarded an AA Rosette in its second year of business. Al Molo in High West Street was also named the family business of the year and won the dining award in the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards.

fry until all sides are more or less browned. Remove from the pan and put into a bowl, setting aside until needed.

Reduce the heat to low and add the sliced leeks with the butter. Allow the leeks to slowly caramelise, stirring occasionally, for around 20 minutes. Return the

chicken to the pan, and pour over the cider, seasoning to taste. Increase the heat and bring the contents of the pan to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes. The cider should evaporate a little. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool.

with Diana Holman

Preheat the oven to 200C or 180C fan. Once the filling has cooled, add the crème fraiche, more salt and pepper to if needed, and stir until well mixed. Pour the filling into a suitable pie dish and top with the pastry. Brush the pastry well with beaten egg and bake for around 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.

On the right track for a perfect passage to India

FOOD REVIEW

The Sundorbon, Bridport

John Clements, chef at The Olive Tree, Bridport

Food doesn’t just feed our bodies but also our imaginations. Take the evocative Railway Curry for example. The name alone transports us to India, on a steam-train, in a dining car, window open, a hot breeze, an icy G&T, rice-fields, a setting sun, the train clattering slowly onwards.

I’m actually in Bridport with my cousins. They all live here. If they weren’t my cousins, they’d be my friends. We love the same things, like the award-winning Sundorbon.

JUST THE TICKET: The Sundorbon Railway Curry

We wondered if the name alludes to a forest that spans India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans? Home to the majestic Bengal tiger. Saturday night and it’s rammed, but you wouldn’t know it. Tables are thoughtfully positioned. The Jim Lawrence-style lighting

was perfect. Modern ambient playlist. The shabby-chic decor conspired to suggest an intimate railway dining car. Spotless, swanky, downtown LA-looking loos, too. Poppadoms, luscious dips, onion bhajis, neon-green mint yoghurt, sag aloo. Next, the signature-special-sublime Railway Curry, then South Indian garlic and smoky chilli lamb, a luscious lentil-infused, fiery, chicken dhansak, a spitting, sizzling platter of super-succulent chicken tikka with charred, caramelised onions and peppers, a cooling salad and finally the regal, rich Rajasthani lamb. Sweet and savoury naans. Fluffy, white, light, perfectly cooked

basmati. The sauces were each so unique. All were exceptional. Not a greasy, oily ring anywhere. Generous chunks of fork-cuttable, meltingly-tender meat. If we were on a train in India the food and service here would mean we were definitely travelling first-class. Odin, our waiter, kept one eye on us all night long. We loved the insulated bowls and the black linen napkins, too. It just felt like my cousins and I were all on that train, together, travelling down those tracks, into that night, resolute, strong, bound for the magical mangrove forest, where the tigers live.

Vittles (food & drink)

Sherryn Sanderson is a professional baker who gave up her business to sail the oceans with her husband and dog. Home base is usually Portland Marina, but they are currently circumnavigating the UK. Follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram at September Moon Sailing.

It’s enough to drive anyone bananas

G’day from sunny Coffs Harbour in Australia! The boat, husband and the fourlegged barky one are still at Royal Quays Marina whilst I am sitting on the beach under the pretence of looking after my father post-surgery.

After a 59-hour journey from Newcastle to Sydney, I was ready for a sweet treat.

However, my dad’s pantry was devoid of any baking ingredients (well nothing that didn’t go out of date five years ago) so the first thing I did was duck down to Woolies and buy a trolley-load of flour, sugar, butter and eggs. He’s having a lot of visitors checking up on him so I have been using that as an excuse to bake lots of British treats such as Singing Hinnies, Fat Rascals and Kentish Huffkins. These fine morsels are going down rather well.

As my column is always dedicated to sweet bakes in the areas we are travelling, it would be remiss of me to not share my favourite Aussie Banana Bread recipe, especially since I am in the Aussie capital of bananas.

Okay, I know that Banana Bread did not originate here in Coffs, nor probably even in Australia, but we sure eat a lot of it. Sliced about an inch thick, toasted and slathered with butter, it has got to be the best

accompaniment for coffee at breakfast.

Banana and Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter

Ingredients:

4 medium overripe bananas

100g cooled melted butter

2 large eggs lightly whisked

170g brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

260g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

120g chopped walnuts

100g softened butter

3 tbsp of honey

Method:

Preheat oven to 170deg C and line a 2lb load tin.

Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and bicarb in a bowl. Add walnuts. In another bowl, mash the bananas, add sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla and mix together.

Fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated. It’s important not to overmix. Pour into tin and bake for an hour or until a skewer comes out clean.

Cool in tin for 10 minutes before tipping out onto a wire rack to cool. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Add the honey and fold through.

To serve, slice the bread thickly and toast, top with the honey butter and enjoy.

OUR DAILY BREAD: Banana and Walnut Bread out in Coffs Harbour

Don’t pour money down the drain: Have a survey

DRAIN BRAINS

By Jak Norwood of Valley Drains

A drainage survey is an often overlooked precaution when buying a home. However, if you compare the cost of a

drainage survey against the potential savings, whether that’s helping you avoid a money pit house purchase or as leverage against the house price, it’s something more people should consider.

A surveyor will use a CCTV camera to explore and

investigate your drainage pipes and identify any potential issues. This may include blockages, structural issues such as fracture and collapse, cracked pipes, root intrusion and pitch fibre pipes. Once identified, a surveyor will be able to offer solutions to any problems encountered, such as cleaning and unblocking, pipe re-lining or even excavation and replacement. In your existing home, there may be symptoms that you’re in need of a drainage survey.

which may have big implications on how you build out.

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These include water backing up, bubbles around drains, blocked drains, WCs not flushing correctly, corrosion and animal infestation. If you’re buying with the aim of extending, a drainage survey will help you identify the location of your drains,

Private and lateral drains that connect to a public sewer became public – something that’s likely to be particularly applicable in terraced houses. If this drain is in an area where you’d like to extend, you have two options – obtain a build over agreement, or divert your extension. A build over agreement is an assurance to your local water authority that they will be able to access the pipe you’re building over or near to in order to clean and maintain it.

n We offer drainage services, pressure washing and gutter cleaning services. Call Valley Drains on 07958 335973 for a free quotation or email darren@valleydrains.co.uk

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Right time, right place for planting

Mike Burks is the MD of The Gardens Group, with garden centres in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury. Mike is a former chairman of the Garden Centre Association and is a passionate advocate of eco-friendly gardening practices. thegardensgroup.co.uk

An interesting trend that has hit gardening in recent years is that we sell many more plants when they are in flower than was ever the case in the past. This to an extent ignores traditional gardening rules and planting times, including the fact that the autumn is the best time for planting most hardy plants. It’s also the time for planning ahead and planting for the next year. An example of this would be wallflowers and cheiranthus, which are excellent bedding plants for filling in the gap between winter bedding and the summer displays. These plants can be purchased in pots in spring, but experienced gardeners know that the best and most cost effective time for planting is in the autumn, with good old-fashioned, bare-rooted plants in a bundle wrapped up in newspaper.

Other planting that fits into this category are the spring flowering bulbs, such as daffodils and narcissi, tulips, crocus, hyacinths and the like. Whereas we have such plants available “in the green” in early spring it is best to choose and plant the bulbs in the autumn. The bulbs are available from early August but the range peaks in September and October. The beauty of bulb gardening is that the first task is to spend some glorious time choosing the bulbs in our vast displays!

n Castle Gardens in Sherborne has been recognised for its innovation and creativity. The gardens won first place in The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity at the Midlands, Wales and West Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards. The business also came second in the Garden Centre of the Year award in the Garden Centre

Making one’s selection whilst the range is at its highest is a good idea and the bulbs will be happy being kept cool and dry whilst waiting for space to be available in the garden. It also means that when it’s time to plant that the soil should be moist and easier to work. Indeed, it is traditional to wait until November to plant tulips. One bulb that will need planting sooner though are the hyacinths for flowering indoors at Christmas.

These are what are known as “prepared” bulbs, which have been specially treated to induce them to flower within a specific timescale. If you’d like the beautiful scent of a hyacinth on Christmas Day, then the bulbs will need to be planted before September 25. In order to get a bowl of five plants all in flower at the same time, my suggestion would be to plant the same colour bulbs and in individual pots in bulb fibre in a cool and

Category. Castle Gardens also won The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability. Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, said: “We have an incredibly proactive,

dark space. To get five evenly growing bulbs plant, say, seven or nine and then later choose those that are most matching in their growth. Bring the bulbs out into the warmth and light once the flower buds have pushed up past the leaves –that’s usually just a few centimetres of growth.

passionate and skilled team, who continue to innovate and make our garden centres a welcoming place for all, while considering our impact on the environment.”

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The manager of Bridport Ladies FC is looking forward to her second season in charge of the team, as they look to build on an impressive third place finish in their last campaign.

Lianne Dunk took time out from a busy pre-season to talk to the West Dorset Magazine about the formation of a new reserve team and the challenges of competing in a new-look division from September.

Lianne said: “I was really pleased with what we achieved as a group last season and am excited about getting started in September.

“We finished where I thought we might last time, and although I’m a little disappointed that it was only goal difference that kept us ahead of the fourth placed team, it’s a solid platform on which to build.

“If you’d asked me a month ago what my hopes were for next season, I would have said that we would be aiming to win the league, but there’s been a real shake-up of the divisions because of an influx of new teams in the Somerset and Dorset leagues. We will be up against some unfamiliar teams in Somerset Division II so it’s harder to predict what the competition will be like, but we will certainly be up for the challenge.

“It’s fantastic to see some real growth in the popularity of the women’s game. What was especially pleasing for us last year was the growing

Ladies ready for the challenges of new-look division

numbers of people coming to watch us at St Mary’s Field. We were getting crowds of around 100 on some occasions and it’s great to see so many people buying into what we’re doing here.”

The surge in interest among players has enabled

Bridport Ladies to introduce a reserve team who will compete in Dorset League Division II in 2024/25, under the guidance of management team Adele Freeman and Jack Trollope.

Lianne said: “It’s a really positive step for a number of reasons. We had quite a big squad last season and there

CLOCKTOWER RECORDS:

were some players who really didn’t get enough game time, or weren’t involved at all on matchdays. It’s quite disheartening for those who really commit to the training and want to develop, so the reserves will be a massive boost for the club.

“It will give some of the fringe players from the first team a great chance to get some serious game time. We have brought some players through from our Under 17s and are positive about what they can add, particularly as Holly Perryment made the step up last season and was our top goalscorer and a real star

performer. We’ve also brought in a couple of new players, but would still love to add two or three more just to strengthen the squad.

“We are always on the lookout for new talent and want to continue to build.” Off the pitch, Clocktower Records have continued their sponsorship of the ladies’ teams and Lianne remains grateful for their financial and practical support.

Lianne said: “Roy and the team at Clocktower are fantastic and have kept on supporting us a much as as they can. They’ve supplied us with kits for the first and reserve team and away kits and training tops too. Their work on our social media has been great too, it’s really helped to get the message out about the progression we’re making and I’m sure it’s helped to boost the numbers of people coming to watch us.

“We really are so grateful to them.”

Roy Gregory, from Clocktower, added: “It has been great to watch the management team and players develop over a very successful first season. We look forward with the addition of the reserves which will give fans more opportunity to watch their exciting brand of football.”

n See the club’s website and social media for full fixture details and opportunities to get involved.

GOAL: Bridport Ladies reserve team manager Adele Freeman, first team captain Cait Corbett and Lianne Dunk

n Noel

Honorary Membership by Bridport Rugby Club President, Peter Brook, at the club's AGM. Noel trained some of the juniors, held the post of junior chairman for five years, helped set up a girls' team and was at the forefront of the club's exchange visits with French friends at Lege-Cap Ferret.

Yachtsman’s global adventure

Joss Creswell from Dorchester has completed a circumnavigation of the globe as First Mate on board Perseverance in the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race, with his team finishing in second place behind Ha Long Bay from Vietnam. Eleven clippers took part in the global sailing event which finished in Portsmouth in July, with teams competing in 14 separate legs between worldwide ports.

Over the 11 months of the race, Joss, 24, along with Perseverance skipper Ineke van der Weijden led and coached their team of 66 Race Crew, with seven of these becoming circumnavigators.

In the adventure of a lifetime, Joss and the crew battled storm force winds,

enormous waves, freezing temperatures and searing heat, waterspouts and wind holes.

Joss said: “It doesn’t seem real. The last race was wonderful, and now it’s

ROUND THE WORLD: Joss Creswell at the helm of Perseverance, inset

just the time to spend with this crew, this team that we have built. I think it’s going to be a lot more emotional than any other race. More and more through the race the team has taken ownership of the boat, and have become a lot bigger component than Ineke and I.

“They’re rabid for success, they’re so competitive, and they are a great team.”

Clean sweep for Chelsea

Chelsea Pearce enjoyed a brilliant day to win a clean sweep as the West Bay Angling juniors fished for the Frank and Peggy Daw Memorial Trophy on the East pier.

Chelsea’s consistent dedication paid off in fine style as she won several categories including first fish (24g pout), smallest fish (5g shanny), heaviest round fish (79g corkwing), heaviest flat fish (33g flounder) and most fish (11). Generous prizes and vouchers were donated and presented by Richard “Tiny” Daw.

Final results

1: Chelsea Pearce 258g, 2: Albert Loizou 42g, 3: Sam Carter 23g

n The Daw Family would like to thank Ben Carter the club’s Junior Secretary for running the match, all those that took part and offered their help on the day, including Norman Stokes and The Angling Centre West Bay.

FIRST: Chelsea Pearce with Richard 'Tiny' Daw

Gregory was awarded with Lifetime

Left to right: Lloyd Vercoe, Peter Brook, Noel Gregory, Julian Hussey, Pete Dacey

Business

Freelance copywriter ANDREW KNOWLES is based in Wyke Regis and has a keen interest in history. He is currently charting the histories of long-lived Dorset businesses.

Business has history of current affairs

In 1918 chimney sweep-turned bugler Edward Bramwell Marsh played the Last Post to mark the end of the First World War One. He was part of the British Army in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), having served for the duration of the war.

Today, his name is a prominent landmark in the heart of Sturminster Newton. You’ll recognise it as EB Marsh, the electrical store. There’s also a branch in Sherborne.

EB Marsh is a third-generation family business. Today it’s run by Edward’s granddaughter, Sarah, and her husband. They’re supported by nearly 20 staff and a loyal customer base across north Dorset and into Wiltshire.

Coming home from the war, Edward, more commonly known as Ted, worked as a clerk. This clearly wasn’t enough for him because, in 1930, he went into business with his brother.

Today we take electricity, at the

flick of a switch, for granted. In 1930 north Dorset, it was a rare novelty. Most homes, particularly in rural areas, had no connections to the newlycreated National Grid. There was no market for washing machines, refrigerators and televisions.

However, the Marsh brothers’ business was powered by electricity from the start. Ted and his brother supplied public address systems to local events – microphones and speakers that ran on electricity. They also provided a battery-charging service. People used batteries to power radios and some lighting in their homes.

Adverts from 1946 proclaim: “Edward B Marsh –Sturminster Newton – Public Address Specialist since 1930 for: Dances, Gymkhanas, Races, Sports Meetings or any other occasion where sound amplification is required.”

The familiar shop in Sturminster Newton Marketplace was opened in 1940. By then, Ted was running the business alone, his brother having moved on to become a builder.

The post-war years saw a boom in the market for electrical goods. Ted’s team helped install electrical wiring into homes, as

people sought to take advantage of the new power at their fingertips. He also sold the appliances that used electricity. By the 1960s EB Marsh was more like the retailer we know today. Ted continued to be involved, right up until the early 1980s, when he was also in his 80s. By then his son, Dick, was running the business. His daughter, Sarah, took a role in 1993. EB Marsh opened its Sherborne branch in 2001. The biggest change weathered by the business was the arrival of the internet. Now people living in rural north Dorset can buy from anyone, anywhere. EB Marsh is a long-established member of Euronics. It’s a buying group supporting independent local firms – many of them family-run. This helps them stay competitive in the internet age, as does their commitment to customer service.

“Treat every customer as if they were a member of your family,” Sarah tells her staff. That’s a sentiment Ted would surely have been proud of.

n If you know of a longestablished Dorset business that deserves to have its story told, get in touch. Email andrew@andrewknowles.co.uk

PLUGGED IN: EB Marsh in Sturminster Newton in the 1960s and, right, Ted and Dick Marsh

Adaptability and agility are the keys to success

By DUNCAN McKECHNIE Of Action Coach

We’ve all seen the ups and downs that SMEs face, especially in the diverse landscape of Dorset. From quaint rural ventures to bustling urban businesses, adapting with agility is key. Here are some top considerations to help you navigate these uncertain times.

Economic uncertainty and inflation

With inflation at 2%, there’s a mix of challenges and opportunities. Lower costs are a plus, but careful management is crucial. Review your pricing strategy to ensure it reflects the value you offer. Stay competitive without cutting corners on quality – it’s

essential for growth.

Cash flow management

Cash flow is king.

Implement solid credit control and encourage prompt payments with small discounts for early settlements. Keep a close eye on expenses and find ways to trim costs without losing quality.

A cash reserve can be a lifesaver for those unexpected bumps.

Digital change

The pandemic sped up digital adoption. Investing in digital transformation can boost efficiency and customer engagement. Improve your e-commerce, use data analytics for better decision-making, and automate where possible. These steps can open new revenue streams and give you an edge in the digital age.

Talent retention and recruitment

Finding and keeping the right talent is tricky with the current labour market. Create a positive work environment with competitive salaries and benefits.

Post-pandemic, flexible working arrangements are a big plus. Offer professional development opportunities to keep your team motivated and loyal.

Sustainability and social responsibility

Consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are sustainable and ethical. Incorporate sustainability into your core strategies— reduce waste, source responsibly, and engage with the community. This not only enhances your brand

but also builds customer loyalty.

Networking and collaboration

Networking is a powerful tool. Join local business groups and industry associations to gain insights and collaboration opportunities. Sharing experiences and strategies with fellow business owners can help you tackle challenges and seize opportunities, fostering a supportive community. So, while the economic climate presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for growth and innovation. Dorset SME owners can build resilient businesses that are ready for long-term success by focusing on these key areas. The secret? Adaptability and a proactive approach to change.

New offices to open in Weymouth soon

Pharaoh is Director and Principal Solicitor of Pharaoh Law. She is a solicitor and registered mediator with the Civil Mediation Council. Contact her on 01305 819696 or at info@pharaohlaw.co.uk

Pharaoh Law Solicitors and Mediators is delighted to announce the opening of its newest office in Weymouth this autumn. Known for delivering exceptional personal service and specialist legal advice, this expansion marks an important milestone in making our trusted services more accessible and reaffirms our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality legal services to clients across Dorset.

At the heart of Pharaoh Law is a team of dedicated professionals with over 75 years of combined experience. This wealth of knowledge and expertise ensures that every client receives the highest standard of legal support, tailored to their unique circumstances. The firm’s commitment to trust and integrity has earned them a sterling reputation, with many clients

relying on their advice for years.

Lisa Pharaoh, Director and Solicitor at Pharaoh Law, said: "We are thrilled to extend our services to Weymouth, bringing our trusted legal expertise closer to home for many of our clients. Our new location on King Street will provide the community with convenient access to our full range of legal services, and the same dedication and expertise that our clients in Dorchester have come to rely on.”

The Weymouth office will offer a comprehensive suite of legal services, including family law, employment law, actions against the police, dispute resolution, wills and estate administration, including contentious probate, and litigation. Clients can expect the same personal attention and professional service from our experienced team, whether they

meet in person or in remote consultations. With a proven track record, our team of highly experienced solicitors, our solicitors, including Lisa Pharaoh, Deborah Schmieder, and Sharon Edelstyn, are well-equipped to handle complex legal issues with empathy and professionalism. Pharaoh Law’s discreet and comfortable environment ensures that clients can discuss their legal matters with confidence and peace of mind. For more information or to schedule an appointment at the new Weymouth office, visit pharaohlaw.co.uk or call 01305 819696. You can soon find us on King Street, opposite the train station and a minute’s walk from Jubilee Clock.

Lisa

Down to earth

Beautiful visitors to our shoreline

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO

BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

Rarely do I ever cross the county border, let alone venture into another country. Luckily for me there are many exotic and beautiful visitors to the West Dorset coast in the summer – not Midlanders, but creatures from warmer climes. There are also shy locals like this lucky beached seahorse, who was scooped up and sent back to the water by fellow beachcomber Alan Timms. Almost mistaken for a seaglass bottle bottom I nearly trod on this native Crystal jelly fish (Aequorea Vitrina) at Charmouth. The leather back turtle is

WARMER CLIMES: A hardbacked turtle, a crystal jelly fish and, right, Alan Timms’ seahorse

the largest of all living turtles at roughly two metres long. It is considered a global traveller and turns up in West Dorset in the summer to gorge on (look away little Aequorea Vitrina) –jelly fish! It then returns to warmer climes when its ‘third eye’ detects that the days are growing dangerously shorter and light is fading. There are also the hard backed turtles who are often blown off

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.

We are well-blessed with poisonous plants in West Dorset, all of them biding their time, awaiting the incautious forager. Many will just make you sick, but it is the deadly species that fill us with dread. The Nightshade Family of plants, like the Carrot Family, is odd in that some

scutes on their shell representing the 13 lunar months and 28 smaller ones on its “petticoat” equivalent to 28 days in an old lunar month.

course and end up shivering in our cooler climes. Thank goodness there is such a thing as the UK Turtle code available online, which gives you a good idea of how to respond to whatever type of turtle you might find. In researching this article I discovered that hardbacked turtle shells were used by our ancient ancestors as lunar calendars. Incredibly, most hard back turtles have 13

Less than a week ago I had an accident on an unmaintained public footpath. The result is that I am unable to walk without crutches. No more gallivanting around on rocky beaches for me for a while. And even when I do, I won’t be able to paddle round the coast corners unless it’s a very VERY low tide so I can detect any hidden obstacles. Can’t say I consulted my turtle shell lunar calendar but I did look up tide times and found that the next full moon, which gives the lowest tides, would be on the August 19 between 2pm and 6pm. So if you spot a hobbling but happy beachcomber on this day it’s probably me. n Get in touch with Jo at belasco@britishbeachcombing mag.com

Beware the killer plants,

are poisonous, deadly even, while some others are cultivated for food. Among the dangerous nightshades are Deadly Nightshade, Henbane, Thorn Apple and Bittersweet – while the good guys include tomato, potato, capsicum and aubergine, though their flowers, foliage and roots are poisonous. The most familiar nightshade is Bittersweet. The mature red berries have been recommended as being

edible by some of my more reckless foraging friends. They aren’t, of course, but taste encouragingly of ripe tomatoes at first, turning to an intolerable bitterness after a minute or two. Hence its name.

Deadly Nightshade is the worst of its notorious tribe, though none are particularly safe.

I have seen it in the ‘wild’ only once, not in West Dorset, but, bizarrely, in the car park at Old Trafford. Despite being (mostly) a plant of the chalk, it

Down to earth

Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown-up sons and spotty rescue dog. She loves to photograph and write about the everyday wildlife she sees in her garden and on her daily dog walks. You can follow Sally on Instagram at Sparrows in a Puddle.

Moth’s bros deserve our conservation

As I write this summer finally seems to have arrived. Somebody’s found the suntan cream, the watering can’s been needed for the first time in ages and, joy of joys, we’re eating outside again. Spilling out onto our patio in the summer feels like our bungalow has gained a whole extra room. Around our large wooden table we can sit and read, work, have a cuppa and most importantly, eat our meals together. I love to gather flowers from the garden as a centrepiece and it’s wonderful to see the bees come to visit the vase while we’re eating. By the end of August, the evening sun will be setting before 8 but I love it when we’re still eating and chatting as the light fails and the nighttime creatures have their turn in the garden. It often amazes me how late some bumblebees

are still flying but eventually they’ll settle down on a flower to sleep and then it’s the moths’ turn.

It’s true that not everyone likes moths. A YouGov poll conducted for the charity Butterfly Conservation found that almost two thirds of people associated them with eating clothes, a third considered them to be pests and many thought them ugly or scary. Only one in five of those surveyed considered them important. As just two of the UK’s 2,500 species of moth have caterpillars that eat fabric and the majority play an important role in pollination and the food chain, the charity has been trying to improve their

reputation. As moths mostly fly at night and aren’t easy to see, my friend Julian in the village, like many other moth enthusiasts, uses a live light trap to see what’s visiting the garden. He’s

trunk, is my favourite. Like so many insects our moths are in decline, but as always we can do our bit to help them.

encouraged me to learn the names of some of the larger and more interesting moths. The hawkmoths are definitely the stars, the beautiful pink and green elephant hawkmoth, named because its wonderful caterpillar looks just like an elephant’s

Allowing an area of the garden to grow some wildflowers can provide food plants for caterpillars and to help the adult moths at night. Butterfly Conservation suggest growing a ‘moon garden’. Moths are attracted to pale-coloured flowers that are visible in low light and good at reflecting the moonlight. Others such as the tobacco plant, Nicotiana, attracts moths by producing its scent at night.

Butterfly Conservation have advice on what to grow and other ways to help moths and learn about them on the Why Moths Matter pages of their website butterflyconservation.org

lurking in our hedgerows, looking so lovely...

has only three or four official records in our area. A pity. It is also known as Belladonna, from its onetime-use in dilating the pupils of women out to impress. This name reappears in the Latin, Atropa belladonna, the first part deriving from Atropos, the least cheerful of the Three Fates. Its berry’s striking purple-black skin has lured many a victim, though the whole plant is deadly, with a list of invoked symptoms too grim to

relate. In addition to my seemingly endemic Black Nightshade (not deadly), last year a single Thorn Apple plant appeared in my garden. This deadly plant contains the same toxins as Deadly Nightshade and its young leaves could conceivably be confused with some of the edible weeds of cultivation such as Fat Hen. Its common name is from its enormous, green and spiny fruit. I have twice been delighted to find Henbane appear in the same patch. It

bears the most beautiful of flowers: a deathly yellow, decorated with a branching pattern and a centre of dark purple. While this plant is not deadly unless consumed in quantity, it does produce euphoria and hallucinations. This may sound like party-time, but you would have to tolerate a galloping heart-rate, convulsions, vomiting, muscle spasms and more. I’m sticking with the Ovaltine.

TRUNK CALL: An elephant hawkmoth Pic: JULIAN FRANCIS

Down to earth

KIM BERLIN – A newcomer to the Rock

Our fate hangs on incinerator decision

Finally, we stand at the moment of decision.

The proposal to build a plastic incinerator at Portland Port was rejected by the vast majority of the community, rejected by the local and county councils and has been through the Planning Inspectorate. We now await the Secretary of State’s decision. Having been in one of the opposition groups from the beginning I can say that this has been an enervating experience. There are others who have dedicated the last few years of their lives towards defeating this appalling proposal.

Portland’s visitor numbers have grown massively in the last few years and holiday cottages are doing brisk business pretty much all year round because Portland offers a lot for special interest groups, such as ornithologists and water sports fans.

using unrecyclable waste materials. No mention of the fact that it will chuck out 270 tonnes of CO2 24/7 for the next 30 years. No mention of the unfilterable microplastics that will emanate from the chimney, along with nitrogenous,

the cliff path by Tout Quarry Sculpture Park or down past Rufus Castle to Church Ope Cove. The proposed site for the incinerator is surrounded –right up to the perimeter fence – by special areas of conservation, SSSIs,

that have adapted to survive in these lownutrient soils and wipe them out, along with the fragile animal ecosystem that relies on the specific conditions. So goodbye

AT RISK: The beauty of Chruch Ope Cove could be lost if the incinerator is built

The developers have tried to claim that it’s clean energy, but it isn’t, except by the measure of some preposterous (previous) government ruling that plastic waste incineration counted towards green energy totals because it was

sulphurous and ammoniac wastes that can’t be removed. It would be one hell of a system if they burnt all this plastic and, hey presto, nothing comes out! Magic! Won’t need a 94m chimney then, will it? Inexplicably Portland is neither included in the Dorset National Landscape (DNL) nor the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) Jurassic Coast, and yet it is both in and of them both.

We have jaw dropping beauty – take a walk along

Marine Conservation Zones and a RAMSAR Wetland site of international importance. These incinerators do emit pollution, serious pollution. These areas will be damaged. Portland is home to some wonderful and vanishing calcareous grassland habitat. The nitrogen alone emitted by the incinerator will drop on the soil enriching the nutrition of the grasses which will outcompete the fragile and rare wildflowers

Cretaceous Silver Studded Blue butterfly, Portland Sea Lavender, Portland Hawkweed, Early Gentian, a raft of rare and possibly unique lichens and a load of other stuff. It was nice having you… but we need to burn some plastic. For money. And because we’re too lazy to bother trying to ‘unmake’ this stuff we’ve made. They want to split this beautiful landscape with a whopping great chimney belching out fumes accompanied by a 15-storey service building – not the itsy-bitsy thing depicted by Powerfuel in their illustration. As I understand it, one wind turbine would produce more power without the pollution. I feel in particular for the people of East Weares and Amelia Close. Amelia Close is at the same height as the top of the chimney where the pollution will be emitted and it is less than 700 metres away. That cannot be without consequence.

Whether you voted for me or not, I’m here to serve

Let me start with a huge thank you! I am enormously honoured to be elected to represent beautiful West Dorset for the next Parliament. I am extremely grateful to all those who voted for change, and I promise to work tirelessly for all the residents of West Dorset whether you voted for me or not. If you need me, I am here. Liberal Democrats are community champions at whatever level of government we are elected. I will be a constituency MP, focused

By EDWARD MORELLO MP for West Dorset

on local issues and the needs of my constituents. There are now 72 Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament, 22 of whom represent constituencies in the South West. Most are large, rural seats which share plenty of the characteristics of West Dorset, and many of the issues. We will work together to ensure the Government understands the needs of

rural Britian and campaign for a fairer deal for our residents. We will also work cross-party. I have just joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Great South West, with the exact aim of ensuring that as a region we are not left behind, and get the investment and services we deserve and need. There is plenty to do in West Dorset; we need to end the release of sewage onto our rivers and beaches, address the costof-living crisis, reverse the decline in NHS dentistry, improve access to care and support for carers, get a better deal for our farmers and food producers, and address the lack of transport for those living

outside of our main towns.

However, I know there are also a lot of individuals who are seeking help with their personal challenges. As your MP I will do all I can to advocate for you. I work for you. Please get in touch.

You will not be surprised to learn that this is a period of transition, and I would beg a moment of patience as I grow into my new role. There is an enormous amount to do; not least of which is setting up my constituency office so I can be of help to anyone who might need it. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch at edward.morello. mp@parliament.uk

Promise made, promise kept on the barge

It is a privilege to have recently been elected as your Labour MP for South Dorset. I will do my level best to be a local champion for our community and a strong voice in Westminster. One of the biggest issues sitting on my desk has been the future of the Bibby Stockholm barge. Before the general election last month, I made it crystal clear that shutting down the barge is a top priority. From the start, our entire community knew that the barge was expensive, unworkable, and unfair for everyone involved.

By LLOYD HATTON MP for South Dorset

After being elected, I quickly met with Ministers at the Home Office and successfully made the case to shut down this expensive gimmick. The barge will now close in January, when the current contract expires. This is fantastic news for South Dorset. We must never forget that the previous Conservative

Government landed us with this wasteful barge. By working hand-in-hand with the new Labour Government, I have been able to close down the barge and help save a great deal of taxpayers’ money from being frittered away. This decision is a promise made, promise kept. I will now spend every day making sure that the closure of the barge happens in a smooth and orderly way. And I will investigate how we can claw-back taxpayers’

money that has been wasted on it already. I will also work with the Home Office to reduce the backlog of unprocessed asylum cases on the barge and restore order to the asylum system. I want to see robust decisions made, and not endless delays. As your local MP, I will make sure that your priorities are my priorities. I will make sure we always have a voice at the top table. And I look forward to keeping you up to date with all my work in the much-loved pages of this magazine. n lloyd.hatton.mp@ parliament.uk

Health & Wellbeing

Seven-mile walk takes in old castle site

CATTISTOCK

WALKING IN DORSET

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

Start at the church, which is usually open and has marvellous stained glass.

It also has bees, both in the church and in a log hive in the churchyard. Walk up the road past the shop and then turn right along a bridleway, which takes you east along the back of the village.

It then continues through a farm and across a couple of fields.

Then join a footpath that takes you left, uphill towards a road, but before you reach the road turn left and enter the field containing the hill fort. It’s access land so you’re free to explore the castle site and look down on the village, imagining how much it’s

changed since the castle occupants viewed it.

Return to the path and continue up to meet the road where you turn left, and continue westwards for over a mile, passing through Sandhills, (where there used to be a pub) until you come to a bend, close to the parish boundary stream.

Turn right and head north eastwards along the edge of a wood and across

Walk for air ambulance

PUTTING IN A SHIFT: Staff and supporters

Supporters of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance went the extra mile as they took part in the 5K Twilight Shift around Henstridge Airfield to raise vital funds for the lifesaving organisation. The event started at 5.30pm to chime with the start of the ‘twilight shift’ for the air ambulance crew. Off-duty crew members

walked, jogged or ran alongside DSAA supporters with many people carrying extra weight on their back, just like the air ambulance team do when attending an incident.

Alana Hardy, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Events Officer said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event or took part, we hope to see you all next year!”

The next fundraising event is the ‘Race from the Base’ ultra-cycling challenge, at Henstridge Airfield on Saturday, September 7.

fields until you come to a crossways where you turn left and follow the path north west through West Holway, after which it crosses a stream and curves right, leading through Inpark Farm and eventually to join a road. Turn right and it’s all downhill for over a mile until you get to a T junction which will look familiar to you. Turn left and head up through Sandhills to a road junction where you continue southwards through the village back to the church. Not far from the church is the ancient pub, the Fox and Hounds, which is lovely within and may have a beverage to quench your thirst as you’ll have walked about seven miles.

n The pub may be closed at the moment.

Do check before setting out.

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The West Dorset Magazine Edition 43, August 2024